MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close for the following places as under, subject to the necessary altera tions :— , „ THURSDAY, March 3. For Northern Ports and all Australian Colonies, per Wakatipu, at f^.3O a.m. For South America, United Kingdom, and Continent of Europe, per Tarawera (to con nect with Tainui at Wellington), and also for Northern Ports of New Zealand, as follows ; —Ordinary letters, books, and newspapers, at €*.:*«"» a.m. Note—This mail will be due m London on April 14 ENGLISH MAILS. HOMEWARD—PIKKCT MAILS. lonic, left February 6, due London March 17 Tainui, leaving March 5, due London April 14. _ . , r Doric, leaving April 2, due London May 12. SAN FKAMJISOO MAILS. Mariposa, left January 30, due London March 2  , _ , Mouowai, leaving on February 2,, due. London March 30. Alameda, leaving on March 2b, due London April 27. OUTWARD—DIRECT MAILS. Ruahine, due colony March 21. SAN FRANCISCO MAILS. Mariposa, due colony March 23

The world is ever moving on toward.: perfection, butsekiom attains it, Constant murotfßuieiib is being roodo m every bra-ich of industry, bu<; m Bakintj Puwdors Ferfoction has been ft>WlW m

Notice to Correspondents.

Correspondents are requested to forward their communications m unsealed envelopes, or m wrappers OPEN AT BOTH ENDS, as required by the postal regulations. No words thai are not intended for publication must be written either on the manuscript or on the cover of the letter. Letter rates of postage must be paid on advertisements.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1892. THE TORY IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT.

On the eve of a general election it is usual to sum up the doings of the Government then m office, and this has been done for Lord Salisbury's Ministry by some or the Home papers. TheGovernmcnthasagood record for the six years during which it has been m power, and a glance will show that the Old Country Conservatives do not confine themselves to the Tory tradition that" whatever is id right. " They have been particularly successful m dealing with the difficult Irish question, from whatever point of view it is regarded. In every direction statistics prove the increased pros perity of the Irish people.' Increase of business on Irish railways, both as regards passengers and goods; increased balances m Irish banks; an increase of some 25 per cent m the last five years shown m the balances of Irish saving banks; agrarian crime diminished. by one-half ; evictions greatly decreased m number, and boy cotting almost wholly abolished. Irish tenants have, by the Land Act, ob tained pecuniary advantages not en joyed by any other class of men m that or any other country m the world. The Congested Districts Board has been established and endowed for consoli dating small holdings, assisting emigra tion and migration, and the develop ment of native industries. Then as regardsthe United Kingdom as a whole, during the present Parliament the National Debt has been reduced by i more than thirty-seven millions sterling, a larger amount than has ever before been paid oft" m an equal length of time. By Mr Goschen's conversion scheme, the annual interest of the debt was reduced at once by one and a half millions; while m the year 1903 a further reduction of an equal amount will begin. He has taken 2d m the pound oft' the income tax, 4d m the pound oft tobacco, 2d m the pound off tea, and has reduced the duty upon currants and raisins from 7s to 2s per cwt; he has removed altogether the duty on workmen's houses under £20 a year, and diminished it on houses of less than £60 a year. On the other hand, by the creation of his estate duty, a burden has been placed upon the owners of substantial property, and by the increase of the duties on spirits and beer he has largely augmented the national income without apparently depressing the trade m alcohol; for last year's consumption of alcoholic drinks exceeded what has ever before been achieved by the thirsty nation. The returns of the Customs pointed to a steady revival of trade—the year 1890 had topped all others m regard to the profits of the employer and the wage 3of the employed, and a penny m the pound on the income tax pro duced £2,300,000 per annum. With this list of achievements, without taking into account the beneficent measures which are now before Parlia ment, the Conservatives may naturally feel some confidence as to the result of the appeal to the country.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Hon W. P. Reeves has been appointed managing Director of the new "New Zealand Times" company, The whole of the men m quarantine from the barque Umvoti at Port Chalmers are m excellent health and expect to be released from quarantine m a few days. Fewer marriages occur amongst the Roman Catholics of this colony than any other denomination, m proportion to the population. At a meeting of the Duaedin Presbytery on Wednesday a Committee was appointed to prepare a form of petition to Parliament on the subject of Bible reading m schools, and to bring the matter prominently before the congregations. tn our report of the flower show we stated tha-t Mr Joseph Scaly ww one of the flower judges. He informs as that hja iudain" duties were limited to the depart , merit of fruit only, and that he was called m at the last moment. At this week's Addington market the following stonk from this district were sold : —Fat sheep—for Buccleuch estate, J27 half breds at 14s (id to 15s 3d ; Lowcliffe estate, i 400 crossbred wethers and maiden ewes at, 163 8d; for Chatmoss estate, 240 crossbred maiden ewes at 16s 7d ; for Mr W. ChisnalJ, 68 crossbred wethers at lfe 2d to 10s 7d ; for Mr Inwood, crossbred wethers at 14s ; ewes 13s 6d to 14s 6d. Fat lambs—lor Lowcliffe estate, 20S at 12s Sd ; for Mr J. C. VVason, 70 at 13s lOd, A cricket match will be played on Saturday next, at the Domain, between the local club and a team representing t\u>. Chertsey district. Play will commence at; 1130 a.m. The following will represent: the Ashburton Cricket Club— Denshire, { Moore, Cnthtwrtson, Sawle, Dixon, Simpson, A. Fooks, Bell, E. Andrews, Pilbrow and Fox. Emergencies A.. Buchanan and Owen. The following will represent Chertsey -—Messrs Todd, Walter Pierce, Rouse, i Jackson, H. W. Parsons, Maxwell, Hay- j dock, Prinrner, E. Buchanan, Wright and j Dr Withers. Emergencies, Lill, Wilkinson Scarlet and Larraman.

