DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Tktbsday, April 23 i Messrs R. Wilkin and 00, on Mr Heron b Farm, Flemington—Live and Dead Stock

Friday, Messrs Matson, Cox and Co., at Raupuna, Hear Mayfield—Live and Dead Stock Saturday, April 25 Bttllock, at' the Arcade, Burnett street—-Land, etc. Tuesday, April 28 gftnn Matson. Cos and o>., at the A all bur'©a Ssleyirds —Stock

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Em Wednesday, Apbll 22 Wesleyan Church—Reception Soiree Oddfellows’ Hall—Madame Pauline Rita and Mr John Radoliff, at 8 o clock Town Hall—Faust Family, at So clock Orange Hall—Star of the East, 1.0. G. 1., meeting at 8 o’clock Montecillo Football O.ub—Meeting, at Qdll’s hotel, at 7.30 „ Monday, April 27. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7.80 Arcade Chambers—Star of Ashburton, U.A.0.D., at 8 o’clock Wednesday, April 29 Ashburton Racing Club—Autumn Meet ins Oddfellows’ Hal'—“H.M.S, Pinafore,” at 8 o’clock

Friday, Mat 1 ienburtoQ County Council —At Council Chambers, 11 a.m. Lonbgeach Road Board at Road Board Office.

Saturday, Mat 2. /7akanui Road Board, at Road Board office, Moore street, at 10. 30 a.m.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS

Advertisements for The Ashburton Guardian must be sent in not later than 8 p.m., with the number of insertion, wrmeh plainly on the copy, otherwise they will he inserted until counter manded, and charged accordingly. R®* place Advertisements must be supplied the day previous to that on which they are to be inserted. Special notices can be received up to 3.30 p.m., but will be charged double rates. * All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of ood faith. All advertisements and business iett. is jo be addressed The Manager ; literary icmmunications should be addressed to The Editor.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office follows: — For Christchurch and North at 6 a.to, 10.30 a.m., and 6 p.m,, daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10.30 a. m. *nd 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, \ Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, *nd Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. Sfor'’Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., For Tima/u and South, at 6 a.m., 10 *.m., and 4.30 p.nu, daily. For Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10.45 For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a.m. For Mount Somers, on Tuesdays and aturdays, at 6 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. For Mayfield, on' Tuesdays and Satur days, at 6 a.m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p. m. daily. For Flemington,on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4.80 p. to. For Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.80 a.m.

Ttfttllit arrive at- the Ashburton Post dfice— From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 *,m., 4.36 p.xn., and 7.20 p.m. From Ohertsey, &c. at 10.16 a.m. and 4.35 p.nv.daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.3'"' ~vm. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.40 a. m. I'.oO p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. lor Mount Somers and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 6 s.m. and 4.30 p.m., and on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. - From Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 10.6 a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a. m. daily. From Rowlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days, at 2.30 p.m. From Fiemington on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. From Elgin, Wakanni, Seafield, and Kyle on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sat urdays. at 4 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas Et Prevalebit WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1885. Russia’s Record.

A cablegram we publish in another part of this issue, stating that Sir Peter Lumsden’s account of the Penjdeh incident is completely at variance with the despatch furnished by General Komaroff to the Russian Govern ment, is not of a reassuring character. There can be no doubt as to the ac curacy of the British Commissioners account; Sir Peter Lumsden is a care ful and veracious diplomatist, well tried and trusted by the English Cabinet, and although General Komaroff may in the eyes of his Government, be entitled to the confidence we are disposed to place in the British Commissioner, there is strong presumptive evidence that the account of the Penjdeh inci dent, alleged to have been furnished to the Russian Government by the Go vernor of theirjTrans-Caspian dominions, is not inaccord with the facts. Wedo not hesitate to say that Russia would, to serve a purpose, make a scape goat of General Komaroff, as she did of Skobeloff, the most accomplished General that Russia ever had. The mendacity of “ Holy ” Russia is noto rious ; she spares neither friend nor foe, respects neither national honor nor obligations to attain her nefarious ends. In a recent issue we touched briefly upon the national career of the vast northern power; a closer , examina tion of what may be termed her domestic history will be no more invit ing but even more instructive. The founder of the house of Romanoff was a man named Kobyla, who emigrated from Prussia. In the sixth generation of his descendants they adopted the name the house now bears—Roman off. It was one of these descend ants who became the wife of the notorious Ivan the Terrible, the fiend who murdered his eldest son, crushing his skull with an iron rod. This same demon hypocritically attended mass in Novgorod cathedral in January, 1570. His soldiers were with him, their side arms clanging on the floor of the sanc tuary when they knelt in prayer. On a pre-arranged signal from the Czar, the troops seized the Archbishop, imprisoned him, pillaged the archiepis copal palace, and sacked the city. Men, women and children were merci lessly murdered, and for weeks the scenes of blood and plunder continued. In 1584 this Monster died by a bene ficent visitation of God, and his son, almost an idiot, succeeded him. He married Irina Godunof, and the vir tual rule of the country fell into the hands of his wife’s brother. When Feo dor died, his widow entered a monastry, and her brother assassinated three per sons who stood between him and the throne to which he was elected by the Council of Nobles and dignataries of the Church. This usurper was poisoned and his son succeeded him; only, however, to be in turn assassin ated to make room for the “False Derpetrius” who professed to be the son of Ivan the Terrible. He, too, fell a victim to the assassin’s knife. He was buried in the “Stranger’s Field,” but the infuriated people would not permit even the ashes of the Pre tender to their “ holy” throne to remain in the grave. They burned his ; body, and having mixed the calcined dust with powder, fired it from a cannon in the direction of Moscow, Shorusky, chosen by the mob succeeded the Pre tender, but was speedily dethroned. Ladxslas, a son of the King of Poland, the next Czar, was opposed by the priets because he was a Latin Catholic. Michael Komaroff, a lineal descen dant of Kobyla, was the next aspirant to the throne, and Peter the Great his grandson succeeded him. Then commenced that thirst for territory that has burned in the Russian heart to this day. The career of Peter the Great is so well known

