DEATH.

On December 28th, 1890, at his father's residence, Fairfield, Thomas Edward, 1 beloved son of Patrick and Catherine Madden. Aged 17. R.I.P.

MARRIAGES.

Clark —Stbphbxs. -On October 29fch, 1890, at Sfc Andrew's Church, Tinwald, by the Rev R. F. Garbetfc, John, eldest son of the late Joseph Clark, grain merchant, Tinwald, to Lucinda, third daughter of John Stephens, blacksmith, Ashburton. Hokitika papers please copy,« Alexander—Stephens. —On November 11th 1890, at the residence of the bridegroom's brother, North Carlton, Melbourne, by the Rev J. W. Mc- Gregor, Robert James, second son of Capt. R. Alexander, Christchurch, N.JS. to Johannah, fourth daughter of John Stephens, blacksmith, A.shburt,on, N.Z. Hokitika papers please copy.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1890. THE PETITION TO THE GOVERNOR.

Some days ago our Christchurch •ontemporaries printed the text of a petition, copies of which have been cirv cu]ated for signature, praying His Ex cellency the Governor to refuse to make any calls to the Legislative Council at the present juncture, or until the num ber of members has fallen below 35. As a copy has reached Ash burton, and signatures are we understand being 1 collected under the auspices of the People's Political Association, and as few persons waited upon have time to peruse it from beginning to end, we propose shortly to explain here what it contains. It respectfully sets forth for His Excellency's consideration (1) That an increase of the membei ship of the Council as at present constituted is contrary to the wish of the people as expressed at the recent general elec tion, (2) That the present Ministry are m a minority, and therefore not en titled to advise the Governor on a matter of such importance, (3) That no further life appointments should be made till the new House has had an opportunity of considering the ques tion, (4) That the present Ministry themselves proposed to reduce the num ber of Legislative Councillors to 35, and that as th« Council's membership is \n excess of that number further appointments cannot be justfied, and (5) That even if Ministers claim the privilege of making appointments as a defeated Ministry they have barred themselves against exercising such privilege because they refuse to adrait their defeat. These contentions are absolutely unanswerable, and for ourselves we doubt very much whether the Governor will be put to the trouble of having to in timate a refusal as there are already in dications that Ministers will forbear to press so unpopular a thing as the crea tion of a batch of additional Council fc lors. Already it has been hinted through inspired channels that the tender of advice for the calling of new- Councillors will be deferred, and we suspect that it will be deferred till after the Council has fallen below the number of 35. Whether or not, we opine that His Excellency is himself opposed to the creation of more life- Councillors at present, and that it is not unlikely that one of the reasons of his going away from Wellington to spend his Christmas holidays was a desire to be out of the way of any im portunities on the part of his Ad visers.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Volapuk is now 11 years old, and it is as serted that five million persons are able to use it. Christian Scientist: "Do you believe m spirits?" Kentuckian: '-Thanks, don't keer el I do." A Cabinet Minister being aaked why he did I not promote merit, said, " Merit did not promote me." Smart Attorney: " You said the evening wore on. What did it wear on that parti cular occasion?" Witness: "The close of day, I presume." A young man named L&fciirer, employed m the Bank of New Zealand, was drowned while bathing m the Waikato river on Box ing Day. According to the Catlin'a correspondent of the " Clutha Leader " the district is making rapid strides, and settlement is rapidly pro gressing. Taranaki is going to hold a Jubilee Exhibition at New Plymouth of art, science, industry, agricultural and genezal produce on the 30th March, 1891. Pastoral runs containing 52,000 acres are to be submitted to auction at Hokitika, up set price £1 per thousand acres, per annum, with ten years to run. This sounds cheap. At a trial of reaping-machines held at Ballarafc on the 9th inst. the Wood's single apron took the cup, m competition with 2 Hornsbys, 2 McCormicks, 2 Masseys, 1 Deer ing and 1 Howard machine. The Onehunga Ironworks are now m full swing again, a partial stoppage having been experienced through want of suitable coal. About 1000 tons are now being delivered, so busy times may be expected. Mr Edison has a novelty on which be is workjng^a clock io talk the time. Instead of a Ma»i£ flQ«Hi4i it will say "one, two," etc., »t the proper hours. For an alarm, it will say mno many w<wrds, ff Qet ijp," jn a sten torian and commanding voice. A new illustration of the dia|tance of the stars is that it would take ell the t/ancashire cotton factories 400 years to spi« a thread toag enough to reach to the nearest etai> at fch* jpricsent rate of production of about 155,00G,GC|Q miles per day. A census is to fc? £aken on Sunday, the sth April, 1891, the vmv&l pf which will be of grsat interest, more especially it will ajagrfgr to the whole of the British dourii^iqns, and wiil J>«i the first contemporaneous Pan Anglican en»wuc^,tion. In Tasmania botii grajn and grass ar."* making splendid growth, f*n4 is every Prospect of a good season's feed, J$ fact, #h« inspect is almost too good for s&ft»# farm#r«j, '.$# £hp growth of the grass keeps up the price .of ,sto*'|B so that it is im possible to purchase H/fak any chance of making a profit or even icvnjiijig ,<>,ufc clear. We clip the following important iefetimo, ,ni&! from the '' Hlawarra Mercury " {Jf. S. of the 4(6*l} March. It needs no comment :— •* Mr John Lm§(l&y, of the Bulli Mountaino writes to us that ; as#t offering for four years I $#?» ftOute gravel, lie has ex^W'jgnced almost ,comf>iei« relief by using Sander 4w»cl $ons' Eucaiyptfe jfifo-fcraet. He says : —" .Seeing the said Extract cyfowlsised m the ' Hlawarra 1 Mercury,' his ititenef offering induced him io ,o;btain a bottle of $fys medicnie from Mf jfosking, chemist, of <M# town, and Jthaifc (fcfee f*«£ of \t gave him great w#gf'at once, He states between IQth March inst., when h« obtai^A £h£ first bottle of the, extract, a»d ,the |9% $1* of 'that' medicine continued to afford Mm ?%}]s, to which he had been a stranger for four .y«^>.

