THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

From and after the .30th November, 1886 the termsof .Subscription to this journal will be a follows, viz : — v' PAID IK ADVANCE, arter ... 6s 6cl, by post, 9s Gel Per Half-year... 1.2s 6d, by post, 18s 6d  Year ... 24s Oil, by jost, 7s Od  'if booked. Per Quarter ... 7s 6d, by post, 10s 9d  Half-year... 15s Od, by post, 21s 6d „ Year ... 30s Od, by post, 43s Od Birth, Marriage, and Death Notices, if paid for at the time of insertion, 2s 6d if booked, 4s each. . us may be sent a ayment. _____

MAIL NOTICE

The Letter-box will be cleared for de spatch of correspondence from this office to the under-mentioned places, on and after Ist January, 1891, as follows' — For Christchurch and North, daily 6.30 .a.m., 3.15 p.m., 6.20.p.m. ; and on Mon days, Wednesdays, and Fridays, at 10.30 a.m. ; Ohertsey and Rakaia, daily, 6.30 a.m., 3.15 p.m., 6.20 p.m. ; Methven, daily, 3.15 p.m. ; Dunsandel and Burn ham, daily, 3.15 p.m., 6.20 p.m. ; Selwyn, daily, 6.20 p.m. ; Dromore, daily, 0.30 a.m. ; Tinwald, Winslow, Hincls, and Temuka, daily, 10.30 a.m. ; and on Tues days, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 3.15 p.m. ; Willowby and Eiffelton, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 10.30 a.m. ; Lismore, Tuesdays and Fridays, 10.30 a.m. ; Geraldine, daily, 10.30 a.m. ; Timaru, daily, 10.30 a.m., 12.30 p.m. ; and on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Satur days, 3.15 p.m. ; Oamaru, Dunedin, and South, daily, 12.30 p.m. ; Greenstreet, and Ashburton Forks, Tuesdays; Thurs days, and Saturdays, 6.30 a.m.; Winch more, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Satur days, 6.30 a.m. ; Mount Somers, Springburn. and Alford Forest, daily, 4 p.m., Mayfield, and Ruapuna, Mondays and Thursdays, 4 p.m. ; Wheatstone, Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, daily, 4.30 p.m.; Flemington, Mondays, Wed nesdays, and Fridays, 4.30 p.m. ; New land, Tuesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. ; Elgin, Wakanui, Seaview, Seafiekl, and Kyle, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Satur days, 6.30 a.m. N.B.—Letters containing anything of value should be handed to the Postmaster to be registered. Letters containing coin, if posted un registered, will be compulsorily registered and charged double registration fee.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1891. RAILWAY FREIGHTS.

Persuaded as we are that cheap rail way freight is one of the mast impor tant factors m bringing about the settlement and cultivation of the land, especially such land as is situated at long distances from a market or from the seaboard, we make no apology for directing attention to what has, during recent years, been done m this direc tion m America. Mr J. L. Jeans, writing m the "Nineteenth Century," gives a number of facts and figures on this subject which are well worth attention, dwelling m particular upon the enormous reductions which were made m freights and fare* m the period from 1869 to 1888 :—" lii the former year the average charge for goods was l-089d per ton per mile, and to-day the average charge is only 0"455 d per ton. In other words, the charge was formerly more than a penny per ton, ani now it is less than a half-penny. The saving thus, effected m the interests of the producer amounts to the gigantic total of £192,000,000 per annum, a sum which the writer reminds us is double the annual national revenue of Great Britain, and is equal to one fourth of the British national debt. This lower ing of the charges has been accom panied by an enormous increase of traffic. Ir volume the American traffic has increased by 100 per cent., while m Great Britain the increase has been buj; 19 per cent. In money the American jreceipts have risen from 300 million to 700 million dollars, and m Great Britain the increase has been from £26,000,000 to £28,000,000. The necessity of reductions was forced upon: 1 the American railway companies by 1' the severity of the competition with the' canal and lake system of the northern states, grain being brought from Chicago to New York, a distance of 1000 miles, for 14 cents per bushel. The railways had to prevent trade going to tlie canals if they were to exist m this region, aud they directed their attention to larger waggons, which would of course carry bigger loads, to getting more work out of their Joco motives, and to cheapening their per- i mane&t way, with the result that they now carry the wheat from Chicago to New York for J4 cents per bushel,; while the canal change is 8 cents. Meat and flour, it is said, enough to supply one man for a year caa be carried fifteen hundred miles for one day's wages of a skilled mechanic. American first class fares are half the English rate, lower than our second class, and secure for the passengers comforts which only royalty and a f«w private persons enjoy m England." That the policy of minimum charges and maximum facilities is a wise policy the enormous development of traflic on the American lines fully proves,and ; indicates the direction which the rail-, way policy of this oology should take, i To doubt it is idle to expect to haFP the: cost of freight and traffic reduced m New quite to the same extent, j but when w« compare the New Zea- ■ land rates with tlhose obtaining on Aus tralian lines it is evident that there is room fora very long stride m ithat direction,