and unsavory it need not be dwelt upon here. That paragon of virtue was succeeded hy Peter the Second, a ruler of whom the Russian nation is still proud. He certainly was no worse than any of his predecessors, but suf fered a similar fate, and the Czarina Anne, a lady with a very questionable reputation, ascended the throne. Ivan the Second succeeded Anne, but his reign was short, and after a sojourn in prison of eighteen years was murdered. Elizabeth followed, but the life she led is unnameable. Prince Orloff strangled her successor. Peter the Third. Peter’s widow, Catherine the Second, succeded him. Her character was a commixture of debauchery and cruelty. Her son Paul succeeded her, and he was strangled at the instigation of his own sons after a reign of five years. The next sovereign, Alexander the First, died in the Crimea in 1825. We need not extend the enumeration of the Romanoffs’ crimes by detail ing the evil doings of Nicholas in Poland and Circassia. We have shown enough from the black list of Russia’s sovereigns to indicate the character of her people. These are the people with whom we may at any hour be engaged in deadly conflict, and, we repeat, an examination of their history cannot fail to strengthen the confidence we feel in the ultimate issue of the strife. We trust the Gladstone Go vernment will not allow themselves to be further hoodwinked by Russian du plicity, but will firmly maintain the posi tion into which they have been forced by popular opinion, and in which they will be supported by every intelligent British subject.

The Manawatu Butter, Cheese and Bacon Manufacturing Company is to be voluntarily wound up. “Rough on Rats,”—Clears out rats, mice, roaches, flies, 'vits, bed-bugs, beetles, insects, skunks, jack rabbits, gophers. Druggists, The N.Z. 1 > u> Co., General Agents. 2

“ German Syrup.”—No other medicine n the world was ever given such a test of its curative qualities as Boschee’s German Syrup. In three years two million four hundred thou sand small bottles of this medicine were dis tributed free of charge by Druggists in the United States of America to those afflicted with Consumption, Asthma, Croup, severe Coughs Pneumonia and other diseases of the throat and lungs, giving the afflicted undeniable proof that German Syrup will cure them. The re sult has been that Druggists in every town and village in civilised countries are recommending it to their customers. Go to your Druggist and ask what they know about it. Sample Bottles 6d. Regular size 33. 6d. Three doses will relieve any case,— [Ad vt,]

The Faust family will make their first appearance in Ashburton at the Town Hall this evening. The performance of this l alented company is quite unique in character, and- is certainly one of the most marvellous we have ever witnessed, ftitr C. Waud as a pianist and violoncellist is a musician of considerable merit, and his contributions to the programme can not fail to secure a favorable reception. The comic horizontal bar act by two of the “family” is highly -amusing and the dancing of Master Eugene»Faust very artistic. One of the most pleasing and clever acts of the evening will be the “ Musical Clowns ” While playing vio lins with the greatest precision, the clowns turn somersaults and execute other diffi cult feats. A southern exchange, referr ing to this act, says ;—“ This part of the performance is alone worth the price of admission.” The statuary, silver-toned hand bells, the sensational ißisley act, airobatic feats and other items make up one of the best entertainments ever offsred to the Ashburton public. Mr Robert Stansell, of Timarn, has applied to the Patent Office, Wellington, for a patent for a machine for making barbed wire. Mr J. G. Howard, of Bed ford, England, has made a similar appli cation for an improvement in reapers and binders, to be known as “ Howard’s patent reaper and binder anti-capsizer.”

His Excellency the Governor in exer cise of the powers and authorities con ferred upon him by section 130 of The Public w orka Act, 1882, has taken la Ir

18p, part of R.S. 23096 situated in the Nvesterfieid Survey District for the ex tension of the Mount Somers railway. The dissolution of partnership hitherto existing between Mr William Hartnell and Mr William Morgan, of Methven, trading as Hartnell and Co , is notified in the current number of the N Z Gazette. The partnership hitherto existing be tween Mr George Roberta and Mr J. M Paxton, trading as Roberts, Paxton and Co., has also been dissolved.

