The Ashburton Guardian. Magna et Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1890. THE HONORARIUM.

On Friday Mr Downie Stewart, the member for Dunedtin West, and a \ staunch Government supporter, inter cepted supply by Jiioving that, as a guarantee of members' sincerity m the matter of retrenchment, the House should reduce the honorarium by £50. This motion was a direct party move, and the mover knew that there was not the remotest chance that the re solntion would be carried. The object of the resolution was not to reduce the country's expenditure, but to bring the i Retrenchment party into contempt, and to prevent further efforts being made to cut down the Estimates. The motion was rejected by 49 to 20, and there is no doubt that the majority will carry with them the sympathies of the people. When drastic retrench ment was first introduced into the House on the accession of the present Government to power, Ministers and members showed, their willingness to bow to the decision of the country by docking their own salaries. The honorarium of private mem bers was reduced to a pepper-corn amount; and the result, we fear, will be that few business men or pro fessional men will now care to take part m the deliberations of the colony. The amount now voted, if the session is a long one, will barely cover ex penses. When the session is a short one, which is rarely the case, there is very little surplus from the honorarium, and this surplus, during the recess, is gradually dwindled away by payment of subscriptions to a variety of "worthy objects," to which a mem ber of the House is expected to At present, therefore, it is only well-to-do business men, who can afford to pay someone to look after their business for a few months m the year, who are able to devote a little leisure to the affairs of the colony. If, however, such as these are called upon to make further sacri fices, there is a danger that the colony will not be able to elect a representa tive Chamber, for the simple reason that no one, except those who have a special axe to grind, will care to take a part m the Government of the coun try. The colony is too young yet to boast a leisured class who can afford to spend time and money m the effort to serve their adopted country, and a sus picion is abroad that, even if this class did exist, wealthy members, m New Zealand at least, are not the class to whom it ii> desirable to hand over the reins of Government. The honorarium at present, small as it is, will permit of anyone entering Parlia ment without a serious loss to himself, but if it were further reduced many of the present members of the House, who have done the colony good ser vice m the past, and who are capable of doing niuc'i good m the future, would be shut out. This is not at all desirable. In a young country, m order to secure satisfactory govern ment, it is desirable—nay, it is impera tive—that nil classes should be repre sented, iiud m order to secure this, the honorarium must not be reduced below its present limit. The electoral dis tricts have been increased m size, the number of members reduced, and the honorarium cut down to a figure which precludes the entrance to the House of political adventurers. The country requires no more than this, and cer tainly has not asked for it, and there fore Mr Stewart's resolution was not called for, and can only be considered, as we hare already said, as a party move to prevent certain favored .'md over-paid Civil servants from bearing their fair share of the country's retrenchment policy

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The farmers of Akaroa arc forming a union. Krcmler, who was executed by electricity m New York, wa» sentenced to death m May last year, Queen Victoria is seeking to find a remedy for the evils resulting from too early mar riages on slender incomes. The " Republique Francaise " understands that a mass meeting cf Jews of all nations will shortly be held m Paris to discuss the anti-Semitic question. Ministers hare decided to refer Sir Julius Vogel's claim against the colony-to the Public Accounts Committee, who wiJJ be requested to report upon it. The blast; furnace at the Onehunga Iron works continues m full and successful opera tion. During the month since it was started it has produced 350 tons of pig iron. Prince Charles of Sweden and Norway wns recently summoned to a court m St«ck luqlm to serve as a juryman m a criminal case. Isu£ the judge decided that on account of family wxjfM^tjo/is he was ineligible. Two specimens of tli« giwjnstone tiki, re cently on view m Christclmrcii, V7,re ob tained m the Poverty Bay district, and he- j longed to the liapu of the Ngatitara. One j of tbftttt i* said to be over 300 years old. A Dunedii* fy*,jjwjrcsser advertises m a local paper for " -lour yowjg ladies to learn shaving and Jwirdresshig." fliis $ a ton- j sorial innovation likely to prove fatal to the cultivation of flowing beards. Messrs Whitcombc and Tombs have tele graphed to ftfjp Millar, Secretary of the Maritime Council, 4ii&fc the action of the Council m calling out the carpenters em- | ployed on the Jinn's Dunedin siio]}, {«i:ecludes them giving further consideration to the Council's proposals. A private letter horn Sydney states that Ml- Whitely King, late ,pf Wellington, has been appointed secretary to the union formed by ti?.e pastoralists to fight the labor unions. The sat^y attached ,to the oflice is £400 a year, and there were 150 applicants for the post. Th-G new French Labour Law, the enact ment oi which is regarded as probable, lias been drawn to favour the trades unions, and requires all employers, under heavy penal ties, to deal with their workmen, collectively -^-that is througk union committees, when ever tbe workmen demand it. Sir Morell Mackenzie goes to America on a lecturing tour imdw ,t))e management of Manager Pond, and receives the highest fee yet paid to any lecturer. He wifJL get £2000 for iifteen lectures. Cannon Farrar, who is considered f.O he very successful on the plat form, receives only £40 a lecture. The valuations made \mihr the Selectors' Land Revaluation Act of last year up to the 31sjtul|;, .have resulted m a loss to the colony of £91,067 on the capital value of 741 deferred payment propemes, £965 m the annual rental of 237 perpetual cental leases, or a total loss to date of £92,033. Besides this, , there is m endowment lands a reduction of £10,317 m capital value of forty-two deferred payment sections, and £91 on the annual value of niuoteen perpetual rental leases;, ' '

