The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1892.

"LAND TAX VALUATIONS.

From various statements that have lately been published, it would appear that the objections that have been made against the valuations placed upon land and improvements for taxa tion purposes are very numerous— more so than was usually the case with valuations for the Property tax. A. number of these objections have already been dealt with by the Com missioner of Taxes, and in most cases the usual reply sent, that the objection that the land in question has been over assessed has been disallowed. This has given an occasion, which certain journals of the baser sort are ever ready to take advantage of, for attacks upon the administration of the Land Tax Department, which is stig matised as being little mure reputable than the ancient method of raising revenue by rapine and pillage. !No doubt the object of such writing is to discredit the Department and create discontent amongst taxpayers, with the ulterior view of raising a feeling against the Government and the new system of taxation, and it may have this effect with a few timid peopla. But most of the taxpayers have been through a very similar sort of business oefore, and know that in regard to Land jtax objections they have to go through the same forms as had to be followed under the Property tax. Objections must be lodged in due time with the Commissioner; that function ary examines the ground of complaint, but only so far as to see that the valua tion has been made in accordance with the provisions of the statute and the regulations of the Department, andthat it is such as might reasonably be set upon the property by the valuator. Should there be a palpable mistake in the valuation it would be referred back to the valuator and the error rectified. Should, however, the valuation be prima facie such as might reasonably be placed upon the property 'he objection would be disallowed by the Commissioner, and the objector would then, if he saw fit, appeal to the Court of Revision, where evidence of the value would be led by the objector and the valuator. The Department cannot be expected to judge of the value of land in all parts of the Colony ; that can only be done in the several localities, and even then great differences of opinion are sure to exist, which would be quite beyond the province of any but a body vested with judicial functions to decide upon. Those who object to the valuations placed upon their land have all reason able opportunity given to them to j obtain an adjustment of their objec cions, and the forms which have to be complied with are simple and inex pensive. The number of objections that are said to have been made is no proof that either the tax or the Department is oppressive, The in crease that has taken place in the value of land since the last Property tax valuation was made has of course been in view of the valuators, and the increased valuationsresultingtherefrom are probably the cause of a large num ber of the complaints, We anticipate that the GWrt« of Revision will settle all disputes without more friction than formerly resulted from the Property tax objections.

Before Mr W, G. R «3, j. P., this morn ing, James Scott, a cripple, was fined 5s and c >sts, for drunkenness, A concert and dance in aid of the Library will be held in Kiffelton School on Thursday j evening. A large party will go out from I Ashburton to assist. Excursion tickets to Duncditi will he issued by the Railway Department from Wednesday to Monday next, available to May $, gad # special train will be run through en flftfafoy pight, leaving Aibburtoaat&SG .

