The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas Et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1890. THE TIMARU ELECTION

Mr J. M. Toomey having withdrawn from the field as an aspirant for the representation of Timaru, Mr G. Kerr will practically have a "walkover." Messrs Aplin and Jones, the other candidates, judged by their public utterances, are not sufficiently versed in the political history and present political requirements of the colony to be entrusted with the representation of an important constituency like that of Timaru, and the majority of the elec tors will no doubt realise this before polling day arrives. Mr Kerr, the gentleman who will in all probability head the poll, opposed the late member unsuccessfully on two occasions, and his political views on each occasion were in direct contrast to the lines on which he is now contesting the electorate. Formerly an ultra-Conser vative, he is now an undisguised Liberal—that is as far as these Old Country party terms are applicable to colonial politics. The cloak of Elijah has fallen upon E]isha,andMrKerr now professes to be walking in the footsteps the late Mr Turnbull. It is only fair to Mr Kerr, however, to say that this palpable change of front has not come about suddenly. For a considerable time past the " Timaru Herald " news paper, of which Mr Kerr is proprietor, has been gradually veering round from a red-hot supporter of the present Government to a half-hearted sup porter of Her Majesty's Opposition; and this fact may be taken as an evidence of the proprietor's conversion to Liberal principles and a Liberal policy. Time will alone tell, however, whether Mr Kerr's professions are or are not sincere and should he be re turned to the House we have no doubt his constituents will watch his career critically, and any deviation from the lines he has now set down will be care fully noted and remembered when he again comes before his constituents. Why Mr Toomey has retired from the contest does not clearly appear. He had been promised a largo amount of support, and seemed to be tho favorite with the electors, and, had he gone to the poll, would no doubt have scored a victory. He stated as our of his reasons for Avithdraw.il that he was unwilling to split votes, and therefore retired, but did not say in favor of whom.. Pie certainly could not retire in favor of either of Mr Kerr's opponents, as no one can know better than Mr Toomey that neither of these gentlemen has the remotest chance of being returned to the House at the present political juncture, when experienced men are required at the helm of public affairs. His retirement could only have the effect of strengthening Mr'Kerr's posi tion, ftnc] indeed has done so. Ifc may be that Mr Tooine^ hfii\ this in view in retiring, and, like ourselves, js prepared to give Mr Kerr credit for every sin cerity in his new professions. It is not for members of the Liberal party to fight each other, and on this principle Mr Toomey has doubtless left the field, but in doing so, we fear, has sacrificed iiis fihftnce of being returned for the constituency should he again offer himself, and his action Jn offering him self at all may have the effect of injur ing his chances at the forthcoming election should he decide to contest a seat nearer hoiqe, This is to be re gretted, as the energetic proprietor of the l ■ Tjenmka Leader " is a geatleman. whose p#esieft!Qo jn the House would be felt power, an,d ftfcf .accession to the Liberal ranks woujd bg ffludj appre ciated.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

We wottld remind our readers of the concert this evening to he given by the Ash burton Choral Society jjj St. Stephen's Schoolroom. Some excellent paj-fc singing may be looked for. Auckland maintains a c;e;he, or baby store, where mothers who go out- to work can leave their infants for the day. During the last twelve mqntu* KSO different ba;bies were thus taken charge of. Among recent applications for pateuis wt one by a Foxton school teacher for a milk ing syphon for cows. Another by William Trimble, of Auckland, practical flax-spinner and linen manufaetaj-c*', an invention for a process of so treating the i&y .of Phormivvi tin ax as to fit it for being spw*, ty. the spinning machinery now in operation in (Great Britain and Ireland and elsewhere, into yarns fit to make towellings, coarse shirtings, JkMfl(j,b,ackß, and other such goods. The annual too»jiws of the Australian Mutual Provident fijoejoty are now circulated amongst the fortunate mem bers of thin very flourishing institution, and i they disclose a most satisfactory result for j last year's work, One of our staff, who originally insured with i\m society in South Australia in 1871, gives us «ifc<? following figures in regard to his policy :--=-Auwunt assured £500, for which an annual premium j of £10 18s 9(\ is paid. The reversionary. bonuses amount to £301 12s to 31st December last, of which the sh«i pt £20 2s accrued in the year ending on the nJhovp date. Thus the annual bonus on this policy j.s? nearly double the annual premium, and th«s sum assured amounts to over £800, with a yearly premium of less than £11. The cash value of the bonus at tht present time is about £110, as ascertained by tije tables sent out with each certificate .to members. The member also states that at the tiuig he insured his premium was calculated and charged him "as though he was three years j older than his certificate of birth showed, in other words bis policy was loaded to that! extent, so that if this loading had ant taken : place the premiums would have been «jg« sidern'My less per ammm. The above figures ! show conclusively the remarkable success of this Society, and fully wa-r-ravit the remark in the bonus circular that "No office iv the world can offer such advantages to the assuring public as i\w Australian Mutual jProndeut Society," '

