NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENT.

J.G—-Correspondence on tho subject of your letter has proved to be unpro ductive of gcod, and wo must decline to re-open it.

BIRTH.

Fkikmandek.—On June 6, sit Ashburfcon, the wife of Hugo Frioillandor of a daughter. ■mmamrmr-* -t

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Vertas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1892. THE WHEAT MARKET.

Most of our readers know to their sorrow the turn that the wheat market here has taken since the beginning of harvest. We believe that the down ward movement which set m then, and hats continued almost ever since, was as unexpected by merchants as by farmers; and we see by an exhaustive review of the Mark Lane market for the month of More!), m the "Field" of April 2, that the depressed state of the wheat trade had produced a crisis m London. "Many thousands of pounds have been lost daily by merchants and importers through the unexpected decline m value on wheat and flour. Large bulks of wheat, bought m cargoes, are believed to have been distributed m retail sale at reductions m price of 6s to 7s per qr. ! For such occurrences to take place m this backward and untoward season—and after the tre mendous harvest deficits m rye and wheat last year—astounds the most experienced importers. Over-apprecia ation of gold, depreciation of silver, and ruinously low rates partly explain the situation ; but over-buying m the early autumn, so far as regards the tirnearrival of the purchased supplies, is most commonly given as the true cause of the mad March markets. Usually, the month is one of the most satisfactory of the twelve m the grain trade. The contrast of March, 1892, with March, 1891, is very strong. A year ago the line prospect of harvest m the United States quite neutralised the half-believed forecasts of failure m France, Germany and Bussia. The English markets "were well supplied, India, Australia, Russia and California being represented by full average quantities of wheat on passage. Never theless, values quietly and steadily advanced. In 1891, English wheat, 32s 7d on March 7, was at 35s 3d on the 28th. la 1892, on March 5, 33s 3d was the imperial average, 32s lid on the 12th, 33s on the 19th, 32s Sdon the 26th, or 2s 7d per quarter cheaper, And the differences m foreign wheat were still more m favor of 1891. There 1 was a good French demand for imported wheat m March, 1891 ■ but m March, 1892, the demand was more than doubled. Russia was shipping 100,000 quarters weekly m 1891 ; m 1892 it was non-shipping, and greatly tasked to feed its famine-stricken districts." The article says that no doubt there are this year 1,594,000qrs afloat, where there were only 962,000qrs from Cali fornia last year; but against this.the Continent is buying much more than it took at the same period of last year. Fifty-live cargoes and several parcels were sold m a single week m March, 1891, —a larger quantity than the whole month's sales for March, 1892. In March, 1891, the crop prospects m England were excellent; m 1892 the crops were thin and backward, but notwithstanding this and the inferior crop prospects m the United States, the prices of wheat, flour and maize are falling, and great money losses and discouragement are being inflicted not only upon speculators but upon the mass of legitimate traders — on millers, farmers and importers, The depression was intensified by the fact that foreign flour was offered m Eng land considerably cheaper than English millers could produ.ee by a mixture of foreign and English wheat, which prevented millers from buying, Curi ously enough, under these conditions, foreign buyers have taken up many of the cargoes which English buyers would not buy. Business m March was tran sacted on a basis of cheapness that could only be warranted by the assumption that full crops m 1892 were assured—which they were not then, and are not now. Instead of warm showers m April, which would have stimulated the growth of the backward crops, there was a return of winter with frost and snow —and yet the market has not rallied. Forward business, indeed; is making matters worse. The quota tjions on March 31 for August-Septem ber shipment were for Californian 37s 3d, and for r^d winter American 35s 6d per 4801bs. The <' Field ;' writer j holds that a very slight further fall will induce important speculation, so that he is confident there will be no further material decline. This is pro bably correct; we trust it will nrove so. As for the past, it appears to us that the statisticians whose presages have proy£# g.Q wofully wrong have simply estimated last ye&r's. American and Indian wheat production at fifteen or twenty million quarters less than it actually was.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

1 There is one individual m New Zealand at the! present time 103 years of age, another IGI~ aiid a third 09. Over 1-1,000 persons have passed three &core years o-nd ten. The aggregate value of the miiieral products of New South Wales to the end of 1891 amounted to £93,536,903. For 1891 alone their value was £0,635,010. Mr O'Conor, M.H.R., intends delivering addresses at Nelson, Wellington and other GGutrfis on his scheme for the abolition of party Govern'mer^.. The Wellington Un»lwlora<ui Society entertain Lord Glasgow at a conversazione this week, and present him with un address. i Thfi Canterbury Plantation Board I advertise' for tend.ers for breaking up sixty acres near Mayfield, and for planting the same and for planting eighty acres near Kaiapoi. Th.o new English Church at Ov/ake, Otago, Wixs destroyed by lire on Friday morning, ■ Incendiarism jy sipiected, as no 1 one was known to have been ni the build? hig siucfj the previous Sunday. It was insured for L7o and the fittings for L 2,"?. • A man named Tliomas Fitzgerald,; acaawd gooli on the steamer Oliau, at Westport, is inia^ing, Ke was last seen on the wharf at midnight on Thursday. It was a stormy night, and he was then slightly m liquoi', It is conjectured that he fell into the river, ; : . . .■;■■,

