BIRTH.

Zandkh.—At Strali'a, BtirneU Sweo-, AshbDtrton, on *he 12kh last., Mrs Henry Zander of a daughter.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1890. MR VAILE JUSTIFIED.

Some little time ago we published an article founded upon information supplied in English papers, detailing tho leading features of the " Zone" system experimentally introduced on the Hungarian State railways, instead of the mileage system which had previously prevailed there, and which obtains on the English railways and those of our own colony. The "Zone" system is very similar to, if not precisely identical with that contended for by Mr Samuel Yaile, bat which has not as yet in New I Zealand got beyond the preliminary Stages of discussion, opposition and I ridicule. The Railway Press referring( to the Hungarian experiment, the reasons for adopting the new system, and the manner'in which it works out says : —" Regular passenger rates in Hungary have baen high., The country ha 6, for an agribultnral country of its area, a large population and a small raikoad mileage, conditions which we are accustomed to look upon as most favor able for yielding a large passenger income. Bat while Hungary h*sfifteen and threfrquarter millions of inhabitants on an area about as great as Illinois and Missouri together, and only about 5000 miles of railroad, the 3000 people per mile of railroad, which is more than seven times the average in the United {States, hare given a very unsatisfactory passenger traffic. The population con sists very largely of extremely poor peasantry whose expenses must be limited to the barest necessities of life ; and there are comparatively few;manu facturing industries.

"The management of the state rail roads has heretofore sedulously cultivated the passenger traffic. While the ordinary fares have been higher than in most European countries, attempts have been made to meet the special wants of the population by mean of commutation and mileage tickets, and the like. The us 3 of these tickets at reduced rates was sufficient to show that there was a public which would travel at low rates, and would not at the regular rates ; but the mass of the population continued to neglect the railroad, and long journeys among the lower classes were very in frequent. The average yearly number of railroad journeys per head of popula tion was scarcely one in Hungary, while in Austria it was more than two, and in Germany five."

" The means by which it is hoped to in duce these stay at home people to travel is a ' zone' tariff for the longer distances and what we may call a ' vicinity' tariff for local travel. The latter consists of two tickets only—tickets to the next station, which are sold at the uniform prices (whatever the distanco to such next station) of 10,15, and 30 kreutzers each for the three classes respectively, or a little less than 5 S I\, and 15 cents ; and tickets to the second station at 15, 22, and 40 kreutzers (7£, 11, and 20 cents). These two patterns of local tickets serve for the whole state system. There are on these railroads stopping places distinguished from regular eta tions — signal stations, perhaps we might call them. A ticket for the next station, however, is good for the whole distance between two regular stations, and for all halting places short of the second re gular station, while a ticket for a • second ' station is good for all stopping places short of the third regular station.

" The « zone ' tariff for longer dis tances gives only 14 rates of all possible distances on the railroad system by ordi nary trains, and as many for express trains. In the first zone are included all stations within 25 kilometres (15^ miles) of the place from which the start is made, for which the rates are 50, 40, and 25 kreutzers (about half as many cents, remember). Each following zone up to and including the 11th adds 15 kilometres to the distance and 50, 40, or 25 kreutzers to the fare according to the class, so that so far the zone tariff is substantially a distance tariff roughly evened off. The 12th zone is for 175 to 200 kilometres, with the addition to the fare the same as before ; the 13th zone shows a similar addition to distance, but greater addition to fares—lOOkreuizers for first class, and 50 for both second and third—bat the 14th is the startling feature of the whole system, for if you travel more than the 225 kilometres (140 miles) which is the extreme of the J3th zone, you are charged 100 kreutzers mow for the first class and 50 kreutzers { for the second or third classes for any distance, from a single kilometu up tp the greatest distance o» which it is possible to travel on . the Hun garian state railroads, on which jour neys several hundred miles long can be made. That is, in Hun gary, the greatest distance for which the traveller is charged is 141 miles. For this or any greater distance his fare is 2dol third class, 2do! 90c second, and 4dol first, by ordinary trains, lad 2dlo 40c, 3dol 50c, and 4<iol 80c jbp express ;rains." Reduced to English money these rates are approximately as follows : Thibd Class—To first station 2Jd ; to second station B£d ; up to 15£ miles 6d ; 16 to 25 miles Is ; 26 to 34 miles Is 6d ; 35 to 43£ miles 2s. Id } 44 to 53 miles 2s 7d ;54t0 62 miles 3a; 68 to 71 miles 8s 6d ; 72 to 81 miles 4s { 82 to 00 miles 4s 8d ; 91 to 100 miles 5s 2d ; XOJ to 109 miles 5s 8d ; 110 to 124 miles 6s 3d ; 125 to 140 miles 7b 3d ; 141 or more miles ,8s id.

Second Class—One half more than the above rates.

jFibst Class— Double the third class rates.

The above is the tariff for ordinary trains, the rates for fast trains being one-fifth more in each case. The fares charged under this new system are from one-half to one-sixth those formerly ex acted and there were not wanting many who prophesied that bo sweepiug a change must result disastrously to the revenue. But so far at anyrate the reverse has proved to bo the case for we find that " the traffic manager of the Hnngarian Staterailroads, wrote August 27th to a German railroad journal, which had criticised th& new zone passenger tariff, that thje result down tp that time had been favorable beyond expectation. Exact figures were not then attainable, but it was evident that the traffic had about doubled, compared yritfl ittf jetty

and that about half of the increase was iueto tbe 'vicinity' tickets (tickets to the first and second stations). Evan the gross passenger earrings were de cidedly larger than the year before, and whatever falling off there might be later, it was evident to him that the Berious financial loos that some had prophesied would not be realised "

It was to be expected that the travel at first would be unusually active, as I those who had journeys to make Would postpone them if possible until the new tariff (announced long beforehand) should take effect. The reports of travel for a longer period are ; therefore, looked for with great interest. If these should continue to show a benefit to the revenue then the new system will doubtless be permanently adopted in Hungary and the experience gained in that country will go a long way towards proving that Mr Yaile is right in his contention that New Zealand would gain by adopting a similar system in the management of the passenger traffic on the railways of I the colony,

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Sultsn of Tnrkey ia being treated by a German doctor for obesity. ;

The Chinese oolony in Chicago consists of 2000 souls of whom only two are women.

