THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

From and after the 80th November, 1886, the terms of Subscription to this journal will be as follows, viz. : — IB 1 PAID IN ADVANCE : Per Quarter.. 6s Cd, by post, 9s 6d „ Half-year 12s 6d, by post, 18s 6d „ Year . . 24a Od, by post, 37s Od IF BOOKED Per Quarter. . 7s 6d, by post, 10a 9d „ Half-year 15a Od, by post, 21a 6d „ Year .. 30s- Od, by post, 43a Od Birth, Marriage, and Death Notioes, if paid for at tbe time of insertion, 2s Od eaoh (stamps may be sent as payment)-; if booked, 4s eaoh. Announcements cf Births, Deaths and Marriages, sent for publication from the country distriots require to be verified by the signature of the person sending the notice.

DIARY.

Moonlight Evenings.

The Moon at 3 days old >bines till about 8 o'olook. The Moon at 6 days old shines till about half-past 10 o'olook. The Moon at 8 days old Bhineg till nearly o'olook 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 .bines all night. Tbe Moon at 18 days old rises about 9 p.m. and Bhines till morning* The Moon at 21 days old rises about 11 a.m. and shines till morning. Tbe Moon at 24 days old risea about 2 a.m. and shines till morning, The Moon at 27 days old rises about 4 a.m, and shines till sunrise.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, FEBRUABY 24, 1888. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

An unfortunate aooident to our maohinery — the breakage of some cogs on the cylinder — rendered tho publication of the •• Guardian" yesterday and to-day a work of considerable difficulty, and accounts for onr issue being more than an hour later than usual. We desire to acknowledge, with our beat thanks, tbe valuable assißtanoe given to us m tbe emergency by Mr Gamble, who kindly placed the reaouroes of his establishment at our disposal.

At the EM. Court this morning, before Mr R. Alcorn, J.P., a female offender for drunken noes was oonvicted and discharged. The Wellington correspondent of the *• Otago Daily Times " has reason to believe that the Legislature will bo summoned to meet " for the despatoh of business " about the first week m May, and Btates that pre parations aro already m aotivo progress for the opening of the session about tbat date. The "Oamaru Mail" has been shown a sample of ripo wheat from Mr R, Hay's farm, at Waiareka. It is of the variety known as " Mold's Ennobled." Some of the heads measure eight inohes m longth, and contain eighty wheat grains, woighing about half an ounoe. Thoy are hard and well-colored. The paddock from whioh thoy aro taken promises a grand yield. The " North Otago Times " of Thursday writeß:— \u25a0•• Tho prosent Government, judged by its land legislation and the tendencies of its Minister of Lands, is beyond doubt a favorer of land monopoly. It would, perhaps, be diffioult to give to Ministers a worse oharaoter, but it is not we who givo it to them — it is their own handiwork In other roßpeotß tho Government haa done and will, we daresay, yat do good work ; but m regard to this vitally important matter of liberal land legislation it is, when weighed m the balanoo, found to bo lament ably wanting."

Moxioo is getting ready to pay her stand ing army. It has boen twenty-eight months sinoe tho paymaster was around, and thore is a limit to Homo things, evon m Mexioo.

Tho following is tho reply whioh a man sont to a bill from hia bookseller : — "I neve ordered tho book ; if I did you didn't send it ; if you sent it I novor got it ; if I got it I paid for it; if I didn't I won't.

Wanganui, according to a correspondent o* the " Hawera Star," is not m a flourishing condition at present ; and from its appear anco it has boon at a standstill for a long time. Tho editor of tho " Hastings Star " ia evi dently not a very, popular individual. Ho acknowledges that on Valentino's Day he rccoivod " about a cartload " of ugly valonlines. In a broach of promiao suit m Ohio, tho girl showed up 745 letters for 120 days of love That was over six lottorn por day, and yot tho young man kept saying ho wished ho ! could find limo to drop her a lino now and then. " Eouoir on ItATß."— Clears out rats, mice roaohes, flies anta bod-bugs, beetles, insects, skunka, jack-rabbits, sparrow?, pojohpr**.. At chemists anddru_V* v - 1

Old Jaoob Hobba, of Mississippi, buried 22,000 dollars m gold during the war. He was killed before he told anyone of the spot, and his own Obadiah has been hunting for the treasure ever since without any luok. At length he hung himself to a tree, and m dig ging hia grave tho long-losfc fortune was turned up. Luok oomes to some men after death.

The " Eangitikei Advocate " ia informed on what seems to be v.cry reliable authority, that m reducing the number of the members of tho House of Representatives to tho number decided on laat session, the Ministry in tend to propoao the grouping system through out the colony— two or three of tho existing oonstituenoies being grouped into one, and being represented proportionally.

