DEATH.

Le!>dy.~ At- her father's residence, Wakanui, on January 24, Bridget Fltza, eldest daughter of Danirl and Margaret Leddy. R.I.P.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 1892. A SUCCESSFUL MINE.

In the state of disrepute m which gold-mining ventures m New Zealand have for some time been, it is pleasant to hear of one that has survived its difficulties and is at last on the dividend paying list. This is the position of the Blue-Spur and Gabriel's Gully Con solidated Gold Company, whose pro perty is at Lawrence, m Central Otago. More than usual public interest has been evinced m the progress of this company from the standing of the directors, of whom Sir Walter Buller is chairman, and the feeling against the Board m their days of tribulation and calls was very bitter. Now, how ever, those who retained their con fidence m the management of the affairs of the company are within a near prospect of their reward. The mine will scarcely prove a Mount Morgan, but during the year just ended, m spite of many difficulties and drawbacks, 34700z of gold have been won, representing a cash value of £13,330. This will enable the direc tors not ouly to make a material re duction m the company's mortgage debt to the banks, but to declare a small dividend on the 80,000 ordinary shares, besides paying the stipulated 8 per cent, dividend ou the preference shares. Under skilful management the crushing machinery and other appliances for working the "cement" have been brought into a condition approaching perfection, and with the commencement of the new year a vigorous attack will be made on the unbroken mass of cement, or virgin ground m the Otago and Perseverance claims/ If these deposits should prove only half as rich as is anticipated, the Blue Spur Company has yet a brilliant future before it; for, according to the manager's calcula tions, it will take at least 25 years of hard work, under favorable conditions, to exhaust the ground. Even under the present system of sluicing, the stuff is passed through the elevators at the rate of a ton per minute to each of them. In order that the management may not be crippled m any way during the coming year, the directors have agreed to pay the whole of their back fees (amounting to £1250) into the working expenses acoount, r-od to ac cept m lieu thereof an equivalent m the company's shares. This may fairly be accepted as proof of their strong belief m the ultimate success of the company. If, after all that has been said against it, the Blue Spur comes out right m the end, it will go far to rehabilitate the character of the Otago mine? m the London market; and much credit will be due to the Board of Directors for having pulled the enterprise through m spite of many di-couragements and difficulties from the beginning. There is no doubt that many valuable properties have remained undeveloped solely be cause of the general suspicion with whbh mining companies have been regarded. Some of these, on similar ground to the Blue Spur, will now have attention directed to them, and a revival of healthy and legiti mate enterprise m gold mining may be anticipated. Recent improvements m mining and gold-saving appliances have rendered profitable working possible where the deposits did not previously pay working expenses, and there is a belief among mining men that we are on the brink of further greatdiscoveries m this direction. Gold mining m New . Zealand is by no means " played out," and if, as is hoped, a, time has come when mines are not to be " worked " solely m the interests of managers and promoters, we shall see many existing mines profitably developed and much new country opened up.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Rev G. C. Grubb says that he has been m scarcely any place where he has Been ao few people with bibles as at Sydney. A whale aboufc 22ft long was washed ashore on the Washdyks beach, on Saturday morning. A Salvation Army item notifies that Cade*"- Elizabeth Wmy, formerly of Mosgiet, has been appointed to her first station (Ashbur ton), and also takes the rank of lieutenant. A boy about thirteen year 3 old, son of Mr J. Robinson, fruiterer, fell from a tree at Papanui on Friday a»d received internal injuries from which he died on Saturday afternoon. Constable Pool, of Kaitangata, had & na-row C3cxpe on Christmas Day. During a thunderstorm a flash of lightning passed so close as to singe his eyebrows, but he was otherwise uninjured. Miss Linda G Fenwick, eldest daughter of Mr G. Fenwick, of the "Otago Daily Times," gained the highest number of marks (797) m the Otago Education Board senior and junior scholarship examinations held m December. On Saturday evening Mr Walter Bentley, afc the conclusion of his season m Dtmeuin was presented by the Mayor with an address and a diamond ring from a number of citizens and old friends m Dunedin, where Mr Bentley made hfe first appearance on the stage many years ago. Mr Hartley's season m the Otago capital was an unbroken series of successes, and the Press notices wm the most laudatory that have been obtained by any actor for many year?. 1 It was a novel spectacle (.says t\,a " Waitarapa Daily.") The Maori was very drunk, so drunk iv fact that he mistook a Masterton Chinaman for relative. His first movement was an attempt tp rub noses. This did not come of, Ah Fat strongly objecting. The aboriginal then : became violent and danced a war dance m front of the innocent Mongolian. The " Chinkey" became enraged, ami ft scene ensued which would have made a cat laugh. The two dusky ones flew at each other's throat, the language they used iv their respective tongues being anything but complimentary. Eventually the Chinaman was dragged off by a friendly European, ttfUjr having treated his opponent to about as lively & .fjve minutes as he could have desired.

