The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1890, MR BRYCE'S POLICY.

It, as not a few persons suppose, the member for Waipa is destined to play the part of Elisha to the Elijah of Sir Harry Atkinson, very great interest indeed attaches to his views on political questions as indicative of the policy he is likely to pursue should the mantle oi power descend upon his shoulders. We have seen that as to railway administra tion he has given utterance to certain sounding phrases of a non-committal character, which leave us quite in the durk as to his intentions, and leave it open to him to take any course he pleases without exposing him to the risk of being charged with inconsistency. Let us now see what are his opinions upon othpr important questions. First, then, he believes in drastic retrenchment, and will, if it be necessary to make an effort to make ends meet, propose to effect this by calling upon the public to do without some of the services to which they have been accustomed, meaniug that country populations are to be shorn of postal and telegraphic facilities and such like. Ab to taxation, he intends to stick to the property tax, and in this connection makes the remark that it is utterly impracticable to put the whole taxation of the country on land alone— a remark from which nobody will dissent, and which it was, therefore, hardly necessary to make. He maintains that the country has not given its un qualified approval to the acts of the present Government —another truism which nobody ever doubted, and it is satisfactory to learn that he does not intend to give them an un qualified and blind support. .Not that we ever heard of any politician who was prepared to admit that he was going to give an unqualified and blind support to any set of men. He, however, does'nt approve of the conduct of the Opposition, and goes rather out of his way to depre ciate it and the political conduct of its members. Like the rest of the Colony, he does not think that it will suit New Zealand to join in with an Australasian federation, and as regards education, he is an uncompromising supporter of the present system, and determinedly nets his face against any yielding to Catholic claims. As to Native affairs he believes in allowing of the free disposal of JS alive lands (after securing to the Natives suf ficiently large inalienable reserves), and as to local affairs, is of opinion that the powers of the local governing bodies may be extended with advantage. The foregoing is a fair prkis of the honorable gentleman's policy is announced at his speech at Hamilton last week, and it is, we are bound to say, pretty much what was looked for.

LOCAL AND CENERAL.

The English Gathoiios, following in the footsteps cf the Americans, are t) bave a pilgrimage to Jerusalem next spring.

Ninety-Dine thousand aores of land will shortly be thrown open for selection in Wellington*

, The washing up of the I^ited Herculeß Sluicing Company, Roxburgh, for the fort night yielded 139"z 131wt 12gra of gold, valued at £523 53 6d,

From the 4th of Oot. to 11th of Dec. not a single Bpot was seen upon the suu'b surface. Such a condition of the lumiuarj' has not been known since 1878.

It appears that the burning of a dray and load of sheaves stated the other day to have occurred on the property of Mr W. T. Lill, Newlands, took pluoe on that of Mr Martin Griffin, not at Mr Lill's.

The stipend of the Anglican olergymen of the Wellington district are still i&t in arrear. At a recent meeing of the standing Com mittee of tbe diooesa it was shown that co le3S than £995 of stipends, due on December 31, are still unpaid.

According to the Novoe Vremya of Russia, the carrier pigeon has been put to a singular uae ia carrying photographs taken from a balloon to their homes on the ground below. The plates were packed in envelopes impervious to light, and tied to the feet of the pigeons, v>hioh carried them to their station at Voekovo.

At Lawrence, Otago, where once, twenty fhfl years ago, flour was sold at £200 a ton, and on on 6 occasion half-a-cruwn was given for a pannikin full, bread ib now 5d per 41b 'pal f At Lake Wanaka it is only 4d per loaf, They jT?w wheat up there and it does not pay to take it to port, so that the prices are not ruled by London quotations.

The preEent Sultan (Truth says) is tho son of a Kurd slave who was in the harem of his reputed father. His real father, it is believed was an Armenian eoaobman attaohed to the Court. Far from being mad, he has all the sharpness of an Armenian. He ia an abjeot coward, and he ia probably making a purse for himself, as he is as ready as any Pasha to take bribes.

The Secretary of the Aahburton Cycling Olub referring to an advertisement re the race bioyoles v trotters, io come off on Wedneoday, in whioh Mesars Feolon and Mayes take pan, and announced as under the patronage of ihe Olub, Btates that" that patronage was neither offered nor rf quested," andndds " as amateur sportsmen we do not recognise travelling professionals." In the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, before Major Steward and Mr A. Harrison, J.P.s, George Kelly pleaded guilty to a oharge of drunkenness aDd being illegally on the premises of Mt Patching, tent-maker. Aa he had not to the knowledge of the polioe been in trouble before, and bad been looked up since Saturday night, he was discharged with a caution.

A apeoial meeting of the Ashburton Borough Sohool Committee wbb held on Saturday evening. Present—Messrs W. J. Siloook (ohairman), W. Craighead, S. S. Bean, B. J. Paul, J. Porter, and G. Soott. Miss Amelia Sawle was emoted to the post of assistant mistress. It ms deoided to give the ohildren a tyeat on Friday, March 14ih, and a bpeoial vote ot thanks was p&Sßed to Mr Isano Sergeant for his liberal donation towardß the fund, also ft vote of thinks to those ladies and gentlemen who assisted at the reoent concert. The Committee than adjourned.

Mr Robin, farmer, near Plgby's bridge, brought to our offioe this morning a crested penguin which he had oaptured in one o! his paddocks, a. out five ohaina from the river, by whioh it bad doubtle&Bß iound itß way from the sea. Mr |Robbin. haviDg eeoured the bird, brought him into 'town, and set him adrift in the Domain. The iittle chap ia en joying himßelf very much in his new quarters, and if the dogs will only let him alone, the pretty oreature may do well enough in the stream, and afford amusement by his droll antics for some time.

