The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1892. THE REVENUE.

On the pnneipal branches of the revenue for the financial year, which ' ended on March 31, the Colonial Treasurer has realised the magnificent surplus of £101,000. The revenue for the period is the largest m the history of the colony. The Customs have realised £1,625,000 ; the railways, £1,121,000; and the Property tax, £355,000, a total for these three items alone of £3,101,000, a result which is at once magnificent and unprecedented. Especially are the Customs figures matter for congratulation, as showing that the dismal croakings of some and stupid attacks of other discontented politiciansand their benighted followers have been impotent to affect the evident prosperity which the Customs returns disclose. This prosperity, too, is undoubtedly solid; there has been no " boom " of any sort, no exhibition to temporarily swell the revenue, no extraneous circumstance to cause a rush of duty payments at any part of the year. The result has been caused simply by the improved ability of the community under good Governruent to import and pay for the commodities of every day life, and foremost among the influences which have been at work must be counted" the steady policy of the settlement of the land, which is being carried out by the* Government. We may therefore hope for a steady expansion of this branch of trade, and that m due time the duties on some of the more necessary articles of import may be reduced. The same influence accounts for the excellent returns from the railways. Notwithstanding the deficient harvest last year and the delay caused by the wet weather m the opening of the grain traffic this year, a surplus of £7000 is most cheering; and revives the hope that one day, not far distant, the railways will not only produce a surplus over cost of construc tion and working expenses, but contri bute largely towards paying oft* our national debt. Here also the profit able working of the department leads to the hope that the way to a reduc tion of rates may soon be made clear. As for the Property tax the most con- ] spicuous point is the small proportion which it bears to the total revenue. There has been a vague idea m a good many minds that this tax has been the mainstay of New Zealand finance, but when it is sljow^ iniTKS Te*si""ifian one-tenth of tne" revenue, this delusion will be dispelled, and the timid wiil see that the " new taxation " is not such a shock to our financial systsm as they feared. Every patriotic New Zealander will rejoice at the prosperity which the revenue returns prove the colony is enjoying.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tho adjourned meeting with reference to the formation of a Young Mens' Club will be held at Sannders' Buildings this evening at eight o'clock, when all young men are inrited to be present. Despatches received from Lord Knatsford with reference to the death of the Duke of Clarence are published m Thursday's "Gazette." They include t* copy of the letter which the Queen sent to the Home Secretary, acknowledging the sympathy displayed on the occasion of the death of her beloved grandson. With a previous issue we circulated th« Ashburton Drug Company's sheet bringing under farmers' notice Smith's premier wheat dressing. Independently of the excellent testimonials printed thereon vfe are m a position to bear witnesses to the efficacy of the dressing as a prevenrative of smut, and also to its kindliness towards wheat m regard to not interfering with the germinat ing power of the grain. We (" Temuka Leader' 1) were shown the other day, a handsome silver salver, with floral engravings, bought by some of Mr Rhodes' Geraldine friends and constituents as a wedding gift. The salver bears the following inscription :—" Presented to A. R. G. Rhodes, Ksq., M.H.R., by a few of his friends and constituents m the Geraldine electorate, on the occasion of his marriage and m recognition of his services as their member m the Parlia ment of New Zealand. March 10, 1892." The presentation will be made when Mr Rhodes returns from Melbourne. The remains of those soldiers who were buried m the vicinity of Nukumaru m the time of the war have been exhumed and brought to Wanganui and re-;.nterred beneath the "Old Soldiers' Monument," which is now m course of erection m the Queen's Park. Nothing but the bones of the men were found to remain, and these relics, I representing about seventeen bodies, were carefully deposited m their new and final resting place. Two of the skulls were per forated as if by bullets, and the back portion of another was-completely crushed m, appa rently by a bU>w from some blunt instrument. From the appear»n&e of the remains as they lay m their graves before «jf h»mation it was evident that many of tb> bodies had been buried m blankets with boots an<J w&onn («.—" Chronicle."

