The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1891. PROHIBITION.

The success at Sydenham and the increased strength of their party as shewn by the polling in other licensing districts, is stimulating the Prohibi tionists not only to greater exertions in the elections that have yet to take place, but also to make demands for a wider legislative enforcement of their views. Hitherto Local Option has been the limit of their demands, but at a meeting held at Dunedin in connec tion with the licensing election there, one of the speakers, a prominent temperance worker, devoted his argu ments to demonstrating the absurdity of Local Option, and even maintained that it is wrong in principle. "If they were to have Prohibition at all it must be Prohibition for New Zealand, established by the Act of Parliament in obedience to the declared will of the people," was in effect the claim put forward, and it received the expressed approval of many of the audience. It leads to the end which all sections of the temperance party have in view, and is of course the only effectual way of preventing the sale of liquor. Whether the country will adopt the principle is another question. Cer tainly there is not a majority in favour of it at present, but the claim is before the public, and calls for the considera tion of those favourable as well as those opposed to it.

THE QUEENSLAND SHEARERS.

We were, we regret to say, too hasty in assuming a few days that the shearers now on strike at Queensland had abandoned their lawless attitude. The lawless actions^which disgraced the shearers in the early part of the agita tion have again been resorted to, and the heavy rains having made it im possible to burn the grass, the wool sheds of the pastoralists have been burned, and those in charge of them taken prisoners to the Union camp. It might have been claimed that the Shearers' Union had nothing to do with these outrages, but the language of the President of the Union, Mr W. G. Hpence, and of other labour leaders, has been such as should not have been addressed to a large body of excited and armed men. The Queensland Go vernment cannot longer refrain from putting strong repressive measures into force, and we must hope that order will soon be restored, and peaceful relations between pastoralists and shearers resumed.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Influeza hag reappeared in Oamaru. His Worship the Mayor has proclaimed Wednesday next a public half holiday for the races. Fully thirty stag 3, many of them very fine animals, lu,ve been shot in Nelson during the late stalking season. A nugget weighing 320z 7dwts has been obtained at the Baton (Nelson). There were 1384 bankruptcies in the colony during the past two years. The deepest hole ever bored into the earth is the artesian well at Potsdam, which is 5500 feet deep. The most valuable egg in the world is that of the extinct great auk, a specimen of which was sold the other day for £300. It is proposed to establish a boy's institute »fc Wellington fitted up with reading rooms, "gymnasiums, class rooms, etc. Japan's 33,000,000 acres of land support a population of 34,000,000. New Zealand's 66,000,000 acres only support only a little over half-a-million souls. The Phonograph is at present being shown in the Wairarapa, where people travel very long distances from the back country to hear this marvellous invention. A farm on the Taieri which w as subdivide 1 into eight small farms has been sold by auc tion at prices ranging from £15 12s to £27 15b per acre. According to the Wellington " Press " the Hon John Bryce has declined the position of leader cf the Opposition, which that journal says will be undertaken by the Hon Captain Russell. A parrot in Connecticut is one hundred and eighteen years old. It has been for one hundred years in one family, having decended from father to son through two or three generations. The capital of companies in England in making beer amounts to nearly eighty-three millions sterling. Dm ing the last year 79 new companies in that business were inau gurated. The London " Times " the other day in formed its reader's that " Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, has been visited by a disastrous flood. The records in the House of Parliament have been ruined." The " Woodville Examiner " says :—There is an enormous demand for stock this seasons. A gentleman trom the West Coast has bought up all the cattle he can lay his hands on at good prices. Several settlers inform us that sheep are scarcely to be had. To the north of Auckland pheasants are more numerous this season then they have been for year 3 past. In fact in many parts of the Auckland province pheasants are as much of a nuisance as the small birds are. The " Hawke's Bay Herald" facetiously remarks :••—" We have lost count of Sir Ban qucteer Seddon's subscription dinners, but we may say he has had another, and that others are projected. We may also state that the report that the other Ministers have no appetite is a false and malicious libel." The cocksfoot harvest in Akaroa Peninsula is a big thing. An estimate for this year is 36,000 sacks, or over oOOOless than last year. In 1886 the product was 57,652 saek.s Tl c same caalculator reckons there will be a shortage of 17>200 sacks, this year, as com pared with last year, for all New Zealand. The sun gives 100,000 times as much light as the full moon; 7,000,000,000 times as much as the brighest st»r in the sky, and 39,000,000 times as much as all the stars in the heavens combined ; in size, the sun equals 1,300,000, earths but owing to its smaller density its weight equals only 300,000 earths. A Berlin chemist claims to have discovered a chemical preparation which will turn a living person to marble in six minutes, the petrefaction being complete in one month alter death. You can have your choice of white, black, or mottled marble, and, if a good figure, you will be worth £500 as a piece of statuary. The following is recorded in Messrs Tangye's factory :—" A.D 1586 Pontana raised an obelisk with 40 capstans, worked by 960 men end 75 horses. A.D. 1878, Mr Dixon raised Cla^patra's Needle with four of Tangge's patent hydraulic jgeks worked by i'our men." This gives an indication of the advance made in mechauical appliance within the two periods.

