NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.

R. FBizzELi—Yoar lettefl will be pub" Ikhea next (sane.

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 1890 A FAUX PAS.

A rather amusing story of good «nd kindly intentions frustrated comes from Danedin. It appears that during the recent visit off the squadron to that port in connection with the New Zealand and South fcieas Exhibition, their Excel lencies the Governor and Lady Onslow conceived the idea of inviting the seamen of the fleet to a dance at Government House, and with a view to providing partners for the gallant tars, despatched invitations to the heads of the Duuedin factories asking them to invite a number of the girls in their employ to attend the proposed ball. The girls, however, stood upon their dignity and decided that they ought to have been invited by name,and invited direct, declining to be arranged for by or through their employers." The result (so goes the story) was the des patch of the following note courteous to Government House :—" The Dunedra factory girls present their compliments to Lady Onslow, and regret that pre vious engagements preclude them from accepting her kind invitation to a ball to meet theJJ seamen and marines of H.M. men-of-war now in harbor." And so the kindly intentions of His Excel lency and the Countess failed of their object, and the gallant tars were enter tained at a smoke concert in lieu of footing it merrily to the strains of violin, i cornet and piano with the fair maids of Danedin. We by bo means condemn the course taken by the girls, for per haps they felt that they could scarcely go without chaperones to dance with total strangers, but for all that it must ; hare been not little mortifying to the ■ Governor and his lady to find that, in the opinion of the factory girls, they had ' for once failed in a matter of etiquette.

LOCAI AND GENERAL.

A letter oan now be eont round the world in eixty nine days, via Vancouver. The British Government are ordering guns from Birmingham which ara intended to, throw torpedooß charged with dynamite. It is oaloulated that for the summer trado in England from 40,000,000 to 50,000,000 oyatera ate imported every year, Seedß ol the moat valuable varieties of oinohona are worth £200 per ounoe in Oeylon. Ihere are nearly one hundred thousand in an ounoe. An English correspondent sayß that Sir Julius Vogel has decided to remain in England till the endioi! 1890. The settling over the late meeting of the Tinwald Racing Olud will take place this evening at 9 o'clock at Soott'a Hotel. The central dictionary—in which words are to be pictprially illustrated as well as verba"y defined—is to be completed in 24 parts. It is expected to fill 6500 pages. It is estimated that the average annual deorease of the Indiana in the United S.ates is nearly 2000. Their present total number, elusive of Alaska, is 245,000. The rainfall at Timaru during Deoember is given aB 137 inch; and that for the year 1889 as 15.04 inohes, about half the annual average. The Eev A. P; Davidson, Free Church minißter, having now a ebarge near Peter head, Scotland, has aooepted a oall as suooessor to Dc Stewart at Edox Church, Dunedin. Lady Atkinson has received a message from I Hobart stating that the Premier is staying at Penguin Bay, and is improving in health. Tbe Premier is to take passage by the Te Anau, due here on the 13th inst. The anniversary services in oonneotion wifcn the Tinwald Presbyterian Church will be held on Sunday. The Eev J. W. Cree, of Leeston, will preach in the forenoon, and Mr Arthur in the evening. Sable Island, in the North Atlantic is fast disappearing. Some years ago it was forty miles long by two and a quarter wide, but it haß shrunk to nineteen and a half miles in length and less than one in width. A notable Maori chief, Hone Waitere, has died at the settlement of hie son, near Kaihihiki. He was the oldest ohief of the Ngatimaniopoto tribe, and was a brave warrior in the tribal wars many years ago. Mr Dineen sailed at our offiae late last night oomplaining that some twenty men after leaving an hotel abont half-past ten obstructed his passage along the footpath. He very rightly urges that this Bort of thing is not oreditable to them or to the town. Our country readers are reminded that Macoabe, ''the inimitable," with Madame Minnia Appear n the entertainment in tituled " Begone dull care," and '■ The Magio Statue "on Monday evening next. It ib unaeoesßary to Bay more for "good wine needs no bush." It is thought that the poisoned honey, from which the three Maoris reoently died at Russell, was obtained by the bees from the blossom oi the whauriki plant, which grows n Bwamp land, and at tbe inquest it was I recommended that some of the honey be analysed. Tbe editor of a Japanese newspaper re oently collected statistics of growth from all the Protestant oburohes of Japan, showing their increase during the last three years. From 38 churches they have grown to 151, and from 3700 members to 11,000. " Homioide by impudence" has been added to the list of crimes in the French criminal code. The offence is desoribed as oausing the death of t, man by any foolish act not in itself criminal. Hitherto man slaughter has been regarded in Franoe as so revere a crime that juiciaa have preferred to acquit prißonetß against whom the case was not very Btrong, and this new degree of criminality has been infircduoed to obviate the difficulty. A lady oooupying room letter B at an hotel, wrote on the slate as follows :—" Wake letter B at seven ; and if letter B says " Ic* her be," dont letter be, because if you left r B be, letter B will be unable to let her house to Mr B, who is to oall at half past ten." The porter, a better bootblaok then ortho graphist, after studying the above alb night, did not know whether to wake letter B or let her be. A reoent issue of the " Police Gazette " announced that as a reward for Conbtable Blaok's pluoky aotiori in capturing the amateur highwayman, George Tillet on the Bakaia Bridge last month, a record of merit had been made in his favour. Constable Black has been in the police force for over twelve years, and has an excellent record. As he ranks only bh a seoond class Constable, it was anticipated|that his pluoky oonducl(would have gained him promotion.—(" Lyttelton Times,") Mr Hunt, Wakanui road, has brought to our offioe a very beautiful bouquet of car nations containing eighteen distinct varieties, pure white, seHrColored, striped and splashed which were all grown in an open border from a single threepenny packet of seed purchased at Messrs Scaly Bros. Mr Hunt is very fortunate as we have known of seed costing as much as two guineas an ounce producing , nothing but single blooms. Their old track having kindly been plaoed by Mr A. Orr at the disposal of the Oyoling '- they have oat no time in ge tinp; it up Cluu -r eatisfaetoiy condition, The old j o it^ form..- " -xjuordingly again becoming [ ?por>B ground is -- -of wheelmen taking I * busy soene, numbers .. -^tice and con-1 advantage of the track forprtu. «« om t j,e I stitutional spins, and, judging u> .""-'■• enthusiasm displayed |by the various naflrej there is no doubt that the approaching me Si- Dg will tUiO OUt R big fcU.QQ.ess, I

A Floral service is announced to be held in the Primitive Methodic Churoh to-morrow afternoonjat 3 o'olook.

