THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

From and after the 30th November, 1886, the terms of Subscription to this journal|will be follows, viz. : — IF PAID IN ADVANCE : Per Quarter.. 6s 6d, by post;, 9s 6d „ Half-year 12s 6d, by post, 18s 6d „ Year . . 24s Od, by post, 37s Od IF BOOKED Per Quarter.. 7s 6d, by post, 10s 9d „ Half-year 15s Od, by post, 21s 6d „ Year .. 30a Od, by post, 43b Od Birth, Marriage, and Death Notices, if paid for at the time of insertion, 2s 6d each (stampß may be Bent as payment) ; if booked, 4s eaob. Announcements of Births, Deaths and Marriages sent for publication from the country distriots require to be verified by the signature of the person sending the notice.

DIARY.

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'clock. The Moon at 8 days old shines till nearly 1 o'olcok m the morning. The Moon at 12 days old shines from sundowni ill about 4 m the morning. The Moon at 15 days old is full, and shines all night. The Moon at 18 days old rises about 9 p.m. and shines till morning. The Moon at 21 days old rises about 11 a.m. and Bhines till morning. The Moon at 24 days old rises about 2 a.m. and shinestiU morning. The Moon at 27 days old rises about 4 a.m. and shines till sunriee.

DEATH.

Bmithrbam— At Oreelc Road, Allenton, on February J2 b, Mary Jane, the hi loved wife of Jimeo Smither*nj, aged 41 years.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1888. THE TOTALISATOR CASE.

In view of a previous decision by Judge Richmond m a precisely ciniilar case there wbb never any queß ion as to what the decision of the Wellington Resi dent Magistrate's Court must be m the resent case of Nathan v. Stewards of the Island Bay Racing Club. It is be yond all doubt the law that persons lunning totalisators and- receiving moneys depointed as backing the chances of particular horses are simply Stb.B of the stakes m so many sT»gf?B atyd ,&r° bound to refund the stakes to the depository whenever tho ibi-ter choose to demand it . Parliament bas lejralißcd tbo ose • f tho totalisntor but it bas not enacted that money do pointed therein is to abide the issue of the event upon which it is staked and therefore h is open to «he losers m every case to deraa: d their money back If tbis were always done then of coarse there w.ould bo no winners, as tboso who bad backed the right liorse would only bo able to get back their original Btakes for there would be no pool of losers' money to divide. Jt appears too that the money staked can be demanded back m fall, hcuce the totalisator can deduct no percentage and would become an utterly OBelcß affair, as after the race it would be a case of "As you wero " with all parties. Of course this will put a stop to the use of the totilisator altogether unless a similar code of honor £s established m referenoo to totalisator stakes, as obtains m regard to ordinary " wagers" m. which t^ repudiation or non-payment of a fairly ma4a j^et ia regarded as " welching" and visited with oetracism from lji« turf and the ring. Tfaifl should certainly bo the case, for whatever opipiop may be held aa to the expediency of legal^ihg tlje uso of the totalisator, there can Le n.o fciyo ppjln/ons ebout the conduct of those who like the pit -n tiff m the case ou^tr notice admitted m the witnegßrbpx that had £h« horse he had backed won he would | hive claimed bio dividend, and jet . dem«nded bi^ n^opfy back when be bad I

lost — the money which had m fact been won from him by others who had shared his rise and were fairly entitled to their winnings. — But though no do bt some such code of honor will generally obtain, there are bo many « ases of dispute and dissatisfaction m connection with racing that it will probably be by no means an infrequent thing for losers to demand the return of their money, and as this will mean a considerable risk, either the totalisations per- cent ago will have to be largely incr ased, or its use must bo dis continued, unless some way can be found of protecting those who run the machine. This, however, we think, might very probably be effected by having a notice displayed on the front of the totalisator m large printed characters setting forth that money is only received on deposit, subject to the condition that the total bo deposited on any one event shall be divided among the backers of the winner less the per centage of the machine, and that no stakes shall be refunded to any other depositors, and by setting torth the like conditions clearly on all tickets issued. Possibly one of our sporting con temporaries (the " Referee for instance) will be good enough to look up that point, and inform backers of horse* as to whether the plan we have suggested will effectually meet the case. If it will not, then either the whole thing must ba made a matter of honor like an ordinary bet, or Parliament must be asked to amend the Gaming and Lot teries Act, or failing both these thinga the totalisator mast be given up alto gether. Many people will be of opinion that the third alternative is the best of all.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Upper Ashburton fioad Board notifies ' that all rafts unpaid on Maroh Ist will be Bued for. Property.Tax payers are reminded that to.morrow is the latest date for satisfying the demand without inourring the ten per cent, penalty. • Mr J. Healy bas on view at his shop some apples whiob were grown last year on the Alford Estate. The fruit is m a remarkably good state of preservation. The varieties are stone pippin and French Crab. A buggy aooident ooourred on Saturday afternoon. Dr Leahy waß driving near Mr Mr Sawle's farm, when the horse managed to npset the vehicle breaking both shafts. The dootor was thrown out but was not hurt. The horse galloped into town and fell on the asphalt at the Bank of New Zealand, doing come damage to the iron railing m front of the Bank. The following gentlemen have been nomi nated as a Lioeneing Committee for the Ash* burton district :— Rev R. F. G&rbett, Messrs T. Bullock, G. W. Andrews, B. S. Chapman, John Clark, J. Grigg, D MoLean, J. Mr Reid, T. Sealy-and D. Thomas. An election for five of the above named jwill be held on February 22.

