The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1892. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Wellington telegram states that Thomas Spruces, aged 18, a native of. Christchurch, has* been drowned m the Tiraumea river, Eketahuna district. He left the station on .Saturday for Woodlands, and Avas to call at Waterfalls, but nothing more has been heard of him. His dog was found on the river bank. Joseph Morley, who served m the Royal I Artillery through the Crimean war, died m the Southland hospital on Sunday nicht. Morley had the Crimean medal, with clasps, for Alma, lukermann, and Sevastopol, the Turkish medal, and also the New Zealand war tried al. ' 'L*- grippe has prostrated whole cities during its present visit to America. Ihe death rate m San Fraucisco for the month ot December exceeded that of any previous month m its history. Old people were the most frequent victims, though,many sad cases of whole families of children haying been taken off are reported from time to time. The following are said to be the amounts insured locally on the Star of Erin, recently Wrecked at Waip&pa Pomt:—South British £'6500, China Traders £5000, New Zealand £4950, British and Foreign £35C0, National £3200, Victoria £2000, Commercial Union £2000, Canton £1300, Standard £1200, United'£looo, Union £500. j At the meeting of the Geraldine County Council yesterday the Engineers and Ranger reported that the heavy rains had done no damage to the water-races or head works m the Council's jurisdiction. As .soon as: the flood waters subside a thorough inspection is to be made. It is probable that the demonstration of the United Eire Brigates at the Addington Show grounds, which M>as fixed for March 17 and 18, will be held, instead, on March 16 and 17, as March 18 is the da,y appointed for the Canterbury Ram Fair. The Fire Brigades were unaware of the date of the fair when they fixed the time for their gathering.

Officer O'Grady (recently appointed)—, "Shtop, ye divil! Where's yer pants?" Fergus M'Tavish M'Fash, a piper (with dignity)—" Pants, mon ! I hae nane!" Officer O'Gridy—" Then divil the shtep ye take till ye go into Levi's shtore and put up yer harmonicon for a pair o' blue flannehsto consarve th' decency ay yer legs. D'ye think ye're at home m Africa^ ye hay then baboon ?" ' The following telegram, dated Gettysburg January 5, appears m the San Francisco "Chronicle"!, —"A postmortem examina tion of the body of Daniel Mummert, a farmer living near Bast Berlin, who died a few days ago, revealed the fact that his stomach was full of lizards. , It waa thought that he suffered from consumption, but: just before his death he vomited six lizards, and that aroused the physician's suspicions. He was a railroad supervisor and,accustomed to drink directly from small springs while at work." " It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good." The "North Otago Times" says that a farmer on the Kakanui river whose wheat sheaves began to float about as the river rose, employed men to recover as many of them as possible. Before the flood he reckoned that his yield would be about fifty bushels to the acre. The exertions of the men, however, agreeably surprised him as to the yield, for he now estimates it at about 120 bdshels to the acre. The wheat, too, is not all of the same variety. He thinks his wheat must have pot mixed with someone else's. A very fashionably attended wedding was celebrated yesterday at St. Augustine's Church, Waimate. The contracting parties were Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, M;F.R., and Mi3S Rose Moorhouse, niece of Mrs Michael Studholme. The ceremony was performed by Bishop Harper, assisted by the Revs. Charles Coates and J. Sotham. The brides maids were Misses Mabel and Ruth Studholme, Moorhowse, Rhodes, Meason (2), Boyle, and Barker. The groomsmen were Messrs Barton (Wairarapa) and H. J. Beswick. After the breakfast, which took place at the Waimate homestead, the happy pair left by express for the north.

The London correspondent of the Dunedin " Star " writes :—" Mr Perceval does not appear to believe English public opinion is bo much against his Government's land tax as has been stated. He says, moreover, he considers the colony's status m the London money market has been misrepresented de signedly, m order to do the Government harm. 'New Zealand really did have; a bad name m the market some time ago,' I ven tured, 'but. things are better now.' Mr Perceval, however, persisted that compara tively recently damaging misstataments iiad been written, he > feared purposely, by enemies of the Government."

An Irishman of the better class, who thought he must conform to the fashion able mania of paying a visit t« the Falls of Niagara, arrived at the Falls, and taking a look at the surrounding wonders, addressed himself to a gentleman with— "And this is Niagara Falls?" "Yes," was the reply. " And what is there here to make such a bother about?" asked Pat. "Why," Baid the gentleman, "do you not see the mighty river, the deep abyss, the great sheet of water pouring down?" Pat looked at the water, and replied, hesitatingly, "An' what's to hinder it?" j The Oddfellows' Hall will no: doubt !be crowded to-night, for; the twofold object of listening to an excellent enter tainment and assisting one of most philanthropic institutions m the world— Dr Barnardo's Homes. The boys who contribute the mnsic, which has been a great attraction m Christchurch and the chief towns m the North Island, are musicians of great ability and versatile attainments, and give a decidedly novel performance. The Rev Mr Mayers will give a brief but interesting account of the Homes, and we fell sure that the result will justifiy the visit of the deputation to Ashburton. Among the donations received m Christchurch to wards the funds of the Homes is a cheque from » gentleman for £250. Among the rumors of the day, says the Melbourne " Leader," which have not been caught up by the society's journals is that incident of Larkin's, the defaulting Building Society secretary, writjng to Lord Sheffield from gaol to put off a luncheon to'which he had invited his lordship is the oddest of all, and makes one feel as if m the midst of a social earthquake. Iv fact we never see a solid well-to-do looking individual ordering champagne for his lunch with the flame gaiety as Larkin manifested when disposing of his sparkling tipple, without wondering if he has as much right to it as we have with our modest beer. The most bewildering part of the affair is that these defaulters are #11 ppligious, and shining lights m their several denominations. They may or not be wise m thcii- devotion to Pomeroy, bufc it evidently pays to " appear pious,"