The "Sydney Jockey Turf Club" con sultationist is on the warpath again, another batch "of circulars having just reached Asli burton. Our readers are again warned that the whole burnesa is a fraud, and that if they send their pounds as invited to Sydney they will simply throw their money away. There is no such Club as the Sydney Jockey Turf Club. The fire bsll brought ont the Western »engine on Sunday afternoon, and an old vehicle m Mr Stoele' yard, West street, that had caught fire from some burning grass wa3 soon extinguished. As all the herbage about about the country was as dry as tinder until the recent shower, there was much danger from grass fires. The "Timaru Herald" says:—At the Uemuka Caledonian Society's Concert on "Boxing Night '' A bandit's life" was capitally sung by Mr Black ; as was also the "Battle of Stirling" by the same gentle man. We congratulate Ashburton musical circles on the above i\s Mr Black is now a resident here, and we trust soon to hear him sing m public. A curious anaesthetic used by the Chineso has recently been made known. It is obtained by placing a frog m a jar of flour and irri tating it by prodding it. Under these cir cumstancea it exudes a liquid which forms a paste with the flour. This paste dissolved m water has well marked anesthetic pro perties. After the finger has been immersed m the liquid for a few minutes it can be cut to the bone without any pain being felt. The results of the new divorce law m Vic toria, one of the provisions of which i 3 that desertion for three years is sufficient cause for divorce, is the flooding of the Courts with such cases. In some instances the faithless husbands and wives are m New Zealand. The business goes on merrily-the papers have not space to report the proceedings fully—and very few applications are refused. Mr Ashmead Bartlett, M.P., the Yankee whom the millionaire Baroness Burdett Coutts married, has not (says the London " Star ") made an impression on the Irish people. During this un-Civil Lord's stay m Tipperary, he affected to inspect the potato crop. Fixing his eyeglass (the story goes) very earnestly on a field of luxuriant yellow turnips, he exclaimed to his companion, who was personally conducting him, "Ah ! these potatoes are not blighted.,' We find the following m an exchange : Mr Allison Smith, locomotive superintendent of the Victorian railways, is to be again put on his defence. Recently there have been complaints from the men under his control of favoritism, and, the matter having been brought up m Parliament, Mr Smith has ap plied to have a full inquiry, as he belives it " cannot fail to remove any false impressions that may have gained weight by the circula tion and repetition of foolish slanders." A Celt who had joined a cavalry regi ment, for the first time m his life revelled m the delights of a Christmas dinner after the English style. The delighted Donald plied knife and fork with astonishing voracity, and only desisted through sheer repletion. " Well, how have you enjoyed your dinner, my man ?" asked one of the officers. The trooper answered—" Och, aye, sir, ferry weel inteet. It will be ta gran' eat whatefer. After this, hereafter, she'll pc feared she'll pc aye look toon on her am puir native par ritch for evermore, moreover." The doctor had to certify to the death of a patient, but found that he had not got a form. Re sent a housemaid up to a neighbouring doctor to borrow one, The girl was shown m to the waiting room, crowded with patients and as she insisted that her business was very urgent, the doctor came out to see her. "What can I do for you madam?" Dr 's compliments, and hs said would you lend him a certifi"ate of death, as you would be sure to have plenty of them." There was a forced laugh and an uneasy movement amongst the patients on heaving this grim message, but the doctor put the matter right as he answered, with a smile, "quite right, madam; he can have all mine. I have no use for them mmy practice. He appearently has."— Aulus. Two hundred and fifty miles on crutches for the 3ake of being among his relations at Christmas time was (says the Wellington " Press ") the feat accomplished by an old cripple here recently. Tins old man, who has lost one of his legs and*has to walk on crutihes, left Taranaki some three weeks ago without a penny m his<pocket, for this city, intending to earn his food as best he could on the way down.. Fortunately ho happened to fiill m with an exceptionally good-hearted lot of people during the journey, and so arrived here safely a couple of days ago. He at once applied to the Benevolent Institution to pay his passage to Lyttelton—he stated he would walk there if he could—where he had friends who would keep him, and the trustees at their meeting decided to grant his request. Almost the whole of this remarkable journey was made along the railway line. Professor Lichtwark held a class at the homestead at Acton on Saturday when a goodly number of pupils were m attendance. In driving m the young unbroken stock from the paddock the grey filly handled last Monday at Rakaia was yarded and afforded a good opportunity of testing the lasting qualities of the first lesson received. The Professor was able without the slightest difficulty, amongst the other horses, to handle the filly all over, mount her from | either side without either rope or bridle; she just picked up each leg as required, the same as an old $ horse. Two horses were then selected and the others turned out. A black three-year-old colt was the first taken, and he proved of a somewhat sulky dispo sition, but m an hour and a quarter almost anything could be done with him. The other a two-year-old filly turned out to be a very fiery and most determined youngster, and it took considerably longer to bring her to subjection; 'however, patience and per severance prevailed, and two better subjects for showing pupils what could be done by the Professor could not have been found. A young horse was then prepared for harness, and it was thoroughly explained and shown that by using the Professor's mode there would be very little chance of either an upset or broken trap through kicking. All were most pleased with their day's instruc tion, and after thanking Mr Allan fot enter taining them at lunch, and the Professor for llis work, the party separated,

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS

j>ER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Or ,*••*•* ftr»na JLndfriv ■Timaru, December 29. The annual meeting of the Qr&nge Grand Lodge for the Middle Island took *>ia,ej3 here on Friday and Saturday. The Rev. y. Ada^s, Punedin, was elected Grand Master. fJTII« W>»»ll»r. There has been a good fall of rain for three hours this morning. It is still (9.3Q a.m.) falling lightly. Pvnedin, December 29. Ifc rained heavHy ail yesterday and the forenoon of to-da.y, t>u> has weired. !

