TO CORRESPONDENTS

Attention to tho following rules will save the writers of correspondence! a good deal of trouble: — Wo cannot nnder take to return rejected communications. 2?o notice can bo taken of r-nonymonn communications. Whatever is Intended for insertion m thiß journal mast be authenticated by the name and address of the writer, not neoeesarily for publi cation, bat sa a gaar&ntee of good faltb. Letters and other communications in tended for Insertion In tho new« column •hould be addreßßod to The Editor ; apd j»H business communications, In— I eluding advertisements, addressed to Thb Abhburton Publishing Co.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1888. FIRES AT PUBLIC BUILDING

Recently the Government has been peculiarly unfortunate m the matter of fires at public institutions, the losses at Sunnyside and Rotorua alone totalling up to at least £15,000. Then not so very long ago there was the disastrous conflagration at the Wellington Post- Office building, to restore which will cost some £15,000. Besidesthese there have been other smaller losses, and from time to time we hear or read complaints against the Government for not taking the same course i as "tKaf" taken" by air prudent private property- owners, viz., that of providing ogainef loosen of tjiis kind by insuring m some of the many Fire Insurance Offices doing business m the colony. But those who find fault m this way forget that tho Govern ment is m a widely different position to the owners of private property, having buildings of all sorts and descriptions scattered about m all parts of the colony, and of such number and value that to insure all ugainst fire would mean an annual expenditure which would repre sent no insignificant item m the annual vote of ways and mean®. Indeed we are m a position to say upon the very best of all authority that calculations have been made which prove that it pays the colony far better to be its own insurer tb.an to insure with the different offices. It has been ascertained that during the past ten years, including 1 the fires above alluded to, tbe total loss of Government propeaty by fire is covered by the sum of £50,000, while at the lowest rates of risk which have been offered by the Insurance Companies a general insurance of Government property would have cost nof; less than from £15,000 to £17,000 per annum, or a total for the term of from £150,000 to £170,000. This being so it is obvious that the colony can better asord to defray the cost of rebuilding than to prevent the necessity of doing co at its own charges by insuring all its public buildings.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Empress of Japan is an ardent student of German, Russian, French, and Italian. England received £1,500,000 last year for beer licenses. Miss Braddon is 50 years old and has written just fifty stories. 4 la^ly deceased Saratoga hotel waiter left a fortune of £18,000. Eleotrio motors are to be used on the underground railways of London; Fifty' Germans, suspeoted of being Bpiei' have been expelled from France. In the United States there are 140,000,000 acres m wheat, oorn, rye, and oats. When was the theatre first mentioned m the Bible ? When Joseph was thrown from the family oirole into the pit. The Oam&ru Rifleß have ohallppged all ttio rolunteer companies m the colony to flr* hem a matoh— thirty men a-eide. In its theatrical news an American paper las announced the probable departure for Australia at an early date of a phenomenon mown as " the dog-faqed boy." At Spezzia, Italy, the whole Italian fleet is ;o assemble for a two months' exeroise, One >f the items m the programme is to show he faoility with which a large foroe can be liaembarked, fully equipped, for attack, and Snglish alarmists predict that it will show iow easily England could be invaded before a lefensive force could be gathered at any point, During the hearing of a case m Dunedin, me of thfl sotioitprq was cross examining a abman with reference to inebriety on the lart of one of the persons ponoernocl m the ase. The cabman's reply to one question ?as this :-— " We moßt of us offend now and gain ; I have carried ycu home drunk before iow." The lawyer subsided, and obtained the roteotion of the Court, for the Magistrate romptly rebuked the witness. The best Remedy for Indigestion. — Norton's Camomile Pills are confidently ecommended as a simple remedy for indiges ion, which is the cause of nearly all the iseases to which we are subject. Norton's •ills, with justice called the " natural trengthener of the human stomach," act as a owerful tonic and gentle aperient, are mild f. their, operation, a"d safe under auy circum* vices sold m bottles at is i^d, 2s igd, h by (all mcdiGinefcyendojs throughout.tbe I wld f "

