The Ashburton Guardian. Magna et Veritas et Prævalebit TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 1890. LOCAL AND GENERAL

The concert in aid of the Catholic Boys' School which has been for some time looked forward to will be given to-morrow evening in the Oddfellows Hall. It will be seen by the advertisement in another ; column that quite a galaxy of talent is announced, among the vocalists being the names of our best local amateurs' and also those of visitors from Christchurch and elsewhere, while Mr Donald McLean and his Laghmor High landers have also promised their valuable assistance. On its own merits therefore the concert should draw a crowded house, though independently altogether of this the object for which it is given viz., to aid our Catholic gfriends in tio nobly providing for the education of their young people should command the sympathy and support of the liberal members of all denominations. General Oluseret has introduced a Bill in the French Chamber to stop duelling. According to latest reports the prospect's of Puhipuhi have much improved. Chloride of silver has been found in three of the claims. 1 The Melbourne Mounted Rifles have accepted an invitation to take part in the military tournament at Home next year. One hundred and twenty cases of late dessert apples were shipped by the Zealandia from Auckland for San Francisco. The balajice of the sum collected in Auck land, as the result of the mission of the Irish delegates, was sent Home by the Zealandia. The total amount raised was £819. An Auckland telegram says' that there are everal cases of influenza on board the Zealandia, and the purser, Mr McLane, is recovering from a very severe attack. A great meeting of Natives from all parts of the North Island will be held in the King Conn try, under Tawhiao's auspices, on the 24th inst,, to discuss questions affecting Native lands, etc. It is said that for four years after the fight at Chicamanga, the battle-field shone like bright moonlight, even on the darkest nights. The', ight came from the phosphorescent 'exhalations of the decaying bones of the keaped-up dead. There ia now on one of the main London routes a driver living in a West End square who married a Polish Princess, and is a wealthy man. He cannot do without his daily task, and seems to prefer 'bus driving o handling a phaeton or carriage. The moat remarkable fact in the Registrar- General's quarterly return is the, ex traordinarily low mortality from small-pox, which only amounted to 28 in three months ending December, the smallest number of recorded deaths in any previous year being 275 in 1886. A fine specimen of the English ■ sonS thrush, a hen bird, was picked up this morning near the Domain. It had evidently fallen a victim to some boy's catapult. The ! thrush, it appears, is becomming common' in the district. . i The Fredo Company gave the first of their second series of performances last night in their new pavilion at the Royal Hotel. ■ The tent was crowded with a well pleased audience, and the performance was of the usual clever character for which the com pany earned a good name on their previous appearance in the town. Mra Parncll, the mother of Mr Parnell, M.P., has requested the Governor of New Jersey to assist the passing of a Bill through Congress authorising the payment to her of money due from the State to her father. The Governor has acceded to' her request. In the .British House of Lords ou February 13, the neAvly-created Duke of Fife took the oath on his elevation. He was accompanied by the Prince of Wales, weaving the insignia, of the Order of the Garter, and by the Dukes, of Norfolk and West ninbter, wearing their robes of state. The orange was first brought into Europe by Jean de Castro, a celebrated Portuguese warrior, who prc3entp.d some to the Conde Mellor, the King of Portugal's Prime Minis ter, who was only able to rise one plant from a great number of seeds. This plant or tree, which was raised in 1548, is the parent of all the European oranges (of this species.) Among other bequests, the late Mrs Robert Campbell left £5000 to the Dunedin Hospital Trustees for the purpose of pro viding extra comforts for the patients in that institution. She also left £6000 for the specific purpose of erecting a church and parsonage in the Waitaki Valley, in some spot between Duntroon and Kurow. The Olago Harbor Board has decided to proceed with the work for the improvement of the lower harbor by building training walls, and to meet the cos 1 ■ ■ : ■'■' ''•■■ ~ ■ ■ to be entered on for the ■ ■.'■■■ ■' :■■ • r sale of the big dredge, at present leased to the Melbourne Harbor Trust. The Govern ment are to be approached as to her sale with the view of keeping her in the colony for harbor works. The cost of the works is about £18,000. Statistics of French households give these results; Two million (20 per cent.) have no children; two million and a half (24 per cent) have one child ; two million three hundred thousand (22 per cent.) have two children; one million and a half (15 per cent.) have three; nearly a million (9 per cent.) have four; five hundred and fifty thousand (5 per cent.) have five: tliree hundred thousand (3 per cent.) have six; and two hundred thousand (2 per cent.) have seven. A correspondent of the Lancet sends the following list of football casualties in the present season, commencing the first week in September last, to the third week in the past month of January, taken from a care fully tabulated record of such casualties as have been publicly announced:—Deaths, 13. Fractures : legs, 15 ; arms, 4; collarbones, 11. Injuries: spines, 3; nose, 1 ; knee, 1 ; ankle, i ; cheek, 1, . A meeting was held in Mr Clulee's offices, Timaru, on Saturday, of those interested in forming a manure company in South Canter bury. Mr Tescbemaker, informed the meeting that Mr Watt, of Christchurch, inter ded to start a manure factory at Timaru and in face of this fact —their purpose being served—they did not propose to proceed further. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Tesclicmaker for moving in the matter, and subscriptions collected to pay the few expenses incurred, and the propos;-»l to form a company is now dropped. We would draw the attention o our farming readers, and others interested in agricultural property to the sale on Friday next of Croxby iavm, Cainibrae, near Meth ven. The date of sale, be it remembered, has been altered to Friday, 25th, the former fixture liaxing been Thursday, 24th. The property will be first offered in one lot of 748 acres and failing o, sale in that shape will be put up in three handy lots of 168 acres, 230 acres, and 350 acres—nice handy farms for small settlers. After the land sale, the live and dead stock on the farm will be sub mitted. The sale is in the hands of Mr George Jameson, agent for Messrs Miles and Co., and Mr J, T. Ford is to be auctioneer. The best medicine known 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. His Majesty the King of Italy, and medical syndicates all over the globo are its patrons, cad the official reports that accompany eaob bottle. Mosler, M.D., Prof. University Greifswald, reports:—The Eucalypti Extract proved magnificently successful in very severe contusions, bruises, sprains, wounds, scalds [tigs, broken ribs, and limbs. (" Medical < Journal," Nov., 1881.) In diseases of the kidneys, eUhoj: active congestion or suppress aion, (nrcemia) or g,lbnminuria, dropsy, [ithargy, nothing- will ft<jj+al in its action I Eucalypti Extract, Doses, 6to 8 drops, I Olosler, M.1)., Pro*.. University, Greifswald,; reports:—Diphtheria. Tonsils continually jojiprent preseni ing ulcers' with white exudats. , 3ure^ in rlieen days. Surgical Clinio of Prof. Bl'lntyye, College of Physicians and Surgeons, St. Louie— Scirrhus of Breast— Esoisicu Eucalypti Extraot employed. No .veiling, heat, or discoloration. Cured in aurtesnday.—(A<tyt,) . i '

