The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1892. THE SITUATION IN VICTORTA.

The state of affairs m Victoria hns been going from bad to worse, and the attitude that the London money market has taken with regard to further loans has placed that colony m a position of undisguised embarrassment. With heavy liabilities on account of public works—principally " political " rail ways—that the Government are al ready committed to, and the certainty of large deficits m the revenue for the next three years, while the limit of taxation is declared to have been reached, the outlook is indeed gloomy. Yet at this time, regardless of Lincoln's adage " never to swop horses while crossing a stream " the Agont-General, Sir Graham Berry, who was a most satisfactory officer, trusted alike m London and m the Colony, was recalled m order that his place might be taken by one of the most financially dis credited of Victorian politicians, Mr James Munro. The whole blame, how ever, for the financial mess which Victoria has got into cannot be thrown on Mr Munro. He succeeded, with the aid of the Labor Party, m ousting the extravagant Gillies Ministry, but he made no attempt to grapple with the financial question, and at the first opportunity has forsaken his country, leaving a young and inexperienced man, Mr Shiels, to extricate it from its diffi culties. Naturally, at such a juncture, all eyes turned to Sir Graham Berry, and it is a matter for regret that he could not be induced to enter the Ministry. He is on most points m sympathy with the political principles professed by Mr Shiels' supporters, but he firmly declined to take office at present. Sir Graham has, however, m a speech at a banquet given m his i honor m Melbourne, stated his view of the situation clearly and incisively. He declared that a great crisis had arrived. In 1889 he floated m London a loan of three millions, at three and a half per cent, at an average of £103 6s, the highest price ever realised for an Australasian loan. This loan had fallen to 91, which meant a loss of twelve per cent, or £360,000, to those who took up this one loan. Looking at the depreciation which all the loans had suffered m the same ratio, what, he asked, must the people of England think of that gieat colony of Victoria —the greatest m Australia, and Aus tralia being the brightest gem m the Crown of England. These finances must be restored by combined intelli gent action, not wasting strength m party conflicts, but making one great national effort to restore the credit of the country and bring back the confi dence svhic'i it formerly enjoyed m the eyes of the world. They must meet their engagements if necessary by any infliction of taxation, and must go further and show the people of Eng land that the wealthy people of the colony can on an emergency lend to their Government the millions they may require, and ease for a time that everlasting demand on the market m London. They must "say m a voice there can be no mistaking that the depreciation of our securities is not necessary, and that the men who hold them should have confidence m us, because we are not going to tear our selves to pieces by iaternecine strife, but we are going to combine m one strong effort to bring the country back to the position m which it was two years ago." —There is a different note m these utter ances to that which characterises the time-serving policy of Mr Munro—-, j which his successor seems inclined to 1 follow—find the career of Sir Graham | Berry m the immediate future will be watched with little less interest than that taken m the conduct of the Go vernment. An unfortunate sign is the refusal of many of the statesmen who assisted m bringing Victoria to its high position, to take further part m its government, leaving comparatively untried men to deal with the present troubles as best they can. We trust that they will be rallied to their duty by Sir Graham Berry's remarks. It is of vital importance to | ; all the colonies that none of their number should be under a cloud, and at present the difficulties m which 1 Victoria, New South Wales, &nd Queensland ard placed reflect upon New Zealand securities to the cleteri ment of their holders and of the con fidence which should be felt m England m colonial investments.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Doric arrived at Wellington to day, after a fast passage of 3 days SJL hours from Hobart. The 4'Xew Zealand Herald " says that the half-caste Barlow, the capturer of the mur derer Winiata, who lives up at Kaukapar kapa on some land there, is at present said to be the victim of a Maori boycott, though living on land of his own or leased from Europeans, Jt is alleged that Kerei Kaihau sent a letter to natives m the locality, in forming them that the Mood of Winiata was on Barlow's hands. The upshot that a committee meeting was held, and Barlow hag been requested to leave, and a party of Maoris have .squatted on the land. Barlow refuses to leave bbc land m which he is m lawful possession, aud has summoned seven of the ringleaders under the Police Offences Act, for refusing to leave the premises »'hen duly requested to do so. Captain R. Clark, o{ Ike ketch Nellie, tells the Auckland " Herald" of »nencount er with the much-talked-of aea serpent. He says that off the East Coast an enormous tish was seen by himself and the crew. As to the length of the monster the estimate wa« about 50ft, and the mode of the crea ture's progress was that of an eel. The back of this denizen of the deep was dark brown and underneath a pure white. Every n»tw and again the main part of the fish would iAt.ow a long projection like a swan's yeck, which w</uld protrude from the water for a distance of ten f f v fifteen feet. The appearance of the body was £ase#ng from head pul tail to the centre, the 'latiejt- bving the thicket part. The appearance from the vessel was that of the raising of the neck of » large a wan, The akippet <qjl Jbi\e itetoh te^ls us that (the serpent rose twi,ce witi,aa tjj/p cables' iengtw tifctd then disappeared alto j gether. Whether i«b w§£ the much-talked-of ' sea serpent or not he ieavp jth,e public to j judge. AU he guarantees is th& correctn^esis pf the forego^ report.

