BIRTH.

STR'BBUHa— -On March 30th, Mm S»rib bling, Panama Boarding House, of a daughter.

DEATH.

Fooks— On March 30tb, at Park House, Alfred John, Infant son of Edmund John and Lilian Fooka, aged 11 weeks*

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1888. EUROPEAN FLAX.

We observe that the Hon the Minis ter for Education, Mr Fisher, takes an interest m other matters than those which specially appertain to the par ticular department over which he pre sides, and has forwarded to one ot our Invercargill contemporaries are excerpt from a Wellington paper, with an inti mation ot his wish that the attention of farmers m Southland should be called to the subject treated of therein, viz., the cultivation m New Zealand of Linum usitatissimum — the European flax r The request was of course com plied with, but as not only the farmers of Southland, but those of Canterbury are interested m the question of how to deal with their land to advantage we, m our turn, also call attention to the sub ject. The extract m question is from a letter to an Auckland paper (the " New Zealand Herald ") from its Wellington correspondent, who mentions the great interest taken by Mr Fisher m the sub ject of flax cultivation, and states that that gentleman has had an extensive I and interesting correspondence on the \ subject, some of which he (the the writer 'of the letter) has been permitted to peruse. He goes on to say : — " One large manufacturing firm m Scotland (Dalgleish and Co. Dundee), estimates that £10,000,000 sterling goes to Eussia every year for the purchase of flax; What is to prevent a large pro portion of this coming to New Zealand? The answer is : Nothing but the in difference of the New Zealand agricul turists to the cultivation of this crop. Fifty years ago every English, Scottish, and Irish farmer grew some flax for making linen for his own household. 1 The linen manufrcturers of the North of 1 Ireland had for a time a mine of wealth m the general cultivation of the flax plant. Flax yields two valuable crops, after which there is a large residuum for feeding and fattening cattle — (1) Linseed, yielding from £10 to £12 per acre ; (2) the flax stalk, worth from £4 to £6 per acre ; and (3) bolls or capsules of the seed, which cattle are very fond of. An acre of flax will yield 20 bushels of linseed. The Dundee firm above named have offered seed enough gratis to crop a thousand acres, and £4 per ton for the straw, leaving the linseed to the growers. A farmer near Belfast last year refused £20 for the growth of an acre, another farmer m the same district got £60 for a crop of four acres. The Hon Mr Fisher asks why this crop should not be grown here if it will be profitable. Mr Orr Wallace, of Belfast, haa in vented a scutching machine which releases the whole of the fibre without waste. This machine is somewhat expensive (£105) but one of them would serve a whole district. It is, moreover, a crop which can be sown and ! gathered by children. Every suggestion of a practical nature is valuable, and this one coming from a member of the Government, might be turned by the agriculturists of New Zealand to profit able account. The figures given above are authentic, and should encourage some enterprise that would have the effect of determining the actual result of engaging m it." Our Southland con temporary good-naturedly chaffs Mr Fisher on the prominence given m the foregoing to the merits of the Wallace scutcher, though it does not. for a moment accuse him of a wish to exploit that particular machine, but gives him the credit to which he is entitled for seeking to point out to farmers a way m which they may turn their land to good account. Tho matter is certainly worth consideration m these days of low prices for grain and meat, the more especially that as regards grain m particular there appears at present to be little or no prospect of more satisfactory rates being obtainable.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Bazaar will be held at Tinwald on Mon day m aid of the funds of the Longbeaoh Parochial Distriot.

The evening attendance at the Ashburton Post and Telegraph Office on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays will oease on and after the 3rd prox.

We remind members of the oongregation of St. Stephen's that, according to the custom of the Anglican Ohuroh, the offertories to-morrow, being Easter Sunday, will bo given to tho rev the incumbent.

A rifle matoh was fired yesterday morning between a team representing the blacksmiths and another representing the other members of the Ashburton Guards. The blacksmiths wore beaten by 45 points. Afterwards a match was iked between teams picked by Golor-Sergeant Keir and Sergeant Leitoh. Color-Sergeant Keir's team won by 28 points.

In this moning's " Mail " man artiole upon New Guinea there is an amusing example of the way m whioh familiar quotations are sometimes improved upon (?) by the oom - positor, the wellknown line " Distance lends enchantment to the view," being rendered "Distance lends entertainment, etc We prefer the original—A little farther on the intelligent comp and the careless reader are conjointly responsible for the expression " rivers bear on their blossom, " instead of "bosom" as written.

A ceremony of a pleasing nature took place \ on Thursday evening when the Ashburton oarriers presented Mr T. Smith, of the Railway Department, with a marble timepiece m re cognition of the invariable courtesy he had shown to all who had occasion to have deal ings \uth him. Mr Smith has been employed m the goods shed here for some time past, but is now under orders to proceed to Timaru, where ho is to undertake the duties apper. taining to a higher position. The presentation was made on behalf of the oarriers by Mr Potter, and Mr Smith suitably returned thanks for the evidence of goodwill whioh had been shown towards him. The presentation having been made, the remainder of the even ing was spent m a social manner.

