The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1891. THE SHEARERS' AGITATION.

The long-standing dispute between shearers and pastoralists m Queens land has come to an acute crisis, and we may at any moment hear of armed encounters and bloodshed. The recent actions of the shearers m Queensland have been of such a nature as to alienate the sympathy of all who have any regard for law and order, and among these are included, we will yet believe, the great majority of the Unionists. But the wanton destruc tion of property--whether by firing grass and buildings or by turning rabbits loose on shesp runs—and the menaces to the life and liberty of the employers and men who do not submit to Union dictation, is be ! yond the latitude allowed m any civilised country to any of the parties to a dispute. The differences between the shearers and the squatters were a year or two ago very great, but the former had public opinion with them and many of their grievances have been redressed, the rates of payment demanded were conceded and the liv ing accommodation improved. The Pastoralists themselves have formu lated shearing rules which, with the exception of a few minor points, are ;iceeptable to themen. In fact the main point at issue now is the right of employers to employ "free" workmen. That this is not an insurmountable difficulty is proved by the Shearers and Pastoralists Unions at Adelaide having (as we are informed by cable) arrived at an agreement. "What ig practicable m South Australia cannot be impossible m Queensland, and we hope soon to hear of the lamentable state of affairs m the northern colony having ceased, and more reasonable and lawful coun sels followed to arrive at fair condi tions for carrying out the greatest industrial operation of Australia.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

It is related of Queen Elizabeth that it was her delight to tantalise her courtiers during the Christinas season by donning an unusually stiff and wide ruff and standing under the inisletoc. It was upon one of these occasions that. Bacon having remarked that it was pretty ruff on the Queen, Shake speare replied that it was "also pretty r>>ugh on the courfc,"—" Harper's Maga. ziue.

At the Christchurch wool sales on Friday, the Buccleuch clip of gre;isy merino wool was sold at B£d per lb. for the fleece and 7Jd for the first pieces. Self lighting cigarettes — i.e., tipped with an igniting preparation—are the invention of aSt Petersburg druggist. He has sold the patent for £(3000. The Christchurch Inspector of Weights and Measures reports that bread was of short weight m every shop he visited, except m the case of "turnover" or "batch bread." A correspondent of a Home paper note* the coincidence that there w.is a severe winter with a he;wy snowfall at each of the decennial seasons 1860-61; 1870-71; 1880-81; and 1890-91. Too great for a small poet.: —" We cannot insert your verses, sir." "Are thej bad, or what?" "You try to rhyme Penelope with Cape of Good Hope. No man m the world but Tennyson can do that successfully." A telegram from Hobart states that trie R.M.S. Aorangi arrived from London, via Cape of Good Hope yesterday morning, and left again for Welllington at five o'clock m the afternoon. On Tuesday evening next Bishop Julius gives his long promised lecture "Thres Years m a Country Village " m the Town Hall, Kakaia, when no doubt there will be a full and appreciative audience. The first meeting of the South Rakaia Licensing Committee was held on Tuesday. Present —Messrs Coster, Oxley, Lyttleton, and Allan. Mr Lyttleton was elected chair man, and after passing some accounts the meeting adjourned. Cheap railway fares are announced m con nection vrith the Dnnedin races next week, and return tickets will be issued on February 23rd to 27th available up to March 7th. A special train will be run from Christchurch to Bunedin on Tuesday night, and from Dunedin to Christchurch on Saturday night. The largest yield of oats we have heard of m this district is 65 bushels, but we notice this has been far exceeded m the Welling ton Provincial district, the Rangitikei " Advocate " recording the fact that Mr R. K. Simpson has obtained a yield of 94 bushels of oats per acre from 70 acres on his farm near Porewa. After the final tie m the English Football Cup competition some three or four years ago, between Preston North Mid West Bromwich Albion, a man came into the shop of a Pres ton barber and threw himself down into a chair. " Shave, Sir ?" enquired the barber. " No! throat cut!" was the astonishing reply, "North End's lost." A newspaper at Newcastle, England, commemorated its centenary by republishing its first issue. During the day a country couple called at the office to answer an advertisement for help on a farm. They were informed that they were 100 years late. After Robinson's defeat by Ross m the | wrestling match at Christchurch on Thurs- 1 day night, he challenged Ross to another match, to take place m a fortnight. Sub sequently, however, Robinson was examined by a doctor and it was found that one of his ribs was broken, which will prevent his wrestling for some time. The "Lyttelton Times" understands that Mr W. Devenish Meares, the General Manager of the Union Insurance Company, has completed satisfactory arrangements for taking over the New Zealand business of the Equitable Fire and Marine Insurance Com pany, which has decided to sellout and retire from the field. This is how the American reporter opened his do icription of the football game between Yale and Princeton College teams; —" The blue-legged cohorts of Yale swooped down on Princeton's tigers at Eastern Park yes terday afternoon, and when the din,, of the battle had ceased, and the smoke lifted from the scene of carnage, the followers of the orange and black were dismayed to find that their crack football team had been routed by a score of 32 to nil." We learn from a contemporary that a dam is a small coin which is current m the countries of Persia and India, and is equal to l-40th of a rupee, or about a halfpenny of our money. The phrase " not worth a dam " was used by Englishmen m the East to ex press their sense of an article's worthlessness. Another of the illusions of our childhood "vanished into thin air." Henceforth the expression will be robbed of all its force and vigor. If t his materialistic old age goes on '.ike this much longer people will be able to curse with impunity, unless some genius will invent some new "cursory" terms that really mean something bad.

