The Ashburton Gurardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1891. THE TRUST OFFICE COMMIS SION.

One of the many canards which were set afloat by the Wellington correspon dents of Opposition journals was to the effect that at lenst'i&OOO would be ?rß|ftir tecl to settle the claim of the three' Commissioners, Messrs Larnach, Lough rey.and Macdonalcl. Those gentlemen had claimed ten guineas—or was it iiteen guineas—each for every day that was occupied m the enquiry, besides liberal allowances for travelling ex penses. Mr Macdonald contradicted 'these'rumors m the House early m the session, but the correspondents re asserted the accuracy of their *" infor mation," telling their readers that they would see that enormous fees would be paid. The event proved that these statements had no better foundation than most of those which the imagina tive correspondents telegraphed to their employers' papers. When the vote for fees to the Commissioners cams before th« House it was found that the amount was £648, and Mr Macdonald declin ing to take a shilling of the sum that was proposed to be voted to him for his services, the vote was reduced by JEI24 10s—to £523 10s. This should have closed the mouths of the rumor mongers, but instead if;* was made the occasion for an attack upon Mr Mac donald. Mr Buckland wanted to know what the Government was going to pay Mr Maccloaald, and when answered that the amount placed on the esti mates for that purpose had been struck off at Mr Macdonald's own request, and that it was not proposed to pay him anything, Mr Buckland went on to ask what amount the other Commissioners were going to allow him, and v, hether the Government intended to allow him out of unauthorised expenditure. Mr Macdonald rightly claimed protection against such questions as being insult ing to himself, to the Government, and to the House. The findings of the Commissioners were most objectionable to "the many friends of the public servants who were involved, and ever since the state of affairs disclosed was first hinted at m the press the utmost hostility has been evinced m certain quarters against the Commissioners. Messrs Larnach and Loughrey were out of the reach of Mr Buckland, and Mr Macdonald had to bear the brunt of the rancorous attacks, but the public are well aware of the value of the services of the Commission, the neces sity for which has been abundantly proved by the evidence taken. The enquiry cannot have been otiierwise than distasteful to those conducting it, and they should not be made butts for the spleen of those whose friends have been proved to have undertaken more than they were able to carry out. The Commissioners carried out their un pleasant duties faithfully and with marked ability, and are entitled to be protected against insulting attacks m or out of Parliament.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

T,«e Mart on "Mercury," after three moiiths' successful existence, has founa it necessary to ohlarge its sheet, which now consists of thirty-six columns. We wish our contemporary continued prosperity. Attention is directed to an advertisement m another column by Mr H. Zander, who has just received a large consignment of new season turnip and other seeds, the germinat ing j:ower of which has been testae! by seed experts?. In addition to this Mr Zuuler requests us to state that he has made some sweeping reductions m teas, sugars, and groceries generally, as explained m his adver tisement. The body of a female child was discovered on Thursday by some children attending tlie Milton High School, m a hedge on the main road, about a mile south of Milton. Its pre sence secim to have been known to the children for some days before. The body was m an advanced stage of decompr sition, and was minus a hand and leg. Dr Stewart thinks that the body must have lain there for more than a month. A curious experiment was recent'y trie 1 m Wairarapa. A farmer m that district, having laid poisoned wheat for rabbits, was much annoyed by several of his fowls pn'b ik ing of it, two or three having died. Noticing others showing symptoms of poisoning he determined upon an experiment. Catching the fowla lie slit their crops, washed them out thoroughly, filled them with bread and milk, and then sewed them up, and it is said the fowla are now perfectly healthy. There died at Balclutha, on September 19 (says the Gore " Standard "), a very old and well-known resident, Frederick Behberg, who had obtained more than a local reputa tion. He was a carpenter by trade, but did not follow this calling much during late years. At the time of the great Clutha flootl, towards the close of the year 1878, Rehberg's house—a substantial building, with concrete foundations—was, during the night, washed bodily away by the current. Behberg and his housekeeper, a Mrs Kerr (of the late Kerr v. Koddie will case) were m the house at the time, and their position was an extremely peiilous oae. The house was carried near the mouth of the river before their cries for help were heard by Messrs Bell Bros, of Inch Clutha, who put off m a boat, and rescued the pair. Another well-known Maori chief passed away on Tuesday, m the person of Hoani ; Paiaka te Papaugo (says tlie " Wanganui Chronicle ") Deceased lived at Koiro, about 117 miles up the river. He was a man of r.o mean intellect, and we have often heard him spoken of as one of the finest known speci mens of the Maori race. It was he who warned back the ill-fated Moffat from his ill fated explorations up the river m search of gold, and he afterwards figured prominently m the disturbances created by themurikrof Moffat. In the earlier stages of the Maori war Paiaka was one of the moat active men m the ranks of the enemy, but he soon recognised the futility of the struggle, anil became a staunch supporter of the Govern ment. The immediate cause of death was inflammation of the lungs, brought on by a cold caught by the deceased when m Wel lington the previous week. The love of sport is, Mr Christie Murray says, one of the first things that strikes the visitor as a specially Australian character istic. But it would be a mistake to imagine, he goes on to point out, that the Australian people is itself especially athletic. They love sport, but it is sport indulged m by others for them to look on at, " The worship of athleticism breeds a professional or sctni-professional class, but it is surprising to notice ho^ little an effect it has upon the crowd of city people wl v join m all the rites of adoration. The popu? larity of the game of football its answerable for the existence of the barracker, whose outward manifestations of the inward man are as disagreeable as they well can be. The barracker is the man who shouts for his ami party, and by yells of scorn and ex pletives ( t t execration seeks to daunt the side against which he has put his money." I Teasfree from any excels o* a^trjiiijjfency South British Tea Company's'pure Merely AH store eepiera . ; True economy 'i"o purchase Counties i Tea for two shillings. Free front any e?» gesji of astfingencyi

