The London coi'teepondent of the "Age,' writing on January 23rd 4 giyS3 the following account of the commencement of the revolu tion m Chili:—"'ln Chili, which is regarded as the moat stable State m South America, there is a revolution. The President Balma cedo, who has only a few months longer to reinaiu m office, is accused of intriguing to secure the election as his successor a creature of his own { the majority m Congress threatened to retuse supplies, but he dis missed them, passed the Budget over their heads, and issued an appeal to this nation. The Congress is backed up by the Nayy— the President by the Army. The former have blockaded Iquique, Pisagua, and Caleta Bueda, and the latest .tucounts state tnat there has been sharp fighting m the streets of Valparaiso. In Brazil the Ministry has resigned en mnw owing to some difference of opinion with the Marshal President, possibly over the division of the plunder. The action Ritchie Bros, v Cooper, ar.d the National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand (Limited) heard before the Chief Justice at Wellington last week was cf great interest to mortgagors and mortgagees, The plaintifis are sheep fanners at the Chat-ham Islands, and the defendants ;s,re the Registrar of the Supreme Court at Wellington and the mortgagees at the plain tiffs' station and stock. About a fortnight befor.e, the plaintiffs obtained an injunction restricting %c c\ef,endauts from proceeding with au advertised sate ot the property which was to take place that very day under the conduct of the Registrar. The main ground on which the injunction was obtained was that the time fixed by the Registrar for the sale was not convenient, inasmuch as ip was too short, and the advertising insuffi cient. Mr Skerretfc, on behalf of the com pany, moved to »efc aside the order for injunction mainly on the ground that the Registrar, m fixing time, had exercised a discretion, and that the Court had no power to iptetiG??- with that exercise. Mr Gray, on behalf of *V ptaj" tiffs, opposed the appli cation. His H#nor gave judgment dismissing gAfji company's motion, wiili £jLO £0s costs. t'Uz tltitiisiou isoneot great practical jhnport ;\»<ie f aiwl ifck# several applications are the first o£ flifi kjjij l;»ye come before the Seprenje C'oatt. - '

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1891. THE CENSUS.

The census enumerators are now en gaged m distributing the forms, one of which the head of every household is to fill up with the required particulars re specting every person who stays m his house on the night of Sunday, April 5. The information thus collected is of much more consequence than is gener ally supposed, and it is therefore im portant that it should be accurate. One or two hints to householders may be acceptable to them, and if followed out will lighten the labors and save much of the time of the enumerators, who, it may be remarked are by no rreans over paid for their onerous services. Many heads of households, especially m the country, leave the return to be filled up by the enumerator, and seem to be m doubt on many of the points on which one would think they would be most certain. These householders should prepare the information before hand m writing, however roughly, so that it may be dictated to the enumer ator without doubt or delay when he calls for the form. Those whose occupations call them from home should leave the form m safe hands, and if their dwellings are to be altogether deserted, leave affixed to the door directions where and when to find the head of the household or his representa tive. A little consideration on this point may save the enumerator a second call, and m the country a visit to a single dwelling may involve a journey of a dozen or twenty miles. Jt is the duty of the enumerator to leave a form at every dwell ing m his district before the day of the census, and to call for it on the following day or as soon after as possible, and under the Act persons whose duty it is to fill up or to furnish the information for filling up the forms will be liable to a penalty if they neglect or refuse to supply such information. We fear it is waste of words to ask the ladies to give their true age. One of the most re markable features of census statistics is the rapidity with which girls attain ages between sixteen and twenty, and the tenacity with which women remain at ages under thirty. It is said that instances have been known of women lingering for twenty years between the ages of 25 and 35. Those born m the colony may be informed that their ages can easily be verified by the Registrar General, and besides, the deception is of no advantage to them, as the particulars given iv the forms are kept strictly secret under an obli gation entered into by all who are m any way employed m doing the census work. We hope our readers will do their part of the duty well by giving the information punctually and cor rectly, and thus facilitate the progress of the enumerators.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The San Francisco mail closes at 6.20 this evening. The Comity Council offices will be closed from Thursday afternoon to Tuesday morn ing. One of the biggest payments of fire insur ances ever made m the colonies has just been concluded. This is m connection with the burning of the Mutual Store m Melbourne, which occurred on New Year s morning. The total sum paid over on stock and building was £70,3(J1. An albatross has been shot at Freemantle carrying on its neck a piece of wood bearing the words—"Barque Sarah, lat. 38, long. 98 degrees." The bird was shot within a few hundred yards of the place where an albi tross was found dead, on the beach two years ago, having a tin plate on its neck bearin 3 tin inscription relating to French castaways on the Crozets A serious shooting affray is reported from Newnhani, Victoria. A man named Evans, who was returning with a companion from a cricket match at ten o'clock last Saturday night, knocked violently at the door of a farmer named Howe for a lark, and then ran away, Howe did not take it m the same light, and pursued thorn with a shot gun, and lodged a charge m Uvans' back, .Evans is now m a critioal condition. Howe has been arrested. In a country district m Southland a concert was held m aid of the school. Two members of the school committee were taking money at the door. The concert was not over before the two doorkeepers hastened down to the hotel and began a "spree" on the takings, which spree lasted until all the proceeds were m the publican's till. Of course they had to refund the money afterwards—by weekly payments. A report comes from Benalia that a wild boy of the bush has been diecovered on Big River about 24 miles from that place. The boy was found m a hollow log by a rabbit hunter named Clayton. The youngster is about 10 years okl y had no clothing on, and it is stated he is covered with hair like a .wild beast, andean speak only a jargon of his own. He js now caged and is being attended to. Monday, being the Otago Anniversary Day, was observed m Dunedin as a general holiday. The regatta m aid of the Kakanui ftinfl attracted a large attendance consider ing the rawness of the day. The southwest breeze was too strong to allojy of some of the rowing events coming off, and the life raft trial was also abandoned, only one crew showing up, prepared to take their plunge into the chilly water. Two of the boats that went out for the Ladies' Challenge Cup were swamped. The Queensland sugar planters intend, now tljijt South Sea laborers are not available, to introduce Italians, and Sisjnor Frairie, who has been engaged by the planters, is now on his way to Piedmont, Northern Italy, to select abput 400 of tlj.e best agricultural laborers obtainable. His instructions are to pick the men hirr.aplf, $nd under no considera tion whatever is ha to bring any buc agri cultural laborers. Signor Frairie will be paid for his time and trouble whether he succeeds m getting laborers or not. Finland has a peculiar way of dealing with its paupers and aged, but a good deal has been done to get the inhuman practice of selling the poor creatures by auction abolished. The Government has been awakened to the fact that the practice is barbarous and entirely out of accord with fct^e otherwise cultivated institutions of Fin land. An instance of the dreadful manner m which these auctions are held may be recorded. A very old woman, sick and weary of life, almost top feeble to exist lpnger, hau fyeen if old to a fa.rujgr. Her term was up and she had to be resold. It was an exceedingly cold day, and a fearful snows]Lorn> raging. The popr old creature knew that she could not live over the uight, so she asked her owner if he would allow hpp to die m her corner, where she would be as quiet as possi ble and give up trouble, and. not eat any thing, She begged hard, but hep request we> not granted, and she was sent oufc to the auc tion. The price paid for her was very low, poor thing, for everyone knew that she could not last long. After the sale was over and the buyers were preparing to take home their ji.viidiases, the old woman was found dead. ' She had kept her word. .She had been no trouble to unyoke, bujfc had died without Bmw ' " ""■■■ "'