Apropos of the batch of J.P.s with which Sir Ilvrry Atkinson blessed New Zealand just before he gracefully retired to the cooler shades of the '* Upper Regions," a certain commercial traveller having taken hi 3 seat last week at the table of an up-country hotel, m a company with two of the newly appointed S.)lona, discontentedly asked if there were no green peas to be had. To which a bluff, wealthy North of Ireland man promptly replied, "No, but, be jabers, we have plenty of Jay-Ps now, an', God knows, they're green enough for anything. The Melbourne correspondent of the Otago "Daily Times" says :—The clepressson m Melbourne is male apparent on the Stock Exchange, on which the business since New Year has been extremely dull, and is becom ing worse. Stocks are not only low m price but the volume of business is extremely small. In general business the summer has been one of the poorest known m Melbourne for some years. The weather and the strike are blamed. The former has been so cool that the summer goods m the drapers' shops have been unsaleable, and vast stocks are being sold at great reductions. In the publichouse trade, business has been extremely dull, while breweries and lemonade factories have been doing absolutely nothing. The following circular letter lias been addressed to Land Boards by the Minister of Lands:—Wellington, February 6th. To Commissioners of Crown Lands, —The Hon Minister of Lands has directed me to impress on Commissioners the necessity of using every means m their power to prevent evasions of the Land Act by persons who make false declarations, and by the practice of what is known as dummyism. It appears to the Minister that this has not been done m the p^at, as he finds that information regarding dummyism is first reported by persons outside the department, which m his opinion should not be the case. 1# is ex pected that all officers of the department will do their utmost to expose evasions of the law, and thereby protect the public in terests.—H. J. H. Eliott, Under-Secrectary A somewhat unique auction sale lately took place m Dublin. It consisted of the stock of a circus, a menagerie, and a museum, The menagerie, consisting of lions, tigers, elephants, bears, etc., was sold as a going concern to an, American showman, named William Rowe, for £3500. The same gentleman purchased the greater part of the living curiosities m the museum. A dwarf donkey brought £40; a giant donkey, 14 hands high, £30 t and a spotted ass £20. For the performing donkey an immediate offer of £50 was made. Mr Rowe secured him finally for £150. Four handsome white sacred mules were sold for £50 each, a tattooed pig for £10, a pair of hairless dogs for £10, anil a splendid dog Strathmore, for £50. The hairless mare excited the keenest competition, the bidding running up to £210, at which it was disposed of to the purchaser of the circus.

THE BIRD PEST.

In an article ctavoted to the considera tion of the small-birds pest and its remedy which appeared m this journal about a month ago we showed that m many parts of South Canterbury the evil is assuming increasing dimensions, and that it is necessary that vigorous r.ncl united action should be taken to cope therewith. The like complaint reaches us from the North Island also, a correspondent of the Taranaki "Herald" of the 14th inst. stating that the birds are ""busy all the time" m the. crops m that district, and that tlie destruction caused by them amounts to a heavier burdon upon the farmers, twice over, than the total sum of their rates and taxes. If so that burden must be a very heavy one, ! for the rates and taxes m the district m question, including the New Ply mouth Harbor rate amount, we believe, to something like 5s m the £. The Taranaki farmers feel this all the more sorely m that (m strange contrast to i our own district), their crops have been greatly deteriorated m value by the superabundance of wet weather which has been locally experienced. The correspondent referred to asserts that even this is a lesser evil than the depredations of the birds, and he very earnestly urges that the matter should be taken m hand by the local governing bodies, pointing out that it is of no earthly use for any one or two farmers to commence to poison birds unless all take united action m the same way. He goes on to say:—" Now the remedy I would propose is this : That the County Council and Borough Council should take the matter up ; the County Council should strike a uniform rate of, say, one half-penny per acre, and the Borough Council should strike a rate of one-eighth of a penny m the pound on all rateable property m the Borough, the money from those rates should be spent m poisoned grain, and distributed to the various road boards for the conveni ence of settlers, and I think the poisoning should be done m either the month of June or July, when there is not much about the paddocks for the birds to feed upon and they would then devour poisoned grain readily." We said very much the same thing m our previous article, above referred to, on this subject, and also pointed out that j the law provides for the levying of special rates as proposed, the maximum amount of such rate being fixed by the Act at a half-penny m them £ in a County or Road District, and a penny m them £in a Borough or Town District. But no such rate can be levied except upon petition signed by a majority of the ratepayers, and m the case of. Boroughs and Town Districts we doubt if it will ever be possible to secure such a majority, seeing that only the owners or cultivators of gardens are specially interested, and a very large proportion of the urban population caring nothing whatever about the matter. In the country districts where the evil is rife such action on the part of the rate payers might be obtained, bnt even m such districts, and particularly where the population is very scattered and sparse, it is always difficult to find persons willing to take the trouble of drawing up petitions and obtaining signatures thereto. Even if this were done, and a rate levied accordingly over the country districts, and syste matic poisoning undertaken through out those districts, the case would not properly be met unless the Boroughs and Town Districts could be induced to take simultaneous action. For the plantations and shrubberies which are a distinguishing feature of the centres of population, and their immediate suburbs, are the prolific breeding grounds of the sparrows, whence they issue forth m annually increasing hosts to the grainfields. To meet the diffi culty completely and successfully the action taken must be general m town as well as country, and m order to this we think that it will be found necessary to amend the Act by giving to the governing bodies power to act, without making the signature of a majority of ratepayers a necessary preliminary. The matter is one which certainly deserves consideration, and if the Act is to be amended some provision should be included by which the laying of poison on Crown lands at the expense of the Government could be insisted upon. We have seen it stated that the whole subject is under the con sideration of the Minister for Agricul ture, and Mr McKenzie will perform a I public service if he can devise legis lation which, without inflicting hard ship upon ratepayers, will enable the evil to be effectually dealt with.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

