The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1891. RAILWAY EMPLOYEES' INSUR ANCE.

A great difference of opinion is being manifested among railway employes as to the merits of the Government Rail way Employes' Insurance Bill, which m its revised form has been circulated m order to obtain the views of the em ployes themselves upon its provision:l. According to the. official reports sup plied to the press by the Railway Em- I ployes Society the Bill appeared to be generally condemned, but a meeting of railway employes at Christchur.cn came to a resolution m favor of the measure, and other centres have came to a similar decision. The friendly societies

will probably express their opinions— as m the case of Sir George Grey's gill—and as many changesj most of them m consequence of the representa tions of the employe's, have been made m the Bill, since it was first published, a summary of its provisions will be of general interest. It is proposed that all present railway employes may con tribute to an insurance fund if they desire, but they shall not be compelled to do so ; contributions to be com pulsory on all persons becoming per manent employes after the passing of the Bill. The Government are to guarantee this fund, and are to have control of it. The benefits proposed are : Half pay during sickness; retire ment to be optional at 65 years of age; pay to be allowed after retirement at the rate of one-quarter pay up to 20 years' service, and one-third pay for over 20 years' service; lump sum to representatives not exceeding one year's pay at death ; and it is provided that persons leaving the service with out the consent of the authorities, or dismissed for drunkenness, crime, or gross insubordination, ai'e to be entitled to receive back the rever- j sioivuy value of their payments, to be determined by an actuary. For the foregoing purposes a trust fund is to be established, which is made up of— (1) All lines and penalties levied upon railway employe's already accured; (2) contributions by employes as follows : 2s a week by employes whose pay does not exceed 7s per day, and a similar sum, together with id per week, for every additional shilling per day, by those whose pay is more than 7s per d-iy; and (3) any other sums which Parliament may see fit to appropriate. The time already served by employe's will count for the purposes of the proposal • and those already m the service, and who are paid by the day, week, month or year, or who are on piecework or contract based on a daily rate of pay, a considered " per manent " employes, as distinguished from " casual," who are those engaged for an emergency or for a special job by the day or hour. Should a " casual " become a permanent employe, the time continuously served as a casual counts m computing his allowance. One pro vision, further, is that a permanent employe who has become a contributor to the fund shall, upon the termination of his services, be entitled to be paid for life from it one quarter of the pay he was m receipt of at his retire ment if he has served as a permanent employe for under 20 years, or if he has not attained the age of C 5 years. The pension is not to be payable if the ! employe receive Government pay. | There is no foundation, that we can see, that the Bill will lead to men being unjustly or unnecessarily dis missed from the service. It will rather tend m the opposite direction as the authorities are not likely to create a numerous body of pensioners on the j fnnd if they can avoid it. The Go vernment will guarantee the fund, with 4 per cent interest; but it is proposed that any surplus shall be! carried to the credit of the railway vote ! m the Consolidated Fund Account, and this will not be approved of —any surplus should either be returned as a bonus to the members or applied to the reduction of premiums. There is no compulsion m the scheme as }t affects present employes, and no unreasonable conditions with regard to those who may enter the service of the depart ment m the future. Some of the de tails require modification, The mini mum rate of contribution will prove to be too high, and it is a question whether contributions should nofc be based upon jfefaG age rather than the rate of pay of the employe. Provision should also be made for representation qi the contri butors on the managing body p£ the fund, and for dealing with cases of men who through accident or otherwise and fromnofault of their own are reduced m pay though still employed m the rail way ov either Government department. We cannot see that the Bill merits the very hostile criticism that has been passed upon it by the Railway Em ployes' Society, and hope that further , consideration will enable that body to see that wffch amendments (which they i are asked to suggest^ it may be made a most beneficial measure.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

British Columbia an 4 New Zealand are the greatest distances bet*vpen which a telegram may be sent. * English lawyers are suffering from a lack of business. The "Law Times " says :—Crime and contention tire both declining. The average wheat crop of Russia for seven years was 230,000,000 bushels. A shortage of 20 to 25 per cent would mean a deficiency oi 45,000,000. to 55,000,000 bushels. | The proportion of police to population m | New Zealand is J m 1375, and the cost per inhabitant is 2s ll£d, the net expenditure for the year ended March 31 being £99,335 16s Id.

