MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close for the following places as under, subject to the necessary alterations :— WEDNESDAY, March 23. . For United Kingdom, Continent of Europe and America, and West Indies, (via San Francisco,) Sandwich Islands, &c, &c, and also for Northern Ports of 2\ Tew Zealand, per Takapuna, as follows :—Ordinary letters at 0 I£> p.m. ; books and newspapers, registerecf letters, at 5 p.m. ; money orders 3 pm. This mail is due in London on April 27. THURSDAY, March 17. For Australian Colonies, and also for United Kingdom and Continent of Europe (specially addressed " via Brindisi" only), Point de Oalle, India, China, Japan, &c; and also for France, Algeria, Mauritius, Cape of Good Hope, &c, (specally marked per "French packet" only), per express (to connect with s.s. Wairarapa at Port Chalmers) at 155.30. p.m. ENGLISH MAILS. HOMEWARD—DIRECT MAILS. Kaikoura, leaving March 19, due London Doric, leaving April 2, due London May \2. SAN FRANCISCO MAILS, Monowai, leaving on February 27, due London March 30. Alameda, leaving on March 26, due London April 27. OUTWARD —DIRECT MAIL'S Ruahine, due colony March 21. SAN FRANCISCO MAILS. Mariposa, due colony March 23

Notice to Correspondents

Corre^pon c its arc requested to forward their comnnn i ations in unsealed envelopes, or in wrappci v OPEN AT BOTH ENDS, a? required by the postal regulations. No words that are not intended for publication must be written either on the manuscript or on the cover of the letter. Letter rates of postage must be paid on advertisements. __,

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1892. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

During the six years for which local op'ion has been In operation in Victoria 65 pnblie hou?es have been closed, at an average cost of £370 each. Three stamp-collecters wore arrested in London upon whose premises millions of forged stamps are said to have been dis. covered, a large trade having been carried on in such articles. A Parisian electrician has succeeded in forcing violets by the aid of his battery, and recently sent a bunch of these fledglings only four hours old, to the ex-Empress Eugenic. A somewhat singular artesian well in Missouri is throwing up all sorts of things, among which pyrites and quartz of various kinds have been found. There are also numerous specimens of petrified wood, fire opals, shells of various kinds, and other in teresting articles. Frederick Greenwood says that the press of England has in the past twenty years " undergone-a miserable decline 1' from its former high stand against printing scanda lous court proceedings. There can be no doubt that in the same period the American press has made a corresponding advance. A man named Enoch George Barrow died suddenly at Gifkin's wool works, at the Styx, Rakaia Gorge, on Monday night. He was found lying dead next morning. His hands were full of wool, and he ha:l evidently died while working. A Oamaru "parent" complains in the " North Otago Times " that he has to pay 7d per 41b loaf for a very inferior article in bread, while Dunedin people pay 4d per loaf for a better bread made from Oamaru flour. Something of this kind is experienced in Ashburton. Several children have died of starvation in E tst London. One was a child of a Jew who had fled from Russia only to face terri ble destitution in London. A master stated that out of 1200 children attending a board school 700 came without breakfast, and went home with very little prospect of getting either dinner or tea. The tenth annual report of the Canterbury Frozen Meat and Dairy Produce Export Company has been issued. The balance at credit of profit and loss is £2485. The directors recommend a further dividend of 8 per cent for the year. 163,339 sheep, 107,761 lambs, and 496 cattle have been slaughtered at the company's works during the year. Only 10,594 sheep and lambs were passed through as second class quilit.y. The others were up to the usual high standard of meat sent from the company's works. The Wellington correspondent of the "New Zealand Herald " writes :—" I have heard that the Government are likely to bring in a Bill next session to amend the present mode of election of school committees. The Bill will, I am told, assimilate the elections for this purpose to those, for county councils and other corporations. The general meet ing ot householders will be summoned for a day named for the purpose of receiving the written nomination of candidates. The names of candidates will be published, and the election fixed for a day to be named not less than a fortnight after the nominations. Persons non-resident in a school district, but having children at a school, may vote for a committeeman, but are themselves ineligible to sit on the committee. Here is an instance of the difference between the publicly and privately ex pressed opinion of writers. Some months ago a certain young newspaper woman in a Western city went to interview a pro minent woman. The report of the inter view which appeared in the " New York World " contained o passage something like this: " Women instinctively love Mrs Blank. Her sweet graciousness of manner, her ready sympathy, her good-fellowship draw them to her. She is, above all things sympathetic and hospitable. In her pre sence the writer realised how potent h the charm she exercises." This effusion was accompanied by a, note to the editor. It read : "I shall not be able to write another line this week. I fear I caught a fatal cold on Mrs Blank's front doorstep. The old cat wouldn't let me in." The Committee of the Amateur Swimming Club met on Monday evening, Captiin Line in the chair. Accounts with a rough balance-sheet were presented, showing a balance of £6. Much satisfaction was ex pressed by the Committee with the Club's position, which was the more satisfactory in that they had spent in improvements of the baths £43 and for prizes £30. It was arranged that the medals and prizes, if finished, would be presented in about three weeks time. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mrs P. Williams, Mrs Keinp thorne, and Miss Gillespie for the flag pre sented to the Club. Also to Mr P. Williams for gratuitously erecting the necessary ac commodations on the ground for the gala. Mention was made of the proposal to straigthen the course of the swimming baths and several other matters, but all were left in aboyauee till a later meeting. For some time past the little town of Poix, in the North of France, has been the scene, at frequent intervals, of serious fires, That they were the work of a incendiary was suspected, but the culprit escaped detection owing to the fact that no motive could be assigned for his crimes. The secret is out at last. It seems that in Poix, as in many other small towns in France, the drink shops are allowed to remain open all night when ever an alarm of fire occurs, the theory being that the firemen and others who help to put it out need refreshment. This being so, a firemen named Leon Bretnont, 82 years of age, deliberately set fire to houses in order that he might have the privilege of carousing in prohibited hours. Incredible as it may seem that this was his motive, there can be little doubt upon the point, Bremont having confessed, A disgraceful instance of wanton mischief occurred some time last night. Some of the larrikin element, probably on their way home from the circus, broke down some chains of fencing on the north side of Moore street, from the intersection of Cass street to the house recently occupied by Mrs Moss, at which the hinges of the garden gate were smashed, and other gates leading into yards and paddocks were lifted off. Mr Rees, sheep inspector, lost a horse in conscience, and probably others than he will be called upon to pay pound fees, while, two or three property owners will be put to considerable expense for repairs. It is to be hoped that the police may succeed ju discovering the offenders and bringing them to book. It would be better still, perhaps, if one of these days or nights some of these idiotic scamp* could be caught in the act and treated to the summary jurisdiction of a sound thrashing. The following letter, which speaks for itself was read from a man named Green, who was the defendant in an action heard at the B.M. Court, Dunedin, on Monday morning :—"I »m.sorry to buy that I had to dishonour the cheque I sens you on the Bth but the fact is we have had a race meeting here on the 10th, and 1 was laid on to some good things by some people who pretend to be my friends, and took their advice and plunged in rather far and pretty well broke myself. At least I went that far that there was no funds to pay you with, but if you will kindly burn the cheque or return it and present the one enclosed you will find it; all right. I hope you will take no offence at this action, although I know full well it is not the clean thing to do, but I thought by what I was told that I would make a little more money by investing en on the totallsator, seeing that my supposed friends were connected wjth the horse that I backed; but it is the first time, and I have paid dear for *t, »w» I will guarantee it will be the last. Trusting you will think none the worse ot me for it, I remain, faithfully yours, A. Green ' When the letter was read, Mr Carew, who occupied the bgnch, asked Mr Thornton, the solicitor for the plaintiff, it lie knew the age of the defendant. Learne4 Counsel laughingly replied that lie did not, but he thought he must be very young.— Otago Daily Times,"

