MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close for the following places as under, subject to the necessary altera tions :— , SATURDAY, March 5. For Westport and Oreymouth, per Janet Nieoll, at 6.30 a.m. For Greymouth (direct), per Rosamond, at 0.30 ii.m. For Northern Ports, per Rotorua, at o,^O pin.

ENGLISH MAILS.

HOMEWARD—-DIRKOT .MAILS. Tainai, leaving March 5, due London April 14. Kaikoura, leaving March 19, due London April 28. , T i Hi- Doric, leaving April 2, due London May 12. SAN FRANCISCO MAILS. Monowai, leaving on February 27, due London March 30. Alameda, leaving on March 26, due London April 27. OUTWARD—DIRKCT MAILS. Doric, due colony March 7. Ruahine, due colony March 21. SAX FRANCISCO MAILS. Mariposa, due colony March 23

Notice to Correspondents

Correspondents are requested to forward their comiwmi jations m unsealed envelopes, OriUWRB A T 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 rate 3of postage must be paid on advertisements.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1892. SWIMMING.

A few years ago the idea of a swimming tournament being held m Ashburton, and, farther, of that tournament being attended by com petitors from as far as Auckland and Dunedin, would have been laughed to scorn. However, what once seemed ridiculous has come about. A series of fine sheets of water now tilis the unsightly gullies which then were the most striking feature of the domain, and one of these lakelets has been con verted into a swimming bath such as very few towns possess. A swimming club has been formed, and by the energy of its founders and members Ashburton has taken a place m the front ranks of the swimming centres of New Zealand. The gathering on Wednesday was said by the visitors who had attended similar events elsewhere, to be the most successful that has yet been held m New Zealand, the great gathering at the Calliope Dock, Auckland, a few yearsago aloneexcepted; and altogether Ashburton has much reason to beproud thefacilitiesit has forthis most useful of of pastimes and of the Club which has attracted the attention of the whole colony to them. It must not be for gotten to give honor to whom honor is clue m bringing about this happy state of affairs, and first among these is his Worship the Mayor, Mr Hugo Fried lander 1, who took the practicnl steps to form the bath, a proposal m wlrc'i he had the cordial support of the Borough Council. Then Mr Alfred Harrison, as promoter of the Swimming Club which has so well made use of the opportunities provided for swimmers as to be able to attract the large num ber of competitors and spectators who assembled on Wednesday, and to fur nish them with a capital afternoon's sport. There is no doubt that even greater triumphs will be gained m future. Swimming is m its infancy m New Zealand ; the rivalry which was necessary to create an interest m it has only recently been supplied, and its progress for the next few years will be very rapid. In Ashburton alone since the Swimming Club was established, the number of swim mers has probably increased ten fold, and as they have increased m numbers so they have m proficiency, and it is not too much to hope for that before long a champion will be found among them. Not that championships are the all m all of swimming. Call it a science, a sport, an exercise or an amusement—what you will—every boy and girl should be taught it, and it is much to the credit of the members of the Club that they are always ready t-> give instruction to beginners. The Swimming Club's meeting was a credit to all concerned, and will encourage the members and the public to take every opportunity to add to the attrac tions of the town.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The annual meeting of the shareholders of the Ash burton Permanent Building and Investment Society is to be held on Monday afternoon. The " Gazette" contains a notification of the appointment as Inspectors of Factories and Workrooms of S. O. Moller, Ashburton, and W. Gilbert, Waimate. The fine flag flown at the Domain bath on Wednesday last was the work of and gift to the Ashburton Amateur Swimming Club of Mesdames Williams and Kempthorne and Miss Gillespie. A private letter has been received m Timaru announcing the death m Scotland of Mr A.R. Spalding, formerly manager of the Timaru branch of the Natioual Mortgige and Agency Company. The Government steamer Hinemoa, which takes the South Island competitors to the New Zealand Rifle Association Meeting will leave Lyttelton after the arrival of the ex press train on Wednesday next. A meeting of the Ashburton Licensing Committee was held to-day. The only business was the confirmation of the transfer of the Somerset Hotel license from Mrs Shearman to James Line. We have been asked by one or two exibitors to publish corrections of the Flower Show prize list. We can only receive corrections from the Secretary, and any mistakes should be pointed out to him so that they may be enquired into and reatified. There is a lady m the United States who promises 10 rival Ki»g Uvnvy VIII. m the number of her marital enterprises, She has just married her seventh husband, wh# is a brother of her first and her fifth. The flrsc two gentlemen died. The third had beep previously married, bo she relinquished him 10 the lady with the prior claim. The fourth was a clergyman, and his successor was the undertaker who buried him. The sixth husband divorced her whe» he Learned that she had had five predecessors. The seventh sought her out m order to make •nquiries about some property belonging to hi» two brothers. Being sixty years old, she is believed by her friends to have arrived at almost her last matrimonial essay. Tinwald Wesleyan Sunday Mehopl _ Anni versary was held on Sunday last jn the Temperance Hall. The Eev S. Lawry preached m the afternoon, and the Rev J. H. Gray m the evening, to very good con gregations. IhaHa 1 was nicely decorated, and the singing of the children on the plat form wade everyone feel it was the children's day. Tfte tea, meeting took place on Tuesday evening and was fairly attended. The after meeting was presided /(Ker- by tiie Rev J. H. Gray. After the annual report had been read, tha Revs Messrs Bake, Burrows, find Parley addressed the meeting. The qh > r sang several pieces during the evening. The Rev Mr Burrows distributed t|ie prizes and award books to all the children of the school. After the usual vote of thanks to all who had taken part to make so pleasant and successful an anniversary the meeting closed.