The stocks quoted on the Melbourne Ex change show an aggregate drop m values during 1891 of over £20,000,00'). It is just twcnty-oue years since the first Scandinavian settlers arrived at Palmersfcon North, and the whole of their first contin gent are still living. The " Mariawatu Standard " says that tho Government propose next session to bring m a measure further simplifying the process of land transfer and reducing the heavy law costs now attaching to the pro cess. The prices paid for wheat m Masterton at the present" time are, the " \vairarap:i Daily" says, as follow : —B-vst quality whe-vt, 4s <i I per bushel ; damaged wheat ;js (id ; seconds, 3d. The body of a woman, recently found m the Torrens Lake, Adelaide, was indentilicd by several persons as that of a Mrs McSln.no, but it now transpires that: Mr* MoShauo is alive and well. Tho Doric arrived at Hobart at one o'clock yesterday. She brings thirty-two passen gers for Australia and sixty for New Zealand. She sails for New Zealand at noon to-morrow. Sonio idea may bo formed of the extent " which clerical and kindred situations are a( present sought after by the fact that for tho position of storekeeper on the wharf no less than eighty-one applications have been received by the Auckland Harbor Board. At the Resident Magistrate's Couvt, Rakaia, on Tuesday, before Messrs Hardy andOxley, J.P.s, Mark Bayliss, aliasHyman Saul, charged with obtaining the sum ot £1 19s Gd by means of a valueless cheque, was sentenced to three months' imprison ment with hard labor. At a marriage which took place at Long ford, Tasmania, lately, the bridegroom was eighty-two and the bride seventy-one. The best man was nearly eighty, and the brides maid seventy ; the united ages of the four persons being upwards of 300 years. The following is a list of letters from places beyond the colony which arrived at Ashburton Tost Office during December, 1891, and remained unclaimed March 1, 1892:—Dr W. G. Ross, Mr E. W. Newman, John Hewitt, J. Cussell, and Messrs Barton, Sharney, and Co. A party of twenty young iren of education, practical experience, and considerable means, recently arrived from England, and are m treaty with a gentleman m Tasmania for a section of land for timber manufactur ing combined with farming. They have brought a sawmilling plant and intend to test the Home trade. They are the pioneers of a co-operative association. i At Christchurch £211 16s 6d have been sub scribed towards the expenses of an athletic team to England. D. Wood, the selected long distance runner, has announced bis I intention of paying his own expenses. At a large and enthusiastic meeting of the Wellington Athletic Club, held on Wednes day evening, it was decided to support the visit of a team to England. An active can vass is to be made, and the Cricket, Rowing and Football Clubs, arc to be invited to contribute. The Athletic Club will vote a sum from their funds, and it is haped to raise over £150. Hempton has not yet ob tained leave of absence. The rainfall m Ashburton for th« month of February was 3.72 inches. Rain of .01 of an inch and over fell on 12 days. The following are the principal amounts recorded at 9 a.m. m the days stated :—.54 on the sth, .52 on the 6th, 1.63 on the. Sth, .17 on the 9th and .30 on the 26th. Tl.e rainfall since January has been 7.47. This is a large amount, but the arrears to be made up for last three years are still very heavy. The business at the R. M. Court this morning was of a limited character. H. G. Moore was fined 5-) for having allowed his cow to be at large on the railway, and a prohibition order was granted against William Cochrane, Wakanui, to bs m force m the borough and county of Ashburtou for twelve months. A civil case—Johu Orr & Co v. H. J. Faweett, £19 13s—was the only one heard. It was not defended and judg ment was given for plaintiff by default. Thirty-seven teams have entered for the Fire Brigades Demonstration, H Christ church, on Marck 10 and 17. It is expected fifty Brigades will be represented. The gathering will be the largest of the kind ever held m the colony. At a meeting of the Committee last night, it was reported that £320 cash and £233 worth of trophies have been promised. £205 has been allotted to the Art Union, and cash amounting to £210, and trophies value £108 have been allotted as prizes m the Fire Brigades competition. According to a West Australian contem porary, people are going away from the colony as fast as they came to it, and are shaking the dust off their feet. They can neither find work to do nor a place to lay their heads. These are unpleasant asser tions and are made sorrowfully without hesitation. The enorgy and enterprise that manifested themselves twelve months ago are no longer discernable. Tradesmen who have large stocks on their hands find few purchasers, the building trade is ebbing, and what with one thing and another the most sanguine and enthusiastic colonist is begin ning to lose heart. Harvesting operations are being carried on throughout the district, (says the "Taieri Advertiser,") and m the north-west and easterly portions of the plain the fields pre* I sent a busy appearance. The major portion of the grain has been cut and stooked, and although the average yield for the district is small, good yields will be obtained from those fields that have not been interfered with by the flood. Taking the fields that are being cut for milling purposes and leav ! ing out all others, it is estimated that the ' average yield will be fifty bushels per acre. At Christchurch on Tuesday the Hon Minister for Justice and Education was interviewed by a number of deputations and individuals on public business. Messrs M«rphy, Sisson, and Wilding waited on him m reference to encouraging the export ot fruit, and the necessity fpr further restric tive action to pi-event th£ §pr,ead of the codlin moth. The Hon Mr Reeves sug gested that the deputation should forward thefr views m writing. He promised that their request should be laid before the Department of Agriculture, and said that the department was anxious to <\o anything m reason for developing the fruit industvy. The Auckland '•' Star" remarks:—The old. adage that we ljave to go from home to hear news of ourselves is strikingly exemplified by a cablegram from New Zealand which recently appeared m the leading English papers." It speaks for itself. Hero it is • —" Auckland, Wednesday. The influenza has invaded New Zealand, raging with wide spread virulence, A large number of schools m this city and at ofher places have been | closed on account of'tiie'prostration both of teachers and pupils. Many factories tavc ] also had to cease work. Great difficulty ik j experienced m keeping open the Courts- Judges, counsel and witnesses being dally absent, Many cases have had to be ad journed. Some newspapers have been de layed iii publication, cwing to editors and priuters being laid i,ip. Neatly all business offices and shops arc short-handed. The death-rate is generally increased owing to the influenza and kindred diseases. " And yet people say the cablegrams m the papers are not reliable. It js aai»o»ittCj»d that Ministers have deter. inined upon tljQ iiboljtjoii of the office of Inspector and Superintendent of Branches of the Government Insurance Department. This olh'ce has been held for some years by Mr D'Arey Irvine, who will retire en com pensation. \t is considered desirable that the Commissioner hii»s,«l£' should be more difecjjy m touch with the various fjktrict oliiceis, ifr«sdi<*al officers, solicitors, and valuators connected with, jbhe Department than was possible under Uip system of in spection hitherto existing. The new wango. inputs, while effecting considerable saving of outlay, will bring the administration into accord VjLth the practice of all Australasian Life Ollices, enlarging the responsibilities of JMstrict Managers, who will ijj. futy.ro have immediate control of their sub-agents, and be themselves reponsible to the Head Office. The " Post" learus, however, that Mr Irvine feels so aggrieved: regarding the manner m which he has been treated that he intends to ask for a full investigation into tljie whole of the suriwniding circumstaces,

