DEATH.

Caihnchoss—On December 5, at his resi dence, Tinwald, after a short illnesp, Daniel Caibnceoss, aged 61 years. Deeply regretted.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1891. CURRENT TOPICS.

Sir George Baden Powell, Avhose name was mentioned in a cable message a few days aga in connection with the Governorship of New Zealand, in suc cession to Lord Onslow, is a man of distinguished ability and great politi cal and official experience. He belongs to the school of statesmen who have devoted themselves to the consolidation of the Empire, and in the House of . Commons he is perhaps the best autho rity upon colonial questions. He studied them first in Victoria in 1877, hiving accepted the position of Private Secretary to Sir George Bowen for the purpobe of getting colonial experience. Five years later he was one of the Boyal Commission which inquired into the finances and administration of the West India Islands ; and three years j after that he went with Sir Charles Warren, as secretary, on his 'fomous expedition into Bechuanaland; in 1888 he was one of the commissioners who arranged the constitution of Malta, and since then he has done good service in Canada, particularly in connection with the Bearing Sea, fisheries dispute. By these various services he oarned his title of K.C.M.G. He is one ojf the most voluminous as well as one of the soundest writers on colonial subjects, the last of his writings being an effec tive reply in a leading magazine to tlin fawio*ii« "Seamy Side of Australia" and other mtjeisms. Only the other day he took a. jwwwwnent part in the debate <m If r Howard yiu^jnfc',3 uiotion for giving tr^xla advantages to $hp colonies. Sir <£. B«w3en Powell -has done more (than any man Hiving to per ma4e the .worid $ felie C,yM«JvatMe

sympathy with the colonies and the readiness of that party to serve them. He has the additional recommendation to New Zealanders of being a keen sportsman, and socially as well as officially he would be au excellent Governor. He has been named in connection with almost every Colonial Governorship which has fallen vacant since the Conservative Government entered office, and it may be that the last rumor is no better founded than previous ones have been.

The cable message as to the position of those Freemasons in New Zealand who have remained loyal to the Grand Loci go of England requires a little explanation. As it has reached us it apparently refers to the lodges, but as the majority of the English Constitution Lodges remain loyal, and then; is no question of the right of any lodge to adhere to its parent Con stitution, it is evident that what the message really refers to is the right— which has been the subject of dis cussion ever since the .unfortunate split caused by the formation of a New Zealand Grand J^odge—of the minority of a Lodge, as long as they are three or more in number, to hold the warrant of the Lodge and continue their adherence to the Constitution to which they hitherto belonged. Some months ago the Colonial Board of the Grand Lodge of England ruled that the majority of a Lodge had power to transfer the Lodge from one Constitu tion to another, but the point that in the case of New Zealand the Con stitution > which the majority of some lodges transferred their allegiance to was an unrecognised body appeared to have been lost sight of. The decision of the Coloniar Board was never ac cepted as final, and the news just re ceived imports, we take it, that-; the Grand Lodge of Englard-r the most eminent Masonic body In the world-— has reversed the decision of the Colonial Board. It is a matter of great importance, as in many of the seceding Lodges the proposal to change was carried by a very small majority, Those avlio remained loyal have now their right established to continued to work under their old charter.

As in a few weeks' time the fields will be " white unto harvest" we may expect soon to hear the usual bitter complaints about the bird nuisance, and the heavy toll exacted from the fanners by the winged bandits who will swarm among the ripened corn. It is almost too late in the season now to fight them with poisoned grain, though something might perhaps even yet be done in that direction, but we are glad to see most of the govern ing bodies are encouraging the collec tion of eggs and heads, and still more could, we believe, be accomplished by systematic netting along the hedgerows of an evening. There is need, how ever, of more organised, more general effort for the destruction of these feathered nuisances, and it is therefore well that Parliament last session legislated with that view. Power is now given to local bodies to levy spscial rates for the purpose to an amount not exceeding one-sixteenth of a penny in the pound, and County Councils and Road Boards are author ised to lay poisoned grain or seed upon any public road or reserve and, with the consent of the owners of adjoining lands, upon any private road within tiieir jurisdiction, subject to tiie proviso that poison may not be laid within a less distance than 220 yards of an inhabited house without the consent in writing of the owner or occupier. Borough Councils and Town Boards may also pnt ths Act in force under by-laws to be passed in that behalf, and any local authority (County Council, Road Board, Borough Council or Town Board) may be "ailed upon by the Minister of Lands to carry out its provisions upon the report of a chief Inspector, or any Inspector appointed under the Sheep Act to the effect that the enforcement of the Act is necessary within the district under the control of such local authority.

Tub purchasers of the New Zealand rights of the Picturesque Atlas Com pany can hardiy be sanguine as to receiving any satisfactory return for their expenditure of capital in the purchase of the interest in this colony in that really beautiful, but very ambi tious and expensive work, for the agents who hunted over the colony for subscribers did their work so badly that in all directions the contract has been repudiated, while, also, the manner of the delivery has, in a large number of instances, proved fatal to the en forcement of those contracts. It appears to have been proved that in a great many cases the " book-fiends" who exploited this particular work deceived or altogether misled the sub scribers, and it is well, therefore, for everybody concerned, either in the buying or selling of books, that an Act has been passed which should render such misunderstandings im possible or, if not impossible, at. least unnecessary in the future. This is the " Book^purchasers' Protection Act, 1891," for which we are indebtsd to Mi- George Fisher, one of the members for Wellington city, This provides as follows :—2. After the passing of this Act, every agreement for the purcha. c Of any book or books or part or parts of a book, or of engravings, litho graphs, or pictures, or of any other like matter, whether illustrated or not, «md hereinafter termed " printed matter/ be absolutely void in every case wljerp si^oh printed matter fe not to be delivered to the purchaser at the date of such agreement in a completed form, and so as to embrace the whole of the volumes or numbers of the printed matter, unless the pur chaser of such book or books or part or part« o£ a book, engravings, litho graphs, pictures, qv other printed matter shall have first signed an agree npnt on a form in which, in red capital letters, not less than great primer, the following words and figures shall first have been printed—namely, "The total of the purchaser under this agreeiwonlb is .{inserting the amount, in similar printed letters and also in printed figures of like size)," and unless such form shall have been printed or written in black, wholly or partly, across and subsequent to the printing of such red letters and figures. 3. The vendor of such book or books or jjMty'jb fly narts of a book, engravings, lithographs, pi.ciure;;, or other printed master, or his agent, shajU at fche tiwp