The Floods in Australia.

[PElt PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Sydney, A^ril 21. [ Bourke is a scene of pitiable desola-A tion and ruin. ' i ' •

Government is sending a special Commission to report'on the position of affairs, and relief funds are being opened throughout the colony.

It is estimated that 300,000 sheep have been drowned in the Walgett district

The town of Louth,, on the Darling, sixty-five miles below .'^Bourke, • is surrounded by water. The residents have erected embankments.

Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Mothers.

' ' Can you help me 7 a few minutes, Marion?' ■. '<.■■•■',

:f I would like to, bufc ,-I don't see how I can.', The tone t was v not impatient, but hurried. ' I have this essay to finish !'■■;■ the society this evening. I must go to our French history class in an hour, then to a Guild meeting, and get back to my German lesson at five o'clock.'

'No you can't help me dear. You look worn out yourself. Neve>r mind. If I tie 1 up my head-perhaps : I:can;fihish this.' ' Through at last/ said Marion wearily, giving a finishing touch to the ' Develop ment of Religious Ideas among the Greeks,' at the same time glancing quickly at the clock. Her attention was arrested by a strange sight. Her tired mother had fallen asleep over her sewing. That was not surprising, but the startled girl saw bending over her mother's pale face two angels, each looking earnestly at the sleeper.

'What made that weary look on this woman's face'?' asked thte; stern, strange looking angel of the weaker, ■ sadder one. ' Has God given her no daughters ?' ' Yes,' replied the other, ' but they have no time to take care of their mother.'

'No time !' cried the other. ' ' What do they do with all the time I am letting them haye 1?'

'Well,' replied the Angel of Life, 'I keep their hands and hearts full. They are affectionate daughters, much admired for their good works ; but they do not know that they are letting the' one ,they love most slip from my arms.into"yours. Those grey hairs come from overwork, and anxiety to save extra money for the music and French lessons. Those pale cheeks faded while the girls were painting roses and pansies on velvet or satin.'

The dark angel frowned,

'Young ladies must be accomplished mow, 1 explained the other. ,' Those eyes grew dim sewing for the girls, to give 1 them time to study ancient history and modern languages ;. .those wrinkles came because the girls had not time to share the cares and worries of everyday life. That sigh comes because the mother feels neglected and lonely, while the girls are working for the women of India ; that tired look comes'from getting up so early, while the poor exhausted girls are trying to sleep back the late hours they gave to study or spent at the concert ; those feet are so weary because of their ceaseless walk around the house all day.' ' Surely the girls help, too,?? ; ( ; ' What they can. But their feet get weary enough going round begging for the charity hospital and church, and hunting up the poor and sick.' I

'No wonder,' said the Angel of Death 'so many mothers call me. This is indeed sad—loving, industrious girls giving their mother to my care as soon as .selfish, wicked ones !'

'Ah, the hours are so crowded,' saic'l Life, wearily. ' Girls who are cultured, or take an active part in life, have 17 0 time to take care of the mother who spent so much time in bringing them up.' ' Then I must place my seal on 1 ler brow,' said the Angel, of Death, bending over the sleeping woman. :,,''

'No ! no !' cried Marion, sprin-ging from her sent; ' I will take care of ber if you will only let her stay !'

' Daughter, you must have nightmare —wake up, dear. I fear you have missed your history class.

' Never mind, mother, I am not going to-day. I am rested now, and I will make those buttonholes while you curl up on the sofa and toko a nap. I'll send word to the guild professor that I must be excused to-day, for I am going to see to supper myself, and make some of those muffins you like.'

' But, dear, I dislike to take your time.' ' Seeing you have never given me any time ! Now, go to sleep, mother dear, as I did, and don't worry about me. You are of more consequence .than all the languages and classes in the world.'

So, after having been snugly tucked in a warm Afghan, with a tender kiss from her daughter, usually too busy for such demonstrations,; Mrs 1 Henson fell' into a sweet, restful sleep.

' I see we might have lost the best of mothers in pur mad rush to, be educated and useful in this hurrying, restless day and generation,' Marion soliloquised, as she occassionally stole a glance at the sleeping mother. ■ . ( .■ 'After this, what time she does not need I will devote to outside work and study. Until she gets well restored I will take charge of the house, and give up all the societies except one—that I'll have to myself, if the other girls won't join—a society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Mothers'.

And Marion kept her word

A few months later one of the woman rights class remarked to her : 'We miss your bright essay so much, Miss Marion. You seem to have lost all your ambition to be highly educated. You are letting your sisters get ahead of you, I fear. How young your mother looks to have grown daughters ! I never saw her look ing so well.'

Then Marion felt rewarded for being a member of what she calls the S.P.C.M.

Horse Market.

