MAIL NOTICE.

SATURDAY, February 6. For Northern Ports, per Rotorua, at O.?3O p.m.,

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1892. CURRENT TOPICS.

His Worship the Mayor, at the Fire Brigade supper the other night,, credited the excellent and cheap water supply with being a potent factor m the good health of the town. No doubt it is j so ; the fresh Avater flowing along most i of the streets is an object of envy to dwellers m other towns, and of justifi able prido to residents. But there is another side to the question, and it may be asked—How much of the sick ness which is prevalent is attributable to the want of a supply of water for domestic purposes ? During the sum mer we have had a full average rain fall, both on the plains and on the hills, and the river* has been m flood more than once, and yet the predic tions of those who said the wells would be replenished with the first good rain have not been realised. Not only are the wells m the first and second strata still dry, but m many of those which were sunk to lower strata the depth of water is decreasing, while the water that is obtainable from them is oftener than not turgid and impure. The question of a supply of pure water for household use will force itself upon the town before long. The money that has been thrown away upon well-sink ing the last two years would have paid a good many years' water-rate.

The collectors of the agricultural statistics are making their annual round, and farmers will greatly lighten their task of being prepared with the required particulars of crops. Though the present system of statistics is not satisfactory it is important that the particulars given should be as accurate as possible. The returns are kept absolutely secret by the Registrar's department, and cannot be gained ac cess to for the purpose of rating or taxation or any other purpose whatever except that for which they are col lected, so that no end can be gained by making erroneous or false returns, while doing so renders the person mak ing the return liable to a heavy penalty.

In connection with these agricul tural statistics a suggestion that has often been mdae is renewed, and should have serious consideration. At present the statistics are collected and sum marised too late to be of any practical value for the opening of the selling season, and too early to be any true guide of the total production, The suggestion is that a return should be obtained of the acreage of the various cereals sown, as soon as the sowing season is over—say m September or October. Fairly trustworthy estimates | of the probable yield at harvest time could be made from these figures from timeto time—say monthly—the nature of the season being considered, and a final return of actual production ob tained when the bulk of the threshing had been done—in May or June. By I these means buyers and sellers alike would be made aware at the earliest possible moment of the quantity of produce that would have to be dealt with m any year. Under the present system the bulk of the grain is marketed long before the production for the season is known, and both buyers and sellers are to a great extent dealing m the dark.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The broad gauge will cease to exists on the Railways of England m a few weeks. The adjourned annual general meeting of the Ashburton County Hunt Club will be held this evening at the Commercial Hotel. During last year the wool exported from Melbourne was valued at £5,778,775, being an increase of nearly £1,500,000 on the pre vious year. The wheat export was valued at £805,423. The amount of rain which fell m Ashburton m January was 375 inches. Rain of above the amount of "01 inch fell on eleven days, I*7B being recorded on the sth, '23 on the 6th, #57 on the 9th, "52 on the 22nd, and #25 on the 31st. Mrs Beattie, wife of Mr Beattie of the firm of Black, Beattie, and Co., Christ church, was drowned yesterday morning while trying to cross the Hapuka river, Kaikoura, m a van. Deceased with the van and horses was washed out to sea. Mr Edward Jones, an old Ashburton settler, who has been resident m the United States for a number of years, is now on a visit to Ashburton, where his wife and family reside on the well-known farm near Mr Hunt's on the Wakanui road. A Christchurch lamplighter, when claan ing a lamp on the Riccarton road, was ! surprised to find that bees had swarmed into the hollow of the lamp-post, filling it up. It can readily be believed that the lamp was cleaned m the quickest time on record. •It is said that the crop of apples m Great Britain averages 85,000 tons; these being valued at £10 per ton. About 13,000,000 gallons of cider are made yearly. The pro auction of cider m ilrance, however, averages 220,000,000 gallons. " Are there any more jurymen who have prejudice against you ?" whispered the young lawyer. " No, boss, dejury am all right, but I want you to challenge de judge; I has been 'victeel twice befoie under him, and may be he is 'ginning to hab prejudice against me. It is reported (says the "Southland News ") that a well-known business firm m Invereareill is bringing an action to recover £10,000 2amaa;es from a banking institution. The case will not, however, come on for hearing at the approaching Supreme Court Sessions. *