The amount of loss of the united insurance J companies on the Belfast factory buildings, I t assessed at £10,500 was paid yesterday. M f- y The Pcince of Wales owes at present, it is . said, over £100,000, and is thinking seriously * of applying to Parliament for an allowanoo * to Prince Victor, who now keeps up a house- B hold of his own, B The bicentenary of the landing of William r of Orange m England occurred on November j 5. In commemoration of the anniversary a j statue will be erected close to the spot where he first set foot on English ground—Brixam, on the Bhore of Torbay. • ] At the inquest on the body of Mrs Thomas ] King, found dead m her house at West Eyre ton, Dr Wold deposed that he could find no signs of disease m the body. He attributed death to deceased's working hard immediately after a heavy meal, A verdict was returned accordingly. The first of the Reason's aeries of Ash burton wool sales was held at the Orange Hall today. There was a large entry of wool and a good attendance of buyers. Com petition waa brisk and satisfactory prices were realised. A full report will appear to-morrow. The movement of Mormons towards Mexico is assuming definite shape and large propor tions. The Mormons have quiotly bought from private parties large tracts of agricul tural lands m Northern Ohihuahua, prioipally m the valley of the Oasaa Grande River, and they are negotiating for more. Nominations for the race meeting of the Ashburton Tradesmen's Baoing Olub must be m the bands of the Secretary at Henry's Hotel by 9 o'olock to-morrow night. Mr G: Outt has been appointed handioappor, and Mr A. J. Kelly clerk of the scales, these positions having been rendered vacant by the resigna tions of Mr T. Quill and Mr J. O. Duncan. A large and influential meeting of o'd college boys, parents and friends of the pupils, held at Chtistohurob. yesterday, unani mously passsed a resolution expressive of appreciation of the services rendered by Mr Oorfe, the retiring headmaster, and regret at his having. An influential committee was appointed to prepare a valedictory address, and a substantial testimonial is to be presented to Mr Corfe on his leaving the col At a eobool board examination the in spector asked a boy if he could forgive those who had wronged him. " Could you," said, the inspector, " forgive a boy, for example, who had iuaulted or struck you ? " •• Y-p-b, sir," replied the boy very slowly, "I—think —I —could," but he added, m a much more rapid manner, "I could if he was bigger than I am." A little girl had been absent with her parents at a camp meeting for two weeks. On her return, her little playmate, Ella Day, entertained her by showing her her new play things. At night, little Mary, m saying her prayerß, Baid, " Ob, Lord, bloss Ella Day, and make her a gook girl, so as loan take J her playthings away from her and sher won't want them baok again." Soene—Highland ferry, wild eea, farmer going to market, and ferryman. Farmer: '•She's fery, fery stormy whatever, Baldy. Do you think she'll get over ta boat*" Ferry man: " Ay, goot storm, fery good Btorm, too, Master M'Tavisb. Heok, but she'll try, she'll try:" Farmer: " Ah, but she wouldna like ava to be trowned an' lost all her monish." Some of the German papers are discussing the nature of the malady with which, it is alleged, the present Emperor is affected, A good deal of reticence is observed on the Bubjeot; and, bo far as oan be learnt, the medical faculty are by no means agreed as to the exaot nature of it. The only thing certain is that his Majesty suffers very much from internal pains m the ear, that these are attended with frequent suppurations, and that he is obliged, m consequence, to fill his ears with cotton wool. There is a wonderful rnirape m Glacier Bay, Alaska, refleoted from the glaßsy surfaoe of the' Paoifio glacier. It is said that just after the obange of the moon m June, soon after sunset, and while the moon is olimbing above the sky, a city appears above the glacier. It is seen bo distinctly, .that a photo graph is said to have been takan thiajeason by a resident of Juneau, who learned oi' the "mirage from the Indians, and has seen it ppear and disappear for four years, The seventh annual garden garden party m ponneotion wjth St. Stephen's Church will be hold m the Parsonage Grounds on Thursday next. Among the attractions will be an out. door trapeze and Boman rings performance by the Boselle Bros., who nave very kindly offered their servioes for the occasion. Every effort will be made to make the fete a buocobs- Tea will begin at 4 30 p.m., but as a large number of persons may be expeoted after six o'olock, oare will be taken to provide a oom fortable repast to a later hour than usual, The Ashburton Band will be present by four o'olook. The latest diabolism on the race tracks is the use of the hypodermic needle, says the V New York Sun." It seems that some men who havp had the entry to the best traoks lately, have managed to injeot morphine into horses that they wanted to disable temporarily. They have done it without exoiting suspicion by hiding the injection needle, m one hand and seeming to slap the horsea on the buttocks with, some such natural remark aa " Here's the horse for my mopey." The drug takes effeflt m half-an hour, find the horse goes round the traok with bis head down, the wreck of his former self, II not too frequently done, it does not harm the animals. The name of Canada, aocording to Sir J. Barrow, originated under the following oir- Gumstanoeß :—When the Portugese, m the year 1500, first asoended the great river St Lawrence, they believed it was the strait of which they were m gearoh, and through which' a paHsage'might be discovered into the Indian Sea. Bat on arriving at the point whence they oould clearly ascertain it was but a river, they with all the emphasis of disappointed hopes, explaimed repeatedly, ''Canada }"—here nothing—wordi wbiob were remembered and repeated by the natives on peeing Europeans arrive m 1534, who natu rally oonjeotured that the word they em ployed so often must denote the name of the country. A little diversion was created during the bearing of a page m the B.M. Court yester day. A married woman waa defendant m a civil action, and counsel for the plaintiff, with a view to showing that she had a Beparate estate, was cross-examining her bb to the property she owned. " You have forty aorea without any encumbrance, have you not ? " he asked. The fair defendant admitted that sho had, and she also owned to be the 'possessor of gome cattle. ('And a good husband ? '? queried the man oi' law sympa thetically. ♦• Yes," ohe returned promptly, and immediately added m tones of decision," aqd that's better than all the rest." AH wh,o were m Court will agree that the good lady would give an emphatio denial to the question now being propounded at Home as to whether marriage is a failure or not. As the opposing lawyer seemed by his question to regard the husband as a realisable chattel of the defendant, it is to be hoped that he will from this time thrust tbo traditions of bio raoe from him, and refrain from levying execution on the worser half of so trusting and oonflding a helpmate.

The rapidly advanoing strides whioh the j rade between the South Soa Islands and Victoria and New South Wales has made has necessitated the Union Steamship Dompany placing more tonnage at the dis posal of their clients. It is not so very long ago (saya the " Auokland 3tar ") sinae one small steamer was suffioient for this Bervioe, and lately the b s. Pukaki relieved the b.b. Taupo ; now the b.b. Hauroto is to be placed m the same trade m conjunction with the Pukaki. It is gratifying to know (aaya a Home paper) that Australasia ib now officially inoluoed m our sources for the United Kingdom supply of buttar and oheeae. It ia, no doubt, a new trade but it is certain that it is also one capable of an almost develop ment. New Zealand, at present, quite takes the lead, and during the paßt year, I obsexve that the value of the butter imported was £13,118, against only £8693 from the reßt of Australasia, making the respectable total of £22,000. Cheese is a larger item, and alto gether a trade m the hands of our New Zealand friends, fleeing that during the past year the value of that imported here from the Britain of the South wan £24,193, while Australia sent only to the value of £505. Since Captain Cotton left Now Zealand (says the "Lyttelton Time 3") ho has developed his taste for literature, and has been very Buooessful, judging from aooounta received by the last two or three mails. His famous song "The Meynell hunt," is to appear, with illustrations, m the Christmas number of the " Graphic " ; and a song, entitled " Our golden banner," whioh he haß reoently written and composed, has taken very well indeed. On his way Home the captain formulated the plot of a sporting hovel, whioh he has since elaborated, and it will be published early m the year under the title of " Gone Away." Some reviews have been made of this work, and it is spoken of as a atory served up m a raoy style, and couched m language whioh is that of one who haß Been life. Tha oritioa speak m the highest terms of the work, and its publication is looked forward to with eagerness. Mr H. S. Valentine, M.H.R., who has ju«t returned from Victoria, informed the Mataura Ensign that the bottom bad already been completely knooked .out of the land boom. As an instance of the reoklesa speculation that had gone on he mentioned instances where speculators bad been paying aB muoh as 40 per cent for the accommodation of money. Land was now almost unsaleable, and he had been offered by one individual a piece of land at £300 a foot less than he (the would-be seller) had paid for it, if only Mr Valentine would take over all risks. He did not venture on that speo, however, but be made a few investments which turned out well enough to mere than pay his ozpensea. People were beginning to inquire after New Zealand properties, and he had an offer for 10,000 aorea m the Waimea Plainß. The price wai not good enough to accept, bat Mr Valentine had the satisfaction of thanking the maker for the only large offer he had received for land on the Plains for Borne yaars. Hollow ay's Pills.— Enfeebled Existence. — This medicine embraces every attribute required m a general and domestic remedy. It overturns tbe foundations of disease laid by defective food and impure air. In obstructions or congestions of the liver, lungs, bowels, or any other organs, these pills are specially serviceable and eminent'y successful. They should be kept m readiness m every family, being a medicine of incomparable utility for young persons, especially those of feeble con stitutions* They never cause pain or irritate the most sensitive nerves or most tender bowels. Holloway's Pills are the best known purifiers of the blood, the most active pro moters of absorption and secretion, whereby all poisonous and obnoxious partioles aie removed from both solids and fluids.