Rev Father -Chastagnon will celfebrate mass at Longbeach on Sunday next. Vespers at Ashburton afc the usual hjmr. A meeting of the Directors, of the Cal-ado niau Society was held m the Secretary's office on Saturday evening, when it was decided to hold a social about the end of July, a fancy dress Ingleside iv August, and the'concert about the end of September. At Mangcrc, Mr Walter Paul,fanner, was asleep and dreamt that some person had dropped a lighted match on his head. The shock woke him, and he saw that his barn was on fire. The barn, implements, pro duce, etc., to the value altogether of upwards of £300, uninsured, were destroyed. The origin of the fire is a mystery. The tugs of war at 'Wellington, both at the Skating Rink and at the Opera House, have ended unsatisfactorily, and iv each instance legal proceedings have been instituted against the promoters by tc.uus who differ from the decision of the Oommitree as to the final result of the competitions. -# At a meeting at Wellington off.the creditors of the absconding ■■commission agent and auctioneer, A. W. Urown, it was resolved to accept from Mrs Brown LICK) m satisfaction of the Official Assignee's claim to certain property made over to her by her husband shortly before lie left ; the ', Assignee to retain accused's rent, and pay interest on tha mortgage to date. | The " Napier Evening News " status that the Patea-Napior coach, with seven inside passengers ami four horses, fell a distance of seventy feet over the Puketapu-road em bankment, owing to the leaders taking fright. With two exceptions the pas sengers escaped with a good shaking. The exceptions were Miss Quilter, who had one of her legs seriously injured, and Mr A. Cotter ill, ,who sprained an arm. At a meeting of the S.D. Parnell Memor ial Committee' at Wellington on Friday it was stated, that the only response to the appeal for subscriptions which had been made throughout New Zealand (Wellington ex cepted), and also m Ballarafc, Geelong, Mel bourne, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Liunceaton and Hobart was a donation of X 2 6s from the Amalgamated Society of 'Carpenters and Joiners at Auck land. An eccentric lady of property, who re sided alone ia Dudley, recently died. She had quite a mania for possessing drapery and millinery goods. The sale of her effects in cluding 20 dozen underclothing m .silk, satin wool, and linen ; 31 embroidered per.ti coats ; 60 silk, satin, and white shirts;, 150 pocket handkerchiefs, 150 pairs of gloves, 40 nightdresses, 60 pairs of sheets, 9 dozen cooking aprons, 7 dozen pairs of stockings, 14 umbrellas, 36 pairs of boots, 40 dresses, and 36 shawls. "Observer" Avritcs to the Wellington " Post " :—" There are five groups of spots upon the sun, These are fplaiuly visible with an ordinary binocular, the eye being, of course, protected by a piece of stained or smoked glass. It is, roughly measuring, 100,000 miles long and 20,000 miles wide, and many of the spots m tins group would easily let the earth drop through, or even Jupiter, into ihe centres of the sun. I have watched the sun for many a day, but have -never seen it so covered. My telescope is a good 3in. We ought to have good auroras and magnetic storms accord ing to theorios. Some resipients of public charity m Wel lington arc disposed (says the "Post") to look a gift horse m the mouth, and are' not grateful for the benefits they receive. The Benevolent Trustees have a boarding-out system for the old men, and it was reported to them yesterday that the inmates of their boardingliQuse had struck against pork sausages ! The inmates wanted ham and eggs far breakfast, and this b^ing an expensive luxury at present, the boardinghouse-keeper kept to his sausages, and the recalcitrant old men threw the next breakfast portion— seven pounds—over an adjacent cliff. To-night the Gratfcon Rigga Dramatic Company open a season of four nights m the Oddfellows' Hall. The press notices the company —both collectively and individually ■—have received m the southern, portion of the colony have been very flattering, but, not more'so thin the notice taken ot them by the'pub'ic, aadall along the line of theii tour ffooil houses have " awaited their performances. The piece for to-night is " The Shadows of a Great City," a drama of a refined character, free from anything of the "blood and thunder" cast, and requiring histrionic talent of the first order for its pourtrayal. The company carry their own scenery with them, and we are given to understand that m this instance mechanical efforts are' brought largely into play, m a manner not usually seen on a stage of the limited dimensions and primitive appointments of the Odd fellows' Hall, The " Bruce Herald," says :—" We were visited on Saturday by aii experienced gold miner, who had spent years m Vic toria and New S,outh VYales, and has resided m this district for about four years. He informs us that, after careful examination of the neighbourhood, he is certain that he has discovered within easy distance of Milton, a goldfield about twelve miles m length, which m his opinion will, if properly qpened' up, m the course of a few years' employ 4000 or 5000 men, m a few weeks the discoverer, who is at present otherwise engaged, will present a scheme to the public for tho clevelopement of his field. Our informant also states that m the same locality he has come across several seams of coal, which will probably bo opened up m connection with the gold." A Dunedin firm writes to the " Otago Daily Times :—Perhaps itjwill be of interest to your readers to know that we have made several shipments of rye corn grown m the Kyeburn district, by the s.s. Mamari and Maori, with a through freight to Hamburg, on farmers' account. More is to follow by next month's steamer, which we hope will arrive yet m time id fetch a good price, From latest Hamburg papers (April 10), we see rye corn still quoted 178s to 190s for 22401 b English, and we would advise farmers who have not yet forwarded to do so without delay, to make sure of a market while it ex ists. We wrote to be furnished with normal values. ' As soon as those are to hand, we will furnish same for your readers. We think thesa are the first direct lots of rye corn gone from New Zealand to Germany. Holloway's Ointment and Pills.—The attention of all sufferers is drawn to these well-known remedies, for they possess con spicuous advantages as a sate and reliable aid iv all those emergencies to which'travel lers, emigrants, and sailors are so especially liable, They have been largely patronised by ■syayiarerp by land, sea, and, m fact, by all classes Qi the iknnmumiy, to their very gtfeat advantage. The pills are beyond all -loubt one of tho most effective remedies aver discovered for cases of obstinate consti pation, connTmeu Indigestion, and colic, pomplamtfi which arc engendered by ex posure and irregular f^edi^g',' Tho ointment ] will be found of the very greatest service m cases of piles, abcesses, erysipelas, and all kinds of local ulccrations. SANDER AND SONS EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. —In protection of the world ■ n fame ouii nu|,nufactur.e has acquired all over tho globe, we publish the following :— Hazard, M.D., Professor qf General Patko ! logy and Diseases of the Mind and Nervous ! system, says m an editorial published m tao " Clinical Record " :—" We have examined half-a-dozen specimens of different manufac tures ; the preparation of Sander and Sons was the only one that proved to be reliable and corresponding to scientific tests." Anothe.r cojicoctipu called c< Refined Extract of Eucalyptus" "has lijado \ui appoaraijcp since. This product stands, aqcordii,^ to L)r Owen, foremost m causing injurious effects-. That gentleman communicates, at a meeting of the Medical Society of Victoria, that a child living at Fitzroy became most seriously indisposed'through its use. In another case 'a'lady states on the strength of statutory declaration that slit* suffered qruejly pom the effects'of the same concoction. -To guard tho high reputation of our manufacture' we feel warranted m expo ing the above facts, $ud desii'es tlfO public to exercise cnire and precaution when buying, fcjAKDBlt am] I SQNS.—(Advfc.r J "■■■■■'■■ < 7 1 A good, Safety manufactured by the firm for £15 15s is wonderful value. The te'er graphic address is SavjlliV Ghristfihur H h llaypjjealthj Children by nourish ng hem with Aulsebrook aid. "Go s 'Arrow root Biscuits,

