THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

From and after the 30th November, 18Sb the termsof Subscription to this journal will be a follows, viz :— if FAID IK ADVANCE. arter ... 6s 6d, by post, 9s 6d Per Half-year... 12s 6d, by post, 18s 6d „ Year ... 24s od, by post, 7s Od  if jbooked. Per Quarter ... 7s 6d, by post, 10s 9d „ Half-year... 15s od, by post, 21s 6d  Year ... 30s od, by post, 43s Od Birth, Marriage, and Death Notices, if paid for at the time of insertion, 2s 6d if booked, 4s each "ns may be sent a ayment. ■

MAIL NOTICE

The Letter-box will he cleared for de spatch of correspondence from this office to the under-mentioned places, on and after Ist January, 1891, as follows — For Chnstchurch and North, daily 6.30 a.m., 3.15 p.m., 6.£0 p.m. ; and on Mon days, Wednesdays, and Fridays, ac 10.30 a.m. ; Chertsey and Rakaia, daily, 6.30 a.m., 3.15 p.m., 6.20 p.m. ; Methven, daily, 3.15 p.m. ; Dunsandel and Barn ham, daily, 3.15 p.m., 6.20 p.m. ; Selwyn, daily, 6.20 p.m. ; Dromore, daily, 6,30 a.m. ; Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, and: Temuka, daily, 10.30 a.m. ; and on Tubs-! days, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 3.15 p.m. ; Willowby and Eiffelton, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 10.30 a.m. ; Lismore, Tuesdays and Fridays, 10.30 a.m. ; Geraldine, daily, 10.30 a.m. ; Timaru, daily, 10.30 a.m., 12.30 p.m. ; and on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Satur : clays, 3.15 p.m. ; Oamaru, Dunedin, and i South, daily, 12.30 p.m. ; Greenstreet, and AshburtonForks, Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturd ays, 6.30 a.m. ; Winch more, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Satur days, 6.30 a.m. ; Mount Somers, Springburn. and. Alford Forest, daily. 4 p.m., Mayfield, and Ruapuna, Mondays and Thursdays, 4 p.m. ; Wheatstone, Ashton, Watertoii, and Longbeach, daily, 4.30 p.m. ; Flemtngfcon, Mondays, Wed nesdays, and Fridays, 4.30 p.m. ; New land, Tuesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. ; Elgin, WakanuL, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Satur days, 6.30 a.m. N.B.— Letters containing anything of value should be I landed to the Postmaster to be registered. ; Letters containing coin, if posted un registered, will "be compulsorily registered and charged double registration fee.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 1891. NEW ZEALAND OPOSSUMS.

It will be remembered that some months ago it was discovered that the opossums which were liberated m the River ton buslt only a few years back had thriven and multiplied exceedingly, and a number of our readers will also recollect seeing m the New Zealand Exhibition a very handsome rug made from the skins of some of them. Not only have these animals been brought under the operation of the Protection of Animals Act so as to prevent their extinction, but some hundreds have been trapped and sent to Acclimatis ation Societies m other parts of the Colony. It is urged by the friends of the oppossum, that once successfully acclimatised, a not unimportant in dustry may be developed m the utilisa tion of their skins, the fur being said to be thicker and batter m New Zea land than m the native liobitat of the animal. It has also been declared that m such districts as parts of the West Coast of this island, and some of the bush districts of the North Island, they cannot possibly do any harm, the only mischief to be apprehended from thfm bein"" damage to orchards and corn fields. But there appears to be reason to fear the contrary, for we notice that m an article on the subject the " Aus tralasian " says :—" The argument put forward m favor of the acclimatisation of the opossum —namely, that it will always find plenty of food m the woods, and therefore will not invade the orchards and cornfields—is a fallacious one, as many a Victorian orchardist well knows. This animal may prove a danger even to the forests themselves. On the flats of the Upper Murray there once grew the noblest specimens of the redguni to be found m Aus tralia. Over a large area every tree save those protected by a sheathing of tin has been destroyed by the opossums. The animals feeding on the young shoots of New Zealand trees may do more mischief than is anticipated." It thinks that there is every reason to fear that the opossum will increase at such a rate m this colony—-where it has not the natural enemies to contend with that serve to keep its numbers within bounds as m. Australia—as to become a serious pest, and sug gests that it is quite probable that the next thing the Acclimatisation Societies will have to take m hand will be the importation of its natural enemies. The journal from which we are quoting goes on to show how serious have been the consequences of injudicious acclimatisation m Victoria, citing as instances the introduction of the sparrow, the rabbit and the fox and adds that " that curse to the garden the English snail" is said to have been intro duced into Victoria " by the Acclima tisation Society to furnish food for the blackbirds." The result of all which leads to the expression of the opinion that " it is time that the owners of the land should have a voice m this matter of acclimatisation. They suffer if the introduced animal or plant proves a curse instead of a blessing, and it is only just that they should be con sulted before any atep is taken m acclimatisation, the result of which is doubtful. The colonists of Australia and New Zealand have enough enter prise to undertake the introduction of any animal or plant that will tend to promote the material prosperity of the country, and it is manifestly unfair that they should be hampered m their business by the injudicious action of irresponsible acclimatisation societies. Insect and vegetable pests seem to travel about the world freely enough 1 on their own account without receiving any aid from man, but from animal pests we would be free if they were not assisted to obtain a footing within our j

