MAIL NOTICE

Mails close for the following places, as trader, subject to the necessary altera tions :— WEDNESDAY, January 13. For United kingdom, Continent of Europe (specially addressed correspondence only), and also for Australian Colonies, per cxpresa (to connect with s.s.) Manapouri at Port Uhalmers), at 155.5i0p.in., late fee letters, guard's van, express.

BIRTH.

Jameson.—On Monday, January 11, Mrs George Jameson, of a daughter.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1892. CHARITABLE AID.

The disclosures that have resulted from the investigations made by the inspector of the Dunedin Benevolent Institution will, unless trustees of that and similar institutions resolutely set their faces against taking warning from anything, lead to a general examination into the whole administration of chari table aid. The Dunedin board is kuown to discharge its duties m no perfunctory manner, yet it has been victimised to the extent of nearly £500 a year. In no case was relief granted without due enquiry and full assurance that the applicant was m need and had no means of supplying that need, either by property or income of his own or by relatives who were m a position to do go. Most of the abuses seem to have arisen from the reckless manner m which applications for relief were supported by influential residents of the same locality as the applicant. A typical instance has been made public, m which a highly-respected large land owner recommended for aid an aged couple, of whom the husband had formerly been m his service. He had himself been giving them some neces sarie*, and there is not the slightest suggestion that he %vas not acting with perfect bona fides. The visiting in spector found that the man was seventy three years of age, and his wife seventy-one years. There was a son, who was a journeyman butcher, with a wife and four children. The man was formerly a shepherd, but had given up work a year ago. He was living m a cottage on twenty-two acres of free hold land which was free from mort gage. He was able to make a living off the land till a year ago, but since then he had not been able to work. He had £280 on deposit m the Bank of New Zealand at Lawrence, On these fact* being brought under the notice of the person who had made the recommendation, he wa« extremely in dignant at having been made the victim of such a deception, and the humiliation which he felt at having been placed m such a false position should be a warning to others not to make any recommendation for aid un less they are thoroughly acquainted with the position of the applicant and his relatives. There is a natural un willingness to b€ hard upon persons who are m a condition oi presumed distress, but consideration for the feel ings of applicants ha 3 gone too far m Otago, and is, no doubt, answerable for abuses m other districts also. The Otago exposures show the necessity for more stringent regulation? for the ad ministration of public chanty, and they also KhdW a most unsatisfactory and hitherto utisuspected prevalence of voluntary pauperism. The latter difficulty will not fee (easily dealt with, and it appears that the employment of a travelling inspector to enquiry into tlva case of «very applicant for mii. recipient of relief js necessary, if ira* position Im to be jpmentetL

THE SYLLABUS.

The Press reports of the meeting of the New Zealand, Educational lnsti tucc last week, at Christcbnrch, Whow that the representatives of the public school teachers regard with much favor the alterations made m. the re vised regulations for the inspection and examination of schools, published m the "Gazette" of October 14 last. As the ijßgulations come into force when the schools re-open after the current holidays, a digest of the princija' alterations (with which we have been supplied by the Press Association) will be of some interest. Regulation 1G of the new regulations consists of a. recapitulation of the spirit and design of the the syllabus, and constitutes, m effect, a series of instructions to in spectors which should tend to bring about a comparative uniformity of interpretation of the regulations. In the syllabus itself, a most noteworthy change is the removal of grammar from the list of " pass subjects " m all the standards except Standard IV. This change does not extend to composition, which is retained as a pass subject m all the standards m which it is re quired. The requirements m geo graphy have been rendered more ex plicit, and pupils are not expected to know anything of towns of less than 200,000 inhabitants outside Austral asia, unless they are metropolitan towns, or ports of some consequence. Sums of unfairly difficult arithmetic, and all problems, are expressly ex cluded. At given stages the amount .of historical knowledge required is restricted to a definite number of events, persons, and dates for each period, and the examination will follow the teacher's own selection, of details for each period. Tbe drawing syllabus is simplified by narrowing model drawing to a few forms of solids pre scribed under the head of solid geometry, and is also better graduated than it formerly was, and problems on practical geometry (limited to thirty) are set forth m detail. The syllabus of agricultural knowledge proposed by the Educational Institute is authorised as an alternation with the subject known as (i elementary science." Although the requirements of the syllabus are made more definite than they were more freedom is granted to teachers, who are expressly allowed, m some subjects, to frame an alternative programme. The regulations make it clear that each teacher is now bound to classify his pupils with a strict regard to the standards they have passed, and they also show how the difference between pass subjects on the one hand and class subjects and additional subjects on the other, can be applied so as to lighten the burdens of teachers of small schools. Inspectors are now required to judge more leniently the other school work of girls who learn needlework. Formerly they were at liberty to make a concession, but it was left to their discretion. A new feature m this edition of the code is a rule by which, if any child above the age of eight years is presented m the preparatory class, the teacher is required to give a written explanation of the reason for not presenting the child for examination for the first standard. An additional Order-in- Oouncil, issued last week, provides for j a lenient interpretation of the dr» wing requirements during the current year, and of all new requirements for the first six months of the year.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Splendid fruit yields are being returned from the orchards at the irrigation colony at ftenmark, South Australia, The total sales m real estate made by the different auctioneers and agents m Sydney during the past yeir are stated to have amounted to £1,100,000. At the Wapiti sale of thoroughbred stock bidding for the brood mare Antelope (sister to Sultan and Prime Warden) with a filly foal by Nordenfeldfc, reached 275 guineas, but the reserve was 300 guineas. The natives are giving the settlers m the northern part of Western Australia a lot of trouble. Cattle and sheep are being killed wholesale, and the whites are m constant fear of being massacred The South Australian Licensed Victuallers' Association is so annoyed at the action of the Government m accepting the Sunday closing clause that it has requested the president not to attend the banquet to Sir John Bray prior to his departure for England. Mr Isaac Gibba, who joined the New Zealand Shipping Company at Christchuroh sixteen years ago, and who during the last ten years has^held the position of Secretary to the Company, has been appointed General Manager for New Zealand and Australia. Mr Sydney Black, who is advertised to hold a gospel, meeting at Springburn on Wednesday evening, is a London preacher and social reformer. He is at present making a tour of the world, and recently preached at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, to packed and enthusiastic audiences of 3000 people. 'She "Australian Stir" says:—The " Sydney Morning Herald " has devoted a column to lecturing members of Parliament who attend the House drunk. There are only a couple who do so, and they are unlikely to be again returned. The present Parlia- I ment is an exceptionally sober one. The Auckland " Herald " says—A gentle man who had held a Commission of the Peace for several years, and who hails from the South Island, is atpresent bushwhacking by the day at Eketahuna. Ifaving recently reported himself to the cji stable, he now takes his turn on the Bench with the rest of the J,P'«, and has already proved himself no novice, A smart earthquake shock was felt m Dunedin about 8.22 on Monday aitwfnoon, the apparent direction bsing North and South. An Invercargill telegram says that an earthquake was felt all over Hia district at 3.19 p.m. yesterday. The oscillation was from East to West, the movement befog slight. In some places a rumbling sound preceded she vibration. ''Keating's Powdek" destroys JJiigs, Fleas, Motha, Beetles, and all other insects whilst quite harmless to domestic anhrals. In exterminating Beetles the success of this powder is extraordinary.. Jt is perfectly clean m application. See the article you mirchase is " Keatin«'s," as imitations s&rcs&rc oxious and ineffectual. Sold m Tins, 6d, 1% and 2s 6d each, by all chemist 3.

