RAILWAY TIME TABLE

■ Trains Abrivs at Ashbxjbtoh— -Prom Christ t huroh and the North, at 10.15 a.m. (express), 4.85 p.m., and 7.10 p.m. From Timara, 10.45 a.m. From Dunedin and South, 5,37 a.m. (express). From Mount Somerß, 10.6 a,m Txainb Leavs Ashbtjbtoh— For Christ. huroh and North, at 7.10 a.m., 10.55 a.m., m • 5.37 p.m. (express). For Dunedin and <t?outb, 10.25 a.m. (express). For Timara, 15 p.m. For Mount Somerß, 5.5 p.m.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

and after the 80th November, 1886, lh« * of Subscription to this jonrnal will be ,!lowo, viz. : — nr paid m advano* : Quarter.. 6s 6d, by post, 9a 6d 1 Half-year 13s 6d, by post, 18a 6d • Tear .. 2is Od by poat, 87a Od nr booxbo : Quarter.. 7b 6d, by poet, 10s 9d»* „' Half-year 15a Od, by post, 21s fid „ .Tear .. 80s Od, by pott, 48i Od

Birth, Marriage, and Death Notioet, if paid «r at the time| of iniertion, 2b 6d each vtaaaps may be Beat as payment) ; if booked, M each. PRESENT SUBSCRIBERS MAY KKNEW THEIR SUBSCRIPTIONS AT TBE OLD RATES. Announcements o! Births, Death! and Marriages sent for publication from the ooontry htrfcrts. require to be verified by the sign** ore of th« person lending the notioe.

MAIL NOTICES.

. Malls oloie at the Aihborton Post Office follows :—

For Ohrlstohnrch and North at 6 a.m 0,30 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Ohertsey Rakala, &0. , at 10. 30 a. m and. 5 p.m. daily* ' For Dunedm,Tinwald, Wlnslow, Hinds, Ooldstream. Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, tad Geraldine, at 10 ».m. daily. ForTemuka, at 10 %.m, and 4.30 p. no <*lly.

for Timarn and South, at 10 a. «., and f SO p.m., daily. For Greenstreet and A shburton Forks on Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10.30 ft.m.

For Wakanul, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, id Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and tnrdays, at 6.30 a, m. For Vlount Somera, daily at 4.30 p.m For Mayfield and Ruapuna, on Mon days and Thursdays, at 4.30 p.m. For Aahton, Waterton and Longbeacb. ' 4.30 p. m, daily. For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes feya, and Fridays, at 4.30 p.m. For Newlanda, on Tuesdays and Frl at 10.30 a.m.

' Malls arrive at the,- Aahburton Post Aoe — ' Jxom Ohristchuroh and Rakala at 10.15 . m., 4.36 p.m,, and 7.20 p.m. From Ohertuey Ac. at 10.15 « and ,36 p.m. daily. From Dunedin •ad intermediate places 5.9" ">.m. daily, rl rpin Temulca an Timara at 10.40 a.m p 5. 50 p.m daily* From Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesday* and >«turdays, at 4 45 p.m. From Wakanul, Elrld, Seaview, Sea £eld and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 5 p.m. from Mount Somers, daily at 10.5 1 m. From Mayfield and Ruapuna, on Wed oesdays and Saturdays, at 10.5 a.m. From Aahton, Waterton, and Long . at 10 a.m. daily. From Newlanda, on Tuesdays and Frl at 2.30 p.m. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thnn» days, and Saturdays, at 10a.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19,1887. THE DEVELOPMENT OF COLONIAL INDUSTRIES,

The speech m advocacy of Free trade principles, made m Dunedin the other day by the honorable member for Rangitikei, than whom there is not a more thoroughly honest and honor able politician m the colony, was worthy of the reputation which he has already established for himself as a public speaker; yet we question very much if he succeeded m convincing those of his hearers who do not belong to the Freetrade party that it is not expedient under given circumstances and conditions to afford to nascent industries a certain measure of protec tion. He quoted the poverty of thousands m New York as a proof of the evil effects of the protective policy of America, but did not appear to see that the abject poverty of thousands m London could quite as logically be quoted as a proof of the evil effects of freetrade. Even bis own riews, founded upon actual personal exper ience during his residence m the States some years ago, have since been challenged by a writer m the Dunedin Star, who has resided m America more recently than Mr Bruce, and who declares that his experience leads him to hold entirely opposite views. He says : — "I, for one, have been m and through America since he (Mr Bruce) was there, and can testify that he was mistaken. His party spirit has blinded him* The philanthropic appeal he made to the brotherhood of the race was all very well ; but would it not be more brotherly if we tried to be honest and to pay our way ? Is it brotherly to borrow money than we can never pay back under a Freetrade policy? Last year our r stums showed that we sent seven millions of cash out of the country to buy goods, most o*. which we could make for ourselves; while for all our gold, wool, grain, etc., we got five millions back. Put this two millions with the three millions which we send away for interest, and it will show that we are going to the wall with a vengeance. Last year America got for products 700,000,000d01, while she paid out 500,000,000d0l instead. This, with the silver and gold she coined, will show what Protection is doing to increase her wealth." Another writer, taking the Protec tionist side, points out that rt is re markable that Mr Bruce made no re ference to Canada, which from being m a languishing state under a policy of freetrade, has sprung into a pros perous and flourishing condition under a policy of protection. The fact is, we think, that while freetrade principles are logically sound if they could only be given universal application, they cease to be so when Frestrade applies only to one or two countries while others adopt a policy of protection. To insist on tht carrying out of strict freetrade principles m a colony like New Zealand, while such conditions obtain, is the height of impolicy, and indeed wholly impracticable. We have, at the present moment, a protective tariff, and the real question to be de cided is not whether we should have free ports altogether (we could'nt afford that) but upon what articles our Customs revenue should be raised, and what articles it is expedient to admit free. Protection for protection's sake we do not believe m, but we do think that il is possible so to adjust the tariff as to assist largely m the develop ment of the industries of the Colony. The common sense (not the doctrinaire) view.of the position is most admirably put by the Auckland Evening Bell, m an article m its issue of Satur day last, and we canoot do better than quote the following passages, which almost exactly express our own views upon the question. Our contemporary says:— "We hold that for manufactur ing industries — which can only live by being sustained m a rickety existence by shutting out honest competition — to be maintained m life by a protective or prohibitive tariff is immoral and im politic ; it is contrary to nature and to common tense. 11 But we hold that there are times when, from exceptional circumstances, industries cannot m their infancy stand the rude collision of other and robust