MARKETS.

[jp.ES, ffpp ASSOCIATION.]

(Received December 29, .0.4 a.m ) London, December, 27. i^eyr Zealand "mutton, prime selected, W'" ' ■"■ ' " "

COUNTY COUNCIL.

THE WATER RACES. IMPORTANT DISCUSSION AND RESOLUTIONS. A special meeting of the Ashburton County Council—in committee of the whole—was held on Wednesday last. Present-Messrs E. G. Wright, C. J. Harper, John Grigg. Hugo Friedlander, Duncan Cameron, VV rm. McMillan, James Brown, and E. S. Coster. Mr Walker, Avho was detained m Christchurch, was unable to be present until the arrival of the express, and, hn having telegraphed to that effect, Mr Wright was appointed chairman m his stead. It was resolved to admit, the reporters to the meeting, although the Council was sitting m Committee. The object of the meeting Was to discuss certain matters m connection with the water system of the county, as indicated m several motions given notice of at last meeting by different members. MAINTENANCE OP THE RACES. Mr Harper said the object he had m view, when he asked the Council to hold this meeting, was to have the water charges question considered. It had been looked upon as necessary some time ago to increase these charges from 40s to 60s per mile; but he had not thought it advisable to raise the question of differential rates until the new Council had been returned. For a certain distance down from the hills, the owners were exempt from water charges. They were justly entitled to fcliis, where the races were very wide ; but the charges began suddenly afc a point where the races were still very much wider than they were lower down, and this great width, and a long mileage of races that; these owners did not require for their own wants, had to be j maintained by those owners for the benefit of the people lower down. Yet the full charges were imposed all the same. He thought it would be much better to graduate a scale, so that a fair charge should be put upon owners who had larger widths of races to maintain, as well as duplicated and even triplicated races, and all this for the benefit of the people below. The question of main tenance was becoming very serious. The Council had to maintain all races exempt from charges, besides all forda, and the latter were a cause of great cost. The cost all through would be less if the races were kept up to their full capacity. The races had been allowed to gradually silt up m some instances, and to accumulate weeds. Many owners were content with simply stopping leakages, and ignored the growth m the channels ; but there were some owners who kept their races thoroughly clear of weeds. He had always maintained that the time must come when the Council would have to take m hand the maintenance of the whale system from the top to the bottom, and charge the persons fcr whose benefit the races existed with the cost. They had tried the system of calling upon owners to clean out their laces, bufc it had not beep attended to. If the cleaning out were done properly, there would be no necessity for enlarging the mains, which were quite capable of carrying all the water that was ever likely to be pub into them, if they were only cleared out to their full capacity. It was just as sensible to ask the owners to maintain all sections of roads and railways that ran through or past their properties as to maintain the race sections. If the work were done by the Council's officers, rangers could be done without; but ifc was useless to expect owners to clean the races as they ought to be cleaned, and as the Council wished them to be cleaned. Some might do ifc, bufc unless all kept tlie races m perfect condition the people below must suffer. The Council's men would, of course, be men of experience m this work, and ifc was not a kind of work that an ordinary laborer was much good at for a while—he was next to useless— and then the Council would have proper implements for the work. Mr Grigg thought that, before going into the question of the charges, it would be better to first determine whether the Council would take over the maintenance He had found m his experience that what Mr Harper had said was true—that by one man nob doing his chare of the work on the races all below suffered. The Chairman would prefer to see some definite resolution proposed, so that they would know where they were. Mr Harper would move : " That m the opinion of this Committee the Council take over the maintenance of all the races j within the county from the Ist January, 1891." ■ Mr Grigg seconded. Mr Friedlander said that, coming afc a moment's notice, this was a serious reso lution to deal with at once. It involved a very important question for the rate payers. He had learned from the Engineer that ifc would cost from 30s to 40s per mile to maintain the races, and as they had over 900 miles of them, a sum of, roundly, £1800 would be represented by the change. The shoe began to pine when the Council raised the rates fro 40s to 60s per mile, and if a further sum of 40s per mile were added for mainten ance, both shoes would pinch. He would like more time to consider this subject, and an opportunity to see some of his constituents about ifc. There was much m what Mr Harper said, bufc the present system was fairly satisfactory. If it were nob working properly, there was the machinery m the Council's hands, to make ifc do so. The Engineer could put on an extra ranger to see where the faults lay, and then, under the stringent by-laws they possessed, if a few case 3 were brought! into Courfc they would soon see the races properly attended to. He was not m favor of saddling the ratepayers with an additional £2 a mile m a season when farmers were shivering for their crops. Mr Brown could 'not support the motion, and the arguments adduced by Mr Harper were strongly condemnatory of the Conncil's officers. If any races were choked up the rangers were not doing their duty. And why did nofc Messrs Harper and Grigg report to the Council themselves if they knew of. races that \fote choked? He believed the ratepayers to be against the mqfcion, although the present system nofc perr fecb. He knew instances of small farms on which a length of twenty chains of race ran along an end of the section and forty cnains down the side, and the owner of 100 acres was rated for the whole and had to maintain the whole. He did not see that the clearing would be carried out better under a new system, if the rangers' did their duty uncle? the present. Mr Coster said the question before the Council had been discussed before. He had been m favor of ifc afc the time, but a large petition was presented from rate payers down below, praying that the maintenance'of the races should nofc be taken out of their hands', and m conse onence'of that petition he had withdrawn Bis support 'iv'otq .the? proposal for the Council to take over' tlie 'maintenance. He would have £6 oppose this miition now, at least uutil he had seen his con : stJLfcueiffcs,. Mr Cameron could not support the motion either. Mr McMillan was nofc m favor of the motion. The contract system was not appreciated m his district. M,r Grigg did nofc wish ifc to be assumed Ml»r iiio work would be done by contract. There was Just as great difficulty m keep ing contractors ud to the inai'lf as'fche owners, and ifc'might;'be the: preference 6f the Council to keep a maintenance staff. He regretted to hear so much about the objections of the ratepayers. - He 'thought the Council was there as a

judicial body, to do whan was right and best for fche general welfare, without con sidering outside influence- The cleaning of the races was done afc a particular time when farmers had leisure. Ifc w »s proposed now co relieve them of this duty, and, instead of taxing them for the maintenance that way, to introduce a rate instead. Many of them thought this meant cost. He knew the work was not done properly now, and if the Council pressed to have ifc done properly, it would ccsfc far more to many of fchem to be com pelled to do ifc properly than fche rate they would have to pay, to bear the cost; of the work if ifc were done by the. Council. Mr 'Cameron allowed the idea to be a good one, and all round the table there was an evident belief m fche system; bufc many men were averse to paying a rate.

