MAIL NOTICES.

I Mails close for the following places as under, subject to the necessary alterations :•—

WEDNESDAY, May 11. For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe via Brindisi (specially addressed cor respondence only), Point de Galle, India China, Japan, &c, and also for Australian colonies, perexpress (to connect with s.s. Talune at Port Chalmer*), at 15.30 p.m. ; late fee letters, guard's van on express, 12.55 p.m. WEDNESDAY, May 18. For United Kingdom, Continent of Europe and America, and |Wesb Indies (via San Francisco), Sandwich Islands, etc., and also for Northern Ports New Zealand, per Taka puna, as follows : —Ordinary letters, books, and newspapers, 0.550 p.m.; registered letters, 5 p.m. ; money orders, 3 p.m.; late fee letters express van, 6.55 p.m. This mail la due in London on June 22. ! ENGLISH MAILS. ' HOMEWARD —DIR7SCT MAILS. Doric, left April 2, due London May 12. 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 May 14, due London June 24. SAN FRANCISCO MAILS. Mariposa, left April 22, due London May 23. Monowai, leaving Auckland May 21, mail due London June 22. OUTWARD—DIRECT MAIL 9

Rimutaka, due colony May 16 ---BAN FRANCISCO MAILS. Alameda, dus colony May 20.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, MAY 9, 1892. CURRENT TOPICS.

The defeat of the Government candidate for the Bruce seat is no doubt a " facer," but it must not be forgotton that the victorious candidate, Mr Allen, professed the most liberal of liberal opinions on the land question, and is personally one of the most popular men in Otago. Mr Smith, on the other hand, though deservedly respected in Dunedin, brought upon himself a storm of unpopularity in the country districts by his attitude on the " bags question " —a proposal by grain buyers that sacks should be weighed in with the grain they contained and paid for at the same rate, instead of the net weight of grain being paid for with sacks extra. His present declara tion that in return for his pledge to support the Roman Catholic education claims he would receive the Catholic block vote lost him many votes. The Dunedin "Star" (Opposition) says that " the presumption—from his own injudicious utterances at tha commence ment of the contest—that he was to be thus supported did him an infinity of harm is beyond question. The old Covenanter spirit was stirred up among the sturdy country settlers, who consequently rolled up in such numbers as they have never done at any previous election." Things altogether seem to have been curiously mixed at the election, for the Auckland corres pondent of the " Otago Daily Times " says that among some warm congratu latory telegrams received by Sir George Grey upon his recent manifesto upon political affairs was ove which declared that the Bruce electors "have nobly upheld his principles."

A dead set is being made against larrikinisra, and in this the authorities should have the sympathy and encouragement of every decent citizen. The street corners of even this quiet town have too long been infested with bands of boys who have found amuse ment in offending by words and acts the passers by. Passengers of the female sex were generally selected as subjects for molestation, and rude jostling and insulting and obscene remarks were persistently applied to them. We have been glad for some time past to notice thafc the police have endeavoured to keep the larrikins moving, and it is satisfactory to see that in jOhiistchurch the magistrate has strengthened the hands of the police by inflicting exemplary punishments npon gome culprits brought before him. There has been too great a tendency to look upon the misconduct of young lads as merely the harmless exuber ance of their animal spirits —which is probably the reason that the evil has become intolerable—but these lads will know mow that this view of their peccadilloes is no longer held,

The sensitive gentlemen who com plain of the resemblance of the carriage way of the Aehburton bridge to a corduroy road did not; meet with much sympathy from the members ot th£ County Council. The latter gentle. -men appeared rather to think that everybody should be thankful tfcey had.

I a bridge to pass over, and there were : many somewhat sarcastic allusions to the " luxurious tendencies of the age." Certainly, when the complaints first arose there were some very bumpy bits on the bridge, but these have been partially worn down by the traffic, and passengers who drive at a moderate pace have not much to grumble at. Fast driving rather than the roughness of the bridge is the cause of the jolting whi^h is now experienced. To any ' one who examines the bridge it is evident, however, that before very long the decking will have to be com pletely renewed, and it might be worth the while of the local bodies interested to consider whether it would be practicable to do this work earlier than is at present contemplated, using J the existing timber to repair as required the many minor bridges in the County.

After a slight lull the subject of irrigation has again cropped up, and in a way that gives hope of the system being soon locally if not generally adopted. Mr Brown has asked for estimates to be prepared of the cost of the application of a complete system of irrigation to certain parts of the Wakanui district, and the County Engineer has been instructed to furnish them. We may safely assume that Mr Brown did not take this step with out being assured that the land-owners in the locality would carry out the work if the cost was in a reasonable ratio to the benefits to be derived from it, and therefore we may hope soon to see a practical demonstration, on an ex tensive scale, of the system. Many farmers contend that irrigation cannot be applied to grain crops, but even if the water cannot be used when the grain is in an advanced stage of growth, it is very valuable when applied to the land before ploughing. A writer in the " Australasian " says that Ameri can experience in such matters goes to show that the proper time to use water for irrigating cereals is before the land is ploughed, and not when the crops are growing. When applied at this period, irrigation is found to be not only practicable, but highly profitable. It enables the fanner to plough his land at a proper season of the year, and by getting the seed sown early the success of the crop is virtually assured. Many a time have we seen farmers unable to get on with their ploughing because of the drought hardened state of the land, and in such circumstances irrigation would be very valuable.

