The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1891. THE NEW MINISTRY.

Mr Ballance has succeeded, with much less difficulty than was generally anticipated, m naming five of tho six members of a Ministry which can scarcely fail to command the confidence of Par'iamtsnt and of the country. Considering tho lack of members with pi*evious Ministerial experience, the Cabinet must be pronounced a strong combination, and the individuals are men possessing qualifications and abili ties which should enable them to dis charge the duties of their respective offices with credit, and compare m- no Wd,y unfavorably with their predeces sors. The Premier, Mr Ballance, takes the two portfolios of Treasurer and Minister of Native Affairs, both of which he has previously held, and m which his experience will be of great value. On the hon. gentleman's first accession to office, m Sir George Grey's last Ministry, big views on many ques tions were considered too advanced; now, such has been the progress of political opinion that those opinions are characterised as moderate. Mr Ballance is a ready debater, calm and collected m argument, and will cer tainly acquitfliimself well m the difficult task of heading the House. The other Minister who has previously held office is the Hon. Mr Buckley, -w ho returns to his former office of Colonial Secretary, and will lead m the Upper House, for which he has already demon strated his fitness. Lands and Agri culture are placed m the care of Mr John MeKenzie, and could not be m better hands. Mr MeKenzie has made the land question his special study, and will bring to bear on the present most unsatisfactory state of affairs m the Lands Department the weight of his well-considered proposals of reform. As a practical farmer he will extend the usefulness of the Department of Agriculture, and give the interests of our greatest industry something like due attention. Mr Seddon's appoint ment as Minister of Mines will meet the approval of miners m all parts of the colony. He has the same intimate knowledge of the requirements of the mining industry that Mr MeKenzie has of the farming, and may be depended upon to take the best means for developing our mineral resources. De fence also falls to Mr Seddon's care, and we may hop» for some more rea sonable treatment of our volun teers than they have recently re ceived. Whether Public Works will also be placed under Mr Seddon's direction is not decided. He has energy and capacity enough for it as well. As Minister for Education and Justice Mr W. P. Reeves is congenially placed. He is a supporter of our national system of Education m its integrity, and his legal training was of the highest possible standard. Mr J. G. Ward shares with Mr Reeves the distinction of being the youngest Minister that has yet been sworn m m New Zealand. . Mr Ward h»s been most successful m business m South land, and he will 'be able to deal capably with Postal affairs, which, although he holds no portfolio, wiil probably be placed under his care. The remaining portfolio will no doubt be as suitably allotted, and the com plete Cabinet will have strength and ability to carry out the policy which they have announced, and which the country has unmistakably demanded.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Borough and Hampstead public schools re-opened to-day after the holidays. Owners of pianos are reminded by adver tisement m this issue that Mr Woolridge is now on one of his visits to Ashburton. The plan of the reserved seats for the Rev Charles Clark's lectures is open at the shop of Mr H. M. Jones, bookseller. The health of Sir George Grey continues to improve. Next week he will leave for the Okoroiro sanatorium en route for Rotorua. We hear that the temperance party's nominations for the Ashburton Borough Licensing Committee will be Messrs J. W. Sawle, R. Alcorn, H. M. Jones, John Curtis, and E. Cookson. The following gentlemen, being the only nominations, have been declared elected for the Mount Hutt Licensing Committee:— Messrs Joseph Batty, Arthur Dobbs, John Hibbs, William Morgan, and William Wrathall. The trial of the Mercer reaper and binder advertised for to-day at Mr Cochrane's, Wakanui, did not take place m consequence of the rain, but if the weather permits the machine will be exhibited at work to-morrow, or m event of wet weather continuing the trial will be postponed to Wedesday. Paul Bryant boatswain of the ship Albuera was killed at Lyttelton on Saturday by fall ing off the platform of the train for Christ church just as it was entering the tunnel at 1.40 p.m. The train did not pass orer him; but he is supposed to have struck his chest against the points. He was alive but speechless when picked up, and died m 15 minutes. The •' Lancet" describes the case of a man who had driven four or five French nail«, each three inches long, into his skull. One m the forehead penetrated about one and a half inches, and three on the vertex were driven home. He was treated at the Princess Alice Hospital, Eastbourne, for a month, and then discharged, feeling strong and well and haying a good appetite. On Sunday last, Mr A. Sutton, of Winch more Road, went into one of his paddocks, and found two doge m the very act of worry ing his sheep. The dogs ran off when Mr .Sutton appeared. On making examination two sheep were found dead, and i hirteen badly torn. One of the injured sheep died on Sunday, and the others had to be des troyed this morning, Sutton traced tie dogs home, and therefore knows the owner?. One of the owners acknowledged his dog, and is willing to make good the damage done by it, but; the other repudiates, and a court case may probably follow. Statutory Declaration,—l, Franz Raabe Ironbark, Sandhurst, iji the colony of Vic toria, Australia, do solemnly and sincerely declare that on the 25th June, 1877, my son Alfred, six years of age, was accidentally hurt with an axe on hi 3 knee. lat once took all pains to secure medical assistance. How ever, m spite »£ all efforts, on the 27th August, 1877, the apiuion- was given by Dr Macgillivray that an amputation of the i injured limb had become imperative, m order jto save life. At this juncture I called en 1 Messrs Sander and Sons, procuring some of the-" Extract of Eucalyptus Globulus, and hv the ,-^Hcation of the gamp I hud too referred to was first applied, and I nu.. c * Bolemn declaration, etc. Franz RaabE, Declared at Sandhurst, m the colony foi Victoria, Australia, this seventeenth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and Keventy-seyen, before me, MoritzCohn, J.P., -•(Adve.) G '