he.committee of the Ashburton Racing are advertising for a secretary. Applications inust'be made by next Tuesday. At the recent Eton College Cadet review befora the German Emperor a shot was fired "by accident." The Emperor, however, alleges that he Aisbinctly heard a bullet whiz past him. * Mr Andrew Orr announce? the display of his new Spring and Summer millinery, dresses, and all the useful and ornamental iidjuncts to l.ulies' an-l men's dress. His spacious aliowrooms have never presented a br.iver sight. Tlie arcade will be quite; a horse' show as well as a fair on Siturday next, no less than , eight of the entires to be shown, at the hotse ptirade going tinder the irVmnier. Mr Thomaa submits tour draught sires m "*ingiil," "Sir Archibald,' " Awamoa," aiwl "Sir William Jervois." Mr J.■ (!• Restell offers " Young Cistlerftagh," uno* Messrs Friedlandcr " Young New Style," and " Napoleon " m draughts, and the pony, "Sclim." The Horse Parade to take place m the Aahburiou Saleyards oil Satutnlay next under the "auspices of the A. and P. Association'promises to be tme of the best on record for tiie district, vo less than thirty-one horses having been entered with the Secretary, Mr J. J. C. Quane np to Tuesday on which date the entries closed. The entries comprise sixteen draught horses, seven thoroughbreds, six carriage horses and two ponies. Last year the total entry m all classes was only sixteen, but the year before, when the largest number ever, shown paraded, the total reached thirty-two. In banco at Christchurch this morn ing, before Judge Denniston, a rule nisi, calling on the informants m the Salvation Army case to show cause why the conviction should not be quashed, was made absolute | without costs. The two defendants were convicted of singing and beating drums to the annoyance of the public, and fined 5s and £112s costs, which were not paid. A distress warrant was issued and returned unsatisfied. The Justices then issued a warrant for commitment for fourteen days' imprisonment, against which defendant ap pealed, resulting as above. The almost continuous blaze of lightning m the South on Tuesday evening and the occasional roll of distant thunder indicated that there was a heavy storm beyond the Rangitata. The " Timam Herald" says that a smart thundershower passed over Tiumru between six and seven p.m,, with flashes of lightning and dull rolls of thunder. As the dtorin passed northwards th.3 light- < ning increased m frequency and brilliance, and prasented the peculiarity that the flashes flew m horizontal curves, with many branch ings. Thunderstorms are so rare that a good deal of interest was taken m the brilliant display. The only pity is that it did not bring a good rain. This was a story, told, to the English Labour Commissioners at a recent meeting by some school teachers from the textile districts: —"I have seen healthy and rosy oheeked children go from my school," said one witness, " to the mill, and m a short time become sallow and worn out." "The little ones have to be at the mill from 6 m the morning till 12.30j and girls of I 11 and 12 years old are on their feet most of that time. They come to school m the afternoon, but their receptive powers are gone, and a teacher might do all he could for them, but they are drowsy and half asleep, and too tired out to follow the lesson. I have heard them m the streets at 5.50 m the morning, and looking out through my window, see them half asleep rubbing their eyes, going off; to the mill through snow and rain. They lose all the ways of children, and become little old men j and women before their time." A striking speech his betn made at Munich by Herr Vollmar, a prominent deputy, belonging to the Socialist party m Germany. He declares himself to be a strong partisan of the Triple Alliance, and ridicules as Utopian the idea of the United States of Europe. He regards a war between Germany and a Russo-French alliance as not improba ble, and warns France that if Russia is beaten it wilibethe former power which will be called upon to pny the indemnity m coin and t3rrbory. She is also recommended not to ■indulge m any illusions with recpect to the Gbrman Socialists. They wil' be found m the iront ranks of the army m the event of C.em any b;ing attacked, but. especially so if Russia should be the aggressor, because they look upoa that power as the greatest antago nist of civilisation and progress. The monthly meet ing of Helpmate Division, Sous and Daughters of Temperance, was held at the Templar Hall on Monday even ing, when there \va3 a good attendance. Among other business, it was decided that m future- regular meetings be held once every four weeks, the next mooting will therefore take place on October 26, notice of which will be duly advertised m these columns. Mr J. Thomas, W.P., was elected represen tative to the Grand Division meeting, and, at the request of the meeting, Mr C. Dixon consented to undertake the dual office cf recording and financial scribe; it being understood that Mr T. E. Kilworth might be consulted, if necessary, by members m the interim between the meetings. The anniversary celebration sub-eommittea re ceived an extension of time m which to bring up its report, and some other matters concerning the good of the Order were pro c«e led with m a thorough &ud expeditious manner, *he Division showing such evidences of increased vitality that indicate marked sucess m the future for this particular branch of friendly society work. The receipts for the evening was nearly £20. A social gathering was held m the Hinds district schoolroom on Monday evening last, m aid of the school prize fund. The datp. originally fixed was on the previous Friday, but the ball had to be postponed on account of tlie heavy rain. The crowded schoolroom, converted into a temporary ball-room, presented a very pleasing appearance. Every arrangement for the comfort and convenience of the visitors had I previously been made by the school committee, who conducted the ball through out m a very satisfactory manner. A few of the ladies of the district provided | refreshments at intervals during the night, | The music was excellent. Thcballvvasopened at eight o clock with a Scotch reel by Mr ! Donald McLean and the Highlanders from Lagmohr. The reel was repeated m response to enthusiastic recalls. Mr McLean, to-the music of the bagpipes, then danced the Highland Fling, and after hearty prolonged applause, he repeated the dance, Mr Morrison gave the sword dance, and Mr Sullivan a Irish Jig, a hornpipe, and the steps of an Irish Reel, Piper McKay played the bagpipes co the evident enjoyment of all. After spending a highly enjoyable night, the assemblage separated towards morning. Financially the proceeds of the ball exceeded by far all expectation. We clip the following important testimo nial from the " Illawarra Mercury '(N.S.W ) of the 30th March. It needs no comment :— " Mr John Loveday, of the Bulli Mountains writes to us that after suffering for four years with acute gravel, he has experienced almost complete relief by using Sander and Sons' Eucalyptic Extract. He says: —'' Seeing the said Extract advertised m the ' Illawarra Mercury,' his intense suffering induced him to obtain a bottle of the medicine from Mr Hosking, chemist, of this town, and that the use of it gave him great relief at once, He states that between }Oth March inst., when he obtained the first bottle of the extract, and the 19th, the use of that medicine continued to afford him relief, to which he had been a stranger for four years. Mr Loveday writes also that he has found the Eucalypti Extract i cure for rheumatism as well as gravel. He requests us to publish this information through the' Mercury.' We have much pleasure m complying with Mr Loveday's request, whose word cannot be doubted, and who can have no object m view other than a pure desire to benefit suffering humanity. " —(Advt.) 2 HoJiLOWAY'S PIIXS AND OINTMENT. — Health's Defences. —None save the strongest can with/impunity Pass through the sudden transitions from wet to dry, frqni cold to muggy weather so prevalent during the autumnal and early winter months. In. fluenza, bronchitis, cough, sore throat, or quinsey will attack those most watchful of their health; but they can readily arrest any of these complaints by rubbing Holloway's Oiniment twice a day upon the skin over the affected parts, and by assist ing its correotive action with appropriate, dj^ses flf Jiis pills. This well-known, safe, ai>d "easy'"m6de ftf treatment efficiently protects the patient b^fch frqm ppesgnt and future danger without weakening or eyJEfri djau.rbiuifch^&yst^fnto tlie slightest degree

