MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close for the following places as under, subject to the necessary alterations :— MONDAY, May 23. For Northern Ports and Weatporfc, per Brunner»tO.3O a.m. For Auckland (direct), per Pukaki, at 6.80 0.111. m-k «rfc For Calcutta, per Botokito, at I\J.*3%J a.m. For Australian Colonies (except lawna nia), per Kotokino, at 0.30 n"»- WEDNESDAY, May 25. For South America, United Kingdom, and Continent of Europe, per R.M S. Coptic, as follows -.—Ordinary letaers, books, and newi ' papers, at 0.£20 p.m. ; money orders, 3 p.m.; registered letters, 5 p.m. ; late fee letters express van, 6.55 p.m. This mail is due in London on July 6. SATURDAY, May 21. For Northern Ports, per Penguin, at O.£JO p.m. ; Lite fee letters, guard's van, 6.55 p.m. For Kaikoura, per Jane Douglas, at 6.J30 p.m. ; late fee letters, guard's van, express, 6.55 p.m. HOLIDAY, QU'SEN'S BIRTHDAY. On Queen's Birthday, May '24, the Ashbur ton Post and Telegraph Office will be open from 9 till 10 a.m. and from 7 til' 8 p.m. only. Mails for Gbristchurch and North will close at 6.30 a.m. and for Dunedin and Soutii at 10 a.m. No mails will be despatched after 10 a.m ENGLISH MAILS. HOMEWARD —DIRECT MAIL?. Tongariro, left April 16, due London May 27. Ruahine left April 21, due London June Arawa, left April 30, due London, June 10. Aorangi, leaving Miy 14, due London June 24. SAX FRANCISCO MAlf/», Mariposa, left April 22, due London May 23. Monowai, leaving Auckland May 21, due London June 22.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, MAY 21, 1892. CURRENT TOPICS.

As far as New Zealand is concerned there is really nothing going on of sufficient interest to be a topic of conveisation, far less of discussion. The efforts of politicians to make their opponents appear black, and them selves appear white do not cause a single remark, and the Oppositionist papers are driven to such an extremity as to assume that the Premier has invited General Booth to send out all the sen n of London that he can get hold of to settle in this happy land. The last of Deeming seems certain to be heard on Monday—unless, which is qu'te pro bable, additional crimes are afterwards sheeted homo to him, to make his raennry still more odious. The Anar ciiists are for the moment passive, and with (he insignificant exceptions of Venezuela and Bulgaria, where re volutions are in active progress, and a few odd " little wars with niggers," the world may be said to be at peace. By the way, referring to Anarchists, a Brisbane paper, " The Worker," pro fesses to see a connection between the remission of the sentences of Mrs Osborne and the light sentence in flicted on Mrs Montagu aud the Anarchist outrages of Eovachal in Paris. The former are declared to have been such outrages on the principle of universal equality before the Law that they caused clown trodden humanity to take other steps to restore the balance. That is one view. _ A Sydney newspaper of similar proclivi ties wishes its readers to believe that the Paris outrages were devised, planned and paid for by capitalists, with the object of discrediting the labir cause. Could anything be more puerile? No intelligent working man looks upon the Pans dynamite outrages as anything but attacks upon society, and no intelligent capitalist will couple the real workers with any such vile proceedings. We have only to call to recollection the feeling that existed among working men at Home against perpetrators of the outrages in London a few years ago, to dismiss from aav minds any suspicion that the jwficy of the Labor p»'ty is on« of dynamite. The news that the Salvation Army funds have ran low, and that they are in consequence crippled in their work) is not good. There can be no -jaestion that at small cost the A' my naf f*one a vast amount or g*°&to tne wa^s an(* strays of nl<* and young countries alike, and it ia unfortunate that just at a time -when still greater schemes for the amelioration of human misery are at the point of consummation so serious a check should be suffered. It will probably be only a check, and of short duration, and the work will soon proceed as before—perhaps more cautiously though none the less earnestly than before. The Army's work of reclamation and rescue has been too great to be allowed to cease.

The Half-Holiday Move ment.

MEETING OF DELEGATES.

A meeting of delegates from the various Athletic Clubs, with reference to the proposed weekly half-holiday, took place yesterday afternoon at the Commercial Hotel. Present—Major Steward and Mr Kempthome, on behalf of the Swimming Club ; Mr Mainwarin2, Cricket Club; Mr Cox, Football Club ; and Mr Miiller, Cycling Club. Major Steward was voted to the chair. ]>• was represented, on behalf of the Football Club, that Thursday would be the most suitable day for the half-holiday, because that was the day adopted in Oamaru, Timaru, Ternuka, Wai mace, and G-eraldine, and consequently, if Ashburton chose the same day. it would give an opportunity for visiting teams to play matches at those places or at Ashburton. It was pointed out that the only difficulty in the way lay in the fact that. ; Thursday is the Resident Magistrate's Court day, and it was determined to interview Captain Wray to ascertain whether he could make arrangements to alter his day of sitting at Ashburton, so as to enable Thursday to be adopted as the day for the half-holiday. Messrs Kempthorne and Cox were appointed a deputation for this purpose, also to inter view the local solicitors with a view to sretting them, if the Court day can be changed, to alter the day of the half holiday in their offices from Wednesday to Thursday. The meeting then adjourned till Friday next at 3.30 p.m. to receive the report of the deputation. A voto of thanks to the chair closed the proceedings.

A MODEL REPUBLIC.

