DIARY.

Moonlight Evenings.

The Moon at 3 days old {shines till about 8 o'olook. The Moon at 6 days old shines till about half-past 10 o'olook. The Moon at 8 days old shineß till nearly o'olook m the morning. The Moon at 12 days old shines from sundown ill about 4 m the morning. The Moon at 15 days old is full, and shines all night. The Moon at 18 days old rises about 9 p.m. and shines till morning. The Moon at 21 days old rißes about 11 a.m. and shines till morning. The Moon at 24 days old rises about 2 a.m. and shines till morning s The Moon at 27 days old rifles about 4 a.m. ( and shines till pu-Uww.Q J

THE ASHBUETON GUARDIAN.

From and after the 30th November, 1886, the terms of Subscription to this journal will be as follows, viz. : — IF PAID IN ADVANCE '. ( Per Quarter.. 6s 63, by post, 9a 63 „ Half-year "12s Gd, by post, 18s 6d j 11 Year .. 24s Od, by post, 37s Od IF BOOKED Per Quarter.. 7s 6d, by post, 10s 9d \u0084 Half-year 15s Od, by poßt, 21s 6d \u0084 Year \u0084 30s Od, by post, 43s Od I Birth, Marriage, and Death Notioeß, if paid j for at the time of insertion, 2s 6d eaoh I (stamps may be sent as payment) ; if booked, _8 eaob. Announcements of Births, Deaths and Marriages sent for publication from the country districts require to be verified by the , signature of tb. person sending the notice.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, APRILL 9, 1888. THE IRRIGATION FARM.

The results of the experiment under * taken by the County Council with a i view to determining and demonstrating, ' by ocular proof, the value of a system of 1 irrigation for agricultural purposes, are • of a highly encouraging nature, and, so 1 far as regards clover and grass, may be s regarded as conclusive. The land I selected for the experimental farm is oi t very poor quality and of a shingly nature, ( and one portion of each crop grown t thereon has been left to the operations of Nature while the other has been, '\u25a0 during the season, artificially irrigated, ) and the contrasts m quality and 3 quantity of produce is most marked, f In the one case large, plump, healthy b looking roots such as potatoes, beetj carrots, etc., have been grown, while m the other, from identical seed, the result haa been stunted, miserable, shrivelled up productions not fit' to be named m the same breath. A still more marked contrast appears m clover and graes raised upon the irrigated portions. The farm was entered upon too late to allow of the like experiments being tried with cereal crops, but had the benefits oi irrigation been tested with these we have not the smallest doubt that the result would have been the same ; and it is pro bable that the Council will decide to set this beyond all question by carrying on the farm for another season, and practically demonstrating the value oi water applied at proper seasons to land under grain crop. This done the ex periment will be complete m all its parts and should convince, if anything can convince, the ratepayers of the county of the immense benefits which would accrue from an extensive and complete . system of agricultural irrigation. Mi j Harper, who read the report of the I Irrigation Committee at last meeting oi I the Council, waa emphatic m character t ising the experiment of irrigation as applied to clover and grass as "a grand success;" with a little pardonable exaggeration describing that which had been irrigated as " a hundred times better " than that . which had not, and expressed himself as 3 so fully convinced of the benefits which would follow a general scheme of irriga tion throughout the county that "he believed the Council would get enough revenue from the water to carry out all its works without Jiayjng to raise other rates or taxes." This is, perhaps, n little too good to be true, but we have no doubt whatever that irrigation would yield a revenue sufficient to pay the interest upon the necessary outlay, while at the same time enabling farmers largely to increase the amount of their produce, so largely indeed as to make farming 1 pay a great deal better under an irriga tion rate than without ir. The experi ence of what has been done m Lombardy and elsewhere points to the possibility of nearly, perhaps quite, doubling the productive capacity of large areas of land upon our plains through the bene \u25a0 ficial effects of a thorough and systematic scheme of irrigation ; and we hope that farmers generally will acquaint them selves personally with what has been done this season on the Council's experimental farm, and will watch the results of the further operations to be undertaken next season. If they do we are convinced that there will be as the result a consensus of opinion as to the desirableness of carrying out upon a large scale what is now being carried out on a small one, and that the Council will ere long be required by the rate payers to formulate proposals for the undertaking of extensive works which will have the effect of immensely increas ing the productive power of the district.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

