DAILY MEMORANDA.

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS Etc Thursday, December 23 Aihbmton Cheese and Butter Factory Company Meeting in the Arcade Chambers at 2 o’clock Monday. December 27 It O.L. —Annual Concert and Ball Monday, December 27 B »roagh Council, at Council Chambers at 7.30 Wednesday December 28 School - Meenng of R»iep»y#ri Friday. Deoembbr 31 Oddfellow a’ Ball— '* False Colors" at 8 mm*-

RAILWAY TIME TABLE.

XbainsArsivk at Ashburton —From Christ bnroh and the North, at 10.15 a.m. (express), 4.85*p.tn., and 7.10 p.m. From Timaru, 10.45 a.m. From Dunedin and South, 6.27 p.tw, (express). From Mount Somers, 10.6 Leatx Ashburton —For Christ fanreh and North, at 7.10 a.m.. 10.56 a.m., aa 6.87 p.m. (express). For Dunedin and South, 10.25 a.m. (express). For Timaru, 4 p.m. For Mount Somers, 6.6 p.m.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

From and after the 30th November, 1886, the ferns of Subscription to this journal will be M follows, viz.:— IF PAID IN ADVANCE: For Quarter.. 6s 6d, by post, 9s 6d « Half-year 12s CB, Ly post, 18s 6d < „ Xear •• 4s Od by post, 37s Od * IF BOOKED ! Fee Quarter.. 7s 6d, by post, 10s 9d • „ Half-year 16a od, by post, 21s 6d :J, Feat .. 80s od, by post, 43s Od Birt Marriage, and Death Notices, if paid far at the time of insertion, 2s 6d each (stamps may be sent as payment); if booked, PRESENT SUBSCRIBERS MAT RENEW THEIR SUBSCRIPTIONS AT THE OLD RATES. , . Announcements of Births, Deaths and SCsrriages sent for publication from the country districts, require to be verified by the signa ture of tha person sending the notice.

MAIL NOTICES.

BSaliß clone at the Ashburton Post Office For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m A3O a-m., and 5 p.m., daily. ,For Chertseyßakaia, &0., at 10.30 ».m **For Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orarl, Winchester, Vid Geraldine, at 10 ».xn. daily. ?• For Temuka, at 10 s.m. and 4.30 p.m r% Timarn and South, at 10 a. a. , and r SO p.m., dally. _ , , For Greenstreet, on Wednesdays and tnrdays, at 10.45 a.m. ~ For Wakanui, Elgin, Sea view, Seafield, -ad Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and ' tnrdays, at 6.30 a.m. * For Blount Somers, daily at 4.30 p.m i For Mayfield and Ruapuna, on Mon days and Thursdays, at 4.30 p .m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longheach, 4.80 p.m. dally. _. , For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes lays, and Fridays, at 4.30 p. m. For Howlands, on Tuesdays and *rt at 10.30 a.m. Matin arrive at the Ashburton Post From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 ,m.. 4.35 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. Prom Chertsey &c. at 10.15 S and ,35 p.nx. daily. Prom Dunedin - ad intermediate places 6.3*Mn. daily. , fto m Temuka an Timarn at 10.40 a. m <p 6.30 p.m daily. From Greenstreet, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. From Mount Somers, daily at 10.8 ‘ From Mayfield and B®hpnna, on Wed utadays and Saturdays, at 10.5 a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long each at 10 a.m. dally. _ . From Howlands, on Tuesdays and Frl ,at 2.30 p.m. ' From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thun, days, and Saturdays, at 10a.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1886. JUVENILE CRIME AND STATE EDUCATION.

The unusual frequency of late of charges against juvenile offenders had led to a very general belief that New Zealand must compare unfavorably with other coumiies in this respect, and not a few letters and articles have recently appeared in the public press which have been evidently based upon that assump tion. Many of the writers, assuming the fact as proven, have busied them selves in endeavouring to trace out its cause, and some of them have directly attributed it to our system of State Education—not that it is held that what is taught in our schools conduces to crime, but that it is contended that the system fails to teach those principles which can alone prevent it. Whatever may have been thought of the con clusions of the writers had their pre mises been correct, it now appears from statistics recently given by Sir Robert

Stout as Minister of Education that the premises themselves are absolutely false.—Speaking at the breaking up for the holidays of the Dunedin State Schools, the Premier said : —“ He had with him a few statistics, which would show that since this system of State education had been inaugurated there had been a decrease instead of increase of criminals in New Zea land. This coh.ny stood at the head of the world in regard to the paucity of juvenile crime. In 1877 the number of prisoners in the colony was 11 ’a 1 per 1000 of the population. The 1886 statistics were not to hand, but in 1885 this average had been reduced to 8 48. Since 1877, and up to the present time, there had been a steady decrease in the ratio of criminals to the population. In 1877 the ratio of juvenile criminals was 72 per 1000 ; in 1885, it was 59.” He quoted figures relating to criminals under twenty-five years of age, and said “ further exami nation of these statistics went to show that the proportion of Colonial-born criminals to the rest of the population

was decreasing inbieau ui iucic<t:>uig« In 1885 there were 332 persons under 20 years of age convicted of crime, and out of these Ix 4 were born in the colony. Hie majority (218) came to New Zealand from elsewhere. New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and the British Isles were far above this

