TELEGRAPHIC NOTICE.

Monday, the 27th ins t., will be observed as holiday by all New Sonth Wales Stations, the cable will be open from 10,30 to 11.30 a.m. and from 7.30 p.m. till 9,30 p.m. Midnight cable as uaual.

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. BRIDGING THE CHANNEL.

For several years past the project of a tunnel under the sea between the Eng lish and Frenoh coasts has been before the public, a Company having been formed to carry it out and having indeed commenced operations. These, however, have been discontinued in consequence of the refojal of Parliament to pass a Bill authorising the construction of the pro posed work. That refusal is due to the opposition of the military authorities, England's "only general," fcir Garnet Wolseley,: among others, having con demned the scheme as a menace to the security of England. Failing the obtain ment of Parliamentary approval of the construction of a railway under the sea, engineers in both countries have turned their attention to the alternative of , carrying a railway over it, the construc tion of a bridge between the two coasts being declared to be perfectly feasible from an engineering point of view, while the estimated cost is much less than might have been imagined, being, set down at somewhat less than thirty-five million pounds. The locale selected is the narrowest and shallowest part of the channel, between Cape Gris Nez and Folkestone,, and the roadway of the bridge is to be carried upon girders resting upon piers constructed of cylin drical metal columns with a masonry foundation. Altogether these piers will occupy about one-twelfth of the section of the channel, the distance between them, for the larger spans been 300 and 500 metres, and for the smaller spans 200 and 100 metres. The space between the level of the sea and the lower part of the beams will be from 61 to 63 78 metres at low-water, and from 54 to 56-73 metres at high-water. This will suffice for the passage under the bridge of vessels of any tonnage or description. "The girders are to be simple, unlatticed and trussed, so as to insure the proper diitribution of all stresses. The level of the permanent way is 72 metres above the low water level. There will be a double set of rails, and the width of the flooring proper will be eight metres. The width of the bridge is variable, the greatest distance being between the axes of the main girders, 25 metres, a space necessary to ensure the stability of the structure under the action of violent gusts of wind. The roadways are of the ordinary width of 15 meters between the axes and the rails, the latter set in grooves to obviate accident. The floor, made of ribbed sheet iron, is to cover the bridge throughout its length so as to make every part accessible to the men appointed for its supervision, Between and outside the roadways pavements are provided for the men to stand on, and thus keep out of the way of passing trains. On the flooring may be set up refuges, stations for the guards, signal-boxes, Bwitches, etc. All these arrangements can be multiplied acsprding to the requirements of the traffic, and scattered over any convenient points and spang on the piers. Light-houses may be erected to indicate obstacles to be avoided. The various kinds of lights used in light houses may also serve to indicate to shippers the distance from the Colbart and Verne banks." The writer of the article from which the foregoing particulars are gathered adds that " to meet military objections arrangements could be made for making the span at either end of the bridge unfit for use ; the two end spans, notably, which are in contact wth the abutments, might be removable or revolve." Altogether, therefore, it would seem that the pro ject is a feasible one in every way, more especially as it was recently announced that Sir Garnet Wolseley had expressed the opinion that from a military point of view the objections urged against the construction of a tunnel do not apply to anything like the same extent against the construction of a bridge. It will be interesting, therefore, to watoh how this new project fares in the Legisla ture. Should Parliamentary sanction be obtained there is no doubt that the funds required would quickly be forth coming, the details of the cost being stated as approximately us follows viz : masonry supportß 380,00Q,000 francs, metallic superstructure 480,000,000 francs, total 860,000,000 francs, or £84,400,000. The time named for the carrying out of the undertaking, should the work be sanctioned, is ten years.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Beam of asbestos has besn found In the Kamo colliery, Whangarei.

The farmers of Marlborough are endeavour ing to form a 00-operatite association.

In the weatern districts of Victoria prizes are offered to enoouraga the destruction ol sparrows,

An exchange records a oase of tuberculosis in a child, caused by the use of milk from a oow suffering from the malady.

In an Illinois murder case the perpetrator ot the crime has been sentenoed to ninety nine years 7 imprisonment. Leading Mormons are yisjtinK the settle ment near MoLeod, in B|anitoDß. They purpose to Bend immigrants to that section.

The Lower House of the Austrian Parliament has approved tha project for a canal BtartiDg at Vienna to connect the Danube and oder. The turnip orop ia again a complete failure in many parts of the Wairarapa district, owing te the dry weather and visitations of the fly. The millers in the Maaterton district have notified their intention to pay sixpenoe a bushel less for wheat threshed from the stook than for grain that has been ataokud. It is understood that in addressing his constituents at Cromwell, the Hon. T. Fergus will outline the Ministerial pi:ogra.me for the next session of Parliament. Mr Fergus will probably speak on the 3rd pros. Mary Stewart, wife of ailabourer, died in the Ohristohuroh hospital on Sunday from id juries caused by her being thrown out of a trap on the New Brighton road last Monday. The Cromwell Argus states that a £?QUlifir affection of the eyes has been epidemio in Cromwell during the past few weeks. The eyes get full of matter, and are inflamed'and bloodshot for about a week, after whjoh no evil consequences era fltparienoed. The life interest of William Atkinson (sole oooupier), in the Woodbank Estate, Hanmer Plains, of 3578 acres, the buildings,, and 9200 sheep secured by two life insurance policies for £19,000, ma Bold by unction |o All W* A,9t9BAoftß»{W£lQ|93&

The •' Nelson Evening Mail ' has heard of four veteran couples now living in Nelson whofcejtotal ages amount to 670 years. They are all members of the pioneers who landed in the provinoe 48 yeary ago.

Two little ohildren, aged two and three years, named King, were burned to death near Adelaide last week. Their parents left them asleep in the bottom of a oarfc, and on returning found the vehicle in flames, and the ohildren and the horse burned to death.

At a general meeting of the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council on Saturday night, Mr F. S. Parker was eleoted president, and Mr F. J. Bidmeade, seoretary. Thirteen societies with 1450 members, are already affiliated to the council. Other eooieties, with an aggregate membership of 1650, are expeoted to join Bhortly as they are in sympathy with it, and others are in prooess of formation and expected toj oin ultimately.

