Notice to Correspondents

Correspondents are requested to forward their comnmii nations m unsealed envelopes, ' or m wrappers OPEN AT BOTH ENDS, as required by the postal regulations. No words that are not intended for publication must be written either on the manuscript or on the cover of the letter. Letter ratea of postage must be paid on advertisements.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close for the following places as under, subject to the necessary altera tions :— WEDNESDAY, March 2. For the United Kingdom, Continent of Europe, via Brindisi, Point de Galle, India, China, Japan, etc., and also for Australian Colonies, except New South Wales and Queensland, per express (to connect withs.s. Manapouri at Port Chalmers), at 1*2.30 l>.m. Note —This mail will be due m London on April 19. For Northern Ports and all Australian Colonies, per Wakatipu, at O.HO Hum. THURSDAY, March 2. For South America, United Kingdom, and Continent of Europe, per Tarawera (to con nect withTainui at Wellington), and also for Northern Ports of New Zealand, as follows : —Ordinary letters, books, and newspapers, at 0.3« > a.m. Note—This mail will be due m London on April 14 ENGLISH MAILS. HOMEWARD—DIRECT MAILS. Coptic, leffc January 9, due London February 18. lonic, left February 0, due London March 17. Taiiiui, leaving March 5, due London April 14, Doric, leaving April 2, due London May 12. SAN KKANVISCO MAILS. Mariposa, left January 30, duo London Match 2 Monowai, leaving on February 27, due London March 30. Alamcda, leaving on March 26, due London April 27. 01TVVAUD —DIKKCT MAILS. Kaikoura, due colony February 24. Ruahine, due colony March 21. SAX FRANCISCO MAILS. Aliiuncda, due colony February 28. Maripos&, due gvlvuy March 23]

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1892. NOTES.

The profession of a prophet is a very risky one, especially when it is essayed by political partisans who prophecy, not those things which the signs of the times indicate as probabilities, but those things which they themselves would fain see happen, but which ■Aviser, because unbiassed, men would at once pronounce to be unlikely. This has been recently very plainly exemplified by New Zealand Oppo sition journals and Opposition speakers, which and who have, ever since Parlia ment rose, been predicting all sorts of evils as certain to result from the administration of the present Govern ment. The exodus of the population was to continue and—it; has not con tinued, but has given place ta an influx ; the new taxation was lo put a stop to land settlement —it has not stopped it, but on the contrary settle ment is going on more rapidly than for years before ; money was to become so dear as to be unobtainable —it has not got dearer, but is still obtainable m any quantity at low rates of interest; the revenue was to fail and a deficit to ensue —it has not failed, and instead a surplus is imminent. In a word these and all the other lugubrious prophecies of these croaking priests of disaster have turned out to be like the dreams of Rory O'Moore which " went by contraries." Really after this would it not it be just as well if our disappointed augurs would take to prophecying after the event instead of before it. They ought to be convinced by this time that they have no talent for penetrating the secrets of the future. In respect of the number and quality of the exhibits, the first Show of the newly-formed Horticultural Society was a phenomenal success. The show of cut flowers was not only large, but the wealth of bloom displayed was ample testimony to the taste and ability of our citizens and settlers as floriculturists, while the really magnifi cent display of fruit and vegetables was proof unchallengeable of the excellence of the climate and soil of Ashburton county. This was especially and very pleasingly noticeable m respect to potatoes and apples, which promise ere long to figure very largely m the export returns of the colony ; and it was conclusively proved on Saturday that no district m New Zealand, nay we verily believe no district m any country m the world can excel Ashburton m the size and quality of those staple products of the warden and the orchard. The weak point of the Show was to be found m the pot plants. This was, however, only to be expected, a* the notice given was too short to enable growers to prepare exhibits of this class—a short coming which will doubtless disappear m future years. The number of exhibits m all classes which canoe forward was, however, far m excess of even the additional staging provided on the morning of the Show, notwith standing the fact that hundreds of exhibits which had not been entered m time had to be refused. The consequence of this was that the back shed of the hall had to be pressed into service and for the lighting of this there was no time to make arrange ments, the consequence being not a little dissatisfaction on the part of exhibitors of vegetables whose exhibits were relegated to "outer darkness," and on the part of the visitors, ivho j after sunset had to strike matches to investigate the merits of some of the articles. Then, again, the enormous quantity which had to be staged was almost more than the Committee could overtake, and hence a number of little hitches which could scarcely have been avoided. Experientia docet,. and no doubt next year a larger building will be secured (we would suggest the Arcade) and arrangements commen surate with the demands of an even larger circle of exhibitors will be made. Meantime, any little mistakes or shortcomings of a first effort may well be condoned, and the Committee, the exhibitors, and all concerned congratu lated on the great success of the First Show of the Ashburton Horticultural Society,

Having had the opportunity of conversing with a gentleman who within the past few days has visited all the districts south of Ashburton as far as Invercargill, we are m a position to say that the damage done to the crops by the wet weather of a fortnight or so ago has been largely over estimated. Even at the Taieri, which (the Kakanui Valley excepted) has suffered more than any other district, the case is not so bad a« it has been painted. True, up to two or three days ago the water was still standing inches deep over hundreds of acres of land, but by far the largest part of this area is pasture land f which will benefit rather than the reverse by the flooding, the area of cereal crop which has been destroyed being comparatively small. In Southland the grain was not ripe, and there are phenomenally heavy crops, which up to this time have scarcely suffered any injury, In North Otago—that is, all the way from Dunedin to the Waitaki—taking the crops all round, with the single exception of that m the valley of the l Kakanui, which have been pretty well destroyed, the damage done has been comparatively small; and though the Waimate district has suffered more than any other paxfc of South Cantei bury, yet taking the whole of the country from the Waitaki to the; RangitaU into account, the great bulk of the crop wijl be wholly unhurt, or at worst but; very slightly damaged. The same remark also applies to the crops between the llangiUta and the lUkfti;t, and we believe also to these north of t\m last-mentioned river. If then the present good weather holds I for two or three weeks; more, the harvest of the South Island wiU be, taken all round, the best that we have had for many years, and with the promise of good prices tfye prospects of our farmers are of a very hopefol sort.