The Kakanui Relief Fund has reached the sum of £1250, and the Committee expect when the lists are closed the amount will be £1600. Captain Edwin telegraphed at noon to-day forecasting very unsettled weather during the next week, and heavy gales from north and south by west to south west between noon on the 27 th and noon on the 31st. Three murderers m Now Guinea have been hanged. A woman wj™ was implicated m George Hunter's murder petitioned the Governor to allow her to be hanged, but the petition was not entertained. For the Ram and Ewe Fair to-morrow between 20,000 and 25,000 Sheep have been entered. A, noticeable feature iv the sale will be the class and quality of the ewe 3 entered, which are better than have appeared at any previous sale. On Monday and Tuesdaythe evening (rain from Christchurch will leave Christ-church at 5.20, and run one hour five minutes later than timetable times. The train from Rakaia to Methven will leave Rakaia at 7.35 p.m. on those days. At the saleyards on Tuesday over 18,000 sheep were yarded. For all classes there was a well sustained demand at about the prices of last week. The only exception to this was m the case of lambs, which sufforeJ a decline of 6d to Is per head oh the prices of the previous sale day. '' , The valuation of Christchurch, including the recently added Richmond ward, has been finally settled at £199,350. Deducting the Richmond valuation, £6155, the amount is' £1487 less than last year, when Richmond was not included. It is calculated that some 2500 tons of flour are required m New Zealand every week and there is sufficient milling plant m the colony to produce 3500 tons a week. That means that between 40,000 and 50,000 tons of flour must be exported annually, to keep all the mills going steadily. Tiahey and Troy, the two men ■who were brought back from Hobart charged with the larceny of gold at Greymouth, have been discharged, having given up the gold and and other property which they took with them and which will give their creditors 10s m the £. Henry Russell, conposer of the music of "Cheer, boys, cheer !" and other well known songs to which many a cockatoo and kangaroo have listened wonderingly when Australian back blocks were being penetrated by the early settlers, has just, celebrated his 77th birthday. The present generation knows little of Henry Russell, but to their fathers he is an old friend, who made his his fame when the composers and songsters of the present day were candy-sucking and imbibing the deleterious ginger pop. Australians who are familiar with Mr Russell's songs will be interested to hear that at 77 the veteran composer is still hale and hearty, and can still stand tip and sing one of his old eongs on a pinch. A Chicago clergyman, after finishing a most eloquent and even thrilling sermon last month, suddenly exclaimed to the departing congregation "a word with you all, if you please, upon a secular theme." They stopped, and he commenced: "I am 30 years old, and have a large family; the church does not yield me a sufficient income. I have, therefore—being possessed of a fine and cultivated tenor voice—accepted au engagement m New York to appear afc the opera at the rate of £100 a month. Fare well, I bless you for the last time." He is really a fine singer, and by his puff pre liminary, secured a splendid house and a hearty reception on the night of his first appearance on the boards of the operatic stage. The total sum raised m aid of the Light Brigate survivors was £6900, which is con siderably m excess .of what was asked for. As a result about £2700 i has already been dis tributed m sums of from £10 to £60 and with the balance of the money it is understood that the Committee are endeavouring to arrange with one of the large insurance societies for the grant, on exceptionally favourable terms, of small annuities to a few of the most infirm and necessitous of the old Light Brigade men. Considering the pub licity which has been given to the movement (adds a Homo paper) it is not very likely that there are any really desticute survivors who have failed to receive some assistance from the funds at the disposal of the Com mittee. The Rev George Barclay was presented ab Gerakline on Thursday evening with an illuminated address, and a very handsome gold watch and chain, and Mrs Barclay was also presented with a beautiful crescent shaped brooch of, gold and pearls, with a pearl star between the points of the crescent. The address congratulated the rev gentleman on his completion of a quarter of a century's labor m the South Canterbury district, and referred to his untiring labors on behalf of the educational interests of South Canter bury, labors which had gained the admira tion of all. The Bank of New Zealand were defendants n an action heard before Mr Justice Webb m Melbourne on March 6th. Mary Penglase, wife of Walter Penglase, of Bayles street, Parkville, sued the Bank for the return of certain certificates of title, which had been lodged at the Bank by her as security" for her husband's account, and also claimed £1000 damages for the wrongful detention of Vie deeds, or m the alternative for £12,000. Iv 1888 Mrs Penglase owned some land at Essendon and Richmond, worth about £12,000, and m September of that year she and her husband wrote a letter to the Bank of New Zealand stating that they were going to England for twelve months, and they sent six deeds to the Bank for safe keeping, which the Bank was to hold as against Penglaae's account for that period. In January, 1889, the Bank lodged a caveat with the registrar of titles forbidding any dealings with the interest of the plaintiff m the land, claiming that it was subject to a charge of £7029 Is lOd. The defence was that the Baiik held the deeds as security for the indebtedness of Penglaie jointly with other persons, and .that the joint liability amounted to the sum of £8211. His Honor refused-to admit any evidence of the joint liability, and gave judgment for £10,000 damages, reducible it to Is on the delivery of the deeds, and gave Is damages for the detention. Execution was ordered to be stayed for one week. Certainly the Most Effective MEDICINE m the world is SANDER and SONS EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent powerful effects m Coughs, Colds, Influenzas etc. ; the relief is instantaneous. Thousands gave the most gratifying testimony. Read this certificate:—" 24th April, 1885 — Messrs Sander and Sons, —It is with the greatest qi pleasure-that J testify to the excellence of your Eucalypti Extract. Having had inflaimujation of the bone of the leg, which came on after a severe attack of low fever, I was attended by Dr J. Boyd, ■who had made strenuous efforts to save my leg, but without success. He found it necessary to amputate my limb. Having heard m the meantime of the wonderful cures worked by the Eucalypti Extract, I obtained a bottle, and the extract had not been applied more than an hour when I began to feel greatly relieved. ' £Stt>v applying tl^e extract every four hours for nine oj 1 ten"d>vs it was out of all danger. I would persiw.de all who may be effected with any suph disease to give the Eucalypti Extract a trial, and I am convinced that they will find it the most wonderful of medicines, —Your etc., E, J. Cujinow, Wattle street, Sand hurst. —(Advfc 5

