CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

There will be no publication of the Mai. or Guardian on SATURDAY, December 26—-Boxing-Da}*.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1891. SURPLUS STOCK IN AUS TRALIA.

There is at present an acute crisis m pastoral matters m Australia, and from an unprecedented cause as far. as that country is concerned. New South Wales is the colony principally affected, but the live stock interests of Queens land, Victoria, and South Australia suffer m sympathy with the older i colony. The cause is the enormous aggregation of surplus stock—sheep j and cattle—which has accumulated on pastoraiists' hands through the good seasons of the last four years, to ! which ive recently made reference. The increase m the number of sheep m Australia since 1887, has been at an unprecedented rate. In that year, m New South "Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland, the aggra gate number of sheep was sixty-five j and a half millions; this year the estimated number is eighty-eight millions, an increase of twenty-two and a half millions m four years. The natural increase has been far above the average, and there has been simply no outlet for either fat or store sheep-at all proportionate to the rate of in crease. The fat merinos are not a class of mutton that is suitable for the export trade, and the accumulation of stocks m London has caused the cessation of operations of the freezing companies; the low price of tallow makes boiling-down an unprofitable expedient; and the new country that has been opened up has been stocked without making much impressioa on the stock of store ewes. The outlet is therefore narrowed down to the limited local consumption and the operations of the meat-preserving com panies. In order to encourage as much as possible the export of meat, it has been the custom for sellers of stock m the Sydney market to allow buyers for. export a discount of one-half per cent upon their purchases, but even this has proved to be inadequate to secure the continuance of active operations by the freezing companies. It has therefore been deeded to seek legislative sanction to the ievyi»# of a special rate of, one-farthing a h«od on sheep and six-: pence a head on eatiig throughout New South Wales, the proceeds io be era ployed m subsidising exporters $i*d m endeavouring to open up new markets for the surplus mjufcton and beef. Mr Whitekf King,-Secretary of the Aus tralasia**. Pastoralists* Association, is »<w ip JSFew #eafan4 obtaining jnfor.

mation as to the working of our meat export trade, and it is probable that his report will cause freezing to be extensively adopted m New South Wales, which, by Hooding the London market with low-class mutton, will act to the detriment of New Zealand. There is, however, an aspect of the case which is reassuring to this country, though it increases the difficulties of our New South Wales neighbours. The occurrence of a few weeks' drought would render the sheep that are now m such prime condition quite unfit; for freezing for the English market; the freezing works would be rendered use less, and the last state of New South Wales would be worse than the first. Groat though the present quantity of fat stock is, there is no certainty that it can be kept 'ip so as to furnish «i regular supply for freezing purposes ; indeed, the certainty is quite the other way. Looking at the situation from every point of view we can see no solution of the difficulties with which it is surrounded, and the suggestion that breeding should be restricted or altogether discontinued for a season, so that the number of sheep and cattle would be reduced to the carrying capacity of the county m normal seasons, seems to be the only resort.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The skeleton of a huge moa, m a fair state of preservation, has been found by a bush faller m the Hawera district. In a letter to the "Dunedin Star," Mr Vincent Pyke declares that "anonymous letter-writers are the blowflies of the press," and designates them as " anonymulculi Young Prince George of Wales is said to be covered with tattooings of mermaids and dolphins. How he will suffer m getting rid of these vulgar disfigurements ! At Newcastle a man succeeded m rowing a quarter of a mile, riding a bicycle a quarter of a mile, running 440 yards, and swimming a like distance, and riding a horse the same number of yards, all within the space of 13 minutes. Forty years ago there were upwards of 60,000 Irishmen m the British Army. Twenty years ago the number was reduced to 44,000. while now the number has fallen to 27,786. The figures above quoted are given m the annual return which has jusb been issued. Before Mr R. Alcorn, J.P., on Saturday, a fir«t offender was fined 5s and costs fo 1' drunkenness. Mary Cunningham or Pattie, a very old offender, was sent, to goal for seven days with hard labor for using obscene language m East street, and twenty-four hours for drunkenness, the sentences to run concurrently. The Rev Father Ginaty, of the Mount Magdala Asylum, is now making his usual Christinas appeal to the public on behalf of the Asylum. There are now seventy-three penitents at Mount Magdala, from all parts of the colony and of every creed, and m order to meet the applications for admission a new wing of the building is urgently required. The institution, apart from cost of buildings, is to a considerable extent self-supporting, the inmates doing laundry work, sewing and other industries suitable for females. A story is now going the rounds apropos of i Lord Clanwiiliam, the gallant and genial admiral who was so greatly responsible for the recent successful reception of the French fleet at Portsmouth. One sultry night (so "Land and Water" relates), Lord Clan william was peacefully smoking his pipe out side his house m Bclgrave Square, attired m a somewhat free and easy suit, which attracted the suspicion of a watchful police man. The latter, accosting Lord Clanwilliam inquired, "What are you doing here? Do you belong to this house ?" " No," was tha answer, " the house belongs to me." The buildings for the World's Fair at Chicago promise to cast those of the last Paris Exhibition compJotTJ^y-rhr-ttie-snacre; and will be, indeed, the most magnificent structure of the kind ever erected. They will form a congeries of palaces—fourteen m number —dedicated to the following pur poses :-- Administration, agriculture, fish and fisheries, horticulture, transportation, Government, manufactures, electricity, mechanical arts, mining, machinery, liberal arts, fine arts, &nd forestry; besides 40 staie buildings, and scores of edifices to be erected by foreign nations and L private enterprise. The commission expects to have £4,200,000 to spend on the undertaking. "Atlas"in the World says:—There has recently been a discussion m some of the papers as to whether any Britisli statesman was ever killed by hard work. Putting aside Mr Pitt and Mr Canning, who are the statesmen invariably mentioned m support of that contention, it is a fact that m 1846 Sir Robert Peel told the Queen that he would never again take office, because he could not forget that official work and worry had made Lord Castlereagh a maniac, and Lord Liverpool an idiot. I have heard that a minute of the very remarkable conversation which fook place between the Queen, Prince Albert, and Sir Robert Pee], when that statesman resigned m 1846, is preserved m the private library at Bucking, ham Palace, irkich contains a unique collection of political papers, consisting of every letter and memorandum which has been written to or for the Queen during the present reign, and all the correspondence connected with Ministerial changes. Speaking at the distribution of prize* at Wellington College, the Hon. W. P. Reeves, Minister for Education, said : —He trusted he would live to see the day when the second ary schools would bo as tree as the primary schools are now. He did not believe that there was any widespread public prejudice against the secondary schools. Ho did not suggest for a moment that that there was nothing to improve. For instance, it might be a qnestion whether the time and labour of their pupils were not too widely spread over too many branches of learning. Boys and girls could not do everything. The capacity of brains was limited even m the case of the colonial boy and girl, and the hours of study were limited also. Before long public opinion would pronounce itself as to whether our system of examination an 4 inspection of secondary schools was as enu bracing and as nearly approaching complete ness as it ought to be. However, he would not enter into that subject. The "Ouida Musical Folio" is just to hand through the courtesy of the publishers, Messrs C. Begg and Co., of Dunedin. The folio contains sixteen numbers, amongst them the "Sappho Ballet "a transcription from the Phonograph; "The Tramp of the Fire Brigrade " composed by Marcus Hume, words by Thomas Bracken (both names are well known throughout New Zealand); "Dear me, is that Possible ?" a Scotch comic song (words most amusing and very popular). The scoring of "Dear me, etc.," was entrusted to Mr L. D. Cox, composer of "The Old Plag," who has done his work very well. Of #'ie remaining items it may be mentioned that they are weil selected, including " 0, Rest n the Lord," "Scene* that are Brightest," "Supposing," and a number of other songs that are essentially popular with the music ioviitg public. Messrs Pay ton and Corrigan, the printers, certainly deserve much praise for the care bestowed m the execution of the work, which is m every way most creditable, and the extremely iow price of ione shilling at which the folio is published should com mand for it a ready gale, Hollo way's PiUA—HDhanges of tempera ture and weather frequently upset persons who are most careful of their health, and particular m their diet. These corrective, purifying, and gently aperient pills are the best remedy for all defective action of the digestive organs. They augment the appetite, strengthen the stomach, correct biliousness, and carry off all that is noxious from tha system. Holloway's Pills are composed of r/jxe balsams, unmixed with baser matter, and Off ii^st .account are peculiarly well adapted for khe yoilM, dpljcate, and aged. As this priceless medicine ijias gained fame m the past, so it will preserve it m the future by its renovating and invigorating qualities, arpji '^impossibility of doiug harm, '