The Rink will be open to-morrow night nstead of this evening. A man named James McOane, arrested at Auckland for drunkenness, died on the way to the lock-up on Monday night. A false alarm of fire was given to-day. It appears that a chimney, giving out smoke more dense than usual, was supposed to be on fire, and somebody rang the fire bell. The engines, however, did not turn out. In the balance-sheet of the Ashburton Hospital Board, published last evening, the item "Government subsidies" should read £521 5s 2d, and not £54 5s 2d as mis printed. A petition is being prepared at Christ church for presentation to the House of Representatives m favor of the Labor Bills. Steps are being taken to get up similar petitions m Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, and other towns. The storekeepers of Temuka have unani mously agreed to adopt the Thursday half holiday movement, and have also decided to close their business places at 6 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and at 10 p.m. on Satur day. The new regulation comes into force on the Ist September. While 550 delegates are arriving at Peters burg to confer on the questions of prison regime, it has become known that Mdme. Tchibrikova, m reply to her letter to the Czar, has been exiled to a distant point of Siberia, without telegraph, almost beyond the frontiers of civilisation. The laborers at Rangiora are agitating for increased pay at threshing machine work. A Union is to be formed to give effect to the men's views. The farmers urge that the men are already well paid, receiving 3d per bushel on everything going through the mill. When prices are low farmers cannot afford to give more. During the ancient days of Welsh royalty, among the 24 ranks that attended at court was one called "the king's footbearer." This was a young gentleman whose duty it was to sit upon the floor with his back to wards the fire, and hold the king's feet m his bosom all the time he sat at table, to keep them warm and comfortable. * At Dantsic, m the neighbourhood of the Elbing, the manufactories where steam power is employed have been at a standstill. It is stated that the pipes used to convey the water into the factories have become so choked with fish that the necessary flow is impeded. The inhabitants fear their health will suffer by the effluvium arising from the dead fish, and the immediate localities are undergoing a process of disinfection. i A telegram from the Bluff to a con. temporary states that Arthur Clatnpett went aboard the Rotomahana without a ticket and without means. On arrival at Hobart he was handed over to the police by the steamer's agents. He finally found a publican to pay his fare, and remained at Hobart. He stated that he was drugged and sent to Australia instead of to Christ church, where he desired to return. The small boy is not notably proficient m sacred lore, but when his sister referred to him the query: " Where was Solomon's Temple?" he indignantly resented the supposed impeachment of his stock of infor mation and retorted: " Don't you think I know anything ?" She assured him she did not doubt that he knew, but urged him to state for her benefit. Though not crediting her sincerity, he finally exclaimed with exasperation: "On the side of his head of course, where other folks are ! You suppose I'm a fool V The modern form of a tobacco pipe is now 500 years old. Up to the year 1(590 the only medium through which tlio soothing fumes of the precious herb con Id be enjoyed was a cylindrical instrument rudely fashioned from the clay, and clearly indicating by \U strung argillaceous odour its earthly origin. Tho inventor of the present combination of bowl, tube ami mouthpiece was Dr Johnanu Franz Jacob Valerius, who practiced as a physician m Vienna during the latter half <"«f the 17th century. In the year of the invention (I(>00) the first tobacco-pipe manufactory was started m Vienna by some smoking friends of the ingenious doctor. A Christchurch lady m about, to proceed against a Dunedin gentleman for breach of promise of marriage. The proceeding.", the "Star "says, are th" result of her visit to Dunedin during the Exhibition perio.l. It appears that she resided with a relation who was married to defendant's uncle, and m whose house the young man also stayed. He acted as her escort for a short period, -and ultimately proposed and was accepted, she subsequently returning to Christchurch. In her absence his affection appeared to cool, and he asked to be released from his pro mise, but this was refused by his fiancee. The defendant thereupon intimated that he did not intend to adhere to his promise, and tho result is that the lady now seeks to re cover £500 damages. An Enoch Ardcn case m the sensation m America. Agents have arrived m England to trace the movements of a Mr Stewart, formerly a wealthy merchant m New York. In 1862 Mr Stewart's clothes and money were discovered near the sea. A body washed ashore close to the spot was identified by the supposed widow, who thought her husband had hcen drowned while bathing. She had the body buried, and erected a suitable monument over the grave. Mr Stewart's property, including his life insur ance, was divided between the widow and three children. Three years later Mrs •Stewart married again, and has now five other children. Recently the supposed husband tnrned up, claiming the wife and the property, and, stating that he had reasons for deluding them into tho belief that he was drowned twenty-eight years ago. The particulars of the arrangements with regard to the San Francisco mail contract, which appear to have been made the subject of some disparaging remarks by Judge Windeyer of Sydney, are that when New South Wales wj.tb.drew, under the clause giving it that powpr, New Zealand agreed to permit the mails to be carried, and the Steamers to go on to Sydney, for £7000 a year. This sum went m reduction of New Zealand's subsidy, Tho Pacific Mail Com pany applied for half, and were offered £2500, which they refused. In a pamphlet issued by the Company m 1886, they threw all odium of the loss they had incurred on New South Wales, which made the Judge's remarks all the more unexpected. There has just arrived m England a collec tion of most valuable inscribed cunieform tablets from anciant Babylonia. These documents are at present of very great value, as it is doubtful if, under the present attitude of the Porte, any further consign ments will be allowed to come to this country. The collection consists of docu ments or a cQiTiinercial and legal, as well as fiscal, character, varying, from about B.C. 2300 down to about two centuries before the Christian era. Many of these inscriptions are of the curious envelope class—that is, one copy of the deed was written and enclosed m a clay envelope, upon which a second copy is written. One pair of tablets, dating about v.o. '2200, reveal the curious fact that there were m Babylon at that time a class of men employed as agents to obtain children to be adopted by wealthy citizens who had no families. These men received a regular commission both from the parents and from those who adopted the infant.