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Advices from Delagoa Bay report that 400 Portuguese immigrants from Madeira have lauded there for sarvice m Manicaland. A public trial of the Deering reaper and binder takes place on Wednesday next, at j Mr Gilmour's farm, Wakaiiui. Berwick, England, is suffering from a plague of flies and lleas, consequent upon tho landing of a cargo of bones. A miller at Oothcaloga, Ga., found the wheels m the .mill clogged po they would not work. After taking 3601bs of eels out, the j wheels turned once xnore* It is stated that MrParnell has recovered from the effects of the time-throwing, and also that he has consented to retire from the leadership of his party if Mr O'Brien is I allowed to replace Mr Justin McCarthy. l Professor Archibald Douglas, M. A., Oxon; | announces that he will exhibit Edison's mar vellous phonograph, or talking machine, m the Oddfellows' Hall, Ashburron, on Thurs day and Friday evenings next, at eight o'clock. General Booth has been promised £90,000 for his colonisation scheme which has how ever met with much criticism and opposition, and it is even said that the defection of his quondam assistant Mr Frank Smith, is des troying all chance of its success. The local secretary at Wellington of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, received a cabla from the head office, that the new assurances written by the Society m 1890 were forty millions, and the asseti had risen to twenty-four millions. It appears that Mr Parnell's Delilah, Mrs O'Shea, was left an immense fortune under her aunt's will. Proceedings were being taken tt> contest the will, but Mre O'Shea has compromised the action by agreeing to accept the sum of £50,000, and to abandon her claim to succeed to the property demised. : Erratic genius still seems to characterise the line of the late Victor Hugo. His grand son, George, has, just been placed m the hands of guardians, whose duty it is to pre vent hi» insane squandering of his fortune. The youth, it is said, would* otherwise prove swifter than even another "Jubilee Plunger." The Tichborne claimant is at present engaged as a barman m a publichouse m Birmingham. He makes him3elf generally useful, and iv the evening he lectures m the smoking-room. It is said that he gets £12 a week and all found. The horses and carriages which were used by the Queen and Royal Family during the stay of the Court at Osborne were so numerous that it required steamers to bring them from East Cowes to Southampton, and they were conveyed thence to Windsor by a special train of thirty-nine vehicles. The splendid estate of Closeburn, Dum friesshire, which belongs to Lady Bnniskillen and Mrs Villiers (the co-heiresses of the late Mr Baird, of Gartsherrie), was recently offered for sale at Edinburgh, but was bought m for £300,000. Closeburn formerly be longed to the Kirkpatricks, the ancestors the Empress Eugenic. An important discovery of coal has been made on the Orepuki (Southland) Company's lease. A seam twenty-two feet m width has been recently opened. The coal cokes well, and produces splendid gas. Steps will im mediately be taken to have exhaustive tests made at the Invercargill and Dunediu Gas works. The mine is situated forty miles from luvercargill and t%venty from the Aparima River, on which River ton stands. At a meeting of the County Council—m Committee of the whole — held m the Chambers to-day it was decided to take steps to form a permanent connection between the North aad South Ashburton. The Committee then proceeded to consider, on its merits, each of a long list of applications hinging on this supply, and decided that those approved of should be granted subject to the proposed additional permanent supply being obtained. Bull-fighting has become a popular amuse ment m Paris, Ifc is carried out m a some what modified form, both horses and men being protected from injury iv the encounter. The bull, however, although not killed, i 3 cruelly tortured, and taken at its best, the sport i 3 a brutal one. Demoralisation is quite apparent among the crowds of fashion ably-dressed people of bofh sexes and all ages who look on and often applaud with enthusiasm. The sport is'also not without its danger. Recently a bull tossed one of the men engaged m goading it with barbs, i,n I inflicted very seri»js injuries upon him. The latest detective camera (says the " Amateur' Photographer ") is the "Neck tie," which is the invention of M. Edmond Bloch, of Paris. As the name implies, it is a light and flat metallic camera which is con cealed under a. large necktie, of which the lens forms the pin. It contains six plates, each about 1J inch square, and the lens is arranged to take portraits at a distance of two or three feet. The shutter is set by turning the top button of the waistcoat; aud it is discharged by means of rubber tubing connected with a bulb which is carried iv the trousers pocket. Portraits taken while talking with one's friends by means of this necktie camera (and without their know ledge) are quite recognisable. This instru ment is being perfected, and has not yet been on. the market. The Reef ton "Guardian" says :—"The Antonio's electors of this constituency are undoubtedly an independent body of the ' Free and enlightened.' It is reported that stung by the neglect of the two candidates who were contending for this seat, they called, a public meeting at which it was unanimously resolved that the candidate who first addressed them should receive their votes en, masse, whereas if neither thought, it worth his while to interview them, it was determined that not a man should stir to re cord his vote. As it happened, neither of the candidates did visit them, and as a cou sequence they did not go to the polls. A coach m the interest of one of the candidates was sent down and placed at their service for the day, but the guUy-rakers and sluicers of Antonio's were deaf to the beguiling eloquence of the driver's Ignglish, and refused to budge an inch. With the close result of the election a block vote from Antonio's would have definitely decided the contest, and both candidates have since beingblankety blanking their infernal stupidity m losing sight of such a stubborn little community as Antonio's." News comes from Invercargill of the sad experiences of a party of sportsmen. The party consisting of a new chum, a gentleman from Dunedin, and two commercials, went out armed and equipped for a battue among the game and wild cattle of Longwood Forest, but allowed their enthusiasm to outrun their discretion. They talked so freely about their intended doings that the sergeant m charge at Riverton sent a constable after them, and he, from a place of ambush, saw them kill and flay a wild bullock without the necessary license so to do. Constable Howard was rather dismayed at the prospect of having to carry the heavy hide out of the heart of the forest with the thermometer at 85, but fortunately for him a stalwart commercial decided not to leave the valuable skin. The constable fqllowetj them to open country, and then seized the hide m the name of her Majesty. The matter will come before the Court shortly. This was not the only misfortune which befel the party, as one of the dogs worried a score of sheep, and they had to pay for them. The owner of the sheep caught the dog and decapitated him m order to bring the head m evidence if necessary.