The committee of the Ash burton Racing ' Club advertise for tender.* for huilding a new grand stand at the racec-••.::■ .v». | On account of the schools pic-moon Friday the United Wesleyan and Primitive Metho dist children's singing practice is to be held this week on Wednesday evening. Members of the Swimming Club are re- < minded of the general meeting to-night at which business of importance will be brought forward. . Captain Falconer completed the blowing up of the Lyttelton m Tim-iru harbour this morning with two smill charges. The smallest depth is now 14ft. Previously it was only 6ft. This morning, before Mr D*vid Thomas, J. P., a man named Daniel Mon-ighau, who had been drunk and noisy m the Somerset Hotel on Saturday night, was dismissed with a caution, the M igi-strate taking into consi 1 oration the fact that the accused had been i-nprisoned since Saturday night. In"The Crops" report m Saturday's Guardian the omission of a line made tv atat<! that on the farms m the vicinity of Digby's bridge were paddocks of wheat anil oats that would probably run from 69 to 70 bushels per acre, all round. The last two words should come m after " the average for tiie whole farms going from 40 to 45 bushels." The Amateur Athletic Sports at Palmer. ston North on Friday were a great success. Gurr, of Wellington, wen the 220 yards from scratch jii 23 sec and the 440 yards m 54sec. Jjwell carried off the 100 yards and W. L. While-man the half-mile. Best, of Wellington, won the mile and three mile bicycle races. F. Meyrick cleared sft 6sin m the high jump, beating the Colonial record. On Saturday, Mr Hubert Ferguson, who has recently severed his connection with the prison service and received the appointment of Inspector of Factories under the Act passed last session, was presented, at Lyttelton, by his late comrades and town friends, with a silver tea and coffee service. The Mayor of Lyttelton made the presenta tion. The return match between the Matried and Single members of the Ashburton Cricket Club will be played on Wednesday m the Domain. The following will play for their resp»3tive sides, namely:—Married—Messrs Moore, Simpson, Black, Cnthbertson, G. W. Andrews, Makeig, Rollitt, L. P. Andrewes, Denshire, Mainwaring, D. Thomis, and Fox. Single—Messrs A. Fooks, Buchanan (2), Sawle (2) Dixon, llundell, Johnston, Chap man, Bateman, and Stillwell. Any members not mentioned above will be welcome to play. The game will commence at two o'clock sharp. The match with the Tennis Club, which was commenced on Friday last, will be resumed on Ttmrsday next at 3.30 p. m. The game is man interesting position, the cricketers having pulled up their arrears of twenty-five on the first innings and pu'six to their credit, without the loss of a wicket.

Miss Field, who owned the trotter Colleen Dhas, secured two wins with her trotter, Ruby, at the Lawrence meeting. The mare won the Novel Plate, paying £5 3s dividend. McKcwan's Lone Star was second, and a protest was entered against the winner on the ground that she had not been ridden out the first day. The stewards did not dis qualify the winner, but they returned McKewan's protest money, as they believed he had ground tor suspicion. The same day jlias Field's Ruby won the Handicap Trot of two miles, and paid the handsome dividend of £31 6s. The "Lancet" has hit upon a possible cause of indigestion, which is probably not suspect ed by the general public. The practice of making our meat instead of roasting it, .vhich has followed the substitution ol the close range for the open grate, is, our contemporary admits, economi jal, but it doubts whether it is wholesome. In baking the meat i<«, as it were, cooked m its own juices, the vapours are confined m the close oven, and add no doubt to the flavour and richness of the food. Unfortun ately, however, a goad deal of fat oily matter is retained at the same time, and our con temporary is convinced that with sotue per sons of feeble digestion this is highly injuri ous, and that the continued use of baked meat lift only aggravates but induces indiges-,, tion. In the same way toasted bacon is much more digestible than that which has been fried. The point is one which that unfor-" tunate class of persons who suffer from dyspeptic systems should take a note of. Mr Robert Kennedy, the Scottish vocalist who is to occupy the Oddfellows' Hill to morrow evening, finished his season m Chriatshurch on Saturday night, and a most successful season it has been, judging from press reports. On Saturday, the entertain ment was under the patronage of the Cmterbury Caledonian Society, and m this case the patronage was no hollow thing, for the Hall was crowde I to the door and the audience was most enthusiastic. Mr Kennedy was at his best, and sang tl.e various songs on his programme excellently. In view of the near approach of the anniversary of Burns' birth—January 25, 1759 —Mr Kennedy chose a large proportion of his song.* from the works of the great poet. Specially successful was he m the national song " Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled," and m the more pathetic songs as well as the humorous he won golden opinions. He was aided on Saturday night by several local performers of note. A memorial service for the late Duke of Clarence and AvondalewasheldatSt. Mary's, Timaru, yesterday morning. The garrison corps held a special parade for the purpose of attending the service, and headed by the garrison band marched m drill order from the drillshed to the church. The Manchester Unity Oddfellows, both adult and juvenile lodges, also joine I the proees-sion. After the service the volunteers re-formed m the street opposite the church and marched back to the drillshed, where Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey read an order issued by the Under Secretary for Defence, Lieutenant Colonel Hume. He announced with the deepest regret the death of the Duke of Clarence and Avondale. By his death the Army had lost a promising young officer, one who had dis played the warmest interest m the welfare of the services. As a mark of the sympathy which Lieut.-Colonel Hume was assured would be felt by all ranks with the "Royal Family m their bereavement, mourning would be worn by the officers when m uniform for a period of two month'?. The parade was then dismissed. At the Roman Catholic and several of the other Churches reference was also made to the late Cardinal Manning. Lord and Lady Jersey recently gave a garden party m Sydney to which the members of the Boys' Brigade and the newspaper boys were invited. The lads each had a capd sent to them which ran as follows. "The Governor and Countess of Jersey request the pleasure of William Jones' company at a, garden party at Government House, on December 29 at three o'clock." The invitation was gener ally accepted, some boys coining tidily 4i'GSse4> hut the majority were m their usual everyday custume. The boys were amused during tlje with several games provided, and at %ix o'clock they all were assembled m a, marquee where refreshments consisting of bread, meat and pickles, cake, jam, fruit and lollies, and tea were provided. The boys after grace had been sijjd " fell to" with astonishing vigor. Tijey did not s&em to understand taking thing-* m courses, but misted the whole generally, bu|b what amazed the ladies and gentlemen most was their clam our for "more pickles." Lord and Lady Jersey act au example of waiting on the siuests which was followed, by others. One of the lads addressing Lord Jersey said " Please Guv'ner, chuck us over the pickles," and another said to Lady Jersey "I say, missus ; give us some more tea," .Speeches were made, and the Governor and £,ady Jersov cheered over again ; and when feUence '\y\*i fl.!i?}(«t been restored one specially grateful youjUi called out. " Now boyg-, lets* give three cheers top the tucker." Hollow Ay's Oihtwkst and i/fjxs. — Travellers to and from distant climes would do well to bear m mind that those change* and tUe altered diet and surroundings of their liyc3 tnlajl manifold risks to health. Occasions are sure to arisen which they will need a remedy such a$ th<?3i icifo^we<|. pills , and ointment, and no traveller by laud or: sea should ever fail to have a supply at hand. Then he may truly be said to have a physician always at las csJl for the various emergencies : 'of • travel, Chills $,ucl £oy,ers sbouldbc; promptly treated, aijd (he p;i>n£,ed directions | should be carefully studied at the commence ment of any illness, for Holloway'sreifledicij . be safely ut«A iv all oUajatee,

MILDURA.

