The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1891. THE RAILWAY "ZONE" SYSTEM.

It will perhaps bo reinombered by those of our readers who take an in terest m railway management,that we have from time to time drawn atten tion to the proposals of Mr Vaile, and also to the light shed upon the prac tical working of those proposals by the results obtained from the some what similar system which has now been m operation for a year or more on the Hungarian railways. So satis factorily has the " zone " system worked out m Hungary—an enormous reduction m fares having : been pro ductive of a more than counterbalanc ing increase m traffic with the result of much larger nett returns—-that it lias naturally attracted great attention, and has become the subject of newspaper dis cussion m England, America, and Aus tralia. Alluding to the articles which have appeared m. the Sydney and Mel bourne papers, the Auckland " Herald " says the Sydney " Daily Telegraph " has taken up the subject, and has dealt with it several times. Ths Sydney "Morning Herald" and the Melbourne "Age" are also dealing with it. The great success of the Hungarian systeuv has been pointed out, and the question is asked why a. similar system should not be applied to the railways of these colonies? In reply to the argument of want of population it is said that 'there is a set off to this m the fact that m a young and rising community the tendency to locomotion is far greater than m a community which for generations past has been habituated to the uniformity and stillness of a. settled order of things ; and if any difference is shown m result it is more likely to be m favor of the more enter prising community springing to take advantage of the opportunities offered/ This is the language of the Sydney " Morning Herald," and it is an argu ment which has frequently been used here by Mr Vaile An article from the pen of the late secretary of our own Bail way Reform League, published m the "Telegraph, "appears to have attracted a good deal of attention. Mr Whitcombe points out the difference between the Hungarian and the Vaile system, .and m a subsequent article the editor, deal ing with the financial results likely to be obtained from the adoption of Mr. Vaile's system and the Parliamentary inquiry of 1886, remarks :—' Of course the whole matter was shrouded m doubt at that time, and no practical demonstration had been made of the certainty of success. This the Hun garian Government have now .furnished. The splendid results of the fLrst actual trial of the new principle will certainly secure for ie the respectful conside ration of those who regard every pro posed innovation with a shrug of the shoulders. There may be some reason why the system, or some adaptation of it, would not work as well m New South Wales as elsewhere, but it does not lie upon the surface.'" And, Aye may add to this that we see no reason why the system should not not work out equally well m New ZeaJand and should certainly be pleased to see a trial given to it; and, we camiot help thinking that it is a pity that Mr Vaile is not himself a member of the Legislature so as to be sible to advocate his views m his place m Parliament.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

It is the invariable, custom of Mr Wardell, R.M., of Napier, to intlict a tine of 20s as the minimum penalty for Sunday drunkenness. "Sandy, I hear that you voted on the Conservative fide last election. "Aye man, I did that. Ye see, I had my quid claes on." The newspaper bill of the late Duke of Portland amounted to £1300 a year. And he paid it. He was a good man; would there were more like him ! In Mr Bullock's property sale report, m Friday's " Guardian," the price of part of U.S. 29674, Alford Forest Survey District, was misprinted £8 5s per acre instead of £3 5s per acre. The Kakanui fund will benefit to the extent of about £70 by the Relief Stakes, on the first day of the D. J. C. races, but a much handsomer sum would have been realised if the event had been run off before the great majority of the people had left the course. Mr Frank Walcot, had a characteristic Ashburton 'lay for his visit to the town. The wind and dust made out-door work very un pUasant, but the business done must have been ample compensation, for he was kept busy all day and evening selling his wonder ful sharpeners. A good start.—Merrill: " Hew is the new university m yourcity coming on ?" Woolley: " Oh, splendidly. The cricket and football grounds are laid out, the bath house built, and we've secured seven athletic instructors. aWe're going to hire a man to teach Latin nd history and all that, and I expect we'll o pen with a large class next year." " Mamma," asked a little girl the other day, " if I get married, will I have a husband like pa?" "Yea, my dear," replied the mo ther, wrth a smile," " And if I don't get mar ried will I have to be an old maid like Aunt Kate?" "Yes." After a pause, the little one said, " Mamma, it's a tough world for us women, isn't it?" At a meeting of the Edinburgh Town Council, held on December 16, it was unani mously agreed, without discussion, to remove Mr Parnell's name from the burgess roll of the city. This was done m accordance with a recommendation from the Lord Provost's Committee, which also expressed regret that the name had been placed on the roll. It is estimated that by the tise of the latest calculating machine, one of which has been imported into Victoria, by Mr Hayter, the Government statist, the entire population of the world, if scheduled, could be counted at the United States Census office m 200 day*. At that office for the last United States oen : sus some 4000 employees were engaged tabu : lading the results and executing other operations. In six weeks 64',000,(KX) people were counted twice. oye.r, A sketch of the average political life fif men who represent the land of the Maori and the moa m the halls of legislation at Welling: ton, was given by Mr W. P. Reeves, Minis ter of Education, at Wanganui the other night. During his remarks he said that a man going into the House and not expecting tQ9 niuoU was agreeably surprised j \t was m m his own ca&j. Al^'ono who' pad the newspapers cjoum forjp an idea of the average, legislator, with his carpet bag, his axe and liis little grindstone. He had never seen a mjiu who had made money by politics m jfajp Zoa}aml j jiidood, lc;o.k.injs at the yjsry old men, squwliov their pi^et'ty inadg thqi}) an object of ridicule, jfo greater hqnor could befall a politician then that he retired poorer then when he entered the Hqus^. The life of i>he average politician duping'the sittings of Parliament was also sketched. f:l}CrU the sittings were ej](l<*4 what were the, ,tliank3-:> 'The avoiuigc politician u«uaf}y gofc • kicked! ou/. to yiake room for a ii^w #}&# ) ■ and .yet jt is wondered at that a"l the brightest jntaltyots <lo not crowd iutol>rh"a»