The "Star," the suMime ignorance of whose critic Mr Purnell exposes, is the London halfpenny cvenin.c p'.por of that name. Before MnjorStcward, J.P., this morning, < a iirst offender, charged with drunkenness j was convicted and discharged with a caution. It is understood that the New Zealand Government, intend to accredit, the New Zealand athletic team to the Agent-General, London. During the visit of the ministerial party thirty-two casks of salt meat for tho use of the prisoners at Milford were condemned. There was no quorum of tho Wakanui | Road Board on S.iturday, and the monthly meeting which should have been held on that day was adjourned until next Saturday. A special general meeting of the Ashburton Cricket Club will be held to-morrow, Wednesday. As the business to be transacted is important a full attend mcc is requested. Tt is reported that Mr W. Ma^idain, on the Dunedin staff of the Bank of New Zea land, and a grandson of Mr Macadam, of road-making fame, has fallen heir to an es tate m Ayrshire of the value of £30,000 by the death of an uncle. The annual meeting of the Ashburion Permanent Building and Investment Society was held yesterday afternoon. The report and balance-sheet were very satisfactory. A dividend of 9 per cent was declared, and £200 carried forward. Messrs St. Gieorgc Douglas and George Jameson were re-elected directors. A gentlemau who recently visitei Russia had with him a tonic sol-fa text-book, which was seized by the Custom-house officers, evidently under the impression that it was Nihilism m cipher, and m spite of the owner's explanations it was confiscated. The "Oamaru Mail" is informed that the rabbits which infested the islands m the Waitaki m such numbers that the Govern ment were put to an expense of hundreds of pounds a year m an attempt to keep them down, have been totally exterminated by the recent flood m the river. When last mail left, Mr John Duthie, M. H.R., who was recently elected a Fellow of the Royal Colonial Institute, had left Lon don for a brief Continental trip prior to sailing for New Zealand m the Orient, which vessel he and Miss Dathie were to join at Ismaila The mummy of a highborn lady, named Ta-Ta-Amen, who lived under the Pharoahs 2400 years ago, was sold by auction m Lon don, and fetched £33. A scarab, with which an Egyptian king killed 102 lions, sold for £12. A pair of gold bracelets taken from a mummy realised £1.1. At a meeting of the Committee of the Horticultural .Society held last evening the prize lisb, amounting to £35 53 Gd, was passed for payment, and it was resolved that it be notified that the prizes will be paid by the Treasurer, Mr W. H. Rule, at the Arcade Chambers on Monday next between the hours of 12 noon and 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and 9 p. m. The " Oamaru Mail" states that on Mon day of last week, with seven shots (no sighter), Mr Robert Harding put on the possible at the 60yds range, this being the first time such a teat has been accomplished m New Zealand. It is added that Mr Harding has made the possible scores at every range up to 600 yds—a record that no other marksman m the colony can show. Rabbits are evidently plentiful m certain parts of the Waitaki district. One farmer tells the '• North Otago Times " that as his crop was being cut, the rabits retreated be fore the reaper and binder into the centre of the field, until, when the area to be cut was small, they wore gathered up with the grain aj niiuiy as three at a time, and bound up m the sheaves. Hundreds were also killed, as they dodged about m fch3 crop. Immigration to the United States con tinues with impressive volume. The number who arrived m 1891 readied a total of r>b'3,3]9—:ui increase of 105,017 over 1800. Much of this immigration is foreign m race, faith, and habits; yutit. reveals a marvellous power of assimilation. One element seems to neutralise another, and m tho action and reunion American ideas .and usugoe hiko root and bear nutritious fruit. Perhaps not one m r< dozsn readers knows what beche-de-mer is, the fishery for which has now risen to some importance m Torres Straits and thereabouts. It is a sea-slug of from six to eight inches m length, and about two inches broad. It forms an important article of commerce with China, where from £10!) to £150 is obtained for it per ton, the celestial epicures ranking the beche-de-mer as one of their choicest dishes. When pro perly dried and smoked the flavour is excel lent even to European palates, and the soup ma 'c from it has beeu pronounced equal if not superior to turtle. According to the " Times " correspondent ar. Sofia, among the persons being accessory to the murder of M, Beltcheff was a certain Tufektcijieff. Ineffectual attempts were made to find this man, acd his younger brother, aged eighteen, was arrested. When the ordinary methods of investigation failed to extract the desired information as to his brother's whereabouts, various tortures were used, m consequence of whl-h the victim died shortly afterwards m the hospital. A writer m the Anglican Church Maga zine once found m a collier's, cottage m Staffordshire a coffin used as a bread and cheese cupboard. Notwithstanding his wife's remonstrance, he told the story of the coffin as follows :—" Eighteen years ago," he said, " I ordered that coffin. The wife and me used to have a good many words. One day s!ie said, 'I'll nivver be content till I see thee m thy coffin.' ' Well, lass,'l said, 'If that'll content tbee, it'll soon be done. Next day I gave directions to have the thing made. In a few days it came home, to the wife's horror, I got into it and said, • Now, lass, art tha content?' She began to cry, and wanted the ' horrid thing' taken away, but that I wouldn't allow, In the end she got accustomed to secin' it, and as we wanted to turn it to some use, we had some shelves put m and made it into a bread and cheese clipboard. We have nivver quarrelled since it came." Thus Sip EdWfJ) Arnold—" England has no desires, England has all she wishes. India always will be ours, Two men will always oppose war over that country —the Czar of Russia and the Prime Minister of England, whoever he may be, Still just suet* g, jvar is inevicable although it may not eonifi for ??? a«y mMV years. When, from unavoidable \causps f those countries come m conflict the Romanoff .dynasty will be wiped away for ever. Every Russian throat east of the Caspian will bo cut and the Khanates will reign once more iv Asia. The remnants of the retreating Russian army will face at home a revolution which will overthrow the reigniijg h^use. England need have no fear. Understand there is no truth m the talk of onr small army. j>. is the largest; m the world. VVe can place m the field more phwi two million m,en. Says the "Southland Th^es":—"Two young men of Mr Hatch's Macijuarje Island party called on us to dpscrjb'e a peculiar animal that they saw ou the Island. It was first noticed before Ohristir.tts m the w:4dje of a mob of penguins and on bcjng' sjlir^ecl up a bit showed fight, snapping at stones t*u»w« at it. I'iually it made off at a great pae«s to bkv «ea^ into which it plunged. It remained sotr>e time i iincjer water, and on coming to the surface, stood fyr a time facing its pursuers. Three weeks later "ft S6'i}£ s^en, again among the penguins, but five wife fco.n? ft a first location, It is described as having, a hc&d i like i* dag's, the eyes being surrtfuTNksd by I rings qi hair x/f a lighter hue than that on its body, which was browj* and moderately long. It appealed to be af^oufc 4ft fjin , long and when raised off the ground at.qqd , about 3ft Gin high. The men wave not able I to see tho form of its limbs, but thought these were flippers. Its gjvnd m flight was great—as our informant puts it, 'Jt would go six feet for their one, 1 and with & galloping gait. It was not like any of the seal tribe with which they were familiar, and only one was seen. Shortly before it was olvjrvfjd a large iceberg came ashore and broke "ur* v" fJ?° island, not far from the strange creature's .first loc^ti,on. Could it haye been a passenger from 'tho A.HJ&rca^ land?' Of this 'island .they 'say 1 that there , are several pj^tly lakes and a high water- . fall. '.Rabbits''are plentiful, but cats are coming to the front, and it will be a case of fee survival' of. the fittest before long,