Sir Harry Atkinson, having caught a severe cold, is again confined to bed. Mr McGuire, who will oppose the Premier for the Mount Egmont seat, is promised a very large amount of support. The various Socialist organisations of New York are reported as representing a member ship of 27,800 men. The date of the interprovincial cricket match between Otago and Canterbury has been altered from the 13th to the 20th September. Efforts are being made to induce Mr S. Vaile, of railway reform fame, to give evidence on the railway stage system before the bar of the Houße of Representatives. M. Peschkoff, the Oossack officer who left the extreme east of Siberia in November to ride to St. Petersburg, a distance of 5000 miles, arrived in the capital on May 31st. He had ridden the same horse the entire distance. The proposed ship canal around Niagara Falls has been favourably reported on by the Congressional Touse Committee on rail roads and canals. The Bill will appropriate £1,000,000 to commence the work, which it is estimated will eventually cost £23,000,000. It is calculated that a ship which, if en tirely constructed of iron, m ould draw 26ft of water, would, when made of aluminium, not draw more than four or five. Practi cally, then, the light metal would treble or quadruple the number of miles of navigable river in the world. The pilgrimages to Rome during the last four months have brought the Pope about £40,000. The French pilgrimage took £8000 to Leo XIII., the different Italian j ones £10,000, the American £12,000, the j A-ustrian £4150, and the last German pilgrimage £5000. M. Boisset has just delivered in Paris an interesting lecture on a new syatem of aerial navigation invented by himself. He does not seem to have made a balloon, but he has, by calculations and the adoption of new appliances', convinced himself he can make an aerial ship, which he would be able to steer as he might feel inclined, or to remain stationary at any altitude, and descend at any time. Brigandage has become so prevalent in Sicily that the Government ia on the point of declaring portions of that island under martial L.w. Not only are travellers seized and held for ra-isom, but armed bodies of bandits have entered Salemi, Tirmini, and other towns, and carried off leading citizens from their own homes. ' Pray, my lord,' queried a gentleman of a judge, ' What is the difference between com mon law and equite. 1 Very little in the end,' responded his lordship. 'At common law you are more quickly disposed of. The former is a bullet which is instantaneously and charmingly effective; the latter, an angler's hook, which plays with the Tictim before it kills him. Common law is prussic acid} equity is laudanum.' A meeting was held at Waterton last night in connection with the Wesleya'i Jubilee. There was a moderate attendance, and addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. N. Buttle (chairman), I<uxford, and Gray. The collection, with promises, amounted to nearly £6, and more promises are expected to follow, In an advertisement in another coluinnparticulars are given of the Ashburton meeting to be held on Friday, which promises to be of great interest. In Bend Or's Derby year the enormous sum of £27,062 was subscribed in India to wards a single sweep, and in Silvio's year a still larger sweep was drawn. Ifc is calcu lated that in London alone there are 10,000 Derby sweeps. Every club, theatre, music hall, and many shop 3, warehouses, manu factories, and printing offices, have fchcir own sweeps, and the amount') vary from hundreds of pounds in the great Pall Midi clubs to a few shillings in a working-man's "free and easy " at the East End, There is an old man named George Coysh, a native of Plymouth, Devon,, in the Wel lington Hospital, who has served- in the British forces under two Kiu^jn aiul one Queen. He joined the Royal Marines during the reign of King George IV. He was at Lisbon at the time Donna Maria was placed on the throne of Portugal, ami when King William IV was crowned King of England ; and he also served under Queen Victoria for a period of 10 years and three months in England and New Zealand, coming here with the (55 th regiment in 181(3. The old man, who is totally blind, has a pension of (3d per day only. He has been an inmate of the hospital fqr a period of 12 years and seven inoi)ths, Hp is !iQw 80 years and six mouths aid, .iiiq js quite hearty for his age, The Waste Lands Committee met on Mon day morning and examined Mr J. (J. Browu, ' M.H.R., on dununyisin. Tho witness went fully into the case of alleged dununyism in the Tuapeka district. Mr T. Bryuone, manager of the New Zealand and Aus tralian Land Company, also gave evidence upon the alleged diunmyism on the Levels run, of which his Company arc the owners. It is said he admitted that several employees of the Company had put in applications for land, and the Company had found the money to lodge as deposits, but np agreement had been made with the employees, as tp what should he dqne witfy the lan.d aftor it was | obtained, Tho employees had. been un successful in drawing for the sections. The Committee, after hearing the evidence of these two witnesses, adjourned till next day.

At the Island of Rarotonga (Hcrvy Group) the natives appear to be going in for ship building with a will. Latest news from that locality to hand says that a fine hundred-ton schooner for the Island trade is being com pleted at Ngatangaua, on the coast, built solely by native labour. She is constructed in a most substantial style, vrtyh mossivg 'framing of native timbers.' She is being planked and decked wiih kauri, imported from Auckland. Her rigging, sails, and other minor gear will be the only work con nected with the, schooner done fey other than natives. She ia to cqme up j;q Auckland before long. Another scljpqner qf^ a}'very fair size, to be named the VVillian> Ewarfc £Jladjjtqne~after the "Qrand C)lcl Man " —has just been completed at Avarua Harbour, Rarotonga, to the ouder of Qapfcain Afeagle, 'pnuerly of Auckland, now a trader an the island of Kurutu, by Mr Thomaa Short- Monsieur Calino is a practical humorist. Not long since he was caught in a shower without an umbrella. He sought refuge under the doorway of the Opera House. It was sh: o'clock, and he hud an appointment with a Mand tf, *>he Cafe dc Paris at that very hour. What'wfU h.v 4<> ? The lam is falling in tori-eats. tj'u'st' a£ this ijri&is a gentleman with a large tunbr'ella passes. Calino has a Napoleonic mind. He rushed qva- to the stranger, and taking him con fidentially ty £he arm walked along with him, under his umb'reUa, fay jug, " I'm glad I've met you. I've been loosing for you for three weeks, old chum, to tell you about my h,ffair with Clemantina." Calino kept on talking tq .the man, whom he had never seen, telling a *iuqiped-up story about some nu known Glemanti^a, ijq^ alj/jwing the stranger to get in a word, uutil tl|ey foa4 reached the Cafe de Paris. Then Caliiio sai4, •" J. beg a ten thousand pardons. I mistook vop. for a friend. Don't give me away. Thanks!" r and he darted into the cafe. One of his frie#d# observed that Calino's cravat was in disorder, j^horeupon it was discovered that his diamond jViii, Jikfiwise his watch and purse, were missing, Htt'iiud l;e/»ij con fidential to one of the most expert pick pockets in Paris: Lust night the Oddfellows' Hall was crowded to b\vt door, the attraction being the Rev T. Spurgeon^s illustrated lecture "John Ploughman's Talk." Tlie lecture, which was admirably delivered by Mv dealt with the proverbs and sayings which the pictures shown illustrated, and com pi'i&td mijch good advice, not a few happy anecdotes, with # goupcon here and there of sarcasm. Portraits >wttt J0 fshqwn of the Rev C. H. Spurgeon and Mrs SpurgeQii, qf tljp lecturer himself and his twin brother, th'.e lecturer's uncle and collaborateur in the Tabernacle with his father, as well as groups of the Sturgeon family. The pictures throughout were #h#wn by Mr T. Crook, of Ohristchurch, the well.kuowfii limedight Professor, and it must be said for his pant of the work that it was admirably done, seldom indeed have pictures been thrown upon the screen in the Oddfellows' Hall with more clearness and effect than on this occasion, every detail of line and color having been brought out with the accuracy of a photo graph.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS

[fJBR PRESS ASSOCIATION.] ' Aqnatlc. Auckland, August 13. News has been received here from Sydney by Mr Gallacrher that Peter Kemp and James Stansbury will visit New Zealand on their way to America in about a fortnight. They will, if induce ment offers, give exhibition races in this colony. Chung* of Venue. Gisbokne, August 13. Mr Justice Conolly intimated to the Supreme Gourt that, in the murder case, the venue had been changed to Auck land, and September 2nd fixed as the date of hearing. nitrgrl ar.r. Wellington, August 13. Martin Burns and M. Montague, two firemen from the steamer Tainui, were arrested early this morning for breaking into the warehouse of Sargood, Son, and Ewen. Montague was arrested outside the building, and Burns as he was getting out of a window. So far as can be ascer tained, only a bundle or two of linen is missing. Prisoners have been remanded. IBnycottAng 1 Ohlnr^n. One result of the meeting against Chinese competition is that a deputation will wait on the City Council, urging that body to take steps to establish a public market for the sale of fruit, vegetables, and other produce. I Mottled oat <*f Con.it. 1 Dunedin, August 13. The case Dunn v Sibbald lias been settled out of Court by the payment of £217. Mining", The Eureka Company at Nenthorn have crushed 500 ounqes of amalgam from 130 tons, of stone.

CRICKET.

ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA.

[PKtt PRESS ASSOCIATION. J London, August 11. The total of the "Australians' first innings was 92. Martin took six wickets for 50, L;'hmann three for 34, and Sharpe ono for 8, The English Eleven on going to the wickets were all disposed of for 100, W. G. Grace being dismissed without scoring. In their second innings the Australians lost two wickets for 5. The Avicket was slow. The attendance numbered 10,000. London, August 12. The Australians made 102 in their second innings. All England won the match by two wickets. W. G. Grace scored 16 in the second innings.

VISIT OF AN AMERICAN TEAM TO AUSTRALIA.

London, August H, A strong American cricket team will probably visit Australia after a tour through England next season.

A. Farmer's Union.

At the Committee meeting of the Ash burton Agricultural and Pastoral Associa tion, the following circular from the Oamaru Farmers' and Employers' Club was laid on the table :— ■ Dear Sir, —This Club has for some time had under its earnest consideration the sfMiiqi^s aspect qf th,e Labor Question, as affecting fanners, graziers, and other employers of labor in the country dis tricts of the colony, and we have, been directed to communicate with you to solicit the co-qperation of these classes in ypur district towards the formation of a Grand Central Ilmplqyers' Council for N/ew- Zealand. The aggressive attitude of farm laborers, shearers, and others employed on stations in leaguing together for the purpose of increasing wages and shortening hours of work, indicates the absolute necessity for employers to take some decided action in defence of their interests. Considering tlie state of the markets, the heavy bur dens of taxation, and other circumstances, the present seems a very inopportune time for conceding the demands of the employes, are in many cases ex orbitant and Qxcessfv^, The Club considers ' that the main in dustries of the colony will be seriously in: jured, unless, gome general and united action be taken by the employers of labor tp modify and moderate such demands. As a preliminary step towards this desirable end, al^rge nuiufyer of farmers and others in' North Qtago hav.e combined to form a Union to watch over their in terests in connection with the labor J rnqyemont; but the Club considers it ab solutely p.i.NGintjal fhat in every district from the one 'end of tli'o boiouy to the other there should be.similar Unipngj oj Clubs amongst these classes of employers, and when established, they should be formed into such a Council, as has been previously to, act as a IJoard of Reference and Arbitration bcjtweeii capital and labor a« represented by the Trades and Labor Council and' the Maritime Council. Should you consider the movement worthy of support—and of that Aye j^aye no doubt whatever—you should at once set about organising a uni»n in your dis trict, and communicate the result to us in the first place. When a sufficient number of Unions are formed a conference of dele gates fronj these Unionijj will be called to establish the proposed Council and to, elect an executive. The Committee of the Club desire us to press upon every employer of labor the $favn necessity for immediate and general organisation, and they trust that great benefit will be experienced by every one n the community by the jndicious regu? lation of the labor movement. —We are, etc.* JOHN JOHNSTON, Chairman, JOHN CHURCH, Secretary, '

Sydney Letter.

(from our own correspondent.)