A singulary beautiful mirage is reported by the "Mail" to have been observed at Oaniaru on Saturday morning. The whole coastline, right back to the ranges, was out lined with marvellous fidelity out to sea for upwards of half an hour, the effect only passing away with the dispersal of the mist as the sun grew stronger. The mountain regions of Nevada have a climatic phenomenon called the "Pogonip," [t is a sort of frozen fog that fills the air at times m winter. It often appears on the clearest and brightest days, coming suddenly from no one knows whence. In an instant the air is filled with floating needles of ice. To breathe the pognip is death to the lungs. When it comes people rush to cover. Everywhere m the natural, no less than m he moral world, light is the great life bringer. Without it, there is no permanent and deep-lying beauty. Well may all nations, m all ages, have called wisdom by the name of light, error and ignorance by the name of darkness, and transferred the names of light and brightness to whatever is happy and holy.—Leo H. Grindon. Men give me some credit (says Alex. Hamilton) for genius. AH the genius I have lies m this :—When I hare a subject m hand, I study it profoundly. Day and night it is before me. I explore it m all its bearings. My mind becomes pervaded with it. The efforts I make the people are pleased to call the fruit of genius. It i 3 the fruit of labor and thought. The Jubilee of hoisting the British flag at Akaroa was celebrated yesterday. Many congratulatory telegrams had been received, including one from the Governor. A pro cession went to Green's Point, where the Union Jack was hoisted on the site where the flag was hoisted fifty years ago. A picnic was held m the Domain, and a dance at night. The Lyttelton Navals, N Battery, and a detachment of the Scottish Rifles took part; otherwise the celebration was local. The Mayors of Christchurch and Lyttelton proclaimed a holiday. Some offices m Port were closed. Messrs Lotnas and Newton, the delegates appointed by the Amalgamated Miners' and LaDorers' Union of New Zealand to endeavor to bring about a settlement of the difficulty between the Grey Valley Coal Company and their miners, have arrived m Wellington, and had a lengthened interview yesterday morning with the Hon. G. McLean, Chair man of the Union S.S. Company, which is largely connected with the Brunnerton Mines, and with Mr Martin Kennedy, Managing Director of the Grey Valley Company. They are also anxious to inter view the Premier, and it is probable that they will wait upon that gentleman to-day. A pupil of Pasteur, Dr Bardoch, having been employed by the Government func tionaries of Odessa to carry out the vaccina tion ordered by the Government against the Siberian cattle plague, two wealthy brothers, owners of a valuable estate, sent for him to vaccinate the animals on their farm. The j doctor unfortunately employed a wrong virus, and thus killed 3552 sheep, 1200 horned cattle, and several horses. The brothers consequently sued the magistrates of Odessa for damages; but the court not only non-suited them, but imposed on them a fine of 117 roubles for their impertinence m suing them, and costs. The formal legal arrangements connected with the settlement of the estate of the late Mr Samuel Morley (says a Home paper) are not yet complete, but it is stated upon what appears to be excellent authority that its total value will be nearer seven than five millions of money. This estimate is largely m excess of what had been expected; and the delay m arriving at a result is attribut able to the variety and extent of the invest ments which had been made, and which have proved to bo of the enormous value already indicated. There have been few larger fortunes made m business of late years, and, it may be added, few more wisely and generously used. A .Sydney paper says :—" It would seem as if another exodus of New Zealanders to Victoria is sotting m, and this m the face of the fact that wo are being constantly re minded from across the water that the Britain of the South has turned the corner, ami prosperity is becoming manifest all round. The improved financial condition of t'.ic colony vrould certainly warrant this belief, but it appears that the finances do not afford the most reliable data to go upon, By the Union steamer Mouowat, which arrived, recently, there were 270 passengers from nil ports, the majority of them being men m search of something to do." And yet the present incapable Government are allowed to remain m office a single day.

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIANS"vTaLL ENGLAND. [PKB PKESS ASSOCIATION.] [(Received August 12, noon). London, August 11. The second teat match between Eng land and the Australians began on Konsington Oval to-day. Soaking rain fell all yesterday, and m consequence the wicket was very sloppy. Attwell and Brijcg, two of those chosen to represent the Old Country, were unable to play, and the eleventh man not having been previously chosen, the team Avas com pleted by the inclusion of Barnea, Sharp, and Maurice Read. Jones and Walters are the two who stand out of the Aus tralian team. Murdoch won the toss, and elected to bat on a sticky wicket, A very poor ptand was, made against the bowling qf Maptin and Lohmann, seven wickets falling for 7U runr>. The following is the acore :— (llrst innings)— Lyons, caught M. ReM, bowled Martin, 13 ; Turner, caught Sharp, bowled Lohmann, 12 ; Murdoch, bowled Martin, 2; Burn, caught MacGregor, bowW Lohmann 7; Blackham, bowled Martin, 1; Barrett, caught Lohmann, bowled Martin, 0 ; Ferris, caught Lohmann, bowled Mar tin, 6 ; Trott (not out) 29. Total for 7 wickets, 70« j

Latest Cable News.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[VKR PRB.HS ASSOCIATION. J

THREATENED STRIKE AT DURHAM.

