THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

ana after the 30th November, 1886, the \ of Subscription to this journal will be Mom, viz. :— IF PAID IN ADVANCE '. Quarter.. 6a 6oi, by post, 9a 6d f Half-year 12a 6d, by poat, 18a 6d Year *. 24s Od -by post, 87a Od IT BOOKKD : Quarter.. 7s 63, by post, 10b 9d „ Half-year 15s Od, by poet, 21s 6d „ Year .. 80s oa, by post, 48b 0a Birth, Marriage, and Death Notices, if paid or at tfte timej of insertion, 2s 6d each tamps may be sent as payment) ; if booked, eaoh. PRESENT SUBSCRIBERS MAY RENEW THEIR SUBSCRIPTIONS AT TOE OLD RATES, Announcements of Births, Deaths and Marriages sent f or'pnblioation from the country istriotß. require to be verified by the signa> ore of ths person eend'&g the notice.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails oloae at the Ashburton Post Office follows : — For Ohrlstchuroh. and North at 6 a.m 0.30 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Ohertseyßakala, &a, it 10.30 a.m tnd 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Wlnslow, Hinds, OokUtream. Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, %nd Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. For Temuka, at 10 km. and 4.30 p.m ««Uy. for Timara and South, at 10 a. a., and r 30 p.m., daily. For Greenatreet and Anhburton Forks, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10.30 •>m. For Wakanul, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, ad Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thuradaya, and ' turdays, at 6.30 a. m. For Mount Somers, daily at 4.30 p.m For Mayfield and Ruapuna, on Mon days and Thursdays, at 4.30 p.m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, 4.30 p.m. daily. For Flomlngton, on Mondays, Wodnei tare, and Fridays, at 4, 30 p. m. For Newlanda, on Tuesdays and Fri at 10.30 a.m.

Malls arrive at the A Ashburton Post ffioe— /rom Ohristohurch and Rskaia at 10.15 . m., 4.35 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Ohertsey &o. at 10.15 x and ( S5 p.m. daily. From Dunedin *ad Intermediate places 6,3$ daily. ? From Temuka an Timara at 10.40 a.m p S.SOp.m daily. From Greenstreetand Aehburton Forkc, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 4 4s. p.m. From Wakanu!, EJgiD, Seavlew, Sea field and Kyle, on Tuesday*, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 5 p.m. Boom Mount Somors, daily at 10.5 ; m. From Mayfield and Ruapuna, on Wed aeadays and Saturdays, at 10.5 a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long hat 10a.m. dally. From NewljnSHTon and Fri at 2.30 p.m. From Flemizxgton on Tuesdays, Thurt> days, and Saturdays, at 10a.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1887. THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

The steady growth of the trade m frozen meat is one of the most hopeful features of these not particularly hope ful limes, and there is room for some confidence that if the cost of carriage can be decreased, and better arrange ments made for the sale of the meat at Home, sufficiently remunerative results can be s;cured to give a great impetus to pastoral enterprise m New Zealand. It has always been held by those capable of forming a sound opinion that New Zealand is m a better position to supply the Home matket than is any of the Australian Colonies, our climate enabling us to produce an article more suited to the taste of the English consumer, and that this has proved to be the case is shown by the fact recorded m the London corres pondent's letter of the Otago Daily Times % that •' during the year 1886 the average price realised by New Zealand mutton was s^d, as against 4S-t6d for Australian, 8d for English, and 8 l-6d for Scotch qualities. In 1885 the average prices were:— New Zealand, 5 5-i2d; Australian, 4^d. , English, 7 i-d; and Scotch, 7#d." 'tt is also shown by the same authority that the supply from the colony is increasing steadily and rapidly, the number of carcases of frozen mutton forwarded to the London market during 1886 being 1,084,093, of which Australia contri buted 66,960, New Zealand, 655,888; River Plate, 331,245 ; and Falkland Islands, 30,000; while for 1885 the figures were — Australia, 95,051; New Zealand, 492,269 ; and Kiver Plate, 1 j total > 777» 8 9 r - ."It will thus be seen (says the writer) that while the imports of frozen mutton from Australia have decreased since 1885 by 28,091 carcasses, or nearly 30 per cent, those for New Zealand have increased by 163,619 carcasses, or upwards of 33 per cent." A comparison of the figures for the seven years, 1880-86, is very interesting, and it will probably sur prise many of cur readers to learn that m 1886 alone New Zealand sent to London a total number of frozen sheep greater by more than fifty per cent than the gross total for all Australia for the whole seven years — or since the inception ol the trade. This, however, is clearly demonstrated by ths sub joined: — "Since 1880 the imports of frozen mutton from Australia have been 1 as follows : — IBBO, 400; 1881, 17,275; 1882, 57.256; 1883, 63,733; 1884, m,745; 1885, 95,051; 1886, 66,96a — total, 412,420. From New Zealand the imports have been :— IBB2, 8839; 1883,120,893; 1884, 412,349; 1885, 492,269; 1886, 665,888 — total, 1,690,238." From the foregoing it will be seen that since 1880 the total amount of frozen meat placed upon the London market from Australia and New Zealand combined is 2,102,658 carcases.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