■■ Yesterday was the anniversary of the memorable devastating fioo.l of 1868. There has been very severe drought m part of North Otago. A visitor says :— "Hardly a blade of green grass is to be seen m and around Oamaru, whereas twenty miles South of Oamaru the country is com paratively green. The New Zealand " Herald " makes the ridiculous statement that the Ministry is j endeavouring to force on Lord Knutsford I the appointment of Sir Robert Hamilton, 1 now Governor of Tasmania, as Governor of New Zealand, because he is an old school fellow of Sir Robert Stout, and shares that gentleman's advanced liberal views. The committee appointed at Christchurch to arrange a luncheon to the Governor aud Lady Onslow have adopted the suggestion that there should be a popular farewell m Cathedral Square on the day of the luncheon, and that an album of New Zealand views be presented to Lady Onslow. A visitor to the sheep sale at Horsley Downs yesterday informs us that the north -crn rivers are m high flood. The Ashley is 'said to be higher, than it has been since IS6B, and the Pahau was over the railway line and prevented the train getting through to Culverden. A gallant rescue from drowning occurred at Christchurch on Thursday evening. A girl eleven years old fell into the Avon near Kilmore street, and Thomas Coulter, City Council carter, though unable to swim, plunged into ten feet of water, seized the girl and struggled to land with her. She was almost gone when he seized her. The "Manawatu Standard" says—lfc would be interesting to trace the reasons for some of the leading colonials becoming Tories. The Hon John Bryce's father was a carpenter; another New Zealand Tory's mother was a washerwoman. A leading Wellington Tory's mother kept him m idle ness some twenty-four years ago by dress making. Sir John Bray's (of South Austra lia) lather was a small shcemaker, and countless other similar instances could be given. Mr G. J. Binns, formerly Government In apector of Mines m New Zealand, has been elected first President of the South Derby shire branch of the National Association of Colliery Managers of England. Mr Binns is the manager of the famous " Netherseal" Colliery, and is (says a Home paper) an ex ceedingly shrewd and clever business man. who has travelled a good deal, and gained his knowledge m the school of experience. The famous dog Help died m London, England, of old ase on December 12. He belonged to the Society of Railway Servants, and used to travel up and down through the country collecting funds for the railway charities. He was singularly successful m this, as m his life he got together not less than £2300 for them. The following ambiguous notice was | posted up, early m the present century, for the information and guidance of the dwellers on certain property m the county of Kent: " Notice is hereby given that the ! Marquis of Camclen (on account of the backwardness of the harvest) will not shoot himself, nir any of his tenants, till the 14th of September." In England there is an enormous amount of business controlled by companies. In April, 1891 according to a Parliamentary paper, the paid up capital of registered companies was £891,504-, 102, which is considerably m excess of the whole national debt. Th"3 return, be it. noted, does not include the paid up capital of railways m the United Kingdom, which will be about as much again. A Canterbury (England) correspondent, writing on December 19 to a home paper, says:—" The supply of old ewe sheep by army and navy contractors is now prohib ited. These animals are, therefore, selling cheaply, and London dealers are making extensive purchases of them on the Kentish markets admittedly with the view of de cipitating and freezing the carcases, thus giving them the appearance of imported meat," The Wellington "Post" reports: —On Tuesday, whilst engaged m a special survey of the harbour, Torpedo man Gauntlet, on landing from the Government cutter, of which he formed one of the crew, found, at Arthur's Foint, on the rock?, a sea-boot which contained a portion of a man's foot. The remains consist of bones, the flash having, of course, disappeared. The leather of the boot is m good preservation, but has evidently been under the water for a lengthy period. Just above the heel the leather has been torn or eaten away, prob ably by fish. It is surmised that the boot and its ghastly contents belonged to a sea man who has some time or other been drowned m the harbour.

Lytrelton Harbor Board.

[per press association.!

Ohmstchurch, February 4. The annual statement of accounts of the Lyttelton Harbor Board, for 1891, shows receipts £57,397 4s Bd, and expenditure £38,798 9s 4d, leaving a .surplus of £18,598 14s 9d. The assets, including received sinking fund, and harbor works and improvements, are £473,288 4s 3d, and the liabilities, including £200,000 loan, £205,265 4s sd, leaving a balance to credit of £269,022 19s lOd. The wharfage clues returns show that, compared with 1890, there was m 1891 a decrease of 7931 tons of general merchandise, 47,781 tons of grain, and 5581 bales of wool on which dues were paid. There was, however, an increase of 10,422 tons of coal and 729,743 super ficial feet of timber. Dock dues amounted to £1503, and dock expenses to £440, leaving a credit balance of £1063. fSince the formation of the Board m January, 1877, the ordinary revenue has been £463,899 Is sd, and the ordinary expendi ture £140,043 12s 4d, and interest and sinking fund £164,366 4s Id, leaving a surplus on ordinary account of £159,489 os. The loan receipts for the same period were £231,569 los lOd, and harbor works expenditure £372.089 5s lOd, 1 leaving a deficit of £140,519 10s on har bor works, which has been met oub of the surplus of ordinary revenue, leaving a credit cash balance oi; £17,969 15s.

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The following concludes our report of yesterday's meeting ■: — HAMFSTEAI) AND ■TINWALD WATER SUPPLY. The clerk was instructed tv write- to the Hampstead" and Tinwald Town Boards., informing these bodies of th-3 position of the question as regarded supplies of water ' for their respective districts, and point- | m? out what these bodies required to do j under the Water Supply Ach of 1891. aSHBURTON-RAJS'GITATA WATER SUPPLY. The Engineer was instructed to furnish to next meeting of Council an estimate of the cost of water races between Cavendish and Anama, and to allocate the pro portions of the expenditure to be borne by Road Boards and individuals. B-Oltri—NORTH ABHBURTON RIVER. The Engineer was authorised to have the ford made, and to charge half-cost to each of the Mount, Hosiers and Mount Hutt Road Boards, i.i accordance with the Public Works Axfc, 1881, clause 9, sub section 1. BRIUOEH. On the subject of painting and tarring the bridges m the' county, and more substantial repairs to others, Mr Harper drew attention to the unequal laying of the planks on the Ash burton traffic bridge, stating that at present it was as bad as a corduroy road, and a source of great discomfort to people driving along the bridge, as well as danger to the axles "of the vehicles. The Engineer explained that the old planking as worn out was replaced by new. the now planking was fully 4 inches, while the old planking was, by wear and tear, reduced to about 3| inches. Much of the old planking still m use was of this thickness, and caused the ine qualities complained of; but the evil would cure itself m course of time as the old planks were replaced by new. Mr Friedlander said there would never be any improvement on the roadway of the bridge until they forbade the use of the viaduct by the traction engines alto wether. It was this class of heavy wheeled traffic that wore out the planking, and while it went on, and new planks were laid alongside the oil, the new planks would become wo>n down to a height lower than the newer oneb that m due course would be laid to replace those that were worn out, so that the coiduroy character of the bridge would be perpetuated as long as the bridge stood. The ordinary traffic had not anything like so great a wearing effect upon the planks as the engine traffic, and if that were stopped the planking would soon become fairly equal. It was the duty of the Council to consider the interests of the main body of the public m preference to the interests^ of a few traction engine proprietors. There were many places m the county where no bridges existed, and the engines had to cross at the fords. There was no reason why the engines should not be required to use the ford at this bridge as well as at others. Mr Brown also drew attention to the bridges over the Wakanui creek, at which repairs were required. The subject then dropped, until the tenders for painting and tarring bridges should be opened.

ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to about ■ £400 were passed for payment, also £200 to Charitable Aid Board. WESTERFIELD MILL RACK. Mr Friedlander, for the sub-Committee appointed to examine and report on ohe question of the Weaterfield mill race as it affected the millowner's and Messrs Tod hunterand Dowding'h interests, submitted the following report.:—The Committee appointed to confer with the owner of the Westerfield mill, and with Messrs Tod hunter 'and Doweling, on the question of putting the county water supply on a more satisfactory, footing, had an inter view with Mr Lublow m the first place. On the Committee agreeing to construct another by-wash at a point which was then fixed, Mr Lublow assented to the conditions embodied m an agreement made ; and which are being carried out, and so far working; satisfactory. Messrs Todhunter and Dowding declined to allow any connection whatever to be made at present. The report was adopted and the Com mittee was continued for further report. bbsbevjb 1009. It was decided that m the matter of the transfer of Rreserve 1009 the Council p:iy cost of transfer, access over corner of Reserve to be given to Mr David Morris at a nominal rental, s:> as to preserve Council's title. SLAUGHTER-HOUSE LICENSES. Renewals of licenses were granted to Messrs T. McGrandel, Ashburton, and W. T. Smith, Alford Forest. COLLEGE RESERVE WATKR SUPPLY. The Chairman was authorised to sign agreement with College Governors re water supply for reserve, and affix seal. RAKAIA GEORGE BRIDGE. It was resolved to send t.) the Selwyn County Council account of £13 repairing approaches, and to ask that body to pay half cost. TENDERS.

The tender of Mr J. Crum for tarring the Ashburton and Digby's bridges, at £63, was accepted. The Chairman and Mr Priedlander were appointed a Com mittee to enquire into the matter of paint ng. Ms AUXULIARY SUPPLY. Mr Coster moved, pursuant to notice, —" That the auxiliary main from Winch more to Dromore, as recommended by the Engineer, be undertaken, and the cost thereof be charged to the Rakaia plains water supply district." He said this work had been recommended by the Engineer, whose estimate of its cost was about £80 or £90, probably £100, but not more. The auxiliary main would supply a large number of settlers who were now but inefficiently and inter mittently supplied. There had been ap plications for services postponed at the meeting last Thursday week, because ths Council, without this auxiliary main coukl not afford the water. The cost was but small, and would be debited to the Rakaia Plains Supply district, and he believed it would very soon be recouped. Mr Brown seconded the motion. By the construction of this new main a large extent of additional races would be made possible, and their opening would bring m revenue enough to wipe off the expendi ture m a very short time. It was likely that an objection would be raised that the Council had some time ago resolved to undertake no new works. This reso lution was quite impracticable, and ought never to have been passed, for it neve* could be acted up to, They were there to attend to the wants of the settlers, and they could not do thitt if they were hampered by a resolution of that nature. The races that had been dry and silted up would now be able to be be opened, and no loss was likely to follow to the Council. Mr Fricdlander said there was a reso lution passed m June last, now standing on the books to the effect that no new works were to be undertaken. He wished to ask the Chairman if, m face of that resolution,' Mr Coster's motion was m order '! The Chairman said several new works; had been undertaken m cases of emer gency, arid he was not prepared to rule Mr Coster's motion out of order. . Mr Wright said he was not aware that a resolution of the nature mentioned by Mr Friedlander was still m force, but if it were, the sooner it was rescinded the b.et^er. It was absurd to suppose the Gouncjl would tie its hands from making from one to two. hundred miles of races, when the Engineer showed Uovr that <

I could be done at a mere trifle of cost. ■The Council ought rather to be glad that the Engineer had found such a thing possible, and had been able to point out the possibility of such a profitable work as this being done. In reply to Mr Coster, The Engineer said the work would cost about £80, but itiight go to £100. Mr Friedlander quoted from the minute book the resolution passed m June last that no new works ba under taken until the overdraft had been placed on a more satisfactory eondi.ion He asked what was the good ot passing a re solution at one meeting and going m the face of it at another. Mr Wright said it seemed to him the question appeared to be only one of degree. Mr Brown repeated that the resolution quoted was impracticable. Mr Wrighb (after looking at the minute book) said the resolution was passed m June, 1891; but it was no use continuing the discussion as the Chair man had ruled that it did not apply. Mr Harper doubted if this was a new work. He believed ie was only a con tinuation of work they already had m hand. The resolution quoted by Mr Friedlander he believed applied only to worka of £1000 and upwards. Mr Coster si.id that, since the passing cf the resolution, the Council had re peatedly sanctioned Works as new as this, and should not now refuse this work which was to cost but a small amount of money and do a large amount of good. The motion was carried—Mr Fried lander being the only dissentient, and asked for a vote that his dissent might be recorded. The vote was taken accor dingly, and Mr Friedlander's name ap peared as the only (' No." WATER APPLICATIONS. The application of Mr John Holmes, Methven, for a service through a portion of his property to supply 900 acres was considered. It had beeu postponed from last meeting pending the passing of Mr Coster's motion, and it was granted con ditionally on Mr Holmes bearing the whole cost, and that the water be carried across the roads m earthenware pipes to avoid scour from channel water.

