TO CORRESPONDENTS

Attention to the following rules will cave the writers of oorrospondenoe a good deal of tronblo : — Wo cannot under take to return rejeoted communications. No notloo can bo taken of anonymous communications. 'Whatever fa intended for Insertion In this jonrnal maat be authenticated by the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for pnbll oatlon, but no a guarantee of good faith Letters and other oommanioatlons ln tendfld for Insertion In f<he nowa column ohoald be addressed to This Editor ; ard hU baalnesa comraanloatlone, In* oladtng ftdvertlsementß, addressed to Thb Ashburton Pdblihhinq 00.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, DBOEMBEB 12, 1888. IS IT PEACE?

The qnestion which on a certain occasion m Jewish history Joram, King of Israel, so anxiously propounded by his messengers to Jehu the son of Nimshi is now being asked with a similar anxiety m connection with the threatening aspect of European affairs. And there is only too much reason to fear that the result will be the same m the modern instance as m that of antiquity, namely, unmistakable and determined war. Straws proverbially serve to show the way the wind blows, and from various quarters there are significant items of news which, taken together, point strongly to the proba bility of the outbreak of hostilities at no irery distant date, For example, we hear of large purchases of provender md provisions by Russia whose troops are massed m positions whence they :an be readily directed towards the goal m view, and the state of tension as between France and Germany is plainly indicated by the expulsion of French ifficers from the latter country, and the etaliation on the part of the latter, rhen again it is evident that the Vatican, which is certain to be well in ormed as to the probabilities of the lear future, contemplates a great war md that before long, as we are told hat should such a war break out the | Pope will at once take refuge m France. 3ut even more striking confirmation of , he opinion of those who regard the mtbreak of war as near at hand is the lews that the leading Bulgarian paper )redicls that a great war will speedily icur, and is urging an alliance of the ' Jalkan States with "Turkey m order to ' le prepared for the corning atorm. It i s true that Wolf! Wolf! has been 1 :ried so long that many people now \ lecline to believe that there is any ; aeaning m the cry, but as m the fable t oin reality there is no doubt whatever l hat the wolf will come at last. As to ' 1 When ? " we imagine that the opening \ ut of Spii?« will f plye (bat (jueition, r

"FAIR'S FAIR."

The electors of Lincoln have the choice of two very eligible candidates, m the persons of Mr John O Lvier and Mr Alfred Saunders, and are quite able to make their selection without any advice from outsiders. We do not, therefore, propose to discuss the respective merits of the two gentlemen, but cannot help being a little amused at the prominent place m tho lint of his public services which Mr Saunders gives to the passing of "The Small Birds Nuisance Act." The measure referred to has been a useful one, no doubt, and Mr Saunders certainly brought forward a Bill dealing with the matter m the last session of 1881, but he did not succeed m getting it placed on the Statute- Book, possibly because his proposed measure dealt with more than small 1 birds, referring as it did also to "animals' as distinguished from birds. The Act now m operation, which is limited to small birds only, was, as a matter ol fact, introduced and carried through all its stages by Major Steward m the session of 1882, Mr Saunders not being then a member of the House. While Mr Saunders may, therefore, claim any credit attached to paving the way foi legislation by ventilating the subject, he should m fairness have said that the actual carrying of that legislation was attributable to the efforts of another.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The rovival of the tulip mania ii threatonod m Holland. King Humbort of Italy is reported to be ir failing health from oonsnmption. The forthcoming " breach of promise oaao ' at Now Plymouth turns out to bo a sell, beinj merely a performance by looal amatuera o Banlcll v JPickiwoU, Sovsral high ohuroh dignitarlea, nmoni thorn tbo Bishop of liipon and the Dean o Windsor, havo loft off the olerioal gaiters Talk about aff eolation m opstumo has done it. A whole village m Brazil has aooepted th gospel through tho instrumentality of a youni bußinoes man, who invited a missionary fr that plaoe. Improved sanitation m England has led ti a diminution of the death rnto. Sinoo 188 the rate has fallen from 20*5 to 188 po thousand. A now dog ii ooming into fashion ii London. It is the Tartar fox terrier. Hi coot is silky, smooth and red, with marking at head' and tail. Ho is good tempered, Tho only woman lawyer m Philadelphia i Mrs Carrie B. Kilgoro. Sho has an onviabl reputation at the Bar, and there is not i judge m the city who does not reapoot her fo legal ability. ! Tho Victorian Cabinet has deoidod to ftal Parliament