The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 1892. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Forestry Department m South , Australia reports that the timber of the: pinua insignis is of considerable value for manufacturing purposes. The time of the departure of the schools' excursion train to-morrow evening, on the return journey from Springburn, htis been altered to six o'clock. i The Rev H. G. Gould, of Oamaru, will conduct IHvine Service m the SeatieUl Schoolroom on Sunday next, January 31, afc three p.m. The half-holiday on Wednesday afternoon is now general throughout the Soiuh Australian country districts and m the suburbs ot Adelaide among retail tradesmen, grocers, and drapers. Professor Robert Etheridge, of the Bri tish Museum, has confirmed Dr Robertson's opinion that Western Australian coal is equal to the better classes of coals of South Wales and the North of England. A raw country chap joined the volunteers, and on the first parade day his sister came, together with his mother, to see them off. When they were marching past, Jock was out of step. " Look mither," said his sister, "they're a' oot o' step but oor Jook." Sixty-six thousand men, women, and children form the population of Iceland. All these good people are now m a state of great excitement through having a murder to deal with, the first to occur among them for the past fifty-six years. A young man killed his sweetheart. The "Spectator" tells the following story:—A quarrel had taken place at a fair, and a culprit was being sentenced for manslaughter. The doctor, however, had given evidence to show that the victim's skull was abnormally thin. The prisoner, on being asked if he had anything to say for himself, implied, " No, yer Honour; but I would ask, was that a skull for a man to go to a fair wid V In proof of the importance of the Cana dian Pacific route to the far East, it is stated that a letter has jusc been sent round the world m 63 days '. The letter left Yoko hama (Japan) by s s. Empress of Japan on August 19 last, bound for Vancouver, and thence by Canadian Pacific Railway and s.s. City of New York to London, where the mail was delivered on the morning of Sep tember 9. The letter left London on Sep tember 11, via Brindisi, and arrived m Yokohama on October 20 last. A general meeting of those interested m the South Rakaia Sports was held on Satur day. The meeting was not large. Mr Hardy presided, and the Treasurer submitted the statement and balance-sheet, which was very satisfactory, leaving a credit balance of £36 9s 9d, which it was decided to deposit m the Bank of New Zealand m the name of the Chairman and Treasurer. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Oxley for the trouble he had taken m arranging matters generally up to the time of nomination. An honorarium of £5 was passed for the Secre tary, Mr A. Makeig, and a vote of thanks for his work. This concluded the meetiDg. The Napier papers record, m connection with the death of the Hon Algernon Tolle mache, that during a period of depression he exercised his right of foreclosure over the estate of the late Captain Carter, who had then retired from the Superintendeacy of the province. General prosperity returned almost immediately, and it became evident that, if he had waited a few months longer, a higher price by several thousands of. pounds would have been realised. Mr Tolle mache paid over to the widow and family the difference m price, though h<j derived no pecuniary benefit from the foreclosure, having resold the property shortly after wards. At a meeting of Justices held at Hobart recently to elect the Hobart Licensing Bench Mr Hiddlestone, ex-mayor, proposed that Miss Ackermann, the president of the Women's Christian Union, be permitted to address the bench for ten minutes. Mr J. G. Davies moved an amendment that she should not be heard. The amendment was carried. Miss Ackermann thanked the bench for considering her request, and stated that it was the first time she had been denied* a hearing on behalf of the great organisation she represented. The destructive fire which occurred at Zeehan on the morning ot Monday, January 18, originated m the kitchen of Mulchay's Royal Exchange Hotel at about halt-past three. The flames rapidly spread, and the hotel and new Post and Telegraph Office, both wooden buildings, were completely destroyed within an hour. The fire threatened to destroy the whole block, and was only stayed by demolishing the Court- I house and two shops adjoining the Post Office. The hotel was crowded with lodgers, who all escaped by the front stair case, but everything m the place was destroyed. The Post and Telegraph Office had only been occupied a few weeks. Mulchay's Hotel was recently leased for seven years at £1000 per annum. Interesting experiments have been made by Sir Eyre Shaw, late chief of the Metro politan Fire Brigade. It had been asserted and denied that a certain horse could haul twenty cwt m a two-wheeled cart up a given j hill. Captain Shaw was appointed referee m the case. The horse was tried and failed. Someone then suggested that the load was not properly distributed, and two sacks of earth representing two cwb were taken from the cart and placed on the horse's back, with the result that he walked up the hill with comparative ease. However, Captain Shaw decided that he did not pull the twenty cwt; he only pulled eighteen cwt and carried two cwt. But on reflection, he decided that next day he would repeat the experiment, but j would take twenty-two sacks of earth, or twenty-two cwt. When the horse reached the bottom of the hill two sacks were throws to the ground, leaving twenty cwt m the cart a# on the day before. The horse wa8 * fcried again iM)4 again, but always failed. But noV instead of taking jtwp cwt from the cart and thus reducing the jload on the wheels, the two extra sacks were Hfjfced from the road and placed upon the horsed back, thus making a load of twenty-two cwt. The horse was started, and then to all ap pearance he elimlx4 the hill with the twenty-two cwt thws distributed as easily as he had done the day pr,eyi#usiy with twenty cwt. The annual review of the Melbourne Stock Exchange transactions for the year iB9l, which has been published, is a terrible record of disaster. Some idea of the severe ordeal through which the market has passed may be obtained by comparing the closing prices of 1891 with those of l#9o when it will be found that at a roadsrfcfce estimate there has been a de^reciafciofii Jin value of considerably more than 30 miliiosts *#riing- The principal items m this large depreciation are £1 338,224 for six banks $ issue (City, Colonial, Comniercal, Federal ilfeaaotile, asd National), £1,251,000 for lour fiijan. «ial iußtjtutions (Colonial Investment, English w»<l Australian Mortgage, M&V' eantile Finance, »»d Real Estate Bank), ---£3,168,000 for Melbourne Tramways, and Omnibus, £1,^5,072 fa? seven other investment companies (Metropolitan Gas, Trustees, Executors., and Agency, Hyr cleaitlic Power, Melbourne Storage, Siive*? tou Tramway, Tarrawingee Flux, and GoldsbrougV Mort and Co.), £4,135,830 for seven gold wM#ing companies (Band and Albion Consols, ißewy Consols, Grand Dake, Egerton, Star of the East, Earl of Hopetotin, and Mount Morg^u—the Mount Morgan ranking for £3,650,000), and £7,658,750 for seven silver mining com panies {Block X, Blo.sk XIV, British, Broken Hill Proprietary, Central, .Junction, and South, the Proprietary ranking foe £5,280,000)- The .comparatively fay #om p^tiiS? which k*ve risen m market value only co "• very short way .as .a set-off agajnpt the depreciate *» *}».**& number of companies nwpeoiu^ » V»S&*§ enumeration.

