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MAIL NOTICE.

ENGLISH MAILS.

In Direct mails left London on January 8 and February 5, and are due in New Zealand on February 22 and March 21 respectively. San Francisco mail left London on January 23, and is due in New Zealand on February 24. Out—Direct mails left New Zealand on January 9 and February (5, and are due in England on February 18 and March 17 re spectively. March 5 (due London April 14) and April 2 (clue London May 12) are the dates of departure of next direct mails. San Francisco mail left New Zealand on January 30, and is due at London on March 2. February 27(due London March 30) and March 26 (due London April 27) are the next S'tn Francisco mail dates. Mails close for the following places as under, subject to the necessary alterations :— WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17. For Australian Colonies, and also for United Kingdom and Continent of Europe (specially addressed "via Brindisi" only), Point de Galle, India, China, Japan, etc., and also for France, Algeria, Mauritius, Cape of Good Hope, etc. (specially marked per " French Packet" only) per express (to connect with Te Anau at Port Chalmers), at 13.30 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Vertas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1892. THE SUBJECT OF TAXATION.

The Opposition newspapers, with a few prejudice-blinded or desperately j obstinate exceptions, have at last aban doned their endeavours to persuade '• farmers that they are unjustly treated i by the new system of taxation, and are now busily engaged in equally futile efforts to make the working men believe that they are the victims of injustice in that they now have to i contribute as much towards the cost of government as the farmers are now called upon to pay. This is just as great a fallacy and as easily exposed as was the previous cry of injustice to the farmers. The Land Tax, as even Opposition orators and organs now admit, affords substantial relief to nine by-nine out of one hundred farmers; indeed, the exceptions—holders of estates such as Longbeach, Springfield, Greenhills, Five Rivers, and a very few more—do not number one per cent, of the farmers of the Colony. Those to whom the burden of taxation has been shifted are, with the few ex ceptions mentioned, those who hold large areas of land upon which little if any improvement has been made, and upon which the fewest number of men are employed. The farmers will still be liable to the Colonial Treasury for the Land Tax on the unimproved value of their land, and for the rates levied by the various local government bodies —County Councils (who also collect Hospital and Charitable Aid rates), Road Boards, and so on—none of which is the working man, called upon to pay. The working man's new-found friends not only charge the Govern ment with having reduced the taxation of farmers to the level of that which is paid by wage-earners, through the Customs, but they impute to the Government unjust treatment of the working classes by not reducing the Customs duties, Well, in the first place, the duty on tea is shortly to be abolished, which will affect almost every working man. Then let us see what the accusers themselves did with the tariff when they were in power. They were in office long enough and had strong enough majorities to have reduced the Customs duties, but never attempted to do so. On the contrary they raised the duties—of which that on tea had been reduced 50 per cent., and that on sugai 33 per cent, by the present Premier when Colonial Trea surer in 1878—to the present level; excusing their action by the hollow argument that the reduction nevsr reached the working man, but was so much additional profit for the mer chants and retailers. The working man may judge from the actions of the Conservative party of what value their present professions are. lib must be understood we are not arguing against a reduction of the Customs duties on necessaries of life; on the contrary many of them should be reduced at the earliest period at which the finances of tike Colony can afford it. Our object is to point out the hypocrisy with which t??o Opposition speakers and press are coming forward as would-be champions of the°working men, but who, as Lord Onsiow has found, are "men wkR j regard the working men only as men with shoulders broad enough for them to climb up upon them if not to fame, I at least to notoriety."

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Registrar of Canterbury College invites tenders for leasing five reserves, ot from 151 to 1936 acres, at Valetta. The mayor and aldermen of Chicago have already granted six thousand licenses for new drinking saloons to be opened during the Exhibition. To take rusfc out of BtegJ rub it over with salad oil and in forty-eight h#urs rub with nnslacked lime, finely powdered, fcijtjl the rust disappears. It is not generally known that M. Pasteur is an " unlicensed practitioner," and cannot ■even put a l*#cet into; a man's arm. Fe has to keep a surgeon to do this for him, in order to comply with ithe law, Tl»e descent of the .ajicie.pt Scottish family of Hoyle, *o which the l?arj of tflssgow belongs, in traced, back .{.says an exchange) tq one Patrick Boyle, who was Laird of Kilbur nie about the middle of the thirteenth century. A curious reversal of the usuid flrdor of thiws was observed at Carterton the ofcUec day.° A young couple got married and at once set up housekeeping in the house of the bride's parents, sending the old people on ths usual honeymoon tour instead of going themselves. The weather on Saturday and Sunday jiving been just the sort wanted for the purple, a large proportion of the crop now .iu'^top^: jyas gob into stack, and the agEeeabfe otaa#-« will go far towards r^d.ecming.fcli'e.graim iffip the mischief done 'if iiw ireceftt it"ad wfabh^i;.

It ia said that there id something very ob- i noxious to rats in the leaves and. stalks of the mallen plant, and that if tho.y are strewn around in collars of their Iku-^uj they will immediately leave. We wish some house holder, who is annoyed by these vermin, j would try this simpb method and report , success. A little girl was returning from school at i Li'.limur (Victoria) when she saw a large snake go into an old rubbish heap. Her father procured a crow-bar, and after turn- .< ing all the rubbish over and seeing no snake, was just going home when he espied the tail of a snake projecting from a hole in an old kerosene tin. He forthwith broke open the | can and. wliat was his surprise to see no less . han six large snakes, one being' 6 feat long. I A party of gentlemen took advantage of Mr John Newman's excursion to Peel Forest on Saturday, with the special object of having a look at the country on the route. The weather was pleasant and the drive very enjoyable. Mr Newman intends to run these excursions regularly should sufficient inducement, to do so offer. We (" Waimate Times") understand that Sir James Hector, Government geologist, visited Waihao Forks about a week ago, for the purpose of inspecting the bed of lignite oil %hale on Mr Donald Macpherson's property. He took a small sample of the mineral with him and arranged for a couple of saoks of the stuff to be sent to him at Wellington. We believe that this shale has been analysed and found to yield a high percentage of mineral oil, and that some of it tried at the Oamaru gasworks, yielded an unusually high product of gas for lighting purposes.

