The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1890. THE VOLUNTEERS.

There are not wanting indications that, the new Minister for Defence has it in contemplation to propose some pretty extensive changes in connection with the Volunteer Force—changes too which, as regards some of them, will not generally be regarded as improvements by the volunteers themselves. For instance, like most old army officers, he has the idea that the Department should have the appointing of officers of the Force, and in the course of a recent interview in Auckland, declared that the New Zealand system of election is " laughed at throughout Australia." What if it be ? we reply ; the laughter of those who are unacquainted with the elective system by no means proves that the elective system is wrong. Heie and there it may be admitted companies make mistakes in the choice of their officers, but the number of such mistakes is comparatively small as compared with the gross blunders, or worse, of Govern ments or Departments, which are only too often swayed in their appointments by political motives, and are Bpt to be guilty of the grossest favoritism. Let it not be said that that sort cf thing applies only to Old World Administrations, our own Govern ment is not one whit more to be trusted than they. Witness what an Auckland paper has to say about ap pointments recently made in our little Standing Army:—"At the present moment (it says) there are two young officers in the Permanent Force, to which the Government does appoint. They have been placed over the heads of deserving, educated, and competent non commissioned officers who have worked their way from the ranks in hopes of promotion. The opportunity came, but the vacancies have been filled by the young eons of Wellington officials, taken from the Civil Service and placed directly over the heads of those who had a clear right to expect this promotion. Captain Russell must know the deep dissatisfaction in the Permanent Force created by this favoritism. If he does not, he must be carefully kept in ignor ance of what is going on in his own Department. The 'appointments' made in the militia, and in the roll cf Justices of the Peace, and similar services, have not been of a character to convert the people to the system. Whatever it may bo in Australia, we in New Zealand have no reason to think appointment in any sense superior to elewtion. On the contrary, we are more likely to cry out for the extension of the elective system to purposes to which it is not at present applied," Our contemporary is quite right, and the Defence Minister may de pend upon it that he can do no more unpopular thing than to take from the Volunteers their present right of elect ing their own officers—subject, a3 they very properly are, to proving their quali fication for the positions to Vfhich they are elected by passing the requisite ex aminations before obtaining their commis sions. But possibly Captain .Russell may prOpOOO lo got ovor the diflloulty hy abolishing the volunteers, and subslitut ing a partially paid force as recom mended in the report ot General Edwards. This, however, we do not think will meet with general approval, for in that case the force must either be absurdly small or altogether too costly, a charge upon the revenue. In place of all this it would be far better to institute a higher test of efficiency as regards the existing volunteer force, to arm the volunteers with the best and most modern weapons, to insist on judging distance drill, aud target practice at uukown ranges, to afford facilities for the massing of the volunteers and their working together as regiments and divisions as they would have to work in actual warfare, and to provide for frequent and thorough inspection by competent field officers. If the money which would requiro tc be expended in the maintenance of a paid or partially paid force were thus applied we are per suaded that the volunteers of the colony could be made a thoroughly reliable defence force, which neither our Aus tralian cousins could be provoked to laugh at, nor could any possible enemy afford to despise.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Twenty inches of rain fell in Townaville, Queensland, in three days.

The population of tha United Sfcatca is Baid to be growing at the rate of 3£ persons every minute.

r£he total receipts of the Melbourne Uni versity for last year wtre £33,755 and the expenditure amounted to £ 32 } 961.

The source of a local, re the Yale of Avooa, in yesterday's issue was accidentally omitted to be acknowledged. It was taken from the " Tablet."

Mr Justioa Owen, of Sydaay, refused an application to fix the interest in a suit at eight per oent per annum, on the ground that the rate was too high,

A Moutreal police g6rgeant says that there are many hundred! of men, women, and children in that'eity in suoh abjeot poverty that they are almost destitute of both fire and food.

\a Germany they ara making coffae from linseed meal roasted to a dark colour and mixed with aorae glutinous substanoe before passing through maohihes whjoh form it in thashapaof fcesne;'

List month it was notified by tho Wed* tern Australian polios that Jonathan Roberts had left Albany for Adelaide on the steamer Albany on January 16. He then gave the name of Thomas Piunell.

We are pleased to see that Mr James Porter, Allenton Nursery, scoured first prizes for both table and cooking apples at the Horticultural Show at the Dunedin Exhibi tion. This speaks volumes for the oapabili ties of this district in the direction of apple culture.

The express last night arrived about 20 min tes or so late, and well Bhe might, seeing that the two engine*) drawing the train had behind them seventeen passenger jjarriageß and be tween 700 and 800 passengers—mostly all on the return journey of ths excursion (hat left last week;

Miss StorliDg, a mesmeric subject, wh<J takes part in a performance ia a lion's oage in connection with Hedeabaoh's menagerie, has just had a narrow escape of her life at Beziers, France. She was in the habit oi entering a cage containing several lions to gether with (he tamer, pedenbaoh, and Doruay, a professor cf hypnotism, and there being put into a slate of bypuotio slesp by Dornsy, The other evening while Misa Sterling was under jae^jnet^o jofljience an exceptionally aaT - 1! 1 ■i ii.i"'iA I f •' •">•'' 2> ?-'>> *?""•?? upon the hypiioiioLil J.;lic« iiui '■* ■'' ; 2'/*a in her legs, Badanbaob fcc.Mly attaouca the j^rute i-.nd euoooeded in diverting its attention Ir6£ Mi a Sterling, who made her escape together wii b Dornßy. Thia aoone caused the greatest excitement amongsi the spectators, Mi-s Sterling's limbs were laoerated, and she would probably have lost her life bad it not fceea fgr RedenbaQh/g cowrngo mi roso^tiou,

' Henry George is addressing tremendous \ audiences in Sydney. Obioago is to have tha finest Masonio tsmple in the world. It will cost £500,000. In Boiton a new invention lights the Btree* lamps itself, and extinguieheaj them at {the proper hour every morning.

