Lost in the Bush.

Om oi Dunedin's oldest inhabitants, who is still Jwjtjsand hearty, has owned one of the corner sections in the city ever since the first sale ,of town lan/i look place, soon after the foundation of the settlement. The original price was only £12 10s, but it is now worth at least £50,000. When tl*e diggings rush took place a Melbourne merchant wanted to buy the section, and offered hjoi £1000 for it. This seemed at the time a famous sum to the owner, who, however did not want fco sell, "Gae awa' wi' ye won" he said to the tempter, •' ye canna' have come by your rnorey honestly or ye wadna be sac free wi 1 yer thousands." — Extract from the ''Bulletin," June 28, 1890. gentle reader, the above paragraph is reply jn?tructiVe. You all have heard of the man v})o .swopped his land in Collins Street, Melbourne, for ft bottle of rum, because his land was " too far in thp bush." Most of you know men ; who to day are wealthy through their foresight in buying fond and holding in Sydney, Melbourne, AdeWde, Brisbane, etc. After having read tfye &b,oye just think (for a moment, does it not stride yqu that now is the time for you to huy}mi a ( t Perth, the capital cify of Western Aus tralK* " 'He coming colony." It is now | scarcely 18 months sjjjce responsible Government was grafted, §»cl tl^e "Cinderella" of the ground has tauten her pobition bcsi4e her sister ccjonies wid will prove a formidable iwil. Business and villa sites may be purchased £a Perth from £5 5s per lot, payable 10s monthly, no interest charged. Title, clear cor, tiiicute. Plans and full particulars from P. Callighau, junr., 134 Swanson-street, corner of Little Collins street, Melbourne. N.B*.--E?ery lojj is guaranteed high, well drained, free from mf defects, and per fect building land. '<

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close for the following places as under, subject to the neceeeary altei atioiw: SATURDAY, January 7. For Northern Porls, per Rotoruti, at 6.230 p.m. ; late fee letters, guards van, express train, at 6.55 p.m. I For United Kingdom and Continent ol Europe (specially addressed per Orient; steamer only), and also for Australian Colonies, per express to connect with Mana nouri at Port Ohalmera, at 1 5.30 p.m, Late fee letters, van express train, 12 55 p no i Due in London on March 11

ENGLISH MAILS.

OUTWARD—SAN FRANCISCO MATLS. Next mail leaves London December 24, due colony January 25,

The letter-box will be cleared for des patch of correspondence from Ashburton Post Office to the under-mentioned places us follows: —• . ■•■"••■', jr or a.m. p.m. p.m Burnham and Dunsandel , . daily) ' <•• 315 Ohertsey and Rakaia „ (daily) .< 6.30 3.15 6.20 Christchurch and North „ „™' (daily) 630 3.15 6.20 and on Mondays, Wed nesdays, and Fridays... 10 30 Drorrore (daily) ... ... 630 \ Eiffelton and Willowby. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays 10.30 Elgin, Wakanui, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays 6.30 Flemington Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays 4 4a Geraldine (daily).... .. 10.SC Greenatreet, Winchmore, and Forks, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays 630 Lismore, Tuesdays and Fridays... 10.30 Methven (daily) 3-15 Mt. Somers, Springburn, Bushside, and Alford Forest (daily) 4.0 Mayfield and Euapuna, Monday sand Thursdays 4 0 Newlands, Tuesdays and Fridays ... 1.10 Timaru, Dunedin, and South (daily) 12.30 Selwyn (daily) ... ... 620 Temuka & Timaru (daily) 10.30 12.30 and on Tuesdays, Thurs days and Saturdays ... 3.15 Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, and Waimate (daily)... 10 30 and on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays ... 3,15 Wheatstone, Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach (daily) ... .. 4.45 N.B. — Letters containing anything ot value should be handed to the Postmaster to be registered. Letters containing coin, if posted un registered, will hQcompulsorilyregistered and eliarged dmile registration fee.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1893. THE LATE JODGE HIGINBOTHAM.

