TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Another Innocent Victim— Your letter will appear to-morrow. Batepayer— Sends a letter m the form of a number of ruther intelligible queries, regarding cable rates. The only con clusion we can come to as to his meaning is that ho desires to draw attention to tho action of the present Cable Company m reducing rates when opposition was threatened.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, MAY 12, 1887 FIRST OFFENDERS PROBATION.

The First Offenders Iftobation Act much discussed and treated with scant favor by a majority of the judges, comes m for a word of commendation from the Inspector of Prisons, whose cre ation it probably was. For the three months ending 31st December last (Mr Hume writes), during which the Act had been m force, 18 persons were placed on probation, and have m every instance satisfactorily carried out . the conditions of their license, by re porting themselves at the stipulated t periods, and paying by instalments such part of the costs of their prosecu tions as were directed by the Court. is the total paid by those t8 per sons; and the probable cost of their imprisonment, had not probation inter vened, amounts to about thus giving a saving ol for the three month?. This is a very good result, financially at least, and we shall hope to hear much more of the same kind : x hut it um«M u~..« t--»i---T>t-ocT— tt-TRe* Inspector had confined himself to the above statement. When he enters into the domain of hypothesis and reflection he gets hopelessly beyond his depth. To say that the class of persons who are imported into this country, and be come criminal, are not tainted with hereditary crime, is a pure conjecture which all our available knowledge would seem to disprove. It is our immi grants who have made a criminal class j m this country, and if they inherited ! no proclivity to crime, there were cer tainly no circumstances here to lead them to it. Everything was new and full of hope and promise ; even poverty, the fruitful parent of so much vice and crime, might have worn a kindlier aspect to ' them. But the fact is that there was no discrimination m the selection of immigrants, so that the most unsitable persons were landed on our sfiores. and whether we like it or not through them we now have the twin problems of pauperism and crime to deal with. Criminals of this class do not seem those most fitted for treatment under the Probation Act. The crucial test of the Act is the selection of fitting offenders on which to exercise its clemency. Until the Judges make up their minds on tfris pojnr, there is little chance of tfiis wejl-meani effort working out any very desirable result. TJ} e Act made a Jao beginning m this respect^ Jf our mem^v serves us aright, at the assijes shortly'after It operation, the Chief Justice tried a Jf-tter-carricr at Napier, on a number of char£? s °' stealing post letters. The man was found guilty, and his Honor gave him the benefit of the Probation Act, — so far apparently all looked promising. Much about the same time, Judge Williams, curiously enough, tried a similar official, at Invercargill, for a similar offence. — not, we think, extend ing to so many charges, and sentenced the convict to two years' imprison ment. Counsel for the defence brought the Probation Act under the notice of his Honor only to elicit from him some statement that such a crime could not once be permitted to pass with compara tive impunity, notwithstanding previous good character. If doctors,— doctors of law, m this case,— thus differ, who shall decide? Clearly while both Judges were right m point of law, and both seeking its wise administration, justice suffered a great wrong. Either the Napier prisoner should have had two years' imprisonment, or the Inver- : cargill one been set free on pro- ] foation, We venture to think that ' Judge Williams' decision was the one that will carry the sense of public ] justice most distinctly along y/ith it. ! At the same time, we do not see why * the Probation Act may not work sue- ' cessfully, if the right class of cases are ' selected. We lea>n that there is such j a law m the State of Massachusetts, and ' that it is producing excellent results, i A man who steals fetters, day after ( day, U committing a sejrfoue crime ( deliberately^ but let us take the case of J a man who, m a moment oi weakness ■' or temptation has brought himself once within thg grasp of the law —one under i some wild impulse to thief or some strong provocation fo assault ; and you J have two essentially different classes of criminals, The former appear to us deserving of punishment; the latter { may well be treated with that mercy

wh the Probation Act permits to be e^ded to ' first offenders. The cle m of premeditation might rightly fcthe turning point m the judge's diion as to whether the prisoner slid or should not have the benefit oe Act. Of course, the character of cc is so varied that it is impossible t<y down any hard and fast rule; nh roust always be left to the discre tiof the judge; but moral weakness a strong temptation, without previous p or purpose, seem circumstances wb should always be entertained m nng out punishment to these con vid of crime.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

