MAIL NOTICE.

THURSDAY, February 11. lor Northern ports and, Australian colo nies (except Tasmania) per Wairarapa, at Q. 30 a.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Vertas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1892. THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

The farmers of Canterbury seem fated never to be allowed to harvest safely a good crop when prices are high. A week ago they were rejoicing m making rapid progress with the ingathering of crops that promised the best yields that had been realised for many a year; torday they are lament ing the serious damage by rain, that will, "ren if the elements are favorable henceforward, reduce the season's profits to a minimum, and if dry weather does not come at once will result m the complete destruction of the splendid crops and bring disaster upon the district. The few who had their grain stacked before the rain set m are m the best position, though owing to the general scarcity of straw very few of the stacks were thatched. Wheat that is m the field, whether m the stooks or still standing, is reported to be »prouting tinder the influence of the humid atmosphere, and the main crop will unfortunately be at best a poor sample Those who left their grain m the stooks to wait for the threshing machine to come round will have very little sympathy. The expenditure of a few shillings an acre would have secured their harvest for them m good order, whereas they are now heavy losers. Those who work early and late, losing not an oppor tunity to get their grain beyond the risk of bad weather, will have general sympathy. This ram came just at the worst time—another fortnight and the bulk of the harvest would have been safe, while now not mor« than one tenth of the wheat has been secured. The bulk of the oat crop has fortunately been safely stacked or threshed, but that is a small matter compared with the immense crop of wheat that was ready for harvest. The most earnest prayers will be breathed for the fine weather which alone can save the crops from ruin and the district from disaster.

THE GOVERNOR-ELECT.

The Earl of Glasgow was a person who was never thought of m connec tion with the Governorship of New Zealand, for the simple reason that his name was never mentioned m connec tion with public affairs at Home—that he was, so far as is known here, a nonentity. Indeed all that was known m New Zealand of the Earls of Glas gow is that one of them was the' breeder of the renowned Musket, the progenitor of the greatest race horses of the Australasian colonies, if not of the world. In the present age this may be deemed a sufficient distinction to commend the present Earl to New Zealanders. His Lordship is nob a Peer of the Realm, nor even a Peer of Parliament (elected by the Scottish Peers to represent them m the House of Lords, according to the Act of Union), the Peerage of the United Kingdom, with the title of Lord Ross, under which the Earls of Glasgow sat m the House of Lords, having become extinct with his predecessor, the sixth Ear!. The present Earl is a retired Captain of the Royal Navy, and served m the White Sea during the Russian war, 1854, and m the China war, 1857, receiving a medal with clasp m connection with the latter. He married m 1873 Dorothea Elizabeth Thomasina, daughter of Sir Edward Hunter Blair, fourth baronet, and has five sons and three daughters living, varying from eighteen to six years of age. His Lordship being fifty-nine years of age cannot be re garded as one of those young peers whom it has comci to be regarded as the policy of the Home Government to send to the colonies to earn their i spurs. He is a Conservative m politics. We must wait for further information before we can regard the appointment as a happy one. [Up to two o'clock this afternoon neither th^Governor nor the Government had received advice of Earl Glasgow's appointment.]

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There are fifty-two, if not more, complete threshing machine plants m the Ashburton County. Some New York mothers have organised » ichool at which their children are taught good manners. The only woman on Murchison goldfield Western Australia, has committed suicide. An opinion is gaining ground m Brisbane that the introduction of black labour, with the consequent revival of the sugar industry, would materially relieve the present de pression. Young Author: " Can you tell me how to become a good poet?" Editor: " Oh, yes ! ■v^ e ver y first thing for you to do is to die. All t*ve g°°d ones are dead. " At Frem'^ 141*3 (Western Australia), the other day, a married woman, mother of two childrenf eloped with a boy 16 years of age. She was subsequently arrested on a charge of child de3ertion. During the past three years there have been m Victoria 30,000 convictions, which, under the Rolls Purification Acfc, would dis franchise the offenders. So far, however, only 100 ot the names «f cwvietg have been found on the electoral rolls, , The Hamilton correspondent of the Aiickr land " Heiald" states that Inspector Emerson has instructed Sergeant Kiely to obtain full particulars of the alleged race to death at Waihi and Tauranga, and proceedings, if the facts are as stated, will probably be taken by the police. In {the New South Wales Assembly ,the other evening Mr See, the Cofciual Treasurer, stated, m answer to a question D»tlbv Mr Rose, that the amount of money mid HP to date m the form of a pension to 5? Alfred Stephen was £28,143 12s Id. Mr Francis L. S. Mcrewethcr Received up to date as pension allowance k,tt,idQ bs lOd. Hudi MawMiwey, » chemist's assistant, out of work and m %uor, danced about Gertrude-street, Fitznfr, the other day before, a crowd of people, and then plunged a pocket knife into Ins throa*. He was carryin" a parcel of thirty bibles and Jiyron books, presented to him at various tiroes and places by Sunday-school teachers. Owing to the stoppage d kwL<li»gs, W consequence of the depwwwa i» Mdboutw, labourers find a difficulty m obteomsg work, ond when the proprietor of a brick kiln a* Hay (New South Wales) advertised m the "Age' the other day for a briekmaker he received by letter and telegcatu ovei' ol)U appUcatious from Victoria.

