MAIL NOTICES.

Mails clou for the follbwing places as under, subject to t ke necessary alterations:— WEDNESDAY, February 8. For Australian Colonies, and also specially addressed correspondence per Orient, for the United Kingdom and Coutinent of Europe (per express to connect with Wiararapa at Port Chalmers}, at 13,30 l>-m ; late fee letters, guard's van on express, 12.50 p.m. j

ENGLISH MAILS. I

HOMKWAKD —DIRECT MAIM. Tongariro, sailed Jauuary 20, due London February 20. Arawa. sailed February 2, due London March 15 Aorangi, leaves February 16, due London March 31. OUTWARD —DTRECT MAILS. <SU+ Rimutaki, sailed January 7, due colon} February 22. lonic, sailed January 22, due colony March 15. HOMEWARD—SAN FRANCISCO MAILS. Monowai, Bailed January 28, due London February 28. Alameda, loaves February 25, due London March 29. OUTWARD—SAN FRANCISCO MATLS. | Next mail leaves London January 21, due colony February 23, The letter-box will be cleared for des patch of correspondence from Ashburton Post Office to the under-mentioned places as follows:— For a.m. p.m. p.m Burnham and Dunsandel daily) 3 15 Ohertsev and Rakaia (daily) 6.30 3.15 620 Christchurch and North (daily) ... 630 3.15 6.20 and on Mondays, Wed nesdays, and Fridays... 10.30 Dromore (daily) 6 30 Eiffelton and Willowby. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays 10.30 Elgin, Wakanui, River hide, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Satur* day« ... 630 Flemington Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays 4J45 Geraldine (daily) 10.36 Greenstreet, Winchmore^ and Forks, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays 6.30 Hackthorne and Liamore, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays... ..'10.30 Mettiven (daily) ... ... 3*jls Mt. Somers, Sprin<{buni, Bushsidc, and Alt'ord Forest (daily) 4.0 Mayfield an 1 Buapuna, Mondaysand Thursdays 4 0 Newlands, Tuesday?, Thursdays, and Satur days ... 630 Timaru, Dun'edin, and South (daily) ... ... 12.30 Selwyu (daily) ...... 620 Temuka * Timaru (daily) 10.30 12.30 and on Tuesdays, Thurs days and Saturdays ... 3.15 Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, , and Waiinate (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 oi value should be handed to the Postmaster to be registered. Letters containing coin, or bank notes, if posted unregistered, will be compnhanhj re gUteredanicluirijed double registratdon fee. ;

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6,1893. THE LICENSING APPEALS.

The decisions in two very .'mportant licensing 1 cases were gi"en last week— the first and more important, the Sydenham case, in the Court of Appeal; and the second, tho lloslyn case, in the Supreme Court at Dunedin, The point at issue in each case was the same, and it has been asserted that the decisions were irreconcilable, but an examination of the two cases shows that the circumstances were widely different. The Sydenham case was an appeal by the prohibitionist members of the Sydenham Licensing Committee against Mr Justice Denniston's judg ment in an application by a hotel keeper to have the" proceedings in connection with his application for renewal of his license brought before the Supreme Court. His Honor granted the order, the conclusion he arrived at being—" That the Committee have been unable to bring a jndicial mind to the consideration of the question, and have, in fact, decided it on what have been, throughout the case, called Prohibition lines, and without due consideration of the actual require ments of the district." The refusal of the renewals was in fact part perform ance of a promise made by them, that if elected members of the Committee they would, in accordance with the principles of the society known as the Sydenham Prohibitionist League, close all licensed houses in the district. The Court of Appeal, consisting of all the Judges of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, with the exception of Mr Justice Dennis ton, has unanimously upheld the judgment, and the Chief Justice stated, for himself and his colleagues, that consideration of the evidence had satisfied them " that the Committee had acted on the general principle that under no circumstances ought licenses to be granted, not upon proper consideration of whether, under the particular circumstances, the licenses in question were required." The Committee began, it will be re membered, at the first annual meeting after their election, by refusing five of the eight applications for renewals, an application made to the Supreme Court to prohibit the Committee from adjudicating on the applications owing to the above pledge—being re fused, though an order was made that in dealing with any objection to these applications " the licensing of premises was not required in the neighborhood," the Committee should not refuse applications on the ground only that the licensing was not re quired by a majority of the ratepayers and residents, and should consider whether such premises were required according to the reasonable wants of such of the residents as might desire to purchase liquor. With reference to three renewals which were granted the Committee intimated that they acted in conformity with Mr Justice Denniston's order, &t the next licens ing meeting, the three persons who, in 189.1, had obtained licenses, applied lor renewals for the curreut year. To gach of these, the majority of the Com mittee refused renewals, on.the ground that licensed premises' were not re quired in the neighborhood. It yas I hot disputed that the Sydenham Com mittee are composed of the leaders of the Prohibition party, and therefore the conclusion cannot be avoided, the , Chief Justice thinks, thai; the object at)<i motive of their acjioft liave Usn