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

(Pub Press Association.)

LORD ONSLOW.

London Dooombor d. „ Lord Onslow, tbe Governor elect oi New Zealand, is receiving residents fiGUi that colony, introducpd by the Agent-General,

RUSSIA AND PERSIA.

The commercial treaty between Great Britain and Persia it the cause of the strained relations between the latter country and Russia.

JOHN BRIGHT SINKING.

v The Right Hon John Bright, who has been indisposed, is reported to be sinking.

GOING A-BEGGING.

The Governorship of South Australia has been three times refused,

THE WHITE PASHA.

Reports have reached Wady Haifa that the White Pasha has left Bahr-el- Ghazal for the North. It is believed at Cairo that the White Pasha is Stanley.

RUSSIA AND ABYSSINIA.

Russia is colonising Abyssinia.

NEW CITIES.

London, December &. Dundee and Birmingham have been created cities.

ENGLAND AND THE COLONIES

Lord Carnarvon, m his speech upon the relations of the colonies and tbe Mother Country, expressed a hope that existing ties would always be main tained, but considered it obligatory upon the Home authorities to appoint as Governors men who would be ac ceptable to the colonies.

AN AWKWARD SITUATION.

Zanzibar, December 4 An English missionary had a narrow escape from death. A riative mistook him for a German missionary, but be was recognised m time and liberated. He states that the natives assert they have [no enmity against any one but Germans.

ATTEMPTED DYNAMITE OUT RAGE.

PAjtifs, December 5, Another attempt was made to-day to dynamite a. Parisian registry office. The attempted outrage was unsuc cessful.

GENERAL BOULANGER.

Paris, December 6. General Boulanger denies that he has formed any alliance with tbe Or leanists, and declares that he is a Re publican only. It is reported that M. Clemenceau is intriguing to upset M. Floquet,

A PROSECUTION.

The Chamber of Deputies has sanc tioned the prosecution of M. Wilson,

AUSTRALIAN.

(PXR PRESS ASSOCIATION.) I

VICTORIA.

Mblbournb, Deoember 6. Henderson, a clerk m the Stamp Department, has disappeared. Exten sive frauds have been discovered m his i accounts. < One of the; principal witnesses m the ! :ase against Butler, m the stamp frauds ; jasei, has commuted suicide, J {

FUNERAL OF LORD SEAFIELD

(PBR FBKSS ASSOCIATION.) Oamartj, Daccmber 6 The funeral of tha l»ta Earl of Seafield took plica to-day, and wan of a public oharixoter, All tbe bu^lnspu places were olofltd, this being the ueual weekly half holiday, and tho funeral procession *»aB mado np of the Masonic Looges, the vari ous Volunteer Companies, Borough Coun cillors, Dralris, memSer of the dan Grant (of whloh the deceased E; rl wag chief), and oit:z)ns headed hy the two lnnal bands, who ployed to the cemetery. The prooPßalon wai tho Urgent that has attended a funeral here, snd there was also a great crowd m the cemetery Deooased was harried m tho Presbyterian portion of tha burial ground, aod the service was read by the Oduroh of Eng land clergyman.

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

(per pbehs association.) Auckland, December 6. A telegram received to-day by the Directors of the New Zealand Stud Com pany itatea that 120 horses of the Buce phalus' shipment have boon sold, and the Government are still selecting animals for artillery purposes. Nothing is Btated as to thopilce. Wellington, Deoember 6. The "Gaz9tte" notifies the following alteration In the charge for carrying cheese on the Blcff-Huruoul saotlon New Zja lanp railways : — For cheese In 4 ton lota, consigned fr m factories sooth of Danedin to the Blaff, Inveroargirt, Dunedln, or Port Ohßlmerß, the muz. mam rate will be 23s per ton. For cheese m 4 ton loU consigned from factories north of O»maru to Oamarn, Timara, Ohrlitohuroh, or Lyttelton, tha maximum rate will also be 23s per ton. Dtobdin, Deoambef 6, At the Pol'ca Court to-day, Mary Black was charged wnh selling beer on Sunday The constable had seen a woman coming out of the house, and on following her and oeking what she had, she emptied beer out of a bottle m tha a reet, and" refused to go back to the hotel. Accordiug to the constable Mrs Black admitted the offence, but m the witness box she denied this, staling that what she did say wa that it was Bhameful that after conducting an hotel twelve years without reproach, she should bo charged as soon an eho was alone. The Magiatra'e said ho did not wish to discredit the evidecce of tho constable, but it was a case m which it was dangerous to convict, and the case would be dismissed. At the inquest touching the death of John Dora a, the evidence showed that he had been low-spirited for some time, and suffered from rheumatism. H*> had told his employer that he had been kicked by a horse, but mentioned nothing of thia to others. It was not clear whether he had taken the acid m niistako or not. He told hia wife that he had taken drink out of a bottle ho found because no one had answered hia call ; but to tho doctor he said he had had a misunderstanding with his employer (which was denied) and was tired of life Tbe jury came to the conclusion that the aoetio eoid bad beea taken by mistake. Mnry Oiraon, who had abandoned her child, leaving It with her mother against the latter's will, w.ib sentenced to-day to three months' imprisonment m Wellingtoo. gaol, it having been ascertained tint she is at present m Wellington

MAGISTERIAL.

