The Ashburton Gurardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1891. LOCAL AND GENERAL

Tenders for addiiious to Mr Denshire s house close on Sitnrday, October 10, not on Thursday as stated m previous advertise ment. The direct mail per Kaikoura, via Wel lington, arrived ut Ashburton by the express yesterday, and was duly sorted for box holders at 1.5 p.mi' We are requested to stats that accommo dation at Ananu will be provided for intending purchasers visiting the estate for inspection of land previous to the sale, which takes places on October 17. The forest fires m Michigan extended m an almost unbroken line for 213 miles. Thousands of settlers took to boats on Lake Huron., Several vessels ran ashore m the darkness occasioned by the dense smoke. The- Achray Estate, Amuri district, has been sold to Mr Harrison Davis. It com prises 18,000 acres of freehold land, and 14,000 crossbred sheep go with it. The price is understood to be between forty and fifty thousand pound?. Speaking at the conversazione of the Catholic Literary Society last evening, Mr Perceval said that he would be absent from Christchurch for three yfears. The state ment that lie wa3 " keeping the seat warm for somebody else " was not trus.

Mr Benjamin Struthridge, farmer, residing at Belfast, aged 59, was found dead m a ditch on his property yesterday afternoon. He Jeffc home after dinner, apparently quite well, and his wife cannot account for his death, as he was hale and hearty, and m his usual state of health. Litigation m connection with the doings of the Sydenham Licensing Committee has been renewed. Messrs Harper and Co. have set down a motion for a writ of certwrari for the removal of William James' application for a renewal of the license of the Crown Hotel into the Supreme Court, \ and-have served notice on Mr J. A. Caygill, as solicitor for the Committee. Mr Richardscn Rae, at one tine clerk of the Westland County Council, who at taiued some distinction as a literary man, one of his poems appearing m " Sladen's Australian Poets," is l-eported to be m very poor cir cumstances m Sydney, the Domain often being his sleeping place at night. The auxiliary squadron received a most hearty welcome m Melbourne. The mayor gave a ball to the officers, and the Governor entertained them ; while the men were the gussts of the Chamber of Commerce at a spread and concert m the Exhibition build ing. On Sunday, when the weather was superb, 20,000 people visited Port Melbourne to see the vessels. A good inspection parade of the Ashlmrton Rifles was held on Tuesday evening. The Company mustered thirty-seven, under Captain Dolman. Colonel Bailey, who in spected the Company, saidit was probable that a field day for North and South Canter bury would be held m Christchurch on November 9, at which he hoped to see a good muster of the local Company. On the subject of making the legal mini mum size of flouuders llin, the Minister of Marine repHes as follows :—"There exists such a diversity of opinion as to what is the proper size m some portions of the colony, —one authority advocating one size, and another authority advocating another size, and so on—that after mature consideration, I have determined not to.interfere, with the present regulations." A serious accident happened at Rangiora ou Tuesday afternoon to a boy ageU fifteen, named Dixon Wilson, a son of Mr W. Wilson, of Ashley. The lad is a pupil at, the Rangier* High School, and rides from his home, at Ashley. After school he was attempting to catch his horse, when the animal kicked him on the side of the head, inflicting a severe wound and rendering him unconscious. The boy was at onco attended !>y J?s _V?!.<*™-": &Ki3kw®v&¥-§utt& ascertained at the first examination. A so-called "beauty show" came to grief very badly in' Melbourne recently. It was adverised as the "All Nations B.iziur aud Beauty Show," m which beauties of almost every nation would compete for a valuable prize, the awarding of which would be done •' by the public by ballot." The young men rolled up m great numbers to find a few stalls for the sale of fruit, fancy goods, per fumery, etc., attended to by beauties who were paid Ala week for their services. In high dudgeon, some of the visitors addressed some rough chaff to some of the girls, one of whom retreated behind a screen, and btiug followed by some of her admirers the stall— a fruit one—was overturned. This was the signal for a kind of general riot, which the pslicfi quelled by turning oS the gas. The " beauty show " is now closed for repairs.

The Divorce Court has had before it (writes the London correspondent of the " Argus ") a remarkable petition to annul a marriage. The petitioner, a young lady, was m 1888 a Miss Cooper. She had a cousin younger then herself, one Walter Beverly Crane. It svas alleged that on Sunday, July 8, 1888, this man Crane (having previously unsuccessfully proposed to hia cousin and being m possession of a marriage license) forced her, at the point of a revolver, into St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, and there married her. The lady was quite dazed at the sight of a revolver, and had not the slighest recollection of what took place. But after the service Crane took her back to her friends' house, and she had not been ap proached by him since. As a matter of suggestion, it ia said that he immediately hpard that she was by no means as rich as he supposed, and ha went off m digust and dis appointment. No communication was made by him to her until this suit was launched and then Crane, who had become naturalised m the United States, declared that if money were not given him lie would get a divorce under the law of the State of Illinois for desertion. Much of course was expected from the parson and the verger at St Bride's, but they had no distinct memory of what occurred, though they could not say that a ceremony of marriage had not taken place. The judge decided against the petitioner, though with reluctance. He would have given the relief, but the evidence cf com pulsion and of " daze " was not suffierently strong. As for Crare, of coarse, there is nothing to be j aid save that he is a scoun drel, and if the lady goes for a judical separation she will probably succeed.

