The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Vertas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1892. LAND AND TAXATION,

No matter under what cover the continual assaults on the taxation policy of the Government are made, there can be no doubt that they all arise from opposition to their deter mination to carry out the expressed will of the country, that the further acquisition of large estates shall be checked and that those, already ac quired shall be made to contribute a more equitable and just contribution to the revenue than they do at pre sent. From Parliamentary returns we learn that 346 private owners and 16 banks and companies own 7,348,713 acres, largely of the best freehold lands of the colony, of the nnimproved value of £15,153,630. Amongst those there are 24 landholders, the unim proved value of whose estates run from £100,000 to about £1,000,000, whilst 76 hold amongst them freehold lands of the unimproved value of £8,498,541. As a contrast to these enormous freeholds, held by a mere handful of people, we find that 16,679 families, or say 80,000 persons, live on small farms amounting to an area of about 300,000 acres, or about 18 acres per family.. A computation made by the Auckland " Star" (of the accu racy of which we are satisfied) of the amount of Gustoms duties paid by these two classes of landowners, shows that the 80,000 persons living on 300,000 acres of land pay annually '£193,000. Taking the 362 owners of the 8.348,713 acres, and estimating their workmen and families at 38,000 persons, we have the sum of £91,675 paid annually as Customs duties by the latter. Thus, if the annual Customs duties paid by both classes be reckoned at per acre of their holdings, we find the small farms pay 12s Id per acre, whilst the large estates pay 3d per acre. The inequality of such a system of taxation is obvious, and the Government has done good service m reducing the taxation on small farms and increasing the contributions from the large estates. Hitherto landowners, as such, have escaped their fair share of taxation, and even under the n«w system they are let off very lightly, and there is nothing to warrant the cry of spoliation that they have raised. Even critics of the Government are forced to admit that the small farmers will find a substantial degree of relief under the new taxation. At Balclutha last week Mr Thomas MacKenzie expressed himself as de lighted that this was so, and that it was now only right and proper to give the new system a trial. The same gentleman declared that the Minister for Lands and himself were very much on the same platform regarding land legislation. Mr Thomas MacKenzie is one of the champions of the Opposition party, and now that he has made these open admissions we may hope to find something else m the leading columns of the Conservative press than attacks on the Ministry. If the effect of the Land Tax is to reduce the average of 20,000 acres each owned by the 362 owneis so much the better.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Minister of Lands intends to reintro duce the Selectors' Land Revaluation Bill next session. His Excellency the Governor goes through to Christchurch by express this evening. No doubt the opportunity will be taken to give him and Lady Onsiow a farewell cheer. A first offender, who had been found drunk near the police station, was this tiorning fined 5s and costs by Mr Thomas Bullock, J,P. The resignations are gazetted of Captain vVilliam Recce, of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, and Lieutenant George Hamner, Christ's College Rifles,—both Christchurch volunteer corps. The camels of the scientific exploring party which has been pushing through Australia accomplished the unprecedented feat of travelling 550 miles m 34 days vrith but eight gallons of water for each camsl. By means of electric light, a lot of tropical plants imported last winter for the Kew hardens, London, were kept m health below deck during the voyage—when with out this light they would be perished, since on deck m the sunlight the cold would have been fatal. The steady prosperity which has set m m Taranaki is apparent m many ways (says the "Taranaki News"), but more particu larly is it seen m the number of mortgages that are being paid off by the farmers. The settlers' position is certainly more encourag ing now than it has ever been. At his meeting at Christchurch on Sunday evening the Re* W, J, Mayers, the Deputa tion Secretary from Dr Barnado's Homes, t *-«4 that he had received m jbhe collection ™V • • the afternoon no less than gs <)d m maiie hi were partially valueless silver coins m™ n{ { V The B*nks through having „ «* 'take them, and he or shopkeepers would i^ .ZJi I *h«m ta a supposed he would have to *eU * silversmith for about half their 1? value. The following brutal piece of " sport" is reported by th? Tauranga, correspondent of t.he Auckland "Herald" :—"Two traps, left Waihi on Saturday morning for a race to Tauranga, the distance being forty-six .-rules, and the stakes £20. The owners of the (horses were Mr Harley (of Waihi) and Mr Kennedy (of Paeroa). The competitors left Waihi at half-past seven m the morning, and kept well together till about fourteen miles from Tauranga, when Harley's horse utterly collapsed, and fell down and died. Surely this was a case for the intervention of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty t« Animals. There has just died, on Upper Deesid", Robert Dinnie, poet, author, and antiquarian and father of the famous athlete, Donald Dinnie. After he was sixty years of age he published several volumes, including " Son»s and Poems "(a collection of his earlier and best pieces), and one or two local parish histories, a " Deeside Guide " etc. But his reputation rested on lus anti quarian research, m which he was an acknowledged authority m the north, and at onetime owned a considerable collection, the best of which he has parted with during the past score of years. His dietary was ever of the plainest, and consisted mamly of water brose (oatmeal)., with ale and milk. An interesting link between the past and present existed m old Dinnie, for when a Ly he met Peter Grant, locally known as " Old Dubrach, " who fought on the si«e ot Prince Charlie at Culloden, ami was pr* sented to George IV. when he vuuled Edinburgh m 1822 as lus last sumy,m§ enemy m Scotland. "Dubrach" was then 108 years of age, .and lived till two years later at Braeiaar, The Bkst Rkmkb* ?ok Indigestion — Norton's Camomile Pitts *re confidenty recommended as a simple eemedy for Indigestion, which is the cause of nearly all the diseases to which we are subjects Norton's Pills, with justice called ifche 'Natural Strengthener of the Huftiaa Ste nach," act as a powerful tome and gentle Iperimt, are mild m their operation, and 8af j under any circumstances. bold m bo sties, at v lid, 2s 9d, Us, by all medicine v«4dPi"B tteoHfbowi the world, f