Mu Eugene O'Oonor, M.H.R., fami liarly known by the pseudonym of "theßulier Lien," hag been visiting America and Europe, and has, among other places, sojourned for some time in that beautiful and remarkable little country Switzerland. As a result he has returned strongly impressed with the belief that the best model for a country with liberal institutions is to be found in the Helvetian Republic. Ha declares that notwithstanding the fact that its people have wide differ ences of religion and language, the Government of the country is adminis tered with exceptional success. He declares that the Swiss have the best constructed and best managed railways on the Continent; that their system of taxation is also the best in Europe, and that their system of Government seems to have secured to them the best and most economical State service obtain able. " They don't trouble as to the mere formation or personnel of Minis tries, provided the work be well done, and the people themselves watch every political movement and give it direc tion." The system of Party govern ment does not obtain with them and (says Mr O'Conor) " their Parliaments are models of business management. The discussions are to the point—no blatant egotism—-no wearisome drivel to be circulated through the country for the gratification of a member and the disgust of everybody else. Their business is done in the morning—they commence in the morning—-and is con ducted in a manner both as to brevity and precision which might well be copied in every English-speaking country. P.irty struggles such as we are acquainted with are there entirely unknown, except by those persons who keep ait, eourant with the politics of other countries, and when I spoke to Swiss politicians upon the subject they shrugged their shoulders contemptu ously at the folly of men meeting as the Parliaments of other countries do, and spending valuable time in party squabbles which would not be tolerated for one moment in the Swiss Republic, There are distinct parties on a great many questions—as, for instance, reli gious v. secular education—but people who would vote together on this question vote apart ou others. One question was put to me everywhere which I was unable to answer, and that was how English speaking politi cians can reconcile their behaviour in Parliament with their duty as patriotic citizens, and a Frenchman gravely assured me that the word * Parliament' was derived from the two French words ' parler' and ' mentir ' —to spetfc and to lie—-and that they endeavoured on every occasion to justify the desig nation. Of that peculiarly Swiss in stitution the Meferetidum, Mr O'Conoi declares that it is growing strongei and more in favor in the country, and that it is being adopted in almost every form of government, both local and general. The Referendum is a provi sion of the Constitution under which all important legislative measures have to be referred direct to the people before they can be brought into opera tion, and the following information (given by Laurence Gronlund in the " Voice ") as to its history and effects is of great interest. Says the authority quoted:—" The Referendum has been practised in some of the cantons of Switzerland as long as fifty years, but }n federal affairs it practically dates 1 from the adoption of the new Constitu tion in J.874:. It is known in two f oyms, compulsory and optional. The former means that every law, constitu tional amendment, concordat (treaty with the Pope) and grant of money must be submitted to the people ; the latter means that this is done only when demanded by a certain number of voters in federal affairs, for in stance ? by 30,000 citizens or eight out of the twenty-five cantons. Compul sory Referenduin obtains \n nine and the optional form in eight cantons. All the voter has to do in eithej? case is to deposit a ballot with the word 1 Aye' or • No.' A sufficient period has surely elapsed to judge its practical workings. Its introduction was everywhere violently opposed by the Conservatives, in the fear that all wise I measures would be ruthlessly slaugh tered, and only demagogic propositions find favor with the people. Experience has entirely dissipated these fears, and proves the very contrary—that extreme measures have no chance whatever of being acceoted. Here is the result of the Referendum as to federal measures. From 1874 to 1879 nine submissions occurred. Of these five were rejected, and these four adopted : Compulsory civil marriage (213,000 votes to 205,000), factory law, subsidy to the St. Qpthard line ? and leave to the cantons to pp*introduce capital punish ment. Then for several years a jealousy of federal authority was mani fested, „so that everything ' coming from Berne' (the capital) was slaugh? tt-R'd, among them compulsory yewci-

nation by the immense majority of 254,000 to 68,000 votes, and a meri torious patent law, which, however, on resubmission five years after, in 1882, was adopted. Four othef good measures have, lately been sanctioned, among them one making the manufac ture and sale* of spirituous liquors a federal monopoly. The conclusion is that no serious politician now thinks of abolishing the Referendum, that the Conservatives even find it a drag on hasty law-making, and that it strengthens in the citizen the conscious ness of individual influence and of national feeling, and increases his interest in political questions." To return to Mr O'Conor, it will be remembered that last session that hon. gentleman was the Chairman of a Committee of the House of Representa tives which reported strongly against the present system of Party Govern ment, and it is not surprising, in view of the favorable impression he has gained of the Swiss system by wit nessing its operation, to learn that he has " come to the conclusion that in any democratic country it is absolutely necessary to devise new methods of government, and above all to ensure thattha principal powers of adminis tration shall be vested only in the best men, in order that reason and justice, and the public welfare, may be the first consideration." He adds that he intends to open the campaign so soon as he meets his constituents, and that afterwards he will proceed to take such action in Parliament as may be considered advisable by others of the same way of thinking as himself.

Making Game.

Tha following amusing skit is from the " Oamaru Maif" :—One of the most dis graceful things of which a Government has been guilty in moiern days has just been perpetrated by the Ballance Go vernment. It is lucky that it has been exposed, or some calamity might have -befallen the colony. The wor'd is indebted to the " Wellington Po*t" for the awful disclosures, fciid it has added a few words of reproof and wise counsel in connection therewith. Tj tell the truth, the Ballance Government sent: some frozen native | game by the Hinemoa for ihe use of the Governor and suite. Have our readers quite recovered from the shock consequent on such a disclosure, and may we go on 1 We will venture. Is it nob awful ? It is nothing short of bribery and corruption. Now, if the Govern ment had sent, anything else but native game, it would not have mattered so much. It has as much significance as the historic placird " Chops and tomato sauce, Yours, Pickwick." The only difference is that it is'"Game, and the Ho:i. Pat. Buckley, Yours, Lord Glas -401V." '* Yours Lord Glasgow !" What does that signify ! It signifies that the gam.3 will play an important pirb in our national politics. When the fro/,3» game is down the Opposition game will he up. Nobody disputes that, as his Excellency and his party will bn the guests of the colony when they step on board the Hinemoa, they shoul I occasionally be given something to eat and drink. They should not exactly he asked to bring their own tea and sugar, but the line should be d/awn at native game - and Pat. Buckley. Really, if tha Opposition do not take care thosa Council appointments will be made before they can sty " Jack Robinson."

ROAD BOARD.

A NAM A.