LOCAL AND GENERAL

We notleo that thero ; is to be a public meeting at Waiigauui this evening of women interested m the Woman's Franchisequesfcion. A number of young men are leaving Rirer ton for the Zcchan silver mines on the west coast of Tasmania. The reason some men can't make both ends meet it because they rue too busily engaged m making one end drink. Mr Henry Maudcrn, the former represen tative for Lake Wakatipu m Parliament, died suddenly on the morning of the f>th inst. A telegram from Timn.ru says that the recent rains have vastly improved the appear ance of the pastures already, and the pros pects of feqd m grass and turnips are good. The attention of farmers is drawn to the fact that a public trial of the 1890 Deering Reaper and Binder will be held to-morrow, at an hour and place to be announced at the kaleyards today, instead of at Mr Gilmour's, as previously advertised. A singular mortality amongst horses has ocoured m the Wairarapa district during the last few weeks. The disease appears to be infectious, but is unknown \o veterinary experts. Our readers are notified by advertisement elsewhere that the school treat, for the English Church Sunday Schools of Ashburton, will take place to-morrow,/in the Domain, anil not at the saleyards aa announced by Rev .Scott, on Sunday last. * Intense heat is being experienced m Sydney,' md throughout New South Wales generally the temperature ranging from 97 to 110 dugrees m the shade. Tremendous bush fires are raging m: the Baremedman district, 313 miles southwest of Sydney, ani a homestead and 3000 acres of grass w«re burnt* ..-'■,• vi '--V " \ . ■-. ■ ' Ohofofc was smart, for just betore his rich xincle Hied he called Chollie to him and told himhehad decided, fc'o leave him nothing but his autograph. And GAiollie said "All right," and then he drew a cheque for; £1000 and told the old man,*© put his autograph on it. It pleased feWe old fellow, so he made it £2000. ' ,T|ie sum'of £2200 has been subscribed towards the ladies' college which it is pro posed to ■ establish m connection with the .Sydney University; and Miss Walker, of Concord, has promised to give £1000 towards £5000 for the founding of the college, at soon as :the first £4000 has been subscribed. Professor Wiggins predicts that severe earthquakes m Italy will shortly take place. He says:—" I believe that the planets are very nearly m the same position as they were iv the year 79, when Pompeii was over whelmed by ashes and lava from the crater of Vesuvius.' Italy may possibly be shaken to its centra during-the present summer.' For the Combined Team v Ashburton at Winchester on Friday, January 9th, the players will be : — Messrs Bryara, Dighan, Fawcett, Hamilton, Hayhurst, Mendelson, H. W. Moore, W, M. Moore, Pearpoint, J. Twigg, and T. Twigg. The Ashburton team left by the express for the South yesterday. An instance is mentioned of a congregation who were much surprised to hear the minister, m praying for the Royal Family, acid the qualifying clause: " All but Edward, Prince of Wales." Not having a printed grayer before them, they were unaWe to check the minister's utterance, and had nothing to remind them that " all but" was merely his peculiar way of pronouncing Albert. Perfumed shoes are now all the rage m Paris. Those who can afford it, have Russian leather shoes, but, as these are very expensive, the inside of ordinary shoes is sprinkled with orrisroot, or any other per f tuned powder. Pearl-grey buckskin is much used for summer shoes, and they are bound with grey ribbon, and stitched with grey silk to match. They ace also sometimes stitched with pale pink silk, which gives them a more fanciful appearence A married woman of about forty years of age, met with a serious and peculiar accident at her residence m Dublin. She was recotn .rnonded by her husband, as an effective means of cleansing her hair, to wash it m paraffin oil, and she followed his advice. Afterwards she held her head close to a brisk fire for the purpose of drying it. The flames ignited the undried petroleum m her hair, which was set on fire immediately. In a few seconds her hair was entirely burnt off, and the scalp seriously seared and scorched. Her hands were .also burned m trying to extinguish the "flames. She was immediately conveyed to Dr V. White, who ordered her removal to the hospital. "Truth " declares that it has news from a very well-informed quarter at Berlin in dicating that the German Emperor enter tains a feeling of great irritation against Russia. He frequently insists, m the course of conversation, that the presence of 450,000 men, out of the nominal 850,000 of the Russian peace standard, m a perpetually mobilized condition on the Polish frontiers of Germany and Austria, ia a standing menace to European trauquility. But for this attitude of Russia, the Emperor be lieves that France would disarm, and that Germany and Austria would follow suit. On the 13th and 14th January we are promised a treat of no ordinary kind. On the two evenings mentioned Mr St. Clair will introduce to an Ashburton audience the London Bell Ringers and Musical Novelty Company. Among the Company are the Faust Family, favorably remembered no doubt siuce their visit m 1885. Also Herr yon der Mehden, a cornet player of wonderful talent, Mr Gus Lynch, one of the Lynch family of Bellringers, and a comedian of some note, besidei being an eccentric dancer. There is a full list besides those mentioned, and the programme is spoken of by our Christchurch contemporaries as being musically excellent, while the notices they have given have been generally kindly, not to say flattering. The annual picnic of the Flemingfcon Pres byterian Church Sabbath School took place ■on Friday m one of Mr M.acar<thur.'3 fields. The day was lovely, and with the exception of two or three who had not heard of the postponement from Thursday owing to the rain, there was a full muster of scholars and their friends. There was a bounteous spread of refreshments for dinner and for tea, and provision was made for enjoying a day's feensajtion at cricket, and swings and other games, Aq. adjournment was made to the church soon aft©? seven o'clock, where all were again assembled, including Mr Dunn, and Rev A. Blake. The reward books were given away, and the scholars to the number of 40 or 50, sang with good effect i soins choice hymns. A notable improvement m ithe singing was observed, owing it was, believed partly; to the successful teaching of Mr Henderson and Miss Stewart m the day school. A collection was taken to add to the libraiy, and after the Totes of thanks the company dispersed well pleased with the day's enjoyment,

THE AGENT-GENERALSHIP.