of the signing of the agreement afore said also hand over to the purchaser a duplicate of the agreement, having printed on it in addition the words " Duplicate to be kept by purchaser," and. the name and address in full of the vendor ; and the vendor shall not be entitled to recover under such agreement unless he produces an acknowledgment by the purchaser that he has received such duplicate of the agreement as aforesaid." The last clause further enacts that hereafter in any action arising on any contract for the purchase of printed matter as above described the Court may deter mine as to its value, the onus of proof of which is to lie on the vendor. As in the foregoing notes we have been dealing with certain nuisances, or evils, and their remedy, we may as well draw attention to a third, the remedy for which lies in the hands of our readers. A trap is again being set for the unsuspecting by the circula lation all over the colony of the circulars of a consultationist, a sweep promoter who is also a ■•' sweep " in the worst sense to which that word can be applied, under the high-sonnding title of "theSydneyJockeyTurf Club." Once more as we have done over and over again in past years, we warn our readers that there is no such Club — that the whole thing is a rank swindle; and that they may as well pitch their pound notes into the fire as to enclose | them to the address named in these j circulars. By the bye, as a particular box is named in the Sydney Q.J?.Q. t how is it, we woncleiythat the swindle can be worked at all, Why are not all this precious consultationist's letters impounded? Really, our friends in New South Wales who have recently legislated against advertising consulta tions ought to have turned their atten tion to this particular trap for the public and their money long ago.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

'Gould, with all his millions, has to walk the streets'at night to induce sleep. ; The " Manawatu Times " has had to invoke the aid of another printing office, owing to la grippe. The Prince of Wales attended a grouse drive in the Highlands, and, as usual, shot in kid gloves. The San Francisco mail arrived here on Sunday night at ten o'clock, by special train, and the contents of the bags were all sorted by eleven o'clock. A pneumatic inner sole for boots has been brought out. It is made of hollow india rubber inflated with air, and is intended for people who have tender feet. A gentleman was about to sell his estate, at Braintree, Essex, owing to failure to find water after several borings. At a Last resort he decided to try the divining-rod, by which means water was quickly dis covered. An English firm of manufacturers recently took out a patent for some new fabric. Linen of the same texture has since been discovered wrapped round the mum mies of people who lived in the time of Moses

1 hose who love*the pleasures of the mazy dance will be glad to ro:e that a public ball in aid of the school jucnic fund is announced to take place on Friday evening 18th instant in the Hinds school room. Tickets 2s 6rt each (to admit lady and gentlemen) may be obtained of any member of the School Committee. Mr H. Atkinsons, the " Australtui Or pheus," who was "dissoversd" by Mr J. L. Toole during his recent tour in the Anti podes, has been specially engaged by Sir Augustus Harris to give his reinarkab'e vocal imitations of numerous musical in struments in the programme of the Pro menade Concert at Convent Garden. The odour of the eucalyptus is said to be a disinfectant against influenza. It is re commended that bunclies of the blue gum be hung in every room in dwellings, and that a few bruised leaves be carried in t'.ie pocket ■. It could do no harm and might be of good to hang some branches in the schools, churches, and other meeting places. There has been intense excitement in Bendigo, as there was recently at Ballarat, over a local option poll. The local optionists sought to reduce the hotels to 15, while their opponents voted for the existing number, 39. There were 1150 votes polled, and a majority of 7G was obtained for the existing number, the local optionists r.hus getting a beating, as they had also done in Ballarat. Mr Edison has for some time past been engaged in collaboration with Mr G. P Lathrop in writing a romance on the future | of electricity. The author's object (the "Athenaeum" says) is to forecast the future of invention in all departments of human activity and to depict the probable conditions of life in the twenty-fifth century. The book will be illustrated by Mr Edison himself. There were on view at the door of Mr Harry Friedlander's shop this morning seven fine specimens of trout caught in the Ashburton river by a phenomenon of an angler—one too modest to give his name when he has a full basket. The fish scaled 501bs in all, but be it known they were weighed after the cook's knife had removed offal. The individual weights were— 31bs, 41bs, Blbs, B!b3. B£lbs, 91bs, 91bs. The "Temuka Leader" saya that Mr VV. Fleming, of Geraldine, has brought with him from Australia two young male kanga roos. He experienced considerable difficulty in keeping them alive during the sea voyage, both animals having a severe attack of sea sickness, but by care and attention Mr Fleming succeeded in landing them alive in Geraldine, where they are at present, and appear to be doing wel!. The brass band in connection with the Canterbury headquarters of the Salvation Army arrived in Ashburton on Saturday evening, and took part in the immediately following service at the barracks. The band was also the leading feature of chree meetings on Sunday, as well *« the open air functions of the Army. Tlltff Were nine instruments at work and the excellence of I their playing had the effept qf drawing I crowded houses at all the meetings, which were of the usual character, A woman named Alicia Florence Hender son, who was arrested at Ts rew York for cruelty to the youngest of her 14 children, was found to be living with her loth hus band. She was first married on June 10, 1803. Her husbands continued to die or divorce themselves, and she continued to marry |uutil the extraordinary number of 14 partners qf her joys and sorrows had been laid away. The longest period in which she remained married to any one man was three years. Mrs Henderson, etc., is now a handsome woman of 45.