INTERVIEW WITH MR, JAMES BROWN, OF NETHERBY.

(BY OUK OWN IiETOTITER.) Mr James Brown, of Netherby F;irm, I Wakauui, returned last Thursday fro:n a six weeks' holiday, spent m a visit *vo Victoria and the famous irrigation colony of Mildura, established and carried on by iho Chaffey Brothers. Mr Brown is not altogether a stranger to Victoria, having; spent seven years of his life there before he came to New Zealand, and as his eldest son is a resident m the " golden olony," besides other relatives lhat he has there, Mr Brown could hardly say thai; he was a stranger m a strange land. To most people m New Zetland the journey to Melbourne is f.unili;ir, if not y actual experience, at least by reading J the frequent descriptions of it that ap pear m the press of the colony, written by those who have made the voyage, so chat no reference to it is necessary here. Suffice it to say that after a brief pjeriod ot sight-seeing m "Marvellous Mel bourne " Mr Brown took train to visit the great irrigation operations he had speci ally made this journey to see. Need it be said that the chief impelling reason for his visit there was the fact that "to be or not to be " m the matter of a great system of irrigation for Ash burton county is a question that sconer or later the rate payers will be called upon to decide ; and Mr Brown, who is a* member of the County Council, m whose hands the work of inaugurating and carrying out the scheme will be, desired to collect as much information on this great question as was possible. Mr Brown is a close reader and a hard student, but all the books that ever were written will not convey to a practical mind like Mr Brown's so clear an idea of what irrigation is like as a visit to the district where it is carried on, and per sonal inspection of the actual working out. of the process. WHEAT FARMING IN VICTORIA, Starting from the Melbourne terminus, the passenger is carried 216 miles by rail way to Swan Hill; but from Myer's Flat, for 100 miles or so before reaching Swan Hill, the country is level, and m the hands of farmers, Mr Brown had, as be fore stated, been seven years m Victoria —a Ballarat resident—but he had never until reaching Swan Hill really ex perienced what might be called a hot wind, as the Australians speak of it. Here, however, he encountered one, and learned with astonishment how much perspiration m a very short time can be shed by the human body. Along the hundred miles of flat country, farming operations were going on and the country appeared to be holding its awn. On making enquiry of a farmer whom he came acrocs as to how he was ge'Jting on, the reply was that harvest was nearly completed, and that the yield would probably be three to four bags (twelve co sixteen bushels) per acre. To a New Zealancler this yield would appear small, but then the light cost of putting the crop m and getting it off the ground again has to be considered. Mr Brown ineca man m Melbourne who was cropping )ti the mailee country, and this man said lie was doing very well, and some of the settlers were making money. The plough ing was done by a stump-jumping plough, ■vliich was so constructed that when an obstacle like a stump, which would bar th i progress of an ordinary plough, was encountered, the stump-jumper was true to its name, went over the stump and re sumed business on the other side. Mr Brown hr.d not the luck to see one of these ploughs, and so make a note of its construction, but there were plenty of them m the malleo country. A three furrow plough was usually nude uso'of, and 'he farmers were not particular as to their putting mof the crop. Sometimes it was ploughed m, sometimes a broad cast sower was employed that scattered tilts seed a chain wide, and this was followed by a single stroke of the harrows. When the grain was ripe, it was harvested by a stripper, winnowed on the field, and despatched straight off to market. So that from sowing to reaping the expense of the Vic^orhiu farmer was nominal as compared with that the New Zealand fanner hud to bear. The mailee country has but recently been brought into culti vation. But it is turning out to be far better wheat land than was at first ex pected. In passing through this country the traveller encounters plenty of water races, much larger than, those he would meet on the Ashbutton plains, but he is surprised also to find that very many of i-heui are dry. In answer to his query he was told that harvest operations were fjver, and the races were not wanted. But it appeared to Mr Brown that the races were not used for irrigation purposes to any great extent, and that their chief mission was to supply the settlers' water holes, and for domestic use. The soil of the country about the district of Kerang appeared to be rich, and with similar soil m Wakanui the crops would be tre mendous. The country was fairly level, and from official statistics; extending over 'en, years'che rainfallshowed an average of about twelve inches per annum. The pastures looked poor and parched, but m spite of this the stock looked m the pink of condition. Carting of grain was going rm, and although the stations along the railway line to Swan Hill did uot show much shed accommodation, there were plenty of platforms on which the sacks could be p; led to await transit. It was astonishing how soon, under the system of stripping, winnowing, and bagging on the field^ the crop could be run into the market. Nor is the railway freight ex orbitant—the carriage of. wheat from Warracknabeal to Melbourne -216 miles —was only a fraction over scl per bushel. This much of the farmers' country on the way to Swan Hill, which is the railway line which approaches nearest to the ecu fines of the Ohaffey country, but exten sions of other two lines are proposed, which will reach the township of Mildura. One of these, will be from Warracknabe ll and the other from Donald, both of which places are termini. VP THE MURRAY. Ah ib is, the visitor to Mildura must detiuin at Swan Hill, and make the rest of the jouriuey by river steamer. Mi- Brown reached Swan Hill m the evening of the day on which he started, the journey having included an hour's stop page at Bendigo, which he took advantage of,°both going and returning. But Ben digo had groii'i) out of all recognition by him, and while he hail been carving for himself a home at Wakanui and rearing a family there of young New Zealanders— each a work of time—Bendigo had grown nj.fco an important, prosperous, and sub stantial toty'U. Ho took passage up the Murray the foltywfug morning m the Ruby, a Hice paddle steamer of light draught, which affords excellent accommo dation for the passenger. This passage would have been, thoroughly enjoyable but for- the mosquitoes, all of which seemed to falj. m luve with, him at first sight, and made an application of Eupa lyptus oil nocessry, a cure that w.is j nearly -is bad as the disea.se. During his passage up the river he could note the quality of the land upon its banks from the brpaks that were m them, and whioh disclosed yej.n.3 of shells here and there. He was impressed ™itk the good quality of this land, and felt tint tyefe vast room upon its surface for all B.jr George Grey's unborn millions, if only the land were irrigated ; and m time tiie Murray must come to be used for that purpose. The river is? a very winding stream, and affords a pleasant sVU as well as good fishing, which is carrier! on to a considerable extent. Here and there ije s-v\y fishing stations on the banks, and yjiuyu, -''14$ c.y"d-f^h ? ayuje between 6Qlba

