THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

and after the 80th November, 1886, the j of Subscription to this journal will be -Howe, via. :— nr paid m advance : Quarter.. 6s 6d, by post, 9a 6d f Half-year 12s 6d, by post, 18a 6d Year .. 24s Od by post, 37s Od rr booked : Quarter.. 7s 6d, by post, 10a 9d „ Half-year 15a od, by post, 21s 6d „ Year .. 80s Od, by post, 48s OS Birth, Marriage, and Death Notices, if paid or at the timej of insertion, 2s 6d eaoh tamps may be sent as payment) ; if booked, eaob. _ PRESENT SUBSCRIBERS MAY RENEW THEIR SUBSCRIPTIONS AT THE OLD RATES, Announcements of Births, Deaths and Marriages sent for publication from the country iatriots. require to be verified by Bigna are of tha person send'ng the notioe.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office follows: — For Ohrlstohuroh and North at 6 a.m 0.30 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Ohertsey Rakala, &c, at 10.30 a.m and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Wlnslow, Hinds, Ooldatream. Rangitata, Orarl, Winchester, Mid Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. ForTemuka, at 10 vm. and 4.30 y.m **lly. For Timaru and South, at 10 a./n., and f 30 p.m., dally. For Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10.30 a.m. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seavlew, Seafleld, ad Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and tnrdays, at 6.30 a.m. For Mount Somers, dally at 4.30 p.m For Mayfield and Ruapuna, on Mon days and Thursdays, at 4.30 p.m. | For Ashton, Waterton and Longboaoh, 4.30 p.m. daily. . For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes •lays, and Fridays, at 4. 30 p. m. For Newlands, on Tuesdays and Frl at 10.30 a.m. Malla arrive at the^ Ashburton Poet aloe— .Aom Christchurch and Rakala at 10.15 ».m., 4.35 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Ohertsey &o. at 10.15 a. and ,35 p.m. 'daily. From Dunedin * nd intern- ediate places 5,3? daily. ? I* Oin Temuka an Timaru at 10.40 a.m p 5,00p.m daily. From Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays snd at 4 45 p.m. From Wnkanul, Elgin, Seaview, Sea fleld and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, end Saturdays, at 5 p.m. 2?com Mount Somers, dally at 10.5 ; m. From Mayfield and Ruapuna, on Wed oesdays and Saturdays, at 10.5 a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long i at 10 a.m. daily. From Newlands, on Tuesdays and Frl at 2.30 p.m. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thun> days, and Saturdays, at 10a.m. j— m— — — — — i — — — —

BIRTH.

McDowell.— On the 28th February, ai her residency Wioslow, the wife ol John McDowell of a daughter.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1887. TYRANNY IN TONGA.

Although the press of this colony has generally accepted as true the version of Tongan affairs which represents the conduct of the Rev Shirley Baker as oppressive and cruel to a degree which justifies resistance on the part of the section of the native people whom he thus cruelly persecutes, we observe that the Auckland "Evening Bell" takes the opposite side, and attributes all the trouble to the disloyal conduct of the Wesleyan party, led by the Rev Mr Mouiton. Our contemporary looks upon the latter as malcontents, in spired with envy and hatred on account of the success of the State Church, founded by Baker, and hopes that Baker will not stay his hand until these disturbers of the peace are all dangling at the end of hempen ropes. It re gards Baker as a statesman whose bene ficent schemes are being opposed by a set of bloodthirsty reactionaries, and holding that opinion its views as to their proper treatment are logical, if anything but merciful. It is important to know which are m the wrong, those who look upon Baker as a persecutor or those who regaed him as persecuted, and this point will, we imagine, be clearly determined by the inquiry which is shortly to be instituted on the spot, under the directions of the Imperial Government, by the High Commissioner of the Pacific and the Governor of Fiji. Meantime we have no doubt upon the question ourselves, as it ap pears to us that there is an overwhelm ing weight of testimony m favor of the view that the conduct of the Tongan Premier has been most tyrannical and cruel, and that the Wesleyan section of | the people have been almost incredibly oppressed by his Government. In sup port of that view, we need only quote from the " Fiji Times," of the 9th of February, the following which appears m a letter written from Vavau, under date January 12. — "Last advices from Tonga informs us that. . . matters political and religious are m anything but a quiescent state, and the Premier is still m Tonga, every thing being m so unsettled a state that he dare not leave. The Tongan Government has just distinguished itself by another gross act of cruelty and injustice. The Sandfly brought twenty-four so-called prisoners from Tonga ; twelve were left on the way m the Haabai Group. When the others arrived here they were shut up with four others m the lock-up, a place calculated for three or four, or half-a-dozen at the most. Into this building they were cast, ironed for the night, and m the morning the gaoler thus addressed them : — " We all of us here m Vavau belong to the Free Church, you are all of you Fakaogos, a term of reproach applied to the Wesleyans ; but we will soon knock all the nonsense out of you. To commence with, you will all of you be thrashed with the cat, and have all your hair cut off, you will then quarry and carry stones for the new wharf, and you will be kept to hard labor for three years, and every month you will have a great flogging." There are some rumors that these men declined to take some oath which the Premier desired to impose upon them. After the above speech from the gaoler, the victims were most brutally flogged, one of the gaolers calling out at times. " Why do you flog them thus ! why on the back only! flog them across the face ; scratch their eyes out with the whip;" and then the poor lad whom they were thrashing at the time, had his hand nearly cut to pieces m the endeavour to save his eyes. After undergoing this barbarous flagellation, their hair was cut off, and this m a manner to inflict the greatest amount of torture. Only about two thirds of the tuft of hair nipped by the shears each time was cut through ; the rest of the tuft was torn out by the roots to the acute agony of the prisoners ; m this state they were sent to their task, three times as much work as is done by the ordinary prisoners here with the warning that if their imposition were not completed they would be flogged at night. The whole of the men are from the Wesleyan College m Tonga. The Tongan Government dare not proceed to these extremities m Tongatabu, but sent" these political prisoners down here away from their friend and relatives, and away from the sympathy and help of a larger European community than is to be found m Vavau, The head gaoler here, to his honor, interfered when the men were being lashed across

