DIARY.

Moonlight Evenings.

The Moon at 3 days old shines till about 8 o'clock. Tho Moon at 6 days old shines till about half-past 10 o'clock. The Moon at 8 days old shinea till nearly 1 o'clock m the morning. The Moon at 12 days old shines from sundown till about 4 m the morning. Tho Moon at 15 days old is full, and shines all night. The Moon at 18 days old rises about 9 p.m. and shines till morning, The Moon at 21 days old rises about 11 a.m. and shines till morning. The Moon at 24 days old rises about 2 a.m. and shines till morning. The Moon at 27 days old rises about 4 a.m. and shines till sunrise.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

From and after the 30th November, 1886, the terms of Subaoription to this journal will be as follows, viz. : — IF PAID IN ADVANCE : Per Quarter.. 6s 6d, by post, 9s 6d „ Half-year 12s 6d, by post, 18s 6d „ Year .. 24s Od, by post, 37s Od 17 BOOKED Per Quarter.. 7s 6d, by pbßt, 10s 9d „ Half-year 15s Od, by post, 21s 6d | Year  30s 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 cf Births, Deaths and Marriages sent for publication from the country distriots require to. be verified by the signature of the person sending the notioe.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1888. AN ISLAND COMMUNITY.

The famous story of Daniel Defoe, known to all the world as " the history of JRobinson Crusoe," will probably be one of the classics of boyhood for many generations to come, and will still continue to effect as it has effected m the past not a little for the cause of [ colonisation by inspiring a longing for ■ adventure m distant parts of the earth. It even has a fascination for grown men, who are after all but children on a larger scale, and is one of the best examples m literature of how much can be made by a clever pen out of a very small amount of material m the way of fact, for Alexander Selkirk, who was the model for Defoe's famous hero, was a much more prosaic individual than the fictional and picturesque Crusoe. Yet there was an Alexander Selkirk and he is not the only example, perhaps by many, of men who have lived out their lives as castaways on far away, perhaps m some cases even yet undiscovered islands. Indeed, there is doubtless the material for many a romance hidden away m island solitudes, and every now and then we get a glimpse of incidents which would form the basis of more famous stories of the Crusoe type, fcuch an one has just been recorded m con nection with Palmerston Island, which has hitherto been supposed to be un inhabited, but which proves to be the home of a very interesting community. This is the story of the discovery as told by telegraph : — " The barque Queen's Island, which has arrived at Newcastle from San Francisco, reports that when passing Palmerston Island m lat, 18deg. 50min t-'outh, longitude lG4deg 13rnin West, a boat containing eight persons put off to the vessel. The chief of the island, William Marston, stated that he ran away from the British barque Rifleman m Tahiti twenty- five years ago. After spending two or three years "on Palmerston Island, he undertook to plant it with cocoanuts, and has resided there ever since. 'ihere were thirty three persons on the island. Marston had married a half caste Kanaka woman, i and was the father of eleven sons and four daughters. All the islanders speak English fluently, and the family appear to live on the happiest of terms, Captain Eeid supplied tho islanders with a variety of articles and provisions, and received cocoanuts m return. Marston stated that he did a good trade m copra with small vessels." Here is an interesting and altogether unexpected discovery, and one which goes to prove the old adage that truth is stranger than fiction.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Rev Father Binsfold will celebrate Mass at Rakaia on Sunday next at 11 a.m. The second of the series of Saturday Even ing Conceits will be given at tho Oddfellows' Hall on Saturday evening next. The lecturer will be tho Rev E. A. Scott, and the chair will be taken by Dr Trevor. The annual honey product of North America is about one hundred million pounds, and its value is nearly fifteen million dollars. Tho annual wax product is about five hundred thousand poundc, and ita value is more than one hundred thousand dollars. There are about three hundred thousand persons keeping bees m North America. Nearsighted artist : "B Jove, there's a glorious subject ; just wait till I sketch it a beautiful amber and gold sunset with a white cloud slowly moving to the right. If I could get that on canvas as it should be, it would be worths fortune." Farmer's boy : " What yer talkin' about? That's my red headed sister settin' over theroon a rock, and the cloud is the old white horse a-heating' grasß." — " Springfield Union " " Mind your stops " is a piece of advice which lawyers and business men generally need to be as careful to follow as does the cchool boy. A bill of eale was m dispute at Coventry the other day, wherein the owner l ship of a pony was pettled by the lack of a comma. The document mnda mention of -" a pony trap, harness, etc" The property bejng claimed by the holder of the bill of sale, the pony was refused to him, and the judge sustained the refusal, inasmuch as there was no comma after pony. A shocking occurrence took place at the Palmerston North Police Station one day last week. A young man named Whibley was confined m a cell before being taken to the Wellington Asylum as a lunatic, and though hand-cuffed, he managed to gouge one of his eyeß out, (ho eyeball hanging right out when t his plight was discovered. Dr Macintyre did all he could to alleviate the poor fellow's sufferings, but the Bight of the injured eye is hopelessly destroyed. A young gentleman who went from Canter bury lately to Broken Hill has recently re turned to Sydney, leaving the El Dorado with its silver mines on the ground of its being a perfect plague spot.. He states men are dying off quickly. They aro buried often without coffins about three feet below the surface. ■ There seem to be no sanitary regulations whatever, as sluah, slops, and garbage are thrown about indiscriminately, The place is J consequently a hot-bed of lever, J

An Ofcago paper has the following out at Southland : — " The correspondent of a South land paper suggests that efforts should be made to induce the immigration of Icelanders. We fear the climate will be too severe for them."