A boy, named Thomas Jensen, residing at Sydenhim, was drowned m the Heathcote ou Tuesday while fishing. The body was recovered three hours afterwards. The Union Steamship Company, have received information that the Alamecla. left San Francisco m Sunday, three days late, and she is therefore expected to arrive at Auckland about Saturday, 28th February. A Government inspect parade of the | Ashburton Rifles was held at the Drill Shed ou Tuesday Evening. The company mustered thirty-eight under Lieutenant MiUler. After drill several new recruits wore sworn m. In connection with the affairs of the , County Hunt Club it is worthy of note that i Mr J. Cresswell, who made the handicaps i for the Club's steeplechases, was good enough j to forego his fee of four guineas, making a donation of it to the Club's funds. j Ten potatoes, weighing m the gro3s nine pounds, are m our office. Three of the tubers go over a pound, one as high as Ho soz. They vrere grown by Mrs Mac Lean Dunn, Wills street, from seed of the Beauty of Bath sort, supplied by Mr Joseph Scaly. Mr William Rollitt, late manager of the Canterbury Mills, has been appointed rep resentative of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company m the Courtenay district. Mr Thomas Rollitt succeeds him m the management of the Canterbury Mills. From this morning's " Timaru Herald " we learn that the Amy Vaughan Burlesque Company, not being able to get through by the express on Tuesday, have returned to Dunedin, whence they will ship to Welling ton, and visit Timaru (and we presume Ash burton) by and bye. The southern train service was still dis arranged on Tuesday, the down express going no further than Oarnaru, and returning at up express time. Passengers and mails from Dnnedin did not come on. The through service is resumed to-day. His Excellency

LovdOnslow leffc Dunedin by special train at Ba.m., &nd passed Ashbur ton at 3.30 p.m., the train only stopping to drop the mails bags. A dinner is to be given at Timaru to Mr Moss Jonas, a former mayor, on his retire ment front his business as an auctioneer, stock and station agent, which he has carried, on for over twenty years. His -business has been purchased by Mr Guinness, late auctioneer to the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Com pany, and Mr Henry LeCren, jun., late of the National Mortgage and Agency Com pany, of Dunedin. Herbert Cecil St. John, a young man well-known as an amateur actor, was arrested last night m Dunedin, charged with, several acts of larceny, alleged to have been committed during a stay ot a few weeks he made m Ashburton. One of the charges is the alleged larceny of the contents of a mission box m the Ashburton Baptist Church. The other alleged thefts were of copies of music, the property of Mr Wildsmit h, m whose house he was boarding, and of other people whom accused had honoured with bis visits, Sir Evelyn Wood has interested himself m the quality of the soldiers' beer. Recently he had a surprise visit paid to the canteens, and about seventy samples of beer drawn. No details are given of the result of the analysis, but though some were " very good," a number of the samples were classed as "poor," "very poor," or "acid." Sir Evelyn has administered a sharp rebuke to the managers of the canteens. Wife —"I am going to economise m our household, George." Husband—" Why,you prudent little soul, how?" "I am going to discharge our servant, and get an older person. " " Well, that will be no good; the older one will demand just as much wages." Wife (looking at him straight)—" Very likely, Mr Brown, but you won't need to give her half-crowns, and what kisses you want you may have from me—me, sir. " The Wellington correspondent of the " Lytfcelton Times" hears, on good authority, that a financial magnate, lately arrived from London, has given reassuring news of the I effect of the Government policy of taxa tion. According to him the scare m sub- j siding, people having discovered that the j "Times" and "Economist" have been " barking up the wrong tree," and that the accounts sent Home afc first were too confused and conflicting, and altogether untrustworthy. The "Australian Poultry and Gazette" says:—When we recorded lately the wonderful feat, of Mr Moylan's hen m laying an egg weighing about half a pound, we fancied we had struck upon a champion, but we are now uudeceived. Mr Jas. M'Carthy, of Morpeth, has a hen which considerably astonished her owner and undoubtedly herself a few days ago by laying four eggs m the short space of three hours, and would have produced more if her owner had- not asked her to s^op, we suppose. Each egg was perfect m size, and was of the ordinary size that their producer had laid on the days previous. Local poultry have a big task before them if they beat this performance, and Mr M'Carthy should take advantage of it by floating the hen into a company.

There is an extravagant grandeur, whish commands our admiration (snys the "Temuka Leader"), about the way m which our Tory contemporaries have been dressing up the naked truth lately. Not loug ago the " Timaru Herald "told vis that there were only fifteen newspapers m the colony sup porting the Goverment, but we published the names of sixteen Government papers between Invercargill and Christchurch, and now we find we could add two more to the number, making the number eighteen alto gether. Next day, however, the "Herald" repeated the assertion, but this is outdone by the "North Otago Times," the Oarnaru morning paper, which tells us there are only twelve papers m New Zealand iv favor of the Government. All we desire to say is that if this is the truth it is dressed m false raiment which does not fit it well. It is no wonder that no one pays much attention to what these newspapers say when they do not hesitate to publish such unblushing false hoods. The " Nashville Christian Advocate's" description of some of the English dele* gates to the Methodist Conference are amusing. Dr Waller and Professor Davison are both eulogised, and are informed that if ever they wish to change their residence for any reason except misbehavior, I they may count on getting work any day 'm the church South. To listen to Rev " Thomas Allen, we read, is, "positive luxury." Peter Thompson, a " huge mass of juicy tissue and kindliness," is "a man to lean on, and thousands are doing so." Bey. N. Curnock, of the " Methodist Recorder "is "of the class of men who do the extra Avork imposed on them by the shirking of the shirkers." Dr Nicholas' English is " that of the cultured Irishman, the best m the world." Of Rev J. Berry, of New Zealand, it remarked, " What a stump speaker he would mako m this country !*' Rev W. D. Walters "looks like a non. combatant, but with muscle enough to suggest even to a prize- fighter that it would be wise not to stir his wrath." Rev John Bond is "a useful and likeable man, who " exhibits good nature." In Rev J. Ernest Plapiiam good sense and good manners are iianntiv blended.