The first meeting of the we»v Board for the Anaina Road District, was held on Thursday at Mi- Coskarie's house. Present—Messrs B jyla, Cnskerie, Harper, Peter and Wright. Mr Wright was voted to the chair. It was resolved to obtain a map of the district for the use of the Board, also to apf ]y to the late chairnuu to send in the minute bonk, pass book, and other docu ments belonging to the Board, as they were quite ignorant of the state of the finances. It was decided to call for tenders for the following works :—To put an addi tional ten yards of metal per chain on the road near Keaney's for a length of thirty chains, and to carry off the flood water by a ford -or otherwise to form thirty chains of the road over the rough ground leading from the Valetta railway station. The Chairman was instructed to apply to the Mount Soraers Road Board to put in order the ford over the Ashburton, at the crossing of the Alford Forest-Valetta road. It was resolved to apply to the Rangi tata Road Board to pay half the cost of metalling about one and a half mile of the boundary road, on account of the largely increasing traffic on that road, chiefly between Alford Forest and the Rangitatu Road District—the road to be metalled with river gravel, fifteen yards to the chain. The Chairman was authorized to have the water holes on the same line of road properly filled in. Mr Boyle was requested to have the large stones picked off the track from the railway tankh to Yaletta homestead, and Mr Coskerie was authorised to have a similar work attended to on the road from Mayfield to Valetta. It was decided to insert an advertise ment, calling upon holders of Perpetual lease, and Deferred Payment sections to inform the Board of the extent ot their requiremanta in the matter of water supply, that the same may be provided for Com the accrued " thirds." The Board having balloted for the retirement of two members at the end of the year, the lot fell upon Messrs Boyle and Harper. The Chairman was instructed to apply to the County Council to fill up the water holes on mam roads caused by the dam ming back of the flood waters where the main raceo cross the said roads. It was resolved that tenders for the authorised works should be sent in by 11 a.m. on Monday, June 13, to which day the Board adjourned, the meeting to be held at Mr Coskerie's house.

THE MARKETS.

PUR PRESS ASSOCIATION,]

(Received May 31, 11.10 a.m.) London, May 19. New Zealand long-berried wheat is quiet at 38s; Seuth Australian is weaker at 39s 9d ; mid Victorian is flab at 38s 3d. Received May 21, 11.20 a.m.) LoNDDN,May2O. Canterbury mutton is quoted at 4|d per lb ; Canterbury lamb, s|d ; New Zealand beef, hind-quarters, 3sd. Otajjo Harbour Board Stock haa ad | vanced £2.

Grain and Produce.

The following is the Christchurch Corn Exchange Report for the week ending May 21; —Wheat-The various prices hy cable during the week, namely, Saturday 38s, Monday 35s 61, Tuesday 37s 9d, make it somewhat of u puzzle to state what the English price really is. In the local market the demand has been of the dullest descrip tion, though we think the late charters at a freight threehalfpence per bushel lower will keep our market steady at laie rates. Barley—A steady enquiry for outside. We learn a cargo to Victoria from California has disappointed the importers in quality, and our best must fetch a good price. Oats—A demand for bright milling, others not asked for. Potatoes will scarcely pay for digging. The prices below are those paid to fanners f. o. b. Packages extra : --Wheat — Prime Tuscan, 3s 7d ; Pearl, 3s lid ; Hunter's, 3s 3d ; chickwheat good, 3s ; inferior, 2s 6d to 2s 9d. Oats—Bright milling, Is 8d ; feed sorts, Is id to Is f>J,d. Barley-Malting, 4s; feed, 2s to 2s 3d." Ryegrass—Machine dressed, 3s 3d ; farmers', 2s 9d to 3s. Cocks foot—Prime, 3|d ; discolored, 2Jd to 2fd. Beans, 3s to 3s 3d. Peas, 2s 11 A to 3s 2d. Potatoes, 17s 6d immediate delivery ; July and August, £1. Butter—Factory, lOd ; farmers', 8d to 9d, Cheese, 3d to S.fcd.

ashburton Markets.

MESSRS MILES AND CO.

Messrs Mile3 and Co. report on the fort nightly sale at the Ashburton Yards held on Monday, May 17, as follows :—The weather, which had been unusually severe during the latter part of the previous week, had moderated, and there was a goo:! attendance of buyers, the day being bright and warm. The stock yarded comprised 7970 sheep, 22 cattle, and 6 pigs, of which our entry was 3516 sheep and 3 head of cattle. Values ruled throughout the sales at last week's quotations at Timvald, with the exception of several good line3 of crossbred lambs which feteiied from lls 7d to 12s Id. We sold on account of Mr A. E. Peache, of Mount Somers Station, a grand line of 400 crossbred store wethers at 153, and IS9 store merino wethers at 9s 3d ; and for other clients we quitted 1403 merino wether3 at Ss 9d, and 250 crossbred lanibs at lls 7d. Fat cattle, £4 17s Cd, and a cow in profit, £4 7s 6d. The sale at Timvald next week will be held on Monday—on account of Tuesday being the Queen's birthday—on which day we shall offer about 520 prime merino wethers, with sound mouths from Messrs T. and J. Harrison, Clent Hills. Skin Sale— At our usual wool, hide, fat, and skin sale, which was held yesterday, better prices were realised than hitherto. Buyers rolled up well from Christchuroh and the neighborhood, and bid eagerly for the various lots offered. A better demand exists novv for hides, and we loak for better prices in future. Graii*—Prices of wheat are iilmoat with out alteration. Buyers are few, and the stores in Christchurch and Lyttelton are nearly fnil. Prime samples of sound wheat seem scarce, nnd for other qualities it is difficult to quote a price. Barley and oats remain the same as at last week's report. Land— We have still enquiries fcr good properties, and several sales are pending.

MESSRS VRIEDLANDER BROS.