Messrs Sparrow and Berry man have a business announcement with special refer ence to their boob department. ( A naturalist calculates that a hundred thousand rabbits are born in Australia ever/ day. It is stated that the black-labour ques tion in Queensland will xw submitted to a general election before the end of the year. Premier Dibbs (N.S W.) thus addressed an unemployed deputation recently : — " Wclll, I won't receive you, and you can do your blankest. Yon have go!- your own labor men in Parliament, and if they humbug you it is l.ot. my fault." The "Opotiki Herald " reports that some parts of the Opotiki district are suffering from the r wages of " a resulnr avalanche of caterpillars." They are travelling across the country, stripping the maize fields to bare stalks as they go. In places one could not put his foot down without killing a dozen or more. They are described as of a blackish brown color with red heads. A returned traveller relates that a true idea of the hopelessness of Nelson's condition may be gathered from the fast that boughs of fruit trees, laden with ripe fruit, may be seen hanging over fences, and nobody has enterprise enough to steal the fruit. What. hope can there be for a town that breeds boys of this character ? Mr John Deans, of Riccarton, has just imported from England four stud Southdown sheep. Three are ewes from H.R.H. the Prince of Wales' Sandringham flock, and one is a ram from the flosk of Mr Cox, the famous Staffordshire breeder. Mr J. A. Mcllvvraith, who selected these sheep in England, brought out with them some very fine Shropshire Downs. All have gone into quarantine at Qual Island. The following is taken from a regimental paper: —"A little boy was reading in his Scottish history an account of the Battle of Bannockburn. He read as follows : ' And when the English Army saw the new army on the hill behind their spirits became damped.' The teacher asked him what was meant by damping their spirits, and the boy, not comprehending the meaning, simply' answered : ' Pittin' watter in their , whusky'" What may happen to a man in America Last spring George A. Borekling sued for a divorce from Madeline, his wite, but she filed a cross complaint and secured a decree, with 1000 dollars almony, besides the return of her maiden name of Boyle. On January 12 she brought a suit against her former husband, claiming 5000 dollars damages for breach of promise. It appears that after their divorce Mr Borekling again paid court to her, and there was a betrothal. The marriage was appointed for duly last,but on the 25th of the month Borekling served notice that he had changed his mind, nor would he assign any reason. The Rev. J. Berry has given an emphatic denial to the report that the white men attending the CEouraenical Conference in Washington last year had refused to dine at the same table with the coloured delegates. There had, he assured a meeting at Welling ton last week, been the best possible feeling between the two races represented at the Conference, and ho was very much surprised ( on returning to the colony to find that, it had bfen cabled from America that the white de legates would not eat with their coloured brethren. He was still more surprised to find that many people in the colony had believel the statement. During his recent visit to Blenheim the Hon Mr Seddon told a story about his experience with a phrenologis 1" in the North Island. He was putting in the night at a small township where he was not known, and went to hear a newly fledge ! phrenologist. Seeing that ;io one would give the lecturer a show Mr Seddon, after some apparent hesitation, went on the platform, where after his bumps had been felt he was told that he wa-s a bold man, but his bashfuluess was so great that it would militate against his advance in life. It was too much, and the hon gentleman left the stage blushing. Owing to the rapid expansion of trade at the port the Bluff Harbour Board has in creased the salaries of several officers, and is considering the question of appointing an assistant Harbourmaster. At present freez ing operations are going on at J. G. Ward and Company's new works at Ocean Beach, the Southland Freezing Company's Works, and on the hulk Edwin Fox at the Bluff, while the new works at Mataura, which cost £13,000, are completed. The Star of England is now loading, and takes 16,000 carcases besides a Jarge quantity of general produce, and within two weeks other two frozen meat carriers arrive. The Oamaru Pesbytery are circulating for signature a petition to Parliament in favor of Bible-reading in schools within school hours, "*vith the provision of a time-table and conscience clause. It is contended that the Bible is the only authoritative standard of morality acknowledged as such by all denominations of Christians. That the want of knowledge of the Bible leaves the pupils in ignorance of the greatest events that have occurred in the history of the world, and unable to understand the allusions to the sentiments, phrases, and events recorded in the Bible, which pervade a large part of English literature. That the only practical means of acquainting large numbers of the children with the Bible, is the reading of it in the public schools, lhat the want of such Bible-reading thus allows multitudes of the children who pass through the public schools to grow up in ignorance of true morality, and tends to produce results disas trous to society at large. The piogramme of the concert in aid of the Convent Schools to be given in the Odd fellows' Hall to-morrow evening, the " 17thof Old Ireland" is very attractive, and popular to a degree, A strong orchestra will play the opening pieces in the first and second pirts, and piano duets will be given by Misses Sutherland and Devane and by Mrs Claridge and Miss Kelly. The good old glee " Go where Glory waits thee " will bg given by the company, and duets by the Misses Butler and Miss Henry and Mr Gates will be no mean features among the numbers. The Misses Henry, Fox, and T. Butler are among the soloists, all of them favorites, while among the gentlemen soloists are Messrs Milsom, Flower, J. Stevenson, P. Williams, and Higgins, with Mr Kirk and Mr F. Henry supplying the comic element. The names of some of our very best men are placed against the Irish and Scotch dancing items, and with Mv 3 Claridge as pianist and Messrs Gates, of Ashbur';on, and Wood, of Timai'H, at the head of affairs, all should go merry as a marriage bell.

