The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Vertas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1892. THE CHRISTCHURCH ELEC TION PETITION.

The Judg6s of the Supreme Court have again affirmed that the election law is to be regarded first of all as being intended to secure to the con stituencies the full and free opportunity of choosing their parliamentary repre sentatives, and that it is competent for the Governor by Order-in-Council to remove or remedy any impadiment which may accidently be thrown m the way of the free exercise of their choice. This principle was pretty clearly laid down m the judgment of the Court on tho Akaroa petition, and has been still more emphatically affirmed m the present case. " The right to a seat m Parliament," their Honors Justices Williams and Denniston say, " must be determined on entirely different cir cumstances from those which govern the right to a bale of goods. In the latter case the question is the rights of the parties j m the tormer the rights of the constituency are paramount." If the Returning Officer had yielded to Mr George's objection, and had re fused to receive the nominations of Messrs Sandford and Smith, and had declared Mr George to be duly elected, it would have been impossible to hold Mr George's election as good. The constituency, by the blunder of the Returning Officer m the perform ance of his statutory duty, would have been deprived of its right of choice. Their Honors were of the opinion that the mistake of the Returning Officer could not have the effect of giving Mr George the seat, as the mistake would have prevented the other candidates who were before the constituency from being nominated, and the electors would have been deprived of their right of choice. Therefore, as Mr George could not claim the seat he was not deprived of any vested right by the acceptance of the nominations of the other candidates, while the right of the electors was secured to them by the action of the Returning Officer m re ceiving the nominations. Their Honors considered that if all three nomina tions had been made a day late it would be improbable that an Elections Court would upset the election, even if the proceedings had not been vali dated, unless it was shown that the result had been affected by the error. Their interpretation of the law is a distinct discouragement to any person who m future may wish to take ad vantage of a " technical legal point to endeavour to force himself upon a con stituency asitheir representative." Mr George has suffered for his attempt to do so, by being cast m the costs of the proceedings. The terms of the judg ment indicate that had he contented himself with testing the validity of the election the blunder of the Returning Officer might have been held a reason for not giving costs against him. The petitioner's vaulting ambition o'erleapt itself, and he has to pay the penalty. It may be thought that the judg ment will have the effect of tending to a lax manner of conducting elections. We do not think so. Mr Sandford's costs beyond those which .Mr George hai been ordered to pay will be of a substantial amount, sufficient to cause

future candidates to be careful that the exact terms of the law are com plied with. Returning Officers also will learn from this and the Akaroa case the danger they run by reading the law without due care, and will not trust to their being set right by Orders in-Council. The Judges point out that the words of the section which autho rises validation of accidental misfeas ance to be made are exceedingly wide, and the Legislature has entrusted the Governor-in-Councii with very large powers, which, m unscrupulous hands, might be capable of great abuse. We think thattheLegislaturehasdone wisely to give as full facilities as possible for the exercise by constituencies of their right of choice, and the fear that the powers might be wrongly used need not be entertained, as, according to their Honor's judgment, an Elections Court has power to enquire into the facts, and, if they do not bring the validation within the terms of the section, to treat the pretended valida a« a nullity.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Ashburtou Hunt Club invite tenders for hunting the hounds during the coming sea*P»» According to a statement made by the master of works to the Glasgow School Board, there are now m Glasgow 126 schools with accommodation for 92,181 children. In the new Glasgow Police Bill a clause has been introduced whereby anyone who keeps his shop open on Sunday for the sale of any article save milk and drugs, will be liable to a fine of 403. Australian flowers are "looking up " if we are to believe the Sheffield Telegraph, In winter they are to adorn the tables of the rich Loads of rose 3, magnolias, auruiu and pitcher lilies could be shipped for the purpose. A ratepayers' meeting was held at the Road Board office, South Rakaia, on Thurs day, to consider the question of closing a road through rural sections 15845 and 15847. There was no opposition to the proposal, and it was carried that the road be closed. At the Ohaupu (Waikato) sheep fair, last week, 35,000 ewes, wethers, and lambs, and 700 ram* were offered. The telegrams reported that only 3500 sheep were offered. This was the largest collection of sheep ever gathered for sale m the Waikato, and one of the largest m the -whole eotony. Mr Theodor Lichtwark had an audience of about thirty persons on Saturday evening m the East Street Horse Bazaar, when he cave lessons and hints en the horse training system, so successfully carried on by his father, Professor Lichtwark, and himself. The animal experimented on was a wellbred colt, the property of. Mr OctaviusDigby, and m a very short time the horse was brought under control, and afterwards ridden bare back round the ring, its feet »11 handled, and various other Bteps taken to show the audience that Mr Lichtwark and his subject were on very good terms with each other. He has formed a class for instruction on Friday evening next at the Horse Bazaar, and on Saturday evening he will instruct a class at Chertsey.