Two million acres of permanent paßture have been laid down in Britain within the last I ten'years. 9 A sensation has been created at Cleveland, Ohio, by a showing of irregularities in the city's old accounts of nearly £600,000. iA New York reporter elicited horn, Mrs. Langtry before she left Amerioa that she always prayed for a suocess on the tve of a new production in whioh she played. News from Samoa states that tbe season is an unpreoedentedly wet one. All the Bhopa in Apia were olosed two days on aooount of the roughness of weather in February. The Committee of the Agricultural and Pastoral Aesooiation have passed a resolution recommending the inooming Committee to hold a trial of ploughing with traotion engines. The Empress Frederick has given orders to have her castle of Cromburg put in telephonic connexion with the Opera House at Frank' fort, so that may bear the music in her own home.

More than half the sugar used in the world is made from beetroot. Ths manu facture began to be important little more than twenty years ago. Germany began it, and France, Austria, Russia, and the United States have followed the Teutons' example.

The desert of Sahara is gradually advancing northwards in Africa, especially around Tunis. Dykes are all very well to keep water back, but the foremost Frenoh engineer of the day is of opinion that; nothing oan stop the..onward progress of the sand,

At Oamaiu last week a man waa fined 5s and costs for writing on the footpaths. The Borough Coueoil do not approve of the Borough property being used for nothing for advertising purposes. Defendant's oounßel argued that in London andthe larger townijn the oolony writing on the footpaths is quite common, but tbis was of]no avail with the Bsnoh.

In the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, before Major Steward, J.P', David Cuthbertson and William Hamilton were eaoh fined ss, or twenty-four hours' imprisonment, for drunkenness. The last-named was also fined ss, and ordered to pay 63 costs, foe leaving his horse for a number ot hours without food or water,

Country members and all visiting brethren ara notified by advertisement) in another column that the installation oeremonyin oon* neotion with the Somerset Masonio Lodge will take place on Thursday evening the 13th inst, instead of Friday, as originally in tended. The District Grand Master, Bro H. Thomson, will perform the ceremony, the musical portion being under the direction of Bro H, Gates.

The population statistics of Norfolk Island, by the returns just issued, give sixteen births, four marriages, and five deaths during the past year. On ths 31et Deo, there were in the Norfolk-Pitcairn community 82 married couples, 21 widows and widowers,—young and old, unmarried, 201 males, 208 females; whioh, with two strangers, tots up 596. Of these there were absent from the island 34 males, 13 females (47), which leaves ns: Bid. These, with 164 black and white st the Mission Station St Barnabas, make a total of 713 residents on the island at the date mentioned. Last year the figures for both communities were 758.

The following good Btory of the Exhibition Refreshment-rooms is told by tho " Dunedin Herald i"—A somewhat surly looking country man slouched in and lurohed into a seat at the nearest: table, One of the " nice young maidens " who aot as attendant sprites plaoed the bill of fare before aim. He looked in utter astonishment first at it and thon at her. Finding she did not take this inoomprehensi* ble thing away, he finally blurted out, " Qi on 1 Oi didn't oome 'ere to read. I oame here to eat beef and ' taters,' " He was Boon fufilling his deatiny.

Mr Porter, of Allenton has shown us the disQ oi tame appios who wmob he took tne first prize at the Dunedin Exhibition fruit and flower show. They consist of four eaoh of the following varieties, viz:—Eibatine Pippin, Cox's Orange Pippin, and the Oharlton Pippen. The quality is magnificent, as might have been inferred from the fact that Mr Porter's exhibit was shown against the pick of tha produce of tho famou3 Teviot oiatriot, Southland, Chriatohureb, and other parts of the colony. These will be on view for a few days at the Bhop of Mr Cambridge, chemist, East street. The first prize dish of heaviest and best cooking apples also shown by Mr Porler, were stolen by some mean thief after

being packed up for removal.

The following from Saturday's " Waimate Timeß "^is,another proof ofjihe absqrd way in whioh our railways are managed: —"A peculiarity in charges made for excursion fares was brought to light on Monday last at

Studholma Junotion ia this way, A party of excursionists drove to Studholme, it being the nearest station to their home, with the intention of taking advantage of the aheap

trips then advertised, viz., 15s firat-olass return from Waimate to Dunedin. Judge of their surprise at being aeked by the booking-clerk 253 each aa their fare from Scudhclme. Of oourse ithey expostulated at suoh a demand being made—but o! no avail. It was pointed out to them that the cheap fares weie from Christohurob, Timarq, and Waimate only, and that anyone booking at intermediate stations would have to pay the usual fare. Verily the ways of the Railway Department as regards excursion fares are incomprehensi ble. From Christohuroh you have only to pay 20s, but travel 140 miles nearer to Dunedin and fyou will have to'pay 255. We would like the Bailway authorities to try and explain the matter. In the meanwhile we would warn intending excursionists not to book at any of the wayside stations, if they do not wish to pay nearly double the adver- Used fares."

Alexander,' the Australian fßlondin, gave his first; performance last night in the vacant spaoe it> front of the Boyal Hotel—that is to say, the first performance of his present season in Ashburton, as Alexander has appeared in the town on a previous occasion. On Saturday night he would have exhibited but for the rain, which, however weloome to everybody else in the county, prevented him from going through with his entertainment. Last night being dry and intensely dark just suited Alexander, as his illuminations told with considerable effect in oonsequenoe. He ascended his rope at about eight o'olqok, and his performance consisted of oroesing the rope, which is over 70ft long, and strung at an altitude of 25ft from the ground, first by himßelf; then with a boy on his back j then with a chair behind him, on whioh in the centre of the rope he Bat down, still keeping his balance. He danced a Highland fling on

the rope, he made the journey with baskets j?n his feef, in a blindfold oondition, and 'again inside a pantomime " fiery steed," in the sense that a Roman candle promoted from its nose and spat forth at intervals atara that burst among the spectators below. In addition to tbe wire walking, Alexander also did some very clever trapeze work, and made the always effective " descent of Mercury " by & Btout rope from the stretohed wire. There was a large attendance of people, the vacant seotions being well filled. The Borough Brass Band played at intervals during the evening and helped to enliven the prooeed ingg. Alexander performs again to-night.