IRRIGATION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l am one of the many hundreds who are interested m the improvement of the Canterbury plains by means of irrigation, a subjecc which I notice has been discussed by your County Council. To New Zealand generally the improve m?nt of these plains is of importance, and to your town especially so ; I would even venture to say, without fear of exaggeration, that there is no subject of more importance m New Zealand than how fco make two blades cf grass or two stalks of wheat grow on these plains where only one grows now, No one who knows anything about irrigation will doubt.that if these plains were irrigated, the yield under cultivation would be greatly increased ; it is not improbable that the increase would be treble the present yield. I have just read about a large tract of land m the south-east of France which is described as similar to the Canterbury plains, but more parched and barren. The original value was about two pounds per acre, and little or nothing was pro duced on it; it is described as being three hundred feet above sea level, covered with a surface soil nine to twelve inches deep, with boulders and stones m it, and hard compacted gravel below. This plain has been irrigated by the French Government with the result that the value of the land has increased enormously, and a neb profit of £7 per acre is earned from the eultiyated parts of it. Writers estimate that good land is doubled m value by irrigation, and inferior land from three to eight times ; it would, perhaps, be fair to suppose that the Ishburton plains would have their value trebled by irrigation. Taking the are.* of the plains between Rakaia and Ashburton and from near Methven to the sea at ] 80,000 acres, and the average value at £3 per acre, the Uuome at five per cent might be assumed

to amount to £27,000 a year. If, then, the value were increased by irrigation three times, the average value would become £9 per acre, and the increased income might again, be assumed at five psr cent on the value, and would amount after irrigation to £81,000 a year. This is a large income to the farming population, and there are nob many interests m New Zealand of greater importance than this. i understand that the principal obstacle which bars the progress of irrigation for the plains is the difficulty m finding money; but I think your County Council and the farmers generally are too chicken hearted and diffident m money matters. There ought to be no difficulty if recourse lie had to the Government from which, judging from what takes place on the West Coast, money is readily obtained on application. Thus: for gold-mining, which, unlike agriculture, has no ten dency to settle people to steady em ployment, and has the effect of destroy rather than improving land, you can have no idea of the alacrity with which the Government tender assif tance m money, and the eagerness with which it antici pates the wants of the g.>ldrnining industry. Years ago, when loans were plentiful, the Government spent on the West Coast on water races, pips lines, sludge channels, roads, bridges, &c, over £500,000, for which it has received very little return m the way of interest, and most of the works are now abandoned. The mining community which has been assisted so liberally, has shewn no gratitude for it; on the contrary there have been continual disputes over the charges levied for water brought to the diggings by the expenditure of public money, They have for years clamoured for the remission of the gold duty until they go', it abolished. , With this experience one would suppose the Govern ment would now be reluctant to give further public assistance to the diggers ; but that is far from being the case. The Government still shows the utmost eagerness to anticipate their every want, and although the means at its disposal may be less, the will is as ardent as ever. The merest indication ot gold is sufficient for public money to be promptly advanced to further the expectations of the diggers, and recently Avhen a small rush was made to a trifling discovery of " wavsli dirt" I was present when, the engineer was pressed with urgent telegrams from Wellington to go at once to the spot and ascertain the best locality and the cost of a road to enable diggers to " fossick," as they call it, whatever that may mean. I could give other instances of the liberality o,f the Government to the digging industry, but I believe the fact is well known. Now if the Government ia so liberal to assist an industry which has little to recommend it so far as settling the people and improving the country is concerned, no one can doubt that it will treat with equal liberality the struggling farmer, whose welfare is the real foundation on which the prosperity of New Zealand will always rest. Ostensibly the object of the Government m advancing money to the mining interests is to find employment to the miners so as to keep them m the country. This purpose, however, is seldom served, for the diggers are the most nomadic of people, ever ready to tramp off, and as a fact, many places where the Government has spent the most, money for the diggers' benefit are now the most deserted and forgotten. It must be evident to anyone that to increase and retain the farming popula tion is at least as important as to do the same for the diggers, and if the Ashburton plains were cultivated u.ider irrigation, the population which would bo required to attend to the land would at least be double what it is at present. Ib would, therefore, appear that you can enforce your claim on the Govern ment with precisely the same arguments as the diggers us-3 so successfully, and speaking only as a unit among the many hurcdieds interested m this subject, I should insist on.your Council requesting assistance from the Government, or if it is refused, to know on what grounds a distinction is made between the digging and the farming industries. I was sorry to read the desponding tone m which the prospect of being able to raise money for the purpose of irriga tion was discussed. This is deplorable as an indication of the want of that courage which Sir ,\ . Yogel, m a .speech made m your town, said was all that was required to make New Zealand triumph over every difficulty and advance by leaps and bound 3. No such despondency is felt on the West Coast, for if a " find " is dis covered, a demand is at once made on the Government and promptly complied with, and I hope that m the matter of irrigating the Ashburton plains your Council will be as bold m its demands as the West Coast diggers, and meet with equal success, or know the reason why.—l am, etc., C. Napier Bell. Greymouth, February 16, 1891.

Canada and The States.