Perth, themetropolis of Western Australia,' will shortly have a mosque. It will minister to the religious requirements of the numerous Arabs and Malays employed m the pearl fisheries along the West Australian coast. Its raixon d'etre is thus lucidly stated by a local scribe: —"If i groping among coral reefs, ten fathoms deep with sharks hovering overhead for a bite as I you come up for a breath, and devilfish scraping their tentacles hi anticipation of a, hug, are not enough to make a, man wish for ! a place to pray m, he must be a confirmed Agnostic." Senior-constable Duncan Roberts Moritz, acting clerk of petty sessions at Jerilderie, m New South Wales, absconded some time ago, and defalcations were discovered m his accounts to the amount of several hundreds of pounds. A warrant was immediately issue/1, but no trace could be discovered d Moritz till recently, when he was arrested at the Parramatta Asylum. Strange to say he has been there for some time, and was admitted m his proper name. Since absconding he has been stung by a scorpion, and is now a thorough cripple. vSome time back he admitted that he was the man wanted, but as he was more or less demented the story was not credited. The " Msinawatu Standard" says :•— Some of the members of the Palmerston Small Farm Association have stuck together, despite the transparent device of Mr J. G. Wilson to make use of their defection for political purposes,; and from correspon dence lately received from the Minister of Lands, they have recognised that the condi tions of settlementareliberal enough to induce them to apply for a block of land. It has been decided to call the;^ Association the Terrace .End Farm Association, and a meeting will be held on Tuesday night to settle matters and enroll those wishing to join. The survey fee will not be charged at all, a matter of £12 10s per 100 acres, the first two years' rent will "be added to to the capital value, and thirds will be returned as formerly. The term of lease will be fifty years, with right of renewal for a similar term, so security of tenure is pretty well assured Most of our contemporaries agree with us that the Speaker's explanation of his ruling should have been communicated to Mr Bryce before his resignation was handed to the Speaker. The "Marton Mercury" puts the case briefly thus :—Mr Rolleston is deserving of the very gravest blame for his extraordinary conduct m haudingMr'Bryce's resignation to the Speaker, after Major Steward had made his explanation. Mr Rolleston, as Air Bryce's friend, ought certainly to have acquainted the then mem ber for Waikato with the full nature of the Speaker's explanation, which was both manly and dignified. We are of opinion, and many will agree with us, that had Mr Biyce heard or been made acquainted with the. tenor of Major Steward's explanation, he might have reconsidered his determina tion to resign, and the country might have retained his valuable services. For so ex perienced a politician as Mr, Rolleston to make such a grave* error of omission to our mind, most extraordinary. "A. Tramp, Esq." writes as follows on the progress of the West Coast of the North Island:—"That boom still continues at Stratford ; they have three banks there now. Ie is getting quite a gigantic mushroom. After a boom comes a burst. The sanguine give it three years to arrive. New Plymouth too, is booming m a mild way. And so is the coast generally from New Plymouth to Palmerston North m spite of harbor rates, dog taxes, Te Whiti, and John Ballance's selfish anti-federation policy. A decade of federation would see this country teeming with a prosperous population, and its wealth increased a thousandfold. Instead of freez ing our beef for the distant London market, it is possible we should be shipping it alive to a market at the door. Already I hear of a shipment of fat cattle being forwarded from New Plymouth breakwater to Christchurch. As 1 remarked iv my ramblings down south the great grazing country of Canterbury can beat us with mutton and bacon, but when it comes to beef they are not m it. They will now be able to enjoy the luxury of a tender steak."

According to the Melbourne correspondent of tfie " Otago IXiily Times" afresh diffi culty has arisen m connection with the shearing question. He writes:—One has scarcely patience to write calmly about the methods adopted by the leaders of the Shearers' Union to harass the squatters. One would certainly have concluded that when the conference m Sydney came to so satisfactory an agreement trouble |was over; but it realty would appear that tha shearers' delegates were fooling the pastora lists. The latest move is to order the " rouseabouts " not to sign the pastoralista' agreements. This is the agreement which the shearers are to sign acknowledging freedom of contract; but now the reuse abouts are ordered not to sign it, for " once you sign you are slaves for the term named." Of course without the rouseabouts shearing j cannot proceed, so that just at the moment the squatter thought his troubles ended a new difficulty stares him m the face. The extraordinary part of the matter is that it is Mr Spence himself—who, amongst his othtr multifarious offices, is secretary to the General Laborers' Union—who gives this order. He would almost seem to have kept this as a card up his sleeve at the Sydney conference — giving way as regards the shearers, well knowing that he cquld still prevent shearing being carried on by re fusing permission to the rouseabouts to work.

POLITICAL.

: 1 (from our parliamentary corkek [ pondent v " i

Wki-mngtok, September 5. A largo amount of business was trans acted m Committee. The Loans to Local Bodies Bill evoked considerable dis cussion. The clause handing over £50,000 to the Minister to spend brought about a stonewall m which Messrs Fergus and Moore took part, the Utter being especially obstructive. The motion to re ■ pott-progress brought both to their feet. Mr Mackenzie added his say, and m course 6t his speech came into conflict with the chairman. He referred to the Minister's promise as to the expenditure as " clap trap." Mr Perceval called upon him to withdraw the expression. He did so and substituted " ex parte," observing that he hoped that expression was m order. The chairman dinaUawed such an •appli cation, to himself, .evidently regarding it as covert insolence. Mr Fergus moved to refer the expression to the Speaker, but Mr Seddon (m charge of the bill) pre vailed on members to stick to the original motion. Mr Fergus said m that event the Government could outvote them, and suggested to let the Bill go. The Committee divided on the question to report progress, which was lost o^£be voices. The Bill was ultimately reported.

THE CHILIAN WAR.

+ .. _ TRANQUILITY RESTORED.