When Greek civilisation shone at its brightest in the Republic of Athena there were 43,000 citizens and 400,000 slaves.

" I bless the day on which I resolved to marry my wife and retired to private life." Thus writes Prince Alexander of Battenberg.

A Melbourne cablegram says that a French prisoner, confined in Pentridge Gaol, has made a sensational escape and has not yet baen captured.

The value haß been sworn at £653,492 of the personal estate of the. late Sir Daniel Goooh, Chairman of the Great Western Rail way Company.

Along the valley of the Nile, from Alex andria to tbe first cataract, are 79 mission stations and 70 Sunday school?, numbering 4017 EChohrs while the day and boarding schools have over 5200 pupils.

It is stated that tbe " Wellington Evening Press "ib about to ohange hands. Mr Haw kina present editor, will take ths paper over, baoked, it is freely said, by Mr Jellicoe, Solicitor.

In an African tribe visited by Livingstone, by way of salute, ' they throw themselves on their backs on the ground, and rolling from side to side slap the outside of their thighs as an expression ot thankfulness and welcome."

" I see," remarked the proof reader, " that one bad error went through in one of the poems last week. The boys printed ' padlook' for ' wedlook.' Shall I reprint it or call atten tion to it in a oorreotion? N—." "No," replied the editor, " let it go as it is. Every body will understand it."

The fine, bright weather and cool breeze yesterday enabled harvest work to be resumed! after an interruption of two days. The dear drying day dispelled all foars of damage by the Bpronting of the oorn in Btook. On tbe other hand very little good was done by the showers, the ground by noon yesterday being as dry and hard as ever.

The Lord Provost of Glasgow stated, at a meeting of the Town Oounoit on Dec 23rd, that he would subscribe £20,000 to a fund for building an art gallery in Glasgow if three other citizens each gave a similar sum. He believed that with the surplus from the Exhi bition, and the subscriptions he and others there might give, they might raise £200,000.

The will of the late Eev T. R. Fisher, of Christohuroh, was sworn under £50,000. To hia widow he leaves a house and £600 a year, the balance of the income going to the children during life, Afier her death tho property is disposed of ia various legacies to relations and friends, and tbo balance amongst the children,

It is probable that a match will be arranged shortly between Messrs Femon and Majer, tbe champion Australian bioyolists, and Mr Octaviua Digby's celebratted trotting horse. The match is to be for a £50 stake, and the distance probably about 20 miles. The matoti will be run off in Ashburton if arranged, and should prove a very interesting one, and attract a large oonoourse of spectators,

Mr O. T. Buokland, commenting in an artiole in "Macmillan'a" on the belief "of some parents that it they send a boy to Eton the school will make a man of him;" observes, " So it will, if there is the making of a man in him. But if a weed is sown in the best Foil it remains a weed." To whioh it may be added that some of the most wretched oads have been educated at Eton and some of the truest gentlemen at charity schools.

A paragraph recently appeared stating that Orenzo, the lion tamer at Wombwell'a men agerie, was attacked by a lion in a oage, in whioh there were other lions, and reoeived injuries to hie fnoe and arm. The tamer it appears is a yonnger brother of Mr Stephen Lawrence, 0! the Olub Hotel, Sydenham, and was registered as Qrenzo Lawrence, He became lion tamer at the menagerie in response to an application be made for tha rißky oooupation wben his predeoesaor died.

Mr Alexander La Grand Qampbell, an old reeident of Wellington, died on Sunday week, aged 71. Deceased, who was born at KiU bryde Oastle, Perthshire, Scotland, arrived ia Port Nicholson by the ship Margaret Galbraith in 1842. He shortly after took up land in the Nelson district and was engaged in surveying the provinoe with Major Haaphy' and Mr Brunner. Mr Campbell eventually held several Government appointments and was afterwards appointed R.M. at Ashburton and subsequently at Oollingwood. He retired a few years ago on compensation.

We'learn from the " Lyttelton Times " tha* aoontraot for a two and a half mile seotion 0 the Midland Railway, between Brunnerton and Lake Brunner, has been let to the lowest tenderers, Messrs Jay and Co., tbe contractors for the Ahura seotion, wbioh ia nearly com pleted. The contraot just let is on the line whioh is to meet that fron Springfield, and includes a funnel. Messrs Anderson bave about 150 men at work on their Springfield contract, and bave notified that they oannot take on any more until the outtings are opened out,

A preliminary report has been made to the Government by the Geological Department on five bags of reef stone taken from Pubipuhi. The first of these samples ia reported to have varied greatly in composition, and, although three separate assaya were made, no silver was found, The others appeared to be of much the gams oharaoter, except that two, of them were frequently barred with a dark mineral, the name of which has not been precisely ascertained. This dark mineral contains all the Btono. The matrix itseif ia a cloudy rook, and ha? most propably been formed by hydro-thermal action. The assays made gave for the respective samples the, following results (per toD) ;—Soz Odwt 2Q gr j 107 oz lddwt Ogr ; 102oz 15dwt 7 gr. The bullion in each case waa found to be nearly all silver, and gold was uniformly present, but in too small quantities to weigh.—" New Zealand Times,"

A concert in aid of the Amberley Ohuroh Building Fund will be given in St. Stephen's Schoolroom on Tuesday next, Feb. 18th, at eight p.m. Admission will be one shilling. An exoellent programme has been prepared. We hear on good authority that Mr Restell, owing to continued ill health and extensive business engagements, has resigned his position as a member of the Licensing Com mittee of tbe Borough. . In consequence of the failure of the water ' supply in theWakanni creek, the raoes sup-' plying the Wekanui flat became dry, but thjm serious matter has now been remedied as by the kindness of Mr E. Thomas, of the Wakanui Mills, a supply of water has been obtained from the Mill race, for present use whioh .will, probably be available until the north branch again gives the ordinary supply to the Wakanai oreek and its raoes.