Mr H. B. Yogel, son of Sir Julius Yogel, has decided to practice his profession as barrister and solicitor m Wellington. Grass and fern are growing luxuriantly on the ash-fields at Tarawera. In two more years the whole field will be covered. The cost of inoculating putients to cure consumption by Da* Koch's method will be so c'neip an to place the remedy .within the reach of the poor. Of the wool sold at the Melbourne sales up to the end of the year the selliug brokers say the average value per bale was £11, as against £15 for the corresooiiding period of 1889. Zadkiel's Almanac for 1801, just out, re ports : "As Jupiter is now culminating (by direction), the elevation of the Prince of Wales, either to the regency or the throne, is now close at hand." Lord Hindiip has announced his intention to present the whole of his ordinary stock m the firm of Messrs AUsopp and Sons, Limited, amounting to £10,000, to the sick club which has for many years been connected with the brewery. Some folks have queer notions as to the duties and powers of the police. The follow ing (says the " Wairarapa Daily ") is one of many similar notices sent for the benefit of our colonial "Robert":—Telegrxm received at Eketahuna by Mr Parsons —" Sir,— I hear that my woman is m Eketahuna drunk; you will at once hand her over to the policeman and tell him I give her a month ; and thank you kindly.—(Signed) Mr —-. " What is your reason for wanting a divorce from your wife?" inquired the Chicago lawyer. "She is rich and won't support me." "We can fix it for you easily enough. The allowance she makes you is too small, I presume?" "She doesn't give me any allowance at all." " That makes it easier still. You have some—ah —means of your own, I presume?" "not a cent." " James, show this man out." There is every prospect of a good coursing season m Dnmedin this year (says the "Witness"). The National Coursing Club is alive to its duties, and promises of support have been received from all quarters. The Committee met on Friday night, when a sub- Committee was appointed to draw up a pro gramme for the first meeting, which will probably be held m May, that month being quite early enough to have everything m readiness. The New Zealand Middle Island Dairy Association have shipped a large quantity of dairy produce by the B.M.S. Doric, for j London, including 1760 cases of cheese and 215 packages of butter. The consignment is under the charge of Mr C. Cox, the dairy expert, who goes Home by the Doric to watch the results of this and other shipments and report thereon. The packages of ohee3e will be placed m the cool chamber, while the butter will be distributed between the cool and freezing chambers. Capt. Trench, who for a couple of years acted as A. D. C. to Lord Carriugton m New South Wales, lias returned to England, via San Francisco. His fin-ncee, Miss Nellie Cox, second daughter of Dr. Cox, of Sydney, and sister of Viscountess Bertie, left that city a few days after diiect for England, to be the guest of her future father-in-law, the Hon. Colonel Trench, until her marriage, which is to take place early m the present year. Capt. Trench (adds the "Daily Tele graph') is the third member of Lord Harrington's staff who has chosen an Aus tralian bride. The " Wellington Press "gives the West .Coast Coal Companies a gentle reminder. It says:—"The report of the Royal Commis sion of coal-mining on the West Coast suggests to our minds the present very high price of coal. The principal Coal Company lias settled the- question of wages, and has fixed them at a rate which allowed a profit at the price of coal before the strike. The strike has been over for some time, the steamers are running as usual, and the coal coming out of the mines m good quantity. We trust the Company are not becoming as greedy as the men !" Some larrikins at Masterton, after the nature of their kind, have got into the practice of behaving rudely to the Maori women and children of the pl-ace, calling them foul names and so on. A male Maori through the columns of one of the local papers announced that if the offenders did not mend their manners they would be prose cuted for using obscene language. , What a commentary (remarks a contemporary) the matter is upon our civilisation. What must the Maoris think of our manners and educa tion system when they have to threaten our our youths with prosecution under the Police Offentes Act to compel them to act like intelligent and decent people ? The old Latin phrase which Cowper rendered m a hymn—" And all my treasure with me bear"—might have been the motto of the elderly lady who was haled before the magistrate at Hampstead Police Court on November 17. There was something so bulky beneath her dress as to attract the attention of the police, and, m consequence of their suspicions, she was arrested. When searched it was found that she was convey ing all her earthly belongings, and that these included a spirit lamp, several bottles of water, a tin saucepan, a bottle of methy lated spirits, some candles, a few boxes of pills, a number of articles of superfluous clothing, volumes of religious books, and finally, £15 m gold. It seemed, from the landlady's account, that the poor old lady never went out without taking these pos sessions with her. She was remanded for further inquiries. Such differential rating as that attempted by the Auckland Harbor Board would scarcely be tolerated at Home, as the,recent decision of the Eailway Commissioners m a case brought against the London and North western Railway Company by the Liverpool Corn Trade Association will show. The Company had been carrying grain and flour from Cardiff to Birmingham, 173 miles, at 8s 4d a ton, and charging 12s 9d for same goods carried from Liverpool to Birmingham, 98 miles. Therefore the complaint of undue preference was raised. The Company attempted to escape through a loophole kindly provided for them m the Act—a rigmarole about the public interest; but the Commissioners decided that it was not to the interest of the public ai large that a railway company should have the power of allowing such favoritism to one part of the country at the expense of another, simply because it had competition to encounter m the carrying of traffic from the favored district. The croppers m the Oamaru district have met with another reverse this year, and we learn from the "North Otago Times" that at a meeting held m Oamaru it was decided that a deputation-consisting of two of Mi- Holmes' tenants, two of Mr Teschemaker's tenants, and two of the Totara estate's ten ants should wait upon the landlords and see if they are willing to make a reduction of 50 per cent. A petition to be signed by all the , croppers on the various estates is to be pre sented asking for a reduction of 50 per cent m the rents owing to the failure of the crops, It was stated that a reduction of from 20 to 80 per cent had been made m the rents by Mr M'Kellar, of Qtekaike, Ib was decided that if the reduction were granted the tenants would clear the land and leave it m a fit state for another crop. Mr M'Lennan con- I sidered that they should not go after the j landlords offering £3 per acre, ,and it was i pretty certain that if they did not the land lords would not run after them. Were he a landlord he would not refuge it, but he would state that when he gave from £1 10s to £2 an acre he was able to make a living, but last year he gave £2 15s, and did not make a penny, and this year he would lose money. It was agreed that from £1 10s to £2 was quite sufficient for the privilege of cropping. Mr R. Douglas stated that he would be willing to give up his potato crop for £1 per acre, loss the bala-ice of £3 3s expenses of putting m the crop; and with regard to his wheat crop, he would be will ing to take the half of what it cost him, and give up all claim to it. Holloway's Ointment and Pills. — Travellers to and from distant climes would do well to bear m mind that these changes and the altered 4'-et and surroundings of their lives entail manifold risks to health. Occasions are sure to arise m whioh they will need a remedy such as these renowned pills and ointment, and no traveller by land or sea should ever fail to have a supply at hand. Then he may truly be said to have a pysician always at hie call for the various emergencies - '-ovel, Chills and fevers should be promptly trea^W 1 *I. ie,P ri"* ed <lirections should be carefullysSndwd at the commence ment of any illness, for HoHaw»y'a remtfw, | can be safely used m all cUmfttes t

