THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

] Prom and after the 30th November, 1886, the terms of Subscription to this journal will be follows, viz. : — IF PAID IN ADVANCE : Per Quarter.. 6s d, by post, 9s 6d [„ Half-year 12s 6d, by post, 18s 6d „ Year .. 24s Od, by post, 37a Od f booked; Per Quarter.. 7s 6d, by poet, 10s 9d „ Half-year 15a Od, by post, 21a 6d „ Year .. 80s Od, by post, 43s Od Birth, Marriage, and Death. Notices, if paid for at the time of insertion, 2s 6d each (stamps may be sent as payment) ; if booked, 4s eaoh. Announcements of Births, Deaths and Marriages sent for publication from the country distriots require to be verified by the signature of the erson sending the notice,

DIARY.

Moonlight Evenings.

The Moon at 3 days old shines till about 8 o'olock.

Tho Moon at 6 days 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 days old shines from sundown till about 4 m the morning. The Moon at 15 dayß old is full, and shines all night.

The Moon at 18 days old rises about 9 p.m. and shineß till morning. The Moon at 21 days old rises about 11 a.m. and shines till morning. The Moon at 24 days old rißee about 2 a.m. and Bbineatill morning. The Moon at 27 days old rises abont 4 a.m. and shines till sunrise.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1888. THE DANGERS OF ACCLI MATISATION.

Under the heading " New Chums," the " Akaroa Mail " has an amusing but withal exceedingly sensible article on the mistakes of acclimatists, and the dangers accruing to the colony there from. It even doubts whether the " humble bee " will prove an unmixed blessing, and thinks that it is possible ifae tapidly increasing members of these insects may seriously diminish the honey harvest, as the honey bee stands no chance with them.. Tpe remainder of the article is so bright an.d readable that we make no apolgy for quoting m extenso. It proceeds ; — " Really the very greatest care should be taken m the introduction of any new bird or insect. The blackbirds are troublesome at Home, but they never entirely devour all the small fruit as they do here, with the aid of the sparrows, and finches, and Pjjier imported • pests. | Years ago we used \q fraye occasional processions of millions of caterpillars ; i the " Razor Grinders " used to sing on every log or tree ; giant grasshopets used to bore holes m every dusty track, and little opes used to get into our boots whenever we Qraljked abroad. No doubt these creatures took a J t ot of feeding, but they only appeared (for sfaoflt tidies, and out cherries and raspberries and x?tfrcr fruits came to full perfection. Tjtic jpo^o ,moko and the tui sang m ! $c branches, but tfrey had not tasted of the fyfeitf&riftyift; *«> d tbc uew

land seemed indeed a land of preserves and fruit and wine. But we were not satisfied, we said, Let's get out birds to

kill these insects that do us a little harm now and then ; we were not con- , tented with King Log but we must < have King Stork, and we have got him , with a vengeance. If we sow a radish seed a saucy chaffinch is waiting to break off the shoot of tender green the moment it appears. Goldfinches, sparrows, greenfinches at»d linnets have < developed such an extraordinary taste for tiny turnip tops that it is only a covering that will save them ; arid as for fruit — save the mark — the moment a young strawberry or cherry or rasp berry begins to blush at the thought of approaching adolescence, the blackbirds and their friends devour it. Worse than all they have corrupted our innocent New Zealanders. The honey sucking beaks and feathery tongues of tut and moko moko are now, alas, often seen embrued with the life blood of plums and apricots, of pears and cherries, and it is only the sturdy and familiar robin and eccentric tit that are continual attendants at the "Diet of VYorms." Another amusing thing that ought to be remedied is that these new chums who have so gone to the bad as to have become the most undesirable colonists possible are still protected. In Selwyn County the traditional dish — fie to set before a king — can be enjoyed, but m Akaroa a penalty could be levied on the murderer of each one of the twenty-four blackbirds. We do not say for a i moment anyone would raise such a point, but still they could, and they should not have the power to do so. Had we space at our disposal we could prolong this article indefinitely by telling of the eccentric and vicious gentleman, formerly a Wellington resi dent, who m early days is said to have introduced those charming new chums — the common slug and the cabbage blight, and to have endeavored to ac climatise a colony of snakes (varieties, as they say m the flower-shows), be cause he was disgusted with the Colony. We acknowledge be was even worse than an Acclimatisation Society, but they have done quite harm enough we are sure. And then, how about the stoats and weazsels, and King Rabbit himself. Lately the American catfish, a cheerful monster of the pike descrip tion, has been spoken of. He is not nice to eat, but he kills all the eels that are, so he would make a really nice resident amongst us, and there is no doubt he will thrive. But we must desist from our grumbling, and though those things are by no means fables, end, like fables do, with a moral, which is — " Tis better far ro bear the ills we have, than fly to others that we know not of."

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The names of Mrs McLaohlan, Jan., and Miss Meharry were omitted from the list of names supplied to us of the ladies who furnished tables at the Presbyterian Churoh tea meeting at Tinwald last week.