In his defence of the Government, Mr Gladstone paid the following tribute to the loyalty and patriotism of the colonies: ago this country had scarcely ceased to reel under the shock of a great dismem berment of the Empire, which dismem berment was brought about by unfortu-" nate attempts to force on what were then the most important colonies of Great Britain contributions in aid of the public revenue for the military charges of this country, it Is certainly a gratifying con trast which is now presented to us. Such attempts upon them free communities have now become entirely obs; lete, and the consequence of the abandonment of untenable claims has been to open a foun tain head of loyalty, patriotism, public spi it and liberality in the colonies them selves that has led to these most gratify ing and most important offers.” In an article on hydrophobia, the Wellington Times says that not one New Zealand dog out ot every fifty could prove chat he earned an honest living, or was anything but a disreputable loafer. The North Otago Times says:—“The management of the interests of the Go vernment policy-holders under the system of Boards established by the Act of lasi session, is palpably a sham and a snare.” The Upper Ashburton Road Board, by advertisement in this issue, invite tenders for road formation, Donald Dinnie purposes revisiting New Zealand. His Australian trip has not been a financial success. The stacks, the property of Mr B. Edo, destroyed by fiie at Buocleuch on Satur day evening, were insured for L2OO with the N.Z. Insurance Company. The agricultural statistics for the county of Cheviot have been published. The county contains four holdings, three free hold and one part freehold and part rented ; it grew no cereals, one acre of potatoes, 614 acres of turnips, and one acre of other crop. The collector for the county must have had an onerous task. A dispute has arisen in Christchurch between the actors and management of the “ Silver King ” Company on a ques tion of salary. The actors are claiming payment for the first day the Company was in Christchurch, and on which there was po performance. A teat case has been brought in the Resident Magistrate’s Court, and will le heard on Fiiday next The management are resisting the claim as being contrary to the principle of “ no play no pay.” Mr R. T. Booth, the temperance lec turer, concluded his mission in Christ church last night.. He was presented with a piece of plate, and Mrs Booth was the recipient of a jewel case filled with sove reigns. The total value of the gifts is about LIOO. 5,286 persons have donned the blue ribbon during the mission, 3,072 of whom have signed the pledge A t a meeting held at Geraldine on Mon day evening to consider the feas bilUy of raising a cavalry corps for that district, the Timaru Herald says Mr Compton, of Ashburton, was present and gave infor mation on several points. Mr Hugo Friedlander, J.P., presided at the R.M. Court this morning, and dealt with the following offonde-s:—A first offender, a visitor to Ashburton from Timaru, was charged with drunkenness, and fined 10s without costs.—Samuel Grey, charged with vagrancy, was re manded to Kaiapoi to appear before the Resident Magistrate there on Friday next.

Mr Archibald Forbes was asked by the

Daily Nem to go to Suakim. He was ready to go, but his medical attendant absolutely forbade the enterprise. Mr Forbes is suffering for his many adven tures from a very weak heart, and is bound to rest at a time when he would be most anxious to use his services. One is glad to be able to state that the Standard has acted with full generosity toward those who were dependant upon poor Cameron.

Tho police commenced an active canine inspection to day, and proceedings have been instituted against several owners of unregistered dogs.

Another unfortunate.—Again we must draw the attention of our readers to the fact that a .£2,424 stock of Clothing and General Dra pery, in the estate of Dennis O’Connell, tra ding in Lyttelton and Cristchurch, now bank rupt, was purchased by H. E. Mav & Co., of the Hall, High street, for £ 9S4, or only a little over one-third of its value. H. E. M. and Co. are now selling it at half the marked price, which surely ought to secnre a speedy clearance. The Bad and Worthless are never imitated or counterfeited. This is es pecially true of a family medicine, and it is positive proof that the remedy imitated is of the highest value. As soon as it has been tested and proved by the whole world that Hop Bitters was the purest, best, and most valuable family medicine on earth, many imitations sprung up and began to steal the notices in which the press and the people of the country had expressed the merits of H. 8,, and in • very way trying to induce suffering invalids to use their stuff instead, expecting to make money on the credif and goad name of H. B. Many others started nostrums put up in simi lar style to H. 8,, with variously devised names in which the word “Hop ” or “Hops ” were used in a way to induce people to believe they were the same as Hop Bitters, All such pretended remedies or cures, no matter what their style or name is, and especially those with the word “ Hop ” or “ Hops ” in their name or in any way connected with them or their nanie, ' are imitations or counterfeits. Beware of them. Touch none of them. Use

nothing but genuine American Hop Bitters* with a bunch or cluster of green Hops on the white label, and Dr Soule’s name blown in the Trust nothing else. Druggists and chemists are warned against dealing in imita tions *■ counterfeits.

We would again remind our raadera of the unusually rare musical treat to be given this evening and to morrow even ing by Madame Pauline Rita and Mr John Badcliffat the Oddfellows' Hall. The Excebior Band have signified their desire to serenade these talented musicians, and we understand Bandmaster Savage and the other members of the Excelsior Band will play outside Quill’s Hotel this even ing, and accompany Madame Rita and Mr Radcliff to the Oddfellows' Hall.

J. Johns has accepted the challenge of George Tillet to run 20 miles in the Town Hall on Saturday next. The race will start at 7-30 p. m.

An important sale of jredigree horses is advertised in this issue by Mr Alfred Harrison. We will take a later oppor-

tunity to notice this sale in detail. A number of other new advertisements appears in this issue. There is every probability of an excursion train from Christchurch and intermediate stations to Ashburton being run in con connection with the forthcoming meeting of the Ashburton Racing Club. His Worship the Mayor and the Stationmaster have communicated with the Traffi • Manager highly recommending the pro posal.

A special meeting of the Senate of the fniversity of New Zealand was held in Christchurch yesterday. A deputation consisting of Mr W. Montgomery, the Moat Rev-the Primate and Mr 0. 0. Bowen was introduced. They pointed cut that the prescribed Latin course the Adelphi and the Heanton Timoroumenos of Terence were considered so unfit for reading from a moral point of view, that twelve lady undergraduates of the College had petitioned the Board to ask the Senate to set alternative books The Professional Council had also taken the matter up, «nd had requested the Board to petition his Excellency the Governor in his capacity of Yisitor of the Univer sity to have the objectionable works re moved, or alternative works provided After a prolonged discussion it was re solved—“ After full onsideration of the question in all its bearings, and a careful examination of all the different allega tions and objections urged to the two plays of Terence by candidates for de grees, the Senate finds that there is not sufficient reason for deviating from the decision arrived at at the last annual meeting in Auckland.” This decision was in favor of the retention of the books. Persons willing to aid in harvest deco rations of St Stephen’s Church are re quested to meet in the schoolroom as early as possible to-morrow afternoon. We are informed by the Incumbent that a slight error crept into our report of St Stephen’s Parish Meeting. We stated that the number of teachers in the Burnett street Sunday School was 9 Ihe number is 19, viz—9 males, 10 females. The Committee appointed by the Cale donian Society to arrange for the contin tinuance of the night school in connec tion with the Society, will meet at the Lyttelton Times office on Saturday at 7 30 p.m.