THE FRENCH IN DAHOMEY.

TEN THOUSAND TROOPS REQUIRED.

(PBB PiIESS ASSOCIATION.'.; Pabis. March 9. The Government repudiate the report that it is intended to annex Dahomey, and state that they will only demand reparation for the arrest of the Governor of French Senegal. It is estimated that a reinforcement of 10,000 troops will be required to carry out the French demands,

HORSE MARKET.

ii\ MR X. BDLLOOK Mr T. Bullock reports for the week ending Saturday, March Bth.—3l horses were brought forward for the day's sale, Biddings were slow throughout excepting for a few of the medium draughts, a number of those offered were weeds of hacks and inferior light harness horses which are very difficult to quit, but young medium draughts of a good stamp are still saleable at reumerative prices, only 11 out of the days entry changed hands at the follow ing prices, viz,, medium draughts, 4 and 5 years old, £16, £ij ios and £19; 6 year old, aged, of an inferior stamp, £1 10, £$ ios; light harness horses, £6, ;£io 103, j£ii; hacks, £5 ios and ; dray and frame, £j ss; double furrow plough, £7 15s. Sundry I harness, etc, at market rates.

ENGLISH FREEMASONRY.

English Freemasonary has during the year 1889 maintained its distinguishing charac teristic of charity, as the receipts of its three chief charitable institutions show. These in stitutions —the girls' school, the boys' school and the institution for the aged of both sexes— had, when their offices closed the other evening received in the cpurse of the year a total sum of £48 443 18s 3d. Ot this sum the benevo lent institution took £18,729 18s 7d; the girls school, ;£i4i9B6 gs 6d; and the boys school, £14,727 ios 2d. The benevolent institution, which for' five out of the last seven years has thus headed the list, has between 300 and 400 annuitants on its books, the girls school boards clothes, and educates 264 girls, and the boys school 263 boys. During the year the board of benevolence has at its 12 monthly meetings assisted cases of distress to the extent of over

UTILISING THE PHONOGRAPH.

One of the latest suggestions for the phono graph is that it should be used for the teach ing of modern languages. It is admitted that pronunciation of a language cau never be properly acquired except by coming ia contact with natives, or having as a teacher one who has acquired the language as though he or she were a native. As everyone cannot have such teaching, and many have to study alone, it is suggested that the phonograph might be advantageously employed. The student might only have to turn on the instrument to have repeated as often as he liked words or sentences of the language being learned, spoken into the phonograph by one who was himself accomplished in the pronunciation. The constant repetition of the sounds would accustom the ear to, and facilitate the acquisition of, the language Manuals of foreign languages might, it is pointed out, be accompanied with a phonographic key to the various exercises, so as to enable the learner to app'y himsalf properly to his lesson,

SPORTING

[Pliß PRBS3 ASSOCIATION.]

TIMARXJ RACES.

The following nominations have been re oeived for the Timaru race meeting ;

. Timabd Hobbles, two miles. Waitangi Little Arthur Mammoo Gnoro Torrent Cathedral The Chief Seourus Imstbicx .flats, one roue ana a ball. Carina Knight of the Outwit Garter Outwork Pennine Liberator Sir Julius Little Shamrook Hollywood Golden Hope • Quibble Authentio ltoad Metal Marina Bloomßbury Quickstep Timabb Cur, One mile and a half. Don Cffl3ar Ahua St James Miss George Wolverine Yon Tempsky Catamount Mon Loup Warlock Assyrian King Merrie England Occident Stonehenge Kimberley Quibble Washdyke . . Wblteb, One mile. Prima Donna Golden Hope Carina Pennine The Chief Collingwood Outwit Bloomsbury Liberator Plxins Handicap, of six furlonga. Apres. Moi . Leinster lisd Ensign Investigator Lord Ashton Bed Cross Wolverine Yon Tempßky Savoy Knight of the Little Shamrook Garter Catamount Aloinous Ia Rosa Sir Juliua Warlock Kimberley Road Metal Miss George Count? PuSE, One mile. Prima Donna Investigator Savoy Enigbt of the Outwit Garter Outward Ronnie Liberator Road Meial Golden Hope Bloomebury Quickstep Hurdles, one and a half mile; Waitangi Seourus Little Arthur Cymaro Mammoo Sanksy Torrent Hollywood The Chief Cathedral Outwit 5.0.J.0. Handicap, one and a quarter mile. Apres Moi Laingter Don Cfß?ar Ahua St James Mon Loup Wolverine Assyrian King Carina Occident Little' Shamrock Stohehenge Catamount Kimberley La Rose Quibble Warlock Mies George Stewards' Stakes, bis furlongs. Apres Moi Sir Julius Savoy Miss George Little Shamrook Lord Ashton Investigator Liberator Aloinons Golden Hope Road Metal Pennine Red Ensign Kimberley Outwork Leinster La Robs . Red Gross

INTERPROVINCIAL

(per pkess association.)