. + rial of Mr S. Hardley's patent washing mine is announced to take place on Satur daext at Mr A. Harrison's yards. le " Mirror of the World " was shown at tr Oddfellows' Hall last evening. The aidance was not a large one, but those pent Seemed satisfied with the entertain* trt, the first portion of which consisted of cblving views and the second of sleight of M triobs. The Mirror will be again ex hied to-morrow night. he Caledonian Sooiety having resolved to Ciinue the logleside meetings, whioh were & a success last winter. The first will be H at the Oddfellows' Hall on Tuesday, fy27. lessrs J. 0. Duncan, G. W. Andrews, J. V Baker, and Hugo Friedlander were flay nominated for the vaoanoy m the lough Council caused by the retirement of Onoillor B. Bird. An election will be held cthe 25th instant. fhe Ashburton Sohool Committee have cided to reoommend the appointment of iss Andrews, as infant mistress, m place of iss Clark, resigned. A publio meeting to consider the question ! looally oelobrating tho Queen's Jubilee will ) held at the Oddfellows' Hall this evening. The Committee of Management of the ishburton Club have made arrangements for tolding a ooncert this evening, to whioh lembers and their lady friends are invited. The Ashburton Guards have decided to old a series of social gatherings for the urpose of raising funds to defray the epenses of the new badges, etc., these having be 3 prooured for the companies m the South (aiterbury District. The Guards, being an hnorary corps, do not receive any Govern nmt assistance, and m the past members lave been put to considerable expense m iroviding themselves with equipments. As t )3 rather hard that they should dip any noro into their private pockets, the means of •' raising the wind " before alluded to has been leeided upon. The first concert will be held m Friday, May 27. Extensive additions to the Town Hall are >eing carried out. The brioklayers are busy it work .erecting* the walls for two shops m Sast street, next to the present shops— one mjeaoh side — and it is contemplated to extend ihe building to the right of way between Burnett and Havelock streets. The monthly meeting of the Winslow District School was held m the Schoolroom on Saturday. Present— Measrs A. Wilson (chairman), Grace, Drennan, Bellamy, Davis, Mclvor, and Harris, The Master's report £howed that tho attendance had not been quito so good as it had been during the pre vious month. The average attendance of ' Boys 17 ; girls 21 ; total 38., It was resolved' that a Visiting Committee consisting of Messrs Grace, Drennan, and Davis bo appointed. It was decided that a ton of coals be procured. A petition from the girls for a swing wss ordered .to stand over till the next meeting. It was resolved to invite tenders for keeping the school clean during the ensuing year, and after the transaction of routine business the Committee adjourned. Twenty-one priests live m the Buddhist cloister of Hanie, Thibet where the altitude is 16,000 feet above the level of the sea. It is the highest inhabited spot known. Frinoe Alexander's future continues to afford scope for the inventive powers of con tinental journalists. He has been appointed Viceroy of India, Commander- ia-Chief of the British troops m Egypt, and so forth ; but M. Katkoff now settles matters by seriously announcing m his paper, the " Moscow Viedo mosti," that " Queen Viotoria has decided to marry Prinoe Alexander of Bulgaria." It is said that the mother of the Rothsohilds always lived m her queer little house m a giopked street, " to_ keep her sons their luck." Rvery morning servants took her to their splendid houses m a gedpn chajr, but she always slept m the'house where they were born. A Dunedin telegram says that at a meeting of merchants at the Chamber of Commerce to consider the new tariff tho following reso lution was passed :— •" This meeting approves of the new tariff m the main, but takes ex soption to some items, the most prominent of which jthe proposed levying of duty on underproof spirits per liquid gallon instead of as at present per proof gallon." The' meeting suggests that six months' notice of thio alteration should have been given, Therg would be n<J benefit to the revenue,, and serious loss to holders of case spirits. Reid and Gray have telegraphed to the Premier ftnd Treasurer strongly objecting to pay duty on fittings if id absolutely neoeßsary to im port, while finished implement!^ yjth three Important exceptions, are admitted free. The offtnj&ry monthiy meeting of the" day evening. Present — Messrs J. C. Dunoan Ashburton School Committee \vt;s held Tjiep. (cMrman), Sawle, Craighead, C,ook, and Elston. The Chairman reported having m company with Mr Diwanfc visited the Inspectors at tho close of the examination field last week, and that he had found they ! were fairly grcll satisfied with the rosult. Iho Jnspeotors, as a cuxo for non-attendance jf children, suggested that the Master should 3ubmitj,to the Committee eaoh month a list of children who have been irregular ia their < and who, jn h/s .opinion, aad no reasonably ejouse for staying , iwfty, and ihajt th,Q yisitjng gomnjittge ' ihould sco and remonstrate with tfhs , parents.— The Chairman moved, " That thp , luggestion of the Inspector be adopted, $n£ hat tho headmaster be requested to send fa ', ljat of those who absented themselves ' without cu£ioie.nt reason, and that the j eachers assist tha visiting committee m nterviewing the parents."— The motjon y^ae leoonded by Mr Sawle and carried. — Mtse \ Jonatance E. Andrews was recommended for I he position of infant mistress.— A visiting lommittee was appointed, a qugntjty of OiUtiqe matter dispQsed of, and tho ,oom- ( ojttoe adjourned, ."RotJiQH on Pilbs.' I—Why1 — Why suffer Piles a mmediate relief and complete cure guaran f Ask for "Rough on Piles." Suk lure for itohing, protruding, bleeding, or ana inn of Piles. " " i 41 Rouon on Catarrh."— Correots offeußive idora at once. Complete cure of worst j hron(o oases ; also unequalled as gargle {or * iphtaerio, gore throat, fowl breath a

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wednesday, May 11. The House met at 2.30 p.m. PETITIONS, Dr Menzies presented a further pefci-; tion against the employment of barmaids. NEW BILI. The Gaming and Lotteries Act Amend ment Bill was read a first time. • TAXATION OF HORSE RACING. Mr Harb's motion was after a debate loßfc on the voices.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE.