It will bo seen that Nordenfeldt was sold to-day for 5600 guineas to Mr Day, of Sydney. Dr Ross, formerly of Ashburton, was at tho sale and started the bidding at 4000 guineas. Under the Fisheries Conservation Act of | 1884, it is made an offence to sell oysters during the close season. The Act was passed before anyone thought of freezing oysters caught during the open season, and now a difficulty has ansen down south : a dealer who had placed a larg? quantity of oysters m tlie Bluff freezing v/^rks being prohibited from selling them now by the Collector of Customs, who of course reads the Act as it stands. The London correspondent of the " Liver pool Post" states that at a meeting of clergy men m the neighbourhood of London to con sider the subject of gambling, the following anecdote was related ; —Said a gentleman to the late George Fordham, I want to put £5 on a safe thing for to-morrow ; what shall I (l o f —"Put the five-pound note m your pockefc, and get your wife to stioh up your pocket," said the eminent jockey. "That's the only safe thing to do at Newmarket." Farmer Roots : " I dunno but we'd better kill old Roaii .tomorrow. The boss hain't wuth his keep, aiid " Bill Roots (rush ing m): "The train has just knocked old Roan offen the track and broke his neck !" —Farmer Roots (nne day later m the office of the;auditor of P.D.R.): " Wall, I reckon 350 dollars would; be about right for that ar boss o' mine you killed. Juat five year old last grass, and trotted a mile m 2.50 less'n six months ago. Didn't he, Bill!" "You bet." Law proceedings have been instituted m Melbourne to test the validity of the will of Captain James M'Meckan, who died m May, leaving property valued at £200,000. Amongst the bequests under the will was £1000 to a nephew, John Jackson Acldison M'Meckan, who instructed his solicitor to test the validity of the will. He claims the revocation of the will on the ground that, the testator was not of testamentary capacity when he executed it, and that it was executed under undae influence. .

POLITICAL

The Wellington correspondent of the "Lytbelton Times" says :—There is news ia town to the effect that the Opposition leaders, having made every enquiry (as I advised you the other day), find they have reason to place tlieir force at an aggregate of forty-one. It is more like the'first general examination of the election results. In this connection it would be interesting to know what are the inten tions of tho Government, Their inten tions are not yet m the formal stage, as the Cabinet; has not yet considered matters. JNaturally it cannot, for it has been scattered for the holidays ; b'jt I think from what I hear that ifc'is possible Ministers mny resign' ,at the opening of Parliament, and lot "Mr Balance be sent for.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS

[PSB FJUS.3S ASSOCIATION.!

Fire, at <JhriNtclitirr.li. Christchurch, January 5. A fire broke out this morning m a seven roomed dwelling and shop occupied by Bryenton, butcher, Lin wood. The building was totally destroyed. Insurance: £200 oh the furniture and plant m the Commercial Union; and £500 on the house m the New Zealand office. Very little of the furniture was saved. The origin is unknown.

Latest Cable News.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[PIR PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

(Received January 5, 10.30 a.m.) AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. London. January 4. On the 18th inst. Mr Henry Moor* will read a paper at the Colonial Insti tute on the subject of Agricultural and Technical Education ia the Colo nies.