Mr S. Brown, Wakanui, was returned as \ tlio purchaser of a bay yearling colt by Gor- / ton—Mountain I^W at 41 guineas at the j sale of Hon G. McLean's yearlings at Dime- j dm la'sl weak. | An English correspondent tells of a London j s mtary inspector who,-in answer to a ques tiou, said:—"Yes,- the overcrowding amongst the very poor people m ■■London ia considerable. For instance, I was called to a house m the poorest part of Westminister, eacli room of which was let out to different tfiicuila. In one apartment, and that by no me ins large, live families were living, one m ench corner of the room, and one m the middle. They agreed well enough until the party m the middle wanted to take m lodgers i a iid'that led to a row, and my attention being called to the case I promptly cleared the lot out." The anniversary of the Primitive Methodist Sunday School was celebrated on Sunday by special services held m the otldfelloW3''Hall, and conducted by the Rev J. H, Grayi' The congregations at the morning and evening services were large, and listened attentively to the eioqusnt addresses delivered by the preacher. The service oi song was also of a special character at both diets of worship, and the strong choir under Mr Smith was great'y aided by a small but efficient orchestra made up of ,Mr and Miss Sim monds, Mr and Mastfet? Broadley, Messrs Craighetul, Doyle, Leitch, and Addis, with Mrs Davis at the organ. In the afternoon the children's service was held, when Sjthe choir of children sang a number of hymns, also with orchestral aid, aiid several recitations were given by scholars. To be present at the afternoon and evening services many friends had come long distances, and helped materially to swell the congregations. The Anniversary Tea Meeting will beheld m the Church to-mor row evening, and the public meeting m the Oddfellows' Hall afterwards. "What makes you so thoughtful to-night, Willie 1" asked Nellie. " Well" said Willie, as he threw his eyes up at the ceiling and took a firmer hold of her slender wrist, "I was thinking that if your mother were to be come niy mothei -in-law I would like it very much." "You would?" "Indeed I would." "Then, if it affords you any satisfaction I i can inform you that I am quite willing that she should and she is quite willing to act m that capacity m a quiet and unostentatious manner." And thus, under the silent stars, the arrangements were concluded by which two lives, hitherto running apart, are to be blended into one, and a youth, hitherto his own master, is to stoop under the yoke of a mother-in-law. The Wellington c' Post" observes that 'we shall never have a really satisfactory system of education m the colony until the inspectors are officers of the Education Department, without responsibility to any local authority, and subject to frequent removals from one district to another. It would almost seem to follow naturally on such a change that the teachers of the colony should be recognised as one body, that promotion should run through the whole service, and that uniformity m the use of school books m the several standards should be established from one end of New Zealand to the other. The substantial benefits which would accrue from chsinges of this character would do a good deal more than atone for any disadvantages which might arise from the sacrifice of a certain amount of local administrative control by the Education Boards. The subject is a most important one, and well worth early Ministerial attention." " A Tramp, Esq.," thus writes :—" It has often occurred to me that the Conservaties missed a splendid opportunity of discomfiting the Redicals, or, to use the. old Disraeliau phrase, to ' dish the Whigs,' by not purchas ing the landed properties included m the cflobo assets m the Bank of New Zealand. It would, I think, have been an honest way ci assisting the bank and preventing a national calamity, and at the time legiti mately recovering for the State a large slice of the people's land at a very cheap rate. The new power may burst up the big estates m any way they choose, short of confiscation —and the Radical is not yet m New Zealand who is prepared to proceed to that extremity —but it can never acquire them cheaper than at the valuation Mr David Ilean put. upon the bank's territorial possessions. We would have had more value for our money by tiie purchase of Maori Lands under the present system. But 'it is no vise crying over spilt milk,' the opportunity has been missed : such a eonp was worthy of a Beacons field, a, Yogel, or a Grey. The Atkinson Government never had a s>6ul above billets." There was on view m the Arcade on Satur day a new swamp plough, made by Messrs Reid and Grey, to the order of Mr Hight, Newlaiuls, who has leased a piece of swamp reserve on the South side of the river. The plough is large and strong, standing about six inches higher m the frame than the ordinary implement, and has upon it a lever attachment, superseding the stilts common to ths single furrow. The share is about, thirty inches long, with a slope upon it of 45 degrees, the mould board behind being of great height and length backwards, while the coulter is of course correspondingly deep. An eighteen inch furrow is deemed sufficient for good, speedy, and efficient work, but a twenty-four inch furrow is possible to be turned with this plough. The season has been specially favourable for sw&mp plough ing, and very probably a large area of swamp land will this year go under cultivation. The price of the plough is about £14. The plough, was specially designed by Mr Taylor, the local manager for Messrs Reid and Grey, a year ago, for work m some swamp land that Mr B. G. Wright was breaking up, '< at | Windermere, and it proved so well adapted to the work that the firm have several orders m hand, and it promises to be greatly used for swamp ploughing. The monthly meeting of the Ashburton Political Association was held m the Orauge Hall on Saturday evening. There was a large attendance of members. Mr J. Keir president, occupied the chair. A letter was received from the Hon J. Ballance thanking the Association for their hearty good wishes and congratulations on the Liberal party's accession to power. It was resolved that during the winter months fortnightly meet ings be held for the purpose of reading essajs, holding debates, etc., on political and social subjects. The opening meeiing will be held on March 14th, when Mr William Leggatt will read a paper on some of the)" Social Problems of the Day." A small committee was appointed to draw up a code of rules for the guidance of members during debates. A discussion ensued as to whether it would be advisable to have the meetings open to non-members, but as the fee for membership is only Is, it was thought best to confine them to members, but any member to have the right to bring a friend.

