TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Attention to the following rules will save the writers of oorrespondenoo a good deal of trouble: — We cannot under take to return rejected communications. No notice can be taken of anonymous communications Whatever 1b intended for insertion In this journal must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publi cation, but as a guarantee of good faith. Letters aud other communications in tended for insertion m the newu column should be addressed to The Editor ; and M bnsineaa communications, in cluding advertisements, addressed to The Ashburton Publishing Co.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1888. ESCAPES FROM GAOL.

" Jonathan Roberts can no longor claim to be the New Zealand Jack t-hepard. Rndka has shown that any prisoner who ha.s a. friend outside can walk oat of a JNew Zealand gaol without difficulty. There 13 no special merit m doing so, at all. That this is so ib a crying shame to our Government, espe cially m view of the largo sums of money expended by the Gaol Department. 1 have no wish to head a violent personal attack upon Captain Hume, but the fact remains that (m Bpite ot high salaries) the gaols under his management fail to retain their prisoners — not here or there, but everywhere. If heavy expenditure upon masonry, locks, bolts and bars is to be rendered useless by inefficient or meddlesome general supervision, the sooner barns are used instead of prisons, and cheap laborers instead of gaol officials, the better. The present inse curity of our gaols is a direct incentive to crime and a bitter mockery of the oft talked of sword of justice." Thus, the paragraphist of the " Dunedin Evening Herald," who discourses of things m general under the heading, " Flowers and flutters of the week." And "so say all of us," for as " lovo laughs at lock smiths," so also assuredly will New Zealand gaolbirds laugh at their cages if this sort of thing be permitted to go on. It used to be supposed the gaols were places intended for the safe-keeping of prisoners, but we are fast returning to the arcadian state of things which existed m the very early days of the colony, when prisoners were allowed to go out when they pleased and were threatened with being locked out if they did not return at timely hours, fcseri ously, this frequency of escapes, as well from gaols as lunatic asylums, is becom ing to be alarming and is nothing short of a ecandal, and it is high time that a rigid enquiry were instituted with a view to ascertaining who is or who are to blame. It begins to look as if there were a laxity of discipline all round.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The cost ot public education m Prussia 15 centß per head.

The failure of a Now York firm was caused by tho negligence of the offioe boy to post a letter. He stopped to play a game of marbles.

An Indiana Judge has deoided that a man who had been aßßailed with rotten eggs was jOßtified m shooting with intent to kill,

The attraction at the Pink de Paris to-night is the dog-oarl hurdlo race, which should evoke a lot of fun and give opportunity for the display of skilful skating.

Spurious money, mostly half-crowns and florins, are being rather freely put about m Auckland juß_t now. They are darker m colour and weigh less than genuine coins.

A Northern exchange asserts that tbe report of a million and a-half of Victorian money being open for investment m New Zoaland is fully confirmed. Several large properties m the Waikato are under offer to the syndi oate.

If Sir Henry Brougham Looh is a prophet, or the son o( a prophet, there are good times m store for the great wool industry of these colonies. Ho anticipates that the American tariff will pasß before long, and that a rise of 4d or 5.1 a pound may be looked forward to.

The late Lady Grtttan haa left £70,000 to the Hon. Algernon ToHemaoh*, who is well-known m New Zealand, having resided m Wellington for several years. Mr Tolle maohe (says an exchange) must now have an income of not lepa than £80,000 a year.

Master Bobby's papa is the happy owner of a batoning maohine. The other day, as th'e former was watching a chick energetically breaking ita way through the shell, ho enquired, I see how it gets out, but how ever did he go to work to get m."

The polioe deolare, says the " Melbourne Age," that the Exhibition iB a den of thievei — that among the employes there are many persons of known baa oharaoter, one having had six convictions recorded against him — »nd that the wonder is, not that the theftß are so many, but bo few.

Contrary to goneral opinion leprosy is spreading rapidly — aooording to Dr Besnier, of the Paris Academy of Medicine. Frenoh colonists are fast falling victims. Physicians everywhere Bre urged to seek a means ot abating its ravages. The disease m trans mitted by a baoillua resembling that of con sumption.

A New Plymouth paper states that a looal dealer has received a letter from Sydney m whioh enquiry is made for beat New Zealand oheese at B^d to 9d. Along with the enquiry he has received an order to ship as muoh as ten tons by first steamer. As oheese is scaroe now m that distriot, it not likely that the quantity oan go together for tin order m full.

The " Taranaki Herald " says :— lt having been reported to the Health Committee that a local milkman had m his possession a oow suffering from a oanoer, the matter wss promptly investigated by Dr O'Carroll, and the beast was shot. The incident shows the necessity of a body competent to deal with matters affecting the health of the community.

An Auckland settler, who has recently been on a visit to Fiji, states that the settlers are now feeling more hopeful over the prospects of that colony. The concessions made by Viotoria respecting the importations of Fiji fruit has given a large stimulus to the banana trade, whioh is assuming large pro portions. About seven times the quantity of fruit is consumed m Viotoria per head as m New Zealand.

Mr Carl Hertz, the conjuror states that he has a wonderful triok m preparation. He intends to produce on the Btage the scene from •• She " m whioh tho woman is oon aumed by the "life-giving flame," Instead of a blaokened mummy, however, tho per former iB going to reduce the female to ashes m full Bight of the audience. " She " will then reappear. Thiß ia a pleasing variety of the vanishing lady triok.

In the case of a person listening to his own voioe and utteranoea from the grapho phone there is imuoh for curiosity, if not wonderment. The person who nover heard himself speak aa be has heard others (out side of himßelf, as it were) is astonished at its sound. " Can that be my voioe as others hear it ? " he mentally asks, for it sounds m hia ear with an almost unfamiliar ring and tones.

