MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close for the following places as under, subiect to the necessary alterations :— SATURDAY, March 26. For Northern Ports, Penguin, at G.*JO p.m. WEDNESDAY, March 30. For United Kingdom, Continent of Europe (via Brindisi), Poiat de Gaile, India, Clnna, Japan etc., and also for Australian Colonies, per express (to connect with s.s. Tarawera at Port Chalmers), as follows:—Ordinary letters, etc., at 1« 3O pm ; ;; g"?^'B van, on express at 12.53 p.m. Ihe Home mail will be due in London on May 17. MONDAY, March 28. For Northern Ports and Westport, per Brunner at 0.30, a. m. FRIDAY, April 1. For Chatham Islands, per Kahu, at O.«O p.m. ENGLISH MAILS. HOMEWARD—DIB'iCT MAILS. Kaikonra, leaving March 19, due London leaving April 2, due London May '.2. SAN FRANCISCO MAIM. Monowai, leaving on February 27, due London March 30. , Alameda, leaving on March 26, due London April 27. SA-K FRANCISCO MAILS. Maripos-•, due colony March 23

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas Et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1892 CURRENT TOPICS.

People have had plenty to talk about for the last few clays—the Williams cases, with their still unfold ing tale of crime and horror; the Elginshire wreck and enquiry; the state of the wheat market; the im precedented prices of sheep, and even the weather ; and now the Mail brings us fresh topics in the account of fright ful cruelties to children in Ireland and horrible sufferings of starving peasants in Russia. It is a sorry catalogue of subjects. The price of sheep is the only cheerful item amongst them, and it is discussed with bated breath, as being too bright to last. Such is life ! The depressed state of the wheat market at Home seems to be entirely due to the phenomenal rapidity with which the surplus of other countries is being poured into the United Kingdom. Tliis°has caused a congestion of stocks in London and some of the other ports, which until relieved must prevent a re covery of prices. There are already whispers of the world's production of wheat having been greatly under esti mated, but calculations must have been erroneous indeed, if the deficit which was announced is to be turned into a Unless this very improbable event should be a fact there is almost a certainty of better prices, before next English harvest. The success of our Firemen at the competitions at Christchurch, in which nearly every Brigade in New Zealand took part, is a matter for hearty con gratulation, not only as showing the sort of men of which our Brigade is formed, but as an encouragement to those who are endeavouring to pro mote an interest in other branches of athletics to persevere in their efforts, although the outlook in some directions is not very promising. There is no doubt that among the young men of Ashburton there exists a great deal of physical force for which the ordinary duties of life do not afford sufficient outlet. Swimming gives opportunity to many of these young men, and cycling to some of them, for the exercise of their powers, and we are glad to know that football ib attracting a strong band of followers. We wish the rescuscitated football club every success, and hope that it will be succeeded in the spring by some nearer approach to a cricket team than we have this year been able to turn out, so that in other exercises besides Fire Brigade work, Ashburton nu*y take the position it ought to occupy.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Wellington Rugby Union has a d«bit balance of £410. It is nob proposed at present to send a-team to Auckland next season. The statement that, Mrs Isitt sold her piano to provide funds for the Sydcnliam Licensing appeal case is denied on authority Nominations for the Autumn Meeting ■ f, the South Canterbury Jockey Club close this evening at nine o'clock. Mr Gordon P. Wood is the secretary. The stakes offered are of a substantial amount, and will no doubt attract numerous entries. The Manager of the New Zealand Cloth ing Factory's Ashburton branch has just returned from the Company's warehouses at Dunedin, with a choice selection of goods suitable for the autumn and winter, particulars of which are given in the Company's advertisement. At the Hawke's Bay Trotting Club's meeting on Friday the principal event was won by Harvey's Tommy, 35 sees ; Simlen's Creamy, 60 sees, 2nd ; Lee's Kuadan, losecs, 3. The sum of £2344 was put through the machine. | The German Education Bill, of which so much has been telegraphed and which has now been abandoned, proposed to hand over the religious instruction of children in t-ha elementary schools of Prussia to the clergy of their denomination, and hence the strong and successful opposition to the measure. The Midland Railway Company have asked for tl.ree years' extension of time to com plete the Springfield section and five years' to complete the Nelson line. The Company have refused to accede to the request of the Government to sell land in small blocks to promote settlement. Two sailors who were robbed in Auckland last week recovered their property through a rather curious circumstance. The thief was known by the description given to the police, but when found he was floating dead near the graving dock. In running away from the men he had robbed he must have run into the water. Fearing a return of the influenza epidemic Bishop Moran has addressed the following ■ circular letter to the priests of the diocese of 'nunedin:— "Rev. Dear Sir,—ln virtue of special faculties from the Holy See, I heiViy dispense from the fast and abstinence of Lent during the remaining weeks of Lent, ~I am, &c, fP. Moran, Bishop of DunedSn. The Minister of Defence has issued in structions that no confidential reports to superior officers affecting men in the police force shall bs filed until the ma» affected has had a chance of perusing b, He shall also have the right to a copy of it. In iuture in spectors are always to wear uniform when on duty, especially in. court . At the annual ram and ewe fair at Dunedin yesterday the entries largely ex ceeded last year, numbering 339 rams and 575 ewe*. The principal demand was for Leicester*, and treble the number entered could have been sold. The highest price was 15 guinea 9 for * *M>tooth Leicester sheep ; Romney Marsh and Lingolns ranged up to 3J guineas. Giving evidence in the Customs action against Sharland and Co., in Auckland, arising out of the importation of Siigel's Operating Pills, Mr J. A- Pond, Govern ment analytical chemist, said that he found ; that the chief ingredients of the pills were ginger, capsicum, aloes, and senna — they were simply cathartic pills. It was; also deposed that the selling value of the pills, per do/,enb oxtes, waa 8s 6d, (not 3s 6d as telegraphed,> and that in bulk they were worth about 4s 0d per pound. The young mam who escaped from Con stable Hunt's custody at Chertscy on Thurs day morning last is still at large, and all the \ efforts of ijje police have failed to find a | single trace of fcii», after losing the scent near Dromore, where lwj was last heard ot as making towards Ashbur : tou. The follow ing is hh description:-Aman twenty-sef/eu years of age, sft -oin high, medium build, smart appearance, fair complexion, light brown hair, clean shayen, e&eepC small Jair moustache, gray eyes, small mole .on right jaw, scar on left cheek, dimple in clmw, fhe letters H.O.G. are tattooed on hisleffc wfisfc,