An extraordinary case of dropsy has ocourred (says tho " Japan Mail ") m the Osaka Hospital, where a woman attained the enormouß girth of 137 centimetres, and when tapped was reliovod of 2195 cubic inohes of water. Marshal MoMahop, who was President of the Frenoh Kepublio from 1873 to 1879, when he resigned, is enjoying excellent health m his 80th year. Ho resides on hia oatates, indulging m outdoor sports, and. passes a few weeks m Paris eaoh winter. It is probable that during the spring Queen Viotoria will unveil the colossal bronze Btatue of General Gordon, which ia to be oreoted at Aberdeen, m front of the Art Gallery. Thia statue was subsoribed for by members of the Gordon Olan. In Borne many|of the people will sign no oontraot on Friday. Neither will they light three candles, nor sit m a room when three candles only aro lighted. In Florence thiß deep-rooted horror of certain numbers and days takes quite a oomioal form. In many streets and squares there is no number [thirteen, but twelve • and a half has been substituted, bo that the numbers run twelve and a half and fourteen. In this ingenious way the dreaded number is completely dono away with. Houses bearing the unlucky thirteenjrarely find any Italian lodgers. The "Bruoe Herald" has the following severe paragraph :— " The Archbishop of Can terbury (£15,000 a year paid quarterly, and two palaces) is of opinion that the lot of the 600,000 Btarving sufferers of London 'might* be alleviated by spiritual consolation.' He also gave an entertainment the Bame week to a number of earls and countesses, etc., at whioh olarotoup, champagne, jioea, straw berries and oream, and the like were served up on the lawn. When Canterbury entertains the peers of the realm, it will be observed, he dooan't alleviate their lot by • spiritual con. eolation.' Liquor ia more m their line than a chapter from the Now Testament, telling how the Lord hadn't one red oentin Galilee.'' Koating's Powder destroys both moths, fleas, beetles, and all other inseots, while quite harmless to domeatio animals, In extermi nating beetles, the success of thia powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly clean m appli cation. See the article yon purchase is Keating as imitations are noxious and inefleotual. Sold m tine. Od, ls, and 2a d ach, by all ohemißtß °

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN

(per press association.)

A DISORDERLY MEETING."

London, February 21. Mr R. C. Graham, M.P.. and Mr Burns, the Socialist leader, addressed a large meeting called with the object of bringing about the fusion of Home Rule and Radical interests. Messrs C. S. Parke (member for Perth), Davitt, and O'Brien, M.P., were present. The meeting was [disorderly and ended abruptly.

YOUNG HOFFMAN.

New _okk, February 21. Yielding to the representations made by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Young Children, who asked tbat the performances of young Hoff man, the musical prodigy, should be restricted, as he was being overworked, the boy's parents have determined to withdraw him from the platform for some years, but being poor they complain of the pecuniary sacrifice they are making.

MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

London, February 23 Italy, Spain and Switzerland will not be represented at the Melbourne Ex hibition. The Manchester exhibitors are very backward m their preparations. There will be 300 French exhibitors.

M. Berger. the Director of the Paris Exposition, had an unofficial interview wilh Sir Graham Berry, m which he stated that France does not care to exhibit at Melbourne unless Victoria will reciprocate and exhibit at Paris.

LAND COMPANY.

The West Australian Land Com pany's capital of a quarter of a million has been subscribed.

THE FISHERIES TREATY.

Washington, Febnrary 23. President Cleveland, m a message to the Senate on the Fisheries Treaty, said the settlement arrived at was a just and honorable one.

AUSTRALIAN.

(per pbess association,)

VICTORIA.

Mblbotjknb, February 23. Much surprise was occasioned m tbe city last evening by the sudden ap pearance of Mrs White, who*left here with Bearder, the jewel robber. Some months ago, Mrs White slates, that she merely happened to go Home by the same steamer, and upon arriving m England Bearder saw her safely m care of her friends, and she saw no more of him. As soon as she saw the news paper reports and learned Bearder's real character and the position m which she was placed, she determined to return to Melbourne at once and clear herself of the suspicion m which she was held m connection with the jewel robbery. A. telegram has been received from the Observatory at Kaiel University announcing the discovery of a comet on the 1 8th instant. The comet has since been observed m this colony.

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Sydney, February 23. A scrutiny demanded by the defeated Freetrade candidate m the recent Paddinglon election has resulted m the Parliamentary Committee appointed to carry it out more than doubling the sitting membei's majori y. The morning train for the South ! ran into a goods train near Granville junction, smashing up nine trucks and the engine and blocking the line for some hours. The fireman was slightly injured but there were no other casualties.

SPORTING.

DUNEDIN RACES.

The following events were deoldod after we went to preßß yesterday : — Rbailway Plate of 100 boys. Four furlongs. Mr Twohlll's Olndorella, 8 t 111 b (Oaroy) 1 Mr Goodman's Apropos, Bat lllb I (Prioe) 2 Mr Boiler's Adulation, 6st lllb (Holmor.) 3 Time, 59_eo. Dividends— £lo 15* 6 J and £12 4i od. SOBUBBAN WbLTRR HANDIOAr of 120 80V.1. Milo and a furlong. Mr Hammond's Sultan, Bit 21b (Dorrit) 1 Hon G. MoLean's St Ives, 83t 121 b (Ohapraan) 2 Messrs Hobba' College Boy Bat 21b (Huxtablo) 3 Chantilly and Sir Julias also ran. Won easily. T.roe2x.n2Beo. Dividend, £10 15 i 6.1 and £12 14s. Posr tf takes, 20 BOYS. Mr J. Smith's Sfc Agnes t 1 Mr Goodman's Little Noll * 2 | Mr Mpson'a Sweetbriar 3 Five started. Bividend, £2 4a 61 and £2 3s.

THE MARKETS.

P_R rBKSS ASSOCIATION )

London, February 21. The market rate for discount is now 1 24 P e * ceVit, being % below theßjnk rate.

Leather, nd to nj^d ; hemp, to Gum quiet.

Hydnev, February 23 New Zealand bran, dull, 65 • New South Wales bran, 6y£d ; pollard, 7d to 7 J4-d ; oats, bright milling sorts, 2s 2d j horse feed, is iod to 2s ; maize, 3s 3d, with downward tendency, sales hand to mouth ; butter (hand made), 8d j factory made, iod to nd ; cheese, loaf size, $d • large, 3d to 4d. There is a plentiful supply of New Zealand bacon, which is selling at od ; hams, lid to is.