Over one hundred people have been sent to Napier gaol for various offences during the first three months of this year. A Sydney paper seriously states that the bodies of de*d babies float out of the boucli sewer at the rate of about, one per minute. A contemporary considers it somewhat startling to find that an average of 12,000 rations pet- month is distributed to the indigent m the city of Wellington. Two hundred and tw > million pounds was the British consumption of tea m?■ 1891* Seventy-five per cent was supplied by China. ' At a meeting of pasfcoralists held at Coonamble (New Sooth Wale?) to consider the question of the rabbits, which threatened to overrun the district, it was decided that no public st,ep3 should be taken to cops with the rabbits. The Adelaide Licensing Bench caused a sensation lately by refusing to renew the liquor licenses of several democratic clubs iu the city, although all the aristocratic clubs were granted licenses. The refused clubs contemplate taking legal steps m the matter. The Ashburton Borough School Football Club will play a game with the Rikaia School Club on Saturday afternoon m the Domain ground, commencing about half past one. The ground has been kindly lent to the boys by the Ashburton Football Club till 3 p.m. when the senior club propose having a practice match when all players, whether members of not, are invited to take part. The codlin moth is, the " Wairoa Guardian" is informed, making fearful ravages amongst the Wairoa orchardists, pears, plums, and even quinces having been attacked as well as apples. It is also said that the grub had entered the potato as well. The orchardists should—instead of talking about cutting their trees down hold a meeting and decide on a plan of action against the enemy. The " Waikato Times " says considerable difficulty ia being experienced by settlers this season, m getting Natives to take up th« potato crops, that are now ripening off. The high prices ruling for kauri gum has induced nearly every available Maori, male and female, to turn out with spear and spade. The swamps being so dry has greatly helped the diggers. Between makinp good wages, and the attraction of the free and easy life on the gumfields, it is no wonder that the Native prefers digging gum to digging potatoes. Mr Alexander Nicol, who has been for the past eleven years cook at the Wiuchmore station, was this week the recipient of a pleasant mark of the appreciation of his fellow employees on the occasion of his leaving the station. Saveral of his old friends made up among them a purse of sovereigns, which he was asked to accept as a token of their good will towards him and of the good fellowship that had subsisted between him and them during the years they had been working together,. The gift was accompanied with kindly* words of well wishing, and was suitably acknowledged by Mr Nicol. An audacious fraud was perpetrated on the 28th ult. on Mrs Guest, wife, of Mr Guest, biscuit manufacturer, of Melbourne. A strange man rushed up to the house and produced a letter purporting to be signed by a doctor. The letter sta*ed that a serious accideat hid happened to Mr Guest, and requested that the bearer should be supplied immediately with the means of providing the necessary material for conveying the sufferer to his home. Mrs Guest was so shocked with the contents of the letter that she gave the man £3, with the instruction to hurry back at all possible speed. The affair, however, turned out to be a hoax, as Mr Guest arrived home quite safe and sound. The Himalayas, big and grand as they are, must represent mountains whose rise was a thing of very "recent" date, geologically speaking. This is proved, because we see rocks belonging to a relatively recent age appearing as part and parcel of their lofty peaks. Very different is the case with the hills and mountains of, say, North-western Scot land. There yon come upon peaks of an age well nigh coeval with the world's settling down to a steady^ solid,,- and re" -cxßrrentreT "TRe Beotiish hills *nre the old, the very oH, aristocrats of the cosmical circle ; the Himalayas, Alps, and the rest are the new rich, whose origin goes no further back than a genera tion, as it were. A most peculiar case of prolouged sleep is at present occupying the attention of medical circle* m Germany. A miner named Johann Latus is at present an inmate of the hospital at Myslowitz, m Silesia, where he was ad mitted four and a-half months ago, and since then all efforts to wake him have been fruitless. Dr Albers, the doctor attending him r is of opinion that the apparent sleep is really a state of catalepsy, though medical science lias on record no previous case of such a prolonged nature. He has arrived at this conclusion on account of all the lim'^s being absolutely rigid. The appearance of the man, however, betrays no sign of this. The body lies quite still, the breathing is regular, and there is a healthy colour m the cheeks. In the last few days the body has become much less rigid, and the patient has even made so.iio alight movement, without, however, the eyes opening or the condition of the apparent sleep being m any way disturbed. In the four and a-half months that the sleep has lasted the hair has increased m length, but the beard has remained stationary. Nourishment to the extent of two or three iitres of milk is administered daily by a tube inserted into the throat. Bidders at an auctioa sale do not usually allow their emotions to dull the keenness of self-interest. But there are exceptions to the rule. A case m point occurred (says the " New Zealand Mail "} during the recent sale of city property belonging to the New Zealand Estates Company. Amongst the sections offered was one containing the residence that has been occupied for many years past by Mr Joe Dransfield. Mr Dransfield, like many another good man and true, has felt the pinch of hard times, but he was loth to part with the house that was endeared to him by domestic associations. The competition for it was spirited up to a certain point. A lady went one better than the owner, and a pause ensued. Then rose ! Mr Driinsfield, and. uncovering his htad, he said, smiling sadly the while, " Well, gentle men, I will for the last time go £10 higher, but I fchoulil so much like to keep the old p"*;e." The bidding stopped instantly, the " going, going, gone," elicited no response, and the auctioneer, laying down his hammer, led off the applause, which fairly "brought down the house, I'as the newspaper reporters are wont to say.. Mr Dransfield does not lose his old home. May he long live to retain it. j A simple person, who had been sworn as a juror, stopped the business of No 1 Jury Court at Sydney on March 24 by gathering up his umbrella, hat, and other chattels, atid subtly stealing away while counsel for the plaintiff i» a £ase which had just been begun was reading a vividly interesting declaration. The juror got well away before his absence was observed, and subsequently the full crying staff of the Court called his name m the street and searched the precincts of the Court'w'ithont discovering any trace of him. ) Mr Justice >find:3yer really didn't know what, to do. The' superfluous" jurors had j been discharged, so that an extra'one cpuld j not be§wo;,-n, and counsel" were not'disposed to go on wilbh threg jurqrs wljere there should be four. Whi'^ t! fe situation was being discussed the Iflst juror wandered aimlessly into the chamber, ai)d «&< straightway brought up to satisfy the righteous wrath of the judge, "Hp jmt went out, " the juror said > "he thought they ought to go out, and so ho went out and walked round. " His honor thought Ihe man would be better walking 'round { th*n adjudicating upon the dear interests ofgood cnAsssns, and discharged him with &n. WW caution. Pop want of a fourth j^j-op the Court w%9 adjournecj till next day.

WHO WINS 3 MILE?

- The world is ever moving on towards nerffifttion, butscldom attains it. Constant improvement is being made m every braiio 1! of industry Win' m ?^" Powd■«.rs Perfection has b^j) ?#jcnea m Wwburtuu'ti C»u' t J3e Beat.

FARM NOTES.

SHEEP BRANDING.