' * The present appears to be a very fine season for apples. Mr G. T. Smith, gardener, has a sample dozen wbioh he is going to send to the Christchuroh Horticultural Society's Show, the largest of which weighs lib 4ozs, the twelve turning. the scale at 13lbs sozs. Last night we were shown an elcotrio lamp which has been supplied to the order of Mr J. W. Mcßae, of the Central Hotel. The lamp is exceeding neat and simple m con struction, the illuminating power being supplied by chemicals. The cost is very slight, being only about 3d for six hours. We understand that if sufficient inducement offer a tradesman m this town contemplates importing a number of these lamps, which are exceedingly bandy little things for lighting purposes A ball will b<3 held m the Oddfellows' Hall this evening. The musical arrangements will be controlled by Mr J. H. Brooks, and we understand that pipe music for the Scotch danoes will bo supplied by Messrs McKay and Maben To THE LADIES. — Owing to ill-health, I have been unable to master the sixteen miles ride to Church or Chapel, and hence my Sunday savings have amounted to2is 6d, and as the Committee never send for my cash, I thought of a good way m which I might spend the said 2is 6d, viz., by paying for this advertisement for a short time, and relieve suffering humanity, by telling them of the worth of Ferriman's Marvellous Steam Washer. During a very trying sickness it has been a source of great comfort to see my little Polly, just turned nine, doirg all my wash, and saving me worry, besides the saving of 'he fuel, clothes, soap, time, and adding to the health of my husband and nine children. — (Signed) A Mother, who is blessed m the possession of a good Washer. Mv name and address may be had at the office of this paper on paying the cost of a Washer for a sister pf mine m Otago. — ADVT. '

The following are the returns for the Ash urton Hospital for the month ending Feb. Bth.: — Patients m the Hospital on Feb. Ist, ; admitted during the month, 12 ; dis harged, 11 ; remaining at end of month, 7. The Wellington correspondent of the ' Lyttelton Times " says that the settlement Q the Forty Mila Busb, under the Village lomeetead System, seems to be flourishing, md the demand for land under this system s bo great that two further blocks, of 10C0 LCres eaoh m some districts, are now being surveyed. In a very short time there will be LOO families located m the Forty Mile Bush jountry. On dit that a story entituled " The Editor's Romance," by Mr R. A. Loughnan, the able md popular editor of the " Lyttelton Times," will shortly appear m one of the English magazines Mr P. K. M'Caughan, late member for River ton, returns to New Zealand shortly. He will probably contest Hokonui at the next general election. In the tomb of & very ancient Mexican Ring has been discovered a hideous idol m pure gold, weighing 50lbs. The Queen of Roumania is about to deliver a course of lectures on literature at .the sohools for girls m Bucharest. A woman at Obasswqrth (111,) ninety years old, is cutting her third set of teeth. A man who was married m Newburg, N.Y., a few weeks ago, was accompanied to the altar by a grandson oged bjx years, while the bride was attended by her three-year-old grand-daughter. The population of England 200 years ago was about 5,000,000 ; at last census England and Wales numbered 25,974,430, the whole of the British Isles 35,241,482 ; Great Britain, her colonies, and dependencies, 310,225,000. There is a Feilding man who puts penny postage stampß, m place of halfpenny ones, on newspapers sent to friends m the colony. He says he is contributing his mite to make up the deficiency m the revenue. He doesn't drink. The Queenstown correspondent of the 11 Southland Times " reports that the American white fish will yet be secured. The curator (Mr Davidson) has now no doubts. The healthy fish have all been romoved to new boxes, and the ohange of weather is greatly !in their favor. If he only succeeds m establishing a smaller entrepot than was once ezpeoted something will at least be gained by the experiment— say 100,000 out of a million. During the funeral of a young man at Saumur, Prance, a knocking was heard within the coffin. The Mayor had to be present at the opening of the coffin, and, owing to some delay, m his arrival, when the coffin-lid was removed the unfortunate inmate had just expired from suffocation. During the year 1886 there were imported into London 248,517 bales of wool from New Zealand. Of this quantity the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company im* ported 61,366 bales. The next highest im porters were Saunders, Murray, and Co. with 22,590 bales, Dalgety and Co. coming next with 19,698 bales. The National Mortgage imported 17,428 bales, A. L. Elder and Co. I 15,113 bales, Redfern, Alexander, and Co. 13,096 bales. AH the other importers were below 8000 bales. The " Otago Daily Times " says that the proposal which was recently put forward to establish a rabbit farm at Lake Wakatipu to utilise the large stretch of country whioh has virtually been abandoned to the rabbits, has attracted some attention at Home. The *' Shooting Times " republishes the particulars of the proposed scheme from our columns and heartily supported it, a3 also did the •• Turf," " Field," " Farm," and other English weeklies. The soheme appears to have been abandoned, or at any rate nothing has been heard of it of late. The principal of an academy, m his ad vertisemont, mentioned his female assistant, and tha ' reputation for teaching whioh Bhe bears ;' but the printer— careless fellow — left out the ' which,' so the advertisement went forth commending the lady's reputation for < teaching she bears 1' ••Persons who Patronize newspapers," says an exchange, " should Pay Promptly for the Pecuniary Prospects of the Press have a Peculiar Power of Putting forward Publio Prosperity. If the Printer is Paid Promptly and his Pooketbook kept Plethoric by Prompt Paying Patrons, he Puts his Pen to the Paper m Peace, bis Paragraphs are more Pointed. He Paints his Pictures of Passing events m more Pleasing oolors and the Perusal of his Paper is of rrore pleasure to his People." Place this Piece of Proverbial Philosophy m some Place where all Persons can Perceive it. The best medicine known is SANDER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent powerful effects m coughs, colds influenza, Ac, — 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 medical olinios and universities, the official communication of the Consul-G eneral for Italy at Melbourne ; the diploma awarded International Exhibition, Amsterdam — all these are authentic documents, and, as such, not open to doubt. We add here epitome of one of the various cases treated by Siegen, M.D., Professor, etc. : Burning of the right hand through the explosioa of a small oil stove. The epidermis on the volar andpalirer side of the 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 loofg, 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 hand.— [Advt.]

