The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1890. POLITICAL CORRUPTION.

Mr Vincent Pyke, at one time a Government supporter, has been taking the Mount Ida electors into his con fidence, and has laid bare a few facts as to how the Atkinson Cabinet con trived to remain m power. Of course the, electors of the colony are aware t'HatJ the main strength of the Atkinson Ministry, paradoxical as it may seem, was its weakness. Having no policy of its own, the Cabinet picked up a policy on the floor of the House, and twisted <orid turned to every popular breeze. Thus, having no principle on which their conductcouldbe challenged, the House tolerated but despised the Ministry. The Ministry were pre pared at any time to do the bidding of a strong faction m the House, and when that faction became weakened were prepared to support their op ponents. Two sessions ago, however, and before party lines had become completely, obliterated, Mr Pyke states that the Ministry " v/ere m a tight place ; everything depended on the votes of two members as to whether the Ministry went out or not, and those two members were bribed to vote for Minister? - one by the promise of a seat m the Legislative Counci'^ the other by the promise of Gov ernment support for the construc tion of a railway." Now, although we have never had an exalted opinion of the Atkinson combination , and al though several of their administrative acts m regard to judgeshi^s and land disposal will not bear a too close scrutiny, we were not prepared to learn that they had stooped to bribery m order to retain political support. This statement from a If ,te supporter comes therefore as a sur p r i se , and shows the Ministry m a m' Js t unfavorable light. We have had p, lot of political bribery and corruption m New Zealand m the past, and the effects are now being felt by the over-bui-dened ratepayers; but we did think that, -when the coun try had been reduced to the serious straits m which it has been placed during the past few years, the patriot ism of every public man would rise superior to selfish ends, and that the substance of the country would no longer be wasted m buying support m order to perpetuate political log-rolling. Mr Pyke's statement has undeceived us. At a time when the Ministry were loud m their protestations to carry out drastic, retrenchment—when they were painting m the blackest colors alleged extravagances of the Yoge.ls, Stouts, and Ballances—when they were discharging clerks, and cutting down under-salaried Civil ser vants—when they were posing as the economical saviours of New Zealand ; while they were doing all this, and a lot more, the Retrenchment Govern ment were, m one case, offering to gv.ve a railway for a vote, and m another case to saddle the people with a life member of the Legislative Council if he would continue to support the Ministry through their term of office. This is a revelation which the electors of the colony will do well to lay to heart. Coming from one who was behind the scenes at the time of the occurrence, the truth of the statement cannot be doubted. This buing so, we ask what can the country expect by the return to power of the Atkinson Ministry, or any reconstruction thereof? Is it not time that men who are thus content to sacrifice the best, interests of the country for place and pay should be shown that the people can see through them ? Among all our legis lators are there none who catn supply the places of those who have thus grossly betrayed the publi.c trust? These are questions which the> electors are called upon to answer at tl le ballot box on the sth of next month,, and we look forward with confidence* to the answer.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Manchester Canal is nearly compietca i The total cost of the Forth Bridge was £3,322,940. A Cabinet Minister of Health is seriously proposed for England. Interlaken and Tlmn, Switzerland, will l)e connected by means of a canal. Russia proposes to keep Chinamen ou*> of Ussuri by levying a heavy tax on them. On the Black Sea 400 steamships have recently been loaded with wheat for Eng land. ' * . : \ A scratch match will be played on the I Domain cricket ground to-morrow (Wedues- ( day), play to commence at 2.30 p.m. The agent of the N.Z. Bible and Truest Society, notifies the arrival of airesh Bupply of new annuals and Christmas cards. I A man named Patrick Martin died I suddenly at Kerwee yeatcrdny, and the police are inquiring into the cause of his I death. In Arabia is a plant which has all the pro perties of laughing gas. The plant is known locally a« " the laughing plant." Luiz de Desendo, a Rio de Janeiro jeweller» has bought from Dom Pedro for £12,000 the jewels of the deceased Empress. A London bricklayer is said to have been left £200,000, by his brother, a contractor at. Falmouth, and he is distributing the money I among his family. It takes about three seconds for a message to go from one end of the Atlantic cable to the other—about seven hundred . miles a second. The export of canaries from Germn ny is very large. Every year about 130,0*00 of these birds are sent to America, 3000 to Eng land, and about 2000 to Russia. During last quarter 35 persons died m Sydney and suburbs at the age of 70 and upwards, one being 96 and one 93,. while eleven ranged from 80 to 86. Messrs W. H. Collins and Co. a jlvertise the arrival 'of some of the celebrate' i West port and Greymouth Coals. This is good news to some housekeepers. It took five and a half columns for the I " London Times " to give an editorial review of the late session of Parliament, and! then it wound up with the remark that the session was barren m beneficial results. The jubilee of the tonic sol-fa system will I occur next year, and it is proposed tc» cele brate the event chiefly by a monster igather ing of tonic sol-fa vocalists at the fCryatal Palace m the course of the summer. Doctor (to patient)—" I do nofc wish to frighton you, but if you have no obj jection I'd like to call m a couple of my brother physicians." Irascible patient—-"AH right! If you need any assistance m murderii lg me, call m your accomplices." A detective m the Victorian polle* , who I was m Dtmedin on duty during tb« « xhibi lion season, has experienced a slice of 1 uckin mining speculations m Ballarat by whi eh he is now receiving £75 a month m dividends. An old bachelor says that giving the ballot to women would not amount to anj thing practically, because they would keep deny ing they were old enough to vote until they got to be too old to take any inter* st m politics. Lord Derby addressing the science sfcrt dents at Liverpool the other day observed th»t, having known many men, he believed the happiest lives were those which had been devoted to science. A number of represen'fcaf ives of Swiss -and 'other Continental ban.ks recently met at Berne, under the Presidency of M. Hammer, to deliberate oh the* issue of a loan of 20,000,000f for the purchase of Swiss rail ways by the confederate m. j {Major Steward has jnsr t finished his second trip through the Waima" te electorate, having addressed well-attended meetings at Redclifi" on Wednesday ; Albur y, Thursday ; Cave, Friday ; and Aclair, Sad .urday evenings. He has been well received at all tliese pkce3 and accorded votes of than ks and confidence. It is stated thf.t an inventor named Miller has sold to the MeOw mick Reaper Company; for £20,000 the.rig Tat to a machine which' will make out of " 'ordinary slough grass " 100 feet of binder ti vine m one piece, tliegost of the whole, rolled up, being only a quarter of a cp\it a pouucl— -or four pounds for a half-; pcur a y, English mo aey. The inquest on t lie late Marsala Cowan was concluded atCh rC!:i yesterday afternoon. The evidence shelved that deceased's stomach contained no trac«3 of poison. The verdict returned was ik at deceased died from injuries she receiv ed by her husband taking her by the throat., she being m a weak state of health. The Coroner committed Cowan on a charge of ma nslaugeter, and fixed bail, self m £250, and two suretie3 of £250. A Dress rehearsal of " Ashore and Afloat } took place last cy 'ening at the Oddfellows Hall, when Mrs J. J. Kennedy and Miss May Hartle, .Irom Christchurch, were present. The pc rformera were all well up m their parts, ajict the performance was gone through without a. hitch. The scenic effects so essential to the success of a drama of this character were .everything that could be desired, while the dresses bore evidence that no expense had bee n spared to make the play worthy of the amateurs and professionals taking part m it. 3?he first performance will take place this evening, when it is expected, the object being a be nevolent one, there will be a bumper house. The entertainment takes place under th© auspices of the local Lodge of Druids.

