MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close for the following places aa under, subject to the necessary alterations :— SATURDAY, May 21. For Australian Colonies (except Tasma nia), per Rotokino, at &.3O fl.m.

HOLIDAY. QUHEN'S BIRTHDAY.

On Queen's Birthday, May 24, the Ashbur ton Post and Telegraph Office will be open 1 from 9 till 10 a.m. and from 7 til' 8 p.m. only. Mails for Christchurch and North will close at 6.30 a.m. and for Duuediu and South at 10 a.m. No mails will be despatched after 10 a.m. ENGLISH MAILS. HOMEWARD—DTRKCT MATI.S. Tongariro, left April 16, due London May 27. Rnahine left April 21, due London June Arawa, left April 30, due Lanclon, June 10. , Aorangi, leaving M*y 14, due London June 24. SAN FRANCISCO MAILS. Mariposa, left. April 22, due London May 23. Monowai, leaving Auckland May 21, due London June 22. OUTWABD—DIBKOT MAILS Rhnntaka, due colony May 16. SAN VRANCISCO MAILS. Alameda, dus colony May 20.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1892. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

It is notified m our ailvertiseing columns that m consequence of Tuesday being a general holiday—the usual weekly sale of stock will take place at the 1 inwald yards on Monday, 23rd inst. The final performance of "Caste"has been postponed to Friday, June 3. Pehear sals have been frequent, and we have the authority of Mr J. J, Kennedy, who was present at oneof them, that he was agreeably surprised at the way the piece was rehearsed. Plans of the land which has been opened for Village Homestead Settlements at Arundel, between the Rangitata traffic bridge and Gcraldine, and at Leeston ; and for small farms at Waimate and Studholme Junction may be seen at this office, where intending settlers may also obtain forms of application. An enthusiastic meeting of the Christohurch Shop Assistants' Union was held on Tuesday o:ght, at which it was decided by a large majority that Saturday was the best day for th '■ half-holiday. A strong committee was ap pointed to communicate with other centres with reference to the compulsory half-holiday Bill which the Union supports. The Ashburton Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Show, to be held on July 15 and 16, promises to be a very successful affair. Some members of the committee recently interviewed leading poultry breeders and fanciers m Christchurch and other parts of Canterbury, and received from them promises of hearty support. The Trial Chess Tourney is making satis factory progress, but it would be well if players who have not yet put m an appeir anca would do so at an early date or withdraw their names, m order that the present tourney may be brought to a close as soon as possible. The second tourney, for which entries may be made till 3lst inst., is expected to be followed by a match with some outside club. A meeting of the South Rakaia Mutual Improvement Society was held m the Money Club Hall on Tuesdiy evening, the Rev, J. Holland m the chair. The subject " Female Franchise" was discussed, Mr C. Dixon opening m the affirmative, and Mr R. J. Gap iv the negative. Several members took part m the discussion, which was very animated, A vote resulted iv a majority for the negative. The Ashburton Rifles held their annual social m the Oddfellows' Hall last night. There was as usual a large gathering at this popular meeting, and all the officers were present, including Major Douglas, and Adjutant Fooks, of the South Canterbury Battalion. The hall was profuse'y and effectively decorated with fligsand trophies. In atlditior.to an excellent musical pro gramme, the riflemen under Sergeant-Major McDonald give exhibitions of manual, bayoi e\ andphysicaldrill, showingawonder ful facility, and gi vingiudicationsof close prac tice and attention to training. Mrs Ranger had charge of the refreshments, and the music was supplied by Mr L. Owen, with aid given by musical members of the corps, and the Ashburton Band. The Salvation Army intends to publish, at an early date, a pair of special " War Crys," the one to be the " Women's Cry," written and edited entirely by women, and the " Men's Cry," to be written and edited exclusively by men. The object, says the "Cry," is to ascertain to what exfentthe equality, or otherwise, of the sexes, actually prevails m the ranks of readers of the " War Cry." The •' Oamaru Mail" learns from an authentic source that the Midland Railway Company have just disposed of a block of land some 50,0(W acres m extent, lying at the foot of the ranges north of the Waimakiriri River. The purchaser is a Timaru gentleman, and the price paid was 12s per acre. This is a portion of the land which the Company [t»ok up under their original contract at 10s an acre. It will be remembered that last year the company sold a block of 47,000 acres at Springfield at a figure something like £2 5s per acre. According to Mr Hayter's statistics, the growth of the population of Melbourne m the ten years ended laat census was at the rate of 21,000 per aanum, but according to estimates carefully prepared by the muni cipal authorities this increase has received a severe check, the augmentation between last census (April 5, 1891) and the end of Decem ber the same year being only 1046, or at the rate of 1400 per annum, In 1891 the births numbered 18,018, namely, 9343, males and 8.775 females. The deaths registered were 9368, and were therefore 8654 less than the Births, In Greater Melbourne, taken as a whole, thgre was an average of three persons j to the acre at the end of 1891, but the den sity of the population varjea considerably m the different sub.-distriots, ranging from 37 persons |to the acre m Iforth AJelbourne town to less than 2i persons to the acre hi Kew borough, and about ono person to every 2£ acres \n the portion of the district situated m shires. During the ten years ending 1881 the number of birth, per 1020 of th# population was 33.13 and the deaths 20.44. A peculiar case Uas juat been decided m Napier. A short time back Jjt horse named Haiwaikaorangi was entered for th& Hurdles, Cup and Welter, at the Rissington meeting, a jockey named M'Kay having been engaged to ride him m each race. The horse won the Hurdle Huge, and was then disqualified with its jockey, on £he ground that the latter was a professional, and the prize was then given to the second horse, which was also ridden by a professional, The whole question was referred to the Metropolitan Club, and the Rissingtou Club wa» goinpcljed to pay the amount ot the stakes to the owner of the disqualified horse. M'Kay then sued the club for a sum of Jt'4 12s, representing the fee he would have received for riding the horse m the Cup and Welter had he not been disqualified. Judgment, was givgu for plaintiff for £4, with £1 Kb costs, solicitor /pc £1 Is, and witnesses expenses 12s, Ke'atinu's Couch Lozj;Ni;iS(s cure (L'oijghs, Asthma, Bronchitis* Medical testinjfony states that no other medicine is so effectual iij U»e cure of those dangerous maladies. Oue lozenge atone gives ease, one or two at bedtime ensures resjfc, rehevicg difficulty of breathing they aqc ujv^luablo. They contain no opium nor any violent drug., Spld by all Chemist* m tjus Is \i aid 3s 9d each JIU'ORTAKT? TO OVCWSTS*. — A good Safety Bicycle for £15 15s, Repairs and Cycle accessoriea at fiaeepfcionaUy low rates at Saville's "Calliope" Cycle Works, 110 Colombo StlWt, Christ-

