EARTHQUAKES.

[PGK PKESS ASSOCIATION.! Lytteltox, September 16. Two very severe shocks of earthquake were felt, at 11.50 this morning. They were accompanied by a loud rumbling a jund. Chpi.stchurch September 15. Two sharp shocks of earthquake was experienced at 11.48 this morning.

MAIL NOTICE.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19. ..For South America, United Kingdom, and Continent of Europe, per R.M.S. lonic:— Ordinary letters, 6.30 a.m. This uiail will be due ill London on October 31.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas Et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1891. THE AGENT-GENERALSHIP.

The great Agent-Generalship ques tion has been solved by the appointment of Mr W. B. Perceval. Mr Perceval is to be heartily congratulated upon the honor which has been conferred upon him, and which, we say with certainty, he did not covet. At the same time, while not grudging Mr Perceval his preferment, we must say that we consider that there are others, of niaturei- years and greater political and administrative experience than Mr Perceval, who had strong claims to the office, and from whom, in out opinion, a more fitted candidate could have been selected. It can, however, be said in Mr Perceval's favor, that since his entry into tli3 House of Representatives four years ago, lie has succeeded in winning the respect and confidence of both parties. As Chair man of Committees this session, he has shown himself to be possessed of tact, nerve, promptitude and patience—all valuable qualities in his future sphere. Socially his qualifications are unex ceptionable. Young New Zealanders will rejoice in the appointment of one of themselves j and here we may re mark that Mr Perceval is the first native-born Agent-General that has been appointed by any of the Aus tralasian Colonies. We have no doubt that Mr Perceval will conduct the im portant business of the office in such a manner, as to justify the Government in the new departure of sending Home a re preservative of such short ex perience of the politics and business of the Colony. We look upon the ap pointment as an indication that no very heroic duties, such as floating a large loan, will be placed in the Agent- General's hands during the next three years, and this should reassure those who have so loudly asserted during the last few days that the Government contemplated a borrowing policy. Still there will be much for him to do. Attacks on the Colony have not yet altogether ceased, and will have to be repelled, and we will have an able and enthusiastic advocate in our new representative. He will follow an Agent-General, Sir Francis Dillon Bell, who had a most intimate acquaint ance with the politics, position and history of the Cobny, and will leave the office and staff in perfect order for his successor, so that Mr Perceval will have the advantage ot a fair start. Mr Perceval has the best wishes of the country, that he may prove a worthy successor to so distinguished a repre sentative as Sir F. D. Bell.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

General Booth's tour in New Zealand will extend from October 15 to November 9. The Tuam Street Theatre in Christchurch and the Garrison Hall in Dunediu have been secured for his meetings. Mr W. R. Mitchell, the Disttict Grand •Secretary, was notified by the San Francisco mail that H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, the G.M. of England, has appointed Mr Peter Cunningham, of Christchurch, as the District, Grand Master of the Canterbury Disttict of Freemasons under the English Constitution. The appointment is one which the Masons of this district will enthusiastically approve. Dorlngt he tuonthof August 293<ipplicatior& for work were registered at the Salvation Army Labor Bureaux in Christchurch, Wellington, and Dunedhi. Of this number about eighty found work in the districts and fifty were sent to the North Island fur bush felling and road makiugf Sixty-eight applications were received from employers, The Salvation Army Labor Bureau is becoming an im portant medium between capital and labor. Mr W. Rawson, of Arlington, Massa chusetts, has been successful in forcing lettuce 3by the electric light. A glass house 200t't long by 24ft wide was lighted rill midnight for a month by one arc lamp at a total cost of £3, and the crop was ready for the market in four-fifths of the usual time. In other words, there was a gain of ii week in five, which is, of course, considerable, so far as the early market is concerned.

Speaking of the New South Wales Legis lature, the "Sydney Daily Telegraph " says : " For the most parti the members returned to Parliament as representatives of labour have acted with creditable discretion, and showed a desire to proceed with important j and necessary legislation. They have with few exceptions, abandoned the frothy clap trap of the electioneering stump; and left to a few of the Opposition members a monopoly of that kind of thing." On the right bank of the River Amco- Daria, near the town of Karki, in Bokhara, grottoes have been found among the hills leading to a subterranean city, the evidence of which dates back into antiquity;- By the light of the miner's lamp the place presents a quaint, fantastic appearance. There are houses in perfect construction, one or two storeys h;gb, with a pretence to architec tural elegance and filled with furniture and various domestic utensils. " Muddy Creek Valley " is the deceptive name of a place in North Carolina whence have already come £200,000 of gold, besides rubies, sapphires, beryl, moonstones, jasper, garnets, gilver, copper, platinum, lead, iron, mica, and so on--«-one of Nature's richest laboratories, in fact. " They never kill a turkey or a chicken in thg valley now, 3' says a correspondent of the New York "Sun," "without looking in its crop for a possible ruby or diamond. ' " Truth"suggtisis, instead of the ridiculous words that bride and bridegroom are made to utter by the Established Church marriige service, the substitution of the words in the Mahomcdan marriage ceremony. The bride. sa y S: —"I stand here in the presence of God, and all who are assembled, to unite my heart to your heart, and my destiny to your destiny, and to be called by your name." The bride groom repeats the same words, omitting " to be called by your name." R. ElSton, jun,, and J. L. Higgs have invented and patented an improved envelope to be known as " Elston's Paiunt .Safety Envelope." The end of the "flap" is formed into a tongue, which is passed through a slit in the "back of-, the envelope and the flap pressed down on the gum, which is at the back of the envelope instead of on the flap as usual. Once closed it is impossi ble to &pen the envelope without cutting or tearincr it, and ssecijrity against accidental or surreptitious opening is> thus gained. Miss McMastcr, the young lady to whom Lord AiUa is engaged, •is not, as has bet.n erroneously reported, an American, but a pure-bred Bcoteh foss. IJoth her father and mother came from a village near Qrieff. The father went out when a lat! to India, and made his pile, in the approved Scotch fashion, find while so engaged sent home for lna sweethqajt who weut out and married him. Those \vh& ate anxious for the perpetuation of our old nobility ougU& to rejoice to see them breaking through the fatal editions #£ ca,§te in the way that Lord Ailsa has done. That Miss MoMaster is portionless ia also fijj WWWW statement,