Arrangeiutoif^.are heinn: m:ule for the celebration of Lt&s Jubilee of (ho temperance • movement m Victoria, tv ■ i falls on tl;e \ 22nd of February, 1892, that being the date on.which the Melbourne Total Abstinence Society was established. j The Prophecy Investigation Society of j Great Britain predicts England's loss of Ireland and India before 1893. After earthquakes, etc., one and forty thousand "living Christiana" will be transported to ; heaven without dying, on March 5, 1896. The millennium is to begin m April, 1892. At the s ile of the Governor's furniture, horses, and cirriiiges, etc., at Chrisrchurch to-day, ten horses brought £29312». The four in-hand team was purchased by Mr Werry, Wellington, the leaders at 36gs each, and the wheelefo at £21 and £41. Four carriages, exclusive of the coach which was not ottered sold for £267. The most recent additions to our list of public entertainers, Mr George Kelly, makes liis first public appearance—he has made many business visits—to Ashburton to-night with the phonograph. Wonderful as was the instrument shown here a few months ago by Professor Alexander, Mr Kelly's phono graph is still more so, as it has Edison's very latest improvements, and speaks, sings and plays far more distinctly than the older instrument. Among the songs that will be repeated to-night is one by Mr A. Millar, whose singing created such a, furore at last night's concert, and many of the other records are of great interest. The Phono graph on this occasion is the centre of an entertainment which is of itself a great at traction, and there should be a crowded house. The Committee of the Canterbury Agri cultural and Pastoral Association, at their meeting yesterday, did a graceful act m giving' the Committee of the forthcoming Fire Brigades' Demonstration the use of the Show Grounds for the two days free of charge. The self-denying work done by the fire brigades m the interest of the public is well-known, but not so often practically re cognised as m the case of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association. At a meeting of the Committee of the Can terbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association on Monday, Mr.) ohn Deans made a gift to the Association m the shape o* all the prize moneys won by him at the'recent Sliow. This amounts to over £-10, and as was well said by Sir John Hall, m moving the vote of thanks, is an additional proof of the deep practical interest felt by Mr Deans m the progress of the Association. This is not, it may be noticed, the first time on which Mr Deans has acted thus liberally to the Asso ciation. Intelligence comes to hand from Australia to the effect that the Australian trotting record for three miles was broken recently at Sandoyvn Park, when Hero (late Rene gade) ran that distance m 7min 52£ sec, the fastest three miles previously accomplished m Victoria having been by Jumbo at Elsternwick Park last October twelve months, when the record was reduced to Bmin 3|sec. The "Sportsman" ttites thit Hero seemed only to be going rapidly over the last four or five furlongs, and, therefore, if the distance on the course be correct, he must have cut out the last half mile at racing speed. At Colmar, m the churchyard, there is a curious monument, which was erected by citizens of Colmar m memory of two French men who were shot by the Germans when the latter entered the town. Viewed from a distance it looks like ah ordinary sLib, but on examining it more closely it is ob served that one side is slightly raised, and from the grave comes a hand, which grasps the edge of the stone j whilst at another part a whole arm is stretched out, and is en deavouring to grasp a real French bayonet which lies near. The whole has the ap pearance of a person who has been buried alive trying to escape from the tomb. The hand and arm are of bronze, and life size. " Vanity Fair" declares that a lady who recently visited the churchyard, and who came upon this realistic structure unawares, fainted from terror. As an instance of how news gains m travel we quote the following paragraph j which is now tsoing the rounds of our j coutempories :—"The "Ashburton Mail" says :—-A line of 13,600 bushels of wheat was sold recently at 6s Gd per bushel, ex store at Chertsey ; 10,000 bushels were pearl and the ballance Hunter's white. Another line of 90,000 bushels were sold at the same price and time. Mr Peter Dogg was the seller, and the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company the buyer. " The original appear 3d m the Mail so long ago as October 13, as follows :—" A line of 13,600 bushels wheat was sold on Friday at 4s 6d per bushel, ex store at Chertsey; 10,000 bushels were Pearl and the balance Hunter's White. Another line of 9000 bushels were sold at the same price and time. Mr Peter Doig was the seller and the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company the buyer." The Dunedin correspondent of the "Taieri Advocate " writes—" The'police, acting no doubt under instructions from their chief, have taken a " dead set" against all games of chance, and m consequence the " wheels of fortune," monkey tables, and all similar establishments are being swept away sio matter when and where they are set up m Otago, while m Canterbury, TS rolson, and Wellington the police look ou them with stolid indifference. At the races held m Dunedin m November several captures were made, and at the Caledonian sports held last week two ' games' were netted, the owners were fined m the police court, and the appliances forfeited to the Government. As a result of this strict—and I have no doubt justifiable—enforcement of the law a race course or a sports gathering is now nob so lively as m tiuns past. The heavy-weight machine, where you can test your lifting powers, the 'striking jack,' which showß the force of your blow made with a hammer, galvanic batteries, and similar harmless erections now occupy the stands formerly taken up'by the games of chance, many of which, m my opinion, were quite as free from corruption as the down-trampled monkey and his mates."