the- eyes ; he forbade it, and has been a friend to the men as far as he dare. Let those who doubt any of the state ments made m this letter read a letter lately published m the "Sydney Morn ing Herald," and written by a thoroughly impartial and unbiassed gentleman, the Captain of the Kishon. In that epistle will be found statements, 1 harder to believe and yet perfectly true, than any statement made m this com munication ; and will be as well to bear m mind that France has already inter fered m this matter on behalf of her, the Catholic, Church and that the Tongan Government has been only too glad to give way on every matter." A postscript to the foregoing, dated two days later (January 14), adds : — "The s.s. Suva from Tonga has just arrived. The oath the students were required to take was a blind ore, they were not allowed to read or to have read to them the oath which they were required to take, and under these circumstances declined to swear," It need only be remarked that if the foregoing be true there can remain no doubt as to the I conduct of Baker's Government being so bad as to be altogether unendurable.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

We have to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt from the Postal Department of a very neat and useful littie time table of the Ocean Mail Services. Algernon : "Do you think, my love, your father will consent to our marriage ? " Angelina : "Of course, papa will be very, sorry to lose me, darling." Algy: "Bat I Will soy to him that instead of losing a daughter he will gain a son." Angelina: "I wouldn't do that, love, if you really want me. Papa has three such sons boarding here now, and he's a little touchy on the point." At Dunedin recently there were between 60 and 70 entries for a baby show, whioh, caused a good deal of exoitement among mothers. By .far the vastest and most influential temperance sooiety m the world is the Methodist Episcopal Churoh of the United States. The law and discipline of the I Methodist Episoopal Church, with nearly 13,000 ordained ministers, nearly 2,000,000 of communicants, and many millions of adherents, are positively and unequivocally directed against the moderate use of intoxi cating drink. The largest bells m the world are:— Moscow, 202 tons ; Burmah, 117 ; Pekin, 53 ; Novgorod, 31 ; Notre Dame, 18 ; Rouen, 18 Olmulz, 18; Vienna, 18; St. Paul's, 16 Westminßter, 14 ; Montreal, 12 ; Cologne, 11 Oxford, 8; St. Peter's, 8. Bell metal should have 77 parts copper and 23 of tin. The freezing works at Waitara ore to be abandoned. The maohinery oonneoted with the tinning and freezing will be removed to Auokland, where work connected with the company will be carried on m future. The " Kaikoura Star " gives it as an on dit that Hall is dying, and that even should the point reserved for consideration by the Court of Appeal be deoided against him it is not likely that he will go to the gallows. He eats little or nothing, and never utters a word, even when spoken to. The " Wanganui Herald " mentions that at a meeting of fruit growers, Mr Field exhibited a Cape oreeper wbioh haß been introduced into that part of the colony by Major Lockett. The plant has a small white flower, Bhaped like a bell, and m nearly every one was a moth, which had apparently been caught while attempting to extract the neofcar from inside the flower. Mr Field ventured the suggestion that the creeper indiscriminately planted about fruit trees would possibly assist m ridding the orohard of a troublesome and annoying pest.

The news that a Russian squadron was massing m Japanese waters created a great stir m Melbourne, where it was rumoured m high military circles that the squadron had left its place of rendezvous under sealed orders. The " Age " pointed out, m connec tion with the matter, that warlike aots had been committed before war was officially declared, and added that if a Russian squadron paid a visit to Hobson's Bay it would be difficult to deny it admission if peace still reigned. London is growing m population at the rate of 64,000 a year. Lord Randolph Ohurohill deolares that at Sixty years oi age he expects to lead Europe. Spurgeon's health is failing, but he con tinues to preach every Sunday to overwhelm ing congregations. The Germans are making piano oases of paper. They are creamy white, and are said to improve the tone m quality, though diminishing its volume. M. Dauphin, the New French Minister of Finance, stands six feet six inohes m hiß l bookings, and is said to have marched to fame by this. The Duke of Oonnaught, who has recently been mado a member of the Counoil of the Presidency of Bombay, and Princess Beatrice, will, it is said, be the heirs to Queen Viotoria'6 immense fortune. Consul Tanner, of Chemnitz, reports that the beer production of Germany m 1885 was 1,100,000,000,000 gallons, enough «« to make a lake more;thnn a mile square and six' and a half feet deep, or it would make a running stream as large as some of our rivers,

CORN EXCHANGE.