From what has been disclosed by the Wellington " Post " as to the negotia tions which have for some time being going on between the present Ministry and Sir Dillon Bell it is quite clear that every possible arrangement has been made to secure to Sir Harry Atkinson the reversion'of the Agent-Generalship. Indeed it is roundly stated that Sir Harry would have taken up the London appointment before last session had Sir Dillon retired m his favor—as it was understood that he would when called upon, but that the little arrange ment fell through owing to the present Agent-General proving to be quite ob livious of any such understanding. But as Sir Dillon's term of office, un less he be re-appointed, expires m October next, the way is now thought to be open to effect the change, and no doubt a proposal m that 'direction will be made to Parliament. That Sir Harry Atkinson would make an ad mirable Agent-General, if his condition of health be sufficiently good to enable him to bring to bear upon the dis charge of the duties of the office his normal energy, there is no doubt what ever, but we notice that the Wangatiui " Herald " doubts this being the case. It points out chat the office is one "re quiring much business energy as wjell as capacity-—requiring a man whose range of activity would extend over the field m keeping the colony con tinually m evidence before the mil lions Of people m Great Britain and Ireland"—and asks whether it is " likely Sir Harry will be equal to such a task?" Upon this point our contemporary goes dn to say :—" His (Sir Harry's) health is notoriously so bad he dare not face another session, even a very short one, m the House. He cannot bear any prolonged strain! and though he may have all his faculties unimpaired when he comes fresh to a subject, he soon fades away m a state of exhaustion. So we are informed on very good authority. Is this the man then to place m so ini iportant a position h Is the Agertt- Generalship so rosy a billet that no exertion is required m exchange for £1500 a year l\ The taxpayers, as well as the demands of good administration, may answer the question." Tt is how ever admitted that " Sir Harry Atkin son, ill as he is," would do quite as well as the present holder of the office. The " Herald" is quite willing to " advocate the change 7 for the sake of change alone," asserting that Sir Harry "could not possibly perform the duties worse than Sir Dillon Bell has done m recent years," and adding that " the present Agent-General has secluded himself not only from ' Society,' as the gossip-mongers have it, but from the active duties of the position," roundly declaring that " the Golony is, m fact, paying some thousands a year to keep up an expensive establishment m London without any return m the shape of servicas rendered." This is, we think, a little too severe, though it is open to question whether latterly the Colony has been receiving any sufficient return for its expenditure m connection with, the Agency-General. For our selves, we think that on the whole Sir Harry AtkinHJn would be the moat suitable successor to Sir Dillon Bell, and that it may be that the change of scene and of duties would lead to his recovering his pristine vigour. At anyrate we hope that the chance may toe afforded him. We, however, en tirely agree with our contemporary that Sir Harry's intention to retire to the Agent-Generalship should have been openly made known to his con stituents at Egrnont' at the time of the recent election. Upon this phase of the matter the " Herald " comments very severely. It contends that the electors were "grossly deceived," as they "could not have imagined that they were voting for a man who had arranged to retire as soon as the elections were over." It points out that "some 'Ananias' kept sending telegrams to the papers that the Premier's health was so much better, evidently with the intention to deceive the electors, and make them believe he would take up his former position," but that "the tune changed imme diately the elections were over, and then the Ananiaaes declared his health was so bad that he would have to give up and go out of politics," all the time the Agent-Generalship arr rangement having been " kept steadily m view, and, no doubt, a reconstruc tion of the Ministry having been pros pectively arranged." It attributes the defeat of Mr M'Guire to sympathy for the sick Premier, and generally regards the whole business as a political trick or manoeuvre. Certainly it was not an open, manly, and above-board policy, and we, as we have already said, en tirely concur that not only the electorate of IJgmqnt, but the whole colony should have 'been made aware at the time of the general election of the fact that Sir Harry did not intend, if elected, to continue to hold office either as Premier or even as a Minister, as the knowledge might have had the effect of causing votes to be cast quite differently frqm whati they \yere.

News via 'Frisco.

