The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 1891. SCHOOL COMMITTEES' ELEC TION?.

The elections of School Committees are at hand, and as they will be the first held under the new Act it will not be amiss to describe the method of procedure. The most important change from the old system is the abolition of cumulative voting—a voter can now only give one vote to each of the seven candidates whom he may wish to be elected, but may give one vote each to any smaller number of candidates than seven. Only house holders may take part m the election, and a householder is defined by the act to mean any male or female person who (being the owner, lessee, or tenant) resides m any dwelling house within the school district, and the parent or guardian or other person who has the actual custody of any child attending any State school situated within such district; and m school districts situated within a proclaimed goldfield also means and includes every holder, not being an alien, of a miners right. Another new provision is that for the nomination of candidates a week prior to the meeting of householders, in stead of their being nominated at that meeting. The nominations must be m the hands of the chairman of the exist ing School Committee on or before the third Monday m April (this year April 20) and upon the following day a list of the names of candidates is to be posted upon the outer door of the school. If only seven candidates are nominated they are duly elected, and the annual meeting jjas practically nothing to do. If less than seven are nominated they are duly elected, and the meeting nominates and elects the balance. If more than seven have been nominated, the election proceeds m the manner following;—ln every school district within a borough the committee provide a ballot-box, which remains open at the schoolhouse from nine o'clock .on the day of election— the fourth Monday m April (this year the 27th of the month) —until the hour of meeting, and any householder may yote during the day. In school districts not m fl, borough, the chair man of the existing committee receives the ballot papers, whien must h^ye the voter's name thereupon, of on a sepa rate slip of paper attached or enclosed mm\ envelope, and the voter's sign&~ ture tnmt be attested by a Justice" of the Peace, «. postmaster, or a State schoolmaster. Any one, therefore, who votes during the day Jo.sjes the anonymity of his vote. Such votes must be m t}>@ chairman's hand by four o'clock m the afternoon of the day of the householders' meeting, The votes thus received during the day ftre jtafc e# into account at the meeting m thje evening, and no person who has al ready voted may receive another voting paper. The ballot box contain ing the votes dep^sifcediwtth the Chair man of the old committee dui'fag fche day is to be opened bj the Chairman of the householders' masting, and the votes counted tegether with those given at the evening meeting, and $fye sevfM! candidates polling the greatest number of votes shall be declared, elected. In the case of a tie the chair man may ctecide it by giving a casting vote, or may put tlte candidates who Ihave tied to the vote of the meeting. Some points of the Act are I*o* vety

"seari but with the exercise of a little 'jmiiiC'ii sense no difficulties are likely to arise m practice.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tho British resident at Raratonga, Mr F. J. Moss, left Auckland for that pore on Mon day by the Richmond. An extraordinary " Gazette" issuer) on lion-lay further prorogues Parliament till April 27th. A nautical enquiry into the circumstances connected with the stranding of the VVanaka will be held at ftew Plymouth on Saturday. Mr Harkness, M.H.R. for Nelson, has purchased a farm m the Taramiki district, and intends to take up residence under the shadow of Mount Egmont. An agitation has sprung up m Belgium for the re-cnactmen* of capital punishment, m consequence of the alarming increase of murders within the past few years. \ Te Kooti has declined the offer made to him by an enterprising speculator to travel the Australian Colonies with his wives and a body-guard. All the members of the Executive of the Railway Society and three-fourths of the men dismissed at Christchurch and West port during the strike have been re-engaged m the Railway Service. The latest from New Plymouth is that the divers who have examined the damaged part of the Wanaka report that the injuries are not so serious as was thought, and an effort is to be made to floatjier into dtoek. Attorney : " Your honor, this witness says he's a sailor, and my client is positive he's a milkman." Magistrate: "Well it doesn't matter which he is, I suppose he makes his money on the water just the same." . Census-taker: "How old are are you, madame V Madame : " I've seen twenty five summers." Census-taker: " How did you come to miss the other fifteen or twenty ?" Mr Hayter, Government Statist, estimates the Victorian wheat crop for the last season at 13,003,226 bushels. This is so far short of anticipations that the Melbourne market is paralysed, and supplies will have to be sought m New Zealand or California. Any householder or occupier of atonement who has not received a census form to fill up is requested to write at once to Mr W. G Walker, Census Enumerator, Christchnrch. The letter will go free. It appears that sergeant O'Grady (a second-class police sergeant at Oamaru), instead of being placed m charge of the Canterbury district, as stated by a Dunedin paper, has simply been removed to Christ church, without promotion. Mr Benjamin Short offers himself as a candidate for the office of a Director of the Australian Mutual Provident Society. Mr Short is well known to many of our readers, having for twenty-seven years lectured and canvassed as chief agent for the Society. His knowledge of the affairs of the Society will be of particular value to the Board, and he is altogether a desirable candidate. A Chinese greengrocer named Ah Lum, who occupied premises at Wellington which took fire on Tuesday morning under some what suspicious circumstances, was dis covered on Friday afternoon m his bed m a dying state. He was removed to the hospital, where he died next morning. The hospital authorities are unable to state the cause of death, but it is supposed to be the result of excessive opium smoking. A proclamation has been signed by Presi dent Harrison, setting forth that the new World's Fair at Chicago will be opened on the Ist of May, 1893, and closed not earlier than October 31 m the same year. All the nations o f the world are invited to send ex hibits. The show of farm stock is expected to be one of the largest and most represen tative ever brought together on the Ameri can continent. There will be an Eiffel tower 1500 feet high. The Paris corresporulenb of the Sydney "Morning Herald" writes:—"At the extraordinany meeting of electricians from every part of Europe and the United States, tfi hear the promised statement by M de Meritans concerning his rycent disaovery, that investigator proved that, M'ith the aid of his system, light and force can be produce;! at will wich the old volta pile, with no more outlay tlun with the difficult dynamos of i(C3nt days, thus placing the supply of electric lighting and force within the grasp of every household ; a cheap and easy electric system, which can be used for the working of ever} sort of domestic machinery, including that of rocking a cradle or work ing a sewing machine. The exposition of his system by M dc Meritans was regarded by the learned assembly as proving that he has achieved a veritable industrial revolution. In the cour3e of a recent interview with the London correspondent of the "Man chester Guardian,"the Post-mast?r-General stated that there was not the slighest pros pect of Mr Henniker Heaton's scheme of universal i enny postage being adopted. Mr Raikes said the 2£d post to the colonies only just paid itself, exclusive of the mail packet subsidies, which are so liiuch loss. If the penny colonial post were granted it would not only involve a considerable present sacrifice, but there would also be the certainity of a largely increasing loss as the bulk of the mails increased. Moreover, it would tend to make the British public dis satisfied with the inland post, which is the profitable mainstay of the whole service, realising from six to nine millions a year. The half-penny post and newspaper post do not pay. The parcels post shows a small profit, and the coaches which have recently been started to supplement the railways for this service have been mo3t successful. It is very evident that m the face of this declara tion by Mr Raikes, Mr Heaton will achieve no more postal triumphs during t'.ie Conser vative tenure of office. He must wait patiently till the country shall have lifted its voice m favor of the G.Q.M. and John Morloy, A curious light is thrown on Russian regi mental discipline by the case of Prince Bar tenieff. This young officer (writes a Warsaw correspondent) was known to have shot a girl, but all further details were carefully suppressed. Yet the story is worth repeating. In a moment of jealousy he lured her to his house, and there murdered her. He then went to the colonel of his regiment, one of the Imperial guards, and related what he had done, ending by laying the revolver on the table. His superior listened quietly, and when he had finished, Remarked, "Isuppose you no not need any advice from me," and left the room, In a quarter of an hour he returned, and found Bartenieff stjll there. He asked him if it were possible that he had not understood. Bartenioff pepljod that he had not the courage. His colonol than reviled him m the grossest terms, and told him to leave hi 4 presence. The murderer then went to the Prefect of Warsaw, where the same scene was repeated, except that the official was fit the pains to procure a pis£c>] and leave it on the table. The Prefect then cut off liis epaulets and took him m I custody. He wjll pcob ; a.li}y be condemned to Siberia, and as probably will never go. ihere; hut !i.e will not b,e able to sho^ his face m society agafo,

