DEATH.

Costelloe.—On January 7, at Ashbur ton, Deborah, the dearly beloved wife of P. Costelloe. Aged, 33 years.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas at Prævalebit. FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 1892. A WEEPING HARVEST

The recent wet, stormy weather has made farmers apprehensive that the harvest, which until the last few days was of such magnificent promise, but which has since suffered ao severely, will be further adversely affected by unsettled weather. Weather records show that a prolonged drought, such as that which has just broken up, is in rariably followed by a protracted period of unsettled, stormy weather. Farmers, therefore, are called upon to be more than ever energetic and care ful m the ingathering of the harvest which is now beginning. In past sea sons farmers have suffered great loss from following the practice of threshing from the stook. Even m the finest seasons this is not a well-advised system, and m showery harvests it is most reprehensible. Losses have also ensued from dilatoriness m getting the corn into the stack after it had been a sufficient time m the stook, rain com ing on while the harvest was still un secured. The weather must perforce be taken as it comes, but if the farmer does not take full advantage of every hour of fine weather he must not blame his " luck " if he is overtaken by wet, "Wheat is a good price this harvest, and the excuse cannot be made that it will not pay for proper harvesting; while m order to obtain the full benefit of a good market it is essential that the grain shall be properly harvested, thafc it be reaped m due time, stooked, stacked m good order, and allowed to remain m the stack for the requisite time before being threshed. Many farmers will be anxious to realise as quickly as pos sible, but m doing so before the grain is m fit condition for the mill or for chipment they run the risk of large ob jections at the store or at port, and a very small percentage of rejections wiL run away with far more money than had been saved by not observing the system which is year after year insisted upon by millers, shippers, and the Press, KTew Zealand has only m the last two season* —both fine harvests—regained its reputation At Home r,s a source ot supply of good sound wheat; the losses suffered by shipper* m previous years through the defective condition of their shipments will make them doubly careful on that point this year, when t\M> priw is hi|ij and the weathsr pro*

bably showsry; so that there is every reason why growers, m their own interest, should observe every care and energy m getting their harvest properly secured, and not be m too great a hurry to get it threshed and sent to store or ship. The past has shown that a reputation is easily lost, but most difficult to regain. We have a good name for wheat; let us take care to keop it.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Ashburton is gazetted a district under the Factories Act. The excess of arrivals m the colony over departures, for December, was 1056. The " Wanganui Herald "atato3 tlui> there are 1500 Maoris assembled at Parikino, of whom 800 have arrived on horseback. During the year 1891 no leas a sum than £11,114 was collected by the " Melbourne Argus" for distribution m charitable objects. A press telegram from Fielding states that the Rev W. Harris, Primitive Methodist clergyman, was thrown from his horse on Thursday, and sustained severe injuries. The Matron of the Hospital wishes to acknowledge the receipt of old linen from Mrs Twentyman and flowers from Mrs Lee. Any old linen would be thankfully received. The returns of the Ashburton Hospital for the month of December are as follows :—ln Hospital December 1. 12 patients ; admitted during the month, 22; discharged, 21 ; died, 1; remaining, 12. Sir James Hector is convinced, from an examination of samples of wheat which have been sent to him, that the insect which is causing injury to the crops m the Wairarapa is not the dreaded Hessian fly. The compiler of the cable news afc " the other end " has thought it his duty to wire the extremely interesting news that "Crema tion is spreading rapidly m France. The lawyers and doctors are divided as to its utility." That Chicago is as rapid m disposing of divorce cases as m other business was proved beyond dispute by the record made on a recent Saturday by Judge Collins m the Windy City. He tried 26 cases m two hours and 30 minutes, an average of six I minutes for each case, Chicago thus holds the record m this undesirabls speciality. An order-iu-Council is gazetted amending fche . regulations under the Education Act relating to the inspection of schools. The amendment provides that, during the next six months, children are to be allowed to pass m last year's Standards instead of the new ones, and that full compliance with the new drawing syllabus shall not be exacted during the present year. Captain Groombridge, of the steamer Duke of Buckingham, received notice on Thursday that the Governor m Council, having all the facts connected with the stranding of the steamer atKaikoura before him, was pleased to mitigate the penalty of the Court of Enquiry, namely, supension of his certificate for three months, and the certificate was now returned. Captain Groombridge has not had to resign, and takes the steamer Home on her present trip. The"Tapanui Courier" learns that two Leicester rams tor the Conical Hills esta+e, purchased at a high figure m England by Air Watson Shennan, were landed from the Coptic and are m quarantine. At Mr Shennan's Pnketoi estate the merino ram fleeces are unpreeerlently heavy this year. The highest was 23ilb, and the average of 15 stud rams 201 b 8 oz of splendid quality wool. This is believed to be the New Zealand (if not the colonial) record for the season. "Jack Point, "m the Hawke's Bay News, tell« the following story:—At a recent Primrose League gathering m a certain part of England it was resolved to start a steam merry-go-round with eclat, by putting all the local magnates on it—rubicund squires, whiteheaded generals, majestic chairmen of quarter sessions, and all the rest of them, — out, like the Japanese with their steamer, they couldn't stop it. The owner was sent for, but lived at a distance, and for an hour and a half these unfortunate Tories spun round like dervishe*. A party" lately visited Sir Edward Watkiu's projected tower for London. The site is a park of 2SO acres at Wembley, near Harrow, and will be placed m direct rail way communication with the metropolis. Eiffel's Tower was 984 feet ; the one at Wembley will be 1000, and, m addition, the site itself is 170 feet above the sea level. It will thus be the highest building m the world, and the summit, by means of lifts, will be reached m two minutes and a half. The tower will have a square base, and rest on four enormous legs. The construction will occupy eighteen months.J Mr W. M'Lean, the Liberal candidate for Wellington, a short time ago sent the "New York Standard" copies of the last- Financial statement, and of the Labour Bills and the Land and Income Assessment Act which were passed last session, of which that journal has published a review. In acknow ledging receipt of the information, the i editor of the " Standard " congratulates the colony upon the progress it is making towards industrial reformation, conveys to j Mr M'Lean the intimation that he will be | placed upon the paper's "free list," and j sends him a copy of a new work bearing on national progress as a New Year's gifl.— " Post. Andorra is believed to be the only civilised State m the world that does not publish a single newspaper. It is a little republic— about thirty-six miles long by thirty broad and situated on the south side of the Pyre nees, next the Spanish province of Lerida I and the French department of Ariege. It is j nominally under the protection of France, but its inhabitants, of whom there are about 14,000 at present, speak the Spanish language. Here, then, is an opportunity for an enterprising journalist, and it may be added for his encouragement that according to report, although, firearms are plentiful enough, there is not a single agriculturist or miner m the State—they are all either farmers or miners—who can hit a cow at a distance of a hundred yards. Joseph Thompson, the Australian boot maker, was prosecutor m London recently m a case of forgery which incidentally revealed that young Lord Shaftesbury (the grandson of the philanthropist and son of the suicide) is a biggist client of his. A man purporting to be the Earl's valet brought Thompson a note from his master asking him to "cash enclosed cheque for £450." Thompson's suspicions were aroused, and he said he would take the money to His Lordship himself. On this the prisoner confessed the cheque was a forgery. He said two men whom (bsing very hard up) he had asked for money outside the Criterion had brought him the livery he had I on, and engaged him on share terms to take ' the cheque to the club. He had never seen them before. Admiral Jorge Montt, President of th.c Republic m Chili, has no political history. Fe has never made speeches, and has never canvassed for this or any other political post. On the other hand, he shows 36 years of Honourable service to his country. He was 26 years tit sea as a naval officer, rising through all the grades—cadet m 1858, midshipman m 1861, lieutenant m 1865, commander m 1873, captain m 1877, full captain m 1881, and now vice-admiral, and, by virtue of the Presidency, Admiral of Chili. Admiral Montt's principal charae ter'atics are modesty, firmness, taciturnity, a thorough knowledge of his profession, and a lajrge amount of common sense, which may serve him m good stead m his present elevated position. Admiral Mqntt h well known m England, where he was naval Com missioner from 1883 to 1887. Englishmen m Chili cordially welcome his election.