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A public meeting was held at Christchnreh on Friday night, Mr 0. P. Hulbert in the chair, at which a resolution, moved by Bishop Julius, was carried, strongly urging the necessity for public baths in Christ chnrch. A committee was appointed to confer with the City Council. rl he Salvation Army seem to consider the people of the Thames hard matter to operate upon, as in the "War Cry" for March 1?, the reporter says : "The fighting down this way afc present is no joke, as the majority of the people's hearts seem to be as hard as the knocker on Newgate gaol." Arrangements have now been completed or the tea meeting in connecion with the Presbyterian Church to-morrow evening in the Public Hall, Tinwald. The public meeting will be addressed by the Revs W. West (of Southbridge), Farley, J. H. Guty, and A. M. Beafctie. The musical selections will be given by the Ashburton Presbyterian Church Choir. With fine weather a large attendance is expected. As Mr M'Kay, Government geologist, was passing through Fairburn, a settlement between Kaitaia and- Mongonui, he was struck with the appearance of some stone with which the County Council was' metalling the road. He got out from his trap and examined it, and found to his surprise that it was a fine lithographic stone, worth about 4d per lb.—" Otago Daily Times " correspondent. A sensational case of elopement is reported from Fremantle, Western Aiutralia. Lily Cou&ens, aged 17, related to some of the 1 best, families in the colony, fell in love with a half-caste Hindoo named Abrahams, reputed to be very wealthy. The parents of the girl strongly opposed the courtship, which was subsequently conducted clandes tinely. The couple eloped by the mail steamer to Bombay, having, it ig understood, been married by special license. An extraordinary freak of nature was shown to us (says a North Island ex change) by Mr S. Taplin, in the shape of fruit, the lower half of which is quince and the upper half is russet apple. The line of demarcation between apple and quince is very decided, and the two halves have also a distinct smell which cannot be mistaken. The quince tree from which the fruit was taken grows in Mr Taplin's garden at Kakaramea, and stands about 20 feet from a russet apple tree. Four similar freaks were found on the tree, one of which is now in the possession of Mr Drew, Wanganui, who intends to preserve it. It is Mr laplin's intention to send the one he showed us to Professor Kirk. When Mr Bradlaugh died it was said by his friends that the cause to which he was devoted would not suffer much by his decease. It has soon been proved that they were mistaken. The newspaper in which the peculiar views of Mr Bradlauch on religion were advocated does not meet with the support which its present editor anticipated, and he asks his readers to stand by him. He says there are "influences at work in the secular party" against the organ which Charles Bradlaugh edited. The truth is that the secularists have lost one leader and have not found another. Moreover, they are not likely to find another with half the abilities of Mr Bradlaugh. As what sounds Utopian to-day may come " within the range of practical politics " to morrow, so it is with commercial matters. In one of Dalziel's recent telegrams we read that certain California!! farmers have "made a contract for their season's crop on a basis of six sacks per acre with the Artificial Rain Company." It sounds strangely even now, but it is very curious that in the now old work of fiction " Ten Thousand a Year" the author absolutely uses the title of this very company as the acme of commercial absurdity. It is the "Artificial Rain Company "iu which Mr Gammon persuades the Earl of Dreddlington to invest his money, and which paves the way to his ruin. Em in Pasha has once more been heard from. His letter adds another to the many exposures of the African slive trade. He writes :— lt During my inarch to tim Albert Nyatiza I saw and heard fearful things. I followed the track of one of these robbers, named Ben Chalia, for six days, and in that time counted fifty-one fresh corpses worn to skeletons, thirty-nine of them with their skulls beaten in. If I had only arrived here eight days sooner, my good people would have succeeded in preventing or punishing such inhuman cruelties. About 1200 slaves', twenty to thirty of both sexes chained all together, are said to have been dragged to Mengo. Twenty-seven of them, among them four women, met us half-starved, They had succeeded in escaping. " borne curious answers can be culled from the papers presented in the late scholar ships examinations in Wellington. One candidate wrote, " The sun getting further away from the moon causes winter." Another averred that "Montreal was com pletely built of water. " By another the sun was said to be journeying round the equator. The following is also a hazy de scription of the cause of rain :—•' The den sity of the atmosphere round the mountains causes the winds to fall in rain." Nor were the pupil teachers' papers free from absur dities. One candidate stated that Alfred the Great fought William the Conqueror; while another made the astounding assertion that 800 centuries have elapsed since the introduction of the art of printing to England. fi It appears that on his recent visit to the West Coast, Mr William Goodlet (Professor Black's assistant) made another discovery which may prove very important. In the gold drift of a claim worked by Alexander Smith, at Back Creek, Mr Goodlet secured a piece of white metal, which he proved to be osmi iridium, or alloy of osmium and iridium, his test having since been confirmed by Professor Black. The miners stated that they found the alloy, which is heavier than the gold, when washing up, but being of opinion that the white metal was made up of pieces of the mining tools, they picked it out and threw it away. Mr Goodlet advised them ro save all the white metal they got, and subsequently at the School of Mines at Rimu he explained and exhibited the tests for the alloy to some twenty-five or thirty miners. The piece which Mr Goodlet secured weighed If grains.—"Otago Daily Times." All who have the welfare of the New Zealand Rifle Association at heart will be pleased to learn through the " Post" that be finances of that body are now in a sounder I state than they have been for some time. Although the expenditure connected with the formation of the new range in the Hutt Valley, and the carrying out of the meeting held there last month, was considerable, and there was a deficit from the previous year, the public subscriptions and fche receipts from the competitors were sufficient to pay all expenses and leave a balance of between £50 and £100. Several subscriptions pro mised in aid of the fund for forming the range have no,t yet been paid, but no diffi culty is apprehended in getting them in. The result of the recent operations of the Association is very gratifying, and is a proof that Majors Sommerville and Donald, Capt Collins, Lieutenant-Commander Davy, and other officers connected with the Executive are managing the affairs in a thoroughly satisfactory manner. A rather good practical joke at the expense of one of our local banks has been perpetrated. In connection with the recent temperance demonstration certain pictures have ap peared in the windows of some of the sympathisers of the temperance cause, in which the relative differences of prosperity in " Bread »Street " and " Beer Street" are depicted. The former pourtrays thebutchers', bakers' and bookseHers' shops, neat, tidy, and flourishing, the jseople in the street well dressed, and %e^fcngs bank at the end. The latter depicts^ horrible contrast, the words "gin," "whisto," "pawnbroker," " undertaker," " union, and " jail "as the signs on the buildings along the street, die children ragged and the men ml women slovenly and quarrelsome. Under the word " union," which of course refers to the English '♦■' workhouse,' and which is placed between the undertaker and the gaol, wag has printed the word "bank," showing the "Union Bank "in the unenviable position namijij. Wp noPe the perpetrator J of the joke did not wiah to insinuate that \ the end of the Union Bank cusjflpjgrs; w»s either the undertaker er thegaolf

It is stated that Sir Hariy Atkinson's health has nob improved during the recess, but has changed in all respects for the worse. By advertisement in another column it will be seen that the Wakanui Road Board are inviting applicants for the position of clerk and overseer. A son of Mr Arthur Frisby had a fall on Sunday, a result of which was that he had two bones of his left forearm broken. He was brought into town and Dr Trevor attended to the fracture. Miss Arnold, a lady connected with the Indian Zenana missions, will give a lecture •it the Oddfellows 1 Hall to-morrow evening. Some interesting particulars of the Zenana work will be given. We hear from Christchurch that private cablegrams have been received there, reporting an improvement in the London wheat market. Our cable news to-day reports an improvement in England and America, though continental markets are still depressed. The Ashbmton Cycling and Amateur Athletic Club's entries closed on Saturday evening with a total of 275 entries. The entries is the largest yet obtained for any cycling and amateur meeting in New Zealand (excepting one held in Chiristchurch). Every effort is being made by the committee to make the meeting, which take3 place on Easter Monday, a decided success. The visitors will be entertained at a dinner and smoke concert in the evening. A fine day for the meeting; is hoped for, and is well deserved by the Club. The Orchestral Society's Concert nex Monday night will be a great musical treat. Besides local talent Mr H, A. Gates has secured the assistance of some visitors, and a programme ef unusual excellence will be presented. The services that the Orchestral Society have always readily rendered in connection with local entertainments entitle them to reciprocity now that they appear on their own behalf. Lasfe night Mr T. W. Glover, travelling agent for the Good Templar Order, delivered an address in the Oddfellow's Hall on Gospel Temperance. The meeting was held alter the ordinary services in the Churches, and the hall was very well filled. Mr J. W. Sawle was chairman. Mr Glover dealt with the question, less from a prohibition view than as one personal to all Christian people, and as usual he illustrated his subject with very many well told anecdotes. The monthly meeting of the Wakanui River Board was helt! in the Wakanui Road Board office, Moore street, on Saturday, April 8. Present — Messrs T. Clephane (chairman), J. Brown, D. Johnston, and J. vVilson. The Chairman reported the balance at the Bank to be £72 11s 3d, and that there still some outstanding rates to be collected. It was decided that efforts should be made to collect outstanding rates. Mr Wilson thought it was now high time to do some more planting. Some discussion took place as to the desirableness of planting the osier willow, and it was eventually resolved, on fhe motion of Mr J. Wilson, that the Chair man be authorised to ha,ve willows planted on the eastern bank of the liver in such places as would be desirable. Mr Johnston said the Road Board had objected to include the clerkship of the River Board in their sehed ule of duties. This matter was deferred. Accounts amounting to £1 12s 6d were passed for payment. A special meeting was held immediately after the ordinary meeting to consider the balance-sheet and settle same. The Chairman moved the adoption of the balancd-sheet, which was carried. Instructions were given to advertise that the balance-sheet was open for inspection at the Wakanui Road Board office. Hollow ay's Pills.—When inclement weather checks to a considerable extent the action of the skin, an alternative is required to compensate the body by meins of other channels. Holloway's Pills can be confi dently recommended as the easiest, surest, and safest means of attaining tins desirable end without weakening the most delicate or incommoding the most feeble. W.hen from fiequently recurring chills or the inha lation of impure air the blood becomes foul and the secretions vitiated, these pilla pre sent a ready and efficient means of cleansing the former and correcting the latter. By this salutary proceeding disease is arrested at its outset, its pains and inconveniences averted, and the nervous structures saved from the depressing effects entailed upon them by an illness.