The entertainment in connection with the ' Astiburtou Presbyterian Church Musical and j Litsrary Society to-morrow night, at the j Orange Hall, will include an original I mock-trial specially written for the occasion which is saivl to be very (\imisin_. j I* I Application \v.i3 male on lues ay in tie Bankruptcy Cmvt at Christcnurch, for the annulment of the bankruptcy of Joe Dicks, late proprietor of the Waltliam Arms Hotel, who was recently arrested at Oanmra ou a charge ef evading hi 3 creditors. The creditors have been pud in full, an! £599 iCiiiaitis in the hands of the Ofh'oul Asiignce as security for Dicks' remaining to i answer any further proceedings, The Official Assignee was instructed by the Minister of Justice to lay a criminal ; information under the Bankruptcy Act against Dicks, who was arrested on a warrant in the Supreme Court at the conclusion of the Bankruptcy proceedings. A Canterbury man who has <?oue to Tara naki writna of horses there:—"l always understood that the horses of the North Island were better than those of the South, but I really feel sorry for the p3ople here when I see the samples of horseflesh which they are compelled to bestraddle, and, upon my word, I feel sorrier for the horses. If nine-tenths of the horses here could only grow long ears one would not be able to dis tinguish them from donkeys ! There were, perhaps, half a dozen respectable looking horses out of seventy offered for sale. Miserable half-starved weeds were the order of the day. It is astonishing, though, how tough they are. It's the commonest thing to see a man of twelve stone weight on top of a thing perhaps as many hands in heigut, and plodding through mud a foot deep, .seemingly as comfortably as a lark with a broken wing. | _____^«™«»-i___ The Lyttelton representative of the "Times" has been shown a letter received by a businessman of the Port from an old Canterbury resident, who is on a visit to the Mother Country. The writer of the letter, is, it is stated, one qualified to give an opinion on the subject-matter of the following extract which we have been allowed to make:—" When passing down Princess street, Liverpool, my attention was called to the words ' New Zealand ' in large type, and so I stopped to read the smaller type which the notice contained. It ran as follows :—' Prime New Zealand lamb, Is 3d per lb if cut; a half carcase, Is Id, or whole carcase, Is per lb.' The card was hanging over a few carcases ol the tvost miserable looking lambs I ever saw. There was scarcely the semblance of fat on them, either inside or out." Another injustice to New Zealand, for the probabilities aretlia^. as the carcases contained ' scarcely the semblance of fat, either inside or out,' they had never seen New Zealand."

Among the later stories of the Manipur affair that of the adventures of Signaller Williams is certainly not lacking in interest. He was in charge of the Chief Commissioner's telegraph camp, and was left* for political reasons, at Sengmoi when Mr Quinton went on to Manipur. When the revolt brakes out he and his ten Sepoys were attacked by 100 Manipuris armed witii rifles, spears, and bows and arrows. He escaped to the jungle, and- this was set on fire by his pursuers. His Sepoys where shot down as they fled from the smoke and flame. Mr Williams managed to remain in hiding and made his escape at nightfall only to fall iuto an ambush in the morning. Here he is under fire for a time, but the Manipuris were bad marksmen. They missed him, and he succeeded in finding refuge in a tree. The tree was struck by lightning, but the signaller was unharmed. After all these hair-breadth escapes and incidents, one hears, almost as a matter of eoui'se, that, though he was taken prisoner, confined in a modern black-hole, and ordered to be shot, he came triumphantly through his trials. The Manipuri chiefs, indeed, made much of him, hoping to better their chance of lenient treatment by their behaviour to him, and he came baok to camp with honour.

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves responsible fof tlje opinions expressed by our correspondents,)

THE COUNTY WATER RATE.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir, —I understand from reading a re port of a resolution passed by the Ashr burton County Council some two months ago that a minimum charge of fifteen slutings is to bo made on all settlers. Now, the squatter lias the use of the water for nineptnee per chain, ft vast difference from the exorbitant rate levied on the small settler, who possibly only uses the water for an occasional drink for a cow. Of course I do net expect to get my half chain of water-race for fourpeoce halfpenny, the same rats as the squatter, but fifteen shillings is certainly out of all reason. The Engineer informs us that he can supply water for irrigation pur poses at fourpence per acre ; that of course no one can object to. For these hard times a village settler can ill afford to pay fifteen shillings a year for his small requirements. Is there no remedy for this?—l am, etc., Francis Windsor,

THE "BRYCIAD."

" Civis " writes as follows in the "Ofcago Witness " :—The first canto of the Bryckd has ei-cled in a banquet—which seems something in the nature of bathos. And yet nob .-,0. The public dinner, as a djs binctively linglish institution, is invalid able for purposes. Not, as lias been cynically conjectured, becaus§ your Englishman can't talk on an empty stomach—witness '■ Hansard " to the con trary —but because he can't talk without something to talk to, and the toast list gives it to him. In default of a motion or amendment he ■must have a toayfr, or he is dumb. Hence the Bryce dinner, by which an jijdignant Opposition avenges itself on a brutal Government, and sheds nothing more gory than claret. In some countries —in Chili, for instance—there' would infallibly have been a battle instead of a banquet. We should have had Mr Bryce on a white horse pursuing Mr Ballance down Lambton Quay, Captain Russell " potting" Mr Seddon across the floor of the House, and Messrs Richard: son %nd Mol£enj;ie strangling one another in the lobby; whjle Mr Fergus, Having strategically entrenched himself in Be|V laniy's, would bo watching the efforts of the mam body of the Opposition (aided by the Labor party) to catch Mr Fish and asphyxiate him in one of his own paint pots. The horrors of war might, perchance be mitigated by an elegy from the Speaker, or arj epigram from Air Scobie McKenzje, while Thomas of that ilk could, be trusted to strew the graves of the ■'mighty' dgad with wreaths of the Californian thistle. But on the whole, and looking particularly to the risk of: postal irregularities if Mr Ward were knocked on the head, it is as ' well that our statesmen fight only with j their tongues " " !