A novel action for " breach ol contract" was recently tried at Bnmiah, where divorce appears to be as eas., o. attainment aa m some of the States m America. A husband had "dismissed" his wife, but, as he was going on a long journey, he contracted to give her 30 rupees if the child soon to be born should prove to be a boy, and 20 rupees if it should prove to be a girl. Twins were the result—a boy and a girl—and the mother, who received 30 rupees, brought a suit for 20 rupees more. The father pleaded that he had performed his part of the contract, and that the plaintiff had exceeded hers. From the Code of Mami to the recent legislative enactments of Maine, covering at least 3,000 years, the unhappy Burmese magis trate could find no precedent; but finally the Myoke, beincc an Oriental, decided that the man had duly fulfilled his contract.

BARLOW.

The at tendance at Barlow's entertain ment last night was disappointing, aa the hall was little more than half full; but if die attendance was disappointing the en tertainment was far from being so. This was the opinion of everybody present, but more particularly of many of the old Aus tralians and West Coasters who were m the audience, who had heard the veteran entertainer when they themselves were young and curly, and before Barlow's hair had whitened with the cares of the three score years and ten allotted to man. Barlow is indeed a wender. For more than forty years his name has been a a household word as an «t>tertaincr. He retired front the stage and took to fann ing oh the other side, but this avocation was not cotisenial to him, and after a somewhat varied experience he elected to leave the life of a "Farmer's Boy," and once more take to the stjgfi. His voice is still fresh, clear as a bell, and has lost none of its musical sweetnyss, and it is only when, having given a rather long exhibition of his agility and grace as a dancer, that he gives the least sign of being a little out of wind. His first son", "Volunteers Rouse and be Ready," a dashing military song, which he gave with all the fire of a youthful warrior, and all his old life, at once caught his hearers, and every verse was loudly applauded, The same thing happened when he icllowed with another barrack room song—a medley entitled " The Russian Invasion '—m which march music from the melodies of the Three Kingdoms was introduced to somewhat defiant words, and having exhibited this featureofhisability asasongster, lie passed on to the comic element, and m the most funny way imaginable sang the "Three Phases m the Life of a New Chum." Then, with a dexterity of hand and wrist that was amazinir, he took the little drum sticks and played a few selections on the xylophone, an instrument composed of .little battens of wood, strung together and tuned to gamut "My Mary Jane," a most extraordinary version of the old and well-known " Mary Blanc," was the next item, and </aye him an opportunity to show his powers of rapid utterance as well as his talent m falsetto. Another war song, "The Light Brigade," introduced by a well told Irish anecdote, and an immensely comic ditty, " The Little Fab Dutchman, were followed by the song from which Barlow takes his soubriquet, "The Blue tailed Fly." In a previous piragraph a description of his rendering of this song was given and need not be given again. It way very funny and very clever, but its effect was somewhat marred by its success, as while the fly ought to have been heard buzzing m the four corners of the room—now loud, now low, —the con vulsive shrieks of laughter from the back gallery drowned the sound of the poor fly. In the second part every song was sung m character, among which may be mentioned those of "Old Sarah Walker," •' Smiling Tom" (aLancashire pluiighman), "Ching Ch^ng " (a Chinaman, with a solo on the Chinese fiddle, which Bai'low had to repeat), "Bon, Bon" (a Frenchman to the life), and " Migil Schneider " (a Dutchman.) The programme closed with a clever and amusing song, "The Soldier and Sailor " m which Barlow appeared as a soldier with scarlet uniform, and sang a verse or two of another national ditty, then suddenly wheeling round, he pre sented the character of a tar, and m this character again sang, winding up with a hornpipe, as Barlow puts it, danced back wards—that is, while his back is towards the audience, and the sailor character faces them, he dances the hornpipe, but all the steps are given with their accom panying action as though the dancer were facing the front. This performance waa loudly applauded, and Barlow was re called. To-night there will be a change of programme, and no doubt as the many old admirers of the veteran learn that he is still about and possessed of his old powers to charm still unimpaired, he will have a crowded house. Younger people, seeing Barlow now, can readily understand why tli3 diggers' life m the olden time should have been a merry one, when their leisure moments were cheered by the fun of men like this old gentleman. It is to Barlow's credit that, m spite of all the temptations of a professional life, lie has by regular living, and the avoidance of excessos of all kinds, reached such a green old age ns few men attain to, but which all will envy.