During last month the number of arrivals j m the colony was 1383, departures from the colony 1183 A lady, Di\ Lxura Fowler, has bo?n ap pointed house surgeon at the Children's Hospital, North Adelaide. The much-abused New South Wales iqu.itters declare th it they have work for my reasonable number of unemployed at £1 i week and found. The only competitor from Ashburfcon who vis entered tor the New Zealand Rifb Association's Meeting at Trentham range is Mr Salek. The other day a Chinaman working at Papakaio had his " pigtail " cut off, besides being thrashed, and a white man has been arrested charged with the offence. '£nud Anderson, a young Swedish sailor, was wantonly murdered by larrikins m Sydney the other week. First his hat was knocked off, and when he expostulated he was knocked down, kicked on the head, an 1 killed. The rules of the New South Wales Labour League provide that candidates shall give a written pledge that they will vote on all questions as the majority of the Parliamen tary labour party m caucus may decide, or resigu their seats. Compressed air for cleaning civ a is used on the Union Pacific Railway. The air, under a pressure of 50lb. per square inch, is delivered from a flexible hose with a small nozzle, and is used as water would be. "Engineering News" says theresults achieved are reported to be very satisfactory, especi ally m cleaning plush cushions. General Booth, m a letter to his family, speaking of his visit to Australia, declares that he is " filled with amazement at its vast extent, its varied climates, its all but exhaustless resources, its immense capacity for sustaining an ever-increasing population, and its possibilities of growth m almost every form of material wealth." The " Wangatiui Herald " suggests that a few strongly backed prosecutions for perjury would do a world of good for New Zealand. It says that it has for a long time been obvi ous that the one great difficulty m the way of getting justice meted out m our courts is the readiness with which witnesses will swear to anything on the side on which their interest or their friendship lies. Saturday's " Waimate Times " says :— Press messages were received under diffi culties last evening by the local operator. A leak m the roof over the instrument necessitated the use of an umbrella, but this was of little use after v while, as the heavy dropping of the rain soon found its way through, and the umbrella had to be ! discarded. The rain also found admittance into other parts of the building, including the private letter boxes. The new post and telegraph office is badly needed. Reports of the enormous increase and rapid spread of hares m the mining districts of New South Wales continue t.o come to hand. In some localities they are proving as great a pest as rabbits. Their ravages, being confined mostly to settled districts, are more noticeable than those of the rabbits. Payments for scalps are advancing by leaps and bounds. Rabbits also continue to increase alarmingly. In the Cobar dis trict they are reported to be driving stock off some of the runs. On the other hand wallabies are becoming much scarcer, and m some cases it has been decided to cease paying for scalps. The decaying vegetables on the Taieri Plain cause much discomfort to the residents, .as the stench is a most disagreeable and strong one. Last Thursday the wind was blowing m a westerly direction, and the un pleasant smell was wafted to the township an I to the most easterly part of the Plain. Those residents on the Plain whose circum stances will permit them to do so intend sending their children to the seaside for a month or two. As bad results are likely tc follow the continued inhalation of sucl mpu'e air, this &t^p s almost necessary tc preserve the health of the young ones.— "Advertiser." Last week (say 3 the " Rangitikei Advo cate") one of those instances of primitive Maori justice, examples of which wen common among them before the introductioi of English law, occurred m the vicinity o: Turakina. A young Maori having, it is alleged, being guilty of a criminal offenc< towards a white woman, the question arose as to whether he should be dealt witl according to European or Maori law. Finallj the latter course was decided on, and hi' trial took place before some of his own chiefs who condemned him to pay to the husbam' of the woman live horses and a cow. The payment was made, although the culprit hat to appeal to his friends for a horse or two tc make up the number." At the time when Prince Albert Victoi was raised to the Peerage some regret was expressed that another title than thai of Clarence had not been'found for him. The lamentable event which has plunged all England into mourning cannot fail to recall the ill-fated associations of the name. It is a melancholy fact that no Duke oi Clarence lias transmitted the title to his descendants, Lionel Plantagenet, the second, fell at the battle of Beauge, and left no issue. The third, the " false, fleeting, perjur'd Clarence" of Shakespeare, was murdered and attainted ; and thereafter the title remained obscured until it was revived for the third son of George 111., afterwards William IV., who died childless, It will be long, we doubt not* before a title with such a chain of melancholy memories attaching to it will be again revived, —" Globe," The following clipping from the "Irish Times " will show what strange things find their way into the Home papers :—"Captain Fairchilcl, of an English vessel, recently 'landed on Sunday Island, one of the Kermadec group m the South Sea, and supposed to be uninhabitable. He was surprised to find a countryman, William Bell, living there with three daughters, four soii3, and a Scotch ex-schoolmaster. The d&ughters were grown up young women, butha.dnptse^nan unfamiliarfacesincebaby hood. They wore male attire, but through tie efforts of the Scotchman, w&re highly elucated and says the captain, very beautiful. It was some time before they igould be induced to remain m the presence of the sfcpangers, but m a day or two their shyness disappeared. '? Jn the offices of the Royal Insurance Com pany hi IjOftdon, (writes a correspondent!, only a youug messenger is away through the influenza. This comparative immunity from a disease at present so general is thought to be due, m a great measure, to blotting paper with a few drops of eucalyptus oil on it being placed daily about the various apartments Th« idea of the efficacy of the precaution is strengthened by the fact that, when the epidemic was raging two years ago, while m one department., where it was found that the oil had not been used, four or five out of about 2.5 olerks were attacked by the influenzx, m other de, partments, where there were three or four times the number, hardly a single clerk was awaj/ after thf precaution was adopted. Owing ,to *&c action of the Dunedin stock agents (says"tlje ■' Tapanui Courier") m pinning opposition to jtho country stock salesmen the country auctioneers we form ing a syndicajca, with the' assistance of farmers, to erecjb n.ev/ saleyards neap Burnside. At Burnside the D/unedin auc tioneers charge 3$ per cent a»d he&vjr y&rd dues, whilst m the country, to run off the country salesmen, they charge only 2h per cent., free of yard dues. Burnside market fob monopoly, as the Dunedin auction*;.rs own a bififc of the shares, and therefore they prohibit 'a country fcifotigneer from selling m town, although they are trying f;o run off fchr. country salesman on their own ground. The country auctioneers are'also arranging to petition Parliament to amend the Auctioneers Act to prohibi/ a.ijLejtioneers selling oiik of the district where their license money is paid, Ninian Hyslop and Oo.'s "Itftfjepul' Ceylon and Indian Teas are direcb ham £h.6 Tea Plantation. —CAdv Till!, Bfe&V gI'MKDY FOR INDIOKSTTON — Norton's Camonute P.iUs are confident).'; recommended as a simple FfiJ&edy foi Indigestion, which is the cause of neatly al; the diseases to which we are subjecte Nqjmk^'s Vllifs, with justice called the ••NatuflU S&'WfIHJgW of t'w Human Stomach," aoi; Sir* powerful fynfe a,nd geritle perient, are mild m their operatic, s.O safe under any circumstances. Sold ft? bottles, at Is IJd, 2s Pd, .Us, by all medicine ve^4o;'B throughout the * Mid*