The following are the remarks upon sheep-branding wbicH were made by Mr j Reginald Foster, late Chief Inspector of Stock, afc the annural meeting of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and which are now published m the "Canterbury Times : — The wool brand is looked upon by the large majority of sheen-owners m the Middle Ibkncl as the legal mark upon sheep, the ear mark being regiscered as an adjunct to the brand. In the North Island the reverse is the custom, although there is one Branding Act for the whole Colony. This diversity of opinion has no doubt been brought about by the fact that, for a Ion? time "nearly the whole of 'the" Middle T s land sheep were merinos, on which ihe brand will remain distinct from ■bearing to shearing-, while rhe North Island lias been more adapted to the longer woolled breeds, upon which the brand soon becomes indistinct. In both islands, too, there are hilly dis- j tricts which cannot be subdivided into such small areas as the lower country. In | such localities the sheepowner*, having; probably only two or three neighbours, do not find'the same necessity for branding as the farmer who" is subject to his gates being left open, and to his fences being broken by stray cattle on the roads. The fact is that while about three-fourths of the sheep m this Colony are branded, one fourth »re nofc. I believe, however, that as the country becomes more subdivided, nearly all the sheep will be branded. - Although the earmark is undoubtedly the permanent mark upin which the owner trusts m claiming his sheep m the drafting yard or m the Court of law, it is not a plainly vi&ible mark at a distance, say on the road, m the paddock, or on blip hillside, and under present conditions it is easily altered and aided to. The wool brand affords a proof as to by whom stray sheep were shorn. It is of great use to the owner or shepherd while going his rounds, as it enables him to see at a glance, even if the brand is not very distinct, whether there are any strangers m his flock ; it affords a useful means of' distinguishing the sexes, and it is most useful m the drafting pen when, the ear being perhaps half hidden by wool, the brand saves a good deal of handling. The objections to branding are (1) That it injures the woo), (2) that the brand on hogaets and long-woolled sheep poou becomes indistinct and practically useless, and (3) the trouble and expense. As to the wool, 1 am assured by prominent woul buyers that the paint brand, oil with raddle or lamp-black, is not detrimental, as during the process of cleansing the wool for dyeing the paint dissolves and washes out clean. On the other hand, tar or pitch are injurious, because when' dissolved, instead of washing out, the materili spreads through the wool and injures it for dyeing. These brands have,; therefore, to be cut off, but paint brands havo not, aad no difference m price U made for clips so branded. The second objection, as to the brand becoming indistinct, is no doubt a difficulty, but one that may be considerably lessened by cireful branding. The trouble and cost are not worth consideration. The operation of sheep branding affords no exception to Ihe old adage—if a thing is worth doing it is worth doing well. Branding is too often left to the new hand, who is told to brand the sheep and he does s>, dabbing it on anywhere, from head to tail, and anyhow. He usually supplements the brand wifcb a shower of spots of paint, and, having fillerl his race as full as it will hold, commences at the outlet end, so that as each sheep is branded another jumps on his back and completes the brand. N.> woivaer that such brands soon become indistinct. There is the economical man, too, who uses tallow instead of oil. This melts on ajiot day... ovocluci..^"— l» m^« «*«« ---' "etfec- as the new hand doe.s. Ihe careml brander, however, will fill his race nicely full; will commence at the lower end, having his paint well mixed, and dipping his brand just on the surface of the liquid so a-> not to take up too much, will brand each sheep as nearly as possible m the same place, usually on the back, but m the case of long-wools, a little on the side, so that the brand goes with the fall of the wool. Brands so put on will remain distinct twice as long as tho.se cart.l«wsly put on, besides assisting to wards giving the sheep that even appear ance which always catches the eye of the buyer. Sheep should not be branded when the wool is wet, as it will not then hold the paint. My experience is that while the wool brand is alunst useless m a court of law, it is of great practical use to the sheep-owner, and while I consider ear-marking necessary, its value to the sheep-owner is greatly lessened by the complicated system now m vogue. I would only add that if sheep-owners wish to obtain better protection for their pro perty they must be prepared to take more trouble than they now do. The Bradford " Observer " has published its yearly review of the wool trade, which shows that the price of Lin coln wool was lower m 1891 than m any year out of a series beginning with 1863. The year's average was 10,!;. l per lb, against ll|d for 1890 and ll|d for 1889. At the beginning of the year the price was lO^d, and m "December 9|d, Norfolk Down hogget wool ranged from lid to llkl, being lowest m December, and half bred from 10|d to 16d, the lower price being that of December. The Home wool clip is estimated at 147,474,2381 b, as compared with 137,724,7001 b for 1890. All classes of colonial wool were lower m price last year than m 1890 or 1889, and, except for two or three sorts, lower than m any other year for which values are recorded

There is an otherwise very good farm m j the Wairoa Soufch district m the North Island (says a writer m the "Farmer") which has been entirely ruined by LI iclc berries The owner many years ago, m grateful remembrances of the pleasures of blackberry gathering m his youthful days m the Old Country, thought he had done a very clever thing m planting half a dozen blackberry bushes, whic'i he had the go®d fortune to procure ; and he felt pleased when they sp-ead to a good sizid patch and produced supplies of his favourite fruit. But, with many years of neglect, they have spread all over and destroyed his farm, which now yields little or no profit. Attempts have been made at different times to clear the brambles, and more than the land is worth has been spent upon thsm, but m vai". The seeds have been dropped all over it, and the roots are so thick m the ground that shoots come up again every time the bushes have boen cut "down. ' The whole neighbourhood goes to the " Blackberry Farm," as it is called, in' Mie se>\s >n, where'they have blackberry'-sj*therjn<? partyes—very pleas ant m their way—and every house ivife makes her annual supply of blackberry ja.m or blackberry wine, which by the way is excellent; but it has been a sad mistake to the poor owner, and should be. a warn? ing lo others "Against injudicious e*peri? menfcs. The children pick and sell black berries fop visitors at the rate cf 14d to lGd a quart,; which is hard earned monoy. At the same time there is a blackberry fence on a farm within twenty miles of the one alluded to which has never spread at ajl, from having been strictly watched j and kept jn prppep order; but it is at best aba.4 and. troublesome planjj to u«e m a hedge, and requires m any case. a, great deal of attention.

MAY FIELD.