SPORTING.

THE WELLINGTON CUP.

[per press association.]

Wellington, January 7. The following are the quotations for the Wellington Cup :—6 to 1, Boulanger ;7 to 1, Cynisca and Prime Warden ; 8 to 1, Krina ; 10 to 1, Whisper. Weka and Torpedo ; 12 to 20 to 1, the others.

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.;

(Received January 8, 10.30 a.m.)

CENTRAL AUSTRALIA.

LondoiN, January 7. " The Times " states that the result of Sir Thomas Elder's expedition m Central Australia will not render more hopeful the economic value of the in terior.

OBITUARY.

The death is announced of the Earl of Lichfield,,aged 67, and John Cashul Hoey, of Dromalane, husband of the well known authoi'ess. JBoth deaths re sulted from influenza.

THE INFLUENZA.

The mortality from the epidemic of influenza m Paris, Athens, Calais, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Kan sas, and Memphis is very severe. Thirty thousand cases are reported m St Louis, U.S., 10,000 m Chicago, and 50,000 m Copenhagen. In the latter instance the extreme suddenness of the attack is very marked. The epidemic is spreading m the North of England, where the mortality has doubled. In northern Italy, owing to its ravages, industrial productive works are at a complete standstill.

THE DISTRESS IN RUSSIA.

St. Petersburg, January 7. In the famine districts throughout Russia there is acute distress, but little actual starvation. Washington, January 7. The House of Assembly has shelved the proposal to vote a sum of money for the charter of a vessel to convey food for the assistance of the Russian peasants, owing to the cruelty to which the Jews are being subjected, and the Czar giving public dinners during the existence of the famine.

(Received January 8, 10.40 a.m.)

THE BULGARIAN EXPULSION.

Paris, January 7. The Russian Government failing to support the action of M. Ribot, the Foreign Minister, with regard to the expulsion of a French journalist from Bulgaria, it is believed that further action m the matter will be dropped.

MORALITY BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT.

Berlin, January 7. The most stringent bills initiated by the Emperor for the suppression of drunkenness are about to be introduced m the Reichstag.

INDIAN ARMY REMOUNTS.

Calcutta, January 7. The Indian army will require to im port a large number of remounts during this year, and it is reported that 1275 horses will be purchased m Australia and the Cape.

THE UNITED STATED TARIFF.

New York. January 7. In Congress twenty measures have been tabled proposing to abolish the sugar bounties, and a repeal of the reciprocity section of the McKinley tariff. They also propose to place wool, coal, iron-ore and tin on the free list.

CHILI AND THE UNITED STATES.

The "New York Times" asserts that Sir Julian Pauncefort, the British Minister, had advised Chili to pay an indemnity for the attack on the Baltimore men, and have the matter settled by arbitration.

THE PERSIAN DIFFICULTY.

Teheran, January 7. Order has been restored here by the Shah agreeing to abolish the entire new foreign monopoly.

THE KHEDIVE.

Cairo. January 7. The Khedive of Egypt is seriously ill.

(Received January 8, 11.50 a.m.)

GOLD IN IRELAND.

London, January 7. Gold has been discovered on Earl Belinont's estate, Ballingtrim, County Tyrone.

DIVIDEND.

The Imperial and Colonial Finance Agency Company pay a dividend of 4 per cent.

HENRY IRVING'S SON SHOT.

Mr Henry Irving's son Laurence shot himself m the lungs at Belfast to-day. The occurrence is believed to have been accidental. He lies m a very critical condition.

CRICKET.

"The Times " admits that the cricket team taken to the colonies by Lord Sheffield is nearly, if not quite, the best that England has sent out, The paper adds that Pan-Britannic con tests m the cricket field foster a taste which always inspired enthusiasm among Anglo-Saxons. The "Standard" asserts that the victory of All Australia over the Eng lish team upsets the theory that it is useless for a colonial team to visit England because it is too weak. It says the defeat of the visitors will be a valuable stimulus to colonial cricket, The " Daily News " says Australia will be jubilant at Lord Sheffield's de feat, as the team is the most represen tative since George Parr's time.

THE LOSS OF THE DOMINION.

