The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1890. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The general depth of the Suez Canal is 26 feet.

Of China's 300,000,000 people one-tenth are agriculturalists.

In the last Gazette a Nelson lady, Mrs Mackay, applies for a patent for " ester* urinating rheumatics."

Sir Robert Stout (in sooordance with a request from a number of citizens to that effect) will deliver a leoture on " The Land Question " in Oamaru early next week.

The annual ram fair under the auspiceß of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastora Association takes place on the 20th inst. The Ashburton one takes plaoe at Tinwald Yards on the 27ih.

The Ohristohuroh Presbytery, at its meeting yesterday, passed a resolution heartly con gratulating Dr Elmelie upon the honor of having the degree of D.D. conferred upon him by the University of Aberdeen.

The following have successfully tendered for the railway Befreahment rooms named. The tenders are for three year?, ending on Deo. 31, 1892:—Ohristohurob, Mr H, S. Drummond, £356; Ashbarton, Mr W; Drummond, £220; Timaru, Mr D. M'Guinness, £211,

A wealthy brewer in Montreal built a church and inscribed on it:" This oburoh was erected by Thomas Moison at hia sole expense. Hebrews si. ohapter." Some of the M'Gill College wags altered the inscription so as to make it read;—" This church was created by Thomas Moison at his soul's expense. Ha brews XXX."

At Gibraltar on Jan; 17, while firing the HO-ton gun aboard the ironolad Benbow, defeots were developed in the great gun that made it dangerous to do any further firing. Of the seven great 110-ton guns now in existence four are broken down, though they have never peen subjected to the strain of half an hour's firing.

The Wolsely sheep shearing machine is proving a great eucaess. The "Dunstan Times " reports that at Messrs R. Campbell and Son's Station Peak shed on January 31st, the following tallies were done; 211,172,159, 154,148,145, and so on, the 23 shearers em ployed doing 3062 sheep—an average of over 133 per man. Another day the average was 138 eaoh.

Last [Easter two members of Sfc Stephen's Churoh promised between them the sum of £32, provided the balance of the church debt, £240, was raißed within a year—of this Bum £91 has been already paid, and about £50 promisedi leaving a balance of about £80 stilt to be raised. It is intended to use every effort to praise this amount before Easter, towards this end the members of the Chnrch Worsing Party purpose holding a cake and apron fair in the Parsonage Garden on Tuesday afternoon, March 25th (Lady-day), at 2 p.m. There will be a stall for the sale of refreshments, fruit, etc Gifts of cakes, apron?, fruit, etc, will be gratefully received at the Parsonage.

Thomas Edison's latest invention ia a clock, which, instead of striking every hour, oalls out with loud voioe every quarter of an hour. Inside, in oorsneotion with the clock-fforb, is a phonograph, which can be put to any possi ble use. E iison has prepared an inexhausti ble series of variations in order to call persons or entire audiences, to admonish and to teach them. As sn alarum it oalls the sleepers with loud voioe by name, end commands them repeatedly to get up until it is obeyed. As kitchen clock it transmits to the cook the orders of the lady of the house to prepare meals, and at a certain hour reminds of the work to be done.

The London correspondent of the " Auob land Herald" writes :—Sir JuJiaa Vogel's book has run through two edidonß of one thontand copies each, and is now out of print. Tho publishers are now arranging for a popular edition io b9 issued at half a orown. Ths original edition was issued at 7s 63. It ia understood that Sic Julius will receive a very substantial monetary paymeni ia the oonirs of thfi npxt few days, when his first settlement with hia publishers will take place. Sir Julius Vogel fully intends to get out to New Zealand before the end of the year ; but, judging by his present iuc'.inatione, ha will not re-enter publio life even if offered the oppenurjity.

The Australian Blondin performed again on Tuesday Dight, and repeated tbe feats of the evening previous. Mr H. Davis, of the Royal Hotel, climbed the ladder to the ropo, and was preparing himself to be oarried over. Whsn, however, he got on Blondin's back, the performer found that the Boniface was heavier tban ho had bargained for, and announced to the public that Mr Davis was altogether too heavy for him to risk himself and his burden with on tha rope. Mr Davis announood to the publio his readiness to essay the journey if Alexander was willing to try. Alexander, not caring to risk his own life and that of Mr D<wis, declined to make tbe attempt.

Me W. Conyers, O E., formerly^Commis sioner of South Island Railwayoi now in business in lovercargill, should be a judge of railway management. He writes to Mr Vaile, " I feel quite certain this state of things can. not go on much longer ; indeed the country cannot bear it, it is ruinous. The publio con venience is in no way considered, the result being no traffio. On some of our lines down here the trains run three or four times a week. To go twenty miles I have to be at the station at 6.40 a.m. returning at 7.50 p.m., and although a good line the speed ia about twelve miles an hour, and the charges prohibitive. No attempt whatever ia made to foster, enoourage, or in any way develop settlement or business.''

■We find the following in the " Launoeston Examiner" of February 22nd:—" In the latest English obituary we notiae the death of the Rev Caleb Whitefoord, of Whitton Beotory, ia Worcestershire, eldeßt brother of Mr John Whitefoord (late Recorder) of Launcostoa, after 47 years' tenure of thu living. Ia a memorial notioe by tbe press, Mr Whitefoord is spoken of with esteem and ofiection for his endearing qualities and varied talents. He waß the author ol many works on religious subject*, and often gratified his friends wMi effusions of wit not unworthy of his father, Caleb Whitefoord, the friend of Dr Johnson, Goldsmith, (Wrick, and Sir Joshua Rey nolds." Mr Whitefoord wajß the father of Mrs W. J. Steward, and thapno^ of fijr Caleb Whitefoord, R.M. The daoaugpd gentle man was chaplain to the Duke of Roxburgh and the Mnrquis of Bute.

Sow jntereßtiDg and important die ooveries (sayjj the Jjondon correspondent of the Northern Eobojf have followed upon the muster of pictures for the exhibition of old masters now open at the Boyal Aoadonay. Among tbo contributions was a picture by Eoroney, whioh tha owner, an old maiden lady, was exceedingly anxious to have insured for the suta of £500. She admitted that the amount seemed e^oessive, but the picture was a family heirloom, and she valued it at fully £500. After the private view a gentleman who saw it wrote an offer to purchase it for £1700.. This made the old lady open her eyes, and when, a day or two later, a well-known dealer offered her £4000 she Baid she would take time to cpnßider. The best known and Bhrewdest dealer ijaEngland has offered her £6000 for the fl'anvae, j?ut haa not yet reoeived cotifi oatioh of4he pf frs offer.