[per press association.] GENERAL SUMMARY. The Committee having the matter m charge has reported m favor of the draft of the Republican Constitution of Brazil. From Vienna it is learned that Kossuth is nofc suffering from depressing poverty,, as has been reported, but is m comforts' able circumstances,. At Monte Carlo'a middle-aged Russian was playing heavily when he suddenly fell dead'at the roulette table. The body was removed by the attendants, and m a few minutes play was going on as usual. The Boardroom of the School Union, county Cork, was besieged by a great i crowd of »mall farmers and laborers who came to implore the guardians for either; food or employment. The applicants, some of whom carried black banners, numbered fully 1500. The latest trial,of Nihilists presents some features which have not been noticed |n former ones, that is the ar&iginment of women and the severity of the sentences pronounced against them. It is said that Nihilism would die out but for the participation of women. The Reichstag will be asked for 50,000,000, mirks for the army, partly to provide munitions and partly to ajtsp, uniforms, Itenqefarth no glitter of head piece or' arms will be permitted. A sombre uniform is considered necessary since the invention of smokeless powder. The decomposed body of a man was found near Isolles, Belgium, The appear.

ances indicate a case of suicide by means.*, of prussic acid. The police believe that it is the body of Podlewski, the Nihilist, who recently murdered General Seliver skofF, Russian police agent m Paris. Advices from Capetown state thafc the excitement of the situation m Manicoland is increasing. The Portuguese we .said to be meditating an attack on the forces of the British South Africa Company. The natives favor the British m preference to the Portuguese; A(; Clennonfc-Ferraud, France, a wed ding procession was leaving church when suddenly two shots were heard and bride i aM bridegroom fell dead. The assassin subsequently committed suicide. He was a rejected suitor. The Duke of Veragu^i, ,he only living real descendant of Christopher Columbus, who was Minister of the Interior m a former Cabinet, is very ill, and will probably live but a short time. President Carnot has signed a Bill grant ing Greece the benefits of the most favored • nation clause until February,, 1892, on condition that Greece reciprocates by admitting French wines free, and re ducing the duties on^aces by 75 per cent, and on velvets by 50 per cent. \ Since the Parnell-Gladstone disruption, a story has been afloat to the effect that when Parnell and Gladstone Were negotia tion the alliance, Mrs O'Shea and Glad stone took dinner at the Thames Hotel. Another story is that O'Shea was offered £30,000 to leave the country before the divorce trial. The Emperor William, m the course of conversation after a Parliamentary dinner given ■by Vbn Capri vi, condemned all dogmatic discussion, and animadverted upon the futility of social democratic con gresses. '; •' ■ ' • ' ."' ;' ■' ' In the Italian Parliament King Herbert said that Italy was faithful to her foreign i alliances. In conclusion he said— " Following my father's example I always respect the rights of my ancestors' re ligion; but I will never suffer my sovereign authority to be derogated m thafc religion's, name." The utterance wa^j greeted with enthusiastic applause. ! It is the intention of the French Government to construct an intrenched camp at Toul m the department cf Meurthej on the left bank of the; Moselle Canali on the railway from Paris to Strasburg. The defences of the camp will be capable of resisting the strongest German artillery. An analysis of the Koch lymph has- been made m Paris, and reveals that the remedy is compounded of the protomaines (sic) of tubercular bacilli which is a vimleiit poison, cynayde of gold and glycerine. j

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held last night. Present—His Worship the Mayor (Mr Hugo Friedlander) .and Ors Bird, Paul, Flower, J. Scaly, Brooke, and William son. , FINANCK. . . ..' , V The Mayor reported that the debit balance at the Bank was £1593 Is sd, arid* the income since last meeting £8$ 4s 6d. £139 of the; 1890 rates were still out standing. ' ' CORRESPONDENCE. Mr Tasker wrote offering terms for re-lease of Spillard's reserve. Referred to Reserves Committee.—The Fires Brigade wrote stating that Thursday, ' Bth inst., was the half-yearly inspection of tho Brigade. Tiie Council decided to ask as many members of the Council as could to •be present. — The Assistant Engineer, Public Works Department, wrote express ing the Department's willingness to pay half, cost of asphalting m front of; Court house.—The liesident Enginear , wrote j'Stating that permission would be granted I to the Council to erect standpipes and tanks for water supply purposes, subject to the usual conditions* In regard to a matter of detail repair to the hose incurred by Mr W. E. Dolman, the Council ratified the Fire Engineer's action, also the sale he had made of damaged hose.-—The contractor for the Jubilee Clock wrote stating that the clock had only varied six seconds since the 17th December. r RESERVES RENTS. It was resolved that all rents of reserves six months m arrears be sued for at once. LIBRARY BOOKS. The Mayor reported that the works on agricultural subjects ordered by the Council for the Library some months ago had arrived. ; licenses. * Mr D. Williamson was granted a kerosene license. engineers' report. The Engineers' reported as follows :— The Labor Gatig have been engaged m forming Cox street West and the North- west Town Belt, watering streets, cleaning side channels, and carting rubbish, repairing fences, putting m culverts, attending to water supply and general maintenance. ,: The Council then passed* the usual accounts and afterwards sat as a I DOMAIN BOARD, Permisfion was granted to Rev E. A. Scott to hold a pionic of school children m the Domain, subject to the Engineer's supervision as to the position of the children's tea boiler. A letter was received from Mr Harrison, for the Domain Swimming CJub. asking | the Board's patronage to the Club's first meeting. The request was granted. Cr Scaly gwe notice to move at next meeting to erect a fireplace and copper iii the pavilion for the use of school and other similar treats. The Board then ad !oumed.« „

Horse Market.

