TO CORRESPONDENTS

Attention to the following rules will save the writers of correspondoccd a good deM of tronblo : — We cannot under take to return rejeotod communications, Ro notice caa> be taken of anonymocs communications "Whatever Is intended for insertion In this journal must be suthentlcated by the name and addreru of the writer, not neocßßArtly for pnbli cation, bnt as a guarantee of good fnlth. LoHers and otber communications In tended for Insertion m the newa column should be aldresaod to The Editor ; and i«ll business c^nomnnicatloue. in cluding Advertisements, addressed to The AsnuußTON Publishing 00.

BIRTH.

Wmght.— On November 25th, afcWai-ren, N.S. W , Adeline Marion, wife of Wm, Wrijjht and daughter of Hy. Knight, Alford Forest, of a son .

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1888. A GROWL ON OUR OWN ACCOUNT.

We have so often complained m the proper quarter without result, that we take the opportunity of putting our grievance m print m tbo hope that those of our contemporaries, who are sufferers with ourselves, will take up tho parable and that a general outcry may bring about a remedy. The trouble is tho often illegibility of the copy supplied to us from tho Telegraph Office. The writing is constantly bo exceedingly faint that it requires spectacles of microscopic magnifying power to enable it to be deciphered, and even if we pos sessed such nitls to vision we don't believe that we should be Mn all cases successful. Tho result is that we often have to make a shot at the meaning with more or less success, and still oftenor have to transcribe the whole message which it would otherwise bo quite im possiblo for the most intelligent of com positors to set up. r Jhiß involves a demand upon tho editor's or sub-editor's j time which is most annoying, for there is no time to spare m the afternoon hurry of gettirjg out an evening paper. We have enquired why we are thus treated, and are satisfied that the fault does not lie with the local telegraphists, who "generally ovinco a disposition to do their best for us, but m tho materials sup plied to them to work with. The pre pared papers supplied to them for making copies of tho messages appear to be 1 so wretchedly inferior that little or no color comes off under the pressure cf the pencil — hence tho illegibility. Either the Department m the purchase of its stationery has gone in — under the pressure of a mistnken economy — for the cheap and nasty, or it has been victimised by being supplied with an inf rior article while paying the price of a good one. Anyhow, the matter is one which needs looking into and remedying forthwith, for it is one which concerns not merely tho news papers but tho newspaper readers — and that means everybody — also. No doubt the grierance of which wo complain ob tains elsewhere than m Ashburton, and »ye hope- that our growl on our own account will elicit a growl all round, and one sufficiently loud to be heard and taken notice of, The newspapers are good enough customers to tbe Depart ment to deserve that their convenience should be consulted, so far at any rate that the messages they pay for should be handed to them m legible form.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The settling on the Tradesmen's Raoee will tpke place at Henry's Commercial Hotel at eight o'clock on Monday evening.

The interest on the new loan of £3,000,000 about to bo floated by the Government of Victoria has been fixed at 3£ per cent.

Nominations for the Lincoln seat m Par liament close on the 9th January, and the election takes plaoe on the 16th.

New railway linen, and worka connected therewith, costing £4,100,000 have been authorised by the Victorian Parliament for the year 1889.

Tho earthquake of Thursday was felt at Lyttelton, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Woodend, Amberley, Culverden, Sheffield, Leeßlon, Dunsandel, Kakaio, Oeraldino and Timaru as well as the places mentioned m our last.

The late J'rinoo Sohwarzenberg, whose landed estates wore so enormous as to bo called the Schwar^enbgrg Empire, left a fortune of £10,000,000, from Which a Bum of £80 was bequeathed to tho poor of Vienna. That was his sole charitable bequesr.

Wells' Hair Balsam. — If gray, res ores to origina color. An elegant dressing, soflens anrl beautifies. No oil nor grease. A tonic restorative. Stops hair coining out strengthens, cleanses, hcale scalp. 9

The Most Reverend the Primate will preach at the morning service to-morrow m St. Stephen's Church, and will administer the Bite of Confimation at 6 30 p.m.

English women of high position arc raking an active interest m the open-nir evangelistio BBrviees. Among tho most earnest are the sisters of Lord Kinnaird, himself an en thusiast m evangelistic work. One of tho sisters leads the music on a portable crg<vn.

A Danish oiliocr, Captain Holstein, ha 9 invented a portable bullot-proof shield for two soldiers. It may be easily. carried and fixed, nnd the men then cnolly blaze away from behind, either with rifles or a machine gUD, without running any risk of being picked off or knocked over by anything less penetrative than a cannon-ball.

The Mildura irrigation farm m Victoria is a raoßt pronounced success. About 1000 families are settled on the land, and over 50,000 aores are beiDg cultivated. It is asserted that Messrs Chafley Bros have deter mined tho future of that part of Australia. A similar colony ib m course of establishment near Rockhampton, Queensland.

 At the B.M. Court this morning, before Mr T. Bullock, J P., two first offenders charged with drunkenness were mulcted m the usual penally. — Patrick MoHanna, alias McGinn, for having been drunk, was fined 10a, with tbe alternative of forty-eight hours' imprison ment, and for having been illegally on the premises of John Nawraan, livery stable proprietor, with, a lighted pipe, was ordered to be imprisoned for seven days :

On Thursday afternoop 400 poor people] including 10 widows, 10 deserted, wives, and many families of the unemployed, wero enter tained at dinner m tbe Y.M.G'.A. Rooms, Obristohurch. Bißhop Harper delivered an address and said grace. A free concert followed, after which there waa a public meeting, with the mayor ia the chair. Mr Herrick, manager of the Destitute Home, stated that Bince June 20 he had given away 7273 moala.

A return laid before Parliamens shows thai m 1887, 12,176 courts-martial were held m tbo British Army ; while of minor punish menta thoro wero 212,448 or a percentage pt 123-7. The desertions numbered 5312. This was the year m whioh a greatly modified system of dealing with military offenoea oame into forae and the punishments and courts martial showed a distinot diminution m numbers as compared with the previoua year, Desertions maintained the ÜBuat average.