The annually recurring celebration of tho opening of the Baptist Ohuroh took place as usual ;on Good Friday, the tea being held m the Oddfellows' Hall. The affair was very] successfully carried out, 1 the various tables being presided over by Meadames Meddings, Murgatroyd, Green* slade, Wheeler, Osborne, Oass, Giles, and Misses Wildsmith, Sawle (2), Kingston, and Steele. About 250 sat down to tea, the viandß being prolusely laid out, and everyone appearing muoh pleased with the good things provided. The after meeting, which was 1 very well attended, was presided over by Mr J. W. Sawle, the platform being oooupied by a number of speakers and a strong ohoir, the ' ohuroh singers being assisted by several good voices from Willowby. Mr Kingaton was oonduotor, with Mr Wildsmith as organist, The meeting opened with prayer by the I Revd Mr Dewdney, followed by the ohoir with "He that heareth and believeth." Mr Oolyer, the secretary, then read the fifth annual report, whioh was of a satisfactory nature, showing an increase of 18 members for the year. The Sunday sohool roll showed 68 scholars. Mr T. M. Jones, the treasurer, read the balance-sheet and report for the year. The ohoir sang "Gome to Jesus," after whioh the chairman gave an address, mentioning that the Revds Messrs Beattie and Blake were unavoidably absent* having to attend a Presbyterian tea meeting at Springburn. The meeting was afterwards addressed by Capt Harvey, of the Salvation Army, Mr Boothroyd, the newly appointed minister of the Primitive Methodist Church, and the Rovd Mr Dewdney, of Christohurch. j The latter two gentlemen spoke at consider able length. The choir sang several capilal anthems during the evening, the selection of these having been made very happily. The last speaker was the Revd Mr MoNicoll, Rnd j the usual votes of thanks brought the meeting to a olose. The owners of one of the largest ranches m Texas have contracted with a Chioago firm to have the top wire all around their pasture fence oharged with eleotrioity, go as to give a shock to all animals touching it, and to enable their cowboys to telephone to them by attach ing a portable instrument to the wire. A break m the fence will ring a bell at headquarters.

Advices from Mexico state that Mr Fay, an American millionaire, is having a gorgeous aerial palace built at Guajanto. It will be over 300 feet high, and supported by massive iron pillars. It will be surrounded by im mense gardens, reminding one of the legen dary suspended gardens of Babylon. •He has already named it Semiramia Palace. Acoeas to it will be obtained by a gigantic lift, and it will be placed within telephonio communica tion with the town. Mr Fay has purchased a spring m the neighborhood m order to have a special Bupply of water. His reason for building this castle m the air is to escape from the poisonous microbes which infeofc large cities.

Inia letter to a brother praotitioner, Dr Gibbes, of New Plymouth, sayg : — " Our aohools are olosed here, owing to diphtheria being m town and being spread by them. The number of oases I have seen to date is forty-eight m twenty-nine families. The blue gum constant steam has been a great sucoess, I not having lost a oase so far, I was doubtful at first as to its being true diphtheria, until I saw a ohild suffering from paralysis after it, whioh, of course, deolded. the point."

The <( Sydney Bulletin " tells the following sad story : —Percy MoDonald haa had much trouble of late. First he lost his mother after a few day's illness. Then his second eldest brother, who had been an ecclesiastical student at Lyndhurst College, Sydney, died of consumption. This was followed by the sudden death of his eldest sister, while the dootor was writing a prescription for her. Then his father (formerly Attorney.Generai for Viotoria) was Btricken down with paralysis and finally, the other day, his surviving' brother was killed by a tram accident m Viotoria.

The Melbourne correspondent of th e " Sydney Mail " writes :— Talking about lh c law, that was a singular case settled by the Full Court the other day. A man had been sentenced to six months' imprisonment for shooting at another. Objection was raised that the sentence was not heavy enough. The Judge, it was urged, should have com mitted for three years, the minimum sen tence provided by the Act. The oase was taken m due course into Banco. The objec tion was sustained. The prisoner, it was held, should have been sent to prison for three yeara. Then the superior Court clapped on the extra 30 months, of course ? Not at all. The Court decided that as the prisoner had been sentenoed to Bix months' imprison ment when he ought to have been sentenced to three years' imprisonment he waa entitled to his liberty, and he was discharged. This is the law, no doubt ; but is it not very much like law run mad 7

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

(PER PREY'S ASSOCIATION.;

Wellington, Alaroh 39. The Hutt P.Mk ttailway line suffered by the gnle, and"tho:e a-tending the races will have to go through L >wgr Hatt. The attendance is expectod to be seriously aff cte3.

The Court of Enquiry on the wreok of tho Plelone, censored tbe captain for not taking soundings, and considered that if ho was not eatisfiad of hia position he should hava hove to till daylight. ELIb oartlScste W*a raturaed, but ha waa ordered to pay the oaata of the euqalry amouutlug to nine guineas.