Hours of Work.

Ono of the most interesting papers on social questions m recent Home magazines is one on "' Working Hours and Working Men"— -an address delivered by Dr B. W. Richardson to working men at Brighton. The sum and substance of his message, as a physician and sanitarian, are that for health's sake and life's sake, for the health and life of the nation as well as of the individual parts of it, the shoulders of labor require a "Teal deal of lightening ; and this is the way m which he proposes it should be done :— Dr Richardson's first demand is for early closing m shops. He ask.s : —"Why should shopkeepers be forged by all classes—rich, middle, and poor folk alike - to keep their places of business open for more than ei:;ht hours a day 1 Who is benetitted by the notion which every tradesman seems to have thab it is his duty to beat every other tradesman of his sort m the plan of keeping his shop open to the public to the last possible moment, and beginning again at t.ho first possible moment 1 The man does not like it. Those employed by him di.es not like it. It is fhe outside public who demand it, and will have it. . . . The old curfew bell that made everybody shut up at one fixed hour was a good bell for many rea sons, no reason more than that it carried with it the sound of health. We want a new and still earlier bell m these times ; not one rung by legal order, but by good feeling, good sense, and common humanity —a bell that should not sound to the ear, but should ring m every heart." Dr Richardson is not a Sabbatarian. But he says:—"l pray you let no one mislead you m the attetnpt to sacrifice the day m which you shall $jdo no manner of work. Our wise and dise|rning frieads, the Jew.3, have given uS this advice, and have acted up to it. They have kept their own day of rest rigidly, perhaps too rigidly—as, for instance m the ca«o if a Jewish neighbor? of mine; who, having folded up a newspaper the evening before her Sabbath, brought it to our garden wall on her day of rest that I might ad dresa it and post it, But there is not a shadow of doubt that to the Jews as a people the seventh day has deen a day of j life, and through the agea a mainstay m, I their chequered and often unhappy career. Let us keep it also as a day of happy, healthy rest." i In Dr Richardson's opinion eight hours is the right limit for a day's work :— " Taking ie all m all, we may keep our minds on eight hours as a fair time for work. We may consider justly that a person who workshard andconscientiously for eight hours has little to be ashamed of, and that, for health's sake, he has done what is near to the right thing. If he take an hour to go to and from work, two hours for meals, three hours for i*ead ing or recreation, and one hour for rising and going to bed, including m this the daily bath which is so essential to health, he is m good form for good health. For mental work he thinks six hours a day is the maximum average. In all cases where there is heavy mental and physical strain, as m the case of engine-drivers, etc., eight hours is the extreme limit of labor compatible with healthy life. The work done by the heart is equivalent to 122 foot-tons of energy. No one should do more than twice that amount of work. But m some work this amount is increased over a third. In the work of the dock laborer ifc runs up to 315 foot tons ; m the pile-driver and pavior to 350 j and m a few others to 370. Here the eight hours rule, at least, is absolute for health. We could not put such a strain on an engine that was not made to bear it without breaking the engine down ; and we cannot put it on a man without the same result." . Bank hohdayr, Dr Richardson says, ai'e good, but they do not go far enough :— "The change that seems to me to be necessary is to give to the working people Hie san.e opportunities for rational holidays as belong to others who consider themselves more favored. Let them have their holiday, not at a fixed time for the whole m a body ; but for each one and each family, at convenient times ; not for a day or two, to the injury of trade and general inconvenience, but for a week or a fortnight, or longer still, for purposes of health and recreation. This would be a holiday m earnest, and I speak from direct practical knowledge m saying that no plan is more easily carried out."

THE MARKETS.

[per press association.]

Loxdok, February 28. The weekly returns of the Bank of England, published to-day, show the reserve to be £16,148,000, being an increase of £528,000 as compared with the previous veek. The proportion of reserve.to the current liabilities of the Bank is 39| per cent. Consols, 96f. Three months' bills are discounted at 2J per cent. ; New Zealand Four per Cent, inscribed stock, 107|; 3£ per cent, do, 97 h Wheat—New Zealand long-berried is firm at 39s 6d ; for cargoes on passage sellers ask 37s 9d, but buyers offer 37s 3d. Flour, patent, 24s 6d. Colonial oats, common average, 22s 6d. Peas, average, 37s 6d. Frozen mutton, Canterbury, 4fd per lb ; Wellington, 4 7-16 d per lb. Canter bury lamb, 7d per lb ; stocks are low. Frozen beef, fore-quarters, 3|d ; hihd: i quarters, 4id. New Zealand hemp, fair average, £24 per ton ; Wellington, inferior average, £21 15s per ton. The total number of bales of wool catalogued to date is 328,000, and of these 10,000 is held over, The number sold for export was 200,000. The total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 2,144,000 quarters, and for the Continent 924,000 quarters. A shipment of dried bananas from Port Douglas, Queensland, has arrived m excellent condition, and suitable for trade, The consignment is being retailed at 6d per lb, (Received March 2, 11.30 a.m.) * London, March 2. Tallow, medium muttom, 26s ; beef, 245. Galvanised iron, "orb" brand, £17 10s.

The Few Zealand Farmers' Go-'.opera tive Association report haying received the following cable dated London, 27,t1i February :— The; present value of mutton is 3g 2jd per stone and lamb 4s 8d S|oc,lq^ ar^. very light.

SPORTING.

PAKURANGA HUNT CLUB RACES.

(per press Assftq^Tiosf.)

Auckland, March- 1; At the Pakaranga Hunt Club's annual ra.ee meeting held at Ellerslie on day, the Hunt Club Cup, o^e mile, and a quarter, was wp# by AnkJope, Bpt 41b, Belmo#, f«*4}b, second, an,d Patchwork. 7*& aib, thircV Three others also ran. Time, 2min 15secs. Dividend, £4 17s. The Steeplechase, which was wo;^ by Begorrah by about a mile a ha^ X w«s one I of the worst ever, s.fte^a^ KUerslie, the four hor^ea Ayhioh started baulking ra pp.^tedfy,

DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB.

autumn wmmto.