Mr Brown was of opinion that it was not fair to ask Mr Holmes to pay the cost of making three miles of water races with all crossings. There were special circumstances, he allowed, under which settlers should be required to pa> the whole cost, but this casts, it was too much to ask Mr Holmes to pay the whole, as the undertaking was a large one, and the revenue from ib would be large. Mr Wright pointed out that all the settlers who had obtained services, during several years past, had had to pay cost. This was the case with all those applica tions granted at the last two meetings, and Mr Holmes' works being so costly was simply caused by the special circum stances of the locality. Mr Cameron said there were five miles | of county races on his property, for all of i which he had to pay rates and nuin tenance. Not a chain of these races was of any benefit to hiir, but they had to be there for the benefit of his neighbors, so that his case was worse than Mr Holmes', as Mr Holmes wanted the water, while he (Mr Cameron) would »iob care if every drop of water supplied to him by the Council were withdrnvn to-morrow. I Messrs Todd, Lunt. Smith, Moore and Clucas, and Thomas J ones applied for a branch from B race, which was granted (to take effect after the main from Winch more was made) on the uyual terms. Mr Vucetich wrote asking for explana tion of how it apparently came about that he had to pay a year's rates for races more than his neighbors. The Clerk was ordered to acknowledge the letter, and explain the position. An application for a sutviee by Mr J. Studholme was granted as soon as the extension of the Hinds township race was completed, so far as the Engineer could meet his wishes. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr Wright to move—"That no rates be levied by the Council for a period of three years upon new races constructed at the expense of the owners through whose lands the said races pass." NEXT MEETING. It was resolved that no meeting, be held m February, bub time the Council meeting on the first Friday m March. The Council then adjourned.

LORD SALISBURY'S SPEECH.

In the course of his address at Exeter Hall, on Monday evening last, the Prime Minister of England expounded the policy of his Government to an audience of nearly ten thousand people immediately present, and to an equally interested audience of scores of millions who acknowledge the flag of the Great Empire upon which the sun never sets. It is satis factory to learn that the death of the late Khedive does not mean a new departure m Egyptian affairs, but that his successor Abbas Bey will follow the policy of his father, under whose rule, thanks to his relations with Great Britain and to the wise assistance of British Commissioners, the condition of the Egyptian people has been vastly ameliorated, and the affairs of the country placed on a comparatively satisfactory and prosperous, and alto gether hopeful footing. Indeed, as usual m relation to their Foreign policy, the administration of affairs m Egypt is a feather m the cap of the Conservative party. It has been a pronounced success, and it is the only drawback to the evidently impending change of administration that, while always the best rulers m relation to Plome matters, the Liberals almost invariably make a mess of things m relation to international questions, and only too often m relation to those affecting the Colonies and dependen cies of the Crown. Yet for all that a change is obviously imminent, and every indication points to the return of the Liberal Party to power, as the result of the now soon forthcoming general election. One of the results of that return will as certainly be the granting of Home Rule to Ireland—

certainly, that is, if the Irish repre sentatives (as vye have no doubt they will) agree to sink their own differ ences and combine with the Liberal Party to secure the common good. Lord Salisbury, of course, contemplates such a possibility with anything but equanimity —nay he deprecates it m the most forcible language at his com mand, for we read that "he warned the people of England that if a separate Parliament were set up m Dublin it would produce a result which would compel the whole world to declare that En gland was m a state of senile decay," and that "he appealed to the country to avert this crowning calamity and disgrace." Statesman as he is, and much as his abilities are recognised, Lord Salisbury m taking up this atti tude appears to the Colonial eye to be playing the role of a veritable Mrs Partington, for that Home Rule will come despite his oratory, is just as per tain as that the tide prevailed over the 014 taty's brqow. Au4 it it came, there, I

will be no ttiore danger to the British Empire thart accrues from the granting of powers of self-government to any colony or section of the Empire m any part of the world ; and as to the fear that the giving to Ireland a local autonomy would bring about the result that " one by one the flowers would be plucked from the diadem of the Empire until Great Britain stood alone," it needs only to be expressed to be laughed out of court as a mere chimera and fantastic notion, without the i shadow of foundation m fact. There , is another passage m the speech which is of especial interest m New Zealand m view of the determination of the Government and people of the colony to still further liberalise the land policy. On the land question Lord Salisbury declared that his Government were very anxious to multiply the number o£ small holdings, and it is imuch to the credit of their adminis tration that they have already clone a great deal m this direction by means of " The Allotments Act," and their improved legislation m relation to Shire Councils and other local govern ing bodies under which the principles of the proposed Land Acquisition Bill of the present New Zealand Govern ment and the system of Labor Settle ments are already to a large extent m operation. Indeed, m this matter the Liberals of New Zealand are only marching side by side with the Conservatives at Home, and the so called " Conservatives " of this colony who oppose such measures are clearly not entitled to that designation, but ought to call themselves what they are —namely, Tories of the deepest dye.

Ashburton Markets.

MESSBS MILES AND CO. Messrs Miles and Co. (per Mr George Jameson) report for the week ending February s:— Live Stock—At the Tinwald Yards on Tuesday there was again a limited supply of stock, and a small attendance of farmers and others owing to harvest operations. The total entry comprised 1853 sheep and 3S head oE cattle, of which we sold 800 sheep and 23 head of cattle as follows:—6O fat crossbred ewes at 12s 4d ; 70 fat merino ewes at 5s 8d; 40 fat merino wethers at 8s lOd; 48 four-tooth crossbreds at 13s lOd; 150 two-tooth orossbrecls at 11s 7d. Cattle —1 fat heifer, £4 ; 2 fat heifers at £3 18s ; 10 store steers at £3 7s 6d ; 10 store heifers £3 2s 6d. During the week we have sold privately 1300 crossbred two-tooths and a line of station merino wethers and ewes, at satis factory prices. Skin Sale—On Tuesday we^ held our regular skin sale at our Stores, West street. We had a large entry of skins, hides, and fat, but the attendance of buyers was not large. The following are the prices obtained : —Butchers' crossbreds up to 4s; butchers' merino, 3s 4d ; butchers' pelts, 7d, Is, Is 3d, Is 4d, Is 7d; lamb skins, Is, Is 3d, Is 4d. Hides and fat at scale rates. Rakaia Monthly Sale-On Thursday we held our regular monthly stock sale at our Yards, {south Rakaia. There was a good attendance of sheep buyers present, and their requirements could not be supplied. We sold a line of 108 two-tooth crossbrels at 10s lid. A quantity of sundries met a good sale.

MR. DAVID THOMAD.