A Warsaw newspaper reports a singular fatality which ooouneti a few days ago in that oity. A young Jewesß from Kieft was visiting her friends in the Polish oapital, who gave a ball in honor of their handsome young kins woman. The latter purchased for the oooaaion i a pair of long Danish gloves. Whilst dtmoing } the young lady felt a severe pain in her left wrist, whioh became suddenly inflamed and swollen. It appears that whilst making her toilette she had slightly prioked her wrist with a pin. A medical examination showed that the young lady wan Buffering from oar* blood poisoning contracted fromthe glove, which ill: flo^'? ««»•" to,ha^ been made from the skin of an- animal. Buffering from oarbuucle or anthrax. Notwithstanding the various rmanß adopted by the doctors to . save their unfortunate patient, she died ) within forty-eight hours in great agony. The fatal gloves were purchased in a f&ubionable f Yf ftww shop*

The sa. Duke of Wostminater leaves LyLtel'on for Loailon yin Rio di Janoiro oa Wodnesday, the 26th inst., at 4 p.ro, Miiid for this steamer will olose as Aahburton at 6.30 a.m. on 26th.

A meeting of the creditors of Mr P. Williams took plaoe at the Courthouse this morning. The bonkrupts statement showed: Liabilities £280 11s Bd, assets £14 5s sd. It was resolved to recommend that he receiva his order of discharge,

Within twenty days after the declaration of war, Germany could place gevenfmobile armies in the field, the aggregate strength of whioh would be 1,400,057 men, supported by ample troops for the lines of communication, and for replacing casualties.

It is, we imagine, almost a work of supero gation to remind our rcoders of the entertain ment to be given at,the Oddfellows' Hall this evening, by the Bairnsfnthar family. They bring with thorn sin excellent reputatikn, and all love fa of Scottish music and songs may safely look forward to a gehuine treat.

The weefc'y meeting of the Ashburton Lodge, I 0.G.T., was held on Friday evaDiag in the Templar Hall, Bro Pearson presiding. Three candidates were initiated into the Order and three were proposed for membership. The usual business having been got through the Lodge wento harmony, when songs, readings, etc., were contributed by several of members and friends. After a very pleasant evening the Lodge was oloaed at 9.30 p.m.

Some tlme'ago ajarge aerolite fell near Jersey Creek, Wayne county, partjof which contained a very large percentage of iron, writes a Farkersburg correspondent of the Ciuoinnati "Enquerer." The blacksmiths of that vicinity got several pieoea of the meteor and worked them up into iron, whioh they moulded and welded into horseshoes and horseshoe nailß. Frank Morris, ot that locality, had his horse shod with iron and sold it to a farmer living at Washington, naar this city.

Writing of the Bairnsfather Family our Rakaia correspondent writes: — This talented family gave an entertainment in the Bakaia Town Hall on Saturday evening. Those present appeared to thoroughly enjoy them selves, and almost every itam on the pro gramme was enoored, the demand being invariably responded to. As the residents in our good town are fond of music they Bhould not lose the opportunity of Monday evening of spending a couple of hours pleasantly.

A wealthy beggar made his appaearanoe at the Shepparton (Victoria) Polioe Court the other day. On the Sunday previous he went to the house of a policeman and asked for 6d to buy food. He was promptly " run in "by the constable, aud on being searobed bank deposit reoeipts for £832, as well as 223 io money, were found on him. He also had food in his swag. His c'othing consisted 0! Backing patohed with boot leather, and his appearance was very deceptive.

One of the men employed on the Spring' field Estate (Messrs Gould and Cameron'a, near Methven), met with a bad aooident this morning. While attending to one of the horses in his team (a heavy draught) the animal let out at him, delivering a nasty kick right in the lower jaw. The jawbone was seriously injured, and several teeth were dislodged. Dr Trevor attended to the man's injuries, who was driven to Ashburton this morning with all speed.

We are sorry to find that we have among our community one or more specimens of the meanest of all descriptions of thieves, the man or the boy who is capable of r bbing a ohuroh. Some time between Wednesday night and Sunday morning the alms box in the south transept of St. Stephen's Church was broken open, and the contents, if any abstracted, It is not thought the robber got much for his pains, as the box had been opened by the proper authorities only a short time previous. Only about a mon*h ago the alms box near the west; door was similarly rifled. It is to be hoped that the offender or offeuders will be discovered and be severely dealt with.

The verp dry weather has driven the Fire Brigade Committee of the Borough Oounoil to extremities. Althouge there is a good of wutei" in ihe reservoir there is t>o saying how long it will be able to hold out against peroo l&tion and evaporetion. So as fobs prepared for all emergenoieß the Fire Brigade have been testing the double tube welts, four of whioh were put down sou* 9 years ago, and have found them all working very satisfac torily Many people in town had forgotten altogether about these wells and the abun dant flow obtainable from them Cur mention of them will doubtless give some crumb of of oomfort to such aa have felt nervous over the empty water ohaunels.

Tha Rev George Hall, 8.A., who is at Moderator at the Otago Preßbyterian Synod, and who is returning from the reoent meeting of general assembly in Wellington, oonduoted service yesterday at Tinwald and Flemingr ton. In the forenoon preaohing on the Good Samiratan, he graphically depioted, from personal observation, the road from Jerusalem to Jerioho. He travelled with the Sheik's son, armed to the teeth, for a guard, and instanced the case of a baronet's son, who, venturing with a companion without a guard, was shot dead. He concluded by drawing from the text lesaona of neigbborliness and usefulness, Ia the afternoon he spoke to a large congregation from the words " With joy ye shall draw water from tba wells of salva tion ." He compared the present state of the Canterbury plains, irrigated as it now is, with many parts of the East where water is aotua'ly sold. In the evening the church was again well filled, when he draw on his experience of over thirty years in the mission field. Begin ning with Jamaica, where the Gospel bad greater success among tbe negroes from Africa than he had ever witnessed sinoe, he prooeeded to Egypt and Palestine, where lij described the labors of Miss Arnot among the little Jewesses, Turkißh, and Syrian girls of Joppa. After referring to his labors in Madras, where he had met with Mr Blake, he eloquently appealed to his hearers to make good use of the privileges they enjoyed in this land,