(from our correspondent. )

I Harvest is j list over. Montalto finished , last nv.4h.fc, nnd I bslievw thac is the last. | Although ftto-italto has the advantage of I oscasioivtlsUowtw when they are want'd m dry wi athet; it also has a disadvantage m harvest, as it often rains there when it is tine lower down. One threshing machine has made its appearance now, but it is at Ruapuna. Suvoral loutrl hpip, are anxious to get a machine and ajefc their' a rain threshud. We have been getting some warm weather the last few days ; but we are looking for an early winter, as we have had some fairly shavp frosts already"! The feed is vury good yet, and we have plenty at present. ' We had a visit from the Rev. -?ohn' Dellow, of Temuka. from Tuesday last week till Monday this week. The rev. gentleman came to give, assistance m any way required to raise borae money for our Wesleyan Home Missionary station, so a series of entertainments were got vp—at I Mount Somers on Wednesday night, I Mayrield on Thursday night, and R.ua punn, on Friday night, which were fairly well attended. Mr Rapley. the Home Missionary of the district, took the chair at each plaet*, and several sacred pieces were sung by people of the districts and yisitors. Mrs Dellow, from Temuka, took a very active part m the music at May field, but was unable to attend the other places. Mrs Dellow plays well and is a good singer. The Rev. Mr Dellow also assisted m the musical part-, and I need not spo'ak of his vocal abilities, as he is so well known m that respect m Ashbur ton, but the principal feature of each of the meetings was Mr Dellow's short lecture on the North Island. His principal subject at Mount riomers was his life at Three Kings College, and the ways and life among the Maoris. At ( Mayfield his address was m two parts, the refreshments dividing the speech. The first part was about the quality of land at Poverty Bay, and the fruit trees i.hat can be grown m the north, but for which our climate is nob suitable, such as oranges, lemons, guavas, &c , and after the refreshments he gave a little of the life and travels of a Wesleyan j Minister m the north, stating that he preached at one place on Sunday, and left j for home on Monday morning and got wate; -bound between rivers. He found an old Maori hut, and stayed m that till it fell down, and then had to lie on a heap of scrub, and was there from Monday night till Thursday, and had nothing to eat but potatoes. At Ruapuna he took took us from Lyttelton to Wellington and through the Forty Mile bush, right on to the hot springs, to Auckland, round the other coast back to Wellington, and his description of the hot springs was very interesting to those who had never seen them. He also said that no watch or clock will go there long, nor can they use anything of that kind of steel or iron. All has to be of wood and even the clock was made of wood, and workedjby water, but there are no wheels. 1 have heard of a wooden clock, and a clock without wheels, butl never knew how they worked before. A financial report was read showing that m four years, (it is now four yeans since the Home Mission station was opened), £15 11s was all that hid been p lid to the support of the Home mission ary from Mayfield, so no'one is much worse, off for all they have given to the cause here. Mr Dellow also pre iched a l, each of the above mentioned places on Sunday, when large congregations turned out. After the evening sermon at May field a family of two women, two children, and one man were going home m a trap. Crossing the river they took the wrong track and got capsized into the water about two foet deep. One of the party w;is_a. child about two months old.

Income Tax A ssessment

(PKU PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Wkixington, April 7. A memorandum a-s to the assessment of income, points out that it is not intended to insist that persons whose income is less than £200 should send m a return, bub any pm-son whose income is more than £200 will be bound to furnish a return upan a special demand being made upon him to cb so. The return of a firm must be distinct from that of the individual partners, and will include all the gains and profits of the firm as pro vided by the Act. Sums drawn by a member of the firm is lieu of salary or wages cannot be deducted as part of the outgoings and expenses of the firm m its return of income, and neither can any drawings by partners, whether weekly, monthly, or yearly. This rule, of course, applies to divisions of profits. Individual partners fhould not include m their private returns any sum received by them as above. As this is the first assessment for income tax m New Zealand, every endeavor will be made to avoid causing what might appear to be unnecessary in convenience and trouble to companies, 6rms, and persons carrying on a large business.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

threatened retaliation for the Anti Chinese Pill.

LOVE OR MONEY?

London, April 6. The marriage between Sir Edward W. Watkin, Bart., the well-known railway magnate, and Mrs Herbert Ingram, an old lady of eighty, was celebrated to-day. The bride, who has control over a fortune of £300,000, has made over three-fourths of her property to Sir Edward, the remaining fourth having been settled on her children some time ago. Mrs Ingram's sons have commenced proceedings against the proprietor of the " Pall Mall Gazette " for publishing incorrect details regarding the dissen sions which were said to have taken place m the Ingrain family over the marriage^ THE COLLIERS' DISPUTE. It requires £20,000 per week to maintain the Durham miners who are out on strike, but up to the present less than half that amount has been subscribed. The Coal Miners' Congress will meet m London m June. The proceedings wilt be watched with more than ordi nary interest by the public, inasmuch as the gathering has been convened iii qrcjer to tliorouglny discuss a proposal in' a universal strike, of miners as a means of pompellingowners to recognise tije eight hours principle. TEJ£ COTTON TRADE CRISIS, The owners of seventeen cqtton mills have given notice to their opera tives th-tt they intend to close the mills. DESTRUCTIVE EXPLOSION. An explosion of guncofcton at Peter | borough, m Northamptonshire, caused the coljapse qf a warehouse five mites away. j THE STATES AND CHINA, i It is reported that the Chinese Minister to the United States his

THE CANADIAN SCANDALS.

Ottawa, April 7- ' Mr German, one of the Liberal] members m the Dorrinion Parliament, has been expelled and precluded from re-entering the House for seven years. The offence of which he was found guilty was that of bribing an elector to vote. for. him by promising to secure him a billet. NEWFOUNDLAND POLITICS. The Newfoundland Parliament has refused to renew the modus vivendi with Canada, pending the sanction of the Imperial Parliament to the for mation of, a Commercial Convention with the United States of America.

