The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1888. THE KUROW RUNS.

We congratulate the member for Waitaki, Mr Duncan, on the success which has attended his efforts m the matter of the Kurow runs. He has fought the battle well, and the Govern ment has given way at last. For we learn from the " Oaranru Mail " that " In accordance with the wishes of the settlers and the recommendations of Mr Duncan, the Government have resolved to divide the runs into ten portions. Some of the allotments have been so arranged as to enable a number of the present deferred-payment settlers to ac quire, by lease, a fair proportion of graz ing country to add to their present small agricultural holdings, and this provision will be advantageous to the colony as well as to the settlers themselves, for it will render possible a better and more profitable utilisation of the land already held by the settlers, by enabling them to combine grazing with «the growth of grain. All the other portions will be complete m themselves, and will, we understand, constitute admirable small grazing runs, containing fair propor tions of summer and winter country." This is entirely as it should be, but what a commentary upon the proclivities of the present Administration is it that it should have needed so determined a struggle to induce them to take steps calculated to promote the profitable settlement of the country. The Minister for Lands has done the right thing at last, but he has not done it without a great deal of pressure, and we confess to a feeling of great disappointment that such pressure should have proved to be necessary. But one step m the right direction, good as it is, is not enough, for we entirely agree with the " Mail " that there is much more good work of the same kind t6 be done yet "So far as this district is concerned (says our contemporary) the good work has only just commenced. There are two or three hundred thousand of acres of land up the Waitaki, held undor patoral lease, that, m the interests of the colony, should at once be rendered available under the small grazing run. system, and any other system of Bcttle ment for which it is suitable. We do not exaggerate when we say that there are hundreds of persons m North Otago and South Canterbury — to say nothing of those who are outside those districts — who are determined to settle on these lands at the earliest opportunity. We know that a large proportion of these persons are well acquainted with tho nature and capabilities of these lands, that they are industrious and intelligent, and that they have proved their prudence by laying by from their earnings enough money to enable them to get a footing for themselves and families on the land. But that is the difficulty, Kurow, it is true, is to be opened up to them. But Kurow is a mere trifle compared with what is required. After all the most satisfactory feature about tho Govern ment's decision regarding Kurow is that it is a recognition of tho desirableness, if not the necessity, of utilising tho colony's landed es tate to the greatest possible advantage." We are glad to learn that Mr Duncan is following up his efforts m relation to the Kurow runs, having written to tho Minister urging that . the /• katerawa run, which is said to consist of 30,000 acres of land of as ?ood quality, should nlso be rendered available for settlement, To this Mr Richardson has replied, " Without breach of faith the price of land cannot be reduced till the leases fall m on the Ist of May, 1890. Proper care will bo taken to see that before the Canterbury pastoral lands are re-let portions suitable for closer settle ment than at present will be set aside for that purpose." That reply is it will be seen to the same effect as that given to Major Steward, (and published by us some weeks ago), when the like argu ment was used by the Minister as an answer to the request that areas of second-class land should be opened for application at the price fixed by tho Act, viz., 10s an acre, and upon this tho "Mail" has the following acnsiblo remarks: — "What Mr Richardson means, we sup pose, is that, as the lessee took up the laud at a time when lie could not bo deprived of it except people were prepared to give && per acre for it, and as ho probably was influenced by that consideration, the administration of ihe land under a new law which places £1 per acre on first-class land and 10s upon sec,or;cj-clas.?, would, by inducing people to purchase, yhereas they presumably would uot have done so aj; £%, bo unjust to him. JBut the answer to this is, t^iat the £2 at which land could be taken' up on runs was fixed as the price of : good agricultural JL?nd j that thore is little or no land of such a : quajiit/ pn the Aka terawa run; that from 10a £0 a £1 would have been a sufficient price for the 1&vl& at any time 5 that land, like every.

thing else, has fallen m value ; and that, when the Government gold the leases for 10 yeavd, they did not bind themselves not to pass any fresh legislation during that period which might aflect those leases by altering the prices of land, injuriously or otherwise. If such a principle as that which the Minister desires to set up were recognised, endless complications would ensue, especially m the ease of long leases, during the curreijjrof which such radical changes m the value of land might occur as to entirely tie the hands of the Government and arrest settlement." With this view it is almost unnecessary to say that we entirely concur, and we hope that it will not be long before it is acted upon either by the present Minister of Lands or by some other Minister to whom, if need be, he mnst give place.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