;Corn Exchange rt«p>rt for the week endt'.jg 4h infstant : —

Large deliveries are being made both of vf heat m 1 o'\ts, but the' former la m anything but slvpplng condition, having been thrcshdd before is had thoronghly sweated ; vtrj id ions have consequently followed, muon'to the ann>yauoe of buyers and tellers. Outside markets are not en couraging for local Bpeculation. The yields, thit have ;:lveady been ascertained hava been fully up to anticipations, and ' with the exception of ojudiuon tho grain will compare favorably with previous 86&80U8. Wheat sales have been fairly numerous, on the baaia of 3a 4£ I fur Tuscan, 3s 3£d Pearl, and 3i 34 to 3a 3£d for Hunter's but we should say the majority of samples are going into store on growers account, either for shipment' to London, or to be held for Improved prices. Chicken wheat wheat meeti with a 100 d demand at 2s 8d to 2\ 10i. Cats— The shipping orders are about filled oon'joqueatly prlecs have steadied down to Is 9d to la 9£i for short heavy feed, ling and inferior being hard to gait at Is 7d tp Is Bd. Barley— Palme malting Is offering In very limited quantities, and any decent lines are quickly taken up at from 33 3i to 3s 6d. Second quality are almoßt totally ! neglected, malsters being well stooked | with indifferent malt from last year, ' Feed lots are wanted at 2s to 2a 2£d, Beans and peas — Prussian blues have an euqu'ry at 3a 3d to 3s 6J, other kinds are not on offer. Grass seed— Farmers' parcels are not so plentiful, but prices have not improved 2s 3d to 23 9d for ordinary, and 3s to 9s 3d for well cleaned heavy seed. Maohine dreesed is quoted at 3s 6d to 3s 9d. Cocksfoot, bright heavy cleaned seed, commands 3£d to 4i ; light foggy from 3i to 3£d.

A STRANGE STORY

Wellington, Maroh 3

A. L. Levy was interviewed to day and invited to explain tho reaenn of his mys tori' us disappsaranoe, He had nothing to say except that since he left Wellington a year ago until last Monday he had no re collection of anything. He denied that he had gone off with a young woman, and •aid he did not remember goiug on board the steamer here. He does not remember writing a letter received here from him, though he believes it is his. Following are extracts from the interview: —

While giving an absolute denial to state ments and accusations made m connection with bis leaving Wellington suddenly, he freely alluded to the occurrence, but de olined to give a detailed explanation of what occurred until after consultation with a friend, whose advice he considered ne cessary, as it was possible legal proceed ings might arisa out of the affair, and the ill-advised publication 0 certain particu lars would perhaps militate against hia case. " Firstly, then," said Mr Levy, "I deny emj hatically that I went with any girl or anything of that kind. There is not a word of truth m that statement. The girl whose mmc is connected with tnlne m this unwarrantable way left for Chriatchuroh fer reasons of her own a month before. She waß a friend of my wife's, and before getting her situation at the Centml Hotel lived with us a week or ten days. I had known her from child hood, and Bhe and my children were brought up together. Then, again, what reason|had I to bolt 1 I waß not m debt. My accounts were all right, aud t was as happy as a man could be m his home. All I have to say of my going away is that I know nothing about It, and knew nothing about It till I, as it Hero, oame to myself m Sydney last Monday week. Though asked by my brother-in-law to wait for replies from New Zealand •■ to whether I had better come back here or not, I said I would go home at once ; I had nothing to be afraid of. ' How do I account for my going away 1 Well I was under some strong influence, of what kind I don't pretend to s^y, and I know the fact is indtacribable, but it was only what I had been threatened with p*eviously after the closing of these hotels- [Tuis was allud ing to the olosiog of the Army and Navy and Prince of Wales Hotels.] I had been warned en several occasions, but had laughed at the threats. I have no recol lection of writing to my wife and mother from Sydney. I was told I did so and what I said la my letter, but I do not remember anything about it. What I am told I said, however, oddly enough, concurs with a dream — a kiud of nightmare— l had constantly after receiv. log the threats, and since my departure- I don't remember any detectives coming to me at Sydney. I was told they had been looking for me. Where did I go when I got to the other side, and what did I do ? Well, you may think it strange, but I cannot tell you. I have no racolleoaion beyond laßt Monday week; No, I did not call m anywhere for a temperanoe drink on the day I must have gone on board the steamer, so that I was not drugged m that way. The last thing I remember Is being m Willis street, on my wey home to tea. All the rest Is a blank. Was on the wharf that day, looking about a case I was .interested m, m which a brother was being made to find support for his slßter. The Idea of my relabelling a girl's boxes, and all that, seeing that I Wae as well known as the town clock, Is absurd. I must have known that I should be traced at onoe. I do not know how I oould have got on the steamer without having been seen. The whole affair is a mystery, eicept that I believe a certain threat was carried out against me, and I was moved by an in fluence which made me unaccount able for my aotions. This is all I fell justified iv saying at present. I know it sounds Incredible *nd unsatisfactory, but It is the truth."