After their experience of the past week (says the "Star") the Dunedin Jockey Club will probably recognise that racing is being overdone by having a four days' spring gathering. . . • . The attui lance for jthp four days compared unfavourably with the corresponding period of the previous year. The investments through the fotali sators showed a shrinkage of £5,501, and as the club will be called on to disburse a sun> of £351 odd as the Government tax, it will be readily recognised that from a financial poj«t of view the meeting was not tf. success, in thajb the plfjtlj will jus£ about make ends meet oyer \t,

The San Francisco Mail

ADDITIONAL AMERICAN NEWS.

A telegram from the Japanese Govern ment was received .at Washiugton, P. 0., on November 6, giving ah account of the earthquake which occurred in Japan on October 28. The report says that 600 persons ivore killed', 9000 injured, 75,000 houses totally destroyed, and 12,000 badly damaged. The earthquake was confined almost entirely to the protectories of Aicki and Giffe. Statistical returns for November 10 to the Department of Agriculture, Washing ton, D.C., make the maize crop thi> year one cf the largest in volume* ever recorded. The rate of the "yield is slightly above an average of twenty-six bushels to the acre, - ; ■ , An undertaker, Mr F. Rogers, was arrested in Chicago.on November 10 for crooked practice in disposing of bodies. He'is accused of systematically making one coffin do double duty,> and also of holding a contract, to inter the deceased 1 inmates of the public institution for de pendent children. He saved himself expense by hiding the little bodies one at a time in the CQstly linings of massive caskets provided for wealthy customers. All the naval dockyard in the United States are filled with men, busy furbish ing up old men of war. Work is going on day and night and Sundays. The prevalent idea is that Government intend to make a naval demonstration in the roadstead at Valparaiso, Chili. The Chinese Societies in San Francisco are engaged at present in a bloody conflict, and killing is the crder of the day. The " high binders," a,s - their braves are called, aiekept busy, and are getting high prices for heads. In spite of drizzling rain, fully 2000 people participated in the demonstration at Chicago on November 8, in honor of Parsdns, Spies, Eagle, Fisher and Ling, the Anarchists who suffered death four years ago in that city. One floral offering had the legend in German, "Though dead, they still live, Anarchy." J* disease called " black diphtheria " has broken out in a Norwegian settlement,, Harrison county, lowa. The victims were dying in every direction. The place was surrounded by a cordon sanitaire, and a terrible .state of affairs existed. An international boat race between Hy. Petersen of San Francisco and C. Dutch, of Australia* took place at San Francisco on Sunday, October 18, in the presence of some 15,000 people. Petersen won in twenty-one minutes, beating Dutch by five lengths, but for all this the general opinion among sportsmen is that Dutch can smother Petetsen if he chooses to do so. In the Hanlan-Stephenson boat race at Victoria, 8.C., on October 81, Hanlaii came in six lengths ahead in 19m in 30sec. This reduced the world's record by Ssecs. Stephenson being used to a turn lost his course and rowed wild, Both riien rowed well. The Italian Mafia bravos are operating in New Haven County. Italians are in sulted and maimed (both men and women) by their compatriots, but dare not com plain. Ou the afternoon of November 8, a terrible explosion of gas occurred in No 1 shaft of the Susquehanna coal mine, Wan ticoke, Pa. There were but fourteen men at work in the mines, the day being Sun day. .Ofthis number six were instantly killed, and several injured, four of nvhom have since died, The' accident was causad by the explosion of a safety 1 lamp. There has been an immense destruction of farming property hy forest fu'cs in soutli Dakota, aided by a tremendous windstorm. In some pieces on Novem ber 2 tha farmers were literally fighting for their homes. At a.place-cajled Jhltiron the riverside cemetery was burnt oijt, the fire having cot among the wooden ,jtotnbs and monuments. The fiict of German beet sugar. being admitted free into the United "States is regarded by the Hawaiian^ as a great' blow at the sugar interests in the islands, where, in consequence, coffee raising will take the place of cane cultivation. The charter of the Pan-American Rail way Company was filed on October 28 at Austin, Texas. The line is to run 240 miles, from Victoria to Brownsville, on the Rio Grande. The proposed capital is 3,000,000d015. This is the supposed inception of a big enterprise to extend the road eventually through Mexico to South America. The United States steamship Albatross sailed from San Finncisco on Wednesday, November 3, to continue her work of laying out a route between that port and the Hawaiian Islands for the proposed telegraph cable. Arrangements have been made to build a railway bet ween Los Angelos, California, and Salt Lake City, Utah. There is a gap of 340 milea to bridge, at a cost of 5,000,000 dollars, but the money has been raised, and the road will be com pleted in time to take people from Los Angelos to the World's Fair. A decision was given in the New York Court of Appeal on October 27 by which the will of the late Governor Samuel F. Tilden was set aside, the trust made void, and the immense estate is to be divided amongst the heirs. There will be some twelve million of dollars to be distributed. Great surprise is expressed in legal and other circles at this result, Tiklen was considered one of the soundest and most careful lawyers in New York State, and the wonder is that he could not draw so simple a document as a will that would carry out his wishes after death. The decision deprives New York of a free library and reading room. About seven miles from the town of Austin, Minnesota, there is a section of timbered land, of which a pack of wolves have taken possession and become rave nous enough to attack passers-by. On October 28 they fell upon a four-year old boy and a six-year-old girl, belonging to Jerrard Jensen, and the little victims were quickly torn to pieces and devoured. Then the neighbors thought it was time to get rid of such ferocious neighbors, which they did by hunting them in a baMue, destroying the whole pack.

Ashburton Markets.