THE AUSTRALIAN CUP RACE.

SPORTING.

(PER PRRSB ASSOCIATION.)

Mkluocknk, March 1. Mr Wilson, the owner of Strathrnorc, is greatly di-j?atissed at bhs m mnor m which Cusdon rod« him m the Cup.

THE VOLUNTEERS.

rnnHH is no disguising tlio fact thai, Ma Volunteer force of New Zealand m it present passing through a crisis, riicre has been a lamentable falling .til" m the strength of the corps m every listrict m tho Co'ony, most especially m Canterbury, and according to a strict enforcement of the Regulations most of tho twenty-six corps of which the defence force of tho Colony consists wore disentitled by reason of being below the minimum establishment at the close of the last Volunteer year t.> claim capitation grant. This was a very serious matter, as the non-receipt; of tho capitation grant meant tho dis banding of many of tho corps. The cause of this position of affairs is not difficult to lind. When the Volun teers have not been altogether neg lected by successive Governments they have generally been more or less badly treated. Enthusiasm m the service died out; okl ollicers and men resigned m disgust, and no new men came for ward to take their places. The force was dying of mismanagement and neg lect. Under such circumstances it can readily be understood that very little could be hoped for from the Government at the present juncture. Indeed, there were not wanting those who held the opinion that the Govern ment would not be sorry if the whole Volunteer force were to cease to exist. In Auckland a few days ago a com manding officer resigned and his battery disbanded, rather than con tinue to struggle on under the present unsatisfactory conditions, and there were something more than rumors of other corps doing likewise. However, the Hon. Mr Seddon, Minister of Defence, was as a dernier ressort ap pealed to, and Ilis reply—to Mr Sand ford, the new member for Christchurch —give the Volunteers hope that there may yet bo brighter days m store for them. To begin with, Mr Seddon shows some consideration for the Volunteers, and will not cause ill-feel ing among them by making an arbi trary application of the Regulation. He recognises that the officers and volunteers may have done their best to keep up the strength of the corps, and may have failed from causes beyond their control. He evidently believes that the companies which are only slightly below the minimum strength will be recruited up, and as for those which are very much behind, the only way, he says is to make inquiries, and, if there be no chance of their recruit ing up to the required strength, to dis band them ; for by so doing it will pro bably be the means of strengthening some of the other companies. Effi ciency is the great thing to be ob tained, and with a company dragging j along under the minimum strength it jis very difficult to get efficiency. The Minister has decided to give the capita tion earned last year, an future .action will be determined by the realisation [ or otherwise of his views. In anotner communication Mr Sed don has made it known that reforms m the defence forces are contemplated, and Avith this view the first duty of the new Commandant, who is now on his way to the Colony, will be to thoroughly investigate the condition of the volunteers. On this subject we shall take another opportunity of making some remarks, and will now only express our confidence that under the present Minister of Defence the Volunteers will receive the attention and fair treatment to which they have long been strangers. Then they will have public support also, and desirable recruits will flow m. The New' Zealand Volunteers have never held their proper placs m the public estima tion, and on this point we cannot do better than quote a recent speech of Mr Gladstone. He said, " the Volun teer movement, among tha other ad vantages attending it, has had this [ great and conspicuous merit—that it has brought the people, the great and intelligent masses, the well-to-do and the well-educated and respectable people of the country, the fathers of .families, and those who are about to become fathers of families, the strength and backbone of the country, into direct, useful, and most healthful rela tion with the question of public and national defence. If there is one thing more than another the business of the nation it is that it should be defended by the nation, and not by a cdasg picked up here and there through the artifices of recruiting officers ; ;>nd thq.t the defensive forces of the nation should represent the pith aijd the strength and the moral as. \yell as the physical force of the body of the national itself."

