MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close for the following places as under, subiect to the necessary alterations :— Saturday, March 19. For Northern Ports, per Rotorua, at 0.550 I?.™. ENGLISH MAILS. HOMEWARD —DIKKCT MAILS. Kaikoura, leaving March 19, due London April 28. Doric, leaving April 2, due London May 12. SAX FRANCISCO MAILS, Monowai, leaving on February 27, due London March 30. Alameda, leaving on March 26, due London April 27. OUTWARD —DIRECT MAILS Ruahine, due colony March 21. Tongariro, due Port Chalmers March 22 SAX FRANCISCO MAILS. Mariposa, due caleny March 23

DEATH.

Richards —°n March 17, Thomas William, aged two years and ten months ; son of T. B. Richards, Maronan.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1892. A MODEL MINISTRY!

A few clays ago the Wellington "Evening Post"—a newspaper that from being a friend (of the candid order, certainly) of the Ballance Minis try has lately broken out into virulent J denunciation of the Government and all its doings—m the exercise of a vivid imagination chose to assume that it was desirable that a change of Minis try should take place, and that Sir George Grey should supersede Mr Ballance. Our contemporary then went on to indicate the probable con stitution of the Grey Ministry, saying that a Ministry " formed, say, of Sir George Grey, Mr Rolleston, Mr Sed don, Mr Macarthur, Mr J. W. Thom son, Mr La wry, and Mr Buckley could scarcely be termed even a Coalition Ministry, because there would be no strong party lines of demarcation be tween any of its component parts." Such a Ministry, the '.'Post" added, would be " a really Liberal Ministry, and, as far as anyone could predict, a solid combination, m whose hands the best interests of the colony would be safe." We will not dispute while we certainly do not endorse, this opinion regarding the proposed combination. It will be sufficient to show that the idea of such a combination is utterly impracticable, It is, to begin with, beyond the region of probability that Sir George Grey will ever again havethe op portunity of forminga Ministry, indeed, it is extremely improbable that he will again even li^lcl a portfolio. If there is one man m the House who leads an assured minority that man is Sir George Grey. Circumstances might arise m which he would be the means of defeating the Government, but it could only be by the assistance of the Opposition, and it is quite certain that such resolute seekers for and clingers to office as that party has ever been would not meekly surrender to Sir George the spoils of the victors. As for joining with him m forming a coalition Ministry from the Opposition and Middle parties, the very thought is ridiculous. However little Sir George may love Mr Ballance's Minis try he assuredly loves the Conser vatives less. The temperament of the veteran is another effectual bar to the realisation of the t: Post's" scheme. He is simply impossible as a leader and impracticable as a coadjutor, ar.d the " Post " pays a poor compliment to the common sense cf its readers m asking them to take as serious the suggestion of a Ministry m which he must be one or the other. His poli tical course attracts attention now-a days only because of the curiosity which is constantly felt as to what his next move will be. Our contem porary should give a dash, at least, of probability to his imaginative writ ings.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Four pounds of gold have been collected from the soot of the chimney of the Roya' Mint m Berlin. The proposed Agricultural Associations Conference, which was to have taken place at Christchurch to-morrow, has been post poned, the notice being found too short to make the necessary arrangements. Tuesday's " Wellington Evening Post" says: —In his excellent letter published m our supplement on Saturday, the Rev C. S. Ogg wrote that certain tilings were calcu lated to "provoke cynics to sneer." The wicked compositor converted the latter word int.T " swear." What the writer of the letter did on reading the misprint we cannot say. The Pahiatua "Star" says:—There are cows and cows, but the cow we heard of m the Tenui district wants beating as a milk pn.dueing machine. Her yield for several weeks after calving was eleven gallons a day —six m the morning and five at night. We can produce witnesses to prove this state ment. The Manawatu Railway Company intend trying an ingenious invention by which the guard by moving a bar indicates m each carriage the name of the next station. A small bell is rung at the same time to attract the attention of those m tho carriage. The names of the stations are painted m letters large enough to be seen from any part of the carriage. The annual report of the Canterbury Agri cultural and Pastoral Association states that the receipts for the year were £3027, and the payments £2993, leaving an over draft of £3858, or £34 less than last year. There are 485 annual, and 139 life members. The committee have decided to bell the old show grounds at Sydenham, aud extinguish the overdraft. The funeral of the late E. Burrows, who died suddenly at Balfasfc wool works, (not at Oifkin's as previously stated) on Tuesday last, took place }'esterday morn ing at the Avonside Churchyard. Over twenty members of the Stantnore band, of which'the deceased was a member, preceded the remains of their late comrade to the grave, playing the " Dead March " en route to the cemetery. The first trial of Larkin and Cleary, of the •South Melbourne Building Society, resulted m a disagree nent of the jury, though the ! judge sum ned up strongly against them. It is Said quite openly that a minority of the Jury refused to be convinced, and there vare very angry scenes m the jury room. i Meantime, Larkin and (Jleary have both | been allowed out on bail, and the cable has ! informed us that Larkiu has made use of his liberty and cleared out. j A Wellington telegram says :— Captain Fox, the new Commandant, was reported as arriving at Albany m the Arcadia, but though his name is ascertained to have been on thi' passenger list, he was not on board, nor did he come m the Ooeana. The Minister for Defence cabled to him, but could get no reply, which led to inquiries being institute:!, with tha above result. The London correspondent of the Dunedin " Star" writes that Captain Fox's departure was delayed by a severe attack of illness. Of the" failure of Mr Henry Hoare, late banker, of Bryanston square and Staplehurst, wiio lias a large amount of landed property m New Zealand, the London correspondent of the "Star" writes:—The liabilities are ,C472,r>33 (of which £ 124,419 U " unsecured ") and assets £12,700. Mr Hoare attributes his failure partly to losses m company invest ments and partly to heavy depreciation m the value of land m New Zealand. There are charges to the amount of £ 120,000 on his estate m the latter colony, \s Ijjcli must surely be of prodigious extent. The "Pdhiatua Stay" says:—Those persons who are anticipating making a home on the eastern slopes of the Pukelois may look forward to having some peculiar neighbours. A sheep fanner out there, the other day, hearing that his neighbour was must ering, sent his shepherd to see if then* were any stragglers m the mob. The fanrer who has mustered was so irate at this encroachment on his domain that ho shot two of the shepherd's dogs, and threataneel to shoot the man himself if he did WQt loavu.