SIR GEORGE GREY ON THE SITUATION.

Sir Geokge Grey addressed a large gathering of Auckland electors on Thursday. The aged knight was by no means m a fib state of health for the task, and had he obeyed the advice of his medical adviser and friends he would not have made the effort. But though' infirm of body, the aged politician has lost little cf his mental activity, and he was upon the plat form and addressing the people before his friends realised the position. The address on thia occasion was not very J different from the many that have preceded it. The same yearning appeal for the settlement of the people on the land was made \ the lightening of the burden of taxation from the shoulders of the masses was eloquently advocated; and the taxation of those who can afford: to pay was made the subject of special appeal. These are matters upon which Sir George Grey feels strongly and speaks strongly, and he can carry his audience with him when doing so. In the House, it is true, his influence is on the wane, but his power over the pebple has not abated one jot; and although ill and sufferingon Thursday evening, he was frequently applauded both for the soundness of his views and the eloquenqe with which they were expressed. Referring to the modern conception of the pros perity of a country, he forcibly pointed out that it was possible for a country to be financially prosperous, and the lot of the people anything but enviable. " The produce of a country/ said the speaker, " might be really wonderful, but if th« produce had to pass into a few pockets, and not be distributed amongst the multitude, then the greater the wealth of the country the greater the poverty of the masses of the inhabitants." This remark was in tended as a rebuke to those who point with pride to the growth of New Zealand exports, and the lessening of imports. Sixteen hundred persons own 18,000,000 acres of the richest land m Few Zealand, and if these persons derived all the advantage of increased exports the worthy knight remarked that, outside of this select circle, there was not much cause for rejoicing., Under the Property-tax, Sir George contended, this land was not fairly reached, while the owners derived all the benefits of the country's public works and natural wealth. He would abolish this tax—a tax upon the in dustry-and enterprise of New Zealand —and place the burden upon the land. " He wanted to tax the land only, and to exempt all improvements created by the farmer's labor. Every man m New Zealand would then know that he had this charter of lights—that whatever he made by his own labor was his own, and that he paid no tax upon it. All they Would have to pay on would be the bare value of the land. The rich men would then have to pay m the same way, but this they did not like, for they saw that while they might only pay Id an acre now, yet by and by they might have to pay 2d an acre. The poor man could readily pay 2d, or even 6d, an acre on his small section, but to the owner of 100,000 acres it would be a very serious tax. That was why they would not consent to such a tax unless it included improvements as well. The land tax might bemade to produce £150,000 a year. An income tax on bondholders would produce £100,000 a year. This would be gained by extending the field of taxation so as to include every income derived from New Zealand. An income tax on colonial incomes would realise another £150,000 a year An income tax on private incomes beyond the colony would produce £80,000. This would give a total sum of £480,000 m place of the £355,000 raised by the property tax." In addition to this change m the incidence of taxation Sir George Grey advocates . rigid retrenchment, and ridicules the retrenchments already made as totally inadequate to the requirements of the colony. The system of government was altogether too costly and elaborate for the require ments of the colony, and he advocated a 'return to simpler modes of local self government. From the foregoing necessarily brief resumh of the latest utterance of the Knight of Kawau, it will be seen that he has thrown his lot m. with the policy advocated by the Opposition, and that, should his health permit him to return to the House— his election is almost certain—he will be found fighting side by side with the leader of the Liberal Party m his endeavour to adjust the incidence of taxation so that it will fall with less vigor upon the bulk of the people. At the same time the aged Knight will be no party to a confiscation policy, and m the endeavour to settle the lands, would approve of a scheme to buy back the greater part of the land from those who now hold a monopoly, and appor tion it out to the people m reasonable sized blocks. Without close settle ment, Sir George Grey realises that the colony cannot much longer stagger, on under its heavy burden of taxation ; and he foresees that if the land con tinues to be held m large blocks by few individuals, there will never be that industi-ious population m New Zealand without which it cannot go ahead

ASSHBURTON FIRE BRIGADE.