for a new loan, m addition to th two million loan authorised, which will' b floated shortly. The money is required fo public worka. A correspondent of tho " Livorpool Mer oury " says that ho heard eomo oornet*play ing from a phonograph which had beei repeated more than a thousand times, am all tho notes wore as olear and dintinot a eter. Seven hundred and ninety thousand mm hundred and thirty pounds I This was 'thi net profit for the yoar of Guinnass, Son am 00. The fact was stated m tho report whiol was presented at the general meeting of thi oompany. Bishop Smythos, who is about to sail fo: Zanzibar, has determined that the Engltsl misßion&iros at Magiia, m the Tory heart o tho district, will not quit their post, bu remain at all hazards, and do what they Qfti to modorate the passions of the natives. - Tb,a ago at which most suioidos take plaoi m Groat Britain is 85. It would eoom (ba m early middle life the disappointed hope aro inubb kuen, «nd tbo c/Ydulu ol an ill -spun youth moat disastrous. At 35 many American feel the woarieomenesß of old age. The present Duke of Wellington receives i pension. The first Duke was m 1816 granta m hereditary pension of £4000 per annum fo throe lives, and £281,000 baa thus boen pai to the femily m oonnootion with the pension Tho present, however, ia tbo last life. \ At an inquost on a Cheshire farm servant i was testified that the doooased, only nineteen had worked tho whole of that week, gottinj only throe hours' rest oaoh night. A com panion of the dead raan said, "It is thi custom. If you won't go, somebody else will." A new society for women haa just Btartot m Sheffield, calling itself tho M Sooiety of thi Golden Cord." Its rules are few and sirnplq but all sufficient. 1. To bo loving and lovable 2. To be pure m heart, mind, and body. 8, To pity and help the poor and woak. 4. To h< kind to dumb creatures. 5. To avoid shams, Tho dog farms at Manohuria are nutn bored by the* thousand, From % dozen tc hundrodo are raised on oaoh farm annually the great oold of winter, dropping more that §0 degrees below zere, produoing splondid qoatß, which aro sold all over tho world, inoluding the United Ht&tea. ' ' The "Advocate" says that Mr O. Hunt, who saw a large fish found m the Bangitikoi River, near Wostoo, lately, doolares it was a true salmon. Mr Hunt is said to have had largo ozperionoo m salmon curing at Home, And thoroforo to bo ablo to give an authorita tive opinion on the subjoot. < Medimval auperatitions linger m Austria, The Burgomaster of Zuraki, m Galioia, his just instituted a prosooution beforo tho Criminal Court of Spiotwina against a man named Jean Kowaloßink for having " by his malicious soroeries and incantations caused a hailstorm to devastate the fields of Zuraki on July 28th." The damages are laid at 8000 florins. At tho prosont season of almanaos and Chriatmas oards many a homo will bo adorned by tho oxoollont examples of ohromo-litho graphy whioh aro being given away by Agfa burton tradesmen. Among tho root Mr J). Maoforlano, groqor, Burnett street, is well to tho fore, having come roally chojoo things m this way, specimens of whioh ho has kindly sent üb. Two of them — " Poop-Bo \ " and " Tho Gleaner " aro ogpooially good. In tho old days when tho 58th Regiment was m Now Zealand the following strange com bination of namci ooourrod m tho roll of tho Light Company :— Day and Knight, Rood and Wright, Linnet and Wron, Cook and Hen, Bullook and Hyde, Bkinnor and Tannor, Soaloa and Weight, Siapp and Fotohott, Blaokthroad and Whitethread, and Thread- ! noodle. It will be observed that tho gallant Major Stapp has his plaoo among thorn. Tho trout fishing m tho Solwyn last Friday was of an extraordinary charaotor. It happoned to be a most favourable evening' warm after a hot day. In about throo boars Mr Woodman took 9 fish, weighing about 08Ibs. Mr Tippler took 6, all good fish. Mr Kimblo and party ($ rods) took 15, Bomo of them very largo. Mr Spademan took two woighing 121 b and 101 b reßpooilvoly. Mr Ollivior took 3, woighing 81b, 91b, and 61b eaoh ; and threo or four othor gentlemen all had from 2 to 6 fish each. Dflring the whole evening, whon onao it began to got dark, tho rivor wob tho soono of heavy splashes oauaod by flab rushing for bullies and Biivorieß, and the supply of fi«h from Lako Ellesmoro Boomed inexhaustible. AH tho abovo vrero taken m about 300 yards of tho river. llolloway's Pills.— Enfeebled Existence. — This medicine embraces every attribute required m a gcncr.U and domestic remedy. It overturns the 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 arc specially serviceable and cmincnt'y successful. They should be kept m readiness m every family, being a medicine of incomparable utility for younp persons, especially those of f«eble con.' stilulions. They never cause pain or irritate the most sensitive nerves or most lender bow. Is. Ilolloway'a Pills arc the best known purifiers of the blood, the most active pro noters of absorption and secretion, whereby ill poisonous and obnowous particles aie fmoyed fjrow fcotti jolida »pd fluid! ■ ,

