MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close for the following places as under, aubject to the necessary alterations:— WEDNESDAY, IVarch 22. For the United Kingdom, Continents of Europe and America, and West Indies (via San Francisco), Sandwich Islands, etc., and also for Northern Ports of New Zealand, per Takapuna, as follows :—Ordinary letters, books, and newspapers, at CJ.IS p.m. : registered letters, at 5 p.m. ; moDey orders, at 3p.m.; late fee letters, mail van, «xpresß train, at 6.55 p.m. This mail will be due in London on April 26. ,

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 1893. SIR ROBERT STOUT'S SPEECH.

Probably Sir Robert Stout's declara tion at Auckland that ho was now merely one of the rank and file of the Liberal party was the reason why only a very brief mention—it cannot even be termed a summary—of his speech wu telegraphed. The full reports show the speech to have been a most able one, and prove that though Sir Robert has ceased to be a Premier or even a member of Parliament he has not ceased to think and work for the people. To reply to Mr Rolleston's speech did Dot, it is true, call for any very strong effort j the attack was weak in the extreme, and to repel it was within the power of the veriest tyro in politics. Sir Robert, however, could not pass the Conservative leader by without^ notice, and when Mr Rolleston has read Sir Robert's address he will feel less assured of the success of his own Auckland deliverance. Mr Rolleston made much of the undoubted fast that another £100,000 a year might be spent upon education with out any extravagance, and he repeated his Halswell cry that the Government should spend this amount. But, as we pointed out before, it was the Con-1 servative Government which, in 1887, cut down the education grant and deranged the system to such an extent that it has not yet recovered, and the' present Minister of Education is the first since that time to show any con sideration for the training schools or really practical interest in education. Everybody will agree with Sir Robert Stout that the maintenance of a high Standard of education is an important pare of social reform, and that to cavil, as Mr Rolleston and his friends dp, at a system which teaches ninety eight per cent, of »ur children to read and write is worse than captious, Sir Robert went at length into the ques tionof the alleged interference of social reforms with the freedom of the subject, pointing out the misery which had fallen upon generations of men, women and children in England owing to the old objection to State interference. On the question of tinaace Sir Robert carried the war into the enemy's camp, twitting Mr Rolleston with the failure of his prediction of a deficit. Sir Robert reminded his heaters of the conduct of the Opposition which by its refusal to allow necessary taxation turned a deficit of £90,000 in April, 1887, into a deficit of half a million in May, 1888. Farther, that the party which is now calling for a reduction of taxation is the same which imposed this very taxation when last in office. He also exposed the inconsistency of the Conservatives in demanding the exemption of agricultural improve ments from direct taxation, while in 1085 they successfully resisted the at tempt to exempt agricultural and in dustrial improvements up to £3000. As for the Midland Railway he proved that the Atkinson Government was quite as much to blame as any other Government for the present unsatisfac tory position of the contract. Sir Robert Stout's speech contains nothing of apology for the Government. It re buts accusations levelled against him self ; it exposes the hoilowness of the best arguments that the Conservatives are able to advance ; and it contains an exposition of the principles of social reform which Sir Robert advocates. It is improbable that a more interesting speech will be made during the present prorogation.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There is a brother of Sir \YilH&i» Jervois Rupei at a Sydney theatre. The "Taieri Advocate" states that the proposed flour millers* trust haß come to no thing, owing to the obstruction offered by a Titnaru miller who refused to join hands in the unholy alliance, It is said that Inglewood is the wettest place in New Zealand. Nearly seventeen inche3 of rain recently fell there in eleven dayß, The authorities at Hokitika have dis covered an illicit still. The machinery is said to be the property ot a man who is at present serving a term for neglect to obey an order of the court under the Industrial Schools Act. - A great taua party of Natives went down to Tauranga from Katikati recently to demand compensation from Hairini Natives for a woman, aged about 60, who eloped from Katikati and married a man fully 70 years at Hairini. The claims of the Katikati party were duly paid, the payment being made up as follows:—Eleven horses, one oow, two double-barrelled guns, and 2s cash. On 3 shilling and sixpence of the money was, immediately on the arrival of the party in town, spent in beer to drown their gorrow at the loss of their relative. It seems a renw'Jfab.le. fact (writes the Lou do v correspondent of the 'f Argus ',' that last year over 50,000 tons of frozen meat were imported into London. This immense quantity of food represented over 2,000,000 carcases ot mutton. Of the total amount, 37 450 tons, or 1,505,000 carcases, came from JJew Zealand; the next largest quantity, >42Q pona representing 449,000 carcases, came from Australia ; the balance arriving from the River Plate and Falkland Islands. During last year the average'top price obtained in the "metropolitan market for Australian mutton of prime quality in 'carcase was B£d per lb and for New Zealand 4sd per lb, Scotch mutton fetching 7§d and English 7d per lb, Church and stage evidently are and should remain far apart in the opinion of the Rev Mr Herman, the e«rate jn charge of the Wanganui P&roohial District. Mr C H- Owen, aon of Mr Hay ward, a well known settler, having recently joined the Dampier Dramatic Company and travelled with them for some time, the curate ex punged his name from the list of lay-readers of the district. We gather from a Wan ennui paper that a parishioners' meeting had been held at Upokongaro to consider the curates action. There was a large attendance, and $v G. S. Robertson was voted to the chair.' After ren>ar«iß froir. the chairman. HAy Beard 1 and otheri, a resolu tion was unanimously carried condemning the action of Uv Herman, and afsrmin|r that Mr Owen was a U and proper j>ergon to hold the office of Hy reader. f| also ordered that a letter be written to Mr Herman conveying this resolution, and a re quest that he should re-consider the matter

