The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1888. THE NELSON LIBEL CASE.

The news which we published a day or two ago, thnt our Nelson oontem porary the " Evening Mail," had been caat m £100 damages for publishing the remarks made by certain members of the Education Board at a meeting of that body, which remarks reflected upon the .supervisor of a scholarship examination, brings into prominence the necessity for revising the law of libel as applying to newspapers m this colony. We should be the last to urge that unlimited license should be given to the press to publish matter damaging to the character or the interests of private individuals, but we do think that the proceedings of public bodies should be privileged matter, that is to say that what is said at meetings of such bodies should be capable of being published without bringing the newspaper under the lash of the law. The person who utters a libel should be the person re sponsible for all consequences, when such person is at the time speaking m a public position and a public capacity, and it is absurd to make the publiahpr of a newspaper punishable for merely recording what has already been given public utterance. The law m England does exempt newspapers from liability for publishing a fair and substantially correct report of what transpires at public meetings, but although more than once, or even twice, Bills have been introduced m the New Zealand Legis lature to amend the law they have failed to pass, and the press fa exppsed to grave risk m a matter m which it ought certainly to be protected. We hope that this will not be lost Bight of next session, but that before Parliament rises a measure will be placed on the Statute book, assimilating the law m this colony to that of the Mother Country.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

' Thirty million treea have been planted m ' Kansas this year, The herring-sardine packers of Maine will pure and paok 550,000,000 herring this year. The enoyolopffldia published by the Aoademy at Fekiri, as far bb bulk is oonoerned. at least, is the largest m the world, it being eompoßed of 160,000 volumes. - ' The Gomtease de Paris haa ordered 1600 small gold roses to present to some of the i most faithful adherents of her husband's family. Mmc de Valsayre has become notorious m France beoause she yearly presents a petition to the chamber of deputies that women be flowed to wear any costume they like. This year she rgcejyed a reply Baying " that the law did not prevent woman from wearing men's attire, but that the police did." Dr Donald C. Hood has oolleoted many facts relating to the use of Balioylio aoid for rheumatism. Of 728 patients treated with ■alleviates £23 were relieved of their painß within seven days, whereas of 612 patients treated by other methodß only 140 were relieved within the same time. A novel electric railway baß been com* pleted, running from the shore of Lake Lucerne over a bed out m the solid rook to the summit of the Bargenatook, 1330 feet up. ' It has a gradient of from 82 to 58 per oent. The eleotrioity is generated by a water wheel m the river Aar, Americans on the Paoifio slope will have a regular Baden-Bahen. This new gambling resort will be jjjst across the Mexican border line. The Mexioan government has granted a traot of land for the purpose, and every? thing will be elegantly fitted up m the highest style of art and games of chance of every kind will be oonduoted. Constant rain m England this summer has accustomed people to olimatia conditions, so that amusements as well as business duties are carried on under the umbrella. Colonies of artists have pursued their work during the rains, so that a great number of unheard of eky effeotß will be seen during the next season. Even sports have gone on, tho spectators pjtUng calmly on damp seats under umbrellas. The returns for August and the preceding months show that 68,41 d paieopgera have passed through Canada to the United tftates, This is a large increase over last year's figures and ib satisfactory as showing that the Canadian routes, situated by nature bo ad van* tag/Qoualy, and developed with so muoh enter prise, are abje to attract even those who are bound for the United fixates. A unique congress of women will be that held next year m Paris to celebrate the centenary of the great revolution; For three weeks the congress will be a national one. after wbiob, for eight days, women from all parts of the world will be Invited to take part. It ib stated that 25,000 women will be invited for the meeting on July 22. Woman's part m the revolution was so prominent that it seems fitting that it should be remembered. "Rough on Piles." — Why suffer Piles ; immediate relief and complete cure guaran teed. Ask for " Rough on Piles." Sure cure j for itching, protruding, bleeding, or any. form 1 1 !>fpUf> # i<