A special meetiug of the Ashburton Fire Brigade was held last night m the Brigade's reading room at which the Mayor, Mr D. Thoma3, presided, and among the visi tors present were Ors Bird and Paul, Mr Alfred Harrison was croupier, and there were several old members of both Brigades present. The occasion of the meeting was the presentation to seven firemen of long service medals, and after the Mayor had proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, and Mr Harrison had, m a neat speech, given the Borough Council, which the Mayor acknowledged, the real business of the evening was proceeded with. The Mayor, m acknowledging the toast, pointed out the happy relations subsisting between the Brigade and the Council, Mid referred to the many improvements that had taken place m the plant, and to the very superior character lof the Brigade as firemen. There was on the table at that moment a cup that had been won at Wellington by a team of the Brigade, and the townspeople of Ashburton were proud indeed of the winning of that cup. Cr Bird proposed the "Ashburton Fire Brigade" m a happy speech, which was responded to by Engineer Dolman. The Mayor then said it was his duty and pleasure that night to present seven long service medals to members of the Brigade. It was all very well to join the Brigade and remain m it for a year or two, and then leave it. But the man who stood to it for

five years, and earned his medal by hard 5 work, showed that he meant it. The Mayor, with a kindly and suitable word to each, presented the medals to Lieutenant A. A.--Pooka, Foreman Joseph Miles, Fireman J. R. Steele, Fireman J. L. Brown, Secretary C.: Rracldoll, Fireman-R. Minimi, Fireman E. J. Fooks. The Mayor'was speciallycomplimentai-y to Messrs Steele, Tirown, and Bi-addell, mem bers of the old Western Fire Brigade, and who were men m middle life. -Mr Samson proposed the toast of tlie three old members of the Western Brigade, which wa» duly acknowledged by Messrs Braddell, Steele, and Brown. ; Other toasts follbwedvahd m tlie course of" speeches made m reference to them, the name of Mr G. H. St. Hill, an old Ashbur ton resident, received kindly mention for services rendered to the "Western Fire Brigade m its earlier days. In the course of the evening songs and recitations were given by the members and visitors, and the meeting closed shortly after ten.

SPORTING

ASHBURTON RACING CLUB

SPRING MEETING.

(By ''White Choker." The Spring Meeting of the above Club will be commenced to-morrow, and, favored with propitious weather, a splendid day's racing may be looked for. The fields are, numerically speaking, very good, no lesa than fifteen horses having accepted for the Winder mere Handi cap, while fourteen are contented to re niain m the District Welter, and eleven m the Maiden Plate. T&e .fiijtet race of the day, the Handicap Hurdle Race, for which five are expected to face Mr Thomas, will start at 1 o'clock, so that visitors^ from Christchurch and Timaru Will be m ample time to. see the first race. Romulus heads the list m the Hurdles with list 71b, wid, indeed, must have a big say, if all there. He certainly did not run up to expectation at Christchurch last week, but his |field here is of a somewhat different class. However, Ido not think ho will win,; but be awfully near it. College Boy, with 9st 121 b, com mands my respect, and I expect him to b& returned the winner. Ruapehu has been running very indifferenfcy, and The Don, although possessing a fair amount of foot, does not at all please me with his leaping ability. I saw The Druid win hurdle races nine years ago, so I think excepting the race be run very slow his show will be small. I place them— College Boy, Romulus, The Don. Re garding the Maiden Plate, I am m a some what awkward predicament, the abilities of the contestants, save a couple, being un known^ to me, so to plump, I place them —Lady Zetland, Breadalbane, Calm. The excitement over the Maiden Plate having cooled down, the bell will be rung for 1-the Ashburtori Cup. Rosebud, Bst 81b, heads the list, but I doubt her ability to concede 91bs to Diadem, although, of course, the race will have to be run a bit faster thsm the Oaks for Diadem to win, as with that time Rosebud would run away from her. Diadem has but 7st 131 bto carry, and with the ser vices of Derrett, which she will, probably have, I think should just about win. Richlake, I do not care for, and although Martha is reported to be doing good work, and her party are very sanguine, from them I differ. Bay King, 6st 81b, is nicely handicapped, and if any horse troubles Diadem it will be he who will do it. Sprinting seems to.be his/orte;'bat, how ever, I think his light impost should enable him to get the distance. Having criticised all, it behoves me to plump for one, and I freely believe that the num bers will indicate the positions placed m the Ashburton Cup to be—Diadem, Bay King, Rosebud. .For. the Windermere Handicap I place them—Mail Boy, Prima Donna, Pennine. Tho Novel Race should be won by Hebrew Maid, with Goldfinch second, and Emma third. The Spring Handicap—Yon Tempsky, Heather Bell, Liberator. The Dis trict Welter—Pennine, Martha, Jack.

"The Plunger," favours us with the following tips—Hurdles : Romulus, Col lege Boy ; Maiden : Calm, Lady Zetland ; Cup : Rosebud, Diadem ; Handicap : Red Cross, Mail Boy ; Spring Handicap : Yon Tempsky, Bay King ; Novel Race : Duchess of Albany ; Welter Handicap : Don, Martha.

, Carbine's win m the Melbourne Cup made his eleventh win m succession, and 29 wins out of 36 races he started m since the previous Melbourne Cup, a record which entitles him to be regarded as the premier of his tribe. " TeleniachuK," the talented contributor to the " Argus," m a well-written introduction to the account of the Cup race and its surroundings appearing m that journal pertinently asks whether such a victory as Carbine has achived should be passed over with the poor and psltry presentation of plate whiah forms the Gup trophy. He suggests that it is utterly inadequate to the Occasion —no proper accompaniment to a FlemingtonCup Day gathering, or a £10,000 money prize, and to such a horse and such a victory. Carbine, he says, ought to be set up m bronze at Fleming ton to stand m perpetual commemoration of this yejir's great race.

Horse Market.

