TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Attention to the following rules will save the writers of correspondence a good deal of trouble: — We cannot under take to return rejected communications. No notioe can be taken of anonymous communications Whatever is 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 and other communications in tended for insertion m the newts column should be addressed to The Editoh ; and t»ll bnaineis communications, In cloding advertisements, nddresßed to .Thb Ashburton Publishing Co.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1888. THE KERMADEC ISLANDS.

As most people are aware, the Imperial Government two years or so ago, for mally annexed to the British Crown the small group of islands known as the Kermadecs, which have since been made a dependency of New Zealand. On this account our readerß will perhaps be interested to learn something of what they are like, nor will that interest be lessened jrhen it is stated that their natural features, their flora and fauna, are so precisely similar to those of this ColoDy, as to lead to the assumption that there was a time, m the geologic ages, when they were actually connected with it. From time to time despriptive notices, more or less detailed, have been published, but fuller particulars may probably shortly be looked for, as a re suit of a visit to the islands by the Government steamer, Stella. In antici patiou of this, however, the "Napier Daily Telegraph" recently gave the following very readable account from the notes of Mr J. T. Large, of Wairoa, who was a passenger to the Kermadecs on the occasion of the Stella's trip :— The Kermadec group consist of several islands and islets, the largest of which I is Sunday Island, and it lies about 600 miles to the north-east of Auckland, a little to the eastward of the route to Fiji. Sunday island is about 7000 acres m extent, possesses two craters, and is rugged and precipitous, It io tfye only one that is inhabited, Some years ago there were several settlers there, but, while an American whaler was lying off the landing place, a tre mendous volcanic eruption occurred, and the whole of them deserted the island for good, being frightened that they would all be swallowed up. Since then a Mr Bp]\ and his family have settled tljerfl, and there he remains to this day with his wife, nine children (some of them grown up), and an old gentle man who acts as tutor. Mr Bell's

I object m settling, there was to grow tropical fruits, and find his market at .AueU&od, but tfao etfjeifle b»» failed

through the irregularity of communica tion, and the extreme difficulty of landing on the island, through the heavy sea that breaks nearly constantly on the rugged, rocky coast. As showing the difficulty of landing, it may be men tioned that, about four years ago, Mr Bell visited Napier for the purpose of purchasing five hundred merino sheep; these he bought through Mr C. B. Hoadley from Mr ft. D. McLean, and a schooner was chartered for their con veyance to the Kerraadec Islands. On arriving there it was late m the after noon, and only fifty were got ashore before dark. It then came on to blow and the schooner stood out to sea, and was not able to get back for nine days, when the rest of the sheep were dead, This last trip of the Stella Captain Faiachild took over nine calves, and these let us hope, will form the nucleus of a fine herd of cattle ; he also took some geese and turkeys, and an immense stock of books. And here on a lonely island, dwell this family, ap parently happy and contented, working hard to support life on the fruits of the earth. They cultivate yams, taro, and banunas, they milk goats, they fish, and at the proper season of the year they can capture the mutton bird m any quantity. Their isolation is only broken by rare visits from American whalers, when an interchange of articles of necessity takes place, tbe shipß taking fresh vegetables and fruit, and the islanders dungaree and calico, for clothing, and a few groceries. There is only one known spring on the island, and that is too far off from the little settlement to be of use, the water supply being dependent on rain, which is collected m tanks. At the time of the Stella's visit there was, apparently , neither tea nor sugar m the storo-room, nor was the absence of those articles referred to, so it may be supposed that they are not regarded m the light of necessities. When the Islands were annexed by New Zealand the Govern ment granted Mr Bell one hundred acres of land, and gave him the right to lease a further area. His possession of the whole island is not, however, likely to be disturbed, for the generality of mankind find no attraction m a life that differs little from that of shipwrecked cast aways. , It is difficult to foretell the future of Mr Bell's settlement ; it is impossible to suppoße that the young ladies of the family will remain contented with a con dition that offers no prospect of marriage unless m the improbable arrival of eligible bachelors who will be willing to bury themselves alive for the sake of a sort of Robinson Crusoe existence. And soflit must be also with the yonng men of the family ; the natural ambition of the Anglo-Saxon race is sure to stir them to move from a narrow sphere, aud to desert an island that offers no scope for their energies beyond that which may be required to provide them with food. As? the Stella dipped her flag m adieux to the lonely Bettlers watching her depar ture, there must have risen m the minds of the younger of them an intense desire to go once more into the busy world. That desire will go on increasing ; and, probably by the time Mr and Mrs Bell have paid their debt to Nature, their children, freed from the loyality to their parents which now binds them all together, will, lkethe former inhabitants, desert the island, and leave it m its ■olitude.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr Henry Hunt has been elected a member of the Hampatead Town Board.

London now has several lines of halfpenny 'buses, whioh oonnect with the various horEe oar lines.

"What I should like to know," said a schoolboy. " is how the mouths of rivers can be so muoh larger than their heads."

A meeting of farmers is oalled for Satur day afternoon at the Arcade Chambers, to consider the advisableness of forming a farmers' Co-operative Association.

The " Gazette " of the 27th ult. contains a proclamation setting aside lands at Chertsey, Dromore, Window, Hinds, South Rangitata, Orari, Geraldine, etc , for sale as village settlements.

The honorary ranger of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society reported at the annual meeting that the red deer were steadily increasing m the Wairarapa district During the past season several fine stags had been shot. One of the beat specimens is to be sent to the Melbourne Exhibition.

The Que<m has (says « Truth ") become so partial to Indian servants that another detachment of these menials is now being seleoted m India for the Koyal household. The English domestics, however, do not regard the innovation with unmixed pleasure, and the business of finding the required accom modation for the Indianß is a great bother especially at Oaborne and at Balmoral as they demand separate kitchens and feeding, quarters, and are altogether very troublesome and exaoting. Sir John Cowell would be delighted to pack the whole baton back to Bombay by the next steamer.

