The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1890. BOOK-HAWKING.

Considerable public irrit&tioh has been caused in nearly all th e colonies by the questionable tactics adopted by book canvassers in securing orders for their wares. From test case s that have come before the Courts^ and speeches delivered at indignation meetings of subscribers, it seems that the grossest misrepresentations have been made in order to persuade unsuspecting sub scribers to append their signature to a form of agreement which is binding in the law courts. These agreements ar« so astutely wo r ded that the purchaser is at the mercy o f the book agentj who may deliver hi s book when ho chooses or claim hi 3 money when he likes. The book mft y or may not be all the canvasser represents it to be: the purchaser lias no option but to take delivery, pay up, and look pleasant. The signature appended to the contract is indisputable, and the circumstances undor which it was obtained i-s of secondary importance. In many parts of this colony batches of subscribers have united, and refused to accept delivery of the works oh the ground of misrepresentation, but in nearly all cases the book agent ha 3 como oft' i triumphant, while the victimised pur chaser has received a curtain lecture i from the Bench on his folly in accept ing all the statements of a book can vasser as matters of fact. With these decisions of the judges and magistrates we are in sympathy. If a person is foolish enough to commit himself to a bad bargain, the best practical lesson he can be taught is to compel him to stand the consequences. At the same ime we think it is unfortunate that a horde of book canvassers should be permitted to ply their calling with im punity from one end of the colonies to the other. In the vast majority of cases these persons pay no hawkers' license, and their method of conducting business is most unscrupulous. In many Boroughs in this colony a by-law { is in force by which any hawker or itinerant vendor of wares is compelled to pay a license (in some cases a sub stantial amount) for the privilege of travelling from house to house in pursuit of his calling; but in most cases, either owing .'.to- the apathy of the police or Borough officials, the in dividual who is now generally known as the " Book Fiend is allowed to escape payment of this very necessary tax. This is a phase of the book-canvassing business which it would be well for the municipal bodies to take in hand; the result of their efforts would be to protect the interests of shopkeepers, and at the same time assist to rid the country of an intolerable pest. But, even Avithout this aid, there is a pleasant prospect of the evil dying out. The numerous disputes and wrangling in connection with the book-deliveries now taking place has aroused a strong public feeling against the book vendors, and it has become physically unsafe to pursue the calling. On all hands the book agent is met with taunts and abuse, and in a number of cases personal violence has been resorted to, so that only the most desperate or courageous will undertake the work, and that at a very much increased rate of pay. Having failed in redress ing grievances in the civil law courts, the subscribers have become a law unto themselves, and a system of moral suasion has been set in motion which, while it cannot be legally justified, is at all events calculated to make book vendors a little more scrupulous in future in pushing the sale of their wares. Public opinion has set in against the itinerant book-canvasser, and he is not likely to be able to stem the current. There is therefore a prospect of respite for the cottager and artisan, the business man and clerk, and the thousand and one others whose lives have been made unbearable by the persistent persecutions of book hawkers. " Othello's occupation is gone," and for this Othello is mainly responsible^ • ■

Glasgow has now a cyclorania of Jerusa lem on the day of the Crucifixion. The painting is after the well-known picture by Bruno Piglhein, and the foreground is mad© up in the natural manner customary in circular panoramas. It represents the Holy City as it was rebuilt by Herod the Great, with its temples and palaces, walls and towers and gates; and Golgotha, the mountains of Moab east of the Dead Sea, Mizpah, Mount Zion, Mount Moriah, the Mount of Olives, and the Hill of Evil Counsel, are all produced with striking detail