FARM NOTES.

The reports from the London wool sales are very contradictory, but middling and inferior qualities appear to be dull of sale, while the best wools, which at this season arc scarce, have a hardening tendency.

The sheep retnrns, up to the 30th of April last, ishow that cm that date there were 16.749,092 sheep in the colony, an increase of 6G8,u14 within twelve months. Ci.mterbury-Kaikour.-i has d, decre.ue of 3\,730, but there are increases in-all other distr cts. The increase in ihe whole North Island is 567,174, and that in tho South Island is 60,405. Wellington alone has 342,470 sheep more than it had last year, and Auckland 118,477 more.

Mr W. R. Yorke, the buyer of dairy produce, has returned to Christchurch fro-n a trip through the North [sland, and speaks very highly of what he saw as to the wonderful capabilities of Koine of the districts for dairying purposes, especially Wanganui and Taranaki. He tells the Christchurch papers that he has secured the whole of the output of seven factories in the latter district for the coming season, estimated to average one thousand boxes per fortnight. Mr Yorke states that in the Taranaki .district the grass is luxuriant and Water abundant, and that l'aranaki 1 alone will, within; the next ten years, be exporting dairy /produce-to the value of £2,000,000 stealing* J

Mr G. S. Jakins, of Christchurch, who lias just returned from Sydney, says :— Of all potatoes exported from New Zea land, Canterbury's take the lowest place, and Blenheim potatoes are considered the best. This is owing to the roughness of our samples, together with the large quantity of yellov. s and Maoris. A large dealer in Sydney stated to me that ho sent a stfck of Canterbury potatoes to his hoase, and he had to return them because ©f the large number of yellows. He adds: " You would think you were cutting swede turnips instead of potatoes." A.Melbourne merchant? writing on August 6, states : '• By prime Derwents I mean a sample free from second growth, yellow?, and Maoris, and not more than 1 per cent of objectionable matter," The Lake's Creek Company, afc Rock hanipbon has been experimenting as to whether meat turns cut best if skinned before freezing or alter, and has sent one quarter of a bullock to London, another to Melbourne, and a third to Mr Spafford, a local butcher, retaining the other at the works. A sheep has also boen forwarded *^o each place, and one kept at the com pany's own establishment. The result of the experiment will be watched with some degree of interest by all engaged in the export meat trade. One difficulty experience! by all engaged in the export of frozen meat has been in thawing the carcases after they have reached the Old Country.. Directly the meat is exposed to the open air the condensation of mois ture ensues, and this, running down the meat, gives ie a washed appearance, and detracts from its commercial value. Sonic time a<£o the idea was conceived that if cattle could be frozen with the hides on, and the sheep with the skins, it would be possible to thaw without in any way injur ing the meat, and so far the experiment in that direction has been successful. A few days ago two sheep carcases were placed- in the freezing room at the works, one with the skin attached and the other dressed. .Kach was subjected to the same treatment, and when they had been thoroughly frozen they were taken out and allowed go thaw. That which had been dressed was tit for cutting up in ! twelve hours. The other could not be touched for thircy-hix hours, and might have been left another four or five hours. When the skin was taken off the.latter the ile.sh had all the appearance of having been freshly killed, while the flesh of the former looked as if it had been washed. The management have every reason to. believe the experiment with the meat will be equally satisfactory.

Farmers will soon begin to make arrangements for the mating of their mares for the season. Most of them in doing so will consider first their own requirements in the way of young stock, but many of them will have an eye to producing something that will fetch a good price, us a two or three-j ear-old. Draught stock are the principal con sideration. During: the last three or four ye&rs a large amount of money has been paid to Otago breeders and dealers for farm horses, much of which might have been kept in the district but for the reckless exportation of the best mares to the Australian markets. There is now a very good class of draught stock growing up in Canterbury. The ranks of the mares have been recruited from the south, and from some of the old studs that were kept up here through the exporting period, and the stud horses are, taken all round, useful and sound, though few of them possess extraoriinary merits. Among the horses are, however, some that farmers should be on fcheir guard against as having °-erious, though not easily discernible faults, and the existence of these animals is a strong argument in favor of the licensing of stallions. Ob jectionable sires are more numerous in the thoroughbred and hackney classes. Any broken-down weedy racehorse will do for some owners, so long as the fee is small enough. These weeds, though still too frequently seen, are giving way to a very useful class, namely, the genuine roadster. The American standard-bred horses, which had for years to suffer cold neglect, are now universally appreciated. For mating : with farmers' "trap" mares they cannot be surpassed, and most of them are available at fees within the reach of anybody. The Clevelands are the most valuable, as they are pro bably the most ancient of all "general Utility ' breeds. They are fast enough for carriage woi'k and stout enough for tb,e plough, an 4it is a pity more of them are not to be seen in New Zealand. Our farmers are beyond comparison better mounted, and their vehicles better horsed, than they were half a dozen years ago ; and though buyers complain of being unable, except by rare chance, tc pick up a good upstandftig dogcart horse, more than ever ape. tq be s,een in daily use, To keep HP tho standard of our farm-bred horses, it is necessary to see (so the mares; and now that many of the weeds that were so numerous a few years ago have been culled ouc, the quality of the young stock will steadily improve. Unfortu nately, farmers in New Zealand, with a few exceptions, do not follow the system that is in general practice at Home, of giving a premium to a selected horse of undeniable qualifications to stand in their district at a stated fee, thus securing soundness at a reasonable price. No surer step could be take to improve the stock, and it may yet be tried.—•' Canter bury Times." ,

