The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 1891. LOCAL AND GENERAL

There is considerable excitement; m Tas maniau silver stocks and a boom has set m. The' raising of sisal hemp m the Bahamas promises, it is said, to be one of the chief industries of those islands. The Pope will donate 1,000,000 lire toward tho church 1o be erected m honor of the jubilee of his priesthood. Young ladies at the Oswego State Normal School arc prohibited from wearing corsets, high-heeled shoes or garters. It is stated that the Crown Prince of Roumania will shortly be betrothed to the Princess Victoria of Wales. Tuesday was the hottest day of this season, and we thiuk the hottest for years rast. The thermometer reached 107 m the ■hade. We observe that Captain William Jackson Barry is to lectu'-e this evening at Christ church, under the distinguished patronage of Btehop Julius. We are requested to intimate that owing to the illness of Professor Archibald the exhibition of the phonograph advertised for this evening will not take place. The sculling race between McLean and Stansbury for £200 iisido and the Champion ship of the world has boon arranged. The rr.ee will be rowed towards the end r.f April. It is proposed to construct a railway from Quebec to Labrador, along the northern shore of the St. Lawrence, and the capital of the company which is being formed to carry out the scheme is 40,000,000 dollars. The railway is to connect with a new line of steamers, which will make the voyage across the Atlantic from Milford Haven to a port on the Labrador coast m three clays and a Half. The following story is being freely circu lated m Palmei'Etot} North :—A well known farmer residing m that district, who was m the habit of exporting butter, the returns for which were anything but satisfactory, decided that something must be wrDng, so with the idea of unravelling the mystery he placed m the middle of a keg a small bottle containing a note asking the buyer, as a personal favor, to write and tell him the price he had paid for the butter. The answe? ha 3 just arrived, and it is somewhat surprising. The finder of the bottle states that he paid lid per Ib, while our friend, the exporter, only received 4|d nett. The puzzle now is, where does the difference find its way.

According to "Hayter's Victorian Year Book " for 18S9-90, dealing with the statistics of population, Melbourne now stands 30th on tho list of the great cities of the world. At the head of the list is London, which contains 5,500,000 inhabitants, The Ameri can cities above Melbourne are^JSfew York, 1,775,000 (or with Brooklyn, Jersey City, etc., 2,885,000): Philadelphia, 1,200,000; Chicago, 1,100,000; Brooklyn, 840,000: St. Louis, 500,000; and Baltimore, 840,000. The chief English cities are —Livtii-pqol (with Birkenhead), 699,831; Glasgow, 074,005. Buenos Ayres, 466,267, is just above Mel bourne, 458,470 ; and after an interval of ten cities comes Sydney, 381,730. The figures m most of fck.e above cases are for 1889.

A meeting of those interested m the irri gation of gardens was held at £iayfield, on January 3rd, when a resolution was paused to ask the County Council to grant water for that purpose, and to fix a reasonable charge for the use of same. Our local corres pondent m sending us the foregoing adds :— " the peopl? of this district have being doing their best to get irrigation, and as the County Council seen) afraid fc<? undertake any extensive and costly scheme tjjey think that if it is started on a small.scale from the pre sent water races, tho result will show con clusively to t!ie satisfaction of those who are now doubtful on the subject that irrigation will pay, and lead up to its adoption on a large and comprehensive scale/

Some entertaining stories are told m the current number of the H I/iw Gazette " of the tricks by which men emmnoncd as common jurymen attempt to av roiil the duty cast upon them. The writer of an article entitled "Before the Associate," says that one morning a little girl, wliDse eyes just peeped above the desk, timidly exclaimed, " Please, siv, father can't come •, he can't put onhis boots." The AssQuiat<jt asked the nervous little creature what was the matter with her parent. She hesitated ; evidently she had not been instructed further than the state ment she had made, cind looking straight into the Associate's twinkling eyes, she said, " Well sir, father don't weat hoqts : lie's got wooden legs, I wasn't to say anythjng tlse, sir? that's &U," A resident of Chi'fswburcli has received a letter from a friend living at Avoca f N. S, W., m which the latter says :—" Things haye changed much for the worse. Tho run is now simply swarming with rabbits. In the evenings they are playing round the huts jand among the woolsheds. Sure enough they will ruin this district; m fact they are jfasfc doing it. Every run has been reducing the cumber <?f sheep carried, and will have to continue ioiugso, a^hej* can never keep the rabbits down. Sandal-wood twift^, poisoned with strychnine and laid about when jfchero is no green feed, are very effectual, but stock Buffer also when they take it. All the best of the feed is devoured by pabbiws, and when rain conies and green feed is pieutifuf. they j will not take it, and as no other cheap j method is known, they have all tha rest of ! the year to breed m." Speaking about Mil- ■ dura, the writer saya that the settlement is making great strides.

The death is announced of Mrs Lemon, widow of Mr Murk Lemon, at one time editor of "Punch." Mrs Lemon had sur vived her husband over twenty years.