At the Supreme Court Christohuroh on Wednesday, Robert Woods was formally ao quitted on a further indictment charging him with demanding with menaces certain obatie'a from Mary Lockhead, the prisoner having been acquitted on a similar oharge on tbe previous day. On Mr Joynt's application, the prisoner was discharged, after being called by his Honor " as dishonourable a scoundrel aa ever stood m that dook." The latest addition to the Royal Navy is the " Sans Panel," whose tonnage is 10,470 tons. She is armed with two guns of 110 tons eaoh, one of 30 tons, and twelve Gin 5-ton breeoh-ioaders, She also has three 6!b quick firing guns, eight Whitehead torpedoes, and an equipment of maobine gune. She is 12,000 horse power, and ib one of the moßt powerful ships ever built for the Royal Navy. Her estimated cost when completed and fully equipped is £814,000. The first quarterly meeting of the South Bakaia and Suburban' Co-operative Money Club was hold on Saturday at the Oddfellows' Hall, Bakaia. Present— Messrs W. Kemble (Vioe-Preaident, m the chair), Howell, (Treasurer), Messrs Harvey, Liddy, (Trustees), and all the Committee. The Olub although young is m a flourishing condition, consisting of some thirty members. Matters n'nanoial were reported to be m a flourishing condition. A number of new members were enrolled and after transacting routine business the meet ing adjournod. Travelling m the Tyrol with hie oharming young wife, whom ho loved passionately, Baron Da Martens found himself obliged to put up for th-3 night at a ruatio and isolated inn. Nothing m tho surroundings or appear anoo of the landlord was calculated to excite distrust, and shortly afterwards he retired to rosfc with Madame De Martens m a double bedded room set aside for their occupation. Waking up m the early mording, and in stantly looking towards his wife' 3 bed, he saw only her deoapitated body. The bead had

disappeared, and m spite of long endeavours and minute researches, it has never been possible to discover the perpetrators of this inexplicable outrage or ths motives of the crime.

Tho usual meeting of tho South Rakaia Sohool Committee was held m tho Library on Wednesday evening. Present— Messrs Pyke (ohairman), Makeig, Oxley, Broadbent, Clark and Dowling. An apology was received from

Mr Turner for unavoidable abaence. The Visitiog Committee made ita usual report on matters pertaining to the eohool. The Master reported that the attendance during the month had been irrepular, very good on fine days and very bad on cold and wet days. The average for paßt quarter was 15<1'3 ; for past month 169*7 ; past week 153 1. Highest attendance 191; number on roll 204. He asked that that some small repairs be made. He forwarded copies of the " Southern Orosa Headers," and he asked the opinion of the Committee upon them. It was resolved to reply that the books were very good from a publisher's point of view, but it was un- 1 desirable to make any change m the school bookß. The Chairman reported a oredit balance of £15 3s sd, Accounts amounting to £4 148 were passed for payment. Mr Broadbent was requested to report on the requirements asked for.

Writing on the personal aspaots of the last Imperial Parliament tho London correspon. dent of the " Sydney Morning Herald "says ; —Mr Balfour has not only Bupplanted Lord Randolph Churchill m the affections of the younger and more militant Beotion of the Conservative force, but haa Beoured what Lord Randolph never enjoyed— namely, the esteem and confidence of the sober members of tho party. Lord Randolph has been dis tinctly on hia good behaviour as far as outward appearances go, and this would have enabled him to make up some lost ground but for the intrigue whioh he set on foot a few weeks ago to oust Lord George Hamilton from the Admiralty. On tho Opposition side of^ tho House Sir William Haroourt has gained most, and to all appearance has settled the question whioh was at one time m doubt as to whether he or Mr John Morley was to be the leader of the Gladstonian party m the absence of the right hon member for Midlothian. This time laßt year Mr Morley's prospeots were considered to be brighter than those of Sir William Harcourt ; but this session he soemq to have gone baok while, his rival has gone forward. He has spoken seldom, and his speeches have, as a rule, been dull and tame performances. Sir William Haroourt, on the other hand, haa been very muoh m evidenoe, while his oratory haa been distinguished by a lightnesa and pungenoy, as well as a broad humor, whioh no one would have expeoted from the ponderous and pompous Home Secretary of Mr Gladstone's 1880-85 Government. «««one b