On dit m 'Wellington that Parliament will bo Bummonod to meet on the 24th April. We are glad to learn by last evening's "Telegraph" that Mr F..J. Garrick has bo far recovered from hia late severe illness as to be able to resume attendance at his oflioe. \u25a0 Tbe Very Rev Father Mahony, of Nelson •who is on a visit to the Rev Father Ohastagnon, will preaoh at the Roman Gatholid Churoh to-morrow morning and evening, The circuit quarterly meeting of the Ash burton Wesleyan Churoh was held last night m the parsonage, the Rev D. MoNiooll m the , chair. Some very striking and interesting statistics were presented during the evening, showing that during the last triennial term i both aggressive and consolidating work had been oarried on to a considerable extent. A proposal to establish a Home Mission Station j ; at the base of the hills, with Methven as a oentre, evoked a prolonged and searching dieoussion, and waa eventually oarried by an almost unanimous vote. It was decided that the Cameron street Churoh Anniversary Ber* 1 vioea be conducted on Sunday, Bth April, and • that a reception soiree to Revs J. Newman | Buttle, and J. T. Burrows be held on Friday, 20th April. In proposing • a resolution, expressive of the meeting's i appreciation of Rev D. MoNicoll's labors m the circuit, Mr W. H. Collins referred to the i versatile talents of their pastor who was ' shortly to leave for Napier, and also spoke of the liberal views of Mr McNicoll, who was not only abreast of the times, but on occasions m advanoe of them. Messrs R. Alcorn, Leadley and others, m supporting the resolution also bore evidenoe to the valuable ministerial work done by Mr McNiooll, and trusted to hear that, m his new sphere of labor, still greater success would crown his efforts. The motion waa oarried by acclamation, and 1 suitably responded to by the rev chairman* \u25a0 Some routine business having been transacted the meeting terminated. I The Railway Department notifies oheap " excursions to Dunedin" for the Easter holi days, and to Christchurch for the races. | Tiokots for Dunedin will be issued from 28th inst to 2nd April, available for return to 14th ', April. Fares from Rakaia, 33s first-clas3, 22s Eeoond-olass ; from Ashburton, 28s and 18s ' Gd. A special train will leave Ashburton at ' 10.50 p.m. on the 29th inst. reaching Dunedin ' at 7.50 a.m, on tho following day. From 28th JJarch to 2nd April Saturday return tickets will be issued from any station to any station, \ and on 3rd April to Christchurch, all avail able for return up to 16th April. The «' Oatnaru Mail " says :—There is a | grand stool o£ hybridised white Tuscan wheat •- to be seen m tho window of Messrs Brownlee ' and Co.'s seed shop. It was grown by Mr 1 Isdale at Island Cliff, being part of the land [ ately sold by Mr Menlove, of Windsor Park ' The bunoh or stool grown from a single seed ' has 35 stalks, and bears the enormouß 1 quantity of 2505 grains or berriea. We have heard of stools of wheat being exhibited m the Old Country oontaining 1800 grains, but Mr Isdale's exhibit beats these hollow. He intends sowing the wheat, and preserving tbe produce for need, and if like begets like he will soon have enough to. sow a decent sized paddock. The following is from Tuesday's " Christ church Telegraph " :— Fifty-eight hogsheads of beer were emptied into the gutters yester day by a well-known looal auctioneer. He had reoeived instructions to sell the beer, and having offered it, the bid was not onoourag ing, as a high exoise duty would have to be paid on eaoh hogshead. The lot was then offered as empty casks, and competition was within half-a-crown per cask of the amount offered for both casks and beer. This bid was aocepted, and the beer was emptied into the Btreet channels. Some people did not like to sco such waste, and buckets were brought into requisition to recover a portion of the precious fluid. In connection with the reported finding of silver ore at Clifden Station, Waiau, a oorres pondent of the " Southland News " writes :— iJ In November last Mr Moffatt, a resident m Gontral Australia, made a searoh for silver on the above property, and his labours have been so far rewarded by the disoovery of a rich deposit of the metal, a speoimen of whioh was panned out man ordinary dish. Com munications were at once entered into with a Victorian syndicate, and their representative (Mr Howie) arrived by a late steamer to further proseoute the work. In a short time we may hope to hear of his labours being rewarded, not only ho far as silver is con cerned, but by his bringing to light many other minorals hitherto unworked." For the 343 billots of various grades on tho Victorian railways, open on Maroh 1, there were more than 4,000 applicants, or about twelve applicants for every vaoanoy. Of these 4000 applicants 1010 rushed for 130 places of permanent-way repairers ; 1594 men applied for ninety-five vaoanoies as porters ; whore there were twenty laborers wanted 250 oandidatea appeared foe tho posts ; a call for four bricklayers brought forty-one appli* cations ; while 216 carpenters oompeted for appointments whore only twelvo were required ; twenty-njne stoneinasqns presented themselves fpr two vacancies; sixty-one locomotive youths for. tweuty vacancies; thirty-one students for ten vaoanoies ; and 382 olerks for fifty places, We learn from a Dunodin paper that, a wanton pieoo of misohief was oommitted at the Kaik CUuroh, Taiaroa Head, a few nights ago by Borne persona who broke into the church and smashed a number of seats and articles. ' : Holloway's Pills.— Enfeebled Exiatenoo — This medicine 'Mtbraces every attribute requiiei m a general and domestio remedy. It overturns 'tEe foundations cf disease laid by defective food and impure air. Jn obstruc tions or congestions of the liver, lungs, bowels, or any other organs, these pills are specially serviceable . and eminently successful, They Bhould be kept m readiness m every family, bfiipG a medicine of incomparable utility for yoiiftK'pjerftQna, especially those of feeble oon etJtuUons, They 'neyer paupe pain or irritate 'the nlC?* POnejlive nerves pV rqoijt tpncjer bowelo. Hollowaj'b ? {IIa are *° best-known purifiers of the blood^ tho moat aouvo £0' moitxa of absorption and secretion, whereby all poisonous and obnoxious particles are \u25a0 [ removed, ronj jppjh. solids and fluids.