Attention is directed to the fact that Mr Multby, the champion oyolist, appears for the last time this evening at the Oddfellows' Hall.

That Australian literature is really begin niag to be fully appreciated here, says the " European Mail," is obvious from the fact that Mr Vinoent Pyke's "Wild Will Enderby" has already run to a third edition.

A Hobart cable announoes the death of the Bciv Dr W. Nicholson, aged ninety-six, whom it describes as " the founder of the Presby terian Church in Tasmania." This, we are informed, ianot correct. Dr Nicholson wae the first Minister of the Free Church of Scotland in that colony having been fbr many years pastor of Chalmers Churoh, Hobart.

Chrietohuroh papers contain an interesting account of a wonderful feat performed by Mr Q. Park, of Hokitika, footballer and oanoeist, who has made a canoe voyage from Hokitika to Kaiapoi carrying the canoe over the divid ing range and doing the remainder of the distance by way of the Hurunui to the Bea and thenoe up the Kaiapoi river.

Following is a preois of a number of tele* grams for which we have not room in full:— Mr W. T. Doddß euooenda Mv, Stronaoh as manager at Dunedin for the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Aganoy Company.—Mr 3. H. Stephenson, the footballer, son of; the well-known Dunedin auctioneer died ;jester deiy from imnammatian of the bowels the result of a oold oaught at the Tokomaiiiro races—The report of Mr G. Wilaon, (Inspec tor of Mines) on the Pubipuhi silver field is unfavorable.— Ship Forfarshke .arrived yesterday at Port Chalmers 100' days from London,

The " Press" of this morning announces the death ot the Yen. Oroasdaile Bowen, Airohdeaoon of Ghristohurch, and Inoumbent of St Peter's, Kiaoarton, which ooourred yesterday afternoon. The deoeased gentle man was suddenly seized with a severe illness whiah proved 10 be paralysis of the brain, during the delivery of a sermon in his parish church abont six weeks ago. Believing that a change would benefit him, he was advised to take a change of air and scene. He there fora travelled, via Kaikoura, and Blenheim, to Wellington, but returned in an unimproved state of health. He gradually grew worse, and despite oareful nursing and the unre mitting attention of his medioal advisers, Dra lirving and Hf.ood, he died as above stated. The deceased gentleman wbb 68 yeara of age. Etis unole is one of the oldest clergymen in England, being 89 yoars of age and is still strong and vigorous. One of hie cousins is Mr Justioe Bowau, and another is head master of Harrow.

The usual sports were held at Methven oa New Year's Day. Unfortunately a oold sou west rain oama on soon after the start and lusted till about three whiah spoilt an otherwise very enjoyable day. The raoea were all well contested and no protests were entered. The prinoipal events were Hurdle Baue won by Welah's Lotto,|Tiernay'a Irish Rate seoond. Trot Mr Lyne's Tommy Ist, D. Quin's Fanny 2nd. Plate, Lotto Ist, Van Breeze 2nd. Purse, Van Breeze Ist, Lord Sligo 2ad. Hack Bice, Wild Rose Ist, Gornedge 2nd. Consolation, Lord Sligo Ist, Oornedgfl 2ud, Hurry Sourry, Boy Ist, L»mp lighter 2nd. Athletics: 100 yds race A. Henderson Ist, Opie 2nd; Mile, O, Walker Ist, Opie 2nd; Hop, titep and Jump, Hender- Bon Ist, Mangin 2od; 440 yds, Mangin Ist, Opie 2nd; Hurdle Baoe, Henderson Ist, Mangin 2nd; High Jump, Mangin let, Henderson 2ad.

The annual gathering in connection with the Flemington Presbyterian Ohurou Sabbath School took plnoe on New Tear's Dayi For the first time in ita history the day turned out very wet, and an adjournment was made from Mr MoArthut's umbragaoua grounds to the Sohoolhouae. Here great amusement was yielded by domestic games, and an abundant spread was provided by Meadamea W. Anderson, J. Dunn, H. Anderson, and others. The reward books were awarded as usual on a principle explained by Mr Dunn, the superintendent, and were given away by Rev A. Blake, who also addressed tbe young cm lessons derived from " The Lilies." The chairman referred to the recent bereavements by which the congregation had baen deprived of two young people of promise.' He also acknowledged their obligations to the toaohete, and gave a word of encouragement to the elder scholars. Several selected pieoes w.6re very nicely sung by the children, Miss Stewert presiding at the harmonium. After a hearty vote of thanks, moved by Mr James Oroy to the teaobere, and by Mr Dunn to the ladies, the meeting alosed coon after sir,

THE MARKETS

« [BY ELECXBIO TELEOaAPH—OOPYEIGHX] (FBB PfiHBH ASSOCIATION.) (Received J nuary 4. 0.5 p.m.) London. J» vary 3. The Bank reserve is £g 308,000. Percentage to liabilities, 27^. Con so's i 97/ - New Zealand Fours, 107^, active. Australian wheat, ex warehouse 38s 6d, quiet j New Zealand long-betrsed, ex store, 37s 6d, quiet.