Dr James Croll, who from the humble trade of a journeyman wheelwright attained the highest cirinence as an authority upon some of the abstruse quest lo'ia relating to the origin of ocean currents and the astro nomical changes to which the glacial period was flue, was, when "examined byl,llo Civil Service Commission for the post of office keeper to the Scottish Geo'ogica -Survey, " p'ucked in arithmetic and Engluh compo sition. " Bat as William Thomson adds, with a touch of dry humour, " the magna.es of Whitehall were pleased on his recommenda tion to accept Dr Croll'H great calcu Utioiis rewarding the eccentricity of the earth s or.nt .■.ml the precession of the equinoxes during the last 10,000,003 years as sufficient evi dence of his arithmetical capacity, and Ins hook on the ' Philosophy of Theism asprool of his ability to write good English. The chief constable of Edinburgh, in his annual report, which has just been issued, takes an unfavourable view of punitive legislation as a means of repressing drunken ness. He says that in practice it is fount almost impossible to enforce the existing laws and that it is found that the adminis tration of the liquor laws has practically no , effect in dealing with the evil of drunken ness. If, he adds, the present laws cannot be enforced, it is not likely that more drastic measures in the same direction will be acted upon. He seems to think more favourably of proposals to reduce the number of licensed houses, as being "altogether out of propor tion to the local requirements." As the result of very diligent enquiries on the part of the police, he says that "shebeening was never at a lower ebb in the city than at pre sent, and, compared with what existed fourteen years ago, there is not now one for every ten shebeens that were then in exis tence." The "Estates Gazette" (London) oi January 30 contains a review of the land sales effected in 1891, from which it appears that in England there has been a great fall ing off in the returns, more noticeable in several of the Home counties than elsewhere. The average price per acre is, however, only £2 short of that of 1890. In Scotland and Wales there was a most decided improve ment in the number of properties sold, although the average prices are very low, in the former country especially, due princi pally to the sale of two very large estates, one of which of some 72,000 acres in Ross - shire only realised about £1 10s, per acre, which, of course, had the effect of materially lowering the average. The following is a statement of the areas of land sold and the prices realised per acre : —ln England, 49,592 a3r 29p sold for a total of £2,106,083, an aveiage of £43 per acre; in Scotland, 98.457 aOr 14p fetched £425,062, or at the rate of £4 an acre ; in Wales, 8663 a2r 15p realised £163,337, equal to £19 per acre. The Pleasant Point correspondent of the " Timaru Herald ' writes that the flood in the Te-nga-wai river last Tuesday was not so high as the previous ono, although it was within nine inches of the danger point threatening the township, and had it risen another foot there would have been a sad tale to tell. For traffic purposes the bridge is now useless, as the main body of water is now at this side. Mr Sannders was trying to cross the ford with his engine and chaff cutter, ib got fixed, and there it still remains. About thirty hands came to his assistance and-fastened it with wire ropes. On Thursday young Mr McKay of Raineliff and a friend were capsized in trying to cro3S tho ford, and had it not been for the timely assistance of the men at the chaff cutter, they would in all probability have been drowned. Surely this proves it is high time to turn the river under the bridge. If not the County Council must build another where the river now flows. At Carterton, on March 17, there died Mr James Gibson, a Maori War veteran, brother of Mrs William Pauling, Ash burton, and known to many others here. The local naper s^ys he " was an armed constabulary man twenty-four years ago, and went right through the Maori War under Colonels Newall, Roberts, and McDonnell. He was a brave, dashirg young fetlow and a good comrade.. Ha joined the force in 1868 with a comrade named Stagpole and, showing the happy go-lucky spirit of those times, agreed to join as brothers and tossed up which should take the other's name. The choice fell to Slagpole and they both entered under that name, the fact one being an Irishman and the other a Scotchman troubling their minds not at all. We do not know what became of Stagpole proper, but Gibson resumed his own name after leaving the constabulary and followed his occupation of tailoring in Carterton and Greytown. Recently he had been in business in the latter town on his own account, and at the time of his death had a very good connection and was apparently in a prosperous condition. Although he earned and well-merited the New Zealand medal, he never applied for it. '

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS

(per phes.s assocmtion.) fiMi'nuy Employee* In«nranci>, Wellington, March 26. The Railway Commissioners have received a petition from 1600 Railway em ployees, requesting them to urs;e the Go vernment *o introduce the bill prepared by the Commissioners for insurance and sick aid. Catal Acci<l«tkt Ddnjedin March 26. Thomas Forsyth, a young man, was killsd at Kinlock, yesterday, by the cap sizing of a sledge of firewood.

CRICKET.

AUCKLAND V. CANTERBURY.

[pee press association.