We have to acknowledge the receipt of J ■Coming Events" (No. 3) by Hawkeye, a I lublioation invaluable to raoing men, as it j fives alphabetically the performances of all; be horses running on the Australian turf. A Christmas tree and sale of work will be leld m the Primitive Methodist Churoh on ■Saturday and Monday, Deo. 22nd and 24th. Chere will be a large assortment of useful and )rnamental articles, toys, etc., and refresh- Dents will also be provided. The proceeds ire to be devoted to the reduotion of the debt jpon the Asbburton and Newlands Churches. To-day, being the Anniversary of the founding ofihe Provinoe of Canterbury, waß generally observed as a holiday. Nearly all the shops were closed, and the street? wore a very deserted look. In the morning the weather appeared threatening, but about tea o'olook the clouds oleared away and the townspeople went holiday-making to the beach and other places of resort. A Sydney telegram states that H.M.B. Opal and the French war vessel Pabert have returned from a visit to the New Hebrides, where they punished the natives concerned m the masaaore of tha boat's orew of the Queensland labor vessel, Helena, m October last. The villages and plantations at Ambryn Island, the aoene of the outrage, were destroyed i The Opal leaves shortly for Auokland. The following, from an exohange, does not quite tally with previous intelligence m regard to Sir Julius VogePs prospeots as a writer of fiotion. Still this is what we find m a West Coast paper:— "Ab old Mr Benttey, after hearing his reader's opinion of Sir Julius Vogel'e novel, did not jump at publish: ing it, your ex-Premier re-obtained possession of the M.S. S., aod sent it eleswheie. Person ally, I have great faith m Bentloy'a discrimi nation, and if his reader deolared against a book of mine I Bhould not expect a success," On Saturday afternoon a little boy .named Pbysiok, six years of age, was missed from home, and as he was not found on the following morning information was given to the police. Searoh was made about the town, without, however, any effect. No information as to the boy's whereabouts was forthcoming till the arrival thiß morning of the Mount Somers train, the guard of whioh, Mr Hill, had the little fellow m his care. It appeared the youthful wonderer embarked m the train oo Saturday night, but he was not noticed till after leaving Tinwald station. Mr Hill took oare of him till thiß morning, but owing to the absence of telegraph com munication with Mount Somere, was unable to report the faot to the police authorities. The highwayman flourishes m Texas as he does mno other place. He performs, accord ing to the veraoioua ohronioler, wonderful feata of stage coach robbing, mail bag rifling, with the oooasional plundering of a railway train of passengers thrown m as a diversion. But the uninterrupted Buooess of his glorious career has been brought to a Bomewhat abrupt close. One of these terrors to the breezy civilization of Texas has been shot dead by a plucky woman, whose house was visited m the absence of her husband, but who had a gun and knew how to use it; Mib Say, of Bandera county, is the name of the lady, and to her must be granted the oredit of reducing the bold highwaymen to the rank of ordinary every-day villains who do not wear a halo round their heads as often aB they do a rope about their neofcs. Th,e romance and the terror and the mystery which clung to the Texan highwayman have vanished and hence forth he is added to the museum of exploded marvels.—" Ottawa Emgire. n A Neapolitan reporter assumed the character of a waiter, and succeeded m get ting on board the Savoia, where he attended the lunoh at wljipb the Qerman JSmperor, the King of Italy, and Qthew were present, an aooount of which he furnished to the " London Daily News." It blbo appears that when f the German Emperor drove to the Vatijjan, an Italian, who was disguised as a German Imperial oourier (Stagetier), was detected by the police of the Vatioan palace and looked up m a private room. He gave his name aa Bertini, and confessed that he was a journalist, who was determined at any hazard to be present at the reception of the Kaiser by the Pope. The venturous pressman had planted himself m the private equipage of Count Herbert Bismarck, doubtless after an understanding with the coachman, and managed thus to get as far as the Pope's ante-ohamber, where he was immedia'ely arrested. It turns out, upon examination, that the energetic journalist is no other than the editor of the " Socialist Messagero."

Our Paris correspondent writes;— A singular inatanoo of mistaken Identity has just ocqured. At the end of last month a young man named Gabriel Tiquet was sentenced at one of the. Paris police courts to six months' imprison ment for defrauding several persona. He loudly protested his innooenae, and deolared that there was a mistake, but the accusers swore positively to his identity. Next day another young man named Fillateau was brought up on a similar charge, and admitted his misdeeds. He presented so extraordinary a resemblance to Tiquet, that the Magistrate remanded the case ior a week, and sent for the imprisoned man to confront him with bia homonym and ¥? ao°»efl«»' T^Q °l *he tyrpe denied ever having seen Eillateaq, apd Bwore that it was Tiquet who had robbed them. The third swore that it wab Fillateau who had robbed her, and he at once admitted the charge. Thereupon the Magistrate lodged an nppeal wTtij the Qourt that had cppdemn§d. Tiquet, and sentenced Fillateau tp six months' imprisonment, The appeal will be heard Bhortly. At the R.M. Court, thiennorning, before Mr A. Harri9on, JP., Major Steward, J.P., and Mr B. Aloor n, J.P., a man named F. Lowry was charged with druneknneas and with hav -1 ing assaulted, a lad named William Burns by kioking him. The aooused said Burns, and a number of other boys, were " ohiaking " him, or he would not have inter f erred with them. The boy, of whom the police sppfee w.ell, denied hayin,g m any way provdk'dd th^ acoused. ' On the charge of druhkennesa the aooused was fined 20a or forty-eight hours' Imprisonment \ lor the ftssault he wa^ ordered to be imprisoned for seven days.— A woman, 72 years of age, who was said by the police to be of very intemperate habits, but who had not been before the Court since 1885, was oharged with drunkenness. The woman had been looked up sinoe Saturday night. The Benoh deoided to inflict no punishment and discharged her, admonishing her to forsake her intemperate ways.— Patriok Oaßhan, for drunkenness, was fined 5s and ooßta, with the alternative of twenty-four hoqrs' imprison, ment, and for baviDg resisted Constable Smart was fined 20a or forty-eight hours.

An extraordinary Masonic esoapade has just oocurred m Scotland. The precise par* ticulara of the incident may be gathered from the minutes laid before the Grand Lodge meeting held on Nov. Ist. It seems that on the oocaaion pf the Funeral bodge held m Freemasons' Sail by Cpltio, Edinburgh, and Leith, No. 291, on May Bth last, m memory of the late Bro Alexander Hay, two females were admitted to the inner approaoh to the organ loft, where they saw and heard, through the partially glazed door, a considerable poztion of the proceeding, which were being oonduoted while the Lodge was tyled m the Third Degree. The ladies were admitted by Bro William Edwards, Aoting Fast Master of the Jjodgo, who was called out of the hall at the{r request, and, having previouqly possessed himself of {the key of the door, he deliberately broke the tjling of the Lodge; and plao'ea the tyler inside along with the ladies, with ipstruotions to attend to them, Edwards went back to the hall and remained there until the ceremony was nearly oonoluded, when he returned to the organ loft and had the ladieß removed. The Committee have reoommended that Edwards bo expelled the Order. Certainty the Most Effective MEDICINE m the world is SANDER and SONS EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Teßt its eminent powerful efleotein Coughs, Coldu, Influenza, etc, ; the relief is instantaneous. Thousands give the most gratifying testimony. Read this certificate j~" 2*th April, 1885.— Messrs Sander and Sons,— lt is with the greatest of pleasure that I testify to the excellence of your Eucalypti Extract, Having had inflam mation of tho bone of the leg, which came on after a severe attaok of low fev6r, I was attended by Dr J. Boyd, who had made strenuous efforts to save my leg, but without success. Hd found it necessary to amputate my limb. Having heard m the meantime of tho wonderful cures worked by the Eucalypti Extract, I obtained a bottle, and the extract had not been applied more than an hour when I began to fejpl greatly relieved. After apply, ing the extraet.eyery four hours for nino of ten days I waa out of all danger. I would persuade all who may be afffoted with any ■uoh disease to give the Eucalypti Extraot a trial, and I am convinced that they will find t the most wonderful of medicines. — Yours, eto., E. J. Cdbnow, Wattle street Bgßft'irst," ~{*W<) - ■ ' ■ d *