The British Army costs £35,000,000 a year, l'ijj.3 is £2,000,000 more than Germany paya for the support of her stldiery. Herr Carl and Madame Nellie Hartz are to occupy the stage of the Oddfellows' Hall on race nights—Wednesrlay and Thursday next—with their mesmeric and magic enter tainment, which has been very successful in the principal towns. The Palmeraton North correspondent of the '• Catholic Times " records that a white pine tree was recently cut up at Mr Warne'* mill. Close upon 7000 feet of timber lengths totalling up to 80 feet each, were carted into the mill. One length was 85 feet to the first bough, and the timber perfectly sound throughout. Those who have read that charming and interesting story entitled "Little Lord Fauntleroy," will regret to learn that the little hero of the tale has just died. Mrs Burnett wrote the fascinating book and piiy from her oivn little son's life, and she is to be sympathised with in her sad bereavement. Preparations are being made for the annual tea meeting at Tinwald in con nection with the Presbyterian Church. The evening fixed is Thursday, 23rd, inst and the friends are busily engaged in the different departments so that a pleasant evening may be looked forward to. The te? is expected to begin at 6 o'clock in the Templar Hall. On the 25th of the current month (Satur day next) nominations will close at noon at the South Rakaia Road Board Office, of candidates for the vacancies on the Board caused by the retirement by rotation of Messrs Coster, Stringfellow, and McLean. The gentlemen named are, however, eligible for re-election. In the event of a poll being necessary it will be taken on Friday, the Ist of May, between nine a.m. and six p.m., and the polling places are—The Board's Office, Rakaia, and a booth on R.S. 30145, corner of Kyl« and Sprott's roads. A Correspondent of the Wellington "Post 1' supplies the following recipe for making tomato sauce:—3olb tomatoes, 6 large onions, £lb eschalots, 2 cloves garlic, 3 tea spoonsful chilies. Boil three hours, strain, then add: lib sugar, fib salt, 1 teaspoonful ground ginger, Cayenne pepper to taste, tea cup acetic acid, 1 bottle viaegar. Boil through and bottle. !He says: "I can most highly recommend this sauce to keep. I am now using that which I made a year ago, and it is delicious. I keep it in medium sized bottles, using paper and paste to make them air-tiaht.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

(per press association.)

liiceii«liMi-.v Firm. Palmerston North, April 18. Within the past few days no less than four fires have occurred, the circumstances of which point to incendiarism, and quire a sensation has been caused in consequence. Last night another cle*r case of attempted arson occurred, paper and sacking with tar being found uader a dwelling house. The fire was fortunately discovered in its infancy and distinguished.

The Rising in India.

(per pkbss association.)

[Received April 18, 11 a.m.] Calcutta, April 17. Serious riots are taking place at Benares, and the military have been called out to protect the banks and other public buildings from the ravages of the mobs.

IRISH AFFAIRS.

[per press association.] London, April 16. In the House of Commons Mr Maurice Healy challenged Mr Parnell to resign his seat for Cork and give the constituency an opportunity of pronouncing an opinion on the ques tion at issue between the two sections of the Irish party. The challenge was made with warmth, and Mr Healy declared that Mr Parnell was unfit to spsak in. Cork on public questions. Mr Parnell remained silent through out the attack, which has caused a pro found sensation.

New Orleans Incident.

(per press association.)

Washington, April 16. Secretary Blame, in a note to the Italian Secretary for Foreign Affairs, finally refuses to hurry the trial of the lynchers, and states that the indemnity will depend on the result of the trials. Rome, April 16. Mr Elaine's note will probably ac celerate the downfall of the Budini Ministry. Marquis Rudini, the Premier, says the New Orleans incident will not be closed until the United States Govern m3iit has explicitly declared that the lynchers will be delivered up to justice. If it is found impossible to obtain a favorable solution grave complications mpy arise, bijfcit is impossible to antici pate such a result.

"LAND IN" SIGHT."

Under the above title has just been j issued from the publishing office of Mr E. Norton-Taylor, Christchurch, a most valuable little pamphlet " about the Land Act, Land Settlement Con ditions, and the New Land Regula tions," edited by Mr W. B. Perceval, M.H.8., who, throughout his political career, has always been distinguished by his earnestness in endeavouring to promote the prosperity of the colony by advancing the cause of settlement. The compilation and publication of this handy little work is by no means the least of his services to the cause he has at heart, the pamphlet referred to affording within the compass of sixty four pages all the information which the intending selector requires, set forth in plain language, and conve niently arranged for ready reference. Mr Perceval gives the total area of the colony as " upwards of 66,000,00u acres," held approxinately as follows : Sold or disposed of in Education Acres and other Reserves .. ... 19,500,000 Held under various tenures, other than Freehold .. ... 12,500,000 Mountain tops, barren, lakes, etc 7,000,000 Unoccupied Crown Lands ... 11,000,000 Native Lands 10,000,000 Midland Railway are* 6,000,000 66,000,000 The total area of lands .available for' settlement is given as 25,000,000 acres, of which, however, only 9,000,000 are agricultural lands, the regaining 16,000,000 being pastoral lands, the classification being as follows :— Crown Lands suitable for Settle- Acres ment 3,500,000 Native Lands 4,000,000 Midland Railway Lands ... 1,500,000 9,000,000 Crown Pastoral Lands 7,500,000 Native Pastoral Lands 6,000,000 Midland Railway Pastoral Lands ... 2,500,000 16,000,000 According to the Crown Lands Guide there was on January Ist, 1891, of Crown Lands suitable for settlement a total area of 951,453 acres open for selection for cash or on deferred pay ment or perpetual lease, the respective acreages within the several land districts being as under, viz.:— Auckland 315,518 Hawke's Bay .. 53,834 Taranaki 34,258 Wellington 122,858 Marlborough 12,472 Nelson 135,080 Canterbury 39,238 Otago 70,095 Southland 100,350 Westland % 87,750 . The price per acre ranges in Auckland and Hawke's Bay from 5s to £2, Taranaki, Wellington, Canterbury, and Southland from 10s to £2, Marl borough and Otago 10s to £1 10s, and Nelson 6s to £2. Full particulars are given by Mr Perceval with relation to the Midland Railway lands, which are mostly pastoral, and purchasable on the basis of a cash payment of one third of the purchase-money, the balance remaining on mortgage for 5 years at 5| per cent. A synopsis— well arranged, clear, and easily intelli gible—of the Land Laws of the colony and the conditions of settlement under the various tenures is appended, and altogether Mr Perceval has managed to get into small compass asl the information of which the intending land selector stands in need, and of which he can avail himself for the small outlay of sixpence.