Auckland. March 25. The cricket match between the teams represents g Auckland and Canterbury commenced in the Domain Ciicket ground this morning at half-past ten, the weather being gloriously fine. The Canterbury Captain won the toss, and elected i,o send his men to the wickets, to fags the bowling of R. Neill and Stempson. Ridley, after making a very dangerous run, was ajinost immediately bowled by Neil!, but Harman, who went in with him, played a very careful innings, pulling together 16 by good cricket before being caught \-j Wilson. De Man*' playing was also much admired. He was bowled by Neill after making If. The two top scores were those of Mathias, who made some boundary hits, each of which counter! 4, and Fenwick, each making 30. The latter played freely, yet without exhibiting any signs of reckless ness. Barry also secured his runs by careful play. The Canterbury tirst innings closed for 136. Nearly all tie wickets a&rere taken by Neill, who bowls slowly, with a difficult break The Auck land men went to the wii/«?fc£ shortly after two o'clock in the afternoon. The runs came very freely at first, though Yat.es, one x?£ Auckland's oldest veterans, w,as disposed of for J.l rum. Gardener and A. Ji, Netty, however, made a splendid stand, the latter putting' up 26, while the former scored 61, Hj.s finings was brilliant, including five boundary hits for 4, aad a magnificent drive for' f>. The innings had just concluded for 197 when t£mo "was called. It is generally con sidersd Ijerg fchat the Canterbury Captain made a mistakein sending his men to the wickets first, as the ground waij improving every hour for batting purposes. Play is tii bo resumed to-morrow. Auckland, March 26. At the .luncheon pdigurnment Canter bury, second innings, had seven wickets <Wn for 86 -A. Harmon 4, .Fenwick I*/, T, E. JEJvwn I; #c M*us ?» Ridley 21, Malthas #.

ENGLAND V. AUSTRALIA.

Adelaide, March 28. The weather held fine till late in the afternoon, when rain stopped the play, The Englishmen then had nine wickets iown'for'49o i.ynp,, Stoddart scored 124, LohmamiO. Eriggs 4y, Philipson 1, Peel 83, Attewell (nob out) 3G, Macgregw imp out) 29, extras 4,

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.)

YOUNG MEN'S CLUB.

TO TUIS KDJTrvn. g IB| — Your correspondent " Content " states that he is not opposed to the Young Mori's Club; if not. ho has taken up a very strange position. In the first place " Content's" warning to " Beware who is it the head of affairs," is quite unjustifiable and uncalled for, as after making enquiries I find that the promoters of this Club were, in the first instance, two gentlemen residents in this town, who are well known for th'.'ir unimpeachable character and integrity and have at heart the advancement of their fellow men. They had a meeting and decided to ask the sympathy and co-operation of a low other with the result that the CJ:ub has now every prospect of success. It is intended, I believe, to allow the young men to have the management of the Club in their own hands, so that it remains with them, and them alone, to make it a success socially. " Content's " hobby is evidently a weekly half-holiday. Very well. Now the Young Men's Club being formed for social and recreative purposes, would exert a far greater influence on such a social movement, repre senting as it will all the outdoors clubs, find do more to carry it to a practical issue than any one or two of these clubs aloiie, which are formed only as a means of physical recreation, and I again reiterate, without fear of contradiction, that the Club will do more for a weekly half-holiday than the half-holiday would do for the Club. One thing I regret is that "Content" has net given his opinion as to how the holiday would benefit the Club. And now a word of advice to "Content," before he rushes into print again—he should consider before hand whether has time to answer correspon dence which he may elicit, and not show the white feather by beating a retreat under such an excuse.—l am, etc., A. Youno Man.

Grirls' Friendly Society.

A concert was given last night, in aid of the recently established branch of the Girls' Friendly Society in the St, Stephen's Schoolroom. There was not a large attendance, and the Rev Mr Otfcway was chairman. The chairman in his introductory address paid a high compli ment to the usefulness of the Girls' Friendly Society, which had been instituted with a view to provide a temporary home and home care and associations for girls who were in search of work, domestic or otherwise; to help them to obtain such ; and to aid them in making an honest living. The programme provided comprised items by the Orchestral Society, admirably rendered ; glees by the St Stephen's choir; and songs by Mesdames Brooke and William«, and Miss Hardy ; and Messrs Stevenson, Flower, and Brooke. A piano sdlo was also given by Mrs Mayne, and a violin solo by Miss Simmonds. All the items were well received, and the majority were encored. Mr Horace Gates was con ductor, and j Mrs Claridge played the accompaniments. At the interval Mr Tvventyman addressed the meeting. He seid the Girls' Friendly Society was intended for all girls, of any occupation or no occupation. The desire was to cultivate a kindly spirit of sympathy between all. He pointed out that the Girls' Friendly Society had four objects (1) To promote purity and holiness ; (2) To foster respect to parents; (3) To encourage loyalty to employer." ; (4) To teach the value of thrift. Votes of thanks were passed to the Chairman and to the performers, and the proceedings closed with i% God Save the Queen."

A NEGLECTED INDUSTRY.