The Empress of Austria owns twenty pet ' horses and twioo aa many dogs, whose woliftro \ Bhe looks after poraonally. The Eiffel Tower, Paris, has been taken ' ovor by a company with a oapitnl of £204,000. The £200,000 ia for the ingenious M. Eiffel, the romaining £4000 is for working expenaeß The Pillabury flour-mill of Minneapolis (U.S.), which, four years ago, adopted the profit-sharing system, distributed 40,000 dollars among its employees m September last, The body of the boy Joseph Brown, who wna drowned m the Heathoote oo Saturday night, was found at low tido last ovoning apposite the Heathooto Raoooourso, half I embedded m weeds. Two Russian savants, Professor Markofl and M.. Poppff, aooompaniod by six guides, . auoooeded m reaobing the top of Mount Ararat I recently. Thoy oreoted a oairn at the summit m commemoration of tho event. •■ ' I Mr Enooh Wm. Rudder, tho oldeat in* i habitant m tho Maoleay river district, who , founded Kompsoy GO years ago, has just died, aged 88. He leaves 200 ohildren, grand' children, and groat-grand-children. ' A funny procession at Nowbury, England, \ waß formed of doga which had boon liberated , from muzzles at the ropoal of a law. The , prooeseion waa headed by a band of mueio m • ft brake drawn by four horseß ridden by red. ! ooatod postilHoDß; Active preparations are being made for the ' garden party to.morrow m the Parßon r ago Grounda. Admission to tho grounds » after 7 p.m. will be roduoed to one ohilling. , In oase of tho day being wet tho tea will be * held m tho Sohoolroom, and some form of > moeting take place m the evening. A very fino display of Christmas fruitß and dolioaoica for tho ooming feßtiv6 and holiday Boaspn ia now on view m the windows of Mr D. Maofarlane'sgrooeryaatabliahment, Burnett street, who also shows some pretty and artistio deßinna m ohina and crookery, Buitablfl for Chrißtmaß prosentß. 1 In Cleveland, Ohio, there is a lady who is completely paralysed by every thunderatorm. " Sho reoovers whon the storm oeasoa. The pr lady Bhould at onoe make her home m f California. Sho might livo there for forty years without being paralysed moro than one time. Acoording to an oxohango Popo Leo XIII is m good health, although his real qondition is carefully kept from tho public. Ho is m a painfully nervous state, and is said to bo constantly pursued by a morbid foar of death, the slightest ailment assuming, m his exoited imagination, tho form of a serious disorder. We undorstana that a field trial of reapora and binders, under tho auspioes of the Agricul tural and Paetoral Association, will bo hold on Mr. A. J. Huston's farm, Flomington, noxt week, on a date which will be advortiaod. About nine maohinoß aro oxpeotod to oom peto. Intending puroharors of reapors and binders this season will thus bo able to com pare the morita of the various makers. Tho Cbristchuroh bootmakers' Btriko waß Battlod last night. Tho manufaoturora oon« oeded the point raiaad by the men, and agreed to pay 13a por dozen for youths' laoo boots with aoid bottoms, on all pairs now m makers' hands, and to roturn to the old stylo of "made out bottoms" on the atand at 1b 8d per pair. The men have stated their intention of readjusting the oealo of paymonts, so as to prevent simiiar trouble m future. A meeting of tho various bands m Christ ohuroh and the suburbs have deoided to organise a band oonteat, open to the whole polony. It is estimated that the exponaes, inoluding prizes, will amount to £200. Many promißea of aubaoriptiona havo already been rocoivod by tho promoters, Mossra R. T. Searoll, J. Pooley, D. MoKillop, and W. P. MoLean. Should the movement prove suo oosßful an asnooiation will be formed to annu ally carry out oontosta m the different centres of the oclony if possible. The Duchess of Edinburgh is said to be extremely popular m Malta; liked and admired by all who know her- She is an admirable wife and mothor, and is muoh beloved by her ohildren. Her daughtera are growing up fino girla, bright and intelligent, and full of fun ana natural neaitny spirits. Tho youngest, Prinpesß Beatrice, is said to be vory muoh like hor mother, and the eldest is pretty, Bweet, and gontle-looking rather small m stature, but well formed. The sisters all rids well, and are accomplished' tennis players. Tho direotore of the Ohriatohuroh Frozen Meat Company havo approved of designs by Mr J. O. Maddison for the new building at Bolfast. It ia to ba of briok, with iron roof, two etoreya high, containing Bis freozing onamberaon tho ground floor, eaoh holding 725 sheep, and threo storoa upßtairs. The total oapaoity will bo 20,000 sheep. The building will bo divided into throe sections by fireproof walls. It has boon arranged that £4298 8b Bhall bo paid by the united inßuranoe companies to the Frozen Meat Company on aocount of damage to moat and some small expenses m oonnootion with the flre at Belfast. Froezing will oommenoe at the works on Tuesday next. We were Bhown this afternoon t curious monstrosity, m tho Bhape of a two-headed calf. The heads, which are perfectly fonnod, »ro Bet almost at rigbt anglca to the neok, two of the oara being m front and two behind: Eyes, mouth, and nostrils wore perfootly formed, and Mr Cambridge, at whose shop this queer freak of nature was on view, can find m his referenoe books no record of so perfept a specimen of a bioopb,aloqa mon strosity. The calf was injured m the process of parturition to Buoh an extent that it had to be killed, but the heads will be ptenerved by a toxidormiit. The cow. whioh gave birth to the oreature belongs to Mr Smithel. From ValparaJßO fqll information baa been reoeived of tho burating of a wator-poud 800 ft above the level of tho oity of San Juan de Dios, on 11th August, and the deluging of the streets, causing a frightful loss of life. Tho water rushed through the streets m a wave 12 foot high, oarrying everything nearly before it. At firßt it was thought that an immense. ' tidal wave had ooine from the sea. Tha shona wore flooded and their contents doßtroyod 1 The people who were m tho streets at tho time were washed up and down, some being drowned, and others attaining terrible injuries. Fou,r days after- the disaster the Btroeta wero still man impassable state. Tho oolleotion of the bodioß of the drownod and killed was a sad job. Tho losa of property alono waa more than a million dollars m valuo. Th.c pond waa an artificial one, and bolonged to a brewer, A most distressing affair ooourrod at Ham ilton, Victoria, on tho 2nd mat., whon Margaret Smith, the wife of a Hamilton herdsman, William Smith, aged 59 yearn, was aooidontly Bhot dead by her son, aged 21 yoarß, a grooer's aasistant. At the inquest, Horbort Franois Smith depoßod that his mother was making tho bod, when she found a rovolvor betweon tho mattreßß and tho palliaßse. Witness took it up, thinking it waß unloaded, but it turned out that ono ohambor was loaded. Aa he pulled tho triggor tho rovolvor wont off, and the shot Btruok his mother as bJio passed aoroaa the lino of tiro. Sho foil on the floor, without uttering a word; Ho had had tho rovolvor about two yoara, but had not used it lately, and ho did not know it was under tbo palliasse. A verdict of accidental doath was rotqrnqd,