Mr T. Bullock reports for the week ending Saturday, January 3rd -.—There was one of the. largest entries of horses for the season. Eighty head were offered by auction during the day, which proved to be. or>e of the dullest sales that has been experienced for a long time past. There were a number of very useful medium draughts offered, suitable for all kinds of farm work, for which it was difficult to obtain any bids, there appearing to be little or no inclination on the part of farmers to buy at any price, and only twenty one out of the eighty offered were sold by i auction and privately afterwards, at the I following prices, viz:—Four-year-old medium I draughts of a |light stamp, £11 £14, £19; an aged mare, superior description, brought £21; five-year-old, also light, £14 ; aged, £8, £8 10s, £10, £10; inferior, £5 5s j light harness horses, £4, £5 10s } inferior sorts, £2 5s to £3 ; hacks, two-year-olds unbroken, several changed hands at from. £3 5s to £4 5s j others of an inferior description, £1 to £3. Sundries—McOormick twine hinders, m, good order, one at £34 and one, afc dfS-Ji 10s ; old Deering twine binders,, $S, £•?,

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions exptessed by our correspondents.) .

LIMING LAND.

TO THK KMTOK. Sir, —I read m your paper the other day the result of liming grass land. Knowing how extensively lime is used m, agriculture mother parts of the world, I was determined to thoroughly test its financial value on my farm., and with that object m view limed a very sour piece of land with about two. ions jof lime pev acre m .A^ugusi^ tßfif), when fsiowinjir <&wn, to, <*.»*« ah'd- grass. I did np^seiS any very, marked, result m the oats, but this year there .was a very marked result ', m the grass. In the middle of this October I fenced off a fifth of an acre—half of it limed, the other half not—and, intended cutting each tenth separately, but when the time came I found ihe unlimcd laud so full pf, eorrsl ihat it Vpylcl opt have besa » fair

>test, so in»iked off two square yards of each, with the result that the limed ground gave Sib 6oz and the unlimed 21b 20;5. I then picked the sorrel out of each—-7oz coining off the limed ground and lib loz off the unlimed, leaving 21b 15oz and lib loz of grass respectively, which calculated out at per acre gave 8 ton 3cwt of grass off limed land and 1 lon 4o\vt of grass off uulimed land, or 1 ton lftewt of grass m favor of the limed land m ten weeks. Further comment is unnouessnry.— Yours, etc., ... . .,.. Andrew McFarl ane.

Sale of Blood Stock.

[PER J'JtKSS ASSOCIATION;]

At7CKT,Am>, January 5. After the wile of the stallions, the hruorl mares were sold. Crinoline foil to Mr D. O'Brien for 150gs; Fusee, Dr Ross, lOOgs ; Florence McCarthy, Mr Goll&n, 400gs ; Maid of Honor, W. R. 'Wilson, 330<4s : My Idea, Mr Nathan, Io0:?s ; Nolly Moore, Mr Wilson, 27Ogs. Mersey brought 230Ggs, W. R. Wilson, Melbourne, being chn purchaser. Mr D. O'Brien went as far as 2200g5. Most of the mares had a foal at foot, Mersey's being by Nordenfeldt

Terrible Railway Disaster in England.

A terrible disaster occurred on the Great Western Railway, at Norton Fitz warren, near Taunton, m the- • early morning of JNovember 11, when a special train, conveying passengers ex Norham Castle, from Plymouth to London, col - lided with a goods train standing on the line. The passenger train left Plymouth a little before midnight on the 11th, and reached Norton about two o'clock m. the i morning. It was pitch dark, and the run was coming down smartly. The goods train was from Taunton to Exeter, but, m order to allow, the down night mail to pass, it wbß shunted on the up-line at Norton. The night mail,; which left Paddington at 9 p.m. j passed safely, and before the goods train could be moved on to the down line again the special came up. The driver of-the special, seeing the signals all right, was letting, his train- rim through the station at the rate of about 50 miles an hour, when it came , into collision with the goods train, about 100 yards ,on the Taunton side of Norton. The signalman George Rice, who had been m the employ" •of the company for 38 years, had; forgot ten the goods train,, and gave the. signal "line clear" to, the special driver., The stoker of the goods train, .seeing., the special approaching, at once apprehended the danger, but there was no time to give the alarm, and the express was upon them m a second. The impact was terrible, five compartments being..tele scoped outright. The force of;thecol- ; lision was so great that the tender of, the passenger engine, was forced-through the first three compartments of the .car riage next to it. The carriage was, smashed like matchwood,, pieces lying m afield quite thirty yards from the scene of the accident. The men - who .were sit ting m the compartment next to the , engine mu4 have been .killed instan taneously, for their bodies were ■ wedged into the side of the carriage and mixed up with the debris. Those of the, second and third compartments - were frightfully injured, and several succumbed after ling ering m terrible agony for an hour or more. The goods train was, standing with the engine towards Norton Fitz warren, so that the two engines were twisted into all shapes after coining m contact, and the trucks near the goods shed were thrown off the line. The horror of the situation was heightened by the fact that the splintered woodwork was ignited by the fire from the engine. The whole carriage was speedily m a, blaze, and six of its occupants perished miserably m the flames,' being unable to extricate themselves from the wrockage. Help soon arrived, and strenuous efforts were made by the. railway, oftieials and others to rescue the paesongers from the debris of the wrecked carriages. It was several hours before all the passengers were extricated. It was then found that ten were killed, while eight were seriously and about a dozen slightly injured; At the inquest a verdict of manslaughter was returned against Bice, the signalman, who is 64 years of age, and was, recently himself run over by a train and seriously injured. .