The question who was the rightful owner of the title of Earl of Stamford is one of the romances of the peerage. It is not of old existence, the Rev Harry Grey, the eighth Earl (a cousin of Sir George Grey) dying so recently as 1890. His nephew, the Rev William Grey, who was formerly a clergyman in New Zealand and also a professor of Barbadoes University, succeeded to the title, the late Earl being supposed to have died unmarried, and he having been recognised as heir. Shortly after his accession, however, a statement was made that the late Earl had married one of his African servants—he resided at the Cape of Good Hope—and had left issue, two children, a son and a daughter; and the son claimed the title—very little property was involved. The House of Lords decision is in favor of the Bey W. Grey, who contended that the alleged marriage was invalid and the offspring! therefore illegitimate, _ a decision which is in accord with popular opinion at Home.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A rumor has been recently circulated that Hall, the Timuru poisoner, had dis appeared from the Auckland gaol, and been smuggled away to San Francisco by the Alameda steamer, another prisoner in gaol impersonating him. The " Post" is assured by the authorities that there is not the smallest foundation for the very absurd story. The " Napier Telegraph " says :—" It was stated some years ago that one of the largest waterfalls in the North Island fell into an inaccessible part of the Eangitikei River, running through the inland P;it-;a district, and Maoris who live up near that locality believe to this day that such a thing exists. Recent investigation by a surveyor, who has just completed surveying a portion ot the vast Awarua block, goes to show that the whole thing is a myth, and that not a sem blance of a waterfall exists there. What has deceived the Maoris to a great extent, besides the original fabrication, is the roar of the rapids, which run down at a great rate for fully seven miles." The Ministry, according to the Wellington gorrespondent of the "New Zealand Herald" have resolyed to try the novel experiment of combining industrial schools with silkworm farming. Mr Ballance, with the concur i rence of the Minister of Lands, proposes to ( grow mulberry tree 3on the Government agricultural i'ATm at Whangarei. When sufficient food of the right sort can be pro cured in requisite quantity ifc is proposed lo draft children from the industrial schools in the colony to this new industrial institution to have them instructed in the treatment of silkworms, and under a properly qualified expert to have them made familiar with all the processes .connected with the production of a silk crop. Police Serge in t O'Bonovan was recently removed from Stafford, Westjand, to Wai. pawa, Tlie Chinese of Stafford have, through fche local postmaster, sent him a compli mentary letter and several presents of Chine c manufacture for himself and his wife. The letter is in Chinese, but a translation is attached, and this says :—"Tht}y hopg you will accept their kindest wishes iav the future, and that you may be happy and prosperous. And they also hope you will sometimes' think of the Chinamen with a kindly feeling, wh<* though they are of a different race, have hearts to feel friendship and judge an honest, kind-hearted man, and such you have proved to them, They now sign themselves your faithful Chinese friends." Jfc in announced that arrangements bavo been completed for the transfer of the business of the Union Insurance Company to the Alliance Fire and Marine Insurance Companies of London. The exact terms of that arrangement have not transpire 1, but it is stated that the shareholders in the Union Company will receive about 30s a share for their shares. As these shares are worth at present about 595, this will mean ] a bonus of £50,000 over the present pjrice of the shares. The business wjll be con-, tinued, under the new Companies, with the present Board of Directors and with %c | present managers and staff. The Alliance Fire and the Alliance Mariano Companies are two of the most substantial and rayo«rably known of the Insurance Com panies in England. Lord Rothschild is Chairman, of both, with a strong Board of Directors for each, ' Both Companies were founded in 1824. The Alliance Fpe Assurance Company has a subscribed capital of £5,000,000 and a paid up'capital of £ 550,(^), and jts assets are £3,450,000. The Alliance Marine Association has a subscribed capital of £1,000,080, a paid up capital of £350,00(5, affli fc» assets ar*e £450,000. ,„, Support Local Industry. — ihe Lozenges, Jujubes, Comfits, and London Mixtures manufactured by Aulserkook AM> Co. are equal to bes imported*