A humane traveller lately ate up the whole of the provisions at a railway refreshment room, and as he walked away he triumph antly exclaimed, "Now, at all events, the next man that comes will get something fresh I "

The following paragraph is going the round of the English papers : — " An Onehunga (New Zealand) lawyer has discovered that ever so long ago one of his anoestors was a belted knight, and he has gone and stuok a ' Sir ' m front of his brass plate. Business has looked up wonderfully Binoe."

The following stakes have been paid over m connection with the Autumn Meeting of the Ashburton Racing Olub:— W. Russell, £115 18s; H. Coulter, £42 153; C. O'Connor, £38 ; H. James, £23 Isg ; M. and C. Hobb3, £23 153 ; H Taylor, £23 15s ; H. G. Pitt, £20 18s ; L, Markey, £20 18a ; M. Friedlander, £19 ; J. O. H. Grigg, £12 7a ; J. Young, £4 15s ; W. O. Rutherford, £4 15s ; J. Worner, £2 17s ; T. Gibson, £2 17s. Total, £356 53.

The Queen of the Belgians was driving through the Piaoe Royale at Brussels when she noticed a man violently beating a dog who was attempting to draw a heavily loaded barrow. Queen Marie at onoe stopped her carriage and despatched the footman to a gendarme, who brought the offender to the carriage, where he was sharply rebuked by her Majesty, after whioh he was taken m charge for oruelty, and the Queen drove off amidst cheers from the crowd whioh had colleoted. The Queen gave evidence against the man m oourt next day.

A conference of looal bodies m Christohuroh Drainage District was held on Tuesday after noon to consider the financial position of the Drainage Board, which owes £6875 of sinking fund on loans. No provision has been made for the sinking fund for five years, and the Board wished to obtain the consent of the local bodies to their aeking Parliament for powers to impose an additional rate of Jd m the £. The conference refused to sanction the application for further rating powers, and suggested that the Board should endeavour to make arrangements for dispensing with the sinking fund. Probate has been granted m the estate of the late George Board, a very old resident of Sydney, and a large owner of city property. The value of his eßtate was deolared at £508,292. During the last few months of his life Mr Board was feeble m intellect, and one of his sons declared that he was kept a prisoner by the housekeeper, who denied his relatives access to him, and went the length of shooting at the eldest son when he forced his way into the house. The housekeeper, who was oriminally proceeded against, is now undergoing imprisonment for the latter offence. It is understood that the property has been divided among Mr Board's children.

Madame Carandini i& fortunate m the social and public advancement of her children. Her daughter, Lady Fanny Morland.has been doing much m the cause of charity at Bombay, where she is at present with her husband, Captain Sir Henry Morland. Captain Francis Carandini, brother of Lady Morland, and who is m the Bth King's Royal Irish Hussars, has been appointed adjutant of the Behar Light Horso, with the rank of major. Tho appoint ment is one much sought after, the Behar Light Horse being a regiment composed of gentlemen planters all splendidly mounted. The salary attached to the position is 820 rupees a month. A meeting of the residents was held m the Public School, Mayfield, on Monday, to take into consideration the advisability of re questing the Postmaster to remove the Post Office from the Blacksmith's House to the Public School as a more convenient place ; and further to ask the Poßtmaßter to grant the residents a tri-weekly mail instead of a bi-weekly mail as at present, to be delivered on arrival of the train. The residents of the district feel the great disadvantage of the present arrangement which ia caused by the letters lying all night at the mail carrier's residence, and not being delivered till lOiiJO a.m. the following day.

A congregation meeting of the • South Rakaia Presbyterian Church waa held last week, the Rev Mr West, Moderator m the phair. The object was to decide as to tho best means to be adopted for appointing a successor to the Rev R, Stewart, who is leav ing the distriot, to take the oversight of the Woodville oharge, m the Hawke's Bay Pres bytery. After full discussion, it was resolved to offer a stipend of £200 per annum and a manse, with a promise that if the times improve the stipend will be raised to the minimum of £250. Several of thoae present spoke m high terms of the Rev Mr Stewart's ministrations during the time he had been m Rakaia, and the reverend gentleman having suitably replied the meeting was olosed.

According to the " Chioago Herald," a man at Matteawan, N.Y. has a curioua watoh that was purchased some yeara ago m a pawn shop m Germany. It has never been wound up for the last eight or nine years since ha has had it, for two reasons. First, it does not wind with a key, nor is it a stem winder, nor is there any other meohnnical means to wind it. It winds itself simply by the motion of the body during the day. It has an hour and minute hand, also a second hand, is solid silver, and has an independent second hand that registers the number of hours it is wound. It also has a peculiar centrepieoe that, whon touched, places the hands baokr ward or forward at will. No manufacturer's namo can be found on the works or m the case. Tho only letters on tho works are " Perpetual Manometer.".