An Ashburton correspondent, who takes an interest m ichthyology, sends us the follow* ing : — " It may interest some of your readers to know that a fine specimen of the elephant fish {cattonorhymhtu antartica) was captured on Friday last by some men fishing at the mouth of the Ashburton river. Unfortp. nately, however, it was no Booner oaught thin it was out up into bait. This fish withdraws from deep water, daring the summer, to deposit its eggs m the sand below high-water mark, when their hatohing is assisted by the sun's warmth. Some time ago the Royal Society of England voted the sam of £70 to Professor Parker, of the Otago University, to enable him to obtain materials for working out the embryology of this fish. It is there* fore to be regretted that this specimen was not obtained for him, or even preserved for our looal museum to which it would have been an interesting addition."

It is somewhat surprising that so many of our contemporaries should have fallen into the error of supposing that " The Crown and Native Lands Bating Act Repeal Bill " was passed last session. For example the " New Zealand Herald" informs its readers that the measure m question takes eflaot from the Ist April next. What really has Happened is this : — The Bill referred to waa dropped m the House of Representatives, but as it is intended to pass it next year the Government have issued a | warning to local bodies that they are not to reckon upon receiving any further rates upon Grown and Native Lands, For ourselves wo have no doubt that the Bill will pass next session, but " there's many a slip," etc., and meantime it is not true that it becomes law on April Ist. By.the-bye, the date is very appropriate to the ciroumßtanoes,

Wa regret to observe that at the annual meeting of the Oamaru Woollen Company, held on Thursday evening, the Direotora' re port stated that the operations of the Faotory ! had resulted m a loss, whioh was the more disappointing as the turnover exceeded that of the previous year by £1000. Notwith standing the unfavorable isaue the Direotora confidently hoped for better results m the future. The Chairman said, owing to the keen competition m tweeds it had been deemed necessary to experiment m manu facture of other articles, but m Borne direo tions the experiment had not proved profitable* The increase m the number of factories had caused a keen struggle, and the colony (the Chairman went on to Bay) had goqe too far m the establishment of woollen factories, and had gone ahead of the population. Until there is an increased population the supply was m oxcese of the demand. By reduoing expenses the Directors hoped to overtake the loss and prevent the calamity of having to olose the doors.

PHENOMENAL FOGS.

(PER PBESS ASS OIATIONT.)

LosDoif, Janinry 13 Five days' darkness has been ex perienced m Birmingham, and much excitement was caused, as it was thought the world had come to an end. Some of the local people had prophe sied that the world would end on the 14th.

Later. J The dense fog which bad been ex | perienced the past few days is now lifting excepting m the Midlands, where it is as black as night. Many casualties have occurred.

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

(WBR JTRESS ASSOCIATION.)

THE SUGAR TRADE.

Lokdon, January 13. Endeavors are now being made to bring back the sugar trada from Ham burg to London.

MR SEXTON, M.P. Mr Sexton, M.P., is now recovering.

LORD SALISBURY ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

Loid Salisbury, m the course of a speech, said there were undoubted signs that the depression m trade was gradually disappearing. This he thought would tend to remove the Irish difficulty. Next session, how ever, would be a difficult and hazardous one. The Government would have to depend on the assistance of Unionists m framing measures.

HEALTH OF THE CROWN PRINCE.

Berlin, January 13. The official announcement concern ing the health of the Crown Prince states that the irritation connected with the growth m the throat is re appearing.

MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

Paris, January 13, At a Urge meeting of manufacturers the Minister of Commerce presided. The meeting was called for the object of ascertaining the number of exhibi tors who intend to send goods to the Melbourne Exhibition. There was a very large attendance and great enthu siasm was shown, it being decided to ask the Government to warmly interest themselves m supporting the Exhibi tion.

THE CROFTERS.

Glasgow, January 13 The crofters at Lewis Island are still making raids against the farmers, and are destroying the fences on the farms.

ALLEGED CONSPIRACY,

tfOFIA, January 12. Many of the officers connected with the Army, and also many officials, have been arrested on a charge of conspiracy.

ITALY AND ABYSSINIA.

Massowah, January 12

An encounter between the followers of Ras Aloula and the Italian troops is now daily expected.

Oaiko. Januaiy 13. General Ras Aloula, f with a strong force of Abyssimans, has arrived at Ghinda, and is preparing to make on attack.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Per Press Association.)

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Stdnby, January 14.

Despite tbe opposition of the Vic torian Football Association it is Lillywhite's intention to bring out a team of English footballers, who will play club matches there if unable to arrange for a combined team. The team will visit New Zealand at the commencement of the winter, and will pay a visit to that colony towards the end of the winter months. Lillywhite and Shrewsbury will not accompany the team to New Zealand, and they both complain that the terms offered by the cricketers and footballers were not sufficient to make the trip a re munerative one.

QUEENSLAND.

Brisbane, January 14.

Mr Joseph Levy, who had just arrived from Paris, has been fined for landing precious stones at Thursday Island, on which the duty had not been paid.

