The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1890. THE PRESS ASSOCIATION.

The Press Association must be com- I meiiclttd for the excellent summary supplied of Mr BaUanee's speech «at {■"Wrtnganui. On ■■many- occasions previously the Opposition have had ; good reason io complain that when the 1 Premier or one of the leading members | of the Cabinet delivered a public' 1 address the. fullest publicity was given to the fnct, while ahy deliver-* ance from the opposite side of : the House was dismissed eitlicr iin a very few lines, or not men tioned at all. Last year the tele graphic Mimmary of Mr Ballance's ad ! dress t >hi s consfcituor.ts was boiled down j'tb some dozen lines,, and'gave anything I but a correct summary of the speaker's view's upon most important questions engaging the attention of the country. This called forth from several news papers affiliated with the Association a 'vigorous protest, and m one or two "instances the Press Association were openly accused of political partisanship. The protest of last year has had a salutary effect, and m order that the Leader of the Opposition should not be placed at a disadvantage this year, the Association despatched special repre sentatives from Wellington to takenotes at the meeting. This is as it should be, and the action of the Association has given satisfaction to a large number of subscribing papers, and to the country. The Tress Association hold a virtual monopoly of the telegraph news 1 supplied to newspapers, many papers having no other source from which to draw information from abroad. It is therefore of the utmost importance that the various agents sending for ward telegrams should divest them selves of all bias, and m matters of political and national importance keep the Assoc'ation free from any well ! grounded charge of partisanship. j People now-a-days rely almost solely I upon Press. Association telegrams for items of political, social, or general in terest, and it is essentially necessary that these should he supplier] from a i pure fountain-head. In the matter of j politics the Press Association have this j year taken an advanced step m the I right direction.. m placing before the country the policy of the Opposition, and it is to be hoped that the Premier's mani festo or address when delivered will receive the same treatment. The Association has already sent out cirou- Jais to the various agents instructing I them that only actual facts must be ! wired during the coming general elec ] tions, and that such facts must be devoid of all party coloring. During I the present labor crisis also, owing to the partisan tone m which telegrams from certain centres were worded, the Association felt called upon to caution | all agents that each fact recorded should be verified before being de spatched. Unfortunately the la'it j named circular was not sent forward early enough m the laboT struggle to prevent misapprehension being created m the public mind as to the progress of the struggle m the various localities; but after its receipt, a difference was observable m the telegrams forwarded, both sides receiving that fair play which Englishmen 'pride themselves so much "upon. The unprejudiced ton« of the telegrams now ar riving has enabled the public, for \ whom the Press Association cater, to form something like ■••. correct idea of what h transpiring —especially m New Houtli Wales »nd Victoria. From these few facts it will be seen that the Association are takingeVery precaution I to preserve a position of strict neutra lity, and to stick closely to the pur pose for which the organisation was called. j,nto existence, viz., purveyors of unadulterated news. The manager and directors realise that the strong est hold which the Assochtbn can have upon its constituents is to preserve a strict impartiality, and not allow this useful public institution to be influenced by any outside dictators— whether political logrollers, labour agitators, or designing rings and syndicates of capitalists. 1 1 this course is followed out, the Press Association will grow m importance every year as a most important factor m public aflairs, and its sphere of usefulness will be unbounded; but if tele grams are once allowed to be tinged with partisanship the Association will lose its hold upon the support^ of subscribers and upon the sympathies of the people.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The birth rate m England anil Wales has been decreasing ever since 1876. The people of the United States use 1,500,000 po3tal-ca'rds every day. France practically gets all Northwestern Africa under the new agreement. King Otto, of Hav.iria, has tits of <]oiiient:» m which he imagines he is a lion. A genuine portrait of Columbus, painted by Lotto m ISO I, hvn boon discovered. An immeiKt forest area has been destroyed m Bavaria by caterpillar ravages. Seven years ago 83 per cent, of British vessels were iron. Now 02 per cent, 'arc steel. An exhibition of fitting* and articles for use m prisons will be opened shortly at St. Petersburg. Italy has ordered the study of English to be added to the curriculum of all Italian universities. The Railway Department announce that after sth October the ordinary time-table will be resumed. It is said that good manners and good morals are henceforth to, be taught m the public schools of Boston; - About 3000 tons of lmlelon froinKr>ken Hill are lying at port Piric, and cannot be shipped owing to the strike. A book fiend m Melbourne has received a I sentence of two years for having committed perjury m swearing that an order for a book was signed by the peraoiv he had sued. I The business x>eople of Nasbcy have agreed to close the business places at nine o'clock on Saturday and six o'clock every other evening duriiitf the week, ami also to observe •a half-holiday every Wednesday. The proceedings of the Japanese Parlia ment arc reported verbatim by means of a stenograph^ system original to Japan. The characters arc written m perpendicular rows from right to left. The 'Methodist (Ecumenical Conference, which is tv meet m America m September of next year, will be composed o£ 400 members clouted from all the recognised bodies of Methodists throughout the world. Austra liaji MethoJiamis entitled t" send 10 dele' gates, ■