THE FARM.

EXPERIMENT IN LIMING GRASS LAND.

On Saturday the results of an experi- ; menb with lime or. agrass paddock were com pared. An eisht-acre paddock belonging to Mr John G. Restell. Alford Forest Road, was sown down m English grass and clover six years ago, and last Autumn it was top dressed with lime to the extent of a ton and a quarter to the acre. In the centre of the paddock a strip of half a-chain wide was left without any lime dressing, so that a fair comparison could be made of the results. On Saturday Mr E. F. Wright, proprietor of the Buxton Lime Kilns, Mount Somers, with two press representatives, wetit up to the paddock, which four men were mowing. The crop, '•.aking it all round,|was a heavy one, and for liny making would have been all the better for having gone under the scythe a week ago. Nothing could have been more marked than the difference between the unlimed strip and the miin crop. The latter was rich and abundant; large heavily matted patches of grand clover showing everywhere ; while the unlimed strip vas as lightly grassed as could be, and the clover put m only an apology for an appearance. Two squares of 5£ yards by 5| yards, equal to one fortieth part of an acre, were measured off. The squares were selected at the point where the mowers were at work— a fair simple of the limed and a fair sample of the unlimed laud. The squares were then mowed and the crop from each weighed, with the following result: — unlimed square, one-fortieth of an acre, 261bs of grass, or equal to 10401bs per nere. Limed square, same extent, 661bs of grass, equal to 26401bs per acre. Difference pej- acre m favor of lime 1600lbs—being slightly over the value of the lime realised m one crop, with tlie unexhausted value of the improvement still left m the soil to act beneficially for years to come. Mr Restell had intended to plough up and re-sow tiie paddock, but changed his"mind and tried lime.

Ths Chinese call agriculture the most distinguished of all the sciences.

The Minister of Agriculture of V ictoria is m favor of the Government retaining control of the butter trade after the present system of bonuses is finished, and intends adopting a system by which all butter exported will have a Govern ment brand.

The weighing of cattle for sale is making decided progress m Scotland. As a proof of it (says a writer m "The Times") 150 fanners ordered weighing machines at the Highland Agricultural Show held at Stirling ; 150 farmers also entered m a half-crown sweepstake to judge the carcase weight of two bullocks, the use of the machine being excluded. There was a difference of over 33 stones m the guessing between the highest and the lowest m a 95-stone beast. Almost incredible ! Two butchers, however, came within half a stone of the weight, the machine nearly as close. Yet m England, m many important markets boycotting would be the fate of the man who attempted to put public weighing m practice. There is evidence, however, that m England dealers are m some instances trying their cattle on the scale the night before exposing than m market, keeping the secret ko themselves, and placing themselves at a great advantage over the unenlightened buyer."