Ceorge Saunders, a Riverton resident, had a miraculous escape from death at the Liyercargill railway station. The " South land Times" reports that just as the train for Riverton was starting, Saunders, when about to step on the carriage platform, was either pushed or slipped and fell between fche carriage and platform. As he dis appeared from view and the train moved on there was a moment of intense suspense, and one lady fainted, while others turned away their heads. Saunders at first struggled to rise, and several times escaped death by the slighest margins. At one time one of his leg 3 was seen to be m front of an advancing wheel, but was withdrawn m the nick of time; at another, a wheel grazed his head, the skin on the-other side being abraded by contact with the platform, so narrow was the spe.ee. One of the railway porters acted with great promptitude, and finding he could not pull Saunders up, tried to keep him as nuuli as possible on the side of the platform and clear of the rail. Mr A. Dunlop, who happened to be nearj saw that Saunders' only chance of safety was to lie perfectly still, and he appealed to him to do so; and Sauuders. afterwards stated that, excited though he was, he recognised the voice and tried to obey the injunction. Meanwhile Sergeant MacDonelJ had; run from tho throng and signalled to the driver, whose attention was fortunately arrested, and who promply pulled up. Saunders, bruised and dazed, was then lifted and taken to the statiomnaster's room, where to the great relief of all who had witnessed the incident, his injuries were found to be comparatively slight. He has had an experience that will serve for a lifetime, but has not yet heard the last of the matter, for it is understood that he will be summoned for a breach of the regulations m attempting to get on a carriage while the train was m m.otjon,

Ib. best, cross-bred wethers and maiden ewes at Wednesday's Addington Market were those -from Mr Duncan Cameron's, which sold at from 18s "9d to 225. 9d. Lighter sorts, half-breds, sold at from 'Us to 18s 9d, and merino wethers from 13s 9d to 16s Bd. The closing of the rift between tbe.em ployers and workmen m the Auckland boot l trade after the long s>lrike appears to be per fect. A local journal says:—" It is pleasant to learn that there have been no afterclaps of the strike m the shape of bitterness of feel ing between the free labour men and the unionists, but all are working together industriously and with good feeling. There is said to be much better discipline, greater attendance to work, more steady industrial habits than heretofore, and the conduct of the employees leaves nothing to be desired. The masters, on their part^are stated to be acting m a considerate spirit, to the work men, and encouraging the finer class of I work, so that the men may earn better wages, and acquire a higher, standard of efficiency."

SUPREME COURT.

(per press association ) AVajstganui, October 7. Caroline G, Payman was charged at the Supreme Court this morning with the murder of Emily Kate Spicer and pleaded 11 not guilty." A J. Parsons, W. Kin nard, Henry Charles Meehan (to whom the deceased was engaged), and doctors Innes, Connolly, and Earie were examined. Their evidence was identical with that given by them'at.'.the coroner's inquest already published. The Court adjourned at 5.30, leaving the case for >€lie prosecu tion not niu'ch more than half: finished. New Plymouth, October 8. The Supreme Court opened to-day. There are only five cases, two for criminal assault one breaking and entering, and two stealing. Inve icaegill, October 7. The last case on the Supreme Court list was Rooney v. the Corporation of Gore, claim £500, for injuries aud loss sustained by plaintiffs wife falling into an open ditch m a .street and breaking her leg. Plaintiff sought to hold defendant liable because the ditch became overgrown with vegetation .so as to be indistinguishable. It was shown, however, that Mrs Rooney had frequently passed over the cart cross ing on it, ar.d must have been aware of the existence of the cutting. A verdict was given for the corporation/ ;:

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBURTON-THURSDAY. (Before Mr 0. A. Wray, R.M.) Drunkenness.—A. first offender was fined 5a and costs. The Young Hocjse breakers,—William Elston and George Spicer were brought up on remand charged with having feloni ously brokeainto and entered the premises of Jamec McGregor, tobacconist, and com mitted felony therein. The" lads, who were under twelve years, pleaded guilty, and their parents elected to have the case tried summaiily. Ihe Sergeant said the lad Spicer attended school m Ashborton, and the Elston boy, who was an excep tionally intelligent and clever lad, ap parently had great influence over Spicer, He had got Spicer away with him on this occasion, avid they lmd together gone to the back cf Mr McOregor's premises. They entered the yard by lifting up the shutter of the closet and going through the opening above the uao. rJhey then en tered the premises by using the wires of an umbrella, which Els ton bent m a most ingenious manner. The key of the back door was m the lock on the inside of the door, and Elston managed with the cleverly mae'e picklock to turn'the key, push it out of the lock, and then with a t«_rn S ui nwutvci-i wm; io urciw me key to the outside from under the door. Thay then used the key to make an entrance'; There were many articles they could have taken, but they had contented themselves with only o few cig-irettes, not more than a shilling's worth. The lad s had been before the Court on a previous occasion m concection with the theft of some phosphorus from M: Brooke's chemist shop. The parents promised- Elson to remove! his son for a time to Opawa, and Spicer to send his to Nelson—and under these circumstance:-1, considering the lads' youth Hit Worship ordered the bi.ys to be brought up again m a month for sentence, if thp parents promises were not then fulfilled.

POLITICAL.

