The Ashburton Guardian. Magna et Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1891. THE WELLINGTON ELECTION.

There is to be a fair, stand-up party fight for the Wellington seat. Mr Jellieoe has for once been amenable to reason, and has withdrawn from the contest, m which it was feared he would be a very disturbing element.] A Mr Price has announced himself as .a, candidate; he is the keeper of a large hotel m Wellington, and it is unlikely he will have much influence m the contest. The real fight will be between Mr W. McLean, the Liberal candidate, and Mr H. D. Bell, the Conservative candi date, and will be fought on purely party linesi-the Government .support; being given to Mr McLean, while Mr Bell will have all the Opposition influence that it is possible to bring to bear m his behalf. Mr McLean's address goes : straight to, the most important ques tions that are now before the Colony : "Is this Colony and its administration to be handed back to the Conservative Party, to be again at the mercy of the great landed proprietors and the ab sentees, to be the shuttlecock of wire pullers, the prey of the land-sharks and speculators, or, on the other hand, are we to continue and extend the policy of land settlement for the harm fid* tiller of the soil, which is now being pursued by the present administration ? Are we to continue the development of our industries, and increase the wage earning fund of our people? Aip wp fed continue the policy just inaugurated of more fully equalising the burden of taxation by putting it on the shoulders of those best able to bear it; m fact. are we to go forward m the march of progress, bringing into operation those laws winch will add so much to the wall being of the great mass of the .people >, or are we again to''fall back into the arms of that party who m the past have made the Colony a scorn and by, word V Mr McLean is clearly a i«pn sentativ' of the most advanced of the party of progress, and he appeals to the electors js> determine whether there is to be a realisation of the "new faith " : if it is to be a living reality or tuk. He makes no pi-eteiisfon to Parliamentary or official experience, but he has been an earnest student of political jqa«*tioris f and claims that his views are m syftnmthy wich those of the great mass of the p^iple. He advo cates a Lan,4 Ta» pwr« w*d tiittfi* a^

thetotal abolition of Lhe tax on improve-' ments and incomes ; he is m favor of women's franchise, and of abolishing the Legislative Council. It is under stood that: he will endeavor to attain these ends b^- degrees, and will not come into conflict with the Government by pressing his opinions for immediate acceptance by the Ministry, Mr Belli has m his favor the prestige of having jusv been victorious m a stoutly con tested election for the mayoralty ..of, Wellington. He is a lawyer of the highest standing, but like his opponent has no Parliamentary experience. His sympathies are distinctly conservative and capitalistic.' He is thus directly opposed to the policy which Mr McLean advocates, and the election willbe t]je keenest party fight that has taken place for a long time.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

It is oilioially announced that the banks throughout the colony close on the following days for holidays':--December 25, 26, and 28, and January 1,2, and*. This step-has been decided upon as the .'demands of officials j for the usual leave had to be curtailed owing to the prevailing influenza epidemic. It is understood that the Government will observe the same days is office holidays. We regret to learn that the mayor, Mr Hugo Friedlander, is at present laid up with influenza. At the Borough Council meetiug last night Jiis place' as -chairman was supplied by Mr David Thomas. Last night the Domain Board granted the Caledonian Society the use of the Domain on Boxing Day for the Society's; annual sports. A cheque for-£lO (rent for the day) accompanied the application. The Cherokee form of marriage is perhaps the simplest and most expressive of any: The man and woman merely join hands over a running stream, emblematical of the wisli that their future lives, hopes, and aspirations should flow on m the same channel. Sergeant Moller received information this morning that the hut on Mr William Baxter's property at Ealing had been burned down, and Mr Adam Jackson (who sent the new?) fears that a man has been burned to death, as some bones, apparently human, are to be seen m the ruins. Mr James Brown, of Wakanui left to day by the express to join the Talune at Dunedin, on his way to Australia for a six weeks' trip, during which he intends to visit the Mildnra irrigation colonies, and see for himself and for the benefit of the farmers on the Ashburton plains how the irrigation system is conducted. There is an abundant crop of grass m the Domain at the present time, most of which will go to waste if not utilised. Horse owners, handy with the scythe, who care to obtain a supply of green fodder can do so by applying to the Borough Engineer for instructions as to where to out. The Roman Catholics of Timaru have presented Mr Moss Jonas with a very h ind some marble clock, as a memento of their appreciation of the many acts of generosity to them, and especially m recognition of his kindness m respect of the late successful bazaar. The Geraldine County Council are experi menting m local government by appointing a committee, to be elected from ratepayers interested, to look after the water races. Mr Talbot, who moved the resolution, urged that as the ratepayers found the money they should have a voice m administering it. The committee's duty will be to advise, not control, j The Railway Commissioners having found a bye-law-made on December last relatiye to animals trespassing on the line?, with a penalty of not exceeding £10, insufficient to meet their requirements, have amended the bye-law rendering the animals trespassing liable to impounding, and the owners to be fined m ajl«lilJf^-Hthidi-JDuuK_liKaJaj^ii^ -*»*o»»if-\y come m force. Thomas Dunn, an employee of Mr J. Douglas, at Waihao Downs, was accidentally drowned while bathing on Sunday evening last. It appears that the mailboy and deceased were bathing, and that Dunn, getting beyond his depth, sank. The boy immediately ran to the station and gave the alarm. A boat was borrowed and launched, and the body was soon recovered. The deceased was 18 years of age. An inquest was held and a verdict of accidentally drowned returned. The. Rev Abbe Plinguet, euro of Isle dv Pads, m Lower Canada, who has just died, was the son of a French Canadian farmer, who had no less than thirty-five children. This record it would be hard to beat outside Mormondom, or other polygamous countries. Mr Pliuguet's first wife brought him twenty-seven, and his second brought him eight. One of the first family reached the age of ninety-four, and the Abbe", who was the eldest of the second family, was eighty-one. Only one of the whole number now survives, an official of the Montreal Court-house. He is the youngest of all, No. 35, and has reached the age of seventy-two. A meeting of the Committee of the Ashburton Amateur Swimming Club was held last night m Mr Alfred Harrison's rooms. There were nine members present, and Mr Harrison presided. The following gentlemen were elected members of the c l llo —Messrs W. H. Webber, J, Patterson, Douglas, Moritz Friedlander, G. Culver house, Gfio. F. Dodds, H. Luxford, R. Felton, H. Curtis, H. Olsen, H. J. Tirn mins, Clowes, and Masters David, Otto, Joseph, and Arthur Friedlander. Mr A. Black was admitted an honorary member. It was decided to apply to the Mew Zealand Amateur Swimming Association at Auckland to have the qiurter-mile crampiorship competed for on tie Ashburton water. Boys' races were arranged for as follows:-—To be swum m January, boys under fifteen years, 75 yards' handicap; to be swum m February, boys under thirteen years, 60 yards' handicap, and Under eleven years, 50 yards' handicap—all three for trophies. Sketch plans of proposed rooms at the baths were submitted, and adopted by the meeting. It was decided to obtain properly prepared specifications, to to submit these and the plans to the Domain Board for approval, aud to advertise for tenders for the prection of the rooms as soon as possible, so that the work may be proceeded with without delay. A sub-comtnittee was appointed to arrange for the forms fc on of a Ladies' Club. A full rehearsal of the kinderspiel " The Flowers of the Forest," which is to be pre sented m the Oddfellows' Hall on Friday evening by the pupils of the Hainpstead school, took place on Tuesday evening, Mr Gamble wielding the conductor's baton and Sliss Slrirtcliffe, upon whom has fallen the bulk of the fahour of training the children, exercising a general supervision. The nwtf of this little play, for it can hardly be described as a " plot," is very simple. Twp boys, Jack Sprat and Tim Tucker, as a holiday diversion, arrange a fete I'hampctrr, wljich 'their friends attended m masquaratle,, personating well/known characters—such as Uncle Ned, Tom Thutyjb,, John Gilpin, Tarn o' Shanter, Jeannie Deans, Blatkeytkl Susan, the Collen Bwn, etc., etc., while four little gue3ss, attend iiiog, being introduced by Wandering Willie, an itinerant musician. Th;?se arc "the flowers of the Forest," the search tun, a;?d final discovery and identifi cation of whom m four well-known pets; of tho village, form tiie action of the p'ece. This slender thread of plot, however, serves for the stringing together of a nu.m- W «f excellent airs and choruses, arranged m sweut Jurmony notation, which are taken very creditably' itt4,eed' by the y°un« I )er: formers, some of the soloists possessing good voices and using them m a manner which does great erodit.to their wstractora.and the chofus pieces generally are capita). There is sure to be a crowded'- house on Friday, and we feel sjirc that the children's patrons, on that occasion will .not ;be disappujntpd. Tllie concert will "be enjoyed without annoyance, as tiie Committee ftave made to keep ati'jofc order at tljs back of haW, > where unruly boy- 1? JiWe l»aJe aiafcurVaijws at previous concert!!.

