The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas Et Prævalebit. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1888. PARLIAMENTARY REFORM.

We are very glad indeed to see by the telegrams from Wellington that Ministers have made up their minds to submit iK'Xt session proposals for the reform of Parliamentary procedure. In so doing; t\n-y are but . following tho pxa^nle of the Govern me ts of other colonies, anu GVon of tho Impure Go vernment itßPif, iho recess ity of auw.d ing the cumbrous forms \vn\'C! 1 Bro ue growth and le acy of general ions, havint; latterly i'orcd itecf upon nearly every legislature wlrch is founded upon the nglish model. Kirst and fore most there is ut present far too much opportunity for factious obstruction, and iar too little facility for the transaction of business, and tho evil has grown vritli years, until it has become absolutely m tolerable. Again, the very forms of Parliament aro themselves unnecessarily cumbrous, and calculated to prevent business being carried on rather than to expedite its transaction. Tho subject has been frequently under consideration of the fetanding Orderß Committee, which has, from time to time, brought np reports suggesting remedi- g for the evils and abuses pointed out, but year after *ear tho pressure of public busi ness, aided by tho growing tendency to obstruction, has prevented those reports from ever being considered. The session before last a discussion was indeed begun upon one such report, but tho debate w»« adjourned, and tho question nevei found its way t<> the surfac again. The oil!" wav tuat the difficulty can bo coped with is fCT *bo. '.Government to j take the question m hanu *■ we 6^ they now propose to dp, and they mil do more good, service if th>y carry out tlje refona wbiob h« i 0 Jong been ,

wanted than by almost any proposal for legislation which it is possibb to bring forward. We observe that the recom mendations of the Standing Ord rs Committee, m their report of last session, for the application of the cloture m the case t.f wilful stone walling, or talking against time, or talking out a bill, by enabling the speaker on the demand of a certain proportion of the * ouse, to st»p further debate, and put the queati n forthwith, are among the proposals which the Government will seek to give effect to, and also that it is proposed to Bit during the mornings instead of at night, Com mittee work boing taken on the evenings o. on sitt ng dajs There may be Igome difficulty m giving effect to this, but we believe that if it can bo carried out, the results will be very beneficial. The proposal to give greater facilities for the discussion of motions ii a good one, but care must be taken, if by this moans private members are shut out from the opportunity of bringing forward public Bills, to provide that upon a re solution affirming the necessity for legis lature m a particular direction, it eh nil become the duty of the .Government to preient a Bill to give effect to inch resolution. If this be not done, then the time given to the discussion of such motions will be absolutely thrown away, and the hands ot members will be effectually tied. There is a very wide field for reform m our Parliamentary procedure, as we have already said, but care must be taken m carrying out that reform that all power is not handed over to the Government and members reduced to mere voting machines.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Mr S. B. Seymour, surgeon-dentist, is announced to pay a professional visit to Ashburton on Thursday, 16th instant. It is perhaps soaroely necessary to remind oar readers that the Greenwood family give their return conoort at the Oddfellows' Hall this evening, whioh will m all probability be tbt only opportunity the Ashburton public will have of listening to these talented per formers, who are contemplating an Australian tonr. Since they were last here they hays been scoring great successes m the south, toe oritioisms of our contemporaries being most favorable, not to Bay enthusiastic. Of Mi'bb Maribel'a violin playing the editor of the "Oamaru Mail" (himßelf one of the most talented amateur violinists m tbe colony) writes m terms of the highest commendation, oomparing her style to that of the Master Wilhelmj. The Timarn papers states that tbe oonoort at that plaoo on Friday was a great success, Miss Maribel's performances on the piano and violin being characterised as quite phenomenal. Miss Ruby (says the " Bouth Canterbury Times ") is a natural* born comedienne, and the audience awarded her tremendous applause. Mi?a Agatha's vooalism and Master Bob's oratory also come m for a hearty meed of encomium, and our eon* temporary predicts for this family a glorious oareer, as " there is no denying that they are brilliant m instrumentation, and they possess, one and all, capabilities that are aamJr*bU.» Obarles Bushell was brought up at the E M. Court, this morning charged with lunacy. Ha was remanded till Thursday. A man named John Healy was arrested at Coldßtream by Constable Casey on a charge of forging receipts, The alleged offence ocourred while tbe aooused was oonstable % at Ekatabuna, m the Wellington district, and the sums involved are bnt small. The accused wts brought up this morning before Mr D. Wi'Hamson, J.P., and was remanded to Wellington.. The Wellington correspondent of the •• Telegraph " says that Mr Blaokett, Marine Engineer, is going to New Plymouth shortly to report on the alleged sanding up of tbe harbor there, wbioh threatens to render the breakwater useless. The oustoma revenue for the ten months of the financial year ended Jan. 31st last shows a surplus over the Treasurer's estimate for that period of a little over £10,000. The " New Zealand Times " of the Brd insi. writea :~lt is very gratifying ts note that a marked improvement m trade generally has set m during the last two or three months, ajd seem b likely to last. There is no doubt at all that business has experienced a most pronounced revival m Wellington. Aooorling to tbe "New Zealand Times" the Government experienced a ra'her dis , agreeable surprisa a day or two ago m reoeiv* ing from tbe Agent.General an account for defence material to the amount of £20,000, I ordered by the late Government without thg . slightest authority, and without even an offioiftl record being kept of the transaction. There are m India 42,000,000 children qualified by age to attend sobool. Cf this Dumber only 3,500,000 are being educated, and of t^ese only 200,000 art learning the vital truths of Christianity. The value of gold exported from this colonj for the quarter ending Deo. 31st, amounts to £179,147, and for the year 1887 the total is £81 1 ,100. The total amount exported from April lßt, 1857, to December 91st, 1887, is £44,042,676. In a Bobool "not a hundred miles " (as the phrase goes) from Woodville, a teacher was giving her olasa a lesson m useful know ledge. " What would you do if you burnt your finßers, Johnny ? " asked <he mistresß. Young Colonial, without hesitation, promptly replied, " I should swear, miss." The "New Zealand Times " says that ou Wednesday night last a large white New foundland dog wa& found swimming out jn Wellington ba'bor a considerable distance off the bwpro by three lads who wore out sailing. When discovered tho dog was about a mile and a half off the land, some distance outside the steamer Kawatiri, which is lying at anohor off Pipitea Point, and was swimming m tbe direction of Kaiwarra. Owing to his size the occupants h,nd ppnptderable difficulty m hauling him into the boat, Th|B was, however, done, and they brought their prige ashore.

