The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY,JANUARY 22, 1892. AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL SHOW DATES.

Stock-owners and manufacturers of implements and machinery exhibiting at the large agricultural and pastoral shows hav e often suffered inconveni ence from the fact that most of the annual shows m the colony are held •within a very short space of time, and some of them actually clash Avith others. The Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, -which for two or three years bad suffered from the encroachment of other Associations upon its date, endeavored to obtain a conference of the Associations m Canterbury to make such arrangements for holding the shows as would obviate this great inconvenience, but nothing came of it; and the Leeston, Timavu, Rangiora and Ashburton shows are crowded into so brief a time that it is impossible for those who wish to ex hibit at all of them to do justice to themselves, or for visitors to see each allow without great inconvenience. A similar state of affairs has prevailed m the North Island, where show dates have been fixed without the slightest regard for neighbouring Associations, and of course t,he success of some of the shows has been greatly interfered with. With a view to end this state of affairs the Wellington Agricultural and Pastoral Association has decided to ask the kindred associations to join m arranging for a conference, at which a programme shall be drawn up for the series of shows to be held next season, in order that the clashing of dates may be avo'ded. The Secretary of the Canterbury A. and P. Association, Mr M. Murphy, has been asked to take the matter m hand, and we trust that m the interest of all concerned the desired end may be brought about. Some difficulties will no doubt have to be overcome, and concessions made by some of the Associations, but the question ia of such importance to exhi bitors and the public generally that we hope that the Wellington Associa tion will be successful m the praise worthy effort to adjust matters.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At Chriatchnrch yesterday (George Will iam Wright, alias Alfred Holmes, who had been arrested at Auckland, was committed for trial on a charge of obtaining £30 from Adam McPherson at Lyttellon by tho "con fidence trick. " The Australian blacks have a gre.it con tempt for the Chinese, and rob their gardens and spear the occupiers at every opportun ity. One was speared to death a few weeks ago at Palmerston, the deed being done by two partially civilised boys. The spears were barbed with pieces of telegraph wire as sharp aa needles. A report has reached the " Nelson Even ing Mail" that three snakes have been seen at Richmond, near the reservoir. It is thought that perhaps they were brought to Richmond m the water-pipe?. It is stated that the person 3 who saw them attempted to catch them, but that the snakes eluded their would be captors. A good quality of cotton is being grown m the Valley of the Jordan, and Palestine bids fair to become a strong competitor with other cotton-producing countries for the supply of the European markets. It is thought that with the opening of the Holy Land by railroads a large area of land will be devoted to cotton where, m olden times, it was successfully produced. At a meeting on Thursday evening of the sub-Committee having charge of the arrange ments for the excursion to be given to the school children of the district by Mr E. G. Wright, M.H.R., next Friday, arrangements were made to provide as much waggon •accommodation aB possible to convey the younger children to the bush and back again to Springburn. The Committee, however, could not undertake, until certain of the number of waggons available, to carry adults, but would try to do so, if possible, at 6d return fare. Arrangements were also made for providing afc la per head for adults. Writing on the subject of foreign titles, Mr Labouchere m" Truth " says :—I believe the cheapest market for these goods is Portugal. There is a convent there, and all its tenants have a right to call them selves Barons or Viscounts (I think the latter). The convent has one field. For a small consideration it can be rented, and the tenant remains the lessee until someone else wants it, when the prior tenant retires, but retains the title. In Borne the Order of the Golden Spur confers the title of Baron, and this order can be obtained for an exceedingly moderate sum. A papal Dukedom can also be purchased. This is expensive, however, for it costs m fees, etc., about £5000. In Italy, moreover, there are estates frequently m the market which carry a title with them. But why spend money? If I were consumed with a passion for a title I should gjye myaelf one. I have myself— being of a good-natured dis position—made a vast number of Counts. I his is how it was done. I wag an attache at a foreign Court. In those days the main business of an attache was to riser and issue passports. An Englishman of my acquaint ance confided, m« tha-t he wanted to be a Count. " Nothing mom simple, "I said ; '• bring me your old passport a»*d I will exchange it for a new one m which I will dub you Count." This I did, and when it became kn»wn that I bad so many apblications that I gave away three books of passports, and I must have thus made about 150 Counts. Occasionally I meet the son of one of my Counts ; from the height of his nobiiity he looks down upon me. j Statutory Declaration,-^-1, Franz Raabe, Ironbark, Sandhurst, m the colony of Vic toria, Australia, do solemnly and sincerely j declare that on the 25th June, 1877, my s°'« ! Alfred, six years of age, was accidentally \ hui't with an axe on his knee. lat once took | all v&im to secure medical assistance. How ever, iv spite of all efforts, on the 27th August, 1877, tiw opinion was given by JJr Macgillivray tha* an amputation of the injured limb had become iii?i«i^j;ive, m order to save life. At this juneturp I called en Messrs Sander and Sons, procuring some of ■ their Extract of Eucalyptus Globulus, and j by the application of the aaw# J had .the; satisfaction of seeing my son within a fort- j night out of all danger, and to-day fee recovered. I may just add that it was when the crisis had been reached that the Extract referred to was first applied, and I make this soleiQ» declaration, etc.—Franz Raabe, Declared »£ Sandhurst, m the colony of Victoria, Austvai^ this seventeenth day of October, one thousand .ejght hundred and seventy-seven, before me, JSfwfc* £•&»» J p -(Advt.) " I I