A man named Curtis met with a terrible death m California recently, heing torn io pieces by a thoroughbred stallion. The programme of the New Zealand Fire Brigades demonstration, to be held at Christcnurch m the middle of March, con tains sixteen events, with good prizes. This morning before Major Steward, J. P., a first offender for drunkenness, a young man, stran^r to the town, was discharged with a caution on payment of Is expenses. A Wellington spieler tried to swindle a Wairarapa farmer with the match box trick during the Christmas holidays, and the farmer picked his pocket of seven pounds. Messrs A. A. and R. M'Master, of Toko- Rahi, clipped an average weight of wool per head of their merino flocV. of over 8? 2 lb this year. A lot of 1500 four-tooth ewes averaged lOJlb per head. This satisfactory result was obtained by hand shearing, no machines being used. With reference to the report that thrco snakes had been seen near Richmond, some of the residents state it as their belief that th 3 creatures seen were eels whilst others incline to, the belief that the whole thing is a hallucination produced by the recent hot weather. There is evidently (says a con temporary) something wrong with the whisky which is being sold at Richmond. Judgment was given at the Resident Magistrate's Court Christchurch yesterday by Mr Beetham, R.M., m the case of the ! Ashburtonand North Canterbury Charitable Aid Board against A. White, claim £90 6s lOd, for maintenance m the Old Men's Home at Ashburton. The defendant did not appear and after the Secretary of the Board had stated the circumstances judg ment was given for the plaintiff Board with costs. To-morrow evening at the Oddfellows' Hall the Ashburton public will have pro vided for them the opportunity of witness ing a seasonable performance m the shape of the production by the Amy Vaughan Com pany of the nautical Christmas pantomime entitled " Black-Eyed Susan ; or Harlequin Little Bill," m combination with a harle quinade m the good old fashioned style. The dialogue is up to date, and the music land scenery entirely new. The company has performed with great success m Dunedin, and the press there sneaks very highly of the leading artistes. The scenery and dresses are very picturesque, and Ashburton is to have the full benefit of them, and not, as is generally the case, put off with make-shift scenery and rusty co3tumes. M. Drouhet, a French gentleman living at Camberwell, Victoria, claims to have discovered the secreß of perpetual motion so much sought after by machinists. He has constructed a machine, the main feature of which consists of a circuit of balls ova chain, so arranged m conjunction with discs or wheels that there should always be more i balls on one side than the other, and there- I fore a kind of perpetual tug of war is established. M. Drouhet claims for the

machine that it can be used as a motive power to the smallest clock or to drive a tramcar ; and so far as he can see at present he has set up a motion so perpetual that his principal difficulty will be to dis- f cover a method to stop it. The following story is told of Mr Max \ O'Rell's appearance m a town m Massa- j chusetts during his last visit to America :— He had to appear m the Presbyterian Church m Brockton, m that State, while Dr I Savage, of Boston, a well-known Unitarian I preacher, had to appear the same evening m the theatre. Max m the Presbyterian Church, and the Rev doctor m the theatre were a somewhat funny contrast. However, something even funnier followed. Max had a full house m his Church, while the poor doctor had only sixty people m his theatre. The doctor refused to lecture to such a small audience, and advised them after getting back their money at the box-office to jjo and invest m Max O'Rell's lecture. They took the advice, and he himself led the example. The entry of the Rev doctor followed by his audience into the Church where the witty Frenchman was speaking was the signal for great applause. Much has been said and written lately about the large earnings alleged to be made by men employed by the Government upon I co-operative contracts. The Wellington " Post "—one of the most energetic assail ants of the Government—has been shown by the Public Works Department the schedule of rates paic? to the gangs engaged on the Woodville-Eketahuna Railway. These rates vary according to the nature of the ground to be broken and the distance to which it has to be shifted. For earth work, under which heading comes the excavation of papa rock, the prices range from Is to Is 4d per cubic yard. Creek excavations are paid for at lOd per cubic yard, the excavation of foundations for culverts at- Is per cubic yard, and the laying of pipes, including the excavation of the ground, at 2s 6d per lineal yard. For logging up and stumping, the prices at which work has been given out vary from 27s Gd per square chain to 35s per square chain. These are the principal classes of work that are being done. Last night the team chosen from the Ashburton Fire Brigade for competition m some dozen or so of the events at the great Fire Brigades' demonstration m Christ church, held a practice with the manual engine at the Fire Brigade station. The team comprises Messrs Nbkes, Compton, Groves, Barber, and Hayes, with Mr Pauling as an emergency man. In the five men practice the team had three runs out, and made the good time of 53secs—good, when it is considered that last night was the first practice of the team, and three of j them were new hands. In this practice, the team are supposed to be lying m bed, undressed down to the trousers. At a given signal, they must spring from bed, put on their boots, coats, helmets, and belts (fastening at least four buttons of their coats), run fifty yard 3to the engine, put it m gear with two lengths of hose, and show water. Last night, owing to the wetness of the grass, the team did not lie down, nor did they take off their boots, but allowed Ssecs for the rising and booting. The third run, from start to finish, was made m 45secs, which, with the Bsecs added, gives 53secs, and 50 is the record. Two-men hydrant practice, and one-man practice were also tried, and fair work was done at both. Last evening there was quite a gathering p^ the railway station m expectation that the Governor would pass through to Christ church by the evening express. In thiis, however, the crowd were disappointed, as the express did not arrive to time, and semi-official information was given to the effect that the train would not arrive until nine o'clock. Before that hour, however, further information was received that the train would not come m until about half past ten. The express actually arrived at ten minutes past ten, but she brought no Governor, and those who wished to pay his Excellency the compliment of a farewell cheer were disappointed. We learned that the bridge at Maheno was unsafe, and railway communication up to that point we* interrupted. The train from Dunedin, carrying his Excellency, came only so far, and returned to D. unedin, whence, his Excellency tried to proceed by the Hinemoa, but had to return owing to the rough weather. There was no through traffic from Dunedin yesterday, the express of last evening coming only from Oamaru, and the delay from the latter station was caused by a breach m the embankment near Waihao. That part of the road was expected to be m order m fcjinc for the express to-day.