the destruction, and not the reputation, of the liquor traffic. In short the Appeal Court has maintained the evi dent intention of the Licensing Act, as expressed in its title, "to regulate the sale of liquor " —not to abolish it. The fact that the Act provides for the opinion of a district being obtained triennially on the question of an in crease of licenses, while no provision i is made for an expression of a desire for a reduction of the number shows clearly that total prohibition was not contemplated^ and the only power given to committees .'s to carry out the law and to see that licensees also do so. The Roslyn case had this great difference, that no evidence was brought to show that the refusal of two licenses in 1391 was the result of bias. The burden of showing that a Licensing Committee have not exer ercised their discretion rests on those who say they have not done so. The mere fact of closing the houses did not, in the judge's opinion, prove bias, as it is quite consistent with possibility that a committee might think licenses unnecessary in a suburb like Roslyn. Neither was there any evidence that the Committee had not come to a judicial decision in refusing the renewal of the remaining Jicen&e (Heffernan's) in 1892. In the meantime, indeed, the Committee had taken occasion to declare that since the decision of 1891 they did not consider themselves bound to act according to their election pledges to refuse all licenses, but to act with an open mind. There was a petition against the renewal of Heffernan's license, supported by sworn evidence j there was also a petition for renewal, but unsupported by sworn evidence, and not a single resident or ratepayer other tiian the licensee came forward to swear that the house was required. The Roslyn petitioners had thus an extremely weak case, and failed as utterly as the Sydenham petitioners., conclusively succeeded in proving bias on the part of the Com mittee. Still, that such cases come before the Courts shows the necessity for the amendment of the Licensing Law, that wo have advocated by making its terms more definite.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Firemen are reminded that the annual meeting of the Fire Brigade is to be held to-morrow evening in the Brigade's room at seven o'clock. A well-known Covent Garden fruit firm have cabled out £50,000 to be devoted to the purchase of Taemanian fruit for shipment to England during this season. One of the candidates who have just passed pare of the solicitors' 1 w examination is the constable who is orderly to the Wellington Resident Magistrate's Court. The " Kumar* Times " says ;--" The great feature in Wcstland this year is the remarkable yield of apples and other fruit. Some of the gardens on the main road to Hokitika contain trees which have to be carefully propped, so heavy is the weight chey carry." Daring his visit to B'enheim the Hon Mr Seddou btated that the general election may be expected to take place in October or November next, as the present Parliament expires by tfflixion of time on Dacember 5. It is rumoured in Wellington th*t the " CUthoHc Times" will shortly find its mission, and be converted into a weekly secular journal after the style of the Sydney " Bulletin " —a long way after. Th* approximate average value of a bale of Colonial' wool for the year 1592 is commuted in London at £l£ as against £13 los in 1891, £U 15s in 1890, and £15 10s in 1889. The principle of encouraging local in (iusiry was affirmed b/ the Auckland City Council when a recommendation from a committee to obtain parts of machinery from England was rejected in favour of calling tenders for their local manufacture. Provisional specifications have been ac cepted at the Patent Office from James Keir, of Ashburton, machinist, and James Fraser, of Christshurojv fitter, for an invention for an improved windmill, to be called" The Keir-Fraser Windmill." Letters patent have been sealed for a road cart, the invention of Mr J. A. Berg.

There was an attraction at the Napier Caledonian Sport*, says the " Telegraph," in the shape of a Maori in a kilt—an un sophisticated individual who thought Scotchmen's attire could not be beaten for airiness and simplicity. He was the cynosure of all eyes, and confidingly said to a friend, "Me Mac Wiremu today.' In the Masterton Licensing case to which we referred a few days ago, it appears that the local reporter and not the R.M. was at fault,,.. Colonel Roberts gave no judgment on the points raised by counsel for the licensee who was summoned, but decided on the bare question of Sunday trading that the evidence was not conclusive on the point, and therefore dismissed the information. It doe 3 not appear to be generally known that, under " Tv« Servants rßegistry Offices Act, 1892," i|Js incumbent on all persons conducting suph offices to make application to the local authority for a license under the Act. The Act came into operation on January 1. The applications have to be accompanied by certificates of character and ability to conduct such a business, and the certificates must bear the signature of a Resident Magistrate. / It is said more will be held «of tfce stallion tax which Mr Richie, the Chief Inspector of Stock was desirious of intro ducing last session with a view of weeding out the undesirable class of stallions whioh are effecting the deterioration of stock in many districts. Country settlers in various parts of the eclony are becoming moie re conciled to the idea, and more satisfied as to its utility. There was a cold snap in the back country on Thursday night (says the "Oamaru Mail) the frost being particularly severe for the second time this" week. We hear that at Station Peaks 700 or 800 sheep were lost on Tuesday night, owing to the ovld rain. They had been turnod out off the shearing machines, and a large num ber were breeding ewes. The machines, after all are not an unmixed blessing, as they stiear so close as to leave the sheep absolutely unprotected against any sudden change in the weather. The apprehension that wai fait on Saturday morning that more stacks than those of Messrs White and Storey had been fired, proved to be only too well grounded, six stacks of, wheat the property of Mr H. G. Harrison, Doric, being aUo burned. No clue has yet been obtained of the incen diaries, but it is almost certain, from the distance apart of the fires and their occur rence cimoat simultaneously, that more than one fire-raiser has been at work Mr Leonard White's five large oat stacks de stroyed were last year's crop, Mr J. Storey "s five stacks were this year's oats. There was no insurance in any of the cases. Mr Joyce, M.H.K., informs the "Daily Times " that the North Canterbury Educa tion Board have been takine evidence as to *he present methoda of scftoql inspection. ISome of the Board are opposed to placing the inspector* ucdeV the control of the Educa tion Department at Wellington, believing that the blots: on the present system could best be removed by'holding a biennial con' fetence of ajl the inspectors in the colony, to be presided over by theJnspector-General; The head-masters rof 'the large schools in and around Christchurch approve of th'<S proposal to hold these conferences, and Sppoif ,the contralisatioo of the control of iuspitftorij

"FULL NILE."