The Wellington correspondent of the "New Zealand Herald" says:—The Hon. Mr BaUance calculates upon a surplus at the end of the financial year amounting to more than £100,000. One of the silver-wedding presents re ceived by the Empress of Russia is an ermine mantle which cost ten thousand pounds. This is the gift of the nobility of the province of Kherson. The decrease of infanticide m thePunjaub , is said to be largely due to the enchaneed price now given for wives. At tiie annexa tion a wife could be purchased for from 20 to 40 rupees ; the quotations now vary from 60 to 300 rupees. The Rev. Joseph Hudson, Vicar of Chil lingham, Northumberland, the oldest clergyman of the Church of England, died recently. He was ordained as far back as 1817, and would have reached his hundredth year next January. A wife, aged 16, was charged with rob bing a till at Marlylebone. It is stated that her husband a bootmaker, who was on strike was only seventeen years old. The magis trate commented upon the folly and misery of early marriages, j " Whit did the doctor order for your husband ?" " Quinine and whisky. " " Is'nt quinine pretty dear V " Yes, but we did'nt get any, Poor John is very considerate. He told me not to mind the quinine: he would try and get along with the whisky. " Two ladies, well connected, and residing at Hampstead (London), pleaded guilty to pilfering from shops. One was sentenced to ten weeks' hard labour, and the' other waß liberated on the undei standing that she would be regarded as a lunatic and placed under restraint. i James Murphy and his sister Mary were found dead m a house m Newry on Decem ber 30. They were misers, and died of starvation. Their bodies lay upon heaps of straw. The money and property found belonging to the pair amounts to £40,000. George Leitch has been giving the finishing touches to a New Zealand drama, the plot of which is said to be very power ful and original. Several well-known types of character are introduced, and the scenes comprise some of the most beautiful and effective m the colony, which Mr Leitch roughly modelled during his several visits to New Zealand. Miss Fanny Devonporb, the well-known American actress, has, it is said, like Madame Modjeska, turned farmer, and has purchased a ranche of 380 acres near Los Angeles, where she and her husband propose to establish a luxurious country place, surrounded by vineyards and orange orchards. Her place is seven miles from Madame Modjeska's. Still another ringing-in case has come to our notice. Four years since a Mount Eden resident entered a canary m the Auckland Poultry Show, and the bird took first prize as a cock. The following year he entered it as a hen, and again it took first prize; while on the third year he again put it m as a cock bird, and took first again. Now as a matter of fact, it is a hen bird, and is still alive to give evidence as to the capabilities of the judges.—" Auckland Sporting Review. " At the annual meeting of the Wellington Trust, Loan, and investment Company, the Chairman, m reply to a query as to the position the company was placed m by the new system of taxation, said it was rather premature to say how the Act would affect tho company, but he might mention that at the maximum of Is 6d m the pound income tax on profits t!ie company would have to pay £675 on the dividend they were now declaring, as against £469 under the old Act. It really meant a charge of £200 to the company. A dividend at the rate of 9 per cent was carried. Says the Melbourne "Punch":—"New Zealand once again please. The most notable feature of the revival of ' Marjorie : at the Melbourne Princess' was the appear ance of a new Marjorie. m the person, it is said, of the wife of a late Dunedin resident. At the commencement, Miss Eisner, the lady m question, suffered from evident and pardonable nervousness, but as this wore otf she quite gained upon the audience, and before the first act was concluded she was made a favourite. Miss Elster has a pleasing presence, sings admirably, and is to be warmly congratulated for a generally acceptable rendering of fair little • Fraud! Marjorie. She was loudly applauded through out, was frequently encored, and was made the recipient of many floral tributes." There i 3 a certain Sheriff Campbeli Smith who dispenses justice at Dundee, and who, perhaps, take a more lenient view of wife beating than any judge on the bench. He had before him the other day a hawkei named Boyle, who on reaching home ont evening began pummelling his wife and dragging her about by the hair. To add insult to injury, the hawker forced his wife to kneel down and beg his pardon—probably for not having any more hair to pull. Having obtained this satisfaction, Boyle deliberately renewed the assault, and savagely kicked his wife m the back. Sheriff Campbell Smith seemed for a moment to contemplate sen tencing the prisoner to " an admonition," but on a full consideration of the case he thought that would be too slight a punishment, and summoned up courage to send him to gaol for five days ! Boyle no doubt left the dook with his tongue m his cheek. If any of our Ash burton anglers want to find a place where the waters are " shtiff widfiah let them go to theKurile Islands, off the coast of Japan. Professor Milne, of earthquake celebrity, who has recently been studying the volcanoes m that part of the world, writes:—"The fish that are caught are salmon and salmon trout. These exist ill such numbers during the summer and autumn seasons that their fins sticking out of the water near the entrances to the river look like tangled masses of kelp; while up the river it is but little exaggeration to say that some of the pools are mixtures of fish and water. With a rifle bullet you m%y pierce four or five at a single shot. The shoals are often covered with dead fish, which m their struggle for existence, have become so weak that, having once run them selves ashore, they are unable to return to the water. A single haul of a small seine upon ttye beach brought to land a large heap of fish varying m weight from four to twenty pounds, the number of which we roughly estimated at five thousand.'' John Roberts, j tin., who recently left the • ~<«itraH*n go]#iues for India, seems to have i * m fay desperately exciting vn pPj£ „, Bombay, say* the "Argus." billiards at x ■ U f o £ ward to meet him The representative p~ , 24.00 there was a Mr Cassum, wuiJ ™°*^f% points from the champion m a «»me oi 3000 for a stake of 1000 rupees. Cassum o merit as a billiard player apparently lay m his, being slow but sure. He could not undertake to compile his requisite 600 points m les3 than three days' play ; but there was no doubt m the minds of his friends that he would manage to get to the 3000 by that time, provided always that Roberts did not gefc there first, which, how ever, promised to be the ease. The Bombay billiardist had accomplished only 450 points of his journey when the dashing Roberts raced passed him to the winning post. Nevertheless the plodding Cassutn is held to have done by no means badly, inasmuch as he made breaks—carefully recorded—of 10, 11, and 12, and the "Tines" of India, dazzled at this performance, describes the game as "without doubt the best seen m Bombay during the champion's viut." "Better," says the poet (or the pocfc'j printer) "' half a year of JJupope than a circus m Bombay," but, judging from this, billiards m Bombay mask be a great deaf, tamer than a circus. Hollo way's Pills.—Weak Stomach.— The wisest cannot enumerate one quarter of the distressing symptoms arising from im perfect or disordered digestion, all of which can be relieved by these admirable pills. They remove cankery taste from the mouth, ftattjlency, and constipation. Holloway's Pills roif.se the stomach, liver and every other organ, thereby bringing digestion to that healthy tone which fully enables it to convert all we eat; and dri»k £o % nourish ment of our bodies. Hence tkes.c piUs are the surest strengthened and the safo?3fc restoratives m nervousness, wasting,- and chronic debility. Holloway's pills are infal lible remedies for impaired appetite, eructa tions, and a multitude of other disagreeable syruPitoHJ* which render thelives of thousands miserable jnd^ed, These pills are approved by all classes, _ Ninian" Hyslop a?d CVs X Imperial Ceylon and IrJiaa Teas are iireefcj frqm the Tea PhnUtion^—C&kt,)