OBITUARY.

A. W. Kinglake, historian, aetal 79.

AUSTRALIAN

[Received January 5, 10.30 a.m.]

THE FASTING MAN.

Melbourne, January 5. Tanner has accomplished his forty days fast.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

Adelaide, January 5. ohief Justice L. J. Way has been appointed Lieut. of Weitern Australia.

EARL OF JERSEY.

Albany, January 5. The Earl of Jersey, the new Govern nor of New South Wales, has arrived here,

THE MARKETS.

[per press association.]

(Received January 5, 10.30 a.m,) London January 4. The English wheat market is dull, Continental firm. American declining. Money is also declining. Three months bills 3| per cent.

Revenue Returns.

(per press association.)

Hobakt, January 3. The total revenue for the colony for the past year amounts to £753,000, as against £670,000 for 1889. The increase is largely due to the silver boom. The amount of revenue as estimated by the Colonial Treasurer as likely to be received has been realised. ' Brisbane, January 4. The rerenue for the half-year ending 31st December exceeds that for the corresponding period.of the previous year by £49.000, whilst the expenditure was, £50,000 m excess of that for the last.] half-year of 1889.

Ashburton Yards.

Messrs Miles and Co. report (per Mr George Jameson) on the Live Stock Market for the week ending January 2nd: —There was a fair attendance of farmers and others, and prices ruled slightly higher than at the previous Tuesday's market, owing no doubt to the smallness of the entry. Only 1032 sheep and. 16 head of cakle were yarded; The following were our sales : 40 fat crossbred owes and wethers at 10s ; 144 crossbred four-tooths wethers and ewes at 10s 3d ; do. culls, 5s 9d ; 188 ewes and lambs at 5s 7d all counted; cows at £3 12s 6d. During the week we have sold privately 300 shorn crossbred hoggets ab 9.*.

Auditing School Com mittee Accounts.

We extract the follow ing from the " Gazette" :—The Board of each Education District shall, m the month of March m every year, appoint an auditor or auditors toaudit the accounts of the school committees witkin the districts, and shall m the same year notify po each school committee the name of the auditor who is appointed to audit the accounts for the year m which such appointment is made. Erery school committee shall, not later than the fifth day of April m j every year, make /up the account of the school districts for the year or period; ending the 31st day of March previous, and • shall imme diately thereafter submit the same to an auditor appointed by the board of the education district within which tire school or schools under the jurisdiction of the committee are situated. The auditor appointed to audit the accounts of any school com mittee shall hare access to all the books and accounts of the committee and its officers, and shall examine the general statement of the receipts and expenditure of the committee, and com pare the same with the accounts and vouchers relating thereto, and shall either certify under his hand that he has found the same to be correct, duly vouched, and m accordance with law, or specially report to the education board of the district m what respect he finds it otherwise.

Cupid's Messenger.

OUTWITTING THE GOVERNOR

" ' Love laughs at locksmiths,' no doubt of it," said a jolly old fellow m a railway carriage recently, as he spread his news paper on his knee and leaned back to have a hearty laugh at the story of an elopement he had just been reading. "This story," he continued, "reminds me of the courtship of myself and my wife, years ago, when I was 'prentice boy to a crusty old leather merchant, He used to live m one of the suburbs and part of my meagre wages was taken out m board and lodging "at his house. Of course I was sweeping out the counting room long before his old nibs was up, and I returned to my supper long after he had left the office for the day, yet I found time to fall m lore with his pretty daughter for all that. " She returned my feelings (I may say ib without vatiity, as we have been married now these thirty years) and I stepped around m the seventh Heaven for a time, but the old man spotted us and I narrowly escaped a severe . thrashing at his hands for my .presumption 1. I was banished from the house, and Jane was locked up m her room on a bread and water diet for a week, ."Of course, wo found away to meet once m a very long time, but how to correspond as frequently as our yearning hearts desired was a question that puzzled us for inon»hs. The post-office was no use for there was no house-to-house de livery m those days, and all the letters for the family came to the counting-house and passed under the old man's eye, and there was no one to act as a go-between to whom we dare confide the secret. " ' Can't you hit upon som.e plan, Jane dear ?' I said m despair one day, on which we had managed to arrange a clandestine meeting after a month spent without a glimpse of each other. Is there, tio one m your family or among your friends or servants whom you could trust fcb carry our notes back and forth 1' "'No one,' she replied with a sigh. ' Have I not thought and thought as much about it as you ? But oh, I have it, I have it! she exclaimed, suddenly clapping her hands. 'I have found some one at last,' and she burst into a peal of laughter so long that 1 could hardly control my impatience to hear her discovery. " ' Who is it ? Tell me quick,' I said. " 'Papa,' she gasped, and went off into another fit of laughter. "'Your father?' I said, astounded, 'Jane, you're making cruel fun of me, and I turned my back on her m a huff. "'I am not, indeed, dear Billyh ihe replied, < I mean just what I say. You know papa's old overcoat that he -will in sist on wearing nine months m the year m spite of all that everybody can say. Well, I'll hide a little note to you every day m the lining of the coat-tail, and when ha hangs it up behind the counting ;t»om door it will be easy for you to get it out and hide an answer m thesame olace. Oh ! my, won't it be funny to think of papa, who has set his heart on keeping us apart, himself carrying our love letters back and forth irom one to the other every day,' and she burst into another merry peal of laughter, m which I joined heartily this time. "Well, we adopted the plan, and it worked to a charm. The old boy was our faithful postman for years, and I often used to tremble as I thought of the possible consequences if he should ever discover one of my burning love missives m the tails of his rusty ojd coat. But he never did, and In due course of time I worked my way up to a place m his business where he could no.longer ignore me or my claims. He was rather astonished one day, though, when I formally asked for his daughter's hand and assured him that she was willing if he was. He consented, but it was not until I was his junior partner and he wai, dandling his first grandson on his knee that we dared to cell him howfoj? years he had played the part of Qqpid's messenger when he thought he was acting the stern and careful parent."