. PEK PRJSS3 ASSOCIATION.] Vai,pakaisoj Septembers. ' The Almirante, Condell and Imperial, the last of Balinaceda's fleet, have surrended. The Junta refused to guarantee the safety of the officials ou board the warships, and they are therefore being conveyed to Peru. It was the British Minister at Santiago who directed the captain of the Espiegle to take the treasure on board. It is believed that the United States will officially recognise the provisional Government. Valparaiso, September 5. The Chilian coinage was the cause of President Balmaceda's downfall. The Junta legalises the notes issued by President Balrnaceda, but confis cates the bank accounts of loyalists m order to meet such notes. Theinsurgent army is being disbanded, and the censorship established over telegraph messages is being removed. The whole country is tranquil. . Mr Patrick Egan, United States Minister to Chili, who has been accused of siding with the Congressionalists, expresses anxiety for Congress to enquire into his actions, and denies the charge of partisanship.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN

[PBK PRESS ASSOCIATION.] BRITAIN AND ITALY. Loni>on, September 4. It is reported that the Prince of Wales will shortly pay an official visit to Ijtaly. POST-OFFICE ROBBERIES. London, September 5 Rhodes, employed as a sorter m the London Post-office, has been arrested on a charge of stealing two thousand letters, from which he abstracted m the aggregate the sum of JJ20,000, as well as a large number of cheques and post office orders. THE REV. MR| SPURGEON. The Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, who had been gradually regaining strength from his recent severe illness, has suffered a relapse. PROVOKING A MUTINY. In connection with the visit of the French fleet, the Admiralty stopped the leave of crews on Her Majesty's ships at Spithead, and nearly provoked a mutiny. The position became very serious, but eventually the Admiralty yielded, MILITARY MANOEUVRES. The military manoeuvres of Austrian and French soldiers m Vienna and Paris, show that smokeless powder will come into extensive use m the field. With balloons, telephones, and sema phores, new tactics were also practised. COLONIAL GOVERNORS. " The Times," m eulogistic articles I on the Earl of Kintore's journey from j Port Darwin to Adelaide, says that j young peers of good physique and! plenty of common-sense make excellent I Governors. , L AJBOR QUESTIONS. Mr T. Burt, M.P.,' Secretary of the Northumberland Miners' Association, will preside at the Trades Union Con gress, which opens at Newcastle-on- Tyne on Monday. The congress 06 colliery managers have carried resolutions strongly op posing statutory eight hours' work m mines. There is renewed agitation among employees of the omnibus companies, and a strike is threatened. It is al leged that the companies are infringing the agreement arrived **t at the last Strike. Tlje Tyne shipbuilders have decided to reduce m October the wages of 10,000 men by 5 per cent. Paius, September 6, A hjbor dispute is occurring m the woollen factories m the nqrtH of France. London, September 6. Five hundred delegates, representing 2,000,000 workers, will attend the congress at Newcastle. The Trade Unions Congress, sitting at London, gives a solid vote on the question of a legal eight hours. THE NEW POSTMASTER GENERAL, The Duke of Rutland has provision ally aocepted tlje vaoa,nt Portfolio of Postmaster-General,

CENTRAL AFRICA.

Jfojfgij^R, September 4, Wissman, with five hundred Ger man troops and a thousand native porters, is about to leave Sandani for Lake Victoria Nyanga He takes with him m portable sections a small steamer to navigate the lake.

THE PORTE.

Constantinople, September 3. The Grand Vizier has been dismissed. Constantinople, September 4. The Sultan has dismissed sis other

Ministers besides the Vizier. Djevad Pasha, Governor of Crete, has been appointed Vixier, and Kiza Pasha, Minister of War. Constantinople. September 5. The resignation of Kaimal Pasha, the Turkish Prime Minister, has re sulted m a change of policy m Turkey, which has hitherto leaned towards the Triple Alliance. It is belie u:d that the Sultan was much impressed by the reception accorded to the French fleet at Cronstadt. The dismissal of the Grand Vizier and several of the Ministers was made m person by the Sultan, and was brought about owing to frequent in stances of brigandage, m some of which the Sultan had to pay the ransoms himself out of his privy purse. London, September 5. The " Standard's " Constantinople correspondent reports that Turkey has entered into a secret treaty affecting Bosnia and Egypt. Constantinople, September 6. The disgrace of Kaimal Pasha is attributed m the capital to his policy with regard to the Triple Alliance. Djevad Pasha, the new grand Vizier, is a favourite Avith Russia.

MEETING OF EMPERORS.

Berlin, September 4. Tt is reported the Emperor will shortly meet the Czar at Copenhagen

THE THIRD REPUBLIC.

Paris, September 4. The French Republic, which was de clared upon the surrender of Sedan, attained its majority to-day. RUSSIAN LOAN. It is reported that the Banque de Parrs offers to raise a Russian loan of £12,000,000.

THE MT BLANC OBSERVATORY.

Berne, Tepfcember 4. In consequence of the death of Dr Jacottes, the projected observatory on Mont Blanc has been abandoned. Bekne, September 5. It is now explained that the pro posal to erect an observatory on the top of Mount Blanc has been abandoned, as the proposers were un able to find a rock for the foundations.

THE CANADIAN SCANDALS.

Ottawa, Septeail) '.r 4. Premier Abbott intends to introdnce a Bill'to prevent bribery. Ottaava, September 5. Tlie Hon. J. E. Foster, Minister of Finance, is accused of corrupt practice m subsidising the West Indian Steam Company.

THE DARDANELLES.