Mr G. F, Clulee, of Timaru, m some limes of his trip to England, which appear m the " Canterbury Times," says that he took Home under his care 3200 frozen sheep and lambs, of more than ordinary excellence. The first thing that he heard about them m London was that thty were damaged, and on going to the stores to inspect them he was ii»farmediliixt-o^^ tm- iras'lTi'en known the 'damage cons'soed of 82 damaged wrappers, 46 broken legs, 37 torn flesh, 46 soft, and 2 misshapen ; total 215 (not a bad average out of 3200 sheep), and a probability of more un known. In addition to this he was in formed that the sheep were spotted. The insurers beins unable lo settle for the damage, except by the usual course of the whole shipment being put through the hands of a sworn broker, who would give a certificate of the amount of the damage, he was unable to carry out his intentions as to the disposal of the meat; but he ia convinced that there are many openings for the sale of New Zealand mutton, without the exporters owning a single shop.

The English agricultural corro-pondent of the " Otago Witness," writing on October 31, says—Although the price of wheat has recovered partially after the recent drop, the average last week was only 35s 2d a quarter, as compared with 41a 8d for the week ended September 5, the highest weekly average of the year. The top price pf English is 445, and that of New Zealand is 465. Those prices compare favourably with those of last year, but are still low m the face of the extraordinary scarcity m Europe. The famine m Russia, is both extensive and acute, and the prohibition of wheat ex ports, long talked of, is daily expected. When it happens, the price of wheat will go up considerably. Another considera tion telling m favour of a rise is the mis planting of a large proportion of the American winter wheat crop, and the backwardness m sowing the rest of the intended acreage. Prolonged drought has prevented American farmers from getting m their seed to a great extent, and rendered necessary the re9owing of a great deal of the land planted. Com plaints to this effect come from nearly every winter-wheat State, and I have never known them so general before. At present very little is known here of the Australian harvest j but io appears that rust has done a good deal of damage m South Australia. It is too early to form any opinion of phe Indian wheat crop. In Russia there will be n, short acreage, for thousands of the unfortunate farmers have no seed to sow, and when it is provided for them many of them will eat it instead of using it for seed. Drought, too, has prevented the full gei'mination of the wheat that has been sown. On the whole there is reason to expect fair prices for wheat, not only during the latter part of the current cereal year, but also m the following season.

The following amusing letter has been addressed to "C. Todd, Esq., C.M.G., Government Astronomer, Postmaster- General, etc., etc.," of South Australia. " Sir,—l have the honor to state that I have noticed m the public press your intention to send off dynamite ex plosives into the clouds for the purpose of attempting to produce rain. I therefore give you notice, as qwner of land m the vicinity of Waverley, on the Mount Lofty ranges, and of land m the Hundred of Morgan, m the vicinity of Petersburg, that I protest against any 3jjch dangerous experiments, and hqld you li ablp for any damage that may arise. It is not to the purpqse that f haye my own opinion as a meteorologist as to the value of the proposed attempt, but assum ing you should succeed before it is possi* ble to amend the laws regarding riparian rights and the Bush Fires Act, I object to rain at an improper season falling on my crops unless you can guarantee suit able weather to succeed such rain, and also to any danger of explosives setting fire to my grass. As the laws of nature provide a certain fixed quantity of moisture to be kept m suspense for dis tribution at a proper time, I also protest and h.ojd yo« liable should you cause to

fall to my prejudise rain now which I am waiting for m its proper season. I there fore warn you not to try any of your experiments nearer than five geographical miles to the places already indicated, and 1 name this distance -without prejudice to any claim I may have against you, should you succeed, for loss sustained by me m being kept without rain at its due season, owing to any untimely interference on your°part with the laws of nature and climate, under which and relying on which I took up the land from Her Majesty's Government. You will please, therefore, take notice accordingly,—l have, etc., — John Green Auk."

SCHOOL REPORTS.

SEAFIELD.

The following is the Inspector's report of the examination of Seafield public school on November 17 : —

Percentage of passes—so. --3?ercentage of failures—33"33. —— ■ Marks" Class Subjects. (0 to 100) Drawing — History 60 Geography ... ... ... .■■ 60 l'.leinentary science, object lessons, &c. 42 Total 162 Percentage on class bubjects—s4. Marks Additional Sxtbjects. (Oto 20) Repetition and Recitation 17 Drill and exerciss ... , 6 Singing 0 Needlework 18 Subject Matter, Reading Lessons... 16 Additional Marks ... ... 57

Mistress—Miss j ewsie Fechney. General Remarks.—This school has passed a satisfactory examination. The preparatory classes and Standards II and 111 had been very carefully prepared for examination. S4, S5, and S6 showed some weakness m arithmetic and spelling, but their reading, drawing, and grammar were good. The answers given to the questions m elementary science shewed that the lessons m that subject had been carefully given. J. J. Lawrence Scott, Acting Inspector. PRIZE LIST. Standard V.l".—Murdoch Bruce. Stan dard V. ■ E. E. Ayrton 1, Ina Bruce 2, John Bruce 3. Standard IV. —William Collison 1, Mary Hampton 2. Standard 111. —Lizzie Hampton and Mary Collison (equal) 1, Jane Baylis 2. .Standard ll.— John Hampton ], David Bruce 2, James Baylis 3. P. ll.—Robert Hampton 1, Archie Bruce 2, Lizzie Bay Us 3. P. I.- — Eini'y Moore.