colony wun regard to juvenue crimm ality. In 1885 New Zealand had 0.59 per 1000 of criminals under 20 years of age; New South Wales had x'6 ; Queensland, x’s4; England, x‘iß; whilst Scotland rose as high as 3'20. They must also bear in mind that in dealing with the latter countries he had only taken the figures for the principal gaols, whereas New Zealand returns in-

cluded all the gaols.” The comparison thus made results, it will be seen, wholly satisfactorily so far as New Zealand is concerned, and it is proved to demonstration that we a favorable record as compared with other colonies and countries. This, ■ however, by no means demonstrates that those who are irf favor of religious instruction in schools are in the wrong

in favoring that instruction as, notwith stand ng our good record under the pre .e t purely secular system, it is quite possible, nay probable, that we might attain a still better one if attention were given more directly to moral cul ture. But religious instruction for no religious instruction, there is, we feel sure, one point on which both religionists and anti-religionists can agree, and that is the desirableness of a little more attention being paid to the teaching of manners as, speak ing generally, the rising generation certainly promises a want of cul ture in this direction which is very sincerely to be regretted. The more than brusquerie which dis tinguishes the average colonial youngster may be, to some extent, the product of the freedom of colonial life, but unless it be checked it will develop exceed ingly ungraceful traits in the manners and bearing of the New Zealanders of the future. It is not enough that our people should be innocent of crime or have fairly educated minds, let us strive to make them also gentle of speech and courteous in manners. There is, we are persuaded, in these respects ample room for improvement.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

On Saturday next, being Christmas Day, the Guardian will not be published. The Eev P. H. Oomford is advertised to conduct a service this evening at 8 o’clock in the upper room at the back of the Oddfellows’ Hall.

We draw attention to an advertisement headed Methven Sports announcing that entries for the horse race handicaps will close on Tuesday next, 28th instant, instead of on the 26th an stated in the programmes. Mails for the United Kingdom, &0., via 'Frisco, will close at Ashburton on Friday next, 31st inst., at 5 p.m. Money orders will be issued up to 10 o’clock on Friday morning. On Saturday next (Xmas day), and on Saturday, Ist proximo, (New Year’s Day), the Post Office will be closed, and mails will be despatched by the early trains only. On Monday, 27th inst., (Boxing Day), the office will be closed, but mails will be despatched as usual up to 10 a.m., and the letter-carriers will make one delivery, commencing at 8 a.m. The Telegraph Office will be open from 9 till 10 a.m., and from 7 till 8 p.m. on each holiday. 1

The quarterly meeting ol the officebearers of the Ashburton Wesleyan Church was held last night at the parsonage. Thera was a good attendance, the Her D. MoNiooll presid ing, and Eev. T. W. Newbold being also present. The membership roll showed a slight decrease, owing to deaths and removals. The income did not meet the expenditure, and the consideration of ways and means necessarily occupied much time. After prolonged con versation it was decided to accept the mag nanimous proposals of the Circuit Ministers, and to take steps for wiping off the existing debt. A gratifying letter was received from the Society Steward at Hinds, and the spiritual aspect of that portion of the Circuit evoked devout thankfulness. After being in office for eight years Mr H. M. Jones retired from the position oi Circuit Steward, and Mr W. H. Co lins was elected to the vacancy. A very expressive resolution was ordered to be re corded on the minutes indicative of the meet ing’s approbation of Mr Jones’s services, and of the thorough manner in which he, at all times, has applied himself to the Circuit’s interests. Mr Jones suitably responded Bav T. W. Newbold and Mr H. M. Jones were elected representatives to the forthcoming Conference at Auckland, and the former gen tleman received an unanimous Invitation to work in this Circuit next year. Reference was made to the projected visit of Rev J* S. and Mrs Smalley, who who will commence an Evangelistic Mission next Sunday week, and a few other routine matters having received attention the proceedings closed, after an invitation had been given by Mr Robert Alcorn to hold the March meeting at his house. It is notified that the Christmas number of the Weekly Press contains a large number of English stories, six New Zealand prise stories, and an eight-page pictorial supplement ol Hew Zealand scenery, New Zealand towns, etc. This popular publication will, ws understand, consist ol fifty-six pages, and will bo the largest newspaper ever published in the colony.

A fifty-ounce nugget has been found at Teotulpa. The Bank of New Zealand have now 100 branches and a staff of over 400.

Sir Andrew Le Fleming (probably a son of Sir Michael Le Fleming formerly a well known settler in the neighbourhood of Fapanui) is, we see, practising as a horse tamer. At an exhibition of his skill given at Bangiora the other day the animal Sir Andrew operated upon had never previously been handled, but within three-quarters of a hour it was under complete control.

In ten years more that 30,000 people em braced Christianity in the Samoan Islands. It is thought there are not more than twenty houses in the whole group where there is not a Bible and family worship. A ring with four pearls r and three ruby stones has been found in the back of an herring caught at Dunbar. The herring was cooked, and being eaten at breakfast by a woman in Edinburgh, when the discovery was made.