The following (from the " Manawatu Standard ") is an offset to the stories about the scare of capital by the new taxation scheme:—-" A gentleman who owns about £20,000 worth of property in the colony recently arrived from Home, mainly for the purpose of ascertaining the effect of the new taxation. After spending come time in the vicinity of his property, and going fully into the question, he arrived at the conclusion that the new sche-ne was a most satisfactory one to improving settlers, and justly severe on owners of large areas of unimproved land. In an interview with the Premier the other day, he was very decided in his praise of the new policy, and expressed a firm conviction that it was devised in the true interest of the people of the colony." The appointment of naval officers as Colonial Governors has not (says the "New Zealand Herald") been a success in our history, as the in era mention of Hobson and Fitzroy is enough to prove. The owners of these names were, however, excellent officers. Captain Hobson, it is said, was the original of Tom Cringle in the famous and popular story, and wa3 a very smart sailor indeed in his time ; while Captain Fitzroy had com manded the Beagle on her great voyage, and after his governorship became famous as the Admiral who did so much for the Weather Department. But they were neither of them successful governors. But they had very troublous times, and they had very few pre cedents to guide them. The Earl of Glas gow, on the contrary, has an easy task before him and plenty of guidance, and at the age of 59 ought not to be too old to learn. Of the crops iv the Clutlia district the " Leader " says :— "Since Monday the weather baa been mostly fine, and on Wednesday a nice westerly breeze prevailed, which had the effect of raising or partially raising the light crops on the ridges. The heavier crops in the gullies have been partly kneed up, anfl. partly twisted about and tangled into all shapes. The heavy crops on the Jow land 3, which had been laid flat with the ground, are already raising their heads a little. It is believed that with favourable weather they will yet ripen, buo should the weather prove mild and wet much of that at present lying under will rot. Altogether the prospect has brightened a good deal since Monday last, and it is quite possible that the damage sustained throughout the Clutlia by the late storm may not in the end prove very serious. One thing, however, is very certain—viz., that harvest 'operations this year will prove unusually difficult ann tedious, as many of the crops will have to be cut with the back-delivery reapers. "

The Ashburton Woollen Factory employees held their annual picnic on Saturday. The place chosea this year was Wiiulermere, the estate ot Mr E. G. Wright, M.H.R., who kindly threw his grounds open for the use of the holiday makers. The party left early on Saturday morning, going by road, and a large number of vehicles were pressed into service to convey the numerous company. At Windermere a pleasant day was spent in the grounds than which for the purposes of a rural fete none in the county are better suited. Refreshments were partaken of under the shade of the trees, and games of every description were indulged in, many prizes having beengiven by the tradesmen of the town and others for competition in the sports. The Ashburton Band accompanied the party, and greatly helped to enliven the the day's proceedings. As the shades of evening began toclose in, " Rear limber-up " was the order, the procession started for home, and the party arrived in town in high spirits, their arrival being announced by the music of the band, which occupied an express by itself. The kindness of Mr E. G. Wright was acknowledged before leaving by the giving of a rousing " three times three."

It is a peculiar thing (writes the Auck land " Star's" Melbourne correspondent) that I, an ex-New Zealander, should have been selected by a metropolitan journal to write about New Zealand fish, the great variety of which astonishes the people here. The fish, when it can no longer be sold as fresh, is smoked here and sold at double and treble the price smoked fish would fetch in New Zealand. The weather which is very hot just now is making the people turn their attention to our fish, which is considered a perfect delicacy, and retailed by the '* Store " at about the same price as meat. Indeed, as to the sueoess of the enterprise tliere can be no doubt, as a visit shows it to be patronised by all classes, and still seems to be increasing in public favour. The whole of the space in the nest two or three steamers to arrive has been fully engaged, and this surely is a sufficient sign that the management are not afraid of the venture turning out other than a success, while opening up a new industry for New Zealanders. The shop is fitted up on a new principle, and is the only one so fitted here. Floors, walls, and ceilings are all tiled, while the counters are all marble, so that it can be washed oat daily with the hose, and thus avoid all the objectionable smells noticeable in other shops. The windows are fitted up as cool chambers, so as to keejj the fish in a frozen state, while similar chambers ai?6 provided for game and poultry.

Cyclists will be. glad to hear tliat Mr S. R. Steadman is rapidly recovering from the accident which befel him at the Taieri, and is again to be met with on his bicycle. The Sydney Bo:u\l of Heath has issued 591 circulars to the medical practitioners | resident in New South Wales, asking for all available information respecting the recent iuflueiiz'i epidemic. There are at view at Messrs Pickford ami Undrell tome admirably executed enlarge ments in oils of photographic portraits executed by Messrs Tasker anvl Graham of ■ \Vcllington of which iirm the senior partner is a brothei- of Mv James Tasker of this town. Mr Colquhoun who is visiting Ashburton as their representative is pre paved to take orders for similar works at very moderato prices. An English paper remarks that a sensible disaste for deep mourning, heavy crape, and other accepted tokens of bereavement nppears to be on the increase. To more Uia.ii one obituary announcement lately there has been attached the intimation that the surviving relatives do not intend to wear blatk. After a while the announcement, "No mourning,'' may become as frequent as " No c.-irds " is now.