A largely attended meeting of fruit growers at Christchurch last night decided to take steps to have the Cocllin Moth Act passed next session of Parliament. F. H. yon Schoeneberg, cabinetmaker, was arrested at Timaru yesterday afternoon for threatening to shoot Detective Livingstone and others. He was taken before a J.P., and remanded till Monday. The Timaru Harbour Board yesterday decided to send Home for alternative tenders and also to invite them m the colony for a auction and grab dredge, and for such a dredge and a tug combined. The reisons are that larger carrying power is necessary if the shingle has to be shifted, stronger dredging power required m the harbour, and as to the combination a separate tug entails a losd of £2000 a year. Two imported stallions costing £1700, m Kansas, America, broke down a fence be tween them, and engaged m a terrible battle. The fight was the most ferocious !on record. They bit and tore pieces out of each other, and their kicks and strokes with their forefeet were terrific. To separate them was impossible, and the owner had to look on. One of the horses was 2001bs heavier than the other, but what the lighter one lost m weight he made up by agility, and finally got the heavier horae down and kicked and pawed him to dcat'i. The victor was so badly hurt that he died m a few hours. Support Local Industry. — The Lozenges, Jujubes, Comfits, and London Mixtures manufactured by Aulsebrook and Co. are equal to best imported. Ask for INinian Hyslop, and Cos Imperial new seasons Pure Ceylon and Indian Teas. Special prices — f 4dvt) Ninian, Hyslop and Co.'s "Imperial" pure Ceylon and Indian Teas are direct rom the plantation A d vt. Have Healthy Children by nou"ish ng them with Aulsebrook aid. Go's Arrow root BiscuiK Cracknell and Digestive Biscuits for Invalids are unsurpassed made by AULSEBROOK AND 00.

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH—TUESDAY.

(Before Mr H. Eyre Kenny, R.M.)

Mercantile Finance and Agency Com pany, Limited, v. Flower. Mr Russell for the plaintiff Company, Mr Cuthbertson for the" defendant. In March, 1891, a Mrs Mftcfarlane, carrying on business at Ashburton as grocer, purchased from the Company for £100 a piano and other furniture which had belonged to her hus band, but over which he had given the Company a bill of sale. In her turn she gave a bill of sale as security for the pur chase money, which was to be paid off m monthly instalments of £5. The instal ments wore paid for some time, and m May she and her husband removed to Sumner. takingcharge of a hotel. In July they were visited by the person employed by the Company to inspect, periodically, the securities held by them. He found thit the piano was missing, and Mrs Mac farlane said it was out on hire but would be returned m a month. In August the inspector again visited them, when he found no furniture at all. In September lie saw the Macfarlanes, and they told him that they had sold the piano to defendant for £20. The instalments fell oif, and pressure was put on, the Company threatening to begin a criminal prosecu tion unless the money were paid or some substantial guarantee given that it would be paid, Mrs Macfarlahe then procured two sureties who guaran teed the payment of £60 within a certain time. J>To further portion of the debt had, however, been paid, and at present Mrs McFarlane owed the Com pany £83. At the expiration of the given time a demand had been made on the guarantors, but nothing had been received. The Company had applied to the defendant for the restoration of the piano, but he refused, and they now sued tor the value of the instrument. For the defence it was pleided that there had been a ratification of the sale after it took pl-tee, inasmuch that the plaintiffs had accepted guarantees for the balance due on the bill of sale. Mrs McFarlane stated that at the time she sold the piane and other goods she believed that ko long as she kept up payment of the instal ments she was at liberty to dispose of thorn. She told the manager of the Com pany that she would not need the effects after her removal, and would sell. He did not stop the sule. He told her she must remember that the goods belonged to the Company. She procured the guarantee because the manager threatened i.o prosecute her, she understood that having got the guarantee the Company agreed not to prosecute, and acquiesced m the sale. DanielJ McFarlane corrobo rated his wife's statement generally. When they told the manager they were going to sell, he said the goods belonged to the Compeny. Mary Ann (roston, one of the guarantors, stated that she under stood the conditions of the guarantee to be, that it was to give time for the Macfarianes to make arrangements to pay; that the Company was fco have the piano and other things back if they could get them, and if the Maofarianes failed to pay the Company would come on the guarantors. After this evidence Mr Cuthbertson said the case had turned out contrary to what he execte'l from his in structions, and he could not go on any further. Judgment was therefore given for the plaintiff Company for the amount claimed with costs.

ASHBURTON—THURSDAY.