Constantinople, September 4. It is explained on behalf of the Porte that the opening of the Dar danelles does not apply to the regular Russian fleet, and involves no infrac tion of international treaties. September 5. The Porte is preparing a Circular Note respecting the arrangement with Russia concerning the Dardanelles, and explaining that the concessions made were to facilitate navigation. September 6. It is rumored that the Great Powers have protested against tne agreement between Turkey and Russia respecting the Dardanelles. London,, September 5. The Austrian and German papers are very indignant at the diplomatic victory of Russia over Turkey, and demand a similar right respecting the passage of the Dardanelles for other powers. They request that England take the initiative m the matter.

THE JEWS.

St. Petebsboko, September 5. Mr Arnold. White, representative of Baron Hirsch, has had a satisfactory i interview with the Czar, relative to the Ba,ron's proposal m connection with his compatriots. RUSSIAN ARMY MOVEMENTS. A sensation has been caused m Warsaw by the preparations which are being made to concentrate a large force within » fortnight. The reason of-the mobilisation is not known. RUSSIA AND SERVIA. A Russian Committee are preparing an elaborate commercial treaty with Servia, and are arranging to establish a Consulate m that country.

GREAT FIRE IN OREGON.

Washington, September 4. Sixteen blocks m Dallas City, Ore gon, have been burned. The loss is 1,000,000 dollars. AQUATICS. The match between Gaudaur and Haitian is off.

EUROPEAN POLITICS.

Vienna, September 3. Interviews are taking place between the Emperors of Germany and Austria, .and General Yon Caprivi, the German Chancellor, and Count Kalnoky, the Austrian Minister of Foreign Aftairs. Berlin, September 3. The German Government are secretly purchasing immense quantities of cron. The anniversary of the surrender of Napoleon at Sedan was observed throughout Germany with unusual fervour,

CRISIS IN HAYTI.

Port ay Prince, September 6. I A crisis is impending m Hayti, and Genera] Ifippolyte, the President, has 1 strongly garrisoned the seaports.

AUSTRALIAN.

RIFLE SHOOTING.

Storey, September 5. In response to a query from the New f Zealand Rifle Association, the Sydney Association have decided that matches at two, three, four, five, and six hun dred, and a thousand yards, shall be open to a New Zealand team, and a special match will probably be arranged as well. THE AUXILIARY FLEET. Sydney, September 3. The auxiliary fleet arrived yesterday. There was do official reception.

INFLUENZA.

MelboubnEj September 9. Influenza is prevalent. Lord and Lady Hopetouin, the Premier, and the Chief Secretary, are all prostrated with it. A LIBEL CASE. An aqtion is beiug heard, McCormick

v. Cuthbert, claim £5003 damages for libel. Plaintiff is a magistrate and de-i fendant was formerly Minister lor Justice. The libel is alleged to have been contained m official letters which wore taken to infer that MeCorniick had improperly and corruptly ad journed certain cases. The defence applied fora non-suit on the ground that a Minister m writing on matters of State is absolutely privileged.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

A.UCKI.ANU, September 5. The Premier m a telegram to the Liberal Association expresses a hope that the Waikaco s?ab will'tfe contested m the Libeial interest by a candidate personally acceptable to the electorate. In the football match Rovers v. Gordon ibis afternoon at Potter's paddock, Thomas Sibbin, a printer and wellknown footballer, playing for the Rovers, got a fracture of the spine. He accidentally Clipped over a player who was dribbling the ball and doubled his head under his breast. He was admitted to the hospital m an unconscious state and died shortly afterwards. He leave"- a wife and several children, and was the son of George Sibbin the auctioneer, The game played was association. Napier, Septembers. At the first annual meeting of the Free Association it was reported that the total membership was over 2000, of Whom 1959 are working members. The pre judice at first existing on the part of working men was now dissipated. Situa tions were found for 157 men, relief was granted to 37 members who met with accidents; -the-guaranteeing members numbered 202 ; the receipts for the year were £1706, and expenditure £346 less. Marton, September 5. A large flour mill at Sanson, belonging to Mr Clover, was burned down at mid night. The cause of the fire is unkown. Nothing was saved, but the loss is covered by the insurance. Wkixtnoton, Septembers. I {Major Sommerville and Lieutenant Foster, of the New Zealand Rifle Associa tion, inspected the sites offered m the Upper Hutt district for the permanent range of the Association to-day. The one I at Silverstream, which can be had on most reasonable terms, was found to be suit able, but as the 200 yards range crosses a swamp and the removal of some timber would be necessary it is- estimated that it will cost £250 to put the range m order, exclusive cf buildings. If the Govern ment are prepared to come to the assist ance of the Association m defraying the cost, this site will be chosen, but m the event of their not doing so, M<vjjor Sommerville is of opinion that peripatetic meetings will have to be resorted to, m which case the next annual competition would probably be held m Auckland. A site at Mirannr is also to be inspected. Westpout, September 5. A colored man named John Bennett was out fishing when his boat capsized. A boat which put out from Cape Foul wind with three men to rescue Bennett also capsized, and the crew saved themselves with difficulty. Bennett who is a power ful mm, was rescued after, being two hours m the water. He is m a prostrate condition. The coal export for the week was 6301 tons. Dunehijt, September 5. Margaret Dowie, a domestic servant at Maungatua, has been committed for trial for forging a signature to a cheque for £6. The ceremony of presenting diplomas gained afc the last New Zealand University examination took place last evening m the Garrison Hall, which was crammel to the doors. Sir R. Stout, representing the Chancellor, presided, and presented dip lomas »is follows :—M.A., 7 (including Miss Gifford, of Auckland; ; 8.A., 17 (in cluding fom ladies); L.LL.,2; M.8., 3. The students were orderly, There was an excellent caricature illustrating; a lecent medical fracas. In front of the orchestra was ji student representing Father Time with sytlia and hour glass which was duly turned when the speeches were becoming wearisome, the speakers taking the hint. Sir R. Stout thanked the students for their' excellent behaviour. Invekcargill. September 5. _ The Education Board yesterday de cided to appoint a truant officer, to act also as drill instructor, at a salary of £Jsoayear. This action is taken be cause truancy is rite m town. At the Police Court James McNair, can vasser for the "Picturesque Atlas " was lined £5 and costs £2 for assulting a subscriber by striking him m the face.