To-day, before Major Steward, J.P., Andrew Black, watchmaker, was brought up on a charge of arson, in connection with the tire that occurred in his watchmaker's shop on Thursday las*. Sergeant Moller, who appeared for the prosecution, asked for a remand; but, in reply to the bench, said he would be ready with evidence on Friday. His Worship granted the remand, allowing bail—accused on his own recognisances of £500 and sureties to the like amount. The sureties were found. Dodging the tax collector is said to be an art studied to some purpose by residents in the Upper HuM (Wellington) district. Much laughter Wits raised at last week's meeting of the County Council by a story told by one of the Councillors, to the effect that the owners of about fifty dogs managed to bamboozle the local collector of dog tax last year by sending iheir pets to the opposite side of the river, into a part of the district over which he hiul no juris diction. An understanding was come to that when letting the new contracts for collecting the tax, precautions will be taken to prevent such a trick being again successfully resorted to.—" Post." From the "Australian Star" of January 23, it appears that Mr Federli, well known in connection with opening up fruit culture in the Auckland district, has been in trouble at Rutherglen, Victoria. It appears that Mr Federli had been acting as interpreter to Signor Bragato, a viticultural expert em ployed in Australia. Ifc appears that Signor Bragato, in a letter, had made some un favourable remarks about Mr Federli's claim to be a wine expert. Mr Federli demanded an explanation, and not being satisfied Jhreatened to horsewhip Bragato, and sub sequently carried his threat into execution. Bragato then summoned Federli for assault, and claimed £49 damages. After hearing the case, the Bench fined the defendant al 10s for the assault, and £3 103 61 costs.

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN

[press association telegram.]

(Recei/eel February 15. 10.40 a.m.) OBITUARY. London, February 14* Rev. Donald Fraser and Admiral Provo Wallis.

STOCK MARKET.

Colonial stocks are firmer, and the tone of the market is improving.

THE SALVATION ARMY.

General Booth reviewed several thousands or Salvationists in Hyde Park, whence they marched in procession to headquarters. The traffic in the city was blocked for over an hour by the concourse of people. Banners were displayed .depicting in cidents in the General's colonial tour.

THE COAL MINERS.

There is further friction among coal miners owing to the employers refusing to reinstate Unionists, and a resump tion of the strike is threatened.

FIRE AT SEVRES.

Paris, February 14. News has just been received that the great national porcelain factory at Sevres is on fire.

THE FAMINE IN RUSSIA.

St. Petersburg, February 14. Sixteen thousand refugees from the famine-stricken districts have arrived here, and by order of the authorities have been billeted on residents of the city.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Received February 15, 12.30 p.m.) VICTORIAN POLITICS. Melbourne, February 15. The following is the personnel of the reconstructed Cabinet: —Premier and Colonial Treasurer, Mr Shiels; Com missioner of Grown Lands and Chief Secretary, Mr McLean; Attorney- General and Postmaster-General, Sir Charles Duffy ; Commissioner of Trade and Customs and Minister of Justice, iMr Turner; Minister of Agriculture, Mr Graham; Minister of Railways, Mr Wheeler; Minister of Public In struction, Mr Peacock; Minister of Defence, Mr Davies ; Minister of Mines, Mr Outrarn.

Words of Wissdom

Ho who seems not himself more than he is, is more than he seems. A void getting into debb. It i,s giving to gnats the fangs of vipers. Duty puts a blue sky over every man, iuto which the skylark, happiness, always goes singing. The heart is a little thins, but desireth great matters, Ib is nob sufficient for a kite's dinner, yet the whole world i^not sufficient for it. Jt is not the quantity of the meat, but the cheerfulness of the guests, which makes the feast. Where there is no peace therel can be no feast. The worthiest people are the most injured by slander, as we usually find that to be the best fruib which the birds have been continually pecking ab. Hath any man wronged thee ? Be bravely revenged; slight it, and the work's begun ; forgive it, 'tis finished ; he is below himself thafc is nob above an injury. There are no better cosmetics thon tem perance and purity, modesty and humility, a gracious temper and calmness of spirit; there is no true beauty without the signature of these graces on the coun tenance. He that grows old without religious hopes, as he declines into imbecility, and fepls mm and sorrow.? incessantly ! crowding uppn hin], falts into a gulf of bottomless hiisery., in which oyery refjeq-j t'ion 'must pljinge' him deeper and tlecper. The Ribje is the treasure of the poor, tl>e solaoe of the rich, and the support of the dying ; and, while other books may amufie and instruct us in a loisure hour, it is the peculiar triumph of the Bible to create light in the midst of darkness, to alleviate the sorrow which admits of no other alleviation, to direct a beam of hope to the heart, which no other topic of con solation can reach, while guilt, despaiv, and death vanish at the touch of its holy jtispiwtjon,

The Scene in the Synod.

The following is a full report of the scene in the Anglican Synod on Friday:— When the Synod met in the afternoon, tht Primate apologised for having been hasty on the previous evening in. stopping the Rev Dr JFitchetb (Dunedin), without letiing him say distinctly what the subject he was about to bring before the Synod was. That conduct on his part arose from t'w fact that before he entered the build ing he had heard what the subject would be, and he was therefore anxious that it should not come before the Synod. While admitting his haste he held that he had t\u statutory right to do what ho had done, hucUib had received a telegram from Sir Maurice O'Roke confirming him in thfct opinion.