A serious accident happened on the arriva* of the 2*30 p.m. train at Waimate on Boxing Day. Just as the train was cowing up to the Btation, and passing the junotion of the Gorge line, a man named Andrew Meaney either fell or jumped off, and the train ran over him. The train immediately went baok, and took the unfortunate man to the station, from where he was at onoe conveyed to the Waimate Hospital and attended to by Dr Stuopoole. it has been ascertained since that one leg was broken m one or more place b_, and that • the patient had received other iDJurieß from whioh he is not expeoted to recover.

A steamer of a thousand tons has ;boen ! built on the Clyde, designed to skate over the surface of the ioe instead of foroinp; its way • through it. The idea is to run tha fore part of the vessel en to the. ice, and then, by. pumping water into the forward divisions, to ' increase the weight co as to break down the ioe, and thus to clear a passage. Tho vessel' ib designed to ply between Prinoe Edward Island ftndjthe mainland m the winter months. No doubt the special requirements have been considered, although it looks as if this mode of breaking dowujthe ice will be slow work, and, it ib a little bewildering to be finally informed that the speed of the vessel will be 15 miles an hour.

A writer m " Melbourne Town Talk " Bays } — "From carefully compiled documents m the possession of the banks I gather thTit nine million pounis of bills, given m oon> neotion with land transactions, fall dcte during the first quartor of next.year. It may also be of interest to Btate that on October 22, when the associated banks of Melbourne raised the rate of iu tores t, there were 83 millions sterling of bills afloat m connection with land, whilst the cash dt posits on thes£ gigantio transactions only amounted to three millions. Even n .tyro m fiunnoial. matters oan understand that' the.- banks have acted rightly m stopping upstarts from rooklesely gambling with other peoples' money." Captain Whitney is [m trouble m Victoria over the Bite of his proposed small arms factory. The Premier wants it at Echucn, which is m his electorate, and if ho does not get it there it may materially affect his popularity m a district m which he is not strong. Captain Whitney has fixed on j» site on the Saltwater Biver near Fodtsoray. and declined to ooneider the claims of the border town oven wiih an annual subsidy of £20,000. Ono of the Eohuca members has suggested that ns Captain Whitney was not the only manufacturer m the world others should be commnnicated with. The Bplendid new marine baths at the protty lit tie watering place of Moeraki, Otago, were formally opened on Wednesday m the presence of about 4000 persons. In the bathß for men there is a depth of sft Gin at low water, and m the division for ladies there ia a depth of 4ft: The first-mentioned is 200 ft by 70ft ; the ladies' portion, being triangular, is 190 ft at the widest or Bhore end. The baths are enclosed by rubble and conorete walls built on a reef, and are divided into two by a 6ft galvanised iron fence. There are 10 dressing rooms altogether, all being supplied with fresh water procured from a permanent spring half a mile distant, and each fitted with a shower bath. The cost up to the present haa been £1130} Mr G. M. Barr, C.E., being the engineer. An extraordinary yarn haß been sent to the Calcutta papers by v Mr Webster, chief officer of the ship gßenvenue, who declares that " on tho 4th August m latitude 39.50 south and longitude 0.13 west, when the ship waß hove to m a strong gale, the Becond offioer, Mr Parsons, who was on watch, reported that belween four and five m the morning a tremendous living monster passed the port aide of the vessel, measuring nearly as long as the ship itself. It had large wings' or ears, two immense humps on its back 14 feet or 15 feet high, and a tail like a whale. The monster had two eyes the size of teaoupe, while its back was covered with shells or j scales resembling barnacles as large as cocoa nuts. ' It remained near the ship for twenty minutes, its movements being yery slow." We fanoy that Mr Pareons must havo been " tapping the Admiral " protty freely, A meeting of St Mark'B Vestry, Bakaia' was held on Thursday. Present— Key H* Collins (ohairman), Messrs Broadbent» OBborne, Bryant, and Gorringe. The meeting opened with prayer, and after passing the last minutes it was reported that the total proceeds of the Garden Parly were £58 5a 3d. On the motion of Mr Osborne, seconded by Mr Bryant, it was resolved that tho interest on perpetual loan amounting to £18 be paid when due.— lt was also resolved that £20 should be placed to credit of loonl oontribu tions. Mr Osborne moved that the beßt thanks of the Vestry bo accorded to the ladies who gave so muoh of their time and assistance towards making the Garden Party a grand success. Seconded and oarried unanimously.— A hearty vote of thanka waß also aooorded the ladies and gentlemen who had so kindly decorated the ohuroh for Christmas. — A number of acoounta were passed for payment, and after transacting other routine business the meeting adjourned.

THE MARKETS

(PER FIIESB ASSOCIATION,)

London. Drtopmber 27. Mutton i« unchanged ; beef, 3d to 4d. fftebeived December 29, 12.25 p.m ) London, Dt>cembir 27. The total reserve m the Bank of ol England is ;£i 1,622,000, being an increase of The propor- i tionate percentage to liabilities is 43^ percent. The English wheat market is lifeless. Tne Continental market is inactive, and the American is declining with increased weakness. The Ameri can visible supply is 38,000,600 buihels. The quantity of wheat and flour afloat Aor the United Kingdom is 2,416,000 quarters j for the Continent 460,000 quarters.

cropis cjarge 0f Wife CURIOUS CHNRGE O WIEF

(PE& PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington. December 28

A warrant., uodor the haod of theOhrlafc church Resident Magistrate, h»s been m the bands of the police of tho oolony for tholasb twenty months, for the arrost of a man named G-jor^e Stokes on a charge of having deserted his wife and family on the lit of April, 1837. Following up Infor- Sation received from' Ohristohurch, atectivo Chrystall arrested a msn In Wellington, aud learned that he bad lived to this city for nearly tha whole currency of the warrant. Application wa» made at to-day's sitting of tho Magistrate's Court for a remand of the prisoner to Christ* Church. Stokes stated thst he had heoo m regular correspondence with his wife, mi had rejre&tedly arged ber'to j >1q him :n Wellington. Ho had a homo (or her, t.u L . as her ' sons were m situations In :Chrlatchmob, she preferred to stay with them. The K.M. granted the remand applied for.

CRICKET

ASHBDRTON V TINWALD.