Mr Coster said the petition he had re ferred to had come from the ratepayers below, and was his sole reason for oppos ing the proposal.. M r Wright said Mr Coster's statement ATas perfectly correct. There was a universality of feeling among the rate payers on this matter, and if they were pollod to-morrow it would be found that they were unanimous m wishing to do their own race cleaning. The under taking would be a costly one, as a staff of men would be working all the year round at the races, and always when they were flowing. A man could do more work m a day m a race that was dry than he could do m a week when the race was full ; and it was better to have the whole force of the county at work at one time m dry races as at present than to have a staff permanently employed upon races running full. He would*give notice for next meeting to move as follows :—" That the water rangers be instructed to hand m monthly a list of all cases of obstruction to, or overflow from the water races, observed by them during the month, stat ing the causes of such obstruction or over flow, and giving the number of the rural Kectton and the name of the occupier m j each case." Mr Friedlander was astonished to hear Mr Grigo; speak of the Council sitting there as a judicial body, and ignoring the people who sent them there. If they ignored their constituents m that way the farmers would soon send them about their business. While he represented the con stituents who sent him to the Council, he would respect the wants they expressed to him. It was all very well to talk about not putting any extra tax upon the owners, but they would soon find that a farmer did not consider the work of clear ing out the races any tax upon him, but a rate per chain for maintenance he would object to. Mr Harper said it was the duty of the Council to make the water race system perfect from end to end. The very fact that the Engineer's estimate for keeping the races clean was £2 per mile showed that a change was necessary. Not a farmer m the county was paying £2 per mile for cleaning races. If the races were put m proper order from top to bottom of the system, and it would not cost £2 to do this, there would be plenty of water m all the races all along the line. It was not absolutely necessary to turn off the water to clean out races ; many of them could be done just as well with the water running; and as for enlarging the maiuf, that would be of little use so long as the branches did not carry as much as the mains. There was an insidious growth m the races that it required great care and attention to grapple with, and hurried and slovenly cleaning only nursed that growth. There were innumerable applications for water, and he did not see how these were to be granted unless a thorough system of cleaning were adopted. The resolution was then put and lost. CHARGES. Mr Harper moved " That- some re-ad justment of water-race charges is advis able and necessary He did not consider the present uniform charge of £3 per mile a fair one over both wide and narrow races, and over land where large stretches were necessary to be carried by people m the upper districts for the benefit of. the people below. Mr Coster seconded the motion as simply affirming a policy. Details could be gone into afterwards. The motion was carried. PROPOSED ACREAGE RATE. Mr Brown moved, pursuant to notice— (1) "That m future the charges for water supply be levied on the acreage of each section through which a water race passes more or losws, and on the acreage of any sections adjoining such as that mentioned, provided such adjoining sections have the benefit of the water supply ; but that no water race should be levied on an adjoining section when the whole of the section is deprived by fence lines from sharing m the benefit of the water supply. (2) That m order to remedy the injustice that to some extent exists m the present system of cleaning the water races, the water rate should be increased sufficiently to pay fair value for the w*rk of cleansing, and that such fair value, at so much pc' 1 chain, should be deducted from the water rate of each one who, on the report of the ranger, has satisfactorily cleansed his races during the year." The principle of rating by the extent of races flowing through or ne*r a person's property was not, to his mind, the most equitable. A. man with a hundred acres of land and sixty chains of race had a heavy rate to pay, and he had seen the same chainage on a twenty acre seotion. He thought a more equitable system would be rating on an acreage basis. Even that was not perfect, but it was better than the other. He would levy an acreage rate on the sections benefited by the races. Many large sections were only touched by the races, but that touch gave all the benefit needed, wh'le many small sections had long stretches of races running, through them, and this chainage they had to pay' for. It; was well known that as you came down towards the sea many people were frequently without water altogether, so that if the up-countiy people had larger races to maintain they had always water m them. Mr Grigg thought a fatal objection was that land worth £40 an acre would pay the same as land worth only Qi. The Engineer, m reply m My Cameron, said that m the 900 miles of races he did not believe there were more than twenty miles m the whole system that had been for any long time without water. Mr Friedlander took the same objec tion as Mr Grigg. The change would necessitate a re-survey every year, to ascertain how the paddocks were reaping benefit from the races. Mr Coster thought that would be easily got afe. The wa,ter hjtd been brought thirty miles to. tb,e farm, an<i eygry acr;<? was benefited, because all the stock upon the place could be watered, although the race may net be actually flowing m every paddock. Mr Cameron thought a chainage charge was better than a mileage charge, and would support }fc ;n preference to an acreage pharge.. Mr' Harper said many, hourjs had been spent over, this question, and it had been, decided; r^qt" to recpn^rnend jt, The Selwyn County had adopted it, hut it had not proved satisfactory. Mr Wright said that owing to the varying quality of the land, charges per acre would press unfairly upon poor land. None r>f the systems were perfect, but he thought that the present system after all was |i»e simplest, if relief yrem giy.en fco faring ins'jiances or long chainages on small factions; and the charcfes made per (ihain instead of per mile. By re lieving hardships of that kind, he thought they would go to the root of the matter. Mr Friedlander pointed out that th