(Before Mr C. A. Wray, R.M.) Dkunkbnness, —W. Bro^k was charge 1 with having been drunk and disorderly. Sergeant Moller stated that accused had been before the Court; on Saturday last and hfed been remanded for medical treatment, as he was suffering from the effects of excessive drinking. There was another charge against accused of tres passing on premises and refusing to leave when ordered, and this charge was dealt with first. Mr Crisp appeared for accused, and Mr Purnell watched the cisc for the relatives interested, to whom, Mr Purnell said. Brock had been a source of much annoyance At the request of Mr Crisp the charge was adjourned for a week, is his client h<*d only that day boon m a fit condition to instruct counsel. The adjournment was only granted, how ever, on the understanding that m the meantime accused was to refrain from troubling his relatives. On the charge of drunkenness, accused was ordered to pay costs, amounting to £2 14s Gd. Civjl Cases.—A, .J. Kelly v, A. McConochie, £2 13s. Mr Crisp for plajntiff. It appeared that plaintiff had lent defendant the amount claimed to pay a court fine. AMr Frisby had assured him lie would see the mqfhey repaid, defendant being m his employ. Dpfen": dant swore that he had been told by Fiisby's wife that het? husband had paid the money for him, and it had been do* ducted from his wages. Mr Crisp put m a statement lodged by defendant, as a proof of debt m Frisby's estiito, which showed that defendant had not allowed for the amount m question having been paid on his account. Verdict for plain- j tift" fQj? amount claimed and costs —J. Newman"v. E.. B>ck, £8 ftj 6d. Judg ment summons. Plaintiff had got judg ' meat on April 28. and defend? Nt had been engaged threshing for thirteen weeks .sjnee, and was at work still. Defendant 1 sai4 lie jQnly earned about £1 a week, and diet not know y/hethef any money was coming to him or not.' Ordered to pay $j. on Saturday, and 10s a week there after. -rJJ. Fowler v. Win. Brown, £1 12s gd.' Judgß*eftt for plaintiff by default."

NATIONAL IMPROVIDENCE.

Whatever opinions people may hold as to the necessity or desirableness of legislative prohibition of the liquor traffic, no reasonable person will deny that the national taste for malt and spirituous liquors is responsible tor enormous evils. Leaving out of the calculation for the moment the vast volume of crime, disease, and insanity which is directly traceable to the drinking habits of the people, let us look for a moment at the national improvidence m this direction. "Writing on this subject recently the London •Times" pointed out that the total of the national drink bill represented " a sum sufficient to provide the country with two navies and two armies, and an entire Civil Service thrown into the i bargain." Summarising the figures for I 1801, a contemporary points out that the gross amount is the amazing sura of £141,220,675. This is an increase of nearly two millions on the drink bill for 1890, and, taking the population of the United Kingdom at 37,740,383, there is yielded a drink expenditure of £3 15a for each man, woman, and child, or £18 15s for each family of five persons. The details of this stupendous drink bill shed some curious light on the diversities of national taste. The Englishman, for instance, drinks whole Danubes and Mississippis of beer, while the Scotchmen and Irishmen—especially the Scotchmen— imbibe lakes of fiery whisky or palate scorching brandy. The average Scotch man drinks three bottles of whisky to the average Irishman's two, and the average Englishman's one. But m beer the Englishman's palate is un surpassable. It takes 27,500,000 barrels of beer every year to keep English palates reasonably content, which is an of about one barrel per head, including women, babies, and teetotallers. Excluding these less arid classes, the consumption of beer m England must be at least six barrels per head per annum. These oceans of fiery or stupefying liquids which flow every year down the national throat, when translated into coin, take simply alarming dimensions. England—richer or more stupid than the sister kingdom—spends £20 7s 6d per head m intoxicating drinks for each family of five persons ; Scotland, more economical or more canny, spends ,£l6 ss; and even poverty smitten, Saxon oppressed Ireland—which can scarcely find potatoes for its gossoons —spends £10 11s 8d on whisky m each household of five. A philosopher or a political economist might well tear his hair m despairing wrath over the stupendous waste of wealth expressed m these figures. The drink expendi ture of the United Kingdom, if funded, would m five years extinguish the National Debt! A sacrifice of every third glass, of beer or noggin of whisky would pay the entice interest on the National Debt. Mr Chamberlain has proposed a scheme of national insurance by which everybody over sixty-five years of age is to receive an annuity of £13 ; and the total cost of this scheme, which is to deliver old age from the terrors of poverty, is £14,000,000 per annum—a sum whose dimensions are said to have made Mr Gladstone almost faint with horror. To irrigate the national palate with fiery or stupefying liquids there is spent every year a sum ten times as great as would suffice to lift the shadow of poverty from every home m the United Kingdom. In these Colonies the quantity of liquor consumed per head of population is not so large as is the case m the United Kingdom, but as the price per gallon is much higlier the expenditure per head is quite as large, if not larger. In Victoria, for example, the drink ex penditure is about £7,000,000 per annum or a little over £0 per head, including babies, women, and tee totallers. Commenting upon this frightful improvidence, the "Argus" writes :—" If Great Britain spent on the same scale, its drink bill would be about £260,000,000 per annum, or about three times its public revenue. The human imagination can scarcely piqture the general alarm of mankind if England were actually expending such a sum for such a purpose. The ' progress of the nation ' under such conditions would of course be a brief and breathless pilgrimage into the insolvency court or the lunatic asylum —probably into both, But this is our actual performance m this qolony, We are {depressed'; we are sighing for new loans; we are anxious about English deposits and depositors; we think prosperity will only return when fresh showers of English gold begin to fall out of the heavens upon us. Yet we drop, say, three new loans of £2,000,000 each down our own throats every year m the form of intoxicating liquors ! We expend m drink annually enough money to give effect to a new and big railway bill every twelve months, or to provide every artisan with six days' work at full wages every week, and to turn Victoria into a mere terrestrial paradise. A nation is to be judged by its ideals, and an 'ideal' is something for which a community is willing to put its hand into its breepbes pqeket. Judged by this test, the true ' monument' of English character would be an Alps, a yearly renewed Matterhorn of empty beer barrels—27,soo,ooo of them m one stupendous pile ! While as for Vic toria, its epitaph might be recorded m the fact that m its darkest hour of ' depression,' amid the crash of falling banks and the clamor of unemployed multitudes, it kept its spirits up by pouring seven millions worth of bad spirits down its melancholy throat." And wljiat about New Zealand 1 It is true that this Colony compares favor ably with some others, but neverthe: Jess, broadly, the position is the same as m Victoria ; that is to say, it is f{s true here as there that we might, with great benefit to ourselves, reduce our expenditure m this direction by fully fifty per cent. And if we did so. then our people would have, m round figures, a million and a half a year, which now brings m no national re turn whatever, to devote to profitable enterprises, and we should thereby give an enormous impetus to the pro gress of the Colony. Looking at the question from this standpoint, it is plain to any but a blind man that m the reform of our drinking habits lies the solution of many of the difficulties W3 \}%yk to. encounter. '