The Rev William West, of Southbridge, will oonduot the services m the Ashburton Presbyterian Ohuroh to-morrow morning and ev^niog Mr Elston, the lessee of the Oddfellows' Hall, is negotiating for the appearance m Ashburton of Mr J. W. H. Foley, the " Austra 'ian Maocabe." A very successful meeting m oonneotion with the Dawn of Peace Lodge, No. 164, 1.0. G.T., was held m the Lodge Boom, Arcade Chambers, last evening. The Lodge was opened m the usual manner by the C.T., Bro Gr. W. Andrews, after which seven can didates were initiated. Several matters of more or less importance were settled, and the Lodge then resolved into harmony. The following members contributed to the enjoy ment of the evening :— Sisters Taylor, Dent, and Andrews, and Broa Jessop, Page, Scott, Hardley, and Fisher; Bros Pauling and Andrews gave a dialogue, which was highly appreciated. During the evening refresh mentß were handed round, and after a Vote of thanka had been passed to the performers, the meeting closed. Messrs W. Morgan, W. MoMillan, Julian Jackson, John Holmes, and John Hibbs have been elected a Licensing Committee for the Mount Hutt Licensing District. The voting was as follows:— W Morgan, 25; W. McMillan, 25 ; J. Jackson, 22 ; J. Holmes, 21 ; J. Hibba, 20 ;W. Wrathell, 13 ; R. Lyne, 11 ; N. Duff, 9. The " Oamaru Mail " says that another industry, which gives employment to ten mem at present, has been started at Maheno recently. A Melbourne firm have com menced the manufacture of cat-gut from the sheep's runners. They have purohased all the raw material obtainable from the N.Z, and Australian Land Co. and Messrs Finlinson and Co's and will shortly employ about thirty hands altogether. The chimAß m the new olook-tower at the Melbourne Post-office are to be supplemented by oarillons, comprising twenty national aim. We learn from a Wellington paper that Monßieur Cobn, representative of the largest manufacturers of sugar machinery m Europe, has arrived to make enquiries into the suita bility of New Zealand for the beet eugar industry. This is the verdiot which a Western Coroner's jury returned recently m the case of a man who committed suicide by hanging himself to the bed post by his suspenders :— 11 The deceased oame to his death by coming home drunk and mistaking himself for his pants." The " Napier Telegraph " says :— A strik ing example of the sailors' superstition m regard to a Friday has been exemplified m the case of the ill-fated ship Pleione. She commenced taking m cargo on a Friday, sailed from London on a Friday, fell m with a gale of wind m the Bay of Bisoay and lost a man overboard on a Friday, and was ultimately wrecked on the New Zealand coast on a Friday. Mr Thomas Bracken has (says the " Auck. land Bell ") gone to Sydney, where, he intends to enter upon commercial pursuits. In oonneotion with the Sydney frauds, Mr Otto Berliner, the well-known Melbourne deteotive, has been^engaged at a guaranteed fee of £1000. The Von. Archdeacon Stock, owing to ill health, has resigned the inoumbency of St; Peter's, Wellington. The "Lyttelton Times" records another instance of ft"^fet taking upan heraelf-the duties of mother to a family of young mice. The cat m question is the property of Messrs \u25a0Partridge and Buddie and up to a day or two ago was regarded as a«' mouser " of ex ceptional ferocity. She is now suckling a family of eleven young mice, which she found and carried into the box whore she usually sleeps, and is tending them with the greatest solioitude. The " Wanganui Ohroniole " says that the proprietor of thelooal flourmills has just con cluded the purobase of some ten thousand bushels of this season's wheat from Messrs Wilson and Eitchie, the prioe being 3s per bushel. The wheat is a splendid sample, especially fit for milling, and one that would take a prize anywhere. Messrs Bitohie and Wilson are sending a sample of this crop to the Melbourne Exhibition. \u25a0" Bdchd-Paiba.."— Quick, complete cure, al annoying kidney, bladder, and urinary diseases. At ohemists and druggists. Kemp thorno, Prosser, and Co., Agents, Christ ohurob. 1

