The Hon Hugh Child^iß haa consented to act on the London Cooimfteo of *be Centennial Exhibition, to ba haid ici Melbourne daring 1888 ■ Lord Nonhbrot'B ppe:ch, delivered m the House of Lcr-lu, supported the pro posed expenditure by the Imperial 6ov»rn- Ment on the defences of ccahng stations of Great Britain. German war steamers will iv future call at Colombo.

THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER

Wellington, February 7

The gallows and apparatus for hanging Caffrey and Pcun will be sent from here to Auckland. A hangman has already been secured.

SERIOUS COACH ACCIDENT.

Grbymouth, February 7.

A. coach acoident occurred at Mawhera Creek to-day. Just after starting, the driver found the reins wrong, and got down to fix them, when the horeea bolted. Not having anything to stop them, he ■efaad the break and held on for over a quarter of a mile, bat he was thrown, the •oaoh going over his hand. Four adults *nd two children were m the coach Approaching the Eight-mile Hill, Mrs M'Keohnie was asßiitad out of the oaoh, bat she fell on the road, cutting her forehead severely. Mr M'JKechnle in jared his knee m getting out. His two children then paEsad out all right. A Chinaman injured his wrkt • id hand m •lighting on the road. Joe Poyaton, being young and ao'ive, escaped without injury. The horses were finally stopped by running into Blair's coach at the bottom •f the hill. How they got down without rolling down the sida of the preciploa la a mystery. fc

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Auckland, February 7.

A oablegram received by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agenoy Company states that the annual meet ing was held m London on February 4. The profit was £47,880, and a dividend and bonus was deolared at the rate of 1 5 per cent per annum, while there was carried forward £3625 and to reserve £5000. At the annual meeting of the Auckland On Company a dividend at the rate of 17 percent was declared on the paid up •hares. An old woman, named Mrs Foley, wife of— Poley, a bookbinder, fell into the fire and was nearly roasted alive. She is m the Hospital, and her life 1b des paired of, Gisbobnb, February 7. Chlisp and Muir have been committed for trial for an alleged criminal libel, brt are admitted to bail m their own recog nisances. A charge requiring them to be bound over to keep the peace was die missed. Wellington, February 7. A meeting of the Cabinet was htld at Bir Julius Vogel's residence to-day. It was attended by Hit Julius Yogel, Sir B. Stout, Mr Ballance, Mr Tole, Mr Buokley, and Mr Richardson, 'ihe quea tion of the delegates to the Imperial Conference wai fieoly discussed, but nothing was defmiely eettled, but it will be finally decided to-morrow. Other matters which had accumulated dating the absence of the Minis; era wore dis onused, but nothing was made public. The names of (Sir Robert Stout Bn.i Major Atkinson are freely mentioned m town aa likely to go to London to repre sent New Zealand.

Lord Sandhurst, who formerly held the position of Under-Sicrtflary for War In the GJadatore Jdministralion, is at present m Welling! on, and had an int»r rlew with the Defence M'nieter to day, when he had a long conversation on the defences of the Colony, and tha attitude of (he Colonies towards the Mother Country. Mr Broclie Hoare, Chairman of tha Midland Railway Company, left by the Hauroto this afternoon for Sydney, en r*uit for England. The bills and circulars cent oat by Messrs W>lson, M.H.R., and Lee, to the school children of New Zealand, request ing subscriptions to the Penny Dinner Fuod m London, to give half-starved children attending tte schools a good dinner, has resulted m the handsome sum of £50 being colleoted to date. This amount it is proposed to forward by next mail, through the Major of Wellington. Four stowaways by the Wakatlpu, from Sydney, were fined £5 each, or fourteen Nelson February 7- Lonfsa Eyles was tried at the District Court to-day for abaudoning her child. The jury returred a verdiot of "JS'ot Guilty." In dircbarging the accused, the Ju^ge said he regretted that the man who had brought her to that poei ion had not ■tood beside her m the dook, and shared with her the shame and anxiety of her trial. The girl came from Blenheim. Willie Walker, a youth of seventeen, whilst trying to cr< as the river at Oolling wood on Sunday night, was drowned. He was riding on a horse and leading another, but there was a flood m the river. The horse was found on Monday, aod nt four o'clock the body was found. In excavating for a drain on the Waimea road m the city, s> thin seam of coal was found, which haß widened about •lght inches. Westport, February 7. An accident occurred to the son of Captain Riley on Saturday. The lad was, witll others, playing with a floating log m the surf, and when running away he fell And the log rolled over him. He received •ome nasty bruises, the most serious being an injury to his groin, He had a narrow eicape, but a fatal result is not now feared. Buller County 1b taking the necessary measures to raise a loan of £6000, under the Looal Bodies Loans Act. Dunedin, } tbruary 7 At the City Council to-night the Finance Committee reported that only £3200 was available for city works, which last jear cost £10.204. This was mainly due to the large contribution required for charitable ad, amounting to -£3200. The Committee were of opinion that at no distant date there would have to be a speoial rate for charitable aid purposes With the view of lessening the annual charge of heavy interest on the overdraft, they recommended that legislative power ba sought to allow money to be received on fixed deposits. The report, which provoked a long discussion, was finally adopted, most of the Oounoillora being of opinion that a speoial rate for charitable aid would be unavoidable next year.

As an instance of the profit on dairy farming, it ib stated that a farmer, who leased 150 acres of the Edendale estate, with a purchasing clause, the Company giving him the use of 40 oowb on paying 10 per cent of the prioe until able to buy them, has, m the first six months, paid the full year's rent, and purchased twenty of tha cows.