. ASHBURTON— THURSDAY, (Before Mr O. A; Wray r R.M.) OIYJIi OArJ*a. The following oonoludos our report ol yesterday's prooaedinga : — M. Frledlaodtr v Moss Jonaa, claim £47 8i 41 Plaintiff's oiisa having been oonolnded, S'lr Wh to for the defence died; Mo'fl J-»n»8, the defendant, who -all that m Deonmber, 18*5, ho was c Ultra or -t-t ihe Soutn Canterbury He frlgeratlDg Oompaay. On December 26 ha came to Aahborton, and aaw Mi Friedlander, m oon«eqaence of a letter he had reoelved from him. Told Mr Fried landerhe could erethlmspaoaat 6dperhead. —In reply to Mr Friedlun Jer who eaid they wanted to get the eheop off: as soon aa passible o« they had no grass, witness stated that he could n t say exactly when a vessel would sail. Told Mr Friedlander what to put m the form. The months January and February were stated m the form, because the direotorß were trying to get a ship, Witness would not allow those months to remain on the form, and by hig direction Mr Friedlander struck these words out and substituted '• by first ship after Canterbury." Did not receive the circulars alluded to till about the 28th or 29th of December, 1886. some days after the sale was made. At the time he saw Mr Friedlander he had no, kupwledge that a^ vessel woqld not sail till the first week m April. He did not state that a vessel would sail during the first week la February ; m fact, he insisted on the word " February " being struck out of the agreement, as he had already stated. Until he received the summons no demand had been made on him for a refund. Made no mention to Mr Thomas about a veßßel oalled the Invercarglll. Witness had considerable difficulty iv securing space for Mr Kriedlooder. At first he oould only obtain apace for 750, but after, a great deal of trouble he got space for the oth«r 250 by paying 6d a head for them himself. By Me Harper : Did not think he was aware at the time he saw Mr Friedlander that the Direotora wtre going to make a charge of 6d per head per month for storage m case a vessel were not forthcoming. When he became aware he did not think he communicated with the Friedlunders ; they, by taking ' over the agreement, jlrqm witness, likewise $ook ov.ex a ny responsibility. -r-This wa« all the evidence, — The Magistrate said that the plaintiff had failed to show thai there had been any misrepresentation, Judgment for defendant with costs. 1 D. Dolan v Catherine Marpby, clulm £23 19j 6i. Mr Wilding for plaintiff, Mr Purneli for defendant. The claim yaoi for work alleged to have been done. Portion of the claim was for labor done on behalf of defendants deceased bus bsnd, but Mr Parnell raising an objeotlon Mr Wilding abandoned these Uetas/atatlng that they bad b^een Included m the pre sent adtlon merely to save defendant ex pense, and if her oonnsel objected to them, plaintiff had no other recourse than to bring another oaie, on a fQtqre Court day. The cla|m against defendant heraelf was then proceeded with. Plaintiff addaoed a good deal of evidence showing what work he had done. The defenoa wii that when her late husband, who' was plaintiff's brother, was drowned, a subscription was got up In the distriot for his widow and family, acd plaintiff performed the work, now sued for, as his contribution towards the relief of hlq qloter-ln-Ufir, The. Magistrate gave judgment for plain tiff for £6 63 without costs. A. Beattlo v L. Markey, claim £10 Is 6d. Mr Crisp for plaintiff, Mr Ou hbert ion for defendant. Part of th!i oase having been heard It was adjourned till next Court day.

THE DROUGHT.

(PEB PBBBB A88O0IATION.) Sydney. December 6. Tho benefit from the . recent rain is 'ast disappearing, and bußh fires hare broken out again m different parts of the solony. It is intensely hot to day. No rain has fallen m Australia to Jay, except at Cooktown.

THE PARNELL COMMISSION

[Pffß PkKSS ABSOOIATION.J London, December 5. Molloy, the invincible, has been arrested m Dublin by order of the Commission. The Commission will adjoufn for Christmas and New Year holidays on Friday, 14' h. The enquiry will, resume on the 15' h January.

BITERS BIT.

joking with ftiosPHORUs. The Napier "News" tells a storn of two practical jokers who " laughed on the wrong side of their faoea," A fire took plaoe » few days ago at a ohemlßt'a shop, some chemicals epontaueously Igniting. The fire was put out und two men were detailed to wntoh the debria, to guard against a revival of the fire- Among the salvage was » quantity of phosphorus, and knowing its property of gleaming m the dark the frisky watchmen conceived a joke' on a townsman whose habit is to stay out late o'dghta. They would take some phosphorus and draw a ghastly figure on his door. JBNch took a lump of the stuff, one putting his m a side pocket, the other m a breaßt pooket of his coat. They strolled down the utreet as if "quire promUons" to carry out their little lark* Bat " the best laid schemas, etc." They had not gone far bofore number one found his pooket m fhmeti, and the manner In wbioh be tore off his coat and banged it about to extinguish the fl>mes was so spectaoular that his mate m the excite ment of the momant forgot that he too had phosphorus m his pocket. But not for long. For before number one had controlled the oorfligratlon m bia costume be tO9 was tewing off bis coat. But the dangerous stuff somehow stuck to him, and before he bad done with it other garments were damaged, and both hands considerably burned. Their little joke of the ghastly figure on the door was not carried out

THE MARKETS

FURTHER RISE IN WOOL.