Dunems, February 28. The atlwudanctj was scarcely up to the

usual Saturday standard of these meetings, ' though it was largo. A sum of £11,697 went through the totalisator, making ' £35,847 for" the three days. . Mr L. Maclean started to-day. Results :— Hopeful Stakes Handicap, of 150^1 soys ; six furlongs.- Cnrronade, 6st 1211), :4 1 ; Huguenot, Sh, 2 ; Lady Mab, 6*fc 71b, | 3. Six otliors started. Won by a lensth. Time-lrnih. 17sec. Dividends—£9 6s and £8 Bs. : Fokbtjry Handicap, of 300 soys ; 1| miles. — Fiesole, 6.st 71b, 1 ; Prime Warden, Sot lib, 2 ; Occident, Bst 71b, 3. Hilda «st 41b, Cruchrfiold 7st 61b, Pulliser j fist 321 b, and Wayland fist, al^o ran. Prime \V 7ardcn, Occident, and Hiida were nearly equal favorites. A splendid race saw Fiesole win under the whip by two lengths ; Prime Warden and Occident nearly a dead heat for ' second place, /rime —2min 13sec. Dividends—£l4 8s 6d and £15 6s. Maiishall Memorial Stakes, of 250 hoys ; six furlongs.—Clanranald, 6st 71b, 1 ; Reprisal, ?Bsc 121 b, 2; Pique, Bat 41b, 3. Florrie 7st 41b, nlso ran. Won by two lenths. Time—lmin 17sec. Divi dends—£3 16s 6d and £4 4s. Fx,ylno Stakes, of 100 soy« ; One mile. •—Breadalbane, 7st 61b, 1 ; Lady Mab, 6sfc, 2; Quadrant, 7st 101 b3. Six others ran. Won by half a length, Quadrant the same distance behind Lady Mab, the rest all close up. Time —lmin 4.7 sec. Dividend —£2 16s6d. Maiden Two-Year-Old Handicap, of 100 soys ; five furlongs.—Conjurer, Bst 31b, 1 ; Ranee JSuna, Bst 51b, 2 ; Tom Field, Bst, 3. CEnone. 6st 51b, also ran. Won comfortably. Time—-lmin ssec. Dividend-£2 9k. Scukky Stakes, of 20 soys; four fur longs.—Old Judge, 1. Dividend ~£ 12 12s 6d and £18 6d. Consolation Handicap, of 100 soys ; one mile.—Ruby Bst 101 b, 1; Miss George, 7st 21b, 2; Inez, Bsfc 31b, 3. Six others ran. Wen by a neck. Time - lmin 46sec. Dividends—£4 10s and £3 9s 6d.

V.R.C. AUTUMN MEETING.

Melbourne. February 28. ■Thetallowing are the results :— Hopeful Stakes, of 5 soys each, with 350 soys added; five furlongslr—Albe marle 1, Belgiorno 2, Astor 3.; Five others started. Won easily by a length and a half. Time—lmin 4f sec. St. Leger Stakes, of 25 soys each with 500 soys added ; one mile and three quarters and 132 yards.-- Gibraltar 1, The Admiral 2, P^nuc 3. Other starters were —King William, Correze, Norbert, and Gatling. Betting—s to 4 on The Admiral, 3to 1 against Correze, 10 to 1 Gibraltar. Gibraltar wan after a desperate finish by half a head ; five lengths separat ing second and third. Time—3min 19|-s«c. Newmarket Handicap, of 20 soys pach with 1000 soys added ; six furlongs.— Bungebah 1, Matador 2, Deerswood 3. [ Thirty-five started. Won comfortably by five lengths. A good race for the other places. Time—lmin 16£ sec ; (private watches) Imin 15|sec. The betting was 100 to 40 agsc Bunge bah, 100 to 8 Fernando and Matador, 100 to 7 Merriment and Pygmalion, 100 to 5 Churchill, Wild Rose, Prattler, Conceit, Bendigo and Investigator, 100 to 4 Utter and Gladstone, 100 to 3 Deerswood, Ginger, Teksum, Gold Reef, and Radoo, 100 to 2 theothers. Ascot Vale Stakes, of 20 soys each with 650 soys added for 2-year-olds; six furlongs.—Penance, (14lb penalty) 1; Stromboli, 2; Sadim, 3; four other starters. Betting—s to 4 against Strom boldi, 4 to 1 Sadim, 10 to 1 Penance. Won easily by 2 lengths. Time—lmin 18£ sec. JObsendon Stakes of 10 soys each, with 500 soys added, weight for age ; 1 mile 2| furlongs. Carbine, 1 j Megaphone, 2; Granite, 3. These were the only starters, and there was no betting on the race. Carbine won after a semblance of a race with Megaphone, by thres-quarters of a length ; Gianite being 150 yards away, third. Time 2min 18sec. Brunswick Stakes of 5 soys each, with 350 soys added ; 1 mile 2^ furlongs.— Highborn, Bsfc 41b, 1; Wilga" 7at ;4tb, 2 ; Havilah, 6sb 121 b, 3. Betting—s to 2 against The Spot, 4to 1 Highborn. Won easily by two lengths. Time—2min Melbourne, March 1. At Flemington this morning Vengeance put m a good gallop over a mile and a half. Walter Hickenbotham, the trainer for the Hon. D. S. Wallace, states m his opinion the Australian Cup, run on Tues day, lies between Megaphone and High born. Power, the well-known jockey, is reducing his weight m order to ride Enuc m the raoe. Mr Busby, the owner of Bungebah, < won a very large stake over the gelding's victory m the Newmarket Handicap, and expresses his intention of withdrawing him from the turf and utilising him as a lady's hack.

