TO CORRESPONDENTS

Attention to the following rules will save " the wrltere of correspondence a good deal of trouble ; — We cannot onder take to return rejected communications. No notice can be taken of anonymous oommunloations. "Whatever 1b Intended for Insertion In this journal mnat be authenticated by the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publi cation, but as a guarantee of good faltb. Letters and other communications in tended for Insertion In the new* column should be addressed to The Editor; and t»ll business oommunioations, in cluding advertisements, addressed to The Ashbukton Publishing 00.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1888. THE "SWEATING" SYSTEM.

We read every now and then m ihe English papers of the miseries of the sempstresses of London and other great cities, who to-day, as m the days of Tom Hood, still "stitch, stitch, stitch " with weary fingers, and weary eyes, m fireless garrets until the chill hours of the breaking dawn, " Sewing at once with a double thread A ehroud as well as a shirt " — yet few indeed of the readers* of these records of misery would have suspected that here m this fair young country of New Zealand, the same sad state of things is growing up. But " facts are chiels that winna ding," and both m Dunedin and Christchurch some ex ceedingly ugly facts m this direction have been elicited. The " Otago Daily I Times" and the "Lyttelton Timeß " have both been lifting the veil and dis closing to their leaders, the unsuspected hardships, the starvation wages of toilers m their cities. The matter was first brought under the notice of the first mentioned paper by a letter from a well-known citizen of Dunedin m which the writer Baid. — "My wife, whilst visiting recently m connection with one of the local charities, found a woman with a husband sober and steady, but who had only done a few days' work during the past six months, and with two children, one a few weeks old and the other unable to work ; and this it oman has regular work, which any of your lad> readers can value, Her work was finishing Crimean shirts j ehe had six buttonholes to mako, seven buttons to sew on, and a few buttonhole stitches to make on the two sleeves and the two laps to each shirt ; buttons were found, but the worker had to find her own peedje§ rod. thread j »Bd what ft? you. *

thin k ia paid for this work; Eightpence per Bhirt— their value ? No, Sir, eightpence per dozen shirts, and at this munificent wage she could, by woking her hardest while attending to these children, make 4d per day ± with only one child to look after she could make 8d a day, which was all she, her husband, and two chil dren had to depend upon. Is thiß work or slavery ? Other sweaters are mag nanimous enough to pay as high as 9d per dozen, but the one m question seems to be a better business woman, and can drive a closer bargain, and is, moreover, the possessor of fine shops and a beauti fully furnished dwelling-house. That thiß is no trumped-up case — my card enclosed — you will, I think, find suffi cient evidence." The journal at once instiiuted inquiries, the result of which was the entire corroboration of the foregoing statements. Among others who testified to the existence ot this sad state of things was the Rev. Kutherford Waddell, who mentioned one or two cases which he had personally 'investi gated. " One was that of a widow lady living m Maclaggan street. She was employed by one of the factories at the work of finishing moleskin trousers, for which she received .2d per pair. On being interrogated as to how many pairs she could do m a day, she answered seven, but she said she had not been long working at this business, and other women more skilled m the work could make more. It was only by hard work working about 12 hours a day — that she could earn from 2s to 2s 6d 1 She would not have been able to live had it not been that the house she occupied was her own. She was a woman of good education, and notwithstanding the long hours she worked she found time for a little-reading. Bhe generally used to read for half an hour or so before Bhe went to bed — such authors as George Macdonald and Edna Lyal, besides which she took great delight m reading Milton's poems. Mr Waddell said this was only one instance of many similar cases. The recognised price for the factories to pay for finishing woollen shirts, for instance, was only Is 6d per dozen, a little more being given for Crimean shirts, the factory providing the thread and buttons." Referring to this the " Times " shows that the rate above-mentioned is lower even than that paid m Glasgow, where "m the ' sweating ' revelations recently made, it oame out that- the price paid for finishing moleskin trousers was 2£d," as against the still more miserable rate of 2d m Dunedin ! It goes on to say : « "We have since heard of a case where a poor woman went to one of the managers of a manufacturing establish ment and asked for work. The manager said he could give her nothing to do at that time, but advised her to call again, She afterwards offered to do work at a rate a little cheaper than the other hands employed, so that she might be enabled to earn some money. The offer was accepted, and immediately after wards the manager went to the other women employed, and told them that they would have to submit to a reduc tion, as he could get the work done at a lower rate." In Ohristchurch matters are not quite bo bad, yet they are bad enough. The " Lyttelton Times " as the result of its enquiries finds that though no facts bo terrible as those recorded by the " Otago Daily Times " have been discovered, stiil " wages m Christchurch are, m some instances, so low as to justifythe term c sweating ' boing applied to mv Hjbtem uudm nbhHtr they are paid." (Jur contemporary says : — " The poor women are, m some places m this city, paid a wage so small that they can, by working their hardest, scarcely earn enough to ' keep body and soul together.' For finishing a pair of trousers the price paid m one establish ment is, our representative was informed, Bd, lOd and Is, according to the quality of the work required. The shilling a pair is paid only for ' orders ' that is, for trousers ' made to measure ' for customers. The ' finishing ' m this in stance includes ' basting ' the garments together for the sewing machine, and, after the latter has done its work,, put ting m pockets, sewing on bottoms, and doing everything not done by machine. When asked how many pairs of trousers a women oould 'finish' m a day, a tailor of long experience replied, ' A pair and a half.' Another said, "By working till ten or eleven every night she could finish two pairs." A woman, who was accounted a good hand at her work, made, at this rate of pay, 12s 6d a week. A less skilful hand would probably not earn morn than 10s weekly. Whether this sura is sufficient to keep her we leave our readers to decide. It must be home m mind that the workers m question are not mere children learn ing the business. They are, many of them, considerably over age. At another establishment, men's ready made suits are turned out at a cost of 80s, for labor, lining, trimmings, and maker's profit, everything, m short, except the tweed. The lowest price at which this can be done, allowing a fair rate of wages, is, according to a gentleman of considerable experience m the business, forty shillings. To refer fa another line of work. A few yearp ago 9s 6d per dozen was the price paid for making men's flannel drawers, the employers finding trimmings, etc. Now 5s is m some cases paid for the same work, and the trimmings, etc., have to be provided by the sempstress. Despite the miser able pay, there is, unfortonately, no lack of applicants for even such poorly re munerated work as that mentioned. It has been said that, were all the women employed m the work m question to leave Christchurch m one day, on the next their places would be filled by a fresh swarm of workers. This is pro bably exaggeration, but there is no doubt that the straggle for existence among these poor toilers is becoming keen— far too keen for a young community like onrs." A ll this is exceedingly sad, and it, is all the sadder that it is hard to see how to devise a remedy. The Ret Mr Waddell condemns the "craving for cheapnesß which prevails nowadays," and appears to think that the remedy would be found m purchasers being contented to give a fair price instead of going from shop to shop to see how little they can get an article for, and the " Lyttelton Times " suggests that " perhaps gome persons who may unthinkinglyhave helped to support this ' sweating system ' by this craving for cheapness may willingly pay a little more for their purchases when they realise that the trifling advantage they derive from buying m the cheapest market has been obtained at the cost of much misery to their fellow-men." But we are not at all hopeful of any reform r being worked m this way to any appre • ciable extent j bope ]ieg rafter m fog'