Jpawyers don't know everyt^g, and it ib hardly to ba expected that a city lawyer ahouM know everything about country ajTaira Still or^e would b.aye thought that in a gteat wheat .ooloDy like ou/s there were few city lawyers who .were short of knowledge about (he gra&p of wheat. £n the ooi??sa of, examination a* a witness in Josophplßrk's cat* 'pa Tuesday in fho Court,; Mr Pshef, tfto we!i-)knpi?n and clever Chrisioburoh bfflHfileter, Showed th&t sgriouitural edudatioa ks& teen padly l neglected. He Bhowed an igud?^ttQß of wbat | "fisoon^a" wheat vras that provoki H6 laughter of the Judge, and of all the oloa poppers (our reporter included) present in opiks. i'ho Judge told him thai the an anest toiler at a thrj^hiDg maobine could have put him right on the subject; but Mr Fisher had to aek his olient what • eeconcls " we^e, and I he received tis firet harvesticg lesson from Mr 0 aik in the reply he gave—that ff Eeoondfl " were not " second-clasa wheat," but broken grains mixed with—well, all thtt telupe of ttie threehicg mwliinei "~;

A Presidential mansion is to be built at Bio de Janeiro to cost 500,000 dollars.

Emm Baj's injuries are now said to have resulted from an excess of champagne.

Emigration from Britain to the States, Canada, and Australia is falling off.

Ouida has made more money by her labors than any woman of this century except Patti.

A Brisbane cable says that divers who were Bant to the wreok of the Quetta found ten fathoms of water all round her. The rough sea prevented an examination of the vessel.

A Sydney message report that the schooner Agnes has been wrecked near the Brunswick River, and the orew of eight drowned.

The probable date for the opening of next session of the General Assemblyjis. stated to be the seoond Thursday in June.

West Street is beginning to show its asual after-harveai; signs of uotivity, the {grain laden drays coming in in large numbers.

The " Patea Press " says that one crop of oats in that district this season will yield between 75 and 80 bushels to the acre.

During February the North Canterbnry Charitable Aid Board gave outdoor reliief in 476 oases. The number for January was 486. The Charitable Aid Board deoided to give notice to the stafi of the female refuges that their services will be dispenoed with with a view to a reorganisation of the institution. Last year there wete only eleven inmateu and the cost was £530,

One of the obligations imposed by the Mahomedan religion is that interest for the use of money must not be accepted, and, says the " Hawke's |Bay Herald," it has received a striking illustration in Napier. A Hindoo named Sheriz, who has resided in Hawke's Bay for some time, received £10 10a 6i from the Post Office Bank as interest upon money deposited, and, valuing his religion more than money, he handed over the money to the Napier Hospital.

A man named Geo, Hall waa arrested yesterday at iOhristonuroh by Constable O'Connor on a charge of aaaulting his father, William Hall, and a woman named Ellen Thompson, with whom the latter lived, in a house in Lyttelton street. It is alleged that the parties had been drinking and a dispute arose, the resalt being that young Hall knocked his father down and kioked him, and struck him on the head with a poker. After the accused had been arrested, Sergeant-Major McDonald and Sergeant Doolan visited the house, and seeing the state Hall senior and tho woman were in they took them to the hospital. The woman had two Bevere "cnts upon her head, and Hall had some of his ribs broken. Their injuries were attended to at onoe.

A Billy, but sensational, attempt at auioide by a love-Bick lad, named Louis Earth, ia reootded by the " New York Tribune," Louis is Bixteen years of age, and was madly in love with Nellie Bertenshaw, aged fourteen, tbe daughter of a railroad man of that oity. Louib, however, had a rival, another boy of the same name. Both the youths were of that romantio tarn of mind which ia fostered by the reading of sensational literature, and they decided to settle their difficulties in the regulation Btyle, To this end they, drew straws to see whioh was to have the girl, and decided that the one who received the short straw was to kill himself within thirty days, and thus leave a clear field for the successful aspirant to the girl's favor. Accordingly the boys prepared the straws and drew for life and death. Kurth's rival was suoaeßsful, and (he girl at onoa transferred her affeotionß to him. Shortly af ierwarda Earth fired the shot which was aimed at his heart, bat which straok a rib and inflicted only a flesh wound. He stoutly asserts that he will keep his part of ihe agreement as soon as he h allowed his liberty, for he oould never face his companions if he failed effcer proposing tha I eat. '

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(per press association.)

London,. March 11 and 12 The Aorfa colliery is on fire. The Liverpool dock laborers have consented to arbitration. The woman who fired at Mt Isaacs, M P., has been acquitted. The " Pall Mall Gazette " states that the Queen is in favor of making Dr Barry Bishop of Durham, The colliers insist on an increase of 10 percent, but the majority of miners are willing to accept 5. Mr Sydney Gedge intends to raise a discussion on the Colonial Divorce Bills again when the consideration of the estimates comes on. Fifteen bodies have been recovered from the colliery in which the explosion took place. It is believed that at least 100 others must have lost their lives. Sir William Robinson' has secured Miss Ada Knight, of Melbourne, an introduction to the Princess of Wales. Much interest is expressed in the medical career of this young lady, who obtained her diploma as doctor of medicine last August. Yon Arnemann, a German dentist has been sentenced t.o twenty years' penal eeryitudp for shooting at a County Court Judge at Nouingharn. The prisoner had been unsuccessful in a case heard before the Judge. Meet ing him in the street he shot at him with a revolver. The Right Hon. Cecil Raikes, Post master General, stated in the House to-day that Australia and India had not shown any desire for a reduction of postal charges. Australia lost and Canada 700,900 dollars annually as it was. He considered it doubtful whether England was compe tent to reduce the ocean letter rates to a penny without destroying the existing agreements with other countries. Gaiko, March 12. Famine and pestilence are reported to be raging in the Soudan. Constantinople j March 12 The Porte has granted an amnesty to most of the Cretan refugees. Capetown, March 11. President Kruger, of the .Transvaal, j has consented to allow the Cape rail way to be extended from Bloemfontein to Johannesburg. ' '■ Washington, March 1,1 Mr Taulbec, member for Kentucky, •tflio W3S shot'ln ith£ corridor of fhe capitolby:^o^/I^^loo^ of the month, is deau. , v fs> Pabis, Mivc _ The murderers of the Due d'Aurnale's gamekeeper were sentenced to deaths and the double execution place to-day. There was a piteous scene at the guillotine. 1

