MAIL NOTICE S.

Maila close for the following places as under, subject to the necessary altera tions :— 'SATURDAY, February 20. For 'Northern Ports, per Jiotorua, at C5.%50p.rn. I WEDNESDAY, February 24. [ For the United Kingdom and Continent of Europe and America ami West Indies (via San Francisco), Suidwich Islands &c, fee., and also for Northern ports of Isew Zealand, per Takaouna, as follows: — Ordinary letters, books, and newspapers at O.ir> p.m., registered letters at o p.m., money orders p.m. Tins mail will be due m London on March 30.

ENGLISH MAILS.

HOMEWARD—DIRECT MAILS. Coptic, left January 9, due London February 18. lonic, left February 6, due London Mareli 17., ' Tainui, leaving Marcb 5, due London Amil 14, , r "Boric, leaving April 2, due London .May 12. S\N FRANCISCO MAILS. Mariposa, left January 30, due London March 2. Monowai, leaving on February 2/, due London March 30. Alameda, leaving on March 26, due London April 27. OUTWARD —DIRECT MAILS. Kaikoura, due colony February 24. Ruahine, due colony March 21. SAN FRANCISCO MAILS. Alameda, due colony February 28. Mariposa, due colony March 23,

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1892. CURRENT TOPICS.

The educated Maori of to-day has a good deal of the wisdom of the serpent about him, and he is not slow to take advantage of the special privileges which are secured to him by legislation. That Maoris do not pay rates on their lands is well known, but it was cer tainly never intended that they should enjoy a similar exemption m regard to properties which they have acquired by purchase from Europeans. The " Poverty Bay Herald" says that Wi Pere and Peka Kerekere, two native chiefs m thab district, who carry on sheep farming on an extensive scale on European methods, have recently pur chased several properties which have for years belonged to Europeans and paid rates. The owners now stand on their rights as aboriginal natives, and refuse to contribute .any more to local taxation. The Maoris have recently evinced a remarkable inclination to take up land, and we have here the key to their proceedings. It is be coming a matter of too much import ance to be overlooked, and will have to be set right by legislation without delay.

Nearly two months have elapsed without anything being elucidated re garding the poisoning of the wedding party at Pahiatua at Christmas. The discovery of arsenic m some biscuits made m the district has deepened the mystery instead of throwing light upon it. It says very little for the energy or intelligence with which the case— or cases —are being enquired into, when no clue can be obtained to the perpetrator of the most diabolic mur der^ —for there is no reason for sup position that the poisoning was acci dental. The means at the command of the police are evidently insufficient to discover the guilty person or persons, and a substantial reward for informa tion thould have been offered long ago. [Since the above was written we have received telegraphic information that a reward has been offered.]

The remarks m the Christchurch papers upon the alleged damaged state of the wheat crop m the Ashburton County, cannot be allowed to pass without protest. Members of our staff' have since the rain been over the greater part of the county, and we have had trustworthy communications from the localities not actually visited, and we confidently declare that the remarks of our Christchurch contem poraries are not warranted by the facts. A great deal of the grain has been secured uninjured, and will be a prime sample. What was standing during the rain has mostly been since reaped m good order ; and what was m the stooks is only partially damaged, by far the greater portion having es caped injury. The sprouted or other wise damaged grain will therefore form a very rinall proportion of the total yield.

The manner m which his Lordship the Primate conducted the proceedings of the Anglican Synod, m Wellington, has excited general indignation and amounts to little short of a grave scandal. The despotic attitude which he all along maintained wasbad enough, but when to this were added the in justice of refusing speech to those who wished im underserved reflection upon Canon Howell to be removed, the tyranny of setting his own will against the otherwise unanimous wish of the whole Synod that the standing orders s&mkl be suspended m order that im portant business might be overtaken, and his intemperate speech on the Women's & uffrageqnestion he is stamped as quite unfit for the position he holds. The determination of tk& Sy&od to take the extreme course of refraining from moving a vote of thanks to ifre Primate lor presiding was amply warranted, ibut, pnfortunately, unlike a vote of no .cwfldesfie m other places, it will almost e&rtainty foe disregarded, and the mem bers of.' ifc'h<e %#od will have to bear their fate till the whirligig of time brings.' ftDOUt its iwe-ngft«.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Referring to^i^itP6^ the Hon Heni7 (Joneland, of New BoytV Wales, m a speed. ,'Bivcred at Cobai- recently, uu} tha*. h«! was ,od opinion, nay, certain, tlu£ k-Vi tho ijefttfie been dealt with with a strpnglwi .earlwr ** it* existence, the present lament able ea-tasUx,^e would never have occurred. The task now of eliminating the pest he regarded as an almost i«s W ri»ountable one. No less than 1878 specifics for % extermi nation of the rabbit, each claiming \,o he infallible, had been otfered to the Govern, mmt. So varied and so complicated were thW *JJeged infallible cures tuat he had ii«#aM ft»jgive an opinion as to the most «ffiMei9Uß. %* &™ of the varied methods might Ue gleaned from the fact that no less tbah seventy .schetngs came from all a*rfcs of tjhe gtabe for solving the^fhculty by the ewpiojMWßjb ,of electriqity, ana /ive separate proposftls ,t«? do away with.'.' bunny with pVwrn IH '^^ W y^

