The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1891. SELLING THE RAILWAYS.

Tlie question of selling the New Ze t aland Government rail ways has come to a point rat which it will have to be ' considered. The representative of an English syndicate has made a cash offer of £15,000,000 for the rail ways, with a promise to spend another £5,000,000 m extensions of the system within tlie next four years. When the offer was first made to the Government, towards the close of last session, it was scarcely taken seriously, but subsequent proceedings have shown tfiat the offer was made m earnest, and those who have the business m hand are endeavouring to gain the support of the public for their proposal. Pamphlets have been circulated setting forth the advantages which the country Would gain by the sale. Briefly summed up they say that the railways cost the country about £16,000,000 ; the annual interest amounts to £766,000, while the revenue is only '-£412,000,' leaving a loss of £354,000 a year. This loss would b§ at once saved by the sacrifice of £1,000,000 on the cost price of the railways; the general, taxation Would be reduced by the amount of the interest on the £15,000,000 plus the £300,000 or £350,000 annually lost m the working of the railways ; the Government and local bodies would have the additional rateable- property of the jatlvriys, buildings, and so on ; the passenger and flight rates would be reduced; branches would be extended, and the •whole country would go ahead and prosper. It is a very pretty picture ! The syndicate's offer is undoubtedly based on the prospect of a much better return than the net two and a half per cent, which the railways at present produce, and the question arises how they »re going to get the increased revenue without unduly oppressing or restricting the facilities of the public. In considering the question the impor tant point must not be lost sight of that many of our railways have been con structed without the hope of immediate direct profit, but m order to promote settlement and with a view to the future. Ihe advocates of selling ig nore this point. Our railways are im proving m value year by year, and will before long be directly profitable to the country, and yet we are asked to sell tlip'm at a discount. It must also be borne m mind that tlte buyers of the railways would have a monopoly, fl-nd the ke«u competition which has made r«il»'aj travelling fast, cheap and com fortable iri other countries would be absent from tWs, At fii'st sight the flftvr seemed a reuiar|f*Wy g*wd one, but ran looking into the question $)« s&J»Q.f tfcl»e railways is seen to be inexpedient .at present and certain to be unprofit able i» t&te fttfcore.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

* Mr L. Markfcy's mare Novice by Python —The Cripple, has foaliled a bay colt, and Sobriety by Python—Jen d'Esprit, a chest nut filly, both to Johnny Faulkner. The Milton Pottery Works have been floated asa limited liability company. Pro visional directors have been appointed. A hrgo number of shares have been taken up at Milton. At the inquest on the body of Mr J. H. 'Schmidt,'of the lUihvay Hotel, Lyttelton, who committed suicide on _Friday, a verdict of "Suicide while of unsound mind" was returned. An occurrence most uuusual m the annals of European countries has taken place m the duchy of Gotha. On account of the flourish ing state of the finances a bill has been introduced suppressing taxation for three months. • • Mr R. McOwen's imported Irish setter Mautl has whelped ten pups to Carlo (also imported). Three of each sex were kept, and with their parents'will be sent to the Dog .Show at Chvistchuruh next month. The whole of the family are being well cared-for by. Mr John Corbitt, Forks. A' dicicled and effective innovation m the printing world had been introduced (says a London correspondent) by the publication of an evening papsr printed with scented ink. It cannot be said, so far, that the experiment is an unqualified success, be* cause over and above the fragrance of the rose-water there still lingers the vile smell of the ink ; but it i 3 sufficiently successful to demonstrate the feasibility of producing editions de Ivxo which shall make the shelves of a library as odorous as a perfumer's shop. A genius at Muhlenberg, Pa., has com pleted 9, marvellous clock for exhibition at the Fair. Around the dial is a railway track, on which a miniature locomotive makes a round every nVe minutes. It requires a magnifying glass to s-3e the delicate machinery.. The oil cups at the journals are so small that nothing larger than a hair can be inserted. There is a head-light and bell, flag-holders on the pilot, whistle and everything connected with a locomotive. It has a link motion under the engine to reverse it. The weight of the locomotive is ■ l£lb, and it has been IHMneJ "The Gem." When Colonel Boblngersoll wns m Europe last he visited Westminster Abbey for the first time. As he was contemplating the tomb of Nelson, the guide said, " That, sir, his the tomb of the greatest nival 'ero Europe or the whole world ever knew—Lord kelson's. The marble sarcoughogus weighs forty-two tons. Hinside that his a steel receptacle weighing twelve tons, and hinside that is a leaden casket 'ermeticaUy sealed, weighing two tons. Hinside that his a mahogany coffin holding the hashes of the great 'ero." " Well," said the colonel, after thinking a while, "I guess you've got him. If he ever gets out of that, cab!* 1 meat my expense." On Saturday evening a very pleasant gathering was held m the back room of the Orange Hall, m which about fifty of the railway employees m the district, and their friends, sat tfosvn to a supper under the presidency of Mr Stevenson,'stationmaster. The meeting was held to say farewell to Mr Jeremiah Currie, who, for the last twelve or thirteen years, has been ii> charge ot the rolling stock m the station yarJ, and is now on order to remove" to Oxford to assume duty as guard on the branch. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, the health of the guest of tlie evening was pro posed, and Mr Cimib was made the recipient of a handsome French clock m black marble, with bronze pillars, and gilt dial. The cock is a fourteen day timepiece from the stosk of Mr R. Murray, and boars the following inscription engraved on a silver plate:—"N.Z.R. Presented to Mr Jeremiah Currie by his friends and iellow employees on the occasion of his leaving Ashburton. October, 1891." High compliments were paid to Mr Currie as a railway servant, neighbor, and colonist, and many expressions of regret for his removal, tem pered, however, with satisfaction at his pro motion, and good wishes for his future success. Mr Ourrie suitably acknowledged the compliments that had been paid him, and the rest of the evening was spesnt con vivially, among the other toasts proposed and acknowledged being that of Mr Carrie's successor, Mr James Reid, who has been for some years m the yard at Addington. The Ashburton Rifles paraded at the drill shed yesterday morning at ten o'clock for Divine Service. Forty-five man of all ranks mustered, and there were present Major Douglas, Captain Dolman, and Lieu eaants Miiller and Fooks, Captain Dolman being m command of the company. Sergeant-Major Hayes of the South Can terbury Battalion was also on parade. After the usual preliminaries, the company formed the order of nru-ch, and headed by the baud under bandmaster Hoskin, marched to the Primitive Methodist 'Church. The volunteers were accommodated m the body of the Chapel, and a large congregation of the members of the church and the general public filled the building. Several members of the band helped to swell the orchestra which is now an institution of the Primitive Methodist Church m Ashburton, and the strong choir thus aided led the praise very effectively, Mr Smith, the choirmaster, conducting. The hymns were specially chosen for the service. Rev John Cocker preached, selecting by way of text the incident of Samson slaying the lion by the way, and preaching therefrom a sermon on heroism. Rapidly reviewing the heroes who had come to the front m every age, the preacher went on to deal with the true heroism of manhood —the heroism that made a Christian the conqueror of himself, and enabled him to rule his passions and desires. Two of the greatest evils that beset the path of the young were strong drink a:id gambling, .and the giving way by young men to these the preacher strongly inveighed against. The sermon was well delivered, well arranged, and was full of happy illustration and sound common sense advice. After service the men again fill m, marched back to the drill shed, and were dismissed.