ADDINGTON LIVE STOCK MAKKET.

Large ootries of all kinds of atook were yarded. Thore was an average attendance Sheep.— A very heavy entry cf fat sheep, a large proportion oroasbred owe*. The demand was fairly good. The primes! sheep held their own m value, bat medium and a ei{ r soils receded. Primest cross* bred wethers sold at from 8s 6d to 10a 6d per head ; medium sorts, 6s to 7s 3d ; crossbred ewes from 4a to 6a 7d ; merino wethers, 3s 41 to 5a Id, being l£d per lb for best mutton down to |d for inferior. The store sheep yarded were principally ewes for boiling down, and were sold at from la 5d to 3s Id per head for that purpose; Cattle. — A good i apply of fat cattle on offer, mostly heifers and fat oowa. The few steers that came under the hammer were very prime, and met with a pretty good competition selling rt a slight ad vaDoe on late rates. Other sorts remain as before quoted. Steers sold at from £5 2b 6d to £7 7« 6i ; heifera from £4 to £6 7s 6<J, being for primest quality np to 193, down to 16s per 1001 b for medium sorts. There was m absence of good lines of store cuttle. Valued remain on altered. A pretty good demand still exists for dairy cows, all lots celling at fair valued. pigs.— ln the pig market every pen was occupied. The demand was, however, quite equal to the supply, values, if any* thing, being a little higher than tnost last qioted. Poikfi|at from 16s to 27b; stores, 6j to 21fl.

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

« Auckl/AND, March 2 At a ralo of a portiun of Tlurstmere, he i rcpe?ty of fcho late Mr W. J Hors*, VI H.U , land avernged £162 per acre Che total peceeda were £8262. A greet tengi has ben hell ove? Tn rawhiao, at Whatiwhatihoe. luclud'Dg a jontineent, frcm Tauranga, several bun ired Natives were present. Fo Hquor wan indulged m, bat some of the most disgust* (nghakas ever witnessed were performed. The young girls appeared to have lost all seneo of modesty. Gisboiote, Maroh 2. Four Native prisoners have been com mitted for tr'a 1 for the murder of a Native and his wifo. The hearing occupiad seven days, Twenty-five witnesses were ex amined, and the costs of the prosecution will bo very heavy, as all the witnesses iive a long way inland. In recognition of ptat hospitalities, the Europeans here intend to entertain a number of Native chiefs at a banquet, athletic spot's and display of fireworks. Thei affair is c -eating great interest, and liberal subscriptions are coming io. Wellington, Mtrch 2. The value of the estates finally certified last month was £41,996 IBs Bd. . The largest were A. deß Brandon £25,516, and L. H. M. Levin £10,805, both of Wellington. The Harbor B ard haveunder oon«l --deration a scheme prepared by Mr Fer guson, their Engineer, for using hydraulic machinery on the wharves. The coat is estimated at £14,0C0, but it Is said it will greatly reduce the manual labor now re quired, besides facilitating various opera tions. The "Evening Post" and Press Asso ciation tc-day received letters from 8011, Gully end Izard, representing Messrs MoMahon and Leitch, demanding an apology and reasonable recompense for alleged it convenience and loss sustained by the publication of a statement last month regarding the circumstances con nected with their departure to Fiji. After many attempts the design of rais ing the Tui, eunk at the entrance to the harbor, has been finally abandoned, and the enclosures were taken down tc-day to blow her up. Nelson, Maroh 8. A. oaoe of drowning occurred at Ooillng wood on Monday, the victim being a youDg man named Felloes, about twenty two, of Takaka. He had been rabbit shpotlng, and riding home his horse was seen to enter the Kiver Tainawha Shoit'y after it emerged riderless. Search was mado, but the finding of the body is not yet reported. An official enquiry in'o the loss of the steamer Hauraki will be held here to morrow. Captain Harvey, matter of the steamer, and his orew have arrived hare. It seems that the Haurakai left Greymouth at 1 p.m. on Saturday with a cargo of coal for Waitara. At 2am on Monday, when the vessel wan about 25 mlea off Oapo Farewell, In a north-westerly wind, it waß found she had sprung aleak aft. The cap tain thinks the planks must have started from the stern. So great was the leakage that m a quarter of an hour the fire was extinguished. At half-past two all hands left the ship, and about four m the morn- Ing she went down. The boats made the Spit and the crew were hospitably received by the J'ghtkeepers. -Yesterday they launched their boats and pulled towards Waltapa, and were picked up by the Lady Barkley. The hop crop will soon be gathered m, but tha yield is very small, owing to a great extent to a etorm experienced a few weeks ago. At Mo a :ka the yield will not exceed six to six and a half hundrad weight to the acre inetead of fifteen hundred weights. In the neighborhood of town, the yield will net be larger bub the sales should be good. • Dr/NEDitf, March 2. A movement to ask Mr James Mills, Manager .of the Union Com pany, to stand for Port C timers m succes sion to Mr Macandrew, is meeting with support, and Mr Mills is likely to aocede to the request.