James Coulter, a farmer at Waiwetn, waa drowned ia tin Wainuiomata Rivor on Wednesday afternoon. Coulter and hla brother-in-law, Sinclair, were crossing the river on horseback whon thay were waah3d off. Deceased attempted to save him?elf ty olingiog to his horses mane. The body wag reoovered.

It isunderstoodthat Defective laspsotor Browne will not be tranaferrad t> Auck land as at first proposed, hia nervices will bo retained m Wellngton aud he will take the position of Ohief Detective.

The cable across Oook s strait is broken and the only conamunioatian with the 3outh lalaud is via Wanganui cable. DxmtEDiK, Maroh 29, At a mcc; 1 1« of fche Charitable Aid Board a resolution was carried la favor of amending and simplifying the Act by abolishing separate initltatlona and placing their management m the hands of one board;

A woman nomed Mca Hannon was burned to death at Olyde last Sunday by her clothea catching fire.

VALEDICTORY.

During this and next week many of the Wealeyan minister of the colony will, m theatrical parlance, be "on the wing," and the sentiment — " the King Is dead ; long live the K.rg," will In most cases be expressed — farewell meetings to the outgoing, being followed m quick buc ceßalon by gatherings to welcome the inooining, pastor. Among others who are being transferred to fresh fields of labour is the Rev David MoNiooll, who, daring the three years he has been io. Ashburton, haa not only earned the estimation and affjction of his own con gregation, bnt, by hia liberal views and hia Interest m every good work, has made a wide circle of frienda of all denomina tions throughout th 9 county, A meeting for the purpose of bidding the rev gentle man goodbye was held m the ohuroh on Thursday night, Mr .Robert Aloorn m the chair. Representatives from other churches were present, aa well as friends from distant parts of the Circuit, and the proceedings were of a very homely character. After devotional exercises, Jed by Mr J. Aliaoa, the Chairman referred m brief terms to the occasion which had brought them togethor, and then called on Mr Ctudea Dixon (m the absence of Mr W. EL Coliinß) to present the follow ing addr I i to Mr McNioo!'. To the Key David McNicoll — Dear Sir, — The me:nbers and adherents of the Wesleyan Methodist Ohuroh of Ashbur. ton dealre to place on reojrd their testimony of your faithful and Buccesstnl labors daring the term of your ministry m this Circuit, The subscribers to this raemento will always remember withßatis factlon and pleasure your untiring and sucoflssful effort m the liquidation of the deb*- upon the ohuroh. Your iateroourse with your people has invariably been that ot a uympathetio friend, as well aa of a true Christian pa&tor. Your pulpit minis trations have ever been acceptablo to your congregation,, being characterised by deep spiritual earnestness and breadth of Christian teaching, untrammuled by con ventionalism. W9 shall not soon forget yuur cheerful presence and faithful counsels, and m wishing you goodbye shall oontinao to pray that Heaven's ohoioest blessings may be your privilege, with a continuation of yet greater tucoess m (he exalted work of preaching the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Ohrlßt. Signed on behalf of the members and adherents of the Wealeyan Ohuroh, W. H. Collins, 3. .8. Chapman, and others. The address, which was enclosed m a neat frame, had been engrossed and elegantly illuminated by Me W, &. Wade, of Timaru, and reflected the highest, credit on that gentleman's taste and skill. After Mr H. M. Jones had given a short speech m support of the address, Mr W, H. Collins, Senior Oiroult Steward, reviewed the ministerial carear of Mr MoNlcoll m Ashburton, and at the same time referred to the difficulties with which the church had to contend m the early days of the settlement. In a very happy and racy way Me Collins spoke of Me McNlcoll's efforts to liquidate the church debt by a series of bazaars, m whioh he had been ably seconded by Mrs MoNiooll, to whom, on behalf of the ladies of the Oircuit, he had much pleasure m handing a combined sealskin muff and bag oon tainlng a number of sovereigns. The choir than sang with admirable expression an appropriate hymn ontitlod "God be with you till we meet again," Mr McNicoll, m acknowledging the address to himself and presentation to Mrs MoNlool), said it was not an easy matter to make a speech when one w»b going I away. He thanked them for all the kind things which had been said, but he must take exoeption to what had been advanced concerning the spiritual sucoess which had attended hia labors here, la this hs had been disappointed, and it was difficult to receive tha flattering remarks tbat had been made, Cortainly there had been revivals m different part? of the Circuit, but m view of this an increase of only sixty-five church members for the tiree years' work was not sufficient to date Mm. He admitted, however, that tsba lated figures did not always represent the trae position. He f jit that he would be known not as a soul-winner, but the nan who had got the debt wipec off the church. Ho would rather that hia repu tation had been that of a soil-winner. Concerning any success whia had at tended hfa eflorts finanolally,jfcr MoNicoll reminded the meeting that A was only because he had been ausrouded by men and women of grit, and uojss this had been so any organisation orfforts of his would have boon futile. At this stage refreshmentsrere handed round, after whioh Mr Ledley gavo a capital speech, and was folftved by Mr W. Harding, whose forcibleadvooacy of the itlnorant system, with itiadvontagea, • must surely have reconcileanv disarm- I