(Received August 12 V at

London, August 11. At a ballot of Durban} ininers three fourths of the tqpnqen declared m favor of seven hours as a day's work. The owners refuse to gire way, and a strike is threatening.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Received August 12.35

LABOR TROUBLES.

_ Sydney, August 12. The steamship owners have an nounced their intention of laying r up the boats if the IVfaritime labor bodies insist on their demands being apceded to- v The various labor bodies hold a labor demonstration on Saturday.

Melbourne, August 12. The* steamship owners declined to accept the ultimatum of the Mercan tile Marine Officers Association, and the latter have therefore instructed the members of the Association to give the owners 24 hours notice of in tention to leave ships on t)\e joth inst.

PERMANENT BUILDING SOCIETY FRAUDS.

A pvinia facie case has been made out against the directors of the Per manent building Association, with the exception of J. L. Dow, e^-lVfinister of Lands, who has been acquitted of com plicity m the fraud. The Cabinet is considering t»Q »d ---▼isableness of re-appointing IVfr TJlow to his portfolio,

Horse Market.

Mr T. Bullock reports for the week ending Saturday, August 9th :—Thirty horses were brought forward for the day's sale. Biddings throughout were extremely languid, and. only a very small proportion of the clay's entry changed hands, Four and six year old medium draughts, £16 15s, £17; aged, £9, £9, £10 ; ditto of an inferior stamp, £2 15s to £5; light harness horses and hacks, only those of an inferior description, chang ing hands at low prices, excepting one of a fairly good stamp which brought £10. Drill, £11; tip dray, £815s; farm dray, £5 ; broadcast sower, £3; new blinkers, 9s 6d per pair.

Wakanui River Board.

The monthly meeting of the Wakanui River Board was held on Saturday, August 9th. Present—Messrs Clephane (chairman), Wilson, Johnston, and Thomas. The Chair man read the Works Committee's report, which recommended that certain vorks should be carried out at once. After discus sion, Mr Wilson proposed "That a full meeting of the Board be held at the river to discuss the works recommended by the Works Committee." Mr Johnston pro posed, as an amendment, and it was carried, " That the report be adopted, and that the Works Committee be empowered to carry out the works suggested m the report with despatch." Resolved, " That the Clerks give twenty-four hours' notice to Mr Samuel Brown, m accordance with Section 78 of The River Boards Act, 1884, that the Board will enter upon his lands m the Wakanui River District, and fronting on the Ashburton River, for the purpose of erecting banks and carrying out other works the Board may deem necessery to prevent the overflow from the river." The Clerks were instructed to call for tenders to be m by Saturday next, for erecting a bank about 9 j chains long, 12 feet wide at the bottom, 2 feet wide on top, and 4 feet high. The meeting then adjourned.

Parliamentary Gossip.

(BY TELEGRAPH —FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, August 11. It is expected that the motion of the Minister of Education for the production of the proof sheets and reporter's manu script of the speech containing Mr Hutchison's charges will lead to another review of the whole vexed question to-morrow afternoon, and provoke a long debate. The amendment made by the House m the Coroners' Inquests Bill providing for the payment of jurors at the rate of 7s 6d per day is certain to be warmly opposed m the Legislative Council, where the measure originated. It has been ascertained that the average number of inquests held m the colony far the last four years has been 450 per annum, so that the passing of the Bill m its present form would mean an expenditure of something over £1000 a year. The supporters of Major Steward's elected Executive scheme held a meeting this morning. It is understood that they approved of Major Steward's proposal to raise a discussion anent his plan by moving an amendment to Supply, and that an early opportunity will be taken of doing so.

SHOP HOURS.

The Factories and Shops Bill, as amended by the Select Committee, haying now been circulated, it will doubtless be of interest to the em ployers and employees of Ashburton to be informed as to what alterations have been made, and what, therefore, are the revised proposals of the measure on which the approval of the Legislature will be invited. Well then, to begin with, the optional or discretionary provisions, which would have enabled City and Borough Councils to make, alter, or repeal by laws under the Act have been struck out, save as regards the power to fix which night shall be the late night, and on which afternoon the half-holi day shall be taken. The new clauses, numbered 58a, 59a, and 60a, read as follows:— . " 58a. All shops carrying on business m a city or borough shall, except such as are mentioned m the third schedule hereto, be closed m each week at the respective hours mentioned hereunder : — (1) On each and every evening of four working days of the week, at the hour of six of the cloak; (2) on the evening of one such working day, at the hour of nine of the clock ; and (3) on the afternoon of one such working clay, at the hour of two of the clock. *' 59a. Any City or Borough Council may, from time to time, by special order made under The Municipal Corporations Act, 1886, declare on which working day of the week the shops* except as afore said, m such city or borough, shall close at nine of the clock m the evening, and by the same or a separate special order may m like manner declare on which working day m each week the said shops shall close at two of the clock m the afternoon. Every such special order may oe varied or altered by the' City or Borough Council as.it thinks fit, but not so as to be inconsistent with this Act. %<6O . All shops; m. the city or bore 6 n, except as aforesaid, shall be closed m accordance with any special order made thereunder as the case may be; and if the occupier of suoh shop shall fail or neglect to close his shop, as required by this part of this Act, or by any special order made thereunder, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding twenty-five pounds for each occasion he so fails or aeglects." The shops excepted from the opera tion of the foregoing provisions are the following, viz.—Chemists' shops, coffee houses, confectioners', eating houses, fish and qy§ter shops, fruit fp\d veget-. able shops, r-es.taura.nts, and tobao. conists 1 shops, i the previously prepared exemption of booksellers and news agents being withdrawn. Altogether, the Bill as amended, so far as regards early closing, will, we think, meet the requirements of the case and should be acceptable both to employers and employed.