Mr T. Bullock reports for the week ending Saturday, November 15th. Fifty-two horses were yarded, out of which twenty-three were sold. Draught geldings, of a good stamp, five and seven years old, brought £22, £22 10s; six year olds, of a light stamp, £14, £14 10s, and £10 10s ; four year old, light, £11 15s; aged, £5, £6, *'610s, £7 15s ; light harness horses, £8 10a, £8 15s; others, £4, £4 15s; hacks, £4 ss, £4 10s, £4 10s, £5 ; inferior sorts changed hands at from £1 15s to £2 ss. Sundries—Collars, names, and *vinker%, 15s to £1 per set; saddle and bridle, £1 10sJ; spring cart, £9 10s.

Strawberries as Medicine

Besides being most exquisite m taste, strawberries are acknowledged to be particularly beneficial to the health, and especially so to those' subject to rheu matism and gout. They are also " beau tifiers." They whiten the teeth better than any dentrifrice, and they soften the skin when used instead of soap. Hence the reason they were used m baths by the coquettes of the last century. As health restorers, strawberries cool the liver and blood, and exhilarate droop ing spirits. Ulcers may be cured by being washed with the juice of straw berries. And nothing can be better to relieve red and inflamed eyes than straw berry juice. In fact, to bathe continually with it will take away any redness of the skin, or spots, and make it wonderfully clear and smooth. Strawberries make excellent tonic drinks, syrups, and lotions, but they are not recommended m fevers. In Rome, the small wild strawberry is preferred, and is both washed and eaten with wine. Large strawberries* Such as we see m England, are unknown m Italy. There is a large strawberry; however! called ananas, m Rome, but it has no flavour. It looks pretty, but that is all

An Amusing Candidate.

One of the candidates for-New 'Ply mouth, Mr E. M. Smith, is a political corner-man, and the report of his address to the electors supplies a refreshing variety from the solid, very solid, matters sup plied to the readers of newspapers by the average candidate. We gather that he is a businessman interested m iron sand,

and has an intention of goim; Home to float, a company to work the sand and other minerals m the district. He made frequent reference to " Avhen I go to Eng to float my big company," and asked the electors to return him as their represen tative because l*iL would be one of the grandest things that ever happened to the colony. Look what a grand adver tisement it would bo for the colony when he went Home to float his Company- He could say at one time he waa lighting lamps and watering streets m New Ply moufchi now ho was an M.H.R. This would show how a man could rise m th'a colony. Abe Lincoln rose from the ranks; and although perhaps he was not Abe Lincoln, he had men from the ranks." In another reference to his origin he said, Voltaire had expressed the wish that if he could be born again he would like to be born m England ; but it was not so with him, its ho would like to be born m the land of his adoption ; and al though he cculd not lay claim toTaranaki as his birthplace, yet there were fourteen of his progeny who could.' That gave him a greater stake m Hie country than many a wealthy absentee had. Several of his opinions .were quaintly expressed. He advocated a tax on the " raw " and unimproved value of land. A tax of 3d per acre on unimproved land, 2d on grass land, and Id on land under crop, would, be considered, be a fair and equi table mode of taxation. He would like to see people settle on the land, 1 and riot leave the country, as they did last year to the number of 11,000, who went out of the back door, the Government winking at it. The harbour is the most important local matter at New Plynlouth. * Mr Smith would like to see +U the harbours made national property, like the railways, "but until the big harbour boards got into the same muddle as we are m at New Plymouth, they could not hope for such a thing." He had a fondness for ''poetry " and every now and then remarked that "he could not do better, thanjjuote"Bome appropriate poetry "r^-some 0f it ap parently home-made. A very' large audience, including many ladies, gathered to listen to Mr Smith, as though antici pating much amusement, and were not disappointed. An opponent at the close moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Smith " for his agreeable entertainment," but Mr Smith, while being amusing, is not a fool and spoke sensibly on many sub jects, and the audience rejected the satirical motion and thanked him m the usual way. ;

The Money Panic in England.

[per press association.]

London, November 1?. Baring Bros, is the financial house which is m difficulties. Their liabili ties are put at twenty-one millions, but the estate shows a surplus Of three millions. The Bank of Eng land, the Rothschild and other lead ing houses guarantee ten millions. The Government is supporting the Bank to the extent of two* millions. The liquidation of the estate will ex tend over three years. The prompt action of the Bank has reassured the market, and Stocks are recovering. ' The " Standard " is the only paper , ■'which mentions the Barings' firm's name. There was considerable commotion on the American and Continental Ex changes upon the receipt of the neAvs of the Barings' difficulty, "which \vas caused b}^ Russian withdrawals. The Bank of England borrowed four or five I millions m France, Russia, and Brazil to enable it to meet the crisis. The British Grovernmeni is, • prepared^ to advance two millions, and to permit [ the. suspension of the Bank Act, but these precautions will probably ;be needless, and it is not thought likely j there will be any further trouble.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[fur press association,]

London, November 17. The Irish party are opposed to Mr Parnell's retirement, and Mr Dillon' considers it impossible. Stanley's Zanzibar servant states that Jameson himself handed the girl whom he bought to the cannibals. . It is proposed to prosecute Messrs Troup, Ward, and Bonny to elicit the truth about Bartellot and Jameson.' * Fifty bodies of those lost m the wreck of H.M.S. Serpent have been recovered. The Duke of Edinburgh is expected to preside at the court-martial inquiry into the loss of the ship. Berlin, November 17. There are now fifteen hundred foreign doctors m Berlin studying Dr Koch's discovery. He calls his specific Paratoloid.