The Dunedin Jookey Club (says an exchange) is in a muoh better financial position than tbe general publio imagine. It has close npon £5000 to its credit and is at any moment prepared to lay down £20,000 cash for the purchase of the Forbury Park, The owners of the Park hold out for £28,000, consequently the D. J.O. have their eye on another property.

We are in reoeipt from Mr Henry Zander of a very useful office calendar issued by tho Sun Fire Offioe, for whioh he is agent; and of another issued by the Victoria Insurance Offioe by their Aahburton agent, Mr J. O. Dunoan; also of an admirably got<ap calendar of novel design admirably litho graped by Messrs Lyon and Blair, of Welling ton, for the Publio Trust Offioe.

Gold mining in Victoria for the year just terminated has not been as profitable as in the- one whioh preoeded it. In 1888 the total amount of gold won from the mines was 636,2000z ; while last year the approximate return was 626.2000 a, or IO.OOOoz less than that of its predecessor. The main oause is attributable to so muoh capital being diverged to the silver mines and to other investments and speculations.

At Bakaia on Monday before Mr L; Oxley, J.P., John MoOartney oharged with being drunk and disorderly pleaded not guilty. The evidenoe of the lioenßee of the South Bakaia Hotel and of Constable Blaok was taken. Aocused, who had been ill and had had the dootor fetohed to him, appeared to be still suffering from drink and was sent to Ashbur ton for 48 hours in order that be might receive proper attention.

A Glasgow missionary told his hearers that, when he conducted a Bible olasa in the Bridgton distriofc, one of the elders of the kirk oanu in to oateohise the members, and hanrded the opinion that Adam should not have been so easily betrayed by tbe Evil One, bul might have bested him with a spade. " Whaur wid Adam hae got the spade 1" queried an inquisitive poholar. In Scottish fashion, the elder answered the question by asking another—" Dae ye think for a meenit that Adam wad smart the groun' wi' his hauns ? "

Lovers of the " frangrant weed" in anyone of ita many forms would do well to call upon Mr Wi Zander who has, we understand, just been appointed agent in this distriofe for Messrs Cameron, Suzer, and Co., of Virginia, U.S.A. He has reoeived a stock of this firm's goods—cigars, cigarettes, and out tobacco, the qrjility cf whioh leaveß nothing to be desired and whioh are got up in the most attractive forms* An ingenious automatio machine whioh serves to advertise the new brand of eigaretts, the " Ferfeot," may be seen at Mr Zander's, and its working attracted a number of people to-day.

The members of the Cycling Club seem determined to spare no trouble and work so that the race meeting they have fixed for Feb. 12th may be a auocess. Their finances have fal'en very muoh behind and the members have, for the past month, found it neoessary to "put their shoulders to the whenl'' and work with piok and Bhovel repairing the old track. It is to be hoped that these efforts will be heartily appreciated by tbe Ashburton publio, and that the gate oolleotion on Feb. 12th will, at any rate, meet those expenses whioh oannot be avoided.

At the B.M. Court thta morning, before Major Steward and Mr D'Shea Lawlor, jus ices, James Stewart, for drunkenness was fined 10s or forty-eight hours, and Patriok Charles 20a or one week's imprisonment. The first-named wasoonvioted and discharged with a caution only on Friday last and had then £20 14s in bis possession, On being arrested next day he had only 3s 6d. He stated that an hotelkeeper was taking oare of £10 for him, and that he bad paid £4 10s for a suit of olothes, but admitted that he had spent tbe reat. The Benoh counselled him to be more oareful of his money.

Of the performances of Wirth'aOirous, whioh opens here on Thursday, an ezohange says that they surpass in many respeots those of other circuses whioh have previously gone the rounds of the oolony. The display of horse manship is spoken of as exceedingly fine, particularly the riding of Mr G. Wirth in bis oleyer handling of five horses, and Mr Mont gomery's feats as a jockey. Miss M. Wirth also performs some Wonderful juggling feat? on horseback, while riding at fall gallop. The feats of the trick ponies, contortionist feats, wire-walking, etc., are all spoken of in terms of high commendation, and it would appear therefore that the oiroua-loving publio have a genuine treat in store.

The regular weekly meeting of the Dawn ol Peaqe Lodge, 1.0. Q.T., was held in the Templar Hall on Friday evening, Bro. A, Mulford, 0,T., in the chair. There were about sixty members and visitors present, and a very pleasant evening was spent. Pour candidates were initiated into the Order, and after the usual routine business had been disposed of several brothers contributed to the general eojoyment by singing songs. Bro Pearson having paid a visit to Titnaru gave the fraternal greetings of the lifeboat Lodge, whioh were well reoeived. A full meeting is expected next Lodge night being the time appointed for the election of officers for the ensuing quarter. A vote of thanks having been given to the O.T. for hia services daring bis term of office and suitably acknowledged, the Lodge was oloaed in due form at 9.45 p.m.

THE LABOR TROUBLES

(PJBR I'EKSS ASSOCIATION.)

London, Janunrv 25 i The Dock Companies, wharfingers, shippers and merchants, are forming an Employers' Union, and have re solved to issue a notice on Ist February, intimating that all laborers refusing to comply with the general agreement of September 14th will be locked out. The employers assert that the dockers are destroying them piecemeal The Waterside Union possess £40,000, and believe they will be able to successfully resist the action of the (employers above referred to. They assert that the employers have frequently broken the general agreement. Oardina} fanning, the ex-Lord Mayor, fcir H. Whiteljead, an| Mr Buxt??* M,P.| approve of thg stand taken by the men, who are demanding payment for meal times, and the dispute is creating an angry discussion, the employers asserting that the action of the men is i breach of the September agreement. The Miners' Federation demand that colliery w»g«f t» wiped 10 per owf, '

HEAD LINES OF NEW ZEALAND HISTORY

("New Zealand Times." (Uonolnded.) The first eettlers landed at Port Chal mers Much, 1848, under Captain Oargill, a cent of the Froe Ohurch Association. The Canterbury Associate's first settlers landed at Lyttelton, December, 1850. In November, 1848, \ho Governor convened the Legislative Oouaoil of tbe oolony to meet in Wellington, whera aa ordinance was paused by whioh each pro vince waa to have * Legislature consisting of the official Provincial iDxoontive and members nominnttd by the Governor The new Council of New Munstur met at Wellington, 1848. The .1 mperlal Govoi n tnent sontiriaad toooutribuio £39.000 per year to the expenses of the colony, and paid tho coats of military and naval wars, etc.