MX D. THOMAS. Mr D. Thomas reports upon the live stock market in the Ash burton district for the week ending Tuesday, December I:—The weekly stock sale was held at Ashburton Yards where a small entry was yarded- There was a large attendance, and the com. petition was keen, and values for all classes of stock were firm. Total entries yarded were 2G65 sheep, 35 cattle, and IJ> rams, of whiah my entry oomprised 2074 sheep and 26 cattle. The following were my principal i sales :—152 fat quarter back ewes, 7s 9d ; 102 merino ewes, lls 6d, with 88 per e>nt lambs; 108 merino ewes and lambs, 6s 8d ;" 235 merino ewes and 205 lambs, 10s 4d ; 45 crossbred hoggets, lls 9d ; 20 half bred ewes ajid 17 lambs, 12s 3d ; 134 merino ewes and 120 lumbs, 12s 2d; 90(1 three-quarter bred two-tooth wethers shorn, lls 7d. Cattle— 1 fat cow, £3 15s ; 1 fat heifer, £5 3s % 2 fat heifers, £4 17s 6d ; 2 fat cows, £5 12s Gd ; 2 fat heifers, £5 17s 6d ; 2 cows, £1 6s; 1 springer, £5 }ls ;3. young stores, £1 }7§; JQ young stores, £J'()s 6d;' At' Bullock's Arcade on Saturday last J held my usual Sveekly horse sale.' There were only 35 horses catalogued for sale, out of which' I managed to sell a fourth. The attendance' tyas very poor, and thf* sjilf; throughout was a-'dWgging o.ne s »o'"fe.q,Hy good horses coming to hand. Goctd draught horsog, £10 to £15 j inferior, £3 to £9 • hacks, £3 to £8 15s. Wool is coming fairly into store, and is brighter and lighter than last year. The combined catalogues for Monday's sale will top up over 3000 bales. Fairly good for Ashburton,

MESSRS MILES AND CO. \ Messrs Miles and Co. per Mr George J Jameson report: Ashburton County Sale- j yards, Tuesday, December I.— The entry of < sheep at these yards was not so large as usual, and owing to shearing operations having been somewhat retarded owing to fi'equenc showers of rain, ami it being then fine, the attendance was not so numerous as is usual. The demand for all classes of sheep was, however, good, especially so for crossbred hoggets, and as grass is every where abundant there are yet many buyers unsup plied in the Ashburton county. Our entry for this sale was a very limited one, compris ing about 350 store merino wetheis in wool, which we sold at from 8s 9d to 9s 3d each. A line of hoggets from the south brought up to 11s 7d each, and four-tooth crossbreds to 13- 3d. Other lines at corresponding prices. Cuttle—Fat; cows, £4 5s ; yearlings, 13<5 6d to 28s ; old cows, 31s GJ. During the week we have sold privately thirteen fat heifers at £5 per head, and six'fat bullocks at £7.. Land—During the Avcek we have sold a further portion of the Anama farms, lots 18 and '28, comprising about 450 acres, at the i-pserve values, and from the numerous enquiries to hand we expect to report further sales art an early date. The land is exceptionally good, and with proper hus bandry will" be fonad exceptionally pro ductive either for root crops, grain or grass, and we venture to predict that in a few years it will be found to be the cheapest land that has been in the market for a very considerable time. On Thursday, December 3, we held our regular monthly sale at Rakaia. There was a fair attendance of farmers and others, but the entry of stock was a small one, and of poor quality. Several farmers were present requiring good sound sheep but could not be supplied. A large quantity of sundries we sold at market rates.

Ashburton School.

A special meeting of the Ashburton School Committee was held on Saturday night, when Mr Craighead presided, and Messrs Bean, Braddell, Barrett, Paul, and Silcock were present. The headmaster's report was read and gave scholars on the roll—Boys, 281; girls, 259—total, 540 ; highest attendance, 476; strict average, boys, 247>5 ; girls, | 203 ; total, 450 5. Correspondence was read from the Board of Education and the headmaster i re pupil teachers, and it was arranged for the Chairman to reply and endeavor to retain one senior pupil teacher for another year in the school. It was decided that the Christmas holi days extend to four and a half weeks, and that the distribution of prizes and children's entertainment take place in St Stephen's schoolroom on the evening of the brpaking-up day, when the Mayor would be abked to preside and distribute the prices. Sub-Committees were appointed for thn purchase of prizes and for making arranseiTients for the prize distribution. The Committee decKed to meet again before the breaking up took place. The Visiting Committee reported . on some repairs that bad been seen to," and the Committee adjourned.

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBUR CON—MONDAY.

(Before Mr A. Harrison, J.P ) Alleged Malicious Mischief.—John Leary was charged with having wilfully mid maliciously broken two windows at Winslow, tho property of the Railway Co.nmHsioners, and one window the property of the Education B.nrd. As the man appeared Lo We weak minded, he was remanded until December 10. Drunkenness.— John Tundra, a man who was before the R.M. Cjurt on Thursday last, aft j a remand for a week for medical treatment, and who then promised to go back at once -> work, was again broMght up charged with drunken ij«s.s. tie had also neen found at two on .Sunday morning sleeping in a loo« 3 box at tho Commercial Hotel stabler. Th'i police g.ive evidence as to making every effort to get the man away to his work, and to friends doing the same thing, but Toirlra declined to go. The Magistrate convicted Tondra on both charges, and pointed out the danger of men like prisoner taking refuge in stable* among loose straw while in a maudlin state, as he believed many fires arose from such conduct. On the charge of drunkenness the conviction was entered up and for being il'cgally on i realises Tondra was sentenced to a month's imprisonment with hard labor. The term would be increased on every future appearance Tondra made before the Court to answer to a similar offence. Three weeks ago, Tondra came into town with four months' wages in his pocket—£2o 10s. When discharged last Thursday he still had 21s 6d left. To-day his whole stock' of cash was 2s. He had paid last Thursday in fine and costs, 25s ; so that during the three weeks he must have drunk 766 pints of beer, as Mr Tondra always drinks a full six penn'orth at a at a time, and never shares with anybody or pays for anybody else's drink. Neither does he pay for beds or meals, but sleeps | out anywhere, andj feeds on scraps from the hotel slush tubs. A week's abstinence —the time he spent in gaol suffering a recovery—and 766 pints of beer for fifteen days' drinking is the shocking record.