A notice requesting settlers in tne Raugi tata Road District, whose names are not upon the ratepayers' roll, to send in their claims for enrolment, appears in our adver tising columns. The Income Tax Commissioner has deci ded that where a business haa loft a debit balance the previous year, the loss cannot be deducted from last year's balance. . The house of Mrs Heywood, widow of the Rev Mr Heywood at Remuera, was burglariously entered on Friday, and a quantity of jewellery stolen. There is no clue to the perpetrators. It was reported in Timarn on Saturday (accordingto the " Lyttelton Times") that a Christchurch syndicate will to-day sign " contract to float the steamer Elginshire off the Normanby reef and place her in the Lyttelton Dock. The price it is said, is to be 40 per cent of the value of the vessel. Acceptances and entries for Geraldine races close to-morrow evening. The advertisement states that the acceptances for the trot is 10a not 15s. as in sheet programmes. We again remind those interested that the telegraph office at Geraldine is not open after 5 pm. On Sunday morning about nine o'clock a stack of wheat at Springfield, Methven, the property of Mr Duncan Cameron, was ■ destroyed by fire. Fortunately the fire was noticed in time to save the adjoining stacks. It was without doubt the work of an incen diary, who it is to be hoped will be detected and punished. The loss is fully covered by insurance. At the R.M. Court, South Rakaia, to-day before MessrsC. A. C. Hardy and and L. Oxley J.P.s, a youthful couple were charged with committing an offence in a public place and pleaded guilty. They were committed and ordered to come up for sentence when called on. Mads Johnson, for breaking open a case and stealing schnapps from Howell's Hotel, received seven days hard labour. Mr H. Dobson, and old and esteemed settler, who has for years been foremost in the public affairs of Marlborough, suddenly and unexpectedly expired on Saturday night at Blenheim from the effects a paralytic stroke. The deceased was one of the oldest Nelson settlers, arriving at the time of the New Zealand Company's settlement, For yeara he represented the Wairau electorate in Parliament, and was always esteemed in political circles for his wise consuls and sound common sense. His sudden death has cast a deep gloom over the community. Mr Doddon was uncle to Mrs W. B. Denshire of Ashburton. The saltwater fishing industry received some attention at the hands of " Renata ta Iha Tangata" in last week's " Otago Witness." The writer deals with the question from a practical point of view, and makes some useful hints as to the beat methods of overcoming the obstacles which at present block the progress of the industry. In dealing with the various fish ing grounds he places the West Coast Sounds in the premier position, while Stewart Island he seems to regard as over rated, and classes it as only really good for blue cod. He advocates the establishment of guano works in connection with the fisheires, and points out that an average groper of 50lbs will produce half a gallon of oil, if in good condition, and 20lb guano, or 33 worth of produce for a fish that can be caught for Is. Apropos of the recent discussion in the North Canterbury Hospital Board on the supply of liquor to patients, the following statement of the average cost per head of the liquor supplied to patients in the hospitals throughout New Zealand will be interest ing : — Wanganui, 3d ; Greytown, 3|d ; Putea, 5Jd; Waipawa, 8d ; Oamaru, Is 3£d; Thames," la s|d; Napier, Is 9£d; Arrow town, Is 9^d ; Masterton, Is 10£ d ; Timaru, 2s ; Akaroa, 2s o|d; Auckland, 2s 6|d; Waikato, 3sO|d ; Wellington, 3s l|d 5 Crom- | well, 3s B.Jd ; Blenheim, 3s 9d ; Gisborne, 3s 9|d ; Coiomandel, 3s 9|d ; Ashburton, 3s 10|d ; New Plymouth, 33 ll^d; Dunstan, 4s 3^d ; Kumara, 4s 6d; Dunediu, 4a BJd ; Christchurch, 4s lO^d ; Pic ton, 4s llgd ; Hokitiki, 5s l|rl j Lawrence, 5s IOJd ; Westport, 6s 3J.i ; Reef; 0:1, 6s 6£d; Nelson, 7s B£d; Naseby, 9a 4|d; Charleston, 10s 9d; Waimate, 103 llfd; Grey River, 12s 2d ; Inverca gill, 13s 2|d. Two reminiscences of prison life, as re porhed to the Wellington " Evening Press" by a public officer, are worth reproducing. One man serving a term for forgery of a cheque for a small amount suffered exquisite torture. Not that his conscience troubled him, but he was hurt by the jeers of his fellow-criminals at his unprofessional career in getting himself run in over such a small job. Another, a sheep stealer, who had practised successfully for many years, but was caught at last, and was now doing a three years' term, observed complacently to a warder with whom he was on good terms : "Well, I've got a few acres,'a good house, and a comfortable bank account, all in the wife's name I think when I get out. I'll gi^e up the game and live on my sayings. I've done pretty well in the business." One of the prophets who has arranged for the disappearance of the earHi from the solar system on April 11, 1901, was lecturing to a select audience in a metropolitan suburb on the complete arrangements for which he and his collaborating prophets have made to ensure the success of the catastrophe, when a listener rose and asked whether the soothsayer was prepared to hand over all the property he possessed to a charitable institution on the date just mentioned. The prophet answered that such a proceed ing would be useless, because after the fatal 11th nobody would be living to benefit by any money. " Never mind that," replied the sceptic ; "in case any poor people do survive your property may be very useful to them, and I and another gentleman here will be glad to act as trustees. So make out the deed. ' But the prophet, like another person whose courage was not equal to his professions, "went away grieved, for he had great possessions." The deed was nob made out, and the lecturer left the meeting. The perpetrator of the several heartless hoaxes in which, by fictitious messages, letters, and fraudulent medical certificates, Jadies an<J others, terrified by false reports of accidents having happened to relatives, were induced to give the fellow money to provide aid to the proposed sufferers, has been brought to justice in Melbourne. At the St Kilda Police Court Jacob Dovale, alias Joso Ulvarey, alias J. A, Carroll, was brought up on five charges of having obtained money by fraudulent means. The evidence of S. J&coby was to the effect that the prisoner brought to him the news that Mr Robert Litton, consul-general for Uraguay, fyad fallen down an elevator in Melbourne and was seriously hurt, He pre sented Mr Litton's card, on the back of tfrhich was a request, signed "Dr Elliott, 1 £hat preparations for the reception of the patienj; should be made, and splints, sponges, <$rc\, provided. Witness directed his daughter to give fche bearer what money he required, and rushed off to br«ak the ill tidings to Mrs Litton. That lady has nofc yet recovered from the shock received on hearing the terrible news. Mr Litton's card had been obtained by fraud, and there was no "Dr Elliott" practicing in Melbourne. In tlje second case Mrs L,empriere deposed th\t she was accosted near her home by the prisoner, who informed her that her husband had been run over by a tram. He ptoduced a letter from "Dr 'illiobt," asking for £5 for expenses. This amount was given to the prisoner, and the necessary preparations were made for the reception of her husband, who, however, arrived $fc home later on quite well. Another similar ptoty wag related to Mrs G. Maistre. The chairman of the Jtench sentenced the prisoner to twelve months' imprisonment, with hard labour, on each charge, cumulative. The other cases were withdrawn.

POLITICAL

THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL AT WINTON. PElt PP.ESS ASSOCIATION,) Invercaegill, May 6. The Hon. Mr Ward, Postmaster- General, addressed his constituents in Winfcon to night. He was accompanied by the Premier, the Minister of Lands, Messrs Earnshaw, Kelly, and Macintosh, M.H.R's. Mr Wilson, mayor of the borough presided, and the hall was packed. Mr Ward had a great reception, a brass band heading tho procession to the hall. The first portion of his speech consisted of a defence of the Government's taxation policy, accompanied by numerous examples of the amounts paid by large estates under the Property tax and the Land tax, showing that taxation under the latter would be very much heavier. Speaking of his own Department he said that a reduction of the telephone charges had caused a small loss of £1707 as com pared with the revenue of the previous A reduction of the foreign letter postage had given an increase of 23 per cent of inward correspondence, and 88 of outward. The revenue lasfc year was £300,422, and if the department took credit for work done for other depart ments, the revenue over the expenditure would-have been £134,328. The actual surplus was £52,686. The following motion was carried unani mously :—"That this meeting thank the Hon. Mr Ward for his ab)e address, expresses its confidence in him as the member for Awarua, and heartily sup ports the policy and administration of the present Government." His explanations re Land and Income and Absentee tax were particularly well received. The banquet was the largest ever held in Southland, two hundred and fifty being present. Great enthusiasm prevailed, the Premier, the Minister of Lands, and Postmaster-General being accorded a splendid reception. Visitors were pre sent from all parts of the district, a special train taking up most of the leading business men of Invercargill. The party returned to town at 4.30 a.m.