Mr Vincent Pyke inform* the " Dunstaii Times" that h« intends to conteßt the Tuapeka seat against all coiners at the next general election. A reminder* is scarcely necessary of the St. Patrick's concert this evening in the Oddfellows's Hall, the doors of which open at seven o'clock, and it would be wisdom on the part of ticket holders to get to the hall aa soon after seven o'clock as possible so as to secure the ir seats. The Christchurch Queensland ReHef Fund subscription list so tar as the central com mittee is concerned is closed. The total result is £1881 16s Id in cash, and about jf 500 or i 600 in goods. The cash resul I does not include £50 sent by the Orange Lodge direct, £20 aent to Wellington by the rail way employees, and £110 subscribed by the different Catholic churches. The Rakaia Football Club will open the season by a match on the Rakaia Domain to-morrow between the following teams, chosen by Messrs C. Laraman and J. R. Sharp:—o. Laraman, J, Harvey, Walker, Shannon, Dixon, Boucher, Charles, F. Dunn, Miller, Santy, G. Sharp, Cox, Hurrell, and Brimecombe, versus—J. R. Sharp, Bray, Fraser, Bruce, J. Riddle, A. Sheef, W. Sharp, F. Sheet, Hardy, W. Harvey, K. Dunn, T. Riddle, O'Keelle, and Peilly. Commencing at 2.30 p.m. A new departure has been taken at tha Kolmar brick-kiln by the introduction of a patent lever press. By the use of this machine, which can apply a pressure of two tons, bricks ate turned out of far greiter density, of truer shape, and with face clean and smooth as though they had been enamelled. By its use ornamental bricks for house fronts can be produced of any design, and a sample brick of a chamfer pattern that has been sent to us is good enough for any thing. Doubtless there will now be a demand for the pressed bricks, whether for ordinary building purposes—their greater density making them specially desirable — or for improving the appearance of a building by admitting of ornamentation in the shape of cornices etc. The interest that attaches to the settle ment of the Cheviot Estate is not (says the " Lyttelton Times') by any means confined to Canterbury or New Zealand. A person representing a number of would-be settlers cabled to the Hon the Minister of Lands, inquiring if a special settlement association formed in Melbourne could acquire six thousand acres of the estate. A letter has also been received from a resident in Natal, South Africa, expressing a desire to secure a portion cf the property. The applicant in this case was a former resident in Canter bury. The applicants for land are so numer ous, and their requirements so large, that to grant them all would absorb six times the quantity of land on the estate. In some cases the applicants are so desirous of their applications being granted that they enclose a cash deposit. Members do not hesitate to give the lie directin the NewSouthWaleiPaK|iament. A Mr Haynes having asserted that more officers related to members of Parliament had been appointed by this Government than by any previous Government, Sir George Dibbs demanded: Give us the names. Why shirk them? Mr Haynes : The hon gentle man himself. Sir George Dibbs: Then it's a lie—an infamous liel . . . Mr Hayne» said that he had stated that a nephew of Sir George Dibbs had been appointed. tie had another statement to make Sir George Dibbs: Show me that letter. Mr Haynes: Ido not know that I should. Sir George Dibbs: You are a bigger liar than the man who told you.—("Oh.') Mr Graham : But he is a liar. ("Oh,') Mr Haynes: I call for that expression to be withdrawn. The " Wairarapa Star," a Ministerial journal, contains the following:—" We nave it on excellent authority that there is not the slightest probability of the ftanchise being extended to the women of New Zea land until after the next general election.. The Government and its followers would ' not be averse to passing the Electoral Bill during next session, but they would under no circumstances give the woman a vote at the »ext election. The reason must be obvious to all. The Conservative party, with their daughters and theirmaid servants, would have a distinct advantage, as they are possessed of special facilities for enrolment. The Liberals think that a year or two should be allowed in which to pre pare the rolls, and consider that by the lapse of a brief period the effects of their legislation would be more apparent and their policy more clearly understood. The Government cannot be blamed for the cautiousness. They are too wide awake co play directly into the hands of their opponents," The report of the ninth annual meeting of the New Zealand and River Plate Land and Mortgage Company is before us (says the " Napier News"), and we may say that we have dipped into it somewhat eagerly to find out whether all that has been said of the attitude of the Company towards New Zealand, on account of the policy of the present Government, had any foundation in fact There is not one word in the whole of the report that can be said to bear out in the slightest what has been said from time to time by Oppositionists aud the Opposition prees; nor can we find any trace of a founda tion for the cable messages sent out from London, and which were intended to preju dice the present Government. We are, therefore, driven to the conclusion that the messages, like the statements made by the Opposition papers, were so many impudent falsehoods. In the course of the report we find the following significant statement—a statement with which most thinking men will agree:—" The value of land may be seriously affected by financial and political crises, but it is not regulated by them, and there is a constant tendency operating towards the equalisation of the valqe of equally good land all over the world. Every improvement in machinery moves in this course, and every new railway which is laid lown in fertile lands makes a further step in ;he same direction." The report is really ipeaking more particularly of the Argentine, jut still the remarks will apply with force » almost any country.