The census returns show that m Ashbur ton County there are 9501 persons and 1714 inhabited dwellings. " The panio-niouger is the enemy of the country, " says Sir Graham Barry. "Wo J cannot expect English investors to have | confidence m the colony if we have not con iulence m ourselves. " A general meeting of the members of the Ashburton County Hunt Club was held on Saturday evening. There was a good at tendance. Tenders for hunting the hounds * ilnring the ensuing reason were considered, \ and ultimately it was decide 1 to accept one, subject to certain conditions as to accept- { ancc of which by the tenderer no difficulty j is anticipated. j At a meeting of the creditors of Mr Andrew Black, jewslbr, at the Deputy Official Assignee's office yesterday there was an attendance of five creditors representing | about .£550. Mr Hay appeared for the bankrupt. The Dopu'ty Official Assignee; submitted a statement of the position of the (Vtiitc. It was resolved tfiat the Deputy Official Aasis;ii3f. inquire into the position of certain securities, and that he also apply to the North British and Mercantile Insurance Company for the amount of insurance on Mr Black's stock, as per his proof of loss. The meeting then adjourned till Tuesday week. The discovery at Alford Forest a few years ago of what was supposed to be diamonds will be readily remembered. Although many hopes were dashed by the pronouncement of scientists that the stones were not diamonds,- Mr J. S. M. Jacobsen, who took a prominent part m bringing tho fin 1 before the public, has steadfastly maintained the opinion that the most precious of gems really existed at Alford Forest. Mr Jacob sen writes to the " Lytttclton Times " that he has tried hard at different times to get. the diamonds cut and polished, and to find a market for them as well as for opals found by him at the same place. He has now he says, succeeded, as " Messrs Ochs Bros., of Hatton Garden, London, have cut and polished a sample consisting of twelve diamonds, and those gentlemen pronounce them to be bright and lively. They also declare that the samples of opals which I sent them, and which were found m the same claim as the diamonds, are genuine and they have advised me to mine for them and forward good specimens, as there is a market for such. Mr Hummel, a dealer m fine arts and diamonds at Frieberg, has sent an order to me for rough diamonds." Mr Jacobsen says that he desires to form a Company ti mine for diamonds and opals. The diamonds, he states, will have to be cut m OhristcUurih, as at present there is no market for rough stones m London.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

HONOR TO WHOME HONOR IS DUE.

TO THE KDITOK

Sib,—ln the article m your columns respecting the Swimming Club ai*d Baths, the promotion of the Club was attributed to Mr Alfred Harrison, but as I have heard that some rumors are m circulation to the effect that there are other aspirants to that honor, I think it only ri«hfc that the public should be m possession of I actual facts. In the Guakdian of January 21, 1890, an advertisement appeared convening a meeting for January 23, m the Council Chambers, at the instance of Messrs Har rison and Lane, and at which meeting at tended Messrs IT. Fooks, A. Harrison, J. 0. Lane, W. Kidd, and another, but owing to the paucity of attendance nothing was done (vide " Guardian," January 24, 18' JO). Owing to the absence of water m the river and the baths being dry no further steps were then taken, but Cvicie ''Guardian," February 4, 1890) a petition wis presented to the Borough Council re questing permission to balhein the lower reservoir,and the rtquest was granted. Twelve months later (on January 7, 1891) a meeting was convened by Mr A. Harrison to be held at Jus auction room. Their efforts on this occasion were more successful, as there was an attendance of about forty persons. The result was the formation of the present Ashburton Amateur Shimming Club, Mr Harrison being elected captain, and Mr Lane lion, secretary. I imagine from the foregoing statement of facts that the true founders of the Club are Messrs Harrison and Line. -I am, etc., Onk Who Knows. Ashburton, March 7, 1893.

Ashburton Horticultural Society.

A meeting of the Committee of the Horticultural Society, to settle up matters m connection with the recent flower show, took placft last evening m the Arcade Chambers, the (vice-president Major Steward) iv the chair, The Treasurer, Mr W. H- Rule, laid on the table a statement showing subscrip tions paid, and also a list of some eighteen members whose subscriptions were m arrears. It was decided that the members of Committee by whom the latter were respectively proposed collect the amounts due before next meet-in*.'. The prize list of the Show was then gone through item by item and two or three errors pointed out were corrected, and it was resolved that the Treasurer be authorised to pay the prizes according to the revised list, It was further resolved that it be noti fied by advertisement that the Treasurer will be m attendance at the Arcade Chambers on Monday next, March 14, between 12 noon and 1 p.m., and between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., for the purpose of paying the prize money, and that all prize money not claimed before March 28 will be deemed to be forfeited or donated to the Society's funds. The accounts presented, amounting to £29 12s 9d, were passed for payment, and the following approximate balmoo sheet was laid before the meeting :— To ■Receipts axd Assets.