_ The Rev Mr Fitchett asked whether his Lordship would permit him to make a statemeno to rhe Synod. He was informed that lie could not do ao unless it was on a personal matter. The Bishop of Dunedin commenced to make some remarks on the matter. The Primate peremptorily asked him to resume his seat. Bishop Neville said he should not sit down until he had said what he had to say, rhe Primate repeated his order. (Cries of " Shame " from some ef the Synods men). Bishop Neville said he would obey the ruling of the chair, although at the same time he thought he had a grievance. A sharp passage of arms then occurred between the Primate and the Rev. Mr Fitchett, during which the latter was repeatedly ordered to sit down. Eventually the Rev. Mr Fitchett moved the adjournment of the Synod till 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday. Again and again he attempted to justify his conduct in stick ing to his point, and again and again the Primate interrupted him on the ground that he was not speaking to the adjourn ment. At last the Primate rose to leave the chair as he had several times threatened to do. The Rev. Mr Coffey (Wellington) hoped His Lordship would not rake such a course.

His Lordship resumed his seat. Some of the Synodsmen expressed their views on what had occurred. The Bishop of Christchurch remarked that he was sure that what had happened would be a heavy loss to the Church, and he hoped, for the interests of all, that matters would now proceed quietly. .Mr James Allen (Dunedin) thought that they were merely "affording sport to the Philistines " by acting in such a manner. Archdeacon Mules (Nelaon) moved as an amendment that the Synod adjourn till 7.30 p.m. the same evening. The Bishop of Christchurch seconded the amendment. The Rev. Mr Fitchett withdrew his original resolution in favour of the amend ment. On a division the adjournment was lost by 20 to 19, and business was proceeded with.

(I'JiH PRESS ASSOCIATION, Wellington, February 13, The ilev, Mr Fitchett writes to the "New Zealand Times" giving the substance of what he intended to say at the meeting of Synod on Thursday,, when he was silenced by the ruling of the President. "It appears that since our coming te Wellington something had occurred, which to us, the Dunedin representatives, seemed damaging to the reputation of cne of our number, and consequently injurious to his standing and influence in the Synod. In these circum stances we feh it due to our colleague, who is a clergyman, to say that in his own diocese his reputation \v:is un challenged, and we believe unchallenge able. As Chairman of the Board of Nominators, I was acquainted with all the circumsoances of this clergyman's appoint ment to an important parish in the sifcy of Dunedin and knew that he came to us with a good record. After a residence in our diocese of only a few months he was chosen, in a contested election, one of the clerical representa tives to the General Synod. He was held in high esteem by his colleagues, clerical and lay, and we believed him entitled to the respect and confidence of the Synod." Mr Fitchett then goes on to say : " I had no intention of criticising the ' some thing ' that had occurred, neither the matter nor the manner of it. The Presi dent's apprehensions on this head were groundless. I felt it my duty to attempt, at all hazards, to say something for a brother, representative in undeserved trouble, who could hardly speak for him self ; and the object of my intervention, I venture to think, has been secured. As lam leaving for the south on Saturday, and shall not have an opportunity of ap pearing in the Synod again, I avail myself for this statement of the publicity of your columns."

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

PBlt PRESS ASSOCIATION.

OUR NEW GOVERNOR.

London, February 13. The Earl and Countess of Glasgow will probably sail early in March. LORD CARRINGTON'S VIEWS. Lord Carrington advocates that the London County Council should work the City tramways and that the em ployees should be treated vvelJ, some thing like what is done in Sydney. He also urges that the Betterment Act should be applied to all property bene fited by municipal improvements. Mr B. R. U. Wise, M.L.A. for ' Sydney South, will speak at Slough in support of Lord Carrington's adverse criticisms of the colonial policy of Lord Knutsford, and will at the same time explain, the colonial view on. Home Rule for Ireland IMPERIAL POLITICS. Sir W. V. Harcourt declines to sup port the amendment to the Address in Reply moved by Mr Redmond for an amnesty to political prisoners. Tiie amendment, which was negatived by a large majority, was supported by under forty of Mr Gladstone's party. THE GREAT PEARL CASE. "During the examination of Mrs Hargreave, in the charge of larceny ! and perjury against Mrs Osborne, she i evinced much sympathy with the ac- J ' cused, and subsequently visited her in prison. COLONIAL BORROWING. Colonial stocks are firmer owing to a cablegram published that Asso ciated Banks in Melbourne are taking up 'the Treasury Bjlls, whipH is regarded as. an intention to borrow Jocally. j The " Economist" considers that, the issue of Treasury bills indicates impecuniosity and is worse than issuing loans, as it creates the impres sion that the colonies have no resources and are simply piling on their floating dobt. " The "Daily News" says that aL though, the U»pe loan w^ piwedh

locally the Banks will almost be com pelled to buy Government stock under the new Bank' Act, which permits the issue of notes on condition of their depositing Cape Government bonds. LABOUR QUESTIONS. The coal porters have resumed work on the terms existing before the strike. 1 The Miners' Federation in Man chester, representing 175,000 men, has decided to stop work in the collieries after fourteen days from March 12, in order to reduce supplies. The coal masters maintain their ri^ht to employ free men, and refuse to recede from the position they have taken up. The Shipping Federation is debating an otFer made from numbers of their business clients fco join the Federation, with the view of concerted action being taken in disputes with Unionists.

ARREST OF NIHILISTS.

St. Petersbuhg, February 12. Many Nihilists have been arrested in Poltana, Southern Russia, on the suspicion of being connected with the recent outrages. THE RUSSIAN SQUADRON. February 13. The Russian squadron will visit Cherbourg in the summer.

EXPLOSION OF A BOMB.

Lisbon, February 13. A bomb was exploded in the Spanish Consulate to-day. The windows of the building were shattered, but fortunately no lives were lost. v

H.M.S. VICTORIA.

Malta, February 13.. H.M.S. Victoria, which went ashore near Platea on the Greek coast and was subsequently floated off, has arrived here.

OUTBREAK OF TYPHUS.

New York, February 13. Typhus fever has appeared among a batch ot Jewish immigrants forwarded hither from Odessa by Baron flirsch. Eighty-one cases are already in the hospital.