Adelaide, February 23. Wheat is selling at 3s 2j£d for ship ping parcels ; 3s for farmers' lots j 2s lod for outports; flour, roller made, j£B 10s to j£B 15s; oats, 2s 8d to 2s zod; barley, 5s to 5s 6d, for malting only. Melbourne, February 23. The grain sales were wall attended. Wheat, 3s 4}4d', feed grain is easy; oats, stout, 23 iod; barley, malting, s>^d; maize, 3s Bd. Bran dull. Sugar is selling steadily at reduced rates. London, February 23. { 14,200 bales of wool were offered at j to-day's wool sales. Consols have dropped to 101^. Tbe frozen meat by the Orient is selling at 3^d, and that by the Doric at 4J^d per lb.

The wool sales closed briskly. Prices unchanged. Twenty-five thousand bales have been held over for next sales. The December rates have been gene rally maintained, except for short and faulty descriptions, which have declined at id to i>^d.

THE SYDNEY BEAR-GARDEN.

DISGRACEFUL SCENE.

Pj-R Press Association.]

Sydney, February 23.

Another violent and disgraceful scene took place m the House of Assembly to-night. . Mr G. R. Dibbs accused Mr Garrett, Minister of Lands, whose ab sence has caused the Land Bill to be hung up for some days, of having been blind drunk. Mr Dibbs repeated this taunt at intervals and m various forms, until Mr Garrett became exasperated, and seized a water bottle and attempted to strike his tormentor, but a number of members seized Mr Garrett and wrested the bottle from his grasp before any damage was done. Mr Garrett then retorted that Mr Dibbs' statement was false and malicious, Tne House presented a scene of great disorder, which was ended by both sides making lame apologies.

There had previously been a brisk skirmish over the White mine incident, during which oaths and accusations of lying had been freely bandied about.

CORN EXCHANGE.

Following is the Corn Exchange report for the week ending Fobruary 24th, 1888:— The heavy rains on Sunday night and Monday retarded harvost operations, but we have not heard that any material damage has been done. The grasß and turnips will bave greatly benefited by tho rain. We regret to have to note that the English grain advices during the week have not been bo satisfactory, prioes generally having a downward tendenoy. Freight also is high and difficult to obtain, consequently wheat ahew_ a slight falling, and we do not expeot to Bee muoh speculation m this cereal until tho vessels now boing arranged for are on the spot to reoeive oargo. No orders aro yet to hand from Australia, except for barley, but as the maltsters and brewers aro operating freely, shippers aro unable to buy at limits named by their principals. Wheat. — Old wheat meets with fair demand from looal millers, and for inter colonial trade at from 23 lOd to 3a Id f.o.b. For new wheat buyers are not anxious to deal knowing it to be Btook thrashed, and are only offoring 2a 8d to 2a 9d, but as soon as the vessels are hero we expeot to see more speculation, if not improved values. Chicken whole wheat is Boiling at 2a 8d to 2b 9d for prompt delivery. Oats. — There ia a disposition to speculate at is 6d to ls 7d, but tarmera are holding baok. Old Btooks have been nearly shipped away, and the market is fairly bare. We value short feed ls 6d to Is 7d ; milling, Is Bd. Inferior sorts aro not offering. Baulky.— A keen competition is evinced for prime malting, and last week's rates of 4s to 4a 3d for choioa lines have been fully maintained. Seoond quality malting is being quoted at 3a Gd to 3s 9d ; Boreenings, for pig feed, 2s to 2s Id. Grabb Seed. — Very little is offering ; sales of small lots have been made at 2s to 2a 4d ; maohino dressod, at 2a lOd to 3a. Cooksfoot is being plaood at 3Jd to 3£d for primo heavy seed. Second quality is not muoh sought after at 2_d to 3d. Potatoes,— Kidnoys aro boing plaoed m small lots at 45s at country stations. I Dairy Produce iB very quiet, and prioes are unchanged. The above quotations aro those paid to farmers and delivored f.o.b. Lyttelton, saoks extra.

FROM WELLINGTON SOUTHWARDS.

NOTES OF A TRIP BY CRAW LINN

Some months ago we, that is self and a compagndn de voyage, whom I will call "Jack" for short, Ip.ft tho great Empire City, and took our paeaagoa In tho " Pan galu " for Pioton, The trip across Cook's Stral a and up tho Sjunds, was m at en joyable. It waß evening whon we arrived and took .the little port by storm as it werr, for the hotels could not wall nc oomniodato up, and It became a oaao of shakedowns with some of na for the night Jack, with hia usual luok, got a good room all to himself, and the next morn log we proceeded to Blenheim, the capital of Marlborough. It is a. very pretty town, but Bubjaot occasionally to fbodp, m conaequenoe of the Walrau and Opawa rivers overtiming their banks— if they have any — then tha Inhablt-mta of Blen heim go about m boa's a la Venice ; bat it is a prosperous little plaoa, tizd 'the land around produces splendid barley and hops. '. he prinolpal brewer, Mr D jdaon, la alao the member foe the distrlot, and io an old resident. Mr Redwood, of raoehoraa breeding fame, haß his home near, and several other gentlemen of horsey inclina tions. It ia a pleasant spot altogether, < and one of the beat show towns m the oolony. For eximple, St. Leon's olrooa, at „ raoent vlalt, took soma £7^o out of the plaoo m fonr nii*hta Hsre Jaok oame to a little grief with a pony named " But terfly." He wont a tr fl * too near him when he was feeding, and tho pony grabbed him by the arm ; Jaok got away with the lose of h<a ooit sleeve, and tho language he uaod was far more pagon than parliamentary. «• Bu>te*_y " Is only six teen yeara old aa to time, but a hundred and sixteen m villainy. From Blenheim we journeyed to Pioton by a n earl 7 level road, and en route stayed to water the horsas at the scene of tho Walran mas. aacre \u25a0 there Ie a small cemetery on a bill with a oross oo tbe top to commemorate the event. At Pioton we took steamer fer NelaoD, and were rewarded by a view of some of the moat beautiful scenery m all New Zealand, the steamer dodging about amongst lovely ialanda till we o.ma to the French P_sa. This is a handy place to fall overboard, if anyone is m a harry to get to *' kingdom oome." There is not