VESSELS FOR THE CHINESE NAVY

A squadron of eight war vessels, built la Erglmd and Germany for the Chinese Na y, was recently Jying In Splthaad before tailing for Chin*. Two, the Obih Yaau aDd Ching Yuan, of the swift, protected cruiser class, have been built at Rlnwick. Thiy were designed by order of tho Mat quit Tie ig by Mr W. H. Whi ta, but their construction has been mainly carried out under the aoperintendance of Lin Ta- J9n, the present Chinese Minister. Their displacement is 2300 tons, their length 268 , feet, breadth 38 feet, depth from main deck to the keel molded 21 feet. Their speed on trial trips averaged 18 536 knots. The vessels are built of steel and are doubled-battomed, while additional pro tection to the extant of 8 feet m thickness is afforded by the method of carrying coal. The armament consists of three 21 cen timeter Krupp guvs, and two 6-looh Armstrongs, eight 6 pounder rapid-firing Hotchklea guns and six Gatlioga. Two of the vessels were built m ;Garmany, at Stettin, by the Vuloan Ship building Company, and are of the class of armed cruisers. They are armed with two 21-centimeter Krapp guns m the bows mounted en barbette, and oiroled by an armor-plated breastwork, These have also two 6 inch Krupps, so that, although larger than the Armstrong vessels, they have one 21 -contlmoter Krupp gun lesi than the latter. Their names are the K'ng Yuan and the L«i Yuan.

The fifth vessel was a torpedo boat, built by Yarrow, and Is aaid to be the fattest of its 0*533 ever launched, having attained the great speed of 2§ miles an hour. The whole squadron is commanded by Admiral Lang, while some retired British officers are employed io navigating the squadron to China.

THE MARKETS.

(per press association.)

London, January 13. Scotch pig iron is quoted at 445. The wheat market is firm. Adelaide cargoes off the coast are quoted at 33s io^d ; consignments on the spot. 355. Tallow is quoted at 24s 6d per cwt. The price of mutton and beef has risen 6d.

Frozen meat ex Iberia is being sold at 3d ; New Zealand, 3d to 46".

INTERPROVINCiAL NEWS

[Pjte Pbess Association],

Wellington, January 14 Sir William Fitzherbert will attend the Centennial demonstration m Pydney on the 26th inst m his capacity as Speaker of the Legislative Counoil, and wi 1 express to the Qovemment of Near South Wale» the regrat of the New Zealand Govern ment that no Minister for this oolony can be present. The squadron will weigh anchor at eleven to-morrow, and at noon they leave for Sydney direct

Dunedin, January 14 The Kaikorai School Committee m end moving for an injanotion preventing the Board from putting a new teacher m charge. At the inqniry Sir Robert Stout will represent the Board, and Messrs Denoiston, Kettle, and Wilkinson the Committee.

ALFORD FOREST.

[raoM oub owh oobbbspondbnt.J

The first anniversary of the Alford Forest Sunday School was held on Thurs day last, by tb.9 kind permission of Mr A. MoFarlane, at the back of his residence, a moit delightful spot, sheltered from the \u25a0on by capital bash on ono side, and on the other affording pleaty of apaoa for the sports inseparable from suoh outdoor enjoyments. The ohildren were taken to the spot by friends m conveyances about eleven o'clock, and two capital •wings were soon m foil operation. Raoes for children of aU ages and sizes with the usual exoltlog finishes were held, and the pr!z3B not only satisfied the numerous competitors but reflected the highest credit on the ladles' oommittee of manage ment, viz, Mesdames Wallace, Knight, Botton, Grieves and Carry, the last named being of great service In collecting the neceaaary funds, while each of the oom mi t tea provided suitable refreshments not only for the children bnt for all friends who were pleased to attend. A glorious day made the occasion still more enjoyable and at Its conclusion the little ones left for home heartily tired, bnt laden with, handsome presents. Mr McFarlane offered, as a prize for the married ladies raoe, a lamb which was won easily by Mrs Lylian. Along the hilla the oat orop is very short In the straw, and unless we get more rain there will be a loaroity of ohaff for the winter. Grass and clover are splendid as usual. Turnips have suffered from flies. The yield of wool Is much lighter this year, but the- condition superior to the general average.. Sbearlcg is over m this district. Bhckford is about half through and Lake Heron commences on Monday 16th.

The late bush fire proved a heavy loss to Eome of the settlers m firewood, Btakea ana posta ; indeed, it is to be hoped that more care mil be exercised m the future, as many of the houses were m the greatest danger for some time, and only by the most strenuous efforts were saved from d< structioo. A* it is, every hand is busy cutting to supply preßsing orders, for drays come long distances just before harvest commences, to get m their annual stock.