THE FLOODS IN AUSTRALIA.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

(Received M»rch 17,11.10 a.m.) Sydney, March 17. Railway communication with the Newcastle district has been restored. Government are supplying the desti tute with bread. Many refugees are camped in the open air owing to their houses being infested with snakes and other reptiles.

The Population.

(PBR FRgSS ASSOCIATION)

Wellington, March 16. The immigration and emigration returns for February show the arrivals in the colony to be 2b"25 persons and the depar tures 1952, leaving a surplus in favor of the colony of 673 persona. The arrivals yreve—iropa. the United Kingdom 159, New boufch Wales 13^5. Victoria 89$, Tasmania 149, other places 71; total 2625. Departures—to the United King dom 10§, New South Wales ilso, yic tora 498, Tasmania 104, other places 55,; total 1952.

A Good Man

But "he drinks." o*n a man be '• good " either from a moral or business standpoint who is addicted t© the use of alcoholic drinks? He may possess fine business qualifications, but if he drinks his value to his employer, himself, or his tamily is on the wane. Why don't he stop ? Ah, why don't he 1 How many sad hearts are asking the question ? The enemy has him by the throat, he has the $seaso of inebriety fastened upon him, but' riot ah incurable diseswe, no no! Booth's Golden Remedy No'. 1 j. • |?ghfcs .tfia battle for the vfctiro, and wins the yic tory. It absolutely destroys all desire for stimulants, opium, »nd tobaepp. Send for ciwulwe at cww«

The Colonial Bank.