Before Major Steward, J.P., this morning, a first offender, for drunkenness, was dis charged with a oautioa. Train arrangements for the Punedin races are advertised. A niahb tram leivcs Dunedin for Oliristchurch at 9.40 p.m. on the 27th. Emanuel Font, cook cf the American whip Everest, was on Thursday committed for trial on a charge of wilfully setting fire to the ship whilst m the Lyttelton graving dock. M. Leon Driver's fame as a pknist secma to have reached London, for we notice that ■it is stated that he has received a brilliant offer to appear at St James' Hall. A bushman named Daniel Lynch was working with his brother m the Nguuguru bnsh on Thursday when a log fell on him and crushed him to death. Mr Cecil Wynn-Williams has been ap pointed kennel "huntsman by the South (aii terbury Hunt (Jlub, and will hunt 1 .10 hounds during tlio coming season. The Government intend to introduce a bill oivino power to old soldiers to transfer their knd scrip. A number claimed and proved before magistrates have been paid 111 cash. The R.M.S. Alameda, with the English mails of the 23rd ult,, left San Francisco tor Auckland on the 7th inst., three days late. The Mariposa with the colonial malla ol tne 30th ult., arrived at San Francisco from Auckland on the 18th inst., contract date At a meeting of the creditors of Mr S. G Smith, butcher, at Dunedin, a proposal tc accept 10s m the £ and costs, and to discon tinue the proceedings m Court againat the debtor was carried without dissent. The annual meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce was held on Thurs day. when the report, a precis of which we have already published, was adopted. A communication from the Minister of Lands, refuting the Chamber's opinion regarding the settlement of the land, was read. I Heavy rain accompanied the thunderstorm which passed over the Upper Hinds district on Thursday, and yesterday there was a fresh m the Hinds liver, making it only iust passable for vehicles. This is the first water that has been m the river for about three years. A free pardon and £50 reward is offered to any person, not being a principil offender, who shall first give information which will lead to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons implicated m the murder of Peter Dickson and Joseph Moore at Pahiatua m December last. The Auckland Scripture Gift Association: at a special meeting last Thursday, passed a resolution expressing concern at the increas ing encouragements and opportunities pro vided from time to time for betting and especially through horse racing meetings, and asking agents and subscribers to discountenance them. An old man, named William Bull, resid ing by himself m a hut on his farm, at Wecdons, was found dead on Tuesday. He was seen alive last week. When found he had been dead several days. The deceased was apparently about 60 years of age, and his name is m the list of long-lost relatives published m Lloyd's Weetdy. The Grand United Scholars' Concert which for some time past has been m preparation by the scholars and choirs of the Weslcyan and Primitive Methodist Sunday Schools will ba given m the Oddfellows' Hall on March 15. A very interesting programme has been arranged, and we do uot doubt but that it will be gone through m a satisfactory and creditable manner. Many stationowners m New South Wales are glad to get rid of their sheep for a mere song. They are cutting the throats of hun dreds daily, as the rabbits have the place overrun, and now, as water has given way out back, they are coming into the river m millions, and will very soon have tha front age as bare as ihe back blocks. In reference to a paragraph m Thursday's GrATiT)T.VN\ stating that a recent census taken m Liverpool showed that out of a population of half a million there were only 63,000 who on a particular Sunday attended public worship, a correspondent sends us a cutting from a recent (English) "Guardian" which on thi authority of the " Liverpool Daily Post" states that on the Sunday evening alone there were 100,174 attendants. This is an increase of 28,477 compared with a census taken m 1881. The inspector of factories for Christchuroh Ashburton, and Waimata districts, has registered 202 premise;*, mostly m the city of Christchurch, as factories ; forty appli cations have been referred back for various reasons. There are about 100 premises m the three districts for which applications have not yet been made. An inspection of the premises m the city so far shows that several need improvement m the direction of cleanliness and ventilation. A gentleman whose lung 3 arc not strong enough for him to enjoy the fumes of tobacco after a dinner party, lately took with him to a- friend's house a little lamp, which he placed on the table when the cigars were lighted. Over the flame of this little lamp was a ring of platinum, which, growing red hot m a very few seconds, consumed the smoke of a dozen cigars as it was made, so that the atmosphere of the room was as clear as it would have been had there been no smoking 'going on at all. The first annual meeting of the Canter- I bury Farmers' Co-operative Insurance Society was held at Christchurch on Thurs day. The directors report, which was adopted, recommended a dividend of five per cent per annum, and stated that the grosspremiumsduring the year amounted to —fire £1439, marine—£27s6; £242 fire premiums, and £1801 marine premiums kaye been paid as reinsurances. Th"j losses paid and ascertained at December 31 amount to fire—£l2o, marine £139. After providing for the appropriation of £454, there was sufficient to reinsure current risks, together with £117 for the directors' and auditors' fees, the balance available for distribution was £2054. A census return just issued shows that of the population of the colony (other than Maori 3) as at the census of 1891, the religions classification was as follows :— Church of England and Episcopalians 250,943; Presbyterians 141,477 ; Roman Catholics 85 856 ; Methodists (of all denomi nations) 02,237 ; Baptists 14.525 ; Salva tionists 9,383; Congrcpationalists 6,685. Other sects 25,873; Agnostics, Deists, Freethinkers, Doubtful, Persons of no religion, or who "object to state" 23,441 ; Jews 1463; Mormons 206; Spiritualists 330; Buddhists, Pagans, and Confucians. 3028. Roughly the approximate percentages are as follow, viz,, Church of England 40; Presbyterians 25; Roman Catholics 14; Wesleyans 10 ; Baptists 2 ; Salvation Army H ; Congregationalists 1 ; Brethren -£ ; other various denominations 1£; Buddhists £; Jews \; Freethinkers, Agnostics, and Deists f ; and of no religion or r.o avowed religion 3 per cent. The best medicine is Sander and Sons- Eucaipyti Extract. Test its eminent power ful effects m coughs, colds, influenza, etc.— the r&iief is instantaneous. Thousands give the niiosi ghtfifmg testimony. His Majesty the King of Italy and in&dje'al syndicates all over the world are its patrons. Read tin I official reports that accompany each bottle- We have no occasion to offer rewards m proof of the genuineness of our references. The official reports of medical clinics and univer si ties, the official communications of the Consul General for Italy at Melbourne; the diploma a'jjr&.'ded by the International Exhibition An»Bi& I<lsiH--aIl these are authentic docu ments, and, as siicfr, &ot open to doubt. We add here epitome of one of the various cases treated at the clinic of Schultz, M.D, Pro fessor, etc.—-"C. 8., 24 years old; conges tional abscess 011 the thigh. Incisions made ■t;i two places. Although Lister's dressing waa'ati^ied, the secretion became, two days later, very copiyts. and had adopted a fcetid decomposed'character. *hfc temperature rose enormously. In consequence the dressing was removed and m its place were made duping the day-time repeated irrigations with 'Eucalypti Extract. The offensive fceter dis appeared v'ftry'sGGrt, the. fever abated wijihin a few days, and the patient recovered ftfter the lapse of several weeks. In this instance we must not lose sight of the fact that the latter treatment saved the patient's lifp. «— Advt.) 3 Ask for Ninian Hyt-.lop, and Co. s Imperial new season * Pure Ceylon and Jn|k T;§«i9. Specia prioani«-(M*t '

ALLEGED FIRE RAISING.