Harvesting Machinery Trust.

* — A GIGANTIC COMBINATION. , The " Chicago Times" of November j 20th, 1890, gives dotaila of a combination ' of reaper and binder manufacturers, tho movements of which are likely to affect ; Australians and New Zealanclers. The object of the combination, as it is frankly confessed, is to make money ; but at the same time the members claim that it will reduce tho price or machines. They propose by this combination to lower the expenses of 'operating, advertising, and marketing. For instance, all shipments to Australia are to be handled by a single agent m Melbourne or Sydney, which will do away with the expense of each Company having its own Australian agent. The combination is one of the largest that has been developed even m America. The incoroorators are C. H. McCormick and W. Deering of Chicago, the Hon. Walter A. Wood, of Hoosic Falls, L. Miller, and the Hon. A. L. Cruzsr, of Akron, and Gen. A. S.. Bushnell of Spring field, O, The combination has a capital of 35,000,000d015. AH the mower and har vester manufacturers of the United States, twenty m number, have joined. On Nov. 19th, 1890, forty gentlemen, principally .manufacturers, gathered at a hotel m Chi cago and completed the details of the corpor ation or combination. Although the capital stock was fixed at the enormous sum of 35,000,000 dollars it was sub scribed m five minutes*. No new build ings will be erecte-d and no establishments closed. The several Companies, which have hitherto been independent competi tors, will be operated under one manage ment. The number of salesmen will bo reduced. If a farmer wants » harvester he is supposed to be compelled to pur chase it through the new Company, though they at least allow him the privilege of choosing what particular machine lie wants. It is also proposed fco improve the general class of machines. All the valu able reaper and mower patents held by the different Companies 'will be utilised for this purpose. The combination also intends to make binder twine. At present the production of thin material m free America is governed by a Trust, but the combination has already secured two twine mills of its own, and by run ning thet>e to their full capacity expect to burst the other Trust. The combination is a Stock Company, and the Companies forming it have capital and plant amount ing to 70,000,000d01. At present they* employ about 15,000 men, while their annual output has been 150,000 mowers and 85,000 binders.

Nihilist Vengeance.

The Russian General Seliverekoff was found m an unconscious'- condition m his room m the Hotel do Blade, at Paris, on November 27, and it w.'is then discovered that he had been shot. It is stated that an attempt was made to assassinate him, and the crime is belie ved to have been committed about 11 o'clock m the morn ing. It was at first reported that a Pole had been arrested, but this proved to be incorrect, as nobody is m custody. The bullet was extracted m the evening, but the general's condition was hopeless, and he died on Wednesday morning. The accounts published by the news papers o£ the affair a:re mostly somewhat jontradictoty. Some of them state that an individual, who declared he was the bearer of a letter, was admitted to the apartments of the general, to whom he had been introduced, and that soon after he quietly left the house. HaJlf an hour later the valet found his muster bathed m blood and with bullet wounds m his head. According to other accounts; General Seliverskoff• took his usual w,-n3k m the morning, returning to the hotel at about half-past ten. They add that he received no one, and declare that no weapon was discovered, and that the room was not; disarranged. The magistrates observe I absolute reserve regarding the results of the inquiry which has been, opened. The servant *s bpins,' carefully watched. The authorities believe the Russian General Seliverskorff was as sassinated, the police-commissary who has been investigating the circum stances having found a letter which enabled the would-be murderer to obtain access to the general. The letter m ques tion was an invitation to a ball given by Messrs Bernoff m the Fnwico-Russian rooms, m the- Rue Royale. Messrs Ber noff state, m fact, that they »ent one of their employes, named Padlesky, a Russian Pole, to deliver the invitation to General Seliverskoff. Padlesk y was only engaged a few days before 'by Messrs Bernoff, and has not reappeared since the crime was committed. The information which has been ob tained so far by those conducting the inquiry tends to show that the murder of General Seliverskoff was an act of political vengeance to which the Nihilists were not foreign. The Pole, Padlesky, is still at large.

How Milk is Spoiled.