ASHBURTON HIGH SCHOOL

The nnnutl distribution of prz's prior J t to breaking up for the O'lrt&ttms holidays, to'jk plaae at the A.nhbar!oQ High SohooS on Saturday afternion. The p-oouadlogs opened at the girls' sohoolroom which wis very taatefu'ly decorated with flxrers, evergreens and mottoes, the wall at tha upper end being further enabe'llsbed by some very or editable apeolmeas of the handiwork of the puplh m the sbape of pencil, crayon and water-color drawings There wan a large attend moo of pirants and friends, and the chair <va* taken "by W. 0,. Walker Ejq , M.H.R. stip portcid by tha Uevs IS. A- Scott and A, M. B^atiie The Ohatrrmn m opening the proceedings eaid that this was a pleasing oocadou for both old and young. Look ing op n the happy faces of the young, the old QO"jld almost irish themselves boys and girls again, and the young wera look ing forward to the delights of the holidays. The-Asbbnrion High School consisted of (wo branohea between which chera was an honorable rivalry. It was not for him to | «»y .which excelled, but on the present occasion as usual precedence was, of course, given, to the young ladies. The Board of Governors felt that they oo oupled a position, of responsibility and had done their best to provide for the ) boys and girls of A.«hbarton the opportu nity of » good and sound education. Bat * responsibility rented also opon the parents and upon the pupils themselves, and It depended upon them In great raea suce whether the school was to be made the sucoess It ought to be. So far as the meaoe at their dhposftl would admit the Board of Governors had supplied the means of a good useful education, and he trustedrthat the parents were satisfied with the result. It depended upon the public, upon the parents themselves, as to whether the B ard should be able to ex tend the advantages offered by the school, and m this matter they relied upon tbe people of the town and district for sup port. They hoped that the pupils alao would assist m keeping op the high oharaoter of the school, aa it was their ambition that those who were educated at the Aahbirton High Sohool should be dis tinguished for their high moral tone, their (pod manners, their considerate, and as respeots the boys, their gentlemanlike oondnot In all the relations of life. As regarded their present poison, they all know that there wero finanolal difficulties In the way of attaining all they desired — they would be glad to provide more en larged educational facilities, but they had to make both ends meet, and they owed a debt of gratitude to the teaohing staff, Mr Baohaoao, Miss Sounders and MleuGrubb, fur what they had boon able by the faith ful diuoharge of their doty oader con siderable dim* :ul ties to accomplish. Ii might, perhaps, be said, that m relation merely to the number of pupils they had a euffiolontly large staff, bat the difficulty arose m o^nneotion, not with the mere number or pupils, Vu,t m the work being spread over to many- •übjeo'o, with pupils m all degrees of advancement, from the initial stages to the higher branohea. The Board looked forward to such an in* crease' ln the number ol ; pupil* as would eßftblo the strengthening of the staff, when both their financial and eduaatloual diffi flaltles would disappear, ard the Board would have plaoed within their reooh what they had long wished to accomplish. Be was pleased to hear from Mr Bnohanan that he w»s pleased with tbe results of the year'a work, and he had now the pleasure of calling opr-n that gentleman to read out the names of thoae to whom prizes had been awarded. Mr Buchanan then read the following ; : PRIZE LI3T. ♦ QIBLS SCHOOL Form IV — &L Williamson, class prize; B. Orr, French. Form IK.— E. Low, olass priaa. Fotm IL— May Brown, class priz9 ; L. Bjbn, latin and Frenoh ; Millie MoOtren, 3rd prize. Fornx 1,-^R. Bophsnan, special raises, Painting -A. Fooks, upper school; Madge Biown, lower school. Music— Gertrude Steward ; General Im provement, E. Brown. Attendance — H. Friedlander, The Rev. Mr Beattis, who was oalled upon to present the prizes, prefaced that ceremony by mentioning as an encourage ment to the youug ladies that m bis ex perience m this colony and from what he had learned of other oolonles (of Australia) he bad noticed that thd young ladles often far excelled the young gentlemen m matters edaoationtl. This was not the case m one particular class of schools only, or m relation to a ?iarticular stage of education, the sam.e hing was notlqeable from the primary sphoo's right up to the Universities, among the graduates and undergraduates. _ They could sea thia for themselves m the | publlo papers, and only the othor day he p noticed that at an examination m whioh . 240 obiidren took pirt tbrea times as m«ny - girls as b,ya--180 to 60— wore prlza ! takers or winners of honorable mention , It raa true that on that partlcqlar opoaslon , tbe examination was ohitfiy m religious , knowledge, 6ut generally the same thing, > If not to tbe same extent, prevailed. Mr | Beattle went oo to congratulate tb.o>OQng people of Ashbnrton go the advantages 1 which the High Sohool afforded, and | urged upon the pupils t j make the most of , those advantages. They oould not have | too much knowledge and should never suppose that they had learned alt that was j worth learning. He, however, as a mlnliter of religion, oould not conclude without urging upon them the importance of «eeking that highest of all knowledge the, knowledge of the Saviour, of that Saviour who was their unfailing friend. Let them seek to have the Lord Jesus dwelling la their hearts and lay to h^art the counsel of God <* Let not the wise man glory m "hfa wisdom, neither let thja mighiy man glory m hie. might, If (not the riQh man glory m bis -"-riches, but let him that glorieth glory m this, that he anderstandeth and knowoth Me " The winners of pr acs wero then presented w[th a , unmoor of handsome books and an adjournment was then made to the boys' schoolroom. This also was found to have been tastefully deoorated with evergreens, fi>wera and mo i toes with the distinguishing feature of single sticks and other indications of the faot thai the room was devoted to the sterner Bex — Mr Walker again opened the proceedings by a short ppoeoh I j whioh he congratulated the boya on Uk'ing a leaf from tbe girls' book m the matter of deooratlons and ex pressed the hope that (n sohool and m after life the boys of the Ashburton sohool would be known for their good manners nod good morals. There was an honorable j'a'oasy fcr the good name of their sohool cherished by the pupils of famous schools all over tbe world, and he hoped that the honor and good name of the Ashburton school would always be kept up by Ash borton boyi. He then oalled opon Mr Buchanan who re&d the following PKI2E L|ST.