TRE PREMIER AT WANGANUI, (I '<-& PlxKSs ASSOCIATION.) . Wanganui, October 7. The Hon. the Premier addressed his constituents to-night m Wanganui. He detailed the works accomplished by the Government since they came into office with special reference to the more im portant Bills. He asserted that the settlement of the land had been carried on with energy and vigor, but it was absurd for anyone to expect that*a Government could cany out all the items on a programme $ during .the first ffew \ mimths of its existence. With regard to the penny postage he defended the pro posals for a reduction to a penny, and predicted that within the next five years ws should have a universal penny postage over the whole of the British Empire. He claimed that m the Public Trust [ enquiry the Government had remedied a great social evil, as they had also m the Friendly Societies Bill. He asserted that the Government's conversion opera tions were m no sense borrowing. The Buik of England acted as their "agents, and if the conversion were borrowing that Bank and others m England would soon let them known they were breaking their word. He regretted the Bryce episode, but he and his party had done all m their power to bring about a recon ciliation. Everything was done fairly, and it w;is si.anlfii ait that while the Sje iker had been reproached with weak ness and unwisdom, nobody had ever given rise to suspicion of unfairness. Re ferring to the Payment of Members' Bill, the Premier said that all were agreed (n the principle of pay met. and that being s i^it seemed to him only just that that payment should be sufficient to support the members. A good member not only worked for his constituents during the session, but he was busy all theyear round, addressing meetings and working among the people. The circumstances connected with the Old Soldiers' Bill were" detailed, and the Premier said the Government were at present considering the advisable ness of paying off the older men m cash, and' a decision would be come to soon after his return to Wellington. Refer ring to the land tax he considered it an' advantage, if, as had been said, the hrge cipitalists had refused to buy land m New Zealand because of that tax. We did not want the largo landholders and a small population, but a large population and the small landholders. At the close of the speech questions were answered, and the meeting adjourned with a vote of confi dence.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN

(PEll PHEStS ASSOCIATION.)

THE RIGHT HON. W.H. SMITH.

London, October 6. ' The seriousness of the Right- Hon. W. H, Smith's condition was sup pressed by the ■-■■wish of Government. His death was the result of overwork. Intense regret is expressed by both political parties. SHtPPING CASUALTIES. The ship Wolviston, from Bristol to New York, was sunk by an iceberg, and twelve of those on board Were; ( drowned. The barque Minnelkin; was wrecked off" the. coast of Newfound land and twenty-three persons were drowned. THE GAIETY CHORUS GIRL: The insinuation of the Duke of Clarence and AvondaVs connection with the Gaiety chorus girl is generally disbelieved, BANK OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA. In a circular to the shareholders, the Directors' of the Bank of South Australia regret that several advances made in Melbourne are "unsafe. They were made by a former" manager, and it is necessary to place the assets there on a sound foundation. ' The Adelaide assets will also have to be written down to a safe point. It is proposed to appropriate £100,000 of reserve, to reduce capital to £608,000, and appro priate £87,700 (the half year's profits) along with £10,000 previously brought forward. In all other respects the bank is perfectly sound. Profits for the last ifour years have averaged £69,000, and there is every likelihood that the same rate will be continued, which will enable them to resume pay r ing dividends and build up a new re serve fund. There have been no losses in South Australia for the last four years. MR DE COBAIN. Mr DeCobain's solicitor demands that the Postmaster-General shall hold,an 'investigation,into the alleged opening, of letter's addressed to his client. LABOR QUESTIONS. One hundred.and twenty-five work men at the Imperial Institute build ings have struck against the employ ment of Unionists. At the Conference between seamen and firemen, Wilson, Secretary of the former's Union, .condemned the Ship ping Federation for .employing bogus sailors. \ . Work on the wharves is at a stand still. ■'...■" London, October 7. Tom Mann has publicly stated that the men are on the eve of terrible disaster unless caution is displayed in neafociations at the present juncture. THE DUKE OF MANCHESTER. The Duke of Manchester is in a critical condition. ENGLISH ELECTIONS. Mr Murray, Unionist, ai\d Mr Mc r Culloch, Liberal, contest the Cam bridge seat. ; . Mr Webb, Unionist, will oppose Sir J. Fergusson at Manchester. An exr; citing contest is expected.

THE FRENCH ADMIRALITY.

Fakis. ri/.^»~«- T. Admiral Gervais, who commanded the squadron "which visited Crons'tadt and Portsmouth, has been appointed Chief of the French Admiralty. CRxiMPEL'S EXPEDITION. The massacre of Crampsl's expedi tion is confirmed. Details received \ show that three thousand negroes attacked a band of five whites and one hundred and fifty blacks. Only, one white and ten of the black men escaped.

THE DISTRESS IN RUSSIA.

St. Petersburg, October 7. In consequence of the terrible state of the peasantry, Russians of the upper class have resolved not to indulge m costly pleasures. Officers of the army and navy will give up drinking cham pagne, arid high officials are giving part of their salaries to the relief fund.

TURKISH BRIGANDAGE.

Constantinople, October 7. An attempt of Turkish brigands; to wreck a passenger train was frus trated.

RUSSIAN AGRESSION.

Vienna, October 6. Alarming reports are persistently published m Vienna respecting the concentration of Russian troops m Bessarabia, and along the entire western frontier. \

CHILIAN AFFAIRS.

Valparaiso, October 6. Detectives besiege the American Legation on the look-out for members of the vanquished party. Mr Egan refuses to give up the names of the refugees, and threatens to withdraw the friendship of the United States unless the Junta alters its demeanor. . , SEALING CASE. : Washington, October 6. The Sayward sealing case, in which Canada seeks to test the legality of interference with her sealers by the United States, will be heard in the Supreme Court of the^ United States on Monday. AFFAIRS IN HAWAII. There is bitter antagonism between the English and Americans in Hawaii, each of them intriguing for the con trol of the country.

AUSTRALIAN.

FIRE IN BRISBANE. Brisbane, October 7. Shaw's Hardware establishment was buraed out to-day. The damage is estimated at £35,000. The stock was insured for-,£37,000. The New Zea land and Standard offices had £500 each, and the South British £1000. Six firemen were buried by falling walls, and three of them badly in jured. A seventh is also missing, and it is feared he has perished in the ruins. OFFENDING THE BANKER. It is believed the Bank of England will resign Queensland business unless Sir T. Mcll wraith apologises for his recent speech accusing the Bank of sticking to the colony when it paid them to do so and throwing it aside when it did not. ::

INTERPROVINCIAL.

