The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1890. THE KERMADECS SETTLE MENT.

Rather more than a year ago the project of establishing a settlement upon Sunday island, one of the Ker madec group, which was annexed to this colony about two years previously, was the subject of numerous articles, and the departure from Auckland of the Hinemoa with the first batch of settlers, was announced with quite a flourish of trumpets. Lots of people -WnfacA at- the time eiiYWSTtlidaer—vrtK? were on their way to take up their homes m islands which it Avas repre sented would grow fruits of all kinds m abundance m return for but a small expenditure of labor, and where the visits of the tax-gatherer are unknown. But " far fields are fair fields," and too often experience teaches that it is distance only that lends enchantment to the view. At any rate this > has proved to be the case m regard to the islands m question, for not only, as our readers will remember, did some of the new settlers return disappointed very soon after their arrival at their destina tion, but it now appears that tliose who remained behind, determined to give the islands a fair trial, have at last, been obliged to give up the task of establishing themselves there as hope less, and have returned to the main land of New Zealand bitterly lament- Ing that they ever left it, and as bitterly reproaching the Government for" having deceived them. Referring to the official report " The Kermadec Islands, their Capabilities and Ex tent," issued under the authority or the Government, and which they say lured them to their 'ill-fated enterprise, the returned settlers (says the "Auckland Herald") declare that " instead of finding the ' great luxuri ance and richness of vegetation ' repre sented m the report, they found that the greater part of the flat m Denhara Bay where the settlement was located was extremely poor land, and they had great difficulty m getting even a few ordinary vegetables to thrive. For the most part the soil (?) was fetind to consist of sand and pumice. With the exception of about two acres m the centre of the crater, which is not included m the Association's vans, the only land on the whole island,: which comprises about 8000 acres, at all likely to prove remunerative, was j that occupied by Mr Bell, which is situated on the northern side. The richness of this soil is due to the s-etipn of the burrowing mutton-birds during the breeding season. Attempts were made to cultivate bananas, &uavas, and pine-apples, but none of thes>* flourished. The banana trees certainly grew, but were dwarfed and stunted, and the fruit was of a very coarse variety, and unsuited for any market. Cora crops turned out a failure, what little grain did chance to ripen being eaten up by rats, which infest the islands. Potatoes were only grown with considerable difficulty, and some months before the Governwjnjb steamer Hinemoa was due on her' lial£.yeai>ly visit, the store of flour, sugar, tea, and other necessary household commodities became so low that by common, consent it was reserved for the women, the others existing principally upon kumc ras, mtttton-birds, fish, and goat flesh, the kst-nanaed two articles being at most times difficult to procure, The Hinemoa arrived at Denham Bay for the first time after the for mation of the settlement m April last, and six »of the sattlers recognising that it was hopeless to remain on the island, returned to New Zealand with that vessel the others agreeing to give the settlement oae wore trial. The steamer Jeft them

several bags of flour and other stores. Whilst these lasted prodigious efforts were made to reduce the best of the land to a cnltivatable state. But it was of no use, ;ind the privations and sufferings undergone by these unfortu nate emigrants up to the time they were taken oft' by the Hineiroa a few weeks ago can scarcely be imagined; For some months the hardier members of the party never enjoyed the luxury of bread and tea—they had forgotten the taste of it. Water, fortunately, was to be had m abundance, and mutton , birds and their eggs were plentiful—the latter, of course, only m season—arid with kumeras and an occasional meal of fish or goat's liesh a bare subsistence was eked out. It was an experience none of the settlors wish repeated and the advent of the Hiue moa on her second six-monthly trip the other day was gladly hailed—all but two families, who have pluckily decided to remain for another six months trial of the Islands, returning by her. The returned settlers do not complain of the climate, except that it is somewhat enervating, and state that they have experienced far colder weather here m New Zealand. But they do speak bitterly of the Government having 'puffed up' the island as possessing advantages for settlement which bitterly-gained experience has proved to be quite foreign to it. It is hot improbable that when Parliament next meets the. settlers as a body, will petition for some redress."

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Benzon, the well-known English "plunger," says be is going to become an actor.

Mr Macarthur has reported the discovery of cinnabar (the ore of quicksilver) at Puhi piihi.