To understand some of the foregoing it should be mentioned that Levy was formerly Secretary cf the New Zealand Temperance Alliance here.

A SINGULAR ADVEGNTURE.

Dunedin, March 3.

A very heavy fall of rain, whloh was ac companied by distant thunder, took plaoe this afternoon, and nearly led to lobb of life. Mr Mirams, City Engineer, Mr Cuthbert, CE. of Chrlatchuroh, Mr R. Hay, 0.X., and a corporation employee named Sandllands, went Into the main sewer to Inspect it ln connection with a law suit arising out of the late floods, and before the man on tho look-out oould give them warning a tremendous downpour of rain commenced. In a few seconds an Immense body of water was winding its way into the sewer from the' hills, and this reaohed the party In the sewer while they were about 2Coyds from the eniranoe. The water rose from a few inches to about st. It was with the utmost diflioulty the party kept themselves from being swept eff their feet by the rushing water, and they were becoming weaker and weaker by the abseroj-of fresh air, which had no room to circulate. They stook together, and by olihging to the top and sides they managed to hold on till the manhole was reached. A last final eff>rt prevented their being swept past, and Hay, olambering on the shoulders of the others, managed to get out, and the rest were assisted out m a pitiable plight. They 'received many severe bruises, and werj thoroughly exhausted. No danger* 0113 results are anticipated. Sandllands suffered most. He was a short man, and I. he water waa up to his ohln. Bay m-maged time after time to keep him from being swept away.

SOUTH RAKAIA ROAD BOARD

The usual monthly meeting was bold on' Thursday. Present: Mesara Coster (chairuiau), Allan, Mulligan, and Tucker. ' olebk's report. The Clerk reported on the various works carried out during the month, Tho report was adopted as read. THE ..FOOTPATHS. It was resolved hot to rokerb the town ship footpaths except where necessary — |It was resolved to call for tenders for | forming a footpath the whole length of the ' village settlement on the south side of main river;foad. BALLASr PIT. Mr Allan reported that he had stopped the contractor fencing the ballast' pit which encroached oh the river road as the minner m which the work was being done would be of no use— lt was resolved to call for tenders for building a stone em bankment and fencing * same. Tenders to be m by March 23rd _ Anderson's claim. The Chairman stated that he had seen the Board's solicitors on this matter. — Messrs Holmes and Loughrey wrote stating that it was Mr Anderson's inten tion to stick to his heavy claim for land trespass and damages. — The matter was left m the solicitor's hands RATE It was resolved to strike a rate of one farthing m the poand, to be made payable on 31st inst. The Clerk received instruc tions to take the necessary steps. — It was decided to hold a special meeting on the 23rd to confirm the resolution re rate and accept tenders. MOTION WITHDRAWN. Mr Tucker obtained, leave to withdraw his notice of motion re rescinding a minute confirmed at the last meeting. FENCING. Mr Allan said he had received com plaints about the fences round tho pits lately purchased, and he moved " That a bank be erected and a seven-wire fence on the outside," Seconded by Mr Mulligan and carried. NEW ROAD. It waß resolved to open the new road from Thompson's track to the corner of the village settlement WATER-RACE CROSSINGS. Complaints were made about the water race crossings on tho Kyle and other roads. Messrs Allan and Mulligan wero ap pointed a sub-committee to have them put m thorough order at once, foot crossings to be also put m. PLANTATIONS. Mr Allan reported that one of tbe i Board's plantations, about 2 acres m extent, was destroyed by fire last night. ■ The fire was caused by Mr Murphy. — i The Clerk was instructed to report as to . the damage done to the special meeting. It waa stated that the fences had been » cut m one plantation and horses camped . therein at night. — It was ordered that i notice be given that the damage must be [ at once repaired. r BANK ACCOUNT. j The Bank agent wrote stating that the Board's instructions re redepositing monies i would be carried out. r ROAD boards' act. i A circular re proposed alterations of the i Road Boards Act was rf ceived from Mr t Deacon, and it was resolved to write. and : ask for a copy of the proposed alterations. VALUATION ROLL. I Mr Murdoch and Mr W. L. Allan wrote t asking that their names he taken off the . valuation roll for certain properties. — i Granted. MJSCELLANEO'S. k The Clerk was instructed to look to the t drainage near the school ; also to inform f Mr Murphy that unless ho commences his t contract without delay the work ffill be : done by the Board at hia expense. [ ACCOUNTS. [ A ccounts amounting to £48 4s 8d were > passed for payment and the meeting r adjourned.

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBURTON—MONDAY.

(Before Mr J. Ollivier, R.M.)

ALLEGED UNNATURAL OFFENCE.