The scarcity of meat m Munich is so great that the'police have given orders that no dogs should be s'aughtered for eating pur poses unless pronounced sound by veterinary surgeons. Three butchers were arrested for slaughtering and selling meat of stolen dogs.^ One butcher was sentenced to two months imprisonment for slaughtering thirty stolen mongrels. Mr Whiteford, of Auckland, is issuing a circular to the effeot that he represents an English syndicate, willing to purchase the New Zealand Railways for fifteen millions sterling; arid, further, to under take within three or four years to spend an additional five millions m the construction of new lines to be agreed on with the Government. Mr Whiteford strongly urges the acceptance of the offer Train arrangements for Show Day are advertised. To suit the convenience ot family parties the eleven o'clock train from Ashburton will stop at the Show Ground, carrying passengers ar. 6d per head first-class and 4d second. A train will arrive from Timaru at 11.55 a.m., and a return train for Timaru will leave the Show siding at 5.15 p.m. This will suit passengers who made use of the e'.even o'clock train to go to the Show, and who can return to town by it. This train leaves Aahburton for the South at 5.35 p.m., and is timed accordingly for arrival at the stations along the line, JThe Mount Somers train will leave at 5.45, and will na an hour and twenty minutes later than ordinary time table. In his-fifth.letter to the " Daily Graphic" Lor.l Randolph Churchill gives an account of the Johannesburg gold mines, and of the way m which they have been handicapped m the past by greed, mismanagement, and ignorance. He adds :—" It should be re membered that m addition to all the dim 1 eultities and obstacles which I have described above, and which the goldfields have had to encounter and overcome, must be reckoned the most stupid, selfish, and incompetent Government which ever afflicted a com munity or a country. The Transvaal pos sesses everything which man em desirs for comfort, luxury, and general prosperity; an unequalled climate, a soil of exuberant fertility ; mines of gold, silver, coal, and iron—all of great richness. The Boers m their stubborn and mulish ignorance have resolved, so far as m them lies, that none of this great wealth shall be taken advan tage of ami developed.

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN

:*" [per press association. (Receired October 22, Tl a.m.) GLOBE-TROTTERS' LIBELS. London, October 25. Sir Saul Samuel, speaking at the Australian Students' Club dinner last night, denounced the vile abuse which globe trotters heap on the colonies. He delared that the colonies would never repudiate, and would always regard their obligations as sacred.

RAILWAY REFORM.

The Great Northern Railyway Com pany have abolished second-class carri ages on their lines. • : ■■

DEFECTIVE GUN.

One of the sixty-seven ton guns on board H.M.S. Howe, one of the Channel squadron, has cracked.

A VENERABLE MINISTER.

Rev. Dr. Congregational minister, officiating at the Union Chapel, Conipton Terrace, Islington, and who is now 73 years of age, an nounces his intention of resigning.

CANADA AND AUSTRALIA.

Ottawa, October 25. The Canadian Piicific Company are buikliug three steamers to run between Vancouver and Australia.

OVERDUE STEAMER.

New York, October 24. The overdue colonial liner Spain, as to which considerable anxiety was felt, has arrived safely.

SPORTING.

RICC ARTO N T ~ NOTES.. [PEK PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Chflstohurch, October 26. This morning's work at Riccirton was interesting. Oruchfield registered a useful working gallop of two miles, with Yon Tempsky to assist him in the last part. Regina b'eatEro? once round the plough. Cynisca did a swinging gallop over two rounds, Whisper accompanying her the last mile and a quarter, both going well. Crack.shot, with bandages on, travelled twice round at a strong pace, and pulled up all right. Freedom and Flinders did long striding work, both appearing well. JK'lorrie went very pleasingly in her work with Tassy. Cajolery ran a trial on the plough over a mie and a half ; May, who went to assist him in the first part of the gallop, was left, but Clanranald brought him along the last six furlongs, and very good time was recorded. Crown Jewel, Inez, Ilium, Lord Aston, Erin-go-brsgh, Laly Sock burn, Reflection, Christmas, Freeman, Yatbighan, Captain Abram, Magpie, Kulnine, Merrie England, Ruby, Norton, Lynioora, Heather Bell, and the two year-olds Launceston, Tamar, Captive, Egotism, Wyvern, Wakawatea, and a few others comprised the number of horses working, and most of these did serviceable tasks,

THE MARKETS.