the slightest chance of his journey beta? Interrupted. The water bolls and rushes at a fearful rate through this Pass, bat there is suchaklnd of anake likefaaoinatlun about it, that one feels almost inolined to jump m and find out the grand secret qulok. We were only a few hours getting to Nelson, that is tbe porr, and Jaok and I walked from the port to tbe city, " the Sleepy Hollow," as it la called. Sleepy or not, it is tha moat beautiful little spot we have aeen yet, and we liked the people aa mach aa tbe place. Girla here abound. , and suoh pretty onea, five oat of every six we met wore downright pretty, and Jack a got quite Intereated, We found out that tbe cause of ao many girls ia that the young men go away to other parts of the colony to get their living. There is no land to support the people, that is, no

agricultural laud, 'except" one patch, the Walmea, a plain juat outside the city. We drove through it, and Jack sang, " Oh, would I were a boy again." The oountry pat him m mind of his native country In England, green hedges, traes, and level roads. We bowled along through Stoke to Rohmond, where we palled up to water the horses and talk to the land lord. This old identity seemed perfeotly satisfied with the quletno3s of the district. He said, " We' have got acouatomed to it ; the only start Nelson ever got waa the Weat 00-Bt ru_h ; that relieved as of all our surplus atock, and waa a good market for our produce for a time, bat it fell off, and we dropped baok into our old quiet habita, and we are not nnocmf or table." Indeed, they nted not be, the climate ls charming, fruit ia abundant and seems to need little cultivation. Fiah are plentiful too, here, and we bad real eolea one morning at breakfast. Onoe this little spot of earth was very muoh given to horae racing, and there is a good oourse at Stoke, about four mllea from town ; bat the hotel at the roadside is not what it uaed to be, we were told, m days gone by, AU the way from Richmond to Fox Hill, 25 miles from Nolaon, the road is level, and there are pretty farina all the way. We called at Brlghtwater, the scene of the priaa firing, and got some lunch at an old-fashioned inn. There ia a small village here inhabited by girls— pretty, of o mrae — and Jaok Baid,' '* Suppose we Btay here altogether, and start farming 1 " There was more difficulty still at Wake field, a little farther on, for the village was larger, and the girls still more plenti ful, and (If possible) even prettier- Fox Hill is a place of resort for tourists now. There is a veiy good hotel here and ln the season some splendid shooting. This is a bash country aod there are several Bawmillij. The population has been steadily Increasing, supported entirely by the timber industry. Thero Is a sort of road from hero right to tho West Coaat whioh I travelled yeara ago, bat on th is occasion we returned to Nelson, and m the evening obatted with some of the old Identities. It seems that Nelson ia —according to theae authorities — peifeotly teemtng with oopper, silver, coal, and gold, though the laat ia of the leaat Importance There ia no doubt abnnt the copper, bat the Dan Mountain fai v c m the early days frightened all the Nelson men, and the hllla all roand are felt un touched ln consequence — But a time will come when "Sleepy Hollow" will wake up and tbe mountains around itouppcrb hundreds of thousands of poop'e. There are some beautiful English-looking homo* ateada m tho Waimoa. Ie is here that Mr Henry Redwood brod Zjo, 10, and numbera of celebrated wlnuera both on Australian and Now Zsaland turf. Here resided Dootor, afterwards Sir David Manro, the quondam Speaker of tho Houae of Representatives, and at tha present tin c there at c \ number of wealthy people who havo taken up thoir abode beoauae of tho beauty of tho diatrlct and ita charming climate. All the neoasaaries of life are cheap, and the baer ia par excellence the boat m ali tho colonies. The Nelaon hopa ara sent to all the different brewers In New Zealand, and poing through tho hop groundß of Mesßrs Harloy -and Hooper and Dodoon— they aro within a short walk of tho city — wo felt aB if wo were baok m Old Kont again Leaving Nelßon we started overland on foot, (carrying knapsack.-) for the East Ooaat, m fact It was back to Blenheim, but m a very difierent way. We went np tho Maltal valley and crossed tho river about thirty times before wo anoended the mountain of murder fame— ihe Mokatapu — whore thoae roia-reants — Sullivan, Burgess, and Kelly committed thoir atrocities. Here, aa wo wore well prepared | for a oiuap out, J,ok Btopped on some flat grouud on top of a steep aacerjt, and propi;s*d to atay for the night We did ao, and lay Iv the fern, and emoked j \ after our supper, and talked of homo and our boyish days, and came j to tho oonolualon that wo had been moro sini.ed against than sinning, and became so morbilly virtuous at last that J.ck Bald. * l To you know, old follow, that I think overy one would bo better f. r a little more Naturo It oxalta tho mind to lie m Naturo'a bod -the fern, and con template the tttrs Ah how much better than listening to the chimos at midnight — how much better aro these innocent surroundings — pa.s the flißk over old man — how much better is it to bacon. acquainted with a country from aotml personal oxporienoo than to study tho geography ot it from maps, to know this glorious climate m downright fact without a houae or human boing within ten miles Thero ia something so independent of one'B ipacics. A sort of who cares? kind of leoling."