REVOLT TN HAWAII.

San Francisco. April 7. Information has been received here of the outbreak of a revolt m Hawaii. When the vessel which brought the news left Honolulu it was expected that the Palace would have to be fortified. Mr Willcox is the head of the rebel movement.

THE ANARCHISTS.

Madrid, April 7. Since the arrest of the Anarchists concerned m the dynamite plot the attendance of members and visitors m the Cortes has been very much smaller than usual. Pakis, April 6. The police office at Angers, capital of the department of Maine-et-Loire, was blown up by dynamite, but fortunately the outrage Avas not at tended with loss of life. April 7. The bombs which were thrown at the police office m Angers were of a very deadly character. The building was riddled with bullets, but luckily only one policeman was inside at the time, and he managed to make his escape. The Prefect of Police m Paris re ceived an infernal machine by post. A bomb was discovered m a thoroughfare m Roubaix, department of Nord. The person who found it was severely injured, as it unexpectedly exploded. Vienna, April 7. The Anarchists are believed to be the authors of numerous fires which have taken place of late. The Austrian Government has pro hibited the meeting of delegates from several Social, Democratic, and Labour organisations. Rome, April 7. It is reported m the city that the; Great Powers will take joint action to suppress the Anarchist movement. THE REVOLT IN VENEZUELA. Mew "ionic, Aprjl 7. A despatch from Venezuela states that the rebels have captured the barque Simeto, and that another attempt has been made to murder the President. THE BLIZZARD. The blizzard swept several of the States, causing death to many persons. In Kansas it was exceptionally severe, and the damage to stock and crops is enormous.

THE QUEEN.

Paris, April 7. Q'loers Victoria cnve an nirlionco to several Fiuuch Crimean veterans at her residence at Hyeres.

ROYAL GOLDEN WEDDING.

St. Petersburg. April 6. The Czar has accepted the invitation of the King of Denmark to be present at the celebration of his golden wedding on May 26.

AUSTRALIAN.

REDUCED INTEREST.

; Melboukne, April 7. The associated banks have reduced the deposit rates one-half per cent. INSOLVENT SHAREBROKER. Edward Elliot, sharebroker, has been declared insolvent. His liabili ties are set down at £263,000 and his assets at £254,000, leaving a deficiency of £9000.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, April 7. The Auckland city valuation is £297,468 an increase of £2,857 on that ef the previous year. Mary Morris, a married woman, was charged at the Police Uourt this morning with attempting to murder herself with * razor. She stated she was troubled m her mind and promised not to attempt her life f»gain, and was discharged. Mr Walter Bentley is suffering from over work, and was unable to play last night or to-night. Mrs Cadman, wife of Hon Mr Cadman, died this morning, after a long illness. Wf.llington, April 7. Mr J. Costal 1, overseer of the Govern ment Printing Office, retires on a pension, owing to ill health, after 27 years' service. Messrs Thomas and Co sold a block of a thousaud acres, between Sandon and Bulls, to Mr James Bull to-day for £10,000 cash. The land has been occu pied by Mr Bull for the last fourteen years, on lease from Maori owners, and has just been passed through the Court and put up to auction. .1 new company has been formed to work the Mokau coalfield. The Trades Council now hold that they have done all m their power to settle the Tramway dispute, and that any further advances towards settlement must come from Mr Hall. The Wellington Knights of Labor decided not to patronise the tram c irs until the dispute is settled, Mr Hall has resumed the ten minutes service during the busiest hours of the day. The Trades and Labor Council met to-night and adopted a plan of campaign m regard to the tramway strike. Two dele gates were appointed to attend the Con ference of Trades and Labor Councils which sits at Duneclin-during Easter. DuNuum, April 7. At the Supreme Court to-day, Geary, a Peninsula settler, appealed ag-iinst the decision of Mr Carew, R.M., m a case m which Bowerman Bros had obtained judgment for the '' Picturesque Atlas." The contract made m May, 1888. Four parts were tendered m July the same year, bu|; Geavy refused to take more- thaij Q,ne, which "he paid for. Nothing was done till .jijhe 22nd, 18,91, when Bowerman Bios attempted to deliver thp whole of fho remainder of the numbers, which were declined. Mr Justice Williams was satisfied that by Haybittle's case the Magistrates should have nonsuited, and he allowed the appeal with costs. He absolutely declined to allow appeal, on the ground that Ihsl amount involved was small, and that there was no question of general importance. An appeal would inflict hardship on the present appellant, as even if he were successful the costs would bo greater tfran h© would be a,liawe.<i

ROAD BOARD.

MOUNT SOMERS.