« The " Otago Daily Times " of Thursday writes :— The interest taken m the looal option polling for the licensing district of Maori Hill North, which took place yesterday, may be judged from the fact that only one ratepayer took the trouble to vote. As he voted against any increase m the number of lioenses, this solitary vote decided that for tho next three years there shall be noinoraase m the district of publican's, New Zealand wine, accommoda tion, or bottle lioenses. Aooording to the " New Zealand Herald " an amusing incident took plaoe at the Ponsonby licensing election. When the result was announced— the return of tho "mode rates "—one man near the door of the hall attempted to "go one better" than the doxology sung at the previous eleation on the return of the prohibitionists, and started •' Britons Nover Will Be Slaves." Ho got rather wobbly " on the first line, though he endeavoured to sing it m a spirited manner, and the brass band on the verandah of tho neighbouring pub oama to tho rescue and took up the strain. There are 350 men employed m the con struction of the groat Eiffel Tower at Paris, and some judgment may be already formed of this erection which is to bo the eighth wonder of tho world, and to rise to the height of 1000 feet. According to present appear ances, nevertheless, it promises to bo ourious —or, porhaps, even grotesque, rather than beautiful. Holloway's ! Pills.— Changes of tempera, ture and weather frequently upsets persons who aro most careful of their health, and particular m their diet. These oorreotive, purifying, and gentle aperient pills are the best remedy for all defective action of the digestive organs. They augment the apnf titn strengthen the Btomaoh, correct biliousness and oarry off all that is noxious from the system. Holloway's Pills are composed of rare balsams, unmixed with baser matter and on that account are peculiarly well adapted for the young, delicate, and aged As this peerless medicine has gained m fame for tho pa3t, so will it proservo it the future by its renovating and invigorating qualitios, and the impossibility of its doing barm.

The ordinary meeting of the Borough Counoil will be held this evening, The meet ing is called for seven o'olook, The annual general meeting of members and shareholders m the Ashburton Permanent Building and Investment Society will be held on Monday, April 16th, at three p.m. Two experienced miners are engaged m thoroughly prospecting the Alford Forest mineral district, the neoessary funds having been subscribed by the syndicate interested m opening up the mineral resources of the locality. At the next meeting of the County Council a motion will be disoussed regarding the propriety of granting a sum of money for constructing traoks, and if the Council decides to vote a sum, a grant m aid will, m all probability, be obtained from Government, Mr Paterson, of Lismore, lose two staoks of wheat by fire, about 500 bushels of grain was destroyed. There was an insurance on the staoks, but it does not cover the loss. Letters reoeived from New Zealanders m Melbourne convey the intelligence that so far as the building trade is concerned it is most difficult to obtain work for more than a day or two at a time, as' the custom is to engage ••improvers," journeymen being employed but sparingly. A young man who is said to be a hard-working tradesman, writing to a resident of Gore, states that he has not been Buooessfui m getting work, although he had twice the offer of 35s a week. Wages, he states, are very low, but living is as dheap bb m New Zealand, He conoludes as follows :— " In the house I am stopping m there are 15 carpenters and some brioklayers and stone masons, and the most of them are from Inveroargill. They all say that they will go baok to Otago very soon. For it ia Buoh a nuisance to be always looking for a job. If they get a job for a fortnight they oonßider themselveß very lucky. There ore hundreds of New Zealand people here, and I have met lots of Dunedin people." The officers m charge of the Yellow river works m China, who showed remissness m not taking measures to prevent the reoent floods, have been sentenced to be exposed m the oangue, or wooden oollar, along the river banks. The term of sentence varies from two weeks to three months, and during the whole time the prisoner cannot lie down or rest with any comfort. Somebody has been blundering again. The cablegrams to the Melbourne papers of the 22nd ult. say that the Prince of Wales on his return to London after attending the Emperor William's funeral expressed the opinion that the Emperor Frederick's malady will not prove fatal. In the message as it reached New Zealand the word '« not " was omitted. Of the great oarved house just completed for Major Ropata, and opened with great rejoicings the other day, the " New Zealand Herald" says:— lt is a moat remarkable structure, and has taken over ten years to carve and erect. It is CO to 70 feet m length by 40 feet m width, and oontains many mag nificent oarvings after the Maori or aboriginal design. The ridge-pole has been cut out of one magnifioent totara tree, and some idea of the capacity of the building may be gathered from the faot that over 800 natives assembled m it at one time during the meeting. The oarvings are decidedly unique, each carving representing an ancestor of the Ngatiporou, Beveral of whom are represented as grasping and proceeding to devour children who are fashioned something like themselves. What this represents is not exaotly known, unless it may be to show the cannibal propensities of the respected progenitors of the Ngatiporou tribe. _JVIr Justice_Stirlinß recently_deliyered judg menr[Bays a Home paper) on the qulHtforTof the validity of the marriage of the late Mr Christopher Bethell with a girl named Teepoo, of the Baralong tribe, South Africa. Mr Bethell married the girl aocording to th< riteß and ceremonies of her tribe, but ha had re fused to marry her m a ohuroh. His Lord ship deoided that the marriage was not valid, but he expressed a hope that Mr BethelPs relatives would make adequate provision for Teepoo's ohild. This romantio case excited considerable interest, and the equity of the deoision of Mr Justioe Stirling is questioned m some quarters, A letter from Mr Milne, the New Hebrides missionary, published m the " Presbyterian," gives some particulars of the cruel treatment accorded to an unfortunate woman by the natives of an inland village oalled Evate. Rather than marry an old man she disliked, she ran away, but she was afterwards recap tured and drove baok again. She esoaped again, but when reoaptured her hands were tied behind her back with a fishing line, and then with her feet tied she was left m that condition for three days without food or drink. The line cut the flesh into the bones. When rescued some time afterwards by Mr Milne she was found with the left hand out off by the wrist, while the thumb and nearly all the flesh of the right hand were gone, pre senting a ghastly eight of bare bone 3, with i fingers attached, the flesh left swarming with : maggots. Afterwards the fiogers dropped off. It was thought the woman might recover.] An inquest was held at Christohuroh, on Saturday, on the body of James Ferguson, who was drowned' in the Avon on the previous day. Two young men named Beok and Simmons deposed that they were going up the river with a party of ladies m a boat when they Baw deceased lying drunk on the bank with his feet m the water. They removed him half a dozen yards from the water's edge. Returning three-quarters of an hour later they saw him m the water. Ho appeared to be dead. They wont and informed the police before getting him out, because they thought be must be dead, and because one of the ladies aearly went into hysterics. When the police took the man out he was dead. The Coroner said it was the most stupid thing he ever beard of. They should have taken the man jut of the water, and given him a ohance. SVhat was the lady's agitation compared with ;he chance of saving the man's life. The ury returned a>erdiotof found drowned, with i rider censuring the young men for want of bought m not rescuing the body when it was irst discovered m the water. At the change of life nothing equal Lmerioan Co.'s Hop Bitters to allay all roubles incident thereto. See i Statutory Declaration.— I, Franz Raabe, ronbark, Sandhurst, m the colony of Viotoria, Australia, do solemnly and sinoerely declare hat on the 25th June, 1877, my son Alfred, ix years of age, was accidentally hurt with n axo on his kneo. lat once took all pains o secure medioal assistance. However, m pite of all efforts, on the 27th August, 1877, be opinion was given by Dr Macgillivray ' bat an amputation of the injured limb had opome imperative, m order to save life. At lis junoture I oalled on Messrs Sander and ons, procuring Borne of their Extraot of the iucalyptus Globulus, and by tho application E the same I had the satisfaction of seeing ly son within a fortnight out of all danger ad to-day ho is recovered. I may just add mt it was when the orisis had been reached iat the Extract referred to was first applied, nd I make this solemn declaration, oto.~ iunz Raabe. Declared at Sandhurst, m the ilony of Victoria, Australia, this seventeenth ly of Ootober, one thousand eight hundred id seventy-seven before me, Moritz (John P.— (Advt.) 7 '