\(p '3 5 Allowing for some other sin vtf oubifeamU^g .accounts not included m the foregoing, bacayse not yet rendered, estimated not to exceed £5, the neb b^nge to carry for ward will bo say £35, a result wiiicu ipas regarded as very satisfactory. The question of a chrysanthemum show to take place gjnouiTgritly wjth a sliovy of grain and farm roots was mpotecL $nd \i, was resolved that a meeting of the Com mittee be called for Monday, March 14, to discuss the matter. It was further resolved that a meeting of members of the Society for the dis cussion "of general be called for the first Monday m June (June 6), aui^i after passing a vote of thanks' to the Chan> . U>au the Q^Wttittee adjourned. ' '••

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

As the annual elections of School Committees will take place m. about six weeks' time, ib may be as well to call the attention of all concerned to the changes which have been made m the Uw affecting such elections by the Act of last session, To begin with the persons who are entitled to elect, namely, the householders. !( House holder " is defined to mean and include (1.) Every adult, male or female person who has for the period of three months next before tho day of election resided m any dwelling house (not being a tent or other temporary shelter) within the school district as owner or tenant thereof, and (2.) If not qualified under the previous sub section, includes the father wherevcrresident, or if he be dead or absent from the colony, the guardian or other person, wherever resident, who lias the actual custody of my child attending any State school situated within such district, and (3.) In school districts situated within a proclaimed mining district, means and m- i eludes every holder of a miner's right having for the period of three months next before the day of election resided m the district, I and not being an alien. Every " householder " of a district, as above defined, is entitled to vote at any election of members of the School Committee for such district, but no person other than a " resident householder —that is to say. a house holder resident m the district —is qualified to be elected ; nor may any person who is a paid servant of the Education Department, or of any Education Board or School Committee, be elected to serve as a member of any Committee. . Instead of a fixed uniform number of members for all Committees, as under the old Act, the new Act—very wisely, we think—provides that for schools with an average attendance of twenty five children there shall be a Committee oifive members ; for schools with an average attendance of between twenty five and two hundred a Com mittee of seven members; and for schools with an average attend ance exceeding two hundred childien, a Committee of nine members. The quorum of such Committees is three for a Committee of five; four for a Committee of seven, and five for a Committee of nine; and no business may be transacted at any meeting un less a quorum be present thereat. Nominations may be sent m prior to the annual householders' meeting, and may also be received at the meet ing, but the voting is to take place at ' the meeting only. To enable prior nominations to be made, the Board is required to notify the times and places of the annual ; householders' meetings on or before the i first Monday m April, and nominations of candidates (signed by the proposer and by the candidate nominated) are to be sent m at or before 8 p.m. of the third Moncky (this year the 21st day) of April to the Chairman of the Com . mittee, who is to cause them to be posted on the outer door of the school ■ house for the information of the house ' holders. At the householders' meeting this list is to be rpad, and further nominations may then be made, if it be so desired, and thereafter the meeting will proceed to elect the required number. Following are the provisions relating to the mode of election :— In school districts where there are more than one hundred children m the school a ballot-box must be provided. 1 If the number of duly nominated candidates is equal to the number of persons to be elected the Chairman is to declare that such persons have been duly elected. If the number of duly nominated candidates is m excess of the number of persons to be elected, a ballot is to be taken, and, up to the required number, those candidates are to be declared duly elected for whom a pre ference has been proved by the number of votes respectively recorded m their favor. If the number of duly-nominated candidates is less than the number required to be elected, the candidates duly nominated are to be declared duly elected, and the Board is to appoint a sufficient number of resident house holder? to make up the number of the Committee to the number required. The ballot-papers may be issued m blank, the voter writing m the names of the candidates for whom he votes, or they may contain the names of all the candidates, the voter striking out those for whom he does not vote. In either case the paper is, when com pleted, to be' folded and returned to the Chairman of the meeting, or placed m the ballot-box (if one be provided), and after the close of the 'ballot all voting-papers ar^ to be handed to the scrutineers (if such be appointed), or where there are no scrutineers will be opened by the chairman, and the result of the ballot declared. And here it may be well to call special attention to the fact that there is no limit to the number of scruti neers who may be appointed, and to i point out that when the number nf persons voting is large there should be a proportionately large number of scrutineers, as this will correspondingly reduce the time taken m ascertaining the result, Th.u§ at a meeting where two thousand votes are cast, the appointment of sixteen (that is eight pairs) of scrutineers, and dividing the contents of the ballot-box into eight approximately equal portions would give each pair of scrutineers only 250 ballot-papers to dull with, and the result could thus be ascertained m an hour at most. As regards tho voting, ijb i§ to l)e noted that (}.) No person is eijjapligd to yote m respect of ih<»'e'nullifications' than one, although he possess tliem, (2.) Not more than oi>e persou to entitled to vote m respect of the same qualification • {it.) Every elector may vote for any number of candidates not exceeding the I niuiibej? fif members to be elected, but no elector may give tor any qsq candidate more than one vote. (4.) In the case of ties the ; Chairman is to «ive <>■ casting-vote or votes—as the case may be. Altogether the provisions? of tfye Apt are a decided improvement op. those obtaining m previpus years, and will probably sujSee fqr some years to come* although we think that a inigtake wq,k made m not making proviso", at anyrafce m the case of thp larger, districts, whereby upqn the plpse of the nominations a poll ooiikl bo demanded, and the sense of the whole body of householders effectively taken, by an election held under fie provisions of "The Regulation of Local Elections^ Act," '-• ■'■'• - ■ ••■: —

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON TROTTING CLUB.

"WHITE CHOKER."

The Autumn Meeting of the Ashburton TrotLin« Clul> Lakes, place at the new track, South east Belt, to-morrow. The Mayor has proclaimed a half-h'tliday, and as train arrangements aro suitable, there will doubtless be a good attendance of visitors. All that m now necessary is fine weather and townspeople to patronise this young Club to msiko the meeting a success. The following should run forward m their respective races :— Maiden.--Exile, 1 ; Taipo, 2; The Divel King, 3. Haunjcss Handicap.—Polly Plum, 1 ; Kit 11., 2 ; Shcoiik, 3. District Handicap.—Barney O'Hea, 1 ; Humbug, 2 ; Rocket II , 3. Ashburton Handicap.--Pansy, 1 ; Forest Maid, 2 ; Tom, 3. Selling Handicap.—Exile, 1 ; Maud, 2 ; Coralie, 3. Elrutiiic Stakes—Jena, 1 : Barney I O'Hea, 2 ; Kit 11., 3.

