The Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 1890. LOSS OF POPULATION.

New Zealand is losing population rapidly. During the past few years there has been a constant outflow— intermittent, but none the less sure. Last month 1850 persons left bur shores for other fields more enticing, and there were only 990 arrivals. Apro portion of those who have left, as well ;is a, proportion of those who arrived, represent the regular going and com ing of population between the several colonies and the Home Country; but, as a colony, it would be sheer folly on the part of New Zealand to shut her eyes to the ugly fact that the majority who leave her shores do so with the intention of permanently severing their connection with us. What is the cjiu.so of this exodus 1 Js it be caii!-(i Mnv Zeal.-uul lands jut not E'ii-tilf, because the climate is unhealthy, l)cc."»s(j there is nothing in the colony to make id uUr.'ictive as ;i permanent homo suitable for all tiie requirements of nineteenth century civilisation? Certainly not! On nil hands New Zealand if. acknowledged to buone of the most fertile countries under thesun. The climate is unsurpassed, and, although only* jiffcy years of settlement can be boasted of, our educational, social, and commercial institutions arc little be hind those of older countries, and in many particulars are distinctly in ad vance. What, th(»n, is wrong, and who is at fault, that capital and labor alike forsake our shores as though the colony had become plague-stricken ? Common sense can only suggest one reply to such a query, and that is that the colony lias been shamefully mis governed—that its welfare has been sacrificed to serve the intcresis of a class of land monopolists whose earth liungeil is insatiable. .A statesman like conception of a Public Works Scheme was entered upon in the early days witU tho intention of providing

for the requirements of a teeming popu lation of the Anglo-Saxon race. Roads, railways, bridges, schools were scattered from one end of the land to the other, and at the present moment the country is really well opened up. But the settlers are few. Railways and roads run for miles along the borders of vast estates in the hands of single indivi duals and loan and agency companies ; and only here and there can a batch of small settlers be met with. The object of the Public Works Scheme was to carry settlement into the country, but it has not been done. Those who have had the spending of borrowed millions have opened up the country, but at the same time have bought up the land in large blocks wherever facilities for carriage of wool or grain was provided, so that country capable, of providing for the wants of hundreds of industri ous families now lies in the hands of the few. A sparse settlement of the coun try necessarily means a small popula tion in the towns, and- would-be settlers, unable to obtain land, are compelled to go elsewhere, and trades people and artisans are following them. That appears to be the reason why people are leaving New Zealand. But, as all the good land has not yet been sold or bartered away by the State, it may be asked: Why not profit by the bitter experience of the past, and adopt stringent measures in the future to provide for close settle ment of the land by the people 1 To this only one reply can be given: The present Government is so com pletely hemmed in by supporters whose interests lie in the direction of large holdings that it is powerless to adopt any other policy than to allow those who have already more than ■ enough, to acquire more. In the settlement of America wiser counsels prevailed. The laborer was placed on an equality with the capitalist, and the land was given away to -those who would cul tivate it. Every man who was willing to work could get land whereon to settle, and the outcome has been one of the most successful efforts known to mankind of transforming a wilderness into a garden of cultivation. No such advantages are to be had in New Zealand. Labour without capital is of no use in this colony, and even labour and small capital combined cannot succeed in making headway, the gambling process by which the public estate is doled out preventing men willing to settle from getting upon the land. Dummyism and mis representation have been the curse of New Zealand in the past, and .unless colonists bestir themselves will be its curse in the future. No wonder popu lation is leaving pur shores with such a history as this to look to ; but should our present serious drainage of popu lation result in arousing the people to the urgent necessity for pushing on settlement—even if the public estate is given away to bona tide settlers— our present misfortune may prove to bo the best thing that has ever happened to the colony.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Prince Bismark is worth £400,000. A fibre of silk one mile long weighs twelve grains. Ireland spends £5,000,000 a year on whisky. There are 3000 pore 3 in a square inch of vine leaf. In Japan every body smokes—including the women. Prize Condensation —Sketch accepted ; cheque euclosed. The Princess of Wales i 3 considered to be one of tho finest amateur piano players in England. The mutton-bird "take" in the adjacent islands is the best for years past—not far short of 100,000 birds. The Midland Railway Company's repie scutative at Springfield is a son of Sir Charles Clifford, a former Speaker of the House of .Represent itivest Dr Beaney, of Melbourne, has been re quested by tiie Royal Vaccination Commis sion, sitting .in London, to proceed home and give evidence, but he is unable to get away. It is considered very probable that the proposal to tax bachelors, which is finding much favour iv Victoria at present, will he earned into affect. The Czar's repugnance to Parliaments is reported to be giving way under the belief that the establishment of a Parliament would put an end to the attempts ou his life. ■ ' '• It I put my money into the savings bank," said Pat, " when can I draw it out again?" "Oh," answered his fellow-countryman, "if you put it in to-day you can get it out to morrow by giving a fortnight's notice." Allen Robertson, who disappeared mys teriously from JNarracoote, S.A., several weeks ago, has been found in a dying con dition in a hut near Kingston. He had had nothing to eat for 24 days. In connection with the women suffrage question- a correspondent points out that there are forty lady clerks in the Chicago Post Office, and adds:—This is the true: sphere of woman—looking after the "males."" A New York editor is trying to decide which is proper, "I saw an opera" or "I heard an opera." If he sat behind the regulation size bonnet, the latter term is correct. It-is stated that Captain Baldwin paid £9,000 for the "New Zealand Times." Its size has been reduced to four pages of nine columns each. It is now practically the same size as the " Post." fimiii Abdurrahman Khan of Afghanistan has issued an official order opening to Russian caravans, not only the towns of Afghanistan but even the city of Herat. Hitherto com merce in Central Asia lias been closed to the world. A Shropshiro ewe, belonging to Mr Blake man, Haywood Land Farm, Market Dray ton, gave birth recently to the unprece dented number of seven l.unbs. Four were b'jrn a!i\i:, but the other three were dcid w lien lambed. The Australian N'alivt-; l\:rm;uK!iil Uuild mg S.iciely hell uspecial mcuiingonlho sth instant, ut Melbourne, and decided to go into liquidation. The present debit balance is .CSUUO, and business could only be carried on, at present, nuclei' a loss of WOO. The bo.-s potato of all has been grown by Mr Hugh CuH'Jii, of Willowby. It is a Dement, and weighs wiUiin half an oiijioo of iivo pounds '. l)o betlor who^ may. Tho potato is on view at Uie fchop of Mr .Scily, mxhl.-uihii. Tho Almanaeh do (lotha. is over a century and a quarter old. When it was- fr.st is,;uo 1, among its collection of sovereignties writto i up, there were only three republics, Switzer land, San Marino, and Andorra, while to day, out of Us total of lifty-eight States mentioned, twenty-six aro republics.