We mentioned in a recent article that the Government had engaged an ex pert as instructor in fruit growing and preserving, and that he was about to make an official tour throughout the colony. But as it is very unlikely that he will visit this district in tiane for his advice to produce much fruit, directly or undirectly, it may not be out of place to draw attention to certain matters in this connection, concerning which, we should not have to look to an expert to instruct us. Altrost every visitor to the rural dis tricts of New Zealand is perforce struck by the neglected condition of the orchards, in which the trees, under the combined influence of disease, insects, and weeds, are iv various stages of premature decay. They are seldom, if ever pruned, and countless suckers draw the strength from the main stems. Blights of various kind* have destroyed their symmetry ; while dense growths of prairie grass, cocks foot and docks absorb most of the nourishment from the surrounding soil. In the majority of cases, a cordon of grqss feeding trees encloses the orchard, depriving the fruit bearers of sunshine as well as of sustenance j and it is a rare thing for the im poverished land to receive a dressing of manure. Yet it is quite possible i that the same farmer who permits such a condition of things to exist in his orchard, cultivates his turnips, and grows his grain upon the most ap proved principles—fully recognising the value of a judicious expenditure of time and money in periodically reno vating the soil, eradicating weed and insect pests, and providing against all the ills that such vegetation is heir to. A comparison with other countries in this respect does not redound to the credit of New Zealand agriculturists. We need not look farther thai) Tas mania to see a very striking contrast. In almosjb every orchard in that colony the plough, harrow and spade are kept at work, and the car-th about the roots of the trees is rendered as friable as possible. Jn addition to this, some hours are well spent annually during the proper season, in removing all suckers and superfluous shoots, thus directing the sap into the proper channels, and at the same time making shapejy trees. Fertilisevs are also freely applied, and it must be admitted that the results are eminently satis factory. If New Zealand orchardists I —and thjis term should include every fanner—would deyop as much time every year to their frujit trees as they do tig thejr potatoes or mangolds, we venture to say fchafc thsy would Soon find out the wisdom of suph a course. Scattered about Canterbury are to be found orchards supplying the most conclusive evidence that almost every kind of fFuifc, proper to a temperate climate, can be grown to perfection in this province. The soil on the plains laay not be deep, but what there is of it 'is rich, and qnn be made still more; I fertile by artificial means', moye parti cularly by the free use of l;ime, which \§ sge.pititty adapted for this kind of oGUfttrV.- lucent experiments on jth'e shingly plains of this island jhaye shdy.n. that lime is one of the roosit effectiye ; as w^ll as the cheapest of all available fertilisers for land of that description, an 1 we should not be surprised to see to largely superseding the use oi the

ordinary artificial manures. As for ?ruit trees, lime serves the double purpose of an insecticide and a fertiliser. We have the assurance of a practical and experienced fruit - grower that " nothing will increase 'ihe fertility of fruit trees more, and better help to clear the orchard of insect pests, than to place iiine on the i surface of the ground round the stems of the fruit trees, about two inches in slackness, for three fe';t away, and let it lie there to be washed in by the winter's rains." Continued neglect has reduced most of the orchards in the earlier settled districts to such a condition, that they are now almost past praying for. Fortunately, in this part of the colony matters are not quite so bad, and with care and intelligent tieatment it will not be necessary to begin stocking de novo. But we would urge on farmers hence forth to include the systematic cultivation of fruit in their programme. It is evident that this industry has a great future before it. Steady pro duction, and the development of an export trade to other countries are alone required to render it one of the most reliable sources of the income of the smaller landholders. Tasmania has at present almost a monopoly of the fruit export trade in this part of the world. But the prospects of the future promise to create a demand which our island neighbors will be altogether unable to supply. And if the taade can be kept out of the hands of the middlemen, we foresee prosper ous times for the New Zealand orchardists.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

THE RUSSELL CASE.

London, March 24, Miss Williams, whose honour was impugned by Earl Russell in the divorce suit brought by his wife, intends to sue him for alleged slanderous state ments. BEHRING SEA. Most of the English and many American papers consider President Harrison's action mere election bluster. THE BANK AMALGAMATION. The party opposed to the absorption o e. the Bank of South Australia by the i Union Bank will probably propose the appointment of a committee of enquiry. They declare the directors are acting under the influence of panic. GOLD ROYALTIES. Mr Goschen has promised that the royalties charged in the United King dom on gold mining shall be revised. Meanwhile an arrangement has been came to between Mr Pritchard Morgan and the Treasury, which shall permit him to resume operations at his Welsh farm. • BIG RAILWAY SCHEME. A European syndicate has made proposals to the Sultan of Turkey to complete the railway from Scutari, opposite Constantinople to Bagdad on the Tigris. The cost is estimated at £12,000,000, and the syndicate seek to obtain interest by drawing gigantic lotteries, SUCCESSFUL SEALING. The northern sealing fleet has re turned with the phenomenal take of 200,000 seals. THE LABOUR COMMISSION. Before the Labour Commission it was shown that women engaged in chain-making earned only 5s per week. OLD FOOLS, A rumor, which has been prevalent for some time, is confirmed, that Sir Edward Watkin, the well-known rail way magnate, is about to marry Mrs Herbert Ingram, an old woman of 80, who has control over a fortune of £300,000. The Ingram family are vehemently opposing the marriage, and Sir Edward Watkin threatens libel actions for the comments of the press upon his action. THE EDWARDS CASE The appeal case Attorney-Geueral of New Zealand v. Edwards, is now being argued before the Privy Council. THE COLLIERS' DISPUTE. The Miners' Federation are agitating in the direction of shutting out op ponents of the Eight Hours Bill at the general election. London. March 25. R joking has taken place at Hepburn, Durham. The policemen who were escorting residents to their dwellings were compelled on one occasion to fire upon the crowd.

THE ARREST OF ENGLISHMEN.

Pabis, March 24. M, Ribot, Minister of the Interior, declines to make any reparation or apology for arresting the Purdies, and absolves the French police from blame.

THE CRISIS IN GERMANY.

Berlin, March 24. According to late reports, Herr Bosse will succeed Herr Zealitz as Minister of Instruction.

CANADIAN POLITICS.

Ottawa, Msrch 24. MrL/aurier has consented to retain the leadership of the Opposition, and will agitate for reciorocitv with the United States,

AUSTRALIAN.

MUNICIPAL LOAN. Melbourne, March 25. The Metropolitan Board of Works loan was subscribed locally more than twice over. The whole of the tenders were above par.

INRERPROVINCIAL.