h. resolution has been carried by a masting J at working men at Bioamond, Victoria! J agninat any alteration of tho S<ibb ith law. < More rain fell m London during .JViiu and the first half of July than hafj fallen during the same period *for eighty-soven years. The divorce law of Victoria is now surely sufficiently elastic. In the latest chsc before the courts a wife has been granted a divorce from a husband who has been a habitual drunkard for three year*. Suppose that you "wished, to walk through all the streets and lanes and alleys of Lonnon, and,were able to arrange your trip so that you never traversed Die came one twice, you Would have to walk tcu mile 3 every day tor-nine yuara before your journey would be completed. Atij Oatiiaru exchange says that Mr Samuel Holmes, of Hiklcrlhorpe, h W sold a pig to Messrs Davidson and Co., which, though only ]G weeks and two days old, weighed 161 lbs when dressed. The animal was bred and reared on Mr Holmes' farm, and the feed was corn and milk. The National. Association of British and Irish Millers report a decided increaed m wheat productions m Russia, Romnania, Austria, and Hungary. They think that America is approaching the time when she must considerably increase her wheat acreage or cease to be a whf»t-exportnig country, such will be the home demand. ■ There has been no small excitement over ' an alleged discovery of platinum at Colac, m Victoria. Expensive smelling . apparatus was constructed, and the company's mining engineer, a Mr Pounds, showed large yields I- of what lie declared to be platinum from the [ ore treated. Tho Government geologist and analytical chemist, however^ have .declared conclusively that not a trace of platinum is to be found. Mr Pounds is now ill with brain fever, and a number of uharehoMßrs arc lamenting their losses. " By an imfortunate accident that happened last evening a large plate glass window m Mr Henry Zander's shop was smashed, ami several valuable services of china aiid other ware destroyed. It appears that a horse belonging to a customer, was being held opposite the door, but becoming restive managed to back the vehicle he was harnessed to over the footpath into the window. The damage done i 3 estimated at over £"0. An extraordinary privilege of certain Guards' officers was brought to my notice the other day, says the editor of "London Truth." There is a special allowance, it appears, of £4000 a year for the me«s ex penses of the officers of the Queen's Gun ml at St James' Palace, and another of £800 a year for those ..on guard at Dublin Castle. There are never more than three officers or on duty at St. .James' on one dfvy, I should imagine, and the allowance of nearly £11 a. day tp feed them is simply preposterous. A meeting of those interested m the South Rakaia Sports and R-icea was held m the Library on Tuesday evening. The attend ance was moderate, and Mr Oxley waa voted to the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read, a number of alterations to the suggested programme were made, and the minutes as amended were confirmed. The alterations were—Weights to be lOstfo'r three year olds, Hat for four year olds, and 11st 71b for five, six, and aged. The distances altered were—Fly ing Stakes, '£ mile ; Ladies' Purse, 1$ mile; and fanners' Plate, 1£ mile- A Committee meeting of the Ashburton Cricket Club was held last evening. It was decided that the se-vson be opened next Wednesday* the 8tl», with a niateli an eleven of the Club vtf»vx All-comers, play to commence at two o'clock m the afternoon. Messrs Mainwarjng, ME<ckcig, Mackn,y, and G. W. Andrews were i .ppointed a Ground Committee. A match has been arranged with the Methven Club on the 15th instant. The following were elec ted new members of the Club :-— Messrs C ox, Ros->, Temple, Moss; Murray, E. Davis , AY". Davis, We3ton; Kemp tho rue, and Rollit;. We ("Reefton Guardian") understand that the Associated Un'oiis have under con-? sideration a scheme for hampering the resources of the capifcwlisfc parties to the present strike. Rightly or wrongly they f*re of opinion .that the'Uni on Company is bcinji supported by the Bank of New Zealand, and that the State ia rend'sring assistance to the; Company by interested interfcrones. It ia the intention, therefor 2, of the Executive of the Unions to act apart a particular day when a general run w ill be made upon the coffers of the Bank of Xew Zealand by the. Unionists. It is esti listed that m Christ church anil Dunedin alone on the "day so set apart, payment m gold will be demanded upon notes of the Bank to the value of £200,00:). A sad accident occured at Mmzzo on tho 4th August. A Bailing vessel from Genoa; entered the port m the morning, and the crew proceeded to empty the barrels of sea water which formed the ballast. The first sailor who de3cei»'Vd. into t,he hold to take th« bungs out of th« barrel* wasove-come I y. the gas wiiicli iasuod, and fell suffocatou, .As he did not reappear, a second, a third, and a fourth sailor followed and met, one after the other, wiih the same fate. Mean while, the fetid water waj running out of the barrels, and the corpses were soon covered with it. At last,the captain, sur- , prised at the long absence of me sailors, went below and approached the hatchway, when, the gases having arisen m greater qiiantity, he was aIBO suffocated. The boy the only member of the crow now alive, be came aware of the horrid event, and, crying to the people on shore, there soon arrived a crowd with some doctors. The bodies were dr.igged up, and every means employed to restore animation, but without effect Last Sunday the P».ev •). Boothroyd, of the Ashburton Primitive Methodist Church, preached his farewell sermons at Newlands m the morning, and at Ashburton m the evening. The rev gentleman is retiring from the ministry and purposes going into business m South? Canterbury. A tea meet ing, to say farewell to Mr and Mrs Booth royd, was given last evening m the ♦Salva tion Army Barracks, at which there was a large attendance, and Mr and Airs W. C. Davis Avon golden opinions from all sorts of people by the admirable manner m .which the duties of " pro/rklore " were discharged. At the after meeting the service hall of the barracks was well filled—Mr W. Allen being Chairman. Addresses were delivered by the Revs J. N, Buttle, Sawle, and the pastor, m which kind things were aaid of the way going friends, and good wishes expressed for their future welfare. An excellent choir, inlder Mr J. H. Jones's conductorahip, and with Mrs Davis at the organ, sang several sacred part 3ongs with good effect, and Mr Brooking, whose voice was m even better fettle than usual, rendered the " Lost Chord ' with much feeling. Miss Wildsinith sang the old favorite music wedded to Pope's immortal verse " Vital Spark," with sweet ness, blended with power. Mr Jones sang the solo part of a choir song, the chorus of which was cleverly taken up by the choir,, and Mr Leitch, whose abilities as a cornet player are well known, gave a solo made up of a few gems from Ira D. Saukey's music, and won the good opinions, of the audience, having to repeat his quotations. The choir was assisted by several friends from other choir/?, and all were gratefully acknowledged m the vote of thanks, as well as Mr Marsden, who gave a paean on the bells, and a solo on the flageolet. A c»ffee •upper followed m the refectory, which was well attended.