A special service for young people will be J held ill the Presbyterian Church this even- | ing at half past six by the Rev. D. D. ; Roger. At nine o'clock yesterday morning it was raining all over the colony except at the j Bluff, where the weather was reported to be gloomy. I Just before going to press we received a cable message giving further particulars ot • the career of Williams, who is charged with having committed the Windsor murder. This and other news messages which we are compelled to hold over will appear m to-morrow morning's Mail. Mrs McCalluin, phrenologist and palmist, who has achieved great success m other centies, has arrived m Ashburton and wishes it to be blown that she only proposes to make a shorl stay here. She may be con sulted at her rooms at Henry's Commercial hotel. The " Peterhead Sentinel " of January 10 reports that m addition to the vessels Captain Gruy, of Dundee, is fitting out for the projected Antarctic voyage, there arc 1 ;hree other vessels belonging to another owner, which it is proposed shall' be fittc.l out tor the Antarctic seas. These are the Diana, the Active and Balama. The three vessels were fust to leave Dundee for the forthcoming sealing season at Greenland, and on their return were to be refitted for the Antarctic voyage, leaving probably about the end of July. There is great rejoicing among the mem bers of the' Fire Brigade at the excellent nerformauoes of their team at the Christ church competitions. The two-men manual competition was the best as well as the fast est work the judges had seen, and the five men manual was a phenomenal performance the time being only 44 4-sth sec, but un fortunately a fine of 4sec. was incurred by two buttons of the tunic of.one of the team being unfastened at the end of the trial. This competition will not finish till to morrow, but most of the crack teams have competed, and it is not anticipated that they will be defeated. A branch of the now well-known Girls' Friendly Society was recently formed m Ashburton.' Members have flocked into it, j and it has out-grown the accommodation provided by St. Stephen's Parsonage. It has been decided that the Society shall, as soon as possible, meet m the room at. the back of St. Stephen's Schoolroom. This room is, however,at present b ire of furniture, and the members of the Society have arranged to give a grand concert next Friday, March 25, m order to provide funds for this very necessary work. The concert will be conducted by Mr Horace Gates, whose orchestra, under the leadership of Mr Charles Wood, will take a leading pait therein. Several of the leading amateurs have very kindly promised their help; their names will be advertised next week. The following is an exact copy of a notice posted up on a section m the neighborhood of Ashburton :— " N. I C E anx preson trestem hear will be prest by order." This h a very choice specimen of " Kughsh as she is wrote" by the proprietor, and is supposed to be intended to read " Any person trespassing here will be prosecuted. By order," Towards the cm} of Februai y a tragedy occurred on Ccoiwell Downs Station, near the Queensland border, m South Australian territory. The station blacks, m company with a' tribe of wild blacks, attacked the station hands, and two white men named Clarkb and Deloyete were murdered. A strong feeling was aroused m the vicinity, and the available policy stationed m the dis trict of Anthony Lagoon, m company with .a number of neighbouring settlers, started m pursuit. Recently the Queensland police wee communicated with m consequence of the difficulty of obtaining information direct by the South Australian authorities, and a telegram received by the Commissioner of Police states that the avenging p irty came into collision with the blacks, several of whom were shot dead, and that a strong p-.ir'y of settlers is still pursuing the aboriginals. In the aelion of the Commissioner of Customs v Sharland and Co., chemists and druggists, Auckland, for breach of the Customs laws by alleged payment of insuffi cient duty on pills, and misrepresentation as to the value of certain pills imported, the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff on the first cause of action for the amount claimed, £1900, or treble the value of the s/oods, and on the second cause of action, a claim of £980, the verdict was for the defendants. It was shown m the first case that the pills were imported as "druggists' 8-.in.lnes," whereas they were pills sold as Mother Siegel's Pills, and m the second case, that m which the verdict was given for defendants, it was charged that the firm having imported a certain quantity of Mother Siegel's Pills represented their value to be only 4s per pound, whereas the value is 3s 6d per dozen boxes. The "Glasgow Weekly Herald" says that the enterprising oolouist emulates the enterprising foreigner m doing his best to make it uncomfortable for the unhappy few who, for lack of pluck or pelf, are content to vegetate m Great Britain. It would almost appear that the only occupation left for British humanity to engage m soon will be to do one another's washing. We have nearly everything m ide m Germany now-a days, and we are gttting much of our fruit and food stuffs from our km beyond the seas. Tinned rabbits, tinned turkey, tinned oysters, and tinned salmon are now con sumed m enormous quantities m the British Islands, aud though tinned beef seriously jeopardised the existence of the British cow, the fact that we have still a weakness for fresh milk and fresh butter led to the hope that the bovine race might still find a sphere of usefulness m these much-importing islands. But at last the fiat has gone forth. The occupation of tho British crummie has gone, and when the millennial three acre- j period arrives sor.ie other kind of live stock | will have to be selected to make the surviving agricultural labourer as happy as his lonely condition will allow. Silt butter made m New Zealand creameries has been on sale here for some time, but it is only within the past few days that fresh butcer from the same country has been placed upon the Glas gow market. It is made up m lib blocks, kept fresh m a cool chamber on shipboard throughout the long voyage of over 11,000 miles frqm New Zealand, and can be retailed here at about (s 4d per lb. This is surely the last straw. The.se one pound pats of butter cannot fail to have a lubricating in fluence on the rails of the commercial switchback down which the United King ■ dom is descending, find it might be worth considering whether, instead of vexing our selves about defects m the navy, it would not be wiser to sell ofl the whole concern as a job lot, turn the British Islands into a gigantic poorhouse, and tax the colonies whom "\ye have nursed m our bosom for our .support, We clip the following important testiin vial from tho " Illawarra Mercury " (N. S, W of the 30th March. It needs no comment: — "Mr John Lovcday, of the Bulli Mountains writes to us that after suffering for four years with avutu gravel, he has experienced almost complete relief by using Sander and Sons Eucalyptie Extract, lie says: -" Seeing the said Extract advertised m the ' Ilia warn Mercury,' his intense suffering induced him to obtain a bottle of the medicine from Mr Hosking, chemist, of this town, and that the use of it gave him great relief at once. He states that between 10th March inst., when lie obtained the first bottle of the extract, and the 19th, the use of that medicine continued to afford him relief, to which he had been a stranger for four years. Mr Loveday writes also that he lias found the Eucalypti Extract 'i cure for rheumatism as well as'gravcl. He requests us to publish this information through the ' Mercury.' We have much pleasure m complying with Mi Lovcday's request, whoso word cannot be doubted, and who can have no object m view o'thej,- than a pure desire to benefit suffering humanity. "—(Advt.) 2