The stranding of the barque Domi nion, bound to Pot Pirie, m the Eng lish Channel early last month, was subject of an enquiry to-day, when the Board found that the accident was due £q the refusal qf the prew tq dq duty, and acquitted the captain from all blame whatever.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Received January 9, noon.) THE SCIENCE ASSOCIATION. Hob art, January 7- Tl^ Society fqi? the Advancement of Science has oponed it§ sittings. Sir R. G. Hamilton, Governor of Tas inan, is President. A letter was re ceived from Sir J. Hector regretting hi* inability to attend. The President congratulated the njemliers qn the §uc c?,ss m naming the ocean between New Zealand and Australia the " Tasman Sea." The iie^ meeting will be fjeltl

m Adelaide, and that of the following year m Brisbane. The- following officers have been appointed for next meeting :-—President, Professor Tate ; Vice-Presidents, Sir It. G. Hamilton, Ferdinand Von Mueller, Sir James Hector, Me^rs Norton and H. C. Russell, B.A. Professor W. H. Bragg, 8.A., of the University of Adelaide, has been appointed Secretary.

SMALLPOX.

Perth (W.A.), January 8. A vessel has arrived ab Freemantle from Mauritius with smallpox on board. Adelaide, January 8 Owing to the pievalence of smallpox at Mauritius the place has been de clared infected.

TELEGRAPHIC. HOME AND FOREIGN

[per press association,

BRITISH AGGRESSION.

Paris, January 6. There is considerable excitement m this city owing to a fear that England has aggressive designs on Morocco, and it is reported that a French squadron has been ordered to Morocco. Madrid, January 6. • "La Epoca" states that Spain has been compelled to fortify the Canaries since England has secured a protector ate over Cape Juby, on the mainland of Africa, opposite the Canaries.

FATAL GAMBLING QUARREL.

New York, January 6. During a gambling quarrel m a bar m Georgia, eight persons were shot dead. THE BEHRING SEA DIFFI CULTY. " The Tribune " says that the settle ment of the Behring Sea difficulty has been delayed owing to tbe demand by Great Britain for a modification of the agreement made m November last. THE MEXICAN REBELLION. Information received here from Mexico states that the rebels under General Gorza have disbanded. CHILI AND THE UNITED STATES. The report that the Chilian Govern ment had apologised for the attack on the American men-of-war's m«n is denied, and it is said that some diffi culty is being experienced m adjusting the dispute. EXECUTIONS BY ELECTRICITY. The Governor of New York declares that the system of carrying out death sentences by means of electricity has been attended with, success, and ho favours the repeal of the edict which excludes the press from being present at or publishing the details of execu tions. TYPEFOU NDING SYNDICATE. It is stated that a wealthy English syndicate has purchased the type foundries m the United States for £5,000,000.

OUTBREAK OF TYPHOID.

Athens, January 6. A serious outbreak of typhoid fever, attributed to the defective system of drainage, has broken out here.

THE POPE'S JUBILEE.

Rome, January 6. The sum of £40,000 is being col lected m Italy for the purpose of giving a fitting celebration to the jubilee of his Holiness the Pope next year.

RUSSIAN INTOLERANCE.

St. Petersburg, January 6. A large number of Russian Metho dists are emigrating to America.

AUSTRALIAN.

THE MINERS' DISPUTE. Sydney. January *7. The Coal Miners' Delegate Boai'd have decided to take a ballot of all ths miners on the question of the present dispute. The decision will not be known till next week. The Lambton miners unanimously passed a resolution, which was sent to the other branches, giving fourteen days' notice of their int«ntion to increase the present hew ing rate by 4d, from the Ist February. The Delegate Board have approved of the action of the West Wallsend miners in resisting the reduction, and have granted the men strike pay.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, January 7. Wm. Findlay, baker, of Archill, was thrown from his horse while riding. He now lies m the hospital with dangerous injury to his head. The balance sheet submitted at the annual meeting of the Auckland branch of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society shows that the total sum to the credic of the various funds is £2514, Mr W. Daran has been re-elected president of the branch. To-day MrT. W, Glover left for Dune din to attend the conference of the Tem perance Alliance. Sir W. Fox is also to be present. A man named Charles Stewart, a baker, living on Mount Eden road, died suddenly to-day. Death is believed to have been caused by heart disease. Stewart leaves a widow and family. Thames, January 7. An interesting case has been heard here m connection with the administration ot the Licensing Act. Sergeant Gillies, the local officer, brought a charge against three men for disorderly conduct and re fusing to leave hotel at Christmas at 2 o'clock m the morning. The charge was lodged under clauses 152 and 153 of the Licensing Act, XBBI, but was dismissed by the Justices (after consultation with the Resident Magistrate) on the ground that the alleged offence having been committed out of licensed hours, the hotel was for the time being a private dwelling. Wellington, January 7. In the action which is being biought by Mr George Hutchison against the Premier, Mr J. J. ' Boyle, manager of the " Wan ganui Herald " Company is also made de fendant. Only the nominal damages of forty shillings are claimed. The writ has been issued, and the case will be heard at Wanganui. Nominations for the Wellington election closed to-day. Messrs H. D. Bell and William McLean ware the only candidates nominated, During the month of December the estates of persons deceased, placed under the charge of the Public Trustee, num bered 37- This is the largest business yet transacted m one month, and double that | of the corresponding month of last year. At a meeting of the Trades and Labqur Council to-night a telegram, received from the' socretar.y of the Auckland Liberal Association, suggesting that Sir George Grey should be nominated as Governor of the colony, w&s taken into gons^evrtjoii.

After some discussion the following reso lution was carried:—''That this Council cannot see its way <tt present to express an opinion as to the advisableness of the appointment of Sir George Grey as Go vernor of New Zealand."

THE MARKETS.