Last evening at the Orange Hall, Mr Golledge, the phrenologist, was ex tensively consulted, and in every case gave great satisfaction. His stay here will be limited, as he intends leaving on Tuesday, but those who wiah to see him may do so this evening or on Monday. The Press and leading men wherever he has appeared have testified to his professional ability and to the deep and careful study he has given the leubjaot,

writer ia a contemporary states tha George Alexander Parling, a brother of tbe heroine of the Longatone Lighthouse, |is still alive and in needy circumstances. . The fol lowing story is told of him:—-George when 15, was at sea as a ship's carpenter, and whilst in a ehipbtoker's offioa in Leadenball street, the story of his Bister's heroißm being all tbe talk, a man came in, and produoed from his pocket a bunoh of yellow hair. He offered it for sale sb a look from Graoe Darling's head, whioh he had got from a friend in the north. "My monkey was up at once," says George, and I kicked the fellow into the street, to the intense delight of eight or nine clerks, who, not knowing that Grace's hair was brown and apt yellow, seemed about to invest.

The usual weekly meeting of the Dawn of Peace Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was held in the Templar Hall on Thursday evening, C.T. Bro Pearson presiding. After the business of the evening had been disposed of, the Lodge took the form of a social, when refreshments, to whioh ample justioe was done, were banded round by some of the ladies. P.D.D. Bro R. Elston then informed the Lodge that he bad a very pleasant duty to perform, that of pre senting fonr of the brothers with a token eaoh of the Lodge's esteem for the way in wbioh they had distinguished themselves during the past quarter in various capacities. Bro Mulford, for having paired the Chief Templar's chair, a Paßt Chief Templar's diploma emblematical of the Institution, in wbioh he had taken suoh a prominent part; Bro Pearson, a handsomely framed |dip!oma, for having contributed harmony throughout the quarter, presented to the Lodg6 by P.C.T. Bro G. Scott; Bro Daly, for having succeeded in getting nfost members for the Lodge; first prise, framed diploma, presented by Bro Mulford ; second prize, a well-bound volume by a'popular writer, Bro T. Pauling, pre sented by Bro Robins. Each of the Brothers suitably responded, after whioh the Lodge went into harmony.

Says a Wellington exchange:—The danger of careless stone-throwing is well illustrated by an acoident whioh oocured Ht Berhsmpore on Tuesday evening. A little girl named Charlotte Patience, about 7 years old, tbe 1 daughter of a resident in the vioinity, was looking on at b game of oricket, when one of th&'players took It into bis bead to have a *'cook-shy "at a patch of gorae, and in the fading light, the fact that the ohild stood close to it escaped his notice. He threw the stone and strook the wsre fence that was within an inch or two of the little one's face, There eeema to have been a joint in the wire just where sha stood, and the two prongs were driven into her face, one entering her fore head between the eyes, and the other making a nasty wound on her cheek, just below the right eye, while the stone itself made a severe bruise on the right temple. Mr Patience took bis ohild to Dr Porter, who administered obloroform, and stitched up the outs. The services of Dr Fell have since been oalled in, and both medioal men are now attending the little sufferer. It is not yet certain whether she will not have to lose her eye. Certainly the Most Effeotive MEDICINE in the world is SANDER and SONS, EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent powerful efCeots in Coughs, Golds, Influenza, etc,; the relief is instantaneous, Thousands give the most gratifying testimony. Read this certificate:—-" 24th April, 1885.—Messrs Sander and Sons,—lt is with the greatest of pleasure that I testify to the excellence of your Eucalypti Extract. Having had inflam mation of the bone of the leg, which came on after a severe attack of low fever, I waß attended by. Dr J. Boyd, who had made strenuous efforts to save'my leg, but witbaue success. He found it necessary to amputajit my limb. Having heard in the meantime of the wonderful cures workted by the Eucalypti Extract, I obtained a bottle, and the extraot had not been applied more than an hour when I began to feel greatly relieved. After apply ing tho extract every four hours for nine or ten days I was out of all danger. I would persuade all who may be affeoiod with any suoh disease to give tbe Eucalypti Extracts trial, and I am oonvinoed that they will find it the most wonderful of medicines.—Yours, etc.. E. J. Goknow, Wattle street Sandtarst -(Advt.; 5 1

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

(PKR PBRSB ABBOOIATIO9.J

Wellington, February 14 The Presbyterian Assembly have passed a motion of condolence wUh the widow of *he Rev MoAra, of Glsborne. Tha Itov J. Berry, Weßley Ohuich, attended as a deputation st from the Ministers' Asio olatiou. He presented the good wishes of the AsoooiHtloa to the Assembly, and extended a hearty we'eoaae to the Empire Oityjhoptog that the presence of tho minis era would be productive of great good. On the motion of tba. Rev Gillies the Assembly expressed its pleasure In 1 rucolvmg a visit from the deputation, and .eolprooited the kindly feelings expressed and trusted tcet U u bitaaing of the (Jnaroa would rest more abundantly upon ■ho labors of ministers of the olty. The Visiting delegates are being euterUlned at , a coaversißlono In St John's tonight. The lootl diapera' tsslstauts have re slyed to form a branch of the hew Zetland Birly 0 oilng A lOolatlon, md in vite shop aaslsuata of various trades to join the nnvamant, the inltiil object of whioh Is to secure the closing ot rsttil shops at cix o'oloak every evening of the week. An endeavor also will bu made to Heoure a weekly hslf-bollday. It is tha tatentlOQ of the brtnoh to j )«n the Fede r«ted Trades of tha colony^ Dunidht, Fobeuaty 14 j At tSo U M. Court to-day, Obrlsdna 1 Goi-df n, of Wellington, sought to recover £12 10a dtnugea iu»t%lne"d Iv tho aide buqw grounds at the Exhibition by smoke and ■' <ot from tbe Elfiel tower engine Hpoltlng her olothes. Judgment waa given for £7 91 6a. with costs.