SAVINGS BANKS' INTEREST.

The Government was not allowed to be long in office before being ap pioached by the representatives of the various financial institutions with the view of influencing the Ministry to reduce the rate of interest paid on deposits in the Post Office Savings Bank. Every Government that has been in office during the last decade has been similarly approached, and has received urgent representations as to the alleged mischievous effects of the Government maintaining a fictitious rate of interest on deposits, to the detriment of the banks and other financial concerns, which are, it is said, thereby compelled to pay higher rates of interest than are profitable. This last attempt, like those made before it, has proved futile, and we may take it for granted that the rate of interest at Government Savings Banks will not be reduced for some time to come. The decision of the Government must be approved on the ground of its being in accordance with the best interests of the public. A point in the public policy of all political parties is the encouragement of thrift, and the ! Postal Savings Bank has in a very great degree been successful in con tributing towards that end. Even admitting that, as is alleged, the Savings Banks are worked at a loss, the amount of the loss is small as com pared with the benefits which the system confers on the community. The institution gives to the smallest depositor the opportunity to invest his savings in a reproductive way, and once the deposit of savings in this way has become a habit, the investor goes on until he attains the power, inde pendence and self-respect which are given by the possession of a snug nest egg, and which make him a useful member of the community. The thrifty individual repays an hundred fold any loss which the general tax payer may sustain through the pay ment by the Savings Bank of a slightly higher rate of interest than is directly profitable, The Savings Bank is doing the country excellent service, and we are glad that the Government recognise this fact, and will not allow its power for good to be diminished. -

The Tasmanian Silver Mines.

The silver mines which are now being opened up in the Zeehan district of Tas mania are from accounts the richest that have been heard of in ancient or modern history. The reports as to the wealth of the district, so far as it has yet been developed, sound as fabulous ; but the information as to the value of the deposits of silver reaches us from such reliable sources that we must accept it as accurate. Ihe reefs oxtend over a length of thirty five miles, nnd Ihe seam of carbonate ore in the property of the Silver Queen Prospecting Association, which is up wards of twenty feet in width, bulks four hundred ounces of silver to the ten At .North Dundas, close to Zeehan, a sulphate lo:le of fifty feet sinking proves to be twelve feet in width, and assays as high as 2300 ounces of silver and sixty per cent of lead to the ton. The same claim wjcljin t>\\* last few days has »teojproved

the carbonate lodo in great richness. One of our townsmen h;ts already proved the value of these claims, and an oppor tunity was afforded to-day to others to participate in the mineral wealth of the Tanmanian silver iiekß Specimens from the mines mentioned, and plans of the fields were on view in the Arcade to-day, in charge of Mr W. H. Gundry, broker for the Zealandia bilver Mining Company, which is being formed to buy and work on« cf the original prospectors' sections at Dundas. The specimens were of ex traordinary richness, and a large number I of shares were taken up. \

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[PER PIIKSS ASSOCIATION.] London, April 16. The success of the conversion of the New Zealand Loan, now going on, to the extent of £800,000 is assured. Captain Verney telegraphs to the Speaker of the House of Commons that j he is returning from Italy. Obituary—H. B, Warner. The S.S. Duke of Sutherland has arrived. Her refrigerator has worked well, and her meat is in prime condi tion. It is believed Germany will suspend the duties on cereals in August, and that France is likely to follow a similar course. Sailed—Piako, for Auckland. The Jews who are being expelled from Russia are proceeding to the Argentine Republic. Buenos Aykes, April 16. Owing to the want of money the Government has suspended the con struction of the proposed railway in the Argentine Republic. Calcutta, April 16. Lieutenant Presgrave defeated 300 Manipuris, fifty of whom were killed. Ottawa, April 16. The refusal of Newfoundland to supply bait will ruin 200 Canadian vessels, and three thousand fishermen.

AUSTRALIAN.

Melbourne. Apvil 17. The s.s. Britannia has been released from quarantine. Perth (W.A.), April 17. The steamer Maid of Lincoln was wrecked in Jurin Bay. All on board were saved. She was insured in the New Zealand Company. Hobart, April 17. The census shows the population of the colony has only increased by 33,000 in ten years.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, April 17. The "Board of Education after discussing f.he " Herald's " article of February 7th, resolved to ask the Minister of Education to alter the syllabus with the view of giving greater prominence to essential subjects. A gum digger named Geo Williams, who had been at one time an officer in the navy, was burned to death in the destruction of his whare by fire at Wangawai. At the annual meeting o f subscribers and friends of St. Stephen's Orphans' Home, Parnell, the statement of accounts showed that the capital accounb at the beginning of the year was £13,539 5s 3d, and during the year £100 was received from the trustees of the late Mr C,..0. Davis, but owing to the Bawl ings defalca tions, amounting to over £1800, the balance carried forward was only £12,84.3 7s 3d. Some discussion took place re garding the auditing of the accounts, and one speaker maintained that the £1800 taken from the funds of the institution by the late Treasurer, Rawlings, should he refunded by the auditors. It was re solved that the accounts be audited quarterly, and that the auditors be paid. An address and purse of sovereigns from tho public to Miss Arnaboldi are to be presented to that lady on Monday evening next. New Piyjiouth. April 17. The case against Win. Appleyard for larceny occupied the whole day at the Supreme Court, The jury brought in a verdict of "JSFob Guilty," and the prisoner was acquitted. Wellington, April 17. At a meeting of the Wellington Branch of the Laborers' Union it was decided to secede from the Maritime Council, and another meeting will be held to con sider the advisability of affiliating with the Wellington District Labor Union.- Blenheim, April 17. Extraordinary electrical discharges were noticeable at four this evening in the direction of Wairau bar, resembling ship's rockets. No reports were heard, and the phenomena differed from sheet lightning inasmuch that the glare occurred at regular intervals in the same direction and was not apparently subject to oscilla tion, Dunejdin, April 17. The names of about seventy-five appli cants for employment have been regis tered for work on the Catlin's River Rail way. Of this number, sixty-five are mar ried, the others being single, with parents depending on them. At a meeting of the Kakanui Relief Fund Committee to-night, the plan of distribution proposed was finally ratified. John .Young, nineteen years of age, a farm laborer, was drowned in a creak at Brighton yesterday. The deceased, des pite the warnings of his fellow-servants, insisted on taking a sensational leap over the deepest part of the creek, and, though he landed on the opposite bank, he fell back into 10ft of water, and, being unable to swim, was drowned. Throughout the week Dr Koch's fcuber culine has been administered to the patient in the hospital suffering from lupus. The doses have now ceased to produce any reaction of consequence, and the injections will be discontinued to ascertain the results of what has been already administered.