THE PUHIPUHI SILVER MINE

. ■ ♦ (PKB PBKBB ASSOCIATION,) Auckland, January 3. Newe of a tatiafactory as»y of the P'ahipubl stone sent to Sir Jjo Hector at Wellington has been teoeivud by Mr T. F Motdy at Kawakawa. Sir Jas Hector abates that the No 1 assay of reef etone has yielded 118 oancai 3dvrts 10 grains stiver and a minute truce of gold.

THE LOVER AND THE GOLD FINCH

 » -.> In early Summer's heat, From morn till eve, I've watched a goldfinch sweet Her love-nest weave. Panting, with bill agape, She ne'er desists, And oft to build and shape Her mate assists. Or, perched hard by, aloft On topmost spray Trills love-notes low and soft All blithe and gay. Warns her against surprise With sharp " twit! twit! " Yonder are prying eyes, And off they flit. At last the work's complete And now they share Their cosy, snugjretreat A happy pair. So let us weave our nest, Affection's shrine O fairest, sweetest-, best, O maiden mine. Our lives together bent Shall ne'er be sad For Love's environment Shall make them glad. J.R.W. .

A Tattersall's Club building is to be erected in bydney at a cost of £12,000. The Hon. J. P. Macderron has offered Ballarat a statue of Adam Lindsay Gordon For five vacant Beats in the Mel bourne Stock Exchange £2000 apiece is asked. Mr Douglas Mclean, of Hawke's Bay, will not return so soon as he had antici pated, as he is not at all well, and has put himself under medical supervision in a private hospital. The Marquis of Downshire is leaving Singland for Ne\v Zealand in order to better his health. He is but eighteen, and possesses large estates in Ireland, mtn a reut J9J} 9? nei"ty £100,000 •

CRICKET

AUCKLAND V CANTERBURY. > The InterprovinoUi cricket match w»b won by Anokland with five wickets to spare.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS

. ♦ 1 'P>R FKBSS ASBOOIATZON. JUc dent ia the Bush. Nbw Plymouth. January 4. A man named Charlei White, when baihfalllng yeatetday near Stratford, b«d a trea fall on him, injaring bin splnt. He was brooc;ht Into the hospital last night with his lower limb* paralysad, Gear Meat Company. WiLLicfaroic, January 4 At the annual meeting of the Gear Meat Preserving and Freezing Company, a ten per cent dividend was declared. Bach the reserve and Insurance faade ir«.re increased and £4720 nan oarded for ward. Since the lnlu«ilou of the Com pan? seven yeara ago dividends aggrognt log 70 pair cent have been paid. Do ring tha year the Company slaughtered 200 ODO animals, tinned over 900 OOOiba of me»t, made over 1300 tons of tallow, fell- • mongered over 160,000 skins and exported over 156,000 pehs and 1700 bales wool. Expired. Timabu, January 4. The " Evening Mall " " p.anted " here by Mr lvess about two years ago has ce*eod publication. The Late Mr G. Ashcroft. fcDuNßDijr, j£J .nuary 4. PfDbats in Ashorott's estate has bean granted to the widow. Tha value amounts to £1500, consisting exclusively of luenrances. Fatal Accident. Lnvebcargill, January 4; John Fottane, miner at Orepoki wag killed by a fall in bla claim. His m«te Butler, who was standing alongside, eooaped unicjared as by a miraole. Missing. F«ara are entaruined for the sufoty of S. J. Deck (dantiat) and wife, who, with , a boy left Stewarts' Island lot the Bluff on New Year's day in an open boat and hive not been heard of since. It is qnlte i possible that they in»y have bea. back to 1 Patterion'a Inlet,

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

[by eikotwo tklegbaph copyright.J [Pbr Press AbsooiaTion]

(Received January 4, 0 5 p.m.)

ARREST OF A NIHILIST.

ARREST,OF London, January 3. The chief of the Nihilist organisa tion, named Dierra has been arrested at Warsaw, and a number of pamphlets and letters have been seized involving certain officers of the army.

CHAKIR PASHA.

The " Times" says that Chakir Pasha will institute reforms favorable to the Armenians,

PAPAL ALLOCUTION.

At a consistory of Cardinals, the Pope delivered an allocation ccntrast ing the treatment of the church in tolerant countries, with the bitter and increasing persecution to which it is subjected in Italy. He said that the claims of the Papacy to temporal power were not due to human motives, but that such power was necessary for the maintenance of the Catholic faith.

fßncnived J*nu»«y 4 125 p.m.)

HEAVY RAINS IN QUEENSLAND

Brisbane, January 4

There is an extraordinary rainfall in the north. At Cardwell 49 inches has fallen in nine days, The outlook is serious. Enormous damage has been done, and it is anticipated that there will prove to have been several fatalities.

THE DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND

GENERAL EDWARDS' REPORT.

(PBE PEHBB ASSOOIATIOk.)