(PBR PRESS ASSOCIATION.) London, October 23, The weekly returns of the Bank of England published to-day show the total reserve to be £13,394,000, being n decrease of £360,000 as compared with the previous week. The proportion of reserve to liabilities is 37 '54, Consols—9sf. The quotation for three months' b'lls m the open market is 2| per cent. .New Zealand Four per Cent. Inscribed Stock, 1011- ; Three and a half per Cent, ditto, 92J. New Zealand long-berried wheat firm at 44s 9d. For off-coasfc cargoes sellers are asking 425, while buyers only offer 4.1s 0.1. South Australian wheat, 45s 6d ; Victorian firmer, a l> 455. Canterbury mutton, 4jd per lb ; Wel tyngjton. 3§d per lb. Beef, hind quarters, 3jd per lb. Demand has improved. New Zealand hen^p, fair quality, is quoted at £20 10s per ton. No. 1 best Scotch iron, f.0.b., m Clyde, 475, London, October 24. Danish butter m quoted ?|t 1403 per cwt. Sir J. B. Lawes, Barb , estimates that the British wheat crops will average thirty bushels to the acre, giving a total yield of 9,000,000 quarters, and that 20,000,000 will be required to be imported. (Received October 26, 11 a.m.) London, October 2S. The English wheat market is firmer, the American steady, while the Conti nental shows a declining tendency.

FARM NOTES.

The Sefcon Mutual Dairy Factory Company have disposed of its output of butter for the season at the satisfaetorj price of 9j^d per lb. Millionaire W. K. Vanderbi'fc is build- _ ing a fowl-houao that will cost altogether £3000. He will lind m the end that fowls will lay no better m a £3000 coop than m a soap-box. The crops all over the United States are exceptionally good ; the wheat hai vest particularly is one of the finest that has ever been gathered m. The maize harvest promises feo be exceptionally good, and the cotton is al^o looking well; but as the harvest m Russia is a failure, and as the crops all over Western Europe are deficient, the demand for wheat f r Western Europe will be exceptionally large this year, and will have to be sup j plied almost -entirely by the : United States. In connection with the question of butter adulteration, it may be mentioned that energetic steps are being taken m Holland to suppress this species of fr^iud. The existing law is not considered sufficiently stringent, and the Amsterdam Chamber of Oommerce has passed a resolution to the effect that the adultera tion of butter intended for the London markets cannot be suppressed by the measures adopted by importers m the latter city, but that steps must be taken to deal severely with oifyriders m the exporting countries. The following list of private owners of large flocks of sheep on April 30 last is compiled from the returns just issued l«y the* Sfock Department:-—R. Campbell, j un,, 205,020, Kxecu'ors W. Robinson, 82,000, G. H. Moore 75,000, Mailockand Lance 64,410, F. and G. F. Uullen 63,243, W. A. low 63,131, J. Clarke 62,140, W. Acton-Adams 58,794, Aim McLean 55,849, ft C. and C. C. Ellis 54,500, E. Mworthy 51,346, C. G, Tripp 49,905, Ross and Glenclining 48,935, J. B. Ac land 47,000, D. and A. MoFarlanc 45,000, ■ Executors M. Studhoime 44,264, Young and Dalgety 43,000, Blackwood, Stronach, and Co. 42,900, At. Holmes 41,000, R. and 0. Turnbull 37,000, W. Laidlaw. 35,300, A. D. Bell 34,150, W. Gerard 32,000, G. M. Bell 31,800, H. Hoare 31,000, H. Hamilton 30,682, Smith and Sons3Q,ooo, John HaP 30,514, 3 0hn Grigg 24 347, John McLean 23,866 Several companies own very large flocks m various p.irtj of the country, the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency being the largest proprietor with 257,050 sheep. Referring tithe oi crep.incy bet wean the return of the number of sheep iv the c ilony as supplied by tliß Stock Depart ment and the number given .by; the census enumerators, it is rather interesting (says the " Wellington Press ") to inquire what had become of those miliion and a half sheep between the sth of April, when the census was taksn, and the 30th of April,, when the shepp inspectors made up the returns. We have no doubt that the figures supplied by the census are the correct ones. If they be, then how is it that they overtop those supplied by the Stock Department so enormously ? Can the sheep-tax, which is paid on the returrs supplied to the Stock Department, have anything to do with the mystery ? Of course, the Inspectors have to depend on the figures supplied to them by the stock owners, and they are not allowed to check them by the census returns, for.the«j;are private and confidential. As the discre pancy of a million and a half m the num ber of sheep involves m sheop-tax a sum amounting to about £1500, the Govern ment should most certiinly sift the matter to the bottom, and discover where the fault lies. If any stock-owner can be con victed of sending m false returns, with a view to escaping taxation, he ought to be made an example of. The establishment '>f some measure of trade reciprocity, including the fres admission of Npw Zealand wools to the American market, has long been Mr Creighton's earnest desire, and from recent advices 'says the " Post ") it w..uld really seem as if be were now within measureable distance of its accomplish ment. It appears that New Zealand's .determination not to joiu the Australian '.Tederatioii is likely to facilitate this. The American, law now permits the Government at Washington to enter inta reciprocity treaties with other countries. Such a treaty, m a more or less complete form,.exists vyith Newfoundland, to the great advantage, it is said of that island, bub there is no reciprocity between the States and Hie Dominion of Canada, owing to the difficulty of dealing with the varied interests of the members of the latter federation. In like manner, American politicians believe that it would be very difficult to establish reciprocal relations with a Commonwealth of Australia, but they see no difficulty m entering into a commercial treaty with New Zealand alone. The San Francisco correspondent of the " New Zealand Herald " goes so far ; indeed, as to assert that Mr Creighton has been successful m interesting Mr Blame, the Secretary of State, and Mr Wharton, die Under secretary, m this project, Subject to the approval of ■ the Senate, the concur * rence of which body on certain points, is not absolutely assured, Mr Blame is stated to be ready to conclude a treaty on the mostadvantageous terms to both countries. With regard tc such articles as fresh fruit, hides, pelts, dressed meat, &c, no difficulty is anticipated m securing free admission, of New Zealand produce to American ports, and apparently a large trade m this way might be done. With respect to wool, there are still some difficulties to bo overcome,