A ghastly discovery was recently made in the rains of an old convent at Panama. The skeleton of a man was found immured upright in the solid “wall oloso to the altar, fastened to a wooden cross bearing a defaced inscrip tion. The skeleton fall to pieces on being exposed to the air. A gaint is coming to London. He is an Austrian. He calls himself Winkelmeier. He ia Bft 6in in height, and is one of the tallest men who have lived since the days of Anak. He is said to have nothing to recommend him to notice except his size, being, like most giants, without any particular intellectual energy.

SANDER AND SONS’ EUOALYIPT EXTRACT. —In protection of the world-wide fame our manufacture has acquired all over the globe, we publish the following:—Hazard, M.D., Professor of General Pathology and Diseases of the Mind and Nervous System, says in an editorial published in the Clinical Record > —“We have examined half-a-dozen specimens of different: manufactures; the preparation of Sander and .Sons’ was (he only one that proved to be reliable and corresponding to scientific tests.” Another concoction called "Refined Extract of Eucalyptus," has made its appearance since This product stands, according to Dr Owen, foremost in causing injurious effects. That gentleman communicates at a meeting of the Medical Society of Victoria, that a child living at became most seriously Indisposed through its use. In another case a lady states bn the strength cf statutory declaration that she suffered cruelly from tb e effects of the same conduction. To guard the high reputation of our manufacture we fee warranted in exposing the above facts, and desire the public to exercjsa care and pra j caution wheo bayipg. — SANDEE 4NDj BONO.w*(AdYI.) |

CRICKET.

E VGLISHMEN * AUSTR ALIANS. [RBU’ ER’S telegrams—COPYßlGHT ] Melbourne; December 22. The cricket match, Shaw-Lilly white team v Australians, was continued to day. The visitors second innings ohae’ f r 264 runs. The Australian , wh. required 174 runs to win the match, then weet to the wickets, but fabed to make the necessary to 01. Tee incln s ciose for 111, and the Englishmen won by 57 runs. (Received December 23rd, at 1 p.m.) Melbourne. December 23. Yesterday the Committee of tha Mel bourne Odcket Club resolved to bring a team of English amateurs to the colonic.' next year, notwithstanding that arrange menta of a similar oharao.ee are being made by the Sydney Association,

CHRISTCHURCH ITEMS

Christchurch, December 22, At an extraordinary general meeting of the Canterbury Froran Meat Company to-day. it was resolved by a large majority, “That in view of the existing freight monopoly, which practically limits available space as well as maintains an exorbitant rate of freights, the Directors be empowered to engage tonnage for » period not exceeding two years, or five voyages for each steamer, in advance, to each extent and on such conditions as may seem to them m ist likely to meet the requirements of shippern, and faoi i tate the export of meat from Canterbury, the rates of freight noc to be more than per lb ” There are seventeen cases for the criminal sittings of the Supreme Court against ten persons. There are nine charges of forgery, five of burglary, two of perjury, and one cf ind cent assault. The application for a change c f ;• ,< « in Hall’s case will be made to-morrow Mr C P. Halbert, Mayor in 1884, is mentioned as a probable candidate for the Heathoote seat.

SPORTING.

AUCKLAND ACCEPTANOB*.

[fbb fbkss ASSOCIATION,] Auckland, December S2 The following aoceptaacies were re ceived to-night for the

CORRESPONDENCE.

We -'o not hold ourselves responsible for the ou’nions expressed by our correspondent-.

THE ASHTON SCHOOL QUESTION.

TO THK BDITO3. ?ir, —I fully agtew wi n yoar dec sion that aolfitieut h*« been sad in tnis matter, nor had I any intention of referring to it further bat for an onjusti fiabln personal attack made on myse fby your last corresponden - , sigoed “James Croy ” I hope, therefore, as a matter of justice, you will allow ms the privilege of reply in order to clear myself of each an an just accusation as he prefers, and also to show how far sash a man’s state ment can be relied on. Without taking any notice whatever of the greater part of your correspondent’s letter, which Is undoubt edly only a repetition of the old adage “you s« rat oh my back and I’! 1 scratch yours,” I will come to where J. Oroy chaig-s me with drawing up a petition and wuhh ld ing it from being presented for a month. Now, as to who drew up the petition. Mr Oroy knows nothing, and he is simply drawing up <n his imagination, and as to the withholding of it for a month, and as to its being only signed by four members, I can only characterise this as entirely untrue. No particular time or date was ever mentioned by the Committee when the petition should be seat in to the Board, and I certainly cud have no interest farther ti»n that is should have the approval of the Committee. Now let mo briefly note some of Ja nes O-'oy’e past actions in regard to the Master, and your readers wid be able to judge how far they agree with hif present Iq the first place, he urged me to send in a report to your columns of the result of the annual examination in order that —to use his own w rda—•“ the master might ba shown up he (the master) having kept one of his (Mr Oroy’s) b iys, together with several others back from being presented in Standard 1, when hey were qusl fled to be presented. This, I declined to do. Then w.j '• avft him complaining to 1m Committee that one of his boys had been oojus'ty punished, bo much th-t the nails on nis hand had been blackened. Further on we hav- this same man stat'ng before the Committee th*t one of hi.a lads had been -aid up in bed for a day through the effects of excessive home work, and that ha had t mod his boy on one occasion and found he had t»k >n two hours and twenty raihute* to accomplish the home tasks set for him He also ba came wroth before one of the meetings stating, as was given in evidence, that ho, (James Oroy) was going to give him (meaning the master) pepper. This pungent spice was employed by Mr Oroy'a h iving the Master called in at bis request when he (Mr Oroy) stated that h« had a resolution to move in the matter to bn forwarded to the Board of Education.