By the death of the Hon. George Higinbotham, Chief Justice of Victoria, one of the greatest men of Australasia has been removed, and his loss will be deplored throughout the Colonies by all who respect worth, uprightness and ability. Like many others who have taken a prominent part in shaping the destinies of the Colonies, Mr Higio botham in his early career joined journalism to the study and practice of the law, both in London and after his arrival in Melbourne in 1854. In 1856 he was appointed to succeed Mr Edward Wilson as editor of the " Argus," and this post he retained until 1859, when he resumed practice, and began to take an active part in politics.. In 1861 he entered the Legislative Assembly as independent) Liberal member for Brighton, but^ a general election immediately afbeir. He regained it within a year, and in 1863 joined the McCulloch Ministry as Attorney-General, which office he lield for five yeare, during the memorable constitutional struggle between the two Houses. It was Mr Higinbotham who devised and carried out the plan of battle for jbhe Lower House, and 'his, ultimate success raised him to a height of esti mation in popular favor which he has maintained ever since. The struggle was not only between Freetrade and Protection but for the financial supre macy of the Lower House, A severe depression in 1802 left the Treasurer with a deficit. Ho proposed to meet it by-imposing a duty of five to ten per cent on imports. The proposals were defeated, but the next year, Sir (then Mr) Jamea McOulloch having become Premier, it bwamg clear that the Assembly was Protectionist and the Council Freetrade, and when the latter refused to pass the Payment of Members Bill, passed unanimously by the L>wer House, it became clear that they would not pass the tariff In 1864 the Government tacked the tariff to the Appropriation Bill, and the Council promptly rejected both. The Attoiney-G t eneral, Mr Higinbotham, evaded a deadlock b^ raising the revenue on the authority of the Loyer House alone, and paying the appropria tions on warrants of the Supreme Coijrt obtained after judgments allowed by the : Gov/3,mment in collusion with a friendly bank to go jby dsfaj)^. Next year the tariff Bill was sent up alone and was again rejected. Ministers thereupon appealed to the constituen cies and the el^tipJis gave them fifty eight out of the #©vehty*eight s : aats, the strongest majority known up to t' at time in f ictorian history. The Bijl was again senjb up, but by this time, Lord Oardwell, Secretary of State, had intervened with a censure of the Government for collecting the duties under the authority of a single branch of the Legislature, and making this the excuse, the Council threw out the Tari# #ill for the third time. The Ministry then ?esigne4j but us another could not be formed Mr Mc&uftoch was reinstated. The Premier then discontinued his relations with the friendly Wk, and threw the whole. responsibility oi the deadlock on the Council. Public pfiyme^ts ceased,; and the situation became intolerable,, At l^ist tlj.e tvvo Houses sat together in pootei^ea, and the Tariff Bill was passed. Tl?en f&mfi $P Paring grant dispute. It was alleged tiiatlso.yprnop Darling during the struggle had ,ex : cowled i)is functions by assisting the Lower House to cpercp |t|ie Upper, and. he was recalled. The Lower House voted him a grant of ,£20,000; the Council struck the item out of the Opposition Bill. The Ministry appealed to the country, and game back with sjxty seats of the

eventjr-eight; but Sir Charles Darling ended the struggle by refusing to accept anything. Mr Higinbotham was the hero of the whole struggle, and throughout his subsequent career ■he never ceased to stand up for the popular cause against class domination. In 1808 he again served under Mr McOulloch,' but without a portfolio. In 1871 he lost his seat in Parliament, and devoted himself to his large prac tice at the Tar until 1874, wren, he again entered Parliament, but he soon resigned, as he did not approve of the policy then pursued by the two rival leader?, Mr Graham Berry and Sir James McCulloch. In 1880 he was appointed a Puisne Judge, and in 1886 he succeeded Sir William Stawell as Chief Justice. Mr Higinbotham several times refused knighthood, as he held that all rewards for services in the colony should emanats from the colony, During the absence of Governor Sir Henry lioch in 1888, the Chief Justice would in due course have become Acting-Governor, but the Colonial Office appointed Sir William Robinson to that office, as Mr Higin botham had intimated that if he held it he would act on the principle which i he had always advocated politically, that the Colonial Offise had no right to interfere with or be consulted upon the internal affairs of the colony. During the great maritime strike recently, he i openly expressed approval of the strikers' cause, and subscribed to the strike funds, declaring, in answer to comments upon his action, that ho would continue to do sojuntil the em \ ployers met the njen in conference. His championship of the labor cause was, of course, cavilled at by many, tfut did riot diminish the unbounded confidence of all classes in his ability 'and integrity, and no man could be more highly esteemed.

LOCAL AHD GENERAL.

Mr John Clark, saddler, has been appointed registrar of dogs for the Tinvrald Town district. . Mr C. F. Bourne, headmaster of Auck land Grammar School, has accepted the headmastership of Christ's College, Christ church. " During the month of December twenty four estate 3of deceased persons were placed in the hands of the Public Trustee^ their values ranging from £5 to £1100. The returns of the Ashburton hospital for the month of December 1892, are:—ln Hospital December 1, 12 patients ; admitted during the month, 19; discharged 12; re maining 19. The mitrom of the hospital wishes to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of flowers from Mrs Lea, papers and fruit from Mr Robert Murray for use of patients. Old linen would be thankfully received. ' A notification appears elsewhere from Mr Andrew Orr that he has engaged a first-ciass bootmaker to manufacture boots and shoes on his premises, and to undertake the repair ngof all such articles bought fr >m his shop. A y meeting of tit Elgin School Commit t«3 was held on Monday. Present—Messrs A. Litfiarn (chairman), J. Dwyer, T. Cavill, F. Ciements, and S. Scott. The only business before the Committee was the granting of ho iday?, which were allowed from Friday, January 13, until Monday, Febrmry 29.

As a special meeting of the County Council will fall to m held on February 13, to elect a representative for the Lyttclcon Harbor Board, the Council has decided to hold the ordinary meeting on that date, and bo avoid the necessity for no'ding two meetings in one month in the busiest season of the ye ir— harvest. Sittings of the' District Courts in Ashbur ton and Tiraaru Districts are gizstted as fol l. ows —Courthouse, Ashburton, for civil I business only, on 13th January, 17fch March, 19th May, 2Jat July, 15th September, and 10th November; courthouse, Timarn, for civil business only, on 17th January, 21st March, 2kd May, 25th July, and 19th September ; for civil and criminal business, 'on 14th November. »i. rv: —...... ~~ I\U*uMfAa*r.. .TnVin Martin well-known to the police, was committed for trial on a charge of having forged cheques for £3 103, £3 8s and £1 10*, signing the name " C. W. Turner " to each. The persons who cashed the cheques took the signature to be that of a son of Mr C. W. Turner, who is at the office of the Bel ford Mill, Timaru. Mr Charles Wilson, a Victorian pastoralist cf 50 years standing, has startled the iJriti&h farmer by predicting, in a letter to a metropolitan journal, that there is nothing to prevent Australian producers raising wheat at 2s per bushel and mutton at 2u per lb, He admits that the Australian meat does not equal that from ICew Zealand, where the gliiriatp, bpeed of sheep, and pastures are more like those of Britain.