SOUTHLAND.

'from ovh couujospondent.)

Mr. James Mackintosh, the member for Wallace, addresssl a meeting of .wer three hundred electors the other even ins? at Wairio, a little village m the centre of a farming district., which when I cams down here ten years ago wis nothing but a howling wilderness. The whole of the inhabitants are deferred payment, settlers, all those who took land adjoining from mortgage companies at the same time having given uj> the ghost years ago, and being now scattered to the fur winds ; and lam very sorry to s?.y that among the unfortunates were m-vny from your district, including Mr Crow, from Lov cliff, and tin. Sweeny Bros., from Wakanui. However, the former is now doing well on <i deferred piyment section here, but the latter cleared out declaring they had seen enough of Southlan I From this we must conclude that the Government is still the best landlord. Mr Mackintosh was very sorely questioned on 'he unfairness of the re-valuation system, and of the Government providing w uk for the unemployed at the cost of farmers, while, the latter at the same time, found it difficult to obtain men to do their work. After admitting that the money to pay them c irae out of the farmers, Mr Mackintosh received a vote of thanks and confidence. Riverton will probably be the next place selected for an address, but he will find that the people's minds and feelings here, from the bishop down to the village blacksmith, are m such a state, religious or otherwise, that they cannot receive, or at anyrate appreciate, anything unless it points directly to the proposed new harbor at Howell's Point. Last session the member for Wallace was entrusted with a Bill entitled the Riverton Harbour Empowering Bill. No sooner had the residents done this than they sent several delegates to Wellington to assist the old man '^o push it through, some of whom were but raw new chums from the "old dart," while more of the town's people bothered ministers with letters, all pointing to the same object ; but too many cooks spoiled the broth, and m consequence the little bill never saw daylight, but let us hope they will be m time with it next; sessio.i. Riveitol), as you are aware, is a very old settlement. Captain Howell, Captain Stevens, Mr Daniels, ex M.H.R., and Mr Printz, thernillionair'3, having settled here nearly fifty years ago, and owing to the entire absence of European ladies at the time, took to themselves wives from the Maori race, and this no doubt accounts for the very large number of halfcastes now m the vicinity. Thus you see these old pioneers, although m a strange land and among strange people, would stick at nothing, but availed themselves of what there was, and as for multiplying and re plinishing the earth they have thus far fulfilled that great injunction. Captain Howell died some yeirs ago aid left a large fortune ; all the others mentioned are amongst us, and are still good cZio nists, and a credit tn the localities they reside m. Mr Printz and Captain Stevens are both men of substance ; indeed the former purchased the famous Bayswater Estate the other day, 6000 acres, at some thing like £5 per acre, cash down, and I will venture to say that he could repeat the same thing five or six times ovur. The weather is good and harvesting going on full swing. March 1, 1892.

Colonial Orchards.

Mr T. B. Walker, the agent of Messrs Edward Jacobs aud Jr Jons, fruit salesmen m London was lately going round the orchards m the neighborhood of Auck land, buying fruit, and he found some thing to say concerning the slovenly way New Zealand settlers look after thole orchards as compared with the fruit growers of Tasmania. There the orchards are kept constantly cultivated, the plough, harrow, and scarifier being kept well employed the whole of the growing season. There the soil is clean and tidy to the stem of the tree, and here the whole is a tangled wilderness with weeds and grass of all descriptions, providing an excellent lodgment for vermin of all kinds. In aTasmanian orchard, Mr Walker says, the visitor may take his stand m any part of it, and he will see neatly pruned and carefully trimmed trees reaching out jn lines m all directions, and the space be tween the rows looks like carefully cleaned lanes, with the soil so free and fine that if taken into the hand it will fall through the fingers like fine dnst. The result of this cultivation is that Tasmanian trees bear more fruit than the Auckland ones do, and Mr Walker thinks that Auckland fruit growers will require to make a fresh departure if they desire to keep m com pany with the Tasmanian growers. Dur ing his stay at Auckland he secured the shipment of 1000 cases of apples to his firm that probibly would have otherwise been wasted,

THE MARKETS

(PER I'KESS ASSOCIATION.)