Marriage of Mr Wrougrhton.

The pro-Cathedral of St Paul's Welling ton, was crowded on Tuesday afternoon by a numerous and fashionable gathering assembled to witness the marriage of Mr Cecil F. M. Wroughton, only son of the late Colonel Wroughton, 0.8. (Bengal Army) to Miss B'rances Theresa Brandon, third daughter of the late Hon A. de B. Brandon, of Wellington. The ceremony was performed by the Rev J. C. Andrew, assisted by the Rev J. Still. The bride was given away by her eldest brother, Mr A. de B. Brandon, while Mr Boddington attended the bridegroom as " best man." The bridesmaids, seven in number, were Misses Annie Brandon (sister to the bride), Flora and Lucie Brandon (nieces) Cicely Higginson, and Alice, Zne, and Doris Johnston (daughters of the Hon Charles Johnston, M.L.C.). Master A de B. Brandon attended the bride as pa<*e. The bride's dress was white brocaded satin, with Honiton lace chiffon and orange blossoms, with an embroidered tulle veil. She also wore as ornaments a handsome diamond and pearl bracelet, the gift of Mr E. Pearce, and a lovely pearl brooch, the gift of Mr and Mrs Levin. The brides maids' dresses were as follow :—Miss A. Brandon, blue cloth and silver trimming, witli hat to match ; the others wearing cream i^n'^ veiling large W«e sashes and

cream hats. The bride's page wore a Fauntleroy suit. Mr^ Brandon, mother of the bride, had a beautiful heliotrope pop lin and bonnet of the same colour ; Miss Brandon, terra cotta cloth and velvet bonnet bo match ; Mrs Larnach, brown silk and bonnet to match ; Mrs Alfred ' Brandon, black hilk dress, with jet trim- j mings, and dark red velvet bonnet, with ] jet trimmings ; Mrs Higginson, terra cotta j serge, embroidered with"blajk, and bonnet to match. At the conclusion oe. the cere- ! mony the nuptial party drove to the I bride's mother's in Hobsou street, whore afternoon tea was partaken of. The newly married couple left by the afternoon train for the West Coast, where they spend thei? honeymoon.—" New Zealand j Times."

Winchmore School.

Following is the Inspector's report upon the above-named school, which was examined by him on the 23rd ult: — Teacher—Mr Jeremiah O'Shea. Ages—Standard 4, 13 years 6 months ; Standard 3, 12 years 1 month ; Standard 2. 11 years 5 months ; Staudaixl 1, 8 years 6 months.

Percentage of passes—4s -4. Percentage of failures—2s'. _^

«. * • • v. ■ Remarks.—The reading is generally creditable, the arithmetic is very fair, and a very fair degree of intelligence is shown in oral examination, but the neglect of the writing and drawing is too gross to justify a good report. The copy books and drawing books are not up to the mark, and it is only by disregarding the regula tions in relation to writing and drawing that I am able to pass a fair proportion of the children. The only class subject attempted, or of any value, is the geo graphy of Standard 11. W. J. Anderson, Inspector.

Pass Subjects.

The Shearers' Agitation.

[PKR PUT3SS ASSOCIATION.] Bkisbane, April 17. The shearers have established a! reign of terror in the Barcaldine dis trict. Unionists are firing voolsheds, wagons, huts, and grass, and capturing free shearers in all directions. The people are maddened, and threaten' to take the law into their own hands. A delegate from the Labor Federation visits the Argentine to report on the advisability of sending Unionists there to form a settlement. Pastoralists are subscribing to the movement. [Received April 18, 11.30 a.m.] Brisbank, April 18. The Insurance Companies, in the face of recent events, are refusing to accept risks on pastoral properties in Queensland, and are also considering the advisableness of refunding the premiums paid for insuring these properties, and declaring the policies cancelled. [Received April 18, 11 a.m.] A band of Unionists rushed Corcena station, and induced a number of free laborers to leave. Matters became so serious that the Riot Act was read and the military charged the mob with fixed bayonets. Several arrests were made.

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON RACING CLUB AUTUMN MEETING.

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, APRIL 22nd and 23rd.

The following are the weights for the ') firsc day's races :—

Autumn Handicap. 70 sov3. One and a half mile.

The Chicken was scratched for all en gagements at the meeting on April 17th at 3 p.m. Little Arthur was scratched for the Ashburton Hurdle Handicap to-day at 11.50 a.m. Acceptances for the Ashburton Hurdle Race Handicap (1 soy), Ashburton Autumn Handicap (1 soy), District Welter Handicap (10s), and Flying Handicap (15s), and Entries for Longbeach Plate (1 soy) and Novel Race (10s) must be in the hands of the Secretary, Mr G. Bisset, Commercial Hotel, Ashburton, by nine o'clock on Monda} 1 evening, April 20.