Pass Sumjkots.

KYLE.

The following is the Inspector's report of the examination of Kyle public soheol on November 19 :—

Percentage of passes—73 9. Percentage of failures—s "5. Marks Class Subjects. (0 to 100) History ... 40 Geography .. 75 Elementary Science, Object Les sons 44 Total 159 Percentage on class subjects—s3. Marks Additional Subjects. (0 to 100) Repetition and recitation 14 Drill and exercises ... ... ... 10 Singing 10 Needlework ... .., .., ... 15. Subject-matter of reading lessons.,. 11 Extra drawing ... ... ... . — Additional marks 60

Mistress-—Miss Jessie Stewart, Remarks.—The results ot the examina tion are very satisfactory. In the stan dard classes, all the pass subjects have been well taught, the results m the com position, .geography, and spelling bt?ing especially gratifying. The children too, have been trained both to read and to answer m a clear and distinct voibe, and to recite with an easy and natural ex pression. More practice, however, is needed m the oral arithmetic of Ss. 1 and 2, and the counting m the preparatory class is not smart enough to ensure good arithmetic m S. 1 next year. T. S. Foster, Acting Inspector.

Pass Subject?.

THE MARKETS.

(per pkkss association,)

London, December 18. The Bank of England returns pub lished fco-day show the total reserve m notes and bullion to be £15,704,000. The proportion of reserve to liabilities is 4398 per cent. Consols, 95J-. rJ hree months' bills are quoted at l-£ per cent. New Zealand Four Per Cent. Inscribed ! Sfc-ick, 101|; One and a Half do,, 92. JSiew Zealand long-berried wheat 45s 6d ; the market is restricted. For New Zealand wheat on coast, sellers are asking 4'h 3d, but buyers refuse to give more than 42s 9d. South Australian wheat 465, only a small proportion being sold ; Victorian 45s 6d, market flat. Canterbury mutton 4d, Wellington do. :-3§d. The hemp market is jjufet ; prices show an advance of IQs. No. 3 best Scotch pig jron, f.o.b. ;n Qlyde, 4fs 3d. Factory made butter, frqm New Zea land, ex steamer liaikoura, is selling at j 124s to lsGs per qivb., and dairy madp j 100s to 114s. Buyers complain that the present consignments from the colony ; are inferior to last year's shipments, Sydney, December 19. Potatoes are quoted at £2 per ton, the supplies being greatly m excess of the requirements. Melbourne, December 19. Two hundred and forty tons of butter w^re shipped to London to-day.

(Received December 21, 10.5 a.m.) Lonbojm, December 19. Tallow, medium mutton, 25s 9d ; ditto, beef, 24s 6d. The English wheat market is dull, the Continental active, and the American de clining. Forward business m Austra lasian wheat is inactive, arrivals of foreig'i grain being large.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

SECRECY OF COMMITTEES.

TO THE EPITOK. Sir, —On reading your report of the County Council meeting of Friday, I confess, as an ardent admirer of that august body, that my feelings received a rather severe shock from what Councillor Friedlauder is reported to have s«id re the disclosure to the outside public of what took place at their last Committee meeting, and I am sure if the Councillor who had perhaps inadvertently done a little gossipping was present, that he must have felt very small when listening to the siern denunciation of such prac tices by His Worship. That the cleliquent (if he was there) may profit by the lesson, and that no disaster of any kind may happen thndugh his inadvertence, is the sincere wish of A Subscriber.

WATER RANGER.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Having predicted the result of this water ranger appointment, and being an applicant about five years ago for the rangcrship that Mr Craighead has, and that also being a foregone conclusion, I may be excused for saying the Council must either have a lot of money to pay for advertising or ifc must take great pride m finding out how many applicants can be 1 got for £2 8s per week. I am not up m the rules that govern its proceedings, but if it had appointed somebody privately the remaining twenty-four would not be damped with defeat or failure, as they would not have tried. It may have pufc some to a lot of inconvenience, with a little humiliation thrown m, trying t» get what may be reckoned now a good billet. As I have started writing this, I may as well give it a bit more scope by saying my observations lead me to think they do not act with the same degree of prudence and care m giving mairied men, with families to maintain, a chance (I won't say pre -1 ference;, as I have seen men working m the yard and going looking after or working m races who could be fifty miles m the back country on stations without 1 causing sorrow or want to their wives or children, and other men, quite as good, with fami lies depending on them, have to go with out. Perhaps, as the squatter element is largely represented m the Council, this is rather too low to come under their notice. ! If it was anything political they would make speeches over if.. It is refreshing to read the County Council or Borough Council's after-dinner or installation-of niayor-ceremony speeches ; they teem with loyalty and Conservatism, and as the present Government is, as I might say, taking from the rich so as the poor can live, of course rich people think they must be doing wrong. But unluckily for them, m this case the majority of the " well-to do-farmers " are poor. V those afternoon speeches were not checked a little, from use they might create a wrong impression. In order to have ,i Government be popular, it must be good m the eyes of the bulk of the people. The average farmer is satisfied, the average workman is satis fied, that ifc is trying to do something to give men a chance of living at home. I have not half done with these sub jects, bur. any more would occupy too much space.—l am, etc., J. 11. Sheehan.

THE DOMAIN.