In an article in the " Argosy " Mr 0. W. Wood describes the "Nilometer," which measures for all lower Egypt the height of the .Nile : — Amidst a wealth of nature stands the Nilometer. Ht re for more than a thou sand years the rising of the Nile has been anxiously watched. Upon this depends the prosperity of Ihe country ; so much so that until it reached a certain height, the people were free of taxes. A square chamber contains the measuring rod, and the Niie water reaches it by means of , under ground canals. Niches and Gothic i arches resting upon columns ornament I the walls. A wid» stone staircase leads to the water,, where men and women may fill their pitchers and flirt, gossip, or moralise, according to their mood. Numerous inscriptions are visible. In the centre of the water rises the Column or measuring rod that has been in use tor centuries. It in octagonal, and once bore many inscriptionswhichhavebeen worn or washed away. The measurement was kept under the control of the Sheikhs, and is co to this day ; but these in their turn are now surveyed by the police. Then, as now, th« tillers of the soil were not allowed to approach it. When the waters reach a certain mark, the good news is proclaimed ; the banks are cut; the waters npread over the country. An image in the form of a woman, made of mud, gaudily decorated, is then with much ceremony thrown into the Nile as a pi opitiatory offering. In days gone by a living woman and not an image - was sacrificed, but happily that is all ovar. Another writer gives a picturesque description of local ceremonies on the d»y of the Government proclamation of "Full Nile," which is sipnalioed by cutting the dam of the oanal, and letting the river run in. 44 1 his is an annual custom," shouts the crier. "God hath given abundance," repeat the boys. " And if the hoarder of grain wish for a scarcity"—"God hath given abundance !"—'' may God visit him with blindness and affliction ere ha dies !" 44God hath given abundance!" "This generous person " (here the crier person ally addresses himself to the mtister of the house before which he is standing) ' loveth the generous—an admirable palace is built for him in Paradise—and its cjlumns are incomparable jewels— instead of palm-sticks aid timber—and it has a thousand windows that open - and before every window is Selsebil, the fountain of the Blest—Paradise is the abode of the generous—and Hell is the abode of the niggardly. ' In every pause the boys ejaculate. *4 God hath given abundance ! " " M»y God not cause me to stop before the. door of an avaricious woman, nor of -m MvaHbious man," con tinues the crier ■:...optically—" nor of one who measures the water in a jar—nor who counts the bread while it is yet dough— and if » cake be wanting orders a fast nor who t>huts up the cats at supper time—nor who drives away the dog upon the wall." 4lGod hath given abundance !" echo the boys. " The world is brightened and the damsels have adorned themselves —and the old women tumble about—and {.he married man hath added to hia wife ei^ht others -and rhe bachelor hath married eighteen ! " " God hath given abundance!"

Imperial Parliament

I '.R l»l\KSs ASSOCIATION

London, February 4. Mr Gladstone, replying to Mr La bouchere's amendment, said that the Government wanted anthentic infor mation before forming a conclusive judgment relative to Uganda. Under pressure he implied that Sir G. Portal would unofficially exercise authority in the interval between the time of send ing in his report and the decision of the Government. Mr Labouchere replied that it would be disgraceful if the Government quitted office without doing something to precipitate the evacuation of Egypt. Mr Gladstone said that the Govern ment were striving to maintain ex ternal and internal order in Egypt during the occupation by the British, and would preserve harmony with the native Government. The Government were fully determined not to drift back. Messrs Stanhope (Liberal) and Lind say (Conservative) have been nomin ated for the Burnley seat in the House of Commons, vacated by Mr Jabez S. Balfour, who has fled from the country.

COMMERCIAL.

(per press association) London, February 3 The wool sales have been postponed. Choicest Australian butter is very scarce, and is Belling at over 100s per cwt. Importers are anxious to clear stocks before other shipments arrive. The Dane j have lowered the prict of their article in order to secure the market. 900 tons of Danish butter will arrive in London on Tuesday. The best authorities in London consider that the unsoundness of New Zealand butter is due to the wet season experienced in the colany. The finest New Zealand cheese is selling at from 54a to 56s per cwt. The Transvaal loan of £600,000, was subscribed fourteen times over. Buenos Ayrim, February 4. The Banca Roma Rio Plata here has suspended payment. The manager admits thfl loss of 1,000,0U0 dollars' worth of gold in speculation.

POLITICAL.

MR W. P. REEVES AT NELSON. [per press association] Nblson, February 5. Tha Hon. Mr Reeves addressed a large and representative meeting on Saturday night:. He spoke on the Government policy, and alluded to finance and the present prosperous state of the country, which, he said, had fa'sified all the pre dictions of the Opposition. He replied at some length to the Hon. Mr Rolles ton's recent speech. Of the Midland Railway Company's claims ha said that the Government had bean loyal to the Company and to the colony. There were prospects of another- surplus, and the Government did not intend borrowing in the London market, believing that, by abstaining more money found its way to the colony. He was frequently cheered, and a motion oi thanks and confidence in the Government was carried unanimously. Colonel Pitt, the mover of the motion, said that Nek en h*d entire confidence in the Government, and the seconder added that the city was not represented at present. Another motion, thanking the Government for their action in connec tion with the Midland Railway Company, was carried unanimously. Mr Reeve 8 leaves for Havelock to-morrow morning.