The luncheon to th« Governor and Lady j Onalow, afc Christchurch, is to tike place on February 9, if that date suit; li's Excel lency. A meeting of subscribers to the South Rakaia Sports and Rases, and others in terested therein, will be held at the South Rakaia Road Board office to-morrow even ing, to wind up affurs tor the year. Once again has the Duke of Norfolk gone with-his. young son, the Earl of Arundel, to the shrine "of the Virgin at Lourdes. Hi 3 grace is accompanied by his brother 'and the Lady Edir.und Ta'bot. Tims Mr Courtney summarises the position m Ireland :—" Minorities m Ireland are not oppressed ; men are free to deal with one another without coercion or boycotting, and the coercion law ceases to be aoiivc because it is not wanted." Harvesting operations were m full swing on the Longbeach Estate before the rain stopped work. In one piddock on Longbsac'i there were ons hundred and thirty-seven men, forty-seven teams, and three traction engines at work at one time, this will give some idea of the magnitude of the harvest I operations on this oue iarm m the county. i After five days' search the body of Mr H. J. Bowles, who was drowned under | such unfortunate circumstances at Teimika i on Sunday, was found floating upon the I Milford Lagoon yesterday. The police have been greatly assisted m the search by the general public, who have evinced the greatest sympathy with the widow of the deceased, The progress made by the colony's frozen meat trade is shown by a table just gazetted m connection with the census returns. At the census m 1886 the number of hands em ployed m meat-preserving, meat-freezing, and boiling-down works was 838 ; last year the total was 15G8. In 1886 the pvoduce m frozen sheep and lambs was 463,614 carcases, and m frozen beef 1,321,0301 b ; last year the totals under these heads had risen to 1,730,911 carcases of sheep and lambs and 19,153,4191 b of frozen beef. The Hamburg law courts have a nice question to decide. An old gentleman left 20,000 crowns each to his man servant and cook on condition that if either married the whole sum should a;o to the one who re maiued single. Ihe servants married each other and secured the whole 40,000 crowns. A relative, who disapproves of this cuteneas, now seeks to overthrow the will and obtain the return of the money on the ground that by the servants marrying they have de feated the intention of the will.

One of the best storirs told of Lord Lytton refers to the maid-3crvanta whom lie kissed. Buried one day m a dream he entered his carriage with Lady Lytton, when she asked, "Do you know what you did when we came out 1" " I have not the slighest idea," said the Ambassador, when Lady Lytton continued—"You kissed all the maid-servants " The astonishing asser tion made no impression upon the abseut mindeil diplomatist for some while, but at last he answered—-" Let us hope that there were some pretty ones amongst them." Complaints are again being made of the over-hanging boughs m several parts of the town, that are a source of annoyance and danger to passers by. Baring Square is singled out as a special offender m this way, as some of the oHer macrocarpa trees are reaching out long arin3 over the footpath. Some one, offended with the obtrusiveness of a very long branch, has broken it near the trunk, twisted the bough, and turned.it inside the fence. The Borough foreman could do worse than tell off a man for an hour to prune down the boughs a little. That is rather a good football story which comes to hand from one of the colliery dis tricts of England where the Rugby game had been introduced. An enthusiast of the male order had got two teams of colliers together, and the ball m the course of the gxme was drivpn into an adjoining field. The colliers went on scrummaging, and the enthusiast vainly endeavoured to stop the play. The cellier? went on playing and a short but pointed conversation ensue!: "Here, " said the enthusiast, " the ball lias gono into the next field; you must wait till we get the ball." "Oh never mind th' blooming ball. Let's go ou with the game " The following is used with remarkable success at Home now, both for insect life, and also to prevent rabbits eating the green crops, the edges of the field being subjected to it:—l |oz. soft so:>p, dissolved m boiling water; l|oz kerosene oil to be added; add water to make two gallons. Apply with fine syringe at early morn, before sun can affect foliage. Only a thin coating is necessary, and it may require re-doing after wet wea ther. This is excellent for roses, vines, app^e and peach trees, etc., —m fact, any where where animal life is not wanted, and m the above proportions no harm can ensue. Some proceedings m the Nottingham County Court relating to a landlady's liability for the missing jewellery of one of her lodgers have led to the public reappear ance of the once famous Tichborne Claim ant. "Sir Roger "m the witness-box was not able to throw much light upon the points at issue, but his testimony served to show that, m spite of the contemptuous "Pooh!" which escaped the lips of the judge, he still describes himself as " Roger Charles Doughty Tichborne," and continues to endow himself with the title which a hard-hearted jury declined to accord him. "Sir Roger," it appeares, is now "engaged at the " Malt Crop," presumptively a Not tingham tavern. A powerful dramatic organisation under the direction of the Australian Theatrical Management Company, Limited, Melbourne, with the world-famed star actor Mr Walter | Bentley, will appear here on Friday next m a grand production of Shakespeare's sublime tragedy "Hamlet." Mr Bentley and com pany h?.ve just finished one of the best seasons on record at the Princess Theatre, Dunedin. The performance, which is for one night only, will take place at the Odd , fellows' Hall, and judging from reports will prove one of the greatest dramatic treats ever given m Ashburton. Mr Charles Bradley, the acting manager for the company, left Ashburton for Christchurch this after noon after completing arragements for ( opening here.

