THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

From and after the 30th November, 1886, the terms of Subscription to Ibis journal will be viz. : — XF PAID IH ADVAHCZ: Per Quarter. . 6b 6d, by post, 9s 64 1,, Half-year 12s 6d, by post, 18s 6d „ Year . . 24a Od, by poßt,- 87s Od j IF BOOKED Per Quarter.. 7s Cd, by poßt, 10s 9d f,, Half-year 15s Od, by poßt, 21a 6d .„ tfear .. 30a Od, by poßt, 43a Od Birth, Marriage, and Death Notioea, if paid for at the time of insertion, 2s Cd each (stamps may be sent as payment) ; if booked, 4s eaoh. Announcements cf Births, Deaths and Marriages sent for publication from the oountry districts require to be verified by the signature of the person sending the notice.

DIARY.

MOONLIGHT EVENINGS.

The Moon at 3 days old .ebines till about 8 o'clook. The Moon at 6 days.old shines till about bftlf-paat 10 o'clock. The Moon at 8 days old shines till nearly 1 o'clock m the morning. The Moon at 12 days old shines from eundowm 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 sbineß till morning The Moon at 21 days old rieeß about 11 a.m. and shines till morning. The Moon at 24 days old rises about 2 a.m. and shines till morning, Tba Moon at 27 days old rises about 4 a.m. and shineo till sunrise.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THUBSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1888. CHILDREN IN FACTORIES.

Unless it be Fir George Grey, there seems to be no member of the House of Representatives, disposed to take up tho mantle of the late Mr I radshaigh — Bradsbaw, whose chief aim as a legis lator was to provide for the protection of women and chi dren . To the persistent and patient efforts of tho deceased gentleman is due the placing upon the Statute-book of the Employment of Females #nd Others Act 1881, arid of its subsequent amendments, the object of all wh eh was to prevent the weaker sex and the yonth and children of £he colony from being taxed beyond tjieir strength or mads to toil during uuduly protracted hours, to secure that they should not be crowded into ill-ventilated room 8 and that they should be allowed ample time for refreshment, rest and recitation. To no more noble end can any statesman direct his efforts, for ijie conservation of the health and physique! of the young and of the mothers of the next generation is, m the highest sense, the conservation of the best interests or the State, making for morality and intel lectuality as well as for physical advan tage*?, £cr 157 th peoples as with individuals there is a close connection and inter-rela tion between the metis sayta ans the corpus itanum, While then we cordially ap prove of tho wise provisions which Parliament at Jtljo instance of Mr Brad fihaw has already made m tjiis direction j we eincejtfly hope :tbat mop will bo fouud !to take up tho work to which ho po I earnestly devoted himself, and to legjg* I late stili further m the aamo direction, whenever it appears that such further legislation 'v necessary. And to 'judge from certain circumstances which were brought before tho Auckland Hospital and Charitable' Aid Board at jitii meeting on Monday last it would seem ttitt further legislative provision needs to be ma^e for the prevention of ' tho employment of childieu m dangerous manufacturer. For tho telegraph 1 forms us that at the meeting referred , ' to, a letter was received froj# & medical man, Dr Lindwj, \u25a0'•' drawing a^teu/tion to the caße of a lad of thirteen w^io ha^d been admitted to the hospital with hjs : arm mangled through its having boon caught m a machine which he was work- WjgT at the Fibre (Jompaay's mill. The jlad Xf&a ,V?o ypung "to be at work, and the doctor ,urge 4 Jthffc Bomo inquiry should be mado into ttie queation tho .employment of such children m factories, *n4 the 4 a Pg er incurred by them m working macliine^ Dr Lindsay said

den furnished the hoßnital with a large ' number of patients v?ho were, with a few ' exceptions, little girls twelve or thirteen ' years of ago, their injuries being as a rule crushed fingers and thumb wounds i sustained m working machinery for the ' manufacture of cartridges, and ampata- ! tion bad m some c&Bes had to be reaorf ed to." This is a serious matter and one !. which certainly calls for the intervention | [ of the legislature, for, on turning up the Acts relating to the employment of children it will b 8 seen that while children may not be employed under ten years of age and while they may be only employed for bo many hourfl a day, there is no regulation as to the kind of em ployment m which they may be engaged. Now, it needs no argument to show that children of tender years cannot be ex pected to use the same caution m dealing with machinery and with dangerous articles such as explosives and noxious' chemicals as would bo practised by adults, and that gravo risk of acci dent must attach to their employment amid such surroundings, ft is high time, therefore, that statutory provision wera made acraiust BUch risky proceed ings, and it is to bo hoped that the matter will not be lost sight of by the Government when drafting the Bill to further amend "The Employment of Females and Others Act/ whioh it is understood it is intended to introduce next session.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

We have to apologise to our readers for the fact that the paper has latterly been very difficult to read. This arises from the fault of the type being badly worn, having seen union service. We are making arrangements to remedy thiß, and as soon as the new type, arrives (now espeoted m a few weeks) shall put % new faoe on matters. Meantime we muflt ask indulgence for shortcomings, whioh are not the fault of either the compositor or the machinist, but whioh are very acnoying to ourselves as well as to our subscribers.