[per press association.] Ottawa, February 19. The pamphlet issued by Mr Farrer, editor of the " Toronto Globe," and re ferred to by Sir John Macdonald, m the course of an address to the electors of Toronto, advised that measures should be at once taken to coerce Canada into annexation to the United States, and urged the imposition of tonnage dues on all Nova Scotian vessels trading to America. Thepamphlet alsoadvocated the suspension of bonding privileges, thus preventing trains from the Can adian side entering the United States. Sir John Macdonald, m concluding his j speech, warned the country that if the Ministry were defeated at the forth coming elections Mr Farrer "would become the leader of a movement m favor of annexation. Messrs MacKenzie, Blake, Mc- Dougall and other prominent members of the Liberal party retire from the elections, as they refuse to support an anti-British policy. Hons. C. H. Tupper andMcDougall, representatives from Nova Scotia m the Canadian Parliament, were received with im mense enthusiasm on their arrival m Halifax. In addressing their con stituents both gentlemen emphasised the fact that the elections must decide the question whether Canada is to remain a British colony or be absorbed by force and fraud into the United States,

Mount Hutt Road Board

i The adjourned meeting of the Mount Hutt Road Board was held on February 19th, Present :—Messrs D. Cameron (chairman), J. Johnston, and M. I. Browne. It was decided to use arsenic to destroy noxious weeds on the roads.—The Chair man undertook to have the bridge on the Lyndhurst Road repaired,—The question of shingling a portion of the Ashburton River Road, near the old homestead, Springfield, was deferred till next meet ing.—-It was decided to repair the cuttings at Mount Hutt, and to draw the attention of the County Engineer to the state of the cutting to the Rakaia Gorge Bridge.—lt was decided to ask the police to take steps to prevent contractors and others from placing their camps on the roads. — jt was decided tint the Chairman should arrange the matter pf transfer of land purchased for a road from the exeGUtors of the late G. Gould.—Accounts amount ing to £48 10s 6d were passed for pay iWont,

BANKRUPTCY.

BE DANIEL McFARLANE.

A meeting of■ the creditors of Daniel McFarlane, of Ashburton, grocer, took place yesterday afternoon at the Court house. About fourteen creditors were represented. Mr J. C. Bell, Deputy Official Assignee, read the debtor's state ment to him, which was to the effect that he went into business about eight years auo, with a capital of £400, and property valued about £150. Two years ago his stock was worth about £800, and he then found himself abo,ufc £280 behind. He had several months' illness, during which things went back with him. The Bank had a guarantee, given by his sister, foi 1 £500, afterwards increased by Fums of £300 and £150. About six months ago he gave a bill of sale to the Mercantile Finance Company for £JSO, which was not registered, and which was afterwards fciiken up, and a fresh bill of sale given for £260, secured by his book debts for £1172 2s 9d, A\hich were valued by the Company at £350 only. He had taken stock twice during the time he was m business. He had iilsd because the merchants m Christchurch refused further supplies of goods. The £200 borrowed from Mr Curtis was put into the business. The stock m the estate was now valued at £200. It was insured m May, 1890, for £400, and m September last for £1000. Mr Bell said the books kept by bankrupt were of no value m making up a state ment of the business done, and no cash book had been kept. The debtor was examined on oath by some of the creditors present and the Assignee as to discre pancies m his various statements to the Jhristchurch merchants regarding his position at different times, but nothing definite was elicited. After a long discus sion it was resolved to wind up the estate, and Mr A. H. Shury was appointed super vi soratthe usual commission. The following is the statement cf assets and liabilities : Liabilities :— Secured—Trust and Agency Co! of Australasia £515, secured by mortgage on f-acre Moore street and house thereon; Mercantile Finance and Agency Co., Christchurch, £220, balance of loan, security over household furniture and iook debts ;MrsTjson, Christchurch, £233, guarantee to Union Bank and endorsement of bills, secured by second mortgage over book debts ; total secured £965. Unsecured — Ashburton : Union Bank £940 ; VV. Sparrow £6 ; A. Roberts £10; F. Ferriman £17 ; Edwin Thomas £11; Rollitt and Co. £8; " Ashhurton Mail" £5 ; H. Zander £17 ;R. Alcora £12; A. Curtis £200. Christchurch : Edwards, Bennett and Co. £374; Fletcher, Humphreys and Co. £245 ; Nelson, Moate and Co. £20; Sclanders and Co. £94 N.Z. Produce and Provision Co. £22; George Tayler £12 ; P Nind-Ward £67 ; Harris and Son £62 ; Trent Bros. £162 ; Aulsebrook and Co. £21 ; N. Hyslop £22 ; Sargood, Son and Ewen £22 ; Rainbow and Son £6 ; Canterbury Bread Co. £2 ; H Ivey and Co. 2. Dunedin : Thompson, Fox and Co. £73; McLeod Bros. £33 ; J. Edwards £20; Phoenix Co. £37; Irvine and Stevenson £44 ; W. Gregg and Co. £19; Peacock and Son £20; Ahfeld Bros. £7; Scoular Bros. £67 ; R. Wilson and Co. £18 ; W. White and Co. £17. Melbourne : J. M. Coote £64. Wellington : J. Meyers £20 ; Cadbury and Co. £14 : Kitchen and Sun £8. Timaru : Belford Mills £6 ; Timaru Milling Co. £12 ; with small sums ; total unsecured £2614. Assets :—Stock-in-trade £350. Deficiency £2280.

POLITICAL NOTES.