J^A£IJ3K, March 25. A large gathering of commercial men met Mr Fatten, late Oqllectqr of Customs here, who has been retired, s,t the Chamber of Commerce, when Mr Kettle, chairman of the Chamber, presented him with an illuminated address, expressing regret at his retirement, and a purse con taining ovsr- one. hundred sovereigns. J)l)NEpis, Margh 25. At the City Court the two sons," well known in sporting circles as riders and owners of trotters, and the daughter of William Taggar.fi, die well-known livery | stablekeeper, w"ero charged by him with assault and threatening to murder. On the evening of Friday last 'defendants went to their, father's bouse, smashing windows, striking i}im, aijd threatening to murder him. One of the boys | threatened to shoot him and himself afterwards. He denied he had given his

family any provocation. It transpired that the- children had taken offence at ! their father's behavior with a woman whom he hid since married. The house in which tho quarrel took place partly belonged to the sons. Complainant, in cross-examination said he did not fear his sons, as they were not manly enough to do him any mischief. Defendants; who denied ever striking complainant, said their action was taken to put an end to a ssandal which was known all over the town, and since the parlies were married thoy wished them success. The Bench lir.st ordered defendants to and sureties of £50 each, hut. subsequently reduced tho amount to £10 each.

Arrival to the San Francisco Mail.

{VFli PREvSS ASSOCIATION,

Auckland. March 25.

GENERAL SUMMARY.

(Dates to March 3.) It is usserted in Court circles that the Queen and the Dulco of Fife have quarrelled, and that the Duke was cruelly snubbed by her Majesty for attempting to commence a conversation. Crimes of violence are increasing in the West of Ireland, and boycotting is again rife. The hit by Nellie Stewart in the part of " Blue-Eyed Susan " is very decided. The Prince of Wales had several remarkable horses in training, when he decided co close his connection with the turf. A handsome profit was expected for the first time in tho history of his stable. Reports of a serious outbreak of pleuro-pneumonia in the Blaca river district of Canada have created a great sensation in the agricultural world. The outbreak greatly affects Scotch farmers who laigely import Canadian cattle. The body of the Duke of Clarence will remain permanently in tho Albert Memorial Chapel. In a panic at a magic lantern enter tainment at King's Cross, London, a number of children were trampled on. Several will die. The dairy where foot and mouth disease broke out, in South London, has been quarantined and the animals killed. The British Museum authorities have discovered that two alleged Etruscan antiquities recently purchased at an enormous figure, are merely Italian "fakes," and worthless. The Admiralty pooh-pooh the report from Admiral Watson, on the North American station, who advises that dockyards be established in Canada along the lakes to off-set those of the U.S.A.. M. de Lesseps, though in comparatively, good health, is so enfeebled in mind that he scarcely recognises his oldest friends, and isincapable of sustaining conversation. The rise in the price of beef caused by the new tariff has led to a large demand for horseflesh in Paris, and, according to the report of the police prefectures, the horses and mules slaughtered represent one-third of the ■ quantity of meat consumed. The plans of the New German man-of war building at Kiel, and aho the sea positions at and around that port, have been betrayed for s. consideration to either the Russian or the French Govern ment, and that, too, by a confidential officer of the German Emperor. On February 26 a band of masked men went to the house of a woman, Mary Lepers, in the village of Mmm, Austria, forced their way into her bedroom, bound her wiuh cords, poured petroleum over her, applied a match, and then calmly watched the horrible scene. The woman's shrieks ani groans were blood curdling, The motive assigned for the act was that the woman was suspected of murdering her husband At a meeting of the Blm^allic League i.i LuikLju, on Miucli 2, ii was resolved to petition the Government to < ffer inducements to the United States to bring about the holding of a new confer ence to establish an international standard currency. Mr Foster, secretary of the United States Treasury, arrived in Lon don on the day of the meeting. H« wished it distinctly understood, however, that his mission was solely to regain his health. He had no intention of seeing Mr Goschen or any one else in regard to silver or immigration. As to the latter subject, Mr Foster said the United States Government had no trouble with the British or the German lines ; the great difficulty was with the Italian steamers bringing immigrants. Angered at his failure to repurchase the beautiful villa of Taubenheim, left by his predecessor to an American, George, the engineer of the royal theatre, the King of vVurtemberg has out oS 1 the gas and water supply from Frederickshofen, and aban doned all negotiations. Political circles in Germany are said to be intensely excited by a speech delivered by the Emperor at a banquet given on February 14, at Brandenburg, in his honor. It was so absolutist in its tone that the "Fresing Zeitung" remarked " Germany does not want absolutism, but a constitutional Government." The riots which have taken place are said to be attributable in great measure to this speech. "Vesuvius has broken out in a new place. On February 17, lava issued from the base of the great cone, and flowed into the Utri del Cavello. This is con sidered as indicating that, a new crater is forming. i

AMERICAN SUMMARY.

Trouble is breeding between Ecuador and T'eru on account of the latter grant ing mining concessions along the Santiago river, the disputed boundary between the two countries. It is proposed to hold a grand Roman Catholic conference in the United States, contemporarily with the Columbian expo sition at Chicago. Maizs and wheat are being sent from all parts of the United States to the starving people in Russia. Two million bushels of maize were .shipped in rhyt direction from Akaron, Ohio, on Febru ary |.6. ■ The ■• Uew Tori? World" is the autho rity for saying that preparations for another Cuban revolution are in active progress in l\ew York and other American cities, as well as upon the island itself. The Mormon territory of Utah is moving with eneiyy to obtain admission into the Union. The people ask ib us a measure of self projection. Since the announcement which Mr Blame made on February 10 of his with drawal as a candidate for the position of President on the Republican ticket, poli tical circles in the United States have been in a ferment, and bars are let dewn for a rush of people hitherto unthought of, anxious to be considered in the presi dential swim. Amongst others mentioned is the present Minpsfcer to' the Court of St. James, 'Robert Lincoln, and General Rusgell Alge>. Rut the military'record of Lhe last named is so openly impeached that he is considered not in it. Trie general opinion is tint Mr Harrison, the present incumbent, will bo re-nominated and re-elected on the Democratic sida of the house. Grover Cleveland, a solid favorite with his party only a few months ago, has betm so badly run down at heel by the trickery of Governor Hill (now Senator), of N-ew York,' and others, that he has lost all chance. " :

THE MONTAGU CASES.