A match was played between the ABhburton and Tinwold Cricket Clubs on the Anhburton Domain yesterday, which resulted m a victory for the A shburton Club by an innings and 37 runs. Fooks, Gr. Andrews, .Bimpßon, Buchanan, atjd Makeig played well for the Aohburton team, and Price made a capital innings for Tinwaltf, going m Brut and carrying bis bat out. Fow!er m the second innings for Tinwald marie the best Btand. The Tinwald Club is a new'y formed institution, and this is tho first march they have played. With a Httlo practice . they bid fair to turn out a very good team. The following are the scores :— A6HBORTON — lßt Inning?. ..Q.. Andrew*, b Da^ii ... , 32 L. Andrewee, b Davis 3 rHimpeoo, b Uudacll ... ... ... 15 Fooks, lb.w,, b Divis 45 Crawford, b Daviß ... , 2 Blake, c and b Davis , 1 Pratt, c Gudaell, b W. Daris 0 Cuthborteon, b X, Davis 2 Makeig, bW. Davis ... ... ...11 Buchanan, not oat ... 22 McClennan, bE. Davis ... . ... 4 Extras ... 12 Tofal ... 149 Tinwald. — let innirgp. J, W. Davis, cL Androwes, b GL Andrews ... ... ... ... 0 0. E. Davie, run out 3 E.Davis, b Gr. Apdrews ... ... 2 Gudeoil, „ „ 7 Qrico, run o.ut 1 Fowler, bG. Andrews ... ... 2 Watkins, „ ,  5 J£ w J"i >. " " " * -"•«" * Bhok, „ „ ... ... ... 0 Corbett,   2 Price, not out 41 Fxtras : 4 Total 68 2nd innings. Price, cL. Andrewoe, b Kooka ... 7 0 E Davis, bG. Andrews 7 J. W. Davis, „ „ 0 Black, c Buchanan, bG. Andrews ... 2 Fowler, b Blu ko 12 Gudaell, b Fooka ... 0 I"'. Davis, bG. Andre we ... ... 6 Lewis, b Fookß, 2 Gricp, b G. Androwa ... , 0 Watkina, not out ... ... ... 3 Corbott, 1.b.w., bG. Andrews ... 0 Extras ... ... ... ... 5 Total 44

LATEST GABLE NEWS.

(BY 4XBCTRIO TKLBOBArH — COPYBIGH Tj

(PSR PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

(Received Deoember 29, 12 22 p.m.) RUSSIA AND PERSIA. Tbbbran, December 27. The Shah acting under Russian influence, is minimising the conces sions on the Karun river which Sir Henry Diummond Wolff, British Am bass^dor at the Teheran Court suc ceeded m inducing the Shah to throw open to the navigation of the world.

THE MURDERER PRADO.

Paris. December 28. The President has refused the request of Prado, the murderer, for a revision of sentence and the penalty of death will be carried out.

FOUNDERING OF THE STORM QUEEN.

London, Dro3mbar 28. The Captain and five of the crew of the Storm Queen which foundered m the Bay of Biscay, went down with the vessel. The survivors suffered terrible privation from thirst and hunger. j

OBITUARY.

Phillip Albert Meinfz, Conservative member for Tamworth,

(Received December 29, ME p.m.) THES.S. LINDUS. Sydney, December 27. Arrived — S,S. Lindus from New Zealand.

A STEAMER IN A CYCLONE.

Information has been received here that the British India Navigation Com pany's steamer Bundoora was caught m a terrible cyclone off Madras. She had 600 coolies on board and the suffering of these, who had to be battened down, was intense. Five were killed outright and fourteen fear fully injured. The vessel had a very j narrow escape from foundering.

A PUNT ACCIDENT.

Brisbane, December 29

By the upsetting of a punt this morning three Norwegian sailors lost their lives.

Keating's Powder destroys both moth, fleas beetles, and all other insects, while quite harmless to domestic animals. In exterminat ing beetles, the success of this powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly clean m appli cation. See the article you purchase is Keatings as imitations are noxious and in* effectual Sold m tins, 6d, is, and 3a 6d by all cheausls

THE PANAVA CANL.

UNSHAKEN CONFIDENCE IN DE LtiSSEPS.

(rsa rußSs association. )

Paiiis. Deoerabnr 28. Four thousand Panama Canal share holders have resolved to waive the right to payment on coupons held by them until the canal is completed and opened. -An endeavor is being made to raise fne necessary capital for the completion of the work. The confid ence of the people m M. de Lesseps is unshaken.

TELELBAPIC NEWS

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

(PKK FKP.SH ASSOCIATION.)

ANTT-TITHE AGITATION

L«>don. Doo-'iiritir 17 »• d 2S. Resistance to the c Election of tithes m Wales is increasing.

OBITUARY.

Francis Giovanni Mancini, Italian landscape painter, is dead, aged fifty nine.

NAVAL APPOINTMENT.

Captain Castle, R.N., has been ap pointed to the command of H.M.S. Rapid.

GOVERNOR OF QUEENSLAND.

Sir H. W. Norman has been delayed at Jamaica, and will not sail for Queens land till about the beginning of March next.

THE MAORI FOOTBALLERS.

The Maori football team, at present touring m the United Kingdom, have been invited to play a match at the Cape on their way back to New Zea land.

THE GOVAN SEAT.

Sir John Pcnder, Chairman of the Eastern Extension Telegraph Com pany, will contest the seat for Govan division (Lanark) vacant by the death of Sir William Pearce.

LORD SALISBURY'S SLIP.

Dabadhai Naoroji, a Parsee, who contested Holborn at the last general election, has received 4000 letters and messages, some by cable from Australia and America, protesting against the epithet of " black man " applied to him by Lord Salisbury.

COPPER SYNDICATE.

M. De Blowitz, Paris correspondent of ''The Times," states that an English copper syndicate, with a capital of three millions, is projected for the purpose of purchasing 30,000 tons of copper from the Socie c des Mdtaux, and renewing contracts with the pro ducers.

FOUNDERING OF A STEAMER

The steamer Storm 'Queen from Sebastopol to Holland, was caught m a hurricane m the Bay of Biscay. Her cargo was shifted, and the vessel be coming helpless eventually foundered. Twenty of the crew were saved m a boat, but the remainder went down with the ship.