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

(YEll PEES.S ASSOCIATION.)

The Ktliication System. Wellington, March 25. The Education Bpard afc a meeting for day consjderpa the Auckland ?! Hprald;« -g article on education iu^'New Zealand.' A {resolution was passed to the effect that the article was unworthy of serious con sideration, but as. the Minister had asked for a reply to it, the Chairman on behalf of fcjie Board had replied m a lengthy letter. HnfUorai $<)}ool Jgnniiiirjr. P'usjsdik, March 2,8, In fche Supremo Court Mr Wilkinson, solicitor, seeks to recover £109 12a from the Kaikorai School Committee for costs m connection with the inquiry before the } Royal Commission and Supreme Court. [ The case involves the right of School \ Committees to initiate litigation. •

The Education System.

THE SYLLABUS.

[PEK PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, March 93. Messrs T. W. Grundy, M'Morran, and C. Watson, headmasters of local schools, and Mr White, master of the Dunedin Normal School, waited on the Hon. W. P. Reeves, Minister for Education, to day, as representatives of the Now Zealand Educational Institute. The Rev W. J. Habens, Inspector-General of Schools, Was present, Mr White explained that the conditions of education from thirteen years ago had so far changed that some modification of the standard syllabus was required. They had no desh'e to lessen the work of the teachers, but wished to make the system less mechanical than at present, and to dn away with mere routine as far as possible. Comparing our system with that of the Old Country, he pointed out that under the English system there were only three "pass" subjects and three "class "sub jects m the syllabus, whereas m New Zealand there were six pass subjects, and and a greater number of class subjects than ab Home. In England much greater* prominence was given to a thorough course of English reading than m New Zealand, and an improvement on these lines would be desirable m the Colony He also pointed-out that the New Zealand standards m the matter of geography and arithmetic were distinctly higher than those of England. More com plaint was made m regard to the amount and character of the teaching m the latter subject than about any other. The Institute suggested that the number of class subjects should be increased, and the number of pass subjects be reduced. They warmly recognised the value of the addition of drawing to the syllabus, but thought it should not be made a pass sub ject, because it was obvious that scholars could not for many years be brought up to a uniform pass standard of proficiency. Grammar should be lightened, and so far as the technical portions, such aa the con jugation of verbs, etc., were concerned, it should not be a pass subject; but more importance should be attached to composi tion as a school exercise. Geography, again j should be made a class instead of a pass subject, as it already was m the Fourth Standard. If these alterations were' made, it was the opinion of the Institute that the subjects would never theless be equally as well taught as at present. Mr White asked that the geo graphy prescribed for the Fifth Standard should be lessened. The Institute thought it would be desirable to introduce some new subjects into the schools ; that if some of the elements of the secondary schools were introduced into the higher standards it would form a link between the two grades of education, and would enable the schools to answer more nearly to the training of students m technical subjects, besides starting them upon a course which they could follow up by private studies. In the English code there were Avhafc are called "specific sub jects," such as the rudiments of Latin, French, Euclid, algebra or sciences, a d he thought room might be made for these by striking oub a good deal of the details of geography, and of analysis and formal grammar. The Minister said a very wide and important question had now been opened, namely, whether the primary schools were to be considered a system m themselves, or whether they were to be Uie first step towards a secondary and possibly a University education. Were the members of the Institute of opmion that the primary schools were to be a part of a large kind of system ? Mr White—Yes. We are. The Rev. J. W. Habens—That would mean that the Education Act must be altered. The Minister pointed out the difficulty there would be m passing a new Act of Parliament, and said that before any steps could be taken the Boards would have to be consulted. Mr Grundy spoke m favour of allowing teachers freedom of classification. The Minister replied that one objection to that was that ib would necessitate a larger staff m the schools ; buc he would consider the matter. The Hon Mr W. P. Reeves promised to carefully consider the question brought before him, and the interview ended.