The Payne family pay a return visit to Ashburtou next Thursday. Attention i 8 directed tv .Mr Andrew Orr's announcement of special bartiains m superior kid gloves at his sale. •FromtheßcingitaUMr Nicholas and an Australian visitor sent into Teniuka on Tuesday, 13 fish weighing »71bs, as the result of an evening and morning's fishing. The river is m good order, and fish are taking freely.—"Herald" \ The report for December of the Charitable Aid Board states that the number of cases relieved during the month was 427, com prising 1531 persons. The Ashburton Rome is still filled to its utmost capacity, fifty eight inmates being residents on December 31. Four men were admitted and three dis charged m the course of the month. | The "Northern Advocate " says that hun dreds of men returned to Dargaville after having spent their Christmas holidays m the city "stone broke," nob having even enough money left to provide themselves with a week's " tucker " as a start on the gumfields. Some of these men left Darga ville with good round sums ranging from £20 toJEIOO. The following is the result of the North Canterbury Board of Education Pupil Teachers' Examinations:—First year, 18 males, 39 females; second year, 12 males, 29 females; third year, 19 males, 27 females ; fourth year, 8 males, 28 females. At Wednesday's Addington market the sales of fat sheep included the following lots from this district:—Messrs Todhunter and Doweling, crossbred wethers at 15s and 15s 4d, merino wethers at 12s 9d and 12s lOd; Mr T; Upton, crossbred wethers at 148 6d, ewes at 13s 6dfc Mr J. C. Wason, crossbreds at 13s 8d to 14s 9d ; Mr W. Strange, merino ewes at 93 9d to 11s 3d. A line of 286 fat lambs from Lowcliffe sold at 12s Bd. The total entries received for the athletic and bicycle championship meeting at Christchurch next week are 170—99 for the athletic, and seventy-one for the bicycle events. The entries include J. H. Hemp,, ton (Napier), J. H. Batger (Welling ton), J. C. Hutchison (Auckland), and D. Wood (Christchurch), W. L. Kerr, th« Australian Champion cyclist, and Ralling shaw, Wilmot, and Stedman. A Dunedin telegram gives particulars of a terrible accident to the last named, which will prevent his competing, even if it has not more serious results. Stedman was one of the most popular cyclists on the track. The third match of the monthly series of 100-yard swims, m connection with the Amateur Swimming Club took place m the Domain bath last evening. There were eight swimmers m the handicap, all of whom started, handicapped a follows: J. C Lane, scratch; Jas. Graham, 13 sees ; G. Culverhouse, 13 sees ; A, G. Williams, 20 sees ; J. F. Miiller. 22 sees ; E. E. Clowes, 22 aecs ;F. Henry, 25 sees; H. Curtis 30 sees. From the start Curtis led, and he came m first wth the utmost ease, doing the 100 yards m lmiu. 48secs. Culverhouse and Clowes came next, making very close swimming for second and third place. Lane was fourth, and the rest were m a bunch together. There is one more of the series of matches to swim, and this will come off as one of the items of the club's great fix ture for March 2. The points m the series stand as follow—Graham and Henry, 6 each; Curtis, 4; Culverhouse, 2; Williams, Clowes, and Lane 1 each. The contest, therefore, lies between Graham, Henry, and Curtis. "Hamlet" was produced at the Timaru Theatre last night to a very good audience, who according to the " Timaru Herald " thoroughly enjoyed the performance up to the "dismal closing scene, which damps all enthusiasm." Of Mr Bcntley's " Hamlet, our contemporary says:—' The one ques tion respecting a production of this drama is, not " how (fid the play go ?" but " what sort of a Hamlet is he ?" This question, proposed respecting Mr WalterJßentely, will be answered m terms expressive of all high praise, up to "the best Hamlet I ever j aw. Mr Bent*/ has a very definite conception of the character, differing m many respects from those we have seen represented before. "Was Hamlet mad?" Certainly not, is Mr Bentley'3 reading; as he plainly lets the audience see by sufficiently | expressive by-play when he first "puts on' the symptoms of madness for the deception of old Polonius, and m the difference of his bearing when alone with his friend Horatio afterwards. Mr Bentely possesses a voice o great range of tone and power, and as an elocutionary effort his Hamlet was a most genuine treat; and his expression and gestures were well m keeping with his moods throughout.

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBURTON-THURSDaY.