The following is from the "Oamaru Mail" —We have received from Toko-rabi, Duntroon, a sample of Tuscan wheat, grown by Mr Alex, Eremner, that doe 3 one's oyea good to look upon. Some of the heads are 6£ inches in length; the ears are well filled, and, of course, the condition is prime. The average length of the ears, we should think, is not lees tban 5| inches, and it ia reokoned that the produot will be from 50 to 80 bus-help, The sample was taken from a paddock of SO acres, and the whole crop, with the exception of one acre, we are informed, is exactly acoording to sample. Farmers in the vicinity, who have seen the sample say that they had never before seen anything like it in the district. Strange to Bay, in its early stages the crop appeared to be a complete failure, beoause the seed had been Down too deeply, but by a little wise manipulation, it has, as the sample shows, proved exceptionally successful. Mr Spmpter has been promised a few sfyeaves, of the produot, for inclusion iq Mr W. Anderson's grain trophy, whioh ia row nearly ready for the Exhibition. In other oases we have beard of crops that appear to be a complete failure turning out well Iv one oatte—~& OtOp in tho Waiareka Valley—the crop at the beginning of the year appeared to be so unpromising thai its owner contemplated puttiDg in sheep to feed it off. But on second thoughts, he deter^ mined to see what a severe rolling would accomplish, and now he has hopes of scouring nbout 35 bushels to the aore. There are grounds fos hoping that the crops generally throughout the district will yield better than has been anticipated,, Certainly the Most Effective MEDICINE n the world is SANDER and SONS EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent powerful effects in Coughs, Colds, Influenza, etc,; the relief is instantaneous. Thousands give the most gratifying testimony. Read this certificate:—" 24th April, 1885.—Messrs Sander and Sons,—lt is with the greatest of pleasure that I testify to the excellence of your Eucalypti Extract, Having had inflam mation of the bone of the leg, which came' on after a severe attack of low tev6r, I was attended by Dr J. Boyd, who had made Jltrenuous efforts to save my leg, but withjuj sucoeßß. He found it necessary to amputatfc my limb. Having heard in the meantime of the wonderful oures worked by the Euoalypti Extract, I obtained a bottla, and the extract had not been applied more than an hour when I began to feel greatly relieved. After apply ing the extract every four houro for nine or ten dayg I was out of all danger, i would persuade all who may be affected with any suoh disease to give the Eucalypti Extracts trial, and I am oonvinoed that tuey will find j it the most wonderful of medicines Yours,' etc.. is. J. GcßNovr, Wattle afreet Sandhurst, i

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents

THE NEW WHEEL TRACK.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —Regarding the contents of the local j in your Saturday's " Guardian," and so promt- , nently headed Horse v Wheel I think you must have put yourself to an unneressary amount at tiouble in soliciting tbe opinions of , the professional bicycle riders who have j ast come to Ashb-irton, with respect to the now famous track in our Domain. Your gieat di°coverv however has given us nothing fresh but what has been expressed again and again by our local riders, viz:, that the track wante 1 completing. Although I did not concur with, the Bicycle Club in throwing up the grounds, bat unfortunately was a victim to the expres> sions of our 1 cal dignitaries in concietning the r actions, but after my morning visit, &s it is my usual custom to the Domain, on Saturday last, I was greatly surpr sed to find employed a' number of men with horses, rollers, and water cart, with a patent skimmer thrown in, our Borough engineer in command of the force, aid to use a colonial expression they were all slogging in, and upon my enquiries as to the ciuse of all this commotion I was politely informed that they were preparing the track for the professional riders who were going to use it next week four half an hour. Now. sir i I was not prepared for this remarkable ] admission whilst labouring under the delusion that the track was already perfection, and as a ratepayer you will not think me unreasonable in asking by whose authority was all this machinery put in motion as it is patent to anyone that the sum charged will not nearly defray the cost of labour, and if the track was good enough for our local men who were to be charged over three times the amount as paid by the visitors and got nothing in return buc spent a grear deal of time, energy, and money too, in fostering and developing this-manly recreation among;t our young men as well as keeping the moneys thus expended in our own little town, one would naturally think it should be as fit for the strangers who are only using it for such a short time, To my mind it is most unjust and very unfair that the young fellows connected with our own local Club should be thus snubbed by our Borough Fathers, whilst strangers can have all require ments lavished at their feet; and in my opinion i , we want badly a change of programme in our official chair. However, not wishing to be too severe I will wait an explanation, which will, no cLubt, be fiankly piven. I am, etc., : Ratepayer.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[Phr Panes AnsooiATioif,]

Lohdon, February 21 The report of the death of Father Ignatius is unfounded.

Lord Clifton has been imprisoned for contempt in connection with the Bank ruptcy Court,

It is rumored that Sir F. Napier Broorae, late Governor of Western Aus tralia, has been appointed Governor of Hong Kong.

It is understood Lord Salisbury de clines to discuss the advisability of holding a conference for the purpose of shortening the hours of labor

Mr Goschen, Chancellor of the Ex chequer, states that the Treasury has received a windfall owing to owners of 3 per cents failing to convert.

Father Kinsella has been sentenced to two months' imprisonment on a charge of building huts for evicted tenants from Clongorchy estate.

The late Mr Biggar, M.P., was buried at Belfast to-day, the remains being followed by a large number of members orthe House of Commons.

The shareholders ot Messrs Allsopp and Sons have appointed a Committee to investigate the affairs of the Com pany, owing to largely decreased dividends.

The "Times" states that the Pan- American Conference has fai'ed to arrange an American Zollverein, as Washington refuses to admit wool from the Argentine Republic.

It is suspected that the man who first outraged and subsequently mur dered the girl at West Ham is an engineer proceeding to Australia. The colonial police have the man's descrip tion, and have been warned to be on the look out.

The Zalinski gun ordered by the Victorian Government will be tried at Shoeburyness ia April as a guide to the Ordoance Department before any orders are given for the gun by the I British Government. The gun in question carries five miles. Ottawa, February 21 O'Connor has made a match to row Hanlan in August. . Pretoria, February 21. [ President Kruger has forbidden the i proposed expedition to Mashonaland. Paeis, Fdbroa?y 21. President Carnot and M. Tirard are in favor of releasing the Duke of Orleans. The Russian conversion loan of ;£i4 000,000 has been covered seven fold in France alone, Pekin, February 21. A hurricane drove a ih^u^und Chinese boats to sea, and 3000 fisher men were drowned. Constantinople, February 21 Moussa Bey has been put on his trial again in connection with the Armenian atrocities. Chicago, Fbruary 21. Kelly, arrested on suspicion of being the driver of the vehicle in which Cronin was taken to his death, has i benn released.