LOCAL AND GENERAL

There are 2132 names are the Akaro* re 11. One of the officera of H.M.S. Curajoa pockets £2000 over Carbine's victory in the Melbourne Cup. The final rehearsal of "Ashore and Afloat" takes place to-night at 7.30. Stage hands arc requested to attend at 7 o'clock sharp. Lord Onslow has presented Mr J. L" Toole with a handsomely mounted greenstone scarf pin, as a memento of his visit to New Zealand. la China the man who lives nearest the scene of a murder is accused of the crime, and he must prove his innocence or stand the punishment. ; v > '■■■•' The Berlin spiritualists have suffered a heavy blow by the detection of the fact that two boys had been employed to produce the' ghostly sounds and sights recently heard in , that city. Mr C; W. Purnell notifies in tha present issue his intention to retire from the contest for the representation of Aahburton in the House of Representatives. At Brookong, New South Wales, a man started a footrace by firing a revolver loaded with a ball cartridge behind his back. A man was killed. The coronor has committed the man who fired the Bhot for manslaughter. A correspondent writes to a Christchurch contemporary that there is likely to be a shortness of water in the Ellesmere district during the ensuing summer, and^advises that the water at present running to waste should be dammed up. Last year there were exported from New Zealand 10,295,217 rabbit skims, of the value of £87,218. And to show that in Auckland; the biggest provincial district of the colony, bunny has made very little headway, the ex port of skins only amounted to 5309. A young Russian noblewoman, the Baron ess Loubanowski, is going to ride from St Petersburg to Odessa, 1500 miles, to -win a hit and to break the record which was set some years ago by the Austrian Archduchess Maria Theresa. Viscount Hinton, who has been a clown in a circus and a hurdy-gurdy man, an inmate of a workhouse, and has had several other curious experiences, is now at Southsea, again earning his living by grinding music out of a barrel organ. By the " Companies' Act, Amendment Act 1890," which was passed last session, the wages or salary of any clerk, servant, artizan, laborer or workman, whether skilled or un skilled, in respect of services rendered to any company shall, in the erent of a company being wound up, be a preferential claim as in ordinary bankruptcy. The Cabinet has approved plans for the erection of an asylum at Porirua forty-six miles from Wellington. It is intended that the asylum shall be a central one for the receipt of imbeciles from all parta of the Colony, and it is estimated that ths building will cost £20,000. A private communication from Sydney gives the information, says the Mail," that 13,417 sacks of potatoes, shipped to Sydney during the progress of the strike, have been more or le3s spoiled. Of these, 7417 sacks were totally unfit for food, arid the remaining 6000 sacks were practically so, being disposed of at 6d to Is per bag. Mr Wragge, New South Wales Government meteorologist, predicts that in the course of a few days very unsettled weather will be experienced, especially south from Welling ton, with rough seas and oceanic sqnalla, generally off the west c?ast of New Zealand. The Ashburton Racing Club's Spring Meeting will be held on Wednesday and Thursday next. The acceptances and weights for Hurdle Race, Ashburton Cap, Winderinero Handicap, Spring Handicap', District Welter, and Maiden Plate appear elsewher :. Wednesday afternoon (Cup Day) will be observed has a half-holiday. At the committee meeting of the Cale donian Society on Saturday evening, held in Mr Joseph. Sealy's office, a statement of accounts was submitted, showing a credit balance of £40. The Committee decided to hold the sports as usual in the Domain on the 26th'of December (Boxing' Day), and to '"VnsJko the prize list the same as-last year. Three thousand women in Greece have petitionsd the King to allow their sex the same educational advantages as arc enjoyed by liia male subjects. They say:—"lf the progress of our country in civilization remains behind the hopes and expectations of our Government, the cause is the backward development of Grecian womanhood. Fit us to rear your sons and we will show you how much we can do for you and Greece." At the inqaest held at Christchurch on Saturday on the body of Charlotte Leach, found drowned in the Avon, deceased's age was given as twenty-three. Evidence was given that she had been keeping com pany with a young man named Henry Clark, who is supposed to have left Canter bury, and the inquest was adjourned till Tuesday next to allow the police to make inquiries as to the whereabouts of this witness. A young man named Henry Clark was brought before the Coroner at the inquest, but denied keeping company with or knowing anything of deceased. At the Police Court this morning, before Messrs D. Thomas and R. Alcorn~Mr Purnell, for the cc-mplainant, asked to be allowed to withdraw tne information against James McCrenor under the " Chattels Trans fer Act." Mr McCrenor wished that the case should be dismissed, but on an explana tion having been made to him that the case; could not be dismissed without a hearing, he expressed his willingness to have it with drawn, which was accordingly done, A. prohibition order for a twelve months, ex tending over town and country, was granted against a "prohibit " whose order had ex pired a fortnight ago. Mr Wright addressed a meeting of the electors at Willowby on Saturday night.— Mr Handing was voted to the chair, and requested a patienthearing for the candidate, who was cordially received. At the con clusion of the address a number of questions were replied to, apparently to the satisfac tion of the meeting. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried on the motion of Mr W. T. Lill, seconded by Mr S. Chapman, both of whom spoke warmly in favour of the candidate as a proper representative for the farming interest. The usual vote of thanks to the chairman| concluded a most orderly meeting. An extraordinary story is telegraphed to the London papers from St. Petersburg. It is probable that no romancer has ever imagined a more dramatic incident. A young professor of medicine (Koucharsky) closed a lecture on poisonous acids to his class in the laboratory of the university by pouring into a glass some drops of one of the poisons,l sayingias he drank them—" In two minutes you are going to see a man die before your eyes. Gentlemen, I bid you farewell." The students rushed up and tried to admininister an antidote, but it was powerless. At the expiration of the time he had fixed Koucharsky was a corpse. There was great excitement in the place over the tragic incident. It is generally believed that that the professior had gone suddenly insane, for no motive for the'act so far is known to exist. He leaves a wife, of whom he was very fond, and two little children.

SPORTING

ASHBURTON RACING CLUB SPRING MEETING.

The following acceptances have been received for the above races :— Handicap Hurdle Race, of 45 soys. Two miles. st lb st lb Romulus ... 11 7 Ruapehu ... 9 7 College Boy 912 The Druid... 9 0 Don ... ... 910 ! Ashbtjrton Cup Handtcap, of 70 sovb. One railo and » half. I sb lb | st lb] Rosebud ... 8 8 Riolilnke ... 6 8 1 Diadem ... 713 Bay Kins ... 6 8] Martha ... 611 I WINDERMKRE HANDICAP, of 30 BOVB. Six j furlongs. st lb fit lb Red Cross... 9 4 Coinage ... 610 Quibble ... 8 6 Kilmarnook 610 Pennine",.. 7 6 Calm '6 7 Porfcadown 7 2 Fabler .... 6 7 Prima Donna 7 2 Mail Boy ... 65 '.Coogee ... 7 0 Collingwood J6: '5 Cbllina ... 7 0 Cymaro ... 6 0 Corringa ... 7 0 Sprino Handicap, of 4030v5. One mile. st lb i ' st lb Yon tempsky 7 12 Bay King ... 6 9 Heather Bell 7 10 Liberator ... 6 6 Inez ... 7 4 Nellie Gray 6 6 Richlako ... 7 2 District Wblteb H kdicap, of 30sovs. One mile. st lb st lb Quibble ... 10 7 Portadown 812 Jack ... 10 7 Rodinalla ... 8 12 Martha ... 912 Ben... ... 810 Zealot ... 9 8 Coinage ... 8 8 Don ... 9 8 Calm ... 8 5 Breadalbane 9 2 Mailboy ... 8 0 Pennine ... 9 0 Collingwood 8 0 Maiden Plate. Collina Corrinpa Calm Coogee ' Lady Zetland Knight of the Garter Breadalbane Miss Warbrick Young Cheviot The Miller Ben JNovEL Race. Royalty Doubtful Hebrew Maid Guy Fawkes Violet Duchess of Albany Nightingale Native Miss Perkin Goldfinch