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBURTON— i HDRSDAY,

(Before Mr C. A. Wray, R.M.) I ] CIVIL HOSINES3. I Union Fire and Marine Insurance Co. I v John Pearson. This was an application ( for a writ of ejectment, plolntlffj belug mortgagees of a certain property oocupicd by defendant, and on which n .thing had beon paid In respeot of principal or In terest for Bomo years. Mr Oathbertson appeared for the applloantr. The ca«o had boen before tho O jurt on a previous sitting, but had boen adjournod ii order to allow Pearson time t.) vaoate the pro : perty m respoot of whioh, the prcsont proceedings were brought —Tho defen dant eaid that the reaaoii for bla not hav ing glvan up the property, was that he OiUld not get another house to go into. — Tho order as asked for was made, directing defendant to give up possession to the plaintiff Company, P. Weldon v a. Turner, judgment sammoni £15 16s Mr Outhbertoon for judgment or oredit. Order made for tbe amount to ba paid within two months, m default one month's Imprisonment. J. O'Qrady v J. Worner, claim £9 2* 4d. Mr Pa aell for plaintiff, Mr| Ou h~ bertson for defendant. This claim was f3t oats eupplied to defendant, Plaintiff aald the Bale was made at la Bd, defendant said that he oontrAoted to take the oati at Is 7d f and prior to the issue of tbe summons he had paid Into plaintiffs oredit at the bauk, the amount due, o»lculated on thi« basis, thus leaving 8a 41 claimed by plaintiff. Plaintiff atated that he knew nothing cf thla payment Into the bank till the case was called on m Court, a demand having been made upon defendant to pay the~ money to plaintiff' 8 solloltor, The Magistrate gave jad^ment for the amourrt claimed aud costs, less the amount paid Into the bank, stating that it whs defendant's fault that the coats had been Incurred, owing to hia giving no notification to plaint ffi of the amount being paid. , «• Meaolem vN. Fliz,'erald, o'alm £17 Is 7i. Mr Wilding for plaintiff, Mr Pur nell for defendant Plaintiff ia a thresh ing machine proprietor and defendant a farmer, the claim being for a balance alleged to ba due on thresh ng defendant's crop and for coal supplied. The sum of £6 7a 101 had been paid into Court, and there wai a set off for £8, for alleged lobs of grain m threshing.— Mr Wilding ob jected to tie set off, saying that it should be brought as a separate aotion, though plaintiff had a sufficient raply to It, — Mr Wilding oilled the following evidence : — R. Meaolem, threohlng machine pro prietor, said that be contracted^ to thresh Mr Fi z'eiald'a grain f.»r £11 per thousand. Wont to the work himself snd threshed 5274J bushels In the first inßtanco eont m account for £57 Hi 4d, bat thoro vras an error la this, the bagman having missed 20 basheh. Had a driver named Qartland, As f<*r as he knew the man knew his work, and while witneea wr.a there about 1000 bushels were threshed. Fi'z^erald was present and made no complaint while witness was there. When wltnesa was going aw*y he said to defendant that tbe driver was 1 a stranger to him, and that if he (Fitz gerald) Bavr anything golDg wrong to etjp the machine and send In for wltnem. Defendant expressed perfeot satisfaction with the driver. On the Saturday night wis sent for and got down on Sunday night. Fiizjerald complained of the driver and witness "socked" him there »nd then,|puW;lng on ano her driven Told Fllz(erale that he won d put the stuff thtough again In the morning. H«d a liok at tho straw; thoro was not a great deal left m. The wheat was Tuscan which could not be threahod quite clean m any case. Put through about two dray loads of the stuff, when Fifz<erald said It would be better for witness to allow him something fair instead of continuing rethreshinp Witness aald be would allow him £3 for the Btraw and £2 for the chvffand Fitzgerald was satisfied. Com pleted the threshing and no subsequent complaint was made. Before witness sent In hia aocount Fl!z?erald paid £45 c n acoonnt. Saw him subsequently and de fendant asked about the £8, which he said witness had ayreed to pay him for bad tfir<>shlng Told him that ho had nevor agreed to pay such a Bum ; that he had only agreed to pay £5 to settle the matter amicably, and that offer was still open to settle the matter out of Court, Atdefon dant'a request sold some coal to him and to Mr Leadley. The morjoy for thehtter had been paid. Defendant referred wlt neaa to David Fitzgerald for payment for the other half, hot David disclaimed any liability.— By Mr Prirnell : Never offered to allow defendant £8 for the stuff that had boon frapoifeo'ly threßhed. Never sild anything about keeping the matter quiet, as It might do him harm ; defen dant made a remark to that e ffe:t. Never sent a bill till after defendant had paid £45 ; had reoelvod the £45 before ho sent the apoouot produoed on March 0. There waa not credit given on that bill for the amount paid, The wltnoßa was cross examined at considerable length — Mr Purnoll pointed out a clerical error of 4i 5d In tho account. [Left elttlnp.]

BANK OF NEW ZEALAND

THE INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE'S REPORT. (PRE PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, October 3 At a special genoral moetlnpr of tho shareholders of theßmkof New Zealand, hold today at the banking hoaee, Queen street there w»B a crowded attendance, Mr G. Buckley, President of the Board of Directors, occupied tho ohalr. Before the business osmmenced It was ascertained that the meeting was properly constituted and that over 60,000 snareß were represented In person or by proxy. The report, whloh had been unani mously deoided upon by the Shareholders Committee, was read by tho Chairman of Committee, Mr Justice GllHei, as fol lows : —

"Our appointment implied widespread onxiety on the part of the shareholders to have an independent aacuranca of the Bank's real position, Thnnks to tho pro vision of the Inspector and tho efficiency of the Bank's staff our work wns facilitated and wo were soon able to assure ourselves of the soundness of the Bank m roßpeot of ablity to meet its liabilitiep, a conviotion which further examination confirmed, but at the same time we found the position so eminently unsatisfactory to shareholders that the circumstances required enlarged interpretation of our commission and mature consideration, hence tho delay m the presentation of tlie report. Our ex amint'on disclosed many securities to ? u PP° r * , weak ncoounte, the value of which had fallen greatly, and m»oy aooountß m liquidation or which ought to be, the cover for which had become obviously in adequate, altogether involving losses tho directors had not faced, which, on vigorous examination, will aosorb the reserve lund and noarly one third of the Bank's paid up capital. The data supplied to us are et a clear and exhaustive oharaoter, amply aulhentloated, and after minute and careful examination of the v/irioua ncoounta and assets wo areaatiaHed that under good management and judicions realisation of eejunties, the amount namod should cover all losses. It is obvious to us that for years the Bank hee been paying a rate of divideni it ought not to have paid • securities have been l^ld and accounts k-pt going m the vain hope of recovery to the values placed upon them, m what was, m faot, a period of inflation, and euperven- > ing upon thie heavy Iqisob m Australia