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

PER I'RKSSI ASSOCIATION.

THE RUSSIAN FAMINE.

St. Petersburg, September 29. Severe frosts hare destroyed th«! Russian barley crops. .Cattle are starving, besides being afflicted with plague. The Government - having re fused to supply seed for food grains, immense tracts of country have not been sown this year. The clergy m the rural districts are joining an army of beggars, and women are selling 1 themselves. -I*he peasants are highly indignant at tlie apparent apathy of the Czar, "and; threaten to take'the law into their.own* hands, stating thatthey' have supported him m luxury too long. It is expected that the famine \vili.be at its height m November, and the alleged reserve supplies of food have been foohd to be ,non-existent. Ten thousand of the peasantry have peti tioned the Gzar for leave to emigrate from the country.

RUSSIA ALND ASIA.

London, September 2§J The " Standard's " Moscow , corres pondent states that Russia*; politi cians are exciting the Afghans jagainst the Turkomans of Bokhara, and that Russia is intriguing to annex Bokhara. OBITUARY. • ! The death is announced of Drj James, Wesieyan clergyman. LABOR ITEMS. : At a meeting of railway tiien at Hampstead Heath resolutions were passed demanding shorter hours a.nd, higher wages. FOOTBALL. London, September 29. The English Rugby football team which visited the Cape, won nineteen matches and took .£-750 gate money., A PARNELL SYMPATHISER. Stephens, the returned Fenian, avows sympathy with Parnell. CRICKET. " Tlie Philadelphia eleven defeated Lord Hawke's team by eight Avickets.

LIBELLING PRINCE GEORGE.

Ottawa, September 29. The trial of O'Brien, the reporter, charged with publishing a libel on Prince George of Wales, is proceeding at Montreal. Defendant was charged with publishing a statement that the Prince, while on a visit to Canadian waters m H.M.B. Thrush, had been arrested m a street row. The chief of the police m examination to-day denied having arrested or released the Prince.

THE BURGOS DISASTER.

Madrid, September 28 The funeral of the victims of the railway collision- at Burgos took place yesterday, and was attended by an immense concourse of people. Mr Cotton, an English barrister, who! was among those injured, is m a critical condition. Intense hostility is shown by the people against the railway com pany concerned m the accident. Qufen Christina makes daily enquiiies as to the condition of the sufferers.

THE CHINESE DISTURBANCES.

Hong Kong, Sep'ember 28. The Presbyterian missionaries at Tchaughave been removed to Shanghai.

AUSTRALIAN.

ANOTHER FAILURE.

Sydney, September 29. . The Excelsior Building Society has suspended payment. The capital is £105,000. The principal liabilities are the paid-up capital, £58,000 ; reserve fund ,£30,000 ; contingent fund, £10,000; deposits, £28,000. The value of its assets is set down at £428,000; lands and buildings, £17-1,000. CHARGES OF CONSPIRACY- James P. Howe, M.L.A., late chairv man of the Australian Mercantile Loan and Guarantee Company, and Jatnes Miller, merchant, lat« director, have been arrested on a charge o^ conspiracy to defraud the company, Both de fendants have beau admitted to bail

A DEFECTIVE EMBANKMENT.

Melbourne, September 29. twelve fissures have been discovered m the Lancochrie weir, constructed for irrigation purposes. Tt contains 370,000,000 gallons of water, and if the embankment gives way, the conse quences will be disastrous,

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, September 29. Edward Downing, finger beer maker, was arrested to-day on a charge of having an illicit still m his possession. John McDo wall Simpson was also arrested for being on the premises. He is an employee of the railway, and stated he had called to see Rebert Davis, who was engaged to make boxes for Mr Downing. Both men denied any knowledge of the still, as they were m the rooms above. Edward Keat ley, a boy employed on the premises, was also arrested. Downing stated that the plant "was used to make ginger wine by a secret process of liis own. The entrance to the room wap so formed that it was almost impossible to notice i*\ When the police arrived the doorway was blocked w:th bottles. The room was hollowed out of the next premises, the doorway being made through the brick wall. Inside was the apparatus, and two tubs containing liquid, evidently working. Downing states the furnace was erected to boil j un. Gisbornk, September 29. The missing man, William Cooper, has not yet turned up, and rewards are offersd. for the recovery of his body, It is con^ sidered certain that he ; committed suicide by drowning himself m the river. He had been seen before to visit the spot where his hat was found, and looking into the water, and g'ing away m a disturbed state of mind. Cooper suffered severely from pains m his head, and he told his friends that he was afraid the pains would drive him to do something desperate. He was also worried a great dt-al over business matters. Wellington, September 29. At a meeting of shareholders and creditors of the New Zealand Antimony Company, the liquidators stated that they had QonyenefJ t]}6 meeting sq that steps might be taken to raise funds to carry out the liquidation of the company. In order i to protect the lease of. the property at Endeavour Inlet the liquidators had paid out money that had been advanced by some of the shareholders. Several speakers expressed the opinion that the London shareholders were taking no interest m tlie matter, and the London Board had not come forward as they should fyaye done. A resolution was, j parri«d tl|it th.e.jiqu.jdatQrgj sh.gu.J4 relcaag '