The Steamer Elginshire

[WR pitESS AH.-SOCIATION, I

TiMUiU, March 17. The underwriters have decided to make an attempt; to Moat the Elginshire as sl.e stands, and will commence operations as sjvcm as the wcathgr clears,

THE WINDSOR MURDER

[rEIi PRESS ASSOCIATION.

THE ENGLISH DISCOVERIES.

London, March 16 When Williams arrived at Rtiinhill I, m July his clothes were dirfcy and disarranged, and lift had every ap pearance of having travelled a long distance. Ho put up at the Com mercial Hotel m the village, and engaged a bedroom. lie had very little°luggage with him. Shortly after his arrival'he was visited by a lady whom he described as his sister. She only called one?, and he afterwards gave out that she had gone to Port Said. Williams had not been long m llainhill before lie rented Denhain Villa, paying six: months' rent m advance. The house was situated m a lonely locality, and his excuse was that lie wanted it for a Colonel Brooks, who, however, never put m an appearance. Williams paid a flying visit to Liver pool, where he purchased furniture for the house. He tried to exclude all visitors from the premises, but m spite of his efforts a woman and two or three children were observed to gain ad mittance. Someone remarked upon this to Williams, but he was ready with an explanation, saying that the visitors were his sister and. her children, who had gone away, but returned unexpectedly. Some time alter this Williams complained to the landlord that the drainage of the villa was defective, and explained that he had been repairing the floors, and had employed a plasterer to complete the work of cementing the hearth. This was followed by a complaint from the char woman, with regard to the offensive smell about the premises. Williams then lett the house and returned to the Commercial Hotel, where lie took up his abode, disposing of the furniture at the villa for what it would bring. It was after his return to the hotel that Williams entertained seventeen of the villagers to a banquet, during which he announced that he intended to marry Mary Mather. He showed his guests the amount of money he had m 1 his possession, and displayed his dia monds and other articles of jewellery. Oa several subsequent occasions heap- j peared m public m military uniform. After his engsgement to Miss Mather he lodged Avith her parents. The mar-! riagetook place hurriedly early m the morning, and the newly wedded couple left the village very suddenly. Strong objection was taken to the marriage by the girl's brother, but the other meirbersof the family saw no reason why the union should not take place. To-day the police broke the cement casing under the floor. After digging for over an hour they were met by a sickening smell, which almost com pelled them to retreat from the vicinity. When, the broken pieces of cement were cleared away a tablecloth and a woman's apron were exposed to view, and under these they lirst dis covered the bodies of a woman and two children wrapped m oilcloth and a quantity of Turkish towelling. The woman was lying on her back between the two children, who were lying with their faces downward. Further ex ploriugs revealed the bodies of a boy and another girl buried at their mother's feet. All the bodies were buried m cement. The ages of the children were nine, seven, and live years, and eighteen months lespectivety, while the woman's age was about thirty-five years. About the time he cemented the floor Williams must have been courting MissMather, and the police have ascertained that he bought four barrels of cement, paying for them m Miss Mather's name. The revelations have caused intense excitement m llainhill and Liverpool, and the public wildly declare that "Jack the Ripper" has now been discovered. March 17. The children found under the floor of the house occupied by Williams m llainhall had only their night-shirts ou, but the woman was fully dressed, her clothes being of a particularly rich character. Her features were rather dark, and she was apparently a half caste. A rope was tied tightly round her body.