The decomposition of milk is owing to the presence of an organism which immediately attacks it when it is drawn from the cow. This organism flourishes the best at the temperature of the body, when it rapidly multiplies, and is nourished by the con stituents of the milk, causing it to ferment and to turn sour, as indicated by the presence of lactic acid. The organisms, however, are harmless m milk when it is cold, for they are kept m a dormant state, and are only brought back as it were to life and energy when the milk is warm. Just as the hiat rises to say 96 degrees so does their energy grow, but above this temperature it again declines until they are destroyed at about 125 degs. F. When milk is heated to this extent, although the ferments which it con tains are killed, others attack it directly the temperature falls, and they are able to live m it. From this it will be seen that if milk is bottled when sweet, and sealed down, it can be kept if it is subjected while m the bottle to scalding for a few seconds, and for this reason we are of opinion that the plan should be adopted (and most extensively) of selling milk m sealed bottles which have been subjected to a high temperatnre. The dairyman could then practically guarantee immunity from disease by of germs which are known to attack milk, and which are not confined to the one variety of organism to which reference has been made. It will now be s^en that as heat destroys the fermenting organism, so milk can be kept for a longer period if it is first heated to 125 degrees, aud then immediately passed over and cooled down to 40 or 50 degrees, which can very easily be done.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] London, January 23. The Agents-General had an inter view to-day with the Trade Committee of the Board of Trade respecting the renewals of commercial treaties be tween Great Britain and European Powers, when the Committee, m reply to representations, said they considered that the claim put forth on behalf of Victoria, to be allowed to make sepa rate treaties with European Powers, ' was outside the combined instructions to the Agents-General. It is unlikely that the Committee will advise the abrogation of the most favored nation clauses m treaties with Belgium and Germany, but will probably recommend that the colonies should possess the right to enter or remain outside com

mercial treaties negociated by Great Britain. i Mr McCarthy holds | further con ference with Messrs Dillon and O'Brien at Boulogne, the latter, having aban doned his intention to surrender. Mr Dillon demands that Mr Parnell should absolutely retire. A petition against the return of Mr Furness for Hartlepool is threatened on the ground, that, as a member of the Shipping Federation, he promised to employ only trade unionists, parliament has re-opened. Mr ParneU forced himself into a seat between Messrs Sexton and Mc- Carthy. The Horrid Secretary was questioned with reference to the Duke of Bedford's death, and promised to produce papers on the subject. Mr Parnell's motion to discuss the application of the Crimes Act with respect to Messrs Dillon and O'Brien before- Mr McCarthy is regarded as an undoubted assumption of the leadership of the Irish party. The Railway strike has collapsed. Professor Stuart will send a supply of lymph every fortnight to Sydney, i Adelaide, and Wellington, and he is writing to Sir H. Parkes, given par ticulars of his interview with Dr Koch respecting rabbit destruction, and urging that action should be taken m the matter. Me has purchased a com plete set of bacteriological apparatus for New South Wales. The " Financial News " asserts that the Victorian railways must either have been recklessly extended or grossly mismanaged. Lord Euston has recovered. The Australian cruisers are having their crews put on board. It is in tended to rendezvous m King George's Sound, and thence proceed to the principal ports of the different colonies. Mr Bradlaugh has given notice to move expunging the resolution of the House forbidding an affirmation m lieu of taking an oath. Mr Parnell has given notice of, a motion criticising the administration of the Crimes Act. Mr Parnell has abandoned his motion criticising the administration of the Crimes Act m favor of one tabled by Mr Morley. The House of Commons has rejected Mr Channing's resolution that the Board of Trade should limit the hours of railway hands to eight per day. The Government announced that it was proposed to set up a Committee to enquire into the matter m the House of Commons. Mr Parnell is acting as if he were the recognised leader of the Irish party. London, January 24. It is reported that Princess Victoria of Wales is betrothed to the Duke of Luxembourg. Professor Hankin, an English bac teriologist, claims to have discovered a cure for anthrax m sheep. Mr Munro, the Premier of Victoria, insists on the proposed loan of that colony being issued at par. The banks advise that a lower price should be fixed. The latest bulletin states that Mr Bradlaugh is sinking. The severe weather throughout Europe has broken up. A discussion on the proposed separa tion of Queensland will shortly be raised m the House of Commons. Messrs McCarthy and Sexton have returned from the continent, where they have been interviewing Messrs Dillon and O'Brien, and they are hope ful of an amicable settlement of the difficulty respecting the leadership of the Irish party. The Dublin." Mail" states that the basis of the compromise is that Messrs Parnell and O'Brien will visit America and Australia m the interests of the National League, and that Mr Dillon will lead the party m their absence. It is stated Mr Gladstone has acceded to Mr Parnell's demands, and has given an assurance that his land policy is considered satisfactory by the Irish members who placed themselves under Mr Justin McCarthy's leader ship. Messrs O'Brien and Dillon are ap pealing to America on behalf of the evicted tenants m Ireland. In the House of Commons Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, President of the Board of Trade, will nnve that a Committee be appointed to inquire into the excessive hours worked by railway employees, with a view to legislate m the matter. In Court to-day an application for arresting railway strike funds (sic) was granted, and the efforts of Earl of Aberdeen, who was mediating m the railway strike, have proved futile. New Yokk, January 25. Half a million members of the American federation of labor are or ganising a strike on May Ist for eight hours labor for those engaged m mining. Berlin, January 23. The Minister of War has announced m the Reichstag that Germany does not intend to increase the strength of her army. / Beklin, January 24. A serious colliery explosion has taken place m Westphalia. Sixty persons were killed outright, and forty others injured. In a memorandum to the Emperor, the Chancellor, General Yon Caprivi, decifcreirthat Damaraland, a country on the coast of South-east Africa, is worth less to the German Empire, and urges the sale of it to England. The Emperor will pay a visit to Spain m the spring. Brussels, January 23. Prince Baldwin of Belgium died suddenly from pneumonia. [Prince Baldwin is the eldest son of Prince Philip, Count of Flanders, brother of the King of Belgium. He was born at Brussels on the 3rd June, 1869, and was a captain m the Belgian army.] Valparaiso, January 23. The insurgents have captured the town of Tarapara, situate at the ex treme north of the Republic, and which was ceded to Chili by Peru m 1883. The rebels will consent to open the port of Valparaiso provided the various foreign consuls agree to re main neutral m the present struggle. St. Pkteesbuko, January 24, Madame Melba's Juliet m Gounod's " Romeo et Juliette " has been a great success m St. Petersburg. On the first night she was re-called thirty times and was specially thanked by the Czar. Madame Melba was made the recipient of numerous and valuable presents, ■ I