LOCAL DEFENCES.

A deputation, headed by Sir William Armstrong, waited on Lord Salisbury to-day, and presented an address, m which the subscribers thereto stated they absolutely declined to initiate the local defences of the Clyde, Forth, Mersey, Tees and Tyne, submitting that this was a duly devolving on Government. The necessity of taking urgent measures to place the defences on a proper basis was strongly urged, and the address set forth that m the opinion of the subscribers the present defences were quite inadequate.

GENERAL BOULANGER.

Paris, f 'ecember 27. The Minislry are afraid that General Boulanger will be successful m the coming election for Paris.

THE MURDERER PRADO.

Pradoj the Parisian murderer, who lies under sentence of death, ha 9 ap pealed to President Sadi-Carnot for a remission of the sentence. He asserts his claim to freedom, and that he will not be satisfied with simple commuta tion.

DYNAMITE OUTRAGE.

Madrid, Deoember 27. The house of a Senator residing m this city has been damaged by dyna mite.

KING MILAN.

Vienna, Deoember 27.

It is believed that King Milan's future action will be a limited accept ance of the Radical Cabinet, or abdi cation.

FIGHTING AT BAGAMOYO.

Za>zibar, December 27.

Desultory fightiog has taken place at Bagamoyo, The Germans landed and slaughtered a number of natives.

THE ACTORS' RING.

Washington, Daoomber 27. The actors' ring, which was formed with the avowed object of keeping foreign actors out of America, is succumbing to the ridicule generally excited by the absurdity of the idea.

DISASTROUS FIRES.

A fire at Cincinatti resulted m the destruction of factories and dwelling houses to the extent of three hundred thousand dollars. By a fire at Marblehead, m Massa chusets, nine acres of dwellings, fac tories and warehouses have been destroyed. The damage is estimated to reach half a million dollars.

AUSTRALIAN.

* (PBU PRESS .'SSOOIATION.)

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Sydney, Dooorabor 28. The full Court refused to grant an application for a writ of error m (be Louisa Collins murder case, based on the allegation that an unopened telegram was handed to a juryman during the progress of the trial. Mrs Collins, who is under sentence of death for the murder of her husband, has written a letter to his Excellency the Governor impunging the accuracy of a portion of the evidence given at her trial.

Skinny Men.—' 1 Wells' Health R newer" restores health and vigor, cures dyspepsia, impotence, sexual debility. At chemists arid druggists. Kempthorne, Piosser, and Co..

THE SODDAN WAR

(PKlt PRESS ABBOOIATION. )

(Received Deoember 9s>, 12.22 p.m.) SrjAKiar, December 27. Osman Digna is rallying the Der vishes m the neighborhood of Handoub.

TO-OAY'S? TELEGRAMS

(PKU PJITCBB ABBOOIATION. J

An Ugly Accident.

Mastbrton, December 29.

Last n'ght'as Mr 15. Ooppon was dr v'nji hemo to Tonal with hts wife, m « brake »nd pair, the horeos bolted »fc Komkoro bridge. The ooovoyaoca was smasned, ■»nd o«a of the horßea killed . Mr Ooppen'o j»w bone was broken, nod he w« other wise U-jured, Mrs Ooppen was badly bruliad, and had one of her legs injurad.

A NEW ACCOUNT OF OUR MOTHER EVE

Eva belonged to one of our firs*, families — In fact:, the very firs', Sh« wan related to the first rain, on Adam's aide, although she had a deep oauae to regret that «he evar left AdaoVa aide, Philosophers who have probed ddep into the subject oon oeot Eve's early oareor an a rib with the female foodn-BU for rib bon. Eve beoama Mrs Ad»m, and they lived very happily together for a time. There was do < tier woman for her to ba jaalous of, and hoc hi a"">and wasn't pea erod with dressmaker's bil ■. She wa&a'c tortured by diaooverlng lovo letters , from unknown females In Adam's coat, tall pooket, and Mr Adam never blew her uo bec.ine buttons weren't sowed on. Bvo never aaw a fashion book or a fashion plate, never wore high-heeled shoes (she made a slip bat she couldn't make a slipper) or ohlgnoos ; and If there h»d been lota of newspapers printed, ahe wouldn't have known how to make back numbera available. It never oocared to her to go into the lecture field, and as fcr voting she didn't know what it meant. If they were going out to a party, she didn't keep Adam waiting for her to dress, and Adam was never known to come home with another hat or overcoat on. How Eve oonld have lived without some other woman to gossip with It la hard to understand at this day, but she did. Adam ia supposed to have boon kept In a glow of continual happiness by the reflec tion that ho hadn't any mother-in-law hanging round, and couldn't have Oh ! bub thoie ware delightf al days when our first parents, m their innocence and simplicity, wandered about Eden Park, hand m hand, discussing the im provemeote that might be made— here an avenue, there a promanade, here an archway, and there a tunnel for an (fflucmtplp?. There ia little reoord as to how mother Eva employed herself when not wandering m Eden There was no new Ing soototy foi hor to be president of ; thore were no clothes to ba made up for the litle heathen. She couldn't pUy the plaao, because file had none. Had she possessed one cf. thetw boons, she would probably havo driven her huaband out of Paradise without the intervention of th j serpent. Sho oonld not paint or draw. She couldn't embroider although her worsted work was a bccosbs — she worsted the whole humau raoo, Shi couldn't recoivo ojlls, except when Adam c tiled on her, and g it no invitations outt> tea. She was totally ignorant of tho dell.hts of shopping, and never attended a matlueo In all her life. When sho went ont lo proir.eoade, she never looked round to Bee what other women had on. There was some compensation for being the only w< man m the world. Eve wam't botheredwlth a'? hired girl." She didn't know what it was to 'have a servant m. the kitchen Sha wea spared the annoy-, anoe of changing girls every week, and there were no •• follara" hanging around the kitchen stepe. Everything seemed to go well with Eva uatil the fcait aeaaon »et m, and than — well, evety child knows the story , She was tempted into au apple tree to pluck somo fruit that woan't qalte rips, and fo 1. Arfam fell too— that is, ho fell to and he'pqd her to eat it, although, with a meann'-'.es somewhat characteristic of his sex, ho attempted to throw nil tho blomo on tho wuman when detected. Too lazy to shake the tree himself, he was ready enough to p*r?ake of tho fruit when brought to hia hand. After th'a faux pas % Adam and Eye. were obliged to take their respective leaves of Eden ; they wore fig ieavea. Eve had suddenly beoome possessed with a love for dresp, and from that early period until the present that love has gradually juoroaaed amoag the sex, .until now It amounts tot veritable passion with many of them. Besides the Massachusetts Adams, the eDtire human raos may be traced baok to Mr and Mra Adam, if their traoes are long enough. We have not been told that Eve out up very much after that eff»lr m the garden. If she " raised Gain," it was beoause Gain was tough and hearty. If he had been a elokly child, perhaps she wouldn't have been Abel to raise him. It is reocrJed that Adam reached the good old age of 930 years i before he died ; but no montion is made of Eve's age when she passed away. The well known antipathy to telling her age which characterises woman m all agea and under every clime may perhaps eoooont for thlc. Eve his numerous namesakes at tho present day, Christmas Eve being the favorite.—" Taranaki Herald."

