DEATH.

On December 15, 1890, at Boulogne-sur- Mer. Sarah Jane Farthing, eldest and dearly loved sifter of Mrs E. A. Scott, of Ashburton.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1891. NEW ZEALAND'S EXAMPLE.

It is a happy coincidence that just at the time when the author of the New Zealand Village Settlements scheme has been placed at the head of the Government, the working of the sys tem is under examination by a member of the Government of South Australia. Much hostile criticism, m and out of Parliament, was directed against Mr Ballance's scheme for settling people on small blocks of land on which they could make homes for themselves, m localities where suitable woik was obtainable. The system was imme diately successful, so much so that the expenditure directly authorised by Par liament, m the shape of loans to settlers for the purpose of building dwellings, and m providing access to the settlements, was exceeded—this again being used as the base of further attacks upon Mr Eallance and the Stout-Vogel Government, of which he was a member. There can be no ques tion now of the wisdom and utility of the Village Settlements scheme. In the majority of the Canterbury settle ments, every section has been taken up, and the settlers are prospering and well satisfied. Much has been made lately of the very large amount of ar rears said to be due by the settlers. We have authority for stating that the ! total amount of arrears due from the settlements m Canterbury is under £ 100 and these arrears are m most cases but slightly over-due and are secured an hundred-fold. The settlers are almost without exception of the most desirable class—farm laborers, small contractors for farm work, and men of similar occupations. They are able to fill m the slack seasons of the year m culti vating and improving their sections, and many of them are able to obtain work m close enough proximity to allow of their spending their nights at home during most of the year. Our present visitor, the Hon W. Copley, Minister of Lands for South Australia, is greatly impressed by the system, and by the method m which it is carried out, and it is probable that the much decried Village Settlements of New Zealand will prove the model for a comprehensive scheme of settlement m South Australia.

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

The Minister without Portfolio, the Hon. ,Mr Ward, has soon been furnished witfy a subject calling for his active attention as Minister m charge of the Postal Department. M r Ward was one of the most adverse critics of the San Francisco mail ser vice as it has been until recently carried out, and only tne recent changes m the contract have modified his opinions. The inefficient coastal conveyance of the maiis was a point on which he laid much stress, and no worse instance of the delays which the mails are frequently subject to on the way south from Auckland than that which occurs to-day could well take place. Tlie mail arrived at Wel lington last evening, and instead of being at once forwarded so as to reach Lyttelton, it is delayed m Wellington until this afternoon. Such mismanage ment cannot escape the notice of a business man, and Mr Ward may be depended upon to ascertain the reason why, and to take steps which will pre vent such an occurrence m future.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Roumanian Government is allotting a vast quantity of State lands m free farms to peasant families. At the Hawke's Bay Caledonian Sports on Friday Alex. McKay, of Lagmhor, and Mr K. P. Stuart divided the bulk of the prizes for pipe playing and Scottish dancing. Mr McKay's principal prize being £5 for pipe music (reels and strathspeys). The little town of Ciioisey-le-Roi, where Bouget de Lisle died, intends to celebrate the centenary of the "Marseillaise" with great eclat next year. A sum df 2000 francs for that purpose has already been voted by the local municipality. The Paris edition of a recent number o* the "New York Herald," referring to a forthcoming work on Scotch cookery, says that it will contain recipes for " cookinS the haggis and other game birds of Scotland." Volunteers will be glad to learn that Lieutenant Colonel Bailey has received a telegram from Mr Hall Jones, member for Timai'u, stating that "It is proposed that the Easter encampment be held at Oamaru, and that provision will be made for the South Canterbury volunteers to attend." During Sunday evening's service at Flaxt( a church one of the suspended kerosene lamps fell, the oil saturating the matting, which became ignited. Although the congregation fnshed out, three gentlemen pluckily beat out th * flames before much damage was done. The churrfi. however, narrowly escaped being burnt dowii. The following only being nominated as members of the South Rakaia Licensing •Committee, were declared elected by Mr Makeig the returning officer :—Messrs VV. L. Allan, E. S. Oster, W. W. Lytte ton L. Oxley, and H. ft, Sepretan. Ihe local option poll as to whether tbpw should be an increase m the number of lieei^s m the district will be taken m the Town Hajl on Saturday next. ; Captain Hannaa, says the " Press," has re ceived by the last mul a letter from an authoritative source at Home stating that certain defects have been diseovjerpd jn the new" magazine rifle, which it is intended to remedy m those now m course of mauufacr tare The improvements will be chiefly m the manner of loading and m the magazine. The ammunition for the rifle can be procured iat Home at the rate of £G per thousand rounds. j. Cmusbm pjjilen, to whom Count Herber Bismarck is fegtged to be married, wil m herit a very Large fiartff/je fro™ her taujer, 'Count Pafilen,' wfco \% fftifrjetor ot all i immense estate near Mit<a,u. A v0 xint Pahlen of one hundred years ago, au aftwsf*^ i of the present head of the family, was actively j engaged m all the Russian court intrigues ot that wvifid, and was concerned ill the plot which ende.4 fo the assassination of the Emperor Pa«ui. . ,-,.,. . In the Edinburgh^wj^i (Smells diligent gearch for precedents to .gnidfc fji^j;> m dealing with MrParnell some very (foiaiLii*: instamc<ss pf civic rigour have been li.gh.tedi oji. One eitwnjjle may be quoted. A t/rxfis ' .bwygess of Stidijig wa» m 1724 deprived of his rights for 'bwaiking &( i;i,s oath and by walking out oi the .opeii -prigo«_, tf/hpyc, by the way., he Jw-d been lodged thrpugh jtaiiiu'e to meet the fast demands of his ,wasHer fvoman. InexQWEie \m pleaded that '.'he was texriti&d to Lye m ■pii«oin 01 night, twomale fact'^rft liM-ing, 'been illuut day ,if,i.kftn of the tolboCtU |g§ J'