Messrs Friodlander Bros, repart on the live stock market for the week ending May 20 :—Tha total entries of shepp at tha Ash burton Yards amounted to about SOOO. The attendance of buyers and others was about as usual, and good sheep fit for turnip ing were eagerly competed for—in fact it was one of the best sales of the season. We succeeded in topping the market with a line of 200 two-tooth halfbredson account, of Mr John Brtyle, of Valetta, at 18s Id, to a grazier, which is, we think, the highe3fc price obtaine.l this season in this market. The general run sold at the following prices:—Fat crossbred ewes from 10s to 12s Gd, crossbred two-tooths 15s, four-tooth mixed sexes 16s 6d to 17s lOd, merino wethers up to 11s 9d, merino ewes os to 63. In stores, forward merino wethers sold at from 8s 9d to 10s Id for sound sheep fit to go on turnips, while crossbreds brought up to 15a 3d, and the line already referred to at 18s Id. Cross bred lambs met with a very good demand, and sold readily at from lls 3d to 12s 4d. Merino ewes, in lamb, sold at trom 5s 6d to 7s, according to age and condition. In pigs, «,here was only a small entry. We sold baconers from 35s to 37s 6d. Beef sold readily at lately ruling figuies.

MR JOHN G. RESTELT.

Mr John G. Restell (in conjunction with the New Zealahd Lo\n ahd Mercantile Agency C0.,) per J. R. Bland, Auctioneer, reports on the live stock market for the week ending Friday, May 20 :—At the Ashbnrton County saleyards, on Tuesday, May 17, there was a good attendance of local and outside buyers, and the demand for all classes of sheep wa3 very strong. Some two-tooth crossbreds, medium weights, brougliD up to 18s Id. The total entry of stock comprised 7964 sheep, 23 cattle, and 10 pigs, of w hich our eutry comprised 844 sheep and 6 head of dairy cows, whick sold at high prices. The following are the figures obtained:—2OO aged u;css\>red ewes, in lamb, at 12s 6d, 213 crossbred lambs at 10s sd, 369 crossbred lambs at 12s Id. Cattle—Springers, each, £7 7s 6d, £5 4s 6d, £4 15s, £4 6s 6d, £4. We remind our friends that next week's sale is on Monday; we have a large entry (see advertisement). Privately, during the week, we have sold 850 crossbred two-tooths at 14s Sd, 500 store merino wethers at 8s 6d, 500 fat cross bred lambs at owner's reserve. Skin Sale.—On Friday we held our regular sale of skins, hides, and fat. There was a good attendance of buyers, and the competition was better than it has been for some months past, and good value was obtained for all lots offered. Our sales were as follow:—Butchers' crossbreds, 2s sd, 2s lOd, 2s lid, 3s, and 3s 2d ; butchers'merino, Is 3d, Is 6d, Is 81; lamb skins, Is 8d to 3s ; farmers' crossbreds, 2s Id, 2s sd, to 2s 9d : fanners' merino, 10A to Is 6d. Fat and hides at scale rates.

Weather Predictions.

- ♦ ■ [I'fiOM OUR PARIS CORRESPONDENT] Professor Bverne, of Vevey^ has dis covered several rule3 for the prediction of the weather in an old Latin manuscript note-book kept from 1677 to 1799 ~ X. When the winter solstice has nob been preceded nor followed by the usual storms, the following summer will be dry at least five-sixths of the season. 2. Easterly winds on the 19th, 20th and 21st of May indicate a dry summer, and the same is true if the winds from any direction are high on the 25Mi, 20th, and 27th of March. 3. Storms from the east or south-east between the 17fch and 23rd of March indi* cate a wet summer. 4. A wet autumn followed by a mUd winter is the forerunner of a dry cold spring, prejudical to vegetation. 5. A wet; summer almost always pre* cedes a cold stormy winter, because evaporation absorbs the heat of the earth. As a wet summer is favorable to the growth of the black thorn, whenever this; shrub is laden with fruit a sold winbe* may be expected. 0. Whenever migratory birds, e^peci ally the cranes, take flight earJier thai} usual a cold winter may be predicted. ? 7. When September hss been rainy the following May is generally dry ; and when May is dry the follgwing September is. apt to be wet,

8, If during the autumn tlio windsT have been mainly from the south-east, or if the temeprature has been lower than the end of th 3 year, 9. High mnds and storm-clouds can generally be predicted for (Jays before if the atmosphere is noted and the clouds ere fully observed. JO. A mild wet winter always follows ™;»P^™»™ "»«!*• . f . . 11 .If the W period has continued rainy throughout, good weather will fol low for several days followed by another 1 V«° d 1™" aml f VIC? f A j 12 lhe surest indication of good weather is when the heavens seem furl her away from us thM usual.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

PER HESS \SSi ;lATIO>,

LABOR MATTERS.

London May 19. Tn his recent speech' the Marquis of Salisbury in deploring the evils result ing from the labour disputes, insisted that Parliament was unable to remedy the evils. The " Times " referred to the Marquis of Salisbury's remarks on labour matters as being inconsistent, and also declared that his comments ou retali atory measures in connection with the trade of the country wouJd increase the ill effects of a hostile tariff, which can. r«b touch America, which it would be folly to attack European countries. The " Times " goes on to observe that it is a mere dream on the part of Eng land to endorse the lop-sided system of coercive duties and gives warning that the seriousness of the proposal might imperil the unity of the Tories and Unionists. The " Morning Post " sneers at the inelastic rules of the " Cobdenites." The "Telegraph" is rather inclined to approve of the pro posal. The " Standard "is surprised that the Marquis of Salisbury's own followers admit that it is better to omit the proposition from their policy. The " News" contends that the Go vernment are ignonmt of the meaning of free trade, and holds that if Mr Goschen is the backbone of the scheme, he should resign at once. The " Chronicle ' thinks that the introduc tion of pure protection will be followed by a colossal reaction, and probably bring about a dissolution in the ranks of the Unionists.

FATAL HURRICANE.

London, May 20. Intelligence received from Mauritus states that a hurricane has swept the country, destroying half the crops and driving fourteen ships ashore. A large number of deaths are reported.

IRISH AFFAIRS.

Mr Dillon was elected to the office of chairman and Mr Healy to that of director of the " Freeman's Journal" and " National Press" after a dis cussion which lasted for four days. An agrarian murder is reported from Athlone. In the House of Commons Mr Sexton moved the rejection of the Irish Local Government Bill. The debate was ad journed.

DISASTROUS FLOODS.