I have taken the trouble to show up the?* - matters to sea how fir they agfre with Mr Oroy’s letter, #nd submit that this evidences not only the duplicity of the man the Committee had to work with, but also t e dual ospaot y in which he has acted with them and the Master. As to the majority of sympathising parents having children at the school, their number can be counted on one hand and the sympathy of J -mes Oroy must neces sarily, after what. 1 have shown, be very genuine, seeing that he took the initiative in brlngmg about Severn,! of the charges which were latterly brought against the Master.

In conclusion I would say it is painful to roe to contemplate the spectacle of one who ouaht to know better and practice bettor things, using bis pen to slander a n*iphbor in th-i exercise of his public duties One can guard against the wolf when he appears in his own proper character but he Is a more dangerous enemy when ha cornea dis guised in sheep’s clothing. With no Intention of troubling you more in this matter, and thanking you for the courtesy of allowing me the opportunity of vindicating the truth, I remain, etc., Georgs Gilmodb. [We had intended to close this corres pondence but deem it only fair to give Mr Giitnour his reply. We cannot, bowe er, give further space to this dis cussion,—Ed.]

SOUTHLAND NEWS.

(FRO M ODE OWN CORRESPONDBNT,)

Christmas is again close upon ns, and xotwi'hstanding the hard and pressing imea stil< prevailing, I understand that the various sports wiil be carried out in ho usual style. Our local athletes are n full swing practising, and, according to reports, are performing wonderful f at*, jld ki'ts are being overhauled, ns well as Md bagpipes being brought into repair, much to the annoyance of tome of out number ; and if practice on this most iurbarnus lastroment will bring profi c'enoy, I feel certain that we shall have *"ina of the finest pipers in New Zealand.

Dari g the latter part of winter and the whole of spring the weather has been everything that could be desired, and the crops, though somewhat battered and checked by the recent storms, everywhere present a most promising appearance. This month commenced with one of the roughest days we have had hole for a long time. Straw stacks were blown over, contractors' tents tamed outside in, houses antoofed, and in one Instance a settler in the Forest Hill district got the lean-to of his dwelling levelled to the ground. In fact, it was one of those days when people were hardly safe either indoors or out, and we d > not wish to see many like It. For the last three weeks I most say that we have had all sorts of weather, including strong westerly winds, aoiompan'ed with heavy showers of rain, hail and sleet, causing some of onr rivers to again 'overflow their banKa, bat not to each an extent as to do mnoh damage, except in some instances where turnips were newly sown. Tprnlp sowing has been at a standstill for nearly the whole of this month, and those farmers who had their guano sown before the bad weather commenced are no doubt getting very arxlous by this time, as it is generally admitted that all seeds should be sown either with or immediately after the gnano is distribnted. Chesterfield and Maldon Island guanos are largely used in Southla’d, and fr m experiments made by myself, I can venture to say that by applying, say from one to two owt to the acre, good turnips can be grown even In the poorest soil, so long as the laud is dry. The amount of land under wheat this year Is again very limited, perhaps, not enough for oar own consumption, while barley has almost become a thing of the pa^t; but I bebeve the oat cr p to be slightly on the increase, and as Southland Is so eminently suited for the growth of ryegrass and timo hy seeds, i notice that very many of our armors have set apart a larco proportion of th-ir holdings for the production of these grass seeds. Ryegrass, as a rule, is ripe here about tbe middle of January, ai d the timothy •bout a month later, and as wag«s are likely to be high this season, a few im proved grass strippers would, no doubt, be readily tsken up. The potatoes and turnips already sewn are doing uncommonly well, while the grass on our pasture lands exceeds any thing I have ever seen here before. Our bntch -rs are now supplied with good fat mutton at about Id per ib, and yet thoy h*vo the conscience t • charge, even the unemployed, from 4d to 5J per lb. Shearing in the W astern district is genera!, but la not progressing aatlaftc torily. owing to the unfavorable wnath :r above mentioned. H iwever, at "he lime of my waiting tba weather has eve.y a pasrauce of cutting up for gord O. E Southland. December 18''i, ISS3-

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

AucKLiNo, iscoember 22 Among f he passengers by tits ) >nio are Fathers B okar, and Mad >ll, of the sst. J auph’s Missionary Society, London, They take np a M*ori Mission A r umber of dogs, brought by pas senders of the lonic, were d -etroye l owing to the latter refusing to comply with the stringent Customs roauUtibns

The lo io brings 1000 canaJes, besides n'ahtlogales, robins, piping bullfinches, etc.