ASHBURTON LIVE STOCK MARKET

Messrs H. Matson and Co. report upon the live stock market for the Ashburton Distriot for the week ending March 20th as followß : — On Tuesday at the Ashburton Yards we held our usual sale of sheep, cattle, and pigs. There was a good entry of sheep of all sorts, ofwhioh.we sold 3516 and 48 rams at the following price's .*— 4 l fat orossbred wethers, 6s 7d ; 177 mixed merino ewes and wethers, 4s 7d ; 110 oroaßbred 6-tooth ewes, 5a 8d ; 1516 merino ewes, boilers, Is9d; 81 oross bred two-tooth, 9s 2d ; 200 crossbred six. tooth ewea, a very fine line, were passed m at 7s ; 174 crossbred ewes with rams m, 4s 6d ; 1000 and 267 full-mouth merino ewes, 2s 6d ; 95 8-tooth crossbred ewes, 4s lid ; 90 merino ewes, aged, Is 9d ; 214 crossbred lambs, 33 6d ; 82 mixed shaep, 2a Id ; 122 2 -tooth oross bred ewes, 4s lOd ; 63 crossbred 4-tooth, 5a 9d ; 43 orossbred lambs, 3g 4d ; 15 culls, 2s Id, and 21 culls, 3s; English Leicester rams, 2£gs; Linooln rams, £3 33; and border Leiceeters, 2gs ; Liuooln and Leioester rama rented, 18s, 21s. In cattle there was a small entry. Tat heifers light weights, £3 3s to £3 18s ; Htoro cattle very dull of sale equal rates. The attendance on Tuesday was a marked improvement on the Ram and Ewe Fair sale, but still farmers are m many cases not ready to take m stool: plainly show iDg that it was a groat mistake to hold our ÜBual annual Ewe Fair at so early a date. After the salo we placed a further line of 1000 merino ewes at 2s 6d per head.

THE MARKETS.

\u25a0 * . : (Per Pbbss Association.) Melbourne, March 23. Wheat, prime, 3s 6d; flour quiet, roller made flour, £y ios ; oats, seed, 3s; maize, 3s 3d j bran, c,^d. Sales ot New Zealand oats have been effected at 2s 9>£d. -Adelaide, March 23, Wheat, quiet, 3s 3d ; at out-ports 2s 1 id; flour, unchanged ; bran, 8d ; oats, ?s 9d ; barley, 5s to 5s 6d. London, March 22. The Orizaba's frozen meat is selling at 3^d per lb. The Fifeshire's frozen mutton has arrived m splendid condition. The shipment of butter from Port Ghalmers, her last port of call, has arrived jn a perfectly sound condition. There are 40,000 bales forwarded for the next wool sales, Antwerp stocks are 10,000 bales below last year's stocjfsjjfc business m, London is ex tremely quiet. Wool steamers must arrive off the British coagt not later than* September Ist to ensure the in clusion of their cargoes m the Sep tember series. Colonial stocks show a slight re- , action.' 1 The American visible supply of . wheat i§ estimated at 36,250,000, , j^Pf beta' ' ]

A TOWN DESTROYED.

WORK OF AN INCENDIARY, j [by electric teleoraph — c pymght] [per press (Received March 23, 10.30 p m ) Rangoon, March 22. The town of Myongoon has been burned by an incendiary, and fifteen hundred Burmese have been rendered \u25a0 homeless.

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. J Auckland, March 23 At the Supreme Court to-day, the petition of Catherine Lynoh, praying for dis3olutlon of marriage with her husband Denis Lynch, on the ground of cruelty and adultery, waß partly heard. The evidence Bhowed that Lynoh who did not appear, had treated his wlfa with extra ordinary cruelty, and it was stated that for six yoars be had not: been for one wt-ek aober. The whola of the evidence wae not taken, (he oaae being adjourned till Monday. At a public meeting held at Kawakawa, resolutions were unanimously adopted m favor of a tine which U neoes ary to connect the Kamo and Kn^akaira lines : it was further resolved, to get up a petition m favor of the Hoe, which It Is believed will be largely signed all over the North. Mr H. G. Seth Smith delivered judg ment In respeot to the petitions lodged with reference to Auckland North and South Licensing Districts, when he de clared both elections void, on the ground that tho nomination papers were not delivered m propet time, and that the nomination papers were m themselves Informal Napier, Maroh 22. At a meeting hold to-night under the presidency of the Mayor, a Central Committee was formed to relieve the burned-out bush settlers Country Com mittees have also been formed. All temporary necessities have been supplied, and permanent relief will be given only after strict investigation of the merits of each case, Masiterton, March 23. A nurso named Mrs Hewitt, who was proceeding on Monday morning to Man gahoe, waa found thia morning drowned m a river she had to cross to reach the settlement. She has been missing since Monday. Wellington, March 23. It is understood that Parliament will be summoned to meet for deapatoh of business on April 24th. W, 0. Haddook, ntatlonmaater at Johnaonvlile, has been arrested on the charge of embezzling money belonging to the Welllngton-Manawatu Railway Com pany. The dwelling of Mr Haybittle at Tren tham, Uppor Hutt, was destroyed by fire laat night. Very little saved. The insurance does not nearly cover tho loss. Tho Controller and Auditor General haa been appointed to audit County and River Board and Town District accounts. Dunedin, Maroh 23 A chimney sweep, named 0. Gibbs. at tempted to commit suicide yesterday by taking spirits of salts. Be drinks very heavily at times, when he becomes very eioitable. He is now helieved to be out of danger, though he had been unconscious for a time.

SPORTING.

TdE LINCOLNSHIRE HANDICAP. (Per Pkess Association.; London, March 21. At (ho Lincoln Spring Meeting the Lin oolr shire Handicap, of 1000 bow, waa won by Mr A. Holo'a Voracity, 4y'B, Gat 101 b ; Mr J. Daly'a Tyrone, syrß, 7at 2 b, being second ; and Mr T. Sparke'a .Lobster, 6yrß, 7at 4lb, third,

DUNEDIN RACES.

