The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1891. NEW ZEALAND MUTTON.

Mr W. Nelson, of the great meat exporting company of Nelson Bros, Limited, has published m a letter to the Napier " Telegraph " a, counter blast to the opinions which Lord On slow received from his friends at Home j upon New Zealand frozen mutton. Mr | Nelson blames the falling off m thej demand for New Zealand mutton at Home not upon the high price charged by the retailers, but upon the indif ferent quality of much of the supply. He assumes that the mutton sent by Lord Onslow to his friends was the best that New Zealand could produce, and if two thirds of the Belfast output is of similar quality he is sure that no other | factory m tiie South Island can show such a record, and none m the North Island can get any where near it, "As a matter of fact," he says, " A large amount of utter rubbish has been shipped from New Zealand, and a still larger amount of 'unsuitable' mutton. At the com mencement of the frozen meat trade m New Zealand the greatest care was taken m, the selection of mutton for shipment. . . . Later on the En glish market fcesame so bare that anything would «sll. Old ewes, ill-fed lambs, anything, m fact that could by courtesy be called meat, made a high price. From that time practically atl care m the selection of animals for ship ment ceased, and at tbfo moment the trade is feeling the resujt of this care lessness. If every sheepfarmer sroukl make an effort to grow sheep of suit able quality and weight, say from fifty five to sixty-five pounds, and every freezing company would decline to ship inferior mea*-, or excessively heavy weights, very little more would be heard, m the shape of complaints, of .New . Zealand frozen meat." The " Telegraph," commenting upon this letter, quotes the testimony of a large number cd English consumers to the high quaiitf of New Zealand mutton, and also gives ia^npes (most of "ttiem, ifc rawt be said., o£ old dale) | of impositions by London butchers; * and concludes b\y asking ;-.■-'■' If some where about half the uiuttou sent ' liome is, as $r NeJ*u;i says, ejtl^r 1

• utter rubbish' or unsuitable to the j market, how is it that the prices ) quoted do not show a corresponding difference ? Utter rubbish and unsuit able meat appear to find buyers and to j fetch prices within a fraction of that ' obtained for what is termed best Can- [ I terbury." Mr Nelson, of course, makes rejoinder. He says (rightly) that m the matter, of the frozen meat trade he is as well informed as any and better than most, and he thinks that though out of many thousands of butchers there may be a few scoun drels, it has not been proved that they have any power to materially injure the frozen meat trade. He implies that greater injury has resulted from the undue multiplication of feeding c >nn a iier, whose competition m se ting has placed them m the power of the British butcher. Mr Nelson asks: " Why should not the British butcher sell his mutton 33 he likes ? . . .. If he sells it as prime Scotch he may be imperilling the permanent rest of his soul—that is hia business —but I can't see how the New Zealand pro ducers' interests are adversely attected. The higher price at which meat is re tailed the higher price can the retailer afford to give for it. As a matter of fact there are very few towns m Eng land m whjeh there are not frozen meat shops pure and simple. Nelsou Bros, have stores, and distribute meat from the following centres :—Birming ham, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool j Man chester, Newcastle and London. From these centres a very large area of thickly populated country is worked, and doubtless more may yet be done, but considering the age of the trade, those engaged m it have not been idle." To the question how it is that different qualities do not show a corresponding difference m price, Mr Nelson has a complete answer, pointing out that during the past six months something like a million of New Zealand sheep have been sold at prices (for sound sheep) ranging from 2|d to 4£d, the range of prices on individual shipments being from 2|d to 4|xl, or "a frac tional difference "of If d. He further points out that m the very issue of the " Telegraph," m which the question was asked, there appeared the quota tions, Canterbury, 4Jd, Wellington 3|, thus showing a difference of |d I •Vween the two ports, presumably for wether mutton ; and as old ewe mutton is selling Id below wethers, the frac tion is not so trifling as might be supposed. Mr Nelson quotes a letter received from Mr F. Nelson (the greater part of whose time is occu pied m the frozen meat trade), which is worth the consideration of every sheep-farmer. He writes : — " The market is simply overdone with old ewes and light and heavy weight sheep. River Plate, Sydney, and Queensland more than supply the re quirements for small mutton, and the very heavy New Zealand sheep are simply unsaleable except m very limited numbers ; but we can sell any number of sheep weighing from 551 bto 651 bat a good price. Our trade re quirements are* two-thirds of such weights to one-third of other weight.*, whereas the proportions are just re versed, and we only get one-third ■ of what must always be first-class weights. I recommend you to send Home no sheep over 701 bif you can possibly a^oid it, and «*d ewes, if sent at all, must be very prime and m limited numbers. I also recommend you to pay more attention to grading; it is of utmost importance' that any brand of mutton should be exactly what it pur ports to be ; light and heavy weights should not be together; maiden ewes separate from wethers; and no old ewes among the maidens." We have the satisfaction of knowing that at the Belfast works the utmost attention is paid to the selection of sheep for ship ment and to the grading of the mutton. The class of sheep grazed by most of our farmers also corresponds to what is above described as being most suit able for London requirements. Can terbury, at any rate, is not to be blamed for shipping unsuitable meat, and if Belfast and South Canterbury mutton is a drug m the market—as it is said to be at present—the fault is m the distribution, not m the quality of the supply. Perhaps if the Canterbury freezing "companies followed Messrs Nelson Bros, example and opened dep6ts m the various populous districts, the prime Canterbury mutton would not be so slow of sale.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