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limiced, have received the following cable message dated London Ist instant :— 1 Wheat- The market is depressed, and hns a downward toudoncy. New Zealand wheat f.a.q., is worth c.i.f. to ai'rive 38s 6d per 4801bs, nominal value. Long berried and average is worth respectively 42s 6d a:id 41s 3d per 4961b5.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

I'EH PRESS ASSOCIATION

LORi) GLASGOW'S APPOINT, MENT,

London, March 2. Lord Knutsford expresses regret that there has been a misunderstanding re specting the submission of the names of proposed Governors to the Government of New Zealand, but denies that there has been any breach of faith. Mr Perceval, the Agent-General of New Zealand, states that tie understood that he had received the assurance that ,the Government would be informed of khe appointment b,efore it was made. The Colonial Ofijce under jt-oqk to use every precaution thai? nobody should be appointed who was not perfectly ac, ceptable. Lord Glasgow intends to vary his residence m New Zealand, and keep m touch with c,ll classes of the community. He says' that he b.elfeye§ tljajb energy and devotion m carrying out ln's duties will ensure for him a successful te.rm as. Governor. lie dq.es. not favour the proposal that the colonies should norni r note th&ip Qovernors.

THE HANSARD COMPANY FRAUDS.

The prosecution of the directors of £j>e Hansard Publishing Company is proceeding. The Treasury declare that over £1,000,000 was extracted f rom the pockets of the public liy gross j frauds. Extraordinary evidence was giyjeft J.'e§p.v:ctii^g 'the 'purchase'of Hie (Juliuuiptou ifiif.

THE MANCHESTER CANAL.

The Manchester Corporation are J < raising a further sum of £1,500,000 to : assist the Ship Canal Company. EXPORT OF POTATOES. The Aorangi's potatoes brought only 3s per cwt. They turned out damp, the chaff and sand packings being a failure. The Maori's shipment was in fair condition. WALT WHITMAN. ' Mr Walt Whitman, the American poet, is in a critical condition. THE QUEEN. The Queen is reported to be fretting over the death of her grandson. She pays daily visits to his tomb, and her condition is giving cause for anxiety. THE COLLIERS' DIFFICULTY.

Many factories in the Midlands and North are closingtlirough want of coals. The situation at Sheffield is alarm ing, as cutlers, griniers, and forgers are all likely to be thrown out of em ployment. The miners of Northumberland, La narkshire, Ayrshire, and South Wales abstain from joining the strike. There is great excitement on the Coal Exchange in London. Prices have risen 5s in two days, and orders by the public cannot be filled. At a conference between the mine owners and the men, the scheme evolved by Mr Pickard, member for Normanton, under which the men should work only five days a week, was discussed, and the general opinion expressed that it was unworkable. Many of the owners of large iron i works are giving notice to their em * ployees, owing to a fear as to shortage of coal supply. COLONIAL BORROWING.

Financiers urge New South Wales ; to place at least £1,050,000 of bonds i locally. Even if the price is higher, ; they consider that it is imperative to keep off the London market at present. Mr Padmire Gordon, of Messrs Gordon, Hill and Company, stock and sharebrokers, states that he has placed £1,000,000 of Victorian 4-|- per cent eighteen months bonds, yielding 4| per cent, money payable on June 13. It is rumored that Mr Gordon psid 99f for them, and secured the option of another £1,000,000. Finan ciers state that this method of placing bonds through private agents is irre gular, and highly injurious to colonial credit. The " Times " considers that it would be better if the colonies issued 4£ per cent or 5 per cent loans rather than undermine confidence by unlimited borrowing by bills which are without the control of public opinion. The price of Queensland Treasury bills is 98£. OBITUARY. The death is announced of Sir John Coode, the engineer. [Sir John Coode's name is well-known in connection with New Zealand harbours, for in 1879 at the request of tho Government he furnished reports on the following harbors ; — Bluff, Greymouth, Hokitika, Milford La goon, New River (Invercargill), New Ply mouth, Otasjo harbour, Otago bar, Patea, Tauranga, Thames river, Gisborne, Waitara, Westport and Wairoa. He also reported at length on Timaru Harbour to the Timaru Harbour Board. He was created K.C.M.G. in 1886 for services rendered in connection with colonial harbours and marine works.]

THE BEHRING SEA DISPUTE.

Mr Rose, of the National Marine Insurance Company, has been ap pointed one of the British arbitrators m the Behring Sea dispute. Washington, March 2. Mr Blame, Secretary to the Treasury, has abandoned his claims to the sove reignty of the United States over Behring Sea, and only demands pro tection for seals.

IMPERIAL FEDERATION.

( Jttawa, March 2. The Imperial Federation League of Canada has passed a resolution that m the event of the adoption of inter-Im perial preferential trade relations, Canada should be ready to bear her proportion of Imperial responsibility by means of an ad valorem duty on foreign imports. In the Canadian House of Commons, Mr Laurier, leader of the Opposition, expressed bitterdisappointment at Eng land's refusal to give preferential ad vantages to Canada m the British mar ket. Sir A. Thompson replied that Eng land was already the grandest field for Canadian products. ■' Lont>os, March 2. The Imperial Federation movement is making remarkable advance m Canada.

THE NEWFOUNDLAND BLIZZARD.