WATERTON.

[FROM OUR COIiRjKSI'OJN'DENT.]

A social evening, m connection with the ! breaking up for the harvest; of Mr Oshome's I singing class was spent m the Wesley an Church on Thursday, and proved to be very enjoyable. The members, with their friends, to the number of about seventy, met m the church, and the entertainment, which was of a musical cluraoivr, interspersed wii,h short addresses, was presided over by the "Rev J. H. Gray. Solos were rendered m a pleasing manner by Mr Dacres, Mrs Wheeler, and Rev Mr Gray ; an anthem by the Misses Wheeler (2), Mr Joseph Wheeler, and Mr Osborne ; a glee and modulator practice l->y the class; while Mr Osborne read a paper on " Music," interspersed with several practical illustrdtioiro of the points raised. Addresses were given by the Rev J. H. Gray, Mr J. Wheeler, and Mr Watson, the latter referring to the benefits Mr Osborne had conferred on the church and the district by the establishment of hi& sol-fa class. Mr Watson, on behalf of the class, presented Mr Osborne with a very neat and handsome ebony baton, neatly mounted with fine silver, beatifully chased and bearing the inscription "J. Osborue, from the members of the members of his Waterton singing class. December, 1891," suitably engraved. The whole was encased m a beautiful morocco casket, lined with rich velvet. Mr Osborne feelingly replied, and hoped each member of the class would do his best to bi-ing other-! to it, and t.hiia extend its usefulness. The party then adjourned for supper, which had been laid along the whole length of one side of the church m a very neat manner by the ladie3. It consisted of a cold eolation of ham, geese, fowl, etc., with substance of a lighter description. Too much praise cannot be given-to Mesdames Shutt, Donaldson, Moses, Weston, Watson, Edge, and Pearson, for their efforts m this direction. All having partaken of the good things provided, various votes of thanks were accorded, and the meeting dispersed, all feeling satisfied with their evening's enjoyment, and cherish ing a kindly social feeling to a'l. The annual treat m connection with the local Sunday School was held on Friday m the beautiful grounds of Mr J. Grigg, which had been kindly placed aD their disposal by that gentleman. The d^y was beautifully fine and the children, with several of their parents, at one o'clock made their way to the pic-nic. On reached the grounds the children commenced to enjoy themselves m various ways; some strolling about the garden walks, admiring the flowers, while others took the advantage of having a sail on the small lake m front of the house, much to the surprise of the pair of white swans that were gracefully sailing on the waters. The Misses Grigg (4), Mrs J. C. X. Grigg, Mid the Rev Mr and Mrs Farley, with the Superintendent of the school were present, and took great interest m the proceedings. At about four o'clock the children were brought together, and being seated on the grass were provided with refreshments, which were partaken of m a hearty manner, the appetites of the little ones sharpened by the long drive to the grounds, together with their hour's strolling about. Tea being over, the prizes were distributed by Miss Annie Grigg, each child receiving a prize. Mr Donaldson, the superintendent, then shortly addressed the children, urging them to greater diligence m their Sunday School work, and called for three cheers for the Misses Grigg and Mrs Grigg for the use of the grounds. The same were also given for Mr and Mrs Donaldson, for the thanks of all interested are due to Mr Donaldson, and Mesdame3 Donaldson and Watson, and the Misses Grigg (4), Hepworth, Donaldson, and Dawkins for their efforts m making the pin-nica success. At six o'clock all returned home fully satisfied with their day's outing.

AUSTRALIAN FINANCES.

The financial position of the Austral asian colonies, , more particularly of Victoria and New South Wales, is just at present a favorite topic with the London papers, and scarcely a day passes but the opinion of one or another of them is cabled. Both Victoria and New South Wales are m such a position that they are compelled to raise money somehow, at any cost, and of course the unwillingness of the financiers to lend has increased m equal ratio with the necessities of the borrowers. The more recent loans of both these colonies have only been raised by a narrow shave, but their Governments have not taken warning, and have gone on incurring liabilities which can only be discharged by further borrowing, and now the London lender refuses to meet the demand. Loans m the regular order of such transactions being refused, the respec tive Governments decided to try the expedient of throwing upon the London market Treasury bonds to an amount sufficient to tide over im mediate requirements, but the London financiers are still obdurate. Their attitude was conveyed m a letter from one of the heads of the London and Westminster Bank (an institution which has largely tendered for Aus tralian loaus, and which is understood to hold a very large stock which cannot be unloaded upon the public—a circum stance which may have caused the restriction of the dividend which is about to be declared, and the consequent fall m the value of the Bank's shares), to Sir Graham Berry, the Victorian Agent-General, dated m last October, which stated that the attention of the directors had been called to a discussion m the Legislative Assembly of Victoria m the previous month, m the course of which the Treasurer stated that after appropri ating the whole of the proceeds of the loan issued this year there would remain a deficit of £1,500,000 m regard to public works already under taken, and foreshadowing that at least that amount would have to be raised m the near future merely for the purpose of placing the finances of the colony m order. In view of this state ment, the directors urged upon the Agent-General to acquaint the Treasury without delay that any further appli cation to the London market on behalf of the colony, even for the compara tively moderate sum of £1,500,000 would be not only most undesirable, but probably quite impracticable for some time to come, and that m consequence the Treasurer should take other steps to meet any pressing requirements. In forwarding this letter to the Premier of Victoria, Sir Graham Berry remarked : " I hold the opinion so strongly that the Victorian Government has, for the present at least, reached the limit of indebtedness m London, that my last and probably best legacy as Agent-Generaj to your sjelf: and the colony generally is tq accentuate the warning contained m Mr Billinghurst's letter. It was a mere accident, a lucky one it is true, that I was able early m July last to place with a firm or syndicate the balance of the loan originally offered m the previous April. «o far from Victorian stock thenceforth improv ing, the contrary lias been the case, until now qnv 3£ per cents are quoted $t 93£r to 94, Vhilst since July £1 interest has accrued. Thus you will perceive this stock is ,£3 IQs per cent below the price the syndicate paid for the last £1,000,000. I need but add what is certainly well knqwn to ypurself, tljat thg newp from.