There has never been suoh a splendid Bhow of jewels m London as during this Beason They were brought out by Mrß Vanderbilt and the new Duohesß of Marlborough, who awakened a sense ot rivalry m the breasts of iwiT D^' lßh , P. eeressea » with the result that all the family jewels of the great houses were resurreoted from the bank vaults where they had lam, were reset and all displayed at once to outßhina the Amerioans. Even the Princess of Wales was not quite superior to the feeling, and, not willing to be Burpassed by foreigners m her own court, she has piled on everything at onoe, stars, oresoents, orders necklaces, and coronets, till on most of her pubho appearances she has fairly blazed with gems, after the manner of her sister, the Czarina, who always appears at her oourt functions crusted with preoious stoneß

q?he "Western Star-' repqrts that a reei dent of Orepuki, ok rather an ex-resident as he has now taken his departure for freah faeloa, last week, after making groat prepara tions and calling people to witness his doings set fire to his house, being careful before doing bo to see that all moveable implements and other etoeteras, inoluding fences, were carefully stowed inside. He hovered round to see that no one would come and attempt to extinguish the flames, as he was particularly anxious to make a olean job of the business It is said the fire-raiser was " kinder mad " and after his house and belonging had passed from sight wanted to do Borne more burning Sad to relate there was a woman R t the bottom of the whole affair. The unfortunate 2 a ? n J b 5 a J°I c .4 and believed . o Q d having been s deluded he felt no pleasure m life. To mark his sense of the wrong that had been inflicted on him, he destroyed the house where he had enjoyed his fair share of domestic felicity. Jt is further said that he watched the burnios ?i c . w i~ - een rohsh > as a quantity of the effects in'thß 'house belonged 1 to the (air but false oqe, • ••

Hollqway's Ointment and Pills.— a freqent cause of gout and rheumatism is the inflammatory state of the blood, attended with bad digestion and general debility. A few doses of the Pills taken m time are an effectual preventive against gout and rhema matism. Anyone who has an attack of cither should use Holioway's Ointment also, the powerful action of which, combined with the pperation of the Pills, must infallibly effect a cure. These pjjls 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 the affected joints with warm brjne, will speedily relajj all stiffness, and prevent any permanent construction, * '

On our fourth page will be found an editorial on the Frozen Meat Trade, an Ode to New Zealand, and other reading matter.

In the synopsis of meetings, eto, given m the "Mail" of th° 27th ult. the Ohertsey oonoert and danoe was inadvertently men tioned as appointed to come off on the follow ing Friday. It should have been said Friday week (now Friday next) October sth.

A resident m this district received yester day the following cablegram from his son, who is at present m a neighboring oolony : — •• Get married on Monday, October Bth, and leave for Sydney." He wants to know whether his son means this as an instruction to his father to marry promptly and emi grate, cr whether it is an intimation that he (the son) means to do so himself.

Of twenty-three distinguished men whose actual brain-weights are known, four, inolud ing the late Professor Hughes Bennot and Hermann, the philologist, were distinctly below the average, showing that the well-oon stituted brain of small dimensions may be oapable of doing muoh better work than many a larger organ whose internal constitution is, from one oause or other, defective.

We have heard of tall flooring, big bags, and that sort of thing, but it was only a day or two ago that we (" Clutha Leader ") were told of a reoent lady visitor who during her stay m Balolutha visited the Tuakitoto lake and succeeded m shooting a beautiful blaok swan at a distance of 200 yds. The weapon used was an ordinary rifle, loaded with bullet cartridge.

A oorreepondent of a London paper writes : — "On Friday night a young gentleman, playing billiards at a publio-house m Bromley, made a bet that he would get one of the balls into his mouth. He did get it m; and there m Btuok, m spite of all his efforts to dislodge it. The Burgeon called m was most success ful. He extracted the lump of ivory, but only after extraoting several of the experi mentalist's front • ivories.' "

One of the oldest industries m Egypt is artificial egg-hatohing, principally engageJ m by Copts. There are said to be 700 establish ments of this nature m the oountry, and the produotion of ohiokens from the ovens is estimated at from 10,000,000 to 12,000,000 annually. The season for inoubation laßts through three months of the early summer. The country people bring eggs to the proprie tors of the • farroogs," and give two good eggs, for every newly-hatohed chick.

The following is one of the funniest printers' errors we have come aoross for a long time : — In the obituary notice of a lady the editor wrote : "It is feared that her hus band will not be able to bear her demise," whioh the oareless compositor, with but a ohange of two letters transformed to : "It is feared that her husband will not be able to wear her chemise." The horror of the bereaved husband, and of the editor, and of the mourning relatives may be imagined.

General alarm has been oreated all over France by ap outbreak of poisoning at Hyeres consequent on drinking the sham wine, of a popular looal manufacturer. The •• wine "so constantly dtunk by all but the richest classes is known to be the product of ingenious chemical manipulation, having nothing to do with the juioe of the grape, Up to June Ino less than 11 persons succumbed to the effeots of the wine, while 264 were ill, of whom 60 were seriously so. The manufacturer has been arrested.

Mr John Tebbutt wrote to the " Sydney Morning Herald " on the 9th July announcing that he had discovered Encke's celebrated periodio comet on the previous evening. For the past two months the comet has been too nearly m a line with the sun to be seen. As its motion is pretty rapid east and south, it will Boon be better placed for observation. The comet's distanoe from the earth 'was 66,000,000 miles. It waß disoovered' by Encke m 1819, .and has been observed from some part of the earth at every return, this being its 21at.

Probably ia no country are examples of longevity so numerous and bo striking as m Russia. Almost every day (eaya the "Pall Mall Gazette ") the newspapers contain well authenticated aooounts of women and men who took part m, and have a vivid recollec tion of, the last quarter of the eighteenth century. The latest of those instances is that of a woman who is only forty years younger than the Patriarch Isaac was when he died. This hurdan relio of the past, who oelebrated her 140 th birhday some weeks ago, lives exclusively on potatoes and milk. She was at all times a Btrict teetotaller. Sho i B still lively, brisk, and oheerful, and oan read with out speotaoles.