The Dobson-Kennedy Company.

"THE LANCASHIRE LASS."

Notwithstanding that H. J. Byron's striking play was produced by the Dobson-Kennedy Company on a Saturday night, not by any means (judging by past experience) the best night for a good | house in Ashburton ; notwithstanding also ' that during the afternoon and portion of the evening it had been raining " cats and dogs," there was an audience in the hall that wasagreeablydisappointing. The back seats were very well filled indeed, the the front seats had a fair number of occupants of the right class of people, while the second seats were also repre sented. The play is one eminently suited for Saturday night representation. It requires a large number of players to fill the cast, and in this instance two of the leading members had to assume dual characters—Mr J. J. Kennedy, perhaps the hardest working, as he is decidedly he most experienced of the Company, taking the "party by the name of Johnson," and the character of " Sergeant Donovan," while Miss Irene Thornton undertook the parts of "Kate Garrston," the gipsj girl, and "Fanny Danville," the daughter of the millionaire. The characters are widely diverse, and their proper pourtrayal, as was Che case in the hands of Miss Thorn tun, proves the possession of a versatility not met with on the stage every day. The part of the infatuated gipsy girl, strong in her love as in her hate, and fierce in her thirst for revenge, is an exceeding difficult part to play, but Miss Thornton's talent, was equal to the task, and she gave us an interpretation of the part that the author himself could scarcely have cavilled at. The transition from such a 'character as this tj the mild simpering, almsst silly Fanny Danville was as sudden as the two characters are far removed, but Miss Thornton was as much at home in the one as in the other, and the floral honors she received, as well as the vociferous ap plause must have been very gratifying to her. "Ruth Kirby," fell of course to Miss Lily Hill. Iv this part which is the lead ing female character of the piece, Mis* Hill had a most difficult duty to dis charge, and well she did her work. A village maiden—daughter of an illiterate farmer--the simple "Ruth" is first wooed by "Ned Clayton," a carpenter (Mr Collet Dobson) to whom she gives her heart, and then me^ts with another lover in the person of "Redburn" the villain of the piece. This blackguard, aided by the gipsy girl, who, unsuccessful in win ning Ned's love, desires to be revenged upon him, wins Ruth's affections, and she is persuaded to write a letter to Redburn, promising to elope with him. This letter falls into the hands of Ruth's father, and is read to him by Ned—not, however, as written by Ruth, but; as a letter under such circumstances should have been written by a woman who had already be come the affianced wife of another man- a letter declining Redburn's overtures. This version of the letter saves Ruth's good name, but the dis covery of his fiancee's perfidy breaks the carpenter's heart, and he starts on a downward career of dissipation. The play is long, and a full description of it would be too great a tax on our space, suffice it to say that Miss Hill shone out prominently throughout all the trying scenes in the story—specially so in her defence of her husband in the prison scene where she aided his escape, and m the Australian bush scene, when his life is threatened by Redburn, now a convict trying i;o escape. She was twice called before the curtain, and received a shower of bouquets. Mr Dobson was quite successful in Ned, and Mr Frank Norton's " Redburn " was as nearly perfect as one could wish it. In the first part of the play, when appearing as the scheming rogue, he dressed the part of a good looking man about town ; but the change fr- m this to the hunted down wretch who h\. Uik last act had escaped from a prison gang, was complete, Mr Kennedy, need we say, kept the audience now in a roar Of laughter, now in a simmer of merriment all through the piece, and his scenes with Jellick (Alf Tngleson) the turnkey, Redburn, the rogue, and Danville, the millionaire, while grotesquely humorous were offcQn pathetic in the extreme. Joe Kennedy's "Spotty" W also an amusing character, and helped to keep up the fun, while Mr Douglas's " Danville " was a contribution of finished acting. The rest of the characters were also well filled, and the special scenery produced was a show in itself To-night the pieces underlined are "Pygmalion and Galatea," and j* O'GaltegVm on nis Lasfc Legs" while on Tuesday, an extra night Pipn Boucicault's masterpiece, A Colleen Bawn," will occupy the stage.

The Anderlues Colliery Disaster.

A terrible explosion of fire-damp occurred on March 11, in No, 3 pit of the Andeilues colliery, in the province of Hainauf.. Such was the violence of the explosion that its effects were felt even at the mouth of the pit, and both the cable and the cage were blown to pieces, and the ventilator was shattered There were three hundred men at work in the mine at the time, of wham forty escaped by JNo. 2 pi*, and .sixteen have been brought out alive, but so terribly injured that there is little hope of their recovery. There appears little doubt that the explo sion was the work nf Anarchists. A further eximination of the scene of the outrage shows that the damage was caused by a bomb charged with a power ful explosive and scrap iron, fragments of which w ere found in a hole made by the explosion in the wall of the landing. The scene at Anderlues on Sunday night was one never to be forgotten. A.n immense sheet of snow extended as far as the horizon, sparkling in the light of che moon, which shone with remarkable splendour in the pure blue sky. Through out the nishfc there was no falling off in the crowd at the pit's mouth. They stood in groups, some silently weeping, others uttering heartrending lamentations. In the faces of all there was a look of con sternation and painful anxiety. Each time that the cage came up the shaft the crowd surged against che barrieis, and scenes occurred which looked as if the entire multitude were seized with mad ness. The gensdarmes, when they endeavoured to restrain their violence, were assailed with stones and a clamour of indignation. At about one a.m. the mangled remains of a number of horses were brought to the surface. The carcases thrown on the ground obstructed the approach to the pit and emitted an intolerable odour. The exasperated watchers loudly protested, declaring that it was scandalous to bring out carrion before human flesh. Comparative quiet was being restored when at about three in the morning a disquieting, lugubrious rumbling was heard, seemingly as if the earth were falling in. The rescue party emerged in all haste from the shaft, and a few minutes later an immense jet of sparks issued from the ventilating shaft. Soon everything was in flames. The sight was grand but terrifying, as monster flames rising tower-like threw a red lurid glare over the surrounding country. The spectators stood mute with horror. The walls and roofs of the buildings over the pit crackled, crumbled, and fell into the fire. Men of the fire brigade set to work to extinguished the flames, and reinforce ments were urgently summoned from all the surrounding towns. Unfortunately, through a breach made by the flames, a torrent of water now pourad into the mine. In the meantime the work of rescue was completely interrupted. In spite of every effort the fire continued to spread. The three galleries, one over the other have caught, and the flames outside must be visible for many miles round, The damage to the mine is enormous, and the engineers affirm that fire-damp has never before produced such a dis turbance in any coal mine in Belgium,