Following are the reaalts of the re mainder of yesterday's eventa :— Cliffs Handicap, of 76sovb. Six far longs. Shifnal, 7at 21b (Parker) 1 La Hose, Bit 71b... ,», (Ohapaian) 2 Mon Loup, 6st 12lb ... (George) 3 Captain Webster and Wolverine also rau. Won easily. Time, lmin 20seo Dividends, £4 19j 6d and £4 2a 6d. Novel Kace, of 60aova. One mile. Svreetbrlar, Bst 2lb ... ... (Sharp) 1 it. Agnes, Bat 121 b ... 2 Mazurka, 7at 7'b 3 Won by half a length, Tlm=?, itain 50| 9 ao. Dlvidenda. £3 3a and £4 6s. . Two Mile Trot, Bella, 50380 ... ... ... ... 1 GOseo ... ... 2 Pat, 60ieo ... ... 3 Nine others started. Won by 20yds. Time, 6raiu 1353e0. Dividends, £16 7a and £49 la. The Post Stakes was won by Gold Duet. Dividends, £3 12s and £3 14i. The Bam of £3572 went through the machine. ~ .

NAPIER PARK RACES.

Following are results of yesterday's runniDg : — Free Handicap, of 50aova; One mile. Aadaclty, 4yra, eat 51b ... (Myers) 1 Whlaper, 3yrß, 7at 2ib ... (Peteraon) 2 Won by a length and a half. Time, lmin 404 sth aec. Totaliaator— inside, £3 12s ; ontalde, £3 4a. Handicap Hurdle Race of 100 bo vs. Two and a half miles. Tree Sec, Gym, 12at 3ib (tacloding 71ba penalty) (Lnnn) 1 Mangahone, syrs Mbt 121 b (tlickey) 2 Ohomist, aged, Hat (Including 71ba penalty) ... (A. Elliugham) 3 Director also started. Won by a length. Time, smin 31 2 6th aec. Dividend, £114* and £116.. Napier Cop Handicap, of 250aova. One .and a half rails, 8t Olftlr, 4yra, 6st 10ib ... (Morrio) 1 Tongariro. 4jrß, 7atlllb .... (Vaile) 2 Silence, 6yrs, Bst... ... (Clifford) 3 Boreßford and Antelopo ateo started. Wfcn, hard held, by qver a length. Time. 2mln 441-sth aeo'. Dlvldenda, £4 17a and £3 7a. High weight Handicap, of 50aova. One and a quarter mile. Premium, syrß, by Patriaroh—Nut with, 7at 101 b... ... (Farrell) 1 Clyde, aged, §st 121 b (H. Dennett) 2 Bronte. 3yra, Bjt (Stowe) 3 Waterfall- also atatted. Won by over a length. Time, 2uain lQaec. Dlvldenda, £4 9a : £3 12a. Seizing Race, of 50aovo. One mile. New York, aged, 7at ... (MoMorrin) 1 Tamahiqe, aged, 7at \u0084, (Myerß) 2 Sylph, 4yra, 7at 21b, . ... (Stowe) 3 Hlrini, Orwell, Expelled, The Arrow, Wapiti, Titikei, and Solitude also started. Won by a length; Time, lroin 47eeo. Dividend, £21 and £19 11*. Flying Handicap of lOOjovb. Three ! quarters of a mile. Cinderella, 6yia, by Javalin— Raccl. 9atslb (Er *s x Audacity, lyre. Sat... ... (Stov/e) 2 Miss Dargdn, gyra, Bst 31b 7A. Woods) 3 Tongariro, Antelopfe WWaper, and Golden Great also started. Won by three quarters of a leno;»h, T!-9, lmin 19 3-sth aeo, Dividends, £4 183 and £6 12a. >

SYDBET GRAIN MARKET.

: \u2666 Messrs Goldsbrough and Co. report under date March 14th, as follows :— The grain market generally i 8 quie\ and valueß are practioally unchanged. We quote— • Wheat.— Milling, 3s 6d ; chickfced, 2s Gd to 2a 9d. Maize.— Old, 3s 2d to 35. 3 i ; new, 2s 6d to 2a 9d. . i ?^ 3 ;~? ri 1 n ?? J fee . dl 2a t0 2a ld 5 medium, Is lid to Is Hid ; inferior, from Is 9d. Bran. — 7£d. Pollard.— BJd.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY

A. meeting of persona intereated m this Society was heia m St. Stephen's Schoolroom last evening, the Bey E. A. Scott presiding. The attendance was but moderate and the majority of those present were ladies. The absence of the Revs A. M. Beattie and D McNicol was apologised for. Mr D.--H. BrowD, the Treasurer of the local branch, read the ballance-sheet for the past year. The receipts amounted to £17 4s 10d, of whioh subscriptions accounted for £8 12a Id, and bibles sold for £8 12s 9d. The expenditure amounted to £10 19a 4d> leading " a oredit balance of £4 15s 6d, \u25a0\u25a0:•\u25a0•- The Rev A. Blake, Seoretary, read a report showing the work done, by the looal branoh. He suggested that, to' increase the Society's power .: for good, the juveniles should; be interested m the work, and he alsp advooated enlisting the services of lady collectors who could also distribute the Society's literature. Muoh benefit would result from the ''establish ment of branches at Rakaia, Methven, Alford Forest, Mount Somera, etc, for the sale ol books. Rev Mr Boothroyd moved, "That this meeting rejoices m the success which has orowned the efforts of the Society during the last 84 years, that it laments that so many millions are still m spiritual darkness, that it acknowledges the olaims of the Society and prays that the oommittee's and agent's labors may yet be more .abundant and useful, ;in supplying the bible to men everywhere." ' The motion was seconded by the Bey Mr I Robjohns, the travelling agent of theSooiefcy, > who m the ooursa of a lengthy address gave a \u25a0 great deal of very interesting information as [ to the scope of the labors of the Sooiety t he represents. r It was resolved on the motion of Rev Mr : West, "That the thanks of the meeting ; bo given to the committee and office bearers, and that the committee for the ensuing year be as follows: — Messrs Or. Jameson, R. 1 Aloorn, A. Orr, J. W. Sawle, I. Scottj D. ' Williamson, H. a. Flower, . (depository) I J. R. Bland, Jenkins, D. H. Brown i (Treasurer), Rev A. Blake (Seoretary), and j the olergy of all denominations. "j The usual vote of thanks brought the meeting to a close.

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN

(per press association.)

THE OPORTO FIRE..

) London, Maroh 21. The Banque Theatre, which was i burned at Oporto, was crowded at the r time of the occurence.

AN INDIGENT SOLDIER.

? Lieutenant-Colonel Coetlogen, who ? took a prominent part m the Soudan 7 m 1883, is now living m a distressed f condition m London, and seeking .em s rployment as a prison warder.

THE LICENSING QUESTION

The Temperance party object to a \u25a0 clause m the Local Government Bill, which proposes to grant compensation for the refusal of licenses. The pub ";lTcan section strongly oppose, the . proposal to increase the license fee.

A COLONIAL ARTIST.

! London. Maroh 22. ' Charles Hern, the landscape painter of Sydney, has been appointed in structor m water-color painting and sketching from nature to the daughters • of the Prince of Wales.

THE QUEEN.

I Her Majesty the Queen left London } to-day for Florence.

MR CHAMBERLAIN.

The Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain has declined all offers of recognition m the shape of title for his services m i connection with the settlement of the 5 fisheries dispute between Canada and l the United States.

PROTECTION OF SEAMEN.

London, Matoh 23. Lord Onslow, late Political Secretary ; of the Colonial Office, has introduced | a Bill entitled the Shipping Life Saving Bill. -The measure, is drafted on ,the lines approved by the Colonial Confer ence, and has been read a second time.

RUSSIAN MOVEMENTS

Vienna, «laroh 21. The Austrian Military Council is at present considering the action of Russia m continuing to mass troops.

THE SIKKIM EXPEDITION.

Calcutta., March 23. The rebel stockade on the road between Lingtu and Sikkim has been captured by the. commander of (he British expedition which was despatched to Sikkim for the purpose of dispersing the Thibetan raiders.

AUSTRO-ROUMANIAN ALLI- ANCE.

Bucharest, Maroh 23i King Charles of Roumania is nego tiating with Francis Joseph, Emperor of Austria, with a view to effect an armed alliance between Austria and Roumania against Russia.

AUSTRALIAN.

(PBR PRESS ABSOOIA.TION.)

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Sydnby, iVlaroh 23. Holt, the Bank manager who was committed for embezzling the Bank's moneys a couple of years ago, and whcJ is now serving his punishment at Darlinghurst gaol, is breaking dow.n ia health, and it is expected that ho will be released this w,eek. I^e has' only served half the sentence awarded him, It is stated that m consequence of the recent disorderly scenes m the House of Assembly, the Government intend to immediately propose proce dure rules, one of which will provide that any member disorderly m the Chamber shall be expelled, and ren derred ineligible for re-election for three years.

THE ASHBURTON GHPABDIAN, SATURDAY, MARCH 24. 1888



THE ASHBURTON GUASDIAU. Prom and after the 30th November, 1886, the ter/ns of Subscription to this journal will^be as {qUowj yips. : — l¥ IUJD IN ADVANCE '. Per Quarter.. 6a fed, by post, 9s 6d „ Half-year 12s 6d, by poet, Ifis Qd „ Year .. 21s Od, by p,o.st, 3Vs Od IP BOOKED Per Quarter.. 7s 6d, by poat, 10s 9d „ Ralkyear 15s Od, by post, 21s 6d „ Year \u0084 Od, by post, 43s Od Birth, Marriage, and Death ftotfiiM. tf paid for at the time of insertion, 2s (>d eaqb (Btampa oiay be Sent as payment) ; if booked, 4s each. ' AoaounoßDjenta of Jlifphg, Deaths and J&attlZ* 6 * M ntl ' or JP.ublio.a.«f9_9 pom the oountry diatri'oto te « yiro v f*s™ W* e signature of the perso'u :**&% <*? ?° t « ) 9; I







fßThe •" Dunedin Evening Herald" states that Sir Harry Atkinson is not coming South, on a political leotvuiag tou? aftey all, and( {hinl?shaJq well advised at least so far aS Otago is concerned.- - ' Keating's Powder destroys both motha, fleas, beetles, and all other insects, while quite harpless to domeßtio animals. In eztermU nating beetlos, the suooess of this powder ia extraordinary. It is perfectly clean itrappli* oaj,ion. B§9 tl}3 Wtiole you pm?ohas6»ja Keating 'a aa imUationa are noxious and ineffectual. Sold m tins, 6d, Is, and -2a 6d saoa, by all ohemists, . . ; ;