An elderly lady named Beaumont died suddenly at Springston on Wednesday, The Christchnrch police have received information that a man named Russell died suddenly at Annat on Wednesday. On Suftday, Rev. Father Reynauld, of Waimate, will preach morning and evening at the Churoh of the Holy Name of Jesus. The influenza epidemic has been eeverelj felt at Samoa. About fifty natives have died within a fortnight m Apia and its vicinity. The man who appeared at the Police Court last week, after a long peried of sobriety, and was fined for drunkenness, was up again to-day, and consented to a prohibition order against him, was let off on cf the police expenses. The body of the lad Fitzgerald, who left his home at Rangiora to go birdnesting and was supposed to have been drowned m the Ashley, avuS discovered on Thursday m a field not far from the Ashley Railway Bridge. From the appearance he seems to have had o fit and died after a considerable straggle. Mr Hawkes, who has be#n a clerk m the goods department at the Timaru railway station for about six years, has been appointed station-master at Mount Somers. Mr Hawkes has lately been doing a relieving station master's-duties, m which he has given the department every satisfaction.—" Herald." A full-grown wild boy, aged about sixteen yeai'S, hag been captured at Enoch's Point, m Australia. If is body is said to be covered with hair four inches long, the hair of his head being four feet long, and his nails five inches long. He was captured without much difficulty, and' the latest advices represent him aa trying to speak. A Reutec's telegram, dated Ot Jawa ? October 14 states :—Advices received by tl;^ Depart ment of Agriculture report extraordinary results of the threshing around Regina, the capital of the north-west terr'fc n-ies. In many places wheat has yielded forty-eight, fifty, and even fifty-live bushels per acre. At Cullon the oat crop has yielded 100 bushels per acre. By this week's mail news was received of the death, at Evandale, Tasmania, of Mr Michael Markcy, brother of Mr L. Markey, of this town. The deceased was thrown from his horse, and was unconscious for three days afterwards, and his injuries were so (severe as to cause his death on November 2:*. He w*g buried on November 20 at the family biifial.-jflaee at Pampbeltown, sixty miles from tjje scene of the ardent. He Jfiiyeg eye son ? a lad of fourfoejj

" Whab are you ctying about?" asked a kind-hearted stranger of a lad who was standing infronfcwf the "Arizona Kicker" oflice, weeping as though his heart would break. " Oh, dad's gone upstairs to lick the editor." "Well, has he come down 3'et?" pursued the gentle Samaritan. " Pieces of him have," (jgUimed the boy, indulging m a fresh bif^F-of tears, "and I'm expecting the rest every minute. The North Canterbury Board of Education met ou Thursday to consider matters relat ing to the head mastership of the boys' department of the Normal School, which has been subject to a recent enquiry. It was resolved that the head master retain his present position pending the results of next examination, and the recommendations of the luspectors regarding the number and salaries of the assistant teachers m the department were adopted. The Oliiiatchurch Rose and Summer Horticultural Show, yesterday, was very successful..'Thete was a large and varied display of greenhouse plants front the several nurseries, .and from Hon J. T. Peacock. Judge Dennison secured first and special prizes for the best collection of roses beaming the president, the Hon E. C J. Stevens, who has been the leading prize taker for years. The Governor and Lady Onslow were present m the afternoon. The old English Sunday m the North of England appears from Mr William Andrew's curious work on "Old Church lore" to have been characterised by some strange practices. Sunday announcements of forth' coming auction sales and other equally secular matters were m some instances made by the parish clerk m the churchyard, or even m the church itself. It seems more that at Wigton, m Cumberland, during the reign of Charles 11., a Sunday meat market market was held. Butchers put their carcases of meat at the church door, and customers actually took the joints they had bought inside the building, and hung i them on the backs of the seats till service i was finished. The clergyman was, were ate told, so disturbed by this irreverent custom that he made a journey to London on foot, and secured the change of market day to Tuesday, Near a small town called German ton, 1 right down near the border, a man named Willian Splatt was charged before the local police magistrate with interfering with Her Majesty's mails. It seems that William is of a larkish disposition, and conceived the notion of bailing up the mail coach, which he did. The driver, thinking the bush rangers were after him, lashed his horses and got away, but the passengers were extensively seared, and one laly became hysterical. The police gathered William m and arraigned him before Mr Browne, the magistrate. Mr Browne is " Rolf Boldrewood," author ol " Robbery under Arms," and other books, and Splatt's defence was that he had been reading <; Robbery under Arms," and got from it the idea of having alark t with the coach. The magistrate didn't regard it as a good joke and mulcted Mr Splatt m a £20 fine. Owing to a dispute with some inspectors of the Poor Law Department, Dr Collie, the best living authority on the subject of infectious fevers (says the London corres pondent of the "New Zealand Herald") has been compelled to resign his position as chief physician of the eastern hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylums Board. One of the points on which these gentlemen condemn a physician of European reputation is that he fed his hospital patients on beef tea made of American beef and upon boiled mutton from New Zealand. The inspectors think that the meat should be English, but as the " Times" points out, " there is a prevailing belief among housekeepers that many butchers °upply foreign meat as the ' best' English, and inferior English when they ask for foreign. At any rate, if the meat be wholesome ami nutritious, it is difficult to conceive m what way the country of its growth can make any difference to the patients." Dr Robert Shadders Miller, of Windsor, recently experimented with a new form of juvenile punishment for the correction and suppression of larrikins who used to damage his tennis lawn. Having caught two of them the doctor gave them the choice between a shock from an electric battery and having their faces painted. After a consultation the boys decided on the latter punishment. The doctor then adorned their faces with meek moustaches and imperials painted on with lunar causti". At first the boys thought they were let off rather lightly, but presently the*c:iustic began to burn, audy the altered their opinion. They became still more depressed when they found that the painting would not wash off. On their arrival home their faces were dressed with oil, but still they complained very much of pain. Oae of th.2 boys went to work, but his employer objected to his facial adornment, and declined to have such an object on his premises. In this extremity the parents brought an action againt the doctor for an assault. The Bench, instead of applauding him for his discovery, ordered him to pay £5 damages and costs.

The Melbourne Financial Crisis.