IPKII I'ltBSS ASSOCIATION,]

Dunedin, January 7. The second wool sale was held to-day, when there was a large attendance of buyers, including one or two new to Dun edin. The catalogue, which comprised 5000 bales, would have been larger but for the bad weather delaying shearing. Bid ding was spirited and prices wero good considering the advices from Home. Light fine sound combing crossbred and half bred had the most' attention. All classes of merino had a good demand, but at prices more unfavorable to buyers. Fine greasy crossbred and half bred made lOd to IHd, medium 8-kl to 9|d, greasy quarterbred 8d to lOd, "three-quarterbred greasy 6d to B|d, lonsr wools 6d to B|d,

Educational Institute.

ANNUAL MEETING.

[per pkess association,]

Christchukoh, January 7. The Council of the Educational*lnsti tute to-day made several alterations m the constitution, the principal being that a legal a&sistance fund, contributions to which shall be voluntary, be established and administered by the Council; that no district institute bring before the Minister or the department any matter affecting the colony as a whole except through the executive of the New Zealand Institute. The Council decided to submit to the district institutes for consideration the proposal of the Secondary schools Con ference to extend to pupils of secondary schools the privilege granted to those who have served as pupil teachers and those who have attended the training college, of counting a pass m the junior scholar ship examination towards obtaining c'asa D teathers' certificate. Ib was resolved— '* That the Inspector-General be requested to consider the good that would result from local inspectors meeting together once a year." The Institute closed its session this afternoon. The next meeting is fixed to be held at Wellington on January 10, 1893. Mr Clement Watson, 8.A., was elected president; Mr W. T. Grundy, secretary ; Mr H. Worthington, treasurer; and Messrs D. Winter, G. McMorran, and T. S. Foster, the executive. The president invited the delegates to a picnic on the south side of Lyttelton harbour to morrow.

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Ashburton County Council was held to-day. Pre sent—Messrs W. C. Walker (Chairman) E. S. Coster, William McMillan, Duncan Cameron, C. J. Harper, HugoFriedlander, E. G. Wright, John Grigg. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. The Chairman left- the chair which was taken by the clerk, to admit of the elec tion of a chairman. Mr Coster, m a sentence, moved the re-election of Mr Walker, and Mr Cameron seconded. The motion was carried unanimously, and Mr Walker: having thanked the Council for the renewed evidence of their confidence m him, assured them of Irs desire to dis charge die duties of the office to /th c best of his ability, and thanked members farther, id t!>ey hal »]-vny; exwndod to nini. chairman's statement. The Chairman read his statement as follows :—The Railway Department ad vises the passing of the Voucher for £50 towards the cost of the water supply at the Hinds Railway Station, and writes to say that it hopes the work will be put m hand without delay, Mr Purnell has drafted a special order describing the water race districts as required by the Water Supply Act, 1891, which will be placed before the Council to-day for its consideration. The Minister of Lands has replied to the Council's letter as to a water supply for the townships of Dromore and Hinds, and mit he asks what will be the probable cost of the pro posed works and if the Council would be prepared to spend any money upon them. The Commissioner of Crown-Lards has also written giving information as to funds likely to be available for water i-aces at Dromore and Hinds Settlements. engineer's report. The Engineer reported as follows :— Plains Wakr Supply. — Since the Council last met, the service throughout this district has been sufficient for require ments, except for a few diys when the intake works were silted up through the unusually flooded state of the river Ash burton and Pudding Hill stream. The inlet channel at Acton has also been filled up from the same cause, and is now being opened up. Most of the races throughout the district have been pretty well cleaned out. In the upper portion of the district some have been overhauled by Council at occupiers' expense, and there are still some defaulters m the lower division whose races will lnve to be similarly dealt with. The ranger for this division states that he is debarred from making a minute inspection of many sections of the races from want of access, having to make a detour of upwards of a mile m several cases. The bye-law clause relating to access will therefore have to be enforced m such instances. The mains leading to Lower Wakanui have been cleared out, and there is now an ample supply m that district, as also m Wakanui Flat. The River Road race through Mr Samuel Brown's property, over which he granted a right-of-way, is being kept so far as^ waterway is concerned, but he asks the Council to grub gorse m connection with fence line. This would be an item of considerable expense, Connection South and North Branch Ashburton. —As requested by Water Supply Committee I had the necessary work done for bringing m an auxiliary supply via O'Shea's Creek, but it was of service for only a short time, the rainy weather having increased the volume of water m North Branch, which is now likely to remain high for a considerable time. Eampstead Water Supply.—Ah requested by the Council, I attended a meeting of those interested m the question of water supply for Netherby district. They decided to revert to the source originally proposed at north-west corner of Domain (see my report of November, 1888), and ask the Council to arrange accordingly The route would bo by the North-east Belt at least as far down as the railway the continuations to be fixed at a future meeting after Council has arranged for securing supply. Dromore Township Supply.—The racef* proposed aie still m abeyance pending settlement of question of funds. Adtburton-Sangitata Water 'Supply.— fenders will be placed before you to-day for enlarging races and new races m Hinds district m three contra^ The works could be put m hand bo soon as the necessary guarantees are obtained from ftonspitata and Coldstream Road Boards for the proportions clue from thirds and funds provided by freeholder, £«gh whose properties the Am v*ee mNo 2 contract wouM ™. I have as requited -Kfud Board of races presently proposed % perpetual leaseholder ta th^iS,