The result of the Local Option poll m the Ashburton district, taken at Miss Bishop's store, Allenton, on February 3, was eight votes against all increases of licenses, and none m favour. We.arp glad to learn that Mrs Harry Friedlamler's very serious illness has taken a turn for the better. A telegram this morning states that she passed a good night. The ballot of the Christchurch members of the Railway Servant's Society on the ques tion of affiliation with the Maritime Council resulted iti a majority m favour of with drawal from connection with that body. On Tuesday, a settler named Dooley found the body of J. H. Hernall, drowned whilst attempting to cross the liunmui a few weeks back. It was discovered 16 miles below where Hernall was drowned. At the fifth quarterly meeting of the Christchurch Working Men's Co-operative Society it was reported that the cash sales for the quarter amounted to £1052. The profit after paying all expenses, was £49. Great interest was taken m the polling on Tuesday for the Ashburton (Suburban) Licensing District, the voting resulting m the returning of Messrs Thomas Scaly, D. Thomas, D. McLean, T. Bullock, and J. \V. Sawle. A meeting of the Stewards of the Tinwald Raring Club was held on Tuesday evening to consider Mr J. Corbett's application for the removal of his disqualification. It was resolved to accede to the request subject to the approval of the Canterbury Jockey Club. A draper named Henry Le Mercier, resid ing m Christchurch died on Tuesday morning from the effects of an overdose of chloral. He had been a sufferer from sleeplessness for a considerable time, and had been m the habit of taking chloral as a'remecly. He was 45 years old and married. Under the auspices of the Christchurcli Pigeon Club, a pigeon race was flown from Ashburton on Saturday last. The station master kindly took charge of the birds, and liberated them at 1 p.m. sharp. The winners turned up m the shape of Mr Jakins' Beautiful Star and Fly Away, which homed at 2.27, making the good velocity of 1041 yds a minute, Mr Jackman's Cathedral and Bimbi were close up, second, with 1028 yds a minute; and Mr Piper's Confusion and Othello were third, with 911 yds. * A private telegram to a relative m Auck land received a few days ago announces the death of the Rev Jabez Bunting Waterhouse, .Sydney. The deceased was well known and highly respected throughout Australia and New Zealand, and for I many years held the office of Missionary Secretary m connection with the Wesleyan Church. He was held m the highest respect by both clergy and laity, and hfs matured and sound judgment always carried great weight m the deliberations of Conference. Mr Waterhouse was brother of Mr Richard Hobbs, of Auckland, and of the Hon Mr Waterhouse, formerly Premier of New Zealand. The Oamaru "Times" states that the potato crop m that district is likely to turn out a great deal better than was anticipated some time ago. The recent showers of rain have brought the tubers along wonderfully, and m places? where at one time the outlook was anything but promising good crops will be gathered. Even the grain crops have derived much benefit from the rain. In stances where arrangements were m progress for eating off an oat and a wheat crop m different parts of the district, the arrange ments fell through, and th.3 crops are now being cut for grain, and the yield is expected to be a payably fair one. All round, the outlook is not quite so bad as made out to be some time ago. On Monday afternoon as a traction engine, with threshing machine and elevator, was passing through the Cust a number of school children climbed on to the elevator, which m a short time was crowded by boys and girls. It had proceeded some distance with them when other children crowded up and pushed a girl, of eight years old, daughter of Mr H. Dmslop, off the elevator. The child fell under the wheel, which passed over her body and loins. Two boys also fell off, one of •whom, son of Mr T. Walker, had his arm crushed m a serious manner, and it was reported that a third child had his toes pinched. Pr VoHcman, of Oxford, attended Mr Dunlop's child, whose case is very serious owini{ to "the internal injuries sustained. Thosp m charge of the engine were occupied with it, and could not prevent the accident. Members of Parliament are returning to their homes, and judging by the appearance of what Artemns Ward would call the " dis intrested patrits" who stepped on the Oamaru railway platform when the express from the north arrived last evening, nearly every one says the North Otago "Times," seemed to be satisfied that there were worse things than serving one's country All adparently had heavy pockets and light hearts. Many of these " patrits " go back to tueir respective districts to study how they can retrench the screw of someone else, and we believe they will evolve some method of how this can be done. Let us hope at the same time they will not hatch some method of increasing their own. We have received a copy of a valuabk work on the '' Destructive Insects of Austra lia," published by Quibell Bros., Newark, England. It is creditable to this enterpris ing firm to supply the want so long and keenly felt by those devoted to fruit growing and agricultural pursuits m these colonies. jßooks on the subject are scarce and dear, but Mei.srs Quibell offer without cost a concise, interesting, and valuable book on insect pests, written m plain language, to be easily understood by anyone, well printed and fully illustrated. We feel this book will have most inportant results, and do very much toward ridding the country oi many pests that make fruit growing now a precarious industry. It treats of all classes of insects, and may be had free from Messrs McLean Bros, and Rigg, Melbourne. A statement has been made that £20,000 was offered to keep the O'Shea ease out of court. Although this statement is incorrect, it is not, says the London correspondent of | the Birmingham "Gazette," without founda tion. What really happened was as follows: —" When the' Times' consented to a verdict for £5000, m Mr ParneU's action, based on the publication of the forged letters, an intimation was made that if the ' Times' could arrange to have the O'Shea case with drawn the damages need not be paid. The answer of the' Times' was thatnot for £20,000 would it attempt such a thing. lam not able to say whether the offer was geniune, or whether it was merely one of the numerous attempts that have been made to drag the [ ' Times ' into the O'Shea case with a view of r&ising the cry of conspiracy to ruin Mr Par- Hell. The pitiful condition of the great hero Boulangor, if we are to believe his own account of it, should touch the heart oi the e'.iaritable His prirate budget which Has been published, shows that his patriotism has left him out of pocket, if not, indeed I penniless. A more economical General never lived. When he gave up the post of Minister of War, by frugal living he had i,aved £2800 against emergencies. But Bou langer as a man of honor, to use his own words, paid his father's debts, which duty left him with £403. Then the trne grandeur of his character was displayed. On this beggarly pittance he undertook to found a jjyijasty, and at one time seemed very near succeeding, Afterwards, of course, contri butions flawed m, b.ufc all '4 these, with his own, have now vanished, and the would-be Napoleon, has to keep himself, his. mqthcr -s»'law, and other relations on nothing..