A cheap excursion train will be rur from Ashburton to Cbriatohuroh on Wednesday next, one of the days of the Fire Brigade demonstration. Fares ; 5s 6d Orst-olaeß ; 4s second. The fallowing is a list of the Ashburton Volunteers who qualified as marksmen for last year : — Major Douglas, Capt. and Adjt. Fooks. Ashburton Rifles— Capt. Dolman, Lieut. Mailer, Cot. Sergt. McDonald, Sorgt. Nelson, Corpl. Ash ton, Oorpl. Andrews, Pte. Choar, Pte. A. Curtis, Pte. Graham, Pte. \u25a0 Hepburn, Pte. Mullanev.Pto. A 1 ex- McDonald, Pte. John Sim. Ashburton Guards—Color , Sergt. Keir, Sergt. Gates, Corpl. Morrison, Pte. J. Loitoh, Pte. J. W. Mcßae. A meeting was held on Wednesday evening with the object of forming a Bowling Club. Present— Meeßre D. Thomas (ohair), Williams, Zander, Curtis, Makeig, Hawson, Purnell, I Kneen, and Cuthbertson, It was resolved that those prcaent form themselves into a Club, to be oalled " The Aabbnrton Bowling Club." The subscription was fixed at one' guinea payable m advance, the season to terminate on June 30th. Moesrß Thomas, William?, and Eneen were appointed a Managing Committee, and Mr Hawson Secretary and Treasurer. Mr Zander was requested to prooure four pairs of bowls, and an offer from Mr Crisp of the use of his lawn aa a bowling-green was accepted with thanks. This completed the business.

The following gentlemen were yesterday nominated as members o! the South Rakaia Licensing Committee ; — Meßsrs E. S. Coster, D. Q. Holmes. W. T.yttelton. L. Oxley, and 0. W. Turner. Thiß being the number required to form 'he committee, Mr Makeig, the Returning Officer, declared them duly elected. — Only four gentlemen were yesterday nominated as a Licensing Committee for the Mount Somors district. The eleotion, therefore, falls through, and it now rests with the Governor to appoint five Com missioners.

Our South Rakaia correspondent wroto last evening :— The weather on Sunday and Monday could not have been better for harvesting, but Tuesday morning again let up know that it oould blow from north-weet. Up till two o'clock on Wednesday it continued without intermission, and put a stop to at aoking operations. In the Road Board dietriot only some bix hundred acres of wheat are uncut and a very email acreage of late oats. Some pjf the wbeat will not be ready for five or bis days. The wind is now from the south-west, but there is no appearance at present of even a ehowcr. A day's steady rain would do an enormous amount of good to the graßß and turnip orppa whioh are very much parched up. The area m turnips this year is very considerable and farmer? are looking for some good winter feed. Borne few are threshing out of Btook, but the maJDrity ara busy every minute etaoking, weather permitting. From actual observation I should not imaglbo the yield of wheat thia year will equal that of last by some bushels per aore.

A member of Wellington Rifle corps, pharged with being a non-eflioient, has been ordered to pay £3, the amount of capitation which b« had Jailed to pern, into the funds of bis corps, oa well as the oostfl of pourt. \u25a0The Chriatchurob Tramway Oompany have resolved to extend theii lines to Sumner if satisfactory financial arrangements can be made. Tbe Railway Department is at present making a thorough test m North Canterbury of the heat producing, eteara generating, and economio values of the different V.inds of native coal. The result will be published shortly. The last spike m the Overland Itai'road track connecting Orogon with California was driven on Dec. 17th. at Ashland, Oregon* At 5.-S p.m. as boou aB the first blow of a silver sledge w&s $yen to a goldon ppike, the bells and steam whis'iea alfln^ the coast and m San Francisco— loo mileti away — gave forth joyful sound?. This result was achieved by elcjjtrioal couneotion previously made. £'ho beot medicine ia Bander and Sons' Eucalypti Extract, feet its eminent power* ful efleotß m ooughs, colds, influenza, oto.~ }he relief is' instantaneous. Thousands give the wobJ; gratifying testimony. Hlb t the King of jttaly and modioal syndicates all : over the globe aw its patrons. JUea4 the official reports that accompany each bottle. We havo no occasion to offer rewards m proof of the genuineness! of our references. The official reports of medical olinicg znd univer> sitieH, the ofHcloial communication of the Consul-General for Italy at Melbourne ; the diploma awarded International Exhibition, Amsterdam — all these are authentio doou monts, and, aB suoh, not open to doubt. Wo <Wd b{><tQ epitome of one of the various oases treated at the clinio nf Sobultz, M.D., Pro* fosHor. etc.— "O.B., 24 yea.w jjld ; oongeg. tjonal cbjpess on the thigh. Inoiaiorfs J3 uiaJc m two pUoee. Although liister'B drotfeing i was applied, the ecoret^pa became, two days i law, very copious, and had adopted a foetid, deoomposed character, The temper atur.o rose enormously. In oonsequGOOfi the dressing was removed, and on ita place were tuado during the day-time repeated irrigations with Eucalypti Extract. Tho offensive foeter dis. appeared very soon, tho fever abated within a fcv7 d»iys, and the patient recovered af er the lftpflS of several yetfsa. In this instanae we m'usl not lose sight 'of the fact thai the latter treatment js&Ved t&e ptttienVi lito.'V (Mrt) . \u25a0'\u25a0•\u25a0• •\u25a0\u25a0•• (