TEE WEATHER

The following are' toe meteorolog'oal readlnga at Alf. rd Station for the week endlug February 23.-d, 1890 :— Shade High State low high! 3un\ o! weather ' Sunday •• 50' »v wj j.-ine S. Monday .. 56- 9G- 166- ..N.WtoS.W Tuesday .. 46- 83' 101- R*in, S.B. Wednesday 38- 80- UQ- Fine, S. Thursday.. 40. 85- 145 „ N.E. Friday .. 47- 80- 141- „ N.W. aturday .. 40- 80" 147- „ N.E, unday .. 39- 85- 14Q- „ 

MAGISTERIAL.

SOUTH ttAKali-FtUDAY

(Before Meßßra O. Hardy »nd L. Oxley J.P.'b.) CIVIL CASK

G. Shellock v M. Taylor, claim £1 Is for slipping dogs at a coursfns; meeting. Adjourned from la?t Court day fpr p p ductiou of a witness. Judgment for the amount Qlaimod aud costs, ALLEGED FALSE PRETBNOSS.

William Horn wts charged with obtrin iog & quontity of bonea value £3 from Mr T. Dow ing under false pretenoes.—Mr Dowlin? stated that accused obtained 9

let of bones staling that he was buying for Unison asu Co A ceased denied this and

said he came to Raktia to day to p»y for them.—iccuied received ths benefit of tbe donbt, the Bench being of opinion

I that Mr Dowling should not have deliver d I tbe bones to a stranger without an order I from Ma; son and Go. Accused was die (charged with a option on payment of thi

THE MARKETS

[P*e Press absooivtion]

London. Februsrv 23 Best New Zealand butter is quoted at from 96s to 1029,

1 The New Zealand Loan and Mercan tile Agency Company, Limited, have receired the following cable, dated London, 21st inst. : — Tallow—there is a good demand Fine mutton and good beef tallowa are worth 25 i 6d and 24s per cwt respec tively. IVzen moat—The mutton market is firmer. Wellington is worth 4|-i, and Carter/bury 4fd per lb; New 1 Zealand beef, for quarters, 3£d ; hind quarters, 4^d per lb. LondoNj Feb'uiry 24 Tallow—Medium mutton, 23a 6d ; beef, 22s 6d. English wheat market, dull; the Con tinental changing a little for the worse; the American advancing. New Zealand wheat on passage, average quality, 33s 9d,

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

(PBR PBBB3 AB8OOIA.nO!!.)

London, February 22

Sir Wm Robinson, speaking at a banquet given to the delegates from Western Australia, stated that the advance of that colony was something marvellous and well deserved Imperial support. He argued that without re sponsible Government being granted, Western Australia was excluded from taking part in the proposed Australian federation.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

(PER PEES 3 ASSOCIATION.)

Auckland, February 22. Ab the res lit of a demand foe Auckland ttme in Sydney, two veeeeia, tho b-rqau Wm. Tamer aod the bngantlne Prun petlty, are about to leave fot tljst port with cargoes ot tho prodaon named. A person to whom tbe Bile of llqnof had been prohibited , aving been charged at the Polioa Court with drunkenness, the Magistrate eaid he thought the polioe ought to take proceedings against the publican who supplied the liquor. Although the prisoner was a first offender, a fine of £1 and costs was Im posed, tbe Banch remstkiog that a pro hibited person ought not accept llqaor. GEByMOUTH, February 24. The Bruuner co<respondent of the "Argus" «»ys be hi-formed that at a meeting of the Grey V Hey Goal Miners' Asooitt on ijn S toraey, » resolution wat p.»»Bud th»t uotico be g.veu to the Grey Valley Coal Company »£ter March 10 hat tha mine* wi'l d-mand to be paid (gross weight) 2s 10 i per con, the same as ill paid to ibe Wes port miners. Inveboargill, February 22j

A Ohlnacnau sufhting from leprosy, who tor tone yean occupied a hut near Rlverton bus. been sent homa, thus re lieving tbe loc.il authorities of a consider able Item of cxpendlthre.

SOME OF OUR MIGRATORY FISHES.

(" Otago Daily Times ")