A Rabbit Plague.

A gentleman who is afc present travel ling m the Western district of l^ew South Wales writes to a friencl m Sydney as follows :—" On my journey between Hillston and Lake Cudgellico, among •ther wonders, I saw the grasshoppers, They are m uncountable millions, and have simply eaten the country out. ?I dent know how to describe them; but they are worse than (Jje rabbits, as they eat everything down m a few hours. Wherever they pitch they eat, and when they can't get cabbage or : flowers they have taken to clothes, and are not averse 1 to paint-work. They have eat#*i paint clean off the wood-work, and. as to grass, they mow it down. Th© rabbits, you've often heard ing tejllof the numbers that we have aee^ fch,en\ m i w ; el\, for fear of. again, being 'considered a bit rash \n H»y statements, I'll not attempt; £,& describe, but tiiey are' tlyimj mfflioun,' arid the road is oaie of stench. W.O. drove t\fc night through Merri IVlerriT. ga,l station .' yard, m which stood IWQ haystacks, Tto. r*W)itß wro\»nd

these were as thick as the rats that followed the pied piper. In the midst; of the fscene lay six or eeven sheep or cattle dogs, which did not take the slightest notice of the rabbits ; but the crowning experience of Iho lot was we changed horses here, and when the driver went to the stall for the horses he found the place simply alive with rabbits, so, calling me to his aid, we entered with .sticks and killed forfcy-two m a two-stall stfilil" ! It was a merry five minutes. I don't ku,ow what is killing the 'rabbits, but they are dying m millions. They are very weak, and if you sv»t to chase one it gives m m loan than lOOyds. 1 caustht four one morning when going for a bath. The squatters are to be pitied. They are all wire-netting their fences now.. I don't know how they live. It must ba ft wonderful country. t<i stand ife all."

INQUISITIVE JEAN.

Oh, ken yfc the body that bides on oor stairs — A body that kens ilka body's affairs ? My cerfcy ! whiiurever there's news to be got She's no lang, I'm thinkin', o' reachin' the spot. Jean's never dun rinnin', the length o' the day, For news is her hobby, an 1 news she maun hae ; The villagers oucht to petition the Queen To tell her affairs to inquisitive Jean. I carena a docken what 'oor ye gang oot, She'll ken whaur ye're gaun- aye, an' what ye're aboot. Jist open yer door B[in ye're wantin' some fun, Jean's oot on the stair like the »bot o 1 a $run; Slip into the close ony .'oor on the clock, She's up like a lintle an' owre the bed stock ; • ' When ilka ane's sleepin' an' a' things serene, . . . : There's seldom a wink on inquisitive Jean. Supposin' a Men' on a neebour should ca', She'll ken a' aboot them before they gae 'wa' j Jean maun get admittance—ye daurna re fuse— I never, lad, kent sic a deevil for news, By no' lettin' ither folk's bnsiness al*no She canna, I'm certain, atten' to her am, I'm thinkin' her ingle-cheek canna be clean ; But dirt disna bother inquisitive Jean. It's nonsense to purchase the Hemfd or Mail; Their stories are dry an' their articles stale, There isna a weekly comes into the shire Can cope wi' Jean's organ for wut and satire ; Come under il's power and yell wriggle wi' pair ; Preserve us ! 'twad rip ye richt into the bane. There hasna a weapon been tempered, I ween, Could cut mi' the tongue o' inquisitive Jean. 1 ' Port-Glasgow. Danibl Kikg.