To-morrow is the last day on which the Property-tax can be paid without the impo sition of ten per cent Hue. Last Saturday Mr A. H. Shury landed from the Ashburton river a large silver eel weighing no les3 than 181bs. It has baen decided, chiefly to the prevalence of influenza, to postpone the Garden Party m connection with St Stephens Church to Wednesday January 13. We find the following good news for farmers amongst other very interesting •nfonnation contributed to the " Lyttelton Times " by Mr Thomas Rowe, who has just returned from a visit to the Old Country : — Mr Rowe arrived m England at the end of May, when the crops were just about ready for harvesting, but the weather was so continuously wet and the corn so much laid and damaged that large areas were totally unfit for cutting and had to be fed off. Mr Rowe says that the prospect for the sals of New Zealand wheat m Eng land was never so bright as it now is ; and, as large quantities of oats were, discolored and m many cases sprouted, he is of opinion that it would p*y to export oats to England,from t'>e Colony. On Friday last six anutcur fishermen having been unsuccessful m anglingfor trout m Milford lagoon, tried -for kawhai, but j weie equally unsuccessful. .They th'm tried , for sharks, arid m the course of the after noon hooked no less than 130 of all sizes, some measuring quite five f^et. Oh opening < the sharks their maws were found to be full , of.kawhai, trout, and other fish. The sharks had evidently been lying m wait ;>t the mouth of the lagoon for the small fish, and perhaps the absence of trout from the Opihi ibis year may be thus accounted for. On Saturday last four Maori women caught m a stream near Teinuka a large number of eels, three of which measured aiid weighed re spectively—4£ feet, 16 inches gitth, and 22lbs weight; i feet long, 151bs weight; and 4 feet long, 13lbs; Certainly the Most Effective MEDICIN E m the world is SANDER and SONS EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent powerful effects m Coughs, Colds, Influenza, etc.; the relief is instantaneous. Thousands gave the most gratifying testimony. Read this certificate:—" 24th April, 1885 — Messrs Sander and Sons, —It is with the greatest of pleasure that I testify to the excellence of your Eucalypti Extract. Having had inflammation of the bone of the eg, which came on after a severe attack of ow fever, I was attended by Dr J. Boyd^ who had made strenuous efforts to save niy leg, but without success. He found it necessary to amputate my limb. Having hdard m the meantime of the wonderful cures worked by the fcucalypti Extract, I'obtained a bottle, and the extract had not been applied more than an hour when I began to feel greatly relieved. After applying the extract every four hcursfor nine or ten days it was out of all danger. I would persiu.de al who may be effected with any such disease to give the Eucalypti Extract a trial, and I am convinced that they nail find it the most wonderful of medicines.: —Yoms, etc., E. ■J l; Cuknow,: Wattle street, Said hurst. —(Advt 5 If you want your Christinas Cakes to be a success use ''Caii't Bo Beat Baking Powdor," acknowledged by all to be the best. Leading grocers sell it m 6d, is aid 2s tins.