AMERICA AND SAMOA

(fur rjujsa association.) Washington. Dooember 11, Senator Foye brought forward a motion m the Senate to the effect that the Committee of Foreign Affairs be directed to inquire into the recent proceedings at Samoa affecting the rights of America. He insisted that the United States were bound to resist the encroachment of Germany. He be lieved England was conniving at Ger many's action, which he characterised as an outrageous insult, to America. .

RUDOLPH RADKA

» •■ The following telegram from Invor onrgill ronchod ua youterday half an hour after wo had koho to proßß : — Great sensation vraa caused, m the Supremo Court today by tho statement that Radka, who is oh»rged with areon, and who osoaped from p;aol, would be proaent to Btand hie trial on Thursday rho atatcmont wna made by his coaasol. The police don't koow whore he is. (PKR PRBBS ABSOOIATION.; Invbroaboill, Deoomber 12. Radka wolkod luto tho Supreme Ooart this mornlag ho atnliel at tho polloe officers present, and soon after loft for the gaol with the sergeant and gaoler.

WAKANUI RIVER BOARD

»„ . -.. .„ The ordinary monthly mnotlng of tha Wakanul River Board wan held on Satur day the Bth Inst, Present— Jas. Brown (Chairman), Meredith Wilson, J. Wilson, Thoa. Olephane and Edwin Thomas. The minutes of the provioaa meatlng having been read and confirmed, tho Chairman naked Jf the Worku Oom mittoe had any report to lay before tbe Board . Mr Olephane, as Chairman of the Com mittee, handed m a report, bnt as It had oeen drawn op without consulta tion with the other members of Committee ao adjournment wao mnde fora quarter of an honr fo allow «he whoto Commlttoe to agree upon a report to bo submitted to the Board. 0n the Board roßo.ir.lng tho Committee reported to the following effeot. — The two banks to stop oveiflow have been completed by the omtraotor, Mr D. Johnßton, m a satisfactory manner. Wo took the liberty to engage Messrs Foolra and Sons to measure tho banko, »ud they estimate their total qnantlly at 5508 oubfo yards. We recommend that Mr Johnston be paid In aooordanoo with that meisure ment. Por the last fortnight we have had & man constantly employed, at 5a a day catting willows and hinging them against iha bank of the river to oheok the Boour. We expect the willows to gather silt, grow, and become of great benefit In tho protection of the binke. The willow* planted last month have started to grow and aro looking well. The river etill con tlnues to «raplnge with muoh fproe to wards Mr Wilson's land, and likewise at somo little distance below tho protective works. In performing one duties we have exceeded the amount we are authorised to expand by £4 3a. This we have done m the publio interest as sound economy and at consider able trouble to ourselves, and hopo that It will moot with your approval. We would recommend that the rlvor hank at No. 2, and also at No. 1, be proteo «<J by hanging willows, eto., firmly aeoarod, aloDg its fao?, and that the man be em ployed constantly until this work be finished. Tbo nocoants for labour and material In oonneollon with the Oom mlttoe accompany this report, and we recommend payment or the aim©. Mr Thomas, m moving tho adoption of tho report, said that he had b««n |n atraotod not to vote on the Item of £4 2* 6d to Gaorge Brown, and desired that to bd exoeptod In hla motion. Me M. Wilson seconded the motion without comment, The Chairman suggested that Mr Thomas and Me Wilson should leave the room when this aooouot came to be passed, and he would teat the opinion of the Board on that item by itself. He did not objeot to it being paid provided the Works Committee oertißod that It had been ex pended for the benefit of the Board. The Chairman of the WorHa Committee having oortified to that effjot, the motion was agreed to. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr M. Wilson—* 1 That a bank be ereoted at onoe, commencing at say a ohalo from the river at Adams' sooion, and running In a curve to join fenoo on section 7800, at a point to be decided upoo, and that the said fenoe be strengthened sufficiently to prevent oveifliw." The following petition was reoelved from Mr David Wilson aud 16 others ;— Wakmjul, Ootaber 26, 1888, J^e River Board and River Protection at Wakanul, "Ao there is a River Proteotlo'n district oonatltuted, and « River Board formad at Wakanul, and it Is of the utmost importance for the safety and general welfare of the whole district, that tho r|vac backi should bo protected f» fur'hor encroachment if poi» |vi , ...V e w«t d h tt T r r de tv •--«»* •h.-;SJ.m D oS; with tbo Jiapa of gottlng a be , t () ' f *•■•<>*■ all tho way down In the wenk and dauiserouo placea, aud as wo believe willow planting, nndor the bank In tho rlvav bed, is the only hopo wo roly on for nuking a permanent cure, and as It is useleea trying to plant willows without being proteoted by shunting off the uoour from the river bank, and that we o«n now ooe ol.arly that the annual rate although a very heavy one will be totally Inadequate to go In for neoasßtry works, which are urgently required for the protection of the dlatiiot aud we also believe, should we rely on the annnal rates as they aooruo from year to year, that they will be of no avail In dealing with, o- a'.opplng the danger, but most likely that ono year's rates may ba swallowed np or washed away before the next Is available, and that this inonoy may bj lost to the r*te psyera without reoaivlng any benefit m return, It is therefore our earnest do sire that sufDoent means be placed at tho dißpoHiil of tho Boiird to enable thorn to unoertako works of utility, and I also works of a permanent naturo, believ ing it to bo tho moat prudent, and nlao tho moat economical courao to adopt, m tho groat bonoiit to bo gninod by adopting this conrao would bo tint tho necessary works oould all bo onrried out at once within the pr^Bont Boaeoo, wheroas under existing ciroumßtanoos ft would extend over a number of yoars perhaps with no good results. Wo thoroforo, the under, signed, taking this v.ew of tho matter and not wishing to loao our money yearly without the hope of getting some aub- Btantial benefit m return, horoby declare ouraelves m favor of a loan, say from £1000 to £1500, and hereby pledge oursolvoß to support this polioy and to voto for this should thore be a poll of the ratepayers taken." Resolved — "That the question of borrowing stand m abeyance for tho present " Acoounts woro pasaod to tho amount ot £74 Bb. Meßßrs Thomas and M. Wilson Laving retired it was resolved, " That the »urn of £4 2s 6d bo pnid to Mr Georgo Brown " Tho meeting then adjourned.

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

(Pan PitKBB Association.) Auckland, Deoember 11. The recent frost hna done a large amopn* of damage In the Thames Valley, and potatoes and other oropa In the Maori settlement have been rained. Complaint has been made to the police of an outrage committed a few evenings ago In the Now Lynn dlatriot. Some poraona who »lt«nd«iJ a concert and dpnee found, when about to return home, that 'holr horses had bagn ntolon, whilst por tl^nfl of 'ho barnosa h«»d boon oat to pieces , Tho d ffHilty with tho Natives who were obotrr.ctlng thn miking of the road from LlohßtOd to To Arohn has be/n overcome, and the work )i again prooaed ingi Wellington, Dnoember 11. Tho body of Joseph Marsctan, of Heath oota Valley, OhrlHtohnrob. who suddenly' disappeared on tho 30th alt. from Petooe, was f. u:d on the beach ut Day's Bay yesterday.