A meeting of the Ashton Sohool Com mittee was held m the Schoolrom on the let inßt. There were present Messrs T. Taylor (m the chair), J. Shearer, T. Crossan, D. Ryan, and W. Wilson. The Chairman reported that the vouoher for the teaohers' salaries and incidental quarterly allowance had been received. The former amounted to £18 3a 3d and the latter to £6 15s 6d. The credit balance of incidental fund at the Bank amounted to £13 103 lid. The Master's report was received and favourably considered by the Committee. There had been three boys and two girls admitted during the month, bringing the roll number up to 60. The average attendance was as follows :— Boys, 26-3; girls, 228; total, 49 1. The report also stated that the requisites applied for last month had been received. A supply of foola oap and a bottle of Howard's black-board preparation were applied for and granted. After a few email accounts were paßsed for payment the Committee adjourned.

The medioal students In Melbourne are about as lively as the usual run of incipient sawboneß, and from their recent proceedings at the Centennial Exhibition are as full of " fun " as their London confreres. A Mel bourne paper says :— " Some disgraceful pro ceedings by the University students took placo at the Exhibition buildings. They marohed jp a body a couple of hundred strong, m their oaps and gowna. On reaoh ing the turnstiles they pretty well blocked the way, and thoae that could not get through leaped over the fence. They entered the building and marohed down the avenue, carrying a flag displaying a Bkull and cross bones. As they went along they Beng English and Latin doggrel composed for the oooaaion. They took possession of the ver andahs round the lake m the western annexe, where they held a oonoert. They then took to smashing the furniture. The police oame upon them, acd took Beveral of their names."

An officer of the Native Department recently procured from America a quantity of Beed of the Japan perennial clover (sespedeza strieta) whioh has attracted attention of late years as I a very valuable fodder plant. The seed hns been distributed m different parts of the colony (says the " Evening Post "), the bulk of it having been taken tb the Bay of Islands, but a sample is also to be experimented with by Mr Hugh Beethara, of Wairarapa distuot. Jhe " ityral palifornian ", describes the clover m question as growing on plains at an altitude of 4000 feet, standing well through the mid summer droughts, flowering and blooming until the frost oomeß, and living after most herbage is dead. It is also said by the same authority to grow m every kind of soil, rich or poor, day or sandy, dry or wet, while it is deep-rooted and improving to the soil • it never runs out, can be fed off without injury and is wonderfully fattening. The « Amerioan Farmers' Manual " saya that of late years Japan clover has attraoted more and more attention ; the cattle eat it readily, and sheep greedily. The experiments of the acolima- 1 tisation of such a valuable plant m this colony will be of unsual interest.

OSMAN DIGNA.

A BRITISH HARRISON IN DANGER. (PER PRESB ASSOCIATION. ) Oajko, September 29. A large body of dervishes have hemmed m the British, garrison at Wady Haifa, and danger is imminent. Osman Digna has announced his fixed determination to get possession of the place, and the garrison is exhausted by attacks every night. This fort is ex pected to fall unless furt&er reinforce ments are sent, [Wady Haifa is an important strategy poaltlon a taated at the SeooDd Cataract of the Nile. It Is Id fact the gate of fljyot (row the Spqdan.J

AUCTION EERS ' REPORTS

Mr Alfred Harriw rep rta his weekly sale en Saturday, Sept. 30 h, as follows :

Cattle— -Milch o ws, £4 to £5 ; ntores, £2 to £3

Pias-Woanera, 14i ( lit 61 to 15< ; eu^k^rß 73 6d to 10a.

Poultry— Fowl*, li lOd to 2s 5i ; duoko, 3=i ; geese, 5s per pair. Produce — Darwenta, 5j to 7< per bacj ; klduoye, 5j to 9j bap ; pnas, Hi bag ; onions, £d to li 1 1b ; chfoliwheit, 2i to 2a 6d ; oatß, l."91 to 2* bushel ; sharpe. 5i to 6j ; bran, 3s 6i to 4s ; barlpy, 2 bushel : mutton, Id to 21.

Implements— Roller, £4; spring cart, £7 ; do.. £14.

Sundkies— A quantity of furniture, boots aud shoes, sets harness, saddles, etc

Mr Peter Williams (for Messrs Frfed lander Bros.) reports for the week ending 29 h Sept., 1888 :—

At the Tinwald yarda on Tuesday, the 25th mat, the entry was very mucb larger than it has. been for some time, both m cattle and sheep. About 5500 sheep and 160 head of oattle were yarded, of which we submitted 1500 sheep and 93 head of oattle. There w«s a not a ve>y large master of Ibuyers, and the bidding throughout the sale was very languid, several lota of cheep and oattle beiDg turned out. The following are the prices obtained :— Fat orossbreds, 12a; merinos, 7a 3 i to 11s 3d ; crossbred hog gets, 9i Bi, 10j 3d, 10s Bi, 11* ; 2-tooth Ofosftbred mixed sexes, 14} 9i ; oroaßbred ewea and l»mbs, 13s Id ; mixed crossbred merino ewes and lambs, 8a 9d. l'»t cows, £3 2* 61 to £5 15a ; heifers, £3 7s to £4 153. We submitted a line of 65 store steers, £4 2a 6d being bid for them, but they weie withdrawn.

Od Sat u r day sales were aa follows ;— Pios— Weaners, Ha 6J : porkers, 14a 6dtol6j.

Implements— Second-hand McOormlck Reaper and Bindea (twine), £18 ; McOor mlck do (wire), £8 ; butoher'a c»rt, £14 ; single act harness, £9 ; Bet tandem har ness, £3 10s ; saddle and breeohtng, £3 ss ; spring cart harneßß, £2 : horse covers. 12s 6d.

Produce --Potatoes ( )araarn Darwentn) £415a per ton; local, £3 10 j to £4 4i per ton 8ooordlns; t) quality ; kldaays, 6i 61 per bag. Ftjrnitorr at. fair rntea.