c °sfc of the races to the Selwyn people J was 20s per 100 acres ; and as the coat fro J the Ashburtori County was only 8s per < 100 acres be did riot see there was much to grumble afc. Mr Brown said ifc seemed fco him the land towards the hills had the best of it. Ite pastures were green and its crops green, while towards the sea everything was burnt up. After some further talk, the resolution* were withdrawn and sub sequently the following wa»a adopted :■ — "(1) That m future the rate to be lovied over the wafctr races shall be a chainage rate m lieu of a mileage rate, provided that the minimum first charge remain as at preaenfc."- "(2) That whenever the Council becomes aware of cases of inequa lities or hardship m the incidence of wuter charges such cases shall be considered on their merits, and efforts made to rectify the same." " (3) That the above resolu tions be brought into force on May Ist, 1891, and that the solicitor be instructed t« alter the by-laws accordingly." Mr Dellow waited on the Council on behalf of a number of Mayfield residents asking the Council to grant the use of water from the county races for irrigating their gardens. They would be willing to pay for fche privilege, and to conform to guch regulations for fche use of the water as fche Council might deem fit to bring into fores. The chairman pointed oufc that fche Council hid m contemplation a scheme for enlarging fche main races, and when that was done they would be prepared to consider Mr Dellow's proposal. The Committee then adjourned till Jan. sfch.

IRISH AFFAIRS.

|fbr prbss .association.]

London, December 25 to 28. Mr Michael Davittand Dr Tanner were mobbed at Kilkenny, and rescued by, the police. Dr Tanner is instituting proceedings against Mr Parnell for libel. Mr J. McCarthy says that a com promise with Mr Parnell has become impossible. Mr O'Brien has arrived at Paris and will surrender himself to-the authori ties promptly. . , A dastardly attempt on the life of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Killa loe, County Clare, was made on Christmas Day, when several shots were fired into his house. The Rev gentleman escaped with only slight injuries.

CRICKET.

V PROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

The annual cricket match between Coldstream and Longbeach was held on Christmas Day at Coldstream. The match was played with great spirit, At the first the Coldstream team had decidedly the advantage, but m the end Longbeach won. Th« contrast between the umpires was most amusing, the Coldstream one being Mr John Studholme, senior, whose interest m the manly game of cricket is well known, and the Longbeach one being a mere lad who certainly had cricket at his fingers ends, and is, I heard, a remarkably s^ood player. One could not help feeling that he would have much liked to have been m the thick of the fray, instead of the more dignified post of umpire. Cold stream is apparently the proud possessor of a poet and artist, as besides the very artistic and really pretty decorations, there were some poetic lines of welcome. Having a very faulty memory for verse I can only recall the rhymes, ''greeting" and " meeting," " team" and "stream." A capital lunch was very tastefully laid out andy done full justice too. Two of the Longbeach batsmen held their place so remarkably well that one could nob help wondering whether they were hypnotised there, at all events there they stuck till their side won. They were most enthusi astically cheered—afterwards chaired— by the bye what an uncomfortable honor that must be, *nd how very glad the recipients must feel to be on their feet again. There was some real British cheering for Longbeach, Coldstream, and the umpires, then one gallant soul pro posed •' the ladies," which was responded to with a ringing hurrah. After tea the Longbeachites started for their twelve miles drive, first driving round the homestead cheering vigorously and singing with great enthusiasm the old chorus, "For he'» a jolly good fallow." Those who know how thoroughly and conscientiously the young owner of Coldstream has taken up his responsibilities, and studied the interests of his men, not only as regards cricket, but m the regular monthly services which are held there, and also the trouble he has taken m forming a library of really useful as well as entertaining books, the subscription for which is only the nominal sum of five shillings a year, to be laid out m new books, can well under stand that the Coldstream men could most heartily join m the old, old chorus.

Political Items.

We find the following m a Dunedin exchange :— The candidate for public life who fails to be elected Can give you fifty reasons why his name has been rejected. The Opposition papers have done their best to beat him, And men who seemed most loyal conspired to defeat him. But never does he speak about the truth ful explanation Why he m public office will not sur prise the nation. The reason why his oountenance is naw so sad and yellow Is that the biggest lot of votes went t© the other fellow. The Wellington correspondent of the Auckland writes: —It has been already intimated that upon the as sembling of Parliament, Sir Harry Atkin son would retire from the active'lead of his party. It ie to-day rumored that Sir Frederick Whitaker will resiarn his office of Attorney-General, and that Mr Downie Stewart, who will be called to the Upper House, will be the new Attorney-General. This rumor is a revival, but it is probably well founded. Public opinion here still points to the Hon. Captain Russell as the new leader of the Atkinson and Young New Zealand party. Mr McArthur is named as the probable new treasurer.

South Rakaia Boxing Day Sports and Races.

The, annual snorts and races were, held qn Friday qn the Domain. A very dis agreeable nor'westcr greatly interfered with the attendance, only about seven hundred paying foradmission-r,a consider ably less number th.an last year. In spire of the very dry weather experienced for many weeks the course was m fair order. The arrangements generally were well carried out by the Stewards and Secretary, who all worked well to secure the comforts of those present. For tunately there was not much dust on the ground, the big plantations now affording considerable shelter. Creature comforts usually supplied at hotels, were to be obtained at a booth m the hands of Mrs Wilier, of the South Rakajuv Hotel, and the refreshment; b,ootii was m the hands of Mr, W, Morton, who also supplied them at the hall m the evening. The enjoy ment of the day was much added to by the music supplied by the Burnham band under bandmaster Craze. The crowd* as usual at these sports, was a most orderly one, and not a single case of too great wddgence *aq $9, be Bsej, T^is 1