MELBOURNE NOTES

[FlUm OUR MKLBJCJii.NI!; CORRESPONDENT

March 8. There never wan a murderer who took so much pains to leave traces of his work i in all directions as this .same Mr Albert Williams, who killed his wife upon Christmas I've, and hid herlo'y under the dininy room tire place at, 57 Andrew Street, Windsor He risked every thin? upon the permanent concealment of the bod}', and that he made no attempt 'o destroy. He dug the hole in which ho hid his vicim's remains so much too small that the gases generated in decom position burst off the hearth slab he had cemented down at the top, and ho did not even pay the rent of the, house for a suffi ciently long time in advance to insure his getting safely away, Had he paid for a quarter for instance, he might have been ■>y this time, lost in an ■ one of the multi tudinous cities of America, where ihe presence of a stranger excites no inquiry. As it is he has been traced up to within a ' week of this day, and will probably be in safe custody before this letter reaches you. This man is compared to the Mannings and to Mainwright, hub they were all past , masters and professors in comparison. The Manniniga buried their victim under the hearth of their kitchen, it is true, but they took the precaution to put in plenty of quick lime, and they stuck to the spot so as to meet the suspicion they could not avert. The man they murdered, Jere miah O'Connor, was well known to have constantly visited them, and was traced to their house as the last place in which he had been seen. Thrice the house wes searched, and the third time Mrs Manning, fearing that, in spite of the rr precautions there might be some odour, kindled a fire in the kitchen, put a goose down co roast, and stood calm and un moved on the hearth that for .Tied the grave stone of the murdered man, basting the cooking bird. The odour of the sage and onions quite overpowered any smell from the corpse, if there were any. Oddly enough, in the moment of their success they broke down and ran away. The detectives had given up all hope of finding any clue in that direction, when the flight of the Mannings brought them back again. Tins tinia they found the body, but the lime had destroyed its identity and only the false teeth remaning in the skull enabled the dead man's brotVer and the dentist to swear to him. Wain wright buried his victim too, and she was neither missed nor found. But he used chloride of lime, which preserved the corpse; and when he, insanely fearing detection without reason, dug it up and tried to dispose of it the woman was as easily identified as on the day she died