A Vegetable Octopus.

A naturalist who has carefully studied the flora and fauna of Central America found a singular growth m one of the swamps which surround the great Lake of Nicaragua. He was engaged m hmw ing botanical and ethnomological speci mens m this swamp, which is known as. San Sebastian's, when he heard fee dog cry out, as if m agony, from a. distance. Running to the spot from which the ani mal's cries came, he found him enveloped iin a network of rope wire tissues 'and fibres, from which he had difficulty m setting the dog free." *iVhen released Carlo's hairless skin' appeared to have been actually sucked or puckered m spots and he staggered as if from weakness and exhaustion. Tn cutting' the vines the twigs curled like living sinuous . fingers, about the naturalist's hand, and it «•> quired no slight foroe to free the 1 member from their clinging grasp, which left the flesh red and blistered. The gum' exud ing from the vine was of a greyish dark tinge, remarkably adhesive and, of, a dis agreeable animal odour, very powerful and nauseating to inhale. Inquiry elicted the information that the natives have a great horror of this vine, which.is catted the devil's vine. A story told of its. death-dealing' powers whs. t^at of an Englishman residing In Managua, who while hunting m the swamp a few years ago, lay down beneath a tree where a ! large and powerful specimen of this singular plant was growing, and inad vertently falling asleep woke to find him self enveloped m its web, and, m spite -of every effoit made to extricate-him./7i 8 perished m its deadly embrace. An escaped convict perished m a similar manner. Ifc is almost impossible to handle even small specimens of this plant, for is* grasp can only be torn away with loss* of skin and even flesh. Its power oi Auction is con tamed m a numhwr, of infinitesimal mouths or little, suckers, which, ordinarily closed, open for the reception of food. The gu«\ exuded seems to serve the two fold purposes of increasing its tenacity , and of overcoming a victim by its sicken ing odour. ■ . ■ ■ ' The plant is found only m low, wet places, and usually beneath a large tree, and w^ile dormant seema only & network of dxy dt^ad vines, covering Uhe black earth for several feet, but coming m contact with anything it will instantly begin to twist and twine upward inta hor rible, life-liko manner, breaking oat with a gum-like substance that we spoke of before, and enwrap, the object with a celerity that is, ah»oat incredible. If tfm substance fe animal the blood is drawn off and she carcass or refuse then dropped A. lump of raw meat being thrown n m the short time of five minutes th© blood will be thoroughly drunk off and the mass thrown aside. Its voracity is, almost- be y° el ll dcvour »ne •* one time over 101 b. of meat, thoagfc it may u^ d ~ prived of all fori *>r w3eks wTtSout any apparent loss, of; vitality.-* T*h c j^J

THK ABHBURTON GITABDIAN, TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1891



Tu* Best Rkmew *;oirs»woESTiav— Norton's Camomile HU S £££g££^ recommended' as a ** np{ e remedy f& Indigestion, whx<fc » %}» me o{ nearly all the diseases t a w hi« h we m J»(.itural Strennrthener of the .Human S£>macy> act as a powerful tonieand^S aperient are n«ld m their operation?™,! sate under *ny circumstances. Sold m y&m thwughout U*e worM, IBWUgu»*



Holloway's Pills. -Factory Operatives and Workers m Manfactories.—The remark able remedies which have been discovered and perfected by Thomas Holloway, and whicl^ for mqve than forty years have been suc cessfully used m every quarter of the globe, are especially useful m all the manifold ailments which afflict those who by reason of their occupations are confined for years, or all their lives, m crowded buildings and workshops. Hplloway'a Pills and Qintment are qj^ogiated remedies, the former restoring the vital •gqwgya en diminished, and always acting as an efyQltyp i^qqd pupifi^r, whilst the latter relieves local maladies, 1 and checks inflammation, and acts as a cleahsing and healing agent m cases of bad legs, bad breasts, ulcers, and unhealthy sores of all kinds,| '



We clip the following important testhno, njal from the Illawarra Mercury " (N. S. W , of the 30th March. It needs no comment:— • • Mr John Loveday, of the Bulli Mountaino writes to us that after suffering for four years with aoute gravel, he has experienced almost complete relief by using Sander and Sons' Eucalyptic Extract. He says:—" Seeing the said Extract advertised m the 'Illawarra Mercury,' his intense suffering induced him to jpbtain a bottle of the medicine from Mr Hosking, chemist, of this town, arid fcitaj} jfclj.o ijse of it gave him great relief at onoe. He states £hat between 10th March inst., when he obtained th* m«t battle oi the extract, 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 h cure for rheumatism ac w#U n,s gravel. He requests us to publish thjjs infoijiiistijim through the' Mercury.' We have much pleasure m winplying with Mi" Loveday'a request, whqse word cannot be doubted, and who can have no object m view other than a pure desire to benefit suffering humanity. "—(Advi.) 2