LABOR SETTLEMENTS.

The numerous deputations of un employed and others which have waited upon the Hon. Mr M'Kenzie during his visit to Canterbury and Otago concur m the representation that the best way of settling the unemployed difficulty, which is' of chronic recur rence, would be to provide small holdings of land which could be acquired upon easy terms, and would enable laboring men to eke out their earnings, when employment is obtain able, by the produce of such holdings upon which they could employ .them selves when outside work is not available. The Minister himself fully recognises this, but the difficulty is to find land of the right sort and m the right situation. Such land as remains m the possession of the Crown is either pooc shingly stuff rejected of all selectors because of its inferior quality, or is situated so far from the towns and villager and even from agricultural settlement as to be quite unsuitable. It is true there is suitable land m the Morth Island; but it is not desirable, if it can be avoided, to have to deport the men and their wives and families from this Island to the other at the public cost, and the only way out of tho difficulty appears to be for the Crown to acquire land for the purpose. In view of this, attention has naturally been drawn to the fact that amongst the 800,000 to 1,000,000 acres which are comprised within the Education Reserves m Canterbury and Otaso there are a considerable number of areas very suitable for subdivision into small holdings, both m respect to their situation and quality. Some of these could be exchanged for areas of pastoral land now held by the Crown without lessening the revenues of the educational bodies, with the result of placing m the hands of the Government the means of establishing a number of Labor Settlements—-and this without the expenditure of any money for the acquisition of land. We had been tinder the impression that power was given to effect such exchanges by Section 3 of " the Public Reserves Act Amendment Act, 1889," which reads as follows:— " The Governor may, m the name and on behalf of Her Majesty, exchange with any person or body politic or corporate the whole or any portion of any public reserve m classes I, 11, or 111, for any other land which the Governor shall deem of equal value therewith, and more suitable for (.he purposes of the reserve ; and the Go vernor and any such person or body politic or corporate may do or cause to be done all such acts and things, and make, sign, or execute all such instru ments, as may be necessary to effectuate any such exchange. All land obtained m exchange by Her Majesty, or by such person or body politic or corporate respectively, for the same objects and purposes and upon the same trusts (if any) as the land given m exchange by Her Majesty or by such person or body politic or corporate was held. Whenever the estate m any public reserve is vested m any local body, or the control and management thereof is vested m any local authority, no such exchange shall be made or carried into effect without the written consent of the local authority representing such local body, or m whom such control' and management is vested, for that purpose first had and obtained." Now it seems to us that the fore going enables any exchange to be effected where both sides consent, but the law officers of the Crown have decided otherwise, holding that the application of the clause is limited to cases where the exchange proposed is that of a reserve held by the Crown for a reserve, or other land held by a person or body corporate, and that it does not enable the exchange of Crown lands, other than reserves, for other land or reserves. This might no doubt he got over by first making a reserve of the land proposed to be given by the Crown, but the more direct method of statutory provision is doubtless prefer able. At anyrate that is evidently Mr M'Kenzie's opinion, and we are glad to see that, at an interview with a deputation at Lyttelton on Saturday, he announced his intention to propose the necessary legislation during next session. Quoting from the report supplied by the " Lyttelton Times " we find that "m reply to the question of whether there was any suitable land m Canterbury, the Minister said that at the present time there was very little, but I c intended, during next session, to endeavor to exchange pastoral land for agricultural land with the Educa tion Department, The Board m Can terbury were not altogether opposed to the suggestion, and he had arranged with them to lease a quantity of land for twelve months only, so that if Parliament agreed with the suggestion it would be available next year. Then, again, there was 1500 acres of good land m the Waimate-Timaru district which also belonged to the Crown; but he had arranged for Mr March to visit the North Island and collect all the information with regard to the land open for settlement there. When^he returned he would be able to supply the particulars to anyone requiring themj but he (the Minister) would strongly advis© them not to take up more land than they could successfully work, for he would remind them that under the perpetual lease system they could at any time sell out, or, if con venient, enlarge their present holding." Mr M'Kenzie further stated that he was qujte aware that dummyism, on a large scale ? had been practised m the past, but that fte l}Qped ; n§xp session, to Ijaye the law so amended that duplicate fmtrjes, would almost) be im possible. With regard to, the Associa tion system, he had agreed to pay the passage of one or two members of any Association to the nearest port to .where they wished to take up land, so that they would be able to ascertain its quality before going to any expense. The present G/overnment were anxious, |q. every way, to promote bona fide settlement." All which is very satis factory, and encourages the hope that within a very few months thfl difficul ties which are now retarding bond fide settlement, and especially the exten sJQi}. of the system of small holdings, will be .cleaped os£ qf the way.