industries which have grown to man hood, and that m such circumstances it is the du'y of wise men to foster and tend the little nursling, m the hope and the expectation that by-and-by it will run alone and bold its own.

11 Strong meat becometh men, but milk is the food of babes ; and while we should give the breast or feeding bottle or Neave's food or other pap to infants, the man of twenty who re quired pap and coddling to sustain his rickety frame had better be chloro formed out of exisience lest he become the parent of a rickety progeny.

v New Zealand is flung back on itself, and on a self-reliant policy ; and if it does not gird itself for the work it is ! doomed to commercial agony for years 10 come. If it is true to itself, and determines to develope its magnificent resources, it will live to bless the day when loaning became impossible. 11 The colony has two weapons with which it can cut its way to prosperity — the one is settling the people, and especially the laboring classes of the people on the land; the other is developing such industries as will utilice m the colony the products of such rural industry. Mr Ballance is wielding the former instrument as no other Minister has ever done before m New Zealand ; but for that effort to attain success industries must be established to supplement country work, to turn our fruits into jams, our hides into boots, our tallow into soap, our lime into cement, our apples into cider, our beets into sugar, our sands into glass, our cow heels into glue, our linseed into oil, our gherkins into pickles, our tomatoes into sauce, our wool into tweed, and every other product of rural industry into anything that is capable of creating a market for our settlers, employment for our unemployed, and put a tourniquet on the arteries that are pumping out our life blood.

"the colony is draining to death, and m the face of threatened collapse, doctrinaire theories must stand aside, and prompt action take their place. A. doctor may be a teetotaller and believe that stimulants, as a rule, are injurious, and that it is a baleful practice for a maa to live on them, and that a physical constitution so sustained is dangerously rotten ; but as he sees the shadow of death gathering over the brow, and finds the pulse feeble and Almost ceasing, he will not, unless he is an unreasoning fanatic, hesitate to give the teaspoonful of brandy tbat may stimulate the failing strength and decide the struggle between death and life.

" The question of Free Trade and Protection is not involved m the ex isting necessity for giving a stimulus to peal industry, and the man who, what ever his political theories may be, stands tamely by, and sees the colony being drained to death and threatening col lapse, and is restrained by theory from taking prompt steps to stave off death is simply a fool.

■ "It is the duty of every colonist to go vigorously m for the encouragement oi local industry, and if it is necessary that temporary aid should be given by legislation, whether by a protective tariff or even by absolute prohibition, the necessities of the hour claim it and we should call for legislation."

This is an admirable statement of the case, and needs no addition at our bands, and we think the views therein expressed will commend themselves to the acceptance ot the great bulk of our readers— to all m fact who are not pre judiced by preconceived notions and theories and who do not yield their practical common sense judgment m a blind adherence to the shibboleths of an economic party.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

We understand that Mr Ivess, M.H.R., intends to address the eleotora of Wakanai about the middle of next month.

The followirig were among the passengers by the North express yeßterday Sir R. Btout, Hon. P. Buokley, Hon. W. Rolleeton, M.H.R., and Mr O. 8. Cooper, Under* Secretary. Bir R. Stout lays the foundation stone of the new wing of the Sunnyside Asylum today. * The next Government inspection parade of the Ashburton Rifles and Guards takes plaoe m drill order on Monday evening at 7 o'clock, when every man must attend.

Two millions of Martini-Henri rifles are on their way to Victoria.

The Cincinnati papery have been fined for publishing lottery advertisements.

Welsh tithe-payers are now threatened with dynamite if they dare to make payments.

There are eleven clothing factories m New Zealand, employing 264 males and 1005 females.

A Taranaki paper says :— " It ia well-known that all the butter dealers m this district hare tost heavily this year m butter."

There are 268 sawmills m New Zealand at whioh 5031 males and 11 females are employed The annual value of produotion is £1,177,718.

Aooording to one of the candidates for New Bonth Wales legislative honors, the last Par- Itament was composed of a set of " political hyronas."

The agricultural implement manufactories m New Zealand number seventeen, and employ 33G men, turning out annually £111,813 worth of maohinery.