Hollo way's Pills anp Ointment.™ Self Help.—Prior to the discovery' of these remedies an easy, ready and reliable remedy for outward disfigurations and inward com plications was practically unknown. No on 3 need now be at a loss if they should un fortunately suffer from piles, ulcer?, sores, tumours, boils, bruises, sprains, etc. Envelop ing Holloway's medicines are very intelli gible printed directions for using them,which should be very attentively studied and im mediately followed by-all wlrp resqrt tp his. treatment, Sooner or later the sufferer will assuredly triumph over the worst diseases. ;This searching ointment disperses all those malignant humours which aggravate diseases of the skin, prevents the cicatrization of ulcers, and inflammatory tendencies iv the system*

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

(PKK TRESS ASSOCIATION]

Wbiunoton, September 25. The Council met at 2.30. LAND BILL. The Land Bill was further considered j in Committee. The schedules were amended in accord-' anco with the amendments made by the Council in the clauses of the Bill. The Ji-ill was reported, read a third time, and passed. EbECTOKAL BILL. T4ic Electoral Bill was furLher con sidered in (Jotntuittje. Clause 14 was amended so as to provide ' that persons having a residential quali fication shall not be deemed to have left the district if only temporarily absent. Clause 15 -Claims to be signed. Mr Reynolds moved an amendment., debarring mere electors from witnessing signatures. He said that his objtet was to prevent professional politicians from hawking declaration papers around for new votes on the eve of an election. The amendment was carried by 16 to 12. Clause 46 was altered so as to prevent names being placed on the roll after a seat is declared vacant. Clause 63—Seamen's votes. The clause was amended by making it peremptory for a seaman to apply for his electoral li^ht within fourteen days of polling day. : Clause 71, declaring a public holiday on polling day, was excised by 24 to 5. The Council adjourned at 5 p.m. The Council resumed at 7 30 p.m. FACTORIES BILL. Mr Stewart announced that a com* promise in regard to the Factories Bill had been agreed upon at the free conference of both Houses. It had been arranged that a factory tr workroom withinthemeaning of the Act should be a place where three or more persons are employed ; that the maximum and minimum working space shall be fixed by regulation ; that a " child " shall be a boy of 13 or a girl of 14 ; that fl >ur mills shall be exempted from the com cbmpulsory whitewashing clause; that the provision, requiring young workyrs to have been educated up to the fourth standard, be struck out; that factory doors shall be kept open for inspection of the premises while work is proceeding ; that the hours of labour in factories and workrooms shall be eight hours on five days of the week, and five hours on Saturdays ; that woollen mills be per mitted to work their employees forty eight hours weekly at any hour after 7 a.m. and before 6 p.m. ; that overtime be j permitted in factories on twenty days in the year for three hours each day y with j the consent of the inspector, who is also to approve of the rate of, payment; that females may be employed as type-setters at the age of 15 ; tint appeals be allowed from the inspector's decision to a Resi dent Magistrate ; and that the Railway Commissioners' workshops be brought under the operation of the Act. On the motion of Sir George Whitmore it was decided to take the report into consideration next clay. ELRCTOKAL BILL. lv Committee on the Electoral Bill, a new clause was added, the effect of which was that no election shall be declaied invalid by reason of any irregu'arity in the proceedings preliminary to polling. Mr Stewart moved a nev clau.se to prevent, intoxicating liquor b^ing sold or given away-at any; hotel'during polling day. ■'■- ■' '" ■■■■.'■' ' ■ • Several membeis opposed this amend ment as being an insult to the whole coinniitnity.. The clause was rejected by 17 to 10. The 15ill was reported with amend ments, the third reading being fixed for next day. . PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE BILL. The Public Trust Office Act Amend: in.'int Bill was. read a second time, JST4»|I' ACT AIVIENMIENT fIILL. The Stamp Act Amendment Bill was read a second time, PAYMENT OF MEMBERS BILL. The Colonial Secretary moved the second reading of the Payment of Members Bill. Mr Miller said that in the present condition of the finances of the colony, he thought it would raise a blush of shame to the cheek of every honourable member of the Council if they accepted the bribe held out by'the Bill. He moved the following amendment:— "That this Council is of opinion that the proposal tc increase the payment of members of Parliament is inopportune and not warranted by any change in the financial position of the colony. The Council is therefore nob willing to pass a measure which would include a provision for an, increased payment to its own members. Asi, fyow^var, the, £Jous,e of Representa= tfves has decided to make larger provision for its members, the Council will not feel justified in refusing to pass a Bill for that purpose, if it is so desired after Reconsideration," The Colonial Secretary asked the ruling of the chair as to the effect of that resolution. His own opinion was that its effect would be to lay aside the Bill. Sir George Whitmore and Mr Pharazyn supported Mr Miller's amendment. The Speaker ruled that the amendment proposed by Mr Miller would stop the Bill, which, however, could afterwards be revived by searching the journals of the Council. Mr McLean pointed out that if the Cqtmcil stopped the Bill the House could then revive it in a tass objectionable shape than it now presented. The debate was adjourned till next day. POST OFFICE ACTS AMENDMENT BILL. The adjourned debate en the motion for the second reading of the Post Office j Acts Amendment Bill, to which an amend ment had been proposed that the Bill be read a secqnd tim.e that day six months, was resumed. The amendment was rejected on the voices, and the second reading agreed to. The Council rose at midnight.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Speaker road memoranda from Mr Rees and Mr Palmer, claiming that pay ment to members for the present session (reading together the Acts of 1884 and 1885) was either £150 or £155, and also a memorandum of his own that the amount should be £100 only. He suggested that they might enquire as to the real position. Mr Rolleston could not understand why the question should have been raised by two private members instead of being left, if there was any doubt, to the Government or the Speaker. Mr Reps and Mr Palmer said that they were prepared as lawyers to stand by the opinion which they had given, and it would be supported by any judge in the world. After some discussion the memoranda were referred to the Government, with the view of getting the opinion of the Crown Law Officers. THE AGENT-GENERAL. The Premier announced that the Agent- Generalship had been offered to and ac | cepted by Mr Perceval, who would pro -1 ceed to London in the course of a few weeks to enter upon his new duties. Mr Rolleston said that a departure had been made from the usual practice in giving the appointment to a young mem ber, instead of to a man of high adminis trative experience and with the rank of at least a Cabinet Minister, in fact the best man whom New Zealand could produce. He did. jiofc wish, however, to say any.