Mr Neate, chemist, has on view at his shop several samples of Cornish and Bohemian tin ore m various stages of manufacture. He has also a specimen of the mineral found at Alford Forest which is alleged to oontain tin, so that anyone interested may easily compare the authenticated and tho supposed tin stone. A notioeable feature of the Bohemian and Cornish ores is their great weight, the Alford Foreßt mineral being exceedingly light ai compared with either. A oaae of rubbish m the pasiage between Messrs Tait's and H. M. Jones' shops caught fire yesterday afternoon, but was fortunately soon notioed and put out before it had time to spread. The firebells rang out an alarm, but the servioes of the Brigade! were not required, The fire is supposed to have been caused by some smoker in* cautiously throwing down a lighted match, It is fortunate the occurrence was notioed m time, or it is hard to say what the consc quenoea might have been.

It will be seen by advertisement elsewhere that Mr A. E. Merewether will attend daily at Mr Neate's, chemist, for the purpose of extraoting teeth. Mr Merewetber's process is is an entirely painless one, and he is m possession of appliances whiob give him the very best of facilities to relieve the unfortunate owners of troublesomo teeth. For some timt past Mr Merewether has been operating m dentis'ry and has satisfactorily demonstrated to a large number of clients that a dentiit'a chair need not be th* instrument of torture common tradition represents it to be,

Mr C. MoLeod, representative of the Masßey Manufacturing Company, Toronto, Canada, m at present m Ashburton exploiting the reapers and binders manufactured by that firm, They are mads of malleable iron and iron, and the frame ia all m one pieoe, and it is olaimed they are of lightir draft, and of greater strength and durability than any other xnaobine m the market, while they are not more expensive than other makes. Arrangements are being made for a trial on the farm of Mr Gates, Tinwald, date of which will be dnly advertised. This will probably take plaoe on Wednesday afternoon. Professor Brookes' Art Union was drawn on Saturday night, the lltb met. A Committee of four gentlemen superintended the drawing, and the list was signed by Mr G. G. Willmer, J.P., of Chrißtohuroh, the result being as j follow*:- First prize, 1150; second, 374; third, 1191 ; fourth, 652 ; fifth, 400 ; sixth, 667; seventh, 20'J; eighth, 17G ; ninth, 38; tontb, 406; eleventh. 937; twelfth, 368; thirteenth, 85; fourteenth, 74; fifteenth, 120 ; sixteenth, 122 ; seventeenth, 289 ; eighteenth, 8-ifc ; nineteenth,,^ ; twentieth, 570 ; twenty-first, 250 ; twenty-second, 60V } twenty-* bird, 30; twenty. fourth, 1072; twenty. ' fifth, 816; twenty-Bixth, 602. A circular received from Wanganui informs us that an Association is being formed there having the following objeots m viow, via. ;— let. To stop the further Bales of the freehold Government Jands, and to substitute therefor the perpetual lease Byatem. l)nd. To Qiyp the pre-emptive right m tbo purchase' of Native Lands to the State. The weekly session of the Dawn of Peaca Lodge, No. 164, 1.0. G.T., was held m the Lodge room, Saunders' Buildingß, last Monday evening. There iwas a very good attendance, Bro. J Dalley, W.C.T., pre. Biding. All business was held over until pfter the initiation of live candidates was over, artep lybjoh the eleotion and installation of officers for the ensuing quarter wa« prooeeded with, resulting as follows :— W.C.T. Bro. G. W. Andrews ; W.V.T., Bro. T. M. Jones; W.S., Bro. J. Dalley; W.F.S., Bro. T.* Andrews |[re-eleoted) ; W.M., Bro, H, Hflrdley { WJ.G., Bro. J3. Undrill ; W.R.H.S. Sis. C. Andrews ; W.1i.H.8., Sis. I* 1 , ftattf. 4 vote of thanks was passed to Bros. IlardJay and Cook, who performed the ceremony of jpetailation. It was decided to meet m the future ft) th.a Arpade Chamber. The next meeting will be held on f 7tU mat.

A married woman, named Annie Watson, who resided with her husband on the East Town Belt, Cbristohuroh, died at her residence on Feb. Bth, at six a.m., and was buried on the following day at the Addington Cemetery, In consequence of representations made to the police that the deceased and- her hueband did not live happily together, and that quarrels between them were known to have taken plaoe shortly before the woman's death, a. Coroner's warrant for the exhumation of the body has been signed by Mr Beetham, and an inquest will probably follow.