" Periohondritis," the disease whioh the] " Lancet " fears the Crown Prince may develops, is " Inflammation of the membrane of the oartilage." The extraordinary woatber m theWaikato (says the " Times ") is oreating much aneasi ne3a regarding the crops, whioh are now fully matured. The cold, bleak wind and rain is quite phenomenal for this time of the year, which is usually tropical m its boat. Harvest orperations are touch interfered with, and ft ait has suffered to a great extent. At Ohine« nrori the orchards have been rendered nearly nieleflß this year by the oodlin moth. It is far worse than last year, and is likely to be atill worse next year. Hoi&owat's Pillb and Ointment.— Soldiers and Sailora,— -These well-known and easily used remediea are especially serviceable and convenient for those who, like soldiers and sailors, aro exposed to great changes of 1 climate, and the hardships inseparable from their calling. Many of the diseases engendered m the system from these and other untoward causes can be ohecbed and controlled by atten tion at their onset, and m Holloway's remediea will be found a ready means ol relief without hindrance from doty. Many a man is invalided and rendered more or less a burden to himself and friends from neglect ing the early Bjmptoms of his complaint wbioh calamity might be averted by timelj resort to the pse of Holloway'a Pills am

THE MOANATAIARI GOLD MINING COMPANY

(rifitt PdKbS AB8O0IATIOS .)

Auckland, February 15. Mr Ft A. Wane, manager of the Moanatalarl Gold Mining Company, re ceived a cable message this morning from London, from Mr P.- Oomlekey, :to the fcffrtCt that the MoanataUrl mine hid been successfully floated m tho London market. Twenty-fivo thousand paid-up sharos will be allnted to the present shareh >ldtts } In lieu of 13.500 now held by them, and 25,000 paid-up shares will go to the London Syndicate, whilst the remtlniog 25.000 contributing shares will also be taken np at Home, 10j per chare being paid. The first call upon that money will be the present liability oF the Mo»oat»lari Company, amounting to £12,500, whioh will bt paid off, and the reiuamdec wil be devoted to the further working of the mine,

SPORTING.

FORBU Y NOTES.

[PbrPrkss Ashocution.]

Dvn edi w, February IQ. At Forbury to-day Tetford went two mll*B, winding up f»«t, St Glair • similar distance, the last mile with Haka C»u derella centered and spurted. Arttl 6rp galloped two miles, the first with Secretary and the seoond with Shifnal. Tba 'Up horse went moderately well but oould not Outplaoe Shltoal. Captain Cook wa'kfd. Apropos and Silvermarlc c»nter«>d sl>wly Q i<bble did an easy canter, hia baoitere being aatiafiad with his appearaoco. Ruby and Springston walked. Snapshot worked vest rd»y afterno-n. La Fee and St Ives did a nlae rai'o gallop.

AUSTRALIAN RACING

By.dnby, February 15 For the Sydney Gold Cop thirfy-fuur horses have been nominated Including Trident, Arsenal, Cardigan, Algerian, The Auttrallatr Peer, Abercorn, Spade Guinea, Ben Bolt, V«sp»sia and A.cme. Tnirty horses have been nominated for the Hawke* l 'ury Autumn Hiodioap These nnd those nominated for the Sydue' G>M Cap only represent those from Syd ey< Nomiuatloas from other coloniea nave yet to come to htnd. (Received February 16, 1 p.m.) t-YDNET, February 16 For y all nomination* h»?e been re celvpd «rom other ooluntos for the Sydney Old Oup, Including Trenton, Duuloo, Neson and (<sfilade An additiooa' 6 ftp entrlei have been recpi'vad for the Hawkesbury Autnmn FT«ndio»p,

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBUHTON— THURSDAY. [Before Mr John Ollivier, R.M.,and Mr D. Thomas, J P.] AFFILIATION. George Wheelei whs charged with fall- Ing io oontrlboto towards the maintenaDO of the illegitimate child of Hannah Salt • f which he was the putative father. Th defendunt did not appear, his r hereabout* nut being known. Mr Wilding appeared for tha complainant. This oaae had been adjourned from the previous Court day m order that the plaintiff might procure additional evidence. This evidence Mr Wilding vow adduced, and as, he said, th are was a prospect of «ettlemeat with the defendant \u25a0 parents, he asked the Court to postpone its decision for a week, m order that an amloablo settlement of the nature he had referred to might be «rrlved a% The Magis rate strong'y favored the Idea of a settlement, aud urged theonmplbiuantand the defendant's mother, who was present tojagree to this course, la aooordnnfle with Mr Wilding's suggestion the oaie was arij urned for a week m order to allow of au arrangement oelng come to bnt«een the parties. CIVIL CABK3. Dolman v W. Brown, claim £9. — Mr CothberUon for pUiotlfF, Mr Wilding for defendant.— The cUiaa was admitted but the defendant asked for time for payment. Judgment w*s given for tha Htnouut claimed and coats, plaintiff and defeurtar t co arrange terms of p»ymont between them.

HeueHlne v E A. Gray, oUfra £12 9» — Julgm nt by default for the amount olainidd and cost*. The Court then rngo.

IRISH AFFAIRS

(fER I'HBBS isSOgiATJ'JW.)