At the adjourned meeting of St Paul* Ohnseh, a report w»a brousht up as to tne defalcations by ibe late Treasurer, G. H, Aiheroft, who recently comml ted fuwide, Tbe report stated lh*t the frauds extended from tho time of his appointment four years ago, and Involved h loas to the Ohorob f ouds of more that £1650- They were perpetrated 00 skill ally as to esoape detection,

Invekoakqiu, Febraaiy 14. There is a soaroity cf "water In town and 000.Qtry, even affecting the tnnt ia (ho riven. There «re no signs of rain and us the harvet is faat becoming goueral tn Immediate full is not desirable.

THE FRENCH IN CANADA

A HEATED DEBATE.

[BY ILECTBIO TBIEGxIAPH—OOPYBIGHI]

FHEt TOBSS ASSOCIATION.

Ottawa, Feb?n%ry 13

An excited debate has taken place in the Dominion Parliament. A num ber of members declared that the Protestants would arm to expel the French from Canada. Sir J. Mac donald denounced the attempt to arouse race hatred.

LUST LADRELS.

To the greatest soldier of modern times, the "Iron Duke," is attributed the saying that" England's battles were won on the cricket field," and it is un doubtedly true that to the British love for manly sports, with the consequent development of a healthy physique, a muscular frame, keenness of eye and quickness ot hand, is to be traced in no small degree the achievements of the Anglo-Saxon people. For not only do these healthful and manly field sports fit the Britisher to become the very best of soldiers, but they have helped to develop and maintain unimpaired a physique which enables him to sustain any climate,' and almost any amount of toil and, it need be, privation, making him the most successful explorer and the most capable coloniser to be found, among the many varieties oi the genus homo. It is, there fore, on more than mere sentimental grounds thai; we deplore tbe declension in New Zealand of late years of that best of all out-door games—cricket. That declension is very noticeable. Time was that Canterbury in particular—the most purely English of all the provinces of the oolony—was/aw7# princeps inHthe cricket field, when she could hold, her own with any part of Kew Zealand or with any colony in Australasia, and could give a good account of herself when opposed to a crack English team; Time was, too, when Otago iv her turn carried off, the laurels, and when a really good; cricketing team could be got together in almost any town of importance from the North Cape to the Bluff. Bat we have changed all that, and Christchurcb, Oamaru, and Dunedin have one after another been defeated utterly by a visiting team of New South Welshmen, Christ church only being able to make even the semblance of »st»nd against them. The reason doubtless is that other field sports, notably lawn tennis, have to a very large extent usurped the place of cricket among us ; but tbe explanation is not an excuse for allowing, the noble national game to fall into desuetude,; Lawn tennis, no doubt, has an especial charm in that it admits of ths association of the sexes, and a court; of lady and gentlemen players is an exceedingly pleasant and pretty sight, but, while we have no wish to see the racket and tennis ball lose anything of their popularity, we shall be sorry indeed to see the willow and wickets altogether eclipsed. Yet, if things go on as they are duiDg, there is only too much danger that this will be the case, and that cricket will become a lost art among us. It is high time that our cricketers began to take a revived interest in the noble game, and earnestly set to work to regain their old skill in order to the speed? recovery of their lost laurels.

THE WATER QUESTION.

As the result of the long period of exceedingly dry weather, which has now at least partially broken up, the North branch of the Ashburton river has dried up. How long a period had elapsed since a similar occurrence is a disputed point; the writer of an article headed " The Drought," which appeared in our issue of the 11th inst., and who is an old resident of the district, and who asserts it is fifteen years since such a phenomenon had been noted, having beon sharply taken to task :by a still older resident, Mr Octavius Digby, who asserts that the river ceased run ning at Digby's bridge only four years ago. We hare communicated with the writer of the article first referred to, ma he replies that, he does no?dispute Mr Digby's statement, but Bays that he is mistaken if the North branch was dry from end to end four years ago, whereas 1 it was so fifteen years ago, and was so again at the ditto the article was written. However tha question as between the two authorities upon this point is not bo important as that of the cause of the occurrence. Primarily this is, of course, the want of rain, but if Mr Digby's contention be correct, the proximate cause is the diversion of what water had been flowing down the channel into the county water-races. He com plainß that this is " a monstrous piece of injustice to those settlers who selected' their lands largely on account of those lands having watqr .frontages," and asserts that there are settlers on the Plains who are able to " drive water wheels and cut chaff" with the diverted water " whilst the proper natural course down which the water ought to flow is quite dry for several milej, and horses and cattle are rambling round tha paddocks in a ftmished state, prepara tory to bursting over the tences in search of water to quench their thirst." If this be so, we do not wonder at Mr Digby's protest. It appears that he has interviewed the County Engineer on the subject, whose reply was that "if all the water now running over the Plains were turned down the NorfJi branch it would, not make any difference." Clearly if there is water enough running down the races to enable the driving of water-wheels the Engineer must be wrong, and it was not an unfair request that the matter should be tested for 24 hours by actual experi ment. That, however, would have doubtless caused inconvenience to those who are dependent upon the races * for their water-supply. Under all itho circumstances the suggestion that part of the water flowing down the South ] branch should be turned into tfao' North would appear to be the best way of providing for all parties. If Mr Digby is right in asserting that this could be done at the cost ot but a very smaiT'&t^ayjthen he has clearly mad j oat a case wnlcb^emands the early cor sideration of the County Council.

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responiible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents

THE WATER SUPPLY QUESTION.

TO TH» IDITOB.