The annual masting of the Ashburton Club and M.S. A. was held on Monday ni\>ht. There was a Rood attondanco of members. The annual reports and balance sheet were read, whioh showed tho olub to bo m a vory satis factory oondition. The various officers were elected, and vacancies on the committeo filled, and other business done, and the meet ing adjourned. A smoke oonoert was held after the meeting to celebrate the anniver sary of the Club, at whioh there was a large muster of members and their friends, sundry toasts were proposed and songs sung, and a very enjoyable time was spent. A pleasanffeature of the evening was the presentation to the Olub by Mr W. Sando of a handsome picture of the Queen, the framing of which is very artistic, and reflects great credit on Mr Sandoe's skill m this branch of work. A orown workod on the frame is a very fine specimen of handicraft. The thanks of the moeting were unanimously accorded to Mr Sandoe for his handsome gift, whioh will bo a very fitting adornment to the walls of the Club.

No hospital needed for palionts that uso American Co.'s Hop Bitters, as they cure so speedily at Home. See and belieye. SANDER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EX TRACT — Cure of Skin Diseases. Invercar gill, N.Z., 3rd of July, 1880. Messrs Sander and Sons, Sundhurst,— Gent'emen, — Having suffered from eczema (a skin diseaao which ia very prevalent m this colony) for about nine years, I had consulted numerous medical men bore and m Australia, and had takon arsenic, strychnine, iodide of potwsium, eto., inter nally, and had used preparations of zinc and lead externally. In fact, I had tried all the remedies known to the faculty, and what between travelling, doctors', and druggists' bills, had spent a small fortune, almost, if not wholly, without results, except .to injure ] my constitution. ' During a recent visit to Hokitika I was recommended to try your Extract of Eucalyptas Globulus by a brothor who had experienced groat benefit from it m alleviating a very severe cold, and no less to my surprieo and satisfaction, I found tho disease which troubled me so long was con quered, and the skin resumed its normal condition. This was effected by the external use of loss thaa two two-ounce bottles. You are welcome to make any übo you please of this letter, and I subscribe myself— Youra, eto. (Signed), John H. likrr, Manager Uniou Bank of Australia Limited.— (Advt. 5

IRISH AFFAIRS.

(Pflß Press Association.;

London, April 23. Extra "police protection has been af forded to Mr J. T. Balfour m conse quence of reports being received that the Invincibles were plotting against his life. Jtfr T, J. Condon, M.P. lor Tipperary Jfast, has been arrested on a charge of inciting Irish tenants to withhold the paymentflof rents,

HOUSEHOLDERS' MEETINGS.

TINWALD.

'"he annual meeting of householders waa held ia the school oa 4iprU 23rd and, considering the inclemency of ihe weather was f;»iriy ettoudtd. Mr 0 y ,ili, who ix-d acted as Chairman of Uummit'.ee during the past year, was elected Oh\»r man of the meeting aad proceeded to u.iw &Q acoount of the bua.ness transac-ed by the late Committee. He stated " that the pupil teaohet'd time hividg expired the Committee selected Mr Keea Williams In hi 3 place out of five applicants, and their choice was cj;.firaK>d by the Board, iStdpa had next been tak^n by the.n for the appointment of a maater and,out oi j the two uamea forwarded by the B jard, the Oomutictee had selected that of Mr (x Oulvarhouae. Prizis wore givon to tbe most deserving scholars on Jane 2Lst, Jnbiiee day. Tjnderß had been called for the post of oaretiker to the schoo aad that of Mr D. Moriarty had beeu acoepted. The Committee,conßideringthat the date of the two previous examinations had beeD very unsuitable had written to the Board on the subject with the result that the examination took place before theOhrietnua holidaya instead of m January or February, and he wao glad to state that the school had passed a very satisfactory examination. The seat of Mr Jephaon on the Committee becom ing vacant by non-attendanoe, the vaoanoy was filled by the election of Mr John Fergie. The usual aohool treat and dis tribution of prfzas took plaoe on Maroh 30bh, and aeemt>d to give general satisfac tion. The Committee held 17 meetings during the year. —Mr Caygill then went Into the details of the receipts and expen dlture during the year, the accounts show lug the satisfactory resuTt of a balance of £13 5i to the oredlt of the Committee; The meeting then proceeded to the eleotion of a new Committee. ISlne gentlemen were duly proposed and seconded, and a poll waß taken, with the following result :—

Mr Doherty ... ,. b ttt jg Mr S, Oorrlgan 14 Me Ennia jg Mr W. H. Smith ... 'Z 13 Mr Jephson ... 13 Mr Clothier 9 MrJ.Ojrrlgan 9 Bey. W. Blake 8

Mr Burgess 7 The first seven gentlemen were declared duly elected.

A vote of thanks waa unanimously pasajd to the outgoing Committee, and also to the two gentlemen who acted as scrutineers.

At the Committee meeting whioh took place afterwarde, Mr S. Oorrigan was elected Chairman, Mr Jephson consenting to acb as Secretary. The night of meeting waa fixed for the laat Wednesday m each month, and the Chairman and Mr Clothier were appointed to sign oheque3.

KYLE.

The annual meeting of the householders of tho Kile district was held m the school room on Monday night, 23rd inst. Mr R, Mulligan, Chairman of the re tiring Committee, was elected to preside, and after resdin^ the advertisement caHng the meedng, read tho aunual report, which showed that the amount standing to the credit of the Committee at the end of tho financial year was £9 33 2d, as aguinst £9 6s Sd^ at the en j oi the preceding year, showing that the amount allowed !y the Board for incidental purposes was bareiy sufficient to meet expenses. ft also showed thut a vory succebsful concert ia aid of the pr;za*and treat fund had been held during the yoar, which realised over £15, which amount, less expenpes, had been spent m prizes and a treat for the echool children. .