The Ashburton Debating Society w

hold their first meeting for the season in the Arcade Chambers on Friday evening next.

The Committee of the Ashburton Club meet at the Club’s room last evening. Present—Messrs Purnell (in the chair), M. Stitt, M. Friedlander, A. Harrison, C. 0. Fooks, W. B. Denshire, Drs Leahy and Ross. The Sub-committee ap pointed to report upon the arrange roent and issue of passes submitted their recommendations, which were adopted. It was resolved to engage the Ashburton Band for the two day’s racing, and the Secretary was authorised to have certain work done on the course. The Secretary was directed to communicate with His Worship the Mayor and Mr Arthur, the stationmaster, in reference to the pro posed excur. i m train. Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, etc., are quickly cured by using Baxter’s ‘’Lung Preserver. This old-established medicine is pleasant to the palate, and highly extolled by members of the medical-and clerical profession. Read ad vertisement.

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Melbourne, April 14 The Agent-General has forwarded to Mr Service copies of the representation to Lord Darby on the subject of the Kfe ci iiviate Bill, explaining that the docu ment was drawn up by Sir F. Dillon Bell. He states that the French Press is almost entirely hostile to the Bill in its present form. The Agent-General has also amt letters enclosing offers of contributions to the Patriotic Fund in the event of Victoria sending a contingent to the Soudan, from two old colonists.

Sir John Coode is on his way to Aus tralia to advise the Western Australian Government with regard to harbor works iu the colony. It has been decided by the Melbourne Harbor Trust to con su him as to Melbourne harbour improve ments.

Just’ca Molesworth gave his decision on the Barnard betting scandal case. He is of opinion that though the Committee first acted irregularly in the proceedings against Barnard, they afterwards acted regularly. The "Tulea gave them power to expel any member guilty of conduct de trimental to the Club.

It is stated that Captain Covony, of the Black Watch, lately killed in the Soudan, was a native of New South Wales.

On the advice of Captain Thomas, Gora ns mdant of the Naval forces, it has been decided to supply Queenscliffe and Point Nepean with electric lights, In order to prevent an enemy coming in, during a dark night unseen. A controversy has been carried on in the Daily Telegraph, between the Bishop and Justice Williams, on the subject of Justice Williams’s book on religion and superstition, A Cabinet meeting was held on Friday, on the subject of the defence of the colony. Captain Thomas asked for addi tional men, his request being granted. Captains Payne, Panter, and Mandeville have been placed on the active service list. Colonel Disney stated that all the forces in the colony could be ready on the shortest notice. In the event of a pro clamation of war all the forces of the colony will be called out at once. Mr Service received a telegram stating that the feeling that war was imminent was increasing in England. The fullest arrangements were made for acquainting the colonies of a pr. clamstion of war, which would be at once communicated to evesy town in the colony.

Mr Service states that there ia no truth in the report that Government had ar ranged to purchase the Rotomahana as a patrol boat. The police have arrested Jane Beach and Francis Howarth for the murder of Francis Beach last .year. The affair is known as the Pettival murder. No clue could then be found, but the jpnlice have now got evidence sufficient to justify, ar rests.

Sydney, April 14.

Great excitement has been caused by the capture of the prisoners Thurston and Angel, who recently escaped from Ooo norable gaol, and who murdered a war der. The police received information leading them to suppose that the two men wore in the neighborhood of Gulgong. They secreted themselves in Stewart’s store, and waited the arrival of the prisoners, when they called on them to. surrender. Upon this, Thurston fired at Stewart and shot him dead. The police then fired on the bushrangers, killing Thurston and wounding Angel, who has sinc9 been lodged in gaol, |

INTERVIEW WITH SIR SAMUEL BAKER.

Sir Samuel Baker has been interviewed by a representative of the Madras Mail. In the course of the interview he said : “All the world amelia of powder ; things are very gloomy, lam atraid Oh ! did ym hear about the locomotives for the Berber railway V’ he inquired suddenly. I was able to tell him that they bad arrived safely at Calcutta. “ Frightful waste of public money ; a sort of thing you would think a joke if you saw it in a satirical paper,” During the course of a discussion on the war in the Soudan, he remarked —“I think Brackenbury is quite right to stay at Abu Hamed, because it c mmands the desert to Korosko, which ought to have been made use of long ago.*' Pointing to a map of the Soudan, he said —“ In all this country there are trade routes. No merchant would over dream of sending his merchandise up the stream in the wrong season. But we have per sisted in-sending an expedition up the nvor in the wrong season, which no mer chant wou dbe fool enough to do. Now, ray argument has been —Why send troops by a route (up the Nile) by which you would not send your merchandise ?” Then, pointing to the map, he continued —“There's Suakim, and it is 270 miles