D.J.C. ANNIVERSARY MEETING.

Dunbuin, March 7. The following weights have been I declared :— i Anniversary Handicap, of 120 soys. One mile and a quarter. —Derby Bst 131 b, Tempest Bst 91b, Gal tee Sat 71b, Miss Mack Bst 51b, Leinstcr Bst 41b, Don Pedro Bst 21b. Cliffs Handicap, of 80 sovh. Six furlongs, — Huguenot Bst 121 b, Derby Bst 101 b, Hippomencs Bst 91b, Galtes Bst 61b, Conjuror Bst lib, Enfleld 7st 12lb, Apres Moi' 7st 91b, Loo 7st 91b, Kauroo 7st 71b, Dormeur 7st 51b, Pique 7st 51b, Cilencairn 7st 31b, Lady Mali 7st 21b, Inchkeith 7sb, Matamata 6st 91b, Langley 6sb 71b.

Ministers at Milford Sound.

(J.USR PEBSS ASBOCI\TION,)

Bluff, March 7- The Ministerial party arrived from Milford Sound this morning. They had delightful weather for their trip. They went- up to the Sutherland falls on Friday and returned on Saturday. The Minister of Public Works made a thorough exami nation of the track, and ascertained the best route and what whs required to make a really good road. The present track, however, is not a very bad one. Mrs Seddon and Mrs Earnshaw accompanied the party to the falls, and walked eight nvle* fro.n the landing at Arthur river to the camp, one mile from the falls, m a little over three hours. The road making by prisoners is pro gressing slowly. The health of all the "Milford Sound gang is very good, and there were no complaints.

Land for Settlement.

[PER PRESS AMOC'IATION,j

Wellington, March 7. The Government has completad the pur chase of a block of Native land, having an area of upwards of 40,000 acres, and known ' as Hernivvi No. 4. It bounds on the Uriwera country, m the Bay of Plenty district, and extends into the province of j Hawke's Bay. The price paid averages 2s .'3d par acre. The land will be utilised for settlement as soon «s possible. Another large block situated on the j Waikato river, West Taupo district, and known as Porakarui, is now under negotia- i tion, and its acquisition will probably be completed at the ci.d of the present month. It has an area of about 42,000 acres, and is about twenty miles distant from the Main Trunk line of railway. The piico to be paid i will average 2s 6d an acre.

CRICKET.

ASHBURTON V. CHERTSEY.

A cricket match, Chcrtsey v Aehburton, was played on the Domain on Saturday, which resulted m a victory for the visitors by ten wickets. Neither side played the team as previously advertised, and m fact the so-called Ohertsey team consisted not only of players hailing from Rakaia to Tinwald and from Methven to the sea, but even went so fir as to take into their ranks some of the actual Ashburfcon team. In fact, on looking at the scores as given below, it will be seen that the substitutes from Ashburton were a considerable factor m accounting for the victory of the visitors. E. Buchanan made 35 and Black 13, and the former was also a considerable assistance as wicket keeper, It is rather strange that Buchanan has been this year a signal failure m playing for his own team, and it is only when pitted against bowling to which he has been accustomed that he is able to score. It would show a better cricketing spirit on his part to. do like his confreres and face the foreign bowling and the qhanoe of the unpleasant duck's egg. The following are the scores ; —

Ashbubton.—lst Innings. Dixon, run out ... 8 H. G. Moore, c Buchanan b Jackson ... 4 T. Sawle, b Jackson 0 \\\ B. Denshire, c Haydockb Jackson . 8 R. M. Cuthbertsou, c Maxwell b Todd... 0 E. Andrews, c Jackson b Todd ... ... 8 W. R. Fox, bowled Todd 0 J. 0. Bell, Ibw b Jackson 0 W. G. Bees, not out ... ... ... 2 C..Moore, bowled Todd, ... 0 J. Gq\y, run out ... ... ... ... 0 Extras ... ... .., ... 6 Total 36 (Jhertsey.—lst Innings, ]']. Buchanan, c Denshire b C, Mooro ... 38 H. Primmer, bO. Moore , ... ... 2 J. Jackson, b Andrews 7 D. T. Todd, b Andrews 7 A. C. Maxwell, run out ... .., .., 8 H. W, Parsons, c Rees bC. Moore ... 3 H. Haydaek, c and bQ. Moore ... ... 0 E. Purchase (sub,), not out .., ... 2 Black (sub.), c Bell b Andrews 13 Helmore, b Sawle .., , .... ■ , 7 Curtis (sub ), b Sawle .. 0 Extras 11 Total .., ... 10J Ashbubtqn.—Second Innings, Rees, b Todd 25 Dixon, b.Todd ... 0 Cufchbertson, run out 2 E. Andrews, c Haydock b Todd 23 H. G. Moore, cMaxwellb Jackson ... 4 W. B. Denshire, b Todd 0 T. Sawle, run out 2 J. 0. Bel), c Todd b Jackson 2 'frox, c Todd.,. , 5 0. Moore, c Maxwell b Todd ... ... 3 J. Cow, not olit ... ... 3 Extras ... 4

Tqtal 74 Chertsjjv. —Sjccoiid Innings. Buchanan, not out... ...  .., 5 Jackson, not out .'.'. ... ... ... 0

CANTERBURY V. WELLINGTON.