brought matters to the climax we have ' now to face Wo next explain tho measures which, upon conference with tho Directors, we think should be adopted to reahhilitate the Bank. Tho nocessity for radical chungea m tho administration, and for increase m the Bank's capital became immediately apparent to us, and we now hero obsorve that through donths and retirements the di'rectora'e aod general management have already been recon stituted. &o much capiial being lo3t it mU3t be written off and charon redu od from £10 to £7, leaving £700,000 of paid up capital ando ne million of reeervo liability. It ia proposed to take authority to create 100,000 new elvircß and to issue 50,000, thereby bringing the paid up cipiiul to £1,200,000 and the reserve liability to £1,500,000. We are pleased to be able to announce that applications have already been eeoured m London for 20 000 shares by firnn and parsons of the very highest financial standiug, which not only ensures tho success cc the isaua but gains for the Bank new connections which the Directora value highly and will do their utmost to strengthen. Applications could have been secured for a laree number or, indeed, probably for the whole issue; but we deem it better to reserve one half for the coionies. We will only add that notwithstanding the character of our report wa see no occasion fcr do sponrteacy for tho future of the Bank, or doubt that tho shares you hold or those you take up will be good investment, ft should bo borne m miad that euch in vestigation m a timo of depression so extreme, is one one that woulJ be trying to any instilutioa. The trenchant character of our report may ba taken as evidence that we are of a better mind to f.ice and disclof-e all. The good will of tho Bank's business is of great value. It haa m the past divided among tin share holders, over and above ten pec cent dividends, sums which aggregate nearly double the amount of capital now lost, and while desiring to guard again.-t the oreatiomof unduly inflated expectation, we can say, from figures of the half year just closed, that the Bank's legitimate business is capable of yieMiog good dividends, despite the serious dra>vbaok under whioh it has of Ute bean working. Given time to enable the Directors to i^ot rid of unpro ductive assets and develop the Bunk's legitimate operations still better results aro confidently expected. On i!a merita the investment ia one which cocfidentty moy ba expected to yield a Batiafttctory return and command a considerable promlun. The Bank'a business la by bo m ana con fiied to New Zetland. In London there are large and valuable deposita, a good connection, and exchange business, from wh'ch virtually no losses are ever ra»de. Ia Acutr.tlia there ia a business of a strictly legitimate character, represented by assets and liabilities aggregating over three miillona sterling, contributing a material proportion of valuable profi s. And da regards New Zealand there la no inherent reason why it should not bo aa proaperoua and wealthy ac any colony of the group, as it is Inferior to none of them In ollmUe, fertility and natural resources. In Its borrowing proclivities whioh have been subject to so moon adverse comment it ia not singular, and bo fur as these have been exoaasive that is but a passing Incident In the national biatory, the temporary oonscquenoea of which have been too sharply brought home to the people of the colony to pjemlt the lesson being soon forgotten." The President moved the following resolution — " Tnat the Directora be authortaod to Increase the oapltal of the Bank by one million, by tho creation of 10,000 further additional shores at £10 eaoh, and that tho Board of Directora be, and are heroby, empowered to Issue, dis pose of and allot 5000 shares, or so many of them aa they see fit, on euch terms and conditions, and payable at such time, and either with or without premium, as the Board of Directora may determine." Mr Reader Wood thonght that before putting this reao'utlon the report should be considered. Mr Juatloo GilHea Bald that only the resolution to incceaao tho capital would take effdot at thla meeting. Nothing else done that day would be binding until confirmed at a subsequent meeting, The Chairman's motion was adopted without dissent. The Chairman moved that the words "should not" m the deed of settlement ha deleted, and the word " may " sub stituted. He explained that at present, under the deed of settlement, any new aharea must be paid for m one instal ment. The proposed alteration was to allow them to be paid for by one or more Instalments. Mr W. S. Wilson oeoonded the resolu tion whioh was agreed to without discus, slon. On the motion of the Rev S. W. Baker, seconded by Mr L; D. Nathan, Messrs G. Buckley, W. H. Oolbeok, and F. Nelson George, being the only candi dates for the vaaant seats at the Board of Directors, were daly elected, A vote of thanks was passed to the Committee for their report. Mr Justloe Gillies, Chairman of Com mittee, acknowledged the vote. It had been suggested that tfala vote woald be taken is an aooeptauo of the report, but ho looked npon it rather as an acknow ledgement of the Committee's labors. The principal work had been done by Messrs Baokley and Cjlheok; at the same time others who had lees time to spare had verified the figures This concluded the business, and the Chairman announced that a confirmatory meeting would be held a week heuce. Wellington, October 4 ( The local manager of the Bank of New Zealand states the quorum necessary for the rneetlog Is fifty thousand Bbares not five thousand aain the report this morning, whjoh m,uat he a telegraphio error.

SUPPORT FROM ENGLISH CAPITALISTS.

THE COMMITTEE'S POLICY APPROVED. (Reoelved Ootober 4, 12.30 p.m.) Loudon, Ootobpr 2. A deputation from the Committee of Audit appointed m Auckland to investigate the affairs of the Bank of New Zealand, has submitted the present position of the Bank to the chief financial houses, capitalists, and Banks m London. After a searching examination two hundred thousand pounds of new capital has been pri vately subscribed by leading capitalists not hitherto associated with the Bank, including a Director of the Bank of England, Glynn, Mills and Co., Lord Hindlip, and others of the highest reputation. Additional capital was offered but declined. The policy of facing the situation boldly is approved of m the highest financial circles.

SUPREME COURT

(pbu press AssociArroir.)

Wellington, Ootober 3,

At the Supreme Court Hodges, 15 yeirs, was charged with rapo on a chf'd of tender yoiro Ho was fouod gnil y, with ■\ s^ronsj recommendation to mercy, on account of his ag». Sentence was de ferred until to-morrow.

Wellington, October 4. Hodges, the lad convicted of rapa on a little girl a' tho Ilatfc, was sentoncad to-day to ala. months hard labor and two floggings, with a ca^, of 20 lasheß eaoh. The Chief Just'oa B*id it was no oae giving a Ud of hla sga a long sentence. Be thought a short term with a severe whipping wonld be more efficacious, and the gaoler having et*ted be coald bear 24 lashe3, the sentence was recorded as above. His Hinor directed one flagging to be administered nt once and the other towards the end of his sentence. W, J. Slmmoads convioUd on three charges of larceny was sentenced to two years hard 1 iboe.

Christohoroh, October 3. The Snpreme Ooart criminal' sittings closed to-day. Geo. Xyrlion was aan tenced to three years penal servitude for sheep stealing. Thoa. Batohelor, a young man who bad aided him, was sentenced to two years probation, and Wm. Batohelor was acquitted.

THE MARKETS

[per press association ]

London, October 2. English wheat shows a general de cline, the average price m the country markets being 32s 3d. The conti nental market has an upward tendency and the American ia advancing rapidly. The total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom amounts to 1,252,000 quarters, and for the Con tinent 700,000. The American visible supply of wheat ' s 31,500,000 bushels. The stock market is generally affected owing to the increasing value of money. Severe snowstorms m the north of England have caused great damage to 1 crops. New consols 98^3.