A blizzard has passed over Charkow, a city of European Russiaj and many isolated villages have been buried and railways blocked. Numerous deaths are reported.

AUSTRALIAN.

Hobabt, January 25. R.M.S. Tongariro, from London, arrived here at four o'clock yesterday afternoon, and sailed at midnight; for New Zealand. She brings 13 passen gers for Australia and 62 for New Zealand ports.

INTERPROVINCIAL

Auckland, January 25. A man named Walter Luke was found dead, suffocated, m an hotel garden at Cambridge. His head was lying m a cesspool containing 18in of slush. The deceased was a remittance man, with a weakness* for drink. He had been for sir months locked up m Mount Eden after a burst or delirium trem ns, if being feared he might commit suicide. For the last two weeks he had not eaten a scrap, but lived, entirely on drink. At the inquest a verdict of accidental death was returned. The deceased, it is supposed, was sleeping m the garden and rolled • over into the cesspool. Hawbra. January 25. William Bartlett, a coach proprietor and contractor tor the mails, fell off his brake and was killed, a wheel passing over his head. He was an old settler, about sixty five years of age. Wellington, January 25. The Oiby Council have determined to invite a Conference of municipal repre sentatives. The various Unions affiliated to the I Wellington Trades Council were recently ] asked to express an opinion with reference to a proposal to form a National Council for New Zealand. Seven have decided m favor of the scheme and three against it. Three unaffiliated bodies are also op posed to the scheme, while seven Unions have yet to give an opinion. The Land Board, acting on the advice of the Crown Law Officers, have exone rated those persons who took up Jand at the instigation of Mr Coleman Phillips of any intention to commit a breach of the Land Act; and with regard to the action of Mr Phillips, the Board resolved that the matter so far as he is concerned should be referred to the Minister of Justice to take action. «• The extra yacht race was won by the Mascotte. Wbstpout, January 25. The coal export for the week ended Saturday was : —'Wellington Company, 129 tons ; Westport Company, 2240 tons, total, 2369 tons. Grjsymouth, January 25. The coal export for the last week was 2788 tons. Timaru, January 25. A three-year-old daughter of J. Kaye,: laborer, was struck by the cow-catcher of the north, express on Saturday at Perry's bridge. She was sitting on one of the rails. The train was stopped and the child, who was insensible, taken on board and brought to a doctor, who stated there was no fatal injury only a bad scalp wound and cut face. Bluff, January 25. An old man named Robert Fraser was found (load m his house here this after noon, death having evidently resulted from an apoplectic fit. The body was found on the floor of the bedroom, with some blankets off the bed around it. It is presumed that the lit seized the deceased m bed, and being a single man, and no assistance at hand, the fit resulted fatally. mm^^mmmmmmmmmmmmm

The Ex-Premier's Financial Statement.

The following is the Financial State* ment tor the first nine months of the current financial year, which Sir H. Atkin son has forwarded to the Governor, and which will be presented to Parliament by his Excellency:— Being about to resign my office of Colonial Treasurer, I desire before doing so to place before your Excellency a short statement showing the actual results for the first nine months of the year, t )getber with an estimate for the remaining three months, thus showing the probable state of -the finances at the end of the current financial year. ORDINARY REVENUE —EXPENDITURE. In my Financial Statement of 1890 I estimated the total expenditure at £4,127,417. After adding the amount voted m the Supplementary Estimates, and deducting the reduction made m Com mittee of Supply, the expenditure autho rised was £4,125,502. The actual expen diture for nine months already brought to account waa £3,287,531, excluding £78,600 the balance of the deficit at 31st March 1888 paid off; and a careful estimate pre pared by the various departments (which, m my opinion, is certainly not an under estimate) shows the probable expenditure for three months ending 31st March next to be £843 047, making a total estimated expenditure for the year of £4,130,578, being £5076 over my estimate. But m this expenditure is included £14,600 for the session about to be held, for which, of course, I did not estimate. There will be probably an excess of expenditure over the original estimates, including ser vices unprovided for of £54,044. On the other hand there is an estimated saving m certain departments of £48,968, There is an additional expenditure of £10,139 m the Treasurydepartment, arising from dis count of remittances to London, to provide for interest and sinking fund ; but as against this there is a saving m the per manent charges of £15,086 for interest, the. Agent-General thinking it better to discount remittance drafts instead of pro viding the money frequired by obtaining advances upon guaranteed debentures. There is an additional expenditure of £11,503 upon working railways. The Defence department also shows an esti mated inci'ease of £4145, and services un provided for £7000. A saving on the Customs and Marine estimates of £9108 is represented principally by the expected expenditure not being incurred on the Snares and Stephens lighthouses. The other items represent ordinary depart mental savings. HEVENUE. The estimated revenue, after deducting £27,500, six .^months' primage duty which was disallowed by the House, was £4,131,500. The total receipts for nine months were £3,125,963. The estimated receipts for the three months ending 31st March next are £1,128,285. As far as I am able to judge, this amount is likely to be realised, giving a total revenue fov the year of £4,250,248—being £118,748 m excess of my original estimate. The chief items of revenue m which excesses occur are :—Customs, £89,721; railways, £15,000 ; stamps, £5728 ; beer duty, £5100. The other sources of re venue also show slight increases. I antici pate the property tax estimate -will be fully realised. SUMMARY. Summarising these figures we have :— Receipts, estimated £4,250,248 Expenditure ... 4,130,578 Producing an excess of revenue amounting to £119,670 for the current year's trans actions. To this I add the balance of the surplus at the end of last year £36,574, which was carried forward after providing £78,600 to extinguish deficit i outstanding on 31st March 1888, thus leaving a probable surplus at the end of the next financial year of £14.6,244. THE LAND FUND. The estimated expenditure was £115,680, The actual expenditure for