THE Deeming Murders.

PEa FKESS ASSOCIATION,

London, May 17. Deeming's petition is to be presented to the Privy Council on "Wednesday, and it will be heard on Thursday. Two barristers have been retained to appear m support of it. A copy of the petition has been sent to Lord Knutsford, and counsel will argue that a respite should be granted to the i condemned man. j The grounds of the petition which will be presented to the Privy Coun cil m Deeming's case are the character of the medical evidence tendered at the trial m Melbourne and the affidavits nude by the condemned man's brother and sister-in-law upon his sanity. Mblboubne. May 18. ( Lord Hopetoun says he sees nothing to justify a delay o£ Deeming's execu tion, but Mr Lyle is preparing a fur ther petition.

THE MARKETS.

WOOL MARKET.

[per press association.!

London, May 17. There was a large attendance at the Antwerp wool sales, and biddings were brisk ; 1750 bales of River Plate wool were sold out of 2800 bates offered, at a rise of 15 centimes on superior qualities, ten centimes on good, and five on inferior qualities, as compared with previous sales. (Received May 19, 10.30 a.m. London, May 18. The total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 2,832,000 quarters, and for the Continent 1,472,000 quarters. Silver has advanced to 3s s£d.

Addington Stock Market.

Christchuroh, May 18. The market was a pretty full one, and was better, attended than usual. •Store Sheep.—The entry consisted of nearly all classes, which met with a fairly willing market. Crossbred lambs sold from 93 10.1 to Us 7d; two-tooths, , mixed, from 12s 3.1 to 14s ; two and four tooths, from 13-j 6d to 14s lid ; aged crossbred ewes from 9s 3d to lls. Merino ewes were m good demand up to 6s 2d, and merino wethers from 6s 6d to 7s sd. Fat Sheep.—There was a large entry of all classes of sheep, none of which were of prime quality. Of 5600 yarded the majority was disposed of at rates about equal to last week's values m pro portion to quality, but m the case of inferior sheep there was less activity. Best wethers and maiden ewes sold from 17s to 20.5; secoiid rate ewes, 13s 9J to 16s 3J. Fat Cattle.—A very limited entry, not exceeding 120 held, caused a little better competition for good sorts, which brought from 10-s to 12s 6d a head above last week's prices. Good sorts of steers sold from £6 to £7 12s 6:1 ; heifers from £5 10s to £6 2s (Sd, and cows from £3 10s to £7, according to size. Store Cattle.—There were nearly 200 yarded. The majority consisted of cows and old lots of young stock, for which the demand was good. Good sorts of three-yeir olds sold from £3 10i to £3 15s ; six t,o eight-quarter olds, mixed, £2 10s to £2 15s ; yearlings to six quarter olds fetch d from 25s to 30 *. P/gs.—About 350 porters ami baconers met with plenty of buyers at a decided advance m values.

Ashburton Markets.

Mil DAVID THOMAS. Mr David Thomas reports upon the live stock market for the week ending Friday, May 20. The usual weekly stock sale was held at the Ashbnrton Yards, where the total entries yarded were 7970 sheep, 22 cattle, and 11 pigs; of which my entry comprised 3220 sheep, 14 cattle, and (J pigs. The sale started m a very halfhearted way, but as it proceeded things began to liven up, the attendance greatly increased, and biddings came freely. The values obtained at the latter part of the sale may, I think, be c m sidered about the best that Ivvve been obtained this year, I sold a grand line of sound mouthed (Cheviot Hill) merino wethers at 103, and although they had been on the road eight days they were m splendid condition, and are, I think, about the best line of turnip sheep of this class that have passed through the yards this season. Very few hoggets came forward, and as the enquiry was very keen they tealised values that could not be anything buc satisfactory to the vendors. Merino ewes sold from 5s 4d to 7s; the enquiry as usual was very strong, but few lines were yarded, and what were entered were of an inferior quality. My principal sales were as follows : — Fat Sijeep ajn Ladies —30 crossbred ewes, 12s ud ; 25 crossbred ewes, 12s 5d ; 30 crossbred ewes, Us Od; 29 crossbred ewes, 12s; 29 crossbred ewes, lls lid; 31 cross bred ewes, 12s 3d ; 68 merino ewes, 6s lOd ; 200 two-tooth crossbreds, 15s; 251 cross? breds, 17s lCd ; 49 lambs, 12s 4d ; 55 lambs, lls 3d ; 390 lambs, 12s. Stoke Sjikep and Lambs—3s6 merino ewes, m lamb, 5} 4d; 194 merino wethers six-tooth and full-mouthed, 6s 2d; 500 merino wethers, six-tooth and full<mouth, 10s Id; 382 merino wethers, six-tooth and full mouth, 10a Id; ICB merino ewes m lamb, 7s ; 193 merino ewes, 6s 6d ; 117 crossbred 'iwes, 12s ; 100 crossbred ewes, 13s Id ; 107 crossbred ewes, 12s ; 100 merino ewe 3, ss. Cattle—l fat steer, £3 2s 6d; 3 fat heifers, £4; 2 fat cows, £6 ss; 1 fat steer, £4 15s; 2 fat cows, £4 and £5 2s Sd; 1 springer, £3 5s ; 1 springer, £4 7s 6d ; 1 bull, £1 15s; 1 springer, £6 7s 6d; 1 dry cow, £1 10.'. Private Sales—During the week I have disposed of p vately 100 merino ewes, 5s ; 9"0 crossbred lambs, 10s 9d; 250 merino wethers, 8s 9d ; also 14 bacon pigs, £1 lls ; 10 bacon pigs, £1 9s ; 8 bacon pigs, £2; 6 bacon pigs, £1 12s 6d. Hokse Market—On Saturday last I held my usual weekly horse sale, when 45 entries came to hand, of which I sold 35. The horses, taken on average, were about the best lot that, have been yarded for some time, and although the attendance was snjall the competition was brisk, and the values obtained bear Qijt wh;}.t I prpdictcd, that for good, sound, young draught horses there is a splendid market here at Ashburtqii. I sold good young draught horses at £16 to £24; medium draught horses, £9 10s to £14 inferior, £3 to £8 ; tirst-class harness horses, £14 to £27; inferior, £1 10s, £12 j un broken colts, £14 to £15 10s. Land Department.—This department has been very inactive for some weeks past. I have had several enquiries for nice handy farms, but although I have some of the choicest little farms m the district on my books, I have not managed to effect a sale. However, during this week I sold twenty acres of land at Tinwald at £10 10s, which must be considered a fair price.