V A (ji.auUty of telegraphic, mail, aacl other news \i uaa,voida,b.ly bew over*

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A small boy stabbed with a hay-fork a j dog which took a liberal bite at the seat of J his unmentionables. The owner, m a great state at the loss of his dog said " Why didn't you take the other end of the fork to him?" '" Why didn't he come at me with the other end? " demanded the irate small boy, Frederick Thomas Storey, who stabbed Mrs Stewart, a performer at. Cooke, s Circus, at Greenock on November 14, because she rejected his addresses, was hanged at Oreenock on January 11. He was wonder fully cool, and fully acknowledged the justice of his sentence. This is the first execution that has taken place m Greenock since 1834. An account of the tragedy has appeared m our columns. On Sunday afternoon a hundred yards' sprint race came off m the Domain between P. Casey and E. Sullivan, two local peda of J pome standing. The race was run twine—i Sullivan breasting the tape first at thetiui&h of the first spin, ami Casey coming m first on the "second brush. On both occasions the start was unsatisfactory—-and a third trial had a similar result, so that the merits of the two men are still undecided. The time was not fast. Mr J. Chantry Harris, who is well-known m journalistic circles, has been distinguish ing himself m the capacity of J.P. At VVhangarei, Messrs Harris and Bell dis missed a charge of larceny brought before them. In giving his decision Mr Harris thought tit to give a bit of advice to the police as to their duties. Mr Bell m high dudgeon, left the bench, and proceeded to address his colleague from the floor of the Court, informing him that he did not agree with his remarks. Mr Harris did not care a a red cent whether Mr Bell agreed with him or not, and proceeded to inform him that he knew more about Court procedure than Mr Bell did, and he took leave to tell him so. ' Says the " North Otago Time 3 "—lt lias been asserted, and with a good deal of ; reason, that the rains have done this district more good than harm. It is argued that while it is true the grain has buffered to some extent, and individual farmers have lost severely by the floods, m the aggregate these losses are more than compensated for by the resuscitation of the turnips and mangolds, and the great growth of grass. As a proof of this we are told that on one property m this district on which it was impossible to keep 400 sheep last year, there are now 1000, revelling m the luxuriant pastures. All will certainly not receive this direct benefit, bun on the whole there may be reason? for believing that the losses are more hum made up by the benefits. "A Tramp E-sq." seeing roads made through bush at great cost allowed to become overgrown with trees again, says, " What this suffering country needs much more than an able financier, or an unfettered railway commission is an independent genius at the head of the Survey and Engineer Departments to lay off and construct our roads as economy, common sense, general usefulness, and natural advantages dictate, and not on selfish political lines. It has been the colony's misfortune that its Surveyors-General and Engineers-in-Chief —competent and incompetent—have all been subject to the influences of provincialism and political partyism ; and we have scarcely a railway m the colony the true and natural course of which has not- been diverted to serve the ends of some influential political schemers."

Thursday's " Marlborough Times " says : — There was a large and representative gathering of ladies and gentlemen at the courts of the Wairan Tennis Club, yesterday, when Miss Douslin, champion, competed m a friendly contest with Miss Rees, ex-champion. The contest was one of the best and closest ever witnesspcl on the ground, magnificent play being shown on both sides, and both com petitors received repeated rounds of applause. Miss Rees' brilliant returns were much admired, and Miss Douslin played with the greatest steadiness and judgment. Three sets were played, the results being as follows: —(1) Miss Roes won by 6 to 5 ; (2) Miss Douslin won by b to 3 ; and (3) Miss Rees won by 12 to 10. Miss Rees thus won by two sets to one, but the evenness ot the pi i,y may be judged from the fact that both competitors m the aggregate scored 21 games each.

A bull m a china shop is said to be a very awkward visitor, and one whoso visit is likely to be followed by some damage to delf. <A horse man oyster shop one would think would be a visitor equally un welcome, and so doubtless Mr Senior, Burnett Street, found the stray equine which yesterday afternoon took a flying leap through his back window, and very con siderably scared the good lady who was plying her nee-Us quietly and contentedly m the room. The advent of the crock was the signal to the poor woman to seek other quarters at her best speed, and she did so, giving the alarm as she went, and bringing such male members of the community as were at hand very quickly upon the scene. The horse was got out somehow, and before any irreparable damage was done either to itself or the house it wanted to take charge of, but the visit was accompanied by a very considerable destruction of glass.

A fight between two stallions at Manaia is reported m the Hawera "Star, " It seems that Mr R. E. M'Rae's Volunteer and the Clydesdale horse Prince Victor were both on a farm, but were kept with at least one paddock between them. One morning, how ever, Volunteer broke through the paddock adjoining Prince Victor's, and the two stallions commenced fighting over tho gate. Prince Victor seized Volunteer by the lower jaw, and pulled the horce almost over the gate, breaking the top bar of the gate. The Clydesdale stallion having thus got the ad vantage, continued to pull the thoroughbred over the broken gate. Whenever Prince Victor lost his hold he sat clown, owing to the fot?co with which he was tugging. Finally he succeeded m dragging Volunteer completely over the gate, and ho then tore Volunteer's side open, exposing his entrails, besides otherwise knocking him about Volunteer's jaw was completely smashed, the bonos rattling when the head was lifted, and he was at once put out of pain by a bullet.