The election of a new Committee was then proceeded with, and resulted m the following being declared duly elected as a (.'ommittre for the ensuing year, viz : Messrs R. Mulligan, John Lnmbie, E Hardwick, R Beattie, John Wntson, K. McAnulty, and O, Harriso-i.

At a meetiog of tie n^w Committee held- immediately aftt-r, Mr K. Mulligan was re-eU cfcjd Chairman for the ensuing year

Correspondence was read from the Board €n closing new scale of salaries and teaching staff. The eca'e being con sidered, tho following resolution waa unanimously carried—" That the Chair man of the Committee be instructed to write to the Board, pointing out the hard ship the school will suffer through the Board Hoing away with the post or sowing m ; stre3S, as half the children attending the pchool are girb, and that t'.o Commit teo had appointed Mrs Wateon to the post of sewing mistrees o-i the 9th inst." It was also r: solved that the Committee meet every e ; ght weeks, on the Friday following the full moou, to commence from May.

This being all the business tho meeting closed, °

MOUNT SOMERS.

A householders meeting for tho purpose of electing a School Committee for 1838 was hold. ot tho school m Mount Souiera! Mr W Ednoa was unanimously voted to tho chair. Affer reading tho regulations referring to elections of , l chool Commit tees, Mr Edson called upon Mr J. Taylor Chairman of the late Committeo to read the annual report m which h > showed the receipts on account of salaries and inci dentals to have been £283 14s Bid, and the expenditure £272 13s 3£d, leaving a balance of £11 Is sd. Toe children's ainutemont fund showed a balance of £5 14s 2d

The business of electing tho new Com mitted was thoa proceeded with, the following gentlemen being e'octed m order of votes obtained : -Messrs J. Hood, J, Brown, A. Harvey, li. Jones, W. Edson, R, Morgan, J ' Farland. A mooting of iho new Committee was hold immediately afterwards, vyhon Mr J. Fur land \yaa re elected us Chairman and Secretary. The master of the school acted as returning officer, and Mr ft. Morgan as scrutineer.

HINDS.

Monday night waa very wet hora and cotjfleqneiitly tho mooting of householdsra did not take place. Oar iooal corres pondent writes that aho ia assured that if another date he appointed the house holders would att3nd m sufficient numbers to eleol a School Committee."

LISMORE.

The annual meeting of houaehnlders wna held on Monday evening, when, not withstanding the. wet weather, a larger numbar atteodod than ou previous oc casions.

Mi-O. J. Harpsr waa voted to the chair arid briefly reviewed the work of the past year aurj eabmitied the accounts duly VucUted to the ond of the pnafc yoar. A vote of thauka was moved to the retiriug Committee. ■ ■ ■■

Tho following householders were elected by ballot to serve on the Oommitteo for thu enaulng yoar.

Mos3ra Burr, Harper, Hanks, J. Pater, eon, T. Paterson, H. Kainy, T. K. Ronnie. Me Harper waß subsequently elected Uhalrman.

ELGIN.

A meeting of householders was held on Monday, Mr J Cochrane m the chair. The outgoing Committee was re- elected the members being Messrs J. Cochrane (Chairman). A, Leatham, P. Jnuis, J. (•JilmouT, y, Scott, W, Williamson, A. Jary. !; - ■•■••-

WINSLOW.

The annual ms-eiio" of householder!'. was held on Monday evening a»d despite ihe unfavourable we thsr th^ro was a fair attendance. Th» following gentlemso wore elected ■\a » Committee for tb« f.nFuir.g V3ar. M-83r8 A. Wilson, P. Strati, J. MoTw ; -r (ra elected), P. Keller, W. Grayburn, J. Aloßohnn, and T. McGee. Me A Wilsoa was ro-eleoted Chair man.

MAY FIELD

A meeting of the householders of the Mayfield school district waa held m the public Bchool on Monday. Mr LL Corbett m the chair. The following gentlemen were elected to form a Committee. Messrs H, Corbett, I. L. Christ^nsen, D Kollahnn, I. McLauchlan, Sowell, H Brennan and [. Coßkerie (Chairman).

SPRINGBURN.

The Householders of the Springbarn Sohool district met fn the Sprlngbura sohool on MonJay 23rd Inst. at 7 p.m. ' for the parpoae of electing a new Sohool Committee. I a spite of the wot weather a fair number of householders waa present, Mr T. E. Moßae presiding. A statameat of accounts was read showing a balance of £5 17s m the hands of the old Com mittee. The following were eleoted aa the Committee for the ensuing year : - McT.E. Mcßae .„• ... J4 Mr G. Goidamith 10 Mr W. Fergus 10 Mr W. Cook 8 Mr J. McFarlane ... ... 8 Mr L. McGregor ... ... 5 MrD.Syme 4 At a meeting of the Committee, held Immediately after the election, Mr T. E. Mcßae waa re-aleoted Chairman and Mr Lawia McGregor re-elected Traaaarer,

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

[Per Peess Association.]

Auckland, April 24. The second eleotioi of a Lioenalng Committee for the Waipa district, which took place yesterday, resulted m the return of all the prohibition candidates by a larger majority than before.

A meeting of tradesmen and others interested m the Early Closing Bill waß held this evening when a resolution was passed endorsing the principle of that measnre, and hoping that It would speedily become law. A vote of thanks was given to M6SBrs J jyce and Goldle and other members of the General Assembly who had ablated the move ment.