the first nine months was £83,997, and the estimated expenditure by the depart-: nienfc for the three months ending 31st March next is £37,430, making a probable expenditure of £121,427 for the year, being £5747 m excess of tha original estimate. This excess is caused by ex penditure on surveys. A considerable sum may, however, be recovered on this account before the end of the year. .Revenue —The estimated land revenue was £98,600. The (ictv.nl receipts for the nine months were £123,142, and the esti mated receipts for three months ending 31st March next are £40,923, giving a total of £1.64,070, or £67,470 more than was estimated. The land fund was m debit at the beginning of the year by £45,719. Thin debit will, therefore, be reduced to £3074, but probably it will be extinguished at the end of the present year. PUBLIC WORKS FUNDS. Part 1. —The balance at the credit of this account on the 31st March, 1890, was £233,675, including an asset of £87,974 available under section 31 of " The Government Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1886." This balance has been in creased by £5781, derived principally from receipts under "The Ellesmere Lake Lands Act, 1888." The expendi ture for the nine months ended the 31st December last was £92,998, and it was estimated a further sum of £50,200 will be required for the expenditure of the current quarter. The balance available at the end of the year will probably be £96,258, subject to outstanding liabilities. Part 2.—On the 31st March 1890, the unexpended balance of this account was £386,985. The expenditure during the past nine months has been £19,644, and the esbim;|jbe for the current quarter is stated at £15,200, leaving a possible balance of £352,141 at the close of this | financial year subject to outstanding | liabilities. Part 3.—£426,806 was at the credit of this account at the commencement of this year. The amount expended during the nine months ended 31st December last was £141,372, while a further sum of £40,225 is likely to bo required for the current quarter, leaving a balance of £245,209 probably available at the end of the year, subject to outstanding liabilities. We began the year with a balance of £1,047,446, which has been increased to £1,053,247 from special receipts. There has been £254,014 expended during the past nine months, while a further sum of £105,625 will be probably required, making a total estimated expenditure of £359,639 for the year, and leaving an available balance of £693,608 at the close of the present financial period, subject, of course, to outstanding liabilities. I may add that on the 31st December last the balances of the three parts con sisted of:—Cash m the public account, £142,159; cash on fixed deposit m London, £30,000 ; m the hands o£ officers of the Government, £73,001; temporary investments, Imperial guaranteed deben tures, £261,00) ; Westport Harbor loan debentures, £110,500 ; Greymouth Har bor loan debentures, £5000 ; Government loans to local bodies debentures, £40,000 ; deficiency bills, £49,600 ; total, £711,260; •available under section 31 of " The Government Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1887," £87,974; total on 31st December, 1890, £799,234. I attach tables for your Excellency's information which serve to illustrate the foregoing results. H. A. Atkinson. Wellington, 23rd January 1891.

Latest Cable News

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[rait press association J (Received January 26, 10.50 a.m.) IRELAND. London, January 24, Mr-Balfour's Irish fund has reeached £40,000.

AUSTRALIAN

[Received January 26, 10.50 a.m.] ONLY CHICKEN POX. Sydney, January 26. The P. and 0. Steamer Victoria has arrived here and been admitted to pratique, the disease on board being only chicken pox.

AUSTRALIAN OPINION.

The "Herald" devotes an article to the New Zealand Village Settlement System. which it says is one of the most humanitarian as well as states manlike efforts- yet directed towards the settlement of CroWn lands m the Colonies. The " Telegraph " deprecates Lord Onslow's reply to the deputation re the appointments to the Legislative Council, and condemns the action of the late Government m making the appointments.

CRICKET.

OTAGO F. CANTERBURY. [PER PRESb ASSOCIATION.] . Cheißtchukch, January 24. The game was finished on Saturday at Lancaster Park, and one of the most interesting matches ever played resulted m a win for Ofcago by 1 run and 1 wicket. The second innings of Canterbury reach ing 120 runs, Otago wanted 121 to win, and bad luck at first threatened to easily settle them, as 7 wickets Avere down for 36 ; the Bth fell at 58 ; the 9th at 96 ; but the last man, Croxford, played up and enabled Baker to hit off the runs required without further disaster. Baker scored 45 not out; Bell 25, and Croxford not out 11. ,__

English Farming Prospects.