Rev. John Salmon, Oongregationalist, of Toronto, Canada, has been asked by his ehuroh to resign on account of his declaring belief m the faith-ouro.

It will surprise souse of our readers to learn that m 1852 Ireland produced 32,2200aa of silver. Since 1796 a total of about £60,000 worth of gold has been found m Wioklow, including 220z and 250z nuggets.

A memorial is shortly to be presented to Her Majesty asking her to establish as a Jubilee memorial an order m recognition of good service m art and literature, to be called the Order of the Rose.

Feminine street-oar oonduotorß are quite the rule m Chili. They are pleasant-looking young women, who wear a uniform of blue flannel, white pinafores, and Panama hats.

Holloway's Ointment and Pills.— Coughs, Influenza.— The soothing properties of these medioatnents render them well worthy of trial m all diseases of the respiratory organs. In common colds and influenza the Fills, taken internally, and the Ointment rubbed over the ohest and throat, are exceedingly effioaoioaa. When influensa is epidemic this treatment is the easiest, safest, and surest. Holloway't Pills purify the blood, remoTa all obataoloa to its free oiroolation through the lungs, relieve the over-gorged air-tabes, and render respiration (res, with* out reduoing the strength,., irritating he n«ves, or depressing tb« spirits; euoh are the ready means of esoaping from Buffering when asliotsd with soldo, coughs, bronchitis, and other cbesi complaints, by which the health of bo many is Berioasly |nd pnmsntiy jpjajed io most oouawep,

Petitions to the Governor praying him to prevent by proclamation under the Coilin Moth Aot, 1884, the importation of apples aud pears from those countries where the moth peat is known to exist, are being oirou lated m Aghburton. Copies of the patition are lying at, Messrs A. W. Randall, W. C. Davis, J. Canning, and R. Elston's places, and at the Mail offioe, awaiting signatures.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council will be held on Monday evening.

The team whioh is to represent the Ash burton Fire Brigade at the competition to be held m Dunedin left by the express train this morning.

At the R.M. Court this morning, before Mr D. Williamßon, J.P., three first offenders for drunkenness were fined 5s each and oosts.

The racehorses Mirella, Rookat, Wakatipu, Ravenswood, Mammoo, and Conundrum pasaod through Ashburton this morning en route to Dunedin.

A Russian journal, speaking of the terrible misery whioh prevails m St. Petersburg, mentions that one of the largest asylums m that capital 13 filled with destitute needle women, any one of whom would gladly give ten hours' work for twenty copeoks, whiob is equivalent to fivepence.

Wife : " Why, aren't you going to wear your dress suit, my dear ? " Husband : •• Not muoh. The last time I wore my dnss suit at a party, a young woman ordered me to bring her a oop of oofloe, and bs quiok about

Lord Charles Tbynne, second son of the Marquis of Bath, and onoe a canon of the Churoh of England, has been ordained by Cardinal Manning as a prießt of the Roman Oatholio Churoh, at the juvenile age of 78.

It is stated that m parts of Taranaki some insect is attacking the blue gums and red gums, the younger leaves beooming perforated, and showing similar signs of tbe inseotivorous appetite to those met with m cabbages.

"Now, Mr Witness," said a Columbus lawyer, " are you willing to swear solemnly that the ohair was really faoing the east ? Remember, sir, the awfolnesa of perjury." Witness : " Well, I won't swear, sir, bat I'll bet you ten dollars it was."

THE WEATHER.

The following is the meteorological report at Alford Station for the week ending February 18th, 1887 :—

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

Burned to Death. , Auckland, February 19. Arthur Hugh Walker, aged two years, died from injuries caused by his clothe* taking fire. A Fatal Mistake. Mrs Tucker, » m ddle-<*ged woman, was drowned m the city fresh water bath this r.orning. She had gone into the bath and went by mistake to the deep water end, and rot being able to swim was soon m difficulties. For want of presenoe of mind on the part of the others present, ■he was drowned before effective help was rendered. Ye sol Ashore. Gisbobne, February 10. News has just been received tbat the cutter Me'cmy ia ashore ne*r the East Cape. She is loaded with timber for the Native schools on the ooast. No lives were lo»t. The vessel lies upright »nd the timber will probably be got oat of her. H.M.B. Nelson. Napiib, February 19. H.H.S. Neleon sailed at 11.30 a.m. for Wellington. She was thrown open yes terday afternoon and was visited hy the children of tbe public schools and large numben of townspeople. A Foolish Fe'low. The wife of a butcher, named Pleated, waa woke np at midnight by the ories of her husband proceeding from the biok yard. He had oat his throat. Be had got np quietly, taken a butcher's knife, and going into the yard committed the deed. The wound ia not mortal. Pleated was taken to the hospital. The notion was dne to drink and depression from money losses. Babbit Board. Blenheim, February 17. At the Awatere Rabbit Hoard eleotion to-day the five candidates isleoted at a private meeting of farmers were returned without opposition. The Board proposes differential rating, a full penny rate being levied on most infected runs, th« rates and subsidy to oe expended m ferrets and weastsls. The Board will appoint its own Inspector. Oollingwood Coal Nelson February 19. At the City Ooanoil meeting last night the Oit> Surveyor reported on the Collingwood ooal as used at the gas works. After a month's trial the yield wan 10,685 ft per ton and the illuminating power twenty-three candle. The ooke has greater heat-producing power than that of the Greymouth ooal, but the labor to stokers is double to that of the Grey owing <o the large quantity of olinkers. If freed from this tbe Oollingwood was ■uperior as a gas ooal to any he had ever used. Timara Milling Company. 'lIMARC, *eoruary 19. f- At the Timarn Milling Company's (late Bruoe'a Roya) annual meetiug to-day, a dividend of 13 per oent was declared. The proposal of the Directora to commence the manufacture of oatmeal was s rongly opposed by the shareholders who |had also an interest In the new Oatmeal Company just formed here, but eventually the proposal waa supported by a large majority. General satisfaction was ex pressed at the results of tbe years business.