\u25a0 . , c _ Old men tottering round frou* rhfluinatism c kidney trouble, or any weakness" will be mad : I almost new by using Amerioan Co.'s Hop i Sptifjl fyply, Pead ; s



! Land. Land. Land. FOR SALE, on Deferred Payment, several Sections of some of tbo beet Land m Allenton, 2a 6:1 per wenk. 3 167 LEWIS OAWSIY.



Wanted. WANTED-AbuUt Eighteen Acre fl of Stubble Ploughed. Apply, James Tasker. 3 >52 WANTED a goxl Cook for a Hotel. Sobriety indiapeuaible. Anply •'Mail" effioe. 1 166 TNSPEOTION INVITED— AII good X. marked m plalu figures. No one pressed to bay. Come and see. H. M Jones. ANTED Known— Romember Baptist Anniveraary Ten and Muaical Soiree on Good Friday, 30; b March. /~^\ REAT Bargaine. Every; biog greatly VjT reduced. Corns and jadgo fir your- selves,— EL C. Segkks, Melford Houao. WANTED K->own— l have eecured a Urge lot of Men'a and Boys' v'oo Trouserß, nood quality, at a very low price, now on Bale at the Aehbnrton Clothing Mart.— R. Alcoun, Saundera' Balldlnga. GOME one, como all, and oar prfr will astonish everybody — **.„ 0. SgQERB. _^ WANTED to Se>U— Abirat-olaßß Piano grand action. Cash or terms very liberal. Apply Hayes and Co. ALL oar first-fclass genuine Drapery, Boots, OlothiDg, etc., we are now selling fit ridiculous prices. Only come and ece.— H. C. Segers, Molford House TTT ANTED CASH— Moir'a Oatmeal W (26!bs), 2a 6i ; Sperm Candles, 5d ; Ooflee and Milk, Is per tin ; Cocoa and Milk, 1b per tin ; Yeatas, 5 3 per doz; Cori.fl)ar, 4i per lb ; tin Fraltß, 1b; Orookery, Ironraonery, etc, a". Jamfs IVToGbegor's, Tancred Street, uppoeite Arcade, 11 7"ANTED— Everyone to come and W see the nicest lot of Qlaes, China, and Earthenware ever shown m Ash bar* ton, and the Cheapest ever landed m New Zealand. Imported direot from the Manufacturers. — Robebt Aioorn, Sann- dors' Bnlldlngs. 3*ll VJTT ANTED KNOWN — Oleographß Vv Scenery, and Catholic Subjects Catholio Cards, good variety m Scrape Novelties m Penwipere, Crewel Wools and Bilks, Knitting Cotton, Colored Crotchet Cotton, Tranßf erß, Tineel Balls, &c, &c, at Mbs Manhibe's Fancy Repository, Saundars' Buildings Dentistry. Mr audleyTsTmerewether WILL ATTEND DAILY AT JONEB' NEW BUILDING, Next Somerset Hotel. TRY KIRKPATRICK'S SPECIAL QUALITY FRESH FRUIT "X" -J AMBr NOTICE. OUR Special Quality "X" brand of New Season's JAM is made from Fresh Fruit, within a few houra after it has beep gathered; It thus retains the full flavor of the Fresh Fruit, and is the best quality it is poißible to make. CAUTION: None is Genuine unleßS our Name la stamped on the Tin, and bai oar regis- tered Tiade Mark, the letter " X,"on the Label. S. KIRKPATRICK AND CO., MANUFACTURERS, NELSON. Important. 'PHE Proprietora of tho NEW ZEA- 1. LAND CLOTHING FACTORY, at the request of a largo number of their Customers, have decided to continue their Ashburton Branch. Oar Manager, Mb W. Spabeow, hiß ' just selected an entirely NEW STOCK, Suitable for the approaohlng Season, and with a view of commanding a Large Basiness, ho has our instruc- tions to mark ALL GOODS A.T THE Lowest Factory Prices. Oar Clothing being manufactured of the best New Zea'and TWEEDS, well cut and well made, is known as Boperior to any other make, and obtained the GOLD AND SILVER MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE AT THE WELLINGTON EXHIBITION. HALLEKRTEIN BROS & Co. A new and varied Stock of HOSIERY, HATS, SHIRTS. SCARFS, TIES, PORTMANTEAUS, &o. t &0.. To select from, all marked at tho Lowest Factory Prices. 3 99