BOROUGH COUNCIL

The ordinary meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening. Present : The Mayor and Crs Williamson, Thomas, MoFarlane, Scaly and Tucker. .

mayor's statement,

The Mayor said that the debit balance at the Bank was £1391 la 44. The amounts which had been received sinoe last meeting were :— Befund, asphalt, £7 53 sd ; Library aooount, 14a ; rents reserves, £9 ; rates, 1888, £641163. Total, £81 15s sd. The amount of rates still outstanding was £347 16s. In regard to the question raised at the last meeting as to the power of the Oounoil to grant leave of absence to Mr Keir, who had been elected a Councillor, but who had not taken his seat, the Mayor reported that as the Act permitted each member of the Oounoil to be absent three meetings m bco cession without forfeiting his seat, and as he understood that before suoh time expired Mr Keir would have taken his seat, he did not think there was any necessity for the Council to take any action. COBBESPONDENCE. Letters were read: (1) From Charitable Aid Offioe acknowledging reoept of half of Borough's subsidy, and requesting payment of balance — Amount passed. (2) From Audit office requesting payment of £4, oost of audit of Borough books — Amount passed, (3) From Mr W. Sparrow requesting the substitution of Mr W. H. Webber's name for his on Burgess roll m respect of property m East street.— Left m the hands of the Mayor to attend to. (4) From Mr Jas. Tasker ask ing to be given a new lease containing oom pensafcioh olause, m respect of Borough reserve held by him.— Referred to -the Reserves Committee. (5) From Mr H. C. Segers, making a Bimilar request — Referred to the Reserves Committee. (6) From agent for Government publications m regard to last statutes, now published. — Received. (7) From Mr J. Newman, offering to lease certain Borough Reserves.— Referred to the Reserves Committee. (8) From Western Fire Brigade acknowledging grant from Oounoil.—Re ceived, (9) From Mr R. W. Jones, m regard to purchase of steam fire engine, and asking if it had been definitely deoided to procure a t Sband-Mason engine.— lt was decided tq reply that the Counoil were bound, m order to secure the Fire Association's grant of- £70, to purchase a Shand-Mason engine. (10) From Mr J. W. Sutherland m regard to damage caused by floods to reserve occupied by him at Hinds— Referred to the Reserves Committee. (11) From the Rev E. A. Soott asking permission to erect a lamp post on the kerb of the footpath outside St Stephen's Church — Left m the hands of the Mayor. (12) From Mr C. E. Fooks requesting per mission to burn rubbish.— Granted, subject to the usual conditions. (13) From the County Counoil m referenoe to proposed water-supply for Hampstead.— lt was stated that the Council had already had a report drawn up by its Engineer on the aubjeot, but negotia tions were broken off beoause apparently the Hampatead Board considered the expense too great — Cr Thomas considered that if a supply for the town district were taken from the Borough races, the Town Board should bear a proportion of the maintenance of the head works. After a good deal of disoqssion the matter wa.s referred to the Works Committee,

engineers' report. The Engineers reported as follows : Protective Works : We are continuing to fix mattresses of gorse fascines at the weak plaoeß along the river banks, and have had a considerable number of willow stakes planted. We would suggest that some Boooping, near and below the traffic bridge, might be of ad vantage m relieving the stress of the heavy Btream that has been enoroaohing on the boundary of the No, 1 paddook. We believe this aotion, combined with the construction of a Btrong groin, would be effectual m pre* venting further damage. Labor gang : The labor gang have hjou en. gaged principally m carting soil to private purchasers ; also m plsntiag, river protection, anOmamteuanee work. A Bhed forhorsea has been constructed on the library seotion, aoooraing to directions giyen. The fencing for the' same seotion has been delayed, owing to the contractor having recreated, four weeks leave, but part of if, including the gates, has been prepared, and we expect the remainder ??U g&on he oojupleted. The report was adopted. UISOEI&&NEOUS A quantity of business of a miscellaneous nature was transacted. The Mayor reported that there were a number of ownerless mongrel doga about the town, which oaused a good deal of damage among flooks m the locality. It was decided to instruct the police to look up unregistered dogs, with a view to the destruction of those without owners.

HAWKBBS' LICENSES. In reply to Or Scaly, the Mayor said that no hawkers' licenses had been taken out Or Scaly said that a number of persons came to the town and travelled from bfouaelo house for a day or two, peddling their wares, and being a perfect nuisance. He had knowa oases where women and ohlldren had Jbeen greatly terrified by these people. It waß deoided to call the attention of the pohoe to the matter, with a view to proceed, ings being taken against unlicensed hawkey, ?AYWENm Ao.cou.ute to the amount of about £80 were passed for payment, and the Oounoil ad journed

THE ZANZIBAR TROUBLE.

GRAVE ASPECT OF AFFAIRS,

(PHR PBESS ASBOOIAriON.)

Zanzibar. September 29

The Arabs and blacks on the Zanzi bar Coast have united to make com mon cause against the Germans, and grave fears are expressed for the safety of the Missionaries, particularly m the Pasjain district, where hostilities are hottest. The insurgents have assured the representatives of Foreign Powers | that the lives and property of. their subjects will be respected. (Reoelved October 2, Nor n») Zanzibar, September 30. The entire community of Indians settled at Bazimoyo under British pro tection h:»s been expelled.

THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND.

(per press association ) Auckland. Ootober 1. The " New Zealand Herald " has the fallowing Intelligence : — " We learn from an authoritative Bonroe In London that applications have already been made there by fiuanolal people of the' very highest standing, quite outside of what have been heretofore Bank circles, for a lai ga propor tion, If not the whole, of the new Issue of shares of the Bank of New Zealand. The deputation sent to London by the Share .holders' Oommlttee have been able to satisfy the best people that despite the big writing off to come, or probably m oon?equ6DC3 of it, our Auckland Institu tion is worth taking up. Influential fioanoe connections m England, and new blood on ita Boards, as well In London as m the colony, were what the Bank wanted to set it on its feet. The lifting of the c'oud whloh Ins f rsome time been hang ing over the Bank, will be an Important faotor added to the others whloh are so d'atlnotly working for a revival of oar prosperity.

THE EMPERORS DIARY.