Before Messrj Donald Williamson and David Thomas, J.P'.s, ab the Police Court yesterday morning, -Yndrew Black was charged with having wilfully set lire to his promises m K*sb Street on the night of February 11, contrary to t.ho Malicious Injury to Property Act, 1873. LispecLor IVn 'or conducted the pro'H.- cution, and Mr Purnell, with him Mr Bay, of Timaru, appeared for the defence. In continuation of oiu* r< poit yestui <\ny—Sergeant Mo'ller evidence,— the witness was cross-ex unined By Mr Purnell —The stock was valued on Sunday by Mr Gimdersen, but Mr; Black was not present, nor was he repre seated there. Did not inform him that a valuation was to be m ule. He was m custody at the lime. On the Saturday evening declined to Mr Puruoll to briny; Black before a justice .so that he could be bailed out. iS.-dd there .vas no Court. Mr Purnell said that the man could be brought, before a justice and bail offered, and he (Air Purnell) offered to bring all the necessary officials and others, but witness refused. The conversation be tween Black and himself took place immediately after the fire, and Black showed no reservation at all m answering questions about the fire. The information embodied m the written statement of accused was obtained at Black's o»vn house, about eight or nine o'clock on the evening of the fire. There wereDetec tire Neil and witness present when Bhck made the statement. Detective Neil came up m response to a telegram sent by witness for additional assistance. Did nob warn accused that any statement he made would be used against him. Black corrected a remark that he had made before about the value of his Rakaia stock. Witness understood him to have said that the value was £200 —Black said he meant that the stock had been reduced by £200. By Mr P'jrnell—Mr Ferriman was noi: stating what was correct when he said the till was upside down on the floor when they went into ihb shop. It was right side up, had a halfpenny m it, and an ornament, and it was either Ferriman or Black himself who turned it upside down iil'tßivviU'd.i. The cheque sought for, Mr Black made perfectly clear was no u.^e to anyone but himself. By Mr Pender—Had no instructions from any justice to bring accused up before him when Mr Purnell wished to have him up for bail. Detective Robert Neil said he had witnessed Black's signature to the written statement produced, and arrested accused on Saturday night. Black simply said it was strange. Found severa 1 letters on accused's person when arrested, and m the drawer of the safe m accused's shop. They all referred to accounts connected with accused's business. Mr Hay said he had no objectio^ to the letters produced going m, provided the writers were brought to make their state ments on oath. Mr Pender said that was to be so. By Mr Hay—The accused signed the statement m witness's presence on the Saturday morning. At that time did not know if there was anything m the case at all, and did not understand then that he was to be arrested. There had come to witness's knowledge, between this state ment and the arrest, the fact that jewellery had gone awny from the shop to Rakaia and to Chrisfcchurch, and that he had made another statement to Madrliaon. It was the fact of the jewellery going to Christchurch that c-iused Black to be arrested, but Black had gob no oppor tunity to explain this, and witness did not think it was fair that he should have had such an opportunity. S. G. Maddison, inspector for the Insurance Association, came to Ashburl.on on the 13th to investigate Black's fire. Saw Black and took clown his statement, which was read to him. Before removing any insured sto'jk, under claase 4 of the policy issued to Black, it was necessary to give notcie. This notice had not been given, and the policy was vitiated accordingly. By Mr Purnell—Had never known anybody to remove so much stock with out giving notice, although many people did not always act up to the provisions of tlieir policies. Black had no insur ance upon the goods of any other person that might have been m the shop. At bh'3 request of the Bench, a written statement by Black to witness was read, giving the history of his business trans actions since starting m Ash burton ; and also details of how he had spenc the time between s\x o'clock and midnight of February 11, the night of the fire Asked for the key of the s&fe. Witness caused the safe to be opened, and passed the remark that the books should be taken care of and examined. Looked through the stock book. By Mr Pender —The repair watches were not insured, and had there been a complete destruction of the stock, the Company would have had to trust to Black's honor for a statement of the loss. Frank Tilley, fifteen years and a half old, said he lived with his step father at Hampstead. Had been m Mr Black's employ for about five months. Was employed m cleaning clocks m the shop. Gave notice to leave about a fortnight ago, because he did not get wages regularly enough. Mr Jesson was m Mr Black's employ, but he left about a mont before the lire. Was m the habit of staying till the shop was closed at six o'clock. They usually left by the front door, the back door being locked, and the key left on a nail. The repair watches were hung on h joks m a case on a wall m the front shop. They had been left there at night usually since Mr Jesson left. On the night of the fire Mr Black put them m the safe himself—that was tho only occasion on which he had .seen Mr Black put the repair watches m the safe. On that occasion he pub m the brooches also. Never saw Jesson put them m, and could not say why they had been put m. It was customary for the books to be put m, bu 1: they were not always. He could not swear they were put m that audit. The windows at the back of the premises were frosted about a week before the fire. Mr Black gave him no reason for frosting them. Used to open the door of "the shop, getting the key from Mr Black. Did not remember ever having found the back door key out of its place. Thought a Sunday intervened between the doing of the windows and the fire. The money and cheques re cisived were usually kept m the till m the i drawer. The stock was getting smaller while witness was there, bub witness could not say where it was going. Inde pendent of watches for repair there vrera only about three or four watches on the promises, and for the last three or four weeks there had been no gold rings. On the Mondry before the lire Wo gentle men came to the shop, and witness was told to go away for an hour. Came back at a quarter to three, and was again told to go away. Saw some chains and jewellery on a bench. Was seat to Mr Black's house for a leather bag, bu£ did not get it. Was not aware that any jewellery went away on the Wednesday before the fire. There was a good deal of paper upder the counter of p\ie shop, and it kept incre^ing e?ery day as news papers came ni. On the day of thp fire it was all along under the counter, There was a large o^se m the kitchen full of paper and straw ; it had been therefor a month. Upstairs the rooms were quite empty. By Mr Hay—There was only 10s owing by Mr Black to witness when he gave notice to leave, H»4 beeu pi*s 2S5§-