to Berber. There!a Koroa to, from which place it is 230 miles to Abu Hamed across the desert. Now Korosko is only half way between Assouan and Wady Haifa,

he first and second cataracts. There

would have been no difficulty in making a depot for supplies at Korosko, and the desert route should have been assured to 'Abu Hamed ; it is only 230 miles. To adopt the route which they have, in the present season, is perfectly ridiculous. What may be perhaps excusable in the right season is inexcusable in the wrong season. So Lite as last March I recommended the Government to organise a system of tanks across the desert from Korosko to Abu Hamed. I advised them to range eight stations with iron tanks containing 8,000 gallons at each station. That will have to be done now. That would take the troops with the greatest ease to Abu Hamed, as it would be 25 miles a day camel march. Then from Abu Hamed to Berber is 143 miles march along the banks of the river the whole way. And now with regard to the Suakim Berber route. From Suakim to Berber is 270 mtla<, with a very good desert nearly the whole way, and there is this special ad vantage, that there are three sanitaria on the way, about 3,000 ft above the sea level. Suakim should be a second Ports mouth; it is only three daja irora Suez. Therefore, with such a base as Suakim, and the advantage of the sanitaria, there coaid be no question whatever of the ad vantages of that route. It is only four teen days to Berber, We lost Berber last year, Khartoum, alas! this year, and if they don’t take ctre they’ll lose Dongola now, if Lord Wolseley is going to remain at Korti, There is a read .from Khar toum to Dongola which the Mahdi is cer tain to take, and that will cut off the re treat by the Kile.’’ In reply to a query as to the probable accession of tribes to the Mahdi’s forces, Sir Samuel replied: “ Now every man, woman and child will be with the Mahdi. It is just what I said three years ago would happen. There will be a general rising all over the coun try if care is not taken: I have always be en afraid it would spread to Arabia, and then only Heaven knows where it would stop.” As to the recent victory reported from Kassala in a special telegram to the Bombay Gazette, ho con tinued:—“ We don’t know the officer who I suppose io a Circassian or a Turk— in command of Kassala. He is quite equal to Gordon in defending his position. As the Italians have gone to Massowah it is incumbent upon them to advance im mediately to relieve Kassala. They will be responsible for it now that they are at Massowah, and should the Italians re lieve and occupy Kassala the whole of the country round, up to Ihe Atbara river, all the fertile regions round Kassala, will fall into their hands. That would be an immense diversion in our favor, as, if necessary, the Italians can march down the river upon Berber.” Then discussing the recent appointment of Prince Hassan as Governor-General of the Soudan, Sir Samuel remarked “I have always ad vocated Prince Hassan’s appointment to that post. He is quite an Englishman in many respects, and was brought up at ('xford I have known him ever since he was a bo> ; he is a moat excellent man. He ought to have been appointed long ago.” Sir Samuel continued: “Just make a note of this : It is a supreme folly that nobody but the British could have been guilty of, to begin a line of railway, to land the plant a few months ago, and then send it off to Calcutta. And now they will have to send for the locomotives back again. Imagine the effect upon the native mind. The natives must think us lunatics. Well, now, the first thing we shall have to do is to ro verse our policy. We declared we were going to abandon the country, add therefore we lost all those who would have been loyal. We now have to declare that wo mean to hold the country. Then we have the Beni Amars to deal with on the Red Sea I coast. It is fortunate for us that they are now the enemies of the Hadendowas. There should be a Political Agent 'sent with the army to manage these people. Then, if properly managed, when the Beni Amars find we have landed a large force and the people see we are really in earnest, and are not going to abandon the country, after one great victory over Osman Digna, we shall have most of the tribes ion our side, that is, on the coast.

Especially will this be the case now that the Italians ara'oocupying Masaowah, and if it is made known that they are acting in conjunction with us. The country be tween the Blue Nile and the Atbara river is one of the most fertile in the world. The railway to the Nile will develop the whole of the resources of that country. The tribes now in insurrection will cer-

tainly, after a few years, settle down as cultivators under a good Government, and the Red Sea and the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean route will assure a safe passage in time of war for the corn and cotton which England may require. In spita of this, however, the Govern ment have adhered to their policy of evacuation, which has destroyed all con fidence in us throughout Egyot, the Sou dan, —aye, the world.” Did you make any stay in Egypt on your way out?” I in quired. “No, we come straight through; I should be ashamed toshowmy faoeinEgypt, as an Englishman.” In answer to a ques tion as to the prospects of British troops at Suakim, he replied : “ Ah ! it Is too cruel, this summering in the Soudan, so unnecessary after all; fearful cruelty. They can’t keep European troops at Sua kim ; it’s quite impossible. It will des-' troy them. Indian troops and Egyp tians might garrison Suakim, and there are healthy places within thirty miles of Suakim.” Then, discussing the treat ment of the Egyptian difficulty by the Home Government, Sir Samuel agreed that there had been far too much inter ference . from Downing street. “ Yes, and by people who knew nothing what ever about the matter ; men who are oc cupied most of their time in home politi cal matters of really little consequence, giving more power to the ignorant, but calculated to keep the Ministers in office a little longer ” Of General Gordon, Sir Samuel spoke in affectionate terma. “ A glorious, noble death ; just the death he would have wished ; but how sad! Lamented by the whole world. A great friend of mine. And poor Colonel < Stewart too; as fine a fellow as ever 1

breathed. What must Lord Dafferin think of it a’l ? If they bad only followed his advice we should not have had this trouble.”

MILITIA AND VOLUNTEER REGULATIONS.