CORRESPONDENCE

ROBBING GRAVES

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

TO TiriS KMTOTtJ S IX/i — m S pite pf various warnings that have from time to time appeared m print fco those who make 11 practice of stealing flowers, etc., from the Ashburton Ceme tery, it still continues. A month or so asjo a few flowers and shrubs were planted | on a grave, and remained all right until the flowers bloomed a week ago. Not content with the flowers alone, some i feloniously disposed personhasdeliberately 1 stolen roots and ail, planting m lieu, evidently with the viow to allay suspicion, a couple of miscnonett* roots. A more cruel action than this it would be hard to perpetrate. I sincerely hope that should these thieves be catiyht, they will be dealt with as they so richly deserve. — lam, etc., A. J. Tyrrell-Baxtek. February 8,: 1892.

The Great Pearl Case.

A most extraordinary case is now (London, December 18,) being tried m the High Court of Justice. In the middle of last February a young lady named Ethel Elliott, who was residing with her sister and brother at Boltons, m South Kensing ton, and who was the daughter and grand daughter of men of wealth and respectable position, was stopping with a second cousin. Mrs Hargreaves, the wife of Major Hargreaves, of Torquay. Mrs Hargreaves showed Miss Elliott where her jewels, which were extremely valu able—one valuation being as high as £15,000—were kept. Miss Elliott left Tjjquay for London on February 18. On the 19th a youn? woman of ladylik* appearance sold some pearls to a gold smith and jeweller named Spink, residing m Gracechurch street, for the sum of £550, and received m payment a crossed cheque. She s;ave the name of Price, and said that she resided at an address m London. The directory was searched, and it was found that the house she indi cated was occupied by another person, and she then said that she was only stop ping there, and that her house was at Bradford, Yorkshire. On the 23rd inst she returned to Spink, and complained that the bank would not pay a crossed cheque, whereupon Mr Spink gave her an open one, and she went away. Be tween the 19th and 23rd Mrs Hargreaves complained to the policd that her pearls had been stolen. Eventually it was dis cpvered that they had been sold to Messrs Spink, and the photograph of Miss Elliott being shown them, they recognised her as the young lady who offered them for sale, and the clerk who cashed the cheque gave a qualified identification. But she has accounted by many reputable wit nesses for every moment of her time od both the 19th and the 23rd, and it would be physically impossible for her to have gone from her home, m South Kensington to Spink's and to have returned m less than an hour and a half. The case has been already before the law courts m an action brought by Major and Mrs Har greave against Messrs Spink for the recovery of the pearls, and MihS Elliott, who has since the occurrence married Captain Osborne of the Carabineers, is now proceeding against the Hargreaves for slander. The case is exciting a great deal of interest, and some rather remark able developments are expected. Later intelligence states that the case came to an abrupt close on the 22nd December. It was ascertained that Mrs Osborne (Miss Elliott) hid negotiated the cheque drawn by Messrs Spink, and her counsel, Sir Charles Russell, thereupon threw up his brief, stating that m doing so he was acting nob only with the authority of Captain Osborne but on his imperative instructions. The latest cab!e new t states that Capfc. Osborne has brought his wife back to England for trial. No evidence was offered on the charge of false pretences and she was discharged, but immediately re-arrested on a charge ,of perjury. The case is a most extraordinary one, and has caused a great sensation m fashion able circles at Home.

County Hunt Club.