Victoria and Austral.-isia generally has ' not, recently at least-; been of a character to restore confidence. Under these circumstances, the indication, apparently on authority, that it was the intention of the Government to appeal shortly to the London market for at least a million and a half, if not a larger sum, is calculated to spread dismay among the numerous holders of Victorian stocks, and to cause a further depreciation m all colonial securities. Australian investments, from one cause and another, have never been m such a gloomy position since I have been m London, and probably for many years before. I do not mark this letter either private or confiden tial, because I believe the wider the information is ■■spread the more likely it will be that by consenus of public opinion the idea of further borrowing m London will be abandoned. It is to be regretted tliat some federal action cannot he taken m this matter. A re solution simultaneously passed by all the Legislatures stating no further loans would be offered m London for at least two years, and thenceforth only for moderate amounts, would act like magic on the situation m London." The position of the Victorian Treasury is that at the time the Premier moved for leave to issue these Treasury bills the loan moneysinhand were £402,553. But the Government had advanced from the Treasury for railways £219,000, and the contracts for con struction necessitated £80,000 a mor;*h Until June 30 next. The revenue was lot coming m so well as expected, and ' uhe limit of taxation had been reached, so that borrowing was the last resort. During the discussion the situation was put thus : "We were now borrowing two millions a year, and m order to pay the interest on the money already borrowed we were sending out of the colony two millions a year. Therefore we were receiving no money at all from the old country. The amount we had to send away must increase, and the amount we received must decrease, and ultimately it meant ruin." New South Wales is m a very similar position. On the same day on which Victoria determined, m default of being able to raise a loan, to issue Treasury Bills to the extent of £2,000,000, the Trea surer of the New South Wales Govern ment introduced a Bill giving power to issue Treasury bills to the amount of £4,000,000. The colony has £50,000,000 of debentures out, and another loan cannot be attempted. The loan expenditure this year had been to the end of November £4,699,000, and during next year it would be from £300,000 to £350,000 a month. The state of affairs m both colonies is simply that they have " outrun the constable." The revenue from every possible source has been anticipated, and liabilities are accruing without there being any prospect of funds to meet them. Extensive works have been entered upon without any pro vision having been made for payment for them, and even if the amount sought at present wore obtained, it would have to be repaid m from two to four years, and the borrowers would then be m no better case than they are m now. The position is very serious, and our neighbors .are not to be envied the task of restoring their financial equilibrium.

M. LEON DRIVER'S CONCERT.

There was a good house at the Odd fellows' Hall last evening, among those present being most of the amateur musical talent m. the community, attracted by the fame as a pianist of M. Leon-Driver,whose performance will long be remembered by those who had the pleasure of listening to them as a treat of a very high order. He was assisted by some of the best vocal talent of Christchurch, and alto gether a programme of rare quality was submitted. The opening items were the tenor song, " Non c ver," Mr T. Acland, and " A Hundred Fathoms Deep," Mr A. Millar ; the latter performer, who has a splendid bass voice reaching a full, rounded, lower D, being loudly encored and responding with (' The Bugler," ad mirably sung. Thus introduced, M. Leon-Driver gave the audience a taste of his quality m one of his " Paganini Ktudes," m which his brilliant chromatic runs and wonderf nl chords and handsf ul of harmonics—to coin an expression, fairly took the house by storm, and ensured a re-demand, m acknowledgment of which a most exquisite performance of an elaborate fantasia on the theme of the well-known air, "Killarney," was accorded, 'to the manifest delight of the audience. Mrs Edgar's song, " When the Heart is Young," was the exposition of a sweet and well-trained voice, and was followed by the encore, " When Love was a Boy," equally well given. Next came M. Leon - Driver's '■ Souvenir d' Ameriquo," the theme of which is the melody, "'Way down upon the Suwanee River," elaborated and pursued through a maze of variations and harmonies by a master of musical intricacies, whose absolute control of his instrument establishes that entire confidence on the pare of the listener which ensures perfect enjoyment. Again followed a hurricane 01 encores, which subsided only on M. Driver's return and according a magnificent performance of the "Marseil laise." Mrs Edgar opened the second part of the bill with Tosti's " Back to the Old Love," encore;!, followed by Blumenthal's " The Message," Mr Acland, who, m response* to a recall, gave another very choice selection, "The Rosebud." To this succeeded a really wonderful per formance Avith the left hand by M. Driver m a fantasia on f' Auld Robin Gray," a delightful and intricate composition of his own, rendered with marvellous skill. It was, it is needless to say, encored, and m response, a very choice selection of Scottish airs was good-naturedlyconceded. Mr Millar, who followed with "The Mighty Deep," was the recipient of a double encore, giving as one of his encore songs, "The Boys of the Old Brigade," and, as the other, a magnificent rendering of "The Wolf." The lights were lowered, and then followed a wonderful perform ance by M. Dri'/er m ' his " Storm at Sea," a composition alone well worth going to hear ; and a concert unique m its attractions to lovers of music concluded with a brilliant fantasia on " Home, sweet Home." M. Driver, we under stand, goes next to Timaru and Oamaru and thence to Dunedin, and we can promise our Southern friends th.at m his performances they have a genuine treat m store. '

THE WEATHER.