The Piife was not kept m .-the workroom, but. m the front shop. Daring the lust mouvh, Mr Black locked up the shop himself, and may have put the watches iiV die safe affcar witness went; away, it was wituess's duty to clear out the sfcuii' from under the counter, but lie hud not done'so. The paper under the. counter was used for wrapping up things. If anyone had wanted a firu m the premises, the best place to .start it would have been at the back. Was not aware that Mr Black had brought any change against witness ef unfcruthfulness. By Mr Ponder— ISuw and agniu he had found the safe closed but not locked. This had occurred once a week or so. rHie reason why he was able to say that Ihe repair w<itclu;« had not been put m the sife at nisjjhfc Avas beciuse he saw them bantling on the wall m the morning. By the Bench—.Saw Mr Black put: the watches away the night of the fire, but never any other night. James Wilson, watchmaker and jeweller, 1 at present living at Rakait, came out from Home m May last under an engagement to Mr Black, and began work m the East 1 Street shop, There was a very good .stock m the shop, which witness valued at about £700. The premises were gener ally closed by witness, and the repair watches, goods from the window, and goods from the counter cases' put into the safe. It was usual to leave" by the front door. leaver worked late at night him self, and was not aware that anybody else did. Went to Rakaia a month ago to carry on business for Mr Black. This was done for the accommodation of Rakaia customers,. Took about £80 worth of stock to Rakaia. Had done very well with it, but the Sheriff took it from him that morning on a writ at tlie instance of Messrs Potts and Co., Christchurch. Had sold £17 or £18 worth of goods m Rakaia. The windows of the back shop m the Ash burton establishment were not obscured as they are now. There was a box of coal m the back room, but no rubbish, when he was employed there. Had once or twice had some delay m getting his wages, but it was all rk'h't now. Could not say there had been any difference noticeable on the stock during the time he was there. The carpenter who did the work for the shop ac Rakaia got a watch, the painter was paid m cash. The father of accused was a man of means m the Old Country. By Mr Hay—The stock brought out from Scotland i;i the same ship with wit ness m May last year was worth about £300, and was the gift of Mr Black's father. It was first-class stock. This, however, was m addition to the. £700 worth mentioned. The stock taken to Rakaia by witness he included m the estimate of value. Would say that Mr Black's business m Ashburton was a good business when witness left for Rakaia, and he had a good connection of customers. Up to the time witness left to go to Rakaia there was no diminution of stock except m the ordinary way of sale. Knew nothing of any stock having been pledged to creditors. There was a large packing case m the backroom inwhich they had at "first intended to pack the. Rakaia goods, but it was abandoned. The methylated spirits were kept m the back shop, and if any one wanted to raise a fire m the place it was there they ought to go for ' it would go quick enough." The usual practice of jewellers is to put repairs m the safe at night. Could not realise that Mr Black would alter this practice and leave the repairs out. There was nothing extraordinary m Mr Black leaving the place by +he back door, nor was there m" him coming buck at eleven o'clock at night to see to the progress of .an electro-plating process. Mr Black lui/l a lot of valuable chemicals which he used m connection with his business, but could give no estimate of their value. p.y Mr Pender—The back shop would bo the best place to start a five which w;i,'< intended to destroy both buiiding_ and slock, but if the stock only were aimed at, the front, would be • the best place. There was a good deal of paper —news- papers, tissue paper, and other stuff under the counter ; "but he had told the boy to clear it about a week bef.ire he left- Had given Mr Black notice to leavo since he went to Rakaia, but had arranged to stay on again. Had often seen Black use the back door for coming m and going out during the day. Jesson and witness left the same night. By Mr Purnell—Always closed up the shop, and Mr Black usually went away before witness. Mr Black usually worked m the front shop, and it would be easier for him to gn out by the front door. If ■Black came back again to work witness could not say how he would prefer to leave the building—by back or front door. By Mr Pender—Had been paid his wages m cash by Mr Black. Had kept some jewellery as against his wages, but had handed it back to Mr Black. By Mr Purnell—Opened an accouut at the bank at Rakaia for Mr Black, which was m credit at the time of the fire, but there was not enough m the bank to pay his wages.. George Jesson, watchmaker, was m Mr Black's employ up to the 23rd January laat. Left him because he could not> get any wages. Had summonsed him, and got paid on February 10. Was usually employed m the back shop. There was no frosting; on the windows there when he left. The frosting would have made work less easy m that room. The repair watches were hung up on hooks m a case m the front shop. Did not recollect seeing these watches put away m the safe, and they were always hanging on the hooks when he came m the"morning, but the shop Avas always open before he came down. The money and cheques were put m the till and the till m the safe. The stock was getting less by sales, aud no new stock was coining m. Had worked live weeks with Black" last time, and elevea weeks the time before, with an interval of six months. By Mr Hay—Had summonsed Black for wages without any warning, and hnd started business on his own account. Was not prepared to say thafc the watches were not put away if Mr Wilson swore it was his duty to put them away and did so. James McGregor, tobacconist, said— Black came into my shop on February 7 for tobacco, and mentioned that I had a large stock. I replied "£6OO or £700 and not a penny of insurance." He said " You surprise me, I would have thought you would have insured." I said "It is not altogether my fault that I have not insured. A friend of mine asked for a line on the stock, and his company refused the rjsk, so J am standing it luyself.' Black said " You ought fcj insure, 1 think, I have only £500 on mine." I " A fire here would ruin me, Black." Black said "1 am not so bad as that. I have opened m Rakaia, and part of my stock is there." The subject of insurance then dropped. A conversation about a. cheque happened about ten m the morning m witness's shop. He gave witness one of his own cheques for £7 10s and asked witness to change it for him and hold it fqr a wpek By Mr Purnell—The cheque wag not cashed simply because thei^e. w.as not enough change m witness's pocket at the time. But m any case Ayitness could not have held it for a week, as he would have panted the money himsejf to meet his own engagements. Therq werp only two shops between witness's and accused's, and if the (me had been burned there was every probability that the other would have gone. Was on lrieii<l!y. enouge terms with Black. Frederick Clark was a tobacconist m J&ieti street. He gave evidence as to a

