MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close for the following places as under subject to the necessary alterations : — . Mails for the Australian Colonies, United Kingdom, and Continent of Europe, via Hobart, per Talune, close at Bluff on Friday, November 3, at 11 a,.in. \ Mails for the Australian Colonies only, via Sydney, also London, etc., via Naples, ! close at Wellington, per Wakatipu, at 3 a.m. on Thursday, November 9. Due London December 20.

Ashburton Guardian MAGNA EST VERITAS ET PRÆVALEBIT. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1893. CHEAP MONEY.

: —^ The Premier at New Plymouth on Wednesday made a statement which will interest farmers. He proposed, should his Government be returned to power, to borrow money in the Euro pean market on the security of the land of the colony, and to lend it out to farmers on first-class security at five p9r cent. This would be a new de parture indeedj and one bound to meet with very strong opposition from the 3trong fifiancial companies at whose influence in the colony the proposal is aimed^ For, while the proposal is made with the first object of cheapen ing money to the settler, Bluff Richard dees not hesitate to show the mailed hand to the companies, and states that this cheapening by the Government of the farmers' borrowed money would release them from the clutches of these financial institutions, who are now charging seven or eight per cent for money out on mortgage on farm pro perty. The step, if it ever is taken, would be a bold one, but it is one that would admit of no half measures as nobody holding first-class security would keep on paying high interest when money could be obtained for five per cent, so that when the colony went on the London market for a loan of this kind the figure would have to be substantial. There i^s really no good reason why Government should not open a money-lending business of the kind indicated by the Premier any more than against the other businesses they cirry on—railways, post and telegraphs, or insurance—-and as they already enter into competition with private enterprise in several ways one more way need not hurt, especially sis it id calculated to reduce by two per cent the interest paid on the private in debtedness of the colony, and materially help in bringing still nearer the time when that indebtedness shall be com pletely wiped off. The big money lenders can hardly complain of the step, for if the Government can let the people have the money at five per cent the money-lenders could surely have done the same. At any rate they have had a good long lease of the high rate as it is. Mr Seddun makes the pro posal on the eve of a general election, and doubtless will be told that the whole thing is an election cry, but the adoption of the proposal is op n of course to the other side should they be returned to power, only we hardly think they are likely to look kindly upon it. Still, the proposal on its merits is well worth farmers' considera tion.

PARTY JOURNALISM.

Whatever may be the general opinion on the subject of the desirableness of maintaining, abolishing, or modifying the system of government by party which now obtains, there can be no doubt whatever that it would be a great public advantage if the abuses of party journalism, as exemplified not only in this colony but throughout the Empire, could be remedied. As things go, the public, which for the most part wholly depends upon the press for its information and instruction in matters political, is misled by reports and articles highly colored to suit p^rty purposes, and often notable for suppressio veri if not for suggestio falsi. Nay, there are instances, many of them, in which wilful perversion of truth and distortion of fact, are resorted to without shame or com punction. Much of the bitterness of the Irish controversy is traceable to,

this very cause, while in that great dependency of the British Crown, India, untold mischief has been, and is likely to be produced by the self same thing. But while, as we have said, the evil we are referring to prevails in other parts of the Empire, we regret to have to admit that New Zealand is' not exempt from it. Does a Minister speak on a public platform or on a public occasion: forthwith his utter ances are lauded to the skies by his supporters among the press of the colony, and decried, ridiculed, and made little of by the newspapers in opposition. Does an Opposition leader deliver himself: forthwith the same thing occurs, the claqueurs and revilers only changing places. All this is very miserable and very petty; yet it goes on every day. Witness the case of Mr Reeves' ipeeting in Ohristchurch a day or two ago. We had not the pleasure of being present, and there fore have, like all the rest of New Zealand, except the two or three thousand who were present, to depend upon the Christchurch papers for a record of what took place. And what do we find 1 One of the leading papers describing it as a great success, and the other as a tor ts ' rible fiasco. One says that it was a meeting of which the Minister might well be proud, the other that it was a disorderly scene—in fact an " emeute.'' Of the matter of the speech we are able to judge, because what appear to have been faithful shorthand reports are pub'ished by both journals and in the main correspond, but of the manner while one speaks in praise, the other describes the Minister as halting and floundering like a very tyro in public speaking. Now which of the two is the public to believe ? It is quite cer tain that both papers cannot be telling the truth, but that one or other of them must be presenting a completely distorted picture for party reasons or under party bias. This at anyrate we know—that Mr Reeves is a skilful de bater, and that if he did make the mess of it which the Press represents him to have done, it is a most extraordinary circumstance, and we should have seriou3 fears for the hon. gentleman's state of health as portending an early breakdown. If our Gloucester street contemporary is right in the account it gives, then the Cashel street journal must stand condemned fora perversion of fact of the grossest kind ; while if (he " Press " is rijrht then the " Lyttel ton Times " is the perverter and de serves the condemnation. Which is it?