Some of the Auckland fruitgrowers are making trial shipments of early apples to the London market by the s.s. Otarama. Among the varieties being sent are Graven stein, Bismarck, Emperor Alexander, Sum mer Strawberry, Kerry Pippin, and Mobbs' Royal. This shipment by the Otarama is specially interesting (says the " Herald ") as being the first trial shipment of tho early apples. If it should prove successful it will lead to the local fruitgrowers anticipating the Tasmanians by at least a month m the London market. In the event of a market being found for the early applet", it will lead to the cultivation of these varieties, which would otherwise go out of cultivation. The Nova Scotia and American apples are stored for the London market for the higher price, right up to March and April. It has yet to be solved whether the bright, fresh early New Zealand apples will find a market or suffer m the competition with the American frujt. A well-known American artist resident m Rome relates that, when standing one day near the statue of Apollo Belvedere, she suddenly became aware of the presence of a countrywoman. The new-comer, a well-to-do looking American woman, in troduced herself as Mrs Raggles, of Missouri, and then asked : "Is this Apollo JJedvedere?" Mrs H testified to the identity Qf the work ; and the tourist then saicl, ■'-'donsid^.efj a great statue?" The interrogated' lady Replied jthat it was generally thought to be one of the master r pieces'of the world. '.'Manly beauty," and all that sort of thing J" said, the. lady from the land of the setting sun. ll fen," vex* ponded the now amazed artist, "It is said to be one of the noblest represent* tions of the human frame," "Well," ex olafmed Mrs Raggles closing her Baede kor,' and with arms akimbo taking a last \n& earnest' look %ifc the marble. " I've seen the Apollo BedVedere, andl'ye seen Ragglen -r&nd give me Raggles."—G. D. Weir.

One Thing and Another.

(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.) Paris, December 5. BANK NOTES. A curious point of law has just been settled by one of the Paris Law Courts. Sumo weeks ago a stranger entered the establishment of M. Harburger, a clothier, who lives near the Eastern Station, and wished to purchase a ready made suit of clolhes ; and ho was duly fitted, bu 1, ho said that the only money lio had about him was a 1000-dollar note on an American bank. M. Harbinger said he could easily cliange this at the .station. He took the note, and shortly votunied with the 5000 francs, and, afcor deducting the i rice of the clothes, handed t.ho remainder to his customer. The v«xh "day, a clerk from the money office w;iki;d upon the tailor, and informed him that the note which he had chanced was a counterfeit one, and demanded restitution of the money. M. lUrburger refused to comply with his demand, argu ing that he had taken the note m good faith, and that it was the clerk's business to know- whether it was a good one or not. This, very naturally, led to a law suir, and the judge has decided that M. Harburger must refund the money. He bases his decision on the fuel that M. Harburger accepted the note from his customer as a payment, and so became the virtual possessor of it ? and, therefore, it was changed on his account, and he j must bear <my loss incurred over the transaction. The decision seems particu larly hard on M. Harbureer, who will probably m future refuse all. notes that do not emanate from the Bank of France, and possibly be suspicious of those, SELLING A WIFE. Mme. Chevallier is the manageress of a music hall m the Rue Moret. She is—or was —a married woman, and the proprietor of the establishment, thinking that her domestic and conjugal duties interfered with her professional one, wont to her husband and suggested that he should, for a consideration of 500fr. forego all marital right to the lady, M. Chevallier thought that 500fr. notes were rarer than wives, and he therefore drew up, on stamped paper, the following holograph deed : — "J, the undersigned (here follows the name) undertake to renounce from this day all claim over my wife, aged thirty eight, manageress of a cafe concert m the Hue Moret, m consideration of a sum of 500fr. paid to me by M. Martin, the proprietor of that establishment." In return for this document, M. Martin gave Ohevallier a bill for the sum appointed, due on October 15, 1891, and which the latter discounted with a man named Berry. When the bill became due Berry presented it ; but M. Martin had probably repented of his bargain, for he refused to pay the bill. This led b) legal proceedings, and the discounter of the bill has been non-suited, the Court holding that a wife could nob legally be conveyed, ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES. Some electric locomotives are now being constructed at Belfort. When completed they will be tried on the fireab Northern Railway of France. Firstly, they will be tried on the suburban line from Paris to Sb Denis, and if found to answer satisfac torily they will ply between Paris and Calais, a distance of nearly 100 miles.

MAGISTERIAL.

ASH BURTON—THURS DaY. (Bef jro Mr 0. A. Wray, R.M.) Fleming and Meaclom v. A- M. Pearson, "£22 fov sinking well. For plaintiff.', Mr Pumell ; for defendant, 1 Mr Wilding. There was a lengthy hearing of this case, and evidence was given by Robert Meackm, William Fleming, Edmund Mahocd, J. W. Hardley, and Harry Childs, for the plaintiffs as to the work and terras on which it was to be done. The pipe (2-inch steel) was to be supplied by plain tiffs, as well as the driving plant, and the men employed m sinking the shaft and driving the pipe were to be paid Is 6d per hour. The defendant; was to supply the timber for boarding the shaft, and the pump, i n consequence of an insufficiency of boarding timber the shaft had fallen m holow the boarding, which was only down twelve feet. Defendant was told that the timber was exhausted, and he made ob jections to finding any more. The falling m of the shingle caused an extra four days' labor for five men. The setting of water m any part of Ash burton was a work attended with much uncertainty, and the well sinkers had had on occasions to aban don sinking without tapping water. In this case water had been found and brought to the surface, but the pump threw sand, and plaintiffs had suggested t) Pearson to obtain a laborer at laborer's wages to pump out the sand. The pump was now m gcod order and giving plenty of water, and had been always right enough had defendant seen to the leathers. The defence was that there had been no arrangement o* understanding on the part of the defendant that there was to be a payment of Is 6d an hour or any sum per hour, but that there had been an under taking on the part of Meaclem to give a supply of good water for a sum not exceed ing £10. Besides this, the well had not given water satisfactorily, and was not giving any when the summons was issued. Pearson, the defendant; m evi dence said that m conversation both with Fleming and Meaclem, he said that the estimates he had got from other sinkers had been from £10 to £15, and both assured him that it would not run to more than £10, and that water would be guaranteed. So far as the timber was concerned, Meaclem was told to get what ever he wanted from Mr Collins and Mr Tucker. Never heard any more about the timber till he heard m the Court that clay that there had been an insufficiency of timber. Water was certainly got, but the pump was so stiff, that no man could pump it. Sent two men to pump it, but they left the job as it was too heavy. The pump was tried two or three times a week previous to the issue of the summons, but ie could not be worked. J. J. Francis, tenant of the house, said that when the well was sunk and the pump fixed, there certainly was water; but it took too much labor to work it, and wit ness preferred to carry water from the next section. The water was also thick and sandy. Henry Dudley, had seen the pump some time ago, and there was no water to be got because the cylinder was not m order. Had seen the pump the flay before, and had found it girng plenty of water, bub working very stiffly. Phil Norman also gave evidence. The Magis trate decided to go and inspect the pump. On his return tc Court the Magistrate said he had inspected the well and found ( something defective m the pump. The men, however, were not plumbers, and he had difficulty m deciding whether they were responsible for the working of the pump or only for tlis? sinking of the well. The' supply of water was plentiful enough. He would decide,the case upon its merits,' and he estimated the value of the work at £14, as he did not see that defendant should be asked to pay for what had been caused by plaintiffs' r.eglurence m not boarding sufficiently. Judgment for £14 with costs.