ARREST OF THE COMPILER. [PBR FP.ESS ASSOCIATION.] Berlin, September 28. The Minister of Justice has given an order for the prosecution of the publisher of the diary, the Emperor having consented to this step being taken. It is supposed that Professor Giffeten, of Hamburg, is the compiler of the diary. Berlin, October 1. Professor Giffeten has been arrested. London, October 1. Several of the morning papers have articles on the publication of the late Emperor's diary. Prince Bismarck's assertions m connection with the sub ject are stigmatised as flimsy, and cal culated to bring ridicule upon himself. It is claimed that tbe whole course of events m Germany during the past quarter of a century fully bear out the genuineness ol those portions of the diary already published.

MORE EARTHQUAKES

SHOCKS AND BOOMING NOISES AT HANMER PLAINS. Yesterday's "Telegraph" contains the following deepatoh from Ita correspondent st Oulverden :— On Friday morning about 10.30 a.m. a emarfc shock of earthquake, with a preceding aoate explosive noise, was felt, and about an hour afterwards a mnoh heavier shock, without any pre ceding noise. Several sl'ghk shocks were felt during the afternoon and evening. On Friday nfght the moßt alarming noises were heard by ran dents on different parts of the plains, and at 11.30 p.m the heaviest ahrok experienced slnoe Saturday, the Ist September, todk pfaoe. This shock was followed by a largo number of smaller shocks, and the booming noises ware very frequent. Over twenty-five i land booms were ooanted within one hour of the 11.30 p.m. Bbock. Several snooks wore felt daring Saturday, and some damage has been done to buildings on the outskirts of the Hanmer Plaina, which heretofore have ercaped. The oht'mueys at St James's have been wrecked, both above the roof and below it, and some internal damage sustained. At Jack's Pass a new concrete ohimney is reported oracked. At Sc Helens soma damage was done to the newly-plastered walla, and Mr Low, findlrg *,hat the disturbances still continue, fs match-lining the. na.ll* of the prlnoipal rooms. The new ohimneys at Bt Helens, were aot affected by the heavy shooka of the !a B t forty eight hours

SPORTING.

NAPIER SPRING MEETING.

(PBR PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Napier, October 1. For the first day of the Jockey Olub'e Spring meeting the weather was fine. There was a good attendance and olose finishes. Frbb Handicap, of 70 oovt j one mil© and a dlatauoe. ' Mr Kennedy's b o Reolnse, 3yr i, 7afc ! 2:0 ... ... , , ■ (>t J Mr Janaea Mann'B oh g Partner. 4yrß, 6atß ! b , n :.. , ... 2 Mr Tanored'a b g The Spv,s gytß, 7afc 3h ... » ",„ iti 3 Klght afcatteta. Won by a long neck. Time— 2mln l-sthsc c. Divldenda— £2 7§ and £2 18«. First Handioa? Hurdxjjs, of 60 aors ; about two miles. , Mr S. H, Gollan'a b g Comet, aged. 8»t 101 b .., ,„' i Mr G. P. Donnelly's blk c Maneahaone, 6yrs, 12st 2ib ... 2 Mr F. Martln'o b g Kangaroo, aged, Ilat6!b ... 3 Nine starters. Won by a head after a hard struggle. Time— 4<nia 19aeo. Divi dends—£lß 16s and £18 15i.

Hawkes Bay Gdineas, of 300 sots, with a eweepstake of 10 aovi enoh for ac ceptors ; one mile. Mr P. Butler's br^o Manton, by Muaket — Tresdooe, Bpt 101 b (Clifford) 1 Mr Burke'a br c Ouiraaalei, by Mnsket -Frailty, Bst 101 b ... (Vaile) 2 Mr Bereafofd'a oh a Leopold, by Leo linns—Lovebird, Gut 101 b (Kean) 3 Rangipo, Katinka, Fox ton, Jet d'Eau, and Ohpdleigh also started. Won by a neck. Time— lroin 45 2*sthseo Dividend — £1 15a;

Sellino Raoh, of 40aovfl, we!ghi-!or-Bge i one mile and a qattter. Mr P. M»rMn'a g.g. SdadaD, 6yra, . Bat lib y, , %t< ttt j filr R. ©ooaemaa'fl b.g. Deceiver, aged Bat lib ... „. , #t 2 Mr J. Kennedy's g.g. Rtmu, aged,' b3t lib ,„ , , 3 Fire Btarterei Won easily, Thne— 2min 15 1 Sthseo. Dividenda-£2153 and £2 18s,

Post Stakes, of 20aova : once round The Laird 1 Sylph 2 Oeo , #t tit 3 Four ttarted, Dividends— £4 8s and £4 9i.

*ww& Sakdicat, of 76iovs ; six far looga, Mr Keith's Efloap«de,7st9lb 1 Mr Botler'e Manton, 7at 101 b 2 Mf Kenuedy'a Reclua«, frt Blb ... 3 Ten atarted. Vtme-lmin IGaeo, PlvldeQdj~.£6 19a and £7 9i. $3*20 pusad throago. the, j

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

(Peb Press Association.)

Auckland, Ootober 1.

At the Bupreme Court ti c day, A. Mfl- L-nrl ariad the Auckland Tramway Co. for £2CO dmiges for Injuries reoeived by falling from a tram oar, and breaking his leg on 23rd July last. For the defence it was o intended th&t plaintiff eteppad from the cat whilst it was In motion. A ver dict wr,s returned for defendants with or's on the lowest soale

Robert Stevenson, a well-known Anok* land tradesman, waa nommltted for trial to day on a charge of making a false ~ representation. Stevenson beoftme bank* 'npt on the 23rd August, and on the 19 h Ja!y he attended an auction ikle held by ' A . Buckland and Son. He was then Id* forrcnd that the auctioneers would not take hla bid unless he paid an account of £46 3 1 owing to that firm. Hs thereupon gnva a oheqae for the amount. Two steera were purchased by him at the Bile, bat the oheqae was subsequently dishonored by the Bank. - Wxlungtov, Ootober 1, The customs revenue for the month of September was £126,771 14s lOd against £106,866 6i 10J m mmc month last year and £136.610 la August. The amounts reoelved at the prinoipal potts were :■— Auckland, £34,370; Wellington, £19,413 J Ohrlitohuroh, £18,858; Danedin, £29.505. The Beer daty for September was £3530 18s 81, against £4 084 13s 9d for Septem ber last year. The amounts at the ohlef towns were :— Auckland, £729 ; Welling ton £416 ; Ohrlstohurob. £620: Danedin. £767. The Premier is expected b»ok to morrow night and it is expeo'ed th -i Cabinet will thsn consider the abolition of iha Publio Works Dep*rtm*nt, The Railways will be placed under the Working Railway! Department, harbors under the Mario c Department, roads and unemployed nndes the Survey Department and so on. The) amalgamation will involve the dismiss*! of a number of officers. It is estimated the annual saving will approaoh £10,000. The Pablio Works Department Is at present not spending more than £40,000 per month, and the Minister is of opinion the funds m hand will carry them on for three years, or a year more than was oalonlated.