The Midland Railway.

The General Manager and Land Manager of the New Zealand Midland Railway Company, m his full report to the directors, states that the results of the land sales have fully realised the anti cipations presented to ihe Directors by their agents. Sales to tho extent of 298,193 acres have been made, and 16,060 acres are let on lease, wi'Ji option of purchase, at rents bringing m about five per cent on the upset value. The con tract valuation of the lands earned by the Company and sold is £183,168, the amount receivable by the Company is £204,115, and the upsec value of the leased lands is £26,595 on the contrtet valuation of £18,355. Of the former sum a considerable portion has already been received m cash, the balance being secured by mortgage over th'j whole, payable within three to five years from the present time and bearing iiit jrest afc tlifi-J^at*-*** -»* p«rcentr. per aiinmn. "With a view to the development of the timber trade, the Company has erected drying sheds for seasoning timber, and has made certain contracts with s iwmillera. The Company's agent m Australia reports favorably of the prospect of a trade with these colonies. The gross receipts for the year ending June 20, 1891, on the 19 miles then open amount to £9144 2s Id, and the working expenses to £5143 6s, leaving a not. re venue of £4000 16s Id. The Directors consider this satisfactory. It is expßcted that the line will be open to Reefton (the gold mining centre of the South Island, |40 miles), m December noxt, when a | large increase of traffic is anticipated. The I line is also being pushed forward towards Jackson's, on the Christchurch coach road (32 miles from the junction at Brunner ton), and, when Ibis sectioa is opened, a large portion of the east and west traffic should be secured.—" European Mail."

The Missing Archduke.

An extraordinary tale regarding the missing Archduke Salvator, alias John Orth, appeared m a Par is paper recently. It stated that when m June 1890, the Santa Msrgherita dropped anchor at Kn senada, near Buenos Ayres, a lady came on board .accompanied by a servant. i, neither of these left the ship. They were / the wife of the captain and her maid from Vienna, Two days later John Orth dis, charge 1 the* greater part of his crew and replaced them by Spaniards. He had taken on boar;! a considerable quantity of paint ; he sailed from the port, but when well out afc sea, he repainted his ship, changed her name so as to render her un recognisable, and then put into a port be long:ng to the Congres?ionali,sts, where he was exceedingly well received, because they were m want of officers, and also be cause he brought them a number of Mann* licher rifles. This secret was very well kept, and John Orth, after assuming another name was supposed tc be dead. Eight days ago a young Chilian arrived at Vienna, and pub up at the hotel Era Kai serthal, where he inscribed his name as' Garcius Marios. He immediately pro ceeded to the Hofburg were lie was at once received by the Emperor, with whom he remained closeted for over an hour. This caused a great de.il of astonish ment at the Court. Some hours after his interview with the Emperor the young Chilian leffc Vienna and started back for , Valparaiso. At Vienna it is firmly be lieved that John Orth is living and will shortly reappear.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

(l'Blt PIIKSS ASSOCIATION.) The 3««w Factory Act. Wellington, December 9. The Factory Act passed List session comes into operation on January 1. The only .salaried officers under the Act will be m the centres ; they will have the general supervision of its operations. In other places the administration of the Act, which will be enforced' gradually, will l)e m charge of a civil servant or police officer, as at present. | Kilt* ll«v«"iiti«\ The revßnue under the Property Tax is coming m well, but the amount will not be known for a day or two, as to-morrow is the last day on which the Tax may be paid without the imposition of ten per i cent fine. I Dlvorr», 11 the Divorce Court to-lay^d ie e•• was made absolute m the case ot Dimes v. , Dimes, husband's petition. In the case Bradley v. Bradley, former residents of JTelson, m which the wife petitioned for divorce on the grounds of adultery and d it3rtion, dec § nisi was granted.

T.eas free from any excess of astringency South British rfoi Qytyyatuyia p^re*h)f»wdß 'tuwjfwpw*

ROAD BOARDS.

LONGBEACH.

The monthly meeting of the Longbeach Road Wiis hold on Tuesday. Present.— Messrs Grigg,. (Chairman) Wilson, and Oroy. CORRESPONDENCE. Gate at cottages. —From the occupiers of the cottages on Reserve 1444 asking the Board to erect a gate. The Surveyors wore instructed to have the work done. SUBVEYOBS' KEPORT. The Surveyors' report was read as fol lows :— Graham's Road.—The shingling of part of this road from Ash ton toTinwald Town District has been completed. Shepherd's Road. —The shingling of part of Shep herd's Road is also finished. Boundary j Road.—The contractors making up the track on Boundary Road, have nearly com pleted the works. The culvert m this road opposite Mr Mauson's gate has broken m. V^'e, would, recommend that 12-inch pipes be pub across fche road m place of a wooden culvert. Sides of Roads. —We have arranged with a contractor to com plete the ploughing out of the sides of road 3 where occupiers of land have lef t the same man unfinished state. Griffith's Road.—The formation of part of this road is being proceeded j.with. Tenders. — Tenders have been called for making track on part of McLenan's Road ; taking up bridge and making ford opposite R.S. 17401 Boundary Road ; and making outlet through R.S. 8419 below the work lately carried out on the Boundary Road. The tenders will be laid before you to-day. Maintenance,—The maintenance nun's diary lies on the table for your inspec tion, i : i TENDERS. Tenders were opened for works advert tised and the following accepted.—Taking up bridge and making ford on Boundary Road—H. Hooper; making outlet through Mr Haulings's paddock—H. Hooper. No tender was accepted for making track on McLenan's Road, as the Board con sidered the tenders too high. Tile Sur veyors were instructed to see the Manager of Ohatmps on the subject. : ACCOUNTS. After passing accounts the Board ad journed.