Auckland, Maroh ID

Several cages of typhoid fevet have Utaly occurred at Chelsea, a suburban diatclot on the northern Btore of the har bor, end the Birlreahead Barongb Oouaoll have appointed a Committed to lako ao tlon in the matter. The Wiitamtit* sawmill, on tho Harbor reolama io», was burned jesierd&y, the betiding being almost oonaplotely gutted, whilst moit of the machinery was de stroyed. The losa ia difficult to oa icnato, bat It will be probably between £2000 aad i £3000, There was no insuraooe. The owner a, Meeata Bims^Stalth Noill, Sinton, Qoodacre, and Purdy, are therefore heavy loaars, They %;o particularly nnfortnuato, as tba miH ben only been ia work fur about a's months. Wellington, Meroh 10 The Premier baa abandoned hla son!ii2?n tfflp, not feeling etropg encash ! He intends w go* to H»w6»a instead end I apond «:ni3 lima in qutat rstlreipnt. He will not receive cUpstntioßß t»i do fftny , hostess. ptobmh. Match 10 # ' Pilfering is takijtfjr pia'ce at the Exhibi tion A Viilusblt) te^fc cosy and choioa front pieces of <iuait« in tho Greyinoath Qomt wero flto!©a on. FrUUy &udS*tutd»y » evening*.

THE MASONiC ORDER.

THE GRAND LODGE CONVENTION.

[PiE P3BSS ASSOCIATION,]

Wblwmtotoit, March 10 The New Zealand Grand Lodge Contention, held in the Masonio Hall to-night, waa very largely attended, representatives being present from Lodges in all parts of the colony. Bro. E. T. GilloQ oooupied the ohair and explained the present position of ths movement. It was i ascertained that the majority of the Lodges remained firm to the determination to establish a Grand Lodge. L oourse of action to be _ adopted with the view of giving efCeot to thia was outlined and unanimously approved. Before passing it in the shape of a formal resolution, the meeting deoided to adjourn till to-morrow night, by which time it was hoped and expeoted important com munioations would be received. Perfect unanimity prevailed in the determination to prooesd with the formation of a Grand Lodge, Dcnkdin, M*rch 11. , Lodge Dunedin by 13 votea to 2 votes negatived a resolution to join the Grand Lodge movement.

THE PARNELL COMMISSION

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE,

[FEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

London, Match 8 In the House of Commons to-day Mr L. J. Jennings, M. P. for Stockport, gave notice of an amendment condemning the accusation against members for com plicity in murder. Lord Randolph Churchill, Messrs Henniker-Heaton and Wm 8. Cane, support the amendment.

London, March 9 Daring the discussion on the report of the Parnell Commission in the House of Commons yesterday, the House was counted out, and the debate was ad journed till Monday.

A REGION OF SALT

Everything In the country of tbe River Ohal, in Central Asia, Is described by Gabriel Boavalot pa covered with ealfc. It Is soen la the walls of the houses and on the banks of the rivers, and the water one drinks (a very b»H. Travelling salt petre-makera go in summer fcom plaoe to plaoe wherever they can fiod material to work apon. Their mode of operation ia a rough-and-ready one. Holes in the earth serve as vats and boilers, and below these are placed ovens. Abundance of brush wood supplied taaterlai for the fires. The workers collect from the sutfacs of the earth heaps of compost of salt and animal manure. This fa soaked far twenty-foor hoars la water, then filtered, and then boiled for twenty-foar hours, cleansed »cd placed in the sun, so that the water may evaporate, An ordinary workman o»n make about; 501 bs la a d»y, and this ha sells at th°i rate of Id pif lb.

LATEST PARISIAN FASHIONS

(FROM OUlt OWN COKKESPONBBNT.)

January In oertnlDly iha children's month, for the holiday feativitfes linger with them until Fabrnary. A child never looka ao well as when Bimply dressed, to which fact mo3t people have awakened, for tha number of straight full ekirts is quite remarkable by the best modbtes.

Soft woollens are made with two o> throe tuoke above a broad bom, with rows of featheratitoblag in eiike, heading e«oh toe*, a fall bodice with puffed sleeves and a large soft milk sash tied loosely abont the waiat.

Smocking remains one of the favored methods for ornamentation, and for the artistic irocka notbiag could bo prettier. A material foe everyday wear Is of golden brown woolloo, made Into a drees with bodioe end sleeves oat la one.

Round the neck 1b en elaborate smacked design finished ia deep points, the upper pirt of the eklrt belBK Boaocked ia n similar manner ; tba bodice ia drawn into the waist tandae a £Ut baud with an em brcidered scroll. The fall sleeves ore smocked at th 9 arista and the skirt la finished with tack?;

A frock for a girl of five or six years la of red cashmere with black allk feather stliohlng as Ha Bole tti umtag, Ten to a dczja rowa are worked round the (skirt, wh'ch la attached to the bodice come distance below the waist, where ia placed a twiated black silk ribbon tied with a large bovr. A [pretty frook for •> child the same age is a mixture of white fUnnel and electric blue woollen. The flannel ia used for the yoke and sleeves, giving the appearance of a blouae bodice worn beneath tbe dressj It 1b fully guaged into the straight neok band, and into tight bands at tbe wrists. Round full sleeves reaching the elbow of the 00/ored material, fall over the white one bepeath; the aklrt is untrlmmed. Feather stitoh- InK is uaed on dresses for quite big girls, bat In a different manaec and more sparingly. A girl of twelve would be senalbly attired In a dress of a light blue velvet for evenlnga In the house; the bodice ahoold be made amply full and hive the neok finished with a laoe oollar; large foil aleevea and plala unirlmmed aklrt, with a wide soft allk aaeh of the aame ecljr.

Even la babtea' robes fashion has Its ohangea, formerly the elaborate work was confined to tbe uklrtfroot and bodice, now It mast beooniinued all round, androwaof beautiful Valenciennes Insertions are alternated with daintily embroidered mus lln neatly to the waiat, where a scrap of plain mnalln appears, with a frill of lace At the edge, Bodioea are trimmed only la front with the tiny sleaves made of two rows of lace, Babiaa 1 tea gowna, ao they are called, are great improvements on tbe thawls and wraps in whioh tip baby Is oooloaed when being carried from one room tq another. They are for uoa only when the baby Is on view, and are made of ollk trimmed with swansdown, leaving the front of the robe uncovered, and are much too fine for nursery weir.

