The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1888. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Capt Wray, who has been appointed to the Magisterial oharge of Aehburton, presided m the looal Court for the first time this morning.

The programme for the forthcoming meet* ing of the Tradesmen'tJ Raoing Club appears n this issue.

Nob. 17 and 18 of Leslie's Parliamentary' Portraits are to hand, and are devoted to (he members for Dunedin East, the Hutt, Lyttel ton, and Nelson. Three of the four likenesses ar« not bad, the exoeption being Mr Joyce, who is grossly libelled by the artist; Mr Allen's portrait is tho best decidedly, Mr Fitzherbert's and Mr Levestam'a fair. More than two feet of snow haß fallen m the Arrow district. A large quantity of crop is still standing, and it is feared that much of it will be ruined. A curious relio of Napoleon I. has been bought m Venice by Prince Napoleon. It is a portrait of the great Emperor worked m hiß own hair, and was given by him to a noble Venetian lady m 1800. A lot of Chinese gamblers were arrested m Chicago recently, but when arraigned for trial fourteen of them looked bo muoh alike that "they could not be identified, and consequently were discharged. Nearly all of the 600 native newspapers m India are bitterly opposed to Christianity. Sooieties are being organised for the dissemi nation of the sceptical writings of England and Amerioa. One Rajah is circulating at the great fairs 2,000,000 Hindoo traots, printed and distributed at his own expense. " The word ' synonymous,' " said the eohool master, "is easily explained. For instance, 'drunk and intoxicated' are synonymous— you fill understand that." "Why," said a large-headed ;lad at the bottom of the olass, "my father gets synonymous every night." • The " Wellington Post " states that not withstanding tho Hon Dr Pollen's indigna tion laat session at the reduction of the honorarium and his melodramatio exit from {.he Oounoil Chamber, he has not Bent m hiß resignation, but he has drawn the honorarium.

A curious phenomenon was to be seen at Lake Foray th, Little Biver, the day after the late gale. The heavy seas having washed away the shingle pit that blooks m the lake, the water emptied itself into the sea, leaving the bottom of the lake exposed and revealing a mast of live eels, whioh, m the opinion of those who saw them, would have filled a small ship.—" Press."

The •• Wanganui Herald " writes :— " The prophesy of Cobden about all the nations becoming bo impressed with the advantages of Freetrade, is one of the standing subjects of ridioule. It has been for some time falsified and reversed. 0 The very opposite is true. There is soaroely a nation m Europe but has beoome convinced that Protection is neoeseary to prosperity, One of those who clung longest to Freotrade, and whose fidelity to Oobdenism was almost the sole consolation the Freetraders had left, has at length gone over. After a violent controversy, Sweden has declared for Proteotion, and a Protec tionist Ministry has been sworn m, with the avowed intention of introducing without delay a tariff protecting looal industries."

A correspondent writes to the "Sydney Morning Herald "; — There is now m flower m the bulb enoloaure m Hyde Park, a remark* ably fine specimen of a Cape irid, known to botanists a Crooosma aurea (the golden oroous of the universe). This epeoimen is exactly 4 feet m diameter, and has about 300 spikes, bearing upwards of 3000 flowers of a bright orange oolor, striped with an annular ohooolate-oolored band. It is the largeßt | specimen of its kind on record. Horticul turists know the difficulties attending the cultivation of this erratio plant; bat m the ! present instance these difficulties Beem to have I been overoome. [ A singular thing has happened at Madrid. Queen Isabella— the mother of the late King— has been ordered to leave the capita), She had begun a serious intrigue to involve the Begent m taking Bides upon domestic politics whioh must have meant the ruin of the dynasty. The scheme being discovered, Senor Sagasta required that she should at once desist, or leave Madrid, and the ez- Queenlohose the latter alternative. At Buda-Pesth a very ourioua experiment is being tried. A very deep well having been bored, hot water was brought up from it, giving a temperature of 158 deg. Fahr. A Boientifio man having discovered that at a greater depth the water was even warmer, it has been determined to bore till 176 deg. Pah. are reached when an effort will be made to heat houses, churches, and conservatories with the supply that is obtainable, estimated at 170,000 gallons a day. 11 What time ia it young man ? " asked 'an old lady, all out of breath, as she struggled into the station. •' One thirty, ma'am." " Thank Goodness. I'm m time for the four o'olook train," she said, as she deposited a oarpet bag and a couple of bird cages on the floor t " this travelin' about an' ketohin trains ia upsettin' to the nervous system."

The North of Scotland Bank (Aberdeen) has paid a regular dividend of 12 j per oent sinoe 1875. That means that the share holders doubled their oapital m 1883, rook ing at simple interest only; A person pur chasing shares to the value of £1000inl$75 would have had £200 to his credit m 1883, and at the present moment his original l n . vestment would be worth about £260. This is unearned inorement with a vengeanoe.

