THE ASHBURTON MAIL.

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The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas Et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1891. THE MUNICIPAR CORPORA TION BILL.

Among the many measures which the Legislative Council has seen fit to mutilate m important points is the Municipal Corporations Act Amend ment Bill. Ihe principal provision of this Bill was that relating to the polling of the ratepayers of a muni cipality on a proposal to borrow, and this clause has been struck out. As the law stands at present a proposal to raise a loan must be approved by the votes of two thirds of those on the ratepayers' roll, and the Bill proposed to alter this by making the requisite majority two thirds of the votes actu ally polled. The present law counts the votes of absentees and the dead who may happen to be on the roll against the proposal, as well as those of all who from any cause may be un able to attend and give their votes, though they may be m favor ot the proposal. The state of affairs is flagrantly inequitable, and the effect is to render the borrowing clauses of the Act practically inoperative m any large municipality. A very small minority indeed may with the aid of those vho do not vote defeat the most pressing scheme. It is surmised that the clause was rejected from Wellington considerations, In that city much needed schemes for sanitary improvement have been defeated by the effect of the present law. There would be no difficulty jn getting two thirds of the actual votes polled to approve ot a loan for city improvements but the minority and the non-voters have always carried the day. It is simply govern ment by the minority, and'the Legisla tive Council, by their action with re gard to this Bill have set the seal of their approval ou the principle. We have seen m this district important pro posals lost although scarcely a vote was polled against them, and thejsame may occur again. The two-thirds majority as provided by the Bill was a sufficient safeguard against anything being carried by a snap vote, and there was every reason to pass the clause as it stood. We can see no valid reason for throwing it out.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Last year 357, 317 letters passed through the Sydney Post Office, addressed to the promoters of sweeps. According to the Mines' report, the average earnings of the New Zealand gold miners is £51 2s Id per man. A North Carolina firm have registered the names " Musket and " Carbine" as trade maiks for their tobacco manufactures. The cricket season has come round once more and the first practice of the Ashburton players will take place at the Borough School grounds to-morrow. By advertisement elsewhere, burgesses are requested to observe a half-holiday on Wednesday, the occasion being the meeting of the Ashburton Trotting Club. The Kaiser has on foot a scheme to intro duce into Alsace-Lorraine a strong German element by inducing wealthy Germans to buy large estates offered for sale m those provinces and settle them with German tenant -s. The persecution of the Jews m Russia has had one remarkable result m clearing out the bulk of the musicians m various districts. In one town it is stated that the whole of the members of the municipal orchestra have been banished from ths empire, with the ex ception ©f the conductor. The Chiistchurch City Council decline 1 to grant the permission asked to e;e.t triumphal arches m the city on the occasion of the projected visit of General Booth. A resolution granting permission to suspend flags was passed, and with this concession the Salvation Army will have to be content. The " Timaru Herald" says that the fanners on the Levels Plains are complaining bitterly of the ravages of the grub among the young crops, and say that unless rain j falls m sufficient quantity to drown off this pest the wheat m many paddocks will be ] utterly ruined. Re-ploughing and sowing j is useless while the drought continues, as j rain is the only thing to destroy the pest. Mr J. G. Restell held his first, land sale m the Arcade on Saturday. He had quite a long li«fc of properties to offer, for all of which there was very spirited bidding, but the onlj one sold at auction W&9 ft farm of over 600 acres m the Lauriston district. This was bought at £5 an acre by Mr Donald Williamson. The interest taken m the other properties, however, was such that there is every probability of all of them changing hands privately »t -it, least the owner's reserves. An amusing story is told anent the recent detention of the s.s. Jubilee at Sydney through the breaking of her crank shaft. The accident was kept dark for some days, fche general idea among the public being that the st^anjej? *yae going into dock merely for cleaning, fheflni## Cigmpany, anticipating that she would Ifiavg at tfoe m'djuary time, kid on a steair.er to acfc as nurse %s usuial, and issued tickets at cheap ratps. !fh.e representative of the Jubilee thereupon bought a large number of tickets at 30s apiece. Soon afterwards it became known that the Jubilee would not make the trip at all, and the Union Company, it is said, raised the price of the 3Qs tickets to £3. Then the Jubilee man sold }u"s tickets at 100 per cent, profit, and felt consoled for the loss of his vessel's trip. At the monthly meeting of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce the following resolu | tion was carried unanimously :—"That, m the opinion of thj# Phambec, the Govern ment should be asked to gjve the matter of Australasian Federation their careful atten tion during the recess, with the view of jthi« polony's ultimately joining the movement; ami, further, that the committee of the chamber be instructed to consider the ad visableness of eown&nioating with other chambers throughout the w!o»y m order to concerted action m promoting the discjis^on of the question, fco as to secure a healthy es pre^sjon of public opinion on the subject. It was de4AM to refer the subject of Antarctic exploration to the committee, with the view oi bringing before the {io^vernment the im portance of encouraging and a#sisjfcii?g the project. i