HOUMBLE CRUELTY TO CIfIXDREJ^. 4 telegrart} fronj Ooleraine, county, J^ondonderry, of February. 2^th, s^ys' th^t Mrs Robert Montagu, daughterrin^w q|

Lori Robert Montagu, was conimittjd for trial that monline? on a charge of causing the death of her little daughter, Mary Helen Montagu, aged three years. It seems that the child had been badly used by her governess, in addition to being the object of hatred of her mother, in fact the harsh action of the governess seems to have led up to the tragedy. The latter, for some childish escapade on the part of her c^arg-j, locked the little girl up in a dark room as a punishment, and then informed the mother of (he child's offence and the punishment she hf)d moted oub. The mother app jars to have become so enraged at the littlt* girl's conduct th it she resolved to punish her still nu>re severely in the dark room. She tied the child's arms behind her back, the string cutting deeply into her tender flesh, and then tied her up V.y a ring in the wall, half way to the ceiling, and left her so. After being in this position the child's criea grew fainter and ainter and then ceased entirely. It wan three hours afterwards before anybody thought of going to the dark room in which the little girl was confined, and then the helpless infant was found choked to death. The excitement over the tragedy ran very high. The husband of Mrs Montagu is a grandson of the Duke of Manchester, and a former officer in the navy. Mrs Montagu was of Scotch extraction, and a daughter of a wealthy London merchant. Mr Montagu, when asked how it was such severe punishment was ad ministered to their three-year-old child, said, " My wife his strong opinions on the training and correction of children. Her theory, which, T think, is to a great extent right, is that the spirit of diso bedience must be conquered from the earliest years." Montagu admitted that it was too long to leave the child alone ; but his wife was out part of the time the child was imprisoned. The murdered child was buried in great privacy. Mrs Montagu was committed for trial for manslaughter, bail being fired at £700. !3he was also committed on a second count of cruelty to children. The woman ap pears to be a crank on the matter of disci plining her family. The governess, Dozell, testified that after she had told Mrs Montagu what &h@ had done with the child, the latter went to the dark room and tied the little one's arms behind her with a stocking, and then suspended her v/ich a cord to a ring in the wall, and at the expiration of four hours, when Mrs Montagu went to release the child, it was found that the stocking in some unaccountable way had slipped up around the child's neck and strangled her. Evidence on the second cliaige, of cruelty to children, disclosed a miserable state of affairs. Walter Montagu had been tied to a tree all day. Albert showed marks of cordage around his elbows and pieces of flesh cut from his.toes. Austin had been dragged along a corridor by his feet, his head trailing on the floor. On one occasion Gilbert was stripped naked and beaten with a scourge until his whole body was lacerated and in that state thrust into a dark closet where he lay moaning all night. Mrs Montagu told one of the servants that this was her way of punishing. She did it to save the children's souls, she did not mind their bodies.

THE FAMINE IN RUSSIA.

TERRIBLE SUFFERINGS. Late letters from Sfc Petersburg show that the telegrams which pass the censor ship do not depict half cho horrors of the famine in the province of Samara. Go vernment officials, who went to carry relief to a village, found it deserted, but nearly every house contained a corpse, and iv ,s nuo of them were found seveial. In another village people could be seen praying for death. Suicide, however, is infrequent, no matter how terrible the situation. The Government is already finding it difficult, on account of the enor mous drain of the famine, to meet other expenses, and some official salaries are already in arrears. Work, however, is being pushed on by the navy yards and on the military roads, the starving peas antry being largely employed for the latter purpose. Oa February 13, 1600 more persons from the famine-stricken districts had taken refuge in St Peters burg, and were quartered on the various householders. kn English correspondent writes from Saratov, March 1, that crimes of violence in the valley of the Volga are of frequent occurrence. Clergymen's houses have been robbed, and the bodies of murdered men are found on the high roads. Cara vans of merchants are escorted by armed forces. Villages in the Government of Samara that were prosperous in 1886 are now plunged in the deepest misery, and the population has been decimated. In one village 2765 out of 7356 inhabitants have emigrated. Of those left 1250 are de pendant on charity. In three months the people of this village lost 4038 head of live stock, and they are indebted to the State in the sum of 72,380 rubles. Sim lar conditions prevail in other villages, and 40,000 acres of land are idle in the province of Samara owing to'tho want of seed. A large number of German colonists live in holes in the earth for warmth. They eat bread made cf wild hemp seed, and the carcases of horses, causing severe nausea, The famine is changing the peasantry into wild beasts.

SPORTING.

DUNEDIN MAY MEETING.

[per press association, j

DtiNBMN, March 25. The following nominations have been received: — Birthday Handicap, 35050v5." One mile and a half. — Kulnine, Merrie England, Cruchfiekl, Dreamer, Heather Bell, Wol verine, Liberator,-Diadem* Galtee, Medal lion, Palliser, Krin-i, Retina, Prime Warden, Morpheus, Don Pedro, Flinders, Boulanger, Occident, Ttmpest, Derby, Rippornenes, Strephon, Bay Bell, Mariner. Provincial Handicap, of 300 soys. Qne mile aud a quarter.— ? Kulniue, Merrie England, Crijch field, The Dreamer, Heather Bell, Wolverine, Liberator, D;adem, Galtee, Mtdallion, Paliiser, Krina, Retina, Prime Warden, Mor pheus, Don Pedro, Flinders, Wanganui, Conjurer, Huguenot.