The Championship Chess Congress con cluded on Thursday. Siedeberg (DunediuJ won the championship, having woa 7 games and drawn 1 game. Hookham (Ghristehurch) takes JJsecond place, having won 6 games, drawn 1 game, and lost 1 game- Barnes (Wellington) won the third prize, having won 6 games aud lost 3games. Eyre (Christ church) comes fourth, having won 5 games, drawn 1 game, and lost 3 games. Messrs Rollitt and Co. have sent us the most useful almanac of the season, It com? prises a calendar for the year 1893, tables of bank holidays, stamp duties, and rates of postage; diary for the year, week by week ; and a good blotting pad, on each leaf of which is the legend "Supreme." It is capitally got up in every respect, and a credit to the establishment of Whitcombe and Tombs, Limited, and it also is an excel lent advertisement of the large business o£ the Canterbury Flour Mills. Ib will be a useful and ornamental feature on the editorial table during the year. ' ?fr 'ilj'attflßS tyjfan.ro ha§ returned to Mel bourne, Mr Mu»^Oj accordirjg' to the plater nv::;fc given by Mr Shiels in the Legislative Assembly, was granted leave of absence "to enable him to return to the colony and vindicate his character from the aspersions made upon him, and to give him an opportunity to arrange his financial affairs, so thstt no slur' should bo cast upon the colony by the: foot' of it Mbein|[ jajnown or reputed that the Agent-general was unable to meet his debts." It is rathfcr a big gontract, which (says the " Otago Daily Timea "' correspondent) is about all' one likes to say on the subject. If the innei history • of his Real Bstate Bulk ever does come to light, the record w ill riot be very creditable to Mr AJunro. The agricultural reporter of the M Austra lasian " Ks9 completed his inspectiqn of the wheat crop qf Victoria. The resuj sof the inquiry 'fuUy bear out the anticipations generally entertained all through the season of a splendid harvest being reaped. He estimates the area at 1,375,000 acres, and the yield at 16,471,000 bushels, the average ' per acre being 1V97, or within a fraction of 12 b#3h£jj3. Of the total yield the people will RequirefoVfootl about j§,462,|0j) bushels the seed requirements for ?the nesfi h'arsresj; will be about 1,750,000 bushels.-and there will be available: for export 8,257,500 bushels, or, say 221,200 tons. The average per acre has been; exceeded before, but the total yi«4l of the harvest is the largest ever record^, anxl $ greatsr by 3,000,0,00 bushels than last yfe'ai!.' * c' •*•'■■'

The Ah Ching Enquiry.

MR BBETHAM'S REPORT.

[per prbss association. J

Wellisgtols January 6. -Mr Bjetham, R.M., in his report on the Ah Ching enquiry says he thinks it impossible to state with certainty where Ah Chins? received his injuries. In support of this opinion he quotes various occasions on which he had to be sub jected to violent restraint—in Tinakori Road, in the cab en rouU to the asylum, on the floor pf the receiving room at the asylum ; his extremely violent conduct in the single room, the padded room and the corridor. On any of these occasions, Mr Beet ham remarks, Ah Ching might have received the injuries. He agrees-with the coronei's juvy in thinking the injuries were probaMy received during his violent conduct when confined in room number 10, and in ihs refractory ward of the asylum before the strait jacket was applied. He also thinks no unnecessary violence was used by the attendants hi placing the s f.raib waistcoat on the patienV an I adds that he disbeUeves Kdwards' statement that attendant Heise knelt upon Ah Ching. In his opinion 4^i«fms!^v_jSK]Lai^-am^s^ Tor thepurposeTor which they are intended, both of them having ledges on to which a patient might climb and from which he might jump en to the floor, a distance of seven teet.

SPORTING.

DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB.

[per press association.]

Dunebin, Januarys. The Dnnedin Jockey Club Committee; in their annual report, state that for the first time for many years the accounts show a loss on the year's operations, the aplual loss being £1365 2s 9d. The revenue fell off during the year to the amount of £2591. The shrinkage is due tototalisator investments being less by £20,811. There was paid to the Govern ment in totalisator tax £999 18s 9d. The Club paid tax tor four meetings out of its own revenue, but owing to the serious deficiency apparent the tax at the spring meeting was charged to the public. The Committee have decided to curtail the number of racing days f^r ih> soasen ; 1892-93 by three days, .takinn ,i \i..y each off the Spring, Anniversary, and Hunt Club meetings^

Methven Sports.