AUCKJ4ND, October 7. The illicit still case, m which Downing,

Simpson and Favis, are the accused, has been further adjourned till Tuesday next. Wellington, October 7. Information was Wrought by the last English mail to the effect that the papers m the Edwards appeal case have reached Home, and the case stands upon the list for the Privy Council, to come up m its, turn for argument. Messrs Mackrell and Co., tha regular London solicitors to the IS'ew Zealand Government, have been instructed to retain Sir Horace Davey, Q.C., and Mr Finlay, Q.C., to argue the case for f>overnment. The steamer Maori left London for Wellington, via Auckland, on September 19, and the- Arawa left Plymouth for Wellington on Saturday last. The Public Works Department is busily 1 occupied m getting out plans for the rail ways authorised during the session. Plans for the Otago Central Railway were nearly completed under the auspices of the late Government, and tenders will be called, m the ftourse of i week or hvo for a section ,pcv?.ral miles long. The old surveys of .Te Aroha-Paeroa section are being verified, preparatory to invit ing tender^ fts- the line is laid through swampy country, and many years have elapsed since the original surveys were made. The proposed works on the Greymouth-Hokitika railway are mostly bridges and. their approaches, which have been left as gaps m the present, forma tnation, Plans for these are well under way. There is some difficulty about the Eketahuna-Woodville section, as to the question of route. The plans prepared some time ago were laid out solely from an engineering point of view, before j the township of Pahiatua sprang into prominence. They take the line some distance from the township, but the j residents at Pahiatua have lately agitated fora diversion m their favor. iThe Acting Engmeer-iiirChief has his hands full just now with other work, andi as he will ■require to visit the district and solve the difficulty, the preparation of the plans must necessarily stand-over for some little time, v ■"-... ■ ; There is•>very little probability of the necessary money being subscribed here towards the expenses of. a perminent range for the annual competitions of the New Zealand Rifle Association, and the; treat meeting will either be held m Auck 1-ind or m Hawk'c's Bay. If m the latter MajcvSjmmerville thinks that the range occupied at last meeting m than district would be available wWi but little cost, though he doubts whether much money would be subscribed by - Hawke's Bay residents. Gbkymouth, October 7. A banquet was> given to Mr Guinness, M.H.R., to-night. The Mayor occupied the chair, and ever a hundred were pre sent. Mr Guinness m his speech, de" fended the Government, and said their policy was esssntially liberal and it would be found that they were really a re trenching "•■ economical Government; though he was compelled co differ with one or two details of the policy. A pleasant evening was spent. Mention of . the Ministry, and of Mr Seddon especi ally, was cordially received.

Wesleyan Maori Mission.

Tli ire was a very large audience at t.he Wesleyan-Church last night on the occa sion of the ahn ial home missionary meet ins; of the church. The chair was occu pied by Mr*'J. E. Buchanan, who shortly addressed the meeting "by, way .of'introduc tion, : after-which the Rev. S; Lawry read extracts from the annual report, which had been written by the late Rev. Alex ander Reid, who, up to the, time of his death was Secretary of the .cause.-. Mr Lawry..made a feeling reference to Mr Reid's-death,"and paid a pithetic trißutp to his .memory and his noble life's work. ( Mr Lawry introduced {.lie, native minister Rev JKipiri ftakena, a- Maori clergymaii en- jn-6u-c.ii«i>a thf. go«ppi to .fc,lie native_people t 'iu the Nortli Island. Mr 'Rakena addressed them hip native tongue, his address being trar|»> kited as he went on by Rev. T. G. Hammond, a clergyman who has long devoted himself to work, among the Maoris. .Mr Rakena, m an interesting apoech, recounted a good many legends of the nice. Mr Hammond himself then spoke at length, detailing arid describing the work that was being done by the Wesleyan Oliurch among the natives m the North Island, and speaking very hupefully of its future. A collection was taken m aid of the cause, and after the usual formalities the meeting closed.

Melbourne Notes.

(from our correspondent. )

The Australian Natives Association h^i come very rapidly to the front of late. Three-fourths of our population are native-born and half of our voters are counted m their number, they look down with scorn upon party politics, and do not run candidates for Parliament. That is to say they keep their association strictly non-political. At the same time any clever honest Australian Native who offers himself for Parliament invariably their, vote'and already parliament is much improved thereby. The '' Argus " sneers at them and puffs Mr Harper's "National" party, but after Friday's meeting at Geelong, when the so-called National party was contemptuously disa vowed by the heads of the A.N.A., it may think it advisable to consider its ways. Mr G, H. Wise, the President of the Association, who was the orator of the evening, laid down certain principles which may be taken from their accepaance to be those of the Natir.es... They include a demand for the cessation of the system of alienating the land, a firm protest: against Lord Kintore's idea of setting up a Orown colony t j be worked by colored labour m Northern Australia, a definite demand for early Federation, and a dec laration that England must deal with her own paupers and thieves within her own boundaries, even if rich and charitable Australians help to find the means. Our life boat service is hopelessly dis organised arid will very probably have to be disbanded. Their late arrival at the scene of the Craigburn disaster and their utter disregard of the signals of distress from the Gam bier drove them down to a Very low mark m public opinion. Now m the moment of their, greatest unpopula rity they are actually sinking for higher pay, that is to say they want 15s per day for the days m -which they are called out to practice instead of the 12s 6d they n«w receive. Now 12s 6d is not by any means bad pay for practice work, and when they are on active service the best they receive is a pound "which the circumstances usually double. Therefore their present claims are felt to be untimely to say the least of it, and it is quite on the cards that they maybe summarily dismissed and new men called for. ' There would be little difficulty m getting them, since they are mostly fishermen by trade, to whom the pay is by no means contemptible.