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Entries for the mewtiag of the Ashburton Trotting Club clcee en Fiiday evening at nine o'clock at the Central Hotel. The number of electors on the Ashburton main roll is 4530; on the Bangitata main roll 3535. Both rolls may be had from the registrar —Mr Joseph Ward. At Rangiora yesterday, Sidney, head clerk of the Oust Road Bjard, was charged with embezzling £23 ss, moneys of the Board. The case was reminded till Tuesday. Letters from places beyond the colony, addressed as under, were received at the Ashburton Post Office during ihe month of August, and are still unclaimed :—John Clark, John McGralh, Airs James Law. Regarding a telegram from lovercargill that eleven of the men engaged in bush work had thrown up their employment, the Minister of Labor states that on Friday directly he heard of trouble, he telegraphed requesting an inquiry to be made into it. He subsequently wired again to say that the sc \le of pay would be looked over, and if it were found that even the most inexperienced could not make a living, the wage 3 scale would be raised It not unfrequently hap psnei that or the first week or two men not skilled at bush work fail to make much, but in no case where men persevered and stuck to their work had they failed in the end to make good wages. In this case men had only been on the works for a week and the Minister did not think it likely that the wages were insufficent seeing that nearly half the men stuck to the work and made no complaints whatever. Besides, no less than 51 men were working in the district for the Government on the same terms. The local age its for the labor bureau have been instructed to offer to take men back to woik on the understanding that the scale of pay will be inquiied into, and if after a few weeks trial it was found that even men ignorant of the work cannot make fair wages then the scale will be raised, so aa to enable them to do so, l)n no consideration would passages of men be paid back, A general meeting of the Ariel Bicycle Club was held last evening in the Arcade Chambers. About twenty members were present, and the captain, Mr David Zander, occupied the chair, Mr J. C. N. Grigg wrote accepting the position of patron tor the ensuing year, and enclosing a handsome donation. Messrs J C. Wason, G. C. Waby, J. Lcine, and J. Henry also wrote accepting office as vice-presidents, and Mr E. Gates, as president, all enclosing donations. It. was de cided to instruct the secretary to forward to the above named gentlemen the thanks of the Club, The secretary of the Cliristchurch Cycling Club wrote stating that it would suit the racing members ot that Club if the Ariel meeting were to be held on the last Wednesday in November or the first, Wednesday in December. He also reminded the Club that the Cyclists' Union intended to apportion one New Zealand championship to the Ariel B cycle Club. After consider able discussion it was decided to hold the race meeting on December 6. Six new members were elected. It was decided to admit lady members to the Club on a nominal subscription, and the admission of the firsfc lady member to the Club was received with cheers. The Committee was instructed to draw up the programme for the race meeting at once. The sub-captain informed the members that the first of the fortnightly runs would be held on Wednes diy week, the route to be to Longbeach. The captain complimented the Club on its successful road race. It was decided to offer £5 reward for information leading to the conviction of any person found cutting or otherwise maliciously damaging the pneumatic tire 3of bicycles. The rest of the business was formal. TheOnsi/w Biscuit.—The latest ami most deli C£ie Bisuuit u)auu£autiureii by Aulsebiook aiad Co