The New Zealand Loan and Mer cantile Agency Company, Limited, have received the following cable message from their London office, dated October 2nd : —

Wheat— There is an active enquiry, with upward tendency.

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(P3R PBBSS ASSOCIATION.)

MR BALFOUR'S SPEECH.

London, October 3. Mr Balfour assured a large audience at Glasgow, that the treatment of Ire land by tha Government was lenient, and the charges of cruelty towards prisoners were untrue.

THE RUAPEHU.

The Ruapehu arrived all well at Rio Janiero on the 27th ult. Her cargo of frozen meat was m good condition.

CARDINAL MORAN ON AUS TRALIA.

Cardinal Moran m the course of a sermon m Dublin Cathedral, said Aus tralia was the brightest gem of the Crown. No church m Christendom was more attached to the Papacy than the Catholics of Australia. He also added that the Irish m the Australian colonies were determined to help Ire land as far as possible to assert its rights.

MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE COLONIES.

It is proposed to form a society m London to report on the mineral re sources of the colonies.

MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

King Kalakaua, of Hawaii, intends to visit the Melbourne Exhibition.

CANADA AND THE STATES.

Washington, October 2. The Foreign Committee of the Senate will probably advise Congtess to urge President Cleveland to invite Canada to join the United States. It is believed the Senate will advise the United States Government, m the event of Canada accepting, to assume the whole of the Dominion debt.

FRENCH POLITICS.

Pakis, Ootober2. M. Freycinet, Minister of War, has undertaken to reduce the military hud get by 6,000,000 francs (^£240,000). M. Goblet, m the course ot a speech, declared that the election of the Boulangists meant anarchy, followed by dictatorship and war. He also asserted that Comte de Paris had allied himself, with Boulanger.

RUSSIA AND THE CHINESE.

St. Petersburg, October 2. The Russian Press advocates the exclusion of the Chinese from Siberia.

FRANCE AND ITALY.

Roans, October 1. Violations by French residents m Louis (sic) of the stipulations under which the local taxes are levied, has caused some irritation m Italy.

THE PRINCE OF WALES.

Vienna, October 2, The Prince of Wales had a great reception m Hungary. He has now started for Bucharest.

AUSTRALIAN.

(rait rasas association.)

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Sydney, Ootober 3. For some time past the police have been aware that an extensive system of defrauding the banks by means of forged cheques has been m active operation m this city, but the perpetra tors of the frauds eluded the vigilance of the detectives. To-day, however, two brothers named Grieve were arrested on the charge. The amount involved m their operations is unknown at present, but it is stated that all the city banks have been victimised.

VICTORIA.

Mslbowbnb, October 3. Captain Whitney has declined to erect a cartridge factory anywhere but on the site proposed, on the hanks of Ihe Saltwater river.

REPORTED DEATH OF THE MAHDI

(PER TIiKSS ASSOCIATION.)

Cairo, October 2; It is reported that the Mahdi is dead. Four thousand Dervishes from Don gola are marching on Barras.

White traders report that the Mahdi is dead. They know nothing of Stanley beyond the fact that he had left Bahr-el-Gazelle for Khartoum.

The British expedition to the Congo country to punish the murderers of Captain Dalrymple are meeting with great opposition at the hands of the natives.

ADDINGTON LIVE STOCK MARKET.

There waa a large attendance at the yards on Wednesday and a fall muster of the trade. A more numerous attendance of frets'ng buyers would have been desir able, bat even m their absenoa there was a good demand for mutton, although sheep prices did really suffer a drop. The cattle market was too well supplied m all de partments for the demands of trade, and fat fell off a little. The end of the turnip season and the beginning of the grass, always causes a rush of young stook into the market, not always with a beneficial result to sellers. Good three-year-olds sold m open market and privately £4 to £4 16', and 2ye»r-olds and younger itook m proportion.

Of fat oaUle there wai a fairly full market with a majority of medium class steera and fair sprinkling of heifers. Prices of beef would be at the beat a drop on last week's market, and not more than 19a per 1001 ba waa ofc voed for store cattle. Transactions need not be quoted after what bai been said above, bat It may ba aald that the market was fairly well BDpplied.

la dairy stock the demand was limited to the looal dairymen, and the supply wai equal to the requirements. In fat sheep there was a fa : rly full market, and for any thing fit for freezing there was a good detraid, 3 1 per lb balng easily obtained for good freezing * ethers, but on all other aorta there was a alight drop. - A fair number of store sheep were sold at prices represented by the following quotations :— Oroßsbred hoggets 8s to 11s 61, crossbred owes with lambs Hi to 153,

There was about the usual entry for the saason of fat lambs for which a good trade demand was manlfasted, best felon- Ing 12s to 13b 9d.

Only about 69 pigs were In the market, mostly scores and porkers. Pcioes were virtually nominal, say 3Jd par lb.

NEWS FROM CHINA

(PER PRESB ASSOCIATION,)

Thursday Island, Ootobar 3.

A steamer which arrived to day brings Chinese-news to the 19th September. The exclusion of Chinese from Aus tralia is still a topic of interest. The native leading papers have again and again indignantly protested against the action of the Australian Governments, and a strong native party is making tha I most of the opportunity to poison tha minds of the natives against all foreignere.

Severe floods, equalling those of the years 1886 and 1887, have devastated several districts, and great misery pre vails. The rivers at Nankin and Pekin broke through their embankments and flooded a large extent of country. An other fearful catastrophe occurred on August 13th m the Foki-en province, when 7£ inches of rain fell hetween night and morning, and an immense body of water came suddenly from the hills and swept away about twenty villages, It is estimated that 10,000 lives were lost m the floods.