MAGISTERIAL.

AS II BURTON -SATURDAY.

(Before Messrs W. G. Reea and Thomas I Bulluck, Justice of the Peace.) Lunacy.—.James Gordon, alias several other nameH, »r\\Q had been travelling at will on the railway without a ticket, 'and was alao charged with vagrancy, was further charged with lunacy. The latter charge having been proven the other two were withdrawn, and Gordon was sent to Sunnyeide. Drunkenness. — Fred Wallace, who had been up on February 1 for drunken ness, and been on the spree since, was fined 10s or twenty-four hours in gaol.

ASHBURTON- MONDAY.

(Before Mr J. W. Sawle, J.P.) j Dronkbnness.—Thomas M. Mitchell pleaded guilty to having been tound without lawful excuse in one of the stalls of the Royal stables on Saturday nisjht. tile had gone there to sleep off a debauch. When arrested he was vary violent and used very bad language. The Magistrate said that it was a strange thing lhat, in a i town like Ashburton, the public louses in which were reported at last meeting of ihe Licensing Committee as being very respectable, so many men could get drunk, and find themselves in this man's position. Where did they get the liquor ? The Sergeant replied that the liquor was obtained at the public houses, but in the present state of the law he was powerless u> stop the sale of liquor, %o the^e nieii. He regretted this, but Wds powerless to do anything. The Magistrate nupposed then that ht too was powerless, but it was a bad state (if attain). For the obscene language, prisoner *Wi uld go to gaol for fourteen days.; on the other I charge of going to sleep in the Royai stable he would be dismissed.—Two men who were treated as first offenders were— one dismissed with a caution, and the ! other fined ss.

The Baton of Genius.

Professor Marshall Hall, the Professor of Music in the University of Melbourne, under the late Mr Francis Ormond's be quest, is the hero of the hour. He is a a young man, full of enthusiasm for his art, who professes to be able to read all kinds of hidden motives in every note and bar of the musical classics, and who will lecture for hours on the •• emotional significance of Beethoven'a sonata." This mystic kind of stuff has not gone down ! With the general public, and Mr Marshall Hali has been set down as sort of crack- I brained—the kind of young man whose brains run >o long hair. As he his never aired to hide hit) contempt for the musicial world ot Melbourne, tatutally the musical world has held him- in con tempt. Mr Julius Herz, the conductor of the Metropolitan Liedertafel, has bet' himself particularly to demolish the pro lessor, who has in turn given it to be plainly understood that he has regarded Mr Hetz's conducting as barbarous. But it is one thing to criticise other people's work, and another to show h>w the thing ought to be done ; and Mr Uerz and his fellows were never tired of chal lenging the professor to this test. At last the thing was brought about. Anorchestral concert was arranged, with the professor as conductor, and great *as the joy of the musical world. Thoir enemy was at last to be delivered into their hands. The newspaper critics, too, whetted their knives. The musical enthusiasts filled she Town Hall, and all wits expectancy Tin Professor, however, wiped the floor with all his enemies. Hu achieved a re markable triumph. The programme com prised Beethoven's C minor symphony, Schubert's unfinished B minor symphony, and Wagner's " Lohengrin " prelude, nn« the entr'acte which ushers in the third act of the same work. The performance was a revelation, and Mr Marshall H*U't. conducting was as far ahead of Julius tierz's as it is possible to conceive. The ■' Argus " and the " Age " both speak ot the performance as a triumph and a " distinguished success." Professor Mar shall Hall hus Melbourne at his feet. Later news from Melbourne contains the significant announcement that Mi Julius Heiz has resigned his position at conductor of the Royal (Melbourne; Metropolitan Ltedertafel in order to settle in Perth (Western Australia).

Close Me Early!

Ye Shoppe Suf?lyecateth Ye Shopp* kbxpekre. Will you take and close me esrly, close me early, master dear, At least on two-and-fifty eves in a'l the livelong year % 'T»s not for pity's sake alone this boon ol you I pray, For I'm sure the plan will pay, master, I'm sure the plan will pay. From earliest morn till night, master—l hear—for walls have ears— Your jaded slaves refer to you with jibes and taunts and sneera. Butif you'll turn antarlyite, they'll change their tune straightway: Oh, I'm sure the plan wUI pay, master, I'm sure the plan will pay ! In having servants proud to push your daily interests lies The secret of success in your commercial enterprise, ' Take thought of your assistants' weal, and care for yours will they : Oh, I'm sure the plan will pay master, I'm sure the plan will pay I The early closing cry, master, throughout the land haß spread, And, if you heed my timely plea, upon my boards will tread A host of customers, I ween, who else | would keep away: Oh, I'm sure the plan will pay, master, I'm sure the plan will pay ! So I hope you'll close me earl^, close me early, master dear! And, while I'm closed, your men and maids, who all so tired appear, Will gain new life, new strength, new hope to help them on their way : Oh, I'm sure the plan will pay, master, I m sure the plan will pay ! The "Star.',