Messrs Mitchell and Turner advertise some | "nibbles " in another part of this issue. A beautiful woman with three eyes is the latest Parisian sensation. The latest labour-saving machine says an j American paper, cleans fish. i Gre6n ten will revive rusty black lace and render ifc as good aa new. The Queen's Scotch journeys cost her about LSOOO a year for travelling expenses alone. , The harvest now gathered in Scotland is the earliest completed there since IS6B. The yield of grain is abundant. Up to 1750 potatoes were always served j as a sweet dish, being dressed with cream, sugar, almonds, rosewater and spices. Two sisters are being exhibited in Lon' don, One is Bft. high and the other only 3ft. The Wembley Tower, which is to dwarf Eiffel's construction in Paris is mounting skyward, but great skill and care are re quired in its erection. A Wesleyan Conference in the United States recently decided in favour of striking 1 the word " obey " out oi the marriage oblig ation of a wife. The largest oak tree in Suffolk has fallen near Norton. It dates back prior to the Conquest, and the trunk had a circumference of 66 feet. A vegetarian cat is said to live at Hampton Court Palace which will not touch flesh, but devours with a relish such vegetables as carrots and cucumbers. The telephone line between Vienna and Trieste is believed to be one of the longest European lines now in operation. It covers adistanoe of 506 kilometres, or rather more than 314 miles. About half-past twelve this afternoon the chimney of Mr Jeffs' house in Tinwald caught fire, but fortunately a few buckets of water thrown.in from the roof of the house were sufficient to prevent any damage. There has just been born at Bainsford, Falkirk, Scotland, a boy whose mother is seventeen, his grandmother thirty-fonr, his great-grandmother fifty-four, and his great-great-grand mother eighty-three, and all are alive and well. They are working people. Thus the Oamaru "Mail":— Solomon the inaptly named Levitical Dunedin lawyer, compared Oamaru, with a full-sized sneer, to Eatonsville. He ought to know. The original site of Eatonsville is only a mile and a half from Petticoat Lane. At a committee meeting of the Friendly 1 Societies on Tuesday night, it was decided to include in their programme of sports for December 18 four bicycle races, and to give as prizes £21 in all, conditional on the Christ church Cycling Club guaranteeing a certain number of their best riders. Bland Holt, the artful, advertises his new play by dropping a neat purse with a few imitations pasteboard sovereigns and a sham deposit receipt in tram cars and pubs and such like popular resorts, and the whole caper is a professional artifice. He knows how to tickle the public, does Bland. A chain of compressed cakes of gun-cotton tied round the trunk of the largest seized tree, and exploded, will, by the action of their violence, cut down the tree instantly and as smoothly as though done by an axe in the hands of an expert woodsman. Timber cutters working among the forest giants of Montana, Idaho, and Washington, declare it to be ihe cheapest and most economical mode of felling trees that has as yet been devised. The West Indian migratory crab is the only creature that is born in the sea matures in fresh waters, and passes its adult life on land. Once a year these creatures migrate in thousands from the uplands of Jamaica, deposit their larva} in the sea, then migrate to the rivers and streams, pass through a fresh water stage, after which they follow their parents to hnd, until the time comes for them to return to the sea to lay their eggs. On Wednesday evening Mr March held a meeting in the Rakaia Town Hall, and ex plained the terms and conditions under wbich the various classes of land could be taken up. The attendance was not large, but those present appreciated the effort made to make matters cleir. A number of plau3, etc., were shown, and also some pamphlets distributed. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr March, whose intention it is to address a meet ng at Ashburton this evening. In the Supreme Court, Wellington, on Wednesday, the appeal of Nankeville, licensee of the Metropolitan Hotel, against the Resident Magistrate's decision was argued. Nankeville was fined £10 for Sunday trading. The men who were supplied said they were travelers, but weie not, and on the assumption that they were what they represented themselves to be, they obtained the liquor. The question before the Court was—had the publican taken reasonable precautions.to satisfy him self as to the bona fides of the men. The Chief Justice reserved his decision. 1 Nokomai, Mrs Quinn's residence in Have lock street West, has loDg been known amongst young gentlemen in Ashburton as a suitable locality for persons compelled to board, and yet desiring a comfortable home. As this fact has become known Mrs Quinn'a accommodation has not been sufficient to meet the many applications made to her from would-be boarders. To meet this demand she bas added several more new rooms to her house, furnished them through out, and has tkoroughy renovated the remain ing ones, so that she is now in a position to accommodate more boarders. The house as at present is perfectly ventilated, well furnished, and its si'uation with respect to nearness to the business centre is all that can be desired, ftlrs Quinn informs ua that she is especially careful that her place shall be a " home" to her boarders, and her endeavours to make it such will doubtless receive ample support, Some Munich Socialists hit upon a strange j device for punishing the proprietor of a beer oellar, says the "Daily News," who had refused to let his rooms for a meeting of their club. For the Sunday after his refusal he had arranged a concert, at which he ex pected his takings to be considerable. But the Socialists mustered early and in large numbers. They filled up the whole available space, and ordered only water. Consequently the landlord's expected profit was turned into a heavy loss. The committee of the club threatened to repeat the unprofitable invasion on the following Sunday. The Socialists must have felt ths matter very keenly, else they would not have deprived themselves of their beer. A Bavarian with out bear is, according to a German proverb, "the most terrible of all terrors." In a beer-cellar the ordeal mint have been the most severe. The landlord was between the devil and the deep blue sea, as he dare not defy the police. He summoned some of the leaders of thre club for " hausfriedena-bruch," which is equivalent to trespass with breach of the peace. However, as no breach of the peace was proved, only those of the water drinkers who had used threats were sen teaced. to smftll ti.uea.

Following are the vital statistics for \ Ashburton for the month of October : — Marriages, 3 ; births, 27 ; deiths, 7. The bodica of the two men, Brown and Turnbul), who were drowned in the Moha katino, New Plymouth, on Monday, were found about two chains up the river from the ford, 11. W. Bxtger has cabled to the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association offer ing to represent New Zealand at the Australasian championship meeting if his expenses are allowed. The Association replied that it would be glad if he would compete, but that no funds were available for his expenses. When Lord Dufferin was Viceroy of India he was presented with a novel paper-knife. One day the Maharajah Holkar of Indore — who visited England some years ago—paid him a visit at the Residency, and asked for hiaivory paper-cutter as a remembrance. Lord Dufterin consented, and the Indian potentate left, and the Viceroy saw him some months later, when Holkar introduced a fine young elephant into the room. A pile of newspapers lay at Lord Dufferin's side. The animal went up to them, cut them neatly with hia tusks, which had been pur posely sharpened, and laid them in a neat heap on the floor ready for perusal. In Burmah the Government vaccinators have to contend with a serious obstacle in the shape of the Burmese inoculator. Des pite the fact that inoculation is pretty re gularly followed by a mild epidemic of smallpox, the Burman has more faith in it than he has in vaccination. In one district where the inoculator had been, the Civil Surgeon ot Bassein called the elders together, and had the beneficial effects of vaccination carefully .explained to them. They listened most attentively, and, much to the Civil Surgeon's gratification, acquiesced in all he said in a manner both graceful and convincing. In the meantime they had had all the children sent away from the village en manse. The mere sight ot the vaccinator in three or four other villages was the flignal for a stampede, none but the old men and women being left.