THE MARKETS

(per press association.)

London, April 6. The quotations for wheat and flour are unchanged. New Zealand hemp is quoted at 15s to Consols, At the wool sales 32,000 bales have been catalogued, of which 15,000 wsre withdrawn. The bidding was spirited, [ and good sales were effected, but there \was no quotable change m prices as compared with the closing rates m February. Good sound merinos are unchanged, medium and inferior a half-penny lower. Good greasy sorts are vety firm, medium and inferior un changed. Fine crossbreds firm, but the lower qualities are from par to a halfpenny lower than m February. Wheat is quoted at 335. It is considered that three-fourths of the 3 per cents, will be converted before the 12th inst.

PRINCE ALEXANDER'S SUIT.

(P3R PRESS ASS0OIA1ION.)

Berlin, April 6 Public opinion favors the stand taken by Prince Bismarck against the marriage of Prince Alexander of Batten burg to Princess Victoria. The "Cologne Gazette " appeals to Prince Alexander's patriotism to refrain \u2666from pressing his suit.

The " Nord Deutsche Zeitung " states that the betrothal of Prince Alexander and Princess Victoria has been aban doned.

It is stated that the Emperor declined to accept the resignation of Prince Bismarck,

Prince Alexander of Battenburg will arrive here on the 12th inst., and her Majesty Queen Victoria on the 20th.

London, April 6. The "Standard" states, that the Emperor of Germany persists m the betrothal of Prince Alexander.

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(per press association.)

FIGHTING IN THE SOOLOO ISLANDS.

London, Apr! 5. Information received from Sooloo Islands, situated m the Eastern Archi pelago, states that severe fighting has taken place between the Natives and the Spaniards. The Spanish loss was ten killed and seventy wounded. The Natives had 200 killed.

ACCIDENT TO A STEAMER.

The Colonial Union Co's s.s. Selem bria made for Monte Video because a fire had broken out m the bunkers. A portion of her cargo had been damaged, and this will be sold at Monte Video. The remainder will be brought on here.