We remind our readers (bat the Harvest Thanksgiving Service at St Stephen's Ohuroh will be held this evening at 7-80. The Rev Walter Harper, of St, Michael's, Ghristohuroh, will preaob, and the thanksgiving offerings will be for the siok and needy of Ashburton. We understand that arrangements are m progress for the initiation of a series of six penny Saturday night oonoerts under the auspices of members of the Temperance Sooieties. A strong choir is m course of for mation, and a large amount of looal assist ance has been already scoured. The pro gramme will comprise addresses (limited to one on eaoh evening) and vooal and instru mental performance. The first conoert is likely to .take place on Saturday week, and due nutice will be given by advertisement. The year 1888 promises to be more pros perous with goldminers m Viotoria than any for the last ten years. There are 25,797 miners m the colony, The average yield from quartz as per last return was 9dwt. 19grs. per ton. The deepest shaft m the colony is the old Magdala, at Stawell, now called Moonlight, whioh is 2409 feet.

CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED MURDER.

[per pebss association.]

Dunedin, April 5. A middle-aged man named George Obald, a painter, living m Stafford avenue has been arrested on a charge of attempt ing the murder of hla wife. He came home the worse for drink and his wife left htm about midnight and went to bed. She was woke up by finding her husband tumbling about m the bed, and when she notloed him she found he had a knife m his hand. He aefzad her by the head and attempted to draw the knife soroas her throat. She succeeded m seising the knife bnt not before he had inflicted a slight wound under her chin. In the struggle the hlade of the knife came oat of the handle. The wound Is of the slightest oharaoter. Latke. Ohald was brought up at the Polloe Court and discharged. Hit action waa merely the result of a drunken spree, and his wife was not certain whether he had a knife m his hand.

A PECULIAR CASE

At the R.M. Court this morning David Kennedy, a labouring man, sued John Henry, the licensee of the Commercial Hotel for the sum of £6 9a 6d, money whioh he alleged he had placed m the ' hands of Henry, but had not received baok again. Mr Gnthbertson appeared for the' plaintiff and Mr White for the de fendant. The faots of the oase were eomewhat peoullar. The plaintiff glibly recounted the particular, of his olatm, but m cross-examination gave some rather queer evldenoe. He said that on Monday the 19th lost, he went to Henry's Hotel about eleven o'olook at night. He had £10 16s In a cheque, notes, gold and silver. He remained about an hour m the bar and spent about ten or twelve shillings. Mr Henry showed him to bed. When witness was taking oft his boots Henry came ln to the room and struok him on the head, Henry then sashed out of the room. Witness called to him to stand but he wonld not do so, and witness put on his boots and followed him to see what he had been struck for. There were two or three others In the bar. Aftef an altercation witness made it up with the defendant. He had some more drink and got Intoxicated. Before galng to bed the second time witness gave the cheque to Miss Henry, but did not get hia change. Tho next morning wit ness found that he had only £3 10a. Asked Henry where the cheque was. He said that he had given witness the change, and told him to dear ont. — By Me White : Gave the oheqne to Miss Henry before he wenT'to bud the second time, Had not a dear remembrance of what coourred after going to bed the first time, Did not leave the room after going up the second time, till four or fivo o'olook next day. Had never brought a similar aotlon against hotelkeepere ; had never brought an aotlon for money whioh he said he had placed ln their hands and not received back again. The witness reiterated that he remained In his room from about four o'clook on the morning of the 20th till about 5 o'olook on the afternoon of the same day. In reply to another question by Me White! the plaintiff ealdhe remem bared Mrs Henry oountlng him out some money on the morning of the 20th — early In the morning- He waa then asked how he reoonolled this statement with hie previous one that he was m bed all day. He then sa'.d that by " early morning" he meant about 5 o'olook m the evening/ as he had been m bed all day. The witness denied all reoolleotlon of any money hav ing boen given him on the morning of the 20th; .