year competition m the athletic evcubs I was very small, bub the entries for horse ! races were good, and there were some pretty races. The most popular wins of the day were Mr Harrison's with old Mtu-mion m the Hurdles, and Mr Claridsje's Violet m the Fanners' Plato. The ball m the Town Hall iv the evening was well attended, there being about one hundred and thirty couples present. Messrs Gates and Ward supplied the music, and Mr W. Pearce made an efficient M.O. The fol lowing is the result of the day* sports and, races: — HORSE FACES. HuitDLE Rack, of 10 soys, over six flights of hurdles, 3it Gin high and two brush jumps ; second horse to receive 1 aov from the stake, 2 miles. Mr H. Harrison's b g Marmion aged, . list 71b ... (G. Harrison) 1 Mr E. W. Oaborne's gr g Master Raven, 4yrellst. ... (Johns) 2 Tommy and Don were scratched. Flying Stakes of 7 soys ; second horse 1 aov from tho stake, about three quartersof'a mile. Mr A. Richard's gr m Tit Willow, 6yrs list 71b (G.Harrison) 1 Mr W." Palmeris b m Coringa. 4yrs list (J.Welsh) 2 Mr J. Smith's b gTruro, 6yrs list 71bs (owner) 3 Violet, Billy, Sherwood, Pincher, and Carbine also ran. Hetty wan scratched. The ownei of Coringa entered a pro test against Tit Willow, which was not sustained. Ladies Purse,' of 10 soys ; second horse to receive 1 soy from the stake. About one mile and three-quarters. Miss Pitt's eh g Don, acred, list 71bs (MrH. J. Pitt) 1 Mrs Palmer's b m Coringa, 4yrs, list (MrJ.Welsh) 2 1 Miss Harrison's gr g Tit Willow, 6yrs, 12st ... ... (Mr J. Harrison) 3 Peter'and |Tommy also ran. Master Raven was scratched, The owner of Coringa protested against Don as not being a district horse. The stewards decided to consider the matter at seven o'clock on Monday evening. Handicap Saddle Trot, of 10 soys (dis tance behind scratch) ; second horse to receive 1 soy from the stake. Three miles. Mr H. Gordon's gg" On Strike, 6yrs, list 71b, 55yds behind scratch (P.Gordon) 1 Mr E. W. Osborne's b m lolanthe, 6yrs,, list 71bs, 54Dyd«» behind scratch (Owner) 2 Mr H. Primmer's b g York, aged, list 71bs, 55yds behind scratch (Owner) 3 Tommy Dodd and Mouse werescratched. Marigold, Aspasia, and Polly also ran. Farmers' Plate, of 10 soys; second horse 1 soy from the stake. About one and a half mile. Mr W. P. Claridge's b m Violet, aged, Ilst7lbs v ... ... (Owner) 1 Mr W. Palmer's b m Coringa, 4yrs. list ... ... ... (J. Welsh) 2 Mr H. Harrison's b g Marmion, aged, list 71bs (G. Harrison) 3 Peter. Tommy, and Hetty were scratched. Sherwood, Pincher, Truro, Carbine, Master Raven, and Fairy also ran. ' .Hurry Scurry, a sweepstake of 10s each korse with lsov. added. Catch weights. No winner of the foregomg events allowed to start. V)i Post entry. Once round the course, Mr Osborne's gr g Master Raven ... 1 Mr O'Connor's b a Carbine ... ... 2. Penelope and Billy started but did not get round the course.

ATHLETIC EVENTS.

Men's 100 yards race (handicap) first prize £2, second £I.—A Henderson, scratch, 1; W. .T. Welsh, syds, 2 ; ,U. Dixon, 6yds, 3. Boy's race under 15 years handicap, 200 yards: Entrance free. First 10s, second 5-s, third 2s 6d.—W. Sturgess, 1; J. McAnulty, 2 ; H. Hood, 3. Men's 440 yards Race (handicap); first prize £2, second £I.—A. Henderson, scratch, 1; P. Dolan, 16yds, 2. These were the only two who came home. Single Women's Race, 100 yards.; Entrance free. First prize £1, second 10s. M. Hinds, 1; C.Nixon, 2; A. Santy, 3. . Men's Hurdle Race, 200 yards (handi cap), over ten flights of hurdles 3ft high ; first prize £2, second £I.—-A. Henderson, scratch, 1; W. J. Welsh, 7yds, 2; G. Dixon, 10yds, 3. Girls' Race (under 14 years) 100 yards (handicap), entrance free. First prize 10s, second ss, third 2s 6d.—Nellie Irvine, 1; Emily White, 2 ; Annie Bryant, 3. Men's Mile Race (handicap) ; Ist prize £1 10s, 2nd £L—P. Dolan (scratch), 1; G. Dixon 25yds, 2 ; H. Brimicombe 100 yds, 3. Married Women's Race, 50yds (handi cap) ; Ist prize £1, 2nd 10s.—Mrs Keane, 1. Sack Race, 100 yds ; Ist prize £1, 2nd 108.-—A. Anderson, 1; no second^ Consolation, 100 yds; £I.—W. J. Welsh, 1. ,■.:•■■■

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[per press association] London, December 26 and 27. The Rev. R. Gregory, has been ap pointed Dean of St. Paul's m succes sion to the Rev. W. Church, Soundings which hare been recently taken prove that bridging the English Channel is easier than at first sup posed. It is reported that the White Star line, the Cunard Steamship Company, and another firm will each place two steamers m the Liverpool-Australian trade. i The construction of, the Australian squadron having exceeded the arranged cost,; the Admiralty are adjusting the accounts by the revision of ships' stores. Commission to the squadron has been delayed owing to the leakage of the boiler tubes of one of the ves sels. tloJtfE, December 28. The Italian Government is preparing to make a hostile demonstration against Abyssinia Berlin, December 28. The death is announced of Dr. Hen rich Schliemann, the celebrated Ocr : man archaeologist and author, aged 68. St. Pbtbrsruro, December 28. The Czarina is suffering from a ner vous nfiectian, and m consequence the Czar has recalled the Gwewich, who is on a, visit to India. Hong Koko, December 28. The steamer Shanghai has been burnt at Wuha, a river port of China on thft River Yang Tze Kiang, and 2QO Chinese perished m the flames.