(Received March 2, 12.40 p.m.) Melbourne, March 2. Ab Flemihg'ton this morning Correze went a good gallop once round the tan m lmin 49|secs, Crown Jewel doing similar work. Jebusite strode over a mile on the sand track m lmin 29secs. Carbine and Megaphone pub m a rattling gallop over a mile and a half m 2min 49secs,- the latter sticking to the champion like a limpet. Gibraltar, with Wimbrel as companion, spurted ever six furlongs m lmin 22jsecs. Enuc moved extremely well m a mile and three furlongs, gallop, the last four fur longs of which he ran m 53secs. Grey Gown will be scratched for the Australian Cup to-day. . . Megaphone is favorite for the principal event to-morrow, 9 to 2 being now the best offer against Mr Wallace's colt. Gibraltar is receiving support, at'S to 1, 1400 to 200 having been accepted. About IJnuc and Crown Jewel 100 to 15 is now the best ofler against each of them. Highborn is quoted at 7 to 1.

The Weather.

ALFORD STATION. ; The following is the Metewjfegicji 1 report for the week ending hi March, 1891:— -

Raiijfall during February—Alforcl Forest, 6-8S ; AlfawJ .Station, 4-40. j

TELEGRAPHIC

HOME AN FOREIGN.

|Vsa PBjBSS ASSOCIATION..]

London, 28. i " Westgarth's j^oAis&ty Circular," m \ an article on, cpdcj.y'al borrowing, states; that trouble is certain to arise if; it is It adds that influential oity men insist that the colonjot* in,i)Bjb abstain from constant cleia^nds irj. the London market, a^ci considers if-' New Zealand ca^n manage without borrow, \r^> others, o»g.hjb also, to. be ob\uiodu so.;' : ■ ; Sax Fra^b,;,^ Iliebruary 28. Information, i.ifis Ijpcu received, fron*. Honohiiu, to the, eftect that the Hawaiian Ministry refuse to resign

office, and the Queen tiie»-efore fofusfti to name her successor, and will appeal to the Court to expel the Government. Trouble is feared, as the Queen, wishes Mr Wilson, a personal friend, to be appointed Premier.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, February 28. At the assessment court the Harbour Board objected to the assessment of thu Auckland Graving Dock ;ib £2900 per annum. After argument by council had proceeded some .time ib was agreed to postpone the. mat bur to permit a Con ference between tho city counc'l and the Harbor Board with a view to arrivwat an amicable arrangement. A Tourist, named Alfred R. Brenner, who arrived by the Mariposa last night was arrested to-day on information from Sydney, charged with obtaining £100 by false pretences from John Barker. There is another similar charge againpt him. JSapikii. February 28. Messrs Baker and Tabutcau report the sale of the Royston Estate, near West Clive, at £27 10s per acre. It was for merly the property of Mr P. Sutton, ex-M.H.R. Wellington, February 28. A man named George Clifford died at Masterbon yesterday from injuries sus tained whilst bush falling at Upper Taneru. The Government has no intention of using the electric calculator m-connection with the census of this colony. Westport, February 28. The coal export for the week ended to night was 4890 tons. Greymouth, February 28. The export of coal products for the week was 3529 tons.

THE Postal Conference

[per press association.] Sydney, February 28. At the Postal Conference to-day the discussion on the Eastern Extension Cable Agreement was resumed, wheii the Hon. S. Bird, Colonial Treasurer of Tasmania, accused the Governments of New Zealand and Queensland of selfishness m not joining with the other colonies m paying the cost of obtaining a reduction m the cable tariff. The Hon. T. Untnack, Postmaster- General of Queensland, m reply, stated that for the last fifteen or sixteen years the Queensland Government had always insisted on having a distinct service from the Eastern Extension Cable Company, feeling as they did that it would be dangerous to depend on one Company. The question of finance had riot been taken into con sideration, and if his Government now joined it would be breaking the prin ciple which they had held all along.

Canada and the States.

[per press association.] Ottawa, February 28. Mr Winmnn, one of the leaders of the Liberal party, has obtained written pledges from over seventy members o£ the American House of Representa tives m support. of Mr R. H. Hitt's motion m Congress for reciprocity be tween. Canada and the United States. The Liberals are using the pledges for electioneering purposes. Washington, February 28. An inspired article m the " Post/ a democratic paper, this morning, de clares that America regards the issue of the elections m Canada with sheer indifference, beyond expressing sym pathy with the Liberals, and. states, that the political union of the two* countries must wait.

France and Germany.

(PEUjrEßas j^soeiATioK.) Berlin, February 28. An article, evidently inspired, ap peared m one of the city newspapers this, morning, taunting; the French, with being unable to force a conditioa of civilised international intercourse, and states the next advances must come from France. General yon Caprivi, German Chan cellor, lias issued instructions that no further mitigation iv respect of pass ports to France is to be made. Brussels, February 28. General Boulanger is at present m this city, and profiting by the excite ment m Paris at the visit t>£ the Empress Frederick, and al^Oat the orders of the German Chancellor re specting passports from. Germany to France, is promoting an anti-German movement, [Received March 2, 10.45 a.m.] Paris, March 1. The French Press bitterly attacks Hon yon Caprivi for interfering with the passport regulations. The Boulangists are organising a series of meetings to denounce Ger many. It is reported that the Emperor William has sent a message thanking the Ftench Government for its cour tesy to his mother. '

Latest Cable News

HOME AND FOREIGN

[per fkkss, association.J

EMIGRATION.