A fearful tragedy wa« enacted at Yalca North, about fourteen imiles from Nathalia, Victoria, on January 26, when a farmer named Robert Brown was shot by his brother John Brown, who then committed srieide On information haying been bronsht to Nathalia of the tragic occurrence Sable Murcutt and Dr KlHson went to the place. They had to brea*. open the dootf, which was locked, and found the two men dead, each lying »n a pool of blood. A ploughmen t in the em ploy of Robert Brown says he heard a shot fired m the house that morning, and on go ing to sse what was the matter, saw Kobert lying on the floor with a gunshot wound m the back, the brother having #r«d, at nun whilst he was sitting at breakfast.. Ihe brother John then seemed > orry for what he had done, and sent the workman fyr assis tance, after placing the wounded man on a bed. When a medical man was approaching [ jthe house, two shots were heard, afld when the police and medical man entered 1 it was found tkat Joha hid shot his brother a ' second time, th« b&ll<?fc entering his head 1 and killing him instantly. He then tired at j his own head and \yas killed immediately. |It is supposed that'a dispute abuufc ,ilie jfawn was tt)e uawe of the tragedy.

ffenry M, Stanley iseducating three negro | boya about twelve years old, whom ne rescued from slavery by paying three cents apiece for them. A 'Maori chief named Hurunuiorangi supposed to be. considerably over 100 years oM, die 1 at Hawcrc'Pah, near Eketahunu last week. In addressing bis students at Vienna on Octorer 30, Professor Billroth assured them that a bullet from a Mannlichcr rifle goes through a brick wall at a distance of from 500 to 600 paces, or through three or four men standing behind each other. Mr Whittington has shown us ■. thirteen Beauty of Bath potatoes which weigh 181 b 4oz, the heaviest weighing 2£lbs and the lightest lib. They were grown by Mr Whittington on MY Donald Williamson a section, near the Police Station. At this week's Addington market the sales of fat sheep from thia district included the following :—for Buccleuch estate,. l-> 3 mixed halfbreds at 14a lOd to 15s 3d ; for Messrs Wallace and Kiiiie,6o crossbred ewea, at 10s 8d to Us 4d; for Mt. Hutt estate, 67 merino wethers Us 3d to 11s 4d. For Mr W. Lyttelton, 250 fat lambs wero sold at 13s It!. The Governor and Lady Onslow, with the Hon J^' ;:^ard/^rrfvecl at Christ church from, '■ tsho •: South by special train at 5.30 p.m. yesterday. The Governor was entertained at dinner m this 'evening, by the Canterbury Yeoihatiuy Cavalry, of which he is a honorary colonel! The luncheon and public farewell demonstration' take place to-day, and the Governor will leave tor the North this evening. The-Woman's Christian Temperance Union.in England have been preparing a petition, to be presented to the World's Temperance Convention, at Boston. Lady Henry Somerset and others. have been industriously procuring signatures to this petition, which is intended as a protest against the vice of intemperance. The petitions! bears 175,536 signatures of women of all ranks and conditions m the United Kingdom. It measures 2070 yards, or one mile 310 yards. An English paper of December 27, states that Major Hargreaves received a communi cation from Mr Elliott and Captain Osborne, m which the latter admits the guilt of his wife m connection with the robbery of jewels trom the Major's residence at Tor. quay. It is stated that Captain Osborne identified his wife's handwriting at the Bank ot England by comparing the signature on the traced cheque with that attached to her marriage certificate. The London corres ponpent of the Manchester "Courier" understands that Captain Gsborne has sent m his papers to the War Office, and that the authorities have declined to accept them for a time, m the hope that some means may be found of preventing the loss to the service of a very popular officer, whose conduct has met with the same approval amongst his official chiefs as amongst the general public.

The Tauranga Tragedy.

{PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.^ Taukanga, February 10. At the inquest on the bodies of the victims ot the Tauranga tragedy a verdict was returned of wilful murder against Duncan Munro, with the rider that he should never have been let out of the asylum, and had not been properly looked after by his family. Mrs Munro is still alive, but unconscious and m a critical state. The report that the other child is dead is incorrect, but all hopes of the poor little boy recovering are given up. During the inquest the prisoner Munro was seized by a fit and caused a sensation by singing hymns. He had to be taken out of the room. Napier, February 10. Private message? from Tauranga re ceived here by the relatives of Mrs Munro state that she and the child are alive and likely to recover. .

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBURTON-THURSDAY. (Before Mr C. A. Wray, ft.M.) Drunkenness. —A first offender, who had been found drunk m the Arcade the previous evening, was dismissed with a caution. Civil Case.—Wilding and Lewi* v. C. Fawcett, £1 Is; judgment for plain tiffs by default. This was all the business.

Native Lands.