During th« progress o! a om« of obscene language hoard m tho Dunedin Police Court Mr Hanlon.anonßod'n oquii«ol, m his pleading, Haiti m extenuation th&fc he had heard M.H.R.S M-ho framed tlu> laws standing at street corners making use of disgiASting and filthy langutigo; but no notico wa» taken because they had decent coats on their backs I and wore belltoppcrs. | On Wednesday morning a young mr.n named Daniel Moore, fanner, Vvaitolu ! Downs,, was killed by being struck by the I rail of a stockyard ou his father's farm. He was Jetting Rome young horsc3 out of the yard, on'd one of them rushed through tho slip rails before the unfortunate young m:in could get clear, one end of a> nul striking him ou the he id, and causing fatal injuries. .Mr J. Evans Brown, a former resilient of 'Qhristcliiirch, now hi the United States, m a letter" jumt received, refers to the Lincoln Agricultural College m the following terms : —" Your.college is a thousand times more efficient than nny I know here. Potter has graduated at the Pennsylvania College, which ia by far the best I know of; and he docs not know a quarter as much os Vance learned at .Lincoln ; and I am quite willing for him to return to New Zealand and have at least ft year at Lincoln, provided, of <;oui'3e, he will oe admitted to the college. You can hardly conceive of the pleasure it affords Vance and self m showing these people how far they are behind New Zealand m agricultural schools." j£ We regret to record a most distressing accident that happened on Tuesday last at Methven, by which the little eighteen-month old daughter (Jessie) of Mr J. H. Stone lost her life. The little.girl was missed by her mother for only a quarter of an hour, and I when the latter.went to seek the child she ' found her body m the adjacent water-race. Every, possible effort to restore'animation was made, but unsuccessfully. An inquest was ijucld on Wednesday when a verdict m accordance with the above facts was re turned. Much sympathy is .felt for Mr Stone, who, it will be remembered, had the misfortune, eight or ten xlays ago, to suffer the loss by fire of his business premises and stock. The quarterly summoned meetiug of the Loyal Tinwald Lodge, 1.0.6. F., M.U., w«s held m the Temperance Hall, Tinwald, on Monday last, a fair number of officers and. members being^ present. The N.G. Bro F. Schneider presided. After the initiation of one new member, the auditors' report and balance-sheet for the half year was received and adopted. The balance-sheet showed •that the sick and-burial funds wcro worth £240 11» 6d; also acred t balance m the management fund of £12 5s lOd, which was considered very satisfactory. A hearty vc te of tlvuikd was passed to the auditors. The question of celebrating the anniversary of the Lodge next came on for discussion, and ultimately it was resolved to hold a ball oil Friday October 31 , (Ashburtou Show night). An influential committee was appointed to carry outallarrangementa there with. After the proposition of one person for membership, arid transacting a large amount of business, the Lodge was duly closed* The receipts for the evening was £14 03 lld ; expenditure £2 los.

TELEGRAPHIC

HOME AND FOREIGN.

■ [P£B TRESS ASSOCIATION.] 1 London^ September 30. j John Morely, M.P., spsaking at St. Helens, denounced the arrest of mem bers of Parliament at Tipperary. Mr E. C. N. Braddpn, Agent-General for-Tasmania, has paid over to the Company, on behalf of the Tasmnnian Government, the purchase money (£1,106,500) for the Tasmaniati main line of railway, m inscribed stock. October 1. Reynolds 1 sample of New Zealand butter has realised 112s per cwfc., and is prohottncecl by experts to ba nearly equal to the best Danish butter. Silver is quoted at 4s 2d. The revenue for the half-year just expired shows an increase of £1,679,000 over that of the corresponding period of 1889. Washington, October 1. The vSenato has passed the Tariff Bill as agreed upon by the Conference of both Houses. American cruisers have been in structed to only enforce sealing regu lations against sealers carrying out sealing m the territorial jurisdiction of Alaska. Berlin October 1. j Numerous socialists have returned here for ths purpose of celebrating the ; expiration of the anti-socialistic law. ( St Pbtb'usiutrg, September 30. Russia is massing troops m Arme nia. ' ■ „ ■■■■■■ .

INTERPROVINCIAL

. •• Auckland, October I.' Judge Connolly delivered judgment to day m the case Ehrenfried v. Gleeson, m which the former asked to have accounts taken with respect to beer purchased for the Albion Hotel, one of five hotels for the privilege of supplying which, with colonial beer, etc., Ehrenfried paid £2000. His Honor gave judgment for plaintiff for a'" decree showing the quantity of colonial beer not purchased by defendant from, plaintiff at the Albion Hotel since , August. 6th, 1888, for profit thereon, at £1 (js (kl per hogshead, and for pay men c to plaintiff of the amount of such profit, | and fet' ah injunction m respect of future transactions, nnd costs on the lowest scale. The Chairman of the Auckland Harbor Board proceeds south to see the con tractors for the San Francisco mail service relativo to the question of the terminal iport. Wellington, October 1. Tho Customs Revenue for September waa £128,780, against £145.514 m August and £146,310 for September last year. Auckland contributed £30,337, Welling ton £2i,473, Christchurch £21,138, Dune din £33,213. The beer duty for the tnontii was £4,664, against £4,472 last month, and £4,066 last September. The R.M.S. Coptic left Capetown on Sunday last for Hobaft and Wellington. The Marmarie left Rio for London on the &7th, with her cargo of frozen meat m good condition. The Tainui arrived at Plymouth on the 30th ult., all well, and cargo m good order. The dead body of a man was found at the Kbpurarigi Railway Station, near Masterton, to-day. Nothing is known yet as to the origin of death. The meeting of brewere, publicans, wine merchants, and others was resumed to-dny« The Conference decided to give no infor mation to the Press until their delibera tions were concluded. Hokitika, October 1. At the Railway League meeting to-night strong dissatisfaction was expressed with the Government nob calling tenders for the Hokitika-Grey line, although the ap propriation whs made weeks ago. Chkxstchtjkoh, October 1. Mr G. B. Woodman, well-known m bowling and hunting circles, died to-day. An old man, named Frederick Seelen, who has been paralysed for years, was admitted into the hospital this morning, suffering from the eifects of arsenical poisoning. He died about noon. An inquest will be held on Saturday.