JDondou, Febra*ry 13 The procession which inarched to Hyde Park to welcome Messrs Sullivan and Harrington, M.P.'s, numbered from 15,000 to 20,000 The principal Radi cal members cook part m tbe proceedings, which ,were very orderly. February 14, In tbe bouse of Commons to-day Mr Matthowß, Home Secretary, admitted that tho police had blundered when they arrested Mr P. O'Brien, M.P , instead of Mr J Cfilhooly, M.P. for Cork West, and ho tendered an apology. Mr Morley moved the question of privilege bo referred to a Conimittee of ibe House, but the amendment of tho Government regretting the ipdignity offered to Mr O'Brien, was carried. Mr Sullivan, M.P,, m a lengthy ! Bpeech m the Houho of Commonß, atated that be had come to tho conclusion that the Irish people m all parta oi the world were more friendly towards England than was credited l\\e\u. iNBW York, February 13. The Feaianß openly orpresa disgust at tbo subnii'ssivo'nia'nner of tbe leaders u$ Hrn lp*h and declare' .that the' only moanij'of foroinjj' tho' EiigHeb Goternment to •ppreciato tho demands of tho Nationalists m by tbo use of i dynamite and tbe knife. j

STRIKE IN WELLINGTON.

(MR PRKSS AdHiCI*TIOS.)

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

''PIB PKKSS ABBOOIATION. ]

I WrtLINGiMW, Feb-anry 16 i Thirteen boiler-rmkom engage m the I erectiou of a gasometer for the Welling* ton Gas Works have gono out on strike, as they allege tho work which comes within their duties has been en'ruatnd »o eng nw fittera. The manatjetnent refused to give way. and will cirry out work without the st'iKerp, all o wnoto are inetnhurs of th-« Boif'run^kers' Association . i i i i 7

OHKIBXOHUBOH, February 15 At the Presbyterian Ataembly todny the Clerk read tha copy of a reply from Her Msjeaty to the address from the Ganenl Amenably of the PreskytwrUn Oharoh of New Zetland. Her Majesty conveyed her thanks and acknowledg ments of (he loyal sentiments expressed m the address. Lmn. The Qnneml Assembly resonant i»s aUtlnga at 7 o'clock Thy report on the state of religion and morals wus rn»d. There had been special eva^fHlatlo work m manj Presbyteries and this h«d been very oucceißful Reference who m*de to the growing vices of booUI imparity, Sabbath desecration, gambling and intemperanoe, «nd an earnest bffpo was expressed that efiortn wonld be m*de by the Ministers and people to oh« ck thoie sins. Oonforenoea regarding the er?«t •ttnonnt of non-oharoh.golno: bad b«en held m OhMstchurch and Anokland Tho report spoke strongly of the good woik done by Mr Dapcan Wriizht, evsn^etlst, la Onnterbory, and eoggested that the Assembly should recommend him to the sympathy of all Presbyterian congrega tions, . .

THE MASSEY REAPER AND BINDER

A trial of one of the reapers and binders, manufactured by the Massey Company, of Toronto, Canada, was held at one of Mr Gates' paddocks, Tinwald, yesteriay There were several gentleman present to inepect the maohine and judge of its capabilities. The orop opera 1 sd on was wheat, and was one oaloulated to put the qualities of the machine to the teßt, there being a rank and heavy undergrowth. The advantages claimed for the maohine are that by the employment of the best material lightness is secured, with out weakening any of the parts. Mal'eable iron and steel are the principal materials employed m the oons'ruotion. The frame is | manufactured m one piece, and it is claimed \u25a0 that this is an important consideration as it obviates the risk of any portion " giving " when it is subjuoted to the strain of working. There ia a simple contrivance for adjusting ! the knotter to the length of he stuff cut, and also improvements m connection with, the gear for working the knives. The trial passed off very satisfactorily, those present agreeing that the machine did its work m an excellent manner. The following testimonial was given by those present after the trial : — To the Massoy Manufacturing Company of Toronto. Wednesday, 15th February, 1888. Gentlemen, — We. he undersigned farmers, merchants, and machine men, having been present this day at a trial, given by your Mr McLeod, oi your light s eel reaper and binder on ihe eßtate of Mr E. Gates, known as Grove Farm, near Ashburton, m a field of heavy wheat and tares, we have pleasure m stating that it worked m a really firat-o'ass manner, bound a neat Bquare tight sheaf, cut well, and is of very light draft, working easily with two horses.

Your frame being without joints at the oorners does away with all bolts, the ehif'ing of which might allow it to got out of line. This mußt make it stronger and better able to stand wear and tear than those maohinea built m the old way of bolting the frame at the corners. Your woight trip prevents repeating m tarea or down grain, your paokera going so close to the mouth of the elevator prevents choking, and the third packer takes the grain down muoh better than the o d butter, ft Your sleeve boxes are the best we have Been, and driving from the first Bh*ft right of! the road wheel, m place of driving off the second shaft over the light Rears, like other binders, is the cause of your getting great power and ligbtnesß of draft, and the very smooth, still running shows that each part is doing i b proper work and doing it well without any undue strain. The whole principle of your reaper and binder seems to be the nearest approach to perfection we have yet seen, and we feel that it is the coming maohine.

, We are glad to learn from your Mr McLeod | that you intend plaoing your machine on this market and hope that at tbe same time you will ccc your way clear to have a sufficient supply of extras, which may be cold to the farmers who are ordering your maobines, at a more reasonable pfice than those which have been« charged hy makers of other maobines. We trust you will be successful m appointing an energetic Agent for the whole of this island. (Signed)— Michael Mahoney, David H. Brown, Peter Ratfray, Peter Chalmers, J. H. Stephens, P. Williams, Ohaß. Rimnington, Wm Lewis, W. Patohing, E Gates, I. Sargent, p. 0. Blaok, Peter MoKendry, J. R. Williams.