The Minister of Lands hai been engaged all day with the Sheep lospeotors, whose duties under the new regime begin this . month. The whole question was discussed m all its bearings. The districts have been assigned as follows :— Wellington and Taranakl, Mr Olif ton ; Canterbury, Mr Poster; Otago, Mr Douglas; Marl borough, Mr Blehardson ; Hawkea B*y, Mr Pasley ; Auckland, Ms Biyley, late Inspector. . Ohristohoroh. October 1, A cottage In Lyttelton belonging to E, J. Qaeree was burned down early this morning. Qaeree moved. out of It on Friday when he left for Napier and hi* family went to Heathco'e. The home was Insured for £200 In the National Dunedin, October 1. A disgraceful scene took plaoe m s> baok street on Saturday night, when two young womea of bad character hanf % regular stand-up fight In the presence of a number of men and women. One who pleaded guilty tc-day, was sentenced to one month, and the other, who was da* fended, to threa months.

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(P3B PBES3 ASSOCIATION.)

EXPEDITION TO NEW GUINEA

London.. September 29. General Mel vor is organising an ex pedition to New Guinea.

LORD MAYOR ELECT.

Alderman James Whitehead has been chosen Lord Mayor- Elect of the City of London.

THE COTTON TRADE.

The cotton spinners are only working, half-time.

EMIN BEY.

The Press condemn Germany for the lethargy shown m despatching the pro jected expedition to. relieve Emm Bey. It is pointed out that while the pro moters are haggling over the details officials are being murdered m all directions.

WELSH GOLD MINE.

London, September 30. The prospects of the Morgan Welsh gold mine being a permanent payable field are considered to be assured, and it is believed it will pay 30 per cent pa the capital invested. , - „

COLONEL BATTYE'S MURDERER.

Calcutta. September 28, An ultimatum has been sent to the -v murderers of CoL Battye, demanding ' the surrender of the ringleaders and the payment of a fine of a thousand rupees by October and.

THE SIKKIM WAR.

OALouraA, September 29. The palace of the Rajah of Sikkim *. at Chimbi has been occupied by the * .British forces.

WAR PREDICTED.

Vibkna, September 2a ; Count Nicra predicts a general wan.

GREAT FIRE IN CRONSTADT.

St. Pbtersbiubo, September 30; A destructive fire broke Cut at Cronsradt yesterday. A .large number of buildings were destroyed. Sixteen persons were killed by the collapse of a huge wall, and numbers were injured by falling debris, .

AUSTRALIAN.

(PBB PBBBB AfIBOOIATK)Ifc.J

QUEENSLAND

Brisbane, Octobar I. * ? A selector at Mackay named John Aitkin quarrelled with his wife and cut her throat and then his own, Both are dead.

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Rydwit, October I. A mutilated letter has been picked up at Kadina, ninety-six miles north west of Adelaide. It is believed to be ' an original written by General Gordon; It is dated July 31st,. ilg 4 , and ex presses his determination to stand by Khartoum. The only solution to tha discovery of the document fa. such & place is the fact that a number of Arab ', hawkers were recently at Kadiria.

THE ASHBUBION gPABDIAN TUESDAY OCTOBEB 2, 1888



fcJS? f «/ °wder destroys both moth, fleas, beetles,, and all other insects, while quite harmless to domestic animate. In extermina- ting beetles, the success of this powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly clean fin appli, cation. See the 'article you purchase is Keatings as Imitations are noxious amd m. J



"Rough on RATs.»-Clcars out rats, mice roaches, flies, ants, bed-bugs, beetles, insects, skunks, jack-rabbits, sparrows, gophers. At chemists and druggists. _ The best Remedy for Indigestion- Norton's Camomile Pills are confidently recommended as a simple remedy for indiges- tion, which is the cause of nearly all the diseases to which we are subject. Norton's Pills, with justice called the "natural strengthener of the human stomach," act as a powerful tonic and gentle aperient, are mild m their operation, and safe under auy circum, stances. Sold m bottles at is isd, 2s 9& 4s, by alj medicine vendors throughout the,



DAIRY FACTORIES IN NEW ZEALAND. A NUMBER of copies of Mr R. McCallum'b report on Dairy Factories m New Zealand, together with other papers on the aubjeot published m pamphlet form, have besn forwarded to us, and we ehall be happy to distribute them gratis to any of onr subscribers Copies oan be obtained at the " Mail " and " Gaardlan" Office on application.