Wellington, Last night One of the proposals of the Defence Minister, in reference to amending the Militia Act next session, is that the first and second.,class mijitia aball unmarried men only. The ages for the first class militia are to be from 17 to 30. The second class will be composed of men from 30 to 40, and the' third class will - include all marrisd men from 17 to 30- years who may be capable- of serving. It is undarstood that the 'sbdve is the way in which the militia are enrolled in Canada. It is the intention. of the Defence Minister to. alter the Volunteer- regula tions. • There will be four branches of the service, the first being garrison Volnn teera in towns with a oajjitatign man ; the second, country Volunteer corps, with LI 10a per man; the third, honorary corps, and the fourth honorary reserve corps The honorary corps will be under the same regulations sa garrison corps, but will be without capitation. The honorary reserve CCTps will bp. al lowed to frame their own regulationß, 'bcrfc ■-*. they will have to be approved of bytlm ; Defence Minister. In case', hoiTC ever, Government will supply the neces-’* sary arms. The new regulations are framed so as to allow each company'to increase its strength to 109, but capita tion will -only be paid for the present maximum—63 for each town corps and 50 for country companies As the number of parades which country corps have to - attend to qualify for capitation has been i found to press very hard on some Volun teers the number has been fixed as six, i two-thirds of which have to be attended i before qualifying for capitation.

YESTERDAY’S LATE TELEGRAMS.

Auckland. A section of 700 acres on Taupiri coal reserve, adjacent to the mines, put up by the Grown Lands Board for lease at L 25 pet annum, was run up to-day to L 530 per annum, the purchaser, W. fl. Clarke, outbidding the Coal Company. A young man namedWillUm Hacken, was drowned while rafting timber at Wbangaroa. Wellington. It is stated that the Directors"bf' the Colonial Insurance Company have decided to recommend at the annua! meeting next month the payment oh ten percent, tfivi dend.

The medical men of the. city hare estab lished a Medical Association, with Dr Johnston as president. . Mr J. 6. Wilson, member; lor: Foxton, addressed his Johnsonville constituents on Saturday night. His speech was - princi pally recapitulative of last session’s work.. Although not a supporter of the present Government, he thought they would re main in power so long as Sir J„ Vogel remained in it. He favoured the property tax, also extending the franchise to women. A vote of.confidence was passed. A poll was taken on the proposal to doable the capital of the Wellington* Manawatu Railway Company, and resulted as follows For the proposal, 8,470; against, nil. A meeting was held this evening of members of the Island. Bay Pack.. Com pany and others interested in the forma-., tion of a Jockey Club. It whs decided to form a Club to be called the Island Bay Jockey Club, and that one. day’s racing be held on May 9, the week after the Wellington Racing Club's meeting. Kaikouba.

Before Mr Whitefoord to-day the case Sheep Department v Henry luglis.oame up. After a lengthy hearing of the case for the prosecution, and an address by Mr Maclean for the defence, a verdict was given for Mr Inglia without calling upon him for any evidence. The decision evoked considerable applause in Court, the expression of feeling being with diffi culty suppressed. In two oases for deal ing in ferrets without a permit, tines of L 5 were imposed. ~ ■ Dunedin. An insurance case of some interest was heard at the district' Gonrt. A Southland farmer insured a house on his farm- with the Equitable Insurance Association of New Zealand for LIOO- At th% time the proposal was made, a tenant .was in occn patiop, and this was mentioned in the proposal, bdt it was stated to the agent that tenant was about to leave. When he left, it was used occasionally by ser vants ani by swaggers, but was not kept in good repair. The, house was burnt down, and the Company contested the claim, mainly because the been unoccupied without notice, and because it was of less value than LIOO. A verdict was given for LSO, as that amount was shown to be the value. INVERCARGILL. At the Supreme Court to day Ah San, a Chinaman, was sentenced to three months’ hard labor for stealing a watch and chain from a miner’s hut at Round Hill. Partrick Burke was put on trial for concealing property from the Official Assignee in Bankruptcy. This is the man who asserts he lay down to sleep by the road-aide with L 265 in gold on hior, which he had not been able to find since. The jury were locked up for the night, being unable to agree. Those were the only criminal cases, but the civil list is heavy and important.

THE RUSSO-AFGHAN DIFFICULTY

( REUTER’S TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT.)

(Received April 21, 6 p.m.) London, April 20.

In the House of Commons to-day Mr Gladstone announced that the Go vernment had received a further des patch from Sir P. Lumsden, but it was not a reply to the en'quhies made in the communication of the roth inst., wherein the Government asked the British Commissioner to report all the circumstances connected with the Panjdeh incident. Sir P. Lumsden’s present despatch, Mr Gladstone added, conflicted with the version of the fffair recently published by the Russian Go vernment from General Komaroff, and the Cabinet, therefore, must-await fur ther details before communicating Sir P. Lurasden’s despatch to the House. The statement made in Parliament to-day by the Premier has caused a renewal of the anxiety as to the prob able result of the Russo-Afghan ’diffi culty. St. Pjbtbbsbueo, Aprjl 20. The Russian Baltic fleet, now ren dezvoused at Cronstadt, is making active preparations for sea. [The above cablegrams were published by an “ extra ” last evening.]

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1885.