Wellington, January S. Mpjor-Gaceral Bdwavde' report to the Governor on the defancea of New Zea land hi>a been handed to the Proas Aaecolatioo. (ieuerftl Edwards ooaeidere that as it would be impossible to prevent •t enemy landing at many points in the ocnony U;i deleDOj wlli bo beat aeoarod by the fotmatioa of a reliable field foroe at the four centres of population. The forcioe generally are losoffialently trained, but the material Is all that could ba de ■ siitd, It would be better to torn tho cavalry into moaoted infantry, aa it in etieootlal that fi aid forces should each havci a pi'opei proportion of this important arm, There are too m»ny naval actlllery and they ehould ba amalgamated trhh t^e garelson artillery, aud the nnmbei re duced to 670. The field artillery should be ireduced to 360, and the guns replaced by modem weapons The establishment oi! ooant corps should be nncooragud. In otder to Greats officiant fiald forces re pimuots mail: be established, but on a different footing to tbose recently dis solved. Taoy ftboaid be small in peace not capable cf ozpanaion in time of war,, Too troops at each centre should number 955 Inoiu Ung a regiment of two four company battaUone, each battallion 300 strong. Pjovlded a auffiolent number of rifla corps or clubs are established thioughcut tha ooiony > this field force could be ralaod t*) 2500 men eaoh battalion being made up to 1000, but before It can bo placed on a proper footing something morn reliable saya General Edwards, la roquirud than ihe present volunteer eya tetn, anil be recomnaeeds the partially paid tyatem which has been adopted by the Australian colonies. He reckons tbe toti,l Dumber who would have to bo partially paid at 4490. The General momfdera the harbor defeoo^s are well plaim°.d. The atmament is saffiaiect <o ropol tho avaclc of several oralnere, provided the dof^noe Is properly org»nleed, and oompetent officji^ appuluttd to com mand. Ha recimtnondd laying in aa amp c store of ammunition, and replaolag the Snider rfle by a more modern weapon. There should be one pattern of tidid gun ocd nfla foe i>U the A.qb tralashn colonies. Along with his re pjrta General sen 5b his uitmoras dum on tho Australian Oolontos, In which (tl.usloa is made to many points oouoornmg Hew Zealand, ana »"ds tbr.t In his opinion U is a question for con sideration whether tbe tot cos of Ne-v Zanlsnd ehould not be eventually fedora;ed with those of the Aastralisn Colonial. Saauuil sed, the Geueral'H propositions for the ire-organisation cf tbe foroi's are as follows :~(1) The appointment of a commandant. (2) The amalgamation of districts into fout—Auckland, Wi.lUn,t w, Oanterbnry m-d Ota^o. (3) The orgt\nla atlon of the fiald forces in each dUtrioi. (4) The establishment of a p^xtblly paid kfatem. (5) Tho abolition cf tbe eelto tion of offio^is by msmbera of corps, (6) Combining with the Austrian Oolouiei foi ea annual inepeotlon of foroes by a general offiotr, who would eho be the military tidvlaer of the G vernmen',. Th« increaoed o> st would cot be moro thnn the 6m unt annnally expended op to 188'/. No farther soma need b» rxpended oa work.-* or batteries *frop the present forlß are nrmed and completed. In oonolu^ion G nera) iWwatds sajc, "I wcnl4 e.tongiy Impress ott you*. 1 Government i'at.t bet tries and forts ate of littlu v*ino an leti (they ate suppUmeuted by fiald foroes * .lopieyeui tbeli biiotf tutaei," %

THE WEATHER

RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURE AT CHERTSER EY FOR DECEMBER.

MONTHLY RAINFALL FOft 1839

ANNUAL RAINFALL.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(Put Paaka association. )

THE REV. CHARLES CLARK.

CJHARLES j London, January 2. The Rev Charles Clark is a passenger to Australia by ihe steamer Austral.

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

A Deputation from the Federation League has been appointed to wait on the Marquis of Salisbury urging him to convene a conference to discuss the creation of an Imperial Council (includ ing colonial and Indian representatives) to decide on, a 'general scheme of de fence. !

TRUST FUNDS.

A scheme forjtbe investment of trust funds in coloni^ stocks is almost ready for submission to Mr Goschen. The statement that thje investors had claimed the right to seize the railways of any defaulting colony is denied

A FIREBRAND.

A compositor, who at a meeting in Hyde Park advocated the murder of the Chairman of the Metropolitan Gas Company has been committed for trial,

FARNELL DIVORCE CASE.

The divorce proceedings instituted by Captain O'Sh'ea against Mr Parnell will be heard at Easter. The report that the latter intended to resign his seat in the House of Commons is without foundation.

GENERAL IGNATIEFF.

St. Psijebsbotig, Jaaaary 3. General Ignatieff is in a critical condition. !

CONSPIRACY IN RUSSIA.

Thirty-two ojficers have been ar rested on a charge of conspiracy to abolish the autocracy.

PORTUGAL AND AFRICA.

, lisboN Janaary 3. King Carlos, j in his speech at the opening of the Coftes, said that Portugal had the greatest claims on Africa of any nation.

MURDER OF MISSIONERS.

i Aden, Jannwy 3. Two French missionaries have been murdered, by order or the Sultan of Amphillia, a district on the African Red Sea coast. ;

AUSTRALIAN.

NEW SOUTH WALES.

(PUB PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

j Sydney, January 2. Arrived—German warship Sophie, from Samoa, en {route for China. Nearly six hundred passengers sailed for New Zealand^ yesterday.

TASMANIA.

Hobabt, January 2. Obituary—Doctor Nicholson, founder of the Presbyterian Church in Tasmania, aged 96.

VICTORIA.

Mislbouhnb. Jknaarj 2 Sailed—Mararjoa for New Zealand. The Victorian rifle team are passengers.

QUEENSLAND.

Brt.sba.ne, Jatnary 3 Two school teachers, named Clayton and Smith, were! drowned by a boat accident in Keppell Bay.

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

(FKB PBBBB ASSOCIATION.)

Auckland, Jauoary 3.*^ A boy named Alfred Skinner was drowaed in the Waikato river last night through falling out of a boat. Wbiunoton, January 3 The Government received this afternoon a communication from the United States Gov ernment wishing to know the exact area covered by flax in the Colony. As the neces sary information will have to be collected a reply cannot be forwarded for some time. Ohbistohubch, January 3 , George Tillett, who made himself notorious in the Greendale district by sticking up lonely 1 houses and demanding food, and who was sentenced to three' tarshard labor, attempted to commit suicide 3ißipa Island to-day by throwing himself flto the water. He was rescued by two fellow prisoners. TIMARU, January 3 A lad of 14, who has been ten weeks in an office here as errand boy, just after leaving school, has been committed for trial for forg ing his employer's name to- a cheque for £1 and uttering the same, changing it by buying ,5 s worth of stamps at a stationer's. . i I _= - v

NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS.