At the RM. Court to-day three persons recovered damages to the extent of about £5 from the Corporation, for in jury to their property by the escape of the fames from the gasworks, turning the paint outside black, and injuring picture-frames, Ac, inside.

HYBRID POTATOES.

b i.i known 1-it elm ppncies of pota oes, solanum tuberosum from which all the Vtvrißtna sn cultivation sprung, is a native if tho h'gher Andes mountains wh.-.re raiu is amnat unknown, and the varieties we poßsoaa may ihorefore be liable to degeneration m B'amina m oar mni-t climate- But tlu>re exist other varieties of po'ato which had ntver bean cultivatad before recent experiments were nude. One of them ia tho Solatium maglia, dia oovered by Darwin m the Chonos Archi pelago, 44deg to 46Jeg Bouth htitud-j ; and this plant iB remarkable as choosing for its habits low-lying marshy places near tho coast. Could the solanum mctglia be made the p*reut of a Hort of potato which would not be averse to humidUy, and would not become affaoted by the peronospera infetans or potato d;seaso ? At the iusiigaiion of Earl CiUhoart, who procured horn Mr Baker, of Kew, tuberß believed to ba of the new variety, Mr Arther W. Sutton of Reading, commenced m 1884 the Important and hopeful experiments which have n>w reached a mature stage. The so-called solanum maglia bore abundant flowers but had never been known to yield seed berry. The red-ekinned tubers were started m pots, and care was taken to fertilize the flowers with pollen from some of the best 80-oalled disease resist ing potatoes at present m cultivation. Thtee folly developed berries, well filled with seed, were obtained, and these were sown to produce seedlingß m 1885. The effeot of cultivation upon ihe solanum maglia was that, while the tubers received from Lord Cathoart were about | the »iz9 of a pigeon's egg, the produce of the first year's growth consisted of tubers quite as large as an ordinary potato, with as many as eight up to twelve taberß to a root. Cooked, they proved of fair quality for the table. There now remains to follow the fortunes of the seedlings to the present time. A number of scientific gentlemen, in oluding Dr. Hogg, Dr. Maeters, Mr Shirley Hibbar, and other authorities m potato history, visited Messrs Sutton and Sons' trial ground at Beading to note the experiments, which have been very euc ceasfui and satisfactory. It ia agreed thst the parent m the cross wa* mt, after all, a true specimen of solanum maglia, but was » specimen of a wild form of solanum tuberosum of a dittnct y different geographical origin from the variety which furnished the varieties commonly cultivated, and th'B wild form has been preserved for many )eara at Kew-gardens m a bed Bide by side with the plants of solanum maglia. Twenty three plantß were obtained from the seed-grain m 1885, and the tuberd set again m the present year vastly increased m weight, up to 1221 b, from 16J i z The cross is between the wild solanum tuber osum and the variety known as Sutton's Reading Russet. In point cf quality and shapely form they leave nothing to be desired, and reach a high standard of merit. Several other croßsea have been obtained m the first attempt to introduce new blood into the potato, BUcceßsful hy brids being brei from tho wild species croEsed with Walker's Regent, Patterson, "Victoria, and o.her popular varieties. I

EXPERIMENTS WITH WHEAT.

That there are a great number of varieties of the wheat plant is a fact well kuown to everybody who has had ex purieuce m growing that cereal. It m aluo well known tint there are wide differences be. ween some of the varieties as regards habits of growth, quality of grain, weight of yield, and suitability for certain conditions of clinvito and soil. Bnt there is neb enough known on the subject. As a rule there are certain established varieties m each district which wheat-growers continue to aow from year to year, not neceesvrily because thay are the most profitable aorta, but because they aro the best sorts with which farmers happen to be acquainted. A good many new sotts of wheat have been intro duced into the country of la'e yearn, but there are no public records of the results. Considering ihe great number of varieties that exist m the world, and the com paratively small proportion of them that are known to farmers m this country, there oan be no doubt that there is plenty of room for profitable experiment) In wheat growing. As showing how great a difference there may be iv the yield obtained according to the variety, some experiments were made at Rotham sted with twenty-four kinds of wheat grown under identical conditions. The yield of dressed corn obtained varied from 28 to 54£ bußhela per acre. 1 his brings out m a very strong light what great mistakes it is possible to make iv wheat growing. It shows that tne difference m the yield obtained from the sort most suitable t> certain conditions of soil and climate, and the sort least suitable, may amount to as much as 26£ bushels to the acre. This is an extreme case, but it proveß the necessity of experiments being made m every coui try where wheat is grown, m order to find out the sorts which given the largest profit All cultivated plaule, like domes' fcated breeds of aoima's, have a tendency to run out, and it Is found esseritlal to counter act this tendency by selection and crossing. The improvement of Ihe wheat plant, by means of crossing varieties, is a matter which has attraoted much attention of | late years. Experiments are being made In Great Britain, m America, and on the Contineut The crossing of varieties, however, is not a new thing. A Mr Knight has the credit of having made »Lo first experlmeolsof the Bort m Great Britain. He lived m the last century, and m the records of his experiments he states that m tho yosrß 1706 almost the whole of the crops m Great Britain were bligh ted, and that m his neighbourhood the on'y crops of wheat not effected by the prevailing blight "were those grown from seed which had been obtained by crossing. It h possible that tho enthusiasm of the experimenter may have led him to strain the facts a little m favor of his theory, hut at the same time it is not improbable that crossing of the varie'us had imparted fresji vigor 1o the plants, Among the improvers of cereals by crossing And selection, Mr Patrick SSbirreff, a Scotch farmer, who began his experiments early m the century, has perhaps done more practical good than any other individual experimenter. Like the crossing of breeds of animals, the omssin^ of cereals often leads to unexpected, and sometimes disappointing, results. An effioial record of experiments made m the United States givoa an account of the results obtained from crossing a Black Sea variety with the sort known as Golden r>rop. A head of the former eort was Impregnated with the pollen of the latter, and the fruit of the crosß was sown the next spring and cultivated with the utmost care. The first year the several plants showed great uniformity if character, and were m a general way, intermediate between their parents The selected product of these plants waa eown the second spring, and as the plants grew luxuriantly, the ex perimenter began to feel very sanguine about the results of his works. But as the heads began to appear, he was dis gusted to observe tho utmost diversity of form and character. However, as tho grain ripened, a few of the more promising heads wore selected and sown the third year ; and continuing this pro cess of selection over a number of years, the experimenter oonßiders that he haß succeeded m fixing tho character of severa} varieties, 'ihe sway of inherit anco Id them, he naya ie no longer d's* putef], and they come true from seed A Fro <>! < xperlmenter, M. Vilmorio, sayß tti&t he found four or five years' selection necessary, on an average, ro make e.\ch < eort obtained fromoroe&lng, even and fixed,