The funeral of the late Mrs Muirhead proved the high esteem m which she was held by her friends, between thirty and forty conveyances and fifty horsemen joined the funeral cortege. Mr E Herring, and Mrs Herring joined the assembly at the Cemetery, and with many others dropped epiendid floral wreaths into the grave. The service wag oonducted by Rev. A. M. Beattie, of Ashburton, m a most impressive manner, special reference being made to the full hope calmly expressed by the deceased.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

[Per Press Association,]

Immigrants. New. Plymouth, January 16. Mr Courtney, who brought from England In the Tocgariro'i last trip 31 young men has succeeded m placing them all In comfortable situation! on remunerative terms. Accident. On Saturday afternoon a settler named Matthew Oarrlck, living at Mongarel, whilst carting stones met with a serious accident. He was fixing the tip stick of the dray when be slipped under the wheels and the draj went over his leg near the ankle. Died. Henry Clements, who fell down a well at Waingongoro, near Hawera, at the beginning of the month and fractured one of bin ankles, has died through amputation being delayed too long m order to save the limb. Drowning Case. At half past seven tuia morning WilJiim Skeata, aged 17, whilst bathing m the Henui river was drowned. He dived In and ia supposed to have struck a stump of a tree In the river and was stunned and never rose again. Deceased and three brothers, younger than himself, Were all bathing together. The family of Skeats came here from Hamilton, Walkato, about a year ago. Fatal Accident. Napier, January 16, Robt. Baxter, sged 9, was killed on a hill on Saturday near Walpawa. The boy was assisting to draft horses and was holding a rail of the stockyard gate. Oae of the beasts rushing past stru k the rail, knooklng the boy down. From the effects of the blow he died. Baxter was a son of Mr Baxter, chemist, Ohriatohurob, and \raa on a visit to this district. Sunstroke. Several esses of severe sunstroke are reported, A girl was delirious three days. The Rabbit Nuisance. The Rabbit Board have reoeived forty applications for the poat of aub-Inepeotor, A Case of Infanticide. Wellington, January 16. The dead body of a female child, about ' Beven days old, has been found m a sugar bag washed up on the touch at- Evans' Bay. From the appearance of the body it seemed to have been m the water about 24 hours, and that the child was iiret strangled. At present there is no due to the perpetrator of the crime. New Soath Wales Centenary. H..QJ.B. Nelson, Calliope, Jtfapidf and Diamond failed for fcydaeir at 11 30 a.m. to-day. The Governor left m the Nelson to be present at the Centenary celebration of New South Wales, and Sir Jas. Pren dergast haa assumed the Lieutenant-Go vernorship. All the members of the Government are now m Wellington, and cabinet meetings will be held every day this wee if. Rifle Association, The New Zealand .Rifle Association do not intend using the Remington-Lee rifle at npxt meeting. If the Martini rifles ai\3 avaijable the programme as at proseut arranged will bo carried out, but if not, the Snider rifle and last year's pro* gMtum> will b« reverted, to,

AUCTIONEER'S REPORT.

Mr Alfred Harrison reports his weekly sale on Saturday, Jan nary 14, as follows : Cows— Conspicuous by their absence, bad weather In ths early mornlag being the oMef cause.

Pigs— Slips, 6s 33, 12s 6a, 12s 9d, 14i; stores, 12a 6d to 14a.

Peoduos— Potatoes, |d per ib } ohlck wh«afc, 2* 6d per bushel ; O*ts, la 3d to 1* 6d ; bran, 3a 6d } sharps, 6b ; oheest, 2|d to 4£d ; hams and baoon, Id to 3d ; mutton, If; onions, ljd; tea, 14*. Sundries —A large quantity of fnrnl lure and effect', pictures, handsome Frenoh clook, boolrs, eta, sold well. A consignment of boots and shoes wm also partly oleared.

THE EUROPEAN SITUATION

[PBR PRESS ASSOOIATIOIC.]

(Received January 16, 12 30 p.m.) Vienna, jinntry 14. The Austrian military press declare that one hundred thousand Russian; ; cavalry are beingmassed on the German and Austrian frontiers. Sofia, January 14. Prince Ferdinand delivered an address to the garrison here, m the course of which he announced that events might soon force him to defend the rights of Bulgaria, and that when the time came he would be prepared to die for his country.

LAWN TENNIS TOURNAMENT.

The following are the entries and hah* dioaps for the tournament mentioned m our issue of Thursday l M t :—

SINOIBS.

H Weiston owes 15 G. Mere wether, soratch B. Hart, scratoh ' A, Fooke, scratch — Jameson, soratch E. Simpson, soratoh J. A Oaygill, scratch D. Moore receives half 15 F. Field receives half 15 J. Oliver receives half: 15 , K. J. Fookg receives 15 0. 0. Fooks receives 15 0. Strange receives 15. DoDblsb. Weston and Mere wether owe 15 Moore and Jameson, scratoh ' JS. Simpson and F. Field, scratch | A. Fooka and Oliver, scratch • 0. 0. Fooks and Uaygill reoeive half 0. Strange and B. G. Crisp receive h ilf 15 E. J. Fooks and Simpson receive 15, The following m the result ot the draw, which has been made on the new system, all the byes being taken ia the first round :— ....'•\u25a0 Singles— Ist round. F. Field receives half 15, meets 0. 0. Fooks, receives 15 H. Weston owes 15, meets 0, Strange, receives 15 Jameson soratoh, meets Oaygill, soratoh Moore receives half 15, meets Mere wether, scratch A. Fooks, Bcratoh, meets E. Simpson, scratoh : : \u25a0\u25a0 Hart, a bye E. J. Fooks, a bye J. Oliver, a bye Doubles — lit round. A, Fooks and Oliver, soratch, meet Moore and Jameson, soratoh 0. 0, Foofcs and Oaygill receive halt 15, meets E. Simpson and Field, scratch Strange and Orisp receive half 15, meet is. J. Fooks and W. Simpaon, re« ceive 15 Weston and Merewether a bye. Mr 0. C. Pooka has kindly placed his private lawn at the disposal off the Com mittee, and they have deoided that the first round of the tournament may b* played either there or at the Domain. The fol owing rounds, however, are all to be play ed at the Domain Court It is desired that the first rounds be got off this week, and the contestants are requested to arrange the time of their games with the Serretary, Mr 0. C. Fooka, as early as possible.