A parliamentary return recently issued shows the extent of land owned by Maoris. To begin with they possess 2,776,309 acres not yet passed through the court, of which only 82,576 are used for ?gricul tural or pastoral purposes, leaving; 2,694,633 acres lying unproductive. A good deal of this is valueless pumice country, but the greater part is well adapted for pastoral pursuits, and some of it comprises as good land as can be found m the colony. Then there are 1,442,469 acres which havt passed through the court and have been leased to Euro peans. The property tax valuations assess the Maoris' interests m these lease holds at £1,979,357, and the lessees' in terests at £474,559. In addition to this, the Natives possess 5,629,808 acres which have passed through thp court, but which have not been leased to Europeans, Of this extensive area only 730,934 acres are utilised m any way, leaving 4,89?,874 acres lying unproductive. The property tax valuation of this land is £1,867,8411 Adding these figures together we get an average of over 271 acres per head for every" man, woman, and child among the Maoris, or about 1300 acres per family. Of the lands held by Natives and not leased fca Europeans, only 812.510 acres are utilised m my >yay, and 7,597,407 arc left m a state of nature. The value of these Native possessions can only be ap proximately stated (says the " Hawke's Bay Herald") as there arc no properly tux valuation* of Hie 2,777,309 acres which have not passed through the court. But, assessing this land at $s an apre, and adding the sum so attained to the pro? per.ty* tax vacations of the land passed through" the court, and'fco the Natives' in terest hi the land tlioy have leased, we <ret a total of £4,541,400, Qj? over £113 per head for every man, woman, and child, or about £600 per family.

OPENING UP THE NORTH ISLAND.

During the last few weeks the hon the Native Minister, Mr Cad man, has been making a trip over both the Central and Stratford routes of the North Island Main Trunk Railway— not so much, apparently, for the purpose of determining whether or not Parliament was right m adopting the Central route, as" for that of ascertain ing what lands suitable for settlement are to be; found in' bx>th directions. The result seems to have been very satisfactory, demonstrating not only the correctness of the reports of Dr Newman and others as to ; the magnificent country lying between the two completed sections of the line m ,the centre of the island, but also—fand this we were hardly prepared for-~-the fact that there is a very large amount of good country on the western side, through which a line via Stratford would pass. In a speech delivered subsequently at Stratford, Mr Cadman is reported to have said that " he was fairly astonished at the extent and quality of the land he had seen. The current opinion o£ the land on the route was that it was no goocl. He did not profess to be a judge of land, but he was of opinion that the land he had seen was as good as the land about Stratford. He had had no idea there was so much good land there." ' Mr Lawry, another of the party, speaking at the same meeting, went much farther. He said that "lie claimed to have some knowledge of land and farming, and knew good land when he saw it; and he could inform them that eight miles from the point of diver gence they struck a patch of land equal to anything m Stratford, and from that point to this (Stratford) he had not seen an acre of bad land. He was a native of the Vale of Cheddar, and he had no 'hesitation in r saying that he had seen land equally a's good as that|f If all this land was opened up, a great and glorious future was before the country. He considered it was the duty of the Government to open up this country, arid he hoped to see an effort made to do so." Mr Cadman also admitted that the Government should endeavor to Open up this land at once, presumably by a grant for the forma tion of roads, for he went on to say— as regards the trunk' railway—that there was no prospect of its being constructed by either route at present, as neither line could be constructed without a loan, and the Colony was decidedly opposed to further borrowing. In this he was quite right, but if there be such a large area of splendid land m both directions as is reported, no t;me should be lost m getting roads into it so that it may be available for settlement. In order to this, no doubt it will be necessary to come to a definite understanding with the native owners, and it was for the purpose of seeing "how the land lay" m that sense as well as m the literal sense, that the Native Minister has just made his somewhat arduous journey. This involved considerable hardship, especi ally as lie is. still suffering from the injuries received when his horse fell upon him some weeks ago. Eully fifty miles was travelled on foot by the whole party, through heavy bush country. An old * pack track was followed for most of the distance, but fallen trees blocked the way at short intervals, and it was necessary to keep a man ahead with a billhook to cut a passage for the travellers. They walked for twelve hours each day, each man carrying his swag and provisions, and at sundown they camped m the open air under trees for the night. Fortunately the weather was fine throughout the journey, excepting on one day. The supply of tinned meats gave out when the bush was about I half traversed, and for two or three I days Mr Cadman and his companions had to subsist on biscuits, eked out by means of such pigeons and eels as the bush and creeks could furnish, and the flesh of a wild pig shot by one of the party." All's well that ends well, however, and Mr Cadmaa and those members of the Legislature who were of his party have gained an amount of valuable information as to the yet available resources of the North Island, which will doubtless be turned to good acconnt.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

PER PKESS ASSOCIATION.

THE LATE MR SPURGEON.

London, February 9. Thousands of people, including many workmen, daily view the remains of the late Rev. 0. H. Spurgeon, lying m the Tabernacle. London, February 10. Sixty thousand people attended the funeral services at the Tabernacle. THE PAPACY IN ENGLAND. It is alleged that the Pope is divid ing England into two provinces for ecclesiastical purposes. London, February 9, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE. Isolated cases of foot and mouth disease still exist m the outskirts of London, WOOL. Wool is unchanged. COLONIAL STOCKS. Colonial stocks are very depressed. The best friends of the Colonies among financial authorities consider the situation daily grows graver, and ex pect there will be a serious weakening of the credit of the Colonies unless public works are stopped. They insist that the Colonies must borrow every thing locally for at least a year. LAEOH QUESTIONS. The ballot of Durham miners is ad verse to a reduction of wages. Madkid, February 9. The Spanish Qovernment is taking steps to rpppess interference with the liberty of labor,

THE POSTAL UNION.