AUSTRALIAN

Melbourne, November 1,7. The slaughtermen have struck against working with free laborers.; Sydney, [November 17. A race between Stansbury and McLean for £200 aside was rowed this afternoon. The former, though not m good health, started favorite. McLean, who was m the pink of condition, obtained a good start, but at Uhr's Point his opponent led by three lengths.: Grossing to- the northern shore the water*was very lumpy, and Stansbury • began to lose ground. McLean gradually drew level, and for some time the men were pulling stroke for stroke. McLean passed the mile beacon half a length ahead. By this time Stansbury was showing signs, of distress and McLean quickly increased his lead till off the gas works 'he was twenty lengths m front.. StWßbury then gave up. The winner's time was 23min. 43|sec.: ;

INTERPROVINCIAL

■ The fir;t nomination for *ha Tiuiaru seat Jjas been advorfcisod— Messrs W Hh|l Jones, and P. E. Thoreau, ex-cou stable. Mr Thoreau makes the fifth can didate. A child, eleven months old, died m convulsions consequent upon being nearly i.iwnod by over balancing into °n, mnnll tub of water. It apparently roovered, but died twelve hours tater. , DimnsDix, JNbvembur 17. ihe second match bol-.vocu Duncan C. R'sss and Harry Dunn, fchis.,tu#q, fplVl prizo of £50".sub>:cnbo;l by some members of the Caledonian Society, Started this evowing. At eleven o'clock* only two rounds had been . finished,- each amn . having secured a fail. Dunn secured the fall m tho American side-hold, and Host m the catch-as-catch-can. In' the cotlar and-elbo-,y struggle which continued nearly an hour, when no "fall being secured and it being nearly midnight, it explained that it was obviously impossible to bring the match to a cotfclpuoii that night, and the men decided to commence de nova next week.

Wellington, November 17, Mr Fatman, of the^Public |Works De partment;, conductor, of the Operatic Society, was thrown out of his buggy at Lambton Quay to-night, a steam-roller frightening the horse. He sustained, serious injury, concussion of the brain, and was taken to the hospital unconscious. A horse trainer named Millar was thrown off his Horse this evening, and seriously hurt, being picked up m an unconscious state. The stay of the German squadron m Wellington will probably extend ever three or four weeks. Some new officers are on their way out from Germany by .the Kaiser Wilhelm 11., which is about due at Sydney, and are to join the squad ron before it leaves New Zealand waters. Chkistchurch, November 17. i; A man named Christian Hansen, a resident of Oxford was found hanging from the rafteis of: a shed tlfis morning. Tlie manner suggests suicide. No reason is assigned for "tlie act. De ceased was anxious on the previous day to have his name on the roll so that he could exercise the franchise on the sth. TntAßu, November 17." Mr D. M. Ross has been re-elected un opposed as Mayor for a third term,

Latest Cable N efts

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[per press association]

[Received November 18,10.30 a.m.]

THE O'SHEA DIVORCE CASE.

London, jNovem'ber 17. In the Divorce Court to-day, m the case O'Shea v O'Shea and Parnell, a domestic servant, formerly m the employ of Captain O'Shea at Brighton, gave evidence, to the effect that Mr ■Parnoll visited Mrs O'Shea under an assumed name, and that oh one occa sion he made his escape :by a window owing to the unexpected arrival of Captain O'Shea. The, jury found Mr Parnoll guilty of adultery with.Mrs , O'Shea, and a decree niri was granted.

AUSTRALIAN

(Received Nov«mber 18, 10.30 a.m.) DISCOVERY OF LIMESTONE. Kyj>ney, November 18. A valuable discovery of limestone has been made m Mount Pleasant Colliery, Illawarra, which is said to be little inferior to English limestone.

LOCK-OUT OF COAL MINERS

At a meeting of delegates of . Nor thern, Western and Southern miners it was decided that the latter were locked out, and they recommend working miners to pay 5 per cent- ofc wages for their support. . j

CHARITIES CONFERENCE.

Melbourne, November 18. The Intercolonial Charities ; Con ference has concluded its sittings. A motion was carried recommending th© establishment of labor colonies' .on a similar plan to those established by Germany.

A STORMY PASSAGE.

Hobart, November 18. Arrived, barque Loongana, 44 .days from Auckland. For thirty days she had most tempestuous -weather, and the captain asserts that in' the whole of his experience, extending over a num ber of years, lie never had seen worse.

Masonic Dissensions.

[per press association.] ■Wellington, November 18. A circular dated yesterday baa boen addressed by Karl Onslow, P.G.W., to Masters of all Maeonie lodge* -whUh haver' not ye& joined the' New Zvalaiid 'Consti fcion. lh it says be has witnessed with pain and regret tbe dissension which has arisen through the conflict of opinion m the colony on the subject of a Grand Lodge among Masons ; and to the outside world these dissensions cannot but throw doubts on the sincerity of Masonic 5 pro fessions. It is even to be feared that; circumstances might arise which would necessitate appeal to thekweourta to settle matters m dispute among the lodges as to property belonging to the craft. tfnder these circumstances, as the only Past Grand Warden of England m New Zea land, he ventures to hope some steps may speedily bo taken to, put an end to the existing state cf things. He then goes on to point out that the ; establishment *nd recognition of all other Grand Lodges of such a body as a Grand Lodge m, New- Zealand is nothing, new' m Australasia. These bodies work m perfect harmony with the Grand Lodge of Igngland, and by their vigorous independence add to the vitality and catholicity of Freemasonery ■ throughout the world. The Grand Lodge of New Zealand would be 119 innovation, and would reflect no stigma on the loyalty of Freemasons., , The position of District Grand Masters is a difficult one,and what ever action they may have taken on this question must be looked on as the exercise of their plain duty to the Grand Lodge, whose officers they are. Although this matter must not be discussed m open. lodge, members might discuss the matter among themselves with a viow to ascer taining each other's opinions.' In:con clusion, he invites an expression, of views on the matter, and says personally he shall esteem it a privilege to be able to assist the cause of Masonry m New Zea land, and if liis feelings of regret were only shared by the brethren of al|.con stitutions throughout the colony, he will be prepared to suggest a plan which he is very hopeful will result m the restoration of proper Masonic feeling betwetn the several constitutions. ' '