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBURTON-THURSDAY. (Before Mr 0. A. Wray, R.M.) Prohibition Order.—On the applica tion of the police a prohibition order was issued against a resident of Mount Somers. By-Laws.—Bartholomew Kane was fined 5s and costs for allowing cattle to be grazed in Hampstead.—John Henry was charged with allowing a nuisance to exist on his premises, caused by overflow from a urinal. He pleaded not guilty. Mr Crisp appeared for the defeuce. W. de B. Compton, examined by Mr Crisp, said he had not spoken to defendant on the subject of the nuisance at all. He served the notice on his son.—Mr Henry and several other witnesses stated that there was no fall in the land. Mr Henry also stated that the cleansing of the urinal was in the hands of the borough scavenger, who emptied the pan twice a week— The case was ordered to stand over till next week for the police to report on the place. — Ann Butler was similarly charged. —This case was ordered to stand over for the ranger to endeavor to get the nuisance abated. IiEGisTKATiox Act.—James McLean was lined 5s and costs for neglecting to register a birth. The Beer Selling Case.—Police v, Scarlett.—l his was •* case in which defen dant was charged with selling beer on premises ether than those for which he was licensed, and had been heard and re ported last week. His Worship nows;ave judgenenb as follows : —"In this case the ficts are admitted, and the question is whether on these facts any breach of the licensing laws fcak b^en committed—that is to say, whether the defendant, a brewer at Christchurch, can under that license sail beer deposited in a store at Ashbur ton by his agent at Aahburton; and. secondly, whether he can keep beer for sale at Ashburton under hit) Christchurch brewer's license. The Act is clear enough a-j to where he can sell beer, and I think there can be no doubt that his brewer's license confines the sale of beer in casks to the brewery, or other place where he stores his beer before the duty is paid. If, for instance, a permit was granted for a bonded beer store at Ashburton, and the Christchurch brewer was permitted to keep beer there on which the duty was not paid, of course he could pay the duty and sell the beer there ; but if he wanted to keep a shop or store for the sale of beer at Ashburton or elsewhere, indepen dent of his brewejry or the bond, he could only do so by obtaining a wholesale license under the Licensing Act in that particular licensing district. To open stores for the sale of beer in different localities without a license is directly contrary to the Act, and any liquor so found on premises, for stle without a license, subjects the offender to forfeiture. Sales by a travel ler of beer at the brewery to customers in other localities and sent from the brewery after sale are not open to the same objec tions and are easily distinguished. The present offence had not been going on long, and under section 159 of the Act of 1881 defendant would be convicted, and a fine of £5 Js with costs inflicted, which would enable the question to be argued in another court as desired." Oivit, Cases.-Judgment went by de fault in the following cases with costs : — J. Moison vJ. Cross, £113s 6d ; Alcorn v John McLaughlan £2 19.3 4d.—Til. Alcorn v Samuel Boyle, £20 for nondelivery of a horse and trap. Mr Cuthbertson for p'aintiff, Mr Crisp for defendant. Robt. Alcorn stated he employed defendant in 1889 to buy sheep for him, and supplied him with a horse and trap for use in plaintiffs business. Defendant had a horse of his own which h6 wanted to ex change. Plaintiff refused to exchange and demanded delivery of his own horse and trap. By Mr Crisp—Boyle was to have 25s a week and half the profit of the sheep. Had kept accounts. Boyle had possession of the horse and trap since 1888. Did not agree that the value of the horse and trap was £21 in March 1891. Made out an estimate of value of sheep, etc., in March 1892. The horse and trap were never debited against Boyle. It was debited against the sheep account. By Mr Cuthbertson—Had two accounts against Boyle—a grocery and sheep account. The horse and trap had never baen charged to Boyle. Mr Crisp contended that Mr Alcorn had no status, having made an assignment and could not sue. fle also maintained that a settlement had been made, and the value of the horse and trap had been deducted from defendant's share of the sheep profits. —Samuel Boyle, the defendant, said that on June 8, 1892, he had a settlement with plaintiff, when according to Mr Alcorn's statement £20Q was defendant's share of the profits oh the sheep account. The horsp and cart were charged in the account against him on March 26. By Mr Cuthbortson—Gave Alcorn particulars of numbers of sheep. Alcorn put his own values on the sheep. £100 was placed to his credit, and he then owed plaintiff £105 9s 5d on his grocery account.—Robert Alcorn, ex amined by His Worship, said he found money for the sheep purchase The sheep account never showed a profit. Charged trap fco aheep account, as it was used for the sheep business. Boyle never paid a penny for the horse or trap.—Judgment was given for the return of the specific chattels claimed, or payment of £20 with costs.

COMMERCIAL.

♦ j PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. 1

(Received November 2, 10.30 a.m.) ; London, November 1. J The total qcantity of wheat and flour ] afloat for the United Kingdom is' 2,792,000 quarters, and for the Continent 884,000 quarter*. The Australian wheat new crop is selling at 30a. Dalgetty and Company's 4| per cent. debentures are quoted at £110. Money is advancing owing to the continued with drawals of gold. Three months bills are discounted at 2| per cent.

THE WOOL DISPUTE.

Sydney, November 1. Negotiations connected with the wool dispute have ceased, and consequently business is at a standstill. One large steamer has been compelled to go to Melbourne to seek a cargo. Wool valued at £2,200,000 is already stored in the warehouses, and additional consignments are flowing in. The wool warehouses are overflowing, and stores cf all descriptions are being brought into requisition to cope with the demand for space.

ALDINGTON MARKETS.