, find 701bs weight each, wsre being cirried ' up from the stream, THE WATER BAG. On the sbeamor, at the railway station 1?, at every housr, and carried by every pedestrian, horse man, or traveller by wheeled vehicle is tho omnipresent can vas bag. for the conservation and con- \ t veyanca of drinking water. It is simply a bag made of stout close woven * canvas, with a flexible pipe inserted m tho bottom, and long enough to be taken up to the top of the bag and wound round it. In a metaliic vessel water will soon become lukow.mn m an atmosphere like that of the country through which the Murray winds, but m a canvas baa the water is kept at a gratefully cool tem perature. MILDURA. Mr Brown reached Mildura oa the i third day afUr leaving Swan Hill. There is no wharf at Mildura as yet, tho steamer simply pulling close into the bank, but when he left, Government had invited tenders for the erection of a wharf. When he looked round the township his tirat impression of it was that it was too big by a Ions? way for the country round about it. But this impression was dis pelled by subsequent experience, as he found that although most of the settled blocks had been cleared and cultivated, and the settlers had been devoting their labor and attention assiduously to that work, many of the roads m the outskirts had not been cleared, and it w;is these lines of bush that broke the view, and at first sight greatly circumscribed the' appirent area of land for outside settle ment. Mr Brown had heard much about Mildura being a new colony that was to be run wholly on temperance principles. He found out that so far as "no license " was concerned, the statement Was quite correct; but among the very first in dividuals he met on leaving the steamer ' were two men who were very palpably i drunk. Further on he encountered a Scotchman, with far more than "a wee drap m his o'e." In fact, he was about as " fou " of whisky as a piper's bag is full of wind. He saw more "drunks" after that, but the day being Christmas, die over indulgence was perhaps excusable. Mr Brown was expected by a cousin of his-a thoroughly practical fanner— who has made his home at Mildura, and he soon mot him, His relative's plase was three miles away from the steamer's lauding point, and on tho. way to it, they calbd m at the holdings of several orchardists. One of these, whose work of course had boeu interrupted by the ■ holiday, was m course of sending his apricots to market. He had got a box and a half per tree, was to receive % per box, and this would yield him the handsome return of £50 per acre—and that from trees less than four years old. TUUJi itEl'OllTH. Mr Brown is * grand man for finding things as they are, and when he goes out for information he draws not bridle until he has run down the whole quarry. It was impossible m the brief interview he had with the writer to give m words the whole history and description of the Mile' ura, colony as he saw it; but he had brought away with him a good deal of literature on the the subject. Some of this he had bought m Melbourne on his arrival, for perusal on Ihe way, and the statements made m these volumes he had put himself to great pains to verify. On« book issued bj the Chaffey Bros, con tained official reports presented to Parliament by Government officers specially authorised for the purpose, and reprinted articles from tho chief Austra lian journals. That work Mr Brown had carefully perused and compared with what he actually saw of the c.ilony, and ho m forme I his interviewer that m not ->ne instance had he found the least exaggera tion. This work he was good enough to annotate for quotation and reference, .specially marking the descriptions of thy working given m the Governmental report whish he had verified by actual observa tion himself. THE IRRIGATION WORKS. Mr Brown obtained an introduction to Mr E. 0. de Garia, an agent m Mildura for the ChaftV.y Bros., and this gentleman >*'as good enough to drive him round the colony and point out the works of the irrigation system, and to the kindness of this gentleman Mr Brown is indebted for many facilities given him for observing what was going on. Mr Brown briefly ran over the history of' the colony from 1887, when Chaffey Bros, obtained a cession from the Victorian Legislature ■>f 250,000 acres of land m the north western territory for their irrigation enterprise, with water rights from the rivers. The license to occupy this area was granted for a term of years, with the right to acquire a free grant of it on the fulfilment of certain conditions as to expenditure upon it. The minimum expenditure stipulated for by the Govern ment was £35,000 within the first five years. To June 30, 1891, the amount actually expended by the Chaffey Bros, was £275,000. A population of over 3000 was now settled m Mildura, including about 350 school children, public buildings had been erected, includ ing post and telegraph office, etc., and a State school for 220 children. A second school of a similar capacity would be wanted soon. Another condition of the cession was the erection and endowment of an agricultural college. The college has been built, and 16,000 acres set aside for its endowment. Of the 25,000 acres first surveyed and cab up into tei^cro blocks, and the 12,000 acres recently surveyed, more then 10,000 acres had been sold, one half of which is under cultivation, a large proportion being under yines and fruit trees, for which both soil and climate are specially suited. One of the vineyards that had only been twenty two months planted had yielded several several tons of Gordo Blanco grapes. These had been converted into raisins, dried m the sun, and marketed at one «.h illing per pound. Four principalpumpi ng stations exist, for the working of which engines are used aggregating 2000 h.p. The largest engine—Bso h.p.—is capable of driving six twenty-inch centrifugal ' pumps, and raising 60,000 gallons per minute thirty-five feet high; another of 500 h.p., oan lift 40,00Q gallon*, while a third plant, capable of lifting 650 tons rf water per minute is used for filling an immense inland lake or "billabong," whence the main supply is drawn for the irrigation channels. Usually the billabong is filled by the flooding of the river Murray, but ifc was thought that to be on the safe side a pumping plant was necessary should thd ordinary flood? fail. The channel to the billabong from the river is 10Q feet wide and four feet deep. The main irri gation channel is twenty-five feet wide at tho bottom, four feet deep, and five and a half miles m length. At a higher level another channel fifteen feet wide at the Ijf ittom and fov^ v feet deep has been made, and it has a length of twenty-fire miles. There are many miles of distributary channels completed and more are m course of construction. The main channels are carried as the grades of the country serve, and tlio Chaffey Bj:os undertake to brin^ water to tho highest corner of oaoh man's section. The settler's first duty is to see to the proper grading of his block, and if that is done well, and according to *;he instructions the experts give, the work of the irrigator goes on smoothly," but if badly, he may find a tree hare or there standing m a po.(jl, qi; left out of the influence of the drenching altogether. The main or distributing channel passing a settler's property is pierced at intervals with a 2^in pipe, fitted with a metal valve. The settler has to give three days' notice to tlie ranger of his intention tq irrigate, and the wiiter is sent along to him at the notified time. For its reception l>e lias already ru.'n a,'small funw along <3twJ»