Several high officials have been, de graded for negligence and dilatorinesß m repairing breaches made by floods m tha Yellow Kiver some time ago. A scheme for re-building the city of Tokio ( Yeddo), the capital of Japan and the residence of the Emperor,, and mak ing it a new city emblematic of modem progress, has bean officially sanctioned.

FIRE IN CHRISTCHURCH

GREAT DAMAGE*

(W3R PEESS ASSOCIATION,}

Ohbistchtjboh. October 3. At two o'clock .this afternoan a fire broke oat m the workroom of Hobday's drapery establishment which was quickly Ratted. The surrounding shops "were Injured Hobday's Btook was destroyed; Inonranooß on Hobday's £18,000, All thft offices In town are Interested, Later, By a fire which broke oat at two this afternoon Hobiay'a 00-operatlve Com pany's drapery establishment was de< stroyed. The shops of M. Sandsteln, jeweller, and Gould and Co, obemisti, ware seriously damaged, and the shop of Goodman, bootmaker, was Injured. The heat was so Intense tbat the front of tha Al hotel, on the opposite side of Colombo street was severely scorched, all tha windows being broken aa well as those of tha throe shops adjoining. The large sky light of Ballantine's draper's shop !n Oaahel street, to the westward of the fire was broken. The fire began 00 Hobday's) upper floor, but how oannot be ascertained as the employees were, absent at lunoh. The flames spread through the building with wonderful rapidity and the brigade ooald do no more than aave the neighbors ing premises. Following are the m" euranoes as far a a they can be ascertained. —Gould and Co, chemists stock (greatly damaged) £500 m the New Zealand Company and £500 m the National, A. £500 policy m the Imperial Oompan* (Dalgetty and Co., Limited) w»i allowed to lapse fourteen days ago, Hobday's Co operative Store Oonapany'a Insurances. atook (deatroyed)filOOO In Phc»aix, £1000, Liverpool and London and Globe, £2000 m South British, £1000 m Colonial, £2500 In Sun, £2500 m Union, £1500 In North German Equitable, total £11,600 ou stook ; building £500 In Pfaomix, £1500 In jlverpool and London. and Globe, £looo m Booth British, £1000 m Colonial, £1000 m North German Equitable, £1000 m Australian Alllanoe, £260 m Plate Glass Insurance Company, and fixtures £500 m Liverpool and London and Globe, total on brlok buildings and fixtures £6,750. The stook In the old wooden building was insured for £300 m the Phoaoix and £500 In Colonial. The total InsQranoe on Hobday's Co-operative store £19.150. The Insurance on M r Sandstein's, jewellers, stook (darned) was: New Zealand Office £.1000, half reinsured In Union, £500, m South British £800, m Standard £450, total £2750 ; on fixtures, In Union £100, m South British £200, m Standard £50! total £350, total of Sandsteln'a insurances £3100. Al Hotel (damage about £300) insured m Colonial and Liverpool and London and Globe, Goodman'o stock (damaged) was Insured for £300 In the Equitable. A consider able portion of the above Is atasured.

3?HE ABHBURION GUARDIAN THURSDAY OCTOBER 4, 1888



THE ASHBUETON GUARDIAN. * « j From and after the 30th November, 1886, the * terms of Subscription to this journal will be ' as follows, viz. :— | IT PAID IN ADVANOB Per Quarter.. 6s 6d by post, 9s 6d .Half-year 12a 6d, by post, 18s 6d Year .. 24s Od, by poßt, 37b Od IF BOOKED Per Quarter. . 7s Gd, by post, 10s 9d „ Half-year 15s Od, by post, 21s 6d „ [Year .. 80s Od, by post, 43s Od Birtn, Marriage, and Death Notices, if paid for at the time of insertion 2s 6d eaoh (stamps may sent as payment) if booked, 4s each. Announcements of Births, Deaths and Marringoß sent for publication from the countrj' districts require to be verified by the signature of the Deraon sendincr the notioe. DIARY. Ootobcr Sun Sr.n Moon Moon Moon's Rlees Setr. Hisos Sets, nge at noon; n.m. p.m. 1 Monday .. 5.35 6 5 3.3 0.49 24 3 rucmlay .. 5.33 0.6 342 164 26 3 Wednesday.. 5.31 63 4.18 3.2 26 A Thursday .. 5.29 6.9 4.50 4.U 27 5 Friday.. .. 6.37 6.11 6.21 5.27 28 6 Saturday ... 5.25 6.12 5.52 6.42 0 7 Sunday .. 6.23 613 6.24 7.68 1 Moonlight Evenings. | The Moon at 8 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 Bhinea till nearly o'olook m the morning. The Moon at 12 days old shines from sundown till 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 shines till morning. The Moon at 24 days old rises about 2 a.m. and shinesti 11 morning The Moon at 27 days old rises about 4 a.m. and shines till sunrise. '



Holloway's Ointment and Pills.— A fveqent cause of gout and rheumatism is the inflammatory state of the blood, attended with bad digestion and general debility. A few doses of the Tills takeu m time are an effectual preventive against gout and rhema- matism. Anyone who has an attack of either should use Holloway's Ointment also, the powerful action of which, combined with the operation of the Pills, must infallibly effect a cure. These pills act directly on the blood, Which they puiify and Improve. Having once subdued the severity of their diseases, perse- verance with the Ointment, after fomenting tiie affected joints with warm brine, will 1 Speedily relax all stiffness, and prevent anr I efnunuxt construction,



Keating s Powder destroys both moth, (lets beetles, and all other insects, while quite , harmless to domestic animals. In extermina. tmg beetles, the success of this powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly clean m appli. «tion. See the article you purchase ia •iveatings as imitations are noxious and in* effectual. Sold m tins, $d, is, and 2s 6i by *U chemists, • t



Rouqn on Corns."— Ask for Wells, Kough on Corns." Quick relief, complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts, bunions. At chemists au4 drvggists^ .