The new, New South Wales Electoral Bill provides for the closing of public-house 3on polling-day. The "Catholic Times" suggests that the name of the Empire City should be changed from Wellington to " SWellington.' Mr Hayter estimated the population of Victoria on the 30 September as 1,140,132 of which 603,838 "are set down as males, and 536,294 as females. Little Lord , Fauntlcroy is m Germany dying of consumption. His mother Mrs Francis Hodgson Burnett, devotes all her time to hini. j The strike mania has extended even to j choir boys. Those of a New York church, who had given their services gratuitously, recently "came out" fq.iv ninety cents a mouth. . | Mrs Colt, widow of the inventor of thfl revolver, has* several millions of money, and lives m the handsomest residence m. Hart ford, Ct. She lias, out of her own resources, erected a handsome Episcopal church near her residence. Of the seventy-three members who luve been elected to the House (the Northern Maori seat being vacant), forty-six satin the last Parliament, twenty-seven' did not, and twenty have never before been elected Twenty-fonr members of the last Parliament have been defeated.. " There is one solace left to me at last," remarked the old farmer. "After all my boys leave and go up to the city, after the pigs and cattle die, and everything else for sakes me, there is at least one thing that will stick to the old farm." And that is ?" "The Mortgage!" Sir William Fox asserts that we are spend ing five time the amount on beer that we spend on brains—that is, on national educa tion—and that if every adult m the colony would giro the cost of a quarter of a glass of beer a day it would defray the whole cost ol the national education system, and nearly half as much more. ,' A deputation 'from _ths-.JQai«--y-"»g- A«*u»«*«_ .tioiv-ivixi-teTt-Trw-tjjcTTon («. F. Kichardson at Dunedin to solicit the assistance of the Gov ernment m sending an expert to England m charge of a shipment of cheese, so tnat a re liable report might be obtained as to the causes of deterioration. The Minister pro mised to support the scheme to the extent of £250. Mr Randall Morgan, a produce buyer from London, who has been for the last three years shipping bntter from New Zealand to the British Metropolis, told a reporter the other day that "some of the butter m stock at the present came from Taranaki, where it was purchased at 7sd per lb, and that he never saw a finer article m the whole of his experience." A curious occurrence, resulting m the loss of a steamer, occured recently off the Varanger Fiord m the North of Norway, says Beyca's "Weekly News." A whale that had been harpooned by one of the steamers employed m those waters turned upon its pursuers, and rammed the vessel, holing it so badly that it sank almost im mediately, the crew having just time to escape from the sinking ship m boats. There is another murder scare m White chapel. Anonymoxis letters having been again received, extraordinary precautions are being token to entrap the fiend, should he resume his ghoulish work. Mysterious individuals m the Whitcchapel slums are "shadowed "by constables m plain clothes. Some women of a "class from whom the assassin selected his victims are being utilised as female detectives. It is proposed m the New South Wales Parliament that the Premier's salary be raised from £2000 to £3500, and that of several other Ministers from £1500 to £2500 also that the Agent-General gefc £5000 annually. Either the country is paying its Civil Service too much or it is paying its chief political servants far too little. The N.S.W. Chief Railway Commissioner gets £3000 yearly and his subordinates £1500, and the Chief Justice gets £3500, or £1500 a year more than the Premier. The "Press" says that a gentleman m Christchurch, who had five tickets m the Dunedin Art Union m connection with the Art gallery there, received an intimation that he was the lucky drawer of four prizes. His numbers were 81, 82, B.'}, 84, and 85, and of these numbers 82, 83, 84, and 85 drew priflss. This is an experience unexampled m arfc union drawings anywhere m the world. Procee Hugs for libel have jhgen taken by Mr H. J. Withers against Mr W. Edmunds, M.L.A., of New South Wales. The alleged libel consists m an utterance made by Mr Edmunds m *ne Assembly to the effect'that an attempt had been nwle to bribe him to vote m favov of jthe Broken Hill Water Supply Bill. It is competent of course, for him to plead privilege ; but, if he keeps his word, he will not, for, m the course of his sp#§ch m the House, he said that he was prepaid to prove his statements m a court of law,

Lord Hopetoun ppcenfcly made an extensive tour on horseback through Victoria, and out of respect to his nationality the colonists took care to have him well provided with bagpipe music m his travels. At a meeting m Melbourne he reported his surprise at not seeing more than a dozen rabbits during the whole of his trip, and he also expressed his pleasure at the compliments paid to his uai'.Quality by the bagpipe music. " That accounts fqy the disappearance of the rabbits," shouted Gne of the company, and the Governor was forced to join m the general laugh at the expense of tli£ national ijijjsic of Caledonia. ■'Says tljff " Masterton Daily ":—A remark able incident is mentioned m connection with the late r l^ai't Uty, of Greytown. ]je has for many years Ijeen a. Wesleyan lay-reader, Last Sunday morning ha preached at oarfcerton, and m qpening his address He remarked that he would repeat, the iil'ist «evinon he had eyej> delivered, and j as with life** uncertainty, j|b might even i | prove to be a!ao his last, Ue would, dpi >yith his subject to the very best of his ability and do all the good he could with the, powers at his disposal. This was a strangely iih pressire and prophetic utterance, for now, ?4as, (tUo speaker is no mere, <

A novel experiment was made last year by the Raided School Union as a first lesson m thrift. Ac tie annual distribution of prizes 3*55 scholars received from the Union deposit books showing that 5s had been placed to the credit of each m the post office savings Ivmk, All the necessary preliminaries were settled m co-operation with the secretary of : the. Union, -the attendance of the depositors being dispensed with, and the President, the Earl of Aberdeen, expressed publicly his thanks to the department for doing so. In the face of the following, culled from the, "Family .Herald," who-will be so bold | as to say that the English people are not well up with regard to New Zealand, its popula tion, and resources generally: — "New Zealand covers an area of 105,342 square miles. It has a population of nearly 3,000,000. In thirty years its trade rose from & value of. ; 0,000,000 to £63,000,000. In 1871 it was , £03,000,000; m 1880 it had risen to' £04,000,000. The average of trade for every inhabitant ,ia £12 higher than m Great Britain, five times higher than m Europe as a whole, and five and a half time's higher than m the United States. The, gold extracted m thirty years amounted to £293,000,000. In 1870 the wool crop was 193,000,0001 b; m 1879 it, was 392,000,0001 b. In 1880 the shipping entered and cleared was 8,500,000 tons. The colony has 1,250,000 horses, 8250 cattle, and 75,000,000 sheep." What next ? : " Plunger," m its fashionable meaning at least, is commonly regarded as a word of quite recent origin. As a point of fact, however (remarks "Truth"), it came into use a good many years.ago, and was first applied to the Marquis of Hartington, who was then sowing his wild oats. One night, etill memorable m the annals of Clubland, Lord Hartington played three games of draughts for £1000 a game, and lost all, three. He then cut a pack of cards for £500 a cut, and m the course of a few'minutes lost £5000 more. Needless to say his lordship never lost for one instant his usual non chalant air of sleepy indifference, but seemed just as bored as ever. He handed a cheque for £7000 to his opponent before he quitted the room, and it was then that one of the bystander?, an old friend called out,," Harfc ington's a regular plunger."