Cheese sent home by the Taranaki Dairy Company m the lonia got heated on voyage and only fetched 383 per owt. That sent m the Aorangi's 000 l ohamber arrived m good oondition and sold at 495. Mr Pritohard Morgan, the hero of the Welsh gold mines, hopes to go to Windsor m January with a bar of gold weighing lowt for exhibition to the Queen. . The best medioine known is SANDER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent powerful effeots m coughs, colda, influenza, etc. — the relief is instantaneous. Thousands give the most gratifying testimony. Hig Majesty the King of Italy, and medical : syndicates all over the globe, are its patrons. Read the official reports that accompany eaob. JooUle. We have no oooasion to offer rewards m proof of the (genuineness of our referenoea. Fhe official reports of medical clinics and universities, the official communication of the Consul-General for I'aly at Melbourne; the diploma awarded International Exhibition, | Amsterdam— all these are authentic docu menta, and, as such, not open to doubt. We add here epitome of one of the various oases treated by Siegen, M.D., Professor, etc. : Burning of the right hand through the ex plosion of a small oil stove. The epidermis on the yolar and palmer Bide of the hand of the thirty-year-old patient was completely separated and lifted up aa far as the joint of the hand. The likewise lifted nails were hanging loose, and half of the phalanx of the nail of the middle finger was coaled. The wounds thus contracted healed m three weeks under daily applications of Eucalyptio Extraot dressing. The patient has retained tho full use of hor hand.— (Advt.) 1

AMONG THE FLOWERS-

Those who revel m ths beauties of tbe flower garden, who are susceptible to the oh&cmt of grace of form aud glory if color, should pay a visit to the grounds of Mr G. Smith, Smith's road. Those are chanted only about twenty minutes walk from the oentre of the to we, and well r^pay the trouble of a journey thither, while all aud singular may depend upou a courteous reception by the proprietor Just to th> left of the entranoe gate is a magnificent bed of gladioli, which is w«ll worth going to see.' It covers • epaoe of some 40 by 20 feet— perhaps more— and is a perfect bl.ee of colo<\ The bulba are set m shallow trenches, with ridges between, and were grown fr -m plants raised m the first Instance from imported seed. The bulbs thus obisined formed tbe parent stock which are planted m a row by themselves, all the rest t>ei g seedlings raised from these by Mr Smith himself, who h>s succeeded la obtaining a great number <>f varieties, m»i>y of them exceeding In size of bloom and beauty of tint the original stock, Mr Smith is hirase f of opinion that no each ext noire or *hoice collection of this very showy and attractive bedding plant is to be fouod m Canterbury, and we are disposed to back that opinion, for we have certainly never seen so fine a display at any horti cultural show m Oanterbury or, for that matter, m the colony. There are whitM and oreams splashed with every hue, from lavender to orimson, white-throned and yellow-throated scarlets, crimsons and mauves, self-colora m pink, rose, and scarlet, all so charmingly beautiful that it U hard indeed to award precedence m loveliness. Not far frocn the gladiolus bad is one of double and single geranium*, the former principally, of every hue from wtiite to orimaon, which a week or two ago mast have baeq very fine, but are now past their prime. Then there are penatsmons, zinnias, plnka and roses all worth a peep, while away down by tbe side of the creek, whioh winds through a part of the grounds, are water lilies and water forget-me-nots. Climbing a tail pole Is a plant of hop, festooned with fhwers Blowing that were it not for our high winds hop cultivation would be by no means an impossibility In Ashburton. Tbea we come to a charming bed of pnlr>s Drummondii, and a chain or so away from tbis, and close to the greenhouses, there is another of the tall herbaceous phlox white, orrasoo, llho, and vaiiegated. Close \u2666\u25a0•\u25a0"> the pathway here m a magno'U gra'idifl >ra jost c imlng out m blossom, its large white flowers, a? big as a sugar basin, loading the air with a perfuove almost too rich to be borne. Peeping Into tbe greenhouses we see the grapes, Black Hamburghs, Muscatels, and Golden Drop, hanging m hundreds of rloh luscious clusters, and recgniee that Mr Smith is In the full enjoyment of the vory aarae of bleeaedness, as pourtrayed by Hebrew writers, for ac he oan certainly sit beneath the shade of his own vine, so also, if he pleases, oan he shelter bimsolf beneath the fig-tree, f»r we notloed the latter m foil bearing m the open air. ]Not that the figs are ripe though, and the worst of it is that they are never likely to be, for though the trees flourish the climate does not admit of 'he frott being brought to per fection except ouder glass. But fl mera and graphs are not the only products of Mr Bmlth ( 8 grounds by a long way. for here one passes by' iobg beds of ridge ououmbers, showing the tempting 000 l fruit m profusion, and there beslio row after row of fruit trees, npplej, pears, plume, and peaches, with gooseberry boshes literally crowded with fruli. These last Indeed, the gooseberries, have this season been so plentiful that they have not paid for pioklng for the market, and although a large quantity has been to* .ed into w ne, many hundredweights htna cri-inn nt.tarlv tn nanf.a. Anri n.it tha