"H.R.H.-Woman"

A man writes to '* Woman" :-r-" A ! woman's income ought to go exactly | twice hs far as a man's. A woman doesn't have to have nef hair cut every week, or her boots blackened every hour. Six pennyworth ot rum and rosewater will keep her tresses in order a whole mon*h, aud the same quantity of polish wUI shin a her boots for a whole season. She doesn't pay for a newspaper, for the theatre tickets, for the cab fare, for reading matter, or for horns cheer if there is any sort of roan in the family. If she falls in love, she doesn't have to buy bouquets for the object of her affections. She is not obliged to woo a frowning mamma with French fconbons, to mollify a stern father with imported cigars, or appease an ugly little brother with circus tickets and mechanical toys. When she marries she does not always support her mother and sisters-in-law for the rest of their natural lives. She never gives, a shilling for a white rosebud And a bit of maidenhair bat she buys tenpennvworth of flowers and twopennyworth of fern, and makes a' posy large enough to coyer the front of her drew. She may give twelve and six for her evening gloves, but she never gets them a size too small and splits the pslm. Altogether a woman's ■*.i '> > ■■ '• *' a

extravagances are about half as numerous as those of her husband."

THE WEATHER.

ALFORD STATION. The following is the Meteorological report for the week ending February 5. 1893:— '

Rainfall during January—Alford Forest. 8*10; Alford Station, 4*27.

The Queensland Floods.

GREAT LOSS OF LIFE ANJ> PROPERTY. (PER PBKSB AaSOCUTIOK.) Bbisbans, February 4. Confirmation has been received from Toowooraba, in Queensland, that the town of Ipswich is under water, which has reached the height of the roof of two churches. Communication by rail and telegraph with Brisbane is inter rupted. At Bundams, twenty-five miles west of Brisbane, scarcely a house is visible. It is still rainiitg, and the people have fled to the high lands. Immente damage and loss of property is reported. February 5. Further news from Queensland states that the city of Ipswhh is in dark- - 1 ness, the gasometer being submerged. Twenty-five inches of rain have fallen iin the last twenty-four hours. A man named Jackson, in removing his family in a boat, collided with a log and cap sized. Four of his children were, drowned. His wife and one daughter climbed on to the tree. Another daughter and a man reached a roof of a house. Mrs Jackson was rescued, but the fate of the others is unknown. In one instance a girl, who had been, in a tree for three days, was rescued. Constable Gangster, who first went to rescue her, was drowned, and another party went out. Many houses have floated away, while others have been turned completely round. Scores of {amities have been rendered homeless. A terrible disaster has occurred at the Eclipse Colliery. Seven miners, named Thomas Wright, George Wright, Patrick McGuade, John McGuade, Outhbertscn, Walker, and Smart, went to work in the mine as usual this morning. The flood waters broke into the mine to within thirty feet of the surface. Some of the men, who man aged to get clear at first, signalled to the engineer, but the engine refused to work, and the persons, with two ex ceptions, were drowned. Deceased leave wives and large families. Goodna is completely submerged, and fears are entertained for the safety of the Lunatic Asylum, which is surrounded by water. Much anxiety is felt for the safety of the residents between Goodna and. Brisbane. The water at Ipswich is. slightly receding.

The Lora Gorge Murder.

[PKR PRESS ASSOCIATION.'] "■••■ Invekcargjll, February 4L.' ■"-: Jn the Lora Gorge murder case, which was to have come up for hearing at tbe February sittings of the Suprema Court, the Crown Prosecutor has intimated to Mr Macaltater, counsel for John Mcßae, senior, that the Crown do not intend to present an indictment against the accused. At the last sittings the hearing was post pones), Mcßae being admitted to bail, in the hope of obtaining evidence establish* ing the identity of the gun found at the scene of the murder, but in this the police have been unsuccessful. Without this evidence the case is very weak; hence this action.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(PJSRPEEBB ASSOCIATION.)

THE LOAN AND MERCANTILE.

London, February 4 At the annual meeting q{ the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Mr Bristow stated that the existing depression in Australia, and the low prices ruling in ' produce, had reduced the profits of the company. The shareholders complained that the '.; expenses in connection with the work- , ■ ing of the company were excessive, hut the chairman assured the meeting that the employment of the very best men | was necessary, and consequently they had to pay high salaries. Sir E. W. Stafford and Mr Thomas Russell were re-elected directors. LABOR MATTERS. The master cotton-spinners adhere to their demand for a 5 per cent, reduction in wages. NEW ZEALAND MEAT. The Admiralty have decided to victual the Australasian squadron with New Zealand salt pork. PROBATE AQT, It is reported that on the results shown at the end of the yew the Colonial Probate Act of 1890 will shortly be gazetted as applicable to New South Wales, Victoria, and New Zealand.

THE HANSARD UNION FRAUDS.

At the trial of those charged with . fraud in connection with the Hansard Publishing Union, - evidence was adduced that £1,250,000 bad been lost to the shareholders, who would not receive a single penny. St. Petersbubo, February 3. The correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle" "says that Russia is pre paring for war, which is inevitable.

IRISH AFFAIRS.