direction of such measures as will bring about a return of more prosperous times m which the labor of men will be m de mand at a fair wage, and it will be no longer necessary for women to toil for the obtainment of necessary food.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ironworks are being started m Taranaki. Now Zealand oured bacon is now quoted m Sydney at 9d to 9£ per lb. It is _ stated that the amount of English capital invested m the Australian colonies m on« way or another exceeds £300,000,000. The largest known flower ia the rafflesia, a nasire of Sumatra. It measures three feet m diameter, weighs 151 b, and has a calyx hold ing bis quarts. " No, Bir 1 " thundered an irate father — 11 no sir 1 my daughter never can be yours 1 " to whioh the young man quietly replied, " I don't want her to be my daughter; I want her to be my wife. The " Melbourne Age " Bays: — New Zealand is singularly rioh m Btreams that hold mineral salts m solution, and it is surprising that long before this a good export trade m the art'de has not been established. A slight shook of earthquake was felt m Ashburton last evening at 8,19 o'olook. The shook was also felt, m varying degrees of intensity, at Blenheim, Nelson, Wellington, Wanganui, Hokitika, and Timaru. The special reporter of the "Auokland Star" now m Melbourne saya that negotiations with English oolliery proprietors am pro oeeding for the landiug of 150,000 tons of ooal m Melbourne within the next eight weeks. According to the "St James' Gazette," English women drink more than their mothers and grandmothers. The evil is said to be due to grocers' lioenses, whioh enable people to get liquor without going to publio houses for it. According to the " New Zealand Times " Ministers have settled the basis of the abolition of the Publio Workß department, the result being that fifty offioers throughout the colony will be dispensed with at the end I of December, and fifty during the next year. Aooording to " The Mirror " a sensational divorce oase is pending m Sydney. The petitioner is a well-known and highly re speoted M.L.A. Several prominent publia men are mixed up m the affair, and muoh sympathy is felt for the husband, who con siders himself to be aggrieved. It is reported, says a contemporary, that a speoial settlement for New Zealand eaoaped prisoners ia to be formed either m Australia or San Franoisco. Jonathan Roberts is to be president and Badka seoretary. It is proposed to employ discharged gaolers and ex-detect ives as farm hands on the settlement. A little fellow of four years of age went to a blaoksmith'a to see his father's horse shod, and was watching olosely the work of shoeing. The blaoksmith bepan to pare the horse's hoofs, and thinking this was wrong, the little boy said earnestly, " My pa don't want his horse made any smaller. " The Mirror " gives the following as the derivation of two well-known slang terms :— 41 Spieler " is derived from the German spielen (to play), and " magsman " from the old English slang word mag (a oopper). Thus "spieler" simply means a player, and " magsman " a man who looks out for ooppers or " mags." By announcement m oar advertising oolumns the New Zealand Glothing Faotory inform the publio that they have now opened up their stook for the summer season, their manager, Mr Webber, having just returned from Dunedin, where he has selected a great variety of new goods, amongst whioh are some Tory taking novelties. Dr Charles Mftokay, who wrote the words of "Cheer Boys, Oboes." and a whole host of songs that will live as long as tho English language, is dying m poverty, whilst the. author of " Two Lovely BJaok Eyes " tears up bank notes to show how rich he is ; and yet people talk of the discrimination of the great B.P. (British publia). We learn from the "Mail" that on Saturday an Oaroaru gentleman, who went well up the Waitaki River to try his luok, suooeeded ia ,ln.nrKrirr — rvnn* fYQlfafl Wfiiflhk at fluh H<» loot several, amongst wmon was one that he estimated to weigh fully 201bs, whioh took away tha whole of his taokle oloso up to tho reel. Mr Spurgeon tells the story of a gentleman who, on his way home one dark night, was encountered by a foot-pad, with the demand : 11 Money or your life." The gentleman's reply waß ;" I haven't any money ; I have been to a bazaar." The highwayman im mediately recognised the force of the reason ing and made up a subscription for him, In part of the Fiji Islands a husband and a wife, if they wish to meet, must meet m Beoret, a similar secrecy is or was obligatory among the Circassians, and even among the Hottentots. But the African kingdom of Futa bearß off the palm m these respeots, if an old traveller ia to be credited, who assures us that wives there were so bashful as never to let their husbands see them without a veil for three years after their marriage. Referring to the hint tfcat the New Governor of New Zealand may be the wearer of a ducal coronet, the " Post " runs through the list of twenty-one English dukea, and thinks that there are but two who oan be regarded as possibilities. The first is the Duke of Buckingham and Ohandos, who was Seoretary of State for the Colonieß m 1867, and Governor of Madras m 1875. His name has more fian onoe been mentioned as a probable colonial Governor, The other possible is the Huke of St. Albans, whose inoome hag, it ]b believed, suffered severely from the state of affairs m Ireland. The following from the " Pahiatua Star " is worth reoording : •• Last week Mr D. Knight lost a fine ram ; he hunted high and low, and at last discovered the animal on Mr Tuokey's land m. the ftoofe road wildir. The sheep was not visible, but m turning over a monster turnip there wan a « ba ' Irow the inßide; and there tbo Bb»pn waß » muj" surely says a (oontemporary), i s 'an iin deserved reflection on the North leland sheep put when a North Island paper tells us that the class of B took reared there ib so puny and miserable that a full grown sheep can hide underneath a turnip, we are bound to believe it, A London contemporary says :—lf we may believe all that has been said about the " weather plant," a large demand is likely soon to spring up for it. We are told that this wonderful production of nature is a 11 native of Corsica and of Tunis," and that efter " 32,000 trials by men of soienoo " abroad, it is pronounced to be able to indicate by the upper leaves what tho state of the weather will be forty-eight hours m advance, and by the lower ones all obanges m the atmosphere are foretold three days before they ooour. The plant m question is known as the pater-noster pea. The exeoutor m the estate of the late Henry Churton has contributed to the " Wanganui Herald " •• a Btrange but true story " of " how an eßtate waß melted down." In oonoluding he says : — " As regards the Churton College I say it has been a wretohed failure; the Natives never appreciated it. One of the conditioner was that oaoh ohild should pay £10 per annum, but Mr Ohurton never got a penny from any of them. As it ib the college is more of a johuroh than a sohool, being a rendezvous for parsons, Jlay readers, and hangers-on. At present there are only three ohildren attending the sohool, and they would liketo leav* ; but to sustain his reputation as • prinoipal ' of a oollege it is necessary that they should remain for the sake of appearanoe and to keep up the show." Holloway's Ointment and Pills.— Counsel for the delicate.— Those to whom the changeable temperature is a protracted period of trial should seek the earliest opportunity of removing all obstacles to good health. This cooling Ointment, perseveringly rubbed upon the skin, is the most reliable remedy for overcoming all diseases of the throat and chest. Quinsey, relaxed tonsils, sore throat, swollen glands, ordinary catarrh and bronchitis, usually prevailing at this season, may be arrested as soon aB d scoverod, and every sympton banished by Holloway's simple and effective treatment. This Ointment and Pills are highly commended for the facility with which they successfully contend with influenza j they allay m an incredibly short time the distressinc; fever and teasing cough.