Sydney, July 26. Visitors from your part should not fail to see the New South Wales Fresh Food Freezing Go. Avorks, which are situated in Harbor Street adjacent to the Darling hurst Basin. One cannot help being as tonished at the colossal amount of business done by this Company. All kinds of articles of diet are frozen, and the build ings alone cover about four acres of ground. This will indicate the massiveness of the concern which employs over 350 hands. Not only are poultry, fish, butter, cheese etc., frozen and exported, but large blocks of ice are made (some weighing lOOOlbs), which are sawn into suitable sizes, and sold to hotels and other business places, while a great quantity finds a ready market in shipping circles. I must mention that this Company has a fine display of New Zealand fish in one of its shops in the city, but I fail to see how anything like a sale can be made, owing to the high prices charged for this article of di ?t. The dis play comprised schapper, kawhai, yellow tail, and blue cod, the latter being marked at 8d per pound, while the schnapper would cost 9d. Of course this means that for an average size cod the large sum of 2s would have to be paid, which in New Zealand could be had for at most 6d. How an industry of this nature can be a success I fail to see. The meagre facilities for freezing supplied by steamers plying to Sydney from your part of the Colonies are greatly to blame for this, and also the high prices charged for fish to the Com pany, which I am assured would spend £20,000 per year for articles of various kinds produced in New Zealand should they receive a fair amount of encourage ment. The Company have also a number of fine shops, which display their warts fore sale, and they sell nearly 25 tons of milk every day, which is put through a process of testing before being accepted. This prevents the milk being adulterated, as each can is emptied into a large box and if found all right is passed through a tube which runs into a large vat, and is then taken out for delivery by some eighty milk vans, It will be seen by the fore going the large amount of business' done in this department of the company, who employ their own horses, milkmen, ostlers helpers, etc., etc. Want of space pre vents me giving details, but I must not forget to mention that on the works the Company have also bakehouses in which pastry of every discription is made and sold in some of their shops, which are patronised by over 2000 customers daily. They are conducted on the principal of restaurants, but drinks of a cooling nature are most in demand, instead of tea and coffee. The return of H.M.S. Royalist to Sydney yesterday created a little excite ment when it was known that she had on board a notorious chief from one of the New Hebrides group. In addition to the voyage being an eventful one, it has also been interesting. The vessel left Sydney in April last and proceeded to the Hebrides, but on May 14 she struck on an unknown reef off the coast of Malli collo, and it was found on examination that portion of her false keel was knocked off. Calling at Aure Island the Royalist captured a chief named Tappea who had kidnapped a woman, and who had en deavored to incite a friendly chief to join him to kill and rob an English tyader in that island, This q>hie,f is also the same who oEkuaed the murder of the boat's crew of a French trader some two years .ago when he was handed over to the French authorities, who sentenced him to 15 years' imprisonment. He is also credited with having seven years ago killed and eaten the mate of a Fijian vessel. At Aoba the French warship Saone, after inquiring into the murder of the trader, Mr Mercier, shelled the village. The man was a well established storekeeper, and was brutally tomahawked whilst purchasing copi'a from, some natives at Aoba, Some trouble h;\s takoii place during the hurricane months! hut most of tho diftipulties have been settled, The New South Wales Poultry, Pigeon, Canary, and Dog Society held their thirteenth annual exhibition yesterday afternoon in Prince Alfred Park. The entries, numbering over 5000, exceeded all previous records in the matter of quality, as well as in numbers ; and as the exhibits were well placed and the building well lighted, the show was a successful ene. Your Railway Commission should fol low the example of their contemporaries here who, have made most important alterations relative to tho carriage of produce and goods on the railways. Alterations, have been made in connection with rates which must in a great measure lead to faster agriculture. The reductions now make the rates for this class of traffic much lower than on any other rail way in the Australasian colonies, al though the agricultural land is for the most part; a long distance from the market. Hitherto it has been the rule to charge 4d per ton per mile for farm produce when conveyed ,at the risk of the ; Commissioners, but when conveyed at 1 the owner's risk the rate was only equal to Id per ton per mile, This has been considerably modified, and in future the , risk will be undertaken by the Com missioners on payment of an insurance of 10 per cent on the rate charged when produce is carried at the risk q$ i owner, so that a ton of produce can now h& aarriod s, distance of 150 miles for the moderate sum of 13s 3d. As a further encouragement to the farmer dairy produce, such as butter, eggs, etc., is in future tq be charged at the fi:t\st-class rate for any quantity, instead of at the second-class rate, whan sent in quantities of les3 than one ton, the reduction being equivalent to Id per ton per mile, and such traffic is to be subject to a further reduction of a penny per ton when sent in lots of three or more tons. Previously while live stock was conveyed to and from shows (if unsold) for half single rates, all other exhibits have been charged full single rates. The Comn:(ission.e,ris have extended the, more Khor,4 spaje to exhibits of all' kinds, and have not overlooked the interests of manufacturers of agricultural implements who will now be enabled to exhibit their wares at country shows ab a minimum cost. No alterations, however, appear to have been made in the differen tial railway rates which has caused a deal of discussion. " ' ' \Vhen rjie' Centennial Jlall organ will be opened is still a matter of uncertainty. This instrument cost' the modest sum of £16,000, and is said to be |,^q largest in the, world, The Hall is" one'of th°e most (if not tho most) elaborate in the colonies and is situated in the Town Hall, which' when cqmpletsd, will have cost over a quarter of a million of Tnon^, It j 8 pro bable, that th.c, queuing. Qer.qinpny. will take place on. the 21st ptox, ' The arrange ments for the. day h,ave been carefully planned out. The southern gallery, will be given up entirely to m^mb^ra of Par- i Haiflenti Mifl their wives, the northern gallery to distinguished visitors and the Press, while the eastern gallery will be reserved for tho. vtea-yegfu and mayoral parties, dignitaries, of the church,,,, and 'aldermen. The leading citizens who will be invited will be placed in the body of the hall. The prices to be charged for the succeeding organ recitals will be 5s and 3s ; but on certain days Js will be charged, so that the f working classes may have fl}Q Qpportunity of hear ing. Mr Beat (the organist), whose services have been secured at a very high figure to give recitals. ' ' The popular lecturer, the Rev. Charles Clark, appears before large audiences at School of Arts nightly. He delivers all his | lectures with his accustomed ability, and in quite as popular with Sydneyites as h.e