conversation with-black on the subject or the strength of the building;-! m which both their shops were. Black said Mr Bullock ought to build better shops ms they were old shanties and wanted burning down. Witness said he did not want afire as he was not insured. Black said lie would not mind,,as he was Will insured. Saw BJaek the mornir.g of the lire, who, m answer to witness's inquiry as to how Jie lire arose, said he supposed it must have arisen from the sparka from his pipe. Witness said k was a very uuly thing, and he ought to ba more careful as a fire miirht ruin a few of them. By Mv Puvueli —it was Black who commenced the conversation. Could'not remember what his iirst remark was Witness said the buildings were old shanties. Was not prepared to say they would be no loss to the town. Did not attach any importance to the conversation at the time. Had heard people say some times that old places would bo all the better for being burned down. Was on good enough terms with Mr Black. .Did not believe Black was a man who would burn the place down. C. N. Macintosh, manager of the Colonial Bank, Timaru, did not send Black a crossed cheque drawn by witness for £30 that he waa aware of. Would have recollected doing so if it had been sent as recently as February 11. Had known of some of Mr Black's transac tions. By Mr Hay—The first transaction wit ness knew of was a draft for £200 by Bkck upon his father, which was passed through the Bank's books and duly honored. This was about July 10 Hst. At the time the draft was honored, a communication was received by the holder of the draft from Mr Black's father at Home. That letter had been searched for but could not be found. It was to the effect that while he did not object to help his son, it was cheaper to remit from Home, so that if Black wanted money from his father he could gp.t it by apply ing direct and not through a bill dis counter. Before that letter was received Black had again drawn on his father and discounted the bill with the same gentle man as before. The answer to that draft came only last month. The father declined to honor the draft as he had told his son not to draw. The gentleman who advanced the money against that draft had been paid. Mr Maslin banks at witness's bank, and witness made inquiries m regard to the position of Mr Black's people at Home, and informed Mr Maslin of the result. It was satisfac tory both as to the father's willirgness and his ability to help his son. Mr Maslin had made further advances to Black, and so far as witness had had occasion to ' refer to him Mr Maslin was willing to continue to make advances. When accused wanted money from Mr Maslin he drew on witness, sometimes adapting a cheque form by inserting witness's name m place of the Bank's. This draft would be paid. There had never been one dishonored. If Black were getting money from Mr Maslin it would be by such an instrument as described. If such a draft for £30 had come to him on February 11 it would have been paid. Had known Black ever since he came to the colony. He bore the character oi a careless young man, but thoroughly straight forward and honest. By Mr Pesder—-The letter produced was from Mr Black, senior, declining tc honor the second draft, but there was a subsequent letter, on tho strength of which Mr Masiin still continued to supply Black with money. The drafts spokei: of were practically cheques, and if Black's banker here considered him good enougl they would be passtd to Black's credit a-i remittances. Mr Ponder hero ex ami led witness closely as to the charactei of these cheques, pointing out that Blacli Ivid said he held a cheque of witness' foi £30. Witness replied that Black m hi; 1 .'tiers ' poVi of th'.'-o '1 -if;;- -;.s cheques, But realty witness only stood m tlit maWfr as agent between Maslin anc Black. Alexander Buick, book-keeper tc Thomas Bullock, said his principal was proprietor of the shop occupied by Black A.t the time of the. lire there, vas £li owing for rent. Had demanded the rcnl several times previous to the fire, bu: Black gave no reason for not paying, bu off the paying. By Mr Purnell—The rent was payabli fortnightly—at the rate of 30.3 a week He was eight weeks m arrears. On tin Wednesday before the tire he said t< witness that he would pay positively oi the Saturday following. Mr Black ha( more than once said he would pay no ren until the roof was repaired, as the Avate; was coming m. He held a three year 1! lease on the shop. A. M. Pearson, bailiff of the it.M Court, read a list of summonses issuec against Black—one on the 3rd of February for £71 5s 9d by D. Benjamin and Co. from the Dunedin Court ; another on tin 2nd February for £5 by John Vernon Ashburton Court; another on the sth bj George lesson for £11 ss, also from th< Ashburton Court, and a distress Avarrani for £13 3s was issued by the same plaintiff which Avas paid m cash. On the 18tl February a distress Avarrant for £7 2> was issued from the local court, whict was also paid m cash. There was a Avril for £43 from the Supreme Court whicl came on January 30. This writ had nol been paid that witness knew of, By Mr Purnell-~Had heard no more about the Dunedin case brought bj Benjamin and the one by Vernon for £5. it Avas Black's intention to defend, Judgment Avent by default and a distress issued which Avas paid. There Avas om case m Timaru m January m Avhich Black succeeded. William Home, manager of the Ashbur ton Finance Company and commisbion agent, hnd had business transactions wiHi accused. A. bill of his came due on November 20 last. It was retired, and witness made him an advance on the security of his furniture with a promis sory note for the amount as Avell. The amount is for £65, and the promissory note is endorsed by another person. The bill of sale covers only a portion of the furniture, Considered the goods under the bill of sale were worth the £65. The house Avas very Avell furnished. There was a considerable quantity m addition to Avhat Avas m the bill of sale. The furni ture waa only bought a feAv months ago. Black got married about the end of July or beginning of August. Hyram Marks came to Ashburton m consequence of some information he had received from Mr Francis and saAv Black at his shop. This Avas on Monday Aveek. Francis introducedhimtoßlack who wanted to borrow £175. He showed some goods on the table jn the back room of which took an inventory and brought it up to £57. He said he had some other goods, but witness said it AA ras best to leave it till he could come down to toAvn. On Wednesday he came down to Chriatchurch and brought the goods with him which he had inventoried. Me said ho had some goods lying at tho National Bank Avhich he had received from Benjamin and Co. ThcßanksentAvitnessa noto asking for£6s on these goods, but' wi^neks 'declined to {•ouch it. He pressed Ayithess for money., i(,nd witness, gaye' him £45,, taking his promissory note for the amount' an^ the gqods as ■collateral security. When, he came up to Ashburton I'ra.ncis. told hjin thexe Ayas £15. due. tq the bailiff. Witness pajd tl^at in'oney, By Mv Hay—Black Avanted the money to pay a creditor who was holding jewellery as security. Of the £4.5 Avit-, ness paid, £15 was paid back to him, the money he had advanced to buy out the bailiff. The goods Avere taken away, I simply as security for the loan witness gave, and. nob with, the Qb^je&V'of Jud|b|