Wellington, April 24 A Frenohman named La Morte was drowned at Castle Point la3fc night. He was crossing a reef to fiah when the waves washed him away. The body h*s been recovered.

Captain Oulbett, of the stranded Bhip Pleione, has been appoint- d to tha com mand of the ship Pleiadts, and he leave? for Lytfceltoa to-morrow, where ahe Is loading.

Westport, April 24. The Harbor Board has given all the permanent officers three months' notice, and it will dispense wi>h others. It has also given the Chairman power to take measures to assimilate the wages to those paid In othor parts of the colony.

OtWßfliN, April 24. The English Football tejtn Indulged m some praotico to iiay, bnt as tha ground was wet very littla !<ie:i of fir-ir p]r,y coild be formed. Thoy are very confident of being more Ih.m able to hold thiiic own m New Zealand. Four or five of tha phyars are exceedingly fast, aud this they oxneot will s'r.aad them m good stead, T:ey consider themselves a rßpreaontatlvo Rugby team, as they were selected fiom about 3000. ' .

THROUGH OUR EXCHANGES.

KNOWING RABBITS

The following afcjry has been told to as: On a receut oooaaion. since the erection of the rabbit-proof gate on the bridge at Karow, live rabbits were seen leisurely oroßßibsr from the Karow aide. On arriv ing at the other Bide, however, they were confronted by the gate. After a short apparent consultation, the rabbits re treated to the embankment, and, walking down to the water's edge, quietly took to the water and swam across. The etory may be a trifle hard to gulp down all at once, bat we may state that oar informant was perfectly sober at the tim 9ha made the statement, and he informs as that he has never been up before a J.A*. In hia life. Let ua hope he never will. We . publish the story to ahow that rabbits are not to be prevented by even the Wai^aki from crossing over to richer pastures ; that the arguments of the MaoksDzse County Councillors that the erection of the proposed bridge over the Ohau would simply afford a means of rabbits crossing over, ia without, baokbone, and that the rabbits c*n swim the river If they want to cross. —-'KG. Times." CATCSIKG A TARTAR. The following rut liar good yarn comeß from Wan<>anui, and ia told m the " Weekly Press " :— At the race time, the hotel waa crowdod to overflowing, and the result was that the bedroom* had to j double bank, and shakedowns pervaded i thfl whole establishment. One of the bedvo^ms contained a station. owaer, alao a bank agent of slender form, and one or two others unknown to famo, and, like the rest of the party, unknown to each other. After all had gone to bed, and quietness was aspiring to the throne, sonorous tonea of unmistakable snoring commenced to emanate from one of the Bleepers, The dealer m bullion Btood it for some time, but as it got louder yet, nntil it resembled poals of distant thunder hie patience became exhausted, so that he resolved to put an end to the disturbance. QuieUy getting out of his bed and walking to that of hia room mate, he laid his hand gently on the erring one and said, "I don ? t know who you are, or what you are, but if auy more of this confounded noise gooa on you will be chucked out." Amidst yswnß and grunts came the very deliberate reply : I don't know who you arfl, or what you are, but I am Slavin. " History gives no more. -, A HEARTLESS JOKE.

A hoartlesa " ;pke," nnd one which ohowa the perpetrator to be as deficient

of the Bense of humour as an oyster, waa perpetrated (aays tho Auckland •' Star" of Monday) through the mediam of the tele phone exohange yesterday. A message purporting to be from the District Hos pital was aenb to the Imperial Hotel, Btating that one of the leading actora of the company now performing at Abbott's

Opera House had dropped down m tho atroot, and on being removed to the hos pital had been found by the Houso Surgeon to be quite dead. As thnre are » number of the Brough-Boncioault Cora- ' pany Btaylng at the hotel named, the news naturally oaueed great alarm among them, and eeveral of tho ladies had a hysterical attack m couseqnenoc. Some of them sustained' auch a severe nervous shook that they wero ill all night, : even i after it had been ascertained that tho I

elephone mesaage was the rnondacious

invention of Bcma graceless tcanip who had do better way of spending his Sunday. £t Is stated, that the lying message has been so far tra«e4 that it is Jsnown to have been Bent from the Anpkland Club and if this is the case it ehonld not b difficult to get at the author c.f the di gracefal canard For the protection of fcbo public, who ua the telephone, it may 8 " be necessary for the Government to intro (;oc.) a law making the sendlog of false

••(■"' "'UK', and of personating persons

THE RABBIT CONFERENCE.

(PER PRESS ASSOCZATIOtf.)

Sydney. April 24. M. Pasteur's representative has dis closed to the Rabbit Conference the outline of M. Pasteur's scheme. It is proposed to cultivate microbes brought from France, and to spread the poison on herbage m the rabbit-infected districts. In the event of the scarcity of natural food artificial fodder will be used. The rabbits taking the poisoned food will die m twenty-four to thirty hours. After death they will com municate the disease to other rabbits, so that the virus will spread by natural process. It is not anticipated that any danger will arise from the decomposi tion of the rabbits killed, as upon feeling the effects of the poison they will retreat to their burrows and die, there being practically buried. Experi ments are to be commenced imme diately on sheep, horses, goats, and a variety of other animals, and will probably extend over a period of two months.

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(PER PREBB ASSOCIATION.)

NEW SOUTH WALES LOAN.

London, April 23. A syndicate tendered for the New South Wales loan to the extent of two and a half millions at 10s. The official statement gives the total amount tendered for as .£7,050,000 and the average 12s 26.