THE MARKETS.

From the circular of Mr Heury Oonnell (late of Oamaru), dated Sydney, March 30, we extract, the following ;-—When the Customs' Bill was finally settled, it was expected some improvement would result in the Produce Market but none has come. It is considered on all hands that things in the street never were worse, and several collapses are expected in the near future. This feeling does harm*to trade generally, there being an utter absenca of speculation. There have been heavy rains on the coast, but over the mountain ranges (which run along the coast from 50 to 100 miles back) the drought is as bad as ever. A good deal of both Wheat and Flour hns come in lately from Victoria; arrivals from JSew Zealand almost nil. I am of opinion, a good deal of New Zealand wheat will come this way, this year, especially Tuscan. Oats.—9ooo bags landed from "Hauroto, ' principally from Bluff, most of those from the latter being the finish of last season's supplies. Most of those yet to hand from North Otago and Canterbury have tails to them—the result of trouble at harvesl. Tasmanian Oats will be com petitors with New Zealand's this season.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

London, April 9. Hoare's circular slates that during the last few nights of the wool sales the fall in prices which characterised the opening of the series has been entirely obliterated. The February prices are now being realised, and there was a further advance of five per cent to-night. April 10. The apples ex Ruapehu arrived in poor condition and many were rotten. At the Kool sales there is brisk com petition, and prices are firm. Sixty-one per cent of the sales have boon taken by foreigners. Silver, 3s 3§d. (Received April 11, 11 a.m.) London, April 10. Tallow, medium mutton, 25s 6d, ditto beef, 24s 6d. The quantity of wool catalogued to date is 141,000 bales, of which 134,000 have been sold. Merino has advanced to .|d to Id higher than the closing rates of the February sales, but good scoured has not yet readied that point, C'rossbreds maintain their position. Foreign buyers are animated in their bidding. The English wheat market is changing a little for the better ; the Continental is depressed, and the American is advancing.

The best medicine known is SANDER and SONS EUCALPTI EXTRACT Testibs eminent powerful effects in coughs, colds, influenza, etc. —the relief is instantaneous Thousands give the most gratifying testi mony. His Majesty the King of Italy, and medical syndicates all over the globe, are its patrons. Read the official reports that accompany each bottle. We have no occa sion to offer rewards in p/oof of the genuine ness of our references. The official reports of medical clinics and universities, the official communication of the Consul-General for Italy at Melbourne; the diploma awarded International Exhibition, Amsterdam—all these are authentic documents, and, as such, not open to doubt. We add here epitome of one of the various cases treated by Siegenl M.D } Professor, etc. Burning of the right hand through the explosion ef a small oil stove. The epidermis on the volair and palmer side of the hand of the thirty-year old patient was completely separated and lifted up as far as tffie joint of the hand. The likewise lifted nails were hanging loose and half of the phalaux, of the nail of the middle "finger was coaled. The wounds thus contracted" healed. 1 "in £hr.«.e peeks' 1 under ; daily applications of Eucalypti Ex£ra t 'dressing. The patient has retained thp ful m of fer bttud,—(Adyt.) I

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

THE ANARCHISTS. St. Petersburg, April 9. The Polish anarchists killed the Bishop of Prorniski. The murderers were pursued and two of them were shot dead. Another two committed suicide. Vienna, April 9. Several incendiary fires which have occurred in the city of late have been proved to be the work of anarchists. Madrid, April 9. A bomb was discovered in a church in Bilbao. London, April 9. The " Commonwealth," a newspaper published by the Anarchists, incites to the murder of Mr H. Matthews, Home Secretary, Mr Justice Hawkins, and Inspector Melville, for the part they took in connection with the arrest and punishment of the Walsall anarchists. LABOUR QUESTIONS. The miners in South Wales and Monmouthshire have submitted to a reduction of 3^ per cent in wages. BLACKBALL COAL COMPANY. The prospectus of the Blackball Coal Company, Greymouth, New Zea land, with a capital of £60,000, has been issued. THE VICTORIAN AGENT GENERAL. Mr J. Munro, the new Agent- General for Victoria, has arrived in London. SMALL HOLDINGS BILL. The proposal to insert a compulsory purchase clause in Mr Chaplin's Small Holdings Bill was rejected by a majo rity of forty-two. THE NEW GOVERNOR. Lord Glasgow, the new Governor of New Zealand, has sailed for the co'ony. His Lordship's party numbers forty. M. PADEREWSKI. Owing to overwork during his tour through the States, M. Paderewski, the eminent pianist, has been attacked by muscular paralysis, and the doctors whom he consulted in New York and London, have forbidden him to resume work before October. In consequence of this, he is compelled to postpone his proposed Australian and New Zealand tour.