The adjourned annual general meet ins; of the Ashburten Counfey Hunt Club was held on Saturday evening m Henry's Commercial Hotel. There was not a large attendance, the harvest season no doubfc preventing the presence of many country members. Dr Leahy presided. FINANCE. Mr E. J. Paul read the financial report prepared by himself and Mr Rollitt, auditors, and the .balance sheet, which they had also prepared from such books and documents of the Club as were avail able. After discussion the report and balance sheet were adopted, and Dr Leahy and Mr A. J. Kelly, the Treasurer, were appointed a Committee to cullect an out standing debt to the Club. THJS HOTJNQS- There was no report submitted of the year's work, so far as the meets, etc., were concerned, and some discussion took place m regard to several matters m | connection with the hounds. U'timately, Mr E. Saunders undertook to see to the I hounds until a huntsman should be f appointed, and id was decided to invite applications tor the position of huntsman from qualified persons. ELECTION OP OFFICERS. The following officers for the ensuing i year were elected :—Pacrons—Messrs* E. G. Wright, M.H.R., John McLean, and Mr Matthew Stitt. President- Mr John Qrig-g. Vice-Presidents—Messrs G. H. Alingfcon, W. B; Denshire, D,. McLean, W, C, Walker, and Dr Leahy, Master— Dr Leahy. Deputy-Masters — Messrs E. P. Chapman and H. H. Wright. Secretary—Mr E. J. Paul. Treasurer— Hr A. J. Kelly. Auditors — Messrs Curtis and Wroughton. Committee— Messrs E. P. Chapman, H. W. Parsons, J. Heseltine, J. Kemp, F. Russell, J. Sawle, J. C, N. Grigg, A. Hewson, Roberts, Rollitt, I. M. Thompson, E. Saunters. G. A- M- Buckley, H. McLean, W. M. Helmore, ancj Dr Tweed, TIJANJJ^. Votes of thanks were passed to jfche farmers, over whose country the hounds had been hunfced (Juijng the past season ; tQ the chairman, the huntsman, and thjj officers, and the meeting closed,

Don't bk Duowvvv* '—If you want the besfc Medicine the world has ever pro duced, try Colemane and Son's Eucalypti Extract. For all affections of the chest and lungs, consumption, asthma, coughs, colds, grave], and kidney complaints. For jnfluenza it has no equal. Under the distinguish^} patronage of Earl Jersey, Governor of %§}y South Wales, Lord Carrington,' anf 3Jj«? %fi<F 01? of Germany. Awarded medals afc Melbourne, and Adelaide, beating all competitors', and s the only pure Impact m the world. See that the label bears our ti-ftde mark (tree of life and signature Colemane and Som, Cootamundra, New South Wales) without this it ip a fraud. Price, Is 6d and 2s 6d. Wholesale Dep6t tor New Zealand: Lichfield street, Christchurch IS. oje Agents for Ashburton : The Ash burton J?rug Company.—Advt " Keating "Po\y-pisw" destroys Bugs, Fleas, Moths, Beetles, mi %U ofchfer insects whilst quite harmless to domestic'animals. In exterminating Beetles the success of tins powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly clean m application. See the article you purchase is " Keating's," as imitations are '.oxious and ineffectual. Sold m Tins, 6d, $':»n.U2|sd ea.cfyby aty chemists, '

Dr. Barnardo's Homes.

In connection with Drßarnardo's homes for destitute children, a series of meofcingi* are announced to be held m Christchurch, ab which the Rev. W. J. Mayers, deputa tion secretary, will give addresses descrip tive of che various branches of the work, and eight of the boys from the London homes will play selections of music on the hand bells, bugles, bagpipes, and other instruments. Although it is only quite recently that j any public notice has been taken m the colony of Da Barnardo's labours m " Darkest England," he has been engaged for twenty-five years m rescuing the waifs and strays — the destitute and orphavi children— of the East End of London. In 1866 he received into his sheltering home the first cifcy arab, and has continued his efforts ever since, until at the close of 1890 there had been rescued 17,122 boys and girls, who other wise would have been left to fight the b;ifctle of lifo under the most disadvanta- I gaous conditions of destitution, ignorance, and evil surroundings. These have been educated and trained for a life of useful ness ; the boys m some trade and the girls for domestic service, and those who have been sent out into the world have, ia almost all cases, done well, and justi fied the care and expenditure bestowed upon them. In connection with the institutions m England there is a farm of 9000 acres m Canada, to which, and to friends willing to receive them, 4583 trained boys,-, and girls have been emigrated, and have proved most satisfactory and useful colo nists. The work embraces many branches, and one of its chief glories is that no really destitute child of either sex or any ai?e is ever refused admittance by day or night. Among the agencies employed are— Home for working and destitute lads, Girls' village home at Uford, Orphan home for little bojs, Nursing home for very little boys, Open all night refuge for homeless boys and girls, Babies' castle for infauts, Hospital for sick waif children, Rescue home for young girls m moral peril, Messengers' brigade. Shoeblack brigade, Rag collecting brigade, Wood chopping brigade, Farm school, Convalescent home, Blind and deaf branch, Branch for crippled and deformed child ren, and various other philanthropic agencies. The work is constantly and rapidly ex tending, and is only limited by want of means. The field for ifcs' operations among the " submerged tenth " is practi cally boundless, and is certainly the most hopeful of all spheres of philanthropic labor. makes it most difficult to cope with the poverty and degradation so ripe m the great towns of England, is that tho children grow up to take their parents' places m increasing numbers. Any scheme that, like Dr Barnardo's, lifts the chPdren out of fche dreadful slough, and stops the supply, not only benefits the individuals rescued, bub prevents the continuance of a raca of paupers and criminals. A meeting will be held m Ashburton-, on Thursday, at the Oddfellows' Hall, at which thfl residents of our county and town will have the opportunity of having full par ticulars of this most interesting and valu able philanthropic work, and of manifest ing m a practical way their sympathy with it. Contributions may be sent t,o the office of this paper, or to Rev. VV. J. Mayers direct, and will be thankfully acknowledged. In case of individuals or groups willing to undertake the the charge of a destitute boy or girl, it may be mentioned that the annual cosjg of main tenance of each is about £16, and one will be allocated by name and photo of the child bent to the friend maintaining it.

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON RACING CLUB

AUTUMN MEETING.