thin? derogatory to Mr Perceval, whose j ability.*uri integrity ho fully recognised. He-Expressed the hope aud belief tlwt, is a Ne> Zealandcr, that gentleman would distinguish himself in his nev; pdgitioTi. Ma- Perceval's resignation as member for-jClxnstchurch was re*d to the House, 'md {*.writ was ordered to is-aie for a new election. , •The Premier said fhat ho would an nounce to-morrow the course which the Government proposed t/» take in regard the Ch'iirnvuishijj of Committee*, ren dered vacant by Mr Perceval's l'esigUiW tion. ANSWKItS TO QUKSIIONS. 11l answer to questions it was stated that during the recess the Government would appoint an expert to assist the fruit-growers of New Zealand { that it.wns not the intention of the Government to appoint a Royal Commission to enquire into the workii*« of the Government Life Insurance Department, as the work that , would be performed by the Commission was now being done by the Assistant Anditor-Genern], who would be asked to make enquiry as to whether some o e. the officers could be dispensed with or not. OCKAN MAIL SHRVICEB. Mr Ward moved the following resolu" tions in connection with the ocean mail services: ---"(1) That in the opinion of this House ! a two-weekly mail service should be main tained between New Zealand and Great Britain." ;_ , • " ' .■...'.■ . . •'"■ ■■' ■V- •> (2) That in the event of the Imperial Post Office agreeing to extend the present agreement for the apportionment of the cost of the San Francisco and direct mail service between that office and the colony, or any favourable variation thereof, this House empowers the Government to arrange with -the present contractors for the renewal of the Ban Francisco and direct services for a period not exceeding three years, on the following conditions : —(a) That the basis of payment shall be a rate of lls per pound on the net weight . of letters conveyed, excluding those from America by the San Francisco service. (b) That all payments: or contributions from Great Britain and other countries shall be receivable by the contractors. (c) That, the colony's direct liability be for the payment of its outward letters only, (d) That at least one New Zealand steamer in three shall be employed in the San Francisco service, (c) That the time between San Francisco and New Zealand shall not exceed |20 days, the port of call in the colony to be Auckland or Welling ton at the option of tho contractors. (f) ThaD the tiim between New ,Z.,^ land and Plymouth shall not exceed 42 days homeward, and 45 days out ward, the contractors to te at liberty to arrive and depart from any New Zea land port, (g) No bonus to Uu paid for early arrival, and penalties at the rate of £4: an hour to be enforced only when a late delivery exit ids 48 hours, (h) That all the provisions of the existing agree ments where not at variance with any of the foregoing conditions,-shall, lie applic able to any new contract or-contracts made under this authority. (3) That in the event of it being im practicable to renew a four-weekly direct service on the foregoing terms, then the Government to make temporary provision for an alternate fortnightly mail being sent by direct steamer at the ordinary ship letter gratuity'or by federal packets, on such terms as it may be possible to arrange with the contracting colonies,

(4) That this House also authorises the reduction of the B,rinc4si and Naples letter postage to a universal rate of 2|d per half ounce, and the rates; for books and newspiners being assimilated to the rates via San Francisco and ;by direct steamers." Mr Duthie thought that the proposals] of the CLvernment were the best that could be made. The debate was interrupted by the 5.3Q p.m. adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30. In Committee on the ocean mail resolu tions, after a (short discussion the first resolution was carried on the voices. On the second resolution Dr Newman moved an amendment to reduce the period bo one year ins-ted- of three years. The amendment was lost by 49 to 15, and the three years retained. Captain Russell moved that "Auck land " be struck ojt of the resolution so as to make Wellington the port of call. Mr Ward could not accept Captain Russell's suggestion, en the ground that if the contractors were bound down to one port Uie subsidy would have to be increased. The amendment was lost on thi voices. Mr Duthie moved that the port of call be Auckland or Wellington alternately. The amendment was lost by 43 to 17, and-the words retained that " the port of call be Auckland or Wellington at the option ©f the contractors'," The third and fpursh resolutions were adopted without discussion. The resolu tions as a whole were reported to the House and agreed ro. FACTORIES BILL. On the motion of Mr Pinkerton the re port of the Free Conference of both Houses on the Factories Bill was agreed to. SUPREME COURT PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE BILL. The Supreme Court Practice and Pro cedure Acts Amendment Bill, relating to i a purely departmental matter in connec tion with the Napier Supreme Court, was, r^ad a second time, and Jtlie, Bill Wets subsequently put through its other stages and passed. COUNTIES ACT AMENDMBNT BILL. The Counties Act Amendment Bill was further considered in Committee. Clause 2—Constitution of new .oad dis tricts. ; The clause was amended to provide that the area for the new districts should contain fifty ratepayers, and that the rate able value of such area should not be less than £50,000. Clause s—Councils—Council may declare all dis trict roads to be county roads. The clause was struck out. Clause 10—County electors to have one vote only. Mr C. H. Mills moved an amendment to the effect that a country elector should only have a limit of three votes according to the rateable value of his property. The amendment was lost by 31 to 18. Clause 18—Creation of new counties on petition—was struck out. : Oa the motion of Mr Cadman a new clause was added to the Bill, enabling County Councils, contributing to separate institutions under the Hospital and Charit able Institutions Act, to appoint trustees at any time when those already represent-, ing them shall resign. Another new clause was inserted giving , County Councils power to light streets," roads, bridges, and other public places and buildings by means of gas, electri city, or kerosene. I The Bill was reported as amended, and put through its final stages. The House rose at 3.30 a.m. '