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

DESTITUTE ALIENS.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION

London. May 7. Mr A.. J. Balfour, leader of the House of Commons, has virtually pro mised that the Government will legis late against the admission of destitute aliens to the United Kin^d^m. QUEENSLAND. Lord Knutsford, Secretary of State for the Colonies, personally favours the solution of the Queensland question by federation, and states that if fc'ir Samuel Griffith's Bill is again rejected by the colonial legislature, doubtless the Imperial Government and Parlia ment will be prepared to consider the question. IRISH AFFAIRS. In connection with the Anti-Home Rule Conference in Belfast, a hall capable of holding 10,000 is to be erected. The Marquis of Salisbury delivered an impassioned harangue to the members of the Primrose League, on behalf of the people of Ulster, who dreaded being put under the feet of their hereditary and irreconcilable enemies. The language of the Ulster leaders was most menacing. The symptoms and situation were such that any attempt to employ military power by England would keep Ulster under the action of Archbishop Walsh, and would rend society, as Home Rule was not a message of peace but of religious civil war, and such a hideous picture could not become a reality without en feebling the credit and power of Eng landthroughouttheworld. Parliament, he said, had +he right to govern Ulster, and no right to sell the people into slavery. COLONIAL AFFAIRS. The ' Pall Mall Gazette " considers that Mr Dibbs, the Premier of New South Wales, who is on his way to England, will have his work cut out to reassure investors in colonial stocks, especially after the letter published by Mr Wilson, of the " Standard," in the !(Investors' Review." The ' Times" announces that ex perts pronounce Joshua Brothers' Aus tralian brandy to be palatable, of high quality, and possessing all the genuine characteristics of cognac, and the paper lauds Messrs Joshua for developing the industry. Colonial stocks are very firm, prices are advancing, and there is a better feeling all round. The Blackball Colliery Company, of Greyraouth, New Zealand, are arrang ing to supply coal to the steamers be longing to the New Zealand Shipping Company and the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, Experts declare that some New Zea land cheese ex Morayshire was robbed of creim, and fat substituted. Great complaints are made at the practice which is calculated to Bxclude the article from the market. THE ANARCHISTS. Mowbray, publisher of the Anar qhists' paper the " Commonwealth," hag been acquitted of the charge of inciting to murder. Nicholl, the editor, who admitted the authorship of the article in question, was sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment. Paris, May 7. Harmless explosions of infernal machines continue in various parts of France and Belgium. j A man fired at and missed the sentry posted at the residence of the Minister of Justice, but the bullet wounded a hall porter. THE PAH&NG TROUBLE. I Singapore, May 7. I The Efth&ng rebels ap showing &

bolder front, and have killed several ( Chinese, besides attacking fiSikh escort, Owing to the outrages the coolies are deserting the mines. Public opinion in Singapore censures the Governor for refusing to employ the military and navy in suppressing the revolt.

THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT.

Romk, May 7. Signor Giollefcti, to whom the over throw of the Rudini Government was mainly due, approves of the latter's foreign and military policy, but dissents from their financial proposals. Rsris, May 7. The Parisian press declare that the Kingdom of Italy is confronted with disarmament or bankruptcy RAILWAY ACCIDENT. The train carrying the outward Aus tralian mails was disrailed at Amiens, the capital of the Department of Somme. Five vans were smashed, but the mails were not injured. CHURCH AND STATE. His Holiness the Pope has issued b n other Encyclical to the French Cardinals, in which he urges the con servative forces to work in unity and harmony, accepting without reserve the constituted Government, but re taining the right to combat legislation in opposition to the good of the Church.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Wellington, May 8, Considerable alarm was occasioned in town last night on it bemg gensrally rumoured that the Union Company's oteamer Rofcorua had been lost between Lyttelton and Dunedin. The company's officials discredited the report from the first, but the uneasiness was not allayed until reassuring information had arrived from Dunedin wharf. How the rumour originated is surrounded with mystery. An exceptionally heavy rain fell in town yesterday afternoon and evening, and the low-lying portions of the town were in many instances* flooded to a depth of several inches. The weather cleared up this morning. A woman named Susan Davis, wife of a fisherman residing at Ohau Bayj met her > death on Makara road last night. She was returning from town in a trap at about seven o'clock after delivering a load of fish, and it is surmised thab the horse shied and threw the trap over the embank ment into the stream, which was in flood. Deceased was driving alone at the time of the accident, and when the body was extricated, life was extinct. The immediate cause of death is supposed to be drowning, but the woman had a bruise on the sidf of the head. Nelson, May 7. A married woman, named Wren, aged forty-four, whose husband is a miner ab Lyell, committed suicide yesterday. Her two younger children had been sent to school when the mother, who had been attending tent meetings and was much depressed, went out, bought a rope, and fixing it to the rafters in a back unoccu pied room, hanged herself. An inquest was held this afternoon and a verdict of temporary insanity caused by religious mania was returned.

THE DEEMING MURDERS.

(PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.) London, May 7. Deeming's petition to the Privy Council, for a commutation of the death sentence, has not yet been filed, but at the request of Mr Lyle, the con demned man's counsel in Melbourne, the application will be made on the 11th instant. Melbourne, May 8. A petition, on the ground of insanity, has been lodged with the Executive Council here, on behalf of Williams.

BOAD BOARDS.

SOUTH RAKAIA.

The annual meeting of ratepayers in the South Rakaia Road district was held in the Road Board office on Thursday. The attendance was very small. Mr Cosfcbr presided. The balance sheet was read, and adopted on the motion of Mr Coster, seconded by Mr Stringfellow, and were as follows :— Receipts—To balance, April 1, 1891, £812 19s 4d ; closed roads, £42 17s ; surplus pound fees, £1 4s 4d j small birds account, £60 7s; refund guarantee premium, £15s; rates, 1891, £696 4s 4d; rates, 1892, £134 19s 2d ; Wakanui Road Board, £40; interest, £8 15s; sale of plantation timber, £11 3s 3d ; new works i and roads refund, £20. Total, £1828 14s sd. Expenditure —By Richards, closing roads, £3 13s ; advertising and printing £29 19s 7d j expenses, exchange, stamps, insurance, &c,£57 8s ; small birdsaccount £111 13s 6d ; expenses collecting rates, £26 5s Id j clerk's salary, £108 6s 8d j maintenance of roads £282 4s lid ; Wakanui Boundary Road, £31 12s 6d ; new roads and works, metalling, <fee, £213 8s lid ; Ashburton County Council, £3 6s ; Village Settlement, £216 17s lOd; Rakaia Township, £412s 9d ; plantations, £18 6s 41; balance in bank, £695 2e, less outstanding cheques £12 2s Id—£6B2 19s lid ; cash in hand, £1 9s sd. Total, £1828 14s sd. The Chairman gave a resume of the work done during the year, A vote of thanks to the old members, and the chairman for presiding, was carried on the motion of Mr Oxley, se conded by Mr J. Dunean. The proceed ings then ilosed. ~ The first meeting of the new Board was held on Thursday. The Clerk took the chiir and stated that the following gentle men, all of whom were present, had been duly elected, namely, Messrs Coster, Lyttelton, Lambie, Stringfellow and E. Richards. On the motion of Mr Coster, seconded by Mr Stringfellow, Mr Lyttelton was un animously elected Chairman. The Clerk reported that the roads were much cut up with the grain traffic owine to the late rains, and the contractors had been kept closely to these works. j The work cf Jived ing the water in le river was progressing slowly, owing to I freshes corning down, J Correspondence was received from ! settlers on Rhubarb Flat, objecting to one of their number being compensated from the "thirds " for money expended in getting a water supply, and a deputa tion waited on the Board and explained their objection. It was resolved that the Bjard have no power to allocate " thirds " for compensation. Moved by Mr Coster, seconded by Mr Stringfellow, thaf; the name of the settle ment sailed Rhubarb Plat be changed to " Roso-lalo.' I—Ctrricd,1 —Ctrricd, Mr J. Murphy obtained permission to crop the lowep gravel reserve on Acton Road for one year on certain conditions, for sis shillings, Mr Blackburn applied to have a foot path formed.-^Decided to form about: eighteen chains on the West Belt, from Rakaia Road West to Dunford street. The secretary of the Public Library wrote asking for a remission of rates. — I The Clerk to reply that the Board have no power to remit, same. Mr C, M. Brooke wrote re poisoned I grain.—Consideration left over till next'

The Commissioner of Taxes wrot 1 intimating thab the new roll would not be available for the general election. Messrs Miles and Co. wrote re Sher wood Estate.—Consideration left over till next meeting. Mr Oxley forwarded valuation of closed road ab £7 per acre, and it was decided to offer same to adjoining occupier. The Ashburton County Council for warded returns to be senl on to Welling ton, and special order of the Council for public view in office. From New Zealand and Australian Land Company asking for alterations on rull.—Alterations authorised. A number of ratepayers applied for work to be done on Railway Terrace East,—-The Clerk was instructed to report at next meeting, Mr Lambie called attention to the state of certain roads, and the Clerk was instructed to give notice to the mainten ance contractors that unless the conditions of specification were carriod out, the Board would do the work and charge the cost against them. It was decided to call tenders for clearing gravel reaerves of gorse, &c, where required. J. R. Coles' tender for footpaths at 6s 9d per chain was accepted. Two tenders were received for forming roads at Ohertsey, but both being very excessive it was decided to call for fresh tenders. iccounts for £97 5s 9d were passed for payment, and after transacting cemetery business the meeting adjourned.

LONGBEACH.

