DIARY.

IMOONLIGHT EVENINOS.

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

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS

[" A.M."— Your letter on the subject of Trnnsubstantlatlon cannot be published. On reflection you will yourself see that Booh terms as you employ are neces earlly calculated to cause pain to those who conscientiously differ from yon, and you must pardon us for charao terleiag them aa irreverent. The mat ter !b one m regard to which men of the highest intellect, and the noblest Christian character have differed for eighteen hundred years, and it is vain to hope to solve the mystery, and enable all to »e'e eye to eyp, by means of a few lines m the correspondence columns of a newspaper. Take onr advice and do not attempt tho Impos sible. Accept the fae; that the two great branches of the Christian Church will be at issue for all time upon this matter, and as you are a Protestant, be consistent with your profession by allowing full liberty of conrclonce to those whose opinions are at variance with your own. Abora all, In that spirit of Charity wjjloh is the very essence of Christianity speak tenderly, and think kindly of those whom you deem to be m error m matters of faith or of practice.— Ed.]

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1888. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The " Gazette " notifies tfaa appointment of Mr C. A. Wray as Resident Magistrate for tho diatriot of Timaru, Geraldine, and Ash burton. *'

The Wellington correspondent of the "Press" cays that according to a rumor •urrent m " The Buildings " the two aubor. dinate Eailway Commissionerships will proba bly be filled by Mr Hannay (the present Assistant Manager) and Mr 0. Y. O'Conno* the present Under Secretary of Public Works). It is, however, believed m some usually well informed quarters that Me Maxwell and Mr Hannay will be tha two ; but at present I iuollne to think that Mr O'Connor and Mr Hannay will ba the men. All tbia ia of course mere gossip and guesswork as yet,

No. 15 of Leslie's Parliamentary Portraits is to hand. It contains a tolerably presentable portrait of Mr Valentine, member for Waikaia, and what purports to be a portrait of the Hon Mr Michelson, member for Eden and Minister of Public Works, but which bears not the smallest resmblance to that gentleman The annual meeting m connection with the British and Foreign Bible Society will be held on Friday, 23rd instant, at 7.30 p.m., m St. Stephen's Schoolroom. The Rev E. A. Scott will preside, From the report of the meeting of the Chriatchurch Preßbyterjr on Wednesday, we learn that, as the result of the Sabbath Sohool examinations held some weeks ago, the following from Tinwald were successful : — Lower Middle, Catheohism— Annie Meharry, 2. Junior Catechism — Blanche Lewis, 8. Lower Middle, Soripture — Annie Meharry, i ; Annie Lewis, 9. There are 19 prizetakera m this division, Two boya at Tumuf, Viotoria, exploded a paoket of Chinese crackers, which accidentally set fire to the dress of a girl named Mary Hor lihy, who was standing by. The girl rushed along the road with her dress m flames, and was so badly burnt that Bhe died shortly afterwards, The deceased 20 years ago had a brother crippled for life through falling into the fire when a child.*

The Mount Somers Distriot having failed to elect a Licensing Committee, the follow ing Committee has been appointed by His Excellency the Governor, viz., Hon W. S, Peter, .Messrs A. Macfarlane, E. A. Peaohe, and W. E. Walker. It is reported m Sydney that 150 men with their families are starving at Garcoar, These men were fotmetly employed m the con struction of the railway line between Blayney and Cowra, and it is alleged that the con tractor who employed them has drawn all the money ho was entitled to, and left the men

without wages for the past six weeks. The attention of the Government has been drawn to the matter, It is intended to hold m Sydney a women's industrial exhibition, to illuakate the progress m various branohes of work m which women were engaged during the first century of the colony's history. It will be opened m Ootober. An influential Ladies' Committee of which Lady Carington is the head, is now engaged making the necessary arrangements.

Hermann, tho 2)rcstidigitateur, is following Mrs Langtry's oute example and investing his profits when and where he makes them. He recently bought real estate m Chioago, St. Louis, and Pittsburg, investing all told some'

thing like £10,000, and he intends purchasing land m Baltimore, Washington, and Cincin nati with the profits he confidently hopes for m those cities. Tho faith-cure doctor took the hands of his patient, and, looking into his eyes, said, " I can cure you." Patient: " Are you sure? 1 ' " Very Bure. All you've got to do is to believe. Just believe you're cured. That's all." " All right ; I'll try it. Good day." " Hold on a minute, my man. Didn't you