In an address delivered the other day by Mr R. 0. Driver, a member of a firm of land agents m large practice, on the occasion of h's assuming the position of president of the Surveyors' Institution, bhe future agriculture m Great Britain was referred to m hopeful terms. What has been termed agricultural depression, Mr Driver attributes m great measure to the excessive competition for land and for the extension of holdings which followed the great wave of enterprise that passed over the country m the years intervening be tween the Crimean war and the yea! 76. But now, leaving naturally unproductive i land out of account, rents may be said to have fallen generally to the level at which they stood before that period of inflation, and, since 1888, judging from the ex perience of his own firms, farms have been letting more freely. In the North of England, where holdings of moderate size are and always have been the *ule, there has not been any difficulty m re taining old tenants at reductions of 10 to 15 per cent m rents. In some other parts of the country, I may observe, the reduc tions have ranged up to 50 per cent, or even more. Mr Driver has faifch m the pluck and energy of British farmers, backed as they were, m his opinion* by a body of landowners'as public-spirited as any class m Europe,; and if they cannot m time overcome their difficulties, sur rounded as they are by millions to whom, their products ara n prime necessity, he sees no meaning m i:ho economic theories of trade-. The average fall m the market prices of agricultural and residential estates during the last 15 years Mr Driver ( puts at 33 per cent at the outside; but of

I late there has been an increased i •quiry' for estates as well aa for fan vis Alt sough the figures cited m support of this state ment sis far as sales of land are concerned ire not. very striking, most land agents agree with Mr Driver as to a revival of business on the reduced terms that have for some time been current.—" Witness " correspondent.

Newspapers and Re- ligion.

An announcement that this was to be the subject of a Sunday evening lecture by an Auckland clergyman inspires the following remarks m "the " Herald," the writer first disclaiming any idea of the line which the rev. gentleman proposed to take:—Ministers usually refer to the, Press as a somewhat low institution, tinged • with atheism, or at all events with scepticism. Ido not suppose Mr Nelson would be so foolish as to fall m with this tone. In all my observations I have never yet known a man to conduct a paper successfuily for any length of time if he was not a good man—a man guided by high moral principle. The business is ©ne which requires moral principle afe every turn, and a man who has it riot will be unreliable, and will fail. Further, I ha c never known a man who edited with success * paper for any length of time who was not strictly upright and moral. I will defy Mr Nelson to say the same of he pulpit. One reason may be that an editor is too busy .to have any time for vice. He is either writing or thinking of what he has to write. Satan cannot find a chance anywhere, there being no idle moments. If it is a morning paper the editor is busy from six o'clock m the evening till one or two next morn ing, and that is just the dangerous time, when men are the most open to temptations. I will even go further than this, and say that I have never yet met with an editor who was not a religious man. I do not mean that editors, as a rule, are zealous attenders at Church. They are not. Probably they have, at an early period of their lives, had to attend a great many religious meatings and church services. Take the most pious of young men, send him trudging away m a wet night to a religious meeting. He sits there eager to get away, perhaps to look after something else. He becomes wearied at the waste of time. The people round him laugh at the flat and stale jokes, and they cheer long passages of what the reporter considers rant. He m completely out of sympathy with the sur roundings. A year or two of this kind of thing, and he is iit great danger of becom ing a sceptic. I can cite one illustrious example. Dickens was formed m a news paper office, and thus it is that throughout his works, whenever we have any charac ter who makes any professions of religion of what is called an evangelical character, he is a hypocrite, a humbug, "and a selfish rascal. The good men m Dickens' novels have never anything like formal religion. But no man can read Dickens without seeing that he had a deeply religious mind. Then, as to the attitude the Press assumes towards religion, it is, I think* the right one. Newspapers do not profess to teach religion. They leave that to the pulpit. Newspapers have been accused of usurping the place of the. pulpit. They have undoubtedly grestly encroached on what was formerly the sphere of the pulpit, but probably it may be claimed that they have only taken their own, and that m former twines the pulpit stretched itself oui; too far, and claimed teo exclusive a power over the whole life of man. And it must be confessed that where you have a religious newspaper you have as a rale a very wretched specimen of the class ; it is. generally petty, rancorous, spiteful, and narrow minded. As i rule newspapera treat religion with/respect and veneration. They never sneer at religion although they may not be very respectful to the Chadbands and Stigginses. They treat aU sects pretty much alike, because an edifor cannot be a zealoua sectarian. He attaches no importance at all to many points on which sects are divided. He ia apt to get disgusted and sick at those who attach great importance to the eastward position, or to the proper rinsing out of cups, or to reredoses. He turns a deaf ear to theories about the Lost Tribes, or to elaborate intrepretations of prohecy.