Paris, J.nnary 15th 1890.

WHAT WAS IT ?

(Melbourne correspondent of "Dunedin Star.") A strange story and somewhat suggestive of the " silly season " comes from Euroa as to an extraordinary animal havihg been seen in a swamp at Wylonemby, about fourteen miles distant, The swamp is about 150 yards across and a creek flows through it. For six years or more the swamp is reputed to have been the haunt of something abnormal, tales being told of dogs flying out of the place and never again being iuduced to enter, Recently a pouple of young men went into the swamp for the purpose of cutting reeds, which are 6ft high and very thick, when they were alarmed by a sudden splashing and snorting near at hand, and the rushes waved as if allowing passage to some large animal. They quickly retired, but the following day one ventured back to carry out the reeds he had cut, when he was again aiavmed by strange sounds. He leaped upon a log, and at some thirty paces' away saw a large head upreared, which he likens to that of a bull dog. It kept this position for about ten minutes, when it disappeared, the motion of the rushes giving the idea of an animal some thirty feet long. The young man was great y scared On a report of the occurrence appearing in the local journal, a party of Euroa sportsmen went out to the swamp, where they were joined by local residents on horseback. After beating about for more than an hour they were about to give up the quest, when a sudden rustling was heard, and two of the parry saw an enormous tail as thick as a man's thigh disappearing into the large trunk of a fallen tree. A shot was fired at the animal, but its efiect is a matter of corjecture. Attempt* were made to dislodge the "bunyip," but without ayaij, ths only result being a small black snake, which was quickly dispatched" JNight coming on (he part/ retired, but will again visit the scene. Those who saw the animal describe it as being of a yellow color underneath, and a dark browa above. It is supposed to be an immense serpent, such as is ■ foundiaQueeoslan^" '■"■■ - > I

A SUNDER CASE

£1000 DAMAGES.

(PBB PKBBB ASSOOZITZOtr.)

OHBIBTOHUEOH, March 10.

In the action for slander brought by Dr Mickle against Capt Everist, in the Sapreme Court to-day, the evidence shewed that plain tiff had attended Mrs Everist for two years for ansamia, and concomitant ailments. He pre scribed narcotics for sleeplessness, and on April 30, she took an overdose and slept so , long that her friends sent for Dr Mickle. When he was in the room Capt Everist came home slightly the worse for drink. He ex pressed no surprise and was friendly to Dr Mickle. Afterwards he made statements to several persons accusing Dr Mickle of im proper conduct with Mrs Everist, and of pro* curing a miscarriage* Shortly after he told two persons that what he had said was untrue, and had been spoken under the influence of drink. He made a written state ment to that effect. Later on, however, he again repeated the statement, Dr Mickle denied Kverist's accusations, and his denial was supported by the evidence. Defendant did not appear nor defend the action. Justice Denniston, in summing up, pointed out that the action was one for ordinary, slander, and was a class of action which was usually dis couraged by the law. There was no claim for special damages. Giving the: greatest credit to defendant, he felt bound to say that there was not a shadow of foundation for the state ment that there had been impropriety between, Dr Mickle and Mrs Everist, The jury retired at 2.55 and after an absence of 8 minutes, returned a verdict for the plaintiff—damages £1000. Mr Stead, the foreman, stated that the jury wished to mark their sense of defen dant's action by giving judgment for the full amount claimed.

CHANGES, IN CEYLON.

Me Halkett-Dawson, who has been paying a visit to Ceylon, contributes to the " Otago Daily Times" a very | interesting account of that island and its prod actions, from which will be gathered a large amount of information j — much of it altogether new to many readers? For example, most people are under the impression that coffee-raising is the principal industry of the Cingalese. Such it web, but it seems that it has almost entirely disappeared, its place having been taken by the growing of tea j and cinchona—from which latter is obtained that valuable medicament quinine. Mr Dawson writes :—" King Coffee is dead. . . , : Huge fortunes have been made by coffee plant ing. Before coffee was practically given up huge fortunes had been lost. With men for their pieces, Time and Fate seem to be ever playing an endless game of chess. Fancy in New Zealand a disease slowly setting in among sheep and cattle, steathily but steadfastly gaining ground year by year, till mutton and wool were things of the past! We have seen terrible changes. Ceylon came through just such a calamity in respect to coffee. In a district called Madulsima the fell disease first appeared. The previous year there h$A been a very big crop in the- Logaloyti Valley. As sickness among the coolies, bad weather, and other causes prevented it all being picked, much fell and sprouted under the bushes. Many of these small seed lings were planted in Madulsitna, and on the fields planted frith these seedling the leaf fungus first appeared. Along with the leaf disease grab began to attack the roots of the bushes. It was long debated whether it was the grab or the leaf blight that was the real disease —which cause and which consequence. It is held now that the root of the evij was the leaf blight, which affected the roots by weakening them, and conse quently inviting an attack of the grub. Grub abounds in the soil, and while the leaf was healthy it did the roots no harm any more than it injures now the roots of the tea plant. In 1869 alarm was beginning to be felt among planters. Still, the alarm ot the blight was gentle and slow at first, putting ma in mind of the saying of the great French dramatist,