BOYS SCHOOIi. Form lll.— Olaaa prize— lst, B. Shear jnan ; 2nd, N. Orr. Englioh— B. Hep worth. Arithmetic— H. Oartln. Diligence »ftd good oopdnot—A, Wil liams. Form It. — Oluhb ppfse— lst, F. Olatlc. DlHpienoo and good condc^t — F. Potter, I. FoTm I.— Olae» prJj;e— lst, Vernon Steward. Tho ReT. E. A, Scott, who wai oalled upon to present the prfzw, oald that It vu a very oomtnon things when t hire wai want of snooeiß In learning op the part of puplli to throw all the blame on the teaoheri, and It waa aisnraed that only the maeter vai m fault wben ho did not Wiee4 to piwiPg » Urg» Pmnbn of boyi,

For hts part ho thought that a great deal of the responsibility restart with the Inys themselves. Be hal known of blgbys of 16 or 17 being oontent to remain In the lower cUzfev- whilo little fellows were working their way to the top of the sohool. Thore ware of oourao aoma boys not ao bright as others, bat If a boy resolved tn learn all he could he would not fail to get on. He waa glad to notice that the nnrabar of pr'zjs was not large. It was roach better to gWe a few prlaas well flrorth the wlonlug, not merely for the value of tl© books, bat beoaase being few there was the greater honor In taking them. Those who won them were the more to be oonjjratnlated, but at the same time he woald point oat, that there was no disgrace m not winning a prlza if only all had dona their beat. The great thing was not to be idle. The ray gentleman went on to spaak of the benefits of study as a meant of enlarging the Intellectual oapiolty, and showed that even In the humbler vocations of life he, whose brain had been educated was a . more efficient worker than one who had not had any educational advantages. But mental education was not alone sufficient, they must not neglect thsir moral and spiritual nature and he hoped that the boys before him would grow tip not merely edaoated but steady godfearing men The prizes having been deatrlbuted, Major Steward m proposing a vote of thanks to the Governors of the School addressed a few words to the boys upon tbe qualities wh'oh they should seek to cultivate, urging upon them to be honor able' m all their dealings with their schoolfellows, towards their parents, and towards their teachers. Let the<r rivalry be a generous one, and. while doing their best to excel themselves, let them not grudge others tbeir success when they were themselves excelled. Again let them not be dibconraged beoause they eometimoa failed, for it was as honorable to bear failure well as to- behave nobly m success. The boy was truly the father of the man, and noble conduot at school led to noble conduot m after life. He was ' glad to hear that -there were to be no 1 holiday tasks, for he believed thoroughly m doing one thing at a time, and doing . that thing well. Let them play while 1 they played, and work while they worked. 1 and remembering the Latin proverb about ' the Bound miod m the sound body, let [ them make the most of the holidays by 1 getting tbetnaelves toned up and strength ened for the work of next school session. ' lie now called upon them to pass a hearty vote of thanks to the Governors of the \ school. : The motion was seconded by Mr ' Beattie and carried by acolamation. A pleaMn^ little iocident next occurred iv the presentation by Mr Buchanan ou 1 behalf of the pupils of the girls' school of j | two handsome books to their teachers Miss 1 6au.nders and. Mica Grubb. r Upon the motion of the Chairman a 9 hearty vote of thanks was passed to the ? teaching staff and was acknowledged by 1 Mr Buchanan for whom three cheers were 3 given by the boys, whereupon Mr Walker ' vacated the ohair and the proceedings J terminated.

EUROPEAN SITUATION

(PKB. PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Belgbade, December 14. The result of the recent elections is regarded as a direct snub to King Milan, inasmuch , as only 40 Royalists were returned, while 50 Badicals ob tained Beats.