Our War Minister is not getting more popular as the time goes on. He is kincily, generous and patriotic, but he cannot. forget that he is '" Colonel the Honorable Sir Frederick Sarsjood, M.L.C and thee;randeur of these titles overwhelms him. Indeed it overwhelms more people. When the Duke of Wellington or Lord Gough or Sir Charles Napier were spoken oi or to, the titles herein given were enough for them, but woe betide you if you tob '••'polqnel the Honorable Sir Frederick Sargood M.L.C." of one mite of Ins titular dignity. When the Austra lian squadron was received on Friday he was a sight for gods and men. His get up was glorious, his demeanour bombastic and hisi arrangements almost ineffably majestic and wonderful. When the

squadron steamed m sight there was a ' general desire tojcnow who would he al- \ fowed to accompany him to the-flagship. , " .Nobody," vrKshis reply, "excepting two persons I have already selected." Then it turned out that Lord -Charles Scott, i who if w^ll known hero and hot at all liked, had not expected any visit at all. The sailors' washing was the only drapery visible on deck, and there, was no possibi lity of aoiug on board except by climbing up a rope. " That is a thing not easily done ] by a sendemau of fifcy-six attired m are splendent uniform with a cocked hat and hi^h-heeled boots, and so the Government launch steamed round to that side of the flagship where she was invisible from the ? Wairarapa, and, as a matter of fact,' the greeting was " taken as said." ' Saturday's, reception of Foremast iJack was the joiliest ..and best event of T the week. About 1400 sailors of the squad ron landed at Port Melbourne* went by train to Flinders street, marched by Elizabeth, Collins, Swanston, Bourke, aadSpring, streets to the exhibition build ing, and were, when there, regaled with a fairly good dinner and decorated with buttonhole flowers by dainty ladies and talked at by Lord Hopetoun—sensibly— ■ and by Lord Charles Scott stupidly, and were afterwards sang at by Mrs Palmer, !Mrs Ramsden, Mr Beaumont., . ►Signor Buzzi and other aged and' respectable ! vocalists. A smart newspaper man j dubbed-the quartette, "Two centuries^of song," and be was not far out. For Beaumont will be fifty one before the year closes md he was the ypungest of the group. Buzzi is abnormally old and Mrs Palmer, who is still the best,.singer m Australia, and a most exemplary and charming woman to boot, is getting on, to say the least of it. Foremast Jackhas any amount of common sense. Ho was highly appreciative when they decorated and fed him and said civil things to him, but he had a very fair idea that there was one word for him and two for his, patrons, and. he took things easily. But he pervades all Melbourne just now, and as Foremast Jack is not a very good boy there are high jinks m all directions. ' Mining interests are looking up a little. There are marked improvements m Ballarat, where Star of the East,Sulie uiin Pasha, and other well-known mines have' had good yields. At Be'idigo it is said that " things have not looked belter for years." From Kyneton and Chiltcrn improved yields are reported, and gener ally a number of mine owners are well satisfied. September 29. ■ I i -■ —

Australian Federation.

VICTORIA'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS NEtV ZEALAND. It will be remembered (writes the " Ofcago Daily Times"' correspondent) that Sir Bryan O'Loghlen, after several attempts, at last succeeded m inducing the Victorian Assembly to strike out New Zea'and from the proposed ffederation.'.of. Australia. The bill is now before the Legislative; Council of this colony, and the"" Argus," m drawing attention to the change effected ip the Lower House, rather approves of it than otherwise. It says: —"On sentimental grounds this change may be objected to, but from the practical standpoint: there is Jittle in.it^ There is no prospect • of New Zealand -entering/ into <wiy union which we can form here ; no prospect whatever.: The land of the kauri anct the ratn is not the hml of the gum and the wattle, the two countries have few. business interests m Common, and politically speaking the people are not m touch. That New Zea land should have one tariff and Australia another does not occasion any practical inconvenience to anyone ; and as to de fence, it is o~vt':u.j that i. ::i;io'. be con ducted ah entirely different lines. Thus there is no common bond Lo day, while as it. so happens strong adverse influences ixbo at, . .w.ork.. Tlie ilf^w Zjualaiui poli ticians profess the* idea that. Australia means to haul down the British flag and to let the Chinese into the Northern Terri tory, and they desire to shun u.s accord ingly. On our part, our fanners have notions about the consequences of compe tition with Naw Zealand farm produce, which are none the less elFectivc forbcinir somewhat exaggerated. The wisest course under these circumstances is not to at tempt the impossible, but is to form the Australian federation, recognising that we are extremely lucky if we are able to do so much. Once let ( the union be estab lished, "ard objections which now seem formidable will disappear, and we shall see states which are at present reluctant and coy become eager to apply for admis sion ; and we shall find, on the other hand, the reluctance now manifested to admit states outside of the continent rapidly disappear. Nothing is gained by omitting New 'Zealand, that colony with no very good grace having omitted herself by declining. to consider the proposals; while it wil) make an important diiforcn.ee it we include New Zealand, and to some extent create a hostile farming vote." The Legislative Council, however, is not disposed to take the exclusion of New Zealand so easily. The question came upi when Mr Connor proposed to follow the lead of the Assembly by omitting the name of New Zealand m clause 5, He dwelt upon the inability of Victorian farmers to compete with New Zealand m certain classes of. produce, and Mr Buchanan sounded a note of positive alarm, declaring that New Zealanders had, by virtue of their, country and climate, blood, brain, and stamina that Australians could not hope to equal, and that to allow thorn to enter the federation would be to materially retard Australian progress. Mr Service, however, put a different com plexion on the debate by a vigorous pro test against the action of the Assembly. The report of his remarks feads :— Mr Service said he positively blushed with shame when he saw that the other House h*l passed a distinct and formal resolution excluding a sister colony. To pretend that that was because she did nob want to come m was adding insult to in jury- Mr Fraser : "She excludedjherself." Mr Service : "But we need not slam the door m her face."