was with New Zealanders when he made a tour of your part some eight or ten years ago. He contemplates a visit to your colony a few months hence. A number of the business men of Para matta contemplate forming a company for the purpose of working up the fruit in dustry, and sending shipments of fruit to England. They are of opinion that with proper packing and systematic treatment before packing, the enterprise is one that will return a good'margin oi profit. The Royal Insurance Company's report for 1889 shows very large figures. The fire premium income, less re-insurances, amounted to £1,104,173, being £66,365 in excess of the figures of the previous year. The net losses amounted to £582,513, and the net profit; £159,661, exclusive of £27,342 interest on tha fire fund. The life department yielded premiums amounting to £262,096, and interest on investments, £130,458. The surplus shown as the result of the quinquennial valuation of the liabilities amounted to £267,817, of which £94,936 accrued fro the shareholders. The profits in all departments, inclusive of £168,350 brought forward, gave a total disposable surplus of £519,629. Appropriations to reserve and otherfundsabsorbed£l3o,ooo, the dividend and bonus (equal to about 58 per cent of the paid-up capital) was £168,901, leaving £220,727. The total funds of the Company amount to £6,161,508, of which £2,660,272 repre sents the fire capital and reserves. I take the following extract from Mi- Henry Austin's wool circular of July 1:— The wool Season ended yesterday has com pletely stultified the expectations which the first five months of its duration ap parently justified. From July to November there was a steady all round improvement of say 15 per cent.., whilst from November to the close of the season on the 30th June, each succeeding sale in London has but accentuated the fall in values, until to-day it is not too much to say prices are but little higher than they were at the commencement of 1886 ! Various causes have been assigned for this extraordinary and rapid change of front. Strikes, a mild winter, the freaks of fashion, and for a time dear money, are all said to have had their influence on an article which twelve month ago was in in such strong demand, and is now it would almost seem, a drug. The opinion ha«arded in certain English quarters that the extensive purchases in the colonies of wool for direct consumption have had much to do with the present depression may be dismissed as unworthy of a moment's consideration. Every year I the entire wool product of the world has to be turned into money, and whether it be realised in Australia or in Europe, the j net result one year with another will probably be the same. Last year buyers in the colonial market did well; this year they have been done badly, and put much ! money into the pockets of the fortunate owners who were lucky enough to sell here. That there is a growing tendency on the part of customers to buy, and on the part of producers to sell on the spot admits of no doubt whatever, and is but additional evidence oi th,e rapid change that, is taking place in che. oonduot of what the French style ','fc h->ut comm rce." But for the ill-advised attempt on the part of the selling brokers of Sydney to introduce .the Melbourne system of charg ing buyer* one-eighth of a penny per lb. delivery, the season would have been the earliest on record. Fully six weeks were wasted in adjusting the differences be tween buyers and sellers, and it was not until November that anything like a fair start was made. In the interim it is true some few wools found purchasers at prices, a full penny below what the regular , buyers wero prepared at the time to give, and wLich they subsequently paid when the dispute was settled. The mischief, however, was not restricted to price only, but further involved a distinct diversion j of trade, much wool usuilly Bold in this i market going to Melbourne for realisation. It is to be hoped that an attempt which caused so much irritation and disturbance of trade will not be renewed. Stimulated bv'the upward movement at the London November sales, buyers m this market operated with unusual boldness at an. ad vance on the opening rates of the jjrevious season of say per cent. Conspicuous by the extentof their orders and the eagerness they displayed in executing them were the buyers representing German,. French, and Belgian houses, w-hose purchases at the close of tjhei season cannot have amounted to less than 110,Q0Q bales in, Sydney alone. For America there was little, if any, demand, 750 bales representing the total export. The appearance of the clip itself was an additional inducement to speculate. It was bright, well-grown, sound, and freer from earth and vegetable matter than any that has come into this market for years. On the other hand, it proved more yolky than at first sight appeared, and misled many in the estimate, of yield. All attempts at lowering qr abolishing the duty on foreign, W/O.o) entering the United States appear, to have proved abortive, vested interests, those, of the farmers especially, being too 'strong to allow of an interference with protection. Signs, are not wanting, however, even jn, America, , of a return to more rational views, and to a gradual recognition on the part of the American nation of the terrible price they have to pay for the maintenance of their fiscal policy. As evidence,of the, rapid strides Germany is making; \n the com mercial world, it appears, thaji Jasfc year no fewer than 960, n,ew companies wwe formed, representing a capital of twenty millions sterling, Many of them were doubtless connected with the wool and woollen industries, and will materially contribute to extend the de mand for the great Australian staple. ;Ifc would appear too that Hamburg had given her Belgian rival, Antwerp, the go-by, and now ranks as the third European port. To excessive harbqr dues^ fe attri buted by the. Antwerp, press this change of no^ipjix, b\ut there jiave. been probably other, causes, at work quit© as potent in bringing about this, trade diversion, If, however, Hamburg desires to retain her due share of the wool distribution busi ness of the continent she will have to in crease the facilities for the djpehafge of cargo, and spare cons^ees, the loss of time and worry c.c^seq,u,en,t on the very serious delays complained of m almost all I German wool correspondence,, Despatch ! is one. of the first essentials in the con ! ducb of modern, business, and unless Hamburg can be made to realise itss value sho will not long retain the position she has just succeeded ii\ wrestling - from Anewerp. It is many years since New Sou tli Wales And Queensland have had such a soaking as they have had this year. The rainfall has been something phenomenal, and ha,s'been followed; by-disastrous floods, ■destruction of property, and a, rapid spread of footorc^, 'IVaffic in some districts is all but suspended, the roads being in such a state that no .teams can possibly- travel over them. On many stations, it will be no easy matter to, master the sheep, the shearing of which will be further retarded hy- fehe absence of the necessary station supplies. A delay of from six weeks to two months in the beginning o| shearing, which is currently talked, of, means very limited arrivals fo;r November sales, which last year were swoollen by nearly 100,000 bales o£ new wool. What effect this will have on prices at the close of the year remains to be seen, Prospects for the coming clip are none too good. Sheep must have had and are still having a try ing time of it in consequence of the persistent rains and the, boggy state of so many runs. The western, north-western, and northern districts have suffered most, whilst in Riverina and to the southward there has, been much less rain, and, Efheep have done better*