TELEGRAPHIC

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[per press association.] London, November 15 to 17. A temporary African Convention! between Portugal and England has been signed. The signalman who was arrested in .connection with the railway collision has been committed for trial on a charge of manslaughter. Miss Riordan, who confessed to shooting Professor Bright, of Oxford, in a fit of jealousy, has been sentenced to six years' imprisonment. The certificate of• Captain Nelson, of the steamer Alberta^ has been sus pended for six months. : In the Divorce Court to : day the petition of paptain O'Shea for a divorce from his wife on the grounda of her adultery with Mr Parnell was begun. Neither Mrs O'Shea nor Mr Parnell was represented by counsel. The evi dence of the servants in the employ of the petitioner was strongly in support of the charge, and Captain O'Shea in his evidence denied connivance; and also the counter charge of adultery, and that in 1881 he had challenged Mr Par nell to a duel. The case was adjourned. It is.stated that Mr Parnell resigns the leadership of the Irish Party in con nection with the O'Shea divorce case. The Solicitor-General denounced the conduct of Mr Parnell in declining to appear before the Divorce Court to justify his fnlse and faithless betrayal of a husband's confidence. Berlin, November 15. Dr Koch is ill, having been inocu lated with lymph, and it is feared that tuberculosis will set in. Dr Libberts, of Berlin, is selling a consumptive lymph, the component parts of which are not revealed. It is claimed that it kills the tubercule tissues, not the bacillus, and that the former is afterwards removed by surgi cal operation. Sofia, November 15. A train conveying soldiers in Salonica, Routnelia, became derailed, and thirty of the occupants were killed and forty injured. , Ottawa, November 15. The sentence of death passed on Birchall for the murder of the English tourist named Benwell, was carried out to-day. A bungle was made of the execution, and it was fully six^miimtes before "the condemned man wats Stran gled. The body was interred within the gaol wall. Buenos Ayres, November 15. The Government of the Argentine Republic has released Messrs Baring Bros., of London, from their engage ments to provide the sum of £6,000,000 for the construction of the Buenos Ayres waterworks.

AUSTRALIAN

Sydney, November 15. His Excellency Admiral Lord Scott explained that the question of pre j cedence raised by him is in no sense a ■ personal one. It was simply brought forward in obedience to the Queen*s regulations, which state that Governors out of their Colonies rank after $he naval commander-in-chief. Melbourne, November 16. The revenue of the railways during the strike fell L 30.000 short of the estimate, and the expenditure rose L 30,000 in consequence of the difficulty in providing for fuel. At a mass meeting of Socialists and uneraplored resolutions denouncing General Booth's scheme of Colonial farms were carried, and the Govern ment, are requested to prevent eftect being given to the scheme. Pekth (W.A.), November 16. The warship Penguin has discovered a magnetic shoal near Cossack, the principal port of the nothern district, lying on the banks of a tidal creek, some eight miles North of Roeburn. The shpal is said to be right in the track of vessels, and marvellously de flected the compasses from fifty de grees right to twenty-three degrees left. ; Adelaide, Novemberlo. Mr Playford, the Premier of South Australia, is communicating with the other Colonies with reference Ito send ing a medical man to examine into Dr Koch's cure for consumption.

INTERPROVINCIAL

Wellington, November 16. The New Zealand Shipping Company have put aside all the bags of salt which came in contact with the broken arsenic keg, and intend to throw them overboard n deep water.

i'lie Uoverument dofiire if; to be known that Hi cy are qivbe ready to throw open land for settlement in other districts mi the same terms as to the labor represen tatives in Wellington. The Victorian Premier has telegraphed suggesting January, not March, to he the , best month for the Federation Conven tion. The Premier has replied tliah :i will fiuib New Zealand. The place is left to the Australians to fix.

General Booth's Scheme.