His Honor Mr Justice Denniston has made an order convening a meeting of the Farmers' Union Grain Produce and Finance Company, for October 3rd, to cousidsr the advisableness or otherwise of winding up. A curiously malformed lamb has been shown us by Mr John Watson, Kyle. It has no lower jaw that can be discovered, and the ears meet under the throat, wliTe th<ire is a second mouth or aperture. It was evi dently born dead, though it had lived up to the time of birth. The parents, a Leices ter ram and a Merino ewe, are well formed animals. A Government inspection parade of the Ashburton Rifles will be held at half-past seven this evening. An examination of non no ni missioned officers holding Sergeant's cer tificates will be held after parade, with a view to filling the vacancy caused by the transfer of Color-Sergt. McDonald to the Permanent Artillery. A memorial has been forwarded to the Minister of Lands by settlers m the Rangi tata. Road District, shewing that they are suffering from the want of water, ana pray ing that the accrued " thirds" due to their district may be handed over to the Ashbur ton County Council for the purpose of pro viding a water supply. The Wellington correspondent of the "Otago Daily Times" says that the Commandant v?ho is to have control of the Defences of the colony will shortly be appointed m England. The Government are negotiating with the Home authorities for the choise of a competent officer of a tank to be decided by the Commander-in- Chief. A salary of £700 a year hae been voted for the Commandant who is to have absolute control m military matters, whilst the Minister of Defence will have charge of the finance of the department. One of the first of the Commandant's duties when he arrives m the colony will be to assist the Minister m drawing up new regulations for the Volunteer forces. The Government are acting on the advice of Military authorities m appointing such an officer. The Minister intends before the session closes to propose I m Parliament a motion which will have the I effect of placing the capitation grant to Volunteers upon a more satisfactory basis than at present. He states that there is no giound for the impression that he was out of sympathy with the Volunteer movement. A' curious case will shortly engage the attention of the Masterton Court. The j plaintiff J. J. Smith,: of the " Wuirarapa j Star," sues T. C. Williams for the purpose of recovering a sum of £9 9s, the price of inserting as an advertisement, a letter published by the defendant as an advertise ment m the' 'New Zealand Times." Plaintiff had inserted the. letter m the " Star " on the strength of a footnote which read " Wairarapa Star " and others please copy." Defendant before the Wellington Magistrate ' on Friday tendered the evidence of Charles Stubbs, accountant, and Thomas Morrison, journalist, for the purpose of showing the custom m regard to such matters. Both witnesses were of opinion that it was not customary to charge for copying a letter under such circumstances. Mr Morrison interpreted the footnote to mean " copy if you please," as applied to the case of notices of births, deaths and marriages, and he thought the plaintiff should not have taken the footnote as an instruction. i An extraordinary occurrence took place on September 8 m the Redfern Sydney Police Court. The magistrate had just sen tenced two men of the larrikin class, named M'Donald ■ and Simmons, for damaging furniture m a house belonging to a Mrs Sparks, to pay a fine of £5 and £20 damages or six months' imprisonment, when M'Donald sprang forward, seized the water bottle on the table and hurled it with great force at the prosecutrix, who had not left the witness box. Fortunately the missile struck the corner of the box and was smashed, the pieces flying m all directions. The second prisoner, meanwhile, had uplifted a caae chair, and was about to throw it at the magistrate when a constable seized it from behind and wrenched it from the man. The magistrate, however, had cautiously bent forward, leieith hi* desk, to evade danger. The man fustrated m one act, commenced fighting his wny f> the side of the bench, and was only a few feet from the magistrate when ho was over powered. During this encounter between the prisoner and police the crowd, terrified, rushed the doors m order to escape, and confusion reigned supreme. With diffi culty tl:e men were led to the cell, and when the first entered he picked up the wooden part of one of the stretchers and struck Senior-const tble Ingram over the eye and on the nose, inflicting two ugly wounds. Ihe prisoners were afterwards brought before the court singly. M'Donald was fined £5 5s damages for smashing the bottle, m default four months, and for asml ing the polics £5 or thre'3 months, both sentences to be cumulative. Simmons was fined £§ or three months m goal.

We clip the, following important testimo) liial from. the'' Illawapra Mercury ' (N. S. W of the 30fcii March.. It needs no comment :— " Mr Jolm Loveday, of the Bulli Mountains' writes to us that after suffering for four years with acute gravel, he has experienced almost complete relief by using Sander and Soijs' Eucalyptic Extract. He says ;-^- (l Seeing tsie said Extract advertised m the ' Illawarr-q Mercury,' his intense suffering induced him to obtain a bottle of the medicine from Mr Hosking, chemist, of this town, and. that the use of it gave him great relief at once. He states that between 10th March inst., when he obtained the first bottle of the extract, and the 19th, the use of that medicine continued to afford him relief, to he had been a stranger for four years. Mr Lovedajr writes also that he has found the Eucalypti Extract <j cure for rheumatism as well as gravel. He requests us to publish this information through the 'Mercury.' We jjiaye much pleasure m complying with Mr j^pygday's rjequest, wljose word cannot be doubted, and \ylio can have no object m view other than $ pure des.ir§ tq benefit suffering hum&nltv. "~(Advi;,) " 2

CHILIAN AFFAIRS.

SUICIDE OF BALMACEDA. [PER PftBSS ASSpCIATIOgT.] (Received September 22, 10.35 a.m.) London, September 21. Intelligence lias been received here that OeneraJ. B,almaceda, distrusting the Junta's promise of a fair trial, shot himself at the Argentine Republic Legation m Santiago, where he has been m hiding since his overthrow, and that troops are protecting his body. News of the ex-President's death was received afc Valparaiso with great en thusiasm, and was celebrated by illu minations. Balmaceda is reported to have left a document m which he .declares that his generals were false and fchafcii£ syfl-s surrounded by traitors He asserts that fre a£nifi4 at Chili's welfare, and denies the charges of cruelty except m certain cases which were rendered necessary. Balrnacedasay .that i\jfr Egan, United States Minister, ! often lu'ged njm iq compromise with the insurgents. IJe m&i .that fstef his downfall he intended to escape m tfye cruiser Almiraute Qondellp but finding she had sailed for Ban Antonio he re turned to Santiago qi% the 2nd inst. The document states that Dr Wpiburn, the Argentine Republic Minister, and another devoted adherent, alone were aware of his being concealed until ilf'rid&y Jast, when he was discovered by the Junta. B,almaceda was shot through the temples. O# Saturday morning the Junta sent a commission to yfew the body. The excitement m j Santiago m said to be indescribable, and a large frenzied tjrowd demanded the body. In a letter to Dr Wrfourn, Balmaceda stated that suicide was his i only escape from persecution. The news has not yet been confirmed by the Legation,

The Weather.

ALFORD STATION.