SIR CHARLES DILKE ON THE STATE OF EUROPE.

_ — « An English correspondent of an ex change writes : — The perp'exing study of foreign politios has been enlightened by a remarkable article, the first of a series on the Oontlnental situation, attributed to a trained diplomatist, who has up to recently had special opportunities for being behind the soenea. It is stated that the author ?B Sir Oharles Dilke, a statesman who was generally admitted on both sides of the Honae to possfsi a closer acquaintance with foreign sfhirs than any other English politician. The arlic'e U devoted to a study of the poti ion of Germany as the dominating power oa the Continent, and as one which has made sheer force a larger factor m European politics than at any time Binco the days of Napoleon. The aim of German statesmen, whoever Prince Bismarck's successors may be, must be to uphold the empire he has created. Germany, however, finds herself between three great military Powers, and circum stances only allow her to form a stable alliance with one of these — Austria. But Austria Is the weakest of the three In mil.' tary power. German polioy therefore, ib unswervingly directed towards preventing a war between Austria and Russia ; and this is the keynote of the situation. Hitherto she has been successful, but on her other frontier diplomacy is of no avail. The gigant'c armament of the Frenoh Rfipublio, and the corresponding sacrifices it laya on the German people, inevitably tend to a rupture. Neither side, howerer, dares »tUck. Of the German frontier to« wards France, 200 «at of 270 kilometres ara already under " fire." and only two impassable gapß are left; An invadiog army of either nation oould only attack through Belgium; and trespass on Belg : &a neutrality might call for English interven tion, while it is possible that the Belgian array might torn the scale* agalnat them,

A NEW USE FOR FROGS.

The Paris correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald aaya : If frogs h»ve any knowledge of other earthly things tlnn the state of the atmosphere, they must be a good deal disturbed by the new dangers threatening their skins. Dr Laborderie one of M. Paul Bert's most diligent and enthusiastic students and contiouatora has jast established a very ourioua cure that Is creating a lively sensation among the medical faculty of this metropolis. A short time ago a workman was brought to h m to be treated for a horrible burn on his foot, caused by the impaot of iron m a state of fusion. The skin of the foot was completely destroyed over a surface of 20 centimeters m length by 10 m width. The dootor out from the workman's haunches four pieces of flesh, whioh he grafted on the burn, covering the wound ; and then covered the grafting with four plecea of skin taken from the frog. After a few dajs of very minute and careful treatment, the roan's foot was completly cured, and be returned to his work with* out the slightest pain or weakness m the foot bo wond erf ally treated. Dr Labor derie states that the skin of the frog is altogether (superior to that of the human subject m all such cases. It is more flexible, elastlo, and free from pain. The human Bkin is unfavorable for grafting ; it remains atiff, draws, and ia frequently painful. .And, while it m necessarily d ffionft to olfaln pieces of the hun»n thin for such applications (the human c»ubJ2ot objecting to thp undergoing of an exceedingly painful operation), there are plenty of frogs easily obtainable, and un ablo to refuße tbe service required of them iv the taking off their sklu. So the poor fr gs are likely to ha\© m future a still harder time of it than they have had In the p«M .j&jfca&ifcSS -..

THE CONGO FREE STATE.