■horn away. Declined lo pay off .lonjamin, because ho did not want to be xithered with the snoods. Know nothing )f their value; 0. J. Clark, was a member of the firm >f Pot's and Co., fancy goods merchants, jichfield street, Christ church. The firm lad had some transactions with Andrew 3kick, who was indebted U) them ia the mm of £65. Had been pressing for the noney, find took out a writ m the early mrt of February. They had a cheque of ii:> for £30 which was dishonored. This ,vns included m the £G5. Mr Potts held )om« jewellery which he received m the niddle of December. The value of fchu security hold us m;ulo by Black was £62. The best oiler they had for it was about I-'3O. The security was not ample jnough. By Mr Hay—The debt of Black for ?oods supplied by their firm was £54, which bad .irrown with charges to £65. In December last Black gave him goods to the invoiced value :>f £62. and throe cheques for £10, £20, and £10, payable the first two m December, and the last m January. None or these cheques were honored. Could give no reason for taking pro ceedings m the Supreme Court m prefer ence to the E.M. Court. When they suec 1 they did not ask Black to get cash for the {roods. If the goods bring invoice prices, and with two post dated cheques still m their hands they were practically secured, yet they had put the bailiffs into his place at Rakaia. The original debt was £74, and they had got £10 m December, and £10 last week. There were £10 charges. Archibald Rae Rodger 3, clerk m the employ of Nind Ward and Co., general importers, Christchurch, said accused had been dealing with his firm. He owed the firm £45 made up of goods supplied, bills held, and dishonored cheques. He'd Black's bill for £16, due on May 4, half renewal of a bill due on the 4th of this month. The firm held a dishonored cheque for the other half of the bill, and the balance whs current account. Held no goods as security. Albert Gunderson said he was a watch maker m Christchurch. Had been m the trade since 1859. Had been sent up to value the stock m the shop of accused after the fire Did it on the Sunday and Monday. The inventory was £213 7s 6d, and the Rakaia stock about. £62. Separate from the stock there was a valuation of fittings of £40. The repair watches were not m the estimate at all. By Mr Hay—Could value the stock quits well after the fire, unless it. were so much blemished as to bn unrecognisable. What hsd been totally destroyed and had disappeared was not m the inventory at all. Had put down the item of £51 for tools, &c. If another valuer had put down £15 for watoh glasses, he had not seen anything like that. . Had noted a box of watch jewels, but they were not worth £15, and had put them with other things. Did not observe a second box, and the whole of the bench and what was upon it he lumped at £25. The second box (pro duced) he had not seen. Had not specified the piece of agate produced. The cairngorm stones produced lie had called amethysts (laughter.) Would be surprised to learn that a chain which he valued at £2 5s was not gold at, all, and was bought for eighteen-pence. Had bought such clocks as the skeleton made by Mr Black at £5. Allowed £2 or £3 for solutions, and he had not seen enough to represent £19 worth. He had found six thermometers, and had allowed 80s a dozen for the pebble spectacles. Would bo very much surprised if two other valuers had fixed the value at over £400. This was the cate for the prosecution. Mr Purnell ftyd there was no evidence at all to connect the accused with any wilful fire raising m connection with this fire. It was necessary to establish arson to prove that the burning had been don*} wilfully and maliciously. The evidence given by the prosecution had been upon every subject except the one great question that, their Worships were there to decide—whether the tire had been raised wilfully. They had heard that the carpenter (it Rakaia had been paid with a watch, and they had had evidence of how Messrs Potts did business, but as to how the fire arose the witnesses were silent. The policeman on his round had found a shop on fire. He was able with slight assistance to pub it out before the Fire Brigade came. There had been a lot of papei- found under the counter—just as there is under the counter of every business person who has to wrap goods up. Throughout all the statements Mr Black had made ho had never varied from the very probable si ory of why he was m the shop on the night of the fire—for electroplating work he had to do —and that the only cause he couli think of was his pipe. Mr Purnell then dwelt on the fact that a man who wished to raise a fire there had a grand oppor tunity if he had begun it m the back room which was admirably fitted for it m every respect of being out of the, range of premature discovery, and its success as a fire was inevitable. The fire^ however, began m the front shop, and was seen by the constable at its first inception. Then Mr Black had had all his certificates of merit as a workman, and a bronze medal for excellence, which ho had gained at Home, m the shop, and it was not likely a wilful fire raiser would leave things like these to get burnt. All the evidence brought by the prosecution was with the intention of supplying motive, but the supply of a motive proved nothing at all, and could have no bearing on the case until the main fact had been established of the accused's guilt of the offence, But m face of all the efforts to supply motive still remained the fact that there was a very censiderable. amount of property re maining, and it had been proved by the banker Macintosh that Mr Maslin was willing to advance money to him. Mr Purnell reviewed the evidence at great length and closed an effective speech by denying that there ws\s even anything suspicious at al} m the conduct of the accused, and there was nothing to go to a jury. The Bench was satisfied there was no evidence" to go before a jury, that a jury would even look at. Ihey had sat there all day and all evening, and had heard many witnesses, but no evidence whatever to connect the accused with wilful fire raising. Justices had often evaded the responsibility of deciding a case, and had preferred to send it to a higher Court to be decided by a jjui-y at great expense to tho country, and the Judge had passed sevare. strictures on i hem fo,r c|oing so when cases so sent "were frivolous, This was no frivolous case. The Benoh fully recognised its serious ness and the danger that would have followed had a fire arisen, but considering ail the circumstances and all the evidence that had been adduced they could, $$c nothing m the evidence to cpfln,ee,fc tke, accused with the clm^ge, that bad been brought agai^&t k.W, and they theye&xte had decided to accept the. rospcuipibijiiifcy of dismissing tli,e qhur-go again,sfc the accused. The verdict was received with land cheeks by the large audiejaos that had gathered, anct the cheeyn were renewed! when Mr Parcel}, and Mr Hay, with] their csjent and his father-in-kw came down the steps cf the Court into tho yard below.

THE HARVEST.