Wednesday, May 11. The House met at 2.30 p.m. RETRENCHMENT. Mr Ormond gave notice to move the ntroductlon of Bills for reducing the Governor's salary and allowance, and to mend the Parliamentary Honorarium lot, 1884. Mr Garrlok gave notice to move that nenabara' honorarium be reduced by £50 Mr Barron gave notice to move m the direction of redncing Ministers' salaries rad members' honorarium. QUESTIONS. Mr Bold asked Government if they will this Besalon introduce a Bill to amend the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1885, Amendment Aot, 1886, where by each County Council shall provide for its own poor, and that contribution to hospitals shall be m the proportion of the oost of each patient. Sir J. Yogel said Government could not legislate on the question tia session. Mr Taylor asked Government if they will, when rivlaing tho incidence of taxa tion for revenue purposes, include m such revision a tax of 15 per cant, leviable'upon banks doing business m the oolony for the valuable monetary prl vilege of issuing bank notes, and &Ibo if an income tax will be Inoluded ia such re vision. Sir J. "Yogel said if a direct tax were charged to the banks it would be taking away the privilege granted them by Parliament many years ago, but the subject was worthy of conalderatian.. Ab to an income tax, Government did . not Intend raising that question this session. COERCION IV IRELAND. Mr Bracken moved— " That m the opinion of this House the adoption of a system of Government by coercion m Ire land would prove inimical to the best In terests of the Empire, and would hava the effect of marring to a large extont the rejoicings which are about to take plaoe m the celebration of the Jubilee of her Majesty's reign, and that it is felt by her Majesty's loy:l subjects m New Zaaland that the passing of such a measure as the Crimes Bill would be a dlacrecit to the great and free empire to which we are proud to belong." He said that it was a well known fact that Baveral members of the Hou«e held this question was not one for a colonial Parliament to discuss, but he differed altogether from that opinion, a? ho hold that every question conneoted with the Empire at large (should be of interest to the people m the colony especially at a time when so much was heard of Imperial federation. He also had taken up this matter, because coercion m Ireland was calculated to degrade 55.030 of his fellow countrymen. He paid tribute to Mr Gladstone's efforts against the system of coercion proposed to bo adopted m Ireland, The real ob jeot of the Coercion Bill was to repress the political aspirations of four millions of people, although its nominal obj jet was tho suppression of crime. He considered the Bill was a blow at trial by jiry, and also at constitutional government. He had the fullest confidence In the fair play of Englishmen, but they were strongly prejudiced un'.il they knew the truth, and then they were pre demned the provisions m tlie (Joeroioff Bill for obange of venue to England. He admitted there had boon many dastardly outrages m Ireland during tho past few years, but was it to be said that because a few Irishmen committed crimes of this kind the whole nation was to be de graded. The thing was monstrous. In support of the position he hid taken up on this motion, he could oil a very im portant witness at present m New Zealand (Lord Aberdeen) who had had many op portunities of judging of the Irish people, haviDg been Lord Lieutenant of Ireland for many years. Lord Aberdeen's opinion was that if the Irish people were treated m a conciliatory manner they would be tbe most loyal people m the Empire. He spoko at some length en the question, and said if Now Zealand followed tbe example of Canada iv the matter of coercion she would raise hereelf m the estimation of the whole civilised world. Mr Moss felt proud to socond the motion, and hold that the Home had a dlßlinct right to interfere m the matter. Mr Samuel did not think it wise of the House to interfere m matters of this kind. I He hoped the House would not affirm the ' motion. He moved that tbe question be now put. Mr Monk said he was not wanting m sympathy, bub, speaking of New Zealand, he thought the oolony had quite enough to do to look after its own affairs. Mr Taylor supported the motion. Mr Joyce said if New Zealand had a right to express an opinion on large ques tions such as sho had recently done, she had a perfect right to Interfere m this matter. Mr Brnoe regretted exceedingly the in troduction of this question intj the colony. Mr Turnbull supported the motion. Mr .0 Conor contended that the colony should show a large amount of interest m a question that affected millions of people m the Home pauutry. It the principle of coercion were adopted m re ference to the colonies, England would soon find herself without any colonies at all. Sir R. Stont admitted thore were dif ficulties m discussing a question of this kind 1r thin House, and he felt that if the House of Goipmonu were to discuss their affairs they, as a Parliament, would be very indignant at it;'! This question was 020 thai: deeply affected tho whole Fmplre iot majjy years, and he thought they were as free to ciiacij3S it ao if they wore m tho House of Comnjon&r lie i& tended to support the motion, because he bolleyed that, and though it' might have no effect at all J& jibe imperial Parlia ment it would shoy th© people gt Homo that they felt the daopeat sympathy with, the people of Ireland. ' Sir #. Grey fait rejoiced that this question was brought before the House. Mr Sutton opposed the potion. Mr Reese differed altogether from Sir Satton; • ci "$c Hatch said the introduction of matter $ £his kind In the House was only calculated to Jleaa £o stride, and ho was opposed to it altogether. "■ . Oolonoi said lie waß ao.t at all m sympathy with the fnotlpn. * The debate was interrupted by the 5. 50 adjournment. SEOOND READING. The Native Land Adminstration 6111 Etnd Auctioneers. Bill were read a second time. AD.VANOBS ON LAND. Mr Ivess introduced tbe Publio Advances on Land Bill, whioh was read a first time. y^B REPRESENTATION BILL. Sir B. Stout mojred^- 1 ' That the Repre lentation Bill be made aa ordek' o£ tho day "or Friday." Agreed to. ELKCTOUAL Ad AMENDMENT. The Elej&lgral Apts Amandment Bill was 'urther considered m Gom&iittep. On clause (i, polling at elections to be >p&n until 5" P< m «* &n amendment confln ng the extension to 7 p.m. to boroughs md cUJei was carried by 36 to 28, J J