Sir,—The lower part of the North Branch of the river Ashburton having beenqoite dry for several days past, I wish to point oat to you on behalf of myself and the settlers in this locality the k convenience we are put to, and th; injustice done to us ty the action of ihe County Council in drawing too much water from the North Ashburton and its tributaries for the supply of the water races on the plains.. So abundant is the supply of water on the Plains that the settlers can drive water wheels and cut chaff by water power, whilst at the same time the proper natural course down which this water ought to flow is quite dry for several miles, and our horses and cattle are rambling round the piddocks in a famished state preparatory to bursting over the fences .in search of water to quench their thirst. This state of affairs is sufficient proof that there is no drought in the strict sense of the ' term any further than what ye have to submit to from the action of the County Council. .. _

We consider it a monstrous piece of injustice to deprive of water the settlers who bought land from the Government with a water frontage—settlers. iehopvih cine early days, could have found land equally good for farm« ing purposes and much Dearer markets and civilisation, but who preferred going further into the wilderness and away from all society in order to obtain river frontages and water. Should we have done this if we bad thought for one moment the Government would have broken faith with us (after having taken our hard cash for water frontage) by then turning the water in a different direction by artificial races, and leaving the natural water course quite dry for several miles, and.the frontage to our land' nothing but dry stones and stinking fish. Whoever heard before of natural water courses being drained dry to supply water in artificial ones ? Ought not the i natural water courses to have the prior claim instead of the artificial ones ? :

We do not wish tojdeprive the settlers on the Plains of water, we merely want a fair share, justice, and our rights, of which we have been robbed, restored again to us by I being allowed to have a supply of water ourselves. If the Council had taken notice of the warnings given chem four years ago we should not have been short of water at the present time, and the Plains could have ad just as much or more than they have now, 1 myself pointed out how the County Council had gone too; far in depriving the settlers on , the .lower portion of the Worth Branch of running water, and; not far enough by not taking means to have the North Branch replenished from the Jwater in the South Branch of the river. . ' ' ' f '

Is the South Branch of the river to be allowed to carry large volumes of water down to the ' sea whilst we are suffering, and our stock perishing for want of' water on the North Branch, land while at the same time it can he taken from one to the other at so little expense. . Knowing that the County Council would not meet until March next, and to show you that we have taken all possible steps to obtain redress, we formed a deputation t& wait upon the County Council. The Clerk told us to see the Engineer, and that the Chairman would be going through by the expre.s on Wednesday. We went to meet the express on both, Wednesday and Thursday, but saw nothing of, Mr Walker, but we saw the Engineer, wh» said it wai an occurrence that might take place perhaps once in a century, and that he questioned if all the water that was running over the Plains was turned down the North Branch whether it would make any, difference to the flow of water down that branch at the lower end. We asked him to turn it all down for only twenty-four hours and let us see whether it made any difference or not, but he would not do this, but he afterwards referred us to the skies. We said we knew we had to depend upon the Almighty and the skies for all water supply, but in this case we might as well cut our jugular vein and {let the blood flow on to the ground and then ask the Almighty to make it flow back through our veins again. Yours etc., OCTAVIUS DIGBY. Ashburton, Febnuury 14th, 1890.

THE PARNELL COMMISSION

THE JUDGES' REPORT.

(PEK fSBSS ASSOCIATION.;

London, February 13 Tbe Parnell Commission report that Davitt, Harris, Dillon, W. O'Brien, W. Redmond, O'Connor, Condon and O'Kelly conspired to bring about the absolute separation of Ireland The fac simile letter is declared to be a forgery. The defendants since de nouncing the Phoenix Park murders were proved to, have: incited to intimidation, and invited the assistance of. Ford in America. Mr Parnell is acquitted of having assisted Byrne to escape to Paris, and the Judges find it < is not true tbat he was intimate with the leading Invincibles. Davitt is shown to have .been closely associated with the party of violence in America;

The Commission further find that defendants conspired by means of coercion and agrarian agitation to expel landlords from Ireland. They circulated the "Irish World" and other papers inciting people to sedition and crime. It was not proved that they paid for the commission of crimes, and some, espe cially Davitt, expressed iona fyU dis approval. They did. not denounce intimidation, and knowing the effect they persisted in not doing so. It was proved they subscribed I towards, or were intimately associated with, notori ous criminals, or paid to procure their escape from justice, and that they sent compensation to persons injured in the commission of crime. It was not proved defendants were aware the Clan na-.Gael controlled the American League or collected money for the Parliamen tary Fund. It was proved that in order to obtain the assistance of the physical force parly in America, I including the Clan-na-Gael, which' was actively engaged in dynamite operations in England, defendants abstained, from condemning the actions of that party.. It was not proved that at the date of the Kilmainham negotiations Parnell knew Sheridan and Boynton were organising outrages. It was proved that Daritt arranged an alliance between Parnellites, the American Home Rulers, and the party of violence in America, and that the " Skirmishing Fund" was used to promote agitation, whjch resulted in the formation of the League: The Invin cibles were not a branch of the League. Boycotting was cruel and illegal. It wag proved that forty-four Irish members, including Parnell, Dillon, . Deasy, Davitt, the Redmonds, and other lead ing members who supported boycotting, were guilty of criminal conspiracy against the landlords. The League neither organised nor paid the Invin cibles. None of the defendants had either direct or indirect knowledge of the Phoenix Park conspiracy; Pigott was utterly unworthy of credit, and all his letters ware forgeries. The League did not assist in the detection of crime. No details were given of the way in which £100,000 of the Leaguer's funds was expended, and there was no valid ex cuse for the non-production of the books. The rise of agrarian crime coincided with the beginning of activity in the League. The Commi&aioji did not receive the assistance that was ex-' pected from (either ParnelJ or the League. < Tbe report, «Lwb wi|uwwag^aii § jj

165 pages. It hag been laid on the 1 table of the House of Commons. 'Received February 16, 1360 pm ) Lohdom, Fabrnary 14, The "Chronicle" says that the history of the " Parnellism and Crime " articles which appeared in the" Times" is that of the most colossal fiasco in political journalism. The "Standard" says that the defendants have been shown to be > morally responsible for the wont crimes of the League. The "Times" says .thtt \\k report; though colorless.andguard|djn judicial ■, language thoroughly coojfirms, the main part of the case." The general effect of / the,charges remains unshaken and it believes the country jprill accept the report as completely confirming the arguments ilrged.