Patka, December 2^ A schoJ of whales passed the betds last night at hhh watsc. Two were blown in to shallow water, and being unable to get away, were secured. One Is 27ft long, the other 21ft. Both ate high and dry, and will be turned to good account by thair lucky captors. Wellington, December IJ. Mr Walter Turnbull, formerly of the firm i f W. and G Turnbull and Co. who recently left for England, has bem fortu nate enough to drop inti a legacy f £IOO 000. This sum ne inherits fmm bis roc ntly deoaassd uncle, a weO-known private banker and me< chant, Mr Peebles, wbo died lately at the age of S 5 years, leaving an estate worth between £240,000 and £260,000, to be divided between his three nephews, Mr Walter Turnbull, the eldest brother, taking tbe sum named. Dunedin, December 22 It appears another attempt is to be made to work the Caswell Bound marble quar ries, and an app.lcaiion c<me before the Land Board, by Mr W McLean, oi Wel lington, for a lease of 600 aces, with the right of purchase at tbe end of fire years, but consideration was a j turned. An at tempt <s to be made for a ne Company, to be floated In Loudon, and to purchase a stea uer and bring out a number of skilled Italians to work the quarries

The Chairman of the Fire Dnder w i era’ Association waited on tbe Premier to-day, to ask that in all oases of fire it should' be mandatory that an official en quire be held, as the Association believed I eneficid results would ensue. The Premier refe-ed the Association to tbe Minister of JusMce.

CORN EXCHANGE.

The foll<n»iiig is the Corn Exchange rt port for the week ending Thursday, December 23rd :

The cr jps are looking more favorable than they promised to do at the commencement of the present month, thanks to the favorable weather of the past fortnight. Hay harvest is pretty well complete, bat crops are : lght, as also is the ryegrass seed. In many instances the lat er is beirg stripped. The late frost ont soma cf the potatoes rather severely, but the dsmsge has not been general. Wheat again finds holders firm, and buyers are only replenishing when abso lutely necessary Pearl Is stilt best ia demand at 4< 61 for prime parcels in moderate quantifies Tuscan and Hunter’* vary from 4 61 to 4» 64. Second quality has been fairly wall cleared at 4t 24 to 4s S>, and chicke vihat Is ont -if stock bey<nd a few small lots at 3* lOd to 4s Oats have been sold very low, which has attracted buyers fr m the Australian colonies, bat as yet few transactions have eventn aed Sales are generally favorable to havers. Milling are scarce, and nomin ally 2s to 2* Id ; short feed have buyers at la 94. bat, holders are askt-'g more momy ; Tartars and Danish are neglected at Is 7d to Is Bd. Barley—Malting has been nearly all quitted, and feed lines, if bold have goon enquiry at 2a 3d to 2a 4d. Beans an peas have but little business to note. Ryegrass has no business in old seeds, bn r - et quiries are being made as to the values of new crops, but as yet nothing definite has been settled. Potatoes have no buyers, and ho'dera have given up the idea of trying to sell. Dairy produce—Batter is very low, buyers cannot exceed od for their present orders, and cheese Is not In strong demand at 41 to sd, according to size and quality. 'lhe above prices are those paid to farmers, and delivered f,o.b. Lyttelton, •aoka extra,

SOUTH RAKAIA RACES

There are eleven acceptances for the Trot as followsLarrikin, Arthur, Aspaata, Mao, Judy, Veous, etpark, Topsy P >l!y. Happy Jack and Our Pony. For the Hardies there are only four entries: - !Ur Raised’*, Spark. Mr Duff's Charlie, Mr Turoay’s Irish Kate, and Mr Wilson's Darmiin For the Ladies Parse there •ret. n entrl'-a;—Vlrs Hsrrlson’e Marmion, Mra beids Pat’en-e, Mrs Alexander’s Fam y. Mist Smith’s Twitter, Mrs Mo Ponald’sJ' specter, Mr* Duncan's Little Wi.rder, Mrt Wel-h'a Bsanty, Mrs Wilson s Marmion, Mies Lang's Tommy Dodd, ai>d Miss Lang’s Ngato. Marmion (2), Fanny, Twitter, Lille Wonder, Beatr «, Charlie, atd Tommy Dodd, are also entered tor the Fattners* Plate.

INDIAN WHEAT.