REV. DR. STUART AT ASHBURTON.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE PRESBY TERIAN CHURCH.

The anniversary services of the Ashbur ton Presbyterian Church were conducted yesterday by the Rev. Dr. Stuart, of Knox Church, Dunedin. The fame of this well-known divine is such that ia whatever church m whatever part of the colony he is announced to preach a large congregation is sure to assemble to hear him. Dr. Stuart is an old identity m Dunedin, very closely associated with the history of Presbyteriahism m Otago ; a man whose love for his fellowman is so great and his heart so large that he can not see distress of any kind without re lieving it, no matter at what sacrifice to himself ; a noble preacher of the Gospel, who practices what he preaches, and whcse publia and private life is m itself a practi cal sermon. Few clergymen m any coun try have so won the hearts of the people as has the great and good old man, and when he is called to go to join his Master m the Homeland, thousands of souls m the colony will €eel they have lost a per sonal friend. On Sunday at both services m the Ashburton Church and at the after noon service at Wakanui the congregations filled the buildings, many old Otago friends qomLig long distances to hear their ! old pastor once more, and many, too, who are not of his denomination. Though it cannot be said of Dr. Stuart as was of the Hebrew lawgiver m his old age—" his eye was not dim nor his natural force abated " —yet the old preacher of the Gospel is still strong, and needs no artificial aid to his sight m the reading services of the pulpit, Tall and commanding, as the types are generally of the race he springs from, he has a fine presence m the pulpit, and his voice still rings out clear and telling as a bA\. It is a treat to listen to the doctor. His manner is wholly destitute of even the slightest hint of affectation, and he is not at all bound by any conventionalities of the pulpit. With a great fund of anecdote, and a happy knack m relation, there rire many who prefer his exposition of the scrip tures m the reading lesson to his sermon, and they can well be forgiven for this preference, as few men m the pulpit can make the chapter read so interesting Jas the doctor can' by a running commentary which is quite a lecture. On Sunday morning, m reading from Exodus, xxv, xxxv, and xxxvi, the stoiy of what the people were required to provide for the making of the tabernacle, and how abundantly the materials wree provided, so much so that the liberality of the people had to be restrained, the doctor was particularly happy. In an excellent piece of word painting he drew a picture of the church m the wilderness, the beauteous Jewishmaidens whose darkcom plexiohs the red galdssdmirably suited com ing with their treasured ornaments for the I adornment of God's house; the Jewish women' .sitting m the door of their tent spinning their wool and flax and goat's hair, as their c^ntribiMoa to the work-*

fche conbributiou of a willing heart. It was not an everyday experience m oil* tiaies that when the work of builiina a house of God wns - undertaken the treasurer was able to Bay he had more than enough, but he knew of one in stance m Otigo where this was the case, and when opening the building for public worship, he received th« pleasing infor mation from the treasurer that there were £17 over after discharging all the liabilities, flea-ling Romans xvi., his description of the Church m the early times was one not readily to be forgotten, and m the evening he read m the Reve lations and drew another companion picture of the Church of to-day. In the afternoon the Rev. Doctor preached from Philippians 11.--I6—"Hold ing forth the word of life," and m the course of h»s sermon thrust home some telling truths as to Christina life and duty. He urged m sometimes quaint language the duty of Christians to hold forth the Word by personally accepting its gaidance; to eschew m th«ir lives whatever was bad and hold fast that which was good; to hold forth the truth by direct and personal effor's, and to contribute of their means for Hit, extension and propagation of the Word. In glowing and picturesque language the Doctor painted this? fair land of ours, and said colonisation could not be extended without, the expenditure of money. The young man could not make a home for his bride and the children ho hoped she would give him without the laying out of his means, nor could any great work be undertaken without spend ing money. Money hoarded was like the fountain away up m the Alps amonj; the eternal snows ; it was inaccessible and gave no benefit to the thirsty souls below, but money well spoilt *vas like the foun tain that became a river, fertilising the plains it flowed through, and the birds built their nests and sang m the bushes on its banks, while the traveller drank and laved his weary feet m its cooling waters. So, if the cause of Christ was to prosper, the Christian must give of his means to help its extension, and make the Gospel known. The Christian should be eyes to the groping and the blind, feet to the lame, and a conscience to the base and the foolish—so holding forth the Word of life.