TIMARU RACES.

(from our own reporter.) Timaru Racecourse, April 17. Novel Race Handicap, of 30 soys; six furlongs.—Lady Darling, Bsfc 101b, 1; Emperor, 7st 121b, 2; Kelpie, 6sfc 71b, 3. Five started. Won very easily. Time, j lmin 17secs. Dividend, £2 8s 6d. The winner was bought in for 36 soys. Stewards' Stakes Handicap, of 50 soys ; six furlongs.—Miss George, Bsfc, 1: Loo, 7sb 101b, 2 ; Ben, 7st 21b, 3, Four started. Won hands down by a length. Time, Jmin lfaos. Oiv^nd, £313 S M. *

Hack Hack, of 15 soys.—Fabler, 1; Cora, 2 ; Kdpio, 3. Four started. Fabler appeared to win by a neck, but the judge placed Emma first. Krama's jockey, thinking; he had been beaten, dismounted without permission and before troing back to the paddonk, and was disqualified on a ; protest. Time, 52.iec. Dividend, £2 Is. i Consolation Handicap. — Liberator, I 8s t, 1 ; Derby, 7st 91b, 2 ; Martha, Bst j 101b, 3. Inchkeith. also started. Won ! easily by a length. Dividend, £3 15a 6d. | The totali.sa.tor investments for the { two days totalled £4006.

Dunedin Licensing Election.

[pek* plißsr association. J

Dunjedin, April 17. I'he licensing election for Dunedin city caused unusual interest to-day, much more than the ordinary run of mayoral elections. The prohibitionist party worked most determinedly, and had a hall oppo site the polling booth as committee rooms, the moderate party doing likewise. Calls and carriages were flying about, and generally every effort was made by both sides. The moderate candidates were not strong, and many who did not agree with the prohibitionists are known to have tried to secure the election of two from that side. The result is much closer than was expected. The moderate candi dates all got in, but there was only a difference of 17 between the highest pro hibitionist and the lowest moderate. The following is the result:—Moderates—R. Sparrow 739, Gourley 732, Myers 730, McGregor 703, Stanford 702. Prohibi tionists—Barr 685, Ready 675, Begg 672, Broad 670, Wright 663. The large crowd assembled at the declaration would listen to no speeches. Dunedin, April 18. On the Local Option poll there was a majority against an increase of publicans' licenses of 483; against wine licenses, 451; against accommodation licenses, 467; against bottle licenses, 533. No less than 273 votes were rejected as informal.

The Wanaka

[per, press, association.]

New Plymouth, April 18. 3he plant to float off the Wanaka arrived this morning. The weather is still fine and the steamer at high tide looks as if she was afloat, It is now thought there will be no difficulty in floating her off at spring tide.

COMMERCIAL NEWS

THE MARKETS.

[pee press association.]

(Received April 18, 10.45 P.m.) ; London, April 16. The Bank of England returns pub lished to-day show the total reserve in. notes and bullion to be £12,292,000; the proportion of reserve to liabilities is 34.86. Consols 96J. New Zealand four per cent inscribed stock 104; three and a half do. 97 J- Three months bills are at 3% per cent, firmer. Wheat—New Zealand long-berried 42s 6d, firmer. For Hew Zealand wheat on the passage sellers are asking 42s 6d. but buyers will noc give more than 41s 6d, South Australian wheat 445, firm ; Vic torian do. 42s 9d, firm Canterbury mutton 4|d; Wellington do, 4d ; New Zealand beef 3|d. Hemp—Auckland, fair, £22, market weaker ; good £24 10s; Wellington, medium £20 10s.

The Corn Exchange.

The following is the Corn Exchange Report for the week ending Friday, April l7th :—Business in Wheat continues brisk, and'quotations remain firm at late advances. Now that wheat has reached present prices, we would ask our farmer friends to consider whether it is to their interest to sell now or take the risk of holding. (Jhickwheat is inquired for; and many parcels of milling wheat have changed hands, especially in the Ashburton district. In Oats nothing is doing. Barley, only prime lines demand attention, Beans are only taken for shipment at quota tions. Peas dull of sale, the only variety in demand being blue Prussians. Potatoes —-Considerable sales have been made of blue Dements for delivery when ripe off the forks on a basis of 37s to 40s per ton f.o.b. Lyttelton. Sacks in. Our prices aie as follows,: — Wheat, Tuscan, 3s lid to 4s ; Pearl, 3s 9d to 3s lOd; Hunter's, 3s Bd. Oats, milling, Is 8d ; short feed, Is 6d; inferior and discoloured, Is 3d to Is 4d. Barley, malting, 3s 3d; feed, Is 8d to Is lOd. Beans, 2s 5d to 2s 6d. Peas, blue Prussians (boilers), 3s ; feed, 2s 4d, Potatoes, Derwents, 37s to 403, f.o.b. Lyttelton. Sacks in. Butter, fresh factory make, 8d to lid ; farmers' salted, 6d to 7d. Cheese, small loaf, 4Ad; larger, 3£d to 4d. . The above prices are those paid to farmers for delivery f.o.b. Lyttelton. Sacks extra.