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.)

THE HALF-HOLIDAY MOVEMENT.

TO TUB EDITOR' Sik, —I was very glad to read the leading article on the weekly half-holiday m your issue dated May 13, and am quite surprised that no one has taken it up or expressed any sympathy with it through your columns. It would seem as though the Ashburton population have abandoned themselves to their fate. Day after day they go to their daily work, from nine m the morning till six at night ; they take no interest m anyibing. seem to have no am bition, and rarely, if ever, do the young men take part m athletics. Now, this should not be. The elder members of the i population should do their best to en courage sports of every kind. This cannot be done until a weekly half-holiday can be depended upon. I hear several at tempts have been male m this direction, but they have all been nipped m the bud, owing to want of support. Now as we'll all swear, there is no little town like Ashbur ton, and that we are second to none as far as producing good wheat, horses, and sheep,and have a running track and swim ming bath also seconito none. Let us h n come forward and uphold our reputation, and do our best to further the half-holiday movement. It is no good saying "Oh ! it's no go." If Timaru, Winchester and Oamaru can manage it, surely Ashburtdn will not be beaten. Then when we have obtained it I am sure the townsmen wil' have the pleasure of seeing some of their young men's names picked to represent the province, not only m swimming, tennis and football but also later on m the House of Parliament, and then we can say " that young man is a townsman of Ashburton and he is second to none." —I am, etc. Advancement. Ashburfcon, May 19, 1892.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

PER HESS A.SSJ ,'IATIOS,

IRISH AFFAIRS.

London, May 17. The Tories ridicule the violent and continuous squabbling amo:ig the Irish party, and point to the dispute over the control of the Dublin press as a sample of the state of affairs if Ireland gained Home Rule. The shareholders of the *• Freeman's Journal" and " National Press " met to discuss the irregularities m con nection with the amalgamation of the two concerns. Violent recrimination took place between Messrs Dillon and Healy, and the former denounced Arch bishop Walsh for interfering m public affairs. The discussion has already lasted two days, and is still pro ceeding. The Irish Loyalists are collecting £10,000 to enable them ;to fight the approaching general election.

GENERAL ELECTIONS.

London, May 18. The " Morning Post" says that the general elections will take place at the end of June or early m July.

WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.

At a meeting of the Women's Liberal Federation, Lady Aberdeen presiding, a motion, proposed by Lady Carlisle, to the effect that the women's franchise question should not be made a test question at the next general election was adopted.

SMALL HOLDINGS.

The Small Foldings Bill has passed through Committee m the House of Commons.

COPYRIGHT IN NEWS.

An action has been brought by " The Times " against the " St James' Gaz ette," to test the copyright of certain articles of news. Judgment was re served.

THE SUNDAY QUESTION,

New York, May 17. _ Eleven million people have peti tioned the management not to open the Chicago Exhibition on Sundays. The signatures to the petition received m Ohio and Michigan exceed the num ber of the entire population.

AFFAIRS IN VENEZUELA.

The Venezuela insurgents, under General Gil, are reported to have occu pied Bulivar. Later. Rodel, the Government General, was so incensed at the fall of Bolivar that he ordered the execution of six officers of the Government army. In consequence of this order the comrades of the condemned revolted, shooting Rodel, and afterwards decapitating him,

FOUNDERED.

St. Petersburg, May 17. The Russian steamer, Wolyon, foun dered m the Caspian Sea, and 250 per sons were drowned.

OBITUARY.

Vienna, May 17. General Klapka, Hungarian patriot and soldier.

THE ITALIAN CRISIS.

P.* bis, May 17. There is some dissafcification that a solution of the Italian political crisis has been arrived at. Berun, May 17. The German press is delighted that the Italian crisis been settled.

AUSTRALIAN.

SCULLING.

{Sydney, May 18. Kemp is anxious to row Sullivan for £200 aside.

THE A.M.P. SOCIETY,

Messrs Weeks and Short were elected to the Directorate of the A.M.P. Society.

INTERCOLONIAL CON FERENCE.