CHRISTCHUHCH GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKET

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company report fcr the week ceding December 28: — Wheat.— Owing partly to the holidays and partly to the coesatlon of orders from Australia, and In a mesaure to the define reoorded frrni Melboarro and Adelaide, fcliorohoa been no business passlnp, and prices display a further drop, Tuscan now beta? quoted at 4s 31 f.0.b., Pearl and Hunter's 4? to 4» Id f.o.b. Ohlok wheat hts shared In the downward more roe: t, bat not to the same extent. Good whole wheat la selling at 3a 10d. and broken 3u to 3s 6A f.o.b. Oats.— Although Australian markets display a weaker tone, and the demand from there has entirely oesscd, holders have strong faith m the future of the market, and are Indisposed to quit under 3s 6d f.o.b. for good feed quality. Barley.— ls without change, holders bolng firm m their demand of 4.6 d for good malting, whfoh makers at present decline lo pay, Bbans and Pi?AS— A limited business has been passing Id tho former at 3i 3i to 3a 6d, and though peatf are tfferlng at 3j 3i we have not heard o F any sales. Ryeorass SKED.~We have not heard of any business paßslna; duHup the wet-k, but quotations remain ucoha r Kod a* 3» 6il prime maohlne dressed; farmers' let* 2a 2d to2i 61 ' Cocksfoot Seed. -—Although atocka i»re not largely held, owners display an eager neas to realise before the new crop cornea In. Prlceß are nominally 2|d to 3d. Dairy Pboduos.— Butter— The demand for butter Is not so active, and prices show a deollno on previous rates. Sales have bet* reported at 6i per 1b for prime quality. Cheese 1b coming Into notice and some parcels of new make have changed ban da at Bd per lb.

IMr Quigley, of Dromore, Btarted cutting a fine paddock of 200 acres of Canadian oats to.day and has shown ua a sample of the grain, whion ib plump, bright and heavy, and i will yield about thUly buahQl* to thq we,

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS

[PtSK PI'.EHS ASSOCIATION.]

Auckland, DvpdiW 28. A raeetiig of creilt >ri of J. Baahan»n, the well-known marohunt, was held to* dsy, when it wai (nMm«>:cd that a petition m bankruptcy will ho fiiod, aa the B^nkof New Znland, whioh c'ftlms rguust tho on to to for a sum of £30 009, will not acojpt % oompromho.S BtKNeEi&r, December 28. Henry Wnrren, cook of the pa. Waihf, this raomlog jimpod into th* On«ka for n swim and was drowned. The body his not ba<>n rosoverod. Deceased was 22 years of aj?o and single. CnaisTonrjßOH, Deoember 28 Hnnry Onrann, formerly manager of tho Grtismere station, was fatally Injured on WednfiS'lay la«t by a fall from his horse ia Porter's Pisg. He died this morning. Dunkdtn, Ddoimber 28. Thomas Qleeson wns bioutjht up at gaol today, and oomltted for trial 'or stealing I a number of articles when he esoapsd from gaol last week, from Edward Aldred.

A FIND OF LETTERS FOUR THOUSAND YEARS OLD

BOTAL O BKBBPONDBKCB BEEOBB THB EXODUS.

A dlsoovery, loms fruits of which have been added to the treasures In the British Museum, has enabled modern learnlDg to rifle the escrltolrs of the Pharaohs before the Exodus, nnd to explore their corres pondence.