The usual Mew Year's sports wero held at Methven on Monday, in a padddock lent by Mr D. G. Holmes. The weather was all that could tip- wished, and the programme was gob of| fairly punctually. The following events tieve decided :— Hurdle Race—Mr E. Wilson's Buncragon 1 j Mr W. Setters' Van Breeze, 2, Glentui also started. . Trot Handicap—Forester, scratch, X; Alyth, scratch, 2. Clips and Nellio also started. : Purse—Mr Aynsley's Juveno, 1; Mr E. Wilson's Ringrove, 2. ; Rlate—Mr Aynsley's Chester Lad, % ; Mr Wilson's NeV Hope, 2. Hack Race—Mr \\ 7ilßOfl's Ringrove, 1 ; Mr Stee's Glenann, 2.'' • ' ' Obstacle Race—"Van Breeze, 1 ; Biddy, 2. Si^ 1 started, Among them 'a small pony, L:\c|y Jocalyn, carrying a six foqfc ylder gallantly over the jumps. A Hurry Scurry was won by New IJope. Messrs Henderson and T. Mangin \yevp too good for the vest of the competi tors in'the'.athletics, which commenced wi'h 100 Yards Handicap — Henderson* scratch, 1; T. Mangin, syds, 2: Won by six inches. Nine started. Three Legged Race—Henderson and Mangiu, 1; Hardy and Sullivan, 2. I|qys under 14— F. Rands, 1j H. Rapley, I*. Gipls pnder l§—^fanion, 1 j Manion, 8. ■ '> i *!; : » 440 Yards Handicap —T. Maiiion, 20yds, 1; C. Berkley, 15yds, 2. ' l-'^Hop, IStep, and Jump^A. Henc'erson, ! 39ft 10in, 1; M. Hannigan, 2-' ' Hen's Hurdle Ra -c,: 120 yds HandixVip — soratoh, % ; T. Alanjin. 7yds, 2. Won easily. '" ' '? '? ' Sack Race—Henderson, 1 ; Osbornc, 2, IJijjh Jump—'-A. Henderson, 6'ft IJin, I ; Mangiu, tj. ' ■ . • A ball Mas "hole} fa the evening which \f as well attended.

TELEGRAPHIC.

ENORMOUS METEOROLITE.

Madrid, January 4, A- nieteorolite of unexampled siza lutt fallen in Fozaldez, mi 4 scientific.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(rBR t'HESS ASSOCIATION.)

SMALLPOX.

London, January 4. Smallpox is spreading at an alarm ing rate in Lancashire.

IMPORTED MEAT.

During the coming session of Parlia ment Lord Onslow intends to introduce a Bill, providing for the branding of imported meat with a mark showing the country whence it came.

MEDALS FOR COLONIAL VOLUNTEERS.

Sir Paul Samuel, Agent-General for New South Wales, is taking further steps to secure medals for colonial volunteers. *jf

AFRICA

The Marquis of Ripon, Colonial Secretary, has transferred the Govern ment of Northern Bechuanaland to the British South Africa Company.

H.M.S. HOWE.

The Admiralty enquiry into the stranding of H.M.S. Howe has con cluded. The Court found that the sailing directions issued to Captain Hastings, Commander of the vessel, were safe only at high tide, and that Rear Admiral Fairfax was not respon sible for the accident.

LAND CLAIM.

The "Daily Telegraph's" Vienna correspondent wires that the late John Doininis, of Hawaii, was in early life an Austrian sailor, and married a woman of Dalmatiain Austro-Hungary, and that his widow intends to claim Liliuokalani's property in the islands.

IRISH AFFAIRS,

Mr Labouchere, on the ground principally of expediting business, protests against the retention of the , Irish members in the British Parlia ment, as he considers it would lead the House of Commons and the country to reject Mr Gladstone's Home Rule proposals. At a special meeting of the Evicted Tenants Commission, Mr J. Dillon, M.P., expressed the opinion that the only remedy for the trouble was to appoint a Board of Arbitration to settle disputes and arrange terms of sale with the tenants. London, January 5. In giving evidence before the Evicted Tenants Commission yester day, Mr J. Dillon, M.P., stated that the total receipts in aid of the Plan of Campaign amounted to £234,000. It ii reported that Mr Gladstone will explain the provisions of his Home Rule BiU in the House of Commons on February 6.

LABOR MATTERS.

London, January 4. Delegates representing 300,000 mem bers of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain will discuss the Eight Hours' question at Birmingham on Monday. Vienna, January 5 , Nine thousand of the 20,000 miners who went out on strike at Saarbruck have resumed work.

WINTER IN EUROPE.

Railway traffic between Vienna and Buda-Pesth has been stopped by heavy snowstorms.

CANADA AND THE STATES.

Oitawa, January 4. Mr McDowell, Minister of Trade, disbelieves the statement of tfie " New York Sun," that President Harrison intends to abolish the privilege of the Canadian railways for the transport of merchandise in bond through the United States free of duty, and he rsayo-*iJk«4-i4'_tko il»i;e.alL_be. cftrrifid-iaio- effect, Canada will be ready with re taliation. Washington, January 5. Petitions'^ are being signed in the United States in support of Mr Chap man's Bill to prohibit the employment of Canadians, of whom 300,000 cross the border daily, returning to their home 3in the evening, while others remain for longer periods.