JJekmn, February 9. The Reichstag has ratified the Postal Convention arranged m Vienna last year. PRUSSIAN EDUCATION BILL Berlin, February 10. The hostility of Prussian teachers to jbhe Education Bill has been silenced.

A RAILWAY HORROR.

Bucharest, ftebrwy 9. Tlj» sleeping carriage of the express

3 train between here and Braila caught fire, and eighteen of the occupants were killed, either by fire or m attempting to escape.

CANADA AND THE STATES.

Ottawa, February 9. Mr J. S. D. Thompson, Minister of Justice, has gone to Washington to arrange a reciprocity treaty with,the United States. It is feared that his mission will be fruitless.

RUSSIA, FRANCE AND ENGLAND.

St. Petersburg, February 10. The Russian squadron m the Pacitic is being increased. . The Czar has sent decorations to the workmen at St. Etienne, m France, whp denounced the two Englishmen who were convicted of trying secretly to obtain the design of the new Russian rifle.

THE AUSTRIAN CURRENCY

Vienna, February 10. It is expected that Austria will obtain sufficient gold m two years to establish a currency without disturbing the market.

ARGENTINE TROUBLES.

Buenos Aykes, February 9. It is reported that the garrison of Monte Video has revolted.

CHURCH AND STATE IN FRANCE.

Bomb, February 9. The Pope has warned the French Bishops not to encroach on the Civil rights of the State. THE WEALTH OF ROME. The nominal value of real estate ia the city of Rome is returned at three hundred millions.

THE ANARCHISTS.

Madkid, February 10. The Bishop of Cadiz implored the Qheen of Spain to reprieve the anarchists condemned to death for the attack on Xeres. Ministers insist on their execution. The anarchists and workmen of Barcelona are parading the streets. Paris, February 10. An anarchist editor was sentenced to ten months' imprisonment for inciting to pillage and murder.

AUSTRALIAN.

BROKEN HILL MINING.

V Svj»ney, February 10. Shares m the Junction mine, Broken Hill, have fallen to 53s 6d.

VICTORIAN POLITICS.

Melbourne. February 10. ' The political situation-is unchanged. Mr Munro's resignation of the Premier ship does not take effect until the negotiations for the disposal of the Colony's Treasury bills are completed. Mr Rhiels, the Premier-elect, is being counselled to exclude the one-man-one vx>te plank from the platform of the reconstructed Ministry as likely to cause turmoil at an inopportune time. If Mr Shiels agrees to drop the principle, one of the members of the Ministry m the Legislative Council will retain his seat, but the others! will i resign with Mr Munro. Tt is believed [ the Government will retain tho single vote as one of the items of their policy, but will keep it m the back ground as much as possible. Contrary to expectation, Mr Munro resigned the Premiership to-day, and Mr Shiels has been sent for. THE YACHTING ABSCONDERS. Captain Gill, who commanded the yacht Beagle, has returned from Hong Kong. He says that Bell and Davies, whom he always knew as Broom and Douglas, treated him with every con sideration. He resigned command of the vessel after the Honolulu trouble.

THE NEW SOUTH WALES CUSTOMS BILL

Sydney, February 10. The Legislative Assembly passed the Customs Bill.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, February 10. The Auckland brigantine Ryno, Capt. A. Tribe, has been wrecked at Flint Island where she went ashore during a gale. The crew and one passenger, who was also on board, landed safely, and the master, mate, and steward set out m an open boat and reached Huahine, one of the Society group, whence they travelled to Papatee. The Eyno was under charter to Messrs Arundel and Co, m the guano trade. New Plymouth, February 10. The weather is very wet and the mountain covered with clouds, so it is expected the party will not get further than the tourists' hut, and will nob make the ascent to-day to get Soufchwood's body. Mr 0. Smith, of Wellington, arrived by last night's express, and has identified several articles found on the body. Wanganui, February 10. The first day's sale at Freeman R. Jackson and Co.'s ram fair was a great success. There was a large attendance from all parts of the. coast, and bidding was brisk and rapid. Five hundred and fifty-two rams were sold singly, averaging £5" Is 5d each. James S. Holmes, Oamaru, topped the market for studs with thirty-six guineas, and William Wilson, Elslea, for flocks, with seventeen guineas for two. In larger numbers, J. Raynor, Wairarapa, made the highest average—£B 4s lid for twelve flocks, and J. Wilson, Elslea, averaged £6 18s 9d for sixty. The fair will be concluded to morrow. Napier, February 10. After considerable correspondence with the proprietors of the Wolseley, Burgon and Ball, and Australian compressed air shearing machines, the Committee ap poitiited to arrange a trial on a large scale m some Hawke's Bay wool shed, has abandoned the project. Wolseley was anxious to compete, but no definite pro mises could be got from the others. The Hawke's Bay County Council has passed a resolution m favor of a harbour rate being raised by proportionate levry on local bodies m the same way as funds for charitable aid are raised, to save trouble and. expanse. Mrs Pc Lisle, wife of|Dr De Lisle, had an apoplectic seizure to-day, and died without recovering consciousness. Qne contractor under the County Council threw up his contract, forfeiting his deposit, and another had to ask for an extension of time, owing to the difft qulty of obtaining labor. Wellington, February 10. The amount of Property^tax collected to February 6 this year is £236,500, as against £236,000 to the same day last year. The Treasurer's estimate is £355,000, and the Department fully expect it to be exceeded. The last dace of payment to escape penalty is February Is, and the Department will proceed against 'defaulters at the end of the $ontli