Entries for the Skating Rink Champion shir) close this evening. We are informed that the damage to the culvert on the Town Belt near Winter's road corner only occurred on Friday night, and that the repairs were made by Foreman Spicer for the Council on Saturday morning before eleven a.m., as soon ; as the damage was reported. The germ of that plague to farmers, rnst in wheat, is (says the "Waikato "Times") evidently very much alive in Waikato, for we hear of cases in which a few grains of an affected crop have fallen to the ground, germinated, and are now springing up red with rust. - Not a propitious foreboding for the next season. - A peculiar shipping case is being tried at Adelaide. The captain of a vessel just arrived from America seeks to deduct from the wages of the crew one day's pay,'which he states was lost by passing the . 180 th meridian. He says the arrangement exists in other ports, and the voyage back will equalise matters. ; In explanation of the hatred exhibited by Russia towards Prince Ferdinand of Bul garia, it is stated by a recent visitor to that country that he has lifted, it into commercial prominence, built railroads, opened harbors, founded schools, and raised the whole level of industrial and social life in that princi pality. Moreover, he has conciliated the respect and loyal affection of nineteen twentieths of his people.' In a word, he has done everything which he onght to have left undone la the eyea of Russian spies and con spirators. The remains of Stephen Langton, Arch bishop of Canterbury, have been recently exhumed in the Cathedral of that city, where they have lain 672 years. Nog only were the features of that famous prelate dis tinguishable, but a beautiful and unique, collection of episcopal vestments, with ring, staff, mitre, chalice, and paten, was found in the' stone coffin, and have been plaoed among the treasures of the Cathedral library. This was the Langton whosenames heads the list of the barons enumerated in the Great Charter by King John. It has been arranged, to hold a nice meet ing at Cairnbrae,' similar to that held the last two years, on Friday next, June 20th. A very fair course has been secured, and in spite of the short notice some very good fun is anticipated. The entries for the Hunters' Race close on Thursday night. The ; money value of the prizes is small, arid, as hitherto, it is thought that genuine sport will be obtained. Horses entered for the Hunters' Race will be debarred from entering in the Hack Steeplechase. ' A number of friends met after the service on Sunday evening at the Rakaia Presbyte rian Church to bid farewell to Mr David Johnston, who is leaving for Richmond, i Christchurch. Mr Johnston was presented ' with a handsome Bible and a copy of "Church Praise." The Rev P. J. Riddle | made the presentation, and spoke in feeling terms of the good work Mr Johnston has done in connection with the church and Sunday school; of which latter institution he has been superintendent for the last few years. Mr Johnston carries with him the | good wishes of a large circle of friends, and he will be greatly missed in connection with church work in Rakaia, Mr W.H. Levy, who is blind, says in his book, "Blindness and the Blind,' that he] can tell when he is opposite an object, and can perceive Avhether it is fall or short, slender or bulky. He can also determine j whether it be a solitary object or a continuous fence ; whether a close fence or an open one, and sometimos whether., a wooden fence, a stone wall, or a hedge. None of the five senses has anything to do with this per ceptive power, but the impressions arc made on the skin of his face, and by it transmitted to the brain. He therefore name 3 this unrecognised sense '' facial perception." Tiie presence of a fog interferes with facial perception, and makes the impressions faint and untrustworthy; but darkness is no impediment. A noise which distracts the attention interferes with the impressions. In passing along the street he can distinuish shops from private houses and doors from windows, if the windows consist of a number of panc3, and not of a single sheet of glass. The torchlight procession to-morrow night promises to be a very brilliant affair, the Fire Brigade having spared neither time, money, nor exx^ense to make it a thorough success, the one element of uncertainty being the weather. Given fair anil quiet weather the success of the turnout goes without saying. All the engines are to be in \i?e, all well horsed, and gaily decorated, thanks to Foreman Nookes' taste and energy, aud the assistance given him by his fellow firemen. The procession will start from the Fire Brigade Station, proceeding down Burnett street to the Belt, along the Belt into Tancrcd street, up Tancred street to William street, along William street to Moore street, up Moore street and along liist street, in which the great display of fireworks will take place. The display over, the "social" at the Oddfellows' Hall will begin. The best medicine known is SANDER and SONS' ECUCALPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent powerful effects in cougha, colds, influenza, etc.—the relief is instantaneous. Thousands give the most gratifying testi mony His Majesty the King of Italy, and medical syndicates all over the globe, are its patrons. Read the official . reports that accompany each bottle. We have no occa sion to offer rewards in proof of the genuine nesa of our references. The official reports of medical clinics and universities, the' official communication of the Consul-General for Italy at Melbourne; the diploma awarded International Exhibition, Amsterdam—all these are authentic documents, and, as such, not open to doubt. We add here epitome of one of the various cases' treated by Siegen, M.D., Professor, etc. Burning of the right hand through the explosion of a small oil stove. The epidermis on the ' volar and palmer side of the hand of the thirty-year old patient was completely separated and lifted up as far as the joint of the hand. The likewise lifted nails were hanging looses and half of the phalanx of the nail of the middle finger was coaled. The wounds thus contracted healed in three weeks under daily application of Eucalypti Extract dressing. The patient has retained the full j use of the hand.—(Advt.) . 1