Noting the circumstance of steameH being laid on with freights of from India for Australia, a contem-j porary remarks that the importation ofl wheat from India is one of the neces sary consequences of the establishment of steam communication. Two vessels are, it seems, bringing 500 tons each, half for Hobart, and the balance for Adelaide, Sydney, and Brisbane, while freight for 1000 tons each has bees secured in boats to follow. As it is stated that Indian wheat can be put upon the Australian market at 3s per bushel, the result must, it would seem, be to drive home-grown grain to a large extent out of that market, as wheat cannot profitably be grown in Australia for anything like that figure; It is said that to produce a good marketable flour other kinds of wheat must be mixed with the Indian wheat, and to that extent the home-grown article will continue to meet with a demand at, perhaps, a paying price, but if the bulk of the wheat used is to be Indian grown, then, clearly, instead of wheat growing extending in Australia it must be very largely contracted. The journal to which we refer above as having drawn attention to this matter points out that of the Australian colonies} South Australia and Victoria will be principally affected, New South Wales and Queensland being poor wheat producers, and the two colonies first mentioned being the only ones in which the production of wheat is much larger than the local consumption. It will be a serious thing for those wheat pro ducing districts to be practically shut out of the markets ol the short-pro ducing sister colonies, and to be driven enrirely to the Home market for tbe disposal of their surplus producer “ What this competition means to South Australia (says our contem porary) may be indicated to some extent by her statistics. In 1875-6 the area under wheat was 898,830 acres; the return was 10,739,834 bushels; tbe average yield per acre 11 bushels 5 ylhs; average price, 5s per bushel; shipments of breadstuff, 318,932 tons, valued at This is the record of an exceptionally good year, for the yield since then has only once come at all to near that of 1875-6; that was four years later when the crop was 9 bushels 47lbs per acre, hut tbe price was only 4s sd. In spite of every ob* stacle, however, the cultivation of wheat lands continued to increase steadily,and, in 1884-5, 1,942,458 acres produced 14.621,755 bushels, or an average of 7 bushels 32lbs per acre. We have not the price and shipments for that year, but in 1883-4, when with a lower area, the crop was a few thousand bushels greater, the price was 3s 9d, and shipments of breadstuff's were 328,873 tons, valued at 1,896, the value of wool exported in the same year was £2,616,626, and that of copper and copper ore while the total value of exports was It will be seen, therefore, that the export of breadstuff's for the year was only a little less than that of wool, but greater than that of wool and copper combined if tbe wools grown in other colonies, and valued at be deducted. It amounts, however, to considerably more than a third of the total exports. To a colony that is already struggling against such pecuni ary difficulties as those in which South Australia is involved, and that has suffered so heavily of laie years from bad seasons and low prices, Indian competition threatens conse quences that under tbe most favorable combination of circumstances cannot fail to operate most prejudicially, and situated as she is at present, may prove disastrous in the extreme; for her difficulties are already greater than ■her statesmen are able to cope with, and, in spite of relief works that are being carried on for the purpose of giving employment for those who can find no other work, hundreds of laborers continue to emigrate to other colonies where there is a greater de mand for their services. If, then, tbe development of an Indian trade is a good thing for Australia, by one of the colonies at least it can be regarded only with the gravest apprehension.

. . . . To Victoria the result is not so important as to South Aus tralia, for although she is a large wheat-* producer, sue is not so dependent upon that industry as is the sister colony. She has many industries, and she is prosperous, while South Aus tralia has few, and her future seems to depend as largely as her past upon the successful cultivation of her wheat lands. Besides this, her finances are in a lamentable condition, and the business of the colony is in a most depressed state. It will be of interest to inquire how this new development of commerce will affect her, for we I cannot ignore the fact that one colony of the group cannot meet with a series of commercial disasters without more or less serious consequences to thew-iole. The success of the Indian venture seems to mean the destruction of the wheat industry in South Australia j for, although by a repressive tariff Indian grain may be excluded from their own territories, the two will have to meet as competitors in an open market else where.” AH this is of great interest to . New Zealand as well as to South Aus tralian and Victorian grain-growers, as if Indian wheat is to beat Australian wheat out of the markets of New South Wales and Queensland, there will clearly be no room for the compe tion of New Zealand grown wheat, and our farmers will have to look to the English market almost solely for the disposal of their surplus.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY DECEMBER 23, 1888



Cep st lh st lb Nelson ... 9 8 Disowned .. 7 4 Loohiel ... f 12 Frmdship ,. 7 3 Tetford 7 10 Ologa 6 12 Waitiri ... 7 9 Victoria 6 10 Derringer ... 7 6 Lady No rah 6 0 ChbIBTjus Handicap, one mile and a qu.iter. st lh si lh Tnrquoiso... 9 7 Victoria ., 7 4 Artillery ... 8 0 Libeller .. 7 3 Wapiti 7 8 Oremorae .. 7 0 Friendship 7 6 Eewl .. 6 12 Tamaro ... 7 B Okato 6 7 Mitrailleuse 7 5 Handicap Hurdles , two rai’es and a quarter. St l'l st lb Master Agnes 12 0 Magnesia .. 10 0 Belle 11 13 Mauaia 9 12 Silvio ... 10 8 Coral 9 !«• Tiger 10 5 Grata 9 10



C HAWKINS, Bootmaker, Tinwald has just received a good assortment of BOOTS aNI) SHOES for the Summer Season, all of which will be so d at piices not to be rubbed out in Ashburton, tarty call solicited. 11°96 ANTED KNOWN MRS STRIBLING HAS REMOVED from old premises in Burnett street (next to the Arcade), to the PANAMA BOARDING-HOUSE, " TANCRBO STREET (Lately occupied by Mr Lucas). 8°537 TOWLE’S PENNYROYAL AND STEEL PILLS FOR FEMALES •sickly correct all Irregularities, and N Ueve the distressing symptoms so pre valent with the sox. Boxes Is l|d and Is #d, of all Chemists and Patent Medicine Vendors. Prepared only by The Lincoln tnd Midland Counties Drag Co., Lincoln, England. Wholesale of all the Wholesale Houses. Beware of Imitations. EOR COUGHS, COLD 3, Bronchitis, Asthma, Coryza, Influenza, Con sumption, &c. XF-AY’S COMPOUND OF LINSEED, |\ Aniseed, Senega, Squill, Tola, &o with Chlorodyne. MAY’S COMPOUND, a demulcent . expectorant, for Coughs, Colds, and Chest Complaints. KAY’S COMPOUND, for Coughs, and Golds, is eqaally serviceable for Horses and Cattle. KAY’S TIC PILLS, a specific In i, Neuralgia, Face-ache, Ac. Con tains Quinine, Iron, &o. COAQULINE.— Cement for Broken Articles, Sold Every where. Sole Makers :—KAY BROS., Stock ort, England, THAT