A great sensation baa been .caused m St. Petersburg by the circumstance of the young Prinoe Barclay do Tolly, son ot the well? known general, having been struck off the Army List beoanse he christened hjs son After the Lutheran rite. It ia regarded as a great mark of religious intolerance. Applications for tho ogjoe of Chief Com missioner of New Zealand Railways are now being invited, both m London and io America. It is not intended to do anything towards selecting two assistant Commissioners until the Chief Commissioner has been appointed. Koating'e Powder destroys both moths, (Jes , beetles, and other all insects, while quite harmless to domes) io animals. In extermi nating beetles, the buoobbs of this powder extraordinary. It is perfoody oloan m appli cation. See the article you purchase Is Vo ' : -">'« as imitations are noxious and fSSSU Sola :; tU » 8 ' 5« ?■, «« 2b 6d| •aob, by %\\ ohomietß ... I

The English mail vi/i San Franoiseo arrived m Ashbnrton per express train this morning, and was at once sorted and din- ' tributed by the postal officials. Major.Genoral Whitmore is now making a final tour of inspeo ion prior to severing his 1 connection with the Volunteer forces. We \ understand that he inspeots tbe Timaru corps on Tuesday evening, but owing to the harvest season, and for other reasons, it has been determined not to call on the outside oorps (Waimate, Geraldine, Temufea, and Ashbvrton) to attend. Kidney and Urinary troubles are universal, and the only safe and sure cure is American Hop Bitt era— rely on it. Bead I

THE WEATHER.

The following is the meteorological report At Alfor d Station for the week ending Fobtuftry 3rd, 1888 :—

Rainfall m January ~A If ord Star lon, I 2*20 inches ; Alford Forest. 6*24 Inches.

THE EUROPEAN SITUATION

[MR rRKISS AB3001ATI0H.) Berlin, February 3 It is stated that Prince Bismarck has had an interview with the leaders of parties with reference to the Army Bill which is now before the Reichstag. He explained to them privately the present situation of affairs m Europe, and pointed out that it would be im politic to have at present the informa tion he disclosed to them made public London. Febnuiy 4. The " Standard " to-day statps that Italy Germany and Außtria have jointly represented to the Russian Cabinet the danger of continuing preparations for war, which are only construed as threats.

SOUTH RAKAIA ROAD BOARD.

The uiaal monthly m»ettng was held m Thnradty. Present— vuura 0 uter (chilr m»n), Lyttelton, end Tucker. Apologies were received from Meisr* Mulligan and Stringfellow for unavoldabl. absence. The Olork raported on the state of th roads generally and the works In hand. He also mentl< > n"d finding a patoh of the OillfornUit thistle near Dobbin's ford. Correspondence was received from the Oomtni s-otier of Crown Lands, stating that £86 2s lid, refund on lands pur ohasad m the Settlement had accrued, and asking f»r the plans showing the vaviou* works done m same to ba retaroed.— Tie Olerk was instructed to return them. From the manager of Acton Station, crup'alnJng about- the stite of Hooks' Wn-re road and oa»h»ln crossings. -Tbf C e*k advised tne B >ard that the nr-.d complained of wm one Mr A lan ha wrongly fenced, and that when t te other portion had been formed Mr Allan ha< undertaken to remove the fenet> and form the road, the feuce had been altered but nothing done to the road. — Resolved that Mr Allan's attention bs called to his promise. From Mr Allan endorsing an aoooun* 'or land, and half the o et of fencing b*lla«tpU9.— lt was decided to put £15 on the payaheet for the land, and let the other item stand over till next meeting. The Olerk wm Instructed to have the O*iifornlan thls'le destroyed, and to pro duce a specimen at the next meeting. 0 'O) plaints were made about some of the water*raoe cro'slot^s, etc.— The Olerk was inuruoted to have them attended to at once. It was resolved to re deposit £2600 fulling dv« on the Bih for 12 months, sou place £500 to ourrent account. On the motion of Mr Lyttelton, seconded by Mr Tuokrr & rate of one farthing In the pound was struck on all : rateable property m the district, payable In one sum at the Board's office oc Feb. j 24'h. I Mr tytteltoo oomplalnad about the number of stray horses on the eo»ds, and the damage they were doing.— The Olerk wmb Instructed to oall the poandkoepor's attention to the matter. Accounts amounting to £68 2- 5d wert pa<seri for payment, and as there was n< ceaieleif business the meetino; acjoorned

SPORTING.