(Before Mr C. A. Wray, JR.M.) Bkeach of the Inspection of Machinery Act.—J. G-. F. Lublow, flaxmiller, was charged at the instance of George Croll, Inspector of machi~ nery for the district of Canterbury, with neglecting to give notice to complainant, according to the Statute, of an accident that had occurred m accused's mill, within the time provided by the Act. Mr J. C. Martin, Crown prosecutor, appeared for the Inspector ; Mr Wilding watched the case for the injnred man, Knapp, and Mr H. G-. Moore appeared for the defence. The section of the Act under which the information was laid is Section 50 of the Inspection of Machinery Act, 1882, and is as follows ; —" Whenever loss of life or serious bodily injury to any person, by reason of the explosion of any boiler, or by reason of any accident caused hy any machinery, shall have happened m any building, place, or premises, jin which or whereon there shall be any boiler or ; machinery of any kind (whether subject to the provisions of this Act or not), the owner of such boiler or machinery shall, within twenty-four hours thereafter, send notice to the Inspector for the district where such accident may have happened, specifying m such notice the cause of such accident, and shall cause such notice to be delivered at the office or usual place of residence of such Inspector. Everj owner who neglects to send or deliver such notice as aforesaid shall be liable t:» a penalty of not less than ten pounds, and not exceeding twenty pounds." Mr Martin explained that the object qi the clause was to ensure the immediate official inspection of the machinery, so that steps should at once be taken to prevent the recurrence of similar acci dents y/itb. a view to the safety of life and limb pf th,<yse who had to work the machinery. £n this case no notice had j been given by Mr Lubjlow for twelve days after an accident which happened to one GeorgeKnapp, on December 1 of last year. Mr Moore said there was no intention on the part of the defence to deny the non sending of the notice, but he submitted there was no necessity for sending it, as there was no intention on the part of Lublow of again working the machine. Jfis Worship declined to accept this, and fchs $ago proceeded. George Croll, Inspec tor Qf'm&chij&vv, said that on a previous Occasion an Mdidwfc fywi occurred at Mr Lublow's mill, and on that opc^wondefen dant had pleaded ignorance of the Ja% when it was pointed out to him that he had had omitted to give the required notice. An aocideitf happened again oh December 1 of last year, #k$ no rotice was sent to him by Mr Lublow, information of it, having reached witness through fh. c police. toy the defence'J. G. T. Lublow said ttie mill did hot work for ten 'days »ftej? Mr Croll's last .visit. Understood tvam Mr Cr'oU fcfcat the notice was m time enough if postes wiibfcm'fourteen days. Had sent a letter to post, giving notjice. A man passing the mill took it down. xi!« Worship said the Apt loft bil£ no option bat 4o jpne defendant £.IQ, the miniiiiuin penalty alWed, with costs. The penalty, hpvyeyer, wa^ subject tip such mitigation as the Governor might k&p fit. Mr Mms ?W4 ithe w t oulf fa? ap- This was an... ' k«;

Prosperous Small Settle- ments.

At a meeting of the Hawke's Bay I Waste Land Board last week the chair- ) man read some interesting reports on village arid special settlements m Hawke's Baj. The following are the reports on the two elder of five settlements reported on: — WOODVILLE VILLAGE SETTLEMENT. This settlement was formed m June of 1887, and is situated on the main road about one mile south of the town of Wood ville. Its extent was 112 acres divided into lots varying ftorn one acre near the road to eight acres at the back. At the time of selection nearly the whole whs covered with forest, the^acre sections fronting the main road oeing the ex ception. In 1887 the settlers numbered 29, Two have since forfeited their selections, which have been disposed of under other systems, leaviug 27 as the present number of holdings with a total area of 102 acres. Of these 12 are held by that original selectors, the balance by transferees. Rather over four years has elapsed sines this land was taken up, and a flourishing settlement; with good houses, gardens, orchands, and grass paddocks has taken the place of unproductive forest. It needs but a visit to become convinced of its success, and thab it is m many respects a model settlement fulfilling its intended purposes. Its proximity to Woodvil]e, with its mills and other in dustries, has been greatly m its favour, although m several instances the head ot the family works at bushfalling on road work some distance away, only coming home at the end of the week. As a proof of the industry of these people, the value of the improvements that have been put' on the land during the four years is be tween £3000 and"£4ooo, of which only £793 15s 9d has been advanced by the Government. The rents and interest on advances are very regularly paid, and at the present time only two are a half-year's payment m arrears." DANEVIRKE SMALL FARM ASSOCIATION. This settlement was formed m Novem ber 1885; and is located near the town ship of the same name. Its situation was favourable on account of its proximity co the railway line, its nearest point being about half a mile from the Mangatera station. It is level country, well watered, and was at the time of the selection covered with forest. The association at the outset consisted of twenty-five mem bers, who selected as many sections, com prising m all 1900 acres. The results at the end of the six years are very satis factory, and the settlement must be con sidered an undoubted success. Five of the original twenty-five have acquired the freehold of the selections. Four of them are permanent residents, with good sub stantial residences. In a few cases settlers have acquired additional sections by trans fer, so that the actual holdings at the pre sent time are 18 m number. Twelve of tlie holders are personally resident, and two others by substitute. The houses, of which there are 14, are of a good class, many with excellent gardens and young orchards, the whole surroundings sugges tive of comfort and prosperity. Of the 1900 acres m the settlement, more than half is m cultivation, and a further area felled, but not burnt owing to the late bad burning season. The value of im provements effected is £4350, an average of £2 5s an acre on the total area of the settlement, including the unimproved lands. Only two of the selectors are m arrears of cheir payments, one of them having suffered lately through the burning down of his house. The settlement is un questionably a success, and has, I judge, fulfilled, if not exceeded, the most san guine expectations, proving that under ordinarily favorable conditions moderate sized areas can be advantageously and profitably occupied. It is gratifying to find that up to the present there is no tendency, either m this or the Waipawa settlements, to the land being absorbed by a few. Where the freehold has been acquired the settlers are resident, and with every appearance of continuing to do so. Anyway, after an interval of six years, the two are practically as much " small farm settlements," and m fact more so, than at their initiation.