side of his'rows of fruit trees, at the end ! of each of which the channel h.-us been j pierced, and the water i.s taken m one stream to the row, whore it is divided and sent down the prepared furrows. The flow is kept up uiiuil it has reached the fulllengtli of the furrows, nnd then shut off. The soil is of three classes— the pine ridges, of a sharp red sand that grows m its virgin state little else than a good sized indigenous pine ; mailee, also sand, but stiffer ; bluebu h, not so much timber, stiffor soil, ' but. poorer, ooiko sotilers prefer one, s-nno another, but all give excellent results under irrigation. SETTLEMENT. The land is sold at £21 per ncre with an inalienable water ri<_'ht. iOacb owner is a member of tha Mildura Irrigation Company, and for the maintenance of the works a rate of 6s per acre is imposed, but this the settlers gladly pay. The settlers have the sole control of their settlement, and the district hiving been declared a shire last March, local 1 government is m their own hands. (Everybody at Mildura seems to fancy he has got the best section : there is not a single grumbler to be met with. There are nice houses on nearly all the sections, and the whole pace has an air of pros perity. It appeared to Mr Brown to be just tho sort ol land that irrigation would suit, and the enterprise of tho Chaffey Bros, is a lesson to all the Aus tralasian colonies. The land without 1 irrigal ion would be as barren as the most hopeless desert on the face of the earth ; but with it, it has been transformed into a perfect garden of Eden. There are many monuments m Melbourne, and the Melbourne peopla owe one to the Chaffey Bros., bat whether the Melbourne people erect one or not, m Mildura they have erected one for themselves that will keep their memory green while water flows and the green grass grows. Mr Brown returns to New Zealand with larger views on the question of irrigation.

SPORTING.

CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB.

(per press association.) Wellington, January 24. The following are the handicaps de clared by Mr J. E. Henry for the Canter bury Jockey Club's Midsummer Meeting. Midsummer Handicap, of 200 soys ; second horse 20 soys from the stake. One mile and a half.

Craykn Plate, of 100 sov.s. Seven fur longs.

Morn by Welter, of 50 soys. One mile and a»qunrtcr.

UNKNOWN

SECOND DaY,

[PER, IUIGSS ASSOCIATION. Wellington, January 23. Hack Huedt.es, of 30 aovs. One mile and a quarter. —Pride of tho Hills, dsi, 71b, 1. Dividend -£9 16*. Racing Club Handicap, of 200 soys. One mile and a quarter.—Cruch field Bot 51b, 1 ; Huerfana, 7st 51b, 2 ; Raneo Nuna, 6dt 121 b, 3. Cynisca 9.st 7lb, JBoulangor 9st 61b, and Pearl Powder 7«t 71b also ran. A splendid race, Huerfana and Ranee Nuna were m the lead to the straight, when Cruchfield came up with a rush and won by a length. Time—2min 13 2-ssec. Dividend—£4 6s. Juvknile Handicap.—St Katherine, j Bsfc 61b, 1 ; Variety, 7st 111 b, 2 ; Prioress, 6stlolb, 3 Seven ran. Won by half a length. Time—itnin s|sec. Dividend— £4 18s. Sealing Race, of 50 soys. One mile,— St Malo, 7st l'Jl'i 1; Little Scrub, 7«t 61b,--2; Jessie, 7sfc4lb, 3. Won easily. Time—lmin 48 l-sth sec. The winner was bought m for 52 soys. Hack Race.—Hiberian Bsfc 61b, 1, Eight ran. Dividend—£4. Blenheim camo m fust, but was disqualified for crossing. Metropolitan Handicap, of 100 soys. Six furlongs.—Thame, 7st 101 b, 1; Weka, 83t 41b, 2 ; Rebellion, 7sb 101 b, 3. Six ran. Won easily. Time —lmin 17 4-sth sec. Dividend—£2 10s. £6749 went through the machines making £15,143 for the two days, or £1995 less than last year, It is expeoted chat the Club will make a piofit of £600 over the meeting. The amount the Club have to pay to the Government is £227 ss. At the enquiry into the contradictory running cf Magpie it was decided after hearing the explanation of the owner that it was not necessary to take any further action B. Buekeridge, rider of the horse Blenheim, which was disqualified, m the hack race, was ordered to stand dowu for two months.

EGMONT SUMMER MEETING.