THE BABKACOUTA,

Among th migratory fi\hes which visit our coasts at certain eeaeonn of the year, the barracou a (Thyreltee atun)i« probably of the most Importance. It has doubtless received its name from the barracooda pike, a finn of Bunil<r shape common in tbe tropical parts of the Atlantic, Tbe barracouta 5s a favourite fish wi;h the Maorli, who oall. it the maka. This fbh viei c our coafits in immense ehoalfe throughout the summer eeason. Though plentiful enough on certain parts of the North Island coasts, tbe bsrracouta is seldom offered for sale. They seldom visit Canterbury w»?ers, on account of the set of tho current probably cirtying the ema'l fisb and cruetaceA oa which the barracouta faed far out to sea. Thoy are j pattioular'y abundant in the trend of tbe I tidal current^rom (Jape Saunders to Nugget Point, and are net with in large shoals from Wakawa t> Oatnaru, up the Fast. The oojtst barracouta is abundant ia Tasmanhn waters, being most commou fom November to Ostober. Around our oot sis they are moit plentiful from October to June. The usual length >f the barraocuta li 3ft, and most of tbe fifth are over 5b In weight. The flesh is white and fUky, and very palatable to the taste when fresh, though a trtfl a dry, I oufea readily; and sells freely in the pre served Bt»t€—being e»m be tet than when fresh, Tn the early days of the Otsgo settlement It was largely need by tbe settlers and Mtorle, but as not much is known of the habits of the fhh the supply In our markets now la very Intermittent. The barracouta will btrdly ever take bait, 1 <nd yet thousands are caught with an ■ tifioUl lure of the olnmsiest kind—»n oblong pleoe of wood, about hree quarters of an lech tbioi and three or four inches nng, vlt'i k nail driven through It and bont like ft hook, Is the bait used. Some reddish Wad of wood is generally used, bat the b»rr»coula (a ia nowise particular about the aollor of the wood if In a feeding mood. They bite b at at daybreak, and the rude tackle oonalßta of the bait de aoribed above attached to a h»ndy-B'z'd rod by a ehofl Inngth of line. The fbh'ng boat muet be kept moving through the water by rowing or under sail, while the men vith the rods aweep the b»it b»ok and fore tbrongh the water. Wh-n a eboal of b»rra oouta Is enoountered in this way a few pood hands can aeon fill a boat wl.h hem, go greedily do they take the clnmsy bait. BsrracQuU fishing Is quite exciting work while It Itstu, and that It is as (ong ■s the bost can be kppt ft tbe ne ghbor hood of the hoaU If the bbdq>l ii m Urge one any number of boats qoold load up In ■• short time By adopting some systematic °md comb'red method v.f fidhlog for barr*. oontft, th >us»nds might ba caught where on'y hundreds are now. In the m_»ia tre>m of the ooss^al cuwent, rs It sweeps aoroso Iho bays from headland to head and, is the chief feeding ground for tbe harraonu «, Rod its vtclnity is generally announced by the Hwarcoß of pea birds wMch hover over {te hoe of march, for while 'he bi»rraonr*ta is chasing its prey many of tho small fishes leap out ct the water and fall victims io the sea b'rds. tn the (trjtomn aeaaon fmmanee fl oka of noutton birds fol'ow <h9 ehoala of barre ro<iU up the coast, but occasionally the birds pursue shoa'.a of smaller flhos, Gould thebarraooutn be oaptured io excess of loo*l requ'rementff, there woqid ba no dffficnlfcy in establ'ehlDg an export trade in the dried fi«b. Dried b&rraoouta, ,or pnor-fe as it Is oalled, (a imported into tbe Maarltfvia and Estavla as a rogu'nt article of commeroß, feiohing sheet £17 a to^, In Tasmania It (« stated that 24 dczen fish weigh about a ton. Tbe Taßmanian« eend | from 800 to 1000 drsiDß of tbe split and dried fish to tbe Melbourne market an nually.

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

(per press association.)

OHBISXOHOROH, EVbi-uarT' 24

Mr Cuff, Hon. Secretary ot the New Zaalacd Athletic Association, has received a commuoU oation to the effect that New South Wales intends holding an amateur championship meeting ia May, for the following events :— One hundred yards, two hundred and twenty yards, quarter mile, half mile, and mile runs; one and three miles walk; 120 yds hurdles, and high jump. The following will probably represent New Zealand:—Hempton, Reeves, Morrieon, Shaw, itioKelvey and White.

AMONG THE ALBATROSSES

A pa^BßDger by the Hlnomoa on her receut crulsa to the Islands of the far south, has g'vea the following aocou .t of ha albatross ac bomij:—

Descending a little way towards the oooan we come npon the a'batroases. They were v?»y nameroas ; a great many of them wese titling, others were billing and ojolny, others B?e<aed to hare no pattioalnr bnslnos» oo hand, other* were young ones waitiag to be turned off the old nests, o hers were again turned off bat bad not yat leained tq fly. An albatross nest Is mnob' tbo iihapTß of thn oldfashioted dairy oh or an of oaf early yontb, only a little shorter, »nd solidly ba It of mad, grass, and weada. When it has served * year the grass g'ows op In It, 'but It Is used »g»lp another year being first raised and trimmed op by the bird When bulldicg a nest the albatross—l Buppose the female—scrapes up the mad from about it, bat when eha haa made a little pllo she stands upon It, *nd the rest of the work Is done standing thus, so thit her weight—from 181b to 25lb— ilwaya serves to solidify what has been completed In working from this stand. point it digs up bits of eaiih with itg be k and lays them upon the pile, About ft 7e digs to the minute la the average rate, *nd when tbe bird hai done about five It turns and gigs from another plaoe. In digging thus it make* a trenoh round the cone, whloh may serve to keep the nest drained. It nearly always builds amonp high tussocks, but takes little or no pains to oonoeal the aeai. Its who'e idea of protection ia the utter isolation of its nesting home. Its one pl-n foe protecting Its egg la to sit on It and never leave It. When tbe nest !s built It 1b fioiihad off with a slight and aeaily made b*sln-Hke depression at the top, and in tbla are placed a few leaves and bits of dry grata, bat not enough to prevent the egg from coming into contact with tbe nil and getting very dirty before it is hatched; There It never more than one egg. It la pure white except at the big end, where It Is rtddlsh. It weighs about a ponod. It la said to be good eating, but I never tried It. I could not help slopping to admire the grandly beautiful birds. The oldest are pure white excepting the wings, whioh are pencilled with brown the youngest are nearly black; They are supposed to turn whiter and whiter as they grow older. As we found them here there were very few quite wh'ta ; they were generally beautifully peooilled with dark lines. I have given tbe received explanation as to oolor aod age. bat I am bound to say it does not answer all obser vations, as Borne of tbe yonng blrda not folly ftadged In the museum and exhibi tion are quUe white. Many birds whloh ooald not fly h*d a little down hanging about their necks still. Their condition shows tbat there are many young birds not yet fnlly fledged when the old birds lay their next year's eggs. When a bird is put off Us nest it goes over In a helpless way, As yen approach It It makes » demonstration, clapp'ng wibh It* be*k. It U Bald it will enap at flesh but not at a gloved hand. 1 geueral.y gave them a bit of etlok to bUe at, and gently tuirned them off backwards. Thus treated the bird would Pail opoa Its back with its hea3 and elbow jo'n*.B of hn lonff wings in the tns aock'jkioking helplessly with its fept, As soon as possible it w old ior»«abla back upon theanes*, soroetltnes looking down occußionaHy with cne eye at a time iike a dock to ace if the egg wea there, Whan s bird had not yet laid It usually stood op as *c oame to the neet, when Ir h»d an egg nothing would Indcca it to rise and show it. It would git close to the nest, with the egg in the folds of its abdomen By its sitting bo oloee ws could tell tbat it bad an egg. In some places male aod female stood by a half made neat. We oould see them gently coottseylcg to each other, and then rubbing their bills to gether. This undemonstrative etyla of courtship was going oa everywhere. Ido not suppose that one half of the nesting birds are faying yet. In many places <';.nr, la some eight or ten birds stood In solemn oonclave and aosroely stirred when we walked among them. I presume they were waiting on ohange for eligible offers of marriage

RETURN OF OFFENCES.