PENDARVES SCHOOL

This Bohool was examined by the In dpootor, Mr George Hogben, on the $lst Ootobor. The following la his report, jait received :— Staff and Platribotiou— Master, Mr fl. English j Sewing Mistress, Mrs JBiDgliah ; Standards, VI to I, and preparatory. Standard. Presented. Failed. Passed. VI I__l V 6 2 4 IV 6 16 111 4 1 3 II 1 - 1 I * - 4 Percentage of passes : 69 2. PerqenU age of failures : 18 2. Percentage In olaas subjects : 6ft 25. Additional tnarki : 72. Qeneral Remarks, — The examination of thit Bohool shows work of high quality m almost every department, and excellent work m not a few. The pass subjects throughout the Bohool^ and the Qlaaa aub« jeots of standard,' I to 111, with hardly an exaeptlQD are very pood ; and if the olbbs vrork of standards, IV to VI is not up to the same high average the oaaae may, very probably, be set down to the faot that the average age of the ohlldren m each of the standard classes Is considerably below the average for the diatriot. The atjle of the oral answering and of the written papers Is worthy of commenda tion. '

THE PANAMA CANAL THE COMPANY BANKRUPT.

(PEB, PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Paris, December 14. M. de Leieeps was weeping with joy at first, and assured the subscribers that the, Panama Canal loan was safe and its enemies confounded, Later he dis covered that only one-sixth had been fcubsoribed. The crowd, surging round the office of the Company, insisted on seeing M. de Lesseps himself. His son announced that his father was sanguine (sic), and nothing remained but bank ruptcy or winding up the Company. The announcement caused the greatest excitement, as sixty millions sterling of public money is invested m the affair. Paris, Dumber 15 The Panama Interest Bill being re ferred to a hostile Committee, M. de Lesseps and three of his colleagues on the Board resigned. Three liquidators have been appointed. The Company suspended payment on Friday. | The Committee of the Chamber of Deputies appointed to report on the Panama Canal scheme recommend the rejection of the Bill introduced by the Government, rendering assistance, and add that the Chamber had no right to legislate on such a matter. The Govern ment refuse to withdraw the Bill, and were supported by M. Peytral, represen tative for the district of Bouches dv Shone, Who admitted he was acting m the interest of the subscribers of the loan. Ultimately the Government took a division ou the Bill, when the measure was rejected' by 262 to 188. London, December 16. It is estimated that the liability of the Panama Canal scheme is a billion fanes. [Note • billion •ooo.rding to French com putation Is a thousand millions. This la eqail to neatly £42,000,000 of English money. Ed.]

(Received Deoember 17, lO.^Qb.iDi) Paris, December 15. The French Government proposed by their Bill to suspend interest on the Panama Canal Company's payments for three months.

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

(Pirn Press Association.) ;

GUN EXPLOSION.

London December 14 to 16. A big gun exploded aboard a French ironclad. Six of the crew were killed.

NATIVE FOOTB ALLERS.

The Native Footballers yesterday met and defeated the Broughton Rangers by 2 goals and 2 tries to nil.

SEIZURE OF ZOLA'S NOVELS.

Several thousand copies of Zola's novels, exhibited on the bookstalls at Dublin, have been seized by the police.

EMPLOYERS LI A BILITY BILL.

In consequence of the strong opposi tion displayed towards thi Employers Liability, Bill, (Government have decided to withdraw it. '

BIMETALLISM,

The Bimetallism Conference has unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Imperial Government to introduce the bimetallic system.

MR HENNEKER HEATON.

Mr Henneker. Heatoo intends to deliver a lecture m America advocating penny postage 4 . He : isf also communi cating with Government on the question.

COLONIAL STOCKS.

The Agents-General express a hope that the Imperial Government will legis late next session m the direction of permitting Trustees to invest m Colonial stocks.

SUNDAY CLOSING.

A Bill providing for the closing of hotels on Sundays w^s under discussion m the House of Commons to-day, and oh a division was 'thrown . out by a majority ot seven. , ..-..'.

CROFTERS' EMIGRATION.

The Government have also with drawn the motion for the establishment of a Committee to inquire into the re port on the best means of facilitating crofter emigration to the colonies.

PRESENTATION.

A cumber of Nottingham admirers of Shrewsbury, the cricketer, h»ve pre sented him, on his return from Aus tralia and New Zealand, with a purse of sovereigns and ajx illuminated ad dress.

ILLNESS OF MR W. H. SMITH.

Mr W. H. Smith, leader of the House of Commons, has been advised by his medical attendants to take rest, and he leaves shortly for Monte Carlo. During his absence Mr Goscben will lead the House.

ELECTION.

Mr Cornwallis, Conservative, has been returned for the constituency of Maidstone, the seat being rendered vacantly the death of Major Ross. The successful candidate defeated his opponent^ a Home Ruler, by 185 votes. At the previous election the deceased member (who was a Conservative), was returned by a majority of' 3x4 over Mr T. P. Baptie,.aHom^,Ruler. .

PERILS OF BALLOONING.

Higgings, the well known aeronaut, is giving exhibitions -at Eofield . He ■ccidentally dronped the parachute just as he was preparing to. descend. He caught the balaon netting, and thus suspended, travelled miles hanging m mid air. The accident was witnessed by thousands of people, and a great panic prevailed. A certain death seemed to await the aeronaut, who, however, escaped with only a few bruises.

COLONIAL SECURITIES.

Lord Knutsjord, Secretary of State for the Colonies,- and Mr Goschen, Chancellor of the Exchequer, have been interviewed by the Agents-General of the colonies With regard to the Liabilities of TrusfeeV Bill, which has been abandoned., this session. The Agents asked that the measure might be postponed m order to give them time to consult their respective Govern ments m connection with re-instating the clause empowering trustees to in* vest funds m Colonial Inscribed Stock. Mr Goschen said he could not pledge the Government to introduce the Bill again.