TO TJJK EDITOR Sir, —As a frequent visitor to our very picturesque and daily improving Domain, I have for some time been much surprised that no one has taken the trouble to at tend to the surroundings of the entrance opposite the railway statiou. This is where most of the foot passengers make , their way into the Domain, and it seems strange to see the amount of rank growth about the footpaths and fences—thistles, docks, grass and weeds flourishing un checked and unheeded. Then there is a miniature swamp m the water table just at the corner, evidently caused by a long standing leakage from the pipe that conveys the water from the reservoir to the sump m West Street. This has been a great annoyance to pedes trians for a long time, especially at night. In view of the huge influx of people into the Domain during the holidays and summer season, surely the Domain Board could induce the Borough authorities to attend to these matters, and at the same time it would be well if a number of tree roots across some of the footpaths inside the Domain were removed. Attention to all these matters would conduce to the comfort of visitors, and add to Hie popu larity of our pleasant public recreation ground.—lam, etc., XC.R.

THE INFLUENZA.

THE CHINESE CURE.

(PEK PRESS ASSOCIATION.;

New Plymouth, December 19, Mr Chew Chong writes to the "Taxa naki Herald " to-day that he has a cure for la grippe. He says this disease is well-known m China, and has been proved to be a skin disease. By means of a needle m the hands of one who has seen the operation, the parasite can be easily taken from the body of a person, and the worst cases can be relieved m a few minutes. He further offers to cure any one coming to him, without" recompense, as his desire is to aid all who-are ill. He say*, even if anyone is so ill that the doctors have given him up, he will be mast happy to try, even at the eleventh hour, if his treatment will effect a speedy ' cure and so save a life. He further offers to travel to see any case within ten miles of a railway station between here and Hawera, if a horse or conveyance is pro vided.

New Zealand Rifle Association.

(per press association.)

! Wellington, December 20. . Major Sommerville, Chairman of the New Zealand Tlifle Association, is issuing the programme for the thirty-first annual meeting of the Association, which will be held on the Permanent range, Trentham, near Wellington, on Tuesday, Bth March, and the following days. The programme js drawn up on much the same lines as previous years, with the expeptiqn Hmt nursery and rapidity matches are included and a revolver pool is added. The prize money amounts to £1235, m addition to which there are numerous medals, the champion belt, various cups and a challenge shield. Special arrangement wi}l be made wjth the Union Gompany and tho Manawatu Railway Company for the transit of competitors. It is estimated that over 300 will take part m tho meet ing.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN

Ipjek. press association

DISCOVERY OF DYNAMITE.

London, December 18. i A parcel of dynamite has been dis-,' covered, m the Dublin Post Office. ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. Mr D. Gray, of Peterhead, has written to Baron Oscar Dickson, the j Gothenberg merchant, offering to co- j operate m arranging an Antarctic expedition. COLONIAL BORROWING. Bankers are staggered at the com bined colonies asking for £8,000,000 worth of Treasury bills, which are re garded as virtually new loans. They express themselves as unable to under stand why 4^ per cent, should not tempt local investors to take up a por tion of the amount. It is feared that holders of colonial stock will sell, m order to purchase Treasury bills, there^ by lai'g'ely depreciating Australian stock for yeai's. The suggestion has I been made that bondholders should hold a meeting to denounce excessive borrowing being revived and offer the gravest objection to the continued ex penditure of money on public works. A leading banking authority asserts that the Treasury bills ought not to ex ceed a currency of two years. The bankers say they are aware that two other colonies propose to issue a million and a half pounds' worth of bills, be sides making other demands. Some experts advise that the bills should be made convertible into inscribed stock, but opinions differ on the advisableness of such a step. London, December 19. The "Economist" considers* that the issue of Treasury bills will place the colonies much more under the domina tion of the bankers, and is certain to create many pew difficulties. It be lieves it would be better to submit to the price necessary to float a permanent loan, as if the bills are taken up it is possible that London will be flooded with twelve millions of floating debt within a year. IRISH AFFAIRS. Messrs Davitt and Tanner, who are working m the interest of their candi date for the Waterford seat, rendered vacant by the death of Mr R. Power, visited a bacon factory m the constitu ency. The workmen refused to listen to either, and threatened to knife Dr Tanner. Both gentlemen retired. The proposal of the English Govern ment to apportion the sum of £200,000 to Ireland from the Imperial grant for free education, is causing much dispute m Ireland. It is believed that the Duke of Clai*ence and Avondale is willing to accept the position of Viceroy of Ireland. ENGLAND AND EGYPT. Sir Charles Dilke, m a letter m the " Speaker," opposes sadden evacuation of Egypt by the British, but suggests that French troops should be sent to Port Said, thereby compelling a con ference of the two countries, resulting m the retirement of both France and England, or joint occupation, England relying on tba.Ca^e route Lo llu-- colo nies. RABBIT COURSING. Her Majesty the Queen has ex pressed sympathy with the efforts being made to suppress rabbit coursing. The Radicals complain that it is an attack on the poor man's sport. OBITUARY. The death is announced of the Right Rev. Harold Browne, D.D., who was Bishop of Winchester from 1873 until last year, when he resigned. THE RIOTS IN ST, VINCENT. London, Pecember 20. The cause of the riots m St. Vincent, West Indies, was popular indignation against a reduction m the number of Judges. The mob stoned the Governor and attacked his residence, but sailors from the Buzzard dispersed the rioter*.

THE TARIFF COALITION.

Berlin, December 19. General yon Caprivi, the German Chancellor, has been created Count as a reward for his satisfactory arrange ment of the commercial treaties. The Emperor, speaking at Potsdam, said he considered that the establishment of the League was vital to the interests of the country, and millions of people \ would bless the successful conclusion [ of the Customs League,

THE DISTRESS IN RUSSIA.