Live Stock Market.

ADDINGTON Chkikxchurch, October 1. A splendid day brought together a large muster of farmers, dealers, and others, and it, fjood entry of atock m all classes made the sale more protracted than it has been for some time. Store Sheep. — There was an entry of between 1500 and 2000 store* sheep, principally ewes and lambs, of which there were «omo very prime lines. They sold at from 13:s to 12k por pair ; hoggets brought from 12s 7d to 14s 9d. Some two-tooth cvof ■breds realised 15s, and a few merino wethers changed hand* at satis factory rate.*. Fat Loibs.—About fifty Limbs were yarded, and th 3 trade was supplied at fi\>ln B.s 3d to 14s 9d, among the latter bein# Home very prime crossbred lambs. Fat Sheep.—Slightly over 4000 \ fat sheep were penned, and the demand iwas , keen for all good sorts. Prime crossbVed i wethers brought from 18s to" 23s 0d; mixed ewes, light weights, realised from 11s Gd to 16a 3d, and some very gOod merinos sold up to 15s 3d. Three penjs of thirty crossbred wethers, shorn, sold at An average of 13s a head. Prices rariged much about the samo throughout as last week. There was considerable demand for freezing, which assisted to keep up the values. ; Fat Catile.—3o2 head were sold at least, a number being disposed of pri vately. Bust, bullocks realised up to i£9 10s, or equal to 25s per lOOlbs, and some prime heifers brought, a trifle over this, 1 while none of the beef offered brought less than 235. Stork Cattle. —Thero was a heavy entry ot store cattle, many of which wei'e ■of very poor condition, and did not change' hands m consequence. Some large framed bullocks, m forward condition, realised up to £4 15s, and a number of small lines of young stock were disposed of. Six-quarter-olds, mixed, went at from'33s to 355. Pigs.—The entry was very small, con sisting entirely of. porkers, stores, and one or two sows with litters.

CUT-THROAT EUCHRE.

There is a game of cards, supposed to be of Spanish origin,.which- is-much m vogue upon the diggings, and among sailors and others. It may be played by two, three, four, or six players, and is known as " euchre." Its rules are very simple, the game being easily understood, except when it is like Midshipman 1 Easy's duel, a threet cornered one, when it is known as " cut-throat euchre " because then every player is an Ishmael m that " his hand is against every man, and every mati's hand against him." When there a^e only two players the object of each is of course to score the most tricks, while if there be three it sometimes pays to help one of", one's opponents rather than allow the other to score a euchre. Now, though it may at firsit sight appear that this illustration is a]yropos to nothing m particular, a little reflection will show that it is very apposite to the political struggle m which the Colony is about to engage. In all directions we hear of a 'multi plicity of candidates coming forward, oil the Liberal side especially, and it seems highly probable that lira number of electorates there will be two or three or more Liberal candidates, as against one or two on the opposite side jNow so long as there are two against two, or three against three, so that each side suffers equally from vote-splitting, neither side may be specially harmedi, buc 'where it comes to a case, as we fear it will-in some instances of two or three Liberal candidates as against one Conservative, it becomes a.mo.it "a moral" that the Latter will winj owing to the other side being unable to -exert its full strength m support of any one candidate: In such a case .a true regard for principles should induce those candi dates who have the least chance of heading the poll to retire m favor of the strongest man on the same side, so that there may be a fair and simple issue, placed before the electors. Qf course it will often happen that candi dates may take too sanguine a view of ; their own individual chances, and m, such case it might be difficult for the; candidates themselves to determine who should retire, and ,to meet; such' circumstances we suggest the formation m evtry electorate of a representative Liberal Committee, containing mem bers from all parts of the electorato, whose duty it should be to ascertain which of the candidates m that interest has the best chance, and having done so, to endeavour to secure the retire ment of all others, so that the fight at the poll may be a fair one, party against party, and man against man! If this advice be not acted upon, then the political game will resolve itself into one of the " cut-throat" descrip tion, and the Liberal majorities of several constituencies will find them selves " euchred " at las*.

Turpentine for Lung Treatment.

A writer m the "Medical and Surgical Journal" says:—-" I have been using pure oil of turpentine m affections of the throat for sometime, and find better and more satisfactory results than from any other remedy I ever tried. I use the ordinary hand atomiser, and throw a spray of the liquid into the throat every few minutes, or at longer intervals, accord ing to the gravity of the case. The bulb of the instrument should be com pressed as the act of inspiration com mences, so as to ensure application of the remedy to the whole surface, which can be done m cases of children very successfully. It is surprising how a diphtheritic membrane will melt away under an almost constant spray of pure oil of turpentine. I now use the ! turpentine spray whenever a child complains of sore throat of any kind. In eases of tuberculosis of the lungs, bronchitis, and the later stages of pneumonia, I have found the turpen tine inhalation very beneficial. I use an atomiser, or paper funnel, from which the turpentine may be inhaled at will. I hang around the bed and m the room flannel cloths saturated with oil of turpentine m all cases of catarrhal bronchitis—m fact, m all affections of the air passages, and my patients express themselves as being j much relieved." I

THE MOA.