C.J.O. AUIUMN MBIiTING. CjraiSTOHUKCtr, February 5. The following nominations nnd further payments have been receved for the 0.J.0. Autumn mcc ing :— CHRIBTCHUROH HURDLES. Marmnoo Is.ac Maßte 1 Agnea Trappar TresSeo St Leg Secretary .Rocket Stockburn Monteaglo Garibaldi Securua Azira Mao GREAT AUTUMN HINIICAP. Ruby print ston Quibble Ravenßcn»iQf Artillery Marlborough The Shah Apropos £ilvennark Fin-t lord Pearl La Rose Capt Cook Fairy Maid Torrent Engagement Fnnpshot L urel C'u hfiod Loohiel Bure ford Russify Gpßy King Bt 01 .ir Ft Ives Mokoia A»g ; n Rise PASTER HASpjCAP. Ruby Sty ingston Rob*) avd Back Qui ble Aiarlbof ugh Artiiliry Apt op b Erin uo-Bragh 6iiv- rraark First Lord ] a R )«e Fniry Maid Tirrtnt Engagement Snapshot laurel CruchGold Golden Great Bhnh Sultan Lophiel BjreH'ord Rußoy GipßyKing Sierra frit UUir St Ivt a Mokoia CHAMPAOHB BTAKIfI. Carbine Jet Dean Enchant ress Wanton lied wood Rivenscraig Gouimeil Wolverine Chain bhofc Bon-of-a-Gun Agnes Moi B ir Sinister Fleurerto Quickstep CHALLENGE BTAK*n. Springe ion Carbine Vandal Wanton Artillery * creator Kavenswing Silvermark Sounneil Wolverine Suttop RuH«iley Uipay King B*r S.uielfr . La ft. use

CRICKET.

OOMBJNK'* AIJBT«?ALI\ ▼ IILTjT WUITE'B ELEVEN. ; (»SE PBKSS ABBQ0 r Vnotf.) >. Ftdnet, February 4. T^e cricket match between a onsiVned Australian team and LlMywhl'p's eWen was commenced here to-day. Tho wes'her «sb fine und tbe <*tKen^»nco g The <\a»tr»H«Dii w«nt fi<-s* »o the "iokets »nd were all disputed of for 2^2. LoVmvan was *hn moat Bocoetufni b w'er, tub Jib five wicketa In tbe firs'; tr-ni"gs. THe Englinbraea have lost five wickets for 218 ran*, : The prlno!p»1 noorert were : Ulyetfc 12 Shrewsbury ... ... 3P «cad S9 ; liohmann ... 17 ', MoSb»n«, th» Mclboornt trundlor, got ' all tho wlcketi. Dxm*i>p, Febrnafy 7. Playing for the Phconix 0.0 against the Albion CO., Neate contributed 130 not " out, out of a total of 230, tnis bain? the second time this i<?a*on he had topped the century carrying oat his bat.

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN

(PBB FBKSfI ASSOCIATION.) HOME RULE. Dublin, Febmry 4. The freedom of the city has been conferred on the Marquis of Ripoti and Mr John Morley. In the speeches de livered on the occasion, opinions were expressed that a policy of aspiring for local government might be the finest security for unity with the British . tnpire, as coercion bad been the c?use of disturbance, and had also been the means of perpetual discontent. Mr Morley considered that if an Irish Par liament was conceded it could certainly be trusted m dealing with public affairs.

ACTION AGAINST A BISHOP.

Two piiests have take proceedings against Bishop Moran m the Rolls Court with a view to making his Lord ahip account for £2000 which the plaintiffs allege that he received for the relief oi poor priests m the Osß>ry parish. Bishop Moran replies that the money which came into his possession was intended for general purposes, but the petitioners repudiate this suggestion, and take the present proceedings on the ground of fraua.

MODERN IMMORALITY.

Lowdon, February 4.

The Archbishop of Canterbury to day re-opened the Southwell Church, Nottingham, m the presence of a large assemblage of ecclesiastical dignitaries. The Bishop of Lichfield, preaching on the occasion denounced the increased spirit of gambling and other vices, and scathingly alluded to the veiled im morality existing m the higher circles. He demanded the union of all religious communities for the purpose of endea vorit g to bring about a purer state of things, and for preventing z perpetua tion of the existing laxity and disregard for morality.

SENTENCE OF CROFTERS

Several of the crofters at Stornaway who were implicated m the recent out rages there have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from six to fifteen months.

FRANCE AND ITALY.

ROMB, February 3.

The proposals received from the French Government relative to the establishment of a commercial treaty between Italy and France have not met with the approval of the Italian Government, and negotiations have ceased. It is, however, probable that parleying will be resumed, and it will be carried on by the diplomatic agents m Paris.

AUSTRALIAN.