FIRE BRIGADE.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Ashburton Fire Brigade was held m the Brigade Rooms on Toe-day evening. There whs a full attendance of Members, and Lieut. A. A. Fooks presided. Apologies were read from Mr W. C. Walker, Mr David Thomas, Cr. Jas. Keir, Chairman of'the Borough Council Fire Brigade Committee, as well as from the Mayor, whose presence was prevented by the serious illness of a near relation. The Chairman, m opening the business of the meeting, made a feeling reference to the illness of the Captain, whose ab sence that night necessitated the. chair being filled by another officer. By way of report from the Committee, the Chair man recapitulated the work that had been done during the year. There had been extraordinary circumstances, such as the Captain's illness that had m some degree contributed to a slight disoi'ganisation of drill arrangements, but he trussed that m the year they were just entering more close and careful attention would be paid, both by officers and men, to drill and general management. They possessed the material m the Brigade to make it one of the best fire organisations m the colonies, and to take its proper place m the front rank there was only required earnest and harmonious work on the part of those forming it. As an in stance of what could be clone by the members, he quoted the winning of the 5-men manual competition by the Ashburton team at Wellington m. the splendid time of fifty seconds. That team earned the well-deserved compliments of the chairman of the Wellington meeting, and the examiners, who said they were the most workmanlike firemen who had competed, and but for an unlucky mishap m the big event chat competition would have fallen to the team. All this was simply the result of steady perseverance on the par|, of the men m training and harmonious working together. There were quite an good men left m the Brigade, and he trusted to see them all come to the front m drill. Owing to the generosity of the Mayor, they had been able to send Home for a few valuable works on fire prevention and Fire Brigade matters generally. Those works would form the nucleus of a Brigade Library, and the speaker trusted members would seize the opportunity now offered of improving themselves theoretically as we 11 as prac-: tically, as the works had been carefully chosen with a view to enabling members to work up the theoretical part of a fire men's duty. The Chairman dwelt at some length very earnestly on the absolute necessity of the men being well drilled, and of the officers being able to drill them well and to impart instruction m drill. Detachments had been left too much to their own sweet will as regards drill, and he would like to see the officers m com mand of detachments use more system m their work. After a reference to the new rules that had been recently printed ; to the necessity for working up the hook and ladder work ; to the satisfactory financial position, of the Brigade, as exhibited by the balance sheet ; and to the recently formed Ambulance Association, for which they were so much indebted to Dr Tweed and Dr Leahy, the Chairman concluded by tendering his thanks to the members for help given to himself m the discharge of the extra duties he had recently been called upon to discharge. The balance sheet, which showed a credit balance of £42 8s lid, was sub mitted and adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected: — Captain—A. A. Fooks ; Lieutenants— J. J. C. Quaneand J. Miles ; Secretary— F. Nokes ; Treasurer—T. Undrill ; with Messrs Pauling and Hefford as Committee men. Messrs Quane and Potter were elected Auditors, and the Captain was appointed delegate to represent the Brigade at the annual meeting of the Association m March, to be held at Auck land. CONVIVIAL MEETING. Tho business of the annual meeting over, the members adjourned to the read ing room m which an excellent collation was laid out, catered by Mr W. C. Davis. The Captain presided and on his right hand were Dr Tweed and Councillor Paul, and on his left Lieutenant Miles, Lieutenant Quane, as Senior Lieutenant, occupying the vice chair. The usual toasts were given and honored, after justice had been done to the good things, and toast, song, and sentiment held sway until the iron tongue of Murray's masterpiece gave forth re spectability's solemn summons for separa tion.

The Shipping Dispute in England.

Writing on December 12, the London correspondent of the "New Zealand Herald" says:—"The dispute, between the Shaw, Savill and New Zealand Shipping Companies and the Seamen and Firemen's Union has become acute. The ill-feeling has been actively fostered by Mr Wilson, the secretary of the Union, who has followed a most aggressive policy ever since the foundation of the body he controls. It was his action m endeavour ing to compel all masters and officers of the mercantile marine to join his union, and thus deprive shipowners of the control over their property, that was the main cause of the formation of the Shipping Federation. Now, apparently Nemesis has overtaken Mr Wilson m the person of federation. The dispute commenced about three months ago, when the union demanded that all the labor work connected with the repairs of the hulls, machinery, and boilers of the vessels must be done by the members of the Seamen and Firemen's Union, and not as hitherto by the Amalgamated Protec tion Union of Hammermen, Enginemen, Helpers, and General Laborers' Union. The Seamen's Union thereupon attempted to prevent the ships going to sea by pre venting the shipping of crews. The com pany, with whom was now associated the great firm of Gray, Dawes, and Co., of the British India service, refused to accede to these demands, and g a strike has been m progress ever since. The Seamen's Union have resorted to violence, going very great lengths m their efforts to intimidate the crew of the s.s. Mamari. Their rowdies raided the vessel, and brutally attacked the crew m the presence and without the inter ference of the dock policemen. They were incensed because the owners had engaged the crew on board ship, and not m the shipping office, where the men are intimidated and assaulted. Though the Seamen's Union are very confident it is generally thought they must be beaten. Tho Shipping Federation are rendering most valuable assistance, and chiefly through their aid the New Zealand steamers have been gob off without much delay. The other unions evidently dis like the idea of becoming involved m a great and probably hopeless struggle. The riggers and stevedores and dockers have declined to interfere point blank, and the strike at the present moment scsms to be fizzling out,"

T)r Auguste C'abanes communicated to the French '' Notes and Queries " an interesting article to show that tlie notorious Marat, who was a fashionable physician before h6 became a leader of the Revolution, was the pKfeijrsor of Dr Koch m announcing the curability of consumption. He succeeded m curing the Marchioness of JLaubespirie of that malady, and explained his treatment of the case m the columns of the "'Gazette de Saute." His method was, of course,'entirely different from that of the (j}ermaii savant.