QUOD JTACIMUS VAIDB KACIMU3J } (" What we do we do well.") TrtiS 0 HRISTOaUROH DB NTAL SURGE RT, | 168 Ca=hel street, L'hristchm-ch, next Robin- ' son's Boot i c tore, and attbe O.itagon, Duneiia. All operations .-it etictly uniform and moderate Fees. Consultation free. S. MYERS~AND CO., BURGEON DENTISTS. v€« r-r S (,\ \^& g- $^j f \ WITH tEETH « WITHOUT TEETH NITkOUs OXIOE GAS administered; Thi* AisQit'etic leaves no unpleasant effects, and by its nsc the cx f .ractio - of Bad Stumps and Teeth is rendered perfectly Painless and Effective. Administered daily. Fee for ad- ministration of H&i, 63 Extraction! 2a 6d a tooth. Hours of at'.enrfance, 9am.to 8 p m. Private residence, 9 i East Belt. The acknov^edged snporiority of AMERI- CAN DBSTISTKy m the conetruction of Artificial Teeth, the most finished workm m- ship, and replacing the lost teeth T M- tORARILY ALMOST lUMfc-DIAT.^LY »fter extraction, hive established oar reputation. A single Artificial Tooth, 103 , complete set Upper and Lower, Temporary and Permanent, £10 iOj; ArMGcitl Teeth tnd Danturea made by other dentists remodelled - t small c >st. Stopping, Scaling, Perrect. and Painle"s. «:w 8 166 THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN. From and after the 80th November, 1886, the terms of Subscription to this journal will be as follows, viz. :— I IF PAID IN ADVANCE j Per Quarter.. 6s 6d by poßt, 9s 6d (Half-year 12s 6d, by post, 18s 6d Year .. 24s Od, by poßt, 37s Od 1 17 BOOKED Per Quarter.. 7s 6d, by poßt, 10a 9d „ Half-year 15s Od, by post, 21s 6d „ .. 80s Od, by post, 43s Od Birtn, Marriage, and Death Notioeß, if paid for at the time of insertion 2s 6d each (stamps may sent as payment) if booked, 4s each. Announcements of Births, Deaths and Marriages sent for publioation from the country distriots require to be verified by the signature of the person aendinc the notice, DIARY . Ootober Snn Sun Moon Moon Moon's Rises Sots. Rises Beta, age at noon; a.m. p.m. 1 Monday .. 5.35 6.5 3.3 0.49 24 2 Tuesday .. 5.33 6.6 3.42 lf>4 25 3 Wednesday.. 6.31 6iB 4.18 3.2 26 4 Thursday .. 5.29 6.9 4.50 4.14 27 5 Friday.. .. 5.27 6.11 8.21 5.27 28 6 Saturday ... 5.25 612 5.52 6.42 0 7 Sunday .. 6.23 6.13 6.24 7.68 1 Moonlight Evenings. The Moon at 8 days old shinea'.till^about 8 o'olook. " ' The Moon at 6 days old shines till^about half-past 10 o'olook. The Moon at 8 days old shines till nearly o'olook m the morning. The Moon at 12 days old shines from Bundown 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 Bhines 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 shineati 11 morning The Moon at 27 days old rises about 4 a.m. and shines till sunrise.



Wautetf \ —-—__-______________-_____——— i WANTED — A Girl, about 14 to aßsl«t wiih housework. Apply' Office of this paper, Yjrr ANTED Apprentices and Im- VV provers,— Apply Miss Kemsitz J. Orr and Co. 10 15 \\J ANTED Kaown —Board arid lodg- VV lDg for a respectable Young Woman m a private family. — Apply office of this papfn\ 10t7 Y|7"ANTED to Sell, for £3 10s, a V T Chimney Sweeping Mnchine, nearly rew, coßt £5. 4pply office of tbi<? p^p^r. 10 G \\T ANTED ore or two Boarders m W quiet family. Bitb, Bt^hlee, paddock, *c. Ti'rms moderate. Apply to Pa. fessor Robotxom, East street. 10 14 WANTEO Known— That Hates ani> Co. haa 250 Spleodtd Tweed Trousers. You*- nick for 10a 6d. f^i REATES T tiule ot the day, every- VJT thing cheap for Oaah. — id. C gEOBBS Melford Homo. \T~TANTED Tenders fn- Gr. z'og Ash- W Hii'ton Hacecou-8- R^perva for one yea.- fiom October 10th, 188^ Sheep onl . Apply to d. Bissbp, j"ecr*tary Ashburton Racing Club. 10*5 BOOTS. BOOfS.— Keep the feet dry and save dootor'n bills. Quality it) everything m bad weather. I gnarantpe every pair. Best value m New Zealand at Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saundere Buildings.— Robbrt Aloorn. T ADIES 1 Jackets. — Just Opened a few I 1 Ladies very superior Jackets, both m atyle and quality. Will be Bold at less than half their price during onr present Sale. — H. O. Segkrs, Melford House. "11 rANTED —Everyone to come and VV see the niceßt lot of Glass, Chica, and Earthenwaro ever shown m Ashbur- ton, and the Cheapest ever landed m New Zealand. Imported direct from the Manufacturers. — Robert Alcobit, Sano- dors' Buildings. 'til STOCKINGS— 700 pairs of Ladies and Children's simple Hose just opened (landed under the old Tariff.) All quality to be sold cheap during our sale. — tf. C. Bbgers, Melford Houbb. WANTED Cash. — Moir's Oatmeal (251 b), 2a 61 ; Oandlfs, 5d ; Vestas, srl doz. ; Coffee and Milk, Is ; Oocca aud Milk, Is ; Corn Flour, 4d ; Fruits m Syrup (21b tine), Is. Crockery, Glassware, and Ironmongery. — J. Mo- Gregok, Tsnored street. WANTED Known— Albert Crum having purchased a First-class Plant, is now Sweeping Chimneys m a carofu', cieauly manner, at lowest rates. Orders may bo left with J. Ranger, East Street, or addressed to A. (Jrdm, Wakanul Road. 8 66 "TTTANTED Known— New Goods. VV New Goods for the approaohlog Season to hand at the New Zealand Cloth* ing Factory. TTTANTED Known— 2ss will purchase VV a 40s Tweed Suit at the Zealand Clothing Factory. \ I /"ANTED Known— We undertake VV to give the very best value obtainable m Men's and Boys' Clothing, all our own make and made from pure Wools, at the New Zealand Clothing Factory, WANTED Known — We are the Cheapest and Beat House m Aehburton for tihirls, Bugs, Scarfs, Hats, &c. Splendid variety to select from at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. TTTANTED Known— Our Boys' Oloth- VV ing is unrivalled. Parents and Guardians see our Boys' Suits, nicbly made ; Coat and Knickers lined through* out, from 10s 6d, at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. WANTED Known— The Wonderful \Verthem Sewing Machine, with the new high arm nnd all the latest improvements, may be had on the Timo Payment System at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. Inspection earnestly invited 1 ITT ANTED Known— We are still VV making Measure Suits at 56b, and Trousers to measure at 17b 6d, Cord Vests from 12s 6d to measure at the New Zealand Clothing Factory ' JAM PRIMO. » Some time since we published a small paragraph en the unsatisfactory nature of much of the jam retailed m the colony. This reached Messrs Kirkpatrlck at»d Co., of Nelson, acd they went to work m a very practical fashion to prove that the jams manufactured by the firm were of the bast quality. Two cases of assorted j.ms were sent to this office, with a re- queat that we would thoroughly test the j»m along with other brandi, and give our opinion. VV*e are happy tn state, frankly and fully ttia!. we have btaen vury much surprised, as prior to the receipt of Messrs Kirkpatriok's gift we were unaware that New Z^alaud oonld boast of an Jn- dustry of which It haa co much reason to be proad. The various sorts of jam were tested by a Dumber of persons, who compared the samples with other brands, and ihn general verdict Is ih*t not onl}' are M*n»ra Kukpat.rick'a productinr«» tar aud away better than any other JN<w Zealand brand we cnu • ■h'»iii, bu> it i-y are superior to iHngiinfr jams m L>eiug fresher. The nearest approach to~the excellence of the Nelson jam was tha f I contained m tins bearing the name of a i Taamanlan firm, but even lv this com- parison the Nelson article came out » lung ! way best. We are pleaeed to be able to give unstinted praise to is genuine local industry, the product of which we can i unreservedly recommend to consumers. All of the many persona who have tested the sain plea are* loud to their praise, and we must unreservedly congratulate Meant s Kirkpatrlck and Co. upon turning onFa genuine fruit jam fit to grace ihe tables and pleaee the palates of the most luxurious a.od fastidious. — " Hawktt's Bay Herald," July 18th. ' Sample* of Kirkpatrlck and Go's "X " brand of jam have been forwarded to ub and we are free to confess that they appear to be In every way excellent and as they become better known m the looal market will meet with much appreciation from the heads of households, The maker asserts that- none but the purest frui'B grown In Nelson are used m bis manu- factures, and we ■ are content to accept that assurance. Certainly the j^ma possess a richness aud freaaueas ot fi<ivoi that beats that assertion oat. — Danedm . .War," July {j7 wm:ll ;