AN HISTORICAL OBrx .' WHAT BROUGHT THB , JEWS TO BOYPt ? The presence of large numbers of Sem ites m ancient Egypt has always beBD ft pozz'e to historians, and what first led to their migrating from Mesopotamia to the land of the Fharaobn has never hitherto been made clear. Qalte recently, how ever, the British Museum has baoome possessed of a number of cenelform tablets which throw considerable light on the subject. Early m the present year ft number of these tables were offered for sale m Oairo. They had been dug op from the crave of a royal seriba of Am enophia 111 and IV, of the eighteenth dynaßty, which bad given up lti reoorda, and not only reoorda, but teals aod papyri of great historical and artistic value. Some went to the Boulak Muioum, aomo to Berlin, othera to private persons, and eighty-one have found their way. to the British Museum fhesn laat have now been arranged by Me Bu3ge, the well knovtn Egyptoloplst, whose Investigations have brought to light a most Interesting chapter In the history of ancient 'Egypt. Not only do the tablets explain the historlo»l crux mentioned above, bat they introduce as to the family life of the early kings; they pioura to ua ttaa splendour of the royal palacas ; they . ea ablo us to assist at the betrothal of thei kings' daughters, and to follow the king* to their hooting grounds.; Mbit of the tablets are letters addressed to AmenophUi 111, and some are from Tusnratla, King of Mesopotamia. r _.."" THE IX>VB STORY O# W< ' Amenophia 111. wai a mighty hooter, and onoa on v shooting trip to Mespo* Umla aftei' big game, he, like a king In a fairy . tale, met and . loved Ti, the daughter of Tosh r at t*. They were married In dae time, aad Ti went down Into Egypt with 3 17 of her principal ladle*. ThU brought a boat of their Semitic country men along, who found In Egypt a good field for their bislnem capacities, and gradually, like the modern Jews m Russia, got possesalon of the lands and gooda of thetr hoalß. The influence of the Semltlo Queen is attested by the very fait. th*k tnia library of ouneiform tablets was pre served. And, under the feeble sovereign who followed, her oouotrymen doubtless held their oirn. Bat at last oatne tha nineteenth dynasty, and the Phsnob. "who knew not Joseph." Then they were set to brick-miking and pyramid! buildin/, till the outbreak which led to the Red Sen triumph. . . RIVAL MATCH, MAKISG. FOUBTKBN O*K TURIB3 80. •..'"■ Mr Budge, of the British Museum,, has tra s ated three ot the letters, . One Is from Tmhratta to AtnenopbJs. After many complimentary salutations, he*pro poses to his son-iri-Jaw that they should continue the arrangement made bjr-thtlr fathers for paslurlug double-humped camels, and m this way he JeaoVup to the main purport of bis epistle. He says th»t Manle. his great nephew. Is ambition to marry the daughter of the King of Egypt, and he pleads that Manic might be al» lowed to go down to Egypt to woo Itt person- The alliance would, he considers be a bond of union between the two countries, and ha »d da, am though by aa afterthought, that the gold which Amen> ophls appears to have asked for should be sent at once, together with " lsrge> gold jars, large gold plates, and other artloles made of gold." After this meaning Interpolation ho returns to tot marriage question, and proposes to act In the matter of the dowry |n the same way In which bis grandfather aoted, preiamablj on a like ocoaslon. He then enlarge! on the wealth of his kingdom, where ."fold Ia like dunt that cannot be counted," and he adds an Inventory of praienjs whlob. he Is sending, articles of gold, Inlay, »nd h&rneeu, and thirty eunuohi. , , A KOTE FHOM THB KINO OF THI OAKDKK OT KDBN., Another letter Is from the king of Karadanlyash, the traditional garden of Eden. A third Is from the King of Alaohiys, asking for the return of the goods of a deceased subject who had died In Egypt, tnd sending many consolatory presents — brunze veasels, some tress, and a bull. In return he asks only for " two kakupa jars and a man who understands eagles" — just as a medla»v»l magnate might ask for a falconer. There la a (supposed) reference to the plague.

FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLAR COFINS

In Boston nothing la held to be too Rood for a genteel oorpie. Two ooffioi, just now In process of construction by a local tnanafaoturec — to be naed some day by 0 granddaughter of the Baron too Wartemburg and her husband— will n»l ooat leaa than $50,000 apleos. They are made oftnahoginy, teten inohea thiok, Cirvad'fu bold relief with the moat elabo rate dealgna. All of theee are In aome manner emblematlo of death, On the panel a spider— itself BymboUo of the gtlm destroyer— haa oaoght the fly at laat m a web >o delloately eseeatdd that you feat to breathe npon It lest it. bl -w away. In another pUoo • griffia's olaw aap ports a homao. akdl from a fracture In whloh a I Issued is crawling, Still another panel Bhova an owl In the aot of capturjog a moose! and so on, the inten tioa being to express the idea that death oomes Boon or late to every living thing. On the top of eaob coffia is oarved a ooat* of-arma, aud every available inch of the loterlor is beautified by the cutting toola. Inside ibese superb oakeU are swung two silken hammocks for the eventual reception of the Baron's grand-daughter and her opouae. Thoy are not da id yet, ba It understood. Qalto otherwiae. Bat, hav ing no end of money, they wish to die regardleai of expense. A $125,000 mnußo'eum In a large oemetery will aervo as a re.:optao:o for these costly boxei,— Boaton Bndget.

The best Remedy for Indigestion. — Norton's Camomile Pills are confidently recommended as a simple remedy for indiges« tion, which is the cause of nearly, all the diseases to which we are subject. Norton's Pills, with justice cal'ed the " nat ur strcngthener of the human stomach," act as powerful tonic and gentle aperient, are mild m their operation, a^d safe under auy circum* stances Sold m bottles at is ijd, 2s 9^» 4s, by all mediclneJvenHors throughout the

THE ABHBORION GUARDIAN, BA^PRDAY DECEMBER M 1888



THE ASHBURTON GUABDIAN. From and after the 80th November, 1886, the term b of Subscription to this journal will be as follows, viz. : — UT PAID IN ADVANOK Per Quarter.. Ga 6d by poßt, 9a 6d Half-year 12b 6d, by post, 18s 6d Year .. 24s od, by poßt, 37s Od it HOOKED Per Quarter.. 7a 6d, by post, 10a 9d „ Half-year 15s Od, by post, 21a 6d „ Tear .. 30b Od, by poet, 43s Od Birtn, Marriage, and Death Notioes, if pitid for at the iaae of insertion 2s 6d each 1 (stamps may sent as paymont) if booked, 4s each. I Announcement!? of Birthp, Deaths and Marriages sent for publication from the country districts require to be verified by the signature of the person nendinc the notion. DIARY. 1 Mooa's December Snn Sun Moon Moon ngo , Uiccb Sots. Rises Set?. noon.* p.m. a.m. 21 Monday .. 420 7.40 11.20 0.3< 20 25 ruoidny .. 4.21 7.40 11.4 0 10.30 21 '28 Wednesday.. 4.21 7.40 *> • 11.35 22 a.m. p.m. 27 Thursday .. 4.22 7.41 0)8 044 23 18 Friday.. .. 4.23 7.41 0.4$ 1.H5 34 29 Sntnnlay ... 4.23 7:41 1.18 3 8 25 30 Sunday .. 4.24 7.42 1.51 4.33 26 Moonlight Evenings. The Moon at 3 aaya old shines till about 6 o'olook. Tho Moon at 6 days old chinos till about half-pant 10 o'olook. The Moon at 8 days old shines till nearly o'olook m the morning. The Moon at 12 days old shines from sundown till about 4 m the morning. The Moon at 15 daje 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 daya old rises about 11 a.m. and Bhines till morning. The Moon at 24 days old rises about 2 a.m. and shines U morning The Moon at 27 days.old rises about 4 a.m. and shines till sunrise.