"For Sale."-A Bargain

(" Oainaru Mail.") For Salt.—New Zealand, a colony m the South Pacific Ocean, consisting of the islands known as the Northern, Middle, and Stewa'rt Islands, situate about .1200 miles E. of' New. iSouth Wales, between 34° 2 L'—47°. 20' S. tot. and 166° 25'—178° 35' E. long. The entire area is estimated at 104,403 square miles or 06,818,160 -acres; o£ which two-thirds are fitted for agricul ture and grazing. It is well stocked with a healthy population of about 600,000 souls m round numbers. Government—an oligarchy tempered by an imaginary popular control. People—a race renowned for its peace ful submission to an imperious and exacting governmental system, and whose'highest ambition, is to "learn to labor and to wait"—to labor for the maintenance of monopoly, and to wait till its population has been driven away and its offspring domiciled m far-off lands. This property offers a good investment for the political specu lator. The revenue consists of an assured income of £1000 per annum, and pickings, with the possibility rf the bestowment by her Majesty Queen Victoria of the distinguished order of knighthood. Tht present proprie tor is compelled to abandon his rights over the colony m consequence of ill health and other circumstances too numerous to mention, m order that he may seek a life of repose m Great Britain. Having failed to effect a gala by private treaty, he has resolved to submit the whole of the magnificent property to public competition, with out reserve, as the whole must be dis posed of before the 24th of January 1891. The above describes the posi tion m which New Zealand has been placed by the political crisis, Mr Bolleston has been offered a reversion of the Premiership, with its attendant rights; but it is probable that he may, under the circumstances, refuse the proffered honor with its emoluments, m which case the proprietor, Sir Harry Atkinson, loiay have to seek further a&eld Jfor a purchaser. This is the first time m colonial history that a whole people has been put to the hammer.

The Indian Rising.

CAVALKY SURROTOEEI*.

[per press association. J New York, January 2. Advices from the districts threatened by Indians state that the 7th Regi ment of cavalry was surrounded m a valley near Clay Creek by a greatly snperior force, and the 9th Regiment; of cavalry arrived just m time to» rescue them. The United States Go | vernment hope to induce 3000 Indians at the Bad Lands to peaceably sur render. Twelve regiments of infantry are now investing the disturbed dis trict.

LABOR TROUBLES.

[PEK PRESS ASSOCIATION.^ London, January £ and 4 Owing to the demands oi the labor party 100,000 tons of shipping is laid up m English ports. Three hundred Postal and Savings Bank clerks m London have been suspended, owing to their refusal to work overtime. - * Fairplay " states that the strength of the shipping federation alone pre vented an immense riverside strike of i all trades o» January Ist Although the Directors^ the Scotch Rstflway Companies assert that tha | strike is nearly over, the Caledonian Company fe still a thousand men short of its usual complement.

Stanley Palmer, a prisoner m th* Jfe w Castle, be  gaol, has invented a to/Se &Sv hir c is "P to have been oSbcd mm by New York speculator, • w

THePRsHBUBTON GITABDIAN, MONDAY, JANUARY S, 1891



The Best Resiedy for Indigestion— Norton's Camomile Pills are confidently, recommended as a simple remedy for Indigestion, which is the cause of nearly all the diseases to which we are subject Norton's-Pills, with justice called t^e •Natural Strengthener of- the Human Stomach.," act as a powerful tonic and gentle aperient, are mild m their operation, and safe under any circumstances. Sold m bottles, at Is l£d, 2s 9d, lls.byallmedicuie. endow throughout the world,'



The best medicine known is SANDER 1 And SONS EUCALPTI EXTRACT. Test it eminent powerful effects m coughs, colds, influenza, etc.—the relief is instantaneous. Thousands gire the most gratifying" testi mony. His Majesty the King of Italy, and medical syndicates all orer the globe, are its patrons. Read the official reports thai accompany each bottle. We have no occa sion to offer rewards m proof of the genuine ness of our references. The official reports of medical clinics and universities, ths official communication of the Consul-General for Italy at Melbourne; the diploma awarded International Exhibition, Amsterdam—all these are authentic documents, and, as such, not open to doubt. We add here epitome of one of the various cases treated by Siegeafc M.D , Professor, etc. Burning of the'right hand through the explosion of a small oil stove. The epidermis on the rolar and palmer side of the hand of the thirty-year old patient was completely separated and lifted up as far as the joint of the hand. The likewise lifted nails were hanging loose and half of the phalnax of the nail of the middle finger was coal d. The wounds thus contracted healed m three weeks umder daily application of Eucalypt Extract dressing. The put ent kas retained the Ml use of the hand —(Advk.) 1



Hqlloway's Pills, -Factory Operatives and Workers m Manfactories.-—The remark able remedies which have been discoyered and perfected by Thomas Holloway, and which for more than forty years have been suc cessfully used m every quarter of the globe, &re especially useful m all the manifold ailments which afflict those who by reason of their occupations are confined for years, or all their lives, ia crowded buildings and workshops. Holloway's Pills and Ointment are associated remedies, the former restoring the vital powers when diminished, and always acting as an efficient blood purifier, whilst the latter relieves local maladies, and cheeky inflammation, and acts as; a cleansing and hpjing agent m cases of bad legs, bad breasts, "ulcers, and unhealthy sores of all kiwis,



riHEIS TMAS SALE. EVERY NOVELTY IN FANCY GOODS, SUITABLE FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR PRESENTS VERY CHEAP. MRS ADAMS FANCY REPOSITORY, _■ Saunders' Buildings. 12 158