tented spirits who chafed althe inexor able lavr which removes lr MoNiooll to other fialds of pastoral vrk. While speaking from the heading— : Where are we 1 " numerically, spiritual, and finan cially, compared with the jsition three yeara ago, Mr Leadley note that while tha list of mambora ahowed rlao of 150 to 215, It must be borne i mind that about 90 members had ion written off In congequence of tip removal from tho district or ritli. Both Mr Laadley, Me Hatding, a; Meases H. M. Carson, Alison, and Airewa, who alao addroasod tho meebingpoko of the bold, original, and emphatloulpit utter ances of Me MoNlooll, anovishod him God epaed. A report ofiis meeting would be incomplete wlthoureforenoa to the beautiful music diaco'ed by the choir, and It 1b open to qitlon If ever Mr Gamble and his well-died band of aingera sang with such ocMon and effdot as on Thursday nigh Mias Potter at the organ and Mlsa L'a;loliniat lend ing valuable assistance, wa Miss Ulara Steel'ea solos were faultiest he Doxology terminated tho procedingc Mr MoNlcoll preach< hla farewell sermon to-morrow night*

TREMENDOUS STORM AND TIDAL WAVE IN WELLINGTON

Wellington. March 30

One of tho siver.sfc storms tht has be9n experienced here for years swept over the city on Wedoesday evening, ac companied by a tidal wave which ro?e m bhe harbor to wi f ,hin 18 inches of the breastwork. Tho Btortn caused vejy heavy damage m town, and the Govern ment Ttaihvay line between Ka'nvarra and Potone is so far damaged tint it is antici pated that a large p »rt will have to ba reconstructs. A huge aea ruaninw up the Ohanoel from the heads directel its waves ogainat tho rai'way line along Petone beach, and basides the damage to the railway line it cirried away several boat sheds m Oriontal Bay j'lat opposite tha wharves, it tore down the side oi the Te Aro baths and drove ashore sev r il yachts. The freezing hullr, Jubilee, lying off Petone wharf parted her moorings an-J was driven against the wharf with tix thousand carcases of meat aboard It is not thought that aay serious damage was sustained. Iron roofs, windows and j chirm qjb also came m for attention, a j id several small buildings were wrecked.