The General Council (constating of fifteen persons, eleven of whom were official?), me; June, 1851, and passed a Land Fund Appropriation Ordinance authorising the apor'ionmant of part of tha land fund to tbe auppori of boroagh councils to be formed under the charter of 1846.

la 1851 a constitution was granted to New Zaaland, piovlnaes and provincial governments were created and members eleoted. The European population was then 27,633-Aacklai.d, 9774; Welling ton, 6446; Nelson, 4587; Canterbury, 3300; Ot.go, 1780; New Plymouth, 1746.. The Imperial grant had been re duced In 1852 to £10.000 per year, ex clusive of aont of foroes. In 1853 the grant was £5090. and was tbe Itst paid. Forty thouaaod acres were fenoed at thta time, 15,000 acres being undar or p, and 15.000 aores In grass. There were 35 000 head of eattta in iho Oolony and 300,000 sheep. The Hoase of RepieienUtlves and LeghlMtfve Council, the former elected by tbe people, and the latcer nominated by the Grown, met at Auok .laod, May, 1854 Aoiing-Governo^ Wynard (oemmander of the troops) having succeeded Sir Goorge Grey. | As the result of Mr Gibbon Wakefield's protest »g?lnet nominees aotlng as the Governors Execatlve, Messrs J, B. Fltz- Gerald, Saweil, Weld and B>rtlty were added to the Executive, but reUgnetd after aeveri~~waeks of office. S&ratnaa relations followed between the Aoting Governor and Parliament on aocount of the fi>rmet being in consultation wi*h Mr Wakcfiald. On the 17th of Aagnat the door* were looked to prwnt a prorogation message being brought in. Mr Mack»y, a Nelson member, brought tho meas'ge In, keeping h's hat on in doing so. Mr Maokay's hat was knooked off, aad he was adjudged golly of contempt. Wben the new session began, on the 31st of August, Messrs Forsaltb, Iravers, Maoandrew, and Joralngham Wakofield ware called to the Executive Oonaoll. These gentlemen rea'gned three days later, and tbe Aoilnp Governor promised to enoeivoc to Influence the Home authorities to give tho Ooknp responsible government. ThU was granted, and was announced when Parliament was pro rogued on Sep ember 16

Governor Browne arrived In AuokUnd September 14, 1856, and on the 10th of Maj, 1856, tha first responsible Govern ment was formed, and w.i defeated on a motion moved by Dr Campbell, Superin tendent of Auokland. They remained in office until defeated by Mr W, Fox on the 17 th. Mr Fox took office for a week or two, and was then defeated by Mr Stafford who formed a Ministry. Gold was fi s^ exported in 1857, the return baing £40,482. Te Wharo W&ero (Pntatao) was Instslfed Maori King July, 1857. Two years later the Taranakl Wir began. A loan of £150,000 for war purposes was proposed in 1860, and lv the same year the Pro vincial Government obtained an Aot authorising co s 1 motion of a tunnel railway from Lyttelkoo to OhrUtohuroh. A loan of £300,000 hal already been authorised for this work. Tbe TaMuakl disturbance was settled in 1861.

Sir George Grey returned to the oolony as Governor in 1861.

Gold having been discovered in Otajo In 1861, the population of that province rose to 115 000 in 1062.

Boadmaking was proceeded with, and Native magistrates and aaseesora were appointed. .

The Assembly met at Wellington on the 7th July, 1862, and M> Fox resigned in eonsequeooe of certain resolutions pro posed by him only being carried by the casting vote of tbe Speaker, A coaliiion Government, with Mr Domett, succeeded him. Too Customs revenue for this year was £340,000, of whioh Otago contributed £134,000. The Treasurer, Mr Dillon Bail, propoaed a loan of a million for colonisation and immigration, Mr Bell, re iring, wa? succeeded by Mr Reader Wood, who. proposed a loan of half a million only, of which £200,000 was to relieve the Taranakl settlers, and tbe balance to make roads and meet the Imperial Government's olaitns for military advanoei. This wai authorised. The number of members of the Housa was tow 57. *

This session passed an. Aot authorising the establishment of Native LandOoouti.

In 1863 the Waikato war broke ont, and there was fighting In Taranakl also, A farther loan of three millions was authorised, aad Mr Reader Wood pro ceeded to England to negotiate it.

The Waikato war ended in the following ye»r. The Haahftoa, however, had now sprang Into existence and continued until 1869. v "*

la 1864 an agitation to remove the seat oj Government to Wellington was very •troog, and Aucklaud, opposed to the propoia!, talked of forming Itself Into a separate Colony. The change wae made, a&4 Id November, 1864, the ieat of Government wai removed to Wellington, the first Parliament meeting tbeie In Jnlf, 1865. Several obangea of Govern ment had "taken plsse |n the meantime.

The number of members of the House wai Increased to 72 In this yoar. Mr Filzberbtrt, the Treasurer, In 1865, pro posed, as part of his policy, that no ftreih loans should be contracted, and that stamp duties sbonld be levied,

It wai decided, upon Me Vogel's pro posal, la 1867, to consolidate all provln oi«l and general io*inß ; »nd th»t they ohonld be taaDmed by the Government, Mr Fiiz'ierbert piooeeded to Eoglaiid to negotiate the oor golidtted loan.

Sir George Bowen succeeded Sit George Qrey as Governor, February, 1868. During 1868, Maori troubles" broke out •gain on the West and East doaet, and the Poverty Bay massacre took plaoe.

The imports decreased over two mtlllonq from 1864 to 1868.

The pubilo worka policy—lnvolving the borrowing of ten millions—was carried by Mr Vogel, then Colon tl Treasurer under Mr Fox. Sit Georga Grey took bis seat In the House as member for Auckland City Woit I,la 1875. and to-that year the Bill for abo lition of the provinces was carried. At this point we leave the history of tbe oolony. Our effort has been to condense wlthlu a very short eptoe a few cf the moat notable events in this oolony's his tory. Events of later date than abolition are reoent enough, doubtless, to be fresh In the memories of the people.