STEAMERS FOR NEW ZEALAND

Duticg tho past fortnight (writes a London oorreEpondent oo the 25th Janu ary), 'wo voasela balU epsoially for the New Zsahad inda havo been adebd to the flaet of tho Shaw, Savill, and Alb Son Oa. Oa the 14th instant tho b,b. Matatua, boiit by R, Stepbanoou and Company, of Newcastle, was taken on hec trlnl trip, Sb<> ta a steel spar-decked vessel, 340 feet by 4l£ feet by 29 feet, and has been speci ally futed up foe the frraia meat ttad<s. A corap'eto eyatem of insulation has been adopted in her holds mi 'tween decker, acd there nro three powerful refrigerating ctz'nea by Messes Hasltm and Company, of Djrby, The ruaulated chambers are, oaloHfttflJ capable of holding 36,000 oar« ojkob, Tho propelling machinery cmaisfe of a not of triple expansion etiglnee about 1700 indicated Uorae power. The veaeel

attained a moan epeed of 118 knots in four rune over the measured mile. Tho second addition, the Bteol e.s. Maori, was built by Messrs Swan and Hunter. Walls* end, and her official trial took plaoe on Monday last, TEo dimensions of the veßsel are :—334 feet b? 40 feot by 25f

feet. Sha has a long poop, bridge-house, amld'ships, and top-gallant foreoaatl*: cellular double bottom throughout, and la built to Lloyd's highest class on the three deck rule under special survey. Her engines are by the Wallsend Slipway and Engineering Company, with cy.Uadero 26tn, 421n, and 691 aby 431n. The tii«l was attended by Oaptaln MbKfttay, Mr Oarrlck and Captain Scotland, on behslf of the Shaw, B»vlll and Albion Company. The moan speed on the measured mile waa 12£ knots. After the trial the Maori nr»* oeeded to London to load for New Zsa* land.

A FARTHING SHOP IN WHITECHAPEL

Where do the farthings go ? We mias them io after the limited fiuanoe of sohool d»yc A good many of them get to Whiteohapel, to • shop in Darset street. Among a lot of diminutive paokagea of soap, ten, tnd sugar, nnd hVpnrtha of baoon, there win a Biuoet of f Minings. I went iDto the ill-llgbied empoploro, and a very intelligent yoang woman who was serving told ma that they sold nearly everything in quantities of 'farthing's worths, 1

' Yoa can have a farthing's worth of tea, augar, aoap, batter and milk. We don't sell loss than a ha'porth of loaf eugat though,' On the counter a baby was orowlng,and all the time people were streaming In for their farthing's worths, Oooked bucon U Bold at a ahlillDg a pound and raw bacon at sevenpence. At eight the plaoe is a ■ort of sapper club, tho members of which all fetch their own provisions, from three halfpence upwards.

Bang ! went a dirty tin on tho oonator, and '» child wanted a farthing's worth of milk* She pat her uacloan none into it as she walked oat. Then a mtu came iv, aad aftor much haggling to hsva tho cheapest, he contracted for seven faith ings worth of bacon. Ha was a leao and hnngry man, long of limb. Then a woman for a farthing's worth of milk and the B*ma cf butter. They evidently breakfasted late in Dorast ntrs:t. Tbb customer also bad a ha'porth of "picca lilli," a peculiar pfcklo in which it is not exiotly possible to distinguish anything but mustard, bat it looks chiefly Hko catil-fl jwfif.

Two or throe tttcej when I was there the shop was filled and emptied, and nearly all the baaineoa was done in farthings. Ona little boy had a ha'pocth of tes-duat. Tha Bbop opens at six in the morning, aad closes at twoWe or halt-past at night. Thiß ia tho only way that any profit can ba got from Gnah poor easterners. Then tuero era all tbe packma to ho made up reicly for customers before the place opaas, Thta la probably the deaetat and caeansot mode oE hoaaekeepiog anywhere. The poople who I!va iv the atreet are tha dre^a ot Whttochapol. Bam') of them are dockers, bat they ere tho fdnga of tbe wotai-, among tho oasual laborers. It ex plains Bomewhat how theao taen, who live from hand to.mouth, held oat no long during tho etcike. If they got v ponny from tha relief fund there wsa sufficient to boy a tea with. With another penny for bread and a penny for coals—for thrceponco, in faofc—tho larder je filled. and v chea:ful glow permeates the one room that is usually the rosidenos of thosa who don't live ia tho common lodgiag hoaßes.

THE FRENCH IN DAHOMEY

SEVERE FIGHTING. (per press association.) London, March 11 Word has reached here that an attack was made by Dahomeyans on a body of French, during which the former lost 400 men. The Dahomeyans have taken up their quarters at Katonan. The adviserß to the King of the Dahomeyans are anxious for an amicable settlement of the difficulty, and have recommended him to treat with the French commander for the conclusion of peace. The French captives are still safe,

RED RUST

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CONFERENCE, (pis pbkss association.) Meibooknk. Maroh 12

The Conference which has been con sidering the ravages of red rust and the best methods of dealing with it, have agreed on their report, They recommend early sowing in all cases where practic able. The fact is not overlooked that in some years, owing to the unseasonable weather, early sowing is impracticable, but its adoption is recommended where late sowing is at present practiced. The Conference fully believe that no snch cereal as rustproof wheat has yet been discovered, but the experiment of im porting different varieties from countries outside the colonies, and careful selection in the colonies of cer> tain kinds, have proved that there are sorts which are constitutionally able to resist the pest to a consider able extent, The continuance pf this work is recommended with a view to securing a list of the varieties most likely to prove remunerative to the farmers of the various colonies. Evi dence shows that certain varieties will resist rust in one part of the colony and succumb in another. The report further recommends growing wheat upon land previously fallowed or in succession to crops such as maize, sorghum, and peas; Wheat so grown has been found to enjoy greater immunity from rust than when sucpeeding a previous crop ot' wheat, osts, or similar graminaceous plants. The burning of straw and stubble affected by disease is recom mended. The Conference will "meet again in Sydney after next harvest to consider tb/j-esults of the experiments it has determined to make.