SANDER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EX- TRACT.— In protection of the world wide fame our manufacture has acquired all over the globe, we publish the following ; — Hazard, M.D., Professor of General Pathology and Diseases of the Mind and Nervous System, aayain an editorial published m the " Olinipal Record : " — " We have examined half-a-dozen specimens of different manufactures; the preparation of Sander and Sons was the only one that proved to be reliable and correspond- ing to scientific testß." Another conoootion called " Refined Extraot of Eucalyptus " has I made itß appearanoe since. This produot stands, aooording to Dr Owen, foremost m causing injurious effects. That gentleman communicates, at a meeting of the Medioal Sooiety of Victoria, that a child living ai Fitzroy became most seriously indisposed through its use. m another case a lady states on the strength of statutory declaration that she suffered cruelly from the effeota of Iho Borne concoction. To guard the high reputation _ of our manufaoture we feel warranted m exposing tho above facts, and desire the public to exeroise oaro and precau- tion when buying SANDER and SONS.- AH I



NEW Y BAR'S DAY, /~*VN Tmsiay next, being New Yeor's Dtiy, tbe Guarman will not be pnb!lehed (



Wanted YTTANTBD Known—That 1 am felling W Bargains at the Toy and Fanoy Bs»Mßr. Oome early to avoid the crash i we had lait week— W. O. Davis. 12 188 VTTANTFD » quiet Trap Horsp, with VV trial. — W. C. Davis, E>st street. 12 189 SPLENDID valns m Jjpnnete Boxes, Desks, Glovo and Handkerchief Brx*B, Workboiea fr m 2s 6J each filled. — H. M. Jones «TT ANTED' Known' — Tho Glaseow ' VV Drapory and Olothlnsf Co.'s Sale will close r,n the 81st Docembeir. Goods offered at loan than cost. 12 144_ SUNDAY at Horn* nnd Leisure Honr, bound, for 1888, now In.— H. M. Jones. CT 7 ANTED Known — The G'wgow \t Drapbry pnd Oluthlrg Oo.'e Sa'e will close oa the 31it December. Goorl« off red at less than cost. 12 144 STT ANTtfD Known. —This m the last '< * ' week of tin Grand Distribution of Xmas Gifts at tho Arcade.— W. W. iPBNDBR and Co., Drapers. 12 163 ftyANTi-D to Let that bouse on the VV Fairfield Road and near the Sale- yards, lately occupied by Mr 8 Giles. Tenant may have the privilege of grazing a oouple of oows on the land. f*'or terras, eto , app'y to G. W. Lbadlby, Wakanni. Nt 184 __; TTTANTKD Known. — That Miss VV EDWABD9, Tniloroas, is prepared to make Boys' Olothiog, nleo Cuffing, !3trap« ping, repairs and alterations, «SL r e. — Misb Edwards, corner Moore street and Belt. __J 11 108 WANIED Known — Mrs Mkroh, Dressmaker, has roturncd fiom Sydney, and re-comuienced business m Saunderu 1 BuJldinga, next Mr R. Alcorn's 10 78 HURRAH FOR FATHER CHRIST- MAS,— On!y for the Christmas I bid Bailing Toys and Fanoy Goods of all descriptions. And is Ido not intend to keep In that line, they will be sold cheaper than ever. James Baxbk, Farnl- tare Dealer, opposite Hurlacu'a Anotlon Mart. 12 142 MRS ADAMS has removed to Saun- dera' Buildings, oppoalte Railway Station. Orewol Silks, Wools, and Fanoy Hoods of every description kept In stock. Af-ent for Eollpse Dyo Works. Registry office for Servants. 10 92 BEFORE boylng Boots »nd Shoes, eto, cill and inepeot our Clearing prlcea. Will be to your advantage. — H. C. SxGBBS, Melford Housp, HEEP SBEABS, 11 A's, BB A'a, and BBANZ'a; and genuine Tarkoy > Stones. — Robsrt Aloorn, Saunders i Buildings. [ fi RBAT Clearing Sale of Boots. -We \JC hava never marked any so cheap before. — H 0. Skgkus, Melford House. s "TT7 ANT fcD Known, — Andrew Oku ifi ' VV giving v Great Bargain m Boots* • Girls' School Boots, Women's Boots, I 6s Gd, Men's. • > T7OR gennlne Aehburton Tweed Suits JL. ready-made, or to monenre, fit and > quality goaranteed, and at prices un- equalled, go io R. Aioorn, Ashburton OiothlPg Mart, Sounderg' iJallcHnga. WAKTED Known— That Mus Hill, Monthly Jfnree, haa removed from Peter Street to Dr Trevor's honso, C In Moore Street. lOtBS "^"MAS, Xmaa.— Andrew Orr is show- ing Novelties' m ail Department* lor Xmae Presents WANTED Known — Support Local Industry. Buy your Suits Ath- burton Tweed from 30a ; mnde to measure (ond choose y cur own Tailor) from £c 10s. -Andrew Orr. .... WANTED Known.— Beautiful Milli n°ry. A choico aesortment ii now toing shown ; also Sunshades, Silt y Glovos, Laces, {-carfe, &c, at Andrev ,g Crb's. d \\r OiW i'Jfl D 'Jweeds. -A Beantifa. VV Assortment of Worsted Tweed i as exhibited at tho late Show Specially made to order for Andrew Orr. IXTANTKD More Known— That B. vVi VV Aloorn and Co. is tfce cheapesi {m House m Ashburton. Groat varioty of Dross materials; Priuts and Fanoy Gulateat to choose from. 11 15$ WANTED Known— That S. W. Alcorn ai?d Co. are selling at Warehouse prioo, a nplend'd lot of Ladlee 3 Silk and Cashmere Mantles, and Satin and • Fancy Sunshades, booght a bargain. No 8 valae likn them In Ashburton. j C< ALE of Buoib and Shoes. Wd have >O marked oar lar^e stock of Boots and Shceswith the Intention of ol'-arlng them this month. Come nnd snvo money. — 11. 0. Seokkb, Melford House. "Tl / ANTED Known— The Good Ter- n■ VV pl»r» Picnic and Sports will he .held on January Ist, mMr J W, Kawle'e Paddock, Tin »f aid. L'xrge and attraoive ) programme. Men's races, single girls' races, married n omen's races, children's raoas, games, swings, etc. Adm aa'on — 1b 6d ; ohlliren under 12, 6d • Tea In- cluded; Tea from half-past 3to 5 o'clock ; after 5, admission Gd. Sports at 11 am. 12 176 Xmas. Xmas. 188 New Zealand Clothing Factory Gives notice to thnir Numerous Customers that It Is not their intention to give away ALMANACKS, PICTURES, Or aoy other useless Article, but It Is their Intention and desire to pl»co within the meacs of all their celebrated MEN'S AND BOYS' CLOTHING, And they now give notice that they have THIS DAY mode Substantial Reductions In all Departments daring tho Xeobb and New Year Holidays. GO TO THE N.Z. CLOTHING FACTORY For Genuine Bargains m Gents' and Boys Clothing, RcgaMa Shlrtr, Sfcarfo, Ties, Hosiery, Hats, eto. The vary latest designs to hand, TAILORING. Suits to measure, £2 16). Trousers to measure, 17s 6d, from the newest ohecks •nd atrtpes. Customers can r«ly up m % good fit and excellent wurkmannhip m every garment we undertake. FOSTER COLONIAL INDUSTRY AND BUY FB"M TUB HEW ZEALAND OLOTBING FACTORY. % H, WEBBER, Manager.