St. Petersburg, December 19. The Russian Government refuses to accept monetary assistance towards the famine-stricken peasants proffered by Italians and Germans, and the residents m the city had much diffi culty m inducing the Government to accept casual aid from England, in cluding £100,000 subscribed by the Quakers.

NEWS FROM KHARTOUM.

Cairo. December 19. The monk who escaped from Khar toum states that Slatin Bey is at Oindurman, and though he is free he is closely watched m order to provide against his escape. Slatin Bey during the Soudan war was Governor of Dar fur, an extensive territory belonging to Egypt, to the westward of Kordo fan, but his supplies becoming ex hausted he yielded to the Mahdites m order to avoid bloodshed, and was carried away prisoner.

THE CANADIAN SCANDALS.

Ottawa. December 19. The Hon. H. Mercier, Premier of Quebec, declares that his Government was dismissed fiom office m defiance of the Constitution. He appeals to thfi people against the insults of the Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec (Hon. A. R. Angers.) The French portion of the population are very much excited, and threaten a disruption of the Confederation. The disturbance is generally regarded as electioneering bounce.

ARCTIC RELIEF EXPEDITION.

New York, December 20. The United States is sending a re lief expedition to Lieutenant Peary, the explorer.

FIGHTING IN BRAIL.

Rio de Janeiro, December 20. A conflict has taken place between the police and the people of Pernam-. buco, and it is reported fcha,t 6Q have been killed,

AUSTRALIAN.

NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS

isyiwky, December 19. The stonewall m the Assembly was continued till 5 this morning, several disorderly scenes taking place during the sitting.; At the hour stated the cloture was applied, whereupon the Opposition, with the exception of three members, left the* 1 Chamber. The financial resolutions were then put and carried by 50 to 30, and the House adjourned at 6 a.m. INFLUENZA IN NEW CALEDONIA. News by steamer from New Cale donia states that the influenza epi demic is raging on the island, and is proving very fatal m the prisons. GENERAL BOOTH'S SCHEME. By a large majority the Trades Hall decided to oppose General Booth's scheme for the formation of over-sea colonies. THE ROTOKINO. Sydnky. December 20. A tug picked up the disabled steamer Rotokino fifty miles out, and arrived last night. It appears that the Koto kino broke her thrust shaft on the erening of the 12fch, and this the engi neers managed to splice on the 14th, but it only held for seventeen hours. The weather at the time was fine, with smooth sea. A MINE CLOSED DOWN. The South Wallsend coalmine was closed down and a hundred men have been thrown out of work. The slack ness of trade is believed to have given rise to the difficulty m the Wallsend mine over the hewing rates and it is expected it will result m a lock-out.

FIRE IN MELBOURNE.

Mklbournb, December 20. A large block m Caledonian Build ings was partially destroyed by fire. Stoke and Martin, diesinkers, were the principal losers, their loss being esti mated at £15,000, with no insurance. The total damage is estimated at £25,000.

THE EURIMBLA-LISMORE COLLISION.

Brisbane, December 20. The certificate of the third officer of the steamer Euritnbla has been sus pended for two months, the Marine Board having found that he was to blame for the collision with the bar quentine Lismore off Richmond River, m November, m which Captain and cook, of the latter vessel, were drowned.

FEDERATION.

An el aide, December 19. Tho Legislative Assembly has shelved the Commonwealth Bill.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, December 19. Robert Payne, a, gum digger at Puhipuhi, wandered from tho camp when insane. Yesterday he was brought back by a mate, but died almost immediately. An inquest wiJl be held. The b;irque Rebecca is ashore at Kaipara, but she is expected to be got off safely. Her cargo of timber is fjr Mel bourne, : Gisborne, December 20. Lily Wilson, aged l'J, wa? crossing the Turai bridge on Saturday afternoon with her little sister when a man on horseback, whose name the police have not jet keen able to ascertain; —paHoped "his horse across the bridge, and rode over the girl, who was brought to the hospital but died on the way to town. The younger child escaped unhurt. Mastrrton, December 19. Mr David Henderson, well-known throughout the colony as a railway con tractor, died last night of influenza. Wkstport, December 20, Michael Cullen was sentenced to three months' imprisonment yesterday for robbery from the person. Oamabu, December 19. The Oamaru Borough Council have decided to offer the English bondholders four per cent for the remainder of the currency of the municipal debentures, and instructions have been given to pay on this basis the coupons falling due m .January. This rate of interest is based on the revenue received from the securi ties pledged to the bondholders, which owing to depression and the heavy rates has steadily fallen for years. The " Uanuru Mail" states that four per cent does not exhaust the Council's ability to pay, and questions the wisdem and honesty of the proceedings, Dunemn, December 20. Mr John Roberts, CM. G., returned on Saturday from a trip to Europe, and was formally met and welcomed by a number of citizens. Invercargim,, December J9. An inquest was held this morning on Joseph Roberts, who was found dead m the Gardens on Thursday. The deceased left a letter addressed to his sister-in-law* stating that he could neither work nor eat, and thought it as well to put himself away. A verdict was returned that he died from arseni3al poisan, probably self administered during a fit of temporary insanity. The steamer Inyercargill returned from Coal Island last night with 21 miners and about 108ozs of gold. Two of the party had 7oa and lOoz nuggets. Those on the island are dqin.g well. Cullen and Clark, prospectors, had been burned out and lost everything.

LATEST GABLE NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(PJER PKESS ASSOCIATION.)

(Received December 21, 11.10 a.m.)

IRISH AFFAIRS.