Messrs Friedlander Bros, beg to report upon the Live Stock Market for the week ending Friday, 17th April, that at the Tinwald Yards on Tuesday the entries, although not quite so large as has been the case for several weeks previous, consisted of about 8000 sheep of all classes. The attendance was good, but biddings were not spirited, and prices in inferior classes of ewes, both merino and crossbred, were hot up to previous week's aales. Such was also the case in hoggets, for which lower prices than those lately ruling had to be accepted. Forward condition sheep fib for turnips are mostly enquired for, and meet with ready sale ; among other lines we had the pleasure to offer a line of weLUgrown two-tooths, which topped the day's market, namely 14s 6d; these were grazed by Mr John Boyle, of Valetta, and do him credit. The ruling prices were for fat crossbred wethers from 13s to 14s 6d, crossbred ewes from 9s to 10s, and np to 13s 3d for heavy weights. Fat merino ewes from 5s 8d to 6s 3:1. In stores, sound-mouthed merino ewes sold at from 5s to 5s 9d ; inferier and old at any price up to about 33. In crossbred hoggets here was a large entry, and prices ruled from 6s 6d to 8s 6d up to 10s and 11s Bd, the price for the latter being for a line of Hampshire cross wh eh for their size and .weight were much admired, and would easily have brought up to 14s in this 'market a few weeks back. Pigs sold slightly better than previous week but cattle were with great difficulty quitted, At a clearing sale held by us yesterday at Mr Ede's farm, Springburn, the attendance was very large, besides those living close by many attended from long distances, no doubt being attracted by the high reputa tion Mr Ede boars as being a thorough j tidge of a good horse. The sale all through was a good one, the biddings spirited, and with thejexception of reaper and binder and pigs the lot was disposed of, and one thing .chich speaks well for the district is the ready way the purchasers settled for their purchases. The following are some of the prices realised:—Ploughs £3 ss, £4 10s harrows £2 10s, £2 15s, and £3 15s, Massey mower £11 10s, set disc harrows £12, Anglo- American drill ±20, waggon £13 10s, light American waggon £9, men's hut on wheels £12. The eight horae-power engine was offered, but' the price not reaching owner's value, was withdrawn j but we have now enquiries which will, no doubt, lead to a sale being effected. This also alludes to the screw press chaff-cutter, which was also withdrawn. The draught horses were brought out in good condition and sold—for aged horses £5 to £9 10s j four, five, and six-year-olds fetched £20, £20 10s, £21, and £23; seven-year-old and aged, £14 10s, £16,' £16 10s ; hacks, £6 5s and £14 10s. ShetJpi— Fat merino ewes at 7s, and fair conditioned breeding do. 5s 9d and 6s, and ciUls 3s od. Store lambs at 6s 9d and 63 lQd, Potatoes made 403 per ton on tUe, plaoe. Harness and lot of sundries soUl at fair prices. .

There are 400 free libraries in the United States, containing 15,000,000 volumes, and I towards the support of which £600,000 are. annually paid, '

Ashburton Live Stock Market.

Messrs Miles and Co Mr George Jameson) report:— At the Tinwald yards on Tuesday, April 14, there was a moderate entry for the day's market—about 7700 sheep, 132 rams, 56 head of oittlo, and 70 pigs. The attendance was above the average, and although there were many buyers amongst them their operations were marked with extreme Caution, and rendors had to submit to slightly reduced ,prices in order, to ennble tii«ir«a^itt? to effect sales. ThU was especially noticeable in"-lilies of store .lambsi an<l old failing mouthed merino and crossbred ewes, but good linM Of CrosibreiisT'a'hS' merinos for winter feeding, are still bringing good values, and really s ,und-moathed merino and crossbred ewes are sought after for breeding purposes. We penned 3800 sheep of all classes, 62 rams, and 10 head of cattle, and our sales were as follow : — Fat mixed crossbreds up to l3a Ba, fat merino ewes to 6s Id, fat crossbred"ewes to 10s 1'"!, two tooth ci'ossbieds in forward condition to 13s 3d, Lincoln ewes to 12s, halfbred ewes to 9d Id, merino wethers, to 6s 2d, merino ewes to 5s Bd, do; culls 3s, lambs 7s Id to 8s 6<l, old Leicester rams 10s to 15s, two-tooth Lincoln rams at 2gs. cows in forward condition to £3 10s, old do. 32s 6d, yearlings 22s 6d.

SKIN SALE.

Mr George Jameson reports having held his regular fortnightly skin sale yesterday: The entry consisted of 750 skins of all classes. There was a large ■attendance of buyers, anctall lots brought satisfactory pric«s as follows :—Butchers, crossbred from 2s 9d to 4a, merinos 2s 4d to 2s 11s, fanner's crossbreds 2s .to 3a 3d, do. merino Is 6d to 33, pelts 6d to Is6d,

RETRENCHMENT.

(I SB ZhESn ASSOCIATION.)

, Wellington, April 17. The saving to be effected on the Stock Department will be £2500 per annum. Ten inspectors and one clerk are to be dispensed with. The Land and Survey Departments are to be amalgamated, and Mr Elliott, Under Secretary of Lands and Mines, in trt be the Under-Secretary of Mines only. Thirty-three officers in the Lands Department throughout the colony are to be letrenched, and twelve others transferred. The saving in the Lands and Survey Departments will be | £6500 per annum. The compensation to be paid to the Land,, Stock ard Survey Departments will amount tb £4500. The stock districts are to beenlarged. .Twelve officers of the Crown Lands and Survey Department* are to be transferred^ includ ing the following five Chief Inspectors :•- Messrs, Humphreys, Auckland;; :Mar charit, Wellington ; Baker, Christchurch ; Mueller, Westland : and Spence, li|ver cargill. Their destinations are not yet I decided.. The services of five Native Land Court Judges are also to ba dispensed with ; It is calculated that the total sayings effected by retrenchment by the present Government, so far, amount to £60,000 per annum. It is intended to divide the North Island for the purposes of the Native Land Court =into circuits, each in charge of one Judgel The Justice Depart ment is to be dealt with in a day or two. Wellington, April 18. The five Native Land Court Judges who are to be retired are Messrs W. G. Mair, J. A. Wilson, E. W. Puckey, ft. Trimble and .1. S. : Clendon. Extensive reforms in the administration of Native Land Courts are contemplated, though their exact nature has not yet been decided on, The proposals, it is understood, go in the direction of assigning to each judge a district, within which he shaU travel on circuit. It is also intended to strip the Land Courts of some of the superfluous paraphernalia which are associated with them. The presiding officials, instead of being called "judges," and so appearing on the face of it to have co-ordinate.rank with members of the Supreme Court Bench, will have some other distinct title, probably that of Recorder. The expenses in connection with the employment of clerks and interpreters ar6 to be cut down considerably.