The following ard the vital statistics for the Aahburton district for the month of February : — Births, 21; deaths, 10 ; marriages, 5. The returns of the Ashburfcon Hospital for the month of February are as follows : — In Hospital, February 1, 12 patients; admitted during the month 13 ; discharged 10 ; died 3 ; remaining 12. To-day is the date for the nominal closing of entries for the New Zealaud Rillv Association's annual meeting, which will commence on the permanent range at Treutham, Wellington, on March U. The thermometer registered 101.6 m the sun on February 18 at Adelaide Observatory. At Bendigo, Victoria, on the same day, 103 was registered m the shade. Sparrows dropped dead from the he.it. The Matron of the Hospital wishes t > acknowledge with thanks the recent of flowers and fruit from Mosdamca Lee, Baxter and Adams ; also papers from Miss iJ'-shop, and a quantity of fruit and {lowers from Mr George .Smith. Any old linen would be thankfully received. The Dundee School Hoard has agreed to appoint a lecturer to set forth m its schools "the scientific facts m regard to the health of the body, and particularly m regard to the injurious effects of alcohol upon the young. " Attendance at tho lectures is to be optional. Pastor Birch, who had some trouble last year with the Tabernacle congregation, Auckland, causing numbers to secede and form a Union Church, of which he has since been Minister, has accepted a call to Oxford Terrace Baptist Church, Christchurch. We have received a copy of the pro gramme for the autumn meeting of the Geraldine Racing Club to be held on May 12. It comprises open handicaps of £35 and £25, district handicaps of £20 and £25, a couple of selling events, and a two mile trot of 25 soys. A man from the Leeston district, known as Mark Baylis, alias Hyman Saul, was arrested by Constable Lewis at Rakaia yesterday, on the charge of obtaining the sum of £1 19s 6d from Sydney Howell at the Railway Hotel, Rakaia, on Friday. rHie cheque was drawn m accused's own name on the Bank of New Zealand, Leeston. The Scotch correspondent ofthe "Witness" does not give a very cheerful account of the land market. He writes :—The leading auctioneer and estate agent m Edinburgh states m his report for 1891 that since the failure of the City of Glasgow Bank m 1878 the sale of laud, except sporting estates, has gradually declined, and there is no visible symptom of improvement or reaction. He exposed at auction during last year 43 estates, with an area of 1,119,927 acres and a rental of £1,816,400. Of these on'y nine were sold, for a total sum of £88,393. He adds that the agricultural outlook is better, owing to the fall m rents, but there seems to be a disinclination to invest m land, owing to the uncertainty as to prospective legislation affecting it. The balloting for the sections of land re cently opened m this (Maniototo) district has (says the "Mount Ida Chronicle ") con clusively proved the superior popularity of the so-called perpetual-lease over the cash and deferred payment system? of tenure. Out of over 43 sections balloted for on the optional system, according to particulars given m our last issue, only three were taken up on other forms of tenure. It has generally been observed, ever since the in troduction of the perpetual-lease system, that it possessed attractions exceeding those of the other systems of land acquisition, and that the public usually favoured it when they had the chance.

THE WEATHER.

ALFORD STATION.

The following is the Meteorological report for the week ending February 28, 1892:— _

The Appointment of Governor.

[per press association.

Wellington, February 29. The Premier states that the Govern ment did not send any protest to the Colonial Office against allowing the name of the new Governor to become known before it was communicated to the Press. Ministers, however, did consider that they had a right to feel aggrieved at the apparent wanb of courtesy, and instructed the Agent' General to inquire into the matter, and ascertain why no information has been sent to them until the appoint ment was generally known, Mr Perceval has not yet replied,

Serious Riots in Germany.

[r-RKSS ASSOCIATION TKLEdKA.M.]

Berlin, February 27. Thousands assembled m front of the Imperial palace at noon yesterday, and it was only after a stubborn resistance that the police were able to disper«e them by a free use of swords, The Emperor and Empress drove through the streets m the afternoon, and were greeted with respect. At six o'clock m the evening the police dispersed another mob, which bad gathered m the Halksche market, again using their swords. Ityany disorderly scenes took place m the quarters occupied by the working classes, and later on there were several conflicts m Rosenthal, Brunner, v.nd Frankfort streets. The situation at one time became critical, as the mob offered a determined re-( sistan/se to the police, and the, latter were forced to make several charges with drawn swords. Eventually the rioters gave way before them and dis^ persed. Many Avert) Avounded and about eighty arrests were made. The people Avere ordered to close their shops and remain indoors. To-day the mounted gendarmes Avere called out, and elaborate precautions taken, as it is feared there will be more rioting aurfng the course of the day. February 29. Owing tc the vigorous nVoasuves taken by the German authorities, tq repress disorder the rjq.ts, m Berlin ar.<s regarded as over.

THE FLOWER SHOW.

SECOND NOTICE.