DIE T. BULLOCK,

Mi 1 T. Bullock reports for the. week ending Saturday, April 19th. There was a very large entry of'horses, -viz.', 43, but very little business was done. The sorts offered were not at all tempting, being principally aged and of a stamp which is difficult to quit, farmers generally operating with caution, and buying for immediate requirements. ■ Only a small proportion of the day's entry changed hands as folloAvs :—Light harness horses, £8, £13 5s medium draughts, rather light, £12 12s, £17 5s ; aged, £11, £12 ; nferior, £2 10s, £4 7s 6d ; scrubbers, £1 5s to 40,s ; hut on wheels, £9; a quantity of groceries and sundries in the estate of R. Morgan brought very satisfactory prices. ; ; ; .

PROPERTY SALES.

I have sold the following by auction and privately, T.S. 845 J acre, Aitken street, £20 ; lot 117, containing |- 'acre, with small cottage thereon, Wellington street, Hampstead Town Board District; £40 ; T.S. 744, Peter street, containing 1-acre with dilapidated building thereon, £54; T.S. 106, Tancred street, £-acre with building chereon, £400 ; R.S. 29565, containing 223 acres, Upper Ashburton Road District, near Winchmore at owner's reserve; 7 acres 2 roods 18 perches part iof R r S. 16837, "Longbeach Road Board district at £12 per fj,cre. Lot 12, contain ing i acre, part of R.S. 7767, Hampstead Town Board district, H8 10s.' Lot 91, containing 38 perches part of'R.S. 4904, near Town Bolt, ftast, £1,~). LoL 12(i, Nelson street, llamp.slead Town Board 4isjU'iel, ttUh cottage thereon £105,

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON RACING CLUB'S AUTUMN MEETING.

The following acceptances and entries }w.v 1,-.-, i! it. --»■"■-. 1 : ■ t II :'■■! . Kvv. llismi \i>, of 45soys. Two miLa . ! . >-st IV •"■ , ■ vst lb' Ixion < ... 11 12 Moana . ... 10 0 Little Arthur 10 10 Carpenter 9 4 Cathedral... 10 4 Nightingale 9 0 Ashburton Autumn Handicap, of 60 ...• rv:. soys. One mile and a half. . st lb st lb Ahua ' , ... 8 12 Quibble , ... 7 2 Alcinonsf ... 8 7 Yarra ... 7 0 'Ruby'"'-- :.. 8 5 Helmsman... 6 12 Leinster ... 7 4 Nightingale 6 0 District Welter Handicap, of 30 soys. One mile and a half. st lb st lb JYarnT .... 10 ,7, Authentic..., 8 12 Jack -i ''... 10'-'sl Liberator .'.'. 8 9 Derby ... 912 Cymaro ... 8 8 Road Metal 9" 8 Zuleika ... ■ 8 4 Martha' ....' 9 6: .Fidelia. :;..• 8 4 Pennine' ..." # 2 -Tarautu!) -...\ 8 0 jCW-rWtl ...00. ■ , < ..: l-iii^; II iM'i'i.r, of 30 soys. Thr.e quarters mile. st lb st lb Alcinous... , 9 3 Road Metal 7 0 Red Cross... 7 5 Jenny Lynn 6 0 Leinster- ... 7 3 LoNGBEAqa, Plate, of 25 soys.. (One ■ ■ mile. ; ; Sir Julius Liberator | ] Aparima ■ Loo Breadalbune Outlaw Coinage Kaimi Road Metal Novel Race, of 25 soys. Half "a-m/ie. Lady Darling Goldfinch Miss Guy Vanity .< Duchess of Albany Whirlpool * Cinderella Belladonna \ Jtformanby . Jack 11. Emma ,• : Glenrowan Collingwo'od ':  Zest -\ ; Kaimi " " Hetty ; Jock

" RECONNOITRER'S" TIPS.

The Autumn Meeting of the Ashburton Racing Club, which takes place to-morrow and Thursday, promises to be in a facing sense one of the most interesting that has ever Tbeen held here. The Handicapper, Mr J. Cresswell, has evidently been most successful in satisfying owners with his adjustment of weights, as only seven of the thirty-nine entered for the first day's handicaps have declined to accept, though t** these atleasfctwo were favorites for their respective engagements. The Novel Race and the Longbeach Stakes have; filled well, there being seventeen in the former and nine in the latter. The task of selecting winners ; is a difficult one where the horses are so well matched, and it is with some diffidence that the following are suggested as probable winners on the £rst day of the races —that is to-morrow:

Hurdle Race

Little Arthur * LONGBEACH PLATE Road Metal; . Autumn Handicap Yarra. . "

Novel Race Jack II DISTKICT WELTEIt HANDICAP

Pennine i,' • Fj^ing Handicap Alcinous.

THE EXHIBITION.