forget something ? " " What ? " "The fee. I charge a dollar a visit." "Oh, yes. Well, believe. All you've got to do is to believe I've paid you and it will be all right." Independent Congo is rapidly assuming all the characteristics of a modern state. A few months ago the Brussels mint struck a large number of silver coins for the new country, and now copper money is added to the cir culating currency, Among these are two and and oao centime which shows that some things, at least, may be very cheap on the Congo. Experiments with a quadricycle uianu faotured by M. Vinoent, have been made on an ordinary railway line at Fontin, France, m presence of a committee of military engineers. The speed attained was forty kilometres an hour, and the results were deolared to be most satisfactory. The weight of the machine is only 90 kilogrammes, so that it may be removed from the metals with but little physioal effort. gAn amusing incident occurred recently at Shepparton. A local angler finding sport rather dull set a line to a bush rod, and sticking the rod m a soft clay bank went further down the stream to try his luck. On his retnrn he arrived at the spot just m time to see tho rod pulled out of the bank into the river by a fish. He had a dog with him, and threw a clod of earth after the departing rod, telling the dog to fetch it, The dog immediately grasped the idea, and went for th Then the fun began. As the dog made for the shore the fish pulled m a contrary direction, repeatedly pulling the doge head under the water. After about half an hour's struggling the pluck and perseverance of the dog were rewarded, and his master had the satisfaction of landing a bream whioh weighed 5 Jib. Lovers of the " nip of brandy " should read Colonel Warburton'a last report to tho Home Government on the frauds iv the brandy trade. It seems that the greater part of the " French brandy " whioh reaches England and her colonies is potato spirit, made and sold at Hamburgl at two shillings a gallon. The colonial toper doesn't care. As long as his liquor is hot and strong, he'll drink any diabolical compound his own or foreign dis tillers like to swindle him with, It is really becoming a question whether any man oan manufacture intoxioating liquor of any des cription pure m quality, so universal seems the praotice of adulteration and misrepresentation. As a Scottish minister and an English law yer were riding together, eaid the minister to, his friend, " Sir, do you ever make mistakes m your pleading ? " "I do," Baid the lawyer. «'An' what do ye do wi' mistakes?" was the question. " Why, sir, if large ones, I mend them; if small ones, I let them go. And pray, sir, do you ever make mistakes m preaohing ? " " Ay, Bir, I hoe dune sac." •' And what do yoa do with your mistakes ? " "Oh I dispense with them iq the same manner as ye do yoursel'. I reotifee the lairge, an* let go the sma' anes. No lang e.inoe, as I was preaohin', I meant to observe that the devil was the father o' a' liars, but made a mistake, an' jmi<jl the father 0' a' lawyers.' But the ojistafcq was do sma' that I let it go."

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBURTON— THURSDAY

(Before Mr John OlHvier, R M.)

CIVIL CASE.

Taeker v Tait, claim £9 143.— Mr Cutb bertaon for plaintiff, Mr Crisp for de fendant. — The claim was for wages, part at 10a and pa.rt at 15a a week A set-off had bsen filed, Mr Cuthbertaon objected to the set-off because it had not been filed m time, and also beoause the lterra Bbould not properly be Included. The set-off was for board and lodging, and for damages alleged to have been sustained through the abrupt departure of the plaintiff The deiendant further denied that ihe plaintiff was entitled to an Increase of 53 a week, rb claimed by him. The cliim for damages, amounting to £5, was not pressed by defendant. — Judgment for amount claimed and costs. The Court then rose.

THE WAKANUI RIVER ROAD

Yesterday afternoon Mr John OlHvier,

he commißßioner appointed by Govern*

ment for the purpose, held a Court of Enquiry regarding the reaolution ol the

Wakanul Road Board to take, under the Pablio Works Act, certain land belonging to Mr W. JameHon for the purpoßo of a road fo>.' the benefit of those settlers whose direct route to the town bas teen cat off by the encroachment of the Ash burton river, destroying portion oE what ia known as the River road. The dealre of the Road Board 1b to construct a road from the River road to oonneot with Wilson's road about ten chains on the side towards the river from Mi' Jameson's house. Forty chains of the proposed route, and that portion through Mr M. Wilson's property 1b a

road now, though unformed, and the remaining 17 oba ns through Mr Jame eon's property the Board deßlred to take under the Publlo Works Aot. Mr Jameson and others object to this ooarae for a vavlety of reaaoua, They maintain that the Rivet road could be made quite good by taking some of Mr S. Brown's laud at tbe damaged portion, and this route wouid be better and more direct than the other. Mr Jameson aiao avers that if .the road ia taken through his land he will Buffer great damage, viz. , by

his land being cat up into inconveniently Bi'zsd sections, by the deterioration m value to hia property by the increased risk of flojd water ooming down the road and on to his land m times of freshes ia the river, and also there was a rlak of his

house and fenoea being swept away If floodwater bo came down. The Road Board maintain that the road they desire to take will be quite aa serviceable to the settlers aa the River road if restored would be and that more over it would be lesa liable to damage by fljod. Mr 0. W. Purnell appeared for the objectors, and Mr J. W. White, of T matu, for the Road Board. Mr Ollivier read his appointment from theDepattment of Pablio Work-* The Road