1 All great things move slowly.'

It was a year before from Madulsima it crept across to Unwara Eliya. About this time, in the beginning of the seventies, lands fit for coffee and coffee estates rose to their highest values, and prices till then not dreamt of were asked freely, and as freely given. The enemy was by this time more than at the gates. He was inside. Still coffee planting was going on as briskly as ever. Undeterred by the blight, men were investing large sums of money even in 1873. Prom this time onward the decline of coffee was rapid and sure, till now it is all but dead, and there appears to be no hope of resus citation." But the planters of Ceylon were not the men to succumb to misfor tune and have found in tea and cinchona means of restoring the fallen fortunes of the country. "In the famous Peredinuya gardens tea had been experimentally grown bo'far back as 1824, Some 20 years later the colonists cultivated it for use. It was not made for sale till 1872. Since then the growth of tea bag been extraordinary. From 1880, when the business was well established —* there 1 being in that year some 13 large estates, with a total produce of 114,8451bs—till \ the end of 1884 the tea estates increased from i 3; to 135, and the produce (as represented in the London auctions) rose from 114,8451b to 2,285,2941b. Since then the increase has been marked; so much so that last year the British Empire bought father more Ceylon and Indian tea than Chinese. ... . In the Peredinuya gardens in 1863 gome cinchona seed gathered on Chimborazo wss planted. The experiment was suc cessful, though the locality of Randy is too low for the most successful results. The cinchona succirubra grows much' better at higher altitudes. About 1872 chinchona growing was making quite a sensation in the island. By 1879 as much as 400,0001b of bark were ex ported. Now the export is many mil lions, and quinine is cheap. Even a gigantic European war will not much affect the price of the drug now. Coy lon can produce almost a limitless supply of the famous alkaloid. Tea and.' cinchona took the place of coffee, New Zealand frozen meat came in just at the nick of time of us, and if we are of good cheer other things will follow." All which goes to show the value of botani cal gardens and of practical experiments in the cultivation of plants, and may serve to satisfy those who grudge small subsidies for such purposes that the money is well spent. It also teaches the lesson that it is wise to have more than one string to our bow, and should afford a hint to New Zealand farmers of tbe wisdom when one class of produce fails to prove renumerativo, as may perhaps ba the case with cereals, of turning their attention to other crops from which bettor results may be obtained.

CANADA AND IMPERIAL FEDERATION

AN ADVERSE VOTE.

[PSB PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Ottawa, Maroh 9.' The mover of the resolution in the Quebec House of Representative! against Imperial Federation, declared in favor of annexation by the United States.

The Quebec Assembly has unani- y raously declared against Imperial 'J federation. The Conservative party-^ did not vote. . >,:

SALE OF CROWN LANDS

Yesterday was the time fixed for applications to be cent la for the Grown

land that baa reoently been thrown open to the Canterbury dlatilot. The land io - question comprise! some 23,208 aores, of whloh 16,685 coiea are situated In the Hiads and Ash button dlitiiofe, aad 6523 in thu BsngltaU and Orarl district*,' Part Is anrveyed and part aniatveyed. There was somewhat of a busy" itlr «t the Land offioa at 9 a.m., the boar at which the office ires opeo to reoelre applications. There *as not, however,-*

Urge number of persons present and they did not anything like represent the numbet ' of applloittoQs that will be made, m tb» majority were acting ia the ospaoltf of •genta foe maDy othere. Arrangement* " were made to check the applloatlon* according to the time they were pot la, M W In the case of onsurveyed land priority of application will bo considered, bat irber* two ot more applicant! apply •lmaltana* : oaaly for one block or a portion of » block their names will be -bracketed and

eobdoltted to ballot. For aoidtTeyed land all applications made yesterday will be considered as having been recelred together, and when there are two or moral 1 ', applloaate for one seotlon the allotmtnt will ba made by ballot:. The Board will bold a speolsl meeting on Thursiay, to deal with the applications pat In ys*tef«-^P day and make the allotment. It Is ex^hr pected that about 300 applicationY will bft pf received,—(•'Presi.") - ; rr^

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS

Following are the North Canterbury agricultural statistics, taken in February* The estimated grain yield is M follow*, the returns for hit year being gtren In - brackets :—Wheat — Akaroa 281 aoretvl^ [193], yield 6330 basheta [57651; Aihbar -on 76237 aciea [81,754], yield 1,617,114 • bushels [1,714 384] ; 3elwyn 57,501 .ore. ■ [61,069],y!e1d 1,331,093 bushelß[i,3B7 799]; Ashley 30.565 acres [32,026], yield 761,082 , bnßhela [751,151]; Ansari, 2118 ao'reiV : [2093], yield 49 230 bushels [43,655], ' Oitß—Ak-xroa, 273 aoree [87], yield 10,270 j " baahele [3195]; Aahbarcon 41,194 »are« - T [36,173], yield 1,251,060 bnaheU [925,084]',; * * delw\n 33,671 acres [30,178], yield i^ 763,967 bnshela [714.301] ; Ashley 26,074 J> acres [21,847*] yield. 708,984 baih.aU ~ [542,607] ; Amarl 810 tores [930], yield 23,350 bushels [24,050]. Barley -Akaroa 379 aorca [330], yield 10,400 buibsb [11,779]; Aabbarton 3146 acres [34411, yield 67 524 bushels [81,888] ; balwyo 7522 bo^b [9142], y'eld 251,996 baihals [276 340] ; Ashley 1785 acres [2251], ylol«I: -*• 53,812 bashels [57,320] ; Amarl 228 aorea [200], yield 6720 boflhela [3903],

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(pee press association.)

London, March 9 and 10,

It is understood that Lord Salisbury is opposed to making Dr Barry Bishop^ of Durham. _.,.£ Pilling, the well-known professional wicket-keeper, who has several times accompanied English Elevens to the colonies, is in a precarious state of health. It is officially stated that Australia - ■ will be excluded from the privilege ol [sending delegates to the Freetrade I Conference next year unless the colonies notify what they intend- to do before October next. The navy estimates show an increase of ;£ioo,ooo on last year, It is pro- ■ posed to spend in the con- struction of new vessels in accordance with the scheme unfolded in 1889. Thisjdoe3 not include the cost of vessels for the Australian squadron,. . -"', : Humor, Marohß, Count De Waldersee, Chief of the German military staff, has left on a visit to Italy. . : , _,

BUSH FIRES IN TARANAKI

(.PIS FKBSB AflflOOIATIOK:)