The curtain has been rung clown, and the New Zealand and South Seas Ex hibition is a thing of the past. ; In a few days more the exhibits winch have been gathered together from all parts of New Zealand, from the neighboring Colonies, from Great Britain, France, Germany and other countries, will be packed up and returned to the places' whence they were sent, and only sonic portions of 1 .the buildings which sheltered them;, and which are to be devoted to other purposes, will remain to' remind Dunedinites of the great show of the Colony's Jubilee year. But though there is . an; unavoidable feeling of regret at the breaking up of a collection which during the past few months has been so great a source of attraction and of enjoyment there is every reason for congratulation, upon the" wonderful success which- has attended the enterprise, upon the bene ficial effects it has already produced, and upon those which are yet certain to follow. The undertaking was a bold one, but it was wisely conceived and ably carried out, and the success which has been achieved is the well-deserved reward of the promoters. It was a plucky thing of the Dunedin people to put their hands in their pockets as they did and provide the substantial sum of £15,000, and the Government did well to pi'opose, and Parliament was wise in granting the vote of £10,000 by which the locally-raised funds, were supplemented out of the general revenue of the colony. We observe that in his speech at the closing cere mony the Minister for Education (Hon. Mr Hislop), did not fail to claim the credit of a farseeing boldness on the part of the Government, but we also notice that he failed to take account of the fact that the House generally is entitled to equal commendation for its wisdom in accepting and giving effect to the proposal. We wish that all special votes of ..the Legislature could be as thoroughly justified. In this case the £10,000 has been a splendid investment, as it has come back to the Colonial chest thrice over in the shape of the enormous increase in the rail way revenue directly attributable to the Exhibition, while . also" no incon siderable addition to the Customs revenue is traceable to the same;cause. And as regards the railway the benefit derived might have been much greater had the Commissioners from the first, ■as they < were literally badgered into doing towards the last, laid them selves* out to develope and encourage traflic. Perhaps not the least of the permanent benefits of the Exhibition will be the triumphant success of the cheap fares system recently adopted in connection therewith, and which may, as it ought, lead to a complete revolu tion in our railway administration. The benefits to New Zealand itself will not be confined to this however, for undoubtedly Aye have learned by the Exhibition,' that first necessity to success, confidence in oui'selves and our country's resources, and besides this the educative' effect in the direc tion of the arts and industries will yet be seen very plainly, as the result of the opportunities afforded of compar ing our. own ,' products, with those of other countries 'and colonies. But perhaps our chief gain will be from the impression made upon visitors from Australia and the Old World by the exposition of the attractions and capacities of the colony and its people, and we feel confident that in this

! direction ■ alone the outlay incurred I'will be infinitely more than repaid. !N"ot only shall we see a steady increase of the tourist traffic but there will bo directed towards

New Zealand ,a growing stream of persons ready and anxious to settle upon her lands, or to invest money in developing her resources. There has been no hitch or contretemps in the carrying out of the scheme from first to last, and the entire management reflects great credit upon all connected therewith, especially Mr Roberts, Mr Twopeny and M. Joubert. The cordial way in which the sister colonies, especially New South Wales and Victoria', have co-operated deserves grateful recognition, the court of the mother colony of Australasia being indeed;one of the chief features of the Exhibition, and one which was by itself alone well worth going to see. The attendance of the public too' has been very satisfactory, the total ad missions mounting up to some ' 625,000, as nearly ,as possible corres ponding with the population of the 1 colony, though of course as the same individuals are counted many times the actual number of persons who have at any timerisited the Exhibition, will pro bably not exceed one fourth of that total—or say perhaps 150,000 souls. But that is a wonderful result, and one upon which the promoters of the Exhibition have every right to con gratulate themselves. It is also to be noted with great satisfaction that so far as, we are aware, not one single accident to life or limb has occurred in or about the Exhibition buildings, and it is a matter which speaks volumes for the character of our popu lation that there has not been: one instance of arrest for drunkenness, or disorderly behaviour. Lastly, it is phasing to learn that the more per manent portion of the edifice will be | retained and devoted to the purposes of a Working-men's College and Technological Museum so that this will remain a tangible and visible re minder of the Jubilee Exhibition to testify, in years to come of the energy and enterprise of the colonists of New Zealand in the fiftieth year of her history. ; -

A ROLLING STONE.

[pee, puess association.]

Christohukch, April 21. i Orpi.-i'i. M. :i/is. .>: 1 Page, sailors of :i'n: :>..■■■]/!■! lv:i!ih<",-, ■■■. ( re charged at the' Lyttelton R.M. Court to-day with rolling a stone down the Port hills, whereby the Lyttelton gasometer was injured and an explosion caused. They were remanded until April 30. Bail was allowed, each in one surety of £10. The stone has been got out of the, gasometer. It weighs about 4 cwt. Men are working night and day repairing the damage, and it is hoped the gas will be relighted in Eyttelton to morrow. , ■

An Extraordinary Discovery.

A METAL PLANT,

Perhaps the most remarkable, result of the Stanley expedition has as yet at tained only a limited amount of publicity. We(" Christchurch Press") refer to the reported discovery of Professor Schel ■tyisch, a Bavarian naturalist, while travelling with the expedition, of a very .wonderful ( "Metal Plant." One day,' while resting at a small village near the foot of Mount Milosis, in the Umbopo region, Professor Schelwisch, it is stated noticed a plant with a peculiar steel colored foilage, and on examination.it was 'found that;the shrub,, although growing like other plants from the soil, was prac tically composed of iron. The leaves though very thin, were bent with great difficulty, and the twigs and branches re sisted pressure with a force about equal to the same amount of iron, and to secure a leaf it was found to be necessary to separate it from the bush with a file. While he was digging about the roots the natives came up in a state of great ex citement. Professor Schelwisch gave them a handful of copper coins, and the savages dropped them in a hole "at the' base of the shrub. The Professor and his party left the plant soon afterwards for the night, and re-visited it the next morning. He was astonished to find that it had changed color completely. In deed, such a marvellous metamorphosis had taken place that we had better des cribe it in the narrator's own words. He says :— .

Instead of being a beautiful steel colour, the stem, leaves, and what was exposed of the roots presented the appearance of newly coined copper coins, and glittered in the morning sunlight like polished gold. Upon examination it was ascer tained that during the night the strange plant had absorbed nearly all the copper coins, with the result of completely changing its colour. What was left of the coins' in the hole showed :that they were more than half eaten away or absorbed by the roots of the metal plant. Not only was the colour changed, but'the texture of the plant had undergone a similar transformation. It was found that the thin ivy-shaped leaves were now easily bent around the fingers, would retain any shape given them, and could, be readily cut with an ordinary pair of scissors."