The fqllowing is the Meteorological report for the week ending September .20, 1891 :—

Land Sales.

Mr John G. Restell reports having held his first land sale m his Arcade, Ashburton, on Saturday, September 19. There was a large attendance of the public and great interest was taken m the sale of the properties submitted to auction. A farm at Lauriston, with improvements, and mostly sown down to English grass, Was keenly competed for, and was ulti mately knocked down to Mr Donald Williamson at £5 per acre. At this price it was considered to be a good bargain. Another farm at Cherteey, of about 1000 acres, also improved, was offered, but the price bid for this well improved pro perly was not quite up to the vendor's expectations, so that it was passed m at £5 per acre. Negotiations, however, are pending, so that privately a sale will eventuate m a few days. A suburban property was next offered, situated at Tinwald, but the highest price touched m the bidding did not reach the owner's reserve, and this <ilso was passed m; An improved farm of about 500 acres, at Westerfield, was put up, but not reach ing the reserve was passed. A lease of 140 acres of improved land at Chertsey was also offered, but did not reach the price wanted, and this too was passed. Taking the sale altogether, the biddings were spirited, and no doubt the land offered, but not sold, will all be disposed of privately.

Auctioneer's Report.

MR. JOHN G. RESTELL. Mr J"hn G. Restell reports on the weekly sale held at his Arcade and Horse Bazaar on Saturday, September 19, Mr F. M. Rickman, auctioneer, as follows : —About fifty horses of all classes came forward for sale, including a very good lot of eight draught mares and geldings, the property of Mr Morgan O'Brien, and brought by him from North Otago for sale at Ashburton. There is a good demand for young sound draught horses that will stand a trial, and such horses sold very well on Saturday up to £23, and some buyers could not supply themselves on account of the small number brought forward of good horses. Young sound light harness horses arc-in demand, and sold up fco £15; unbroken good up standing saddle horses sold up to £12, and weight carrying hacks from £10 to £15 ; aged and inferior draught horses from £5 to £10; weeds, screws, scrubbers, and very okl horses from £1 to £3. There was a large attendance throughout the day. Mr Restell also held his usual forth nightly sale of sheepskins, hides, and tallow at his East street Stores on Friday. A fair entry of skins came forward, and there was a good attendance of the trade, but there was a drop m prices of about Is per skin. The bulk ot Mr Restell's entry was sold up to o.s 6d for butchers' halfbreds, and to 4s 6d for butchers' merinos A few very heavy crossbred skins sold afc 6s Bd, Countiy skins brought from 3s 6d to ss. Hides an J tallow fetched current rates.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

The movement m favour of giving agricultural lessons m the public schools is making steady, if rather glow progress. An important step jig the publication of an Order m , Council relating to examinations for teachers' certificates, allowing the sub stitution for ' elementary science " i of the elementary knowledge of agri ! culture. The regulation defines the "elementary knowledge of agricul ture" as follows:— (a.) The parts of plants, stems, leaves^ roots, flowers, and fruit (with special reference to fruit trees and agricultural plants): (b.) Fertilisation of flowers an 4 formation of seed, Storage of food m seeds, roots, etc. Germination. («,) Compo sition of plants. Tlie meaning of the terms organic and inorganic. Ele-? ments and compounds, Outlines of chemistry of air and water, (d.) How plants obtain their food. Function of the leaf. Decomposition of carbonic acid. Leaf-green. Importance of water to the plant. Absorption of food by the roots. Action of root hairs, (c.) The soil. How soils are formed. Decay of rocks. Chemical 1 constituents of soil. Subsoil. Humus. ( The spjl a$ a source of plant-food. (J.) Ppief Qufcifne qf $he chemistry of the elements essential tq th.c growth of plants. Influence of light, warmth, and moisture on plant growth. Bac- I teria as the cause of decay and ferraen | tation. (g.) Soils : Mechanical analy sis of soilsi Classification of soils. Good and bad qualities of soils. In- Suerice of mechanical condition of soils on their fertility. Blant : foo i d m the soil, available and dormant, (h.) Till age: The objects to.be attained!by tillage. Improvement m the mechani cal condition. Importance of a good geed-bed. Chemical changes induced by exposure to, Ithe, air. Action of bac teria, etc., m the soil' ]&41q\ys. Till age as partly replacing manure, Water m the soil. Capillary action m the soil. Drainage. Possible loss of plant-food m drainage water. Differ ences m modes of cultivation for light and heavy soils. Plant-food m the soil. Exhaustion of the soil. Prin ciple of application of manures. Prin ciple of rotation of crops. Improve- j nient of the soil, (i.) Manures : Object of "manuring, (General and special manures. Farm-yard manure, its com position and value, i Its liability to ferment; management to prevent loss of vajue. yege.table and apimal refuse as liianure^. Green manuring. ?]h ut food most frequently jn soils. Manures supplying parjbicujar kinds o.f plant food,, ' Guanos. Special manures supplying nijbrogen. B'§ne manures. Superphosphate and other- miner*l! manures. Aption of lime on the §oiL (j.) Crops: The charaeterfctips of the commoner crops—rGereals, fodder-orops, root-crops. Habit of growth of a plant. Distribution of roots. Prin ciple of adaptation of manures to crops. (Jc) Importance of good seed. Propagation of plants by cuttings, tubers, bulbs, etc. Objects of grafting and pruiiing. Insect pests. Insect phanges a.s illustrated by the life : history of eominon jinsects. Nature of parasitic fungi, The regulation states that the examination for Class

! D will be more difficult than that for ! Class E, and will demand a knowledge "of simple experiments. His Excellency has been well advised m issuing this Order. To be able to communicate knowledge the teachers must first be taught, and this syllabus is as compre hensive as may be, without being too heavy and complicated. We have no doubt that the option of taking this subject will be largely availed of by teachers and students, and that its teaching will before long be m full swing m the country schools.

TELEGRAPHIC.