New Plymouth. Aforoh IQ. The buah fiiei are now moderating, bat the damage has been great; It !• eill msted that In the Ejmont and Moa dls tilots nearly half the pasture hu been burnt up, which will reduce the output of butter by more .than one.half. .Many .„ email farmera will be unable to hold out during the winter month■ unless they ceoelva asaistsnoa. A deputation pf farmeri waited on Mi Samnel, M.H.R,, In tefei enoe to the dlitreas experienced through: bush fires. They abated that in coma dli<; trlcta nearly the whole of the paature w<u' destroyed, besides the fenoea and dwelling! of many settlers. There waa no faed foi i their catcle, and although the prices to.b* obtained were merely nomlnil, there waa nothing left for settlers but to ael! them. It was stated that a great many of them would be unable to find grata need to re aow their land, and that without aid from the Government the settlers would in, many cases hava to desert their holding!, and come upon the Charitable Aid Board for-support. The deputation urged Mr ; Samuel to apply to the Government for ail. Subscriptions ate being raised in- New Plymouth t) aid the settlers, bot<? the sum collected will not be sufficient ill

GOLD DISCOVERY AT THE WAIHAO

Our Waimate correspondent writes :—^Some years ago a Company was formed at Wjiimate for the purpose of opening up a q«wtz resf supposed to exist in the Upper Wiihao, After the Company had expended some £1500 in pursuing their object without discovering, whether was there a payable reef there.or not^ funds ran short, and the Company w»s liqui- dated. Reports have been constantly coining.",, to Waimate that gold was to be found In" the same locality, and one or two men have spent their winter there for the' last few years, succeeding in making ordinary wages. The Government last! winter sent two men up to report, and they, after paying the locality a flying visit, reported adversely. During last week Messrs Rickm and Doel, of Waimate, spent three days in the Waihao on a prospecting tour. They first visited the old workings, and then, tried different localities with success, r Thsy have, brought back wi^h them' some splendid" specimens of nuggety go)d, and say that tfiey. got the color in every part tried, and that they! are confident if the Government and local bodies will assist them that they will find.in less than three months a goldfield in the. Waihao at which fifty or sixty, men could earn good wages all the year round —(Press-)

Lwt year the death-rate iatho (fritri

THE ASHBTTRTON GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1890.



INWALD COAL AND FI BE WOOD DEPOT, JA r><LOTBSER inyiDg pur- j • x\_* \J chafed tht bnsinesa of Joseph Ciakk from the Official Assignee, la prepared to supply Coal, Firewood, Bran, Oats and Ohafi, at lowest market rates. 1 J, A. CLOTHIER, Tinira'.d. If ODD VAOMUa 7AL B?AO (•' What we do we o well," j mm OHBIBTOUUBOE DB NTAL \ SUEGBRY, Ooekoi etnct, Ohrietchnrch, next Robin- Boot Stora, and at the Octagon. Duneiin. A jjpar&tionß at Btiiotly nnifotax ana moderate Consultation free. & myeekTand 00., BtaaaON BSNTIfITS. EITBOUb OXIDE GAS administered \ \ Aunathetto leaves no nnploaaant effects, »ad by its Die the extraction of Bad Stumps and Teeth Is rendered pet »Mtlj Palnleta «nd Effective. Ad atlnUtered daily. Fee for admlnlntratlou of Gai, si. Extraction, 2s 6d a tooth. fiooti of attendance, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Piirate xeildenee, 93 Eait Belt. The acknowledged enperlorlty of AMERICAN DENTISTKY In the oon ■Wuotlon of Artificial Teatta, the moit finlibed workmanehlp, and replaoiog tbe M t teeth TEMPORARILY ALMOST HMVDIATELY after extraction, hare ■tabllibed oar reputation, A tingle Artlfiola Tooth, 10i, complete •t» Upper and Lower, Temporary and Permanent £1010t; AriificUl Teeth and Oeatarei made by other dentists re noddled at imall costs, Stopping, Sotl jg Perfect and Painlear. WM. SPABBOW, TAILOR AND MEN'S MERCER BAST STREET. THE CHEAPEST SALE NOW GOING ON IN ABHBUEMON IS AT "'The Corner;' Children's Hatu half^prioe Flowers at ha £ price Prints at half price • Liidiea' Jackets at half price 17 dozMen's^Sox (beat made) half price f 1 f SEE THE WIN DfO^W S EKE THE W tDO.WS 9* iNBfEOT THE S';TOOK IKgP'ffnT TflE SjTOOK WJiHI COLLIER ■ 41 iift Comer | SUP AID BUMPHERYS Hold Weekly Sales of HORSES, PIGS, CATTLE, PRCDUOB, FURNITURE, &o» EVERT SATURDAY. LIVE STOCK SALES Erery Taeoday at Tinwaldi and Aah buttp'tt Yarcla alters»tely. CLEARING SALES TOWK AND COUNTRY Accerdtog to arraf.gom9Bt. —We h*va for Sale Privately— Q REAPERS AND BINDER -i OroEsklU BOLLEB, GRASS J. JSTIHPPS&3 ' yfa hive been appointed Agbhts lot JOHNSON and Go's j AETIFICIAL MAKUEE. WE HAYS ON"¥AND 5 TONS ample &nd T&tilouhto of wbloh caa b had oa application. BLAND AND HUMPHERYS " AUCTIONEER ;