(PEK PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Wellington, February 20. Among the matters which are engaging the attention of Government is the question of a uniform system of school books for the colony. The plan which finds most favor at present is .the appoint ment of a Commission to draw up the necessary books. The printing will be done by the Government printer, and provision will probably be made for free distribution by local committees m cases where they are satisfied parents are too poor to pay for them. Nothing definite has, however, yet been settled, and the proposals so far are quite m embryo. The Ministerial residence and grounds m Tinakori Road, if not sold by auction, will probably be handed over te the Girls' High School as an endowment. The School? has only £113 a year revenue to depend on, and a debt of some £5000 is hanging over it. The ground attached to the residence, though not extremely valu able just now, will be worth much more m a few years to cut up for building sites. Mr A. Loughrey, ex M.H.R. for Lin wood, will be the third Commissioner to enquire into the working of the Public Trust Office, along with Mr Larnach and MrT, K. McDonald, M.H.R Wellington, February 2i. The Minister of Lands leaves for the south on Monday, and will visit districts a s far as Invercargill. He will be absen for a fornigh'r.

Congregatioual Union

ANNUAL MEETING. [per tress association.] Nelson, Februaiy 19. At the' Congregational Union Mr Lynn brought forward a scheme for the forma tion of a Pasters' Provident Fund, to provide, when the fun:l reaches £3000, annuities for ministers incapable of active work. Several members warmly advo cated the fund, and the Council enthusiastically passed the scheme as drafted by the Committee, and appointed a Board to take charge of and invest the fund, which commences with £100 m hand. Nelson, February 20., The Congregational Union considered and approved a proposal to support the Cambden College, Sydney, and a college fund was initiated. A vote of thanks was passed to Colonel Sargood for his liberal donation to the Pastors' Provident Fund. A letter from the Rev Seth Smith was read on the best method of promoting the union of churches m religious work, and an able paper was read by the Rev C. Cecil on Sunday schools m rela tion to the maintenance of Congrega tionalism. Votes were passed expressing deep sympathy with temperance reform and the New Zealand Alliance, and a resolution was passed m favor of admitting women on the Council, and extending the fran chise to women. The public meeting m connection with the Congregational Union was held m the Provincial Hall, and presided over by MrC.YFell. A jubilee fund of £1000 is to be raised for the purpose of paying off the debts on churches, providing for the pastors' retir ing fund, and church extension. The next annual meeting will be held m Wellington, it being the jubilee of Congregationalism m New Zealand, and the Australasian Intercolonial Conference is to be invited to meet at the same time and place.

The Best Remedy for Indigestion— Norton's Camomile Pills are confidently ecommended as a simple remedy for Indigesfciqn, which is the cause of nearly all the diseases to whicn we are subjects Norton's Pills, Math justice called the 'Natural Strengthener of the Human Stomach," act aa a powerful tonic and gentle aperient, are mild m their operation, and safe under any cirpmr.stances. Sold m bottles, at Is ljd, 2s 9d, 11s, by all medicine i vendors throughout tlw wo Id 1

FARMERS' GARDES

Anyone visiting farmers at their houses m many parts of the Cahcerbury plains, would be surprised at the very little interest taken m flower, fruit, or vege table cultivation. Considering the facili ties that exist on a farm for g-irdoning — plenty of ground room, manure from the farm yard and stables, labour and tools, and generally speaking now-a-days, water —it l-s astonishing to see the number of cases i» which no attempt hi made to utilise the advantages, either m the form of ornamental or even simply useful gar dening. Of course there are exceptions to this state of affairs. Messrs Hunt and John Cochvane, m the Wakanui' district, for instance, show what c-m be doae by judicious planting and cultivadon to ren der their homesteads attractive, and more valuable too, if they were m the market. In both these cases, however, the water supply is abundant, and running water available for landscape effects, but at Mr Pitt's pretty little place at Seaview there is no Wakanui creek to give a supply of water to assist m the growth of garden products or add a charm to the scene. A. visit to Mr Pitts made before the late pleasant rains, showed what could be done by skilful and well applied labor m the way of securing an immense amount and variety of bloom m a flower garden, at a season when m most places everything was parched up and forlorn looking. Mr Pitt's neat cottage is placed nearly m the centre of his garden ground, and on three sides of it a beautifully kept and verdant lawn spreads out, and this is bounded by a deep border filled from one end to the other with a profusion of flowering plants, all seeming to be m per fect health and vigor and full of bloom, various shades and varieties of petunias, phlox, verbenas, geraniums, hollyhocks, roses, pansies, lobelias, gladioli^ and zinnias, and a number of other plants and annuals being noticeable. What strikes the eye particularly is the fact that they all seem m full flower together. It would make quite a successful flower show m itself, could this lawn and borders be con veyed just as they are to a suitable place for exhibition. Mr Pitt has found out the secret of growing flowers to perfection m the open air m this climate, and it must not be supposed that his work ends lieve ; ho has a nice fruit and vegetable garden also, and all are cultivated and cared for m his spare time, as he is regularly employed by Mr Samuel Wright on his farm all the year round.

The Shearers' Agitation.

OUTBREAK IMMINENT.

[PBR PRBSS ASSOCIATION.]

Brisbane, February 20. The Government has received a tele gram from Clermont that a serious outbreak between Union and non -11 nion shearers is Imminent., and a battery of artillery and the mounted infantry have been despatched to the scene.