Mi- Ward. IW. master General, went South l by the express to-day. "Before Ms- Alfjvd Harrison. J.P., this morning, a first offender was fined 5s and costs for drunkenness. At the meeting of the Christchurch B.W. Licensing Committee to-day, m accord i once with a decision lud down last year, i he license uf the British JTott-1 was confined to tea o'clock iiiF.te.id of eleven, on account of ilio lie«:nboj having been lined forSanday trading. Mr L. !)\ Andrcwcs has imported to the order of Mr Marsdcn, uewa agent, Ashbur ton, a peal of hand-boils, equivalent to two octaves. The bolls are now on view m Mr Audrewcs' window, and comprise fifteen hells, No. 18 size, and tuned for ringing m three keys, namely, the natural key, G, and I) The two extra keys arc secured by tlio intro duction of a sharp 0 and a sharp 1(\ The bells are from the celebrated Warner firm, of London, are fitted as usual wish hand straps for use by a teiv.n of players,' bub can also bo strung'for chiming by one player. The tone of the bells is very sweet and the tuning is perfect. Mr Marsden intends to begiu'a class of little boys, and purposes training them m part ringing as well as j simple melody. On .Sunday afternoon the prize distribu tion m connection wii.h the I'iimiiivc Methodist Sunday School took place m the Church. The prizes were distributed by Mr J. E. ISiuhanau m his usual happy way, making a suitable commentary m each case and giving wholesome advice to the children. The chief priz/ss were of course awarded for merit, but prizes, by way of cncoui-.igemenl, wciegiven lo all. A strong choir led the singing and rendered anthems, etc., aided by an efficient orchestra, Miss Tucker playing the organ. In the evening, an"; excellent temperance sermon was preached by/Rev Mr Woodward of Timaru, entitled " For the sake of Others." The .attendance at both, afternoon and evening services were large and would have been larger still, but for the weather. The "Pahiatua Star " says :—We have a suggestion for the Hon. the Minister for Labour. His particular business is to pro vide all the unemployed with work. Let him, then, get all the bush felled on the special settlement association sections, and charge the settlers 5 per cent*, for the money thus expended until the principal is repaid. This will absorb all the surplus labour of the colony for the next two years, and give an impetus to settlement,. that could not be a-jhivedinany other way. If Government intend to make advances to those special settlers to half the value of the improve ments made, then that makes the sugges tion so much the easier to carry out. As the Minister is a young man, we maw men tion that an almost simiar proposal was discussed years ago by the most distinguished political! that ever took part m the councils of thi3 colony. A very marked improvement has been made in'the lighting of the Arcade by tbe fixing of a new gas sunlight m the^ arched roof near the Burnett street end. This light, as well as the other at the Tailored street end, is now lit cvpry Saturday evening, to the great convenience of the tradesmen who have established themselves m the Arcads shops, and their customers and the public who now regularly use the covered way as a means of communication between the two streets. The new light is put m front of thg shops of Mr P. O'Connor and Mr It. E. Dowle, whose goods are now displayed very effectively m the light it sheds. Gas has also been introduced into both shops, so that on Saturday evenings the Arcade is quite a cheerful looking' place. If a suggestion would not be taken unkindly by the pro prietor of the At cade, we would remark that a single jet lantern m the centre of the Arcade, kept alight every evening from dusk till midnight, would be a great public con venience as well aa a lnaterwl aid to the police and a guard to portable property m the Arcade. The constable on duty could easily make a point of extinguishing the light at the eiid of his term of duty.

THE MARKETS.

[I'KSI PllfcS.S ASSOCIATION].

(Received June G, noon.) London, .) uno 3. The Bank of England returns published to-day show the total reserve m note-sand bullion to be £16,054,000 j ?he proportion of reserve to liabilities benig 4442. Consols 972- Three months bills uro discounted at | per cent. New Zpahmd 4 pcl 1 cent inscribed stock 105, 3| per cent inscribed "stock 95|. New Zealand long berried wheat 36s 9^, market flat. South Australian wheat is quoted at 37s 9d, market flat ; Victorian at 37s 3d. For Australian wheat on pas sage sellers are offering to take 36s 6d, but buyers will not give more than 35s 6d. Oats, line 27s 3d ; common sorts 24s 9d, Beans 36s 6d, , Canterbury mutton 4£d ; Wellington 3^d ; market glutted.

LATEST GABLE NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[PJ3E PKKSS ASSOCIATION.]