Dunedin, February 10. I The Rev. ,Mr Yorke has resigned the'! curacy of St. Paul's and proceeds to | England. Tho chairman of the Westporfc Coal Company at the annual meeting said the liabilities had been reduced by £16,000 during 1891, and £18)216 ■■■ due to the company had been paid since the books I closed at the end of the year. With tho financial arrangements now made there was no necessity for any call, and they would bo able to prosecute works for some time without further borrowing.

Presbyterian General Assembly.

[PKESS ASSOCIATION TKLKGBAM.] Attoklantj. February 9. The Presbyterian General Assembly opened this evening at Sfc. Andrew's Church, when Dr Elmalie, of Christchurch, was elected Moderator. In his address Dr Elmslie spoke of the spirit of unrest prevailing at the' present day, and of the duty of the church m regard to it, saying that never was there greater need than at the present moment that the ministry of the Presbyterian Church should be men capable of distinguishing between the right hmd and the left. AacKLAND, February 10. The Presbyterian Assembly granted the applications for admission of the Revs. Messrs Calder, McDonald, Whyte, and Rosi. A committee waa appointed to consider the possibility of sending the moderator as a delegate to the pan-Pres byterian Conference at Toronto. A reso lution of sympathy and condolence with , the family and congregation of .the late Rev. C. H. Spurgeon was passed unani mously. It was decided nofc to alter the time of the assembly meeting.

General Synod.

[per press association.]

Wellington, February 10. At this afternoon's sitting of ths Synod the following motion was proposed by the Dean of Christchurch—"That the Synod regard with anxiety the present state and prospects of Christianity amongst the larger portion of the Maori population, and earnestly commends to the sympathy and intercession of Christians throughout New Zealand the efforts which are being made tor the recovery of those portions of the country which have lapsed from the faith."

Speaking to the motion of grants being made out of the funds of "the general church trusts to different bishopric en dowment funds, Archdeacon Dudley (Auckland) commented strongly on the unsatisfactory position m which most of the bishopric endowment funds stand. He said that none of the bishoprics, with the exception of Christchurch, were ade quately endowed, and that it was a re proach and scandal to the Church, that when a see became vacant it was necessary to look round for a man possessed of private means ; m fact to make his wealth one of the principal considerutions. At the synod to-night the motion for the second reading of the Bill to make additions to B canon m order to provide for special Maori lay representation m the dbcesan synods was negatived.

Supreme Court.

(PJTE. PRESS ASSOCIATION, Tis riRU, February 10. The criminal session of the Supreme Court was brought to a close yesterday, the Homes arson case being resumed at 10 a.m., and concluded at 2.30 p.m. The prisoner was found guilty &nd sentenced to four years' hard labor.

THE MARKETS.

[jfKR PRCS3 ASSOCIATION]

(Received Ffcbruary 10, 10.20 aan.) Sydney, February 10. Wheat, milling,-4s 9d to ss. Flour j stove makes, £11 53 to £11 15s; roller brands, £12 5s to £12 15s. Oats, best, 2s 4fl to 2s Bd. Maize, 2s 3d. Barley, 2s 9d;to 3s. Peas, 3s 7d. Bran, lid. Pollard, 9£d. Potatoes, Warnambools, £3 1»3; Tasmania, £4 10s. Onions, £3 10s to £4 10s. Butter, dairy made, lOd ; factory, Is 2d to Is sd. Bacon, 5d to 7d ; hams, New Zealand, lOd to lid. Melbourne, February 10. Wheat, firm, 4s to 4s 4d. Flour, stone makes, £9; roller brands, £9 155.: Feed rain quiet, and prices unaltered. Adelaide, February 10. Wheab, 4s 3d to 4s" 4d. Flour, stone makes, up to £9 12s 6d ; roller brands, £10 5s to £10 10s. Oats, New Zealand ia bond, 2s 4d; duty paid, 3s 3d. Barley, Cape, 3s 6d; English, malting, 3s 6d to 4s 6d. Bran, Is. Pollard, Is lid. (Received February 11, 10.40 a.m.) London. February 10. The total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 2,908,000 quarters, and for the Continent 1,156.000 quarters. Shares m tne Otago and Southlend In vestment Society are quoted at ss; Robert Campbell and Co., £4 ; I)algety and Co., £6 15s. . j

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, have received the following cable message, dated Lon don, Feb. 9 :— Wool—Since the date of last telegram nearly all descriptions have declined |d per Ib, except fine crossbreds and lambs, for which the market is unchanged, and coarse crossbred, iov which the market is easier. The American demand is good, t but wools of a faulty character are neg lected. The total quantity catalogued to date is 164,000 bales, and the total quantity withdrawn to date is 15,000 bales. Wheat—There is an improved feeling. Market is steady. Quotations unchanged 1 since last telegram.