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

ADDRESS BY THK PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER.

Following fa the text of the nddresa I delivered on Tuesday evening by the Bight Worthy P.G.M. Tucker:—-Worthy Depaty and delegates—lt gives ms great ploitsure to meet you at this oar third annual meeting, and It (s a subject of congratula tion that daring the three years we have been established as a district we have only loot ODh member by death and one member's wife, This gives the low avenge death rate of one in 600, thus bearing unquestionable testimony to the wisdom of tha cutabllsbment; of the Ashburton dlattlct. I regret that, as the returns have uot been sent fn from all tha lodges, I cannot glvo tha exact numerical and financial progress of the dlairlefc, bat I ieara with safclafaotioa that good progress is being m.ida. lam pleased to notice that bo much attention haa baeu paid to the lavestmtnfc of funds, and thai the Interest earned h»a been about 5£ pat oeni. During the year I have (ia com pany with our worfcb-y §Dep. Pjtov. G,M.) visited each Lodge in the district. We were pleased to observe tha palmtaklng and carefal manner in which the wholo of the Lodges are worked. We found them dolnft thetc beat to carry oat the spirit and Intention of the rules, and to attain the object for whloh we are established. I feol that, residing as I do at the extreme border of the district, I have not been able to do so maoh visiting as I should ha7o wlehed, I am convinced that, from the cordial welcome given, and the number of intelligent questions asked, our visits have not been in vain. For myself, I can say that whilot endeavoring to help others I have my self been helped ; and although this meeting oloieo my official connection with the Lodges, I shall still feel great Interest in their welfare, and this Interest will, I hope, terminate only with life. At the half-yearly meeting, *nd od my visits lo.Lodgea, I have spoken on the sabjeot of superannuation. This 1b a very Urge question, and I am anxious to see it adopted by this district. The Registrar furnished a table of rates of contributions In' hla 1883 report, showing the aorrntl oontribetloa required to seaure an annuity of £1 per week—Age 18. premium £1 6) 8d ; 20, £1 10j ; 25, £2 0* 8i : 30, £2 ifa ; 35, £3 18i; 40, £4 14s 4i; 45, £8 13s 4d. From another aouroo Ifiad that the average duration of life after the age of Blxty-fi7e io about eleven years. The above la a lower rnta than is required, by tho M.X7. table, Rule 38a, but would, I bavo no doubt, prove somolent for this colony. 16 is one of the problems connected with the Friendly Soolety movement that time t»lone will solve. The p.iat yoar has not been mirkod by any great event that baa called for special efforts from year District Officars, but there is one matter which hss caused co-jsldarablo .dlscaaaton, end which, as a dlatcfot, we should in soma wty notice, that la the proponed notion of tho Govern menl !n introducing, the/Government Railway Fmployaea BUI. On this subject I ainnnt do better than to repeat the words of tho P«)V. G.M. of the Nateou djstrlot. Ho saya :—" It hue wisely been decreed by the lawa of out Order that political question* ace not allowed diPcusaioD, bat whsn a proposed BUI off eta seriously a groat number of our members wo have jast causa for combination and an ox priißalon of opinion. Ihoia caa be little doubt that tho measure, as now drafted, will Betionaly aff:ot FrleDdly Societies, The important qaeuUon is, ' la the ucbemo required at all V A very large percentage of thn parflotiß affected are members of benefit soolofciofl, and baro thna Ja a very ample w.iy mado provision for 3Q3ident or "iokneea. A smaller cambar, of oourae, have their lives Insured In some Life In auratca Company. To Inslat upon all mnking further provision to the extent Intended by the B 11, natiely, that peraoaa eamina 73 per day and undev ehall contri bute 21 per week, snd for avecy shllilogoc parb tberesf Rbovc that Bum 41 per week, la arbitrary and unjust. If it fa needfai to mr-ke men look f.boad by compulsion, the echoma might bo ao, amended that present employees who have made no proviaion, and thoae takan on after a osrtain period ohall inanie uuder ono or other of the Govemmant tables, Tha proposed echeoie haa much the ftppsarauod of iDtMfaroaoa with private entflrp.-fae, and liberty of the subjsot, and tha undue monopoly by Govercmsnt of undortakicgu mli eh cm bo batter maungeil by Soafetlea such as our own. Aa a ruh tho mea intarested ate fully competotafc to look ef ler their own Intereeta, and boioro raoaaaroa of compul slon are resorted to, the voluntary action of those who anticipated the Government by maklog proviaion ebould. be treated with reapect. ' Kepresentatlona ehould certainly be made to the authorities that those who already contribute to Benefit Societies cannot poaalb'y pay the cum exacted by the Bill on 6s or 7s per day. If the Government insist and it becomes law it will follow that they cease member ship with voluntary Sociatles, losing thereby benefits to which they hivo contri buted for man? years, and the Sootetlea will be the poorer by their transfer." Collecting friendly Societies Is another subject which requires tho atteatlon of affiliated Sooletfe*. I notice .with regret that Collecting Societies htvo been ostab ■ I'shed In Now % asnd. They have been I in very bad repnte In England for several years p»et, it having been proved that they are largely monay-mcklcg Institu tions instead of benefit societies, A Committee of the House of Commons , lately reported that the d.ffarenco between friendly (societies:and,collecting societies jwan a? follows ;-r" Friendly eooleUes— Combine relief in efoknens with life insor. aTic? ; monthly, t? In some oases, fort< ntgh'ly nieetlncfa the rale ; management Inexpensive, officials generally appointed by intelligent consent of the members; promoted and oonduoted for the benefit of members, Collecting eooletlea — Lulled to life Insurance, relief (n eickueaa dinoontfouod, oxoopt In some cases to original members; me^tlags, whether district or genera), practically disregarded by members; management rarely coating less than 40 par cent, of premium income, member* praotloilly excluded from voica In election of manners; promoted and oondaotod for benefij; of managers." In thaic report the Committee make some very pertinent remarks which it would be well for us to note, and I hops tha Goieramont will early legislate for the regulation of thote ftociuilea, or as they chooae to call thetn solvea "Industrial insuranae cjmpantea." In oonoiudon, I hava to eincoroly thank my brother officers fos their hearty co, operation and aselataacej and I huva to thank othec trlanda fo? the loan of huroeo and boggles to enable me t3 visit lodges doifing my terra of ofixoe. I ttuat that vhe diattlot may coulioue to prosper and that my tuxmssor will enjoy sb mach ple»suTa aud profit whilst pcaaldlog ovor j tha »fifths of tha district as I b&ve Harlng | my tcurn,