Once more Mr Vaile is taking the field as an advocate of Railway Reform,in New Zealand, and has forwarded to as 1 an ad vanee 4 proof of the first of a series of articles on the subject, which, to judge from the contents of this first instal ment, will prove a very conclusive and crashing indictment against the present system of management, or mismanage ment. He supplies tabulated figures showing, year by year during the period : 1881 to 1889 inclusive, the population of the colony, the number of miles of open railway, the passenger and goods traffic thereon, the revenue derived and the rate of interest earned, the state ment referred to being as follows!: —

To this table Mr Yaile appends the significant footnote that Messrs Maxwell and Hannay received their appointments &s General Manager and Sab-Manager in 1880, these gentlemen having thus controlled onr railway policy from the very beginning down to the present date, with the result that, while, " during the last nine years we have increased the mileage of our working railways by 39*1 per cent, and the capital invested therein by 61*2 per cent, the number of passengers has only increased by 9*9 per cent, and the tonnage of goods carried by 42 per cent. Worse still, the 'coaching' revenue, as it termed, has only increased by 3.2 per cent, the total revenue by 19.2 per cent, and the net revenue by 11.5 per cent, while the rate of interest earned has actually decreased by £1 Is Id per cent." The Mowing further facts, and they are startling facts, are also brought out, viz,, that in 1889:— (a) We carried 150,565 fewer passen gers th»tn we did in 1883. < 0,.: ;. .■, (b) The train service to the colony was less by 76,981 miles than jt'was in 1884, and this notwithstanding that we had 381 more miles of railway open. (c) The coaching revenue was £4157 less than it was 1882. , (d) The gross revenue ww; £48,097 less than in 1885, while our net revenue was £18,357 less than in 1882, and the rate of interest earned less by £1 Is Id per cent than in 1881. And all this declension notwithstanding the fact that during the period under review the population had increased by 24 per cent. In the face of these facts Mr Yaile is clearly right in contending that our past system of management has proved an utter failure. He contends moreover that "the real cause of our commercial and financial troubles lies in the fact that we have so managed our national transit system as to ruin our great producing districts. We have rendered it impossible for anyone to make a profit out of land situated at a distance from a large centre, and have thus completely destroyed its value, with the inevitable result, which we are all now feeling, that the value is fast going out of our cities, and their suburbs also. By pursuing this insane policy we have rendered it impossible for the country to bear its fair share of taxation, and have thrown that burden almost wholly on city and suburban property, a burden which it is found increasingly difficult to sustain." And he follows this up by putting the following pertinent question: " What is the use of any longer con tinuing a system which, year by year, shows increasingly worse results—a system which the more millions we icvest in it, the less rate of interest we receive; a system that, after an increased ex penditure of over £3,000,000, gives us a less passenger traffic by 150,500 than we had six years ago, when our popula tion was much less ; a system that gives us £50,000 less gross revenue than we had four years ago, and £15>350 less net revenue than we had seven years ago?. Is it not time to pause and ask ourselves the question is there not some thing seriously wrong £0^ with " the system pursued and (lie men who ifaunjrt3r.it?" __ *

SYDNEY GRAIN MARKET.

The London agents of the New^fc&Und Farmers Co-operative Association (Messrs WedJel and Co ) Kportysi&erdi&Si London, 15th November, 188/t— Wooc—There is little of special interest report at present. The trade on the sp*t lS quiet, buyers preferring to await the com* mencement of next series on 26th inst. before operating. From all the manufacturing centres good accounts continue to come _to hand, and we are hopeful that the forthcoming auctions will witness a further advance in the values of most descriptions. Airivals to date for the next series .amount to, tome 63,5C0 bales, oi which about 6000 are' from New Zealand. - , , Grain.—The weather,continue* to be mild for the time of the year, -but in the absence of heavy rains fanners have been able to resume operations in respect ef autumn seeding, which however is still in arrears.on low-Tying or heavy land. Business-has been devoid of animation daring the fortnight, and when sales have been pressed lower rates have baea accepted. . Arrivals have been;onlv ( moderate, but have nevertheless more than sufficed to satisfy current requirements. It is estimated that the United Kingdom will have to import some 19,000,1090 quarters of wheat before oar nexV'haryest xcaii -be'secured.-'iThe general position in Europe, is,such that more than an average quantity of wheat from outside sources will be required to make up crop deficiencies; The Indian surplus will probably not exceed 4,000,000 quarters. Neither Canada nor South America is likely to contribute much. It is too early yet to form a reliable opinion upon the contributions of Australia and New Zea« land. In America, however, it is'certain that a bountiful harvest of good quality'has been secured, and although there are still conflicting opinions as to the actual yield it is evident that there will be a large surpltis for export. American prices are therefore likely to have a more important effect upon values hen than has been the case in some recent years. Californiaa cargoes for, shipment are 6d per quarter cheaper at 35s to 35s 3d, but off. coast and nearly due maintain, their value at 35s 6d to 35s 9I per 50Olbs c.i. f, Australian w \eat of the new crop has not yet been dealt i-.. buyers' and .sellers' ideas of yafres being r' i too far apart. The stock of old'wheat on th<j spot is very limited and prices are un« changed at 38s to 393 per 4961DS for Victorian Rud 393 tol 41s for South Australian. New Zealand is in good supply, but is well held and .finds a steady sale at former rates. We quote: l sound long-berry, fair to good, 37s t6 393 per 4961b5; sound short-berry, fair to good, 33s to - - N.Z. Beans are neglected bwing^o mildness of the weather. Value is nominal at 36s to 38s per 5041bs ex store/ ' = ;;r* " AERITAIJJ—GIamis, Wellington, ii^isacks barley ; Opawaj, Lyctelton, 2988 sacks wheat; Hudson, Wellington, 504 sacks peas and 922 sicks barley; Rothsay.Bay, Lyrtelton, 3651 sackswheat, 949 sacks be .ins, 324 sacks peas. Butter—^The mirket has been fairly steady during the past fortnight, and values for prime sorts are well "sVppo'ited. The shipments per Kimutakt (s) have not yet .been, placed on the market,, but their sale' will' doubtless bs hampered by the fact that a considerable portion has come forward as ordinary cargo. Buyers are anxiouslyenquiring whether they may this season look for regularity'in supplies, as With that guaranteed they are prepared to pay fuller prices' than for irregular shipments. Normandy, 90s to 114s; Danish, 116s to 120s; Brittany, 80s .to 92s per cwt;, New Zealand nommaL . 7 Cheksk—No change to report. Hemp—The market has been'very quiet of late, and the public auctions held this week and last passed off somewhat unsatisfactorily. Little more'than half of the catalogued quantity was cleared. Fine Auckland is* nominally worth about £34 ios to -^35 ncr ton; good 1 Christchurch,. £$i to ;. fair Wellington, to £30 ; inferior, £2$ to £26 ios; tow, £$ ios to ;; Frozen Meats—The general market has been dull during the past fortnight,. and only prime qualities have maintained their values. The weather has been against the trade, and the retail demand has been very slow for all kinds. American beef improved slightly last week, but with heavy arrivals has again become depressed. Frozen mutton has recently given way materially in value, the .market having " lost heart" before" the end of last week, owing to the mildness of. the, weather and the early arrival of fresh supplies. This was not unexpected, but.the drop came sooner than needs have been, owing to some holders forcing sales. To-day's quotations show a decline of J4d per 1b from those current a fortnight ago for New Zealand parcels. Plate sheep, have been scarce, and have only given way about %& per lb. Country'buyers com plain bitterly of these fluctuations ■ in values, which disorganise their trade. New Zealand beef a slow sale. Queensland beef almost unsaleable. ...:..* Smithfield Quotations —Prime Scotch mutton, 5s 2d to 5s 8d per lb; English, 4s 6d to 15s 2d; Foreien, 4s to ss; New Zealand, 3s to 3s 2d;_ Eecoadary, 2s lid to 3s; inferior, nominal; River Plate, as lid to 3s; secondary, 2s 8d to 2s 10; Sydney (nominal), 2s lod to 2s lid; New Zealand lambs,(nominal), 3s4<J to 4s; New Zealand beef,' hind-quarters (nominal), 2s 8d to, 2s ,9d; New Zealand beef, fore'-.quarters (nominal), 2s 44; Queens* land beet^ hind-quarters,'2S4d to 2s 6d,