OBITUARY.

Darmstadt, December 15. Prince Alexander, of Hesse, is dead. [Prince Alexander Louis George Frederic Emites.of Hesse was uncle of the Grand Duke Louis- of Hesse, and father of the Princes of Battenberg. He was born July 15th, 1823, and was a general m the Austrian army.]

THE EMPEROR'S DIARY.

Bbrun, December 16. Professor Geffken, who is charged with the publication of the late Emperor's dairy, will be tried next month. The Court refused him bail.

GERMANY AND THE SLAVE TRADE.

The Reichstag has, by a large ma jority, adopted. Herr Windhorst's rnotioo, pledging Germany to suppress the slave traffic on ihe East African coast. In referring to the question Count H. Bismarck, Secretary of State for Foreign Aftairs, highly eulogised England's assistance m the same direc tion. He advocated enrolling ipoo natives to garrison the coast and towns where it was known the trade bad been carried on. The Reichstag expressed itself m favor of Germany adopting a Spirited policy m the direction in dicated. "

CANADA AND THE STATES.

Washington, Deoember 14 Tne House of Representatives has referred Mr Butterworth's motion to a committee.

FIRE AT A THEATER.

New Yobs, Deoember 14. During the performance at the Opera House, Oswego, on the shores of Lake Ontario, m which Mrs Langtry was taking part, a fire broke out io the Theatre. No particulars are yet to hand, but Mrs Langtry is known to be safe.

BEEF EXPORT BOUNTY.

Uubnos Aykbs, Deoember 15. The; National Congress has unani raqjsty adopted a Fresh Beef Export Bouoty Bill of i,eeo,*QQ dQl'irc,

AUSTRALIAN.

NEW SOUTH WALES

PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION

Sydney, December 15. Dr Barry, Bishop of Sydney, resigned owing to the ill health of Mrs Barry. In the baseball match to-day between the American and the Chicago teams the former won, after an interesting game, by 1 run. . The barque Thurso, which arrived from Lyttelton yesterday, had a tempes tuous passage. The deadlight of the forecastle was stove m, and the fore compartment filled with water," and it fa believed that the cargo is coniiderdbly damaged. The decision of the Assembly m re spect to leasing the city tramways is creating much excitement The Preis expresses the opinion that the proposal will be negatived, owing to the grow scandals afloat- m reference to the 'matter, and the corruption alleged to; have been attempted to influence the Votes of members. It is urged that. the Government should immediately hold an inquiry into the matter. It is thought not improbable that the Government will resign or eveociuifl a dissolution of Parliament. - : -

PARNELL COMMISSION.

(PBB PBMS ASflOOIAIIOV.)

LowDox, Deoembtr 14 At to-day's proceedings a member the League who was examined on the 4th inst. as to the doings of the Inner r Circle, was subjected to severe crosi examination at the hands of Sir £ Russell, counsel for the Parnellites. A letter was produced written by witness to a brother, stating that he thought he could make a few poundr, but not unless prepared to* swear queer, thinga. Trie brother wired exhorting witness to contradict the statement made at the previous examination, and offered; id pay costs; but the latter adhered to his evidence as being the truth. The Commission has adjourned to January 15th. . ' - I

IRELAND AND THE POPE M. PERSICO'S REPORT

[PM rE«SB XBBOOUnOW.] .; s Boxa; Deotmbtt II*:: r Monsignor Persico, Papal delegate to Ireland, has reported to Rome that the '. Protestant authorities have no sympathy for the Catholic population, and will . never convince the people that such pro ceedings aB the plan of oampain are immoral. He finds that the Pope it generally suspected of being under the influence ■ sof the English Tories. ' Agrarian ■- outrages and boycotting^ " though highly immoral practices, are Mons. Persico thinks,, inevitable m the ' present excited state of feeling. He concludes his report with the expression of opinion that sooner or later it will '. become necessary to satisfy the political aspirations of the people of Ireland. * ' ■ .

THE SIEGE OF SUAKIM.

(ESB PIUSS ASSOCIATION.) "^ V Suakim. Deetmberli. One of Osman Digna** forts mounted with 64-pounders, which maintained * '. heavy fire, has seriously damaged an-; other of their own forts. It is reported -> that Naib, the rebel leader, haa been seriously wounded by a shall. LoHDdir. Uovimbar li»; ■ Further information- from Sualnn* atates that m proof of the Mafcdi con- .." qaering Stanley, Osman Digna has pro duced a cartridge which is similar to, those m use by the Stanley expedition^: - In the House of Commons to-day Lord Randolph Churchill, m speaking" on the Soudan war, urged that the pre sent hostilities should, be sußpenledj: pending parleying for the release it captives. •. . _ - , T * Mr W. H, Smith, First Lord of tht Treasury, has intimated that ha will, on Monday, m reply to Lord Randolph Churchill's request for a Bttspenuion of hostilities m Soudan, inform the Hoqse " of the Governments intention. v- Suakim. Deoember 15* Further information as to the deafeat of Emm Bej and others, state that the Mahdi has captured s large quantity of ivory and ammunition, and that he has: f sent the Egyptian prisoners, to Khws toum. One of the whites escaped, but nothing is known as to the fate of tte^ others. The letter received from Osman : Digna is m reply to certain enquiries made of him by Major Bundle m August last. The story is widely credited, but the Emm Bey Belief Committee refuse to believe its genuineness . It is believed .' that the Mahdi would be inclined to r&; ... lease the prisoners m custody at; Khar*-, toum, on condition that England made complete evacuation of the Soudan, and! would farther pledge to. abstain from meddling with it m future. London, December 1& It is considered possible that the white traveller m the Soudan is Captain, . Casat, an Italian, or Jepson who; if I j Stanley's Lieutenant. - -" - * Major-GeneralGreenfellhas prohibited A Mr Wylde, merchant and philanthropist, from landing at Suakim and parleying with the tribes. ' Replying to Lord B. Churchill m tie Houbo of Commons, Mr Goschen said ; -.■:■ the information to hand concerning the captives at Khartoum is so, uncertain that it is impossible at present to sub- - pend military operations m the Soudan; or at anyrate till the news has been con* firmed. \ ; ; It is believed that Stanley and Bmim have been captured by the Mahdi, and are now prisoners at Khartoum. It i* stated that they are xnanaol^d, bufc Vvi otherwise fairly treated. ;.;.■' (Reoaived Doaember 17i IG.SO a (n;> London, Deoetobejr 15. In his statement regarding the iftten- ■ • 'tions of the British Government, Mr Goschen said that m any event Suakini would have to be relieved without delay. General Greenfell's discretion was quite unfettered.! ••••". : Suakim. December 16. The enemy is answering the shelling from the forts by Vh6V musketry fite, but so far little harm has been done. . Two military aeronauts have started • from the city to reconnoitre the enemy's position and ascertain hia strength, ■••■•■"