The monthly meeting of the Mount I Soniers Road Board was held last Monday. Present — Messrs Peache (Chairman), Edson, $ym&; aiid Chapman. OVERSEE ii's RE POUT. The Overseer's report was read and con sidered as follows:— Gorge Road—Milne has finished his contract at the Potts river ; about twenty chains will require shingling before much carting is done on it. Brown-has not yet, quite finished his contract, hiving been delayed by the wet wjath^r ; also the forming at theßuccleuch woulshed is still untouched.—Resolved to give Brown notice that the forming must be started by Thursday, or the work wduld be relefc at his expense. Mount Somers Station Road —Milne (started to do the work on this road, but owing to the wet state of the ground the overseer advised him to leave it for a time. —Approved of. Downs Road.—Milne has finished his contract on this road. About four chains of drain is wanted badly at the lower end. -The overseer was instructed to have the drain made. Price's Road. —The residents on this road ask for about* thirty chains to be formed.—lt was resolved to shingle ten chains on the lower end which is already 1 formed. ! Springburn Tramway Road.—Owing to the wet weather at the beginning of last month Harvey has not finished re-shing-! ling this road ; p irt of it will have to he i left as th. ere is about sft ef water m the I pic. The overseer arranged with Harvey ' ! to do this work at Is 3^d per yard.—Ap- ' proved of. Ttoad near Gough's crossing.—-About fifteen chains of the road wants forming and shingling very badly, lliis is owing to the road having been fenced m i :ately.—Resolved to call tenders for the i work. River Fords.—Roxburgh and 0 ouch's crossings have been repaired again last month.- Approved of. Buccleuch Road to the Railway wants repairing very badly, and will require at least five y trds of shingle to the chain for about fifty chains.—Resolved to call tenders for the work. Bridge Road—l have had some repairs done on this road, which were wanted badly. SAWMIIL BOAD, Mr T. Simpson interviewed the Board with respect to the timber for culverts on the old saw mill road, ard asked the Board to pay for the timber m addition to the £10 granted for the work. Mr Simpson was read the miuute, which showed that the extent of tho ; Board's liability was only £10. Mr Simpson then asked the Board to reconsider their decision with respect to the eight chains ot drain applied for. It was resolved to grant £4 toward the work, on condition that it be done to the satisfaction of the Overseer, and that the worst part of the road be corduroyed, the Board to put m the necessary culvert,. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mes-srs Harper and Co., re road to RS. 4275. Resolved that as the present Board had only one more meet ing, to defer consideration for the new Board. From Mr Herring, asking for sortie shingling to be do'.ie on the old coach road.—the Overseer was instructed to attend to the matter as soon as possible. From Ashburton County Council, enclosing account for £4, being half cost of repairing crossing on the north branch.— Passed for payment. i From the Chief Surveyor asking what progress had been made with the work on the Village Settlements Roads.—the clerk was instructed to reply that the Board was waiting for the Chief Surveyor's con sent to the work proposed m a former letter, which had not been answered. RAILWAY APPROACH. The Chairman was requested to write to the Railway Engineer, with respect to the larger stones on the passenger approach at the Mount Somers and Springburn railway stations. ANNUAL ELECTION. Resolved that the nominations for election be lodged with the Returning Officer not later than noon on May 2nd, poll, if necessary, be taken on Saturday, May 7th, and that the annual ratepayers' meeting be held at 1 p.m. on Monday May 2. TENDERS. Ttenders were opened for shingling near the Spread Eagle. Harvey, Is 3d per yard, was accepted. Brown's tender was Is 2d, but was rejected because he had still two coKtracts un finished. PAYMENTS. Accounts amounting to £76 19s 3d were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned to 11 a.m. on Monday May 2.

The World's Fair.

NEW ZEALAND REPRESENTATION.

(VF.R PRESS ASSOCIATION,) Wellington, April 7. The Council of the Ch&mber of Com merce, replying to Mr Seddon's circular re the Chicago Exhibition consider not less than £10,000 would need to be expended to ensure proper colonial representation, and that unless the New Zealand exhibit is to be on a suitable scale, it were better that the colony should be unrepresented. The points arrived at by the Council are as follow :—(1) That the "exhibit should be distinctly a national display of the colony, and comprise m addition to minerals, timber, and scenery such of the leading products of the colony as .vould be suitable, viz., wool, hemp, gum, t-illow, rabbit skins, and woollen manu factures. (2) That each district should procure those exhibits for which it has best facilities. (3) That about 10,000 feet of floor space would be required for the exhibits enumerated.

THE Deeming Murders.

[per press association.]

THE WINDSOR INQUEST.

Melbourne, April 7. The Coroner who is conducting the Windsor murder inquest received an anonymous letter, ostensibly written by a woman, threatening if the enquiry were not conducted m an impartial manner it would be worse for him, and i also stating that an attempt would be made on the life of the Coroner m open Court. At the conclusion of the evidence Mr Lyle, prisoner's counsel, intimated that he would not set up any defence at the present stage. Throughout his remarks he frequently referred to the prisoner as ". this strange and pitiful creature," and indicated that the defence would be one which had con cerned th,e minds of the greatest scientific men of the age. The jury, after an absence of forty ininutes, returned a verdict of " wilful murder" against Williams. (Received April 7, 11.30 a.m.) Melbourne, April 8. Williams, will stand his trial at the Supreme Ccurt sessions beginning on April 22. At the inquest yesterday, while the Coroner was preparing the commit ment warrant, Williams told him to put it m his pipe and smoke it,

Who Wins Quarter?

/Viisti-tvliaii BiiNhrangers

CAPfAIN MELVILLE

TO THE EDITOR. Fir, —In connection with some remarks about the old Victorian prison ship " Success," which appeared m your paper ■a few months ago, you have a little to say about the bushranger 'Captain Melville." What little you said about him was quite correct, but an article appeared later on m the "Canterbury Times," taken from the Melbourne " Leader," which was a pure fiction ; founded slightly on the, doings of " Morgan "the night before he whs shot, on Mr Ewen McPhersoa's station, on the Murray. As almost every one has heard more or less about the doings of Captain Melville, [ am sure that if you could grant me space for the accompanying rather long article m your much read paper, it would be interesting to a number 6f your readers. Ie is a true and correct account of the way m which Melville and his confederate "Roberts" behaved on the last station they ever baled up. To thig account is added a narrative of how they were subsequently takej, by Mr Abel Jones, who is now residing m Melbourne, and has, at my request, furnished me with the particulars of the capture.—l am, etc., D; Oliver. Chelmsford, March 4.