THE MONETARY CONFERENCE,

The United States delegates %o the Monetary Conference at Brussels have resigned, so as to allow Mr Cleveland, the' President-elect, a freehand in deal ins with the silver question.

LYNCHING.

A terrible sequel to a lynching ex pedition is reported from Bakersville, the capital of Mitchell County, in North Carolina. A prisoner confined in the local gaol was dragged from his cell by an infuriated crowd, and hurried to the forest on the outskirts of the town where the unfortunate wretch was lynched. The mob were followed by seven policemen, who engaged the lynchers." A furious fight ensued, resulting in the death of the whole of the police and twenty-five "of the law breakers. Among the latter -were many of the *most prominent men in the county.

EUROPEAN AFFAIRS.

Pabis, January 4. One of the city papers declares that the late Baron Reinach sold the secret of the composition qj; smokeless powder to Germany and Great Britain,;: '1 he claim of Prince Waldemar of Denmark to the French throne is being seriously! discussed in Paris, plotters? boast that t^jey possess the qontrol of the forts, Ijb is expected that SI. TDambon, the French Ambassador in Madrid, will succeed M. Waddington as Ambassador in I^ondoi^ St. Peteesjbueg, January 4. The Russian press, takes a pessi mistic view of the German Emperor's attitude towards the Army Bill, General fcscherneff says that the most popular of all Russiai: wars is the couiins war with Germany! !

DISTRESS IN RUSSIA.

Several provinces are threatened j with famine, and the Government are | arranging to distribute immense, quantities of rye. Thotisands of the i d(J3titi\te, wlio * attempted to cro^s the frontier into German territory, were' j compelled to return. I

THE PANAMA SCANDALS.

' RATJif?. .January |. lilondin, chief clerk 6i" 'the Crijdif; Lydnniise, has been arrested, in cqn npctjoh \yitli the Pi^haraa Oanal frauds, and-frcsh! jcevelatioo^j are Iqreshe^owed.'

I commission has gone out to examine it.

THE HOMESTEAD POISONINGS.

x>bw iobk. January**. 1 welve Unionists have been arrested on suspicion of being connected with the poisoning at Carnegie's works at Homestead.

AUSTRALIAN.

NEWCASTLE COAL OUTPUT.

»ii»jsjsy, uanuary o. The output rf -oal at Newcastle for ♦;he year has ueereased by 350,000 i tons, [valued at £250,000. The I principal decrease was in the supply lo I Victoria of 77,000 tons, and to Ade laide of 114,000, due to the Broken Hill strike, and to America. of 96,000.

STEAMER BURNED.

Adelaide, January 5 Arrived—Fifeshire, from London. She reports having passed the steamer Pretoria on fire near the Canaries. The illfated vessel had been abandoned by her crew before the Fifeshire sighted her.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, January 5. Owing to incessant heavy rain the bowl matshes are postponed indefinitely The southern bowlers are occupying their time visiting the various local manu facturing establishments, but as it is still raining several bowlers are returnuig south to-day, and the others leave to morrow, without playing a single game. The weather is unprecedently wet for this i season of the year.

The Agricultural Depression in England.

The National Agricultural Congress, called to consider the grave situation of ' agricultural affairs in Great Britain, met in London on December 7. There were 1500 delegates from over 200 D Agri cultural Associations present. Mr Chap lin said he hoped the Conference would adopt the principle of bi-meralliem, and Mr William Saunders, a Radical, and Mr Francis Smith, member of the. London County Council, who attempted to .de nounce protection, were hooted down. . Mr Wethersole, a farmer's delegate, pro posed a resolution affirming "That the unfair competition of untaxed foreign im- - ports with Home produce was an injustice that called for immediate removal, and, , therefore, all competing imports ought to • ; pay duty not less than the rates, of dues levied on home products." This re solution was adopted after » long debate by a large majority. Mr Everett, Liberal member for Suffolk, moved the adoption of the resolution declaring "That in the opinion of th\» Conference the continuous fall in prices was largely due to the depreciation of gold and silver in exchange between the gold aud *jtver using countries, and that the best remedy will be secured by an agreement on a broad international basis to re-open the • mints of the leading nations to the un restricted coinage of silver and gold." The resolution also urged that the British Government be earnestly requested to co-operate with the Governments unre presented in the Monetary Conference at Brussels. Mr Everett maintained that the fall in prices was not due to free trade, bub asserted that tho policy of the. pro-' tection of gold had raised ihe price of ■• that metal fifty per cent above the value it p»«viously held with regard to silver. A lengthy debate ensued, in closing, which Mr Chaplin declared that the owners of gold did not approve the motion, because the more' cold de preciated tho better it was for them. It is.a curious coincidence that since silver was demonetised in 1873 the world has, been experiencing a prolonged and' serious depression m every industry, for which no other reason could be assigned. The resolutions were then cirried. The unanimity and enthusiasm of the Congress , in favor of protection and bimetallism astonishes buth Liberals—an4< Con servatives. .. ; '.- The Conference re-assembled on the B'h. Sir Bichard Paget, a Conservative M.P., said |he remedy was not alone in protection, but the Imperial and local taxes must be reduced. Many farmer* had paid an income tax on an income that was never earned. Sir K. Paget's motion was carried. Mr Carringtcn Smith moved—"That the law of land tenure should be so amended as to secure to' tenants the value of the improvements they make on holdings." The motion, also declared for the abolition of distress for rent and an equal division of rates be* tween th,e owners -and occupiers pf the land. Mr VViUiam Smith, President of the Lancashire Society, moved as an amendment— "■ That the trite remedy for agricultural distress.is the three FV 1 Mr C. S. Reed, a noted agriculturist, said the three F's were of no use to him.* Mr Wm. Smith's amendment was re jected. , .. 4

COMMERCIAL.