The Late Sir Frederick Whitaker.

PEE PBESS ASSOCIATION.

Auckland, December 6. The funeral of the late SirF. Whitaker took place to-day. Before the procession left the house of the decesaed gentleman a brief Masonic service was held in the Freemasons' Hall, Sir Frederick having occupied a distinguished position in that order. The funeral cortege was one of the largest seen in Auckland for many years. About; 150 Freemasons preceded the hearse. Sir G. Grey, the Hons Dr Pollen and W. Swanson, and several mem ber.s of tlie House of Representatives were present. The remains were interred in St. Stephen's Cemetery, Parnell.

The Melbourne Financial Crisis.

(PEB rRBSS ASSOCIATION.) Melbourne, December 6. The County Bourke Permanent In vestment Society resumes business to morrow. Satisfactory arrangements have been made wMi the depositors, It is expected that all the other Societies will re-open in a few days.

POLITICAL.

Patba, December 7. The Premier anived this morning, and was received by the Mayor and a deputa tion. Ho speaks this evening, Wellington, December 5. Messrs E. G. Jellicoe and 3Sj. J. T. I* Price announce tfyemselyes as candidates for the (jityyaqancy.

FARM NOTES.

Referring to Mr D. Oliver* letter on ; the cross-brooding question that appeared in our columns some time ago, the " New Zealand Farmer " says :—" Wo must Hay we quite agree with Mr Oliver, and all experience in breeding domestic animals confirms his view. An oufc-cros-j to eff-'ch a permanent improvement always necessi tates breeding back again to pure-blooded males. Crossbred miles with crossbred females produce mongrels without fixing the type "

One of the most successful sales of S'uire horses ever held was that of Mr A. 0. Duncombe's stud at Calwick, Ash bourne, Derbyshire, last September. All thehorbes in the stud, except the famous stallions Premier, Harold, and Donlo-s, were sold, and the average for 47 of both sexes was £198 9s; lOd a head. This average has only once been exceeded, namely, at the Scow by Hall sale this year, when the average was £198 17s 3d. Moreover, the highest price ever made of a Shire horse 1100 guineas) was paid by Mr W, Crisp, of New Southgate, London, for Charcellor, a six-year-old by Premier, dam Nellie Blacklegs. Mr Crisp recently gave 925 guineas for Starlight, the cham pion mare of England ; and ss he is now ihe possessor of the highest-priced stallion i and mare of the Shire breed.

At a recent meeting of the Edinburgh cattle .salesmen with the local authority of the city, several very important state ments were made. It appears from the facts cited by the salesmen that there are far more cows in Edinburgh (including Leit-h), and within ;i radius of five miles, than there are in any other city in the kingdom, there being 15,000 cows in Edinburgh, while Dublin comes next with 11,000, and Modern Babylon follows with a cow population of 8000. It is rather surprising to learn that Edmbui'gh is so far ahead of all the other towns in the kingdom in the matter of cow popula tion, and this result is doubtless due in a large measure to the citizens of Modern Athens hav;ng wisely utilised tlieir sew age in the irrigation of vast meadows, from which there is annually taken every , year an enormous amount of grass, which is mostly all manufactured into'milk, and is in fact the staple summer food of the cows in a vast number of dairies.

Under the heading ''Unjust Judges" " Agricola " writes in the " Witness " :■ — The show season is now in full swing, and so also the inevitable discontent at the ad judication. Ido not wish by any means to convey the impression that it is invari ably the case that the judges' verdictgives disfitisfactio'i, for it is not quite so bad as that amounts to ; but neverthele,-* it can not he gainsaid that the awards are very puzzling, when decisions are given which are quite the reverso of the opinion arrived at by the general public. It also does not sound very well to hear such a remark as —" Had I known Mr So-and-so to be a judge I should not have exhibited my stock, for I am sure that his decision is a- foregoneconclusioii." There are grum blers who are never satisfied and who will impute dishonorable motives without having the slightest grounds for doing so, but such as these are not worthy of notice. Judges are not supposed to know the owner or exhibitor of any stock or other entry, but it is absurd to say that they do not, especially in the smaller country shows. A person's mind may be warped and his judgment biased without being actually conscious that ifc is so ; it may be, I say, but when a man allows his personal feeling to prevent the impartial perform »nee of his public duties, then comes the private wire pulling and personal favour giving which causes such heartburnings ameng the unsuccessful exhibitors. T, at the show ring in this colony is not so blameless as couM he w"r,h<-d. cannoi be denied, lluu^liit iivuli iw .m extremely ungracious thing co mv with the sitno brush all persons who give their services to the public in this way. Krvorsof judg ment all are liable to, but it is the wil ful errors that cause the mischief. Tlie last show season in Englaud elicited some extremely adverse criticism at the h.inds of the press of the country, and some pretty trenchant articles have appeared on the subject.