There are twelve entries for the Gap Race to be run at the Rink to-morrow evening. Capt Harvey, of the Salvation Army, who has been transferred, left Ashburton by the express train this morning. Ha had an appro priate "send-off," the members of the Army, with the band, accompanying him to the station. The Most Rev the Primate, Bishop Harper, arrived m Ashburton by the express train, being met at the station by the Rev Mr Scott, Messrs G. Jameson, Bland, and others. This afternoon his Lordship consecrated the Anglican portion of the cemetery; and this evening he will give an address at the social gathering m St. Stephen's Sohooloom. To. morrow morning the ohurch will be oon. eeorated. Professor Graham Bell has been directing his attention to the way m whioh deaf mutes are oared for m the United States. He finds that the ratio of increase of deaf mates m America is ont of all proportion to the inorease m the rest of the population, this being due to the faot that they are taken, m the majority of instances, from their families very young, and are placed m asylums, where they beoome acquainted with eaoh other to the exclusion of the rest of the world. The oon sequence is that 95 per oent. of the deaf mutes intermarry, and that already 33 J per cent, of the offspring are born deaf and dumb, and the ratio will go on inoreaßing until, Professor Bell says, an alarming atate of things is reached. A fatal duel between two young ladies haa taken place at Cannes of whioh the " Pall Mall Gasette " furnishes the following par tioulars: — " The two young ladies, who were of good birth and highly esteemed m the town, had fallen m love with the same young man, who was also of good family. Having beoome mortal enemies, the two young ladies resolved to deoide who should be the young man's wife by a duel, whioh was not to termi nate till one of them should be killed or mortally wounded. The duel took plaoe at five o'olook m the morning, the weapona chosen being pistols. The younger lady, only eighteen years old, was wounded m the left arm, the bone of whioh was shattered. Her adversary, four years her senior, was mortally wounded ia the breaat. The tragic event has caused a great sensation. Proper appreciation of whole-wheat bread is expressed m " The London Agricultural Gazette." The writer declares that, taken with pure water or fruit, it supplies every thing necessary for the support of vigorous life. It is a decided error to sacrifice the bran m bread-making. Bran not only oon* tains a oertain amount of nutriment, but, by adding bulk to our food, assists nature m oaußing doily taxation, an essential funotion to all who deßire good health. Good bread should consist, not of bran and white flour, or granulated or decorticated wheat, but of finely-ground wheat— the " whole " meal nothing added, nothing taken away. This, m the opinion of most food reformers, should be the basis of all endeavors to improve the diet of a people who are fast becoming the victims of dyspepsia and kindred disease. The terms of the munificent offer made bj Mr W. W. Taylor at the Jubilee meeting m connection with the Congregational Union held m Melbourne were inoorreotly stated m our cablegrams. Mr Taylor undertook tc contribute £10,000 a year for three years, making m all £30,000, if the congregation found another £30,000, whioh would suffice for the establishment of an affiliated college m the University. A grammar school foi boys and a high school for girls oould b< established for £20,000 a-pieoe. If thest ttere looked upon favorably, h« would b< willing to contribute £10,000 a year for fiv< years, provided the congregation fount £50,000. The offer was heartily aooepted Mr Henry Lee offered £1000 and Mr Mirami £1000 a year for five years, Mr W. Higgim £500 a year for five years, and Mr R O'Donnell £100 a year for the seme period : and other donations were given. SANDER ana SONS' EUCALYPTI EX TRACT. — In protection of the worte\wd< fame our manufacture has acquired all ovei the globe, we publish the following : — Hazard M.D., Professor of General Pathology anc Diseases of the Mind and Nervous System Bay»in_an editorial published m the " Clinioa BeoordT"— * c Wah&ye examined half-a-dozer specimens of djfferelol"~inaTiu£afltures; the preparation of Sander and Sons was the onlj one that proved to be reliable and correspond ing to Boientifio teats." Another conoootioi called " Refined Extraot of Euoalyptus " hai made its appearanoe sinoe. This produo BtandH, according to Dr Owen, foremost h cniiflinar injurious affnnfn. Tihat tcentlemai communicates, at a meeting of tits Aietiiuts Society of Viotoria, that a child living & Fitzroy beoame -most seriously indispo3e< Inrough its use. In another oase a lad; states on the strength of statutory declaration that she Buffered oruelly from the effeots o the same ooncootion. To guard the higl reputation of our manufacture we fee warranted m exposing the above faots, anc deßire the publio to exeroise oare and precau tion when buying SANDER and SONS. (Advt. 7