(Received June 6, 11.10 a.m.)

THE PORT DOUGLAS.

London, June 3. The Underwriters have accepted an offer for the salvage of the steamer Port Douglas ai?d her cargo a$ ioxtj, per cent of the value. ■■"

BOOTH'S OVER-SEA SCHEME.

BOOTH'S OVER-SEA SCHEME. The Press and the Salvation Array Leaders consider.-it. improbable that the class selected for General Booths over-spa: colony, m New Zealand will be chargeable on the Gqvernm.ent of that colony, therefore a guarantee is useless,

THE VENEZUELAN REBELLION.

New York, June 3. The Venezuelan rebels have gained another victory at Valentia.

NEWSPAPERS COPETF.Y/SPAPER? COPYRIGHT.

3^I'WSPAPERI qOPYRIGIIT. '•'The Times' "referring to their case against the "St James Gazette" affirms that the judgment shows that the copyright law extends over articles of news.

Alcetrity in Warfare.

The following account of a metlioc? of wiping gut an. enem,y by electricity, was recently suggested by Mr Edison. "In each fort I would put an alternating maohine of 80,000 volts capacity. One wire would be grounded. A man would govern a stream nf water of about 4001bs pressure to the square inch with which 1 the 20,01)0 volt alternating current would bo connected. The man would simply move this stream of water back and forth with l\is hand, playing on «p enemy as they 'advanced and mowing them clown i uith absolute precision. Every man touched by tho water would complete the circuit, get the full force of the alter nating current, and hot 1 know what had 1 happened to him. The men, trying to take the fort by assault, though they n\tiy come by",j:eu(j- of thousands against a handful, would bo cut to. the ground without any hope of escape. It would not be necessary to deal out absolve death unless ,thj} pjjeytytor |o'lj; Ijlio''iV.. Ho cbuld modify' the current so as' simply '■ to stun everybody, ancj mfght then v^alk outside his fbrt> 5 ' and pick ip the. fsfcupned geii£?rals !ind qthert; T^;or,tll T |:eep.ing 'for ransom by exchange. I^e coql'd also'Ynal^e prisoners.'of'the",others if he.choose to do 1 so, '' '' !.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

'l 'R i'LESs ASSOCIATION.)

ROYAL BETROTHALS.

London*, Jnuc .'>. Princi'si IWaric, ihc old Pit d lughter of tlif Duke oi! Lklinlmrgh, is betrothed to the Ciown Prince of Ron mania; and her sister, tho Piitvi"--, Victoria, to the Duke of Schle->\\i<;-)folsiein TUIJ WKI'-CJK O\P THE PORT DOJGLAS. The . Victorian, Government has lost some £4400 worth of stationery, 'cart ridges, and railway material m the wreck of the .steamer Port Douglas. The risk is fully covered by insurance. N Ii WSPAPRR COPYRIG HT. In the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice,- Justice Sir ! Ford North, at the instance of " The ! Times," granted an injunction without ' damages restraining the "St James's I Gazette " from reprinting Mr Ruclyard Kipling's article "In Sight of Mona donock." An injunction was refused to restrict the " Gazette" from publish ing news paragraphs extracted from " The Times." GLOVE FIGHTS. The Rt. Hon. H. Hatthews, Home Secretary, m replying to a question asked m the House of Commons to day by Sir Wilfred Lawson, doubted whether the glove contest between F. Slavinand Peter Jackson comes within the criminal law, but he had instructed the Public Prosecutor to enquire into the matter. LABOR MATTERS. The Trades Council have arranged a meeting with Mr Gladstone, for the 16th instant, to discuss matters con cerning the welfare of working men.

THE SILVER MINE CATAST ROPHE.

: Vienna, June 3, Altogether seventy bodies have been recovered from the Berkeburgh silver mine. It is believed that the death roll will reach 300.

AUSTRALIAN.

SHOOTING BY AN M.L.A. Sydnky. .T'ivie o. Mf Thomas Walker, M.L.A. io<? Northumberland; while Under the in fluence of liquor, shot the Rev. Mr Laseron m a railway carriage on a suburban line. The wound is stated not to be dangerous, although the bullet has not yet been extracted. Walker has been arrested, and .at present it is not known whether the act was intentional. MR WALTER BENTLEY. Mr Waler Bentley, who has just re turned from a successful theatrical tour m New Zealand, met with a splendid reception ou his opening here. THE EDDY ENQUIRY. Mr Hoyle, M.L.A., has issued a writ claiming £10,000 damages from from Mr Eddy, m connection with the latter's statements to the Royal Com mission. EJECTMENT FROM PARLIA- ■ | :- ; ■-" MENT. | In the slander case Toohey, M.L.A., Iv. Mr Melville, Chairman of Com mittees, claiming £2000 damages for 1 ejectment from the Chamber, the full court held that the Chairman had poft'er to order Toohey's removal, and entered up judgment for defendant.

AUSTRALASIAN TRADE.

Meluocbne, June 4. Mr Hayter, Government statistician, returns the value of Australian im ports last year at £71,874,000, and exports at £71,684,000.

THE MEAT FAMINE.