Wellington, March 17. A man, believed to be Williams, the Windsor murderer, w?is m Wellington during 1888, when he was a clothes hawker and swindled a Cuba street shop keeper out of £80. He is believed to have "one from New Zealand to South Africa.

St Patrick's Day.

THE CONVENT CONCERT

The concert m aid of the Convene schools is now a fixed event for St Pat rick's night, and notwithstanding the unpropitious circumstances as regards weather, under which the concert cime off last niuht, the hall was crowded. What the attendance would have boon had the weather been of the best is not pleas ing to speculate upon, for as it was, every available seat m the building, was occupied, aud the passages weru filled with young men glad to utilise the stand ing r<»>u<, and tin- atmosphere was so ho'Titod as to be nut altogether pleasant. An excellent programme had been prepared, the items of which comprised as nice a selection of music calculated to please the ear of a popular audience as c->uld well have been m™do, and Mr H. A. Gates, the conductor, as well as the singers who were under him, have to be congratulated !on the good taste displayed hi the selection, and on the nice way m which every item was given. It seemed, to use I a sporting phrase, as if that night was "the night out" of every performer, for everybody appeared to be m excellent voice, and on the very best of terms with the piano. It is to be regretted that by an unfortunate accident Mr P. Williams was unable to be present, and the items set a.ainst his nr.me and that of Mrs Wil liams had to be eliminated from the programme. Their places, however, were filled by Mr Kiely, a member of the well-known "Black Swans " company, of Christchurch, who came at a moment's notice, and contributed two very amusing nimrer items. The first part of the programme opened with an overture by the Orchestral Society—a garland of Irish melodies, entitled '' Colleenßawn," nicely arranged, and very well played. This was followed by the singing of Tom Moore's " Go whore glory waits thee " by the company. The song, set to the old melody "The maid of the valley " as a part song, was well taken by the singers, and received the applause i;.- merited. MrM.il.som, always welco:ne, sang an amusing song "Three Men m a Boat " m hjs usual amusing way, and was followed by the Misses IHifcb^ m the

v Flower-Gatherers" duet. The second part was taken by Miss Mary Butler, whoso line alto voico we hoar only too seldom. Miss Trephine showed none of the nervousness on this oocassion which has on one or two occasions somewhat interfered with her sinking, and m tiic 'net wirh her sister as well as m the " D>;ar Little Shamrock " which .she gave m the ■.second pat*", with tho "Flowers of the Forest " as an encore, she was heard as she certainly never has been heard m that h.dl before, and gave her audience a ! '-U*e;it treat. The other singers m this part were Miss Fox, who gave the taking little ditty "Barney O'Hea" with the requisite amount of archness, Mr J. B. Kirk, whose somic songs aro so 1.-iuuhtur provoking that he usually has to respond to mi end of encores, and would have had to do so on this occasion if Mr Gates had not been firm m his detornrition to get through the long programme at somethiiiL' like a decent hour ; Mr Hiugins, who san<^ " The Harp that Once " with his usual effect, airl Mr Flower, who was m grand voice and sang "Tell Her I Love Her so " with much taste and ex pression. Mr J, Stevenson wiw also to the front m this part, and gave "Good Bye, Mavourneen" m a sweetly pretty style, that at once put him on a;ood terms with ni.s audience. Stephen Glover's duet " What aro the "Wild Waves Say ing " by Miss Henry and Mr H. A. Gates was a finished performance, and showed how much real musical enjoyment is to be obtained from duet singing, a class of vocal work altogether too much neglected by the promoters of amateur concerts m Asliburton. The Misses Sutherland and Do vane played a piano duet with a fineness of touch that was a real pleasure to listen to, and the youn;j ladies' excellent playing has very much enchanced the reputation of the i hall piano. The dancing items m this part consisted of a foursome reel by the Laghmor Highlanders, a Highland' fling by Mr Donald Mac Lean, and a hornpipe by Mr E. O'Sullivan. Toe second part opened with a selection from the "Bohemian Girl" by the orchestra, admirably played, as was also a piano duet by Mrs Olaridge and Miss Kelly, the latter little lady playing tho primo with remarkable cleverness. The songs m this part were given by Miss Henry -" Kemember me no more " ; Miss T. Butler, as already mentioned ; Mr J. B. Kirk, who was very amusing ; Mr Frank Henry, who sang " Bally hooley " m character, making a decided hit ; and Mr Mac Lean Dunn, who con tributed a song entitled " Soggarth Aroon," the words by Major-Steward, wlo was good enough to lend his aid al most at a moment's notice, thus enabl ng the singer to keep faith with the audience after he had lost the original words of the song, which could not be supplied m the district. Tho dancers m this part were Mr George Morrison, "Soauntreiis and Gillie Callum," and a team of Irish dancers—Messrs O'Loghlin, D. Brick, and the Brothers Fitzgerald — who gave an Irish reel very gracefully, llev. Father Chastaguon thanked the performers for the help they had given, paying a graceful compliment to Major Steward for the song he had written, thanking him for the spirit that breathed throughout its every line, and explaining tliat the words " Sogsrarth Arooti " wore the native Irish for " dear priest." Tho ulMiiks passed, the most successful concert •jfivon m tlnshallform-my a day was closed by the singing of God Save the Queen.

THE MARKETS.

(,I'ER I'RKSS ASSOCIATION.)