Addington Stock Market

Chbistohuech, February 10. "Fat Cattle. —There was a fair entry, composed chiefly of cows and heifers, very few stores being yarded. The entry met with a decidedly better sale. Prices for best beef ranged from 18s to 19s per 1001 b. Cows sold up to £8, heifers to £5 10s, steers to £7 10s. Calves.—The entry was small. Best calves were sold at up to 28s. Stoke Cattle. —The number yarded was small, and all animals entered were cleared, at rates fully equal to those ruling last Week. Dairy cattle had a rather small entry, which was nearly all cleared at pi'ices ranging from £3 to £5 10s. Store Sheep.—About 3500 were yarded. Buyers were numerous, and biddings more spirited than ever. The bulk of the entry was represented by crossbred lambs, which sold readily at from 8s to 9a 6d ; aged cross bred ewes, 8s 6d to 9s Id; sound mouthed crossbred ewes, lls 7d ; four-tqoth ..forward, conditioned crossbred wethers, 14s to 14s 6d; corresponding ewes, 13s 6d; merino ewes, failing mouths, 4s 6d. Fat Lambs.—There was a large entry, which included a number of lines of good freezers. Bidding for everything was keen. Best freezers brought from lls to 13s 6d; other lambs sold at from 8s 6.d to. Us, Fat Sheep,—The entry was large and the demand keen, at former prices. Pigs.—A much larger number was penned than at any sale of late. Prices were a shadt easier. Bacon pigs sold at 2§s to 33s j porkers, from 15s 5 stores, lQs tq 17s 6d,

Tht) world is ever moving on towards perfection, bubseldom attains ifc. Constant improvement is being made m every branch of industry, but m Baking Powders Perfection has been reached m Warburton/s. Can't B<J B^,

SPORTING.

AUSTRALIAN RACING.

(PJSK I'llliSS ASSOCIATION.) ("Received February 11- 10.40 am.) ! Melboiiiinb, February 10. Malvolio his licen scratched for all en gagements at tho V.H.C. Autuum Meet

Wanganui, February 10. Vivat, Captor, and Yattaway have been scratched for the Two-year-old Stakes at the Wanganui Juckcy Club'a Autumn Meeting.

Imperial Politics.

IPEK I'RJSSS ASSOCIATION.

London, February 8, The opening of Parliament was not attended by any proceeding of import ance. In the House of Lords, Lord Lamington urged close federation with the colonies. It is probable an amendment to the Address-in-Reply will be moved m favour of the disendowment of the Welsh Church, and notice was given of the introduction of the Female Franchise and Eight Hours' Bills. Mr Balfour gave notice to call upon Mr De Cobain, member for Belfast, to attend m his place within a fortnight. Lord R. Churchill expressed himself m favour of the eight hours limit for work m mines, and of labour members m the House. Mr Redmond gave notice to-day m the House of Commons to move for an amnesty to political prisoners. Mr Gladstone returns from the Continent on Saturday week. Lord Salisbury referring to the criticisms of Lord Rimberly, declared that England would never surrender Egypt to the supremacy of another power, or leave it to destruction by itself. He alleged that the Newfound land dispute was due to the colonists themselves. The Address-in-Reply was agreed to m the House of Lords. The ceremony of opening Parlia ment was of an unusually sombre character, everybody appearing m deep black. Mr Lowther moved an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, urging the Government to terminate treaties which prevent the differential treat ment of the colonies by England. He argued that if some change were not made the colonies would be tempted to act by themselves. Mr Howard Tin cent seconded the amendment. Sir M. Hicks-Heach, m reply, said the Go vernment was better able to take a broad view of the commercial relations of the empire than any of the colonies. They would go a long way to secure a Zollvevein embracing England and her colonies, but such an amendment at the present juncture was injurious. When a favorable opportunity offered they would try and get the treaties revised, but; the occasion was not opportune. The amendment was nega tived without division. Sir W. V. Harcourt said the Opposition would support a genuine honest measure »of local government for Ireland. The debate on Address-in-Reply was adjourned.

Mr Redmond insists that one condi tion of the re-union of the Irish party will be the expulsion of Mr Healy. It is alleged that Mr Schnadhorst, organiser of the Liberal party, estimates that their majority at the general elec tion, including the majority of the Irish party, will be thirty. i Both Houses of Parliament passed votes of condolence at the Duke of Clarence's death. Sir W. V. Harcourt during the debate said Lord Salisbury's speech at Exeter Hall showed how Ireland would be governed by the Orange mob. Mr Balfour defended the Premier. Mr Curzon, Political Secretary for India, announced that the Government of India intended to take measures to curtail the opium traffic. (Received February 11, 10 30 a.m.) Londox, February 19. In the House of Lords the Marquis of Salisbury stated that negotiations respecting the Newfoundland difficulty were m abeyance, as the rash criticism of the Government action by the Gladstone party had induced France to believe that there was no hope of securing the execution of the award of the arbitrators. Speeches m both houses of the Legislature were couched m a tone of deep sympathy for the death of the Duke of Clarence, and the fact that the Royal Family had not bid for a universal outburst of world-wide sorrow was much noted. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, President of the Board of Trade, replying to Mr Lowther's amendment regarding dis criminating treaties, said the proviwons objected to were doubtless relics of a past generation, but the proposals sug gested by the British Empire Trade League and others were a miserable substitute for a Zollverein between the Colonies and Great Britain. Mr T. Sexton has tabled a notice of motion regarding the failure of the Irish Land Purchase Act. At a meeting of the followers of Mr JuStin McCarthy, the nomination of Mr Dillon as leader of the Irish party wa3 rejected. :

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS

(PBB I'EESS ASSOCIATION.) Tl»« rr« Aro Itwfiwwy. , Wellington, February 11. The Minister for Public Works this morning met representatives of the City Council and Harbor Board with refer ence to the extension of the railway to Te Aro, Matters were arranged satisfac torily, and thejMinisfcer has given instruc tions for the lowest tender to be accepted, and the work will proceed without delay.