The Weather.

ALFORD STATION". The following is the Meteorological report for the week ending April sth, 1891 :—

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.) IRRIGATION. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Now that irrigation works are under discussion in your district, might I be allowed to offer for discussion the advisability of providing a series of water tanks for the storage of your winter rains. They could be filled naturally or artificially and should be made on the surface, not in the ground, so that the water could be distributed with out motive power, Having had thirty years' experience in irrigation farming must be my excuse for troubling you with this letter. Should the idea be thought applicable to any of your readers I should be glad to confer with them.—l am, etc., Thomas Lowe. Tinwald, April 4th.

OBITUARY.

HON. WILLIAM REEVES, M.L.C,

THE FUNERAL.

Christchukch, April 6. Hon. W. Reeves was buried this after noon m the old Church of England cemetery. Bishop Harper and Arch deacon Cholmondeley conducted the service. The funeral was the largest seen here since that of Mr Moorhnuse. Over sixty carriages followed the hearse. A large number of the " Lyttelton Times " employees and others walked afoot, and assembled at the cemetery. Hon R. Seddon. and Mr Justice Denniston, Judge Ward, and several members of both Houses of Parliament [were present. The pall-bearers were Messrs T. W. Maude, F. de 0. Malet, W. Montgomery, L. Harper J. T. Matson, and J. C. Wilkin. The coffin was covered with wreaths, including some from the Master Printers' Association and the " Otago Daily Times " directors.

MAGISTERIAL

ASHBURTOH —MON DAY

(Before Messrs D. Thomas and A. Harrison, J.P.'s.) False Pretences.—John Morgan alias John Davis pleaded guilty to having obtained m February last the sum of 18s 6d by false pretences, from David Zander, who, m evidence, said prisoner came to him m February last. He owed witness a sum of money, and said he had net then received his cheque from Mr Friedlander, for whom he had been working at Lynd hurst. On the strength of the alleged cheque that was coming, and on a promise given to pay the full amount on obtaining payment from Mr Friedlander, witness advanced bhe sum of 18s 6cl m small amounts. Morgan gave witness an order on Mr Friedlander, and when that gentle man came home, the order was dishonored, Mr Friedlander having paid Morgan all he owed him before he left Lyndhurst. Prisoner said'he had been drinking at the time, and that was the only excuse he had to offer. The Bench sent him to gaol for a month. Drunkenness.— James Stafford was fined 10s for having been drunk, and m consideration of having been aheady forty eight hours m prison, was sentenced to only four hours' imprisonment for obscene language. For the latter offence he was severely reprimanded by the Bench.— Da del Ryan was charged with having been drunk, and also with having no visible lawful means of support. Somo time ago, while drunk and on his way with the police to the lock-up, he slipped on the footpath and had his shoulder dislocated, He was sent to the hospital, and a week ago came out, and began his drunkenness again. Without a penny of money he had been able to get regularly drunk every night, and bhe police evidence was to the effect that Ryan was a persistent loafer upon drunken men. He had been five times previously convicted of vagrancy^ and the Bench gave him two months, to " give him a chance of getting his arm right." A first offender, an old man with his face " closed for alterations and re pairs " was fined 5s and costs. He, too, had only just come out of the hospital, and had celebrated his recovery by getting drunk, and falling into the hands of the police.

The Salvation Army.

« , ANNIVERSARY AND HARVEST FESTIVAL.