[FIR PEBfIB ASSOCIATION.] NEW SOOTH WALES. Stdnbt. F«-bra»T 4. The sculling race between T. Clifford and Kemp for j£aoo a side and the championship of the world, will be rowed over the champion course on the Paramatta. John Grace, who was arrested on suspicion of having murdered John Stapleton, a miner, near Armidale, has been committed for trial. He has admitted that a pair of bloodstained trousers found by the detective were bis property.

AT TWILIGHT.

The Bbipa are m, dear heart, tho shipi we lent To bring us treasures homn aeroia Life's sea ; The strong, brave ships of hope, on whioh we spent Youth's golden heritage with careless glee. Love, side by aide we oped oar vent ares forth In Life's glad morn ; now evening oometh od, And here wa stand to count the cargoes' worth, The sura of what is lost and what is won. Lo! here the ship that sailtd to bring vi fame, Ah, love t we freighted it with high desires ; It brings us back— a oareleßS word of blame, A nneer that deadens all our altar-fires. We find no laurel wreathing keel or prow, But what care we for fame of laurels now ? There lie the ships that Bailed to bring us wealth, . Ah, love I no marvel that thy oheeka grow white \ We freighted them with toil, foregoing health, Duapising restful ease and world's delighj;. To speed them well we spent our soanty store, We grudged not toil of hand nor thought of brain ; And Hope, the siren, whispered evermore, Of what the ehipß would bring aoross the main. We piotured their return— bn*, tb, not thus, With holds all empty, and with nails all torn. The golden argosies were not for us, Tot what ia world's wealth worth that wo should mourn? Life's nobler bliss m lowly paths may He, And we are lowly henoeforth, thou and I. The ships are m, dear-heart, the Bhips we thought Would bring ua all pur youthful hearts could orave The ships are in— but, ah, not one hath brought Our troasure baok aoross Life's stormy wave •'Not ona?"eaidl. Nay; dear, with trem bling lip ' I turn about, and look into thine eyes. Kiss— kiss me close, the'i-e is one little ship Filled full of treasure, our most precious prlae I We launohed it fondly on a summer sea, A dearer venture than for gold or bays ? Full laden it comes baok to the* »nd me, With treasure dptfbled after man* ..***. The ib'jps are io, dear heart, -yY count oaf j store, ' ' .■<._■■ i tfotfa»j», ao v«|ltb, bot loT« for f ycrwon [

FEARFUL SCENE IN A MENAGERIE.

A TIGER AT TACKI G HIS KEEPER.