WAKANUI.

The monthly meeting of the Wakanui Road Board was held on Saturday. Pre sent —Messrs Bruce (chairman), : Coe, Johnston, Leadley, and Megso.i. • CORRESPONDENCE. Poisoned Grain. —From Mr F. Powell, forwarding two bushelsi of grain. Cul vert across Railway line. —From the Upper Ashburton Road Board forwarding accounts for half cost of a culvert across the Railway line at Dromore. Jfc was re solved to refer the Upper Ashburton Board to a letter from this Board m answer to a previous application, and tc st'-ite that the funds of the Board cannot legally be expended on the work. Valua tion of Property.—From Mr R. Mulligan complaining of the high valuation of pro perty recently purchased by him. Reply that the Board recognises the injustice of the valuation but cannot legally inter fere. Gorse on Road.—From the same, ■■ calling the Board's attention to gor.se growing on road fronting' R.S. 23680. The clerk to ascertain if the road had been dedicated to the Board. surveyors' report. The Surveyors' report was read as follows :—Road through R.S. 4844.—We have inspected the road running thrbugh Lot 34, and find that the track is very much worn down and the crown of th? road will require picking up before any shingle is put on. as at present the whole width is very fLtt. The coat we estimate at: about 3s per chain. Wakanui Township road.—The " foundation of part of this road is just finished. Ls Breton's road. .—iWe believe the contractor has made a start with fcho forn.^g-wfuho-io-^^-aiMi fi Le Breton's road. . ? CONTRACTS. It was resolved that m future any con tracts let must be commenced within 14 days from the date of acceptance or the contractor shall forfeit his deposits. The Surveyors were instructed t;o have the formation of Le Breton's road carried out if the contractor for the work has not com menced the work. ACCOUNTS. After passing accounts the Board ad journed.

Harvester Trial.

THE PLANO.

A t.ial of the PJano reaper and binder, an American machine newly introduced to this district, was held yesterday after noon m a paddock of oats belonging to Mr A. W. Randell, Allenfcon. The crop was exceptionally heivy, and very much on the green side, with a heavy under growth of grass and clover. Only two horses" were used, a handsome pair belonging to Mr Samuel Hume, con tractor ; but notwithstanding the weight of the crop and the exceedingly hot weather the team showed no signs of distress, although they were kept well up to their work s ar,d allowed no stoppages except to change drivers, which was done pretty frequently, as a good number of visitors had a turn at the reins. In one : cisc a boy of eight took the machine round the piddock. The Piano worked admirably throughout. The knotting gear, which is very simple, as indeed is the construction of the machine throughout, ran very smoothly, and never once made a mistake, and the sheaves were laid down m perfect order. The fan has a long ptretch of adjustability, and can be brought back almost to the seat of the driver or placed far forward m front of the knives if need be, to suit any kind of crop. The raisins; find lower ing gear is perfect and well within reach of the driver so that the height of stubble can be altered at a moment's notice Generally the work clone was satisfactory to the visitors, of whom there were a good many present. So satisfactory indeed that no loss than four machines were sold on the ground—Mr David Fephuey. of Eiflfelton, being the first buyer. The machine m use was a Oft Gin cut, and all steel, and its general get-up is such as to convey an idea of great durability to the onlooker. Doubt less, with the heavy crops promising this year, the Piano will meet with consider able favor. The makers are a Chicago Company, and the Ashburton agents are Messrs Moss and Restell.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN

[per press association.

THE ROYAL BETROTHAL.

London, December 7. Princess Victoria of Teck on return ing to London received a warm public greeting. The Queen visited Marl borough House to congratulate the young people. The interval before the marriage takes place will only be a short one. Commenting on the engagement of the Duke of Clarence to the Princess Victoria of Teck, the "Times" ex presses a hope that the Queen will be able to lay her hand on the head of a child who will wear the Crown of Eng land to the fourth descent from herself. GRADUATED TAXATION. In the course of an address Mr Morley said that he was an adherent of a graduated system of taxation, on the basis of ©duality. THE LONDON SOCIALISTS. The Socialistic and Democratic Federation have passed a resolution, condemning the action of the police m dispersing the meeting of Socialists at Chelsea. It was also decided to con tinue the exercise of free speech, to maintain the families of the men who have been convicted on charges of ob struction df a lawful assembly, and to petition for the removal of Sir P. 11. ! Edlin, Chairman of Quarter Sessions, before whom the men were tried. Further arrests are being made m connection with the Chelsea meeting. AUSTRALIAN FINANCES. The " Times " suggests that Austra lia should create a.local public debt. The " Financial Times " advocates the same step. The Scottish deposits m the Standard Bank amount to ,££oo,ooo, the holders being chiefly residents of Edinburgh and Glasgow. The London directors profess the utmost confidence m the i stability of the institution, and have received many assurances of support both from depositors and shareholders. BRITISH TRADE. The imports during the month have increased by £7,600,000, and the ex ports have decreased £2,250,000. The increase of imports is chiefly m grain. THE COMMERCIAL TRIPLE ALLIANCE. ' London, December 8. The commercial treaties entered into by the countries of the Triple Alliance will effect a reduction m corn duties. America, Canada and India will benefit by protection being modified, and Eng lish business m the German markets will probably increase. THE RUSSIAN FAMINE. The Farmers' Clubs of the United Kingdom are forming a federation to protect themselves against the demands of the laborers. St. Petersburg, December 8. An Imperial lottery of fi,000,000 roubles has been started for the relief of the famine.

THE TROUBLES IN CHINA.

Hong Kong, December 7. A battle lias taken place at Chun' kiang between the Government troops and the insurgents. The former were '45b0 strong, and the latter 3000. Affcfir a. stuVboi-xT- :<£iglrtj -felic xixattTgcn-ta were defeated with 1100 killed. During the recent outbreak the occu pants of orphanages were not spared, and their bodies wore devoured by pariah dogs.