SPORTING.

[ran press association,] Melbourne, February 3. i The following horses have been scratched for the Newmarket Handi cap :—Correze, Highborn, Insignia, and Town Talk. Auckland. February 3. J The racing.mare Cartridge, by Mus ket—Rosalind, has been purchased by by an English visitor named Bedding ton, who intends sending her to Eng land with several others he has pur chased m Australia. Cartridge was | slapped today to Sydney.

MR PARNELL.

(Per San Francisco Mail ab Auckland.) London, January 13. A despatch from Umerick, on January 11th, says :—Fully 20,000 persons as sembled here to-day to greet Mr Parnell, thousands coming from all the adjoining counties. He made a Ions; speech and declared that Mr Gladstone caused the present trouble by his mandatory letter. Referring to Mr Gladstone's denial of the accuracy of his statements regarding the interview at Hawarden, Mr Parnell read a letter he had written to Mr Rhodes, the Premier of Cape Colony, a warm friend of Home Rule, only three months after the interview, making the same assertions. Another important fact yet unrevealed Mr Parnell said he would now publish. Twenty-four hours before issuing his , manifesto he saw Mr McCarthy, to whom he told what he intended to do, and gave ! an outline of the statement he was pre paring to issue as a manifesto. Mr McCarthy, he had reason to kno»v, placed his intentions before Mr Gladstone. (Hisses). Mr McCarthy also communi cated to him Mr Gladstone's observation upon the outline of the manifesto, and there was no reference whatever then made by Mr Gladstone against the mani festo on the ground of a broach of confi dence. (Cries of " Hear, hear.") Touch ing the present position of the land question, Mr Parnell thought the action of the Liberals toward the Land Bill pro posed by the Government showed that the Liberals had not a genuine policy. The leaders of the Liberal party, m order to conciliate the Radical section, had aban doned the idea of peasantry proprietor ship and land purchase, arid m order to conciliate the Whigs refused to entertain proposals for the reduction of rents by means of an amendment of the Land Act of 1881, by conferring upon the future Irish Parliament power to deal with the question. It was therefore perfectly useless for the Liberals to talk about Home Rule at.all, because Home Rule so restricted would be a sham. Whatever might be the motives of the Irish mem bers who opposed him, it was certain that they were not m a position to sit m judgment on him, or pretend to express an opinion of the country. Mr Parnell said he could not forecast the result of the present negotiations without a breach of confidence. He thought, however, Mr O'Brien would not object to his saying that so far the negotiations had resulted m an agreement, and that they fully recognised that the future steps are to be taken by other men, on whom very great: responsibility will rest, if Mr O'Brien and himself were not able fo resume the negotiations with the assured hope of success. (Cheers.) As soon as the future of the Irish question was secured, he would cheerfully retire from the leadership of the Irish party. The future would vindicate him fully. The Dublin "Freeman's Journal" of January 9th publishes a long letter from Miss Anna Parnell, a sister of Mr C. S. Parnell. The paper says that she is one of the most remarkable women of the that she maintained the struggle against coercion m 1881 and 1882, after the Land League had been suppressed and the leaders imprisoned. In the letter she says she has no opinion as to which side is right, but suggests if the Home Rule Association was revived on a national independent basis, it would protect and prevent the interests of the country from suffering through the conflict. She rather sharply scorns the Irish parliamentry members who seceded from her brother. She says that they did not say why Mr Glad stone is judged only by the last six years of his life. What is there to hinder him and the Liberals from repeating after the next election what they did after 1880 ? ''They do not tell us," she says, "why the Conservatives may not give us Home Rule; they do not explain if the Radical hatred is extinct; why brutal Balfour is where he is; why the British party, whether liberal or crnstrvative, always receives a mandate to persecute Ireland ; nor why, when the Liberals are out of office, th«-y are the only body entitled to the respect of the British race."

Industrial Art in France.

(FROM OUR PARIS CORRESPONDENT.)

Owing to the success of the industrial art sections at the Universal Exhibition of 1889, a movement is m progress to organise similar sections, on a very select scale, at the annual salons. It is pointed out that industrial art is more than ever claiming the earnest attention of the Ministry of Public Instruction and other authorities, that leamnd publications on the subject are becoming more numerous and elaborate every year, and that re cently one of these works received a very high award from the institute itself. Moreover, the existing classification of the various arts is purely modern. The master pieces of the Venetian Saxsovius con sisted of ordinary articles, such as locks and keys, and his genius was also shown m the ornamentation of the curb of a well or of the pedestal of a flag-staff. Raffael and Michael Angelo decorated apartments, and the panels of a State carriage at the Austrian Courc were painted by^ Rubens. It has been asked, m fine, why, if useful subjects are already admitted, the orna mentation of furniture and other articles should be excluded from the salon.

A Premature Memorial.

(from our pabis correspondent.)

That a prophet has no honor m his own country lias been amusingly shown m the case of the novelist Elies Berthet. The Municipal Council of Limoges, his native city, recently decided by a unanimous vote co name one of the streets after him, the resolution specifically setting forth that the change was intended to do honor to the memory of the late Eli& Berthet. One may readily judge of the surprise of the Mayor and Council, when they re ceived, a day or two afterwards, a special letter of thanks from the author referred to, assuring them that, although he was born m 1815, he was still m the land of the living, and that he had no desire to take his departure prematurely. The Municipal Council was exceedingly glad to hear of his continued health and pros perity, and resolved that the street should oe re-named all the same, m accordance with its resolution.