FxLblio JSlotioes. NEW~YEAR GIFTS. NEW YEAR CARDS AND BOOKLETS. NEW ANNUAL VOLUMES and BOOKS for Prizes and Presentations. NEW FANCY GOODS, *c., &r L F. ANDREWES & Co. jTj v w rTHITvn nc- LS o wo howi n a A FASHIONABLE LOT OF Spring^ Summer Goods. THE LATEST FASHION, REASONABLE PRICES, GOOD FIT and WORKMANSHIP, ought to ensure a ready sale for those Goods. Com* Early, Anil uvolrt The JEfcusli sit Xma*i' Our Customers may depend upon ~ur promise that their orders will be finished up to time. H. A E. Craigliead, TANCRED STREET, ASHBUKTON.___ chjmstius umm. A NDREW f\KR HAS opened up a Splendid Show OF New Goods} IN ALL DEPARTMENTS. Beautiful Assortment OF FANCY GOODS, Suitable for Presents. LADIES', GENTS', and CHILDREN'S Boots and Shoes GREATLY REDUCED. ANDREW ORR. Spring and Summer, 1890. BUY YOUR CLOTHING FROM THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTOR! Men's Colonial TWEED SUITS, Boys' and Youths' Colonel TWEET SUITS at prices to suit everybody. HA.TS.—We keen ths Largest and Best Selection Hats made to measure SUITS MADE TO MEASURE. Best workmanship put m every garment, and a perfect iit guaranteed. Large Selection of Boys' Knicker Suits Ties, Shirts, Collars, Braces. &c, ii Latest Fashion j»nd Style. Best Value for Cash m District NE * V ZE A I AJS D CLOTHING FACTORY *gent for the Wonderful Wertheim Sewing Machines W. H. WEBBERS . Manager. Wanted CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceedin SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Office' W "ANTED, one or two Boarders m private family. Apply A.B "Mail" Office. _I_l9 ONE Boom to let, furnished or unfurnished, with board if required. 1 21 A MERICAN Ice Cream ! American A Ice Cream daily at H. G. Flower's, Confectioner. Ice kept m stock. ANTED KnoAvn.—For Dress Stuffs Prints, &c, Trimmings, to match, go to Melford House. Bes value m town. Christmas presents now giving away.—H. C. Segers ANTED Known—Some special lines m choice Dress Goods ixt very low prices showing at " The Corner.' \ITANTED Known.—For Sheetings W Tablings, Calicoes, Quilts, Towels Table Napkins, Tray Cloths, D'Oyleyg, &c, goto Melford House. Presents to every purchaser. —I.E. C. Segjers. T3RESENTS.— We are now giving _L presents to every purchaser of Drapery, Clothing, Boots, and cheapest house m town. —H. C. Segers, Melford House. ( W"~ ANTED Known—The " Strong wear " Boot is the best for Men adies and Children.—W.Jl^Collier. WANTED every man m the County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds.—Robert Ai-corn, Ashburton ClofchingMart, Saunder's Buildings. WANTED Known —The Cheapest Shop to buy Tinware and Gal vanised Iron goods m Ashburton, is at W. F. Hannaford'h, Burnett Street. A arge stock kept on hand. Tin and Iron ware goods made and repaired with des patch. OOTS, BOOTS. "Keep you. feet Dry and save Doctor's Bills, have a splendid Stock m now. Try my Double-soled Shooters. Every pair Guaranteed, Robert Alcorn, Ashbur t<m Clothi'i? Mart, Sawders' Building