News and Gossip.

A VAAKFUL FOG. The London correspondent of the " Otago Daily Tiroes," writing on Decem ber 26, says : — Last winter was notorious for an ei^bt-weeks' frost ; this would seem likely to bo, as notorious for an eight days' fog. For a week we have lived m a dense and blinding fog, as dark as night, as oppressive nud throttling as malaria. Frost began on Sunday last, and thereafter the foe descended m a ■ swoop, nor except m patches and foi short i intervals has it cleared until this Saturday morning. Christmas week has passed m a dreadful doom ; never equalled m my memory of London, and only approached, they say, by the great fog of 1879. Christ mas Day was really appalling. The rain had dropped out of the blackness and frozen as it settled' on the pavements, and the streets were snipoUi with ; an ioy shine, upon which man and beast slithered fo perdition. The roads, black as the Inferno, were empty and vacant^ and a croaking got up m the throats of those wandering abroad. Trains were hours lake, or never arrived at all; and travellers walked into the" river and the docks m shoals through the fog. Fires and lamps burning gave but a tiny light against the murkiness, and how ttiany people were overrun by omnibuses and cabs'itf will be difficult to discover for some days. Last night a thaw set m, and the mists thinned and vanished ; and to-day the streets are horrid with greasy mud, the skies are faintly blue, and the air is laden with the damp breath of a mild' November. But. the Christmas of the year of grace 1891 will be memorable m London. DBVOTED TO POLITICS Lord Rosebery has resolved to give up the turf and devote himself to politics exclusively. This is, no doubt, wise, but has entailed a sacrifice en his part, as he is fond of racing. Ibis an open secret tihat he sacrificed > degree, an almost certain first-class at Oxford, to his devo tion to horseflesh. Dr Liddell, who has just retired from the deanery of Christ Church, objected to Lord Rosebery, when he was an undergraduate at Oxford, keep ing a stud. " You must choose," said the Dean, " between Oxford and your stud." "Very well, Mr Dean," Avas the prompt reply, "I will take the stud." -:

THE AMBASSADOR AT PARSI, Lord Dutferin's appointment to the Embassy ac Paris is a very discreet nomination. He is infinitely superior to Lord Lytton m every way as a statesman and diplomatist, and is also popular with Parisians. The embassy is the best paid on the Continent. Here is a list of some of the chief posts and the salaries :— Paris, L9OOO ; Vienna, LBOOO ; St Peters burg, L 7800; Berlia, L 7500; Rome, L 7000; Washington, L 6000; Cairo, L6OOO ; Madrid, L 5500 ; Lisbon, L 3750 ; Copenhagen^ L3OOO. DYXAMITIJW A MILLIONAIRE. Millionaires and their millions have been brought prominently before the people of this country of late through the strange and horrible nature of an attack made upon Russell Sage, the New York millionaire, A young man, Norcross by name, entered the office and asked to see Sage. Upon the latter appearing he was met by Norcross with .a peremptory demand for 1,250,000 dol, failure to comply with which would entail-death. Sage naturaliy refused, whereupon his interviewer drew a dynamite bomb from his coat, hurled it at the feet of. Sage, who, with an instinct of ccmirig danger, seized and dragged a clerk (who had at that moment entered) m front of his own body. A terrible explosion followed. The office was smashed to atoms ; the whole building shaken ; Norcross blown into fragments, another person present m the oftice killed; Sage's living shield terribly mangled, though not killed ; Sage himself was least hurt of any. At the time of writing, the millionaire is up and about again, but the poor fellow Sage dragged m front of him is lying crushed and maimed m the hospital, and has never had one word of sympathy or con dolence from the owner.of millions, whose life he, m all probability, saved-—" Otago Daily Times " correspondent. THB PRUSSIAN CENSUS.

We have at last (December 16) the final result of the Prussian census of December 1, 1890.- The , total population then present wa527,955,281, of wh0mH,702,151 were males—equal to 49.0803 per cent, as against 49.062$ per cent m 1885. The above number includes 292,173 persons m. active military service. In point of their religious faith 119,250,375 were Pro testants, 10,252,807 Catholics, 372,058 Jews, and 4690 persons of other confes sions, showiug that the Catholics and persons of other Christian confessions had increased, while the Protestants and Jews had diminished, as compared with the census of 1885. ■■■■:■

LATEST GABLE NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN

[per mucss association.]

THE INFLUENZA.

10.30

Lonix>n, February 10. The number of deaths reported m London for the week from influenza is 876. The death rate of those attacked by the epidemic is thirty-one per 1000.

THE LATE DUKE OF CLARENCE

The statement by the " World "that the Queen had assented to the burial of the remains of the late Duke of Clarence at Sandringham is officially denied.

COLONIAL FINANCE.