(PEE PBKBB ASSOCtMJOJr.) . Londox, January 4." ■ ;; Tho total quantity of wheat ana flonV afloat for the United Kingdom is 2,732,000 quarters, and for the Continent 712,000 quarters. \ The English wheat maiket chows an advance of 6d per quarter. The Conti nental has an upward tendency, while the American is unchanged. Australian cargoes of wheat, new crop, for early shipment, are offering at 32s 3d, ,bttfc buyers will only givfi 31s 9d. Bank of New Zealand shares, old issue, £5 10a; new issue, £7 15s. , Australian stocks are unsaleable owing to a fear that some of tjie colonies intend to piace fresh loans on 'the market 'tft m, oarlycjate. ' " ' f" ' . The recent high prices have ro^de. Australian butter unpopular, and the agents for Danish butter have dropped ]03 in order to secure the market. The Australian agents/on th.c other hand, ayp attempting jto recover' the ' market' by selling consignments of dairy-made butter by the Victoria, at from 98a to 102s, and factory-made from 112 ato lWs. The "Financial Times" refers to the increase of £1,700,000 in the deposits in the Bank ot New South Wales, aa evidence thit investors prefer to invest their money in sound institutions. - '

Ashburton Markets.

MB JOHN O. RESTELL Mr John G. Restell in conjunction with the New Zealand ILoan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, (per Mr John Tt. Bland, auctioneer), report on the Ashburton Live Stock Market lor ths week ending January 5. At the Ash bur ton County Sj»leyardßl>n January 3, wo heTd our regular weekly Bale. There wiw a large entry of sheep and cattle yarded, but tKe attendance \fas not quitg up to, the average ajjd buyers were ijjot teen to purchase young- sljeep a§ ihey werl some weeks back ; but tor fat eheen 'and. ewes and lambs the prices obtajnea were (|uite,c(jual to those gc^Msed at Ibrineo sales. Tho totftl entry comprised %b*u*fc 6QQQ sheep and 90 head of oWtie, of which we sold about 900 iiheep and 3 head of cattle as follows:—26 fat memo wethers, 58 fat merino «wes at At Qd 1 86 fat merino cwoa «t6tßd{ 65 t»t mriao

$HE ASHBUBTON GUARDIAN: FRIDAY, JANtAJBY^IS^



FOR THE HOLIDAYS. G. J. NEILL and CO's SPECIAL PRICES FOR THIS MONTH Ladies' Cashmerette Hose, double knee, 10|d Ladies' Cashmere Hose, Is New Fftbliionabla Dress Ooode, 3s lid a lozen Wonderful Value in Summer Dress fweed b|a Value.fcom'.ls 4d Black Cashmeres and French Merinos, all pnoab . to 53 6d per yard All Wool Flannel, 7^l per yard Flannelettes at 3s 6d per «*«•»»» Good Heavy Twilled at 5Jd r oer>*rd leather Shirting, Swansdown Back, a 7 2 ti pcr.y" Washinc Prints, 3s lid per dozen CLOTHING. Men's Colonial Tweed Sato, 23s 6d Men's Serge Suits, «22a6d KSnffi^TW^ Men's Regatta Shirts, 2s lid Men's Strong Braces, 9d per pair Boys' Strong Bwces, 4d per pair. BOOTS. BOOTS. BOOTS. UNMISTAKEABLE VALUE. Ladies'and Children's Tan Shoes, a specialty Brown Canvas Shoes, all sizes Men's Bluchers, 5a 3d Men's, nailed S^TvlvLuTTinShoitara D92*ed, worth 18»61 for 13 ' t 6d sizes at very low prices. G. J. HBILL and 00: FRIEDLANDER'S BUILDINGS, COBNEB OF EAST & MOOBB STPEETB. HARDLEY BROS. At Low Prices. EVERY ARTICLE OF OUR NEW STOCK WARRANTED Columns, wo wish to Impre^ ON ALUhe following :- Sey can have the money returned if they so desire. o a All the Goods will be FIRST-CLASS of the Newest and Most Beair ablei^efaS' SltrS. are Much Lower than such arUcles can elsewhere be obtained for. 3rd _Wc deil in NO SHODDY GOODS whatever, ani aU who Ordef of US n«ay bo SURE that they will receive .the BEST. «, We -sat^wi^aS^lP^^O,^^ 4 Those who want GOODS should iend to US and Save Money. Just Arrived-A Splendid Assortment o£ Men's and Boys' SUITS. SPECIALLY FOR CHRISTMAS WEEK. HARDLEY BEOS., ABOADI HOUSE, BUBNKTT gTBEET, A S H ■ B U R T 0 N. "" & SALEK'S NEW JEWELLERY EarABLISHMEKT. *™ n**^KTi?rn?NT HIGH-CLASS STOCK IS NOW OPENED UP. r, T??TFK°bS kTdra*^, .Wentten of the PuWo to the fact that having Q SALfi-K^ begs co vi» . , tyle j ie j s s l lO win^ a Stock which for D- «^a"^nc^«^lj22fe««Wy withanyinChristchurch. quality, price, and newest ««« h *; equil . eiaen t ß of the Ashburton District in SU" b^chV tr 6 twelle% Tmde, and I showing a Larger Stock than ha, ever before been seen in this Dismct^ . g . fM _ xMASP EE s E^7f~A irafes AYPRESms 'AND o-ij ftn a Silver Jewellery ot every description. THE WAT GoKIV E A|D WLLERY REPAIRING , i *v it, ifo arranaements, and additional assistance having been A^^SSit^Sj on 'having their work done promptly .nd •tisfactorily g. SALEK, WATCHMAKER AND JEWELLER. y^w Z^land^Clotlitng Factory. FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON, TT-E are now Showin- the Larg7s7*ln"l Best Assorted Stock of MEVfI \\ MERCERY and HATS in Aahburton. ,n • in ■ win-r H-its Gents' Ties in endless variety «enta Tennis and Cricketing H*te gflk Handkerchiefa Genta Tennis and■ Cncketwg bhu s H the ktesfc gllflpea Gents' Tennw and Cncketuis; haclies qiTf»T?q AND BOOTS BOOTS AND SHOES. SHOJiS>. ! .AJNJJ lii ' ■ * .«, Ladus'Button and Lace Shoes GenU Tennis bhots OhUafren's Tan Shoes iiento Canvas and fan fehoos and n^ Sli ow .nts Walking bhoes _[ CLOTHING DRPARTMENT. i v -i. f ( 'inthea should -visit the CLOTHING! FACTORY. HiLUßßimr BKOS. ALKX HMDEV, Man» K er