The following made the second payment on Saturday for The Ashburton Stakes of 2 soys each, with 100 soys added. Five furlongs. Mr J. McKellar's eh f Corruption, by Apremont —Bribery, 2yrs. Mr 0. Stratford's eh c Tom Field, by Johnny Faulkner—The Fly, 3yrs. Mr W. G. Lunn'a b f by Holderness— Alice Grey, 2yrs. Mr F. W. Wornep's br f Qarstnaid, by Hanlan—Firefly, 3yrs. Mr E. T. Rhodes' b c Morpheus, by St. George—Hammock, 3yrs. Mr R. Allen's br c Saracen, by St. George—B'air Nell, 2yrs. Mr L. Markey's b f Maria Martin, by Johnny Faulkner—Misg Martin, 3yrs. Mr C. F. Todhunter's br c The Winch man, by Cadogan—Miss Russley, 2yrs. Mr 0. F. Todhunter's qh c The Lumper, by Cadogan—Caprice, 3yrs, Mr S, Alexander's eh 0, by Oadogan— Nonsense, 2yrs. . Mr B. R. McDonald's b f Canadian Girl, by Hanlan—Britannia, 3yr3. Mr E. Wilson's eh c Ringrove, by Johnny Faulkner—Woodbine, 3 yrs. Mr R. H. Bennett's b c Warrington, by Gorton —Mountain Lily, 2yrs.

AUSTRALIAN RACING.

(Received February 8, noon.) Melbourne, February 8, There is very lifctle doing over theNNetw t market Handicap. .lsungebah is favorite at 100 to 14 ; other quotations are 100 to 7 Paris, 100 to 6 Fernando, 100 to 5 Pygmalion. D. O'Brien's horses have arrived safely.

ROAD BOARD.

MOUNT SOMERS.

The monthly meeting of the Mount Bomers Road Board was held on M« iday, February 1. Present—Messrs Edson (m the chair), Syme, McMillan and Chap man. overseer's report. •T-hi? ( Jver^eer's Report was read and considered.' Old Sawmill Road.—The Overseer re ported, haying arranged with Mr T. Simp son for #17 worth of work on this road, on condition that the Board give £10 towards the work. Agreed to. Spread Eagle Road, below Alford Station. —The Overseer reported having inspected this road where made on R.S. 30001 and 26351, and stated that Mr Herring was willing that the Road should be left as at present —provided he was allowed to fence m the adjoining roads not m use. Agreed to. APPI(IPATIONS. Mr John Stephen^qn cj.sked, fo£ some work to be done qn th.c Downs 'Jto^a, leading jio his place, The Overseer was instructed to inspect the place and report at the next meeting. Mr R. Carpendale again interviewed the Board, and presented a petition signed by five ratepayers and others, asking for the obstructions on O'Shea's Road to be removed. Ifc was resolved to give Mr O'Shea notice to put up a gate at the river end of the road, and the Overseer was instructed |:q if^peeb the road, with Mr Carpendale, witli a vjew to making it passable, provided he paid half the cost. Mr Chapman applied for about eight chains of the Village Settlement Road near his place, to be f onujd. and. ahingled,,

The Overseer was instructed to report on it at the next meeting. j SpringburnTramway Road. —The Over seer wasinstructcdto invite tendersfor the suoply of shingle on this road. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Clerk. Mount Hutt Road Board, stating that the crossing between R.S. 23546 and 31287 was nofc'passable, and asked for a notice to 'chat effect to be puc up on the Mount Somers side. The Overseer stated that he had attended to < tho matter. From Mr C. J. Harper, as agent for Messrs Acland and Tripp m the matter of road to R..S. 4275, asking what had been done. The Clerk stated he had written m accordance with what had been done. Approved. From the Chief Surveyor, on road through Crown Land to R.S. 32166, that Mr Mathias would attend to the matter when m the vicinity. From the Property Tax Department, re subsidy on rates. Received. ACCOUNTS. The pay-sheet, amounting to £83 Us 7d, was passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.

THE MARKETS.

(ITCB. PKESS ASSOCIATION.) Lonpos. February 5. Wool—Fine greasy crossbreds are |d per lb lower. A fall has taken place m colonial Stocks owing to the forced sale of bonds by insurance companies to meet heavy calls caused by the ravages of influenza.

The Canterbury Frozen Meat and Dairy Produce Export Company, Limited, have received cable advice from London, c'ated February 6, 1892, quoting their brand of mutton at 4£d per lb, market rising ; lamb, 6|d per lb, market steady, supplies short-, prospects good. The (Sew Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association report having received the following cable message from their Lon don office, dated February s:—"The wheat market is a shade firmer." (Received February 7, 10.55 a.m.) London, February 7. Tallow — Medium mutton 265, beef 24s 6d. Australian hides, salted, heavy ox 3£d, light ox 2§d. The quantity of wool catalogued up to date is 150,80 C bales, of which 147;400 have been sold.

POLITICAL.

I PER PRESS ASSOCIATION,

Wellington, February 7. Full Cabinet meetings will be held this week, at which the prouosed appoint ments to the Legislative Council will be considered. Dunedin, February 7. The Hon. J. G. Ward arrived on Satur day by the Hinetnoa, and aftev repre senting the Ministry at the banquet to the Governor, left by the Hinemoa for Wellington direot to attend a Cabinet meeting.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS

(VFAI PRESS ASSOCIATION. Tli« MUsing: lonri.t New Plymouth, February 8. A party who ascended Mount Egmont yesterday found the body of South wood, who went up last April and did not return. The body whs found in a good state of preservation near the top of the mountain, lying across two boulders at the foot of a precipice about twenty feet high, down which the deceased had apparently fallen. The body had clothes on, oven ll;u Uut, unJi ihu lluuh was in such a good state of preservation that the body could not have been exposed to the air more than two days, and must have been covered by the snow which had just melted. foand DrowiiMl. ITaweka, February 8. James Kearin, for whom the police have been searching for a week, on a charge of assaulting one Wybourn, was found drowned in a waterhole near his residence yesterday. Deceased had been strange in his manner for ten years.

TELEGRAPHIC. HOME AND FOREIGN.

PEB FUESS ASSOCIATION.

CARDINAL MANNING'S WILL.