The "Standard" asserts that the fall m colonial stocks is due to the failures m Melbourne and Brisbane. (Received February 11,10.40 a.m.) The " Daily Chronicle," m attempt ing to reassure investors, points out that it is impossible to effect rapid re trenchment m the Australian colonies. THE GERMAN LOANS. Bkrun, February 10. The German loans been subscribed threefold. ■

THE RUSSIAN PACIFIC SQUADRON.

St. Fbtbrsbueg, February 10. Eleven warships are being added to the Russian Pacific Squadron, and m addition to these the fleet will be augmented by a number of smaller vessels.

THE ANARCHISTS.

..'<■ Madkid, February 10. Four of the Xeres Anarchists have been executed, and there is considerable excitement m Spain at, the death sentence having been carried out. A bomb was exploded m Barcelona, and rioting has taken place m Zatnora.

UNITED STATES. CURRENCY.

Washington, February 10*.. The Finance' Committee of the Senate has reported adversely on, the free Silver Coinage Bills.

COURSING.

Lojtdox, February 10. The Waterloo Cusk is creating some little interest, and the nomination of Colonel North is support^ a,t 4 to l r

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We clip the following important testimo nial from the " Illawarra Mercury " (N. S. W , of. the 30th March. It needs no comment: — "Mr John Loveday, of the Bulli Mountains writes to us that after suffering for four years with acute gravel, he has experienced almost complete relief by using Sander and Sons Eucalyptic Extract. He says:—'' Seeing the said Extract advertised m the ' Illawarra Mercury,' his intense suffering induced him to obtain a bottle of the medicine from MrHosking, chemist, of this town, and that the use of it gave him great relief at once. He states that between 10th March inst., when he obtained the first bottle of the extract, and the 19th, the use of that medicine continued to afford him relief, to. which he had been a stranger for four years. Mr Loveday writes also that he has found the Eucalypti Extract i cure for rheumatism as well as gravel. He requests us to publish this information through the' Mercury.' We have much pleasure m complying with Mr Loveday's request, whose word cannot be doubted, and who can have no object m view other than a pure desire to benefit suffering humanity. "—(Advt.) 2



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-VTOTHING will Cool you so quickly and IN umgorate the system so much as Ice Cream.—H.G. Flower, Confectioner, East (Street. .— TT7 ANTED Known.-Come and see W the Bargains now on at Melford House.- H. C. Sbgebs^ ' -At"The.Corner' now selling Ladiefc' French ShOfs. ssild. See them.^__H L o_^R____ WANTED KNOWN,—A great pur chase of Kid Gloves, £136 10s 6d Florencia Kid Gloves, all sizes, A and 6 .Clasp, usual price 6s lid and 8s 6d, now sold for4sll<fand 5s lid.-A. Obk's Sale. h ' . .  L— mHIRTY Pieces Dress Goods at 6d; 60 X Pieces French Cashmere at Is bd, worth 3s 6d ; 1000 Yards French Jweed, double width, at Is 9d, worth 3s 9d. All Dress Goods greatly reduced.—Andrew Oer's Cheap Sale. * lUb WANTED Known.—lf you want plenty of first class Drapery, Boots and Clothing for cash, come to Melford House Sale.—H., O. bK(mts. OOTS, Boots.—lnfants Boots 9d, six Dozen Ladies' Elastic Side Boots, 6s 9d, Gents' Boots 8s 6d, Mens' Blucher Boots 5s 6d, Stanley Shoes Is lid— Ahdbkw Orr b Sale. __. _ WANTED KNOWN, a special lot of Hearth Rugs at Is lid, 2d tid and 2s lid; worth about doable. W. M. Colueb. ■ W' ANTED Known.—l have a large stock of Tin and Ironware Goods io select from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridgmg kept m stock.—J. W. Hardley, East 'treet -- — W" ANTED Known.—Great Cash Sale now on at Melford House. Almost everything reduced. —H. C. Sbgers. mO Meet the Times.—l am supplying X Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years,, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all desoriptions, Inspection invited.— J. W. Hartley, Eas street. 6;201 SHEEP SHEARS. Having secured a Stock of the celebrated 8.8. A., and as there are very few m the Colony, Shearers are requested to call early.— Robert Alcorn, Saunders' Buildings. ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed; from 50s cash. Hobbri Alcorn, Ashburion Clothing Marl, Sannders' Buildingw. ; WANTED Known—That you will make no mistake for quality and variety m English and Colonial Boots, and his highly reputed make by calling at J. Moison's. During coming holidays dis count for Cash. Repairs done at once. m staff of men always kept and best Material and workmanship guaranteed. ANTED KnownT--H. Baibstow has opened those premises m East street next.J. Orr and Co., as a Furniture Warehouse. Latest designs iv Vienna Chairs, and Iron Bedsteads on view. Having a good stock of well seasoned figured "Rimu and Kauri, he is prepared to take orders for Furniture to any design. Inspection invited. Ilf6l



Wanted. J CASH Advertisements under this , heading not exceeding SlXTfc£.» WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Office. ' ■ ■ __ F"~~NEST QUALITY-Hams, Bacon, Butter and Cheese, from the best dairies.— Stbfhbks Bros., Market Hous^. WANTED,— Caretaker for the Swim ming Club's Dressing fioMtf »t the Domain Baths. For particulars apply to J.O. La>b, Hon. Sec, Stroe^tweeji^nd^^m^^ X^i^j), strong Boy ; must be able to milk ivid make himself goner ally useful. Apply Mrs Ranger, Ash burton Restaurant. bl.