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS

[PEK PRESS ASSOCIATION.] ' Wellington, November 18. The lonic, from London, ,viawajrport«, arrived m harbor at 5.40 a.m. this morn ing. Her voyage occupied 44 days 21mins,.and the* total steaming time 42 days 17 hours 46min. She brings 128 passengers, 18 bags mails, 28 boxes parcel post, 2000 tons cargo for New Zealand. During the passage Mrs T. Young, a saloon passenger, for Sydney^, died of inflammation of the bqwefe; "otherwise the trip was uneventful; ' '■'■ Accident* m WftilMftna. Mr Putnam, thrown from his buggy last night, stijl lies m an unconscious state at the hospital. -. : Miller, who was admitted to the Hospital last night, apparently suffering from the result of being thrown from a vehicle, recovered consciousness '' this morning, and was discharged from the institution. , , . SalCtdc. Nelson, November 18. George Steadman, a miner at the Baton, aged 70, committed suicide on Friday by blowing his head to pieces with a dyna mite cap. He. was getting past work, and dreaded falling back, on the Charit able Aid Board. He has been melancholy for some time past.

Tfffl ASMtTBTON ffilAßDlAff; TUESDAY, NOYEMMB IS, 18^0.



It is said that the Bay of'lslands Coal Company intend to call » meeting of 'share holders for the purpoue of takiug steps to reduce the capital of the Company. It is proposed to write off £30,000 of the nominal capital, thus reducing the £10 shares to *2!oseach.



I The first trial of agricultural machinery for this season took place at the Dookie Experimental Farm yesterday. The trial} which had to be postponed from last week m consequence of the wet weather, proved a most important one, and the s result was awaited with considerable interest. The crop experimented upon during the trial was a very awkward one to handle, heuvy and low down through the wet. The result of the trial was that the reaper and binder used by the Massey Manufacturing Com pany, of 512, Little Collins street, was ad judged to have gained first prize, with the Hornsby machine second, and the Deering third. Eighteen machines were on the ground, and the competition was very keen. The winning firm is the one which has pre sented the grand champion prize of Austra lia, to be shortly competed for at Ballarat under the auspices of the Ballarat Agricul tural Society, the contest for which will be the moat important trial of reapers and binders which has ever taken place m Australia. The prize has to be won three years, or else two years m succession, before becoming the property of any competitor.— v Melbourne Herald," October 30th, 1890. We clip the following important testimo »ial from the " Ilia warra Mercury "(N.S.W., | of the 30th March. It needs no comment :— " Mr John Loveday, of the Bulli Mountain, writes to us that after suffering for four years with acute gravel, he has experienced almost j complete relief by using Sander and Sons' Eucalyptic Extract. He says:—'' Seeing the said Extract advertised m the ' Illawarra Mercury,' his intense suffering induced him to obtain a bottle of the medicine from Mr Hosking, chemist, of this town, and that the use of it gave him great relief at once. He states that between 10th March inst., when he obtained the first bottle of the extract, and the 19th, the use of that medicine continued to afford him relief, to which he had been a stranger for four years. Mr Loveday writes also that he has found the Eucalypti Extract <i cure for rheumatism as if ell as gravel. He requests us to publish this information through the' Mercury.' We have much pleasure m complying with Mr Loveday's request, whose word cannot be doubted, and who can have no object m view other than a pure desire to benefit suffering humanity. "—(Advt.) 2 Holloway's Ointment and Pills — Soldiers and Sailors.—These well known and easily used remedies are especially service able and convenient for those who, like soldiers and sailors, are exposed to great changes of climate, and the hardships in separable from their calling. Many of the diseases engendered m the system from these and other outoward causes can be checked and controlled by attention at their onset, and m Holloway's remedies will be found a ready means of relief, without hinderance from duty. Many a man is invalided and rendered more or less a burden to himself and friends from neglect of th« early symptoms of his compiaint, which calamity might be averted by timely resort to the use of Hoiloway'e Fills Wjd Oiutmen



HOPE FOR THE DEJAF, A Person cured of deafness and n»oises m the Head of long standing), by a simple Remedy, will he glad to forward a description of it free to anyone who applies. The most as tonishing cui'es have lately been effected, by the same remedy. Address: Nicholson, 175 Willisun Street, Mel bourne, i



WANTFD I CASH Advertisements under this heading; not; exceedin SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be ' loffc at this Office MEIIiCAN Ice Cream ! American ' Ice Cream daily at U. 6. Flower's, Confectioner. Ice kept m stock. W* ANTED—Situation for a young; girl (liaht work preferred). Apply by letter. Address "J.C.," "MaiV Office, Ashburfcon. 11 56 V V.' ANTJvD to purchase a'small cottage yV and..land (cheap) for cash; m town. Address A.8.C., " Mail" Office. 41 97 . . ; . irnSSAYS on Socialism by various jpj authors Is 6d, Mount Eden, 2s 6d, Love ard Mirage, 2s 6d, thtuugh th<j Dark Continent,"4s 6d.--H. M. Jones. ~'"~ANTEt)~ltn()wn—Tlir™StrmiJ. wear " Boot is the best for Men, adies and Children.—W. H. Colliek. W'; ANTED"Knowii"-Ladics Stockings with Silk Toes and Heels in' black and colors. Is 6d per pair.—W. H. Collier. OOTS, BOOTH. r 'lveop yom feet Dry and save Doctor's Bills, hare a splendid Stock m now. Try my Double-soled Shooters. Every pair Guaranteed. Robert Axcorn, Ashbur ton Clothinjr Mart, Saunders' Buildincs. "t ITANTED"Known. - For Dress StuiiiT, YV Prints, Ac, Trimmings to match go to Mclford House. Best value m town. —H. C Segers. WTNTED Known —For Sheetings Tabliiigs, Calicoes, Quilts, Towels, Table NapkinS, Tray Cloths, D'Oyleys, &c, go to Melford House.—^H. C. Skgers. WANTED every man m the County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds.—Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings. WANTED Known.—For first-class Millinery and Drapery (marked cheap) go to Melford House. New Goods ust opened.—H.C. Segers. WA.NTEl)^nolra^"The Cheapest Shop to buy Tinware and Gal vanised Iron goods m Ashburton, is at W. F. Hannapord's, Burnett Street. A arge stock kept on hand. Tin and Iron ware goods made and repaired with des patch.