TINWALD LIVE STOCK MARKET

At the Tiuwald yards yesterday, there were small entries of sheep, bat a large lot of cattle. No fat Bheep were penned. Crossbred hoggets sold at 9a }d, JQs 2d. 10s Gd, lla lid, 12s 6d, 13s 9d ; crossbred ewes and lajjabs, lla 7d, 13a 6d ; merino ewes and lambs, 7o 6d. Prloeß well main tained. Fat covrs and heifera, £3 15s to £5 7a 6d ,* springers, to £5 2i 6d ; mixed lines of eighteen months old stores, 37s to 40s ; dairy oows from 30s to 55a. No improvement In any ql»bb of o»ttla.

A REAL TREASURE ISLAND

Me R. L. Stevenson may take a back ■eat. A "Real Treasure T a l*nd " baß oome on the tapis, It seems that m the year 1823, daring a revolution In Per a, a nnmbßr of wealthy oitz^na of Lima combined to charter a brig of 300 tons, on which they plaged their treaiqre to * X " amount of " iwo mllllooa ste^- „Jn '{? and mnoh pl.te'. .^ £$& ?? wlo/ lui). The Intention was to send mis enormous wealth to Spain for safety : bnt an Englishman — a lleatenant In the Peruvian Nayy — hearing of the matter, went on board with a ohoseu band and cot out the brig within hail of a man-of war. Thla daring young man steered right aoroas the Peoifio and burled the tieasure on one of the Marianne Islands, and then made a course for Honolulu, but on the way quarrels broke oat, and the lieutenant, two of hia officers, and a oabln bny set fire to the ehfp and got ioto a small boat, leaving their mates to burn comfort ably on the larger vessel One of the officers was then murdered and the oabln boy sent aa emissary to the lieutenant's lady-love, who, however, refused to have anything to say to him. The sole remaining offioei (then m England) now hired a ■mall schooner and prooeeded 1o the treasure Island, but on the way out the chief was tipped overboard by the captain of the vessel, who had been let into the seoret. The captain of the ship now dapped the sole remaining pirate, and only man who knew where the treasure was hid, m Irons, and hailed a passing brig, told the oaptain the story, and proposed they should hunt for and divide the treasure, giving the surviving pirate a share on the con dition that he should point out the spot. They asked him If ho would point out the spot, and he nodded ; if this was the Inland Cpolnting to the nearest), and he again nodded. They invited him to step into a boat which had been lowered, and to guide them to the treasure. With a peculiar look he consented. He went below to fetch his batohet, he said, but while In his oabln filled his pockets with lead, and then oomlng on deck smiled at his eiptors, and before they oould prevent him jumped overboard and was drotrDed, This sulolde put- an end to the "Trea sure Hunt," for all dues were apparently destroyed. Whatever may be thought of this extraordinary story, It Is beyond question that an English oaptain, who aweara he has the due, set out at the beginning of tha present year to hunt for the treasure hidden sixty years ago m the Coral Islands of the North Pacific Bla ship wns run away with while be was on land at some port, and has not been j heard of since. The oaptain is now m London trying to get up a venture to hunt , fo( tbli eporjuoncj wetHh, ,

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION J Auckland, October 23 Borne comment has been caused m respeot to a lad named Gordon, who was brought before the Police Court a few days ago on a charge of stealing sacks. ;-e was sentenoed to twenty-four houra 1 imprisonment, and on the following day committed to the Industrial School ; but it has since transpired thit the mother of the boy is m good circumstances, and did not wish him sjut to the school, and she i intends to apply that he be realised from that institution Wblmngton, Ootober 23 Some time ago about ten tons of stone was taken out of Peraeverance Mine, Tera whiti, and forwarded to Sydnoy to be tested. Colonel McDonald, Chairman, of Directors, has received a telegram that all the returns of the stuff were unpayable Dunkdi^ Ootober 23 It is understood there ii every probabi lity of the threatened strike of the mem bers of the Seamen's. Onion being averted ' by a compromise. Negotiations for a settlement have been oarried on for the past few days, and these are likely to be, successful.