The English agricultural correspondent of the " Witness," writing 03 September 5 >sa y, s —"Splendid crops of wheat and barley, and fair crops of oats and peas, have iieen badly injured by a month of exceptionally wet weather. This is a grievous misfortune to farmers, who were reckoning on a year of fair profits, seeing that the prices of grain have risen, and are likely to rise further. Wheat cutting became common m the early districts about the Bth of August, and most of the crops cut then, and during the rest of the month, were out m the fields until Thursday last, since which <*»y cutting his been general. All the corn his been more qr less injured, as the repeated rains caused discoloration and m many oases sprouting. As for the uncut crops they are m even worse condition, as they have been for the most part beaten down, and soaked repeatedly while m their prostrate condition", while mildew has spread among the wheats, and high winds have caused a creat degj of shedding. Tljere wil} be a stil} greater loss of grain fu handling .jbhe over ripe corn, cutting haying been generally deferred m hope of better T-he is pretty i^ell rotten, and the grain comes out freely when the corn is moved. A month ago I estimated the wheat crop at thirty bushels an acre, but now it must be put at fully two bushels less. How much marketable wheat there will be remains to be seen, bub there will certainly not be anything like twenty-eight bushels an acre. Unless we get a dry period for the rest of Septem ber the year will be a ruinous one to a great number of farmers. Barley, oats, and peas have been injured nearly or quite as badly as wheat. Indeed, the barley is stained as a rule, so that it. will bje un#t for the pale ale brewers, while tfte ptfdg of peas' have' opened, and' the guuteuts hftye qeen shed on fche ground to

a most lamentable extent. Onts have \ sprouted badly, and will require to stand '■ m the fields for a lonjr time to 'lry, or they will heat when stacked. Then the fine potato crop is being .attacked more or loss badly by disease, which is spread ing rapidly. Hops, too, have been in jured by the wet weather, and by the blustering winds as well. In short the farmers' outlook is a most gloomy one. We "have had thrno or four dry days this week, and a good deal of wheat h^s been carted.'-

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION;)

DAMAGED PRODUCE SHIP MENTS.

London, . October 24. It is reported that several London and Liverpool produce merchants have united to proceed against the New Zealand Company Shipping m order to test the position of consignees and the Company with regard to the damaged produce by steamers from the colony, THE N.S.W. LOAN. Sir Saul Samuel, Agent-General for New South Wales, indignantly denies the statement published by the "St. James' Gazette "dn the 17th itist. that the loan recently issued by tlie colony was absorbed by; accommodation bills with local banks, and asserts that not one single shilling was misapplied. He warns the newspapers and maga zines that misrepresentation of colonial affairs is the quickest way to alienate the good feeling,.j3xisting between the Mother Country and the colonies. THE OAMARU HARBOR LOAN. The " Economist" considers the New Zealand Government had better waive some of, its-tights with regard to the Oamaru Harbor Board, and assist m bearing the loss. > ENGLIS H POLITICS. The Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, who has recently been appointed leader of the House of Commons, speaking at Bury,-•■' Lancashire,' declared that the concession of one man one vote at Parliamentary elections involves women's suffrage arid would lead to the reduction of Irish representation m the House of Conimons. The system, he alleged, would also introduce minority representation. He ridiculed the pros pects of the variety programme drasvn up by; Mr Gladstone at the National Liberal Federation, which met recently at Newcastle.

THE DISTRESS IN RUSSIA.

: St. Petersburg, October 21. Frosts m. Russia are increasing the distress among the peasants. The "Novosti" estimates that twenty millions of the Russian peasantry are already,.without, food, and attri butes great corruption to those administering relief. Ssveral thousand women are selling their hair m order to purchase food. Many deaths from starvation, especially children, are re ported. New Yoek, October 24. One hunlhM thousand Americans who petitioned the Czar m favour cf the Jews are subscribing a large amour, t m aid of thef.Russian peasantry, and are also shipping large quantities of food to Russian ports to assist the sufferers. \ MR BLAINE. Mr J. G.'Blaine, Secretary of State of the United States, has returned to New York, apparently m excellent health. THE UNITED STATES AND CHILL . The United States Government have demanded from . the Chilian Govern ment an apology and indemnity for the outrage committed m the streets of Valparaiso on the crew of the United States cruissr Baltimore.

THE CANADIAN SCANDALS.

Ottawa, October 24. Messrs Robert McGreevy and Owen Murphy, members of the Quebec As sembly, have been found guilty of con spiring to defraud the colony of 400,000d015., but have escaped.

RAILWAYS IN AFRICA.

Zanzibar, October 24. Tlie East Africa Company is sur veying a railway route to Uganda, on. the shores of the Victoria -. Nyanza. Sir J. -F. Fowler, the eminent engineer, estimates the cost of construction at £2,000,000 sterling. .

RUSSIA AND AFGHANISTAN.

Bokhara, October 24. The Ameer of Bokhara has consented to Russia collecting Customs duties on the frontier of Afghanistan, and also to a Russian garrison being placed at Dzizak.

THE RUSSIAN LOAN.

Paris, October 2i. The Russian loan is quoted at a discount of 1| percent, and it is now disbelieved that the loan was oversub scribed; ■■"■•■ THE FRENCH IN AFRICA. Information has been received that I the native attack on the French mis sions m Portuguese Guinea, Africa, was not of a serious nature, and that the French claims there have now been admitted. CHAMPAGNE. Messrs Moot and Cbandon, cham pagne growers, of Epernay, have re fused an offer of four millions sterling for their business. j Mr Simon, of Messrs Simon, Kings cott and Co., the London agents of Messrs Moet and Chandon, who visited Australia to report on colonial vine yards, denies the assertion that Aus tralian soil has produced champagne equal to that of Epernay. It is alleged here that had Mr Simon's report been more favorable some houses m Epernay would ere this have acquired Australian vineyards.

A BOMB OUTRAGE.

Ss. pETEitsfiUK£f, October 24. A bomb was thrown into a military train m Bessarabia and the explosion killed ten soldiers and wounded six others.