Board desired to take this road ; Mr Jameßon and others objected, alleging that the road was not necessary and thai If taken a great deal of damage would be sustained. It was for him to consider whether ttm road was necessary and If no whether Mr Jumeßon would Buffer damage for which no compensation was provided by the Pabllc Works Aot. In the oourae of farther remarks on the case, Mr Ollivler aaid, that of course he would not decide it, but his opinion after hearing all the evidence _woijlj|jrj!ldaJfcJifl. Mtoleter m coming Whis cficlaion. Mr Purnell then opened tha case for the objectora. He spoke at considerable length recounting the history of these roads. Evidence was (hen led. Owing to the number of references made to plans of the district immediately affected by the proposed road It is impossible to give a report m anything like detail, and only a summary of eaoh witness's statement oan be given here. Willitm Jameson stated hia objections to the proposed road. These were : That the Vilue of hia iand would be deteriorated by its being cut up Into inconveniently sized, three cornered sections ; that deterioration would also result through the liability to flood water; that there |waa a risk of his house and fences belog swept away. He also said that the river road if restored, which it easily could be, would be a better and shorter route, that lees expense would be entailed on the ratepayers, and that a water-race, the head works of which had been swept away could be restored if the River road were again made up. Samuel Brown gave evidence of a similar nature, Ho was willing to sell tho land required to restore the River road— ln cross-examination by Mr White the witness admitted that he had pre viously refused to Bell the land to the Board and had made no formal offer slnoe, but explained that the reason of his re fusal was due to the neglect of the Board to provide protection to the road from the encroachment of the river. At this stage the Court adjourned till 10 o'clock this morning. The Court opened this morning at 10.20. William Brown objected to the con struction of the road proposed to be made by the Road Board, It would bo of no benefit to him, and he did not think it would benefit anyone except Mr M. Wil son. If tho proposed road were opened it would save Mr Wilsons jourr t; 0! seven or eight miles m the trip to and from Aebburton j if the River road were re opened witness would be saved a journey of about six mllea. Witness considered if the proposed rosd were constructed he would not be benefited by tho shortening of the jjurney except as regarded a few chaiuß, The witnesß corroborated previous evidence as to the damage likely to be caused to Mr W. Jameson. — By Me White ; Considered the River road could bo restored if it wet • adequately protected ; Ouuld not say what tha coat of restoring that road would be, David Wilson objected to construction of proposed new road. Considered it waa not for the benefit of the ratepayers of the distriot, and further considered if it was made there would be no hope of getting the River road opened up. because tho Road Board would not have sufficient funds to oonottact both, and the River road waa more advantageous to the distriot. Considered the River road could be protected and there was now a River Board, whese duty it was to attend to such matters. If the River road was opened tho water supply, which had been out off, could be restored to ih's district.— By Mr White { The proceeds of the sale of the proposed road, and the saving of. the putohass from Me W. Jameson would, m witness' opinion, go a long way towards defraying the cost of the reconstruction of the River road and the purchase of the necessary land fjtom Mr S. Brown. About £60 would be saved to the Jjoard if they could sell the road. Could not esy how much land it would be neoesefcry to take to recor struct the River road. Samuel Thomas gave evidence. — Id crosaexamlnatlon he said that if he had do frpntage to Wilson's road the proposed road would ba of benefit to him. v ' John Brown also gwo oyldenoe object ing to the road. Mr Purnell said that he bed somoj further evidence to lead, but his witness had not vet arrived. The jOonrt adjoaruod till two o'clock. Mr Ollfvler, agdornnanied by Mr O. 0. J?ookB and M* P.W ilson representing eaoh ilde, In the meantime going' out to j Juepeot the |Jvrl jront^ii,

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN

(per prb?s association.)

THE ROYAL MOURNERS.

Losdon, March 14.

The Prince of Wales, Prince Albert Victor, and the Duke of Cambridge left to-day for Berlin.

THE SUAKIM REPORT.

No further intelligence has been re ceived of the disaster at Suakim, and its truth is doubted,

MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

The Duke of Westminister is for warding twenty-one fine pictures to the Melbourne Exhibition.

ENGLISH AGITATORS IN IRE LAND.

Several agitators from this city have been convicted m Ireland under the Crimes Act, and sentenced to seven months' imprisonment with hard labor.

THE OATHS BILL.

In the House of Cotnmona the second reading of Mr Bradlaugh's Oaths Bill was carried by a majority of ioo. The Government did not oppose the motion for the second reading.

ELECTIONS.

Mr D. Thomas, Home Ruler, has been returned for the vacancy for Merthy* Tydfll, caused by the resigna-* lion of Mr C. H. James. Lord Walter Lennox, brother of the Earl of March, has been returned for the Chicester seatj unopposed. The vacancy was occasioned by the resigna' m of the Earl of March.

A RUSSIAN EMBEZZLER.

Sotia, March 14

Major Popoff, Commandant here, has been arrestad on a charge of em bezzling Government moneys. The defalcations are reported to be of con siderable extent.

THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE.

Berlin, March 14,

The Emperor Frederick has affirmed the alliance with Austria and Hungary.

THE KAISER'S FUNERAL.

The Prince of Naples, son of the King of Italy, will represent Italy and General Billot will represent France at Kaiser Wilhelm's funeral.

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Sydney, M>rch 15.

Thvee more fatal lift accidents have occurred since the fireman was killed m one at the end of last month.