A SCHOONER CAPSIZED.

IPHR PBI9S AMObIATIOIf.)

(Beoelvud, Febrn»ry t 181./2; p m ) The American trading schooner Ti«« don capsized in a gale off the Solomon Islands on Norember 13th. A nnmber of islanders, whY were battened down were drowned, despite thY efforts of the crew to release them. _

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME L\ XDj FOREIGN.

[ruwmaM AawoTAtHW.J

FAILURES IN THE IRON TRADE.

- "■- LoirpoK, February 18. ; _, Ssveralfailures are reported, through gambling in iron warrants I'"'"' "

THE TASMANIAN DEBT.

It is believed that Tasmania ioteflds to convert her debts intb s# per cents.

JUDICIAL. 5 '•« ' Sir;E. CBoviij,^''"Chief 1 -'J^tiee of Cyprus, has refused^to, take :t|e same , position in Western Australia.'s

CONGRESS ON HYGIENE.

An Intercolonial Congress on hygiene will meet in London nest year,* Dele gates from.Australia'will be invited.

A CORNER IN HEMATITE.

It is' rumored that t ting. has been formed to corner the' hematite market,) and close the furnaces till the stocks on hand are sold. ?i;wi-r. r- ?'r,-...ix

WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

The Western Ajistf fyanMljwu read a first time to-day. It is expected that the Committee will examine, the Agents-General with regard to the disposal of Crown lands and the ques tion of emigration:

LOCKED OUT GASMEN.

The meo Who?#er6loidk(^l dutiby the Metropolitan Gas Company, and lost their work in consequence of the unsuccessful agitation against the Com pany, are appeaiingJbr ,relief. v ,

A BRITISH CRUISE R ASHORE.

News has been received that the British cruiser Conquest, 14 guns, 3350 ions, commanded by Captain Charles L. Oxlfey, has gone ashore on the Island of Piemba off the Zanzibar coait.

ENGLAND AND PORTUGAL.

Lord Salisbury's despatch on the Zambesi dispute .' characterises the alleged Portuguese title ai bogus, and points out that it has not bten aiterted for centuries. Heulso remarks that the Treaty of Berlin does not apply to the African dispute.

A LADY COUNTY COUNCILLOR.

Miss Cobden has taken her teat on the London County Council, deipite the decision of the Court* disqualify ing women as County Councillors, on the? ground rthat the time hu expired in which her right to the teat could be challenged. ■ ,■'->

WITHDRAWAL OF GOLD COINS

i tie time within which gold coins issued previous to .Queen Victoria as cending the throne must be withdrawn from circulation has been extended to March 31st. Such coins will now be taken at their .full value, but it not handed in by the date named will only be paid for on the actual'value of the gold, '; \-;l >' '"'■"■•■'

THE DUKE d'ORLEANS.

. - . Pajus, February 13. The Duke d'Orleans hai decided not to appeal agaiast his sentence.

REMARKABLE WILL CASE

A. will oils of adm'e Intereat li aft preaent ooonpying the ittenUon of the Caief Jastloe ird » jiry of twelve in tbe Soprema Opart cf Victoria.- Jo Angatt of lilt 7"t Ml Henry Moi¥,l of Port Melbourne (he owner of a.iaorative lightering bualceM and » oonaiderabla •momit of r«a! end pereotul nrooertyS. died esb, hl> will .od two coJlolli left the balk of hit poseeielniri, Valued at between- *30,000 and £40000, to Mra Grace Somqer, a woman who bad been acting m nnm to film. He waa a maa of eighty yeavi of a^e, and bit ohlldten and grandchildren received paltry hgaeUe which only Toaine Intb fffaot:aft»r all othet claima had been ftattafod.. AMordtng In the opening statement of ooonael Mr» Somrier appear* to bare IltaraMt takr a poueailoQ of tbj old man, who »aj r, m fieble In health, on the dertli of htr -«/ »n* *o ; kW By«t#aaailofll|lwoikk to ch ain complete ae&'ndi^VeHK d «| D . four year.. A grand daughter of Mi ■M^™^Wil!W,*#*i»t an hotel oondooted: by' her t, at dfee«oooifiejS at the time of Mr. Mom" deaS! and; wh flQ . 0 . T'tebSS.* informing her of the event Mra. Somner went to PorijMelbowne with. H r> .f e? tß*w"ng tbat aha waa a great friend of 4he twtator, and that aheln tanded to take charge of the hooe«holdi «v Somner waa ea jfood aa net word, for on arriving at Btwcobel, the teaLtor'* residence at Port Melbourne, aheamifal* took poaiewlon, At tha faatel *h» pl.c.d ber.elf in the firat moarnlor ewVl age to the excla.lon of the aont; ao<* only c minted to go Into the second a/Ur Mine expoatnlattqn on r their] p»r^ R a ";raJ ng hem Uw *m aha BMg « 0, 0 % mW th * 0 > thl Si X W** old n,.n, .. ahe aaid. She at onoB >uaaerk ook the poßlUon ot f T ?5-S*M«. "dao oteeeamealt •" nl«t)':. Mra Somoe- aooa «ot the °'a nian estranged from hie granddaughter had prevloatly unried bin. and p«f aaaded him to bare a lawyet'a letter cent to bis aona forbidding them tbe honee., It i» predtQcod that the, erldeaoe of «ada« In flaartco haVlng be^u aaed o* tha foitator • will h.9 9J,s;tong thai, tile will matt bw 6pew»,-' ' ' ' *' x' ' -'l 1

THE ASHBtTRTOM GUARDIAN, SaTU^DaY FEBEOaRY 15. 1800.