the assets of* Hie company' as!; "early as possible, and apply to the fcupreme Court for the necessary authority to give effect to the views of the meeting. A child at Palmerston North has tjeun attacked by stoats, which;-fastened into its neck untfl ~ driven off by the chil I's < parents. Several lambs hsve been found dead m the same district, a'sd are believed to have been killed by stoats. The Waihora. which left for Sydney this afternoon, took 142 passengers, and the Jubilee 80 passenger*. The Marine Department'have received information from the chief lighthouse keeper at Spit, that the steamer Murray from tlie We^t Coast had culled and reported that 'the ketch Elizabeth is ashore afc West Wanganui, on the north s; de, and that the vessel is iv broken I water. The Bakers' Union have adopted the Fcdeiatiou scheme eni<inatm<r from the trade-in New South Wales, and have also agreed .to allow one apprentice to two journeymen, instead of one to three a^ heretofore.

ROAD BOARDS.

HAMPSTEAD

Tho ordinary meeting of the Hampstead Town Board was .held-on Monday evening. All tho members were present, and Mr Andrews presided. Trevor's road. The <sub-C'mimitte'6 appointed to in spect Trevor's road reported that it was ,not: advisable to shingle the road at pre sent, but it would be better to form the road before winter if it became necessary to do anything with it. GORSE GRUBBING. The Ranger reported having served notices to clear gorse upon all persons having any opposite their sections, with one exception, m which the party, could not be found. I • It was decided that the Chairman and Mr Crooks confer with the clerk as to proceedings to enforce the clearance of gorse, and the taking of legal action . against persons who had failed to comply with the notices. The Wakanui B/>ad Board wrote m reference to the gorse on Boundary road, near police reserve. , ' It was resolved to apprise the Wakautti Road Board of the Town Board's readi ness to clear worse off the unsold sections on Reserve 1261 if the Wakanui Road Board would pay half the cost; or the Town Board would pay half co*t and the Wakanui Board do the work, Permission was granted to Mr John Hunt to plough out" gorse, subject to his leaving the ro.id m good order;. " thirds." ; The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote advising payment to the Board's accounfcof £86s8c, "thirds'' accrued on Reserve''l26l. The Commissioner also sent schedule of •" thirds " payable on sections sold oh the same reserve, and askoil for particulars of proposed expendi' turo. ; VALUATION. Tlie Property Tax Commissioner wrote requehtinc; tint facilities be afforded to assessors for obtaining information for the new valuation. —It wis decided to accede to the request. . DISTRICT MAP. rfii: Chairman was authorised t-9 arrange with Mr A. Fook^, if possible, fur the completion of the map of t,h-3 district, by marking on it particular.; f oui deposited plans. FOOTPATH-i. The Clerk was insfrjotc I Lo write to Mr Bullock reaues^n^ him to have the footpaths on McLean's block funned, and to express the Board's willingness to pass the roads as soon as tlsi* work was done ; ■also to state that the- B>u\l considered the continuation of P. i.uuj.i; sh-oet satis factorily made. ' TIVtIW.K. . The Cliiiiman sail lie hid h-ul a small bridge put m at the bottom of the gully near B ard'.s. — Approved. NUISANCES. The Inspector of Nuisances reported chat Mr S. Burnard's slaughter yards were m good order. Notice had been given to Mr Rule to clean his up. [t was resolved to write to the Hamp stead School Committee, requesting them to abate a nuisance caused by a drain. RATE. Mr Andrews moved that a rate be now struck, m terms of the motion standing m his name. : The motion was carried WORK. It was resolved that none but urgent work be done, unless authorised by t\\e Board m meeting, AQOOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £10 13s 6d were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned,

UPPER ASHBURTON.

Them jnthly meeting of this Board was held m the Board's office, West street, Ashburton, on Monday. Ali the members present. VALUATION. The Commissioner of Taxes wrote, asking that facilities be afforded to in tending applicants for the approaching assessment for inspecting the rolls now m force, and also for examining any map*, m order that they may be assiste4 m forming an estimate of the extent of the [ work. THE ROLL. Mr E. Wiggins wrote, stating that he had no property m the Board's district, and asking tlia*) his name be tiken off the roll. The Clerk was instructed to attend to the'mutter. Mr Harper asked that his name be taken off the roll for section 32740, and that of Mr P. Roberts inserted. NOTICE FORM. Mr C. W. Purnell forwarded draft notice to land-owners and occupiers of land to trim hedges, &c. "thirds." The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote *c deferred payment and perpetual lease " thirds," and forwarded plans to be marked where the money would be spent. BALANCE SHEET. The Auditor-General wrote, returning the Board's balance sheet for the year ended March 31, 1891, duly certified. (JORSB. It was moved i>y Mr Harper, aesonded by Mr Stitt, and carried—"That the chairman (Mr McLean), sign all gorse notices." The Clerk stated that the tender for stubbing gorse near Mr Maguinnss' had been let by the Chairman and members appointed on September 12, to Mr Athman, for the sum of 3s per chain. AVOKK, -'It was decided'to call for fresh tenders for the formation and shingling of the three and a quarter miles, more or less, of the Tinwald-Maronan road. Tenders to be m on Saturday, October 10. SUBDIVISIONS. The following notice of motion was given by Mr Harper—"That m compli ance with a petition presented to the Board, and signed by two thirds of the ratepayers of the No. 5 Allenton sub division ; this Board hereby abolishes the said subdivision, and constitutes two new subdivision^ m lieu thereqf to b,e q4l!e4 respectively—No. 5 A lien ton Subdivision and No. 6 Dromore Subdivision." ; ACCOUNTS. The accounts having been passed for payment, the Board adjourned.