(PER I'HESS ASSOCIATION.) Melbocrxe, December 3. The Metropolitan Bank announces that it must suspend payment owing to a run by depositors. The associated banks refused to assist the institution. The actual present position of the bank has not been disclose'!, although the directors declare that when the assets are realised there will be ample funds to coverall demands. The Bank has agencies m Edinburgh and Lon don. According to the balance-sheet to the end of June the capital of the institution was £1,000,000 and the subscribed capital £650,000, of which £380,000 was paf'l up. The deposits amounted to £835,000, and the reserve to £100,000. The amount due to other banks was £69,000. Other liabilities were set down at £58,000, making total liabilities £1,481,000. The °assets include — mortgages £1,245,000, and freehold property £221,000. The Melbourne Permanent Building Society has suspended payment. Its bank overdraft is £23,000, and the amount of deposits m the Society is £430,000. The assets are estimated at £700,000. (Received December £, 11.§Q a.m.) Melbourne. December 4. The Standard Bank, which has an agency m London, suspended payment at midnight. The balance sheet sub mitted m August last shows: sub scribed capital £507,000, deposits £1,099,000, reserve £100,000. The assets include: uncalled capital £254,000, advances £1,339,000, and other securities £92,000.

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

(per press association ) Auckland. December 3. GENERAL SUMMARY. There is .1 bright outlook for another line of steamships between.San Francisco nnd Sydney. The project, which is already well under way, looks to the com pletion of three or four ships to leave each terminus once a month and touch at New Caledonia, Tahiti, and the Marquesas en rou*e. Monsieur H. Lagomazens, one of the promoters of the enterprise, has been a resident of Tahiti for forty-four years, and during that time has amassed aln rare fortune. He is a Frenchman by birth and education. He waft at the Palace Hotel, San FiancisGo, on October 27, and lie was returning home after a visit to France when he ventilated the project of the new line, and felt no doubt that enough money would be raised 1 to build the ships, the capital coming from France, England, America, and the islands. At present the mail service between San Francisco and Tahiti is monthly, and is done by a shipping firm m the city first named at » cost of 60,000 to 70,000 dollars per year. This subsidy would of course go towards swelling the amount to be paid by the French Govern ment towards establishing a new and more complete line. ■ Speaking of the condition of the bids received for carrying the ocean mails a despatch from Washington of October 26 says that the.department have had know ledge of the negotiations m progress for other r jutes on which bids may have been deferred for various reasons, nolably the New Zealand service, whose difficulty seems to be that the New Zealand author- ities entertain an idea of improving the service between that country aud the United Stales by making concessions to Spreckles' company, and urging that some lof the vessels shall cairy New Zealand {sic\ which would be contrary to the stipulations of the Postal Subsidy Bill. Sir William Harccurt'* eyesight is m a very critical condition. The sight of one eye is nearly lost and that of the other is threatened. The "London News" admits that the 20 per cent decrease m British, trade with the United States may fairly be attri buted to the McKinley tariff. November 9 was the fiftieth aimiver^ sary of the birthday of the Prince of Wfiles. The occasion was celebrated m a quiet manner m Sandvingham. Con gratulations were rtumerouH. Sir Augustus Harris, John Hare, Mr Bancroft, Beer hohm Tree and D'Oyley Carte, represent ing the theatrical profession proceeded from London to Sandringhani where they privately presented a gold cigar box to the Prince. T!i*s present was a superb specimen of the goldsmith's art. Its weight w«s lOOoz. The top of the tox is adorned with three ostrich feathers, the coat of arms of the Prince, set with diamonds. Society circles m London were agog on Ociober 19, over a curious case of klepto mania that had beeu brought to light by a suit that came up ,at the Guildhall Court, where Major Hargreaves sued Pink and Son, tke well-known jewellers, to whom the thief had aold her booty, for the recovery of the jewels belonging to his wifo or their values It turned out that the larcenor was the young bride of a man of wealth, and who had been de tected stealing at private houses where she visited. The culprit's name is known, but to few people, although her nefarious actions have been frequently hinted at m the society papers. The family number* Royalty amongst its friends, and is con nected with the nobility. The husband threatened criminal proceedings against whoever charges his wife with this practice. Mr Martin Flavin, a candidate for the seat m Parliament for Cork city, vacant by the death of Mr C. S. Tarnell, was elected on November 7, by a plurality oi 1512 votes over the Prirnellite candidate, Mr John Redmond. An enormous crowd surrounded the hall when the votes were being counted and the police had all they could do to keep order. For several days preceding the election sanguinary faction fights ha 1 tcjurred. Mr J. E. Redmond; at a meeting after the result was an nounced, declared his purpose to continue strongly m favour of the Parnell policy. His brother William followeJ, and attri buted the defeat of the Parnellite candi date to priestly coercion. Messrs O'Britn and Cavitt cabeld to America that the result was obtained over '"factionists" and Orangemen combined, and that Ire land stood again united. The banking concern of Friedlauder and Somerfield, Berlin, collapsed on November 7, and the leading partner together with his son Felix shortly after committed suicide. They opened a vein m their arms besides using revolvers. When fo.und they both were bathed m blood. Felix expired on Saturday even ing, but Simon, the elder, lingered till Monday morning with a bullet embedded m his brain. The cause of the rash act was fear of arrest on criminal charges. An investigation showed wanton recklessness m business. The liabilities amount to several millions marks, while the assets are small, Hirsch field and Woolf, bankers, also failed the same day, and Woolf committed suicide by poison. The cause of the last failure was gambling and fast living generally. Th» firm has many aristocratic creditors, and had been m existence sixty-four years. [We need scarcely state that the Friedlander above mentioned »f as neither related co nor con nected with the family and firm of the same name resident m Ashburton.—Ei> ] F. E. Dv Betat, of Dv Betftt and Son, Dublin bankers and brokers, have Leen sentenced to one year's imprisonment with hard labour and to seven yeais' ricndl servitude, The firm early m Jan uary last were convicted and pleacjed gniity to defrauding their creditors to the extent of £120,000. Tormented by some mischievous boys a Chinese high binder or bravo ran a-muck m the streets of San Francisco on Nov ember 7, during which he shot and killed ■two police officers and .seriously wounded two citizens. He was finally stopped m his career by a courageous person throw in? an overcoat over his head. He was arrested and taken to the station-house. The''Montreal Star" of October 28, has a cable from London to the effect that arrangements have been completed be tween the Canadian Pacific Railway Com pany and tho British directors of brans port for a trial of the Canadian Pacific road sis a route for the transportation of Imperial troops. The trial will take place m December, when detachments of about 700 marines and sailors each, with officers, will be exchanged between Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Vancouver, 8.C., and vice ye sa. Sir Georae Baden-Fowelland Dr George Dawson, the Behring Sea Commissioners, arrived at Ottawa on their return on October 20. The former made the re mark to an interviewer that if the in terests of the seal fisheries bo considered a settlement pould b§ arrived at m five j minutes, but how long it may take if politics for election purposes were intro duced he did not know, On November 9. Mr Balfour reviewed the Royal Irish Constabulary at Dublin, and m bidding them farewell said that few of the former occupants of the office of Irish Secretary had served m more troublous periods than he, and few had tested more severely the loyalty, discre tion, forebearance, and energy of the con stabulary.