Result of a Scrutiny

Mil REEVES RETURNED FOR ■•". ' ;' ii&ANGAHUA.

The result of the poll was itnade known at eleven hWu'rii-;!;!). The tqfcil votes re corded .numfrorarl 2250 of which 29 wore informal. To Lai number for each candi date, R63v5w,.,1110.; : . Dnikfi, 1111 After the .scrutiny seven find nine wyro deducted nispuutively, leaving' Reeves 1103 ; Drake, 1102. (Mr Reeves is there fore returned. —Ed.)

Latest Cable News HOME AND FOREIGN.

[fer riMiss association] [Received December 10, 11 a.m.] Sydney-, December 10. Mr Burdekin has been re-elected Mayor of Sydney. Melbourne, December 10. The " Argus " condemns tlie pro-i posal to make New Zealand pay higher cable rates, than other colonies, and hopes that the Postmaster-General will not belittle Victoria by acquiescing in such a suggestion. Mr Slriels, Minister of Railways, in his annual statement of railway esti mates, says, the department failed to meet the reasonable requirements of the colony last yeai', and closed with a deficit of £221,000. " There was no reasonable hope the deficit would be less than £300,000 this year. The strike had made a difference of £70,000. The country requires a more economical system, framed on the American model. The Government has decided toj re-appoint Mr Speight, Chief Commissioner of Railways, for a further term of .seven years at £3000 per annum.

Adelaide, December 10.* The Federal Council Bill, extending the period during which the colony will be represented on the Council till 1892, was carried against much oppo sition. Mr Cock burn, formerly Chief Secretary, unsuccessfully sought to extend the operation of the Bill bine die.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS

PElt PHESR ASSOCIATION. The Gov«m>r at Wew Pl'month. New Plymouth, December 10. The Governor has made a semi-official visit to New Plymouth. He arrived by the express train fr.nm Wellington lait night, and wag received nbthe station'by Colonel Stapp and the Mayor. and Borough Councillors. The Mayor, "m a short speech, welcomed the Governor on this his first visit; The party then drove to the White Hart Hotel, where his Ex cellency is stopping. Arrangements were made for a visit to the mauntain, and Lord Onslow, with a party of gentlemen, left for there at 8 o'clock this morning. The Governor leaves for a visit round the coast to-morrow morning. JFwiiu«l«;r «f Eight Month Fjrntam. Wellington, December 10. ! It has been decided to form a Commit tee to obtain subscriptions from all the Colonies for a memorial to Mr S. D, Parnell, the founder of the eight hours movement. Mr Parnell, however, is m a precarious condition, little hop 9 of h'"s recovery being entertained. Ctrain Kxjiort. Last season was the first m which the Wairarapa district was able to export grain. This season a thousand bags have already been sent down. Xl»« Carman S(iiiM(lr»o. The German Squadron sailed at 8.30 for the South Spas, > v->' Mir W. Im7.li«rl»*rt. Sir W. IMtsherberfc is much Better, and will shortly be. able to resume his active dutjea. ■' , Palmemtnn North. At; a meeting of the United Manawafcu Masonic Lodge (1721 E.G.), it was ye ? I splved that ajthqutgh, the Lodge had ex pressed its allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England, yet its members share the feelings of regret expressed' by Loid Onslow with reference to the present dis sensions among Masons, and won}d gladly hear of a plan for their removal

A SAD AFFAIR

Ihe " Mount Ida Chronicle uf the 4th inst., has the following:—A terrible event occurred at Ophir last Saturday evening, which has caused a great deal of excitement m the .neigh bourhood. A fight between two men, named Henry Cecil and John Cameron, resulted m the death of the latter. Our special correspondent lias Ayired us the '"following .particulars :—A challenge to meet on 'Saturday was given and accepted on Thursday. On Saturday Cameron attended a meeting, of the directors of the Patcaroa Dredging Company at Sowburn, and afterwards returned to Ophir, having ridden a j total distance of over 70 miles. On reaching home Cameron, who had eaten nothing sines morning, was un willing to fight, but the other side insisted, and the parties proceeded to a place a quarter of a mile from the township, near the Ophir Company's battery, where the fight was com menced at 9.30 p.m. m darkness, several persons being present. Cameron

had the best of it at the start. 1 Cecil fought cunning, dodging, and waiting. Both men were devoid of science, aad very little punishment was received by either partyi At the end of half-an hour Cameron wished to stop, but was persuaded to go on, and m the next round he received a fatal blow on the throat. He was carried to Gavan's hotel, where he was attended by a doctor, but died m about an hour. Cecil was arrested the same night.

Kidnapped by a Pig.