The Victoria Woollen Mills.

AN UNFORTUNATE INDUSTKY.

The closing of the long-established Victoria Woollen Mills, afc Geelong, is not an event on which we as a manufac turingpeople can congratulate ourselves. The mills are shut up because the share holders decline to spend more money m futile attempts to make them pay, The buildings occupy a magnificent site adja cent to a railway, within twenty minutes of a shipping port, on a beautiful ever flowing river, and just at the edge of our western district, ftir Thomas Mitchell's Australia Felix, the finest wool country perhaps m the whole world. What ails the mill and the millers ? Every mother's son and daughter amongst us who wears woollens has for years past contributed a moiety towards their support. Duties have varied from 25 to 30 per cent. The forcing process has indeed received a full and thorough trial, and the result is— failure. We can only hope lo understand the cause of the failure, and thus learn how to make a better start next time by taking a glance at other mills less favor ably situated, which really do pay. To find these mills, we have to cross the ocean and take a glance at New Zealand. There m the city of Dunedin are two woollen mills paying dividends every year, always increasing operations, and always improving products. And despite the fact, somewhat shameful to us, that Mel bourne, which should be their great market, is duty barred against them, How do they manage to pay '!■ In the first place, they employed men who understood the matter to design their buildings and to choose and purchase their machinery. In the second, they brought out people not trained only, but bred to the work of weaving. In the third, they imported those people m families and provided them with homes, where they might live with all the necessary comforts aud con veniences of domestic life. In the fourth, they had no, boards of directors holding frequent meetings and drawing handsome fees, nor any managers strolling about m silk hats and broadcloth, or clerks keep ing elaborate books which it would puzzle a Philadelphia lawyer to understand. And, laaly, they arranged for all their goods under their own hands to be sold m every city and village of the land. They arc prosperous, busy, happy places those mills now. Green fields and wooded hills surround them. Bright painted cot tages are set m gardens where holly-hocks Bind stocks, roses and rhododendrons Moom. HaH dozen workers turn out at times from ft, single aoWa^Q— all wage earners, all colonists of the very best sort. They belong to no trades union, and yet have ' larger liberty, better inbome, and more comfort than any working folks m Aus tralia; And still the proprietors take a f|ir §har£ ftf £h_o r)rofit!s, ■' and find work 'for ■ eydrybay afid gji'l when jiphool' age 'is fjafsgerlj and 1 generally bring ihb'% fey? skilled hands from the old \voj?ld every year. It is a pretty picture, anil Aye are conscious of a terrible contrast i« return* ing ifOTO Punedin to Geelong. Is not j the* failure ofiy Geelong mills attribut able |p the policy which 'is characteristic of Victorians—every'inan' 1 seeking State aid for.his; own-industry, and despising the products' of his neighbour s pi'ojtegked I jindaafciy!-Melbourne'" "'Evening' SttfiiL Sm; ' "' ■ - '■ ••

THE EXPORT BUTTER TRADE.

,W*e have always held the opinion that the export trade m butter and cheese is capable of almost indefinite expansion, and is yet destined to rival m importance that m frozen meat. That that opinion is well founded the great strides which the industry has made during the past two or three years amply suffice to show, and it is very satisfactory to read on the authority of " the Scots man " (of December 3 last) that " New Zealand butter has already made a name for itself m this country (Great Britain) being far superior to Danish butter, which is now selling on its past reputation." The journal referred to goes on to shojw that there is abundant scope for colonial enterprise m supply ing the Home market by pointing out that " twenty-one millions of pounds sterling were paid by Great Britain m 1890 to Continental countries for dairy produce alone. The butter and margarine imported weighed over three million hundredweight, and the cheese nearly two million. As New Zealand and Australia are m the full flush of Summer while we are shivering with frost and snow, and the transit is an easy matter, they could undoubtedly send us the greater part of our im [ ported butter if they chose to under sell the Continental produce. When they do so, the effect will be almost as disastrous to British farming as was the importation of frozen meat and colonial wool." India and South Africa are also referred to as promis ing outlets for this class of produce. India, it appears, annually spends £400,000 upon imported butter. "Nearly the-whole of the butter im ported into that country is tinned— that is packed m one, two, seven, and fourteen-pound tins, and m that shape, if properly cured, it will keep sound for twelve months or more." The price at Calcutta of such butter, best Danish, is, we learn from other sources, about 2s 6d per lb. In the South African market, according to the " Scotsman," the prejudice at present is m favor of the Danish article, which commands from Is 6d to Is 8d per lb m tins, subject to an import duty of 3d per lb, but as the Australasian article is now admitted at Home to be superior to Danish, there is no reason why the prejudice of our Cape friends should not be overcome and the pre ference secured for Australian and New Zealand butter. As regards the trade with the Home market it is admitted that "the export of butter and cheese to Great Britain has now passed the experimental stage, and has settled down to the first step of a trade which bids fair to grow as rapidly as the frozen meat trade has done, but— and here comes that part of our con temporary's remarks to which we desire to call special atbention—it is pointed out that " New Zealand butter makers have not yet reached that stage of uniformity m their products which should stamp their produce as being of premier quality. As their export trade is at present carried on, it be comes a mere matter of speculation with buyers .m the open market when purchasing New Zealand butter or cheese. They have no guarantee of the quality enclosed m the kegs or cases. In a few cases, perhaps, a certain trade mark or brand is known and its quality recognised, but the bulk of the butter and cheese is thrown into the market at haphazard—good, bad, and indifferent—and the average buyer has to take his chance m a lottery as to which quality he gets hold of. People not acquainted with the usages of the trade will wonder how this can be. It is easily explained. A mer chant goes to Glasgow, Liverpool, or London to purchase butter. In one cellar he sees, say, 5000 kegs of New Zealand butter. He inserts the ' taster' into half a dozen kegs ; they will, perhaps, average from good to fair. He wants to buy 200 kegs. He cannot find time, nor will he go to the trouble, nor even is he allowed to taste the contents of each keg or case separately. He tries the sample, and the sample is supposed to be a fair specimen of the bulk ; but—and here comes the one drawback to the cultiva j tion of an extensive and profitable j butter trade with New Zealand—the bulk is not uniform, and the percent i age of inferior butter amongst the good acts as a deterrent to increase of sales. The same buyer goes or sends to the Cork market. He requires, say, one hundred kegs of the finest quality, fifty of second, and fifty of third quality, and for export requires another fifty of a keeping quality. He has no trouble, no need for tasting. He goes to an agent or broker, and says: < I want sq many feegs of first, second, and third, mild, and so many of first, salt.' He gets exactly what he wants. Every keg of butter sold m the Cork market has to pass through the hands of ' experts,' who judge of its quality and brand it accordingly. The buyer m Scotland or England has learned by experience to have confi dence m the Cork system of grading. He knows when he orders 'first mild' he gets the finest butter m the market, and if he requires a lower quality he knows the exact grade by the number. The British buyer purchases Irish butter of a known quality, but hitherto he has purchased New Zea land butter of an unknown quality." On this same subject of " grading " the " Scotsman further says :S l When the Americans began exporting provisions to Great Britain they simply poured into this country haphazard qualities, the same as Australia and New Zealand have until now been doing. The result was that they could not do a large trade. This was more particu larly seen m the bacon and cheese trades. They made what they con sidered first grades m these two lines, but their grading was unsuitable for our markets, for at that time they did not know that Great Britain requires various gt-ades, Witlj no useful help from their Government:', the Americans had to send experts to travel over the whole of Gfrea't Britain, and learn exactly what the retailers m eiach district required, The sai£e kincj of knowledge ' #ou}d b,e Requisite m the oaae of "any" experts appointed by the NW Zealand Government. For the British markets they require to have a practical knowledge of the grading of butter as practised m Ireland and America. Eor the Indian and S,outh African markets, t/he experts require to, know the grading ■ suitable for these {jUpates^afavaiferettVtaslsto grading