On September 11th n T)in)y Chronicle representative had an interview with General Booth, •and ascertained the linos of his social, reformation scheme. The i interview was reported in full,, and cdi- ' tonally .summed up as follows :— General Booth is not content wiih a religious pro- j gramme designed for the reformation of the ' outcasts of society. He is determined todual ' with povurly and suffering in all their | various forms, nnd with all social, problems which can bo got at with thu prospect of doing something to solve them. Not merely the homeless casual, prowling about the Rtroecs a di^graco to our civilisa tion, but the hundreds of thousands of poor people who live in one room in uorae noisome court, and are hardly able to pay the rent of it, will be brought within the scope of this dual erasade against sin and poverty, In the cities industrial homes and refuses will be founded for the recep tion of the destitute ; from these refuges and homes they will be sent after a time to rural settlements ; ' and from these again to settlements in the colonies. The two first i terns of this ischcme wilL com mand general approval. We j are not quite clear as'to the wisdom or. practic ability of the proposed colonial settle ments ; and we think General Booth's plan would be likely to attract greater support if the third project were'dropped altogether, or at least deferred until we see whether there is not room enough in the now unoccupied fields of our own country for all the surplus population of the crowded cities. The idea ,of rural settlements at home, as a reuiedy for congestion, is one deserving of the highest praise. But the working of it out success fully is not an easy matter. It should never be forgotten that the (greatest attraction of the large town td almost every one who comes up from the country is the pleasure of the society of his fellow men. The love ol money;—hiarhei' wages arid salaries and bigger profits*—is, of course, a powerful motive, but the love of that excitement which the society of our fellows alone can supply is stronger still. Your i iiral settlement then must not be a wilderness of shade or joyless solitude". It must be populous enough tojeontain and develop all the activities —physical mental, and spiritual—of a healthy, vigor ous life. It must in a word provide for improvement and recreation, and abov all for social intercourse!. Constructed on these lines, it-may/open the way to the solution of many problems, social and [ industrial, which lie at the foundation of modern society. General Booth is con vinced that the Poor Law is a demoralis ing institution ; and he points out that those upon whom 1 the millions of money annually devotod to the system are spent are no better off at' the end of the year, than they were at the beginning. He I calculates that with an amount equiva lent to one or two years' expenditure under the Poor Law he would be: able, after a time, to dispense with ;three-, fourths of die Poor Law machinery and its attendant expense. He lays it down as an essential condition that the people must work and obey orders. Everybody will be anxious to read the General's book when, it appears- next;:month, and still more anxious to see his scheme in opera tion ; and, without waiting for the appear ance of the one or the working out of"the other, we heartily wish'him God sliced.

Corn Exchange Report

. ~ — .^. ,„. j The following is the corn exchange report (per N. P. Meyer, So;cretary): for the week ending Friday, November ;14thj 1890:- , ■; The holidays were an excuse last week for no business, and but little can be reported this. The wheat market is Jirin, but though a slightly improved value, is reported from London, prices have not advanced. Oats—Several parcels have been on offejr, and though sellers are, prepared to accept a .low figure buyers holcl off; con sequenbly business is very restricted. Beans are readily taken at quotations where space is available in vessels bound for the United Kingdom. Peas are neg lected owing to there being no outside demand. Potatoes can only be sold when actually on board ship ; the uncertainty that has prevailed (more especially of late) as to whether the shipper would get the space he applied for when the vessel arrived in port has caused buyers to be exceedingly careful. Thef c remarks apply to produce generally, and when to the uncertainty of getting space was added the labor diffi culty " the shipper's lot was not a happy one." • Dairy Produce—A fair demand exists for butter of prime quality. ' '■' « Our quotations are as follows :— ,i ' Wheat—Tuscan, 3s 5d to 3s 6d; Pearl, 3s 4d to 3s 5d ; Hunters," 3s 3d to 3s 4d. Oats—Prime millings Is 7d ; bright short feed, Is 6d ; inferior, discolored, Is 2d to Is 4d. Barley—Nominal, 3s for prime malting ; feed, la fid to Is Bd. Beans and Peas—2s 6d for the former, 2s 3d to 2s 4d for the latter. Dairy Produce— Prime keg butter, 6d to 6ld ; cheese, large size, 3d to 3|d ; small loaf shape, 4d. The above prices are those paid to farmers for delivery f.o.b. Lyttelton. Sacks extra.

A Land Settlement Policy

Mr H. D. Bell impresses upon the electors of Wellington City that he did not corner before them as a supporter of the present' Government. He said that now that the people were declaring at this election that the principal matter which Parliament shall have to deal with shall I be the administration of the Crown lands in^such a way as not only to promote but to attract settlement, and make settlers easy and comfortable, he believed |that for the first time they were going to begin a policy which would-—because' the people had awoke to the necessity of it—settle the country,' which would establish , lie meant, settlers upon the country, * and, what he hoped to see established, not foreigners and people that they might introduce because they had a few hun dreds, but their own sons upon the lands of the colony. (Applause). He reiter ated his already reported views on this head, and declared his conviciion that the way to make this colony prosperous was to prosper themselves, and the way to prosper themselves was to settle in the country instead of herding together in towns. (Applause). Mr Bell's/plan was to allow a month after taking the ballot before any section was given over, and during that time any objector to the ballot could pub in a complaint that the applications, or some of them, were not genuine, and thus they would see the matter would end itself. He had dis cussed that method with several gentle men, and they agreed that it would settle the matter atonce. —"Wellington Press."

Prospecting under Ditliculties.