London. March 16. The amount of whc-it and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 3,488,000 quarters, anil for the Continent .l,3f>0,00() quarters. The American visible wheat supp'y is C3timatcd at 03,600,000 bushels. St. Pktukkbl'KO. March 16. The prospects of the Hussian crops ;ire good. Tlie New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association report hiving received thefollow ing cable from their London office dated 16th instant:—The present price and state of the market at Mark Lane for New Zealand short-berried wheat is 403 per quarter of 49611)3, ex granary, sacks extra. Oats 27s ; cocksfoot 40s.

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves responsible for (he opinions expiessed by our correspondents.)

YOUNG MEN'S CLUB.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir—l see by your paper that the lead ing guns of Asliburton are trying to start a Young Men's Club. A great boon to the homeless young men ! I would suggest that these men try and persuade these homeless young men to marry. Then each one would have a club of his own. If these good men of Asliburton, who always work for the good of the public, and have the interests of the young men so much at heart, would trj and obtain a weekly half holiday, it would strengthen their cause immensely, and be the means of making their Club.—l am, etc., Content. Asliburton, March 18.

Why the School Attend ance Falls Off.

The following are a tew excuses written by the parents of children who had absented themselves from State schools :— " Sic peter is not butter yet, but will como m the moaning." " The raisin is becars tomerds dodd has bun ripent is becors the childerens had npen ooofe." .Not many who saw the original would read it m its correct form—viz , "The reason Thomas Dodd has been absent is because the children have had whooping cough." '"Please excuse the barer roberfc who is como tins morning i<>v been oil' buka.se he had ihe tooaok." The bearer of this had inothaebe. .■ *• I am sorry that j>n is of skule as ht is vei'i-y poorly and not cable to sit up from his number." This translated into English means that "John is very poorly and nqf. abla to sit up, From his mother." "This is to certify that the bearer is absent owing to no fault of anybody but the aihowstorm." "Do not kane our joe has he aa been bad, and it as cost me a lot of doeters bills to the head master." •'Sur Tom has been sick and bad all night with been very poorely and have had to poults his back, and help him to keep his heart up, for you know he frets a lot! to hisself." " Sir I aye to kepe georg of school on ffiday Afternoon has I wash on saterdrys." It is a mystery to me, as I have no doubt it will be to many who read this, what reason washing on Saturdays (which seems a strange day to do a washing upon) had to do with him slaying off on Fridays. "Sir i am sorrey that Harry was hapsent but, if he is apsent agane I will let you know." Fancy this answer being sent m reply to one asking the reason of the child's absence. " Sir the reiaison my boy was hapseno was because I overslept myself and was not well myself with pains m the head.' " Plese excuse little davy being of, as / had to mind the baby." " You will see by this that I certify that our John cannot come because he is bad, and I am fritened ho i* going to take something very smittle like fever." "I think thaf children are worked over hard Hke so 1 thought i would keep him off to carry and chop the woqd and clean up."—Exchange. " •

N. Z. Rifle Association.

[PKtt PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

This afternoon the rifle championship ; was decided, and proved to bo one of the nnst exciting ever fired by the Associa tion. Purnell and Doughy, Auckland, tied, l»ut m firing: off Doughty male .six teen m his five shots, and Pur.,ell only eleven. Jones finished only one point behind the leulers, while Spiers was a point behind Jones. The following was the result : — Champion Match added to previous aggregate, 10 <hots at 700 yards. Sergeant Doughty, Auckland Artillery, 31, total 50!), champion riile belt, gold star, and £35. Major Purneli, Wanganui, 30, total 509 silver star and £'25. Private T. Jones, Wakari Rillos, 32, total 507, silwr stir and £20. Spiers, Oamaru Rifle-, 27, total 500, .silver star and £15. Private A. Ballinger, Wellington Guards, 34, total 603, £10. Gunner Taylor, Auckland Artillery, 32, total 499, £5. Serjeant Parslow, Aucklavid Artillery, 36, total 490, £5. Lieutenant Ross, Napier, 34, total 496, £5. Private McCarthy, Wakiri Rifljs, 32, total 492, £5. Sergeant rtonntag, Wakari, 28, total 491, and P.O. Se.lgivick, Pefcone Navals, li(>, total 491, tied for 10th prize, £5, and will tire off. Bandsman King, of Oamaru, and Captain McKetch, of Tuapeka, 40 each, being the highest scores m this match tied for fche riile cup, and will lire oil. Before the men commenced the final stage of the Championship, the Minister of Defence stated that the Govei nment intended to present the champion with a gold medal, and he himself would present the highest scorer for the District Representation Match with a magazine nlie, but m the event of the winner not being m the winning team, he would present the highest scorer m the latter with a Martini-Henri rifle. Doughty takes the Government gjld medrU, and McJalluin, of Auckland, the magazina riile, with the wonderful score of 70 out of a possible 70 at 500 and 000 yards. District Representative Match—- -Vel lington, 1090 ; Ocago, 1078 ; Auckland, 10(59 ; Christchurch, 1031 ; Wanganui, 1040 ; Napier, 1040 ; Taranaki, 1040. The Press match is abandoned. It is raining heavily again to-night. At the annual mooting m the evening Major Somecville stated that his health would not admit of his taking any active work of the Association m future. He was not likely to improve, and though not undertaking any hard work he would always be pleased to assist the Association m any way possible. A motion that ties m the prize list should divide instead of counting the tolfl value of hits on the inverse order of shots as at present was rejected, as was also a motion that the 700 yards range be abolished, and larger targets be obtained so that tiring should take place at 800 yards and 90l) yards. It was resolved that nexl; meeting of the Association be held eariy m January, also that Major Somcrville, Major Donald, and Captain Coliins, be trustees for the new range. A communication was received from the Council of the Rifle Association of Aus tralasia, asking the New Zealand Associa tion to join their Council, and intimating that if iNow Zealand sends a team to the acw South Wales meeting m October next, the visit would be reciprocated. On the motion of Major Donald, it was resolved that New ijcaland should affiliate with the Federated Associations m Australia, and that the question of sending a team be left to the Council to arrange «-i!h tin varin^ ilisi.'■!;.•!:». \. resolution was carried, thanki.iy Mrs Ormsby, of Wellington, for the manner m which she had carried out the catering arrangements. Members expressed the opinion thai; the catering was the best for years. It was resolved that it be an instruction to the Council to make entries for com panies close at the same time as other entries. The appointment of an executive officer to take work off Major Souierville's hands was left to the Council to decide. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Major Somerville. ISergeant Salek, Ashburton, was elected a member of the Council.