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

(PEE MtßSfl ASSOCIATION,)

MOONLIGHTERS;

(Beoeived January 16, 12.30 p.m )

London, January IS. A number of Moonlightets have been tried at Cork, and sentenced to terms of imprisonment, varying from 5 to 18 years.

THE REV C. H. SPURGEON.

The RevC. H. Spurgebn has ab solutely declined to be reconciled to the Baptist Union.

A COMPANY WOUND UP.

Justice North has granted an order to wind up the Queensland Mercantile Agency Company.

THE MOUNT MORGAN MINE.

The hearing of the case Osborne v. Mount Morgan Gold Mining Com pany, Queensland, has been concluded. The point at issue involves the posses sion of this famous mine. Judgment has been reserved.

THE MARKETS.

London January 14. Cooper has fallen and is now at £$0. The fall is attributed to the influence of the Copper Syndicate. New Zealand five per cents are quoted at ;£io4; Inscribed Stock, Tallow is advancing. American early stock showi a general advance owing to the favor able wheat crop,

DUTIES ON WOOL.

WASHiNoroir, January 14. .The wool traders io the United States have petitioned Congress to increase the rate of duty on wool an<s, woollen goods. . * :

A SICILIAN SECRET SOCIETY

The vast secret society o»Hed the " Mania " is still the real government of Sioily. It taxes all traders at its will, and secures obedience to ltj deorees by lentencea of death. It cannot be put down, beoauae the people are on 1U ilde ; and they are on its side because the land is parcelled out Id huge estates, managed by bailiffs, and tilled by wage-reo»iver« who are wretchedly paid, often reilde five miles from their work, and are, In troth. savages. In 18% It wai faqng that 1200 persons were actively engaged In one 1 murderous society, and 159 were sentenced In a single trial. v The tystem, however, will never be cure* until the tenure Is reformed, and attempts to murder punished invariably with death, Juries hardly ever frill give verdicts of guilty without re servatious, and, as a consequence, the. average murder-roll In the tiro Slollies is •ixteeu times that of England. —K. S. Morgan.

\u25a0THE ASHBPRTON GUARDIAN, MON DAY, JANUARY 16, 1888.



Moon's Sun Snn Moon .Moon ago at | January. Riecs. Sets. Bi'es Sets, noonday a.m. pm. 14 Saturday ... 4.41 7.38 6.10 816 0 15 Sunday .. 4.43 7.38 6.14 8,58 1 16 Monday .. 4.43 7.37 7.17 P. 36 3 17 Tuesday .. 4.45 7.38 8.20 10.8 3 18 Wednesday.. 4.46 7.36 0.20 1031 4 IP Tliuraday .. 4A7 7.35 10.21 10.60 g 20 Friday.. .. 4.48 7.34 11.19 11.25 S