and will similarly provide the Rangitntn j Road Board with plan showing tho reman- ' ing races proposed, when I can n.oro accurately fix their location. Tinwald- Watertonßace. —Thebulk of the work on this contract is finished, but im provements have to be made at several places before work is passed. I have to state that the supply for this and Wheat stoiie district is becoming more and inoro intermittent on account of the supply being turned oft' at Wesfcertiold when the mill?*: nut working. 1 reported previously on the matter, which is now one of urgency. County Bridges. —Some minor repairs have recently been executed. Some more new decking is required for Digby's bridge, and. nearly all the bridges require re-tarring. Mouth Approach Rakaia Gorge Bridge — I lieg to annex a letter f com the Clerk of Mount Hutt Road Board re sundry re pairs required. It appears a large amounts of damage has been done by the late rains. Plans County Baces. —All the plans'have now been lodged m accordance with the Water Supply Act, 1891. Plantations— I beg to ask the Council for instructions re sale of thinnings m reserve 1905 near Winslow. GATES ON BACES. On the report of Ranger Stewart that there were races to which he could get access only by going from one to two miles round owing to the want of Gates, a discussion arose. It was decided that settlers must provide reasonable access for the ranger, and while the Council had no desire to inflict hardship upon anyone, and would not cavil at a detour of a few chf*ins, yet a mile's detour was cal culated to interfere with the ranger m the efficient discharge of his duties. m regard to : the race through Mr S. Brown's property, which the ranger re ported was overgrown with gorse, the Council resolved to clear enough of the gorse to enable the race to be cleaned, Mr Brown having given the right of way on the understanding that the Council uir dertook the maintenance. HAMPSTEAD WATEK SUPPLY. Some discussion took place on the sub ject of the proposed water supply for Hampstead from the Borough water race, af'er which on the motion of Mr Harper, seconded by Mr Friedlander, it was decided to adopt the Engineer's report on the subject, and to authorise the chairman to make arrangements with the Borough Council, m order to enable the County Council to carry out the work. HINDS AND DIIOMOBE VILLAGE SETTLE MENTS. Letters were read—from the Crown Lands Department, stating thtt at pre^ sent no thirds were available from sections at Drumore, and only £3 4s 8d available from (Hinds surburban lands. According to the provisions of section 160 of the Land Ac I, 1885, there were thirds expected to the amouut of £161 5s 8d m all from Dromore and Hinds, bat whether the whole of that sum would accrue to the local bodi?s was dependent upon the con tinuance ff the leases. The Minister for Lands wrote asking bhe probable cost of a water supply for the townships of Pro more and Hinds, and what sura the Council would be prepared to spend upon them. The Clerk was authorised to obtain the fullest information on this subject, and also to communicate with the Minister of Lands. WESTEK.FIELD SUPPLY. Ib was resolved that the Chairman and Mr Friedlander endeavour to make satis factory arrangements for a sufficient sup ply of water for the Council's intake from the tail race below Westerfield Mill. BRIDGES. The Engineer was instructed to have the bridges tarred where necessary, and obtain needful planking for repairs. 11AKAIA GOKGE BRIDGE. Mr G. H. Alington, Clerk to the Mount Hutt iioad Board, wrote reporting on the bad condition of the approach to the Rakaia Gorge bridge.—lt was resolved to sond a copy of the letter to the Selwyn County Council, coveiing information that the work will be puc m hand afc once, and half cost charged to the felwyn Council m accordance with resolution ; also, that the Engineer proceed with the work at once. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of about £350 were passed for payment. WATER SUPPLY COMMITTEE. The report of the Sub-Committee appointed at last meeting to dispose of water race applications was submitted. Among other things the Committee re commended the making of a permanent connection between the north and south branches of the Ashburton river, Mr Wright urged the adoption of the Committee's recommendation, as it would be a work that would return an annual yield of twenty per cent on the outlay. It would enable another hundred miles of races to be constructed, and would put a large tract of scountry m a better position for water supply The Chairman opposed the recom mendation on the grounds that no pro vision for raising the money had been suggested, and the Council had no funds. It was not advisable to undertake work piecemeal, and the doing o! this work now was sure to jeopardise the Lake Heren scheme. Mr Grigg opposed this recommendation on the ground that if it were adopted before the full question of irrigation had been placed before the ratepayers, an injustice would be done to that question. (Left sitting.)

The Native Land Question.

GREAT MEETING OF NATIVES.

jfKR PRB.S3 A33OCIATION]

Wangaitoi, Jaauary 7. The assembling of natives at Parikino for a Maori meeting ceased yesterday. The visitors include representntives from Waikatn, Waitotara, Otaki and the coast, Wairarapa, Taupo, the Lake Country, the Uriwera Country, Wakatane, the East Coast, and upper and lower Wanganui. A few have also come from the Bay of Islands and the South Island. Their number is estimated afi about * 1600, besides children. Te Kooti was accom panied by 240 mounted followers. He has kept himself very close all the time, barely showing himself out of his hut until after Europeans had left. The meeting fco-day has partaken inqre of the character of a feast, but this morning a discussion of the, Government Native hnd policy took place. Every speaker was dead against it, and decided unanimity was shown m expressions of disapproval. Te Kooti did not speak. A private com mittee meeting will be held to-night to decide the course to be taken. The attitude of the meeting may be regard ©1 as significant of passive resistance, which wilt result m the shutting up of native lands by refusal to sell. The business of the meeting is understood to be ended and the tribes will be returning hone m, the next few days. The river steamer brought the first batoh down to-day i