At the Intercolonial Conference Mr T. BlayforcJ, Premier of South Aus tralia, the member of the New Sou^h Wales Government, and Mr I*. Q. Fysb, Premier of Tasmania, were not present, but they forwarded written suggestions. Mr Fysh urged that the Federal Council be resuscitated with Executive power. It was resolved not to come to a decision on the question until the question of federation was discussed. Assurances were received that the New South Wales Parliament would be afforded an opportunity next session for dealing with the draft Constitution Bill. It was decided to amend the Chinese Act m New South Wales so that it might be more m accord with the views expressed at the recent Chinese Couference; to asj? thq

Queensland and West Australian- Go vernments to do the same, to act on Lord Knutsford's suggestion to hold a conference of Government statisticians and collectors of customs to frame regulations more m uniformity. A wish having been expressed that power be granted to coin silver m the colonies, it was resolved to make a representa tion on the subject to the Imperial Government, and also to ask whether the colonies will be represented at the Silver Conference m July,

VICTORIAN RAILWAYS.

Melbourne, May 18. I A statement lias been tabled m the House of Assembly to the effect that the Railway Commissioners took no steps to carry out the will of Parlia ment, it also declares that the Com missioners were guilty of grossly ex travagant mismanagement of the rail ways, which since their term of office have been conducted without economy or business principle, and they also refused to take any steps towards the I scheme of reform and retrenchment. Mr R. Speight, chairman of the Rail way Board who has been interviewed declared that the charges were baseless and improvable.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, May 18. During the late gales the scow May went ashore at Ngangura while trying to make the harbor. She was badly damaged, but if the fair weather continues she is likely to get off. She is a nearly new boat, about; sixty tons, and was recently sold to a half caste for £700. No lives were lost. Sir James Burdett, who for the past two years was an inmate of the Costley Home for the Aged Poor, died at that institution to-night. The deceased was the seventh baronet of Benthwaite. He was formerly a lieutenant m the s^th Foot, and afterwards m the 2nd Stafford shire Militia. About thirty years ago he came to New Zealand and fought m the Waikato war. Wellington. May 18. Captain Findhy, of the s.a. Rimutaka which arrived from London this morning, was present at the reception given by Earl of Glasgow to New Zealanders as Home ou March 17, and describes the affair as having been a great success, nearly every colonist of note at present residing m England, uas m attendance, and the new Governor made a decidedly favorable impression. It was stated at k meeting of the Trustees of the Benevolent Institution that the ration list was increasing owing to the inability of many heads of families to find employment. Dunedin, May 18. The Education Board have under con sideration a scheme for tbe.revision of the scale of payment to teachers. At a meeting of the Hospital Trustees a letter was received from the honorary medical staff assuring the trustees that so far as they were concerned there was no foundation for Mr Wills' statements as to the breach of discipline and decency on the purt of the lecturers of the University, and that these were men who did not care to undergo an annual election, Mr Wills said that if he were called upon to, substantiate the statements called m question he would willingly do so.

The Queensland Labor Question.

PI3U PRESS ASSOCIATION,]

Lonuon, May 17. Baron de Worms said it would be sufficient if the regulations intended to ba enforced by Queensland were for warded by post to the Imperial Go j vernment. It is intended to call Sir H. Norman's attention to the alleged out rages on imported women. During'the course of his remarks, he quoted from Bishop Selwyn's letter. (Received May 19, 1 p.m.) London, May .18. Professor Henry Drummond, m an I interview with a representative of the " Pall Mall Gazette," declared that the Queensland natives were treated as veritable outcasts. Their lives were fouly taken m certain districts on small provocation, and no questions asked. Their grievances were far worse than those of imported Kanakas. The '' Chronicle " referring to black labor m Queensland, holds that in dentured labor is not technically slavery, and that England cannot interfere m the matter. It cannot believe that if the proposed safeguards are strictly enforced the traffic is certain to bring the common English name into shame. Mr S. Smith, M.P., has given notice that m consequence of Baron de Worms' evasive reply to his last question on black labor m Queensland, he will raise a discussion on the whole question at the first opportunity.

General Booth's Scheme

•« : SALVATION ARMY STATEMENT.

Tha following from the "War Cry" for the current week will be read with interest :—The cables which have been published m the daily papers with refer ence to the selection of New Zealand as the site for the General's Over Sea Col ony, have excited a good deal of remark, and have given rise to a great deal of needless apprsherision on the part of cautious New Zealanders. According to our latest advices from Home, the General was still undecided as to the best site for his over-sea col ony, Africa and New Zealand being apparently about equally -well balanced. What more natural, then, that m qrder to arrive at a right decision, the General should make enquiries of the Shipping Companies as to the cost of transport to New Zealand. We are confident that only this initial stage of proceedings has yet been reached. Besides, it must not be lost sight of, that ono of the principal planks of the programme for the over-sea colony was the preparation of the land for the people —indeed, this was continually insisted upon by the General m his speeches up and down the colony. Those people whose vivid imagination summons up a vision of the General gathering together 500 emigrants and shipping them off to New Zealand within the next three months, know little about the Head of the £$alva f}on Army—the very fact that 'no instructions have been received from, the International Headquarters m Lon don to make preparation for the reception of over-sea colonists here, precludes all idea of immediate action m the matter. .Should, however, New Zealand be ultimately selected as the site of the General's Oversea Colony, our friends and enemies may rest assured on this one point, that the whole business will be done m an above-board and straight-for ward manner, with the hearty co-opera tion of the Government, the glad consent of the people, and the ringing approba tion of the civilized world.

CRICKET.

(I SB IJKE3»1 JKE3» ASSOCIATION.)

London, May 17. In the firsfc innings the Englishmen have five wickets down for 145. Top scores for the day being Gunn37, Chatter ton 48, Dixon 46, (not out).

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

l.l'Elt I'IILHS ASSOCIATION.].

AUSTRALIAN.

(Received Bs :! y 19, 11.20 a.m.)