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL.

London, April 6. Many of the members of the Tory party are determined not to adopt as a whole the Local Government Bill introduced by the Government, and it is thought that if the Government persist m forcing through the Bill they may be defeated. The Radicals are exultant. The Rev. Hugh Price Hughes is making a crusade against the licensing clauses m the Local Government Bill. He objects to the recognition of vested interests and the local option clause, which he characterises a mockery, as by surrendering a portion of the license fees to local bodies it will encourage the ratepayers to decide m favor of an increase of licensed houses.

TROUBLE IN MOROCCO.

A Jew, under American protection, has been arrested m Morocco. The authorities have refused to grant any redress, and the bombardment of Tangiers is threatened.

SUGAR BOUNTIES.

The Sugar Bounties Conference re sumed its sitting today, Baron de Worms presiding. It was announced that all the Powers had consented to the abolition of the bounties.

MEETINGS PROCLAIMED.

Six meetings which- have been arranged to be held on Sunday m Counties Clare and Cork have been proclaimed.

THE ABYSSINIAN WAR.

Massowah, April 6. The operations of the Italian troops have been suspended m consequence of the intense heat. The majority of the troops return forthwith, but the Colonial corps will remain, It is hoped that parleying between the Negus and the Italian authorities will be resumed.

RECIPROCITY.

Ottawa, April 6. In the House of Commons of the Dominion the Government have carried an amendment m favor of partial reciprocal interchange with America, Mr Lawner, leader of the Opposition, said the Colonial allegiance would not demand limitation of foreign trade, as they considered the colonies had a right to develope their interests, even if they clashed with English interests.

SENTENCES ON NATIONALISTS.

Dublin, April 6. Father Kennedy and twelve farmers have been sentenced to three months' imprisonment for attending a League meeting at Newmarket, Cork, which had been proclaimed.

AUSTRALIAN.

(per press association.)

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Sydney, April 7 Typhoid fever is increasing m the Broken Hill district, and fifty cases were reported to-day. Extra nurses have been subscribed for.

VICTORIA.

Mblbotjknb, April 7. A fire broke out at Reed's Coffee Palace, Ballarar, last night. There were fifty lodgers on the premises, most of whom escaped m their night clothes. One was severely burned, and another had an arm dislocated while escaping by means of a rope. One-half ot the palace was saved.

" Rough on Itch."—" Rough on Itoh " cures akin humors, eruptions, ring worm, tetter,' salt rheum, frosted feet, ohilblaius ifcob, ivy poi'hod, barbers' itob, 3

SUDDEN DEATH AT A TEM PERANCE MEETING.

[PER PRESS JiSSnCIATIOy.]

Auckland, April?. At a public meeting held by the Gospsl Temperance Mission at Panmuro last night a shocking- case of sudden death occurred The meeting was about to conclude, when Mr B-irker, of Panmure, who waa sitting among the audience, appeared to faint away. _ Every means were used to reatora animation, but to no purpose. Ho never rallied, and death must have been instan taneous. It is probable the cause was heart disease. Barker's wife was proaont at. the mooting, and was very- much afbetad, as were all the audience.

A RABBIT DISEASE

(PER PJRE--S ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, April 7. Professor Thomas, of Auckland TJnl veraity College, who haa been investi gating, at the request of the Government, a disease which haa recently appeared amongst rabbits i a tha Wiiraiapa, left for his home, taking with him several of the dhea~ed anirnale, as well as aome ferrets and stoats, hia intention being to conduct oertafn experiments with them on hia arrival m Auckland. He eatlsßed himself that the disease which has appeared among the rabbits thera is what Is* known as bladder worm, which, although not virulent, Is BUce to oause death m the majority of oases. A fall report will be forwarded to the Government after he has made bis experiments.

A HORRIBLE AFFAIR.

[per press assocjiationJ.

Mexico, April 5. A bull fight took place at Calaya on Sunday, at which convicts were per mitted to attend m honor of it being Easter, but were strongly guarded. During the excitement of the fight some persons fired the wooden barricade. As the flames broke out there was a terrible rush fcr all means of exit, where many were trampled to death. Crowds leaped into the arena and were tossed and gored by the maddened bulls. Many were lying helpless around the arena. The number killed was eighteen. Sixty-eight were injured by goring or burnt. Nearly two hundred others were injured.

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS

(Per Pbess Association.)