A meeting of the Longbeach Road Board was held at the Board's Office Eiffelton, on Thursday last. Present- Messrs John Grigg (chairman), James Bishop, E. Horsey, and James Croy. CORRESPONDENCE.. A letter was read from the Commis sioner of Crown Lands stating that "thirds" to the amount of 11s 4d, accrued on R,S, 35,754, would be paid into the credit of the Board, to be spent in the manner suggested by the Board. The Commissioner of Taxes wrote forwarding valuation roll. Rhodes' trustees wrote requesting the Board to form the Winder mere road to the Longbeash estate. Mr Bell, manager of Chatmoss estate, interviewed the Board on this matter, and explained the requirements of the Company. The sur veyors were ordered to meet Mr Bell on the ground, and report at next meeting. GRAVEL PITS. It was resolved to apply to the Chat moss Company for two acres of land for a gravel pic, and to the School Commis sioners for two acres for the same purpose at the corner of Boundary and Ford's roads. NEW ROADS. ; An application from the residents near Tinwald, to take over theGartartan roads was received, and it was resolved to do so provided they were legally dedicated and all expenses paid. FORD. It was decide! to ask the Council to repair ford on Dawsbn's road. SURVEyORS' REPORT.f The Surveyors' report was read as follows :— Shingling Church Road!— Tenders were called for this work, and that of Messrs Griffin and O'Connor was accepted with the approval of the member for the Ward, at Is lOd per cubic yard. The contract has been signed^ Bridge on Road to Ashton—Tenders were called for taking up this bridge and constructing a ford in lieu thereof, Messrs Griffin and O'Connor's tender for the sum of £6 10s was accepted. Graham's Road.—This road, between the Boundary Road and Griffith's corner, has become waterworn in many places, especially on the eastern side between the side drains and thejshingle, and may even become dangerous. In order to put the road in proper form and repair, it would be necessary to reform the sides, throwing the soil towards the centre of the road, but ks the amount of work required varies locally so considerably, it is difficult to estimate the cost exactly, and Wen to draw a satisfactory specification. If the Board decide on letting the work by con tract we will make a more minute exami nation and take requisite levels, etc. Deferred till October. Winslow Road.—This road between Willowby and Winslow is becoming much worn^and requires shingling more or less. In this case, as in the last, the amount of work and cost (locally) varies—in some places little or no metalling is required. Authority was given to Surveyors, to have the road put in order. Pipe? at junction of Boundary Road and Ford's Road.—We have written to the County Council, and have also seen the County Engineer on this matter, and understood that the Council would be •willing to construct the ford—the Boird to pay half cost as proposed. If the work is let by contract, we suggest that the ford on the opposite side of Ford's Road be reconstructed and made safe for traffic. -Tenders were ordered to be mv v ted for the work. Maintenance.—The maintenance man has been engaged in repairing bridges, shingling patches on roads, etc. His diary lies on the table for your inspection. Fitzgerald's clams.—We were served with a summons, on behalf of the Board on April 11, for the alleged balance due to Mr Fitzgerald. The case was heard on March 14, and judgment given against the Board on March 28. The Board's solicitor has written to the Chairman on the matter. ACCOUNTS. The usual accounts were passed for wymenfc, and after some minor business had been transacted the Board adjourned, and met again after the annual meeting of ratepayers, and reappointed Mr John Grigg Chairman of the Board.

The annual meeting of ratepayers in the Long beach Road District was held on Thursday, May 3. Present—All the members of the Board and one ratepayer. An interim balance sheet was read, the complete accounts not having been audited. The interim balance sheet was approved. Some talk took place on the subject of a stretsh of gorse that the Board had required Mr Crossan to grub, and which had been done by Mr Crossan, who had also been required to clean the road afterwards. He complained that he should nob have been required to do this. The Chairman regretted that the matter had not been brought before the Board when the work was done. Mr Croy made an .explanation to the effect that the same thing had been done in other parts of the district.

THE ABHBURTON GUARDIAN: MONDAY, MAY 9, 1893.



Hqllcway's QiNTiVfe >'t. —Sjores, Wounds, Ulcerations, cj.nct other diseases affecting the §kin are capable of speedy amendment by this cooling and hea.li.ug ointment* which has caller! forth the loudest praise from persons who have suffered for years from bad legs, bad feasts, piles, abscesses, and chronic ulcers, after every hope of cure had long passed away. None but those who haye experienced the soothing effect of tijis Oipfc? ment can form an idea of the comfort it bestows by restraining inflammation and liljaying pain. Whenever Holloway's Oint ment has bee;? once used it has established its own worth, arid has again b,een eagerly sought for as the easiest and safest remedy for all such complaints. In' neuralgia), rheumatism and gout, the same' application', j property used, gives won.derf.uji wttef. • j



The best medicine known is SANDER and SONS' EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. Test its eminent powerful effects in coughs, colds, influenza, etc.—the relief i 3 instantaneous. Thousands give the most gratifying testi r mony. His Majesty the King of Italy, anc} medical syndicates all over the §lobe are ita patrons, head the official reports tfyataccQiYl- I pany each bqfctle. Mosler, M.D., Frofessqp University, Griefswald, reports : — The Eucalypti Extract proved magnificently suc cessful in very severe contusions, bruises, sprains, wounds, scaldings, broken ribs, and limbs, ("Medical Journal," Nov., 1881). In diseases of the kidneys, either active con gestion or suppression, (uroemia) or albumi nuria, dropsy, lithargy, nothing will equal iv its action Eucalypti Extract. Doses, five to six drops. Mosler, M.D., Professor, University, Grieswald, reports :•—Diphthe ria. Tonsils continually coherent presenting ulcers with white exudants. Cured in four teen days. Surgical Clinic cf.Prof. M'lutyre, College of Physicians and Surgeons, St. Louis—Scirrhus of Breast—^Excision Euca lypbi Extract employed. No swelling, heat or discoloration, Ouved W iourtoeu days -Advt 4



The Onslow Biscuit The latest and most delicate bjspuit manufactured by Aulsebrpok and Co.. ISIFO^TAUT TO CyOLISTS. —t A gQod Safety Bicycle for £10 15s, Repairs and Cycle accessories afc exceptionally low rates at Saville's "Calliope" Oyci Works, 110 Colombo street, Christ church Ckaokneli, ftnd digestive Biscuits for invalids are unsurpassed, made by AuLSETHiOOK AND Co. ' Ask for Ninian Hyslop, and Co ■' f tnp©i/ial neiy seasons Pure Ceylon and India Teas. Special prioiais —f A good safety manufactured b,y the grin for £15 15s is wonderful value. The £#<?; graphic addrtsa is SaviwEs Chi'istchurch,



x 892 WUN TEH. 1892 —NOW SHOWING— THE New Overcoats and Water proofs New Tweeds and Suitings LARGEST . "New Styles m Boys' Cloth -1 ing AND New Hosiery and Gloves New Collars and Shirts CHOICEST ew car*s an<* Bows New Travelling and ether Caps StOCk New Soft Felt Hats New Flexible Hats EVER New Styles in Boys' Hats and Caps New Rugs and Umbrellas SHOWN NewOycle Capeß an d Riding Aprons BY New Goods in all Depart ments I Inspection Respectfully l fS. Invited NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. W. H WEBBER, Manager. Agents for Wertheim Celebrated Sewing Machine. __