The last station Captain Melville and his mate Roberts baled up was Kurruc, situated m what was then known as the Wardy Yallock district. It was owned by Mr Diivid Aitchison. The country at the time I speak of—December, 1852—was m a semi-demoralised state, owing to the universal excitement about gold. Shearing was much later than usual, on account of the scarcity of hands ; £2 per hundred with rations was the price demanded by regular shearers, and few could be got at that. For this reason Mr Aitchison tried the experiment of getting up, by bullock drays from Geelong, a small colony of Skye emigrants, as learners, to shear his flocks. I myself was a very new chum, having, along with my wife, landed from Scotland only about three months previously. It was after sundown early m Decem ber, 1852, that Captain Melville and his mate Roberts made their appearance. I was at the time of their arrival leading two horses, which 1 had been watering at a creek a little way off, to fhe stable. The Captain at once paid attention to me. He was a little man, spoke fluently, and wore a drab colored suit Of clothes. Hi} had a cabbage tree hat on his* head, with a green veil twisted round about it. His hair, which was fair, huug m ringlets down to his shoulders. He carried a six-chaaibered revolver m his hand, and at least four other pistols of various descriptions m his waist belt. The first words he said to me were : " Let these horses go." I'replied that if I let them go we could not get hold of a horse to fetch sheep to the shed m the morning. I may say that there was no such thing as fencing oh stations m those days. Captain Melville and I argued the point for about a minute, and I must say that neither his warlike appearance nor anything he said, had the effect of inspiring me with the least feeling of fear. On his looking round and seeing his mate driving one or two men before him, from the direction of the shed, he called out fiercely to me, saying :—" Obey orders, or by die Holy Ghost 1 will blow your brains out." I then set to to take the bridles off the horses, but lie stopped me, saying *' Hold on ! I believe you are a High lander ; I will trust you. You can put the horses m." The sequel proved,' however, that it was not any faith he had m me as a Highlander that induced him to allow me to put the horses m the stable, but because it had flashed on his brain at that moment that the station horses would make an excellent exchange for the two worn-out animals ridden by himself and confederate. He followed me into the stable, and kept his pistol pointed to the back ot my head, until I had tied up the horses and given them some feed. He then followed me out, and passed me into the charge of Roberts, who by this time had collected several of the Skye shearers and was driving them before him to the shearers' hut, about twenty chains away. Some of the Skye men were m.a pitiable state of fear. Roberts was a short, stoutish man, clean bhaved. He wore a suit of grey clothes, with wideawake felt hat. Like his chief, he appeared to be a liberated or a runaway convict from another colony. Ho was completely under the control of his captain, which we all thought was a good thing, as Melville did nob by any means behave as badly atf-he might have done. . I often wonder fco chis day that he did not shoot me. Roberts carried numerous pistols m his belt, and one m his hand. This pistol was a single barrelled one ; it was nearly as long as a carbine, with, however, a true pistol stock. He told us he called it the "ready reckoner." I asked him why he gave it such a singular name. He said " becauas it brings people so quickly up to their bearings." While Roberts was engaged mustering all the males he could find outside the premises to the shearers' hut—the word "whare " is not used m Australia—the Captain entered the station house, and ordered Mr Aitchison, along with MrJ.W. Wilson, a friend of his, to walk down to the shearers' hut along with the men. On their way down Melville took m charge " Hussansam," a sneaking Hindoo coolie employed on the place. This coolie took advantage of the excitement about the hut and tried to slip smoothly away along a post and rail fence towards a creek close by. Roberts, however, noticed him, and amidst a volley of broke.l Hindostani, pointed his " ready reckoner " at him, calling out at the same time "Bita." Whatever that might mean, ifc had the effect of bringing HussansahV back with a paler face than he was ever known to wear before. The first thing Captain Melville did 1 after we had all been mustered to the hut, was to fire off one charge out of the revolver he carried m his hand, saying at the same time "you see we have not come unprepared." This shot, though harmless m itself, was the cause of much distress m other quarters. On hearing it Miss Hickman, niece of Mr Aitchison, felb sure that her uncle was shot. Miss Wilson felt quite as sure that her father was Hip victim ; while Mrs McKay, wife of one of the shearers, rocked herself up and down, saying to her child s "My poor bairnie, my poor bairnie, its yourself that will be without a father this night." [To be continued.]

TflE ASHBURTON mJAttDIAK■: FRIDAY, APRIL % 1893.



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P£DB AND BIKES,



Statutory Declaration. —I, Franz Raab.t, Ironbark, Sandhurst, m the colony of Vie tona, Australia, do solemnly and sincerely declare that on the 25th June, }877, my son ! Alfred, %{%. years of age, was accidentally hurt with an axe on his knee. lat once took all pains to secure medical assistance. How ever, m spite of all efforts, on the 27th August, 1877, the opinion was given by Dr Macgillivray that an ajopijtatioij of the I injured limb had become imperative, i» order to save life. At this juncture I called en Messrs .Sander and Sons, procuring some of their Extract of Eucalyptus Globulus, an'-l liy the application of the same I had; he satisfaction of seeing my son within a fort night WP hi all danger, and to-day he s recovered, I way |»st add that it was when the cpUJb Iw4 )/«*» mwiwl that the Extract referred to was first applied, .aft d I make t hi? oleum declaration, etc — Yr£M. Declared at Sandhurst, m fcU§ colony f)l Victoria, Australia, this asvsutefcttfcU <}ay (& October, one thousand eight hundred *u<i seventy' Seven, before me, Morita C'olu'* J>P -(Advt4 Kka'«?t<{ 4!« C«u«w UwK«;h;s cure Cjughs Asthma, Bronchitis, Medjwal testimony spates that no other iiiedi^ing is .so m the cure of those dangerous maladies One lozenge alone gives ease, one or t)vc> a^> i h jdUwe ensures rest. Frjr relieving difficulty [of breathittg they are invaluable. They contain no opium nor any violent drug. Sold by all CUemjste iw tine U !§d »»d 3s 94 tacli



Public Nonces \ """floots^ Boots. BOOTS. WANTED KNOWN.—T am now m a position to supply BOOTS and SHOES of every description at the Lowest Price ever heard of m Ashburton. The above have been made to my own ppecial order m the best t:\ctory m Canterbury, therefore Customers may rely upon getting a genuine article for very little money. ' Note tJhe address- • O'CONNOH'S LITTLE SHOP, Mr Bullock's Arcade. N.B.—Ordered work of every kind, Hand Sewn, Pegged, or Riveted, madf on the Premises ; also Repairs.