Public Noticef. John Kanger. SADDLE, COLLAR AND HARNESS MAKER. HAVING- pnrohasud the business of Mr A. Ireland, and removed Into those commodious premises lately oc- cnpled by him m Burnett Street, begs most sincerely to thank his customers for past support and polioits % continuance of the same, which he will strive to deserve by keeping the beet stock of Saddlery »nd Harness^ and strict attention to busi- ness, combined with good workmanship And Reasonable charges. Repairs neatly and promptly attedded to Btl2o Trees. Trees. Trees fpHB Ucderaignad begs to thank his X numerous Friends and Customers for their pnst favors, a^d calls Their special, attention to his extensive stock of FRUIT AND FORE JT TREES of all sorts N.B. —Planting done hy contract, and •11 Trees supplied and planted by me will be guaranteed for 12 months. Fruit Trees pruned and gardens kept m order by the week or by tre year. 40.000 Cup- Maarocarpa. 1 year old, 20,000 ditto, 2 years old. 24,000 Pinus Insignia. All orders by pnst, or left with Mb 0. Q. Flower, Confectioner, East Street f shall receive my prompt attention. James Porter, CLIFTON NURSERY 192 Allonton, Aohburton. EXHIBITION FREE. MT Stock of Groceries, Ironmongeiy, China and Glass Ware, OolomTal Clothing and Booti, is now replete with good assortments m every Department, at lowest possible Prices. TEAS. My Teas are uneurpcsied for Parity, Strength, and Flavor. I pay pirtioular attention to Blinding, uning nothing but really first cUbb Teas. No fancy Tina or Packages to pay for. Stronp, well flavored Tea, 2s per lb Extra «troog, highly fl»vored, 2s 6i per lb Extra choice, finest fhvor, 3s per lb. Coffie ground daily on the Premises. Highest Price given for Daliy Produce. Please call aud Inspect my Extensive Stock. ASHBURTON CLOTHING MART. ROBEET ALCOEtf . GEEAT CLEARING SALE. Bargains! Bargains! Bargains! Having resolved to dispose of my Stock OF HARDWARE, CROCKERY, BRUBHWARB, & GLASSWARE, j To make room for entirely new Stock, the above will be soM at actual cost for CASH. This 18 a genuine Sa'e, and purchaßers will »ye over 60 per cent by taking ad- vantage of the. opportunity. fm, "Baylis, Storekeeper, Triangle. JOHN G- RESTELL TIMBER, COAL & GENERAL MERCHANT, WEST STREET, ASHBUBTON, HAS large and varied Stocks of all clasßea Building and other Timbers, KAURI, RED AND WHITE PINK, BLACK PINE & TOTARA, BIRCH, V.D.L. FLOORINGS, LININGS & SHELVINGS All Dressed Timber being kept under Sheds, well seasoned, and fit for immediate use. „ PAINTS, OILS and COLORS, PUTTY Vnd GLASS, Galvanised Iron, Zinc Lead, and Builders' Ironmongery. POSTS, RAILS, STAKES, FENC- ING WJftE, Barbed and Plain. MT. SOMEES WESTPOET NEWCASTLE COAL AND FIREWOOD. "ZEALANDIA' 1 BOOT STORE, EAST STREET. WE ar*> Btill Celling at the Cheapest Prices the best Brands of Ladies and Gentlemen* £OOTS, SHOE-, AND SLIPPERS; Aiso, — HEAVr WATERTIGHT^, THIGH & KNEE GUM BOOTS, And everything else suitable for the Season, THE " Zealandia " Brand always m Stock. Repairs of every description executed a shortest possible notice. " ZEALANDIA " BOOT STORE. EAST STBEET, ASHBUBTON