Mr^T. M. Davies : " How long would you keep the door open V Mr Service would leave the door open as it was, and pass the clause with the words as they stooJ. He was one who objected to New Zealand voting on equal \ terms at the convention after she had said she did not intend to come m ; but New Zealand having been named, it was for very paltry reasons they now desired to strike her out. He would point out that New Zealand could come m here after, under this identical clause, even if her name were now struck out. He sug gested that the clause should be postponed until a later stage. . The suggestion was adopted* (By cable we are informed that Sir B. O'Loghlen's amendment striking out New Zealand was rejected by the Council).

Christchurch Election.

SET ELEMENT of tub DIFFICULTY. (per press association.) Wellington, October 7. ' A special "Gazette" was issued to night containing an, Order-in-Council rectifying the mistake of the Ohristchurch returning officer m not allowing seven clear .lays between the receipt of nomi nations and the election. This is done under the seventy-fourth section of "Regulation of Elections Act, 1881," which enacts that "when any accidental or unavoidable impediment, misfeasance,, or omission happens, the Governor-in- Couucil may .tjake all such measures as may be ■-necessary for removing or recti fying the same, or may declare any or all of the proceedings at or for any election valid, notwithstanding such impediment, misfeasance, or omission." The Governor, therefore, •by and wich consent of the Executive Council, declares Lhe notice, given to bo sufficient, and all nominations valid, particularly those of Messrs Sandford and Smith. Chpistchukch, October 7. Mr Eden George"addressed a crowded meeting m the Theatre Royal to-nighb. The whole drift of his speech was to show that be was duly elected member for ■'Christ-church, He claimed to be in dependent of 'both political parties. The prpceeHiriors" were very noisy, the speaker being continually interrupted, -but there was no actual rowdyism. Ho vote was | passed, Mr George saying that he did.not want one.

NEW HEBRIDES.

PKK I'UKSS ASSOCIATION, Sydney, October 8. News from the New Hebrides states that the white rcskUmts on Tanna Island are about to leave until the tribal war ceases. It is thought that cuch a consutna tion will be attained when one side exter minates the other. Sir J. B. Thursfcon, High Commissioner of the Western Basituj, will shortly visit Tanna, toacer fc- ii if any action, can be taktn to put stop tv the butchery.

THE SUPPLY OF WHEAT.

The discovery that the stocks of wheat m Australia were not what they had been estimated to amount to was, like most similar discoveries, made very suddenly. Only a fortnight previously figures were published showing that there was a surplus of wheat available for export of 47,000 tons m South Australia and 20,000 tons m Victoria. It is quite certain that those who are interested m the wheat market were lulled into a sense of security by these figures; but towards the middle of Septemberextrernely conflicting reports arose, and the accuracy of the estimates of stocks, not only m Victoria but also m South Australia^ and New Zealand was questioned. The publication bf the official estimates of the production m Victoria, which were far below any previous estimates,, increased the ex citement, and the price of wheat went up with a bound, the advance within a fortnight being equal to B}d per bushel on wheat and 30s per ton on flour. It is stated that early m the period of excitement the extensive purchases of a syndicate aooured thorn practically the control of the Mel bourne market.; which, if true, points to an extremely sparseness of stocks. The fact is, as can be seen by our cable news, that Victorian supplies are being withheld from the market. This, with the enlarged demands from New South .Wales, Queensland and Western Australia, must rapidly diminish the South Australian surplus, and then— where are supplies to come from until harvest. We hear that Californian wheat is being landed m Sydney at 4s 10id or 4s lid per bushel; but we alio know that stocks m California are fast shrinking under the influence of the European demand that has existed for several months, and a new drain upon them would have the effect of appreciating prices to a point at which it would be unprofitable to ship to Australia, In New Zealand the effect of the Australian deficiency has been to denude us of some of our already circumscribed stock, and it is now open to question whether we art m a position to meet our own require ments until harvest. Stocks of wheat and flour m New Zealand are an un-, known quantity. Early m the winter j Mr Wright, a very astute observer, sounded a warniug note m our columns to a probable deficiency, and we then endeavoured to obtain informa tion that would enable us to form an ; estimate of the stocK; but the land marks by which we had been guided m previous years were changed by the late period at which the last statistics were collected, and it was impossible to ascertain what part of the large shipments that were made about that time 'vere included m stocks m hand from the previous season. It is certain that for some time past stocks m first hands m New Zealand else where than m Canterbury have been exhausted. The outlook for the next four or five months is, therefore, extremely uncertain. It may prove that we have supplies sufficient for domestic requirements for that period, but the probability is to the contrary. It is improbable that Californian wheat can be brought to New Zea land ; if it is it must be at a price far above the present price of our own produce. Our own necessities will regulate prices until new; wheat comes m, irrespective of the values m the European and Australian markets. Our-first available source of supply of new wheat will be South Australia, where m the northern districts harvest begins about the middle of November. \ This would enable relief to reach us during December—two months before our own produce would be available— but at what price it is impossible to say. The situation has proved once more the danger of putting too much confidence m statistics which at the best are based upon and surrounded by uncertainties. The balance of stocks carried forward from, one year to the next, which should be easy to ascer tain, is estimated m a very hap-hazard manner, a few ship loads more or less being considered neither here nor there; and no information as to the quantities exported is published. Consequently everybody is m the dark as to pro duction, stocks, and the disposal of the surplus, and the country suddenly . wakes up,to find'that it has, possibly, only two or three months' supply for

four or five months'requirements. It should be, indeed is, possible to keep » closer account than this of our stock of breadbtuffs. Meantime holdeis of wheat aie alone m being m a satisfactory position.