The Cntlin's River correspondent of the "Olutha Leader" reports that about a fortnight ago Mr Dougl.-is Manning, with his mate and nephew, started south in ft HUi.'ill boat, conveying yoods to Mr William Uannhig, and intending to do some prospecting. Tliey reached a little south of L.Hig Point, w lieu a southerly gale m;*t and drove them back. They made for shelter to Cosgiovc Island, r ''ttle to tho north of the point. On guii-^n be tween the rock and the mrunla<,^V'hey fouudjfa ledge, on whjeh. they landeu* 'id managed to draw their boat, which" gi> » stovc-in during the attempt. Hero they were detained for eight days, ditching ruin-water in their hats, with,the spray of the Hca constantly driven over them, and sometimes the water would cross the rock so that it would -partially fill iheir boat. Mr Win. Harming, feeling anxious regard ing the fate of his brother and son, biarlcd northward to look for them, and after considerable hard travelling found thorn on this rock, which was not very far from the mainland. He waited until they were able to land, when-they stated that they had seen on the other side of the rock a thin seam of coal,' and on the landward-side the same seam considerably thicker. Search was then .made on the mainland, when several scams of coal were found of a fair quality and lying afc an angle of j4sdeg. They have made an application for a lease of 160, acres, and i 6 is believed that a good 'coalfield will be found in this direction. The party drew up the boat on the shore and travelled home overland by, way of the Purakanui river. The coalfield* lies between that river and L,ong point. The discoverers have returned to the spot, and are now busy prospecting.....

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We 'do not holt! ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.)

LAGHMOR ESTATE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sni,-rMany of■■. the people who have much to say at election times about the Laghmor estate know less about ifc than they do of " Darkest Africa." Per ha])s you will allow me to put a few facts before them with which they do not seem to bo acquainted. All the original Laghmor estate has been ploughed several times, except where good crops of flax were' growing. Mr John JMcLean has always looked upon the native flax as likely sooner or later to become a valuable product, and in this ho has not been dis appointed. The flax so saved is at pre semt yielding a return of about £4 an acre, besides givingemploymentto manyinenin preparing the fibre for market. The Lighmor estate is thoroughly fenced, with fences in some instances that cost £132 per mile. The.property has been drained where required, some of the drains costing as much as £1 per chain. The unimproved lands to be seen adjuiu ing the original Laghmor estate are landß that were bought fifteen to twenty years ago by people from all classes of the community. In some cases the pur chasers erected houses on the' land they bougHt, and in one' case the buyer of a good sized piece went so far as to plough three furrows, and then gave it, up as a bad job. The earn* piece -of land was afterwards. sold to Mr McLean, and one of, the present candi dates for Parliamentary honors in this county got the contract to plough it— a job the original owner was not' inclined to pay anyone for: The same piece of land has boon ploughed several times since. In'casss whore men'have owned these lands for nearly twenty years, and never spent a penny in' improvements, a sale has boen rmicle to Mr MeLfiah, and in a few months after he had been the owner, he spent t upwards!, of a pound an acre in improving—this,' too,' after the lands had been held (by the original owners for twenty years without a penny being spent on them. Many of the deferred payment settlers, whom the Government settled :6n the land sold their ■ holdings' to Mr McLean because they could riot make a living on them. They were only too gM to find 1 a purchaser who took no meaii advantage of them. In no case has Mr McLean asked anyone to sell land to him, but almost every day he is asked by holders to take land off their hands. , Some months ago, Government opened a large tract of land in this county, a large piece of it being on the Laghmor run. Mr McLean applied for a good sized piece of it, and got it, simply because there was no other applicant. A certain member of Parliament had » good deal to say about that purchase, stating that Mr Buckley, of Bank of New Zealand fame, bought some of it. As a matter of fact, Mr Buckley did not buy a single acre. Mr McLean has proved himself willing to spend thousands of pounds on land other people would not spend a penny upon. And every debt contracted by him, or with his authority, has been paid 20s in the £1, and that is more than can be said of every land transaction in this county.— I am, etc., Donald McLean.

Money Panic in London

[per press association.] Lootxmc, November 15. Yesterday the severest tension was experienced on the money' market v sime Black Friday (May 11, 1886), when the height of the commercial panic in London wh reached. A leading financier's house became involved through heavy purchases in Argentine stocks, and was compelled to ask the assistance of the Bank of England. The Bank promptly complied with the request, and i\ Guarantee Com mittee, composed of several leading financiers was formed. The difficulty was thus overcome, and. an unparalleled finan cial calamity averted. The liabilities of the firm in difficulties, are set down at £14,000,000, but the asset*, show a sur plus of £4,000,000 over this. The guarantee which a committee of lending financiers gave was for £9,000,000. Dur ing the pinic South American securities completely collapsed, and consols and everything else .fall heavily, | The " Times' commenting on the situ ation, says that the Bank of England has added historic service to the name it has always borne foi a prudent policy, by stepping out of its routine course to v pre | vent the downfall of one of the oldest and I most respected English financial houses. Consols were at the lowest rate known since their issue, but prices are now showing signs of recovery. Yesterday a million's worth of consols were sold. T«-day the market is again agitated, and there are renewed rumors of a huge disaster in the case of one of the largest banking houses in London.

THE ELECTIONS.

Mr R. M. Taylor addressed ft meeting at St Albans on Saturday night. He con demned the Government for having ex». ceeded the authorised expenditure, sup ported a graduated land and iricomft tax, and a tax en absentees. He received a unanimous vote of thanks andconfidence. , Mr F. S. Parker addressed a'meeting at HnlsweH. on Saturday night ■ He declared strongly against the present I Government. Tse received a vote of ' thanks and confidence. Mr J. A. Millar, secretary to the Maritime Council, is' definitely oufc for Port Chalmers scat, in opposition to Mr James Mills. Mr A. Lee Smith, a candidate for

THJB ASHEURTON GUA KDIAN. MONDAY, NOVEMBER IT, 1890.