LADIES' COLUMN.

There are about four yards of vory close sewing m a lady's ten-W.ton g'ove. A well-known clergyman m the West End of London invariably refuses to use Ohe word "oboy," when he is uniting couplet!. l.io tells them, if they wish it used, they must go elsewhere to bo married, ar? he will hava none of ic. No less eminent an authority than the late Sir William Gull is responsible for the assertion that t.ho benefit derived from a univeivsity education, such as girls get at Newnham and Girton, makes them and their children stronger and healthier. Also, that the percentage of childless marriages is less with the educated women, and the-.percp,ut.fi.ye of children that survive infancy is larger. " Embroiderers' cramp " is the newest malady. Its victim is the fair devotee who has laboriously wrought the stole for the popular youag curate, or stitched the elaborate altar cloths for the fashionable church. None of the professional em broiderers have ever heard of the disease, but it is said to resemble acute writers' cramp, and to have no cure except abso lute rest. Do not let tea stand too long; do not take it with any heavy meals ; or, on the other other hand, by itself, and also let chere be plenty of milk with it. This last statement will be looked upon as rank heresy by the so-called tea-drinkers ; but , there cannot be two opinions as to which is the more wholesome and nutritious— tea without milk, or tea with it, Lastly, let your tea be moderately cool. This, indeed, applies,tb all drinks.

A delicious and simple drink for the hot weather is given m the current issue of of the " N.Z. Farmer " as follows :—He move any bad pieces from apples, cut them into very stnail parts, neither peel nor core) fchem, place them m a cohered jar or jug for four days, putting the jar a third full of the apples, and then ,|uite filling with water. Let it stand four days. Bottle. Tn every quart add one dessert spoonful of Ruizar. Let it remain well corked for three days or longer. It will then lurn out excellent cider. M An eccentric lady of property, who re sided alone m Dudley, recently died. She had quite a mania for possessing drapery and millinery goods. The sale of her efff.cb3 included twenty dozen underclothing m silk, satin, wool and linen ; thirty-one embroidered petticoats ; sixty-six silk, satin, and white skirts ; one hundred and fifty pocket-handkerchiefs, one hundred and fifty pairs of gloves, forty nightdresses, sixty pairs of sheet«, nine dozen bolsters and pillow linen, thirty-three eider-down quilts, four dozen ' cooking aprons, seven dozen pairs of stockings, fourteen umbrellas, thirty-six pairs of boots, forty dresses, and thirty three shawls. This is fhe description of the latest style of coiffure that has been designed by the Hair Dealers' Association of New York for fall and winter —Wave the hair round the head to ward die crown, about two inches deep from the line of growth, and fasten m a flat twist on the top of the head, place a fluffy bang on the front, take three waved tresses with curled ends, loz hair 24in m length each, arrange two cf them on the back of the head, and with the third form a bow knot ou top, ornamented with shell pins. It can be dressed high or low to suit the shape of the head, and the arrangement of the tresses can be varied to harmonise with different ornaments. It has been selected as a good type of the Greek style at present worn for evening coiffures. A lady, while engaged m the pursuit of her domestic duties, encountered a mouse m the flour-barrel, Now, most ladies, under similar circumstances, would have uttered a few genuine shrieks, and then sought safety m the garret; but this one possessed more than the ordinary degree of courage. She summoned the man aetvant., and told him fco get the gu«, call the dog, and station himself at a con venient distance. Then she clambered half-way upstairs, and commenced to punch the flour-barrel with a pole. Presently the mouse made its appear ance, and started across the floor. The dog at once went m pursuit. The man tked, and the dog dropped dead. The lady fainted, and fell down the stairs, and the man, thinking that she was killed, and ftaring that he would be arrested for murder, disappeared, and has not been seen since. The mouse escaped !

The Berlin Marriage Bureau, which has ramifications all over the world, has (says the ''London Figaro") m the last eleven years, received 19,959 propositions from all civilised countries. In 12,706 casea husbands were desired ; m 9253, wives ; 4916 women, and 5104 men communicated directly with the main office ; the rest made known their wants through agencies. The youngest woman who asked fora man was sixteen years and four months old ; the eldest 72. The corres ponding ages of male applicants we^-e 18 and 79 years. The average age of the women was 26| years ; of the men, 39| years. Matches were brought about for 4399 women applicants, and 5417 men. The fortune of the men was £730; of the women, £920. The smallest purse offered by a woman applicant waa £15. It was the whole fortune of a girl $t years. The largest fortune of a woman applicant was £100,000. The properties of the men m search of wives varied between £73 and £30,000. There were 516 women and 307 men who communicated with the bureau who had apparent physical deformities. There were 2311 men and 1409 women who had been married, 1129 men wished second wives to care for their first, wives' children. The occupations of the men were — tradesmen, 5002 ,* members of learned professions and artists, 706 ; army officers, 93; State officials, 809. The rest of the candidates did not name their occupations. Of the women 1503 had their own business establishments. From the time of tbe offer of marriage to the date of the engagement, the. average interval was forty-one days. Xn #19 cases fche marriage resulted m a speedy divorce, and 106 of the men and ] 43 of the women ran away without waiting for a legal separation. In 391 cases the bureau was brought into court m consequence of misunderstanding as to the dowries.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

PEU PRESS ASSOCIATION

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION.