For tho future this office will be closed tor the dinner hour fr Oln i2 to 1.30 p m daily, except on Saturdays P M. Leon.Driver, the solo pianist, who is to give one of 1i, 3 marvellous recitals here on Monday evenmg, Jus secured the assistance of three ot the leading artists of Christ church for his concert, namely, Mr A \lillar (basso), Mr T. AclanJ (tenor), and Mrs Edgar (soprano), each of whom will be well-known tB. many of our readers as a popular and talented singer. M Leon Driyer informs us that owing to the 'demand for reserved seats they have been extended, and early application should be made for them. The most expensive comma on record was probably one aceiJently inserted m Bn American tariff bill some, twenty years am In the duty free schedule were Included •? I foreign fruit plants," tho intention being to exempt plants imported for transplanting, propagation or experiment. The clerk who prepared the official copy misread the revelled m the unwonted luxury of mistake .cost the Government $2,000 000 m when eongre 88 re-assembled m h^ng an i»TWdi gin°f thC•l'reSent p«*«*iveduties m Sweden is curious-it is an accident. The story told at the time is told again by Mr «ough secretary of her Majesty s Legation at Stockholm. During the election of 1887 one of the 22 Freetrade candidates for Stockholm was Herr Olaf Larsson. He and his 21 co-rehgionisfcists were elected by • substantial majority, but it was shortly afterwards found that the above named gentleman had on one occasion omitted to_ pay a small property tax-namely, 12s Id. the.High, feurt of Justice declared his election invalid, which decision drew with it, under the the then existing law, the invalidity of the election 99 w5 cii 2i membe «V sent up the 22 defeated Protectionist candidates as members for Stockholm. The difference of 44 rotes hence resulting gave a majority m the House.to Protectionists, and as this wai already the second election m that year the Chamber could not again be dissolved tf ™L neXv el«ctionß.><?-. m the autumn of 1890, the Freetraders gofc back their majority, but have not so far been able to effect anything of importance. A remarkable and romantic story was told at Derby County Police Court recently when the Rev William Proctor SwSdV fun?™ rec. to f r «?. MjH Field, Sunderland! was summoned for failing to maintain hiaiather, aged seventy, who had become chargeable to of humble station, and he left his wife fifty '%%%*s' T, " *?? dcfcnd*At was four yeais old. Ihc mother supported the boy as best she couid, and always told him his father was dead. The boy, who proved to have fine natural gifts, became a school teacher, and afterwards took holy orders. After a successful career m several parishes he was appointed to the living of Mill Field, which is worth eight hundred pounds a year. Meanwhile the old man drifted into the workhouse and the guardians, learning of the defendant's position, took the present proceedings. The defendant de manded strict proof of his alleged father's I? t ,ty> and «vi de"cc having been tendered the old man informed the Be.eh that he toft his wife on account of her misconduct at Tetney, near Gnnisby. The magistrate de cided the father's identity had been proved, and made an order on defendant for pay ment of Is 6d per week. .

THE ASHBtmfOJC GtlAiiDlAN i FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, JB9l



"~TENDEr"s7~^~^ ' rpENDEftS are waited for StooHn ± and Stacking aboufc 1000 acres of Wheat j also for Stocking about 1000 acre" Wheat and Oats, at Lyndhuret Tenders to be m by SATURDAY January 9, 1892, at Six J.m LU±U'AY ' For particulars, apply to MAX FRIEDLAtfDER, Kolmar, T1 TENDERS. ~~ Xy ANTED, separate Tenders for tot Vi. 1"8 and Forking 300 Acres Wheat and 30 Acres Oats. Tenders cW SAML. HARDLEY, 1118 East Belt Public NOtIGBS~~~ "[tyT^ HORACE A, GATEsUT^ f, r °Pen" ScJool of Musi^SaunderJ Buildings, Monday next, January 31. T HL!1 G took Umbrella £, !? m Hl«h Schooi Concert, m mis take, please return to W. B. DENSHIRE. v Aitken Stteet,. p^Slicltotice7~*^~ T HS o ?5 C a ce n of *{ZibU» Publishing rrnwffW' * Limited, WILL BE CLOSED daily from 12.30 to 1.30 p. m ASHBURTON PUBLISHTNG .CO. FUNERAL NOTICE^"^^ TIHE Friends of Mb P. Goawju-xw are J- respectfully informed that the Funeral of his late beloved wife Duborah will move frort\ li; & residence, Kast Belt* Ashburton, c» SATURDAY, the 9th lnst., at 10 o'clock for the Roman Catholic t/tiurch. lSfi , BAKER BROS., -^-m—i i CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR Selling Off!!! Cheap Sale!! Gefc the best value for your money Now is your time. Come and see tor jUrself. 20 per cent Reduction, this allowance genuine. JAMES (\ UIN N, Watchmaker, VC having decided to give up business is offering his large and varied Stock to the public at the above discount, consisting of first-class Gold and Silver Watshes and Jewellery of every description; Gem, Wedding, Keeper, and Signet Rings ; Marble and other Clocks, ill -astro plated Silver Ware and Fancy Goods m ereat variety. Over 100 good second-hand English Levers and others m first class order. No reasonable offer refused. Also* a large Milner's Safe. Trusting intending purchasers will inspect. J-AJMEH QXJIIVIV, Watchmaker and Jeweller, East stree, 12 I ifi



Holloway s Pills.—Factory Operatives and Workers m Manufactories. —Theremark- able remedies which have been discovered and prefected by Thomas Holloway, and which for more than forty years hare been successfully used m every quarter of the, globe, are especially useful m all the mani fold ailments which afflict those who W reason of their occupations are confined for years, or all their lives, m crowded buildings and workshops. Holloway's Pills and Oint ment are associated remedies, the former restoring the vital powers when diminished, and always acting as an efficient blood purifier, whilst the latter relieves local maladies and «hecks inflammation, and acts as a cleansing and healing agent m cases of sots'o?' bti c. aßt8 ' Ulcera 'and-^thy Ninian Hyslop and Co.'s "Imperial" Ceylon and Indian Teas are direct from the Tea Phut?dons ~-(Advt,} .frsinian Hyslop and Co.'s •'• Imperial" pure Ceylon and Indian Teaa. are the bes m the market -fAdvt)



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" Keating's Powder" de Fleas, Motha, Beetles, and all other insects, whilst quite harmless to domes Uo anitrals. In exterminating Beetles the success of this powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly olean m application. See the article you mirchase is " Keatinw's," as imitations are oxious and ineffectual. Sold m Tins, 6d, Is and 2s 6d each. by all chemists.