Mr Whit?, la openlngjthe oaae for the \u25a0defence, indicated the eyidenoe he would lead. The plaintiff, so far frcm being assaulted by defendant, was himself the aggressor, and It had been necessary to pat him oat, bo he did not sleep at the hotel at all, Tt was not possible for him to have given the oheqae as he alleged to Miss Henry, as she was away that night t»t a ball. On the following morning he came into the bar with a mate ; had some drinka and tendered the oheqae, shange for which was obtained from the Batik and glvea him, a faot which there were witnesses to prove. The oase was a tramped up one. Mr Ou .hborteon Baid that he would withdraw from the case if the faots were as stated by Mr White. His instructions were altogether misleading. Mr White naid he would rather the case went on* His olient was a botelkeeper and it was moßt necessary that there should be nothing against him. It was possible, too, that his olient might take farther steps m the matter. Mr White then led evidence as follows : — Andrew Graham, dyer at the Ashburton Woollen Factory, weot into the bar at Henry's between 10 and 11 o'clock on the morning of the 20th. The plaintiff was there and a man who appeared to be his mate. The plaintiff was kicking up a bother about the change of a oheqae, Mr Henry told him he would have to wait till the Bank was opened, A few minutes after someone oame m with the change, which Mrs Henry gave to plaintiff, cix or seven notes and some silver. He seemed dlsaatlsfiad, and Mrs Henry called her husband who oounted the money to plaintiff. Plaintiff then oounted over the money put kt m his pocket and went oat.— John Henry, tha defendant, said that the man shouted four drinka on the evening of the 19th. He gave witness half a sovereign and witness returned 8s change. The man was drunk j when he oame into the house. Witness gave him a soda as his drink. Witness got him to his room and asked for the price of the bed baoause he did not think he would get it if he allowed it to remain, fa response th» plaintiff grappled with him and half ohoked him- Witness to get away struck him. Witness then went | downstairs and a minute or two afterwards the plaintiff came down too. After gener ally misbehaving himself, the plaintiff was pat oat of the hoqsu, Only witness and his wife were at home that evening, his daughters being away at a bull. The next morning about nine o'clock, Ken nedy's cheque was brought to witness, Witness told him ho would have to wait till Uie bank was open. Witness corrobor ated Graham's evidence as to what subse quently occurred. Mr Oathbortson at this stage said he would take a nonsuit. Hifl instructions had entirely misled him; The Maglatrate nonuulted the plaintiff with goitf uraoaDtlnp to £3,

REVENUE RETURNS

(PJBB PRESS ASSOCIATION )

Sydney. April 4. The revenue returns for the year are published, and show the revenue for the twelve months ended March 31st at being an increase on the revenue for the previous year of .£725,000. The revenue for the' January-March quarter falls short of the estimate by nearly

Brisbane, April 4. The revenue for the quarter ended 31st March was showing a substantial increase under every head.

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBUKTON— THURSDAY

(Before Captain Wray, R M.)

DRUNKENNESS,

Johrf Aoderaon waa fined 5 3, or 24 houra.

Joaeph Anderson, for having " been drunk while m oharge of a horse, waa fined 20a and coata.

Henry Martin waa charged with a similar offenoe, and was likewise fined 20 1 and coats. James McMillan was charged with hav ing been drank while In oharge of a dray m East street. Fined 20s and costs. BOBOUGH BY-LAWS. Robert Hlokß, for allowing a ohimney to be on fire, was fined 10s and costs, James Johnston was charged with hav ing left a horse and oart unattended with out having first looked Ihe wheel. He was fined 53 and oosta. MAINTENANCE ORDER. James O'Meara, an old man of 72 years of age, applied for a maintenance order agalnat two of his sons, who are oooupylng respectable positions m another part of the oolony. The evldenoe ohowed that the applicant, who was for some years an Inmate of the Old Men's Home, had met | with an aooldent by breaking his leg some I time ago, and was not able to do any but very light work* It was also shown that he had left his family to their own devices many yearn ago, and had In no way con tributed towards their maintenance. The sons offered to make him an allowance of 10a per week, and to pay £15 for his passage out of the oolony, which was ao oepted and an order made accordingly. — Mr Wilding appeared for applicant ; Mr J. W. White (instrnoted by Mr Oriip) for defendant. THE WAKANTJI FIRE.. James Ooohrane applied th*t Philip Maguire should be boand over to keep the peace towards him.— Mr Wilding ap peared Id Bnpport of the information, and Mr Purnell for the defendant. —It will be remembered that about a month ago | the oomplainant lost four stacks of wheat by fire. Maguire was arrested on a charge of arson, but the police after a remind withdrew the charge, aa a prima facie case could not be made out. Maguire, it was alleged, shortly before the fire made nse of threatening language, Baying that he would " burn" something or other. The complainant alleged that he was m fear of further losses, and applied to have tha defendant bound over. The following evidence waa taken : — James Oochrane said that he was a farmer at Wakaonl. Defendant lived about half a ml'e away. Had known defendant 11 or 12 years. Had employed him on different ocoaalona, but with the exception of one day had not employed him within the laat threo years. On March sth defendant oamo to witness 1 place and demanded £9 odd for wages which he alleged had been due to him for four yoara. Witness only owed a small balanoo of 15i, and that even had been reduced by goods supplied. When wltnesa rafused to pay the £9 de fendant used very violent language and said "You'll loße more than this within the next few days. I'll burn it for you." The conversation took place about the middle of the farm and witness under stood him to refer to the grain ataoks. After what had happened witness waa sure It waa the grain stanks defendant referred to. Defendant, after threatening to burn, went away very exolted. Two days afterwards witness had four staoks burned* Witness was afraid of Magalre ) he was afraid he might do worse. Maguire la very violent and abusive. About threa years ago he used violent language to wltnesa and wltneaa had refused to employ him sluoe.-- By Mr Purnell : witness did not on that oooailon offer him a cheque for leas wages than were duo to him. When Maguire oame to witness on sth Maroh he said he had brought an account owing for four years. Witness handed it baok saying he only owed a small sum and if Maguire came up some evening he would settle. Magnlra threatened to sum mons wltneas. Did not remember Maguire saying that witness had not paid him m full on a previous oooaaion. Witness had no lllfeelfnK towards Maguire, only he had refused te employ him since using violent language three years ago. For some days prevlouo to the fire there was a strong nor-weuter blowing. There had been fires m other pwtß of the district, and there were a number of swaggers going about. Wltneas never had a fire on his farm before ; he had not punished his son on one occasion for setting hla stacks on fire. Never saw a stack that oaught fire spontaneously. — John Doak, farmer, living near last witness's place, aald he saw Maguire on Monday, M*rch 5. Maguire told wltnesa that he had been to Qoohrano'a that morning about some money that had been owing him for the last few yeara. Witness aald that it was not likely that Ooohrane would owe him money for that length of time, and Maguire replied by making use of profane language. Maguire was a man who was excitable at times.— Sergt. Felton said that he had arreated Maguire In connection with a oharge of arson. Ha.d known him for the last ten or twelve yeata ; knew him to be of an excitable nature. He was very ecoentrlc ; at one time ho put himself forward aa a candidate for the General Assembly, and at another he announced that he would deliver a lecture on religion,— By 'Mr Purnell : Toe only evldenoe agalnat Maguire at the arson trial was Ooohrane's statement. (Mr Purnell examined the witne33 »& to the features of the axeon caae). This was the complainant's case. Mr Purnell, ater addressing the Court, oalled Philip Maguire who said that on Maroh sth he went to Ooohrane with an aooount. Ooohrane said he did not owe it, and witness replied that he would summona him, but he did not make uae of any threats. He did not threaten to burn him out. Sad no ill-will against him. Did not bavo a grudge against him now. The witness explained how he npent hh time from leaving Ooohrane's till he vras arrested. He was sleeping at the tine the fire occurred. Wltnesa would nol deny that ho might have made uao of bad language when speaking to D»ak. — Tho Magistrate said that tho evidoico would not justify him m making tha order asked for. He would allow no cods. CITE, OASES. Aahburton Publishing Company v H. Oookson. claim £42j 6d, Judgment for plaintiff by default W, B. Oomptonv J. WArd, claim £25. Oase adjourned f oi a fortnight. Baylla v W. T. Harrison, judgment summons £3 5s Si— Mr Oathbertson for judgment creditor, Mr Purnoll for defen dant — Oaae adjourned.