Native Land Laws.

[PEE. PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Auckland, A pril IV. The Native Land Laws Commissioners returned from Otorohanga, and sat again in the Custom House buildings this morning, when Mr Theo Cddper, Solicitor,*" evidence. He was emphatically of opinion that the Native land laws at present are in a state of hopeless confusion; that there ia no certainty of tenure about any lands derived from a Maori title, and that the legal pro fession find it almost impossible to advise clients with any degree of'confidence in respect of such: transactions. Recent decisions in Court of Appeal had shown the urgent need of reform. The final sitting of the Commission takeß place to-morrow, and the Commissioners leave for New Plymouth on Monday.

Latest Cable News

AUSTRALIAN.

(PKK PRESS ASSOCIATION. (Received April 18, 11 a.m.) A LABOR MEMBER. Melbourne, April 18. John Ancock, the labor candidate, has been returned for the Collingwood seat, rendered vacant by the death of Mr Langridge, Chief Secretary for the colony. (Received April 18, 11.30 a^m.) SIR GEORGE GREY. Mr D, Munrp in addressing his con stituents'said that during the sitting of the Federal Convention Sir George Grey was very troublesome, as he would persist in dragging in his pet theory of one-man-one-vote in. and out of season,

GOOD BEGINNING.

Pjekth. April 18. The returns for the first quarter under the administration of. the new Government show an extensive in crease in all receipts, the surplus being £105,000.

(Received April 13, 11.30 a.in.) NEW STEAMSHIP LINE, Sydney, April 18. The Greenock Steamship Company has arranged to establish a monthly line of steamers between Glasgow and Australia,

THE GOVERNMENT POLICY.

In the course of an address to Wa constituents Sir Harry Parkes said that the Government intended to introduce a measure to carry out the free trad© policy to the fullest exi&ht^ and'th«y would also bring in a bill to provide for an elective Upper House. He re marked that the Feder 1 Constitution would be of a more liberal chaw^tei; than their own.

BISMARCK.

[pjsk press Associ^jjoasr. J

Tl . Berlin,. April 17"- Bismarck headi th# polt for Gfasfce*. miinde by a large majority, gn th* second WIA * --'^-«

ttttft ASaBtJRTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 189 i



Class Subjects.

Drawing .. History geography ... Dbject Lessons

2 35

Total ...

37

Percentage on class subjects—l 2

3.

Additional Subjects.

tepetition and Recitation Mil iinging STeedlework iubject Matter, Reading Lessons...

13 10 5 7 12

Additional Marks



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I I

g

(a t o

H3 01

en m

I I

i I

Std. 7 » 6 „ 5 >• * » 3 „ 2 » 1 P.

1 3 11 6 12

1

— ' 1

. —

-

-

0 3 2

—

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3 8 4

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1 1 15

33

—

I 1 I



Hurdles. 45 Soys. Two Miles. "t lb st 11 Little Arthur 12 4 Torrent ... 10 I Eringo-Bragh 10 13 Conspirator... 9 X Trimolite ... 10 6 Royalty ... 9 "t Wairua 10 5 Tired 9 7 Tornado ... 10 2 The Idler ... 9 C May boy 10 0



st ib sb Ib Hazel 8 9 Thackeray ... 7.3 Rosebud ... 8 4 Eriti-go-Bragh 7 2 British Lion... 7 13 Bay King ... 6 12 Moraine 7 9 Coinage ... 010 Quibble 7 4 Liberator ... 6 9 Captain Cook 7 4 Crown Jewel 6 7 District Welter. 30 sov3. One mile.



Bt lb Sen ... ... 10 9 iing of Ulster 10 0 Coinage ... 9 12 Conspirator ... 9 9 [lose of Cheviot 9 4 L,ady Zetland 9 4 Pennine ... 813 | ?lyino Handicap. 3 st lb ited Cross ... 8 9 leather Bell S 5 dragon ... 8 3 inez 8 1 Jarronade ... 8 1 larkaway ... 8 0 Ton Tempsky 7 11

st 1b Kilmarnock .. 811 Mailboy ... 811 Tiger Lily ... 8 3 Fairy Queen... 8 3 New Hope ... 8 3 Calm 8 0 | Cactus ... 8 0 $5 soys. Six furlongs. st 1b Adieu ... 7 7 Loo ... ... 7 5 Tornado ... 7 5 Lady Zetland 7 3 Lady Sockburn 6 10 Emma ... 6 7