THE SIEGE OF SUAKIM

» . ~ PBR PRESS ASSOCIATION Suakim. Deoember 10. The Dervishes are reported to be reinforced at Handoub. In the recon naissance yesterday, Colonel Kitchener lost three men. Bvakjm, December 11. A rebel redoubt outside this town has been destroyed. Two thousand men are now assisting m the defence of the trenches. General Grenfell ex presses himself confident of success. London, Deoember 10 .It is reported that m the event of the impending attack on the rebel position failing, Great Britain will em bark m a war m defence of Lower Egypt, which would probably result m the reconquest of the Soudan. ,It is alleged that the Government instigated the recent reconnatisanct from Suakim m order to find an excuse for sending reinforcements to the uarrison. General Grenfell telegraphs that the enemy are'more numerous than ever, and eager to fight. Orders have been sent to Cairo to forward strong reinforcements to Suakim at once. The necessary force will be drawn from troops on the Mediterranean Stations, A squadron on the 20th Hussars and 300 men of the Welsh Regiment will also be sent.

EUROPEAN SITUATION.

REPORTED ULTIMATUM TO PERSIA,

(P*r PftEss Association.) London, Deoember 11, A portion of the geeat Russian loan offered m France has been subscribed sixfold. BnisBAWB, December 11 The " Independance Beige " states that Russia has addressed an ultimatum to Persia. Berlin, December 11. The Emperor William warmly con gratulated the Emperor of Austria on the fortieth anniversary of his accession, and referred to the unalterable bond of friendship between the two Empires. St. Petersburg, December 11. In consequence of the strong feeling excited against Persia, the Russian authorities have prohibited the sale of corn by Russian subjects to Persians.

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

(Pun Press Association.)

HEALTH OF TENNYSON.

London, December 10, Tennyson is recorering from his recent indisposition.

MR JOHN BRIGHT.

The condition of Mr John Bright's health is still serious. He is greatly weakened by the recent attacks.

THE MAORI FOOTBALLERS.

A match between the Maori Football Team and the Batley Club was drawn, no scoring being made on either side.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

Baron de Worms, m answer to a question m the House of Commons, Mated that before autonomy could be granted to Western Australia the Imperial Government must be given control of the northern portion of th*» .colony.

SCENE IN PARLIAMENT.

; London, Deoember 11, curing the discussion of the Esti mates m the House of Commons the votes for the Irish police were violently opposed, and a scene occurred, m which Mr. Parnell took part. The cloture was twice applied, and the votes were eventually carried.

MR GISBORNE.

The Hon. W. Girborne will read a paper at the meeting of the Colonial Institute, advocating Imperial federa tion and systematic State emigraton, upon terms to be mutually agreed upon by England and the colonies. The Marquis of Lome will preside at the meeting,

THE ATTACK ON A GAOL.

Washington, December 11, Besides the nine men who were killed m the attack on the gaol at Birmingham, Alabama, thirty more were seriously wounded, The Sheriff, who ordered the mob to be fired 00, las been arrested.

THE FRENCH BUDGET.

Pakis, December 11, The French Budget has been voted.

THE PANAMA CANAL.

M, Floquets is consulting with fix lerts m reference to the prospects of he Prnama Canal.

A DYNAMITE BOMB.

Nam,rs, December 10. A dynamite bomb was thrown at the German Consulate to-day, but no damage was done. Several arrests were effected.

THE SPANISH CRISIS.

Madbud, Deoembvr 11, Senor Sagasta has re-formed the Cabinet as follows: — Senor Domigo; Foreign Affairs ; Chinchilla, War Bccerra, Colonies.

SYDNEY GRAIN MARKET

Messrs Goldabrongh, Morfc and Co. L'mitod, report as follows under date November 28th :— Tho market continues buoyant, im proved prices having to be noted for almost evory description Milling wheat it ia great demand, l?oth by town and country millers, and large parqels of New Zealand, principally Tuscan, are changing bands, one large lino of thia variety Beffing at 5a Bd, Oats are still sowe; We quote : Milling WnßAT.—Oolonial, 0s lOdj New Zoalaod Tuscan, 5s 8d to 5s 9d. Cuiokfked, 4a 6d .to 4s 9d, Oatb, 4i to 4a 9d.* ' v

THE WEATHER IN AUSTRALIA

(rBR >RBaJ ASSOCIATION. ) Sydney, Deoember 11. The wsather at Wilcannia is intensely hot, and enormous numbers of sheep are dying while travelling to water. A violent storm of wind and rain at Inverell this evening levelled the con vent and unroofed a large number of buildings, doing serious damage. Pobt Dabwin, Deoembei 11. Rain has fallen m the Northern territory, m consequence of; which mining operations, which were at ft standstill, have been resumed. Mecboubotd, Deoember 11. Owing to the demand at Rodney for water to fill the dams, irrigation has been suspended m the district.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES

(me press association*) Auckland, Deoembei 12. This morniag the Phoaix Hotel, Morrinsville, was destroyed by fire. The outbreak occurred half an hour after midnight, A strong breeze was blowing, and the building and all oontents were quickly consumed. The. inmates narrowly escaped by leaping from, the window*. No particulars ara to hand. DuNßDiif, Deoember 12. The Forbury soboolhoufle wm burned down this morning. LATia, At half-past seven this morning denie olouds of smoke were seen issuing from the Interior of Forbury school, Sooth Dunedln. The brigade were quiokly oa the spot, but were at a disadvantage owing to having only one set of hose, and being enabled to play oa only one part of the building at a time. The fire lasted about an hour and ended In the total de strootlod of the building. It Is supposed to have been aaused by rain Igniting • quantity of lime. The buildings belong ing to Government were, of oourse, unin sured, Tbe Sootoh library wss valued al £40. Mr Whetter's chemical apparatus and laboatory »ppllance< and the majority of the teacherV and ehildrea'a book* Were also destroyed, but a large number of books, etc, bad luoklly been taken home by the children after the breaking up ceremony on Monday.

ASHBURTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Ashbortori Sobool Oommltteo was held last evening. Present—- Messrs Gideon Sootfc (Chairmen), Oook, Eliton, Paul, Steele and Kingston. BTNAKOIAL The Chairman said the oredtt ba.lt.aoo at the bank was £13 15b lid. CORBEBPONDBNOB. : Letter* w ere tend— (l) From Govern ment re expenditure oa school buildings. Received. —(2) From the Board of Edu oation stating that It had been deoldod to allow the sum of £21 for repairs to the Bohool buildings and fences, the work of carrying out regain to be left In tb» hands of the Committee. It wii resolved on tbe motion of Mr Oook that tendera be called for roofing the caretaker's house with Iron.— -(3) From Boatd of Education In regard to the headmaster. It waa ananlmonsly resolved oa the motion of Me Paul, seconded by Mr Oook—" That the Oommltteo after having farther oare folly considered the qaeatton of a change In the headnußtership are still of opinion that It would bo greatly against the In terest of the sohool to effaot any snob change for the present ; that whilst not wishing to In any way pjaoe themselves Id antagonism to the Board, aad~ whilst at taohing doe Importance to the views held by the Boatfd, this Committee respectfully expresses a hope that the Board' will re consider the decision arrived at at Its last meeting, and alloy Mr Kneeu to retalo charge of the sohool." — A quantity of oor» respondenoe of a routine character wai deslt with. MABTKS.'g KBfOET. Tbe master reported tha* the Attend* anoe for the past m^/nth had been aa follows :>.No o- f0ll : Boys, 190 ; girls, 2yO ; tot»> if Average attendanoa : Bo 7«. 150*839; girls, 150*339; total, 801 108. . Highest attendance : Boys, 163; girls, 172 ; total, 336. He reoommendod that the Christum* holidays commence on the 14th. It was resolved on the motion of Mi Oook, that the Christmas holidays com* mence on Deoember 14 and terminate on January 21. SKOOMD MABTBB. The Board forwarded 14 applications for the position of second master. The Committee after consideration selected Mr Wm. Alexander Kennedy f of tbe position, VISITING COMMITTEE.' Messrs Paul and Steele were appointed a Visiting Oommittee for the ensuing month. "

THE DOG KNEW HIS DEER.

A. hunter give* this aoaoant of how two hounda nettled the ownership of a deer. Bat by far the moat Interesting part of tbla hunt to mo la yet to oome, and to tell which all thla rigmarole baa been pened* The voice* of the two dogs ai they pnaaed along tho monntnin had been recognised by their ownera, and both claimed the deer. Suoh thinga have been known to eauae a bitter feud. One waa anrp It wai hia dog, and the other waa jast as aura it waa hla ; bat the question of meet impor tanoe to be •ettled was, whioh of the dogs started that deer 9 The deer waa brought on ahoie and laid upon the green sward, where even the ladles, gentle oreaturea, admired It. Soon the boat arrived with the two doga, and one of the old banters, cried oat, "Soad thoie hoands ap here, and let ua see whoae deer thla la." Never having beard ao strange a atory, I, half Ja doubt, aald, " What nonsenae Is that you are talking?" "No nonsense, Doctor, wait and boo." B Ing deeply Interested, I approaohed oloaely, that I might the better obienre the animals One of them walked ap to the deer, smelt him all over and aeemed quite m donbt. Then the other dog oame up with an angry rvoitl, smelt the deet and deliberately laid himself down by (ha animal, while the Grot dog quietly pfaoed hia tail between hia legs and walked away. I oonld not help expressing my imna ment, and still doubting the faot I aald to my old guide, " That dog that la lying by the deer has been the vaster of the other, and has cowed him." "On the contrary,'* aaid my Informer, " the dog that gave up the deer la the better fighter, and whip* that dog every tiuo." : We learned during the day that the deer had been aUrttd 10 mites down tht river by the dog that olaimod it, and the aound of bis voioo drew the other one, about four mile* below the lake ; confirm log the teat, and proving the woadtrfa loiUocUttbq bound, , ■ J,

THE ABHBPRION QUABDUN, -WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 12, 1888



Tho boßt modioino known Is SANDER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Tost itfl eminent powerful effects m ooughß, oolda, influenza, etc.— tho relief iB instantaneous, Thousands givo tho most gratifying teßtimony. His Majesty the King of Italy, and medioal Byndioatos all ovor the globe, are its patrons. Read the official reports that accompany eaoh bottle. We havo no oooasion to offer rewards m proof of the gonuinonesa of our reforoncoß. Tho official roports of medioal olinioa and univerflitiaa, the offloial communication of tho Consul-Genoral for Italy at Melbourne ; the diploma awarded International Exhibition, Amsterdam— all those aro authentio doou- monts, and, as suoh, not open to doubt. Wo add here epitomo of ono of tho various oaßos troatod by Biegen, M.D., Profosaor, etc : Burning of the right hand through tho ex- plosion of a small oil Btovo. Tho opidormiß on the volar and palmer side of the hand of tho thirty-yoar-old patient was completely soparated and lifted up as far as tho joint of the hand. Tho likewise lifted nailu wore hanging loose, and half of tho phalanx of the nail of tho middlo fingor waa ooalod. The wounds thus oontraotod healed m throe weokß under daily applioationß of JBludalyptio Extract dreiwiD*, . The patient hag retained tbo «uU ' Die p! U)i bund,- (AdTt.) \ I