British Occupation of Lesbos.

(I BR »*KKS» ASSOCIATION.) Constantinople, September 14. It is reported here that a British 1 ironclad has landed a detachment at Sigri _: The stock exchanges and bourses are \vcak in consequence, ■,' - - Athens, September 14. The Greek Consols at Mitylene and . announce that on Friday last, thirteen ships landed troops, and guns ' at Sign, situated on the western side, of the island of Lesbos, and having hoisted the British flag began to fortify the place. The Russian and French Consuls confirm the occupation, and report that a small isle off Sigri was afterwards occupied and surrounded by torpedoes. Cairo. September 14. The seizure of Sigri has occasioned immense sensation. London, September 14. The occupation of Mitylene (Lesbos) by the British has affected the Paris and Frankfort bourses. The stocks which were temporarily depressed by the news of the occupa tion of Lesbos are rising again. - London, September 15. The " Times " considers the occupa tion of Sigri by the British preposter ous, and that it is simply a bourse trick, either to create a fall in Turkish securities or prevent the issue of a Russian loan. Bo6h the Foreign Office , and the Admiralty deny the hostile occupation of Sigri, but consider it possible that, with the permission of the Porte, British seamen have landed there for recreation or gun practice.

SUPREME COURT.

(t»JSK, PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, September 14. Judge Conolly summed up the evidence at the Supreme Court this morning in the case of Hugh Shortland, solicitor, charged with criminally libelling a young girl. The jury retired for ten minutes and came into Court with a verdict of guilty, and the judge passed a sentence of two years. He said.;that'during the whole session there had not been, one case that aroused in his mind such horror as this prisoner's. Not content with publishing charges against the character of the girl, well knowing them to be utterly false, defen dant had after a lapse of. time repeated these charges and supported them, with perjury. Tt was surprising that while the law allowed hard labor for other ofences, yet in the present instance it was not allowed. He was glad that he had nevbi- yet ordered the lash, but it was strange that for such a case the law did not give power to make some addition. The judge said the prosecutrix's fair name was absolutely established. The sentence would give the defendant time for reflec tion and repentance, though he had little hope tint anything that would fall from his lips, or any sentenqe passed, would touch the heart of one who had shown himself to be so utterly destitute of every , feeling held by a man ,oi honor. The I'sentence was received with applause. I ■ Dujsedin, September 14. * iAt the Supreme Court to-day the trin of Thomas Henry. Metcalfe c.-mvasser for the Picturesque Atlas, who was charged before a special jury with perjury, "re sulted in a verdict of-! I,Not guilty,"

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(per press association.)

LABOR QUESTIONS.

Londo.v, September 14. The "Daily News" is in sympathy with the Liberals of the Trades Union Congress, and demands payment of members and increase in the represen tation of labor.

Five hundred of the dockers of the Carron and Leith shipping companies have struck against a reduction in wages, and the strike is likely to affect; the Australian export trade.

THE DARDANELLES.

.'■; Rome, September 14. Marquis Rudini assured an Inter viewer that the Dardanelles incident won Id create no trouble. In his opinion Europe was likely to en joy peace for many years.

GERMAN ARMAMENTS.

Bermn, September 14. The entire German army is now armed with the new rifles. h

THE RUSSIAN FAMINE.

St. Petersburg, September 14. Enormous sacks have been placed in the Cathedral of Kazan for the recep tion of scraps of food for the famine districts. :

AFRICAN EXPEDITIONS.

Zanzib4B, September 14, It is officially reported that Zalew ski's expedition has been annihilated o i the Ruaho river. Nine officers and three hundred natives were killed, and the Krupp and Maxim guns all cap tured , Pour officers managed to escape. Lieutenant. Schmidt's expedi tion against the Mafitas also failed. It is reported the British East African Company intend to withdraw frooi the Nganda country, west of Victoria Nyanza. !

AUSTRALIAN.

THE CRUISER MILDURA.

Sydney, September 15. The Government has promised to hold an enquiry into the allegations of illtreatinent of stokers on board the cruiser Mildura. It is alleged that two watches will shoi'tly be court martialled for refusing duty owing to the extra work entailed by the failure of the engines to do the amount of work required. The men complain bitterly of their quarters

THE LEVANTING STOCK BROKER.

j Brisbane, September 15. | Pybus, the stockbroker, who levanted from Sydney with £30,000, has been arrested at Cooktown. THE MANTPOURI MISHAP. Mklbournb, September 11. The Marine Board having inquired into thft circumstances under which the s.s. Manapouri touched ground near Cape Schanck, found Captain Logan guilty of neglect, but taking into consideration his long service, to gether with the fact that he had re signed his position in the company,

the Board decided to suspend his cci tificate for a month. Ca^.t m Logan completely broke down on hearing thi decision.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Wellington. September 14. In tlm Resident Magistrates Court to day, three (subscribers to Mr Thoniis Riackiiii's "In lYlaoiibuid," were sum mmed for the amount of the subscription. Two of the defendants replied mainly on the fact of delay in tlie delivery of the book. The third subscriber held that it had not corns up to promises. Ir» each caie judgment was tjiveu for plaintiff. Tho leg and foot of an infant were found on the Te Aro.beach -to-day. They are b^lisved to part of a prematurely born child. Dunbdis, oeptember 14. Afc the annual meeting of the Amateur Athletic Club to-night the 'report showed a credit balance. The question of send ing a team to England was discussed at length, and it was finally resolved that ie bean instruction to the incoming com mittee not to take any action in regard to the proposal. The general opinion wa« that 11 send five men Home would cost £1000, to proviJo which each district would practically be deprived of the money wanted by the.local clubs.