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS

[rBII PUESS ASSOCIATION.]

Auckland, Pebranry 15 A meotioft of the Committee to arrange for the repre^entatlonof Aucklenl nt the Melbourne Exhibition was held to-night, when it was intimated that exhibits of k%url gam, New Zealand fl\x, tanakohe ba'k, pawa fiah aud pawa shells, ostrich feathers and epgs, It cullv-tnado wive, oi k, oto., will ba forwarded from tbia distrlot to Melbourne for the Exhibition.

With reference to the complaints by Or Lindsay In reepect to he frequency of accidents at Whitney's Carttldgo Facto y, Vlr Jibson, Inspector of Machinery, visited the establishment to-day, and de clared that the ms*ohlne y - was not 'i»n erous and thnt no aco dent could possible happen with ordinary care. Wellington, F« roary 15. The Following w tho res-ilt of tho Senior Oivil Servio u examination : UK. Ad.itna. Dunedin ; S A Bull, Auckland ; G 0. Ul.do; B. «. bilfl 1 n, . Auckland ; J. HJ, Banaen, I'haraep ; W'S. Latrobe, 'uoklind'; Isabella D.'Lauj,ity T^jameA ; A. F. Morrieon, Ohr jatchurch ; ' a nnio Murray, 'hamaa; A B. i^oberrß, Auck lan'l ; W. L. Kobiuson, Auckland, ft. C; RuHman, Napier ; Jii H Kchoaetenberg, uckland ; and A. Witnoy, Auukland a , J. ktringer of Cbristohurub has passed m shorthand . ' The <-»overnmeht are sending 40 oonvioiß to tort Halawoll. It ia understood that the fortificutions will be completed by prison lubor It iB expected that the whole of tbe reductions' to be made hi* the* Civil Sjivi'co will be Gazetted m abtut 8 week. •" Blenbeim, February 15. The Vernon ran wa» ott 'tiro yesterday. Tho Hon W. Clifford, Vegiated by levirnl people, happened |tp ba near the run, and worked bard, and astisted by nineteen or t.Vtm y met) employed «t a th-«il}\ng , maohiuo on Oiffrd'a mud Utjbn.ok't •tatlon put the tiro completely out by ftva o'clock m the ovenlng. At ono time it was thought the hoai«stead was m danger No one seems to know how the fire originated. GjIEYMOUTii, February IB Perotti'a aawuiu.','^ BaW?er ' 8 wk i were burned down this morniutr between four an J five o'clock. The t>u. Idingn weio not ingoijad. Tho loas is over £600, the maohjnery r^ino^; ... , Later. it b»s been asoertklned tb»t Jferotti'i loib la miohinery !• over £100J, besides the loss entitle! through the stoppage of a running Mill eaa. a number «f anespeoted ord«r# were oo band, iud the will wm »«Ttr io buiy b«f ow,

CRICKET.

ENGLISHMEN "v^IIHIRiLIANS.

P3R PBKSS /SSOOU7ION.)

Hvdnry, February 15 " The cricket match between the Aus tralian £l«ven aid the English team Was continued to-d^y. The a C»nd innings • f the A nftirjiiiartft o-osed for 82 runs : Biaok ham (not ou ) 25. J <ne« 16 L >hmann HDd Peel to,k three wickets eaoh eni \ttwed >w<v The Englishmen won the nr»ch by 121 runs . Vuroon'e t**m have arranged a match against a New South Wales eleven, whioh will b« played on Frid»y.

THE NEW HEBRIDES COMMISSION.

[P«R PBBaS ASSOCIATION ]

London, Febtuaty IS. The Commission to administer affms m the New Hebrides will con sist ot a President and two British and two French officers. Each nationality is to lumish a President monthly. The Commission is to assemble whenever crny disturbance arises at the Island, and no military or naval measures can be carried on without first having ob« tamed the sanction of the Commission. In matters of urgency the nearest com manders shall act m concert ; but ii that is not possible, action may be taken separately, but such action must be rep-med to the senior officers, who will await the Commissioners' orders. I The powers granttd to the Commission do not extend to land disputes.

THE MARKETS.

(Per Press association.;

London, February 14. The wool market is unchanged, but bidding is more spirited. To-day i 2,600 bales were offered. Sydney, February. 1& Wool — The local demand is active greasy contir.uing. to fetch good prices. There h?ve been large withdrawals recently from the local market m con sequence of London prices. The New Zealand Loan and Mercan tile Agency Company, Limited, has just received the following cable message from London, dated February 14 h:— Wool.— Competition is decreasing end market is weakei, except for superior greasy, the m-irker f >r which is unchanged. Up to date 132,000 bales have been snW.

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

HOME ANu FOREIGN

(PER PRESS APSOOIATIOff.)

ADMIRAL TRYON.

London, F.«braary 14. It is stated that Admiral Tryon is to succeed Vicr-Admiral John Kennedy Erskine Biird, as Superintendent of the Naval Reserve.

LORD WOLVERTON'S WILL.

The will of Lord Wolverton, who died m Nnvernber last, has been proved at ;£r, 820,000, which he has bequeathed to his family.

WRECK OF AN AUTRALIAN BOUND VESSEL.

The barque* Ann MUlicent, bound from Liverpool to Adelaide, has been wrecktd at Tunich, an island of the Indian Archipelago. The vessel soon became a total wreck, bnt the crew were rescued by a passing vessel and landed at Siirabya, a seaport town on the north-east coast of Java.