BHAG POINT OQAL, nMHIS sup eriorOoal, for household *>nd -1_ steam purposes can now be oV.taiii^d from Messrs J. G. E,estell, VV. H Collins & Co., and R. S. Bean m. auy quantity. Special quotations for truck lo'ids. This Coal is perfectly safe m usins?, having no live ashes or soot, and is very cleanly and economical for household purposes, having great heat and lasting power. W. H. WILLIAMS, Manager Shacf Point Mine. /"I HRIS T~M~AT¥~~iA LE. EVERY NOVELTY IN FANCY GOODS, SUITABLE FOR i CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR PRESENTS VERY CHEAP. MHS ADAMS FANCY REPOSITORY, Saunders' Buildings. 12 li>B



■TVf U W QfliiWlN h i.\ 0 W O HOWI NCr A FASHIONABLE LOT OF Spring Summer Goods. THE LATEST FASHION, REASONABLE PRICES, GOOD FIT ani> WORKMANSHIP, oughjt to .ensure ;>„ ready sale for those „: Goods. C<»m« Krtrlv, Ami avctirf Xlie Bush at Xma«i j Our Customers may depend upon v.ur j promise that their orders will be finished up to time. ; 11. & 13. Craiarlicatl, TANCRED STREET, ASHBURTON. ffllffllS BlilfiillS. A NDREW /^RR A U HAS opened up a Splendid Show OF Hew Goods] IN ALL DEPARTMENTS. Beautiful Assortment. OF FANCY GOODS, Suitable for Presents. LADIES', GENTS', an© CHILDREN'S Boots and Shoes GREATLY REDUCED. ANDREW ORK Spring and Summer, 1890. BUY YOUR CLOTHING FROM THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTOBY Men's Colonial TWEED SUITS, Boys' and Youths' Colonial TWEED SUITS at prices to suit everybody. HITS.—We keep the largest and Best Selection Hats made to measure. SUITS MADE TO MEASURE. Best workmanship pufc m every garment, and a perfect fit guaranteed. Large Selection of Boys' Knicker Suits.. Ties, Shirts, Collars, Braces. &c M m Latest Fashion snd Style. Best Value fob Cash m District NEW Z E AI AX D CLOTHING FACTORY Agent for the Wonderful Werfcheini Sewing Machines W. H. WEBBER Manager 'WtmtecT" ~~~r CASH AdvertiHemeats under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Office 1 ___. ONE Room to let, furnished or unfurnished, with board if required. 1 21 WANTED— 4-roomed Cottage be tween Factory and Ashburton with orwithoutPaddock.—THOsWiHTTlNGTOK, ffurnett Street. 1 31 OH DEPOSIT—Wanted to Bell, 4 dOt) roomed House with half acre of land. Very easy terms. Apply H. M, Jonrs. 1 34 T3IAINOS ! Pianos! "Organs ! Organs ! SZ Sold on Monthly payments. Very easy to secure an Instrument. Inspection invited. H. M. Jonbs. 1 35 A MERICAN Ice Cream ! American J_ JL. Ice Cream daily at H. G. Fiowbr's, Confectioner. Ice kept m stock. "ANTED, "Contract Plough Teams^ Apply H. H. Wright, Winder mere, Thursday, January Bth. 1*25 ANTED Known.- ForDr^Tstuffs Prints, &c, Trimmings, to match, go to Melford House. Bes value m town. Christmas presents now giving away.—S. C. Segeks ANTjED~Known— Some special lines m choice Dress Goods at very low prices showing at " The Corner." tfTANTED Known.—For Sheeting W Tablings, Calicoes, Quilts, Towels' Table Napkins, Tray Cloths, D'Oyleys, &c, go to Melford House. Presents to every purchaser.—H. C. Segeks. "PRESENTS.— We are now giving JL presents to every purchaser of Drapery, Clothing, Boots, and cheapest house m town. —H. C. Segers, Melford House^ ANTED Known—The "Strong wear " Boot is the best for Men adies and Children.-—W. H. Collier. WANTED every man m" the Counly to have a suit of the Ashburfcon Tweeds. —Robert Alcokn, Ashburton Clobhinc; Mart, Saunder's Buildings. \\J ANTED Known —The Cheapest ■•' Shop to buy Tinwaro und Gal j vanised Iron goods m Ashbarton, is at I W. F. Hannafoui/s, Burnett Street. A arge stock ket)t on hand. Tin and Ivor ware goods made and repaired with des patch^ BOOTS, BOOTH. "Keep you. feet Dry and save Doctor's Bills. have a splendid Stock m now. Try my Double-soled Shooters. Every pair Guaranteed. Robert Alcorn, Ashbur ton CloUum/ Mart, Saundera' Build,inys,