THE CAIN CASE.

Punkj>i*, February 8

The fit.ltg • f the Appeal Court ip fixid for March 8 at; O.ristdmrch, W.estr- Oiiaproui and Uoni'iiio-i (he point reserved on H»ii's behalf.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

Ike Weather.

Namer, February 8

A steady rain fell all last night, (he first there haa been for more than two months. Partia'ly Exonerated. Wellington, February 8 The report of Captain Pierce upon 'ho charges agalnot Sergeant Q'Grady, of Napier, exonerates him from making a false Btatoraent, but oays ho was guilty of some equivocation. Licensing Election. At the lambtan Ward Licensing elec tion tha five nominees on the combined ticket were elected without opposition. Property-Tax. The Property-tax Department has fuuorl 100 summonses againet defaulting tax-payers. Timaru Woollen Factory. Tjmaru, February 8. The premises and plant of the TJimra Woollen Factory Company, Limited (now m liquidation) bave been taken over from the Mortgagee by Lodge, late manager assisted by other expert worKerß imported by the late Coy, who open the place «a a private mill. The prospects are excellent, Lodge being exceedingly competent. He was formerly m a Gealong Factory.

TROUBLE IN TONGA

Auckland, February 8,

News from Tonga indicates that the long-expected religious war between the Wesleyan and the Free Church has at last broken out v It has taken the unexpected form of the attempted assassination of the Rev Shirley BaVer, Premtar, who founded the Free Church. On Thursday evening, January 13, at about 7/0 p.ra , os Mr Baker was driving m his buggy with his daughter Beatric?, and his son Shirley, close to their o<vn house and tho King's palace, Mr Baker sow sctne men coming down under a fence with guns pointed at tho bugcy and another man m ih • road way. He called Shirley, who immediately jumped down and told the man to give him his gun, and said, " Dont fire." The men at the fer.ee Baid " Wi wi " (Do it). Immediately he fired hit ing Shirley m the left arm. The men at the fence were peering round trying to get a Bight at Baker, but either the carriage lamp dazed them or elae they were a f raid of hitting IVUas Baker, Anyhow, they did not fire, and all cleared away. The horse sprang forward when the ehot was fired having been hit with one of the slugs, and Mfss Biker was thrown out, severely hurting hey nsck and biclr. Shirley Bad "I am all ri^lr," but his father must have seen hia arm vhatferpd and drove furiously off for a doctor. There wsq greac yelling, and the whole t >wn wa=» soon scene (? of disorder) armed with gnns,' nxes, clubs, spears aud etc. The doctor attending tihirley found he had received a aevore wound tefl cted b> three or four slugs which had entered the inside of his arm and came out just below the joint. Some people say they heard two roper's almost simultaneously, arid m support of !li3 statement there is the fact that tho lamp waa struok i;i two p'acea, aod the f- plash board of buggy also. Miss Baker waa wounded m the thigh m two plac a. A great many boats have arrived full of armed men, also two flohooners with 400 men. There was a fearful yelling snd the warriors marched round about firing their guns m all direc tions. In tho aft moon a crowd of them massed round (In prison yelling and beating m tho doors with their rifle butts. Four shots wera fired, which penetrated the prison wall. O:i Ba'urday, Hoabi and his warriors started out m gangs and plundered a number of houses m the town and country villages. So far as the Wesleyans are concerned m the districts of Horna" they (t'ue Wesleyans) were stripped of all their possessions and tutned out of their homes. It ib said that the shooting was done by escaped oonviotn, but Mr Btfker says that Europeans were concerned m it. The convicts aaepected have surrendered them selves to prevent their female relatives be<ng outraged and punished m their stead. The Government schooner is waiting m the harbor fully armed with guns and ammunition, and cables ready to slip and put to son at onoe should any emergency arise making it necessary for Mr Baker to decide upon going to Auck land m a hurry. This, taken m connec tion with hh request to have the English fhg hoisted over his dwelling and property, glvea good not'ee of what his ideas of his own personal safety are.

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[rktjter's telegrams- copyright.]

RESIGNED.

Rome, February 7

It is reported that Count Robilante, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has resigned his appointment m consequence of ths Italian reverses at Massowah.

AUSTRALIAN.

[rEUTER's TELEGRAMS — COPYRIGHT.]

N.S.W. ELECTIONS.