REFORM OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

In the House of Lords the Earl of Dunraven has given notice, of a resolu tion m the direction of improving the constitution of the House of Lords. In December last the Earl of Dunraven suggested that the House of Lords should consist of a hundred members elected from peers of the realm.

ENGLAND AND ITALY.

In the House of Commons to day Sir James Ffcreuson, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, stated that there is no engagement for a military or naval coalition between Italy and England.

THE CROWN PRINCE,

San Kemo, Fnbtuary 14 The condition of »he Crown Prince shows that he suffers from want of sleep, but otherwife the symptoms are favorable.

A WINDFALL FOR MRS LANGTRY.

Svjt Francisco, February 13. A rich find of stiver has been dis covered on the estate purchased by Mrs Langtry m Nevada. A number of men were digging a well when they struck a silver 1 >de, which is estimated to be worth per ton..

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Sydney, February 15. During the discussion m the Assembly last evening on the proposal to extend the New South Wales railway | system to B cken Hill, silver mines, ( the notorious Mr McElhone, member for the Upper ftumber, m the' course of his remarks denounced some of the I companies, including the White Rock Silver Mining C mpany, just floated with a capital ot a million^ as swindles. ' Mr G. McL. Maiheson, another «nem ber, said he -war interested m the Company particularly referred to, and called Mr McElhone a liar, whereupon I Mr Elhone struck Mr Matheson m the face. A fi^ht alter wards took place m the smoking room and the aggressor Was soundly drubbed. ' • > " 11 A" :£soo cup has been presented by a Sydney firm for rompetitjon at thp annual colonial rifle meeting, The bodies of the men drowned m the accident to a steam launch have been iecovered, In the Assembly this afternoon the [ dispute between Mr McElhone. and Mr Matheson cropped up, when the latter announced that he intended to enter an action against the member for the •*- — Hunter, cluming -£io,ooo damages! for his having charactct.<ww the White Rock Silver Mining Com pany a swinule, Mjiliouenb, February 15. The Tram L i-.mpany n«ss rctuscd to Gubrpit the matter m dispute with the employees to arbitration and has resolved to fight tbe men, j

AUSTRALIAN.

(PBR' PREBB ASSOCIATION.)

IN LUCK'S WAY.

(PBB PBHBB ASSOCIATION,)

DrjNEDitf, February 15. Young Ralr, whoße disappearance over a w-ek auo and subsequent reappearance at Tmam when every one though he was drowned as reported, appears to be suffer log from bratn fever. He has now returnee 1 to his. home. Hjs esoap ede Is likely to prove valuable to him, a« the pnb'icatit.D of his name has drawn the attention <f a firm of solicitors to the fact that ei.quiry was being made as to the whereabonts of the family and from what can be learned it appears he is likely to drop into a legacy of some thoutands of pounds left by a relative m Scotland.

Pj&b Press Association.]

INCENDIARISM IN-WELLINGTON

THE ENQUIRY.

Wellington, February 16, The eorore.-'s enquiry into tbe" three fires whioh broke out elcaost eimultane* ouily on the night of tho 3rd inst. was resumed to-day A large bumber of wit nessed were examined- John Collins, one of those suspeoted of oaasing the fire* and now m oastody, handed m a long state' ment m whioh he oonfessed that Reuben Hind (also m custody) set fire to the three buildings, and be (Collins) was m his company - The jury after a few minutes deliberation returned a verdict that the premises m question hai been wufully set on fire r>y Keuben Hind and John Oolllna

THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

("Field.") Tbla work (» book under review) Is ft narrative of tbe voyage of the Lark m the Western Pacific, bat it would be of Ultl*) interest to the general public bad it been written by. one whose knowledge was of a lens varied obaraoter than that o! Dr GoppFt *°d those interested m the ex* ploration of (his little-known group mast fuel greatly indebted to tbe la*e Bit Frederick Evans,, to wbom tbe author owed hit appointment. It {0, however, o be regretted that no fond wat placed at tha disposal of the author, and that no Ina'rcct.ionn were given to the ottnmander of the expedition to assist him m his d ffieuU and somewhat dangerous . enter enterprUe, m whioh many a man with le«a determination would hay* given way. * It \*ae alao unfortunate »h t,ow agtoaserlous iltueis, he w«o nnable to take advantage of a grant of £150 fnm the Royal Boo\ety for th« porpcß^ of exploring tbe Interior of the large island <»\u2666 Gaa alcansr. Although discovered by . tJ» « Spaniards -as long ago m the y*a»> 1667. little is known of the Solomon Isiaiid*, prssibly owing to the character that; the native! have acquired for ferocity, 'b «*r head hunting and o nniballatioprccl vites ; bat we are told that, although head hunting does exist, it is, m general, only practised m cases of rev^nup, such at a otae of murder, when the friends of a murdered man for a large amount of shell money for the head of the mur deter, As, however the avenger may have to Ingratiate bim \u25a0elf. with hta victim before he can find an opportunity of carrying out his purpose, there may be considerable dalay ; pat th y are nearly certain to obtain their revenge io the ecd. The launching of a cinoe, is, we God, also aooompanied with slaughter, as the canoe is believed to ba Invested with aupernatnral power when life has been taken by her crew. The second ohapter contains a good deal about cannibalism and slavery. It states that caonibtlism does exist, but its victims are to a great extent, slaves, and that there ire natives who do a thriving trade as purveyors of human flash to the different chiefs, bat that m some islands tha practice is fast dying out. Head-bunting, oauuibatiam, and infanticide would soon depopulate moot of tbe islands, were it not for the habit of importing slaves,' whdie servitude, it would appear, is really nominal, ac, on attaining manhood, the slave is virtually under no authority, and, were it not for the faot that they are liable to be sacrificed at any moment, their lot would not be a hard one, As m most polygamoas tribes, the women are the drudges, they are not admitted to the Tamba Homo, and they aro not permitted to remain m the presence of a chief at bis meal, only returning to partake of what he leaves. Obastity is a 1 unknown virtue among them, and the men of St» Anna frequently exchange their wives for a short period with their neighbors Some of tbe chiefs, however, seem to be honorable exceptions m the mode of treating tbeir wlv**. As au example, wo read of the great affection of Mai, the chief of Sbaliaod for hii principal wife Kaika. The manufiotases of the Solomon Islands, as might b» expected, are rude m the extreme, and consist chiefly of mats, rough and unglnad pottery, made of a dark red clay, fans, and oocanut shell bowl*, all of whioh are made by the women. Q juslderable skill is 'shown m buiding their sacred or T\»tnba Houses, and m the manufacture of their weapons. None of their arrows are feathered, neither are any of them poisoned, with t> c exception of those wed by the men of Sivo,