A Bill to prevent the introduction of disease into the colony for the purpose of rabbit extermination passed through all stages m the House last evening. A serious fire is raging at Forbes, the chief town m the Lachlan district. The principal hotel, post office and other buildings have been burned. The weather throughout the colony is again oppressive, and several damaging bushJireß have occurred.

Silver shares still are quiet, except those m the Broken Hill Proprietary Company's Mine, which are firmly held at about A new. Company is being floated. Presh discoveries are made daily, particularly m the Tuena and Orange districts. Amongst the latter are said to be some valuable de posits of tin.

VICTORIA.

Melbourne, March 15

On the arrival of the Orient Com pany's steamer Ormuz she was boarded by detectives, who instituted a strict search. The object of the visit is a secret. Carroll, the self-accused murderer, had been trying to get a passage to England, but hearing that his brother had divulged the secret of his imprison ment for assault, he became downcast and said he might as well tell of the other crime; He had intended to do so sooner or later, being broken down bj the memory of it. He states that he only struck the girl one blow. Carroll seems to be m full possession of his faculties, and so far there is no ground for disbelieving that his story is genuine.

QUEENSLAND

Jrisiuj; March 34. At a meeting oi me German Club, held last evening, it was determined to establish a fund to assist distressed Germans, m memory of the late Em peror.

It is feared some difficulty will be experienced m arranging a review of the colonial troops, as proposed to be held the first week of the Exhibition. The Queensland Government was the only one that answered the circular.

Sir Isamuel Griffiths, the Premier, dejiyered a speeph at m the course of which he gajd he regretted to learn that Chinese had taken to sheep shearing, and also stated that Parlia ment would have to take steps to see that the revenue did not suffer.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

ApEjLAipE, March 15. A man, clad fajntastjcalfy, perarnbu r 'ates the streets claiming to be phrist. He entered the Courts and Minjng Ex changes proselytising, and his already gained a number of followers. The authorities have not interfered.

Streeter, the well-known London jeweller, has written a letter warning people against buying Australian rubfes, whidi h.e states are merely garnets. The Mount McDonnell Com pany's shares Have fallen m conse quence.

AUSTRALIAN.

(per press association.)

OUR RESIDENT MAGISTRATE.

The following reply io tlm letter s Dt to the Minister of Justice by the lo:al Justices of the Feace has been handed to us for publication : — .Department of Justice, Wellington, New Z a^and, March 13th, 1888,

Gentlemen, — ] I havo the hrnor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the number and date quoted m the margin with reference to the arrangements made for the sitings of the Resident Magistrates at Ashburton, and in* reply am directed by the Minister of Justice (o inform you that aa Captain Wray will be relieved of Waimate, k is hoped that he will be ablo to devote ample time to Anhburton. There will be no necessity for the Magistrate to retnrn to Timaru oa the day on which be arrives at Asliburton, and tha Government doe^ not tbink that any inconvenience should ba allowed to ari*>e on this account. The Minister desires me to add that he fa deeply sensible of the great aid rendered by Mr Ollivier to the Government, m taking tho eittings at Ashburton during an emergency. Be is also sensible of the fact that Mr Ollivier has given great satisfaction while presiding at Ashburton ; and the only reason why it is proposed to alter the present arrangements is that the re- organisation of the .Resident Magia tratob' districts no longer necessitates such an arrangement being continued. I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedtbnt servant, C. J. Haselden, Under-fc'ecretary, A* Harrison, Esq., J.P., and the oiher Justices of the Peace, Ashburton.

THE SYDNEY MUNICIPAL FRAUDS.

[per press association.]

Sydney, March 15.

It is stated that the Mayor's special audit of the Corporation accounts 'ias disclosed embezzlement of All the books and accounts from January. i880,,t0 June, 1881, have disappeared. Four officers of the Engineers Department will probably be suspended. Tne frauds are supposed to have been affected by altering the values and quantities on vouchers be fore presenting them to the Treasury.

Some time ago certain frauds- were exposed, and the criminals punished but the investigation on that occasion was not complete, one of the principals m the conspiracy having died. The Engineer at that time was suspended, but afterwards reinstated ; he now as serts that he has no knowledge of the defalcations, and that all papers signed by him have always been signed first by three other officers. He and three others were suspended to-day, pending further consideration.

The town was greatly excited by a rumor that an Alderman was implicated iin the frauds, and had comir.hted suicide. It subsequently turned out that an alderman named Parker had hanged himself this afternoon, but not because he was connected with the ex j posures.