AUSTRALIAN.

(l «m J?hK3w ASSOCIATION.)

RICH GOLD FIND.

Perth (W.A.), September 21. Two men on the Murchison field are reported to have obtained over four hundredweight of gold and several others are said to average a hundred ounces weekly. A great number of miners are flocking to the ground and it is feared that owing to the scarcity of water the consequence to many of them will be disastrous.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, September 21. In the case of Lovett-v. Hospital Board m which £1000 was claimed as dairiages for alleged unskilful treatment of a leg m the hospital, the jury awarded £250 and costs. Ihe medical evidence was remark ably conflicting. The legal point as to whether the Board was liable for the action of the medical superintendent, Dr Collings, is yet to be argued m banco. Mr Bryce was interviewed by a large number of Auckland residents, who took t^e opportunity to express to him their sympathy with him m his present position after the recent incident m the Assembly which led ta his resignation. He goes to Hamilton to-morrow, and leaves himself m tli3 hands of his late constituents as to addressing them. Captain Jackson, R.M., acting under instructions from the Colonial Secretary's Depirtment, will hold an inquiry on October 6, into the charges made by Sir V." alter Buller against Air Charles Tuck as returning officer during the late election for Te Aroha.

The benefit football match for Sibbins' family on Saturday was very successful. The entries for the sports to raise funds to send a team of athletes to England are very numerous. |'' ( Wellington, September 21.. At Greytown North a meeting of residents has been held to consider the imposition of exchange on cheques by the banks. The meeting passed the following resolutions :—•'l. That exchange upon country cheques by banks hinder! industry and commerce. 2. That the following should be bank exchange districts m this colony : — Auckland, ILvwke's Bay, Taranaki, Wellington, Canterbury, Nelson, Westland, Otatjo, and Southland ; and that .exchange be only charged between those districts and not within them. S. Tint petitions to the banks be circulated m the different districts, m order to assist m giving weight to the opinion of thi.s meeting." The crops inthe Wairar.ipa are looking well, and the' season may bj said to be the most favorable for six years. Nearly £150 has baen collected t»s yet for the evicted tcnan's m Trolaii;T. Nblsov. Siiptfiu'mr 21. Afc a meeting of" the Acclimatisation Society to-night it was resolved to obtain three roebucks and six dees j also looks and opoisumsj as well as to expend another £60 m further stocking the rivers with fish. .

Dunedin, September 21, The enquiry mbothealleged"rmgingin" m connection with the recent coursing meet ing, was concluded to-night, when it was decided to disqualify from training or coursing J. .Forward, of Christchurch, I and also the bitcji Kathleen Mavourneen, otherwise Lady Lynton, aud all concerned are to be notified to this effect. It was j the unanimous opinion that the evidence J for the defence had been given m a very | unsatisfactory manner. ! Mr Justice Williams to-day granted a warrant for the arrest of Bernard Mc- Keruan, a bankrupt, on the ground that he was about to quit the colony to defeat or delay proceedings. lisTEftCAßGiix, September 21. There js trouble over Mr Hatch's seal ing venture. It appears that! owing to the Customs haying intimated that they would seize any skills arriving m fche golony after fch§ clp^iijg of the season qn the 31st-ulfc., and Mr Hatch's "ketch Grati tude coming m after that date the skins had been deposited on Stewart Island until the intentions of the Customs were ascertained. Some men of the party are now alleged to have removed about 300 skins, valued at £1000, and converted the money to their own use, the allegation being that they have sold them to a third party without Mr Hatch's knowledge. Jt is said that the Harbour Board's tug wa§ employed by^the men to. remove the skins, and Mr ifatch talks about suing th§ board. A warrant was issued Iqr th<3 a.pprehensJQii of Andrew Newfion, one p,f the sealers said to implicated, and he was arrested at Arrowtown to-day. It is rot certain what form the proceedings will take.

A Corpse on the Auck lands.

[I'iSR PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Invercargill, September 21. During the sealing trip at the Auck lands, Mr Mellish, head man of the Grati tude party, found the headless body of a rtpii, fully dressed, aniin a good statp of preservation, lyiiig" Qii tlje safety shqre of North Harbour, jusb above the high water mark. The man wore seaboofcs, reaching to. the knee, large socks of Scotch grey wool, corded serge trousers, pilot cloth vest, cardigan jacket, and a woollen shirt < striped white and black. Mr Mellish searched the pockets but found nothing to lead to the positive identification - only a piece of bees-wax, a round bootlace and a I comb. The body was that of a tall powerful man, very hairy, of ginger colour. Mr Mellish is almost certain that he had seen the sea boots and jacket before, and believes they were Captain Eckhoft's- He had been with Eckhoff on several cruises and says Uie build of the man corresponds. He brought away two I cluha Rbirt buttons, evidently sewn on by a woman, and jjas i aClT*r fled' them to Mrs Eclf hoff fop identificatiqri. It has been dearly established' fc-hat the body is nqt that of Nejson, lost from tli§ ! Compadre, and it is impossible |fc could be any of the Derry Castle's crew, as En : derby Island is eighteen miles, away and jt is over four years since that d^sastgr. Therefore fche body is either from some unknown vessel Ipst at t}|g Aucklands, or from the Kakanui, which when struck by a terrific gale was making for jtforth Harbor, which is much nearer the Mac quarries than Port Ross. Later. i It is not probable that the body found at the Auckland Jsknds waa that of Cap tap Eckhoff. Others of the sealing party state tliat the beard remaining on the upper part of the throat' was decidedly ruddy, whereas Egkhgifg bead was fflf.

- ' Dunedin September 21. Mrs Eckhoff., on being seen, thinks it improbable that the body is that of,her husbartd. She has not yet received the buttons mentioned, but she says that the only'articles described which correspond with what her husband had is tlu».:sea boots. She is surprised that Mr Mellish never noticed that Eckhoff had the little and third finger deformed, by which the body could be at once recognised. Al«o that on the muscles of the upper portion" of.his left arm were his initials m large letters.