AUSTRALIAN.

NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS. Sydney, December 8. Mr Reid, the leader of fie Opposi tion, moved a resolution of "want of confidence" to-night, m a lengthy speech. He asserted that he would stake the whole of his political life m the future m the endeavour to obtain the imposition of a land tax. He would consider himself disgraced if he occupied office for a year without in troducing a tax which would reach those who locked up the land. The fiscal question would be satisfactorily settled only by a plebiscite. If pro tection were arrived at by such means he would be prepared for it. Sir Henry Parkes, by interruptions during the speech, gave evidence of the exist ence of a certain amount of bad feeling between himself and Mr Reid,

INTERPROVINGIAL

Wellington, December 8. In his sworn statement Mr T. Kennedy Macdonald attributes his failure to the pressure of Mr Thomas Bell, liquidator of the firm of Holmes and Bell, merchants, Blenheim, who filed a petition m the Supreme Court to have him declared a' bankrupt. He declared that had it not been for Mr Bell's action, he would have been able to arrange for the payment of all his liabilities. The first meeting of creditors m the estate was held this afternoon. Mr Skerritt, who appeared for Mr Bell, said that it was absolutely untrue that Messrs Holmes and Bell were the cause of the bankruptcy. The following resolution was carried :—" That the creditors at this their Srst meeting desire to express sympathy with Mr Macdonald m the circumstances which haye forced him into bankruptcy, and recommend to the favorable consideration of the Court his application for immediate discharge." Mr Skerritt opposed the resolution on the ground that a man m Mr Macdonald's position m the city, should not be allowed to get his discharge until a full investigation had been made into his affairs. He said this m kindness to the debtor himself, and did not for one moment impute that there was anything m his affairs that would not bear full investigation. A woman named Martha Cole was brought before the Chief Justice to-day. She had been convicted m Wanganui m October last on a charge of bigamy, and admitted to six months' probation, one of the conditions of her release being that the probation officer should have control of her movements should she leave the place where she luvd fouiid an, asylum. Those who took charge of the woman having threatened to turn her out of doors unless she was taken off their hands, the probation officer took charge of her and brought her before His Honour. Ulti mately she was discharged from custody, and will be sent to Palmerston North where she has friends. It is stated that the Solicitor-General has given an opinion that the provisions of the Public Revenues Act do not apply to the Public Trust Office m regard to pre-audit and control. The Public Trustee will, therefore, \n future be free to manage, his own department without interference,' arid the functions of the AucljfcQr.G6n.eraJ and, bis officers jn relit-

tion to the; Trust OiKce will be limited to] an ordinary post audit of the accounts m accordance with regulations to be pre sented. Mr W. H. Levin's promised donation of £1000 to the fund for purchasing books for the free library has been paid to the city treasurer. The foundation stone of the building is to be laid on the 16ih 'iistnnt. The R.M.S. Doric left. Bio on the 6th instant ■■■•for London, with her. cargo of frozen meat m good condition. , The prospectus of roller Hour mills, to be established m Wellington, has beet) issued, with a capital of £20,000 m £10 shares. The remains of the late Lieutenant- Oolonel Butts were buried this afternoon with military honours, all volunteer com panies, as well as the Permanent Artillery and Torpedo Corps being represented. i Dunkdin, December 8. John Robertson, who sustained severe injuries on the 19th November, m his i claim at Allan's Gully, by a fall of earth, has died m the hospital from tne effects. He was 55 years of a«e, and said to be possessed of considerable property. The mines being worked at Nenthorne appear to be yielding satisfactorily. The lust crushing, from the Croe3us claim yielded 72ozs, making 1370zs for five weeks.

BOROUGH COUNCIL

The fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held last night. Present—Messrs D. Thomas, Bird, Paul, Jones and Orr. An apology was read from the Mayor who was suffering from influenza. Cr. Thomas was elected interim chair man. FINANCE. The Mayor reported the debit balance i at the bank as standing at £948 19s 4d, ' and the income from ail sources since last meeting had been £54 5s Id. RESERVES. The application of Mr W. Morken for a yearly lease of reserve 636 from year to year at £1 per annum was granted. Mr W. Perks .applied for information as ! terms of lease cf the old fire brigade station. The information was ordered to be supplied. Several other letters m regard to re serves were read and referred to the proper committee, CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. The Secretary applied for the use of the Domain as a sports ground on Boxing Day on the usual conditions, and enclosed a cheque for £10. The application was granted, subject to the usual conditions as to advertising. HIS EXCELLENCY. A telegram from his Excellency the Governor was read acknowledging the Council's expression of regret at his re signation and of their high opinion of his discharge of the duties of Governor during his term of office. engineers' report. The Engineers' report was read as fol lows:— Mr G. P. Milsom's application for repairs to fence around reserve 1689, etc. —The Works Committee have visited this reserve and find that the outer fence re quires renewing. The cost of making this fence good with posts and stakes would be from £8 to £10, provided'the old posts" still sound are used. : Your Committee would recommend that these repairs be done, as well as the erecting of a dividing fence between this reserve and T.S. 720 on the terms suggested by Mr Milsom ex cept with regard to the live fence. Water Cart.—The driver of the water cart has been directed, to extend the watering of streets as far as practicable, Moore street to be included. Cr. Jones' motion re grass m Cameron sfreot, -The Work' Committee found thac UiL was a very small matter, and it was authorised to be done. Library windows,—-Tha WWko Oot«-j -nilttee recommend that the windows of the library and Town Clerk's office be re frested and the lettering repainted. Site for depositing rubbish.—Your j Committee ask for an extension of time to report on this matter. Labor gang.—The men have been en gaged m watering streets, carting soil to sections and clay to the Domain track, cleaning side channels, attending to the water supply and maintenance work.: The matter of Mr Milsom's reserve was held over until next meeting. Tile rest of the report was adopted. MISCELLANEOUS. The custodian of the fire brigade re ported the plant m good condition. The Inspector of Nuisances reported having the influenza and apologised for sending m no report. The Chairman said the water would be laid on to the cricket ground within the week. It was uncierstood"«that any person wanting grass could cut it from the sports ground m the domain if they wished, sub ject to the Engineer's direction. The Chairman was authoused to obtain a supply of dog collars for the. year. LICENSES. •" .  Petroleum licenses .-'were granted to Messrs J. McGregor, H, M. Carson, and Moss and Restell, and a public building license to St Stephen's Schoolroom. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £80 were passed for payment. DOMAIN BOARD. ~The" Council then s*t as a D«tnain Board, and some minor business having been transacted the meeting adjourned.