FOR SALE. TWELVE McCORMICK WIRE JL BINDERS. All m perfect work ing order. CHEAP 10*144 FRIEDLANDER BROS. O. '17fiorht<>n !>nclley LAND, ESTATE AJsD STOCK AGEXT 161 Hereford Street, Christchuroh 1 have sums of •" uey to lend on good security at low rates of interest. Severa arms for Sale. NEW ANNUALS AND CHRISTMas CARDS. "[UsT Arrived—Boys-Own Annual, »\ Girls' Own Annual, Chatterbox, Sunday, Child's Own, British Workman, Band of Hopo, Children's Friend, Young England, etc., at N.Z. Bible Tract and Book Society's Depot, East Street. ___ j 11 107 NOTICE. SPECIAL BANK HOLIDAY. "DURSUANT to the terms of the X '' Banks and Bankers' Act, 1880," and the "Banks and Bankers' Act Amend ment Act, 1882," WEDNESDAY, the 19th day of November, 1890, is hereby appointed a Special Bank Holiday at the Ashburton and Rakaia offices of the undermentioned Banks :— For the Bank of Australasia, E. W. MORR4H, Inspector. For the Union Bank of Australia, Ltd., JOSEPH PALMER, Chief Officer New Zealand. For tho Bank of New South Wales, W. G. RHIND, Inspector. For the Bank of New Zealand, J. M. BUTT, 11*68 For the General Manager. /^vDDFELLOWS' O~ALL, V_/DDFELLOWS' JLIALL, ASHBTJETON Tuesday AND Wednesday NOVEMBER 25th and 26th. AMATEUR OPERA, " PATIENCE " Admission : 4s, 3s, and 2s. Box Plan at W. Zander's for Reserved Seats. N B.—The Committee of this Opera, having gone to an expense of £100 m order to produce it m a thoroughly efficient manner, trust to merit the support of the country and towri residents. ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, TINWALD. SOCIAL LECTURE BY BISHQP_JULIUS. THE Aunual Social Gathering will be he held m the TEMPERANCE HALL, On MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1890. WELCOME TO THE BISHOP. The Bishop's Lecture, Musical Selections, Glees, Anthems, ntc. Refreshments provided. Tickets, Is6dench As the Hall is rather limited m me, early application for tickets will be neces sary. Tickets may be procured from Mr j Gudsell, Tinwald ; Mr W. T. Soal, Water ton ; Mr Hesaltine, Ashburton, Doors open ,ifc 7.30. Commence .it 8 o'clock^ 11 91 SOMERSET LIVERY STABLES. JOHN NEWMAN, .Proprietor. rr HESE old established and favorite JL central Livery Stables are now m my hands, .and it will be my constant nffort to again bring their business into the front rank, and make these Btablea what their position and accommodation warrant them— THE PREMIER LIVERY STABLES of the Ashburton County. Buggies, Traps, Saddle Horses, etc., al ways on hire, with skilful drivers ready at the shortest notice. Open or Close Carriages for Wedding or other parties. Cabs at any hour, day or night. LOOSE BOXES for Htallions and race horses. Country customers are guaran teed every accommodation at the lowest current- rates. JOHN NEWMAN, Proprietoa. TO STAND THIS SEASON AT GROVE FARM, TINWALD, The Tkoroitohbbed Horse, Perkin Warbeck 11, By Perkin Warbeck (imp), dam Miss Kate (imp), the dam of Antelope, Sultan, and Prime Warden. For full pedigree see cards. For further particulars apply Groom m oharge, or EDWARD GATES, Grore Farm, Tinwald. ■j. _- ""fo O A PER DAY to'be ojx SZ>\Jl made by person of either sex' m their own localities, at work for us. New business. All meet with wonderful success. Any one can do the work. Capital not required. We will start you Outfits worth £1 mailed free. JThe employment is particularly apapted •o the region m which this publication sirculates. Boys and girls earn nearly as much ?.s men. Full particulars and in structions mailed free. Now is the time —don't delay, but write to ua at once. idclresH —Stinsoi* and Co. Portland Maine, United State THE WALKER COEK EXTBA.CTOB. Pronounced the best Mechanical Cork Extractor m the Market, as it pulls the Cork the easiest and removes it quickest 1 from the Screw. __ i Its ure prevents tho agitation of carbo nated or other beverages, and 1 allows the sediment to remain undisturbed m the bottle. OeVigiied tor the uw of hotels, restau rants, salooi.s, clubs aid families. Orna m-iiital m appearana >. and full nicko plated. Special terms to jobbers. Manufactured by the E. WALKER TOOL COMFANY