CiiujSTCHUPyCi^, March 7. The Canterbury v. Wellington iriter provincial cricket match commenced to day at Lancaster Park m ftne weather. So far the game lias gone against the home team, who batted first, and were .ill out for l£}4.' Of these De Mans made 4Q by capital criclcet—Wheatley 18 (not put). Wilding 18,"Labatb IQ, T. D. Harman IB,', A. flarman 14, and Bates 11, being the other fjqubjes. pirth toolc fjve wickers for 54 runs, and Virtue three for 4|. Wellington's first innings, so far, has pro? dueed 162 runs for the loss of five wickets, R. Blacklock playing a fine game for 75— )C, Gore 33, and Crawshaw 32, being the other chitf ecoi'ers?. .. ,

ChkistchuucbV March 8. The match resumed to-day m splendid weather. The Wellington tiiat inning* closed for 221—Fuller 19, Drydcn 16 Hodsworth (not out) 20. Late:v With 70 runs behind, Canterbury took the wicket, and at the luncheon adjourn ment, had scored 54 for the loss of four wickets—Lubatfc (not out) 31.

ENGLAND V TASMANIA.

(Received March 8, noon.) Hobart, March 8. J Lord Sheffield's Eleven, defeated Eighteen of Tasmania by an innings and 21 runs.

THE MARKETS

PRESS ASSOCIATION.) London, March 6. Tallow, medium mutton, 25s (id ; beef, 245. The English wheat market has a buoyant inclination; the Continental is declining, and the American is changing a little for the worse. The cargoes of wheat by the barqu* Rorley, from Port Augusta, and barque Anna Ramien, from Geclong, have been sold at 4ls, and the cargo by the ship Drumark, from Melbourne, at 403 6d. Vessels with cargoes for French ports are asing expedition to arrive before the end of May, a3 the new duties come into force on Jnne 1. New Zealand cheese, 56a to 58s. The bulk of the factory butter by the Coptic realised 112s to 116s per cwt; a few choice parcels brought 118s. Complaints that New South Wales butter is heated prior to shipping continue to be made. A trial shipment of eggs from Victoria Has arrived m goo:l condition. The eggs were not broken.

Property Sale.

3VTK T. BULIOOK. Mr T. Bullock reports having sold by auction and privately the following town, suburban, and rural properties :—T.8.'5558 and 559, each containing £ acre, Cox street, with cottage thereon, £180; T.B. 318, con taining £ acre, Havelock street, £35 ; T.S.s 1240, 1247, and 1248, each containing J acre, Burnett and Grigg streets, on 1240 a cottage of four rooms, £170 the lot; T.S. 148, con taining J acre, Burnett street, nothing on it, £150; T.S.s 1205 and 1206, each containing | acre, Cameron street West, £40; T.S. 461, containing I acre, Burnett street, with cottage, £115; R.S. 33009, containing 200 acres light land, Westeriield Survey District, £1 9s per acre ; 23 acres 2 roods, part of B.S. 20237, Alford Forest Survey District, £82 ; T.S. 93, containing £ acre, Tinwald Town District, £20; lots 2 and 3, Mount Sotners Township, £30; lot 1, containing £ acre, C\wendish road, Allenton Suburban District, £25; lots6B and 69 each containing 38 perches, with two-roomed-cottage thereon, fronting North Belt, Hampstead District, £63; lot 7, containing 2 acres 2 roods 10 perches, part of R.S. 5800, Princes street, Netherby, £80; lot 10, containing 5 acres 2 roods, part of block known as McLean's, at £31 per acre—£l7o 10s.

Ashburton Cycling Club.

ROAD RECORD

Messrs Albert and E. -T. Craighead put up a record from Ash burton to Methven and back this morning. Leaving the Ashburton Post Office afc 6,15 a.m., they arrived at the Methven Hotel at 8.10. A stoppage was made of eight miuutes betore sotting out on the return journey, and they arrived m Ashburton at-9.47 a.m., covering the 44 miles m 3hrs. 32inins M including stoppage. A gold merlal is oiven by the Club for the best record before the end of April. Consider ing the rough state of the roads, Messrs Craighead are to be complimented on their performance, which will take some beating.

ANNUAL MEETING.

A shburton . BUILDING SOCIETY.

raent shaiesthifi year. He had always w.nidered these were not mere largely taken advantage of m tho past, but he was pleased to see thai- now they wore beginning to be appreciated. The report and balance sheet were un nniirously adopted. ELKfVrjoN OF mKKOTOIIS, MesmsW. .St. George Douglas and Georcre Jameson were re-elected to the Direc torate, ami m proposing their re-election Mr Friedlandor pointed bub that a divi dend of nine per cent this year as against eight per cent last year did: not fully show the profits of tho Society, as while Lint year only £48 15* 8d had been carried forward, thin year there had been, as shown m the report, £200 IslOrl. Mr Harrison m proposing a vote of thanks to the Directors and the Manager said »hat business m the district had not been very bright, but the Society was more than holding its own m spite of that. This, he thought, showed well not only for the Society but also spoke well for the soundness of the district. (Hear, hear.) Many things had been attributed to the Government. He was quite sure if the members of the Government were as Ws.ll able to manage the colony's affairs as the Directors of the A^hburton Build ing Society were to manage the affairs of the Society the colony would be on a very sound bottom, and he would have im plicit faith m it. (Hear, hear.) There was something wrong somewhere when the banks got off scot free, and a financial institution like their own, that existed al most wholly for the working men, was taxed at the rate of one per cent, and the working men's money made dearer by that much. Mr Harrison, and Mr Miiller, who seconded the motion, both paid a high tribute to the manager, Mr Stephens, for his tacfc^and urbanity m the management of the Society's business and his dealings with the Society's clients. The vote having been carried, it was acknowledged by the Chairman, who said the Directors and Manager had pibted the little Society through very stormy waters into a safe haven. They held nothing m the shape of property except the section on which their office stood, and m which their business was trans acted. He knew of one Society that had had no less than £4.0,000 worth of pro perry thrown upon their hands, but he was proud to say that they had done all their business as money lenders without having any property thrown on their hands. The Chairman also paid a high tribute to the ability of the manager, as well as to the auditors—Messrs Twenty man and Restell—who thoroughly and at frequent intervals audited the Society's books. Mr Scephpns acknowledged the compli ment paid to him. Afttr a vote o/ thanks to the Chairn?an the meeting closed.