Adelaide, June 4. The Butchers' Association have raised the price of meat Id all round. THE COLORED LABOR QUES TION. Mr Flayford, the Premier of South Australia, has suggested to the acting- Premier olNew South Wales that the Conference on colored labour shonld include New Zealand and Tasmania. WEATHER WARNING. Brisbane, June 4. The Weather Bureau reports indica tion& of a barometical disturbance affecting the waters between Hobart and the Bluff within nine days.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

ArcKLAND. June 4, A deputation frojn the Irish National Assooi&tion waited on Sir George Grey and asked him to move a resolution m the House affirming the principle of Home Rule m Ireland. Sir George Grey declined to be fetcered, while expressing, every' sympathy. Wellington, 4l;!V 4- At a meeting of the Eeatheraton branch of the New Zealand Temperance Alliance a strongly worded protest w&s passed expressing indignation at the planting of a licensing district m the King country (gazetted on April 14), and calling on the Legislature to revoke it. ■ Hugh Gilroy, a labourer employed on the reclamation works, went on board the lonic this morning and jumped off her bows. The cook saw him and got down on the wharf springers, but the man was drowned bafore lie could reach him. Ke probably struck hl-s head on a pile. Gilroy was before the Court three days ago on a charge of lunacy and dis missed. He was a young man au^c] un married, Donemn, June 5. John Thomas Bishop, aged sixty-three years, recently from Chrisrchurch, died, suddenly yesterday, Hp w^s an ac countant. His death is believed to be due to heart discns,e. T. Chalmers, who lias been appointed Land Receiver at Wellington, was pre sented with a purse of sovereigns by Commissioner Hartland on behalf of the staff. . :

Pastoral Affairs in South Australia.

Some very suggestive exampLs concern ing fclio condition of the p;istoi-il h.dustry m South Australia, gi^cn by Mr Holder, i\L P., m the columns of the "Adelaide Observer," will open the eyes of the un initiated to the risks which niAend this class of ontcrpi-i.se under unf;ivoui'nl>le circumstances of season and market. At one time squatting was regarded as synonymou*. with wealth, but that was t.'nio only m the clays whan rabbits were unknown, and one good yen: would com pensate for three lean ones. : In the pn-S'jnfc period rho establishment of runs m the far interior is an undertaking m which .the elements of risk far outweigh the chances of reward. Mr Holder..men tions the instance of the Parakylio run, west of Hergobb Springs, on which the proprietors liave m twelve years expended £100,000 without any adequate return. Over .£33,000 has been expended m fenc ing, and yefc, with the vast area of the run, not more than one half has been fenced. Nearly £20,000 has been sunk I m the vain attempt to obtain water, but the wells have' yielded water only salter than the sea. There have not been more than three'good seasons m the twelve years, p.nd although rabbits have no | yet reached that far, the only hope of the proprietors is m the liability ot the State to pay the cost of their improvements when" the lease expire?. Another illustra tion is noc more encouraging. The Arda* niooka run, inthe same locality represents another £100,000 expended to no better purpose. luh* are these isolated cases. A rim of over 1000 square miles m the north, worked by the owners, thoroughly practical men, dan show no better return for twenty-three years' labor than the payment of working expenses; while there does not remain a penny to represent either interest on the capital originally put m it, or the capital itself. The conviction is forcing itself on the minds of public men m South Australia that the State has assumed a very dangerous liability la undertaking.to pay for improvements when the leases expire. There is grave reason to fear that m many instances now lessees will nob be [forth coming, and that the land, with improve ments liable to very rapid deterioration will be thrown on the hands of the Government. Runs are now being aban doned iv utter weariness of spirit, and buyers are not to be found. The South Australian Parliament has a difficult problem to deal with, but it is one where delay will only increase the danger.

The Village Settlement System.

It has frequently been assertedin the Conservative newspapers that the village settlement system,, or the special settle ment system, or both of them, which by the way were inaugurated by the Stout- Yogel Government, have m some measure failed. As a matter of fact, (says the "New Zealand Times ") there is not a title of proof m support of such a state ment. Both systems have.been success ful, and particularly so the special settle ment system. , . • Tn the bush districts of the Wairarapa there are several settlements established under both systems, and anyone interested cati easily ascertain for himself the results. Had it not been for the special fectlement system the Forty-Mile Bush would still be m a state of nature, or to use 3 colloquial phrase, would have been mopped up by speculators like the late Chief Secretary for ! Ireland (Mr Balfour) who owns sufficient land m the vicinity of the Forty-Mile Bush to provide homes for at least a hundred colonists. The village settle ment close to P;thiatua has been pre eminently successful, and has contributed very largely to the rapid rise of that town, now one of the most flourishing of its size ■m the' North Island. There is no doubt of the popularity of.the system amongst the settlers themselves, despite the efforts of land grabbers bo bias public opinion against it. The present Minister of Lands has followed up the special settlement system with, unparalleled energyJ and every Association that has applied for any land which has been available has ■n»et; a favorable, response. These settle ments must also have stimulated the pro gress of the City of. Wellington, from which hundreds of young mea have gone into the country to found homes for them selves. '

The Coming Budget.

An important rumour reaches me (" Otago Daily Times " Wellington cor respondent) through a channel usually trustworthy and well informed, but there is no possibility o? verifying it, so I can only give it as a report without m any way vouching for its accuracy. The rumor is that Mr Ballance's coming budget will be of a somewhat startling and sensational character, the Government recognising that a Radical Ministry camiot remain stagnant without losing prestige witlvit^ party, and that a fresh supply of gressive policy " c must be. always on hand. It is further rumoured that Ministers are annoyed a.t the Opposition taunt that with a large surplus they have not done anything to relieve taxation,, especially on the necessaries of life* and. 1$ aid of the working class. Tjj^reiore,, with the view of .repelling the taunt, tliey will em ploy part of th'fi present large "surplus inre- or removing the duty oft tea or sugar, or both, but that they.wi^ probably increase the duties on tb^e move expenatve kinds of liquor %nd on other "luxuries."; Rumour ,gj'es cyi to say that Ministers are; also vexed that industrial **projection" has so far been given only by the opposite , party, and that to demonstrate their claim.] to bo champions of industrial interests they purpose imposing some heavy additional protective duties. Among those mentioned fco me are, 16 per cenf. extra on iron, leather, cement, and o.ther imports, also 5s a ton on Newcastle coal m retaliation for the New South Wales duty on graia. Other extensive re arrangements of the Customs tariff are spokengof as impending. Tt is not ex pected that there will be any increase proposed m tli«» l^d tax, as Ministers ruseut t|iQ imputation that they are driv ing capital out of the colony, and they do nofc wish to give fresh ground.^ -fol' com plaint ; indeed, it is regarded certain that there "will, b^ som.e 'vel^f as to the obiiojfio",s tax on debentures, I givo all thqs.e. rumours quaniwti valeat.