TELEGRAPHIC

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(PEH MUBS3 ASSOCIATION.) Loxdon, February 19. A firm has offered to take up £100,000 of the South Australian loan immediately and the balance m June at the minimum at which the loan was placed, on condition that interest is paid from the date of issue. The Shaw Savill, and Albion Company's steamer which was to leave for New Zealand to-day will be delayed two days owing to the strike. The " Pall Mall Gazette" accuses the Lord Mayor of the gross plagiarism of a sermon by Rev C. H. Spurgeon man address which he recently delivered to the Polytechnic Young Men's Christian Institute, for apprentices, artizans, etc. The Loft 1 Mayor denies the charge. Natal has been granted responsible Government, but Zululand is to remain under Imperial control. The Marquis of Londonderry has evicted 600 families from his estate at Seeksworth, and this action will pro bably cause a strike throughout the entire coalfields ii Durham. An Empire trade league for the promotion of preferential inter-British trade has been formed m London, and the movement has received strong support m Canada. The membership of the Shipping Federation represents an aggregate of 7,000,000 tons. Mr J. B. Patterson, of Victoria, speaking at Newcastle, urged that it would be preferable to invest m Colo nial securities rather than m those of American Republics. Federation would strengthen the union of the colonies with England, and he contrasted the loyalty of colonial automony with the veiled rebellion of Home Rule. The Prince of Wales is being re elected Grand Master of the Masonic fraternity. The Admiralty has determined to [ re-open the Egeria caee. The Bank of England has repaid the Bank of France the gold advanced during Barings' crisis. London, February 20. The attempt to effect a compromise between the United Labor Council and the Shipping Federation has failed, the latter virtually insisting on uncondi tional surrender by those on strike. The Union is incensed at the action of the federation, and declare that the proposals of the 13th inst., m which it was agreed that no preference was to be given to non-Union men, have not been observed. The Union leaders further state that if the Federation on Monday insists on a general acceptance of Federation tickets a lock-out is inevitable, and that it will be followed by a colossal strike of the maritime trades. Patus, February 19. The Empress Frederic will shortly arrive m Paris, with the object of in ducing French artists to exhibit at the forthcoming Art Exhibition m Berlin. A great sensation has been caused both m Paris and Berlin by the an nouncement of her intention. Berlin, February 19. General Caprivi stated m a Council of State that it was beneath the dig nity of the Empire to punish Bismarck. The latter declares his censure is simply the invention of his enemies. St John's, February 19. A meeting has been held m New foundland m support of the demand for the ratification by Great Britain of the reciprocity treaty between New foundland and the United States, Washington, February 19. i The Senate, m addition to the sub sidy, has voted 25,000d01s for sound ings for a cable to Honolulu.

AUSTRALIAN.

- Sydney, February 20. The official estimate gf the wheat

yield for the colony is 4,300,000 bushqls, which gives an. average of 11.17 bushels per acre. After deduct ing seed requirements, only 3,725,000 bushels remain for home consumption, while the quantity required is 7,700,000 bushels. Hobaet, February 20. The Aorangi brings se/enteen pas sengers for Australian ports and fiity seven for- No ,v Zealand. Lady Scott (wife of Admiral Scott) and pav,ty joined the Aorangi here and are booked to Wellington^

INTERPROVINCIAL.

(per press association.)

Auckland, February 20. The body of Gordon Hale, one of the missing boating party, for which search parties have been out, has been found on the beach at Wairoa south. The Auckland Yacht Club sent no letter to Wellington attacking Mr Bindon. The only letter m which he had been inen doned hsd been one to Mr Duncan, Secretary of the Wellington Yacht Club, regretting that the Auckland Club was not represented there this year, and stat ing that the Maritaua, although belonging to the Club, did- not represent * it. Mr Bindon had also been given a letter by the Secretary, introducing him to Mr Duncan as a representative of the Club, but this was an error on the Secretary's part* Mr Bindon had no grounds for the charges of discourtesy or ungentlenxanly conduct made by him against the Com modore and officers of the Club. The body recovered this morning is nofc that of Hale, but the body of another of the party, Colonel Whitney, a young man of twenty-two years, and a son of Captain Whitney, of the Colonial Ammunition Factory. The remains were found washed up on the foreshore at Maraetai. Palmerston North, February 20. At the inquest on the late Mr W. E. Mellish a verdict was returned of '; Accidentally Shot." His gun was found entangled m a wire fence. Wellington, February 20. It is understood that an appeal will be made, against the decision of the Chief Justice m the case of Whitaker v Hutchi son, m which His Honor refused a motion for review of his former decision to retain a reference m the statement of the de fence to the accounts of Sir Harry Atkin son, and Mr Mitchelson. The Appeal Court sits m May, and if the appeal is made, the action cannot of course be heard until it has been diapovd of. Christchurch, February 20. William Stonyer, commission agent, was committed for trial to-day on a charge of obtaining £350 by false pretences, from Elizabeth Agnes Dixon. The evidence was that h» was entrusted with a section of land fco sell for £550, and sold it to Mrs Dixon for £900, converting £350 to to his own use. Timartt, February 20. James Diekaori, pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a £5 note from a registered letter. The R.M., m coiu sideration of his youth and previous good character, and the fact that an injury to his head some time ago seemed to affect his faculties, dealt with the case by a fine of £10. The lad confessed to other pilferings. 1 Dunedin, February 20. A man named McNidder, an engineer m the employ of Messrs Sparrow and Company, was killed on the Frattkron Company's dredge, at Kawaru*, this morning. Owing to the heavy rains which set m this afternoon the open air fete and sports m aid of the Kakanui fund had to be postponed. It appears that the wives of those on board the Kakanui are far from satisfied with the search made by the Hinemoai They have been trying to induce the Government to send the steamer again to search the Bounty and Antipodes Islands and through Mr Barhshaw they have tele graphed to the Premier on the subject. A reply has been received that no good purpose would be served by sending the Hinemoa again, as the probability of any landing being made on, the Bounty, Antipodes, or 'Emerald Islands is very remote. Those concerned are still un satisfied, and point out that while there is even a remote probability of their re latives having effected a landing, they cannot rest content until doubts- are en tirely set at rest. They even suggest that if the Government persist m declin ing subscriptions should be raised to send a steamer and they go so far as to say that they are content to sell all they have fco assist m having a thorough search made to set at reat every doubt as to the fate of those on board the Kakanui.