CORRESPONDENCE.

PROCLAMATION OF WATER RACES BY THE ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

N TO THK EDITOK. ;  Sir,—Will you kindly allow me space in your journal to call, (lie attention of those interested in. the, water races throughout the county to the action of the Council in apply,* - ,ng t« the \ Government tp'tave them " pro* | 'claimed." 'As-1 doubt much whether many I farmers having races through their land understand clearly what this term means, and what would be the result to them should the Council gam their point,* TwiU"veiy shortly ftplaia itt By clause 266 of " The Counties .act, 1886," the definition of a water-race runs thus ::" Water-race means land occupied by any channel, natural or artificial, for the supply of water, proclaimed to be a water-race constructed, by a County Council under this Act, and all branch races taken or made through any private lands for the purpose of supplying water thereto, &c, &c, &c" The following clause 267. goes on to say: " The Governor at the request of any County Council may, by,. proclamation publicly notified and gazetted,-declare any/tfwa? therein,' specified to be a water race," &c, &c And\ fuither on the same clause says: "Every water-race so declared shall from the date of such proclamation vest in the Council together with the right to the water therein, and the, - right to enter upon all lands for any purposes in connection with the water races," &c, &c. I have not quoted either of these clauses in full for fear of taking up too much of your space;, and I will now as briefly as possible point out what I believe will be the result to all owners of land should the, County Council succeed in getting thit proclamation. Clearly then, unde" the above definition water-race means the " land " and not the race itself, and when proclaimed "it will"' " vest" in the ' Council, or in other words they, will enter oa the fee simple without more ado, and witluxtt any compensation to the owker whatever. The width of land proposed by them to be thus I confiscated appears to vary from ,15 to 50 links, and so far as I know covers all the races from Pudding Hill down thionghout then: entire length. This is briefly what the Council are trying to do, and against which Mr Wright protested some weeks since. I cannot believe that the clause (267) quoted above could ever have been intended to be uSed for such a purpose as the present one; and if the .' Council at any time -think it necessary to take private land for public purposes they can always do sO in the manner prescribed by the " Public Works Act, 1882," which duly provides for compensation, I myself with others .have: taken steps to oppose this proclamation as arbitrary, and, as I think, . quite unnecessary.^ No public notice of the } intention of the Council so far as I am aware ■ has ever been given, Mid I believe that v«ry * few people in the County know what is pro* posed to be done with a considerable extent of their property.  The. action of the Council has been somewhat behind our backs so to speak, and I trust this, may open the eyes of not a few to what has been going on before it is too late. Thanking you for the insertion of this letter, i, - Jam, etc., ., ' "v ' * v"'>l' Edward Chapman, Drtytoß, Mjethven,

THE A^HBURTON GUARDIAN, SAT PROA V JANUARY 4, JIB9O.



Date ]

Miximam,

Vfinlmum. I

RalufJl.

1 2 3 4 o 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

71 72 69 71 65 67 73 80 73 74 71 55 66 67

55 55 56 67 56 58 60 57 53 66 50 47 44 54

0 06

0 67 016 0 06

018

74 71 78 72 74 73 81 77 73 71 72 67 82 86 73 70

i

59 58 (6 58 £3 61 56 51 54 54 52 63 68 58 48 .' SO

o*os

0 04

0 53 [

0 04. 0 38 014

Total

2-30



'«■»«

Janoaey... February Miroh ... April ... May ... June ... July ... August ... September October , November December

i ... ...