The other day m the Transvaal two young British subjects, Cooper and M'Keene, were tried before the Chief Justice for robbing Kaffirs. One of the prisoners was a lad of under 20 ; the other was 25. They were un defended, and had not the slightest suspicion that their lives were m dauger, but. on their conviction the Chief Justice discovered that by the Dutch common law highway robbery may be punished by death, and he put the old law into force. When the last mail left Capetown the two men were to be hanged on the following day. At the monthly meeting ot the Canterbury A. and P. Association 'yesterday a letter was read from the Wellington A. and P. Association, stating that it had been suggested that a conference of all kindred Societies should be hold before the next show season, with a view to fixing the dates of the several shows and discussing other matters m connection therewith. The Wellington Association 'iskccl the co operation of the Canterbury Association m the matter. It was resolved that a reply be sent of the proposal and (suggesting that a conference be held m Chnstchurch on March 19. The luncheon and farewell to the Governor at Christchurch have been provisionally postponed till Thursday, as His Excellency is delayed m the south by the floods. The Mayor of Christchurch has received the following telegram:—" His Worship the Mayor, Christchurch.—Bridges on main line impassable. Made effort to get on by driving, but there are no less than four bridges that we know of that cannot be crossed. I suggest that luncheon and meeting m the Square be provisionally postponed till 11th, m the hope that we may get up some time to-morrow or next day. Will keep you informed by telegraph, if possible, movements.— Onslow, Palmer ston." Professor Eliaha Gray, the noted electri cian, will give a public exhibition m England shortly of his latest invention— the telautograph—which is, it is claimed, destined to revolutionise telegraphy. Pro fessor Gray perfected this invention two years ago, after working at it continuously for seven years, but he kept it a secret until hia patents were secured. This instrument not only transmits a message long distances by wire, but reproduces at the receiving point a perfect fac-simileof the message as it was written. Pictures aid diagrams may also be transmitted. "TV cm be crossed, " I's" dotted, erasures aud interlineations made at will. The sender , writes on a pad which does not move except as desired,"" and matter can bo transmitted iat the wriieY"§Lordinary speed. It is ).ot | necessary to ke&p"^ne Ven(l^ on the P aP- >r > j and the receiving instrument can enlatge or reduce the propdi'tions of the writingsor drawings. Our Melbourne correspondent writes — A new dcvelopement m the Larkin fraids brings the total amount missing to £154,000 and the disclosure of the fact that no one has been paid for his extravagant living makes it still more certain than ever that

he has concealed large sums of money some where. But he has a very poor chance of getting out to spend it. Fe will probably have long cumulative sentences ! and the people who are most incensed against him will take care to bring new | charges if the judges should let him down lightly. The other rapscallion Taylor is now thought likely to get off, albeit that he has spread a ruin just as wide as that caused by f,arkin. Indeed Larkin's victims know what they have lost, Taylor's only know that he has got away with £114,000 and that they have £53,000 to pay m addition to what they have lost already. | A curious contrast to the treatment these miserable scoundrels have experienced is ! seen m a cablegram from England which tells the arrest of a member of Parliament, on a charge of embezzling £15,000 trust ] money. He is held to bail m £20,000. ] Larking friends consider him an illused | man because his bail is fixed at £8000 m ; all, and he could not get it. Taylor walks ; about a free man and iv bonds of £4000 only for reappearance.

THE FLOODS.

IMMENSE DAMAGE.

[per press association.] Chbistohtjrch, February 8. The raiii ceased this morning, and it is now tine. There have been floods north of the Hurunui. One of Derrett's coaches was upseb attempting to cross a stream a quarter of a mile from Culverden. The driver and horses had a narrow escape. The Hanmer Plains coach driver came through to Culverden on horseback, being unable to get the coach over the rivers. He had a narrow escape, and lost three mail bags. Uamauu, February 8 (9 p.m.) The floods m this district have been the severest experienced here since 1868. Over three-fourths of the gram iv the district has benn lost, the greater portion being m stook, although farmers generally have taken every opportunity of stacking. The rain has laid a good many of the standing crops, which will have to be cut with the back-delivery machines. If the rain, which has partially ceased, is fol lowed by a strong, cold wind, the crops will nob suffer great damage ; but if fol lowed by bob weather the result will be much damage. The railway bridge at Duntroon has been partially washed away, and the bridge across the Waitaki at Kurow is also damaged, and traffic on this line is suspended. The railway bridges at Maheno and at Waianakarua are also damaged, but repairs are expected to be completed by the morning, and traffic will be resumed. The Kakanui Valley was one vast sheet of water this morning. Sheaves, cattle, horses and sheep were being carried to sea. The river was a mass of floating sheaves, and the farmers m the valley must have suffered severely. A boat had to be senb out from Oamaru I this morning to rescue the inmates of two J houses and the slaughterman m Mr A. Thompson's slaughtering works. The rescue of the men by the boat failed, but the river commenced to recede rapidly, and they were able to roach a place of safety m the afternoon. The rivers are all falling rapidly, and the worst part of the storm is now over. Oamaru, February 9. The weather has cleared up and it is now fine, though somewhat hot and muggy. The country train service has bean discontinued temporarily, owing to j breaks m tlie lines. Ib is impossible to estimate the damage done by the Hoods, till communication is restored. The beach here is strewn with carcases of sheep, etc, destroyed m the Kakanui flood. The rivers are all falling rapidly, and it is hoped the main line train service will be* gin again this afternoon. Dunedin, February 8. The damage by floods m the Taieri is very great, and two lives have been lost. One is Walter Swanson, a groom at Outran), and a man known as old Harry, a servant at Kirkland. Sheaves are floating about m all directions, and swep^ out to sea. At Shand's two hundred sheep have been drowned, and numbers of sheep and cattle elsewhere. The Governor returned to town to night. He tried to proceed by the Hinemoa, bub the weather was too rough. The train from Invercargill scuck at Milton with Lady Jersey on board.