B\Bineßß Notieeß. PARK STREET HOSIERY WOBKB. > (Near Presbyterian Char oh.) J, JJalqlbish Practical Hosiery Mtnafaotarer. Woollen Shirts, Drawers, Socks, and Stockings of ail colors, for Gentlemen, Ladles, and Children, made to order. .- 12 32 "^ MoOORMIOK BINDKUS, A N EXPERT for thow Michines will be-in A Bhbur.ton beforo Harvest, Furraow wishing a visit from him will please communicate with us atonco. JOHN ORR AND CO , Agenta for Aehbortoo. ABHBDRTON GOAL and FiUEWOjD DEPOT. •fS Q "pEAN bege to ia r orm hie XV, J^« |j friunda ond the public generally that he has secured a fresh supply of beat Newcastlo conl which he intend* to eellat QuEATLY REDUCED PRICES. Also m stock— Mount Somera, MaWero, Weß«p^rt, and Newcastle Coal. Firewood, Post and Rail?, Stakes, Strainers, etc., etc, Gate, Bran, Sharps, Potatoes, Chaff. On! ok wheat, etc. R. 8 BEAN, West Street, j PHOTOGRAPHERS, *w* 218 High Street, Chriatchor 9 Charles Hay, MECHAFICAJL ENGICTEEB, REPAIRS Gnnp, Sewing Machines, Lawn Mowers, Pumpß, et:. BICYCLES and TRIOYCLES repaired and extra* kept on hand. BICYCLES FOR SALE. Engineering m aU its Branches. Opposite Cjcntral Hotel, Waknnui Road John BaDger, SADDLE; COLLAR. AVD HARNESS MAKER, HAYING pnrobaeed the bnafnois o Mr A. Ibelam), and removed Into those oommodlons premises latoly oooa- pled by him iv Bamctt Street, bego most elncerply to thank his enstomera for past . suppor and solicits a continuance of the same which he will atrive to deeerve by kveplog the bent stock of Saddlery and Harness, and strict attention to business, oomblned with good workmanship and Reasonable oharget. Repalra n«*tly and promptly attended to A. Harrison. AJtred Harrison, AOOTIONEER, STOCK AND ESTATE AGENT AJfir) VALUATOR. SATURDAY SALE at 12 o'clock sharp — Horses, Cattle, Pigs, Produce — »nd Merchandise. - ' "Farmfng Imploments and Tehlolev of all kinds constantly m Yards on view FOR SALE. Oleating Kales held In town or Country as reqnlred, and most liberal termi arranged with both Bayers and Sellers, Bents oollccted, and the Bnalness of Absentees managed with care. Valuation made of Properties or Merohan* disc on easy terms. Adrances made instantly on Goods delivered at the Store for Sale. TO LET — Commodious Remldenco on East Bait, lately oco«p<cd by O, Hattson, Erg Contains 6 rooms ; large handsome dining room, 18 x 12. Wind mill pamp, beautiful garden, 2 acres, and efery oooveoienoe. Rent very moderate TO LET— Hfcepa In Colombo's Baild- ings. Bedaced rent* Good brick bulldibga hindsotne shops. Agent ior the Norwich Unioii Fire Insurance Company. ALFRED HARRISON. T. BnllocK i TjlOR SALE—Single-aeated Buggy. T. BULLOCK _ llTjO LET— 5-roomed hoona m Cameron X Street.— Apply to T. BULLOCK. TO FARMERS. FOR SALE -2 Hay Rakes. Apply to T. BULLOCK. ~~ TO LET. HOUBE of 5 Rooms, together with about 9 Acres of Grass Land ; rontal 10s 6d per week. Apply to | T. BULLOCK. '"■ ' FOR SALE. IIGHT Spring Dray (new) made m A such a way that it could be ÜBod bb v tip cart Apply to | T. BULLOCK FOR SALE. 1 (\(\ AORES Anting the Main Sooth L\)\J Road, not far from tLe Race* course. Apply to T. BULLOCK. WINBLOW. |,*OR SALE — Lots 67 and 74 Low *" pcioe will be Accepted, Apply to T. BULI^QCy. A BARGAIN. £*'yQ 1 A Brfok Oottoge and bwlO I\Js, Section, all m good • ■ i-r, *t Hampstead ; the property of Mr Jchn Blaie, to be sold at the low price • < thrive, on account of h'n having pur- «i*i(i«fd land oataido the town, Libeial 1 fc^£in« If requl cd. Apply to |^^^a^^^^ T. BULJJOOK i