SPORTING.

DUNEDIN CUP.

Dunedin, February 18. Spade Gainea, the Oup favorite, after her gallop this afternoon pulled up sore, and a bit of .a rush was mads by her supporters to get off some of their money.

THE MARKETS

[bHDTBb's TJLI.EQBAMS— OOPYBIOST.]

Sydnby, Febraary 19, There is no New Zealand wheat m the market. Oats are selling at 23 to as 6d per bushel ; maize, per 561 b, 4s to 48 6d. Sugar Company's No., 1 pieces .Adelaide, February 19. Wheat is selling at 3s o,d to 3s lod ; at out-ports from 3s 7d to 3s Bd. Flour, £9 to j£g 5s per ton ; superior brands realising from £9 10s to j£jo. Charters (or United Kingdom are being accepted at £1 to £1 as per ton, the market being weak. ,

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Auckland, Febva.vy 19. Ponn's relatives h»ve visited hiu>. He asked hla mother to bring Ms wife to the «r»ol, that he might ask her forgiveneaa i 3l his conduct to her, 'and that they might par. 1 m paace This was done, and hi* wife who was deeply affected; freely forgave him. They had not spok«m. for. two years and a h»lf He baa requested chat bis two children nny b« brought on Sunday to him, when » final parting will take place between him and hia re'atlves Mrs Perm asked her son whether ha fired the last shot He shook his head, and also nodded, but made no other reply farther than "I am quite prepared to die.' Perm senior said to his son, "I oould ohange places with you, Harry and die m your stead." The condemned man's only rap?y was, "I am not afraid to die " Oaffrey's sister is up from Opotiki to take a last farewell of her brother.

It having bean Insinuated at the Harbor Board elections that the Union Steamship Company took everything and gave nothing. at Auckland, a return has been published, showing the expenditure of the Company at Auckland for the past month to have been £5331.

Tne Oity Ooaocil reoelvf d a letter from Mr Aaaoroft, of Wellington, on the sab* jeofc of substituting the eleotrio for gas liiiht for the i lumtnatlon of the streets. The propoial showed an alleged »av'ng «f £1150 per annum over gas. The Mayor •aid the Hoheme was feasible, and it waa referred to the Street* Committee.

Mr Blahop, R.M., of Mongnnul, Jo*t himself la the bash for tfiree days white riMog to Kalhu At ' l«fc he reached Hoklanga. Searob parties were out, bat loit his truck, and on returning to Mongonoi they found him iafe.

Wakoanux, February 18 Freeman Jaokaou and Oo. '» Ram Fair to- day was a great success. There were 313 entries ; prioei ranging from 3gi to 22^b. The bidding was the moit spirited ■een In the yards for yean.

Wkllinqton, February 19. Mr H. D. Bail, Grown Proseont r of Wellington, will argue for the defence the points reserved m the Hall Oase. Before acceding to the request he consulted the Attorney-General, bnt Bir Robert Stout 0 nsldered that no mere technical objec tion or matter of official etlqaot'.e should stand In the way of a man m Hall's posi tion obtaining the aisistanoe of the ablest pleader to argue a point of law, upon the deoision of which his life depends. The Minister of Justice has agreed that Oaffrey's friends shall hare the body after ex< cation.

It is undetstood that Te Kooti'a inten tion to visit Poverty Bay was to consult the party of Natives who follow the new rel gion initiated by him, oalled Karakaia. At the request of the Qovernment, Te X joti has abandoned his visit..

A.t the Magistrate's Ooart today the Magistrate decided 8 point of some im portance. A lodger sqed the proprietor for detaining his goods, and the point was raised whether restaurant-keepers had the tame powers as publicans to detain goods when payment had not been made. The Magistrate decided they had.

It is doubtful whether Government will ask Parliament to grant •% sum for the Imperial Institute, but it i* most probable that wealthy residents will be aeked to oontrlbute.

The c»se of alleged embezzlement against W. R. Waters was sg<iin before the Ooart this afternoon, and by oonsent i was fu> ther adjourned for a week. The only important femora of to^days pro ceedings was that Vivian, formerly olerk to the accused, was committed f>r con tempt of Court, for not being m a fit state to give hi* evidence Dunbwn, February 18 The annual report of the S andard Fire and M»rine Insurance Company elates *hat t^e income for the year, inducing £3502 13« brought forward, anointed to 1 78 833 7a, and ths exDenditure to £67359, leaving a balance of £1 1 480 12a, which it ia recommended should be ap propriated to the payment of a dividend «•■ thn rate .of 7J- per cent per annam, £0855 12a being curried forward Full provision has been made for all ascertained lossei.

SUICIDE OF A DISTINGUISHED SUEGEON.