Mr David Gray, of Peterhead, has determined to despatch one whaler to the Antarctic Ocean m August, and possibly two. THE ANARCHISTS. An insurance agent of Wandsworth named Oarvagna, was arrested m connection with the anarchists of Walsall. He explained that so far as he knew the bombs were intended to destroy rabbits m Australia. THE UNIONIST LEADER. Mr Chamberlain has been elected leader of the Unionists m place of Lord Hartington. SPURGEON'S FUNERAL. The body of the late Rev C. H. Spurgeon was escorted by a proces sion to the Victoria Tabernacle, where religious services have begun. RETURN OF GENERAL BOOTH. The return of General Booth will be celebrated by two dinners m Lon don, attended by five thousand of his followers and by one m Birmingham. ; LIBEL ON A M.P. Mr Storey, M.P., obtained a verdict for £50 m the libel action he brought j against Sunderland for libel arising out

of the Silksworth evictions. THE LATE DUKE OF CLARENCE. The " World" says the Queen has consented to the body of the Duke of Clarence and Avondale being interred at Sandringham. THE WEST AUSTRALIAN LOAN. London; February 8. The public applied for a large por tion of the Western Australian loan. The general opinion m the city is that the difficulty of obtaining a full sub scription ought to be a warning to other colonies. February 9. The West Australian Loan averaged £99 2s. THEATRICAL NEWS. Mr Alfred Cellier bequeathed the Australian musical rights m " The Mountebank " to Miss Nellie Stewart, who has made arrangements w4th Mr W. S. Gilbert for the right to use his libretto.

Mr Musgrave has purchased the opera of " Blue-Eyed Susan," m which Miss Stewart is now appearing, for Australia. THE STAR OP ERIN. The wool m the Star of Erin, wrecked at Waipapa Point, was insured at Lloycis. LORD CARRINGTON. Lord Carrington is a candidate for the West St. Pancras seat m the London County Council. He met with a warm reception at his first address to the electors. MRS GLADSTONE. Mrs Gladstone has recovered from influenza. FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE. Mr Chaplin, Minister of Agriculture, has prohibited the import of Dutch cattle, and closed the stock markets of London to German cattle, on the ground tlmt they are infected with foot and mouth disease. BISMARCK'S PENSION SCHEME. The Eertin correspondent of a Lon don paper says the pension scheme in stituted by Bismarck is a doubtful success.

THE ARGENTINE ELECTIONS

Buenos Aykes, February 8. The Argentine elections are favour able to a treaty of peace. February 9. The elections have not been con ducted without bloodshed. Twenty persons were killed or wounded during the riots.

THE NEW -YORK HOTEL FIRE.

New Yokk, February 8. One of the most appalling features m the fire yesterday was the collapse of the interior of the hotel just as the occupants were roused. It is feared that most of those missing fell into the flames.

IMMIGRATION TO THE UNITED STATES.

Washington, February 8. The United States Commission on Immigration reports that 60 per cent, of the immigrants have tickets prepaid by relatives. British criminals are systematically sent over under the en couragement of the Imperial Govern ment. The Commission advises that preventive measures should be taken to put a stop tc it. CHILI AND THE UNITED STATES. McKinley, one of the seamen be longing to the cruiser Baltimore, who was injured m Valparaiso, claims £8000 from the Chilian Government. PAN-BRITANNIC CONTESTS. Harvard College supports the idea of Pan-Britannic contests.

CATHOLICS AND EDUCATION.

Ottawa, February 8. The Catholics of Canada have been prohibited from sending their children to schools which Protestant children attend.

AUSTRALIAN.

BROKEN HILL MINING. Sydney, February 9. The Junction mine at Broken Hill has shut down, throwing 130 men out of employment. The reason is under stood to be that the sulphides, which constitutes the bulk of the ore, cannot be worked at a profit.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, February 9. Mount Tongariro, a cone of which, Ngaruhoe, broke out jn eruption on Sunday, was covered m dense smoke all day yesterday, and this morning an earthquake occurred lasting about thirteen seconds. The schoolmaster's bouse at Rotorua is burned down ; the origin of the fire is unknown, It will be replaced by Govern ment from a special fund. A motion which was submitted to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, proposing that the Board should abac don ohe appeal against fche decision given. against them m the case of Lovett, who brought an action to recover damages for alleged maltreatment m the hospital, was lost. The chairman said that the position of every medical practitioner m the colony was jeopardised by the decision m the Lovett case, and if it were not reversed by the Court of Appeal there should be uu awujauieut tf tljti Act,

New Plymouth, February 9. A, telegram from Stratford states that a man named Patrick Whslan, a laborer, was killed yesterday by a falling tree.

News and Gossip.

A HAPI'Y-GO-BASY PRINCE. .The real reason why the Prince of Wales prefers fco stay at home while his sposa is travelling about the Continent is that be does not erefc on particularly well with the starched personages whom he would be brought m contact with if he joined the party. There is too much of the stuffed uniform about the Czar and the Russian Grand Duk-js generally to please the Prince, who very rarely puts on any uniform afc all, and is never so happy as when he can dispense with all ceremonial, and behave exactly like any I other English gentleman. The Czar, on J the other hand, m common with most of the other Continental rulers and'princes, almost lives m his uniform, and is so completely soaked through and through with etiquette and ceremony that it is almost impossible for him to unbend and forget for awhile that he is the Autocrat of the North. Moreover, he resents the happy-go-easy habits of the Prince of Wales as^a derogation of rojal rank, which is, m his opinion, most repre hensible and well nigh unendurable. Under these circumstances it may easily be imagined that the Prince would be bored to death by the irrepressible dignity of the Russian Court, and that the Czar would be subjected to constant irritation by the bonhomie of his wife's brother-in law. PROFITABLE POLITICS.