ALFORD STATION.

The following is the Meteorological report for the week ending February 7, 1892 :—

NOTES.

•.Whether or not it be owing to some astronomical cause, such as the position or movements of certaiD planetary bodies, to spots on the sun, 01* to the steady procession of some fixed cycle ' of periodically recurrent causes, there I can be no doubt whatever as to the fact —from .whatever cause resultant—that the characteristics of our cliirate have I greatly changed during the past few years. Nor'-westers are becoming far less frequent—we have scarcely had one worth speaking of this summer— and when they do come they are no longer followed, as years ago was invariably the case, by a three days' sou-wester. Indeed, we can hardly be said to have had n, summer at all, the temperature having ranged abnor mally low, and during the past few days we have had a downpour of rain which resembled the torrents of 1868. Time was when the farmers on the Plains feared only the shaking out of their ripe grain by nor'-westers, and the danger of its being spoiled by rain at harvest time scarcely entered into their calculations. This led to a very general practice of threshing from the stook, and, given a good old fashioned nor'-wester or two while the grain was standing m the stook, or m a single or double line of bags, on the harvest tield, the result was of ten a good dry sample. But millers and exporters even then pointed out that it was better to put the grain into stack for a fevv weeks, and the more careful of our growers followed the advice; though a great many more did not, preferring threshing from the stook as cheaper and ! more expeditious. In view, however, of the downpour which has caught so large a proportion of the grain m the field this season, and the still unsettled appearance of the weather, it will, we think, be now admitted to be the only wise and safe policy to get the grain into stack, and to thatch it securely, as quickly as the weather" permits. Already, we fear, a great deal of mischief has been done by the rain, but this even is a trifle to the mischief that may done if during this very catching weather farmers go on trust ing to the old-fashioned plan of thresh ing from the stook.

There is just now an appeal being made to the people of this Colony to give some special assistance to one of the most deserving and beneficent institutions among the many which do honor to the philanthropy of the age— we mean of course Dr. Barnardo's Homes for indigent, orphan, and crippled children. Those Homes at this moment contain nearly 4000 boys and girls—many of them City arabs and waifs gathered from the gutters, the byways and the slums of London— and for all these is provided—as there has been for many thousands before them—a comfortable home, decent clothing, wholesome food, and mental and morel training, whereby the children are not only rescued from privation and from developing in.to social pariahs and criminals, but are trained up to be useful, industrious and well-behaved members of society. Many hundreds—yea thousands—have during the past few years been sent, out from these noble institutions, some of them to Canada and elsewhere beyond the bounds of the United Kingdom, while many more have been found employment at Home ; and the records of their after-career are ample and most satisfactory testimony to the excellence of their training, as their conduct with very few exceptions has been remarkably good. A nobler and more Christlike work than that per formed by Dr. Barnardo and his staff of assistants is not to be found,in the whole world, and every philanthropist, no matter what his creed, should gladly give such a work every assist ance m his power. So vast is the numbev of those who need and receive help m these Homes that a special appeal has to be made for pecuniary aid, and just now the Rev. Mr Mayers, accompanied by eight of the boys, is making a tour of the Colony and giving entertainments with this object m view. The deputation visits Ashburton on Thursday, and we hope on that occasion to see the Oddfellows' Hall crowded, and that the kindly hearts of the people of this district will be moved to do all m their power to aid so noble and worthy a work.

If the Dunedin " Globe "is correctly informed, then we are sorry indeed to learn that that ugly modern practice known as " boycotting" has found a footing m the southern city. That journal' asserts that Mr A. Lee Smith was proposed the other day for membership of the Pernhill Club, and was blackballed solely because of his political views. Our contemporary writes : " Much pressure Avas brought to bear upon the gentleman referred to to induce him to allow himself to be nominated as a member of the club. Before his election, however, we have good reason for knowing that it was understood he would be objected to on account of his political views, and more especially m connection with his recent utterances at Ministerial gather ings. At the Lawrence banquet Mr Smith had the temerity to say that he would be taxed to a greater extent under the new land and income tax than under the property tax, but he would cheerfully pay the extra amount, because he considered it was m the best interests of the colony that he should do so," To the fact that Mr Smith held and declared such views as these the "Globe" attributes the indignity put upon him, and goes on to say " never before to our knowledge have a man's political views been raised as a barrier to his admission to membership of the club ; and never before, we trust, has thegrave indignity of blackballing been resorted to, unless on good and sufficient social or moral grounds. That there were no such grounds m the case of Mr Lee Smith we know. His quarter of a century's residence m New Zealand is without moral or social blemish. With the new departure m the colony's politics, however, it would appear that the courteous relations heretofore subsist ing between "individuals is to be interfered with ; and a man's political opinions (if the Fernhill Club incident has any significance) is to be m future the gauge of the standard of society m which he will be allowed to move." If the case is as represented, then the action taken by the JfmMW Olub,

cannot be too strongly condemned, being calculated to evolve feelings of bitterness which will not easily be allayed, and which may lead to very deplorable results.