Fire Brigades Conference

[per press association, i

Christchuroh, March 14. ACCIDENT ASSURANCE. The first general meeting of the New Zealand Fire Brigades Accident Assurance Association took place to-n'gbt. Secretary Cummins, Wanganui, was elected Presi dent ; Cxptain Fooks (Ashburton), Superintendent Waterworth (Napier), and Lieutenant Smith (Christchurch), Vice-President Superintendent Townley (Gisborne), Lieutenant Uellringer (New Plymouth), and Lieutenant Georye (Hastings), Trustees ; Secretary and Treasurer, Sub-Superintendent Gilber-J (Napier). Dcputy-SuperintendentGilberd, Napier, Secretary and Treasurer. Rules were adopted and ordered to be registered under the Friendly Societies Ac". The Socictv has over three hundred members, and £80 in hand. OHRisTCnuiiOH, March 15. 1 Tins afternoon the Fito Brigades Conference decided by 21 votes to 17 votes to request Mr Seddon to tak« charge of the Fire Brigades Bili next session. The Executive were instructed to forward •i petition in favor of the Bill to all fire brisr-vdes in the colony for signature. The retiring pi esidenfc and vice-president refused to stand for re-election, and some members proposed as president declined, four of th nn on tho ground that they could not conscientiously carry out the motion in favor of the Fire Brigades Bill. Superintendent Hughes, Auckland, was elected president ; Captain Burger, Kumara, and Secretary Kobbins, Hawera, were elected vice-presidents ; Sub-Super intendent Gilbert was elected secretary and treasurer, and a salary of £25 with a bonus of £25 was voted him. The '"New Zealand Fire and Ambu lance Record " was appointed the official organ of the Association. The Conference adjourned to 8.30 p.m. to-morrow, to receive the report of the committee appointed to interview the Underwriters' Association re a grant. The Fire Brigade Conference resumed this morning, when fifty brigades were represented. The report of the revision of rules Commitee was received, and most of the morning was taken up in discussing the alterations. The executive recommended, if satisfied with the evidence, to present a c rtificite to Young Price Messenger, South Dunedin Brigade, who saved two brothers from death by burning. It was decided to present W. T. Garner, late Napier brigade, with a medal to replace one lest at a tire. The Mayor of Napier, by telegraph, invited the Association to hold the demonstration there next year. The invitation could not be accepted in view of the resolution that demonstrations be held in alternate years only, and it was hoped the invitation would be extended for 1894. It was decided to invite the brigades to suggest and vote a place for next annual meeting only, and the executive on that vote accept one of fc'ie invitations,

The torchlight procession of the Fire Brigades took place to-night, 'io') firemen, with four bands, took part in the gathering, which was the mo.st successful of the kind ever he^d here, and was witnessed by large crowds of people. The weather was .-showery.

Wesleyan Conference.

[t'lOR PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WjiUjLNTn'ON, March 14. At the \Vesloy;m Conference to-day the third and final draft of stations was adopted, that for Canterbury being as follows :—Christchurch —Durham street, Dewsbnry, L. M. I-itt and B. Murray ; Sydenham, Jiuttle ; St Albans, Baumbcr and I). J. Murray : Lyttelton, Tinsloy ; Springston, C. Griffin ; Lees ton, Parson son and Nowbold ; Kaiapoi, B:md ; Woodend, Staudage ; Rangiora, Garlick ; Tim:iru, W. J. Williams; WaimateSmalley ; Teiiiuk:', Dellow ; Ashburton, .V. La wry find Gray. The following were appointed Chairmen of Districts :—Auckland, Rev W. Moriey: Wanganm, Rev Mr Keull; Wellington,' Rev .J. J. Lewis ; Nelson, Rev Mr Ilish worth ; Canterbury, President of the Con f n-enae ; Otago, Rev Mr Oliver. WiSr,LiNOTOSr, March 15. The Wosloyan Conference finished this afternoon. The following resolutions were passed : —" That the Conference, while diamc tiically opposed to Government grants for denominational education, is strongly cf opinion that the Bible should nos be j excluded from the national schools of the colony, It therefore urges that by petition to Parliament and all other legitimate means pressure may be brought to bear upon the legislature to introduce the Scriptures into the schools, subject to