Mount Somers Road Board.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Board was held on Monday June 2. Present — Messrs Peache (Chairman), Walker, Edsen, Chapman and Syme. After the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, Mr Peache was re-elected chairman. The clerk reported that Messrs Edson and Syme had been elected members of the Board. The overseer's report was read and con sidered. l'\)ot Bridge ovor Bowyer's Stream: Tho contractor asked for a fortnight extension of time to complete this work, which was agreed 10, Alfonl forest Main Road : Resolved to repair this ltoad near Mr \V. T* Smith's. Oorso on roads: The overseer was in structed to see that the gorse growing ou the roads was removed. Uncoiledod rates : The collector was instructed to sue for outstanding rates, COUItK.SVOXUfiNC'K. From Messrs Friedlander Bros asking for curtain alleralioi I to be made to the roll.—Agreed to. From Mr .R. O.rponclalo, asking the Hoard to open the road neat his section 2801-1. —Left with the overseer to arrange. From Mr .!. 11. Ross asking the Board to hand over to a local Sports Committee the A 1 ford Forest Recreation reserve. Tho clerk was instructed to reply thai the matter woidd be considered. Mr ,7. Brewster interviewed the Board with respect to the boundry fence between his section and R.S. Y6'fi. Mr BrewsLer was informed that, the Board could do noLhiiii,' in tho matter. Tondevs were opened for shingling a portion of (Graham's road, and that of A, Harvey was accepted at la 2id per yard. Accounts amounting to £80 8s M were passed for payment and the Board ad journed.

The African Question. ANGLO-GERMAN NEGOTIA TIONS.

[PER PRESB ASSOCIATION.]]] London, June 16. Mr Anderson, the representative of the British East-African Company, has started for Berlin to resume nego tiations for the delimitation of the British and German boundaries. Zanzibar, June 16. Emm has been forbidden to visit Uganda, pending negotiations for the settlement of the English and German spheres in East Africa.

England and Portugal.

[per press association.]

London, June 16. News from Zambesi shows the boy cotting of the English at Quilimane still continues. A meeting was held, the Governor presiding, at which several anti-English measures were agreed to.

A Property Tax Case.

«. . [per press association.]

! Napikr, June 16. Captain Preece, sitting as a Board of Review under the Property Assessment Act, to-day heard a peculiar case. It was an objection made by Messrs Murray,« Roberts and Co. to an alteration made in their property tax assessment by the Com missioner, who gave notice that he would disallow a deduction of a sum of £25,000, which Murray, Roberts and Co claimed to deduct as a debt due to the Bank of Aus tralasia in the colony. Mr Crombie, De puty, appeared for the Department. The I facts were clear enough, and there was no dispute as to them. Prior to October, 1888, Murray, Roberts and Co. drew on their London agents, Sanderson, Murray and Co., three bills for the aggregate amount of £25,000, which were to be repaid by wool sent to London in the season., t The bills were purchased or dis counted by the Bank and the proceeds placed to the credit of Murray, Roberts and Co. They contended that the debt was due to the Bank, as a firm they were collaterially liable to the Bank, and that they were therefore entitled to deduct the amount. Mr Crombie urges that the debt was not to the Bank, and that Murray, Roberts and Co. had no liability to the. Bank, except in the event of the bills not being honored at maturity, and that did uot entitle them to deduct the £25,000 as liability within, the colony. The case really turned on the interpreting of sub section 3 of clause 17 of the Property Assessment Act, 1885. Judgment was reserved.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[per press association.]

Auckland, June 16. Samuel Turtle, sharebroker, died in the •Hospital to-day from injuries received through falling downstairs at the Masonic Hotel, Davonport. Deceased was 49 years of age and single. Gisborne, June 16. An important point was raised in the Native Land Commission this morning. The Commission adjourned on June sth until to-day. Owing to the accident to the Te Anau, Mr Justice Edwards was unable to sit, and Mr Ormsbie made an announcement that the Commission would be adjourned until Wednesday. Mr Ho worth, solicitor, of Wellington, who appeared for the Natives, raised the ques tion whether such an adjournment could be made, as the rules provide that the Court can only be adjourned by the Com mission—i.e., two judges—and whether or not the whole proceedings would be invalidated. The question was reserved for argument when Mr Edward arrives. . Napier, June 16. The Resident Magistrate to-day gave Mr Cresswell leave to appeal in. the case Morton v Cresswell, 'if he paid all the costs as offered by him. A man named Charles Higgins, licensee of the Crown hotel, Norsewood, to-day attempted suicide by hanging himself by a sword belt to the banisters. He was discovered before life Avas extinct, but lies in a precarious condition. Westport, June 16. This morning a loaded waggon, drawn by seven horses, on the road to Lyell from Westport, capsized. The waggon and load fell into the Buller. One horse was killed but the waggoner escaped. The cause of the accident w^as the subsidence of the road inside crib-logging. : The District Court in Bankruptcy opened 'this morning. In the estate of Lawrie, an ironmonger, several appeals against the rejection of claims by the Assignee were allowed. A charge of fraudulent preference in_ the same estate will be heard to-morrow. • Wellington, June 16. The criminal session of the Supreme Court was finished to-day. Charles Cunningham, charged with maliciously wounding his wife, and ,C. J. Stevens, with fraudulent. bankruptcy, were ac quitted. The session has lasted 15 days, and of twelve prisoners no less than eight were acquitted, two of them, after trials extending over three days each. Of the rest, who got nine months each, one was released on probation, and the fourth had absconded. The idea of delivering the Financial Statement on Friday evening has been abandoned. Unless something un expected happ.ens, it will be given on Tuesday. The Government, to-day, received a cable message from the Agents-General, stating that the hemp market is dull. New Zealand ranges from £19 for fair to £21 for good, Manilla £33 to &34, sisal £25 10s. The body of William Abbot, an old pensioner from the Imperial Army, was found in the Hutt River yesterday. The deceased was seventy years of age, and being short sighted it is believed he fell over the river bank. Dunedin, June 16. The cabmen'a shelter, about which there has been so much trouble, was sold to-day for £24. It originally cost £85. The Rev .1. Gibl>, a;-aiust whom pro ceedings were recently commenced by JMr A. C. Bcgg on a charge of heresy, has received letters of sympathy from the oilicc-bearevs of the church, and also from members of the various societies connected with the church.