The civilising inflaencei m the shape of beads, mm, rolls of cotton, and hatfu's of kickshaws, which have, during recent year?, been brought t) boar on theinhabi rants of the Dark Continent, oeem to have produced moat gratifying effects on these erstwhile heathens. The door has been opened for the iivVßslon of the merchant and missionary, am] though it has been opened ao violently "that a hundred thou sand niggers who were standing behind It have been crushed fht, it may be pre sumed that a vaßt amount of good has been done m various directions. Among other enterprises tho founding of the I Oongo Free Hlate has shed axes and j whisky over a great region where these ! blessings were- formerly unknown, and the trading posts established by recent explorers have assisted m opening np an extensive commerce. Very little was known of this district before the advent of Stanley «nd Do Brazzt, and very little is known even now. But with the last few weeks it appears that something has gone wrong with civilisation on the Congo and unless the white man is willing to fight for the support of the good cause, an amount of damage may shortly be done wbioh it will take 1709 collections, 18,000 tea meetings, and a million revival ahivoos and cab-mlsaons to undo. During the last twelve months the farthest outpost of human progress has been the mili'ary station at Stanley Falls, where Bomo fifty native soldiers and a few Belgian ■ffioers have represented the cause of Christianity. To-day the said cause is V: presented there by the aehoa of a dor en huts, halt a nigger hanging by hie legs from a tree, a hymaa who is suffering from dyspepsia through eatiog too much officer, and six gorged orooodiles, who wink knowingly at eaoh other as they pi ok bits of soldier out of their teeth with a spear. For some time pant the Africans have been growing weary of goodneßß and virtue, and have begun to use bad lan guage regarding the strangers who were swallowing them up, aud at last the native home rule statesmen descended on the station at Stanley Falls, and put the entire garrison to the olub. Then they divided the oivilisiog kiokahawa which the Bettlera were wont to pass on them m exchange for gold and ivory, and grilled the missionary, and ate the mission dog, and vowed they would have Afrtaa for the Africans, and the Oontineut would be pervaded by the white trash no longer. So far, however, there was no harm done. The native soldiers could be easily rpnlaced; there were plenty more Belgian officers to be had where the others came from ; and a new missionary and a fresh dog could be imported at very short notice. Bat according to report, the blinded heathen are now pouring down the Congo, vowing to wipe the Free State off the map, and unluckily the Republic ha 3no aimy to oppose them, while its navy, consisting of one old woman of-war, is praotfolly useless. 8c i far, too, negotiation has failed, for «rhen a rash young pastor, relying on an old friendship with Ti; pity Tib, the home > rule leader, called at the camp of that i skull-hunting monster, he merely wiped i away a tear, and ordered the pastor'e head to be stove m with a log, and hit i carpet bag to be broken open and ran sacked. At this cr'sis Mr Stanley ktndlj offered the moral ir flueno* of his name i but unless that moral icflience can be shot out of a gun it is hardly likely to result m much, and it is becoming terriblj i evident that something desperate must be i done at very short notice, or the Conge ' Free Stato^ia doomed to extinction. — i " Rookhampton ßulletin."

EXTRAORDINARY WATCH NIGHT SERVICE.

A correspondent writes to the " Daily Newfl'^ : — Undoubtedly one of tbe most extraordinary Watch Night Services known m tho history of the Church was that held on .New Year's Eve m oonneo. tion with the Church of the Ascension, ! Lavender Hill. Members of the con gregation only were invited, and admission wee by ticket. Watoh was kepb . that reporters should be excluded, but " out sldera" managed to be present, and sub joined is a short description of the pro ceedings by one cf the latter. The ao oftlled service was not held m the ohuroh itself, but m a large hall adjoining it. The hall itself presented a purely theatri cal aspect. The platform was fittad up as a Btage, with the usual footlights and drop curtain. A pianist and a ohoir composed of ladies and gentlemen were at one side of the stage, hidden by a screen. Immediately preceding the com' menoement of the service tbe vicar of the ohuroh, m the courae of a few remarks, mentioned that it would consist of a series of " saored tableaux," representative of the Fall of Man, the Promised Seed, and the Nativity. The first scene was a Btriking and wonderful one. The curtain rose to reveal m plenty Oriental plants and flowers, and a beautifully depicted background, representing the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve, with skin cover ings, appeared on the rigLt, despondent nod melancholy ; while on the left, stand ing on a rugged ledge of rook, was the angel, ewocd m hand, [and beckoning firmly towards the gato. At a bell-signal the curtain dropped amid the singing of "Bat the Lord is mindful of his own." Some instrumental music followed, after which the vicar quoted passages from Genesis desoriptive of the birth of Ifthmasl, the promise to Abraham of a son, and the birth ol Isaac. To this Ecene the music consisted of two verses of the one Hun dredth hymn. The third tableau showed the reward of Abraham's obedience. In the. front of an altar composed of rough stone dtood Abraham holding leaao by the Bhoulder, as if m the act of slaying him. In the rear stood the aogel with the com mand, "Touch not the lad." In the fourth soene Isaiah stood before King Ahaz " by the end of the oonduit of the upper pool." It also delineated tha refusal of the king to ask a sign, and piotured the prophecy. " Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name loa manuel." This scene, a? told m Scrip ture, was oarefally represented. In the fifth tableau, there was presented the vision of Daniel, and i he angel Gabriel's appe«*raooe to him. In the sixth tab* leau there wai shown the appearance m the Temple of the angel Gabriel intimat ing to Z .oharias. the prieet of the " order of Abia," the llrth of his son, Jobn the Baptist. The seventh Boene represented, kneeling to the an^el Gaoriel, the Virgin Mary with the 'annunciation of the birti of the promised Saviour. In the next soene was shown the visitation of the Virgin to her coimln, Elizabeth, previous to the birth of John the Baptist. The last tableau exhibited the Nativity, and the Adoration of the Magi. The babe Uy m a rough manger, behind which sat the Virgin Mother admiring the child; Another selection of music brought this remarkable performance to a conclusion. The stage fittings were elaborate, and the costumes of the actora and actresses were really*gorgeoua. The cost muat have been very great,

HEALTH RECIPES.