MELBOURNE NOTES.

OUR CORRESPONDENT.]

After months of hard work the two men, Thompson and Giles, who conspired to accuse a third, named Edward Bell of a burglary committed at the house of a Mr Lorck m Nicholson Street, Fitzroy, have had'the crime sheeted home to them, and the unfortunate wretch for whom they procured a sentence of four years penal servitude has boen released. A request on his behalf for compensation has put the law department m a terrible pucker. Thfcy say " that there can be no grounds for compensation, as the man was con victed by a jury and that it would be too much" to expect the Crown to compen sate everybody who isuhjustly convicted." The extraordinary ignorance* of the, law 'department is shown m this statement. As a matter of fact the law provides that the crown shall compensate everybody who is unjustly convicted, and there is a case on record, that of a solicitor named Barber, where the compensation amounted to many thousand pounds. If anything m the world is certain it is that the Victorian community aa a whole is determined to preserve the secular character of the State Schools. Yet the .National Scripture Education League keeps pelting away m the hope of reversing the action of the Legislature. Unhappily, like a rocking horse, it gets no farther, no matter how hard it works, and for pretty much the same reasons. It has 110 life m it; and its feet are clogged. If as it claims, it has 800,000 out of the 1,200,000 Victorians m its favor the next general election should see it victorious. Bnt we know that the next general election will see nothing of the kind ; nor will the National Scripture League start a dozen candidates. If it did it would not return three of them, the reason bi ing that no two denomina tions can agree as to their own meaning when they cry out for scriptural in struction m State School*. Every denomi nation requires its own shibboleth to be accepted, and failing that will not hear of the others. Whether the session will finish quietly or not depends very much upon the sort of statement Mr Munro will make when the supplementary estimates are brought m, which should be, and he is understood to say will be, during the present we^k. Ws are face to face with an enormous de ficiency. In July the Treasurer called it £750.000, but he quite certainly did njt know how badly things were going to pan out. ; "Bfe; reckoned that the railway in come would leave a deficit of £300,000 on working the department- Since that time the traffic has steadily fallen off at an average rate of £2,887 weekly or nearly £150,000 per annum. The butter bonuses will have to be paid on 2000 tons afc 3d per Ib, £56,000. Therefore the railway deficit and the butter bonus will amount to half a million by themselves. We are being largely insulted and scandalised by the ; Boroailed financial papers of London, and unless Mr Munro can tell them all plainly whab'he means to do to square the account the new loan will go down to a very sad price._ If he meets this issue fairly nothing can beat him, since the Opposition is more divided than the Government^ and not ten men m the Assembly are anxious to meet their con stituents. Although Mr Turner has settled the cases of the crockery importers, who calmly contrived to rob the country m the shape of drawback of three times the amount of the duty priid when the goods were imported, lie has by no means put an end to the horrible state of dishonesty and corruption which exists m his depart ment. The Customs is a hotbed of cor ruption and robbery. Kvery sort of in fluence is brought to bear upon the officers, who are of course only ordinary human beings. Wines, teas, f ilks, cigars, laces, ornaments and orher things of the kind come m wholesale without paying any duty at all. A thousand men can tell you where to buy all sorts of wares at a far greater reduction than any one who pays duty could afford. Ie is understood that Mr Turner is m consultation with detectives and meditates a great haul; but, unfortunately, our detectives are not much better, and the result- will be a great fizzle with nothing to show for the-iioise. Stanley is back again and is coining m the shekels fast. On Saturday he had the great Town Hall so full that a thousand people were sent away, and his last nights at the Athenaeum have been very full in deed. His quiet yet telling manner, his white hair and bronzed face, and his stal wart sturdy figure all speak m his favor. Like Desdemona the public "love him for the dangers he has passed." He is never coming back here again, but after a brief visit to New Zealand, and a short stay m Adelaide, leaves that city on March 14 for Europe.

POLITICAL.

[per pkess association.]

Wellington, December 3. Mr W. McLean, one of the candidates for the city, addressed a large meeting of electors at the Opera Honse to flight. He regretted Mr Mncdonald's resignation, and claimed the vote of the Liberals as a staunch adherent to their principles. He condemned the Atkinscn administration and their appointments to the Legislative Council. His speech was very brief, and dealt mainly with the land question. He advocated a tax on land exclusive of im provements. He favoured taxing absen tees, but thought that the Government had gone ashade too high m that direction. Replying to questions, hg said that he believed m protecting our own industries. He favoured taxing the Chinese, aud sup ported Sir George Grey's Law Practitioners Bill. He could not see his v/ay to inter fere with the present education system. He was opposed to an income tax and would reform the the Legislative Council out of existence. I The Premier addressed the meeting on I behalf of Mr McLean, and m the course <->f his remarks gave an unqualified denial ! to Mr Fisher's statement regarding the ! payment of Mr Mitchelson's salary, and said th*t the question was submitted to the Public Accounts Committee, which had reported that no action be taken. Mr W\ P. Reeves also addressed the meeting. Both Ministers were well received. A resolution was passed^ thank ing Mr McLean, and expressing con fidence m him, Ohrlstchuhch, December 3. The Hon K. ». Seddon to-day gave in structions for tenders to be called for four miles of the northern end of the North Trunk Railway, also for sections at both ends of the Te Aroha and Grahams town Railway. He has also arranged with Mr Job Osborne, the deep well sinker, to sink a well on the Maniototo Plains, m Otago, as an experiment for irrigation purposes. Mr Osborne wiil make the experiment at Eweburn. Mr Seddon is still suffering from in fluenza, but he has improved to-day. He feaves for Wellington' tomorrow.