(per press association.) Sydney, December 6. Wheat, locally grown, 5s 8d ; New Zealand wheat, 5s 4d . to 53 6d ; for best samples chick, 4s to 4s 3d ; mill ing oats, 4s gd j ordinary feed, 4s 3d to 4s 7d. Tbere are no seed oats m the market. New potatoes are bringing £9 ; old kinds, £6 10s. Chaff, to £9. New Zealand butter, is id to is 4d j local, is 6d to is o.d. Cheese, 7}£d to od. Bacon, locally cured, 6^d to 7^d; New Zealand bacon, 8d to 9>£d; New Zealand hams, nd to is. ,i Mblroubnb, Deoember 6. As wheat harvesting proceeds the farmers generally find a full heavy ear, and it is possible that even with short straw the quality may atter all prove satisfactory. An estimated yield of 8 bushels to the acre has been hazarded. Wheat is weaker, 4s 7 being quoted for milling sorts. Flour also is slightly weaker at £ik. New Calcutta oats, 3s io^d; stout sorts, 43 io^d; Cape barley, 3s B#d. Adelaide, DecemW 6. The market is dull, wheat showing a downward tendency at 5s to 5s id for Bhipping parcels, f.0.b. ; farmers' lots, 4s lod at Port Adelaide, 4s 8d to 4s o,d at outports. FJour, jQn 10s for stone makes, 10 for roller makes, London, EUoambar 5. At the wool sales to-day, a buoyant tone prevailed. Merino advanced 10 percent. Fine crossbreds were scarce, and experienced a similar advance. Greasy lambs, both coarse and fine, sold at an advance of to id. All scoured wools were m active demand, and prices were favorably affected by the general advance m other classes. The sales close on the 15th. The present stock is small, and prospects are good, — 1

A RHYME OF TALES

<♦ ; 1 Fat from tho Madding Crowd ' of men We live, « My Mother and I• ; With • Dorothy Fox ' just over tho way. , Upon tha ' Banks of Wye. 1 We're far away from oold ' East Lynn,' And miles from ' Vanity Pair ' ; No • Piokwiok P&perß,' nor • Time and Tide,' Oan trespass on our oaro. The • Esmondea ' live with • Oswald Oraiff. 1 ' We Two,' and • Donovan, '. May smile upon brave • Laura Doon,' Aa ' Vice Versa ' oan. In all the « Wide, Wide World,' I know No fairer flower that « She,' Searoh where you will, m 4 North and Sooth,' 1 At Home,' m far At « WhtteJadles,' the « Sylveatreß ' Say oft • Noblesse Oblige,' Forgetting fast, « Twixt Axe and Drawn/ These'a no pleasure \n, heing « liiege 1 * I wonder why th.c • jfted Court Farm ' Xa let unto < The Qhanninga ?' For all ' Judge Halliburton's Troubles • They Buy are only orammings. The • Mill upon the Floss • goes round, And Bturdy ' Adam Bede ' Repeatß the Btory of • Jane Eyre," Ab anyone oan read, ' Wanted an Hear,' orieß Judith Wynne, 'Jn Hot Haste ' to ' Ninette,' » The Fatal Three ' and • Rebel Bora ' Call m • The Minor Poet.' ' T ,5? Ho " 8e of ? erov ' ol »Jma eu* oare, « m? 18 « not wotkh ' Strawo.' lhe Rogue. ' a very • Modern Brigand ' Discovers countless flawa ! A 'South Sea Bubble,' • Wagner ' Bays, To poor • John Ellaoot.' The • Son of his Father ' hardly darea To say what « H.eBte*' got i 'TJs hrave • Maoleod of Dare ' who won, And • Jess ' and he combine To tell the • Story of a Phaeton, 1 From the first page to the fine. While -All the Year Round' givea « Good Words To oheer the « Argosy,' With treasures from ' Belgravia ' And the « Three Old Maiaa of I<ee,' ' y}° nows Wbat ' ' °* own ot Wild Olive ' May deck • $on Quixote's' head ? On m£ a .' ? aa BhtM8 htM °* Heth ' dare tell Tho fate of • Motha • when dead. ' a^ ' fills ' Barohester Towers ' with awe, Wl»en the Bloom is on the Rye •' And « Aleo Forbes ' alone will say Why • Three Feathers • seem to fly. The • Trumpet Major • blows his horn For ' Lost Sir Maßsingberd ;' The « Last ' ohief « Of the Mohioaaa » Upon • The Trail ' ia heard? • Madonna Mwy ', weepa an^ Bjglifl 8 j glifl PnnJ\ cr tu n ° 7 00d^eex'ataS Poor 'Johnny Ludlow ' comforts us

A NEW ZEALAND ASTROLOGER

A copy of (ho A uckiand •• Examiner " of Ooober 12, 1859, forwarded to the "New Zealand Herald," contains a prediction on the fate of Napoleon 111, from a corespondent, which, read m the light of later history, has a singular iniereat. We quote a passage r—'^orao who predfot by present appearance*, instead of being gaided by astrology, say that Louis Napoleon will continue euossful as he has gone on. I Bay *No 1 ' He has Sa'urn, a maliGo planor, m the mansion of honor. Oortainly it is bia own ruling star ; but Saturn is Saturn wherever he may be, and though it is a nativity fortified by other most powerfully good influences, still I say the 01089 of his career will be evil. Jupitee and the moon may give wealth and dominion to tho end, which his uncle had not, but h> has datura where h:s uncle had him. Thrioe fled that uncle.— from Egypt, from Mos cow, and from Waterloo ; and twice has the present "Napoleon been discomfited— to wit, Strasburg and Boulogne. What the third disaster is I know not ; but it; must come— the stars He not. Let his future triumphs be what they may should he die a natural death— dark days ■ are m store for him who strangled tho Republic, destroyed, liberty, end persecuted the patriots of France. For years I have read the writing on the wall, ( Mene TekeJ.' Patriots of Franoe despair not ! Shades of Lambeaaa and Cayenne be 1 appeased, liberty but slumbers Not many years and "another .Republic shall, phoenix like, arise— not a Red Bepubllo— strong, wise, and gentle, guided by morality and true religion; holding m I her hands the lily, the tword, and the olive branch. Francs shall yet have her Washington and Europe too.

ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE.