Baweka, January 25. The following are the acceptances for the principal races : — Egmont Handicap, two miles.—Bo|; -ianger B.st 91b, Cynisca Bst 81b, Marton Bsfc'3lb, Whisper Sat, Fraterniie 7st 121 b, Rosefeldn 7sllolb, Retina 7st 81b, Re cluse 7st (jib, Patchwork 7st 61b, Krina 7st 01b, Foxton 7st 61b, Torpedo 7st 31b, La Petite Fille 7st, Awarua Rose 7st, Weka 6st lllb, Kapua 6st 101 b, Lochnagar 6st 101 b, Cordelia 6st 81b, She 6st 81b, Musket 6st 71b, Durus 6st 71b, Paradox 6st 71b. Fjkst Handicap Hurdles. - Waterfall list, Waterbury lO.st 131 b, Pyramus lOst 131 b, Empire lOst 101 b, Rough 9st lilb, Viola 11.,9 st. Flying Handicap, six furlongs.— Boulanger 9st 51b, Retina Bst 71b, Rose feldt Bst s;ib, Welsh Bst 41b, Recluse Bst 41b, Torpedo gst 41b, La Petite Fille 7st 71b, She 7st 41b, St Malo 7st 41b, Ranee Nuna 7st, Rufus 7st, Fleta 7st, Musket 6at 71b. Ha\v>-:ra Welter.—Weka lOst, St Malo 9st 61b, Pyramus 9st 51b, Cruiser tot, Fletoa B.st 121 b, Perf Bst Qlb, Rufus Bst 91b, Durus 8«t 71b, Empire Bst.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

WBR PRESS ASSOCIATION . j

LABOR TROUBLES.

London, January 22. The engineers at Sunderland threaten to strike for a reduction m the hours of labor. The men m the Sunderland ship yards have struck, as a protebt against the reduction m their wages. London, January 23. Fifteen hundred bootirakers are locked out m Bristol. HOME POLITICS. The election for the vacant seat of Rossendale m the House of Commons occasioned by the Marquis of Harting ton going to the House of Lords, took place to-day, with the following result: Mr Maden, Home Rule candidate, 6060 ; Mr Brooks, Unionist, 484*. [This is a complete reversal of the result of the last general election m 1885, when the Marquis of Hartington (Union ist), defeated the Liberal candidate by 5399 to 3949, a majority of 145 C] The Liberals are organising a great campaign to be held m London m February and March, m view of the general election. THE RUSSIAN JEWS. Glasgow citizens are subscribing to the fund to assist the Jpws. THE MELBA DIVORCE CASE. Madame Melba pleads that her hus band is not domiciled m England. The latter has filed a rejoinder that occasional residence qualifies him to bring an action m England, t DIPLOMATIC APPOINTMENTS. The appointment of Sir R. B. Morier as British Ambassador at Rome has been countermanded, and he will remain at St. Petersburg. Lord Vivian, who was to have succeeded Sir R. B. Morier, will go to Rome from Brussels. NATIONAL MORTGAGE AND AGENCY CO. The National Mortgage and Agency Company of Nsw Zealand has declared a dividend of 5 per cent. The Direo ! tors m their report state that if New Zealand imposes a tax on debentures withdrawal cf capital will speedily re sult CHARGE AGAINST AN M.P. Mr Hastings, M.P. for Worcester, charged with obtaining large sums of money by means of fraud, has been committed for trial. COLONIAL BORROWING. New South Wales Treasury bills are quoted at a premium, owing to the brokers being unable to fulfil their sales, and are purchasing from the insurance companies. It is believed that the first instal ment of Queensland Treasury bills will be £500,000, and that they will be placed nearly at a similar price to those issued by NeAV South Wales. The "Economist" considers that the raising of money by Treasury bills is a vicious method of finance, and that the obtaining of the temporary relief will cost heavy sacrifices in _the future. The "Times" says that if the colonies constantly apply for loans for works not really reproductive, they must not look to the London market. Though plenty of money would be ottered for legitimate purposes it would not be obtained as cheap as formerly. Treasury Bills, it considers, are justifi able as a temporary expedient, but the issue of them must rot assume danger ous dimensions. EASTBOURNE SALVATIONISTS. London, January 24. The Queen's Bench .has quashed the conviction of the Salvationists con victed by the Magistrates of unlawful assembly at Eastbourne.

THE SITUATION IN EUROPE.

St. Petersburg, January 22. The Directors of the Warsaw rail way and the Government are meeting secretly to discuss the propriety of mobilising, m order to expedite the transfer of Poles eastward. The medical students at Kieff have been ordered to enlist. Paris, January 22. The French Government has ac cepted the Bulgarian note with regard to the expulsion of the French journalist from Sofia, and amicable relations between the two countries are being resumed. London, January 23. " The Times " asserts that Austria and two other European Powers warned Russia that they would resist her armed interference with Bulgaria. THE. FAMINE IN" RUSSIA " The Times " opposes the proposal to raise an English national subscrip tion m aid of those suffering from famine m Russia. Other papers advise that assistance should be sent to the famine stricken districts m Madras. St. Petersburg, January 23. It is reported that the Czar has ordered the seizure of retained grain, failing the purchase of two million roubles worth for the famine districts, COLLAPSE OF A. CHCFRCfI. By the collapse of , a church m Slobodskoi, m the government of Viatka, fifty persons were either kjUecl or injured,

EGYPT.

Constantinople, January 23. It is rumored that the Sultan has issued a circular to the Great Powers requesting them to decide the question of the British evacuation of Egypt.

THE LAUR INCIDENT.

Paris, January 23. The Premier is unwilling to accede to the demands of M. I^aur that M, Oonstans should be prosecuted for *1 QCQ II IT CHURCH AND STATE, The Radicals are trying to force a battle between Church and State m the Chamber of Deputies at an early date. THE FRENCH IN AFRICA. Intelligence is to hand that the French troops attacked Samoary, m the Upper Niger district, killing hun dreds of Samoary troops. The loss on the French side was six killed and thirty injured. EUROPEAN TARIFFS. M. Ribot, Minister for Foreign Affairs, announces that the minimum tariff will be applied to Great Britain after February Ist, Bqßipr, January 23!. A Committee of the -Reichstag' pro-. pqse to .admit, until April 23, the im port of corn, wine and timber into, Qerinany from countries not belonging

to the favored nation Treaty at favored nation rates. St. Petersburg, January 22. It is stated that a Northern Customs League, embracing Russia, is being formed.

GENERAL BOOTH.

Calcutta, January 23. General Booth has sailed for London.

FIRE IN A PALACE.

Brtjsskls, January 23. A fire which broke out m the Arenbur Palace destroyed the pavilion. The Egmont tapestry and pictures were also destroyed.