The Zoological Garden hero (nays an Amerionn |ap«r) was the scene of a thrilling and very nearly fatal inoidnnv recently. It is about two o'clock that the at'loanls m the linn-house are fed, fach one belog g'V'*o a large peoe of raw moat, generally ho<«. flesh. Thera are other «m?ma's In tils' houee hes dfla tho lions, amonu t^om a very fine Bengal tiuer named X "2. He is an unusually h»ort- B »m«i benst, wsslvh o f limb aod vie no* !in te* p*r. Go' Tiro Robinson, hie Keeper, has Qrar, And last, had a great deal of trouble with him, and hns of'en bean 0 impelled m reset to extreme menanreß m ;hls punishment. And yet there are times when Ktog (a at doolie si a kitten, and Robinson, who Is a perfectly fearless man, h*3 frequently gone into the Cage md pUyed with the beast as a boy would with a dbg. Reently, however, King teemed to be In an aoasaally bad temper, touring np and down the cage all the fore* noon, md bonndlng agalmt the bars with a force th* 1 - made them rattle m their sookets* R(* '"son tried s veral times to maka him \t \ down, bat he was rnMuncßsfal Ha ought, however, that King* ngy humor >ald disappear at I fe«dlng-time, and h« jne'uded to wait un»il tbenboforearfmin'n ering the punisn* ment. In auk Ing bio prpparatb* gto feed the animale, the keeper hus to p««« be f ore the o»ge« a number of time?, and they become very rws'les* and impatient, tor they know what Is coming. King on this oocaston behaved worse than Robinson had ever known him. He seemed to be m a terrible rage, and fiaally, mi the keeper p ssed his o»ge, th« tiger thrust hi 'inmiao paw through the bar and srrook th» keeper* arm, during away the o'othing and Into the fl?sh. Robinson <vhos<s temper when an used (■ about as fi <ry as the tigers, beotme eoragwd m turn, and he det< rtnioed to enter the cage and eorqo*r »ha bea*t. It was downright madness, bob no penuia oq of the other keepers enuld prevail on the dauntless man to give up his purpose. Ona of the men was sent hurriedly to find head keper Byre, who at 'his tlnre was m a d'lUut part of the earden, so that his authority might be Interposed to prevent Robinson to'in doing what everyone be> I evel to b» af> I «h and fatal ti n?. He h d hardly gone, however, before Robin son, who*e movements were ai quick as Uitrninur, hai sprang to the rear of the oat??, thrown open the door, and leaped In o the beast's der, slimming the door ifter him. \nd then a sued a soene whioh th bo who saw It o%n never torget. WaM and b %*b faced eaoh other, and for a miment neither moved an inch— the but, quieted by the man's sadden en trance, glared at its opponent apparently m niter surprise at his rfokless action. The man, brave and undaunted, and armed witb a s'-rong whip, was positively soperb as he stood lookiug into the eyes of the Iger. By this tim>; 50 people had gathered In the house, and among them Robinso . • wife and oMM, who were there to v sit him, and had been out of the boose when the troube began. There had been muoh excitement and many cries of warning and dissuasion when R ihlnson s at ed to enter the cage, but as he leaped m front of the beast the peo ple became »• silent as death, the appal ling danger the man Incurred paralysed their tongues. His wife, pale and terror ■ "•token, aank back upon one of tho benches and closed her eyes that she might not see h r huabond torn to pieces m her very preaenua, and his child, too young to realise the awful position of its father, dung to Its mother's dreas. orylng to her to know what his fa' her wai doing In there with the tiger. His li'tlw voice was the only Hound that broke the s'ill> ncrf, and Robinson, f rtonately for him, was too much bent upon hi« p<trpoß» to 1 ha i If, But the tiger now cr< ooW as if 1 >o spring, and Robinson knew that the i moment of his nuprome trial had o me. He awaited tLe atfcaot without the quiver of % muscle— still Jooklng the brute fixedly m the eye, and then it came, the tiger bounding forward like a thunderbolt. Robinson w«s ready for It, and he leaped ' qnlokly acid*, the tiger being carried by > the impetus of his spring full again* p 'he Wa at the end of the o&go. As it . *hit by him Robinson struck It a heavy ' hlow with his whfp across th^ flaiko Kd ; utterea a huwi if pain and ra^e, and 1 was np at the keeper again with the t r'pld'ty of light nirg. This time Robinson I d>d not fare so well. One cf the tiger's i •'awi oanghb Mi arm In passing, and tore out a piece rf fdsb. Ay sin th a keeper ai>p"ed thn whip, apparently uom'ndful of his two wounds, and again tt c tiger torti«d and spr«n< at its would bo master. letp'ng straght at his breaet, and fuM o^airist it Robinson had not been qul k enough, and he was borne to the fj tor i f the cage, where he l*y stunned » d moticn'ew, the ti. er lying with hit ' fn feet «cro>B the bodyi Aa the 3 ke p-r f^ll there w«s a q nek, loud ory i of ' iamay from the r aopls, who had l with bat"d breath watohed the terrible combat, and 'he breast, with his paws j still on his viotim'a breast, turned tit head to glare upon the people In front of bi# cage, At this moment Bryne, the > hesdkenper, appear' d, forcing his way > throoah the exoited orowd dear up to the I birs of he c«ge. With him were two ; aEsistatit keepers, to whom he gave direc tions, and they went immediately to the re^rof the cage, taking o*re that the tiger d d not see them as th y went. Bryno held In his hand a loug pole, on the end of whioh was a sharp rpike. As he i reached the bsrs he shoutf d at the ti jar In a lond, o >ajmanding tone, anu telling > to ppople to stand back, throat thn spike 1 iuto the animal's fl irk. With a howl of rage King rose from his position op the h< dy of Robinson, and dashed himself again* • the b»«-s wh«r<? Bryne was standing, i trytug to reach t>is new enemy. This was wuat the headkeeper wanted, for at that i moment the two assistants appeared at the door m 'ho rear, ready to perform their part m the rescue Bryne bad planned. F rtouately, Robinson had f*. «n uear the door, and as Bryne had k p<. up bis onmbu with the tiger, plung ing the spike ogam and again into his body, the assistants quickly opened the door, grasped the wounied and still in~ seneitlrf man by the arms, and jarlred him out of the cage. The whole thing w«b done so rapidly th«t the doer was again closad aud fasteied before the luturia'ei besut diacovered that his prey had escnped him. The inteuse excitement of ihe specta tor* now fuund vent m a lon.i ringing cheer, tho noise of which ar msed Robin son from his stupor. His faintir g wife and hia friigbtunod child were reassured by the sympathising pc >p'o around them, aod th"y wore soon nrith th-> husband and father, whoso wouuds were found to be ojuuparatively light, muoh to everybody's surpiise. Bib powerful physiqne bad saved him. The tiger will Boon recover from the injury lufl oted by the spike, but Robloion will not be allowed to enter his cage again, although he says he will oon quer the brute rat

Among the Siamese about six weeks, inoludiog parts of Maroh and April, are annually given up altnoit wholly to worship, much of which consists m efforts to pro* pitiate spirits. The spirit of the river next to eaoh village, and on which most of ttye looa traffic is oarried on, is propitiated by a floral offering, Tiny boats, oarried to the watar edge, arc filled with the ohoioest flowara, and tapere are arranged among them }>£ whioh to illuminate the little barks. At at) hour after dark a signal is given, and ptigultaneously thousands of these little . fastf §r« Jauneuid and go. Bailing down' the

THE RETRENCHMENT POLICY.

(Pjbe Pukss esociatioit.)