Mr David Thrv.uas reports on the live stock market m the Ashburton district for the week ending February 5, as follows :— Live Stock—On Tuesday, at the Tinwald yards, the usual weekly sale of live stock was held. The attendance of the public W!i.s prm-il, but ncarlv every 019 present was •a buyer, consequently matters went briskly. The catalogue was more noticeable for fat sheep than stores. There was not a really good line of store sheep m the yards. The catalogues presented foi the day were 1853 sheep and 33 cattle, of which my entry con sisted of 691 sheep and 15 cattle. As before mentioned, biddings were very keen, and I succeeded m disposing of everything I had to offer, my principal sales being 106 fat merino ewes, 7s 4d ; 50 fat merino ewes, ss; 18 fat merino ewes, 6s sd; 35 merino wethers, 8s Id; 67 fat merino wethere, 8s 6d; 32 merino ewes, 5s lOd ; 36 merino wethers, 8s Gd 5 75 fat merino wethers, 8s 7d ;31 fat merino ewes, 53; 20 fat crossbred ewes, 12s 8d; 48 merino ewes, 4s 6d; 3S crossbred ewes, 13s ; 61 merino ewes and 59 lambs 8s 2d each, all being counted. In cattle, I sold 5 at £4 ; 4 at £4 7s 6d ; 2 at £5 19s 6d; lat£4 2s 6d; lat ±"3 ss; and 2 at £1 4s. Privately during the week I have sold 554 crossbred two-tooths at 12s and 300 at 11s 4d ; 471 fat lambs at 10s 9d and 308 store lambs at 9s 3d ; and 240 crossbred ewes and lambs, all counted, 8s 8d each. There is now a good demand for fat^or store lambs at the yards, any good Hoes of suqh brought forward now would sell well,. Wool—Qn Tuesday afternoon I held my wool sale, at which I catalogued 411 bales of wool, locks, and pieces, of which I sold exactly 400 at prices equal or superior to anything ruling m Canterbury during the last month. Halfbred realized 7d to 9d, crossbred 6|d to BJd, merino 5d to 7id^ merino pieces 3d to s|d, crossbred pieces 3d to s|d, locks l|d to 3d. [See Thursday's Ashburton " Mail" for extended report.] Skins, etc.—On Tuesday I also held my usual sale of sheep skins, fat, hides and tallow. There was an average attendance of buyers. The catalogues were small, and prices must be quoted fully Is lower than they were six weeks ago. Best pelts made 8d to 15d each, best lamb skins Is to Is 6d, woolly sheep skins Is to 4s 9d; hides, fat, and tallow at former prices.

Land—l have still some enquiries for good land m suitable blocks but the diffi culty is m being able to supply the wants. I am m hopes of closing two or three pur chases during the next week. This week I have sold two town sections, one at £250, and one at £125, Horses—:On Saturday last I held my usual horse sale at the Arcade, Only thir-teon entries came to hand, a,U e>f whioh were of the inferior class, consequently the sale was a dragging one. I sold draught horses from £12 to £15 } hack and harness! horses from £1 5s to £2 10s. During the week I have sold privately drays and frames, etc. At this time of the year this branch of business is always a little dull, as everyone is busy with the harvest and unable to attend to anything else. As soon as the grain is all threshed, and carted into store, I trust I shall be able to make the Horse Market hum m this part of Canterbury.

ATHLETICS.

THE NEW ZEALAND CHAMPION SHIP MEETING.

[per press association.]

Chkistchurch, February 5. The amateur championship sports were postponed for an hour on account of the track being too soft from the rain of previous night. The weather was dull and threatening, but there was a very good attendance. The programme opened ab half-past three with the 250 Yards Championship. —First heat. —J. H. Hempton (Hawke's Bay) 1 ; IST. L. Gurr (Wellington) 2; J. C. Hutchison (Auckland) 3. Won very easily. Time, 27 2-sth sec. Second heat. —Peter Wood (Canterbury) 1; J. Buchanan (Auckland) 2 ; W. A. Low (Dunedin) 3. Won by three yards. Time, 27 l-sbh sec. Threk-Mile Walking Championship. —(N.Z. record 23min 37 2-sth sec.)— Cocks (Canterbury) 1; Burton (Auck land) 2 ; Bain (Dunedin) 3. Cocks led, till the last lap, when Burton passed him and a grand finish, took place, Cocks winning amid great excitement by three yards. Time, 23min 16 2-sth sec. This beats the New Zealand record. The race ■ was the best eyer seen m the colony, '

One Mile Safkty Bicycle Champion ship.—A. C Wilmot (Canterbury) 1; W. L Kerr (Sydney) 2; R. P. Clarkson (Canterbury) 3. Ralllinshaw (Dunedin) and Langdown (Canterbury) also started. Kerr led till the last lap, when Wilmot came with a grand spurt and won by twenty yards. Time, 2min 43sec. Half-Mile Championship (N.Z. record 2min.)— .7. V. Grierson (Canterbury) 1 ; ,C. G. Rees (Canterbury) 2 ; D. Wood I (Canterbury) 3. Seven others started. A grand race, the winner leading from [ the start and winning by half a yard, I Wood n good third. Time, 2mins 3secs. I High" Jump. — Meyrick (Manawatu) I sfc sin, 1 ; Cuff (Canterbury) sft 4in, 2 ; Hackett (Auckland) s(t 3in, 3. Three-Milk Ordinary Bicycle — Kingston (Dunedin) 1 ; Wilson (Canter bury) 2 ; Hay ward (Canterbury) 3. Time, 9min 53 2-sth sec Ten-Mile Safety Bicycle. — Kerr (N.S.W., 1 ; Wilmot (Canterbury) 2 : Langdown (Canterbury) 3. Time, 32min 49 2-5 th sec. One-Mile Flat.—Burk (Dunedin) 1; Rees (Canterbury) 2 ; D. Wood (Canter bury) 3. Time, 4min 42 4-sth sec. Ten-Mile Ordinary Bicycle.—Clark son (Canterbury) 1 ; Hayward (Canter bury) 2 ; Kingston (Dunedin) 3. Time, 35min 6 4-5 th sec. 120 Yards Hurdles.—Moir (Canter bury) 1 ; Batger (Wellington) and Postlethwaite (Canterbury) deiid heat, 2. Time, 16 3-sth sec.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

PEll PRESS ASSOCIATION.