NORTH OTAGO AUTUMN MEETING.

Oamaku, March 25. The following nre the handicaps for the North Otago Jockey Club's Autumn meeting : — North Otago Cup, of 120 soys. One mile and a half.—Prime Warden 9st 51b, Wolverine §st 121b, Galtee Bst 71b, Tem pest Bst' 21b,' Miss Mack Bst 2Tb, Hugunnot 7st 131b, D)n Pedro 7sfc 21b, Coinage 7st, Exile'6st 91b. ' Flying Hv'nmcap, of 50 soys. Pix fur longs.—Prinze Warden 9sb 71b, Huguenot 9dt 21b, Galtee Bst 101b, Tempest Bst 71b, Conjurer Bst olb, Enfield 7st 121b, Kauroo 7«t kh, Finefcta 6dt 121b, Pique 6sfc 121b, Roseleaf 6sb9lb, Inchkeith 6st 91b, Reto tara 6st 7ib, Apology IT. 6«fc 71b, 1-oungei 6.3t 7lb, Tangi Maid 6st 71b. District Haniucip, of 35 snv.s, One mile.—Wolverine 9.st 101b, Miss Mack 9st 211), Count d'Orsay 8-t 7ib, Windsor 7st 7H), Bfelton 7sfc 41b, T<>;''lo ,7«t. Moon light 7st, Cumberland (Ht 12! li. Rotham stead 6st 101b, Kitty Qst 71b, Affection Ost7lb: ■' ' ' '

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[PER PKBSS ASSOCIATION.]

(Received March 26, 10.45 a.m.)

THE ANARCHISTS.

Paris, March 25. Of a batch of anarchist prisoners who were arrested yesterday, three are charged with conspiring to poison wholesale the members of one of the principal clubs in Paris. A cypher letter found in the possession of the accused disclosad the plot. Robik, March 25. Fifty-two anarchists who took part in the last May-day riots have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment varying from twenty-five days to thirty-two months.

CURRENCY QUESTIONS.

Washington, March 25. The Silver Bill introduced to Con gress by Senator Bland has been re jected by the casting vote of the Speaker.

(Received March 26, 11.15 a.m.)

EIGHT HOURS' BILL.

London, March 25. At a great meeting of the Miners' Federation and the Coal Porters' Union, resolutions were carried urging working men-at the general election only to vote for candidates who ex pressed themselves in favor of the Eight Hours' Bill.

THE SPINNING HOUSE CASE.

The hearing of the action and claim for damages for wrongful imprisonment in the." Spinning House case," which Daisy Hopkins brought against Mr F. Wallis, pro-proctor of Caius College, Cambridge, is proceeding. .

THE ENSUING BUDGET.

" The Times " says that the surplus shown by Mr Goschen will be smaller than expected, and is unlikely to allow of much reduction in taxation.

SMALL HOLDINGS.

The Small Holdings' Bill was read a second time in the House of Commons without a division. Speaking to the motion Mr Gladstone characterised the measure as an honest but only partial effort.

GOLD FOR RUSSIA.

Gold of the value of One million sterling has been withdrawn from the Bank of England for export to Russia.

BEHRING SEA.

Members of the House of Commons who possess special knowledge of the United States display uneasiness at the attitude adopted by the Senate and President Harrison, as they fear that the United States Government will send warships to sweep the Canadian sealers off Behring Sea. Questions re garding the difficulty will be asked in the House to-day. In the United States the dispute arouses but little popular interest, and neither American nor English ex changes have been affected. The Foreigh Relations Committee recom mend that the Behring Sea treaty He ratified.

Received March 26, 11.30 a.m.)

THE WOOD WILL CASE.

The Parnell-Wood will case, in which Lieutenant-General Sir E. Wood, and other members of the family, opposed the will of Mrs Wood, widow of Alder man Wood, of London, under which the bulk of the property was left to Mrs O'Shea (Mrs Parnell), has been satisfactorily arranged. A lost will has been proved and also compfomised. The costs amount to £11,000.

THE Williams Murders.

[PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION,

(Received March 26, 11 a.m.) Perth (W.A.), March 26. Swanson, alias Williams, alias Deem ing, has left for Melbourne. The con fession of the accused is alleged to have been made to Mr Haynes, who is defending him. Haynes demanded to know the whole strength of Swanson's defence, and the latter replied he would make acl can breast of it. He said he was guilty of the Ramhill murders, but on the subject of the Windsor murder a careful reticence was observed on both sides. Haynes then opened the subject of the Whitechapel mur ders, and desired to know whether his client was or was not Jack the Ripper. Swanson replied he had committed the last two murders, in 1890, but knew nothing of those previously committed. The prisoner bases his defence to the Windsor murder upon the fact that the ."rime is alleged to have been com mitted on December 24, while he can produce witnesses that the murdered woman was seen in Melbourne on the 29fch, five days later. He will assert that she cleared out with another man.

POLITICAL.

[PBE PRESS ASSOCIATION,]

Wellington, March 25. The Oiiminal Code Bill will be intro duced next session, revved and amended, and penalties beharmoriised with theexist ing state of law. In some respects it is made milder than in the original draft. The area of runs in Southland to be cut up into small areas is about a million and ft half acres. The Local Bodies Audit Bill is being circulated among local bodies with a view to getting suggestions oiibidered before Parliamant meets. Among other measures for next session is a Railway Management Bill. The pro visions are unknown ab present, but they are said to be of an extremely interesting character.

THE BRUCE SEAT.