WAKANUI RIVER DISTRICT.

A meeting of the ratepayers In the Wakanui River District w*a held m the aohoolroom, Wakanat, on Monday even* Ing, to consider the question of raising a loan for protective purposes. Mr Jab Brown waß voted to the ohalr. He stated that as Chairman of the Board he had do oplalon to express on the ques tion. The Board had resolved, on the motion of Mr Thomas, to hold this meet ing. Personally he would prefer borrow ing money at 5 per cent nnder the "Government Loaus to Looal Bodlpj Aot, to paying a heavy annual rate. He presumed that Mr Thomas would have some proposition to lay before the meet ing. Mr E. Thomas said that from close ob nervation of the river he had come to the conclusion that the annual raie would be insufficient to do any effectual good— in faot It would be little short of throwing money away. The land at the present time was washing away at a fearful rate, riuob. banks as the Board were going to ereot would last but a ahort time. He had no motion to propose and would like 10 hear what others had to say, Mr dole said that he ezpeoted the Board would have had something definite to lay before the meeting. Since they hed not, he would venture to propose " That this meeting strongly objeot to borrowing money for protective works." He was not opposed to borrowing money on the favorable terms mentioned by the Chairman, if he was sure thai It would be economically expended, but he was not sure about that ; besides, he thought the olasslfioatloa was not all that it ought to be He would oppose borrowing money until he knew how it was to be expended, and In what proportion the parties bene fited would have to be rated to baok the loan. The motion was seconded by Mr Max well, who tt ought that the Board should attend to the overflow only, sad let every one protect his own land from being washed away. «. Mr Leatham was muoh of the flame opinion as the last speaker. He was one of the earliest settlers m the district. The river- had been making continual en* croaobment m the direction of Mr S, Brown's. In times past it enproached on tuaaook land, but the, owner did not live m the district, and m oonsequeoca not so much notloe was taken of it. But when It came Into oaltlvated paddocks and washed away the land, In spite of the effort q of the owner to prevent It, muoh qolbb wa.B made. He thought a bank to stop the overflow was all that was wanted, for It the? protected Mr S. Brown's land fro'^H^nff washed away, he oould see no reason why settlers farther flown the river — whose land was washing away just as quickly as Mr Sam Brown's— should not be protected as well. Mr Olephane was also opposed to bor rowing money ; he bellbved it would be squandered. When they had to put their hands m their pockets and poll the money oat at once, it awakened the vigilance of the ratepayers, and made them keen orltioa of all that went on about the river j but if they got the money easily, es a loan, they would quietly go to sleep and awaken up and have a good growl after it would be too late 60 remedy their own Impr'ovldenoe, Mr Hill oould not understand the last speaker. Mr Olephane was a member of the Board, and if he did his duty he (Mr Hill) did not think there was any more fear of the loan being badly spent than the rates. He would support a loan, be* cause it appeared to him to be sound economy to do so. Why should they burden themselves to the last straw for a few years, with .the coat of what he thought, and hoped would be for the benefit uf the next generation I He thought the supporters of the motion were standing to their own light He would oppose the motion. Mr Da*ld Wilson wou ia oppose the motion, and sal* '.hat If [the Board were going to *- 0 an ythlng they should borrow "Ziotej and do something substantial at once. He would advooate borrowing about £1000 to be expanded In some sub stantial groins. Nothing else, m his optnlon, wonld ever save the district, Mr McDowell said groins were of no übb, and to bnild groins would be only throwing money a^ay. He asked why did the Board not proteot the banks Tie bad 3een works on the Orarl superior to groins and thought if suoh proteotlve works were elected here they would rave the baoka and be muoh better than groins, Mr M. Wilson would oppose the motion. He thought it was of no uee to build banks alone. The Board would have to pay Mr 8. Brown for his land. The continual purchasing of land — at least giving compensation — would, he thought, be more expensive than putting m a groin or two. In replying to questions the Chairman stated the amount that had been expended on the river. He did not know what compensation the Board would have to give Mr S, Brown. That was a very im portant question. Public bodies were looked upon as fair game, and had generally to pay sweetly for interfering with private property. He thought a loan would be the best, and that it would be just as carefully expended as the rates. The whole matter rested on what was proposed to be done with the money — the nature of the works— and the classification of lands. Mr Cole'i motion was then put to the met ting and carried by one rote. Mr Thomas said the Chairman had a vote, and also a casting vote, , The Chairman declined to exercise his vote under the circumstances, and declared the motion carried. On the motion of Mr Thomas, seconded by Mr Wilson, a vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman, and the meeting adjourned.

THE EARTHQUAKE.

(Per Press Association,) Batobra, Ootober 24. The earthquake last evening was felt severely here, bat no damage was done. Time, 8.17. Direction, west to east. PATEA, Ootober 24 There was rather a severe shock of earthquake last night at 8.18, lasting 47aeca. Direction wave east and west. No damage is reported. Marton, October 24. A pretty heavy^ shook of earthquake was felt here laet night at twenty minutes past eight. WoomrrxLß, October 24. A heavy shock of earthquake was ex« pacieDo9d at a quarter past eight last night. TnuRU, Ostobev 24. The earthquake was felt here as a slight shock.