I A 9V D ki^' U\J U <ivui 1 w «\j vw no uut #^ 11*1 VOv I- 11 W fruit as we can testify from experience, ia of splendid quality, large, aweet and delicious. There must be acres of apples, and though a few trees are loaded with gol'tpn and rosy fruit of fine stza and quality, y?t, as a rale, this spssjn the fruit is exceptionally small, owing, we p eßurae to* the for last ya»r the anms trees prnduoed fruit which emH not be bt-aum for c z', flavour, or quality, as was evidenced by tho fact that Mr Stui'h oar r lee 1 cff no less than twelve firat pr 2 a for applet 1 , suiaiuat all oomere, at laatyear'a Ohristohuroh Hnrtiou!tur\l Show. The pear* this year are bearing very sparsely and poorly, having mffired terribly from the dopredatlons of the disgnst'ng Jjttlp tree-loeoh, which Infeat* the pear, the cherry, the plum, and the hawthorn 1 especially. The peaches seem to be alto gether a failure having suffered terribly from the blight whioh bai this year been universal. One of the sights of the gurden is a gUnt rhubarb, as much larger than the <% Victoria" variety as that is than the old fashioned cherry-red. One stem (and tbat only a fair specimen of the plant) measured nearly four Inches m diameter, and would have itaelf euffloed to fill a lprgp ple-dloh. There are ?n»ny other things worth noticing aud describing, but perhap* It will be better to leave thes* ' to be found for themselves by those of oar readers who determine to pay Mr Smith a visit, but before they co.ne *way, let us glvo them a bint to take a peep at 1 (fte canaries. These ocoupy a large space ' wired m !ftt °R« gnd of \bs seed ah op, which co»! alas some rorty or more he»)tby bir^a, principally yallow, bat eomeshowing a dfiih of greer (or, aa we beriave it ia technically termed, grey), nil bred and reared by Mr Smith himself. Theee little fellowp }?eep up a constant s'rerlm o£ §ong and pre ? we uhder.Bt&nd. o*otalnablo for a modest etyahralenfc per pair io poln of the

BUSH FIRES

(Ma PRESS A3B( CHTION.)

AroKL*Kn. February 11 The Puh'puhi Forest fire has ext«nd»d m the bush he'ongir g to the homestead s tt er* at Opuawhnn^a. Those hous^ situ»ted on th« on-i>ki'ii> of the settlfraent are now m g rea t diuger, ani the settle s are wa'ohiog day aim ninht and wording h*»rd to stay .the progreßU o^ the fire. It is estimated that a hucdred square miles of forest are under fire Auckland, February 13 No rain has fallen here for six we ks The a'naosphero was yesterday heavy with smoke from the surrounding bush firea. Wellington, February 12

Serious buah tires have been racing m the Wairarapa district. At Waingiwa Ridgway's honse and Green's hat were burnt. A prospecting party of four Mae terton settlers were caught by fire m the gorges of the river, and had a narrow ©dcape. They lest their outfit and tools. Numerous haystacks and miles of fencing have gone. At toathereton extensive bush fires h*ve been burning on the ranges since Sunday last. Home of th»> settlers let their homes, as they were «\u25a0 ndangered. Many of the farmers suffer bj the loss of winter feed.

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

[per press association.]

"Welling tot*. February 12. I It \a atVed 0 ptain Coleman, of AO. Department, has been, appoi ned Instruc tor of cavalry for 'he colony. A writ has been issued from the Supreme Court at. th i inscunos of a Native named Nopera Tiki, claiming £500 from Mr W. A. Allen, storekeeper, of Cart won as damages for false luapieonmont and alleged malicious proe ution. A frarraot has been issuer, for tr-e arrest of a young man o i a charge of obtaining goods by fate pre'enoes. Me ia reported to be a son of a Director of the Bank of England, and related to a well known Anglican Bishop at Home. For some time past the young mnn had been paying attentions to a widoered lady with the resu t he was accepted as her affianced husbind On the strength of this he borrowed a large sum of money from the lady and also two gold watches. He then procoeded to furnish a house, and goods were obtained from a local trades man, who has now issued a wurrant on the grounds that the ra in is about to leave the co^ny ~

THE MARKETS.

F3R PKKSS ASS 'GUI ION.)

London, February 9. | The weekly return of the Bank of England published to-day shows the reserve m notes and bullion to be' being an increase of on last week. The propor tion of reserve to liabilities is 45 per cent. London, Fubruary 10 At the wool sales 10,000 bales were offered. The matlcet remains firm. The total quantity of wheat aft >at for the United Kingdom is 2,690,000 quarters. Prices are unchanged, but the market is flit. Heavy sorts are in active. Off coast cargoes have declined 6d, and are quoted from 32s to 33s 6d. The flour market is fum. The quotations for tallow and coppe have not changed. London, February 11. At the wool sales to-day Victorian merino showed an advance of i^d to ad. Best combing and greasy have also improved >£d. Middle sorts and greasy are unchanged. Scoured supe rior sorts hare advanced id j medium and inferior, #d ; crossbred from % d to id. Official statistics show the total wheat produce of Great Britain to be over 76,000,000 quarters, being an increase of 13,000,000 for the year. The average per acre has been 32 bushels.