The world, m ever moving on fcpv^rds perfection, butseldom attains it Constant improvement is being made m every Wan.eh of industry, but m Baking P'owi«vs Perfection has been reached m Warbwfew's Can't Be JJea^

BRITISH BECHUANALAND.

The Dark Continent, as it has been termed, is evidently destined to be the theatre of extensive colonising opera tions, m the forefront of which, as m all successful colonisation everywhere, will be the Anglo-Saxon race. Already m various directions are to be seen the evidences of tho beginnings of Empire, and the laying of the foundations of great communities, which may grow into the nations of the future. One of the very youngest and y«t apparently one of the most promising of these i new fields of enterprise is British Bechuanaland, anent which a very interesting paper has been contributed to "Greater Britain" by Mr. H. A. Bryden, from which we cull the follow ing information. Jt is under the control of an Administrator, and although only five years old as a British territory, had m Vryburg, the capital, a considerable, town, possessing railway communication with Cape Town, while another town, Mafeking is said to be rapidly ousting Kimberloy as the emporium of interior trade," and Taungs, Kuruman, and other villages are showing a steady advance. The revenue of the colony, though small at present, is steadily increasing, having last year totalled £13,913, as against £5550 for the preceding year. "Up to the present, but few British or even colonial farmers have made their homes m the country ; but recently ; colonists are* beginning to come m from the Orange Free State and Cape Colony m some numbers j indeed, owing to the enforcement of a new Fencing Act m. the Free State, quite an influx of Boers from that State is setting m. In the few instances where homes have been made, water furrows opened out, and fruit gardens and corn land planted, success has invariably attended the colonists' efforts, and within two hours of Vryburg there may be found some notable examples of what can be done m these respects m the space of three or four short years. Apples, pears, peaches, apricots, grapes, and other fruit all do exceptionally well. As a rule the soil is of a good rich, deep, red character, and, being virgin, is capable of producing almost anything. To bacco is being attempted, and at tempted successfully, m suitable localities. The climate is, m the opinion of most people who have tested it, the finest m all South Africa. I do not know that a healthier country can be found upon the face of the globe. With an elevation of nearly 4000 feet above sea level, the air even m the height of summer is clear and bracing, and the noon-day heat is never too great to prevent ordinary outdoor occupations being followed. For con sumptives and those suffering from pulmonary delicacy the dry, clear, exhilarating air of Bechuanaland is of qnite extraordinary eilicacy. .Nights arc always cool; m winter even cold. During the beginning of last winter (m May) thenight temperature at Vryburg sank on several occasions to ten degrees below the freezing point. Every winter day, however, is blessed with a bright, warm sunshine, and there are few" days indeed throughout the year when the sun is obscured or overcast. As m many other parts of South Africa, wind storms are now and then experienced, but these, as a rule, may be looked for mainly m the months of September and October; and, except on the roads, and m new and dusty towns like Vryburg, they are not of a very troublesome nature. During these hot wind storms there is an immense amount of electricity m the atmosphere. If the hand is passed lightly over a fur kaross, a brisk crackling is instantly produced, and if m the dark a sheet of flaming sparks is seen. At present cattle and goats are the main pastoral productions of the country. Horses and sheep are not yet acclimatised, or, rather, the veldt is not at present m a fit condition for their use. The horse-sickness, which to this hour remains m South Africa a completely incurable disease, is greatly to be dreaded ; a very large percentage of animals perish each year, and have to be renewed from the Cape Oolony and Orange Free State, and a dead loss of many thousands of pounds is thus annually entailed. But, as has happened m the Cape Colony m the past, this disease will at no distant period recede farther north. At present pasturage is too rich for sheep; but already on a few farms where the veldt has been eaten off, sheep have got through their troubles and are doing well. Goats flourish m abund ance and everywhere. Ostriches run wild m the western parts of the Colony, edging on the Kalahari, and tame ostriches, so soon as the price of feathers shall again become remunerative, will no doubt be farmed extensively." The native tribes, of whom theprincipal are the Batlapings and Barolongs, give no trouble, though they are naturally lazy, but are born cattle-men, and will, it is hoped, do good service on the cattle-ranches of the future. " Labor is scarce, and wages are absurdly high, and natives can everywhere obtain employment at rates that would make many a starving Englishman stare." The area of the territory is about equal to that of Ireland, and summing up his very readable paper Mr Bryden says:—"On the whole, British Bechuanaland has, m an unobtrusive way, already amply justified its existence, and, with its magnificent and salubrious climate, its excellent geographical position, and its vast potentialities of pastoral .wealth, will m a few years be well able to hold its own with older dependencies. lam not convinced that Bechuanaland can ever become a great corn-producing country, but I am absolutely con vino 3d that it will prove itself one of the finest cattle countries m the world. But among farmers there, as m other places, capital is, above all things, necessary, and the means of existence during the first two or three years of colonial life require to be provided for."