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[Received September 16, 10 a.m.J

I per press a&sooiation. v

FLOODS IN SPAIN.

Madrid, September 15. A national fund has been opened for the relief of the sufferers by the floods in iSpain. Great losses of life and pro perty are reported from the provinces of Valencia and Andalusia. Fifteen hundred perished at Consuegra aione. Hundreds of miles of country are sub merged.

RUSSIAN INTOLERANCE.

St. Pktersbuug, September 15. Thousands of the Stundist sect are joining the orthodox Greek Church in consequence of a persecution which is being instituted by order of the Ciir.

ANOTHER STRIKE.

Ottawa, September 15. Three thousand five hundred lumber men have struck for higher wages and shorter hours.

THE "HOLY COAT."

Berlin, September 15. Government will prosecute Berlin " Punch " for publishing a coarse car toon of the " Holy coat," on the ground of wounding the sensibility of German Catholic subjects.

A TYPE RING.

Lonihxn, September 15, A British syndicate, has purchased the principal printing type foundries in America.

N.S.W. RAILWAYS.

The "Financial .News" points out that the railways of New South Wales are admirably managed and distinctly reproductive. They form a tangible security for more than half the debt of the colony.

(Received September 16, 10.30 a.m.)

CHILIAN AFFAIRS.

London, September 15. Captain Olsen, of the Hino, bound from Newcastle to Chili, has arrived at Plymouth. He asserts that the loyalists seized the vessel; j and forced the crew to run her ashbragwhereupon, her cargo of coal was seized. The vessel was floated off, but was wrecked. Captain Olsen is taking measures to re cover damages. Valparaiso, September 15. It is reported that Balmaceda has been hid in Valparaiso and has just escaped to the American flagship, dis guised as a drunken sailor. He is ex pected to land at Cillao.

M. GREVY'S FUNERAL.

Paris, September 15. The funeral of ex-President GreVy was of an imposing character. The Presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies and several Ministers were among those present.

THOUGHT READING.

An Indian Colonel named Desmond, has accepted the challenge of the thought-reader Stuart Cumberland, for £1000, to demonstrate the existence of occult powers.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Received September 16.12.15 p.m.

THE BARQUE ELLEN.

Sydney, September 16. In the official l-eport on the loss of the barque Ellen, the board express their opinion that the vessel was dan gerously leaky, under-manned, and in sufficiently provided with officers; that she was improperly handled in the gale, and that irregularity and want of discipline were the consequence of the incapacity of the officers through the effects of drink. The board consider it was not prudent to send the barque to sea with such a heavy cargo, though the owner.acted well within the law,

TASMANIAN BANKS.

Hobart, September 16. Arrangements for the amalgamation of the Bank of Van Diemen's Land with the National Bank of Tasmania are not yet completed owing to ob struction on the part of the Govern ment. Ministers are evidently clividedT The Premier is averse to treasury bills being placed in the London market till the bank has obtained the requisite coin from other sources. Several other ministers favor banding over tlie bills without these restrictions, «ad » Ministerial crisis is threatened.

THE MARKETS.

[£er press association.] (Received September 16, 11.35 a.m.) Sydney, September 16. Wheat, chick, 3s 9d to 4s; milling, 4s 9d to 5s Id ; flour, stone, £11 to £115s ; roller, £12 to £12 10s ; oats, Is lOd to 2s; bran, 9£d; pollard, B|d ; peas, 3* 4d to 3s 6dj potatoes, N.Z. £110s, Circular Heads, £2 10s ; onions, ■ £3 15s ; butter, dairy, Is to la Id ; factory, Is 3d ; cheese, 6d to 7d ; bacon, machine, 4id to 5H ; hand, 5d to 7d; imported, 7d ; harass, New Zealand, lOd to lid. Melbourne, September 16. Wheat, 6a 3d ; flour, stone, £11; roller, £12 ; oata, Algerian, 2s ; stout, 2s 6|d ; barley, Cape, 2s ; bran, Is Id ; peas, 2s sd. Adelaide; September 16. Wheat, firm, little doing, 5s Id to 5s 2d ; flour, Stone, £10 10s ; roller, £11

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER W, 1891.



lliE BtjST Remedy fob Indigestion-*- Norton's Camomile' Pills are coijfidenty 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 Strengtherier of fie Human Stomach,"iact as a powerful tonic and gentle perient, are mild in their operation, and safe under any circumstances. Sold in bottles, at Is lid, 2s 9d, Us, by a]i medicine vendors throughout the world. Teasfree from any excess "of astrjngency \ South British Tea Company's pure blends I All store eepers; Ninian Hyslop, and Co.'s "Imperial" Ceylon and Indian Teas are direct |from the, Tea Plantations.—fAdvfc,)