[PBK PRKSS ASSOCIATION. J

Dohbdin, March 14. The directors of the Colonial Bank in their half-yearly report state that the net profit for the half year after the usual deductions ha-i beeu £19,013 la 7d, which, with the b'tlHiice brought forward, makes £2*39 8a Bd. After deducting the fcax on note emulation, und Und and income tnx of £2215 18- 4d, there U available £24,923 10s 41 The directors lecom mend adding £2500 to the reserve fund, which will iheu s and at £55 000, the pay ni'-nt of a dividend < f seven per cent, on the paid up Ciipital, absorbing £14.000, leaving £8423.10 be carried forwaid. Mr P. C. .Neill is the retiring director.

THE NATIVE LAND QUESTION.

Mr W. L. Rees deserves to be con gratulated on the persistency with which he continues to urge upon the Government and the people of the Colony the urgent necessity of dealing with the Native land question. It is beyond a doubtthemostimportant ques tion which awaits solution at the hands of Parliament, for the shutting up of millions of acres of land from profit able occupation is a hindrance to the progress of the Colony which oughr to be put an end to without delay. Mr Rees' proposal to get over the difficulty of individualising the title of the Native owners may not be the most practicable method of going to work— other persons as well qualified to judge as Mr Rees pronounce it to be entirely impracticable—but the main fact re mains that it is imperative that some way of surmounting the difficulty should be found, and that the enor mous areas of unutilised territory now in the hands of the Natives in the North Island shonld be opened up to active colonisation. The Wellington " Post" in an article on this subject justly remarks that if this were done " not only the North Island, but the Colony as a whole, would boom indeed, and solid foundations of ever-increas ing prosperity, would be laid." Our contemporary (whom, in passing, we congratulate with much pleasure upon having developed very sound Liberal views on the land question) rightly de clares that " land should be taken for public purposes on terms of fair valua tion wherever it is really wanted, be the owner Maoii or European, and the unproductive monopoly of land should be discouraged by cumulative taxation equally in one case as in the other," and it urges that " the time has come when in regard to the ownership, occu pation, and general dealings by the State with individuals in relation to land, the Maori and European should be treated on the same terms, and be placed in exactly the same position." Going on to combat the objections generally nrged to such a policy, viz., that the Maori title is not yet indi vidualised, and that the taxes cannot be levied on the Maoris, the journal from which we are quoting puts the case very plainly and, it seems to us, unanswerably. It points out that " the law knows methods of overcom ing precisely similar difficulties in the case of lands owned by Europeans. If land taxes are not paid they are regis tered against the land, and when the amount or circumstances justify such a step, the land is sold and the State pays itself. If there is a dispute as to title and ownership, the State, through its Courts of Justice, steps in and undertakes the administration or real isation of the estate, whichever may be the most desirable in the interests of whoever may ultimately be found beneficially entitled. , , , There is no necessity to await the determination of the apparently interminable disputes as to native title and ownership. The land is there, whoever the individual owners may be, and against the land the taxes should be registered as they accumulate, until they amount to such a sum as to justify a sale, the proceeds of which, above the accrued taxes, would await, bearing interest/the final determination of competent tribunals as to the persons beneficially interested. If the process of taxation be too slow to renderthe vastareasof nativeland repro ductive through industrial occupation, then we say the State would be amply justified in stepping in and insisting on the realisation of the land by sale, the proceeds awaiting at interest the final determination of the title, as in the first-named case. Such a proce dure would be beneficial alike to the natives and to the colony. No in justice could pqssibly be done, ample reserves, of course, being made for the entire native population. These re serves should be limited only by the extent to which the occupiers could profitably use them, The full value of the remainder of the land would, while the question of title was being fought, be accumulating at interest for the benefit of whoever should in the end be found legally and equitably entitled to participation. It is a r-oandal which canndt much longer be p • nsfcted to continue that the rich aud fertile millions of acres of native land in the j North Island should remain unpro ductive and useless, a barrier to settle ment, an obstruction to progress year j after year, while rival native claimants are endeavoring to establish a title to the possession of land which they cannot themselves profitably occupy or use. The time for the State to inter vene and insist that the country shall be opened up and its resources utilised, f|as certainly arrived."