EMIN PASHA.

Berlin, April 9. The German Government has re fused to recognise Emin Pasha's claim to Wadelai.

UNITED STATES POLITICS.

Washington, April 9. Mr Patrick Egan, of Chilian fame, was offered the post of United States Minister in Francs, and also in China, but he declined both offers. The Democrats, that the success of the Republican party in Rhode Island will involve the capture of the New England States, are likely to agree to a revision of Senator Bland's Silver Bill, in order to con ciliate the farmers in the Western States. BEHKING. SEA. The fact of President Harrison having left Washington is looked upon as an indication that the Behring Sea difficulty has been settled.

CANADIAN AFFAIRS.

Ottawa, April 5. The Canadian House of Commons rejected a motion affirming the right of the Dnminion to make its own commercial treaties. The Hon. E. G. Foster, Minister of Finance, opposed the motion on the ground that it was an assertion of the independence of the Dominion. The Commandant of the Canadian Militia, in his report to Parliament, says the organisation of the force is deplorable, but the personnel of the various corps is good. The arms used by the men are of obsolete type, and the Dominion is actually without a single heavy gun of modern class. He also declares that a large portion of of the armament provided by England is useless.

TURKEY AND EGYPT.

Cairo, April 9. The Sultan of Turkey ha3 aban doned his claim to the possession of the Sinai Peninsula, owing to the firmness displayed by Lord Salisbury and the Khedive of Egypt in dealing with his request. France and Russia are believed to have inspired the Sultan to oppose the Khedive's demand that he should be rrade acquainted with the contents of the firman before it was read to the public.

AUSTRALIAN.

SENTENCE OF DEATH.

Sydney, April 9. The man McCroy, accused of being concerned in the death of a woman, has been sentenced to death.

A SENSATIONAL MURDER.

Brisbane, April 10. A sensational murder has been re ported near town. A new arrival, named Wismuller, was found with his brains beaten out by a tomahawk. £>ank Horrocks, aged nineteen, son of a well known member of the Civil Service, was arrested on suspicion of being the perpetrator.

INTEHPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, April 9. H.M.S. Goldfinch has arrived from Sydney- Mr W. J. Courtney has been elected a Councillor of Ponsouby Ward unopposed. The Working Men's Club narrowly escaped destruction by fire last night through rats gnawing through the gas pipe, which ignited from an adjacent jet.| Is apier, April 9. Miss Hewitt, formerly of Dunedin High School, but for the last seven yeais Principal of the Napier Girls' High School, died on Friday somewhatsuddenly, though she had been in ill health f»r some years. Miss Hewitt was an ardent social reformer, amongst other things objecting, on sanitary grounds, to the burial of the dead. When her will was opened, it was found that she desired her body t6 be cremated if possible, but in the absence of suitable appliances, it was to be taken to sea and sunk. This after noon a steamer took the body aix mile? from shore, where it was committed to the sea, Dean Hovell reading the burial service. \ v Wellington, April 9. The Iron Steamship Builds' Awafron to recently gulS ', >

rnitted to the musters a new code of regulation*' regarding (he wages and hours to be worked. The former involve an increase of pay and the recognition of the masters by what is known m " dire money." With regard to the latter, sonic of the foundries here have been working right shifts as well as day, the hours being one from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and tho other from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. with over time after eight hours. The Union now requires overtime to be paid to nny member working after 4 p.m., and iriHiufcs on certain other regulations, which generally are regarded na a dead lo'ter, being strictly enforced. Tho rwwlotn have taken a firm stand in tho mutter, and decline to reogni.se tho Union in any way whatever. It is understood that tho men can go out if they choose. Tho Union meets this afternoon to consider. Gkrymouth, April 1.0. The week's export of coal products \a 2441 tons. Welcome rain has set in. Dunedin, April 9. .Tohn Bull, a miner, was found dead at Skippers Creek. Invbrcaugilt,, April 10. Mr John Dalgleish, at 000 time bank manager here, and afterwards a member of Murray, Dalgleish and Co., died this morning. He had recently been ill for some weeks, but waa about town yesterday. A good deal of rain has fallen in the past few days. It was much wanted, the Bluff Water Works having nearly run dry, and in some parts of the country settlers were short of water.

ATHLETICS

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION,

Wellington, April 9. The Amateur Athletic Club's sports this afternoon were largely attended, and passed off most successfully. S. Wood won the mile and three mile bicycle handicaps ; N. L. Gurr won the one and a half mile championship in 2min lsec, and the 440 yards ladies' bracelet in 52|sec, both frum scratch ; C. Adams (75 yards) won the mile walk in Bmin 2-sth sec ; F. Harley (8 yards) won the 100 yaris in 10 l-sth sec ; O. Gore (owing 5 yards) won the 120 yards hurdles in 19sec and the high jump with sft 3£in ; H. G. Anderson (50 yards) won the 1000 yards handicap ; A. M. Stuart (10 yards) won the 250 yards handicap in 26 4-5 sec ; .F Pownall (30 yards) won the 440 hurdles in lmin 3 3-sth sec ; A Bell, of Palmersbon North (80 yards), won the mile in 4min 51 4-sth sec.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

ELGIN

The monthly meeting of the Elgin School Committee was held on Monday evening, April 4. Present—Messrs Hoatten (ch-iirraan), Cochrane, Scot% Kennedy, Letham, and Dwyer. The m-ister's report showed the average attendance for the quarter as 41 ; for last month 44.5. The chairman reported having received vouchers for the month. It was decided to give a holiday on Wednesday, April 6, for the purpose of allowing the children to attend the Tem perance Demonstration ; also on Good Friday and Easter Monday. It was also resolved to write to the Board re School House. The salaries (£l3 10s lOd) and accounts (£3 13s) were p ssed for payment.