(Received March 2, 10.30 a.nU

mi Londow, March 1. The Colonisation Committee of the House of Commons is likely to report that State aided emigration is unneces sary for England but is advisable for parts of Scotland and Ireland. The Committee, it is thought, will also suggest the extension of the Canadian. Crofters 1 experiment. '

POSTAL.

Mr C. Raikes, Postmaster-General, promises to reduce- the price of post cards to Australia when a favorable opportiwitj occurs.

THE WHITECHAPEL MURDER

At the coroners inquest on the victim of the last Whiiechapel mur deiv the jury returned an open verdict The man Sadler, who was arrested under strong suspicion* will probably be discharged.

LABOR TROUBLES

The Shipping Federation reply that i£ the block is removed from London they will discuss matters with the Union leaders. The stevedores attacked the Federa tion barrack on the ship Scot land, and a free fight ensued, m, which, tho- assailants were defeaJbed and 1 several thrown overboard. The* free laborers on the ship fired bl.-mkr revolvers. Eight stevedores' were, arrested.

TEW. ASHEURTOy GUABDIAN, MONDAY, MABCH 2, 1891



;

High in State of weather Sun. 126--fines 'S.W. Wr „ -N.E. 149- N.E.toS.W. 148- „ 148- „ S.E. 150-, „ N.W. 1%,, - ■ „■ ■

I*%

.. vi _ J| ;_ I Low. High 41 "• 7^ 4h ' W 4 V 76 --- 77- I 36- 76 --- 71-

i Monday- ... Tuesday , Vi Wed;i4£«<iay. Pbuij's.cliay.... EVifiaY ... Suturelay ... Sunday ...



Statutory Declaration.—l, Franz Raabe, Irqnbark, Sandhurst, m the colony of Vic toria, Australia, do solemnly and sincerely declare that on the 25th June, 1877, my son Alfred, six years of age, was accidentally hurt with an axe on his knee. I n ( t q^^taak j all pains to secure m.p,(^s&,l ftSsMaitjee.,' 'Ho.w ey.^ii, tyi Bjjite of a,ll 'effqrta, o,n the 27th August, 18?7, the opinion was given by Dr Macgilliyray that 'aii 'amputation of the injured limb had become imperative, m order to' save life. At this juncture I called en Messrs Sander and Sons, procuring tiQine of T]leir Extmo.s. trf Rvigalyp|iia""(JlQbulus, aucl by the application of the same I had too, satisfaction of seeing my son within a fort night out of all daiiger, and to-day he is recovered. I may just add that it was when the crisis had been reached that the E^Ui^ij referred to was first applied, aMd $ wa^elhCa |°lemn dc&teatkin, ty'Q," 'FiuNg KiAjji'- IjeolarcHl ftt c colony fol < !"v*na, Australia, this seventeenth day of October, one thousand eight hundred $n.d seventy-seven, before, me, Mo.piteOohu, J.k, r*(Adv't.) 6 i



HowjOway's Ointment and Pills.— Abscesses, Erysipelas, Piles.—Unvarying success attends all who treat these diseases according to the simple printed directions wrapped round each pot and box. They arr invaluable to the young and timid, whose bashfulness sometimes endangers life. Though apparently local, diseases of this nature are essentially blood diseases, but a little attention, moderate perseverance, and trifling expense will enable the most diffident tJ conduct any case to a happy issue without exposing secret infirmities to any one. The ointment checks the local inflammation and alleyiateg the tjh.rob,b,ihg pains, 'f hese direc tions also clearly point out when an,d how Holloway's Bills are, to taken, that their purifying and regulating powers may assist j by adjusting and streiithening the consti tution^