Auckland. April 7. Investigations reßpectng the French men picked up by the barque Howard 500 mi'es from Noumea have rovealed the fact they are escapees from New Cale donia. Une of the men waß UDdergoing a sentenoa of twenty years, and the other a sentence of seventeen years' imprison ment. An old man named John O'FTailoran who had lived as a recluse for the past thirteen years on the gam fields, was found dead m his where. He seldom associated with anyone, and had no mate or even friend on the gum field, and though ho was a most indefatigable gum digger aod very successful, ha lived most penuriously, saving a large sum of nv>ney dtiriog thirteen years he had been there. Ha came once or twico a year to Auckland and loflgod his money m the Bank, and from the reports current it is believed that his savings and deposits amount to abonfc £15,000. Wellington, April 8. Instructions have beon iesuotl by the Colonial Secretary, that all porsans arriv ing from Sydney at Wellington and Auck land are to be examined by the Health Officer before being permitted to land. It is reported m town to-night that a serious fire broke out at Waxerley last night, when £3000 damage was done. Gkeywotjth, April 8. A woman named Mary Owen has been missing since Tuesday last. She came into town on that day from near the hospital to procure household necessaries These articles, made up m a parcel, together with some of her apparel, were found 011 the bank of the river not far from the Melbourne Hotel, but no other Bign of ihe woman Bince was seen near where the articles were picked up. She ib a widow, but her children are out of her care. It is supposed that she committed suicide while m an erratic mood.

Export for the week, 3376 tona of coal

THE CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

A NEEDLESS SOARE.

(from our own correspondent )

At a meeting of the South Rakaia Road Board last Monday, it was reported that a large pa'ch of the Oalifornian thistle had been found on the Lower Acton road and grubbed up. Although there was ex hibited m the office a sample of the thistle destroyed, and it wag thought to be the dreaded Oalifornian, a mistake was made, and I am pleased to report that it was not the peat so much Bpokeu of. On the day after the meeting Mr Mian, manager of the Acton estate, received a couple of samples of the true Californian thistle f<om Mr John Maepherson, manager of the Totara estate, Oamaru. On comparing these with the Bample m thoßoad Board's office the difference was at once Been. Th» remarks of Mr Maopherson may be of interest to farmers and others, and I give them. He says that a piece of land infested with the Oalifornian thistle on the Totara estate waß let for potato crop ping, and the cropper undertook, when lie leased the land, to completely kill this patch out, but after all the ploughing, narrowing, grubbing, drilling, etc., that the land got m planting the potatoes, the thistles still kept growing. He then set hia men on to pull up every shoot that could be seen, and this thoy did at three different times, but it grew as luxuriantly an ever, They then hoed it down three or four times, but that did no good. Mr Maepherson then advised them to keep cutting it above ground, which they did nine limes before harvest commenced, imd now when they are digging the potatoes, the plants are all about the size of the samples sent (12 to 18 inches high), and cover about a quarter of an aero of land , Mr Macplierson now proposes covering the patch with straw and eeoing what effect that will have. _ I might mention that the thistles ex hibited at tho Board's offica "are of a class not known m the district, and m many respt eta resemble the Californian The seed is Hko a long Jioseed, and is heayy, so that it is not likely to blow about much, and its spreading may thus be prevented.

The "Evening Herald" (Dunedin) says ( that the purchaser of Kawau is a a sister of Mrs Downie Stewart. |£The New Zealand edition of the "Illustrated- Australian News " for Rfaroh contains a number of extremely interesting illustrations, among the rest a pretty view of the Avon at Dhristohurch, and its willows. The colored angraving of a flower girl is also very in ieresting, 1 Rough on Corns."— Ask for Well's 'Hough on Corns." Quick relief, complete, )ermanenfc euro. Corns, wartß, bullions. At hemists and druggists. 3

AUCTIONEER'S REPORT

Mr Alfred Harrkon reports hfs weekly salo, Saturday, April 7, ac follows :— Cows— i numbar cf good quality sold wall ; asted ar.d infarlor quite unsaleable. 2i°* c t0 calving, £4 15a, £5, £5 5* to 1 £6 59. Stores, eto, £1 10 sto £2 17a 63. Pigs- Slips, 5a 9d, 6a 3d, 6a 6d to 14s 6d. Stores, 20s, 21s, 24s 6d to 255. Poultry -Fowh, la 6<i to 2a 3d : dnoka, 2a to 33. ' Implements awd Hahtsesh— Ch»ffcuiter and sundries ; reaper, £6 ; Bprlng oart, £12. Seta harness, horao covers, eto, etc. Produce— Kidnays, 23 Gd to 6a bag ; derwents, 3s to 5* ba» ; oats, lfl 6d j chlck*hont, la 61 to la 9d bushel ; onions, £d to 1:1 per ib ; sharps, 63 j brau, 3i j umtton, 1 J 1 ; I:, m b, 2\ ; applea, 43. Sundries —A quantity of furniture and effjots, also sundries, febld fairly well, A large number of parrots, canaries, and various birda wpro disposed of.