THE SOUTH CANTERBURY VOLUNTEERS AND THE EASTER ENCAMPMENT

The following correspondence hao been handed to as for publication for the infor mation of volunteers :—

To THE HON THE Dtt'BXCB MINISTEB. Sir, —At the request of tho volunteers of South Canterbury, as expresasd by a meeting of their officers, I have the honor to represent to yon that a tJgid adherence to a recent decision of year Department, vizj that Oamps be only held at the four oentres (Anobland, Wellington, Ohiiat ohcrob and Dunodin), and that only corps within a radius of 10 mlioa shonld attend, wtlU.operate prejadloolly as regards tho corps at Timaru, Waimato, Gsraldlnn and Aohbnrtoa, who will be thereby excluded from sharing ia tho advantages afforded by such encampment's.

It Is, I am sure, quite unnecessary to point out to yourself that tha annual encampment] form a moat important part of the training of our volunteers, as only on theae oooaslons have officers and men tho advantage of boing massed together in sufficient numbers to admit of field drill apon an extensive scale. .

The provision mide by the Department for four oamps concedes the whole ques tion as to the value of such camps, and, that being go, (t follows that these ad vantages should be extended as widely aa possible.

The fact that New Zealand must always largely rely opon her own population for her own defence emphasises this, and the corps it Tltnara, Ashburton, Waimate tmd Geealdlna, being upon a line of railway, ace praottcally ai available In emergenoy as the corps at headquarters. Sorely, therefore, they tthould be afforded the same facilities for training. Further, as the ooat of the Encamp ments for the headquarters' Volonteers ia « general charge on the taxpayers of the Colony, It ia only Ifalr that the local oorpi should have the same advantages. It la asked, therefore, that the South Canterbury Volunteers may ba allowed to join the Oamp at Ohrlatohuroh, that they may be carried free by (ail, and that the som of £100 may ba' allowed towards the ooit of their going undor oanvai. • This appears to me to be a reasonable reqaeat, and I have much pleasure on. their behalf In asking that it may be favorably entertained.

. I have, etc., Wm. J. Steward; Aihbucton, Match 4, 1890,

To W. J. Smwabd, Esq., M.H.R.

Sic,—l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th inst, (a which you ask that the Volunteers of Sonth Canterbury dtstriot should be per mitted to take part In the Oamp ordered to be held at Chrfstohucch during the Easter holidays, aod to reply to state that while acknowledging the pleas urged by you with regard to oamps generally, I regret I am nnablo In this instance to comply with your request, as tbo camps at the four centres (except at Wellington) hava boen cocfined to the local Volanteecs for spooifio parposes.

I have the honor to bo, Sir, Your «bedient servant, W. R, Russell Defence Office, WelUngtpn, Bbh Mtrch, 1890.

MELBOURNE GRAIN MARKET

The National {Mortgage and Agency Company of Hew Zealand in their report dated Melbourne Mirch Ist write:-—

We aro pleased to ireport taat prospects for holdefs of grata are ftligfatiy better than,a month ago. A fair coatjatopiifo demand haa contlnusd thronghout the month, with some speculative eccjairleo rturiog the laat weak oe two. Wheat la belag firmly held, but wo oannot see fcb.9 wladoia of it, as farms;s' 1 and merohenta' figures are fat above London equivalent, and there doßa not se«m much ptoapoot of a rise, Veßaels have been offering rather freolj-, bat, with disinclination cf

holdora to ship whetit, thay have been diverted to other pojits. The first quality of this year's crop ?!j tnrnlDg out* ve^y plump and heavy, but farmsra ara only parting at preoeut wUh theic infaEios— shrivelled and bad-colored—-of which thore is a very large proportion thla year owing to the rust. New Sooth Walos is expected to require abcuc three or four months' auppiy, in addition to her own harvest. Feeding gtalna, throngh tho long-continued dcy weather aie firmer, and will probably remain so la mcßt cases, nlthongh raia (wniah is evidently working down from the tforth) will i! hot too hie, prevent aDy gfeat advance during the Winter. We regret to hear that atook-threahlDf; of both Oats and wheat is being largely carried on in New Zealand; this should ba firmly dis countenanced. Toe stocks of oats in Melbourne have, this aoeson, been Very tujarlooely affoctsd, oomiDg out dark and must?, showing thtit however dry they nuy be when threahad, thiy "go back" aod sweat in the saoke. bairy produce, wh'c'i we soaroe at the commencement of Febinary, baa been flowiog In from all quarters durlng,tbe lasi fortalght of cool weather, and tho market is glutted with inferior butter, which o»nnot be -got rid of at present.