All Petersburg is now lamenting the u>. timely loss of one of the highest stars of Ruaaian medloal aolenoe, the aurgeoa M. holomitme, who took his life m his despair at having aooidentally caused the death of a patient. Doctor Kolomlnne was a man m the heyday of life and a brilliant oareer. Ha w*b 43 year* of age, and fell of vigor and energy He was so entirely devoted to his solemn and his professional duties that he ded cited his whole life to them, abs aining even from marriage, lest family interests should paralyse hit activity. A short time ago a vourie married woman aged 23, oame to consult Dr Botklne, who found that she was suffering frum a tuberculous uloer. \n operation being deemed necessary, De B )tkine sent her to M. Kolorainne as » surgeon of great repute. The latter administered to her a slight dose o saline aoid of oooalne, and finding this did not take effect, he increased the dose and performed the opera tion with complete suocess, bat a few hoars afterwards he reoelved a message to aay that hU patient seemed to be dying, and he found, npon hurrying to her, that, judging by the feebleness of the pulse and blaish appearance of the faoe, she was suf fering from the effects of poison. All the efforts made to save her were of no effect *nd she died the same evening. M. Kolomlnne was bo overcome that he de* nounced himself as her murderer, thougn all his colleagues assured him that he was m no way to blame. But he would not listen *o then, and a few days afterwards ho blew his brains out, leaving a note m which he said ;— " I must iiave been the victim of some temporary aberration, and this has cause 1 the catastrophe which drives me to despair. lam not guilty, for my intentions were good, but I oannot live." Fully 10,000 people attended hia funeral.

COMMERCIAL DISASTERS IN SAN FEANCISCO.

A telegram to the Auckland Bell ander date San Franoi oo January 15 i «ya : — The exoi •moot ove* Stock Exchange speculators is as aaabated si ever, and daring the past two or three months huge fortunes have been made. Owing to the sadden rise m stock) no leas than four teen of the boot standing stockbrokers failed, and. their failures have been m •ome instances immense, one firm having failed for over a rnlll'on dollars, whilst others had to flic the oountry from their creditors A. membee of one of the lead ing stockbrokers levanted to Tahiti, bat I roturned this morning, sad was m due course arreate'l on a charge of embfea'e ment j and the prominent individual, Charles W. Binku, the oashler of the well-known firm of Messrs Wells, Fargo and 00. took passage to Tahiti, after hav ing embezzled ume 40 000 dollars. He ia supposed to hare dabbled considerably m stooks. Tie latest is that on reaching T-hitl he took passage by the Janet Niool for Auckland. It is quite possible thst-D«teotive Hulme, of the firm of Wells, Fargo & Oo may be despatched to Auokland by the Alameda to arrest Banks, bat ere this I have no douht your wot thy Superintendent Thompson has been duly notified of Banks' a aoonding, by gable., leeing there is suoh a heavy award 01ft for hia arrest

To restore nervejand brain waste, nothing equals Hop Biters. Believe tbia id<J take n do bat Amirioaa Co.'i. fsso

NOTES.

Valentine's Day has come and gone, and nobody seems to have noticed it ; indeed, but for the usual annual dis play of lace-bordered and satin-cased billets-doux intended for the amorously inclined, and eke of villainous carica tures adapted to the purpose of the spitefully-minded, which has made, its accustomed appearance m the stationers' windows, nobody hardly would have given it a thought As it is, we fancy, there has been pre cious little demand, for valentines of any sort m Ashburton this year, and shouldn't like to go m heavily for stock of that sort if we happened to be carrying on that line of business. Very probably the prevailing scarcity of coin of the realm has a good deal to do with the falling-off m valentine sending, and by consequence of valen tine selling and buying, but the univer sality of the custom which now obtains of sending Christmas and New Year cards has also, we believe, something to do with ir. Anyhow, let the cause be what it may ,the fact remains that the once all-prevalent custom of the Fourteenth of February is fast falling into desuetude, and it is evident that ere long the day itself will be alto* gether forgotten, or rather will only take rank as one of the common run of days. For it is not m Ashburton alone that the change has been noticed, the Wellington Post recording a similar circumstance m the Empire City. Writing on the evening of the 14th it says :— " The observance of St. Valen tine's Day by the interchange of anonymous pictorial and poetical love tokens between the young folks of the opposite sexes is fast dying out. This morning not more than fifty valentines passed through the General Post Office, whereas a few years ago the 14th of February was always marked by a great ! increase m the business of the offices, owing to the large number which were posted." The public revenue will lose a few pounds m respect of the diminished sale of postage stamps, and some hundreds, perhaps thousands, of persons who, m London and elsewhere, earned money as the artists, poets, printers, or vendors of millions of valentines will no doubt suffer by the entire extinction of the demand, but otherwise there is no reason to regret the dying out of an antiquated custom which was often more' honored m the breach than m the observance.