ST. VALENTINE'S DAY.

(" Wtttpaw* Mail.") The martyred Bishop Valentino little thought that his name would ba handed down from generation to generation, and remembered m snoh a curious manuer. It seems strange, especially as he was s>> sternly opposed to sll auoh frivolities. St. "Valetine, a Bishop of Rome, when on his trial converted the judue and his f *mily to the new faith, by restoring the sight of the Jadge'a little daughter. This hnrried on his matyrdom, at the Em peror Oiaadins immediately had him be headed to prevent him converting any more of the people. The connection of the present custom with St. Valentine, is, however, purely accidental, and has des cended to us from the anoient Reman youths, who need to draw the names of girls by lots, m honor of their f^vorle Q< ddess, and exohange them with the priests, fur the name of » saint, who was to be their Valentine for a year. So thai In reality th* custom of sending valmtine* on the 14th of February, la a revival of an ancient P»giw Festival, Over four hun dred years ago, Charles, Duke nf Orleans, while fighting against Henry V, at Aglu -0 art, was taken prisoner by the English He, while m prison, wrote the first ooeiical valen'lue, to his ladylove, which, was ihought ao appropriate by the English, (it aoonaa that ihey were very inquisitive), that they very soon all followed his example. Unsentimental as they were, ihey thought the idea a good one. Some of ihe missives written by him, when m the Tower of London, nny ntill be seen In tho British Museum^ How strange it seems to thiuk that tho youths and maPens of to-day are still following the example set them by the captive duke, who so many years ago languished jq his prison oel . Doubtless lie had very little e'se to amuse himself with bfsMes writ ng and com pon'nii poetical verses The ouatoni oio^ Btarted rapidly spread to other countries. It even followed ur p irents over the tei until they readied thin far away p*rt of the world — New Ze .land Many an oil custom has died out, aud m almost forgot ten I y us all ; but St Valentino still fl»urißnefl, and is likely 10 do go for yens to cor)© aniQEgcprtuitf glasses, us m good Bopiety it is no longer fat-hionablo but a thing of the past. Although this is the oa«o, m some respects it will not make muoh difference, as millions will be Bent which always give tho post offl je a great 1 deal of extra work. There is always gieat excitement among the young fo.k as th s day arrives. It is quite amusing to watch their faces, and to hour them express the : r pleasure or horror as the post- m in hauda 'out the various boxeß and envelopes. Of ouurao, a great many valentines are sent with mitohiovor,s or malicious motives, generally by tiie lower olusseß, who wish to annoy one another. They experience grout pleasure as they contemplate aeuding some hideous monstrosity to a rival ; euch p«tty things are pleasing to their little minds . But the majority of the valentines sent out are innocent and harm'ess. I often wonder who desigm the numberless epipio aud EentiiQ' ntal valentines, sp well that satirist and lovo-siok youths and maidens are oach bo well pleaae^ with them that they hasten to tho chop* to hay, and fill tho po-t oflloe box, for, Saint Valentine • Hay

THE PEACE OF EUROPE.

r PBB PBBBB ASSOCIATION.)

Lo'DOW, February 9.

The European situation is causing great excitement here. The complica tions which have now arisen are con sidered to be more ominous than those of any previous crisis. February 11. j The recent speech of the Marquis of Salisbury has caused an excellent im pression on the Continent. Bkrl'W February 11. Prince William has issued an address < to the army, m which he disclaims craving for war and glory. It is reported here that three more Russian divisions are moving west ward.

IRISH AFFAIRS

(MR PAMS ASSOCIATION.)

Lohdo', February 11.

It is stated that the police wrongly arrested Mr Patrick O'Brien for taking part m the meeting at Gilhooly. Mr O'Brien remained m the House of Commons all Friday night, and on leivjng the Chamber at midnight he was surrounded by a body guard of sixty members, who hustled the police m their attempts to arrest him. A great squabble ensued at the Palace gates, where the police were reinforced. Eventually Mr O'Brien wis taken into custody, and bail was refused. He will be taken m custody to Dublin for trial.

A Royal Commission advises the Im perial Government to spend -£400,000 m developing Irish fisheries, and also to extend the railways throughout the country under a guarantee. Dublin, February 11. The proceedings taken to quash the verdict of murder returned against several of the police who took part m the Mitchellstown affray have been suc cessful and the verdict reversed.

THE BABBIT PEST

INOCULATION EXPERIMENTS.

(PEB PBKSS ASSOCIATION*)

Rvdney, February li For some months past Doctors Batcher and Elite have been conducting experiments m the Darling district in oculated rabbits with a dig ace which is found among them m parts of Victoria and Tasmania. Eight hundred rabbits were confined m an enclosure a id in oculation with the disease with success, bunny wasting away m seven days. To test the effect on other animals, a number were inoculated at the same time, and exhibited no sign of the dieeaeo, thus proving that it was peculiar to the rabbit, it is claimed that the disease can be easily and safely spread. With a view to arriving at the best inoculating schemes the Government have decided to appoint a Commission, composed of experts chosen from the colonies, to whom all such schemes will be referred.