In a paper contributed by Mr Vincent Pyke'on the extinction of the tnoa, he states it as his opinion, for which lie gives data, that it had dis appeared before the advent of the Maori. Maiyr years^ago, when going from Lake Wanafca to the West Coast, he killed a number of kiwis, and being desirous ot knowing upon what they

existed, he opened the crops of several. In every case he found that they lived entirely upon a moss or lichen which was so full of mucilage as to lead him to conclude that a man might subsist on it.for.-months. The inference he drew from this fact, and others which point to a similar conclusion, was that' the old lake-bsds and swamps contained largo stores of gigantic mosses of the .same character, and that these consti tuted tl ie- chief food of the moa : and that, as the lakes gradually receded and finally dried up, m cojisepuence of the drawing off of their waters by the ever deepening channels caused, by the action of the glaciers, and through, which the rivers now pour, this species of moa food died out and gradually became extinct, and that the raoas suffered a corresponding declension- m i numbers for want/of tn£ir customary food, and so eventually died m conse quence. Hence tlie great abundance of moa bqnes around the old lake margins.

TIRED OF LIFE.

{VER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Mastbrton, October 2. A man named William Cameron, 22 years of age, committed suicide last night by taking strychnine. • Deceased was highly respected, and no cause can be assigned beyond that, as he said himself, he was tired of life.

DESTRUCTIVE Fire in Sydney

[per phbss association.] (Received October 2, 10.40 a.m.) . Sydney, October 2« The most destructive fire which has ever occurred m Sydney began at 2 o'clock this morning m Gibbs, Shallard, and Co.'s printing warehouse. The building is situated m a dense block of premises, bounded by Pitt, Castlereagh, King, and Hunter streets, containing some of the finest and most massively built warehouses and business premises m the city. The buildings were all of stone and brick, and three to five storeys m height. The flames spread with alarming rapidity, and the Southern Club and Feldheim Gottliebb and Co.s large warehouse were soon a seething mass of flames. When these last named buildings had fairly caught the conflagration assumed such dimen sions that for the time the brigades were entirely overpowered, and there seemed little prospect of preventing the destruction of the wholp block. One of the Club walls fell, injuring several firemen, and the wind began to increase,, giving further play to the flames. Lark and Sons 'big dry goods establishment was next en veloped, and the fire quickly raged through it, from top to bottom. At this time the wall of Gibbs, Shallards' place fell, injuring another fireman. The wind then changed and drove the flames m the opposite direc tion, upon the large edifices' m Piti street. Bull and Co.'s four storey soft good.", warehouse caught, together with Piichiirdson and Wrench's, auctioneer", next door. Bull and Co.'s building was quickly ruined,; and the city bank was then enveloped m the general destruction. Another wall fell; this time from Bull's warehouse, crashing through the roof of Richardson and Wrench's establishment. Unfortuna tely, the fall was again attended with injury to firemen, three of whom were badly hurt, and only with great diffi culty rescued from an avalanche of beams and stones. Park and Lacey's machinery store m Clarence street, a lane running, through the block, and Lawson and Sons' huge f urnituf c ware house or t the Pitt street frontage of the block-, .were the next to, < go.; At jtHe-back of 4hp latter, fronting on Castlereagh street, a short distance be!oW :£ne? Theatre' * Royal; is the Atheritetfm Club, a fine building only erected some three years ago. This also was burnt out. Twenty-five -brigades were engaged, and large forces of the perinahent militia kept the streets clean At the height of the conflagration wjien the whole centre of the block was m flames, the sight was impressively grand. It is impos sible at present to estimate the daitiagej or give the* 'number of buildings de^ stroyed, but the loss will be enormous ; the value of the buildings alone, irre spective of contents, probably amount ing, to hundreds of thousands of pounds. The fire raged for four hours before it was got under control; > I«

Wellington Tragedy

[PEE I*I!ESS ASSOCIATION.] 1 Wellington. October 1. An inquest on the body of Thomas James Smith, who was stabbed to death m the alleged aflray with Chinamen on Monday night, was held this morning. The evidence of Dr. Wilford .showed that three wounds were inflicted upon deceased by very sharp instruments—one on the outside of the left knee, and two on the left arm. The blow on the knee severed the poplatciil artery, and death was caused by an excessive flow of blood fro.ll this wound.. ->Tlip fact of JSniith being m ill licalth did not m any way hasten, his death. The doctor was of opinion that the blow on the leg was not intended to cause death, as it was only by - the slightest chance that the , artery was severed. i Hobbs, one of the participants m the fight, stated m the earlier part of Monday evening he and two others threw stones On the Chinamen's hut from the road. They then returned to the township, and about eleven o'clock several other young fellows joined them, and ft band of seven again visited the -huts, which they as saulted with stones.. Three Chinamen rushed out from behind a gorge fence, and the lads took to their heels. Deceased, lagging behind, the Chinamen soon made up to him, and as he called for help, Hobbs returned to his assistance. One Chinaman was then holding his neck and cfrie his legs, and both Chinamen had l|nives m their liands. Witness distinctly saw one Chinaman stab deceased m the arm and one m the leg. Witness could not identify the Chinamen m custody on the charge of hitirder. The- other young men then returned to the attack, and fitness saw one Chinaman knocked down By a rail thrown; at (him. /The rail was about 11 feet lo*ng and six inches thick. The weapons; used by the Qhinaman looked like daggers* « s . |,

THE DEAN TRAGEDY

[rER I'KJBSS ASSOCIATION.] ,

Wjeixingtox, October 1. Dean has been out of work for sou*e time owing to the strike, and" his ■ wife states that latterly he has been talking wildly »nd acting m h/yjfcy. peculiar pinner.