The annual meeting of the Ashburton Permanent Building and Investment Society was held yesterday afternoon. There was about the usual attendance of directors and shareholders, and DrTrevor, Chairman of Directors, presided. REPORT AND BALANCE SHEET. The annual report and balance sheet were laid on the table. The report, which was the seventeenth that had been submitted to an annual meeting of share holders, said— Aftar allowing interest at seven per cent on capital and investment. shares, and writing off all ascertained losses, the profit and loss account shows a credit balance of £435 8s 4d, which your Directors recommend to be appropriated as follows : —The jiayment of two per cent upon " A" capital shares, adding the same percentage to the "B" investment shares, the placing of £100 to an account to be called " Fluctuation of Securities Account," and carrying forward the balance, £100 Is lOd. The balance sheet showed assets and liabilities as follows :— Assists—Loans, £39438 2s lid; office property, Tancred street, £616 2s; interest accrued and interest, etc., m arrear, £555 3<s; office furniture, etc., 6100; insurance premiums recoverable, 175—£40710 4s ! lid. Liabilities—" A." capital shares, £5000; "B" investment shares, £7817 J4s Id ; deposits, 22060 10s'9d ; interest accrued on same, £561 4.-S lOd ; balance due bankers, £4757 Is 6d; interest accrued, £78 5s 6d ; profit, after paying seven per cent to all shareholders, £435 8s 4d—£40710 4s lid. The Chairman m moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet congratu lated the shareholders on the very healthy condition of the Society, which was this year paying a much increased dividend, and was m a sounder position than, it had ever been. There had been a most marked increase m the demand for " B " investment shares, which had risen m number from 69 last year to 160 this year, and there had been also an increase of "A"capital shares, which were £10 fully paid up shares, and were issued at 5 per cent, premium. In regard to the Socie-tj "s securities he believed all that it I held wera worth what they were repre sented to be. There was only one little cloud on the horizon, viz., the Govern ment taxation proposals, and these were likely to affect the Society considerably. Mr Ballince had said to begin with that building societies would not be affec te4. but whether he then spoke m ignorance or had since changed his mind, he (the chairman) 'could not say; but the {act remainec} that the Society would"tg affected to the extent of ox\e per cent, on' its profits by the new taxation. This was the mqre to be regretted, as the loss must inevitably fajl on the working men who were so largely t\\e Society's borrowers. To meet this loss th,e Directors had put aside £100 to an account to be called the Fluctuation of Securities Account. He t was pleesed to say that the management had b§en excellent, their manager did his work well, and the b,ijsinesg w^ sound. He hioyed' the aclqption of the balance sheet and repqrt. > Mr Bullock m seconding expvess,ed his. pleasure at tse Socfefys, jncrease fn business. The loans he nbtdd, had largely increased, and the dividend of nine per pent, this year was yevy B^tiftr factory. ]Jnc|er tfye government pro, posals the Society would probably have tq pay onp per cent, fc j; a '\me, but this must eventually fall upon t}ie borrqwers, JHedid not know any ether Society m Canterbury of the same kind that; paid as much as nine per cent, dividend, and this position was very gratifying to them. There ha I b^en {jujte a rush for invest

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATIOH

LONDON MUNICIPAL POLITICS.

London, February 6. For the London County Council elections the Tories had an advantage m the number of vehicles. The. entire Press on Saturday made a vehement appeal to electors for support, of their respective parties. At the former election the result was,. Liberals 70, Tories 48, while by-elections slightly favoured the Tories At the present election four of those returned have not declared their views, while of the remainder 77 are Liberals and 31 Tories. The former include 10 labour candidates. Lords Rosebery and Car rington were at the top of the polls. The " Observer " considers it is clear that the verdict proves that the policy of the Council will be continued. OBITUARY. The death is reported of the Right Hon. Sir William Gregory,(formerly Governor of Ceylon, aged 75. GOVERNOR OP WESTERN AUSTRALIA. ].* It is reported that Lord Gormanston will be appointed Governor of Western Australia. GALLERY OF BRITISH ART. Mr Henry Tate has withdrawn his offer of £80,000 for the erection of a picture gallery at South Kensington, and also his offer to present his collec tion of pictures as a nucleus for a national gallery of British art, because the Chancellor of the Exchequer has failed to provide a suitable site for the building. The Press' express regret that his spiendid offer was not accepted.

CRISIS IN CHILI.

Valparaiso, March 6. The remainder of the Chilian Ministy has resigned, owing to differ ences over finances.

THE BEHRING SEA DISPUTE.

Washington, March 6. The United States Government is unlikely to agree to Lord Salisbury's proposals regarding the Behring Sea difficulty. They are regarded as un fair and arrogant. The position is re garded as serious. New lorK, March 6. The local Press consider that the Marquis of Salisbury's proposal to open the Behring Sea fisheries to a certain extent is a menace to the exist ence of the industry. The Cabinet will probably consider the question on Mon day. The sealing fleet are preparing for sea. The report of the Commission respecting sealing has been signed, but the Commissioners have not agreed on the main issue as to what steps should be taken for the pressrvation of seals.

CANADIAN ELECTIONS.

Ottawa, March 6. The elections m Quebec are the most bitter ever known. M. Mercier, ex- Premier of Quebec, has abandoned the contests m the cities.

THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.

, pERpm, Marqh (j. The Reichstag has voted a credit fop the suppressiqn of slavery m Africa.

THE ANARCHISTS.

Bbussels, March 7. Two pounds of a powerful explosive were discovered planted iv the Spanish legation to-day, to Which a fuse was attached, but it had apparently failed tq apt. The pjqt is evidently the work of anarchists ir* cqpnectio,n. with the Xeres incident,

AUSTRALIAN.

THE WINDSOR MYSTERY.