92 WINTEK. 1892 —NOW SHOWING— THE! New Overcoats and Water proofs New Tweeds and Suitings L ARGKST Syleg . n Boys , Clofch _ ii.g AND -^eW Hosiery and Gloves New Collars and Shirta CHOICEST New Scarfs and Bows New Trnvellin" and other Caps StOCk New Soft Felt Hats New Flexible Hats evjsr New Sfcyles m B°ys> Hats and Caps New Rugs and Umbrellas SHOWN Ncwo , cle Capes and Riding Aprons BY New Goo Is m all Depart ments Inspection Respectfully U 4. Invited NEW ZEALAND nothing Factory. W. H WEBBER, Manager. Agents for WertheimCelebratedSewing Machine. Mail notices. Mails close for the following places as under, subject to the accessary alterations :— SATURDAY, April 9. For Auckland (direct), pet Upolu, at 6.30 n.m. For Westport (direct), per Poherua, at 6.30 ojm. For Kaikoru*, per Jane Douglas*, at O.SBO p.m. For Northern Ports, per Penguin, at o.ao p.m. WEDNESDAY, April 20. For United Kingdom, Continentsof Europe and America, and West Indies (via San Francisco), Sandwich Islands, etc., and also for Northern Pons of New Zealand, per Takapuna, as. follows:—Ordinary letters, books, and newspapers, at 0.1i5 p.mi. ; registered letters, 5 p.m, ; money orders, a 5.m. ; guard's van (express), 6.55 p.m his mail is due m London on May 25. ENGLISH MAILS. HOMEWARD—DIK'iCT MAIIA Doric, left April 2, due London May F2. Ruahine and Tongariro, leaving April 16, dac London May 28. SA» MIANCISCO MAILS.; >■*: Alameda, hit March 26, due London 4pri 27. Maripota, leaving April 19, due London May 21. OUTWARD--DIRECT MAIM Ruahine, due Colony April V. SAN FKANCISCO MAILS. Jtfariposa, due Colony April 20



Wanted. i WANTED KNOWN,—I *m Agout for the KaitangataCoal Company. —R. S. Bean, West Street. Bran, Oaws Chaff. &c. .__ 46j T OST.— On Tuesday, sth irist., Cape _Lj of Boy's Overcoat. Finder please lea^a^MAli^Offiß^^ _______l°f ••S^ANTffl) K^bWN, New Boots and W Shoes for the wet weather, of sound value afci the *' Corner." YOUNG Men's Club— A. Meeting of Friends and Promoters will be held mis JSVKNIXG m Saundera' Buildings nt 8 'men invited. Business important. J. B. Buchanan, Hon. Secre tar^l_____l_____ 4h6 mo FARMER!? AND OTHER 6.-1 X rave taken the Sole Agency m Ash burtin for Mount Somers Coal. See Ad- Vfertisement.-Jambs Baker; * *>•' W" ANTED KNOWN, Grand display of new Millinery, Ulsters, and Jackets, at most reasonable prices at 'The CoRNEfI." TSiIOICEST new season's Figs and \J Cartoon Table D*tw m 3lb Boxes, 2s each. -H. G. Flower, Confectioner, E»st street. .: ■ _ I UST Imported, a larjte Btock of • I Account Books, Ledgers, Ca^h Books, Day Books, etc., m various bindings and prices.-—H. M. Jonks. WANTED Known.-Come and see the Bargains now on at Melford House.- H. C. Sbobks. ' ttrANTED Known.—lf you want VV plenty of first class Drapery, Boots and Clothing for cash, come to MelfoM House Sale.—H. O. Smim. TITANTKD Known.—l have a large W stock of Tin and Ironware Goods o sel«ct from. Register Grates, Stoves, °ort»ble Boilers, Spouting and Ridgmg kep*; m »tock.-J. W. Habdley, East treet. m TIT ANTED Known.—Great Cash Sale W now on at Melford House. Almost everything reduced. —H. C. Sbqers. 2 — - 'PO Itfeet the Times. -I am supplying X Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years. Force pumps, doep well cylinders of *U dessriptions. Inspection »»vit^d.— J. W. Hartley, Eas street. o? 201 ALL Wool, Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship jruaranteed; from 50s cash. Robert AU!O«n, Ashburron Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. BALL Dresses, Evening Gloves, Mounts m Silver and Gold, Muffs, Fur Collarettes, Ladies' Evening Shoes, Invi<'orator Corsets, with straps, V and N. Zone and all other makes, just opened.—Anprew Ohk. 4j>7 ANTED Known—That you will make no mistake for quality and variety m English and Colonial Boots, and his highly reputed make by calling at. J. Moison's. During coming holidays dis count for Cash. Repairs done at once. A staff of men always kept and best material and workmanship guaranteed. ... . , I, -1 NEW Supplies of Stationery, Account Books, Music, Fancy G>ods, ■few Games, Orders for Printing, Book mnding, Picture Frames, promptly ex ecuted" Schools and offices supplied with *very requisite. Marines %nd News papers applied.—L F. ANDREWES & CO., Stationers' Hall. W" HITriNGTON'S Tomato Sauce. together with "testimonials, may he 460.^-BtHkffnw-itTCKrfernrruiterer, h=ist Street, and Mrs Peaihon'h, Ftuiterer, Wakanui Road, where orders will bfc iWeived and prices given. 3 165