CHURCH AND STATE IN FRANCE.

Paris, February 13.

M. De Freycinet. the Premier, lias introduced into the Chamber of Deputies a Bill the provisions of which are hostile to religious societies, and are considered to be a prelude to a possible separation of Church and State.

INTERPROVINCIAL

Dvsmm, February 14. Forty-eight sections of second class land in Maniotofco country attracted 440 applicants, there being as many as fifty for one section. Invkrcargill, February 14. A fire was discovered in Sheffield and Co's large grocery store, Tay Street, shortly after midnight, and though promptly extinguished great damage was done by'fire and water. The insurance was not available to-day. The Southland Frozen Meat Company declared a dividend of eight per cent, on the first and second issue shares, after paying £1536 bonus to shippers. Arrangements had been made for shipping primeaged ewes and merino wethers said to have been renumerative, and there had been an increase of 42,000 carcases on the previous year's shipments.

FARM NOTES.

» It has been suggested that the best way to effectually rid the Wairavapa district of the Hessian fly wmld be for farmers to sow oats only for one season. This would it is suggested starve out the pest.

The " Guardian " says that the crop of ryegrass iv the Wairoa district just gathered is not a third of what it should have been, owing to the depredations of caterpillars, and also the unseasonable wet weather. As some compensation, how ever, the crop of cocksfoot is laige, though great difficulty has been ex perienced in getting laber to save it.

Mr David Wilson, the Victorian Go vernment dairy expert, will leave Mel bourne for New Zealand about the middls of February, During a month's tour in that colony, he will endeavour to gather information concerning the system of cheese-making adopted there. Very little attention is given to cheese-making by Victorian farmers, and the quality |of the article here is not of a kind likely to command a ready sale. In butter-making on the other hand, New Zealand ia be hind Victoria in the export business, and the visit of Mr Wilson will afford the New Zealand Government an opportunity of ascertaining his opinions on the dairy industry generally.

A very interesting innovation was in troduced at the recent fat stock show held in Dublin by the Royal Dublin Society. A class was opened for carcases of beef. The entries were exhibited alive on the first day, weighed and slaughtered afc night, their carcases and loose fat being shown on the following day. An Aberdeen shorthorn gained first and third prizes, and a shorthorn the second prize. The meat was excellent. In connection with this class an illustration of the system of selling cattle by guess work was given. Before the beasts were weighed alive, farmers and others were invited to estimate their carcase weights, and 22 gave estimates. For one beast (a little Dexter) which weighed scwt 3qr 2Qlb when dead, the highest estimate ivas 6cwt 2qr, and the lowest was 3cwt 2qr. The estimates for the other beasts were nearly as wide, and for the five the averages of highest and lowest guesses were Bcwt 2qr 61b and 6cwt Oqr 161b, whereas the aotual average was 7cwt 3qv 41b. These figures show (says the " Witness" correspondent) how very fir out farmers sometimes are in estimating the weights of cattle which they soil. The sh»w authorities do not give the nearest guesses, which they should have published.

The English agricultural correspondent of the " Witness " is confident as to the future of the wheat market. Writing on December 26 he says ;— The reqenb fall in the price of wheat, in spite of/the pro hibition of exports from, Russia, is a sad disappointment; to sellers ; but it has been, occasioned by exceptional circuuihtances. The Russian prohibition had been antici pated for some time, and before it was issued merchants hurried wheat out of the country aa fast as they could, \vhile the rise in price, caused! by, the anticipation, attracted _ heavy supplies from, America and India, Consequently ouy jmporfca have been yery heavy. During the two months ending with November, we im posed wheat and flour equal to 6,227,480 quarters, as compared, with 5,2Q5.r&7 quarters for the corresponding period of last year, and 5,088 258 quarters for that of 1889. Thus stocks accumulated in this country, and as bha applies.'hays' been kept up in Deeembej?, jjust before t4}B hpliday season begins 1 to check butK uess, and at a time when merchants are keeping their purchases within narrow limits, as they always do at the close of the yw, a fall was the natural cause

quence. Bub everyone expects an early recovery in the ne«v year. By the timu that Keiv Zealand wheat of the new crop can reach this country good pricos may confidently be anticipated, for reasons given on previous occasions. Should the winter in America prove severe we may have quite a high range of prices in the spring and summer, The American 'wheat crop is thin and weak, and not at all in a good condition for standing the trials of an ordinary winter, and there is no doubt that an exceptionally large pro portion of ib wiil be destroyed if the weather prove severe.