Mr Reid moved an amendment to insert the words *• aix " Instead of " Bevon." He held that all polling booths should close at one hour, and six o'clock wao quite late enough,— Carried by 42 t0 23. The clatue as amended was then struck at out by 49 to 15. at ; After further consideration the Bill was ol ordered to be again considered on Friday. - V'

THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE.

A meeting of gentlemen was held at the I jj Borough Council's Chambers yesterday after- I p noon for the purpose of considering how the ) Queen's Jubilee might be suitably celebrated ■ locally, the deoisions come to to take the form ; of suggestions to the public meeting to be held this evening. The Mayor oooupicd the chair. Mr Purnell moved (1) " That the Queen's Jubilee be celebrated by festivities to be held on a day which is appointed by the Governor ;as a publio holiday for the ocoasion." (2) 11 That a permanent memorial be ereoted by the publio subscriptions of the inhabitants of the County and Borough of Ashburton m comemoration of the Jubilee." Mr Friedlander seconded the motions, whioh were carried. On the motion of the Mayor it was resolved "That a Committee be appointed by the meeting to oolleot subscriptions to carry out the scheme of celebration adopted, such Committee to consist of the Ashburton County and Borough Councils, the Chairmen of the various Town and Road Boards throughout the county, and a representative from each friendly sooiety, the Committee to have power io add to its number." Subsequently the names of the following gentlemen were added to the Committee : — Messrs J. Orr, A, Orr, G, Jameaon, 0. Hardy, Gordon Holmes, Robert Patton, J. Hood, W. Sutherland, James Brown, D. Wilson, H, Zander, D. Cameron, C. G. Hawdon, C. H. Dowding, E. H. Dobson, Hugo Friedlander, M. Stitt, C. W. Purnell, H. Cullen, J. Boyle, J. Lambre, M. Scott, D. Brick, C. Tuoker, L. Oxley, B. Morrow, J, 0. MoWilUam, Bowse, G. F. Scott, A. A. Fooks, W". 0. Walker, M.H.R., W. J. Steward, M.H.R., and the clergy of all denominations. The following suggestion made by the Mayor was not carried, but it was decided that it should be left an open question for to-night's meeting to deal with: — " That.the present Library building be extended for the purpose of establishing an Industrial Museum to be devoted to the exhibition of the geological and other Specimens already m the hands of the custodian, also for display ing samples of the agricultural and pastoral, mineral and other productions of the town and country, as well as. providing meeting accommodation for farmers and others interested m the development of the resources of the district, at a cost not exceeding £500." The foregoing will be submitted m the way of suggestions to the meeting to be held to-night.'

WRECK OF THE SHIP NORTHUMBER LAND AND S.S. BOOJUM.