MELBOURNE EXHIBITION.

FURTHER AWARDS,

(PBE PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Wellington, Ootobef 23. Sir James Heotor oabl;s from Mel bourne to the Aotlng Executive Oommli alonoc here that the following awirds have been made to New Zealand exhibi tors of alimentary products :— * Oats— J. T. Meek, Oamaru, Ist; the NZ Loan and Mercantile Agency Com pany, 2nd. Barley.— N.Z. and Australian tund Company, Ist and 2nd ; A. G. Fall. Ploion, 3rd. ' Tares— J. Grlgg, Longboaoh 2ad. Kyegrass Seed— F. Sntton, 'i\\ ;?nbury f lat ; N,Z. apd Australian Land Company, 2nd. Oooksfoot— Wi McKeever, Normiraby, lsti Potatoes— Hon, Matthew . Holmes. Osmarn, Ist.

THE PANAMA CANAL

ITS FAILURE PREDICTED.

The London oorreapondent.^of -stha 11 Otago Dally TimeH " write* :— the onoh In the Panama Canal lobeme Is said to be approauhltig very rapidly. 1 The final collapse has been temporarily postponed by the authorisation of a lottery loan by the Frenoh Government, though without any guarantee of responsibility by the State. A vast cash investment of about £50,000,000, drawn mostly from the> savings of the Frenoh poor and middle olasoes, wlli be utterly wiped.out when the Inevitable end comes ; and • terrible blow will have been Infildted oh the Frenoh nation. There is said to be no hope for the enterprise, unless one ov more of the great powers outside Fiance oome to its relief, a thing which *he united States Government might not approve of, Inasmuch aa all the pltm are prepared for the Nfqaragnan Oanal aoheme, whloh would be parried out under the direct sanction of the WashJngtott Government.

CRICKET.

LAUBISTON V METHVE&

A match was played between the Methven and Laurißton Clubs on Saturday last resulting m an easy win for the Methven Glob. The wind was very boißterons, and was very much against tho bowlers. For the Methven dub, -Means Oompton and Baker did some quick run getting, while A. Dent for Lauriaton hit very freely. J. Bendereon took four wickets m the last over of the Lamlston second innings. The following ware the. BCorea :— Methves.— -First innings, Oompton 4a Baker ... , ,„ 21 Aynßley ... & E. P. Chapman ... ... 15, Alington ... ... .„ 17 Bands , Mt 15, J. Henderson... ... ... 13. A Henderson , ... 12 •" Kemp ... ... ,. t ti . 9 Gillanders .10 W. P. Chapman ... ... 5 Byes ... ... ... 16 Widea ... ... ... a Total ... ... ... JJJ"* IT Laubhton.— lst 2nd' . innings innings S. Smith ... ... 0 0 W. Pierce ... ... 0 0 j F. Capon 0 2 T.Denfc 2 7 ' A. Dent 21 . 20 W. Grant 5 1 Johnston ... ... 0 0 Kime... ,„ ... 12 5 Pierce ... ... 8 0 Pipe ... ... ... 0 5 Warnock 3 0 Byes ... ... 12 8 Totals ... ... 63 4&

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN.

(per press association.)

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Sydney. Ooiober 23. Parliament was opened hy his Ex cellency the Governor this afternoon. In the Speech from the Throne his Excellency said that the proposal for the establishment of an Agricultural College and experimental farms would be submitted for the consideration of members, and a Bill would also be m! -! troduced giving Government power to arrange for the construction of irriga tion works. He mentioned that although it was not intended to enter into discussion on any large measure?,, a Bill would be brought m providing for reform of the electoral system, and another to establish local government. These the Government confidently hoped would be passed early next year. He said that it afforded him much pleasure to announce that there was a marked improvement m the revenue of the colony, as members would see from the Treasurer's report, which would.be delivered before the end of the month.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

Adelaide, October 23* The Committee of the Legislative Council have had under consideration the Chinese Restriction Bill. The tonnage limitation of Chinese emigra sion to the Northern Territory has been reduced to one Chinaman for every fifty tons. The clause preventing Chinese travelling from one colony to another without a permit was struck out. ' In his report on the defences of the colony, Major-General Downes, com mandant of the military forces, says that owing to the low conditions of the reserves they are quite unreliable, and he recommends that the compulsory clauses compelling men between the ages of twenty and twenty-four to serve m the active militia for three years should be rigidly enforced; and after wards they should be compelled r to remain m a reserve corps until attain* ing the age of thirty.

SDHE ASHBUBION GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 24, 1888



THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN. From and after the 80th November, 1886, the terms of Subscription to this journal will be as follows, viz. : — IT PAID IN ADVANCE Per Quarter.. 6b 6d by post, 9a 6d Half-year 12s 6d, by post, 18b 6d Year .. 24s Od, by post, 87a Od 17 BOOKED Per Quarter.. 7s 6d, by post, 10a 9d „ Half-year 15b Od, by post, 21s 6d „ Year .. 80s Od, by post, 43s Od Birtn, Marriage, and Death Notioes, if paid ior at the izne of insertion] 2b 6d eaob 1 (stamps may sent as payment) if booked, ; 4s eaoh. DIARY . Moon's Ootober Sun Sun Moon Moon age at Rises Sots. Rises Bets, noon; p.m. a.m. 22 Monday .. 457 6.30 8.37 0.24 16 23 Tuesday .. 4.66 6.31 9.34 6.53 17 84 Wednesday.. 4.64 0.32 10.30 7.28 18 25 Thursday .. 4.53 G. 34 11.24 8.7 10 26 Friday.. .. 4.62 6.35 * * 850 20 a.m. 27 Saturday ... 460 6.56 0.14 9.40 21 28 Sunday .. 4.49 fl;38 I 0.58 10.31 22 j Moonlight Evenings. The Moon at 3 days old shines till about 8 o'olook. The Moon at 6 days old ebines till about half-past 10 o'olook. The Moon at 8 days old shines till nearly o'olook 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 full, 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 24 days old rises about 2 a.m. and shinesii 11 morning The Moon at 27 days old rises about 4 a.m. and shines till sunrise.