■^"OTWHSTANDING continue to re ! |jortß ot the success of other Machines, THEDEERIM , ALL STEEL TWINE BINDER, C0HTIIUI& TO HOLD ITS OWI' Having, during the last two Seasons, secured upwards of 60 PRIZES In the Australasian Colonies. The Machine »s now offered is a marvol of SIMPLICITY, STRENGTH, and DURABILITY. ' Actual experience proving that THE DEERING Requires fewer extra parts than any Machine m the field. The Undersigned lias now on hand a LARGE ASSORTMENT of duplicates (extras), and is therefore ready for eincr-' gencies. Twines, Oils Corn Sacks, &c, _— John Gr. Restell WOOL STORES. WEST STREET, ASHBURTON. 24th December, 1890. Massey-Toronto Light Binder. LIGHTEST IN DRAFT. SUREST TO TIE. EASIEST TO MANAGE. SWIFTEST TO CUT, THE LONGEST LIVED. 1 MOST SCIENTIFICALLY MADE Stationary Axle AND Raise and Lower Style 5, 6, and 7 PEET CUTS. Of the latter only very fewjon hand. £2000 Vorth of Extras m Stock, which wil be supplied to farmers at manufacturer's prices afc any time DAY OR NIGHT. FRIEDLANDER BROS mm OF NEW ZEALAND CFIRE AND MARINE) rTIHE Business of this Company has X been TRANSFERRED to the COMMERCIAL UNION ASSURANCE COMPANY, Limited, of London, by whom, through the various Branches and Agencies m New Zealand, all accounts owing to and by and all losses under the Colonial Insurance Company's policies will be settled m future. F. ALLEN, General Manager. Wellington, New Zealand, December 11th, 1890. THK COMMERCIAL UNION ASSUR ANCE COMPANY, (Limited) ESTABLISHED 1861. Incorporated under Act of Parliament, 7 and 8 Vie, Cap. 110. Head Office : 19 and 20 Cornhill, London Capital fully subscribed ... £2, 500,000 Total Invested Funds ... 2,351,707 Total Annual Nett Income... 1,132,239 ! HEAD OFFICE fmi NEW ZEALAND : Larabton Quay, Wellington. With Local Boards of Advice m Australia and New Zealand. General Manager for New Zealand : FRANK ALLEN, J P. Every description of Fire nd Marine Insurance effected at LOWEST CUEBENT EATES CUFF & ~GRAHAM, Managers for Canterbury, Christchurch. Agknts for Ashbubton : FRIBDI.ANDER BROS 22 FIRST. FIRST. FIRST. A T the LARGEST FIELD TRIAL Held m Australia this Season ; The Brantford WAS PLACED FIRST, *^| defeating seven other machines. THIS IS GENUINE. THE ONLY STRING BINDER . THAT CAN CUT AND TIE GRASS SEED. I TESTIMONIAL. ' I have cut with a 7ft Brantford Binder purchased last season, about seven acres of ryegrass for seed. The crop was very short and thin 4 being on light ground. The machine did its work perfectly, both cutting, binding and tying without a hitch, "and I consider the Brantford the best on the market, and the only machine fit to tackle a light crop of orass. £2§lol Geokcib Cole. SURGEON-DENTIST Off CHRISTCHURCH, WILL VISIT ASHBURTON on dates to be announced, and may be consulted at MR. CAMBRIDGE'S, CHEMIST.



Gf. Jy AWOBTT- JDoUDS SURGEON DENTIST, Addkehs :—Court Chambers, above Mr H. M. Jones Stationer, East Street. private Residence, Tailored Street. Three doors below Masonic Hill Sharplin, Vincent & do. SAWMILLERS AKt) TIMBER MERCHANTS, SPKINOBUBN HAVE erected large Sawmills at Alfotd Forest, and can now supply nny amount of Building Material, also Bridge Timber and Planking to any size m Birch Timber, Gates, Hurdles, &c, ' made to patterns as desired, Splitor Sawn P«sts morticed by machinery. Prices will be found reasonable, and orders will be executed promptly. Timber em be delivered by train, or at the Mills, or by rail from Springburn to wry part of the district. he Mills are within 1| miles of the Springburn Railway Station. FIREWOOD, SLABS, AND WASTE TIMBER ; Always on hand. Orders by post promptly attended t3B John Orr & Co. INVITE THE ATTENTION OF FARMERS To their Largo and Varied Stocks of all classes of Goods, suitable for the Harvest Field. 1000 Bales Binding TWINE, Crown Brand 250 Bales Manilla Binding TWINE Machine Extras and Fittings. 100 Cases Binding WIRE, White Cross 100 Cases Castor Oil Leather Belting, l|in to 6in Valvoline and Lubroline Oil Lard and Olive Oil Cylinder Oil Perforated Zinc, 352 to 7/8 Seaming Twine McCormick Binders. The agents of the McCormick reapers and binders have just received news of a very exciting trial at Tamworth (N.S.W.) on Saturday, December 6, The prize competed for was the Society's medal, which was offered to the machines exhibited at their Show ; but m order to have a successful trial they m addition offered a prize of ten guineas, open to all comers. Both prizes were gained by the McCormick, which was awarded the full , maximum number of points. This was the first time this season where the winner at any trial m Australia obtained the full number of points under each heading. The McCormick also gained first prize at Stawell (Victoria) beating the Massey, Hornsby, and Deering. John Orr & Go. Ladies! Ladies I WHOLESALE DRAPERY HOUSES IN GBEAT TROUBLE THIS SEASON WiTH IMMENSE SURPLUS IMPORTATIONS OF Summer Goods, —THEREFORE— We have made an Extensive Purchase of French Muslins, Zephyrs, Ginghams, ETC., ETC. WhlcH are i«w •■ View AT Mitchell & Turner's KATAPOI HOUSE.