The Hutt Park railway line sufEared by the South gale and thoße attending the races will have to go through the Lower Hutt. The attendance ia expected to be 89riou3ly affsctod. The "N.Z, Tunes" of Maroh 29 A aa y a : — The heavy aea which ran daring the later part of the afternoon did. terrible damage to the railway line between Wel lington and the Hmt Valley, the practical effect being that the line frjm Kalwhara to Pitone was wrecked, and cannot be made available for traffic for some weeks. When the Wair*rap& trtin came through at mld-dsy yesterday no damage of any kind had been done ; the line waa anin jared from end to end. Inter on when the Hutt train arrived it 350 there was no sign of damage. The through train which leavea Wellington at 4 o'clock, however, had a rather risky journey from Kaiwhara to Ngauraoga, for the gale waa at that time at its height, and the tre mendous force with which the aea, running at unusually high tide, struck the shore, had, m several places, undermined the foundations of the Hoe, which wan very shaky m a number of places, especially near Nganranga. At about a mile and a half paßt the Ngauranga station the pas sage of the train was stopped absolutely by a alip, which had washed the founda tions from under the line It waa also found impossible to go back, for there ware, by this times, several breaks at the rear of the spot where the train stopped. The paßsengera, of whom there were a good number, got oat of the train, and sheltered themselves for a time aa beat they could from the wind and rain. Sub sequently most of them were picked np by traps pasiiing by and taken on to P.tone, whore they fouud comfort at tb& Marine Retreat. It happened fortunately that Mr Dawson, the traffi; manages, was on the traiu, and under his direction every possible provision was made for the oon vemience of the late passengers. The railway authorities promptly took such tteps as were possible to keep the traffic up. Meafira Coitrell and Young's omnibuses were at once secured, and paß sengers by ordinary trains were taken out by them to Pitona, whenoa they coald be conveyed to their destinations, the lino being all right beyond that station. The 'busses proved a capital substitute for the railway cara, being capaclona and comfort able, while the distance is not long enough to make the difference m the time of the journey great enough to be sppreolablo. Intending passengers by the late traina wore taken out m this way, and m oabs, of which a Urge nnunber were laid oa. Tho Wairarapa train did not arrive at Pitone till 10 miunte3 past 9 last night, and its passengers and gooda "were brought into town by road. Oar special reporter, who went along the line l»at night, etatea that the damage done is Btartllng. Up to Kaiwhara the damage, if any, is very slight indeed, al though the formation has baen i».j ired a little m plaoea. But between Kuiwhara and Ngauranga the formation may alao bo said to have been utterly destroyed, and the whole line will have to be bnilt up again. In come places the embankment has been forced, as it were, right up by the pressure of the water, and oovers the rails np; m other again the foundation has baen draggei right away, leaving the rails and Bieepers suspended like minia ture bridges over gaps two or three feet deep. As you near Ngauranga the damage increases greatly . For about twenty yardß from the stone faolng m front of the station the raila on one side have been swept away, and the extent of the Bea which waa running during the afternoon is Bhowa by the circumstance that there are still pools of salt water on the road, and a thin coating of sandy mud was noticeable m the vicinity. Indeed, at one tinae during the afternoon the sea water had occasionally washed Into Oiapham'a Hotel, an d partially flooded the carriages of passing railway trains. The itone wall m front of the station has been literally awept aw*y, and sturdy aa the wall looked the water Woke it down and overwhelmed it, and tae occasional pieces of Btone standing now remind one of the ruins of an old fortress. The damage done here ia so extensive tVat the Government will probably take tht line along the back of th-e station for a time at all events. Further on the damage la still greater- The gapa are longer, and the rails m many cases have no support at all for distanced of come yards. At the s*ot where some little time ago the fence tQ d line were shiftod back, tho rails and B oma of the sleepers (a great many having L 36n ffaß hed iway) are lying on the ground at the ttlglnal level. The train which wß nt oat it 4 o clock m the afternoon ia still on the ioe a mile and a-half beyond Wgatranga. When the train (which consist of i large engine of the B c ] aBO md several care) stopped there In ;he afternoon the line was Bafe and sound mder her ; but when oar reporter arrived* it about 8 o'clock tha raiia on the sea »lde had fallen m. considerably m consa juence of the formation In whioh they 3tood having bean washed away. The anglne canted over to the water side very much, though the oara stood tolerably straight, Undoubtedly the engine must have toppled over had not a queer-look ing craft, which appeared to be the flooring of a very large room, and might nave belonged to one of the numerous boatsheda destroyed, been washed np right against it, and embedded m the Band there, thus shielding the line from tha force of the waves. A number of men were at work last night building np the line so as to keep the train Bafe. The concrete wall three mlle3 beyond Ngau ranga haa been completely deatroyed, and hardly a chain of it is left standing. Iv this vicinity there has been a Blip from I the hill side, and the road la strewn with boulders. From this on to within a very short dlstancD of Pitone the same condi tion of things prevails ; and, m brief, the line is wrecked from Kalwhara to Pitonn

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN

(PKH rtiESS ASSOCIATION.)

ZANZIBAR.

London, March 28. bezzid Khalif succeeds to ihe throne of Zanzibar.

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SCHEME.

At a meeting of members of Mr Gladstone's party, it was decided not to offer any opposition to the Local Government scheme.

THE PACIFIC SQUADRON.

H.M.S. Swiftsure will shortly relieve H.M.S. Triumph as flagship of the Pacific squadron.

AUSTRALASIAN STOCKS.

The "Standard" states that it is nonsense the way investors have rushed for New Zealand, South Australian aod Queensland stocks.

AUSTRALIAN RUBIES.

London, March 29. The leading French lapidaries pro nounce that the rubies brought borne by Mr Richard Fearon, from South Australia are of excellent quality.

A MUNIFICENT GIFT.

H.M.S. Orlando will enter on her commission for Australian waters on April 25th. H.M.S. Nelson will be presented Xo the Australian Govern ments.

THE DOCKYARD FRAUDS.

The Admiralty have dismissed all the officials guilty of complicity m the Devonport dockyard frauds, and have also reduced all who have been shown to have been negligent m detecting such frauds.

ELECTION OF A HOME RULER.

The election for the House of Commons to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr Frank Ash Yeo, M.P, for Gower, Glamorganshire, resulted m Mr Randall, Home Ruler, being re turned. Mr Randall poled 3964 votes against 3360 by his opponent, Mr Llewellyn.

MR BRIGHT ON FEDERATION.

The Right Hon John Bright, speak ing at Birmingham, declated that federation was a dream of absurdity, and contended that the colonies would never become responsible Jor. the war like policy of Great Britain, and the divergent tariffs would also prove and continue to be an obstacle.

MR CHAMBERLAIN.

- The freedom of the City of Birming ham has been presented to Mr Cham berlain m recognition of his valuable services m connection with theCaoadian fisheries dispnte,

At the banquet held m honor of his return, the Right Hon Mr Bright, m proposing the toast of •' Kinsmen," regretted that New South Wales and Victoria had never federated, but ad mitted their remaining' apart would posssbly strengthen the amicable rela tions existing between England and the colonies.

FRANCE AND ITALY.

Enquiries made into the circum stances connected with the French squadron firing upon the Italian steamer Solferino, prove that the affair was quite accidental, and the incident has been arranged satisfactorily.