THE MARKETS.

(per. press association.) London, December 2. At the wool sales the prices of merinos show a sliirht improvement on opening rates. Crossbred^, of which there is only a limited supply, are very firm. Greasy merinos and lamb have declined £-d. Scoured is unchanged. Sl> far the at tendance of buyers has been very Urge, and a confident tone has prevailed. New Yokk, December 2. The wool market is demoralised, Wing to the immense number of arrivals from the River Plate.

AUCKLAND SUMMER MEETING.

SPORTING.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. Auckland, December 3. The following weights have been issuod for the two principal races at-the Auck land Racing Club's Summer Meeting: — Auckland Cup, of 600 soys, added to a sweepstakes of 10 soys each ; second 100 soya, third 25 soys out of the stakes. Two miles.

Steeplechase, of 300 soya. Second horso 50 Boys and the third 15 soys from the stakes. About three miles and a half.

The thoroughbred stallion Ingomar dropped dead near Hamilton, Waikato, on Wednesday. At a conference at Christchurch yester day betweftn Mr F. Lawry, MH.R., of Auckland, and the New Zealand Trotting Association, the difficulties connected with the Metropolitan Club for the Auck land district were arranged, and m future the Auckland Trotting Club will be the recognised authority to pass Trotting pro grammes thei'e.

The Weather.

TEMPERATURE 4NDRATNFALL AT CHERTSEiT FOR NOVEMBER.

SUPREME COURT.

(I'SB. PKESs ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, December 3. The case of unlawful wounding at Knvva kawa was before the Supreme Court to day, when Edward McGinley was charged with stabbing James Donaldson m the neck. The jury could not agree, on a verdict and have been locked up m their room until morning. Wellington, December 3. John Brazil and Jas. Quin were sen tenced to twelve months each ; William Harris to two years for robbing a young fanner named Kenneth Atkinson of a watch and chain while drunk ; Joe How, a Chinaman, to twelve months for larceny from the person. Murdoch McKenzie, late overseer to the Masterton Road Board, was found "Not Guilcy " on a charge of forgery. The prosecution m this case was instituted by the Audit De partment, en the strength of discoveries made m the Board's accounts by the Audit Inspector. Max Barak, lately con nected with Hugo's Buffalo Minstiels, was arraigued on a charge of larceny aa a ( bailee. Weixinoton, Tecember ,4 In the case of Max Barak th,e jury dis- ■ agreed, and a new trial will begin this afternoon, Blenheim, December 3. The libel action, Bax v " Peloms Guardian," resulted m a verd'Qfc for one farthing for plaintiff. Costs on the lowest scale were allowed by Justice Richmond. Cameron v Cameron is being heard : a disputed will case, m which a father left his son a life interest m pro perty co long as he remained a Protestant and subscribed a sum ye-xrly to the Pres byterian Church. The son contends that! the property should have been his with out restrictions, X Dunedin, Decembers. Tinrjui-y found Daniel Casey guilty of maliciously wounding m the brawl on board the ship Corderilla, with a strong recommendation to mercy. Hp wa3 sen tenced to three months' imprisonment with, hajcd la,bor. i)en.njs McDonnell, a boy fourteen years old, was found guilty of a criminal assault on a young chiJd. The jury recommended him to mercy on account of his suffering from St. Vitus' dance. He was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and a whipping of fifteen strokes of a manuka md, when considered fit by the medical officer. Mr Justic* Williams said that m this and m the pre vious case of a similar character he would bring the matter before the Government, with a view of exercising, if thought de». sirable, the power to commit to yn, indus trial school after the lerminatip,!! o| the sentence. This concluded the session.

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Ashburton County Council was held to-day. Present —Messrs W. C. Walker (Chairman), Hugo Friedlander, John Grigg, E, G, Wright, Duncan Cameron, William McMillan, James Brown, and C. J. Harper. i | chairman's statement, The Chairman read his usual statement as follows:—A letter from the. Chairman lof the Commissioners for electoral dis tricts has been receioed, stating that the Commissionees have agreed lo retaih the : name of Ashburton for the electorate in stead of Bakaia as proposed m compli ance with the wishes of this Council.