REVIEWS.

TftE TURF RECORD. The publication of the "New Zealand Turt Record," which was interrupted for several years, hao now been undertaken by the proprietors of the " Weekly Press and Referee." It is a most complete re cord, and shows to what dimensions the sport of racing hai. grown. It contains full reports of the race meetings which have taken place m the colony ducpg the season 1890-91, with the names, weights, and jockeys of all the horses engaged and the totalisator dividends. No' meeting however small, or whether steeplechase, flat races cr trotting, appears to have escaped the eyes of the compilers, and so far as our examinationhas extended the details are accurate and trustworthy. Trotting races are separately indexed, .and there is a vast amount of other valuable informa tion. The volume is neatly and strongly bound, excellently printed, and is without exception the most complete record of its kind that h*s as yet been published m New Zealand. The price is so low that the publishers are warranted m appealing to the racing clubs to contribute towards the expense of bringing out a work so necessary to all connected with racing. A COLONIAL NOVEL. "Making His Pile" is the title of a new tale ol colonial life which is bound to be very widely read. There is nothing very original m the incidents, which are within the experience of many of the 1 great army of new chums. The story is that of a confiding and not very shrewd son of a gentlemen of old family, who comes to New Zealand, and falls victim to the" deceptions of the sharp business j men of the Otagan Capital. These | commercial and financial lights are painted m most unflattering colors, and as many of the characters m this scene are but faintly disguised this gives zast to the reading. Some of the best writing m the book is that descriptive of the country about Dunedin. The hero besides losing his money loses his heart m Dunedin. He goes to Victoria, where the discovery of a goldfield restores the fortunes of him self and his family, and soon afterwards he finds his sweetheart of Dunedin m the occupation of cashier p at. a Melbourne Coffee Palace. The writer, whose name j is given as .1 ustin Charles MacCartie, has a strong predilection towards Victoria,) and the hero is made to utter a good many bits of true Victorian ** blow." The style is not of the most polished, but the, book is decidedly entertaining, and is a. creditable production.

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

[PER-PRESS-ASSOCIATION.! i Wellington, September 21. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. selectors' land revaluation bill. Sir George Whitmore announced that the Conference on the Selectors' Land Revaluation Bill had been unable to arrive at any compromise. NORTH ISLAND'MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY BILL. The North Island Main Trunk Railway Bill was put through, its final stages. COUNTIES ACT' AMJ4NJOMEHT JJILL. Mr Buckley moved the second reading of the Counties Ant Amendment Bill, which he regretted h?d been so sadly mutilated m another place. Mr Stevens thought the Bill should be hung up, as it was, to say the least of it, too important a measure to be hurriedly considered m the last days of the session, Dr Pollfn and Sir George Whitmore opposed the Bill. Mr Acland moved as an amendment tljat the Bill be read a second time that day three months, He took this course as ( he felt convinced the country knew but'little of the provisions of the measure, and also because the session was too far spent for a Select Committee to do justice to it. • . After further debate the Bill was thrown oat by 15 to 10. The Council rosg at 5 p,m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, September 21, The House met at 2.30 p.m, ' , BABBIT NUISANCE BILL. It was decided to disagiee with the amendments made by the Legislative Council m the Rabbit Nuisance Bit}. .RAILWAYS AUTHORISATION AND MANAGE MENT BILL. Mr Seddon mov«d the second reading of the Railways Authorisation and Man agement Bill to authorise the construction of extensions of the Te Aro railway (Wellington), Whangarei, Kamo, Helens ville northward, and Otago Central (Wingatui bal|ast pit siding) Bill. He also proposed to provide for the manage ment, wprking, and maintenance of the ifaihu Valley Railway. '.';..- Mr Rolleston said the individual pro posals of Government with respect to Public Works did not comply with those principles which ought to be ob.setved at the present time, and there was no doubt that those proposals involved fresh bor rowing for unproductive works. The motion was agreed to, and the House rose at 5 p.m., that being the hour fixed for the Conference with the Council on the Land Bill. The House resumed at 7.80. EDUCATION ENDOWMENTS AND RESERVES MANAGEMENT AND EXCHANGE BILL. The Hon. Mr McKenzie moved the second reading of th,e Education Endow ments and Reserves Management and Exchange Bill, to authorise those reserves being dealt with, by the Land, Boards of the oolony, and to hand over various endowments to the trusts to which they belong. Mr Rolleston thought the Bill as at present drawn would give rise to wide spread dissatisfaction, and he hoped the Minister should be satisfied to allow it merely to deal with the question! of exchanging pastoral for agricultural country. In replying, Mr McKenzie said t\%% reason the Bill was introduced was m consequence of the large number of petitions sent to the House year after year complaining of the management of these reserves. „, Ihe motion was agreed to. BOROUGH RESERVES VESTING AND SALE BILL, Ihe Borough Reserves Vesting and Safe Bift wa,s gojnn}itted, ffnd went through with verbal alteration^. It nj^s subsequently read a thjrd tjme and passed. RAILWAY AUTHORISATION AMD MANAGBk ' ■ ' . MENT 3ILL. '; .-'; i The Railway Authorisation and Manage? ment BUI was taken m Committee. : Mr Thompson (Auckland) moved to strike out that section of tj}e schedule which related to the extension of the rail way from Thbrndon to Te Aro (Welling ton). This was lost by 25 to 9. The Bill was reported without amend ment, and put through its final stages. JNTERCEPTINa SUPPLY, Oft tlje motfOH that t|je Hpus^ go jnto