Dr Rawson had been called m to see him. Ho considers Dean is, without doubt, a lunatic, and not responsible for his (lotions. The ohiM, who was two years and iwo months old, was found by the uiotherin (m outhouse with severe wounds on her head, from Avhich the brain?) were pro truding. An axo, covered with blood and hair was by her side. She was dead ■ when the mother ran out. Nobody seems to have witnessed thu rnuider, but from the appearances the poor child must have been deliberately held down with orm haud mid the blow delivered with the other. It dues not appear .llmt..tlio.Loan Company behaved with any harshness toward Dean, ; who wag '•befriended m .several wn'y.s, and given - every oppor , tunity of protecting .his pi-uperty^imt did not take the trouble to do so. He has our other children.

THE ELECTIONS.

Mr Valentine .will contest the Tuapeka seat with Mr J. G. Brown. Mr W. Hutchison (formerly Mayor of Wellington), has decided to stand for Dunedin City. The Dunedin Labor Party are making a strong effort to induce Sir Ilobert Stout to contest, Dunedin City. There are plenty of candidates for the Palmerston seat. MrJ.G. Wilson will be opposed by Mr Donald Fraser, Mr Pirani (Opposition), Mr J. Stevens (Opposition), and not improbably by Sir Walter Buller. * ' * Mr W. Earnshaw and Mr W. Dtwson are spoken of as likely to contest the Peninsula scat with Mr Lamaeh. It is thought that Mr Reunion will oust Captain Russell for the Hawke's Bay seat. Party feeling is already beginning to run high fn Napier. The "News" exults over the prospect of Mr Swan's defeat and tbe triumph of Mr Gannon, while the ".Telegraph" says Mr Swan will have virtually a walk over, as Mr Gannon can m no sense be. regarded seriously as an opponent, , . Dr. Newman will oppose Messrs leard and London for theHutt. The Shag Point Miners will Tiring out a candidate against Mr John McKenzie for Waitaki f ■ Mr.). D. Lance will be a candidate for Ashley. Mr P., E. Thoreau, a constable, an nounces himself as a candidate for Timaru.

THE MARKETS

[PEK PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

(Received October 2, 10.50 a.m.) London. October 1. Tallow—Best mutton, 28s to 28s 6d ; beef, 27s to 27s Gel. The quantity of wheat and flour afloat for tim United Kingdom is 2,220,000 quarters, nnd for the Continent 772,000. The American visible supply is estimated at 16,832,000 bushels.. Money is firmer. Three months' bills o£ per cent. Shares—New Zealand Loan andMer oantile Agency Company, £2 16s ; H. Campbell find Sons, £5 10s ; Dalgety and Co., £7 10s.

Labor Questions

[per press association.]

London, September 30. Scotch furnace men demand eight hours as a day's labor. The masters have .refused the request, and the fur luices will stop on Saturday. Sydney, October 1, Wholesale prosecutions of .shearers for breaches of agreement are taking place, aud m a tost ,ca3>< at Deniliquin one of the shearers was mulcted m a fine of £10, m addition to costs.' A large number of case 3 hang on 1 this decision. - '< Brisbane, October 1. The gas workers have notified that they will no longer contribute to the strike pay, and intimate their intention of severing their connection with the labour federation. Twelve oflicers and s'xteen stewards who left the Australian United Steam Company have : returned to their vessels unconditionally.

Auckland, October 1. There is a probability that the Kawa kawa mines, at the Bay of Islands, will bo flooded owing to the difficulty of pro curing labour. Tnußtr, October 1. The s.s. Oliau is being worked here by free labour brought up from Dunedin. The Herald has called m to take them back. Uukedik, October 1{ The Brunner left here to-day for Westport.. She haa about 180 non* Unionists on board, who start work on arrival m the Westport Cpal Jompany's mine. ' [•:•••; It .appears* that only'" sonic: fifty men went away by the Brunner. Another complement'is to be picked up *t Welling ton, bringing the total up to 150. Wellington, October 1. The Premier this morning stated it was not the intention of himself or any member of the Government to attend the Labour Conference to explain the reason of its being convened. He explains that the Conference was merely convened by tlie Government by direction of the House of Representatives, and there the Govern ment's responsibility ends. The delegates appointed by various labour organisations to attend the Con ference m accordance with a resolution of Parliament, assembled afc the Parliamen tary Buildings at three o'clock this after noon. Those present were:—.l. A. Millar, Federated Seamen's Union, Stewards and Cooks! Union, and Auck land Trades and Labor Council; Captain ■Highman and Mr Cornish, Marine pfficprs' Association \[' Measi^l"Wher, Brown, and Seymour, Wharf Laborers' Union ; Lomas, and Ancellv New Zealand Amalgamated Miners' Association; F. Millar and Mills, New Zealand Typo graphical Society ; Elvines and Winter, Railway Servants' Sticieff;" Graham, Johnson, Jones, Meyer, Hutchison, Mudge, and Avery, Wellington Trades' Council; Parker and Sandford, Canter bury Trades Council; Dobson arid! Williams, New Zealand Federated Car- ; tens' Union ; Tees, Dunedin Bootmakers': Union ; Browett, Wellington Bootmakers' Union. The Hon. George McLean was expected to be present on behalf of the Union Company, but the Wanaka did not arrive m time. Under the circumstances no Chairman was appointed, and the proceedings, were ; of; an informal character, lasting only a few minutes. Mr Waldegrave, of the Colonial Secre tary's Department, attended as official secretary. He stated, as far as he knew, Mr McLean would be the only employers' representative at present. .Mr Milton; presumed the Premier having invited them, would be m attendance and explain for what purposo the Conference was con vened. The opinion was also expressed that there was no use m the. railway delegates being present if' the Commis sioners were not going to be represented, a,ud Mr Waldegrave was asked to com municate with them. Mr Millar said they had yet to determine whether the. Press should be admitted. Mr Waldegravet said a shorthand reporter would be furnished by Government if the Confer ence desired it. Finally it was determined m the absence of Mr McLean, to adjourn till 10 a.m. to-morrow. : t lt may 'be mentioned that the Railway Commissioners will decline to be present.