Whkat.—Comparatively little good new has been pat on tbe market, bo fir ; in deed, If It had not bßen for the old wheat offering, wo don't know what tbe millers woald have done. Arrivals fcom the country for the h,et fuqr weeks have averaged about 45,000 bags, the balk, of which la going into store. We quote prime old at. 3s 91 to 3i 9&i; «ood new. at 3i 7i ; medium at 3» 4a to 3i 6J; off qualities, at 2) lOd iso 3s 3d. Oa?3.—Vlofccrtunsi have bean reaching town by rail at the irata of 15,000 bags per week, oo the average, which is fur more than the consumption. The balk are Oaloattas, and more or leu dirty locg oßta, for wbioh there has been a good demand ; they are prefersed to damaged New Zaa iands for nvxing acid are muoh cheaper. Stocka cf New Zealirads are diminishing very slowly, owing to their unsatisfactory condition coming oat. of store; bayers won't be bothered with them, and we fear the ptat reason's experience will make them mora critical when buyiDg New Zealanda th!i aaaaoDi. Bright milling are very eaarc? and we htve sold up to 3j 31 foe parcels of 100 and 200 bags; good New Z^aUnd feed are wottlx 3i Id to 3j l^i ; damigcd sortii, from 2a lOd down wards. Ylotori&a Stout, 2a lid to 3j 2d ; long and.Danish, 2a 7d to 2i lOdj Oalouttas and Algerlians, Z\ 2d to 2s 4|d, Babley Is arriving by rtil la t*ir qqintitiee—but, bs with wheat, the bulk is tbin and pinched, or rongh and die coloured. There is a good demand for really good malting barley at op to 4-> Hd; but second qualities are not soaght atter. Prices range from 3a 3d to 3j 9j, | while for feed lots, salea have been mado , nearly as low as 23. O»pe hes fair outlet at 2j 3d to 2a 4d ; for medium to good samples? Id to 23 oxfci-a, baicg" oocasion ally got for a^ed.

Peas have advanced eteadily daring the month ;42 per bushel being gained. We quote them to-day at 33 to 3) Id ; email sales hava boon made at 33 2d; but tbe tttda won't pay that figure.

HORRORS OF SIBERIA.

Os two occasions recently we hare received cable messages with reference to the treatment of Russian political prisoners in Siberia, one cf these stating that petitions to the Czar are being . signed in America praying him to treat the unfortunate exiles with clemency, and the other that Barns, the London Socialist agitator, has been denouncing that potentate for the atrocities com mitted in his name. The latte& : went farther than he was justified in doing in announcing his willingness to join an expedition with the object of murdering the Emperor Alexander, thpugh a certain amount of violence of'language may well be excused in view of the terrible wrongs which have baen, and are being, perpetrated under Russian ad ministration. A frightful and harrowing tale of those wrongs, culminating in cold-blooded butchery, has just been told, and will be found in. a rocent letter from a correspondent of the " London Times." The writer states that in the beginning of April last some * thirty political exiles were waiting at Yakoutsk to be transported to lome localities in the extreme east of Siberia, where they were ordered to reside. They had been exiled by " administrative order," that is to say on the authority of the Govern ment, without even the form of jjkrial—a , common practice in that unhappy country in the case of suspects against whom no evidence is forthcoming, To reach Yakoutsk they had already per formed a long and painful journey, but between that place and their destination lay a leng journey of fifty to sixty days through a terrible polar desert, where , for long stretches of 150 to 200 miles there is no accommodation, no warmth, nor shelter to be obtained, and the wretched travellers mast light a fire on the ground, and stretch their limbs in the open air. Sach distances ?canuot be accomplished on foot, and deer alone can stand the journey, as horses drawing carriages would ,die of hunger. The sledges used are of most primitive structure. It is impossible to;s| or lie down in them with any degree of ounfort or ease. The slightest shock is "apt to upset the conveyance, and throw the travellers out into the snow... If there are hills the exiles must walk,. Each exile being accompanied by a Cossack^ provi- Bionsfor two haveto be carried all the way, " Up to the spring of 1889 the authori ties at Yakoutsk thought it was only right to show some ; leniency, to the exiles under ' administrative T order.' They argued, and justly, as these latter had not been condemned.to death, it was necessary to take some '.. measures to prevent their dying of starvation, on the' road; therefore, to prevent the over* crowding of the post stations, only small batches of prisoners were despatched at a time, and these at intervals of ten to fifteen days from each other. Further, to enable the prisoners to procure food ior the journey, and the indispeneible articles of clothing, the allowance made ior the journey was paid to them ten days in advance. But, as the prisoners have also to feed the Cossacks of their escort,, the Government allowance was not sufficient, and an advance Was made to them from their monthly pay. This does not exceed six roubles. These were not very great concessions, and did not prevent the occasional death from cold of a child; even while nursed with the utmost care in its mother's arms. The mortality and cases of illness among adults were also excessive." But the new Vice-Governor of Yakontsch, one Ostaehrae, thought fit to alter the rules . relating to the transport of exiles under * administrative order.' "' He decided that four instead of two prisoners should . start at once, which, with the escort, made eight persons, and this at short . intervals of only seven days. The money allowance for the journey was to , be paid only the day. before the depar ture, and the advance' of money on the exiles pay suppressed altogether. Far* ther, the exiles were all to surrender themselves at the prison the day before starting, so that it would be absolutely impossible for them to make tha purchases indispensible for such a journey. Finally, they were forbidden to take with them more than 80 kilogrammes.of luggage and provisions per head. Considering the impossibility of obtaining fresh pro visions on the road and the conditions under which the jdurney^agajk be per formed, these regulations were equivalent to a sentence of death to of the 1 exiles. It must not be forgotten that this journey along tracks rendered almost impassable by the melting snow had thus to be performed without proper clothes and food, not merely^by men, but also by women and young girls.

Under these circumstances, and con sidering that the new regulations placed their lives in Berious - peril,, the^xUefl re solved to address a joint petition to the Vice-Governor, pointing out all the dangers, and imploring him to revert to the former rales governing the iransport of exiles undsr ' administrative order." This they did and the justice of their representations ;iris 'bornebat? by the testimony of a district police Commis sioner and one of the postmasters. Bat Governor Ostashine seems to have re sented their action and, with cruel malignity to have laid a trap for them. They were directed to assemble at the house of one M. Notkine, an exile under ' administrative order/ and their so as sembling was then treated' as a political demonstration, the house lieing sur rounded by soldiers and policemen and the unfortunate exiles fired (Upon and shot down without mercy. TOi»e of the survivors of the butchery says "the soldiers did not wait or listen; they sprang upon the unfortunate exiles and struck them with their bayonets and the butt end of their guns, In a moment several men fell among those who were the nearest to the soldiers, and then shots were fired, and this again and again. It is impossible for me to describe the scene which! followed, or what I felt at this moment. , ~*l do not understand how it was "we wefe not all killed ; that some of us escaped seems a* miracle. The soldiers, - alter the first attack, rushed out into the yard, bat the house was bombarded from all four sides. - The bullets came in by the windows, aud even penetrated through the thin walls. There was no shelter anywhere. We all went into the largest room of tb« house, and some of us tried to escape by the back door, but had, hardly opened it when they fell back dead and 1 pierced by several bullets. . .-:. There were heartrending cries in the room. X jumped on the .ssof t '_ remember vaguely that I firied upon an.officer who { had levelled his pistor*a't mo, but I could not say whether he or I fired first, What I paw and felt was the ahoff tag 4

THE AS&BtJBTOM GUABDIASt, TBUBSDAY, MARGE l£, 1890.