SUPREME COURT.

(per press association).

Hokitika, March 16. At the Supreme Court, before Mr Justice Dennison, there was a very light calendar. John Span, for breaking 'and entering, 'ple^dcj? guilty 1, and vfj|s sentenced to six months. " Emil Tobiii, pharged with horse-stealing, yas prp 1 pounced insane, and ordered to be de clined in custody during the Colonial Secretary's pleasure. William Harris was oharged with attempted murder, but the jury tound en a minor count of un s lawfully wounding, and he received three months' imprisonment, In the civil action, Grey Borough Counoil v. Haloran, application for order of ejectment, the order was refused. Blenheim, March 16. At the Supreme Court* to-day Robert Andrews, charged with the larceny of a quantity of silver-ware, was acquitted, Arthur Bramner, charged with perjury, was acquitted.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN

(PBKPItBSS ASSOCIATION.)

THE SICK LEADERS.

IjONDON, March 15. I Mr Gladstone and Lord Salisbury are both improving. A BALFOUR COMPANY. The Ofncial-Rec«irer of the House and Land Investment Trust Company, one of Mr J. Spencer Balfour's com panies which suspended payment some months ago, estimates that when the assets are realised there will be a defi cioucy of £1,500,000. ANGLO-AUSTRALASIAN. London, March 16. All the Australian courts in the Imperial Institute are well advanced New Zealand has now subscribed to the funds. Mr Perceval does not approve of Lord Onslow's scheme with regard to marking frozen meat, and is making inquiries from importers as to whether the proposal, if carried with effect, would hamper the trade. The "Daily News" says that the bullion reserve of the Victorian banks, in proportion to their liabilities, is 20 per cent., which is much larger than is the case in connection with English banks. The debenture-holders of the Wel lington- Afanawatu Railway Company complain of the non-exception of their debentures from the operation of the new taxation in New Zealand, as a breach of agreement by the Govern ment. The Company's debentures have fallen £4. The Australian committee of the London Chamber of Commerce have come to an agreement respecting colonial bills of lading, and will now submit it to shipowners and shippers for ratification. The New Zealand Shipping; Com pany's steamer, Kaikqura, will take to Wellington a sample consignment of English fresh fish preserved by a new process. Further consignments will jollovr to other New Zealand ports. I

PARLIAMENTARY SCENES.

Paris, March 15, Violent scenes have taken place in the Chamber of Deputies. M. De Roulede called the Government a pack of liars. %

CURRENCY.

Washington, March 15. The majority of the finance commit tee of the Senate is in favor of the free coinage of silver. TRANS-AMERICAN RAILWAY. American capitalists are investing £2,000,000 in a railway from Winnipeg to Lake Superior. GOLD IN ECUADOR A party of Australian miners are exploiting a rich gold discovery in Ecuador. WRECK OF THE MORAYSHIRE. The ship Marayshire, from Java to Vancouver, has been wrecked and all hands lost. ' / ■ HAWAII. Washington, March 16. President Cleveland has decided to despatch a Commission to Hawaii to report on the position of affairs.

THE FORT CHILAS AFFAIR.

Calcutta, March 15. Major Daniell was the British officer who was killed at Fort Chilas near Gilgit.

MOSLEM RISING.

Constantinople, March 13. The" Moslems are rising in Armenia and murdering Christians. At Oesarea three churches were gutted.

AUSTRALIAN.