Cloths dipped into hot patato water And laid on the put a/Footed are said to ffford immediate and complete relief io the severest cases of rhematism. An ex change earnestly recommends the remedy to a offerers

Good Housekeeping 'says that ft flinnel bag stuffed with hops and wrong from hot vinegar will relieve earache speedily if it is placed over the ear and the whole side of the face covered with a cry fUnnel. . Dr Sackett of IthaoA publishes tha following remedy for diphtheria : Tritu rate together equal parts of blood root and driod sulphate of iron. DOS 9, two gralm every four hours. Put it on the tongue dry. For the disagreeable sensation known as heartburn, which no often accom panies indi<;e<t n, a saltspoonful of common salt ditolved m half a wineglass ful of water and drank is as effective a remedy as a dose of saieratas water. flit is said tit 1 , those who have suffered Intensely from asthma hare found almost instant relief from a single teaspoonfnl of warm honey. A professor of medicine has declared that honey disturbs the formation of fnogold growths, and Uf, therefore, been of great vie as » preven tive of thrush iv babies. It Is also olalmed that an ointment made of honey and flour is an excellent remedy for boila. The medical authorities claim that its internal use cannot be too highly prAiisd}

THE OUTLOOK IN EUROPE.

Day by day the telegraphic news received from Europe strengthens the belief that the opening of spring will witness the outbreak of the hostilities which have so long been threatening, and as the crisis draws nearer we can begin to discern a little more plainly the way m which, at the outset, events are likely to shape themselves. It has long been apparent to all who have I given even the most cursory attention to the signs of the times that a struggle between France and Germany -was among the certainties of the near future, and the imminence of the pre cipitation of the conflict has been pro minently manifest m the attitude of Bismarck m the matter of the Septen nate Bill, and m the feverish haste with which both Powers have been increasing their armaments, and pre paring for the victualling and equip ment of their enormous armies. Concurrently with these immense pre parations for war m Western Europe, Russia and Austria have been equally active m the East, and the intrigues of the former m Bulgaria and Afghanistan have plainly pointed to the pretexts which are presently to be put forth as justifying a commencement of hosti lities on her part. Italy, too, has been as actively preparing ior eventualities, and never m their history were the five Great Powers named m so complete a condition ot readiness — never m the history of Europe were there such enormous armies so perfectly equipped and munit r oned ready for the signal to fly at each other's throats. The situ ation m both directions has been for some time one of growing tension, and it is impossible that the present condi tion of affairs can be long sustained. A rupture is absolutely certain, and that it will come speedily we fully be lieve. Whether France or Germany will first draw the sword, or whether Russia will be the first to move, we shall probably know ere this month is om, but meantime the latest news strengthens the belief which we have already on several occasions ex pressed that the trouble will begin m more directions than one, and that we shall, m all probability, see nearly the whole of Europe ablaze. Writing so long ago as the 4th January we said : " While these two Great Powers (France and Germany) stand ready to spring at each other's throats, Russia is watching her own opportunity. . . Her chance will come so soon as France and Germany have crossed awords, Indeed, the indications point to an understanding between herself and France on this point, hence it would seem that Germany will have to reckon with both Powers as offensive and defensive allies. In that case Austria will necessarily tktow m he* lot with Germany, and probably Italy also, and as the latter Power can, it is said, within a week, mobilise an array of half a million men, the tripartite Germano-Latin alliance will present a front of steel which Russia and France will find it hard to break. 11 The opinion thus expressed as to the probability of Germany, Austria, and Italy ranging themselves on one side is fully justified by the event, the latest cable news indicating that the Powers named have entered into the tripartite alliance we indicated, at anyrate to the extent of the mutual defence of the inviolability of one another's territory; and there is strong confirmatory evi dence of the understanding between Russia and Frence which we thus, two months ago, referred to as probably existing. If then France should attack Germany, it is certain that the latter will have the assistance of Austria and Italy, while if Russia should attack Austria she will have to reckon with Germany and Italy also. Strange as it appears to have to say so after the great struggle of thirty years ago, Turkey seems likely to be an ally of Russia, and if*it should happen that France, Russia, and Turkey take sides against Germany, Austria, and Italy, it would almost seem that the weight of forces would be rather on the side of the former. But if Great Britain is drawn into the trouble, her weight will be thrown on the German side, and m that case France, Russia, and Turkey would be overmatched. It is pos* sible that Russia m contemplating this eventuality hopes that Eng land will be embarrassed and crippled by trouble m Ireland and India, and m expectation of this may dare the issue, but on the other hand there is just room to hope that if England speaks out plainly Russia may hesitate to precipitate a struggle whose only hope of success is m: con tingencies which may not come off quite as anticipated. Altogether the situation is as ominous as it is possible to conceive, and we fe?r that it is next thiog to certain that a few days, or at most weeks, will witness the outbreak of the most of terrible war of modern times. Even yet is possible that it may be averted, but we do not believe, for an instant, that it will be, and we shall not be m the least surprised to hear at any moment that hostilities have been actually commenced.