WKttmoTOH, Fflbrowry 3' Amnnent othor ledooilctiß decided upon In tht Deffl^eo Department Is the Abolition of the Bore departments hiihct<o m»lo» mined m AnokJaod and : anedln The Dflfenoo Minister is of opinion that one central store department m c nneotion with defence \b all that Is required, and >hu Wellington store will therefore be the only on<9 rnalaUfne r l m the future As both >he Dunedioaod Auokland atom had a fuU staflf. th^ members of whion will now be d'Bptnued with, a onnsiderable savinii will be eftfotod by thU change. ----'"•* Keduotions are being made In the polloe fore*, not by the dismiasal of men, but email stations are being abolished where It is found not neoessary for m officer to bt kept. It is stated that Mr D. A Tole, of Auckland, Is not the only Chief Commis sioner of Crown Lands whose services art about to be dispensed with on the sodre of economy, Mr J. P. Maltland, of Ounedin, having also received notloaof the termlna* tlon of bis engi»Rpmont at an early date.

THE WELLINGTON FIRES

(per press association.)

WxtiiivaTov, Fobrdary 5

The building ou Custoroo HoßseQttay doatroyad fire early y««terday mornittfif were no-, insured. The Phcßnix oniie had a risk on the premises, bu ; , it expi-ed m Jutfi lust, Davidson's property was.in sured ia the (ol nial for £100. Hslo.fi amounts to al oat £60.

ihe f .Mowing ar the insurances on tb« bnidiuga d^atroved owin< to Beoke's timber yard cutohing firo :— -Doug'as' hou •, £150 m the South British ; Butler'i bouse, occupied by Steen, £60; "tohulte's three hoQßei, £100 eaou m Liverpool, London and Globa ; L'rafotree's fouudry, £200 m the South British; Jordan's house, Wva street (soorohed 1 ) £150 m the South British ; Thompion'a furniture, £75 m the New Zealand : -total, £935. All the fires on Friday evening and Saturday morning broke oat under lift piciouM oiroutustanodß, and last ereniog Deteotiv* . Ohrystall arrested two men named John Collins and Reuben Hind on a charge of having fired these premise*. Collins is a young man, but Bint is an ol 1 offender and has just been diioiurged from gaol, . whore he hag been serving a senteooe for laroeoy.

A REMARKABLE WOMAN

Mdme Boucioauit. proprietress of the Paris BonMarcLe whose deah -a reported from Kioe, was a remarkable woman. Her fortune is given by soma j mraala as ex oeeding four million* sterliag. The: P«rii correspondent of the " Daily News " s<ty«: — " This universal prov der won for her. self a plaoe m the history m Paris Mdme Boucioauit, the daughter of a washer* woman, and herself, for a long course of yeats, a shopgirl m L<j Petit at Thomas, where she met her husband, Arintide Boociciult must long be retne nbured for h r de-ds of eh irity and intelligent mun fici-nce. Both her husband and only Hon died before her. On earning to Paris I more than 45 years ago, an illiterate p-»aaaok girl, Mdme. Bouaioanlt became a saleswoman m the Petit St. Thomas, m the Hue de Bac She was 28 years old Her husband belonged to a much better family ; bat he and the fell m lore with uaoo other, and to work together at the same counter determined to set up ; n business on their owq account. At th s period of her career there was a good de»l of distress m Paris, pn I she made a resolution to sell as near to cost prise as sac could possibly afford to poor folk There were nanny oluma on the edge of the iver filled with shinty tenements, all of which hay» dis appeared Tht-ir denizens b oame the customers of the shop, aud she provided a special cla«s of goods which were on sale every Saturday evening. This determina tion brought its own reward, and the miserable (shop was brought up to «uoh a pitch of prosperity that its proprietors bought the huuae next door, and one by one many other?, until they owned a whole bock '1 hrn blook they demolished not many >era age, and on its site stands the p«Utiai Bon Ma ohe, the annual busi ners of which range* from eight to tea mi lions sterling. Ma iauie tioaoioault foon led an asylum for old men n. ar hot suburban rmdence at Fmtenay-aux -1. 0 (es At her native commune of Verjux she eodowed t-vo xoh-jols. built a btiJga at a cos ot £20,000 endowed 10 beds m the Be 1 ivue Hospikl, and gave m the hard winter of 1870 to the poor of Paris 30,000 blankets tier subscription to the Pasteur laettiate wu £6000 The conort and reading roms for the staff of the Bun Marobe vvere eadowed at her eugi^eation by her hu«nand, aad not long ago she adied £160,000 to ao insurance and retiring f oud which be created for thier benefit. Per greatest act of gene rosity was the admission of 96 members of her staff as shareholders m the Bon Marche. They had,' between what they baa saved and what she and her husband had given them, a capital of £300,000. Her part amounted to half a mi Ili n sterling, independently of plant and premises. The porters, coachmen, and stablemen were all provided for by meaus of a retiring fund, from which, if they were dismissed, they could withdraw the money sunk therein, with mUtest at 3£ per cent*