Oddfellows' Conference.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. )

Nkl"o\, April 9. Tins OadftslloWo' Conference closed at ten o'clock kbt evening. The delegates were entertained by the local brethren to day. They were driven to Belgrove and dined at Foxhill. A very pleasant day was spent, a smokojconcerb being held to night.

THE Deeming Murders.

[per press association.]

L3ndon, April 9. Having in view the possibility of Deeming's acquittal for the Windsor murder in Melbourne, the authorities are applying for a warrant for his arrest on a charge of having committed the Rainhill murders, which will be made use of in the event of the pro secution in Melbourne failing. (Received April 11, 11.50 a.m.) Melbourne, April 11. It has been discovered that an un claimed box found at Bairnsdale rail way station, addressed to Mrs Dobs, belongs to Deeming. It contains a quantity of clothing worn by the wife who was murdered at Windsor.

AQUATIC.

THE UNIVERSITIES BOAT RAC E

[PER PRESS AMriOCIATION, I

London, April 9. The annual boat race between the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge was rowed to-day, and was won by the former by a length and a half. The time, which was 19min 21sec, is over two minutes faster than the time recorded last year. Oxford beat the record time at every point throughout the course. This was the forty-ninth race between the Universities, Oxford having now won twenty-six *nd Cambridge twenty-two, while the 1877 contest resulted in a dead heat.

POLITICAL

| PER PRtSS ASSOCIATION]

Wellington, April 11, MKKTING OF PARLIAMENT. Parliament will open about the middle of June. THE REVEXUE. The stamp revenue falls about £14,000 short of the estimate. The succession duties are believed to be the principle cause of the falling off. THE NEW GOVERNOR.. The Hinemoa will bring Lord Glasgow across from Australia. THE MILFORI) CONVICT WORKS. It has been decided to abandon the at tempt to make a road from Milford Sound to Sutherland Falls, and the convicts will be removed. A pack track will be substi tuted for the road, and can be done more cheaply by ordinary contract. The extra ordinary rainfall is the chief reason for the withdrawal. One hundred and 6f ty work ing days were lost last year from that cause.

Ckacknell and Digestive Biscuits for invalids are unsurpassed, made by AuLSEBROOK AND Co. The world is ever moving on towards perfection, butseldom attains it. Constant improvement is being made in every branch of industry, but; in Baking Powders Perfection has been reached in Warburton's Cart t Be Beab. The Onslow Biscuit. The latest and most delicate biscuit manufactured by Aulsebrook and Co. I Cyclists are often put to considerable trouble through not knowing where to get repairs etc. executed with promptitude, efficiency, uud economy.

SAPORTING.

ASHBURTON RACING CLUI3.

AUTUMN MEEfING.