• ,We are Indebted to the courtesy of Serjeant Felton for a perusal of th« com paratlve return of offences in the Ashbur ton, Rabat*, ani Methvec polico districts, for Ihe yeara 1888 and 1889. This shows in tbo Aahburton district proper very nearly identical figures as regards-tho number of-.'oases reported and' the number of apprehensions in each y-ar, the totals being as follows :— 1888 1889. Offences reported , 313 314 Apprehensions. Males ... 289 > oar 2911 qnA TemtJea ... 17 J 306 13 } 304 it is pleasing to note that the appre hensions for drunkenness show a sub stantial decrease, ihe figures for last year being 162 against 188 for the previse year, fqual to a reduction of s'oout 14 per cont. Ou the other hvad the prose cotions under the PoMe? Oflfanoes Aot tobo from 1 to 12. and lor larceny from 17 to 21. The number of assault cased f Hfrom 28 to 20, and thn apprehension? for lunacy from 9 to 4. The oases of maliciona injury to property show an incr«ase of from 8 to 16, and those of obscene language from 11 (o 13, while the proee -1 cutioaa for crnf lty to animals fell from 10 to 8. The figures for the Rakaia diftri't show a very large increase, viz , frem 40 to 61—over fifty per cent, while those of the Methven district are ezaotly stationary. Following is the; detailed list:— ! 1888 1889 Asssu'ts, various ... 28 20 Abscondfog from Indq« trial School 1 5 Breaking and entering chops, e*c 2 1 Crusty to animah ... 10 8 Drunkenness ... ... 181 162 Falsa petences ... 4 2 Forgery,., , 0 1 Horae and cattle stealing 0 2 Indecency 2 0 Ltroeny,,. , 17 21 Malicious injury „, 8 16 Obioene language .„ 11 13 Obstructing and reeistiag A polloe ...... 6 5 Vagrancy 5 8 Police Offences Act ♦„ 1 12 Neglected and criminal children .„ ... 3 12 j Lnnacj-... ... 9 4 Wife »iii child desert! n 1 0 Othorcflencee 17 12 TrUh 506 304 Btkala.-^Offences re ported ... 49 61 Apprehensions 37 57 Metlma—'Offencea re- ; ported ... 37 37 Apprehension! 37 ,37 ' QiiDMotil m lii IS

AUCTIONEER'S REPORT.

Mr Alfred Harrison reports his weekly sale as follows, Saturday, Felroary 22nd :— Cows close to calving, £$ ss. Enquiries for good sorts. Pigs.—Slips 6s 9d, 7s, us, ns6d, us6d, 17s 6d. There is now a good demand, all the above lines being well competed for; in fact, I have customers for any which come forward of good quality. Poultry.—Fowls, is to is 7d; roosten as to 3s 4d per pair ; ducks, 2s 4d to 3s per pair; geese, 45 per pair. .^^r..^ ---k;^ Produce—New potatoes, %& per lb; chidewheat 6s to 8s per bag; feed oats,' is 6d per bushel; onions, id per lb ; flour, 15s per bag, '" ■ - "- ■ -•'-■-■pswKßif- Harness, furniture, fruit anc? sundries were disposed of. ' " v ' -

THE PARNELL COMMISSION

(PSB P.tBSS A3SOOIATIOH.)

London. February 21 to 24

Mr W. 8. Oaine, WWpi ;of\ the Unionist party, has written a letter stating that Parnell comes bat of the enquiry virtually unacathed. He is horrified at the conduct of the " Times" in publishing libels on such flimsy evidence. ;

Mr W. H. Smith's motion re (he " Times "Parnell Commission haa been postponed until the 3rd prox. - "*-* The Unionist Party are issuing • pamphlet cenßuring the " Times "Jot its part in connection with the publica tion of the articles on ParneUism and crime, and at the same time it denomww the committal of outrages in Ireland,

THE GERMAN ELECTIONS

(PRR PKKBS AgSOOIAXIOI.)

Bbkjh, February 32 In the election the Socialists have been sucoessfal in large towns and factory districts, but have met with little suocess in mining districts. All the party leaders have been elected. ; ; '',' ,* The Emperor William expresses an noyance that his recent decrees on the labor question have failed to satisfy the Socialists, It is expected that Berne Conference will be abandoned the Berlin, programme goes beyond'^n* questions of mines and strikes.

TRUST FUND INVESTMENTS.

(Pl 3 FRHB A88O0IATI0V.) ■"_,)

Lohdoh, February 91.-

Mr Goschen, in answer to a question in the Hous3, stated the Govejninent had not received a report of tiie Com mittee on the Trust Fonda Inteßtmant Bill, -• : ",yjp London, February:^' The Bank of England has BOggwted that instead of a minimum average standard value trust funds should be invested only in colonial securities paying interest below a certain rate, probably under 4 per cent!

A MAN BURNT TO DEATH

(.FIR FBI9S AS8001A.IIOK;)

Dunedin February 23 A fire, attended with fatal results, broke out in a five-stalled stable at 3 30 on Sunday morning. The fire had a good hold when discovered. After it was extinguished;" an examination showed the charred remains of a human being. It appears that a man named Alexander Johnston was seen about the place about midnighr, rather under the influence of drink. He has not been seen since, and it seems almost certain that he perished in the fire, caused probably by his owa ca elessnets. Johtnton knocked about the wharf, and did odd jobs. The stables were valued at about £20.

RIVER STEAMER FOR CHRISTCHURCH

("Preas.")