___ DIARY . ) Moon' Decombcr flun Sun Moon Mood Kgo a Risen Sots. Rikb Beta, noon; lum. a. 3a. 10 Monday .. 4.15 7.30 11.18 0.20 0 p.m. 11 rucHday .. 4.16 7.81 0.21 0.68 7 12 Wcdnosdny.. 4.18 7.32 123 121 8 13 Thnnday .. 4.16 7.33 2.23 1.46 9 14 Friday.. .. 4.10 7.34 3.22 2.9 10 16 Bntiirdny . 4.16 7.35 4.22 2.34 11 10 Sunday .. 4.17 7.36 6.31 3.0 12 Moonlight Evenings. The Moon at 8 days old Bhines till about 8 o'olook. The Moon at 6 dayo old shines till about half-past 10 o'olook. Tho Moon at 8 days old shines till nearly o'olook m the morning. The Moon at 12 days old ehinoß from flan down till about 4 m the morning. Tho Moon at 16 days old is full, and shines all night. The Moon at 18 days old rises about 0 p.m. and shines till morning, The Moon at 21 days old riscß about 11 i a.m. and shinoß till morning. The Moon at 24 dpya old rises about 2 a.m. and uhines ill morning Tho Moon at 27 days old rises about 4 a.m. and shinos till Bunriao. THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN. From and after tho 80th November, 1886, the I terms of Subscription to thiß journal will be aa follows, viz. : — IV PAID IN ADYANOB Per Quarter.. 6a 6d by post, 9s 6d Half-yoar 12s 6d, by poßt, 18s 6d Year .. 24s Od, by poet, 87s Od Per Quarter.. 7e 6d, by post, 10s 9d „ Half-year IS* Od, by post. 21« fid „ Xoar .. 80a Od, by post, 48s Od Birtb, Marriage, and Death Kotioea, if paid for at the ime of insertion 2s 6d eaoh fßtamps may sent as payment) if booked, 4s eaoh. Announcements of Births, Deaths and Marriages sent for publication from the oountry dietriotß require to be verified by tho Signature of the Doraon send m o the notioo,



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Summer 1888. JLj A T B 8 T JN OVBLTIEB IN ALL DEPARTMENTS, NOW ON VIEW AT THE NEW. ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. Everything New. New Shirts. New Underclothing, Now Tien, New H»tr, Now Salts for Boys, New Balti foe Men, Everything New and of the LATEST FASHIONS. See oar Windows, end judge for yourselves SPECIAL. Suits made to measure m good style and from* the nowest checks and stripes from £2 16s. ENCOURAGE LOOAL INDUSTRY AND BUY FROM THfl iKew Zealand ClotMog Factory. W. H. WEBBER,



WANTED— A Ooaeekoeper f< r the country, — Apply Mrs Randall, East Street. 12 75 Oum'r Atshin tv BOXING MGHT TAPANESE Dc bU, Cabinote, GlovTand fj Uandkorchiof Boxes, Bracket and other Qoodn m Rroat variety, Vory cheap. — H. M.Jones. WANTED veTßtjy Tea Moptine of the Wakantii Wesleyan Church will bo held on Friday evening next, tho 14th,' at tho Schoolroom r Wnknnui, Tea from 5,30 12f57^ Known — Mr 8 Mkroh, «' Dr^smakor, has returned fiono Sydney, nnd re-commencod business m Faunders' Buildings, next MrR. Alcorn's. 10 78 GREAT Clearing Sale of Boots -We havo never marked any bo oheap before. - H. 0. Sroehb, Molford House. WANTKD Known. — That Mib~b Edwards, Tailoresß, is prepared to make Boys' Olothiog, ulro Cuffing, Strap pin^, repairs and ah orations, &o — MiBB £dwards, corner Moore street and Belt. 11 105 MRS ADAMS has removed to Sann- dera' Buildings, opposite Railway fetation. Crewel Silks, Wools, and Funoy Goods of every description kept m utook. Agent for Eclipse Dye Works. Registry offioe for Servants. 10 92 SHEEP SHEABS, 11 A's, BB A's, and BB&lsZ'a; and genuine Turkey Stones.— Robskt Aloorn, Saunders Bandingi. WANTED Known.— Beautiful Milli nory. A choice aeßo-tmont is now being Bhown ; also Sunshades, Bilk Gloves, Laceß, Boirfe, &c, at Andrew Obb'h. ANTED Known— We have the Largest and best assorted Stook m the District of Men's Bats and Caps m all the leading shapes and atyles.— J. Obb and Co, Daft Wullie BOXING NIGHT BEFORE baying Booto snd Shoes, etc, call and inspeot our Clearing prices. Will be »o your advantage — H. 0, Sxgkbs, Melford House, WANTED Known— Wo do the largest Tailoring Trade m the District. Ferfeot fit guaranteed and every garment warranted thoroughly shrank — J. Orr and Co. WANTED Known— Support Looal Industry. Buy your Suits A nh- burton 1 weed from 30a ; made to moasuro (and choose your own Tailor) from £3 10b.— Andrew Orr. <f Be Wise Mon " BOXINi NIGHT WANTED Known— We hold an Immense Stock of Tweeds anil Ooa'lnga to eeleofc frcm, A firstolaaa suit made to measure from 60s.— J. Orr and 00. WANTED everyone to know that J. O. Duncan 1b a Land Broker, licenaod to prepare and register Transfers, Mortgages, Encumbrances, Leases, Regin- tration Abstracts, Powers of Attorney, Applications to bring Land under the Act, nnd every description of instruments untxor tho Land Transfer Act. — J. 0. Donoan, Aroado, Aehburton. 10J10J WANTED Known. — Andrew Orr is giving a Great Bargain m Bootß* Girls' School Boots, Women's Boots, 6s 6i, Men'e. Auld Freens B KING MGdT SALE of Buota and Bhiieo. We have marked our large stock of Boots and Shoes with the intention of clearing them this month. Oome and bbvo money. — Q. 0. Feoers, Melford House I. OR gennlne Auhburton Tweed Suits Jj read v -made, or to measure, fit and auality gnaranti-ed, and at ppioos on- equ^Ued, go to R. Aloorn, Aahburton Clothing Mart, Swund^rn 1 Knlldtncrn. WANTED Kuown— That Mrs Hill, Monthly Nuree, h«a removed from Peter Street to Dr Trevor's house, In Moore Street. 10+39 XMAB, Xmae.- Andrew Orb iB show- ing .Novelties m all Departments for Xmae Preeentfl. WANTED Known— We hold a large and well- assorted Stook of Mod's and Boys' Clothing, made from Colonial Tweedp, m every vzt and stylet— Jt Orb AND CO. WANTED Known—That S. W. ALoorn and Co. are selling at Warehouse price, a splendid lot of Ladieß Silk arid Oaehnaere Mantles, and Satin and Fancy Sunshades, bought a bargain. No valae like them In Ashburton. . t Jock Mcßaw BUXING NKUJT WORSTED Tweeds. -A Beautiful Assortment of Worsted Twee-Is as exhibited at tho late Show Specially made to ordor for Akprew Orr. WANTED Known— We hold a large and varied Stook of Men's White md Regttta Shirts, Soarvou, Ties, Collars, Gloves, Braces, Umbrellas, Rugs, etc. — J. Obr and Co. WANTED More Known— That 8. V 7; Alcoun and Co. is the ohoapoet House m Ashburton. Great variety of Dress materials; Prints and Fancy Galateaa to ohooso from. 11 159 "ANTED Known— Oar Stook of Boots and Shoes oannot bo sur- paiHod for variety, quality, and cheapness. — J. Orr and Co. Deooh Slainte BOXING NIGHT WANTED KNOWN— That I have appointed Mrs Adams rolo agent n Ashburton for the holipse Dye Works, 1/hriatchurch. Ladies dreesos and gtntle- sen's clothes oleanod or dyed, boal Skino, Gloves and Feathers, Silks, Damnsk Jurtains, Table Covers, Sashea Cleaned ox 3jod, otc. , end all kinds of animal skins irefcßed am' made up to ordor. — A. J. Chapman, 161 Armagh street, Chriet- slllirch 130 *ARK STREET HOSIERY WOUKS. (Near Presbyterian Church.) J, JD ALGLEISH Pcaotloal Hosiery M*nafootnrer. Woollen Shirts, Drawers, Socks, and tickings of all colors, for Gentlemen, j&diea, und Children, uu»de to order. 12 32 Reid and Gray HAVK to inform their Farmer Friends and Cußtomerß generally that MR uHN TAYLOR has een appoint© J lanager of ihoir Aohbarton Branch from bis date BIN PER REPAIRS executed cheaply id ««xpeditioußly. BIND X " WINE of tho Bewt a«d Iheapest Quality, m obubiTkarlv. J ti tee our Latest BINDER aod yen will , jy no otbor* , _ 12 Z\o