FARM NOTES.

\ T^Englihh Agricultural Correspondent! otrtHp VOtago" Witness" wrires under da<#,rljQnd<>n, August 8, on tho i ■:DBTKIUOJtATK'i HARVEST PROSPECTS. 1 vj.l'hree wrecks out of four m .)uiy were ; riLifty, and Augu.,l lias Pet m with a con tinuance of woti'weathi'r, seriously dctorio- | rating the outlook £>>r hat vest. Dry as the soil was at the end of .luuc, the crops j at first stood the rains we'd, and, indeed, derived benefit from them. But the con stant soakinsr of the noil, with occasion d very liovy falls of lain, havo caused all the' best of the 'vhe-tts and barleys to lodge, greatly to the injury of quality, and more or le*s to the decrease of yield. Unless we get a speedy change of weather the outlook will be very serious. Wheat cutting will be bosjmi m the early flis-, tricts next week if the weather prove line, and harvesting will be general m the southern half of England by the middle of August. A. spell of dry and sunny weather commencing at once would sive us from the evils of mildew and sprouted corn, which are feared ; and we might still look for something more than an average yield of wheat, and a fair one of barley. Oats m England have never been up to the mark, though they promise fairly m Scotland and well m Ireland. Peas may possibly come up to average, but not beans. As to the root crops, they were highly promising until a serious attack of the caterpillar of the diamond back moth occurred throughout the eastern counties'.of England and Scotland, and m a few other districts. In many cases the turnips were quire spoilt by this attack. An inquiry" is bein<j made into the.subject by the Board of Agriculture, and some experiments have been carried out with a view to ascertaining the best remedies. Potatoes promise to be very abund.int; but fanners are dreading the extensive development of disease after all' the wet weather experienced lately. As for the late portion of the bay crop, it has been quite spoilt; Altogether gloom has settled over prospects thatwere decidedly bright at the beginning of July. HARVEST ON THE CONTINENT. Early threshings of wheat m various parts of France prove that ""-he improve ment reported a few weeks back m the condition of the crop was exaggerated, the yield and quality being alike disappoint ing. From Spain similar accounts have been received, intensely hot and dry weather m June having prevented the perfect development of the grain. Italy lias secured a good harvest, while m Switzerland wet weather has induced at tacks of rust among the wheats. In Hungary harvest work has been inter rupted by heavy rains, which have done a great deal of damage, acu ul'ng to the Minister of Agriculture's report, issued a week ago. Wheat was said to be begin ning to sprout, and barley to have lost colour. Torrents of rain m Germany have badly laid the corn, and m Belgium the recent improvement m the outlook has been discounted. Reports from Russia are as contradictory as ever. The Roumanian wheat harvest is now declared to be considerably smalleV than the great one of )asfc year, but still probably an average. Beerbohm ventures to estimate that the exports of wheat from liussia, Romania, and Bulgaria will be abouc II or 12 million quarters, or five, mil lions lese than lasfc season's total. I believe the de ficiency will be greater because of the extra home consumption of wheat m Russia that the deficiency of the rye crop will render necessary. THE I < 1)1 AX WHEAT CROP. The final repo.t of l!ie Agricultural De partment of India en the wheat crop of lhat country makes the area 26,424,000 acres, as compared with 24,77^,000 for 1890, and with a " normal" area of 26,479,000 acres. The estimated outturn is 6,^42,000 tons, as compared with 6,123,003 for 1890, and with 6,579,000 as the '' normal " produce. In each ; case " norm.il" means the average of the previous five years. Now, converting the tons into quarterss of 4921b.5, the weight at which Indian wheat is shipped to this country, we have m round - figures, 31.350,000qr as the now crop, against 27,877,000qr for 189 r). During the y«ar elided on.March- 31./ last, India exported 3,270,000qr of wheat. Having apparently grown more than 3,000,000qr m excess of last year's production, that extra quantity of exports, under ordinary circumstances might have been expected ; but owing to the great deficiency of the food crops, other than wheat i:i some parts of India (though impending famine^ it is hoped, has been staved off by rain), the consump tion qf wheat m India must be larger than usual. Therefore, if Europe gets an extra million quarters this year as compared with last year's supply, it will be all: that cvi reasonably be expected. '

A DEFICIENT WORLD'S HARVEST.

AH the authorities agree that this year's wheat crop m the world is less then a year's consumption, although there are considerable differences of opinion as to the amount of the deficiency. The editor of Beerbohm's Corn Trade List, one of the best of all authorities, says it ist imr possible to avoid thi3 conclusion. France, Germany, B,ussia, A ustria^Hungary, • and Italy together, he says", m all probability will grow 25,000,000qr less lh.an .they produced last year, while the United States and India, can, at most, show no more than 17,000,000qr co 18,000,0(K)qrs m excess of what they grew m 1890. ; An excellent American authority, the Cincin nati Prices Current, makes the total w'heal crop of Europe come to 1,115,000^000 bushels, or 160,000,000 bushels less than the good crop of last year and 285,000,000 bushels less than, a year's consumption. I believe this ead inate <-o be a very close one, and not at all exaggerated. Indeed, since, it was made reports have come m tending toshowthat the production of Europe will be even less than it was expected to be a month back. America, with a crop of about 525^000,000 bushels, is credited with a surplus of 165,000,000 bushels, and, allowing; for contributions from India and the export ing countries, then t deficiency of the world's wheat crop, as compared with a year's consumption, comes out at 65,000,000 bushels. I believe it will be greater than this,"because the calculation allows too much for the Indian surplus. The only means of meeting the deficiency will be by pretty well exhausting stocks of wheat usually held m reserve, a process to be effected only by means of a consider able rise m prices. But no great rise is likely while the markets are Soqded with wheat, as they always aje for some months, after harvest,

SUPREME COURT.