The Agßnt-General has been directed to obtain a quantity of microbes and directions for their use from M. Pasteur.

OPENING OF THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

(rBR PRB-8 «B800IATION.)

Lo*»Df>w, F'hru*ry 10. Mr Gladstone, speaking m the House of Commons, said he regarded the reference m the Queea's Speech, to Ireland, as * distinct challenge to Home Rulers. He denied that there had been any diminution of crime, and invited the Government to produce proofs. He regretted the speech contained no inti mation that local government would be granted to Ireland Mr W. H. Smith m reply to Mr Gladstone stated that he would supply the House with ample proofs of the decrease of crime m lieland, and further remarked that the Government were prepared to extend equal local government privileges to Ireland when the Irish people showed that they were reconciled to law.

London, February 11. In the House of Commons, Mr A. J. Balfour, Secretary for Ireland, said that there vw & notable decrease of boycotting m Counties Kerry and Clare, where the National League had been suppressed, bir James Fergusson, Under-Secre tarj for Foreign Affairs, m reply to a question, said that England was not pledged to offer military support to Italy or any other Power.

AQUATICS

THE BCOLUNG CHAMPION SHIP. (Per Pbbss association.) Svdnet. F**hraary 11, The sculling race for £200 aside and the Championßhip of the World, between P. Kemp and T. Clifford, took place this afternoon on the Parratnatta river. A strong breeze was blowing against the men. There was a large attendance of the public Kemp waß the favorite, 7 to 4 being lajd on him. .Kemp was tlje first to grip the water, and before many lengths had been row^d assumed the lead, which he b>ld to the finish, winning easily by six lengths. Time, '23min 47^8p0. JJuring the race one of the excursion steamers collided with and sank a steam launch. The launch had fifty people on board, a)\ of whom were precipitated \n the water but were rescued.

Kemp has acceptod Haitian's chal lenge to row for the championship and £500 aside. Py»vrt, Ffbrnwy 12, It has been ascertained that Peel, the ! engineer of the steam launch which was capsized has been drowned. He is re ported to have sank immediately the accident occurred. ; Another one who ia believed to hare been aboard is missing. The proposed sculling race between Hanlan and Neilson will probably fall through, owing to a dispute having •risen as to the length of the course.

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

HOME ANU FOREIGN

(PEE PREBB ASSOCIATION.)

MR GLADSTONE.

London February 9. Mr Gladstone return* d from Cannes ast evening. He was warmly welcomed on landing at Dover, and on hts arrival at Charing Cross. At each place large crowds assembled and cheered him.

THE CRICKET CONFERENCE.

Great satisfaction is expressed m cricketing circles at the resolutions passed by the Cricket Conference with reference to a batsman being out should a ball, which would strike the wicket, . be stopped by any part of his body.

I COLONEL HUGHES-HALLET.

The "Pall Mall Gazette" has resumed its attack on Colonel Hughes-Hallet, and calls upon the House of Commons , and the Carlton Club to imitate the action taken by the Jockey Club to* ; wards the Marquis of Aylesbury m , connection with the recent racing scandal, otherwise these institutions | will merely become safe refuges for '. notorious characters.

DIVULGING SECRETS.

London, February 11. Major Templar, an engineer, has been arrested on a charge of divulging military balloon designs and other private matters.

THE SUGAR BOUNTIES.

Prince Bismarck has assured Baron de Worms that Germany is prepared to abolish the existing sugar bounties if other countries will do likewise.

MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

The quantity of space required for British exhibitors at the Melbourne Exhibition is 300,000 feet, including that tor' passages.

MURDER OF A MILLIONAIRE.

New Yobk, February 9. Mr Amos Snell, a millionaire, has been found murdered m bis mansion m this city. The house had been broken into by burglars, and it is believed that they were surprised by Mr Snell, and m the struggle which ensued he was killed.

EXTRADITION TREATY.

RECIDIVISTES.

PARts, February 11, A fresh batch of recidivistes are being assembled, but M. Tirard, the Prime Minister, hesitates sending them to the Pacific, as he fears it would have a prejudicial effect on the Exhibition to be held m Paris.

THE CROWN PRINCE

BbbiXN, February 10. The operation performed on the Crqwn Prince has not caused any im pediment to his breathing, nor has it prevented his taking food. He slept well last night.

THE FISHERIES DISPUTE.

Ottawa, February 11, The fisheries dispute has been ad justed by both Canada and the United States agreeing to mutual concessions.

AUSTRALIAN.

(per pbbsb association.)

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Stoney, Fobrnary 11. It is estimated that the loss caused by the recent bush fires m the Gun dagai district will be over ,£150,000. February 12. A man who was attempting to force" an entrance into a house at Carowa has been shot dead by a son of the occupier of the house. The son became alarmed at his mother's screams, and fired point blank at the burglar.