Addington Stock Market.

Ohristchuuch, March 2. The market was densely stoqjked. Store Sjikkp and La lifts—There was a keen demand, but the immense supply caused a slight reduction m values on 'the s&coiiii fate store sheep, though prices for good sorts of breeding ewes remained firm. Crossbred lambs sold from | 7s lid to 103 9*l: two-tooth crossbreds, 13s j to 13s 3d, and a line of ewes, 14s ; two and four tooth mixed sexes, 12s (id to 13s 4d, and ewes, 13s lid; a lino of four, six, and ', eight tyoth liwcs, |2s l)d ; aged ewes, 7s 3d to 12s 9d; lirst-ctoss six ai;d eigljt tooth ewes, 10s and 10d Id ; aged Lincoln ewt}S, L'Ji ; iougwools at 11s 4.U1, merino cull e\ves, 2s Gd to 3s JOd. ' j Fat Lambs —About 15Q0 fat lambs were ■ yarded. Prhije freezers which sold up to JJjs IQd j lighter sorts, !)s to lls. Fat Sii'iC?!-'— pearly 7000 fat sheep were yarded. There was keen enquiry for export., and prices remained firm at last week's quotations. Best crossbred wethers and maiden e^ves sold up to 16s 3d; lighter sheep, ' Vh to 13s; very forward merino wcthc'rs sold ireu'iy fpo'nj 9s to 12s 3d; second rates from 7s G.I upwards. Fat Cattlk —The entry was confined to J2(? head. (?ood steers and heifers brought from £0 to *?' ilO-3, Stokk Cattlk -Only eighty head, includ ing dairy cows, were offered. The demand for good dairy cows was good at £4 10s to £) 153. . „ J Pius—About 230 pigs, chiefly stores, met with ready salt? 3. Good wearies ai>d im provers were m keen demand at improved prices. Porkers sold at 15s to 225. '

Ashburton Amateur Swimming Club.

SECOND ANNUAL MEETING.