Sydney, February 7

In the elections throughout the country the Freetrade candidates have obtained a large majority of votes. The election generally has been conducted m a quiet and orderly manner.

Messrs Burnes and Slattery have been returned unopposed for the Hunter and But row electorates. Mr Lees has been elected for Nepean: Up to the present thirty Freetraders and four Protec tionists have been elected to the Legis lative Assembly.

THE GISBORNE OIL WELLS.

We are afraid there must be some mistake about the announcement which we copied from an exchange the other day as to a splendid flow of oil, reaching 50 barrels a day, having been obtained at Gisborne. We should have rejoiced to find the statement confirmed, art only for the sake of the shareholders m the South Pacific Petroleum Company, but for the sake of New Zealand, as a rich yield of mineral oil would have not only enabled us to keep m the colony the large sum now annually seat out of it for the purchase of that article, but would also have added an important item to the list of our exports, thus bringing into the colony a considerable revenue from without. But the following letter from a share holder, addressed to the Poverty Bay Herald^ seems to indicate not only that there is no such thing at prestat as a 50-barrel flow, but that it is highly improbable that there ever will be. He writes : — " Six months ago we were told officially that a torty-barrel a day well had been struck. On receipt of this welcome news various gentlemen proceeded to the scene of operations to

convince themselves of the genuineness, or otherwise, of the report, and all that was visible was a little mud partially impregnated with oil. This failed to convince, buc the community at large were told that m order to thoroughly test the bore it was necessary to obtain pumping gear, etc., from America. After a reasonable length of time had elapsed the plant commenced to arrive m driblets, and this continued ; so the other company engaged m oil-prospect ing offered a loan of a plant required to thoroughly test the bore. On the arrival at the works of all necessary plant the tanks were carefully stowed away unopened^ and a $ l / 2 inch pipe was let down the bore, the workmen man aging to work the long hours of eight per diem at this critical period. Just as the pipes were close to the bottom of the shaft a pulley broke, which necessitated a delay of nearly a fort night. On the pulley again being put to rights our noble borer cannot pro ceed unless the pipes remaining to go down are cut into shorter lengths. Again we have a week's delay, and then comes the final test, as everybody expects. The borer, accompanied by another professional gentleman (to whom he proposes to show wonders) and some other gentlemen, proceeded to, the works, and after a week's work of nearly seven hours a day a quantity of mud is disclosed slightly impregnated with oil, but to obtain which the shorter lengths of pipes have not been placed m the bore. As fha last delay was occasioned to allow of the .pipes being cut, a rational man would conclude that they would have been used. This short narrative bring us up to the present date, and our indefatigable and tireless borer has again returned to town, this lime ostensibly to get some j more pipes cut, which really is nothing but a straight-out acknowledgment that the bore is an arrant, failure, and that there is no more oil to be got there than on the surface m any part of the Bay." Referring to the foregoing the Napier Daily Telegraph says : — " The result of years of labor is that a pipe has been sunk so many hundred feet, and by the aid of pumping some ' mud partially saturated with oil ' can be brought up. This result 'is neither one thing nor the other as regards the satisfactory solution of a question over which so much money has been spent. , , . . Whether too much

was expected from the 'indications' on account of which an absurdly large sum was expended m machinery and labor, or whether the right man has yet to be put m the right place to bring matters to an issue, we do not know, but we do think that with efficient management, and ordinary energy, the question of oil or no oil should have been settled before this." So evidently think the shareholders, and we begin to fear lhat when the solution of- the problem is arrived at — if it is ever going to be solved at all — it will be solved m the negative.

THE ASHBWRTOfI GUAKBUN; TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1887,'