Groceries CHEAPER TdAN EVER AT JAMES MCGREGOR’S, Takceed. Sxeebt. Sugars—English Cut Loaf- M per lb Best White Crystal, 3£d per lb Best Snowdrop, 4d per lb (Reductions by the mat) Teas, Is 3d, Is 6d, 2s, 2s 6d, and 2s 9d Box Tea from 12s 6d per box Canterbury Oakes, iOd each. Rice, Scl MixedTJi»cuita, 6d Lunch Biscuits, 3d Currants, 6i Raisins, 7d New Figs, Is per box Best Sago, 3d New Muscatels, Is 6d Oysters, 6d ' Cairn's Marmalade, 8d Peacock’s Japs, 6sd Herrings, 7d Keillor's Marmalade, 9d Salmon, 8d Cheese, 6d per lb ; English Picklta, 8d Other articles equally cheap. JAMES MoGREGOR, Tancred Street. 12 2342



WAR WITH RUSSIA.—At the pre sent Juncture it would be difficult for ttoy one exe pt a prophet of the highest rank to say whether or not the present negotiations between England and Russia will lead to* a general European war, or' Whether they will end in smoke. The absencb of full information as to what is transpiring between the two countries may indicate that the political breeze is blowing harmlessly _ past; or, it may be the awful silence which generally precedes a storm. In either case, we ought to be prepared for the worst. If a general war breaks but the price of nearly every article of contmerce will rise. Among other commodities wool and labor will go up. Kow is the time, therefore, to lay in a stock of clothing, before the general ad vance begins. In order that we may not be caught napping wo have Just purchased a Splendid* Assortment of Winter Tweeds and other materials necessary to a well equipped tailoring establishment, which we aro prppared to offer at unusually low prices for cash. ' Regarding style and fit, ft la almost needless for ns to repeat what everybody knows, Viz , that by our scien tific mode of cutting. and the care exer tried by us in fitting tho figure, a mis-fit is an impossibility.— CbaiuHbad and Co., Merchant lailois, Tancted street.



Wanted. WANTED —A correspondent for the j Guardian, at Mount Somers. Apply to the Manager. TK7ANTED—A Situation! as general » » Servant in a email family, or to assist in house work. Country preferred t Apply Office of thi* Paper. 4 593 WANTED Known—lf owner of Grey 1 hound Slut does not pay expenses i by Friday, 24th instant, she will bo sold ( on Saturday ,to defray same. 0. Rtel, Alford Forest road. 4 679 WAJSTED— An Assistant Mistress for the Side School, Hampstead; , salary at present average about L7O per annum. Applications to be sent the Chairman Ashburton School Committee by the 27th instant. Charles Beaddell, Clerk. 4 574 WANTED —Purchaser for a Piano, by Cramer ; very cheap ; in first-class order. Apply, S.F. 8., Hinds. 4 672 TXfANTED Known—Before buying VV Dress Materials, Dlstera, Jackets, Dolmans, Millinery, etc , call and inspect our stock. The cheapest first-class Drapery and Millinery Establishment in Ashburton —H. 0. Seders, oalya’ Buildings, East Street. REAT Reductions for Cash at Tones AND Pradshaw’s. —Good oaten sheaf chaff from 60s per ton, Is fid per bag ; prime oat straw chaff 35s per ton, 9d per bag; new oatmeal 4s per bag; good cheese 5J per lb ; ffour, bran, sharps, and chick wheat at very cheap rates. _ YSTANTBD Known—Wertheim Sew- V\ ing Machines can be had on Time 1 Payments at the New Zealand Clothing ! Factory’s Branch, East street, Ashburton. Glorious news. Andrew Obr will give away on Saturday ICO 1 pairs men’s boots at fis 9d ; CO pairs can -1 vaa slippers at 2s fid ; 30 pairs cricketing ' boots at 6s fid ; 100 pairs Kaiapoi trousers * at 11s fid—every article at half-price. • 2 237 [ ANTED Known—Boots ! Boots I 7 VV That Hates and Co. are Clearing a few desperate lines of Boots, etc., to ) wit, Ladies’ Leather, 4s fid; Men’s ) Shooters, Pegged, 10s; Men’s Elastic sides, 9s, and a lot of odd lines that must r be cleared at once. 7 1278 ’ TTTTaNTED Known—Umbrellas at Is 1 VV lid, six doz Buttons for Is, China Matting at fid, Ladiea’ Hose at fid, Cor -8 sets at 2s 3d, Shitting at'4£ 1, Towels 3£ d, V 36 inch Oilcloth 9d, Camisoles Is 4d. 0 Andrew Ore’s Cheap Sale 2 185 , ANTED KNOWN—Robert Elston, W Bill Poster, Theatrical Agent, etc., Town Hall, Ashburton. Theatrical companies and others visiting Ashburton should communicate with the above. 0 Orders by post or telegram promptly attended to. 760 Special Advertisements.



|-JOMESTIO PATTERN DEPOT. Mrs Hodge, DRAPER AND DRESSMAKER, East Street, near Lancaster’s butchery. Ladies’ Dresses and Underclothing made at the shortest notice. REGISTRY OFFICE For Female Servants. 7 1413



SELLING OFF B'ANOY GOODS, TOYS, BOOKS, STATIONARY, Ac. Must be sold—even if at a loss To Sait everybody at prices that cannot be beaten. Andrewes Bros., Booksellers, Stationers, &0., Ashburton.