New York, May 20. Half of Port Louis has been de vastated by floods, The Mississippi and Missouri both overflowed their banks, occasioning great injury to property and numerous deaths. Upwards of one hundred persons were drowned in the floods at lowa. Eight thousand families are homeless.

TERRIBLE EARTHQUAKE.

St. Petersburg. May 20. ; By an earthquake in the Friwau, in the Caucasus, three villages were de stroyed and 26 lives lost.

DUELLING.

Paris, May 19. Roulez, a Parisian club man, fought four duels in succession on Wednesday, and wounded all his opponents severely.

AUSTRALIAN.

LABOR MATTERS.

Sydney, May 20. The Tramway and Railway Associa tions have decided to amalgamate with the Trades Council.

VICTORIAN POLITICS.

Melbourne, May 20. The address in reply has been car ried.

VICTORIAN RAILWAY AFFAIRS

The motion, praying for the removal of the Railway Commissioners will be debated on Wednesday next.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland. May 20. The Board of Education Committee reported in favor of the Technical Educa tion Bill except clauses 3 and 4. Tt is hoped the Bill will pass next session. || The body of a man named Frank Turner was found floating in the harbor this morning. Deceased Itaves a wife and family of two, grown up. Palmerston North, May 20, Mr J. G.. Wilson, M.H.R,, addressed a crowded meeting of his constituents last! night. He adversely criticised the taxation policy of the Ministry, pointing out instances of its unfairness. He strongly condemned withholding the freehold title, contending that the settle ment policy must prove a failure unless settlers were enabled to borrow on the security of their properties, He was frequently applauded during his speech. At ts conclusion Mr Pirani, the defeated candidate at last election, moved a vote J of thanks to Mr Wilson and of confidence in the present Ministry. This was lost by a majority of three to one, and an amendment, of thanks and confidence in iMr Wilson carried amid hearty and prolonged applause, | Masteuton, May 20. A charge of perjury preferred against E. J. Searle, licensee of the Star Hotel, was heard at the E.M. Court this morn* ing. Ic arose out of recent proceedings in the Court, in which Searle was charged with permitting gambling on the pre mises. Col. Roberts R.M., intimated that he was summoned a« a witness ii\ the case and left the Bench. Mr John Gardner J P., who also heard the previous ease, wns summoned .is a witness, but as he had been summoned conjointly in two cases he declined to leave the Bench. Mr Beetham, J.P., also announced that he had received a subpoana from the defence as a witness, but as he had not heard the previous case, and knew absolutely nor thing of it, he therefore decided to ad T judicate. Counsel for the prosecution, declined to adduce evidence, and the case was dismissed. Under these circum stanoes a freeh information will probably be laid,

Wjbmjvgton Miv 20 Captain Romeril, of the stekmer Kaliu, wires from Herber ville tLt he sighted off flying signals of distress. She reported having leffc Newcastle for Lytfcelton on April 28, and had been for six dayswith out water or provisions. He? cargo had sWfted and w f'„ She had k»t marry of her saib, J had drifted from Kaikoura to Ca\Eo n£ The Kahu supplied che vessel wth necessary wants Two ij c and John B ™™< were committed for trial for steal" a watch from « Brown A strange dis^pc-vrance has been re ported to the police, a Mrs McDonald haying been missing for some days. She had been suffering from melancholia for some time. A rather important question came tj fe^ he Board of Reviewers for the liutt District to-day. In the case of staples and Co., for the Central Hotel, assessed at £3000 (improvements £1000) it was urged that the unimproved value be reduced to £700. The owner stated he valued the property at £1500, and did not consider they would get that for it without a license. Mr Campbell, of the ljand lax Department, said the question ol the v*lue of licenses had been dis cussed in the Department, and it seemed to him clear that the fact of the hotel having a license and being a going concern must be considered in fixing its selling value. The Chairman in giving the Board's decision to sustain the valuation, said that he was sorry that there was no appeal in order that the legal aspect of the question might be considered. A mass meeting of Unionists will be held here when the southern labor members arrive. " Mr Seddon received a requisition from Laice County, signed by one hundred, principally miners, asking him to address them on political questions. The Minister was obliged to refuse, owing to the pressure cf business in view of the approaching session. The Manawatu Railway Company ob jficted in the Review Court to the valua tion, £59,310, for a portion of their pro perty in the Horokiwi riding. Mr Crombie admitted that the railway was exempt from the Land tax as a public railway, but, it appeared, was assessable for purposes of local taxation, aud the Board upheld the valuation, which is at the rate of £3000 per mile. .

THE Deeming Murders.

TEK PKESS ASSOCIATION,

j f London, May 18. When Deeming's case came before the Privy Council his solicitor »rged that evidence was forthcoming to show thecondemned man was not responsible for his actions. To this Lord Halsbury, Lord High Chancellor, replied that the Court had nothing to do with affidavits about Deeming's journey to Australia, and went on to say that the Privy Council never interfered with the busi ness of the colonial courts unless the proceedings were irregular or where injustice, which had not been shown to exist in this case, had been done to the appellant. Six Lords concurred with Lo:d Halsbury. Deeming's solicitor prayed Lovd Knutsford to order Lord Hopetoun, Governor of Victoria, to stop the exe cution, but he refused to. do so. s , MiLBOUKNB, May 20. Deeming denies that he confessed to the Windsor crime. His statement ia ready, and has been handed to the gaol governor with a request that it be published after his execution. London, May 20. Tho " Times," referring to Deeming's case said that it had been a failure to discourage the pestilent medical super stition of the fact that insanity is a mixture of morbid sentiment, false psychology, physiology. (Received May21,11.20 a.m.)" London, May 20. Lord Knutsford has refused to con sider Deeming's appeal.

LATEST GABLE NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

I fJKR FH&SS AS3OCIATION]. (Received May 21, 11.20 a.m

OTAGO INVESTMENT COM PANY.

London. May 20. The Otago and Southland Invest ment Company's yearly meeting was held to-day. The Chairman said en quiries were being made as to the prospects of investing at the Cape of Good Hope. A dividend of six per cent was declared.

BULGARIAN RESVOLUTION.

Dalziel s agency has received a tele gram reporting that a revolution hag broken out in Bulgaria, and Prince Ferdinand has been dethroned.