Competition in Wheat Growing.

It is only low freights, both by railway and by ocean steamer, says a writer m the "Age," which enable the American to compete with the agriculturists of Russia and India, where labour is extremely cheap, and where the distance of a farmer from the sea is much less than, is usually the cade m the United States. At the present time a bushel of wheat is carried from Chicago to Liverpool or London, iucluding both railway and sea freights, for about lOd. The effect of these low freights has been to cheapen the cost of wheat m Europe, and to reduce the acre age of land under wheat, not only m the United Kingdom but m Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and even Switzerland, where the inhabitants find it. cheaper to import wheat than to grow it. The agriculturists of Europe have been en deavoring to adapt themselves to the altered situation by the cultivation of other crops, and more especially by giving more attention to raising live stock. But they are increasingly threatened with competition from newer and less populous •ountries. The United States increased ita exports of provisions, including beef, bacon, ham, and cheese, by no less than 400 per cent between 1874. and 1880. Since that date the value has rather diminished than increased, but the fall has been m price rather thai; m volume. English and Scqtqh farmers derive some comfort from their belief that the competition from the United States m the grain market has of late shown a tendency to decrease. There is no doubt that farming m that country is the reverse of profitable. The American wheat grower is generally free of rent and owns his homestead, instead of paying, as the English farmer has to do, an aver age rental of 15s per acre m addition to the heavy burdens of local taxation. But it }s nqt at all uncommon for the Ameri can farmer to pay 1Q per cent per annum interest qn a_ mortgage of 25 dollars per acre, which is equivalent to a rental of 10s ; his average yield of wheat is only ont^half that obtained by his English rival, and the price which he obtains for his produce is not more than three-fourths the English price, and frequently not more than five-eighths m the case of resi dents m the Far West. An B&hglish farmer may calculate upon a yield of 20 bushels an acre, and a price of 4s per bushel, or m all a return of £4 per acre. The American has to be content with a return of 12 bushels per acre, worth at the outside 3s per bi^ho|, and frequently m the case of thq men m lowa,, 2Je,bra'ska, and Kansas! "2s t»d, or not more than 30s per acre. But howevej p,Qos \}}& re. munerafcip.n the American farmer. receives, l^e hfijS nq alternative but to keep on growing grain, for should he put his farm to other uses he has still to contend with a fierce competition. It does not seem as if the exhaustion of th.c American ssil or fi\e adoption by. fch& agricultural cjas.3 of Other occupations were within the domain of practical politics, the more ©specially since the area of the United States, with out faking Alaska into consideration, is 1,923,000,000 acres, and the total area under crop m 1889; was only 346,250,000 acresf di* rather more tha^n 7. percent of the whole country,

The South Australian Harvest.

[per press association.]

Adelaide, March 24. The total yield of wheat is esti mated at 10,513,000 bushels, a decrease on the previous harvest of 4,063,000. The falling off is due to the large quantity cut for hay upon the ad vance of red rust and the locusts.

The Cable Rates.

(I'KK PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Melboubue, March 24. Sir John Pender wires that per sonally he is anxious to begin the reduction m cabie rates immediately, but the Indian Administration dare not commence till Germany and liussia have formally approved of the agreement. .

The Fall in Land Value.

The " Field " has just published a list of prices offered or obtained for landed estates m England and Scotland during the past three years. Landowners have sold freely, during that period, and they are now accepting prices, as well as rents, which they would have laughed at a few years ago. Among numerous examples Snelsmere, Berks, which cost the late owner £16,000, is now worth £3120, or £12 per acre ; Tangley Manor, Guildford, has fallen m value from £20,000, paid by the Last owner, to £10,500; Horton" Hall, Sussox, has ; fallen m a few years from £15,000 to £8000, or £22 per acre ;a farm near Wisbeck cost £10,000 a few years ago, £3000 have been spend on it since, and it is now worth £3850 or £19 per acre; the price of Hedcombe, Devon, £35,600, did not cover the second mort gage ; Applegarth, Dumfriesshire, has fallen from £200,000 to £136,051, or £14 10s per acre ; and Strathmartin, Forfar shire, is worth £50,000 instead of £120,000 offered a tew years ago. Brackenborough Manor, Lincolnshire, sold at £28,000 twenty years ago, and the highest offer for it is £13,000, or £22 per acre; Tilshead Manor, m North Wilts, was purchased a few years ago for £12,000, and no one could be found to bid more than £5400 for it a few months ago. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners sold stretches of land m Oxfordshire, Hants, and Bucks at about £10 per acre. Among Scotch sales the most striking in stances of depreciation occurred m For farshire, where 685 acres, bought for £31,500 fifteen years ago, were sold for £16.000, and m Fifeshire 1600 acres, valued a few years ago at £60,000, were sold for about £40,000. Several grand old Scotch properties are now m the market, the reserves not having been reached.

PRESENTATION.