THE MINISTER FOR LANDS AT WYNDHAM.

AVk confkss that after reading the tele graphic precis of the remarks of the lion G. F. Richardson, at Wyndham, the other day—we have not as yet read an cxienso report of the speech—we are somewhat at a loss to comprehend the reason for the haste with which the lion gentleman rushed down to South land for the purpose of delivering it. Jlis own particular constituents, and the colony generally, had been given to understand only a few days before that the press of departmental business and the necessary work of preparing for the session would render it impossi ble fpr the Minister of Lands to leave Wellington —this of course before tho delivery of Mr Fergus' remarkable address at Queeustown, and us imme

diately after that event Mr Richardson completely changed his mind, that circumstance, coupled with the an nouncement in various quarters of the repudiation by his colleagues of the policy indicated by the Minister for Mines, inevitably led to the conclusion that the Minister of Lands intended to issue a sort of counter-manifesto with a view of-allaying the fears and dispelling the dissatisfaction which Mr Fergus had aroused among Ministerial supporters. Indeed it was stated on authority, in so many words, that the member for Mataura was charged with the duty of making known the real policy of the Government—the bona fide genuine article—as opposed to the spurious thing supposed to have been palmed off upon an unsuspecting public by naughty and imprudent Mr Fergus. Yet, upon reading the Richardsonian counterblast,' i.e., the .telegraphed summary thereof, all we find in this latter direction is a statement that " it would be out of place—as the Govern ment policy will be shortly disclosed in all ■ its details in Parliament —to do otherwise than deal with it generally." And thereupon Mr Richardson went on to say that " speaking broadly, the policy of the Government is a policy of settlement and progress, of common sense and prudence; a policy of pay ing its way, of pausing in respect of railways, and of pushing on roads; a policy that can be pursued without further borrowing." All this is doubtless very reassuring, but as that simple sentence could have quite easily been flashed all over the country by wire as a Ministerial communique) we are still at a loss to know why the Minister for Lands rushed down to the far South to take the plat form. Possibly it was in order that he might, give some details of the administration of his particular depart ment. If so, it is a pity that nine tenths of his speech should have been devoted, as it seems to have been, tp a running down of the administration of the previous Government, instead of giving in elaborate detail the proof of the super-excellence of that claimed by the speaker for self and colleagues. Mr Richardson declares that his Gov ernment is promoting settlement at a rapid rate, and points to the figures of land sales and selections in proof. But what is the real test of the whole matter? Why surely the visible settlement which is actually going on ; and what we want to know is where it is to be seen. We are very much afraid that the figures are fallacious— rather we should say that the deduc tions made from the figures are so. It is assumed, apparently, that all: the recent land sales and leases represent so many new settlers—therefore so much additional settlement—whereas we verily believe, that a very largely preponderant proportion of these re present additions to the acrerge held by persons who were already landholdei-s, the balance only, and that a very small one, being the true measure Of the amount of new settlement. If we are Avrong, we shall be very glad to be cor rected, but if we arc right then Mr Richardson's entire' argument falls to the ground. ; .

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN. (pee press association.)

London, June 16. Sir F. D. Bell will represent Eng land at the Brussels Tariff Conference. Admiral Tryon will command the attacking force in the naval manoeuvres this summer. Shaw, the well-known New Zealand runner, won the 120 Yai'ds Hurdle Race at the Civil Sarvice Sports. Mrs Saumarez Smith, wife of the newly appointed Bishop of Sydney, is dead. Miss Wiedman's action against Mr Walpole is being heard. She is con ducting her own case. Sir Redvers Buller has been "ap pointed to succeed Lord "Wolseley as Ad j utant-General. The proof-sheets of Stanley's book have been stolen and hawked about for sale;; The publishers to whom they we're offered all declined'" ~' ■-'--•-■- Mr W. S. Came, M.P., the Unionist whip, is obtaining signatures to- an address to Lord Hartington, protest ing against the payment of compensa tion to publicans. ; The " Morning Post" expresses sur prise at Kirkham being entered for the 1 Ascot Gold Vase, and regrets the collapse of Mr White's plucky venture. Sx. Petersburg, June 16. Cholera is \ expected to- appear in Russia. . ..' .1 Ottawa, June 16, Another -Englishman is ; missing in Canada. Madrid, June 16. Cholera has broken out in Valencia, on the Mediterranean coast. Berlin, June 16 General yon Caprivi will accompany the Emperor on a visit to the Czar. - Brussels, , June 16. The " Independence Beige" states that Stanley has accepted the Governor-, ship of the Congo Free Siate. . Mexico, June 16. A report as-to. a, filibustering plot to invade Lower California is confirmed. The troops on the border are being reinforced. Vienna, June 16. The Austrian Government is doing its best to 7nimmise the effect of the ."Minister of "War's statement that the peace of Europe is insecure. Tho extra money voted will bo spread over several years and the army increased by fifty thousand men annually.