" Tho* Iwutatofl by vnw.y t surpassed by J ,t: none," I T/fc)vn,\TH\>» RvH.'VAV TEMPER A\CE HOTEL ; - '^pp.'^t' -ho B i'way Station), ;'= , • t\' *. D , N , MM 3iL& c PftOPBJST.RaSS. fT^iiTii *e?f pnoTil'r tM&Whbrx-.e-i* o^a J tiuoo» to afford very p«p«rlo<" accom modation to tourist-) and othura wh) desire the COMFORTS OF HOME, opmbiced ' with VSRY MODERATE OHABHE4. The sole management of the house, aa well as the cabinh affaire, are under tbt, personal eapervmon of Mrs Silk. The House !■ Situated within a few min^s walk of The Exhibition, Post Office, Steamboat Landing*, and other placas. "wTw, SPENCER'S II the CHEAPEST Hoate in Ashbnrton for DRAPERY, OLOIHINO AND BOOTS. We sell for CASH. Small profits and quick letnrnn, and we give sterling value., 1 White Calicos 3s 61. a dotan Grey Giilooß 2a lid i. dr.san A Splendid Turkish Towel for 7£d Flanelattea 4a lid a dozen Summer Dress Quods 6£d The best quality of PRINTS for the least money i Blankets 9i 61 a pati Ginghams in plain Colours 3s lid a doe. Double Width White Twill Sheeting 1* Men's Tweed Snlts 18s 6d Saddle Tweed Salts 39j 6d A osse of Men*■ Ool'd Moles jast to haad, ■lightly damaged by water worth 9a 6d, for 7s lid Boy's Ool'd Moles 2s lid. THE CHEAPEST HOUSE FOR MEN'S OLQTHING IN ASHBUBTON. . boot sTTb oo t s 4 Men's Shooters 10s 6d, BJnchera6s lid. A resllp good pair of Women's Kid Boots for 6s lid. No aeoond-hand stook. A SPLENDID ASSOBTMENT of Children's Patent Leather Slippers and Boots at W. W. Spencer's TBE AECAOE. ABHBUBTON COUNTY STOCK AND iSALEYAUDS CO., Limited. A 8 the request of several Farmers the Company ha* deoidad t> hold a Special PIG FAIR For the Sale of STORE PIGS, AT THE Tinwaid Yards Early in March. Farmer! will obl?ge by letting the Oaretaker hare pariiculara of their Entries aarly aa possible. GEO. JAME?OK, 75 Oh-»irman. QDOD F&OMUS VALDB FAGIMU ("W fiatwedo we o well" OffRISTOHUBOH DHNTALI Oachel street, Ohriatohnroh, next Robin » Boot Store, and at the Octagon, Danedin. A i )peration« at stiictly uniform and moderate Oonsaltation free. 3. MYEBS~AND CO., ! SUBQBOH DENTIHTS, - ] — »\ j^ITBOUb OXIDB GAS administered Thla An»3Bthetlo leaves no unpleasant effect*, and by its use the extraction of Bad Stamps and Toeth In rendered per 'eotly Painless *nd Effective. Ad ministered dally. Pee for administration of Gaa, si. JBxteafltion, 2o 6d » tooth. Honra of attendance, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Private resldanoe, 93 Bast Belt. The acknowledged BBperlorKy of AMERICAN DENTISTKY in th» cpn fltraotion of Attlfioial Teath, the most fiaUhed workmaoship, *ad replaoloß tbe <*t toeth TEMPORARILY ALMOST MMBDIATELY after extraction, have Btablisnad onr tepatation, A sinel* Artlfiola Tooth, 10s, oomplete jt Upper Mtol Lovrer, Temporary »ud Permanent £1010« ; ArMficlal Tenth and Oeotnres made bj other dentists re- at small costs, Stopping, Soil ■jg Perfect and Painlesr. PBJNG & SUMMER, 1889 Wl. SPARROW, TAILOR AND MERCER, JDST OPENED, A LARGE and Varied Assortment of Gentlemen's bhlrts. Hats, Soarfa, NEW SEASON'S TWEEDS AND COATINGS, large and well selected Stook to ohooae i»m. IBto TAILORING DEPARTMENT vnder the M g »cement of Mb T. Kkkk baa had L»rge experience aa OUTTKR prinolpal Tailoring EstablibmeDts tohnrofcu Fit and Workmanship Guaraniud WM. SPARROW SMkStfMl I