Melbourne, March 7. Two passengers by the s.s. Kaiser Wilhelm on her last trip to the colony have identified the remains of the victim of the Windsor tragedy as those of Mrs Williams. The husband is described as a native of Lancashire, about thirty*five years of age,

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN: TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1893.



£ B (1 Subscriptions paid 45 0 0 Frivatc pr'i'ge-inoijey pajtl to . Treasurer „>' .<< ef •"» 0 Otate money at Bhow • • 43 3 5 Entry fees J 4 0 90 12 5

Private prize-money to be CQliected  ■•■ 211 0 Subpcriptions t.o be c.Qll§cttjd s W 8 l) (»

T.,.tal ... ... 107 ? 5 £ s d

Henfc Arciute fcjliaiubets fcoi' meetings ?0 Q Cheque book ... ••■ Cash book f - tVas $ccqunt 5 5 Kxponwßof SJww 30 13 9 Prize money.., .V. ... $5 5 6 66 19 Is iiy .Grcd.n balance ... ••■ 40 3 9



HAJNMISJR & J3I&JJDG-13 AUTHORISED ASfD LICENSED SDRVfiVORS. ALL information concerning Cost of Work. &c. , can be obtained from CHARLES BRADDELL, 2J39 Agent, Ashburton.



Public Notices. ""VT EW Supplies of Stationery and JLN Account Books, Music, Fancy Goods, New Games, &c. Ordora for Printing, Bookbinding, Picture Frames, &c, promptly executed. Schools and offices supplied with rvery requisite. Ma<'««zines vid Newspapers supplied to nnfer.—L. F. ANDRE WES & CO., Stationers' Hall. ,- i t N.Z.C.F. SPECIAL INDUCEMENTS ARE OFFERED TO TH^ PUBLIC FOR ONE MONTH [m M E N' S AND T> O V S ; CLOTHING, SHIRTS HATS RUGS SCARFS AND PORTMANTEAUX. WE INVITE INSPECTION, COMPARISON, AND PATRONAGE. NEW ZEALAND , Clotliiwv Factory. iW. H WEBBER, Manager i «——^^—^^^^—^—^—^^^^'^'j . MAIL JVOXICJSI3. Mails close for the following places as under, subject to the necessary altera tions :— WEDNESDAY, March 9. For the United Kingdom and Continent of Europe (especially addressed correspon dence only} and Australian Colonies, per express (to connect with s.s. Mararoa at Port Chalmers), at 152 3O j> m. ENGLISH MAILS. HOMEWARD —DJBECT MAILS. Tainui, leaving March 5, due London April 14. ivaikoma, leaving March 19, due London April 28. Doric, leaving April 2, due London May 12. SAN FRAXCISCO MAILS, Monowai, leaving on February 27, due London March 30. Alameda, leaving on March 26, due London April 27. OUTWARD—DIRKCT MAILS. Doric, due colony March 7. Ruahine, due colony March 21. SAN FKANCISOO MAILS. Mariposfti due colony March 2li



Notice to CJorresponaeiii;* Corrtsponi c its are recjueated to for.v/ard their column 1 i ations m unsealed euvelopes, or m wrappers OPEN AT BOTH ENDS, M required by the postal regulations. "So words that are not iiitcndcd for publication must be written either on the manuscript or on the cover of the letter- Letter rates of postage must bo paid on advertisements. N'niivn Hyslop and Co.'s "Imperial* Ceylon and Indian Teas are direct from the Tea Plantation — (A<lv 'Inn IiKST RKMEDY FOX IWDIOEmOM — Norton's Camomile Pills are conh'den*^ vecouimcnded as a simple remedy for {indigestion, which is the cause of nearly all Hhe Aiacases lo which we are Bubjeete NoktoiV's J*f/OLS, with justice called the "iffatuireJl Stuwgthener of the Human Stomach," act as a ■pQiverful tonic and gentle i pc.rieirt, are mild m ifa&r operation, and ; safe under any .circwnßt^Btjws, Sold m ' bottles, at Is l|d, 2s 9d, Ws,,by rU yenJora throughout ii" ff ffW- j



Wanted. _J CASH. Advertisement under clv? heading not uxceedin^ SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses maybe It*ft at this Office. ANTED Kuown—General nieetir.g of Ashburton Cycling Club, Mrs Pearson's Roi-m, Thursday, 8 p.m. Full attendance requested. 3 5( W' ANTED to Let, Three-roomed Cottage, Peter street, close to Railway Station. Apply, Mrs Jones, on the premises. "-1 IRST Shipment Double Refined Kero sene for Winter use. Buy early. Great reductions at Stephens Biios.. Market House. ___ T\TOTHINGwiII Cool you be» quickly and i-^ invigorate the system so much as Ice Cream —H.G. Flower, Confectioner, East Street. 'TT7 ANTED Known. - Come and see VV the Bargains now on at Melford Hoiwe. H. C. Segeus. WAIITKD Known. -At"The Corner" now selling Ladies.' French Shops. 5s lid. See them".—W. H. Collieb. 11/"ANTED Known.—lf you Want VV plenty of first class Drapery, Boots and Clothing for cash, come to Melford House Sale.—H. O. Seorrs. WANTED KNOWN, a special lot of Hearth Rugs at Is lid, 2s 6d ;md 2a lid ; worth about doable. VV. H. CoiiLIER. W~~ ANTED Known.—l have a large stock of Tin and Ironware Goods So selfict from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m stock.—J. W. Haudley, East street. 6J202 WANTED Known.—Great Cash Sale now on at Melford House. Almost everything reduced. —H. C. Sboerp. ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed ; from 50s cash. Uober'l Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. TJ Meet the Times.—l am aupplyiug Galvauised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all. descriptions. luspscticn invited. — J. W. Harpley, Eas street. 6J201 W~ ANTED Known—That you will make no mistake for quality and variety m English and Colonial Boots, and his highly reputed make by calling aj'3. '' 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.