AUSTRALIAN.

DEFECTIVE AMMUNITION. Mklbodenb, October 24. Tiie Defence Department has re fused to accept the_delivery of 120,000 rounds of ammunition, on the grounds that it is below the standard and has jtiot complied with the conditions of the agreein^nti

OCEAN-GOING STEAMERS.

Recently communications have passed between the various Australian Governments, calling attention to the insufficient sailing appliances carried by ocean-going steamers to provide against accidents to the machinery, and suggesting that joint action should be taken to compel steamers to carry more sail power. The Queensland, South Australian, Tasmaniajo, Vic torian and Fijian Governments are prepared to take concerted action, and the South Australian Government sug gests that steamers should be taken up by the Powers having large maritime interests. It has a^so been suggested that the -Imperial Government should be communicated, with.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, October 25 A discovery of rich gold m the Kapanga mine, Coromandel, is reported. This mine is the property of an Knglbh com pany. I Gisbokne, October 24. .. I John Come, an old man, a blacksmith, was picked up dead m a ditch at Mata wheto this morning,. He was walking home from the show last eveniti" very drunk, and it is, supposed that he lay down, or fell into the ditch, and there died- An inquest will be held this after inoon. '■ ' ■ Hawbka, October 24. The Maoris ai lNormanby, on being told by the police thatif any more plough ing was done they would be locked up, at once said they would not return to their work. New Plymouth, October 24. A law suit is impending between the widow of the late Mr Davis, who was ac cidentally drowned iii the recreation ground lake^ and the Public Trustee, who is managing the estate, Davis dying in testate. Davis' sfcock-in-t i-ade is -he ng advertised to bb sold by auction, and Mrs Davis is advised that if the Public Trustee persists m forcing the sale she will be a great loser, and therefore will seek an injunction from the Supreme Court with damages. Wellington, October 24. The old established business of T; Ken nedy Mac Donald and Co will be converted into a joint stock company, owing to Mr" Mac Donald's position as M.H.R. reader ing it impossible for hii a to undei take Government business, such as sales through the Supreme Courb, etc. A meesing of business people is cm vened to discuss a proposal to be con-, sidered by the Underwriters next thonth of introducing into all fire policies on stock the average clause. Grkymouth, October 25. Josoph Kennedy was killed m a sluicing claim at Upper Blackball, by an immense slip of e-irth and trees. He saw the danger soon enough to warn his mates, who saved themselves. The slip was so vast that they did not know where to lock for their mate. When help came next day, they managed with great labor, to sluice the body out,

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

[VER i'IIEHS ASSOCIATION.]

I,o*t ill tint An oil. Woodvillk, October 26. "K. B. Hoben of the "'Examiner" office, went to the Rualrino Ranges yester day, airl w;ia lost m the bush. Search parties are out. < labor Day. k AVElllsoton, Qcfcober 21. T';o"m" >n at ■Potf>n3 vail vay workshops havd dcci led against a holiday on Demon stration Day. » lie %Vi»irarir|ia -Waorl*. ; Masteuton, October 26. Rev Mr JRouse, who was for many years a Maori missionary, states that the condi tion of the natives m the Wairarapa at the present time is deplorable, and they have less respect for Christianity than they had before the Maori-war.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

AN EXPLANATION.

TO THE EDITOR. Hib,—l notice m your issue of last evening a report of the theft of spurs from-my. property which, as you put ib, would lead anyone to believe that li had been rather severe on the culprit, there fore with your, permission I will briefly state the facts. On Thursday, October. 15, I missed a pair of spurs' from lry shop and although I made inquiries from all around, the lad implicated being in cluded, I cpuld get no trace of them, and on Saturday I saw the Sergeant of Police and he promised to send a man over on Monday. On that day (Monday) whilst I was at my house the spurs were returned to me minus the rollers and J took them to the shop intending to put fresh rollers m, where I found the constable who took possession of them, I might add that I went that evening and saw the Sergeant and wished him to let the matter drop but he m the interest of justice thought that the lad ought to be brought up for admonition. Thanking you m autici pation for inserting this.—laaym y etc. A. J. Norr'ish, Tinwald. October 23,

GENERAL BOOTH.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION ,j Wellington, October 25. The principal reception of General Booth took place last; night, arid was ; witnessed by several thousands of people, General Booth afterwards addressed a crowded meeting m the Opera House, the Mayor presiding. The whole proceedings were marked by the greatest enthusiasm, The General comes fro this colony not to receive money but to give it. After deducting his travelling expenses, the whole of the profits are given to the general fund of the Army m New Zealand.

The Weather.

ALFORD STATION. The following is the Meteorological report for the week ending October 25, 1891 :—

The Bkst Remedy fob Indigestion— Norton's Camomile Pills are confident^ recommended as a simple remedy: for Indigestion, which is the cause of nearly all the diseases to which we are subjects Norton's Pills, with justice called the 'Natural Strengthener of the Human Stomach," act as a powerful tonic andgentle; perient, are mild m their operation, and' safe under any circumstances. Sold m bottles, at Is Ifd, 2a 9d, Us, by all ir.ediciue veadors throughout the world. Teas free f rom! any excess of at&ringency I South British Tea Company's pure blends All storekeepers

LOCAL INDUSTRY.