Tjik Best for Indigestion— Norton's' 'Camomile Pills are 'cppfidently recommended as a simple' r remedy {or Indigestion^ which is the ciuise of iieaf ly a'U tlie 'diseases to which we are' subjects Norton's Pills, witli justice called ' the 'Natural Streugthener of the Human Stomach," act as a'powerful tonic'and gentle, aperient;,' are mild m their' qper.ation, and safe Under 1 any : circumstances. ' *Sold'"m bottles, at ls'>£d> 2s 9d,' l}s, by all mediqne vendors throukhput the Vo'ld ' '• ■••■"•

The Late Mr Bradlaugh.

Charles Bradlaugh, M. P., w.ts the son of a solicitor's clerk, and was born m the East End of London, September 28th, 1833. He was educated at elementary schools, and afterwards became success ively errand boy, coal d Baler, Sunday school teacher, and freethought lecturer. In 1850 he enlisted m the 7th Dragoon Guards, and served for some time m Ireland. He became orderly room clerk, got his discharge, and m 1353 returned to London, becoming cierk to Mr Rogers, a solicitor. Having become confirmed m secularist views, he beg'm to write and lecture regularly, adopting the pseudonym of'''lconoclast." He wrote abundantly, and m a few years was well known throughout the country for his discussions with the clergy and others on public plat forms. In 1888 ho began his efforts to enter Parliament, and after three times contest ing Northamptonin vain, was returned for that borough m 1880, hia colleague being Mr Labouchei-3. Meantime m 1868-9, he fought a great battle m the Law Courts against the Attorney-General (who was prosecuting the "National Reformer"), which resulted m complete victory for himself. He also took a considerable part during the winter of 1870 m getting up expressions of sympathy for France ; and he travelled m Spain and m America, lecturing m several citibs and being well received- Since entering Parliament his name has been chiefly heard m connec tion with the long, arduous, and unfor tunate struggle with regard to his right to take or dispense with the oath of allegi ance. The details of this painful contro versy are well known. At the general elec tion of 1885 he was returned for North ampton, and was permitted to take the oath. He has since then taken a prominent part m debate, and has signalised himself by •uccessfully moving for the. establishment of a Labor Bureau. He was the leader of the secularists, and, with Mrs Annie Besant, professed what are called Malthusian opinions on the population question. Prosecuted m 1876 for. the publication of an old book by a Dr Knowlton, Mr Bradlaugh and Mrs Besant were sentenced to six months' imprison ment and a £200 fine, but the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction. A testimonial of over £2000, principally subscribed for by members of the House of Commons, to recoup him to some extent for the heavy loss he had sustained m the law courts, was presented to him m 1888. The pressure of overwork and anxiety, aggravated by a sad domestic bereavement, caused a temporary break down of his extraordinary physical powers after the rising of Parliament m 1889.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN

[pee press association.] London, February 2 and 3. Dr Plumptre, Dean of Wells is dead, setat 69. Mr Parnell received an ovation on his journey to Ennis. In the coui'se of a speech he said if Ireland stood fast it would become the sovereign of its own domain, and shortly win a settlement that would be creditable to its patriotism. "The Times" states that Messrs Parnell and O'Brien proceed to America to collect funds m aid of evicted tenants m Ireland; also, that Mr | Dillon will surrender himself t.o the authorities to undergo the six months' imprisonment imposed on him by the Tipperary Bench, on condition that the Irish party choose him as leader next session, Mr Justin Mc- Carthy acting m that position mean while. The "Standard'" declares that the Liberal leaders, with the exception of Sir W. Harcourt, are willing' to agree that an Irish Parliament shall have control of the police and the settle of the land, but insist on the right of the Imperial veto. There is growing a discontent with the system of dock charges which comes into operation to-day. The market is lukewarm over the South Australian loan, and the Banks consider that a minimum of 98 ought to bo sufficient for the proposed Vic torian loan. Intelligence is to. hand that the Venezuelan Government has seized the British barque Lydia Peschan. Mr Goschen, Chancellor of the Ex chequer, declines to introduce the decimal system. Berlin, February 3. The German .South-west African Company, with a capital of one million pounds, has received a charter for the purpose of exploring German territory m South-west Africa. New York. February 3. Miners working at Carbon Hill, Alabama, hare driven out the negroes working there. The latter stubbornly resisted, and m the struggle seventeen of their number were killed. The Supreme Court has decided to hear the Canadian appeal against the seizure of a sealer carrying on its call ing m Behring Sea. Paris, February 3. The Supreme Council, which decided m favor of recognising colonial trading companies, also recommend that they be permitted to employ convicts at the French penal settlements m the Pacific. . Berlin, February 2. The Prussian Government is hesi tating to take over the responsibility of Dr Koch's remedy. Professor Bardenheur treated 100 surgical cases m six weeks without effecting a perfect cure m a single instance. Rome, February 2. Signor Crispi to-day tendered his resignation, which was accepted. Paeis, February 2. The French Press is jubilant at the defeat of Signor Crispi, which is re^ garded as an indication of tlie probable failure of the triple allianqp. Madrid, February S. The elections have resulted m a great victory for the Government. Among the defeated candidates is the f author of the Universal Suffrage Bill, which was passed by Congress m March last almost without opposition, and jj ratified by the Senate two months later. Washington, February 2. Lieutenant Schwatka, who com manded the Franklin search expedition, m 1878, and afterwards explored the Yukon river, m Alaska, has been killed by a fall. Capetown, February 1. R.M.s, Aorangj; spied for New, #ea- Jand via Ho,bart tq-day/

AUSTRALIAN.