conscience clauses ; and appoints a com ' Kiittae to consist of such members of the t committee of privileges es reside in or near Wellington to confer and act with tho representatives of other churches on the subject." J A resolution was carried against boxing exhibitions. Tl c ilev. J. N. Buttle brought up the reporb of the Temperance Committee. Be*e 'enco was made to the victory of (he I temperance party at the Sydenham tlec (ion and the report stated that although 1 the Supreme Court had been moved to prevent pc >ple obtaining their just rights under i;he law of the land, yet it was hoped that the decided expression of opinion given at Sydenham would ulti mately lead to the enactment of such a law as would enable the majority of residents of adult age in any district by vote at tho ballot box to secure the banishment ol strong drink from their district. The Sydcnbam victory had a special interest for Wesleyans, inasmuch as it was largely due to the personal effort and enthusiasm of the Rev. L. M. Isitt. Hope was ex pressed in the report that the franchise would be extended to women, because the I result would, in the opinion of the Com- j mitteo be the diminution of the traffic. \ The report regretted the deaths of Cardinal Manning, the Rev. A. Reid and other leading temperance workers.' Dur ing the year there had been a decrease of eight Societies and 733 members. Wel lington was the only district in the colony ' which showed substantial progress, the increase being three Societies and 350 members. The most backward case was that of Wanganui. where there had been a decrease of eight Societies and 483 members. The Conference closed with votes of thanks to the officers of the Press Association and the press of Wellington,

School Committee.

ASHBURTON.

The monthly meeting of the Ashburton School Committee was hfild on Monday evening in the school. Present—Messrs Bean (in the chair), Braddell, Baker, Barrett and Craighead. An apology was received for the absence of Mr Silcock. The credit balance at the bank was re ported at £33 12s lid. Correspondence was read from the Board of Education enclosing vote of £10 for special repairs, also salary sheet for month. From head master with list of scholars entitled to good attendance certi tificates for pasb year. From the head master, with report for the month. The attendance had been very satisfactory, the figures beinir :— On roll—boys, 302 ; girls, 261 ; total, 563. Highest attendance, boys, 276 ; girls, 226 ; total, 502. The head master asked for a new set of Chambers' reading sheets and also for nine maps, and four I blackboards. These requisites the Com mittee decided to ask the Board of Educa tion to forward. The sub-committee reported that fresh ' arrangements for scavenging had been completed and this was approved of. Some small matters of repairs were left for the new Visiting Committee to deal with. Messrs Barrett and Braddell were ap pointed a Visiting Committee for the month. S'»me smal' accounts were passed for payment and the Committee adjourned.

YOUNG MEN'S CLUB.

Some prominent townsmen have been interesting themselves lately in the question of whether or not it would be possible to establish a Club in Ashburton which would furnish an agreeable resort for y-iung men duriug the lnig winter evenings. It is not proposed to s'art any Society of a religious nature, or of a too severely intellectual character, butfaiu.ply a Club where harmless recreations of all kinds, to suit as great a diversity of tastes as possible, could be indulged in. A well attended preliminary meeting was held in Sounders' buildings on Friday evening;, March 4, to discuss the matter. Mr Purnull was voted to the chair. After the subject had been well talked over, a Committee, consisting of Messrs G. Jameson, Malcolm, E. Saunders, M-vyne, Clowes, L. Malson, and E. Buchanan, was appointed to draw up a report upon the subject. An adjourned meeting was held on Friday evening last, when the Com mittee's report was read. It recom mended that a Club be formed, to l>3 called "The Ashburton Young Men's Olub," having for its objecto "the pro viding of a suitable pi ice of resort for the entertainment and instruction of the young men of the town of Ashburton and its neighbourhood " ; that all young men of fifteen years of age and upwards should be eligible as members ; and thai; a build ing should be secured, to contain a recep tion and reading room, large enough to enable musical and other entertainments to be given in it; a smaller room for indoor games ; a smoking room, a writing room, and other conveniences. It was also suggested that provision be made for the playing of skittles, tennis, and quoits. It was considered that there should be two classes of members, hono rary members and ordinary members, the former not being young men, but enjoying all the privileges of the Club, if they chose to avail themselves of them. Much dis cussion took place over the amount which should be fixed as the subscription. It seemed to be agreed that the subscription per honorary member should be one guinea a year ; and that ordinary members should pay 5s a quarter. The question was raised as to whether ladies should be admitted as members, but this question, with others, was left open for future determination. It was finally resolved before taking any further st ps towards the formation of the Club, to ascertain how many persons ' would be willing to join, and for this pur pose two committees were appointed, one consisting of Messrs G. Jam;son, A. Orr, and C. Reid to canvas for honorary mem bers, and the others, consisting of Messrs E. Buchanan, F. Willis, and li. Fooks, j to canvass for ordinary members Mr ,). E. Buchanan consented to act as honorary secretary pro tern. vVo have indicated generally the scope of the proposed Club ; but the details of the amusements would lie arranged by the meiuber.sthemselvcs, and would, of course, depend a gojd deal upon the funds at the Club's command. We may mention, how ever, that it is proposed to start a De- ! bating Class in connection with the Club, | and to secure, if possible, the dalivery of interesting lectures at not too frequent intervals. We heartily wish the project success.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

PER TRESS ASSOCIATION

QUEENSLAND AND THE BANK OF ENGLAND.