Wanted OA.SH Advertweme-ats unoer tins headine not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be Jpffc at this Oflico _ __ TT7 ANTED,-A Respectable Girl to <r V niind a Baby during the day. Apply "Mail Office.' 1 " 3 3 IT OR Sale —Good large Cooking apples P Id per lb. Apply X Stephens, Trevorton. 3 7 riIRY ti;e '(rreat Drapery Sale now on J. at H. C. Sbgebs. "ORESF,NTS,—AII holders of Tickets JL will ob%e'by bringing them inns soon as possible.- H. C. Segeks, Melford House. /"POOLING Arid.invigorating Ico Cream \J as made by H. G. Flower, Con fectioner, East Street. _^ Wr ANTED Known — Some special lines m choice Dress Goods at very low prices showing at " The Corner." WANTED Known—The " Strons wear" Boot is the best for Mens •>dies and Children.—W. H. Collier. WANTED every man m the County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds.—Robert Alcokn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Sauntler's Buildings, QEGERS' Clearing Sale m all Depart ik* ments now on. One trial solicited. —Melford House. GLASS, Earthenware, and China, direct from the Manufacturers.— Robert Alcoun, Tea Warehouse; and Ashburton Clothing Mart, Sauriders' Buildings. - ■ ; \W ANTED Known—The Cheapest VV Shop to buy Tinware and Gal vanisod Iron goods m Ashburton, is at W. F. Hannafort/s, Burnett Street. A arge stock kept on hand. Tin and Iron ware goods made and repaired with des patc ■. ANTED KNOWN — MRS .1. BUCHANAN wishes to inform i her country friends and the public, that ! she will open business on Saturday, February 21, as Fruiterer and Confec tioner. Tea and Coffee at all hours. Hot Luncheon on Saturdays, from 12 to 2. East Street next John Orr and Co. 2 110 NOW ON —At fStfl tioners' ~ Hall^ Great Sale of Surplus Stock f Books, Stationery, Fancy Goods* Music, etc. Great reductions for cash, for one m*mth only. Hundreds of books at leas than English price. At L. F. Andrewes & Co.'s, Stationers Hall. /"GENTLEMEN re qu i r ing the very \JT latest fashion j n FLEXIBLE HATS (all colors) will find a choice stock at the New Zealand Clothing FactoR v« WHITE and Fancy Scarfs, White and Striped Vests, Tennis Shirts, buttoned and laced fronts, all colors, at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. O UMMER, Merino and Gauze Merino O Undershirts, with long or short sleeves, at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. WASHING Derby Ties 6d each, six for 2s 6d. Increasing demand for these fit the New Zealand Clothing Factory. ' , BOYS' School Suits, well fitting, durable, and moderate m price at the New Zealand. Clothing Factory. A GENTS for the Wonderful New X-L High Arm " Wnrtheim ' Sewing Machines. Latu.st improvements, new appliances, noiseless motion, increased advantages. ALL who have u<-ed the " Wertheim " Ncav High Arm sewing machine, proclaim it to be the most perfect sowing machine yet produced. Inspection invitxl. \TEW ZEAL A N D""CLOTHING _LM FACTOB V, the leading Hat, Cap, and Clothing Manufacturers, EAST STREET, Ji SHBURTOIT As(%'?t for the Wonderful Wertheim Sewing Machine W. H. WKBBER, Manager. -]%/rONEY to Lend at LOW RATES OF INTEREST, on Mortgage of FREE. HOLD PROPERTY, m sums of jglOO to_jßsooo For further particulars apply to the Postmaster, Ashburton, or to J. C. PRUDHOE, District Agent. Government Insurance Office. Christchurch. A'.'.ilCJT'TY.ElTtt CHRISrCTICROH DENTAL SURGERY, Corner of Oashel and High streets 'S. M™ AND Co SURGEON DENTIST And at Dunedin ml Westport TTTE have gained thi FIRST AWA RD W ' the Dunedin Exhibition for Artificial Dentures and Mechanical Appli ances for the Mouth, and it is with the j 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— t temporary aj?4 permanent, £19 10s, j Natural, Durable, Comfortable Artificial Tee*. Replaced Temporarily al= .-no.st immediately after the extractbij. of decayed teeth or stumps without ,ext*a cc or charge. Arrangements ca» foe made for part pi monthly payments. ADMINISTERING NITROUS OXIDg | CtAS several times daily for the past ten years, we fearlessly assert #hat .extraction of teeth under its influence ia perfectly p»iolese frjjd .jjQsitiye'ly safe .f!iee sfor Administration, $&. Extraction, 2s 6d. 1 Artificial Teesi and Dentures made iby other dentists repaired ,o£ rsm^dfJilecl a,t



.OLE AGJU N T FOR , F. WALCOT'S GOLD MEDAL Emery Sharpening Stones, HEN BY Z A.NT) I- 1. P. 3 2 ASHBURTON.. THE MIRROR. A HIGH-CLASS Weekly, Political, Literary, and Dramatic paper, to be published every FRIDAY price 3d, by the Centennial Printing and Publishing Company, Limited, Melbourne Teracf. Rus'ell Street Melbourne. THE ASHBURTON MALL From and after the 30th November, 1880, the terms of subscription to this Journal will bo aa follows, viz:— I IF PAID IN ADVANCE. Per Quarter ... 6s 6d, by post 7s 6cl „ Half-year... 12s Od, by post 14s Od „ Year... .'.. 20s Od, by post 26a Od IF BOOKED. Per Quarter ... 6s 6d, by post 8s Od „ Half-year... 13s Od, by post 16s Od „ Year... ... 26s Od, by post 32s 0d Birth, Marriage, and Death Notices, if paid for at the time of insertion, 2s 6d each ; if booked, 4s each. Stamps may be sent as payment. "singing. , ■ A LADY (now resident m Christ church), thoroughly competent to teach Singing:, is desirous of obtaining pupils m Ashburton. Lessons at their own residences. Apply "Alpha," Mail Office. 106 ART NEEDLEWORK, AND FAN^Y BEPOSITORY EAST STREET, ASHBURTON." - Mrs Adams IS now showing some nice designs m Plush, Canvas, Raised Woolwork, Crash, Arresene, New Shades m Macrame, Tinsel Silks, Filloselle, New Transfers, Cords, Tassels, and Fringes, Braces and Smoking Caps ready for j working. China, Glass, and Japanese j Ornaments m great variety. Wedding and Birthday Gifts. Agents for Mes damea Weigel and Butterick's cut paper patterns, and Eclipse Dye Works. Re gistry Office for Servants. U.S.S CO _ |Pii|p!S, U.S.S., CO lr"-' l UNION STEAMSHIP COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND, Limitku. The Company's Steamers have now re sumed time table running to all ports. rHEEXCURSION SEASON WILL CONTINUE TILL 31st MARCH. GEO. JAMESON, Agent, Ashburton. afr^wTFTThoiiipsoii, O URG EO N TA ENTI ST, IJUBGKO N ±J ENTI ST, 218 HIGH STREET, CHRISTCHURCH Hours—lo a.m. to 6 p,m. Having purchased Dr N. A. Neely's Dental practice, MR THOMPSON may be consulted at the above address. 2 11 JAMESTAKEBr~ TIMBER MERCHANT, AND GENERA I, FURNITURE AMD F4NCY GOODS WAREHOUSE, HAVELOCK STREET, Opposite Harrison s Auction Mart, TTWRNITURE and Picture * Frames Jj nr.de to order m any design at shortest notice. Sole Agent m Ashburton for Clegg's Perambulators. A?so, Wiesner Pianos iisli "TT7 E ARE CASH PURCHASERS OF ! Seconds Wheat IN ANY QUANTITY A.t Ilijrliest M.airl£et Kates ROLLITT & CO. 2 121 t. . . . ■ i- " ■ ■■■ 8. 33. Seymour SURGEON DENTIST, 15 Colombo Street (new Buildings nea Corner of Gloucester Street.) Established 1869 Scale of Charges : Extraction, 2s Od per tooth ; fillings, 5s yer tojth. A redact'on made where a number require attending. ARTIFICIAL TEETH. The charges for artificial teeth are made wi li a view to strict economy, regulated by such circumstances -is cases present, or such materials as patients prefer. Pat" ticulars < iven on application. Consulta tion free. Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) aduiLiii..oit:d wl.en required. Attendance, 10 a.m. to 0 p.m. ,15 OjKjaßQ f-.XREET, PH:«»XvJHUiI(H#