Wild dogs ate causing great trouble m the Masterton distrtot. The best Remedy for Indigestion. — Norton's Camomile Pills are confidently recommended as a simple remedy for indiges* tion, which is the cause of nearly all the diseases to which we are subject. Norton's Pills, with justice called the "natural strengthener of the human stomach," act as a powerful tonic and gentle aperient, are mild m their operation, and safe under auy circura* tances Sold m bottles at Is ijd, 2s gd t 4s, by all mediciaeivendors. thioughoutlthe world



Ri All sufferers from I^^Mai*!^^ Wi Bunions should They srivt eaae l^j^^M^Sj generally W'l^BlyJiwjj onringr m a few R'flfffijHffii days. Ba^tllgiK] met Is lid per tox, of all Oaimists. 22, GE H&TON SOTbIBKEWIEAD, ENG, QUOD FAOIMUS VALDE iJ-ACIMUi (" What wo do wa do well.'') TtfBOHRISTOaUBOHDBNTAL außGßiisr, 168 Oashel Street, Christ chaich, next Robin- eon'fl Boot Store, and ab the Octagon, Dune.Ua. All operations at etictly uniform and moderate Fees. Consultation free. 8. MYERS~AND CO., SUBGEON DENTISTS. WIXM^EET" 2 WITHQUTTEtTH NITBOU3 OXIDE GAB administered! This Aneß3thetlc leaves no unpleasant effects, ar.d by its nse tbe cx f .ractio' of Bad Stamps and Teet'a is rendered perfectly PainleßS aad Effective. Adminiatered daily. Fee for ad- ministration of Gas, 53 Extraction. 2a 6d a tooth. Hours of attendance, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Private residence, 93 East Bolt. The acknowledged superiority of AMERI- CAN DENTIBTR7 m the construction of Artificial Teeth, the* most finished workman- ship, and replacing the lost teeth Tf.M- JTOBARILY ALMOST MMKDIATtsLY after extraction, have established our reputation. A single Artificial Tooth, 10a , complete Bet. Upper and Lower, Temporary and Permanent, £10 103 \ Artificial Teeth and Dentures made by other den tuts remodelled »t small cost. StODDing, Scaling, Pertect and Painlcs. 8 1 G



Wanted OODSEKEEPER requires situation Jti. Apply F,M, Poso Office, Aehbur ton. 10 173 *» "A\rAN'iED ABB : Btant Dressmakers VV Apply atorce Miss ALCoRtf, ArcaHe C umbers, 10 190 \NTHD To Let. — Four-ronn>ed v ' Bouee with tin f sere o f ground also Two-roomed houee with half -acre of ground. — H. M. Jones TTT ANTED by h. Young Man work on a VV Sheep Station for a few weeks. - Address, stating wnges, to 'J J," "Guardian" Office.  10J18S VtTANIEP Known — Mrs Merch, W Dressmaker, list returned fiom Sidney, and re -commenced business m Faunders' Buildings, next MrR. Alcorn'B. 10 78 \S"ANTF-D Six smart Boye for the VV Flax Mill. Apply at once to Jephsox and Moore, Tinwatd 10 179 SHEEP sRE&KP, 11 A'e, BB A'b, and BB*>Z'e; and genuine Turkey Btones. — Robert iLCORW, SaunderB 1 Building*. WA-.i'Rß Known — Andrew Orr has opened his Seoond Ship- ment of high-o)a*> Drapery, Clothing, and Boots, ex Tongarlro. The very latest London fashions. 10 182 \\/ AIS TED Known— Andrew OrR Is W showing beautiful Embroidered Robes, Oor»e v .s, new dress Goods, Ladlre* trimmed Hats and Bonnets, Ribbons, Flowers, acd Feathers. 10 183 WANTED) Cash, — Mulr's Oatmeal (251 b), 2a 6d; Candles, sd ; Vestas, 5d dois. ; Ooflfee and Milk, la ; Oocoa and Milk, Is ; Corn Flour, 4d ; Fruits m Syrap (21b tins), Is. Crockery j Glassware, and Ironmongery. — J. Mo* Qreoor, Tanored street MRS ADAMS has removed to Saun- derB 1 Buildings, opposite Railway Station. Crewel Silks, Wools, and Fancy Oooda of every description kept m stook. Agent for Eclipse Dye Works. Registry office for Servants. 10 92 j WANTED Known— Andrew Orr is showing s, grand display of Ash- burton, Kalapol, Boslyn, aod Worsted Tweeds for salts. Suits to measure from £3 10a. 10 184 "TT/ ANTED Known —J. Orr and Co VV are now showing Ladies' and Children's Artistic Millinery m Great Variety. WANTED Known— We are now showing a splendid assortment of Summer Millinery and Drapery, at very low prices. — H. O. Segers, Mcl ford House. WANTED Kocwn— That Mrs Bill, Monthly Nurae, has removed from Peter Street to Dr Trevor's house, In Moore Street., 10t39 "YT7"aNTED Known.—J. Obr and Co VV are now showing the Leading Novelties m Ladies' Mantles, Jackets, and Dust Cloaks, ANTED Known— The best and cheapest house for Wedding cut- fits, Family Mourning, Woollen Dresses, Silk Mercery, and General Fancy Goods, Is Andrew J'rr's. 10 185 OOTS. BOOTS.— Keep the feet dry and save dootor'a bills. Quality is everything m bad weathor. I gnarantee every pair. Boat value m New Zealand v Ashburton Clothing Mart, Sanndora' Buildings. — Rorbrt Aloorn. WANTED Known.— J. Obr and Co are now shewing a large assort- ment of Ladies' Embroidered Robea from 10b 6d. STOCKINGS — 700 pairo u£ I/nO; co «.~J Cliildren's earn pie Hoso juat opened (landed under the old Tariff.) All quality to be sold cheap during our sale. — H. C. Hkgers, Mcl ford House WANTED Known ~J. Orr and Co are now showing a Large Afßortment of Feathers, Flowers, Ribbons Laceß, Gloven, &c. 10! 102 WANTED Known.— J. Orb and Co invite Lai ieß to inspect their large and varied assortment of Summer Dress Materials. Over one thousand pieces to ■eleot from WANTED to sell cheap, or let, section 337, Moore street, with 4-roomed house and good garden ; Blacksmith's shop thereop. Blacksmith's tools for sale. Also, aeotlon at Trevorton, opposite Mr Mayo's. — Apply H. Dudley, Moore Street. 10 Ig9 WANTED Known— We are now shewing a grand assortment of Trimmed and Untrimmed Hats and Bonnets. The largest Stock to choose from m town, and the oheapest house.— H. O. Skobrb, Melford House. "Tl /"ANTED everyone to know that VV J. 0. Duncan is a Land Broker, licensed to prepare and register Transfers, Mortgages, Encumbrances, Leases, Regis- tration Abstracts, Powers of Attorney, Applications to bring Land under the Act, Bad every description of instruments under the Land Transfer Act. — J. O. Duncan, Arcade, Ashburton. 10J101 WANTED Known. — J Orr and Co's Drapery Department Is under new management. Prices of the Whole Stock have been revised and reduced to such a point aa will command a speedy sale. Summer 1888. Latest JNovelties IK ALL DEPARTMENTS, NOW ON VIEW AT 2HK NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. Everything New. New Shirts. New Underclothing, New Ties, Few Hate, New Suite for Boys, New Suits j for Men, Everything New and of the LATEST FASHIONS. , See oar Windows, and jadge for yourselves. ENCOURAGE LOCAL INDUSTRY | AND IDT FROM TH£ Kew Zealand Clothing Factory. I W. H. WEBBER,