Wanted j



D. Thomas. j



I HAVE for aale— Traction Threshing Plant with New Combine, Clayton and IShnitleworth ; best m tho Distriot ; all the latest improvements. I HAVE FOR SALE— Several very desirable Farina, including some of the best Wakanui land. I HAVE FOU SALE— Forater Combine and EleTator cheap I HAVEFORS&LE— Robey Combine Angle Iron Frnino ; nearly now ; only threshed 48,000 3ushol&. Price £100. D. THOMAS. Ashburton. T AM A OABH BDYEB OF EYEGBASB IN ANY QUANTITY. D. THOMAB. Aehburton. PERIODICAL SALES AT METHVBN. MY next Bale of LIVE and DEAD STOCK for th 9 METHVEN DISTRICT WILL BRI HELD IN METHVEN On Thursday, 20th December -lfttt Messrs HIBBS BROS, have kindly consented to receive Entries. Clients will oblige by making their Entries as soon as possible, bo that they may be 'properly advertised. D. THOMAB, ABhbnrtoDt Wool. Wool* Wool. I AM prepared to make Libers! Own Advances on the growing ollps of Wool Plueed fn my hands for eale or ehlpmfin either In Aahbnrton, Ohrietohutob, or any otntr Market. Wool Packs and every requisite oil Bale at lowest prioei. If no Sale effeoted|no Commission or Ohaigei made, Fint cale early In November. D, THOMAS, 10 112 Ashburton. I D. Thomas, (Late of Matsoit, Cox and Co.), - , i AUCTIONEER, LAND, INSORANO , and BBTATB AGENT, VALUATOR, « WOOL AND GRAIN BROKER, < ASHBURTON. ; — " " i Loans negotiated, ' Weekly Sales of Live Stook, Tinvrald an l Ashbnrton alternately Fortnightly Bales of Sheepskins, Fat, Bides, etc, on FRIDAYS [ Sales of Wool throughout the Season Grain Bought and Sold on Commission Clearing gales as per arrangement AGENT FOB— , Mation and Co., Obriatohuroh c Mercantile Finanoe Co., Obrlstohnroh t Colonial Investment Company, Dnnedln C National Mortgage Co., Ohrlstohnroh I Booth, Blaodonald and Co. , Ohrlstohurob d Morton and White's Bheep Dip C Baokeyo Re»per »nd Binder c London and Lsnofeshlre Insnrancß Oc, ! xraham's Foot Rot Composition. jj 6 D, THOMAS, Ashbnrton. 8 LONDON AND LANCASHIRE FIXE l IWBURANCK COMPANY I HAVE heen appointed Agent for tba ] abovr^ Company, and am now pre- ( * £§ra ' to tak>3 Jtciskß on BuildlDgß, Btook CrODfl at current rates, r t i D. r ;THOMAS, C Ashburtun.