| Statutory Declaration.— l, Franz Raaber Ironbark, Sandhurst, m the colony of Yiotoria, Australia, do solemnly and sincerely deqlare that on the 25th June, 1877, my son Alfred, six years of age, was accidentally hurt mth an axe on hig knee. lat onqe took all pains to secure medical assistance. However m spite of all efforts, on the 27th August, 1877 the opinion was given by Dr Maogilliyray that an amputation of the injured limb had become imperative, m order lo save life At this juncture I called on Messrs Sander and Sons, procuring some of their Extraot of the Euoalyptua Globulus, and by the appljoatioii ' of the Bame I bad the satisfaction of seeine my son within a fortnight out of all dancer and to-day he is recovered. I may ju 8 t add that it was when the crisis had been reaohed that the Extract referred to was first aDdied And I make this solemn declaration etc -. Franz Rmbe. Deolared at Sandhurst' m thn oolony of Victoria, Australia, this seventeenth day of Ootober, one thousand eight hundred t D d "«??" MTen befpre - m » Mo "te Oohn



DAIKY FACTORIES IN NEW ZEALAND. \ NUMBER of copies of Mr R, £X McCalldm's report on Dairy Factories In New Zealand, together with other paporg on tbe subject published In pamphlet form, have been forwa-ded to as, and we shall ba happy to distribute them gratis to any of our subscribers Copies cm be obtained at the " Mull " and " Guardian" Offioe on application.



"Bucha-Paiba."— Quick, (complete cure, all annoying kidney, bladder, and urinary, diseases. At chemists ami druggists. Kemp- thorne, Froessr, and Co., agents, Christ- Ohurch, i



. Wanted \ i \%~ T ANTED a good general sa-vant, VV apply Mrs John Orr, Alford Forest Road. 10 34 YOUNG Ladles' Journal for October no* m Stock — H. M Jones. WANTED Known— Th»t Mks Bill, Monthly Nurse, hes removed from Peter Streot to D: Trevor'a hou™. In Moore S:reet. 10t39 "GLASGOW DRAPERY and CLOTHING COMPANY will open on Friday. WANTED a good Ronnral Ber^ant. Apply Mrs Aisdrew Oru, Wood- lawn, f^\ REATEST Sale ot the day, every- \JC thing cboap for Cash. — ii. C. Pegebs filelford House, •TTTANTKD Jo 8011, for €3 10s, a VV t h'tnmy Fweppinir Mnchine, nearly new, coet £5. /ip r -ly offico of tbi-a pppar. 10 6 VJST ANTED oce or two Boardeia lv YY quiet family. Bith, .tables, padd<<( l: . -o. Turms moderate. Apply to PR russOß Robottom, East street. 10 14 |>OARD and Reßidence for a Lady or 13 Gentleman la a private family Bedroom, with use of altting room. — Apply O.D , Mail Office. 10 26 TiLEOTRP-piated goods, Butter, Biscuit, Jjj and Jelly Dishes, Cruets, Toast Kucka, Sa'a^ B jwls, Tea Urna, Inkßtanda, and Presentation Cups. — H. M. Jones. OOOTS. BOOTS.— Keep the feet dry J_> and save doctor'a bills. Qaality 1b everything In bad weather. I gnarantee every pair. Best value In New Zealand at Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saonders Buildings. — Robert Aloobn. 1" ADIES 1 Jackets.— Juat Opened a few I _ Ladies very superior Jackets, both m style and quality. Will be sold at leao than half their price during our present g_l c> — H, O. Segbbs, Melford House. ~\l /"ANTED— Everyone to come and VV Bee the nicest lot of Glass, China, and Earthenware ever shown m Ashbur- ton, and the Cheapest ever landed m New Zealand. Imported direct from the Man of so tur era. — Robert Alcobk, Saun- def B Butldlngß. 3tll QTOCKINGS— 700 pairs of Ladies and |J_) Children's earn pie Hoso just opened under the old Tariff.) All quality to be sold cheap during our Bale. — li. O. Begbbs, Melford House. WANTED Canh. — Muir's Oatmeal (261 b), 2a 6d; Candles, sd ; Vestas, 6d doz.; Coffee and Milk, Is ; Cocoa and Milk, Is ; Corn Flour, 4d ; Frulta In Syrup (2lb tlne)i Is. Crockery, Glassware, and Ironmongery. — J. Mo* Grkqor, Tauored street. WANTED Known— New Gooda. New Goods for tbe approaching Season to hand at tbe New Zealand Cloth* ing Factory. TTTANTED Known— 2sa will puroh*se VV a 40s Tweed Suit at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. "TTTANTED Known— We undertake VV to give the very beat value obtainable m Men's and Boys' Clothing, all our own mako and made from pure Wools, at tho New Zealand Clothing Factory, WANTKD Known —We <uo th« CueapeHt and Beat House m Ashburton for tihirfs, Rugs, Scarfs, flat*, &o. Splendid variety to select from at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. VTTANTED Known— Our Boys' Cloth- VV ing is unrivalled. Parents and Guardians see our Boys' Suits, nicely made ; Coat and Knickers lined through- out, from 10s 6d, at the New Zealand Clothing Faotory. TTT ANTED Known— The Wonderful VV vVerthem Pewing Mnchine, with the new higlf arm and all the latest improvements, may be had on the Tim') Payment System at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. Inspection earneatly invited* TTTANTED Known— We are still VV making Measure Suits at 565, and Trousers to measure at I7t, 6d, Cord Vests from J2s- 6d to measure at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. THE FEDERAL COFFEE PAL&OF, at the corner of Collins & Kino Streets, Melbourne. Now open for businees. The Federal Palace is only two minutes walk from the Central Railway Station and the Wharveß. The Palace contains 550 rooms, comprising Drawing, Dining, Heading, Sitting, Billard, Bed, and other rooms. Special accommodation for families and permanent boarders. The Cuisine and Table appointments for the daily luncheon are a speciality. Particular care exprcised to eecure perfect immunity from Accident by Fire, All charges moderate. 9 25 GKO. COHEN, Manager. QUOD FACIMUS VALDB FAOIMU3' (" What we do we do well.") T_E OHRISTOHUROH DENTAL : BURGERY, 168 Caehel Street, Chriatchnich, next Robin- son's Boot Ftore, and at the Octagon, Duno Un. ' All operations ivt etnetly uniform and moderate 1 Feea. Contnltation free. S. MYERS~AND CO., 1 SURGEON DBNTIBTB. ft J fH ! v 111 **&_y « ' \ ft £5 r^ JO' \ ;, WITH TEEtU « WITHOUT TEETtJ J NITKOUS OXIDB GAB administered. This Aorcstbetlc learei no unpleasant effects, nnd by its aae the ox f ,ractio-> of Bad Stnrapa and :, Teeth is rendered perfectly PainleM aad Effective. Administered daily. Fee for ad- ?' \ ministration of Gas, 63. Extraction, 2b Gd a tf tooth. Hoars of attendance, 9am.to 8p m. Private residence, 9 i Bust Belt. The acknowledged superiority c.f AM. RBI- *. CAN pENTISTSV m the contraction of rtiflcial Teeth, the most finished workman- J 1 ship, and replacing the lost teeth T'M- " fORARILY AliMOSr IMJIKDIATitIiY »fter ? extraction, havo established onr reputation. ii A single Artificial Tooth, 10a , complete set, Upper and Lower, Temporary and Permanent, £10 iO3j Artificial Teeth hrni Dentures made al by /o£her dentuta remodelled ■■ t small oj»t. d Bfoppinpf ScsUnjfp FwieoUod P»i»le!|» tr