HOPE FOR" THE^DEAF. < A Person cured of deafness and noises in the Head of long standing, by a simple Remedy, ;will bp glad tp forward » 'description of it free tb anyone who applies. The most as tonishing cures'have lately been effected by the same remedy. Address: Nicholson, 175 William Street, Mel bourne!



The best medicine known is SANDER and SONS' EUCALPTI EXTRACT. Teit ifcfj eminent powerful effects in coughs, colds, influenza, etc.—the relief is instantaneous. Thousands give the most gratifying testi mony. His Majesty the King of Italy, and medical syndicates all over the globe, are its patrons. Read the official reports that accompany each bottle. 'We have no occa sion to offer rewards in proof of the genuine ness of our references. The official reports of medical clinics and universities, the official communication of the Consul-General for Italy at Melbourne; the diploma awarded Intenuktional. Exhibition, Amsterdam—all these are authentic documents, and, as such, not open to doubt. We add here epitome of one of the Tarious cases treated by Siegen, M.D , Profereor, etc. Burning of the right hand through the explosion of-a small oil store. The epidermis on the velar and palmer side of the hand of th« thirty .year old patient was completely separated and liftert up as far as the joint of the hand. The likewise lifted nails were hanging loom »nd half of the phalnax of the nail of the middle finger was coaled. The wounds thm oontracted h«aled in three weeks under *ily »pplu*tM>n. of' Eucalypti, Exta-aet drawing. The patitnt has retained th« fill uwtUb«b»M.HA4vM %



WANTED ■ CASH Advertisements mider> this heading not cxoe<:dm SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addressos may bo left at this Office ' ■ A MERICAN Ice Cream ! American _iIJL. Ice Cream daily at H. G. Flower's, Confectioner. Ice kept in stock. \A / ANfEp~Si|;Urttion~~for a young VV girl (light work preferred). Aoply by letter. Address "J.C.," "Mail* i Office, Ashburton. 11 66 1 IXT AN TED a young cniia to adopts j\V References giv^en. Addres, [ 'Mafcer,"office this paper. ll 71 ANTOD "iKnown-JTlie"^7^^ wear " Boot is the best for Men, adies and Children.—W. H. Coixier. WANTED Known -Ladies' Stockings with Silk Toes and Heels in black and colors. Is 6cl per pair.—W. H. Collier. • B~ OOTS, BOOTS. ■'* Keep you, feet Dry and save Doctor's Bills, have a splendid Stock in now. iTry my Double-soled Shooters. Every pair Guaranteed. Robert AlcorN, Ashbur ton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. 11TANTED KnownT^ 'ForDressStul*', VV Prints, &c, Trimmings to. match go to Melford House. Best Value m town.—H. C Segers. WANTED Known —FoV Sheetings" Tablings, Calicoes* Quilts, Towels, Table Napkins, Tray Cloths, D'OyleysV &c, go to MelfordHouse.— Hi O. Segers. WANTED every man in the County .to'have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds.—Robert Ai-corn, Ashburtoiij Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings. 'ANTED Known.—For first-class, Millinery and Drapery (marked cheap) go to Melford House. New Goods ust opened.— H.C. Segeks. W~"" ANTElTiCnown — The Cheapest Shop to buy .Tinware and Gal vanised Iron goods in Ashbarton, is at W. F. Hannafoed's, Burnett Street. A arge stock kept on hand. Tin and Iron ware goods made and repaired with des patch. _^