A coirespondent of the " Ago " writes : —" No doubt thousands of citizens who travel the St. Kilda and Toorak roads have been agreeably surprised during the dry hot.weacher lately experienced' while I passing Government House at seeing the beautiful green paddock adjoining his Excellency's residence, and not a little astonished to hear that Lord Hopetoun, probably unknown to himself, was showing the industrious unemployed what could be dons .with a small patch of land cultivated with care and judgment. Ten months ago Lord Hopetoun made up his mind to try what could be done with four acres of poor land that was growing little else but weeds, to grow green fodder for his milking cows, as he had little or no grass for them during one-half of the year. The Agricultural Department was re quested to assist, and the dairy expert was asked to superintend the experiment of growing two crops in one year. Under his guidance a crop of oats and tares were sown last Easter, and ten tons to the acre of nice green ensilage was cut early in November. Another crop of maize was sown, which is the beautiful green field admired by passers by just now, when all our natural pastures are so parched and dry. This second crop, which will average four feet in height, and weigh another six tons per acre, the cows are now beingfedoa, evidently to theirsatisfac tion. It is thus shown that sixteen tons of the best green fodder can be grown to ' the acre in little more than ten "months. | Now, at the present time, when the i success or otherwise of the homestead block system is under discussion, here is an object lesson from a source that was least expected, And when we think of the tens of thousands of these unsightly acres of our exhausted goldfields that could be converted into as good use, and be a great assistance towards the mainten ance of so many half employed miners and mechanics, it seems astonishing that we should be so slow to help ourselves at nature's bidding. [It would be interesting to know the! treatment to which the land wassubjected. Probably judicious irrigation was the means resorted to.—Ed.] From October to December of last year agricultural shows were held as follow :— Hawke's Bay, October 8 and 9 ; Timaru, October 27 and 28 ; Rangiora, November 5 ; Auckland, November 6 and 7 ; Canter bury, November 12 and 13 ; Wellington, November 18 and 19; North Otago, November 19 and 20 ; Otago, November 25 and 27 ; Invercargill, December 10 and 11. [Ashburton, Ellesmere, and Waimate have apparently been over looked.] Looking over the reports of these shows, it is very evident that there is not a concensus of opinion among promoters or committees as to the number of judges required for the various classes of exhibits in order to confer the usual awards. In Invercargill it appears that one judge was deemed sufficient, while in other places judges varied fcom one to three. The following table will show the number of judges for the various classes of stock, etc., in the places specified :—

Would it not be well for the secretaries of the different agricultural societies to correspond with a view to arriving at a decision about judges ? If one judge to each class is found to work well,"why appoint two or three ? It is the opinion of not a few farmers that, if there is more than one judge, there should be three, the third to act as umpire, as two judges do not always agree.—" Agricola "in "Auckland Hews." I

An American View of the British Empire.

Let us not deceive ourselves with ficti tious greatness, says the "Chicago Herald." There is another country at whose greatness we may well pause for contemplation. Itsareaexceedall,ooO,ooo square miles. The basis of its power is not land, but water; its greatness is maritime, and its coast line is 29,500 miles long. It lies on both sides of the equator, and its boundries touch the i extremes of heat and cold. Its unculti vated area which can be made to feed unborn millions without the aid of the United States, covers millions of square miles. It contains 100,000 square miles of forests, which are being ruthlessly sacrificed. Its population amounts to 316,000,000 souls, including pretty nearly j all the races known to man. Its revenue for governmental purposes amounts to more than a thousand million dollars annually, only one fourth of is levied in direct taxation. It has nearly a million of men under arms. It has one policeman tor every sixteen miles of its entire area. Its 246 war vessels are all in commission, not rotting in harbors; and its merchant navy consists of 30,000 ships, manned by 270,000 sailors, while its sea-going tonnage amounts to 8,500,000. It surpasses in steamers all other powers on the globe, and nearly equals their combined total in sailing vessels. Forty nine per oent of the carrying power of the world is under its flag ; more than half the ship earnings from freights and passengers belong to it, The banks of that Esipire transact one-third of the busiu&ss of %\\& '' entire world. Its manufactures, comprise one-third of all Europe, and. 'ft wses thirty per cent of the horse,, no. w& r. of the world. Its enormous de,^, which it uses as the most profit^e investment of its own earnings, amounts to only nine per cent of its wealth. Ib is the wealthiest state \n the world, and its wealth has been made by its exports, Its name is Great Britain. I

THE MARKETS.

jl'KSi I'RfcSS ASSOCIATION]

London. February 12. The Bank of England returns, published to-day, show the total reserve to be £15,676.000, being an Increase of £1,310,000 over the previous week. The proportion of reserve to liabilities is 44.84 per cent. Consols 95£ Thre-j months' bills have advanced £ per cent. jf New Zealand four per cent inscribed stock, 100 ; threfi-and-a-lialf per cenb in scvibed stock, 91|. Wheat—Thero is increase:! firmness ia the wheat market, but prices are un changed. Frozen Meat—A general rise of a |d I per lb has taken place in New Zealand mutton.; lamb is quoted at 6d per lb. New Zealand hemp is in moderate demand at previous rates. The butter market is steadier ; a con signment ex Aorangi, fetched from 868 to 112s per cwt. London, February 13. ; Mrß. R. Wise, M.L.A. for Sydney South, on behalf of the Pastoral and Financial Association and Messrs Ged ders and Co, of Sydney, has arranged with combination of ahip owners and pro ducers to export from Sydney on special terms six thousand carcases of frozen meat weekly. The arrangements will be gin about the end of the year. Mklbouknb, February 14. During the season just closed 2143 tons of butter were exported from this colony, which realised Is per lb. This is more, than double the quantity of the previous season, and it is estimated that 3000 tons will be sent away next season. (Received February 15, 11.15 a.m.) London, February 13. The total quantity of wool catalogued up to date is 237,000 bales, of which 215,600 were sold. Tallow, medium mucton 26s ,■ beef 24s 6d. The English wheat market is steady, th 3 Continental has an upward tendency, and the American is firm- A shipment of potatoes by the s.s. Maori from New Zealand arrived in good condition. Those which are packed in straw were in the best order. Experts advise that they should not be packed. New Zealand four per csnt inscribed stock has risen one per cent, Ota^o Harbor Board debentures are quoted at 89.

Presbyterian General Assembly.