THE MARKETS.

(Pflß, PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

London, April 3. The wool list closed with 361,509 bales. Among the closing arrivals are the Apolld and Santa from Sydney ; Adolph from Melbourne ; Piako from N apier.

Consols, 102.

The Bank rate of discount is 2 per cent, the market, rate of discount is unchanged.

New Zealand Inscribed, ;£io2 159.. Metals are quiet, and prices remain at last quotations. Silver, 3s 7d. Meat steady at last quotations.

ADDINGTON LIVE STOCK MARKET

There was very fine weather for Wed nesday's sale and there were large entries of all descriptions of stock, with an average attendance of buyers : —

Fat Oatxlb — A heavy entry, the heaviest hore for many a day. At the commencement of the sale the attendance of " the trade" was but scanty, and it was at no time large The enquiry was also a very dull one, and a poor sale resulted, with a great many withdrawals, altogether most unsatisfactory business. Steers sold at from £5 to £7 6s and helfera and fat oows from £2 15s to £6 15s, being at from 13a to 15a 6d par 1001 b.

Stoeb Oattlb — A heavier entry than for some time past, but the enquiry showed little or no Improvement, and oalea were made at low rates, with repeated withdrawals; A lino of two and a half year-old steers In forward condition was sold at £3 per head. A line of cattle from the far North, Blenheim, Buffering In appearance from their long journey, sold as follows ;— Two to three-yeaivold steers, 50a to 57s 6 1 : ditto, heifers, 30s ; and oows to 325.

Dairy Cattle— A large entry, demand only middling j late rates remained un altered.

Fat Sheep— A full market, the quality ,1 being on the whole good, a few exception ally superior lines offering. The demand was fairly active, and late values rather more than maintained, though In the face of this a good number of withdrawals took place. As high aa 10s was bid for one line of orossbreds, but they were not sold. Store Sheep — A large number offering, a big proportion being old Bheep. A good clearance was effeoted. Young crossbred breeding ewes sold at from 4a 6d to 6a 9d per head, old enei from 2a to 3j 6d. Fat Lambs— A large entry and a fair demand. Prices ranged at from 4» 6d to 7a 91 Pigs — Not a heavy supply. Late values well maintained.

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(per press association.)

THE TARIFF BILL.

Washington, April 4.

The report of the Committee of Ways and Means m Congress is favor able to the new Tariff Bill.

CARRIAGE OF MAILS.

Paris, April 3.