A visit to the districts of Wnkanui, Riverside, Seaview, Seafield, Kyle, Doric, Pendarves, Chertsey, Dromore, and KW lauds, gives the traveller a good idea of the condition and prospects of the crops generally, as in the above portions of the county there are all sorts of land, rangr ing from heavy, rich, high class farms, to light, poor, shingly soils, only suited for occupation in large blocks and principally held in the latter case by sheep farmers. Speaking generally of the above districts, the most striking feature at the present time is the wonderful crops of grass and fodder plants everywhere abounding, all the roads even carrying rich grass. The long paddocks this season are in great fettle, and there will be great danger to crops from fire in many places' unless some steps are taken to harvest the super abundant herbage, that is so plentiful now on the Queen's highway, Oats are not in very great acreage in the districts above noted, but are certainly by far the most healthy and promising looking, cereal, and on the plains land especially appear to have found the present season just suited to them, in nearly aU cases the crops of this grain are well forward, and look in the most flourishing condition, while some early paddocks are in full ear or rapidly approaching that stage of growth. There may be more than one paddock of barley in the above district, but the writer did not discover them. The solitary crop of this cereal noted was a fine field of very promising even^headed and health j look ing English barley at Seaview on Mr Thomas Wilson's farm, fronting the i Nintty-mile Beach. Wheat is the domi nant crop this year, the area of this grain far and away exceeding all the other crops together—the promise of remunerative, if not even high rates, at the coming harvest for this} breadstuff, having no doubt induced many. fanners fco place as much land as possible under this crop. A large area was sown after first furrow plough ing, a system that suits very well in some seasons, but this has unfortunately not been the case this season, and with some notable exceptions on favourod spots, the wheat crop generally gives a disappoint ing impression to the visitor, and a closer examination of the growing plants reveals the presence in the great majority of the paddocks of spring rust in a greater or less degree,. This trouble does not seem to have attacked the oats at all, but is confined almost entirely to whea«y and at present only the flag or leaf of the plant is affected, and with fine dry weather for a time it is hoped this may die out. As harvest approaches the heads and straw preserve their present healthyappearance. Some experienced farmers state thac this form of rust is always confined to the,flag and does no harm to the crop, but if this is happily the case, still (here is room for uneasiness on the part of wheat growers, as .it is probable tlv,\t thesort of waather that encourages the present rust epidemic, may if continued later on cause the grain rust to appear also. Another great trouble this year to the farmers and one that has takon a heavy toll in miny cases is the grub, which wa,* never before known to. bg so destructive on all classes of bind. Although this pest has not in any indi vidual cases made a total loss of crops or grass, yet when the full area of bare and unproductive land in both fodder and grain paddocks is totted up, will be found that quite a heavy percentage will have to be taken off the gross yields at I harvest. In many cases where the grubs hav§ not cleared off all the growing sfew£ia >

patches, it is plain they have been through the crops and seriously thinnel out the plants earlier in the season, the showery weather giving every opportunity to the weeds to tike the pla;e of the missing grass or grain crops. Rye is a crop very seldom seen about Ashburton. This year Mr James Cochrane has a paddock of this which has grown wonderfully well; the stuff is fully live feet high, with well-formed heads nieasuruig,,by the rule from eight to nine inches in length. If these (illout well, there will be a heavy crop. Mr.Thomas, of the Wakanui Hour mills, is now busily employed in furnishing his mill with a complete plant of ths cele brated Simon's system rollers. These are all now in position, and consist of four sets cf rollers, nnd also ten reducing and dressing machines, with-an endless quantity 1 of spouting, shafting, and I belting. All will be fitted up in time for « the coming harvest, which the jolly miller expects will be early this year. There are some fine wheat and oat paddocks of large area in the Dori<3 district that give promise of crops of from thirty to forty bushels per icre. The grass and grain crops also in that district seem lo have a way of covering the ground that is not apparent to such an extent on some of the lighter lands surrounding this favored locilifcy, which is an early one also, as some of the farmers have finished shearing and dis posed of their wool in Christchurch at prices equal to last year's clip. Doric can show probably the first stack in the district also, as Mr B.>yce has a good sized one of fine meadpwed hay up, and more ready for stacking near by. Ap proaching Ashburton, the long despised Fairfield does not now belie its name, but with a large area of brilliant green crops and heavy and luxuriant pastures in which the sheep are almost hidden, bid<i fair to well compensate several of the Plains farmers who have recently pur chased blocks of this well known, but for some reason, long rejected and almost j' unworked block.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN

[per press association.

A DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA.

Lonjdox, December 5. At" a meeting'of the Colonial In stitute Sir E. C. N. Braddon, Agent- General for Tasmania, will read a paper defending Australia and its people from the attacks which have been made on them in articles appearing in the leading English rewspapers and magazines. A forecast of the p:iper has been supplied, in which Sir E. Braddon declares that the Hon. Mr Fortescue h a disappointed colonist and that his flimsy charges are re hashes of misleading statements. He cites the opinion of one of the foremost authorities on trade and railway statistics, who states that the charges are unintelligible and that Australia railways are a good investment. The statements of Mr Francis Adams on Australia, he asserts, are equally un true, and he deplores the attack made on the late Mr W. B. Dalley, of N.S.W. Sir E. Braddon ridicules the idea that Australia displays any hatred towards : England, or a desire to repudiate re sponsibility. He also answers the wrath of Mr Christie Murray. THE AGENT-GENERAL. Mr W. P. Pereeva 1, Agent-General for New Zealand, has arrived. NAVAL APPOINTMENT. Captain Kane, formerly of H.M.S. Calliope, has been appointed to the position of Flag Captain on H.M.S. Clftnv/illiam at Portsmouth. A POLITICAL CONVERSION. Sir Arthur K. Cowell Stepney, M.P. for Carmarthen district, who was returned as a Gladstonian Liberal, has turned Unionist. THE RUSSELL DIVORCE CASE. In the Russell divorce case. Sir Charles Russell, in addressingthe Court on behalf of the respondent, declared that the Countess Avas a spoilt child. Sir Edward Clark, Solicitor-General, in reply, absolved Earl Russell from the charges brought against him, but said the cross-examination by Sir Charles Russell had wrung a confession from the Countess. Sir Charles C. Butt, President of the Probate, Divorce, and Admiralty Division, in summing up, said the main charges were not corroborated, and some of them ap peared to be false and malignant. A verdict was given for the respondent, and the result was reoeived with cheers. A SICK LIST. Mr C. T. Ritchie, President of the Local Government Board, is suffering from a severe Attack of influenza. There is no improvement in the health of Sir Arthur Blyth, Agent- General for South Australia^ and his condition is regarded as critical. The Duke of Devonshire is seriously ill. .. •' St. Pbtersbukg, December 5. The Czar is suffering from a slight attack of influenza. THE CZAR AND THE JEWS, , Yielding to the pleadings of the Princess of Wales the Czar has refuged to sign a decree subjecting th© Jews to further cruelty. OBITUARY. London, December 5, The (death is announced of M. Lem monien, President of the International League of Peace. P^ris, December 5 Doni Pedro, ex-Emperor of Brazil, died;here at midnight in the presence of his family. Countess d'Eu main tains her rights in Brazil.