There is now to be seen in tho shop window of Messrs J. Scaly mid Co., East Btreet,- a collection of apples showing some of the sorts grown at the nurseries, Rivcrbank, that will repay inspection by any one who contem plates planting fruit planis. There are upwards of fifty different kinds shown, all valuable, long keeping sorts. For size," color, and general excellence they are by far the finest that have been shown in Asshburton. this season.—(Advt. Holloway'.s Ointmknt axd VjJjLS.— Rheumatism und rheumatic gout are the mobt dreaded of all diseases, uccausc their victims know that they arc safe at no season and at no age secure. Ilolloway's Ointment, after fomentation of the painful parts, gives greater relief than any other application ; but it must be dilligently used to obtain this de sirable result. It has been highly com- j mended by rhucmaiic subjects of all ages and of both sexes, for rendering their attacks loss frcijuent and less vigorous, and for re pressing the sour perspirations and soothing the nerves. In many cases Ilolloway's Oint i incnt and Pills have proved the greatest blessings in removing rheumatism and rheumatic gout which has assailotl persons previously radctft the prime of life j

How Drunkards are Treated, in Norway and Sweden.

It is not generally known (says a Lon don correspondent) that a habitual drunkard in Norway and Sweden renders himself liable to imprisonment for his love of strong drink, and that during his incarceration he is required to submit to a plan of treatment for the cure of his failing which is said to produce marvel lous results. This plan consists in mak ing the delinquent subsist entirely on bread and wine. The bread is steeped in a bowl of wine for an hour or more before the meal is served. The first day the habitual toper takes his food in this shape without repugnance ; the second,,he,fmds it less agreeable to his palate; finally, he positively loathes tlie\ sight of it. Ex perience shows that" a period of from eight to ten days of this regimen is gener ally more than sufficient to make a man evince the greatest aversion to any thing in the shape of wine, and I am told that many men after their incarceration become total abstainers. \

An Irish Fairy Legend.

- We find the following in'aninteresting paper on South Kildare, bf Mr G. H. Graham, published in the "Waimate Times":—There was a rath near my native I place of which a fair story was told. Early in this c century Jim Core and Pat Welsh were ploughing. in the field in. which this rath stood. Core was driving the horses and Welsh guiding the plough. Welsh had a large hump on his back. Core became very hungry, and he said to Welsh, "I*wish the fairies in this rath would have something for* me to eat." "Whisht," says Welsh, "it's not lucky to talk that way." "I"don't care," says Core, " if they give me something to eat I'll eat it, I'm that hungry." When they got near the rath, there was the door of the fairy palace wide open in the outside face, of the circular rath." Core went to this door and looked in ;" there he saw a large hall with a long table well covered with the choicest viands and liquor of the best. The hall was beauti fully lighted up and sprightly music from an invisible orchestra was gracefully inter preted into motion by the* lithesome figures of a large company-of lady and gentlemen fairies dressed in the most delightful dresses. A grave old man in a red cap sat at the further end of the table, and seemed to be the president. The old man seeing Core peeping into the hall, asked him to come in. Core at once entered, and on being invited sat down at the table and partook of the viands with all the gusto of a young and hungry ploughman's appetite. Enchanted by the scene and emboldened by the kind looks and address of a beautiful young lady,; Core became her partner in the dance, and danced until almost tired. Welsh wondered what delayed Core so long in the fairy hall and went to look after him. He peeped in through the open doorway, and the old man in the red cap asked .what, that man at the door wanted. The young lady who had been dancing with Core replied that Welsh wanted to have the hump taken off his back. Welsh was then called in and at a signal from the old-man in the red cap,-the young lady deffcly drew her fingers around "Welsh's hump, took it off his back, and threw it. in a corner where other humps were. After this magical amputa tion of his hump Welsh was as straight and fine-looking a man as could be found. The music, dancing and feasting then ceased. Core and Welsh found themselves, outside of the rath, and not a vestige of door, hall, or fairy could be seen. "When Welsh went home from work that evening he was.scarcely known, so straight and agile he appeared with the hump clean gone. There was another man in the same parish with a great hump on his back, who, on being told by Welsh how his deformity was cured, visited this rath to see if he could have his hump taken off. He went several evenings to the rath, but no door, or sight or sour.d of fairy could lie see or hear. He went one evening, resolved that this would be the last. It was twilight when he came to the rath, and there was the door of the fairy hall open in the outside slope, just as Welsh had described. He went to the door, and on looking, saw the fairies iri great numbers feasting and dancing, and the old man in the red cap sitting at the head of the table. The latter saw the hump-backed man and} asked what he wanted. One of the laJies replied, ' 'He wants a hump on his back." "Lot-him have it," said the chief, and with that the man was ushered in, and the lady who had taken the hump off Welsh's back, picked up the same hump and stuck it on' top of the hump already between the man's shoulders ; the place then darkened and the poor fellow found himself outside the rath with a huge double hump which -he carried the remainder;of his life. :i

Why Wellington Bachelors Don't Marry

. r A bachelor writes, telling the Welling ton?'' Post" ' why the' young men don't propose. He says:—A young man de sirous of starting housekeeping, looks for a partner from his own station in life, and one that he may always be proud to call his wife, but then comes the doubt: Her parents, after years of steady toil and thrift, probably have a comfortable home,' well furnished, with a piano and such like luxuries, and'it may be a servant to do the heavy work. He knows that his salary will not warrant him in incurring all these expenses at the outset, and is afraid that his wjfe would look for what she had been accustomed to, and be disappointed and miserable when she finds that married life is not quite as easy and free from care as she had pictured. Rather than run the risk of destroying the happiness of those dear to them a great number prefer to remain single. lam sure that if young men could feel that the young women' are willing to start from a humble beginning, and to share the little sacrifices and self denials as well as the pleasures, there would be much less room for complaint that the men are slow to appreciate the charms of the fair sex.