ROAD BOARDS.

SOUTH RAKAIA.

At the usual meeting of tho South Rakaia Road Board there wore present — Messrs Coster (chairman), Stringfellow, and LytLelton. clerk's rbport. The Clerk reported on the roads generally as being m good order. Tho Water race overflowing on Bushy Park Road was doing considerable damage, and the Council's attention had repeatedly been called to it. The Council's attention had also been called to a number of fords which require alterations. As instructed at the last meeting, the work m Dunford street has been completed. The report was adopted, and the Clerk instructed to get m the outstanding rates. RESIGNATION. The Chairman stated that he had received Mr Vucefcich's resignation as a member, and the Clerk was instructed to take steps to fill the vacancy. RIVER ENCROACHMENT. The County Engineer reported that he had visited the river encroachment at the plantation opposite Block .IV, Village Settlement. He found that the full volume of water m the river was running against the high perpendicular bank, and a certain amount of erosion is taking place, but it does not seem to be very considerable. A survey should, however, be made m order to determine accurately the extent of future encroachment at various points. The portions of main river bank threatened at present would together extend to a length of about twenty-five chains, and to protect these portions systematically with groins, &c , would cost several hundred pounds. He understood that a comparatively small sum only is available for the work, and m his opinion it would be expended to the best purpose m cutting a relief channel m the riverbed, a few chains above the line of road leading to river near middle of R.S. 5521, at the point and m the direction pointed out to Mr Makeig. He estimated, that about 1200 cubic yards would have to be scooped, and the stream led m by sand bags, &c , costing probably £45. This would, of course, give only. partial and perhaps only temporary relief. The Board decided to vote £20 towards the work. MISCELLANEOUS. Messrs Loughrey and Lane wrote re transfer of land for cutting. Mr E. E. M. Jackson received per mission to lay a pipe under Bushy Park road on the usual conditions. The Chief Surveyor wrote to the effect that Mr G. Baxter had applied for a road, and would the Board take it over. Re solved that the Chief Surveyor be informed that the Board considered it would be a private road, and see no reason to interfere m the matter. It was decided to put down new kerbing from Rolleston street to corner of Bowen street, Messrs Coster and Lyttelton were appointed to sign the rate book. The Chairman reported the result of public meeting re closing road, and the action was confirmed. ACCOUNTS. Accounts for £56 15s were passed for payment, and there being no cemetery business ho meeting adjourned.

Muscle versus Mind.

The influence of games and athletics on schu:^.; Vv-- <.;•:■ i*.vi), is ;n/v.i;y, and (says the Melbourne "Argus") ought to be diminished. It is quite true that the at tainment of a sound mind m a sound body is, or should be, an object of educa tion. It is better to have too much physical exercise than too little,but m the present state of public opinion the latter danger may be neglected as imaginary. If fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise to spurn delights during the period of training, and to live days that are laborious for the body, not as Milton meant for the mind, the modern boy will naturally prefer cricket to Euclid, and the glories of football to the wooing of the Muses. To make a big score m a match far surpasses honours at matriculation. The spirit of school patriotism subtly suggests that doing well m games isb'etter for the school, and more unselfish. It is only m the aftertime that intellectual work will tell. It will readily be allowed that the "all-round boy" (such is their phrase) is the best of all, the boy who works well and plays vigorously. But if only one side can be developed, which would the masters choose 1 An answer is suggested by the way m which the selectors of assistant head masters often prefer the man of prowess m games to the ablest and most experienced teacher. One man shall have a better degree, shall understand psycho logy, shall have mastered the theory and distinguished himself m the practice of education. The next, with an inferior place m class-lists, has been m the University eleven. Can anyone doubt which would have the better chance, whether m England or m Australia ? But until lately a preference for the athlete has not touched the higher posts. Head masters at least have not been chosen for their muscle, nor for their success m games. But m November last at Hartelnool, m the North of England, the headmaster of a grammar school had to be elected. There were close upon a hundred candidates, some of high university dis tinctions, one a fourth and another a sixth wrangler. The man chosen was a Cambridge passman aged twenty-three. He was a crack football player, and his services were keenly desired for the local team. It is reported that a large crowd gathered while the governors of the school were making their choice, and that when they had made it the liveliest enthusiasm prevailed. This incident is memorable, as it probably denotes the highwater mark of modern athleticism. The morals are so obvious that, we forbear to draw them.

School Committee.

ASHBURTON.