rlhc second annual meeting of the Asliburtou Amateur Hwimuung Club was held m the Donviiu Bifcli yesterday, and was attended by a rj dense a crowd of people as has over attended any gathering iv the Donnin. Both .sides of the long bath were overod with people, and the Coiinnitl.ee had been consul orate enough of the ladies' comfort to provide benches on the batiks, and the.stf .seats wore welcome indeed to the many fair ones who honored the; mooting with their presence. A half-holiday hail been declared, and the business places of the town were closed to a door, .so that everyone had an oppor tunity of atten Hug—and did attend. The weather could not have been hotter for the .swimmers. The .sun. shone out of a sky of brass, and the heat wan mtonso. This was more perhaps to the comfort of thy .swimmers, as the water was quite . tepid, and chills impossible ; but the [strong Him and the intense heat made a I sunshade a vory necessary part of a lady's equipment. The male visitors were quite resigned to the heat m consideration of the .swimmers who, hiving excellent water, were afc their best, and swam m excellent form. Tho fine weather, the holiday, and the interest taken m tho meeting by tho public generally had tho effect of drawing an immense crowd, and there must have been over 2000 people on the ground. Tho arrangements of tho Committee were excellent, an I every oflicial did his work ho well that tho lengthy programme of four and twenty items was got through well withia time. There was a delay of ten minutes m starting tho first race, but this was gradually recovered m tho course of the afternoon, so that when the meeting closed the arrears of time wore almost nil. Mr Muller, starter, got all tho events oil" without a single hitch, and the three time-keepers waro so carefully attentive to their work that there was not a tick of divergence m the unanimity of their results. The clerks of the course had no disagreeable duties to discharge as every body was on their best behaviour, and the judges did not require io appeal even onco to tho referee, although there were one or two very close finishes m the course of the day. On the ground, a large dressing lent had been, erected, which was intended for use by the Ashburton competitors, the three permanent dressing rooms of the Club having been set apart for the use of visitors. A covered stall had also be* 1 erected, m which Mrs Ranger dispensed tea and coffee, light drinks, and cakes to Mie competitors and the public, and she and her husband and daughters were perhaps as hard worked people as any on the ground. The Club are indebted to Air Patching for the use of flags, Co Messrs Moss and Restell for timber, and to Mr P. Williams for much labor iv the erection of temporary buildings. There were no less than fifty-nine competitors on the index card, nearly every one of whom rolled up, and the rule as to each wearing his card number, prominently displayed on either back or breast was rigidly adhered to, so th.it there was but little difficulty m dis tinguishing the competitors, by any on looker who saw them range up at the .■ b irting board. During the day the Brass Band occu pied a position on the ground and played a number of airs. The interest taken m the meeting was tirjfc by any means confined to Ashburton, as a very considerable .number of Christ church citizens were present at the Baths among whom we noticed Captain A. Fi-ansis, Mr E W. Roper, both of whom took a keen interest m the events. Mr C. P. Hulbert were also among the number from the city. The following are the results :— 50 Yards Scratch ; first prize, gold medal, value £2 ; second do, silver medal, value £I.—II. -), Bailey, 1 ; A. N. Duthie, 2. B. L. R. Raphael, J. R. Duncan, S, Partridge and ii. J. Denham also star tOT. Bailey took the water with a great Itap, and went into lirst place at once, going away from Ihe others with a long, sweeping side stroke that was a lesson m itself to young swimmers. In fact ho had the race won at the cross board. Duthie, (he second man, swam a grand stroke too, but he never from the first looked a winner as against the Auck land champion. He came on very fast though at the finish, but was only m time to be reckoned a fair second. Time— -32 2-oth sees. 50 Yards Championship of Clie ; first pris;e, gold medal value £2 j second do , silver medal value £1. —J. C. Lane, 1 ; vV. S. Mitchell, 2 ; Geo. Culverhouse, 3. From a very level start Lane and Mitchell were soon showing that the tug cf Avar Liy between them, as Culverhouse, early m the race, was outpaced. The time m this event was not, so fast by about eight seconds as it was iv the previous race, but the swimming was very game, and the contest between the two local champions was keenly watched and much enjoyed. The two men raced to gether stroke for stroke almost until the end, when Lane won by perhaps about a yard. 100 Yards Handicap ; first prize, gold medal value t'4 ; second do., silver medal; third do., silver medal. Final race of the monthly series, scoring for prizes by points.—H. E. Cur bis, Ssec, J ; James Graham, scr, 2 ; F. Henry, 15jec, 3 These were the only three who had made sufficient points m the monthly series to leave them a say m the race. Frank Henry stripped well, and took the water a likely looking winner with his fifteen sees grace, and he went with good speed until he reached a point about twenty yards from home, when he found that the pace and the distance were too much for aim and gave m. If he could have held on he would certainly have got second place, if tjqt first ; but tin-owing up the sponge as he did he allowed Ourfcis to pass him, and run into the leading posi-^ tion, Graham meanwhile was coming a powerful stroke, gamely, and m fine style, and passing Frank Henry challenged Curtis within a few yards of the rope. Then the two made a final rush, Curtis spurting with great pluck, and getting home just m time. Curtis gained four points by this win, and Graham two by his second place, thus putting the two on equal terms at eight each, but- as Curtis' points were got by two first places he was awarded the gold medal. 50 Yards Handicap Ladiks'Buacklkt ; first ppze, geld bracelet, vaHio£4 ; second prize, gold bangle, value £2.— F. S. G. Hiorns, 1 ; T. G. Gnbb,, 2." This event, for which there were no less than thirty five names on the card, was competed for m four heats. In the first heat, out of the eight names enrolled only three faced the starter- -J. R. Duncan, s,secs ; R. Sneddon, lOsecs ; and E. A. Roper, risecs. lioper held the lead all through, and got to the winning point m the fine time, for so ycung a swimmer, of 41tj&ecs, Bneddou coming second. In the second heat tljore was only one scratched name I iii the list of nine, j^nd T, G. Grubb (i.2i : secs) came m first, with the Aiick lander, Gold water (qsecs) second, Time, 47secsi The third heat was won m 43secs by F. S. G. Hiorns (l^secs), I with R. Curtia (ISs^cs) second. lAs it turned out, Hiorns had , been very lightly treated by the handi capper, and some of our local swimmers, who of course werp better known, had their full weight to carry- But all ]).ands. j swam all they knew, and although a ruck • of the more heavily handicapped were uutpcid. tjarly, the finish was an es9|tj»g,