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[rer, PRKSS ASSOCIATION.] (Received October 8, 10 a.m. DEATH OF MR PARNELL. London, October 7- Charles Stuart Parnell is dead, aged 45. He caught a chill while in bed on Friday, and' developed rheumatism,, He %vas unconscious for several hours, and died at twelve o'clock last night, in intense agony. He was staying at Brighton. [Received October 8, 10 10 a.m.J OBITUARY. Sir J. Pope Hennessy, M.P. for Kilkenny North, is dead.

DISENDOWMENT.

Dr Moorhouse, preaching at the Church Congress at Rhyl, declared that the proposal to disendow the Church of England in Wales meant the piecemeal disendowrnent of the Church of Eng land. He asserted that the voluntary system in Australia was unable to pre vent growing neglect, though the work ing man was comparatively rich.

THE LATE MR SMITH.

The death of Mr W. H. Smith was caused by a chill- while yachting. Acute gout followed, and this succeeded m reaching his heart. Mr Gladstone sent a telegram of condolence, recognising the fine qualities of the deceased gentleman, and his devotion to the public service. All the English newspapers make generous reference to the deceased, and " The Times " states that no man will be more difficult to replace.

(Received October 8, 10.30 a.m.) GERMAN NEW GUINEA. Berlin, October 7. The Now Guinea Company announce that the Kaiser Wilhelm is badly situated, and advises its mem bers to exchange shares into the Astro labe Company, which is being formed in Berlin for the purpose of growing tobacco on its land in New Guinea.

THE LATE KING OF WURTEM BERG.

The King of Wurtemburg died of heart disease. He will be buried on Friday.

DANISH BUTTER.

Copenhagen, October 7. In the Folkething a Bill was intro duced insisting that the nation should trade mark Danish butter m order to prevent inferior quality from elsewhere being sold as the product pf this country.

THE METHODIST CONGRESS.

3| || New York, October 7. The Methodist (Ecumenical Oongrasi is attended by 500 delegates, including 48 men of color.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Received October 8, 11.30 a.m.) THE INFLUENZA. % Sydney, October 8. Influenza is rampant at Albury and Broken Hill, and many of-tho silver mines are short handed in consequence,

NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS.

The House of Assembly has passed the Partnership Bill, codifying thVlaw on the subject. The Bill is similar to that passed by the Imperial Parliament last year. The House also passed the Parlia mentary Business Bill, providing that measures not completed m one session may be resumed next session. A call of the House is made for October 28, to finally consider the Electoral Bill. - " .

EXPORT OF BUTTER.

Melbourne, October 8. The butter export to London is ex pected to be heavy this season.

BANK OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

Adelaide, October 8. Considerable excitement has been . caused here as to the position of the Bank of South Australia, but depositors are assured that there is ample security and no need for alarm.

THE BANK OF ENGLAND AND THE QUEENSLAND GOVERN MENT.

Brisbane, October 8. Sir Thos. McJLlwraith states that the Government are not m possession of any information indicating .that the Bank of England resigns the Queensland Government business, but were quite prepared to deal with it if received.

THE MARKETS.

Axldiiifftou !Stock Ma ltet

Christchurch, October 7. There was a moderate attendance at the market to-day. Store Cattle.— About 1500 were yarded, consisting of crossbred ewes . and lamb hoggets, with a few merino ewes and wethers. Ewes and lambs sold at from lla Id to 16s lid, according to quality and per centage of lambs. Two and four tooths, mixed sexes, sold at 15s 6d, crossbred hoggets brought 13a lid ; merino ewes and lambs, 5s 2d to 8s b'd; wethers, (is 3d. Pat Lambs.—About seventy were yarded, and sold at 95.7 dto 13s 6d. Fat Sheet.— About 3000 were yarded. Best crossbred wethers and maiden ewes m wool, realised 18% 9d to 22s 9J; ordinary crossbred wethers and maiden ewes brought 18s to 21s; merino wethers, 11s 4d to 16a Bd. . . ■ I Fat CATTw:.-.Only 102 head were m the I pens. Demand was keen, and best quality i made considerable rise m value. There was nothing of special quality m the market, but best steers realised £7 to £8 15s: heifers, £5 5s to £6 sa. Store Cattle.—Over 200 store cattle were entered, but dealers were shy, and the bulk of the young stock was withdrawn. Steers sold up to £4 ; three-year-old heifers brought £2 7s to £3 2s; yearlings realised 14s to 21s. Pigs.—There was a comparatively small entry, mainly of porkers, which sold fairly well at recent values.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, have received the following cablegram, dated London, ; October 6 :— Wheat-Market is steady, and there is a fair demand. Bevy Zealand wheat, f.a.q., is worth c.i.f. to arrive 40a 9d per 4801 ba. New Zealand wheat;, average ond lontrberry, are worth 41* 9d and 44« per 4961 b,

■-•'■■ -' '■■■"■*■ ■'■ ■*■■ ■ • - ■■ -- - ■• '* 1., THE ASHBTIBTON GUARDIAN : THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1891.