Oaßh Advertisements under thi* head in?, not exceeding 16 words, OMB Shilling. Addresses may;be!eft at this Office. SPLKNDID value in Organs. SpecUl iir.e "Bfcahoven" Golden Tonod, 20 1 itopß be»'jtifal oomblaaUons of iou d.— H. M Jones YOHNU Ladles Jonra-V/ tn Feb'ii«ry! F.mily Header monthly and qnsi tofltf ;u'tf, Biy*i and Girla Own PVpar,— fi. W Jt'NES. W~" AjJTEu ..t o cc—Young Man to drivd dray ; wageu "30s per week. Also foar strong B--»y* t permanent work Apply at onoa Jephson and Moobe, Jinwald. ■ 2 54 MANILLA. Blnior Twiuo, Ditohlce Oil. aaa viiri-.. T.uits is money ou she harvest field—ttio belt U tbeohuapeßt. —R. Aloobn, Sainderrt Hulldlnga. WAJNT3D Kuown " Strong-wea< Boom for Ladles, Mea and Ohildcen o»n only be obulaed at W. H 0 lujeb'b. W-- NTED Known that Andrew Obb t half-yearly sale of Surplus Stock of Dupery Oiothlng and Boots ia now going on. 1 141 ■TITANTBD KNOWN —My Bpeciai VY Make of Ladles' 4-clasp Eii Gloves, " The Aehburtonian," braidec backs, 3s 6d per p&ir.—W. H. Colueb. VI J ANTED every mau in tna Countj VV to have a Salt of the Ashbartot Tweeds. —Robbbt Aloobn, Ashbortor Clothing Mart, Saonders' Bnildiogs. WEDNESDAY H»lf Holiday. Pleaai ■bop early. Wednesday we clos< at 1 p.m.— H. 0. Snouts, Melfo*< Hooie. TjfIMBROIDfIRIES—Ft* good Embroi] J\i deries marked oheap w Melforc House. Wo nave a lsrga »ua iplenaif aatotment to choose from.—fl. 0. S&ger'i ftfelford House. WANTED Koo-n Uoe curtains 3' 114, towola 4Ji, umbrellas 1b 10 i p;mts 2J3. sklttp In, kid gloves li, 12ioi dress buttons for I>, embroidered ocstumt> Mk—Andrew Obb'b Sale. 1 161 THE Jubilee Sale. Anobiw Obb I aelUng mena boots 9s 63, Indies E.B at 4s 6d, laoe up boots 5s 6d, glris boot 3« 9d, meo'a shoes 6i lid. evening oboe 2s 6d. Sale now on. 1 15: MBS KENfIKD? and Mies Csmeroa Moore Street—Teachers of Scientific Dress-catting bodies out and fi ted Dresemakiiig in all it* branches. Ridin* habits a speciality. 12 6! MILLINERY— If you want o ehoo«. from a large stock of tiimmed an< ontrlmmed bats and bonnets go te Mai ford House. A lot of children's Palates straws from 6d to 2s, very cheap* —H. 0 SxffßßS, Melfo-d Hoqse. WANTED, Everyone to Know—Tha J. 610130 Nbas now in Btook i ■ree and varied assortment of BOOTS AND SHOES for the Spring and Suramei Season, Gentlemen's, Ladles', aud Chil dren's, both imported' and Colonial; ls< HIS OWN MAKE, which OANNM BE BUBPASSED for Stylo, Pit, Qaal »y »nd Nentneiiß, combined with YEUI RffiASONABLE PRICES. All repairs executed prompt y and «ltl neafcneeß, lOtl Public Notices. TTAIjENTINE3 ! V^lentineg—Newee' \ and most Elegant Desigos In box«s SUk-Fdnged Love o;>rda and T*erfomed Sachets, etc. Largest. Variety In O^m'o Vaientlneß L. P. ANDRSWES & 00, Stationers' Hall. SUMMER 1890 1890 QUMMi'I HOW 1890 1890 (O HO \? ALL DEPARTMENTR OF OUR BUSINESS REPLETE WITH CEOICE GOODS FOR THIS SEASON. ■JT PRIOE~RIGHT, & For Juvenile's Clothicg Try ihe JS.Z Clothing Faotory For Boys' Clothing Try the N.Z, Glotnlng Factory For Youths' Clothing Try tha N.Z. Clothing Factory For Men'a Clothing Try the N.Z. Clothing Factory For Men's Measure Suits Try tbe N.Z. Clothing Faotory For Merceiy aud Hobi=>ry Try the N.Z. Clothing Fa-jtory For Blankete, Rugs, and Planne's Tiy tbe N Z. Clothing Factory For Hats in the ( ewest ehapea Try tha N.Z. Clothing Faotory For the bast value for Ready Money Try the N.Z. Clothing Factory ENCOURAGE LOOALIS DU iTRY AND 3Ut PROM THE NSW" ZEAXAin) Clothing Factory. INSPEOT^TUK STOCK And draw your own conclusions. W E, THE CHEAPEST SALE NO w <*OING ON IN ABHBUKMON l£ AT "The Corner/ Children's Hats half price Flowers at ha f price Prints at half price Ijadies' Jackets at half price 17 dos Men's Sox (beat made) half price $ f. % SEE THE WINDOWS gEE THE WINDOWS on INSPECT THE STOCK ( INSPECT THE STOCK ,; I W. H. COLLIER •jliie Corner." j



A writer ie the " Auokland Star " competes 1 for "ihe kettle " in railway stories as follows'— j"The Boeneis, cay the Grand Hotel, and a traveller comes dashing in at abontll p.m. and demands a bed, as be wishes to retire at once. Asked why he comes bo late, be replies that he ought to have arrived about 6 in the afternoon, but the 'infernally alow trains delayed him. Stopped everywhere, and stopped as long as they could. If the engineer bqw a dog fight, stopped the whole train to look at it. Stopped at big stations and little stations, stopped for drinks, and stopped for nothing at all but pure onssedness, 1 never saw or heard of anything like it." A little meek man in a corner suggested that he knew of a Blower train. He waa immediately jumped at, and blushingly told of a train from Helcnsville which a few months back used to stop regular.y near Waikomiti to pick up a basket of eggs from an old woman, who sent them to a grocer in town. One day the train stopped as usual, bnt instead of a dozen the old lady had only eleven. " And what do you think the kind-hearted engineer did J" •• Give it up." •• Waited tUUteh^^ltie extra gg, Solid, foot/ 1



HoLLOWAY'S'OIiNTMENT AND PILLS.—In; all outward complaints a desperate effort 1 should be made to at once remove these annoying infirmities, and of establishing 3. cure. The remarkable remedies discovered by Paofessor Holloway will satisfactorily accom. plish this desirable result, without any of those dangers or drawbacks which attend the o'd method of treating ulcerative inflammations, scrofulous affections, and scorbutic eruptions, The most timid invalids may use both the j Ointment and Pills w*h the utmost safety with , certain success, provided a moderate attention be bestowed on their accompanying •' Directions." B >th the preparations soothe heal and purify. The one assists the other materially in effecting cures-and renewing strength by helping exhausted ature just When, ita needs such suqwui; <



Bouoa ON Ttoh—Qaro3 sTein humors, erup tlons, ring worm, tatter, ault rhjutn, froat^r *aeu, cbUbtainik<«»oH,ivypo on barber's to- TO THE DBAF. Ths deeorlptlon of a simple remedy, by phich a person ban jast baen completely I uured of deafness >ttnd noises in the head ol! ! f^rty years' Bt^nding, oin be h»d frea cf charge, on application, verbally, |ot by letter 10 NICHOLSON, \ 175 WUIUm 3U«t, Mtlb M% ■



Rough en Catarrh.—Corrects offens. todors at once. Complete care of worst cbroq cuu; also dnequaled v patvfo (QC <U »hthCT