THE LATE DUKE OF CLARENCE.

THE FUNERAL. [PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

London, January 20. After the special service at Sancl ringham the coffin was conveyed to Wolverton station on a gun-carriage, accompanied by a military escort. The Prince of Wales and the .Duke of Fife walked behind the bier for three miles, the ladies of the family and Prince George riding m carriages. The weather was line but dull. A railway carriage was fitted up m the form of a chapei and drapecL with purple hang ings. Flowers and wreaths were pro fusely scattered about the carriage. On arriving at Windsor the coffin was placed on a gun-carriage drawn by eight officers of the 10th Hussars and escorted by the Guards. The bands played Chopin's and Beethoven's funeral marches. The procession com prised the Prince's charger first, behind the bier, then the Prince of Wales, Prince George, the Duke of Fife, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of Con naught, Prince Christian of Batten burg, the Marquis of Lome, the Crown Prince of Denmark, the Grand Duke Alexis of Prussia, Prince Frederick Leopold of Prussia, the Duke of Oporto, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, Duke Albert of Wurtenburg, Count Seckendorff (representing the Empress Frederick), and a detachment of the Blucher Hus sars. On reaching St. George's Chapel, Windsor, the procession was re-formed, prominence being given to the late Duke's servants, equerries, and house hold The coffin was borne by men of the 10th Hussars, the officers of the regiment acting as supporters. The Prince of Wales and his son were the chief mourners, and it could be plainly seen were deeply affected. No flowers were employed, except the wreaths which had been sent and the Princess Mary's floral harp. The burial service was conducted by the Bishop of Rochester m the absence of the Arch bishop of Canterbury m Egypt. The coffin was privately moved after the final service to the mortuary chapel and placed between those of the Prince Consort and the Duke of Albany, the grandsire and uncle of the young Prince. The Queen sent a splendid wreath, inscribed " A mark of the tenderest affection from his devoted and sorrow ing grandmother." Her Majesty attended the special service at Osborne. Hundreds of tenants and labourers m the villages round Sandringham and the vicinity followed the procession from the house to Wolverton station. Enormous crowds, including Minis ters of the Crown and officials, attended the services at St. Paul's and West minster Abbey. Services were also held throughout the country, and the bells were muffled. There are univer sal signs of mourning, and salutes have been fired from all Royal stations.

Memorial services are being held m all th"es leading Cities m Europe, fvn<:l are attended by the British residents, j many Royalties, and high officials. At | the service m Berlin the Empresses I Augusta and Frederick nt^onftacl; at Vienna the, Luipeior and the Arch dukes, and at Copenhagen the King and Ills sons. At Calcutta the Marquis of Lansdowne attended. The Press m describing the funeral comments on the universal and spon taneous nature of the sympathy shown with the Royal Family, and the sorrow ful demeanour of the masses, Prince George seemed physically j weak still, and evidently he is not thoroughly recovered from his attack of typhoid. The Prince of Wales expresses his debt of gratitude to Her Majesty's subjects at Home, m the oolonies, and m India, for the universal feeling of sympathy, which will be a lasting con-" solation to the sorrowing hearts of the young Prince's near relations. The " Standard " says that it is un likely that the Princess Mary would accept the money subscribed for the wedding presents as a dower, and the proposal if pressed would become offensive.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(OR PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

THE ROYAL FAMILY.

London, January 20. The Queen perseveres m her trip to the Continent, and abandons her visit to the Emperor of Germany, at Cob lentz. The Prince and Princess of Wales will shortly proceed to the Con tinent. The Princess and lifer son George will probably go to Italy, and thence to Nice. THE LATE CARDINAL. MANNING ; Numerous tributes to the memory of Cardinal Manning continue to be re ceived. AQUATICS. Wallace Ross has challenged East, the English oarsman, to row a matqh, EGYPT, The change of rulers m Egypt has been uneventful. THE INFLUENZA. There are signs that the influenza on the Continent is abating. The English press is alarmed at the j increasing mortality from iufluenza. Rome, January 20. The death is announced of Father j Anderledye, Vicar-General of the Jesuits, from influenza. THE POPE'S HEALTH. The illness of his Holiness the Pope is denied.

FAMINE IN MADRAS.

Calcutta, January 20. Famine has come with great force m most of the distressed districts of Madras.

THE TANGIER DISTURBANCE.

Mqbooco, January 20. The Sultan of Morocco has dismissed the Pasha who was connected with the recent disturbances m Tangier. ■

THE PORTUGUESE MINISTRY.

Lisbon, January 20. Ths press applauds the policy of Senhor Ferreira, the new Premier.

FATAL RAILWAY COLLISION.

Washington, January 20. I •&t St, Ifivifa a trai« c^Dj^ with f

sleigh, which was crossing the;,line/atftl was thrown off liie rails. Eight per sons were killed aud fourteen wounded. '

FRENCH POLITICAL AMENI TIES.

Paris, January 20.' A duel has taken place between Deputies Delpech and Castelin, arising out of the quarrel between M. Constnns and M. Laur. M, Delpech was wounded.