Mr Henniker Heaton,- member for Canterbury m. the British House of Commons is on a visit to this city. Mr Heaton intends to inter view the French Government with a view to obtaining concessions for the carriage of Australian letters through France. He will ask [for a reduction of the present rates to 25 centimes for' letters, and 10 centimes for postal cards.

SUGAR BOUNTIES.

Stockholm, April 4. King Christian has signed a decree abolishing the sugar bounties.

ROUMANIAN CRISIS.

Bucharest, Aprils

M. Rosetti has formed a Ministry. King Charles is directing the foreign policy of the country owing to the disturbed condition of affairs.

THE ABYSSINIAN WAR.

Massowah, April 4. The Negus is now retreating m the direction oi Asmarie.

PROCLAIMED MEETINGS.

London, April 3.

The Right Hon Mr Balfour, Chief Secretary for Ireland, has proclaimed several meetings, proposed to be held on Sunday next.

SIR DILLON BELL.

Sir Dillon Bell, Agent-General for New Zealand, has expressed a desire to retire from that position m October next.

AUSTRALIAN FINANCE COM PANY.

London, April 4. The Australian Mortgage, Land, and Finance Company has declared a divi dend of 10 per cent for the half-year, and will issue a hundred thousand 3 per cent debentures.

MANIFESTO BY M. FLOQUET.

Paris, April 4.

M. Floquet has issued a manifesto m which he guardedly promises that radical measures shall be taken to augment 'the defences of France and revise the constitution when the opportunity is favorable, The mani festo has been coldly received.

AUSTRALIAN.

(JPBR PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Sydney. April 4.

Five trains are now running daily to Barrier, near Broken Hill mines. Labor is unprocurable there, and it is sug gested that Government should send unemployed from the National Park to Broken Hill.

The outcome of the threatened re duction of the masons wages is a victory for the workmen, the employers having given way.

VICTORIA.

MaitBOUKNB, April 4. A party of five men left Port Mel bourne on Friday on a fishing excursion. The body of one has been found drowned, but nothing has been seen of the rest. An Imperial despatch offers the ser vices of General Evelyn Wood to in spect the colonial forces if his expenses are guaranteed. Mr Gillies hesitates as to accepting the offer since Sir H. Parkes has refused. His Excellency the Governor was accidentally ridden down and thrown at the review on Monday. At first it was supposed he was not seriously hurt, but it has since been discovered that a rib was broken. It will be a fortnight i before he wi be able to get about, J

SUPPOSED LOSS OF LIFE

(per press association,)

In vekcargill, April 4. I 1 ; la almost certain tl.a<; two men lost their lives m the New Nlver lharbor on Tueaday morning. Mr Hatch's schooner Awarua was lying some miles below the town, awaiting a alaut to sail for Mao* quarrle'e lalanda. On Monday afternoon tfarry Ludson, seaman, and Andrew Scott, ih) cook, took the schooner's boat to go to Sandy Point for water. They left tho ship's boat there and taking another oime up to town, where they were saen m 89Voral hotels during the evening. Theywtri on board a veasal at the ietty after midnight, and were under the (nflaenco of liquor shortly after they left to go to the boat, and have not been seen since. Tula afternoon a fisherman coming up the river saw the boat at high water mark on the eastern shore with the mast brokeo. The weather on Tuesday morn lag was extremely stormy. JLudaon, better known here as Harry Nellson, was a Norwegian, aged 38 years ; Scott w*fl 21, and was the son of John Scott, upholsterer, Tay Btreet, who had the misfortune to lose another Jaon by a gun aooldent a few years ago.

FROM MIDDY TO GOVERNOR.