The following strange atory is told by tba Greymouth oorreapondent of the '• Lyttelton Times " : -In a digging town ship, not very far from Greymouth thele lives, and baa for the last fourteen yean, a goldminer by the Dame of, say, Bertram, wboia quiet, unassuming ways have gains! him the reapeot of, not only hla immediate neighbors, but all that have oome In con tact with blm daring the whole time he has been on the ooaat. Be hai always been credited with having some eduoatlon, and for a while stoted ag icoal oorres pondant to one of oar dally papers. On more than one oooasion he has epoken In public, and hia utteranoei have always gained respect. Bertram, although an tndust-lous man, has never been a success ful miner, consequently, during a vary serious illness, whloh he is bat now slowly recovering from, no one was surprised to fiod be was m destitute ofroumstanoei t and reqnlred their help. For days tha poor man bovered between life aicfe eternity , and when m a state of delirium a portion of hla remarkable history became revealed to bit medical attendant, who, atngular to relate, was m a position to know that some of the statements made were, at any rate, correct, from the fact that he hhmelf had been a fellow-townt man of Bertram (although he was unaware of that till then), and had beard ■onia thing of ft In his yootb. Within the last few days documentary evidence hat been prodnosd which places the mi&er beyond doubt. Should Bertram d»'«,— he la nearly seventy years of ega— Vbjj whole of h!s extraordiaary and sensational history will beoome publlo property, and what has frequently been advanced, though never fully seallaed, will then be admitted, " that truth is stranger than fiction." While respeotlog Betram'a wishes, that during life he shall not be known by any other name than the one he has borne for thirty-nine yearn, or shall In any way be Identified with thhs present story, I am at liberty to state that there is not tba, slightest doubt, he whom I have na^ed Bertram la the veritable Earl of -~~, » peer of the realm, who disappeared over forty years ago, from London/society, tftet having been married to » well-knofn beauty, the daaghter of a olty magnate, only some few daya. Why he left all most men faoM dear, a lofty position. Urge fortune, affectionate relations, and a> lovely wife, to ostracise himself first m the wilds of Africa, and afterwards among the humblest of colonial society, cannot be told here ; suffice It to say, If hla statements to Dt are oorreot, and fi Is almost Impossible to doubt them, a most revolting revelation has been made, showing to what depth of human depra* vity some people occupying the most ex alted station In life desoend to, and how a man, through plsoing Implicit belief and faith In those near and dear to him, became a wanderer and an out- cast, and m lieu of having the oommand of tens of thousands Is dependent on the poor digger for help, In stateness and old age. Thb Is no romance, but a bit of real life, the chief actor being one of ourselves, living In our midst, and Is as well known to na all (only under another name) as, say 1 , the TownOlert

DICOVERY OF NATURAL GAS.

Referring to the recent discovery of natural gas m New Sooth Wales, the Sydney •• Dally Telegraph" saye :— As la generally the case, the gas was found b» aooldent. Nearly five years ago Me Johct Ooghlan oommenoed to bore for ooal In the neighborhood of Narrabeen. After boring for two or three years, probing 1556 ft down and finding no traoa of coal, the miners observed an lnflunmabto vapour exhaling from the aide of the bore. Mistaking It for what Is known aa marsh gas, a nroduot which by itself has no com mercial value and is frequently encoun tered m wells and minea all the world orer r and never dreaming of the existence m Australia of natural gas that might takt the plnoe of light or fuel, they paid no attention to it, and prooeeded to go deeper and deeper into the rook. At length, with nearly 2000 ft of tubing down, the vapour Increased m volume an.d intensity. Then Mr Ooghlan began seriously to eoiailder Its nature, acd having no knowledge of the valuable gases engendered m nature's own labaratory ia other parts of the world, he Invited Dr Storer, a scientific chemist, and Mr Key, a mining engineer, to Inspeot the boire. Those gentlemen visited the scene of operation! several months ago, and offered the opinion that the gas was similar to that discovered at Pittaburg, and subsequently analysing some which they carried away m a bottle, stated definitely that the product was m all respects identical with the American natural gag. Thus, after nearly five yean* work, the patienb energy of the prospec tors for ooal an the shores of Narrabeen was rewarded by the discovery of some thing thay had never dreamed of looking for, uomethiog they did not even know when they saw it. The bore they put down measured 3in m diameter and ihe gas issued through it m spite of a pressure of water equal to 8001 b to the square inoh. Until now nothing has been said publioly about the aroumstance. Now it is pro posed to float the well into a company bat whether the shares will bo issued immediately is doubtful. Probably the* concern will te put on the market at the. beginning of the year. If th,o well prove* rich m gas, pipe* will be laid from Narrabeen to the oity, and the natural product reticulated when mixed with coal gas to the dwelling* for lights, and unadulterated to the factories. and work shops for fuel. Meanwhile the few workmen, employed at the well are boiling their billies and grilling their eteaks on th« gas that flows up over tho surf ac» from ' hundreds of feet beneath them, and at night they ard illuminating their huts and tentd with the same are*mn product.

THB ASHBURION GUARDIAN, FRIDAY DECEMBER 7. 1888 1



::•:..• diary. Moon's December Sun ■ Sun Moon Moon ago a TUees Sots. Rises Hetc. uoon; a.m. p.m. • Monday .. 4.17 7.23 4,0 6.52 29 Tuesday .'. 4.16 7.24 4.48 8.8 0 Wednesday.. 4.16 7.25 5.43 910 1 Thursday .. 4.16 7.28 6.47 10 21 2 Fridny.. .. 4.16 7.27 7.62 11.14 3 Saturday ... 4.18 7.2H 8.4 11.52 4 Sunday .. 4.15 7.29 10.12 * • 5 iMooNWQHX Evenings. The Moon at 3 days old shines till about o'clock. The Moon at 6 days old chines till about all-past 10 o'olook. The Moon at 8 days old shines till nearly o'ol&ok m tho morning. Tho Moon at 12 daya old shines from undown till about 4 m the morning. Ths Moon at 15 days old is full, and shines 11 night. The Moon at 18 days old risos about 9 p.m. nd shinoß till morning. The Moon at 21 days old risos about II m. and shines till morning. The Moon at 24 days old rises about 2 a.m. j ,nd shines. 11 morning Tho Moon at 27 days old rieca about 4 a.m. md shines till sunrise. the;ashburton guakdian. From and after the 30th November, 1886, the orms of Subscription to this, journaljwillfbe is followß, viz. : — IT PAID IN ADVANCE PerQaarter.. 6a 6d by post,^9s 6d Half-year 12s 6d, by post, 18s 6d [Year .. 24b Od, by post, 378£0 d : IF BOOKED,' PerQaarter.. 7s fid, by post, 10a 9d | Half-year 15s Od, by post, 21s 6d „ Tear .. 30s Odj by poßt, 43s Od Birtb, Marriage, and Death Notices, if paid for at the ixne of insertion 2s 6d eaoh (Btamps may Bent as payment) if booked, 4a eaoh. Announcements of Births, Deaths and Marriages sent for publication from the oountr} 1 districts require to be verified by the Bignature oi the person sendincr the notice ,