A composition of ivory for decorative pur poses, is made by gently boiling half an ounce of isinglass m a half-pint of water till disolved, then straining and adding flake white basic, nitrate of bismuth, And a very little Naples yellow, oxide of lead and anti mony. This ia to be mixed with rice water and atarch powder. Add to the work a final coat, and rub this with fine sand-paper to take off the gloss.

Thfi children of Prince Albert of Prussia are being taught to use their hands a.s well as their brains. Their father i 3 as well versed m the mysteries of bookbinding as the Emperor Frederick was m carpentering, and the two elder sons of Prince Albert have learned enough of masonry to be able to build a small pavilion under proper superin tendence. Tliair younger brother is to be a joiner. Prince Albert takes more interest m this part of his sons education than m any otllfT.

At a meeting of the New Zealand Educa tional Institute at Auckland this morning a resolution protesting against the action of certain Education Boards m interfering with the liberty of teachers m political affairs was discussed briefly and defeated by twenty against eight. It was agreed to recommend the establishment of a Court of Appeal for teachers, to consist of the Minister of Educa tion, the Inspector-General, and one teacher ; also that agriculture be made an alternative subject|in examinations.

Following is the resolution to be moved by Mr Friedlander at to-morrow's meeting of the County Council:—" That with a view of practically testing the results of irrigation m New Zealand, and the Canterbury Plains m particular, this Council ask the Govern ment to place a sum of money on the Estimates during the coming, session as a " bonus " towards the encouragement of a complete irrigation system." We reprint this because m our yesterday's issue the word " loan " appeared instead of " bonus."

A sad case of suicide ia reported from Narrari, New South Wales. A young woman, the wife of a boundary rider on Gurley station, m that district, became de ranged through the loneliness of the life she was leading, and poisoned herself and her child with strychnine. She left an inco herent letter, m which she stated that 3he wished to live happily with her husband, but could not bear to lose him for three or four months. The child and the mother were found lying on the floor when the husband returned from work.

A most amusing story has been going the round of the papers about a certain letter from the Queen to Prince Albert Victor, which realised a sum of £16 at a recent sale. It appears that his Royal Highness, when a boy, found himself, like other boys, short of pocket money, whereupon he wrote to his grandmamma to ask for further supplies. These, alas ! were not granted; but the letter of advice which the youthful spend thrift received instead was written m her Majesty's own handwriting, and might there fore on that account be said to have " money m it." Her astute grandson accordingly, it is said, disposed of it for the sum, of 30s, and the buyer's investment seems to have turned out a very profitable one, judging by the latest price quoted m the market.

The cost of the vast Trans-Siberian railway on which project Russia is about to embark, is estimated at £75,000,000. The Imperial Government has decided to commence the construction of the railway with the funds at present at command, and only to have recourse to an internal loan as needed to carry on tie work. Under all aspects, economic, strategic, political, and moral, the railway is an enterprise of the last import ance to the Northern Continent. Russian commerce with China, now estimated at 60,000,000 francs annually, will by its means l'eceive a very considerable impetus, and Russia hopes to develop a large commerce with Japan, and ako with the French, Spanish, and Dutch colonies of Oceania, which are only five clays' steam from Vhulivo stock, which, m the opinion of Russia, is far too isolated for safety.

Our Melbourne correspondent sends us tlic following;—An extraordinary incident, not mentioned m any of the police reports of the daily papers, oxured. at the'Antaietic Bill m the Exhibition. Amongst the oocupants of the gallery was a lady who objected to some one m the vicinity wearing a macintosh because she disliked the smell of india rubber. The* wearer suggested that under these circumstances the lady might move to another -part of the balcony. She didn't. She rushed wildly down stairs, brought upapolice man, and wMi a high tragedy pose sugges tive of the Alexandra Theatre, said " Arrest that man." The policeman wouldn't. He said that even the elastic charge of insulting behaviour wouldn't cover a rubber overcoat. Then the lady rushed for another policeman who also declined to arrest the objectionable garment. I like ladies of that kind. They give such variety to life, and make one view with Cvimparutive indifference the inevitable close of it,

The monthly meeting of the Ashburton Fire Brigade was held last night, at which there was a fair attendance of members. Drs Leahy and Tweed also attended. The chairman reported that the new rules had been printed, and coppies were on the table for perusal of members; that the reply of the Secretary of the United Fire Brigades Association m reference to certificates had been received ; and various minor matters had been attended to. The special business before them that evening, would be consider ing the desireableness of establishing an ambulance class for instruction m " first aid." It was necessary m all brigades that the elementary principles of ambulance work should be taught to the members, and with this object the medical men of Ashburton had been asked to assist the Brigade. Drs Tweed and Leahy had kindly attended that night to assist m making preliminary arrangements. After the doctqrs had given their views on the subject, expressing their belief m the necessity for such a class, it was unanimously resolved to open a class of in struction amongst the members qf the Brigade; to write tq the p,hrj-tch_uroh Society for copy of rules, and to call another meeting m a fortnight. The chairman re minded members to-night (Thursday) was the half-yearly inspection night by the Borough Council, when all members were required to attend. After accounts had been passed foi' payment and the roll called the meeting adjourned. To one of pessimistic inclinations (says the " Pest") a visit to the Rangitikei and Mana watu districts just now must indeed be an eye* opener. Rangitikei m particular, has an air of prosperity that cannot be mistaken. Waving fields of thriving wheat and oats meet the ga^e m all directions, varied only by well-grassed sheep or cattle runs ; and the fanner talks cheerfully qf a splendid season and the prospect of rich harvests. Manawatu is more conspicuous for the rapid progress that is being made m the settlement of the areas newly reclaimed from the bush along the Wellington and Manawatu Rail way Company's line thai; for tlje rich ver dure noticeable m the sister disirict, but the crops near and beyond Palmeston North are apokeu oi as being excellent m all respects. Nature has wonderfully favoured the fanner m this provincial district during the present season. The spring weather has been exceptionally good, so that all crops are m a forward state.