INTERPRUViNCiAL NEWS

Auckland, March 15. The Grand Duke Alexander Miohaelo vitoh of Russia is on board the Rynda which arrived to-day; He is serving gs lieutenant, WsijiiNOTON, March 15

The Government have decided that fcha Kurow runs near Oamatu are to be dealt with under the small runs grcziag system. At a meeting of tboae intereated m the Irish national movement held to-night, the Hon P. A. Buckley oocnpled the ohair, and a Bpeech was delivered by Archbishop Redwood, Resolutions were passed m favor of Home Rule being granted and of resuscitating the Welling ton branch of the National League, A quantity of quartz ahuwing no gold has been forwarded to Sir Jaa. Heotor for assay. The atone was disoovered by a man prospecting m the vicinity of Tera whltl, the exact locality being a Becret. The three aampleß have yielded eight, six, aud forty-eight ounces of gold respect ively. The stone Is similar to that of the Golden Grown, Terawhiti, and the gold is of good quality. The discoverer has got a quantity of specimens, and when asked why he had not brought m any, said, knowing they contained gold, he did not trouble, but only brought the staff that did not show gold to be tested. Timaru, March 15. Inspector Brohatn haß been transferred to Wellington, and m future this police district will be m charge of Inspector Thompson, of North Otago. He will have charge of all the country between Waikonaiti and the Rangltata. Dunedin, March 15. At the meeting of the Charitable Aid Board to-day a Conference took place be tween delegates from various institutions 1 when a discussion took place as to re trenchment. The general oplnlor waa that there were too many separate i atitn tiona and Boards, but the consideration of a motion m favor of an amending Act m the direction of abolishing separate insti tutions was postponed.

CORN EXCHANGE.

The following is the Corn Exchange re porh for tho week ending Friday, March 16th. 1888 :—

The week's transactions have not been ao large as they generally are at this period of the year. Wheat Is being held back chiefly on account of the great difficulty m obtaining freight for London, Oafs ore not offering freely which may be attributed ti the very low value at which they stand. Barley haa been "offering freely In small lines and all malting parcels are qaickly taken up at our. quotations. Beans are now being placed on the market, but buyers will not advance to the prices asked by farmern, business consequently is at a standstill. The Bame remark applies to peas. Grasß seed is offering at very low prices bat buyers are not at all an^lons. We do nof e&p'ect to ace any improvement for another mpnth or six month. Cocksfoot ; This like la waiting for apace to London m the sbsßDco of wliloh prices have fallen, and the top rate now for heavy well oleaned seed Is 3£d, second quality seed 1b nnaale ab'e. Potatoes, kidneys are being placed m small lots at 40a to 42s 65, at oountry stations. We do not hear of large atooka, but as Derwenta will soon be m the market no rice la likely to take place, except at seed time. Dairy produce fa almost at a standstill. Prices are very lovr but still shippers have no orders or 'outlets'. ' The following are ' the quotations foe the weqlr : —

Whba'jl I—Tusoan,1 — Tusoan, $i 8d ; pearl, 2a 7d to 2a 8d ; Hunter's, 2i'6i to*2a7d. Chicken wheat, broken. 2j 3d.

Oats— Milling are now over plentiful, and are worth Is Bd. Short foed, J. 9 61 to la 7d ; seed tartara, Is 7<i J duns, la 7d to la Bdi

Barlej— Prime malting, 4i 2d to 4a 4d; medium/33 9d ; inferior, 3j 4J to 3s Gd. Be^ns, Sa 4d to 2a 6d. J " ' Pe^s -Bluea, §<» Qj'to 3i ; feed 2a 3d to 2s 4<3. \u25a0

Grass Seed— Machine dressed, 3s $d to 2s lOd. Farmers' parcels, 2s to 2s 3d. Cocksfoot— Bright heavy seed, 3d to 3>d, Light and foggy 2i to 2jd. i Dairy Pkoduce-— Prime butter 4^d to 6d (dull) j'cheese, loaf shape, 3id; medium and large, 2£d to 3d. The above prices are those paid to farmera undfor delivery f .o.b, Lyttelton, Saoks extra.

WRECK OF A SHIP.

[Pfr Press Association.]

Wellington, March 16.

A. heavy g»le sprang up du-ing yester day and Increased to hurricane foroeduring the night and ia still blowing with un abated fury. The Pleione went ashore daring the night" two mllea norti of Wsikanaa river on a candy beach. A telephone message states that all the crew landed anfoly. The Pleionn ia an iron vessel of 1092 tons and u.idar the commjnd of Captain Cuthberfc. S'le Is Baid to bo workiog farther m shore and aa the beach runs out very shallow it is not expected ahe will ba got off again. !Noth« ing is known here of the insurance. No particulars nre to hand.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

(Per Press Association.)

The Bellinger Enquiry. New Plymouth, March 16. The Bellinger enquiry which ia being carried on at Wnitara excites little interest here Tbe evidence of each witness is much the same The Court adjourned for a day on Wednesday, theß M. having to £jo to Hawera. Yeßterday Johnson, sea man, waa examined, and the same account of how the vassal struck and what waa done was elicited from him. Some wit nesses suy the Oaptain and Engineer were druok, others say they were not. The inquiry is still going on. More Floods m Westland. » Greymouth, March 16. There is every appearance of another flood. It rained heavily last night, and this morning there are still smart rain squalls'. The river rose three fe9t above high water yesterday afternoon, and it has risen ono foot, within the last honr. &. telegram from up the valley says the water there is within 30 inches of the height of the Jubilee flood. Another Fir?. Ounedin, March 15. A six-roomed house m North east Valley occupied by Mr Hackland, has been burned down. It waa insured for £100 m the Equitable.