Ninian, Hyslop and Co.'s "Imperial pure Ceylon and Indian Teas are direct from the plantation Arivt. The world is ever moving on towar.i* perfection, but seldom attains it, Constanc improvement is being made in every branch of industry, but in Baking Powders Perfection has been reached in Warburton'fi Cart t Be Beat. tfinian Hyslop and Go's'. Imperial' Pure Ceylon and Indian Teas are tbe best in th*» arlcnt -''A O Have Healthy Children by nou-ish ng them with A.ulsebrook ai-d. Co's Arrow root Biscuit. Thk Bkst Remedy fou Indiokstion— Norton's Camomile Pills are confident^ recommended as a simple remedy for Indigestion, wiiieli is the cause of nearly all the diseases to which we are subjects Norton's Pills, with justice called the 'Naturil Rtrengthener of fche Human Stomach," act as a powerful tome and gentle perient, are mild in their operation, and *vfe under any circumstances. Sold in bottles, at l« lid, 2s 9d, 11s, by all mediciao vendors throughout the world.



NOTICE. Communications on matters connected wii.h any Department of the Paper, SHOULD NOT be addressed to any member of the staff by name. Letters relating to Advertisements or #!,her Business, to be addressed to THE MANAGER, Literary communications to THE EDITOR.



«ASH Advertisements under thjs heading not exceeding SIXTM.JN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be Wtab this Office. _ VIOLINS in case complete, strings, brass whistles, aecordeons from 7s 6d. Mtiaic not in stock procured as Boon as possible. H. M. Jokes. mERRA Cotta Placques. New lines in -I- fancy China and Glassware. Ladies Handbags, Fans and Ornaments. M. M. Jones. ' FAMILY and Pocket Bibles, Prayers and Hymns. Various styles and bindings, Birthday and Text books. H. ' M. JONES. TUST to Hand.—A nice assortment of J Fenders and Fire Irons; also House Furnishing Ironmongery. Worth inspection. — Stephens Bros., M"k^ House. . !L£° Tl7 ANTED Known.- The nicest stock VV of New Winter Dresa Goods, I Mantles, Millinery, &c, ii at S. W. AicdßN and Co.'s _______ SELLING OUT—Furniture, Fancy Goods, and Building Timber at great reductions.-JAMES Baker, opposite Harrison's auction roomß. H 1* WANTED~Known— Dr Scott's cele brated Electric Corsets can oiiljr b» obtained in Ashburton at W. H. Comjbr's, "The Corner." WANTED^ purchasers of Blankets, Flannels, and General Drapery to remember that Best Value in the trade ia »t g. W. Alcornanp Co.'s 5 51 \ \\ /"ANTED Known.—lf you want VV plenty of first class Drapery, Boots and Clothing for cash, come to Melford House Sale.—H. C. Seokrs. WANTED Known.—l have a large stock of Tin and Ironware Goods o selfict from. Register Grates, Stoves, °ortable Boilers, Spouting and Ridging Iran*; in stock.—J. W. Hardley, East street. <H202 JUST Arrived consignment of Kero sene. Further redactions. A.l Groceries at Christehurch prices for Christchurch terms, cash. Stephens Bros., Market House. WANTED Known. - Come and see the Bargains now on at Melford House.—H. C. Seders. ANTED KNOWN. - 250 Ladies Maids' and Children's Ulsters and Jackets (mostly good qualities) marked cheap to clear. Many one third and half the ucual price.—H. C. Sbgers, M«lford House. WANTED KNOWN, Grand display of new Millinery, Ulsters, and Jackets, at most reasonable prices at 'The Cornek.' ALL Wool Colonial Tweed Suits tv measure; fit and workmanship guaranteed; from 50s cash. Robbri Axcorn, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saundera' Buildings. ANTED Known—That you will make no mistake for quality and variety in English and Colonial Boots, and his highly reputed make by calling at J. Moison's. During coming holidays dis count for Cash. Repairs done at once. A staff of men always kept and best material and workmanship guaranteed. SOMERSET Meat Mart. The oldest, the largest, the best, and the cheap est. Small Goods a specialty. Fuli weights guaranteed. A trial solicited. —W. J. SH.COCK. 4J182 *TTTHITLISGTON'S Tomato Sauce? VV together with testimonials, may be seen at Mks James', Fruicorer, East Street, and Mrs Pbarson's, Fruiterer, Wakanui Road, where orders will be received and prices given. 3 Ibs TO Meet the Times.—l am supplying Galvanised Iron Tanks from 30h upwards, warranted for twenty year*, Force pwmps, deep well cylinders of all descriptions. Inspection invited. — J. W. IIARniEY, Eas street. 6J201 BALL Dresses, Evening Gloves, Mounts in Silver and Gold, Muffs, Fur Collarettes, Ladies' Evening Shoes, Invigorator Corsets, with straps, V and N. Zone and all other makes, jn.«t opened.—Andrew Orr. 4 57 /CHOICEST new season's Figs and \J Cartoon Table Dates in 31b Boxes, 2s each.—H. G. Flower, Confectioner, ISmt street. NEW Supplies of Stationery, Account Books, Music, Fancy GoocU. STew Games, Ordors for Printing, Book oinding, Picture Frames, promptly ex ecuted. Schools and offices supplied with fvery requisite. Magazines and News papers supplied.—L. F. ANDREWES A CO», Stationers' Hall. j TTTANTED. —Earn Money at Home, VV either sex; new work ; just started ; all earn good wages ; no walking or travelling required ; anyone can do the work ; boys and girls earn nearly as much as men. Write for particulars at once, before our list is full, and enclose addressed envelope and stamp for reply to James G. Sargood, Manager, P.O. Box 988, Sydney ; or, 65 Royal Arcade, George and'Pitt Streets, Sydney. 4 110