\ New York, February 3, Leading Irish-Americans condemn the Trish National League of America for issuing a manifesto in regard to the Home Rule Bill, thus prejudicing the measure before its provisions are made known. They urge Ireland to accept the best form of Home Rule ob tainable at present,' and to look $>V improvement later on.: * ! * London, February 4. To-day "The Speaker/! a Weekly newspaper, declared that the financial' claims of Home Rule are al£ogetb<ir different from thorn of i§B6, *qa '^|

THE ABHBTJRTON QITAIiDIAN; MONDAY, 6, 189 A.



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I Monday ... Tuesday ... Wednesday Thursday... Friday Saturday ... Sund!s.v i

Dat«.

■■;45*ii- I : J;■.::':: :%

Sha

ide. 4 High 81' 70 --62. 60* 58 --75' 85-

High in Sun. 140 --1- 1-6- -1-- 12-- -10-

State of weather. Fine, Calm Bain, S. Fine, Calm OvercMt, S.W. Fine, Calm Fine, N.toS.W

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Wanted' n HE Intelligenca of by 1" C. W. Purnell; Quarterly Family Reader ; Weldon's Journal for January; London Tit Bits.- H. M. Jomb»- 1 , ANTBD, at~o^T^ Boy ha\in«; passed Standard T. or VI., as J apprentice to tht- printiug trade. Apply f Mail Office. ■ OUSTERS, Oysters.—First of the Sea son arrived at, Deep Sea Fishing Company's, opposite Mail i mop. 2 Id WANTED— At once, to hire for a few weeks or purchase, a heavy Trap Horse.—Taskbr Bros., butchers. 2t22 PlA>o4 from £26 to 70 Guineas, hold on or.o, two, and three ye»r«. Termß to suit purchasers. Reduced scale. —H. M. Jonks ; ; \'k j ANTED Known —That an open W air Temperance Meeting will be held in Baring Square on Tuesday Even ing next, February 7. at 7.30, when the Rjkv.J. T. Hinton of Dunedin, and Mr T. E. Taylor of Chiistchurcfc, will address the meeting. 2 26 PIaHOFOKTE and Organ Show Room«?. Best cash value obtain able. Extended terms; r ß «?uced scale; Chrigtchnrch priefcs.—H. M. J6gga 1 __ j \1; ANTED X nown—loe Creams, Ice VV 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 aat. Small »TOods a spfccialty. FuU weights guaranteed. A trial soli^itttd. —W. J. Hi 82 \\* ANTeI) Known—Good Em- VV broideries, 2*d per yaid.— Mitcbill AN«J Turner. 2JJ WANTED Known that S. Salkk, Watchmaker and Jeweler, has removed to new shop near Now Z^land Cicthiiijr Fnctory H» j!1. oi WANTED Kuown.—Cume hixl s-j« our dret-B hues »t 4i'«t ami G!, !e»thct bhiiting 6jr', three-qirartcr clonks 12a ftl.—H. C. Rskgeks, Maltwd House.



WANTED Known—2oo d«zen Ladies" Gloves from .4£d.~ Mitchell and Tijrsbb. 2 9 ANTED the Public to know that S. W. Alcobn and Cob Summer Sale is now on. Great Bargains in Millinery, Underclothing etc. A NTED Known—Good White Calicoe 3s 9d por doz-n.— xvv Turner. 2^ THE Misses Adams' rew Refreshment Rooms now open. Tea, Coff.-e, Cocoa, Lemon Squash, Scda and Milk ,ahd all the new summer drinks ready at all times. Coleman's Buildings, East Street. . m WANTED Known—Dr Scott's celo bialed Electric Corsets can only be obtsiaed in Ashburton at VV. IJ. Colubr's, "Th« Corner." WANTED everynuo to come and ccc the beautiful presents we are giving away for ewry 5s and upwards spent.—H. C. Seggrs, Mulfort! Houhu. WANTED— Purchiww ior Bargains in Summer Dresses, Prirna. and Delainei, Sunshades, &c. at S. W. Alcork and Cob Sale. Known—New Flameltettftß W <*♦>. extraordinary prices ;3s lid »nd 4« lid" ,doa. Ttiii ty per cent undei price.—W, H. Coluvr. DON'T let the rain water destroy your buildings. 0«t Spouting fixed at 4d par fcot and buy a tank, complete witb Up, tested before leaving workshop, for 30d, at J. W. Maim>ley's. WHY not Bake your awn lire^d when you cam <_'«' 50: bs of the Ke«t Roller Flour for iivo fshiiliui^j cash or fire shillings and sixpence hooked at Robert aloorn's, Sjiuu-Jern' Building*. Jl 3.1 ,



BOOTS. 800 »r^. SHOES. SHOES. THE NEW ZEALAND J Clotblng Ftctory AND BOOT A^D SflOK WARRHOTrSE. PflE Public would do well to inspect I our Larj,'e and Well assorted fett-ck before purchasing elsewhere, A. Sinale P.»ir of Boots at the Wholesale Price. All new ?oods. 200 Pairs of Boys' and Girls' Strong School Boots and Shoes from 2s fld.