An interesting account is going the rounds of the colonial press of certain experiments which appear to demon strate a remarkable predilection on the part of savage animals, such as the tiger and the leopard, for the perfume of lavender. It is said that under the charms of this most delicious of sweet smells they forget their ferocity, and fawn upon the hands of those who bring the odour. Strange though this may appear, it is yet not at all improbable other curious predilections on the part of /era natuta being more or less well ! known. As for example the fondness of snakes tor music, and of rats, pigeons, and dogs for the smell of the oil of rhodium. But there is a nearer parallel si ill, though, perhaps, not generally known, it is that of the won derful charm which the pretty garden flower nemophila insignis possesses for the domestic cat. The nemophila m question, which bears a very pretty blue flower, is entirely scentless, that is it possesses no odour to the human perception, but it appears to afford to cats the most exquisite delight They stretch themselves out upon it, they roll upon it, m apparently a perfect abandon of enjoyment, and that m all stages of the growth of the plant— from its first appearance above the ground. Indeed, we have known of gardeners having to abandon the use of this very pretty bedding plant for this simple reason. The fact may admit of tome explanation, but it so it is not known to us. Meanwhile it is worth noting as one of the curious facts of natural history.

This year, an m several preceding years, great havoc has been wrought m gardens and orchards by that dis agreeable pest the tree leech. It is a nasty gelatinous-looking little creature, about two -fifths to half an inch m length, of a pale olive color, with a black broad head, which makes its appearance shortly after the cherries have begun to form. It first attacks the hawthorn, then the cherry, then the pear, and then the plum trees, and the evidence of its presence speedily appears m the turning brown, and then the fall of the leaf. All the haw thorn hedges that we know of at this moment have their leaves the color of spent tea leaves, and we do not know of a single cherry or pear tree m the whole district that is not as bare of leaf as m the winter; while, the leeches having attacked them m turn, the plum trees are just now following suit. The crop of pears is seriously injured, as the fruit cannot arrive at its full perfection when the trees have lost their lungs (for such their leaves are), but the plums will hardly suffer at all, as the fruit was nearly all ripe before their turn came. The mischief done to orchardists is, however, very great, and it is very desirabie if any means of prevention is available that it should be generally made known., We say prevention, because that is much more important than cure. The leech may, we believe, be killed by syringing with a solution of hellebore, but it is not at all easy, sometimes not possible, to syringe all the trees m an orchard, . especially when tall ones, and what is wanted is some means of preventing the leech attacking the trees at all. If, as we fancy, they ascend to the branches from the ground, possibly something applied to the trunk of the tree would prevent their climbing, without injuring the tree by its application. If any of our readers know of such a preven tative we should be glad to hear what it is, as, m view of the increasing im portance of the fruit industry, the sooner such a remedy is generally known the better.

The fuller news from Tonga now to hand goes to show that not only the Government, as represented chiefly by the Rev. Shirley Baker, is gteatly to be condemned for the manner m which the ministers and people of the Wes leyan Church m those islands have been treated, but that the latter art also highly blameworthy for the method* which they have adopted m return. The imprisonment and deportation of men whose only offence Is the refuial

JHK AbHBUKrpJS GUAiJAUAJS, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1887



High Shade. m Date, low high Sun. State of weather. Saturday 44* 60 95* Overcast, S.W. wind. Sunday 43- 89' 143- Fine B. wind Monday 52- 105' 153- Fine E. wind Tuesday 48- 100- 147' Fine N.B. wind Wed'day 52- 73- 125- Overcast, S.W. wind Thur'day 53* 83* 135- Fine S. wind Friday 53- 83- 123- Fine N. wind



6 j octal Advertisements. VALENTINES! VALENTINES!! Now Stook of Valentines just received per 8.8. "Coptic" from London. Com- prising a variety of the newest and most beautiful desLms. Now ready for selec- tion, and at very low prices. COMIC VALENTINES In Qrbat Variety. CiiEAr. 1 NEW GOODS Just opened ont. I3HOTO Framee, Fire Screenß, Writing Desks, Work Boxes, Photo Albums, Scrap Albums, Writing Albums, Docu ment Baskets, Letter Clips, Inkstands, Pen Knives, and every description of Fancy and Commercial Stationery. We have »lso a large Stock of Brown Wrapping Paper. Grocers' Grey Bags, also Confectionery nod Fruit Bags New Bookt and New Music by every mail steamer, Subscribers supplied with English, American, and Continental Newspapers and Magazines immediately on arrival of mail Special attention is given to all orders for Bookbinding, Printing, Engraving, and Lithography. Specimens on view. Special Discounts allowed to Library and School Committees. Catalogues and Lists on application. Any Book waned which may be tem- porarily out of stock will be immediately procured from our OhristchuK h Establish- j ment, the stock of whioh is one of the ! largest aud best assorted m the colonies ; or from our London Agency by direct mail steamer. ' H.J.WOOD&CO. Booksellers, Stationers, Printers, and Bookbinders, STATIONERS' HALL, ASHBUETON.