An extraordinary story reached Albury (says the " Sydney Morning Herald,") from a man named Edward Thompson, formerly a resident of this town, but now employed m tank sinking m the Dubbo district. Thomp son, it appears, was camped 'with his wife and two young children m the bush. The elder of the children, who is three years old, had been m the habit of playing with a pefc pig. One morning the child was , missed, and a search party was forthwith instituted, the father and some other men scouring the bush m. all directions $ the search party continued their labours all day and the whole night without coming upon any trace of the missing infant, and m view of the very ; inclement weather of late prevailing, small hopes were entertained of finding the child alive. Early next morning'," however, the searchers were rewarded by the discovery of the child quite comfortably asleep ova bed of .leaves/ evidently made by, the pig, ,under a hop; bush. The pig was near the child, and seem ingly on guard over it, as it resented m a very practical '.fashion, any at tempt to interfere with' its charge, and it was with some difficulty '"that the father succeeded m obtaining possession of the youngster. Finally, when the father rode away homeward with the child m his arms, the pig followed at the horse's heels all the way back . to the camp.

New Members of the House.

Ma Cakxcross. ,Tk» " Ota^o Daily Times " says :—-Mr Walter C, E. Carncross, elected to r'epre- Sfcnt tlie Taicri, was bom at Bendigo, Vic-ooria, m 1853, and when nine years of .ascg came t«. DuiiecUji with his parents. He attended the Middle District School, then under Mr Halliwell, for a short. period, but most of liis education was re ceivect from his father. Entering the employ of Mr 11. Wise (no^'Wlse and Cafiin), he rose from being printer's boy to be salesman, and afterwards traveller for the firm. He afterwards removed to Oa'maru, and later on to Wainiate, .where he was employed on the " Waitangi Tribune." Returning to Dunedin, he started a weekly paper, the "'Penny Post," but; found the expenses of produc tion too great, so he secured a small plant, and m 1881 established the "Taieri Advocate,', which he has carried on ever since. In 1884 he contested the Taieri seat against Mr "Fulton and was defeated by 76Votes. , He tried again m 1887, and then lost by only seven votes, being again defeated by Mr Fulton. He has occupied a seat m the local Borough Council, has been a member of the Licensing Com mittee, Secretary of the Amateur Turf Club, and has generally been to the front m local matters. He has been Master of the local Oddfellows' and Freemasons' Lodges, and is at present Captain of the East Taieri'Rifles. _______

Political Items.

(From our exchanges.) The " Dunedin Star "understands that steps are under way to get up a testi monial to Mr Pyke m recognition of his long and valuable services m Fsrliament. According to the same authority the idea gains ground m political circles that Sir H. A. Atkinson will go Home shortly as successor to Sir F. D. Bell m the Agent-Generalship. (Sir Dillon's term expires in-October. Ed), The Auckland correspondent of the "Otago Daily Times," wiring to that journal, says " It has been stated that one or two members were disposed to resign m order to find a seat for Sir M. O'Rorke. On making inquiries, however, X find that this is a political canard." The following members' of the late Par liament will not take part m the delibera tions of the House elected on Friday. The reduction of the number of electorates accounts for the most of the changes, twenty-two of those named not having sought re-election :—Sir G. Grey, Sir M. O' Rbi'ke, and Messrs Allen, J. 0. Ander? son, Barren, Beetham, J, C, BroAvn, — Bruce, Button, Cowan, Doclson, Feld wick, Fitchett, Fraser, Fulton, Grim mond, Hislop, Hobbs, Hodgkinson, Humphreys, Izard, Lance Larnaoh, La wry, Marchant, McGregor, Moat, Monk, Moss, Orruond, Pyke, Peacock, Hon. E. Richard son, Ross, Samuel, Saunders, Seymour, W. D. Stewart, Stuart'-Menteath, Tanner, Verrall, Walker, Why to, and Withy. . The Otago Daily Times "of Tuesday, iii.an article on the political situation, says : —" It is m the direction of a recon struction that the wishes of the country, to our interpretation, point. Only, the reconstruction should bo m a progressive and not a conservative direction. To a coalition Government there are many objections, and, moreover, a coalition-in the usual sense of Ministers of entirely different principles being j^sociated ap pears to us entirely unnecessary. ;If we push behind the names of Ministry and Opposition, we shall find that t;here is a clear majority of members hold ing substantially the same progressive views, the only difference between whom is that one section wishes to go rather faster than the other. For years past it has bee» plain that Sir Harry Atkinson an'! Mr Rolleston had much more "m, common witli Sir Robert Stout and Ml" Ballance than with Sir -John Hall and Mr Bryce. Personal questions arising out of their recent relations apart, we believe, there would be no difficulty m forming a, Ministry out of the new House, much more homogeneous m opinion than any

we have had for the last ten year.-1, and which would command (;he confidence alike of the House find of the country." The " Isortli Ofcago Times " of Tuesday write;; as foltavn :—" There is a rumor currentafc the present time that, owing to the ''neornpetoney of any member of the 1 Opposition p.uly to lend thw House m the cvoufc of «i. now Ministry being formed, one of !ho kivii-members will be asked to resign ins F<?at m order to give Sir Rohoi't 8:-.(i;,ii-..;i! i ),_onnQrtunity-wS)^ being' elected to lead the party. Sir ■Robert. Sloiu, is'iuor.!.'. a theoretical than a practical politician, but he is considered by his par y. to be ntuchmore cap*blo*«l leading than any member at present elected. Mr Ball-woo only leads a section of tile ;Onpp".'fcio.ii paity, while 1 it is/fcalculated that Sir Robert would be able.to mould t!;e various sections into '.something like a ■ homogeneous whole; Such is the rumor, and avcj give it for what it is worth. We are, however, assured.that the rumor is not without foundation; aud as Sir 'Robert's' party is undoubtedly m the ascpndant no far as present calculations go, the rumor will probably before long resolve itsalf into a fact. The Opposition ■ib stronger m numbers than before, but it is weaker m ability, as several of its most capable men have been politically stranded. We havo not heard which nfjember will (sacrifice himself, but it is hinted that Christchurch will provide the man."