Public Notices. | THE Undersigned have Trust Funda for T nveßßine't upon first class free hold Bocurit ; es at lowett current ratea of interest m bams varyinj from £50 to £2000. WILDING AND LEWI*, 7*7 Solicitors, Burnett bl. Charles Kay, MECHANICAL ENGINEER REPAIRS Guns, Sewing Machines L»wn Mowers, Pumpo, etc. BICYCLES and TRICYCLES repahad and extras kept ou hand. BIOYCLE3 FOR SALE. Engineering m all its Branohes ( pposiTS CENTRAL HOTEL, W»kaonl Read >77 BARGAINS ! BARGAINS ! ! J. MOISOTSr, Impermeable and Practical Bootmaker, BEGS to announce hie first CLEARING SALE, commencieg Cctobor Ist, foi ONE MoNTU only, when he will off r t< the public his choice Btock of bestEnglifll and Colonial BOOTS AND SHOES, of all descriptions, at priceß that wil command a ready Sale for Cash, J.fif, has always on hand goods of hii own make and made to measure, which for STYLE, FASHION, NE VTNIfiSS, am ELEGANCE, cannot be surpassed, as hi it a thorough axpert m this line. Repairs neatly executed. tancretTstreet, Next the CLUB, Aehburton. §noi Frozen Meat TTTE are prepared to make LIBERAI YV ADVANCES on Frozen Mea placed m oar hands for Bale m the Horn Markets. Mbbsm Miles Bros., etc,, our Londoi Agents, give epecial attention to thi business, and have been successful ii obtaining the Highest prices. SHIPPERS CAN DEPEND ON LIBERAL ADVANCES, PJUGMPT SETTLEMENT, SEPARATE ACCOUNT BALES From the moment that Stock ar delivered at the Freezing Works or m th railway trucks to our order we uudertak responsibility of Shipping and pa j men of all local charges, Freight, Insurant etc., thus relieving shippers of all troubl and loas of time. MILES & CO., Cbristchurch. GEORGE JAMESON, Agent, g 71 Athburton and Rakafa- Wool Wool Woo: BEABON 1888 89. Tly|- ILES AND OC Are prepared to make Liberal CASH ADVANCES, At a low rate of Interest, on the ensuini CLIP OF WOOL, Placed m their hands for Sale here or fc Shipment to MILES BROS. AND CO., LOND.'N. No Commission charged on Advances and no Commission charged for o fieri d; "Wool here unless a Sale ia effected. Periodical Sales will be held during th Feason at Mr Geo. Jameeon's commodiou and convenient Stores, West Street. J. T. FORD, Auctioneer. GEORGE JAMESON, Agent, 3 70 Ashburton and Bakaia. FISHING SEASON, 1888. FISHING TACKLE. FISHING TACKLE JUST Arrived, ex "Coptic" anc " Tainul," a large and well-assortec Stook of a)l Fishing Requisites, viz. Rods, Lines, Reels, Stockings, Minnows Flies, Gaff Hooks, Mountings, Assortec Hooks, and every Article for the Season ■t Lowest Prices. Fishing Lloenees can now be obtalnec from me. Also, New Stook of CRICKETING AND LAWN TBNNIf MATERIALS. Wm. Zander, FISHING TACKLE DEPOT, TOBACCONIST, FANCY GOODS WAREHOUSE. Ladles' and Gentlemen's Hair Dressing Saloons. 8f165 D. McFarlane, GROCER, ASHBURTONi MY MANY THANKS ARE Tendered to my ntfmeronu Cue tomers and the Public generally for. be liberal support accorded me at my Clearing Sale last Saturday, and also to my East Street Patrons who found their M%j to Burnett street, my CASH TAKINGS showing conclusively that they have no* deserted me. I hereby beg to Inform ah that as my sale so far has been iuoh a success I intend continuing it for another FOUR W^EKS, during which time my Customers wlli have the advantage of buying Goods without the extra duty of the new Tariff placed thereon (as now charged by other ■tores.) Therefore you may depend upon getting BARGAINS. It Is a great pleasure to me to see my Customers walking out my establishment with large Parcels and smiling faces for a small outlay, and I confidently assert- without gush, blow, or bunkam — that I sell twenty-five per cent cheaper thin ANY OTHER HOUSE, and} shall continue to do so for another Month, Therefore Don't delay, Parchase while you may, And lay m a stock for a rainy day, D. M C FARLANE, WHOLESALE AND FAMILY GROCER, ONLY ADDRESS— JJURN£ET\ STREET ASHBU&TON,