Public Notices. M°OaLLUM & CO. BAY >'Q A L'ROTC -.TOOK OF j:\ewcab-tie vOa. On hand we beg to acMee oor Customers ttut we have reduced the price for cash to Per Tod ... 60s Peri Ton 25f} 6d Perl-Ton 13s I WE HAVE ALSO W«fp»t and Malyern Coal IN STOCK MALVERN WEBTPOBT Per Ton, 22s 6d 45s Half-Ton, lla 6d 23s Quarter-Ton 6s 12s WEIGHT OTABANTEED. bookjngTextra. McOallum and Co. 10*161 Frozen Meat •\l/E are prepared to make LIBERAL YV ADVANCES on Frozen Meat piaoed m oar hands for sale m the Home Markets. Messes Mtlbs Bbos., etc,, our London Agents, give epecial attention to this business, and have been successful m obtaining the Highest prices. SHIPPERS CAN DEPEND ON LIBERAL ADVANCES, PROMPT SETTLEMENT, SEPARATE ACCOUNT SALES From the moment that Stock are delivered at the Freezing Works or m the railway trucks to our order we undertake responsibility of Shipping and payment of all local charges, Freight, Insurance, etc., thuß relieving shippers of all trouble and loss of time. MILES & CO., Chriatchurch. GEORGE JAMESON, Agent, g7l . Aahbnrton and Rak»!a* Wool Wool Wool SEASON 1888 89. TUT 1 L E S~"~A N O 0 O. Are prepared to make Liberal CASH ADVANCES, At a low rate of Interest, on the ensuing CLIP OF WOOL, Placed m their hands for Sale here or for shipment to MILES BBOS. AND CO., LOND N No Commission charged on Advance* and no Commission charged for offerir;* Wool here unlesß a Sa c id effected. Periodical Sales wi'l be held during ♦*■' Season at Mr Geo. Jameson's comnv>dioa and convenient Stores, West Street, J. T. FORD, Auctioneer. GEORGE JAMESON, Agent, 9 70 Ashburton and Ba>:aia. Friedlander Prime Oam ru Derwent Potatoes Skin Sales, WE HOLD 2 OBTNIGHTLY SALES or SKINS THROUGHOUT THE hEASON ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:— July 27tb, August 10th and 24th September 7th and 21st, October sth and 19th, November 2nd, 16tb, and 30th Wool Wool Wool Shason, 1888-89. We. are prepared to make LIBERAL GASH ADVANCES ON THE ENSUING CLIP OF WOOL Placed m our hands for sale. Onr Premises being well lighted afford special advantages for displaying WOOL. No Commlislon charged on advances and no Commission charged for offering WOOL unless a sale Is effected, WOOL PACKS AT LOWEST CURRENT RATES. FBIEDLANDER BROS.,' PETER WILLIAMS, £35 Auctioneer, BALES OF HOBSES, PIGS, CATTLE, PRODUCE, *FURNI7JRE o^ BATUBDAY& S/TOCK SALE.S ON TUESDAYS. BAKAIA MOSTHLY bALK- tf'iarsdav of the Month FKIKJ#LA.M>ER BROS. X-VH* rt -L-lAMfc,