Politics (says the "St. James's Bud-' get') are an excellent business- m France The late M. J ules GreVy, who had no means when he began life, and cannot | have saved any very great fortune during ' his practice at the Bar, has left £172,000 of personal estate m England alone. ? In addition to that he possessed the property nt Mont-sous-Vaudrey, wbere he died, and a very valuable house m the best pait of Paris, and probably had other gear besides. The bulk of these savings must have been accumulated during his presi dency. There was no wild expenditure at the Elysee m M. GreVy's day ; and it was a matter of common observation that he was determined to provide for a rainy day. And he did so to some purpose. But when we ask ourselves how a man has managed to save so much we are sometimes inclined to forget Benjamin Franklin's dictum about the first £100. All the same, it needs a good deal of saving and much shrewd investing to die worth £172,000 m personal estate alone. "making his mle." Mr Walter Besant writes as follows m an English paper respecting a book recently published :—•" Among a heap of new books now lying before me is one which the author—an Australian—has sent me. It is m the form of a story, but there is not much plot m it. Yet the book is extremely interesting. At this distance one can only woader if it is true. For ifc id a drawing—not a sketch—but a drawing, of society and business morality m a certain town of New Zealand. For obvious reasons we will suppress the name of that town. If, however, the book is really true —if only half of it is true—if only a third, a fourth, a tenth part of it is true, the inhabitants of (hat town would do well to flee unto the mountains, if that will save them from the coming wrath- For they aro all knaves, thieves, and sjamblers. That, is the keynote of the book. The writer does not call the people by these hard names. He does worse. He shows their character by their acts. If, however, the book is an act of spite and malice, if the author intended to be revenged on New Zealand for some real or fancied wrong, if the fticruro he is: f-'ls-o and falsely colored, lie is simply a criminal of the deepest dye. The name of the book is 'Making His Pile.'"

DEATH IN THE AIR. An interesting theory has been started m Bombay to account for the virulent outbreak of cholera which recently worked such devastation on board the I men-of-war Marathon and Redbreast j while lying m the harbor of that city, j The explanation given by the men, and nrmly believed m by them, is that the disease was communicated by a dark j yellowish cloud, which passed over the two ships immediately before the seizure of the first victims. That there may be something m this view pf the origin of the ! outbreak is proved by a number of similar casea which are cited by a corres pondent who writes to a Bombay paper on the subject. The most i-ertiarkable \ instance given relates to a barque lying m Kurrachee harbor thirty-five years ago. Here the cloud passed over the fore part of the ship only, sending down a shower of rain which was so partial that the aft part of the deck was quite dry. Shortly after the rainfall, all the men m the fore par^t of the vessel were stricken with cholera, and a number of them succumbed. In the case of the Marathon and the Red breast there, is the greater reason for believing that the disease was communi cated m some such mysterious way as this, as Bombay city was free of cholera at the time, and the outbreak m the harbor was confined- to the vessels of the navy, which from the perfect sanitation, are the least likely to have bred the attack.

School Committees.

HAMPSTEAD.

The monthly meeting of the Hampstead School Committee was held last evening. Present — Messrs Crooks (chairman), Andrews, Sage. Meaclem, Bisset, Pick ford and Kickman. The headmaster's report stated that the number on roll was 387, average atten dance 295*8, highe»b attendance 331. The master urged the necessity of en forcing more regular attendance. It was decided that the Chairman see the Sergeant of Police with reference to the recent Government order that the police shall take steps to prevent truancy. The report of the Clerk of Works on the nuisance complained of by the Hamp sfcead Town Board was read. An absorption pit was recommended as the best means of dealing with the nuisance. Thi« course was approved of, and the report was ordered to be forwarded to tha Board of Health,and on the receipt of the approval of that b>xly the Board of Education be requested to have the work done at once. Correspondence was read from the Board of Education forwarding results of pupil teachers' examination, and list of nominations for the vacant seats of the Board of Education. After discussion a ballot was taken for the three candidates who should be voted for m the election to the Board, and the result was m favor of Messrs Joyce, Saunders arid Smith. Several of the members expressed the opinion that Mr Westenra's re-election was certain. The Visiting Committee had nothing of importance to report. Messrs Sage and Pickford were re-elected for the enduing month, . Resolved that a hearty vote of thanks be recorded to Mr E. G. Wright, M.H.H., for his kindness m giving the scholars, teachers, committees and parents the excursion to Springburn, which had been so successful, and which all had greitly enjoyed. A vote of sympathy with Mr Crooks, Chairman of the Committee, m his sad bereavement by the loss of his son, a, scholar of the school, was unanimously agreed to. Mr Crooks thanked the Com mittee for their sympathy, and expressed Us giatitucic for the great Juntas which

had been shown, by everybody to Mrs Crooks and himself during their affliction. Sundry ficcouit3 were passed for pay ment, and the Committee adjourned.

Murder at Tauranga.

PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Tatjkanga, February 9. This morning the whole of Tsuranora was thrown into a state of great excite ment through, the news that Duncan Munro (stepson of Jas. Bodoll, late mayor of the (awn) had murdered Ms wife and four children, aated respectively njne months, three, five, and six years, tlis youngest being a girl and the three others boys. For the last couple of days, Duncan Munro, who was some two or three years ago an inmate of the Whau Lunatic Asylum, han been certainly not accountable for bis actions, as he is suffer ing from religious mania, and has been talking of offering up a sacrifice to the Most High ; but, as he had done the same on former occasions no notice was taken of him except that his relations kept an eye on him. Last night his brother left him et his house at about nine o'clock, with his wife and children m the front part of the house, and Duncan m the kit chen with a room adjoining to sleep m. The door was only to be opened at the front. At seven o'clock this morning the daughter of Mr Mcßoberts, milkman, went with the milk, but could not make anyone hear, and called her father who was with the milk cart. Mr Mcßoberts opened the kitchen door, and dis* covered Mrs Munro and the eldest boy on the floor m a pocl of blood, and their heads frightfully knocked about. He then saw Munro on the beach at the back of the house m his night, clothes. Mr Mcßoborts informed Mr Bodcll, who lives opposite, and th« police and doctors were soon m attendance. It was then found that the wife and child still breathed, and underneath the bodies were found a flat iron and rolling pin covered with blood which were the weapons used evidently. On going into the front bed room it was found that the two little boys were m the double bed with their skulls smashed, and m the cot was the Hfctla girl with her brains scattered over the bed clothes. Wh«n the doctor arrived all the bodies breathed, but from the first no hopes were held out. Since then the youngest child and the two eldest boys, George and Johniiy, have died. "Tiiere are great signs of a desperate struggle, for articles of furniture and ornaments are smashed and broken. It is presumed the affair took place about 3 a.m. Munro was promptly arrested m the town m his night shirt, which is covered with spots of blood. Dr Bullen thinks it probable thai a knife ■was usod on Mrs Munro, but no such weapon can be found." All the skulls are battered on tne left «kk-v Later.

After committing the deed, Munro wan dered down about the beach round to the sulphur works and alon« to the Strand, where he was arrested. On being spoken to he admitted that he had killed them all, and said "Glory, Hallelujah " When asked how he did io he said—'.' With a flat iron. God told me to do it." The remaining child, the youngest boy, is dead Jand Mrs" Manro is rapidly sink ing. Munro, who has been m the police cell all day, has been howling and scream ing and singing hymns, and although he is conscious of what he has done, he seems to have no idea of the enormity of the crime. Since morning he bas neither eaten nor drunk anything. This after noon composing draughts were ad ministered to him. He has been subject to homicidal mania for some years past. Since he was a boy he has been subject to epileptic fits, and two or three years ago developed religious mania, which cul minated m such dangerous symptoms that he way sent to Auckland lunatic asylum. After being there a few months, his wife yielded, againßt her better judgment, to the earnest solicitations of her relations, and he was released from the asylum. Of late he had again developed very dangerous symptoms, and has threatened the life of his family several times. The day before the fatal dSecf was done, he said that he had a sacrifice to make. Dr Bullen. re peatedly warned Munrb's relatives of the danger of his being at large, especially to his family, but unfortunately no notice was taken of the warning. In his lucid intervals Munro was an affectionate hus band, fond of his children, and a most temperate man.

THE GOVERNORSHIP

(per press association.) London, February 8. The Earl of Glasgow has been ap pointed Governor of New Zealand.

Supreme Court.

(PJER PRESS ASSOCIATION,

Timaku, February 9. The crinnnal session* opened this mom ing, befcyie Mr Justice Denniston. His Honoviit/charge was very brief. Grand Jury Mils were returned m all cases. In the case of Bateman, for housebreaking, the prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to eighteen months' hard labour. W. Cowley, for burglary and! larceny of a bottle of whisky from the l Club Hotel, was found guilty, and j sentenced to fifteen months. The evi-j dence was brief and to the point, the prisoner beini; caught coming out of the hotel, and a bottle of whisky was found planted near by a hedge, opposite which the constable on duty found him. The case of arson against H. S. D. Homes, late licensee* of the Hilton Hotel, was commenced; part of the evidence was heard, and at 10 p.m. the Court adjourned until next day. Invercargill, February 9. The Supreme Court sittings opened this morning before Mr Justice Williams. The Grand Jury returned true bills m all the cases. William Weston, foy larceny ; John O'Neil, for forgery and larceny; and Thomas Pepperill, for larceny, pleaded guilty. Weston was sentenced to six months, O'Neill to two years, and Pepper ill to three years' imprisonment. William H. Ellis and Ellen Lewis were charged wifeh the theft of a watch and appendages from a Cardrpna minor named James Jones, m a brothel m lavercargill. The Crown Prosecutor offered no evidence against the woman, who w*s discharged, and gave evidence against EJlia, who was found, no^guilfcy.

Imperial Parliament.

FORECAST OF THE QUEEN'S SPEECH,

[pee tress association, London, February 8. Following is the forecast of the Queen's speech at the opening of Parliament to-morrow. It will be unusually brief. There will be a touching reference to the death of the Duke of Clarence and Avondale, and the universal and spontaneous nature of the sympathy expressed at the s»dt j event will be acknowledged. relations will be described; as excellent, and there will he s, regretful reference to the death of the Khedive, and every coHfidence will be expressed m the capacity and friendliness'of his suc cessor., 3Sfo indication, however, will be giveo as to the future of

British policy m Egypt. Satisfac tion will be expressed at the declara tion of Zanzibar as a free port, and at the arrangement to submit the Behring Sea dispute to arbitration. The Local Government for Ireland Bill will be the principal measure brought forward during tlie session. Other Bills promised are:—Assisted Education for Ireland, Srnali Holdings, District Councils m England, Private Bill Procedure, Scotland "Discipline (sic), Employers' Liability Amendment, Relief from Local Rates of Public Elementary Schools of England, [ Amendment of Law of Evidence and Revision of Agreement between the Bank of England and the Government. London, February 9. The " Daity News " says the leaders of the Opposition will not move an amendment to the Address m Reply.