DIPPING 1888. BROOKE'S "Perfect" Sheep Dip. 18 TBB BEST FOR THE WOOI, AS PROVED BY PRACTICAL TE>T3. T^BEPARED m accordance with the latest advancements m chemistry sb applied to I the Woollen Minufsctaring laduatry. It Is a decided Improvement on the old fashioned dtps and only reqnlrea a trial to prove Ita superiority. At the late Sheep dipping Competition, coadocted by the Canterbury Agricoltaral and Pastoral Aeoocla- tlon, the Kviapol Wi-oHrn Co , on bphalf <f the Asaocia'ion, foe wool dyeing ond general manufacturing pnrposes, award d tht, first placw to Brocke'n " Perfect" Sheep Pip ; In fact, Brooke's Dip wrb the only one that, actually improved the wool m this important rcßpect, the undipped wool bein^ second, «rhi!at all too others wore more or leas disoolored. The Association ala > procouncod BROOKE'S "PERFECT" SHEEP DIP to be inperlor to the Zealandia, Little's, Hatch c, Cooper's and McDonnell's, and also to leave the wool In better condition than Thomas' Dip. Brooke's Dip having con- irqnently been proved to be better than the English Dips. y»nr practical support of the eolooial article is respeolfully solicited. To enenro Brooke's Dip belli;? more tborooghly tatlng Id Its good effects, m future it will be sent ont 20 per cent stronger free of extra charge. Proportions for nee. — 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 perfect condition, without the eUghtan' stain from the first day of Dipping. Concentrated In composition to reduce oost cl carriage, and put up In a portable handy form for use, it is also one of the oheapest Dips In the Market. REDUCED TRIOS i 14s per tln^ to make 2^ gallons waah ; 70a per case, con* talcing 5 tins, to make 1000 Gallons ; 65s pef case for not leaa than 5 cases. Paekagea free. p nt F. MAKEIG, Agent, Ashburton GEORGE JAMESON. WEST STREET, HAS FOB SALE,— Rye Corn, and Cape Barley, Plough Shares, Little's Sheep Dip, Thomas' Sheep Dip. AGENT FOB— New Zealand Fire and Marine Insurance Company. Bisks ok GROWING OBOPS or STACKS accepted aUowest. current rate*, CASH PURCHASES OF .WHEAT, OATS, and BARLEY. 2 Dissolution of Partnership. £5000 WOBTff OF HARDWARE £500 C A.T COST BARGAINS REAL BARGAINS, Monster Bargains ! Important Cheap Sale of Builders Requisites, House Furnishing and General Ironmongery, Crockery and Glassware, m cousequence of the Dissolution of Partner-snip of the firm of HENRY ZANDER & CO. THE UNDERSIGNED, having purchased the extensive business is under necessity fol making a large and spesdy REDUCTION, at a sacrifice, ot the STOCKS m the above DEPARTMENTS, to effect which a large DISCOUNT will be allowed on all CASH PURCHASES for the next three months ; also extra special reductions on many lines m which I am overstocked Anyone who is dubious of my ability to compete with Christchurch prices, will please pay an early visit to my STORE and test the prices, when their doubts will vanish like the morning dew: Come and let your pockets be lightened and allow your hearts to delight at the LOW PRICES all GOODS are being offered at. Come one, come all, and judge foi yourselves, and do not spend your money at places, where there are no bony fide sales, but mere advertisements, quoting prices which are never adhered to, and simply delude the public. The STOCKS m the varions DEPARTMENTS ar; large and w ell selected, being mv ported direct from the tnghsh, American, and Continental Markets, and which I intend selling at prices hitheito unheard of m Ashburton I am also anxious to take part m the confirm ous struggle for business which is now being carried on m this town, and to BEAT THF TIMES AND COMPETITION, I have made substantial reductions m the Grocery and Provision Departments, and will SELL at better article at a LOWER. PRICE than anyone m Ashburton— for CASH NOTE : — Sale will commence on SATURDAY next. Come early and make your selections* henryJandeb AGENCIES SUN FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY CANTON MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY NATIONAL MUTUAL UFE ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALASIA. THE STANDARD FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. WITH UNLIMITED LIABILITY OF SHAREHOLDER. CAPITAL— £I,OOO7OOO STERLING. HEAD OFFICE"! DUNEDIN. ¥ NBURERS have the most undoubted Security under this Company's Policies J[ together with an assurance of Prompt and Liberal Settlement of Claims. FIRE and MARINE RIBKB accepted on all descriptions of Property and Merchandise also Crop, Stack, and Machine Risks at Lowest Kates of Premium. Fidelity of Persons holding situations of trust guaranteed. OFFICE : HEREFORD STREET, CHRISTOHUROH, (Opposite Bank^of New Zealand.) ARCHIBALD SCOTT, Manager for Canterbury. AL.BEET ROBEIITS, 16 AGENT, ASHBURTON ALBERT KOJBEBTS, HAS lOn SALE,— Corn sacks LARGB SIZE ANi) FD^ weight. SHAMING TWINS IN ANY QUANTITY, Clovebs,-^- BED, WHITE, COWGEAS!?, ALSYKE. and TBEFOIL. RYEGRASS, COCKSFOOT, and RAPE, ANCHOE Binding Wire and very best Binder Twine, Golden lares, Cape Barley; COOPER'S SHEEP DIP.