The Salvation Army have been cele brating their eighth anniversary by special meetings during the last few days. Adjutant Grilling, the editor of the "War Cry," has been directing the prooeedings, assisted by the Christchurch Lasses Brass Band. On Saturday night, and all day on Sunday, meetings were held, charac terised by the usual fervour and enthu siasm customary at such gatherings, the playing pf the lasses' band drawing large crowds m the open air, whilst m the afternoon and night meetings of Sunday, the building was packed. During the day, addresses were delivered and solos sung by various members of the lasses' band, Adjutant Grinling referred to tho progress of the General's great social scheme m London, £107,000 had al ready been subscribed and several new homes had been opened forming part of the first City Colony. The operations were also to be extended to several of the large provincial towns. In Christchurch the rescue work was being extended, and another Itescue Home was to be opened m a fortnight. Cadet Hartland, from the Christchurch Rescue Home, gave some interesting details of the work there. The collections for Saturday and Sunday amounted fcq qyer £61. l)as}; night there was another large gathering J at the barracks, and some 300 people partook of the good things provided. The meet ing which followed waa of an enthusiastic character, and the barracks were crowded to the door. Adjutant Grinling gave some particulars of the progress of the Army all over the world. It has now 10,000 officers working m 3000 stations, The lassos' band played several pleasing selections, and addresses were given by Mr Sawl^ and the Rev J. Cocker. Testi monies Mere also given by the njembers of the Army. The proceedings closed with a sale of the produce kindly donated by friends. Tho cqUeeiions for the anni versary meetings amounted to over £IQ, and the total proceeds are expected to reach £35. To-night the lasses hold a farewell mooting, m the shape of a musical batble ? fol|bwed b,y a coffee, supper. '

ROAD BOARDS.

WAKANUI.

The monthly meeting of the Wakanui Road Board was held on Saturday. Present—Messrs Bruce (Chairman), Meg | son, Johnston, Leadley, and Brown. CORRESPONDENCE. Footpath at ■ Cemetery.—From the Hainpstead Town Board offering to bear it» share of the cost of making a footpath from bhe corner of the cemetery to the gate. surveyors' report. The Surveyors' report was read as fol lows :— (1) Cutting, Wakanui Township Road. —As instructed at last meeting, we have inspected this cutting and find that the embankment fro'ii the terrace to the end is 2k chains long, 2t> feet wide at the top, and an average height of six feet. We think the cutting is quite wide enough, but the embankment would be improved by being widened, say another bwenty five feet. The stuff can be obtained close by, and the cost should not be more than from £8 to £10. (2) Footpath at Cemetery.—Th^ Hamp stead Town Board have agreed to pay the third of half the cost of this work. The Chairman of the Cemetery Board has informed us that he has no doubt tha that body will agree to contribute the half of the cost, although we have received no official communication from the Board. (3) Maintenance.—The maintenance man has been engaged principally m ploughing out tLe Seafield Road. His diary lies on the table for your inspection. Clause 1 : Resolved- That bhe work as recommended be done at once. Clause 2: Resolved—That the footpath be formed, not more than eight feeb, as soon as the consent of the Cemetery Board to pay half the cost is obtained m writing. It was decided to recommend to the Ceme tery Board that posts with one rail along the top should be placed along the edge of the foothpath for the convenience of persons attending funerals. RESERVES. .-. It was resolved that tenders be called for leasing reserves 1412, 1413, and 1416, for three years, from May 1, 1891. : MAINTENANCE. Aftev a lengthy discussion, it was unani mously decided that it would be a great saving of time to have the residence of the maintenance man on Reserve 1768, at the corner of Wakanui and Stanley roads, and it was resolved that tenders be called for next meeting fir connecting the two cottages, and putting them m order, and for building a two-stalled stable and chaff house. GRAVEL PIT. Mr J. Chalmers, as agenb for Mr G. H. Moore, Glenmark, interviewed the' Board with reference to the gravel pit opened by the Board m the Wakanui township, and offering to sell the block of land, about five acres, to the Board at £10 per acre. The Board decided to offer to take two acres at the price named. , RANGER. Mr W. de B. Compbon interviewed the Bojird and requested to be allowed to act as Ranger to the Board. The Board decided to grant the request. ANNUAL MEETING. The date of the annual meeting of rate payers was fixed for Saturday, May 2, at 12 noon. ANNUAL ELECTION. The Returning Officer was instructed to take the necessary steps to hold the annual election of members. ACCOUNTS. Afber passing accounts the Board ad journed.

SOUTH RAKAIA.