ASEBURTON 7RADEBMBN f 3 RAOING CLUB. MEETING TO BE HELD ON THE ABHBURTOR RACECOURSE ON THUHSDW, JIABOtt 8, 1887. FOI v I?TrnT HOUSES ONLY. P--C iJtnt— Mv W C Walker, W.H.R. Vtis-Prfi or.f— Mr J. Ivces, M H.R. Ju'-t— M<- W. J. Steward, M.H.B, £.TKw'JBDS: Mr L Mi.iVe? I Mr E. Gatea Mr A. Barri en | Mr C. J. Neate Mr R, M. Outbbertson. Starter — Dr Leahy. HnndJcappeY— Mr T. Qnill. . Olar'c of Scales — Mr J. O. Duncan. Clerk of Course— Mr George Soott. PROGRAMME. 1, COUNTY HUitDLE RACE, a handicap of 20 sc-vB ; second horae to pave his stake. }J mile, over cii flights of hurdles, abimt Bft Gin high. Nomination, 10j j accept* anco. 10s 2. HANDICAP TIME TROT of 20 «*•} ' Btcond horso to receive £6 from the stake. Three nvks. Nomination, 10s ; accept* Qitc, 10a. Conii ions — pnil and tro 8 ASHBURTON PLATE HANDICAP of to bovb ; second horse to receive 6 soys from the strike, li mile. Nomination, 20«{ accer tance, 15si 4. SELLING HACK RACE of 10 soys. Ho wdght nnder lOst, £ mile. Winner to be sold for 15 soys, any eurplrs to go to th« fn"d<\ Nomination, 103. 5. FV ! C HANDICAP of 25 soys : second hoißd io 'erei^o £5 from Btako. N-mina* tion, 15s ; acce- tarce. 10s. Three*qna>ter mile, winner cf 'In Asbbnrton Plat* Hnndicnp to carry 7ib i>ennlt-.y, G. NOVEL RACE HANDICAP of 26 sort. One mile Nomination, 15s; xcoeptance, - 10s. Winner to be Bold immediately after the race, the whole of the proceeds to go to the funds of the Clnb. 7. CONSOLATION HANDICAP of 1* soys, fo>- all beaten hotses during the meetinf. One mile. Nominations, 103 ; acceptance, free. 8. HURRY SCURRY, a Bweepstakes of Its each. Post entry any time of the day. ' Catch weight. RULWS AND REGULATIONS. The definition of a district horse shall be all horsca that have been commonly resident In the country lying botween the sooth hank of. the Selwyn and the north bank of the Waitaki from December 31, 1886, and np to the date of the forthcoming meeti> g, and owned by a person who has resided m the district above defined during tho same period. General Rules of the Ashburton TraCeßtafln'e Bacins Clnb and facing Rules of the Canter- bury Jockey Clnb strictly ndhered to. Five per cent. wiU be deducted from the grots cf all moneys payable m accordance ■ with this proErramnse for expenses of theconwe; All disputes, claims, ani objections arising oat of the lacing shall be decided by the Stewards, or whom they may appoint, their decision m all po'nts connected with the carrying ont of this programme to be unal ; and entries will only be received subject to these conditions. All rominations and acceptances go to the funds of the Club. All entries and nomina'iona to be accom- panied by entranca fees, name »nd age of the home, and colors of the rider and m the hands of the Secretary, addressed to Whittle's Hotel, not later than 9 p.m. on Tuesday, the Bth day February. 1887. Weights will be declared and published m ontsidn papers on the morning of Friday, February 18th, 1887 ; and acceptances for the races to be paid to the Fecretary, as above, not later than 9 pm, on S: turdaj, the 26th day of February, 1887. WALTER B. MQfrS, Secretary. ASHBUBTON BAOING CLUB. AUTUMN MEETING. & TjIRIDAI rX ' : -?:f :*£?■«*«,._ Jo i APRIL 216t *"22ad.^l8ft7i- *'~ .1 . . G. Wiijhk. -N #S^Ste ";■' i : .yi|oe-Pre«ident— John Qiitcf , : !-, : • -"^ '-: sv Sndgc— Matthew Sfcltt. . » '. r ■ Br&vrAHD&t •<■••., ..„;;;,,.. H. Friedlanddr' ■>.% ■. Wi UjVatWi* , •• '-" '■'■' W. B. Denshire I ' B.'IIANMbi' 1 - 1 -? :.':;, - J. O. N. Griger I Dr Leahy ' '■« '■•'■il- . R. Friedlander. v - --, Treasurer— David Th nans. Olerk of the Sea lea— T. E. Upton. Clerk of the Coarse— -A. Hewson. Handicappers— The Commit tea. Starter— Dr Leahy. First Racb ok Sacs Dat to Start at 12,80 p v, FJLRST~DAY. 1, DISTRICT HURDLE RACE of 20 both | over Fix flights of hurdles, abont Bft 6in hrgh. Nomination, 15s; acceptance, 10a< U mile. District horses only. 2. ASHBURTON AUTUMN H ANDIOAP •( 60 eo vs. Nomination, 1 aov j acceptance, I^fov. 1^ mile. 8. FOAL STAKES of 1 boy each, with IS bovb added. For two-year-olds bred, owned, and trained by residents In the district defined by Rule 3. Colts Bst 10lb, fillies and geldings Bat Bib. Nominatica, 10a. The sweep to be paid by 9 p.m. en April 18th. Five farlonga. 4. HANDIOAPTIMETaOT(in saddle) of 20 bovb. Nomination, 10 <; acceptance, Its. Weight not less than lOst. Break and tnrn. 3 milea. 6. FLYING HANDICAP of 25 soys. Komi* nation, 1 roy ; acceptance, 10s. 3-mlle. 6. POST STAKES of 10 eovß. Entranoe, 10s, to be made to the Secretary imme* diately after the Flying Handicap is inn. Catch weights, i-mile. Tae winner .. to be sold immediately after the race for 15 tovß, any surplus to go to the fond* of the Club. SECOND DAY. 1. DISTRICT WELTER X ANDIOAP ot 20 soy*. Nomination, 10s; acceptance, 103. Minimum weight, lOst. 1( mile. District ho • es only. 2. GRAND STAND HANDICAP of 40 sots. Nomination. 1 coy ; acceptance, 1 sot. Snven fu'longs. 3 HANDICAP TIME TROT (n saddl?) of 15 soys. Nomination, 10? ; acceptance, fis. Weight not Jess than lOst. Break and turn- Twice ronnd tin course. District horses only. 4. HARVEBT HANDICAP of 20 sots. Nominat on, 10s ; acceptance, 10a: Di*> trict horses only. 1 mile. 5. NOVEL RACE of 16 fovs. Entrance, 10s, to be made to the Secretary immediately after the Harvest Handicap iB ton. Catch weight*. Five fnrlongs. The winner to be sold immediately after the race, the whole of the proceeds to go to the funds of the Club. 6. CONSOLATION HANDICAP of 20 soys. Nomination, 1 soy, to be made immediately after the Novel Race is run ; acceptance free, to be notified to the Secretary within ten minutes of the dc deration «! wei&hta. 1 mile. RULES AND REGULATIONS. 1, The Meeting will be held nnder the Rnleßof Racing and Ashburton Racing Ulub Rules. 2 No entry will be received except on condition that all disputes, claims, ttJd ieetionß arising cut of the racing shall decided by the Stewards or 'whom they nt appoint } their decision on all points connecte with the carrying ont of th!s programme to b final. 3. A district horse ehall mean any horet that hoe been commonly resident m the dis- trict between the rivers Selwyn and Opihl from January 21, 1887, and »p to the date of the forthcoming meetintr, and owned by a rersou who has resided m the said district during the Mate period. 4. Five per cent, will be deducted from the groRB of all moneyß payable m accordance with thia progr mmo for the oxpenees of the course. 6. All nc ruinations and acceptances to go to the funds of the Club. ..,., 6. Trotting Races. Horses must trot fairly to the satisfaction of the Referee. NOMINATIONS. All nominations to be accomra'iied by fee, name, age, and description of horse, and colors of rider m the hands of the Secretary (address — Ashburton) no later than » p.m. on Monday, March 21. 1887. WEIGHfS. Weights for th-^ firet day's handicaps wiU bo declared on Wednesday, April 18, 1887. Weights for tho second day's handicaps will be deo'ated at 9 o'clock on the evening of the first day's raoing. AGQBPTANOES. Acceptances for the firnr. day's handicaps mast be made to the Secretary not later tbmm 9 p.m. on Monday, April 18, 188 T. Acaept* ances for the revnrt d:iy's handicaps »t 10 o'clock on the evtii g of the first day' racing. X H? 0. C, FOQKS, BecxeUrr.