James Crawford was charged, on re mand, with having committed an unna tural offence. Mr Cuthbertson appeared for the prisoner. The evidence of Mr Childs have been taken,' Sergeant Felton informed the Bench that the polico had been unable to trace the whereabouts of another material witness. Would His Worship grant a further remand ? Mr Ollivier did net feel justified m doing so. In his opinion a prima facie case had not been made out, but at the same time he might say that the pri soner's action had been very suspicious. - Prisoner was then discharged, being cautioned not to get intoxicated again. CIVIL OASES. Matheraon v. Soramers. —Claim, £45 17s sd. In this case: an application had been made to have the defendant's evi dence taken at Christchurch. An ad- j journment was made to the 18th instant to enable this to be done. Porter v. Sanders.— Claim, £3 Os 6d. Mr Wilding for plaintiff and Mr White for defendant. Mr White asked for a remand, defendant being unable to attend the ' Court. Mr Wilding opposed the application, on the ground that the case had already been adjourned. The claim was for trees supplied and planted at an agreed price. Defendant had offered to Eay £2 m settlement of the claim, After earing tho ovidonce of Messrs Porter, Harris, and Allison, His.- Worship de clined to grant an adjournment and gave judgment for the amount olaimed with costs

Drury v. Cronin —Claim, £11 ss. Mr Wilding for plaintiff. Mr White, for defendant's solicitor, Mr Holmes, applied for an adjournment to Friday next. His Worship said if Mr Wilding did not ob ject an adjournment would be granted on the usual terms. Mr Wilding pointed out that the costs of witnesses, &c, would equal m amount the claim itself. De fendant theroupon decided to instruct Mr White, although he complained that he had already paid Mr Holmes for his ser vices. The case was put last on the list.

Holmes v. Foster. — Claim, £65, for breach of agreement. Mr Wilding ap peared for tho plaintiff, and Mr Cuth bertson for the defendant. Mr Wilding led evidence to show that defendant had invited tenders by advertisement for bar. vesting at Scottesden ; that plaintiff saw the defendant at the farm, and agreed to do the work at the rate of 7s per acre, the etooking not being included ; that defendant accepted that offer, and subse quently announced hia acceptance thereof by advertiaement m one of the Ashburton: papers. Seven days' notice was to have been given to the plaintiff when he would be required to start, but no such notioo was given, dnd defendant had engaged other machines to do the work. The crop was, with the exception of a strip of about 44 acreß m, witness's opinion, unfit to cut. Owing to defendant's action m engaging other machines, witness had lost other crops and been kept idle. He could have earned about £6 a day at the time.

Michael Healey, T, Dynes, P. Fite gerald, T. Lancfley gave further evidence as to the state of the crop and plaintiff's reliability as a contractor for harvesting. (Left sitting )

CORRESPONDENCE.

Wi do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our„ correspondents.

A DIRECT CABLE.

TO THE EDITOB

Siß,^-Having read your interesting ■ir tide on the outlook m Europe, 1 should be glad if you would give us yonr views on the Bobjaot of a direct cable, whloh, it appears to me, haa an importcnt bear* ing upon colonial defenoe, In addition to . tbe advantagesjwhloh would be conferred on oommeroe by oheap telegraphy. - I am, etc, . Geokgb Catm. " "'

March 4, 1887.

A NARROW ESCAPE.

Greymouth, Maroh 8, A terrlfio thunderstorm burst ovar Bell , Hill and Nelson Creek district on Monday evening last, and heavy rain caused a landslip, which buried a hut belonging to Jaoob Brabweil, killing his dog instantly, and pinning Brabweil In tha fireplace, m whloh there was a big fire at the time. Fortunately he was discovered} by a neighbor m time to resone him from a frightful death, but not before he waa badly burnt from his ankle to his thigh.' Brabweil is a very old man, and an oldV resident In the district.

THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

Vienna, Maroh 2. ' In a speech to the Austrian Delega tion to-day Count Kalnoky, the Pre mier, renewed his assurances as to the peaceful intentions of the Governmentj. whose measures he declared would be of a purely defensive character.

Sofia, Maroh 2. ,

A report is to hand from Silistrif that the military revolt m that city has been quelled. No further particu lars have yet been received.

THE WELLINGTON FIRE

Wellington, Maroh 3. The " Post " is informed that legal advice from reliable authority has been given that the City Corporation can be held responsible to the losers for the total amount of damages done by the late fire. The grounds upon which this opinion la based cannot, of course, be made publio, buii it is quite on the cards that tho In surance Companies will submit the quel* tion to a court of law. -

There has b9en a difficulty between the Customs aathorltea and Insuranoe Com panion over tho goods damaged by fire In Johnston's boud. According to therega* Ulions the full duty has to be paid In such cases, or tho goods would be destroyed, which it was alleged would come very hard on the Companies. A deputation waited on the Commissioner of Customa to see lf some arrangement could not ba ootne to, and Sir J. Yogel agreed to make a concession on suoh lines as were found to bo injured. This power the Aot gives under certain conditions. An expert haa been brought up from Ohrlstohuroh who will sort out the contents and assess the damage. On lhe bottled spirits and similar articles full duty will atfl| have to ba paid, whether damaged or no& *

REVOLT IN MOZAMBIQUE

Adsn, March 2.

Intelligence is to hands from Mozam bique that the Natives are taking ad* vantage of the absence of the Portu* guse forces to occupy Tungi, m Zanzi« bar, and have risen m open revolt against Portuguese rule. The Mozam bique rising has become general, and is spreading throughont the country, and numbers of trading stations and houses occupied by British residents have been destroyed. According to the latest reports, a targe body of natives are menacing the town of Mozambique, and the British Consul there has summoned H.M.S. Turquoise to protect the Biitish residents.