Chbistohukch, November 1, In view of there being no sale next week, entries in the fat classes were somewhat larger than usual. The attendance was Urge, and & good deal of business was done, though in most ca?es a reduction in values had to be submitted to. Store Sheep —The entry was about 2000, but in spite of the fact that feed is now plentiful, business was dragged, and a large number did not change hands. Fat Sheep..., Between 5000 and 6000 were yarded; quality from fair to menum, and % number of shorn sheep was included. It was a good sale. Crossbred wethers, 12s 3d to 20a ; ewea, 12s 8d to 19s ; mixed sexes, 12s 9d to 18s Id; mixed wethers and maiden ewes, 17s 6d to 21s 6d; hoggets, 18s 6d to 21s 6d ; shorn crossbred wethers, 12s Id to 17s 6d ; ewes, 9s 9d to 15a lid ; half bred wethers, 18s to 22s 3d; mixed sexes, 15s to 18s 4d ; mixed wethers and maiden ewes, 18s; shorn ewes, 13s 9d to 14s; merino wethers, la 6d to 17s 4d ; ewes, 8s 2d to 11s Fat Lambs.—About 800 were entered, and the majority changed hands at 5s to 13s. Fat Cattle.—l 77 head were yarded. Prices for all kinds were considerably easier than of late. Steers, £7 5a to £9 15s; heifers, £5 5s to £9; cows, £5 to £7 12s 6d. Stoke Cattle. — Only a medium entry, and as owners were inclined to accept current values, the volume of business was greater than for some time past. Pigs.—A large entry, consisting chiefly of good baconers and porkers, met an im proved market, owing to the competition of two North Island buyers.

The Premier at New Plymouth.

[per press association.] New Plymouth, November 1. The Premier addressed the electors to night, There was a large attendance, I especially of ladies, who occupied the gallery. The mayor presided. The Premier, in his address, spoke chiefly upon the action of the Government last session, and the legislation passed by them. He claimed that the Liberal Government; deserved full credit for the female franchise, and for all other reforms which had been effected. He blamed the Legislative Council for killing several policy Bills. In defending the action of rhe Government in paying £800 to the new Legislative Councillors for back pay before tlie session opened, he said it would ha*'e amounted to repudiation to have only paid the new Councillors for six years and six months, when they were appointed for seven years. He asserted that the population of the country had in creased by 35,000 since the Government took office, and the exodus had been stopped by their policy. Sinca coming into office the Government hvd by conver sion of loans reduced the annual payment of interest by £57,000. He asked the electors to stand by a Government that had abolished dual voting, and had provided fair representation, had es tablished successful co-operative works, and placed the people on the land in a manner thac no other Government had done before. His Government pro posed to intioduca further reforms if again returned to power. They proposed to borrow money in England on the security of the land of the colony, and lend ib to farmers on first class land security at five per cent, The effect of. that would be to release farmers and others from the grasp of the large financial companies, who made them pay seven and eight per cent. Such a policy would greatly relieve the colony in the payment of interest, which at present amounted t<: over three millions on both public and private indebtedness. He proposed to establish district councils that would take charge of all road making in the colony, and also to administer charitable aid, thus abolishing charitable aid boards. He received a vote of thanks, and a vote of confidence in the adminis tration of his Government was passed. November 2. The Premier met with a very enthu siastic recaption on his arrival yesterday. Flags were hung above the street, and bunting was flying everywhere. Mr Seddon left this morning for Hawera, where he attends the agricultural show.

THE SENATE.

Washington, November 1. The Sherman Repeal Act was passed after a continuous sitting of fourteen days and sixty-one days' debate. There were many bitter scenes towards the closing of the debate, .London, November 1. The brokers expect that a serious fall in silver will be the first result of the passing of the Silver Act Repeal Bill in America, and that afterwards there will be a rise.

CABLE SUMMARY.

, It is reported that the Marquis of Lansdowne is likely to receive a duke dom. In view of the fact that two hun dred thousand of the unemployed in England are dependent upon charitable aid institutions for subsistence, the Anglicans and Catholics propose that the public and the Government should each contribute £100,000 for the purpose of providing work.

INTERPROVINCIAL

rvu a BluW»w, November J. Thursday, December 7, is now spoken of as the probable date of the election. me Kugby Union have secured the T\°L 61\ aCre? near Newtown Park, which they intend to form into a football ground, to which admission can be charged. Only four candidates have spoken here so far, but next week the electoral fight will be in full swing. A fire supposed to have been caused by some careless boarder dropping a match in his bedroom, broke out in the Britannia hotel, Willis street, this afternoon, and mobfc of the upstairs portion of the house was damaged by fire or water to the ex tent of about £200.

The Trouble in South Africa.

■_ s, _ ■■■■■■■ PER PRESS AMBOCIATIOK. Capetown, November 1. The latest news from Matabele Land states that the Matabele do not intend to retire over the Zambezi River, as it is impossible to transport their cattle across the intervening country. They are making preparations to offer a determined resistance to the Im perial and Chartered Company'j forces.