ISyhney, February 3. Arrived—Jubilee from W^lli^gton. Melbourne, 3. > The, (government has decided to re ' strict ths tra^smj^on, of fetters. u,ndeA'

the 2-J-d rate to the United Kingdom until after the Postal Congress, which opens at Vienna m May.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, February 3. J { The natives at Samoa have given , taloluas m honor of the Chief Justice. f His Honor's first work on his arrival was  the preparation of the electoral roll for the municipal elections on 80th January. £ In an address to the natives, the Judge j declared that Malietoa was the King, and that no other person would he recognised m that position by the Great Powers-; that the people would soon be asked to , pay taxes, bub they would not be greater ' than were necessary. At a meeting of the Auckland Presby- , tery to-n'ghfc tl c Clerk, the Rev Sommer- , ville, reported that, some time ago a man ( named Warren applied for a charge under the Prerbytery, and had sent m a testi- j monial setting ouf: that he had received' the Degree of D.I), m Centre College of the Presbyterian Church of the United States and had been ordained to the ministry of that Church. He (Mr Sommer ville) wrote to the people and places mentioned arid received replies stating that the credential was not genuine. Warren had asked for the return of his testimonial, saying that he was informed that the matter had been laid before the Presbytery, but that the request for the return of his papers had taken the case out of their hands. The Rev Monro said that Warren had been at Gisborne, and con ducted service m a very acceptable manner apparently. The last heard of him. was at Napier. Those present thanked Mr Sommerville for his action. Messrs Buckland and Sons held their annual sheep fair to-day. There was a good demand, and excellent prices were realised. The highest priced ram was a Lincoln, bred by Mr Martin, and sold to Mr Hood for £9. The ewes, which reached the highest figures, were twenty five Lincolns, bred m the Waikato by Mr Niccol, and sold for 25s 6d each. The number of lots offered was smaller than usual. Michael Tobin, a boy aged thirteen years, recently remanded on a charge of stealing tobacco, was sentenced for that offence to receive twelve strokes of the birch rod, and was fined 48s and costs with an alternative of fourteen days' im prisonment. For a second offence of obtaining two dozen silk handkerchiefs by false pretences he was fined 20s and costs or fourteen day's imprisonment, the sentences to be concurrent. As it was reported that a fight with bare fists between two pugilis-ts was to take place at a building m Durham street, the police •went there yesterday, and clearing the place of a number of people who had assembled, locked the doors. The cargo of the ship Leading Wind is being discharged at the Queen street ietty. Much of the flax coming from the lower forehold is badly burnt and charred. A lot of the flax discharged is charred black on the outside, but when the bales are opened out it is found that the centres of the packages are intact and uni"jur«d by fire. The ship is to be docked after the cargo is discharged. Feilding, February 3. At a meeting of sawmillers yesterday a resolution was passed that it is desirable to approach the Minister of Public Works with a view to inducing him to encourage local industry by using totara timber only for renewing bridges and culverts on the railvray lines, instead of importing Aus tralian timber for that purpose. Wellington, February 3. Captain Sommerville's opinion is un favorable to the Silverstream Range, cwing to the swampy nature of the land and the expense necessary to clear the ground. He expects to find a range nearer town. The Napier meeting of the Association resulted m a loss of about £100. His Excellency the Governor will pro bably leave Wellington on his projected trip overland through the North Island, on the 10th inst. "Lady Onslow will leave a few days later and join Lord Onslow m Auckland. Admiral Lord Charles Scott and Lady Scott are expected to arrive here about the end of the month, and will occupy . Government House during their visit to Wellington. . The City Council's drainage proposals were further discussed at a public meeting of ratepayers this evening, presided over by the Mayor. A resolution was passed that every effort be used to secure suffi cient votes to sanction the loan with with which to carry out the works. Sir Maurice O'Rorke will probably be one of the Commissioners to enquire into the charges m connection with the Auck land Hospital. Dunedin, February 3. Among the passengers by the Mana pouri from Melbourne was Mr Batty, late Mayor of Manchester, who intends yisit ing the West Coast and the Sounds, and then making a tour of the colony. Archbishop Car rand other Austtaliah Catholic dignitaries are at present visiting the Lake District and reach Dunedin on Friday.. /'; ■',■-■'?:, '-•' ■■': ■'■''•'■ Invercabglll. February 3. It appears that the barque Anna Her ( j bertha, which arrived from Adelaide on 5 Sunday, had two cases of scarlet fever, p but notwithstanding, was allowed to berth alongside the wharf. The Mayor of the 1 Bluff telegraphed to the Colonial Secre tary, and he instructed the Invercargill • Collector of Customs to inquire into the i matter, and take action if necessary. A feeling prevails that there has been '& failure of the quarantine regulations.

POLITICAL.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Wellington, February 4v The Minister of Defence is considering the question of the thorough classification of the police. ; SA third member is to be appointed on the* Native Commission. " r^

THE LABOR BILLS.

A deputation consisting of Messrs Fer ceval, Fish, Dawson, and Pinkerton waited on the Premier on Saturday to ascertain the intentions of" the Govern* ment regarding the Labor Bills of last session. These are the Employers' Liability, Factories and Shop Hours, Track, and Mechanics 1 Lien Bills. The Hon, Mr Ballance said he intended to introduce all these measures m the early part of next session, so that they might be referred to a Select fCommit'ee. Fe also stated that he hoped to introduce a Strikes and Conciliation Bill, which he expected to have ready m a month or six weeks' time, when he would forward a copy to all the members ■■of fche Houae, as well as to all the unions. The deputation suggested that it might be well for cue delegate from each of the trades, unions to meet m conference m Wellington to discuss the provisions of this measure ; and that the Government might fairly provide passages for mejcni ,bers of the conference. To which the Premier replied that if the unions made such an application he would, favorably receive its. Mr Perceval drew the attention ot the Premier to the neces ■ sityof a clause being introduced into the ', Factories Bill providing for the inspect ' tion of the accommodation «pon stations for station hands, whioh he had been in formed was very Inadequate. The Pie©-,. mier promised to §o^sidQr the matter,.