London, February 5. Cardinal, Manning's will has been proved at under £100. THE GAIETY COMPANY. Mr Musgrove, the Australian manager, is contemplating engaging the Gaiety Company for a tour,, in cluding a season in London. SIR J. GORST ON EDUCATION. Sir J. Gorst asserts that education will end in the spread of Toryism among the working population. THE S.S. EIDER. Divers who have inspected the s.s. Eider, report that it will be hopeless to attempt to get her off. THE STRANDED IRONCLAD. A combined attempt of the squadron was successful in floating H.M>S, Victoria off. She wi}l return to Malta. She has only received slight injuries The doubk:bottom was the means of saving the vessel. LABOR QUESTIONS. The Miners' Federation has decided to make the eight hours question urgent in Parliament. February 6. The Secretary of the Omnibus Union says that the work of organ ising cabmen, which has been going on since the late strike, is almost com pleted. THE GREAT PEARL CASE. London, Febitary 5. No evidence was offered against Mrs Osborne on the charge of obtaining under false pretences, and she was discharged, but was immediately re arrested on a charge of perjury. February 6. When placed in the dock on a charge of perjury Mrs Osborne fainted, and the case had to be adjourned, accused being sent in custody to Hollo- I way prison where there is an infirmary. 1 THE FRUIT TRADE. London, February 5. A small consignment of South African peaches, of medium quality, but in gqod, oon^ition, realised 4Qs per do^en, Fruit authorities oonsider the advent of Tasmanian apples in the English market will afford a test of what demand in future there is likely to be. These apples are the largest and finest in the market. Both the supply of and demand for American fruit are .lower, opening splendid prospects fcr j colonial apples! pro/vided, shipments do not exceed 115,00,6 oases per fortnight. London, February 6. The " Standard " states that if the Cape fruit trade is extended it may possibly destroy the Australian tra^e.

The climate and cost of production is j the same in the two countries, but in ] the distance which the fruit has to be ) carried Cape Colony has a decided ad-! vantage. South America, the .'* Stan-1 dard " adds, may possibly compete for I the trade in the future. THE AUSTRIAN CURRENCY. The Bank of England has declined to facilitate the establishment cf a gold currency in Austria.



ENGLISH POLITICS. London, February 6 At a meeting at Kennington, Sir G. 0. Trevelyaii, on behalf of the Gladstone Liberal Party, initiated a campaign for the conversion of Tory seats in London. Sir W. V. Harcourt thinks that the result of the Rossendale election shows that the Tories are doubting the value of an alliance with the Unionists. COLONIAL FINANCE. Mr Dibbs' extensive conversion scheme is regarded in financial circles in the city as impracticable, and there is thought to be more probability of the rate of borrowing being increased than diminished. Sir Saul Samuel, in replying to the comments made by the "Statist" on Australian borrowing, reminds financiers that restricted borrowing means restricted disbursements to British manufacturers, and says that if New South Wales is unable to borrow in London or elsewhere for the con struction of railways which are earning full interest, then it is time for the colony to consider how the works can be carried on upon the colonial resources. Sir Saul Samuel also draw* attention to the fact that if a short wheat harvest in New South Wales in 1890 meant a loss of £600,000, the increase of sheep in the colony during the same period meant a gain of £1,900,000. I THE LOAN AND MERCANTILE At the meeting of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Com pany, Sir John Gorst said that the Company had had a splendid year. Wool of the value of two million ster ling had been imported. The alliance with HorsfalPs had proved beneficial in developing the produce market. He expressed the opinion that loans werepre ferable to mortgages, and mentioned that three-quarters of the capital of the Company was sunk in the colonies. Referring to the change which the New Zealand Government had made in the incidence of taxation, he said the new system was disastrous, and that other Companies predicted the withdrawal of capital from that colony. The meeting passed a resolution in favour of future reserves being invested in Government securities. The Right Hon. A. J. Mundella, one of the directors, said the depres sion in the shares was due to the un paid liability, and he suggested that a reduction should be made in the value of the shares. The meeting was enthusiastic in praise of the manner in which the directors had conducted the affairs of the Company. MR SPURGEON'S SUCCESSOR, The Rev. Jas. Spurgeon, Mr Moody (American evangelist), and the Rev. Archibald Brown, are mentioned as probable successors to the late Rev. C. H. Spurgeon. IRISH AFFAIRS. Mr Justin McCarthy has been re elected Chairman of the Sessional Committee of the Irish party, with a Committee of eight advisers. THE SHIPOWNERS AND MR; PLIMSOLL The shipowners are incensed at the evidence given by Mr Plimsoll before the Royal Commission on Labor, and assert that many of his, statements were devoid of truth. They announce their intention of bringing evidence before the Commission to refute Mr Plimsoirs statements.

THE ANARCHISTS.

Madrid, February 6- At Xeres five anarchists were sen tenced to death, and three to penal servitude for life. I^onpon, February 6. Cavarqua, an Italian, has been ar rested, m Birmingham for having a number of bombs m his possession. He is supposed to be connected with the Walsall Anarchists.

CHILI AND THE UNITED STATES.

Valparaiso, February 6. The Chilians who attacked the sailors of the United States warship Baltimore hare been sentenced, to terms of imprisonment ranging from four months to thirty months. The house ol Mr Egan, United Stages Minister, is being guarded by the police m order to overawe the mob.

THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE

Zanzibar, February 6. Emm Pasha, m his ioumey from the coast to Wadelai came across the track of a band of Arabs who were driving 1200 slaves to the coast. Scores of the unfortunate wretches had been killed because they were unable to keep up with the others.

SUGGESTED IMPEACHMENT

Lisbon, February 6. The proposition that Senor Carvalho, late Minister of Finance, should be impeached for advancing three trillion francs to a railway company without the cognisance of the Cabinet^ is being discussed m the Cortes,

THE LATE SIR M. MACKENZIE.