Supreme Court. Up to date there are eight offanceß agalast thirteen prisoners for the Criminal Sessions which commence on April 4.

The Sugar Market. Cable advices from Maantias to March Ist state the mavket is dull and prices unaltered. No shipments have been matfe einoe the sailing of the Salado on November 15

HORSES FOR INDIA.

(" Wanganui Herald ") The Goverament has received a com munication from the Indian Governmeut respecting the supply of horses suitable for military purposes, and Mr Munro, Shaop Inspector, has received, along with others, instructions to make enquiries on the subject, The matter is one of great importance to tho farming community, and requires to be thoroughl) considered by the Government before giving a reply. For some time horaes of a certain stamp have beeu purchased by dealers for the Indian market, and no doubt the specimens we have bsen able to eend have attracted the attention of the Indian authorities to New Zealand aa a breeding ground equal, if not superior, to any other country. The kinds oE horaes w demand are, first of all, large hersea for heavy artillery, com miaariat, &c ; noxt, horses of a shade lighter stamp, but Btrong and ac:ive for fie'd artillery ; next tho cavalry horso, which is a shade lighter still. There is farther a demand m India for carriage horses, ladies' hacks, and hunters It has been intimated, we understand, that the Indian Government could take from New Zealand alone 2000 horses a year for ten yaars, which, at £20 a horse, would mean a nice little sum of £40,000 a year coming into the colony, of whloh'the West Coast portiou ought to be consider able. If the Government of India o:uld guarantee to take 2000 horaes a year of the right stamp at an average, cay, of £20, the number required would be forth coming. Of course the fact that there is a demand for a certain class of horae will tend to stimulate tho production, but unless the farmer can depend on a steady matket the supply will be desultory and uncertain, The age at whioh the horses will be bought will be four, and if the deraa&d la urgent it may ojme down to three When a farmer, therefore, has to look forward for four or five yearn for his return, and to change the character of his establishment m order to obtain it, he has a right to expeot some degree of security that the market will exist at the time his stock is ready. We have, how ever, repeatedly urged on general grounds that It would pay the farmer better to breed the particular kind of horse which the military foroea of India require, than even the Clydesdales, which have been so fashionable as draught horses. The heavy artillery horse is not a Clydesdale, but is not far behind him m strength, while his agility of movement approaches vhat of the carriage horse. But we cannot hope to find a general movement In this direction unless a guarantee is given Why should a guarantee not be give 1 The Indian authorities require a certain article which we can produce and will produce if It pays our farmers to do bo. The contract is one, therefore, of mutual advantage, and its terms could easily be arranged by the two Governments. In tha meantime it is just as cheop to breed a good horae as a bad one, and the farmers need not wait for the completion of negotiations, but— rolyiug on the fact that the Millenium will not come m their time, and that armies will have cavalry and artillery and stores m greater numbers and quantity than ever — prepare to meet the demand, which must continue to increase.

SINGULAR ACTION

An extraordinary caao of excluding boys \n " corduroy " from church came beforo Mr Jaatice Stephen the other day. ' It waa an action brought by a boy named Taylor, one of the Inmates of a reforma tory school, against Cfaptaln Tlmaon, a churchwarden, to reoover damages for assault m his oxcJaaion from a pariah church, and for 'an injanotlon against further exclusion. Pefendani pleaded that, m preventing the plaintiff froiij entering the ohqrchi he only qofcad m the, proper exercise of hts power as a church warden, The church m question waa the District Parißh Church of Fetley, m Hampshire, which the plaintiff, among other inmates of the reformatory situated* m the parish, had for some tima been m the habit of attending. Recently a peti tion, signed by 40 or 50 out of about ij.150 inhabitants,; waa laid b fore the Governors of the reformatory, repreaent lag, among other things, that there was no room m the church for the boy?, and suggesting that the presence of -these inmates of a reformatory, "clothed m common cbrdqroys." did not ''conduce to the purity of the atmosphere or the com« fort of those present." The churohwar dena gave ndtice that the boya would 'not be admitted after a given date, and on (tie plalntift' then presenting himself at the churchyard gate he was tamed away' by the defendant ; hence tlia actlqn. H^ lordship held" that the defendant' had no right to keep the boy away from the. phargh, and gave a yerdloj; for the plalntlfj for nominal aßtu^gea aq4 oogta on |hg higher scale, with judgment aocotdlngly, but there would be no injunction.