[per tress association.] Auckland, February 13. At a meeting of the Presbyterian As sembly to-day, the Committee appointed to consider the financial bearings of the Foreign Mission report before its adop tion, reported that the matter had been carefully considered. They recommended that the Church should agree to the ap pointment of a third missionary, and urged upon the congregations an increase of liberality in view of the increased re sponsibility. The recommendations of the Committee were adopted with an ad ditional clause, providing in the event of the Rev Mr Farlie being unable to pro ceed to the islands, that the Committee after consulting with all parties, and being satisfied that it would not involve the Church in any greater expense, "it is desirable in the interests of tho mission to appoint ky missionaries, they be em powered to do so." The report by the Temperance. Com mittee was read by the Rev Mr Wood ira the absence of the convener, the Rev J K. Elliott. In the course of the discussion that? took place on the subject, the Rev. Mr Gordon expressed the opinion that a man who drank in moderation was a more dangerous example to the weaker brethren than one who was seen stagger ing alonw the street. a The Rev. Mr Ogg interrupting the speaker from the chair, urged him to be careful in the use of his language, as he was attacking respected gentlemen. The Rev. Mr Gordon, continuing said he knew what he was talking about. He knew that young men when asked to join the Church had pointed to others within the fold who were taking too much drink. It was time the ministers, elders, and church members should take their stand upon temperance. The report wag adopted. _ The report of the Church Property Board stated that the Trustees found much difficulty in obtaining satisfactory securities, and for the present preferred! to take bank interest for a proportion of the funds. I'c was noted with satisfaction that there was a considerable increase from year to year in the provident funds of the Church. The report was adopted. The Committee appointed to consider the desirability of appointing delegates t©. the Pan-Presbyterian Council at Toronto. recommended that the Assembly grant permission to Dr Elmslie, provided ho sees his way to go. It -was, resolved on the motion of the Rev Mr Gillies, " That the Assembly express its sympathy with the aims of the alliance of the reformed churches, and its gratification at the re* suits already stained by its means, anri appoints the Moderator as our representa tive at the approaching meeting at the Pan-Presbyterian Council, the necessary expense to be provided by private effort and failing this, authorise th,& Moderator and clerk to grant adn^wion to any minister or elder of thj& church who may find it possible to go to this Council."

SPORTING.

DUNEDIN JOCKEY OWB'SAUTCJMK MEETING,

(PER PR.ESS ASSOCIATION.; Dunedin, Febr-jaw i4 t The following acceptances j^/g e^yi received for the Dunedin .^fe ey club's Autumn Meeting:— Handicap Hurdle P wAOE) of 100 80VS aecondJO *°v\ ftn d third 5 soys from the stake. Qu e m ii e an( i a j,^^ * lb | st ]b Norton v ., II 10 Magpie ... 10 7 Little Arthur 11 2 The Idler ... 10 4 Ifein-go-Braghll 0 Waitangi ... 9 11 Waterfall ... 10 12 Inchkeith ... 9 7 Waterbury... 10 10 The Chief... 9 3- Capfc. Abram 10 8 batyr ... 9 0 Champagne Stakes, of 250 soys ; six: furlongs.—-Wakawatea, Launceston, Day Dream, Stepniak, Saracen. Stewards' Purse Wei/tee Handicap, of 120 soys, with a sweepstake of 2 soys, payable half an hour before the advertised time of starting second to receive 20 soys, and third 10 soys from the stakes. Winner of the Cup or Publican's to carry 71b extra, or of both 101b extre,. Six furlongs. st, lb et lb La Rose .... 10 4 May ... 812 BayKin^r v .. 10 0 Dandenong 8 7 TheJ}^amerlO 6 Chudleigh... 8 4 Ca;"iolery ... 9 11 Dialetera ... 8 4 r L'empest ... 9 3 .Jacob Faithful 8 2 Hugenot ... 9 0 Lady SockburnS 2 Dormeur ... 812 I Langley ... 8 0, The Marshall Memorial Stakes, oP 250 soys, w.f.a., with penalties and allow ances; six furlongs.^—Rosefeldt, Vofjen jjang, Morpheus, Saracen, Hugenot,, Day Dream, Wakawatea, Hippomenes^ Con juror, Crackshot, Olanranald. The following general entries were re ceived: — - Maiden Plate, of 10ft sows; One mile and a quarter. —Kiltnarnoek, Leroi 11., The Chief, The Wblf, Jacob Faithful, Tom li«M Flindiers^ >B^%u Nassh, Diale..

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 45, 1893.



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Hawke's Bay... Timaru Rangiora Auckland Canterbury ... Wellington ... North Ofcago ... Otago Invercargill ...

1&2 2 2&1 3 2 3&2 1 2&1 1

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The Bkst Bemkdy for. Inbjgestion— Norton's Camomile Pills are eonfidenty i recommended aa a simple remedy for , Indigestion, which, k the cause of nearly all i the. diseases to, which we are subjects ; Norton's Ph^s, with justice called the 'Natural fttrengthoner of tbc Human Stqmach," m% as a, powerful tonic and gentle perient, are mild in their operation, and safe under any circumstances. Sold i-^ hottlea, at la ljd, 2s M, Us, by all TOto'chie vendors tJiroucjhout the norld-. "Keatijtg's Pf»\v^ij.*i v > ciiasiroya Bugs Fleas, Moths, Befitted a\\ other insects whilst qiuss karinjepp' to ,'tomestic animals. In e>;^7)}.iiajati,ng Beet';^ the suceesss of this p^jWcteß. i 4 extraoi"^i nat y. It i s perfectly iclca,n in application. See tlie article you ourchase is, " Keattxo's," as imitations are oxio!iis and ineffectual. Sold in Tins, 6d, 1.3 and 2s 6d each. l>v all chemists. Ask for Ninian Hy.slop, and Co. s Imperial new seasons Pure Ceylon and Jn,djs Teas. Special prjoes,—fMvtj