Tinwald Town Board.

A meeting of the Tinwnld Town Board was held labfc night. Present—Messrs W. Redmayue (m the chair), E. Gates, J. Gutlsell, and T. Williams. ■ . CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read from Comp troller-General forwarding balance-sheet. WATKR SUPPLY. The clerks were instructed to interview Mr Baxter m reference to water supply. STRAY CATTLE. 1 Ifc was reported that although the Poundkeeper was very assiduous m at tending to other peoples' cattle his own were allowed to wander about the streets. The matter was ordered to be attended to. STRIKING RATB. It was resolved to give public notice of the intention of the Board to strike a general rate of one half-penny m the £ for the ensuing twelve months. DEFAULTERS. The clerks were instructed to take pro ceedings to recover outstanding rates. MISCELIiANKbITS. After transacting some routine busi ness and passing accounts the Board ad- Ijourned. ;

Otagro Harbour Board.

(PER PRJSSB ASSOCIATION.)

Dotbdin, February 9. fe At a meeting ot the Harbour Board to ,'|»asß accounts, the Chairman, Mr H. Grourley, said the aggregate increase m the Board's revenue for the past year may be stated as £3500, the ordinary revenue having reached a total of £48,587. The only notice he meaat to take of inside x outside defamers of the Board and their" financial position, was to point out to .bondholders that their claims are a first charge on the revenues of the Board, and those only amount to £12,143 to meet other expenditure for the staff and works. The copt of the staff, Secretary, Treasurer, and collection of dues was £1172 15s, harbourmaster £55518 14s, miscellaneous £602 15s sd, commission and exchange £1085 2s 7d, working wharf cranes £663 0s Bd, and repairs to sheds, wharves, and generil works £538 2s lls, a total of £9880 10s 7d, leaving for the Works De partment and new works £2262. The Otago Harbor Board had hitherto honourably and punctually kept their financial engagements, and there was no valid ground for the attacks that had been made upon them, although there was good reason for believing that these attacks, if not emanating from, had been countenanced by fellow-colonists and citizens, who appai'ently forget, or were regardless of, the injury they were inflict ing upon the whole body politic by fcheit^ •conduct. ,.-*-w»»"w

General Synod.

[PJBR PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, February 9. Ab this afternoon's sitting of the Synod a Bill, providing for Maori lay representa tives m Diocesan Synods, by making additions to the canons, waa read a first time; ; A resolution was pasted, expressing the Synod's sense of the great services rendered to the Church of Kew Zealand, and especially to the diocese of Nelson! by Bishop Suter, and assuring Mrs Suter of its profound sympathy with her m the critical state of her husband's health, which has necessitated his resignation. At to-night's sitting of the Synod, the second reading of Bishop Nevill's Bill for constituting a board of missions for the Ecclesiastical Province of New Zealand was negatived, there not being a majority of each order m favour of it; as required by the rules of the Synod. The division list waa as follows :—Ayes--Bishops, 3 ; clergy, 13; laymen, 9. Noes— Bishop, 1: clergy, 5; laymen, 12.

THE FLOODS.

GREAT DAMAGE TO CROPS,

STOCK WASHED OUT TO SEA.

RAILWAYS INTERRUPTED.

The aspect of affairs has assumed a very serious complexion for the farmers. A week or ten days ago the Ashburton county gave promise of a most abundant yield of fine, healthy looking grain, and reaping machines were at work m dead earnest. But within the short space of a week all the bright hopes of the husband man have been blasted, and his air castles ruthlessly cast down. Farmers had had their fears raised of a wet harvest time, and many of the more careful and fore seeing took tu»e by the forelock and made haste to get into stack all of the corn that was fit. Most of the owners of small holdings have all their grain m stack, and a good number of others, with Urger areas, whose wheat had ripened early were able, by dint of unremittiag; labor, to get theirs beyond the reaoh of: harm; but on the great majority of farms the. bad weather caught; the crop wi*ii only a small proportion of it; m stick—not afouith of the whcls yk\o. A good moiety of it is still stand ing, and a larger proportion still is m stook. The heavy rainfall, alternating with close muggy days, has caused the grain m stook everywhere to sprout > and, m some cases, the shoots are nearly an inch long. Nor has the standing grain escaped this second growth, as: we know of many paddocks of standing wheat that show sprouts of very unwelcome length. In the Wakanui district the danttige done is painful to see.. Lwge areas of wheat are still m. sfcook, and the carting will have to be done piecemeal—that is to say, thft sides of the stooks facing the south-west, which had to bear the brunfc of Sunday's storm, will re quire / to be left for the time, while the drier sheaves on the other, side are carted. But Wakanui is na worse off than other parts of the district, as the re ports that reach us from all quarters of the county, from tho hilts to the sea, have the same mournful burden of damage from the we>ti weather. The grain sprout ing m th© stook, the grain that is stand ing a,lso sprouting, and the heavier crops j all 'lodged; tangled^ and twisted into a 'mass that no maohine can cope with. Frequently has the wild nor'-wester of the jolains been fiercely anathematised, bufc just at this moment no more welcome visitor could • come along to dry, up ehe Eioddea sheaves and give a ray of hope to the farmer; but no such good fortune seems to fall to his loh, as the sky to-day looks as watery as ever, and although the tWQHtftey register* » slight j^ jn.

ftHt AS&BllifON WEfIJ^ESDAf, frgUmtfAftf jp, 1892.