On Saturday night the nominations for the hundicfipn at the Autumn Meeting of Uio Aslihurton Racing Club, and final paymentß for the Anhburton (Stakes were recoivod, as under :■ — FIRST DAY. Ami burton UvKSthK Rack Handicap, of 40 ho vs. Two miles. Lady (Jrey Dignity The Idler Magpie Tornado Little Arthur May Boy Captain Abram Smuggler Ashjswiton Stakkh, of 2 sovs each, with 100 kovh added. Five furlongs. Corruption Maria Martin rJ.Vim Field Cadogan -Nonsense Oarsrnaid colt Bftmcen Warrington Ahhijukton Autumn Handicap, of 65 sovs. One mile and a half. Li hern Jot Ilium Galbee Prime Warden Aquarius Lady Zetland The Dreamer Don Pedro Coinage Dkletera Dwemvt Welter Handicap, of 30 sovs. One mile Pennine Now Hope The Idler Coringa Bay King Preston The Jewel Quibble Beach Count d'Orsay Victim Fire King The Chicken Sebastopol Aquarius Portadown Calm Young Cheviot Kiltnarnock Beau Nash Flying Handicap, of 30 sovs. Six furlongs. Queen B Lady Zetland Dandenong Oar&maid Carronade Melton Tassy Aparima May Gloaming Victim Young Cheviot La Rose Tom Field SECOND DAY. Midi and Hurdle Race Handicap, of 35 sovs. One mile and a half. Lady Grey May Boy The Idler Smuggler Clyde Dignity The Chicken Magpie Tornado Little Arthur Kilmarnock Captain Abram Grand Stand Handicap, of 55 so vs. One mile and a quarter. Von Tempsky Ilium Liberator Lady Zetland Galtee Don Pedro Aquarius - Dialetera Erin-go-Bragh Melton The Dreamer Coinage La Rose Young Cheviot Wakanui Handicap, of 30 sovs. One mile and a quarter. Bay King Coringa The Jewel Preston Beach Quibble Victim Count d'Orsay The Chicken Coinage Aquarius, Gloaming Calm Young Cheviot JN Tew flope Beau Nash Open Welter Handicap, of 35 sovs. One mile. Dandenong La Rose The Idler' . Tom Field Bay King Quibble Tassy Don Pedro Von Tempt-ky Dialetera May Melton Liberator Coinage Galtee Young Cheviot Erin-go-Bragh Harvest Handicap, of 30 sovs. Six furlongs. Pennine Portadown Queen B .Juveno Carronade Quibble The Jewel Count d'Orsay Beach Fire King Victim Aparima The Ohick«n Somonunu Aquarius Sebastopol Calm Gloaming Kilmarnock Young Cheviot New Hope Beau Nash plumpton" park racing and trotting club. The following are the acceptances and entries for the meeting next Thursday :— | Handicap Hurdle Race, of 40 sovs. One milo and a half. st lb st lb Erin-go- Merry Boy 9 9 . Bragh 11 0 Rocket ... 9 9 Magpie ... 10 9 Mrs Mullauey 9 7 Tornado ... 912 Regalia ... 9 0 Sprint Handicap, of 40 sovs. Five furlongs, st lb sfe lb Ilium 8 7 Dandenong 7 4 Vogengang 8 0 Drift 7 0 Euphrosyne 710 Reflection ... 7 0 Comrade .. 7 7 Corn Rose... 6 7 Plumpton Park Handicap, of 70 sovs. One mile and a distance. sfc lb fib ' m b Liberator ... 7 11 Adieu ... 7 6 Inez 7 9 Tassy ... 7 1 Coinage ... 7 8 Dialetera ... 6 7 Von Tempsky 7 6 Welter Handicap, of 40 sovs. One mile, st lb st lb Bay King ... 10 12 Erin-go-Bragh 9 11 Cajolery ... 10 9 Tassy ... 9 7 Spiingston... 10 7 Merry 80y... 9 2 Liberator ... 10 2 Preston ... 9 0 Y'ng Cheviot 10 0 Mrs Mullaney 8 12 Tom Field... 9 12 Dialetera 8 7 Sockburn Handicap, of 30 sovs. Six furlongs and a half. st lb st lb Y'ng Cheviot 8 6 Euphrosyne 7 6 Ilium ... 8 4 Juveno ... 7 3 Adieu ... 8 2 Drift ... 6 12 Tassy ... 7 10 j LadySockburn6 10 Handicap Harness Irot, of 40 sovs. Two miles. Zealandia ... 16sec Boudri ... 32sec Venus ... 16sec diplomacy... 32sec Sapphire ... 23sec Eos (including Tennessee ... 29sec lOsec pen.) 35sec [^adyJane... 30sec Vulcan ... 45sec Maiden Plate, of 20 sovs. One mile. Tom Field Dina Lady Sockburn Juveno Tournament Balrooney Alice Hawthorne Chatfield

RICCARTON NOTES.

Chpistohuroh, April 11. The strongest gallop of the morning at Riccarton was done by Clanranald and Kulnino over seven furlongs, bub good work was also done by Craekshot, Von Tempsky, Cruchfield, Ilium, Tom Field, Lady Zealand, The Dreamer, Mrs Mul lany, and Erin-go-Bragh of the older division, while Launceston, Captive, Comrade (Tasman —Adulation), and Cor ruption did the beat work of the two-year olds. Crown Jewel, Preston, Reflection, Norton, Silver Pine, Lucy, Flinders, Ahua, Lady Sockburn, Quibble, Cajolery, Heather Bell, Diadem, May, and a num ber of jumpers did more or less easy tasks.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

(I SB PKKSM ASSOCIATION.)

Tli« Ben Oli»n Ilim Ca*«. Ddnedi.v, April 11. Mr .J ustice Williams «ave judgment in Scott v. Ritchie for the plaintiff, mth costs on the highest s al«. ,

Support Local Industry. — The l Lozenges, Jujubes, Comfits, and London Mixtures manufactured by AuLSJBi?B.bOK jf d 06. are equal to best imported. ' A Wellington telegram says that there are 27,000 tons of shipping at Wellington wharves to-d^i

Australian Bushrangers

[ByD. Oliver.]

CAPTAIN MELVILLE.