The annual general meeting of the Caledonian Sooiety called for Saturday night last has been postponed for a week. A man named Charles Wegal was admitted into the Hospital from South Rakaia on Thursday last, suffering from sunstroke. He died yesterday. The woman Mrs Dalzell recovered con- BOiousneeß on Saturday last, for the first time since the tragio occurrence, m which she was the chief aotor, m the Bakaia river on December 29. She is to all appearance as yet perfectly oblivious of the dreadful affair, and does not Beem to realise anything m her position — whera she is, or why. Since her recovery she has had several fits, probably epileptio, and it is said that she is subject to these fits. At the B.M. Court this morning, before Mr H. Friedlander, J.P., and Mr D. Thomas, J P., William Wiloox, Bobert Mahone and Archibald Clark were charged with fighting. Clark appeared m Court minus his ooat and Test, and all (he aooosed bore manifest signs of having sustained " punishment." Constable Fitzgerald gave evidenoe to the efteot that hearing a row behind the Commercial Hotel, about haif-paet eight on Saturday evening, he proceeded to the spot and found Mahont and Wiloox engaged m a fierce pugilistic en- counter. Clark was lying on the ground completely knooked out of time, and » young man named Martin was standing by ready to give his prostrate enemy more, should the latter riße. The constable " run m " three of the men, but he oould not readily take a fourth, bo Martin managed to effeot his esoape, but an information has been laid against him, which he will have to answer on Thursday next. From the statements of the men themselveß it appears that Clark and Martin started fighting, and an attempt was made to separate them.. The role of peacemakers did not appear to eit easily on either Wilcox or Martin, and they came to blows over the matter themselves.- The three men were taken to the lock-up, but Wilcox waa let out on bail, the other two, however, remaining m duranoe vile till this morning. Wilcox is very deaf, and, moreover, suffers from an impediment m his Bpeesh, whioh made it somewhat difficult to understand his version of the affair.-— The Bench discharged the acoused with a caution, not infliotiog any heavier punishment beoause two of them had been looked up for some time, and the other had done bis beßt to establish peace. Mr G. Gabites, of Timaru, has just returned from a visit to England, and has given the result of his observations to a "Timaru Herald' 1 representative. Asked " How is New Zealand spoken of at Home?" he said : "It is very highly thought of. People are very favorable to New Zealand as a field for emigration, and 4 great deal of interest is expressed m the progress of the Panama Canal, which people think would be of immense benefit to New Zealand, bringing her within 21 days cf England. New Zealand frozen mutton is very muoh thought of; it is most highly esteemed, but unfortunately t> good deal of inferior stuff from the Biver Plate and else* where is Bold as New Zealand mutton. New Zealand lamb is particularly m favor. This proves to mo that the New Zealand companies ought to have their own agencies and retail shops and seoure to the people at Home a certain supply of real New Zealand mutton." A meeting of 3000 Poles held m Poson has protested against the order of the Govern- ment abolishing {the teaching of the Polish language. It is stated that a majority of the membera of the House of Commons is m favor of ex- tending the franchise to women, and that hopes are entertained of a measure to that effaot being passed next soEsion. The privi. lege will only be extended to female house- holders.



An extraordinary affair is reported from tbe Island of Lewis. It appears that for some time there has been a feeling there that the orofters and cottars of the Lochs district meditated a raid on the deer forest of Park, with the intention of slaughtering all the deer, the outrage being meant as a reprisal on the proprietrix, Lady Matheson, who reiußed them more land. On November 22 news readied Stornoway that the campaign had begun, large numbers of people, principally cottars, having proceeded to the forest armed with guns and provisioned for a camp-out. It is stated that a regular " deer drive " took place, and that a great number were killed. Some two years ago we ('• Evening Post ") recorded the faot that a man had met with his death by Bhaving off a heavy growth of beard. A similar oaae, we are given to under- stand, has lately occurred m this city. Cn Christmas Day a man shaved off his beard and whiskers, and by doing so caught cold, whioh led to pleurisy, causing his death. An American newspaper observes of a member of Congress for a certain distriat m Illinois " that he is so tall that when he addresses the people, instead of mounting a stump, as is usual m the West, they have to dig a hole for him to stand m I " Another paper belonging to the opposition, politely observed that " they dig a hole for him, not because he is tall, but because he never feels at home except when he is up to his ohm m dirt."



The following example is given of governmental wisdom by the "Southland Times " :— The other day a well-known com- pany m Inveroargill received from} their Fiji office a trial consignment of peanuts, of which the present Belling value is just 2sd per Ib, duty paid ; but before putting them into con- sumption the company had to pass Customs entries, never dreaming that there would be any duty to pay— seeing they are not grown m this colony. On consulting the tariff, however, it was discovered that 2d per lb duty would have to be paid, thus leaving the consignor a halfpenny per lb with which to pay freight and charges from Fiji, not to say anything of cost of growing and picking — and yet members of Faliament talk of foßtering the " island trade."



Some bix months ago a married lady of Virginia was admitted to the asylum a raving maniac. She had to be tied to prevent her doing harm to herself and others until death ended her sufferings about six weeks ago. A short time before her death she gave birth to a female ohild wbioh weighed one pound. It was taken charge of by one of the attend, ants, and has been carefully nursed since. ft riows weighs about a pound and a half and |s reasonably healthy, The father, who is poor and bap a large family pi children, has notified the superintendent that he wjll take the infant to bis bouse. Hollowa?'s Pills.— Weakening weather.— The sultry summer days strain the nerves of the feeble and deorepit, and disease may eventuate unless some restorative, suoh as these purifying Pills, be found to correct the i disordering tendenoy, Hollowsy's medioine gives potenoy to the nervous system, whioh is the gouroe of all vital movements, and presides over every action which maintains the growth and well-being of the body. Mo one oan over estimate the necessity of keeping the nerves well Btrung, or the ease with which these Pills accomplish that end. 'They ' are 'the roost unfailing antidotes to indigestion, • irregular circulation, palpitation,' eiok headache, and cbßtivenesß, and have therefore attained the li^e^filevn^^eit-rfp^-ttioff, ••



"Rough on Corns."— Ask for Wells' " Bough on Corns." Quick relief, complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts, bunions. At chemists and druggists. 3



Keating's Powder destroys both moths, fleas beetles, and all other insects while quite harmless to domestic animals. In eztermi nating beetles, the success of thie powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly olean inappli- oation. Pee the article ypu purohas Heating's as imitations are noxious and nefjeotual. Sold n tins, <5d Island 3d 6d tiob.byiUflbflmnti, ' \u25a0\u25a0•*