People's Political Asso ciation.

A. meoifinst of thin Association was hoW jift th« Oddfellows' Hall on Saturday ' evenjng last. There was a good attend ance of members, and Mr J Keir occupied the chair. Correspondence w,as read from Mr A. Werner* of' Doyleston, asking for infprmation cowards forming ail Associa tion m thafc district. The. Secretary stated' that he had ropKcil to samp. A fqtif copies of a petjition, were, received ttom the People's Political' Asßoci*ki*o» of Christchurch, protesting, against; any

Council till Parliament meets. They wore entrusted to several members to obtain signatures, and it is to be hoped that all persons who would like to see a reform m that Council will sign them. It was decided to hold a regular monthly meeting, and the Secretary wasinstructed to engage a room for the purpose. Mr Lcsjgett moved, " Thjit the Secretary write to kindred bocisties, with the view of amalgamating all Political Associations into one Grand Liberal -Association of Canterbury or J\"ew Zealand." On.Jbainpc pjt to' the meeting it was carried unanimously. Mr Leggett kindly offered to read a paper at the" next''meeting it' Lime permitted. Resolved' that~ a-very hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mr Sawle for contesting the recent election, and thai, the same be sent to him by letter. Tho Secretary stated thfct Mr Sawle's expenses only amounted to, £15 Bs, all of which had been defrayed by his supporters., Resolved that the Secretary confer with.Mr Colyer with a view to having two booths m Ashburton at any future election, and also with a view to having an extension of time for keeping them open, say seven o'clock. Accounts to the amount of £5 12s 6d were passed for payment. A vote of thanks to the chair brought a very satisfactory meeting to a close.

The Governor and To Whiti.

(per prjess association.)

New Plymouth, December 27. It is reported that Te Whiti, of Pari haka, has received a telegram from the Governor stating that he will hold a big meeting there m March next. Te Whiti has* replied that he agrees with the pro posal for » meeting, but suggests that it be held at Waitara when lie and Tohu would attend with all important chiefs. The Governor is sending his and Lady Onslow's photographs to Te Whiti.

LABOR TROUBLES.

Lonx>ox, December 25 to 28. Owing to the strike of railway handl a number of Paisley factories are ceasing work. 1 The strike of railway hands at Aber deen has collapsed A Conciliation Committee has been formed m Edin burgh and London. The dock owners have discharged all the hands who liave been employed by them for less than a decade. The pointsmen engaged by ,tbe Scotch Railway Companies are .not among the men who have gone out. The position of the men who are on strike remains unchanged. ■ Sydney, December 28. The strike among the miners en gaged m the southern collieries is prac tically ended, and the men return to work on the old terms, pending a con ference with the owners. [Received December 29, 10.25 a.m.] London, December 28. The steelsmiths have strmck m sup port of the railway men and the miners threaten to follow suit. The passenger traffic on the Cale donian railway is improving and the men are asking to be reinstated. At a public meeting m Edinburgh it was determined to! start subscriptions m aid of the strikers. V. ... ' (Received December 29, 11.30 a.m.) Melbourne, December 29. Owing to the persistent opposition to the ticket system introduced m con nection with the Free Labor Bureau, it has been abandoned. Men are now engaged under the old system and work was resumed as before this morn ing. Brisbane, December 29. The Wharf laborers have struck m an endeavour to crush the Free Labor Bureau.

The Waverley Tragedey.

[per press association.]

Waxganui, December 29.

At the inquest on the remains of Mrs Gallagher, before Mr Symts, J.P., coroner, the evidence disclosed that de ceased was shot by her husband at the root of the neck, and death was instan taneous. Gallagher immediately fired afe himself and was slightly wounded. Ret then loaded again and fired into his. left, side, wounding himself mortally, and ex piring at about four o'clock. He con fessed the crime, stating that he had intended to do it for the last three years. The reason was that he loved his wife and sfta would not live with him. The jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against Charles Gallagher.

One Woman's Nerves.

Looking backward to a certain, lonely nd unhappy time, a lady aays: "I dragged on m this miserable con difcion for years, until I g O fc tired o doctoring and taking stijtf that did me h good. One physician attended me for eighteen months, giving me but little relief. ' " I slept only m a broken fashion, and arose m the morning very little the better for having gone to bed. There was often severe pain m my head and ever my eyes, and an almost constant sense of sickness. The skin gradually gob dry and yellow, the region of the stomach and bowels felt cold and deads and the natural energy and warmth appeared to be ebbing out of me like the water out of a river at low tide. " In June, 1889, whilst living at More down, Bournemouth, I had a worse attack than any I had had before. I was taken witfo a feeling of cramp, as if pins and needles* were running into me, all over my body-.. I could not move, and had to lie hefylesa m bed. The doctor was sent |&r, and', attended me every day, but did iiot seem to know what to make of my ease. In fact, lie was puzzled, and finally said, * I don't really know what your complaint isj " I trembled and shook and felt as if I should f*l to pieces. I was first hot and then cold, and so dreadfully nervous I could not bear any one m the room with me, and yet I did not wish them far away m case I should call out for help, every time one of these spasms came on I said to myself, *I am sure I shall never; get up again.' ' I took nothing but liquid £god i »nd yet could not retain even that on my stomach. By this time I was northing but skin and bone. My legs want clammy, as if I had no blood left m me. My memory completely failed* I never ex pected to recover, and that was ' the opinion of my friends. After they had called to see me they would go away «ay* ing, 'She tp» never get better.' My' head ao.hed so dread folly I thought I shov.l4 lose my senses. [ . "I had given up all hope, when one P daymy friend. Mrs West, of Bournemouth, called and asked what I was taking. I said, ' Oh, I'm tired of taking things ; its no, use ; I shall die/ Then she told me she was once ill much as I was; and was cured by Mother Seigel's Curative Syrup. 'Well/1 said,, I'll try it if you will send fcuMt.' She did so, and I seemed to feel better on taking- the first dose, and after three days I was able to walk across the room, aud: by the end of the week I weak dtmn, stairs. Now lam aa well as. ew. All my nervousness has left me, and I can eat and digest i»y food without feel ing any distress 'tl want t*A say finally, that I knew about Mo*h«p Seigei's Curative, Syrup