The Best Tea IN THE WOULD llvslop'* Coysofl. NINIAN HrSLI>P, akj> CO., Tea Importers, XTB Cashel p .rcct, 0h < isi oh urgh.



! COLIWANK AMJ -SO I it'IJCALYi'M EX f tract ia the only genuine in tho market, aud was a -yarded medaia and diplomas at Sydney, Melbourne,and Adelaide, beating all competitors. Vat all affections of the Chest Mid h»ne,B. Oonaumption, Asthma, Coughs., Colde, Gcavel, and .Kid*»§y Oom plaints, ifc has no ,e(ji*aj, Agents— AjapuaiojJ Pkwo Oow*^ f",



Wanted rCST ■ yesterday, a lifctle Lady's Bag J containing small sum of money, | Finder rewarded on returning to K. McOallum, Tancrod streeb. 1 21 ANTED, two young men as boarders, willing to share I same bedroom, in a private family. Terms moderate. Apply Alpha, Allen fon, Ashburton. 1 17



\1 > ANTED Known—We are still VV giving tickets for presents to aU purchasers r.f one shilling and upwards.— H. 0. Segers, Melford House; WANTED— Caretaker for Wtsleyan Church. For schedule of duties apply to H. (J. BBttBYMAN, on or before noor, Tuesday, .I'anuavy 10. . 120 C CHRISTMAS FAIR now open, very : f thing new and cheap. Come and see for yourselves. —The New Shop's, Coleman's Buildinga. 12 771 \\7 ANTED Known—lee Creams, Ice YV Creams, for the hot weather, always ready at H. G. Flower's, Confec tioner, East Street. SOMERSET Meat Mart. The oldest, the largest, tha best, and the cheap est. Small »3oods a specialty. Full weights guaranteed. A trial solicited. —W. J. Siloock. 4f182 WANTED— Purchasers tor Bargains in Summer Dresses, Prints, and Delaines, Sunshades, &c. at S. W. Alcorn and Co's Sale. WANTED the Public to know that S. W. Alcorn and Co's Summer Sale is now on. Great Bargains in Millinery, Underclothing etc.



WANTED Kpown.—High class Dress Goodra, latest patterns, now selling under wholesale prices. Special line of double width stuff 6d and Is, less than half price. —H. C. Sbgeks, Melford HoU36, WANTED Known—We are now giving away Beautiful Presents to every purchaser of sst and upwards. Uome and see our bargains in Drapery, &c. —H. C. SEGER3, Melford House. WHY not Bake your own Bread when you can gefc 501bs of the Best Roller Flour for five shillings cash or five bhillings and sixpence booked at Robert alcorn's, Sauudera' Buildings. 11 31 ON'T let the rain water destroy your buildings. Get Spouting fixed at 4d per foob and buy a tank, complete with tap, tested before leaving workshop, for 30s, at J. W. Hardlby's. Q'ELfING OFF Bocks, Stationery, O and Account Books, Fancy Goods, Music, Violins, Accordeons, etc, Fire Screens and Stove Ornaments, all at Reduced Prices.—L, F. Andrswes & Co. WANTED Known—New Flannelettes at extraordinary prices; 3s lid *nd 4s lid doa. Thirty per cent undei price.—VV. H. Collier.