The Plague of Mice in Scotland.

The volws continue to defy the elements and all their enemies m the qQim,tie* of Roxburgh, Selkirk, Feobles^ and part of Lanarkshire; and nr& giving rise to much writing. Ah official report which has just been issued by tho Board of Agricul ture does little beyond chronicling the harm done, and the powerlessness nf all the: attempts made to check spread of the rodents. Such plagi^ea have occurred from time to thi^e \i\ Scotland, England, and Y.^ricius ooutinonial countries!, and seem to arisi during mild winters, whoa <jrass is more than usually plentiful, At the same time the recent siiows^orms apparently die] nsthiu,o; to reduce the numbers or tUe xyi\?g. The killing of their | natural enemies i' also bJft^\ed aa helping them to multiply. All means tried as yet hayc not Uppt yrtoe with the increase of the crea.tu.res, let 1 wlo»ie exterminating thoir, und the farmers, aa a foL-loui hq^ol ui-o talking of burning the pasl\)i>fe und heathoi l, or scattering p-^on Moaticast. Ouo writer descr\boa, tke voles as swarm in» m l^illions m Teviotdale. They pre» I9v.bogfry laud, and where the grass is

short and plantations are near m which birds of prey roost they are always less numerous. An evidently well informed contributor of the ' "'Scotsman " gives details of the damage done by these animals m various districts up to the present time. Ue says that £100,003 would noc cover the dnmage done m the three counties of Roxburgh, SelKirk, and Dumfries alone, Great numbers of sheep have had to be removed for want of food m their wonted pastures, and this means much expense of course. Tlip pastures will rot recover for some time even ie the plaguo wire to cease at once. The voles breed from force to six times m a year, and have from four to tiirlit young at a bird). They continue to spread, and are beginning now to make themselves felt m the counties of Ayr and Kircudbright, though immense mini' os liave been killed by men and dogs, or trapped and smothered m pits dug for the purpose— a method of destroying them which has proved successful m Germany.—"Otago Daily Times " correspondent.

THE GOVERNOR.

[per press association.]

Wellington, June 6. The official reception of the Governor lms been indefinitely postponovl owing to the unsettled state of the.weather. It will be decided this afternoon when the reception is to be held. The Hiuemoa had not been signalled at 11 a.m. Captain Fairchild had orders to signal Cape Fairwell, aud the keepers there were instructed to watch all night. The weather both j-esterday and this morning is reported as " light westerly wind and smooth sea." No report being received it is supposed the Hinemoa has not arrived off Spit yet.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

PEB PtKSS \SSOCIATIO»,

Windy Wellington. Wellington, June 6. The weather is still rough and bluster hig, but the rain is apparently finished. The Wairarapa from ISapier has not pub in an appearance, though she left on Saturday afternoon. No damage to ship ping is reported, though the gale blew very hard at times. The effect of the re peated cold southerly gales haj been to largely destroy vegetation in the city, especially trees. The present/ blizzard appears to have been felt in every direc tion. The Chinese gardeners report; the whole of their winter vegetables * above ground destroyed ; nothing is left bub the root crops. The Totaliaatlor Odds Caiw. Dukbdix, June 6. Mr Garew, 8.M., gave judgment to day in the totalisator cases, Police v. Price and Barnett, dismissing the in formation against the former, and con victing Barnett and fining him £10 and cost?, in default six weeks' imprisonment. On Mr Sim's application the Magistrate fixed security at £38, and agreed to state a case for the Supreme Court.

SPORTING.

THE OAKS.

(PER PKEtfS ASSOCIATION.) .

(Received June 6, noon.) London, June 3. La Pleche was favourite for the Oaks and won by a short head from The Shrew j Lady Hermit was a bad third.

AUCKLAND WINTER MEETING.

Attc'klanik June 4 V For the Auckland Racing Club's winter meeting the weather was cold and showery, and the race track very heavy. The attendance was fairly good. The following are results :— Maiden Steeplechase, of 80 soys ; about two and a half miles. —Commotion, list 12lb, 1 ; Somnambulist, list 91b, 2. Chance and Tim also ran. Won by « length. Chance fell. Time—6min 39sec. Dividends—£3 2s and £3 17s. Winter Welter Handicap, of 60 soys; one mile—Warrior, llsi, 1; Durus, lOsfc 21b, a ; Ida, lOat 91b, 3. Eleven started. Won by two lengths. Time -lmin 52sec. Dividends—£ls 8s and £12 17s. Grand National Hukmjs Rack, of 250 soys ; two miles.- Belmont, 6yrs, 9at sb (McMinamin) 1; Couranto, aged, 12st (Redmond) 2; Never Miss, syrs, 9st i Windsor) 3 ; Lonely, lOst 4lb ; Fabu lous, 9st 91b, and Tupara, 9st 81b, also ran. Won by two lengths. Tirae-4niHL 2soc. Dj vidend— £4 i4s and £4 13s^ (Selling Steeplechase, of 6Q B oys • about three miles.—Hurricane, j. Kate 2* Proppuctor 3, Maiden Hurdle JUc*,'of 60 soys; one mile and three-quarters.—Stepper, list 121 b, I} Hopeful Kate, 12 3 t lib. 2 ; Ondow, Use *21b, 3. Five started. Won by three lengths. Time-3nun 41sec. I Dividends—£2 5s and £1 7b. Ladies' Bracelet, of 80 soys; one mile.—Leorina, 12$t 21b, 1; Yattaghan* lOst 101 b, 8; Ida, lOst 101 b, 3. JW plan also giarted. Time—lmin 55sec. Dividends—£3 12s and £4 3s.