(Concluded ) "On Thursday night, two of my men who had been out with me, were walking through Union street (a narrow lane running from Ryrie street to the Market Square) when they saw a man answering to the description of Roberta. They turned round and after a severe struggle secured him. fie was well armed, and did his utmost to get at hi3 pistols, but was prevented. He was taken to the watch house, and turned out to be the right man. " On Saturday evening (Christum Eve) my wife and I were walking down Moorabool street, towards the wharf. I there met Sergeant Carr, of the footl police. He called me aside and told me that he had heard that Melville was known to a carpenter who lived at the back of the Black Bull hotel, and suggested that we should go and make enquiry. I agreed to go, and t©ld my wife to go to the wharf and wait until I came back. I was unarmed, and the barracks were a mile away. , I suggested to Sergeant Carr to bring a pistol with him, which he did. The pistol was loaded, and he put a fresh cap on it. "We then went to the house pointed out by Sergeant Carr. I went the back way, picking up Constable Collins (on my way. Sergeant Carr advanced to the house by Malop street. It was then just getting dark. " I entered the carpenter's shop from the back, followed by Constable Collins ; Mr the same time Carr entered at the front. There were several persons in the place- They were sitting at a bench, on which were spread bread, cheese, and beer. I knew most of the mon sitting round the bench, but there was one man sitting by himself close to the door by which I had entered, whom I did not recognise. " I asked the owner of the house who this man was, advancing at the same time towards the stranger ; the bench, how ever, stood between us. At that instant he jumped up and drew two pistols, calling out at the same time, ' I am your man, d n you.' "As he said this, I called out 'bhoot the wretch; Carr —shoot him !' "Their pistols, I think, touched eich other across the bench, but Carr's missed fire. Melville's shot broke tha top hinge of the door behind Carr, which brought the door down on his back, knocking him over. "In the meantime Melville fired another shot at my head. Fortunately for me it missed me, but caught the old policeman's stick, which he was holding up in his hand, and spht it into pieces. " This all occurred in a very few seconds of time, and while it was going on Melville slipped between me and the door, and backed out, covering himself with his pair of revolvers. I followed within & few feet of him, but being unarmed I could do nothing. Collins had disappeared, and I found myself within a few 1 felt of a well-armed desperado, who had already shown that he meant to take the life of anyone that stood in his way. "I retired a few yards and gave Carr —who had extricated himself from the fallen door—time to join me again. No sooner had he joined me than Melville fired on us again, and this time Carr fell wounded. "Melville, as soon as he had fired, turned and ran for Malop street. I made after him, but he got a little the start of me. However, I soon began to gain upon him. Just then he saw a man on horse back riding into town, and msdo for him at once. He seized the man, and tried to pull him off his horse. While he waa thus engaged, I with the assistance of a foot constable—who was attracted to the spot by the report of firearms—collared him, and conveyed him to the watch house. " On being searched, Melville had only two five shilling pieces of money in his possession. 1 asked him if that was all the money he had. He replied, • that is all you will get, my friend." " Well, on the Tuesday following they were brought before the Bench, which consisted of Dr Bailey, the Mayor, Cap. tain Fyans, P.M., and several J.P.'s, Melville, when asked his name by the Mayor, repJied, 4 Don't; ask me any ques tions, Bailey ; let Captain Fyans, who is a gentleman, ask me anything and I will answer him.' . . " The Mayor, sternly, «Captain what's your name, sir, let us have none of your larks here. What is your proper name ?' Melville replied by spelling his name in the following manner— 'C p. t. a. in. ' M.e. 1. v. lie.' Ac this stage, I applied for a remand for seven days, which was granted. "That day week I went to the gaol to take Melville and Roberts to the Court. I handcuffed them together in the gaol. T had four mounted men outside. When I got them outside, the captain declined to walk ;he must have a conveyance, I told him that he would have to walk, and he again declined. So I went inside, got a piece of rope, and passed it through the handcuffs, then mounted my horse, and when he found that I meant to drag them he agreed to walk. He said it would be disgraceful to be dragged through the streets. "£™°?, r T Wfty UP' he said he WO"W give me £500 if I would lend him a horse and saddle for an hour. Uf course I refused the request. He then told me that I was not to be shot, as he had covered me with his revolver as fair as any man could. He hoped that hanging would be the end of me. "There were two remands, buteventually they were committed on a number of charges. In due course they were tried, and found guilty on three charges. We had several other charges readyhad any of these failed. I really forget the parti cular charges upon which they were found guilty. I know, however, that fchey received sentences amounting to thirty two years in all, six years of which had to be served in irons. They were removed to the Melbourne gaol. " The next I heard of Melville he was on board the hulk ' Success' in the Bay. While there, he made a rush at one of the guards, and tried to throw |him overboard. This was done with the sixteen pound irons on. After this he aided and abetted at the murder of chief warder Price. He was then sent back to Melbourne gaol, where his conduct was very bad. " His last act was to take his own life by cutting his throut. This he managed to accomplish in his cell with the h»ndl« of an iron spoon, which he had sharpened for the purpose. " Melville was a poor scholar, but had a considerable amount of the gift of the gab. It got rumoured about that he was the son of a Scotch clergyman, and had, for some crime, been sent to Tasmania, from whence he had escaped. It was strongly suspected that a man in Geelong became possessor of his plunder, bub it was never found out. " I have not heard anything of Roberts since a few years after his trial."

1 here was a display of Aurora Australia on Saturday night about ten o'clock, con tinning for about half an hour. The lights were at no time very bright. From Timaru we learn that three voun» men, named Pjringle (2) and Blytli, crossed the Southern Alps by Godley 'dlfiffßS fast week. They reac.hed Rohutu settlement in three days from Lilybank station,and were three days on the return jp U^e y. They were, only five, hours on tl^e ice tract aad easily made the west side/ Rohutu * saints. 10 m theupper^

tM ASHBURTON GUARDIAN: MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1803.



N O T I 0 B. Communications on matters connected wioh any Department of the Paper, SHOULD NOT be addressed to any member of the staff by name. Letters relating to Advertisements or other Business, to be addressed to THE MANAGER, Literary communications to THE EDITOR.



Good Friday (15th inst) and Eister Monday (18th inst) being Postal Holidays the Ashburton Post and Telegraph Office will be closed except from 9 till 10 a.m., an I from 7 till 8 p.m. Mails for Christchurch andNorthwillcloseat6.3o.a.m.,andforDune -1 din and South at 10 a.m., after which hour no Mails will be despatched.



MAIL iNTOXIOisIS. Maih close for the following places as under, subject, to the necessary alterations : — TUESDAY, April 12. For Northern Ports, per Rotorua, at 0.30n.m WEDNESDAY, April 13. For Chatham Islands, per Ohau, at 6.30 a'm. , , For Australian Colonies, and also tor United Kingdom and Continent of Europe via Brindisi (specially addressed corres pondence only), Point de Galle, India, China, Japan, &c, and also for 1 ranee, Algeria, Mauritius, Cape of Good Hope, &a, (specially marked "per French packet only), per express to (connect with su?. Waihora at Port Chalmers) at ISS. 30. p.m. ; late fee letters, guards van on express 13.53 p.m. WEDNESDAY, April 20. For UnitedKingdoni, Continents of Europe and America, and West Indies (via ban Francisco>, Sandwich Islands, etc., and also for Northern Ports of New Zealand, per Takapuna, as follows-.-Ordinary letters, books, and newspapers, at 6.15 p m. ; registered letters, 5 p.m. ; money orders, 6 p.m. ; guard's van (express), 6.50^ p.m This mail is due in London on May 20. ENGLISH MAILS. HOMEWARD—DIRWT MAILS. Doric, left April 2, due London May 12. Ruahine and Tongariro, leaving April 16, due London May 28. - SAN FRANCISCO MAILS. Alameda, left March 26, due London April 27. Mariposa, leaving April 19, due London May 21. OUTWARD —DIRECT MAILS Aorangi, due colony April 18. Coptic, due colony May 2. SAN FRANCISCO MAILS. Mariposa, due colony April 20 Monowai, due colony May 18.