ALbOIID STATION,

The following is the Meteorological report for the week ending January 10, 1892 :-

FARM NOTES.

Lime, which is essential to the life o muse plants, may (sayd the " Adelaide Observer ") be unavailable to those plants oven m a limestone country, because limestone is not lime. Lime is strongly alkaline and corrosive ; but limestone is neutral and inert. Lime has a strong affinity for water, combining about one third of its weight of it, and also for carbonic acid. In combining, it exerts a strong chemical action, evolves much heat, and m decomposing organic matter it takes up carbonic acid and Water. Limestone does nothing of this kind. Lim-i is soluble m water ; limestone is not, except slightly when the water con tains carbonic acid. This explains why limestone soils are as much benefited by an application of lime as sandy soils are when they contain no lime. Pounded limestones even can have no useful effect unless the soil contains carbonic acid. Peaty soils are much benefited by an application of lime.

"American farmers," writes Mr William Bear, m his weekly farming notes, "are often ignoruntly held up as models for farmers m this country. Except m re lation to the use of machinery, however, the general knowledge of crop culture m America is fifty years behind that pre vailing m Great Britain. Questions settled a generation ago m this country are discussed us of novel interest m the United States, and forage crops familiar to our forefathers are subjects of ex perimental growth by our American cousins. Again, the advantages of using artificial manurps, long m common use among our farmers, ace gravely discussed m the United States. It is .still found necessary to demonstrate the value of superphosphate on the other side of the Atlantic, and even the great efficiency of nitrate of soda is only partially known there. Moreover, the proper time of ap plying the nitrate is still unsettled, as shown by recent experiments at the Indiana trial station, where most of the manure was applied m the autumn, a wasteful practice long discredited here, as half the manure is "often carried away by the rains of winter when it is sown before the spring."

There are a few breeders of horses m the colony who endeavour to raise really good stock, and who are very careful m the selection of dams and sires, and also devote proper attention to the rearing of the foals. The majority of farmers, how ever, conducb what little horse-breeding they go m for m a hap-hazard sort of fashion, and pay but little attention to the mares and foals after the birth of the latter. If the breeding of draught horses is to bo successfully carried out, the mare should not be worked while suckling the foal, or at anyrate very seldom, and but for a short, time. Here the mare has usually to take her share of the harvest wor:f, the foal meanwhile being shut up, it being scarcely safe to allow young foals to run about a harvest field. If (he maie has b^e'i working m thr* h-n 1-. fi>i* several houis liiio [jiuhdAy ieturus to the foal steeped m prespiration and with the milk bag painfully distended. The foal, after its long fast, goes greedily at the heated and watery milk, and distends its stomac'i unduly, which must bo injurious, seeing that Nature intends that foals, like lambs, should take their nourishment "little and often." The mare, too, like the ewe, should be free to devote her whole time and strength to the duties of maternity until the foal is weaned. Before a foal is weaned it should be taught to take a little dry food occasion ally, so that it will not feel the l^ss of the mother's milk so much, and experience a too great and sudden change m diet. The size and censtitution of a horse is gener ally inaae or marred according to its treatment during its first winter. In order to give the foal the best advantage, some breeders let it suck its dam all through the winter, a little dry food being given daily as well, and the weaning being done m the spring instead of the autumn. By doing this the mare is de barred from breeding every year, but the gain to the foal ia supposed to make up for that. The best plan, however, is, briefly, to treat the foal m such a way that it maintains a good healthy condition and a vigorous growth right along without a cheok or any loss of its youthful plump ness of figure and silkiness of coat.— " Agricola" m " Otago Witness."

A large tenant farmer on the Lincoln, shire Wolds, speaking at an agricultural dinner last October, related a lively ex perience of farming during the year. The spring of 1891 was a dry and favour able seed time, and he thought it would be a good thing to sow a good deal of early barley. It came up all right and went on well until the weather turned to winter coldness again. Seeing it began to look sick he gave the crop a liberal top^ dressing of artificial manure, which caused it to improve so much that he wag reckon ing upon a splendid yield, and patting himself upon the back for putting m a lot of early barley. But, alas! at mid summer the rain came down m torrents, and down also went his grand crop of barley. After a while things began to improve a little, and he found some of the barley standing, and thought he should not do so badly after all! Ere long, however, came a terrible gale, which twisted off all the heads of the standing crop, and the return from his early barley was nil. Then again, with regard to his turnips, he had an early and favourable sowing, and the summer rains that drowned his barley were np,t so bad tor the roots. He thought they were going on first-rate, but when attending the local cattle show he heard everybody talking about the diamond-backed moth and t'h,e misjohief it was doing. The Lincolnshire farmer had never heard of it before, but felt anxious about his swedes, and on getting home hurried away to see them. He found no thing but the skeletons of the leaves, and the field m the light of the evening sun he said, "looked like gossamer." He had heard that Miss Ormerod recom mended dressing with nitrate of sods,, and adopted that plan. The nitrate, however did the swedes no good, bufc hastened the growth of weeds to such an extent that the farm hands could nob cope with them. Haymaking came on, and still the raiii fell m torrents. He made some ensilage and tried to make some hay, but had to give it up as a bad job and S3e about his wheat harvest. The rain continued with but brief intervals of fine weather all through harvest, and they had to get the corn together the, best way they could. Even with this combination of circum stances against him, he would not own to being defeated, for he concluded the ge lation of his direful experience by saying 4t I'have'not the slightest doubt that there are many farmers m Lincolnshire, and m other parts qf England fixed the same way as myself, but we must keep P.e§ginjj sway an<i 4o the best we qpj,"

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN

(I'Bfl, PUBSS* ASSOCIATION,

THE KAIKOURA AND RUA HINE.