TELEGRAPHIC

HOME AND FOREIGN. [PJSR PRESS ASSOCIATION.] London, December 8 and 9. Parliament has- adjourned until January 22nd. • 'Router's Telegram Company has in creased its capital, and intends to start an advertising agency. Major-General Ed\yards will read a paper on Australian defences before the Colonial Institute m April next. The "Daily News" states that Sir Henry James, Q.C., M.P., -who was one of the leading counsel for " The Times " m the . Parnell Commission, has been created a life Peer and Judge of the Appeal Court. {St. Petj?hsbubg, December 8. The Grand Duke Nicholas, uncle of the Czar, is incurably insane.

Naw York, December 9. The Indians are becoming cowed, and if relieved cf starvation will pro bably quieten down, ■ . Buenos Ayres, December 8.

A plot to • make General Fonseca, President of the Republic of Brazil, Dictator of Argentine Republic, has

been suppressed. Lisbon, December 8. It is asserted that the English were the aggressors m the fracas at Matacas, which led to the British, flag being pulled down. ■ ■■.'•Washingbos,-December 8. It is'reported tlfltt King Kalakaua, of the Hawaiian Islands, will shortly pay a visit to Washington, with a view of selling the islands to the United States Government. I Mr William Windon, Secretary of the Treasury, c^clares. that during, his tenure of office he has circulated one hundred million silver dollars without eifect, and he refuses to permit the Treasury to become bankrupt.

THE MARKETS.

[PER PBBSS ASSOCrATIOIC.J London, December 8. The wool market is steady, with an improvement m prices. | New York, December 9. I A panic has taken place on the New York stock exchange, and several large failures are announced.7 Commercial j paper has been refused on all sides, and |an attempt made to rely on currency &kmo. Government propose to issue twenty million dollars worth of 2 per cent; bonds. New Ytlfck is drawing half at million of gold from the Bank of Eii^lan I, and one million from the Bank o£ Kan je. (Received December 10, 10.45 a.m.) Sydney, December 10. Wheat - Chick 3s 7d, milling sorts 3s lOd, oats Is lOd to 2s ; barley, Cape 2s, nominal, English feeding sorts 3s ; pens, l Prussian blue, 3s 8d to 3s lOd ; potatoes, | old crop £3, new £9 10s ; onions, £9; I butter, diiry made 6d, cream separator 7d, factory made 8d ; cheese, loaf sjd to 6d ; bacon, machine cured 5d to 6d, Land cured 6d to 7£d, New Zealand dull at 9d to 9}, d ; hams", New Zealand lid to Is. Melbodbne. December 10. Wheat brisk at & 9d ; flour, roller £7 15s to £9 5s ; oats, Tartarian 2s 3d; stout 2s 9d ; peas 3s l^d. AsstiAiivE, December 10. Wheat quiet at 3s B£d ; oats, New Zea land m bond, prime feeding sorts Is 3d ; barley, Cape 2s 3d to 2s 6d, English malting 2s 6d.

DISTRICT COURT

ASHBURTON-WEDNESDAY.

(Before His Honor Judge Ward.) In Bankruptcy. In He C. Homersham. Mr Crisp for bankrupt. Order for discharge granted. In lit James McCrenor. Mr Russell for the Mercantile finance Company. Order for costs granted.

The bankrupt was sworn, , but refused to answer questions put to him regarding; certain horses, nnd His Honor ordered him to go to prison without bail, until h& did answer such questions. The warrant was made out, and His Honor having warned the bankrupt, who persisted m his refusal, then committee] him to'gaol and the Court adjourned.

IRISH AFFAIRS.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION J London, December 9. Mr Pariiell's Dublin Committee m a manifesto urge resistance to the de claration of the Bishops and Mr Gladstone. Sydney, November 9. At a meeting of the' Newcastle branch of the National League, the proceeding were of a stormy jnature. A motion that Mr Parnell should bo requested to retire from the leadership of the Irish Parliamentary party was negatived m favor of an amendment —That this, League should await further details.

Terrible Tragedy at Ballarat

MURDER AND SXJiqiDK ! [per tobhs association.] Melboupnje, December 9. A terrible tragedy is reported from Ballarat. Mr Johnston, a well-known stock and station , agent, first mur dered his four children, who were lying asleep m bed, by suffocating them, and the deed' was carried out so quietly that a l' servant girl who was sleeping m the same room as the chil dren was not aroused. Johnston then proceeded to his wife's room, and shot her through the head, finally taking

THE ASHBUBTON (HTABDIAISr. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1890.