St. Johns, March 2. Many of the missing fisherman were rescued, and the number of deaths is reduced to forty. The survivors of the blizzard have been so severely frostbitten that they will probably be crippled for the rest of their lives.

THE DISTRESS IN VIENNA.

I Vienna, March 2. The tfcead riot was quelled with 4ifrjcu]ity. Great efforts ' are. being made to assist those m distress. The number of starving persons applying for gifts of bread has reached 12,000, and piteous scenes are con stantly occurring.

THE BERLIN RIOTS.

Berlin, March 2. Many of those who took part m the recent riots have written to the Emperor, expressing loyalty to the Crown and regret for the disturbances. The Socialists disclaim any connec tion with the recent riots m the city.

THE FAMINE IN RUSSIA.

St. Petersburg, March 3. The prospects of the next harvest m Russia ape dpspevate, owing to the slender- stock of seed.

THE ANARCHISTS.

Maukid, March 2. The police have discovered the exist ence of an Anarchist plot to blow up the Gorman Consulate at Barcelona with {|y'namite. Several arrests have been made' m connection 'with 'the. affair..

THE U.S. WOOL DUTY.

WA9EfISTGTQN, March £}• The debate on the Free Wool Bill begins on Tuesday, and is expected to last a fortnight.

THE CRISIS IN GREECE.

Athens, March 2. Jt is believed that M. Delyanais was cjUsm^isWcl b9oau.se" the 'Chamber of

Deputies refused so impeach M. Tri coupis, the former Prime Minister, and • also because hi<* policy was likely to \ result m a financial crisis. M. De- I lyannis, being m possession of a large majority, refused to resign. There is great excitement m Athens, the mo'l cheering both the King and the Minis ters. * ;' M. Delyannis, the Premier and Minister of War, declined to resign at the command of the King. M. Tri coupis, who was asked to form a new Ministry, has declined to undertake the task. Eighty-three membei sof the Chamber of Deputies, which consists of 150 representatives, have expressed confidence mM. Delyannis. The crisis is causing intense excitement through out the country.

AUSTRALIAN.

PARLIAMENTARY AMENITIES.

Sydney, March 3. Mr Toohey, M.P. for Sydney South, who was expelled from the House on the night of Wednesday for disobeying the ruling of the Chairman during the discussion of the Estimates in Com mittee, has issued a writ churning £2000 as damages from the Chairman. LORD ONSLOW. Both the " Sydney Morning Herald " and the " Daily Telegraph" devote leading articles to Lord Onslo>v's governorship of New Zealand.

BROKEN HILL MINING.

Melbourne, March 3. Dr Schnode!, a German scientist, who has been experimenting at Broken Hill, has submitted a lengthy report on the treatment of low grade sul phides by various companies working there.

CHARGE DISMISSED.

Launcbston, March 3. Mr Home, late accountant of this branch of the TJ.S.S. Company of New Zealand, has been acquitted on a charge of falsifying the books of the Tasmanian Steam Navigation Com pany.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Wellington, March 3. In Lhc Supreme Court m bankruptcy to-day, Mr T. K. McDonald's application for discharge was granted. There was no opposition. The next band contest will probably be held m Wellington, about the end of the year. It is expected that twenty-four bands will compete. Mr Williams, of Hawera, whose ap pointment as Commissioner of Native Lands was reported from the West Coast, has merefy been engaged for three months to make enquiries among the natives as to whether they are willing to considar pro posals for the renewal of leases held by Europeans. The damages, £50 and costs, m the libel action gained by Mr Evison, editor of the "Catholic Times," against the Secretary and Chairman of the Typogra phical Society, have been paid, and the morion for a new trial has been abandoned. Hampton, the sprint champion, has obtained six months' leave of absence from March 19. on half pay. Some comment has been caused by the action of the selection committee of the Public Library refusing the gift of six years' numbers of the " Illuofcratod Sporl inrj ;\r,r\ Dni>riati° Nnv<," o-i the ground that they are unsuitable to the Library. At a meeting of A. W. Brown's creditois the total debts amounted to £1729, Mr Travers said that no warrant had been taken out as directed at the list meeting, as there would be great difficulty m proving that Brown had absconded with more than £20 of his creditors' pro perty. It is not probable that anything further will be done m the matter. Mrs Brown was granted £25 worth of furni ture m addition to that allowed by law, and private property valued at £71. The estate is to be formally wound up. It is understood that the Government havy decided to recommend to Parliament that the Rev Mr DeOastro, late Chief Clerk m the Public Trust office, be allowed his pension of about £200 per annum. Dunedin, March 2. Harry Townsend Fulton, of Dunedin, son of Mr Gr. Fulton, has passed his ex amination for the Imperial Army, and proceeds Home at once. Dunedin, March 3. Thirty-nine entries of Volunteers and members or rirle clubs have been received here. The Naval Artillery will have two representatives, the Irish Rifles one, Waikara Rifles four, North Dunedin Rifles one, Highland Rifles three, City Guards three, B Battery two, Hussars one, Tuapeka Rifles three, Waitahuna Rifles three, and the various rifle clubs thirteen. It is understood that the Mtlburn Lime and Cement Company has agreed to sell their cement business to an English company. It is intended to add more machinery which will largely increase the output.

Presentation at Chertsey.