COLONIAL TARIFFS.

In the House of Commons, replying to a question from Mr Howard Vincent, Sir Jas. Ferguson, Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, said under the existing treaties even the colonies were pre vented from conceding British produce fiscal advantages over that from foreign countries, and he considered that it would be impolitic at present to hurriedly terminate such treaties.

CHARGES ON PROPERTY.

In the House of Commons. Mr Gladstone has tabled " a motion to equalise the charges on. real and per sonal property.

THE QUEEN AND THE EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA.

Vienna, April 22. Her Majesty Queen Victoria was most cordially welcomed on her arrival as Innsbruck by the Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria.

AUSTRALIAN.

[PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

VICTORIA.

MBLBotnsNB, April 24. It is computed that the verdict of the Supreme Court, awarding Bolger, a bookmaker, £25 damages for wrong ful ejectment from the racecourse of the Amateur Turf Club, will result m a loss of per annum to the Club, as by the judgment they have no power to impose license fees on bookmakers. The President of the Executive Com missioners of the Exhibition is devising means to bring together during the Exhibition all classes of men of science technical knowledge and artistic culture m order to obtain the fullest advantages from their experience; and a trades and social congress, for the discussion of questions of sanitary science and pro fessional methods will be organised.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

Pbrth, April 24. At a public meeting to-cay the action of the Governor, Sir F. Napier Broome, m refusing to sanction the construction of the Bunbury to Darling Ranges rail way, was discussed, and resolutions were passed condemning his action and asking him to reconsider the question.

QUEENSLAND.

Bbisbanb, April 24. Four navvies going down a shaft to the tunnel on Fortitude Valley (Bris bane) Railway dropped a lighted candle, which exploded 251 bof powder and some dynamite detonators lying at the bottom. The men were nearly blown out of the shaft and fell to the bottom dreadfully wounded, They were at once rescued, and are still alive. The police who were despatched to Mount Merlin station, Clanowong, to inquire into the reported murder of a white boy and four blacks by the manager of the station, have returned, and report, that the rumor is entirely without foundation, and that its origi nation was the outcome of spite by a boy engaged on the station.

Captain Hutter, of the German steamer Otilie, while on the voyage from Finschaven, New Guinea, to Cooktown, jumped overboard while m a state of high fever, and was drowned. The expedition have returned from Finschaven, and they report that they have discovered what are believed to be traces of the explorers Von Bulow and Heinstein and servant. The spot where the articles were found appear? to have been the scene of an eruption, and it is believed that the party were engulfed.

The action of the miners on the Croydon goldfields having ejected all Chinese, except those holding business licenses, has caused a great deal of inconvenience, as no Chinese cooks are now available on the field, and all the Chinese gardeners have abandoned their vegetable gardens.

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Sydney, April 24. It is expected that an Italian line of steamers to Australia will shortly be inaugurated.

The Government will introduce, a -Bill into the Legislative Assembly pro viding tor the imposition of a tax on the value of land, and not on the acreage ; and also a Bill for the taxation of property. It is also intended to introduce measures for the establish ment of an Agricultural College near Sydney, and Experimental Farms' M the' north, south/and western "'districts;

Sir Henry Parkes, the Premier, is of opinion that the. recent cable message received from London, that Lord Knutsford considers the exclusion of Chinese from Australia for twenty years; present serious difficulty, is without foundation, as such information would not be communicated by the Colonial Office until the Colonial Government had been apprised.

Thousands die annually from some form o kidney disease that might hava been ore vented by a timely uce of Hop Bitters, Re^

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1888



Moon's \ ' Sun Sun Moon Me m ngo at j 1 April. Rises. Sots. Rises -Sets, noonday |j i p.m. a.m. 23 Monday .. 6.44 5.13 3.43 2.12 11 24 Tuesday .. 6.46 5.11 4.16 3.23 12 25 Wednesday.. G. 47 510 4.49 4.38 13 26 Thursday .. 6.48 5.8 5.24 5.55 14 27 Friday.. .. 6.49 6;6 6.2 7.12 15 28 Saturday ... 6.50 5.4 6.46 830 16 29 Sunday .. 6.51 5.3 7-37 9.46 17