Don't physio, for it weakens and destroys, but use Hop Bitters that builds up 1 (Take none but Amerioan Oo.'b). Reach



"Rough on Itch/— Rough 1 on Jtob, oures skin lhamors, eruptions, 'ring worm* totter, aalt rhaum, f Sated feet, 'cailbUm,- itch, i?y pouoo birbsr'i h, . f



Sumatra has a flower wbioh grows to nina feet m ciroumference, and weighs lolbs. Myriads of locusts have presented them« selves m Victorian country districts, and are causing great havoo among the crops. gR, There are more cures made with American Oo.'s Hop bitters than all other medloines. Bee ijagfj and all. JVc clip the following important testimonial from the "Illawarra S^erctirry " (Jjf.S.W.) of the ,50th March. It needs no odmmbnt :-— " Mr John Ijoveday, of the Bull* Mountain, writes to us that after suffering for four years with acute gravel, be has experienced almost complete relief by using Sander and Sons' Eucalypti Extraot. He says seeing the said Extract advertised m the 'Illawarra Mercury,' his intense suffering induced him to obtain a bottle of the medioine from Mr Hosking, obemist, of this town, and that the use of it ffjve him great relief at once. He states that jeiwe^j? t!?0 10th March instant, when his obtained the £»;st bottle of the extract, and the 19tb, the use of that medioine continued to afford him relief, to whioh Ye had bpon a Btranger for four years. Mr Loveday writes also that be has found the Eucalypti Extraot a cure lor rheumatism as well as gravel. He requests us to publish this information ## ouch $Ke • Mercury.' W» have ' much pleasure m o^n>^yjcs with Mr Loveday'a request, whose wora' r eannoc J^s doubted, and who can have no object m view other thai* & pure desire to benefit savoring humanity."-^ (AclYt, *•



TO OUR RAKAIA SUBSCRIBERS. 1\ \ J~R desire to intimate that from and VV aftor Ist January, 1888. SUB- SCRIBERS to this journal will OBTAIN THEIR COPIES AT THE STORE OF mr c. hardy.



Wasted. VTTANTED— GeneraI Servant for the f V Country. Apply, Mrs W. C. Davis, Eaßt Street. 1 81 WANTED Known.— The Tender o A. Gray and?Oo., for Rooking etc., my crop is accepted.— George W. Lbadlbt. l 76 WANTEIj tenders for Stooking and Forking about 400 acres of Wheat and Oats, For particulars apply to Robt. Enr is, or at Mr Gudsell's Store, Tinwald, '< where tenders will be received up to 6 o'clock p.m. on TUESDAY, 17th inst 1 82 \\; ANTED Tenders for Cutting and VV Stacking about l&O Acres Wheat and Oats near Ford's Road, Tinwald Tenders to be m by 21st January to Geokgb Giddings, Tinwald. 1f75 W* ANTED TKNDERB for oomplete v * harvesting 39 aores Wheat, and 16 acre) Oats. Apply, A. Wilson, Winslow. Tenders oloie 19 h January. \J* TXT ANTED Known.—That EAYBS V y and CO. have a splendid lot of Wnite Embroidery Robes at 14s, worth 21^ Segers' Great Sale.— Melford House. WANTED Known— To the Ladies of Aehburton and sarrounding dlstriots, th<tt an experienced monthly Nurae is desirous cf engagement! Good references oan be given. Address — Mbs Hill, Peter Street, Aahbnrton. 1118 WANTED Known. -For Sale, Blue Gum, Stringy Bark, Peppermint Gum, Bed Gum, and Silver Wattle Tree Seeds, locally grown, and saved this Season : also Turnip Seeds, just arrived, ex 8.8 Rimutakrt. —J. Shalt and Co., Seedsmen, Eaet Street. 11+61 1 Sale at Melford House.— H. i O. Segers. \u25a0 WANTiOD CASH — Moir'a Oatmeal 251b8,2s 6d ; Sperm Candles, 5d ; Coffee and Milk, la per tin; Cocoa and I Milk, 1* per tin ; Vestas, 5d per doz ; Cornflour, 44 per lb ; tin Fruits, la ; Crockery, Ironmongery, eto. — At Jameij McGbbgob's, Tanored Stroet, opposite Arcade. Melford House Sale.—H. O. Segers. WANTED KNOWN — Oleographs Scenery, and Cataolic Subjects Catholio Cards, good variety m Scraps . Novelties m Penwipora, Crewel Wools and : Bilke, Knitting Cotton, Colored Crotchet [ Cotton, Transfers, Tinsel Balls, &c, &c, ' at jlbs Manhibe's Fancy Repository, Saundsrs' Buildings, \ "TTTANTSD Known— Wells sunk, with VV pnmp and pipe found and fixed, , from £2 10a upwards All kinds of : pomps, Ranges and house-am ith work fixed or repaired. Chimneys nwept and ranger cleaned, 3s. Registers 1b 6d each. All orders punctually attended to. Note , address, B. Dudley, Moore street, Aeh- burton. 11 22



N.B.— -See windowe for Presents to bo given away at XMAS. Please note the Address, — BOLLOCK'S ARCADE, Bnrnett Street, HEW ADVERTISEMENT. —^ THE COMING X 1 49 GEEAT SALE OF Bankrupt Stocky or Drapery, Clothing, AND BOOTS. ANDREW ORR having recured the Stock of A. O. PRKJHaRD at a great reduction from Invoice Cost, will offer it to the Public on WEDNESDAY, J)EC c 28th, At Uuh-.ard of Prices * ?»-. TCBSDAY,thei27th DEC. f ASDBISW 088.