In the Interesting chapter on the physical ohsractbr of the Solomon Inlanders, we learn that, although of loir stature (sft. 4in. Is the average height), they have a well proportioned phjsq^e, a good carriage, lips of moderate thickness, and a good humored face. Thu xomen werasa ooly 41 1 10 n. high, and when yonng are not unattractive ; but they soon lota their good lnoku, Toere are mvny «tat>st{o< given, which will be more naeful to th« unthropologioal student than to the reaier. Gappy not cos at a ouriou* incident the fsot thar, although the native* never wear hats, the figures on the posts of their Tatnba Houses are ueual with very Euro pean-looking hate ; and ho gives ns a probable Reason that the natives may have been Impressed by the hats worn by the Spaniprds; when they visited the group nearly three cantares ago, at which time they gave thu islanders very good reason to remember them, ' < An ingenious mode of fishing prevails, wKitih fo Well worth repordiog. A {cite id fl-wn from the canoe; inetead of tail, it has a fishing line, and is •o arranged that, whilst the canoe is el'-wly buiog paddled aboafc, the bait la skimming abont on the enrfaco of the water. Dir. ctly a fifth bites the kito falls . Tuis mode of fnhiog ia considered adv«n« tageous, as tha kite is roughly fash'uncd to represent one of those aquatio birds which nsanlly hover over the Bboals of sm»l flsh.and whoso movements ihe larger tieh <*re said to follow. A somewhat simi lar ouftom prevails m the Society group, where v bm;oheß of feathers* are placed on the end of poles, vvhioh project itbm tha Cftn-it ; f ' and from "whloh the 'lipes I ' l are laapended. Tbe Qah spear m also ftp qoently employed. The chapter on the prevalent diseases contains much uee'ut information, but part of it might, with bentfir, have been omitted from a rroik Intended for the general reader. A considerable speice is piven to the journal of Gall ego, and an historical eke'.oii of the redieoovery of the group, is not the least Interesting part of the book, whilst the concluding chapters will bo of interest only to tha ,eient,'«. ?"! " ork \u25a0 -ta^out U written m a pleasant style, and shows iireat power of observation m tha author. It is well brought out, and the illustra tions are exceedim-lv n^nrt,

ffHUT ABHBUKTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, FEBBPARY 1(5, 1888



Moon'i Sun Sun Moon Moon ago nt February • Hires. Sets. HUea tiete. noonday a.m. p.m. tt Saturday ... 6.17 7-10 8.69 6.63 28 12 Sunday .. 6.18 7.0 5 2 732 0 13 Monday .. 6.19 7.8 6.4 8.6 1 14 Tuesday .. 6.20 7.8 7.6 8.34 3 18 Wednesday.. 622 7.8 8,7 0.1 3 16 Thursday .. 6.23 7.4 9.6 920 4 17 Friday.. .. 6.21 7.3 10.6 9.61 6



"Rough on CATAanH^^ooiSbta offensive odorß at once, Cotuplbte core of woret chronia oaeee ; alio ane^aled ti garglg tot diphtheria, pore >brftt r foal breath 4



Biliousness, drowsiness, jaundioe. and rbfiomatjam, gop Bitten removes enily if tbo|O'Q»a« \>j Awificao Co* B«e|