School Committees.

HAMPSTEAD.

( The monthly meeting of the Hampsfcead School Committee was held last evening. Present •— Messrs Crooks (chairman), Andrews, Meaclem, Bisset, Sage, and Pickford, The head master's report stated that the number on the roll was : Boys 214, girls 165, total 379 ; average attendance, boys 151, girls 109, total 260 ; highest attendance, boys, 178, girls 130, total 308. The low average attendance was attributable to the epidemic of influenza. Attention was called to some repairs which were required to some of the school buildings, and to the dilapidated state of the shed at the masters house.—The | report was received, and it was agreed to endeavor to have something done to the shed before winter. Correspondence was read from the Hampstead Town Board fas the local Board of Health) requesting the Com mittee to take into consideration the construction of a concrete tank, to be pumped out periodically, as the means of disposing of the drainage which was complained of as a nuisance.—lt was j decided to forward the correspondence to j the Board of Education, as the work wouU have to be done by that body. The Board of Education fQrwaraoda copy of the amended School Committees Election Act. The question of forming asphalt paths m the grounds was considered. The cost was estimated at £17125, and it was decided to apply to the Board of Educa tion to bear part of the cost, the works to be proceeded with during the holidays. Accounts amounting to £5 6s were passed for payment. It was decided that the school should-i break up for the Christmas holidays on Wednesday, December 23, and yeumfte on Monday, January 25. ■ - . Messrs Ai;tlreW* and Bisset were ap pointed a Visiting Committee for the en suing month. Arrangements for the children^ concert on Friday evening were compjet^d' audf the Cqinjnitt^e aajQup^,

ELGIN SCHOOL.

The u-iual monthly meeting of the Elgin j Subool Committee was held on Monday evening last, December 7. Present — Messrs Hoatten (chairman), Cochrane, Williamson, Letham, 83ott, Kennedy, and Dwyer. i The Master reported that the average attendance for last month wa.i 48, and mentioned some articlesi required for school use. The Committee decided to obtain them, and to give holidays from December 15 to 21. The Master to keep .school open if there are any children present and to have use of shed when not required by Com mittee. They also decided to write to parents of irregular attendees, asking them to send children as often to school as they can. It was resolved to give a treat and dis tribute the prizes on December 24, Messrs Hoatten, Letham, and Hunnibell to select ! suitable books. Accounts tp the amount of ±!16s 9d and salaries £13 18s 4.d were passed for pay ment, and the Committee adjourned.

CHERTSEY.

The following is the Inspector's report Jbn the above school, which was examined on November 5 :—

Staff and distribution. —Headmaster,. Mr D. T. Todd-^S. 11. and VII. Pupil teacher, 4th year—Miss IsabelU M. Todd. P. and S.I. GENERAL REMARKS. There are several features of consider able merit m this school. The work of the Preparatory classes and of Standards I. and 11. is excellent m all respects. The grammar and composition of S. IV, are good, and the arithmetic of S. V. is above the average. The geography was. however, not so goad, the sketch -maps being very poor. . The reading through out the school is accurate, but sridly wanting m expression. The other sub jects were satisfactory. J. G. Lawrence Scott, Acting Inspector.

A Clever Impostor.

Some new light was thrown upon the strange career of Sylvester Dennis Egan, the inventor of aso called motor, during the hearing of a civil case m the Welling ton liesirlent MasuGtrofce'aOourt a few days ago. The " New Zealand Times" gives a long account of his career m Wellington, from which it appears that he. married m England a boardinghouse-keeper with £500, who accompanied him to Welling ton. After a term m gaol, Mr Egan sud denly burst upon the public as the inven lor of a torpedo boat motor. He succeeded m selling his boat to four separate and distinct individuals for good round sums, and disposed of imaginary shares to many young fellows about town for £5 and £10. Having called m the police on a certain occasion, Egan was recognised by Detec tive Chrystal, who informed the gentleman who was backing him up while budding his boat, with whom he was dealing, and an attempt was made to seize the"craft. Egan threatened to blow out the brains of the intruders, and eventually managed to remove the boat. After Egan had duped several others, Mr.T.-K. Mac Donald fell into his toils and formed * syndicate to push Egan's invention m England. It was about this time that telegrams were flying about all over the colony regarding a successful trial of the motor, m the pre sence; of Sir W. Jervois mid Admiral Fairfax. Mr Egan was shipped Home as an engineer on the Ruapehu to bring; his mocor before the Admiralty, taking his in vention with him. The London customs authoritiesdesired tdmakeanihspfecfcibu be. fore the case was landed, butthefertileEgaii .threatened*, to shoot any person prying into his great and invaluable secret. He was so earnest that the officials gave him time to procure an official authority from the Admiralty to pass the invention with out opening the case. Egan succeeded m procuring the order, but made quite a different use of it, as by showing it a pleasing verisimilitude was given to his story about being m treaty with the Admiralty for its purchase, and by its means he gained interviews with, and no doubt victimised, eminent persons. The Wellington syndicate were so dazzled with the splendid prospects depicted by Egan that one member declined £500 iifct for an eighth and then for a tenth share. Meanwhile Egan, through the Matri monial Mews, captured a wife with a,_dot of £400, representing himself as owner of a gold mine m New Zealand from which he received prinooly dividends. On the i plea that the Czar was willing to give £100,000 for the right to the invention, he spent a pleasant honeymoon on the Continent. His wife on returning to England learned that he had another wife m New Zealand, and prosecuted him for bigamy, but he got off from lack of evidence from this colony. Nothing daunted, Egan married again, was again prosecuted for bigamy, and on thU occasion it is believed was convicted and sentenced. The castles m. Spain reared upon the prospective success of the wonderfi?,l ; mHtor have vanished^ into thin air, and many a one m Wellington —some of them few would ever suspect of having been victimised—are co^iderably the poorer for making his acquaintance.