BRAZILIAN PRISONERS.

lito Dfi Janeiro, January 21. The prisoners confined at Sanfca. Cruz, opposite to Kio Janeiro, mutinied and capture;] the fortress, demaniing the restoration of General Fonseca. They fired at the steamer Aorangi, but no harm was done. The fortress was speedily recaptured, upon which the leader of the prisoners committed suicide.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Wkiximgton, Januiry2l. The Picturesque Atlas Company are issuing 55 sumtnonssß against subscribers, and it is stated that 100 move cases are to foVow. Dukedin, January 21. The chairman of the Tramway Com pany his said that the directors have made searching enquiries as Co the I adaptability of electrical motors, and are satisfied that if adopted electricity will not only increase the traffic but the receipts to the extent of £4000 a year. If the Assets Company had agreed to reduce their indebtedness the directors would have recommended an electrical conversion, but an unfavorable reply has been received from that body. At the annual meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club the chairman, the Hon. G. McLean, m moving the adoption of the report, said that the result of the year was that tht\y had the sum of £80 as profit. Some discussion took place about the totalisator tax, and it was eventually resolved that it be a recommendation to the Committee that it is not desirable that the tax should be charged to the public. The Hon. G. McLean was re elected president. Ijtveroargill, January 22.

At the Police Oourb, Denis Pox. was fined £25; m default two months' hard labor, for having five female sealskins m his possession. They formed pan of the Gratitude's take. Robert Inues Miller, many years a compositor on the "Southland Times," and much respected by his tellow workers, died to-night, of apoplexy. He was just leaving work, apparently m his usual health, when he became unconscious and expired six hours later. Miller was one of the founders of the Melbourne " Age " on co-operative lines, and after wards owned a paper m Singleton, New South Wales. He belonged to an old newspaper family m Elgin, Scotland, where they still publish the local journal. Deceased was aged about 617, but was remarkably agile and cheerful, and a general favourite.

The Wheat Position.

Writing on December 4, a London con temporary says :—With the known Euro pean short supply of grain, the actual famine conditions m Russia, and the fact than for a third year m succession the supply of wheat for ihe world's require ni'jntrf will le inadequate for the normal consumption, ajrisfe m the price of wheat %vas ov'ly to be expected ; and that there has not been a. greater rise than has already taken place is due to the know ledge that the shortcomings of Europe and poor crops m Australia would be met by the good crops m India, and by the superabundant production of the United States and Canada. Last y^ar at this time the average price of wheat was about 32s 6d, which was the average for the month of November. In anticipation of poor European crops, a rise m price took place e^rly this year, from 32s 3d to slightly over 41s per quarter. There was a reaction and another advance to 41s Bd, about mid- harvest, as the top quotation. Then on large supplies coming upon the market, another reaction took place to under 35s at the close of September, aud the latest weekly average price known is 38s 9d. Probably with supplies pouring into the market m the manner they have recently done, there may be a period of steadiness of price, but with the outlook there is scarcely the possibility of any decline to be sustained, and, according to the " Statist," the probability is that a higher level of prices will ere long ba witnessed. We have been so accustomed of late years, following the succession of good harvests which culminated m the year 1888, to low prices, that we have almost forgotten that m past years wheat) used to rule, even m normal periods, at very different quotations from those which were brought about by the succession of good harvests of the world of 1884 to 1888 inclusive. Between IS7O and 1880, the highest and lowest ranges of yearly averse were 58s 8d and 435" lOd. From 1881 to 1890, in clusive, the highest and lowest averages of any year were 45s 4d and 29s 9d, the lowest quotation being that of the year 1889, when the average was the lowest one of any jear since 1761. Various provisional official estimates of crops have baen published, and the curious feature about the production of European arid i oi,her countries is that the estimated yield of 1891 exceeds that of either 1890 or 1889. With the growth of population the world's consumption of wheat is estimated to increase by 1,750,000 quarters a year, such a rate of consumption being, of course, contingent on a normal level of | prices and absence of famine conditions to divert wheat consumption to other grain and food. Europe's production is esti mated at about 138,000,000 quarters m 1891, against over =163,000,000 quarters for 1890 ; while m non-European ooun- 1 tries the estimated yield, m 1891 is over I 131,,000,000 quarters, m contrast with a little over 103,000,000 quarters m 1890,

Barmaids in New York.

" Broadbrim " m his letter from" New fork to the " Wanganui Chronicle" says : —We have a new sensation. This week marks the advent of the British Barmaid. Up to the present time we havQ been satisfied to have our eye openers, our cocKtails, our whisky 6ours and our brandy smashes prepared by a well-groomed gentleman m immaculate white coat, faultless neckrie, with a diamond m his shirt-front that rivalled the sun m its glory. But his star, if not set, is under a mighty eclipse, for these blondes and brunettes from " Halbion's Hisle " have captured the town. At th» late Women's Temperance Convention oie of the speakers declared that she wanted to see the sphere of woman's usefulness enlarged. The McKinley tariff is said to hays stimulated home manufactures, so It is reasonable to suppose that m a very i short time we will not have to draw upon London and Liverpool for these fascinating sirens, but that Prohibition Maine Chicago and San Francisco will be able to keep up a supply sufficent for the home markat. It is, however, only a matter of frozen justice to the British barmaid as seen m ivew York, there is no. nonsense or flirting about her ; she is there simply for business as she understands it. She Roes about her work and mixes your drink quietly, hands it to you with cold civility, slips you a check with dignity, and, with a slight inclination of the head, passes ta tlje nejfc QUffconjw, ft fe

| singular how soon we get accustomed t j 'strange things. Thoy have soarcely beert with us a week, and whilo there was coi oiderable rush for the first two days, and .til the dudes about Park Row rushed m fo tret a rosemary or sweet-briar or giti ii/.z, before ilie end of the week the ex citement had die.l nway, and it was »s much a matter of course as it would be" oji the Htninu or T'iculilly. It logics as I iiough the British barmaid had come to way until her American sister takes her I place.

An Austrian Royal Romance.