The usual monthly meeting was held on Thursday. Present — Messrs Coster (chairman), Lyttelton, Sfcringfellow, McLean, and Vucetich. The Clerk's report was read and con sidered. Mr McLean and the Clerk were requested to visit Hogg's whare road, make any immediate necessary arrange ments, and report fully to the next meeting. • The three retiring members this year arc Messrs Coster, Striugfellow, and McLean, and it was arranged that nomi nations should be taken up to noon on April 26th, and an election held if necessary on May Ist. - Mr Haslett waited on the Board with reference to a petition that had been sent round by Mr E. G. Wright asking that the thirds accruing from the sale of village settlement lands be handed to the County Council instead of to the Road Board. His own name appeared as a petitioner as well as a considerable number of other settlors who had signed under a mis apprehension ; in fact, the person who had taken round the petition had entirely misled them by stating that only enough of the thirds were to be handed to the Council *>s would complete the race through Blocks I and 11. It was only on this representation that the signatures had been obtained, and it was not the wish of the settlers to make any altera tion. The Chairman stated that he had carried out the Board's resolution, and informed the Council that it wauld provide funds. The Council had called for tenders, and accepted one for the work before the petition was sent round. Several of the settlers had informed him that they did not wish for any change in the administration of their funds, and that they had been induced to sign the petition through a misunderstanding. After other members had expressed themselves, it was moved by Mr Lyttel ton, seconded by Mr Stringfellow, " That a letter be forwarded to the Minister of Lands stating that it had been reported' to this Board by a number of the Rakaia village settlers that the petition praying that the thirds be paid to the County Council instead of the Road Board was signed by them under a misunderstand ing," Resolved that the Board's solicitor be requested to complete the transfer of land from Harrison's executors to the Board as soon as possible. The Clerk was instructed to write Mr Allen regarding purchase money of land taken from Anderson. The agenb of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company wrote callin a the Board's attention to the railway crossings being blocked up for such long periods and causing unnecessary delays. The Board undertook to write to the Rail way Commissioners on the subject. It was resolved to do some extra repairs, to Strsthan road. The Property Tax Commissioner wrote re subsidy. W. Kendo's, tender for repairing the Mill Stand at £11 was accepted. Accounts for £55 9s 8d were passed for payment, and the members met on Cemetery business, and then adjaurned.

Auctioneer's Report.

Mr F. M. R'ckman reports 3n the weekly sale of horses, vehicles and sundries at the Arcade and Horse Bazaar afc A.hburfcon. About 50 horses of all classes were entered for sale ; about 30 of which changed hands at prices up to £22 for medium draught horses, and up to £12 for hacks and light harness horses. The class of horses of all descriptions coming forward for sale is not very good, and a line of really good draught horses that could be sold at market values sub ject to a trial, would readily find pur chasers. Also a line of good upstanding hacks and light harness horses, if not de barred by too high reserves, would sell at very good market values. A lot of harness, drays and sundries sold at satis factory prices.

Upper House Reform.

We (" Dunedin Star ") are m a position to state that the details of the measure which the Government intend to in troduce next session for reforming the Legislative Council have been agreed to by the Cabinet, and that the Bill is now m the hands of the parliamentary draughtsman. Among other things, the Bill will provide for the extinction of life membership and the substitution of a seven years' tenure. It will be re collected that m the last session of the late Parliament Sir George Whitmorb brought m a reforming Bill on similar lines, and it was within an ace of passing, but some honorable gentlemen would not consent to the surrender of certain privi leges which they now enjoy. To meet the scruples of these gentlemen Ministers have made provision m their Bill that if any member of the present Council voluntarily resign his seat after the new Act goes into operation he shall be allowed free access to the parliamentary library during the session and recess, and be privileged to use it and take books therefrom, just as though he were a member of Hie" General Assembly. The object of this concession is, of course, to ho Td out inducement's to old members, who may be incapacitated either by age or sickness from discharging their duties, to take advantage of the Act. A member who so retires will also be permitted to retain for life his free railway pas 3. The radical difference between Sir George Whitmore's Bill and that of the Govern ment is that, while the former provided for the election of future Councillors, Mr Ballanoe proposes to retain the power of nomination m the hands of the Govern_ ment of the day.

The Salvation Army.

[per press association.]

Paris, April 5. The police have taken steps to pre vent General Booth erecting refuge houses m this city. Buenos Ayres, April 5. The police have prohibited the Sal vation Ai*my from assembling for worship within the city, and the autho rities have refused to recognise their religion.

IRISH AFFAIRS.

(PEH PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

London,, April 4. A petition will be lodged against Alderman Collury,the recently elected member for Sligo, on the ground that he induced a hundred electors to declare that they were illiterate, so destroying the secrecy of the ballot. London, Apvil 6. It is now reported that no petition will be lodged against the return of Alderman Collury for Sligo. Mr; Parnell, speaking at Dublin, said that ibhe Liberals were notorious for making political prisoners, arid the Tories for liberating them.

TELEGRAPHIC.

Home and Foreign.

[per press association,]

London; April 4. Sixty thousand enumerators are en gaged m. taking the census. ; The Ringarooraa, one of the Aus tralian cruisers, has completed a ten days' cruise, during which she gave every satisfaction. During the trial of speed she averaged sixteen knots an hour for tw«nty-four hours. A serious defect has been discovered m the shaft of the Boomerang, another of ttie cruisers, and it will take a fortnight to effect the necessary repairs. It is expected the Victorian Loan will realise a minimum of 97^. Tenders will be opened on April 13. The Banks are discussing the underwriting, but their decision has been, kept secret. It is reported that a Company has secured two blocks of Broken Hill consols property for half a million sterling. Berlin, April 4. The German Companies are buying enormous quantities of coal m Eng-' land and America for the purpose of creating a German ring. : Sofia, April 4. An anonymous letter threatening Prince Ferdinand, Princess Clementine and M. Grekoff unless they leave the country has been traced to a !cavass belonging to the Russian embassy. New York, April 5. Severe floods have taken place m Ohio. Numbers of families are house less, and twenby-tWo miles of railway line have been submerged. ; ; Influenza is ravaging Illinois^ Win consin and Minnesota. The efforts which have been made to induce some 2000 Indians to enrol m the infantry of the United 'States Army have proved unsuccessful The Indians prefer to join the cavalry regiments. Buenos Ayres, April 6. Government have decided to issue paper money on a metallic basis. Berlin, ipril 6. General Yon Qaprivi, the Chancellor, states that the German Southwest African Colonies will be ceded to Great Britain unless the Anglo-Hamburg syndicate obtains the necessary capital.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, April 6. The death is announced of Captain McKenzie Wilson, librarian at die Auck land Hospital. He was born m South Africa m 1806, joined the British Army m 1826; and ten years later was gazetted captain. H<j served m South Africa arid In'diaj and eventually came ta New Zea land. About twelve years ago he wrote a paraphrase of Psalm civ., and got it printed m a pamphlet. He then can vassed a great part of the Auckland province on' foot and sold 3000 copies, with the profit Ffr'orii which he founded the Hospital Library and became the librarian, the Government allowing him board and residende m the Hospital and $1Q a yeay,