The Fire Brigades' Demonstration.

(per press association.)

Chbistchurch, March 17. The Fire Brigades' competition was continued to-day. The weather was wet, but about 000 people attended. The following were the results : — Ladder Rescue ; two men. Senior foreman Morrison and junior branchman Mitchell (Gisborne), 20sec, 1; foreman Campbell and fireman Harrison (Marton), 21sec, 2 ; branchman J. Eraser and fire man W. Condon (Christchurch City), 23 4-sth sec, 3. Manual Eitoinr Dry ; two men. Fore man Nokes and branchman Compton (Ashburton), 38sec, 1 ; foreman Strachan and fireman Campbell (Timaru) 39 4-sth sec (including lsec penalty), 2 ; Foreman Hosking and fireman Gordon (Palmerston ( North), 41 l-sth sec, 3. Feilding 41 2-sth sec, Woodville 42 2-sth sec, and Gore 42 sec, were the best of the others. IJose aisd Hydrant ; five men.Naseby, 56 2-sth sec, 1 ; South Dunedin, CQsec, 2; ' Wanganui, 61 3-sih sec, 3. Gore, (55sec, Marton. 67sec, and Palmerston North, 6'7sec, were the best of the others. j The manual engine event for five men is not completed. Ten teams have com peted, and Ashburton is leading with 48 4-sth sec. The competitions will be resumed on Saturday.

The Charge of the Light Brigade.

THE RUSSIAN POINT OF VIEW.

Renter's special correspondent now m Russia met m the course of his investi gations a steward, Ivan Tvanovitch, who had been through the Crimean War. He was wounded at Balaclava, and gave me (the correspondent writes) a vivid description of the charge of the Light Brigade :—-" We were so sorry for them, he said, they were such fine fellows, and they had such splendid horses. It was the maddest thing that was evor done. I cannot understand it. They broke through our lines, took our artillery, and then, instead of capturing our guns and making off with them, they went for us. I had been m charge of the Heavy Brigade m the morning, and was slightly wounded. We had all unsaddled, and were very tired. Suddenly we were told, 'The English are coming.' 'Confound them,' we said. My colonel was very angry, and ordered his men to give no quarter. I was lying at some distance with my wound bandaged when I saw them coining. They came on magnificently. We thought they were drunk from the way they held their lances. Instead of holding them under their armpits they waved (hem m the air, and, of course, they were easier to guard against like that. The men were mad, sir. They never seemed to think of the tremendous odds against them, or of the frightful carnage that had taken place m their- ranks m the course of that long desperate ride. They dashed m among us, shouting, cheering, and cursing. I never saw anything like it. They seemed perfectly irresistible, and. ou.r fellows were

quite demoralised. The fatal mistaKO we. made m the morning was to receive the charge of your Heavy Brigade standing instead of meeting it with a counter shock. We had so many more mwn than yon, that had we continued our charge downhi'l, instead of calling a halt just at tho critical moment., we should have carried everything before us. The charge of your Heavy Brigade was magnificent, but they had to thank our bad manage ment for the victory. We liked your fellows. When our men took prisjners they used to trive them our vodka. Awful stuff it was, more like spirits of wine than anything cl-e. Your fellows u-;cl to offer us their rum m exchange, but we did not care for it ; it was too soft and mild. The lluw.ian soldier must have his vodka,"

TELEGRAPHIC. HOME AND FOREIGN.

PER I'ICBSS ASSOCIATION.

THE BANK AMALGAMATION.