Mr Simmonds showed as a curiosity a branch of winter pears that had been blown down, and broken off the tree. It was shown with ninety five well grown but of course unripe pears still hanging to it, and the branch formed quite an im posing bower to the table on which his collection of fruit was shown. The pear is known as the Napoleon, and when the branch was first broken down there were x<> less Ihriu 115 pears upon k. Mr Simmo-.id.s got a first prize for the best dish of filberts, and his peaches, plums, pears, and nectarines were all commended. Mr James Porter had a grand display of apples as well as of other fruit, but he was most successful m plums. By successful, we do not mean m the scoring; of prizes, but m the number, variety, and quality of his ixhibitu, and the great breadth of staging ho covered near the door of the hall with both hard and soft fruit had many admirers round it m the course of the evening. In the open class also Mrs H. Friedlander's peaches that wore the first prize ticket were a foast for the gods, and J. Millichainp's wore not far behind. Mr Mayo's nectarines were m grand con dition, and Miss Chalmers' collection of pears would have won honors anywhere. In the amateur classes m this section the exhibits were so good, many of them, as to have had a good chance alongside, those shown m the open classes W. Strange and Gr. Keeiey showed bkek Hamburg grapes that any vigneion would have been proud of, while the first named had an exhibit of white Sweetwaters of rare excellence. The peaches of M. Digby and W. Choat could fairly have challenged the open class fruit, as could also have many of the plums. The same may be said of the apples, pears, and filberts. The special prizes called out a collection of plums shown by Mrs Hunt for Mr W. Anderson's prize, and truly the exhibit was a fine one. Mr J. Thomas' special prize for amateurs was gained by Mr R. Murray with a fine collection of well grown apples from his Allenton garden. But it was m the vegetables that the great strength of the show lay, and the exhibits m all the classes, both open and amateur, were beyond praise. We can not remember at any show it has been our good fortune to attend, either here or anywhere else ; seeing a better display. At any show held m this colony one expects to have pointed out to him the boss pumpkin and so forth, and to see big samples, but one does not expect to come across many samples of this species of vegetable tha 1; require the aid of a wheel barrow to shift, and this was the state of affairs m several, instances on Saturday. There were huge pumpkins, marrows, melons, and gourds- two tremendous samples of the last named—and two of the marrows had been cleverly " faked " by Mr T. Whittington, who, with a view to paying a compliment to the Society, and at the same time showing what can be done by art of nature at a pinch, had pricked out on the skins of two marrows, about a month before the Show, the sentence ''Success to the Ashburton Horticultural Society," with date, &c. As growth proceeded the sentence became filled up and calloused over, so that the ' inscriptions stood otic m a strong has relief, and were easily reai at a distance. O: cucumbers we have seen a better show, although those exhibited were not in ferior, but the season having been favor able to tomatoas these exhibits were of a high order of merit, both for size and richness, and m bo! h classes. Those shown m the open class bore the bell perhaps m quality and shapline.ss, but for size credit rested with the amateurs' exhibits. Mr liefford showed some tine heads celery, and m cabbage the district outdid itself, both m the green and the red varieties. One head shown by Mr Lechner as an extra required wiikinLj round it to ensure a full inspection of it. It bulked largely m the eye of the Primitive Methodist congregation at the harvest thanksgiving service, on the day after the Show, forming no mean part of the symbolic decorations for the day. Savoys, carrots, turnips, onions, parsnips, lettuce, beans, peas, runners, artichokes, and rhubarb, were all worthily repre sented by both professional and amateur exhibitors, but perhaps the best vegetable tables m the Show were those devoted to potatoes, and here there were some ten or a dozen competitors m each class. The worst exhibit shown would have beaten anything we ever saw entered at a show m the Old Country, but it is to be hoped that next year some more definite distinction will be made than simply having two classes—one for "kidney" and one for " round " potatoes. By the arrangement of Saturday the long and wide tuber of the " Beauty of Bath," rich m pink coloring and white of flesh had to rank as a kidney because of its shape. We are not at all certain that all the judges looked uoon the word "kidney" as having reference to dis tinction m shape only. At any rate m the open class nothing that was not of the more orthodox kidney breed got any award, anc} yet there were colored potatoes m the open class that were passed over, but their inferiority to the first and second prizes we failed to find " out. There was no mistaking the round potatoes, nor the excellence of the prize exhibits. Mr P. Anderson was the only exhibitor of honey, but his sample was superb. We had hoped to see a larger number of canaries shown m the three classes m which competitors were invited, but the birds entered were all nice ones. In the left hand corner past the entrance door Mr James Price, of Mount Somers, had a splendid display of basket ware of Huntingdon willow—all well and strongly made, and of chaste pattern. The willows were grown at Mount Somers by the Price family, by whom also all the basketwork was done. The attendance at the Show during afternoon and evening was calculated to have reached well over 1500, about 500 having been admitted on members' tickets, the remainder paying for admis sion at the rate of Is per adult, and 6d for each child. The money taken at the door amounted to £43 14s sd. During tho evening the Ashburton Orchestral Society, under Mr 11. A. Gates, played selections of music, which were very effectively given, the Society's command ing position m the old dress circle aiding greatly m giving effect to the music. The judges were—Flowers—Mr Joseph Scaly, Ashbutton, and Mr Nairn, nursery man, Christchurch. Fruit and vegetables —Mr Pye, nurseryman, (j! eraldine, and Mr Blackmore, nursery manager for Mr William Gimblett, Christchurch.

Best collection vegetables (open), cash prize 7s 6d, given by Ash burton Drug Company— J. Taster. Best collection vegetables, amateurs, pair boots, value 17s 6d, given by 'Messrs Spencor and Co. —T. Whittington. Best cucumbers, amateurs, garden syringe, value 3a (id, given by Mr J. W. Hardley —J. Hefford. Best onions, amateurs, pair oilspin leggings, value 7s 6d, given by Mr W. Patching—J. Shearman. Best turnips, am.iteurs, prize value ss, given by Mr Flower—T. Whittington. Best carrots, amateurs, cash prize ss, given by Mr P ? Devane—T. Whitfc.ngton. Best cabbages, amateurs, prise value ss, given by Mr .James Baker—J. Tasker. Best tomatoes, open, prize value 7s Od, given by Mr 11. M. Jones —R. Collins.