THE ABHBURTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 18F8



' " ' ~ Moon's Sun Sun Moon Moon age at March. Rises. Sets. Rises Bets, noonday a.m. p.m. 12 Mondny .. 5.56 6.25 4.56 6.36 29 13 Tuesday .. 5.58 6.2? 6.5r 7.3 0 14 Wednesday.. 5.69 6.21 6.56 7.28 1 15 Thursday .. 6.0 6.19 7.55 7.53 2 16 Friday.. .. 6.1 6.17 8.54 8.20 3 17 Saturday ... 6.2 6.15 9.52 848 4 18 Sunday .. 6.3 6.14 10.51 9.17 5



Skinny Men.— 4 Wells' Health Eennwtr,'- restores health and vigor, cures Dyspepsia, impotence, Sexual Debility. At chemists and druggists. Kempthorne, Prosser and Oo;, agents, Obristohuroh g



Hojclow^y's Qin'tjient. — I^inerß and Workers jn the Gold^elds. — Tliis invaluable and renowned .Qjflitmept is .extensively used and patronised by such pepple to their very great advantage, Being easy at applf cat jon and portable m small compass. When used m aon- junotion with Holloway's Pills m aooordanoe with the clear and concise directions for use whioh aooompany eaoh pot and box, there are but few of the diseases whioh afiliot man- kind^wbioh will not yield to the sanative powers of the coinbjned yemedias, Holloway's Ointment and Pills do not^'deierio^a by keeping nor by ohange of climate ; as they contain no deleterious mineral drug, they oan be used with the moßt perfeot safety under the mocO aciverss oliraate and sanitary



Eeating's Powder destroys both moths, fleas, beetle?, and all other iueects, while quite harmless to domestic animals. In extermi- nating beetles, the suooess of this pbWdei 1 is extraordinary. It is perfectly olean m appli- cation. See the artiole you purchase is Keating as imitations are noxious and ineffectual. 'Sold pi •Jansr Gd, Ib, and 2s d eaoh, b alj ohemists. '



The best medioine known is SANDER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EXTRACT, Test its I ominent powerful effects m coughs, colds, influenza, eto. — the relief is instantaneous Thousandsgive the most gratifying testimony. His Majesty tho King of Italy, and medical syndioates all over the globe are its patrons. Read the official reports that aooompany eaoh bottle. Mosler, M.D., Prof. University, Grejfsw Id, reports :— The Euoalypti Extraot proved mognipqfjntly successful m very severe contusions, bruise^, J ppra?ns ? wounds, scald- ings, broken ribs, and Hptbf? ("Medical Journal," Nov., 1881.) jn djteea^oe of the kidneys, either active congestion or suppreg. j sion, (urccmia) or albuminuria, dropsy, Uthiasia, nothing will equal m its action Eucalypti Extraot. Doses, sto 8 drops. Mosler, M.D. , jProf., University, Groifswald, reports*— Diphtheria. Tpnsila ppntmually ooherent presenting ulcers with white exudats. Cured m fourteen (Jays, S.ur.gibal .Clinio of; Prof. M'lnlyre, College of physicians and' Surgeons, St. Louis— Soirrhue of Breast— j Excision. Euoalypti Extraot employed, JJo j swatfing, heat, or discoloration, Cured m fourteen dajs.— (Advt.)| * 4 '



Obstruction of the kidneys and attendant prgans will prove fatal if not removed by American Hop Bitters. Read



To select from, all marked at the Lowrb Factory Prices. 3 99



Important. T\HE Proprietors of the NEW ZEA- -1 LAND CLOTHING FACTORY, at the request of a large number of their Customers, have decided to continue their Ashburton Branch. Oar Manager, Mr W. Sparrow, has juit aeleoted an entirely NEW STOCK, Suitable for the approaching Season, and with a view of commanding a Large Business, he has oar inatrno- tions to mark ALL GOODS AT THE Lowest Factory Prices. Oar Clothing being manufactured of the beßt New Zea'and TWEEDS, well cut and well made, is known as superior to any other make, and obtained the GOLD AND SILVER MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE AT THE WELLINGTON EXBIBITDN. HALLENSTEIN BROS & Co. A new and virled Stock of HOSIERY, HATS, SHIRTS. SCARFS, TIES, PORTMANTEAUS, &o , &0.,



WANTED KNOWN — Oleographs Scenery,' and Catholic Subjects Catholic Cards, good variety m Scraps Novelties m Penwipers, Crewel Wools and Silkß, Knitting Cotton, Colored Crotchet Cotton, Transfers, Tinsel Balls, &c, &c, at Manhire's Fancy Repository, Saunders' Buildings, 1



~\\ /"ANTED —Everyone to come and VV Bee the nicest lot of Glbbb, China, and Earthenware ever shown m Aahbar- ton, and the Cheapest ever landed m New Zaaland. Imported direct from the Mannfactnrera.— Robert Aloorn, Saun- ders 1 Buildings. 3*ll



WANTED Everyone to visit our new Grocery Establishment (wholesale and retail) now open and under new management.— John Orr and Co. 3§67 COME one, come all, and our prjr.,s will aatonleh everybody — W* 0. Skokrs. \T7" ANTED toSsll— AFirst-clasa Piano VV grand action. Cash or terms very liberal. Apply Hayes and Co. ALL our fleet-class genuine Drapery, Boots, Clothing, etc., we are now selling at ridiculous prices. Only come and see.— JEL 0. Segers, Melford flouae.



WANTED K<sown— l have secured a large lot cf Men's and Boys' Mole Trousers, good quality, at a very low price, now on sale at the Ashbnrton Clothing Mart. — R. Alcorn, Saundera' Bnildings. ""



f'i REAT Bargains. Everything greatly VX reduced. Come and jadge f>r your- selves. — H. C. Seders, Melford Houbo.