At Wakanui m the afternoon the church was crowded to the door, and the church yard was crowded with horses and vehicles, the owners of which, many of them, attended all three services con ducted by Dr. Stuart* In the evening, .the subject of the sermon was Family Worship. Selecting several texts all touching uperi the inner religious live of the heroes of Hebrew history, but more prominently Job. i.—s and Acts x—2, he said that the texts brought before them family religion,—a prayerless family was a godless family. In the passage he had quoted family worship was not enjoined m so many words, but ife was implied m all the verses, Job made sacrifices for his children lest they should be betrayed into sinful ex cesses. The psalmist returned from a great function to bless his family, and Daniel stood face to face with martydom m the lion's den because he refused to obey an edicb of the heathen king against family prayer. The psalmist said that the voice of rejoicing and salvation was iv the tabernacles of the righteous, and con science itself made clear as the day tha duty of families to acknowledge their God and His goodess to them. The very heathen had their gods to whom thty sacrificed for deliverance from evils seen and unseen, and the heathen may rise up m evidence against those who fail to bless Hiss thrice holy name. In re gard to young people the woild's temptations increased m force as they increased m years, and Uow was a know ledge of salvation to be obtained unless an opportunity were given at the firesides of their parents and around their patents' knees, '"iod had made children dependent on their parents for many years, to give the parents an opportunity to teach them the way of life, but tins could not be done without family religion. The religious example of p vrents m the daily observance of practical piety predisposed the child to be ChristHke, and to continue so ta the end. Many sons and daughters had "■ publicly declared that it was at the family altar, aL which the father was the priest, that they had first learned the truth, and the family was the nursery and the seedbed of pure and unde filud religion. He feared, however, that the observance of family worship was not now so common as it was twenty or twenty-five years ago,, and that many meetings and partings of friends took place without the old fashioned Bible being brought out. A common excuse was the wane of ability—inability to clothe one's language m decent English. But when a man's heart was full his mouth would speak, and if blessings were asked from God the prayer would not be m vain. Colonists were men with minds of their own, not only m politics bat m religion,, and they cculd decide for themselves as to how they were to conduct their family worship. But make a beginning and all the difficulties raised will disappear. They could begin with or without a book of prayer. To those who liked not the use of a book of prayer there was always at their service the Lord's prayer. Dr Stuart then read Burns' grand descrip tion of a scene of family worship m " the Cotter's Saturday Night," and closed with a stirring appeal to parents to adopt family worshrp as a priceless ordinance that could not fail to unite the family, and to drive from its members' hearts the bad spirits, and make room for Christ. The following are the veraes quoted by the preacher :— The cheerfu' supper done, wi' serious face, They round the ingle form a circle wide; The sire turns o'er, wi' patriarchal grace. The big ha' Bible, ance his father's pride: His bonnet rev'rently is laid aside, His lyart haffets wearing thin an' bare ; Those strains that once did sweet m Zion glide. He wales a portion with judicious care ; And "Let us worship God !"• he says, with solemn air. They chant their artless notes m simple guise : They tune their hearts, by far the noblest aim; Perhaps " Dundee's " wild warbling measures rise, Or plaintive " Martyrs," worthy of the name: Or noble "Elgin" beets the heaven ward flame, . The sweetest far of Sc^tii's holy lays : Compared with these, Italian trills are tame ; The tickled ears no heartfelt raptures raise ; Nae unison hae they with our Creator's praise. * The priest-like father reads th</ sacred page, How Abram was the friend of God on high ; Or, Moses bade eternal warfare wage With Amalek's ungracious progeny ; Or how the royal bard did groaning lie Beneath the stroke of Heaven's* aveng ing ire; Or, Job's pathetic plaint, and wailing cry; Or rapt Isaiah's wild, seraphic fire ; Or other holy seers that tune the sacred lyre. Perhaps the Christian volume is the theme, How guiltless blood for guilty m«i was shed ; How He, who bore m heaven the second name, *

THE ASHBtfRTON GUARDIAN: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1891



HoLLQWAY's Pn.,LS AM) OINTMENT.— Whilst the inhabitants of. our great cities suffer from the effects of overcrowding and all its attendant evils, both physical and moral, the mote robust and energetic emigrant will m his turn be liable to suffer m his new home from the want of ready skill and the great medical resources of his native laud always at command. The best advice a friend can give is for him to take a supply of these well known remedies as part of his outfit, for. by attention to the easily understood and yet ample directions which accompany each box and pot he will never be at fault when taken ill or under any adverse sanitary conditions of life. The best medicine known is SANDER and SONS EUCALPTI 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 no occa sion to offer rewards m p/oof of the genuine ness of our references. The official reports of medical clinics and universities, the official communication of the Consul-Genera) for l£alyat Melbourne; the diploma awarded Intovnaiiwal l^xhibij;iqn, Amsterdam —alii these are authentic dqciuifeijts, ami, as such, not open to doubt. We add here epitome oi one of the varipua cases treated by S,iegenl M.D , Professpr, etc. Burning qf tlje right hand through the explosion qf a small oil stove. The epidermis on the volar and palmer side of the han4 ¥ tlfO thirty -year old patient was completely separated ant] lifted up as far as the joint of the hand! The likewise lifted nails were hanging loose and half of the phalanx 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.—(Advt.) I The Best Rei^edv; for Indigestion— Norton's Camomife Pills are confident;^ recommended as a simple remedy for Indigesuqn, which is the cause of nearly all the diseases to whica we are subjects Noiotgst's Ph&s, >yi£h justice qaljed the ' Natural Strengthens qf £he Hainan Stomach," act as a powerful tonic and gentle perient, are mild m their operation, and afe under any circumstances. Sold m bottles, at Js 1-Jd, 2s 9d, 11s, by all medicine vendors throughout fclipvyopk} Keatixg's Cough Lozenges cuees Dough I Asthma, Bronchitis. Medical t'.-stimon states that no other medicine is so effectual m the on re of these dangerous maladies One Lozenge alone givos ease, one or two at bedtime ensnaes rest. For relieving difficulty o ibreathing they are invaluable. They con tain no opium nor any violent drug. Sold by all Chemists, m tins, Is l^d and 2s 9d each Countess 2s, Duchess 2s 4d, Princess 2s Sd, Empress 3s. These Teas are free from y "-cess of '^stringency True econ my To purchase Countess Tea for t.wo shillings. P*roo from any ex ej3g tf sfc iugency '