Berlin, February 6. The German Press refer in uncom plimentary terms to the late Sir Morell Mackenzie. The Empress Frederick declares that by the death of the eminent specialist she has lost cp<s o# her dearest friends. THE COMMERCIAL T/REATIESv The Er^peror William has conferred the P/d^r qf the Llack Eagle an the Marquis Rudini, the Italian Premier, for the part he took in the establish ment of the commercial treaties. ROYAL BETROTHAL. | St. Petersburg. February <iy The Grand Duchess eldesty daughter of the Oza^, is. betrothed to, the Grand Puke, 4^x,lTl^er Miobaek vitoh. I "THE RUSSIAN FAMINE. The Ameer of Bokhara has sent a 1 contribution of 100,000. roubles t« the, famine relief fund. SETTLEMENT. %& IRELAND. One hundred? and fifty tenants on t^e estate have agreed to

purchase holdings under the .Ash bourne Act, upon terms which Sir H. F. Ponsonby offered m 1887.

THE CHINESE TROUBLES.

Hong Kong, February 6- The Mandarins of Mongolia who are suspected of connivance with the rebels will be dismissed.

BANKING FRAUDS.

Paris, February 5 A-financial scandal has been un earthed in Paris, and two Bank managers have been arrested. Paris, February 6. The names of the bankers concerned, in the financial scandal have not been revealed. It is str.ted that a number of frauds were perpetrated in connec tion with the floating of a recent loan. REQUESTS TO THE POPE. The Court has decided that the Pope can inherit property bequeathed to him in France, subject to the approval ot the Government.

AUSTRALIAN.

THE FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY.

Sydney, February 6. Ihe Government intend to introduce a Bill immediately to facilitate the export of frozen meat. It empowera pastoralists to tax themselves to pro vide a fund for the payment of sub sidies to establish freezinc depots in country districts. WIFE MURDER AND AT TEMPTED SUICIDE. A fearful murder was perpetrated last night close to a main thoroughfare. A woman, whose, name is unknown, was found almost decapitated. Num bers of people were about at the time. Sydney, February 7. In the course of their investigations the police discovered a man named Macrow with his throat cut, in the vicinity of a quarter where a woman was atrociously murdered on Friday night. He confessed he bad murdered the woman, who was his wife, in a fit of jealousy. Macrow's wound is »©t, likely to prove fatal. Twenty years ago Macrow's brother was hanged in Sydney for a similar offence. NEW SOUTH WALES FINANCE. Nothing authentic is known as to the exact reasons for Mr Dibbs' proposed visit to London, but assumptions con tained in the cable from London to day that his visit is due to the exten sion of the conversion scheme will probably be found to be true.

THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNORSHIP.

Adelaide, February 6. The Earl of Kintore emphatically denies that he is to be transferred to New Zealand m succession to Lordi Onslow, and says he cannot imagine how the rumour originated.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, February 7. The head of the Labor Bureau, Mr Edward Tregear, has come to Auckland to establish a branch of that institution. He proposes travelling through the colony to confer with the subordinate factory inspectors regarding some doubtfui points of the new Act, and will leave for Napier this week, then £foing south. In reply to an interviewer, Mr Tregear said he thought the number of unemployed m the colony was decreasing. In July last, he had 163 men m one day at the Bureau, but during the past two months the average had not been six a day. Wellington, February 7, As the Wakatipu was coming into her berth this morning a heavy squall of wind struck her against one of the corner poles with such force as to knock a hole clean through one of the plates. A deputation from the Central Railway League will wait upon the Minister for Public Works on Tuesday to urge upon him the necessity of letting a contract at the southern end of the " North Island Trunk Railway. Gisbokne, February 7. A fourteen-roomed boarding house named the Cottage of Content, owned by William Adair and occupied by Mrs Mclntosh, was destroyed by fire yesterday afternoon. The insurances are—On the building £250 m the New Zealand Office ; and on the furniture, £250 m the Royal. Dunedin, February 7. A pretty Roman Catholic Church m the Norfch-East Valley-was opened this morn ing by Dr Morgan, after which : Dr Griwes, Roman catholic Bishop of Christdwurch,, preached. At the swimming tournament jresterchiy,. 100 yds championship was won by Grira mett, with Crowe second. The time waa slow, lmin 22fsec ! The farewell banquet to the Governor, m the Garrison Hall, was attended by 200 personß. The Mayor presided, and l was supported by the Postmaster-General and nearly all-the Otago members of both. Rouses. Invercakglll, February %, The barque Star of Erin, Hopkins, which left the Bluff for London ©n Satur day, has gone ashore on Waipapa reef and is a total loss. All handSs.were saved.

ATHLETICS.

THE NEW ZEALAND CHAMPION SHIP MEETING.

[per pkess association.^

Christchurch, February 6". The amateur championships concluded to-day at Lancaster ifcrk. Hcmpton iv the 100 yds equaled the New Zealand record of $ 4-siih ft'ec : Batger m a special trisj ma.de the new record of 16\sec for th« 120 yds hurdle?,, and West wade the new record of 10ft m the pole jump. The the other performances were al&o good. The meeting was the most successful yefc held m New Zealand, and will result m at profit of about £150. 100 Yards Championship. IN.ZL record 9 4-sth sec). -Firsb heat—J. H» Hempfcon (Hawke's Bay) ljW. Hay ward (Canterbury) 2 ; W. A, Low (Dune> dinj 3. Wm by two yards. Time—lo l-sfch sec. Soooad: heat—J. Buchanan (Auckla.na) 1 j W. Balch (Canterbury) 2 : N. L. €hirr (Wellingtcai 3. Won by a yard. Time—lQ l-sth sec. Final I J. H. Homptekn t; W. Hay wajreT 2 J. Buchanan 8. Won by five, yards. Time—9 4-sth sec. One Mile Walk. (N.JS. record, 7min 2 2-sth sec.)—A. F. Burton (Auckland) 1; H. S. Cocks (Canterbury) 2; A. Bain (Dunedin)3, Won by ten yards. Time— 7min 5 4-<§bh $&&. O^B-Mitß Ordinary Bicycle. (N.Z. record 2tnin 43; st-sth see.)—A. C. Wiliaob (North Canterbury) 1; C. R. Wilson '(Canterbury) 2; W. J. S. HaywarA (Canterbury) 3. Won easily by forty yards. Time—2min 52 2.-sth sec. Fivk Milk Safktx 1 BicYt'LE.~VV, l, Kerr (Sydney) 1.; A. €: Wilmot (Canter i bury) 2; R, Ohwrkeon (Canterbury) 31 Won by- a quarter of a mile. Time— 14niin 48&ec. l QI?ARTBR-MILE CHAMPIONSHIP; (S.Z. record 50 2-sth sees.>^Pfcter Wood (Can terbury) 1; J. p. Grierson (Canterbury). 2; W. A. Uar- (Dunedin) 3. Won by threey^*» 'Jfim«—sl loth see.