London. January ». j R.M S. Kaikoura sailed from Ply mouth to-day for'Porfc Chalmers. Tlie New Zealand Shipping Com pany's new steamer Euahine is, loading for Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, and is announced to sail on 2Obh inst. The Duke of Sutherland is to load for Port Chalmers and northern ports. THE DUKE OF CLARENCE. Lojsuon, January 10,: The Duke of Clarence and Avondale is confined to his bed at Saiidringhapi, suffering from a severe attack of in^ fluenza and pneumonia. LORD JERSEY'S GOVERNOR SHIP. The "St. Stephen's Renew" pub lishes a eulogistic article on on : the Earl of Jersey's Governorship, and states that he is equally acceptable to the Radicals and Tories m New South Wales. It adds that he is the best Governor the colony has hud. , THE MELBA DIVORCE CASE. The Melba divorce will not be ready to be heard at next sittings of the Divorce Court. THE INFLUENZA.' ■• The deaths are announced of the Catholic Archbishop of Utiecht and the Archbishop of Canibrai from in fluenza. THE MOROCCO DIFFICULTY. London, January 11. It is rumoured that the British Minister at Tangiers desired to occupy the place by force with British sailors, but the French and Spanish protested. The "Spectator," referring to the position m Morocco, suggests that France should take Tangiers and Gibraltar revert to Spain, France at the same time agreeing not to molest England m Egypt and East Africa.

THE DEATH OF THE KHEDIVE.

Cairo, January 10. The overdose of morphine which was given to the Khedive by ignorant Egyptian doctors undoubtedly has tened his death. AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY. It is officially announced that the Right Hon. Sir Francis Clare Ford, British Ambassador m Madrid, has been appointed to succeed the late Sir W. A. White m Constantinople.

THE RUSSIAN LOAN.

St. Peteksbukg, January 10. The Russian Government deny the statement that they are about to issue a French loan.

THE ENTOMBED MINERS.

New lork, January 10. Distressing scenes have taken place at the mouth of the mine at Krehs. It is feared that hte remainder of the entombed miners are dead.

THE PRINTERS' STRIKE.

Berlin, January 10. The German printers hope that Australia will send them monetary assistance*

AUSTRALIAN.

ISSUE OF TREASURY BILLS. Sydney, January 11. The Colonial Treasurer has ordered the immediate issue of a million and a quarter's worth of Treasury Bills of two years' currency at four per cent.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, January 11. From 100 to 120 men are waiting at Te Kuiti for the beginning of work on the North Island Trunk Railway line. They have had some trouble, because no provi sion was made by the Government for the supply of food to them and the local store' keepers would not give credit to those who were strangers. However, 400 loaves were baked at Otatorohanga for the men and sent to Te Kuiti on Saturday. A correspondent of the " Herald," writ ing from Ohaupo, complains that the starting of the Government works has absorbed the labor which would have been available at harvest time, and that there is thus a soarcity of farm workers. A little girl, four years old, daughter of John O'Brien, of Kuaehunu, was so seriously burned, her clothes having caught fire, that she died after lingering for three hours. The warship Tauranga was floated out of dock after a thorough overhaul. Miss Juliana Boyd, niece of the late Canon Boyd, of Leeds, died yesterday at her house m Ponsonby road. Miss Boyd was of considerable literary repute, and was an ardent antiquarian. At a meeting to-night on behalf of the Melanesian Missisn a vote of sympathy with Bishop Selwyn m the break-down of his health was unanimously agreed to. The Dingadee arrived from the South to-day m temporary charge of Captain Dawson, as the master of. the vessel, Captain Stuart, is seriously ill at Gisborne. A man named Glinny, whilst on a visit to a friend m Helena Bay district, died suddenly last night. . The death rate from influenza m Auck land is very low. Not one case of the malady occurred during the past six months until December 18, and since that dace there have been only six deaths. Wellington, January it. Nearly half a million trout have been distributed fvom the hatching grounds at Masterton during the year. The partridges which were imported some time since by Lord Onslow and pre sented to the Wellington Acclimatisation Society will be used £or breeding pur pases, ' A varied collection of game birds has been brought out to the "Wellington Ac climatisation Society under the care of the chief engineer of the s.s. Tonic. Amongst the most valuable birds are a golden pheasant cock and two hens. Leav ing London, there were also two English pheasant cocks and six hens, but two of the hens are since dead. Six Hungarian partridges (a kind which is coming into favor m England) were received on board, but shortly after leaving four died, evi dently having been injured m the hamper during transit to the ship. M. Nicoliai sent from Madame Patti'h estate m WaJes a pair of English partridges, which have arrived safely. A pair of silver pheasants, shipped by Mr .1. Dufchie, M.H.R., have arrived m good order. A passenger on board the eteamer lias also a large number of magnificent pri^e fo\\ls of the Indian black game, white Cochin China, and Plymouth Ro,ck breeds. The officers of the lon^c state that the failure of the attempt to bring lobsters to New Zealand for acclimatisation was due to the defective preparation made m London. The crus taceans we^e put on board m large tanks, but the consigners had lined the tank with coal tar, which poisoned them all early m the voyage,

Dunki'lK, January 11. The farewell banquet cr> be given to the Governor has been tix<id for February 6. A man named Wiiliam McFee wus com mitted for trial to-day for burglariously enteriuc a dwelling, and stealing goodj to 1 the valuo of £'.'3. An intimation has boen rocuived from Dr Maunsell, who went home i-ome time .%"), that nwing to the ulnUs of liis he slth he does not intend t<. r.. turn.