*— . LOSS OF LIFE, Napiek, May 11. The greatest shipping disaster which has yet been chronicled within this port oc- I curred to-day. As already telegraphed, [ the largo ship Northumberland parted one of her anchors yeatorday, and drifted to wards the shore f She was pulled up by the second anchor, and a spare anchor was also put out, and held. At night everything appeared snug. At 4 o'clock m the morning, however, the anchors commenced to drag, and at about 10 o'clock the Weka steamed out to speak the ship. Just as she arrived, the wiro cable attached to the spare anchor broke, and a signal was made to tho Bhore for immediate assistance. Five other small steamers m port at once began to get up steam, and all tho spare anchoi'3 and cable were shipped. They started about one o'clock, but could not make tho ship for nearly an hour, owing to tho heavy aea. She was then made fast ,by the stern, her remaining anchor dragging. Tb a .Weka made an attempt to tow her oIL, but tllU HUB ' Ul'UllU, ttUU-Ml-mui-Beon that further attempts to save the vessel wero usoless. The Bteamez laid by whi'o the ship's boats were got out. Just then a terrible accident occurred. The Boojam,J the Union^ Company's launoh,* steamed under the lee of tho ship to take the boat's crow on board, but gbt into the breakers and m a socond was turned bottom upwards. She was manned by Captain Setter, Engineer J. MartiD, Sea man Keevlngton, Volunteer Seaman G. BaiD, a landsman, Archibald Waddell, a cordial manufacturer, and a stranger known aB " Sootty Ned, " The Northum berland lifeboat, which had jast been manned, pulled to the scene of the acci dent, but Bucceedod only m saving Martin. A rope was thrown from the Bhlp to another man, who was haulod half up, when he fell back exhausted, and was drowned. Close to the shore the others were next seen. By thfs time large orowds had assembled on the shore, and attempts were made to Bend the rocket line on board, bat the lines proved rotten, and would not oarry. By this time she was within a hundred yards of the beaoh. A plank attached to a light line was floated fromlthe vessel, and secured after great efforts by two men namad Lome and Lyman,' who went into the snrf with ropes round their waists. The light lino being landed, it was' easy to send a strong cablp on board, ta whloh a oradle ' wai rigged. About 43Q the work of rescue commenced, there being then 31 souls on board huddled on the foreoastle, the sea making clean broaohea over the vessel. A difficulty occurred through the cradle lines breaking, and the darkness set m, making the work still more diffi cult, but by seven o'clock all were landed, Captain Todd being the last to oome on shore. Fires wero lighted on shore, and spirits supplied to the men as they landed, exhausted by theic buffeting with vhe "heavy surf. The ship now liea abandoned to the underwriters. '■Tor boats are smashed, meat of tfie deck hamper ani bulwarks are gono, but tho spars are all standing, and tho hull appears sound. She lies deeply embedded m shingle, and hardly move?, although the saa breaks over her continually. If the sea moderates, pro bably tho greater portion of her cargo OQuld he sayed, but the dunces of float ing tho ship aro very umoM indead. She was almost & full ahlpj having 1000 tons of English cirgo for 'this port, besides 400Q bags of wheat and other produce, fihippgd at Lyttelton. Details of the In surances are not yet avsijable, buf the total is not far short of £100,000. Later, Tho Northumberland is now breaking tsp, The masf* hays gone, tearing up the deck, and the hull appears to have a broach In it. Cargo Btrews the beach for over a milo. Part of the hull of the Boojam haa also waßhod B shore, but no bodies: News just reqeiv9d reports g regular pandemonium on the beach. A large crowd was broaching cargo, many bolng blind drunk, Only one policeman jh there, an£ he Is utterly powerlese. He called agon a parjy of reopeqt^ble pltipans to aid him, bat they weife set Upon by drunken roughs, so'they canfe to 'town to repoffc the Bsata of affairs to the police. The sea is very high, -and probably the feasel will be broken to pieces before the morning. Napisr, May 12. ■A3 the Korlhfitnberknd is completely broken up. Captajn Setter,! bo<Jy has been washed ashore. Four lives were lost, not five as previously stated, namely, Setters, Waddel, Kilvington, and Bain, Setter and Waddell leave widows and arge families; jfcelylngton was lately married and had' >j,b children, aud Pain vas a' single man. '

SUMMARY VENGEANCE

The Thames correspondent to the 'Auckland Herald" give, the following 000 ant of the extraordinary olrcum tarcos m connection with a oriminal barge just heard m tint diatrio^ :— Charles Henry White, a powerfully-built -oung man, who eppeared m court with ila head bandaged up and his hand m ft ling, was charged with committing • iri_ln*l asiault on Hariata Marlkal, At lomata. Mr Humphreys defended the >rlaoner. The evidence for the prosecu* iion was to the effeot that the conjplalnatit ipparently a middle-aged Maori woman, * liad left her husband and throe other tfatives shortly before the offence waf sommitted — they having gone to look fot 1 pig. Aconsed wu on horseback mft titrl bash oloie to the main road, He beckoned to her, and as ahe did not take any notice he dismounted, knocked her down, forced his hat into her month, and committed the offence. Preriooi to thfi she hid aaraaraed, and her huiband hur ried to the scene. The latter then thrashed aconsed severely with a stlok on the hands and body, and both husband and wife maltreated him m an Indescri bable manner. She al_o put mud In hti eyes and mouth. The following is ex« traoted from the evldenoo of the huiband Hoera. te Mimiha :— " I then turned Mm round and told him I would kill him for aßaulting my wife. Having dropped my stick I gave him a blow m the face, ana told him I would cut off his ear for as saulting my wife. I drew a pocket knife out of my pocket, put the blade between my teeth, and opennd the knife! He sildf * Dont cut my ear off and I will give you £50.' I replied, 'where is it; give it to me now. 1 Accused said, 'it is In j the house.' I knew this was a falsehood i and so I out bis oar off." Three or four other wltneßS9i gave evidence for the pro* Bocation. The magistrate said the offence was of bo grave a nature he would not take upon himself the responsibility of dealing with-it, as it required more searoh ing treatment than he oould give it. Mr Humphreys replied that the bench navlng come to that conoluiion without hearing any evidence for the defenoe— and he had eight or nine witnesses— the defenoe would. be reserved. The accused was then com* mitted to the Supreme Court, bail being allowed himself m £100, and two surletiei m £50 each. The oomplalnant deposed thai she had twelve ohildren, and was ft, grandmother. The accused's friends —take light of the charge, and say is a conspiracy, orginatlng m ill feeling and that they can controvert it by ovorhelming evidence. Wright will lay a oounter-ohargtf against the natives for ausault, and cutting oft hit ear,