Here I felt a heavy drop of rpin — I had been watching a cloud for some time — hut did not wish to interrupt Jack, who went on saying — "Light your pipe, old man, and have a Bohemian Bmoke. What a glorious life the gypsies must have. No trammels of civilization, no dressing for dinner, no slippers, no blessed piano, and no cursed female performers thereon. The Lord forgive me— What'B that T'

Nothing muoh. only a clap of thunder ; then a flash of lightning, presently a few drops of rain.

•• Let's get under the lee of this rock," said Jack.

We did bo, and let the storm go on. We agreed to do that beoauae we had no \u25a0 .means of stopping It. It kept on for j About two hoara, we were wet through and both oar flasks were empty when daylight came. Jack said, ' before I forget It. let me apologiae for the bosh I talked laßt nlgbt, oome on : at leaat we have some tobacco and matches left."

It waß about eleven o'olook m the moaning when we leached Havelook and persuaded the landlord of the Bjllarat hotel to let ua go to bed at onoe and have hot brandy and water. He did not mind, and after we had explained how and where wo had passed tbe night he informed as for oar comfort that the rock we sought the shelter of was the same one tbat the murderers fired from when poor Kompthorne was Bhot. However, it was past and gone, and Jack said be rather liked a haunted rock than otherwise, (it was after hla second g _ss of hot brandy and water though) and he would'nt oare two straws about getting wet through ln a common every-day apot. Then we went to Bleep till evening and bred afamine when we »yoke ap and had a look at Havelook. Havelock ! sprang into existence at tae time of the Wakam.arina gold tush* After the rash was over the little township faded as all gold field townships do, and then revived again aorae few yeora ago, and la now a thriving place, supported by the timber trade of the Poioroua Sound From Havelook we went by way of tbe Kaituna valley to the Wlraaa, crossed the river at Henwlck Town, and then passed through, perhaps the best, or one of the beat, batley-growing aialrlota m the oolociea. The Wairau vßlley barley Is m general r.quaat now, and New Z.alaud beer ia on the improve. It haa at last got rid of the colonial twang— that ahe oak flavor bo muoh complained of m the old daya of Viotoria. We only atayed to rest a day m Blenheim, and then com menced our jonrnoy down Sooth. We got to a sort of a chanty whioh had a license to sell poison, on the banks of the Arawatara river. Jack oaraed the ilqaot and tho landlord, and then wa waded aoroaa the river and made for Star borough Station. Thla ia supposed to bb a sheep ran, bat it ia more a rabbit run than anythiog else. We a-w thousands—the ground for miles was a warren. It appears that they oannot poison the peata m tbe summer time on account of the a enob from the oarc-saea, bat next winter a raid will be made upon them. Here hawka are aaored birda like tho adjutants m Calcutta. What, between the batrks and the rabbits the province of Marl boroagh la ln a happy state. Thla la the provinoe where) aoab In sheep was ao pre valent In yean gene by; m fact, there waa at one time not a aonud tUßsook from the Wai an valley right through the Amurl, aoroaa the Hanmer Plains, and away throaga that corner of the Neleon province into Canterbury. We atayed at Starboroogh for tho night and had a pleasant walk the next day to Flaxbourne. . We were escorted by rabblta all the way. They sat up and looked at aa. Weaald, •'Shoo," bat they dld'nt care and skipped about aa if they thought they had a right t. the land. It is pretty rough on the run-holdera. The ekios are nearly valueless now ; formerly there w»b enough profit from them to pay the expenses of killing the rabbltc, ani even then the grass was not taken Into the account, but now— well, it ia awful. Miles and milea of wire netting haa been plaoed upon the fences to keep oar tain cultiva tions free from them, but ia no nie. Mr Bunny ie m possession of the country, and it aeems Impossible to tub him oat. (to be continued.)

PRINCE WILLIAM OF GERMANY

The following unlovely pen-portrait of Prince William, the now probable suc cessor to the cr >wn of Germany is sketohed by the '\u25a0 Melbourne Argus." "Prince William is about aa anhappy and unlovely a -peolmen of humanity as o.n we'l be conceived. One half of hia body is more or Ibbb defective — ene of his anna being withered. He haa chronic inflammation of the baae of the brain, and ia tortured by recurrent abaoosaea m both ears, which reuder him Intermittently deaf, and are rapidly impairing hla hearing altogether. Hia oplniona are retrograde and his temper detestable. Ho gets on badly with hla wife, and positively abhors his mother. tiii dhlike of her haa its root m resent ment aga-nst* inherited infirmities — a resentment which ia perhaps, directed agalnatths wrong pan n\ cr which ought In falrneaa to be divided between the two; but tbe feeling, each as it is, haa been Btudloualy fostered by Bismarck, who loses no opportunity of assailing the hated in fluence of the little Englishwoman. The * military party ' 1 -oka to Prince William aa its lealer, and regards the Crown P.inc.ss with the moat extreme aversion."