The Best Remedy for Indigestion-— Norton's Camomile Pills are confidently recommended as a simple remedy for Indigestion, which is the cause of nearly all the diseases to whica we are subject Norton's Pills, with justice called the 'Natural Strengthener of the Human Stomach," act as a powerful tonic and gentle perient, are mild in. their operation, and afe under any circumstances. Sold in bottles, at Is l^d, 2s 9d, 11s, by all medicine \ endors throughout the wo Id' Keatiko's Cough Lozenges cure Coughs Asthma, Bronchitis. Medical testimony states that no other medicine is so effectual in the cure of these dangerous maladies One Lozenge alone gives ease, one or two at bedtime eusuaes rest. For relieving difficulty f breathing they are invaluable. They con tain no opium nor any violent drug. Sold by all Chemists, in. tins, Is l^d and 2s 9d eh. Holloway's Ointment and Pills.—Oil Wounds, Sores, and Ulcers.—Daily experi ence confirms the fact which has triumphed over all opposition for more than forty years, riz., that no means are known to equal Holloway's remedies for curing bad legs, bad breasts, sores, wounds, diseases of the skin, erysipelas, abscesses, burns, scalds, and, in truth, all maladies where the skiu is broken. To cure these infirmities quickly is of primary importance, as compulsory confinement in doors weakens the general health. The ready means of cure are found in Holloway's Ointment and Pills, which heal the sores and expel their cause. In the very worst cases the ointmont has succeeded in effecting a perfect cure after every other means had failed in giving adequate relief The best medicine known is SANDER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Teat it j eminent powerful effects in coughs, col's, 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, head the official reports that accom pany each bottle. Mosler, M.D., Professor University, Griefswald, reports : — The Eucalypti Extract proved magnificently suc cessful in very severe contusions, bruises, spiains, wounds, scaldings, broken ribs, and limbs. ("Medical Journal," Nov., 1881). :n diseases of the kidneys, either active con gestion or suppression, "(urcemai) or albiuni, nuria, dropsy, lithargy, nothing will equal in its action Eucalypti Extract. Doses five to six drops. Mosler, M.D., Professor, University, Griefswald, reports :—Diphthe ria. Tonsils continually coherent presenting ulcers with white exudants. Cured in four teen days. Surgical Clinic of Prof. M'lntyre, College of Physicians and Surgeons, St. Louis—Scirrhus of Bteaat—Excision Euca lypti Extract employed. No swelling, heat, l discoloration. Cured in fourteen days. —Advt 4



NOMINATIONS FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEES. \\J E shall be obliged if the Chairmen ot the several School Committees will kindly forward to us on Monday night, if possible, (or at latest on Tuesday morning), a list of Nominations received, which we will publish (free of coit) for the information of the householders.— Ed. "Mail."



"Wauteu CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at; this Off™ WANTED Kuow~n7^MKS~l7"BuoH anan has opened as Fruiterer and Confectioner, next Messrs John Orr and Co., East Street. WANTED Known—That Andbew Orr is offering 80 Ladies Sealelfce Jackets, newest styles, at moderate prices. . 4§53 WANTED Known.—lt you want good value for your money go to Melford House. Cheapen first-class Drapery in town.—H. C. Segerß, Melford House "11/ ANTED Known—Old Spoons and W Forks Electro-piated and made equal to new at 15s per dozen all round. A. Black, Jeweller, E isfc Street. 4 150 ANTED Known.—Mus J. Buch anan, Fruiterer and Confectioner. Tea and coffee at All hours ; hot luncheon on Saturdays, 12 to 2. Next Messrs J. Orr and Co*, East Street. JUST opened a choice lot of Ladies Plush Jackets, newest shapes. Also a new lot of Lftdies' Pelerines and Boas. —H. C Sbgbus, Melford House. W" ANTED Known—That Andrew Orr is appointed agent for the cele brated Standard Boots. Every pair guaranteed. 4*54 WANTED Known — Some special lines in choice Dreas Goods at Very low prices showing at " The Corner." ANTED Known — That Andrew Orr is offering at a great reduction 250 pairs of best Kaiapoi and Roslyn Blankets, contracted for when wool was at its lowest price. 4§52 \\7 ANTKD Known.—%Ve are now W opening all our new Winter Goods in Drapery, Millinery, Clothing, Boots, &c.— EL C. Seoers, Melford House. • W"~~" ANTED every man m the County to have a suit of the Ashburton Tweeds. —Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings. W" ANTED Known—The "Strong* wear " Boot is the best for Mens kadies and Children.—W. H. Collier. GLASS, Earthonware, and China, direct from the Manufacturers. Robert Alcorn, Tea Warehouse and Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. 'lIANDSOME Presents given away _|TjL in June. Now giving tickets to every purchaser of 5s and upwards of Drapery, Millinery, Clothing, Boots, etc. —H. O. Skgers, Melford House! /■^HifiAP SALS of Surplus l3tock will V be continued for this rs:onth only. Books, Stationery, Fancy Goods, Music, •tc, at Wholesale Prices to effect a clear ance. Subscribers wanted for monthly parts of Leisure Hour, Quiver, Gar dener's Magazine, American Agriculturist, English Mechanic, and others.—L. F. Axdrswxs & Co. Public Notices. "ETONEY to Lend at LOW RATES OF INTEREST, on Mortgage of FREE HOLD PROPERTY, in sums of £100 T0J65000 For further particulars apply to the "ostmaster, Ashburton, or to J. C. PRUDHOE, District Agent. Government Insurance Office. Christchurch. ____^ AUTUMN, 1891. LATEST NOVELTIES IN ALL DEPARTMENTS NOW O3ST VIEW AT THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. ~~~ | imrERYTHING new. New Shirts,^ lii New Underclotning, New Scarfs and Bows, New Hats, New Suits for Men, New Suits for Boys. Everything new and of the LATEST FASHIONS. New Tweeds and Coatings for Measure Suits to hand. Impection Bespectfully Solicited. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. W H. WEBBER, Manager : JtUSBJI^CBTU. •JWSmOUTTEETtt CHRISrCHCROH DENTAL SURGERY, Corner of Oashel and High streets S. M™ AND Co SURGEON DENTIST And at Dunedin and Westport (TTE have gained tht FIRST AWARD YV " the Dunedin Exhibition for Artificial Dentures and Mechanical Appli ances for the Mouth, and it is with the greatest confidence that ye guarantee the highest class work and perfect fit at the mest moderate cos 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 cc or charge. Arrangements can be made for part or monthly payments. ADMINISTERING NITROUS OXIDE 3AS severa. times daily for the past ten years, we fearlessly assert that extraction of teeth under its influence is perfectly painless and positively safej Fee for -Admmistwrtiwi, si» Extraction, 2« 6d. Artificial Teeth and Dentures made by other dentists repaired* or 'remodelled at pmall cost