THE BARBARISMS OF MARVEL LOUS MELBOURNE

This was the title of a lecture delivered at Melbovrne last week, by Mr Harry Barrows, manager of the Union Bank. Brunswick, before ' the members of the Bankers' Institute of Australasia, at the City Bank Hall. Mr J. C. Jennings, of the National Bank, occupied the chair. The lecturer opened his address by indicating that the line of argument denoted by the title of the paper was adopted as a salutary set otf against the reiterated landation of the marvels of Melbourne, which weie commonly indulged in. He proceeded to sketch out an imaginary tour of inspection taken by a stranger on his first visit to the city,, and drew a strong picture, with ample detail,! concerning the filth of the city, the river find the suburbs, which were chara terised as an unnecessary disgrace to civilisation. Aus tralian natives were alluded to as exhibiting " a bastard independence," which prevented them from recognising the equal rights of others as well as themselves, while their alleged habits of joining in the street larrikinism, and excessive expectoration in public places came in for severe castigation. The incivility of railway porters was described at some length with examples, as was also the inconsiderate habit alleged to be prevalent among some ladies who were said to presume on the good nature of men with regard to seats in public conveyances, and to accept sacrifices made for them without acknowledgement, The want of reverence for anything except self was deplored, and the excessive enthusiasm shown in the matter of football was classed as •' Jumbo worship. " A discussion followed, in. which one speaker, who described himself as an Australian native, agreed with the greater portion of the lecturer's address, and urged that a National Association should be formed, which would sweep the Australian Natives' Association out of existence. Beyond an expression of opinion by the Chairman that the lecturer had been unduly severe, no arguments were brought forward to refute the contentions advanced. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the lecturer.

LORD ROSEBERY ON HOME RULE

At a conference of the Scottish Liberal Association at Glasgow, the Earl of Rosebery, in the course of a speech as president, said: Referring to the Brazilian revolution, he ob-, served there was no attempt to set up a new Brazilian State of the centralised kind. It was to be the United States of Brazil, with federal autonomy in each of the provinces. As to Scotch Home Rule, the cause was different from Ireland, for the case of the latter was the case of oppression, while that of Scotland was one of neglect. In going into battle it was well to count the difficulties. When they had a definite opinion from England on this point they would be surprised at soaieof the obstacles. He had to deal with the question in the sprit of one who had dealt with them both in Parliament and the Government. He had not only to. look to what he wished for. but also what he could gain. It was in that spirit he approached the question of Scotch Home Rule. Generally, he believed the principle of Home Rule to be universally just and sound; but it was a question of degree. In some places Home Rule was a question of county government; in others it I was private Bill leg slation ; in others a legis lative body not of too great capacity ; and in others a Scottish Puliament, It was uot mainly a matter of local option, for in the long run whatever Scotland wanted Scotland would get. Though the fight would be stiff theugh the obstacles against them were great, yet if Scotland were united in making the demand he had. not the slightest fear of the result. Whilst upon these questions he trust-.d the Liberal party, the present Liberal leader, and his successor, but his main confidence was in the people at large.—(Loud cheers.)

THIS ELEPHANTS FRIEND.

" Nothing Is more cuiloua and lnterea' ing among tha many strange things to be noted in acd about a menagerie," said the veteran maoagea James Mi Nixon to a New lork "tan" reporter, "than the devoted affeotlon that; elephants frequently demonstrate for doge. The big paoby decma form no other attachments bo strong and enduring, and the doga seen? to reciprocate the feeling. "One of the beat illustrations I ever a*w was the lore between Bass and JJube Bess was a female elephant that we had in the Barnum show in 1873-4, and Babe waa a Better dog. Beaa was never easy when Babe was out of her sight. Her keen eyes would follow his every move ment if ha w*s frisking about , and if be disappeared ehe would utter » little soream that wonld bring him gallantly back to her in a hurry. She never seemed so happy as when be was l;!rg asleep m the h&y In front of h ~, wi Ii hit big truck waving over him. One tlma Rube get alok, She took the best oare of him that she knew how In her elephantine way. She made a bunoh of hay about a foot tblok and large enough for him to lie colled upon and in some way made him understand that he should lie down upon Itt Then she deftly worked her big trunk around under the bunoh of hay so as to take It op, with him on It, as a woman takes up a sick baby on a pillow, and there she held him and gently swung him to and fro all night long, rooking and lulling him to sleep. In the morning he was well again, and Beas appeared as happy as a mother who had nuraed her child through a i pelfl of Illneis. " WliHe we were showing In Boston I happened to mention to a group of re* poiteis one day the strong affaotion Bess showed toe Rube. They evidently con sidered it a " olroua fairy story," and were not delicate in saying so. '•Very well," I said," If any ofyoa doubt It, just get Rube away from Beas a little dis tance and hurt him slightly, enough to make him yelp," I hadn't any Idea that they do It, and X didn't stop to think of where Bess might be, and whether she was chained or not. The faot wsa that she was at the time going through a rehearsal in the ring, looie, and Rube waa sitting up on a folded oarpet aome way off. The reporters left me and strolled out into the canvas. Pretty soon they | hedged around to where Rube was, and one of them gave his tall § twist, which the dog Instantly remarked Joudly v Best, at the soqnd of his yelp, wheeled around into the ring, threw up her trunk with a thrill* soream of rage, and started out for those reporters; They flaw, There was ao time for explanation, argument or dignified leisure. The forty or fifty employes who were liandlrg about ran too. Beas stopped at Rube, and when she saw that he wasn't seriously hnit abt oa'tned right down, walked back to the ring and went on with the rehearsal.

When we were goiDg to Lowell from Boston, Bubo, who had a lore foot, was put In one of the baggsge waggons and tent on. ahead. When they oame to start the elephants for the maroh Bess missed her pet and broke oat in open rebellion. She stood and trumpeted for him, morted, and tramped arouni In excitement, aud would not he driven.' The other ele phants began to 'bare bet excitement, and a man had to be sent on a swift horse after R»be. The waggon he was on oame baok. Thr doors were thrown open ■o that Beis could see him, She went op to him, ronohed him gently all over with her trunk, blinked at him, made a succession of sounds that sounded like tbe blowing off of ■team from the exhaust plpa pf a boiler, and then jogged along behind him contentedly all ihe way, the doors of the waggon being kept open."