SEW ZEALAND CLOTHI Q FACTORY The new goods for the SUMMER SEASON ABB NOW OPENED OUT. The Stock is THE LARGEST & BEST SELECTED IN THE T<*WN, And the variety of Style and Patterns in Men's, Youths’, and Boys’ Clothing leaves nothing to be desired. Thousands of Men’s and Boys Sr.its, newest styles. Trousers and Trousers and Vests manufactured of New Zealand Tweeds. Every garment warranted shrunk Overcoats, Waterproof Coats and r *>ego,„gß in great variety Hats, comprising every new style worn Children’s Jersey Suits, Children’s Men of-War Suita Gentlemen’s Hosiery, Scarves; Oxford Regatta and White Shirts Bugs, Portmanteaus, and Travelling Bugs The celebrated WERTHEIM SEEING MACHINE. Time Payments. H.Z, CLOTHING FACTORY, East Stbkbt,



Wanted. \\ T ANTED KNOWN.—Washing and I V» .dangli'-g done either by the day or dozen. Mangling 2d per dozen.— Address on application at Guardian ” | Office. ___ 880 FUBNITFRE— To meet rhe times, W. DAVIS, Cabinetmaker, East street, Ashburton, is now selling Furniture of all kinds cheaper than ever. Chest of Drawers £1 6s ; Sprint: Conches, £1 6s Every other article equs'ly cheap. All new furniture at second-hand price 804 \ 117 ANTED a respectable Young Man to VV drive Bread Cart, with good references Apply B. Morris, Triangle Bakery, Ashburton. 12 134 \XTA' TED KNOWN. That Angus YV McPherson has opened the Edin burgh and Glasgow Cooking Pa ace, Fowler’s Buildings, T&nered street, ad joining the Club, Ashburton. 12 130 JCST OPENED—Choice assortment of New Spring Dress N tuffs, Prints, Millenry, etc. '» he cheapest House in town for first class goods. Dressmaking on the p-emises. H. 0. Seorrs, Mel ford House. WANTED CASH. —New Currants 5Jd ; Valencia 3 ,6 d; Sultanas, 7d ; Elemes, 7d ; Muscatels, Is 6d ; 141 b boxes New Figs. 8d ; White Sega.', Jas. McGregor, opposite the Arcade. ANTED known that J. Heseltine VV Saddler, <Scßurnett street, Ashburton, and at «inwald, is SELLING SAt-DLtBY CHEAPER THAN EVER Large Stock to select from. Reaper and Binder Canvasses made and repaired at lowest prices. Cash paid for Horsehair in any quantity, bote the address Next Bullock’s Arcade, Burnett street, Ashburton. 12J1



Advertisements. THE ASHBURTON WOOLLEN manufacturing company Is prepared to PURCHASE for CASH, SHEEPSKINS and all kinds of WOOL, hi large or small quantities. 12 c 2 MRS MANHIRE, FANCY GOODS WAREHOUSE, Saunders’ Buildings, East street. FANCY STATIONERY, Toys, and Christmas Presents in variety. Christmas Cards, &c., &<'■■ Ladies’ and Children’s Pinafores and Aprons, &c , &c, 9624 CAUTION TO POACHEBS. IN consequence of so much Poaching of Trent from the Laginfcor Creeks I hereby give notice that anyone found so doing will be prosecuted", and farther, that a reward of £2O will be paid to any person who will give secli information as shall lead to the conviction of snch offenders. DONALD McLEAN, 11°36 Lagmhor;



TO STAND THIS SEASON AT ASHBURTON, And Travel the Surrounding Districts, The Thoroughbred Horse, Kingfisher. For Pedigree see cards Terms--For one mare, £5 3s. A reduction will be made for three or more mares, the property of one owner. First class padd. cks for mares at Is per week. Groomage fee, ss, payable at first service. E. COOKSON, Proprietor, 9J736 Livery Stables, Ashburtn.



MOUNT SOMERS COAL PIT. COL CAN NOW BE HAD at tbe above pit ♦ FOB JgIGHT SHILLING per TON, Or in Ashburton at SEVENTEEN SHILLINGS PER TON, By the Truck. FOB CASH OdiLY. E, F. WRIGHT. MESSRS TUCKER AND RESTELL, Agents in Ashburton. o°3l ______ WHITE, CAYGILL, & CO., BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS, J. W. WHITE, Notary Public. jVjOTIOE is hereby given that tbe A’ undersigned, Messrs Whitb and O. (White Smithson, end Raymond), of i'imaru, and John A Caygill, of Ash burton, have ibis day entered into Partnership as Barristers and Solicitors, at Ashburton, under the stylo of “White, Caygill and Co." Mr J. W. White, will attend the sittings of the Courts at Ash urton. WHITE & CO.. jobn a. caygill. Money to lend in any sums on approver, freehold security. Offices; Bullock's .Arcade. 10*803