(per press association.)

Invercargill. September 20; George Boiles, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of robbing a man of a watch and chain as he lay asleep m the; bar pvrlour of an up-country hotel, was found guilty and sentenced to twelve months' hard labor. He gave evidence and tried to convince the jury that the man who captured him, ex^Oonstable Jeffries, iwas the real culprit. His counsel asked that he should be given the beliefb qf tfye Probation Acfy hub his Honor put it too counsel's common' Sense whether a man who had tried to incriminate another deserved such leniency. j

Keatino's Cough Lozenges cures ,C<Migh Asthma, Bronchitis. Medical ttstitaou states that uo other medicine is so effectual m the cure of these dangerous maladies One Lozenge alone gives ease, one or two, bedtime ensjiaes rest. For relieving difficulty o ioreathing* they are invaluable. They con tain no opium nor any violent drug.. Sold by all Chemists, m tins, Is lsd and 2s 9d each

The Late Mr Pilbrow.

THE INQUEST.. . The inqueijt ou-.the body of the iato Mr Jamas' Pilbrow w;is heid on Tuesday at Southbridge before Mr R. B. Willis, Coroner, and a jury of six, of whom Mr i R. Webster «mi chosen foreman. Tho body was discovered'about four mile^ north of thu KaAaia river, on the. Ninufy-n'iilo beach. "When found, it was almost naked, otjjy the trousers and boots remaining on the body, tho trousers and br.-icos boin-r twi-ted round the feet. Tne body "was severely cu 1, i.nl bruised, "aud the nock and other bones broken. Tlio following evidence was Jed : - F,dward Pilbmw said he'wsisa hrother of the d^ccHfced who was. aged fifty-four years, aiid w.ih, m his younger dayo, a very strong swimmer. Arthur Pilbrow deposed that he w.-is thirteen years of age, and a son cf the de ceased. Was at the mouth of the Rakain ou Monday morning, with hi« father, about eight- o'clock. They wore fishing with rod and line. His father was stand- j ing riahc at the mouth of the spit, as near ' the water as possible. The wave j wa-*h over the spit. Witness was about one hundred yards from his father, with his back towards him. Witness turned round and niirsed him. Heard no noise. The tide was low, just startitisr to came m. When he next saw his father he was right m the mouth of i.he river, trying to swim. There was. not much water m the river, hub it was • rlinirng out very fast. -Ho had his rod m his hand. He never cried out. Mr Moss was about 150 yards further away from witness, and His brother w;is further up the river, about three quarters of a mile. Witness ran to the •pit, and Mr Moss also came down. The i deceased sank, then he came up again ; he then sank, and witness never saw him afterwards. Clement Moss said he started with Mr Sliury on Sunday to fish at the Rakaia, and on arriving there met the deceased with his sons who were camping there, i Joined deceased at the mouth "'of the Ifcakaia. He got up at daylight on Mon day morning to see Mr Shury away for Ashburton, and then started fishing. The boy was standing at the spit, and the deceased above. Witness told him it was dangerous to all<">w the boy to remain there, and he then called to him and told him to come up.; The waves were break ing over the spit. Did not see deceased washed off the spit,'but saw the little boy running along the spit throwing his arms up towards where his father had been standing. Ran to the mouth of the river. After getting into the sea deceased appeared to be striking out to sea, but the waves were too strong for him. Witness waited till he went out of sight, and then went and informed his eldest son, who was fishing a long way up the , river. Accompanied the son to try and. find the body, but was not successful. The eldest son drove to Ashburton to" inform the.police, and witness returned to the spit to watch, aud stayed till five o'clock, but the body was not washed up. Could not account for deceased t.eing stripped ; he had all his clothes on when at the spit. Thomas Henry Pilbrow said he was the second son of the deceased. Could, give no further information, except that on the spit where deceased .was fishing there would hi about five or six feet of water a high bide. His father had never fished there- before (ill the S turday previous to his dea: h. William Cooper deposed to sroing on Monday afcernoon up (he bench to his brother's place at four o'clock, and <»t the top of the bank at the cutting he fancied he saw a log of wood m the distance. Went to it and saw ie was a body with very little plothin^ on. Accompanied the ] police to the spot, and helped to put the ! body into a buggy. It was about four ! miles from the mouth of the river where he found the body. Constable Warring stated that on re ceipt of a telegram from Inspector Pender, and m consequence of information re ceived, he proceeded up the sea beach, j and about loar miles from the mouth of | the foikaia river found the body of Mr | Pilbrow lying on its back, lie had a pair [ of shooting boots on. and the remains of ! a pair of merino drawers and tweed trousers, and a piir of suspenders rolled together like seaweed, otherwise the body Was perfectly nude. The jury returned a verdict of " Acci dental drowning,"

New Postal Regulations.

(per press association.