A pleasing ceremony took place on Saturday evening, when the employees on the Winchmore Estate, and a few others who have been connecter! with the place for some years past, made a presentation to Mr Matthew Stitt, as a souvenir of his wedding. The presentation consisted of an illuminated address, expressing the goodwill chat has always existed between Mr Stitt and those working under him, and a handsome gold watch and chain suitably engraved. Mr Robert Millar m presenting these made an appropriate speech, saying that the employees had taken this opportunity of showing their appreciation of Mr Stitt's kindness and justice m his ways with those working for him, and wishing him and Mrs Sbitt every happiness. Mr Stitt expressed his surprise and pleasure at receiving such a strong token of good feeling, and hoped that that good feeling would always continue. He, also thought that the watch was very sugges tive, as perhaps they thought his old one was a little too fast m the mornings.' i Mr Collings proposed the health of Mrs and Mr Suitt, which toast was duly honored. Several other Loasts were proposed and responded to, including the health of Mr and Mrs Robert Hart/Mr Robert Millar, Mr Charles Hart, and *' Old Times" coupled with the names of Messrs Collings and Abercrombie. Mr Collings m re i sponding again expressed the good will felt towards Mr Stilt, and the satisfaction felt at his continuing to manage the estate though changing his place of residence. During the evening several good songs were sung, and "Auld Lang Syne" brought a very pleasant evening to a close.

New South Wales Legis lators.

The reputation of the members of Par liament of New South Wales has not been enhanced by recent enclosures. Messrs Taylor and Willis came out of the prose cution of the "Rev Dr Keatinge " very badly indeed, as was mentionod m our columns a few days asjo ; and Mr M'Rae, another M.L.A., has had his character exposed m the Divorce Court. Mr Frank J. Smith, M.L.A., is now shown to have received a bribe m connection with the Oakey Park Railway Bill. Certain Supreme Court proceedings have resulted m Mr Smith standing before the public branded by the Chief Justice as there cipient of a bribe of £i 5 for political services. Whereupon the " Sydney Tele graph " thus comments:-"How many cases of this kind have occurred weare not m a potition to say, but common re port says that they are common, and this is sustained by the voluntary statement made m Court yesterday by Mr C. B. Stephen, one of the foremost and at the same time ong of the, m.osfc cautious prac titioners at the bar. It will astound the general public, although ib will not come as a matter of surprise to those who are laniiliar with the inner life of politics m this colony, to learn on this gentleman's authority that " it is a common thing for members of Parliament who undertake to look after private bills—who give up their private time to it and incur expense —to be reimbursed by the promoters of the bill." No more damaging statement than tliis was ever made against the honor of the Legislature, and if it is true it reveals a depth of degradation m our parliamentary life which more than justi fies the attacks that have been publicly and privately made upon the purity of our.political institutions." As a sequel to the M'Rae divorce case, m which Mrs M'Rae obtained a decree nisi against her husband, Myles M'Rae, M.L.A., for Morpeth, a jury case was set down m which Petronella Vaughan sued M'Rae to recover £5000 damages for the abduc tion and subsequent seduction qf her daughter, lima. The latter also sued M'Rae, through- her. mother, to recover £vSOQG. for breach of promise of marriage/ At the, trial of the. divorce s*u> t|ie evi dence, showed, tliaV Jlma Yaqsfhan;'ay.tejd for a tjme as governess tot M*RWh chA dr-en, a^d fch,a^ h,y repjresejnting he had been divorced he obtained her Consent to: marry him. A telegram;! dated Sydney, March 20, states that a" verdict, fa*'tie plamtiflfor £500 was given, m. fch§br«a^h f promise oaaa, • ': : '

.A brief storm of a cyclonic character' occurred at Athol, Southland, on Sunday night. Ihe iron roof of a largo stable was stripped into ribbon^ the being blown fiv§ chains away. Residents had to prop their houses against the lmrricaiie. •Stack tops were whirled away, although wiifed down. Harvesting l;ag been brought to a standstill by \he rough" 1 weather—bea^jy s bail aq<J ram showers. J ; : "

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

TO THE EDITOR. Sin, —I would like to ask through your paper the Captain and Secretary of the Ashborton Amateur Swimming Club the reason that the prizes won by the swimmers have not been given over to thism, or why no meeting has been called concerning, the matter,. 1 think there has been ample time to get the prizes together by this time. If the Christ church swimmers thought that the Committee were'■'"'slbw m getting off the races, I wonder what they will think now. —I am, etc., Waiting, Ashburton, March 24fch.

The Federal Convention.