WANTED K.iown. -A srrent variety of hi-^h c';»*s> d-ess g-.0i.1s 11 eh. ■.->.-»: from new »elli::!< imdwr regular wholeHiltj prices.—ll. C. Segerh, Ale!ford lluu^e. DON'T Forget the B-irnugh l!ye-Laws re Carr a<Z3 Lsvmps, «ud lhat Baudlc . is Lirge Stock • n hand, also a largo assortment <i Tinwnre -aud.Jrcn mongery, Scythes, Reaping Hocks, H-iy Knives, Fi»rks, otc, of best quality, and all at lowest poshible prices J. W. Hakdmsy, E«st Street, Ash burton. NBW YEAR'S GIFTS.—Card, Book lets New Games in great variety. Beaut fullotof Vases, Fancy (vlnsswHr^, and Fairy Lamps. Boys' and Girls' Annuals, and father new Volumes. Prize Books at ' reduced prices. New Birthday Reward and Wedding Cards.-L. F. ANDREWS & 00., Stotionert' Hall. ■ BEAR, in mind that J. W. Hardley, Plumber and Gasfitter, East Street, has the largest Stock in town of Pumps. Pipes, and Fittings, and that he is selling them cheaper than ever at price* hitherto unheard of in Ash burton. Now i« the ohance for a cheap Pump ; improved No. 4. Price, 16s. Larger sfr-es in proportion. /"IHRIBTMAS Suits. B>y 8 , three Vy garment long Trouser Suits it lin. Boys, Colonial-made Knicker $uitt* from 10s. Men's nicely made Colonial Tweed Buits 30i. Colonial Tweed Suits to measure from 60s.—Aetiburton Clothing Hart, Saunders' Buildings. Robrkt . Axcobm. , ; ■■ « ITaNTED Known—Thit J. Moison W keeps the best stock of Boots Jii ' Ashburton, for this reason that htf \if*y* cash and is not under or bound to any one firm like many in the trade, which enables him to procure and supply the public with the Best Colonial and kngligh makes ; and his well-known make need: no recommendation. Always on hand BeittSole Leather, used for repairs and done at once.—J. Moison, Impermeable Bootmaker, Town Hall, East Street, next Court House.



LADIES. Buy your Boots ■»Ad Shoes at the" Factory, you will save 3s in the pound. THE AUGITE iTOVE MAT. Only a f«w left } just the thing for pre serve making; only 2*. A Wonderful Line of _.„„_ MEN S ALL-WOOL COLONIAL TWEKD TROUSERS *or 9s od. ISEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. ALEX. HENDRY, Manager.



u.5.h.00. ; 3LI fLS-s-c UNION STEAMSHIP COMPANY , UF NEW ZEAJAND. TBAMERS SAIL from LYTTEI^, —— TON AS UNDER: For Wellington—Monday, Tuesday, Wod neaday, Thursday, srid Saturday. Nelson—faeftday »ud Saturday. Auckland—Tlmruday. i Sydney—Every Second Thursday. | Dunedin—Tuesday and Friday. Melbourne —Tuesday. Excursion Season commenced en Ntvcnitftr 1. Re'kned fares over ail he Couipai y'a lines. J*ir pHrticulaw apply to , MILES & GO rtytoritp. for lv bur^Oß t - i 1



A. ISnfSfflntS Wiie  , ■■■ A FACT. .■; ' ■•■• " A'speaker waa holding forth on woman and he made out that she was just a little angel on earth. In glowing words he pictured how patient she waa in suffering how courage >us in trouble, and how alto gether gentle, loving, and good she wan under all circumstances, and closed his peroration by declaring that any man who laid his band on a woman, save in the act of kindness, was a monster. After the lecture, a pale, haggard, woebegone looking man shuffled up to the speaker and said, " Look here, mister, I've heard what' you've been saying about woman ; all about how nice and sweet she is, why, one would imaginethat you believed all women were just blushing full blown roses; I guess you don't know my wife, Well she haint no Mooming rose. She s a daisy, a reg'lar daisy, why mister my wife is a nagger, and there is'nt an hour, when she's awake, bub lh'»t she's nagging someone. If it is'nt me, its the children, it is'nt the children, it b the cat. There is nothing -Jihafr escapes her nagging tonsrue, arid the only time any of m gets any rest is vhen she has, nagged herself to 1 sleep." , How like the nerves of a man who drinks j t.h»y just na<r, nag all the time, giving no rest until enough liquor has been ta^en K> deaden all nervous sensibility, and the poor fellow goes oft tt that sodden, snorins, ratable state that is but the rattling skeleton of a healthy sleep, R. T. Booth's GoWn Remedy Nol puts an end to all this naggi»« of ,th.c nerves by destroying all dews for iqi!? r T. Booth's Golden Remedy No 2is the best Brain and Nerve Tonic on this MFtjk All chemists.



•IHE FIRST CLEANING SALE ». J. HblM'-* Co. n\ ■«« «4al7"since we commenced biwinesa, to establish /■ HIS being our fir^t Clewing Sale «mco I a rcputa.ion we ;»re oftenng ti»e "™£ . No OIiD ST OCK. Being only in business four mon * ««g£2 prices as a draw, and then dwnpnff vl™**<f^**"}^J&^^^ stock at PRICES NEVE* full prices on other go<*Ls- e «nnnTf»K BEFORE KNOWN IN ASHBCRfOfc. Double width Sheeting, white twill, 10^1 Good washing Muslins, 3* "J *»«» w White Muslins, sat in stripe, 7£d now 4^) value at OW CLOTHING. CLOTHING. Men's Tweed Suits, 19s 6d Boys' Tweed Suits, 4s Jld :: i BOOTS. POOT«| BOOTS. Men's Colonial made Bluchers, os Men's Oookhara Boots, worth 25s for 14s 6d WWK^nS^^»™^ » BOYS. * GIRLS' Women's strong Leather Shoes, 4s lid Ladies' Glove Kid Boots 8s 9^, reduced to bs lid A SPfiCIAHY 1« uaw CHEAP AND GOOD. Children's Patent Leather Slippers in endless variety Anyone who is awkward to fit in Boots, and cannot get ready nSade Boots to fit wo wtll tnke Jour measure and make them at Is per pair more than the advertised tirif>es TERMS CASH. -REMEMBER THE ADDRESS u. J. NKHiL and CO., ■'fRIEDLANDErfsS BUILOINQS