Latest Cable News

HOME AND FOREIGN

[pee phbss association. J

LABOR MATTERS.

(Received February 21, 10.30 a.m.)

London, February 20. The Unions are exerting political pressure to secure charters. Free laborers are abundant at Cardiff.

COLONIAL DEFENCES.

In reply to a question m the House of Commons the Secretary for War said the arming of cooling stations was on the verge of completion. The armament was also ready for King George's Sound and Torres Straits, though the [Colonies had not yet pre pared necessary works to mount the guns.

ARGENTINE DEBT.

Trust companies representing thirty millions of capital are arranging to compel the Argentine Republic to meet its obligations.

IRISH AFFAIRS.

Mr Justin McCarthy is sending Messrs T. D. Sullivan and Cox on a mission to Australia on behalf of tftfe * party who have seceded from Mr Parnell.

Earl Zetland, Viceroy of Ireland is about to pay a visit to the We«fc of Ireland,

THE SHIPPING STRIKES.

(Received February 21, 11.45 a.m.)

London, February 19. The block of shipping at the docks is worse to-day.

AUSTRALIAN.

AN OLD OFFENCE.

(Received February 21,11.43 a.ra )

Syjjnky, February 21. A bookmaker named Saville has been arrested on a charge of being concerned m the robbery of bank notes to the amount of £2600 from an Adelaide stockbroker; The itflegecf offence was committed a year ago,

KOCH'S SPECIFIC.

Di? Wilkinson commences operations with Koch's tuberculine m the Sydney hospital on Monday.

A CRISIS AVERTED.

Perth, February 21. The difficulty between, tUe two

THIS ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1801



Statutory Declaration.—l, Franz Raabe, Ironbark, Sandhurst, m the colony of Vic toria, Australia, do solemnly aud sincerely declare that on the 25th June, 1877, my son Alfred, six years of age, was accidentally jj hurt with an axe on his knee. lat once took all pains to secure medical assistance. How ever, m spite of all efforts, on the 27th August, 1877, the opinion was given by Dr ijacgillivray that an amputation of the injured limb had become imperative, m order to save life, At this juncture I called en Messrs Sander and Sons, procuring some of their Extract of Eucalyptus Globulus, and by the application of the same I had too satisfaction of seeing my son within a fort night out of all danger, and to-day he is recovered. I may just add that it was when the crisis had been reached that the Extract referred to was first applied, and I make this solemn declaration, etc. Franz Raabe, Declared at Sandhurst, m the. colony foa Victoria, Australia, this seventeenth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven, before me, MoritzCohn, J.P., \ • -(Advt,) 6 '



Public Notices. THE MIRROR. A HIGH-CLASS Weekly, Social Political, Literary, and Dramatic paper, to be published every FRIDAY price 3d, by the Centennial Printing and Publishing Company, Limited, Melbourne Teraco, Rus«elJ Street Melbourne. " "singing! ' ~ A LADY (now resident m Christ church), thoroughly competent to teach Singing, is desirous of obtaining pupils m Ashburton. Lessons at their own residences. Apply "Alpha," Mail Office. ?. 10G Mr W. F. Thobipsox SURGEON "pvENTIST, URGEON _L/ENTIST, 218 HIGH STREET, CHRTSTCHURCH Hours—lo a.Tii. to 5 p.m. Having purchased Dr N. A. Nekley's Dental Practice, MR THOMPSON m.iy be consulted at tlie above address. 211 WKDNESDAf, FEBRUARY 2,mi. For the United Kingdom and Continents o Europe and America,, and West ludiof (via San Francisco), Sauiwicli Islands,s etn., and also Northern Ports of New Zealand at 6.20 p.m. ; registered letters, 5 p.m. ; money orders, 3 p.m. Note—lt should be noted that the post is reduced on letters to the United ■kingdom only.



}. ■ Wautetl m CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may b« j left at this Off or r|I.RY the Great Drapery Sale now on' X at H. 0. Segers. ~V7"OUNG Ladies' Journal now m. JL Boys' Own Paper.—H. M. Jones. r"I"^OLD after Supper, Whitakei's Altna -1 nac, Malay Archipelago, Wallace's Colonial Reformer. Now Books.—-H. M. Jone*. T>RESENTS.—AII holders of Tickets JL Avill oblige by bringing them mas soon as possible. - H. C. Skgers, Melford House. ANTK.L) nil the inhabitants of -Ashburton to come to the Borough School Conceit, t Kldfellows'Hall, Tuesday, February 24th. 2 112 / POOLING and invigorating Tee Cream v_y as made by H. G. Flo wee, Cou fectionor, East Street. I\/ ANTED Known—Some special V V lines m choice Dress Goods at very low prices showing at " The Corner." WANTED Known—The wear " Boot is the best for Mens 'jidies and Children.—W. H. Collier. OEGERS' Clearing Sale m all Depart O ments now on. One trial solicited. — Melford House. VT/"ANTED every man m the County V V to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds.—Robert At-corn, Ashbui'ton Clothing Mart, Saunder'a Buildings. /""I LASS, Earthenware, and China, VJT direct from the Manufacturers.— Robert Alcobn, Tea Warehouse and Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. Si I ANTED Known —The Cheapest V v Shop to buy Tinware and Gal vanised Iron goods m Ashbarton, is at W. F. Haxnafoud's, Burnett Street. A arge stock kept on hand. Tin and Iron ware goods made and repaired with cles- I paten. K^TOWN — MRS J. BUCHANAN wishes to inform her country friends and the public, that she will open business on Saturday, February 21, as Fruiterer and Confec tioner. Tea and Coffee at all hours. Hot Luncheon on Saturdays,\from 12 to 2. East Street next John Orr and Co. 2 110 T7~ALENTINES ! VALENTINES ! at V L. F. Andrewes & Co. Jus opone'd up a Large and Varied Assort ment to suit everybody. Sale of Surplus Stock shortly when Books, Stationery, Fancy Goods, &c, &c, will be offered at GREAT REDUCTIONS. L F. ANDREWES & Co.