Committee of Supply for consideration of the Eslimites, ■ ■ ■ :" Mi- Houston moved an amendment to the effect that no mine timber l>e imported for railway sleepers. Mr Seddoii promised to support, the proposition by every means m his potoer, ana it was agreed ;to on the 'voices. - * Mr Rolleston referred to tlie proceed i'.!Uß m the House on Friday night find Saturday morning, and condemned the action oc the Ministry m keeping members till 8 o'clock iv the morning, and especi ally the failure of the M; iiij»ter m charge of the Estimates to give information con nected with the Public Trust Commission. Mr Gumness moved a further amend ment to go into Committee of Supply to the effect that Sir Julius Yogel should not be precluded from presenting his claim to the House through a technicality that its was not presented within twelve months after the claim arose on the ground of the Statute of Limitations, ,/ Mr Reeves said that the Government could no\ accept the amendment, and it was lost by 44 to 8. The Premier said that the Government did not wiah to express any opinion as to the validity of Sir Julius Vogel's claim, but he pointed out that they had no power to allow the claim to be heard except by •\ special Act. It appeared to him that this question should go before a Select | Committeeandwhen the Committee had re ported onittheGpvernmentwouldthen see! whether it could take any action. {Refer ring to Mr Rollestun's remarks he under stood that the Opposition were not under control on Friday night. A - Mr Rolleston observed that he had exercised no control on that occasion and he should be ashamed to suppress the proper criticism of the acts of Ministers which he considered perfectly justifiable after the speeches made by the Ministers themselves. The Premier continuing, aaid that by the fact that the Opposition debated the proposition to go into Supply -at such length the Government were compelled to sit jate m order to get through the work. Mr Kennedy MacdonsM rose to make a personal explanation. He said that he , had not received one single shilling m any shape or form for his services on the Public Trust Commission, and more than that he had paid his own personal c*: penses m connection with the Commission. COMMITTEE OF bTJPBLY. The House went into Committee of Supply for consideration of the Public Works Estimates. Minister for Immigration— £1140. Several members expressed the opinion that this vote should be materially in-« creased so that assistance could be rendered to people who desired .to bring out relatives to the colony. After considerable discussion the vote passed as printed. i .Main roads—£l4,74o, - Miscellaneous roads and bridges— | £15,200. Grants m aid—£s33s. • Roads to open up lands for sale—£3Boo. .All these votes were carried without alteration. Village settlements—£l Carried. Roads on goldfi elds—£297so. Carried^ All other votes, including amounts set down for construction of new railways, were agreed to without alteration. The vote for the Grahamscowri-Te Aroha line was unsuccessfully attacked, arid an endeavor was made to have the whole of the money allotted for the Wpodyille and Eketahuna line spent at Hie Wellington: end, brit without avail. Progress was re ported when the Public Works estimates were finished, aud the House rose at sasm.."";"""5 asm.."";""" :':.';. .T . ...

SPORTING.

AS HBURTON TROTTING CLU B. ("WHITE CHOKER'S" TIPS.) The Trotting Club has every reason to be gratified with the acceptances received for to-morrow's races, only five having failed to accept. The fields, consequently, will be strong, and there is every prospect of some'good trotting being shown. The following are. " White Choker's " tips :— maiden—Victoria IT.- 1 ; Form, 2 ; Ana conda, 3. Selling—Minnie, 1; Star of Honor, 2 ; Coralie, 3. Harness^-J.M., 1 j Idaho, 2 ; Maud, 3. Allen! on— Shamrock, 1; Master George, 2; Made line, 3. District—Minnie,!; Humbug, 2 ; Lily, 3. Electric—Wilkin, 1; Victoria 11. 2 ; Mountjoy, 3.

POLITICAL.

(from our parliamentary corres pondent), / business. ! ,;, ■ '■ Wellington, September 21, Mil MGKBNZIB OK; HIS DBI'BNCE. Things are very quiet. Government are using every means to get the business through, end the Opposition party, though now well organised, is dispirited after the fizzle over public trust affairs. Mr McKenzie, smarting under the treatment of his Land Bills by the "Lords" ;was m great form to-day. Various Opposition members including Mr Rolleston, taxed him with having done not so, much for the settlement of the land as previous Administrations.had,. In, reply, j tie Minister defended his policy and justi fied it m an indignant speech. RABBIT NOIBA.NOE HILL. The House disagreed with the amend meats by the Legislative Counoil and a conference has been appointed. One amendment on the definition of proof fence clause is the following: "The netting to be not less than 3fb 6in ; wide " ■a'vl provided that, on the recomineda tion of the Rabbit Board, or m the ab sence of a Rabbit Board the local stock inspector, the Governor may approve of galvanised wire netting of 3ft being sub stituted" ; and again that 1; pii' the recommendation, of th,e Rabbit Board, or of the sfcocfe inspector outside of a rabbit district, the Governor nray autho rise the use of galvanised wire netting of a less width than ,§ft Qpi wjde as afore said," Jn the clause empowering the Governor to aPP}y the ,acb,fe> a : rabbit proof fence there is the following amend ment, ''provided.that,.on the recommen dation of the Rabbit Board of any'dis trict, or on the recommendation of the local inspector, the Governor may bring section 5 of the said Aob into effect." Clause 4—limitation of operation of pre ceding section.: This has been amended to read : that the section shall take effect on " recommsndation " as well as peti tion. 'Wellington, September 22. To-night at 7.30 the supplementary estimates will be taken. - The Opposition appear (ai»d declare themselves private!}) determined to make a big fight on the Public Trust Commission vote. Jb is ex pected to be the last and beetle of the session. ' ■" . '■",'..'"' ■' !' ' ■

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN

(PKE PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

(Received September 22, 10.10 a.nt )

THE RUSSIAN FAMINE.

St. Pktbhsbceo, September 21. The starving peasantry m the Southern and Western, provinces are burning houses for purposes of plunder.

THE EASTERN QUESTION.

The reported fighting between Russians and Afghans on the frontier is denied here.- Bermk, September 21. The " Post" asserts that Austria will not regard the capture cf Con stantinople as a casus belli.

THE CHINESE DISTURBANCES.