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

DuNEDijr Miroh 3.

Ernest Lear, a boy about ten years, ap peared at the Police Court to- day j charged with housebreaking and stealing £5. The evidence shoned that accused and * younger boy, ton of the people from whom the money was taken, had gone Into' the hcuse and abstracted the money. They bad spent some, and then Lear had gone to the races, and when arrested he was standing by a gaming table, and had by this time only £2 on him. As the boy is too young to be sent to gaol, and haa evidently been tempted by the other lad, he was sentenced to six strokes of a birch rod.

At a meeting called by the Mayor to devise means for perpetuating the memory of the lale Mr James Maoandrew, about 100 attended, A resolution was passed deploring the loos sustained by tho colony m the sudden removal by death of Mc Maoandrew, and offering sympathy to the family. After disousaion, it was resolved that a scholarship, to be called tha Mao andrew scholarship, be established at the Otago University, and that a statue be also ereoted. It was deoided to have three columns m the subscription list} ooe for the statue, one for the scholarship, and the other unconditional.

At a meeting of the Otago Dook Trnrt, a resolution was passed expressing sorrow at Mr Maoandrew's death, and a letter of sympathy was ordered to be sent to the family. " ' -,

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

(Bboter's Telegrams— Coptriqht)

CARRIAGE OF MAILS.

London, March 2.

Papers relating to Mr Henniket Heaton's universal penny postage pro* posals were placed before Parliament to-day. Mr Heaton's fourth letter ; shows that the English Post Office col lected £i 16,000 annually : for the carriage of letters to Australia, and further states that, m proportion to her population, Australia sends England six times as many letters as America sends. Mr Heaton asserts that the Orient and Peninsular and Oriental Companies are willing to carry six times the present quantity to and from Australia for the same charge as at present.

AFGHANISTAN PREPARING FOR WAR.

(Received March 4, 11 •.m.)

! Calcutta, Maroh 3. ! . News has been received from i Afghanistan that the Ameer has given an order to impress a large army, and tissued a proclamation calling upon his subjects to prepare for a Jehad or Holy War, which is believed to be directed against the Russians.

OPENING OF THE REICHSTAG.

Berlin, March 3,

The newly elected Reichstag was formally, opened to-day. The speech of the Emperor on the occasion stated that the policy of the Government

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1887



I RAILWAY TIME TABLE Tbains Abbivb at Ashburtoh— -From Ohrist- f htirob and the North, at 10.15 a.m. (expreßß), 4.35 p.m., and 7.10 p.m. From Timaru, 10.45 a.m. From Dunedin and South, 5.27 I g.m. (express). From Mount Somera, 10 ( 6 J %,m " a Tbainb Lbavb Ashbxibton — For Ohriat- huroh and North, at 7.10 a.m., 10.55 a.m., *n 6.37 p.m. (express). For Dunedin and louth, 10.25 a.m. (express). For Timaru, p.m. For Mount Somers, 5.5 p.m.



The onlyfsafe and sure oure for gravel or urinary troubles is Amerioan Co.'s Hop Bitters. Prove it, Bead



Take Hop Bitters three times a day, and you will have no dootor's bills to pay.jJTh.at made by Amerioan Co See j wSBBM



Tbe best medicine known is SANDER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent powerful effects m coughs, colds influenza, &c, — the relief is instantaneous, Thousands give the most gratifying testi- mony. His Majesty the King of Italy and medical syndicates all over the globe are its patrons. Read the official reports that accompany each bottle. We have no occasion to offer rewards m proof of the genuineness of our references. The official reports of medioal olinios and universities, the official communication of the Consul- General • for Italy at Melbourne; the diploma awarded International Exhibition, Amsterdam— all these are authentic documents, and, as suoh, not open to doubt. We add here epitome of one of the various cases treated by Siegen, M.D., Professor, eto. : Burning of the right hand through the explosion of a small oil stove. The epidermis on the volar and palmer side of tbe hand of the thirty-year-old patient was completely separated and lifted up as far as the joint of the hand. The likewise lifted nails were hanging loose, and half of the phalanx of the nail of the middle finger was coaled. The wounds thus contracted healed m three weeks under daily applications of Eucalypti Extract dressing. The patient has retained the full use of her band.— [Adyt.]



Holloway's Pills and Ointment. — Rheu- matism and Gout. — Those purifying and soothing remedies deserve the earnest atten- tion of all persons liable to gout, soiatioa, or other painful affections of the musoles, nerves, or joints. The Ointment should be applied after the affected parts have been patiently fomented wiih warm water, when the oint- ment should be diligently rubbed upon the ad- jacent skin, unless the friotion causes pain. Holloway's Pills should be simultaneously taken to diminish pain, reduce inflammation, and purify the blood. This treatment abates ths violenoe, and kssens the frequency of gout, rheumatism, and all spasmodic diseases whioh spring from hereditary predisposition, or from any aaoidental weakness of constitu- tion. The Ointment checks the looal malady, while the Pill restore vital power.