Eucalyptus Honey.

Beekeepers will be pleased to learn upon the authority of Mr T. Christie, London, m " New Commercial Plants and Drugs," No. 11, that eucalyptus honey is destined to figure as of great importance both as nutriment and as a therapeutic product. Analysis of the honey by Mr 0. Herisson, Director of the Ohevrier Laboratory, Paris, indicate that it pos sesses all the valuable principles found m the eucalyptus tree, The analysis shows : Sugar (mostly kevoluse), 511 5 ; ash, 1.8 ; moisture, 215.6; active wnieiplesi of eucalyptus, 170,0 ; t.Qtal, ICOb.O. Various attempts, \\sere made by Mr Herisson to artifically obtain this honey by 'mixing the various ingredients together with ordinary honey. But it was found that no amount of careful stirring and other treatment would pre vent the active principles of the eucalypti from separating and gradually volatalis ing. Eucalyptus honey filtered at a tem perature of 68deg. Fahr.. presents the appearance of a thick, transparent, homogeneous syrup of deep orange eo}o.r, with an odour which at cmoe points to its sourco, jfc }s very soluble m milk, water, and wine, but less m alcohol. It is difficult to ferment on account of the large proportion of sugar it contains. Jts

action upon dogs, when given m milk produced a slowing of the heart's action and a surprising diminution of the pulsa tions. In one case from 124 to even as low as 70 per minute. Upon himself fcho doctor found it, if taken m warm milk, to yield a most pleasant beverage, and to produce after a few minutes an agreeable sensation of warmth m the'body; the active principles of the honey being eli minated through the larynx and th«: bronchial tubes, and rendering the voice clearer and more resonant. The breath became perfumed ; and the lungs acted m a freer and more elastic manner. After taking the honey for a week the doctor said he could indulge m violent exercise without feeling any strain.

TELEGRAPHIC

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[.PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] London, August 11. A petition to wind up the Colonial Union Shipping Company has been dismissed. The Rev. E. Warre, Head Master of Eton College, has appealed to Univer sity oarsmen to subsci'ibe an eight-oar challenge cup, to be presented for annual competition for Australian Universities. Brussels, August 11. A procession of 40,000 marched through the streets of Brussels demand ing universal suffrage. Berlin, August 11.  The Kaiser received an ovation m Heligoland. He described the cession as a bloodless victory. It is asserted that the Emperor in tends to visit Paris. ♦ St Petersburg, August 11. , Hundreds of Jewish families m Southern Russia are fleeing from the country. Bands are roving about robbing and murdering Jews. Russia welcomes Armenian refugees, but declines to pledge herself to inter fere on their behalf.

INTERPROVINCIAL

Gkeymouth, August 11. A large and influential meeting to-night 1 discussed the Midland Company's pro posed railway deviation and came to conclusions as follows :—(1) The deviation of the line from the western to the eastern side of Lake Brunner would be a con siderable advantage to the whole of the Wesfc Coast, and will open a large extent of valuable land with an easy grade; (2) portions of the line now m course of construction are drawing to an early completion, and if the deviation is granted the company are prepared to let large contracts immediately, providing for the labour now m the district and it is con sidered important that no delay should occur m a settlement of the question ; (3) m view of the large interests involved the meeting most respectfully and strongly urges on the Government the absolute necessity for taking prompt action and granting the company the required con cession; (4) that, a commitee be appointed to prepare a petition,, obtain signatures, and embody the views m the foregoing resolutions. The meeting was exception ally unanimous.

The Chinese at Home.

General Tcheng-ki-Tong, Secretary at the Chinese Legation m Paris, has pub lished a new book, m which he descants on the various pleasures of his country men. Now Year's Day is observed, he says, m China nearly after the fashion thafi prevails m France. There are offi cial and social visits, dinners, family games, and "tips" to retainers. Evil 'spirits are kept at a distance by pro longed explosions of squibs and crackers. The end of the year is solemnised by special .sacrifices to each Deity, and a pot of rice covered with cypress leaves is 'eft on the tables until midnight, when ib is replaced by fresh grain for the New Year. " Green tea from young leaves is our Chateau Laffifcte," and "is drunk by the aristocracy; the other classes contenting themselves with black tea, of which there is such an abundance that it is distributed freely to poor people m the streets. .To be good the tea should be made with rain water or water from a well, carefully boiled and put m a Ni-Hing earthenware pot." The ordinary meals m the Celestial Empire consist of eight courses, the meats being pork and goat m the south, and beef and mutton m the north. The viands are washed down by soup taken m gulps. For about five penco a good "square meal" may be obtained, and if poultry be needed a fowl can be bought for sixpence. "Swell ' dinners m a restaurant of note may be obtained for a little over a half-a-crown, and often include the fins of sharks and tho bodies of star fish. A ceremonial banquet for a party of eight costs £4, and frequently comprises "hard-boiled eggs preserved for twenty-five years," after whioh they are exquisite J As to the Chinese taste for cooked dogs and cats, the general says that ifc is all a fable ; and he relates that, when the Chinese Legation first came to Pacis m i 876, the servant of a Polish countess, who kept a lot of Chinese puppies, came to warn him that if one of the small dogs Avere missing from her house, which was near the Legation, she ! would burn down the establishment. Referring to the class of womeij known m Paris as degratees, General Tcheng-ki- Tong says that the most select of them are not m the "flower- boats, 1' or floating restaurants,, but m handsome dwellings outside the towns. They set the fashions m female apparel, and are,.gone.K*ly well educated, being addressed by persons writing to them $s "lady authors," 'lady musjcansi'* Qreven "lady historians ;" such titles being held m high honour. They are ohiefly children of poor parents who have sold them, or foundlings, and are carefully brought up, so that some, etf them are able to "run" salons whfch would not discredit a frail French ''•blue-stocking" who discusses Philosophy or the Fine Arts with her adn\JF«rs. Some of them make brilliant marriages and become noble. General Tcheng-ki-Tong makes many other interesting revelations, about his people.