It is a little unfortunate that owing to the menacing attitude of the natives, who declared that it was a fetish tree, and that to dig one up would bring ruin and deso lation on the village, Professor Schel wisch was unable to carry away this Avonderful production with him. We are assured that he succeeded in surreptiti ously securing several branches of the plant, and was also successful in obtain ing a good photograph of it, all of which he intends placing in the British Museum. Further than this, when the expedition reached the Uniamesi country at the base of the Nkomakosi mountains, "a perfect forest" of this curious plant was found, and this being an uninhabited region no difficulty was encountered in securing specimens to take back to England. Some further wonderful discoveries were made as to the properties of the plant. For instance, we are told—

j '' Being curious to know how fire would affect a growing plant of this species, pre parations were made for the test. Large quantities of seasoned wood were procured, and piled in a long row cove-rim; ;i]>oui'. thirty of the metal plains iiiul a \\vc kindled at the windward end. . Stanley and his entire party watched the experi ment, and had the satisfaction of demonstrating that, beyond the blacken ing of the foilage by smoke, the intense heat to which the metal plant had been > subjected had done no harm to the plant itself. At the expiration of a week it was found that the rain had removed nearly all traces of the fire, and the plants were apparently as healthy as ever." [We have read a few travellers' tales, but the foregoing certainly "takes the I cake." It beats Manchausen into a cocked hat.—Ed.] ,  .-. •

Agriculture in America.

The following clipping from the Ameri can "Agriculturist, will show to what a magnitude agriculture has attained in the United States :—As far back as 1880 the value of the farms of the United States exceeded ten thousand million dollars. To the unremitting industry of their owners these farms yielded an aggregate annual value of nearly four thousand million dollars, in the production of which

a vast population of nearly eight millions of toilers utilised nearly half a billion worth of farm implements. The value of' live stock on farms, estimated in the last census to be worth oyer one thousand five hundred million of dollars, is shown by the reliable statistics collected by the Department of Agriculture to be worth to-day two thousand i five hundred and seven million dollars. A low estimate of the number of farmers and farm-labourers em ployed on our five million farms places it at nearly ten million persons, represent ing thirty million people, or nearly one half of bur present population. " Secretary Rusk adds that " upon the productiveness of our agriculture and the prosperity of our-farmers the entire wealth and pros perity of the whole nation depend. The trade and commerce of this vast country, of which we so proudly boast, the great transportation facilities so greatly de veloped during the past quarter ,of a century, are all possible only because the underlying industry of them all, agricul ture, has called-them into being. Even the product of our mines js only valuable because of the commerce arid the wealth created by our agriculture. These are strong assertions, but they are assertions fully justified* by the facts and recognised the world over by the highest authorities in political economy." : ,

INTERPROVINCIAL.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] \

Wellington, April 21.

The Representation Commissioners re assembled to-day to consider objections to the boundaries. Twenty objections have been received, but it is understood that some of them are informal.

Before the Sweating Commission to-day a' plumbersaidthafcalargeamount of defective plumbing was done in Wellington, and the result was often defective sanitary ar rangements from which sickness arose. Unskilled workmen started in business and they in turn employed boys or in competent hands and were not capable of properly directing them. It was a fact that the employment of plumbers was a terror to householders in Wellington just now. ' ,

An ex-assistant groom of the Co-opera tive Bus Company said he worked five days in the week from 5.30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on another from 5.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. The wages were 25s per week The President of the Bakers' ;Union stated that before the Union came into existence, bakers in some shops worked from 7.30 to 9,30 p.m., 90 hours per week. Now the hours "had been reduced .to 57 per week.' v -1-

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

[per press association.]

Going- Home. Wehjngton, April 22.

Mr F. W. Frankland, Commissioner of. Government Insurance, leaves for Eng land next month, having accepted a high actuarial post in the Atlas Life and Fire Insurance Office, London. .

Vile Sweating- CommlMlon. i Before the Sweating Commission a sub contractor asked for protection, as it fre- I quently happened that after doing their I work there was not sufficient money coming to the contractor to enable him to pay the sub-contractors. He asked that sub-contractors should be brought within the scope of the Workmens Wages ;Act so that they might be paid weekly, and the witness accepted a .request to consult his fellow sub-contractors and endeavor to make a proposal to the others.

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBURTON—TUESDAY.

■ [Before Messrs D. Williamson and . .. - A. Harrison, J.P.'s.] no ticket. ' ■ Daniel Reilly was charged with travel ling on the New 7. i: 'm: r.iil:.. i on the 11th April, and ■■■■.i■.:.'. ii- :>ass over the line on a false pretence. Xne charge set forth ihat the accused, not being. a j constable, had made use of a constable's :" route" to travel between Christchurch' ; and Ashburton. Mr Cr^sp appeared for accused. Constable Smart proved the arrest of accused at the express train on the 11th April. 'Oh searching him iio railway ticket was found upon liim. Sergeant Felton said that Reilly went to Christchurch on the 7th April to re ceive his discharge, which he did on the 10th inst: ' ." ' '.•„ ; ' Mr Crisp objected to tin's evidence as the Sergeant was not in a position to prove it. Witness continued —The case was gone on with under instructions from head quarters. Samuel Horsnell, guard on the railway, was in charge of the express on the 11th inst. Knew accused as a constable in Ashburton, On the 11th April, while passing through' the train to get the tickets saw Reilly among, the passengers. He handed witness a piece-of paper, which he took to be a police route. Handed io back to him and. passed on. Bade him "good morning" at the time he took the paper and asked him where he was off to. He replied "Dunedin." Noticed the paper was filled in in the usual way. Mr Crisp objected to evidence of j the document without the document itself. ' " Examination continued. —Reilly only said he was going to Dunedin. Understood him to be a member of the force, and did not of course ask Mm for his fare—about 325. The carriage was fairly full of passengers. Was satisfied on ' seeing Reilly in the carriage, not having heard of his discharge, that the passage .was bona fide. By Mr Crisp : Saw every ticket usually on the start of a train—whether long or short journey. Knew Reilly was a con stable, and not expecting a railway ticket from him, got a route. The blanks were filled in in writing, but did dot read them, and believed it was signed by MrPender; would not swear, however. It was usual for constables to travel either in uniform or in plain clothes on these routes. The business stated on the route witness could not say what purpose it fulfilled to the con stable, but to the guard it was proof that he was a constable aud entitled to travel. Sergeant Felton said the document pro duced was what was called a police route, and was given to constables who were travelling to pass them on the railway free. The duty on which they are engaged is entered on the route —whether in active police duty or on transfer. They are only signed by the officer in charge of the station. Accused had no right, to be in possession of it, and to have possession he must have stolen it. Could not swear that Reilly did not show a genuine doou-' ment, or that the document he did show J was not given by a properly authorised person. The Inspector was in Ashburton last week, and had ordered witness to prosecute.' ' ' ' Mr Crisp contended that in the absence of the Inspector and the document that ac used was alleged to have made use of, there was no evidence against his client. The Bench said the case must be dis missed simply for want of evidence.