On Tuesday evening the Cherlsry Library was filled with residents assembled to do honor to Mr .lames Wells, their late stationmaster. Mr I). T. Todd acted as spokesman, and m a few words referred to the enthusiastic manner m which the subscribers had taken up the idea. He then called on Mr T. McDowell to make the presentation. Mr McDowell referred m eulogistic terms, not only to the business like qualities of Mr Wells, but also to the courteous and gentlemanly way m which he had ever dose hi? duty. As far ay his own experience went he could not speak too highly of,him, and he believed that to be thq experience of all of them. After Mr Todd had read the j address prepared, Mr McDowell handed it with the accompanying purse cf sovereigns to Mr Wells. Mr"Wells, while hardly taken by surprise, expressed him self as very grateful for the honor done him. He thanked them all for the kind way m which they had been pleased to show their appreciation of his poor eft' >rt*. He could hardly find words to say what he would, but he should ever remember with pleasure the kindness he bal re ceived at their hands. An adjournment was then made to the Cherjisey Hotel, where Host Matthews' ingenuity was taxed to its utmost to find room for the large company assembled. All the leading settlers were present or represented. Mr H. W. Parsons occupied the cliKir, and Messrs H. Slring fellow and T. Childs the vice chairs. Mr Comer, acting stationmaster, was also present as a guest. After the usua} preliminaries the chairman proposed, m a very happy manner the toast of their guest. They \Vere all sorry to lcjse Mr Wells,, f.qr he had proyed himself a dqwn right goqd fellow—:-an Englishman, to thp backbx)he. Mr Wells had always been outspoken, had pandered to no one, an 4 yet had pleased all. It would be hard to get an officer who would please them better than Mr Wells had done. The | toast was drunk with musical honors and m the most enthusiastic manner, and suitably acknowledged. ~, PuriuH tho evening stjvijral other toasts

were honored, among them " Our Chair man " and "The Ladies " Messrs Downie, Ktely, Matthews, Welsh, Eaiham, Hors noll, Hill, Comer, Maxwell^ and Todd with their songs and recitations contri buted to the hiltrity of the evening, m I proposing the toast of "Our Host" Mr Todd paid Mr and Mrs Matthews a hii^h compliment for the manner m wlvch they had done the honors ot their house. This concluded a very pleasant and enthusias- | cic gathering.

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Ashbur ton Couni-y Council was held to-day. Present—Messrs J. J. Harper, Hugo Friedlander, James Brown, W. McMillan, and Duncan Cameron. Apologies for ab sence were received from Messrs W. C. Walker, E. G. Wright, and John Grigg. Mr E. S. Coster wired that he would attend the meeting after the arrival of the midday express Mr Harper was ap pointed Chairman of the meeting. chairman's statement. The Chairman's statement was read as follows :—The South Rakaia Road Board forwards plan of a road proposed to be stopped through the Acton estate and trusts that the Council will confirm the decision of the ratepayers that the road be closed. The Planting Committee have met since last meeting, and will present their report to-day. The amount of rates paid to date is £1.503, leaving £4335 outstanding and £936 has been collected on account of water charges due June 15 1891. Mr Wright forwards for the Council's information a letter received by him from the Survey Office stating Reserves 2937 and 2938 have been vested in the Council for planting purposes situated at Hinds township. Part of Reserve 38 is planted. The Hampstead Town Board has written asking for in formation as to their proposed water supply. engineer's report. The Engineer's report was read a,s follows : — Plains Water Supply.—The supply throughout the district, with very few ex ceptions, has been satisfactory during the last month. The causes of slight stop pages are referred to in Rangers' reports. \ few fords require some small repairs before cartage of grain begins, and these will be seen to at once. Auxiliary Channel, Winchmore.—- In accordance with Councils instructions, I have staked out, and taken levels over the line of the proposed channel, which would be about live and a half miles in length, on a grade of about six feet per mile. I communicated with the owners through whose properties this small main would pass, and most of them have already signified their assent. The remaining replies may be expected in a day or two. and I do not anticipate there will be any objections whatever (o the work, tenders for which, in two coutracts, are called for to-day. With reference to proposed race for Village Settlement, near Springfield, the Steward of Education Reserves writes to say that the Chairman of the Board will authorise the small severance necessary in Reserve 2010 provided their lessee agrees. The line there will there fore be laid out to meet his approval. Hampsteatj Water Supply.—l under stand there is no further communication I from the Borough Council on the subject of setting free a small supply for Netherby district from their main at the north-east corner of the Domain. I accompanied the Borough engineer over the main in the vicinity of Winter's road, and con cluded that sjme enlargement in places would be necessary in order to briug | down an appreciably increased supply, but a small amount would suffice for the purpose. From the point of offtake from Borough main to east side of railway line the cost might be set down at about £30, the different owners defraying the cost of private crossings or culverts. Ashburton-Rangitata Water Supply. —This service is fairly satisfactory throughout, with the exception of Willo why extension race, which has been more or less intermittent. The enlarge ment of the main at Anama is the only permanent cure for this. In accordance with instructions I have computed the cost of enlarging the main from Cavendish to the junction at Anama at £35, and branches 02 and 01, together represent ing a length of eight and a half miles to Valetta Road, at the like sum of £35, or £70 in all This would be apportioned as follows—£2o towards increasing the general service, £25 by owners for new races, ana £25 by Road Boards from accruing thirds. There would also have to be a refund to the Rangitata Road Board of £11 for share of enlargement of initial main. This would have to be allotted in like proportions. Tinwald-Waterton Race. — This is now in operation, and all the available supply turned into it. The percolation is now abating, and the weter has advanced to near the lower end. Reserve 1111, Wheatstone. — The small supply from county race does not at present reach this reserve, and hitherto it has not been included in the system, but the small race which is now being made clear of the gully, will be discharged into the gully at a suitable point to water the two lower subdivisions, and the upper paddock can be supplied by a small pond service on the line I marked out. The total cost to the High School Board, including the improvement of race now being formed shall not exceed £7. I would not recommend the construction of a race through the reserve, as it, and the race on south side of gully, would both have a very intermittent supply. Mr Silcock has resumed the work of en larging mains in the upper district, and Mr O'Connor has commenced work on his No. 3 contract Hinds District. Water Race Districts.—! forwarded tracings of these to the several Road : Boards in the county as required by Water Supply Act, 1891. River Ford near Spread Eagle.— Tenders will be placed before you to-day. HAMESTEAD W^TER SUPPLY. The Hampstead Town Board wrote asking for information in regard tp any proposed scheme of the Council for giving Hampstead a water supply. It was re solved to forward a copy of the Engineer's report to the Town Board, with such other specific information as may be necessary, meanwhile the whole matter was postpoued until a reply be received from the Borough Council on the subject. ASHBURTON-RANGITATA WATER SUPPLY. The report of the Engineer on this supply was ordered to be brought up again at next meeting. RESERVE 1111. WHEATSTONE. A copy of the Engineer's report re this reserve was ordered to be sent to the High School Board. (The remainder of our report is held over.)