THE FLOODS IN EUROPE.

Berlin, Maroh 27. The Vistula Valley is inundated, and seventy villages have been devastated.

March 29. The floods m East. Prussia have rendered 30,000 people homeless, and damage to the extent of 100,000,000 francs has been caused ; 10,000 head of cattle were drowned.

EMPEROR FREDERICK.

Berlin, Maroh 28. The Emperor Frederick is) suffering from sleeplessness, and is much troubled with coughing.

GENERAL BOULANGER.

Paris, Maroh 29. General Boulanger has withdrawn from the contest for Laone.

MR BALFOUR IN DANGER:

Dubmn, March 29. It is stated that the police authorities have discovered a plot for the murder of Mr A. J. Balfour, Irish Secretary.

GENERAL GOURKO.

St. Petersburg, March 29. It is reported that General Gourko will be appointed to the command of the Russian forces now stationed on the western frontier.

RUSSIA AND BULGARIA.

The Russian Government are about to ask the Great Powers to declare Bulgaria contumacious.

AFFAIRS IN ABYSSINIA,

Massowah, March 29. The attack of the rebels on the out posts was commenced on Thursday last at daylight.

It is thought that the scarcity of water and the want of food will compel the Negus of Abyssinia to commence fighting.

FIGHTING AT SAATI.

Sharp outpost fighting has taken place at Saati, and it has been the means of checking the advance of the rebels.

AUSTRALIAN.

(per press association. )

NEW SOUTH WALES.

vSydnby, Maroh 29. There have been several new lodes discovered m Tuena silver district. Five hundred men are now on the ground, and the field is daily increas ing m importance.

A deputation from the anti-Chines.c meeting held on Tuesday night waitecl on the Premier yesterday afternoon, and laid before him the resolutions passed by the meeting. In reply to the .deputation, Sir Henry Parkes said Government' aimed at practical pro* hibition of Chinese emigration to New South Wales. The whole question, said the Premier, would shortly be submitted toj the consideration»of Parliament,

JHE ASHBUBTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, MASCH 31, 1888



THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN. From and af tor the 30th November, 1886, the terms of Subscription to this journal will_be as follows, viz. : — IF PAID IN ADVANCE '. Per Quarter.. 6a 6d, by post, 9a 64 „ Half-year 12s 6d, by post, 18a 6d „ Year .. 24s Od, by post, 37a Od IF BOOKED Per Quarter.. 7s 6d, by post, 10a 9d „ Half-year 15s Od, by post, 21s 6d „ Tear .. 30s Od, by post, <13s Od Birth, Marriage, and Death Notioes, if paid for at the time of insertion, 2s 6d eaoh (fltamps may be sent as payment) ; if booked, 4s eaob. Announcements of Births, Deaths and Marriages sent for publication from the country distriots require to be verified by tbe i signature of the person sending the notice . i s *



DIARY. _! Moon's [ Sun Sun Moon Moon age at March-April. Rises. Sots. Rises Beta, noonday p.m a.m. 26 Monday \u0084 0.14 5 fi9 5.14 322 18 27 Tuesday .. 6.18 5.57 549 4.38 14 28 Wednesday.. 6.1C 5.65 6.21 551 16 29 Thursday .. 0.17 5.M 0.54 7> ie 30 Fii.lny.. .. 6.18 5j52 731 8.24 17 31 Saturday ... 6.1 D 550 8.12 941 18 1 Sunday .. 6.20 6.49 8.67 10.54 19 I \u25a0 . JMoonlight Evenings. The Moon at 3 days old [nhines till about 8 o'clock. The Moon at 6 days old shines till about half-pact 10 o'clock. The Moon at 8 days old shines till nearly o'clook m the morning. The Moon at 12 days old shines from sundown ill about 4 m the morning. The Moon at 15 days old is full, and shines all night. The Moon at 18 days old rises about 9 p.m. and shines till morning. The Moon at 21 days old rises about 11 a.m. and shines till morning. The Moon at 24 days old rißes about 2 a.m. and shinestill morning, The Moon at 27 days old rises about 4 a.m. and shines till sunrise.



HonowAY's Film —Nervous Irritability — No part of the human maohiue requires more constant supervision than the nervous svstein —for uponjfc our health-and even lifa-3 depends. These pills strengthen the nerves hi n nV r M the Safe üßtu Bt general P urifi( *s of the blood. Nausea, headache, giddiness, numb Sf«nnf ? • nwntal apathy ? ield t0 theQ J- They iZ P A~t' aUmm&t F manner those distress^ tnhJd W° B .^ toms ' stomachio pains, diltanSnn f k ° f t , hß BtOma9h ' abdomina distension, and regulates alike capricious appetites and confined howels-^the commonly uccompanyang sign of defective or diminished rpl ° no^ Solloway's Pills are particularly recommended to persons of studious and sedentary habits, who gradually fall iqto a nervous and irritable state, unless SOWa guoh jeolowuw bg 9Qg ftg , QW Ily a fe fla , i