MR J. R. STEKt'S IRON WORKS

Although Mr Steel is on& of the pioneers of the borough, and his estab lishment, m a general way, is fairly w^H known, recent additions to its capabili ties m the w.iy of labor saving machinery, and increased accommodation have not been noted, so that no apology for a somewhat- extended notice is necessary. For a long time much work was sent to Cliiiotchurch that could very well have been done here and with a view to " keep ing the money m the place," Mr Steel set himself to meet the wants of the district. With Mr Steel's Victorian works, and the others m the borough, there need but little be sent to Christchurch, beyond what the moulder's work is required for, as there is as yet no foundry m the district. Why this should be so 'seem* somewhat enigmatical, as m this large county there ought to be enough castings of one kind or another required to keep the wolf from the door of an iron moulder. In 1876, Mr Steel cam.} from Winslow, where he had for a short time been carry ing on a small shoeing shop, etc., m con junction with the farming of * small piece of land. For some'months-he carried on a forge m Havelock street, and then built a shop m Burnett street. Nine years ago, he saw the advantage of hay ing a site well m view of passengers m East street, and secured a lease from Mr Percy Cox of the Canterbury College; reserve |n West street. On this he built the Victorian Works beginning with a blaeksmich'sshop m brick. "This building is 100 ft long by 25ft wide, and affords space for three forges, besides a large quantity of per manent machinery. The latter may be enumerated to let farmers and others know, what kiud of work can be done m the borough. First may lie noted an iron planing machine, capable of oper ating on iron surfaces up to 2A feet wide. Some excellent work Ins been donti by [ Mr ;.-. Steel's machinists with this tool ; and jusfc beside it is another of scarcely less importance—an iron turning lathe. Both of these are recent additions to the establishment. The lathe is a 14ft. iron, with 9 inch centres, and gap, and for the heavier work that has frequently to be undertaken is found very useful. There is a smaller lathe neir by for lighter iron and brass work, and m the noar vicinity the in dispensable latho for'wood turning.. Than there is a useful drilling machine, and beside it an emery stone for, grinding and polishing. A lire bending machine, whi«h c'ojsits work m a most efficient manner and with a <:reat economy of time, stands beside the tire plate, and as far away from a very large circular saw assnfety of work ins requires. In works of Mr Steel's kind, where much is done m the way of making and repaiiing vehicles, a large extent of wood work has to be under taken, and machinery has therefore to be pvovi led for i his purpose. In addition to the circular saw :md the wood turninglathe men tioned, there is also m this building a wood planing machine, and a screwing machine for putting threads on pipes, bolts, etc., screws being indispensable m all work on vehicles. A recent introduction is a boring machine for cylinders This is a new thing m the district, and will be found a great time saver, as m the past much time was lost m taking cylinders off the engines and bringing them into town to be bored. With this borer the cylin ders naeil not be removed from the engine, and the borer is portable'with ease to any p\rt of the county. A six horse condensing vertical engine, by Rich and Watts, supplies all the motive power required. Adj lining the brick building is another of the .same dimen sions, devoted wholly to carriage building. In one part is what is "called the 'body making room, and here may he seen work m all stages of progress. No le^s than twenty-one different k;nds of timber are kept m st^ck; for the .different kinds of work, and to, pro cure these timbers the plantations of England, and the forests of Europe, America, Australif< and New Zealandhavi all been laid under requisition< Another part of the building lias its space devoted to the work of putting the traps together, while m front of all and facing the street is the show room for th.efinish.ed vehicles. There are at present shown there eight vehicles intended for ; exhibition at the Ashburton Show, one or two m varnish only-to show the workmanship. In rear of the two main buildings is a large timber shed m which many thousand; feet of timber is undergoing ; a seasoningrpro cess, while more is stacked outside. The wheelwright's shop adjoins, and a mazy array of spokes, naves, and felloes As tp be seen there. Two pairs of lorry wheels, made m this shop, are to, be exhibited at the Show, and show^, out ■of paint, so'that any imperfeptions they may have wilL at once appear, and their merits be displayed at the same time.'*' In rear of all is the; paint shop, replete with everything neces sary for the preparation, grinding, and mixing of color. The shop has quite a handsome interior, and to guard against the inroads of dust and damp, the walls are match-lined, canvassed, and papered, while a stove regulates the drynesa of at mosphere for washing purposes, andthe re* mainderiswood. Altogether the works are well. Part of the floor is concreted and graded worth a visit, and we trust the energy enterprise, industry, and perseverance of the proprietor will receive the reward they merit.

American Journalism.

The following notice, pinned on the door of the Sunken Valley " Daily Re cord " Office, Texas, U.S., gives a lively picture of the difficulties attending jour nalism m the Southern States:—The, proprietor of die Sunken Valley " Daily Record " regrets to have to announce to his subscribers that the paper will|not be issued to-day, owing to the sudden decease of the editor, Mi' E. J. L, Coker. Mr Cokei- was sitting m his office yesterday engaged m his editorial duties, when Colonel R. M'Gee suddenly burst into his room, and addressing Mr Coker as ** You piebald dogwallopsr," demanded tc know what he meant by alluding to him (Cojunel M'Gee) as a " whisky-absorb ing, poison-purveying importation from Dublin" m last Friday's "Record." Without giving Mr Coker time to reply, he fired four shots at him from his six-shooter, the last, which struck Mr Coker m the mouth, killing him instantly. Under ordinary circumstances the proprietor woul I have no hesitation In characterising this as a'dastardly and unprovoked out rage on a defenceless man; but as Colonel M'Gee has since called at the " Record " office; r.nd m the handsomest manner possible, offered to " serve any dog-erned paper-spoiler, on the staff m the same way," he feels loth to criticise too harshly the rash act of t),pum evidently laborjngijnder a strong sense of injury. The proprietor has arranged with a'gentleman down $ast (16st 41b), .jjfho will m future undertake the editorship of fche "Record," and who hopes by a moderate but firm uge of the revolver to cement and bind those bonds of mutual respect and esteem which hare so long existed between the " Reoord ' and its subscribers. The charges for announc ing births, mariiages and shootingparties remain as l^retofore.

"Keatinu's Powkek" destroys Bugs Fleas, Moths, Beetles, and all Other'insects, whilst quite harmless to domestic auiirals. In exterminating Beetles the success of this powder, is extraordinary.. It is perfectly clean m application^ See the article you purchase is " KkatlSo's," as imitations are noxious and ineffectual. Sold m This, 6d, }s, a»cj 3s 6d each, by all chemists,

Ashburton A. and P. Association.