POLITICAL.

(iSjft PI\ESS ASSOCIATION.) Wellington, December 8. Mr Jellicoe had a long Interview with Ministers this morning on the subject of the vacant seat for which he is a candidate. They were unable to pursuade hyn ta with draw, and this evening- the town is| placarded with hi* p,osiers. fie wrote to the Trades and Labor Oonncil, offering frc I liiace himself m their.hands, if Mr McLean would do the same, but nothing can^e of i it, though it is understock that the | Unionists are willing $0, twcepjt him as a labor caudidate next el«i^tion if ho will wjfchc>raf, ' .. ' %Bi{ce who is a, jntUUt^n, declares himself a Government supporter, but his Wovtotnrs i? f^^k«n sevivualy. The

gwreral impression is that if Mr •Mlicoe persists m fighting tho election Mr Ball will easily get m. Wellington, December 9. At the request of the Trades and Labor Council Mr .I ellicoe has withdrawn from his candidature for the Wellington seat, stating that he fully recognised that the contest should be fought on party lines. Wkstjpokt, December 8. The Minister of Public Works arrived yesterday by the Graf ton, and conferred with the Harbor Beard at noon to-day. The special business of the meeting was connected with the appointment of an engineer to the Board, which was settled satisfactorily. In the course of his re marks the Minister urged strict economy, and criticised the recent increases m salaries of the Board's officers. He re ferred to the jealous ey«» cast oa the Board's revenues, and said that they could not be held long except by judicions management. The Minister left by the G rafton to-day.

LATEST CABLE NEWS. HOME AND FOREIGN.

jj

DEMOCRATIC SUCCESS.

The United States democrats have elected Mr Crisp Speaker of the House of Representatives.

AQUATIC.

Alexander McLean, the British Columbia oarsman, defeated Hanlan m a sculling race at Oakland creek. The crowd who witnessed the contest declared it to be a fraud.

LABOR QUESTIONS.

London, December 8. The London Trade and Labor Council is appealing for funds to assist the printers on strike m -Berlin. A committee representing the whole of the Trades Unions of Great Britain is being formed to raise money for a similar purpose.

(Received December 9, 10.30 a.m.)

THE LATE EX-EMPEROR OF BRAZIL.

Paris, December 5. The French Government will accord the late Dem Pedro a funeral befitting the rank of a sovereign.

THE COMMERCIAL TREATIES.

Berlin, December 8. The Great Powers will ratify the commercial treaties formed by the countries oft the Triple Alliance. Prince Bismarck says that the system of 'protection adopted by Germany is virtually a reduction on all articles of import, including wheat, oats and wine. Brussels. December 3. The Belgian Government has con cluded a commercial treaty with the countries of the Triple Alliance. ■

A SPANISH LOAN.

Madrid, December 8. Arrangements for floating a Spanish Wn of two hundred and fifty million pesetas have beeu concluded.

MURDER AND SUICIDE.

The French vice-Consul at San Sebastian, on the north coast, murdered the Consul General, and afterwards committed suicide.

(Received December 9, 10.40 a.m.)

THE MONEY MARKET.

London, December 8. It is expected that the bank rate of discount will be reduced on Thursday^

CONVALESCENT.

The Duke of Devonshire has re covered from his recent severe illness*

THE REVIVALIST MOVEMENT.

The Rev. Mr McNeil, of Regent Square Presbyterian Church, London, will shortly resign and join. Moody and Sankey m Scotland.

THE UNIVERSITIES' JURIS DICTION.

An application for a writ of Habeas Corpus has been made m the case of the young woman sentenced to four teen days' imprisonment by the Cam bridge University authorities for being found m company with an undergradt cate.

HOME POLITICS.

The Marquis of Salisbury denies the statement that there will be ait early dissolution of Parliament.

THE ROYAL BETROTHAL.

The Emperor of Germany^ Empress Frederick, the Czar, and the Lord. Mayor of London have sent cohgratu. lations to the Duke of Clarence on his engagement. The announcement that the betrothal will be brief is received with much gratification by the British people.

STORMS, WRECKS, AND LOSS OF LIFE.

Severe gales have been experienced along the southern coast of England,, and several wrecks, attended with loss! of life, are reported. Anxiety is felt, for the safety of the jN>ver—Calais steamer Victoria^

(Reooived December 9, 10.45 a.m.)

CHURCH APPOINTMENT.

London, December 8. The Rev Mr Fisher, Congregational minister at Sutton, has accepted the charge of the Congregational eJrarch ab Port Chalmers. :

COUNT GLEICHEN'S ILLNESS.

Count Gleichen, Governor and Con stable of Windsor Castle, who is suffer ing from typhoid fever and cancer, is still m a very serious condition.

OBITUARY.

The death is announced of Mr "W. Balestier, who was collaborating with Mr Rudyard Kipling m the production of a novel entitled " The Kaulakhoe, or East and West,"

ANTARCTIC EXLORATION.