The County Clerk reports the election of the Mayor of Ash burton, and the Chairman of tltis Council on the Charii anlo Aid Board to represent the borough of the couniy. The Council's sol citor is preparing a deed with the Canterbury College ( Governors, as to a supply ot water front the south to the north Ash burton through the reserve m the Forks belonging to the College m similar terms as that nwie with Mr Perring. A letter from the Selwyn County Council wiJl be read to day, by which the Council will I see that that Council cannot, see its way to agree to this Council's proposal re maintenance of approach ftakaia Gorge bridge. The A.t»h burton Town Clerk forwards for the Council's consideration, a copy of a letter sent by the Mayor to the Premier on the subject ©f borough's taking moneys on deposit, and the Mayor suggests a conference of local bodies on this matter be held m order that com bined action action may be taken. The majority of the general rate notices have been issued, and £328 10.-) 4d paid to the Council's credit. The Wakanui Eoad Board writes to say that the Commis rioner of Crown Lands informs the Board that the money accrued from " thirds/ voted by the Board for a water supply for village settlements mast be expended on the sections furnishing the same. APOLOGY. Mr E. S. Coster telegraphed requesting the chairman to apollogise for the senders absence, as Mr Coster was finishing his shearing. ADVERTISING THE BALANCE SHEET. Mr Friedlander would like to see some supervision exercised over the advertising of the balance sheet. While believing that not one man m a hundred read the balance sheet as printed, and that the ex pense was not necessary, he would like to know whether the newspaper had sole discretion as to what space it should joccupy. Mr Grigg believed with Mr FriedLmder that the balance sheet was not read. Mr Cameron thought the expense was not so great after al', and the balance (sheet, he believed, was read by the rate' payers. : Mr Wright asked the Clerk what were the actual provisions of the Act, and what had been the custom hitherto m regard tq publishing the accounts. The Clerk said the Act provided that the half-yearly statement of accounts should be published m full as passed by the Auditor-General, but the annual state ment need not be published but may lie for inspection at the office;: Tlfe custom m regard to printing had been m th* p»st as it'had been on the present occassion. The balance sheet had been printed time after time m the same tyle as it had been m last issue of the local tri-weekly paper* Mr Wright, advocated the printing of the balance sheet m fairly large type and m a style sufficiently intelligible to the ordinary run of ratepayers. People m the country required such a document as this, which would mostly be read by candlelight, to be printed with clearness enough Jo be understood without effort, and he thought there could be little fault found with the way m which the accounts liad been printed. A little passage at arms here occurred between Mr Wright and Mr Friedlander,; which closed after the interference of the Chairman and mutual explanations. The Chairman did not think the balance sheet could bo printed m any other form without greatly interfering with its clear-; ness, and he had instructed the clerk to advertise it simply m accordance with the Act., . , . , The matter chen dropped. engineer's report. The Engineer's report was read as follows

North As/il>nrtmßiiftg'!, Pudding-TliU. — A short time ago the Pudding Hill Stream commenced to set In towards the first pier of this bridge, and had encroached (o within: fifteen feet of the piles. This encroachment has been stopped by a small expenditure m rubble protection, and the stream is now se t'ng outwards, Plains Water Svjiphj.—'Vhfive has been a copious supply during the month at all the intakes. The travelling shingle at Pudding Hill is still a source of some trouble, and the slimy vegetable growths are still bad m sonifc of the races, but many of the occupiers are now at work at the half-yearly overhaul of races which is advertised to be finished by24thinst. ■Re the proposed races for settlers m Dromore township, it now appears there is no money available for that water supply, as they do not participate m the funds accruing from the "thirds," which for the Wakanui district pertain to Reserve 264 only. Unless, therefore, these township settlers bear the whole cost, which at present they will not agree to do, the work must be held m abeyance. ffampstead Wa+er Supply.—Hming met the petitioners on the ground, [1 found that the lines shown m blue on accompany ing map would afford the best service, and include the largest number of holdings. Several now wish to participate m the sup« ply whose names are not on the petition. Including branch lines there would be about 151 chains of race, seven lords, one railway culvert, and one flume eighty feet m length. To avoid severance, the initial main will have to follow the lines of boundary fences, and this will entail a good deal of embank ing near the creek. In the vicinity of the railway the depth of cutting would be fully two feet. The total cost I estimate at £112 7s lOd. In accordance with your instructions, I put on a ranger temporarily on 23rd inst. for the lower portion of Plains Waiter Supply District. -.'■■' '■.'■'■-. Ashburtoii-.Rangitata Water Supply. —This service throughout duriSg the month of November has on the whole been satisfac tory. The recent formation of new races has somewhat affected the Willowby race, but as percolation the supply there will become fuller. The contractor ia now at work m the formation of Tinwald- Waterton race, and that service should be available m about a fortnight. Additional Haccs, Hinds-Rangitata. —As requested, I beg to annex estinate of races required to suit the immediate requirements of applicants, amounting m the case of perpetual leaseholders to £150, and for freeholders £394. These do not include services wfcicU may be wanted m the near future for subdivision purposes. , \ Enla-glng Main,",—The contractor is now : engaged at this work, and No. 1, contract will be nearly completed next week. New Water' Supply Act. —l am now pre paring the plans necessary to comply with the provisions of this Act, County P/a«te«oHS.-^Several items of {eucin,°; and repairs have had to be under taken recently. The thinning of gum plantation Reserve 1905 is now complete, and the young trees put up m suitable lots for sale at such time as the Council miy fix, [Left sitting.]

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN

[?JBB yAESS ASSOCIATION,

THE FIELD AND LINDLEY FAILURE.

New York, December 2. It has been ascertained that Mr Field, junior, asked Mr Cyrus Field for assistance prior to the failure of the bank. Mr Cyrus Field gave him the keys of the safe containing the securities, telling his san to take enough to secure himself. The.son took everything and then attempted to i commit suicide. Mr Cyrus Field, is sinking. IRISH AWASfta. Mr John $ta;neU,. brother of the late 1 X\\sl\\ leadier, ha# sailed for -England, i;u the hope that he will; be able to wjure tfie. nitem «f % funds m tfo