hi,sp'_cfcor Broham lias received iustiu.s -tions from the Government to take ovtr the noithern police district, of which Lispeator A e3ovan has been i.i charge. A boxing contest, for £40 and the m iciie-weight Championship of New Zea kac took pkce to-nig tat the Ze laadia c:L.,;.ii i g Rink, betw en IS. Donovan, tho holder of the championship, and S. Barnes. After twelve rounds Barnes won. The dead body of a man, not identified, has boon found at Mongonui beach, near the head of Doubtless Bay. One of the masters of the Auckland College and Grammar School, Mr J.P.E, Francis, died this morning. He had been at Auckland College and Grammar School for nine years, and was for a time at Wellington and Waiigandi. He was M.A. of Melbourne University. A member of the Pukekohe Mounted Infantry, William H. Johns, who was thrown from his horse when returning from the military sports about a week ago, died from the effects of the injuries he receivtcl Stratford, April 6. A sad fatality is believed to hare oc curred on Mount Egmont. On Thursday last a young man named Wm. Southwood left here on horseback, to make the ascent. Not having returned on Friday, a party went to look for him on Friday night, having a terribly rough, time. They found his horse, overcoat, and pocket-book yesterday. A search party of twenty nine, with Constable Levy, then went up, but only found his gun and leggings just below the snow line. A heavy snowstorm compelled them to return to camp. Three of the party stayed there all night, in tending to resume the search to-day if the weather permits. . Southwood was travel ling a^'ent for the Government Life In surance. There is very little hope that he will b a found alive Duxjsdin, April 6. Samuel Porter, licensee of the Britannia Hotel, and formerly a.police man, died suddenly of apoplexy. At the City Court James Curney and Roderick McKehzie alia* O' Brien, well known to the police, were committed for trial for sticking up Favill, a baker, near Outram, m broad daylight, and stealing his wufcch. In the bankruptcy sitting of the Supreme Court to-day a petition was filed by the trustees of the Loyal Prince of Wales Lodge, Port Chalmers, to have G. J. Clarke declared a bankrupt. He having been secretary of the Lodge, had, it was alleged, absconded with £351 of tin Lodge's funds. One of the three trus tees did not sign the petition, and a pre liminary objection was raised that the parties were not before the Court, as by the Friendly Societies Act property is vested m the whole of the trustees. Eis Honor held that; ordinarily apart from special provision the mistake would necessitate the dismissal of the petition, but under section 216 Bankruptcy Act, it was competent for the Court to order the proceedings to be continued, the debtor's solicitor to be allowed costs, as the point was a substantial one; but the non consenting trustee having since resigned his trusteeship, the proper parties were now before the Court and the case would if.ceed*

The Federal Convention

(msk press association.)

[Received Aprils, 11.1S i.rri.l Syi.^by, April 7. The debate which opened so ominously on Friday, on Mr Baker's amendment, passed off m smoke yesterday. Evidently tie intervention of Saturday and Sunday exercised a cooling effect on the feelings of members, and a great amount of work was got through during the day. No amendments of importance were adopted to the draft BUI.

London, April 4. " The Times " says that the Federal Convention now sitting at Sydney is exhibiting remarkable skill and assiduity m shaping a reasonable and consistent Constitution Bill. It re joices at Sir G. Grey's defeat* over the one-man-one-vote principle and elective governors, and states it will be sur prised if Australia agrees to surrender the light of appeal to the Privy Council.

The Chilian War.

[per press association.]

Valparaiso, April 6. Balmaceda denies that he has con sented to withdraw from the Presi dency, on condition that he is allowed to nominate his successor. ;■ ,-.^. Several ships of the German and Chinese squadron have been ordered to Chilian watery. ; • ■•.

Labor Questions.

[FEK MUE3.S ASSOCIATION.]

■ London, April 6. Mr W H Smith has refused to accept Mr M. Davitt as the represen tative of Mr Justin McCarthy's party m the Government Labor Commission. Paris, April 5. Tho Miners' Congress has; passed a resolution requesting the various Go vernments to legislate m the direction of having eight hours recognised as a day's work, and threatening that unless this is done, a general strike will take place. : -■ y ■ ;1; I WiASHINGJjpN/''A;pril 6. Si» hundred miners haxeL struck work at Nevada, Madrid, April 6. Government is taking st«ps to regu late the hours of labor for women and children, and will also legislate m the direction of restricting Sunday work.

The New Orleaus Incident.

jjPER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] New York, April 5. A number of Italians resident m Virginia attempted to wreck a train and blow up a depot with dynamite. Washington, April 5. President .Harrison is gratified at the peaceful tone now adopted by the Marquis Budini, the Italian Premier, with reference to the lynching of the Sicilians at JS"e\v Orleans. . Washington, March 6. The departure of Baron Be Fava, the Italian Minister, has been delayed on account of illness. Rome, April 6. The Marquis Rudini has ordered the Baron De Fava to postpone his depar ture from Washington.