SPORTING. GUNS. GUNS. GUNS. SINGLE and DOUBLE-BRE'^Ca and MUZZLE-LOADING Gucs now landing ani m Slock ; the Greatest Variety ever shown m Ashburton. CALL EARLY AND INSPECT OUR STOCK. ; Prices very low QUALITY NOT TO BE BEATEN. Also,- Powdoi-, &hot, Caps, Car'ridgop, Cart- ridge Cases, and all Requisites for Sporting Purposes AT EQUALLY LOW PRICES. QRR& "ALCORN, IMPOETEES.



H. J. WOOD & CO., Wholesale and Retail Booksellers and Stationers, CHRISTCHURCH & ASHBURTON. ACCOUNT" BOOKS In every variety of size and style of ruliog, from the largest Imperial Ledger extra super handmade, full calf, double t Rußßia bands, down to a penny Puss Book. A very Large Stock alwnys kept, and any style and size made to older, Writing, Printing, and Wrapping Papers m nny quantity. Commercial, and General Stationery and eve' y description of Stationers' Sundries. Commercial Note and Letter Papers, by the case or packet — an assortment of over 3000 reams m stock. ' Commercial Envelopes— over 3,000,000 m stock m Chris' church. Cream Laid Buled Foolsoap— over 350 reams m stock. 1 Brown Wrapping, Double Imperial, various weights, by the bale or ream — best value m New Zealand. School Exercise Books — over 100 grosß , assorted m stock. School Slates, Copy Books, and School Requisites. Parchments ruled and headed "This Deed." SUBSCRIBE RE WANTED For Illustrated London News, Sporting and Dramatic News, Scientific American, Young Ladies' Journal, Family Herald, Fumily Reader, The Graphic, Engineer, Punch. Home News. European Mail, Bow Bells.— We deliver m town immediately on arrival, and we post to subscribers m all parts of tho country without delay. h.j.wo~6d&co. Stationers' Hall, 240, High street, OHRISTOHUROF, And at Friedlanders' Buildings, ASHBURTON !



OF NEWCASTLE COAL WESTPORT COAL V.D.L. TIMBER V.D.L. PALINGS BOILED AND RAW OIL CASTOR OIL WHITE AND RED LEAD AMERICAN LOOKS HOUSE VARNISH . SCRIM WIRE NETTING WIRE NAILS FENCING WIRE (Barb) FENCING WIBE (Plain) INSPECTION INVITED. M cCallura and Co., TIMBER, IRON, AND COAL MERCHANTS, MANUFACTURERS & IMPORTERS, NEW BOOKS AND NEW SUPPLIES OF BOOKS. H. J. WOOD & CO., STATIONER'S HALL, 240, HIGH ST , CHRISTCHURCH, And Fbiedlandees' Buildings, ASHBURTON. WE receive from London publishing firms regular shipments of from 16 to 20 cases monthly by the direct steamers. The reading public are respectfully invited to inspoct our large and varied Stock of Books iv every branch of Literature. As we buy for cash and buy largely, we are allowed extra discounts, and are m a position to give exceptional ad van- , lages to our customors, and a liberal discount on parcels and to Library Committees.



Special advertisements. T AM A i^ASH pUROHASER OF WHEAT OATS BARLEY AND RYE GRASS GEOEGE JAMESON, ASHBURTON. 2*lol WILDING AND LEWIS, T> ARBISTERS AND SOLICITORS. F. WITbING, Notabt Public. Offices: Next "Mall" Office, Burnett-st., Ashburton. Mr Wilding will attend the sittings of the Ashburton Courts on Tuesday and Fridays, and may be oonsulted personally n these daya. The firm Is now represented m Ash- burton by Mr Clayton, an English Solicitor of considerable experience, who wilt be m daily attendanoe at the office to receive inarruotlons and confer witl olents. *100 8 WHITE, CAYGILL, & CO., BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS, J. W. WHITE, Notary Public, NOTIOE is hereby given that the undersigned, Messrs White asv o. (White, Smithson, and Raymond), of fimaru, and John A. Cayoill, of Ash- burton, have this day entered into Partnership as Barristers and Solicitors, at Ashburton, nnder the style of "White, Oaygilland Oo." Mr J. W. White, will attend the sittings of the Courts at Ash- urton. WHITE & CO., JOHN A. OAYGILL. Monoy to lend ln any sums on approved freehold security. Offices : Bullock's Arcade 10*803 rpHE undersigned have Just Received X FRESH SUPPLIES



Thousands of Men's and Boys Suits, newest styles. Trousers and Trousers and Vests manufactured of New Zealand Tweeds. Every garment warranted shrunk . . Jvercoats, Waterproof Coats and Leggvugß m great variety Hats, comprising every new style worn Ohildroifs Jersey Suits, Children's Men- of-War Suits Gentlemen's Hosiery, Scarves ; Oxford Regatta and Whito Shirts \ Bugs, Portmanteaus, and Travelling Bags rhe celebrated WERTHEIM SEWING MACHINE. Time Payments. N & CLOO B ING FACTOR Y\ Eabt Stbist GREAT ! ANNUAL SALE SUEPLUS STOCK OF DRAPERY, GLOTHINC, AND BOOT S. Commencing Saturday, Jan, 22. GREATEST BARGAINS Ever offered m Ashburton, FORiPBICES SFE_ HANDBILLS. ANDREW ORR