Father of the Navy.

There is still alive a famous centenarian. Sir Provo William "Parry Wallis, G.C.8., is senior admiral of the ileot, and is the oldest officer o* tbo naval active list, as he entered on his hundredth year in April. He is also that, exception which proves the rule ; for while other naval men are compulsory retired at 70, Sir Parry Wallis has an especial patent to continue to hold his appointment during life. For years after the century came in lie was n midshipman, and -he lias gone through every grade of rank, reaching the highest position only thirteen years ago. He commanded the Shannon in her famous light with the Chosa peakc, off Boston Harbor, on June 1, 1813, the first lieutenant having been killed and the captain dangerously wounded early in the engagement, and it was to him that the American captain surrendered. He was born in 1791, but only four years later he appears on tho books of the navy as on board the Oissc.au, at Halifax, Nova Scotia, where his father was. chief clerk at the naval yard— a seaman in miniature. The hardy old admiral has seen the birth and perfection of the modern ship of war, and his acquaintance has been mainly with tho old three-deckers. His memories aro of the hand-to-hand lights of tho days of Nelson and Collingwood rather than of 81 ton guns and quick-firing projectiles of our modern fleets. He has never com manded a steamer (

COMMERCIAL.

Horse Market.

Mr T. Bullock reports for the week ending Saturday, June 14th :—At th.3 usual horse .sale on Saturday forty horsen were offjvod by auction, and .-ill but 0110 of the mo'limu draughts brought forward were sold at Lho following pricos, viz.:— 3 and 4-year-olds of rothor a light descrip tion, £17, £17 10s ; 11 filly rising 3 years old, £KJIO->; 6-year-old, of a good stamp, £21 ; do. of a lighter description, £10 ss, £16 10s; aged, £12, £13 ss, £1410s, £J5 10s ; others £5 10s, £6 ss. There were-buyers present'for this class suitable for ploughing, which could hot be supplied. Light harness horses: An upstanding golding, of a superior. • stamp, brought the satisfactory price of £19 10s ; others, £4 ss, £7/ £9 ; spring dray'horse and harness brought £21. Hacks £3 ss'to £6 ; inferior, £117s Gd to £215s ; twenty three out of the day's entry chaiigfng hands. Sundries.—Drill brought"£7 ; "collars, hames, and'winkers, £I'4s to '£119s: p>er set; horse covers, sundry harness, &c., brought full market rates; > .•• - ; >.' t

LAND AND OTHER PROPERTIES.

Previous to' the ' usual horse sale I offered by auction amongst others three allotments, part'of Grove Fartu* Estate, which-realised the -following' 'satisfactory prices, viz., Lot 15, containing 10a Ir37p, fronting Wilkin street; * at> £35T10s|p^r acre; Lot 16, containing»loa:lr 2p 4 at ; £36 103 per acre.; Lot > 17,-containing " 12a Or 34p, at £33 per acre. :>t Biddings , for these allotments were fairly spirited, and there were numerous inquiries Ifor - small holdings near town. . 1 also sold 1' a tbree-roomed cottage -fbr ; reraovalrint. £32 15s; '' ■ ■ ■?■ '■' --:: •/i-jv:-!' .;' - Privately I hare also disposed of-Lot, 40, V containing 30a lr 23p,, fronting ■Graham's Road, part of the-lighter land portion of Grove Farm Estate, at £12 5a per acre. ,

Journalism in Greenland.

In the Iceland region inhabited by the Esquimaux a newspaper is how published, ■It has been-started "by\ a native., who. has never visited Europe, and [ r whoSe only in tercourse with us has been' fconfined to business directed by Professor ,Norden skiold to whom he rendered important services. His name isLars Mteler, and that of his journal is the Reader. He has all the characteristics of the true Esquimaux type—aflat nose, large ears standing out from the sides of his head, and a thin beard curiously clipped. Greenland has a desolate soil, buried under snow, is darkled, £ by, months,,of nigh'ti inhabited:by a primitive i!pe6ple, childlike/ ignorant, and superstitious, living in huts covered over by. skins .of animals; a corner of the world, in a word . insolated, ...and. for which Nature. , seems .to .have re served all its asperities. Yet there Lars Meeler has set up his makeshift printing establishment, and in heavy sealskin boots, rought coat of unspun wool, and" fur gloves to protect hi* hands from cold, set up and prints his paper. When it was first started, the Reader publishedprin cipally a few insignificant drawings, ac companied by one or two ■explanatory lines of letterpress. Later of. these lines took a more denned and extended form, creating a desire among the readers-for. more important .information..{ It seems illogical that a newspaper , should have been started where there; appeared "to be no readers to "appreciate its contents, nevertheless the .venture has. proved; successful, for now the Reader can point; to its regular subscribers. 'Lars Mseler has taught himself the art of the composi tor with the help of some .old type, .and useful hints given him by Professbr'Nqr denskoid. With regard to his illustra tions, which, it must be o\raed, are hot absolutely artistic, he is not only his own designer buthisownwoodengraver as well. He cheerfully accepts all the difficulties at tending his undertaking, with an .implicit belief in its useful purpose^ His paper is still but a crude and informal instructor ; but it is a newspaper issued and circulated in a land where a. belief in miracles still exists, and where it is related in all seriousness that there is a white bear prowling about, .so "old that the ice which lias accumulated on his back never melts. Lars Mseler in his paperis fighting against old superstitions of. this, kind. Addres sing his countrymen in words', the., force of which they can understand arid appre ciate, he enlightens their minds pro gressively - by.,^means of the un prententious organ to .which he is the only contributor. He journeys'from one tribe to another, taking his plant and small hand, presß^with, him ; and In side a hut, lighted'hya lampjjed ( with fish oU }J he sets His, type, to the amazement of other Esquimax who watch him' intently, An explorer recently submitted^, to a literary society' In Denihark l6neW 4two copies of bills unpretentious and .most in teresting paper addmg'afeVdela^ls^f-the personal iiy of L'ivs Mii'ler. T"hti iriemlwrs of that.-■■oiHy, fooling a keen interest in the man and,his aims, f have^lately, r for warded 'to him new %pc, Sprinting ink and paper, and a larger-presa than the one he has been using"—"Shorthand Weekly Npwr "