WANTED Known that S. Salek, Watchmaker and Jeweller, has removed to new shop near New Zealand Clothins? Factory. 10 213 WANTED Known—Dr Scott's cele brated Electric Corsets can only be obtained in Ashburton at W. H. Collier's, "Tho Corner." piHRISTXAS Suits. Boys, three \J garment long Trousor Suits at l-ss. Boys, Colomal-made Knicker Suits from 10a. Men's nicely made Colonial Tweed Suits 30;. Colonial Tweed Suits to measure from 50a.—Ashburton Clothing Mart. Saunders' Buildings. Robert Alcorn,



DON'T Forget the Borough Bye-Laws re Carrago Lamps, and that Hardlb . as Jargo Stock on hand, also a largo assortment of Tinware and Iron mongery, Scythes, Reaping Hooks, Hay Knives, Forks, etc., of best quality, and BEAR in mind that J. W. Harpley, ■ Plumber and G.isfitter, East Street, has the largest Stock iv town of Pumps, Pipes, and Fittings, and that he is selling them cheaper than ever at prices hitherto unheard of in Ashburton, Now h the I chance for a cheap Pump j improved No. 4. Price, 16s. Larger si^es in proportion. N"~EW YEAR'S GIFTS.—Card, Book lets New Games in great variety. Beaut fullotof Vases, Fancy(.Tla*sware,and Fairy Lamps. Boys' and Girls' Annuals, and other new Volumes. Prize Books at ' reduced prices. JNewr Birthday Reward and ! Wedding Cards,-L. F. ANDRE WES «fr CO., Stationers' Hall. « )fTANTED K:iown—Thafc J. Moxson VV keeps the best"stock of Boots in Ashburton, for this reason that he pays cash and is not under or bound t# any one firm like many in the trade, which enables him to procure and supoly the public with the Best Colonial and English makes.; and his well-known make needs no recommendauan. Always on hand Best; Sole Leather, used for repairs and done at once.—J. Moison, Impermeable Bootmaker, Town Hall, East Street, next Court House. '



Miss Ada Fitzroy and h«»r talented Surprise Party .appear in the Oddfellows' Hall on Saturday and Monday evenings next, when a specially good performance may be ex pected. Mitss Fitzoy has a splendid reputa tion as a clairvoyant and " second-sight seer, and is also aii accomplished musician and vocalist. Amongst those who arc sup porting her may be mentioned Miss Ruby Clifford, the charming and graceful dauseuse, who first appeared here with Wills' Surprise Party; the inimitable comedian Dave Gardner, who also belonged to that combi nation, and ProieHSor E. Clark, a celebrated instrumental soloiet. It may be mentioned that Miss Fitzioy's marvellous "memory tests " which evsrywhere create the utmost wonder, are all carried out before a com mittee selected from ihe audience, so that a thorough investigation can be made of the phenomena. The annual return of offences compiled by Sergeant Moller shows a slight decrease on the whole as compared with last year. As a matter of fact 279. offences have been re ported during the year, as agairist 277 the previous year. The persons arrested this year numbered in all 273, as against 2J37 last year, but the convictions last year' were more numerous than in the year just closed, as in the latter, of the total arrests 28 were discharged as against 13 the year before. In the grosser offences there is a decided falling off, notably in assaults of all kinds, | larceny, obscenity, and police obstruction. In the matter of drunkenness, pure and simple, there is an increase on the year of one cafe, bat as a set off against this it has to be stated that during the whole of Decem ber, until the very last day of the year, not a single case had come before the Court. Ou that day it will be remembered there were three*cases, one nvin being tined £10 for inciting a drunkard to resist arrest, and also with himself aiding in the resistance and assaulting a constable. The decrease in larceny cases is eleven cases, and in using obscene language, six. In 1891 there were no charges of indecency of person laid, this year there were four—all by people under the influence ot" drink. Of the 146 people charged with drunkenness five were females; in 1891 only two representatives of the sex appeared before the court, Altogether, the return indicates that Ashburton is a fairly well-behaved, law-abiding, orderly town. Statutory Declaration.—l, Franz Raabe Ironbark, Sandhurst, in the colony of Vic toria, Australia, do solemnly and sincerely declare that on the 25th June, 1877, my son Alfred,' six years of age, was accidentally hurt with an axe on his knee. lat once took all pains to secure medical assistance. How ■ 3ver, in spite of all efforts, on the 27th August, 1877,' the opinion was given by Dr Macgillivray that an amputation of the injured limb had become imperative, in order to save life. At this juncture I called on Messrs Sander and Sons, procuring some of their Extract of Eucalyptus Globulus, and by the application of the I had c satisfaction of seeing my son within a fort night out of all danger, and to-day he s recovered. I may just add that it was when the crisis had been reached that the Extract referred to was first applied, and I make this olemn declaration, etc — Fbanz Raabk, Declared at Sandhurst, in the colony of Victoria, Australia, this seventeenth day pi October, one thousand eight hundred and eventy-seven, before me, Moritz CVji^ J P-' -(Advt.) ' 2 .



The West Tea IN CANI'ERR.URY for tho money, and free froni any excess of aslbringcnpy. COUNTESS 2s,- ASK YOUR GROOEtiS TO MAKE Nicest Scones, Nicest Pa»try, Nicest Cakes Use 4yLBB6BQOK'B Self.: Aiiirg Flqut,



Cuacknell and Digestive Biscuits for Invalids are unsurpassed. Made by Au#wkoos *W> Co,