THE ENTRIES. lhe entries received by the Secretary this year are the most Numerous of any show yet held by the Association, and overtop last year's by.no less than fifty. We give below the figures for last.year and the present year in parallel columns, so that our readers can nee for themselves where the increases have taken place, and in what classes there has been any falling off. In 1879, the lotal entries were 366 ; last year they reached 060, by gradual but; steady increases year by year from the first show held :—

The Women of India.

There is a lady visiting New Zealand just now who has a very pathetic story to tell, and tells it m a very quiet, simple, and effective manner. S!ih pleads the cause of the women of India, Mrs M. A. Longhurst, one of the Church of Scot land's Zenana missionaries m Madras, and Superintendent of its Ladies' Associa tion for Foreign Missions,. has given uu her holiday to visit Scotland and her friends, m order that she might visit Australia and New Zealand, and enlist the sympathy and help of her fellow country-women. She asks for £5000 to provide a home for native Christian girls, and she has not been asking m vain. Since her arrival m Australia she has held 151 meeting*, and travelled thous ands of Miles. Through collections, subscriptions, find collectinjj-cards, the sum of £1400 has. been received. After two months or less she returns to India, and hopas to have the sum substantially increased m New Zealand. The £5000 is only one-seventh of what is required, but the women, of Scotland will give the other six-sevenths. The following extract from the pen of Dc Emma 13. Ryder, of Bombay, briefly describes the sufferings of many of the women and widows of India:—lf the never-published record of oppression, tyranny, and murder, which goes on con stantly m cold blood m the homes of the Hindus could be spread out to view, we should behold a living inferno such as has never been pictured by th-s imagination of man. In coming to India I expected to fi.id women an i girls that would much resemble those I had seen m other tropi cal countries—healthy, with dark faces and laughing, bright eyes. I can never express the sadness of heart that I experi enced when I met these half-developed women, with their look of hopeless en durance, their skeleton-like arms ana legs, and saw them walking the prescribed number of paces behind their husbands, I expected the litUe girls m India to be the same precocious, strong, fully-je velopod girls that I found m other tropical countries ; and how tjreafc was my astonisKmer.t to behold the little Uwarf like, quartet-developed, beings, and to be told that they, were wives, and-not only serving their lords and masters, but the mothers-in-law, . and often a com munity-family of 10, 12, 14, or 20. Talk of maturity, for these little cjreatures! they can never come to lull maturity, for they were robbed before they were:* born, and so were their ancestors. Jt they amid have proper exercise, with all tho food they need, and above al\.if they could be made happy until they were twenty-five years old, it might not be a sin for them to give birth to an immortal soul. If I could take my readers with me on my round of visits for one week, and let them behold the condition of the little "wive?,; "it, would need no words of mine to send you forth crying into this wilderness of sin. If you could see the suffering faces of the little girls, who are drawn nearly double with contraction*; caused by the brutality of their husdands, and who will never again be able to stand erect; if you could see the paralysed limbs thai will not again niDve m obedience to the will; if you could hear the plaintiff wail of the little sufferers as, their tiny hands clasped, they beg you fco make them die, and then turn and listen to the brutal remarks of the legal Owner with regard to the condition of his pro* perty; do you think it would require long arguments to convince you that there was a deadly wrong somewhere, and that someone was responsible for it? A man "may be a vile Lnd loathsome creature ; he may be blind, a liroatic, a leper, or diseased ma, worse form; he may be 50, 70, or 100 years old,, and he may be married to a baby, or a girl of five or ten wh > positively bathes his presence; but if he claims her she must go, and the English law oompels her to remain m his power, or imprisons her if she refuses." i Mrs Lohghurst says:—"This des cription of the life of the 'little wives' is all true, and I think would be endorsed by every medical and Zenana missionary at .work m that vast land, with its teemiNo population of 285 millions. But there is more to tell. What of the 21 millions of widows, and most of these child widows under the age of 16 % It is true Suttee has been abolished, and widows are no longer allowed to be burned alive with the dead body of their husbands ; but the spirit of the religion that required such a cruel sacrifice still lives and works among the people, and the life cf the widows who are not under Chriotian teaching is a living death. A widow is blamed and abused for the death of her husband. *It is a judgment upon her for some great sin she has committed m a past existence,' they say ; and if she cannot be, burned, then she must be miserably abused; there is no sympathy for her, It is for these we plead, and shall we plead m \*XnV Efforts are being made to induce Mrs Longhurst to give a lecture m Ashburton.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN; MONDAY,, OCTOBER 26, 1891.



Sha

»de. |

High in Sun.

Date.

jHigh

State of Weather

Low.

Monday ... Tnesdaly ... Wednesday Thursday... Friday Sjcitupday ... Sunday ...

35 --44- .--35? 30 --- 3-- s5--36 a-

66 --- 7-- 3-- -5- 7--7-0-69-77. 75*

133 --141' 83 --1- 4-8- -1--i-

Fine, N.E. Rain, S.W. Fine, Calm.

»' ■ »

>> 5! ■

>> >J



1890. Sheep 91 Cattle ... .".. ... ' 41 Horses 237 Figs 18 Implements 87 Dogs 16 Dairy produce 127 N.Z. Manufactures ... • 6 Extra exhibits 14 Horse shoeing 16 Small birds' eggs and heads 7 Totals ... ... (j(JO

1891. 123 44 216 52 116 18 108 3 24 5 1 710



#yslop and C.o.'s v Imperial nwp l <oeylor ami ' Indian ■ Teas are th.9 best m the mfirfeejt, —/Adyt.) Countess 2s, DuQhess 3s 4d, Priftce§a 2g Bd, Empress 3s. These Teas are fr-ee.fr>W wy e^oese of astringency