LABOR QUESTIONS.

fPER PRESS ASSOCIATION.!

(i London,: June 16.- Chief• Constable Howard has been; ap pointed Assistant' Commissioner of(Police •o'tt Lieutehant-ColonelPeaTSpn^ldeeeased. The majority of the metropolitan'force rupudiated the proffered gratuity, > land have resolved to. give a month's notice of resignation unless Mr Munro is reinstated and their,demands for increasedr>pay,'con ceded. Mr Munro. -write/ai contradicting Mr Matthews' version of his resignation, ;.■'-;;/, - | Stiiliby,' ;June]l6r~ . i A: conference of, marineyo^fieerj «&id steamship; owners, will be held oh Juno 25th. From the relations" at present existing there appears every probability, of an amicable arrangement. 1 ~ Wam^OTOwi" Jwne 16.\ The conference between*(the; executive of the Railway Society, and Railway Com missioners was continued at 3 p.m., and the whole of the afternoon was occupied in considering the hours of lal^or: ■ Mr Hoban explained' that' the men desired that the eight hours* system should be .observed on railways;as m other trades —time to be counted from the moment the man went on duty, whether ho was continuously at worl or not." .Special stress waslaid oirthe tja^e of engine drivers who were oftei on duty twelve or fourteen hours per day. The Commissioners pointed out that it was" almost impracticable to'have ah eight-hours' system in force with engine drivers, and if overtime were paid, men \in charge of country' trains , (although not continuously at work) would be in receipt of a higher rate of pay than the men who drove, say an express' train, for eight hours at a stretch. i Mr McKerrow remarked-that if the Society's demands, in regard to drivers and firemen,, were acceded to and eight hours rigidly enforced, intermittent labor would result, and the cost of working the railways would be increased fully £50,000 per annum. At present the railways were not yielding sufficient to pay the interest at Home, aiid therefore the" Society'must remember that the £50,000 would ijftv^to come oft' tho settlers by taxation, .. r'u • The deputation expressed a hope tWt amicable arrangement would be.coniajtft and at 5.15 p.m. s«i adjournment TO made till 11 a.m. .to-morrow, jrhvx wf

THE ASHBURTON GTJABDIAN, TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 1890.