A. and P. Association.

A meeting of the Committee of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held yeaterday afternoon in the Arcade Chambers. There was a good attendance, and Mr D. Thomas, Presi dent, occupied the chair. NEW MEMBERS. Messrs F. Flavell, W. Wills, W. Lang don and J. Williams were admitted mem bers of the Association. HORSE PARADE. The question of holding the annual horse parade was discussed. The matter of fixing the' date" of the parade was remitted to the following Committee, who were also entrusted with making the necessary arrangements for the parade :—Messrs J. 0. K. Grigg, M. Stitt, R. Millar, C. Reid, T, Langley, and D. McKendry. ANNUAL SHOW. The Committee tfxod the 31st of Octo ber as the date of the annual show, in structing the Secretary to apprise the Timaru, Leeston, and Rangiora. Associa tions of the fixture. Messrs J. CN.. Grigg,. M. Stitt, J. Bonifant, John Small, and D. McjKendry, were appointed a subcommittee to revise and arrange the prize list, and to report to a meeting of the General Committee to be held next week. ■ ■ a JUDGES. The Chairman said that nine years ag« he had brought up a motion the effect of which, had.it been passed, would have been that the various Societies exchanged judges. For instance, Leeston may send to Ashburton a horse judge, Timaru may send two of another class, so with Rangiora, Oaniaru, arid Christchurch. It would be, of course, understood that Ashburton would reciprocate. He would move in that direction now. After some talk the motion was unani mously adopted, and the Secretary was instructed to put himself into communi cation on the subject with the Societies above mentioned, it being understood that 'ihe Ashburton Society paid travelling expenses of judges coming to the annual Show, if required. THOROUGHBRED STOCK. A suggestion to accept only the stud books as the authority upon the breeding of thoroughbred stock was referred to the Catalogue sub-Committee to report upon. The meeting then adjourned.

CORRESPONDENCE.

[We do not? hold ourselves responsible for the •pinions expressed by our correspondents

UNWHOLESOME FOOD.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The pork in the auction room referred to by your correspondent "Wallaby" was of good quality, but badly dressed. There was only one carcase of this description offered, while seven or eight other: carcases offered at the same sale were of the primest quality.. The mutton-was also of prime and medium quality, the former bringing l£d per lb, and the latter 2£d. I have bought and used both qualities myself, and can bear testimony that better mutton cannot be obtained in the district. I am, I think, quite as particular about what I eat as "Wallaby" or anyone else. The beef offered at the auction room referred to was also of first quality,, and if "Wallaby" will step round to the auction room again I Avill be pleased to show him an assort ment of meat which cannot be beaten any where. Butcher meat may be perfectly sound and wholesome, but badly dressed, and " Wallaby " has evidently been led astray by appearance. In fairness to the vendors and the auctioneers, I think it is only right these facts should be made known.—l am, etc., '■■■, , Thomas WmTTryGToy.

KYLE SCHOOL.

An ordinary meeting of the above School Committee was held in the school* rocwi on Friday night Jast.y "Present— I Messrs Lambie (Chairman), T. Mulligan, Jno Watson, E. Hardwick, R. Cain and E. McAnulty. .■■..- ;/ ;,-,■-/. ■ ■•-, Matters in connection with the late ooncert were settled, arid, on the motion i of Mr T. Mulligan, a very hearty vote of . thanks was accorded by the Committee to .Mr Lambie for the lecture that he had so> ably delivered. . Correspondence was read—(l) From the Board granting- a bell to the school on the condition that the Committee would erect it.-~(2) From the Clerk of Works stating that the bell had been forwarded to Chertsey.—(3) From same forwarding plans of turret for bell. —(4) From Mr Watson, resigning bis position as, master of the Kyle school, and asking fot a testimonial. With reference to. t>h& testimonial it was resolved that the Chairman and Mr T. Mulligan be ap pointed to draw up a suitable one^ JBe resignation, it was resolved "Thabth« Committee place on record their high appreciation of Mr Watson's work in the school, .and. the regret they feel at losing his siervlees, btot congratulate him on his appointment to a' larger, school." The Committee then carefully con sidered applications for the position of teacher, arid, after mature consideration, resolved, to recommend one applicant to the Board for appointment. , The meeting then adjourned.

ECHO.