Rome, September 21. "La Tribuna " states that the fleets of England, Italy, Germany and the United States will make a demonstra tion m Chinese waters under the Duke of Genoa, and that the French and Russian fleet will abstain from taking part m it.

THE POPE AND DUELLISTS.

His Holiness the Pope threatens to excommunicate duellists.

THE LABOR ENCYCLICAL.

The Pope m the presence of twelve cardinals received a deputation repre senting twenty thousand French work men and pilgrims, thanking his Holi ness for the recent encyclical' letter to workmen. In replying his Holiness reiterated his warning against socia lists, and advised workmen to place their reliance m Christianity and thrift.

LABOR QUESTIONS.

Paris, September 21. The dockers at Havre who struck against a reduction of wages have had their demands conceded. . .

[Received September 22, 11 a.m. j

THE YEMEN RISING.

Constantinople, September 21. The Yemen rebels have captured Sana.

THE CONGO.

Zanzibar, September 21. The German-African Company de mand that "Major "Wisstuan should be appointed dictator.

THE SEAL FISHERIES.

New York, September 21. Professor G. M. Dawson, assistant director geologist of the Canadian Geological and Natural History De partment, who was appointed one of the British Commissioners to inquire into the conditions of seal life m the Behring's Sea and the parts of the North Pacific, is of opinion that seal poaching is harmless. Sir George Baden Powell, M.P., the other Com missioner, accepts the American view that it is destructive, and likely to lead to the extinction of the anima.

THE MEXICAN TROUBLE.

It is reported that the Government troops defeated the insurgents m Mexico, and shot their leader, General Garza, tying his body to a tree.

AMERICAN RAILWAYS.

The first connection between the United States and the Canadian) rail way system?, has been made by a tunnel at St. Clair river.

ABOLITION OF PASSPORTS.

London, September 21. The "Daily News" states that Germany proposes to abolish the pass port system m Alsace and Lorraine, which was introduced after " the Schnaebel incident.

SUGAR PRODUCTION.

In his monthly circular Mr T. O. Licht, the sugar expert, estimates that thd beet production for the year will show an increase of 4000 tons, as com pared with the previous year, and the estimate for the new campaign gives a surplus of 55,000 tons.

THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL.

Sir James Fergusson has been ap pointed Postmaster-General,'vice Hon. Cecil Raikes, deceased.

ANTI-SEMITIC STRIKE.

New York. September 21. The boys engaged m the gas works at New Jersey having struck as * pro test against the employment of Jews, has resulted m the lock-but of 3000 adults.

(Received September 22, 10.35 a.m.)

THE OCCUPATION OF EGYPT.

Paris, September 21. It is reported that France and Russia have, renewed their demands for British withdrawal from Egypt.

PREPARED FOR WAR.

Vienna, September 21. The Emperor declares that the Aus trian Army is prepared for war m every respect, . Belgrade, September 21. The Government, .ha* despatched 5000 Servian troops to the Bulgarian frontier*

The Holy Coat of Treves.

Bishop Korum, assisted by 100 clergy men and the Mayor, had the wall at the rear of the altar broken open on August 5, and the Holy Coat was taken out by them and declared to be intact; If, was at once enclosed m the treasury of th« church. The entire city is m a state of great excitement, and the enthusiasm is intense. Seven hundred new houses of entertainment have been opened for the. benefit of pilgrims, and 100 new police men have taken the oath of office m view; of the large crowds 'ftiftrap expected. In.the ye/vr ia44,.w,hen, thera was no rail ways, wften tfte pilgrimage to the Holy Ooas was mare like an act of pen-/ ance^ and was undertaken by believers, rather than sightseer^ soujs. visited, Treves. year the excur? sion trains, will, it i s expected, carry about 4,000,0f1Q. ; Even from America, three steamers are on the way, each with 9QQ pijafrlms, hound for Treye?, Abowt twenty excursion trains will arrive daily during the exhibition of the Holy Coat, and a special station has been built for the pilgrims. The bands of pilgrims led by priests, will only be permitted to remain one night m the town. Arriving one evening, they will march: the next morning m procession ;to the church. Nearly §90 Qttfeens of Treves have sent m petitions for a license to keep inns and public houses, and. nearly every priv»t|

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1801.



Date.

Sh«

bde. ■ I

(High

High .ift Sulk

State of Weathec

Lo#.

i —, i

i ■ ' i

-—

u^-—^-

Monday ... Tuesday ... Wednesday

32 --- 3-2-' 42- 1

68 --- 4-5-53-

128-! no -8-

Fine, N.E. Overcast, E. Light showers, E.

Thursday... Friday Saturday ... Sunday ...

40 --- 3-7-42, 32-

57 •: SO'" 58 ---

117; 68 --1- 5-1-1281-

— ■ ._,

>>' '■■■■■. •■, >»■ ■• „ ram, „ Fine, calm •■-■■■• „ S.W.



I|ollq\Vay?s Bills a^d O.INTA^t?NT.— Health'' ls'Dlefenceß, —rNone, save the strangest can with, jtnpuhity pass through the suade^ tpansi^ipns raon^ wet to dry, from cold to muggy weather, so prevalent during the. autumnal and early winter months. In fluenza, bronchitis, cough, sore threat, "or qujnspy will a,ttack (;ho«(e most watchful qf their health | but they cai> readily arrest any Qf 80 cqmplafats. by rubbing Holloway's Oiniment twice a day upon the skin over the affected parts, and by assist ing its corrective action with appropriate doses of his pills. This well-known, safe, and eaay mode of treatment efficiently protects the patient both from present and future danger without- weakening or oven 4isttirbii!g'thesysteri}iu. the slightest degree '



Ask for Ninian Hysilop, und Go's " Imperial' new seasons Pufe Ceylon and I dial Teas. Special prices.—(Advt,) Countess 2s, Duchess 2s 4d, Princess 2s Bd, Empress 3s. These Teas are free from my excess of astringeney