THE ABHBPRION GUARDIAN, MONDAY DECEMBER 17, 1888



•• Rpt/GH on Catarrh " corrects offensive odors at once. Complete cure of worst chronic cases i also unequaled as gargle for dipntherta,



Heating's Powder dcitroys both moth* Star, beetles, and all other insects,' While quite- ■■' ■'-■>' harmless to domestic animals. In exterminat- ing beetles, the success of this powder if extraordinary. It is perfectly clean m *PpK*-, ;' cation. See the article you purchase is " Keatings as imitations are noxious aad it- , i; - ; efectuil Sold m tto?± W, is» w* aW W "



CO TO TBB N.Z. CLOTHING FACTORY For Genolne Bargains m Gents' and Boys Clothing, Regatta Shirts, Scarfs, Ties, Hosiery, Hate, eto. The very latest designs to hsadi TAILOKING. Sails to measure, £2 16a, Troaiers to meaaare, 17s 6i, from the newest oheoks and stripes. Oastomers can rely upon a good fit and excellent workmanship m every garment we undertake. FOSTER OOLOJSIAJL INDUSTRY AVD BUY FEOM THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. W. H. WEBBBR, Manager. ~~ A'body Kens ye BOXING NIGHT



Xmas. Xmas, TEIE Sew Zealand Clothing Factory Gives notice to thoir Numerous Customers that it is not their intention to give away ALMANACKS, PICTURES, Or any other useless Artlole, but it la their tntautlon and desire to place within the means of all their celebrated MEN'S AND BOYS' CLOTHING, And they now clve notice that they have THIS DAY made Substantial Redactions la all Departments daring the Xmw and Now Year Holidays



Auld Freens BOXING NIGHT SALE of Boots and Shoes. We haje marked our lar&e stock of Boots and Shoes with the intention of clearing them this month. Come and ssve money. — H. O. Sxobbs, Melford House. FOR gennine Ashburton Tweed Suits ready-made, or to measure, fie and quality guaranteed, and. at prices un- equalled, go to H. Aloobn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Sounders' buildings. \ I /ANTED Known—That Mas Bill, VV Monthly Nurse, has removed from Peter Street to Dr Trevor's house, Id Moore Street. 10t39 "X7"MAB, Xraas.— Andrew Obr is show- JSI. ioft Novelties m all Departments for Xroas Presents. WAFTED Known— We bold a large and well-assorted Stock of Men's and Boys' Clothing, made from Colonial Tweede, m every slza and style.— J. Obb anp Co. _^ WANTED Known— That 8. W. Aloobn and Co. are selling at Warehouse price, a splendid lot of Lidles Silk and Cashmere Mantles, and Satin and Fancy Sunshade*, bought a bargain. No vala'a like them In Ashbarfpn, Jock Meßaw BOXING NIGHT WORSTED Tweeda.— A Beantifnl Assortment of Worsted Twoerls as exhibited at the late Show. Specially made to order for Andrew Obb. WANTED Known— We hold a large and varied Stook of Men's White and RegstU Shirts, Scarves, Ties, Collars, Gloves, Braces, Umbrellas, Rugs, etc — J. Obk asp Co. WANTED More Known— That 8. W: Aloobn and Co. is the cheapest House m Ash burton » Gx eat variety' of Dreßß materials ; Priiit* and Fanoy Galateas to choose from, 11 159 WANTED Known— Our Stook of Boots and Shoes oannot be sur- passed for variety, quality, and cheapness. —J. Orb and Co. r Deooli Slainte BOXING NIGHT \%T ANTED KNOWN— That I havo W appointed Mbs Adams sole agont ! n Ashburton for the fcclipse Dye .Works, Christcbuicb. Ladies dreeses and gentle men's clothes cleaned or dyed, fc'eal Bkine, Gloves and Feathers, Silks, Damnsk Cnrtaine, TabJe Covers, Sashes Cleaned oi Djed, etc., end all kinds of animal skins drefcße«l an<* made up to order. — A. J. Chapmawj 161 Armagh street, Chriet- church 130 Reid and Gray HAVE to inform their Farmer Friends and Customers generally that MR JUHN TAYLOU hos teen appointed Manager of their Aeh burton Br&nchfrom lti« <lato B1I« I EX BEPAIRS exrouted cheaply ai d bzpedttioußly. BiM>tK '1 WINE of the Best and C:h< epeat Quality, OftDIBTEARLT. bee our Latest yon will buy no othejr f %% % *