I asked of Echo, t'other day (Whose words are few and often funny), What to novice she, would say Of courtship, love>, and matrimony. Quoth Echo, plainly — " Matter-o' money f* '•. 'Whom.should I marry? Should it b* A dashing damsel, gay and pert, A pattern of inconstancy ; Or selfish, mercenary flirt ? Qouth Echo, sharply— "Kaiy flirt T* What if, aweary <$ the strife That long has lured the dear deceiver, She promise to amend her life, And sin no more ; can I believe her ? Quoth Echo, very promptly—"Leave her!" ' But if some maiden with a heart On me should venture to bestow it, Pray, should I act the wiser part To take the treasure or forego it 1 QuoLh Echo, with decision—"Go it!" But what, if seemingly afraid' To bind her fate in Hymen's fetter, She vow she means to die a maid, ' In answer to my living letter ? ' Quoth Echo, rather cooly—" Let her !" What if, in Spite of *her disdain, I find my heart entwined about With Cupid's dear delicious chain So closely that I can't get out ? , Quoth Echo, laughingly--" Get out}!!" But if some maid with beauty blest, As pure and fair as Heaven can makfl her, Will share my labor and my rest ,; Till envious Death shall overtake tierl Quoth Echo, (sotto voce)—" Take her!"

TflE ABHBTJBTON OTAftDIAN, WEDNESDAY, ATOUSf IS, 1890:



There is now to be seen in the shop window of Messrs J ;Sealy arid Co., East street, a collection of apples allowing some of the sorts grown nt the JSurseries, j .Riverbank, that will reply inspection by ' any one who contemplates planting fruit plants. There are upwards of fifty,dif ferent kinds shown, all valuable, long keeping sorts. For size, color, »nd general excellence they are by far the finest that have been shown in Ashbwrton this season > — (iJv v



The Rink de Paris will be open this evening with the usual programme. The adjourned meeting of farmers wj,s held yesterday in the Orange Hall to con sider the advisablenesß of forming aFarmers' Cooperative Society in the district. About fifty farmers were present, including many of the most influental in the district. Mr G. W. Leadley took the chair. Mr John Orr explained his scheme, which appeared to be acceptable, and after it had been dis cussed it was resolved that the time had come when a Farmers' Co-operative Society ■should be formed in the district, and a Com mittee was appointed to take steps to obtain support to the undertaking and investigate i tho business, Mr J. Orr's grocery and hard ware store, offered to the farmers; the assistance of the Christchurch and Timaru Associations to be asked to value the stock. Certainly the Most Effective MEDICINE in the world is SANDER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EXTE ACT. Test its eminent powerful effects in Coughs, Colds, Influenza, etc.; the relief is instantaneous. Thousands gave the most gratifying testimony. Read this certificate:- "24th April, 1885 — Messrs Sander and Sons, —It is with the greatest of pleasure that*l testify to the excellence of your Eucalypti Extract. Having had inflammation of the bone of the leg, which came on after a severe attack of low fever, I was attended by Dr J. Boyd, who had made strenuous efforts to save my leg, but without success. He found it necessary to amputate my limb. Having heard in the meantime of the wonderful cures worked by the Eucalypti Extract, I obtained a bottle, and the extract had not been applied more than an hour when I began to feel greatly relieved. After applying the extract every four hours for nine or ten days it was out of all danger. I would persuade all who may be effected with any such disease to give the Eucalypti Extract a trial, and I am convinced that they will find it the moat wonderful of medicines.—Yours, etc., E. J. Curnow, Wattle street, Sand hurst.— (AdjtO 5



TIN WALD COAL AND FIREWOOD DEPOT T A /CLOTHIER begs to *J -Llv.- V J intimata that he has opened a retail produce store at Tin wald, and has for sale—Flour, Bran, Sharps, Chickwheat, Feed Oats, Oaten Sheaf, and Straw Chaff, Potatoes, etc. Also Prime Household Coals, ASHBURTON PRICES. BOOKS— Thousands of Books of every kind, including books on History, Travels, Science, Religion, Fiction, &o. Ac. Account Books and Stationery of every discription. A cheap line of En velopes at 5s per thousand. Fancy Goods, including Albums, Photo Frames, Writing Cases, Work Boxes, Purses, Ladies' Hand Bags, Games and Puzzles. Music—A large Stock. Pianos, Accordians, Vielins, Concetinas, &c. All Goods reduced for Cash. L. F. ANDRSWES & CO. Stationers' Hall



\MTIiCUT 'TCCTH WJTM-TEET3 THE CHRISTCHURCH DENTAL | SURGERY, Corner of Oashel and High .streets. s. m™ and ca SURGEON DENTIST And at Dunedin and Wcsfcport WE have gained the FIRST AWARD at the Dunedin Exhibition for Artificial Dentures and Mechanical Appli ances for the Mouth, and it is with the greatest confidence that we guarantee the highest class work and perfect fit at the most moderate cost A Single Artificial Tooth, 10s. ( Complete Set -- Upper and Lower— , temporary and permanent, £10 10s. JVatuisal, Durable, Comfortable Artificial Teeth Replaced Temporarily al most immediately after the extraction of decayed teeth or stumps without extra cc or charge. Arrangements can be made for part or monthly payments. ADMINISTERING NITROUS OXIDE JAS several times daily for the past ten years, we fearlessly assert that extraction of teeth under its influence is perfectly painless and positively safe Fee for Administration, ss. Extraction, 2s 6d. Artificial Teeth and Dentures made other dentists repaired or' remodelled sniiill cost. Houit of iterance—9 a.m. tip. I



SPECIAL NOTICE i CALL AND SKM THE GRAND DISPLAY or BOYS', YOUTHS', AND MEN'S CLOTHING, MERCERY, HOSIERY, BLANKETS, RUGS, FLANNELS, HATS, AND CAPS, «fee. THE largest and best assorted Stock in the District to select from, which for Value, Variety, ami excellenco of Manu facture, we stand unrivalled, WATERPROOF COATS AND OILSKINS, Our own manufacture, si specialty, SOLE AGENTS for Werthcim's latest and improved HAND and TREADLE SEWING MACHINES. NEW Z E A J A N D CLOTHING FACTORY- W. H. WEBBER, j Manager.