MAGISTERIAL

SOUTH RAKAIA—SATURDAY. (Before Messrs 0. A. C. Hardy, and L. Oxley, J.P.'s.) LARCENY. ■ ' !? Thomas Ivess was charged with the larceny of a.cheque value £5, the property of W. Stub'bs. Mr Crisp appeared for accused and pleaded not. guilty. Sergeant Moller prosecuted. Mr Crisp elected to have the case dealt with summarily. W. Stubbs remembered on November 20 meeting accused at Ashburton about nine j o'clock m the morning. Knew accused by sight. Drew a cheque for £5 on the Bank of New Zealand, Rakaia, but could not get came cashed, as he was n«fc known. Accused said he could get ifc cashed, and witness gave it to him and agreed to wait at the Commercial Hotel till he returned. Waited m and about the hotel all day, but accused did not return. Met accused about a week after at Rakaia, and asked him about the cheque. He »aid he had partly cashed ft at Kelly's, but would make it all right. He refused to give witness the cheque, bub said he had written to Mr Kelly about it. Witness stopped payment of the. cheque the day after accused got it to cash. Heard no more about it till a few days ago, when he received a solicitor's letter threatening proceedings unless the money was paid to Kelly. Knew then that he had been swindled and took these proceedings. Was perfectly sober when he drew the cheque and gave it to accused. W. B. Dixon, Bank New Zealand agent at Rakaia, recognised the cheque pro duced. It would have been cashed at the Bank if produced before payment was stopped. A. J. Kelly, proprietor of the i Central Hotel, Ashburton, remembered accused coming to his house to get a cheque cashed. The one produced was the one. He cashed it, and they had tW§ drinks. Gave accused £2 19s, and kept; the obher £2 at the request of accused, who said he would get it before he went home. Let him have the balance. Had never received value for the cheque, pay ment being stopped when he sent it to the Bank. Knew the accused. Gave the cheque and instructions to Mv Cuth bertson, and afterwards gave Constable Lewis authority to get the same. Saw accused some three weeks after cashing the cheque, when he promised to come m the following Saturday, and square the matter up. Constable Lewis gave evi dence. " Mr Crisp addressed the Court at length. Accused was hot m a fit state to go into the box and be sworn. The case was very 7 clear and accused was sent to gaol for one month with hard labour.

Wheu Mr Bryce was at Marton recently a reporter asked him what he thought of the mental calibre of the present House. He replied that it was poor. There has been (Woman tells us) a gigantic scandal among a group of dwarfs now ex hibiting m Hanover. Among thdm is a married couple, the female half of which grow weary of her husband's attentions, and resolved to elope with a more distinguished member of the company—the smallest dwarf of all. The erring couple got as far as the station, but when m the act of climbinjr into a second-class carriage, were seized and ignominiously carried back to their hote^ ue under each arm.

THE ASHBURTOISr GUARDIAN, MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1891.



I '" ': *■■■»■ nniiHit hi ■ m >■——fc Wanted ' CASH Ad ertwemeT.ta under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Oftf>« 3OST on Sunday afternoon, between _J Tiuwald and Ashburfcon, a fur tippet. Finder please leave »b " Mail" Office^ 1+147 /"^OOLING and invigorating Ice Cream . V^_ ft« made by H. G. Flower, Con- ' fectionur, East Street. fIiRY the Groat Drapery Sale now on < JL nt H. C. Seukiui. i (> |. ANT/fiD Known — Some special *• • linen m choice Dress Goods at Verylow prices showing at The Corner." \1 / ANTED Known—The "Strong* »' V wear " Boot i 3 tho best for Meiis adios and Children.—W. H. Collieh. QEGERS' Clearing Sale m all Depart O menfcs now on. One trial solicited. • Molford House. : % { . ANTED Known — The Cheapest »• '■' Shop to buy Tinware and Gal vJHiised Iron goods m Ashburton, is at W. F. Hannafo&d's, Burnett Street. A urge stock kept on hand. Tin and Iron ware goods made and repaired with des patch ELFORD House Sale now on. We only ask one visit.—H. C. Segeks. WANTED every man m the County to have ft suit of the Ashburton Tweeds.—Robkrt Alcobn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunder's Buildings. BOOTS, BOOT. I*. "Keep you.- feet Dry and save Doctor's Bills. have a splendid Stock m now. Try my Double-soled Shooters. Every pair Guaranteed. Robert Alcorn, Ashbur ton. IN BANKRUPTCY. In the District Court of Ashburton (being ft local Court of Bankruptcy) holden at Ashburton. In the matter of " The Bankruptcy Act, 1883," and the Acts amending the same, and of the bankruptcy of James McCrbnor, of Methven, farmer. "\TOTICE is hereby given that FRT- J.N DAY, the 6th day of February, 1891, at the hour of 11 o'clock m the forenoon, at the District Courthouse Ash burton, has been appointed by the Court for tho public examination of the above-named bankrupt. Dated at Ashburfcon this 26th day of January, 1891. J. C. BELL, 1+145 Deputy-Official Assignee. MONEY TO LEND. TUTONEY to Lend at LOW RATES OF INTEREST, on Mortgage of FREE HOLD PROPERTY, m sums of £100 TO_Jgsooo For further particulars apply to the Postmaster, ABnburton, or to J. C. PRUDHOE, District Agent. Government Insurance Office. Christchurch. . ■AlfHOd/TCITtt .WJT.M.T£ETU CHRISrCHCROH DENTAL SURGERY. Corner of Cashel and High streets S. M™ AND C°o SURGFiON DENTIST And at Dunedin wid Westporfc WE have gained tin FIRST AWARD " the Dunedin Exhibition for Artificial Dentures and Mechanical Appli ances for the Mouth, and it is wit.h the greatest confidence that v:e guarantee the highest class work and perfect fit at the most moderate cos A Single Artificial Tooth, 10s. Comple Set — Upper and Lower temporary and permanent, £10 10s. Natural, Durable, Comfortable Artificial Teeth Replaced Temporarily al most immediately after the extraction of decayed teeth or stumps without extra cc or charge. Arrangements can be made for part or monthly payments. ADMINISTERING NITROUS OXIDE 3AS several times daily for the past ten years, we fearlessly assert that extraction of teeth under its influence is perfectly painless and positively safe ] Fee for Administration, ss. Extraction, 2s fid. Artificial Teeth and Dentures made by other dentists repaired or remodelled at small cost STOCK-TAKING. REDUCTIONS IN ALL DEPARTMENTS For one Month. N EV7 115 A I A N D CLOTHING MOTOR? \ge»t for Vw. V onderful Wertheim Sieving Machines >V. H. WEBBER Manager