Th^ world is e^er moving on towards perfection, bubseldom attains it. Constant improvement is being made m every branch of industry, bufc m Baking Powders Perfection has been reached m Warburton's Can't Be Beaji,

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

' The fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last night. Present his Worship the Mayor, Crs Thomas, Tweed, Orr, and Paul. MAYO It'tf STATEMENT. His Worship reported that the balance &fc the bank was debtor £991 7s Bd. The. receipts since la^t meeting were—llcnts of reserves, £10 Jos ; rent of Pound, £2 (U 7d ; Domain account, rent for cropping, £25; license, petroleum, £1 ; Library subscription, 10* ; total £39 11s 7d. BUltNinU hUBBLSII. Permission to burn rubbish was granted W. li. Denshire. shearman's lane. A reservation of a right of way, Shear man's Lane, adjoining Somerset Hotel was granted to James Lane, Somerset Hotel, on strict conditions as to main tenance. FOOTBALL GROUND. Mr V. H. Cox, oa behalf of tie Ash burton Football Club, asked on what terms the Club would be granted the right of playing football on the oval at the Domain. Cr Thomas moved that the liberty be granted on the payment of £2 2s for the season, and £2 10s for each occasion on which admission was charged. * Cr Orr enquired whether this business did not properly belong to tho Domain Board ; and after some discussion it was referred to that body. engineer's report. The Engineer reported—Thelaborgang have been principally engaged m carting soil and clay for purchasers ; also water ing streets, cleaning side channels, atten ding to water supply and sundry main tenance work. Netherby water supply. —We have ex amined the Winter's road race with the County Engineer, but have not as yet an exact estimate of the amount of water required, but are of opinion that our former estimate for alterations wouM not be exceeded. NUISANCES. The Inspector of Nuisances reported that the practice of merchants and others unpacking cases and exposing goods for sale on the footpaths was on the increase, and asked for instructions m the matter. Also, having served a notice to clear up a section. BY-LAWS. Cr Tweed moved that the By-law with reference to obstructions on footpaths be enforced. Cr Orr seconded the motion, remarking, however, that it was impossible that all such work could be done indoors. Carried. FIRE PREVENTION. Cr Thomas asked if anything had been done towards making a reservoir for fire prevention purposes of the old weigh bridge tank opposite Montgomery's corner. The Mayor said nothing could be done m the matter till the estimates for 1892 camo up. Or Thomas moved that the work be dene at once. It was most urgently required for a supply of water m the case of fire. Cr Tweed seconded. At the request of the Mayor the motion was altered, that the matter be referred to the Works Committee to report to next meeting. This was seconded by Cr Orr and carried. RIGHTS OF WAY. Cr Orr asked if the Council had power to enforce the asphalting of rights of way, as they had done m the case of Shear man's lane. The Mayer explained that the particular right ofwwarj r m question was a very narrow one to give access to the property adjacent to the Somerset Hotel. Cr Jones took h'.s.chair. T is t, v'r;-; -;r.u3. Cr Thomas asked if any report had been received of the non-supply of horses for the engine at the late lire. The Mayor had received no report. He directed the clerk to write to the brigade, re the non-furnishing of a report, giving full particulars of the whole matter. Cr Tweed asked how long it would be before the by-laws-would be printed, Tho Mayor explained that the by laws were m the hands of the Bore ugh solicitor, and as soon as they were received from him they would be printed. After a desultory discussion the matter dropped. ESTIMATES. Resolved that it be remitted to the Works Committee to prepare the estimates for the ensuing year Cr Tweed objected, desiring that the estimates should come before the whole Council. He wanted to see some works carried out, and not everything sacrificed to a desire to reduce the overdraft. He moved a negative to the resolution, but was the sole dissentient. Cr Orr thought that it was undesirable that Committees should be so large as to be a majority of the Council, as was the case of the Work Committee. PAINTING LAMP-POSTS. Resolved that the lamp-posts be painted. Cr Tweed asked if the Lighting Com mittee ever met ? Should the question of painting the lamp-posts not have come before the Committee. The Major explained that if there was any business the Committees met. LICENSES. A petroleum license was granted to the Ashburton Working Men's Co-operative Society, Limited. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £76 2s 2d were passed for payment.

DOMAIN BOARD.