A Curious Affair.

THE CHILD'S HRAD FOUND,

(I'ER. PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Christchurcii, January 7. Detective O'Connor resumed the search to-day, and about 5 p.m. discovered a child's head under a thick growth of gooseberry- bushes, three or four yards from where the children had seen it. It was considerably decomposed, and there was a deep cut on the right temple. An inquest was opened at the police station before R. Beetham, Esq., R.M., and ad journed for a week. No further facts have since been discovered.

IRRIGATING THE PLAINS.

To-morrow's meeting of the County Council promises to be one of great interest and fraught with issues of the highest moment as regards the future ; for there can be no matter more vital to the prosperity of our agriculturists and pastoralists —the former especially —than that of tho thorough irrigation of the Plains. Mr Wright, who adds to progressive ideas a practical acquaint ance with agriculture, h&s given notice to move as follows:—" That the Engineer be instructed to report the cost of a complete system of irrigation for that part of ttie county lying be tween the Rakaia and the Ashburton rivers, and extending from the vicinity of Methven to the sea ; also as to the cost of preparing the land for the proper distribution, and the charge per acre 1 hat will be necessary to meet the outlay and the yearly expenses and management. The estimate to be based on the assumption that the whole of the water required shall be obtained from the Rakaia river"; and Mr Friedlander—who like Mr Wright is also a man of progressive ideas and, if not himself practically engaged in' agriculture, is at least intimately acquainted and bound up m interest with those who are —will follow up this by moving :—" That with a view of practically tesMng the results of irrigation m New Zealand and on the Canterbury .Plains m particular, this Council ask the Government to place a sum of money on the Estimates during the coming session as a bonus towards the en couragement of a complete irrigation system." These motions will raise the whole question, and their importance demands the earnest consideration of every member of the Council. The tentative experiment carried out on a small scale on the Council's irrigation farm during the past two or three years sufficed at least to show that even the worst of our land >nay be rendered productive if provided with a sufficient supply of water, and we do not think that the advocates of a general system of irrigation are at all over-sanguine m believing that tho carrying capacity of the Plains might be doubled or trebled given the one great desideratum—-water. We have before pointed to what has been achieved m Lombardy, at Mildura m Victoria, and elsewhere, m proof of this, and we notice m our con temporary the " Press " some further information with regard to what has been accomplished by the Chaffcy Bi-ok. m tho Colony mentioned. The figures quoted, are from Hayter's " Year Book " for 1889. The " Press" says :—" Not only is there the Chaffey Irrigation Colony m existence, but the State lias passed a series of Acts creating Trusts both for municipal and rural districts. On June 30th, 1889, there were thirty-four Water-works Trusts m existence, and there were then fourteen rural water supply works. The rural schemes had at that time cost over £600,000. From a table given m the Year Book we learn that during ISBB-9 24,574 acres had been subjected to irrigation, compared with 8993 acres m the previous year, and later returns will no doubt show a much greater advance. Statistics are given showing what the results of irrigation have been where practised m different parts of the colony, and the figures are certainly most en couraging." Our contemporary, how ever, sounds a note of warning, re minding its readers that the subject " will have to be approached with care and judgment, inasmuch as there are authorities who contend that the work of irrigation will be attended on these plains with great difficulty owing to loss by percolation, and quotes from a paper by Mr G. P. Williams, C.E;, m whiph he points, out that if, as con tended by some is the case, "the greater part of the water discharged into the races is consumed by veget able growth and evapoi*ated . . it is absolutely hopeless to think of any possibility of a scheme of irrigation m the climate of this country." But, on the other hand, we had it asserted the other day by Mr Friedlander that this loss by percolation was a mistaken idjsa, "for yqu could dig under the water races'anywhere for miles and miles and find the ground twelve inches below them as dry as were the streets of .Ashburton." As to whether there is any special difficulty to be overcome m regard to danger from percolation owing to the shingly nature of the subsoil, or whether tlu'a is entirely overcome by the natural process of silting,the Engineering ad vice of the Council is quite competent to determine—and we presume that Mr Wright and Mr Friedlander are already satisfied upon that point. If their views are sound, as wo think there is evidence to show, then that the work will prove a most beneficial and a handsomely remunerative one we have not the smallest doubt, and the financial question becomes really the only one to be considered. Ob viously a work of this magnitude cannot be undertaken out of revenue, and it appears to. us that t\\a best way to raise the money would be under an amendment of "The Government Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1§86." We say an amendment because the limit of an advance to a County Council m any one year under the Act as it stands is ,£(5000, a sum which we imagine would not nearly suffice to carry out the contemplated work. Under any circumstances a loan will be an absolute necessity, as the sixty applications already before the Council for an extension of the existing races can^Qt fa.c appfided to until funds are raised. The tsanctjqn of the ratepayers to the raising of a lqan will of qpurse i be required, and we hope that on this < occasion it will bo forthcoming.