FATAL RAILWAY COLLISION.

New York, November 5. Two freight trains collided in Thomp son, Connecticut, and the wreckage was dashed into by an express train. The debris caught fire, and many waggons and cars were burnt. Four engines were destroyed, three persons killed; and five injured. BURIED IN THE RUINS. At St. Paul, the capital of Minne sota, the wall of % building which had been injured by a fire fell in, killing ten persons.and'injuring fifteen others. EXPORT OF SILVER. To-day 575,000 ounces of silver were exported from Is ew York to Europe. FRANCE AND AMERICAN PORK American pork in bulk will be ad mitted free into France. TERRIBLE OUTRAGE IN NEW YORK. Excitement was occasioned in the city to-day when it was learned that an attempt had been made to murder. Mr Russell Sage, the millionaire^ a.ndj wreck his office. Ifc appears a couple of stran.geys entered tUe office a«d de~ Winded; a million dojlarsi cv* pain of dj&iUij aj t\& sa«ie time showing

dynamite bombs. Their requests were refused, whereupon the bombs were thrown on the floor. A terrific ex plosion followed, and the buildidg was wrecked. The miscreants, five clerks belonging to the office and a lady type writer were killed. Mr Sage and several friends were only slightly in jured. The former had a miraculous escape. The perpetrators of the out rage were lunatics, and one of them had developed suicidal mania. The typewriter, who was in an adjoining room to where the explosion occurred, was literally blown to pieces, while the others who were killed had their limbs broken off. A telegraph cl«rk and one of the miscreants were beheaded. The I office, which was wrecked, rocked as if « byaneaithquuke. The adjoiiungbuild ings suffered from the explosion. Mr Sage was attempting to temporise with the men, whereupon the bombs were I thrown.

TROUBLES IN CHINA.

Hong Kong, December 5. A French Minister in Pekin is menacing the Government unless rail way contracts are conceded to French men. The Government troops have re taken Chayonong and the rebels fled to the mountains. Shanghai, December 5. i The battle of Kinchow, on the 30th November, ended in a decisive victory for the Chinese. No quarter was granted and the wounded were be headed. There was great carnage, and the fugitives took to the mountains. The number of Christians massacred was 500. British residents are safe.

AUSTRALIAN.

THE PASTORALISTS. Sydnky. December 6. Mr Whitely King, Secretary of the. New South Wales Pastoralists'" Union,, has left for New Zealand in connec tion with the Pastoral Federal Council of Australasia.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

WjBtuxGTON, December o. Lieutenant Colonel Butts, who was for number of years in command of the Wel lington volunteer district, sustain sd a third stroke of paralysis on Friday night and succumbed at six o'clock last evening. The statement in the estate of Sir T. K. McDonald shows : Liabilities, secured £24,839, security valued at £31,932, surplus £6193; unsecured £2918. Assets : book debts, estimated to realise £1400, making a total surplus of .assets over liabilities of £4647. Dcjnedin, December 5. George Harrington, aged 14, waa com mitted for trial for forgery for £5 on the National Bank. December 6. Considerable sensation has been caused by the arrest of Mr J. R. Scott, a well known citizen. He took up a run iv. South Canterbury, but owing to th* i rough country and the rabbits he aban- I doned it. His surrender seems to have' b«en accepted, and men were put on by the Rabbit Inspector to put down the rabbits. This was charged to Mr Scott* and not being paid, he appears to have; been arrested for not doing »o. He has boen bailed out.

SPORTING.

SOUTH lUKAIA. BOXING DAY SPORTS.

The following nominations for the fcrofc were received on Saturday : — Mr H. A. MackayV Bell. Mr N. Welsh's Norah, Mr G. W. Hardwick'a Francis 11., Mr 11. Cain's Tommy, Mr 0. Walker's Nancy Lee (late Kitty), Mr J. MoCroy's Polly, Mr W. Buchan's, junr., Primrose, Mr F. Dunley's Kitty* Mr F. Russell's Barn Dance, Mr F. Russell's Souvenir, Mr W. Stubb's Merrygold, ||> G. Shellock's Tommy Docld, Mr X Stewart's Mack, Mr G. Butter's A.C X Mr E. Wilson's lolanthe^ '* The handicaps will bo advertised in the- Ashburton " Mail" on Tuesday. Accept ances and general entries for other events close at eight o*olook neat Saturday even ing at the Road Board Office.

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON RACING CLUB.

A meeting of the committee of the Ashburton Racing Club waa held on Saturday evening. A very satisfactory statement of accounts for the recently held Spring race-meeting was submitted,, and it was decided to procaed with the erection of the new grand stand. Thej Autumn race-meeting was fixed fot- Wednesday and Thursday, May 4 and &,

[per press association.]

AQUATIC.

Th»R ßa j;, December 6. Shlr«Si P -'afcri^er R»ceat North ESi ...Jk ■ *>* Zeahwider Btarted from scratch and was leading when he mistook the finishing post and stopped at the wrong place, otherwise he must hare won easily. m „ \ Sydney, December 6. Tom Sullivan, the New Zealander,, announces that as the six months during which Stanbury, the present champion * sculler of the world, may refuse to row. matches for the championship expires ma a week, he again intend* to challenge ■■ him, and if not answered will claim the' championship and proceed to America, and row anyone for the title who offers. Staribury declares his willingness to row anyone for the premiership provided the stake is £500 a-side, which sum he says was agreed should accompany the title.