WANTED Cask AdVMtwnenlx wndc tins heading , not euccedin« 16 worts, ON~M BIHLLI A(t AMrpgxrsm-'iy !>" M* "? ?''■'' r) ''■'' ANTED ~a first-class Blacksmith little or no shoeing to be clone. Apply by lot tor to John C4utgc4, Longbeach. ANTED to let Gorse Cutting at Maronan, Clearwell, Hackthorne, C. J. Harper, 6 *98 JUST opened, a few ladies plush jackets, newest shapes, very cheap. H. C. Sbgers, Melford House. WAJN ' J<il Anown. —A special pur chase of choice Ladies' Hats at a desperate price.— W. H. Collier. 4t130 W' ANTED every man m the County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds.—Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings. ANTED KNOWN.—The Cheapest House in Ashburton to buy Drapery, Millinery, Clothing, Boots, etc., is H. C. Seoers, Melford House. rf'HE Patent Candle Extinguisher can ) be Set to Extinguish at any time required ; it will save insurance premiums •your house and your life, price Is; Sole Agent for Ashburton.—lt. Alcorn, Saunders' Buildings "TT7 ANTED KNOWN.—A lot of V*' Ladies Cloth and Tweed Jackets, considerably under usual cost price.— W. H. Collier, ''The Corner." "11/ ANTED Known — One hundred YV and fifty Ladies' and Children's Ulsters bought a great bargain (good qualities), now selling very cheap—H. C. Segers. Melford House. TOP THAT COUGH! By using Flower's Cough Drops. Guaranteed efficacious. Can only be obtained at H. 6. Flower's, Confectioner, East Street. 3 191 /">HEAP Cash Sale vow on at Car \J son's Ironmongery, Brushware, Glass, China, and Earthenware at Auction Prices. All kinds of Produce taken in exchange. 6 5 *TT7 ANTED Known —The Cheapest VY Shop to buy Tinware and Gal vanised Iron goods in Ashbarton, is at W. F. Hannaford's, Burnett Street. A large stock kept on hand. Tin and Iron ware goods made and repaired with dcs patch \x i ANTED KNOWN.—Mrs M. lT W Eliassoj* and Miss Henly, (late of the D.I.C. Christchurch), have com menced business as Milliners and Dress makers, in East Street, two doors from Mr Segers. Ladies favoring them with "orders will find them carefully carried out and the work executed in the latest style. A perfect fit guaranteed. Charges moderate. . <> 46 TO-NIGHT SALE OF BOOKS, STATIONERY, &c, At L. F. ANDREWES AND Co.'s. OUR Stock being far too large we are determined to reduce same by Selling OiF at Greatly Reduced Prices for ■ CASH only. A discount of 4s in the £. A large stock of Music at less than half price. Inspection invited. L. F. ANDREWES & CO. Stationers' Hall. vN-TWrcau with teetS THE CHRISTCHURCH DENTAL SURGERY, Corner of Cashel and High streets. C TUTYBRS AND r>Q. SURGEON DENTISTS. And at Dunedin and Westport. WE have gained the FIRST AWARD at the Dunedin Exhibition for Artificial Dentures and Mechanical Appli ance-; for the Mouth, and it is wil.li the greatest confidence that we guarantee the highest class work and perfect fit at the nnst moderate co^t. A Single Artificial Tooth, 10s. Complete Set — Upper and Lower— temporary and permanent, £10 10.<. Natural, Durable, Comfortable Artificial Teeth Replaced Temporarily al most immediately after the extraction of decayed teeth or stumps without extra fee or charge. Arrangements can be made for part or monthly payments. ADMINISTERING NITROUS OXIDE 3AS several times daily for the past ten years, we fearlessly assert that extraction of teeth under its influence is perfectly painless and positively safe Fee for Administration, ss. Extraction, 2s 6d. Artificial Teeth and Dentures made by •ther dentists repaired or remodelled at small cost. Hours of attendance —9 a.m. to 6 p.m IMPORTANT "VrOTICE .Important IX otice MESSRS HALLENSIEINBROS & CO, Proprietors of the NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY AT ASHBURTON Tnverenrgill, Gore, Milton, Oanmru, Tiinaru, Ouu'.-'dii), Ohmichurch, lloki tika, Groym-.uOi, Rco-fton, Wt!slp<>i-t, JS'.'lson, \Vullin'jl-'>!i, N.-'.oior, H:i-.l.in'^. Waipawa, (ii-.boriie, V.ilinersi.nn North, W.ing.iiUii. Ifiiwcv.i, Now Plymouth, Thames and Auckland, Have arranged to FLOAT THKTR BUSTNES'S INTO A COMPANY, To bo rv<-ti:-t.ojod under ''T!:c Co ii^-tnie 1- Act 1882 ft in :i ]iart of fc 1'- .■■"—.■.,-.■ .• L lli'it STOCKS skill bo 11:".: 1 r ■..■:)";. £00,000 before the loth of June nexl To eflceU.his the Managers of tlio vari .Branches throughout the colony have been instructed, in addition to marking out the Goods at Low Prices, to allow 5 per cent on all cash sales iuuounting to £1 and ujj'-v nxfo- TJiis excellent opportunity of buying ods should not bo oveilooked, especi a'ly .-.>; it- is ;• \vell-!:n;>w:i i.ic-t. tluit tin M-uiufaclurci of the Nov." ZeaLuuKJloLli -7 g Faciory are Superior to Anything ii. lio Market. Tim wi'o at the A.-.L burton I'ranch U vaul-ir tho iiunajjement of Mis. W. H. WfiWSUI.



Public Notices. /^1 TTUAVCIT T^vODDS SURGEON DENTIST, Address :—Court Chambers, above Mr H. M. Jones, Stationer, East Street. Private Residence, Havelock Street, Opposite Presbyterian Chur^i IF YOU WANT GENUINE VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY, TRY W. W. SPENCER'S HE is now offering the best value ever had in Ashburton. A large and well assorted stock of I DRAPERY, CLOTHING, AND BOOTS Flannel Is a yard. Good heavy dress tweeds all colors Sid per yard. Winter Homespuns 7^d. . Cashmeres and Merinos in all colors at very low prices. Blankets, in grey, white, and blue, at very low prices. Quilts, calicos, flannels, hollands, and shirtings, Cheaper than ever. Double width white sheeting 7W. Mens, boys, and youths suits. Soxr shirts, and hats at prices before neve, known. BOOTS, BOOTS, BOOTS. The cheapest Boots and the Best Boots ever had in Ashburton are at W. W. SPENCER'S THE ARCADE. Men's Bluchers 6s lid. Men's shooLcrs 10s 6d. Children's p lent leather slippers, shoes and boots. Extra value very cheap. Ihe best school boots for boys and .iris in Ashburton at W. W. SPENCER'S AKCABE, ASHB -ETON "WM. SPARROW 1 TAILOR AND MEN'S MERCER EAST STREE



" AMUSEMENTS FIB ft. FIBE. Fliiti Ashburton Tire Brigade. Under the Patronage of his Worship the Mayor and Borough Council ; the Chairman and members of the County Council. GRAND DISPLAY OF FIREWORKS AND TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION. ALSO SOCIAL IK TIIE ODDFKLLOWV HAL'» WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 1690. Double tickets for Social dance, 2s 6d ; extra Ladies' tickets, Is. Dancing at 8 o'clock sharp. 6-54



11 will bo in the recollection of the public thiil my collection of apples shown in Mr Clayton's shop in KasL !*Lroot, bdng sixly-.six varieties', and aUo iho:-.o which took twoiirM, awards* ut thy Dimciiin Inhibition ""d \ arums other places, \vm pronounced to bu tho 1 irgest Mid best over fliowii in tho A.sh bunoji county. .1 would div.w llieii iiUon tinn my advertisement okowlicro. As only work 021 blight-proof stocks than which n, j other slocks can be relied upon, the root:, of my apple trees do not require to bo washed before sending out. James Porter, nursery man, AUeuton.—(Advl.)