There has been m the Auckland dtetrigt during the year ending April 30, an increase of 118,577 m the number of sheep. The total increase m ahfQP m New Zealand m that period has beenj}33,s79, of which the North Island had far the largest number- namely, 567,174. The Commissioner of Police m his annual report says that during the year instructions have been issued for inor-p stringent super vision under the Licensing Act, especially as regards Sunday trading and closing hours. Sly grog-selling is mentioned as, perhaps, the most difficult matter the force has to deal with. Ask for Nininn Hyhlop, and Co's .'.' liuj>ev,i;4 ' Jtiew seasons Pure Ceylon and dian Teas 'Spectifil prices (Advr,) Teas free from any excess of astrin^ency {jJouthßritishTea Company's pure blends All store'veep s 'Nin'ian Hyslop, and Co.'s "Imperial^ Cpylou and Indian Teas am (^iregb from



Public Notices. SPLENDID EATING POTATOES. T VVO & SIXPENCE a Bag, m Store, or 27s 6d a ton delivered, 8*154 D. THOMAS. WITMT£ETS A'.VrtOJT TCETtt CHRISJ'UHCRCH DENTAL j SURGERY, Corner of Oashel and High streets. O \/TYERS AND / -O. SURGEON DENTIST, And at Dunedin ml Westport. i•jfTE have gained the FIRST AWARD j W at the Dunedin Exhibition for Artincial Dentures and Mechanical Appli •mccs for the Mouth, and it is with the greatest confidence that v:e guarantee tlie highest class work and perfect tit at the most moderate cost A Single Artificial Tooth, 10s. Complete 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 fee <.t charge Arrangements car 1c made for part or monthly payments. ADMINISTERING NITROUS OXIDE J*AS several times daily for the past ten years, we ff!arie#sly assert that extraction of teeth under its influence is perfectly painless and positively safe *■ * Fee for Administration ss. Extraction, 2b Gd. Artincial Teeth and Dentures made by t her dentists repaired or remodelled a west rates N.Z.C.F. 1891 [ 'Pring &Jjjummer."| 1891 IAQII THE IIBST 1801ISHOW OF THE SEASON. J IWI HIGH CLATS (ODDS AT RIGHT PRICES. EACH department of our business is now replete with the Choicest Novelties m HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL MANUFACTURES. For Variety and Value our Stock is Unique. We have'facilities for buying which few other-firms enjoy, consequently we are enabled to cater for those who appreciate New and Fashionable Go xls all the ytsar'round. OUR SPECIALITIES ARE— Clothing of Superior Quality, ready-made or made to measure, for Men, Youths, Boy.s, and little Boys, Perfect lit and Jfewest Shapes. Shirts, Ties, Braces, Belts, Studs, Bags, Rugs, ftud Dressing Gowns. t Tennis and Cricketing Requisites ; Sanitary Under clothing. »EXX'B «JLOV««» For Wal'ciirjf, Riding, and Driving, also Evening Dress Gloves. WAlJEliniOOl' COIIS Own afoke. For Walking, Riding, and Driving. Eyery garment guaranteed. and all seams sewn, Waterproof Rugs, Overall.-,, and Saddle Aprons. 114W.HA11.11.1M, N<;weut Shapes, Colorings, and Textute* - t<i> hivnd. Any description of Hat or Gap made ,t<> ot&sv. ÜBW ZEALAND : WH. WEBBER, I