FOR SALE. ! '■PWELVB McCORMICK WIRE L BINDERS. All in perfect work ing order. CHEAP 10*144 FRIEDLANDER BROS. AMUSEMENTS /"ADDFELLOW^ I fALL,""" V_/DDFELLOW3' XI.ALL, ASHBtTRTOIT Tuesday AND Wednesday NOVEMBER 25th and 26th. AMATEUR OPERA, "PATIENCE" Admission : 4s, 3s, and 2,5. Box Plan at W. Zander's for Reserved Seats. N B.—The Committee of this Opera, having gone to an expense of £100 in order to produce it in a thoroughly efficient manner, trust to merit the support of the country and town residents. ___ ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, TINWALD. SOCIAL "LECTURE BY BISHOP JULIUS. THE Aunual "Social Gathering will be he held in the TEMPERANCE HALL, On MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1890. WELCOME TO THE BISHOP. The Bishop's Lecture, Musical Selections, f Glees, Anthems, etc. Refreshments provided. Tickets, Is 6d each As the Hall is rather limited in size, early application for tickets will be neces 'ary. Tickets may be procured from Mr Gudsell, Tinwald ; Mr W. T. Soal,jWater ton ; Mr Huseltine, Ashburton. Doors open at 7.30. Commence at 8 o'clock. 11 91 "SOMERSET LIVERY STABLES. JOHN NEWMAN, Proprietor. rpHESE old established and favorite JL central Livery Stables are now in my hands, and it will be my constant effort to again bring their business into the front rank, and make these stables 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 stallions and race horses. Country customers are guaran teed every accommodation at the lowest current rates. JOHN NEWMAN, Proprietoa. ..<!?• Xlnoraton- X>udley LAND, ESTATE AND STOCK AGENT 161 Hereford Street, Chriatchurch i* have sums of •" ney to lend Dn good security at low rates of interest. Sever* arms for Sale TO STAND THIS SEASON AT GROVE FARM, TINWALD, The Thoroughbred Horse, PerMn Warbeck 11, By Perkin Warbeck (imp), dam Miss Kate (ittip). the dam of Antelope, Sultau, and Prime Warden. For full perfigree see cards. For further particulars apply Groom in charge, or EDWARD GATES, Grove Farm, Tinwald. Oi' TO~7Jy|~PER~DAY"to be ,rsj I '■v.^'jl made by person of either sex' in their own localities, at work for us. New business. All meet with wonderfui success. Any one can do the work. Capital not required. We will start you Outfit worth £1 mailed free. The employment is particularly apaptcd to the region in which this publication circulates. Boys and girls earn nearly as much as men. Full particulars and in structions mailed free. Now is the time -don't delay, but write to ua at once. \ddress —Stijjson and Co. Portland Maine, United State THE WALKER CORK. EXTRACTOR. Pronounced the best Mechanical Cork Extractor in the Market, as it pulls the Cork the easiest and removes it quickest from the Screw. Its ure prevents the agitation of carbo nated or other beverages, and allows the sediment to remain undisturbed in the bottle. Designed tor the use of hotels, restau rants, saloons, clubs and families. Orna mental in appearanae and full nicke plated. Special terms to jobbers. Manufactured by the E. WALKER TOOL COMPANY DOGS. MANY years since we had the pleasure to introduce to the public the BUFFALO MEAT DOGS BISCUITS, now so extensively used in the principal kennels of the world. Sinoe that time we have made many im portance improvements in their manufacture —improvements not of the nature of veget able compounds which may be added to any food of a trifling cost, but of the nature to pi'oduce good hard flesh and muscle, ingre dients wliich no other Biscuit or Dog Food possesses, and for which we have received numerous medals and high recommendations, amongst which we may mention that of Pro fessor Dj Zum, who after many careful analysis and experiments pronounced these biscuits t tbe of the greatest excellence, and to contain double the quantity of nourish ment that is to be found in the flesh, thus farming the best and most successful food for dogs that is possible to produce. It is important to notice that every biscuit is stamped—"Buffalo Meat, Trade Mark," the quality of which we guarantee. Twenty shillings per cwt, carriage paid SOLE MANUFACTURERS, W. G. CLARK & SON ANCHOR PATENT BISCUIT W If LJMEHOUSE, LONDON, EG. E3TABMSHKD 1851. BRANCH OFFICE & FACTORY. 754 Washington Street, N.SW f •»«.



LOW VITALITY DE CHURCHILL'S Syrup of Hypophosphite of Lime. prescribed by the faculty for the cure of Consumption, Chronic Cough and General Debility. It contains two of the principal ingre dients necessary for building up the Human Frame, and which avo considered deficient in the above complaints, viz., t iwaphoru* and /.»m«. It cannot be too highly recommended for Delicat < Childro Dr Churchill's Compound Syrup o HYPOPHOSPHITES Is real Brain Food, and in cases of Muscular and Nervous Exhaustion has acquired a world-wide reputation. Each bottle bears Dr Churchill's signature Price, 4fr Prepared only by SWAKN fIHEMIST WANK V^HEMIST, Pue Castisjlione Paris "Fishing sfason, 1890. fishijsg tackle, Hi G 1890 N CTA 1891 TUST arrived, ex "DORIC " from best fj English and American Manufac turers a large and well assorted stock of all Fishing requisites. Bods, Lines, Reels, Minnows, Flies, Qaft Hooks, single, double and treble, Mountings, assorted Hooks; Waterproof Stockings, India Rubbereraek proof Gum Boots, water proof Fish Bags In great variety, including latest pat terns. Every article of the season at lowest prices. Fishing Licenses can now be obtained rom me. ALSO.—New Stock of CRICKETING and TENNIS MATERIALS. W. ZANDER, Direct Importer Fishing Tackle. Tobbacconist and Foods. Ladies and Gentlemen'ncv Messing *Ulo>- '" Hairdr JAMES BAKER, TIMBER MERCHANT, HAVELOCK STREET Opposite Harbisons Auction Mart, TXAS IN STOCK Large Supplies of— Building Timber, Stakes and Posts, Galvanised Corrugated Iron, Builders Ironmongery, Turnery, Furniture, and Fancy Goods IN ENDLESS VARIETY. URNITURE MADE TO ORDER IN ANY DESIGN AT SHORTEST NOTICE Sole Agent in ABhburton for Clegg s Perambulators. , We SPARROW TAILOR ANL MEN'S MERGER. EAST BTRRET. Spring and Summer, 1890. TRY THE NEW ZEALAND CIOTHINCx FACTORY FOR Men's Colonial TWEED SUITS, Boys' and Youths' Colonial TWEED SUITS. HATS.—We keep the Largest and Best Selection. Hats made to measure. SQITS MADE TO MEASURE. Best workmanship put in every garment, nd a perfect fit guaranteed. Large Selection of Boys' Knicker Suits. Ties, Shirts, Collars, Braces, «&c, in Latest Fashion wid Style. Bbst Value for Cash in District NEW ZEAIAND CLOTHING FACTORY W. H WEBBER Manager,