The new palace of Mr George Yawl c.rl>ill oji the summit of one of the peaks of ilio Bluo Ridge is being proceeded with as rapidly as unlimited money can do it. The workmen are at present laying out the' innumerable drives, and are busy at landscape gardening on about as grand a scale as has ever been attempted. The site of ttie house is at an altitude of 250Q feet, and the facin-r I of the building will bj of limestone, whose very beautiful fawn colour will make the latter peculiarly waruUmtod. a«d inviting,

The Postal Rates.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

(Received April 22, 1.33 p.m.) Melbourne, April 22,

The Hon. P. T. Derham, Postmaster- General, is not inclined to accept the proposed reduction of colonial postal rates, as Victoria has already ■ incurred heavy loss in reducing inland, postages, and he considers any further concession in opportune. If, however,, the other colonies accept the proposalf^itfwould be invidious for Victoria $o stand out. . Brisbane; April 22. , The Postmastei'-C^ne'raP'statßS that he is unable to express dn opinion on ' the question until further information .has been received as to,'"W^at* loss the reductipn proposed m^eans^thecplony. Adelaide, April 22. It is understood .that; the Govern ment are likely to oppose any alteration, in the postal ratesirivolvijig-loss of revenue. ■•*';<-<.■>»..>, ...^

Sydney, April 22.

It is estimated that, if,tfie postages are reduced by all routes,! this colony will suffer'"a loss .'pf ' about '"£13,000 annually,. , The Gov^fnVgnf afait full details .before taking any steps In the matter.;-.- . -*,\- -r^^i-n,/ t-;W ■ '

The Government have not received any communication from the Agent-General. with reference'to'Mr'Gfosetien's proposed reduction of colonial postal rates. Mr Gray, Secretary of the Postal Depart ment, states that the question cannot be discussed until something, definite is heard from Homfe as (to the manner in which the colony is.tpfyerecouped,for the heavy' loss which it would sustain by adopting the' reduction. If it is not intended to recoup the Colony and the proposal is accepted,, the. serious question will be the one of ways and means to make up the deficiency,, .-and. Mr Gray. considers the present rates less burden some than^the imposition of a r special tax would be.! Howey(Br,;if the letter rate is fixed at 2£d he thinks it would-be better for New Zealand -to "jorajjAeJPos&l Union and then the question of the reduction of colonial* and intercolonial-! Jf rates ' would have to be', considered^A, reduction in this direction would necessary entail further loss to/the Colony.. Mr Gray doubts 'whether! thel Außtwdjan Colonies, all of which, except New Zealand, showed a deficency'in the postal revenue last year, will" accept,.the reduction. ?■ The Postal officials are now; engaged' inlpreparing a return showing to. jwJi&jC ejijsjafe£ the re duction would affect; this .Colony.^

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

[PJBR PRESS - ASSOCIATIOIf; ]

(Received April 22lM$L p.m.)

OBITUARY.

- t ,f "London, April 21. The death oflOliarles Pardon, the well-known cricket authority, is an nounced. ;' ■f'^Uj'U'' = ' '■'''

THE LABOR DEMONSTRATION.

Paris, April 21.; It is stated that owing to the violent conduct of the leaders at the recent Socialist meeting, the authorities in this city have been ordered, tp^suppreda the labor demonstration dn JMjay 1; •

FRANCE AND DAHOMEY.

The latest news from Dahomey is to the effect that' the French .beheaded five Amazons out of revenge for the beheading of four French sentries by ! Abomeyans. . , - ■i, ••*•

FRANCE AND EGYPT.

Ml"Lemoine, editor.of lfti^Debats," a republican.organ, in an article on. affairs in Egypt, advices France to dis miss the idea of 'Egypt being evacuated by the English as anempty dream, and says that it would be far better for France to submit to ;fche ines"fcable and cultivate the friendship ot- r England. He says that France created the posi tion, and the' spoils T belong to the victors. THE FLOODS. (Received April 22, at 1.33 p.m.) • ;... Sydney, April 22. The water remains stationary at Bourke, and it is expected that it will be three weeks befbrW it-commences to recede. Nine hundred women and children, are fiving under canvas at North Bourke, "where rations are served out daily. Many;6fithem -have been rendered destitute. North Bourke is now an island three miles square and about ten. feet aboveJughjwater.

England and Portugal.

[PER PKB3S>4BSOOIATIOM.>J

(Received April 22, i; 44 p.m.) London, April 21. Telegrams from Delagoa confirm the news that a large volunteer espedition has set out for ; Chiromo T in. the Shin? district.' ,'■-. f , w $ li \f

Zajntzibah, April 21. The Portuguese are vigorously boy cotting the English residents in Quil limane, a seaport of Mozambique.

How Grasparini Escaped

THE PRISONER'S NARRATIVE.