ROAD BOARD.

SOUTH RAKATA.

At the usual monthly meeting of the South Ra'wiia Road Boaid there were pre.sont Messrs Coster fchiurxnau), Lyrtleton, Sfcringfellow, rf'riif Mdteni). The Clerk's report was read and considered. Mr McLean reported having lee the I work on road near old barracks to J. It. Cole for £-4155.—Approved. It was decided to strike a general r&to of three-eighths of a penny m the pound for the year ending March 31, 1&92, payable m one sum onFebruary29 f 1892. It was also decided to call *a general meeting of ratepayers on February 4, to consider the questien of closing road through rural sections 15846, 15844, and 15647. Mr Hardy, as representative of the Domain Board, called the Board's atten tion to Ihe river encroaching on the.large plantation. It was resolved to; request the County Council to permit the^En gineer to inspect and report on sirae. (At last meeting of the county, the Beard's request w;is granted.) Mr T. Richards applied for additional money for work done m moving the sand drift on Hoggs whare road. After consideration, it was decided to allow an extra £5. The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrotb respecting exchange of roads with Mr Lambie, and approving of othei-8 ; he aLio stated that he would visit Rakaia and inspect the piece of laud near the old barracks applied for for a road. Messrs Lough rey and Lane wrote re gravel pit on Anderson's, and other matters. The Chairman was authorised to sign the transfer to Mr Lambie, on behalf of the Board. Contractor Mnodio received an exten sion of time on his contract, and J. Duncan was granted a month's leave on i-he usual conditions. The Receiver of Land Revenue wrote re Village Settlement, aud access to Acton paddocks. A number of circulars and letters were disposed of. The paysheet, £129 Od sd, was passed for payment and the meeting adjourned.

Polynesian Society.

[PJGR VRKSB ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, January 11. At a meeting of gentlemen interested m the formation of a Polynesian Society, Major Gudgeon, Judge of the-Native Land Court, presided. Mr S. Percy Smith, the Surveyor- General, m moving that the society be formed, explained that m lesponse to a circular issued by him, one hundred and twelve members had joined the proposed society. They were scattered over the whole area of Australia and Polynesia, and numbered among them some of the most dimin»uished linguists and ethnolo gists who had vi-sited or dwelt- m Oceania. The response from Honolulu was particularly encouraging as more than twenty members had been enrolled there. It had been long considered a desirable thing that efforts should be made to rescue from oblivion the fast-fading knowledge of the past among the natives of New Zealand and. the South Seas.. It Avas intended to issue, if possible, a quarterly journal of transactions, which should contain papers oh the history, archreology, language, customs, and poetry of Poly nesia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and the whole Pacific people. The motion was seconded by Mr Tre gear and carried. Office-bearers were elected as follows :— Patron, Her Majesty the Queen of Hawaii; President, Mr Seth Smith, Chief Judge of the Native Land Court; Council—Messrs J.R.Blair, Dr Carrol (Sydney), Eladon Best, S P. Smith, E. Tregear, aridithe Key. W. J. Habens; Secretaries and 1 reasurers—Messrs S. P. Smith, F. R. G. 8. and Edward Tregear, F.R.G.S. Meetings of the society are to be held m Wellington for the nest two years, and after that time as shall be decided at the annual meetings. Sir George Grey and Mr Fenton (late Chief Judge of the Native Land Court) were elected honorary members, and Mr Otis Mason, of the Museum, Washington, U.S., and the Rev. Mr Hammond were elected corres ponding members. .

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

(PEK I'RESS ASSOCIATION.)

, Tli« Pithiatuift PolnMiiip c«»*». Wellington, January 12, Ifc is not; expected that any evidence will be adduced at the inquest m the Pahiatua poisoning case inculpating any one. All the researches so far have failed to elucidate the cauiie of the catastrophe, but some of the victims are still too weak to make any statement.

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions exptessed by Our correspondents.)

LEON-DRIVER'S ENTERTAIH MENT.

TO THJ3 EDITOR, Sib, —I trusts m the interests of this town you may give insertion to a few words expressing my disappointment at the arrangements of last evening. It is certainly not the first time that j'oun« men m the back seats have been allowed to torment an assembly of the kind with hideous noises. Considering, however, the high class nature of the entertainment last evening, and the number of leading citizens who were present with their wives and families, I was filled with astonishment and dismay to find that no measures had been taken for the pro tection of the audience. If you w3ll reflect how seldom ifc may be thp lot of some of us to be able to arrange to spend an even ing m so pleasant a manner, aooompanied by the members of our families to whom it might be a treai long to be remembered, I think you will agree with me that ifc is matter for deep and lasting regret that tha painful memory of colonial larrikinism should be'permittsd to mar it. l' Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast;" but these savages have not yet learned to ap preciate such music as we heard last night. The grunt of a pig, the hiss of a goose, would not be such an interruption as the loud and vulgar whistling, the sounds of eructation, when a singer is about to com mence. The great pianist himself, dis tracted by the noises, paused twice when about to commence his chef d'ceuvre, until a well known citizen raised his voice and threatened the offenders with the police. So far from their being expelled, the elite of Ashburton> m the abaenoe of any chair man or of any on© whose duty it is to pre serve order, must listen time and again to the jawing and discordant noises of these lawless lads, who can enter a.fc the lowest price and occupy elevated seats where the noises are better heard, There they

TBE ASHBtfRtON mMbtAtf: TUESDAY, JANUARY Vl, JB9g.



\ -■ :' : Shade/™, ■f .■vDatft V —f— -*--- I '. : ': ■' Low.'High Monday ... 44' 76- Tnesday ... 41* 52" Wednesday 39* 67" Thursday... 47 ■ 63* Friday ... 44- 78- Saturday ... 49- 78- Sunday .| 49* 80"

High; Sun.