A Task in Multiplication.

A problem that at a glance- seems easy enough to tempt many a schoolboy to spend a portion of his vacation m an en deavor to solve it, appeared recently, and is as follows : : — Take fche number fifteen. Multiply it by itself and you have 225, Now mul tiply 225. by itself, • then multiply that product by itself, and so on until fifteen products have been multiplied by them selves m turn. The question aroused considerable interest, and the best mathe maticians, after struggling with the pro blem long enough to sec how much labor was entailed m the solution made the following discouraging' report upon it:—• To perform the operation would require about 600tOOO*000 figures. If they can be made at the rate of 100 a minute, a person working ten hours a day for 300 days m each year would be twenty-eight years about it. If m multiplying lie should make a row of ciphers, as he does m other figures, the number of figures tused would be more than 683,9a&m That would, be the

! precise number of figures used if the pro duct of the left-haW figure m each mul*i plicand, by each figure of the multiplier was ,'ilways a single figure, but as is most frequently, and yet not always, two figures,'the method employed to obtain the foregoing result cannot be accurately applied. Assuming that the cipher is used on an average once m ten times, 475,000,000 approximates the actual num ber.

Let it Pass.

Be not swift to take offence ; „, " • Let it pass ! Anger is a foe to sense ; • Let it pass! Brood not darkly o'er a wrong ; Which will disappear ere long ; Rather sing this cherry song- Let it pass ! Let it pass! Strife corrodes the purest mind ; Let it pass ! As the unregarded wind, Let it pass ! Any vulgar souls that live May condemn without reprieve ; 'Tis the noble wh6 forgive. Let it pass ! Let it pass!

Boil it Down.

When writing an article for the Press, Whether prose or verse, just try To utter your thoughts m the fewest words, And let it be crisp and dry. And when it m finished and you suppose It is d»ne exactly brown, Just look it over again, and then— Boil it down.

For editors do not like to print An article lazily long, And the general reader does not care For a couple of yards of song. So gather your words m the smallest space If you'd win the author's crown, And every time you'd write, my friend- Boil it down.

A Gifted Scoundrel.

THE BOLD, BAD, BRILLIANT CAREER OF MOUSSA-EL-AKKAD.

The prince of modern knaves would not have been incarcerated recently m tho San Stefano Prison for life had not; Italy abolished capital punis hment. The career of Moussa-el-Akkad seems to be ended, however, although a man who has three times escaped the death penalty may again reappear m active life. A remark able and accomplished creature was Moussa-el-Akkad, although he was a human reptile. He was at home equally m a European capital or m the Nubian desert. He dined with kings and un failingly detrayed them. He incited massacres and looted cities; and to-day there is to his credit m the Bank of Eng land an immense cash deposit. He first attracted attention m 1873, by being condemed to death for poisoning his rich Egyptian uncle, whose wiie he had married only to poison m J;um. Money saved his life, and after temporary banish ishment, h« reappeared m Alexandria as the trusted agent and spy of Khedive Ismail, rising m 1879 to the rank of Bey of the first class. With Ismail deposed ho continued to serve Tewfik, the new ruler, as well as to draw pay from Ismail and the pretender Halim at Constantinople, thus serving three masters, each conniving through him against the other. He also plotted with Arabi Pasha so cleverly that when the English bombarded Alexandria m 1882 all the foreign residents looked to him for protection. Yet during Arabi's rebellion it was he who incited the massacre of Europeans and who led m person the fanatics through Alexandria, looting the treasure of these same Euro pean residents. Then he fled to Crete ; was captured by the British and sentenced to death, but by turning state's evidence he had his sentence commuted to banish ment to Massowah, the chief port of Aby ssinia, on the Red Sea. Thither went the Italians m 1885 to gain a foothold m Africa, and at once he became a man of great importance. The Italians reposed m him themosfe implicit confidence; awarding him con tracts and made him a judge of the looal courts. Then came the horrible Dongola massacre, when an Italian regiment was lured to an ambush by the Abyssinians. Ifc was Moussa-el-Akkad who opened a public subscription for a suitable memorial to the victims with a contribution of SOOdol ; and yet it was also he who secretely told the natives when to strike their deadly blow. He visited European capitals, and while at Rome Was dined by Crispi and King Humbert, who decorated his person with royal orders. Returning to Abys sinia his power seamed unlimited. | _ Then came the most daring stroke of his life. The native Emperor was to be crowded at Adowah with magnificent re galia sent from Rome. The Italian army marched thither, leaving Mossowah un« protected. Had not an Arab emissary, bearing.a tell-tale letter, been oppor tunely caught, Moussa's plan to massacre the entire Italian army and all the foreign residents at the seaport would not hare miscarried. Moussa was sentenced •to death, bufc King Humbert changed tho military sentence, m accordance with the* law of fehe kingdom, to imprisonment for life. It may be said ot Moussa that ho never failed to betray: a trust, although he was the most, trusted of Orientals.