CRICKET.

Sydney, December & In the cricket match, New South Wales v Lord Sheffield's team, the local men batted first, making 74, Bannerman being highest scorer with 25. The Englishmen made 94 in their first innings, M. Raid scoring 20. Turner took six wickets for 45. Tn their second essay the NewSoutfc Wales team have )wfc five wickets for 132 runs, the principal scorers being Turner 40, Donan 32, Moses (not out) 30. The weather is glorious, but the wicket is difficult to play.

THE ABHBTJRTON GUARDIAH: MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1891.



Hollontay's Pills. —Weakening weather. —The sultry summer daya strain the nerves of the feeble and decrepid, and disease may eventuate unless some restorative, such as these purifying pills, be found to correct the disordered tendency. Hollo way's medicine gives potency to the nervous system, which is the source of all vital movements, and pre sides over every action which maintains the growth and well-being of fie body. No one can over-estimate the necessity of keeping the nerves,well strung, or the ease with which these pills acoojj^li-h that end. They are the mopt unfailing antidotes to indiges tion, irregular circulatiop, palpitation, sick headachy and costivenessj and hare there fore attained the. largest sale and hifthest reputation. ° ftfany exibitors at the late Ashburton bhaw, weredoubtless disappointed in nat winning prizes. A. picture value 10s is givra away with every. Fifty Shillings' woith ot Warburtun'a Can't Be Beat Baking Powder.-Fact y *^ '



This Best Remedy fob Indigestion— Norton's Camomile Pills are cpnfifjentv recommended a,s a simnle remedy fqr Indigestion, whiah is the cliuse of nearly all the diseases to which we are subjeotc Norton's Pills, with justice called the •' Natural Rtrengthener of the Human Stomach," act as a poAverful tonic and gentle perient, are mild in their operation, and 5 safe under any circumstances. Sold in bottles, at Is l|jd, 2s 9d, lls, by all medicine readers throughout the world- i



i " Keating's Powdkh" destroys Bugs Fleas, Moths, Beetles, and all other insects, whilst quite harmless to domestic animals. In exterminating Beetles the success of this powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly clean in application. See the article you mu'chase is "Kkating's," as imitations are oxious and ineffectual. Sold in Tins,6 d, |3undgs64 eagb, by *U chemists.



]>f EW ANNUAL VOLUMES, ITew Xmas Cards, NEW BOOKS for PRIZES and PRESENTATION. FANCY GOODS, etc L. F. ANDREWEI and CO. Spring* Fasliions" g. W. Alcorn&Co., HAVING decide 1 to remrin in Ash burton, are nov showing a splendid assortment of NEW FASHIONABLE GOODS in every DEP vR'X'MKINT. Which have been marked off at consider ably REDUCED rates of profit, trusting to do a greatly increased tiade. Newest styles in Millinery, New Man tles, snd Tudor Capes. Beautiful assort ments of Ribbons, Flowers, ttc, Newest Styles in Costumes and Dress Materials, New Delaines, French Cambrics and tints. Inspection and Comparison invited. 8. W. Alcorn & Co. EAST TREET.



Wanted "117 ATNTbD, those willing to join Ash- YV burton Prohibition League to attend Meeting on Monday night, at 8 p.m., in TemplarJElall^ 12 28 ICE Cream ready at all hours, during the summer months at Flower's. Cough Drops as usual—ll. G. Flower, East street. ' W~" ANTED Known—A special lino of Cashmeres, all shades, now elli ng at Is per yard. White Blankets 5s lid per pair.—H. C. Skgkrs, Melford ' House. ' _. W~~ ANTKD Known — Being over slocked in Corsets, we have re cuced every pair. Ladies frxn Is Od Cheapest house in town.—H. C. Skgers, : jMeslford House. ; , : \ITAXTED K-TdWlSf; a special lot of ' * ■ Hearth Rugs at Is lid, 2s (vA and 2h lid ; worth about doable. W*. 11. poLUKit. l . LL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed; from 60s cash. Koberi Aicorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. - W~ ANTED Known—That you will make no mistake for quality and variety in English, Colonial,, and his highly reputed make by calling at J. Moison. During coming holidays dis count for Cash. Repairs done at once. A staff of men always kept ar.d best material and workmanship guaranteed. SHEEP SHEARS. Having secured a Stock of the celebrated 8.8.A., and as there nre very few in the Colony, Shearers ar© requested to call early.— Robert Aicorn, Saunders' Buildings. WAN TED Known. —At "The Corner' now selling Ladies' French Shops. sslid. See them.—W. H. Colijkb, WANTED, a sixth standard Boy, as Apprentice to the printing trade. Apply Manager, " Mail " Office, between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon. WANTED Known—A Beautiful Line of French Dress Goods, double width, Is 10_d ; original value, 4s. —H. O. Seoehs, Melford House. WANTED Known.—l have a large stock of Tin and Ironware (roods to select from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept in ftock.—J. W. Hardley, East ftreet. 6j:202 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. llarhlky, Eas street. 6J201 WANTED Known.- -H. Bairstow has opened those premises in East street next J. Orr and Co., hs a Furniture Warehouse. Latest dengns in Vienna Chairs, and Iron Bedsteads on vi.w. Having a good stock of well seasoned figured Rimu and Kauri, he is prepared to fake orders for Furniture to any design. Inspection invited. 11+61 MONEY TO LEND, upon Freehold security, in sums to suit bor rowers. Small amounts can he repaid by instalments, if so desired. Apply to Mr C W. Pukkbll, Solicitor, Mont gomery's Buildings. 9 120