VICTORIA.

Mbuockns, February 11. The Board of Health declines to revoke the proclamation constituting Port Darwin an infected port. An English syndicate has offered ;& 3,000,000 for the late Messrs Mani fold's estate, m the Western district, comprising 120,000 acres and stock. The negotiations which have been proceeding between the Victorian Government and the Government of Fiji for the establishment of a recipro city treaty are suspended, owing to the Imperial Act on the subject of treaties not applying to the laUer colony. The first section of the Exhibition annexes, covering four actes of ground, has been completed. A dispute has arisen between the Tramway Company and their employes regarding the formation of the Union, and the men threaten to strike m con sequence. The third plaintiff obtained ,£2500 damages for injuries sustained m the Windsor railway accident. A serious disturbance occurred at Pentridge over contraband articles found on prisoners. It appears that a number of prisoners locked themselves m a tannery and defied the warders, but wore eventually quieted after a desperate fight. It was feared bloodshed would result, but the sentries were frightened to use their rifles, lest they should hit the warders. The outbreak is considered far more serious than the one which occurred m that institution twenty-five years ago.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

Adblaid*. Febraary 11. The "South Australian Register" estimates the wheat yield at 9^ bushels per acre, and that 410,000 tons will be available for export, which is double that of the last two years. The 11 Advertiser " computed the yield at 10 bushels. Lord Carnarvon inspected the de fence works here, and expressed the utmost satisfaction with them, and stated they compare favorably with those of the British Empire, and are, m some respects, an improvement on those of many English ports. His Lordship also expressed a hope to see a military combination approved of, and a federal review of forces periodically held, the whole to be inspected by Imperial officers. Iv respect to the latter suggestion, the Imperial Defence Commission considered it a most frqpqrtant matter»

Washinoion, F bfiary 10. The Senate have postponed indefi nitely the British extradition treaty.

THE ASHBPBTON GPABPIAN, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1888



Moou'o Sun Snn Moon Moon age at February. Rlbcs. Sets. RUea Sets, noonday a.m. p.m. 11 Batnrday ... 5.17 7.10 3.58 6.68 28 13 Sunday .. -5.18 7.9 6 2 732 0 13 Monday .. 5.10 7.8 6.4 8.6 1 14 Tueadny .. 5 M 7.0 J.B 8.34 2 15 Wednesday.. 522 7.5 8.7 8.1 3 18 Thursday .. 6.23 7.4 9.6 920 4 IT Friday.. .. 53* 7.3 10.5 9.61 5



Biliousness, drowsiness, jaundice, andf rheumatism, Bop Bitten removes easily i? thoie onto by American. Cg, Bee|



\u25a0 With Bowern'o Eleotrio Sheep Brand, a Wanganui patent, reoently 500 uheep wera branded m eleven minutes. The recent gales m the North Island have |n some looatyies played havoo with the crops. In the Rangitikei district whole fields of wheat have been denuded of the heads t and the loss generally will be very gre»t. *tp>!^ ox Itch."— « ' Sough on Itch," cures Hvi humors, erunjtiou^, ring worm, friter, salt rheam, frosted feet, chilblains, 1 itoh, ivy pojiop.bwber'fl toij, a



|ng,otiou of the Kidneys and Urinary orga i worsi of d^eaagea whjob AiooriQ^ Co/» Hop Bitten Gufu> He»4



"BopflH on Cobnb."— Ask for fell's " Rough on Conia." Quick reljof, conjpUp, I permanent core. Corns, wsrto, bunions. It gbomiets and druggists. g 1



Wanted. 1 "ITf ANTED to Sell -A First-class Piano ] V? grand a<tiori. Cash or terms very 1 ' liberal. Apply Hates and Ct). 1 „U,, , — I /^ HEAT Btrp»iuM. Every hing greatly 1 \JT rertnesd. Come and j i<lge f r your* ( Solves.— B. C, ?KaBHB, Melford Hoase. "Tl / ANTED to let, a Seven-acre Pad- W dock at baotc of Conuty Bale- yards Apoly to Mi 0. W. Pobnsll, So'ibtor, Mo 1 taom^ry'i! BoHHlngn. % 44 \\ ANTbu UAWU r- MLoir's Oatmeal, VV 251b5,256d; Hperm Candles, 5d ; Goffaa and Milk, Is pSr tio; Ooooa and Milk, 1« per tin ) V*staa, 5d per doz ; Cornflour, 4d per lb ; tin Fruits, Is ; Crookery, Ironmongery, etn. — At James MoGbeoob'b, Tanored Street, opposite Aroad c. \u25a0 COME one, come all, and onr prioas will astonish everybody — H. 0. Skqbrs. T>OXEB Stationery 9d, Is, Is Sd, 2*, X 3 excellent value. Bibles, Prayer Books, Prayer and Hymn Book com- bir»e4.— H. M. Joues. WANTED to Hire use of Riding Saddle and Bridle at per week. Apply to "8. IX" "Mail" and " Guardian " Office. 2°19 a CCOUNT Books made to order, ruled J\ and printed to any pattern required. Bookbinding m all branches attended to. — H. M Jones. "TTT aNTKD Known— For sale, Oanli- VV fliwer, Brocoli, B»roole, Savoy Punts of all kinds, and as I import my ke*ds from two of the leading London Seed Merchants, I hod sore they will give complete satisfaction. — James Pomes, Allen too. 2 15 WANTKD Known— To the Ladies of Ashburton and surrounding districts, that an experienced monthly : Nurae is desirous of engagement. G<>od references can be given. Address — Mrs Hill, Peter Straet. Aahhnrton. 11 18 WANTED KNOWN — Oleograph* Scenery, and Catholic Subjects Catholic Cards, good variety m Boraps Novelties io Penwipers, Crewel Wools and Bilks, Knitting Cotton, Colored Crotchet Cotton, Transfers, Tinsel Balls, Ac, &c, at «Abs Manhibb's F*noy Repository, Saunders' Buildings, l ALL onr first'Olass genuine Drapery, Boots, Clothing, etc., we are now selling at ridiculous prices. Only cosne and see. — H. 0. Seoers, Melford Bouse.