"TTTANTKD Known— H. Neal, Mb \V Hairdreseer to W. Zander, will commence business oa Saturday next, opposite Royal Hotel, Moore Street. Hair Catting, 6d. 3 114



Wanted, WANTED immediately, a Girl about 13 or 14. Apply Mrs Fisher Wtlla Street Wes f , 3 113



NEW Winter Fashions. JOHN ORR & CO. HAVE now Opened out their FIRST SHIPMENT of NEW WINTER GOODS i i EX 8.9, " IONIC, " FROM LONDON. Our Purchases being made from the Best Home M»nufacturers, our Prices will defy competition. AN IMMENSE VARIETY OF New Dress Goods, New Plushes, New Millinery, New Mantlee, New Hosiery, New Sheetinge, Quilts, and Flannels. Boys' and Men's New Tweed Suits, Shirts, Drawers, &c. The LARGEST STOCK of NEW GOODS m every Department ever offered m Ashburton (inspection invited) is at JOHN ORR & CO.'S EAST STREET. 3§77 j



Uim. BAZAAR. BAZAAR. 1 A BAZAAR and GIFT AUCTION m aid of the Fan da of the Parochial District of Longbeach, will be held at TJnwald on Easter Monday, 2nd April, 1888, m the Stares opposite the Railway Station (lato Jones and Bradshaw'b), kindly lent by Mr D. Thoraae, Bazaar open at 12.30 ; Live and Dead Stock, and Farm Produce, will be said daring the day by Auction. Admission, 6d. Children, half-price. Refreshments provided at a moderate charge. 3*12



THE CHEAPEST PLACE IN TOWN Z&ALANDIA BOOT BTORE EAST STREET ASHBURTON



GOOD NEWS TO GRAINOROWERS. THE WONDER OP THE DAY, MASSEY'S Light 2-horse Steel Binder, WE have pleasure of intimating cur friends and others that we have been appointed SOLE AGENTS FOR NEW ZEALAND for the sale of this wonderful Machine. Wherever the Machine has been tried it has given entire satisfaction and those who attended the trials and saw the Machine at work expressed themselves highly pleased. Numerous orders have already been taken for next season's harvest and those m want of Machines will do well to see THE MASSEY BINDER before placing their orders elsewhere. We guarantee every Machine, thus showing that we onrielveß have every confidence m the MASSEY LIGHT STEEL BINDER. SUB-AGEHTS WANTED. FBIEEUNDEE BROS.



Prevents contagion for an almost un- limited time ; will not Id j are or discolour the wool, but on the contrary gives it a beaottfnl appearanca. It keeps good for any period of time ! easy to mix 1 requiring no hot witter and thus Baying fae), con- ilderable expense »fed trouble 1



WANTED TO SELL 1000 BALES COENSACKS. WANTED— Our Farmers and other Clients to note that we are agents for NEW ZEALAND STONE COMPANY, OaMARU. FISON'S Celebrated Fertilizers, The belt m the Market. TOMLINBON and HAY WARD'S POWDER DIP AND GLYCERINE DIP. The beat and oheapeat In the Market.



ENCOURAGE TIHW ALT). CTJAWKINS, having successfully • JLL launched oat m his new branch of Businesß, has just restocked his Shop In all kinds of DRAPERY, Men's Under- clothing, and BOOTS, etc., which ha is disposing of at Prlceß not to be beaten m Aihbarton." Call and see. Everything m tfte Shop marked m plain figures, at the lowest possible rate. No Puff or make-believe Sacrifice, or Selling under Cost, bat a good Article for your good Money: 3*98 tTTAJSTED TO3PURCHASE WHEAT, BARLEY, OATS, R*E CORN, RYE GRASS, IN LARGE OR SMALL QUANTITIES. HIGHEST PRICE GIVEN.



TIIBEE. TIIBEE. TIIBEE. THE UNDEBSIGNED can Supply every Requisite for BUILDING PURPOSES. Timber, Iron. Ridging, Spouting, Nails. Doors, Sashes, Cooking Ranges, Registers, Paints, Oils, Brushes, Paperhanginge, Window Glass (all sizes), Looks and Hinges. A L S o,— NEWCASTLE COAL WE3IPORT COAL NATIVE COAL FIREWOOD SHORT LENGTHS. McGallum and Co., TIMBER AND COAL MERCHANTS AND IMPORTERS. W. H. COLLINS, Manager. * M^k& SELLTNG OFF< Q » © i pill Great Reductions. /fim\ r t|||||pi is per csht" discount (\L£!j?2^M " Z ONB_MONTH.^^^gC % ""^ T3 "IyyTURRAY, Jeweller, having eecured ihe Premises lately O \u2666J JLI) jjX. ccoupled by Mr Nkatb, Chemist, is now offering hia hh w STOCK at a ' CO DISCOUNT OF 3s IN THE £ PREVIOUS TO REMOVAL. 3 26