London, March 13. The " Financial Times" considers j 1 Sir S. Griffiths' amende to the Bank of ! England has been made in a hand-, some manner. Mavch 14. The " Financial News' says that Sir Thomas Mcllwraith's duty was to have ascertained all the facts before making the charge against the Bank of England. It declares the whole blame was due to him. The withdrawal by Sir Samuel Griffith of the charges against the Bank of England is favourably re jceived. The " Financial Times " ex [ pects that the relations of Queensland 3 and the bank will be resumed. City men. express doubts as to whether the tardy apology will induce the Bank of England to resume friendly relations with Queensland. The bank officials are awaiting the arrival of the document. INTERNATIONAL DIFFICULTY. Mr J. W. Lowther, Political Secretary to the Foreign Office, stated in the House of Commons that an action would be brought against the French police for the wrongful arrest and im prisonment in Paris of the brothers Purdie, two Englishmen. It was a grave matter, and he trusted that the French Government would pay com pensation, and guarantee to prevent the recurrence of such an incident. DEATH OF THE DUKE OF HESSE. The Queen laments the death of the Grand Duke ot Hesse, whom she mourns as her beloved son-in-law. THE COMING ELECTIONS. The Irish nonconformists appeal to their brethreen of England and Wales to eefeat Mr Gladstone's Home Rule proposals at the general election. CONFIDENCE. Colonial stocks are advancing. NEW GUINEA. " The Times " says that New Guinea is unsuited to Europeans, and gives high praise to the ability of Sir W. Macgregor, the Administrator. THE COAL CRISIS. The miners on strike are asserting that their demands will be conceded by the 28th instant. The stoppage of the production of coal beyond a wesk will cause the sus pension of 50,000 potters. The miners in South Staffordshire have resumed work. In consequence of the strike there is a general reduction in the train service. Ninety thousairl minei's are work ing in Wales and Monmouthshire. There is sufficient coal at the docks to supply the steamers for months. BANK AMALGAMATION. The Union Bank and South Aus tralian Banks are negotiating for amalgamation. THE GUELPH FUND. London, March 14. The Guelph Fund, amounting to two million?! sterling, will bo returned to the Duke ct CuuiUn'ia,nd, upon his promising loyalty to the German Em pire. It has transpired that legacies amounting to £750,000 are due to Queen Victoria and her daughters from the Guelph Fund.

THE SULTAN MENACED.

Constantinople, March 14. Two armed men were captured in the palace. It is believed they intended to murder the Sultan.

THE GERMAN UNEMPLOYED.

Berlin, March 14. The Emperor is urging that work should be found for the unemployed in order to prevent the recurrence of disorders.

SPURIOUS WINES.

Madrid, March 14. The manufacture of artificial wines in Spain is forbidden.

THE ANARCHISTS.

PArrs, Manh 14. The houses of Anarchists in Paris ! have been searched and two men made prisoners. They are supposed to be the authors of the recent theft of dyna mite, which it is believed has been sent to Russia. Forty dynamite cartridges were found in the Anarchist in Paris. St. Petersburg, March 14. A passenger was arrested on the Russian frontier, in whose possession was found some dynamite stolen in France. WARLIKE PREPARATIONS. St. Petersburg, March 15. General Gourko has requested per mission, in the event of war, to be allowed to expel all the citizens from Warsaw exespt 50,000, but the Czar refused the request. Russia is building barracks on the German frontier, a step which has oc casioned some uneasiness.

THE PAHANG TROUBLE.

Singapore, March 15. The rioters at Pahang have renewed hostilities. They seized the fort, and captured among others Bib'oy, an Australian miner, but afterwards re leased him.

CANADIAN POLITICS.

| Ottawa, Mr.rch 14. The result of the Canadian elections is regarded as a protest against the American tendencies of the Liberals. M, Mercier retires to New York to avoid arrest. BEHRING SEA. It is reported that the Canadian Government have cabled to Lord Salisbury, urging him to agree with the oixodus vivendi, fearing reprisals on the part of the United States.

THE CHARLEROT CATAS TROPHE.

Brussels, March 14. The pit adjoining that in which the explosion took place is catching fire. The disaster is of a magnitude un exampled in Belgium.

GAGGING THE PRESS.

Yokohama, March 14. Thirty Japanese newspapers inimical to the Government have been sup pressed, '

ITALIAN REPUBLICANS.

Rome, March 14. Five hundred tnembersof Republican societies are holding a conference at Rome. They assert that the Govern ment are incapable cf solving tie burning questions of the day. It is expected that their attitude will bring them into serious conflict with the Government.

FIGHTING IN AFRICA.

Zanzibar, March 14. Consul Johnston reports that two Europeans and several Zunzibaris were killed in the recent engagement. A number of the enemy were killed and wounded. The natives captured guns belonging to the British force. THE'ATTACK ON PORT JOHN STON. Messrs King and Whtson, of the African Lakes Company, were wounded in the attack on Port Johnston. Ten Sikhs were killed and a number wounded during the engagement.

AUSTRALIAN.

ACCUSATION OF CORRUPTION.

Sydney, March 15. During the debate on the railway estimates, Mr W. P. Skeg, member for Redfern, accused the Railway Commissioners of favoriug the Proud foots in the matter of railway con tracts. The Commissioners asked the Government to hold an enquiry, but the latter declined on the ground that they did not attach any importance to tne charges. The Proudfoots. have issued a writ against Mr Skeg claim ing £10,000 damages. Mr Eddy, Chief Commissioner of Rail ways, has replied to the Government, insisting on an inquiry into the truth of the charges made by the member for Redfern. It is possible that the refusal of the Cabinet to accede to the request will cause the resignation of the Commissioners. IMMIGRATION. In consequence of the reduction in immigration vote the Premier has cabled lo the Agent-General instruc tions to stop all emigration to tha colony.