The monthly meeting of the Ashburton School Committee was held Last night. Present—Messrs Craighead (chairman), Bean, Baker, Barrett, Paul, and Silcock. The bank balance was reported as £38 Is lid to credit. Correspondence was read from the Board of Education confirming fche ap pointment of the three new pupil teachers, enclosing the results of the ex amination of pupil teachers, salary sheet for .Tauuary, and nominations for three vacant seats on the Board of Education. From the town scavenger notifying an increased charge for his services; the Chairman and Mr Baker were appointed 10 see to this matter. The Visiting Committee reported on the completion of the contract for repairs to schools, and that the fire places and window blinds had been attended to, and the live fence clipped. It was decided to vote for Messrs Adams, Saunders, and Westenra for seats on the Board of Education. Messrs Paul and Barrett were appointed visiting committee for the ensuing month. The master's report was read and adopted. It mentioned that the net roll was fifteen names m excess of last year's, a^buugh, sq m^ny children had left at

Christmas, and that nineteen scholars were now working i*l the seventh standard. The numbers on roll were— Boys 296, Girls 1259, total, 555. Atten dance—Boys 242, girls 210, total 458-the wet weather having greatly interfered w'fch the regular attendance of kho scholars. A cordial and beirty vote of thanks was : unanimously passed to Mr E. G. Wright, M.H.R., for his creaf; kindness ill pro viding the train to Springburn for the schools' excursion. A hearty vote of thanks was'also passed To Messrs W. C. Walker, Itaac Sargeant and. G. T. Smith for their voluntary dona tions to the espouses of the excursion. Sundry accounts were passed for pay ment mid the Committee adjourned.

Disastrous Fire in New York.

GREAT LOSS OF LTFE.

[per press association, i New York, February 8. The Royal Hotel has been destroyed by fire. Two hundred of the guests and employees were burned to death, while a number of others who attempted to escape by jumping from windows, were killed. The Royal Hotel was a six-storied building. The fire began m the cellar. Latest reports reduce the number esti mated to have perished to 100. Shock ing scenes occurred during the progress of the fire. A driver on the elevated railway detected the fire m the hotel at two o'clock m the morning. He stopped the train, whistled loudly, and woke up the inmates of the building. The Life-saving Corps worked splendidly. (Received February 9, 10.30 a.m.) Five bodies have been recovered from the Royal hotel debris. Sixty-nine are missing. Twenty-four of the inmates wereinjuredin attempts to escape, while eighty-one managed to get out of the burning building without being hurt. The night watchmen at the hotel were under the influence of drink.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.

NATIONAL PENSIONS.

London, February 7. Mr Morley, m the course of a speech, severely criticised Mr Chamberlain's pension schtme. THE SOCIALISTS' AGITATION. The agitation o£ Socialists m favor of free speech has been abandoned for the present. THE AUSTRIAN CURRENCY. London, February 8. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Liclderdale, Governor of the Bank of England, and the Rothchilds, are m favor of introducing gold coinage m Austria gradually. THE LATE MR SPURGEON. References were universally made to bYic <lasvt,li o£ the TUw. O. XI. Bpurgeon m the churches and chapels m Eng land yesterday. The Archdeacon of London preaching at St Paul's yesterday, spoke m terms of great praise of the life and labours of Mr Spurgeon.

DEATH OF AN AMBASSADOR

Beulin. February 7. Count DeLauney, Italian Ambas sador to Germany, has died of in fluenza.

JESUIT VICAR-GENERAL.

Rome, February 7. The Jesuits will eject a Vicar- General m the place ofrhe late Father Anderledy m May.

THE FAMINE RELIEF FRAUDS.

St. Petersburg, February 7. Riots were caused by the discovery that the food was adulterated which was intended for the famine districts. The police who connived at the fraud are being dismissed.

CHILI AND THE UNITED STATES.

New Yokk, February 8. The treatment of Chili by the United States has alienated the Central and South American Republics. ,

THE NEW KHEDIVE.

Cairo, February 8. The Khedive has decorated ]Jthe French Minister, the Admiral, and the i officers of the squadron, The Russian fleet has arrvied, and the Italian fleet also visits Alexandria to salute the young prince.

RUSSIAN POLES.

St. Petersburg. February 8. There is a feeling of disquietude among the Russian poles, owing to the favorable treatment of Germans by the police.

THE XERES ANARCHISTS.

Madrid, February 8. The rioters at Xeres, who were con demned to death, will be garotted on Wednesday. Workmen's Societies in tend to suspend work on that day.

THE SUGGESTED IMPEACH MENT.

Lisbon, February 8. The question of impeaching Senhor Carvalho has been referred to a Com mittee.

THE CANADIAN SCANDALS.

Ottawa, February 7. The "Toronto Globe" alleges that Caron Turle, who made the original charges which led to the disclosures of corruption m Canada, obtained money himself from McGreevy, one of those implicated, m 18S7, on the pretence of using it for election purposes.

THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY.

Washington, February 7. Mr Blaime, m a letter, declines to be nominated fcr the Presidency.

AUSTRALIAN.

THE SCULLING CHAMPION SHIP.

S a»KEY, February 8. The articles fora sculling match between Stanbury and Sullivan will be signed m a fortnight.

LEVANTING STOCKBROKER.

Beisbane, February & Pybus, the levanting stockbroker, was* sentenced to four years' hard abor,

BANK SUSPENSION.