Special adrertisements. WILDING AND LEWIS, OARRIBTBRB AND QOLIOITORS. v b F. WILDING, NOTABY PUILIO. ■ Offioci: Next "Mall" Offloe, Burnett ot., Aahburton, I Mr Wilding will attend the sittings | of the Aahburton Courts on Tuesday and , Fridays, and may be consulted personally ! n these days. The firm is now represented m Ash- button by Mr Clawon, an English Solicitor of considerable experlenpe, who wilt be In daily attendance at the office to receive Instructions %nd confer with oients. #100 8 nnfiE undersigned have Just Received JL FRESH SUPPLIES OF NEWCASTLE COAL WEBTPORT COAL V.D.L. TIMBER V.D.L. PALINGS BAILED AND RAW OIL GASTOB OIL WHITE AND RED LEAD AMERICAN LOLKS HOUSE VARNIBH SCRIM WIRE NETTING WIRE NAILS FENCING WIRE (Barb) FENCING WIBE (Plain) INSPECTION INVITED. McCallum and Co., TIMBER, IRON, AND COAL MERCHANTS, MANUFACTURERS & IMPORTS R MARVELLOUS Steam Washer, A WASHING MACHINE AND BOILER IN ONE. Saves Labor, Time, Health and Money. Everybody doe 3 their own washing now. A child fourteen years of ape can wash 6fteen bhitts m twenty m nutes. Hundreds of Ladie c are buying the Marvellous Steam Washer. THE Marvellous Steam Washer is a square boiler inside of which revolves a hollow wooden cylinder that holds your clothes. Pour into the boiler wa'er to the depth of 3 inches. When the water boil* yon havn ntoatn. then revolve your wheel for 16 minutes, Y'UT clothes are then ready for rineing. Steam has done your w^rk, for Bteam is many timeß more powerful than water. The oftener clothes ar« washed with this machine the whiter they get. Instead of the back-breaking, hard rubbing, and finger-bleeding operation of the er mi-barbarous waehboard, nI J the while inhaling the c fflivia of the washtnb, you have a gentle an** hoilthy exeroipe, giving a rotary mntion to 15 shirts at once, instead of robbing on a email part ot one. Intead of being bent over the unhealthy fum^s of a washtub. yon are using a notary boiler with but a little more steam than on ordinary tea-kettle foiling. Instead of boi'ing nnd scrubbing bard for neveral hours over 15 shirts, you wash them all m 15 minutes. With this machine an ordinary family's washing can be done m 2 to 3 hours, and the rlotheH all on the line, which is often a great advantage m drying the clothes ; and dinner can bn eot ready as on nny other Hay. A3 a health preserver it is of the gre^tfßt importance, as the steam will thoroughly k'll all germs of dipeass that might be m any clotheß, wlrch is sure to be ia those of the sick or connumptive. It i» well- known by everyone of common Bonce thaj; washing clothes m the old way is the hardest of all work done by women, and m time giveg ?heumatißm,»woJJen joints, drawn-np fingers, '•nd othe- »-.vilß, but by using the marvellous Steam Washer the ter'ors of wash-day are over. Road a few of the many testimonials receivrd :— 11 The Bteam Wnßhor I bought 8 wpeks back iB a great buccrps and works well, — Arthur FniBBY, Batwcll Farm, Willowby, November 22nd. 188 G." •'The Washer works well, leaves the clothes a b n autiful colour, and does notirjnro them.— MKB Cha.bi.ToN, December 16th, 188 C " ' " «»My w>fo requests me to state that the Machine wo bought from you is a perfect success. The work that us*d to take Bor 9 hours to do is now completed m 2 hours and a half, the work being done vith very little labour. Tho f-team Wabher works better than won expected, both for washing and heating the mlk for cheese making It is a great boon, and well worth the money. — Hknuy Hulson. Elgin." "The Machlno I bought has given every satisfaction, and does all you alleged it would. My wife Buys it paves hard labour and the clothes, the rubbing board with it is never used nor needed, and m ths invention of the Steam Washer you have conferred a great boon on the domestic circle, and rta use will become universal na soon as its monts are appreciate!.— Kkv. J. Kbmnor." "In reply to your card, we find the Washer a moßt tyseful and labour-eaying machine There is nothing equal to it m tho washing line. It is all you claim for it, and our women folks would not be without it. Eren a delicate female can do a large washing m half a day. I cannot speak too highly of it.— Mrb Dit. Hioket." Mr Barrel], Sin,— The Washing Machine that waa purchased from you after trial ha« proved to giro full satisfaction, and can be honestly recommended to every household as a great saving m time and labour- —Mm Ohab (osifEiiLT, Opotiki, Bay of Plenty, near Anokland " A a< ill larger demand expected than mv late list of buyers Bhowed, from what the ladies toll me of the protnisea thejr hiiFbinds have made them "You shall haya one of Ferriman's Marvtilons Wsehing Machince after harvest." F- FBBEIMAN, Bole Agent, Aihburton,