i.The Emperor of Austria will celebrate his Jubilee next Deoember. He has asked that it be celebrated with works of practical benevo- lence, rather than pomp and show. SANDER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EX- TRACT.— In protection of the worldwide 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 Sjstem, says m &n editorial published m the " Clinical Reoord : "-r" We have examined half-a-dozen specimens of different manufactures; tho preparation of Sander and Sons was the only one that proved to be reliable and correspond- 1 ing to Boientifio tests." Another concoction ' oalled " Refined Extract of Eucalyptus " has made its appearance sinoe. This produofc stands, according to Dr Owen, foremost m oausing injurious effects. That gentleman communicates, at a meeting of the Medioal Society of Viotoria, that a ohild living at Fitzroy beoame most seriously indisposod inrough its use. In another case a lady states on the strength of statutory declaration that Bhe Buffered cruelly from the effects of the same ooncootion. To guard the high reputation of our manufacture we feel warranted m exposing tho above facts, and desire the public to exeroise care and precau- jtio when buying SANDER and SONS.— I (Advt-) q I



Koating's Powder destroys both moths, fleas beetles, and all other insects, while quite harmless to domestic animals. In extermi- nating beetles, the success of this powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly olean m aupli- oation. See the artiole you purohase is Keating 's as imitations are noxious and ineffectual. Sold m tins, 6d, Is, and 2s ?aob, by &11 chemists.



Wanted, AN I"ED Known—H ey D. .Mo viooll will preach Farewell sermons io- mo'row irorn-ng, Willowby ; even'ng Aahburton 3 205 PJAN S, OrgaDS, Melophone, Hero- phones Clar; phones, Accordianß Conoerti; aa, Vioiir 8, Corfiets, Mouth Organs, Fiutoa Whistlo', ocarina 3, and Taa:louiice?. H. M. Jones 3 ing to the Koyal Hotel. Apply to Mrs Tofpix. 3 194^ BOOTS.— We hive reduced our Boot Lis f , and are selling them wonder- fully cheap,— B. O. Meltord Qoaae. WANTED Known— l have oeonred a hrge lot of Maa'a and Boya' Mule Trousers, good qo*Hty, at a very low pric, now on Bale at the Ashbnrton Oloti-ing Mnrt.— B. Alookn, Saundera' Build ingp. ' WANTED Known.— Melford Houae U now ehewlng a splendid assortment of Drapery, Mill nery, Oloth- inß, Booto, &o, very cheap. ~\\ /"ANTED -Everyone to come and [ W see the nioeat lot of Glaus, China, and Earthenware ever shown In Ashbnr- ton, and the Oheapettever landed m New Zealand. Imported dlreot from the Manufacturer. — Robert Alookn, Saun- dara' Buildings. 3*ll WINTER.— -We are now ihewlng a Splendid Assortment of LadJoa and Children's Ulsters m all the leading styles, very oheßp. — H. O. Segers, Melford House. 4 57" ANTED KNOWN — Oleographs V? Scenery, and Catholic Subjects Catholic Cards, good variety m Scraps Novelties m Penwipers, Crewel Wools and Siike, Knitting Cotton, Colored Crotchet Cotton, Transfere, Tinsel Balls, &c, &0., at jlbs Manhibb's Fincy Repository, Saunders' Buildings Land. Land. Land. FOR SALE, on Deferred Payment, , several Sections of some of the best Land m Allenton, 2a 6d per week. 3 167 LEWIS OAWSEY. 1 > f " TRY i KIRKPATRICK'S SPECIAL QUALITY ' FRESH FRUIT | "X" -JAM S— JSOTIOE. /^\UR Special Quality "X" brand of \J Now Season's JAM ia made from Fresh Frntt, within a few hours after it haa beep gathered; it thus retaloa the full flavor of the Freeh Fruit, and 1b the best quality it ia possible to make. CAUTION: None Is Genuine unless our Name is stamped on the Tin, and has our regis- tered Tiado Mark, the letter " X," on the Label, S. KIRKPATRICK AND CO., MANUFACTURERS, NELSON. , Important. mHE Proprietors of the HEW ZEA- -1 LAND CLOTHING FACTORY, at the requeat of a large number of their Customers, have decided to contlnne their Aahbnrton Branch. ! Oar Manager, Mb W. Sparrow, has just selected an entirely NEW STOCK, Suitable for the approaohlng Season, and with a view of commanding a Large Easiness, he has oar instruc- tions to mark ALL GOODS AT THE Lowest Factory Prices. Oar Clothing being manufactured of the beat New Zealand TWEEDS, well out and well made, ia known as superior to any other make, and obtained the GOLD AND SILVER MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE AX THE WELLINGTON BXQIBITION. HALLENSTEIN BROS & Co. A new and varied Stock of HOSIERY, HATS, SHIRTS. SCARFS, TIES, PORTMANTEAUS, &o , &0.. To select from, all marked at the Lowest Factory Prloea. 3 09