The Council than sat as the Domain Board. THE FOOTBALL CLUB'S APPLICATION, Cr Thomas repeated the motion moved m the Council. Cr Orr seconded. Cr Jones questioned whether the damage done would not be more than would be received from the footballers The Mayor suggested that the appli cation be referred to the Works Com mittee, who would ascertain the feeling of the Cricket Club. Ho moved an amend ment to that effect, which was seconded by Cr Tweed, and supported by Cr Paul who wished at the same time the interest of the cricket club to be conserved. The amendment was carried, the report to be dejilt with at next meeting of the Council. CYCLING ON SUNDAYS. A letter was read from the caretaker giving the names of three members who had been cycling on the track on a recent Sunday. DAMAGE TO TKJ3ES. The caretaker reported that con i ler able damage was being done to the (.rees by young children, naming a bad case. The Mayor said he had written to the parent of the boy m question, and to the headmasters of the Ashburton and Hamp stead schools, who had undertaken to warn the children against damaging the trees. The Mayor's action was approved. GRAZING. Certain applications to rent grazings m the Domain were left m the hands of the Mayor to deal with.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. EXPULSION OF MR DE COB AT N. London. February 26, Mr De Cobain. M.P. for Belfast, who had failed to appear to answer the sorious charge of immorality alleged against him, has been expelled as a member of the House of Commons. THE TABERNACLE PULPIT. The late Rev. C. 11. Spurgeoh will be succeeded as Pastor of the Taber nacle by his brother, with the Rev Mr Picrson as preacher. A DEFAULTING M.P. Mr G. W. Hastings, M.P. for East Worcestershire, charged as trustee under the will of the late Major John Brown of having committed frauds to the extent of £15,000, has been de clared a bankrupt. OBITUARY. London, February 28. The death is announced of Miss Clough, the Principal of the Newnham Girls' College, Cambridge. ENGLISH DEPOSITORS. The " Economist" says that the statutes passed by the Australian colo nies cannot affect the English deposi tors. WOOL PROSPECTS. The " Statist" calculates that there will be an increase of a quarter of a million bales of wool for sale this year, and that a further fall in prices is quite possible. The weakened state of credit, and the operation of the M'Kinley tariff, have caused a general shrinkage in trade. SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD MINES. Mr Campbell, the South African expert, in the course of an interview with the " Pall Mall Gazette," said one hundred and twenty thousand ounces of gold were produced by the Johan nesburg mines in December, and they were capable of turning out two hundred and fifty thousand. In his opinion they offered a permanent and profitable investment. THE LATE DUKE OF CLARENCE On Saturday, which was to have been the day of the late Duke of Clarence's wedding, the Queen placed wreaths on the tomb of her grandson. GENERAL BOOTH. General Booth, in an article in the " Contemporary Review," condemns the meagre attention bestowed in England on the social question. He praises the English qualities of the people in the colonies, but says the Governments are afraid to really govern. The amount of gambling carried on is terrible, and he advocates the compulsory transfer of.the popula tion from the cities to the country. The Darling Downs district alone would be capable of supporting the whole " submerged tenth " of England. LORD CARRINGTON. Lord Carrington's nomination en the London County Council is opposed on the grounds of informality. An appeal has been made to the High Court of Justice. 2J| Lord Rosebery, in supporting Lord Carrington's candidature for the Lon don County Council, said democratic colonies were the best school for young statesmen. February 29. Lord Carrington, in the course of an interview, spoke in terms of high praise of the Melbourne markets and tram ways. The latter he considered the finest in the world. Eight hours work per day was a necessity in a climate like that of Australia, and also in creased the efficiency of the work done.

TERRIBLE OUTRAGE.

Vienna, February 28. A band of lynchers m Bukowina, a remote province of Austria, poured petroleum over and set fire to a widow who was suspected of poisoning her husband.

THE ASSASSINATION AT CON STANTINOPLE.

Constantinople, February 28. A man has been arrested on sus picion of being concerned m the mur der of Virlkovitch, the Bulgarian agent. Sofia, February 29. The assassination of the Bulgarian agent at Constantinople has aroused an intense anti-Russian feeling m Sofia.

THE TROUBLES IN CHINA.

Hong Kong, February 27- The British residents at Hankow have petitioned Lord Salisbury to re quest the Chinese Government to sup press literature inciting ths natives to commit outrages on Europeans. February 28. The renewal of disturbances m China is feared m the spring.

UPPER BURMAH.

Calcutta, February 27. General Roberts, Commander-in- Ohief of India, recommends a large extension of irrigation works and rail ways m Upper Burmah.

THE CZAR AND THE EMPEROR.

Copenhagen. February 28. The King of Denmark is using his good services to restore friendly rela tions between the Czar and the Em peror of Germany.

A TERRIFIC TEMPEST.

Lisbon, February 27. A terrific tempest swept over Oporto to-day. Many boats foundered and 200 fishermen arc reported drowned.

REPEAL OF THE SUGAR DUTY.

Washington, February 28. The Democrats of the House of Representatives have decided on the repeal of the sugar duty. THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY. Mr Springer, Chairman of the Com mittee of Ways and Means, suggests that Senator, Palmer should be elected President, with a view to preventing rivalry between Messrs Hill and Cleve land. A movement has been set on foot by influential Senators belonging to eleven States to oppose the re-election of President Harrison.

AUSTRALIAN.

QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENT, oßrisbane, February 29. Parliament meets on March 29, and it is understood tbat legislation will be

immediately introduced to legalise the employment of Kanaka labour under Government supervision for ten years.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, February 29. During the voyaoe of the barquentine Elinor Vcrnon, which arrived here from Port Chalmers, and when the vessel was three days out from that port, a seaman nattied Ernest M. Pefcersen, a native of Sweden; fell overboard while furling the jib, and was drowned. The little boy Alex. Munro, the only surviving victim of the Tauranga tragedy, is rapidly recovering raid is conscious. The Northern Railway League, wishing to have complete evidence before them as to the relative value of the Stratfoid and Central railway routes, have decided to send Mr H. M. Wilson, engineer, to in spect- that portion of the Central line which was not examined by Messrs Cad man and La wry, m their recent journey overland from Wellington. Mr Wilson will then report to the League. Theyoungst child of the Hon A.,1. Cadman, a boy five months old, died on Saturdaj. Mrs Cadman is seriously ill. Wellington, February 29. The attempt to float the steamer Queen of the South off the Manawatu bar this morning failed, but she is expected to come off to-morrow. Fifty cases of typhoid fever are under treatment m the hospital, as aginst 124 last year. Three-fourths of the cases are from one particular locality of the city. The new Company takes over the "New Zealand Times" newspaper to-morrow. No changes are to be made m the staff at present, but the style of the paper will be considerably altered. Nelson, February 29. Bishop Mules was formally welcomed tins evening at a conversazione, which was very largely attended. Addresses were presented on behalf of the clergy and laity, and several speakers welcomed the Bishop, whose speech created a very favourable impression. He feelingly al luded to his predecessor, and a similar gathering held there three years ago, and asked all for their sympathy [and ass stance.