FATAL FIRE AT A HOSPITAL

New "SfoKK, January 23. A hospital m Indianopolis, the capital of Indiana, was destroyed by fire. Nineteen of the patients were burned to death nnd fifty injured.

PROPOSED SALE OF MOZAM BIQUE.

Lisbon, January 23. Ihe Premier's suggestion that Por tugal should sell Mozambique, m order to reduce the national debt, has been well received.

GERMANY AND AFRICA.

Berlin, December 23. Baron Soden has dismissed three of Colonel Wissman's officers. As Go vernment favour the course adopted it is expected that Colonel Wissman will resign his position.

THE SILVER QUESTION.

Washington, January 23. The conference between Great Britain and the United States on the silver question is being arranged.

EARTHQUAKES IN ROME.

Rome, January 24. Severe earthquake shocks have been felt m the city, causing a sensa tion among the residents. Many people passed the night m the open spaces.

THE UNITED STATES AND CHILI.

Washington, January 23. The dispute betweeu Chili and the United States will probably be referred to arbitration. January 24. Tt is reported that the United States Government has sent an ultimatum to Chili terminating diplomatic relations unless the circular issued to the Chilian Legations on December 11 "isi with drawn. '

INTERPROVINCIAL.

New Plymouth, January 24. An accident happened last night as the train frcm Wanganui arrived at a ctossint' m Devon street. A horse m a trap took fright, and backing on to the line collided with the train. The occupants, a man and woman, were thrown out of the trap, but escaped miraculously without serious injury. Master-ton, January 23. A man named John Thompson was arrested yesterday, suffering from religious mania. He was singing and praying m the Upper Tamerua 'road, and when re monstrated with subbed himself m the cliesf, inflicting a nasty wound, and cub himself about the legs. The man, who is m a pitiable condition, will be ■ sent to the Wellington Asylum. Wellington, January 23. William George Raines, charged with the murder rf Alexander Crawford on Satur day I;i3t, was brought up at the Police Court to-day and remanded until Tuesday, on the application of the police, Who wished to take advice from the officers of the Crcwu as to whether they should pro ceed with the case or not. A young man named Peter Cheyne, a lineman m the employ of the telegraph department, was killed instantaneously this afternoon by falling from the top of a telegraph pole. The height of the pole was over twenty-five feet. Landing very heavily lie first struck ths ground with his side and rebounded two or three feet m the air. Almost instant death resulted, for the poor fellow only gave half a dozen gasps and then expired. An iron bolt broken across at the thread was found at the scene of the accidontand it is believed that while the deceased was screwing ab this it must have suddenly snapped and thus have been the cause of his los>ine his balance. The deceased was a native of Jersey and about thirty-two years of age. He leaves a widow to whom he was only married a few months ago. At the in quest the evidence showed that the acci dent was caused by the snapping of the bolt, m which there was apparently a flaw. A verdict of death was re turned.

MOUNT SOMERS.

[from: our correspondent.] Owing to the exceedingly moist weather we have been experiencing during the past few months, the shearing m nearly all the sheds has been protracted to a great extent, much to the disappoint ment of many of the shearers who had hoped to be done with the shearing m time for harvest, which this year pro mises to be much better than usual. There is a somewhao larger area under crop this year, and the droppy season, coupled with an immunity from nor' westers, has benefitted the crops to an amazing extent. Oats seom* to be the principal cereal grown, and they are looking remarkably well; but there are some nioe fields of wheat on the Buccleuch estate, which promise a good yield. The pastures all along the foot of the hills are very lnxuriant, and stock 5f all des criptions are m the pink of condition. Some very good crops of hay have been, and are being, reaped, although the broken state of the weather greatly in creases the difficulty of securing them m good order, Work at the white stone quarries has been plentiful during the past summer. Orders for this magnificent stone have been coming m freely, and m all cases have been executed with despatch. An order for 500 cubic feet for Dr. Burns' monument m Dunedin has just, been filled, and the proprietors are now exe cuting a large order for the Lon^beach Estate, i The business m lime has boon much better this year. Fanners were at first somewhat chary about tho usl of this fertiliser, but, having proved its value, have been increasing their orders from year to year, and it is to be hoped that m the future its use wul be much more general than it has been hitherto. The appointment of a stationmaster to the Mount Somers "Railway Station is proving a great benefit to the district, and Mr Hawkes, is, by his courtesy and desire to oblige, winning golden opinions from all whose business takes them to the station. The telegraph service is also a great acquisition and a convenience to many. TJie bracing atmosphere of these upper regions has not been sufficiently strong to resist the influenza epidemic. Several persons have, during the past week, been attacked by i^,, but it is pleasing to lie able to state they are mow becoming QQilVHlttKC^Ut *

Ml! ASHBtfßtfOtf GUARDIAN: MONDAY, JAfftfAlW 25, Js92.



sfc lb Bay King ... 10 13 flip. Dreamer 10 (i Cajolery ... 10 4 Quibble ... 10 3 Evin-go-Br'gh 10 0 Crown .level 9 12 Kihnaniock J) 7 Yon Tempsky 9 G Silver Pine 9 5



sfc lb Morpheus ... 9 0 Prime Ward'n 8 12 Oruchfield ... 8 5 Cajolery ... 8 5 Ruby ... 8 3 Rcgina ... 8 2 Brcadalbane 8 0 Flinders ... 713 Carronade ... 7 10 Heather Bell 7 9



sf, 1b Memo Enpl'd 9 1 Uudu ... 9 0 Prime Ward'n 8 7 Morpheus ... 8 3 Pal'iser ... 8 2 Ouchfield ... 7 13 K'ulnine ... 713 rhe Dreamer 7 10



Ruby Bay King ... Ilium Coinage . . T;issy Silver Pine Tom Field

fit Jt 7 fc 7 \ 6 1J 6 15 G 1( 6 \ 6



st lb Adieu ... 7 4 Ilium ... 7 4 Crown Jewel 7 3 Tasay ... * . 2 Young Cheviot (5 13 May ' ... 6 9 Dielytr* ... 6 8 Lady Sock burn 6 7 Com Rose... 6 7