Victoria House. HOLIDAY SEASON. 1886-87 SECOND \NNOAL GIFT DISTRIBUTION, comprising elegant Works of Art in Bohemian and Bulgarian Painted Vases, Glass Water Jugs, and Crystal Flower Stands Ac. GIFT COUPONS now being issued to Purchasers. DIMANT AND COE, GENERAL DRAPERS CIO THIERS, &a., Corner East and Tancred afreets, Ashburton. SANTA CD AUS IS COMING ! COME, Inspect, &r>d Select from the LARGEST STOCK of TOYS AND FANCY GOODS in the County, bought especially to commemorate the annual visit of the above nisting Ashed visitor . Come and Ste the UNPARALLELED SHOW OF DOLLS, all sorts and siaes. GLASS and BASKE TWARE, beautiful Plush Brackets, and Mirrors JAPANESE GOODS and NICK-NAOKS of all descriptions. PRISE and REWARD BOOKS LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICES. Schools Liberally dealt with. COME EARLY TO AVOID THE CRUSH. H. M. JONES 12 184



Special advertisements. Christmas Cards. CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR CARDS A” r> PRESENTATION PRIZE BOOKS AND NEW GOODS Suitable for CHRISTMAS * NEW TEAR PRESENTS. H. J. WOOD AND CO. BOOKSELLERS & STATIONERS, (Lata T. F. Farley) FRIED LANDER’S BUILDINGS.



IN our New Season, 1886-7, Christmas and New ■ Year Cards, are included the PRIZE DESIGNS from the following celebrated" publishing firms of London Paris, Vienna, New York, and Boston ; Baplmel Tuck and Sons Marcus Ward and Co. Thomas de la Rue and Co. Hildesheimer and Faulkner John Walker and Co. Eyre and Spottiswoodo Marion and Co. L Prang and f’o , Boston, US. And several other Publishers, Comprising SEVERAL THOUSAND PRIZE DESIGNS. We have received pers.s. Arawa and s.s Aorangi, ELEVEN CASI S OF NEW BOOKS Specially ordered for the Christmas Season, compiising the Latest Publica tions of tre renowned Publishers—Cassell and Co ; Thos. Nelson and Sons; Bout ledge ; Warne; Partridge ; Griffith, Farren, Okeden, and, Welch; Marcus Ward and Co ; and several English and American firms. And SEVENTEEN CASKS OF NEW GOODS, Specially selected by onr Home Agents for the t hristmas Season, Comprising Cabinets, Bubs an Leather Desks and Writing Case*, Photo. Albums in great variety of the m at elegant designs, Writing and Scrap Albums, New Zealand Fern Albums, Photo. Frames in silk plush and morocco, Workboxes and Desks Purses, C«rd Cases, Pocket Books, and every description of Fancy Stationery. H. J. WOOD & CO. STATIONERS’ HALL, Friedlanders’ Buildings, Ashburton.



G. L. Beath & Co. £IOOO 0 s 0 D sth ANNUM DISTRIBUTION OF CHEISTMAS GIFTS To-Day. To-Day. To-Day ON AND AFTER TO-DAY every Customer will re ceive a Ticket with each Purchase, entitling the holder to select any Present of the value stated on the ticket, which will amount to about one-eighth of the purchase money. G, L. BEATH & CO., Argyle House, CASHEL STREET, CHRISTCHURCH.



W. F. HATOAFOED, (Burnett street, opposite “ Mail” Office) TINSMITH AND METAL-PLATE WORKER, Itj ISHES to infom the public of *Y Ashburton an the surrounding districts that he keeps in stock or can MANUFACTURE TO ORDER all de scriptions of TINWARE for FARM or DAIRY purposes; also, all REPAIRS of any nature promptly executed in a skilful manner. All goods sold at lowest remunerative prices A Trial solicited. HORSE-HAIR and BEESWAX bought in any quanti j forCdSH. 11 73 WILDING AND LEWIS, JgARRISTERS AND gOIIOITORB. F. WILDING, Notary Public. Offices: Next “Mail” Office, Burnett st., Ashburton. Mr Wildisg will attend the sittings of the Ashburton Courts on Tuesday and Fridays, and may be consulted personally on these days. The firm is now represented m Ash burton by Mr Clayton, an English Solicitor of considerable experience, who will be in daily attendance at the office to receive instructions and confei with dents. *ICO 8



FOR BeJi able Goods AT MODERATE PRIGES, ORR & ALCORN ARB , Unapproachable. THE PREMISE STOCKS or ASHBURTON, DRAPERY, CLOTHING, BOOTS AND SHOES. CARPETS (NEW DESIGNS.)



0 STAND THIS SEASON NRTHEHBY FARM, ASHBURTON, And visit the surrounding neighborhood. The Thoroughbred Stallion Johnny Faulkner. Pedigree : He is by St Albans, out of Impudence, by Peter Wilkins, out of Prudence by Jersey, out of Flack Sail by Wanderer, out of Fairy (imp.) (For tabulated pedigree see cards ) Terms : £lO 10s for thoroughbred mares. £5 5s for half-bred mares. Also, tbe Thoroughbred Stallion By Messenger, out of Kate O’Sbane, Will stand at Netherby Farm, and travel be districts of Ashburton, Methven, Mount Somers, and Alford Forest, Terms . £3 10 ; guarantees, £5 ss. Season, Ist January, 1887. Guarantees, Ist July, 1887, AT Houser, 9635 L MARKET, Propriety r THE “ Ashburton Guardian ” will not be published on Saturday next, being Christmas Day.



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