A Row at the Forxs.

ASSAULT ON AN OLD WOMAN.

At die Police Qoavt this morning, before Messrs Alcoru and Bullock, J.P.s, the following cases wore heard : — Matthew Patterson wus charged with assaulting and wounding his brother, Robert Patterson, at Ashburton Forks on Saturday evening, February 27. De fendant iras remanded till Monday, bail being allowec 1, accused m £50 and one surety m £50. Mr Purnell appeared for defendant. John Alexander, a laborer, was charged with having assaulted and beaten Sarah Ann Patterson, on her premises at Vs>h burton Forks, on the evening of Saturday, February 27. A charge of assault was also preferred against Sarah Ann Patter son by John Alexander. Mr Cuthbertson appeared for Mrs PnttersDn, and Mr Moore for Alexander. Sarah Ann Patterson stated that she returned from Ashburton with her son, Robert, about six o'clock on Saturday eveniua, when she found Alexander and her son Matthew m the house, with a jug of beer and a lot of victuals before them. Witness asked Alexander what he was doing there. He replied that he had come with Matt, and not with her. Wit ness afterwards went out to milk her cows, when Alexander came up and inter fered with her, struck her m the face with his fist, and knocked her against a tree. Her eon Robert then closed with Alexander, and took from his pocket a bottle of beer, which witness threw away into the ditch. Witness ordered Alexander off her premises, but did not strike him with the bottle, or assault him m any way. The blow Alex ander dealt her was a severe one, and she felt it still. By Mr Moore —Believed Bob struck Alexander, and she would have struck him herself had she been a man. Alexander struck her a good "skelp," and knocked her against a tree. Witness was nearly seventy years of age, and could Mr Moore "expert Bob to stand quietly by without interfering, when he saw a powerful man strike his poor old mother V Alexander followed h«r down from the house to where the cows were, and annoyed her before he struck her. Robert Patterson corroborated the evi dence of his mother, and added that he afterwards struck Alexander three times ; but he did not touch Alexander before the latter struck his mother. John Alexander, laborer, said that he went to Mrs Patterson's house at the invitation of her son Matthew. He had had some beer before Mrs Patterson came home m the evening, but had no idea how much he consumed. He after wards went down to where the cows were being milked, when Robert Patterson assaulted him, and Mrs Patterson struck him on the nose with a bottle. He did nob strike Mrs Patterson. In cross examination by Mr Cuthbertson, witness did nob seem to have any very clear recollection of what took place, or where he went to after the row; but he was certain Robert Patterson struck him three times. Matthew Patterson said he had invited Alexander to the house during the after noon. They had been drinking at the beer, and must have been " pretty well on " when his mother and Bob came home. When they went down to milk the cows, Bob started a row with Alexander. Bob struck and smashed at Alexander, and Alexander struck and smashed afc Bob. Witness saw his mother with the bottle m her hand, and afterwaids saw blood on Alexander's face, but he could not say that his mother struck Alexander. Mr Alcoru said the Bench was satisfied that a most unprovoked assault had been committed on Mrs Patterson by Alexan der, and he would be fined 40s and costs m default fourteen days' imprisonment. The information against Mrs Patterson would be dismissed, as there was no evi dence whatever to support the charge.

An old man named William Abraham was remanded till Monday on a charge of having no lawful visible means of support.

The Late Duke of Clarence.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATiaN.j

Wellington, March 3. The following despatch is published m the " Gazette ":—"Colonial Office, Down ing street, January 22, 1892. My Lord —I have laid before the Queen your tele gram of 16th inst, expressing the sympathy which m common with the whole of the people of New Zealand you feel upon the sad occasion cf the death of • the Duke of Clarence and Avondale, and I am com manel ed by her Majesty to request that you will let it be known that her Majesty and Royal Family find much consolation m this and the numerous other messages of condolence which have reached them from the colonies. —I have, etc. Knuts ford. To Lord Onslow." ,

Wesleyan Conference.