A THRILLING EXPERIENCE

Allan C3wden, a well known locomotive engineer, haa just had a thrilling experi ence. While coming down a deep foar { mile grade Into Marquette the train broke In two. Realising tho danger of a collision, Engineer Oowdon endeavored to pall away with the oara that remained with tho engine, bat the rear section of the train Btoadily gained, until the paoo of the flying trains beoame fearful. A. mile oat of Marqaette he thought of the many men at work ln the yard who might be killed by tho runaway train, and devised a plan tp save them. Ordering tho fireman to cut loose from the lr_vio he crowded on every pound of Bteam. As the looomotlve ehot forward he sounded three long blaats of tho whistle, Indicating that he wanted to keep on tho main traok, and for the switchman to Bend tbe train on tho Biding. The Bwitohman on duty responded, and aa the engine passed the frog at a mile a minute he turned the lover and the two p.eotlonß of the train daßhed Into the aiding and piled tho cara np m an indes cribable niaßß. Oowden had Bavad hla life and that of his fireman, besides twenty employda ln the yard, but the train was a total wreck, whioh however, it would have been m any oase.

VALEDICTORY ENTERTAINMENT.

Laat night the members of the vestry and choir of St Stephen's Ohuroh, with a few of their friends, met ln the Ohuroh schoolroom to say farewell to Mr and Mrs E. Dimant. who are shortly leaving this town to take op their residence m Law rence, Otago Th_ proceedings took the form of a social gathering, and for this purpose the room bad been very carefully arranged and daoorated by the members of the choir, who had originated the gathering, Mr and Mrs Dimant on their arrival were moat oordially reoelved. During the earlier part ot the evening Itema of music were given by the oholr"; After ref reahmohta had been nerved tv Inoumbent, tho Rev E. A. Saott, said tlfl it fell to hia lot to fulfil a duty that wafll both pleaaaat Bnd painful. It waa a pleasure to him to see honor done to one to whom honor was most f ally dae, bat it was a matter of vary real pain to him, aa well as to many others, to know that they were very eoou to aay farewell to Mc and M.B Dimant, Mr Dlmant's olobb union with the Church had not been a very long one, but In conneotiun therewith two thinga had baen impressed upon him (Mr Scott) very strongly, one was the amount of usefulness of whioh the sealous man ia capable, and the other, the great value of reliableness. Mr Dimant waa an example of both. Hla inflaenca for good had been felt both within and without the Ohuroh, and he (Mr Scott) fonnd m him one upon whom be could rely impliohely lo carry oat thoroughly anything tbat he might under take. It waa no wiah of hia to otter words of fl.ttery. Mr Dimant knew moat about hla feelings bat he muat allcfV otbera to be the be.t judges of his merits. Mr Soott then read and handed to Mr Dimant an address (later on to be handsomely framed) algoed by the Vestry and Oholrmen, testifying to the very general regret at the loss whioh the ohuroh and town were sustaining by tho departure of Mr and Mra Dimant and expressing sincere hopes for their future happiness and prosperity. Mr Dimaut reipouded m a particularly felloitona speeoh, acknowledging In warm terms the kindness whioh had been shown him that evening.

Mr Paul on behalf of the choir, anjri Sergeant Felton on that of the vestry etcfl spoke a few words expressive of regret oj losing Mr Dimant and of their bee? wiahea for hla future wellfare. After the rendition of a few musical Itema, the singing of the "Nunc Dlmlttls" and the Benedlotlon, pro. nouneed by the Rev E. A, Soott, brought a very pleasantly spent evening to a olose.

THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

St. Petjbesbuho, February 22. . In his note to the Powers the Czar declares that the present position itt Bulgaria is dangerous to the peace of Europe. The immediate deposition of Prince Ferdinand is urged ; and the Czar promises that if Austria withdraws | her objections to this oourse the Russian forces on the .Galiciau frontier shall be immediately withdrawn. St Petsrsbubg. February 23. It is understood that the Russian troops on the frontier will be increased by 100,000 m about a month. London, February 23. In the House of Commons the Address-in- Reply was adopted. Mr Labouchere moved that an as surance was required from England to the effect that the reported Anglo- Italian alliance, which has not been offi cially contradicted, was not hostile to France. Sir Jas. Fergusson, Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, m reply, denied that the Government had contracted a military or naval engagement with Italy, and also- ridiculed tho idea that any hostility was displayed by either nation to Franca. He expressed the opinion that the peace of Europe at the pfesent I time was more assured than a year ago . |He admitted there had been private [parleying between England and the other Powers . 1 Mr Gladstone [said that the assur ances given by Sir James were satisfac tory, and ho was quite satisfied that Lord Salisbury's foreign policy was generally sound . After discussion Mr Labouchere with drew his motion, his object having been effected by the debate. (Received February 24, 12 20 p.m.) St. Petersbubg, February 23. It is stated here that the Powers are inclined to reply to the Czar's note m respect to the .Bulgarian question that the deposition of Prince Ferdinand aa suggested by Russia would only lead to fresh complications m the future, whilst it would attain no good result m the meantime. Rome, February 23. Italy is taking active measures to increase the army and navy m con consequence of the action of France \u25a0 m massing large numbers of troops on the Italian frontier.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