POLLITICAL.

(per press association.)

Attckiand, June 3. PRE»ESSIONAL J»DBRKBSEB r Mr F. Lawry, member for Parnell. addressed his constituents at Newmark«fc to-night. Speaking of the policy of the Government he opposed the. tax on im provements, and said he did. not think it fair to cast too heavy a burden upon, those? largo estates which we/c improved. A» to the land tenure, he believed that every man should have a right to obtain a free hold j* he wished it. If th« Government introduced three syateww of tenure, one for cash, one of perpetual le^ e with ri»ht to purchase JwJ one of perpetual lease without the right to purchase, ho would support such a policy, He was m favor of womanhood suffrage. He received a vote of thanks and confidence, and a vote of confidence m the present Government W'<vs afco passed. 'MAstEKTOx, June 4. Mr Hogg addressed a large meeting ©£ oiootors last night. Ha attributed kis. return at last election to the cme-man. ono-vote principle, which secured the supremacy of the majority,, and; it had; converted Maslerton f ?om, a Gonservative to a Liberal stronghold He denied em phatically the iEßputation that he gave Government an indiscriminate or fojindl support. He received a uuaniroons votes of thinks, and confidence was expressed! m the Government. THE MABIUASH> *AW. Wemjustoton. June 3. The Prjmafce communicated with the Government with reference to a resolu i tion passed at the last Anglican Synod, asking the Government to seek consent of Parliament to a number of amendments m the marriage law, Tue Hon Mr Reeves replied, statins that the Government were J3#£ disposed to move m the direc tion dosare.d« . . .

THE ASSBtTRTON C^UARmAK i MONDAY, JUNE 6, 1691



The Osrsiow Biscuit. The "latest and most delicate biscuit manufactured by Aulsebrook and Co. Ninian, Hjsiop and Co.'s "Imperial pure Oeyion and Indian Teas are direct rtUft the plantation Advfc Ninian H'yslop and Go's,'. Imperial Piiro Ceylon aiid Indian Teas vna th« best i the market — (A v > Ask for 'Ninian Hyslop, and Cos mperiivl ne-vy; seasons Pure Ceylon aud ndiaft Tow. Special price* ~ (44y



COLEMANE AND SONS EUCALYPTI Ex tract is the only genuine m the ni&rket, and was a warded lucdala and diploilias at Sydney, Molbourne, and Adelaido, heating all competitors. For all affections of the. Chest and Lungs, Consumption, Asthma, Coughs, Colds, Gravel, and Kidney \ Com plaints, ib has no equal, Agents— .ASHBURTON DBUG COMIANV. . ; • Tiik Best Bemeuy, v&v' "i r?ro«jEsiioN— Noi-ton's Camomife" 'Pills are confitlenty recommended as a simple remed^ for Indigestion, which is the oauso*-of nearly all t the diseases to which we are gubipcts Norton's tes, >F i^ justice call|i %^ [MtitwpA^ .Sfr.cmglhonor 'of the ' J-lumaui | Stomach,"aot as.ii powerful t-oiiiean*g<injbfy perienti,"are n^ild iii their Qpo^tift^, and safe undgr. f f i;y.. oiyoiijp^uces. Sfild m bjotues, at l|cl, '2a 9d, Us, % all tpßdioiae vendors thrQugf^ovt tfia v/a^td f Oii4oknj2li and digestive Bisc|its for ' Invalids are unsurpassed. Made by f AULSEBPvOQK AND Co, I



WANTED. —Eani Money at Home, either sex; new work ; just started ; all earn good wages ; no walking or travelling required ; anyone can do the work ; boys and girls earn nearly as much tas men. Write for particulars at once, before our list is full, and enclose addressed envelope and stamp for reply to James G. Sargood, Manager, P.O. Box 986, Sydney; or, 65 Royal Arcade, Gorge and Pitt Streets, Sydney. 4 110 NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. ,•■ OOD News for the Winter- Rest ' ? Makes m English and Colonial BLANKETS at reduced prices.-New j Zealand Clothing Factory. Uys__Opossum, Roslyn, Mosgiel, &c. ; m endless variety, —N&w Zealand Clotqing^Factory^ .„._____ /CLOTHING-You will find it to your \J advantage to buy your Men's and Boys' CLOTHING from us._ Capital assortment and prices right.—New Zea- TAND CjuOTHINO J^P^ORT^ O A C\ Pairs Men's Tweed TROUSERS * J\)\) at 8s just opened, good value. New" Zealand Clothing Factory^ f~*\ ENTS' HATS—Tf you wish to look VJT well, buy your HATS from the New Zealand Clothing Factory. The 'astesb shapes and colours to hand. T"7~ALUE Unequalled m Overcoats, V Waterproofs, Waterproof Riding Aprons, Waterproof Ponchos, Bicycle Capes and Leggings, Waterproofs made to measure.—New Zealand Clothing Factorx, Waterproof Manufacturers. «—_— i (~*\ EISTLEMEN'S NacuralWool Under \JT clothing, "recommended by the faculty." Winter ■shipments to hand. Inspection Invited. — New Zealand Clothing Faotory. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. W. H. Webber, Manager, Agents for Wertlieim Celebrated Sewing Machine. NOTICE, A DVERTISEMENTS for the First (Country) edition of the Guardian must reach this office by 2 p.m. Advertisements for the Secoiid (Town edition will be received up to 3 p.m. j ASHBURTON PUBLISHING CO. ! May 23, 1892. NOTICE. Communications on matters connected wiuh any Department of the Paper,, SHOULD NOT be ad<lregard to any member of the staff by name. Letters relating to Advertisements or other Business, to be addressed to THE MANAGER. Literary communications to THF EDITOR. j