Duneuin, March 26. On dit that Mr Lariiach contests Briice. NVe^linoton. 'March 2(3. ' Mr Clarke has declined to cqntpsC" th,e Brqce seat, and Mr Lee Srnibh will pro* babjy be the Governnjenb candidate, "

A meeting is called by advertisement for this evening for the purpose of considering the a Ivisableness of forming a branch of the Protestant Alliance Friendly Society of Australasia in Ashburton. Lady Zetland followed up her Greymouth successes by wihniug the principal events, tie Flying and Autumn Handicap's at the Reef ton race meeting yesterday; ■ T!ie Hinds river has been in flood since Wednesday. At' Maronan yesterday some would-be passengers conld not, cross, and afc Hinds tqwnship since Thursday the ford has been impassable exqapt to those very (styqngly mqunted, *

Ms Airflgtmi!oy cmiftt)iAy; iiWßfiit, mak^ ad, lsod.



Ninian Hyslorj and C).'s "Imperial ' Ceylon and Indian Tens are direct hf\\n the Tea Plantation.



"1( rating's Powder" destroys Bugs, Fleas, Alotl^, beetles, and all other insects whilst quite h'ajr i#lgss to domestic animals. In esteriiiinating l^eqtles £]ie success of this powder is estraprdiiia^y. ffc is perfectly cl,sa» in application, Se.e the article ypji d ifjiiiirie is "' Keatino's," as iniitation^ are "omous and inefiectual. Sold in Ti»s, §4 f Ih nid 2s '.Id each, by all eh uiusts. Ask for Ninian Hyt-lo,), and Co. s I a^ui-ial new seg.sQ.na Pu:e Oey on and ( Imm Tow-i ,Spec %\ pc»« ••■ - | J



Wanted. i CASH Advertisements under th's heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be Mt at this Office. FRESH Oysters, Rabbits, and Crayfish. Somerset Hotel Corner, to-night. Jewitt. 171 r*~~~KW Choico Fans, just opened up ; also, Silk and Paper Fans from Is each.— H. M. Jonbs. __^_ HOW and When can I get cheap read ing for the Winter evenings ? By joining my Circulating Library, 3s 6d per quarter.—H. M.l ones. I" OST— Thirty-five Crossbred Ewes, -- branded GE, and red paint dot on back. Finder rewarded on application to W. J. Siloock. 3t172 SONS of Temperance, Helpmate Divi sion.—Members are reminded of the summoned quarterly meeting, Monday Next, 28th inst., at 8 p.m. 3 1(^ ANTED KNOWN, New Boots and Shoes for the wet weather, o? sound value at the •• Corner." ANTED KNOWN, Grand display of new Millinery, Ulsters, and Jackets, at most reasonable prices at *THE CORNfiri." WANTED Knownji - Come and see the Bargains now on at Melford House.-H. 0. Segers. /CHOICEST new season's Figs and \J Cartoon Table Dates in 31b Boxes, 2s each. —;H. G. Flower, Confectioner, Kast street. ' ________ \l/"ANTED Known.—lf you want W plenty of first class Drapery, Boots and Clothing for cash, come to Melford House Sale.— H. O. Segbr3. * 17 ANTED Known.—l have a large W stock of Tin and Ironware Goods to select from. Register Grates, Stoves, "ortable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kep 1-. in stock.—J. W. Hardlkt, East street. bi2()i ANTED Known.—Great Cash Sale now on at Melford House. Almost everything rpduced. —H. C. Segers. ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed; from 50s cash. Robert Alcokn, Ashburton Clothing Man, Sfiunders' Buildings. •HO Meet the Times.—l am aupplying JL Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years. Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all dessriptions. Inspection i"vlfc|?-TT J. W. Hartley, Eas street. t>;^ui W~ ANTED~Known—That you will make no mistake for quality and variety in English and Colonial Boots, and hishk'hly reputed make by calling at 3- MoisoN'a. During coming holidays dis count for Cash. "Repairs done at once. A staff of men always kept and best material and workmanship guaranteed. ,X EW Supplies of Stationery, Account |\ Books, Music, Fancy Goods. New Games, Orders for Printing, Book bitidins, Picture Frame?, promptly ex ecuted"" Schools and offices supplied with every requisite, Majgwznes a-id News papers supplied.-L F. ANDREWES & CO., Stationers' Hall. 189~WlNTEKr^^2 —NOW SHOWING— TH j New Overcoats and Water proofs New Tweeds and Suitings LARGES I 1 New gtylea . n Boys> Ch)th _ il.g and ■Nv-W w°siory and Gloves .New Collars and Shirts CHOICEST New Scarfs and Bows New Travelling and other Caps StOCfe New Soft Felt Hats New Flexible Hats EW]R New Styles in Boys' Hats and Caps New Rugs and Umbrellas SHOWN NewrCv cie Gapes and Riding AproPS jjy New Goods in all Depart ments Inspection Respectfully V 4. I Invited NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. W. H WEBBER, Manager. Agents for Wertlieim Celebrated Sewing Machine.



Ihk Best Rkm_dy fok ijtDWKSTiox- NuiWn'a Camomile Pills are eoulidcnU tec -minended as a simple remedy tot l_Ui<'«siion, which is the cause ot nearly all bhe 'lirftaises io which we ate guhjecte NoiiTOXS Vlu*, with justice called the • Saciual .Streugtlieuer of the Human $ o-.i. h " act as a powerful tome and gentle . ■ ,>. are ■»[{■■ m ihcir <>P"iation, and * ''.r :i .., v .•.■;i ! -i.u:.i' t..!i:<j«s.--, Sold in "l* I {il, ..'.-; !:'<!, ' '«, ''ya'' medidniß ou«1i V-t th w»jrli\ . .ysl >|i an t Co.'s" n.paria „,,■• w-yuiii antl Inlian Toas » c the