THF ASHBIJRTON GUAKDIAK, TUESDAY, APETL 7. 1891



Shi

tele, i

H/8 h State Sin. Weather 143" Fine, calm. 136' „ 112- „ 139' „ no- „ 70-Rain S.W. 125-iine, N.E.

Date.

(High

Low.i

I

i

Monday ... Tuesday t.. Wednesday Thursday... Friday ... Saturday ... Sunday ... i

30 --- 3-- 5-- -3- 4-- -3-2--32-

S3 --78; 76 --- 7-- 0-- -6-

Rainfall 2 32 inches;

durinj Alfoi

g Ma rd Sta

irch—Alford Forest, ition, "95 inches.



.Fipst Rooter : "Is your congregation go, ing to r;>.ise your salary this coming year ?" Second"lteotpr : " \Yell, j[ don,t know ; tliey Jiaven't 'finish^' rwsfrjg W l*s|b para §nl»ry yot,' J



After a religious revival sgrvjee m Ifonq lulu IQOO persons' joined »temperance a?soci



Keatino's Cough Lozekges cure Coughs Asthma, Bronchitis. Medical testimony states that no other medicine is so effectual m the cure of these dangerous maladies. One Lozenge alone gives ease, one or two at bedtime ensuaes rest. For relieving difficulty f byeathing they ate invaluable. They con tain no opium nor any violent dru^, Sold by all Chemists, m tins, Is l|d and 2s 9d pach. ' - '; Thk Best Remedy pqr IwdigeStion-t Norton's Camomile Pills are confidently recommended as remedy for Indigestion, which is the cause of nearly all the "diseases to whicn we are sulvject Norton's Pills, with justice called *he 1 Natural Strengthenei? of the Human Stomach," act as a powerful tonic and gentle perient, are mild m their operation, and afe under any circumstances, £Jold m bottles, at is l|'d, 2s 9d, 11s, by allmedicwe ygmjQva throwghovt the wq W"



The Christchurch Oity Council had before it last night certain proposals for lighting the city by electricity from the New Zealand Electric Light and Power Syndicate. Four systems with a certain price .annually attached were submitted. The Council agreed not to interfere with, the..application of the Syndicate to Parliament for a Bill to enable them to carry out the lighting of the city. It was also wsolved toi-refer the schemes and tenders submit ceil by Mr De Castro, representing the Syndittfit^ to the tight ing Committee for their report,



The best medicine ikiiowii^ SANDER and SONS EUCALPTI EXTRACT, y&b its eminent powerful effects m coughs, colda. i influenza, etc.—the relief is instantaneous. Thousands give the most gratifying testi mony JJis Majesty the King of Italy, and | medical symUofe&S #11 over the globe, are its j patrons. Read the official reports that accompany each bottle. We have no ficca sif'»ij to offer rewards m proof of the genuine ness of Qt; }> I'eferences. The official reports of niedicftl .dUjijiv ajjd universities, the official (ajininuiiicatiQii pf the Crjnsul-General for Italy afc Mfil^our^e;' jbli,e diglc/nia a\y.^dpd International Extubifcion, Amsterdam-—al]L these are authentic documents, and, as suclij not open to doubt. We add here epitome ol fllje of the various cases treated by Siegeiit iti.J} , p£<<}f£ssor, etc. Burning of the right hand through ii?# p^jjlosion of a small oil stove. The epi(lern)iis mi tl}B yolar and p.'ljiner side of the ljajud of tlie thii'ty.^ai ,old '$a,iifint. vas completely separated aijd lifted up as Up qp the joint of the hand. The likewise lifted ijDj.i^ hanging lOQse . and Unit f)l tlxe f^lß^f Qf .fcl^ »>a^l gi th.c middle fingei' wufi cpal d. Th,e wounds ontracted healed ii» thve4 ijudert caily application of Eucalypti Jsxract ■ dressing. The patient has retained fche full j use p| *|J9 lian*''—(Advt.) 'I '



liV aateu CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS I/-. Addresses may be lt>ftat this Offi^fl 3* OST—Nickel STIRRUP-IRON, be _J tween Willowby mid my place, Fold's Road. -John Osbokne. _ 455 LOST, on Easter Monday,"a"'Lady's Plain Gold Bangle Finch r will be rewarded by returning to D. Thomas 4 45 WANTED Known.—Mrs J. Buch anan has opened as Fruiterer and Confectioner, next Messrs John Orr nl Co., East Street. ANTED Known—That Aniksew Orr is offering 80 Ladies Sealeite Jackets, newest styles, at moderate prices. _, 4jS&p ANTED, a good Cook (female). Apply Mrs Ranger, Ashburton Restaurant 4|50 WANTED Known.— II you want good value for your money go to Melford House. Cheapest first-class Drapery m town.—H. C. Seqers, Melford House. /POOLING and invigorating Ice Cream \J as made by H. G. Flower, Con tctioner, East Street. WANTED Known7^MßS~j7Buch anan, Fruiterer and Confectioner. Tea and coffee at all hours ; hot luncheon on Saturdays, 12 to 2. Next Messrs J. Orr and Co's, East Street. JUST opened a choice lot of Ladie 8 Plush Jackets, newest shapes. Als° a new lot of Ladies' Pelerines and Boas —H. C. Seorus, Melford House. ANTED Known—That Andrew Orr is appointed agent for ihe cele brated Standard Boots. Every pair guaranteed. 4*54 WANTED Known—Some special lines m choice Dress Goods at very low prices showing at " The Corner." Tl 7 ANTED Known.—*V e are now VV opening all our new Winter Goods m Drapery, Millinery, Clothing, Boots, &c. —fl. C. Segers, Melford House. WANTED every man m the County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds.—Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings. W' ANTED Known—The "Strong wear " Boot is the best for Mens •ladies and Children.—W. H. Collier. /~"1 LASS, Earthenware, and China, \JC direct from the Manufacturers. Robert Alcorn, Tea Warehouse and Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. I f ANDSOME Presents given away i _tZL m June. Now giving tickets to i every purchaser of 5s and upwards of Drapery, Millinery, Clothing, Boots, etc. —H. O. Seqers, Melford House. __ WANTED Known — That Andrew Orr is offering at a great reduction 250 pairs of best Kaiapoi and Roslyn Blankets, contracted for when wool was at its lowest price. 4§52 "VTO'tf ON —At Stationers' Halt _i_\ Great Sale of Surplus Stock of Books, Stationery, Fancy Goods Music, etc. Great reductions for cash, for one month only. Hundreds of books at less than English price. At L. F. Andrewes & Co.'s, Stationers Hall.