KIUTIX«4'« Q<iV<lH T.f»:r.^i.i« CIU'C Coughs Asthm.v, Bronchitis. Aiedical testimony states that no other medicine is bo cffecfcsjta) n the cure of those dangerous maladies! lozenge alone gives ease, one or two at bed<ii»e ensures rest. Fur relieving difficulty of breathing fchej/ arc invaluable. They contain no opium nor any violent drug. Sold by all Chemists m tins la I |d s»n<i 3s (id each. The world is ever moving on towards perfection, butsoldom attains it. Constant improvement is being made m every branch of industry, but m Baking Powdera Perfection has been reached $m Warburfcon'u Oan: t lif Beat. Important to Cvo.!.,st»., A good Safety Bicycle for £15 15s. Repairs and Cycle accessories at exceptionally low rates at Saville's "Calliope' Cycle Vyorksj, JJ.Q Colombo street, 'Christ s9m



Wanted. CASH Advertisements under tlrs heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be Vftat this Office. __ ] TTT ANTED Known — Lost. Lamp VV Socket. Please return to W. l- Kingston. _ "a CHALIIsNGE.—Try our Teas, will A- compare for Quality with any m the market. 2s, 2s 4d, 2s 6d, and 2s 8d , —Stephens Ttßoa., Market House, b \l TUST Arrived — Wills' celebrated «J Ck'arette Tobacco, "Three Castles,' "Bright," and "Sea-gull" bvands- Harry Frieplander, East street, b iib W ANTED -^Twelve Boys, not over fourteen yeers, that can read music, to learn the art of Pand-Bell Rftudcg.—Apply. •'. Marsden, Book Stall, Railway Station. 6 35 WANTED, a ;Horse suitable for Spring Cart. Must be thoroughly aiund aad quiet. -Stephens Bros., Market House. 6 38 A FEW very pretty Wall Far.s just opened. Also,—new Lines m Ornaments and Fancy Goods.—H. M. JONE**. _. PECIAL Value m Pianos by Haake. Iron frame, full trichord, over strung, brass wrist plank ; guaranteed. £42 10s -Hi M. Jonks. "TTT ANTED Known.—The nictst stock ■ W of New Winter Dress Goods, Mantles, Millinery, «fee, h at S. W. Alcohn and Co.'s 5 50 WANTED K.nown—Dr Scott's cele brated Electric Corsets can only he obtained m Ashburton at W. H Collikr's, "The Corner." WAN FED, purchasers of Blankets, Flannels, and General Drapery o remember that Best Value m the trade a at S. W. AicoßynANp Co. 'a 5 51 1 QA NEW Volumes just Added to my J O\J Circulating Library. Subscrip tion 3s 6d quarter ; 10s 6d per annum. H. M. Jokes. \\ /"ANTED Known.—lf you want W pler»ty of first class Drapery, Boots and Clothing for cash, come to Melford House Sale.—H. O. Sequrs. SOMERSET Meat Mart. The oldest, the largest, the beat, and the cheap eat. Small Gooda a specialty. Full weights guaranteed. A trial solicited. .-W. J. Sflcook. 4J182 WANTED Known.—l have a large gtock of Tin and Ironware Goods o self>ct from. Register Grates, Stoves, °ortable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kep 4; m "*-<><jk.—-T. W HAaDi,By, East I *tree!. 3*™' WANTED Known. - Come and see the Bargains now on at Melford House. BL 0. Segers. i /""CHOICEST new season's Figs and \ \ J Cartoon Table Date** m 31b Boxea, 2s eaca. —H. G. Flowbk, Confectioner, Kast sr.'-eet. vy.'iNi'H;) KXCWX. -250 Ladies * V MaidV and Children's Ulsters and Jackets (mostly good qualities) marked cheap to clear. Many one third and half the usual price.—H. C. Segebs, Melford House. WANTED KNOWN, Grand display of new Millinery, Ulsters, and jickets, at most reasonable prices at ' The Corneh^ __^ - ALL Woo] Colonial Tweed Suits to measure; lib and workmanship guaranteed; from 50s cash. Robert Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildiuga. TITANTED Known—That you will * » make no mistake for quality and variety m English and Colonial Boots, and h highly reputed make by calling at J. MoiSON'B. Durins. coming holidays dis ount for' Cash. RepatM done at once. A staft of men always kop!t and best material and workmanship guartintoal. BALL Dresses, Evening (/loves, Mounts m Silver and Gold, Muffs, Fur Collarettes, Ladies' Evening Shoes, Irivisforator Corsets, with stra;\s, V and _N, Zone and all otUej? makes, just petted.—Andrew Our. 4 57 SALE, to reduce Stock, \Jf prevaou* to Stock-taking. Book", Stationery for o^ice and private use, Music, Account Books all sizes, Parlor Games, and a variety of otfcer goods too numerous to particularise. A 4 goods Reduced m Price tor Caw daring t^is mwiii. —L. F. AiruuKira A?fi> Co. Sl4t4y>B«i'!# Hall, Ashbuytoi^



PRELIMINARY llflllill 01! "~™do REALISATION OF THE i:\rißr stocks OF 11 Slit 4 CO, GIVING UP BUSINESS. LEAVING THE COLONY. THE DATE OF THIS Monster Clearance WILL BE DULY NOTIFIED B"ST CIBOTJLAE ff.B.-Meanwhile every item is being Re-Marked m PLAIN RED LETTERS, and Customers must understand that Gooda will NOT BE SOLD-those at present shewing the Reductions - until DATE OF BALE.