Certainly i&c Ugh* Effective MEDICIM^ in the world m S4.¥I>ER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent powerful effects in Coughs, Colds, Influenza, etc.; the relief is instantaneous. Thousands gave' the most gratifying testimony. Read this certificate:—"24th April, 1885 ---jV'essjf«j Sander and Sons,—lt is with the m-eatest of j?].pasure that I testify to the excellence bl W iV Eucalypti Extract. Having had inflammation <ji the bone of the k", wUich cainc on after a severe attack fi-f h°f fever, I was attended by Dr J. Loyd, who Ua4 mack strenuous efforts to save my Ice-, hut syitJjQijb success, He found it necessary to amputate my limb, Ifavjug heard i» the meantime of the wonderiu} pinies worked by th* Eucalypti Extract-, J obtained a bottle, and the extract had not boon applied more than an hour when I began to feel greatly relieved. After applying the extract every four hcursfor nine or ten dave it was out of all danger. I would pcrsur.de al who may be effected with any such disease to give the Eucalypti Extract a trial, •in-i I am convinced that they will find it rhe most wonderful of medicines.—iouis, £/r. > " Wattle street, feati



Holloway's Pills.—Nervousness and want of energy.—When first the nerves feel unstrung, and listlessness supplants energyi tha jtjme has come to take some such alterna tive as Holloway's Pills to restrain a disorder from developing itself into a disease. These excellent pills correct all irregularities and weaknesses. They act so ljindly, yet so energetically on the functions of digestion and "assimilation, that the whole body is revived, the blood rendered richer and purer, while the muscles become firmer and stronger, and the nervous and absorbent systems are invigorated. The pills are suitable for all classes and all ages. They have a most marvellous effect on persons who are out of condition ; they soon rectify whatever is in fault, reatore strength to the body uyl confidence to the mind.



Ceylon ana . * •«« i?



Wanted. _< CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be Mtat this Office. WANTED, —Teams for ■ Stacking.— Apply Fwedlandbr Bhos. 2t72 SONS of Tempemnce.~-Meetina To Night at Templar Hall. Installation of officers, etc. Full attendance re quested. 2 73 W\Nf RD, strong Boy ; must be able to milk a'ld make himself gener lly useful. Apply Mrs lUnger, Ash burton Restaurant. *§** TOOTHING will Cool you so quickly and i^l invigorate the system so much as Ice Cream.—H.G. Flower, Confectioner, East Street ._ ; "VT7 ANTED Known.-Come and see VV the Bargains now on at Melford House.- H. C. Skgebs. ~AirTEl)Known.-At' lThe Corner' now selling Ladies' French Shops. 5s lid. See them.—W. H. Colubk. -T\T ANTED KNOWN,-A great pur-. *V chase of Kid Gloves, £136 10s 6d, Florencia Kid Gloves, all sizea, 4 and -Clasp, usual price 6s lid and 8s 6d, now sold for 4s lid and 5s lid. -A. Oek's SaJe. THIRTY Pieces Dress Goods at 6d ; 60 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.— ■ Akdkbw Obr's Cheap Sale. 1 106 \\ /"ANTED Known.—lf you want W plenty of first class Drapery, Boots and Clothing for cash, come to Melford House Sale.—H. 0. Sechses. 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.— Andrkw Ocr b Sale. 1 W" ANTED KNOWN, a special lot of Hearth Rugs at Is lid, 2a 6d and 2s lid ; worth about doable. VV. H. Collier. 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 in stock.—J. \V. Haudlby, East .treet. 61202 WANTED Known.—Great Cash Sale now on at Melford House. Almost everything reduced. —H. C. Segers. rpO Meet the Times.—l am oupplying X Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all deasriptions. Inspection invited.— J. W. Harbley, Eas street. 6J201 ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed; from 50s cash. Robbri Alcorn, Ashburfcon Clothing Marl, Senders' Buildings. W* ANTED Known—That you wiH make no mistake for quality and variety in English and Colonial Boots, and hishiphly reputed make by calling at J. Moison's. During coming holidays dis count for Cash. Repairs done at once. m staff of men always kept and best Material and workmanship guaranteed. ANTED Known".—H. Baiestow has opened tho.se premises in Fiasfc streeb next.J. Orr and Co., as a Furniture Warehouse. Latest designs in Vienna Chairs, and Iron Bedsteads on visw. Having a good stock of well seasoned figured Rimu atid Kauri, he is prepared to take orders for Furniture to any design. Inspection incited. Ilt6l Public Notices. ■\T A LENTINES to suit everybody. V Just opened up. Palm Leaf Fans and Screens at 6d. Selling fast. Also Zither Harps, three sizes, from 4s 6d. New Games, Fancy Stationery, &c L. F. ANDREWES & CO., Stationers' Hall. STOCK-TAKING. BEDUCTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE IN ALL DEPARTMENTS. Inspection Invited. NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. W. H. WEBBER, Manager, _I___MaMHH_MWHMNHIMHM«<* Don't be Deceived !—lf you want the best Medicine the world has ever pro d uced try Colemane 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 fche distinguished patronage of Earl Jersey, Governor of New South Wales, Lord Carrington, and tlw hlmperor of Germany. Awarded medals at Sydney^ Melbourne, and Adelaide, beating all competitors, and s the only pure Extract in the world. See that the label bears our trade mark ((tree 1 «f life and signature Colemane find iSond, Coolamundra, New South W*le.s) without this it is> i fraud. Price, Is 671 and 2s <3d. Wholesale Depot, tor New Zealand: Lidifioid street, duristchurch Sole Agents fur Ashburton-: The Ash jbsrton Drug Company----Aiwt .'rhe world is ever Mwini; on -.toward Derfe *.tion,butscldom attains it, 'Constant KSV r^try but _ Bakfiiw Powders Peru 6**10"11*? I<oen 1 w Warburton'B Cm/ f' Bfl IJeat- Nixmn Hydopnx^.po-1^" Werial" pure Ceylor and fnchO". f eaf! Hl° tJle, utsst in the mf?r4fet. —(Adv'fc,,