Wanted. PLUMS, PLUMS, PLUMS— PIums m any quantity, for presorting , at A. W. RAWDgLL'a, Town Hall. WANTED known— Freeh Barracouta for tale, price 6d each, every Saturday. Opposite Mr A. Harriion^^ WANTED Subscribers for Protestant Ensign and Hall's Trial and Sentence.— C. Hat. 2 102 WANTED-Mrs D. 8., who arrived In Aib barton on Saturday, 12 h Inst., to leave her address, by letter, at Poit Office, Ashburton. Letters waiting. G. 8. PIVNO3 AND ORGANS on Time Payments. Large Stook of Sheet Moslo. H. M. Jow is. ' i A7ANTBD Known— For oheap drapery If go to H. 0. Seobrs 1 Genuine Clear Ing Sale. Fresh barg»ius just opened. Melford House, East street. WANTED known — I have juet opened op a useful assortment of house- hold Crockery, Ironmongery and Brush* war*.— James MoGrbgob, Grower, Etc, Tanored btreet, opposite A rcade. THIUBNITUBE — To meet the times, W. j JF DAVIS, Cabinetmaker, East street, Ashburton, is now selling Furniture of all kinds cheaper than ever. Chest of Drawers. £1 6s ; }*prinu Couoheß, £1 5s Every other article i-qua'ly cheap. AH new furniture at second-hand price 804 Special Advertisements. W. F. HANNAFOKD, (Burnett- street, opposite '• viail" Office) TINSMITH AND METAL-PLATE WORKER, WISHES to info m the public of Asbburton an the surrounding districts that he keeps m stock or can MANUFACTURE TO ORDER all de- ecriptions of TINWARE for FARM or DAIRY purposes; also, all REPAIRS of any nature promptly executed m a ukilfu manner. All goods sold at lowest remunerative prices A Tr>al solicited. HORSE-HAIR and BEESWAX bough m any quanti } for CaSH. 1 TO be Lot by Tender for a terra of years to be agreed upon, the Old Estab- lished Bueinesß Premises known as the CITY COMPANY, Tinwald. The premises consist of Butcher's Shop, General Store and Bakery, with every convenience for carrying on a large business. A first-class business h now being done. All information to be obtained on the premises, Tinwald, or on application to Messrs Fletcher, Humphries and Co., Cathedral Square, C hristchurch The highest or aoy tender not necessari y accepted. Tenders close on M NDAY, February 28th, 1887. Tenders to be addressed to John M. Bbid, Tinwald. 2 96--' NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTOR? THE NEW GOODS FOR THE SUMMER SEASON ARK NOW OPENED OUT. I The Stook is THE LARGEST & BEST SELECTED IN THE TOWN, And the variety of Style and Patterns m Men's, YouthB 1 , and Boys' Clothing leaves nothing to be deaired. Fhousands of Men's and Boys Suits, newest styles. Trousers and Trousert* and Vests manufactured of New Zealand Tweeds. Every garment warranted shrunk Jvercoats, Waterproof Coats and Leggkugg m great variety Hats, compnVng every new style worn Ohiidnm'a Jersey Suits, Children's Men- of.War Buits Gentlemen's Hosiery, Scarves ; Oxford Jegatta and White Shirts Rugs, Portmanteaus, and Travelling Bagp ?he celebrated WERTHEIM SEWING MACHINE. Time Payments. J N '/■ CLO: HING FACTOR?. Eabt Stbict GREAT ANNUAL SALE or SURPLUS STOCK OF DRAPERY, CLOTHING, AND BOOTS. Commencing Saturday, Jan. 22. GEEATEST BAEGAINS Ever offered m Aehburton, FOR PRICES SEE HANDBILLS. ANDREW ORR



Victoria House. IN Consequence of Re«juia : te Alterations to Premises, which will afford greater ■ faqilitii s for conduoti.g oar rapidly increasing business, it has been found irtcesßary to Greatly Reduce our fctook within the next few weeks. ,- large and liberal Reductions are now made m every Department. Bolder* of Glassware Oift Coupons are requested to present the same as early as conrenient to'enabla the Gift Distribution to be satisfactorily closed. DIMANT~& COE, GENERAL DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, Ac, ; East and Tancred streets, Ashburton.



NOTICE TO THE LADIES OF ASfIBURTON. MBS PAULING" has REMOVED to WALTON COTTAGE, G^EBN LiKE, HIMPSTEAB. 145 MRS MANHIRE, FA NC V GOODS WAREHOUSE, Saundbrb' Buildings, East street. T7IANOY STATIONERY, Toys, and |j Chriatraas Presents m variety. Christmas Carde, &c, &c. Ladies' and Children's Pinafores and Aprons, &c , &c, 9624 CAUTION TO POACHEBft iN conßeqnenco of so much Poaching of Trout from the Lajjmhor Creeks I hereby give notice that anyone found so doing will be prosecuted ;. and further, that a reward of £20 will be paid to any powm who will give SHch information v Jhall lead to the conviction of such a enders. DONALD MoLEAN, 11 4 36 Lagmhor.- mOWLB'S PKNH Y ?» OY * L AND X STEEL PILLS FOR FEMALEB qniokly oorreot all irregolarities, and relieve the <* {stressing symptoms co pre- valent with the sex. Boxes li l&d and Is 9d, of all Obemiste and Patent Medicine Vendors. Prepared only by The Lincoln and Midland Counties Drue; Co. , Lincoln, England. Wholesale of all the Wholesale Houses. Beware of Imitations. TRY KIBKPATKICK'S NEW SEASON'S JAM. SPECIAL NOTICE. T7"IBKPATBICK : s"~NEW SEASON'S JV JAM is made from NELSON GROWN FRUIT, and boiled within a few hours after the fruft has been gathered... It thus retains most of the natural flavor of the fresh fruit. ' KIBKPATRICK'S NEW SEASON'S JAM is the most delicious preserve m the market. Do not be persuaded to buy cheap and inferior brands of Jam, the remains of old ■tock, which must be sold at any price, but -ASK for KIRKPATBICK'S BEW BEASON JAM, and see that you get it. THE BEST IS ALWAYS THE CHEAPEST. Kirkpatriok's New Season Jan is the best, CAUTION. None Is genuine unless our name is •taaped on each tin, and has our regifitared Trado Mark "Lord Nelson* cm tke label. StjKirkpatrick & Co. MANUFACTUEERS, HBLSOK, N.Z. 12