A romance'in'real life has jusfc been brought to a somewhat tragic, and, accord ing to the view of thefiefciolrist, appro priate termination m Austria. Within sixteen hours of each other, the Archduke Henry and his cpnsorr, the Baroness Leo pold me of Waldeck, died this week (Jan. 4.) A. quarter of a century ago, the Duke fell m love with the prima donna of the Graz Opera House, a daughter of humble parents. They became privately engaged and though everything was done to' part them—he was sent on active service, she was offered handsome bribes—their love resisted separation and worldly 'benefits, and he returned to -marry her. He for feited the favour of the Court and his position m the army, but he resigned them without a pang to settle with his bride to the country life of Borzsn. fjtir. as the outer world knows, a happier union was never effected. They won the hearts of the Tyrolese, he m the capacity of squire, she as the friend of ,the poor.. Time brought them a triumph which they never sought. The Emperor Francis Joseph banished them from Court for di3obeyin w his wishes, but domestic afflictions softened his heart, and a reconcilation took place a year or more ago* They came to Vienna recently for the Royal marriage. Both are believed to have been attacked by the influenza, at anyrate both died of inflammation of the lungs. The Baroness passed away first, but her husband wan unconscious, and died with out ever realising that the woman he had cherished so tenderly was no more.

Influences of Trades Unionism.

The extraordinary influence which trades unionism can put forth for the steady betterment of working men is aptly illustrated (says the London .." Weekly Despatch ") by one or two items from the week's news. The raising of wages is only one function of unionism—one which it is perhaps, for economic reasons, weakest m fulfilling. But for the steady improvement of the workman's social position and surroundings unionism is most potent. For example, the Parlia ment of New South Wales has just passed a Bill completely re-organising all the Marine Boards m the colony. Of the six members of each Board, one is to be elected by the underwriters, one by th« certificated engineers, two by the ship owners, and two by the seamen them selves. Here the recognition of tho dignity and interests of labour, is frank and candid. Though half the members of the present House of Commons would deem a demand for the representation of .seamen on our local Marine Boards to bo. something very like "flat blasphemy,* they will not long be able to resist tho precedent of New South W«Jes. Another item bearing m the same direction is the statement made by our contemporary, *' Seafaring" —an admirable represen tative ,of tho Seamen and Firemen's Union - that Messrs Short Brothers, of Sunder land, have just laid down a vessel of five thousand, tons deadweight for Colonel Gourluy, M P., a-:d that 4i provision is made m the contract for a library and reading-room and bath-rooms m the forecastle for the sailors." Less than a year ago we were ridiculed for siying that bath-room accommodation ought to be provided m all ships for the engineers and stokere, and wo were asked if Ye did not think a Bill should also be passed giving them a champagne lunch every ; day. Shipowners of the best class are evidently taking; a more serious view of their duty than th°Av wrong-headed supporters m the press. A third item is that the Venerable Archdeacon •of Gibraltar has written a letter to the Seamen's Union, urging its Committee to press owners to provide means for supplying filtered watet to thft fo'k'sle as well as the cabins ! Whit is the world coming to ? Z

The Pahiatua Poisoning Case.

— . —-^ THE INQUEST.

(PBK PRESS ASSOCIATION.) The inquest on the body of Peter Dixon, one of the victims of the Boxing day poisoning affair was resumed at Pahi atua this evening. The report of Mr Skey, the Gorern raent Analyst, was read. It was to the effect that from the analysis of the stomach and other organs of deceused, he had come to the conclusion that deceased died from the effects of arsenical poison ing. The foreman of the jury made a very severe comment on the character of the articles which had appeared m the press, relating to the case, and the coroner also observed that the publication of such articles was highly reprehensible. William Skey, Government analyst, gave evidence to the effect that he found arsenic m sensible quantities m deceased's stomach, and traces of the same poison m the liver and vomit. No evidence'of poison could be discovered m the articles I of food taken from Naylor's house, but | one of the parcels consisted of *' rough on rats." As an experiment witness rubbed 3£ grains of arsenic into a slice of lamb, but it did not show perceptibly. Arsenic; had no flavour, so deceased could not have tasted it m the food. The stomach was empty, so that he was unable to find out m what form the poison was taken, but m all probability it-was the areenious acid. Dr Milne deposed that when he was called m on the Sunday he saw that the i patients were suffering from the effects of some irritant poison. He informed them that they had taken poison, but not m sufficient quantities to cause death. None of the patients appeared :to be m any danger on Sunday. His first im pression was that a small quantity of arsenic had been used m colouring the bridecake. . '■ 0. Kidd, SI oarryingjon business as a chemist, seated that when he was summoned to attend Dickson he told him that on Saturday at midday he had taken a, meal of cold roast lamb, vegetable*, and plum pudding. At hrst he thought it was a case of influenza, added to derangement of the stomach from sonjefchintr being wrong with the load, and it was Monday afternoon before he suspected poisoning, Mrs Naylor, m whosehau.se the wedding party was held,, corroborated the state ment that the dinner on. Boxing Day con sisted of cold roast • lamb, vegetables, and plum pudding. The lamb lnt\ been cut into slices early on. Christmas Eye, but was not partaken of until about II o'clock, when Mr Naylor took a few slices for supper. The plato containing the Jamb was then put into the sc'illery and covered with a cloth. When witness was return: ing from her daughter's house at aboufe 23 minutes to 1 o'clock on Boxing Day morning, and when about seven yards from the scullery door, she saw a nvm passing the side of the house, and going- towards the main road., Wit ness took the man for William Taggfit, sue of. the guests, and 6rie& out,." &tty»

ffilj iMBTJRTOft dtfAßDlAtf j 'tfRIDA V, JANUARY h, 1$&



Thk Best Rkmeov 1 fqt? Ijidigkstion — Norton's Camomile Pills are confldenty recommended as a simple remedy foi 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 perient, are mild m their operation, and safe under any circumstances. Sold m bottles, at Is IJd, 2s 9d, Us, by all medicine vendors throughout the world- | Ask for Ninian Hyslop, and Co. s Imperial new seasons Pure Ceylon and JijjJjan l^ap. Speeiai priqeiS!—(A4vt t )



Minim Hyslop and Co.'s v Imperial" pure Guylor and Indian Teas the bes m the market. — .CAdyJ; Ninian Hyslop and Co.'s "Imperial" Ceylon and Indian Teas are direct from the Tea Phntafcipns—(A4vt.)