AFTER YOU.

He was such a pleasant fellow, So polite, so polished too ; Everywhere we went together, He would murmur} " After you !"

Did we reach a door together, He would never first go throueh, But would wait and let me pass him, Saying softly: •' After you J"

Was there anything we wanted , And .was not enough lor two, He would always let me have it— Always muttered: "After you !"

So it was on each occasion, Whatsoe'er the case might be J He would never be the leader, But was always after me.

He has borrowed fifty sovereigns, Maybe 'tis a passing whim; But he has not since been heard of, And now I'm after him.

ASHBURTON RACING CLUB

The Committee of the Ashburton Booing Olab met on Saturday evening to consider the drauft programme submitted by the eub-oommittee for the earning Autumn race meeting, which ia fixed for April 23 and 24 The programme wu agreed to without much alteration, and is as follows : —Fiietday—Hurdle Baca Handicap, of 46 Bovn, two miles; Wakanai Stakes handicap (dialriot race) of 30 sots, one mile; Ashburton Autumn Handicap, of 60 aovfl, one mils and a half; Novel Race, of 25 aovfl, half a mile; District Welter Handicap, of 30 soya, one mile and a half ; Flying Handicap, of 30 soys, aiifarlougd. Second day—County Hurdle Race Handl- Ofcp (district race) of 35 aova, one rsile and a half; Disposal Stakes, of 30 nova, alx furlongs; Grand Stand Handicap, of 50 soys, one mie and a quarter; AU-aged Btakes, of 25 soya (district race) for three year-olda and upwards, weight for age with penalties and allowances, one mile; : Open Welter Handicap, of 35 soya, one mile; Haivaat Handioap, o£ 30 soys (district race) six furlongs. Homes for tha dittrict races muat be owned and resident iv the district (which now extends to the . river Waitaki) from January 15th, The sub-oommittee was empowered to draw up a scale of penalties and allowances for the weight for age tb cc. The continued Id j uey to the oourse and fences caused by trespassers was oomidered, and it was decided to take meaiures for the deteotion of offenders, and 10 prosecute aa well as disqualify them,

SOUTH RAKAIA SCHOOL TREAT

The ohtldren'i annual treat waa held on Friday iv the lohool grounds. _ H*d the wdJither beeo more promlilng it would have been on the Domain, but as there were many threatening olouds aboat tt wm thought advisable to be on the aafe ilda and vie the home premlaai. The treat msy aafely be aald to b»ve been the beat held here for, at anyrato, ten yean, There waa a Urge attendance ox pscenta and others Int area ted in the aohoo 1* The yoaogater* aeemed to have a vary jolly tlma of It and went away welJ eatlafied with their day's pleaaure, dfeian Hardy, Oxley, and 0. Diz )D (OomoitUeeman) and the toaohem all workud well ia the obildren'i Interest. Bellies thero a nnm bar of fair aaaiitanta gave valoable aid lit ■efr<sahmeDt tlma, both for the ytiongatera and their eldera. Beaidet the aannal sporis a number of other gamea were provided, outing lots of fan. The aohool ■wings afforded oonalderable amuaement and were kept going all the afternoon. Several grown op ladies tried them and attracted mnoh attention, evidently for getting thai there were many spectators present. The prlz^a, many of which were very nioa onea, weia preaented by Mrs Ozlay, afi«f the „ Chairman (Me_Hardy) had addressed the children and parents. The following la the prize 1 et—all raoes were handinape f-« ■

luftnt Boys, 60yds—M. Sheehan 1, F. Ohltty 2

Infant Girls, SOyde—J. Moodle 1, L. Glustein 2

Standard 1., Boys 60yds—J. Walker 1, G. Ohltty 2

Staudard 1., Girls 60yd«-B. Collins 1, L, Walker 2

Standard 11., Boys 100 yds- A. Biddle 1, G. Brace? ,

Standard If., Giilt 70ydi—B. Johnston 1, '*. Hailett 2

P;and*rd 111, Boye 150 yds—A. Cols 1, A Pluck 2 .

Standard 111. Girls 100 yds—M Bonch r 1, J. Steward 2 Standard IV.—Boys 200 yds, G. Bobia loul, T. Biddle 2,

Long Jump foe boys under Standard V. -G. Robinson 1, B Dunn 2.

Standards IV. and V.~Qirla 100 yds, A. Thompson 1, L. Santy 2. Skipping for GirU—M. Boucher for fancy and L. Johnston for loqgeat, Throwlug ciicket ball-J. Biddle 1. J. Brnoe 2.

Standard V.-Boy«3ooycU, W. Gauder 1. W. Stnrgees 2,

Wrestling—l 4 bora competed. The prizaa falling to Wi Qaarder 1, H. Street 2,

Wheelbarrow Race-S. Dixon and W. Sturgeti 1, J. Howell and L. Clark 2> -. High Jump—J. Brace 1, J. Kiddle 2v Standard Vl.—Boya 440 yds, J, Biddle 1, J. Brace 8 t Oalisther^os —W. Boucher 1, L. Howell 3. '

Three-legged Baca-W. Harvay and W, Stnrgess 1, R. Clark and B Stevenson 2. *c Babbit fiaoe—H. Behrns 1, W. Stur g»«S 2.

Tug of War—J. Brace's teim beat J. Kiddle's team.

This item was well contested and the winning team was loudly qheered, All the scholars were, pat through drill and extension motions and the alder children and infanta sang very nioely under Miv Seymour. Handsome prizes were given to the boy and gil who had attended ichool moat; regularly duriog the past year and fell to Onarlei Shannon and Get trade Stargess both of whom had at tended every time the school wai opened. The Chairman gave prises of oonaider abla value to the most popular boy and girl in the school. The voting of all children above Standard I. waa taken by ballot and resulted in returning James Andrew Brace and Mary Bmith by very large majorities. lha highest baby hi the eohoolroom wai also the recipient of a prize much to his heart's delight. This presentation afforded some amusement, the general opinion being that the priaa was well merited. Cheers were given for the teaching stag and the Chairman. *

Attention was diawn *o the faot that the scholars intended presenting the late pupil teachers (Mast crs Bruce aad Lara man) with some token of reraembrasoe, but unfortunately the pjesents bad not come up to time and would have to ba forwarded afterwards, botb the boys had -been Very popular during their term of offioe. Theohildren sang God save tho Qaeen and the proceedings terminated.