[per press association.]

t Wellington, March 3. [ The New Zealand Wedeyan Methodist [ Annual Conference was formally opened i! fco-nighb. In his address the retiring' president, the Key A. £T. Dewsbury, L referred to the fact that this was the first i occasion m the history of the Church m . which ministerial and lay representatives had met together to take part m the election of their executive officers, and it was an important era m the history of their Church. Death had broken m on their ranks during the past year, and among the brethren whom they hud lost, he mentioned Rev Alexander Reid, to whose memory he pml a warm tribute of respect and affection. Other parts of the world had also suffered loss, and he made special reference to the deaths of Dr. Magee, the Rev, Mr Spurgeon. and. Cardinal Manning. Mr Dewsbury also made feeling allusion to the illness of Bishop Sutor, and lamented the early death of the Duke of CJareiiGe. Refer^ ping to the visit of General Booth to the colony, he said they must admire and respect a man who had looked the great social problems of the day fairly m the face and had the courage to attempt their solution. Commenting on the business transacted at the recent (Ecumenical Conference at Washington, he said that their section of the Church would repel any overtures m the direction of union, except on terms of absolute ecclesiastical equality. With regard to educational matters he trusted that the Conference would set its face against any attempt to interfere with the present system of education, for there could be no question that a return to denominationalism would be fraught with nothing but disaster. The Rev, (seorge Bond, of Kaiapoi ; \yas elected president of the Conferenpe foe the ensuing year, and the Rev. H. Bull, of Blenheim, general secretary. The in-coming president, after being cordially welcomed to his new office by his retiring predecessor, delivered a short address, thanking the Conference for eventing him to such a responsible, position. A resolution w,aj passed, expressing sympathy with Mrs Spurgeon. %qn t\\Q death of her husband, The Conference rose at 10.30 p.m. The following is the first draft of stations m the Canterbury district read at to-night's silting of the Conference :— Christchurch (Durham street) Dewsbury, L. M. Isitt, and. R. J. Murray ; Syden ham, J. N. Buttle ; Sc Albans, Baumbec md D. J. Murray ; Lyttelfcon, Tinjley j

THE ASHBURTON GFAKDIAN : FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1892.



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Statutory Declaration. —I, Franz Raabe, Ironbark, Sandhurst, m the colony of Vic toria, Australia, do solemnly and sincerely . declare that on the 2oth June, 1877, my s«n Alfred, six years of age, was accidentally hurt with an axe on his knee, lat once took all pains to secure medical assistance How ever, m spite of all efforts, on the 27th August, 1877, the opinion was given by Dr Mac f'illivray that an amputation of the injured limb had become imperative, inoi'dfer to save Ma, At this juncture I called en Messrs .Sander a^d .Sons, procuring some of their Extract .of Ifaealypfclis Globnlus, and by the application of fAm ssifts J had t he satisfaction of seeing my son withju % fort night out of all danger, and to-day he s *'ec©xei'ed, I may just add that it was when the crisis i**<J been reached that the Extract referred to W*s ipsjb implied, and I make this olemu declaration, fife, — ffti-sz Raaijk, Declared at Sandhurst, w jtjje e^lc^y of yictoria, Australia, this seventeenth day .9* October, one thousand eight hundred and seventy.-ss^ye^ before me, Moritz (Muu J-1 * -(Advt.) 6



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PuDiic Notice i STOCK-TAKING. REDUCTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE IN 4ILL DEPARTMENTS. Inspection Invited. NEW ZEALAND ClothlD? Factory. W. H WEBBER, Manager



WiMifed. CASH Advertisement under th s heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Oftice. WANTED to buy on easy terms, m or near town, a section with cottage. Apply " House " Mail Oflice. _J_ 21 "THIRST Shipment Double Refined Kero -E sene for Winter use. Buy early. Great reductions at Stephens Bros.. Market House. 3 18 ~\fOTHINGwill Cool you so quickly and i-^ invigorate the system so much as Ice Cream —H. G. Flower, Confectioner, East Street. ______ WANTED Known. * Come and see the Bargains now on at Melford House. H. C. Segers. W' \_!TMDKno\vn. -Af'Tlio Corner" now selling Ladie..' French Shops. 5s lid. See them.—W. H. Collier. WANTED KNOWN,—A great pur chase of Kid Gloves, £135 10s 6d, Florencia Kid Gloves, all sizes, 4 and 5 -Clasp, usual price 6s lid and 8s bd, now sold for 4s lid and 5s lid. -A. Okr s Sale. TTrANTED Known.—lf you want W plenty of first class Drapery, Boots and Clothing for cash, come to Melford House Sale.—H. 0. Seotoh. rfiHIRTY Pieces Dress Goods at 6d ; 6C J- Pieces French Cashmere at la 6d, ' worth 3s 6d ; 1000 Yards French Tweed double width, at Is 9d, worth 3s 9cl. All Dress Goods greatly reduced.—Andrew Orr's Cheap Sale. 1 106 BOOTS, Bouts.—lnfants, Boots 9d, six Dozen Ladies' Elastic Side Boot", 5s 9d, Gents' Boots 8s 6d, Mens' Blucher Boots 5s 6d, Stanley Shoes Is lid.— Andrew Orr s Sale. 1 ANTED KNOWN, a special lot of Hearth Rugs at Is lid, 2s 6d and 2s lid ; worth about doable. W. H. COIAIER. W~~ ANTED Known.—l have a large stock of Tin and Ironware Goods to selfict from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boiler 3, Spouting and Ridging kept m *tock.-J. W. Hardley, East street. * W~ ANTED Known.—Great Cash Sale now on at Melford House. Almost everything rpduced. —H. C. Segers. ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed ; from 50s cash. Robert Alcorn, Ashburfcon Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. ____- TO Meet the Times.—l am supplying Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all descriptions. Inspection invited.— J. W. Hartvley, Eas street. 6J201 Known—That you will make no mistake for quality and variety m English and Colonial Boots, and his highly reputed make by calling at J. Moison's. During coming holidays dis count for Cash. Repairs done at once. m staff of men always kept and best Material and workmanship guaranteed.