Reaper and Binder Trials.

THE WALTER A. WOOD'S.

A correspondent at Mayfield sends the | following report of another trial of the Walter A. Wood's Binder. He says : - Several of the residents m this district have always been doubtful whether the i single apron would elevate the corn pro perly, so the manager of the firm m Christchurch gave Mr Dellow permission to give a trial, to satisfy the doubtful minds. The trial accordingly took place on Saturday last m a piece of oats belong ing to Mr Gale. There were not many persons present to see if owing to the day being market day and most people being m town and to the fact that the trial was not notified till Mr McLean arrived from Ashburton, but all who saw it were per fectly satisfied that the single apron would elevate perfectly. One result of the complete satisfaction given by the trial is the fact that Mr Gale, who had in tended to make his old machine do for this season, altered his mind, and bought the new single apron machine, and kepfc it a*, work m the field. The driver has just informed me that the machine will ele vate better m the wind than any other machine. He says if the corn only falls on the platform it is bound to go up.

THE DEERING.

The weather was kinder on Wednesday to the Deerinsf harvester than were the fears of the enterprising agent of the machine—Mr J. G. Restell. Heavy rain was expected, and, perhaps, if the truth were known, wished for—not of course to interfere with the trial of the binder, but to refresh the soil which has for weeks stared thirstily at a brazen sky. The trial of the Deering had been advertised, and sundry changes had been made m date and place, but as things came out the trial, or exhibition rather, was held m Mr Restell's own paddock on the Alford Forest road. The clever Brantford machine, had been at work m the paddock previously, and had been coing good work too, on the i-ather light and somewhat uneven crop of oats. But to accommodate the Deering, i the Brantford had been pulled out, and Mr F. Cox, and his supple team put m charge of the Deering. Better driver and better team neither Mr Cairns nr>r Mr Car lyle, the two Beeringexpertspresent, could not have wished. In spite of the trouble about cime and place, there was a fair crowd of farmers present, who took great interest m the work done by the machine. Ie was evidently her day out, for the cut was a clean as a lawn mower's, the tying perfect, for position of string and tight ness, and the sheaves came away from the knotter with the regularity of threads m a weaver's loom. Many compliments were paid to the machine, no doubt grati fying to both agents and experts, nor was the driver's skill m manipulating the machine ignored. The trial was con tinued to-day m the same paddock.

THIS MARKETS.

[per press association J

London, January 6. Cargoes of Australian wheat, to arrive during January and February, have been sold at 37s 6d. The Union Bank of Australia has declared a dividend of fourteen per cent, and carried £16,000 forward to next year.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, have received the following cable message, dated London, 6th January, 1891:— Wheat—Market active, owing to in creased Continental competition. New Zsalami average and long-berried is worth respectively 35s Ocl and 38s per 4961 b. Now Zealand wheat, f.a.q. to arrive iron .ship, is worth c.i.f. 36a 9d per 4801 b, September-October bill of lading. (Received January 8, 11 a.m.) London, January 7. The. total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 1,010,000 quarters, and for the Continent 640,000 quarters. The American visible supply is estimated at 25,856,000 bushels. Bank of New Zealand shares, new issue, £7 10s. • The brokers have refused the shippers demands for a reduction of freight. A committee will decide on the rates both for steam and sailing freights.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

PER PREfcS ASSOCIATION]

London January 6. Shops have been sacked at Blantyre. The " Financial News" eulogises the outlook m New Zealand. Nine of the children who were burned at Leeds Bazaar have died. The Solicitor-General condemns the refusal of the Railway Directors to arbitrate. Delany, another of the Phoenix Park murderers, has been released. He was a witness on the " Times "• Parnell Commission. Mr Vincent Scully, who was de feated at North Kilkenny, has given up his intention of petitioning against the return of Sir John Pope Hennessy, fearing exposure on his own account. Capetown, January 6. The National Bank of South Africa, with a capital of £4,000,000, is being formed. St. Petersburg, January f)< Tlie Russian troops stationed on the German frontier have been ordered to retire. London, January 6. The R.M.S. Bimutaka arrived at Plymouth to-day with her passengers all well and her cargo of frozen meat m good condition. The work qf laying the new cable through the Red rfea has. been com pleted. Preparations are being made for laying another cable between Aden and Bombay, and a third line of cable between Madras and Penang is ready to put down. The new cable tariff" would come into operation much sooner if the Agents- General were instructed to sign the agreements with the Cable Company. on behalf of their respective colonies. ' A syndicate, of which Mr David Oppenheimer is the head, is being formed with a capital of half a million sterling, to take over q,nd work all the antimony mines m New South Wales and Victoria. Th.c ore from the wines will be treated by a new process. A disturbance occurred at Coat bridge m Scotland to-day between a party of strikers and a number of men who have filled their places. The former stormed the latter m a dormi tory, and matters became so serious that the assistance of the police had to be obtained. Six of the strikers were arrested, while many others were severely batoned by the police. John Burns has been trying to induce the great English Unions to give monetary assistance to the men put on strike m Scotland, but his efforts for the most part have not proved successful, The Seamen's and