London, December 20, A new Parnellite paper has been started m Dublin under the name of the " Independent." It demands ab solute self government for Ireland.

AUSTRALIAN.

FAST STEAMING.

Sydsey, Deqembeil 21. TheMararoa di 4 the passage from Wel lington m 91| hours.

N.S.W. POLITICS.

Sir Henry Parkes tliinks that if the Government persist m their policy the Opposition will be justified m forcing a dissolution,

THE LICENSING LAW.

The new Licensing Bill has passed. It provides for complete Sunday clos ing. Under the old act hotels were allowed to remain open for two hours on Sunday.

INTERCOLONIAL FREETRADE.

Hobart, December 21.

:fhe Legislative Council has passed a resolution affirming the desj^bie noss of establishing free tra,se between the oolong.

Hinds Wesleyan Church.

The anniversary services m connection with the Hinds Wesleyan Church were conducted on Sunday, December 13, by the Rev. J. Cocker, Primitive Methodist, Ashbui'bon, assisted by the Hey. Mi* Woolhsb, of Timaru, who delivered eloquent .sermons appropriate to the occasion. The former preached m the afternoon and the latter m the evening. On the following Wednesday, the annual tea meeting was held m the public school. The tables were provided by Mesdaraes Nor fish and Harding; Mesdames Paget find McKenzie ; Mesdames Pratley, Hay nian, arid Bellamy ; the bachelors' presided over by the Misses Paget and Bulmer. Ak it was a beautiful clay a good gathering was expected ; the expeetion was realised, as the people came m from all the surrounding districts, some from Ashbur ton and a large number from Willowby. From tiix o'clock till about half-past, seven, all were engaged m tho task of disposing of the good things with which the tables were laden ; and all seemed to enjoy themselves heartily. Tea over, the public meeting r.-as proceeded with. The chair was occupied by Mr S. S. Chapman, and able addresses were delivered by the Revs. S, La<vry, and J. H. Gray, and Mr W. Harding. A local choir, under the leadership of Mr Jesse fiayman, assisted by friends from Willowby and Tinwald, rendered sweetly several musical selec tions from the " Christian Choir," while-. Miss Webb presided at the organ. A solo was rendered by the Revs. Lawry, and a quartette by the Bonnington family, m a pleasing manner. The treasurer's report as given by Mr McKenzh, showed a credit balance of £8 2s, while the proceeds of the present anniversary were expected to amount to about £12. Votes of thanks were passed to the ladies, the speakers, and the choir. The meeting was closed by Rev. Mr Lawry pronouncing the Benediction. A somewhat novel feature m connection with the tea meeting was the holding of an open air camp meeting* when addresses were delivered by the-. ministers and others, and those around took part m the ringing and the giving of testimonies.

There is to be a Scotch Conceit on Saturday night after the sports. At the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club's Sports, at Christchurch, on Saturday, C. il. Rees, with 10yds start, won the Mile Handi cap, m the good time of 4min 38 2-ssec. Miss Rees has gone to Napier to tho Lawn Tennis Championship Meeting, and a3 she has been playing better this season than everl- it is confidently anticipated that she will fetain the Ladies' Championship now hold by her. The special train arrangements for Boxing Day, m connection with the Caledonian Society's Sports at AMiburton and the Bicycle Races at Christchurch, are advertised by the Railway Department, It will be noticed that the times of running of the morning aud evening trains are altered all round. The Government of Costa Rica h»& granted to M. C. Keith one-sixteenth of the entire public lands, amounting to 800,000* acres, m consideration of which Mr Keith undertakes to extend the railway system of the republic co as to furiush additional transportation facilities, A man named Patrick Hartnell died m the Hospital last night. It appears that he fell from his horse near the concrete bridge on the All'ovd Forest Road last Thursday, and was bi ought into town the same ! evening. He was allowed to lie m a stable all that night and all next day, and was only taken to the Hospital on Friday night. An inquest is to be held, at which the full fact will doubtless come out m evidence. As the season for Christmas cards is now approaching iz may be well to draw attention to tho fact, that cards, ecc,j cannot pass through the post at book i'»tes unless the covers be left complrtoltf open at one or both, ends so that tho contents maybe withdrawn for examination. It does not .suffice to merely cut a piece out of each end. of the envelope, but the flap may be turned m instead of being gummed down, and there ia^ no objection to. the use of twine so long asi£ does not prevent the package being easily examined. On Anniversary Day a narrow escape from drowning and a plucky rescue took place at Hill's Bush, near Mount Grey. A number of boys were bathing m the river Grey, and one of them named Crothers, son of Mr W. J. Crothers,' of Rangiora, jumped iuto a hole over six feet deep, and being unable to. swim was soon m difficulties. His preui cament was not noticed by his companions untill he had been down twice and was almost exhausted. A boy named Percy Prichard, son of the manager of the Co operative Stores, went to the rescue, and, although the drowning boy grasped him by the throat and pulled him under the water, he stuck to him most pluckily, and managed to get him to land. Had Prichard not bean able to swim (says the "Lyttelton Times") a fatality would certainly have occured, and his bravery m effecting the rescue is worthy of notice. Prichard was formerly of Ashburton.