The offer of Baron Oscar Dixon, a well known Gothenburg merchant* to provide .£IO,OOO m aido£ an Antarctic* expedition, on the condition' tltat the ■Australian colonies subscribed) .£5000,. lapses at the end of the present year.. In commenting o^ fas matter "The

THE ASMBTJUTON GUARDIAN: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1891.



>ss Subjects. :

o wo

"2 a B m

to 1

43 g . I

T3 it

I I

yrmon 13 8 12 9 12 2 11 5 9 7 8 11

Std. 7 „ 6 „ 5 „ 4 „ 3 n 2 » 1 P.

1 2 7 6 9 9 3 22

I , I

I —

—

I -

! l

1 3

-

4 1

1 4 j 6 4 8 3

~

i -

I

i i

.1 I

I ,-

Total

59 I

t i

9 J

J 26

Perci Perci

mtage of passes---4^ sntage of failures'—23.

Class Subjkcts.

Marks (Oto 100)

History ... ... 40 Geography ... ... ... .. 50 Elementary Science, Object Les sons ... :... ... .;.' 45 Percentage on class subjects—4s.

Additional Subjects.

i Marks (Oto 20)

Repetition and Recitation Drill and exercis 3 ... Singing ... ... Needlework ... Subject Matter, Reading Lessons...

13 !■■ :14 14 12

Additional Marks

68



Holloway's Pills. —Weakening weather —The sultry summer days strain the nerves of the feeble and decrepid, and disease may eventuate unless some restorative, such as these purifying pills, be found to correct the disordered tendency. Hclloway's medicine gives potency to the nervous system, which is the source of all vital movements, and pre sides over every action which maintains the growth and well-being of j?'.ie body. N ]one can over-estimate the necessity of keeping (lie nerves well strung, or tlip qase with which these pills acconi[>li*h that end. They are the mc-Ft unfailing antidotes to indiges tion, irregular circulation, palpitation, sick headache, and costiveness, ami have there fore attained the largest sale and ighe t reputation " Keatino's Powdkk," destroys Bugs Fleas, Moths, Beetles, and all other insects, whilst quite harmless to domestic aniiriala. In exterminating Beetles the success of this powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly clean m application. See the article you mirehasse is " Kkatimj's," as imitations are oxious and ineffectual. Said m Tins,6 d, i Is and 2s (id each, hv all chemists. Countess 2s, Duchess 2s 4d, Princeas 2s $d ? impress 3s. These Teas are free.frofn



Public Notices ■JPW ANNUAL YCHJUMBS] NEW BOOKS for PRIZES and PRESENTATION. FANCY GO OD S, ptr. L. F. ANDREW-ES and CO. ~WATERTON LIBRARY~HALL. T'TE NEW HALL will be opened on FRIDAY Evening, December 18, with n CONOWRT & BALL. Ashburton Talent at the Concert Concert Tickets, Is ; Ball Tickets, 3s 6d : Ladies, free. Refreshments provided. ISAAC READ, 12 48 Secretaiy.



Wanted __ CASH Advertisement under ch:s heading not exceeding SIXTEEN AVORDS 1/-. Addresses may be ' U>ft at fchisi Office. - WANTED, a good Wheelwright cr Carpenter. Apply P. & D- Duncan, Wills Street, Ashhu'-ton. 12 50 "j\r OTHtNG will Cool yto so quickly and 4-Y invigorate the system sj much as Ice Cream —H. G. Flower, Confectioner, East Street. WANTED Known—A special line of Cashmeres, all shades, now *U1 ng at Is uer yard. White Blankets 5s lid per pair.—H, C. Skgkrs, Melford House. . WANTED Known — Being over stocked m Cor-ets, we have re cuced every pair. Ladies fi-nn Is 6tl Cheapest house m town.—-H. C. Sjkgebs, Melford House. W~~~''XsfKffKN(ywW,~n special loto f Hearth Rugs at Is lid, 2d 6d and 2s lid ; worth about double. W. H. Collier. : "\ LL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to £\. measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed ; from 50s cash. Roberi Ax-corn, Ashburton Clothing Murl, , Saahders'Buildings. ___________ W" ANTED Known-^That you will make no mistake for quality and 'variety m English, Colonial, and his highly reputed make by calling at J. Moison. During coming holidays dis- i count for Cash." Repairs done at once. I A staff of men always kept r and best j material and workmanship guaranteed. SHEEP SHEARS. Having secured a 5 Stock of the celebrated 8\8.A., and m there are very few m the Colony, Shearers are requested to call early.— Robert Alcorn, Saunders' Buildings. WANTED, a sixth standard Boy, as Apprentice to the printing trade. Apply Manager, " Mail " Office, between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon. WANTED Known. -At "The Corner' now selling Lad ic' French Shof s. 5s lid. See them.—W. H. Collieb, WANTED Known--A Beautiful Line of French Dress Goods, double width. Is 10|d; original value, 4s. —H. C. Seoehs, Melford House. WANTKD Known.—l have a large stoct of Tin and Ironware Goods i to select from. Register Grates, Stovos, . Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m Ptock.—J. W. Haiuvlry, East .fcreefc. ; 6J202 fpO Meet the Times.—l am (supplying X Galvanised Iron Tanks'from 30s i tlpwarda, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all descriptions. Inspection invited. — J. W. Hartley, Eas street. 6J201 WANTED Known.- ~H. Baikstdw has opened those premises m East street next J. Orr and Co., as a Furniture Warehouse. Latest designs m Vienna Chairs, and Iron Bedsteads on view. Having a good stock of well seasoned figured Rimu and Kauri, he is prepared to take orders for Furniture to any design. Inspection invited. Ilt6l MONEY TO LEND, upon Freehold security, m sums to suit bor rowers. Small amounts can be repaid hy instalments, if so desired. Apply to Mn C W. Pl'kn-ell, Solicitor, Mont gomery's Buildings. 5) 130