firemen's Uuions were the only bodies that responded to*the call, and between them they have subscribed £8000. ■Capetown, January 6. The R.M.S. Tongariro sailed to-day for Hobart and New Zealand.

INTERPROVINCIAL

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, January 7. Captain Moore, F.N., who represented the Admiralty iv the conference with commandants of colonial forces as to the defence of King George's Sound and Thursday Island, arrived yesterday from Sydney ex Hauroco. He intends to spend the next, two or three months touring m New Zenlan i, and this morning inspected the Wellington defence works, and expressed admiration of the mannoi m which the guns aie mounted He leaves for Lyttelton on Monday en route for the Southern Lakes and mountains.

Addington Stock Market.

Christohuhoit, January 7. Business has resumed its usual activity now that tho holidaysare past. To-day\s -market was very heavy. Stoke Sheep. In this section there was a much larger entry than usual, and prices suffered proportionately with the continued dry weather as the demand was very limited. Nearly 7000 were yarded, half of which were cull merino / wethers from Glenmark, which sold at Is Id to Is 3d, others of this class realised from Is 2d to 2s ; dry crossbred ewes sold at 2s, 4s 4d, 5s 7d, and 6s lOd, according to silse and quality; two-tooths m small lines realised 5s 4d, 6s, 7s, Bs, 8s 2d, 8s 3d, 8s 6d to 8s lid. Fat Lambs.—About 1500 were penned and found a fair market, as large quantities were bought for freezing where quality was apparent. From 9s to Us '6d were the ruling prices for freezers of 301bs to 351bs "weight; inferior sorts brought from 6s to 8s 6rl. Fat Sheep.—Over 6000 were yarded, among which there was nothing specially | prime, though the general run was of fair quality—crossbred ewes of from 481 b to 561 b m weight. There were a few lines of gocd quality two-tooth wethers and maiden ewes, and a cull line of six-tooth wethers,, machine-shorn, from Achray. Best wether sheep reached 125.9 d, but the average of the sale was about 9s 6d to 10.3; inferior quality were very dull of sale.

Fat Cattle.—There was a plethora of beef, no less than 282 head being yarded. This glutted the -market, and only a portion was disposed of. The quality all through was good. There were no ex ceptionally large beasts, but nice shapely steers were m the majority. Owing to the recent heavy sales several leading fleshers were oversupplied and did noc offer a bid, hence Hie price was not so good as it has been, from 12s to 16s per lOdbs being the ruling figure. Store Cattle.—There were only about 130 head of odd lots, cow.-s and young stock. These were very dull of sale, and taxed the patience of all connected. Pigs.—A small entry of about 70, con sisting of porkers, stores, and a few weaners.

The Behring Sea Diffi culty.

[PBK PKESS ASSOCIATION. J

London, January 7. There is no excitement of feeling exhibited by the English Press over the Bearing Sea difficulty. The " Standard's " Washington cor respondent telegraphs that the United States' Government are considering a proposal to suspend the sealing m the Behring Sea pending an agreement with the powers interested. Washington, January 7. Mr J. G. Blame, the Under Secre tary, accepts the principle of arbitra tion I'eprecting the Behring Sea dis pute, and suggests a revision of the Marquis of Salisbury's references. The " New York Herald " considers that the United States has no right to monopolise seals, and over-purchase Russia. The "New York Times," "World," and "Tribune", advises moderation m dealing with the matter.

POLITICAL.

The " New Zealand Times " states that Mr Scobie Mackenzie is now spoken of as the Government candidate for the Speakcrship. The Dunedin copy of the petition pro testing against any further appointments to the Legislative Council has, up to the present, been signed by 3500. Commenting editorially on the result of the elections, the " Temperance Herald " says :—" It will be seen that of twenty-five members, whose opinions are known and whose word is given, twenty three are pledged to local option ; of these six would make some sort of provision for compensation; while twelve others, who have not definitely declared themselves during the recent election contest, are believed to be m favor of the Alliance policy. They have either suppoibed that policy m previous Parliaments, are well-known Temperance men, or (as m the case of Mr Carncross, of the Taieri), have declared m favor of remitting the whole question of the liquor traffic to the will of the people, as declared ab the ballot box. Then we doubt not there are others, of whose opinions on this liquor question we afe nob informed, who, when the question comes to a vote m the House, will nob hesitate to entrust those Avho voted them to seats ia the House of Representatives Avibh th« power to declare by vote at the ballot-box whether or not they will have liquor-shops m their re spective districts."