Inobci ... 045 ... 084 ... 329 ... 172 ... 134 ... 342 ... 13ft ... 112 ... 36i ... 037 ... 161 ... 8.30

Totftl

1

... 20 96



ioobes, 1880 2165 1881 , M 32 41 1882 27-10 1883 ! 39 42 1884 ... ... I 38 51 1885 ; 25 95 1886 ! 4144 1887 I 40 40 1888 ! 3701 1889 | 20 S6 One *uch of rutnfall to tae aoiv, tons owt * qra Ibl 101 4 2 27



T 3 3 0 31 2 f 9T 3 2 01 3 3 9 8 S £ 8 8 8 8

919'iOS 969 665 989 9aS *18'S0S 9Z9 098 iS6'B9B 3F

919^66 89i 866 fOB 196 if 8 BS6 9^o 668

8*9498 ZGO 068 8(9 968 939*00* S9i J968 90i'T98 0839*8 3F

080>64'8 93l'fS6'T fl^'6oo't iß9'oii'T BZS 981"? fSS'BB4'T flit 3U99B'T 9&T'SB6'B o*l*B4l I T9VUB 8 680'004T £0* OT4 8 828*9@T T?,I 9ZB 8 m'4B* I LfZ*B 2%l*lie I

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911*613 f I 0»9'81S8l 9Z9(S9B'n 000 tie'oi f£BB?Z"6

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fnO LUND, on Freehold Security only, 1 X £250, £300, and £600 in aeparate _ ■urns. Apply to— ( JOHN 0. CORR, B»rriatev and Solioltor, Birnett Street. Ashbnrton IUI4O (Next Bank ot New Sooth ales). |- Charles Jjraddel Lleenied Landbroker and Valuator under «« The Land Transfer Act, 1885 • B3TATE HOUSE*. LAND, AND GENERAL COMMISSION AGENT. OFFlOE—Buknott Btwmt, Next 1 » Mail M Office r 6 i Alfred Harrison, 400TI0NEBR, STOCK AND ESTATE AGENT ANP VALUATOR. ( SATURDAY SALE at 18 o'clock sharp -Hones, Cattle, Plge, Prcdoea »nd Merchandise, Faming Implement* aad Vehicles of all kinds constantly in Yards on view FOR SALE. JltMlng-fMea held la town or Ooantry M reqalnsd, and most liberal terms arranged with botb Buyers and Seller*. mo liET—Shopi In Ooleooan's Bulld- X lnga< Beduoed rents. Good bilok buildings handsome shop*. AaBKT TOB THB Horwich Union Fire Insurance Company. ALFRED HARRISON. SPRUNG & SUMMER, 1889. WI. SPARROW, TAILOR AND MEBCER, JUST OPENED, A LARGE and Varied Assortment of Gentluaen'ii bhliti, Had, Scarfs, NEW SEASON'S TWEEDS AMD COATINGS, A large tod well selected Stock to ohooit •om. XHE TAILORING DEPARTMENT ■ andei the Management of Mb T. Kkbb who dm aad Large experience as CUTTER the pilselpal Tailoring EiUbllbmenw Ohrbtehuroh, ttrtut Fit and Workmnthip Guaranteed WM. SPARROW East Street XMAS. XMAB, "Vf E W ZEALAND OLOTHING J3J FACTORY are showing for the Holiday Season the moat extensive variety In the District of Boys', Youtba', and Geotc* Clothing, ALL OUR OWN MANUFACTURE. This Season's productions w!U be foUDd to excel in Fit, Stylo, and Quality, and prices will bear favorable COMPARISON. TAILORING DEPARTMENT. j We are prepared to supply a thorough G°SELECT YOUR OWN TAILOR Jroro £310s. Tronaere to measure from 18s 3d ; or if we forward your measure to onr Tailoring Lstablishment in Ducedm we frill make you a welUfitting (suit from 1510s; Trousers to measure from 16a 9d Nothing but the best materials used, and perfect fit guaranteed in every Garment we undertake. The most POPULAR and EOONO MIOAL Establishment to boy your Shirts, HATS, TTES, BRACKS, RUGS, and PORTMATEAUS. SEE OUIfiINPOWI?, INSPECT OUK STOCK And judge for yourselves. NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. W. H. WEBBBB, Manager, GBEY. VALLEY COAL, 3000 TONS —. SOLD WEEKLY. — rS the Cleanest, Beet, and most economi cal, effecting a saving of 20 per cent, jfl any other Coal to be had. Ih used by the New Zealand bhippiog /Ompany, New Zealand Government •«d all the principal Factories and Goa jrfee in the Colony. For THBASHTNG MACHIKE pwpwiei it is unequalled for quality and effect. $0 Per Cent Saved by its let particulars Apply to W.H.COILINS&CO. TIMBER AND Timber and Coal MERC HANTS lM IAST aiREBr. ASBBURTON 1