The "Centennial Magazine" has pub lished two articles embodying-tHe results of ah interview which the 1 writer, Mr E. J. Hart, states he had with the convict Gasparini, whosej mysterious escape from the s,B. Wakafipu a 1 ifew months ago ex cited so touch' interest.' In the second article we have the convict's account of how his escape,was effeqted.^ Ha says:— "Amongst those whbjjsred for the engines was a Genoese, who often used to come and talk with me because he could speak .the same language, linked him if there w?s no place'whlere he'could hide me in the engine room or the etoke-hole but:he said he:dared not, fop it would get him into'trouble. 'One <% when the watch changed I slipped,into. the. engine room and down below to look' alwut me, and noticing that the floor was formed of iron .plates I asked the Genoese what w§s under these" and he said 'nothing.' J remained there some tjme unseen, and, when no one was watching, I walked away astern j and found I was on>th'e|mnnel of the screw shaft, "When :I - wasfhalf-way towards the screw I stoppedl *tad tried to lift one of the plates, and foiuid that I could do so, and that there was room for me to; sit in though'it "was very dark and smelt badly, so I put backjihe plate, and still unseen came *>ut on'deck quietly. I felt satisfied, and began making my pre parations for. hiding there for a long time, though I thought I might never come out again. I could not get to where the pro visions were kept without being seen, and so could , only, managed to * secrete two onmgiis, .two apples/ arid; >twb Alices oi broad, ,-md then, kept, oil-waiting an§ wiloliing, allthe day:, and r a ii^,*it for a chan,ce to get down below,-but none came, and there Was always someone about. "At last, on the.Wednesdayymt four in the:/morning, when sthe, watch changed, I £he engineer in charge came on deck for a] 1 moment, ;md I made my attempt. Tho engineer tried to light his pipe—tlireo times I counted—but the win.d %w tk«

1-HS ASHBTJIMfON GUARD! LAN, TUESDAY, APBIL 22. 1890.



■ft <P ■ \ jHOGRAPHERS, > 218, High Street, Christchurch ~ £20 REWARD. IN consequence of the amount of Poach ing going on in the Creeks on the Lagmhor Estate, the above reward will belaid to anyonegiving information that will lead to a conviction. From this date No One will be per mitted to FISH in the Creeks on the Laehmhor Estate. , , * DONALD McLEAN 'Laghmor, Ist April, 1889. OW N E nld S Bilious and Liver Pills CURE Nervousness, Headache, Acidity, Heart burn, Pains between the Shoulders, Pa: pitation of the Heart, Interrupted Sleep, Harassing Dreams, Tendency to start, to be Frightened, Spasms, Flatulence, Cos iveness, Skin Eruptions, Impure Blood, and Bilious Disorders. Price —Is and 2s 6d. By post-free for 30 st*mpa. W. P. TOWNEND, Pharmaceutical Chemist, 183 Colombo Street, Christchurch. ASHBURTON HIGH SCHOOL." Established 1881. ; "PUHL of both sexes are taught' the Jl elements of a liberal educttion. Special subjects of study may be pur sued where circumstances require a de parture from the ordinary school course. Head Master : Mr J. E. Buchanak. Ist 8.A., (London), per term Fee for pupils over 12 years ; of age £3 3 0 Fee for pupils under 12 years of age 2 9 0 Music (extra) 110 The School year is divided into three erms. All fees are payable in advance. ~CHERTSEY SHEEP DIP. PABMBBS OF THE OHBBIBBY DISTBIOT. I Have much pleasure la stating that my tender for the OhLERTSEY DIP his been acoepted, and that I will use MUBTON & WHITES' PREMIER DIP throughout the season. I My man will be at the Chertaey tale yatdi every MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, and FRIDAY, during the Season com mencing MARCH 19th, from 8 o'clock till four. Prtoea for Dipping Id pee bead till 14th APRIL, l^d to 14tb MAY. I would strongly advise Farmers to Dip Eariy; lastiuottonß can ba left with Mr MoDowall, Gherteey. D. THOMAS, 3 84 AchburtoD ■ i (By Special Perm Woo of the Hon. the ' Colonial Secretary.) grandnomismatToal art union THE UnderaiuDed having decided, through special influential request, to difpose of his splendid and uneqmllsd OOLLEOTiON OF COINS on view in .h« Jix^ibitlon, bags to inform tho Pnbllc that Tiokot.! are now ready for ; isene 4000 MEMBRBS AT 10s EACH. Fibst Pbizg : Tho Collection of 2000 Coica ao now fxhlbilfid in Dansdin." Skojhd Pkizk : A Duplicate Collection of ttaa above, conaisling of about 700 Coins For pa^ticn^Hra soe ba' dbiile. Tho I;rawing will'bo under tl:e Huper vis'on of aa Ijifluaatial 0 .mnaittae of Gentlemen. For fu:ther par'icuiaTS opp y to HENRY ZANDER, /Ls >nna"t;'in Quod facimus valde facotus. J ("What we do we do well.") fTHE CHRISTCHURCH DENTAL .JL SURGERY Cashel Street, Christchurch, next Robin- i son's Boot Store, and at the Octagon, Dunedin. All operations at strictly uniform and moderate charges Consultation free. S. MYEES~ATro CO., SURGEON DENTISTS. NITROUS OXIDE GAS administered. This Anaesthetic leaves no unpleasant effects, and by its use the extraction of Bad Stumps and Teeth is rendered per fectly Painless and effective. Adminis tered daily. Fee for administration of &as, ss. Extraction, 2s 6d a tooth. Hours of attendance, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Private residence, 93 East Belt. The acknowledged superiory of AMERICAN DENTISTRY in the con struction of Artificial Teeth, the most finished workmaiiship, and replacing the most teeth TEMPORARILY ALMOST IMMEDIATELY after extraction, have . established our reputation, A single Artificial Tooth, 10s, complete set, Upper and Lower, Temporary and Permanent £10 103 ; Artificial Teeth and Dentures made by other dentists re- Bjodelled at small cost, Stepping, Scal mg Perfect and Painless stephen's'Tros! NOW having opened their Establishment IN BURNETT STREET Beg to intimate that they have been so fottunate as to have secured a egular supply of BUTTER & CHEESE FROM the well-known Dairies of Messrs Small, Wilson, and Horsey, so customers can rely upon getting their choico from any of those Dairies which we consider are equal to any in Canter bury. We also wish to draw attention to our TEAS, which are now just Blended, and we would like anyone who loves a re;tl good cup of tea to call for a sample. We have too in addition to the above a very nice assortment of CROCKERY AND GLASSWARE J3RUSHW ARE ETC., ETC. And any goods not kept in St cfc will if equired be procured promptly. Parcels -will be delivered and CusfconuWJ waited upon if desired. ... nva) mO\ TEPHENS "DROS fJD TEPHENS jDROS. Burnett Street.