Sir John Tharston, m the coarse of a speech at the banquet at wh'oh he wag. entertained on his return to Fiji, treated his hearers to the following Interesting bit of biography. — "Rls return to the colony, with which he had been so long conneoted, certainly afforded him quite as ma oh pleasure aa It appeared to give to those present, and he would here take the opportunity to refer to the occasion of his first arrival on these shores, which, to gether with the opening Incidents of his career here, bad certainly bean mlsunder. stood. He found from a peruaal of a report of Jthe proceedings at a publio meet [ ing held here to arrange the reception to be given to him, that an old f tlend of his had stated that his arrival was due to the aooldenfc of a shipwreck and that It waa merely a fortuitous occurrence that he should have reached Fiji with some ship* wrecked sailors. That, lnfabt, his arrival was one accident, and hla entering the office of the British Consul another. Now this was not correct. He certainly had been shipwreokod, bat his arriving m Fiji was by no means by chance. He oom menoed his career at sea, and after having; been for many years voyaging thereon for other people, he determined to do a little on the same element on his own account. ' He accordingly went about for pleasure, amusing himself by botanUlng and other like methods of enjoyment. He arrived In Fiji by the John Wesley, and It was under the auspices of his esteemed old friend, Mr Oalvert, who waa then at the head of the Wesley an missionary body, that he really commenced his career here* Mr Culvert advised him to call on Oaptaln. Jones, the British consul, who met him cordially and Invited him to dinner. While partaking of Oaptaln Jones' hospi tality, he found they had been shipmates, he (Sir John) having been a midshipman on board an East lndlaman carrying troops, and by which Oaptaln Jones who was then an ensign, was a passenger. It was while relating an incident which ocoarred at a shooting party, that Captain Jones nald, ' Why, Tharston, I waa there,' and then the fact was gradually recalled of their having before met under the circumstances juab narrated. It was then that Captain Jones offered — If he, Sir John, would become his guest and would ooaoh himself In the duties, to recommend him to Lord Stanley— now Lord Derby — for appointment In the Con sular Oflioe. So that he took up the noel tiori of Oonaul by premeditation, add not by accident, and he now held In his hand a letter from Lord D9rby to CUptaln Jones, written In 1886, directing that offioer to hand to him the neoegjary commission. He hoped there would be no mUoon strnction of hio motive In relating thla anecdotes -Some of those present would' no doubt remember the story of a mem* ber of Parliament who declined to answer an opponent because, as he said, at one period his boots had been blaoked by the gentleman who, at the tlmß of speaking, was hla political adversary. * Well, sir I* was the reply of the other ; « Well, ilrf . Did I not black them well V That was the 1 feeling which animated him m recounting these matters. He did not refer to this because It might be supposed he we* ashamed of having risen from a humble possltion. In whatever position he might be plaoed, he would always strive, ai he always had striven, to do that which he had to do ' veil.' He said this, too, because some asserted, very erroneously, that he was an optimist, and that he had 1 the Devil's luck as well as hit own,' and that the various positions he had attained wet* all the result of aooldent. But he would be very oorry to trust to aooldent, or to have oommenood his oarear at Governor by an ucoldent."

THE ABOLITION OF BRIDES MAIDS

One of the notable features of fashion this year will, says a wttter Id the "Dally News," bathe gradual Usappaarance o£ bridesmaids from weddings. Nothing oan be prettier, la theory always and oooa* Bionally m reality, than a group o f white* clad maidens attending their frlat^ to the altar and illuminating the scene with their decorative presence. But under exiting arrangements, bridesmaids are a very ex. penßlve luxury. The bridegroom has not only to give eaoh of them a dainty costly present, bat he is expeoted to furnish them with bouquets as well. There h*i, of late, beon a tendenoy towards very tiny bridesmaids, whose tender age would naturally, redaoe the expenses of the pre sents m proportion to their years. Bat even these are disappearing m favor of small 80-cnllod pages, who know bo little of a page's dutieß that they alternately tread on the bride's train and trot after it, but who do not expect either jewellery or bouquets. The faot Is. that bridesmaids have, so to apeak, raised their terms to auoh an exalted height that human nature m the shape of exasperated bridegrooms, h&s begun to aok if they cannot be dis pensed wltb . And this will certainly come about unless as m " Ruddlgore, " there should be established an organised brigade of bridesmaids ready with their services on every oooasion and anxious to " Hail the bridegroom" In consideration of a very trifling fee. There are rumours of sharp practice on the part of young ladies who love jewellery more than is meet, and have been rashly asked to " choose some thing " for themselves aa -the bride* groom's gift. Diamonds are like horses m one respect ; namely that, few people seem to be able to resist cheating about them, more or less. On the occasion of a recent wedding affairs asaomed another phase m connection with the bridesmaids' presents. Ten girls can hardly expeot to be of one mind on auoh a aubjeot, and the bridegroom unwittingly oast a veritable fireband among them by saying -ho would leave the oholoo to them. To alter the \u25a0 simile, he thereby sowed dissension \u25a0 among them and reaped oonf uslon and disaster. Oaly two of the tan were unani mous, and on the wedding day the brlda found herself shorn of four of her friends who had quarrelled Irretrievably. Brides maids have simply extinguished them solves; it is more than possible that a hundred years hence tho soolal ohrontoler will be "reading up" their funotlons aod duties with a view to suggesting the revival of a pretty but obsolete old custom.

THE ASHBUETON GUARDIAN, THUBSDAY, APBIL 5, 1888



DIARY, Moon's Sun Sun Moon Moon ago at t^prll. Rises. Sots, Risos Bets, noonday fp.m. p.m. 2 Monday .. f1.21 5.47 0.48 0.5 SO 3 Tuosday .. 0.22 6.45 10.44 1.8 21 4 Wednesday.. 6.23 5.43 11.43 2 4 22 6 Thursday .; 6.34 5.41 • * 3.53 28 * a.m. 8 Friday.. .. 6.25 5.89 0.45 3.35 24 7 Saturday ... 6.26 6j38 1.47 4.9 35 8 Sunday .. 6.27 530 J 3.49 4.39 33 Moonlight Evenings. The Moon at 3 days old [shines till about 8 o'olook. The Moon at 6 days old shines till about half-past 10 o'olook. The Moon at 8 days old shines till nearly o'olcok in the morning. The Moon at 12 days old shines from sundown ill about 4 in the morning. The Moon at 15 days old is full, and shines all night. Th<j Moon at 18 days old rises about 0 p.m. and shines till morning, The Moon at 521 days old rises about 11 a.m. and shines till morning, The Moon at 24 days old rises about 2 a.ttt. and shines till morning, ; The Moon at 27 days old riWB about 4 a.m.. and jbJpQg till eu«*fo<



THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN. From and after the 80th November, 1886, the terms of Subscription to this journal will be as follows, viz. : — IF PAID IN ADVANCE '. Per Quarter., 6a 6d, by post, 9a 64 „ Half-year 12s 6d, by post, 18s 6d „ Year .. 24s Od, by post, 87a Od IF BOOKED Per Quarter.. 7s 6d, by poßt, 10s 9d „ Half-year 15b Od, by post, 21s 6d . „ Year .. 30s Od, by post, 43a Od Birth, Marriage, and Death Notices, if paid for at the time of insertion, 2a 6d eaoh /stamps may be stnt as payment) ; if booked, 4s eaoh. Announcements of Births, Deaths and Marriages sent for publication from the oountry distriots require to be verified by the signature of th person sending the notice;



Lazy and dull feelings always preoeed exok* noss, whioh nothing but Hop Bittera wl bftniib, Get the genuine American. Be«d



SkinnxlMen.— 'iWells' Health Rennwer, restores health aid vigor, oures Dyspepsia impotenoe, Sexual Debility. At ohomists an druggists. Kemphorne, Frosser and Co agent | rigtobunh



HOMiOWATt'g OINTMBNI AND PlM,3.— -As winter advances and the weathee becomes more and more inclement and trying the earliest evidenoes of ill-health must be im, mediately oheoked and removed, or a slight illness may result m a serious malady. Relaxed and sore throat, quinsey, influenza, obronio cough, bronohitis, and moat other pulmonary afifeottons will be relieved by rubbing this cooling Ointment into the skin as nearly aa practicable to the seat of mis- chief. This treatment, simple yet effective, is admirably adapted for the removal of these diseases during infancy and youth. Old asthmatic invalids will derive marvellous relief from the use of Holloway's remedies, which have wonderfully relieved many such sufferers, and re-established health after every (be? m«ftp» hideig'nally' ftp j •'• »> ' •



Wanted. WANTED to Sell -A P irst-claas Piano grand action. Cash or terms very liberal. Apply Hayes and Co. BOOTS.— We have reduced onr Boot List, and are selling them wonder- fully oheap. — H. 0. Melford Home. WANTED everyone to secure a supply of Aehburton Colored Flannels, Scarlet, Blue, Navy. Pink, and Marone, at less than the price of imported at the Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' buildings, and nowhoro lese at any price. B. Aloorn. ANTED Known.— Melford House la now Bhewlng a splendid assortment of Drapery, Millinery, Cloth- ing, Boots, &o, very cheap. ~\\ /"ANTED— Everyone to come and W see the nicest lot of Glass, China, and Earthenware ever shown In Ashbur- ton, and the Cheapest ever landed m New Zealand. Imported direct from the Manufacturers.— .Robert Aloorn, Saun- dera' Bnlldlnga. 3*ll rXTINTER.— We are now shewing a W Splendid Assortment of Ladles and Children's Ulsters m all the leading styles, very oheap. — H. 0. Segers, Melford House. WANTED KNOWN — Oleographs Scenery, and Oatholio Subjeots Oatholio Cards, good variety m Scraps Novelties m Penwipers, Crewel Wools and Silks, Knitting Cotton, Colored Crotchet Cotton, Transfers, Tinsel Balls, &c, &c. ( at Mas Manhirb's Fanoy Repository, Saunders' Buildings TENDERS. WANTED Tenders for one Grain Crop from about 400 Acres good land at Sooth Hinds Apply to DONALD FRASER, Shepheid's Bush, 4*21 Rangltati. TRY KIRKPATRICK'S SPECIAL QUALITY FRESH FRUIT "X" -JAM 8— NOTICE. f\VB. Special Quality "X" brand of \J New Season's JAM is made fr6m Fresh Fruit, within a few hours after It has been gathered; It thus retains the full flavor of the Fresh Fruit, and is the best quality It is possible to make. CAUTION : None is Genuine unless our Name Is stamped on the Tin, and has onr raglu- \ tered Tiade Mark, the letter •• X," on the ' L»bel, i S. KIRKPATRICK AND CO., » MANUFACTURERS, NELSON. J > t I b Important. THE Proprietors of the NEW ZEA- LAND CLOTHING FACTORY, at the reaueat of a large number of their Customers, have decided to oontinne their Aihburton Branch. Our Manager, Mr W. Sparrow, has juit seleoted an entirely NEW. STOCK, Suitable for the approaohing Season, and with a view of commanding a Large Business, he ha. our Instruc- tions to mark ALL GOODS AT THE Lowest Factory Prices. Oar Clothing being manufactured of the best New Zealand TWEEDS, well out and well made, is known as superior to any other make, and obtained the GOLD AND SILVER MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE AT THE WELLINGTON BXBIBITION. HALLENSTEXN BROS & Co. A new and varied Stoolc of HOSIERY, HATS, SHIRTS. SCARFS, TIES, PORTMANTEAUS, &0,, &o« To select from, all marked at the Lowest Factory Prices. 3 99