(Pan Pbess Association.) Fires. Blenheim, February 24. A small brewery owned by Mrs Barry, but , worked by Ramaey, was burned down at three o'olook thia morning. Thu cottage adjoining owned by Mrs Barry was nearly destroyed. Insurance, £100 oottage ; £40 Brewery, both ln the Royal. A polioy of £150 had been latterly taken oat In the Norwloh Union oa the plant and stock of the brewery. An Inquiry will probably be held. Yesterday a six-roomed oottage belong ing to Jahn Renfrew was burnt. Two rooms lued as a dairy were nearly destroyed. £25 m notes and a £25 obeqne were burnt, bat the furniture was aaved. Tho cottage waa insured for £150 m the New Zea'and, and the furniture for £50 m the same office. Death of an Auctioneer. W Ellington, February 24. Mr Nathaniol Isaacs, formerly auc. tioneor here but latterly proprietor of the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, died this morning after a brief illness. He had been suffering from typhoid fever and pleuriay. Wellington Tramways. The City Couucil have granted per mission to the Tramway proprietors to extend thoir hncß ns requited, the work to be completed to the satisfaction of the Council and within two years Overcrowding of Building*?. Tho Mayor bus interviewed the Premior with reference to the necesity of prevent ing tho overcrowding of buildings m tha oily, and £ir Harry Atkinson has promised to assist the Corporation m obtaining legislation m that direction if necessary. Rifle Association. Dunedin, February 24. Forty-four rlii_B and twenty-four car bines have entered from here for the Rifle Asaoolation meeting.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1888



Moon's Sun Sun Moon Moon ago at February. Rigos. Sots, lliaos Seta, noonday «_,'._,_. . s « m - P.ra- -18 Saturday ... 5.25 7.8 11.3 10.10 8 p.m. 10*46 10 Sunday .. 5.27 7.0 o." 11.18 7 20 Monday .. 5.28 0.50 1,0 11.65 8 21 I'ucsdny .. 5.20 6.58 1.69 * « 8 22 Wednesday.. 5.31 C.57 2.55 am. 10 23 Thursday .. 0.32 6.55 3.50 0.h7 11 24 Friday.. .. 5.33 6.64 4.41 1.28 12



"Bough on Cokns."— Ask for Well's " Bough on Corns." Quiok relief, complete, permanent oure. Corns, warts, bunions. At chemists and druggists. 3



We dip the following important testimonial from the " lilawarra Merourry " (N.S.W.) of the 30th Maroh. It needa no comment: — " Mr John Loveday, of the Bulli Mountain, writes to us that after suifering for four years with aouto gravel, he has experienced almoßt oomplete relief by uaing Sander and Sons' Euoalypti Extraot. He says seeing the said Extract advertised m tho 'lilawarra Mercury,' his intense suffering induced him to obtain a bottle of tho medicine from Mr Hosking, ohomist, of this town, and that the use of it gave him groat relief at once. He states that between the 10th Maroh instant, when he obtained tho first bottle of tho extract, and the 19th, the use of that medioine continued to afford him relief, to which he had been a stranger for four years. Mr Loveday writes also that ho has found the Eucalypti Extract a cure for rheumatism as well as gravel. He requests ua to publish thia information through tho ' Mercury.' Wo have muoh pleasure m complying with Mr Loveday's request, whose word cannot bo doubted, and who can have no objeot m view other than a pure desire to benefit suffering humanity."-— (AdU. 2



For general debility and proßtration Hop Bitters American Oo.'s will do wonders. Prove it by trial. Soo Holloway's Pills — Toaohinga of Exper enoe.— The unitod testimony of thousands extending ovor more than forty years, moat strongly reoommeuds thoso Pills as tho best purifiors, tho mildost aporionts, and tho surest roatomtivos. Thoy never provo delusive, or give moroly temporary relief, but attaok nil ailments of the Btomaoh, lunge, heart, hoad, and bowels m tho only safe and legitimate way, by klopurating liio blood, and ao oradi. eating thoso impurities whioh are tho source and constituents of almost every diseaae. Their medical effioaoy is wonderful m re- newing enfeebled constitutions. Thoir aotion i embraoes all that ia desirable m a houaehold medioine. They expel ovory noxious and I effete mattor; and thus tho strength is nurtured and the energieß stimulated.



I Wanted. YOUNG LAPIES JOURNAL for February, Family Bernld, Family Reader, Boys' and Girls' Own paper, quarterly parts now In. — H. M, Jones. i T>UBBBR STAMP.S, Visiting Carda, i lili Note Headings. Dlea, Crests, and Monograms executed with neatness and deßpatob. — H. M. Jonks. WANTJffiD Known— To the Ladies of Aehburton and Burrounding dißtriots, that an experienced monthly Nurse is desirous of ongagoment. Good references oan be given. Address — Mrs Hill. Peter Street. Ashburton. 11 18 » _ '}. TT^ANTED to Sell -A .irst-class Piano •\u25a0' VV grand action. Cash or terms very liberal. Apply Hayes and Co, GREAT Bargains. Everytbiog greatly reduoed. Come and judge for yonr- solves.— H. C. Segkks, Melford House. \S/ANTko UASH — MoiYb Oatmeal, VV 251b8,28 Gd ; Sporra Candlos, 5d ; Coffeo and Milk, I 9 per tiu; Coooa and Milk, U per 'tin ; Vestas, 5d per doz ; Cornflour, 4d per lb ; tin Fruits, la ; Crockory, Ironmongery, oto. — At James McGregoh's, Tancred Street, opposite Aroad c. COME one, come all, and onr prices will aatonißh everybody — B. C. Skgrks. ALL our first-claßß genolna Drapery, Boots, Clothing, etc., we are now sel 11 tip; at ridiculous prices. Only coaao and seo.— H. 0. Siobhs, Melford House, WANTED KNOWN — Oleographs Scenery, and Catholic Subjects Catholio Cards, good variety m Scrapr- Novelties ia Penwipers, Crewel Wools and Silks, Knitting Cotton, Colored Crotchet Cotton, Transfers, Tineel Balls, &c, &c, at _dBS Manhibe's Fancy Repository, Saunders' Buildings,'