TINWALD COAL AND FIHfiWOOD' DEPOT. JA riLOTtfiER hyping par * DL* \J cha«.«;d tht, business of Josejh Ciakk from the Offichl Assignee, i« prepared to enpply Coal, Firewood, Bran, Oata and Qhaff, at loweßt icarkot iatas, J. A. CLOTHIER, TinwaM. 1 IQOCrD;yAOMU3 VAL K?A.O (•' What we do wo o well." iTUtftOHBXBTOHUROH DENTAL V ■ 'i StntGERY, *" Oaehel Wtrect, OhriatchnroU, oast Bobln . Boot Store,and at the OsUgoa, Danadia. A i >per&tiona at Bttictly umfozta and moderate Ooaoaltation frea. a MYEEiTANI) CO., NITROUb OXIDE GAB «dmln?stered ' . Auseatfaetio leaven no anple&nant tsffeots, »nd by Its usa tha oxtraotlon of B»d Stumps and Tosth is rendered psr •ectly Psinlass tnd Effeotlvo. Ad vlntßteted daily. Fee foe administration »f Gas, sb. Eztrtotlon, 2a 6d » tooth. Hoots of attendance, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Private residence, 93 East Belt, The acknowledged wipetlority of AMERICAN DENTISTRY In the con ■traotton of Attificial Te9tb, the most flnlihed workmanship, and replaoloß tbe M t teeth TEMPORARILY ALMOST MMKDIATKLY after exttaotlon, have atobllifaed onr reputation, ▲ alnala Artlfiola Tooth, 10i, complete at, Upper and Lower, Temporary and Permanent £1010s; Artificial Tenth and Deetnrei made by other rientiatu te aoddied at imall ooste, Stopping, Sotl jg Perfect and Palnleir.



? Wl. SPAEROW, i TAILOR AND MEN'S MERCER EAST STREET. , _ i ■ ■ ■ i I, —■ THE CHEAPEST SA.LE NOW GOING ON IN ASHBUBMON IS AT cTLe Corner." riiillren'fc Hatß half prioi Fiowors tit haf prlo^ Priutti at half pr.ee LadW• J.ickota ;it half price 17 dozMoa'a Sox (boat made) half Dric*» % % t FlEßjtfliHjEj ;wsi ; nd:ows EgßEiiTHi!,, iW^XDiOWS IN BY E O,T|IJT H JB,n SITJO O X I.N S ° H1, J <TT, T £L E . SIT O O X W. H. COLLIER "liift toner SIAND AID .Mfflm , Ho!cl Weekly S»les of EORSBS, PrGS, CATTLE, PRODUOBj JUIINITgRE, &a. iBVEP-T SATURDAY, LIVE STOCK SALES tTeiy Taesday at Tlnwald and Aeh barton Yards oHcrcfttc ly. CLEAEINGr SALES TOWN AND OOUFTRY Acorroing to arrar^npmect. —W.f hhvo Jor Sale Peiva!eiy— 0 REAPERS AND BINDER 1 . OrooBkU! EOLLES, GRASS J. Bri<IPPERS We h*ve been appointed Agents for » JOHNSON and Go's J ARTIFICIAL MANURE, j WE HATE ON HAND 5 TONS staple and Particnlfere of whloh can b hid oa applbutioa. BLAND AND HUMPHEBYS) AUCTIONEERS i



Wanted Known J i Cash Advertisementsundor'tlit,head in,?, not exceeding 16 words, Oflfi Shilling. Addreaae3 may be left at this Office. j \%T ANTED a genes«l servant—apply I YV v, MksA. Cubti3, Rlveibank, Tin wftld. 3 7ft \%J ANTED — Tendon for erecting V? Sheep Dip yards, etc, Apply O. M. Brooke, Aehburtorj. 3f67 WANTED KNOWN—Melford House, will clobb every night at 8 o'o'ook (except Wednesdays'),-—H. 0. Skgers. "TTTANTJED Known.—" Strong-wear VV Bciofco fo? Itadlsn, Men and flhildren 090 only ba obtained at W. H Ochibr's, v $ 1, j ANTED by reaptctfcble yumb board '(■' t »cd teesdeDoe, reima moderate— \ Apply immediately, "0" "Mail" Offioe. | ■ 3 80 LOST, young whits and 11v.5r colored Spantel dog, nnewera to "Rover." , Kaward at Police offic3. 3 81 "TTTANTSD Known The Cheapest [ VV Shop lo buy Tlnwtte and Gal-t . v&niaod Iron goods In Aehbnrton, la a t W. F, Uannaford's. Burnett Street. A 9 lnrge otook kept on hand, Tin and Iron P ware goods made and repaired with des a patch.