for Great Britain. Then with regard | to the grading of cheese, which is as necessary us the grading of butter, the work of the expert is not less difficult. He must not only be able to ' taste' and 'name' correctly, but he must understand the various markets, For example, the class or grade of cheese which would fetch the highest price for retailing m the London shops would only take second or third place m the western or northern counties. The color and flavor most sought after m London would be despised m Gloucester, Manchester, and Yarmouth; while Newcastle would require a, different quality to Dundee or Belfast. By-and-bye, as markets for fruit and vegetables are tapped, the experts will have other duties. They will have to be familiar with the best methods of packing fruit and other produce, and m off seasons should be able to instruct producers as to the best methods of sampling and packing their produce for distant markets." As regards graded butter it is added that "it will neces sarily be a work of time for British buyers to learn to place confidence m the New Zealand official brand. But eventually this grading will give con fidence. It will weed out of the market the careless makers; it will stimulate others to reach the highest point possible of perfection, for the standard value of ' first milds' m the British market will be a paying in ducement for makers to attain that quality." The " Scotsman" is, how ever, m error m stating that " New Zealand butter makers will no longer work under the disadvantage (of un classified experts),' as their Govern ment has now appointed experts to grade provisions before they leave the Colony." This is not the case. The matter has been discussed m Parliament and has been the subject of careful inves tigation by a Committee of the House before which a large volume of expert evidence was adduced. This went to show that the grading at this end would be of little or no value, as owing to the length of the voyage and the risks of transit it would be no : gaurantee of the quality—of butter especially—when it reached Home. What we think will have to be done will be to arrange that the butter should be examined and graded at the port of arrival, and this is probably a matter which can be better arranged by private enterprise than by the Government. That such an arrange ment needs to be made there is no doubt whatever, and the subject is one which deserves the prompt and careful consideration of exporters generally. It is one which might well be taken up by the Chambers of Commerce.

The Schools' Excursion.

The Ashburton and Hampstead School Committees, with a representative from Tinwald, met last night to complete arrangements for Mr Wright's excursion to Springburn to-morrow. The following arrangements were decided upon : - The scholars of the schools taking train from Ashburton station and their parents and guardians fco be at the Ashburton railway station not later than nine o'clock m the morning, the children assembling under their respective standards, to receive r-uiway lickcts. Pas uu* and guardians will obtain their tickets at the same time from the chairman of th« committee of the school which their children attend. The different schools will then be marshalled to their respective trains and carriages. On arriving at Springburn, the younger children only will be placed m conveyances and carried to the Bush, and after they have been landed there, the wagons will return p*rt of the way to meet the elder scholars and adults, Adults going m the conveyances with the children will be charged sixpence fare each way. A shilling luncheon will be provided at Messrs Sharplin, Vincent, and Co.'s mill, and those who do not intend to avail of ifc must take the necessary provisions for the day with them. The Committees have arranged for a supply of tea but no eatables for the children m the afternoon. The children must take mugs with them. The return trains will leave Springburn at 6 and 6.10 p.m. Parents and guardians are reminded that Mr Wright's invitation is extended to them m order that they may assist m taking charge of the children. The Com mittees, therefore, trust that the parents and guardians will do all ia their power to carry out the directions of the Com mittees. Notice has been received from the various schools that upwards of fifteen hundred children and adults will accept Mr Wright's invitation. There will be plenty of vehicles at Springburn to convey adults and others to the bush at moderate fares. A notice to scholars of the High School will be found m our advertisement columns.