[PBII PRESS ASSOCIATION. J

, Sydney. March 24. The Judiciary Committee suggests that the following provision be inserted m the Federal Constitution:— r That the judicial power of the Federation be vested m one Supreme Court, to be known as the Federal "Union High Court, and m such Courts as the Federal Parliament may from time to time create and establish. The Judg* 3, both of the Supreme Court and the inferior Courts, shall hold office during good behavior, and shall receive such salaries as shall from time to time be fixed by the Federal Parliament, but salary paid to any such Judge shall not be diminished during his continu ance m, office. Judges of the Supreme Court, and of such inferior Courts as the Federal Parliament shall from time to time «stablish, shall be appointed and may be removed or suspended by the Governor General, by and with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, but it shall not be laAvful for the Governor-General -tdV remove oi suspend any Judge of the Supreme Court, or any Judge of such inferior Court without an address from both Houses of the Federal Parliament re commending removal or suspension, such address to be adopted by a majo rity equal to two-thirds of the total number of each House of the Federal Parliament. The judicial power of the Federation shall extend to (1) AI cases of law and equity arising undei the Constitution Act; (2) All cases arising under any laws made by th< Federal Parliament under any treatj made by the Federation with any othei country; (3) All cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; (4) AI cases affecting the representatives oi other countries and Consuls ; (5' Cases m which the Federation shal be a party • (6) Disputes betweer two or more provinces; (7) Disputes between residents of different provinces (8) Disputes relating to land and othei property claimed under the laws oi different provinces, or any light oi franchise or privilege so claimed :—~bui nothing shall be construed to extenc the judicial power of the Federation t< any suit m law or equity commencec and pro: c )utecl against any province hi any person. In all cases affecting tin public Ministers or other accreditet f representatives of other countries anc Consuls, and m all cases m which t province shall be a party, or m whicl a writ of mandamus or prohibitioi shall be sought against a Minister o the Crown or Federation, the Suprem' Court shall have original jurisdictioi both as to law arid fact, with such ex ceptions and under such regulations a th» Federal Parliament shall authorise The Federal Parliament may from tim confer original jurisdiction on th Supreme Court m such cases as i thinks fit. The Supreme Court, shal have j urisdiction, with such exceptisri and subject to such regulations as th Federal Parliament shall from time t< time prescribe, to hear and determin appeals from all final judgments, d« crees, and orders of the highest court 6 final resort now established m any o the colonies,"or of the highest court o final resort which may hereafter bi established m any province of tin Federation, whether such Courtis o shall be a Court of Appeal or of origina jurisdiction, and the judgment of th Supreme Court shall oil all crimina cases, and m all cases arising under an^ law made by the Federal Parliament or any law made by the Legislature o any Province, be final and conclusive In all other cases it shall be optiona for the appellant to select the Suprenv Court or Court of Appeal of Grea Britain and Ireland to hear an appeal but if he accept the Supreme Court th< decision of that Court to be final. Tin Federal Parliament may from time o( time enact that any appeals which hy any law are now allowed from am judgment, decree, order or sentence o: the Supreme Court of any of the colonies to the Queen's Privy Council shall b< heard and, determined by the Suprem< Court of the Federation, and that th< judgment last mentioned m all appeals which the Federal Parliament shal form time to time direct to be hearc and determined by it shall be final anc conclusive, Trial's m connection wit! orimes recognisable; by any couiN established under the autferiiiy of th« Constitution shall be by jury, and every such trial shall hp held m tht province where the crime was com mitted, and where the crime is not committed -within any ' province the trial shall be held at such place oi places as the Federal Parliament may direct. Every person admitted by the Supreme Court of any province to appsar and practice as counsel or have audionce therein shall be subject to such rules, and regulations as the Judges of the Federal Supreme Court shall from ti(j\e to time prescribe, and on payment of fees be entitled to appoaf mdrnd practice as counsel and to have audience m the SWeral Supreme Court;, and such inferior courts as the Federal ParHamant shall from time to time create and establish. Every p-wson-admitted'to appear and pr&otlce a,s counsel m the Fedesa) Siuprenie Court shall be entitled to appear and practice^ as counsel m the Supreme Court o£ any Province. At to-day's sitting, a telegram was road from Sir B. OXoghLm abating that Victoria would never surrender the control of the Customs duties. Victoria was m favor of federation^ not amalgamation ; probation, not in tercolonial freetiv.{\=A - ' ■ • Siv. J- 0. Bray objected to the tolo giam being, recorded, and. moved m. taat direction, which vps carried. A lengthy letter" was

I Mr Justice Richmond, of New Zealand, [on the-judiciary proposals, Sir H. Parkes said, it was a valuable contribution. Mr Clarke, as Chairman of the Judi ciary Committee, stated he had read the letter, and moved that it be printed and circulated among the members of the Convention. Carried. Sir S,, Griffiths intimated that the Constitutional Committee had not finished its labors, and expressed sur prise that the reports of the Judiciary and Finance Committees had leaked out, especially as what purported to be a report of one Committee had not yet readied the Constitutional Committee. Sir H. Parkes, on behalf of the ofticers of the House, said that the most scrupulous care had been taken to keep the proceedings of the Com mittees secret, and he had no idea how the reports had reached the Press. Mr Munro, Chairman of the Finance Cottriiuttee, said the report had been sent to the members either by post or by hand, and he was confident that they had not divulged the contents. Mr Clarke said it was evident a rough draft of the Judiciary repprt had got astray m some way. Alterations had still to be made m it. Mr Dibbs advocated furnishing the Press with a copy of the Constitutional Committee's report as soon as it was ready instead of waiting till the Con vention met. A long discussion ensued, during which Sir George Grey deplored the mistake made m allowing the Commit tees to sit m secret, as otherwise the whole public of Australasia by means of the Press and telegraph might hay« been allowed practically to sit with the Convention and know all the viewg laid down, and it would have been more satisfactory had this been done. The Convention \ adjourned until Tuesday next

Newfoundland Difficulty.

[PER PRJBaS ASSOICATION.]

St. Johns, March 23. Members of the Newfoundland Assembly openly express themselves m favor df separation, and it is thought that any attempt at coercion will only result m a universal revolt. Members of the Newfoundland Legislature openly declared they would separate from Great Britain, and were cheered by the audience. London, March 23. Mr W. H. Smith has agreed to delay the re-introductiou of the Newfound land Bill m the House of Commons till April 16th. In the meantime he has warned Sir W. Whifceway, Premier < f the colony, that he must proceed with the measure unless- Newfound land legislates m the direction of ful filling the treaty obligations. (Received March 25, 10.50 a.m.) London, March 24. Sir Julius Yogel suggests that Great Britain should subsidise the Newfound land fishermen with an amount equiva lent to the bounties received by the French lobster fisheries. " The Times" approves the suggestion, if an amicable settlement with France fails.

POLITICAL NOTES.

(per press association.)