Wanted. WAI^TED mnx kl< d Pnrsoa adopt a ] Bab • Boy 8 months old. Address, " A.B " • ffioe of ih s P»pe< 255 : W*KTED tV&ire ost of Ri ing , baddle and Bfid • at per we-k. Apply to h 8.1.X." "Moil" «nH "fau.rdian" Office. 2°19 NEW LAND Amendment Act and Ctown Lands Guide, jaat issued. | kny G< Tprnmeut publication procured. — X H. M. Jokbs. PBBFDVtBBY, Toi'et So»p», Powders, aud other requisites. T 'Oth, Nail and htlr brushes.— n. M, Jonis. WANTED to Sell— A t irst-olasg Piano grand action. Cash or terms very liberal. Apply Haybb and Co. GREAT Bargains. Everything greatly reduoed, Oome and j udge for y our- eeWea.— H. 0; Sbgbbb, Metford House. WANThu UAHM — Moir'fl Oatmeal, 251bs, 2s 6d ; Sperm Candles, Sd ; Ooffee and Milk, la per tin; Ooco* and Milk, Is per tin ; vestas, 6d per doz ; Cornflour, 4d per lb ; tin Fruits, 1« ; Crockery, Ironmongery, eto.— At James MoGeboOb's, Tancred Street, opposite Arcade. ' | . __ COMB one, come all, and onr prices will astonish everybody — H. 0. Skgers. ALL our fir»t*clasi genalne Drapery, Boota, Clothing, etc., we are now ; selling at rldiouloap prices. Only come and see.— B. 0. Seobrs, Melford flonae WANTED Known— To the Ladies of Aehburton and surrounding districts, that an experienced monthly Nome is desirous of engagement. Good references oan be given- Address — Mrs Bill, Peter Street. Asbbqrton. 11 18 WANTED KNOWN — Oleograph" Bcenery, and Catnolic Subjects Catholio Cards, good variety m Scraps Novelties m Penwipers, Crewel Woola and Bilks, Knitting Cotton, Colored Crotchet Cotton, Transfers, Tinsel Balls, Ac, &c. at tilBS Manhibb's F%noy Repository, Saiind^ra' Buildines



JL. Harrison. Ailred Uarrißou, \(JOT T OKKKK, 6TOOK A>D KSTATE AGENT aMj VALtJAIOK. SATURDAY BALE at 12 o'cleok sha p - Hones, Cattle, Pigs, Prodaoe Mid Merohandit*. FOR. BALe- Farming Implementp, and Ifabisfcf of *11 kinds constantly m Cards I on view for Fa c. Clearinc: Salea held m Town or Country as required, and most liberal terms arranged with both Bayera and Sellers. Bbnta collected, and tho business of ' absentees managed with oaro. VdLoation made of Properties or Mer* diaodjae on easy terms. A'J\ances mad« favbzntij on Goods delivered at the Si«d^^or Sale. tr*ut for tfat n<urmlt,h Union Fire In raring O(Mdp>tn{r« A«r«nt for tha MUTUAL LIFE ASBOOrATION O AUBTRALAdIA j



£20 REWABC. IN consequence of the amount o? Poachinte going on m the Creeks oo tho L'gmnor & ate, the above reward will be pajJ to anyone giving iuformaiioo that wi I laid to a conviction. From this date Inu ONE will be per. toitted to fish m the Creeks on t'ae Lagmbor Estate. 11*58 DONALI> MoLBAN. NOW EEMOVED TO S&UKDERS' BUILDINCo. m % ALCOKN.



DIMaNT AND OOE TT AVISO doolded upon retiring from btwloeis at the •nd of the preient month (FEBRUARY), have jto reepeotfully reqntac that all AGOOCTNTS will ba paid on or before tht 27* b mit,, after which date theiame matt, of a neoewlty, be left In the hands . of a Collector. Aahburton, February 6th, 1888. DIMANT AND COE. THE LARGEST STOOK OF COLONIAL CLOTHING m the; ashburton county7~ A SPECIAL LINE OP ABHBUBTON TWEED SUITS AT 47s 6d KAIAPOI TWEED TROUSERS 10s 6d HABVESTEbS 1 MOLi^StCtNS FBOM 6s' lid MITCHELL & IUENER TANCRED STREET. GEORGE JAMESON Wool and Grain Merchant, HAS FOR BALE,— SEEDS for Autumn Sowing, CAPE BAELEY, EYE, CLOVEES, TURNIPS, etc. SHEEP DIP THOMAS ' AND LITTLE'S, PLOUGH SHARES, OILP, and STORES of ail kinds, CORNSACKS AND BEAMING TWINE, AGENT FOR— New Zealand Fire and Marine Insurance Company, Bisks on GROWING CROPS or bTACItS aocepted at lowest current rates, CABH PURCHASES OF WHEAT, OATS, and BARLEY. 2*34 ALBERT ROBERTS OAB FOR SALE,— _ Corn sacks LAI?GE {?IZE A . ND fulli weight. SEAMING TWINE^TN AKY£QUAI»TItY.? Clovers,— BED, WHITE, OOWORASS, ALBYKE, and TREFOIL. RYEGRASB, COCKSFOOT, jjid RAPa. ANCHOR Binding Wire and very best *;£inder Twiue. Golden Tares r Cape Barley, COOPER'S SHEEP DTP THE STANDARD FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY |OP NEW ZEALAND. WITH UNLIMITED LIABILITY OF SHAREHOLDERS. CAPITAL— £I,OOO7OOO STERLING. \ HEAD OFFICeT. DUNEDIN. I — _ ! INSURERS have the most undoubted Security under thia Company's Policies together with an M*nrance of Prompt and Liberal S.ittloment of Clainiß. FIXE and MARINE KI>KS accepted ou ad descriptions of Property and '*" Merchandise also Crop, «tack, and Mactiiuo Eiskß at Lowest l<Bto* of Premium. Fidelity of Persons holding equations of trust guaranteed. OFFICE : HEREPOBD STREET, CHRrSTCHURUH.|J (Opposite Uank of New Zealand -) ARCiilliAf.D SCOTT, Manager for Canterbury, ALBEBT ' BOBEIITS, 15 AGENT, ASHBURTON