London, March 16. The amalgamation of the Union and South Australian Banks have been completed, subject to ratification by the shareholders of: the latter. The Union will not isssu?, further capital. In a circular issued with reference to the amalgamation of the Union and South Australian Banks, the Directors of the latter institution state that it was provisionally agreed that the Union Bank should take over their business as a going concern and dis charge all liabilities, all the assets, with the exception of £569,000, to be taken over subject to valuation. If there is a surplus it is to belong to the share holders of the Bank of South Aus tralia, and if a deficit it is to be made good out of the exempted assets, which will be realised for the benefit of shareholders. The Directors explained that they deemed it expedient to enter into negotiations for the amalgamation m order to safeguard the interest of shareholders, as the price of shares was falling and deposits were being with drawn. Details of the agreement will be submitted to a meeting of share holders to be held on the 25th inst. ( It is now rumored that one share m the Union Bank is to be allotted for four .shares m the South Australian Bank. MURIETTA.'S ESTATE. The Court has appointed a receiver for six months m Murietra's estate. The linn raised no objection. The outstanding assets m the estate amount to £4,300,000. THE NEW GOVERNOR. Mr Perceval has applied to the Admiralty to furnish a man-of-war to convey Lord Glasgow from Sydney to New Zealand. ART MUSEUM FOR NEW ZEALAND. Mr Justice Chitty has ordered the English Trustees m McKelvie's estate to pay the New Zealand trustees £37,000 to establish an art museum m New Zealand. WELSH FAIR RENT BILL. In the House of Commons, Mr T. E. Ellis, M.P. for Merioneth, moved the .second reading of the Welsh Bill pro viding for security of tenure and fair rent. Mr Gladstone opposed the measure, saying that the question was not yet ripe for serious consideration. The second reading was negatived by a large majority. OBITUARY. The death is announced of Dr. William Smith, Roman Catholic Arch bishop of Rdm burgh. GENERAL BOOTH. London, March 17. General Booth intends to tour the Continent m connection with his scheme for the rescue of the sub merged tenth. The tour will be carried out on similar lines to the one he recently made m Australia and New Zealand. j MURDER BY A POACHER. The Libei'al press is making vehe ment appeals for the reprieve of the poacher who was condemned to death for murder, m Bucks, m December, on the ground that it was committed m self defence. The Home Secretary, however, refuses to listen to the appeal. THE GREAT PEARL CASE. Mrs Osborne, who was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment for perjury m the celebrated pearl case, is suffering from epileptic hysteria m Holloway gaol. A relative who had left her ■ £40,000 m his will is reported to have revoked the bequest. The Irish women have sent m a petition for the release of Mrs Osborne. THE COAL CRISIS. The price of coal m London has fallen 4s per ton. Tne general belief is that the strike will not last long. LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL. Lord Rosebery has been formally elected chairman of the London County Council. THE ANARCHISTS. Paris, March 16. The Anarchists are sending threaten ing letters to the bankers and notables m Paris. Tn consequence of the threats of the ! Anarchists, the number of sentries ! guarding the public buildings m the city has been doubled. Brussels, March 17. Three Belgian Anarchists have been sentenced to fifteen years' imprison ment for stealing 72,000 dynamite cartridges. r

THE NEW ORLEANS

LYNCHINGS. Washington, March 1(3. Diplomatic relations between Italy and the United States have been re newed. The United States Govern ment have agreed to vote a sum of money to the families of the Sicilians ' who were lynched at New Orleans. THE RUSSIAN BANK FAILURE. St. Petersburg, March 17. It has transpired that the Czar for bade the Minister of Finance to ad-1 vance 5,000,000fr to save Gunsberg's Bank. The assets of the institution are expected to be sufficient to meet all liabilities. Considerable distress has been caused by the failure of the Bank. Lonihks. March 16. Gunsberg's Bank has branches m Berlin and Paris where the losses will ibe serious. The London branch only did a small business, and it is believed the assets there will be ample to cover the deficiency. 1 The failure of Gunslierg's Bank is attributed by the management to the persecution of the Jews,

SPORTING.

HAWKE'S BAY AUTUMN MEETING.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Hastings, March 17. The weather w.is showery for the first; day of the Jockey Club's Autumn vjeeliug bub the attendance was large. £5704 was put through the machines. The following arc the results of the racing:— Autumn Handicap, of 75 soys ; one mile.—Scot Free, Bst 41b, t ; Dreamland, 7sbßl\ t ; Kupanga, 7si 41b, (carried 2 b over) 3. Ten started. The dead-heaters divided. Time— limn 44 3-sth sec. Dividend—on ticoc Free £6 Bs, and on ' ' Dreamland £3. First Handicap Huudles ; 100 .coys ; two miles. —Waterbury, 10.st, 1 ; Cour auto, list 71b, 2 ; Hiamoe, 9.st 71b, 3. Six staited Won by a neck. Time— 4miu Bsec. Dividend—£s 16s. llawke's Bay Handicap ; 400 soys ; o\e mile and three quarters. Crown Jewel, 7st 61b (mcl. 101 b pen.) 1 Retina, 7st 51b ... ... 2 Lochness,' 7st 61b ... 3 Cynisca 9st, Crackshot Bst 101 b, Morion Bst 71 b, Kotuku 7st 111 b, Thame 7st 51b, Krina 7st 411), Fani 7*t 31b, The Dreamer 7st 21b, Pearl Powder 7«i- lib, Torpedo 6sfc 121 b, Seraph 6si lllb, and Maid of Lome, 6st 101 b a^so staited, A magnificent race from start to finish, and won by a bare half length. Time—3min. 8 l-sth sec Dividend—£l6. Nuksbry Handicap; 100 soys; six furlongs.—North Atlantic, 9st, 1; Variety, Bst 41b, 2, Ua, B.st 121 b, 3. Six ran. Yon by three-quarters of a length. Time—lmml9th 2-5 sec. Dividend— £2 Bs. High Weight Handicap ; 50 soys ; once round.—Link, Bst 121 b, 1; Muske teer, Bst 71b, 2; Kopua, B^t 121 b, 3. Eit'ht started. Won by a neck. Time— lmin 57 4-sth sea. Dividend—£4 9.3. Trial Handicap ; 30sovs ; oncer>und. —INemoralis, 63t lllb, 1; Silver Mine, 7st 21b, 2 ; Oomo, Bat 21b, 3. Seven ran. Won by two clear lengths. Tiaie-—lmin 563ec. Dividend—£2o Is. Railway Stakes ; 100 soys ; six fur longs.—Wakawatea, 7st 31b, 1 ; Scot Free, Bst 61b, 2 ; Whisper, 9st 61b, 3. Nine star.cd. Won easily by a length. Time—lmin 17 2-sth stc. lividend — £2 4s.