Yesterday morning broke fine, and by ten o'clock most of those who had stack ing' to do wore busily engaged m the I work. No hai m was done to the grain i i<y Thursday's dump.

THE MARKETS.

L I'KJi <'KKSv. ASSOCIATION.]

London, February 17. The Bank of England returns published ("-day, show the- total reserve to be £16,1^2,000, boing ah increase of £500,000 as compared with tho previous wees. The nnttnrtiou of reserve to liabilities is 45.16. Consols, 95-f. Three months' bills are discounted at 2-g percent. • New Zealand four per cent inscribed stock, K)0; 3| per cent ditto, 90. New Zealarfd long Denied wheat is firm at 43ft 9d. South Australian wheat is .firmer at44s; Victorian is steady at 43s Gd. For Aus tralian wheat on passage sellers asik 40 i 9d, Buyers offer Is less. The American visible supply of wheat is 64,080,000 bushels. Frozen mutton, Canterbury 4fd ; Wel lington, 4|d ; Canterbury lamb, 6|d. Beef, hindquarters, 4sd. Six hundred bales of New Zealand hemp have bean sold at slightly easier prices. Fair to medium quality is quoted at £22 per ton. Consignees complain that the butter shipped as first-class is really second quality, and there is a great scarcity of choice qualities. The balance cf the factory shipment ex Aorangi has been disposed of at from 110s to 115s ; the Oratava's at from 106s to 112s. A por tion of that ex Maori was heated before shipping. Owing to the frost and scarcity of Danish butter the prices have risen 3s. No 1 best Scotch pig iron, f.o.b. m the Clyde, 40s 6d. A syndicate havo with d^wnfrom buying : 16,000 tons changed hands. One hundred cases green Cape muscat grapes were sold at SMkI to 5d per lb. Those packed m cork were m the best condition. The merchants consider that the demand for grapes is limited. Peaches are Unchanged. Cargo 1' of Australian wheat, January shipment, has been sold at 41s. Ohristohuech, February 19. At the wool sales tonfey 3400 hales were offered, principally irerino clips, only a small .proportion of crossbroci mostly from the Chatham Islands, Com petition was lessyjkeeii than at the eariier sales. Values, m sympathy with those ruling m London, were easier, especially . for merino. Prices ruled as follows : — Merino. 4£d to 6|d, crossbreds 5d to B|d, pieces 3d to 6d; locks Id to 3|d, scoured merino 9fd to 14d.

Ashburton Markets.

.MR DAVID mOMAS. Mr David Thomas reports upon the sfocfc market for the week ending J'liday, Feb. 19, as follows :--The usual w«ekly stock sale was held at the Tinwald yards where the total entries yarded were 1797 sheep, 26 head cattle, 5 pigs ; of which my entry com prised 1187 sheep, 21 head cattle, and 5 pigs. The attendance was anything but good, nevertheless the values were quite equal to those obtained at the previous weeV's sale. Sheep seem to be all the rage at present. Every one you meet wants to know whetlier sheep are going to be dearer, or how people c^n give the price now ruling for store sheep. Notwithstanding all the arguments raised by good authorities re the madness of pur chasing store sheep at the present pieces they aie still bobh bought and sold, and in stead of the market value receding they seem to be hardening every day. This is probably caused by the over abundance of green feed which is to be seen everywhere on the Canterbury plains, and the great scarcity of reilly good an! suitable stora, aheap m the country. My principal sales were as follows:— Stork and Fat Sheep—2oo merino ewes, 5s 6d ; 115 merino ewes, 6s ; 27 crossbred lambs, 10s 8il; 26' four and six-tooth cross bred ewes, 12s ; 90 two tooth crossbred ewes, and wethers, lls 7d; 160 crossbred ewes, la, 6d ; 279 crossbred lambs, 10a 3d ; 89 cross bred lambs, 8s lid; 201 crossbred two-tootls ewes and wethers, 12s lOd. Cattle—S fat steers, £5; ]. heifer, £5; S fat cows, £5 17s 6d ; 2 heifers, £5: 3 head, £2 13s. : ' During the week the market has been wonderfully active and I have sold the following lines :—271 store lambs, 9s 3d ; 500 store lambs, 9s 6d ; 400 mixed lambs, 10s; 528 good store lambs, 93 6d; 471 store lambs, 9s l|d; 421 crossbred two tooths, 10s ; 388 crossbred two-tooths, 11& ■6il; 900 crossbred two-tooths, lls 9d ; 12Q0> store lambs, 8s ; 274 crossbred,ewes and Sflfo crossbred lambs. 9s 6d all round ; 325 cross bred ewes and 331 lambs, 8s 8d all round ;.13» merino ewes and 117 lambs, ssßdall round ~ 250 crossbred two-tooths, 12s ; 300 crossbred lambs, 8s 6d, and 77 crossbred ewes, and 77 i lambs, 10s all 1 round. In addition to the above I'have several sales of large lines o£ sheep pending.

HORSE MARKET.

This market scarcely needs reporting upon as there has been no businessftf any consequence transacted for o Ver a month; The farmers have been so busy harvesting their crops that they hav d had no time to think about selling and ouying horses. But ■p soon as the grain i.a stacked or threshed, and the land is ready for ploughing the Ash burton horse mw&et will then be second to none m Canterbury.

The Sealskin Case.

[PElt PRESS ASSOCIATION. I

Tnvebcabgiia, Pebraary 18. lhe sealskin eases were finished to-day Mr Hatch being successful. The -jury m lus civil action against G. R. Waddel and James Roberts of the Bluff, for wrongful conversion of the skins, for the larceny of which the sealers have been convicted returned a verdict for £775 or £3 p^ skin, less ten per cent. It came oxxk m the evidence that Waddel, who also sent a vessel sealing, and Hatch had agreed 1 that the price to be paid the sellers should be 15s, but defendants had paid 20s to» Hatch's men for the skins. Plis Honour m summing up said that if the evidence of Printz as to tho difficulty of discrimi nating be qorrect, tho Government regu lation^ r© sealing during two months "m the year, and restricting sealers to m*le seals over three feet m length, appieared feo have been framed m complete igaoranco x ot the habits of seals and tl*> waj s of sealers. They appeared ta have put a burden on sealers which they could nob carry, and thafc was. tiiifoyfcunate. This referred to Priuiz'' assertion that it was impossible.* to, discriminato the sexes m the dAveraa frequented by the seals, or tit that season of the year adults from the, cubs whiojh were then nearly grown.