Canterbury Mills. rpO FARMERS AND OTHERS, CORN SACKS, I. size and weights. At lowest current rates, 3 292 0, W, TURNER,



GUI CULTURAL Machine Shop, WAKAWUI ROAD. CHARLES RAY Repairs Engines, Combines, Chaff-cuttera, Reapers and Binders, and all classes of macnihery. Special attention given to Bicycles, Tricycles and Sewing Machines. Lawn Mowers repaired, sharpened and adjusted. Model work. General repairs. 3 384



Read, mauk, learn anu INWARDLY DIGEST, and to accomplish the above feat, visit my estab lishment, and lighten your inward gloom by appeasing your appetite for the beauti ful by inspecting the most delightfully ARTISTIC EASTER CARDS ! ever imported into Ashburton (direct from Home). You are then at liberty to in spect the contents of a large case of books personally selected, and just received Ibe ieve it was Lord Wolseley who said (he happens to be the most popular man of the day, and one must squeeze a little popularity into advertisements), “ A man who aspires to great heights should read incessantly, and never forget his news papers; ’ and I say the same 1 Read 1 Read ! Read 1 When both you and my self will be considerably benefited. Not having room to give a detailed list of the contents of my shelves, 1 can only finish i by saying—Come ond see for yourselves, | and if you are disappointed come again.— Nothing like Perseverance !



Thomas F. Farley’s, BOOKSELLER AND STATIONER, Saunders’ Buildings, East St., Ashburton.



Special Advertisement, g. | rpHE LONDON AND LANCASHIRE Fire Insurance Co. We have much pleasure in informing the public of Ashburton that MES'KS WILDING, LEWIS & CAfGILL have been appointed' AGENTS for the above Company in the Ashburton Dis trict. All ritki taken at lowest current rates. LEWIS & GO OLD, 3 328 General Agents for Canterbury.



Timber Timber TO FARMERS and Others about to ] Build—Buy your timber from the Producers at first cost and Save Money. To Housekeepers who wish to have the satisfaction of burning Good Coal — We are now landing, tx s.s. Tokapo, PRIME NEWCASTLE COAL, which will bo sold at Lowest Rates. Every Requisite for the Building Trade kept in Stock, and Building supplied throughout. *** Farmers would do well to call and obtain quotations. MACPHBRSON, FILMER AND GO. (late A. Hayes). TIMBER, COAL & WOOD MEROH ANTS, East street, Ashburton.



25 Branches Now Open 25 THE NEW~ ZEALAND Clothing Factory Are now Showing NEWEST STYLES in SPRING & SUMMER CLOTHING, Manufactured from the renowned Wear Resisting MOSGIEL TWEEDS The fit and workmanship of every gar ment is undoubtedly unsurpassed, while the large production and increased busi ness enables the proprietors to offer special advantages as to price. Men’s, Boys’ and Children’s Clothing in every variety at Wholesale Prices. Sb’rts, Hats, Hosiery, Blankets, Rugs, Portmanteaux, and every requisite at WHOLESALE PRICES. Note the address— SEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY, EAST STREET, Ashburton 25 Branches Now Open 25



WOOD, SINCLAIR & CO., Millers and Grain Merchants, High street, Christchurch, Are Cash Purchasers of Wheat, Oats, Barley, Beans, Peas, Potatoes, Rye and Cocksfoot Grass Seeds at highest current rates. To farmers desirous of holding their gr«in we are prepared to offer special facilities for storage. In addition to our large brick granary we have erected a large iron warehouse. This, with the stores lately occupied by Messrs A. Moore and Co. and now leased to us, enables us to offer to farmers extra facilities for the storage and classification of grain at nominal rates. We are prepared to make liberal cash advances on grain sent in for storage, or will ship same under advance on grower’s account or otherwise, as may be arranged. 3 454.



H. E. May & Co., Are now showing their NEW SEASON’S GOODS, Which are well worth your inspection. They comprise the Newest and Best of every kind of MILLINERY, DRAPERS 7 , UNDER CLOTHING FOR INFANTS, GIRLS & LADIES, MERCERY. MEN’S, BOYS’, & YOUTHS’ COLONIAL, VICTORIAN, AND ENGLISH CLOTHING, At the Lowest Possible Cash Price.



If you will trouble to think for a minute, we feel aura you will be convinced that the way our business is conducted must insure you the beat pro curable for money. WE IMPORT DIRECT From the Best Manufacturers WE SELL FOR CASH Avoiding all bad debts WE BUY CHIEFLY FOR CASH, Securing all Cash Discounts Our Business is managed personally by the proprietor in the most economical viray, thus saving tho immense cost of an Extravagant Establishment with manager, sub-manager and an expensive staff ; therefore we will not allow any house or company to undersell us. bo if they should advertise or make a special lead or draw of any particular article, we will give you tho same at their price or lower, guaranteeing, taking things all round, our Value will be found by far the best.



Country Orders sent by post will receive special attention, and be sent free of carriage (by rail) to ANY PART OF CANTERBURY. H. B. May & Co., THE HALL.



Victoria House. EW SEASON'S ADVERTISEMENT & INTIMATION HE FINE ART GOODS, CREWEL SILKS, INGRAIN COTTONS, TRANFER PATTERNS, &c., To appear in our DIMAN T A COE, General Drapers, Clothiers, &0., East and Tancred Streets, Ashburton,



Use American Co.s Hop Bitters once agd you will use no other medicine. Test it. Take no other. Be sure and read. That husband of mine is three times the man he was : before he began using “Wells Health Renewer.” Druggists. The N.Z Drag Co., General , 9 “ Buchu-Paiba.”— Quick, complete, cure, all annoying kidney, bladder, and Urinary diseases. Druggists. The N.Z. Drug Co. General Agents. _ * Balmy sleep, good digestion, rich blood, elastic step and cheerfulness in American Co.’s Hop Bitters. Read and believe.