Wanted. t; CASH Advertisements under civs | heading not exoeodm^ SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be loft at this Office. ICE Cream off Cough drops on. TJn doubtedlyfhe bfi*t, Bu G. Flower, Confectioner East Street. WANTfI v Known—As Melford House Sale will be a genuine Cheap one, it will be to your advantage to call early. —H. C. Segkrs, Melford House. WANTED Known.-Great Clearing Sale at "The Corner" of Drapery, Clothing, and Boots.—YV. H. Collier. WANTKD Knowi.—Having com pleted the alteration of premises we are opening with a genuine cheap sale. Come and see. H. C Segers, Melford House. N WANTED Known. —Call and becure bargains of Winter Drapery dt the Great Sale at W. 11. Collier's, "The Corner." i XTENSION of Premises. Cheap I•_ Sale now on at the opening of new Shop. Come and judge for yourselves. H. C. Segers. "Ij"VINEST~Cod Liver Oil. Chest and Jj Lung Protectors. Chilblain lini ments. Brookr, Chemist, Ashburton. ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranceed ; from 62s 6.1 cash. Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. OSLYN, Mosgiel, Kaiapoi, and Ash burton Tweed Suits made to my order from selected patterns. Long and narrow and short and wirle as well as ordinary sizes from 40s cash. Robert Alcorn, Ahli burton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. r VO Meet the Times.—l am supplying 1 Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all descriptions. Inspection invited.— .1. \V. Hardley, P-ias street. 6|201 \\f ANTftD Known.—l have a large V V stock of Tin and Ironware Goods to select from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m stock.—J. W. Hardley, East •treet. 6J202 'ANTED Known—H. Dudley will sink Deep Wells and supply Cylinder Pumps and Piping, and guaran tee water to surface at 3s 6d per foot.— H. Dudley, Moore Street, 6§54 HEAP READING for all Classes — Hundreds of Back Numbers of Monthly and Quarterly Periodicals at Half Price. Several volumes of Standard Works at Cost Price to reduce our Large Stock. Photo and Scrap Albums, Photo Frames —L. F. Astdrewes & Co., Stationers' Hall.



9 JMIW I' i ii ■>■■■■■■■■■«* Public Notices. WANTED Known —J. Nicholas (late with J« Moi.son) BootniAker, h«s opened m shop late T. Chambers, F.asb •tteet. All orders for Boots and Shoes, or repairs, will be promptly executed at moderate charges. A>rial solicited. 7 165 T. G. RUSSELU BARRISTER and SOLICITOR, ciininTriEirncic. Branch Office—East Street, AIIIBVRTOK (Near H. Zander's.) 6 157 THE MERCANTILE FINANCE AND AGENCY COMPANY- (Limited OF CHRISTCHURCH. Incorporated under the Provisions of the Companies Act, 1882. Office-- MORTEN'S BUILDINGS, CHRISTCHURCH. fTIHTS Company is prepared to aovanc* X. money on Freehold Property, m Large or Small Sums, at Current Rates oi Interest; also, upon the Security of Bill* of Sale, Mortgages of Stock, Wool and Agricultural Liens, and Personal Propertj generally. For further particulars, apply to T. G. RUSSELL, Solicitor, Chrisfrohurch, Or to the Bran oh Office of the Company, East Street, ASHBUR7ON. 18* ' MR JOHN C RESTELL ASHBURTON ARC4DE AND HORSI BAZAAR. I Have for Sale, private y—Severa! first-class Draught Entire HORSES Also,—Thoroughbred Hackney and Ponj Entires. ._■ For full particulars apply at my office, Arcade, Ash burton. As I have several enquiries those having stallions for sale should give nu particulars at once. 81116 JOHN G. RESTELL THE^ART NEEDLEWORK ANT FANCY REPOSITORY, /CONTAINS the Latest Novelties ir \^J Fancy and Artistic Needlework diree! from Homt. In addition to the above Mrs Adams Has opened special Lines m APRONS, PINAFOR.ES, Ladies', Children's anc Infants' CLOTHING. SOCKS and STOCKINGS knitted bj latest iirproved Knitting Machine. Agent for Mesdames Weiecel anc Hutterick's cut paper patterns, and foi the Eclipse Dye Works. Registry Offic< for Servant:;. EAST STREET, ASHBURTON 1* ASHBURTON FINANCE & AGENCY COMPANY, Limited. /"^ASH ADVANCES made on LIVE and DEAD STOCK, MORTGAGES, AGRICULTURAL LIENS, and other SECURITIES. s^ Office. —Corn^^ of the Arcade and __ Tancred Street. WM. HORNE, 37 ManaiTKi* W. H. Collier, "Tlie Corner," . INVITES ATTENTION to "a LARGE AND CHOICE SELECTON OF New Spring floods OF EXCEPTIONAL VALUE. JUST ARRIVED, THE LATESf NOVELTIES IN Millinery Gloves Flowers Zephyrs Feathers Prints Underclothing Dress Corsets Stuffs Laces Boots Tinsel Shoes Ribbons Gents' Ties Embroideries Geuts Hats, &c. SOME SPECIAL LINES OF HOSIERY AND BLACK RIBBONS Considerably under Usual Cost. The Balance of WINTER GOODS Offered at a GREAT REDUCTION To make room for New Shipments. "THE CORNER" OF THE CHEAP OLEARIN(> SALE OF g. W ALCORN & CCS st-ook:. EVERYBODY PLEASED WITH THE BARGAINS. THERE is a Great Quantity of STOCK still left, which mast be cleared ©tjt during the next FOUR WEEKS, tit STILL FURTHER REDUCTIONS. Special bargains for THIS WEEK m DRESS GOOD S. Blankets, Flannels, Shawls, Umbrellas, Ladies Jackets, Ulsters, Triiuiued and Untrimmed Hats, Fur Collarettes, etc. I=^* N.B.—A special line .©f JBEST FRENCH MERINOS, vsuaH prieo 3§ 9d REDUCED TO i% Hd 0 W< Alcoi a \ Co