MAOTLLA BINDER TWINE I HAVE secured a quantity of the same make of Twine as gave bo tauoh latiafaction last Season, and as jnalitj is the true Economy m the .idarreat Field, farmers will oonsulfc their ' interestt by eecuriog a sufficient apply early, aa it is likely to bejearoe sis Beaaon. EOBEET ALCOEN, Importer and General Merchant. «*"•"""\u25a0*"•" ' ' \u25a0 ' '\u25a0 \u25a0 TO FARMERS AND OTHERS The CMsteburch Finance GO (LIMITED.) CAPITAL £50,000 REGISTERED OFFICE— B Cathedra fiqnare, CHRISTCHUROH. rnfllß COMPANY ia making CASb 1 ADVANCES on GROWING CROPS, WOOI, LIVE AND DEAD STOCK, FARM PRODUCE of every description, and any other Claee of Security For particulars apply to THOMAS BUI LOCK, 12 86 Aootloneer, Aebburton. PAPERHANGINGSf PAPEBHANGINGSI! niHE Underiigned have just op X. >> iplendid asßortment PAPEEHANGINGS, SCBIM, TAPES, TACKS, Amo,— WINDOW GLASS (all sizes). W & R LEAD, PAINTS, OILS- VARNIbHBS, COLORS, DRYERS, TURPENTINE &o, JttSt landing, a eplendid lot of Hcoao Coal, ex " Henroto." McCalluiQ & Co , BON. TTMBER^AND COAL |MER- CHANTS, A IMPORTERS. Agents for TITAN and TBIPLEXI STRAINERS, 19*105



VICTORIA HOUSE. DIMANT AISTD COE FTAVB extreme pratificatiou n announcing their Third Annual Distribution of JGL Beautiful, Useful, Rare and Valuable Works of Art, whioh comprise.— GLASS BUG Ut BASINS, COLORED, PLATN, AND ENGRAVED WATER jtJGS, BDTTER DISHES, &c., &c, to Caßh Purchaser* of Parcela to the value of 20p, 40a, and upwards. COUPONS ABE NOW BEING IBBURD. GIFTS ARE EXHIBITED IN WINDOWS. _ DIMANT cfe OOE General Drapers and Clothiers, EAST AND TANCRED STREETS. 12 22 ALBEBT EOBEKTS BAS FOR SALE,— Cornsacks LARGE BIZE AND FDLL weight. SEAMING TWINE TN ANY QUANTITY; GL.OTJSBS,— BED, WfllTE, COWGRASS, ALSYKE, and TREFOIL. RYE€rBA.BS, J COCKBFOOT i and RAPfc, ANCHOR Bkdiug Wire and rery best Binder Twine. Golden Tares, Cape Barley, COOPER'S SHEEP DIR FOR SALE. F. H. wn SCHOEHEBERG, Aewml BtTb . Trn . t . M „\^ FRENCH POLISHER, {J late Wawbr Hartkkli,,— CABINETMAKER, UPHOLSTEREB, R,8, 15498, South Rakala, eomprlifnK AND UNDERTAKER, 400 acres, including the growing HAS opened In Premises (next W. oro p o f Wheat. Patching) East street, and hopes to __ teoeive a fair share of pahlic support. Further pariioalers may be obtained being prepared to MAKE FURNiTURE from any design to order at OHRIBTOHUKCH OHAS. W, TURNER, BATES. Planoa and Furniture re- Land and Estate A«enfc, polished at rerjr low rates. 12J38 South Rakaia. wanted known. T>mptnv & Pn AT L SALEK AND OO'b., roCI OT « CO., Liee M fidPaw B broke M ,Ea e t Street, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL OAbH AFIBST-OLASS Watcbmakpr and GROCERS, &o , Jeweller is employed on the ... Prerofefts. T^ announce to the inhabitants of Watchea cleaned and r. paired, and X> Ashburton and Surrounding Dis- •Ttry deaeription of Jewellery made and *" c «» tna * w ? have juat landed our repaired at Christmas Goods, and as we buy largely LOWEST CHBISTCHURCH PRICBB. £? r CASH, we are m a position to SfcLL f* a ._ Cheaper than any of the other Houses m OS WATCHES CLEANED OS Town. We have also a large and varied utawib* <M. TTANn* <M Btock ol CROCKERY and IRONMOK- • wigSSSi^pStd fatted. K.B,— Waterbory's reduced from 13« fid that will defy competit«oo^ to 12s. 11 126