TELEGRAPHIC. HOME AND FOREIGN.

[Put Pjuks Acsooiition]

CHARGE AGAINST AN EARL.

London, J noary 24

The Earl of Galloway has been charged again with molesting girls. The case was dismissed.

SAMOAN CONVENTION.

A majority of the English and IL . American newspapers are favorable to _^ equality of powers in Samoa. The, - "Standard" doubts whether the natives v c will insist on the right given by treaty to elect a king. , ". 'j_

VICTORIAN LOAN.

LoirDOK, January 25 The •* Statist" considers that the cir- L <;? cumstances of the impending Victorian loan are so damaging to the Victorian Treasury, that, investors will be juitk o fied in requiring *a guarantee':ag^ibit-''^ the recurrence of Hhe unpardonable recklessness of the Governmenti The paper attacks Mr Gillies, the Treasury officials, Mr Deakin, and the Railway Commissioners, and denounces what ' it characterises as the bogus surplus; v The system of bonuses also comes ia ;,, : for condemnation. The article declares : that the audit of the ageacy accounts it Insufficient. •"- ••!-,.. ---3.H

OFFER OF A TRAINING SHIP.

The Admiralty have offered to hand over the cruiser Shah to New South Wales to replace the Vernon traioiog ship at Sydney, provided the colofliy' defray the expense of fitting out the Shah, which would probably cott V ,£236,000 (sic). . :.

ILLNESS OF JUDGES.

Five Judges are laid uptwith ip- nf^. fluenza, whilst Sir Henry Maoisty, Judge \ t , of the High Court of Justice, (QaeeQr'f; p^ Bench division) is prostrated by im tt»-!;;■>' tack of paralysis. "v- .'' ;;-:'"' [-* ■>--■ -:y

WRECK OF A BARQUE.

The barque Thorn, bound from ; Liverpool to Adelaide, went afhore ia' the early morning in Douglas Bay, lile ,; >• of Man, and became a total wreck. A .;, life-boat put off from the shore and . effected the rescue of sixteen of the " crew and two passengers.;.. ; !" 1 r.*

MARKING WOOL BALES.

The Customs authorities have"aban-v doned the rule requiring all w661 balea^;.i to be marked with the name of th6 ; J place of origin, and have reverted to the : l 3 old method. .

WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

Loirooir, January 126 r : It is considered probable triat. the,, *J Western Australian Constitution Bill will be re-introduced in the House of Commons without Lortf - Knutsford has informed Sir William Robinson that, in his opinion, it will be - inadvisable for him to take "any active \ ;' par tin furthering the Bill.: : V; -v %

DUELLING IN GERMANY.

Bibijh January 28. .;■ The Emperor William has issuedta > edict ordering the discontinuance of duelling in the army, and threatening :': challengers with expulsion. ;Vvi r

THE SUFFRAGE IN SPAIN.

Maseid. Jaasary 25. \':. The Cortes hatread the Universal %i Suffrage Bill a first time. "- '

THE PETERS EXPEDITION.

Zauzibib, Jannaty 24; '"'" A French priest at Mombasa report! that ht nut the expedition oader Dt. Peters at. Subaki, all well. The party were awaiting the arrival of stoics there*, . The date of the meeting is not stated.^

GLOOMY OUTLOOK IN CRETE.

Athihs, January 2& The Greek Reserve forces hive been ordered to mobilise in March next..,. It^ - s is believed that this step is taken ia! V consequence of the gloomy outlook ia Crete. '

THE AMERICAN NAVY.

Washmtotow, Jannanr H "w The Naval Committee of the Senats have reported favorably on the scheme for largely increasing the Navy of the ?,-'i United States. r : ~ .

EXPLOSION OF GAS.

Niw Yokk, Jionnary 34. . By an explosion of gas at Colombtti, Ohio, six persons were killed and thirty wounded.

BOULANGER CHALLENGED.

Paxis, January 14 „„,. In the Chamber of Deputies U*t. night Boulanger called Deputy Martineau a traitor.. * M. Martineauhaiv ; aent Boulanger a challenge. - ■ -»>/ ]>■:*[

THE JUBILEE PLUNGER.

London, Jatmary 86 Benzon's family offered to refund tbtl proceeds of the cheque stated to have been forged by Ernest Benzon,'but 10 far all efforts to settle the matter have -, ; failed, and the Jubilee Plunger is still in custody. It is stated that he has ad mitted the forgery, alleging that he was badly in want of ths money tb pay ft gambling debt, . ■""- '-< *';?: ■•' : i\;.

(Per 8.M.3. Crfeab* at Albany.), , , ■

THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

The continental doctors expenenoir;" great difficulty in finding the proper n; treatment of the influenza epidemiel The best remedies are quinine «nd anti pyrine. ; The former allays the fever and the latter the pain. . The fatal result is due to other diseases which rapidly laj O hold of the v influenza patient.

WORKMEN'S INSURANCE.

The Emperor William promisen at Uw next meeting ,of the Reichstag to rob- mit a scheme for the extension of (lie X Workmen's Insurance Fun& ' s = lzs

END OF THE HAMBURG STRIKE.

The Hambnrg masters hare resnmei the former rate of pay and the etrike ha» ended. >,- .: .

STRIKE AT LIVERPOOL.

Four hundred Liverpool docker* ht>Y« struck for increased w«gee.: ' ; ;^-

TH? ASBBtTRTON GtTARDIAN, MONDAY JANttARV 27, 1890.



Public Notices. : - _ *^3HEy^FiH_i________B WE can offer Farmers and others wiahlcg to ship GRAIN OB WOOL 10 LONDON, •at onrrent rates. Early appliet- Is necessary. We make SO CHARGE FOB COMMISSION and Advances are made free of interest; FBIEDLANDEB BROS. ABHBUBTON COUNTY STOOK AND BALEYABDS CO., Lmitid.' v AS the request of several Farmers the Company has decided ta hold a SpeoUl FIG FAIR Fov the Sale cf STORE PIGS, AT Til Tinwald Yards Early in Match. Farmers will oblige by letting the Caretaker hate particulars of their Entries early as possible. GEO. JAMESON, 75 Chairman. "sale now on I AT THE NEW ZEALAIO) [ CLOTHING FACTORY.