ISLAND NEWS.

[PBK PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Auckland, January 7 The Richmond arrived from the Islands this morning, and reports things quiet at Tonga, Samoa, and Tahiti, The Rev James Chalmers, the well known missionary, had arrived from Rara tonsra. Mr Moss, the recently appointed British Resident at Raratonga, returned by-the Richmond after a preliminary official visit to the Hervey Group While at Raratonga he inquired into the re ported expulsion of the British traders from Mangaia, also as to the alleged abuses of the liquor traffic, besides obtaining voluminous data for the JSew Zealand Government regarding the prospects of trade and the state of the Islands generally. He visited the isjhnds m the group, and was very cor dially received by the natives. A strict liquor law is now passed m RaraUnga, only permitting the sale of strong drinks on a permit signed by the principal chief, and placing the whole 1 of the liquoi* m he islands m charge of one man. Queen Makeo, of Raratonga, has made a valuable present of a piece of land at Ararua towpship as a site for the British residency. The inhabitants generally will give labor and materials to the value of 350,000d0l (? 35,000) free to build the residency. Mr Moss returns to Itaratonga permanently shortly. News from Raratonga .states that the schooner Ararua, former y the Julia Price, p.f Auckland, was tofaliy lost near Aiba take Island m a squall. All on board, fiixteen natives, wove drowned. '

Latest Cable News

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[pee press association.]

(Received January 0, 10.45 p.m.)

GERMANY AND AFRICA.

Zanzijiah, January 7. Da'r-es-Salaam, a port on the main land south of Zanzibar, becomes the German naval seat of Government. Emiu.Pasha has been appointed Gover nor of the land territory.

ENGLAND AND PORTUGAL.

Capetown, January 7. Sir H. Loch, Chief Commissioner of the Cape, visits England m connection with the Anglo-Portuguese negotia tiations.

THE INDIAN RISING.

Washington, January 7. The reported battle with Indians was only an attack on a provision train. Short Bull, the Indian leader, threatens to capture Pine Ridge regardless of cost. It is defended by only six hundred regulars.

THE COINAGE QUESTION.

It is expctbed that the Senate wi I pass and the House will reject free coinage.

CHILD MARRIAGE IN INDIA.

Calcutta, January 7. The Indian Government intend to raise the age at which girls may marry to twelve years, but -vvill not otherwise interfere with the system of early marriages which has been so much criticised of late.

ANARCHIST CONFERENCE.

,Kojie, January 7. An Anarchist Conference at Teg dioli m Northern Italy passed a resolu tion urging the initiation of a general agitation on May Ist.

THE DISTRESS IN IRELAND.

London, January 7. Mr Balfour has returned thanks for the generous response to the appeal issued by the Lord-Lieutenant and himself on behalf of distressed Irish families.

PARNELL AND O'BRIEN.

Parnell and O'Brien were closeted together for many hours yesterday, and resume their conference to-day.

EFFECTS OF THE HARD WINTER.

The mortality m London owing to the hard winter is 6O0» above the weekly average.

ATTEMPT TO WRECK A TRAIN.

Sleepers were placed across the Horth British line, but were discovered m time, and the attempt to wreck the train failed.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Received January 8, n00b,)..

THE DEFAULTING BANK MANAGER,,

SYiwEr, JanuaryS.' It has been discovered that Bennett, late manager of the Paddington branch of the English and Scottish Chartered Bank, perpetrated his frauds with great ingenuity. He appears to have operated upon the London Chartered Bank as well as his own Bank by means of title deeds and other securi ties. His defalcations amount to fully £20,000.

EFFECTS OF CHEAP OCEAN POSTAGE.

Melbourne, January 8. The first mail to the United King dom under the 2£d rate of postage shows an increase of fifty per cent over the number of letters forwarded under the old tariff.

A RIDDANCE.

The Zalinski gun purchased some time ago by the Victorian Government has been taken over by the Imperial Government, and the colony thus gets rid of what looked like a white elephant.

What I Live For.

(Copied from an old Magazine.) " I live for those who love me, Whose hearts are kind and true, , For the heaven that smiles above me, And waits my spirit too : For all human ties that bind me ; For the task by God assigned me; For the bright hopes left behind me, And the good that I can do. I live to learn their Btory, Who've suffered for my sake; To emulate their glory, And follow m their wake ; Bards, patriots, martyrs, sages, Ths noble of all ages, Whose deeds crown history's pages, And Time's great volume make. I live to hold communion With all that is divine ; To feel there is a union 'Twixt "Nature's heart and trine; To profit by affliction, Reap truth from fields of fiction, Grow wiser from conviction,. And fulfil each grand design. I live to hail that season By gifted minds foretold, When man shall live by reason And not alone by gold ; When man to man united, And every wrong thing righted. The whole world shall be lighted As Eden was of old. I live for those who love me, For those who know me true, For the heaven that smiles: above me, And awaits my spirit too; For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future m the distance, And the good that I can do. —G. L. Barr.

A Hole in a Soldier's Coat.

A STORY OF THE CIRCCJMLOCU^ TION OFFICE.