one. In the fourth heat A. Duncan and E. E. Clowes were first and sec md out of a flight of eight, the first named making the distance m 44secs. The final was won easily by Hiorns Time, 42secs. ■ Quarter-Mile Amateur Champion- i ship of New Zeal\n;> ; standard, 7min ; first prize, gold medal, value £4 4s ; second prize, silver medal, value : M Is. — II J. Bailey, A.5.0., 1 W. Grow, C.A.S.C., 2 ; A. N. Duthie, A.S.C., 3. There were eight entries for tlnschampior' ship, but the three above-named and 8. J. Denham, C.A.S.C., were the only ones who toed the mark. The champion ships of New Zealand for 1892, as allot red by the N.Z.A.S. Association have been won as under up to date : — February 27, 100 yds, Christchurch — 11. .J. Bailey. Time—lm m. 15 15 th sec. January 29, 220vds, Hamilton—ll. J. Bailey. Time, 3min 45.-.cc. March 2, 440 yds, Ashburton—ll. J. Bailey. Time, 7«un SO.soc. March 5, 880 yds, Lyttelton, and UfiOyls, Auckland, are y<u to come oft. This race was run m four laps of 110 yds each, the great length of our bath corning m very handy, and dispensing with the many turns that shorter stretches entail. It was hoped that Crow would cause the doughty Aucklander to stretch himself for the honors m this event, and he com pleted half the distance a couple of yards m front of Bailey. The latter then with a lightning turn, got level with Crow, and the two swam the next lap neck arid neck, Bailey being first to turn for the race home. Denham dropped out at the second fap, but Duthie was close up with the loaders, and now by a strong effort pulled up to (Jrow and interfered with him so much as to almost force him f>fF she course, completely destroying his chance. Bailey then swam homo wrtli out being troubled, winning by about twenty yards. Duthie finished second bub the position was given to Crow on the foul. Long Dive; standard 50yds; first prize, silver medal.—A. Duncan, 1 ; R. Shiels, 2. J. Sargeant and J. R. Duncan also competed. All the men kept under water for a long time, and Shield would have bad a good chance for first had he been able to keep a straight line, but he managed to steer a boomerang course m | his second try, and ho reduced the straight length of his dive. The exact distances have been marked for subsequent measurement, 100 Yards Handicap ; fir^t prize, gold medal ; second, silver medal ; third, silver medal. Winner to hold the President's ch'altenge cup for twelve months. To be the absolute property if won twice at the annual competition m succession, or three times m the aggregate. —T. Paul ing, 12|sec, 1 ; W, Burns, 14see, 2 ; G. Culverhnuse, scr, 3. J. Graham, 3 sec, A. G. Williams, 12sec, and W. A. Saunders, 18sec. also competed. Pauling and Burns had it all their own way and were never overtaken, but Culverhouse did good work for tke third place he gained. Time— lmin 46|sec. 50 Yards Handicap, Boys (16 years and under) ; first prize, silver medal, second pr ze, trophy.—J. Alcorn, lO^ec, 1 ; F. Grubb, 3sec, 2 ; F. T. W. Williams scr, A. H. White lsec, F. G. Williams 5.-<ec, ii. H. Mitchell s.seo, R. E. Tasker 7sec, A. Hoult 7sec. J. Kempthorne Ifisec, also competed. Alcornjwon easily. Time, 58 '4-sths. Rkscuk Competition ; first prize, silver cup, value £3 3s, presented by Hon. W. J. Steward, M.H.R. The competition was as follows :—A dummy supposed to represent a hunvm being was first cast upon the surface of the water, the com petitor to restore it to the bank, and m the best position as if rescuing a drowning person. Second—The dummy was sunk m the bath by means of weights attached, and had to be restored as m first part, The scoring to be counted by points.— T. G- Grubb, 1 (first competition, 34 2-sth see ; second, 30 2-sth sec); 11. E. On t-i-.-. " ffi ■-! cv:i:»?'i •■•:( Hi 2-slh sec : second, 33 2-sth) ; E. G. Williams arid E. E. Cl >wes, also competed. The rescuing work was admirably done by all four swimmers, and Grubb was warmly applauded for his very clever work m the water. 75 Yards Handicap ; first prize, gold medal, value £2 ; second prise, gold mcda 1, value £I.—There, wore thirty seven entries for this race, which was run m four heats, but only fourteen came forward. The first heat was won by S. J. Denham with E. A. Roper secoud, m 60 4-sth sec. The second fell to F. S. G. Hiorns with T. Pauling second, m 70 sees. The third was a walk over for A. Brabner and H. N. Anderson, and the fourth was won m (37 3 oth sees by A. Goldwater, with E. W. Marsh second. The final was a well-contested race, and was won by the. Aucklander, Goldwater— F. S. G. Hiorns, of the C.A.3.C. coining m second. Time, 62 1-oth sec. 30 Yards Blindfold Race ; first prize, silver medal.—E. E. Clowes won this event by very straight going. Some of the other good men m the crowd lost their reckoning altogether and swam into the bank, causing much amusement. Consolation Ha.ndicvi\ 50yds. —R. Curtis, 4sec, 1 ; R. Shiels, ssr, 2. Six started. Curtis won very easily \ a close thing between Shiels and Saunders for second place, Water Polo Match. — Christchurch Amateur Swimming Club beat Ashburton Amateur Swimming Club by three goals to none. The local team had no organisa tion, and fell easy victims to the visitors, who played well together. The visitors were entertained to an excellent dinner m Henry's Commercial Hotel, and this was followed by a smoke concert m the same establishment.

THE BANQUET.

Thebanquetwasheld m Henry's Commer cial Hotel, and was largely attended. The large dining room was opened up to | its full extent, and between seventy and eighty covers were laid. After full justice had been done to the host's many I good things, an adjournment was made to the large central room of the build ing, which had been beautifully decorated with evergreens, hung with flags and Chinese lanterns, and altogether pre sented a very pretty effect. Tlris room was filled to its utmost by visitors and members of the Club, and m it a smoke concert} was held, at which the Mayor, Mr Hugo Friedlander, presided, supported on the right by Major Steward, and on the left by Mr David Thomas, president, and Mr J. C. Lane, captain and lion, secretary of ohe Club, Messrs C. W. Purnell. E. Kempthorne, 11. Friedlander, and others. An apology was tendered for ihe absence of Mr E. G. Wright, M.H.R,, whom pressing business on the West Coast, whither he had gone that day, prevented from being present. A long toast list and musical programme was discussed, the first after the usual loyal toasts being that of the " New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association," pro posed by Major Steward m a suitable speech, m which he took occasion to com pliment the Association on its strength and usefulness, and an ifcs groat object, the encouragement among young people of the cultivation of one of the finest, most healthful, and at the same time most valuable sports, which was also m every way a grand accomplishment— namely, swimming. With tlus toast was coupled the names cf Messrs Gold\yatci' and Smart, representatives of the Auckr land and Christclmrch Cluhs connected with the Association, who responded. Mr David Thomas proposed "IvindreJ Sports," speaking highly of athletic train ing, not only as a means ot keeping the b,ody m health, but also as a great factor m keeping the athletes well within the boundaries which separate a life u| yice from $ life of VJrtuo, Thin