Take Hop Bitters three times a Stf, Utf you will have no doctor's bills to pay* Ttytt made by American Co gee

THE ABHBPRTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1887



BAILWAY TIME TABLE Tbainb Abbivb lx Ashbubton— -From Ohrist- [huroh and the North, at 10.16 a.m. (express*), 4.85 p.m., and 7.10 p.m. From Timaru, 19.45 a.m. From Dunedin and South, 5.27 cm. (express). From Mount Somers, 10 t 6 fc.to Tavraa Lhjivk Ashbubton— For Christ. huroh and North, at 7.10 a.m., 10.55 a.m., %n 6.37 p.m. (express). For Dunedin and lonth, 10.25 a.m. (express). For Timaru, t5 p.m. For Mount Somera, 6.5 p.m



Holloway's Pills and Ointment.— Rheu- matism and Gout. — These 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 wih warm water, when the oint- ment should be diligently rubbed upon the ad- jacent skin, unless the Motion causes pain. ; Holloway's Pills should be simultaneously , taken to diminish pain, reduce inflammation, ' and purify the blood. This treatment abate.3 ; tho violence, and lessens the frequenoy of ' gout, rheumatism, and all spasmodio diseases which spring from hereditary *predipposition, or from any accidental weakness of constitu- tion. The Qintment oheoks the local malady, i while the Fill restore vital power,



SPOBTING. GUNS. GUNS. GUNS. SINGLE and DOUBLE-BBEECH and MUZZLE-LOADING . Guns now landing nnd m Stock ; the Greatest Variety ev9r shown m Ashburton. CALL EARLY AND INSPECT OUR STOCK. Prices very low QUALITY NOT TO BE BFATBN. A L S 0 ,— Powder, Shot, Caps, Car' ridges, Cart- ridge Cases, ana all Boqti'sites for Sporting Purposes AT EQUALLY LOW PBICES. ORE& ALCORN, IMPORTERS.



Special advertisements. T AM A i^ASH pUROHASER or WHEAT OATS BARLEY RYE GRASS GEOEGE JAMESON, ASHBUKTON, 2°lol ( " s 1 WILDING AND LEWIS, [ T> ARRISTERS AND * F. WITbING, Notary Public. Offices: Next "Mail" Office, Burnett-fit., Ashburton. Mr Wilding will attend the sittings of the Ashburton Courts on Tuesday and Fridays, and may be consulted personally n these days. 3 The firm Is now repreiented m Ash- burton by Mb Clayton, an English Solicitor of considerable experience, who will be m daily attendance >t the office to receive instructions »nd confer wltb olents. *100 8 WHITE, CAYGILL, & CO., BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS, i J. W. WHITE, Notary Public, is hereby given that the ' undersigned, Messrs White aw» g o. (White, Smithson, and Raymond), of n fimaru, and John A, Cayoill, of Ash* )• burton, have this day entered Into t Partnership as Banisters and Solicitors, •£ at Ashburton, nnder the style of "White, v Oaygill and Oo." Mr J. W. White, will attend the sittings of the Courts at Ash- © urton. WHITE & CO., l» JOHN A. OAYQILL, Money to lend In any sums on approved freehold security. Offices: Bnllook's Arcade 10*803 c ' ' c .. fVHE undersigned have Just Received B X FRESH SUPPLIES OP NEWCASTLE COAL > WESTPORT COAL V.D.L. TIMBER V.D.L. PALINGS BOILED AND RA.W OIL 3 CASTOR OIL WHITE AND RED LEAD B AMERICAN LOOKS HOUSE VARNISH SCRIM WIRE NETTING WIRE NAILS [) FENCING WIRE (Barb) FENCING WISE (Plain) a INSPECTION INVITED. >, McCallum and Co., J TIMBER, IRON, AND COAL t MERCHANTS, MANUFACTURERS & IMPORTERS, a > 1 1 NEW BOOKS a AND NEW SUPPLIES OF BOOKS. 1 ii H. J. WOOD & CO., STATIONER'S HALL, 240, BIGH ST , CHRISTCHURCH, And Fbiedlandeps' Bdildikos, ASHBURTON. WE receive from London publishing firms regular shipments of from 15 to 20 cases moDthly by the direct eteamers. The reading public are respectfully invited to inspect our large and varied I Stock of Books m every branch* of / Literature. As we buy for cash and buy largely, we are allowed extra discounts, and are io a position to give exceptional advan- tages to our customers, and a liberal discount on parcels and to Library Committees. H. J. WOOD & CO., Wholesale and Retail Booksellers and Stationers, CHRISTOHURCH & ASHBURTON. ACCOUNT" BOOKS In_ every variety of size and style .of ruling, from the largest Imperial Ledger extra super handmade, full calf, double Russia bands, down to a penny Pass Book. A very Large Stock always kept, and any style nnd s ; zo made to older. Writing, Printing, and Wrapping Papers m nny quantity. Commercial and General Stationery and every description of Stationers' Sundries. Commercial Note and Letter Papers, by the case or packet — an assortment of Over 3000 reamß m stock. ' Commercial Envelopes — over 3,000,000 * m stock m Chmfchurch. Cream Laid Ruled Foolscap — over 350 reams m stock. Brown Wrapping, Double Imperial, various weights, by the bale or ream — best valuo m New Zealand. School Exercise Books— over 100 gross assorted m stock. School Slates, Copy Books, and Schol Requisites. Parchments ruled and headed "This Deed." SUBSCRIBE R£ WANTED For Illustrated London News, Sporting And Dramatic News, Scientific American, Young Ladies' Journal, Family Herald, Family Reader, The tJraphic/ Engineer, Punch, Home Kcws. Europenn Mail, Bow Bella.— -Wo deliver m town immediately on arrival, and we post to subscribers m all parts of the country without delay. > H.J.WOOD&CO. Etationerfl' Hall, 240, High street, OHRIBTOHURCF, And at Friedlanders' Buildings, ASHBUBTON.