\u25a0HIEER. TIMBER. TIMBER. RHE UNDERSIGNED can Supply every Requisite for BUILDING PURPOSES. L Timber, Tron. Ridging, Spouting, Nails. Doors, Sashes, Cooking Ranges, tajpeterß, Paints, Oils, Brushes, Paperhanginge, Window Glass (all sizes), Looks and [1 gen. ALB o,— NEWCASTLE COAL WESrPORT COAL NATIVE COAL FIREWOOD SHORT LENGTHS. McCallum and Co., TIMBER AND COAL MERCHANTS AND IMPORTERS. W. H. COLLINS, Manager, \u25a0 \u25a0 0 — - THE CHEAPEST PLACE IN TOWN ZEALANDIA BOOf STORE EAST STREET ASHBURTOH * £^to SELLING OFF. q \u25a0» o Ep§9 Great ReflnctiMis ' £ l|i|||l|H 15 PER CENT* DISCOUNT UU^S^M " \u2666^ ~D "ItyTURRAY, Jeweller, having secured the Premise, lately Q J XI) • JjLJL oooupled by Mb Njbatb, Chemist, is now offering hli m gg STOCK lU ' C/) DISCOUNT OF 8a IN THE & PREVIOUS TO REMOVAL. 3 26 DIPPING REASON, 1888. BROOKE'S "Perfect" Sheep Dip. IS THE BEST FOR THE WOOL, AS PROVED BY PRAOTIOAL TESTS. "T)REPARED m accordance with the latest advancements m chemistry as applied to Jl the Woollen Manufacturing Industry. It is a decided Improvement on the old fashioned dipt and only requires a trial to prove its superiority. At the late Sheep- dipping Competition, conducted by the Canterbury Agricultural and Paßtoral Associa- tion, the K«Upoi Woollen Co., on behalf of the Association, for wool dyeing »nd general manufacturing purposes, awarded the first place to Brooke's " Perfeot" Sheep Dip ; In faot, Brooke's Dip was the only one that actually Improved the wool In this Important reaped, the undipped wool being second, whilst all the others were more or Itca discolored. The Association also pronounced BROOKE'S "PERFECT" SHEEP DIP to be superior to the Zealandia, Little's, Hatoh'n, Cooper's and McDougall's, and also to Leave the wool m better condition tban Thomas' Dip. Brooke's Dip having con- sequently been proved to be better than the English Dips, your praotioal support of the colonial article Is respectfully solicited. To emoce Brooke's Dip being more thoroughly lasting In Us good effects, m future it will be sent ont 20 per cent stronger free of extra charge. Proportions for vie.-—One Gallon of Dip to 100 Gallons to water- Mixes readily with oold water ; does not require stirring while dipping. Remarkably emollient, leaving the wool m perfeot condition, without the \u25a0lightest \u25a0tain from the first day of Dipping. Concentrated m composition to reduoe ooit oi oarriage, and put up In a portable handy form for me, it Is also one of the oheapeat Dlpi m the Market. REDUCED PRICE : 14s per tin, to make 200 gallons wash j 70s per o»se, con' talcing 5 tins, to make 1000 Gallons ; 65a per oase for not less tban 5 oaoei. Faokaget free. ,•115 F. MAKEIG, Agent, Ashburton] GEORGE JAMESON, WEST STREET* HAS FOR SALE,— Eye Rom, and Cape Barley, Plough Shares, Little's Sheep Dip, Thomas' Sheep Dip. AGENT FOR— New_ Zealand Fire and MarineJlneuranco Company, Riufeijot GROWING CROPS or STACKS accepted at lowest current rates, CASH PURCHASER OF WHEAT, OATS, and BARLEY. 2 % THE STANDARD FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. WITH UNLIMITED LIABILITY OF SHABEHOLDEBS.| m CAPITAL— £I.OOOJOOO STERLING. HEAD OFFICE"? DUNEDIN. TNBURERB have the most undoubted Security under this Company's Policiesi * -_S?2 ther , w ir an aßßurance of Prompt and Liberal Settlement of Claims. FIRE and MABINE BISKS accepted on all description of Property and Merchandise also Crop, Stack, and Machine Risks at . Lowest Kates of Premium. Fidelity of Persons holding situations of trust guaranteed. OFFICE £ HEREFOBD BTREET, CHRISTOHUBOH. (OppOßite.BankJof New Zealand.) SCOTT, Manager for Cante/bury.B ALBERT ROBERTS, \B AGENT, ASHBURTON