Fairchild ... Tassy Inez Duideiiong Inclikeith ... Aquarius ... Corn Rose... Tnc Jewel ...

st 9 9 9 8 8 8 8 8

lb 4 4 2 7 7 5 0 0



"Keating's Powder" destroys Bugs, Fleas, Moths, Beetles, and all other insects whilst quite harmless to domestic animals. In exterminating Beetles the success of this powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly clean m application. See the article you tmrchase is "Keating's," as iniitations are oxious and ineffectual. Sold m Tins, 6d, Is and 2s 6d each, by all chemists. Ninian Hyslop and Co.'s " Imperial pure Ceylor and Indian Teas are the bes m the market.—(Advt Ninian Hyslop and Co.'s "Imperial" Ceylon and Indian Teas are direct from thfe ?«* PHntetio i ns.-~('44Yi;,)



MAIL NOTICE, , Vlaiis close for the following places as under, subject to the necessary alterations : WEDNESDAY, January 27. For the United Kingdom, Continent of Europe and America, and West Indie 3 (via San Framisoo), Sandwich Islands, etc., and also for Northern Ports of New Zealand, pet-Takapuna, as follows :— Ordinary letters, books, and newspapers, at €J.l£s p.m ; registered letters, 5 p.m. ; money orders, 3 p.m. This mail will bo due iv London on March 2.



STOCK TAKING. KEDUCTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE IN ALL DEPARTMENTS. Inspection Invited. NEW ZEALAND Ciotbioer Factory. ;W. H. WEBBER, Manager. Don't bk Decbivko !—lf you want the best Medicine the world has ever pro uced, try Colemank and Sons Eucalypti ,J Extract. For all affections of the chest and lungs, consumption, asthma, coughs, colds, gravel, and kidney complaints. For influenza it has no equal. Under the distinguished patronage of Earl Jersey, Governor of New South Wales, Lord Carrington, and tho Kmperor of Germany. Awarded medals at Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, heating all competitors, and is the only pure Extract m the world. See that the label bears our trade mark (tree of life and signature Colemane and Sond, Cootamundra, New South Wales), without this it if a fraud. Price, Is 6d and 2s 6d. Wholesale Depot lor New Zealand: Lichfield street, Christchurch Sole Agents for Ashburton : The Ash burton Drug Company.--Ai>vt. The world is ever moving on towards perfection, butseldom attains it, Constant improvement' is being made m every branch of industry, but m Biking Powders Perfection has been reached jin Warburtvu's Can't Be Beat.



WANTED Known. -At "The Corner' now selling Ladies' French Shors. 5s lid. See them".—W. H. Collieb, "TTTANTBD Known.—l have a large W stock of Tin and Ironware Goods So select from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m stock.—J. W. Hahdmy, East • treet. 6t202 W~~ ANTED Known—That you will make no mistake for quality and variety m English and Colonial Boots, and hia highly reputed make by calling at J. Moison's. During coming holidays dis count for Cash. Repairs done at once. A staff of men always kept and best material and workmanship guaranteed. BHEKP SHEARS. Having secured a Stock of the Celebrated 8.8.A., and as there are very few m the Colony, Shearera ara requested to call early.— Robert Alcorn, Saunders' Buildings. BOOTS, Boots.—lnfants Boots 9d, six Dozen Ladies' Elastic Side Boots, 5s 9d, Gents' Boots 8s 6d, Mens' Blucher Boots 5s 6d, Stanley Shoes Is lld.~- Andrrw Orr's Sale. 1 V* ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranceed ; from 50s cash. Roberi Alcork, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. \i / ANTED Known —For first-class * * Drapery and Millinery go to Melford House ; cheapest shop m town. (See windows. ) Beautiful Xmas present s being given away.—H. C. Segeiis. rpO Meet the Times.—l am aupplying J Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30;* upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all descriptions. Insp-jcticn invited. — J. W. Hardley, Eus street. 6J201 WANTED Known.- -H. Baikstow has opened those premises m East street next.J. Orr and Co., as a Furniture Warehouse. Latest designs i n Vienna Chairs, and Iron Bedsteads on visw. Having a good stock of well seasoned figured Rimu and Kauri, he is prepared to take orders for Furniture to ny design. Inspection invited. Ilt6l



NOTHING Trill Cdolyou so quickly and invigorate the system so much as Ice Cream.—H.G. Flower, Confectioner, East Street. WANTED Known.—Great Bargains m Ladies' Cashmere Hose, Under clorhing, Pinafores, &s. Come and see them. Handsome Xmas presents now giving away.—H. C % Segers, Melford House. _ ___. WANTED KNOWN, a special lot of Hearth Rugs at Is lid, 2s 6d and 2d lid ; worth about doable. W. If. Collier. mOWELS 6d, Gloves 6d, Umbrellas Is A lid, Jackets 4s lid, Hats 4d, Stays Is lid, Norfolk Bodices isHM, Trimmed Hats Is lid. English samples of Ladies •nd Childrens' Underclothing Half-price. Andrew Ork's Sale. 1 107



Wanted. CASH Advertisement under tlvs heading not exo-jjAui* SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addressee may ba left at this Office. WANTED, a strong youth to work with chaffoutting machine. Apply atfmce to Thomas Wilson, Allenton. 1 157 WANTED to Sell, Dwelling House for Removal. Apply J. C. Duncan, Arcade* I*lso "XT/ A.NIED Known.---Great Bargains VV now on at Melford House. Bevutiful Cashmeres at U 6d ; usual price 3 S< —f{. C. SIXiERS WANTED Immediately—Cottage of four or five rooms. Send particu lars to "T.IL," " Mail" oflice. 1 135 rpHTRTY Pieces Dress Goods at.6d; 60 -*- Pieces French Cashmere at Is 6d, worth 3s 6d ; 1000 Yards French Tweed, double width, at Is 9d, worth 3s 9d. All Dress Goods greatly reduced.—Andhkw Orr'9 Cheap Sale. 1 106