Mails close -for the following place 3as under* subject to the necessary alterations : SATURDAY, January 23. For South America, United Kingdom, j Continent of Europe, etc. (specially addressed correspondence only), per Matatua, at 0.30 a.m. For Northern Ports, per Rotorua, at. 6.30 p.m.' WEDNESDAY, January 27. < Ifor the United Kingdom, Continent of Europe and America, and West Indies (via San Francisco), Sandwich Islands, etc., and also for Northern Ports of New Zealand, per Takapuna, as follows:—Ordinary letters, ' books, and newspapers, at 6.15 j>. Nx; registered letters, 5 p.m. ; money orders, 3 p.m. This mail will be clue m London on March 2.



STOCK TAKING. REDUCTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE IN ALL DEPARTMENTS. Inspection INVifED. NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. IW. H. WEBBER, Manager. . public"noticeT THK Office of the Ashburton Publishing Company, Limited, WILL BE CLOSED daily from 12.30 to 1.30 p.m. for dinner hour, m compliance with the Factories Act. ASHBURTON PUBLISHING CO. "Kkatino's Powder" destroys Bugs, Fleas, Mothi, Jieetles, and all other insects whilst quitu UiU-mJeM to domestic animals, j I n ext-Jruii:i:it ing Beetles the success of this powdet- ia extraoidinary.. It is perfectly clean m applitMtidi. See the article you ourchise is " Kis.wins's," as imitation* are j -oxio is and inetiisdual. Sold m Tine, 6d, \% aa 13s U by §U cbemiite.



Wanted. J CASH Advertisement under th's heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Office. _ WANTED, a Boy to carry parcels.— A. Our. 1 136 "\T7 Known.—Great Bargains W now on at Melford House. Be-iutiful Cashmeres at la 6d ; usual price 4s.—H. 0. Sbgers. __ "XJFT ANTED a well-educated Boy to » carry out parcels and learn the trade. -H. 0. Segebs, Melford House. 1 139 WANTED Immediately—Cottage of four or five rooms. Send parties lars to "T.H.," "Mail" office. 1 135 BICYCLE. — Wanted, Second-Hand Safety, m good condition, and Cheap. No ramshackle need apply. Box 42, P.O. 1 ul WANTED, for Hackthorne, a Groom. Must be able to milk. Apply to E. Cookson, Ashburton. 1 122 mU IiLEWBLi/VN Owen will resume music lessons on the 25th inst. Advanced pupils taken on Saturdays. 1 Ha fIiHIRTY Pieces Dress Goods at 6d; 60 -»- Pieces French Cashmere at Is 6d, worth 3« 6d ; 1000 Yards French Tweed, double width, at Is 9d, worth 3s 9d. All Dress Goods greatly reduced.—Andrkw Okr's Cheap Sale. l_lo6 TOOTHING will Cool you so quickly and -*-' invigorate the system so much as Ice Cream.—H.G. Flowkr, Confectioner, East Street. WANTED Known.—Great Bargains m Ladies' Cashmere Hose, Under clothing, Pinafores, &c. Come and sec them. Handsome Xmas presents now giving away.—M. C, Sbgers, Melford House. i WANTED KNOWN, a special lot of Hearth Rugs at Is lid, 2a 6d and 2s lid ; worth about doable. W. Jti. Collier. TOWELS 6d, Gloves 60, Umbrellas Is lid, Jackets 4s lid, Hats 4d, Stays Is lid, Norfolk Bodices Is 6d, Trimmed Hats Is lid. English samples of LadiesJ and Childrens' Underclothing Half-price. Andrew Orr's Sale. 1 107 WAETKD Known. -At "The Corner' now selling Ladieo' French Shof s. 5s lid. See them.—W. H. Collibi*, WANTED Known.—l have a large stock of Tin and Ironware Goods So select from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m stock.—J. W. Hardlby, East .treet. 61202 ANTED Known—That you will . make no mistake for quality and variety m English and Colonial Boots, and his highly reputed make by calling at .J. Moison's. During coming holidays dis count for Cash. Repairs done at once. A staff of men always kept and best material and workmanship guaranteed. 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. BOOTS, Bouts.—lnfants Boots'9d, six Dozen Ladies' Elastic Side Boots, 6s 9d, Gents' Boots 8s 6d, Mens 1 Blither Boots 5s 6d, Stanley Shoes Is lid.— Ahdrkw Orr's Sale. 1 10 ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed; from 50s cash. Koberi Amorn, Ashburton Clothing Marl, Sannders' Buildings. ) Uf ANTED Known.—For first-class ' Drapary and Millinery go to Melford House ; cheapest shop m tow». ( See windows.) Beautiful Xmas present s being given away.—H. C. Segers. npiO Meet the Times.*—l am supplying X Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all dessriptions. Inspection invited. — , J. W. Haroley, Eas street, 6J201 ANTED Known.--H. Bairstow has opened those premises m East street next.T. Orr and Co., as a Furniture Warehouse. Latest designs m 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. Ilt6l