(1 ENTLEMEN requiring the very X latest fashion m FLEXIBLE HATS (all colors) will find a choice stock at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. ttTHITE and Fancy Scarfs, White and Vy Striped Vests, Tennis Shiris, buttoned and laced fronts, all colors, at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. SUMMER Merino and Gauze Merino Undershirts, with long or short sleeves, at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. A&HIN'G Derby Ties 6d each, six for 2s 6d. Increasing demand for these at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. BOYS' School Suits, well fitting, durable, and moderate m price at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. AGENTS for the Wonderful New High Arm " Wortheim " Sewing Machines. Latest improvements, new appliances, noiseless motion, increased advantages^ . ALL who have used the " Wertheim ' New High Arm sewing machine, proclaim it to be the most perfect sewina machine yet produced. Inspection invit :d. 'jVT BW ZEALAND CLOTHING _iM FAC TOE V, the leading Hat, Cap, and Clothing Manufacturers, EAST STREET, A SH:BXJ3E?-TO3Sr. As.-nt for the Wonderful Wertheim Sewing Machine W, H. WEBBER, Manager. TITUSTRALTAI* MUTUAL PROVT- J\_ DENT SOCIETY, Established 1849. FOR LIFE ASSURANCE ON THE MUTUAL PRINCIPLE.



NEW ZEALAND BRANCH HEAD OFFICE—CUSTOM HOUSE QUAY, WELLINGTON. LOCAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Hon. Morgan S. Grace, C.M.G., M.D., M.L.C. (Chairman). Hon. C. J. Johnston, M.L.C. (Deputy- Chairman). Alfred cie iiathe Brandon, Esq. The Hon. 10 Iward Richardson, C.M.G. Nicholas Reid, Esq. ANNUAL INCOME EXCEEDS £1,625.000 STERLING. INVESTED FUNDS EXCEED £9,000,000 STERLING, REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD AS SURE WITH THIS SOCIETY: IT is the ouly Colonial Life Office giving Annual Boimsos, reducing the neb cost of Assurance to the Lowest Possible Limit. It is the oldest, largest, wealthiest, and most prosperous Mutual Life Office m the Southern Hemisphere. ITS Bonuses are larger than those of any other Life Office of similar age m ai.y other part of the world. The Society lias distributed amongst its members upwards of £4,050,000 m Cash Bonuses, representing Reversionary Bonuses exceeding £8,00 C,OOO sterling. AFTER making unusualamplereserves, the Cash Surplus for division for the year 1889 was £426,494, a larger amount of profit than has ever been realised or divided m one year by any other oiiice of the British Empire. THE Society issued 11,664 New Policies during the yvvr 188 ■), assuring £3,679,459, with new Premim-s amount rig to £133, 000. The Society offer.'! UNDOUBTED SECURITY, LIBERALJTY. l-ROWTS. ITS investments m New Zealand securi ties are £1,273,514. and all the .surplus Branch accumulations are invested. i:i the Colony, thus making it essentially a ', 'THOROUGHLY COLONIAL INSTITUTION BE CAREFUL YOU SELECT THIS SOCIETY, AND DO NOT BE DECEIVED BY THE SIMILARITY OF NAME OP SOME OF THE YOUNGER A'USTHA LIAN OFFICES EDWARD W LOWE, Resident. Secretary. Christchurch District Office, W. H. DERRY, Local Broker, Agency Clerk.



ruolic Notices. . I MONJiiYlx) LEND~~ TIyrONEY to Loud at LOW RATES OF INTEREST, on Mortgage of .-FREE HOLD PROPERTY, m sums of £100 TO_£sooo For further particulars apply to the Postmaster, Ashburton, or to J. 0. PRUDHOE, District Agent. Government Insurance Office. Christchurch. v WJTtt. TEETIij JvniiQtJT 'TEELTtt OHRISrOUCROH DENTAL •SURGERY, Ccrner of Cashel and High streets ■"q -TV/TYERS AND /"10. SURGEON DENTIST And at Dunedin and Westport CITE have gained tin FIRST AWARD VV the Dunedin Exhibition for Artificial Dentures and Mechanical Appli ances for the Mouth, and it is with the greatest confidence that v;e guarantee the highest class work and perfect fit at the : most moderate cos! ' A Single Artificial Tooth, 10s. Comple Set — Upper and Lower— temporary and permanent, £10 10s. Natural, Durable, Comfortable Artificial Teeth Replaced Temporarily al most immediately after the extraction of decayed teeth or stumps without extra cc or charges. Arrangements can be made for part or monthly payments- ADMINISTERING NITROUS OXIDE 3AS several times daily for the past ten years, we fearlessly assert that extraction of teeth under its influence is perfectly painless and positively safe Fee for Administration, ss. Extraction, 2s 6d. Artificial Teeth and Dentures made by other dentists repaired or remodelled at mall cost