Wanted. | CASH Advertisement* under this heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be leffcat this Office, FOUR hundred Persons wanted to attend the Tea and Concert in Primitive Church on Easter Monbay. wm _*.... . %%T ANTED, Tenders for Carting two y/y hundred Yards Shingle about fifteeh chains, to the iiiffeltou School. Tenders close Wkdnbsday, 4 p.m., Mail Office. OST, Ust Wednesday, two large Door Keys, on ring. Apply this Office. 4 59 /-OMPORTABLE Home for a Gentle- V> man Boarder in ft private family, three minutes from railway. For addiesn apply Office of this paper. 4 42 ANTED KNOWN—I am Agent for the Kaitangata Coal Company. —R. S. BnAN. West Street. Bran, Oats, Chaff. Ac. * 6i WANTED Known.—l have trans ferred the Ashburton Agency for Mount Somers Coal to Mr James Baker. All Ashburton Accounts to be paid to him from April 1, 1892. A. E. Harris. 4_Bl W~~ ANTED KNOWN.-250 Ladies' Maids' and Children's Ulsters and J ackets (mostly good qualities) marked cheap to clear. Many one third mm half the usual price.—H. C. Sjjgers, Mwlford House. W>NTED to Sell—My well-known 50-inch roadsfcer, new tyres, hollow rim, and bull bearings through out. W. H. Dunnage, Railway Depart ment. *j[J nhcTPABMBK? AND OTHERS.-I JL have taken the Sole Ageucy in Ash burton for Mount Somers Coal. See Ad- Yertisement.— Jambs Baker. 4 59 WANTED KNOWN, New Boots and Shoes for the wet weather, of sound value at the •* Corner." WANTED KNOWN, Grand display of new Millinery, Ulsters, and Jackets, at moat reasonable prices at *THE CORNEK." /CHOICEST new Boon's Figs and \J Cartoon Table Dates in 31b Boxes, 2* each. —H. G. Flower, Confectioner, last «fcreet. UST Imported, a large stock of Account Books, Ledgers, Cash Books, Day Books, etc., in various bindings and prices.—H. M. Jonrs. TT7 ANTED Known.-Come and see VV the Bargains now on at Melford House.- H. 0. Seqers. \\/"ANTED Known.—lf you want YV plenty of first class Drapery, lloots and Clothing for cash, come to Melford House Sale.—H. 0. Sech?rs. BALL Dresses, Evening Gloves, Mounts in Silver and Gold, Muffs, Fur Collarettes, Ladies' Evening Shoes, Invigorator Corsets, with straps, 5T and K. Zone and all other makes, just opened.—Andrew Orr. 4 §7 WANTKD Known.—l have a large stock of Tin and Ironware Goods O selfict from. Register Grates, Stoves, "ortsible Boilerei, Spouting aivl Ridging kepV in f»tock.--J. W. Haudley, Enst treet. __JL {?? 2. •HO Meet the Times.—l am supplying JL Qrtlvaiiisert Iron Tanks from 30s upwards, warranted for twenty years, Force pumps, deep well cylinders oi »U descriptions. Inspection invited.— J. W. llakplby, Eas street. (if2ol ALL #00l Colonial Tweed Suits t measure j fit and workmanslnj guarnnceed; from 60s cash. Robert Alcork, Ashburfcon Clothing Man. S tunders' Buildings. W* "ANTED Known—That you "will make no mitttake 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 nt (nice. A sbiff of men always kopt ar<l be«i material and workmanship guaranteed. NEW Supplies of Stationery, Account Books, Music, Fancy Gi»ods Games, Urders for Printing, Botk oinding, Picture Frames, promptly ex ecuted Schools and offices supplied with fvery requisite. Magazines »nd News papers supplied.—L F. ANDRE WES A CO., Stationers' Hall. "TTTHITTINGTON'S Tomato Sauce. YV together with testimonials, may be seen at.Mrs James', Fruiterer, East Street, and Mrs Pearson's, Fmiterer, Wakanui Roud, where orders will bt received and prices given. 3 165



« WINTEB. m» —NOW SHOWING— THS New Overcoats and Water proofs New Tweeds and Suitings AND ew Hosiery and Gloves New Collars and Shirts CHOICEST New Scarfs and B"ws New Travelling and other Caps : StOCk New Soft Felt Hats New Flexible Hats JLV.SR ew Styles in Boys' Hats anil Caps New Rugs and Umbrella? SHOWN Ne|roT< ; le Capes all d Riding Apr'»n3 jjy New Goo Is in all Itepart me ts Inspection Respectfully US. fnvited NEW iSILAND Clotliliiv Factory. W. H WEBBER, Manager. Agraits for Wertheim Celebrated Sewing Machine. Kkatisis's Cotroii lozknuin onre Co'igha Asthma, Bronchitis. Medical testimony **,ntes that no other medieine is so effectual i* the cure of those tlajigeroHS maladies One lozenge alone gives ease, one or two : at bedtime ensures rest. For relieving difficulty of breathing they are invaluable. They contain no opiwn nor any violent drug. Sold by ill CbcfriiU la tiic lal|d »pd 3s 9d each <