MANILLA. Binder Twine, mtohlne oil, and wire. Time is money on the harvest field—the best la the cheapest. —R. Aloosn, Saanders Buildings. "TITANTED KNOWN —My Special VV Make of Ladies' 4 clasp Kid Gloves, " Tho ABhburtoniao," braided backs, 3a 6d par piir.—W; H. Collikb. WANTED every mau in tna County to have a Salt of the Ashbarton Tweeds. ~Robbbt Aloobn, Ashborton Clothing Mart, Saanders' Buildings. BB KENNEDY find Mies Cameroa, j ; Moore Street—Teachers of Scientific Dreee-catling. Bodies cat and lifted. Dressmaking in all its branches. Biding habits a speciality. 12 69 WANTED Known—ln addition to our ordinary presents, we shall give an extra one of a pood useful basket to 6very purchaser of 20a and upwards. H. 0. Segebs, Melford Hobos, WANTED KNOWN—If you want good value for your moaey go to Melford Hoaae. Besides oar ordinary presents an additional one of a (rood useful basket to every purchaser of 203 and upwards, H. 0. Seobrs, Melford House. WANTED, Everyone to Know—That J. RIOISON bae now Iv otook % arge tnd varied assortment (1 BOOTS AMD SFI.OES for tho Sprint; and Summer Season, Gontleraen'a, Ladies', aud Chil dren's, both imported and Colonial ; Ibo , BIS OWN MAKE, whioh GANN )T 1 BIS SURPASSED b,t Style, Fit, Qasl '.y, sad ISeatnrsu, c>rabi'icd with .VERT REASONABLE PRICES. AH reprise v-jecuted. prompt' y and witb



Put He Kotices mBE FM AL MEET Wft of the Ashbur -1 ton Gnnrds will be held on t* 1 BID AY n xt, the 24th iiist., at tho Koyol Hotel ar, 8 p.m. A lull attendance is r< X qutitid. 3 47 LOOK OTJT FOX SALE L. F. ABDBEWE3 & GO. LOKttB? AOH ROAD BOARD. mifiNDKRS are ii v'tcd for making j[ Drain on IV r aco Road, about 40 C!;a'na. T'cdprs coee ut 12 Nooa on cAIJJBDAY, M<rch 35 h 0. "Si FJOKS & SON, 3f41 Di.t ie; Sarveyoia, (TENDERS »r.< Invltfd for BaiVitra 1 Grata Store (hhor only) foe Messrs Ohalmbbs Bites , Ba.-.ch llc-ad. P.uar: a •' epjoificjtLni o»n be eeen at my office* ieudaca oloph on SATCROAY, lGfc'a In it, at Noon Tbe lowest or «ny tooder Dot DOoaosmiiF i.coop*; B. BIRD, ST. JjHN'S LODGE, HO. 1858, E.O THE MONTHLY Meettng of the above Lndgo will be hold in the M»Bonto H»H, Aahbuctoo, THIS BVKJSING, 13m, at 7 p.m. Visiting Brethren cordially Invited. H. A. VE3TY 12tT9 Saoreterj. NOTICE TO FARMERS. WHEAT. WHEAT. WHEAT. WE «re BUYEFS of PRIME MILL ING WHEAT** Mil!. KOFiLITT .&, 00, Canterbury Mine, 0t26 Ashbarton. SUMMER 1800 1890 PIUMUSR HOW 1890 1890 OH O W i ALL DEPARTMENTS OF OUB | BUSINESS REPLETE WITH CHOICE GOODS FOU THIS BEABON. «T PRIOEs""~BIGHT\ & For Javenils'a O.Vth'ce Try tha N.Z Clothing Factory E'er Boyß* Clothing Try tbe N.Z. Clotnfn? P. jivry For Yonthfi' Clothing Try tho N.Z. Olothiug Factoiy For Mon'a dothin? Try«keN.Z. Clothing Ftctory For BJen's Measure Sa'ta Tr? t'io N.JS. Clothing Faoto-y For Mercejy aad Hoeiery Try tbo N.Z. Clofehfng Fsotory For Bhnkeie, Rugs, and Flanne'3 t Tiy the N.Z. Clothing Factory; For Hats in I'ho newest Khapes Try the N.Z Clothing Factory For iho hofrt v*lae for Ready Money Iry the N Z. Clothing Factory: 1 ENCOURAGE LOCAL INDUSTRY i AND EUY F£OM THE Olothißg Factory. INSPECT OUE STOCK And draw your ovrn cotclumtiß, V% j.'. WEBBrffi. {j



SANDER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EX TRACT.—In protection of the worldwide fame our manufacture has acquired all over the globe, we publish the following:—Hazard, M.D., Professor of General Pathology and Diseases of the Mind and Nervous System, says in an editorial published in the " Olinioal Record:"—" We have examined half-a-dozen specimens of different manufactures; the preparation of Sander and Sons was the only one that proved to be roliable and correspond ing to scientific tests." Another concoction called " Bsfined Extract of Eucalyptus " has made its appearance Since. This produce Btanda, according to Dr Owen, foremost in causing injurious effects That gentleman aommunical ea, at a meeting o£ tha Medical Society of Victoria, that a cbild^ Hying at Fitzioy became most seriously indisposed through its use. In another case a lady ttates on the strength of statutory declaration that Bhe suffered cruelly from the effeots^ of the Banie concoction. To guard the high reputation of our manufacture we feel warranted in exposing the above faota, and desire the public to exercise care and precau tion when buying. SANDER and SONS — Advt. 7



I' l ' BlsvfgHß} "»9 a. newly coined French word, i . -""nDoandOfi of the words «♦ biscuit, viande, 11 .8,« Q "» and in v" d to deiignatea new kmi oCmpositeloo"reoeni;;f^«C«4 tathe i French Army by General Boulanget, »»« whioh can bo converted into a soup or fltew, I flooordiDß to Uk taste eater. J



Holloway's Pills and Ointment.— The attention of all sufferers is drawn to these weli-known remedies, for they possess con spicuous advantages as a safe and reliable remedy in all those emergencies to which travellers, emigrants and sailors are so eapeci a'ly liable. Theyhave been largely patronised by wayfarers by land and sea, and, in fact, by all'classes 'of the commimity, to their very j great advantage. The' Pills arej beyond all i doubt one of the most effective remedies ever discovered for pases of obstinate constipation, ! confirmed indigestion and cojic, complaints j which are engendered by exposure and. 1 irregular feeding. The Ointment will be found I of the very greatest service in cases of piles, § abscesses, erysipelas and all kinds of local! ulceratioas, |



Ths Master ton corespondent of the ■< Even ing Eobl." writes:—Private news received here from Johanneaberg, {South Africa, states that a party of capitalists have fitted out an armed prospecting expedition to explore the north weßt territory, Matabel eland, whiohis described by an old resident to be literally covered with golden reefs, and immensely tJoh in other kinds of minerals. The writer waa'offered £25 B month and a percentage'of profits, but deolined to join, the expedition on account ol bftd bMttbi ■ '-■'