toast was responded to by Messrs Webber, of the Cycling Club ; Moss, of the Foot ball Club ; Miles, of the Fire Brigade ; and Paul, of the Cricket Club. "The Visitors" was given by Captain Lane of the Ash burton Swimming Club, and m doing so, he tendered them hL» Club'c? thanks for their presence at the meeting that day, and for the great aid they had lent m making the meeting the unquali fied success that it had been. In the course of his remarks he gave the vastly increised membership of bis Club for this year —lfiO—as compared with the figures of the first year of its existence (185)1), m which year the membership was only 54 ; and the largo number of entries for this year's meeting as com pared with last. He also noted what had been done at the baths m the way of im proving them fur swimming purposes, and cloned with a remark that found great favor with the visitors—viz., that his Club numbered amon<_' its members some i twenty or more ladies, that swimming ' was gradually becoming more and more popular among the ladies here, and that m the near future events m the annual pro gramme would have to be provided for them. The hitter remark elicited a hearty round of cheers for the ladies. At thifi juncture His Worship pre sented the Association's Quarter Mile Championship gold medal to Mr H. J. Bailey, the winner for the year, com plimenting him on his success m the champion events that were past, which he had already won, and hoping he would be equally sucessful with those that yet remained. JJis Worship also presented the silver medal for second place to Mr W. Orow m a complimentary speech, and the recipients took their seats amid loud and prolonged cheering. The Clubs medals won by Mr J. C. Lane and Mr W. Mitchell were then presented, the Mayor paying a well deserved tribute to Mr Lane, both as a swimmer &nd as an enthusiastic worker for the interests of his Club. The last medal presented was the one gained by Mr H. E. Curtis,. m che series of monthly swims, the last of which had been swum off that day. The toast list was then resumed, Mr H. N. Anderson) giving very heartily the toast 'of the " A.A.S C.," which Captain Lane acknowledged; the Chairman proposing " The Officials," acknowledged by Mr David Thomas and Mr A. J. Miiller, the handicapper nndstorter. "The Winners" was given by Mr Purnell, who said a very pleasing feature wa? the fact that the New Zealand Association laid down a cast, iron rule that no prize under their regulations could under any circumstances take the shape of money, and mentioning that m the Olympic Games the winners, who contended for honor only, were rewarded by a simple oak wreath. He deprecated the tendency m New Zealand to degrade sport into a scramble for money, and was sure that Mr Bailey valued the medals he had been winning that year far more than he would if the prizes had been £500 m money. (Hear, hear.) The toast having been acknowledged by Mr Goldwater for the visitors and Mr T. G. Grubb for the Ashburton swimmers, "The Losers" were toasted by Mr Itudolf Friedlander, and acknowledged by Mr A. Brabner. The Mayor's health was then enthusiastically drunk, which compliment he acknow ledged, and then craving their indulgence for the remainder of the evening was ac corded three hearty cheers and a rousing musical send-off, Mr Thomas taking the chair m his absence. " The Lidies " was proposed by Major Steward and acknow ledged by Mr L. Matson ; Mr Thomas proposed the health of Mr Peter Williams, who with Mrs Williams had done much for the Club and for the meet ing, Mr Williams replying; and after honors hid been done to and acknowledged by the " Press," ihe health of " The"Bost " was given and received with rousing cheers. During the evening recitations and songs were given by member.* and visitors— about as enjoyable a programme as ons could wish to listen 10. Mr Gates was pianist, but m the course of the meeting he was relieved at the piano by Mr (J. Fox, of Christchurch, who played several accompaniments to perfection. The formal part of the meeting over, an adjournment was made again to the large dining room, where a supper table, quite as abundantly and tastefully supplied as had been the dinner thafc preceded it, was laid out. Nor was it an unwelcome change, for midnight was near and what with singing, speaking, and cheering, young appetites had been whetted since seven o'clock, and so full justice was done to the host s viands. After supper, har mony was resumed again m the concert room.

THE MARKETS.

(PER I'RBSS ASSOCIATION.)

Sydney, March 2. Wheat, chick 4s 3d, milling 4s lOd ; oats, feeding sorts, prime quality, 2s 5d to 25.6 d ; maize, 2s 3d to 2s 4d ; barley, English, 3s ; peas 3s 63 ; bran, 10cl ; Pollard, 9d ; potatoes, Warrnambools, £3 ss, Circular Heads, £4 5s ; onions, £4 j butter, dfu'ry made Bd, factory lOd ; cheese, 3d and 5d ; bacon, local 5d to 7d, Nevv Zealand 8d ; hams, New Zealand, lOd and lid. Melbourne. March 2. The wheat market is easier. Medium, 4s lhd ; flour, stone made £9 10.s, roller £10 5s ; oats Algerian Is lid, stout 2s Hd ; maiae, 3s ; barley, malting sorts, 3s ?ld. Adelaide, March 2. Wheat 4s 3d to 4s 4d; flour, st»cemade, £9 to £9 12s 6d ; roller, £10 5s to £10 10s ; oats, New Zealand, m bond, 2s 5d ; duty paid, 3s 3d ; barley, English malting sorts, 3s 6cl to 4s 61 ; bran, Is ; pollard, Is. (Received March 3, 10.30 a.m. London, March 2. t A portion of the factory made butter ex s.s. Victoria, from Australia, has been sold at H2s per cwfe. A few choice parcels brought 116s. Dairy made is sel ling at 98s. The total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 3,080,000 quarters, and for the Continent 1,144,000 quarters. Owing to the increased supplies the money market is declining; three months' bills are discounted at 2§ per cent. Greymooth and Westport Harbor Board stocks have advanced £1.