Wanted- ' j \\ f ANTED— girl, about 14, to aesi3t VV with Housework. Apply office of this Papsr. WANTED Apprentices to tho Dress- making. Apply Miss Kkmnitz. John Or and Oo.'a 4 173 *. VTT ANTED to Sell —A P irst-class Piano V 7 grand action. Cash or torms very liberal. Apply Hayes and Co. /CHRISTIAN Choir, paper and cloth. \j Reign of Grace, new pamphlet, by Professor Salmond 1 Bibles, Prayer and Hymn Books --H. M Jones |>OOTS —We have reduced our Boot 13 List, and are eellin^ them vvouder fully cheap.— 11 . C. StGEKS, Molford House WANTED Known- The nnxt " Aab- burton Teinpermce Sixpenny Saturday Nighf. Coucerc " tskca p'acs m tho O.dMl >ws' Flail on Saturday, 28 h inßient, at 8 p m. Unalrman : Dr Trevor; Leoturer, Rev. E. A. Scott. The Vocal and I'iß'rnmsntal Music will ba "Al a. Lloyd's."— J. 0. Dujccun, Score'ary.' 4 170 * SAORED CONCERT, " The Brave i\. Covenanters," will be given by the Choir of the Aahburton Baptist Charoh, In the Oddfellows' Hall, on Tuesday, Ist Mwy, 188 S. Admission, la. Dcora open at 7.30, oommence 8 o'olook. Itll3 £¥TANTED Oaßh. — Uuir'B Oatme7l VV (251 b), 2a 6i ; Oandlps, 5i ; Voßtas, 6i dcz. j Coffee and Milk, 1b , i Ooooa and Milk, 1b ; Corn Flnur. 4d ; I Fruitß m Syrup (21b tins), la Crockery, Glassware, and Ironmongery. — J. Mc- Gregor, Tanored street. \i ?~ANTIvD Known. —Melford House \ y la now chewing a splendid assortment of Drapery, Mill.'nery, Cloth- Inp, Boots, &o, very cheap. 11 7"ANTED —Everyone to come and VV see the nicest lot of Glaßß, China, and Earthenware ever shown m ABhbur- ton, and the Cheapest ever landed m New Zealand. Imported direct from the Manufacturers. — Robert Aloorn, Saun- dera' Buildings. 3tll WINTER.— We are now (shewing a Splendid Assortment of Ladiea and Children's Ulßters m all the leading styles, very cheap. — H. O. Segers, Melford Houa? LEVIATHAN RAILWAY mSMPERANOK TTO T E L (Opposite the Railway Station), DUNEDIN MRS SILK - - Proprietress, Begs to Inform her frlenda and the Public generally that she haa purchased the above Hotel, and respectfully soHolts a share of their support. The Hotel is the largest and most com- modious of ita kind m Dunedin, and can offer accommodation not to be excelled ; having been thoroughly renovated sinoe the new proprietress took possession ; ani will now be found most oomfortable. VISITORS Will find every civility and accommoda- tion, and the aim of the Proprietress will be to give her patrona every satisfaction. N.B — Refreshments can be obtained m the shape of Tea, Coffee, and Cocoa on arrival : and Guests wiahing to go aaray by early train can depend on being called m ample time, if they will only mike their wisheß known. 4 156 TRY KIRKPATRICK'S SPECIAL QUALITY FRESH FRUIT "X" -JAM S — NOTICE. OUR Special Quality "X" brand of New Season's JAM ia inado from Fresh Fruit, within a few houra after it has been gathered; it thna retains the full flavor of the Freßh Fcuif, and is the beet quality it is possible to make. CAUTION : None ia Genuine unless our Namo ie stamped on the Tin, and has our rogiß- | terod Tiade Mark, Iho letter "X,"on the Label. S. KIEKPATRICK AND CO., MANUFACTURERS, NELSON. Important. rtIHE Proprietors of the NEW ZEA- -1 LAND CLOTHING FACTORY, at the request of a large numbar of their Customers, have decided to continue their Aehburtoa Branch. Our Manager, haa just selected an entirely NEW STOCK, Suitable for the approaohing Season, and with a view of commanding a Large Business, he haß our instruc- tions to mark ALL GOODS A.T THE Lowest Factory Prices. Our Clothing being manufactured of the { ' best New Zealand TWEEDS, well cut '! and well made, la known as Buperior to ] any other make, and obtained the \ GOLD AND SILVER MEDAL \ FOR EXCELLENCE \ AT THE < WELLINGTON FXBIBITION. ] HALLENSTEIN BROS & Co. 1 ■ B A new and viried Stock of s lOSIERY, HATS, SHIRTS. SCARFS, fc TIES, PORTMANTEAUS. f &o, &0., J [*o select from, all waked afc the Loweßt 0 Factory Price?, <j fcj.W, : H. WEBBER, 5 '99 " Manager. o



ASHBURTON GLASS, PAINTS, AND PAPER HANGINGS WAREHOUSE. ; T^HE Undersigned, having cold his Stock-in-Trade and Goodwill of the < above Business to James Craigie, of I Timaru, begs to thank his frienis and the J public for the support accorded to hire for | the past eleven years, and solicits a continuance of the same to his successor. J. B. CHAPMAN. JaiDes Oraigie PAINTER, GLAZIBB, PAPERHANQER SIGNWMTER, &c. and DIRECT IMPORTER OF ALL THE REQUISITES OF THE TBADE, HAVING taken over the Business of Mr J. R. Chapman, I beg to i; form the public of Ashburton and District thit I will k«cp a Painter's and I Piiperh anger's Stock iv keop'ng with the Hze and importance of the Town and D.s- trict. All orders will receive prompt atten- tion and be carefully executed. Workmen sent to any part of the District. — FOR SALE.— Newest Designs of PAP3BHANGINGS, good variety. SHEET GLASS, all sizes, from a 60 x 40 to a 10 x 8, m 16 or 21< z or 260z British Plate, Silvered Plate (for mirrors) Rough Plate, Colored, Obfcured, and Ornamental Sheet, Oak Varnish, Carriage Varnish, &c , White and Red Lead, Oila, Colors, Mixed Paints m Tinß, Brushes, Scrim, &c. &o. Paint mixed to any Shade. Advice as to quantity freely given. THE ASHBURTON GLASS, PAINTS, AND PAPERHANGINUS WARE- HOUSE. 3 156