76 --110' 143 --125 ■ 148 *i 160-; 93'

State of Weather I

Rain S. W.

|Fine, Calm .Showers jFine, E. i „ Calm. Rain 



Ask for Ninian HysJop, and Cq.?s Imperial new seasons Pure Ceylon and Indian Teas. Special prioes.—(Advt,) Ninian Hyslop and Cq.'s "Imperial Oeylon and Indian Teas are direct from tjfft Tea PlwtatiQna.-WAdyfc,)



The best medicine known is SANDER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent powerful effects m coughs, colds, influenza, etc.—the relief is instantaneous, Thousands give the most gratifying testi mony. His Majesty the King of Italy, and medical syndicates all over the globe are its patrons, head the official reports that accom pany each bottle. Mosler, M.D., Professor University, Griefswald, reports : — The Eucalypti Extract proved magnificently such cessful m very severe contusions, bruises, spiains, wounds, scaldings, broken ribs, and limbs, ("Medical Journal," Nov., 1881).' | In diseases of the kidneys, either active con gestion or suppression, (tirocinia) or albumi nuria, dropsy, lithargy, nothing will equal m its action Eucalypti Extract. Doses, five to six drops. Hosier, M.D., Professor, University, Grieswald, reports :—Diphthe ria, Tonsils continually coherent presenting ulcers with white cxudants. Cured m four teen days, Surgical Clinic of Prof. M 'Intyre, College of Physicians and Surgeons, St. Louis —Scirrhua of Breast—Excision Euca lypti Extract employed. No swelling, heat, or discoloration. Cured m fourteen days. —Advt i Hollow ay's Pills.—Nervous irritability t--No part of the human machine requires more constant supervision than the nervous system—for upon it our health—and even life—depends. These pills strengthen the .nerves, and are the safest general purifiers of ■ the blood. Nausea, headache, giddiness, numbftesSj and mental apathy yield to them. They dispatch ij} a summary manner those ! distressing dyspeptic symptoms, stomachic pains, fullness at the pit of the stomach, ab dominal distension, and regulate alike capricious appetites and confined bowls — the commonly accompanying signs of defective or diminished nerve tone. Holiovvay's pjills are particularly recom menended to persons of studious and sedentary habits and irritable state, unless some such restorative be occasionally £aken. TiijK Bp 1? Remedy fob Indigkstion— Norton's Ganioimie PjJls are confident^ recommended as a simple remedy for Indigestion, which is the cause of nearly all the diseases to which we are subjects, Norton's Pills, with justice called the 'Natural Strengthener of the Human Stomach," act as a powerful tonic and gentle pei'iciifcj, ,ar£ mild m their operation, and safe midei? ajjy ejrcuniststnces. Sold 'm bottles, at Is lid, 2s 9d t ljs, byajl tr.edj,eitt,e yendora tlfrpugbQWfc the wPi'ldi !



' Dm'? bk Deceived !—lf you want the best Medieiiie $)e world has ever pro duced, try CoLEMANis AHp Sons Eucalypti Extract. For all affections n| ihe chest and Jungs, consumption, asthma, coughs, colds, gr&yel, and kidney complaints. For influenza it has no equal. Under the distinguished patronage (4 Earl Jersey, Governor of New South Wales ? Lord Carangtow, aa4 the Emperor of Germany. Awarded medals &t> Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, beating $ii competitors', find is tA}& only pure Extract m the yorld. See that ths label bears our trade mark (tree of life and signature iOoleinane &i).i Soncs, Cootamundi'a, $@w Sowth Wales), without this it is a fraud. Price, J.s §d and 2s 6d, Wholesale Dep6t ioj? Mow £oaland: Lich field street, Christchurch, Soto Agents for Ashburton: The Ash burtost fieug Qg^P^ny,—-Aptt. ]



Wanted- CASH Advertisements under chia heading not exceeding SIX-TEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Office. TOOTHING will Coolyau so quickly and -**^ invigorate the system so much as Ice Cream —H. G. Flowbr, Confectioner, East Street. WANTED Known.—Great Bargains iv Ladies' Ca3hmere Hose, Under clothing, Pinafores, &3. Come and sets them. Handsome Xmas presents now giving away.— U. C v ■: Segers, Melford. House. # WANTED KNOWN, a special lot of Hearth.Rugs at Is lid, 2s fid and 2-j lid ; worth about doable. W. H.-I : CoiilJEß.; WA^TKD Known. -At "The Corner' now selling Ladiei/ French Shops. 5s lid. See them'.—W. H. Collier. \ITANTED Known—A Beautiful Line *▼ of French Dress Goods, double width. Is 10|d ; original value, 4s. -H. C. Sbgers, Melford House. WANTED Known.—l have a large stock of Tin and Ironware Goods to Select from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m stock.—J. W. Har.to.ey, East .. treet. ' 6j2(te ■tTtrANTED Known—That you will '▼»'' make no mistake for quality and variety m English and Colonial Boots, and his hiphly 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. 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.— Robkrt Alcorn, Saunders' Buildings. ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed; from 50s cash. Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Marl, Saunders' Buildings. WANTED Known.—For first-class Drapsry and Millinery go to SMford House; cheapest shop m town. (See windows.) Beautiful Xmas presents being given awaj .—H. C. Segers, ?PO Meet the Times.—l am (supplying .JL Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years ,__ Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all descriptions. Inspection invited. — J. W. Harbley, Eas street. 6J201 WANTED Known.- -H. Bairstow has opened those premises m East street next.l. Orr and Co., as a Furniture Warehouse. Latest designs m Vienna Chairs, and Iron Bedsteads on viaw. Having a good stock of well •seasoned figured Rimu and Kauri, he is prepared to take orders for Furniture to any design. Inspection invited. Ilt6l