PLANT IMPROVMENT

What are pedigree seeds but selected seeds. And is not selection the leoret of improvement m plants as ia animals 1 We are careful to procure good Blroi to our animals, expecting, with reason, that r as 'like produces like' wo may look for • ' fair return for our expenditure, Just ao with seed, whatever it be, whether of corn, roots, or grasses. Unless we use a really good article— always cheapest la . the end— we cannot expeot a satisfactory result. Let anyone bow two or three different samples of grain on small ploti and watch their growth and produoef Ohange of seed ia ao highly Important. Seed may be sown on the same land until ■ it degoneratea bo aa to loso half its original value. Of course a selection of seed, m regards soil and climate, must be jadlcioualy made, otherwise disappoint* ment may follow. Gommonsemo, again, m theae matters goes a long way j, and then, with an average season, we may reasonably hope to reap tho fruit of our labore. Artificial selection m farm aeedi has -tak«a-a_sddffl— jao&ps 'with the happiest results. Varieties available for early and late growth, and for varioui descriptions, of soil and climate, are aimed at and m many instances produced. The advantage oC> having a oontlunal supply of new varieties appears m some cases consider able ; thus, with potatoes, it Beemi generally to bo acknowledged that a reoently-introduoed kind resists disease far better than an old sort. But varieties, it is well-known, cannot be ezpeoted to maintain their charaotsr— fresh seed must constantly be employed, and the process of selection must continuously bo main tained. The trade of tho seedsman ia thus one of never-ending use and import* ance. There aro things connected with the practice of agriculture that oan only ba learned by experience — and this is par* tioularly the case In trying our hands at plant Improvement. A new variety of grain might be analysed, and a chemist might tell whether its good quality and fine shape were or were not conjoined with a large percentage of protein com pounds or of blood and musoleformlng matter ; but this variety cannot meet with final approval till it is seen how it turns out m the barn, and how it takes the markets ; and, further, how it accom* modates itself to different kinds of aoil and climate ; and, however muoh chemistry may teach aB to the nature of soils, the experience of the miller and tha maltster, becomes the safest guide m fixing the rates of the grain market, flea ing that beßides taking m the weight of the bushel, the buyer should know the farm where the grain was produced And even on the same farm soil differs bo muoh that an oatmeal miller will not give bo much for 431 b oats from one field as he will for 431 b from another. The one cargo may meal better than the other, though the weight b« tho same. The influenoa of cultivation on the characters of the various root crops is per haps more marked than m the oafea of the cereals. It ia not n.o TQry Joqg agq alnpo the first swede and the first mangold were. Introduced into this oonntry, yet the varieties are now endless, and there is probably now qaito as much difference between the roots originally imported and i their modern representatives as between the greyhound-like swine one sees In old engravings §nd an improved Berkshire. The moat important characteristic of out) improved swodo turnip or mangold is the broad shoulder and masulvo'ahapa of thq root, by which a greater weight is ob* tamed without that coarsoross which ap pears to ba {nhergnt m the old onieleoted stooks. Perhaps one of the most striking recent instances of what may be effeoted by cultivation 'with a definite object li afforded by the sugar beet. Beet?roos. normally contains comewhore about S per cant of sugar ; cultivation, [however, an 4 suitable manuring have bo inorea;e.d this percentage that sugar beet now yields 14 or 15 psr cent of sugar m the average of seasons, a.nd m favorable seasons 1^ and 18 pet cent' Is sometimes peached — ajj much as Is yielded by the' stjgar cane. But with root qvopa, as with grain crops. experience 1 can toll us ranch that science leaves doubtful. It has been proved that their 'specific gravity is a hereditary pro* perty and uofr-a njere accidental" quality. In the case of f?ugar beet an ezpeijß tjf that property indicate an ex«ew of ias« oharine matter j and hence, by planting selected beet-roots for seeds, cultivators of tho came have greatly increased the amount of sugar from a given bulk of roots. Thp experience of the oattle feeder tells him that, whatever the'v3iuiam,ay ba, turnips • excelling m specific grarity give most increase of weight fa the animal. Were see 3. turnips neleoted on acooun'i of their largeness of siza only, their progeny woujd tnost likely become degenerate, size being more of an accidental quality. To judge by shape, color, and specific gravity Is to take notice of properties that may be expooted to descend to next genera* Hon.— The AgricaUaral •« Gaaafcto,^ , "