■We clip the following important testimo nial from the " Illawarra Mercury '(N.S.W ) of the 30th March. It needs no comment :— " Mr John Loveday, of the Bulli Mountains writes to us that after suffering for four years with a-nite gravel, he has experienced almost complete relief by using Sander and Sons 1 Kucalyptic Extract, He says :—" .Seeing the 3aid Extract advertised in the ' Illawarr-i Mercury,' hia intense suffering induced him to obtain a bottle of the medicine from Mr Hosking, chemist, of this town, and that the use of it gave him great relief at once. He states that between 10th March inst., when he obtained the first bottle of the extract, and the 19th, the use of that medicine continued to afford him relief, to which he had been a stranger for four years. Mr Loveday writes also that he has found the Eucalypti Extract ■> cure for rheumatism as well as gravel. He requests us to publish this information through the ' Mercury.' We have much pleasure in complying with Mr Loveday's request, whose word cannot be doubted, and who can have no object in view other than a pure desire to benelit suffering humanity. " —(Advt.) 2



JSinian Hyslop, and Co.'s " Imperial' Pure Ceylor and Indiaji Teaf) are the best in the market.-~fAdvt>) A-k for Ninian Hyhlop, «.xnd Co's ''Imperial' new seasons Pure Ceylon and iudm l^»s« Special j>ipic«a>—(Advt,)



Wanted. _ CASE Advertisements unrier ths heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be Wtat this Office. : "tXTANTFiD to sell good Tricycle ; light, * » strong, in good order. Cost £20. Price, £10.— H. M. Jones WANTED to Lei, conim-.di6u* Shop with Dwelling ; also f r Sale one two and/one four-roomed houso with half ncre land to each.—H. M. Jones. 982 "TITANTED KNOWNgenuhe Clearing ▼* Sale is going on and the Boots are going out Best value yet offered, the Tery'best work and repairing done :ifc once j tit J. M. Moison's lown Hall, East Street. BROOKE'S Carbnlisetl Scaly Blight Cure is the best of all, bar none. ICE Cream off Coujjh drops on. Un doubtedly Hie best. H. G. Flowbe, Confectioner Eaßt_Street : _ " ANTED'TCnown.—Call and secure Fargains of Winter Drapery dt the Great Sale at W. 11. Collier's, "The ■■ Corner." "TT7 AN T v Known—As Melford W House Sale will be a genuine Cheap one, it will be to your advantage to call early. —H. C. Skoers, Melford House. - WANTED Known.—Great Clearing Sale at "The Corner" of Drapery, Clothing, and Boots.—W. H. Collier. WANTED Known.—Having com pleted the alteration of premises we are opening with a genuine cheap ■ale. Come and see. H. C. Sbobrs, Melford House. ____ T iEXTENSION of Premises. Cheap \i Sale now on at the opening of new Shop. Come and judge for yourselves. H. C. Segers, LL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to j measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed ; from 52s 6d cash. Hobert Alcorn,' Ashburton Clothing Mar!, Saunders' Buildings. BOSLYN, Mosgiel, Kaiapoi, and"Ash burton Tweed Suits made to my order from selected patterns. Long and narrow and short and wide as well as ordinary sizes from 40a cash. Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. TO Meet the Times.—l am supplying Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards; warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of nil descriptions. Inspection invited. — J. W. Hiardlky, Bias street. 6J201 11/ ANTED Known—H. Dudley will W sink Deep Wells and supply Cylinder Pumps and Piping, and guaran tee water to surface at 3s 6d per foot. - H. Dudley, Moore Stseet. 6§54 "TTTANTUD Known.—-I have a large VV stock of Tin and Ironware Goods to select from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept in stock.—J. W. Hardley, East . treet. . _J!E(? r^HEAP READING for all Classes — J Hundreds of Back Numbers of Monthly and Quarterly Periodicals at Half Price. Several volumes of Standard Works at Cost Price to reduce our Large Stock. Photo and Scrap Albums, Photo Frames —L. F. Andrewes & Co., Stationers' Hall. _ Public Notices. "longbeach ro*d district, j NOTICIO TO OCCUPIERS OF LAND. ALL sides of Rotds ploughed out to destroy gorse must be left uniform and to the satisfaction of the Board's surveyor within fourteen days trom the date hereof, or the work will be done by th« Board at the expense of the occupier of land fronting such roads. Any occupier of land wishing to plough out sides of roads to destroy gorse must apply to die Board for permission to d« so, or the Board will hold such occupier liable for damage. All gorse growing on roads in the Disttict must be grubbed up and destroyed within fourteen days from the date hereof, or the Board will have the work done at the expense of occupiers of land fronting such roads. .JOHN GBIGG, Chairman. September 10, 1891. * 52 189l|^P rin 0 & Summer.U 91 1891ISHOW OF THE SEASON. J lß9l mm urn goods AT RIGHT PRICES. ' EACH department of our business is now replete with the Choicest Novelties in HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL MANUFACTURES. For Variety and Value our Stock is Unique. We have facilities for buying which few other firms enjoy, consequently we are enabled to cater for those who appreciate New and Fashionable Go jds all the year round. OUR SPECIALITIES AtlE- Clothing of Superior Quality, ready-made or made to measure, for Men, Youths, Boys, and little Boys. Perfect fit and Newest Shapes. Shirts, Ties, Braces, Belts, Studs, Bags, Rugs, and Dressing Gowns.^ Tennis and Cricketing Requisites ; Sanitary Uuder clothing. VEKT'i CIOVHB For Walking, Riding, and Driving, also Evening Dress Gloves. WATXRPnOOF COATS Own Make. For Walking, Riding, and Driving. Every garment guaranteed, and all seams sewn. Waterproof Rugs, Overallo, and Saddle Aprons. HATS. MAT*. HATS. Newest Shapes, Colorings, and Textutes to hand. Any description of Hat or Cap made to order. NEW ZEALAND CL()THIV(p FACTOBY, W H. WEBBER, Manager