VICTORIAN RAILWAY AFFAIRS.

Melbourne, March 15. The Cabinet has not suspended the Railway Commissioners as threatened, but directed the Minister of Railways to proceed with his investigation. THE VICTORIAN HARVEST. The Government statist estimates the Victorian wheat crop at 13,588,000 bushels, equal to an average of 10J bushels per acre. The total value of the wheat, oats, barley, potatoes and hay raised in the colony is estimated at £4,744,000, the largest amount for several years. THE FEDERAL COUNCIL. Messrs Shiels and McLean have been appointed representatives of the colony on the Federal Council, which meets next year.

AUSTRALIAN EXPLORATION.

Adelaide, March 15. Owing to complications which have arisen the Elder exploring expedition is abandoned for the present.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, March 15. The dead body of a man named Ayres was found in his house in Angles^a street Ponsonby, to-day. Tb.3 man, who arrived from America about two months ago, was last seen on Wednesday, and when his body was found it was seen that he had shot himself. At a meeting of the Liberal Association to-night there was some discussion about the case of the Audit Department v Whyte and Etheridge, and a resolution was passed as follows :—" Thac it appears from a report of the case the Audit De partment v the Hon J. B. Whyte and A. F. Etheridge than a.serious miscarriage of justice has occurred, and the Secretary be requested to forward a statement of the case to the Minister of Justice draw ing the attention of the Government to the matter with a view i.o further action being taken, if deemed advisable, in the important administration of the la.v." A tangi is being held over the remains of Pani Tuhare, the Oreki chief. Frank Hayes, who committed suicide in Anglusea Street, accomplished his purpose in a most sensational manner. He fixed a gun to a table near his bed in such a way that it was automatically fired, a candle burning a piece of string, and thus releasing two weights which had kept the trigger fixed. After having arranged the contrivance he lay down with the muzzle of the gun pointing directly to his head, and took chloroform, so that he was in sensible when the candle burned the string and the gun was fired, blowiug the top of his head off. No report of firearms was heard, and when the body was dis covered, the man had been dead about a week, the body being in an advanced stage of decomposition. It is stated that the Hon J. B. Whyte intends to call for a searching inquiry by a Parliamentary Committee into his case. New Plymouth, March 15. Two gentlemen, passengers per the Ma hinapua for Auckland, were returning to the steamer to-day, after being ashore for a few hourl, and on nsaring the root of the breakwater they saw a cow on the roadside in a dying state. Suddenly it jumped up and rushed at them, tossing one of them over a fence and dislocating his knee. The other man was consider ably bruised. Medical assistance was procured, and they were enabled to con tinue their journey in the steamer. They were through passengers for England. Palmerston North, March 14. The Palmersbon Agricultural and Pastoral Association are moving for tho suspension of several clauses in the Sheep Ac\ relating to the branding of shorn sheep. David Gent, thirteen years of age, was drowned in Waihola Lake on Sunday afternoon. The skiff in which he and another boy were out sank. Duncan, the I other lad, swam ashore, bub Gent could not swim, aad sink before assistance arrived. At a meeting of the Prohibition League the report stated that considerable success had attended the free distribution of 5000 copies of the "Prohibitionist" during the past six mouths. In a discussion re Sun day trading, Mr W. Graham, Chairman, said that there did not seem to be an hotel in the city that regarded the law on on the subject. Napier, March 15. The Ferry Hotel, Western Spit, was totally destroyed by fire at an early hour this morning. Insurances on the hou.se, Victorian £500, Un'on £100, Standard £300 ; on Furniture, London and Lanca shire £400. The fire commenced in the front of the house and w.ii discovered by a milkman driving into town. I 3 was im possible to save the building, but most of the stock in the bar was gut out. Wellington. March 14. Anderson has recovered sufficiently to answer questions and gives a different version of the quarrel in which he was