The best medioine is Sander and Sons' Eucalypti Extract. Tost its eminent power- ful effeots m coughs, colds, influenza, etc the relief is inijtantaneouo. Thousands give the most gratifying testimony.' His Majesty the King of Italy and medical syndicates all over the globe are its patrons. Bead the official reports that accompany eaob bottle. We have no oocasion to offer rewards m proof of the genuineness of our references. The offioial reports of medical olinics and univer- sities, the official communication of the ' Consul-General for Italy at Melbourne • the " diploma awarded International Exhibition Amsterdam—all these are authentic docu- ments, and, as fjuoh. not ODen to doubt We add here eriitome'of one qf jihe various caoea treated at the olinio of SohjiHz, Mp" Pro fessor, etp.—•• 0.8., 24 years old ;' oon ß«si tional abacess on fchq thigh, Jnoisions made m two places. Although Inter's dressins waa applied, the secretion became, two dayp later, very copious, and had adopted a foetid decomposed character. The temperature rose enormously. In consequence the dressing wbb removed, and m its place were made during the day-time repeated irrigations with , Euoalypti Extraot. The offensive footer dis- J appeared very Boon, the fever abated within « a few days, and the patient recovered after a the lapse of several weeks. In this inßtanoe we muet not loee Bight of the faot that the latter treatment, lived the ratient'e lifo.' t«* c



Keating's Powder destroys both moth, fleas, beetles, and all other insects, while quite harmless to domestic wiimals. ' In exterminiU ing heejles, the success of this powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly clean m appli- cation. See the article you purchase is Keatings its imitations are noxious and!! m sffectual sl4 m tins, 6d, |s and 99 6d by $c.h9rasgjj ■•■•*« 'I



Rough on RATs."—Clears out rats, mice, roaches, flies, ants, bed-bugs, beetles, insects, skunks, jack-rabbits, sparrows, gophers. At



" Bucha-Paxba." Quick, complete cure, all annoying kidney, bladder, and urinary, diseases. At chemistsjaad druggists. Kemp- thorne, Prosssr, and Co,, agents, QhxitW



Wanted WANTED a Btrong Girl as Name and Hoasermld ; a'so General Servant for Aahbutton. — Apply A, W. Randall. Ashbnrton. 12 47 YX/ANIED Knowu — Mrs MEroh, V* Drofsmaker, has returned fiona Sydney, and recommenced business m Faunders' Buildingb. next Mr R. Alcorn's. 10 78 "TT/ ANTED Known.— That Davis' 3d, V V 6d, 9d. and Is TaMea &c loaded with Novelties m Toys and useful Presents. Liberal discounts to School and Sports Committees, Chrirtmas Cards given away. 12 50 WANTED Known.— Beautiful Milli nery. A choice assortment is now being shown ; also Sunshade?, Silk Gloves, Laces, {*'cajf>, &c, at Andrew (jRR'a. WANTED Known— We have tho Largest and beet aborted Stock In tha District of WonV Bats and Osps In all tho leading shspos &nd styles.— J. Obr AND CO WANTED Known. — That Miss Edwabds, Tailoresß, is prepared to make Boys' Clothing, also Cuffing, Strap ping, repairs and air orations, &c — Miss JfDWABDS, corner Moore street and Belt. 11 105 WANTED Known— We are now showing ■ splendid assortment of ' Summer Millinery and Drapery, a*, very low prices. — H. 0. Segers, Mcl ford House. WANTED Known— Wo do the largest Tailoring Trade m the Distrlot. Perfect fii gnaran?« d and every garment warranted thoroughly shrunk.-— J. Orb AND CO. MRS ADAMS has removed to Saun- dera' Buildings, opposite Railway Station. Crenel Silks, Wools, and Fancy Ooods of every description kept In stook. Agent for Eclipse Dye Works. Registry offioe for Servants. 10 92 WANTED Known— We are no* showing a grand assortment ol Trimmed and Un trimmed Hate and Bonnets. The largest Stock to choose from m town, an<l the cheapest house. — H. O. Sxgers, Mcl ford House. WANTED Known— Support Loca Industry. Buy ycur Buils Ath- burton Tweed from 30s ; made to measure (and choose your own Tailor) from JEI 10b. — Andrew Obr. WANTED Known— We hold »t Immense Stock of Tweeds ant Oia'lngs to seleot frrm. A first-class sud made to measure from 60a. — J. Obr ani Oo^ A \T ANTED Known.— Andrew Obb ii W giving a Great Bargain m Boots' Girls' School Boots, Women's Boots, 6s 6d, Men's ' "TITANTED everyone to know thai VV J. O. Duhoan is a Land Broker lioensed to prepare and register Transfers) Mortgagee, Enonxcbrances, Leases, Pegtn tration Abstracts, Powers of Attorney, Applications to brlog Land under the Act and every description of instrument! un&ar the Land Transfer Act. — J. 0 Duncan, Arcade, Ashburton. 10J10] FOR genuine Ashburton Tweed SultE ready-made, or to measure, fit and quality guaranteed, and at prices nn< equalled, go to R. Aloorn, Aehburtoi Clothing Mart, Saundera' Buildings. VI 7" ANTED Known— That Mrs Hill, VV Monthly Nurse, has removed from Pater Street to Dt Trevor's house, m Moore Street. 10t3£ XMAS, Xmas — Andrew Orb is show- ing Novelties m all Department! for Xmas Pregonte. WANTED Known— We hold a large and well-escorted Stock of Meo'i and Boys' Clothing, made from Colonial Tweed*, m every b ! zo and style.- J. Oar . asp 00. STOCKINGS--700 pairs of Ladies and Children's cample Hose just opened (.landed under the old Tariff.) All quality to be sold cheap during our sale. — 11. 0, Seders, Melford House WORSTED Tweede,— A Beautiful Assortment of Worsted Tweety as exhibited at the late Show Specially made to order for Andrew Obr. "I I /ANTED Known— We hold « large VV *nd varied Stook of Men'i White and Regttta Shirts, Scarves, Ties, Collars, Gloves, Braces, Umbrellas, Rugs, etc — J. Obb atsd Co. ANTED More Known— That S. V 7; Aloobn and Co. is the cheapest House m Ashburton. Gieat variety of Dress materials ; Pribts and Fancy Galateas to choose from. * .11 169 "TTrANTED Known—Our Slock of VV Boots and Shoes nacnpfc be sur- passed for variety, quality, and cheapness. — 3. Orb and Co ANTED KNOWN— That i" have appointed Meb Adams sole agent m Ashburton for the £clipse Dye Works, Ghristohurch. Ladies dreeies and gentle- men's clothes cleaned or dyed. Keal Skins, Gloves and Feathers, Silks, Damask Curtains, Table Covers, Sashes Cleaned oj Djed, etc., &nd all kinds of animal skins drefcsetl unc 7 made up to order.— A. J. Chapman, 161 Armagh street, Chriet- chnroh ISO Summer 1888. JL A|T B 8 T NOVEX T I E B IN ALL DEPARTMENT 3, NOW ON VIEW AT THE NKW ZEALAND CLOTHING yAOTORY. Everylhlng New. New Shirts. New Underclothing, New Ties, New Hat», Now Suits for Boys, New Bniti for Men, Everythiog^New and of the LATEST FASHIONS. See our Windows, and judge for yourselves ' SPECIAL. I Suite made to measure m good style ' and from the newest checks and stripes from £ £2 16s. 1 I ENCOURAGE LOCAL INDUSTRY j r AND BUY FROM THE t Hew Zealand, Clothing Factory. I W. H, WEBBER, 4