Congregational Union.

(rJSIi PRJSSS ASSOOIAi;.'iS)N,

Wellington "February 19. At the Congregation^ "Union to-day the Rev. James Rick»*4> chairman of the Congregational Union of Victoria >vas welcomed. |t was announced that o win" to delay \^ the departure from Sydney of "the steamci by which tho majority of tlie Aus tralian delegates t k ro travelling, snm* ' alteration utonM havo to be made m tfcf prograiiwae. of proceedings for the AusiWa sjajn Gpnferenee. At the (V>n«regat,ional Union, tfce Rev Meww Lebailly, DalJy, and Miller, Auck." Jaiwl; Samulevs, Wallace. mvl AValker. Otago; Bradbury and Uucil, Canterbury- ITabena and Alle Wj , Wellington, were iippomtcd delegates to the Au*tv*lun con, tevence wliic^ opens nsxt woeK,

fM ' ASHBtIRtfON GTJAKt)iA# : SAftfltlUt, - tfEtfttf Alt?, 20, 1802.



The \rorld is ever ni'ivin^ "ii tiV"CA''ds perfection, butseldoni riH-i:;,-. \l _Coi;,sL;i,bt improvement is bema; V;.,' ,bo i» every branch of industry, lout m Bpki^ Powders P©r,£ectipn "lia^ l.een toach.c« m Wa^b^rijbn6 Can't Be Beni. JSlmaii ifyslpp arid Co.V "" liriperial" pure Ceylon and Indian Teas are the be§t i$ thj? ®W|«ti -(^ dvu >



""GASH Advertisement ™*% J.J , heading not exeaddta* bIX CEIi.JN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Office. TlilMiTlVE CHURCH Services Toi Jl Morrow.—Preacher : Morning. Mr Watkin* ; Evening, Rev. Cocker. ect: "A Bold Gospel Preacher." 2 101 EV. S. LAWRY will preach (D.V.) m Wesleya-i Church To-Morrow Evening, on " Some Lions m the way. Prelndu to Sermon "What is an Ag nostic '("— a reply to a criticism. F ~~REShT)YSTERP, Barracouta, Cray fish, and Mackerel, To-Night at the Somerset Corner.—Jbwmt, Fishmonger. 2 99 . YOUNG Ladies' Journal for February. Family Reader, and others expected this evening. Also nevv books by the Mail. —H. M. Jonjw. _____________ TVEW Lines m Afternoon Tea Sets, i-^ Ruby, Glassware, etc. Some very pretty lines. See Window.—H. M. Jones.' ■ ' W'" ANTED—Tenders for the erection of Galvanised Fencing for Ashbur ton-Club. Specification at Messrs Fooks and Son, Architects. Tenders close Wednesday Evening, February 24, at 8 p.m., at the Club. 2 JLO4 T\T OTHING will Cool you so quickly and XX invigorate the system so much as Ice Cream.-r-H.G. Flower, Confectioner, East Street. *\T7 ANTED Known.—Come and see W the Bargains now on afc Melford House.—H. C. Sbgers. AKTEDKnown. —At "The Corner' now selling Ladie&' French Shoes. 5s lid. See them".—W. H. Collier, TTTANTED KNOWN,—A great pur- V T chase of Kid Gloves, £135 10s 61, Florencia Kid Gloves, all sizes, 4 and 5-Clasp, usual price Gs lid and 8s 6d, now sold for 4s lid and 5s lid. -A. Oke's Sale._ tITANTED Known.—lf you want VV plenty of first class Drapery, Boots and Clothing for cash, come to Melford House Sale.—H. 0. Segues. THIRTY Pieces Dress Goods at 6d ; GO 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 Oee's Cheap Sale. 1 IQ6 BOOTS, Boots.—lnfante Boots 9d, six Dozen Ladies' Elastic Side Boots, 5s 9d, Gents' Boots 8s 6d, Mens' Blucher Boots 5s 6d, Stanley Shoes Is lid.— Andrew Ore b Sale. I W~~ ANTED KNOWN, a special lot of Hearth Rugs at Is lid, 2a 6d and 23 lid ; worth about doable. W. 11. Collier. W~~ ANTED Known.—t have a large stock of Tin and Ironware Goods to select from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spoutin? and Ridging kept m stock.—J. W. Hardley, East . tree^ 6£2o* "TTTANTED Known.—Great Cash Salt W now on at Melford Homo. Almost everything reduced. —H. C. Segers^ . ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits tc measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed; from 50s cash. Robert Alcoen, Ashburfcon Clothing Marl, Saunders' Buildings. rpO Meet the Times.—l am aupplying JL Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30a upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all descriptions. Inspection invited.— J. W. (lardcby, Eas street. 6J201 WANTED Known—That you will make no mistake for quality and variety m English and Colonial Boots, and his hiffhly reputed make by calling at J. Moison's. During coming holidays dis count for Cash. Repairs done at once. m staff of men always kept and best Material and workmanship guaranteed. ANTED Known.- -H. Baikstow has opened tho«o premises m Fiast street next.J. Orr and Co., as » Furniture Warehouse. Latest designs m Vienna Chairs, and Iron Bedsteadf 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 nvited. 11+61 ___. ' '— '.:_-_—_—? Public Notices. "\fk LENTINES to suit everybody. V .lust opened up. Palm Leaf Fans and Screens at 6d. Selling fast. Also Zither Harps, three sizes, from 4s 6d. New Games, Fancy Stationery, *"* L. P. ANDREWES & CO., Stationers' Hall. ' n~ O T I C E. fTIHE Tinwald Flax Mill will start work I again about TUESDAY, March 1. Men and boys wanting job for the winter must apply ab once to the Undersigned. H. GIFFORD MOORE, 2 103 Solicitor, The Arcade. Stock-taking, deductions HAVE BEE^ MADE IX ALL DEPAKTMENTS. In pection invited. NEW ZEALAND Clot filing Factory. •\V. H. WEBBER, ) Tilauauur :