The Queensland Deposit Bank, one of the largest, and regarded as the strongest institution of the kind m the colony, has suspended payment, It is believed that when realised the assets will more than cover the liabilities

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland. FeVuary 8. A lad named Philip' Brice, %»ed sevtn fceen years, while bathing ° yefcerday ax Tuaka was drowned. Telegrams from Taupo ann<u»ice that Ngaruhoe, an active cone on MtuiS Ten gariro, burst into eruption earl; on Sun day morning. A native named leta was riding nearby afc the time, and felt the ground suddenly tremble, then a great rumbling was heard, the mountai) shook, and at once anjenormous volume tf flstne, stone?, and smoke was thrown ibrontho crater hia;h into the air. The oufcbjak was similar to that at Tarawera, ex?pfc that no mud was sent out of the crser. The mountain continued to belch fort at intervals on Sunday, and grey dust 11. Ngaruhoe is about ten miles fm Takaanu settlement. One of the gues 'who ascended the mountain a few tys ago is of opinion that Ngaruhoe wile blown to pieces. Kina Ohinamuri was charged afc c Police Court to-day with removing* survey mark afc AkaaVa swamp, ly Waiuku. He was remanded for eif days. The facts are that on Febru? 3, Surveyor Phillips put ia a flag at trig station. Shortly afterwards It d appeared. He returned, saw accus near Phillip's, replaced the flag, wh accused pulled it; down and threw t staff afc him, Kiaa said he did nob ca for anyone, but the Maori King and Xc Kahau. A warrant was issued on Satu day, and Chief Detective Kirby went Waiuku, where he was jelned by Co' stable McGovern, Mr Knight, ai Hutchison, th« mayor, Mr Hamlin a companying as interpreter. The par arrived at Waiuku at dawn on Sunda; and found 50 male natives who h* gathered to hold a meeting fco-da^ Henry Kaihu and his brother. Keri, tl king's secretary, were present. Keri wi somewhat insulting, and said that Kir was only^ obeying instructions from tli Maori King, and that the police ha better take them all. Ultimately Kin was arrested, and brought to town thi morning. Wellington, February 8. The barque St. Lucie arrived from Nev York to-night, 103 days out. On Deceir ber 31, m a hurricane, she shipped a tre mendous sea, which smashed up every thing on deck, carried away a boat, broke the main boom m two, and wrecked the cabin' A large quantity of water got below, and the cargo will probably be damaged. Grey, second mate, arid Stretz, the man afc the wheel, had their legs broken, Captain Erskine, and Frir.ck, firsfc mate, were knocked about and seriously injured. Invercargili,, February 8. The barque Star of Erin is a total wreck. The captain says he caught thick south-east weather and did not see the Waipapa liijhfc. The cargo is valued afc £33,000, and the known insurance ia over £19,000. The sliio is valued ab £10,000, the insurance being unknown.

Greneral Synods.

[per press association.]

"WsxusaTON, February 8. At this afternoon's sitting of the General Synod, the Bishop of Auckland--presented a memorial from the Synod of the diocese* of Auckland, praying that the Legisla ture should be petitioned to allow the Lord's prayer to be read daily m th« State schools. On the motion of the Bishop of Dunedin a Select Committee-was appointed to take into consideration the working of the present Marriage Acts, with a view to make such suggestions as may appear to them calculated to protect the sanctity of marriage, and to report to the Synod. On the motion of Mr E. 0. Quick (Dunedin) a Committee was appointed to consider the question of, funeral reform, and to suggest some means; by which funerals may be conducted with less ostentation and expense, and m a manner more expressive of Christian hope. At to-night's sitting of the Synod the report of the Committee of the trustees of property under control of the general synod was considered. The recommen dations (1) that £50 per annum be granted towards travelling expenses of clergy to and from Synod, (2) that £10 be fgranted to each deacon towards expenses of visitation, (3) that £60 per annum be granted towards maintenance of students for orders m the colony^ were agreed to. Consideration of the disposal of the balance of the fund was deferred. The bishop of Dunedin moved the second reading of the bill for constituting a board of missions for the Ecclesiastical Province of New Zealand, but the debate was interrupted by the 10,30 adjourn* ment.,

Old Identities.

Mr H. 0. Forbes, the curator of the Christchurch Museum, writes to the Christchurch " Press " to place on record the fact of the identification of the exist enceinpast times m the zoological province of New Zealand of a most interesting bird. Among the bones and portions of bones from different caves and swamps of the colony, on whose examination he has been occupied now for a considerable time, he was able a short time ago to de scribe the several birds new to our ancient fauna. Among them was one fibia, indi cating a large weka, which he named Ocydromus insignis. Among more re cently obtained bones are others of the same group, whose nearest relative, how ever, is an extinct bird (known only by a lower jaw and a few other bones) which once inhabited the African island of Mauritius, and known by the name of Aphanapteryx. The genus Aphannp teryx is founded on so little material tbi6 it may happen, if ever more compltte remains of it should be discovered, that the bones now found may differ somewhat from those of the type Apham* teryx ; but the relationship is sufficiently close to warrant the allocating of tfo bones under discussion t» that genus fc the present. Nothing can, howeve, affect the fact of the close affinity between them, or detract from the interest of the discovery from the point of view i the geographical distribution of lifer this hemisphere, «r from its important as a link m the chain of evidence be^'ng on that most interesting and still asettled question as to what was m by one ages the configuration of thelands nc? covered beneath the Southern seas.

THE ASitBTTBTON GUJA&DIaK: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY d, 1890.



Date.

Sha

tde.

High

High in Sun.

State of Weather

Low.