THE LABOR CRISIS.

[per press association.]

THE SOUTH WALES STRIKE

London;, August 11. Provisions m South Wales are at famuline prices. The price of meat is 2s per pound. The men on strike show no signs of yielding, and famine is feared m the RhoncWa district.

NEW SOUTH WALES DIFFICULTY.

Sydney, August 11. The ship-owners and employers have jointly replied to the wharf labourers, that m view of the determination of of the latter not to handle wool shorn by non-Union, men, they have been compelled to make an arrangement for the supply of. labour, regardless of its being Union or non-Union. Steamship owners estimate that the demands* of the MaritimelLabor bodies will involve an additional outlay of ,£20,000 annuallyj which will more than swamp the profits under the most flourishing circumstances.

THE LOCK-OUT AT BRUNNERTON.

Geeymouth, August 11. The coal difficulty is unchanged. In tense public feeling is being rapidly de veloped. Scores of men are lounging about the wharf, as there is nothing for them to do. The Midland Railway devia i tion at Lake Brunner is also exciting keen interest up ,the Grey Valley. Weixington, August 11. | People here, m view of the difficulty at the Grey mines and m fear of a coal famine, are laying m extensive supplies for household purposes, while some have : srone to the extent of telegraphing to ! Dunedin for coal. As ifc was found that an expense of £6000 was necessary to effect improvements at the Wallsend mines, and m view of the labor difficulties

THE ASHBTTBTON ffiJARDIAN, TUESDAY, /itTfIIJBT 12, 1890.



The best medicine known is SANDER and SOWS' EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent powerful effects m coughs, colds, influenza, etc.—the rclieJF is instantaneous. Thousands give the most gratifying testi mony. His Majesty the King of Italy, and 1 medical syndicates all over the globe are its patrons, head the official reports that accom pany each Iwfcfcle. Mosler, M.1)., Professor University, Griefswald, reports : — The Eucalypti Extract proved magnificently suc icessful m very severe contusions, bruises, ' sprains, wounds, scaldings, broken ribs, and limbs, ("Medical Journal," Nov., 1881.) In diseases of the kidneys, either active con gestion or suppression, (uroomai) or albumi nuria, dropsy, lithargy, nothing will equal m its action Eucalypti Extract. D,;>ses, five to six drops, Mosler, M.D., Professor, University, (Jriefswald, reports :—Diphthe ria. Tonsils continually coherent presenting ulcers with white exudats. Cured m four teen days. Surgical Clinic of Prof. M'lntyre, College of Physicians and Surgeons, St. Louis—Scii'rims of Breast—Excision Euca ypti Extract employed. No swelling, huat, or discoloration. Cured m fourrcen days.



Jt-UDiiO Notices. MRS S. T I M M O has removed from the Lyttelton Boarding House to those more commodi ous and central premises, Panama House, Where friend*, old and new, will be wel comed Accommodation lor boarders a reduced rates. Meals prepared mMr Timmo's w«U known style. Meals per week, lls ; Board and lodg ings, 17s 6d ; one meal daily per week, 3 6d MISS ELSIE LACK" OF TIMARU, WILL Commence Tuition of Piano and Singing m Ashburton on MONDAY, 2,5 th August. Intending Pupils kindly leave their names at Mr H. M. Jonk.s' Music Warehouse. 8 78 SPECIAL NOTICE CALL AND SEE THE GRAND DISPLAY OF BOYS', YOUTHS', AND MEN'S C L O T II ING, MERCERY, HOSIERY, BLANKETS, RUGS, FLANNELS, HATS, AND CAPS, &c. f"pHE largest and best assorted Stock m 1 the District to select from, which for Value, Variety, and excellence of Manu facture, we stand unrivalled. WATERPROOF COATS AND OILSKINS, Our own manufacture, a specialty. SOLE AGENTS for Wcrtheim's latest and improved HAND and TREADLE SEWING MACHINES. NEW ZBAIAND CLOTHING FACTORY W, H. WEBBER, Manager. WITHOUT TCETtt WJTtt-TEETtf THE CHRISTCHURCH DENTAL SURGERY, Corner of Cashel and High streets. S. M"" AND C 8: SURGEON DENTIST And at Dunedin and Westport j WE have gained the FIRST AWARD at the Dunedin Exhibition for Artificial Dentures and Mechanical Appli- j nnces far the Mouth, and it is with the \ greatest confidence that we guarantee the j highest class work and perfect fit at the most moderate cost A Single Artificial Tooth, 10s. Complete Set — Upper and Lower— temporary and permanent, £10 10s. Natuhai., Durable, Comfortable Artificial Teeth Replaced Temporarily al most immediately after the extraction of decayed teeth or stumps without extra cc or charge. Arrangements am he made for part or monthly payments. ADMINISTERING NITROUS OXIDE vtAS several times daily for the past ten years, we fearlessly assert that extraction of teeth under its influence is perfectly! painless and positively safe Fee for Administration, ss. Extraction, 2s Oil. Artificial Teeth and Denture*, made other dentists repaired or remodelled small cost. Hourr of tfcs"dance—-9 a.m. to 6 p.l '