Ml ISfiBtTIKPGN OTABI)iAi, THIJBSIMIT, OCtoBEE 2, 1890.



= As the wheel of time lias again ushered m the busy spring, and to be prepared to supply the requirements of Nature and of their numerous patrons, Messrs J. Scaly and Co. have completed their selection of seeds, which are of the choicest samples obtainable, aiid which include clovers, turnips, man golds, carrots, rape, perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, elephant swede, garden and flower seeds iv eiuUess variety, and garden requi sites of every description. For the conve nience of patrons who cannot make their purchases during the day the premises will be open to nine p.m. on Saturday evenings on and aft« ih« WtU A«gu^—(Advt,) I



Certainly the Most Effective MEDICINE m the world is SANDER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent powerful effects m Coughs, Colds, Influenza, etc. ; the relief is instantaneous. Thousands gave the most gratifying te&timony. Read this certificate:—''24th April, 1885— Messrs Sander and Sons, —It is with the greatest of pleasure that I testify to the excellence of your Eucalypti Extract. Having had p inflammation of the bone of the leg, which came on after a severe attack of low fever, 1 mms attended by Dr J. Boyd, who had made strenuous.; efforts, to save my leg, but without success. He found it necessary to amputate my limb. Having heard m the meantime of the wonderful cures worked by the Eucalypti Extract, I obtained a bottle, ami the extract had hot been applied more than an hour when I began to feel greatly relieved. After applying the extract every four hours for nine or ten days it was out of all danger. I would persuade all who miy be ; effected with any such disease to giro the Eucalypti Extract a trial, and I am convinced that they will find ii the most wonderful of medicines.—Yours, etc., E. J. Cuknow, Wattle stroet. Sand- Uttrßt.~(\4vt,) S I



'Wanted* i I I ■I . I | ' ' .3 I CASH Advertisements under thin heading not excoedm SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may btf left at this Office, i i i / ANTED, Apprentices to tho dress* ■ V V making. Apply Miss E, McDonnell, " 10 11 Saunders' Buildings. MEEWN(ToYtho Working Mei.'s .. Political Association will be held m the Oddfellows' Hall, (back room) on Thursday, the 2nd, and Saturday, 4th ! October at 8 p.m.—By Order. 10J1 WANTED Known.—For first-class Millinery and Drapery (marked cheap) go to Melford Hou.se. New Goods just opened.—H. 0. Sbokiw. BTOP7 That"'Cough—Flower's Cough Drops are the best— see that the name is stamped oh every ona. H. G. Floweb, Confectioner, East street. B~ OUTS, BOOT.". "Keop your feet Dry and save Doctor's Bills, hare a splendid Stock m now. Try uy Double-soled Shooters. Every pail: Guaranteed. Robert Alcoxjn, Ashbur ton Clothinc* Mart, Saunders' Buildings. IfTANTED~Known.- For Dross Stuffo, W Prints, &c., Trimmings to match go to Molford House. Best value m town.—H. C. Seokos. WANTED every man m the County to have a suit of tho Aahburton Tweeds.— Robert Aujorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings. WANTED Known.—For Sheetings Tablings, Calicoes, Quilts, Towels, Table Napkins, Tray Cloths, D'Oyleyw, &c, go to Melford House.—H. C. Skoers. TT7ANTED Known— Tlvs Cheapest VV Shop to buy Tinware and Gal ranued Iron goods m ABhbarhon, is f.t W. F. Haxnaforb's, Burnett S reet. A a ige stock kept on hand. Tin andiron wtre goods made and repaired with res p ibeb. _^ r"\ARKSST AFRICA, cheap edition, JL/ now arrived. Firut supply limited. New Books, New Stationery, New Fancy Goods ?.nd Novelties fill ah reduced prices. Large assortment of New Music of every description. Pianos on hire and for sale on terms. Orders received for Book binding of every kind.—L. F. Andubwbs £00^ , jr'uolic Notices. * "VTOTICE is hereby given- that, the JJN sitting of the District Court, ad jcurned to FRIDAY, tho ."rd instant, will bo further adjourned to FRIDAY, 10th instant, at 11 a.m. By Order, J. R. COLYER, 10 10 Clerk District Court. £20 REWARD. *T"N consequence of the amount of Poach .l. ing going on m ih« Creeks on the Lngmhor * Estate, the above reward will ))(« tthid to anyone givine information that will lead to a conviction. From this datft No One will Iv.i per mitteel to FISH m the Creeks on the Estate. DONALD McLEAN. Lagtth' st April, 1889. JAMES BAKER, TIMBER MERCHANT, HAVELOCK STREET, Opposite Hakblsons Axjctd.v Mam, TTAS IN STOCK Large Supple-i of - Building Timber, Stakes and Posts, Galvanised Corrugated Iron, Builders Ironmongery, Turnery, i Furniture, and Fancy Goods IN ENDLESS VARIETY. FURNITURE MADE TO ORDER IN ANY DESIGN AT SHORTEST NOTICE. __9 Reliable Seeds, r^\ ENUINE Farm Seeda for sale at VJT J- SEALY & CO.'S. Genuine Garden Seeds at J. SBALY & CO. S. Genuine Flower Seeds at .T. SEALY & CO.'S. Blue Prussian Peas afe J. SEALY & CO.'S. Golden Tares at J. SEALY & CO.'S. New Turnip Seecs at J. SEALY & CO.'S. Farm Seeds at J. SEALY & CO. S. None but Cvrteu. and Co.'.-* choice Seeds m stock"! ,T. SJSALY- & CO. SPECIAL_ NOTICE CALL AND SEE THE GRAND DISPLAY OP BOYS" YOUTHS', AND MEN ri CLOTHING MERCERY, HOSIERY, BLANKETS, RUGS, FLANNELS, HATS, AND CAPS, &c. npHE largest and best assorted Stock m 1 the District to select from, which for Value, Variety, and excellence of Manu acture, we stand unrivalled. MEASURE TV KPARTMENTS EASURE LJ EPARTMENTS NEW TWEEDS ANT) COATINGS For the approaching Season To Hand. SOLE AGENTS for Wcrthotm's latest, iitvl improved HAND nnd TREA DLE SEWING MACHINES. NE W ZEA I AND CLOTH WG FACTORY ! W. II WEBBER, Maungor j