NEW SOUTH WALKS RAIL WAY AFFAIRS.

Sydney, May 19. Mr Wheeler, Minister of Public Works, has tabled a notice of motion m the House of Assembly for an ad dress to the Governor praying for the removal of the Railway Commissioners.

THE SUNDAY QUESTION.

A bill providing for the taking of a poll to decide whether public libraries should be opened on Sunday has been read the first time.

STOCK TAX.

Adelaide, May 19 South Australian stock owners are agitating for a retaliatory stock tax against Victoria.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS,

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Tlio Kate Hon. J, Martin, ■ Wellington, May 19. The funeral of the late Hon. Mr Martin took place this morning. The Premier and Mr Seddon attended.

Arrival of Lord Glasgow.

(PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Adelaide, May 18. Lord Glasgow arrived here to-day. He was received by Lord Kintore, Governor of South Australia, and will stay at Government House to-night. Lord Glasgow was received with a salute of nineteen guns from the gun boat Protector. Blue jackets formed the guard of honor on his arrival 1 1 Largs jetty, and he wa3 taken m a State carriage to a special train at the city station, where a detachment of the permanent artillery formed the guard of honor. The. new Governor of New Zealand was received by Earl Kintore, the Hon. C. C. Kingston, mayor of the city, and a tremendous crowd of people He remains m Adelaide till Friday. (Received May 19,11.20 a.m.) Lord Glasgow, m the course of an interview, said it was evident on all sides that the frozen meat trade was increasing fast, and the out look for New Zealand most favorable. There was, he thought, no danger so long as Great Britain maintains the free trade principle m commercial treaties with foreign 'countries, trade |pi e>dices against which were being overcome. There was a general feeling among the people of Great Britain m favor of the federation of the colonies, but he thought that question was one the Australian colonies should consider themselves and bring about m their own way. His Excellency said General Booth had informed him thnt the establishment of a colony m New Zealand was entirely dependent on the terms that could be mada with the Shipping Companies.

•TfiE ASHBTJRTON GtTAKDIAN: TfItTRSDAX, MAY 19, 1892.



Ninian Hyslop and Co*s', Imperial Pure Ceylon and Indian Teas are the best m the avket-^fA v,)



To-night the Dobson-Keiinedy company play the popular Dutch-American comedy drama "Struck Oil" m the Oddfellow's Hall. This piece will be followed fey the farce " 8.8.," or the " Benicia Boy,"and as the entertainment is for the Hospital Library Fund, there should not be an empty seat. ■■ 'r , Circulated with to-day's Guardian isa trade notice issued by Mr S. Salek, jewelleV and watchmaker, East street. A perusal will be of special interest to those who, or whose friends, are about to many. During the last few days the water m the wells m the north-west purt of the town has risen appreciably, the rise m some of the wells near the Hospital being at least six inches m a week. In the North-east quar ter, however, residents are still living m hope, though there are no indications that their long deprivation of water will soon be at an end. The fortnightly meeting of the Pride ol Wakanui Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was held m th« Main Schoolroom, on Tuesday evening last; Bro S. Trevurza, C.T., presided. The Secretary read the following list of officers which lhad been installed at the last meet ing :—Bro S. Trevurza, C.T.; Broßateman, V.T. ; Sister E. Hill, S.J.T. ; Sister c! Trevurza, Secretary ; Sister M. Hill, Pi Secretary ; Sister M. Corbett, Treasurer j Sister A. Brown, Chaplin; Bro Cavillj Marshall ; Sister Kennedy, D.M.; Bro Kennedy, A. Secretary ; Bro Baird, I.G. i Bro Hill, O.G. It was resolved to hold th< anniversary tea meeting at an early date. At Addington on Wednesday the following fat sheep from this district were said :—Foi Mr D. Cameron, 270 crossbred ewes at 13! 3d to 15s 9d; for Mr Wilkinson, crossbred ewes at 13s Id to 14s; for Mr J. Gunn, jun., half bred wethers at 20s, ewes at 18s lid and 15s ; Executors Hartnell's estate; crossbred ewes at 13s 3d to 15s sd; for Mr A. Macfarlane, 156 crossbreds at 15s 4d 16s 9il, 27 at 14s ; for Mr J. Holmes, cross bred ewes at 15s 8d to 17s 5d ;J'or Mr J Grigg, crossbred wethers at 17s sd, ewes at 14s and lls 6d; for|Messrs Wallace and Kime, merino wethers at 10a 7d ; for Mouni Hutt estate, merino wethers at 13s 4d t< 13s Gd ; for Messrs D, Hendersonand Son, crossbred ewes at 12s to 13s 7d, merino ewes at 6s. ] The funeral to-day of the late Mr James Quinu was very largely attended. Requien Mass was sung m the Church of the He lj Name at eleven o'clock, and a large congre gation assisted, The coffin, of varnished pine, was borne into the church by four oi the leading members of the congregation and placed m front of the alter. Many wreaths covered it, the last tribute paid to deceased* memory by friends who esteemed him, The requiem music was sung by the choir, Miss Holloway acting as organist, a positioi Mrs Quinn held for many years, ant was only forced to rclinguish quite recently owing to the fatal illness of her husbanu. The Very Rev Father Chastagnon, who waa celebrant, m a short sermon paid a high tribute to the Christian character of the deceased, than whom, ho said, there were few members of the. congregation more loyal m the service of religion. After mass the coftyn was borne to the hoarse, and the funeral procession moved from the church to the cemetery. In the long line of vehicles! that followed were friends from all parts of the county, while many farmers and others on horseback brought up the rear of the procession. The business places along the \ route were closed m respect to the occasion, \ and from several establishments flags were j flown at half-mast.