A MILITARY ADVISER.

London, February 4. The Agents-General will jointly ap ply to the War Office' for a military adviser for the Australasian colonies. COLONIAL CRICKET. The " St. James' Gazette " says that it the colonial cricket teams had shown surh excellence during their visits to | England as they have displayed against Lord Sheffield's team, no opposition would have been evinced to a biennial visit of Australian elevens. THE INFLUENZA. In lieu of a commission being sefc up, the Local Government Board will en quire into the best means of averting the spread of influenza. ELECTRIC LIGHT. • Tesla, an American electrician, is exhibiting m London a surprising method of producing electric light from vacuum bulbs without heat. LORD SALISBURY CRITICISED. Mr H. H. Fowler, speaking at Plymouth, characterised Lord Salis bury's Exeter Hall speech as the worst appeal to the basest passions of re ligious bigotry ever made by an English statesman. CATTLE DISEASE. Three head of cattle suffering from foot and mouth disease have been seized m London. The animals were part of a shipment from Denmark. London. February 5. All the animals at Islington market were killed m order to prevent the spread of the foot and mouth disease.

ARREST OF SOCIALISTS.

Berlin, February 5. The police authorities have placed a large number of Socialists m this city under arrest. AN ICE-DRIFT. A drift of ice caused upwards of thirty barges to break their moorings at Breslau. Some of the vessels were sunk, forty persons being drowned.

CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES.

Washington, February 4. A Conference has been arranged between representatives of Canada and the United States for the purpose of discussing reciprocity. AN AMERICAN MONTE CAKLO. An American Company with a capi tal of £2,000,000 has made arrange ments for establishing a gambling resort on the lines of Monte Carlo, m an island off the Mexican coast, near Vera Crus.

QUEEN NATALIE.

Paris, February 4. Queen Natalie having gone to Biarritz, the Liberal party m Servia have invited her to return, and offer to support her claims if she does so. ALLEGED ESPIONAGE. Cooper, one of the Englishmen im prisoned on a charge of espionage, at St. Etienne, appealed and got his sen tence increased.

THE STRANDED WARSHIP.

Athens, February 5. Repeated attempts have been made ,to tow the ironclad Victoria into deep 'water, but without success. All the available ships of the Mediterranean squadron will make a combined effort to rescue the vessel from her dangerous position.

AUSTRALIAN.

THE NEW SOUTH WALES TARIFF. Sydney, February 5. The Customs Tariff Bill has passed through Committee. THE SCULLING CHAMPION SHIP. Stanbury has agreed to row Sullivan for the championship and £200 or £500 a-side. i RETIRING FROM POLITICS. Melbourne, February 5. Owing to his state of health Mr James Service is unlikely to accept office again m any Ministry. Mr Leakin has also announced that he finds himself unable to take any impor tant part m politics.

INTERPROVICIAL.

Auckland. February 5. As the result of the work at the Sylvia mine, Thames, from December 22 till January 29, 2736 ounces of bullion were obtained from 103 tons of concentrates. The value of the bullion is £2119. A meeting of those interested m the fruit industry was held to-day, convened by a representative of E. Jacobs and Son, a Covent Garden firm, to consider the question of the export of fi-uit to Eng land, but no decision was come to. During the discussion, however, the ! opinion appeared to be almost v,nani-. \ mous that *le««skl.ij:i would have fa he passed to check the sji.'e^ <$'t*G aodlin moth pest. At a, nieetingof the Auckland branch 1 of the Irish National Federation a motion was proposed dflplorhi'jf the intemperate language uaed durmer the quarrel between, the two sections of the Irish Marty a* Home. The debate on th,e v question was adjourned.!

A. Maori, Hore Rama it a, had his left hand blown off afc Mongonui by the burst ing of a, gun. A gumdigger named Robert Twelve trees disappeared from his camp at Ru-ikaka on the night of 30th January, atid has not since been seen. Napier, February 5. The ram fair concluded to-day. Yes j torclfiy when stud siieep only were offered, though the attendance was lar>*e, bidding was slow, even for first class animals, and commoner sheep were entirely neglected. The highest price was 43 and 41 guineas for two rams from the'studs of Matthew Holmef, Canter bury, and Fred 'Sulton; Southland. Reid's averaged £14 8s 9d, Fred button's £14 13s lid, J. B. Button's £9 9s, Matthew Holmes' £18 18s. Down and Romney Marsn sheep brought low prices. At the sale of flock rams to-day there was much more animation and averages were made by all the leading breeders, every thing being quitted. Three Maories went fishing at the mouth of the Ngarurpi'o. yesterday. The boat upset, two of the occupants reached shore, the third was drowned. The crops here have been injured by heavy showers and being left too long m the stook, owing to the "scarcity of labor. Wellington, February 5. The following Customs officers resign on penaiou on March 31:— J. Robertson, landing waiter, Dunedin ; Jackman, gauger for the colony; and following collectors .--Patten, Napier; Lundon, Wanganui; Rogerson, Westport; Woon, Hokitika ; Rich, Timaru. The Rev W. J. Mayer, who is travel ling through the colony on behalf ot Dr Barnardo's Homes, states that he has received donations amounting to £1000 m the North Island alone. Dunemn, February 5. The Public Library Association to-day decided to institute a systematic canvass for subscriptions lo secure a public library. A.number of unemployed have returned from the Otago Central work 3 dissatisfied with the measurement of work. The Governor holds an informal levee to-morrow, to bid farewell to the citizens and his friends. In the evening he will ; be entertained at a banquet. A boy named Murphy, aged eleven years, the son of a Fairfax settler, was killed to-day by a fall from a horse. An inquest touching the death of Mrs Callifik, was held this afternoon. A verdict of death from failure of the heart's action whilst under chloroform was re , turned, the jury adding that all necessary , medical precautions had been taken to ascertain the condition of the deceased, but that restorative measures were lefc untried.