HORSE MARKET

Mr T Bullock reports for the fortnight ending Saturday, April 7th :— On Satur day, 31st March, 26 horaes were brought forward for the day's sale. Biddings were rather slow, but 14 were sold as follows, viz. .—Medium draughts, 5 years old, of a fairly good stamp, £19 10-', £20 10s j do, of a lighter description, £15 ; aged, of a good stamp, £13, £17 10s ; light harness horses, £8 10s ; hacks, £4, £4 10s ; scrub, bers at low rates. A quantity of harness, horse covers, eto., at market prices. On Saturday, April 7th, there waa a larger entry of horses, viz.. 33. At the commencemaut of the sale biddings wera extremely languid, but as it proceeded they became more animated, and I suc ceeded m celling 15 of the best of the entry at satisfactory prices. A pair of 4-year-old geldings, of a good stamp, brought one £23, the other £29, a proof that good stock, no matter how dull the markets, will always bring fair prices. Farmers would do well to bear this m mind when breeding. Out of the day's entry oi 33, 15 were sold as follows, viz. : Unbroken colts and fillies, light draughts. £10, £10 1O», £16; 4 year-old, £13; medium draught?, 4 years old, of a good stamp, £23, £29 ; aged, good* £17 ; in ferior, £8 10s ; light harness horses, bid dings very slow, £4 15s ; hacka, £6 ; in ferior, £3, £3 73 6d. Sundries, and a quantity of new harness at market rates.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

FACT VERSUS THEORY.

TO THR EDITOB. Sib, — As an advocate of Freetrade for the last twenty years, I write to thank you for your leading ariicle m Friday night's issue. You head it "Faot versus Theory," and then you give us the fact thkt m this colony, under Freetrade, we can manufacture woollen goods at 45 per cent less than they can bo imported for. I at-k you, Sir, m the face of suoh a state- w mont, where is the need of Protection? Regarding binder twino, if it was, as you say, Is 3d per lb, without any duty on it, and the local make only cost Bd, where, X ask again, was the need to put a duty on it ? Do you think that the farmers ate that stupid that they w..uld give Is 3d for what they could get for 8d ? It was the making of it m tho colony alone, and not the 10 per cent duty that drove the im ported twino out of Iha market, Now, I will give you another fact re Protection cheapening goods. We had m our midst last week a thr. shing machine made m Melbourne where, according to yoar theory, things ought to bo very cheap, but I find that (he niak-ne of that machine just chirge 33 per cent more than any of the first class machines of the English make can be landed m Melbourne for (importers' profits iocluied) I am not including the price of Mr Quinli van's extras (the band cutter and feeder), but the price oi the threshing machine. Of course there is a <UfEerenco m the make of this machine from the Eaglish make, but from my own experience m such work, I can safely say that it ought to be pro* duced for Boraething like £20 less .than the first claßs English machines, / thus, making about 40 par cent difference. Now, if this is all Victoria can do after twenty yeara of Protection, all I oan say is, that I pity the purchasers. Yours, etc,, Fbeetradb. Aehburton, 7th April, 1888,

ASHBURTON CATHOLIC CHURCH.

There were large congregations at the Aahburton Catholic Charon yesterday, that being the laat day of the Rev. Father Ohaßtagnon'a ministrations prior to bis departure for Europe, where he intends raising the money requisite to pay off the debt on the church. During the rev. Father* absence, which will probably be for nine or ten months, hia place, we understand, will be filled by the Rev. Father Benefield. At the 11 o'clock ser vice an address and a purse of aovere'gns was presented to Father Chaetagnon, aa an expression cf the congregation's feel ings of deep obligation to, and esteem for him The address expressed the sorrow of the oongregation at his leaving them, though bat for a lime, and their pleasure at the happiness he bad m prospeot m meeting his kindred from whom he had beon so long separated, Reference was ma lo to the rev. Father's devotion to the congregation's spiritual wants, and to his kiadn633 to thorn individually. The address expressed the best wishes of all for a pleasant trip for Father Ohaßtagnon, and promised all the aosiatanoe and Bup port they could give the prieit who would be his successor. Abova all they intended watching over the interests of the sohool, and they trusted that when he returned he would have further reason to be pleased with tho state of the pariah.