Cannibalism in Saghalien

-' ♦ The last number of the "Vladivostock," a paper published in Eastern Siberia, re veals a terrible state of affairs among the convicts on tha island of Saghalien. It woald appear that the convicts there have been treated by some of the subordinate prison authorities so harshly that the Governor of the island has been obliged to interfere for their protection. A. warder named Khanoff and some of his assistants who at one time were convicts themselves and had baen raised to the rank of gaolers, have been removed from their posts for cruel ill-treatment. Knan offs treatment of his prisoners was so abominable that a number of them crippled themselves of set purpose, cutting off fingers and toes in order to be treated as invalids, and to be freed from his terrible cruelties. Others fled to the impenetr able forests, where they suffered all the horrors of hunger. In a satchel belong ing to a fugitive convict, who had been hunted down, was found some pieces of human flesh. Investigation revealed that thin man had been one of a party of four, and that only one of them now remained. The others had been killed and devoured by their comrades. Similar cases of cannibalism are, according to the Siberian journal, not infrequent.

Murder as a Business.

We are soon to have in this city (wri les the New York correspondent of the "Argus") a murder trial which may excite more interest than tho case of Carlyle Harris or that of Dr Buchanan. The defendants wilJ be Dr Henry Meyer"" and his wife, who have been engaged in murder as a business with the purpose of defrauding life insurance companies. For more than a year one of the great life insurance companies V 1 as bsen procuring and perfecting evidence against this pair, and for almost as long a noted expert has been at work on the viscera of these murderers" latest victim. Meyer is a native of Prussia, and is not forty years old. He obtained his medical education ,in Chicago. His first victim wa* his first wifo. l'hen, it is charged, he killed a rich grocer, whose widow he married. She was on the way to the grave, when she escaped by procuring a divorce. Five years ago Meyer married the woman who afterwards became hk partner in crime. Her father was to be the next victim, but he discovered that Meyer had by forgery obtained insurance on his life, and he prosecuted the scoundrel for this offence. Meyer escaped punishment, and after this case had been disposed of he resumed practice and employed as a collector one Ludwig Brandt, the son of a general in the Norwegian army, who left his native land to avoid prosecution for some crime. It had been the practice of Meyer's wife to ensnare men while living apart from her husband, and then to assist her husband in murdering them for the insurance on their lives. For example, a man thus induced to live with her, or to marry her, would be led to insure his life for her benefit, and soon afterwards would become ill. Then Dr Meyer would be called in, and in due covrse the man would die. If Brandt had been familiar with this practice he would not have consented to become a party to a conspiracy vhich seemed to him to promise con ' .'table profits. It was pro posed to him that he should procure insurance on his life, marry Mrs Meyer, become ill, and be drugged into a condi tion resembling death. Then an official certificate that he was dead was to be obtained and used ; he was to disappear, and Mrs Meyer was to collect the insur ance money. He consented. He did marry Mrs Meyer a year and a-half ago, both using assumed names. He obtained insurance in four companies, and trans ferred the policies to the woman who was supposed to be his wife. Then he became ill, and was attended by Meyer, who appeared to be a boarder in the same house, where he assumed the name of Reuter. • But Brandt died. Meyer and hia wife murdered him by poison, as they intended to do from the beginning. She collected a part of the money, but one company—the Mutual, of this city—decided that it would make an investigation, Thereupon the two murderers went to Chicago. The com pany pursued its inquiries with the help of detective agencies until the whole ex traordinary story was revealed. Then the murderers were arrested in the State of Michigan. It is believed that Meyer and his wife murdered by poiion at least ten persons. Th* poison used caused a disease of the bowels, which was called dysentery or acute diarrhoea in the certificates, which were procured through the agency of re putable physicians called in by Meyer either in consultation in the last stages of the illness or immediately after death.

ttrfe ASfißtmTOft GtJABDIAfI: THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 189&.



QWING TO DULNESS OF THE SEASON G. J. NEILL and Co. ARE SELLING- W omen's Strong Corsets at 2* 61 Womm'a Hats of every description at very low prices White Muslin 4J-1 per yard Good Washing Print 3^l Nflw Dress Goods 4£d . Double Bed White Twill Sheeting 9M Children's Sunshades Is each CLOTHING- CLOTHING- K-ltoSlA^TwK SUITS, GUARANTEED ALL WuOL, 21a Boys Suits 43 lid Men's and Boys' Straw Hats from 6d Boys' Felb Hatß la 3d Men's Felt Hats 2s 6d BOOTS- BOOTS. BOOTS. In BOOTS wo DEiT COMPETITION for Quality and Price. Men's Bluchers 5s Men's Nailed Shooters 8a 6d. Women's Strong Boots 6a 9i sffitfffl& IS?^M: "L Leather and Canvass Shoes G. I NEILL & GO.'S. FRIEDLANBER'S BUILDINGS, EAST STREET. CASH.-SMALL PROFITS AND QUICK RETURNS. THE ESTABLISHMENT FOE SATISFACTORY WATOH AND CLOCK REPAIRS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION AT CHARGES AS LOW AS IS CONSISTENT FOR Sound and Reliable Workmanship IS S. SALEK'S, PB4 cT IC A t watch * cioj^-Ajaaj-lgnr^ tomng jkwiw A S p«,.Ht y m^e o. Co-verti-g Cus^er, Old Je«e,.e ry i»to New aD d Faahion^e « m ja- WQ r lewellers—Silver and Electro-Plated, etc., "T^E* 1" Atgeld £ st"kt7el e o t fro., -*•«. ta WEDDING AND BIRTHDAY AND PRESENTATIONS. 8. SAXEK, BAST STBEBT.