jS'inian Hyslop and Co.'s ■' Imperial pure Ceylpr and Indian Teas are fche besfc m the market, —CAdvfc.) I Ask for Ninian Hyhlop, find Co s 1 Imperial new seasons Pure Ceylon arid Indian Teas. Special prices,—(Adyt,) True economy To purchase Countess Tea for two shillings. Free from any ex cess of asfcri»gency»



■— ■ . . . : ( . ■ Hollo way's ■■Ointment.—Go where you may, m every country and m all climes, persona will be found who have a ready word of praise for this ointment. For chaps, chafes, scalds, bruises, and sprains, it is an invaluble remedy ; for bad legs, bad breasts, and piles, it may bo confidently relied upon for effecting a sound and permanent cure. In cases of puffed ancles, erysipelas, ami rheumatism, Holloway's Ointment gives the greatest comfort by reducing the inflamma tion, cooling the blood, soothing the nerves, adjusting the circulation, and expelling the impurities. This ointment should have a place m every nursery. It will cure all those manifold skin affections which originating m childhood gain strength with the child's growth. Ninian Hyslop and Co.'s "Imperial' Ceylon and Indian Teas are direct .from the Tea Plantations,—(Advt,) r j



NEW ZEALAND CIiOTHIJSG FACTOHT. W H. WEBBKB, Manager The Best Bemeby fob Ikdkjkstio^— Norton's Camomile Pills are confident* recommended as a simple remedy for Indigestion, which* is the cause of nearly all the diseases to which we are subjects Norton's Pitas, with justice called the ••Natural Strcngthener of the Human Stomach," act as a pswerful tome and gentle perient, are mild m their operation, and safe under any circumstances. bold m bottles, at Is ljd, 2s 9d, lls, by all medicine Vendors throughout tlte world,



U.S.S CO. gK|!^i IT.S.S., CO y v UNION STEAMSHIP COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. STEAMERS SAIL from LYTTELT ON AS UNDER: For Wellington—Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, " Nelson—Tuesday and Saturday. Auckland—Thursday. Sydney—Every Second Thursday. Dunedin—Tuesday and Friday.. Melbourne —Tuesday, EXCURSION SEASON COMMENCES DECEMBER 1. GEO JAMESON, Agent for ishlurtpn. ' N.Z.C.F. 1891 ("Spring & Summer.| 1891 IRQII THE Jlß9l ISHOW OF THE SEASON. J HIGH «im 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 tJnicme. We have facilities for buying whim few other firms enjoy, consequently We ard enabled to cater for those who . ppreciate New and Fashionable Goxls 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 tot Walking, Riding, and Driving, also Evening Dress Gloves. WAtSIIPBOOF COATS Own Make. For Walking, Riding, and ©riving* Every garment guaranteed. and all seams sewn. Waterproof Rugs, Overalls and Saddle Aprons. HA VS. HAM MATS. : ; \ewesb Shapes, Colorings, and lextures to hand. Any description of Hat or Cap made to order.



Wanted. i — ■ —' —; I CASH Advertisements under this j heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Office. " WANTED an unfurnished Room near centre of town. Apply; D.E.R. "Mail" Office. 10J_6 WANTED.— To rent a four or five rbomei House. Apply by letter stating paiticulars to "A.M.," "Mail" Office." '10 49 WANTED, to Let an eight-roomed Hotise m Burnett street; with orchard and garden. Apply,'M. Rooney, on the premises. 10 53 WAN FED "To Sell, Goodwill: oi Twenty acres Land with House and Building : close to town. Apply, P.O. Box 25," Ashburton■ 10 47 TO-MORROW, Saturday, at the hour of one, Ice Cream by Flowkr will have been begun. H. G. Flower, Con fectioner, Ea^t Street. '' ■ WANTED Known—A special line of Cashmeres, all shades, now selling at Is per yard.' White Blankets 5s lid per pair.—H. C. Skobrs, Melfprd House. ... WAITED Known. —Bargains m White Muslins and Embroideries,, also fancy \prons, at W. ,H. Collier's, •'The Comer." ANTED"Kndflrn^-A Beautiful Line of French Dress Goods, double width. Is l<Hd ; original value, 4s. —H. C. Segeks, Melford House. ; ""TITAN TED Known.-Grand assort ■»' mpnt of Boots arid Shoes for Ladies, Children, and Men ■at W. H. OeLLiEß'a, " The Corner." WASTTED Known -^ Being over stocked m Cor.-ets, we have re uced every pair. Ladies fr3in Is 6d. Cheapest house m 'towm— H. C. Skgbbs, Melford House. .-.:■.■ BOOKE'S CarboUsed Scaly Blight Cure is the best of all, bar none. ' W~~ ANTED 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, East Street. ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed; from 60s cash. Robert Alcoru, Ashburton Clothing Marl, Saunders' Buildings. KOSLYN, 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 40s cash. Robert Alcobs, Ashburton Clothing . Mart, Saunders' Buildings. rpO Meet the Times,—l am supplying X Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years, : Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all descriptions. Inspection invited. — J. W. Hakpley, Eas street. 6J201 A 1/ANTED Known--H. Dudley will YV sink Deep Wells and supply Cylinder Pumps and Piping, and guaran tee water to surface at 3s 6d per foot.— IJ. Dudley, Moore Street. 6§54 ■ ~YT7 ANTED Known.—l have a large f W. stock of Tin and Ironware Goods to selßct from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m stock.—J. W. Haedley, East street. 61202 ■ t Monthly and Quarterly Periodicals at Half Price. Several volumes of Standard Works at Oost Price to reduce our Large Stock. Photo and Scrap Albums, Photo Frames.—L. F. Anurewbs & Co., Stationers' Hall.