Wellington, September 29. New Zealand having joined the Postal Union the amended rates and regulation* willoome into, force, on Thursday next, October 1. Under these letters may be sent to any country m the Postal Union at a uniform rate of 2|d per half ounce (except to the Australian Colonies and South Sea Islands^ where the fate remains at 2d the half ounce). Professional and trade accounts for delivery m the colony, if posted m opqn envelopes, M per for packets* not exceeding iozs Id, and every additional 2055 or fraction thereof, |4 ; poab cards to any place m Australia and South Sea Islands, single Id, reply paid, 2d ; for any country beyond those mentioned, single, l£d; reply paid, 3d ; books and printed papers, except newspapers, m New Zealand, |d not exceeding 2ozs, and |d, for every additional 2oafy to otiher cduntriesj H not exceeding 4ozs, and Jd for every additional 2ozs ; comm ere ial papers m New Zealand and Australasia Id, not exceeding 4ozs, and |d ea.c,h. additional 2ozs; other countries 2|d not exceeding sczs., and Id each additional 2ozs. ; pattern sample and picket post to any place within or b6ybnd Now Zealand for any packet not exceeding 40z5. id, for every additional 2bas or frac tion,|d,; newspapers within the colony |d, to th.c Australian colonies, Great Britain, and Ireland Id; other places Id not exceed ing 4ozs. and §d every additional 2oz. The registration fees which were formerly 3d, sd, and 8d per aricle are now reduced to a uniform rate of 3d to any place and an acknowledgment fee. is provided for, so that the sender if he chooses may by pay ment of an additional 2|-d receive an acknowledgment of the due receipt of a registered letter by addressee. Insuffi ciently prepaid a.no| unpaid tetters which m some instances were formerly detained jnay now be sent by the department to any country and surcharged double deficiency m nil eases. Both the single arid reply paid post-cards system is ex tended to all countries, and whereas on the address side of the post-card, nothing I was permitted except the address, the nameand address of the sender may now ,be stamped or painted thereon. In the case of packets insufficiently prepaid, which formerly were either surcharged 4d plus the deficiency, or detained and returned to the senders, will now be charged double deficiency and sent to destination. Newspapers insufficiently stamped, if tor delivery m the cojony, will be sent to destination, and charged .double the ordinary rate, hut if outside ' the colony, doubje deficiency will be charged iuaHoHsea. Newspapers not complying with special conditions, for' free trans mission, formerly charged full letter rates will be charged us ordinary newspapers. The uso of halfpenny stamps which was intended for newspapers only, has, been extended for the prepayment of a.ll classes of correspondence. Ali ciass.Gs. pf coyres pomlence, (even if registered) may pd re directed free of charge to any place within Ai beyond -New Zjnland.

Countess 2s, Duchess 2s 4d, J¥incess 2s Bd, Empress 3s. These Teas are free from »ny excess of astfto^ncyl 1

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

(PEK' PItKSS A PSOCI ATIO>.) Xlie OTiff>nl M>nn<l C«»nrlrt». . Wellington, September 30. The Hiiibinoa j?t;es down to Mi'ford | S mud with another ba*oh of prismeis U>-night. Among them is the notorious Bu'-ler. Marton, SsptemWor 30.  Mrs Chancy, wife of the pjstmaster, w;n catching a horse yesterday, when the auimal k eked ..her oti the tack of her head. She has been unconscious ever since, and it is thought her skull is fractured. Small hopes are entertained of her recovery. Nii]i|tuH«Ml K««:rt|tvil li«ii«tlr. Dukedin, September 30. The Port Chalmers police discovered m th'j railway tunnel John Williams, believed lobe an escaped lunatic from Sunnyside,

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN* WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30» 18gL



TENDERS. rFIENDER3 wanted for additions to 1_ house of W. B. Dknshike, Aitken street. Plans and specification to be seen at Mr J. Tucker's Office. Tenders to be sent m by THURSDAY; October 10, ad dressed to the undersigned. Tlte lowest or any tender net necessarily accepted W. B. DRNSHIBE, 9 197 Aitken street. HENRY r/AND EX. " ENRY ZiANDER. I HAVE JUST LANDED, ex lonic, my season's Supply of the Finest Turnip Seeds, Turnip Seeds, including EVERY VARIETY. Also, — Mangold Seed, Mangold Seed, Carrot Seed, Carrot Seed, Rape Seed, Rape Seed, All of the Purest/Quality, and Tests can be seen at my Office. FERTILIZER^" m STOCK. ANGLO-CONTINENTAL GUANO MANURES. (Received First Order of Merit at last Canterbury Agricultural arid Pastoral Show at Christ church ) . : KAlNlX—(Specially for light wife.) Sheep Shears!! SHEEP SHEARS ! ALL THE FAVORITE BRANDS. WARD & PAYNfc/S, BURGOX & BALL'S. i TURKEY & WASHTTA OILSTONES. ; BOILED & RAW LINSEED OILS. I GROUND & LUMP RADDLE. RED & BLACK BRANDING OIL, Etc., Efcc. GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS. Having made specinl and most favor able arrangements for a supply of Groceries with a wholesale firm who is giving up business, I am m a position to undersell any local Grocer. The prices have been greatly reduced for CASH only, and those m the habit of paying Cash will elect an enormous saving. I do not advertise prices as they are generally copied, but come and be' con vinced that every article is Cheapejr than at any other firm m Ashburton.; Re member for CASH only. Only the best quality kept m Stock, and Goods delivered anywhere m town or at station. A Complete Assortment of the Best Brands of WINES AND SPIRITS. ALES AND STOUT, Australian SHERRIES & CLARETS, Finest German LAGER BEER, Always ou hand. IRONMONGERY & HARDWARE* CROCKERY & GLASSWARE, In all their Branches. HENRY~ZANDER GENERAL MERCHANT AND DIRECT IMPORTER, —AGENT FOR— Sun Fire Insurance Company. Canton .Marine Insurance Company. Australian Mutual Provident Society* WIT.U.\«Ttt AiTHOUTTEETII CHRISrOHCRCH DENTAL SURGERY, Corner of Oashel and High Btreets, S. M™ AND CS SURGEON DENTIST, And at Dunedin anl Westiwrt. iTTE have gained the FIRST AWARD V V at tJie Dunedin: Exhibition for Artificial Dentures and Mechanical Appli ances for the Mouthy ;and it is with the greatest confidence that yre, guarantee the highest class work and perfect fit at the most moderate cost A .Single Artificial^Tisoth, 10s. Complete Set —Upper and Lower— temporary and permanent, £10 10s. Natural, Durable, Comfortaiuje Artificial Teeth Replaced-Tempoiajti^l al .nost immediately after the «xtmctior> of decayed teeth or stumps "without extra. fee or charge. ■ '■ - ' Arrangements cm be inado for part or monthly payments. ADMINISTERING NITROUS OXIDE 3AS several times <laily for *he past ten years, we fearlessly assort that extraction of teeth under its influence is perfectly oainless and positively We V * Fee for Ad^ninistratian s^. Extraction, 2s Gd* Artificial Teeth and Dentures made by her dentists 'repaired J|or^ reutod^Uqcl * i " ""*



Ask for Niuian Hy&Jop, and Co's " Imperial' new seasons Pure Ceylon and Indian Teas. Special prices.—(Advt,)



Niniah Hyslop and Co.'s " Imperial " Ceylon and Indian Teas are direct from the Tea Plantations —lAdvfc, l) Ninian Hyslop and Co.'b " la^ena] pure Ceylor and Indian Teas are th.c pgt m the market,— (A ojvt.)