I — : ,

i i

Monday ... Tuesday ... Wednesday Thursday.., Friday Saturday ... Sunday ,

41 --- 4-- 8-- -4- 8- -5-0--48

73 --- 7-8-77' 61 --- 5-- 4--76-65'

149 --1- 4-5- -1- -5- 1--- 8-700-7-5-7-13-

Fine, calm.

>> )'

Ram, S,W,

Fine, N.'fe. Rftiu S.W.



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I Statutory Declaration.-—I, Franz Raabe, Ironbark, .Sandhurst, m the. colony of Vic toria, Australia, do solemnly and sincerely declare that on the 25th June, 1877, my son Alfred, six years of age, was accidentally hurt with an axe on his knee. lat once took ' all pains to secure medical assistance. How ever, m spite of all efforts, on the 27th August, 1877, the opinion was given by Dr Macgillivray that an amputation of the injured liiub had become imperative, m order to save life. At this juncture I.called on Messrs Sander and Sons, procuring some of rbeir Extract of Eucalyptus Globulus, and by the application of the same I had the satisfaction of seeing my son within a ffrfc night out. of all danger, and to-day he s recovered. I may just add that it was when the crisis had been reached that the Extract referred to was first applied, and I make this solemn declaration, etc, — Franz Raabe, Declared at Sandhurst, m the colony of Victoria, Australia, this seventeenth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven, before me, Mofttji C«fcu* J- V



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Wanted. : CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Office. WANTED, a quantity of last year's Oaten Sheaf Chaff. Apply 2*36 D. THOMAS. WANTED, strong Boy ; must be able to milk and make himself goner ally useful. Apply Mrs Ranger, Ash burton Restaurant. 2§22 NOTHING will Cool you so quickly and invigorate the system so much as Ice Cream.—H.G. Flowbr, Confectioner, East Btreet. •TT7 ANTED Known.-Come and see VV the Bargains now on at Melford Houae.-H. C. Segers. WASTED Known. -At "The Corner' now selling Ladies' French Shoes. 5s lid. See them.—W. H. Collier. TfiXANTED KNOWN,—A great pur- VV chase of Kid Gloves, £135 10s 6d, Florencia Kid Gloves, all sizes, 4 and 6 -Clasp, usual price 6s lid and 8s 6d, now sold for 43 lid and 5s lid. -A. Obr's Sale. , THIRTY Pieces Dress Goods at 6d ; 60 Pieces French Cashmere at 3 s 6d, worth 3s 6d ; 1000 Yards French Tweed, d oubie width, at Is 9d, worth 3s 9d. All Dress Goods greatly reduced. —Andrew Orr's Cheap Sale. 1 106 WANTED Known.—lf you want plenty of first class Drapery, Boots and Clothing for cash, come to Melford House Sale.—H. 0. Segrrs, BOOTS, Bouts.—lnfants Boots 9d, six Dozen Ladies' Elastic Side Boota, 6s 9d, Gents' Boots 8s 6d, Mena' Blucher Boots 5s 6d, Stanley Shoes Is lid— Andrew Orr s Sale. 1 WANTED KNOWN, a special lot of Hearth Rugs at Is lid, 2s 6d and g lid ; worth about doable. W. H. Collier. ____£___ WANTED Known.—l have a large stock of Tin and Ironware Goods fco select from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m stock.—J. W. Hartley, East • treet. «J202 WANTED Known.—Great Cash Sale now on at Melford House. Almost everything reduced. —H. C. Segbes. fpO Meet the Times.—t am supplying JL Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all dessriptions. Inspection invited.— J. W. Hardlky, Eaa 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. Roberi Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. WANTED Known—That you will make no mistake for quality and variety m English and Colonial Boots, and his highly reputed make by calling at J. Moison's. During coming holidays dis count for Cash. Repairs done at once. m staff of men always kept ai:d best Material and workmanship guaranteed. ANTED Known.--H. Bairstow has opened those premises m "East street next J. Orr and Co., as a Furniture Warehouse. Latest designs m Vienna Chairs, and Iron Bedsteads on view. Having a good stock of well seasoned figured Rimu and Kauri, he is prepared to take orders for Furniture to any design. Inspection invited. Ilt6l Public Notices. TTA. LENTINES to suit everybody. » 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. ANDRE WES & CO., Stationers' Hall. STOCK-TAKING. SEDUCTIONS HAVE BEES' MADE IN ALL DEPARTMENTS.^ Inspection Invited. NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. W. H. WEBBER' Manager. Mr T. Bullock Not having sold Mrs Wildamith's pro p" rty near the Domain, I am prepared to receive offers for it. TO LET.—2OO acres Grass Land, Mitcham road. TO LET.—4-Roomed Cottage, Peter Street West. TINWALD. — Two Front Sections, numbers 4 and 5, for Sale at a low price. JBfG)(\ 1 AS.—Capital Building Site. 3&«W -L" T.S, 1009, containing £-Acre, fronting Peter Street West, for ! Sale at the above low figure, as the owner I is leaving the district. The corner section 1010 adjoining is for sale, so that the purchaser can, if he so desire, secure the two together, which is a magnificent site for a private residence, close to the Domain and m a healthy position. I T. BULLOCK, j Tkc. world is ever moving on toward \ •perfection, lutseldom attains it. Constant iKprewuient is being made m every fj ranch of industry, but m Baking P« vders Perfection has been reached io pkrburtw'eCM'tßf&Cit,