-ATTEVV "DOORS, BOYS' and GIRLS' OWN ANNUALS, I NEW MUSIC. STATIONERY and FANCY GOODS, ; ; CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR'S CARDS of New Zealand Scenery. L. F. ANDREWES & Co. T7~ISATING~'S™POWDEK destroy JV BUGS, FLEAS, MOTHS ]ji%i*ETLES, and all other insects, white quit« harmless to domestic animals. In exterminating Beetles the succc&s of this p«wder is extraordinary. It is perfectly clean m application. See fche article yon purchase is "KEATING'S," as imi tiijjions are nokioua and ineffectual. Sold hi Tins, Cd, Is, and 2s 6d each, bj all Chemists. ,__ 'BAK A I A ANNUAL fPORTS & RACES. (Approved toy Canterbury Jockey Club and New Zealand Trotting Association.) To fee held m the Domain, on BOXING DAY, fRIDAY, DECEMBER 26th, ]890. president—D. G. Holmes. Vice-President —T. E. Upton, E. S. Coster, W. L. Allan and VV. M. Lyttelton. Judge—W. M. Lyttelton. Starter of Horse Races—T. E. Upton. Clerk of the Course—R. Kemp. Clerk of the Scales—T. Dowling. Judges of Athletics—W. L. Allan, E. H, Hughes, and J. Kemp. Starters of Athletics—C. A. C. Hardy, and R. Story. Treasurer—W. B. Dixon. Secretary — L. Oxley. Stewards—C. A. C. Hardy, Primmer, J. Kernp 1, A. Rowntree, J. Wilkinson, A. Makeig, and W. Hood. First Race to start at 12 o clock. 1. HtTBDLB Rack of 10 soys. Over six flights of hurdles, 3ft 6in high, and two brush jumps ; second horse to receive 1 ■ov from the stake. About two miles. Entrance, 10s. To start at 12 o'clock noon. 2. Flying Stakes, of 7 soys. About - Second horse to receive 1 soy from the stake. Entrance, 7s. To start at I p.m. 3. Ladies' Purse, of 10 soys. About 1£ mile. Second horse to receive 1 soy from the stake. Entrance, 10s. To be ent red ay ladies To start at 2 p.m. 4. Handicap Saddlk Teot (distance behind scratch) of 10 soys. About three miles. Horses breaking must pull imme diately and go, arid trot to the satisfac ti< n of the Stewards, or be disqualified. Second horse to receive 1 soy from the stake. Nomination, 7a Od ; acceptance, 2s 6d To start at 3 p.m. Farmers' Plate, of 10 soys. About 1 mile and a half. Second horse to re ceive 1 soy from the stake, Entrance, 10a. To start at 3.40 p.in . 6. Hubry Scurry, a sweepstake of 10s each, with 1 soy added. Once round the course. Catch weights, No winner of any of the above events allowed to start. Post entries. To start at 4.30 p.m. ruTes. 1. The Meeting will be hold under the rules of racing. 2. All eventa to be confined to the South Rakaiaand Mount Hutt Road Board Dis tricts, and six miles north of the Rakaia river, and ten miles west and five miles east f the railway line. 3. Weights for all races except otherwise specified—lOst for three-year-olds, list for four-year-olds, and list 71b for 5, 6, and Aged. 4. No hor&e that has won more than £10 In one event will be allowed to compete m any race. . 5. The races are open to any horse com monly resident m the prescribed district from the Ist October, 1890, and owned by a person who has resided m the said district during the same period. 6. Nominations for the.Saddle Trot with fee of 7* 6d each, age, description, and per formance of the horse, must be deposited with the Secretary at Raksiia, not later than 8 p.m. on Saturday, December Glh, 1890, Acceptances and general entries, together with fees, by 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 13th. In ail cases the names, fees, colors, and ages of horses, and colors of riders must accompany nominations. 7. All protests must be given m writing to the Secretary within thirty minutes after the race has been run, together with the sum of £1, which shall be forfeited if, m the opinion of the Stewards, the protest is frivolous. 8. No entry will be received unless all the above conditions are complied with, and on the condition that all disputes, claims, and objections arising out ot th«» racing shall be decided by the Stewards or whom they may appoint. Their decision on all points to be final. The Stewards reserve the right to hold over the stake vmtil satisfied that the qxialification of entry is correct and the onus of proof shall lie with the owner. Also to postpone the races if necessary through wet weather. 9. The winner of any flat race, competing jti other events, will be required to carry a , penalty of 71bs. 10. Any prize not claimed within seven days from the day of the races will be forfeited and go to the funds. 11. All races will be startei punctually the advertised hour. ATHLETIC SPORTS. To commence at 10.30 punctually. 1. Men's 100 yds Race (handicap), Ist prize L 2, 2nd prize LI. 2. Boys' Race (under 15 years) 200 yds (han dicap), Ist prize 10s, 2nd prize ss, 3rd prize 2s 6d. Entrance free. 3. Men's 440 yds Race (handicap), Ist prize 12, 2nd prize LI 4. S ngle Women s Race 100 yds (handicap), Kntrancef ree. Ist prize LI, 2nd prize 10s. 5. Men's Hurdle Race 200 yds, (handicap) over 10 flights of hurdles, 3ft high, Ist prize L 2, 2nd prize LI. 6. Girls' Race (under 14 years) 100 yds (handicap). Entrance free. Ist prize 10», 2nd prize ss, 3rd prize 2s 6d. 7. Men's Mile Race (handicap), Ist prize LI 10s, 2nd prize LI. 8. Married Women's Race 50yds (handicap). Entrance free. Ist prize LI, 2nd prize 10s. 9 Sack Race; 100 yds, Ist prize LI, 2nd prize 10s. 10. Consolation Race 100 yds Entrance free. Ist prize LI. RULES. I—Entrance fees for nil events, not other wise specified, 2s 6d each. 2—A llevents confined to the same district as for horse races. 3 —No second prize, will be given unless three or more compete. 4—The Stewards reserve the right to alter the arder of events. Nominations for M-sn's 100 yds, 400 yds, mile race, hurdle aud sack races, must bo lodged with the Secretary, before 8 p.m. on SATURDAY, 13th December. All other events post entry. Admission to Ground—ls for each adult, and Is for each horse, competing or other wise. The Burnham Brass Band will play during the day. Refreshments and other amusements on the ground. No games of chance permitted. A BALL will bs hell m the evening m the Rakaia Town Hall—Dancing to com mence at 9 p.m. Admission, Gentlemen, 2s 6d * Ladies, Free. Children not admitted. 10 183 AURENCE O XLE V, Secretary. ABSOLUTE HtOTECTION AGAINST FIXE Manufacturers of tfLCAN PAINT AHr» SOTiiPJA. Absolute protection agaias extens.on of fire. Color cards and test shingles with insl-u.; tioiw and proofs of on materials m>ll furnished. 1 <