Don't be Deceived ! —lf you want the best Medicine the world has ever pro duced, try Colemane and So»8 Eucalypti Extract. For all affections of the chest and lungs, consumption, asthma, coughs, colds, gravel, and kidney complaints. For influenza it has no equal. Under the distinguished patronage of Earl Jersey, Governor of Ne>7 South Wales, Lord Oarrington, and the fJmppror of (jermany. Awarded medals at Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, beating all competitor^, and is the only pure Extract m the world. See that the label bears opr trade mark (fere/9 of Jife and signature Oolenjane and Son$ f Cootamundra, Npjy Soyth Wales), without thi§ it is a fraud. Price, ls_(jd and 2s GcU Wholesale Depot tor New Zealand; Lichtield street, Ghristchurch. S-ile Agents for Ashburton : The Ash- • burton Drug Cvmpany r «rAyy|,



Statutory Declaration. —I, Franz Raalie, Ironbark, Sandhurst, m the colony of Vic toria, Australia, do solemnly and sincerely declare that on the 25th June, 1877, my son Alfred, six years of age, was accidentally hurt with an axe on his knee. lat once took all pains to secure medical assistance. How ever, m spite of all efforts, on the 27th August, 1877, the opinion was given by Dr Macgillivray that an amputation of the injured limb had become imperative, m order to save life. At this juncture I called en Messrs Sander and Sons, procuring some of their Extract of Eucalyptus Globulus, and by the application of the same I had the satisfaction of seeing my son within a fort night out of all danger, and to-day hel s recovered. I may just add that it was when the crisis had been reached that the Extract referred to was first applied, and I make this solemn declaration, etc.—Franz Raabe, Declared at Sandhurst, m the colony of Victoria, Australia, this seventeenth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven, before me, Moritz Colin, J.P. -(Advt.) 6



Tn# B^;<T Bkmedy fok Indiokstion— Norton's (Ganion)ij£ Pills are confident recommended as a simple r.emedy foi Indigestion, Tyhich is the cause qi nearly all fclie diseases j.o whicli v/e are subjects Norton's Vlbhs, with justice called the ' Natural Strengthener of fie Human Stomach," act as a powerful tonis and gentle perient, are mild m their operation, and aafe under any circumstances. Sold m bottles, at Is l|d, 2s 9d, 11s, by all medicine yeadofg ihrouj|!>out the world.



Wanted. i CASH Advertisements under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be left at this Office. TTTANTEp, A respectable young Man, ** within five miles of Ashburton, wishes to meet with a respectable elderly •ouple who would live m comfortable six rooined He use, rent free, and board and lodge him. Advertiser would be willing to also pay » small sum weekly. A good opportunity for a retired couple wanting A nice home m the country, being m the bent district round Ashburton and handy to the town. Apply, m first place, to "Mail" Office, where further particulars can be obtained. 1 61 fTMHE Greatest Delicacy of the present X age, Sutton's Famous Fruit Sauce. Sole agents for Ashburton.—Stephens' Bros., Market House. . 1 40 WANTED Known.—Great. Bargains m Ladies' Cashmere Hose, Under clothing, Pinafores, &c. Come and see them. Handsome Xmas presents now giving away.—H. C» Seokrs, Melford House. WANTED KNOWN, a special lot of Hearth Rugs at Is lid, 2s 6d and 2s lid ; worth about doable. W. H. Collier. NOTHING will Cool you ao quickly and invigorate the system so much as Ice Cream — H.G. Flowbr, Confectioner, East Street. %r. WANTED Known. -At "The Corner' now selling Ladie?,' French Shops. 5s lid. See them.—W. H. Collier. WANTED Known—A Beautiful Line of French Dress Goods, double width. Is IOJd ; original value, 4s. —H. 0. Sbgers, Melford House. WANTED Known.-—I have a large stock of Tin and Ironware (roods to gel«ct from. Register Grates, Stoves, Portable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging kept m stock.— J. W. Hardley, East • treet. 6J202 SHEEP SHEARS. Having secured a Stock of the celebrated 8.8.A., and as there are very few m the Colony, Shearers are requested to call early.— Robert Alcorn, Saunders' Buildings. ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits to measure ; fit and workmanship guaranteed; from 50s cash. Roberi Alcorn, Ashburton Clothing Marl, Saunders' Buildings. WANTED Known.—For first-class Drapery and Millinery go to Melford House ; cheapest shop m town. (See windows.) Beautiful Xmas present s being given away.—H. C. Seders. TO Meet the Times.-—I am supplying Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30a upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all des3ription3. Inspection invited.— J, W. Harplby, Eas street. 6J201 WANTED Known—That you will make no mistake for quality and variety m English and Colonial Boots, and his highly reputed make by calling at J. Moison's. During coining holidays dis count for Cash. Repairs done at once. A. staff of men always kept and best material and workmanship guaranfeed. WANTED Known.--H. Bairstow has opeued those premises m East street next.T. Orr and Co., as a Furniture Warehouse. Latest designs m Vienna Chairs, and Iron Bedsteads on viivr. Having a good stock of well seasoned figured Rirnu and Kauri, he is prepared to take orders for Furniture to any design. Inspection invited. Ilt6l Itfew Year Cards, AND BOOKLETS. NEW BOOKS for PRIZES and PRESENTATION. FANCY GOODS, etc L. F. ANDREWEB and CO.