A project is on foot for the formation of a Company to pat a steamer on the Avon to run from the Colombo *trect bridge to New Brighton and butanar. Tbe eteimer is intended to be constructed on similar lines to that used by Mr Stanley la his African tour, viz., a stern wheel boat of 60ft in length and drawing niaa inches of water. These boats are.now c miug very generally into use on ■ballov risers, and have been found to work ad mirably, as a high rate of speed is obtain* able with very light draught of water. It is intended to fit tbe steamer with alt the latest improvements and oonvenieaoea for passenger traffic, and It 1b exp^ted that the trip to New Brighton will \& don* in less time than by the tiara. The capital of the Company is to be £600, is one hundred shares of £5 each, and al ready a gcodly number of abates hare been taken up. It is claimed for the steamer that if placed on the Avon it will aid considerably ia the work of deepening it an by stirring up the silt it wilLbe taken away by tbe current. The steamer, if the Company is floated will be ooostrdcted local'y, and the promoters an very sanguine that a good revenue can be made, paying a fair return on the «apltal invested.

ENGLISH POLITICS

SCOTTIBH HOME '.BXOjE'j.

DIVISION 05 FREE EDUCA TION/ ,: 5,.;;-,.

(Pxb PBisa Assoounoir.j

London, February Jll. An amendment to the Address in favor of a Parliament for Scotland waft rejected by a majority of 40.

Lomdov, February 39. The amendment in favor of free Va cation has been defeated by sixty. ; The Irish members supported the amend* meat. Tbe Government are favorable* to Mr Morlej's principle that Catholics and Jews should retain the .control of their school, bat consider the time not yet ripe for bringing the 4aestion for ward. -

THE PRIMACY.

A private letter received in Christchurch | states that the Bishops of Auckland; Wel lington and Waiapu are queite in accord; *s to the course to be pursued in order to settle >the much vexed question of the Primacy., -Their i Lordships discussed the matter at Napier, where they went for the purpose of attending the meeting of the Board of Missions. It has not yet transpired what the course is which they approve. The Bishop of Auckland is expected in Christchurch to-day, whea he will confe *with Bishop Harper, who, it* "will be remembered, has expressed himself willing to adopt any coutse, approved by the majority of I the Bishops, which would tend to.a peaceful solution of the difficulty. There seems to^be hope, therefore, that such a solution may be arrived at ere long.—" Lyttelton Times.'r The Conference held by the Bishops of Auckland, Wellington, and Waiapu,> re cently in Napier has, we understand, resulted in a plan being devised for the settlement of the difficulty now standing in the way of the consecration of Archdeacon Julias. »s Bishop of Christchurch, Bishop Harper has con* curred in the proposal, and it is believed the Bishop of Dunedin wili'also sgree to it. The proposal has been submitted to ihe Bishop of Nelson for his acceptance or otherwise. In the event or his accepting the proposal the way k will be paved towards the consecration 'of the f Bishop elect of Christchurch, without Wring recourse to a special session : «'f the General Synod, Th* reply from the Bish pof Nel -1 son may be looked for daily, and all fr'ends of the Church will, no doubt hope it will (ft

THE APHBTrHTOK GtTARDIA^, I'CI'.ZaX FEfiittSikY ti, 1890.



"Though Imitated by many, uurpas?ed by ;• none" \ ÜBVIATHAW RAILWAY TEMPiJB- } ANCB HOTEL ' (Opposite the Bailway Station), DUNEDIN. MBS SILK, PROPRIETRESS. THIS very popular Establishment con ttna«s to afford very superior acoom- MOdatloß to tourists and others who desire th» COMFORTS OF HOME, combined with VERY MODERATE CHARGES, The sole management of tha house, as tr«ll as th© eulaine affairs, are under thu pmoaal Ropervicioa of Mra Silk, Tho Bout fs Situated within a few minotes walk of tbt Exhibition, Post Office, Steamboat Landing*, and other plaods. %QOD FAOMUB VALDK PAGIMU f What we do we o fteH." fIUUS OfIBIBTOEITBOH DBNTAI JL STJBGER2\ O»sk«l titreet, Ohriatchnroh, aext Robin- Boot Store, and at the Octagon, Daneain Jl 1 mrationa at strictly nniform and moderate Ctonmdtation free. 3. MYERS"AJW) CO., BTJBOEON PBNTIBTS. B jut*?**--'- BITBODb OXIDE GAS »dm!nUtere( Thla Aumthetlo leaves no unplewan •ffecta. and by Ita tue tho extraotlon o Bad Stomps and Toeth Is rendered per *«otlr Palnleaa «nd Effective. Ad alnUtered dally. Fee for adminlatratloi ot Oai, si. Extraotlon, 2e 6d a tooth Hoars of attendance, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m Private resident®, 93 Eaat Belt, The acknowledged superiority o AMERICAN DENTISThY In the con struotion of Artificial Teatb, the moi finlnbed workmanship,••nic Mk toeth TEMPORARILY ALMOS! MMEDIATELY after exttaotlon, hay tUbltabed oot reputation, A alnale ArtlficU Tooth, 10a, oomplet at. Upper and Lower, Temporary am Pennaneat £1010 a; ArtificUl Teeth an OeatntM made by other dentists re noddled at until ooatv, Stopping, Soal yg Perfect anil Palnleac. WI. SPARROW, TAILOR AND MEN'S MERCER FAST STREET. ABHBURTON COUNTY STOCK ANI SALEYAtiDS CO, Limited. A 8 the request of several Farmers th< Company han decided to hold a Special PIG FAIR For the Sale of STORE PIGS, AT THB Tmwald Yards Early in March. Farmers will oblige by letting th .Caretaker have particulars of their Eutrie ; ' sarly an poaeible. GEO. JAMESON, 75 • Chairman. THE CHEAPEST SALE NOW GOING ON IN ABHBUBMOS II AT "The Corner," Children's Hata half p \ti Flowers at half price Prints at half price Ladles' Jackets at half price 17 dob Men's Sox (best made) ha! price $ f r " SB 8i irfFoV* OB INSPECT TEE SI^OOK INSPIirnT TflE STOCK W. H. COLLIEB