AUSTRALIAN.

(Received May 21, 11.20 a.m.) ; AUSTRALIAN POLITICS Melbourne, May 21. The Retrenchment Committee re commends that the Telegraph and Post Office Departments should be re organised on a plan calculated to save £7Q,00Q per annum, and also suggests the amalgamation of registrars of mines, births and deaths, and electoral departments with the Post Office. Mr Plpyford has had a conference with Mr Shiels, Premier of Victoria, on the subjects- as were discussed with the .New South Wales Ministry, and similar decisions were arrived at. Mr Shiels strongly urged South Australia to again join the Federal Couneil, and Mr Play ford promised to submit the matter to his Cabinet,

Tfl£ ASHBURTOft atfAltlHAff: SATtJRDAt, MAY 1893.



On Tuesday, the Queen's Birthday, the office of this paper will be closed from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. A Sydney po iceman shot himselt because he had incurred the temporary disfavour his superior officers. The defendants in a case heard at Featherstou dismissed their counsel because he was ou too friendly terms with counsel on the other side. Italian emigrants are starving in Queens land. The planters by whom they were engaged, and whose service they left, refused to re-employ them. The New South Wales Minister for Jus tice has decided to recommend the Execu tive to authorise the payment^ of fees to coroners' juries in all cases. Excursion tickets to Dunedin will be issued to-day and up to and including next Tuesday. On Tuesday there will be a cheap excursion to Timavu by train leaving Ashburton at 10.20a.m. The" Otago Daily Times" understands that Air J. R. Scott has received the usual notification from the Government to clear the Ben Ohau run from rabbits. The Hawke'a Bay Jockey Club does not seem to believe in encouraging local indus try. It is importing from England the paint, to ba used in covering its buildings and fences, and has sent to Sydney for de signs for the bracelet it intends to offer a3 a prize. The Inspector of Factories' sought yester day, by proceedings in the R. M. Court at Timaru, to bring boys employed by wool scourers under the ha'f-holiday provisions of the Factories Act, but failed, the R.M. holding that a wool-drying paddock would not come under the definition of a factory. The " Charleston Herald " says that Mr O'Conor was accompanied to the colony by a Swiss nobleman, named Pat OToole, who intends to stare a condensed milk factroy jt WaiinangaroA a3 soon as the people are pre pared to embrace the g«-eat constitutional reforms that are evidently in store for them. A petition has been lodged against the validity of the recent election of members ,of the Rangitata Road Board, as far as it affects Mr F. Peter. The petition wi'l be heard by Mr Wray, R.M., at the Ashburton Courthouse, on Tuesday, May 31. On Tuesday next, Qteen's Birthday, the Ashburton Football Club will play two matches in the Domain—one at eleven o'clock between the Ashburton Club (the picked team in Club's colors) and the Lan caster Park Club, and one at three o'clock between auotlier picked team in red and black colors against the Southbridge Club. It will be a close day at the Domain, and one shilling admits to both matches, children half-price, and ladies free. The opening meeting of the Ashburton Primitive Methodist Bind of Hops was held on Thursday evening, when between thirty and forty were present, and twelve new members were enrolled. Mr J. W. Hardley cpened the meeting and gave an appropriate address. Mrs C. Davis presided at the organ, and several hymns were sung from Hoyle's Hymn Book. Mr C. Davis closed the* meeting after announcing that a social would take place at the next meeting and a large programme would be rendered. The Wanganui pipers report the death o Mrs Smith, the wife of Mr Allied Smith, manager of the Wang-mui branch of the Bank of New Zealand, and formerly of Ash burton. The death took place at Mary hank, the residence of Mr Smith, on Tues day morning. The deceased lady had been in a weak state of health for some time before her return to Wanganui. She leaves one child, a daughter. Mrs Smith will be mourned by a large circle of friends here a3 well as iu Wanganui—her na +ivc place ; and wide-spread sympathy will be felt for the bereaved husband. Colonial legislators who find a diffi culty in the munigement of their "h's" form a long list, from Sir Henry Parkes to Sir Graham Berry downwards. The fault is not thought much of in our Assembly, but education is spreading amongst our young people, and therefore there was a general titter when, as the mayor of the city, an M.L.A. commenced his duty of distributing the prizes at the State school thus : "To Henunx Heavens, for hcxcellence iu hevening hexercises," which was not diminished when he added : " I 'ope I shall not 'at re to call upon rhe 'ed teacher to 'elp me in keeping horuer."—" Argus " The Sydney correspondent of the "Catho lic Times " say3 that Mr Williar. Epp.?, who has supplanted Mr WhiteUy King as tho best-abused mm in New South Wales, has recently discharged "a great public duty, " and the newspapers are applauding him with • due reservation. Purging electoral rolls wa3 the trouble, Mr E|.ps being the secre tary of the National Association. Dead men, it seems—dead theae ten years—ivive been in the habit of voting at elections, and among numerous other instances of public abuse conspicuous is the circumstance that four peop'e were registered as living in a house, Avhich house was pulled down years ago 1 . The plot of ground surrounding the Presbyterian Church, Geraldinc, has been in a very swxmpy state for some time past, but ou Wednesday a " shingling bqe was formed and, with the use of tip drays and teams lent by members of the church, in a i-ery short time (says the "Tcmuka Leader") the whole swamp was under shingle. It would have done a navvy's heart good to see the hearty way in which the energetic minister, the energetic elders, and the energetic mem bers, and others used their long-handled shovels. They must have used them well, for we have not heard of anyone's eye being poked out or of any windows broken. .After " the work was completeda good lunch was partaken of by all at the Manse. : An interesting page of old New Zealand history is opened up by the following paragraph in the " New Zealand Herald": —"Fifty-two years ago last Saturday (7th of May, 1840) the missionary brigantine Trinton entered the Hokiauga harbour with a parry cf Wefleyan missionaries, some of whom'were bound for Fiji and Tonga, but the greater portion for New Zealand. The former were the Revs F. Wilson and G. Keven for Tonga, and the Rev T, Williams for Fiji, and their wives; and the latter were the Revs T. Buddie and H. H. Turton and their wives; and the three .voung men the Revs George Buttle, Gideon Smale, and John Aid red. It js not remarkable, consider ing the lapse of time and the incidence of travel and exposure, that only two out of the party are still spared, They are the Pev Gideon finale, of East Tamaki, and the Rev John Aldred, of Canterbury. The original party, however, have altogether supplied a goodly number of colonists for this and the other colonies of these seas." At Hobart this season the mail steamers of both the P. and 0. and the Orient lines have secured large cargoes of fruit, ranging from 2800 to 24,000 cases, three vessels having taken upwards of 20,000cases each. In all nearly J 16,000 cases of fruit have been taken by thes.e two lines. Some other large shipments, such as 31,000 casjs by the s.s. Elderslie, 20,000 by the s.s. Port Pirie, 14,000 by the s.s. Port Vicior, and smaller consignments, bring this year's exports of fruit from Hobart to London to upwards of 170,000 cases. As showing the growth of this trade, it way be mentioned that three years since the import of apples jlnto England from Hobart was some 30,000 Iqshe's; in tha year follow ing (1890) the figures had risen to 40,000. Last j cap th§ importation rb.se to 140,000 bushels, and fclils year it is over 170,000. It has been estimated in Hobapt that next year's total will be close on 300,000 cases. Support Local Industry. — The Lozenges, Jujubes, Comfits, and London Mixtures manufactured by Auisbbrook and (Jo. are equal fco best imported • A goed safety manufactured by the firm for £15 15s is wonderful value. The te'e graphic address is Saville, Christchurch- The world is ever moving on towar 1 perfection, bubseldom attains ifc. Constant i improvement is being made in every , branch of industry, but in Baking Powders Perfection has been reached in Warburfcon's Can t Be Beat. Ninian, Hysjop and Co.'s "Imperial" pure Caylon and Indian T§w **re direct [ rom the plantation. Adyt. .Ninuu Hys >,> and Co's', Imperial Pure Ceylon am Indian Teag i\i9