DIMA.NT AND COE TT AVING decided upon retiring from busiaeia at the end of the present month (FEBRUARY), have to reipeotfallj request that all ACCOUNTS will be paid on or before the 27th lnafc,, attev which dale the came matt, of a necessity, be left m the handi of a Collector. ' Ashbartin, February 6 b, 1888. BIMANT AND COE. THE LARGEST STOCK OP COLONIAL CLOTHING •IN iTHB ABHBURTON COUNTY. A SPECIAL LINE OF ABHBUBTON TWEED SUIT 3AT 47s 6d KAIAPOI TWEED TROUSERS 10s Cd HARVESTERS' MOL£S£INS FROM 5s lid MITCHELL &' TURNER TAKORED STREET. ALBEKT EOBERTg BAS FOR SALE,— Corn sacks LARGB FIZE AND FULL WBI <* HT ' SEAMING TWINE Ttf ANY fc QUAX9TirY. GLOVERS, — RED, WHITE, COWGRASS, ALSYKE, and TREFOIL. RYEGRASS^OQCKSFOOT, jkd RAPuj. g*jANCHOR Binding Wire and very best Binder Twine. Golden Tares, Cape Barley, si COOPER'S SHEEP DIP THE STANDARD FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. WITH UNLIMITED LIABILITY OF SHAREHOLDERS. CAPITAL— £I,OO()7OOO STERLING. HEAD OFFICE~7 DUNEDIN. IHSUBERB b»TO the most undoubted Security under this Company's Policies > # together with an assurance of Prompt and Liberal Settlement of Claimn. Fißfi and MaRINIS jtftiKS accepted oa all descriptions of Property and Merchandise also Crop, Stack, and Machine Rißka at Lowest Katet of Premium. Fidelity of Persons holding situations of trust guaranteed. lOFFIOE : HEREFORD BTRERT, CHRISTOHUROH. (Opposite Bank of New Zealand ) " ARCHIBALD fcCOTT, Manager for Canterbury^ AL.BEBT KOBEIITS, 15 AGIiiNT, ASHBURTON • LONG RUSSIAN HEIP TWINE, COLONIAL MANUFACTURE.; 4-Ply (Green Label), 900 feet to the Pounl. THE Undersigned asks the special attention of F^TUf'RR and CONTRACTOR!* to this article as nn» of th»> ant best TWIKESever put 01 ihe market I have advo'B < e ; l this olowof TWIN'S for years, simply because I consider it th most ecenomietl any farmer can use. Farmers will find th>s TWiNK of j UNIFOBM THXCKfT^SS, STRENGTH, and LENGTH, tbioag l out. It will work successfully on any make of Binder. It will run further, *~id do more work at a less coat, and tio m ire grain than any twine I know of. Thi will be cleir to evervonea' mind who co tsiders that, running as it does, 900 feet to the pound tneans—'THREE QUARTERS OF A MILE IN A BAoL, and MORE % THAN 19 MILBB PER OWL' Every Ball h»B a Grewr Ticket with name on, with • guarantee, that it runs 900 feet to the pound. MANILLA TWINE OF BEST QUi LITY. SHAKESPEARE ! i ! "To gild refined gold to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet, To smooth the ice or add another hno Unto the rainbow ; or with taper-light To seek the beauteous eye of heaven ; to grrnislj, To advei tise the well-known Wood's It's wasteful and ridiculous excess I" " King Jobs/ 9 Act IV, Scene 2 (ASK 2VR WALTER A. WOOD'S BINDEE, AND TAKE NO OTHER: SALES FOR lwT^W MACHINES, F. JFEBRIMAN, Astturton, For bale,— J fiEOOND^HAKD TWIWJB &f ;OOBMIOK J[ SECOND HAND~TWINE WOOD S ' J Sfif">ND:aAKD WIRE^oOOBMICKS \