University Examinations

At a meeting of the University Senate at Christchurch yesterday the reports of the examiners for the December examina tions were considered. The following candidates succeeded m gaining the junior scholarships of 1891:—Jane |$uL : holland, George Joseph Lancaster, James Marshall Waddell, Herbert Craddock, Christchurch ; William J. Barclay, Auck land ; Christina Murray Cruickshank, Margaret Barnett Cruickshank, Alex. Druminond Wilkinson, George Procter Flavell, Dunedin ; Charles Evan MacKay^ Wellington.. The results of tUe matricu lation, medical, preliminary, and bar-_ risters' and solicitors' examinations will probably be made known to,-day.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

PEE JPIIESS ASSOCIATION

LOSS OF LIFE AT SEA.

London. January 23. Mr S. Plirusoll, President of the Seamen's Union, stated before the | Royal Commission on Labor, that the j loss of life on British merchant ships exceeded by four times the number of casualties on ships of the merchant services of other countries. He con demned the manner in which vessels were loaded. SIR R. HERBERT. Sir Robert Herbert, who lately re tired from the position of Permanent Secretary to the Colonial office, will probably bo raised to the Peerage. IRISH AFFAIRS. A statement published by Mr Michael Davitt shows that £4500 was collected last year in aid of the evicted tenants, which sum was sufficient to administer temporary relief to 1400 families. The funds are now ex hausted, and Mr Davitt invites the Parnellities to show a spirit of generous rivalry in collecting money for the relief of tenants during the current year. THE ARAWA. The Arawa has been admitted to pratique. CHILI AND THE UNITED STATES. The City Press, commenting on the adrious aspect of affairs in regard to Chili and the United States, advises the President of the South American Republic to apologise. Washington, January 26. The United States Government are agreeable that Great Britain should arbitrate in the dispute with Chili, Valpabaiso, January 27. The Chilian Government have pur chased a new cruiser, and are also hastening the completion of the iron clads Arturo Pratt and President Pinto, which are being built in Europe. It has been ascertained that the United States cruiser Philadelphia has been seat to Gibraltar to intercept the Arturo Pratt on her way out. Washington, January 27. A Bill has been introduced into the Senate to authorise the construction of three new battle ships and fifteen other warships. With the exception of the " New York Herald," the Press support the line of action adopted by President Harrison in the dispute with Chili. A member of the House of Representa tives made a statement reflecting on the President. Several other members resented this attack, and for a short period there was great confusion in the Chamber.

QUEENSLAND AND THE BANK OF ENGLAND.

London, January 26. The city financierssupportMr Lidder dale in his dispute with the Queens land Government, and the credit of that colony is suffering. Queensland treasury bills are issued at four per cent, at a minimum of 99. The " Daily News " says that Queens land has sunk to the position of the lowest of the Australian colonies owing to the action of the Colonial Treasurer, whose administration has been char acterised by blustering and muddling. London, January 27. Sir J. F. Garrick, Agent-General for Queensland, in a letter to Mr .Lidder dale, says that Sir Samuel Griffith was unaware in November that the Bank of England had subscribed to the loan to the extent stated. The '1 Financial Times" expresses the opinion that the Bank is adopting the only course open to it, and that Sir T. Mcllwraith is foolish not to apologise. The "Financial News" says that Sir S. Griffith committed an egregious blunder, and the lesson taught him was a sharp and salutary one. The paper also observes that the incident has taught colonial politicians that they cannot malign with impunity. The " Standard" points out that the holders of Queensland stock will have cause of complaint against the Bank of England for bringing the stock into disrepute. OBITUARY. The death i 8 announced of the mother of the Empress of Austria. ROBERT CAMPBELL AND SONS. Robert Campbell and Sons have passed their dividend and carried forward £2000. REV C. H. SPURGEON. The Rev C. H. Spurgeon is worse THE MELBA DIVORCE CASE. The Vienna Court has ordered the waiters in the hotels at which the Due D'Orleans and Madame Melba are reported to have stayed, to give evidence in th§ divorce case iv Eng land, THE INFLUENZA. The " Lancet" describes a, ji«>w> remedy for influenza. It consists of thirty grains of potassium, bicarbonate; to be taken every three hours. Last week 500 deaths from influenza were recorded in London. Paris, December 26- Owing to the influenza epidemic the mortality in the oity- is 100 above the ordinary daily average.

RIOTOUS STRIKERS.

Madrid, Jannary 27. Five hundred miners who went out on strike at Eilbao raised a riot, and the military, who had to be summoned, were compelled to fire m order to dis perse the mob. Many of the rioters were wounded.

THE PAMIR QUESTION.

St. pETJSRSiiMJRG, January 26. The Russian Government is anxious tQ discuss the Pamir question with re presentatives of Great Britain and China, The " Novosti" urges, JRu.ssfe to ob tain a footing in. Persia in order to ; secure an, outlet to India. THE RUSSIAN FAMINE. The peasants in one of the famine stricken districts murdered and TQJb'bgd a priest. THE CAJ^DIAH MINISTRY. ! Ottawa, January 2fy [ The principal portfolios w the Dominion Ministry are now held as. follows :—Premier^ Jf., J. O. Abbot; Minister of >i, ustice,. Sir J. S. D. Thotup. so,a; Minister of Finance, G, *J. |>iaterj Miuwfb9? 0| J.

Chapleau ; Minister of Revenue, C. H. Tupper.

THE COMMERCIAL TREATIES.

Vienna, January 26. The Austrian Government has adopted all the Commercial Treaties.

THE MURDERS IN AUSTRIA

Vienna, January 27. In connection with the murder of a number of girls m June last, the man has confessed to complicity m the outrage. The woman is now on her trial for being implicated m the murders.

AUSTRALIAN.

EARTHQUAKE.