Rebfton, March 24. The Hon. R. Seddon left for Grey mouth this morning aftor having met with a most cordial reception. Lasb night he visited the School of Mines, and addressing the audience stated thai he should recommend the Government, after providing for a lecturer, co subsidise the institution equal m amount to the sums subscribed by the public for that purpose. Mr Seddon was entertained ata banquet last night, when between sixty and seventy were present. He briefly out lined the intended policy of the Ministry, and stated they would abolish the pro perty tax, adopt a graduated land tax and classify the Civil Service. Various speakers reformed to the confidence which the Government policy inspired, and paid it was m complete touch with the large body of the taxpayers.' . Gkeymouth, March 24. A special train ran through to Totara Flat to meet the Hon. Mr Seddon, and called at all the stations on the way. A considerable number went. Mr Seddon received several' deputations and local bodies m town. He was banquetted to night,, the hall beiug half full. The gallery was full of ladies. Mr Sedan's reception was most enthusiast)^. He was very pronounced regarding the abolition of the property tax wad the sub stitution of a graduated laj*d tax, allowing improvements to go fsee. He would also make coal lessees work their leases or abandon them, and would eneoura R e min ing m a legitimate way. Aucki«an», March 25. Hon. W. Ward, Postmaster-General, arrived this morning by the Hauroto from Sydney. , - ,•

THE MARKETS.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.}

(Received March 25, 10.30 a.m.) Sydjjey, March 25. Wheat, chick, 3s j milling, 3s lOd to 4s. Oats, Is 104 to 2s. Potatoes, New Zealand, £3 ; circular heads, £4. Onions, £3. Bacon* New Zealand cured, B£d to 9d ; hams, lid to Is, Atlihowool sales prices show a slight tendency to weaken m ,all descriptions exoepfc medium greasy, for which the demand is good. The season is now over, and only remnants are coming to hnnd. Melbourne, March 25. Wheat, easier, Ss 10£ dto 4s. Flour, stone makes, £7 15s to £S 10s; roller makes, £9 10s. Oats, 'stout, 2s B£d, \ Adelaide, March 251 Wheat, quiet, 4s. Flour, stone makes, £8 os ; roller makes,,£9 to £9 10b»

Fire Brigades Conference

( PEfi PRESS ASSOCIATION,)

Auckland, Mattsh 24L The annual Conference m connection with the United Fire BrigTfti}«&' Associa tion of Now Zsaland, was, opened to-day Lieutenant E. Smith, of Christchurch, President of the Association, m the chair. Superintendent Hughes, on behalf of the AiioMund and Suburban Fire Brigades welcomed the visitors. The roll was then called rind showed that there were jseventy five delegates present, and that four other Brigades were represented by proxy. i-he Mayor of Auckland (Mr Upton) who was present at the opening of the meet ing, welcomed the delegates on behalf of the citizens of Auckland, and said he was quite sure the Conference could not but redound to the good of the work of the Fire Brigades. The annual balance-sheet showed.a sum ..to,credit of £2.33 during the year. It was decided to present a valour medal to T, E. Thompson, Wanganui, for atwlttg,the]iv«sof two children at * fire on March 24, 1890, ami the Hon J. Ballanpe is to be iwkcd to make the pre sentuiitki). ,; :. \■' TUg Conference decided that Salvage

Tfrft ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2ft,. lßoi



W antcti CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Off?™ T OOK OUT! LOOK OUT! Don't .J_J foraet grand Bicycle Rices, Easter Monday, Domain Track. New Zealand champions competing. 3 125 CWOLllTO~Rnd^v7<jo7l^^ Cream ) as made by H. G. Flower, Con fectioner, East Street. WANTED Known7—Mrs~J. Buch anan has opened as Fruiterer and Confectioner, next Messrs John Orr and Co., East Street. ANTED Known.—lf you want -stood value for your money go to Melford House. Cheapest first-class Drapery m town.—H. C. Segers, Melford House. Tl 7 ANTF.D"~Known.^— "fe are now W opening all our new Winter Goods m Drapery, Millinery, Clothing, Boots, &c.~ fl. C. Segers, Melford House. " ANTED Known.—Cheapest House m town for First-class Drapery. Millinery, Clothine, Boots, &C.—H. C. Segers, Melford House. WANTED Known.—Mrs J. Buch anan, Fruiterer and Confectioner. Tea and coffee at all hours ; hot luncheon on Saturdays, 12 to 2. Next Messrs J. Orr and Co's, East Street. WANTED Known —Some special lines m choice Dress Goods at very low pricas showing at " The Corner." WANTE D every man m the County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds. —Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings. ANTED Known—The "Strong wear " Boot is the best for Mens 'ladies and Children.—W. H. Collier. /~1 LASS, Earthenware, and China, \JT direcr from the Manufacturers. — Robert Alcorn, Tea Warehouse and Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. WAITED Known-The Cheapest Shop to buy Tinware and Gal vanised Iron goods m Ashbarton, is at W. F. Hannaford'b, Burnett fetreet. A arge stock kept on hand. Tin and Iron ware goods made and repaired with des patch, VTOW ON —At Stationers' Hall, _I_M Great Sale of Surplus Stock of "Books, Stationery, Fancy Goods' Music, etc. Great reductions for cash, for one nnnth only. Hundreds of books at less than English price. At L. F. Anbrewbs «fc Co.'s, Stationers Hall. WANTED Known.—T. Johnson has taken one of Mr Bullock's shops m Wakanui Road, near Post Office, to be known as the Temperance Store. He is prepared to sell all kinds of Fruit and Confectionery ; good Bacon, Hams, Pota toes, Onions, &c. All kinds of summer drinks very cheap. Sparkling Champagne Cider, 3d per quart. 3§109 PuVic Notices. ASHBURTON PERMANENT BUILD ING & INVESTMENT SOCIETY. THE Office of the above Society will be CLOSED for the Easter Holi days on FRIDAY, SATURDAY, and MONDAY, March 27, 28, and 30. JiDWARD STEPHENS, 3 156 Manager. KNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN V AITI'MV, 1801. £ C IS. sg. O. F. F Sl "CTATS, Caps, Shirts, Pyjamas, J p n_ Sleeping Suits, Collars and t, ~ Cuffs, made to order at the New jj, C Zealand Clothing Factory. p C QOFT Felt Hats, Hard Felt F C O Hats, Tweed Hats, 'Varsity F C and other Caps, splendid variety, F C at the New Zealamj Clothing F C Factory. £ £ T.ADIES' and Gents' Water- J q \^A proofs, made to measure, -p (j choice lot of patterns to select p (j from, at the New Zealand Cloth- j1 C ing Factory. F C TJOYS' Suits, i.i Sailor, Fritz, F I) Guard, and Ajax shapes, * p nicely made, Coat and Knickers * A lined throughout, from 10s6d, at the *, C New Zealand Clothing Factory. f 0 f^\ ENTS' Tweed Suits 355, jp C \JT Gents' Tweed Trousers 9.s F C 6d, all our own make ,* thorough F C good value at the Neav Zealand F C Clothing Factory. F C, AI/ERTHEIM New High Arm *! p W Sewing Machi'ies are the best y g in the wo>M. The most simple, p (j most durable, most noiseless, best p C finished and lightest running Sew- f C ing Machine m the market.--New F C Zealand Clothing Factory Agents F C f^\ ENTLEMEN'.S Silk itnd J \JT Washing Scarfs m immense t, p variety, Riding Gloves, Braces m -p q Ambulance, Argosy and Impe al F q (new designs), at the New Zealand p C Clothing Factoky. j? C "IyyTEN'S and Boys' Suits made F C jjIX to measure ;first classfit and F C workmanship guaranteed m every F t| garment we undertake. We invite * p Inspection, comparison, patronage. £, (-< Kt!>ilan(l J 1 q ci-oTiiisr** rAoTonr, p zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzz^^^zzzzzz