I nearly killed, to Moore's, bufc the details are kept secret at present. Wellington, March 15. The Pikeha is going down to take the frozen meat intended for the Elginshire, I A book canvasser, Philip Henry Litch- Ford, was committed for trial for forging the names of subscribers. He had done this pretty extensively, and received comm ission from his employers on the orders alleged to be forged. V. G. Morris, alias Philips, was arrested on a Tfismanian charge of assault on a girl six years aero. He was remanded for a week. He was engaged here as an extra clerk in the Property Tax Department. The Medical Conference mot this after noon. For six weeks pa&t, one and some times two conferences, ecclesiastical or scholastic, have been sitting daily in Wel lington. A man named J. C. Todd, a saloon passenger, died suddenly on board the Takapuna during the voyage from One hunga. He appeared to be in very in different health when he joined the steamer. Mr Carrol will bs sworn in as a member of the Ministry to-morrow. Mr James Carrol, M.H.U., will pro bably proceed to the Bay of Plenty shortly to the scene of the fever outbreak there, for the purpose of enquiring into the matter, and seeing what steps can be taken to prevent, the spread of the out break all along the coast. Mr A. S. Pafcerson and Mr Gale, representing the Chambers of Commerce of Dunedin and Christchurch respectively, waited on the Minister for Public Works yesterday with reference to the repre sentation of New Zealand at the Chicago Exhibition. The interview was of" a strictly unofficial character, bnt the result is regarded by those interested as satisfactory. Wbstport, March 14. Work at the Denniston mine went on as usual this morning. Notice of the reduction of wages was withdrawn, and an offer was made of one year's employ ment, provided the men did not join any Union. At a meeting on Saturday night the men resolved to form a Union, hub work is unlikely to stop, union or no union. Dunedin, March 14. At Coal Creek Flat, on Saturday, a miner named Thomas P. Michelle," was buried to a depth of eight feet by the collapse of a shaft, Michelle is a married man with a large family. There is very little hope entertained of his being got out alive. Dunedin, March 15. A special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held to-day, to consider the working of the Weights and Measures Act. A letter was read from Mr Lorie, who had been fined for having false scales in which it was stated that in collecting evidence it was found that out •of forty four weighing machines examined only thirteen were correct, and that if informa tions were laid almost every merchant, according to the present reading of the Act, could be convicted. They "thought that the Act was intended to apply only >o cases in which fraud or wilful negli gence was shown. A Committee was ap pointed to consider the working of the Act and report. The kid leather factory at Kiikorai. owned by Mr C. W. / nderson and leased |by Messrs .Schemmel and Miller, was destroyed by fire this morning The building was insured for £30!), and the tools for £60, in the National office

WIRTH'S CIRCUS.

VVirth's Circus was not favored with the very best of weather for the perform ance in Ashburton last nisrht, as rain fell heavily during a great portion of the evening, and before the opening hour the weather was so uninviting as to prevent many country people from coming in. But in spite of the wet the large tent was well filled, and over a thousand people must have been present. A two-pole tent was used, and two rings of the usual area were laid out, which were kept in use simultaneously during the whole of tho first part of the programme. The enter tainment consisted of the usual acts of horsemanship and acrobatic feats, exhi bitions of the horse irainer's skill, &c, and it must be said that in all of these the performances were quite equal, and in some cases superior to anything that has been shown here. The two-ring idea is new to Ashburton, and many people felt it to be somewhat distracting ta have to bestow their attention upon what was going on in the two rings simultaneously with a rope-walking or other kindred performance outside the circle. The second part of the programme was made up of short items of " Wild West " busi ness, similar to what the Company exhibited in the Domain on the occasion of their last visit. The large crowd in the tent, which yery materially reduced the size of the track, and the sloppy nature of the ground from the heavy rain inter fered to some extent with the success of this part of the show, but taking it all round the entertainment was exception ally good. A good band accompanieb the circus, the euphonium player being a well-known Ashburton musician Mr Harry Mayo—who has been tor over two years in the Wirth's band.

Supreme Court.

| PKJR PR&SS ASSOCIATION]

Wellington, March 15. Pmith and Harrison were again put on their trial to-day, for the murder of Dalton, at Eketahuna. No new evidence was adduced. Hokitika, March 15. In the Supreme Court, before Mr Justice Denniafcon, Walter Webb, for attempted suicide, was sentenced to 12 hours' imprisonment, he having been in gaol for five months awaiting trial. W. t-I. Nolley, the Salvationist and assistant County Clerk for the Grey, pleaded guilty to charges of larceny and embezz'e m«nt, and was sentenced t-j eighteen months' imprisonment with hard labcr. Brien v. Inaagahua County Council was a civil action for £500 general and £50 special damages, for an "accident through a culvert breaking. The Judge siruck out the £500 general damages for the loss of the child, saying that it was against Lord Campbell's Act. The jury found a verJict for £32, special damages. The Judge allowed costs as though the action was brought in the Resident" Magistrate's Court in Beefton, which his Honor said was the proper Court. Oamabu, March 15. The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court opened this morning before Mr Justice? Williams. There "was only one case, forgery and false pretences against VV. Spencer, who is serving two years /or a similar charge committed in another district at the same time. Accused pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to two years concurrent with present sentence, The civil case, Genge v. North Otago A. and P. Association and Cooper, £300 damages, for loss of plaintiff's son through being shot from hooper's gallery at the Agricultural Show in November, is now ) proceeding and is expected to last two days. Wellington, March 16. In the Eketahuna murder case some fresh evidence was given by Johnson, railway guard, and Ashmore, who saw two men on the night of the murder re sembling Dalton "and Smith. Bistre added to the previous evidence that three hours before the murder was supposed to take place Smith showed him 2s Id, saying it was all the money lie had ; yet after the murder 18^ 6d was found in his possession. Power, a previous witness, who had been inclined to insist %t the,

I<ITE ASHBtTHTON GWARDIA3ti WEDNESDAY, MAifcdH 16, ISO 2.



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