] BT a SELLING OFF ?\ « . o ! jS^\i KCOuCtIOPS. r ||i|f]Sp| I 15 PER CENT DISCOUNT ((C^H^^^ *" « FOR 0N^ MONTH 'W|W o Z* "T3 "T* /|*URRAY, Jeweller, having secured the Ptemiues late'y O L» JL*». JjjL (Ciopied by Me N«atb, Chemist, la now tff.rlag his >— w BTOOK m> (O DISCOUNT OF 3s IN THE £ PREVIOUS TO REMOVAL. 3 26 TUBER. TIMBER. TIMBER. mHE UNDEBFIGNED can Supply overy Rpqnisite for BUILDING PURPOSES. JL Timber, Tron. Rdging, Spcnting, Nails. Doors. Ei-shei. Cooking Range*, Registers, Paints, Oils, Brushes, Paperhaogingp, Window Glass (all bizes), Looks and Hi ges. ALSO,— NEWOiSTLE COAL WEBrPORT GOAL NATIVE COAL FIBEWOOD SHORT LENGTHS. McCallum and Co., TIMBER AND COAL MERCHANTS AND IMPORTERS. W. H. COLLINS, Manager. DIPPING mm, 1888. BROOKE'S " Perfect " Sheep Dip. 18 TBE BEST FOR THE WOOL, AS PROVED BY PRACTICAL TESTS. PREPARED In accordance with the lateat advancements In chemistry as applied to the Woollen Manufacturing Industry. It ia a decided improvement on the old fashioned dips and only requires a trial to jrove Its superiority. At the late Sheep dipping Competition, conducted by the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral AsbocU- tion, theKMapol Woollen Co., on behalf of the Association, for wool dyeing and general manufacturing purposes, awarded the first plaoe to Brooke's " Perfeot" Sheep Pip ; In fact, Brooke's Dip was the only one that actually improved the wool m this Important respeot, the undipped wool being second, whilst all the others were more or lew discolored. The Association also pronounced BROOKE'S "PERFECT" SHEEP DIP to be euperfor to the Zealandla, Little's, Qatolvs, Cooper's and McDougaH'fl, and also to leave the wool- m hotter condition than Thomas' Dip. Brooke's Dip having con- sequently been proved to be better than tbo Ecglißh Dips, your practical support ol the colonial article is respectfully solicited. To eip.ure Brooke's Dip being more thoroughly lasting In Hb good effects, m future it will be sent ont2o per cent stronger free of extra charge. Proportions for use — One Gallon of Dip to 100 Gallons to water. Mixes readily with cold water ; doea not reqniro etlrrlng while dipping. Remarkably emollient, leaving the wool m perfect condition, wUhont the ellghtes ftUln from the first day of Dipping. Concentrated m composition to reduce ooet ol carriage, and put up In a portable handy form for use, it is also one of the oheapest Dlpi tn the Market. . REDUCED PRICE : 14s per tin, to make 200 gallons wash ; 70a per case, con talning 5 tins, to make 1000 Gallons ; 653 per oase for not leaa tban 5 cases Packages free. F. MAKE I G, Agent, Ashburton GEORGE JAMESON. WEST STREET HAS FOR SALE,— Eye £orn, and Capa Barley, Plough Shares, Little's Sheep Dip, Thomas' Sheep Dip. AGENT FOR— New Zealand Fire and Marine Insurance Company. Bisks on GROWING CROPS or STACKS accepted at lowest current jateg, CASH PURCHASES OF WHEAT, OATS, and BARLEY. 2 THE STANDARD FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. WITH UNLIMITED LIABILITY QV SHAREHOLDERS. CAPITAL— £I,6ob7oOO STEELING. HEAD OFFICeT DUNEDIN. INSURERS have the most undoubted Security under this Company's Policies ) together with an assurance o£ Prompt and Liberal Settlement of Claims. FIRJB and MABINE HUSKS accepted ou all descriptions of Property and Merchandise also Crop, Stack, and Machine Riekß at Lowest Kate? of Premium, fidelity of Persons holding situations of trußt guaranteed. OFFIOEfi: HEREFORD STREET, CHRISTOHURCH. (Opposite Bank of New Zealand.) ARCHIBALD SCOTT, • f^^fm*^ !^^ s ta^^am»stsm^. Manager for Canterbury. >^^"SSbET BOBEIITS, 16 AGENT, ASHBURTON ALBEET ROBERTS, BAB FOE SALE,— Corn sacks LARGE SIZE ANJD FDLL weight. BEAMING TWINE Iff ANY QUANTITY. Clovers, — BED, WHITE, COWGEASB, ALSYKE. and TREFOIL. RYEGRASS, COCKSFOOT, and RAPEr"" ~ < ~" ANCHOR Binding "Wire and very bestjßinder Twine. Golden lares, Cape Barley. COOPER'S SHEEP DIP.