Public Notice?. Wheat. Oats.~ fr~\RDERS just received for Prime TUSCAN, PEARL, & HUNTERS Also for large quantity good SECONDS WHEAT, and heavy MILLING OATS. —HIGHEST PRICES.— 3 111 JOHN G. RESTELL. IT. W. Spencer A Co. EXTENSION OF W. IT. »I»K3f»:KIt * Co* Great Clearing Salk. Being heavily overstocked, and m order to make room for a shipment of Goods which we have landing from Home m about a fortnight, we have made Greater Reductions than ever. All Wool, colonial flannel, lOid, 4-ply fingering wool, all colors, Is lid; Calicos 2s 3d . the doz ; Dress Goods 4*d; Washing Prints, 2id, 3f d, and 4|d ; Washing Muslin H2s lid the doz ; Towels, 3|d j each ; a very large Towel 9|d, fj Onow 6|d ; very good Ticking, m . 6d: double width Sheeting, H <] 7|d; heavy white Linen Twill H D Sheeting, ll|d ; heavy cotton Shirting, sjd^ Cretonnes, 4£d ; l fn Men's woollenSox, ll£d; Boys' p H Braces, 4d ; Men's Braces, 8d ; M <j Men's Regatta Shirta, 2s lid ; Jj Men's good Tweed Suits. 22s Q __ 6d ; Boys' Tweed Suits from l Jz] 4s lid ; Men's colored Moles y* «7» 6d, now 5s lid ; Boy 3' do. H 2s lid. BOOTS. BOOTS. U Men's Bluchers, 6s 6d ; Men's U colonial made Shooters, 9s lid; Boys' strong Boots very cheap. Women's strong Elastics, 6s 9d; Girls' and Maids' Kid Elastic Sides and Button Boots 2s lld ; 3s lid, hiid 4s 6d at W. W. SPJEXCCB * ©•'• THE ARCADE. N.B.— We have this day purchased a Traveller's Sefc of Samples at a discount of 50 per cent. If you want a real bargain now is your chance. ~The~Arcade7 SMITH'S PREMIER UIHEAT fIRESSING. REMIER ff HEAT URESSING. rIS preparation has been extensively USED by Agriculturists m the EaHtern Oounties m England for 40 years, and ia still at the present date THE FAVORITE Most popular and effective dressing for the prevention of S M TJ T, And the ravages of Birds, Grubs, etc. THE ASHBURTON DRUG COM PANY, Ld., have secured the SOLE ACrENCY for New Zealand and are now able to offer it to Farmers on most favor able terms, and solicit from them a TRIAL during the approaching Sowing. SMITH'S PREMIER WHEAT DRESSING Is sold m packets sufficient for eight bushels, and m bags containing suffi cient for 80 bushels of seed—with full and most simple directions for use. 3|147 JUSMUi "EITU yVffHQUTTEETa CHRIS fCHCRGH DENTAL SURGERY. Corner of Oashel and High streets S. M™ AND Co SURGEON DENTIST And at Dunedin And Westport (TTE have gained thi FIRST AWARD W " the Dunedin Exhibition for Artificial Dentures and Mechanical Appli ances for the Mouth, and it is with the greatest confidence that v/e guarantee the kighesfc class work and perfect fit at the most moderate cos A Single Artificial Tooth, 10s. Comple Sefc — Upper and Lower— temporary and permanent, £10 10s, Natural, Durable, Comfortable Artificial Teeth Replaced Temporarily al oiost immediately after the extraction of decayed teeth or stumps without extra cc or charge. Arrangements can be made for part or monthly payments. ADMINISTERING NITROUS OXIDE SAS several times daily for the paeib ten years, we fearlessly assert that extraction of teeth under its influence is perfectly painless and positively safe j Fee for Administration, ss. Extraction, 2* Od. : Artificial Teeth and Denture* -made by : •ther dentists repaired or i^uioddle-l at 11 §J8»11 cosfj r