MOUNT SOURS COAL PIT. COAL CAN NOW BE HAD AT THE ABOVE PITi 4 FOB. rjMGHI SHILLINGS PER TON, Or m ABhburton at SEVENTEEN SHILLINGS PER TON, By the Truok. FOR CASH.OinLY. E. F. WRIGHT. A. Harrison. Alfred Harrison, AOOTIONEEK, STOCK AND ESTATE AGENT AND VALUATOR. 3ATURPAY SALE at 12 o'clock sharp — Howes, Cattle, Plga, Produce and Merchandise. Agenf Norwlob Union Firo Inrotancc Company, FOR SALjS- Moveab.'* Hut on pair wheels ; tw bunk*'* _ _..  _ rt Champion Wa Machine, 50b, r Callan^iag Seed Sower, *»y Sa^ton and Befttle Plonghß^Hati W^m, *nd other Imple Oheyleamore CI '«» Trloyole, the be» kiDdmade- -chwp . Piano, by Bord, .nearly new. Ohea] Spring Cart— Che \P . „ 1 Ohaffcuttor, by 1 H« L String Binder by , > Vood » B ood a new, very cheap *» TO LET „ . . Five-roomed Cottage. ♦, Oox tfcreet rent very low to goo * tenant ALFBED"iIBB|v



Trial of Self Feeder A PUBLIC TRIAL of one of STALKERS PATENT AUT<>. | MATXO FEEDERS for THRASHING ; MACHINES ,will take placß on WED- NESDAY NEXT, 9th iebruary, on Mr THOMAS PERKS' MACHINE at SBAFIELD. An express will leave our yard at 11 a m for the Farm. Threshing Machine Owners and others interested are invited to attend. P. & D. DUNCAN, Machinists, Wills street. SUCCESS THE BEST TEST OF WORTH 11! HOLLOWAY'S PILLS & _OINTMEHT. THIS UNIVERSAL MEDIOINE IS A HOUSEHOLD REQUISITE EVERY- WHERE, THE PILLS Purify the Blood, impart tone to the Nervous system, and act most powerfully yet soothingly on the LIVER AND BOWELS, Promoting Digestion and Assimilation, and endowing the whole "bodily frame With Strength and vigor. Nervous Headaches, Tremblings, with Lassitude and General Debility quickly yield to the potent force ot these well-known Pills, and they are un- rivalled m their efficacy m all FEMALE COMPLAINTS, Removing all obstructions, skin blemishes, pimples and boils, better tbian any other family medicine known. THE OINTMENT HAS A WORLD-WIDE REPUTATION. It heals every kind of Sc»re, Ulcer and Wound, more certainly than a ny other known salve. Its marvellous peaetrating powers render it invaluable m all THROAT AND CHEST DISEASES, Curing Bronchitis, Quinseys, and Asthmas reducing Glandular Lumps, closing and healing Abscesses and Fistulas, and for alleviating the excruciating tortures of RHEUMATISM, GOUT, And Neuralgia it is unsurpassed. It never fails t« remove Scurf and every species of skin disease. The Pills and Ointment are manufactured at No. 8," New Oxford street (late 533, Oxford street, London), and are sold by all vendors of r Patent Lines throughout the Civilized World. J irections for use m almost every language. t3f Purchasers should look to the Labels on Pots and Boxes. If the address and street ar# not on they ar« spurious.