THE SHEEP-SHEARING MACHINE

Two of Woheley'a sbeepibearlng maohlnao have been fitted np at the lial loiray station wnolsbed, dago, and art workedjby Messrs Brown and Sheppard, who have had expertanoe iv Australia. The "Daoatan Tunas" lays;— "The maohlne Itself li only abont 6in long and ii a wonderful little instrument, and oin bo used with as great facility upon any part of tba sbbep as the ordinary iheepihears t The wty m which the shearing Is done li truly atntzing, the wool rolling off m front of the outter like corn before a reaping cpaoMau The polnti are taken off evenly apd o'eaoly at one out, and from roand the horns and ears eyery-partiole of wool is removed ; and if second out* are not; altogether avoided the waste of wool, m thAt way is reduced to a fraction of that caused m hand shearing. Two ordinary veil shorn ewen were leleoted from the yard, and the maohi o run ever them ; the remit b»ing that 14$ >z and 15 j% reipeo lively w»s obtained. Savuritl of the *htacera left their places and saw thii dove, and were pecfeotly amaaad. One of them, with a laudable desire to mala* tain tbie reputation of hand shearing, sheared another owe. taking all the woql off *hioh h >poe«ib'o could — and taking (oo a long time m doin^ so. When fi^isb^ed he brought it down to the machine, de olaring that not mora than 2o? could be fcnken off but the tell*tale maohiue showed 6^oz aa the reault. What the gain m wool would be off a whole fl >ck when so much extra can ba obtained from one ewt. almost staggers one to th, Ink qf,

?£HB ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1888



i High , Date. Shade. m State of weather, low high Sun. Saturday 41- 85* 142- Fine, N.E. Sunday 51- 89- 148- „ „ Monday 39- 76- 144- „ NW. Tuesday 85- 67- 141- Hail A snow Btonn, 8.8. WeaMay 89- 78- 182 Fine H.W. Thur'day 48- 83- 142- „ „ Friday 4*- 79- 144 „ E.



Hop Bitteva does not exhaust and destroy but rdstoraj, cures, and makes new. Get ths genuine American Oo.'s Look up "Rocom OM OiTiß&a" oorreots dfenßJvt odors at ono«. Complete oure of worst ohrb^ifl oases alio onee^ualed as gargle for diphtheria 1 lore tbro»t, foul br**t^



"Ropoß on Pjms."— Wbj lu^er pjlea immediate ttlteit and complete oare aawmtead. Aek {or '* Bough on Piles." Sure 00*0 lor itobisg* protruding, bleidicg, or Übjlprmof j>He*, | .^^ ... 4



Wanted



WANTED to Hire nsa of Ri 'ing ' b'add c and Bide at p-r weak, to • 8.1.X." "M.il" bo'l M Umrdlao " Offirw. 2°19 WAVED Kmwn— That I'rofea-or ) B ooko« Arb Union of Ivory , Type Puiati»gg c o-ies on Saturday next. \ A few more tickets to dijpo*" nf ot Wood nod Co.'s and fi. Q. P ower, Co' feotioner. 2 18 WANTED Kn .wo—For sale, I'anll- fl >wnr, Broooli, Btraole, Savoy Plants of all binds, and as I imp<;rb ray s ee<?s from 'wo of the leading L'ndo: 1 Soed Merchants, I am so™ «hpy will Rtv complete satisfaction. — Jambs Po te Alleotop. 2 f 5 - WANTED to Sail— A H j rat-class Piano grand action. Cash or terms very beral. Apply Hat us And G<». WANTED Known.— Just oponsd, a good assortment of Cretonnes, Ooeoa Mattings, China Mattings, 011- --eloths, Carpeting*, ' «tc., cheap.— H. 0. 8b«»B8, Meiford Hem» WANThU UABH — Molr's Oatmeal 2511)8, 2s 6d ; Sperm Candles, 6d ; Coffee and Milk, Is par tin; Ooeoa and Milk, Is per tin ; Vistaa, 6d per doa ; Cornflour, 4i per lb ; tin Fruits, 1b; Crockery, Ironmongery, etc.— At Javk^ MoGriwou'B, Tanored Street, opposite Arcade^ ' "\ \ rAJNTED Known — W« ar* frh« VV cheapest Home m town, to bay fint-olaift Drapery, Boots, and Shoes, etc i « Lot « i La<ii«s BUck JflMpye, grand ralae, 1 1 H. 0. Segirs, IVfe'forr Honne BOOTS. Boots, —We are now shewing a fir«t-ola«s lot nf Ladles and Gents Boots and Shoes ; 850 pairs to chor.s--. from, very oh«ap.—H O. 6b«b»s, Melford Honea. WANTED KNOWN — Oleographs Bcenery, and Catnolio Rnbjects Catholio Oards, good variety m Bcraps Novelties m Penwipera. Crewel Wools and Hi Ike, Knitting Cotton, Colorsd Crotchet Cotton, Transfer*. Tinnol Balls, Ac, &0., at Aw Maniiibb'b Finoy Repository, Saundars' Bnildings, WANTED Known— To tbs Ladles of Aahburton snd sarronndlng dUtriota, that an experienced monthly Nnrse Is desiroas of engagement. Good references oan be given. Address — Mrs Bill, Peter Street. Anhburton, 11 18 WaNTKD Knowo— Wells sunk, with pomp and pipe found and fixed, from £2 10s upwards All kinds of pnmptt, Ranges and hnaseimith work 6x»d or repairerl. Chimney* awept and ranger cleaned, 3s. Hogiitera to 6d each Ail orders punctnu'ly attended to. Kotf address, B. Duulst, Moore street, A^h- bnrton. 11 22 THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN. From and after the 30th November, 1886, the tsrms of Subscription to this journaljwill be follows, viz. : — IT PAID IN ADVAKCB : Per Quarter.. 6s 61, by post, 9a Cd „ Half-year 12a 6d, by post, 18s 6d „ Year .. 24a Od, by post, 37b Od IF BOOKED Par Quarter.. 73 6d, by post, 10a 9d „ Half-year 15a Od, by post, 21a 6d „ Year  80s Od, by post, 43a Od Birth, Marriage, and Death Notices, if paid iot_._at _thjL_titoa__of__inßertion, 2a 6d each (stamps may be sent as payment) ', itbookwir 4s eaob. Announcements of Births, Deaths and Marriages sent for publication from the country districts require to be verified by the signature of the person sending the notice. DIARY . Moou's Hun Snn Moon Moon age at February, Rises. Sot*. IlUes tJeto. noonday pan. Am. i Saturday ... 5.7 7.9 10.58 11. -16 31 6 Sunday .. 5 0 7.19 11.36 v.m. 82 • Moad»y .. 6.10 7.17 * • 068 X a.m. 2.7 7 Tuesday .. 5 11 7.16 O.<B 3.14 24 8 Wednesday.. 5.13 7.16 1.4 420 25 9 Thursday .. 6.14 7.13 1.60 6.19 28 10 Friday.. .. 6.15 7.12 2.68 6.10 27 Moonlight Evenings. The Moon at 8 days old shines till about 8 o'olook. The Moon at 6 daya old shines till about half-past 10 o'olook. The Moon at 8 days old shines till nearly 1 o'clock m the morning. The Moon at 12 daya 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 Bhinea till morning. The Moon at 24 dayß old rises about 2 a.m. and shines till morning. The Moon at 27 days old rises about 4 a.m. and sbinss till sunrise. TO OUR RAKAIA bUBSOKIBERS. ~\\ TE deßire to intimate that from and VV aftor l»t January, 1888. tiU - S FIBERS to this journal will OBTAIN THKftt COPI^h AT THE STORM OF MR C. HARDY.