Public Notices. IMPORTANT TO FAUMKR3. NO PERSON In Ashborton i* snthnr. Ised cr can sell the McOobmioK Machines, or genuine MoCohmick extrc-s, other than our Agents, Mesus John Ccc AXD OC. MORROW, BASSETT & CO , Sole Agents for 11 29 New Zealand. NOTICE TO FARMERS. TTTITH refer' noe to pertain advertiße- VV menta by the Local and General Agon's of tho McOormick Reaper and Binder desiroua of monopolising the ealo of their Extras, I have much p'eaeure m ttating that I have as complete a Stock of Extras und Fittings f<r the HcOormick Machine aa are m craeary, and that they are as Genuine os the otherp, antj will be sold at Lowest Possible Prices. ll*:68 HENRY ZANDER. ASH BURTON COAL and FIREWOOD DEPOT. RQ T)EAN begs to lnform'tls • O* O friends and the public generally that he has secured a fresh supply of best Ne«rca<tla coal whloh he Intends to sail at GREATLY REDUCED PRICES. Also In Stook— 'lount Somers, Malvern, Weatport, and Nswoastle Coal. Firewood, Post and Rails, Stakes, Strainers, o'c, eto , Oats, Bran, Sharps, Potatoes, Chaff, Ohiokwheat, etc. R. S. BEAN, West Street. GLASGOW DRAPERY and OLOTHING COMPANY. Tre- mendoua Bargains. THB WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTH- ING BUT THE TRUTH. It it true. Yes ; perfeotly true, that Mitchell & Turner SELL SELL SELL DRAPERY MEN'S AND BOYS' OLOTHING, BOOTS, Etc., AT Reasonable Prices & Al Value, CALL AND INSPECT LARGE AND WELL-ASSOKTifcD STOOK, Christmas. <ss %^ . Christmas. Where shall 1 boy my Christmas Paroel and get first-class value fjc my money. Why, at Mitchell & Turner, DRAPERS AND CLOTHIERS, TANOEED STREET LATEST NEWS FBOM THE HABVEST FIELD, SWEEPING VICTOEIES ALL OVER THE WORLD The McOormick HAS NOT BEEN BEATEN IN ANY FIELD TRIAL THIS SEABON. WE do not advertise old Trials or Prizes. The following have been honestly won this Season :— FIRST PRIZE and GOLD MEDALS at the two FRENCH FIELD TRIALS, held on the 22nd and 29tb July, at Compeigne and Bozoy en Brie. Twenty. five FIBST PRIZES won m Australia this Season up to date, viz : — Gonlbonrn, New South Wales, March 23rd Orange, New Roulh Wale*, April 18th, Mudpee, New South Wales, May 24th, Deniliquin, New South Waleß: July 19th Eingelton, New South Wales, August 23rd Murrumburrah, New South Wales. Aagust 24tb, Bupanyup, Victoria, August 28th. Donald, victoria, September 61 h Pyramid Hill, Victoria, September 7tb, Borah im, Victoria, September 12th, Wycheproof, Victoria, September 12tb, Natlmuk, Victoria," September 19th, Devenish, Victoria, September 25tb Elmore. Victoria, September 26th Oasbel, V ctoria, September 27th Numurkah, Victoria, October 3rd Kadina, South Australia, October 3rd Pt Pirie, South Australia, October 3rd Virginia, South Australia, October 4th Shepparton, South Australia, October 10th Jamestown, South Australia, October 10th Petersburg, South Australia, Cctob6i I2th Euroa, South Australia 1 October 16tb, Balaklava, Field Trial, October 16th Adelaide, Field Trial, October 25th, BEATING EVERY OTHER MAO BIKE Order early as we are nearly Bold out. A Large Stock of Extras and Fittior always on hand. JOHN ORR & 001 AGHJ.NTB FOR THE ASHBUB couNry From fhom only the Genuine g^^j