' ' . . Business Notice?. DIPPING "SEASON^ 1886. TOMLINSON AND HAYWARD'S LINCOLN DIP, (POISONOUS), GLYCERINE DIP, (NON-POISONOUS), WILL MIX WITH COLD WATER AND NOT DISCOLOR THE WOOL. rpHESE DIPS used trgether m equal prop'-rtkna gave the highest satisfaction last I. Season, as is evidenced by numerous Testimonials which can bj seeu at the Agents. The Glycerine Dip is the best ever introduced for Wool Growing purposes ; and the Lincoln Dip is the mosh durable m the Wool, and will keep ttheep olean longer than any other yet known. The two Dps used together make a perfect D:p, and keep any ordinary flock of sheep olean the whole season They combine highly nutritious and stimulating properties, as well as lasting qualities. They are certain kijlera of Ticks, their eggs ; L : ce, their ova ; and all parasites infesting the skins of She. p. For very lousy and filthy longwool flaclre, the LINCOLN DIP ALOSE is recom meudod, being the raoet listing m its effects. Testimonials prove that m every instance sheep dippelin the mixtura have come mst shearing with perfectly clean healthy skins, entirely free from vermin aud parasitei, and the wool peculiarly soft and beautifully glossy . PRIGU3— 3s 6d PER GALLON, OR £3 10s PER THOUSAND GALLONS OF WASH. H. MATSON & CO., AGENTS, ASHBURTON. Good News to the Farmers. ; ANOTHER SHIPMENT OF THE CELEBBAEED •Walter A. Wood's New Steel Wheel Binder, Per ship Theodore, which arrived on Friday, January 14th, from New York. ■ THESE MACHINES HAVE ALL THE LATEST IMPROVEMENTS. ■!" INSPECTION INVITED. ■;' AN EXPERT IS IN ATTENDANCE FROM THE FACTOR*. EUSSIAISr HEMP TWINE 4-ply, ranntng 90D feet to the Ib. A STOCK OF EXTRAS KEPT IN ASHBTJPTOJk F. FERKIMAtf. W. PATCHING* TENT, TARPAULIN, FLAG, AND HORSECLOTH MANUFACTURER. A LARGE STOCK ALWAYS ON HAND OP TENTS OF ALL SIZES CALICO, DUCK, TWILL, AND CANVAS. Manilla Rope, Plough Lines, Fishing Linos, Clothea and Garden Lines. IRON AND WOODEN BLOCKS, Special attention is called to the well assorted STOCK OF REAPER AND BINDER CANVASES, All made on the Promises. Battens and Canvas kept m stock, and repairs promptly executed . Tarpaulins from 6x8t024 x3O always m stock. Oilskin Clothing made on the Premises. MARQUEES from 12 x 24 to 25 x 65 ON HIRE. All Ordbrs by Letter or Telegram Pbomptly Attended to. W- PATCHING, 1 10861 EAST STREET, ASHBURTON.



; Public Notices."' PUBLIC NOTICE. rf!H;E MONTH Y SA&E af the - ■ CHERTSEY SALI YARDS will NOT BS HELD THIS -MONTH. •■• JAS. PATTERSON, 24-35 Secretary. METHVEN UNDER DISTRAINT FOR BENT. .■ WEDNESD A T/ 9 h PEBRUAII Y. Removed for convenience of salr. MESSRS H". CkTsiN A CO. hivo • received i«ir ructions to SjJI at thp MBTHVES .Ht.TSL- YARD'S On the above dtte, abont 1500 "■"■1600 Oomprialng Crosabred Hoggets, Wethers, Ewes, and Lambs, Many of which are Gt lor freezing. , Sale at 1 o'clock. ■•■ ' H. MATSON&CO., 2 29 Auctioneers. NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. GBE4P EXCURSION TO TIMARU. ON THURSDAY, 10th FEBRUARY, Excursion Tickets to Tiraaru will be Issued at Ashburton at 5* 6d First Class, 4s Second Class, for the ordinary Express Train, which leaves Ashburiou at 10 25a.m , and the Excursionists will return by a Spaciftl Traiu, leaving. Tlro»ru,fct6 p.m. ; RACES WILL BE HELD AT TIMARUON THE 10th Any ExcursioniHtß wishing to go to the Racecviine can alight at Woahdyko, rebook, and join a train which will be waiting?,- returning frr-ra the Racqcourße by a Special Train st 6 p.m, which will cdrmecfc at Waahdyke with the -return Excursion Train. The following are further arrangements In obnneotion with tho 1 innru Races on the lOth February :— Saturday Return Tickets to Tlrnaru will be issued on tho Oth and 10th February at Ohriatchurch, Osmaro, and intermedia! 0 iititlons and to Wabhdyke (for iebooklng to Bacecourae) per South Express Train on 10th at Stations at whioh that train stops ; available for return till 11th. 2^28 By order. ; ODDFELLOWS' HALL. UNPRECEDENTED ATTRACTION. POSITIVELY ONE NIGHT ONLY. MR WYBERT REEVE, m conjunc- tion with his POPULAR COMEDY COMPANY, ' TUESDAY EVENING, FEB. Bth. Byron's Popular Comedy, : THE CRUSHED TRAGEDIAN. Crushed' Tragedian) Mr REEVE Crushed Tragedian > as Crushed Tragedian J Titzaltamont. Received wherever played with unbounded LAUGHTER AND APPLAUbIfI. OneNisht O Cuahed Tragedian One Night N Crushed Tragedian One Night L Crushed Tragedian One Night V Crushed Tragedian Seats maybe secured 'at Zanders. AdurißsioD, 4s, 3s, 2s. -. GEORGE GEDDEB. • BußineHa Manager, j T. Bullock. TO LET.— A 4-Roomed House m Kermode street. ■ T. BULLOOK. FOR SALE, at a low price, PIANO, by Broadwood and Sons Apply' to " T. BULLOOK. mHBESHING PLANT FOR SALE, JL Price £110. The Engine and Com- bine by Clayton and Shuttleworth* Apply to ... , T. BULLOOK. FOR SALE. A LARGE-SIZED Grain Bruiser, by Andrews and Beaven. Apply to 1. BULLOOK. miNWALD— Town Sections 371, 372, X 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, m one blook, fronting Thompson street, near the County Saleyards, for sale at a low price, and on liberal terms, Apply to T. BULLOOK. TO LET, at a low rental, a 5-roomed Cottage, fronting Cambridge street, Hampstcad, near the Convent. Apply to j T. BULLOCK. WO LET, Lots 1 to 13, containing 1 3a. 3r. 23p., all fronting Alford Forest Road, and adjoining Mr James Smith's property. For particulars apply to T. BULLOCK TO LET.— For 3or 5 years, with or W't 1 out a pu'ehaaing olause, R.S. 26349, containing 137 sere?, situated near the Grange, at tho back of the Racecourse Apply to T. Bullock. *" TINWALD. • TO LET at a low rental, 3-roomed Cottage near Mr Shearejr'e. T. BULLOCK. TINWALD. TO LET. —Four roomed Cottage on Graham's Road, lately m the occu- pation of Mr P. Heron. . v Apply to T. BULLOCK. OATS.— A quantity for Sale ; good sample. - T. BULLOCK. TO LET— At a low rental, Centra Bakery, together" with »hop and dwelling house. Apply to T. TO LEI, a three-roomed Cottage st Trevorton. Rent, 3s 6d per week Apply to ■ T. BULLOOK. H'OLET— 2 Cottages m Grey Street J kown as Coatts' blook ; Rent asj per week. ■ . T. BULLOCK, T7K)R SALE— Two sets of three- leavec JD harrows, by " Howard." • • T. BULLOOK rjV)R SALE — Lot 26, fronting the -01? North Town Belt. Price, £19 Liberal terms if required. Apply to T. BULLOOK. TO PAINTERS. . TO LET at a low rental, Shop n Dwellinghonse m Moore atrea laUly m ocoapetlon of Mr Luoas. ■• BULLOOK. OEAPERS& BINDERS FOR SALE. McCormick Wire Binder ... £20 _ »» 11 ' »> ••* * Deering Twine Binder ... 10 Samuelaon Twine Binder ... 12 ' T. BUULOCK,