hands of the Paris bankers, and re unite the factions of the Irish party. London, December 2. i Mr McCarthy and Mr Healey are suing M. Monroe, the banker m Paris, for the recovery of the funds deposited ;m. his bank by the late Mr C, 15. i'Parnell. DEGREES FOR WOMEN. The " Times " supports the petition from New Zealand, asking Cambridge University to grant some degree for -women, which can be taken up m New Zealand. PROPOSED NOTE ISSUE. Reports are persistently circulated to the effect that the Chancellor of the Hxchequer preposes to issue one pound notes against the security of - four fifths gold and one-fifth consols, and that light gold to the extent of twenty five millions is to be called m without deduction by way of fine. Mr Goschen, speaking m the city, advocated that when the bullion m th« Bank of England exceeded twenty two millions, the Bank should be em powered to issue one pound notes m the proportion of four-fifths against gold and one-fifth against securities. In cases of internal crisis he was m favor of letting the Bank issue addi tional notes at a fixed rate of interest, regardless of the stock of gold m reserve. Mr Goschen has abandoned- the pro posal to issue 10s notes... He is anxious that the use of silver shall be extended. GERMANY IN AFRICA. An English syndicate has been formed to buy South-west German Africa for three million marks. SUNDAY AMUSEMENT. The Liverpool City Council have resolved to open the picture gallery to the public on Sundays. THE RUSSELL DIVORCE CASE. The sister, nurse, and servant of Lady Russsell partly confirmed her statements regarding the cruelty to which she was subjected by her hus band. Sir Charles Russell, who is appearing for the respondent, addressed the Court, and declared that the quarrel between the parties arose over the Countess' debts, and that the cruelty said to have been used by her husband was a delusion arising from hysteria. Counsel also said that separation was desired only m order to> better the Countess' monetary position. On leaving the court Earl Russell, the respondent, was hooted by the crowd which had collected outside the build ing. QUESTIONS OF PRECEDENCE. With regard to the question of prece dence raised by Rear Admiral Lord Charles Scott on the Australian station some time ago, the Admiralty have advised Lord Knutsford, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that it is open to objection to give local naval officers relative rank with the officers engaged m the colonial navy and army, and they should re main unchanged by local rank. OBITUARY. London, December 3- . death is announced of Bishop Perry, of Melbourne. . : . ,

KING SOLOMON'S MINES.

Capetown. December 2. Mr C. Rhodes reports that the ancients have to a large extent worked out the alluvial deposits of gold, m Mashonaland, but that reefs. Eave shewn good prospects.

THE STATE OF INDIA.

Calcutta, December 2. Lord Lansdowne, Viceroy of India, states that the harvest prospects are. very gloomy m Rajuputan, Madras, Hyderabad, and parts of Bombay and Bengal, though at present cwJy sixty thousand persons are receiving pubKc: relic. At the same time he considers; that India was never stronger to repel external attacks.

THE FAMINE IN RUSSIA.

St. Pjetersbuhg, December 2. The price of black bread m Russia has been doubled.

FRANCE AND THE VATICAN.

Paris, December 2. A Jesuit priest,'while preaching m Bayor-ne Cathedral, made a remark which implied that the Pope approved of the conduct of the Archbishop of Aix, whereupon the Bishop of Bayonne rose and forbade the priest to make political allusions. He declared him self a supporter of the Republic. The incident has caused some sensation. FRANCE AND HER COLONIES. M. Etienne speaking m the Cham ber of Deputies, protested against the evacuation of Tonquin, though he ad mitted that complete pacification would be the work of years, He advocated extensive colonising efforts generally DOM PEDRO. f|Dbni Pedro, the deposed King of razil, caught a* chill, andijik such a critical state that his relations have been summoned.

EUROPEAN COMMERCIAL TREATIES.

Berlin, December 2. Commercial treaties have been con cluded between the countries of the Triple Alliance by which each nation admits imports from the other two on equal terms. Treaties on similar terms have been concluded between Switzer land, Austria, and Germany. THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.. The Arsenals at Spandon and Bedim are working day and night.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Awk&ato, December 3. Tins wonting at live o'clock a fire occuryect m the premises m Lower Queon Street about to be opened by Messrs Wingate, Wigg, Ansenne, McCallum and Co, ironmongers. The building was completely gutted. TKe insurances on the Company's stock are JRIOOO m th* Union office, £500 m the South British and £500 m the Sun. The valu« of th& stock is estimated at between £4000 and £5000. Bepairs were being effected to. the shop by Grandison, contractor, ytha liad an insurance risk m conjunction with the firm of £SQQ mm the ftoyal on his tools, etc., the value of which was about i<lso, Wiilmngton, December 3. A movement is on fee* to secure a fresh site for the Agricultural show, and the Island Bay roeecourse is suggested. A canvass of the cifcy is being made to ascertain what support is likely to be accorded by business people to the scheme for the extension of the tram froui, Newtowu to hhe racecourse. The oeet is esUmAted at £3000, and ifc is j«K>po«eA that the expense be borne iv equal proportion by the. citizens, . the agrioul- tural association, aud the various athlet^ bodies.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1891.



st ib Sentinel ... 11 8 Hopeful KatelO 10 Parnell ... 10 10 Ival ... ... 10 8 Lonely ... 10 7 Fishmonger 10 7 The Colonel 10 7 Violet ... 10 0 Bib of Blue 10 0 Dundee ... 912 Yardman... 912 Man£>ere ... 9 12 Good Day 9 11 Dan... ... 911

st It> Nap 9 11 Cloth of Gold 9 11 Karewa ... 910 NeokorNothing9 7 Barshot ... '9 7 TeAta ... 9 7 Tawhana ... 9 7 Crazy Kate... 9 7 Alraa 9 7 Justice... ... 9 7 Tommy ... 9 7 Garnet ... 9 7 Kate 9 7 Chance ... 9 7



st lb I Freedom .. 9 7 Crackshot ... 8 12 Merrie Eng land ... 8 11 Hilda ... 8 11 Palliser ... 8 5 British Lion 8 5 Strephon ... 8 3 Fraternite... 7 13 The Workman 7 9 Brigand ... 79 Captain Webb 7 8 Lebel ... 7 7 Rosefeldt . 7 7 Flinders ... 7 6 Cruchfield ... 7 6

fit lb Marion ... 7 6 Turehu ... 7 6 Free Lance... 7 5 Thame ... 7 5 Ladys' Maid 7 3 Leorina ... 7 0 Queen of Trumps... 7 0 TheDreamoi- 7 0 Patchwork... 6 10 Pearl Powder 6 10 Pinfire ... 6 10 Coalscuttle... 6 9 Namoa ... 6 7 Hakimana... 6 7



3 i i s4 A I g 5-S

6 -fa! •

X a .5=3

1 74 60 2 78 44 3 73 47 4 59 40 065 5 65 40 6 67 47 002 7 53 45 8 65 50 001 9 61 46 0-46 10 50 34 0.86 11 52 41 034 12 55 42 0.02 13 71 45 14 53 40 0.12 15 58 38

16 17 18 19 90 21 (>'Z 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

68 49 58 41 0-19 67 44 005 63 47 62 44 65 55 0.08 33 48 64 50 59 47 0.09 68 45 71 47 80 59 70 48 71 58 62 45 029

Total ...