THE DUKE OF CLARENCE.

Azrael on darkly shadowing wings, A message brings from the King of kings ! Through the lovely home of England's heir, He sweeps unheeding a father's prayer : An anguished prayer that his eldest born Be spared to his love this winter's morn ! | A mother's treasure ! A maid's betrothed ! A nations hope, m a manhood clothed Of brightest promise! A youth uu stained | And cultured, for world-wide Empire trained. A gentle lover ! A tender son ! Whose virtues, all English hearts have won. A cry arises from land and sea, Prince Albert Edward, we mourn with thee! The Angel spares not to mother's tears T. n ,darllni? of ciKhlf and twenty years, lell her, oh tell her, amidst her pain, "In happier spheres ye shall meet again! " For the ripened fruit of loving cares, "His soul to the Father's presence bears ! < " And faith shall hallow his empty place. " He has gone before a little space." In parting so bitter the only balm, Beloved Princess, our sorrows to calm, When tears must flow o'er the last lon* rest, ° Of earthly garments our lips Have prest. Ihen list to the voice from the shoreless sea, While, Alexandra, we weep with thee. O widowed maiden, heart-broken left, Of life s fair vision so soon bereft : In hall and cottage all hearts must bleed In sympathy deep with thee indeed. As stricken to earth by death's dark fear, Thou seest not the Saviour standing near. In infinite pity for all thy woes, He grieveth, yet grieving, well He knows ) Why passing through Ood's refining fire, Thy spirit must pass to something higher. From earthly throne, from earthly love, To love transcendant, to bliss above, While voices rising from land and sea, Weep, Princess and pwry for thee ! Zara.

NELSON JUBILEE.

| FJSII WlfcSS ASSOCIATION]

Kelson, February 5. After midday the weather cleared, enabling the Volunteer Review to take place m the Botanical resenre, where the local and country corps assembled, along witha detachment of bJue jackets from H.M.S. Ringarooma. After various manoeuvres were gone through, The Minister of Defence addressed the men, congratulating them on their efficiency. He thanked Captain Bourke for allowing his men to take part m the review, and mentioned than this was the first time the men of the new colonial warship had taken part m a shore demon stration. He was glad to see the Rmga rooma men taking part m the day's work, and thought thafc such action would tend to make popular the arrangements entered into between the colonies and the Imperial Government, regarding the colonial navy. Mr Seddon assured the volunteers that, as long as he was at the head of th» Defence Department, he would do all ia his power to encourage the massing ot volunteers, as he considered it would bring the nc&n fco a high state of eflicieaey. Eton, Mr Seddon and Hon. Mr Mckenzie visited the Orphanage to-day, and were greatly pleased at the manner m which* the Institution is managed., A bowling match between the Nelson and Wellington Clubs has been postponed until to-morrow morning. The Temperance Demonstration, which, was put off yesterday, owing to the wet weather, takes place m the Botanical Gardens to-morrow. Another firevork display was made to night, attended by a large number of spectators. The jubilee celebrations are practically ended, and visitors ajte. leaving Nelson m largo numbers,

*HIJ ABfifttiMON QfJllDlA^i BATtmuAt, fpRtURY 6, iS9&



Trm Best Remedy fob Indigestion — , Norton's Camomile Pills are eonfidenty recommended as a simple remedy for Indigestion, which is the cause- of nearly all the diseases to which we are subjects Norton's Pills, with justice called the •Natural Stcwgthener of the Human Stomach,." acfr as a powerful tonieand gentle perifeiflit,. are mild m their operation, and safe under any circumstances. Sold m bottles, at Is lsd, 2s 9d, 11s, by all medicine veiidovs. throughout the world,



" Keating's Powder" destroys Bugs, Fleas, Moths, Beetles, and all other insects whilst quite harmless to domestic animals. In exterminating Beetles the success of this powder is extraordinary. Ib is perfectly cile&u m. application. See the article you I oupciia&e js -"Kuatino's," as imitations are oxious and iaeffeflt^al. Sold m Tins, 6d, Is and 2s 6d each, by all chemists. The world is e^er moving on towards perfection, butseldom attains it, Constant improvement is being made m every branch of industry, bub m Baking Fowdejs perfection has-been reached m vyarbur,fcQn;s'Can't B,e Beat. Ninian ijyslop and Co.'s "Imperial" : Oeylon and Indian Teas are direct^from the Tea Plwtatipns.—' Atfvr.V' Ask for N.jm>n Hyslop, and Co. s Imperial new seasons Pure Ceylon and fudia T.otw. Special priwsi,-; Vivt



The best medicine known is SANDER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent powerful effects m coughs, colds influenza, etc. —the relief is instantaneous Thousands give the most gratifying tcsti mony. His Majesty the King of Italy, and medical syndicates all over the globe are its patrons, head the official reports that accom pany each bottle. Mosler, M.D., Professor University, Griefswald, reports : — The Eucalypti Extract proved magnificently such cessful m very severe contusions, bruises, spiains, wounds, scaldinga, broken ribs, and limbs. ("Medical Journal," Nov., 1881).' In diseases of the kidneys, either active con gestion or suppression, (uraemia) or albumi nuria, dropsy, lithargy, nothing will equal m its action Eucalypti Extract. Doses, five to six drops. Mosler, M.D., Professor, University, Grieswald, reports :—Diphthe ria. Tonsils continually coherent presenting ulcers with white exudants. Cured m four teen days. Surgical Clinic of Prof. M'lntyre, College of Physicians and Surgeons, St. Louis —Scirrhus of Breast—Excision Euca lypti Extract employed. No swelling, heat, or discoloration. Cured m fourteen days. -Advt 4