~ Wanted Known < Gasii Advertisements under thl head ing, not exceeding 16 words, O^E Shilling. Addresses may beleftat this Office. OW t» lose £250,0fi(f10 to years. Banz-m, the Jabtloe Ph'«eer. Went ward Ho, 9 i edition. —H. M Jones - PIANOS, Pianos, Pianos. Soeolali* valuec, Plain a and O.ganß.—H. M Jones. WANTED Known—A Floral Service will be held la tho Primitive Methodist Oharob, To-morrow Afternoon, at 3 o'clock. 1 35 (ik/fiSa KENNttBX and Mica Cameron, JjJ. Moore Street—Teachers of Scientific Dress-cnting Bodies cat and fi ted. Dressmaking in nil ita brandies. Ridiog habits a speciality. 12 69 „„ MANILLA Bnior Twine, machine oil, and wiro. Time Is money on the hajveM; field—the best la the cheapest. —R. Aloorn, Sannder* Buildings. fTIftIBROIDEBJES— Few good Erobtoly t^J deries marked cheap jgv to Melford Bouse. We have a large atm iplendtd ssao -tment to otioose from—H, 0. Sigib's Melford Home. "AJNTUJD Known,—•'Strong-wear Booti for Ladles, Men and Children can only be obtained at W. H Ooiaieb's. EDNESDAY Hftlf-Holiday. Pleaie •bop early. Wednesday we close »t 1 p.m.—H. 0. Sesbrs, Melfoid House. T\7"ANTED KNOWN —My tipecial VV Make cf Ladion' 4 clasp Kid Gloves, " The Aehburtoniao," braided backs, 3s 6d per p»ir.— W. H. Gollieb. ANTED every mau m tnt- County to have a Bolt of the Aahburtoa Tweeda.—Robbbt Aloobk, Ashborton Clothing Mart, Saanders' Buildings. ILLINERI—If you want o choose from a Urge itock of trimmed and aatrlmmed h»ts aud bonnets go te Mal ford House. A lot of children 1* <SUi«r.ea ■trawi from 6d to 2a, very cheap'—H. 0. SEGEBB, Melford House. WANTED, Everyone to Know—That J. MOI3ON has now In stock a arge and varied assortment of BOOTS AMD SHOES for the Spring and Summer Season, Gentlemen's, Ladles', aud Chil dren's, both imported and Colonial; alio HIS OWN MAKE, which CANNOT BE SUBPASSED for Style, Fit, QaalHy, •ad Neatness, combined with VERT REASONABLE PRICES. All repairs ezeoated promptly sad with neatness. !0t132 TJ BAD THIS—New Fancy Goods; Are JLV Needlework requisites ; Toys, Sta lonocy, Tobacconist's goods; Madame Weigel'a Patterns; Agent for Eollpie Dye-works; Beglstry Offioe for Seivanti; Tea and Coffeo tit & mlnuto's notice.—Mbs Ad>amb, SaandcrV Buildings, opposite Hallway Sutler*.



NEW GOODS. STATIONERY, Fancy Goods, Music, &c New Sethi Vo'amee. New Bookß for Prizaa oc 1 reaantations. BubEOtlbera wanted for any Magazine or Newßpaper pobliahod. Diariee for 1890. All Uoode BHuoed in Price duriDg this mooth, - L. F. A DBBWES & CO. Tenders for Jiat vesting. TO 0 XNTBAOTORS. WANTP:D Men end Teams for Oouirßot Ha*V Er.lng. Oomplote parties of fivo Mtn si;d two Drf-ys pjeftrred. John griqg. Long'JdiC, Jaauity 1890. ! I§lß



Pnblic Motlcea TEMPER&NU*;. rpHOSK who have Temperarca at heart X a^e particularly inviied to assemble at the Templar Ball on SATURDAY. 4th instant, at 8 p.m, 1 24 MoOORMICK WIRE BINDjIr?! [HAVE two of tbe above for bale In First Olaea order. Apply D. THOMAS, I*3l Ashburton. ODDFELLOW'S HALL, ASEBURTON: MONDAY, 6th JANUARY. MACOABE "TmDLLE MINNIA MiCOABE J-and^MDLLE MINNIA MiCCABE J tMDLLE MINNIA BEGONE DULL CARE AND IHE MAUIC STATUE. Last tour of New Zealand. Admlßslm',3i snd 2» Doors open at 7.30 Cotnroetc-j at 8. GEORGE BCLLER, 12t159 Manager. FOtt SALE, gCEEAP. ~ TT/OOD'B REAPiiB end TWINS VY BINDiSK, Only worked two Reasons ; in firßt-claßaoder. App y J HfcSELTM, 1#29 Saddlor, Ashbartcn. FARM FOR SALE. I HAVE For Sale privately at a very low figure in Improved F^rm of about 400 Acres with small orop of Turnip!l, balasou In Grass, with aeoea aary Batlciogs. CEO JAMESON, 1*25 AB'ibnrton.



THEBEAOTFOBD BINDER BY the kind permission of Mr String fellow a Machine of the above make having a 7ft cut will be exhibited at work on hia Farm near Oherteey on WEDNESDAY HEXT, Bth inST AH interested are requested to attend, J. QUANE & CO., 1J26 AG&NTS. ASOBURTON YARDS, T SHALL have for Sale at the above J fixture on— TDKSDAY, 7ih JANUARY, 18°0, The following lines of Good Sheep, v z.— OAA 6 and fall month MBRIiSO W '»I WETJBIEHS, half fut. %¥< X °-fcooth FIRST C&OS3, a grand nil! I * l]ue yJok 2-tooth J-WSipEDS, ye,, OQ\J Gou. OKA F.tOROSSBRED Ew. * 9■ v i F*t MERINO KWfcS, Ueßldea othe*- aoi v — J?.a und S-or-' Sheep, F-1 and Score Ua.tle and Pigs, D, TBOSdAS, i|3o , Aahbuton,



\ BEST REMEDY FOR INDIGESTION. Norton's Camomiu Pills are confidently recommended as a iiituyh remedy for indiges tion, which is the cause of nearly all the diseases to which Jwe are subject. Norton's plls, with justice called "Nature's stength ener of the Jiuman stomach." act as a powerful top ie and igentle aperient, are mild in their ope« lion, alid safe under any circum stances. Sold in tattles at isifcoLas od by all •nedidne vendbrs throughout the world, Keating's Cough i Lozenges cure Cou> h Asthma, Bronchitis, i Medical testimony states that no other medicine is so effectual in the cure of these dangerous maladies, One Lozenge alone ffiveslease, one or two at and time ensures rest, For relieving difficulty in breathing they are invaluable, They contain no opiam nor an? violent drug. Sold by all ChcmuUat is £4 23 ft gtg, op