Battlearlj Stoct-TaMng. MEM'S AHD BOYS' CLOTHING At Prices to suit everybody. NO OLD STOCKS TO SELECT FROM Th» Goods are NEW and all our own make* HATS SHIRTS TIES BBACEB ALL BEDVCBD IN PROPORTION INSPECT OUR STOCK And judge for yourselves. NEW ZEAXAND Clothing Factory. W. H. tfBBBEB, Manager*



UOD FAQMUB YALDB F AGIHU ("Wbafcwedo we c we)L" TSBOHBISTOHUBOH DENTAL SUBGBBY, ltt Guhel titnet, Ghristchorch, naxt Bobln* ■on'i Boot Stow, and at tho Octagon, Dnnetiin. All mention* at itrictly uniform ana moderate Oonmltation tree. & MYEBS~AND CO., BURGSOH DENTISTS; KITBOUb OXIDE GAS tdmtnUtewd Thli AnMtb«tlo letTei no anpleaaant •ffeoti. aod by lti nic the extraotlon of Bad Stomps and Teeth It rendered per fectly Palnlew find Effective, Ad mlnlitered dally. Fee for admlnfitntlon of Gu, 61. Bztraotton, £■ 6d a tooth. Hoari of attendance, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Private reildenee, 93 Ea*t Belt, The acknowledged inperlorlty of AMERICAN DENTISTKY In the oon ■traetlon of Artificial Teeth, the woit finlihed workmanship, and replaolag the loit teeth TEMPORARILY ALMOST IMMEDIATELY after extraction, neve fjtabllihed oat repntstlnn, A single Artlficla Tooth, 10s, oomplete •t. Upper end Lower, Temporary and Perauneat £1010s; Artificial Teeth and Dentaiee nude by other dentists re moddled at small costs, Stopping, Seal >g, Perfeot and Pa'nleir.



CHBISTMAS GIFTS. W. W. SPENCER IN addition to the Great Bargains he is now offering for Christmas and New Tear, trill give every Customer spend ing 6s and upwards a PRESENT. White Calicoes 3s 6d a dozen Grey Calicoes 2s lid a dozen Boat let Flannel BJd a yard Bummer Dress Goods 6|d Zephyr cloths in all colors Pink, Grey, light Blue at 5Jd White Towels 3Jd eaoh Doable Width White Twill Sheeting Is MEN'S TWEED SUITS, 18s 6d Men's Tweed Tronnere, 6s lid Boys and Youths' Colored Moles 2i 1U Hen's Colored Moles 6s lid I. BOOTS BOOiTB. Men's Blachers 6fl lid, Shooters 10s 6d Women's Leather Elastic Side Boots is lid The t*at value in BOOTS to be had In Aahborton n W. W. Spencer's THE ABOADE. P.S. RKMEMBBR every Qtatomer MaiiDf 5» will itoelr vdluible



Waited Known I uasJi /idvertisements under tht. head I ing. not exceeding 16 words, O<»E Smiling. Addresses may beleftat this Office. MANILLA. Binder Twine, machlce oil, and wire. Time (a money on the harvest field—the belt is the cheapest. —R. Aigorw, Saandera Buildings. "." ' i » | \\f ANTED Kay* rt. —" Strong-wear YV BooU for L-^3i, Men and Children o»n only be obtained at W. t£ Ooujkb's. _____ ; Y&7 ANTBD Known that AmdbewObb's W V half-yearly lale of Surplus Stook of Drapery Clothing and Boots li now going on. . 1 149 T\7ANTED KNOWN — My Special YV Make of Ladies' 4 clasp Kid Gloves, " The Ashburtonian," braided backs, 3i 6d per p»ir.—W. H. Comas. WANTED every man in tne County to have a Salt of the Ashburton Tweedai—Robibt Aloorn, Ashbrjrton Clothing Mart, Saanders' Buildings. EDNKSDAY Half-Holiday. PleaM ■bop early. Wednesday we oloie at 1 p.m.—H. 0. Sxoibs, Melfoid Home. T7IMBROIDERIEB—Fc» good Enbroly ■Vl ' deriea marked cheap t.o Melford Home. We have a large ana splendid allotment to ohoose from —H. 0. Skobb's Melfotd House» rtJ ANTED Known lade oartafns 3i W Hi, towels 4Jd, ambrellea la lOi ptinta 2&3, skirt* la, kid gloves li, 12ioz dreas buttons for 1», embroidered costumae 10s.—Andekw Ore's Sale. 1 150 THE Jubilee Sale. Axdbxw Obb la selling men« boots 9s 6d, l&dlaa E.S. at 4s 6d, lace op boots 5s 6d, girls boots 3s 9d, men's shoes 63 lid. evening shoes 2s 6J. Sale now on. 1 151 MBS KBNNED7 and Mies Gameronl Moore Street—Teacher* of Soientific Dress-cutting. Bodies cut and fi ted. Dressmaking in all its branohea. Biding habita a speciality. 12 69 MILLINERY— If you want o ohooae from a large stock of tilmmed and uottlmmad hats and bonnets go ta Mel ford Houae. A lot of children's Ctalatea straws from 6d to Sa, very cheap' -»H. 0. Sxoebs, Melford Honse.