Mr Hanbury, M.P., has an article m the "United Service Magazine " on the defects m the administration of the Army Clothing Department, He writes :—A curious instance of this, costly and complicated system was quoted as a very recent specimen before the Select Com mittee on Army Estimates. One undress jacket, rank and file, was received at Woolwich from Pimlico on December 10, 1887. On December 15 a board of survey was held, consisting of a major. and two lieutenants of the floyal Horse Artillery, who rejected ib for a "small cut iv the cloth, apparently caused by a sharp in* sbrument." They added:-—"Can be locally repaired at the cost of (2) twopence without any issue of material," and they duly signed their names and stamped the form. The report was nexbsi^nnd by the officer commanding the corpa with the re mark :—'<This cut willrequlreto be repaired before, the jacket can be reissued and.

TOT AsaBtJRTOJN GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 1891



GuKUiAtik' the Most Effective MEDICINE v the Vvorid is SANDER and SONS EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent 1 powerful effects m Coughs, Colds, Influenzat etc.; the relief is instantaneous. Thousands gave the most gratifying testimony. Read this certificate :—.".2*th April, 1885 — Messrs San,d.er aijd §ml}s, —ft* *s with the greatest of" "pleasure that J testify to the excellence of your Eucalypti Extract. Jfaviug had inflammation qf the bone of the ; leg, whidi w*n}fi on after a severe attack of low fev<si', I was attended by Dr J. Boyd, who had made sti'omious' ftffotts to save my leg, but without success. He found it necessary to amputate my limb. Having heard m the meantime of the wonrterf til cures •worked by the Eucalypti Extract, I obtained a bottle, and the extract had not been more than an hour when I began £o feel greatly relieved. After applying the .extract every four hours fo» iiine or ten days I it was out of all danger. I would persuade $11 who may be effected with any such disease j..0 give the Eucalypti Extract a trial (H).d i an; convinced that they will find it Its most wonderful of medicines.—Yours, ttc, E. J. Cuexow, Wattle strett, Sand ewst. --(Advf; 5



Wanted I, CASH Advertisements under this , headina not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Office EVtfRAL good Servants wanted. - ' Mrs Adams, Registry Office. 1§4.1 "O^AIjTiFUL variety~of choice and JL> useful Goods, especially .suitable for Birthday, Weddimr, and New Year presents.—l:l. M". Jones. PRKJOTsTAppies. I'kuns, Oranges, Lemons, Bananas, Ripe Tomatoes an i Cucumber*. —A. Adams, Saunders' Buildings. lj^O A MERICAN Ice Cream ! American Q. Ice Cream daily at H. G. Flower's, C nifectionor. Ice kept n stock. _^ ANTKIJKuown.- For Dress Sturts Prints, iV.c, Trimmings, to match, go to Melford House. Best value m town. Christmas presents now giving away.:—H. C. Sboehs WANT/CD Known — Some special lines m choice Dress Goods tit vary low prices showing at " The. Corner." TiTANTED~Knowiu^For Sheetings' W Tablings, Calicoes, Quilts, Towels Table Napkins, Tray Cloths, D'Oyleys?, &c, goto Melford House. Presents to every purchaser.—H. C Segers. TDRESENTS.— We are now giving L presents to every purchaser of Drapery, Clothing, Boots, and cheapest house m town.—H. C. Segers, Melford House. WANTED Known—The "Strong wear" Boot is the best for Men adies and Children.—W. H. Colliek. WANTED every man m the County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds.— Rojjjsiit Alcokn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings. WANTED Known —The Cheapest Shop to buy Tinware and Gal vanised Iron goods m Ashbarton, is at W. F. Ha.nxafo.ri/s, Burnett Street. A arge stock kept on hand. Tin and Iron ware goods made and repaired with des patch, | > OOTS, BOO'iV. "Mieep you. feet JO Dry and .save Doctor's Bills, have a splendid Stock m now. Try my Double-soled Shooters. Every pair Guaranteed. Robert Alcoun, Ashbur ton Clothintr Mart, Saunders' Buildings,