rTiDilo Notices. MRS S. T I M M 0 has removed from the Lyttelton Boarding House to those more commodi ous and central premises, Panama House, Where friends, old and new, will be wel comed Accommodation tor boarders a reduced rates. Meals prepared in Mr Timmo's t*c\\ knewn style. Meals per week, lls ; Board and lodg ings, 17» 6d ; one meal daily per week, 8 fid MISS ELSIE LACK, OF TIMARU, "TTTILL Commence Tuition of Piano W and Singing in Ashburton on MONDAY, 25th August. Intending Pupils kindly leave their names at Mr H. M. Jones' Music Warehouse. 8 78



■Wanted. CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may bo leffc at this Office. _ __ TZ)6lSON~will be laid in my Sections, JL No. 19 and 20, after 12th August. Wm. Paterson, Princes Street. 8 79 ~\ XT"ANTED—GeneraI Servant; must VV have good references. Apply Mrs Hugo Fiukdlasder, Burnett street. 8 73 I EXPERIENCED Housemaid requires j Engagement, town or country ; business house preferred. Address H.M., "Mail "Office. 8+67 TOP^That Cough—Flower's Cough Drops are the best—see that the name is stamped on every one. 11. G. Flower, Confectioner, East street. "PRESENTS. "-If you want good value JL for money go to Melford House. Extra value now being given away in S resents. Everything marked cheap.— [. C. Segers. i * ANTED" KNOWN—The Strong VV Wear Boot for Men, Women and Children can only be had at W. H. Collier's. B" OOTS, BOOTS.—"Keep your feet Dry and save Doctor's Bills. I have a splendid Stock in now. Try my Double-soled Shooters. Every pair Guaranteed. Robert Alcorn, Ashbur ton Clothing Mark, Saunders' Buildings. ANTED Known.—For cheap Drapery, Millinery, Boots, i Clothing, &c., go to Melford House. Good substantial presents now giving away.—H. C. Segers. WANTED every man m the County to have a suit of the Ashburto Tweed*.—Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mark, Saunder's Buildings. TipVERY Customer will receive a JQj handsome present by purchasing their Drapery. Millinery, Clothing, &c, at Melford House. Cheapest House in town for first-class Drapery. - — H. C. Sbgbrs. ANTED KNOWN.—A lot of Ladies Cloth and Tweed Jackets, considerably under usual cost price.— W. H. Collibr, "The Corner." W' ANTED Known—The Cheapes Shop to buy Tinware and Gal vanised Iron goods in Ashbarton, is at W. F. Hannafori/s, Burnett Street. A arge stock kept on hand. Tin and Iron ware goods made and repaired with ties patchy



"DEDWOOD'S TDA'TENTI Blight Specific Is NON-POISONOUS, contains neither arsenic nor sulphate of copper ; is not only perfectly harmless to trees, but excites growth. It is a CERTAIN CURE for scale, American blight, codlin moth, &c, &c, whoro used HystemicataUy. The MOST effectual time to USE IT is | IN WINTER, when tho trees are | bare. The Inventor has NUMEROUS TESTI MONIALS from those who have CLEANSED THEIR ORCHARDS. CANTERBURY AGENTS— Wholesale—MALlNG and Co., Limited. Local Agent —D. THOMAS, West Street, Ashburton. Price, 3s 6d per Gallon. Reduction on quantities. »|Q9 Full Directions Supplied. 'THE COUNTY." "~" THH Proprietors of "The County" Hairciittlng Saloon and Tobacco •nd Cigar Emporium, Prospect Building's, Have to announce their commencement of business. BEST ART. BKST QUALITY IN EVERT BRANCH, And perfection all ronncL HAIE CUTTING, 6d. _ 7 155 "]SJT OTICB.— Anyone found Tres- JN pasting in pursnh of game «r •thm-wiae «n the Rrrersdale Estate »n and »ft«r this date will bt prosecuted. J. R, WILLIAMS. Birersdale, 24th May 5 178 Q G T X B A GREAT E A A G T T SA L E AT " The Cobneb " 12t Men's and Youths' Suite from the Ashburton, Wellington, Timaru, Oamarn and Morgiel Mills, being sold n* a DISCOUNT of 5 s >* 20 s . let ef Ladies' Jackets and Ulsters at Half-price. -I RS JACKETS for £»D «r^S JACKETS tn \ f\s A special line of best quality Umbrellas. 10 s « DUMBRKLLASf:>r6 s 6 D 12 s fi D UMBRELLAS for 7 s 6 D '\XT TT ~7~1 OLLIEB W . XJ. V.7 OLLIBR, "THE npRNEft." SEED WHEAT and OATS FOR SALE. TUSCAN WHEAT. PEARL WHEAT. VELVET CHAFF, &c. Also WHITE LAMMAS TUSCAN CANADIAN OATS. DANISH OATS. DUN OATS. SUPERIOR QUALITY FOR SEED i JOHN G. RESTELL, i 7J150 WEST STREET, j ANDREW ARRSS ndrew yjnß s , GREAT £ ,£ ANNUAL SAi,E OF C > a j DRAPERY Z & > h CLOTHING j- -r AND ¥ v 4 nooTS 2 2 N Will Conxmenoo W Saturday, July sth & Tlie greatest BARGAINS $fl ever seen ir Ashburon. )^ m SEE xiANDBILLS. ? , ANDREW ORR. , ~f:\ HARLEST)EADDELL Tiiconuod Landbroker and Valuator '■■■■■ "The Land Transfer Act, 1885 - V"7 TT"USE, LAND, AND ''EMISSION AGENT. tviViue-Burnott buoot, Next to "Mail' Office