Tmk Best Remkdy fob Ik»i«estiojj—• Norton's Camomile Pills are confidenty recommended as a simple remedy for Indigestion, which is the cause of nearly all the diseases to which we are subjects Norton's Pills, with justice called the 'Natural .Strengthener of the Human Stomach," act as a powerful tonic and gentle perient, S-re mild m their operation, and safe under &nsr circumstances. Sold m bottles, at Is l|d, %& Qd s JJs, by all medicine vendors throughout the wojrW, Ke^ting's Cough Lozen'Gks euros Cough Asthma, Bronchitis. Medical ttstimon states that no otlier medicine is so effectual m the cure of these dangerous maladies One Lozenge alone gives «ase, one or two at bedtime ensuaes rest. For relieving difficulty o Joreathing they are invaluable. They <wn tain no opium nor any violent drug. Sold by all Chemists, m tins, Is l^d and 2s 9d each



Kinirn Hydop/and Co.'s 'rln.peri-v|l pure Ceylor «*nd Tndian Teas are the best m the market. -<CAdvt.) Ninian Hytilop, and Gw.'tji •" Imperial CeVloaa and Indian Teas are 4^4 .from the Tea P|a»totiw»—f A'ivt,)



t *» » ■Kr.MMmmiM iiijHi mjmmgmmmm Wanted. CASH Advertisements under this heading not eKCdeduig SIXTEEN WORD'S 1/-. Addresses may be Wtat this Office. ' WA N 'I' E D Known—Oranges and Lemons. Apples by the case or pound.--Mrs Adams, Saunders' Build ings. . .■-■ - Jtfl_ GENERAL Meeting of Ashburton Cycling Club, Thursday next, p t 8 o'clock. Mrs Pearson's room, Baring Square. ____?J1 "TTTANTKD Known—Melforc* House VV is the cheapest place m town for first class Drapery and Millinery.—H. C. Segeks, WANTED Known—A special line of CiWhmeres, sill .shades, now selling at Is per yard. White Blankets 5s lid per pair.—H. C. Segers, Melrord ■ oude> ■ • "ITjtTANTKP Known — Being over- W stocked inCor-ets, we have re duced every pair. Ladies from Is 6d. Cheapest house m town.—H. C. Sbqbbb, Melford House. . TJtfTANTKD KNOWN genuine Clearing ▼ T Sale is going on and the Boots are going out Best value yet offered, the very best vorkand repairing done at once »t J. M. Moison's lown Hall, Aast Street. . j. B~~IIOOKE'S Carbolised Scaly Blight Cure is the best of all, bar none. ICE Cream off Cough drops on. Un doubtedly fhe best. H. (J. Flower, Confectioner East Btaget_________ ANTED Known.—Call and secure bargains of Winter Drapery at the Great Sale at W. H. Collier's, "The Corner." — WANTED Known.—Great Clearing Sale at "The Corner" of Drapery, Clothing, and Boots.—W. H. CoiJJER. LL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed ; from 52s 6d cash. Robbkt Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Marl, Saunders' Buildings. OSLYN, Mosgiel, Kaiapoi, and Ash burton Tweed Suits made to my order from selected patterns. Long and narrow and short and wide as well as ordinary sizes from 40s cash. Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. . TO Meet the Times.—l am supplying Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all descriptions. Inspection invited.— J. W. Hardley, Eas street. 6|201 "TTTANTED Known—H, Dudley will VV sink Deep Wells and supply Cylinder Pumps and Piping, and guaran tee water to surface at 3s 6d per foot. H. Dudley, Moore Street. 6,§54 "YT7 ANTED Known.—l have a large VV stock of Tin and Ironware Goods to select from. Register Grates, Stoves, portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m stock.—J. W. Hardley, East «treet. 6? 202 C~~ShEAP READING for all Classes.— J Hundreds of Back Numbers of Monthly and Quarterly Periodicals at Half Price. Several volume** of Standard Works at Cost Price to reduce our Large Stock. Photo and Scrap Albums, Photo Frames,—L. F. Andrewes & Co., Stationers' Hall. ________ ONEY^xTIEND, upon Freehold security, m sums Xo suit bor rowers. Small amounts can be repaid by instalments, if so desired. Apply to Mr C. W. Plknell, Solicitor, Mont gomery's Buildings. 9 132 1891 f 3P pin9 & Summer,-| 1891 ,QQII THE f 1891 im ISHOW OF THE SEASON. J HIGH Jim HOODS AT EIGHT PRICES. EACH department of our business is now replete with the Choicest Novelties m HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL MANUFACTURES. For Variety and Value our Stock is Unique. We have facilities for buying which few other firms enjoy, consequently we are enabled to cater for those who appreciate New and Fashionable Go^ds all he year round. • -. OUR SPECIALITIES ARE- Clothing of Superior Quality, ready-made or made to measure, for Men, Youths, Boys, and little Boys. Perfect fit and Newest Shapes. Shirts, Ties, Braces, Belts, Studs, Bags, Rugs, and Dressing Gowns. Tennis and Cricketing Requisites ; Sanitary Under clothing. UEXTB <SIOVBS For Walking, Riding, and Driving, also Evening Dress Gloves. WAI BIMPMOOF COATS Own Make. For Walking, Riding, and Driving. Every garment guaranteed. and all seams sewn. Waterproof Rugs, Overall*, and Saddle Aprons. MATS. HAM. HAIB, Newest Shapes, Colorings, and Textures to hand: Any description of Hat or Cap made to order. HEW ZEALAND CiiOTiwiiTO Factory. W H. WEBBER, Manager VENABLES, HiaH-CLASS PIANOS. Hanosfor India and Extreme Climates m Solid Walnut Cases. All parts, boch Internal and External, specially prepared and secured to resist every variation of temperature. C. VENABLES & CO., 187 and 189 Essex Road Islington London.