"XTOTWHSTANDING continuofco *c ports or the sucoees ot other Machines, THEDEERIM ALL STEEL TWINE BINDER, CONTIJfUES TO MOID ITS OWN . Having, d v rins^ fch c last two Seasons, secured upwards of 60 PRIZES In the Australasian Colonies. Th» Machine »s now offered is a marvel of SIMPLICITY, STRENGTH, and DUB ABILITY. Actual experience proving that THE DEERING Requires fewer extra parts than any Machine m the field. Th« Undersigned has now on hand a LARGE ASSORTMENT of duplicates (•xtras), and is therefore ready for emer gencies. Twinea, Oils Corn Sacks, &c. John G. jßestell WOOL STORES* WEST STREET, A3HBURTON. 24th December, 1890. Massey-Toronto Light Bitidei 1. LIGHTEST IN DRAFT. SUREST TO TIE. EASIEST TO MANAGE. SWIFTEST TO CUT, THE LONGEST LIVED.I MOST SCIENTIFICALLY MADE Stationary Axle AND Raise and Lower Style 6, 6, and 7 FEET CUTS. Of th« JfcUcr only vory few|on hand. £2000 \ tTorth of Extras m Stock, which wil be supplied to farmers at manufacturer's prices nt any time DAY OR NIGHT. FRIEDLANDER BROS. COMPANY OF SEW ZBAIANB (FIRE AND MARINE ) rpHE Business of this Company has I been TRANSFERRED to the TOMMFRCIAL UNION ASSURANCE COMPANY, Limited, of London, by whom, through the various Branches and Agencies m New Zealand, all accounts owing to and by and all losses under the Colonial Insurance Company's policies will be settled m future. F. ALLEN, General Manager. Wellington, New Zealand, December 11th, 1890. THE COMMERCIAL UNION ASSUR ANCE COMPANY, (Limited) Established 1861. Incorporated under Act of Parliament, 7 and 8 Vie, Cap. 110. Head Office : 19 and 20 Cornhill, London Capital fully subscribed ... £2,500,000 Total Invested Funds ... 2,351,707 Total Annual Nett Income... 1,132,239 HEAD OFFICE for NEW ZEALAND : Lambton Quay, Wellington. * With Local Boards of Advice m Australia and New Zealand. General Manager for New Zealand : FRANK ALLEN, J P. Every description of Fire nd Marine Insurance effected at LOWEST CURBEtfT KATES CUFF & GRAHAM, Managers for Canterbury, Christchurch. Agents for Ashburtojc : FRIEDLANDER BROS 22 %, ■ ■ ; FIRST. FIRST. FIRST. A T the LARGEST FIELD TRIAL Held m Australia this Season The Brantford E^T WAS PLACED FIRST, -^f defeating seven other machines. THIS IS GENUINE. THE ONLY STRING BINDER THAT CAN cut and tie grass seed, "testimonial. I have cut with a 7ft Brantford Binder 2>urchased last season, about seven acres of ryegrass for seed. The crop was very whort and thin, being on light ground. The machine did its work perfectly, both cutting, binding and tying without a hitch, and I consider the Brantford the best on the market, and the only machine iit to tackle a light crop of grass. 12$101 Geokgb Cot,?,. TfR 8. B. SEYMOXTR7 SURGEON-DENTIST ok! CHRISTCHURCH, WILL VISIT A S II BU R TON on dates to be announced, and may be c< nsuked ab MR CAMBRIDGE'S, CHEMIST. 710



(x. JFawcett JJobds SURGEON DENTIST, Ai»i>kess: —Court Chambers, alovc- Mr H. M. Jones. Stationer, East Street. ..-rivate Residence, Tancred Street, Three doors below Masonic H'»ll Sharp!, Vincent & Co. . SAWMILL-EItS .AND TIMBEft MERCHANTS, SPBINGKBUBN. HAVE erected large Sawmills at Alford Forest, and can now supply ' any amount of Building Material, also Bridge Timber and.Plankins to any size m Birch Timber, Gates, Hurdles, «!fcc M made to patterns as desired, Splitor Sftwn P«sts morticed by machinery. Prices will be found reasonable, and orders will be executed promptly. Timber cm be delivered by train, or at the Mills, or by rail from Springburn to any part of the district. he Mills are within U miles of the Springburn Railway Station. FIREWOOD, SLABS, AND WASTE TIMBER Always on hand. ' Orders by post promptly attended +38 John Orr & Co. INVITE THE ATTENTION OF FARMERS To their Large and Varied Stocks of all j i ' ! classes of Goods, suitable for the Harvest Field. 1000 Bales Binding TWINE, Crown Brand 250 Bules Manilla Binding TWINE Machine Extras and Fittings 100 Cases Binding WIRE, White Cross - 100 Cases Castor Oil Leather Belting, Uin to Gin Valvoline and Lubroline Oil Lard and OUve Oil Cylinder Oil Perforated Zinc, #32 to 7ft Seaming Twine McOormhk Binders. The agents of the McCormiek reapers and binders have just received news of a very exciting trial nt Tamworth (N.S.W.) oil Saturday, Decemb«r 6. The prize competed - for was the Society's medal, *hich was offered to the machines exhibited at thoir Show ; but m order to have a successful trial they m addition offered a prize of ten guineas, open to all comer.**. Both prizes were gained by the McCormick, which was awarded the full maximum number of points. This was the first time this' season where the ; winner at any trial m Australia obtained the full number of points under each heading. The McCormick also gained first prize at Stawell (Victoria) beating the Massey, Hornaby, and Deering. John Orr & Co. Lkdies! Ladies! WHOLESALE DRAPERY HOUSES m GREAT TROUBLE , THIS SEASON WITH IMMENSE SURPLUS IMPORTATIONS OF Summer Goods. —THEREFORE— "We have made an Extensive Purchase of jFrench Muslins, 7 - Zephyrs, Ginghams, ETC., ETC. W ktt-Ii »r« mw ot.it View AT Mitchell & Tamer's jiA'uror house.