The best medicine known is SANDER and , SONS' EUCALPTI EXTRACT. Test it eminent powerful effects m coughs, colds, influenza, etc.—the relief is instantaneous. Thousands give the most gratifying testi mony His Majesty the King of Italy, and medical syndicates all over the globe, are its patrons. Read the official reports that accompany each bottle. We have no occa sion to offer rewards m proof of the genuine ness of our references. The official reports of medical clinics and .universities, tha official communication of. the Consul-General for Italy at Melbourne; the diploma awarded International- Exhibition, Amsterdam—all these are authentic documents, and, as such, not open to doubt, We add here epitome ot one of the various eases treated by Siegent M.D , Professor, etc. Burning of the right hand through the explosion of a small oil stove. The-; epidermis on the volar and palmer side of the hand of the thirty-year old patient was completely separated and lifted up as far as the joint of the hand. The likewise lifted nails were hanging looso and half of the plialnax of the nail of tlie middle finger was coal d. The wounds thus contracted healed m three woeks , uader daily application of Eucalypt Extract dressing. The pat ent has retained the ful use of the hand -^(Advfc.) 1



. , WANTED CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceedin SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left, at this Office ■ _________ WNTED KnowrT^Cake and Apron Fair for Wesleyan Building Fund. Old Town Hall. Friday and Saturday, December 19 and 20. 12 A MERiOAN~Ice Cream ! American .£.'\, Ice Cream daily at H. G. Flower's, Confectioner. Ice kept m stock. \ \; ANTED Known -Ladies Stocking with Silk Toes and Heels m. black and colors.. Is 6d per pair.~W;' H. Collier. , ..,.,'.... "T3OOKLETS m great variety, just 13 opened up. Xmas Cards, New Zealand viewti, and others. Prize, Rsward, and Presentabidn Books.— H. Mj Jones. : _ ■ . ___ 12 61 O CHOOL Committees supplied at the O lowest possible prices. Books, Toys, and Fancy Goods. Largest and best assorted stocK m the county to select from.—H. M.Jones. 12 60 TTI LECTRO~PLAT¥D7™Piush ~nd -JjJ Leather Goods, Ornaments, Per fumery, Japanese nick-nacks, and Fancy Goods, Toys, Dolls, and 1001 items to please all.—H. M.Jones/ ;12 59 \7t7ANTED KNOWN~that W. C. Davis * » is opening Show Rooms for the Christmas Trade, next Clothing Factory, and is prepared to deal with School and Sports Committees at less than Christ church prices. Inspection Invited. 12t64 ANTED Known,,-ForDressStuffs" Prints, &c, Trimmings, to match, go to Melford House. Best value m town. Christmas presents now giving away.— H. C. Hbgers.: OOTSi BOOIHr "Keep you: feet Dry and save Doctor's Bills, have a splendid Stock m no 1*". Try my Double-soled Shooters. Every pair Guaranteed. RcJbebt Alcokst, Ashbur ton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. ~^NTED~Known—The "Strong' wear " Boot is the besst for Men, adies and Children.—W. H. Coliier. 't^TANTED Known.—For" Sheetings^ ¥ V Tablings, Calicoes, Quilts, Towels j Table Napkins, Tray Cloths, D'Oyleys, &c, goto Melford House. Presents to every purchaser.—H. C Segers. WANTED every man m the Qounty to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds.—Robert Alcoux, Ashburton Olobhimj Mart,: Saunder's Buildings. "ORESENTS. —We are now giving Jl. presents to every purchaser of Drapery, Clothing, Boots, and cheapest house m town. —H. 0. Segers, Melford House. W "AyTED Known —The Cheapest Shop t-o buy Tinware and Gal vanised Iron goods m Ashburton, is at W. F. ILufNAFoiuAs,'Burnett Street. A arge stock key': on hand. Tiu find Iron ■Ware goo Is made and repaired with des patr h _. :



WOOL. WOOL npmn undersigned is pre -1 'PARED TO MAKE LIBERAL CASH ADVANCES On the Coming Season s Clip of W O O L, FREE OF COMMISSION.' INTEREST AT LOWEST CURRENT RATES. GROWERS have the Clioice of Selling either at the ASHBURTON WOOL SALES, or m CHRISTCHURCH, or SHIPPING, I Shall Hold REGULAR SALES LURING THE SEASON, having arranged with the ' New Zealand Loan and Mercantile j Agenay Company, Limited, to act ' as my Financial Agents and Auctioneers. Every care and attention will be used m displaying, properly lotting, classi fying, and valuing the W 01. Account Sales will be rendered by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, with their isual promptitude. WOOLPACKS, TWINE, jbtc., At Lowest Current Ratas. John Gt. Restell WOOL STORES WEST STREET, ASHBUKIQN



FIRST DISPLAY Spring Goods, A NT)II E W /\RR JX. NDR E W IJrR \ Snov; showing a Beautiful Selection o< X MILLINERY, MANT'tES, PRINTS, GINGHAMS, NEW DRESS GOODS BEIGE'S FRENCH CHECKS, RIBBONS, FLOWERS, ETC. 2 OASES of Ladies' French BOOTS and SHOES Direct om France. ANDREW ORR.



W. ZANDER, FISHING TACKLE AND TOBAooONISTS DEPOT, Premier Ladiks' and Gk>:ts' Haibpres jik» Establishment, ■■•■.! EAST STREET. I^HE Fishing Reason being now m full swing, I beg to call the attention of all anglers to my Large Stock of all requisites for the sport. Every class of Rods, Baits, Flies, Minnows, Lines, Hooks, <&c, &c, m stock at lowest rates. My Tobacconist's Stock is replete with all the leading Brands m Tobaccos, Cigars, &c. Also, high class Pipes and Fancy Goods of every description. Tennis and Cricketing Materials m great variety for the coming season. Having made a change m my Hair , dressing Saloon, I bee to announce that I have engaged a Firso-clnss Artist from one of the best Establishments m Dunedin. He has had 27 years' experience afc Home and m the colony. The Saloon is renovated, and now has Two Chairs. Ornamental Hair Work of every descrip tion, as Wigs, Plaits, Coils, Bracelets. Watch Guards, &c, made up on the premises at short; notice. Haircutting, Shaving, or Shamp«o:ng only 6d