Notice to Corresponilents j



Correspondents are requested to forward their communications m unsealed envelopes, or m wrappers OPEN AT BOTH ENDS, as required by the postal regulations. No words that are not intended for publication must be written either on the manuscript or on the cover of the letter. * Letter rates of postage vnu,ss be paid on



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NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. W. H. Webber, Manager. Agents for WcrtlwiinOelebratsdSewing Machine. _ The Onsi.,o\v 13i«cuit The !»*<-««<•• and most delicate biscuit manufactured by Ai'lsebrook and Co. ji good safety manufactured by the firm for £15 15s is wonderful value. The fco'e graphic address is Savjllk, Christchurch The world U ever m 'ving on towar 1 perfection, butseldoni attains it, Constant improvement i« being made m every branch of industry, but m Biking Powders Perfection has b^su reached m Warburton'g Cat* t Be Beat. ,



Publio Notices NEW ZEALAND ! CLOTHING FACTORY. <' * OOD News for the Winter- Rest * * Makes m English and Colonial BLANKETS at reduced prbes.-Nkw Zealand Clothing Factory^ KUGS— Opossum. Roslyn, Mosgiel, &c, m endless variety.—Ntw Zeala.no Clothing Factory. /Clothing-You win find it to your \y advantage to buy your Men's and Boys' CLOTHING from us. Capital assortment and prices right.— lSkw 2Jea -IANB CIXJTHING FACTORY. QAA Pairs Men's Tweed TROUSERS Jj \J VJ at Bs, just opened, good value. New Zealand Clothing Factory. f^i ENTS'; HATS—If you wish to look VJT well, buy your HATS from the New Zealand Clothing Factory. The Uwtest shapes and colours to hand. X7~ALITK Unequalled m Overcoats, V Waterproofs, Waterproof Riding Aprons, Waterproof Ponchos, Bicycle Capes and Leggings, Waterproofs made to measure.—New Zealand Clothing Factory, Waterproof Manufacturers. . -* /~1 Etf TLEMEN'S Natural Wool Under \JT clothing, "recommended by the faculty." Winter shipments to hand. Inspection Invited. — New Zealand Clothing Factory.



Wante«i. _ CASH Advertisements unoer th s headilg not exceeding SIXTEEN WOKt>S 1/-. Addresses may be left at Una Office. __ _ -TT^AN'pED—Apprentices to the Dress. ▼ T making, Apply Mrs Meech, Tancred Street, opposite Dr Trevor's. . 5 132 -| i%(\ NEW Volumes just *dded to my J. Ov/ Circulating Library. Subscrip tion 3s 6d quarter ; 10s 6d per annum. H." M.Jones. ANTED, by a respectable woman, Washing, Ironing, or Nursing, &c ,at home or out. Address, " M.K." Guardian Office. 5 I^s INWALD Dancing Class Templar Hall, Tinwald. Opening nitjht, Friday Next, May 21). Admission, Is: Lidies free. oj^-1 W' AN'L'EDKNOVVN"- Ba rrett Bros . will tpjn m Tancred street next we«k, a well assorted Stock of General Drapery and Clothing. An inspection cordially invited. 5 + 124 "\"IT ANTED Known.— The nicest stock j VV of New Winter Dress Goods, , Mantles, IVlillinery, &c, U at S. W. Aloorn and Co.'s 5 50 WANTED Known—Dr Scott's cele brated Electric Corsets can only be obtained m Ashburton at VV. H. ollibk's, "The Corner." WANTED, purchasers of Blankets, Flannels, and General Drapery to remember that Best Value m the trade ia at 5?. W. Aloorn and Co.'s 5 51 \\ /"ANTED Known.—lf you want VV plenty of first class Drapery, Boots and Clothing for cash, come to Melford House Sale.— H. 0. Sechsks. '\TTANTED Known.—l have a large VV stock of Tin and Ironware Goods o eelect from. Register Grates, Stoves, °ortable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kep 1) m stock.—J. W. Hardily, East street^ 202 "\~T7 ANTED Known.—Come and see W the Bargains now on at Melford House.- H. C. Segers, W" ANTED KNOWN.-250 Lidies Maids' and Children's Ulsters •ml Jackets (mostly good qualities) marked cheap to clear. Many one third and half the ucual price.—H. C. Segeks, Melford House. ■'" _,_ WANTED KNOWN, Grand display of new Millinery, Ulsters, and .Jackets, at most reasonable prices at 'The Cornbk.' ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed; from 50s cash. Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. SOMERSET Meat Mart. The oldest, the largest, the best, and the cheap est. Small Goods a specialty. Full weichts guaranteed. A trial solicitad. —W. J. S*lcook. _____!l 1?! -TTTTHITriNGTON'S Tomato Sauce. VV together with testimonials, may be seen at Mrs James', Fruiterer, East Street, and Mrs Pearson's, Fruiterer, Wakanui Road, where orders will he received arid prices givem 3 Ibs /CHOICEST new season's Fi«s and \J Cartoon Table Dates m 31b Boxes, 2s each. —H. G-. Flowbr, Confectioner, East street. W' ANTED Known—That you will make no mistake for quality and variety m English and Colonial Boots, anu h hiffhly 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. TO Meet the Times. -I asn supplying Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders ot all dessriptions. Inspection invited.— J. W. Hartley, Eaa street. o^2ol BALL Dresses, Evening Gloves, Mounts m Silver and Gold, Muffs, Fur Collarettes, Lidies 1 Evening Shoos. Invigorator Corsets, with straps, V and N. Zonef. and all other makes, just opened.—-Andrew Orr. 4 57 /Genuine sale, to reduce stock, \JT previous to Stock-taking. Book-*, Stationery, for office and private use Music, Account Books all sizcw, Parlor Game*, and a variety of other goods too numerous to particularise. All goods Reduced m Price for Cash during (his month. — L. F. Andrewes a:sd Co. Stationer's Hall, Ashburton.