CRICKET.

ENGLAND V. VICTORIA.

| PER FRfcSS A33OCIATION]

Mklboi'kne, March 17. The-re turn match between the Victorian Eleven and the Englishmen was com menced to-day. The former went first to the wickets, and were all disposed of for 137, McLeod 33, and Bruce 54 being the highest scorers. At the close of the day's p!ay Lord Sheffields team had lost two wickets for 72.

THE ASHBURTON GITAKDIAN : FBI DAY, MARCH |8, 1892.



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Fublio Notices. ST. STEPHEN'S SCHOOLROOM, ASHBURTON. Friday, Marcli 25. GBAND "CONCERT IN aid of the Fuiuls of the GIRLf FRIENDLY SOCIETY. Conductor—Mr Horace Gates. Admission, Is ; children, 6d. Commence at 8 p.m. 3§124 McDowell v. g. smith. Under Distress Warrant from the R.M, Court, Ashburton. TO BE SOLD by Public Auction at the Hinds on MONDAY, the 21st day of March, 1892, Three Stacks of WHEAT. Sale at 12 o'clock sharp. A. M. PEARSON, 3*119 Bailiff R.M. Court, Ashburton. FUNEKAL NOTICE, THE Friends of Ma Benjamin Wil liamson are respectfully informed that his Funeral will move from his residence, Elgin, on SATURD VY, the 19th inst., at 11 o'clock m the forenoon, for tho Ashburton Cemetery. BAKER BROS., 3 117 Undertakers. FUNERAL NOTICE. THE friends of Mr T. B. Richards, of Maronan, are invited to follow th e remains of hia late son Thomas William, which will be interred m the Winslow Cemetery on SATURDAY, 19fch inst., at 1 p. m. 3 122 MR T BULLOCK SATURDAY, MARCH ISL " Mil T. BULLOCK will Sell by Public Auction at the Arcade on the above date, on account of Mr James Ltc Goon, —His property on the East [ Belt, being Lot 75, containing 38 perches, on which is erected a Four-roomed Cottage now m the occupation of Mr Hicks. This property must be sold. Sale at 11 a.m. ~~T. BULLOCK, 3199 Auctioneer. j SATURDAY, MARCH 26. COMMODIOUS DWELLING HOUSE & LAND, BEACH ROAD, HAMPSTEAft MR T. BULLOCK has received in structions from Dr. Trevor, to Sell by Public Auction at the Arcade on the above date,— DWELLING HOUSE of seven Rooms with Verandah and Bay Window, together with HALF-ACRE LAND, Being; part of LOT 19 and part of R.S. 4949, situated at the corner of Trevor's and Beach Roads, Hampstead. EXCEPTIONALLY EASY TERMS OF PAYMENT. Inspection Invited. Further particulars on application. Sab at 11 a.m. "t. bullock, 3*X2i Auctioneer,



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Wsvnfed. CASH Advertisements under th fs heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be Mb at this Office. /"CHOICEST new season's Figs and \J Cartoon Table D.ites m 31b Boxes, 2s each. —H. G. Flowbb., Confectioner, Kast street. QTEAM~En«ineB 2s 6<l, Toys, Orna- O nien,:s, Fancy Goods, Glass and Chinaware ; new lines opening up. — H M. Jones. PIANOS, Organs, Violins, Strings, Music, Accordians. Special value m Accordians just now to clear the line. — H. M. Jones. WANTED Known. - Come and see the Bargains now on at Melford Houie. H. 0. Segers. IX7"AKTKDKrtO\vn. -Af'The Corner" *» now selling Ladie;,' French Shoes. 5s lid. See them.—W. H. Collibe. IITANTfiD Known.—lf you want YY plenty of first class Drapery, Boots and Clothing for cash, come to Melford House Sale.—H. 0. Seghrs. WANTED KNOWN, a special lot of Hearth Rugs at Is lid, 2s 6d and 2s lid ; worth about doable. W. H. Collier. %ITANTKD Known.—l have a large YY stock of Tin and Ironware Goods to select from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m stock.—J. W. Hardley, East street. 6J202 ANTED Known.—Great Cash Sale now on at Melford House. Almost everything reduced. —H. C. Ssgers. , ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit arid workmanship guaranceed; from 50s cash. Robert Alcorn, Ashburron Clothing Marl, Saunders' Buildings. TO Meet the Times.—l am supplying Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30.s Upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all dessriptious. Inspection invited. — J. W. Harplby, Eas street. 6J201 WANTED Known—That you will make no mistake for quality and variety m English and Colonial Boots, and his highly reputed make by calling a|iJ. Moisow's. During coming holidays dis count for Cash. Repairs done at once m staff of men always kept and best Material and workmanship guaranteed. NEW Supplies of Stationery, Account Books, Music, Fancy Goods, New Games, Orders for Printing, Book binding, Picture Frames, promptly ex ecuted" Schools and offices supplied with pvery requisite. Magazines vid News papers supplied.—L. "F. ANDREWES & CO., Stationers' Hall. N.Z.C.F. SPECIAL INDUCEMENTS A':E OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC tor ONE MONTH ME N. .3 A-Jff-D TT> O 3T S.- CLOTHING, SHIRTS HATS RUGS SCARFS AND PORTMANTEAUX. WE INVITE INSPECTION, COMPARISON, AND PATRONAGE. NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, W. H WEBBER, Manager