LONGBEACH|COACH. ON and after MONDAY, 6th April, the Longbeach Coach will leave the Ashburton Post Office at 4 p.m. ; instead of at 5 p.m. as formerly. R. R. BROWNE 4 28 Coachman. MONEY JO .-LEND TITONEY to Lend at LOW RATES OF INTEREST, on Mortgage of FREE. HOLD PROPERTY, iri sums of £100 TQJBSOQO For further particulars apply to the •ostmaster, Ashburton, or to J. C. PRUDHOE, District Agent. Government Insurance Office. Christchurch. ~~~ THKXSHBURTON^MAIL From and after the 30Mi November, 1886, the terms of subscription to this Journal will be as follows, viz:— ir TAIO IS ADVAfiOE. Per Quarter ... 6s 6d, by post 7s 6d „ Half-year... 12s od, by post 14s Od „ Ifear 20s od, by post 26a Od IF BOOKED. Per Quarter ... 6s 6d, by post 8s Od „ Half-year... 13s od, by post 16s Od „ Year 26s Od, by post 32b Od Birth, Marriage, aad Death Notices, if paid for at the time of insertion, 2s 6d each ; If booked, 4s each. Stamps may be sent as payment. - _^ W. W. Spencer * Co EXTENSION OF VT. VT. KPEKtER 4c C«'« Great Clearing Sale. ] icing heavily overstocked, and m order to make room for a shipment of Goods which we have landing from Home m about a fortnight, we have made Greater Reductions than ever. All Wool, colonial flannel, 10kl, 4-ply fingering wool, all colors, Is lldj Calicos SSa 3d the doz; Dress Goods 4&&; Washing Prints, 2id, 3|d, and 4|d ; Washing Muslin r , 2s lid the doz j Towels, 3|d j pL| each ; a very k«*e Towel 9|d, n Onow 6|d ; very good Ticking, m . 6d : double width Sheeting, H <j 7£d; heavy white Linen Twill H r\ Sheeting, ll^d ; heavy cotton w Shirting, s^d; Cretonnes., 4|d ; l ffi Men's woollen Sox, lUd; Boys' •I Brace*, 4d ; Men's Braces, 8d; W < Men's Regatta Shirts, 2s lid ; Men's good Tweed Suits. 22a Q -- 6d ; Boys' Tweeii Suits from c Pj 4s lid ; Men's colored Moles W7s 6d, now 6s 11 d ; Boys' do. n 2a lid. BOOTS. BOOTS. fr Men's Bluchers, 6s 6d ; Men's H colonial made Shooter. 1), 9a lid; Boys' strosg Boots very cheap. Women's strong Elastics, 6s 9d; Girls' and Maids Kid Elastic Sides and Button Boots j 2s lid 3s lid, and 4s 6d at W. W. gPCitCER * Ca'ft THE ARCADE N.B.—We have this day purchased a Traveller's Set of Samples at a discount of 50 per cent. If you want a real bargain now is your chance. "* The" Arcade^ CHRIS rORGRGH DENTAL •SURGERY. C«.rner of C<whel and High streets STV/TYERS AND /"10. SURGEON DENTIST And at Dunedin %nJ Westport CITE have gained thi FIRST AWARD W " the Dunedin Exhibition for Artificial Dentures and Mechanical^ Appli ances for the Mouth, and it is with the greatest confidence that ye guarantee the highest class work and perfect fit at the most moderate cos A Single Artificial Tooth, 10s. Comple Set — Upper and Lower— temporary and permanent, £10 10s. Natural, Durable, Comfortable Artificial Teeth Replaced Temporarily al .-nost 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 3AS 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 by other dentists repaired or remodelled at email cost 4, : : ; __ , -* AUTUMN, 1801. LATEST NOVELTIES IN ALL DEPARTMENTS 3STOW OUST VIEW AT THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. "TpVERYTHING new. New Shirt?, IU New Underclotning, New Scarfs ( and Bows, New Hats, New Suits for Men, New Suite for Boys. Everything new and of the LATEST FASHIONS. New Tweeds and Coatings for Measure Suits to hand. Inspection Eespectfully Solicited. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. W H. WEBBER, Manager