WANTED, Everyone to Know—Thtt J. MOISON ba« noir In stock a »rge and varied assortment of BOOTS AND SHOES for the Spring and Summer Season, Gentlemen 1!, Ladiei', and Chil dren*, both Imported and OolonUl; i Ibo BIS OWN MAKE, which OANN )T BE BUBPABBED tot Style, Fit, Qa.l ty, »nd Nektneee, combined with VERT REASONABLE PRICES. All repair* uxeoated promptly »nd with neatness. IQtl '""" NEW GOODS. ~ STATIONERY, Fancy Goods, Mdsfc, &o New Serial Volnmeß. New Books for Prizes or Preaentationr BubßO«ber« wanted for any Magazine or Newspaper published. Diaries for 1890. All (ioode Bhduced in Price duri&g tbiß month. L. F. ANDR3WES & CO. PiibUc Notices WANTFD Tenders for Threshing, 60,000 bushels of grain, to be In by SATURDAY, February Ist. For par- WAN CED Known-Freeh Flounders large and. small &ah; a-B> Smoked TB»rracouta and Haddocks o«n be had dally. Oysters nexfc^ month: also Pure Cod Liver Oil. All orders promptly Ittadedto. OHARLRgEYBLj 1 i7g AshbmtoDi SPECIAL BANK HOLIDAY. rpniSi BANKS in Ashburton will be olosed on WEDNESDAY NBXT, 29-h Inat. Aehburhor, 25th January, 1890. 1 181 LONGBEAOH, f ONGBEAOH Royal Ma!l Ooaob jj leaves Longbeaob for Ashburton (Sund»ya exoepted) at 7.30 a.m., Water ton 810 am., Ashton 8,15 ».m., Wheat- j ■tone 8.30 a.m , arriving in Ashbnrton In tiaie for the Noith or South Trains. The ooaoh leaves the Post Office Ashbur ton, »t 5 p,m , arrhing at Longbsaob at 730 p,m. Paroeln or orders loft at aoy of the above plsce* will reoelve s'rlct at tention. Fares—Stogie fares 3* 6d; Mtorasj O. wrsE, OoachraaD lilllunson and Preece LONDON AND BIBMINGHAM —TAILORS HABIT MAKERS, &c, H>VE REMOVED to their New end Commodious place of Business in



EAST STBBET, ASHBURTON, (Lately oooapied by John Obb & Co. Special attention to Livery and Military Uniforms. CIRCUS. CIRCUS. ASHBURTON—TWO NIGHTS ONLY Commencing THUBSDAY, 30th JANUARY, Coming by Special Train WIBTH BROS,' Colossal Consolidated Circus Four Large Oironsus in one. 47 STAR ARTISTS. 7 LADY BIDBBB Highly trained stud of Horses and Ponies WONDERFUL WIRTH FAMILY, Fiftf en In number. ST LEON BROS., Walhalla Bros., Matthews Bro?, 4 Midgets, P. Montgomery, Jotfe Romano, Jiolenz and Feto, 6 Funny Clowns, Auguste lhe Dummy > and a number of others. Jast concluded playing to crowded and delighted audie&psß in Donedin. A long advertisement i« nnnweaaary for this gigantic organisation, beluga you muat have heard of it. POPULAR PRICES; Doors open at 7 15; Performance at 8 Bbarp. SPECIAL NOTICE In order to trait the convenience of Children, Country Visitors, and Families living at a distance, there will be an AFTEBNOON P-RFOHMANOE FBIDAY, 31st JAMJdRY, at 8, When a Special Keduouon be made I §3 f* Cb}idjens p ?



We clip the f qllowing important testimonto 1 from the "Illawarra Mercury "' (NfIS.W.) of the 30th March. It needs no comment:— "Mr John Jjoveday, of the Bulll Mountain, writes to us that after suffering for four years with acute gravel, he has experienced almost complete relief by using Bander and Sons' Euoalypti Extract. He says seeing the said Eztraot advertised in the 'lUawartt Merc™?;' bis intense suffering induced him to obtain a bottje pf the medicine from Mr Hosting, ohemjst, of this town, and that the use of it gave him great relief at once. He states that between the 10th March instant, when he obtained the first bottle of the extract, and the 19th, the übb of that medioine|oontinued to afford him relief, to which he had been a stranger for four years. Mr Loveday writes also that he has found the Eucalypti Extract a cure for rheumatism as well as gravel. He requests us to publish this information i through the • Meroury.' We have muoh pleasure in complying with Mr Loveday's request, whose word oannot be doubted, and <yho can have no object in view other than a pure desire to benefit suffering humanity."— (Advt. ___— 2



Bucka-Pajba.—Qatck, complete cure of al annoying Kidey, Blad'er, and Urinary DiaeasEa. A* cheijtfste apd druggists. Kemp- The bkst Remedy for Indigestion.— NoxiON's Camomiii Pills are cpnfidently recommended as a simple remedy for iodiges ;ion, which is the cause of nearly all the liseases to which we are subject. Norton's alls, with justice called ' " Nature* itengthener of the human stomach." act as a powerful tor ie and gentle aperient, are mild n their open lion, and safe under any circum nance* Sold in bottlei aUujfrd, a«



We learn from the "South Australian Register" that Mr 1\ Mackenzie and Pi Fitoheit, M.H.B.'s, after visiting Broken Hill left for England by the Guzco. During their stay in Adelaide they met several South Australian politicians and disoussed th« question of intercolonial Freetrade and federa tion. They suggested' that South Australia should take the initiative by proposing a read* justment of duties on oats and wines, and were quite oonvinoed that the New Zealand Government would view- any proposal of a reciprocal oharaoter favorably, and that an intercolonial Freetrade policy, if begun in this direction, wpuld develop iqq mult |rj rjaqgh. |004 to toft OoJoaiw,



HoIXOWAY'sSOIJNTMENT AND PILLS.—In all outward complaints a desperate eflat should be made to at once remove these annoying infirmities, and oi establishing a cure. The remarkable remedies discovered' by Professor Holloway will satisfactorily ac complish this desirable result, without any of those dangers or drawbacks which attend,THe. .old method of treating ulcerative inflamina* tions, scrofulous affections, and scorbutic eruptions. The most timid invalids ma? use tQth the Ointment and Pills with the utmost safety with certain success, provided a moderate attention be bestowed on their accompanying " Directions*',' Both the pre parations soothe, heal and 'purify. The one , assists the other materially in effecting cures I and renewing strength by helping exhauited nature just when the need? toca fucwur,



■ ■■■- • . ,:'-■■< t r;< .m- - •'£■:*--<& Keating's Cough Lozenges cure ..Coagli;^ Asthma, Bronchitis, Medical testimony staterf. , f , 4 that no other medicine is so dßGectual ia the " cure of these dangerous maladies, "One;;. 7; Lozenge alone gives ease, one. of two at and ",' * time ensures rest, For elieving_dimcilty of breathingfthey are invaluable, They contain no opium nor any violent drag, Sold by all chemist at is Wd and 2i 6d each, 1 Bough o» ITOS—Chuea akin human, crap tions, ring worm, tetter, salt rhrami rmtt