THE ASHBURTOJNT GUARDIAN, MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1890



Holloway's Pills. -Changes of tempera, ture and weather frequently upset persons who are most careful of their health, and particular m their diet. These corrective, purifying, and gentle p«perient pills are the bp.st remedy for all defective action of the digestive organs. They augment the appetite, strengthen the stomach, correct biliousness, and carry off all that is noxious from the system. Holloway's Pills ar« composed of rare balsam 3, unmixed with baser matter, and on that account are peculiarly well adapted for the young, delicate, and aged. As this priceless medicine has gained fame m the past, so w£lj it preserve it m the future ijy its renovating ai^d invigorating qualities, and the impossibility of jts d.qing harm. . HOPE FOR THE DEAF 4 Person cured of deafness and noises f\ m the Head of long standing, by a simple Remedy, will be glad to forward a description of it free to anyone wi«o applies. The most as tonishing cures iiave iately been effected by the" same remedy. Address: 175 William Street, Mcl •boura«^



jjjCr Loveday writes also that he Ijas fo,usf I jfcb.e Eucalypti Extract 1 cure for rheumatism ias -weil ,ac gnwpjr He requests us to publish i'hisfoforriia^iqnskssugh the' Mercury.' We ~bmt Bjuoh pleasure i» complying with Mr .request, ,wlw§e W'l^ -«wss k° c |" r "m.jih^ ijirho can«have no .object m view other than a .^« &fW *? suffering J|umanjty T »~(A<tVv.; f J Ik



(lIKIWI IS BARGAINS. A NDREW r\RR HAS opened up a Splendid Show OF New Goods IN ALL DEPARTMENTS. Beautiful Assortment OF FANCY GOODS, Suitable for Presents. LADIES', GENTS', and CHILDREN'S Boots and Shoes GREATLY REDUCER ANDREW ORR. . m * James Baker TIMBER MERCHANT, HAVELOCK STREET Opposite Harrison's Auction Mart, TTAS IN STOCK Large Supplies of— Building Timber Stokes and Posts, Galvanised Corrugated Iron, Builders Ironmongery, Turnery. Furniture and Fancy Goods IN ENDLESS VARIETY. FURNITURE MADE TO ORDER IN ANY DESIGN AT SHORTEST NOTICE. Sole Agent m Ashburton for Clegg's Perambulators. _ " NEW YEAR GIFTS] NEW YEAR CARDS AND BOOKLETS. NEW ANNUAL VOLUMES and BOOKS for Prizes and Presentations. NEW FANCY GOODS, &p., &o L F. ANDREWES k Co. •—• ——»—a —" ' i m i i >i>i Spring and Summer, 1890. TRY THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY FOR Men's Colonial TWEED SUITS, Boys' and Youths' Colonitl TWEED SUITS. HATS.—We keep the Largest and Best Selection Hats made to measure. SUITS MADE TO MEASURE. Besfc workmanship put m every garment, and a perfect tit guaranteed. Large Selection of Boys' Knicker Suits. Ties, Shirts, Collars, Braces, &c, m Latest Fashion i»nd Style. Bieht Value for Cash m District NE!f IE A I AJS D CLOTHING FACTORY Agent'for the Wonderful Wertheim Machines W. H WEBBER Manager, THE HOUSE FOR CHEAP CHRIST MA6 CHEER Wanted ANTED a youth to make himself useful about Hotel. Apply at the office of this paper. 12 184 TJpOUND, on Christmas evening, white Jj straw hat. Apply Mail Office. ANTED to S"eli7~small billiard Table, complete, price nine pounds.—Apply James Baker, Furniture Warehouse, Havelock Street. 12 190 A MERICAN Ice Cream ! American XJL Ice Cream daily at H. G, Flower's, Confectioner. Ice kept m afcoek, _______ "TTf TANTEDKiwn~ -Ladies Stocking VV with Silk Toes and Heels m black and colors. Is 6d per pair.—W. H. Coixier. ~rTT ANTED Known.- ForDrec« Stuffs VV Prints, &c, Trimmings, Jt» match, go to Melford House. Best! value m town. Christmas presents wow giving away.—-H. C, Skgkrs "TITANTED Known.—For Slwefcings W Tablingg, Calicoes, Quilta, Towql* Table Napkins, Tray Cloths, D'Oyleye, Ac., go to Melford House. Presents to every purchaser.— ll. 0, Bjmjers. j PRESENTS.— We are f*ow «iving presents to erery pjircliasef of Drapery, Clothing, Boots, and cheapest house m town.—H. C. Sbgbiu*, Melford House. , ANTED Known—The "Strong wear " Boot is the best for Men, adies and Childrcn.—W.JELjCoiAijiß. WANTED every man m die County ,fcr» have a suit of the Aahburton Tweeds. —Eobkrt At,cobx, Axhbwton Clothing Mart, $fetunder'B Buiidingß. 'TTJ'ANfWirKiHmn — The Cheapest Shop to 1/uy Timwwe and Gal ♦anil""Hl Iron good* m A.4ibmton, is at W. F^ Haxnaford'i*, Burnett Mx&et. A •riro sto»^k kept on hand. Via m& Iroc ware good*. 1 mide and repaired wjtfa des patch. _^ ________™— 8~~~ OOTB, BMjT*. "Keep you* to* [ Dry 4ra Doctor's Bilk. j h»-e a splendid Stock m now. Try my DamMe-soled Shooters Every pair Guaranteed, Robert Alco*«, Ashbur ton Clothu^ M»rt, Saun4?p' Builtttw^