Wanted. ' • 1 PLUMS, PLUMS, PLUMS-Plnms in| any quantity, for preserving, at A. W. Rawdbll's, Town Ball WANTED two General Farm Servants. Must be good Ploughmen.— C. H. Dowding, Coldstream. WANTED— Good oook and laundress; good wages to a eultible person. Apply Mn Max Feibdlandbe, Kolmar, Moore street. 3 29 WANTED Known— For oheap drapery go to H. O. Segbrs' 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 tnd Bruth- ware.— James McGregor, Grooer, Etc., Tailored Street, opposite Arcade. T^URNITURE— To meet the times, W. Jj DAVIS, Cabinetmaker, East street. Ashburton, is now selling Furniture of all kinds cheaper than ever. Chest oi Drawers, £1 5s ; Spring Couches, £1 5s Every other article equally cheap. All new furniture at second-hand price. 804 Special Advertisements. Drain Pipes. A LL SIZES— From 3 to 15 leches- A . With BENDS, ELBOWS AND JUNCTION* FOR SALE BY GEORGE JAMESON, ASBBURTON, W. F. HANNAFORD, (Burnett street, opposite " Mail" Office TINSMITH AND METAL-PLAT] WORKER, WISHES io inform the public c Ashburton an! the surrotmdin districts that he keeps m stock or ca MANUFACTURE TO ORDER all d« scriptions of TINWARE for FARM o DAIRY purposes ; also, all REPAIRS c any nature promptly executed m a ekilf manner, AH goods sold at lowest remunerativ prices. A Triai. solicited. HORSE-HAIR and BEESWAX bougl m any quantity for CASH. 1 CENTRAL HOTEL JW. MoRAE having taken the abov , Hotel, solicits a share of patronag from the people of Ashburton and sui rounding districts. Best Brands of Wine' Spirits and Beers. Good Stablfng— Feeds, One Shilling, Horses and Bnggles to let on hire i prices to meet the times. For the convenience of travellers hansom cab will meet all trains. KBW ZEALAND CLOTH I N( FACTOR f THE NEW GOODS FOR TH; SUMMER SEASON ABE NOW OPENED OUT. The Stook ia THE LARGEST & BEST SELECTE] W THE TOWN, And the variety of Style and Patterns ii Men's, Youths', and Boys' Clothing leaves nothing to be desired. Phousands of Men's and Boys Suit* newest styles. Trousers and Tronser and Vests manufactured of Nov Zealand Tweedß. Every garmen warranted shrunk Jvercoats, Waterproof Coats and Legging m great variety Hats, comprising every new style worn Children's Jersey Suits, Children's Men of- War Suits Gentlemen's Hosiery, Scstvob ; Oxfort Uegatta and White Shirts Rugs, Portmanteaus, and Travelling Bsgi The celebrated WEBTHEIM SEWINC MACHINE. Time Payments. N Z OLO: BING FACTOHF. East Stbist GREAT ANNUAL SALI SUEPLUS STOCK OP DRAPERY, CLOTHING, AND BOOTS. Comnr. cueing Saturday, Jan. 22, GEEATEST BARGAINS Ever offend 111 Ashbarton. FOR_PBIG£B BBSaHANDBILLS. ANDREW ORE



Victoria House. IN Ooneequence of Requisite Alto: ations to Premises, which will afford greater fscilitic a for conducting our rapidly increasing business, it has been found necessary to Greatly Reduce our Stock within ths cext few weeks. Large and 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 (lift Distribution to be satisfactorily closed. DIMANT& COE, GENERAL DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, &c, East and Tancred streets, Ashburton. at ' ... ...-.,



ms^'^^t T>m 0F MB&'PAULING has REMOVED to S~ WALTON COTTAGE, Green Lank, Hampstead 145 MHB MANHIRB, FANCY GOODS WAREHOUSE, Saunders' Buildings, East street. ITIANOY STATIONERY, Toys, and |j Christmas Presents m variety. Christmas Cards, &c, &c. LadieB 1 and Children's Pinafores and Aprons, &c , &c, 9624 CAUTION TO POACHEES. 3"N consequence of so much Poaching of *■- Trout from the Lagmhor Oreekß I hereby give notice that anyone found re doing will be prosecuted ; and furthe? that a reward of £20 will be paid to nnj person who will give each information *,& ahall lead to the conviction of such Renders. DONALD- MoLEAN, 11*36 Lagmhor; mOWLE'S PENNYROYAL AND X STEEL PILLS FOR FEMALES quickly correct all irregularities, and relieve the distressing symptoms so pre* /alent with the sex. Boxes 13 l|d 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 KIBKPATRICK'S NEW SEASON'S JAM. SPECIAL NOTICE. TT-IBKPATBICK'S NEW SEASON'S XV JAM is made from NELSON GROWN FRUIT, and boiled within a few hours after the fruit 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 stock, which must be sold at any price but 4SK fbr KIBEPATBICK'S NEW SEASON JAM, and Bee that you get it. THE BEST 18 ALWAYS THE CHEAPEST. Kirkpatrick'a New Season Jam is the best. CAUTION. None is genuine unless out name is stamped on each tin, and has our registered Trade Mark "Lord Nelson' on the label, S. ; Kirkpatrick & Co. MANUFACTURERS, NELSON, N.Z, \2