Wasted Known j jjl Cash Advertisements under thl. head- ) ing, not exceeding 16 words, 0 mh Shilling. Addresses may Deleft at - this Office. NEW Ziaiatsd " Jubilee ■ Ofaronlole," [*" Second edlticn vow lu,—U. M. Jonbs. WANTED to Sail—A. 621 d Bicvole, ia n good condition. Apply W, H?db, * Tinsmith, E;sv, Streo . 2 103 1 WANTED KNOWN — Horse and \ Baggy on hire. Apply H,Dalley, . Carrier, riampatead, 2 102 * ODBLIU NO HOE—AII Rood wishers ] JtT of tbe Wedneudsy Hal£-LIo iday. j - 'lease shop ea-ly, 1 o'clook. ii. *J. , MANILLA Binder Twlno, maohioe ( oti, and wire. Time (a money on ' che hervett field—the beat 1b the cheapest. —R, Alcoen, Saandera tinildtoga. WANTED K'.iOWJS—If yoa want good value for your monwy go to Me ford Houae, I'(.aides our ordinary | (>:t 'Ha an' aiditlo: al one of a good \ ÜBbiul basket to every purchaser of 20a and npwarda, H, C Segues, Melford House. 'ANTED Known ""Strong-wear Buota for Ladies, Meu aud Children can only be obtained at W. H Ooujeb's. iI7ANTED Known that Ajndbew Obr'b W baif-yontly sale of Surplus Stook of Drapery Clothing sad Boots ifl now going on. 1 141 WANTED Known—ln addition to our ordinary presai-tg, we aha 1 give an extra one of a good useful basket to every purchaser of 20s and upwards. H. 0. Segebs, Melford House, J VITANTED KNOWN-^My Bpecia. J YV Make o£ Ladies' 4 clasp Kid Gloves, " The Aehburtonian," braided backs, 3s 6d per p»ir.—W. H, Collieb. D WI ANTED ey6ry mau m ttxe County • f V to bave a Salt of the AahbartoD v Tweeds.—Robebt Aloobn, AsbbnrtoD Oiothing Mart, Saundera' Buildiugs. - |JET ANTED Known lace oQrtaina 34 it VV Hd, toweia 4JJ, umbrellas la 10a c prints 2£d. aklrte Is, kid gloves Is, 12ioz F dress buttons for 1», tmbrotdeied oostumtb c 10a.—Andbew Obb's Sale. 1 150 c rpHB Jubilee Sale, Anobbw Obr le' d JL Belling mena boots 9a 64, ladies E.S. d at 4a 6d, lace np boota 5a 6J, girie boots i« 3s 9i, men's ahoea 6s lid. evening shoes - 2a 6d. Sale now on. 1 151 MKa KfiNflttDtf and Mm Cameron, Moore titre«t—Teachers of Scientific Dießß-catting Bodits out and fitted. " Dressmaking in all its branches. Ridiug habits a speciality. 12 69 WANTED, Everyone to Know—Tna J. MOISON baa now In etock » arge and varied, assortment of BOOTo AND SSOES for the Spring and Summer Seaaon, Gentlemen's, Ladles', aud Ghil dfCja'a, both imported and UolonUl; iso HIS OWN MAKE, which OANN )T BE SURPASSED for Style, Fit, Qaal ty, and NeatatßS, combined with VERY REASONABLE PRICEtf. All repairs executed prompt y and with neatneeu, 10tl ' Public Notices. YTAiiENTINE3 ! V^ntinee—Newest V snd most Elegant, Dvufgna In boxes. Sllk-B>lrged Love Oards and Perfomed Sachets, eto. Largest Variety 'n Oomlc "WootltUß h. F, ANDREWES & Co, Statlonera' Hall, \BIOYOLES VERSUS TROTTKRS. Oncer the patronage of the Ashburton Racing Club, * TEN MILES match for £50 *iH /\_ take plac* oa the DOMAIN TR4.CK on WKDN<iSDAY EVENING NEXT, Febtn» ry 26 b, at 630 o'clock betweer J, K. Fehlon and E May^s, the Austra lian Champion Bicyclists and MrOotavios Digby on his celebrated trottee^Mareogo" and two others, A Boont exclt'ng R^ce fa expected, Afl •ulselon le. 2§87 U,S.B. CIO. |W|» U.S.S. CO UN JON STEAMSHIP COMPANY OF NEW Z«iALAND, Limited. c Steamers eail as under : — From LYTTELTON TO Wellington ... Oaily, except Sunday (Tuesdays and Saturdays 10 p.m. j other days, 5 pm, Dunedin ... Tues,, Thura, and Sat. Kelson ... Tues., Thurs., and Sat Onehacga .. Frl. and altercate Mods. Auckland vli Kast Coast ... Thursday Melbourne... Tue-.dsy byiiney via Auckland ... Every alternate Thursday Sydney via Cook's Ftrair.., Fortnightly Passengers may be booked to Hobart, c Melbourne, Sydney, and all New Zealand s ports at the office of GEOBGE JAMESON, 2J91 Agent, Ashburton. SUMMER 1890 1890 QUMM&B HOW 1890 1890 PHOW ALL DEPARTMENTS OF OUR BUSINESS REPLETE \VITH 8 CHOICE GOODS FOB THIS SEASON. «r priokjT~bight. .$» For Juvenile'fl OlothJtg Try tha N.Z, Clothing Factory For Boys' Clothing Try the N,Z, Olotclng -Factory For Youths' Clothing f T.ty tha K,Z. Clothing Factoiy For Mon'a Olothin? Try the N.Z. Clothing Factory For Men's Measure Ru'.ia Trj tbo N.Z. Clothing Faotoiy Per Mercery and Hoei ry Try the N.Z. Clothing Factory For Blanket, Bugs, and Flannels T>y the N 7i. Olotbmg Factory For Hats in tha cewest shapes Try tha N.Z CJothing Factory for the beet value for JReady Money Try the N.Z, Clothing Factory ENCOURAGE LOCAL INDU3TBY AND BUY FfiOM THE mW zbaXiANd; » OlotMng Factory; inspeut"oue stock And draw your own conclusions. w,"hT wjsbbbsb, !



A. visitor to the Boulder Back Bays no Buoh thing as larrikinism exists in Nelson. Any exuberanoo ct spirit on the part of the juvenile oommunity is promptly equelohed, and tbe boys are, without exception, the best; behaved and most manly of any in the oolony. Tbis is, he says, perhaps, aa muoh due to the vigilance and firnuwi of the police ai the •fleet 9t #a«t«|