Adrertising Ohe&ts. "It has become so common to begin an article, m an elegant interesting style, (( Then run it into some advertisement, that we avoid all such, " And simp'y call attention to the meritß of Hop Bitters m as plain, honest terms as possible, " To induce people "To nive them om triMl, which so proves their value that they will never use anything else." " The Remedy bo favorably noticed m all j the papers, ' Religious and secular is ! " Having a large sale, and is supplanting all other medicines. " There is no denying the virtues of the Hop plant, and the proprietors of Hop Bitters , have shown great shrewdness and ability • • » * • ■ "In compounding a medioine whose virtues are so palpable to everyone's observa- tion." ... Did She Did? "No I ; .. ". ■■; . "She. lingered and suffered along pining away all the time for years." " The doctors doing her no good. " "And. at last was cured by Uub Hop Bitters the papers say so much about," "Indeed! Indeed !" ■ " How thankful we should be for that medicine." A Daughter's Misery. " Eleven years our daughter suffered on a bed of misery, " From- a complication of kidney, livery rheumatic .trouble ' and nervous, debility, " Under the care of the best physicians, " Who gavo her disease various names, " But no relief, " And now she is restored to us m good health by as simple a remedy as Hop Bitters, that we had shunned for years before using it. The Parents. Prosecute the Swindlers!! If when yon call for Amerioan Hop Bitters (see green twig of Hops on the ivhite label and Dr Soule\i name blojvn m the bottle), the vendor hands out anything but American Hop Bitters refuse it and shun the vendor as you 1 would a viper; and if he has taken your money for anything else indict him for the fraud andsue'him for damages for the swindle, and we will pay you liborally for the oonvio- on. ' TOCARRIERS AND~OTbTersT~ mHB Tender of Mr James r a igetjr has JL bsen aooepted for carting grain. " 2 42 DUDLEY & NORTHEY, ASEJBURTON BO ROUGH COUNCIL EX rRAORDJSARY VACANCY. I HEREBY give notice that an Elec- tion to fill an Extraordinary Vacancy | In the Ashburton B > rough Council cavoed 1 by the resignation of Councillor Oraighead will' be held at the Couccil Chambers, Baring Square West, on WEDNkSDAY, the 2nd Maroh nex^. Nominations m the form preeoribsd m the second gohedole of the " Regulations of Local Elections Act, 1876," will be received at the Town Olertc's Office till 32 o'olock Noon on TBURS- DAY, the 17th February instant. C B A RLBJSBR ADDELL, Returning Officer. Borough, Council Office, • ' Aihbartbt^UtQ February, '$887,



Certainly the moat effective MEDICINE m the world is SANDER A SONS' EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent powerful effects m Coughs, Colds, Influenza, etc; the relief is instantaneous. Thousands give the most gratifying testimony. Read this certifi- cate: — " 24th April, 1885. — Messrs Sanders and Sons, — It is with the greatest of pleasure that I testify to the exoellenoe of your Euoalypti Extraot. Having had inflammation on the bone of the leg, which came on after a severe attack of low fever, I waß attended by Dr J. Boycl, who had made strenuous efforts to save my leg, but without Buocess. He then found it necessary to amputate my limb. Hating heard m the meantime of the wonderful cures worked by the Eucalypti Extraot, I obtained a bottle, and the extraot had not been applied more than an hour when I began to feel greatly relieved. After apply- ing the extraot every four hours for nine or ten days I was out of all danger. I would persuade all who may be affected with any such disease to give the Euoalypti Extract • trial, and I am convinoed that they will find it the most wonderful of medicines. — Yours, etc, E. J. Curnow, Wattle street, Sandhurst. ' —(Advt.)



A northern exohange Bays that m one year Mr W. H. Grace has acquired for the Govern* ment over 170,000 aores of land m the Taupo country, about one-third of whioh is said to be suitable for settlement purposes, the balanoe being good grazing land, parts being % ovwed with good totftra and other! 1 ; **