3MPOBTAIST PUBLIC N|OTICE. KAIAPOI HOTTSB i' GUK TO THK FRONT. MiTCHELL .■O_-.T|TJRNWJI TCHELL 65 .JLuitMl DESIRE to inform their numerous Customers «md the public m g&teraJ, that after careful a.id maiure consideration they have decide i to have THFi WHOLE OF THEIR CLOTHING CUT, MADE AND FINISHED ON THE EXACT LINES OF TAILOR MADE GOODS, ; As this involves the outlay of Hard Cash to a lar^e a uniirit, they trust the numerous and material advantages given to ALL THOSE m want of Keally GOOD CLOTHING will be so palpable that MITCHELL AND TURNER will at once largely increase their already Extensive Clothing Business, by the adop tion of the above alteration m the style of their Manufactured Articles. A WELL ASSORTED STOCK JUST OPENED UP. MITOHELT O_ mURNETD ITCHEL_LJ 06 XURNEXi KAIAPOI HOUSE.



Spring and Summer, 1890. TRY THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY FOR Men's Colonial TWEED SUITS,, Boys' and Youths' Colonial TWEED SUITS. HATS.—We keep the Largest and Best Selection Hats made tc< measure. SUITS MADE TO MEASURE. Best workmanship put m evetry garment, and v perfect fit guaranteed. Large Selection'of Boys' Kn?.ckcr Suits. Ties, Shirts, Collars, Braces, «fee. v m Latest Fashion wid Style. Bust Valub for Cash m District NEV/ zE A X AN D CLOTHIN I FACTORY Agont for khe Wonderful Wcrtheim Machines W. H WEBBER Manager^ i



I HAVE IN STOCK AND TO LAND: Galvanized Iron, m all sizes, Orb brand Best English Leather Belting, all sizes I 100 Drums Linseed Oil 20 Cases Valvoline ; 10 Cases Lard Oil 10 Bales best 5-ply Seaming Twine Hay Rakes and Hay Forks China and Glassware Stakes, Posts and Rails i Cement (Knight, Beaven, and Co.) 50 Cases Castor Oil 100 Drums Machine Oil (including Colza, Olive, and Sperm.) 10 Casks Lubricating Oil 25 Drums Tattoo Oil, red and black, ready for sheep branding Hornsby's and Ransome's Plough Shares Garden Tools of every description Electro-plated Ware, for Christmas presents Barbed and Steel Fencing Wire General, Station, and Family Groceries. Mauritius, China, and Queensland Sugars, CHINA, INDIA, AND CEYLON TEAS WINES, SPIRITS, ALES, & STOUT A Clmice Assortment of Australian Wines m bulk or case, also homo French and German Liqueurs. A direct ship ment of the finest German Lager Bkkr. For Wedding Presents I-recommend purchasers tj inspect my stock, where they will find beautiful Dresden Placques, China Figures (by the best artists) Tete a-Tete Sets (new patterns), Electro plated Goods m great variety, etc., etc. HENRYZANDER GENERAL MERCHANT AND DIRECT IMPORTER. —AGENT FOR— Sun Fire Insurance Company, Canton Marine Insurance Company, National Mutual Life Association of Australasia Slesinger's Celebrated Hor.se and Cattle Medicines. "UonETjd IjJBnTJT TITONEY to Lend at LOW RATES OF INTEREST, oiv Mortgage of FREE HOLD PROPERTY, m sums of £100 to_£sooo For further particulars apply to J. C. PRUDHOE, District Agent. Government Insurance Office, Christ-church. . ■ W(X»L SHIPTPOBLO^DOT J&||Sjk mHE MAGNIFICENT "CARBET CASTLE," 1585 Tons Register, 100 Al, Will be despatched from Lyttelton for LONDON DIRECT, about the middle cf December. Carpo carried at lowest current rates. Early application for space is neces sary. For further particulars as to rate of freight, etc, apply to * 11 Ift FRIEDLANDER BROS.



' Whitecross Brand ' (the favorite of the ' Farmers), and it will be of great advan tage to Farmers to give their orders early. The Quality cannot be surpassed. reapers IS mm In order not to compel my clients to buy a Machine I might be agent for, I have decided not to accept any particular agency, bur supply uny make at the agent's price. I will deliver them properly put together without extra charge. A Large Stock of Extras always on hand as fak as possible, and can be obtained at any hour, day or night, for the convenience of Farmers. I have for sale a few second-hand McCorraick and Massey Twine BINDERS m good order, at a Low Price.



HENRY _ZANDER.' , ■' ■ < I BEG to intimate that I have now on hand my shipments of BINDING TWINE (Flax, Manilla, and Hemp), for the coining season, which are open for inspection now; and I have great pleasure m stating that the quality of it exceeds that of last year, notwithstanding that it then gave gratifying satisfaction to all who used it. I have also just landed ex "Wave Queen " 15 Toils best s jfc steoJ Binding Wire!! Binding Wire I!