True economy To purchase Countess eea for two shillings.. Fvm from any ex i T«53 of astringeney Ask for Ninian Hyslop, and Co Imperial new seasons Pure Ceylon and. Indian Teas. Special prices,—(A dvt,) Ninian Hyslop and Co.'s "Imperial' Ceylon and Indian Teas are direct from the Tea, Plantations—fAdvt,) TCE Cream ready at all hours, during -1- the summer 1 months at Flower's. Cough Drops as usual— H. G. Flower, East street. '. rpENDER^ waited fo7 wnfcing Cet^ + pool at Hampsteacl School, Sped, at this Office.' Tenders to be dehvered to the Chairman, Hammtaul School Committee, by TUESDAY, Octo b*r 27, at 7 p.m. iq 16 3 ASH6URTON HOSPITAL BOARD." rpENDERS are invited lor the supply X of Drugs, Meat, Fuel, &c., for the Ashburton Hospital for One Year. Par ticularson view at the.County Council Offices, where Tenders will be received up , to 11 a.m. on TUESDAY, November 3, J Oil. , Lowest or any tender not necessirily accepted. By Order, F. MAINWARING, Clprk. Ashburton, October 20, 1891. 10 }^



Hollo way's Ointment and Pills. ~ Rheumatism and Neuralgia.—Though the former disease remorsely attacks persons of all ages, and the I itter ruthlessly selects its victims fro:n the weak and delicate, the preserving use of these remedies will infallibly curs both complaints. After the affected parts have been diligently fomented with hot brine, and the skin thoroughly dried, Holloway's Ointment must be rubbed m firmly and evenly for a few minutes twice a day, and his Pills taken according to the printed directions wrapped round each box of his medicine. Both Ointment and Pills are accompanied by instructions designed for the public at large, and no invalid, who attentively reads them, can now be any loss how to doctor hitriself successfully. The best medicine is San&ef? and Sons' Eucilpyti Extract, T§s£ its, eminent power ful effects m coughs, colds, influenza, etc.— the relief is instantaneous. Thousands giva the most gratifying testimony. His Majesty the King of Italy and medical syndicates all ©vei' the world are its patrons. Read the official report* that accompany each bottle- We have no occasion to offer rewards m proof of the genuineness of our references. The official reports of Medical clinics and univcr sities.theofficiafcoTOiunieationsof the Consul General for Italy at Melbourne; the diploma awarded by the International Exhibition Amsterdam—all these ate authentic docu ments, and, as such, wot open to doubt. We | add here epitome of one of the various cases treated at the clinic of Schultz, M.U. Pro fessor, eto.-"C. 8., 24 years old; conges tional abscess on the thigh. Incisions made iii two places. Although Lister's dressing I was applied, the secretion became, two days later, very copious, and had adopted a ftetid decomposed character. The temperature rose enormously. In consequence the dressing was removed iwd m its place were made during the day-time repeated irrigations with Eucalypti Extract. The offensive. Jketer dis appeared very soon, the fever "abated within g, few tli^s, fj,jid the patient recovered after I he- lapse of several weeks. In this instance we must not lose sight of the fact that the atter treatment saved the pafcie.u£'s ljfe. --- Advt.) 8" On the benefits of irrigation the farmers $1 Ashburton are not agreed—but all their ' ; w^ves wige that "Warburton's Can't Be Beat I IJuikini/powdei' " fa the best m town—Fast.



■ : Wanted CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be l*»ft at this Office. WANTED," Body~Hand ; good, wages offered for competent worker. Apply Misses Gates, Dressmakers. 10 164 BONS of Temperance ; Meeting To- NioHt (Monday), at Templar Hal. Initiations and other important business. j. Thomas, W.P. 10 165 SALE Now On of Books; Stationery, Fancy Goods, Music, etc. Great Reductions for Cash.—L. F. Andrewes and Co., Stationers' Hall 10 113 WANTED Known.—Bargains m White Muslins and Embroideries, 'also fancy \pron-s at W> H. Collier's, ." The Corner," W"~ ANTED known.—Tailoring de partment. Suits made to order from £2'iO^ Latrge stock of men's and boys' wilts, Ksviapoi, Roslyn, and Mos eiel. Shirts, ties etc.—Andrew Oku. 10 90 "t I 7 ANTED Known.—For stylish Mil- W linery, Costumes, French dress zoodsi Robes, Hosiery and Gtaves-, Sun shades, Umbrellas, French Costume*,, stc,'go to-Andrew Okr's. 10 88 WANTED Known—A special line of Cashmeres, all shade?, now; elliog at Is per yard. White Blankets 5s lid per pair.-^-H. C. Segers, Melford House. "TTTANTtiD Known.—Just opened W special lot of Ladies' Bond street and Tom Tug hats now very scarce. Also a shipment of new Corsets, including wire lock, quillbone, Venus, corded zone V and N ceatus, featherbone and iuvigorator.— Andrew Orb. ._ 10 89 WANTED Known—A Beautiful Line of French Dress Goods, double width. Is 10JW ; original value, 4s. -H. C. Skoers, Melford House. WANTED- Known. -Grand assort nipnt of Boots and Shoes for Ladies, Children, and Men at W. H. CoLLlEß's^TJ^COTnei^___ WANTED Known — Being over stocked m" Corsets, we have re uced every pair. Ladies fnm Is 6d. Cheapest house m town.—H. C. Skgers, Melford House. ________ ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed ; from 50s cash. Robert Alcorv, Ashburton Clothing Mart, S.iunders' Buildings. WANTED KNOWN genune Clearing Sale is going on and the Boots are going out Biist value yet offered, ten per cent for cash, the very best work and repairing done at once at J. M. Moison's lown Hall, _jgast Street. ROSLYN, Mosgiel, Kaiapoi, and Ash burton Tweed Suits made td my order from selected patterns. Long and narrow and short-and wide as well as ordinary sizes from 40s cash. Robert Alcors,.. Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. „________ fro Meet the Times.—l am supplying I Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all dessriptious. Inspection invited. — J. \V. Harolby, Eas street. 6|201 "TtTANTED Known—H. Dudley will W sink Deep Wells and supply Cylinder Pumps and Pipin*, and guaran tee water to surface at 3s 6d per foot.— H. Dudley, Moore Street, 6§54 Tl / ANT BD Known.—l have a large YV stock of Tin and Ironware Goods to select from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m ntock.—J. W. Hardley, Enst . treefc. " W™