The Rev Father m returning thanks for the address said that it was a burst of affection from generous hearts which he Imd little expected. His absence would be only for a time, and his departure waa undertaken m order to releive them of some of their difficulties During hia residence here he had tried to do the beat

ho could, and he would spare no efforts m the future m his work for their welfare. He was very thankful to them for their kind reference to his friends, but to go home now was not a very pleasant journey for him because ho would find his mother

—the one being he had loved best m

the world, lying under the clay. Still, (a a measure it would be oome consolation

to aeo tho friends who ?rere atlll remaining. When he beoamo a priest he gave himself entirely to his flock and parted with his relation?, and this sacrifice had therefore

boon made a long tlms ego. The Rev -Either having expreasad hla intention of coming back aa soon as possible, referred to the devotion and ability of the pastor who would effioiato during his abßenoe, and felfc sure tho congregation would recognise hie watchfulness over theie la* tereats.

ggAn Auokland telegram saya ;— r At tha sitting of the Resident Magistrate's Court ia Hamilton there was a witness m a case— .a old pakeha-Maori named Douglas— who

something of a curiosity. He is about 70 years of age, and served m his youth m tha Royal Navy, and was present under I)ord Codrington at the battle of Navarino. He haa been m the Raglan district for over 50 years, where he has a half-oaste family, and until he came to Hamilton a few days ago had never seen a railway engine or carriage, and asked what they were.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, APBIL 9, 1888



Moon's Snn Sun Moon Moon age at April. lUeeß. Sots. Rises Bets, noonday a.m. p.m. 9 Monday .. 0.29 G. 35 3.49 6 7 27 10 Tuesday .. 6.30 5;34 4.4!> 533 28 11 Wednesday.. G. 31 532 5.49 5*57 29 12 Thursday .. 6.32 5.31 6AG 622 0 13 Friday.. .. 0.33 5.29 7.45 0.49 1 14 Saturday ... 6.34 5.27 8.45 7.17 2 15 Sunday .. G. 35 5.20 9.41 7 S {>l 3



YJt J ANTED an Articled Pupil to learr Vv the Profession.— E. M. B_ak_ Architect. 4*48 TT7 ANTED to Sell —A First- class Piano M .» f grand action. Cash or terms verj \u25a0 liberal. Apply Hayes and Co. OOTS.— We have reduced our 800 l Liat, and are Belling them wonder fully oheap.— 8.. 0. riEQEBS, Melforc Souse. WANTED everyone to secure a supply of Ashburton Colored Flannels Scarlet, Blue, Navy. Pink, and Marone, a lesa than the price of imported at th< Aahburton Clothing Mnrt, Saundera buildings, and nowhere less at any price B. Aioobn. WANTED Known.— Melford Houai is now shewing a splendlc assortment of Drapery, Millinery, Cloth Ing, Boots, &o, vary cheap. ~\\ /"ANTED -Everyone to come anc V V ace the nicest lot of Glass, China and Earthenware ever shown m Aahbur ton, and the Cheapest ever landed m New Zealand. Imported direct from th( Man nfaotorera.— Robert Aloorn, Barm' dera' Buildings, 3*ll WINTER.— We are now Bhewlng £ Splendid Assortment of Ladtei and Children's Ulsters m all the leading atylen, very oheap. — H. 0. Segers Melford House. WANTED KNOWN — Oleographs Scenery, and Catholic Subject! Cathollo Cards, good variety m Scrap! Novelties m Penwipers, Crewel Wools and Silks, Knitting Cotton, Colored Orotchel Cotton, Transfers, Tinsel Balls, &c, &c, at Mbs Manhibb's Fancy Repository Saundsra' Buildings WANTED Tenders for Feeding off 6( acres of Turn'ps at the Vil!ag< Settlement, to be fed off by the 20th 0: - May. Tenders will be received up to thi 10th of April. Apply, G, POCOOK, 4 16 Ashburton. ) , 1 J TRY 1 KIRKPATRICK'S ) SPECIAL QUALITY 3 FRES H FRUIT " X " -J _V M S— NOTICE. OUR Special Quality "X" brand 0 New Season's JAM is made frotr Fresh Frnlt, within a few hours after i I has been gathered; it tbns retains the ful flavor of the Freeh Fruit, and is the beß quality it is possible to make. CAUTION: 1 None ia Genuine unlees our Name ii Btampcd on the Tin, end has our regis- tered Tiado Mark, the letter "X,"on th< Label. S. KIRKPATRICK AND CO., MANUFACTURERS, NELSON. Important. fPHE Proprietors of the NEW ZEA- -1 LAND CLOTHING FACTORY, at the request of a large number of their Customers, have deoided to oontinue their Ashbnrton Branoh. Oar Manager, Mb W. Spabbow, his just seleoted an entirely NEW STOCK, Suitable for the approaohing Season, and with a view of commanding a Large Business, he has onr instruc- tions to mark ALL GOODS AT THE Lowest Factory Prices. Onr Clothing being manufactured of the besk New Zealand TWEEDS, well out and well made, is known as superior to any other make, and obtained the GOLD AND SILVER MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE AT THE WELLINGTON EXBIBITI )N. HALLENSTEIN BROS & Co. , A new and varied Stock of HOSIERY, HATS, SHIRTS, SCARFS, TIES, PORTMANTEAUS, &o , &0.. To select from, all marked at the Lowest Factory Prices. 3 99