Sydney. January 27. A severe earthquake was experienced at Kiama, ninety-two miles south of Sydney. The shock, which lasted twenty seconds, extended along the coast line for a considerable distance. No damage is reported.

THE GOVERNORSHIP OF NEW ZEALAND.

Mklbockxe, .January 27. The "Argus'! commends Lord Knutsford for promising to submit the name of the Governor designate of New- Zealand to the Government of the colony before the final selection is made.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland. January 27. The "Herald" publishes the corres pondence received from Tawhaia contain ing threats to take possession of the land atOtahu sold to Europeans. There is also a letter from Mr Cadman warning anj person interfering with the Europeans; m possession of the land, that he will b« arrested. In reply to this Kerei Kaihau, agent for Tawhaio, declares that the latter is Kins of New Zealand. The annual n<eeting of the Auckland Employers' Association was held to-day» The report showed tho work which had been done during the year, pointing out that the effort of the Association to form a Board of Conciliation had been un successful because the Trades and Labor Council failed to complete its part of the undertaking. The policy cf the Associa tion m the future would, if possible, be more strenuously directed to obtaining industrial and commercial prosperity asd! peace. Class antagonism prevailed to. such an extent, however, that greats tact and forbearance on the part of employers, would be necessary. The collapse of saeht strike m the colony had caused men to. trust less to strikes and more to legis lation, and m future, therefore, em ployers would have to contend with secret instead of open combination, with legislative coercion instead of strikes. The statement of accounts showed a small credit balance. > Wellington, January 27. The "Gazette" to-night contain^ che new electoral districts as defined by i the Permanent Commission under the Representation Act, 1887. Policemen on the beats m the various school districts are to be truant officers, and will act under direction of the local committees, serving notices upon wanderers' parents m the first instance, and afterwards following them up by summonses if necessary. Dunedin, January 27. The University Council to-day accepted the offer of the sisters of the late Prov fessor Mainwaring Brown to present the library with books to the value of £50. The report of the Westport Coal Cob*-^ pany shows a profit for ths ye» off £16,555 17s Bd, making, with the balance of £8392 6s lid brought for wa.^ a total! of £24,948 4s 7d. The interim dividend; of 2| per cent paid for th&lasb half-yea? ending June, absorbed £5196 9s. Tines directors now propose to pay 5 per eenfe. for the half-year ending December (mak ing a total of 7i per cent for tha year> absorbing £10,392 lgs. They appropriate £3000 for the Granity Creek works, »ni carry forward £635817s 7d. S. R. Stedman, the well-known, cyclist, who was m splendid form for the ;»_,_ proaching championship weetiog Ghrisfcchureh, has met with a serior jß ac _ cident which will probablyprer ent yj ever appearing on the track agair While superintending tW. putting do^n 0f a pump, a moflkey, we^hir about fcwo hundred weight be«H>: c detached and fell with almost Ml * orce on Stedman ' s head, driving ifc ata» iOsfc into the shoulder . He was uneonße>; ous for abotlt; thirty-six ftours. it \» nnto t k nO wn yet how serious the injury

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

[per press association.

Death of Old Settler*. Marton, January 28. Mr John Bryce, of Fern Hill, Marton, father of H»n J. Bryce, and Mr Alex. Cockburn of Porewa, both old Rangitikei settlers, died last night. The Red«mptorf*t MUwlom. Wellington, January 28. .Rev Dr Vaughan, Supfrior of tfte Redemptorist Fathers m Australasia, is at present m Wellington, on his way to Duuedin, where missions conducted by his order has been m progress for th« last two months.

THE MARKETS.

OPENING OP THE WOOL SALES.

(MR TRESS ASSOCIATION.)

London, January 26. The total arrivals of wool up to cute amount to 396,000 bales. The wheat market is hardening. The market for Scotch pig iron is flac, and quotations have fallen to 425, owing; to a full market on the Continent. The latest arrivals of Victorian buttei^, factory made, are realising 116s to 130s; per cwfc. A few choice parcels brought. 1245; dairy made is selling at 102s. London, January 27- At the preseut series of.wool sales; 311,000 bales, including 37,000 from tk* Cape, are available, Competition is qnieb as compared with last saks. Good merino greasy is steady. AH P/dier sorts show a decline of 2£ to* 5 p'jr cent. Crossbreds are unchanged.. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency OjsjEnpauy, Limited, have received the following London cable dated January, Wool—The sales opened this daj;: aft : thd level of last sales except medium and inferior greasy and scoured merino* r/hich have declined |d per lb. Attendance of both Home and foreign buyers; is good, and competition is fairly active, but there, is a want of confidence ia the bidding-. The total quantity available, incJudirTjj wool held over from la-sfc series, is 399.'jq0 bales, 89,000 bales, of which have been forwarded to> the raanufaetuving districts ; direct , Wheat-Market slightly steadier, bub quotations webanged aince last telegram

I (Reoeived January 28, 11.10 a.m.) Sydney. January 28. Wlieai, chick is 4d, milling 4s 10d to ss. Oats, 2s 7d to 2* Bd. Maize 2s 3d to *s 4d. Bar'ey Jfe 2cl. Bran lid. J J&llard 9^(l. Ptsas 2s Gd. Potatoes, loci £2 lOs # "Warrnambool £3. Ouicm. £Nt 5s t,u £4 lQ«s, Butter, dairy jb^ }f)& t