■PitDlio Notices, THE DOMESTIC PAPER PATTERNS T OF NEW YOEK. MR S P 9 P E WISHES to inform hor.many Frionds and Customer.? that sho has the Agency of the above celebrated Patterns, !; that by each San Francisco Mail will RECEIVE NEW ONES. ";i"': ■"'"'"■"''' ' " "': "" '—Also— ■ " ■•MX'H'E STYLE,"- Price 3d Monthly. *lt X BIJOU ART NEEDLEWORK j_ DKPOT, ; i Buildings, Oj>posite Bank New Zealand, CHRISTCHURCH. : - ■ 2 30 O ■« w CD W* H. COLLIER W. H. Collier is now Thk .Corner W. H. Collier Thk Cornkr W. H. COLLIKR SHOWING THE CoRNKR W. H. Coixier Thk Corner W. H. Collier NEW Tme Cornkr W. H. Collier The Corner W. H. Collier and The Corner W. H. Collier . The Corner W. H- CollierC HO ICE The Corner W. H. Collier The Corner VC. H. Cotxier MILLINKRY The Corner "W. H. Collier ULSTERS, The Corner W. H. Collier JACKETS* The Corner W. H. Colierl KIBBONS, Thk Corner W. H.-Collier FURS, The Corner W. H. Collier GLOVES, The Corner W. H. Collier DRAPERY, The Corner W. H. Collier etc., etc., The Corner W. H- Collier for the The Corner W. H. Collier __ The Corner W. H. Collier AirarrwM The Corner W. H. Collier w-t 11 ™™ The Corner W. H. Collier w*^**" The Corner W. H. Collier SEASON. The Corner W. H. Collier — TnE Corner W. H. Collier The Balance The Corner W. H. Collier of The Corner W. H. Collier SUMMER The Corner W. H. Collier STOCK The Corner "W. H. Collier i s still being The Corner W. H. Collier The Corner W. H. Collier SOLD OFF Tllk CoRNER W. H. Collier The Corner W. H. Collier CHEAP The Corner W. H. Collier to make room The Corner W. H. Collihr for The Corner "WV H. Collier NEW GOODS The Corner W. H. Collier arriving. The Corner "The Corner." WTW. Spencer litCo. EXTENSION OF Great Clearing Salk. Being heavily overstocked, and m order to make room for a shipment of Goods Avhich we . have landing from Home m about a fortnight, we have made Greater Reductions than ever. All VVool, colonial flannel, 10kl, 4-ply fingering" wool, all colors, Is lid; Calicos 2s 3d the doz ; Dress Goods 4\d; Washing Prints, 2W, 3Jd, and 4-Jd ; Washing Muslin _- 25 lid the doz ; Towels, 3|d j \i\ each ; a very large Towel °4<3, 4 Pnow 6|d ; very good Ticking, ft 6d ; double Width Sheeting, r, 7id;hoivy white Linen Twill H D Sheeting, 11^1 ; heavy cotton Sliirting, si-d; Cretonnes, 4|d ; t J2 Men's woollen Sox, ll^d; Boys' |P VJ Braces, 4d ; Men's Braces, 8d ; W <C Men's Kegatta Shirts, 2s lid ; <> Men's goodTweerl SSuits, 22s Q 6d; Boys' Tweta Suits from l pC{ 4s lid ; Men's colored Moles p K7s 6d, now 5h lid ; Boys' do. .— 2s lid. BOOTS. BOOTS. >. U Men's Bluchers, 6s Od ; Men's H colonial made Shooters, 9s lid; Boys' strong Boots very cheap. Women's strong Elastics, 6s v 9d; Girls' and Maids' Kid Elastic Sides and Button Boots ' 2s lld ; 3s lid, snd 4s 6d afc W. W. SPCMCJEB * Co'« THE AKCADE. N.B. —We have this day purchased a Traveller's Set of Samples at a discount of 50 per cent. If you want a real barcain now is your chance. The~Arcade. the iiomi mriMii (OMPAIf OF IV MAID (FIRE AND MARINE) rPHE Business of this Company has 1 been TRANSFERRED to the COMMFRCIAL UNION ASSURANCE COMPANY, Limited, of London, by whom, through the various Branches and Agencies m New Zealand, all accounts owing to and by and all losses under the Colonial Insurance Company's policies will be settled m future. F. ALLEN, General Manager. Wellington, New Zealand, December 11th, 1890. THE COMMERCIAL UNION ASSUR ANCE COMPANY, (Limited) Established 1861. Incorporated under Act of Parliament, 7 and 8 Vie, Cap. 110. ! Head Office : 19 and 20 Cornhill, London Capitol fully subscribed ... £2,500,000 Total Invested Funds .., 2,351,707 Total Annual Nctt Income... 1,132,239 ) HEAD OFFICE for NEW ZEALAND : Lambton Quay, Wellington. With Local Boards of Advice m Australia and New Zealand. Oeneral Manager for New Zealand : FRANK ALLEN, J P. Every description of Fire nd Marine I nsuraueo effected at LOWEST CUBBENT BATES CUFF & GRAHAM, Manages® for Canterbury, Christchurch. Arusmw for AsH»w»«osr '*•■.-.' . ■ ■ - i