\\7 ANTED Known—That A. J. ! vV Walkeb repairs Bicycles, Sewing Machines, Lawn Mowers, Medical Coils, and all descriptions of light machinery. IF you want fiist class fruit go to Adams' for Fiji, Tahiti, Auckland and Sydney Oranges, Citrons, Lemons, etc. MEDIOAL Coils made and repaired on the shortest notice at easy , prices at A. J. Walker's, Old Kinder l garten. RAILWAY Book Stall.—A very large and choice lot of books to select rom. .JLJI? 3 HERBAL Beer, Ginger Beer, Rasp berryade, home made Jams and Marmalade, and all fresh fruit in season. I. Hoult, East Street, Ashburton. 10 18 800K 5* in good order and complete bought or taken in exchange. New ock arriving every week. Circulating Library.—.!. Maksdbn, jNewsagent. HE Bts^ Nickel Watch in the Market / for 155.. Usually sold by Jewellers at from 20d to 253 each. Specially made in England to our order,—John Orr and Co. y iy/ CRICKET and Lawn Tennis Material just unpacked at reduced prices. New Books, Games and Fancy Goods AIJ goods reduced in price for cash this month—L. F. Andrewes and Co, Stationers' Hall. BOOKS in great variety to suit all classes of readers, at the Railway Book Siall. 7 102 SOMERSET Meat Mart. The oldest the largest, tha best, aud the cheap asb. Small Goods a specialty. Ful freights guaranteed. A trial solicited -W, J. Siloock. *tlB2 ATICKEL Watches ab 12s 61, usually I-*^ sold by ironmongers at 15u The 22s 6d and 25* lines still maintain their supremacy over all others at the prices i Obtainable only from S. Salek, ! Jeweller. WANTED Known-For good value in first class Drapery, Millinery, Boots, Clothing, etc., go to Melford Housk. Beautiful presents now giving away to all purchasers. WANTED Known—Some wonderful job lines n Drapery, etc., now oeingsold; also presents to all purchasers. H 0. Segbrs, Melford House. SUITS to measure, during the sale, 49?, 655, 60s, 70s, and 755. Fit and workmanship guaranteed. —R. Alcorn, Saunders' Buildings. BANG 1 Bang ! Bang ! Guns 1 Guns 1 Guns! by the besb makers and atted with all the latest improvements Powder, Shot, Caps, Cartridges, Wads, and Cases ab J. W. Hardlby's, East [ Street. Guns repaired. TPlie Holidays, IN Order to keep pace with the rush of Tailoring Ordors already received, we I have engaged a number of extra hands (fitst-class tailors). Customers requiring New Suits, etc., for the Holidays, should leave their orders as early us possible. JUST OPENED OUT Newest Materials for Suits, Coatings, Trouserings, Fancy Summer Vesting*. Cricket, Tennis j and Cycling Cua tumee, exs.s. O. arama. Three Cases or Novelties in Ties, Hats, Shuts, etc for the present season. GKNTS' BOOTS AND SHOES. CRAIGHEAD & BERRYMAN, I THE LEADING TAILORS AND OUT FITTERS, A«KJSURTON. i



Wanted mENX)ERS close at noon on I SATURDAY, 4th, for the erection of Small "Sh,p at Chertsey. Plan and Specifications at Guaiu'lan Office. _ li- * LOST— From Anhburton, Chestnut Gelding Pony, four white feet, shod. Anyone returning same to K. Sacndww, Ashliurton, will be rewarded. u l La W" ANTED a Married Couple, man with knowledge of farm woik, Wife to cook for few men For particulars apply T>. Thomas, Ashburtou. IUUIe B~~PECIAT/ Gospel Meetings will be held (DV.)on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at the Templar Hall. Wakanui Read, 7.30 o'clock. All free. Ailimi*ed. 1L? WANTED. -Everyone to know that we have too much Stock, *nd too little money.—Mitchell aho Tenant *Lnjl Oranges, at.d ripe Bananas for X? tale by Mrs J*mes, East Street. 10 ICI . TJTT ANTED—Buyers of drapery and VV clothinsr, to see the value we are! are offering.—Mitchell & Terser. _ DON'T Forgec to send your Bicycles along to the Old Kindergarten to oe repaired, at moderate rate^ WANTED —Mothers of families to know that we cannot be beaten for value in Drapery and Clothing.— Much*ll & Turner. BINANAS, Orang s. Lemons, Tomato Sauce, Marmalade, Ciibbage and Tunrnto Plants at Whittington"s, Bur nett street. STUDY Health and use Jumbo Brand Baking Powder. Purest and beat. T7MBEWOOD, sho-t lengths and dry Jj for sale. Orders iefb with Mr James, Fruit frhop, Kast street, or at M+yo'sGaiden, Hampstead. 10 75 WANTED Known—W. H. Collier's noted fonr clasp Kid Gloves, 2s Bd, have just arrived in all awes. PRESENTS— Beautiful Presents now being given away to all purchasers of Drapery, Millinery, Boots, Clothing etc.—H. C Sbgbrs, Melford House. FOR Bread. Scones', Paltry, etc, you will find Jumbo Baking Powder lunsurpaHseH; , ORTBNTAI* Coffee is the blend of the Choicest Ceylon and Mocha. Try it. W^ ANTED Known—" The Comer "is | showing a magnificent New Stock of Drapery and Clotting. - W. H. OOLLIKR. . — • "TT7 HO is your Plumber 1 Why MV . W Habdlby, who is * Manufacturer of Spouting, Ridging, Steel Gaiters, Baths, Sinks, Tanks, etc., and who has on hand the large3t stock of Pumps and Pipe in towru TTT ANTED Known.—To make room W for Spring Boots I will give ten ncr cent for cash. Repairs doner at once cheaper than ever to stay bad times over atJ.Moisoy, Premier Bootmaker. 8 j» €TThLKHbldo you gee your Ironmon- YV gery? At Hakdlkvs of course, where wo g«t the best value m Sheet L-a*. JSaila, Locka, HingM, Plough Chains, Hope, Wire Knottiag. Gorae Knives, Spades And iorka, L»mps, Wen<i(ir mi* Fire Irons, and anything yon require FOR SALE-60 Acres, all in Bnglwn creases, not far from the Tinwald Sale yard^s. A property such as this has often been asked for BULLQC^^ file Mf*M Tern IN CAWI'KRBURY fur tl.e m<'n«y, and fiec from any oxctss of astmsyency. COUNTESS 2s. ask lioon oeoceas i