THE ASHBUftrOB QUABDIAIJ THURSDAY, MAY 12, 1887



Old men, tottering round from rheumatism, J kidney .trouble, or any weakness, will bo made J almost hew by using American Qo'b Hop Bit- l terß freely, fteadj _,_*.«*_ fc



Wanted. * \T T ANTED KNOWN. — That MRS VV \IEECH, Dressmaker, has Be- moved from Burnett street to premiseß m Cameron street, next Post Office. \JV ANTED known that HAVES & CO. ¥? have Large Stocks on hand. For particular see our advertisements m this paper. WANTED Known— We have a large assortment of Ladies' and Chil dren's Macintoshes, rjl Bters,8 t e rs, Jackets, Millinery, Dress Stuff, Boots, Clothing, &o. Cheapest first class Goods m Town. El. O. Segers, Melford Houro. WANTED known— l have just opened up a useful assortment of house- hold Crockery, Ironmongery and Brush- ware.— James McGregor, Groner, Etc., Tanored Street, opposite Arcade. JUBILEE PUMPB INT.— Every poreon O purchasing 5s worth of Goo^s will be entitled to One Guess, (10a Two Guesses, and so on) as to tho number of seeds contained m the Jubilee Pumpkin now on view m our window. — li. C. Beqer9, Melford House. JUBILEE PUMPKIN PRIZE.-As we £/ intend making this a great success we have decided to double the number of Presents, making m all a total of about 300 to be given away. A lot of Jubilee Presents just opened, (more m a few days )— H. O, Segers, Melford House. WANTED the Public to look out for the Ashburton Patent Jubilee Washing Machine. A groat success and no puff. Duo notice of a public trial will be given. Washing no more trouble.— Samuel Hardley, Inventor, East street, Ashburton. 4 3^o



NOTICE TO THE LADIES OF ASHBURTON. ' MBS PAULING has REMOVED to WALTON COTTAGIf, Green Lane, Hampstead. 145 DRILLS- CHAMPION DRILLS. Tf m Tf ,R RIM A N HAVI G PURCHASED From the Execdtors of the Law B. WILKIN AND Co. THEIR STOCK OP CHAMPION DRILLS AND EXTRAS IS PEEPAEED TO Supply the Same AT CHEISTCHUECH PRICES. The best grlin distributor known is found m the Champion, and it possesses five necessary points for a perfect distributer which can be found on no other machine, viz. : — 1. Ihe stream of grain must be of uniform size from the time it is first taken ... possession of by the feeding mechanism until it iO--<3olUp«*«J 1 — »»-•«■ will be cramped and uneven. 2*. It must lie on a moving surface during its entire passage ; iv other words, it must be a positive force feed. 3. The stream roust not be divided or cut by paddles or projections on the wheel. IE it is, the Bowing will be bunched, 4. It must be of the sufficient to allow the largest grain sown to lie closely m the channel without vacant spaces. 6. The stream must move m all parts with a uniform velocity whlcn must bo under the control of the operator. The distributors must, of coursfj be a'l iron. The feeders of the Champion fulf Tall of the above conditians, are perfect grain measures : the quantity being con- trolled by the speed at which they run, and the speed is regulated by change pinions and gives a perfectly even flow of grain, thus enabling the farmer to sow the smallest possible quantity of seed, and at the same time to occupy every available inch of" soil w'th the roots of a wheat plant, which will gather up the food that would otherwise ba ap- propriated by a worthless weed. The beauty of machino work is Hb perfection and accuracy, a difference of tw< nty-five pounds m service and durability. TRY KIRKPATKICK'S NEW SEASON'S JAM. SPECIAL NOTICE. TT^IRKPATRICK'S NEW SEASON'S jV. JAM is made from NELSON GIiOWN FRUIT, and boilod within a few hourß after the fruit has boon gathered. It thus retains most of the natural flavor of the fresh fruit. KIRKPATRICK'S NEW SEASON'S JAM is the most delicious preserve m the market. Do not be persuaded to buy cheap and inferi brands Jam, the remains of old stock, which must bo sold at any price, but ASK for KIRKPATBICK'S NEW SEASON JAM, and boo that you get it. THE BEST 18 ALWAYS THE CHEAPEST. Kirkpatrick'fl New Season am i the best. CAUTION None is genuine unless our name^is stamped on each tin, and has our registered Trade Mark "Lord Nolson'i on the label, S, Kirkpatrick & Co. MANCTACTUEEES, Elf ON ff.Z,