TtLti LIKuEST STOCK vJOLONIAL CLOT HI NG IN TUE ASHi'URTON COUNTY, A SPECIAL LINE OF Ashburton Tweed Suits at 47s 61 Kaiapoi Twef d Trousers 10s 6d Harvesters Moleskins from 5s ild, IITCHELn TURNER TANCRED STREET. ALBEHT .ROBERTS HAS FOR SALE,— Cornsacks LARGB B * 2B AND FULL weight. SEAMING TWINE tiff A&Y QUUmTt t Clovers, — BED, WHITE, COWGRASS, ALBYKE, and TREFOIL. RYEGBASP^OOCKSFOOT, jsd RAPifi. ANCHOR Binding Wire and very best Binder Twine. Golden Tares, Cape Barley, COOPER'S SHEEP DTP, THE STANDARD FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. WITH UNLIMITED LT ABILITY OP SHAREHOLDERS. CAFITAL— £I,OOO7OOO STERLING. HEAD OFFICE"? DUNEDIN. fNSURBIW hara the most undouH-d Security ander this Company* PoHoias J^ together with an aa j uranc>» of Pronpt and Liberal S'ttleraent of OUimn. FifctlS «od 81-MMNti Klr-Ki nccepted 01 a I description* of Property and Merchandise, also Crop, Mack, and Machine Riske at Lowest *--ate-' of Premium. Fidelity of Persons holding situations of trust guaranteed. OFFICE : HEREFORD STRK^T, OHRrSTOHUROH. (Opposite Ijim k of New Zealand ) ARCH IHA ID COTT, Monnuer for Oantftrbury. ALBEET EOBEItTS. 15 AGENT, ASHBURTON ]?p %n 4-" l(r*i QD egg LOM RUSSIAN HEMP TWINE, COLONIAL MAtfUFACTUBE. 4-Ply (Green Label), 900 feet to the Poun<l. THE Undersigned asks the special attention of FARMERB and OONTRAOTO:? I - to this article as one of the cheapest and best TvV Ifv'EvSever pat 01 (he m irkot I have advocated this class of TvV INK for years, dimply bootuse I oonsij^r it th moat economical any farmer cau use. Farmers will find this TWxNE of UNIFOBM THICKiTESS, STRENGTH, and LENGTH, throughout. .It will work successfully on any B»ke of Binder. It will run farther, and do more work at ale s cost, and tie mire grain than any twine I know of. Thi wi.l be clear to * reryones' mind who co isiders that, runnng as it does, 900 feet to the ponni means— THREE QU ARTERY Ob" A MILK IN A ti\uL, and MORE THAN 19 MILfS PER i«. Every Ball h?a a Grear> Tioket with name on, with • guarantee that it rone 900 feet to the pound. MANILLA TWINE OF BEST QOi LITT. SHAKESPEARE ! i ! "To gild refined gold to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet, To smooth the ice or add another hue Unto the rainbow ; or with taper-light To seek the beauteous eye of heaven ; to grrnish, To advertise the well-known Wood's It's wasteful and ridiculous excess !" " King John," Act IV, Scene 2 * 1 !■ ■ '■ -■ U "*" ,*t AbK H 1 R WAI.TE R A. WOOD'S BINOKB, A D TAKE NO OTHEHfJ !a SALES FOR 188yWW MACHINES, F. FEBBIMAN,' A^\urton, r :JFor ftale,— j^ SEOOND.HAND TWIVJB Af jOOBMIOK £ SECOND HAWi) lY.ixiQ WOODS j. fB PHI MAN