NEW ZEALAND CIiOTIIIWa FACTOBY SPECIAL DISPLAY OF NEW GOODS ECU THIS WEEK. BOOTS HATS j NEW PATTKBNJ? __. _„ , iiooib in Men , B Boys , & BOOTS Youths' Suits; HATS BOOTS -— HATS BOOTS Tennis Shirts Cricket Shirts HATS BOOTS Cycling Shirta HATg BOOTS HATS BOOTS AlJj Nbw Goods . hatß BOOTS HATS BOOTS White Shirts Regatta Shirts HATS BOOTS Oxford Shirfcß BOOTS The Largest Stock HATS BOOTS *n Ashburton, HATS BOOTS tt » mo BOOTS TIESI TIES> TIES HATS BOOTS v^ee our Special Dis play in Windows. HATS BOOTS TIALLENSTEIN BROS. ALEX' HENDRY, Manager



KEATING'S POWDER destroys Bugs, Fleas, Moths Beetles, and all other insect?, whilst quite harmless to domestic animals. In exterminating Beetles the uccess of this Powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly lean in application. See the article you purchase is KEATING-'d, as imitations are noxious and ineffectual d v Tins, 6d, Is, and 2s 6d each, by all chemists. H AHT»E» * SonsVEwcalyptl extract There are imitations of Eucalypti Extract in th market now, products of simple distillation forming rude resinous oils. In order that these crude oils may not be takeD, Our Pure Volatile Euca lypti Extract, which is rjcognfsod by the medical division of the Prussian Government to be of perfectly pure origin, as per information forwarded to us through the Consul at Melbourne, March 2, 1878 It is proved by tests made by the Medicial Clinics of the Universities at Bonn and GreifswaH, Prussia, and reported by Dr Schulz, Professor of Pharmacology at Bonn, and Professor Dr Mosler, Director of the Medical Olinio at GreifswaW, that only products that are saturated with oxygen and freed of a«ids, resinous and other substances, adherent to primary distillation, will develop the sanative qualities proper to the plant, SANDER & SON'S EUCALYPTI EXTRACT according to these authorities, and according to Pro fessor Dr Lister, of England, and'to Drs Bauer, Mclntire, Wood, Hazard, etc., of America, is the only extract correspondingto scieatiHc testa, and the only one which possesses the proper therapeutic value. All other crude oils are to be classed among the turpentines, which have, whan used as medicine, no therapeutic effect and are abandoned as an internal medicament. These so called Eucalypti Extracts, which may have received dist nctnn at Exhibitions «g commercial articles and are used for mechanical pur poses only are discernible :— 1 By their deficiency in pungent odour (which our ' product, the only genuine Eucalypti Extrac de ! velqps most freely through its surplus of oxy c). 2 By their alcoholic thin and mobile appearance, being reduced in specific density through the presence of acids: 3. By their taste, the result of the contracting ten dency of resina and tennates. If these crude oils, so called eucalypti extracts are ipplied by mistake in oanos of croup, bronchitis, diph theria, internal iuilacutations, dysentery, wounds, the thecmsequoucesre most appalling. For safety alwav ask always for iamlcr anil Son*' JKncalrnfl Extract and get the old, well-tested and reliable prewationt—Sandhurst, Victoria, Australia.-*



Houoway's Ointment and Pills.— Notable Eacts.—lntense heat augments "the annoyances of skin diseases, and encourages bhe development of febrile disorders; there fore they should, as they may, be removed by these detergent and purifying prepara tions. In stomach complaints, liver affec tions, pains and Bpaems of the bowels Hollo way's ointment well rubbed over the affected part immediately gives the greatest) ease, prevents congestion and inflammation, checks the threatening diarrhoea and averts incipient cholera. The poorer inhabitants of large cities will find th<j3e remedies to be their best friend when any pestilence rages or when from unknown pauses, eruptions! boils, abscesses, or ulceratlons betoken the presence of taints or impurities within the sy»tem, and for instant and effective cun, ive mediciaeE,