Sweetening the Inspector

At th,e Edmonton Comity Court, lately some abusing evidence-vyas given by a perepu $$ | bafencQ of claim for.

repairs to his house which had been ordeied by the Vestry, on (he repose or their sanitary inspector. The inspector was culled as o. witness, and m cross-ex amination he denied i-hat he spent a great deal of time drinking with the defendant. The defendant was called, and, m answer to Mr A very, he said : I Had an interview" ■ with the plaintiff and the sanitary in spector, and we went to a public-house, and stayed there about two hours. Mr Aveiy : On an average how many. glasses of whisky and water did you each have ? Defendant: We had about a dozen each there. Mr Avery: This is a case of drains, your honour. (To witness) Where elso did you go. Defendant : We drove to the police court, and as we got there rather early wo went into a public-house find had about a dozen glases more. Did you give the inspector anything at this interview'l—l gave him a litlle half sovereign for himself. I slipped, it into his hand, and he seemed quite pleased. (Loud laughter.) Cross-examined by Mr Crawford : Do I understand that you had 24 glasses of whisky on one day ?—Yes. Is that usual with you '( —No ; very un usual. I found it necessary to miss every other one. You "sugared" then, m popular lan guage. What is your usual allowance of whisky ?—None at all. Are we to ■ understand that you are a teetotaller I— Very nearly so. (Laughter.) How many public-houses did you go into that day ?—Three. And about how long were you m them ? —Prom twelve o'clock until four or fire o'clock. And this conversation as to the pro bable cost of the work was going on all the time I—Yes.l—Yes. ? Do you swear that you gave the inspec tor 10s ?—Yes ; most decidedly. What for ?—-A dab m the fist for hitti self. (Laughter.) Mr Crawford : Did he ask for it ?— i Defendant: No. I aaid, "Don't put me to much expense," and he said, ' Cer tainly not," end then I said, "Here is half-a-sovereign for yourself." Apart from drinking whisky, what is your usual occupation? (Laughter).—l am a builder. The inspector was recalled, and swore positively that he did not receive 10s from the defendant, and that he did not drink 24 glasses of whisky with him. He ad mitted, however, that he had twq glasses with defendant on the day m question. The Judge, m giving judgment for the plaintiff, said ifc was not right, and it was very unwise for a public official to act as this inspector had done, for he admitted drinking twice with the defendant and taking him for a drive, though it was his duty at the time to prosecute the defen dant for failing to comply with the vestry's requirements. The Inspector : I thank you Honor for your advice. I shall take it deeply into consideration, and never drink with such a man again. [Nothing of this sort ever occurs m New- Zealand.]

THIS MARKETS.

« ■ [PJEH PKBSS ASSOCIATION.}' ■ London, February 2. Cargoes of Australian wheat/ prompt shipment, have been sold at 36s 7M to 375. Silver 46|d. Sydney, February 3. Wheat, chick feed, 3s to 3s 3d, milling 3s 6d. Oats, Is 9d to 2s. Maize, 3s 8d to 3s 9d. Barley, Cape, 2s 3d to 2s Cd. 'Bran, 7d to 7£d ; pollard Bd. Potatoes, £3. Onions, £4. Butter—dairy made, 8d ; separator made, 9d ; factory made, lOd, (Cheese, 3|d to sd. Bacon, machine cured, 4d to 6d ; hand cured, 6d to 7d j New Zealand cured dull, at B^d to 1 9d. Hams, New Zealand, al&o dull at lid. At the wool sales there was vigorous competition, with a good market, and prices were decidedly firm. Good greasy, sorts sold at Did per lb. Good washed fetched to Is, and good average scoured to 3 s 3d. Melbourne, February 3. Wheat, 3s skl; flour, stone made, £7 10s to £8 ; roller made, £8 10b to £9. Oats, Calcutta and Algerian, Is 1 7d to Is lOd ; stout Victorian, 2s 8d to 2s 9d. Bran, Bd. Peas, 2s 7d*o 2s Bd. ' Adelaide, February 3. ~ [ Wheat, 3s 8d to 3s B|d. Business m other lints is quiet, and prices are. unaltered. [Received February 4,10.30 ».hk] London, February 3. Money is advancing owing to continued withdrawal of gold for export. Three, months bills' 2£ per cent.

Mount Somers Road Board.

The monthly meeting c£ the above Board was held on Monday. Present— Messrs Peache (chairmwX Walker, Edseri, and Chapman. The Overseer's report Was read and' considered. Pbund Road.—lfc was re solved to purchase two acres of land oh this road for the purpose-of shingle pits.. Mount Soraers Station Road.—The ovoir seer was instructed to get the stones, broken on this road, Mr Peache agreeing; to pay half the cost. Mr Ohlsen interviewed the Board with respect to the back rent due on reserve let to him, and asked to have it remitted- Resolved to take £1 m settlement of the back rent, and that for the future the rent must be paid on January Ist m advance. Mr Shatplin interviewed the Bowl with respect to the road leading to the sawmill, and asked the Board to shingle about eight chains of the road.—Jiesolved to do the work on condition, that Mr Sharplin pay half the cost,, credit to b©: given tor the work already,- done on the road by Mr Sharplin; and the Overseer was instructed to call for tenders for the work. Correspondence was received from. A shburton County Council stating that tie Council would grant the Road Board Is. per 100 for small birds| eggs ; from Sew" Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company agreeing to sell land f**c a road through R.S. 26799.—Resolved that the Overseer inspect the ground, and the Chairman was instructed to put the matter m hand as soon as possible*; from, the same re alteration to Rate Roll.— Ordered to, be done. ftesolved that the Mount Somers \nce course be handed o\ rer to the Jjffbuni? Somers Sports Committee for a term of five years wifeh power fed ereoj^, fences,, receive rents, etc- Springburn Tramway Reserve.—Re solved that the clerk write to the Ashbur ton County Council and draw their atten tion to the goree growing on this reserve,, as it is a public nuisance ; also' |to Siug-gesb that the Council secure reserve ' 11842 for plantation purposes. :' Mr Chapman reported that he had been requested by Mr McFarlaneand others te» ask whether the Board would allow a. sheep dip to be erected on the Alfor/ t Forest Pound Reserve. - Resolved to ?s k the County Council whether the. Board have power to lease a part of the reserve , for that purpose, ! The pay sheet amounting ta J>24 3s- 3d was passed for payment", and the Board aajouvaea.