Friedlander Eros. i , . . . East Street Auction Room AND HORSE BAZAAE rfIHE undersigned, having Jbeen urged by numerous Clients to mafce provision for periodical ) Auction Sales OF LAND, FAEM STOCK PEODUCE, AND GENERAL MERCHANDISE | Have pleasure m announcing that they have engaged Mr Peter Williams, Late of Onmarn, who has bad several years' expcricncc'in the Auctioneering Business, for the holding of Sales fit thoir NEW AUCTION ROOM AND HORSE BAZAAE, East Street, Forradrlyj;the; TOWN HALL, Tihich ia now being fitted up for that pnrpoeo, All Land, Stock, Produce, etc,, entrusted to them for Sale by Auction will be submitted by Mr WILLIAMS, who will have entire control of this branch of thur business, and they hope that by rendering | PBOMPT ACCOUNT SALES, MODERATE CHARGES, & STRICT ATIUNTION To thcJwißhes'of clients, thoy will secure a'fafr a'aare of public patronage; Regular Sales on Saturdays OP FARM PRODUCE, YURNITURE, HORSES, CATTLE, PIGS, & FARM IMPLEMENTS. SALES OF__6TOCK AT COUKTY BALr- YARWeVERY TUESDAY. ClearingJFarm;Balcß and othrr Local b'alea [on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays,; and Fridays. Date of. Open ii g rime m latnre advertisement' FRIEDLANDER BROS. PETER WILLIAMS, Auctioneer' 0 12 WBfAREBUYEES OP Wheat Oats Earley Grass Seed DICHESr PRICE GIVEN; FUIEDLANDEE BEOS. WANTED TO PURCHASE FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT 2000 Sacks Fowlwheat FEJEDLANDEE BEOS, WE ARE PREPARED TO RECEIVE Grain for Storage AT OUR ASHBURTON AND TINWALD GRAIN STORES AT LOWEST CUEEENT EATES. FEIEDLANDEE BEOS,



Victoria House. TN ConFoqneooo of RcquiVte Alterations to Premises, which will afford greater 1 ftcihtus for conducting our rapidly increasing business, it hqs been found qecceeary to Qrently Reduce our Stock within the next few weeks. I jirgo md liberal B eductions are now mado m every Department. ! Holders of Glasßvaie Gift Coupons are requested to preaent the same as early as , convenient to.enable the (sift Distribution to be satisfactorily closed. DIMANT~& COE, GENERAL DRAPERS, OLOTRIERS, &c, East and Tancred streets, Ashbnrton.



Trees Trees Trees NOTICE TO PLANTERS. THE undersigned begs to call thr attention of farmers, settlors and . others to his extensive etook of FRUIT AND FOREST TREES, among whioh are about 3.0C0.C00 Forest Trees, Inclu- ding 200,000 Oupressus Macrooarra, one and two years old; 200,C00 Pinus Insig- nia, one and two ycaTa old ; 100,000 Pinus Larlolo; 30.000 Silver Birch; 10,000 Pinus Auatriaca; all other kind» m proportion. All kind 3 cf Cabbage on sale, and a few thousands o' very early Strawberry Plants. N.B.— All orders by post, or otherw'ws -shall receive my best attention. JAMES PORTER, CLIFTON NURSE Allonton, Ashburton. r2B Important Notice. TRANSFER OF BUSINESS. T BEG to announco that I have SOLD THE WHOLE OF MY STOCK 07 TIMBEE, AND TEE GOODWILL OF BUSINESS TO Messrs Tucker & Restell, TIMBER Att) GENERAL MERCHANTS, TO WHOM I CAN . EECOMMEND MY CUSTOMERS U And those who kindly PROMISED ME SUPIORT. W. W. WHITE. DISSOLUTION CF PARTNERSHIP. IN Consequence of the DISSOLUTION of PARTNERSHIP we will offer the whole of our EXTENSIVE STOCK, CONSISTING OF DEAPEKY, CLOTHING, AND BOOTS £9000 £9000 HARDWARE AND GENERAL IRONMONGERY £7500 £7500 GLASS , EARTHENWARE , AND GROCERIES,' £1900 £1900 At such pricos as will command a CLEARANCE within Two Months. As the DRAPEBY, IRONMONGERY, . and CROCKERY STOCKS are our own Importations lately landed (some still to arrive) bought direct from the Manufac- turers, purcbaserß will have an oppor- tunity of getting NEW GOODS, and at SUCH PRICES as will be better than buying from BANKRUPT STOCKS at any price. ■— • THE SALE WILL COMMENCE ON THURSDAY, ■ 12th MAY. ORR & ALCORN.