NEW YEAR GIFTS. NEW YEAR CARDS AND BOOKLETS. NEW ANNUAL VOLUMES and BOOKS for Prizes and Presentations. < NEW FANCY (JOODS, \-0., &c k L F. ANDRE WES & Co. VX. _D AWCETT JL) ODDS SURGEON DENTIST, Addkess :—Court Chambers, above Mr H. M. Jones Stationer, East Street. Private Residence, Ta?.icred Street, Three doors below Masonic Hall. pl["RTs"T~m"Xs s~a l"eT EVERY NOVELTY IN FANCY GOODS, SUITABLE FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR PRESENTS VERY CHEAP. MHS ADAMS FANCY REPOSITORY, Saunders' Buildings. 12 158 Ladies! Ladies! WHOLESALE DRAPERY HOUSES IN GREAT TROUBLE THIS SEASON WITH IMMENCE SURPLUS IMPORTATIONS OF SUMMED /^OODCI U M M E _L\ VJT OODU —THEREFORE - We have made an Extensive Purchase of French Muslins, Zephyrs, Ginghams, LTC, EMC. WHICH ARE NOW ON VIEW AX IVfITCHELL Q-r- TURNER'S, JjrJLITCHELL 06 JLURNER'S, KAIAPOI HOUSE. ifiiSTMIS Bllltilll. A NDREW r^ RR HAS opened m: a Splendid Show OF New Goods IN ALL DEPARTMENTS. Beautiful Assortment OF FANCY GOODS, Suitable for Presents. LADIES', GENTS', and CHILDREN'S Boots and Shoes GREATLY REDUCED. ANDREW ORB. Spring and Summer, 1890. BUY YOUR CLOTHING FROM THE NEW ZEALAND I CLOTHING FACTORY Men's Colonial TWEED SUITS, I Boys' and Youths' Colonivl TWEED SUITS at prices to suit everybody. H iTS.— We keep the Largest and Best Selection Hats made to measure. SUITS MADE TO MEASURE. Best workmanship put m every garment, and a perfect fit guaranteed. Large Selection of Boys' Knicker Suits. Ties, Shirts, Collars, Braces, Ac, m Latest Fashion t»nd Style. Best Value foe Cash m District N E V/ ZKAIAfID CLOTHM FAOrORY Ikgent for the Wonderful Wertheim Sewing Machines W. 11. vVEBBW? M;; linear THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN. From and after the 30th November, 1886 the termsof Subscription to this journal will be a follows, \'m : —  tjp PAID IX ADVASCK. "rter ... Os Gd, by post, 0s 6d Pur Half-year... ]2s Gd, by post, 18s (id „ Year ... 24s Od, by jo*!, 7s 0d  IV JJOOKKD. Pc Quarter ... 7s Gd, by post, 10s 9d  Half-year... l*"w Oil, by post, 21s Gd  Year ... 30.* Od, by post, 43s Od JJirtb, Marriage, and Death Notices, if paid for at the time of insertion, 2s 6d if boo'ccdi 49 cadi nsj may be sent a



' MR S. B. SEYMOUR," "\ SURGEON-DENTIST OF CHRISTCHURCH, WILL VISIT AS HBURTON on dates to be aunounced, and may be consulted at MR CAMBRIDGE'S, CHEMIST { _710 } "X rOTNVHSTANDING contiuuuto r ports ot the succefs ot other Machines, THEDEERIfIG ALL STEEL TWINE BINDER, CONTINUES TO HOLD ITS OWN Having, during the la.st two Seasons, secured upwards of 60 PBiZES In the Australasian Colonies. The Machine »3 now offered is a marrel of SIMPLICITY, STRENGTH, and DURABILITY. Actual experience proving that THE DEERING Requires fewer extra parts than any Machine m the field. The Undersigned has now on hand a LARGE ASSORTMENT of duplicates (extras), and is therefore ready for emer gencies. Twines, Oils Corn Sacks, &c. John Gr. Restell WOOL STORES WEST STREET, ASHBURTON. 24th December, 1890. Massey-Toronto Lp Binds. 1. LIGHTEST IN DRAFT. SUREST TO TIE. EASIEST TO MANAGE. SWIFTEST TO CUT, THE LONGEST LIVED.I MOST SCIENTIFICALLY MADE Stationary Axle AND Raise and Lower Style 5, 6, and 7 FEET CUTS.' Of the latter only very few\>n hand. £2000 V Torth of Extras m Stock, which wil be supplied to farmers at manufacturer's prices afc any time DAY OE NIGHT. FRIEDLANDER BROS -iJiiWIMTMIT WMMIT OF SEW ffilMD (FIRE AND MARINE) THE Business of this Cjmpany has 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 COMMJSRCIAL UNION ASSUR ANCE COMPANY, (Limited) Established 1861. Incorporated under Act of Parliament, 7 and 8 Vie, Cap. 110. Head Office : 19 and 20 Cornhill, London Capital fully subscribed ... £2,500,000 Total Invested Funds ... 2,351,707 Total Annual Nett Income... 1,132,239 HEAD OFFICE foe NEW ZEALAND : Lambton Quay, Wellington. With Local Boards of Advice m Australia and New Zealand. General Manager for New Zealand : FRANK ALLEN, J p. Every description of Fire nd Marine Insurance effected at LOWEST CURRENT BATES CUFF & "GRAHAM, Managers for Canterbury, Christchurch. Agents foe Ashbukton : FRIEDLANDER BROS 22 %_ ■ -^_ FIRST. FIRST. FIRST. A T the LARGEST FIELD TRtAL Held m Austbalta ihis Season The Brantford WAS PLACED FIRST, <^ defeating seven other machines. THIS IS GENUINE. THE ONLY STRING BINDER THAT CAN CUT AND TIE GRASS SEEP. TESTIMONIAL. I have cut with a 7ffc Brantford Binder purchased last season, about seven u^res of ryegrass for seed. The crop was very short and thin, being on light ground. The machine did its work perfectly, both cutting, binding an I tying without a hitch, and I consider the Brantford the best on the market, and the only machine fit to tackle light crop of grass 2§lol Guoiwus Co £.