Princess Federick Charles, widow •£ tiTie* > Red Prince,, has clandestinely maiatsd t>h> first laorcl of the Bedchamber, Ifcu'on yon- Soekendorff. The marriage was; & morgan atic one, and Emperor \Y&^W> gave a. s** Ulctaut; consent. '

TFF ABHBI7KTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1891



Statutory Declaration.—l, Fi-ana Raabe* Ironbark, "Sandhurst, m the colony of Vie tona, Australia, do solemnly and sincerely declare that on the 25th June, 1877, my son Alfred, six years of age, was accidentally hurt \T't-li »n axe on hi! lmee- lat once to° August 1; im, m /wiiii 011 was ®? m f:r Mftcgillivray- ffl* % WfflfatZW of injured limb hju\ become imperative, m* to save life. At this juncture I called en Messrs Sander and Sons, procuring soiiie ot their Extract of Eucalyptus Globulus, and )?y the application of the same I had top HaVsitwc/ion of seeing my son within a fort jdigHfc o'i "& «X /I'mger, and to-day he is recovered. I may Just that it was when the crisis liad .been i-eachf 4 j*# <*£ Extract referred to was first applied, and I mafcetywfl fnjemn declaration, etc. Fban.z Raabe, iieotwfcd at Sandhurst, m the colony foi Victoria, Au&tf^&i, this seventeenth day of October, qne thousand .eight hundred and seventy-seven, beforb me,JVf6ritzCbhu, J.P., ..-{Adyt.) ;' ■■•••■'-•'• ".IT



MONEY TO LEND. TIyTONEY to Lend at LOW RATES OF INTEREST, on Mortgage of FREE HOLD PROPERTY, m sums of .£IOO to^£sooo For further particulars apply to the Postmaster, Ashburton, or to J. C. PRUDHOE, District Agent. Government Insurance Oftice. Christchurch. WITM.T£ET™ A'lilQJT TCuIH OHRISfOHCRCH DENTAL SURGERY. Corner of Cashel and High streets Q -A^YEii AND £O. SURGEON DENTIST And at Dunedin ,*nd Westport tTTE have gained tin FIRST AWARD W '" the Dunedin Exhibition for Artificial Dentures and Mechanical Appli ances for the Mouth, and it is with the greatest confidence that v:e guarantee the highest class work and perfect fit at the most moderate cos A Single Artificial Tooth, 10s. Comple Set —Upper and Lower temporary and permanent, £1010s. Natural, Durable, Comfortable Artificial Teeth Replaced Temporarily al most immediately after the extraction of decayed teeth or stumps without extra cc or charge. Arrangements can be made for part or monthly payments. ADMINISTERING NITROUS OXIDE 3AS several times daily for the past ten years, we fearlessly assert that extraction of teeth under its influence is perfectly painless and positively safe Fee for Administration, ss. Extraction, 2s Gd. Artificial Teeth and Dentures made by other dentists repaired or remodelled at small cost STOCK-TAKING. REDUCTIONS IN ALL DEPARTMENTS For one Month. NEW ZEALAND CLOTH INI FACTORY Agent for the Wonderful Wertheim (Sewing Mtehinesf W. H. WEBBER Manager



"Wanted CASH Advertisements under this hcadina not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may bo loft at tin? Off""" ' WANTED — Apprentices to the Dressmaking at once.—Apply, Miss Gates, Peter street. 2 17 rPHE Ashburton Cycling Clua will JL hold a run on THURSDAY next at 7 p.m., from the Post Office. 2 14 TOST, a Coat. Finder please return .J to George Cox, Butcher, Have lock street. 2 15 XpNOTT I TZ-NOTT 1 TT^NOTT I JXNOTT I i\.NOTT I XVNOTT 1 Mr J. Knott is coming. 2jl j rpRY the Great Drapery Sale now on X "t H. C. Secieks. 13RESEls Tfs7^All holders of Tickets _L will oblige by bringing them mas soon as possible.- H. C. Segers, Melford House. /POOLING and invigorating Ice Cream Vy as made by H. G. Flower, Con fectioner, East Street. WANTED Known —Some special lines m choice Dress Goods at very low prices showing at " The Corner." WANTED Known^-The " Strong wear " Boot is the best for Mens f jadies and Children.—W. H. Collier. QEGERS' Clearing Sale m all Depart \ O ments now on. One trial solicited. - Melford House. : TTTANTED Known—The Cheapest VV Shop to buy Tinware and Gal vanised Iron goods m Ashburton, is at : W. F. Hannafori/s, Burnett Street. A arge stock kept on hand. Tin and Iron ware goods made and repaired with des atcn. WANTED every man m the County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds.—Robert Alcork, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder'a Buildings. 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 Alcokn, Ashbur ton. TTALENTINES ! VALENTINES ! at V L. F. Andrewhs & Co. Just opened up a Large and Varied Assort ment to suit everybody. Sale of Surplus Stock shortly when Books, Stationery, Fancy Goods, &c, &c, will be offered at GREAT REDUCTIONS. L F. ANDRE WES <fc Co.