' W4T CHES WATCHE* WATCHE* SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT Hotlierltaßi's "Watciies. S."TA LEX, W A T C II M A X E R A N D JEWELL E R, .„ . .  m iWwpll.known &nd reliable firm of " Rotherham, Lon t-j AS jnst received l^73,es -specialty made by Rotherham for S. n rfon/'alargecoimgnment or w P fc j of __ lßcfc Go]d Salek (as engraved on woikMltte b Haad with Lever Keyless | pla c opw * ftnd fe Levers> Sterling 8a _ centre second*. Udys^lßj- ij \. P RofcncrWs . Huat ing Levars, key-winding ; Roth,rhr.ms Hunting Le.er.keyi lg Q Pjicef , key . winding . XUoH Botherbin.. Ope n Jf^,^l^,, t0 Be lecr;from. To racng men. members of ohoice/.tojk of Ladies hilva .v ™l a b d all who have occa , ion to uae a wat ch fof Athletic. TJicyele. and Swiinrainj^^ d<?) Q n Face STERLING SILVER timing B*. fifth's, The advantage of having a Race tuners-will tune «P « -J^ with 81jper i O r works for timins: purposes only, gad race urn« in SILV M.X■ fc thafc te [i s the time ofdaynmit be apparent • ta SS^w7«C^ -i*Si aHd never «ets out of order. nTubh, watchmaker a^ jewelleb, Wa.c'! arm Jewellery Repairs of ri Pli»» P 1™0^ and »a^^orily



THE HARVESIJS PLEITEOUS. \ T any rate it is up to the average—* and the laborers are—well, a good de>l more than plenteous. I have never j before seen so many men in the country on rbe outlook for harvest work. For a lime the town was "stiff wid 'em," as Pat said about the river and the fish, "out a good many have Ksen absorbed since the weather became harvest weather, and allowed the machines to «o rattling along, CUTTING DUWN the wealth of Ceres' golden Veign. I trust the farmers will get something like a favorable return for their year* toil, and that when they come into town with their little A » CALIOO-(2s lid a dozen)— baa;s of samples of grain, representing the crop, on the growing and in-gathering of which they have been concentrating aUV tiieir energies since last harvest, they will ;{je able to receive from the grain merchants PRICES that will enablb them to live themselves and / JLiET OTHERS JL.IVE. The farmers are the men who feed us all, who grow our grain, our meat, our dairy produce, and the wool to make our CJ-LOTHllVG*—(nuita at 355). They are the men who, with their wives and families, the tradesmen must depend upon to make their living, and we have the most solid reasons possible for re joicing when the farmers are prospering. So thinks HARRY HARDLKY, Manager for HAHOIiKV BROS. Who are selling goods very cheap. Beautiful dress tweed 4s 9d a dress; striped ginghams 7|d. BOOTS IS ENDLESS VARIETY. Men's Colonial made shooters 9s 6d ; slippers 3s 3d. COME AND GIVE US A TRIAL.



Ihk Best Remedy fob Indigestion— Noi^on's Camomile Pills are confidently recommended as a simple remedy foi Indigestion, which is the cause of nearly all the diseases to which we are subjects j Norton's Piixs, with justice called the' "Natural Strengthener of the Human Stomach," act as a powerful tonic and gentle aperient, are mild in their operation, and safe under an/ circumstances. Sold in bottles, at la l£d, 2s 9d, 11s, by all mtdicine vendors fchrouchoiit the wa*M How Sambo Understood^French.—find says to the runaway negro on the raft, "Jim, what'd you say if 'twas said to you ' Parly-vous-franzy ?' " " Wouldn't say nuffin. I'd just bust him over de ear ; if he wasn't a wite man. 'Low no nigger to call me dafc.' Finn says the words only mean, "Do you speak French?" Jim inquires, "If they mean that why don't they say that?" Dr Forest says, in "Health, the New Method," we might make similar in quiries of the professors ot Massotherapy; but he goes on to explain massage, rubbing, and its beneficial results so that it might; eyen enter the skull of the densest negro ; and f|io muscle-roller and other new method are invaluable, An edition of his book much enlarged, is published at "Truth and "Health" Publication osceß» tf) Tuam street, Christchurch.— [Advt.jj The Best Tea JN TflE WORLD H} Slop's Colon. NINIAN HYB&qs''£ff3>gO.t Tea Importers, 1% OwM street, Qtymhip&f



Tl*e Best Tea IN CANTERBURY for the money, and free from any excess of astringenoy. ■ ' COUNTESS 2s. < ASK YOUR GROCERS | I: ■ • ■'■: The Qkslow Biscuit The latest and most delicate biscuit* manufactured by and Co, - ' !