POSTAL NOTICES

TUESDAY, December 2& For United Kingdom, Continent of Europe, etc. (specially addressed correupou dence only), per express {to, connect with Te Anau, at Port Ch&imens)* '** 13.30 ! p.m. For Northern Ports and Australian Colonies, per Tekapo, at 0.30 a.m. For (Northern Ports, per Rotorua, at 0.30 a.m. FRIDAY, December 25. For South America, United Kingdom, and Continent of Europe (specially addressed cor respondence only), per s r s» Aorangi, & a.m. Registered lett<y» and parcels at 5 p.m. on Friday, December 24. Christmas Day (December 25), Boxtag Day (December 26), and New Year's Day (January 1), being postal holidays, the Ash hwton Post Office will be closed except from nine a.m. till ten a.m. and from seven p.m. till eight p. m. Mails fov Chrlstchurch and North will close at five a. in. Mails far Dunedin and South will close at ten a.m.. No Mails will be despatched after ten a.m. A complete delivery of letters will be mad* by the letter-carriers, on JJoxiug Day, com* mencjng at eight ».m.

ME A^HBtTRTOtf GtXAItDiAN: MONBAt, DECEMBER SI, 1891,



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The best medicine known is SANDER and SONS E.UCALPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent powerful effects m coughs, colds, influenza, etc.—the relief is instantaneous. Thousands give the, most gratifying testi mony. His Majesty the King of Italy, and medical syndicates all over the globe, are its patrons. Read the official reports that accompany each bottle. We have »o occa sion to offer rewards m proof of the genuine ness of our references. The official report* of medical clinics and universities, the official communication of the Consul-General for Italy at Melbourne; the diploma awarded International Exhibition, Amsterdam—all those are authentic documents, and, as such, not open to doubt. We add here epitome oi one of the various cases treated by Siegenl M.D , Professor, etc. Burning of the right hand through the explosion of a small oil stove. The epidermis on the volar 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 phalaux of the nail of the middle finger was coaled. The wounds thus contracted healed m three weeks under daily applications of Eucalypti Extract dressing. The patient has retained the full Use of her hand.—{Advfc.) 1 "^eating's Powdkk" destroys Bugs Fleas, Mdths, 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 m application. See the article you. mirchase is "KeatinVs," as imitations are oxious and ineffectual.. Sold m Tins, 6d, Is and 2s 6d each, by all chemists. If you want your Christmas Cakes to be a success use *' Can't Be Beat Baking Powder," ackimwledged by all to be thes : best. Leading grocers sell it m 6d, is v and 2s iis. Ask for Nini«an Hyslop, anci Co/s Imperial new seasons Pure GctW and fndian Teas. Special prices, —.(Advfc,)



Ninian Hyslopand Oo.'s "Imperial Ceylon;and Indian Teas are direct from the Tea Phnt,ai-,ions —(AdvhA Ninian Hyslop and Co.'s '* Imperial" pure Ceylor and Indian Teas|J"ar« .jtliQ beam the market,-*{idvfc,)



Wanted. GASH Advertisa'asn-zH under chia heading not exodadia^ SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses maybe Wfc at this Office. mo LET — Five-roomed House m fi William Street. Apply to Charles BrAPDEM.. 12*14 XJCrABTMIiD a goodFamiManfor String * ' Reaper and Binder, permanent work for suitable man. Apply at once to Donald Williamson, Ashburton, 12 "TT7 ANTED, a Lady Boarder m a VY private family, use of piano ; centrally situated ; terms, 16s weekly. Apply by letter to " Central " Guardian Office. TOOTHING will Cool you an quickly and -1-V ihvignrii'e the system s) much as Ice Cream —H.G. Flqwbu, Confectioner, Kasfc Street. MISS CARSON, Music Teacher, Burneit Street. Christmas Holi days, December 23 to January 4. 12 122 WANTED Known.—Great Bnrgains m Ladies' Cashmere Hose, Under clothing, Pinafores, &c. Come and see them. Handsome Xmas presents now giving away.—M. C Seokrs, Melford House. _. WANTED KNOWN, a special lot of Hearth Ruga at Is lid, 2s 6d and 2s lid ; worth about doable. W. H. Collier. ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fib aud workmanship guaranceed; from 50s cash. Roberi Axcork, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. WANTED Known.—For first-class Drapary and Millinery go to Mblford House ; cheapest shop m town. (See windows.) Beautiful Xmas presents being given awaj.—H. C. Skgers. SHEEP SHEARS. Having secured a Stock of the celebrated 8.8.A., and as there are very few m the Colony, Shearers ara requested to call early.— Robert Alcorn, Saunders' Buildings. WANTED Known. -At "The Corner' now selling Ladies.' French Shops. 5s lid. See them.—W. H. Collier. WANTED Known—A Beautiful Line of French Dross Goods, double width. Is 10|d ; original value, 4s. -H. C. Sbgers, Melford House. WANTED Known.—l have a large stock of Tin and Ironware Iroods to select from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m stock. —J. W. Hardley, East . treet. 0*202 ONEY TO LEND, upon Freehold security, m sums to suit bor rowers. Small amounts can be repaid by instalments,' if so desired. Apply to Mr C. W. Puknbll, Solicitor, Mont gomery's Buildings. 9 130 TJ Meet the Times. —t am uupplying Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all deasriptious. Inspection invited.— J. W. Harto.BY, Eas street. 6J201 WANTED Known—That you will make no mistake for quality and variety m English and Colonial Boots, and his hit'lily reputed make by calliug at.'. Moison's. Durinsi coming holidays dis count for Cash. Repairs done at once. A staff of men always kept ixvA best material and workmanship guaranteed. WANTED Known.--H. Baiustow has opened thoac premises m East atr.eeb jiextJ- Orr ami Co., an a Furniture Warehouse. Latest designs iv Vienna Chairs, and Iron Bedsteads on view. Having a good stock of well seasoned figured Rimu and Kauri, lie is prepared to take orders for Furniture to any design. Inspection invited. 11+61