Inches, 3-13



"Keatino's I'owouh" destroys Bugs Fleas, Moths, Beetles, and all other insects, whilst quite harmless to domestic animals. In exterminating Beetles the success of this powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly clean m application, See the article you Durchase is " Kkatixs's," as imitations are | oxious and ineffectual. Sold m Tins,6 d, is and 2s 6d each, by all chemists. Ninian Hyslop arid Co.'s "Imperial' Jeylon and Indian Teas are direct from tVie Tea Plantations.—fAdvfc.^ Ask for Ninian Hyhlop, and Co. Imperial new seasons Pure Ceylon and indjanTeaß. Special prioes.—(Advt,)



Teas free from any excess of astringency So uih British Tea Company's pure, blends AH <• i orekeeprs



JS'iniiin Hyslop and Co.'s " liriperial' pure Ccylor- and Indian Teas are the besfc m the market,--Mskt,)



We clip the following important testimo nial from the Illawarra Mercury " (N.S, W.) of the 30th March. It needs no comment:—■ " Mr John Loveday, of the Bulli Mountains writes to us that after suffering for four years with acute gravel, he has experienced almost complete relief by using Sander and Sons' Eucalyptic Extract. He says :—" Seeing the said Extract advertised m the ' Illawarrn Mercury,' his intense suffering induced him to obtain a bottle of the medicine from Mr Hosking, chemist, of this town, and that the use of it gave him great relief at once. He states that between 10th March inst., when he obtained the first bottle of the exti'act, and the 19th, the use of that medicine continued to afford him relief, to which he had been a stranger for four years. Mr Loveday writes also that he has found the Eucalypti Extract <i cure for rheumatism as well as gravel. He requests us to publish this information through the' Mercury.' We have much pleasure m complying with Mr Loveday's request, whose word cannot be doubted, and who can have no object m view other than a pure desire to benefit suffering humanity, "—(Advt.) 2



Wanted [ CASH Advertisement unrter th:s heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be Mt at this Office. ] A Quantity of Toys, very Cheap, suitable for Christmas, at Mrs Mbkch's, Tancred Sti-set. 12 25 \Lady requires central Lodgings. Apply to " A," Post Office, Ash fettrton* 12 28 "¥l|r ANTED—Respectable Young Girl n as General Servant. Apply Mrs Weeks, Box 49, Christchurch. 12 22 WAN TED Known, a choice collection of Pot Plants, for sale m the Arcade to-morrow,. Saturday, from 11 o'clock. 1 Consisting of Ferns, Geraniums, etc. 12 21 WANTED, a sixth standard Boy, as Apprentice to the printing trade. Apply Manager, "Mail" Office, between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon. W~^ J"TH STANLEY, m Darkest Africa. —Lecture by Rev. S. Lawry, illustrated by sixty lantern slideß. Wetleyan Church, Monday next, at 8 p,in. Admission, Is.; children, (icl. ICE Cream ready at all hours, during the summer months at Flower's. Cough Drops as usual—H. G. Flower, East street. W" ANTED Known—A special line of Cashmeres, all shades, now sailing at Is per yard. White Blankets 5s lid per pair.—H. C. Secjers, Melford House. _^ WANTED Known — Being over stocked m Corsets, we have re cuced every pair. Ladies from Is 6d Cheapest house m town.—H. C. Skgkbs, Melford House. ■T\7"ANTEO KNOWN gonune Clearing » » Sale is going on and the Boots are going out Best value yet offered, ten per cent for cash, the very beat work and repairing done at once at J. M. Moison's lown Hall, East Street. WANTED^KNOWN, a special lot of Hearth Rugs at Is lid, 2s 6d and 2s lid ; worth about doable. W. 11. Collier. A~~ LL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed; from 50s cash. Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. SHEEP SHEARS. Having secured a Stock of the celebrated 8.8.A., and as there are very few m the Colony, Shearers are requested to call early.— Robbrt Alcorst, Saunclers' Buildings. WANTED Known. -At "The Corner' now selling Ladies' French Shops. 5s lid. See them.—W.JEL Collieb, WANTED Known—A Beautiful Line of French Dress Goods, double width. Is lOid ; origin*! value, 4s. —H. C. Seoers, Melford House. WANTED Known.—l have a large stock of Tin and Ironware Goods ix) select from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m ptock.— J. W. Hardley, East • treet. 6|202 TO Meet the Times.—t am supplying Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards:, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all descriptions. Inspection invited.— J. W. IIARDLBf, Eas street. 6^201 WANTED Known.- -H. Bairstow has opened those premises m East street nextJ. Orr and Co., as a Furniture Warehouse. Latest designs m Vienna Chairs, and Iron Bedsteads on viyw. Having a good stock of well •seasoned figured Rimu and Iviuri, he is pn-pared to take orders for Furniture to any design. Inspection incited. 11161 MONP:y TO LEND, upon Freehold security, m sums to suit bor rowers. Small amounts can Vie repaid by iustalmsntß, if so desired. Apply to Mr C W. Purnell, Solicitor, Mont gomery's Buildings. 9 130 i .-. _ —- ■ ""~~Z^TZT.~ l¥ew Xmas Cards, NEW BOOKS for PRIZES and PRESENTATION. FANCY GOODS, etc L. F. ANDREWES and CO.