Supreme Court.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.;

Mapiek, February 29. The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court commenced to-day, before Mr Justice Richmond. There is an un usually heavy calendar of eight cases, including manslaughter, garrotting, at tempted rape, wife beating, &c. Wellington, February 29. There are fourteen charges against thirteen prisoners at the criminal sessions. There are an unusual number of cases of violence, the calendar containing murder, manslaughter, attempted wounding, in flicting grievous bodily harm, and also several charges of forgery. Dunedin, February 29. The criminal calendar comprises five charges only, the most serious being sheep sfceaiing and forgery.

ARRIVAL OF THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL

| yaR press association]

Auckland. February 27. Arrived—Alameda, from San" Fran cisco and Honolulu. GENERAL SUMMARY. London, February 4. The Queen is suffering from a moro acute form of rheumatism than usual, es pecially m the knees. The Court report adds that she is subject to long fits of de pression, varied by' attacks of irritability. Her physicians, however, deny that there is any cause, for alarm. The Empress Frederick will come to Windsor Castle early m the spring with the Princess Margaret, when it is ex pected that the labter's marriage with Prince George will be settled, although the public announcement of the betrothal has been postponed. The Emperor William looks with favour on the match. A report was published on January 30 that Lord Tollemache, who died recently, bequeathed to the Duke and Duchess cf Teck, the parents of the Princes? Mary, fiancee of the late Duke of Clarence, the greater part of his fortune, amounting to nearly £70,000 a year. Lord Tollemache was a neighbour of the Duke and Duchess. Sir William Vernon Harcourt spoke on February sat Southampton. In the course of his address he took occasion to denounce m vehement terms what he termed " Lord Salisbury's unjust refer ences to the Catholic faitli " m his speech at Exeter on the Tuesday preceding. He pronounced the Premier's words as dis graceful, and worthy of a drunken Orange man, adding that such an appeal to the wicked passion of national haired was not only shameful but mischievous on."the part of a statesman m Lord Salisbury's position. Sir William declared that if the Premier indulged m such remarks with regard to Canada or Australia, those dependencies of the Empire would nob re main twenty-four hours m allegiance to the Queen unless the British claims were supported by cannon and bayonets. At Chelsea, on January 25, 2500 Socia lists assembled to hear a speech by Emma Ham, a prominent leader of the Laun dresses' Union. The meeting was very disorderly. The police ordered the woman Ham to move on, but she refused, hugging the lamp-post to prevent being arrested. A desperate struggle ensued between the police inspector and the woman, when a general fight followed, m which several policemen and civilians were injured. The woman was fin*lly arrested, together with others of the violent mob. John Bonai, who was arrested for firing a pistol at Westminster Hall, meaning to show his contempt for the House of Com mons as a body, was bound over m the sum of £200 on January 25. Oscar \Vilde became one of his sureties. Mary Carlyle Aitkcn, niece of the phi losopher of Chelsea, will finish a new life of him during this year. It will be devoted to correcting Froude. It was stated on January 29, at the Stock Exchange, that the deficiencies of Hume Webster, the horse dealer who committed suicide, amounted to nearly £80,000. The banqueting hall m the Queen's Palace, Qsborne, Isle of Wight, will soon be completed and will have cost when finished and furnished, £30,000. The Dudley House collection of pictures will soon go to Christie's for sale. It is sail to be one of the finest m the world.

THE MARKETS.

(ITRS, BKBSS ASSOCIATION.)

LoNncer, February 29. Tallow, medium mutton, 26s j ditto beef, 24s 6<i. The English wheat market is changing for the worse, American and Continental are declining. The present value of of English red. wheat at Mark Lane is 355; ditto white, 37s 6d. Forward business m Australasian cargoes is inactive. The arrivals of foreign wheat are large. There are no cargoes of Australasian wheat off coast or m potts of call. A cargo of wheat per Acolas from Port Pirie gold at 38s 4§d. ■"■ ■ Colonial Stocks are higher and stronger. There is not very much frozen meat m stock. The prospects of the trade are excellent, provided that the shipments

THE ASHBURTOft GtfAßttfAft : f CESDAY, MaRC 1, 189-1



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Stvitc of Weather

Date.

ILow. i

High|

Sun.

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I I

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Monday ... Tuesday ... Wednesday Thursday.., Friday Saturday ... Sunday ...

51" 49 --- 5-4-47' 49 --- 3-4-43-

86 --- 8-- 3-- -6- 8--7-8-64-71* GO-

143 --154. 100 --1- 2-0- -1-- 14010--135-

Fine, S. E. [Light rain E. I Pine N.W. iLight rain E. Fine N.E.  S.W



Holloway's Ointment and Pills. - Colds, Coughs, Shortness of Breath.—These maladies require early and unremitting attention, for if neglected they often end m asthma, bronchitis, or consumption, The ointment well rubbed upon the chest and back, penetrating the skin, is absorbed and carried directly to the luns/s, whence it ex pels all impurities, AU the blood m the body is perpetually passing through the lungs, and there all noxious particles tend ing to disease can bo quickly, thoroughly, and pertnf«3iitly neutralised, rendered harmless, or ejected from tho system. Holloway's Ointment and Pills perfectly accomplish this purification; and through the bjk>od thus cleansed, the influence of these woadtiful medicaments reaches the remotest part of t\w i»uu;an body, and thus cures all diseased action, whether internal or external.