THE ASHBTIRTON GUARDIAN: MONDAY, ttfiBRUAlHr 8, JB9J



Tiie world is ever moving on towards perfection, butsoldom attains it. Constant improvement is being made m every branch of industry, but m Baking PovvderH Perfection lias been reached ia Warburton's Can't Be Boat. ......... ilyskv; ■■lii.i L'u.'ti r Imperial" pure Ceylor and fndiai! I^aa we the



Wanted. CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-; Addresses may be left at this Office. LOST, on Saturday night, near Tasker'a butchery, a purse contain ing money. Reward at Mr Hampton's, Cabinetmaker^ 2J32- W*"~ ANT &D, strong Boy ; must be able to milk and make himself gencr ally useful. Apply Mrs Ranger, Ash burton Reataurant. 2§22 T\TOTHINGwiII Cool you so quickly and -*^ invigorate the system so much as Ice Cream—H.OJ. Flower, Confectioner, East Street ._ ANTED Known."-Come and see the Bargains now on at Melford House. — H. C. Sbgeks. WANTEDKnown.-At"The Corner' now selling Ladies', French iShofs. 5s lid. See them.—W. H. Collier, TITANTED KNOWN,—A great pur- VV chase of Kid Gloves, £135 10s 6.1, Florencia Kid Gloves, all sizes, 4 and 6-Clasp, usual price 6s lid and 8s 6d, now sold for 4s lid and 5s lid.-A. Obr's Sale. ' THIRTY Pieces Dress Goods at 6d ; 60 Pieces French Cashmere at Is 6d, worth 3s 6d ; 1000 Yards French Tweed, double width, at Is 9d, worth 3s 9d. All Dress Goods greatly reduced.—Andrew Ore's Cheap Sale. 1 106 tITANTED Known.—lf you want VV plenty of first class Drapery, Boots and Clothing for cash, come to Melford House Sale.—H. C. Seg'srs. BOOTS, Bouts.—lnfants Boots 9d, six Dozen Ladies' Elastic Side Boots, 5s 9d, Genfes' Boots 8s 6d, Mens' Blucher Boots 5s 6d, Stanley Shoes Is lid.— Andrkw Orr b Sale. 1 WANTED KNOWN, a special lot of Hearth Rugs at Is lid, 2s 6d and 3s lid ; worth about doable. W. H. Collier. "Y\TANTED Known.—l have a large VV stock of Tin and Ironware Goods to select from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m stock.—J. W. Hardley, East .treet. 6J202 WANTED Known.—Great Cash Sale now on at Melford House. Almost everything reduced. —H. C. Sbobrs. TTIO Meet the Times.—l am supplying JL Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s pwatds, warranted for twenty years, orce pumps, deep well cylinders of descriptions. Inspection invited.— J. W. Habdley, Eas street. 6J201 SHEEP SHEARS. Having secured a Stock of the celebrated 8.8.A., ami as there are very few m the Colony, Shearers are requested to call early.— Robert Alcorn, Saunders' Buildings. ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed; from 60s cash. Robbri Alcorn, Ashburfcon Clothing Mart, Sannders' Buildings. WANTED Known—That you will make no mistake for quality and variety m English and Colonial Boots, and his highly reputed make by calling at J. Moison's. During coming holidays dis count for Cash. Repairs done at once. m staff of men always kept and best Aaterial and workmanship guaranteed. WANTED Known.—H. Baikstow has opened those premises m East street nextJ. Orr and Co., as a Furniture Warehouse. Latest designs m Vienna Chairs, and Iron Bedsteads on view. Having a good stock of well seasoned figured Rimu and Kauri, he is prepared to take orders for Furniture to any design. Inspection invited. Ilt6l Public Notices. VALENTINES to suit everybody. Just opened up. Palm Leaf Fans and Screens at 6d. Selling fast. Also Zither Harps, three sizes, from 4s 6d. New Games, Fancy Stationery, &c. L. F. ANDREWES & CO., Stationers' Hall. STOCK-TAKINGS BEDUCTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE IN ALL DEPARTMENTS. INSPECTION InVISED# NEW ZEALAND Clothinvr Factory. W. H. WEBBER' Manager. Mr T. Bullock TO LET.—2OO acres Grass Land, Mitchara road. TO LET.— 4-Roomed Cottage, Peter Street West. TINWALD. — Two Front Sections, numbers 4 and 5, for Sale at a low price. J&£)Cl 1 /^S.—Capital Building Site. "&St£\J J-yJ T.S. 1009, containing |-Acre, fronting Peter Street West, for Sale at the above low figure, as» the owner is leaving the district. The corner section 1010 adjoining is for sale, so that the purchaser can, if he so desire, secure the two together, which is a magnificent site for a private residence, close to the Domain and m a healthy position. T. BULLOCK.