1 On Tuesday afternoon a social was given to Rev Mr and Mrs Finlayson m the Spring burn school on the eve of their departure for Christchurch. Mrs McEae presided at the tea. This lady's many kind actions have won for her the esteem of the neighbourhood. After teft Mr Stewart, on behalf of tho • present and .others, presented a purse of sovereigns to Mrs ffinlayson, and m doing so expressed the deep -regmb of many that she was paving the district. He said that Mrs FinlaysoH deserved gres.t commen.dat.ion for the beautiful spirit «he had .show W play ing the ehnreh organ up to the very iasfc under unpleasant circumstances, ami t^t her friends m Springburn had taken this op portunity of sihowtog their appreciation of her many services. M? Finlayson m thank ing them for the honor Bhow,a ,tp Mrs Finlay son, said that her work m connetjtjon with the choir had bea» a gpeat pleasure ift h«r, and that they both feifc sorry to pa.rt w£th po many kind f'rieuds. He colluded by com mending them to the care of that unfailing Friend who would never leave nor (or^ke them. While goodbyes were ibeiug said Miss Lambie played a parthig selection on the piano. .Ninian Hyslop and Co,'s ** Imperial" pure Ceylon and Indian. Tens are the b^et ia the w»rk«t, ~^A <M *



Wanted. '* CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Office, WANTED, strong Boy ; must be able to milk and make himself ganer ally useful. Apply MR3 Ranger, Ash burton Restaurant. 2§22 WANTED, one or two Boarders m private family. Terms : 15s per week, including washing. Apply A.V., " Mail" Office. 225 iTAZKLL'tf Annual 1892, Brighter •JLL Enaland, For Light and Liberty, Uncle Piper, Slender Clue, Liviny The- 1 ' ology by Archbishop of Canterbury, , Preacher of the age, Maclaren. —H. M. " .Jokes. s .|ri|r ANTED to lease for term of years, * » with purchasing clause, ten to fifteen acres »ood land near town. . " A.Z.," Post Office. 2 24 ; :i. ■ :: ■■ , —— ■— ■ ■ ; will Cool you so quickly and -i-^ invigorate the system so much as Ice Cream. —H.G. Flower, Confectioner, Kaat {Street. '_ WANTED.. Known.--Come and see the Bargains now on at Melford House.—H. C. Segers. WAN TED Known.— At "The Corner' now selling Ladies' French Shoes. 5s lid. See them.—W. H. Collieb. -|XrANTED KNOWN,—A great pur- VV c hase of Kid Gloves, £135 10s 6d, Florencia Kid Gloves, all sizes, 4 and 6-Claap, usual price 6s lid and 8s 6d, now sold for 4s lid and 5s lid. -A. Okr's Sale. . THIRTY Pieces Dress Goods at6d ; 60 Pieces French Cashmere at Is 6d, worth 3s 6d ; 1000 Yards French Tweed, double width, at Is 9d, worth 3s 9d. All Dress Goods greatly reduced. —Andruw Okr's Cheap Sale. 1 106 I\r ANTED Known.—lf you want W plenty of first class Drapery, Boots and Clothing for cash, come to Melford House Sale.—H. 0. Skowks. OOTS, Boots.—lnfants Boots 9d, six Dozen Ladies' Elastic Side Boots, 5s 9d, Genfcs' Boots 8s 6d, Mens' Blucher Boots 5s 6d, Stanley Shoes Is lid.— Andrkw Orr s Sale. 1 ANTED KNOWN, a special lot of Hearth Rugs at Is lid, 2d 6d and 3s lid ; worth about doable. W. H. Collier. ANTED Known.—l have a large stock of Tin and Ironware Goods to select from. Register Grates, .Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m stock.—J. W. Hartley, East ■ treet. 6J202 WANTED Known.—Great Cash Sale now on at Melford House. Almost everything reduced. —H. C. Segerh. rpo Meet the Times.—l am supplying X Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s pwards, warranted for twenty years, "oroe pumps, deep well cylinders of " dessriptions. Inspection invited.— J. W. Harplky, Eas street. 6J201 SHEEP SHEARS. Having secured a Stock of the celebrated 8.8.A., and as there are very few m the Colony, Shearers are requested to call early.— Robert Alcokn* Saunders' Buildings. ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed; from 50s cash. Roberi Alcorn, Asb.burf.on Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. WANTED 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. WANTED Known.--H. Bairstow has opened tho.se premises m East street nextJ. Orr and Co., us a Furniture Warehouse. Latest designs m Vienna Ciiairs, and Iron Bedsteads on view. Having a good stock of well seasoned figured Rimu and Kauri, he is prepared to take orders for Furniture to any design. Inspection invited. 11+61 Public Notices. T7"A L E N TIN X S to suit everybody. » Just opened up. Palm Leaf Fans and Screens at 6d. Soiling fast. Also Zither Harps, three sizes, from 4s 6d. New Games, Fancy Stationery, &c. L. F. ANDfIBWES & CO., Stationers' Hall, STOCK-TAKING. BEDUCTIONS . HAVE BEEN MADE IK ALL DBPAKTMENTS. Inspection Invited. NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. W. H. WEBBER' Manager, Hollow ay's Ointment and Pills'—The combined ill effects of over-crowding, seden tary occupations, and monotony of life are only too well known to those who have to past the best p>rt ot their lives laboring m factories and crowded workrooms. The compulsory confinement weakens the general health and induces chronic constipation, in digestion, and various forms of skin diseases. Holloway's remedies arc of priceless value to persons ot this class, for they can be used without entailing loss of worV, being purely vegetable m their compositions, and conse quently act without harshness on the most •delicate system. The experience of more than forty years prove 3 that no means surpass Holloway's remedies for curing bad Jegs, bad tyreasts, pies, mi wounds of all kinds,