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I'lVfeest medicine known is SANDER and SONS EUCALPTJ JSXTRAOT Teat its eminent powerful effects m coughs, colds, influenza, etc.—the relief fe instantaneous. Thousands give the most gratifying testi mony. His Majesty the King of Italy, and medical syndicates all over the globe, are its patrons. Read the official reports that accompany each bottle, Wfi have no occa sion to offer rewards m p/opf of the genuine ness of ow references. The official reports of medical clinics and universities, the official eommunieaiionof the Consul-Genera for Italy at Melbourne; the diploma awarded International Exhibition, AiMfardaiiiT-all these ore wrthwtic documents, and, as such, not open to doubt, We add here epitome o| one of the various cases twted by biegenl M D Professor, etc. Burning of the right hand'through the explosion of a small oil stove The epidermis on tne volar and palmer side of the hand of the thirty-year old patient was completely separated and lifted up a* far as the joint ol the hand. The 'likewise lifted nails were hanging loose and half of the p.haluux . 9 fJk§ iiail of the middle finger was coaled. The wpuuus tfnis Lfewtef healed m tl^e w^eks jndef ««ly appiiwtionß rf Eucalypti Bxtia^t dressing. The p&tie^t h^ retained the full



FTIHIRTY Pieces Dress Goods at 6d ; 60 -*- Pieces French Cashmere afc Is 6d, worth 3s 6d ; 1000 Yards French Tweed, ouble width, at Is 9d, worth 3s 9d. All Dress Goods greatly reduced.—Andruw Orr's Cheap Sale. 1 106 \ir ANTED Known.—lf you want W plenty of first class Drapery, Boots and Clothing for cash, come to Melford House Sale.—H. O. Seobrs. BOOTS, Boots.-—lnfants Boots 9d, six Dozen Ladies' Elastic Side Boots, 5s 9d, Genfcs' Boots 8s 6d, Metis' Bluchcr Boots 5s 6d, Stanley Shoes Is lid.— Akdrkw Orr b Sale. 1 ANTED KNOWN, a special lot of Hearth Rugs at Is lid, 2s 6d and 0 lid ; worth about doable. VV. H. COIXIER. WANTED 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. Hardley, East 1 feet. , 6J202 W" ANTED Known.—Great Cash Sale now on at Melford House. Almost everything reduced. —H. C. Segebs. fpO Meet the Times.—t am (supplying 1. Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all dessriptions. Inspection invited.— J. W. Harhley, Eas street. 6J201 SHEEP SHEARS. Having secured a Stock of the celebrated 8.8.A., and as there are very few m the Colony, Shearers are requested to call early.— Robert Alcorn, Saunders' Buildings. ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed; from 50s cash. Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. ______ WAFTED Known—That you will make no mistake for quality and variety m English and Colonial Boots, and hishishly 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. WANTED Known.- -H. Bairstow has opened those premises m East street nexfc.T. Orr and Co., as a Furniture Warehouse. Latest designs m Vienna Chairs, and Iron Bedsteads on view. Having a good stock of well seasoned figured "Rirnu and Kauri, he is prepared to take orders for Furniture to any design. Inspection invited. 11+61 " Fublie Notices. "XT 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. KEOTCTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE ■x IN ALL DEPARTMENTS.! linjspeotion Invited, NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. W. H. WEBBER' Manager. Holloway's Pills.—Weak Stomach.— Tlvs wisest cannot enumerate one quarter of tie distressing symptoms arising from im perfect or disordered digestion, all of which can be relieved by these admirable pills. They remove oankcry taste from the mouth, flatulency, arid constipation. Holloway's Pills rouso the stomach, liver and every other organ, thereby bringing digestion to that healthy tone which fully enables it to convert all we eat and drink to the nourish ment of our bodies. Hence these pills are the surest strengtheners and the safest restoratives m nervousness, wasting, and chronic debility. Holloway'a pills are infal lible remedies for impaired appetite, eructa tions, and a multitude of other disagreeable symptomswbicb render thelives of thousands miserable indeed. These pills are approved by all classes^] Ninian Hyslop and Co.'s "Imperial" Ceylon and Indian Teas are direct j from



Wanted. J CASH Advertisements under this headm? not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Office. WANTED,— Caretaker for the Swim ming Club's Dressing Rooms at the Domain Baths. For particulars, apply to .J. C. Lamb, Hon, Sec, Wills Street, between 6 and 7 p.m. 2 45 POVERTY, its Genesis and Exodus. . The Black Cross, a Creature of the Night, The Valley Council. Other New Books by the mail; cheap editions.—H. M. Jones. T^fASTRD, strong Boy ; must be able ▼ ' to milk aid.make himself goner ally useful. Apply Mrs Rajsgbr, Ash burton Restaurant 2§22 T\TOTHING will Cool you an quickly arid i-^l invigorate the system so much as Ice Cream.—H. G. Flower, Confectioner, East atreet. '\T7 ANTED Known.—Come and see W the Bargains now on at Melford House.-H. C. Segers. AKTKDKnown~~At "The Corner' now selling Ladies' French Shoes., 5s lid. See them.—W. H. Collier. TUANTED KNOWN,—A great pur- VV chase of Kid Gloves, £135 10s 6d, Florencia Kid Gloves, all sizes, 4 and -Clasp, usual price 6s lid and 8s 6d, now sold for 4s lid and 5s lid. -A. Ore's Sale. '