Wanted. CASH Advertisements under this heading nois exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be Icffc at this Office. _ m ray Sections, -L No. 19 and 20, after 12th August. \Vm. Paterson, Princes Street. 8 79 ANTED-^General Servant; must have good references. Apply Mrs Hugo Feiki>lam>er, Burnett street. BJT3 T^XPERIENCED Housemaid requires J2J Engagement, town or country ; business house preferred. Address H.M., "Mail "Office. 8t67 TOP"~That Cough—Flower's Cough Drops are the beat —see that the name is stamped on every ons. H. G. Flowkr, Confectioner, Eaat street. "PRESENTS, -ffyou want good value J_ for money go to Melford House. Extra value now being given away m presents. Everything marked cheap.— H. C. Segers. W' "ANTED KNOWN—The Strong- Wear Boot for Men, Women and Children can only be had at W. H. Collier's. BOOTS, BOOTS.—"Keep your feet Dry and say« Doctor's Bills. I have a splendid Stock m now. Try my Double-soled^ Shooters. Every pair Guaranteed. Robbrt Alcokn, Ashbur ton Clothing Mart, Saundera' Buildings. ANTED Known.—For cheap Drapery, Millinery, Boots, Clothing, &c, go to Melford House. Good substantial presents now giving away.—H. C. Segeks. WANTED every man m the County to have a suit of the Ashburto Tweeds.—Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings. EfWERY Customer will receive a Li handsome present by purchasing their Drapery, Millinery, Clothing, <fee, at Melford House. Cheapest House m town for first-class Drapery.-.— H. C. Sbgbrs. VTTANTED KNOWN.—A lot of VV Ladies Cloth and Tweed Jackets, considerably under usual cost price.— W. H. Collier, "The Corner." W" ANTED Known—The Ofcoapes Shop to buy Tinware and Gal vanised Iron goods m Ashbarton, is at W. F. H^nnaford'h, Burnett Street. A arge stock kept on hand. Tin and Iron ware goods made and repaired with dcs patch



Andrewandrew arr's xlndrew VJrr s , GREAT m I! 5 ANiNUAL SAIE or C DRAPERY g A > H CLOTHING \ J-- AND * v < "OOTS am Will Commencb k X Saturday, July 3th The greatest JJARGATNB ever seen ir At-hburon. « SEE HANDBILLS. ? j , | ANDREW ORR. *



G G T BRA GREAT R A A G T T SALE AT " The Corner " 120 Men's and Youths' Suits from the Afihburton,, Wellington, Timaru, Oamaru and Morgiel Mills, being sold afc a DISCOUNT of 5* " 20 s lot »f Ladies' Jackets and Ulsters at Half-price. -j prS JACKETS for QD i}r\S JACKETS f»r \QS A special line of best quality Umbrellas. 1O S fi D UMBIIELIASf3r f) S (j D -|9S (*I) UMBRELLAS for >7S gD Wl I ~T^ OLL IE R . H. U OLL IER, "THE fiQBNEB." C EED WHEAT ASB OATS FOR SALE. TUSCAN WHEAT. PEARL WHEAT. VELVET CHAFF, &c. Also WHITE LAMMAS TUSCAN CANADIAN OATS. DANISH OATS. DUN OATS. SUPERIOR QUALITY FOR SEED JOHN G. RESTELL, 7J150 WEST STREET.



'"TI-U3 COUNTY." THB Proprietors of "The County" Haircntting Saloon and Tobacco and Cigar Emporium, Prospect Buildings, Hare to announce their commencement of business. BEST ART. BEST QUALITY IN EVERY BRANCH, And perfection all round. HAIR CXJTXIIVG^, Od. 7 155 NOTICE.— Anyone found Tres passing m pursuit of game ©r otherwise on the Riversdale Estate on and after this date will be prosecuted. J. R. WILLIAMS. Riyersdale, 24th May 5 176 TINWALD COAL AND FIREWOOD DEPOT JA /CLOTHIER begs to Jl\_« V J intimate that he has opened a retail produce store afe Tin wald, and has for sale—Flour, Bran, Sharps, Chickwheat, Feed Oats, Oaten Sheaf, and Htraw Chaff, Potatoes, ate. Also Prim* Houwahold Coals, ASHBURTON PRICKS. r^K ARLEST3RADDSLL Licensed Landbroker and Valuator nder "The Land Transfer Act, 1885 ESTATE, HOUSE, LAND, AND GENERAL COMMISSION AGENT. Office -Burnetl Street, Next to •♦Mail 1 Oflfete _ BOOKS— Thoasanda of Books of erery kind, including books on History, TraTels, Soience, Religion, Fiction, &o. *♦. Acto«nl B«oks and Stationery of •rery disenption. A cheap line of En- Telopei at 5» per thousand. Fancy Go ads, ttidadinr Album*, Photo Frames, Writing (hem, Work Boxes, Purses, Ladies' Hand Bftgti, Games and Puzzles. Music—A large Stock. Pianos, Accordians, Vi»lins, Gonoedißas, A«. All Goods reduced for Csah. L. V. ANDREWES A CO. • Btationers' Hall