Keating's Cough Lozenges cure Couchs Asthma, Bronchitis. Medical testimony spates that no other medicine is so effectual m the cure of those dangerous maladies. One lozenge alone gives ease, one or two at bedtime ensures rest. For relieving difficul ty of breathing they are invaluable. They contain no opium nor any violent druv. Sold by all Chemists in tins Is |d and &9d each The Best Remedy foh Indigestion- Norton's Camomile Pills are confidefltv recommended as a simple remedy for tndigestion, which is the cause of nearly all the diseases to which we are subjects* Norton's Pills, with justjce called the • Natural Strengthener of the Human Stomach," act as a powerful tonic and genUt* perient, are mild in their operation! ant! sife under any circumstances. Sold in bottles, at Is lid, 2a 9d, Us, by all mediciue vendors throughout the w«ii', Hare Healthy Children by uoirisli n» them with Aulsebrook ai-d. Co's Arrow" Qpfc 13isouiN. Important to Cycijsts. — A eood Safety Bicycle for £15 ISs. Repaired Uycle accessories at exceptionally lew rates at SAviLtifs " Calliope" Cycle Works, UQ. Colour street, ChS



Holloway's Pills. —With darkening days nid changing temperatures the digestion becomes impared, the liver disordered, and the mind despondent, unless the cause of the irregularity be expelled from the blood and tody by such an alternative as these pills. rlhey directly attack the source of the evil, thrust out all impurities from the circulation, restore the distempered organs to their natural state, and correct all defective or contaminated secretions. Such an easy means o: instituting health, strength, and cheer fulness should be applied by all whose stomachs', are weak, whose minds are harassed, or whose brains are overworked. Holloway's is esentially a blood tempering medicine, whereby its influence reaches tie remotest fibre of the frame and effects a niversa! good. COLBMANB AND SONS EUCALYPTE Ex tract is the only genuine in the market, and was a warded medals and diplomas at Sydney, Melbourne, and"Adelaide, beating all competitors. For all affections of the Chest and Lungs, Consumption, Asthma, Coughs, Colds, Gravel, and Kidney Com plaints, ifc has no equal, Agents™ Ashburton Drug Company. Cracknkll a,nd. Digestive Biscuits foe Invalids are unsurpassed, njade by



LOCAL AND GENERAL. Before Mr David Thomas, J.P. this morn ing, Mary Petty, a woman with a tremen dously long record of pravious convictions, was sentenced to two months' imprisonment with having been drunk at the Railway Station and asmn obscene language. The Winchester people believe in the policy of relf-reliance, A man, named John Breen, was detected pilfering fjegm a store there, and instead of telegraphing (collect) for the constable they, according to the " Leader," bom A the man hand and foot and carted him to the Temuka lock-up. Statutory Declaration. —I, Franz Rnabe, Ironbark, Sandhurst, in the colony of Vic torja, Australia, do solemnly and sincerely declare that on the 25th June, 1877, my son | Alfred, six yca*s $i age, was accidentally hurt with an axe on his kneta, lat once took all pains to secure medical assistance, JJow evcr, in spite of all efforts, on the fcyth August, 1877, the opinion was given by Dr Mac"illiyj'ay that an amputation of the injured limb had become imperative, in order to save life. At thjs juncture I called en i Messrs Sander and Sons, procuring some of ! their Extract of Eucalyptus Globulus, and by the application of the same I had he satisfaction of seeing my sow within a fort night out of all danger, and to-day he s recovered. I may just add that It was when the crisis had been reached that the Bxtv&ct referred to was first applied, and I make thin oleum declaration, etc —Franz Raabk Declared afc Sandhurst, in the colony of Victoria, Australia, fchJß seventeenth day of October, one tliousa»di ejght hundred and seventy-seven, before me, Mor.it* tiofejl* J P>



QUKKN'S BIRTHDAY, MAY 24. j ADVERTISEMENTS for Tuesdays Guardian must be handed in not later than 10 a.m. on that day. This Office willbe CLOSED from Ip.m. to 6 p.m.