I Wanted. TJJUMS, PLUMS, PLUMS— PIums m JL any quantity, for preserving, at A. W. Randell's, Town Ball ; WANTED two General Farm Servants. Must be good Ploughmen.— o. H. Dowding, Coldslream. WANTED Known— For cheap drape? y go to H. O. Seders' Genuine Clear- Ing Sale. Fresh bargains just opened, Melford House, East street. WANTED known— l have just opened up a useful assortment of house- hold Orookery, Ironmongery and Brush- ware.— Jambs MoQrbgob, Grocer, Etc, Tanored Street, opposite Arcade. FURNITURE— To meet the times, W. DAVIS, Cabinetmaker, East Btreet. .Ashburton, is now selling Furniture of all kinds cheaper than ever. Chest of Drawers, £1 5s ; Spring Couches, £1 ss. Every other article equally cheap. All new furniture at second-hand price. 804 M I ■ I - m !!-—■■■■» Special Advertisements. OHERTSEY SCHOOL; ADDRESSES "BY W. CORBIE JOHNSTON. Next MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY, 3 27 At 7.30 p.m. Drain Pipes. A LL SIZES— From 3 to 15 inches— With BENDS, ELBOWS AND JUNCTIONS | FOR SALE BY GEOEGE JAMESON, ASHBURTON, W. E. HANNAEOKD, (Burnett street, opposite " Mail" Office) TINSMITH AND METAL-PLATE WORKER, WISHES to inform the public of Ashburton ani the surrounding districts that he keeps m stock or can MANUFACTURE TO ORDER all de- scriptions of TINWARE for FARM or DAIRY purposes ; also, all REPAIRS of any nature promptly executed m a skilfu manner. All goods sold at lowest remunerative prices. A Trial solicited. HORSE-HAIR and BEESWAX bough m any quantiij for CASH. ' 1 CENTRAL HOTEL. JW. MoRAE having taken the above 0 Hotel, solicits a Bhare of patronage from the people of Ashburton and sur- rounding districts. Best Brands of Wine's I Spirits and Beers. Good Stabling— Feeds, Owe Shilling. Horses and Buggies to let on hire a prices to meet the times. For the convenience .of travellers » hansom cab will meet all trains. » NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY THE NEW GOODS FOR THE SUMMER SEASON ARE NOW OPENED OUT. The Stock is THE LARGEST & BEST SELECTED IN THE TOWN, And the variety of Style and Patterns m Men's, Youths', and Boys' Clothing leaves nothing to be deßired.



Victoria House, IN Consequence of Requis'te Alterations to Premises, which will afford greater ". .fipiliti.B for conducting our rapidly increasing* business, it has been found 'necessary to Greatly Reduce our Stock within ijie 'next few weeks. : Large end liberal Reductions are now made m every Department Holders of Glassware Gift Coupons are requested to present the same as early as convenient to enable the Gift Distribution to be satisfactorily closed. DIMANT~& COE, GENERAL DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, &0., Fast and Toncred streets, ABhbnrton.



NOTICE TO THE. LADIES OF ASHBURTON. MBS PAULING has REMOVED to WALTON COTTAGE, Green Lane, Hampstead 145 MRS MANHIRE, FANCY GOODS WAREHOUSE, Saundebs' Buildings, East street. FANOY STATIONERY, Toyß, and Christmaß Presents m variety. Christmas Cards, &c, &c. Ladies' and Children's Pinafores and Aprons, c>c , &c. 9624 CAUTION TO POACHERS. £N consequence of so much Poaching of Trout from the Lagmhor Creeks. I hereby give notice that anyone found (C doing will be prosecuted ; and further/;, that a reward of £20 will be paid to any peraon who will give such information **? .mall lead to the conviction of such A enders. DONALD MoLEAN, 11*86 Lagmhor; TOWLE'S PENNYROYAL AND STEEL PILLS FOR FEMALES quickly correct all irregularities, and relieve the distressing symptoms so pre- /alent with the sex. Boxes la lid and Is 9d, of all Chemists and Patent Medicine Vendors'. Prepared only by The Lincoln and Midland Counties Drug Co., Lincoln, England. Wholesale of all the Wholesale Houses. Beware of Imitations. TRY KIEKPATRICK'S NEW SEASON'S SPECIAL NOTICE. KIRKPATRICK'S NEW SEASON'S JAM is made from NELSON GROWN FRUIT, and boiled within a few hours after the fruit haß been gathered. It thus retains most of the natural flavor of tho fresh fruit. KIRKPATRICK'S NEW SEASON'S JAM is the most delicious preserve m the market. j Do not bo persuaded to buy cheap and inferior brands of Jam, lhe remains of old stock, which must be sold at any price, but ASK for KIRKPATRICK'S NEW SEASON JAM, and see that you get it. j THE BEST 18 ALWAYS THE? CHEAPEST. Kirkpatrick's New Season Jam is the best* CAUTION. None is genuine unless our name is stamped on each tin, and has our registered Trade Mark "Lord Nelson' on the label, St.Kirkpatrick & Co. MANUFACTURERS/ NELSON, N.Z, \2