O. ""Tliorntoa lJudtey \ A>H). KSTATR AM) STOCK AGEKT 101 Hereford Street, Christ church X l»ftve Riinm of •« «oy to lend on gcad wcurity at low rates of interest. Several F.inns for Sa'.e Wool Wool Wool T IBERAL CASH ADVANCES Made on the cnsuinc WOOL CLIPS At tho Lowest Current R<ite.s of Interest. GEORGE JAMESON, Ashburton and Rakaia. '■" ■■ •■■■ ' '' _*>3ig SEEDS. VEGETABLE SEEDS. EARLY STUED. POTATOES,— Including •VTHE BEAUTY OF BATH," Which last seaaon produced on Mb Dohhiity's land, Tinwald, tho enormous yield of «ome thin« over SEVENTEEN TONS PER ACRE. TjWTT POUNDS (oOlbs) of "The JO Beiuty of Bath Seed produced THIRTEEN and THREE QUARTER BAGS of Superb Potatoes. A. W. RANDELL FBUITGKOWER, &c, ASHBURTON. 8 39 ;.C,. M. li UOOKK C HE MI S T, KASTST R 35 E T ASHB U R T O N* TJUK«CUIBES For COUGHS, COLDS, RHEUMATISM, SKIN DISEASES, AND Other Minor Ailments BROOKE'S ANTIBILIOUS PILLS, Is Per Box, Is the best fell round FwnUy Medicine. FIRST DTSFILAJY Of Spring Goods. \ N REW ARR iINDREW VJRR TS now shoving. * Beautiful Selection of MILLINERY, MANTLES, PRINTS, GINGHAMS, NEW DRESS GOODS BEIGE'S FRENCH CHECKS, RIBBONS, FLOWERS, ETC. 2 CASES of Ladies' French BOOTH und SHOES Direct from Franco. ANDREW ORR. THE FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION OF CANTERBURY, LIMITED. (To be registered under "The Companies Act, 1882.") • —ABRIDGED PROSPECTUS - CAPITAL ±.'IOO,OOO, Divided into 20,000 Shares at. £5 each, Payable a* follows :~ Ten ShilJinsjH per share on application, lVeni y Shillings per share on allotment, Twenty Shillings por share m one month, if required. Balance, if re quired, l>y calls of Five Shillings ]>cr mnra at intervals of notiess than, three hionthn. Pjiovisiojtai- Directors. Mcshw S. Bailey* AY. Boatf* F. H. Brittan*, M. S. Campbell* J. CaTnpbell+, C. Ensor*, -r. Gamniack*, J. Gnga;, J. Goligh*, J. Hnvdon*, J. Hardi©+, R. L. Hi""ins*, W. Henderson*, R. B. Holds worth*, J. .7. Herrick*, AY. B. Ho well f, A. ■ B Inwood* J Kullnndt, D. M'Millan*, F. D. S. Neave*, A. Par ho«s*, A. Pa-^ef, H. AY. Pcrytnan* ,1. Ben tie*, B. H. Rhodost, E. P. Sonly*, .T. Tal'»"t+, J. AVilront. * Direct rs of the N.Z. Fanners Co operative Association of Canterbury, Limited, Christchurcli. t Directors of the Canterbury Farmew' Co-operative Associfttion, Timaru. Bankeiis : Bank of New Zealand, Christcliurch ; National Bank, Timaru. SolicrroisH: Harper and Co., Christ church Secretary, pko tern : A. H. Turnbull. AppllcHtions for share'must be made upon a form to be obtained from the Secretary pro itm., at the offices of the New Zealand Farmors' Co-operative An nociiuion at Chrwlxihurch, or from the Cjinterbury Farmers' Co-oporativo As fliwieintion at Timaru, and .-must be for warded to eib of tho ■*tl>ovo nddre.'wcs together with th« amount poyablo on ap plication Wlinro tho number of ■shnres ullotted i« lens tlutn tho number applk-rl for Uie sill-phi* mon«y forwarded will l>e erwli'H \r> veduction of the fmiutint j)ay ftblc on alii -twittnt Copies of the proposed Mo'.noraudmn ihkl ■■Article* of Awiociation may bo in »tK"Otet\ »t either of tho abovt-vuevitioued e))lloes or Jit tho offices of the Solicitors o the Awwcwttoii at Chtistchurch. Api»lic»t.ion« for tnhnre* will bo received tip wiui/l 'hicltid'tig Wednesday, the'JOtli fyy, vi Beptentbur n«? * B*H t