Now Showing— A FASHIONABLE LOT OP Spring d-Summer Goods. THE LATEST U'ASHION, REASONABLE PRICES, GOOD FIT, and WORKMANSHIP, ought to ensure a ready sale for these Goods. t'omr E«r!.T MIMI «V«ill Tlie JRush nt X"*fis». Our Customers may depend upon our promise that their orders will be finished up to time. H. & E. ~CRAIGH£AD, TANCRED STREET ASHBURTON



JAMES BAKER, TIMBER MERCHANT, HAVELOCK STREET Opposite Harrisons Auction Mart, ■ FT"AS IN STOCK Large Supplies of— Building Timber, Stakes arid Posts, Galvanised Corrugated Iron, Builders Ironmongery, Turnery, Furniture, and Fancy Goods IN ENDLESS VARIETY. URNMTUIIE MADE TO ORDER IN AINY DESIGN AT SHORTEST NOTICE Sole Asrent m Ashburton for Cleg£ s Perambulators.



Timio wise fim ANNUAL MEETING. TO BE HELD on the RACECOURSE, TINWALD, on Thursday, January 1, 1891. President— DrTweed. Vice-presidents— Mews D. McLean, and C. M. Straoliey. Judge—MrM. Stft>. .Stewards—Messrs t7. Be{.% G. James?, M. Scott, )). Thomas, M. Stitt, G M. JStraclicv, H. H. Wright, E. Gates, and Dr Tweed. Clerk OF the CocßMi--Mr Ij. Hanks. Cltsrk of the Scales-Mr A. J. Kelly Rt ytster—Mr D. Thomas. Treasurer—-Mr M. Scott. Handicapper—Mr J. Cresswell. First Race to Start at 12.30 p.m. puourahe: (Approved by the Committee of the Canter bury Jockey Club.) 1.— Handicap Hurdle Race, of 20 soys; nomination, 10s : acceptance, 10s. The Becond horse to receive 3 soys out of 1 the stake Over six flights of hurdles about 3ft Oin high. One mile and a half 2, Maiden Pirate, of 15 soys; entrance, 15s. The second horse to receive 2 soys out of the utakc. Weight for age. One mile. g, I'ixwamj Cm* Handicap, of 45 soys ; iioiniuauon, 1 soy: acceptance, 1 soy. The second horse to receive 5 soys and the third horse to receive 2 soys out of the stake. One mile and a half. 4. —Tinwald Handicap Time Trot, of 25 soys ; nomination, ,10s ; acceptance, 10s. The second horse to receive 5 soys out of the stake. Weight not less than 10st. About three miles. s,—Welter HaNDiCAi\ of 25 soys; nomina tion, 10s ; acceptance, 10s. The second horse to receive 5 soys out of the stake, One mile. 6. —Novel Race, of 20 soys. Winner to become the property of the Club, and to be sold by auction. The amount re alised above 10 soys to be divided between the Club and the second horse. Entrance 10s, on night of general entry. Weight Bst. Any overweight to be declared. Six furlongs. 7 —Flying Handicap, of 25 soys; nomina tion, 10s : acceptance, 10s. The second horse to receive 5 soys out of the stake. The winner of Tinwald Cup or Welter Handicap to carry 71b penalty In the event of a horse winning both the fore going events such horse to carry lOlbs penalty. Six furlongs 3 —Consolation Handicap, of 15 soys. The second horse to receive 2 soys out of the »take. Nomination, 10s; to be made to the Secretary immediately after the Flying Handicap is run ; acceptance free, to be notified within five minutes of the declaration of weights. Six fur longs. 9.— Hubry Scurry (if time^ permit) of 10 soys; entrance, 10s. For horses that have never won public money. Catch weights. Hulf a mile. RULES AND REGULATIONS. 1. The meeting will be held under the Rules of Racing. The Trotting race under the rule 3of the New Zealand Trotting Association. 2. No entry will be received except on the condition that all claims, disputes, and objections arising out of the racing, shall be decided by the Stewards, or whom they may appoint. Their decision on all points con nected with the carrying out of this pro gramme to be fina 3. The races are open to any horse, com monly resident m the district from the Ist October, 1890, to the date of meeting, and owned by a person who has resided m the district for the same period. 4. The district above mentioned is bounded on the north by the Selwyn River, and on the south by the Opihi River. 5. Five per cent, will be deducted from the gross of all moneys payable m accord ance with this programme, for the expenses of the course. 6. All nomination and acceptance fees to to to the funds of the Club NOMINATIONS Nominations for Hurdle, Tinwald Cup, Trot, Welter, and Flying Handicaps, accom panied by fee, name, age, description, and performances of horse, and colours of rider, must be m writing and m the hands of the Secretary at Scott's Hotel, Tinwald, not later than 9 on SATURDAY, December the 13th, 1890 WEIGHTS. Weight Mill be declared on or about December 27th ACCEPTANCES. Acceptances for Handicaps, and Nomina ions for Maiden Plate and Novel Race must be m the hands of the Secretary, at Scott's Hotel, Tinwald, not later than 9 p.m. on MONDAY December ?9th, 1890 E J. lOOKS Son Sco ,



-M »«B«ini. imi *—■ iii ' r ■ i; M niiTij ,jjrymweti»mm FOR SALE. S rpWELVE MoCORMICK WIReI _ ! BINDERS. All m perfect work ing order. C H X A. P 10*14-4 FRIEDLANDER BEOS. SLUG POINT COAL. f TpHLS superio:- Coal, for household and! jL steam purnosa^, can now bo obtained from Mentis 'j. G. Rkxtell, W. H. Cocuxh & Co., and R. S. Bean m any quantity. .Special quotations foi- truck oatls. Tin's Coal is perfectly safe m using, leaving no live ashes or soot, and is vsry cleanly and oconmnical for household purpose's, having jjreat heat and lasting power W. H. WILLIAMS, 10,^18 M;in;iiior Shan, Point Mine.