Public Notices. | ibakerT "liSos BUILDERS, UNDERTAKERS, &c, Comor Wakanui Road und Cass street, (Next Central Hotbi. ) Or at Baker and Brown's Ooach Factory jt-s-velock streot 11J1 { WANTED KNOWN. j AT I. SALEK AND COs., Licensed Pawnbrokers, East Street, A FIRST-CLASS Watchmaker and <"\ Jeweller is employed on the Promises. Watches cleaned and repaired, and overy description of Jewellery made and repaired at LOWEST CHRISTCHURCH PRIOES. <3S WATCHES . CLEANED GLASSES, 6d ; HANDS, 9d. ' W ATERBU R Y 'S repaired from 2s 6d . N.B, — Waterbury's reduced from 13s 6d io 12s. 11 12G H &E. Craighead BEG TO AN NOUNCE THAT THEY HAVE 3 REMOVED TO FRIEDMNDERS' BUILDINGS, CORNER OF EAST & MOORE STREETS. And further that they have JUST RECEIVED fin assortment of 6COTUH TWEEDS, suitable for tho coming Season. Also,— A small Assortment of MERCERY. THE COMING JAMS ARE THE BEST TRY THEI. T. Bullock. TINWALD, TO LET, at a low rental, 4-roomod Cot tage, with Verandah, fronting Gra- ham's Road. Inspection Invited. Apply to , T. BULLOCK. FOR SALE. HOUSE with Bay Window and Veran- dah, fronting Wakanni Road, T.S. 744, known as W. Elz's property. Not hiving sold this by auction, I am prepared to receive offers for it, small cash doposit, balance bearing interest at G-V per cent. T. BULLOOK._ 1A A 01lES 'or Sale, near town, being IUU R.S. 27196, corner of Mitcham and South Roads, about 1 mile from tho Connty Saleyards. Exceptionally liberal terms, viz,, only £12 10a cash required, balance by instalments at a low rato of interest, T. BULLOCK. rp.O LET — At a very low rental, a large 1. building fronting East Street, suit- able for a grain and chaff -tore. T. BULLOI. K. FOR SALE. — An improved Farm of ! 245 Acres, being R.S. 27237, situated about 5 miles from Chertsey. Low price and liberal terms apply to T. BULLOCK. QKK — Lot 28, Trovorton, near the c&OtJ* p.esbj terian Manso, contain ing about _-9cre, with 3-roomod He cup thereon, for sale at the above prioe Terms if required. — Apply to T. BOLLOCK mO LET at a low rental .— 4-roomod .!_ ( odago at Hampatoad. T. BULLOCK. jfT'-OR B_.U_ at a low price and on B.„ liberal terms. 15 acres of land with 2-roomed Cottago thoroou, frontir. g the •FaMiold Bo:id, nof. far from tho County I fc'alwyards. Apply ro 1 T; BULLCOK.



Public Notices j M^S B, MORRIS I DESIRES t> return thanks for the] liberal support accorded her for the last four years, and begs to intimate that she has ie commenced Business m her old shop, TRIANGLE IBAKERY, where their future favours are respectfully Bolicited. 1 16 THE ASKiiURTON WOOLLEN MAITOEACTURING COMPY IS FRBPABED TO PURCHASE FOR CASH ALI. KINDS OF WOOL In Large or Small Quantities. H. SEMPLE, t56 . Seoretary. Coal. Coal. Coal. TO THRESHING MACHINE PRO- PRIETORS, FARMERS & OTHERS. HAVING made onr arrangements for this Season's COAL SUPPLY on exceptionally favorable terms, we are m a position to meet the demands of our Cas!omers most liberally, both as to QUALITY and PRIOE. OaUKRS NOW _>EINC: BOOKED. MoCALLUM & CO., . IJ7D Coal and Timber Merchants. » . "Zealandia" Boots HAVE the Highest Beputatio* m the Colonies. Pronounced at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition as the FINEST m the Whole Exhibition. For substantial wear tbey are the BEST IN THE WORLD. Buy a pair o "ZEALANDIAS" and yon will never nse any other Brand. Our Patented \u25a0« PARAGON BOOT" and " INDESTRUCTIBLE TOES." For Boys and Girlß are Splendid Line, for Hard Wear. None are Genui\e unless branded on the Sole And every pair is absolutely Warranted to give Good Wear, Sold by the leading Boot Dealers and Country Stores throughout New Zealand, and Wholesale by LIGHTBAND, ALLAN & CO. CHRISTCHURCH. PAVEBHANaiNGS! PAPERHANGfINGS !! THE Undersigned have just opened up a splendid assortment PAPEBHANGINGB, SCRIM, TAPES, TACKS, Also, — WINDOW GLASS (all sizes). W & S LEAD, PAINTS, OILS VARNIbHES, COLORS, DBYERS, TURPENTIN) &o, Just la_dlnc, a eplendid lot of House Coal, ex " Hanroto. M McCalltira & Co., EON. TTMBER, AND COAL _fEB> CHANTS, & IMPORTERS. Agents for TITAN and TRIPLEX STRAINERS. 12*103 v <v Si \u25a0*-> <_ 60 a « o 13 O 9 iti !_, S no UJ - a, as oq I h a ii h _ O «•-- *\u25a0! O a i_ O B J s sOs O XZ . .__ Z •\u25a0- \u25a0' t^\ CO ?_ r J \u25a02 & & i 9, fel I-*. I • I N J 5 • i . •£ \u25a0 i--._ U [ \u25a0 \u0084...3 I