Public Notices. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. r^tOOD News for the Winter-Best T Makes in Dn^lisli and Colonial BLANKETS at reduced prises.-Nbav Zealand Clothing Factory. • JUGS— Opossum, Roslyn, Mosgie!, r\j &c, in endless variety.—New Zba&ano Clothing Factory. /TtIiOTHING-You will find it to your \J/X advantage to buy your Men's and Boys' Clothing from us. capital assortment and prices rit»ht.— Nkw Zba f AJp» Clothing Factoky. QvKr\ PairsMen'sTweedTßOUSEßS 4UU at Ba, just opened, good value. Kkw ZEAtAND Clothing Factoky. /^1 ENTS' HATS—If you wish to look \Jf well, buy your HATS from the Nkw Zealand Clothing F^ctoky. The lastesfc shapes and colours to hand. V'T'aLU'.'j Unequalled in Overcoats, V Waterproofs, Waterproof Riding Aprons, Waterproof Ponchos, Bicycle Capos and Le«<ring«i, Waterproofs made to...measure.—New Zkaland Ctatmau Factoky, Waterproof Manufacturers. f^\ ENTLEMKN'S NftturalWool Under- VjT cloihiti'jr, " rocomtncnded by the faculty." Winter «hipinenls fo hand. .lnsp-qti'>n Irivi'-.cd — New Zbaland '"!|/i -V ■■*■■■: F'.OTOi-iY. ZaALAND CL'^TH NG FACTORY. W. 11. kVBBUBit, Miiuayej". \^.>nts bj\



Wanted. CASH Advertisements w** jg heading not exceeding hIXTfcB.N WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be Mtat thia Officfl____________--- Pair Sp«*«dj" g J_5Q • -fcLrAKTED^NOWN" the Rev Mr W WoXsswiU preach at the Pnmi ti«e Methodist Church to-morrow morn- Wandteniug, and in the rfcetnoon^t Whtatstone. WwUwn Church T Ashburton, Mr Booth will prejea « ev.ening, (subject. r<*x V, „ P.*ce f rom another stfin"P°^____ TUTANTF.D KNOWN-Sons of Tcm- VV p» ( monthly meetin*, Man day, 23?d inst. All members urgently requested to attend. ___________ 1 OA NEW Volumes just wlded to my IOU Circulating Lib-ary. Subscrip tion 3* 6d quarter ; 100 <kl per annum. H.M.JojtiES. W' ANTED KNOWN-Barrettßbos. will open in Tancred street next week, a well Ported Stock of General sLe>y and clothins- An IMpSiS cordially invited. __________:'_-■ SELLING -OUT-Furniture, Fancy ' Goods and Buildin? Timber at great reductions.-Jambs Bakkk, opposite Harrison's auction rooir.s. _____J^._ Tl^ ANTED Known.- The nicest stock VV of New Winter Di-ess Goods, Unties, Millinery, &*, h at S. VV Hookn and Oo.'a 6 w Known—Dr Scott's cele It brated Electric Corsets can only til obtained in Ashburton at \V. 11. t^tutt'n, "The Corner." __ WANTED, purchasers of Blankets, Flannrfs, and General Drapery to remomber that Best Value in the trade %at i?i W. Alcorn and Co.'s_ 50l tirANTKD Known.—lf you want W plenty of first class Drapery, Boots and Clothing fir cash, come to jjSford Housejale^H. 0. Bwm. • i-TrrANTED Known —t have a large VV - stock of Tin and Ironware Goods a select from. Register Grates, Stoves, °brtable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging mfr in stock.—J. W. Hauolby, East "TT7 ANTED Known. - Come and see W the Bargains now on at Melford Hknwe.- H. C. Sbobrs. _______ __ tJOMERSET Meat Mart. The oldest, O the krt'est, the best, and the cheap e *t. Smdl G.>ods a specialty. Full weiaht* guarantee^l. A trial solicited. _W. J. Simjook. n}™ HlTrtNGTON'S^Tomito Sauce, together with testim >nials, may be'seea at lias Jambs', Fruitarer, Eist Street, and Mas PriAK^ou's, Fruiterer, WAkanui R">ad, where ordew will he received and prices ?iven. o lba /CHOICEST new season's Figs and \J Cartoon Table Dates in 31b Boxes, 2s each. -H. G. Flows*, Confectioner, East street. AN rracTkSOWN. -25!) Ljdies Maidi' and Children's Ulsters •id J aefcets (mosfelygood qualities) marked cheap to clear. Many one third and half the ucual price.—H. C. Seqsrs, Mulford House. . _ WANTED KNOWN, (Jr:m.l display of new Millinery, Ulsters,, ami Jackets, at most reasonable prices at •■The Corseo..' A"~ LL Wool Colonial Twoeil Suits to measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed; from 50. owh. Kobw-i iIJDORK, Asbburhon Clothing Mar«, Saunders' Buildings. WANTED~known— That you will make no mistake for quality *w\ variety in English and 0 n.mial Boots, aim his hiffhly reputed make !.y calli us? at J. Moison's. Durin? cotnins l«'»lniftVs clif oountfor Cash. Itopair.s done at once. A staff of men always kept and best material and workmanship guarantee I. >VO Meet the Times.—l am supplying JL Galvanised Iron Tanks from ,HM upwards, warranted for twenty year*. Force pumps, deep well cylinders of all descriptions. Inspection i"vi«fd.-» J. W. HARM.BY, Eatt street. t>}2ol BALL Dresses, Kvenins? fHov^, Mopntsin Silver and Gold, Mutts, Fur Collarettes, Ladies' Evening ShDes. Inviaorator Coraetn, with stra-a, Y and ]S Zone and all other makes, just opsned.—Andrew Obr. * °7 ,n.i i ■ "" " * /7\ ENUINE SALE, to reduce Stock, YjT previous to Stock-taking. Books Stationerj S&^s&eeKf&mSlfrrdfflr _...-*•«*C'a'ocTa variety of other goods too numerous to particularise. All goods Reduced in Price for Cash during this month.— L. F. Andrewks amd Co. Stationer's Hall, Ashburton.