THE CHEAPEST PLACE IN TOWN ZJSALAKDIA 800 t 1 STORE gEAST STREET ASHBURTON ■JL ■ SELLING OFF <?% »> tt PER CEnFdISCODWT /fc«ai £ ~D "jl/TURRAY, Jeweller, having secured the Premies Me'y O t-4 J_\« i_VJL ccoupled by Me Njjatk, Chemist, la now off ring his >_. M STOCK at a <O DISCOUNT OP 3s IN^ THE £ PREVIOUS TO EEMOVAL. • 3 26 McCallum and Co., PAINTERS, GLAZIEBS, PAPEBHANGER^, STGN WRITERS, Etod. ~Y I 7~E deeire to inform our Clients an I the Public of Ashburton, that we have com- W menced business m nil tho above Lines, and solicit their patronage. This Department will be under the management of Mr GF.O. VINOitN T, late of Mb J, K. Chapman's, and aR ye import MATEKIALBof tho best brands o:.)y. and Bhall employ only FlftfcT-CLASS Workmen to f!o our Work, Clients can rely on obtaining the utmost- VALUE, as well as satisfaction, for their MONEY. * OILS, PAINTS, VARNISHES, WINDOW GLASS, BRUSHES, Etc., Always m Stock r We have 60,000 pieces of PAPEEHANGINGS due to arrive, of the vory choicest PATTERi\S and COL'JKB obtainable m London. McOallum and Co,, TIMBER AND COAL MERCHANTS, PAINTERS, PAPERHANGERS GLAZIERS, Em, E.SST STREET, ASBBURTON. W. H. COLLINS, Manager. "DIPPING __SEASON 5 1888. BROOKE'S "Perfect" Sheep Dip. IS TBE BEST FOR TBE WOOL, AS PROVED BY PRACTICAL TESTS. TT)REPAREDin accordance with the latest advancements m chemistry as applied to JL the Woollen Manufacturing Industry. It io a deefded improvement on the old faßhioced dtps and only requires a trial to prove Its superiority. At the late Sheep- dtppli^ Competition, conducted by the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral ABBocia- tion, the Kaiapol Woollen 00. , on behalf of tho Association, for wool dyefng and general manufacturing purposes, awarded the first place to Brooke's " Perfect" Sheep Dip ; m fact, Brooke'B Dip was the only one that actually improved the wool m this Important respect, the undipped wool being second, whilst all the others were more or less discolored. The Association also pro2ounc3d BROOKE'S "PERFECT" SHEEP DIP to be superior to.the Zealcmdia, Little's, Batch's. Cooper's ond McDougall's, and alao leave the wool In better condition than Thomas' Dip. Rr "^j||'" Dip having con- neqnently been proved to be better then the English Dipa. yonr^ractlcal support of the colonial article is respectfully solicited. To ensure Brooke'a Dip being more thoroughly lasting In itn good effects, m future it will be sent orit 20 per cent stronger free of extra charge. Proportions for use.— One Gallon of Dip to 100 Gallons to water. Mixes 'readily with cold water ; does not require stirring while dipping. Remarkably emollient-, leaving tho wool ?n perfect oondition, without the olightesr etaln from the first day of Dipping, Concentrated m composition to reduce cost of carriage, and put up m a portable handy form for nap, it is also one of the cheapest Dips In the Market. REDUCED PRICE: 14a per tin, to make 200 gallons waßh ; 70a per case, con- taining 5 tins, to make 1000 Gallons ', 65a per case for not less than 5 casea. Pack&gea free. Mis F. MAKEIG, Agent, Ashburton" THE STANDARD FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY : OF NEW ZEALAND. WITH DELIMITED LIABILITY OF SHAREHOLDERS. CAPITAL^-£1,00b7000 STEELINO. HEAD OFFICE"? DUNEDIN. 1 NSURERB have the most undoubted Security under thiß Company's Policies \ - together with an assurance of Prompt and Liberal Settlement of Claims. \_ ■ FJKJS and MARINE RIBKS accepted on all descriptions of Proper tv and Merchandise also Crop, Stack, and Machine Ricks at Lowest .bates of Premium. fidelity of Persons holding situations of trust guaranteed. I OFFICE : HEREFORD STREET, CHRISTOHUROH. (Opposite^fionk of New Zealand,) ARCHIBALD SCOTT, rj Manager for Canterbury, ALiBBBTi BOBFiIITS . IjAGENT, ASHBURTON



ASHBURTON Clothing Mart. I HAVE now opened In SAUINDERS, BUILDINGS a SRW STOCK of COLONIAL OLOTHING and BOOTS' and having made favorable arrangements for the manufacture vA a large lot of ftlen'a, Youths', and Boys' ABhburton Tweed Suits, I can cell cheaper than ever offered m New Zealand, Aahburton Tweed Suits made to measure, Ashburton Tweeds, Blankets, Flannel, Rugß, and Shirtings guaranteed. Grcceriee, China, G!f.6B, Earthenware, and Fancy Goods. Robert Alcorn, SAUNDERS' BUILDINGS. SADDLERY 1 SADDLERY ! MR A. ICELAND, having removed to premises occupied by Mr Tait, Burnett Street, hopes, by strict attention to Business, to merit a share of public patronage. THF, LOWEST PRICES CHARGED. Every requisite m the Trade kept m Btock. Farmers and others will now have an opportunity of getting SADDLER f at auch LOW PRICES as were never before offered m Aehburton. Repairs executed on moat teaeonable : terms. ' A GENT for the new high arm Davis /\ SEWING MACHINES. The only Vertical Feed Machine m the world. It nas no equal. Sold on time payments if required. 11*19 A. IRELAND.