"BeWiseMon" BOXINJ NIQHT /^REAT Clearing Sale of Boots. -We \Jf havß never marked any so cheap before.— H 0. Brgers, Melford House. riT ANTED Known.— Beautiful Mill) W nery. A choice assortment is now being shown; also Sunshades, Silk Qloves, Laces, bcarfe, &o, at Obb'b. ■■—..*• Q BLEEP SHEABS, 11 A'o, DB A's, and )3 BBAMZ's; and genuine Turkey Stones. — R.0828T Aloobn, Saunders j Buildings. IIT ANTED Known— We hold an j VV Immense Stook of Tweeds and Covings to select frcm, A first. olass suit made to meaiure from 60s. — J. Obr and Oo^ WANTED eTeryone to know that J. C. Duncan is a Land broker, licensed to prepare and register TransCerp, Mortgagee, Gncun.branceß, Leases, Regis- tration .'. bstrac's, Powers of Attorney, Applications to bring Lan i under the Act, and every description of instruments unu^r the Land Transfer Act— J. 0. Dokoan, Aroade, Ashbnrton. lOtlOl WANTED Known. — Andrew Obr ib giving a Great Bargain m Boots* Girls' School Boott?> Women's Boots, 6s 6d, Men'a.



Wanted LOST a Mnckintosh Rug, between Thncred Street East and Se>*fi"'ld Uoad. Finder will ploase leave at Dr Leahy's house. 12J03 \\ J ANI ED Known — Mrs Meroh, VV Dressmaker, has returned from Sjdnoy, ond re commenced buaineß^ m b'aundora' Buildings, next Mr 11. bloom's. 10 78 WAVTICD Kuown,— -Thut Miss Edwabds, Tailoreas, ib prepared to make Boys' Clothing, tileo Cuffing, Strap- ping, repflirß and alterations, &o — Miss CdwarDs, corner Moore street and Belt. 11 105 Germina. Palatable, Digeßtible, no», Beating AH Groosri, Cum'r Atshin tv BOXING RIGHT MRS ADAMS has removed to baoa- der»* Buildings, oppo«ite Railway Station. Crowel Silks, Wools, and Fancy Hoods of every description kept m stook. Agent for Eclipse Dye Works. Registry ■offioe for Servants. 10 92 WAITED Koovn.— l have reduced the p'ioe of Mutton at my shop }d per lb. Sides, 2sd j hind quarter, 3d ; fore quarter, 2d ; Lamb 2b 6d fore quarter, and 3s 6d hind quarter, and will c.ill adhere to nry old mle, none but the best quality supplied, combined with oleanlineai and civility.— Jambs Taskbb. 12*88 Tke Bkoys from the Ould Dliart BOXiNG NIGHT WANTED Known— We have the Largest and best assorted Stook m the District of Men's Bits and Gaps m all the leading shapes and styles.— J. Obb awd Oc^ v , BEFORE baying Boota and Shoes, eto, oil and inspect our Clearing prices. Will be to your sdvantage. — H. O. Seoebs, Melford Hqubp. . - WANTED Known— We do the largest Tailoring? Trade m the Difitrlot. Perfect fit guaranteed and every garment warranted thoroughly shrunk —J. Orb jjsp Co. . WANTED Known.— Support Local Industry. Buy your Suits Aeh- burton 1 weed from 80s ; made to measure (end choose your own Ta:lor) from £3 10s.— Amdbew Obr.



Fahlie Notices. CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. ANDREW ORK IS SHOWING NOVELTIES IN MAKTLES and JACKETS. LATEBr NOVELTIES IN HATS AND BONNETS. OBEHE AND EMBROIDERED DBE6BES. lATEBT NOVELTIES IN Btbbon, Flowers, Feathers, and Sanobadei Novsltiw m Plashes, Silks, and Cos- tutao Cloths. Great ßargains m Ladies Boots; Girls School Boota from 4a 6d. Grata' Baits Ashburton Tweed from 80s. ANDREW ORR. ».y ■ — - — -~ THE WHOLE TRUTH. AND NOTH- ING BUT THE TRUTH. , lilt true, Yes ; perfeotly trae, that Mitchell & Turner BELL SELL SELL DRAPERY HEN'S AND BOYS' CLOTHING, BOOTS, Ew., -■i AT Reasonable Prices & Ai Yaine, CALL AND INSPECT LARGE ANE WELL-ASSORTED STOOK, Oiiristmas. "^ Christmas. Where shall I boy my Christmas Paroal and get firet-olass value for my moDey. Why, at Mitchell & Turner DRAPERS AND CLOTHIERS, TANCBED STEEEG ORR & CO., FOB 10 Days Only, WILL HOLD A SPECIAL SALE OF SURPLUS STOCK. ODDS AND ENDS, And * very Large Qaa&tlty of BEMNANTB, Which we bare Marked In PLAIN FIGURES, and arranged for lospeotloo. BARGAINS IN EVERY DEPARTMENT FOR TEN DATS. GRAND VALUE IN MEN'S AND BOYS CLOTHING. N«w Styles and Patterns. Best v»lue ever offered m Ashborton, NEW Atitf-ANAOB, Our Beenttfoi o«w Almanacs for 1889 will be dlstribn'ed „« Saturday, the 16tb, and following Saturday. JOHN ORR AND CO? G^BRAL IMPORTER*, I- AST ••.;■■ ; '- »- E ? . j