Wanted Known j Cash Advertisements under this head ing, not exceeding 16 words, ONE , Shilling. Addresses may be left at this Office. WANTED a good general servant. — Apply MB3 Segebs, Melford Hooso. 3 '\ & '[ ANT&D to Sell a good second-hand f% Bnyc'.e cheap. Apply "Mail" Office. 3 22 |T|7 ANTBETiiNOWN—MeIford House VV will close every night ak 8 o'o^ook (except Wednesdays'),—H, 0, Shores. WANTED Known.—"Strong-weTr Boots for La^iea, Men and Children oe»a only ba obtained at W. H Ooiiisk's. "TXTiiNTJBD Known.—Tt,e Cheapo Yy Shop to bay Tlnwaie and Gal vaniaed Iron goods at, in ABhbnrton, is W. P. Uann.aford's, Burnett Street. A largo stock kept on band, Tin and Iron ware goods repaired wlih despatch. rffTANTED—Tendara for O«t«ng » V r qnantity of Grain from my Faroii to Ohertaey StatloD, For parti culars apply Saturday next, 15th, abont , 1 p'ra., at Mb A. Roberts' Store, West i Street,—John Williams. 3163 > ~~ MANILLA Binder Twine, machine oil, and wire. Time in money on the harvcnt field—the beat Is the cheapest, i —R. Aloobn, Saandera Bulldlnga. | "YI7"AHTED KNOWN —My Bpecial VY Make of Ladies 1 4 clasp Kid Gloves, " The Aehburtonian," braided backs, 30 6d per pair,—W; H. Collleb. CTTANTED^very man in tne County VV to have a Salt of the Ashburton Tweede.—Robbbt Aloobn, Ashburton Olothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. B3 KENNEDY and Miss Cameron, Moore Street—Teachers of Scientific Drees-cuttiag. Bodies cat and fitted. Dressmaking in all its branches. Riding habits a speciality. 12 69 WANTED Known—ln addition to our ordinary presents, we shall give an extra one of a good usefal basket to every purchaser of 20s and upwards. B. 0. Seobbs, Melford Houaa, WANTED KNOWN—If yon want good value for your money go to Melford House. Besides our ordinary presents an additional one of a good useful basket to every purchaser of 20* and upwards, H, 0. Eegers, Melford Houte. WANTED, Everyone to Know—That J. MOISON has now in stock a arga end varied assortment c 2 BOOTS AND SHOES toe the Spring and Summer Season, Geutlemeu'a, Ladles', aud Chil dren's, both Imported and Uolonial; iso EIS OWN MAKE, which GANN)T BE SUBPASBED for Style, Pit, Qial ty, and Kestatsß, combined with VJBRY KSASON^BLB PRICES. All repaUs txeoated prompt y and with neatne.es lOtl Public Notices NOTICE TO FAR&ISaSL WHEAT. WHEAT. WHSAT. WE aro BUYERS of PRIME KILL ING WHEAT at Mill. EOLLITT & 00 , Caaterbcry MlilPi 3+26 AalibartcDi SUMMER 1890 1890 QUMM -R EO W 1890 1890 OH O W ALL DEPARTMENTS OF OUB BUSINESS REPLETE \YITH CHOICE GOODS FOS THIS SEASON. RIGHT, For Javsnils's Olctbirg Tryth-iN.Z Olothing Factory Fr r Boys' Cothlnw Try tbe iN.Z, OlotDing Vi./iccy For Youths' O:o<hiug Try thi H Z. Olothfog Factory For Men'flOlothin< Try <heN.Z. Clothing Fagtory For Uen'B Measure £n'-ts Try tho N.Z. Clothing Factory For Mercery jvnd Hopi ry Try the N.Z. Clothing Factory Fo? Blanka'B, Bugs, and Flanne's T»y tlie N.Z. Clothing Factory For Hats in th^ newest chapes Try tha N Z Clothing Factory ifor the bast v*lae for Ready Money Try the N Z, Clothing Factory ENCOURAGE LOCAL INDUSTRY AND BUY F&OM THE EEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, inspect"our stock And draw* your own conclusions. Wi~ WEBBEB. M#osger, Boots Boots Boots. i mENDiCRS are Invited for the Entire ' vStook in Trada in the eatato of Qb>bgb Diack, Bootmabor, Aebbnrton, cocßuting of Gents, Ladiea, and Children's Boots snd Shoo/1, Leather aid Grindery us per stcck sheets. Supervisor will be in attendance on fcbe f remhea on IHUES- ■ DAY, 13th inst., from 2 to 5 p.m., when Intending Tenderers will have an i opportunity of inspecting tin stock, etc. Xhe eamo has been eu-ofully valued at cost prices end ia in first cUbb order., Tenders at por s£l Taxation will be received by Suckliko Bros. 165 Tuam street, Christchnwh, up till 12 noon on SATURDAY lS.hinttant. JOHN 6UCKLIKG, bupervleor,



Certainly the Most Effective MEDICINE in the world is SANDER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EXTBACT. Test its eminent powerful eflfeots in Coughs, Colds, Influenza, etc,; the relief is instantaneous, Thousands give the most gratifying testimony. Bead thft certificate :■—" 24th April, 1885.—Messrs i gander and Sons,—lt is with the greatest of pleasure that t testify'to'' tbe reliance .of your Euoalypti Extraot. Having had inflam mation of the bone of the leg, whioh Game on after a severe attack of low fev6r, I vma attended by Dr J. Boyd, who had made strenuous efforts to save my leg, but withoue isuccess. He found it necessary to amputatt my limb. Having heard in tb'e aiuanthw o« tha wonderful cures worked by the Eucalypti Extract, I obtained a bottle, and the extract had not been applied niore than an hour when I began to feel greatly relieved, &iiei apply ing the extraot every four hours for nine <ac (en days I wac out of all danger, I would perbu{4e :&U w^°. *>c affeciad with any ' such disease to give the Eucalypti Extracts trial, and I am donvinoeci that teey will &$ it the most wonderful of medicines.—Yours, eta.E.J.OvJttWV. Wattle street Sandhurst,



■■————— m The application of salt as a proventative of rust to baya been a suooesa. The experiment; wftß made by c farmer in Viotoria, who applied it ai the rate of 3owt to tbe aore, , the result being -•* oleaa drop on the land 'thua treated, whilst a portion of (bo OWpnot