TIMBER, TIMBEE, TIMBER. fpHE TTNDEBBIGNED can Supply every Beqnieite for BUILDING PURPOSES, .-A, Timber, Tron. Ridging, Spouting, Nails, Doors. Bcahef?, Cooking Ranges, Regfßtere, Paints, Oils, Brushes, Paperhanginge, Window Glass (all sizes), Looks and Hi g69. A L S o,— NEWCASTLE COAL ' WESPPORT GOAL NATIVE COAL FIREWOOD SHORT LENGTHS. McOallum and Co., TIMBER AND COAL MERCHANTS AND IMPORTERS. . W. H. COLLINS, Manager. THE CHEAPEST PLACE IN TOWN $ Q ( --___i_«-_**______i ZICALAKDIA BOOT STORE EAST STREET ABHBUETON h w^i, SELLING OFF. q g o 'lp|§|| Great Redactioiis. /o^\ £ a Plilipi 15 PER O ™^" JDISCODNT [(E^lS^Qi *" S5 pJmmfk TOR ON^_MONTH.fc^Sf O , "O "jl/TURRAY, Jeweller, having aecured the Premiaee lately O M JLI». J.VX ocoupled by Mb Nkatb, Chemist, Is now offering hia ,_i m STOCK at a V) DISCOUNT OF 8s IN THE £ PREVIOUS TO REMOVAL. i 3 26 DIPPING REASON, 1888. i BROOKE'S "Perfect" Sheep Dip. IS THE BEST FOR THE WOOL, AS PiIOVED BY PRACTICAL TESTi-. T)REPAREDin accordance -with the latest advancements m chemhtry as applied 10 JL the Woollen M»nufacturing Industry. It ia a deoided Improvement on the old fashioned dips and only requirea a trial to prove ita superiority. At the late Shut>o- dipping Competition, conducted by the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Ausocia- tlon, theKalapol Woollen Co., on behalf of the Aaaoolation, for wool dyeing and general manufacturing purposes, awarded the first place to Brooke's '• Petfect" Sheep I Dip ; m fact, Brooke's Dip waa the only one that actually improved the wool m this Important respect, the undipped wool being second, vrhilafc all the othera were more or less discolored. The Association also pronounced { BROOKE'S "PERFECT" SHEEP DIP I to be superior to the Z^alemdia, Little's, Hatch's, Cooper's and McDougall's, and also to leave the wool m better condition than Thomas' Dip. Brooke's Dip having con- sequently been proved to be better than the English Dips, yoor practical support of the oolonial article is respeotfnlly solioited. To ensure Brooke's Dip being more thoroughly lasting m its good effects, m f ature it will be sent ont 20 per cent stronger free of extra charge. Proportions for use.— One Gallon of Dip to 100 Gallons to water. Mixes readily with cold water ; does not require stirring while dipping. Remarkably emollient, leaving the wool m perfeot condition, without the slightest •tain from the first dayof Dipping. Concentrated m composition to reduce cost oi carriage, and put np In a portable handy form for use, it is also one of the cheapest Pip* In the Market. BEDUCED PRICE : 14b per tin, to make 200 gallons wash j 70a per o»se, con- talning 5 tins, to make 1000 Gallons; 653 per case for not less than 5 cases. Packages free. wie F. MAKEIG, Agent, Ashburton i \u25a0 \u25a0 GEORGE JAMESON, WEST STREET* HAS FOE SALE,— Eye Corn, ancTCape Barley, Plough Shares, Little's Sheep Dip, Thomas' Sheep Dip. AGENT FOR— Newj-Zealand Fire and Marine^lnsurance Company. Risks on GROWING CROPS or STACKS accepted at lowest current rates, CASH PURCHASES OE WHEAT, OAT8 3 and BARLEY. 2 THE STANDARD FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY OF KEW ZEALAND. \ WITH UNLIMITED LIABILITY OP SHABEHOLDEBS. 1 CAPITAL— £I,OOO7OOO STERLING. HEAD OFFICE"? DUNEDIN. TS?Y M 5 8 lm -I£ tb6 m ° St uud o« b t^iecurity under this Company's Policies « * 1 Hv together with an assurance of Prompt and Liberal Settlement of nUimJ v PIKE and MARINE BISKS accepted on all deacriptiona^rPropertvTnd Merchandise also Crop, Stack, and Machine Risks at Lowest Kates of Premium. rM?M elity ° f PerßOns homing situations of trnat guaranteed. £ """lOFPIOE % HEREFORD STREET, CHRISTOHURCH £ (Oppoßite^Bank^of New Zealand.) ARCHIBALD SCOTT, « Manager for Canterbury. ALiBEETr: EOBEBTS, 6 U AGENT, ASHBURTON ] a