Wanted. CW* Advertisements under this /wading, no . exceeding U.words, ONE SHILLING Addresses may le left at this Office. ~Y ONG Evening Gloves can be had at < JLJ Melford House.—H. G. Segers.. \\, ANTED Known.—A special pur *'' chase of choice Ladies' Hats at a desperate price.—W. H. Collier. 4t130 DANCE, n-r.-,-. TT. nl. Wednesday. First V :■ . r |;...... Gentlemen, 2s 6d ; Ladies' free. 4153 VI ; ANTED KNOWN—The " Strong s * Wear " Boot is the best for Men, Ladies, and Children.—W. H. Collier, "The Corner." WANTED every man in the County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds.—Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saver's Buildings. WANTED Known—For first class Drapery; if you want good value for your, money, go to H. C. Segebs, Melford House. WANTED KNOWN.—G. Fatot Dodds, Surgeon Dentist, will be absent on his usual quarterly visit to Akaroa, returning Friday May 2nd. ; ' . 4*154 W" " ANTED"ImOWN—Wsi. Smith will run passengers to Beach on Wednesday and Thursday, if inducement offers, return fare 3s, start 9 a.m. Pattman's Corner. 4 169 TTTANTED Known —One hundred VV and fifty Ladies'and Children's Ulsters bought a great bargain (good qualities), now selling very cheap—H. C. Segers. Melford House. WITH one of my Tweed overcoats or a Sewn seam Waterproof and a pair of my double-soled shooters on, you can smile at La, Grippe and Influenza as they pass.—Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing M<>rt, Saunders' Buildings. WANTED Known—The."Cheapest Shop to buy Tinware and, Gal vanised Iron goods in Ashburton, is at W. F. Hannaford's, Burnett Street. A large stock kept on hand. Tin and Iron ware goods made and repaired with, des patch. H EATING'S COUGH LOZENGES S.V cure Coughs, Asthma, Bronchitis. Medical testimony states that no other medicine is so effectual in the cure of these dangerous maladies. One Lozenge alone gives ease, one or two at bedtime ensures rest. For relieving difficulty of breathing they are invaluable. They contain no opium nor any violent drug. ( Sold by all Chemists, in Tins, Is l£d and s9d each. ti , ■ A~SHBURTON "DACEs! J\. JK WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY, ■' April 23 and 24. GENERAL HOLIDAYS. First Race each day at 1 p.m. Admission to Ground, Is. Band on the Lawn. 4 165 ASHBURTON RACING CLUB. AUTUMN MEETING, Aphtl 23 and 24. TRASSES will be issued at the Club 1 Room, Commorcial Hotel, This Evening from 7 to 8, and on arrival of morning trains-on Race days. 4166 G. BISSET, Secretary. "LOW VITALITY. DR CHURCHILL'S Syrup of Hypophosphite of Lime prescribed by the faculty for the cure of Consumption, Chronic Cough and General Debility. It contains two of the principal ingre dients'necessary for building up the Human Frame, and which are considered deficient in the above complaints, viz., t'Jbofyhorns and Li mo.. It cannot be too highly recommended for Delicate Children. Dr ChurchilTs Compound Syrup cf HYPOPHOSPHITES Is real Brain Food, and in. cases of Muscular and Nervous Exhaustion has acquired a world-wide reputation. Each bottle bears Dr Churchill's signature. Price, 4fr. Prepared only by OW ANN fiHEMIST OWANN, \J HE MIST, 12 Rue Castiglione, Paris_ WINTER ißqo. NEW ZEALAND NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTOKY. i CLOTHIERS OUTFITTERS TAILORS^ MERCERS' AND GENTLEMEN'S HATTERS. I TTATERPROOFS made to Measure V V A splendid variety of patterns to select iixm\ A BlanKets, Rugs, Eider Down Quilts at prices|U£suit|feverybody. Inspection Invitjgd.| NEW ZEALANP Clothing Factor/ W L ? PI WEBBER, Manage v GOVERNMENT LTFE INSUEANCE DEPARTMENT. -" LOANS ON MORTCACE. FEOM time to time a limited portion of the funds is lent ou first laortgugo of freehold i ■''..:.'' i "■.''., ■' V v fixed mr : -.i. 11.! 1: m. i vi. i . .-r ..." . ■>■.-■. t Hal*'yoarly Pflymont for each '£ 100. Period of Loan— £ s. a. twelve years ... ... 6 4 7 Fifteen years ... ... 58 9 Twenty yosts ... •■• 413 8 c.\ ,'• : i :■ . ' .i :■ i- •> .. ■ \ given time, and ou terms of a «iost.l-J.vouiH!iJe J character, present marked adyaataai« to settlors and others. , ■ , . i The borrower may, before tuo oxpny of tin; [ full period, R&deom the luan, with or without i notice, on terms yrhich can '.:<•." ;-.-..'-'■. ofilee, or at. .■. ' ' ■:.•■ i ."■ • : ' ' ' ' f where also, ..■■•! ji.-, :- .'•■..:• ; ■■ ■■ For full i>aj tieuUrs ab to Jiwjis uvj.uy lo un: J Head and Uranch Office* sv.cl lost Oliju.as. P. W. FBANKLAA'D, V.1.A., D CowmiSßJoner tvna GQvt, Actuary,