Hollo way's Oixtmex* and Pills. — Abscesses, Erysipelas,and Piles.—Unvarying success attends all who treat these diseases according to the simple printed directions wrapped round each pofcand box. They are invaluab'.e to the young and timid, whose bashfulness sometimes endangers life. Though apparently local, diseases of this nature are essentially blood diseases, but a little attention, moderate perseverance, and trifling expense will enable the most diffident tocondnct any case to a Jiappy issue without exposing secret infirmities to anyone. The ointment checks the local inflammation and alleviates the throbbing pains. These direc tions also clearly point out when and how Holloway's Pills arc to be taken, that their purifying and regulating powers may assist ut adjusting and strengthening the consti bytion



Ninian Hyslop nd Co.'s "Imperial' Ceylon and liudian Teas are direct from ' he^Tea Plantation.—(Adv Ninian Hyslop and Co.'s " Imperial' pure Ceylor and Indian Teas are the bestin the wiflvket.—(idvt



Ask for Ninian Hyslop, find Co. s Imperial new seasons Pure Ceylou and Judia Tti»a, Special prices —f 4«iv



The best medicine is Sander and Sons Eucalpyti Extract. Test its eminent power ful effects iv coughs, colds, influenza, etc. — the relief is instantaneous. Thousands give the most gratifying testimony. His Majesty the King of Italy mul medical syndicates aIJ over the world are its palvonjs, Bead the official reports that accompany each bottje- We have no occasion to offer rewards m proof of the genuineness of our references. The official reports of medical cliuics and univer sities, the official communications of the Consul General for Italy at Melbourne ; the diploma awa.(ls.d by the International Exhibition Amsterdairi~alJ these are authentic docu ments, and, as such, uofc open to doubt. We add here epitome of one of the various cases treated at the clinic of Schulta, M.D. Pro fessor, ct(.\-"C. 8., 24 years old; conges tional abscess ou the thigh. Incisions ppde i;i two placies. Aljll&Qisb, lister's dressing was ivpplipd, th,e secretion became, two aays later, very copious, a»<i h;*,d adopted a fo;'/'id decomposed charactci'. r]ik(> fteinperature rpse enormously. In consequence tlit* drgssjug was remoVed and m its place were uw\t dußjy? tha day-time repeated irrigations with Eucalypti E*W. The offensive t,etr«is- e appearcd very mm, i\m feyev abated within a few clays, and the pafAenf, rtcvyf rod after the lapse of several weeks. In this lnstunc^ we nuist not lose sight of the fact that the intjfii 'uw&wnP ?aveti the P lient'B llfc-o" Adn.)



Public Notices STOCK-TAKING. DEDUCTIONS HAVEI BEETS MADE IN ALL DEPAKTMENTS. Inspection £nviied. NEW ZEALAND ClotblD? Factory. W. H WEBBER, Manager"



WANTED Known—That you will make no mistake for quality and variety m English and Colonial Boots, and his hi "lily reputed make by calling; at 0. Moison's. During coming holidays dis count for Cash. Repairs done at once. m staff of men always kept arcd best Material and workmanship guaranteed.



WANTED Known.—Groat Cash Sale now on at Melford House. Almost everything reduced. —H. C. Segers. ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure ; fit and workmanship guaranteed; from 50s cash. Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Man, Saunders' Buildings. rpO Meet the Times. —I am supplying JL Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps', deep well cylinders of all dessriptions. Inspection invited.— J. W. Hardley, Eas street. 6J201



BOOTS, Bouts.—lnfants Boots 9d, six Dozen Ladies' Elastic Side Boots, 5s 9d, Gents' Boots 8s 6d, Metis' Blucher Boots 5s 6d, Stanley Shoes Is lid.— Anbrbw Okr s Sale. 1 ANTED KNOWN, a special lot of Hearth Rugs at Is lid, 2s 6d and 2s lid ; worth about doable. W. H. Collier. W~~ ANTED Known.—l have a large stock of Tin and Ironware Goods to select from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m stock. —J. W. Hardlby, East street. «J202



WAKTKDKnown. -At"The Corner' now selling Ladled French Sliofs., 5s lid. See them'.—W. H. Collier, WANTED KNOWN,—A ejreat pur chase of Kid Gloves, £135 10s 61, Florencia Kid Gloves, all sizes, 4 and 5-Clasp, usual price 6s lid and 8s 6d, now sold for 4s lid and 5s lid. -A. Orr's Sata TITANTED Known.—lf you want W plenty of first class Drapery, Boots and Clothing for cash, come to Melford House Sale.—H. O. Segrrs. mHIRTY Pieces Dress Goods at 6d ; 60 J- 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 red uoed.—Andrew Orr's Cheap Sale. 1 106



Wanted. CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Office. __ FROM Ist MARCH Poison will be laid on my section at Trevotton.—R. Bennett. 3 5 TVTOTHING will Cool you so quickly and -A-^ invigorate the system so much as Ice Cream —H. G. Flower, Confectioner, East Street. "Tl7 ANTED Known. - Come and see VV the Bargains now on at Melford Houne.- H. C. Segers.