""""'-VTEW T3OOKS, BOYS' and GIRLS' OWN ANNUALS, NEW MUBTC. ■ STATIONERY and FANCY GOODS, CHRISTMAS and NEW YI'AR'S CARDS of New Zealand Scenery. L. F. ANDREWESjfe Ca __ TZ"EATING'S " POWDER destroy Ja. BUGS, FLEAS, MOTHS BEETLES, and all other insects,..-vials quite harmless to domestic animals. In exterminating Beetles the sneers of this powder is extraordinary. It in perfectly clean in application. See the article you purchase is "KEATING'S," as imi tations are nokious and ineffectual. Sold in Tins, 6d, Is, and 2s 6d each, b> all Chemists. .. _ _- X A j A ANNUAL SPORTS & RACES. (Approved by Canterbury Jockey Club and Now Zealand Trotting Association.) To l»e held in the Domain, on BOXING DAY, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26th, 1890. President—D. G. Holmes. "Vice-President —T. E. Upton, E. S. Coster, W. L. Allan •ml VV. M. Lyttelton. Judge—W. M. Lyttelton. Starter of Horse Races—l. E. Upton. Clerk of the Course—R. Kemp. Clerk of the Scales—T. Dowliug. Judges of Athletics—W. L. Allan, E. H, Hughes, aud J. Kemp. Starters of Athletics—C. A. C. Hardy, and R. Story. Treasurer—W. B. Dixon. Secretary- L. O*ley. Stewards—C. A C Hardy, T* Primmer, J. Kemp, A. Rowntree, J. ♦Vilkinson, A. Makcig, and W. Hood. HORSB"R/VqES. ; First Race to start at 12 o'clock. I 1. Hurdle Rack of 10 soys. Over six flights of hurdles, 3ft 6in high, aud two brush jumps; second horse to receive 1 soy from the stake. About two miles. Entrance, 10a. To start at 12 o'clock noon. 2. Flying Stakes, of 7 soys. About g-mile. Second horse to receive 1 soy from the stake. Entrance, 7s. To start at I p.m. 3. Ladies' Purse, of 10' soy s. About If mile. Second horse to receive 1 sot from the Btake. Entrance, 10s. To be enfnd ay I adi«s"i?^To start; at 2 p.m. 4. Hakdicap Saddle Trot (distance behind scratch) of 10 soys. About three miles. Horses breaking must pull imme diately and go, and trot to the satisfac ' tvn of the Stewards, or be disqualified. Second horse to receive 1 soy from the stake. Nomination, 73 Gd ; acceptance, 2s 6d To start at 3 p.m. ' Farmers' Plate, of 10 soys. About 1 irile and a half. Sucoiid horso to re ceive 1 soy from the stake. Entrance, 10s. To start at 3.40 p,m 6, Huery 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. RULES. 1. The Meeting will be held under the rules of racing. 2. All events to be confined to the Sonth Rakaia and Mount Hutfc 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 racea except otherwise '.specified—l Oat for three-year-olds, list for iour-year-olds, and list 71b for 5, 6, and aged. 4. No horse that has won more than £10 in one event will be allowed to compete in any race. 5. The racea are open to any horse com monly resident in the prescribed district from the Ist October, 1890, and owned by a person who has resided in the said district during the same period. 6. Nominations for the Saddle Trot with fee of 7s 6d each, age, description, and per formance of the horse, must be deposited ■with the Secretary at Rakaia, not later than 8 p.m. on Saturday, December (sth, 1890. Acceptances and general entrie.;, together with fees, by 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 13th. In all cases the names, fees, colors, and ages of horses, and colors of riders must accompany nominations. 7. All protests must be given in writing to the Secretary within thirty minutes after the race has been run, together with the sum of £1, which shall be foifeited if, in 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 the 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 until satisfied that the qualification of entry is correct and the 011 ua 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 ji 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 Btartei punctually the advertised hour. ATHLETIC SPOETS. 'Xo commence at 10.30 punctually. 1. Mend 100 yds Race (handicap), Ist prize L 2, 2ud prize LI. 2. Boys' Race (under 15 years) 200 yds (han dle ip), 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.ffigle Women s Race 100 yds (handicap), E ltrancefree. 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 10s, 2nd prize ss. 3rd prize. 2s Gd. 7. Men's Mile Race (handicap), Ist prize LI j 10s, 2nd prize LI. ! 8. Married Women'a 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 ICOyds Entrance free. Ist prize LI. R uTe S. ' I—Entrancel—Entrance fees for all 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 Men's 100 yds, 400yda, mile race, hurdle and sank races, must be 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 othei ■ wise. The Burnham Brass Fand will play during the day. Refreshments and other amusements on the ground. No games oi chance permitted. A BALL will be held in the evening in the Rakaia Town Hall—Dancing to com mence at 9 p.m. Admission, Gentlemen, 2s 6d; Ladies, Free. Children not admitted. , 10 183 AURENCE OXLEY, Secretory. I ABSOLUTE PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE Manufacturers of ULCAN PAINT SOTERIA. Absolute protection againa exteno-on of fire. Color cards *nd test shingles with inslriM tfons and proofs of on materials well furniahtd