Wanted. CASH Advertisements under this heading not excelling SIXTEEN WORDS 1 /-. Addresses may be Wtat this Office. LOST, a Swag, between Ashburton Saleyards and TmwaM. Finder' please leave at J. Olauk's, Tinwald, or H. Paget's, Ashburton. 9 193 -JL "The Greatest.ThiiifrmtheWorld." ; " tfheChanged Lif«," " P»x Yobiscum," WANTED. Competent Bodice Hand, also Apprentices to the Dress making. Apply to Misses Gates. 9 199 lUEOreiuu oti Oonuh drops ion. Un doubtedly 'he best. H. <lr. *>owsS, Confectioner East Street. __ i _____ WANTED Known—A special line of Cashmeres, all shiule?, «ow selling at Is,per yArd. White Blankets 5m lid per pair.—H. C. Seqeks, Melford House. WANTED Known.-Bargains m White Muslins and Embroideries, also fancy \.prons, at W. H. CotxiEK's, "The Corner." ' :\T7: ipj*TED Known—A Beautiful Line \» of French Dress Goods, double width. Is 10]kl ; originel value. 4s. -pH- °« Seobks, Melford House. , WANTED Known.-Grand assort ment of Boots and Shoes for. Ladies, Children, and Men at W. 11. Coiukb's, "The Corner." WANTED Known — Being over stocked m Cor.-ets, we have re uced every pair. Ladies from Is 6d. Cheapest house m town. —H. C. Sbgbb-s, Melford House. "OROOKE'.S Carbolised Scaly Blight S3 Cure is the best of all, bar none. WANTED KNOWN genuine Clearing Sale is going on and the Boots are going out Best value yet offered, ten per cent for cash, the very best york and repairing done at once at J. M. Moison's lown Hall, Eaat Street. ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed ; from 52s 6d cash; Robert Aicorn, Ashburton Clothing Marl, Saunders' Buildings. ROSLYN, Mosgiel, Kaiapoi, and Ash burton Tweed Suits made to my order from selected patterns. Long and. narrow and short and wide as well as ordinary sizes from 40a cash. Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. rf'O Meet the Times,—l am supplying L Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all dessriptiona. Inspection Invited.— J. W. Hardlby, Eaa street. 6J201 WANTED Known—H. Dudley will sink Deep Wells and supply Cylinder Pumps and Piping, and guaran tee water to surface at 3s 6d per foob. H. Dudley, Moore Street. 6§S4 WANTED Known.—l have a large stock of Tin and Ironware Goods to seVct from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m ptock.—J. W. Hardley, East '«treet. 6J202 /"»HEa'P READING for all Classes,— ' /■■ Hundreds of Back Numbers of Monthly and Quarterly Periodicals at Half Price. Several volume* of Standard Works at Oost Price to reduce our Large Stock. Photo and Scrap Albums, Photo Frames, — L. F. Akdrewes & Co., Stationers' Hall. Public Notices FLEMINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. THE ANNUAL TEA MEETING "WILL TAKE PLACE ON Tuesday, Oct. SO, m the SCHOOLROOM, to be followed by a Public Meeting m the CHURCH, when addresses will be delivered by Ministers and others, and musical selec tions given by the Choir. 9*196 ~~~ KZXS.F. 1891 f3pring & Summer. \ mi 1«Qil THB 11891 • ISHOW OF THE SEASON.; HliH dllil GOODS AT RIGHT PRICES. EACH department of our business is now replete with the Choicest Novelties m HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL MANUFACTURES. For Variety and Value our Stock is "Unique. We have facilities for buying ivhieh few other firms enjoy, consequently are enabled to cater for those who . ppreciate New and Fashionable Go xls all the year round. OUR SPECIALITIES ARE- Clothing of Superior Quality, ready-made or made to measure, for Men, Youths, Boys, and little Boys. Perfect fit and Newest Shapes. Shirts, Ties, Braces, Belts, Studs, Bags, Rugs, and Dressing Gowns. Tennis and Cricketing Requisites ; Sanitary Under clothing. i»aura's »iovcg For Walking, Riding, and Driving, also Evening Dresa Gloves. WATXBPIipOI* COATS Own Make. For Walking, Riding, and Driving. Every garment guaranteed. and all seams sewn. Waterproof Rugs, Overalls, and Saddle Aprons. HAfS. HAT*. lI ATS. Newest Shapes, Colerings, and Textures to hand. Any description of Hat or Cap made to order. NEW ZEALAND CliOTHlfftt FACTOBY. W H. WEBBER, Manager ASHBURTON RAciNG~CLUB. A SECRETARY is required for the above Club. Salary £40 a year. Particulars of the duties, etc., can be ob tained from Mr C. W. Purnell, Solicitor. Applications, to be addressed to the Chair man of the Committee of the Ashburton Racing Club, P.O. Vox 49, Ash bin ton, will be received until 8 p.m. on TUES DAY, October 6 9 200 . ; . ' : GERALDINE RACING CLUB. ! Orari, September 30. The Spring Meeting of the above Club eoitnntnued to-day. The weather is fine and the altendance good. Results : — Squattbiis' Handicap. — Quibble 1, ; . Kiluiamock 2, Young. Cheviot 3. Won easily- Dividual, —£l 16s. MlixiNn Kace —Miss Ann 1. L';ictu.; 2, H I'Uw 3, Won by a hm(\ Dividend—