Supreme Court.

(PEU I'KKHS ASSOCIATION.;

Namku, March 2. Sentences—James Duncan, for forgery two charges, one year ; F. fShellon, in decent assault, one month and a whipping of a dozen strokes; Ernest Hallet, larceny, probation for two years, his father to enter into recognisances and p:vy costs. Shortly before midnight the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against Michael Sullivan, who fatally stabbed Samuel Robertson on December 16. The judge inflicted a sentence of four years' penal servitude. The sentence was pro bably due to the fact that prisoner is sixty two years of r,ge.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION

THE DRAPERY TRADE. Los don. March 1. The " Drapers' Record," a journal published in the drapery interests, states that the Sydney and Melbourne firms are using the greatest caution in importinggoods, but that thedepression in trade with colonial firms is not likely to severely injure the English houses. AUSTRALIAN BANKING CASE. There are rumors that the English depositors are combining to institute 1 proceedings against the London Direc tors for the recovery of money de posited with a Bank recently in trouble in Australia, and which had an agency in London. THE LONDON CORPORATION. In addressing a meeting in connec tion with the London County Council elections, Lord Rosebery demanded the abolition of the City Corporation. MR GLADSTONE. Mr Gladstone has rsturned from the Continent, and h in splendid health. THE BLACKMAILING CASE. Morland, the blackmailing Oxford tutor, has been committed for trial. IRISH AFFAIRS. The Catholic hierarchy in Ireland have suddenly begun a violent attack on the Government compulsory educa tion scheme. Chicago, March 1. The Irish residents here threaten to expose Davitt.

THE TREATMENT OF DRUNKENNESS.

London, March 1. Mr Usher, of Melbourne, has com pleted his enquiries into the methods of treating drunkenness in America, and is going to the Continent. He does not believe in the chloride of gold cure. ENGLAND AND THE COLONIES The Imperial Federation League has arranged to submit to the constitu encies at the general election questions of the relation between the colonies and Great Britain with special refer ence to the incidence of, taxation for defence and other Imperial purposes. THE MELBA DIVORCE CASE. The Duke of Orleans has filed an answer to Armstrong's petition. Though protesting against the juris diction of the English Courts, he has retained Sir C. Russell. LORD GLASGOW. Lord Glasgow visits the leading butter and frozen meat stores in Lon don before leaving. He intends to make a short tour through Australia en route to New Zealand. LABOUR QUESTIONS. It is stated that Mr Benjamin Pickard, M.P. for Normantonj has evolved a scheme under which the coal miners would wotk five days a week. The Clyde iron and steel trades are feeling acutely the unsettled state of the coal mining industry. Coal in London is likely to reach 42s per ton. COLONIAL BORROWING. Syndicates of brokers are treating directly with the Premier of "Victoria, and offer to take up a million's worth of bonds on terms to produce 4| per cent interest. Through a hitch which has occurred over the question of stamps, Bank financiers are irritated, and consider they have been ignored by the Government. THE SOCIALISTS. London, March 2. Paris Socialists assert they do not intend to make any violent demon stration oft May Ist, but circulate an appeal to the soldiers not to fire on the people

CRISIS IN GREECE.

Athens, March 2. The King of Greece has dismissed Delyann is suddenly, and a political crisis is at hand. The reasons for this step are at present unknown.

THE RISING IN BURMAH.

Calcutta, March 1. News from Burmah states that the British troops are.driving the rebel Kacchying from their entrenched posi tions m the neighbourhood of Sodon.

AUSTRALIAN.

THE NEW SOUTH WALES TARIFF.

Sydney, March 2. The Customs Duties Bill was read a third time in the Legislative Coun cil by 21 to 12. FEDERATION. In referring to the Federation ques tion in the Assembly last night, Sir Henry Parkes, after dealing with the history of the Federation movement, said he thought that under the present Ministerial programme it was unlikely the subject weuld be discussed this year. The next step should be taken by the people, who should elect a new Convention to revise the draft Bill or frame a new one if it was thought necessary. At this stage the speech was stopped owing to the limit allowed for speaking to the adjournment of the House having been reached. With one exception, members were willing to let Sir Henry Pai-kes proceed, but the one objection was fatal. LORD ONSLOW IN SYDNEY. In the course of an interview Lord Onslow denied that any promise had been given by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to submit the name of hissuccessortotheNewZealand Govern ment for their approval, but one or two names were suggested to him (Lord Onslow) for his private opinion. With regard to New Zealand affairs, he considered the colony offered an enormous field for the investment of small capital, but he thought it would never be a place for great capitalistic ventures. A CHINESE CONSPIRACY. After the hearing of a Chinese case yesterday, the parties to the suit in dulged in a street row. This led to the police making some enquiries, during which information was elicited I leading to the belief that the whole affair was planned by a secret society, It is reported that this society sen tenced to death a young Chinaman who is taking some part in an auti gambling crusade, fifty pounds being offered for his assassination.

THE BANKING TROUBLES.

Newcastle, March 2. QiN eiU and Sydney, Directors of the

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIATs : THURSDAY, MARCfI 3, 1892.



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