THE ASHBURTOtf GFAftbfAN: TITOftSDAY, JANUARY 28 v JB9l



Don't be Deowiveo !—• If you want the best Medicine the world has ever pro duced, try Colbmake and Sons Eucalypti Extract. For all affections of the chest and lungs, consumption, asthma, coughs, colds, gravel, and kidney complaints. For influenza it has no equal. Under the distinguished patronage of Earl Jersey, Governor of New South Wales, Lord Carrington, and the Emperor of Germany. Awarded medals at Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, beating ali competitors, and is the only pure Extract m the world, See that the label bears our trade mark tree of life and signature Coleman.6 and Sons, Cootamundra, Ne,w %iu,fch Wales), without this it k a fraud. Price, Is 6d and, 2s (id," Wholesale Depdt for New Zealand: Lichfield street, Christchurch Sole Agents for Ashburton : The Avsh burton Drug Company.—Advt, ' The wqrld \s pwer moving, on, towards perfection, butseldoin attains'lt' Constant improvement is being made m every branch of industry, but m Bakjn«» Powders Perfection has been re^V/i ;?, Warburton's Can't Be Seat. t Ask for "Nlnian Hyslop, and C* s -mperial new seasons Pqra Ceylon and Indian Teas. S^cjal price!?,— (Adrt,) i|inian H>slop and bo.'s " Imperial" Usyion and Indian Teas are direct from thb Xoa Phntations-r^fA/lvt,) '



(Ninian Hyslop and Co.'s " Impe. ,P.M^ peylor- and Indian Tea? are "the



Thk Best Remedy fob Indigestion — Norton's Camomile Pills 'are confidenty recommended as a simple remedy for Indigestion, which is the cause of nearly all fohe diseases to which we are subjects JHorton's Pills, with justice called the -Natural Strengthener of the Human St«iK*ch," act as a powerful tonic and gentle penont, are mild m their operation, and safe ttitdLer any circumstances. Sold m bottles, ai Ist J^d, 2s 9d, 11s, byaH inedicine vendors thtmdtovt th*l wnrW •"Kkating'k PoVfVUit" destroys Bugs, Flew, Motha, Beetfe*, »n(i all otllt!l" insecla whilst ignite harmless to domestic animals. In exterminating Beetles 0^ fc ('cces3 of tiiis powder is extraordinary, it is perfectly clean m apfA&ation. .Sen t'le mticlb / 0H «mrcfaaeeiis ''JK'i?.iTiN T«'s," as imitatu»wi"/j,i^'i "oxious.«md,ineftot/bK*l. i-bid m Tins, o^l, I* »l»d fi^l 1, >W ;«^J ohentjsl.B,



STOCK^TAtIN(jr. BEDUGTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE ALL DEPARTMENTS. Inspection Invited. NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory* W. H. WEBBER Manager. THE Next Chertsey Sale will be held MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 18 92. t. McDowell, Secretary



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 Awjorn, Saunders' Buildings. A LL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to XJL measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed; from 50s cash. Robert Alcorn, Ashburfcon Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. WANTED Known.—-For first-class Drapery and Millinery go to Melford House ; cheapest shop m town. {See windows,) Beautiful Xmas present s being given away.—H. C. Skgers. rpo Meet the Times.—l am supplying X Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s ' upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all descriptions. Inspection invited. — J. W. HARnLBY, Em street. 6J201 WANTED Known—That you will make no mistake for quality and variety m English and Colonial Boots, and his highly reputed make by calling at J. MoisoVs. During coming holidays dis count for Cash. Repairs done at once. A staff of men always kept and best material and workmanship guaranteed. ANTED Known.--H. Bairstow has opened those premises m East street next J. Orr and Co., as a Furniture Warehouse. Latest designs i n 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 ny design. Inspection invited. Ilt6ll



Wanted. " CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be li«ffc at this Office. __ | WANTED Immediately—Cottage of four or five rooms. Send particu lira to "T.H.," " Mail" office. 1 135 WANTED KNOWN,—A great pur chase of Kid Gloves, £135 10s 6J. Florencia Kid Gloves, all sizes, 4 and 6-Clasp, usual price 63 lid and 8s 6d, now sold for 4* lid and 5s lid.-A. Okrs Sale. ______—— W ANTED Known;--Newnian'a four in-hand drag will run irom Spring burn Station to Bush To-morrow. Adults, Is each way ; children, half-price. 1 ho ANTED, by one engaged m an office, Ashburton, comfortable boaid and lodgings within half an hour's w»lk of Post Office, Apply, P.O. Box 94 , . ; ..,.,. .. ; __J___f "TT7 ANIED Known.—Great Bargains VV now on at Melford House. Beautiful Cashmeres at Is 6d ; usual price 3s.—H. C, Seoeks. T\foTHlNGwill Cool you so quickly and —-^ invigorate the system so much as Ice Cream.—H.G. Flower, Confectioner, East Street. '_ ... mHIRTY Pieces Dress Goods at 6d; 60 A Pieces French Cashmere at Is 6d*, worth 3s 6d ; 1000 Yards French Tweed, double width, at Is 9d, worth 3s 9d. All Dress Goods,greatly reduced.—Andrew Orr's Cheap Sale. 1 106 WANTED Known. —Great Bargains m Ladies' Ca3hmere Hose, Under clothing, Pinafores, &c Come and see them. Handsome Xmas presents now giving away.-—M. C s Sbgers, Melford House. BOOTS, Boots.—lnfants Boots 9d, six Dozen Ladies' Elastic Side Boots, 5s 9d, Gents* Boots 8s 6d, Mens Blucher Boots 5s 6d, Stanley Shoes Is lid.— Ahdrkw ORR»SaIe. 1 W" ANTED KNOWN, a special lot of Hearth Rugs at Is lid, 2s 6d and 2s lid ; worth about doable. W. H. Collier. WAKTEDKnown.— At "The Corner' now selling Ladies' French Shops. 5s lid. See them.—W. H. C?ollieb. W~*~ ANTED Known.—l have a large stock of Tin and Ironware Goods io select from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m stock.—J. W. Hardlet, East .t/eet. 6}202