POLITICAL. Sycnby, March 16. The Legislative Assembly has passed the Bill imposing an income tax by 54 to 53.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, March 16. This afternoon at the Chamber of Com merce rooms, a tea service and piece of plate were presented to Mr Samuel Vaile, in recognition of his efforts on behalf of his railway system. Sir George Grey made the presentation, ar.d m the course of his remarks urged that the railways should be used free of charge, their cost being defrayed by some other method of taxation. Mr Vaile warmly thanked all those who had assisted him in promoting his scheme, and said thai; he would continue the work ho had in hand. It is surmised that the wreckage found at Kaipara is that of the barque Northern Star, which left Hokiapga for Wellington with timber, and is now considerably overdue, having been 23 days out. The vessel would have experienced all the force of the recent gale. The urew of the Northern Star are John McKenzie, cap lain, late of the Presto ; M. Case, first mate ; H. Beilly, cook and steward ; and A. Person, J. Barry, James Gibson, 0, M. Hegglac, able seamen ; W. McManus, ordinary seaman. McManus is a native <>f Auckland. Beilly was formerly on board H.M.S. Bingarooma. Stuart was born at Whangarei. Gisbornb, March 16, Mr Booth, Besident Magistrate, goes to Awanui, near East Cape, by the steamer K&nieri to hear the charges brought against the natives for obstructing the { Government survey. .Nine informations have been sworn. The Maoris allege that Mr Mitchekon, when .Native Minister, gave them an assurance that the land would not be touched without their full consent, and they qontem} that Major H'opata, M.L.Ci, had ho power to consent to a survey, as he has no territorial maim, but is simply a fighting chief. Wellington, March 16. Mr Bobinsen, R.M,, Wellington, will take Judge Wavd's place while the latter is acting as Supreme Court 'Judge, The Itfew South Wales Rugby Union has asked the New Zealand Union to alter the dates proposed'for matches from July 1 and 22 to July \ and $, &a origi nally "prpposad. It is found the dates now fixed ViH interfere with the^r annual visit to Queensland. They also, ask if New Zealand could play a third test match on a week day on their return from Queensland, The northern Clubs want to have matches at Newcastle and Armadale when the team is journeying to Queensland, and che Western Union, provided the visitors can stop beyond July 29, would like them to play at Bathurst. The New Zealand Lnion is awaiting a reply from Brisbane, where it was arranged to play on July 8 and 15, before answering. Nelson, February 16. The cutter Turpin, of twelve tons,, a ftsning boat with two men on board, hag tyga taingoipce th,v I}s instant, wbefti

with two other cutters, she was driven out*ide Croixelies Harbor by the south' <-ast gale. One ut rr>e other cutters only returned to-day. There is a chance that the Turpin was blown to sea, but it is feared that she went ou the rocks or cap ; sized. A deserted prospectors' camp has been discovered on SJtarvell, a hill about 4600 feet bitrh., near the border line between Nelson and Marlborough, and near the head-waters oi tha Pelo'-us. A 50lb bag of flour, 4lbs te-i, boxes of fuel, matches, camp oven, windlass, rope, 3 picks, a shovel, 2 axes, a saw, a tin of preserved milk, a tile, 2 tin dishes, 2 wooden boxes, and several bo>>ks, all covered by a tent flj and tied down with a clothes line. Mr BuAche, a sheep farmer, who made the disco- - r, says that the plant had not been distu.uo.l for a long time, and he thinks that the party may have perished on the ranges. This is thought impro bable, m the party must have been a large one. Hokitika, March 16. Mr George Dale, an expressman and an old resident, dropped down dead last night, the cause of death baing apoplexy.

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

VKR FHKSS ASSOCIATION.

London, March 15. Twelve thousand pounds was sub* scribed in a fortnight ia Dublin for the purpose of resisting Home Rule. Intense excitement prevails in Ireland. Meetings in opposition to Home Rule are being held throughout the pro ' vinces, even in Cork and Waterford. At a special meeting of the Synod of the Church of England the Primate declared that Home Rule would suppress the Protestant faith and subjugate Ireland to papal dictation. Enquiry showed that only twenty churchmen in Ireland approved of Home Rule. 1 Mr H. C. Campbell-Bannerman, j Secretary of State for War, replying to a question in the House of Com mons, said that the occupation of Egypt by Great Britain cost £87,000 per annum, but that sum did not in ; elude the outlay incurred in connection with the recent reinforcements. A mass meeting of 20,000 publicans passed resolutions, protesting against the Local Option Bill. Lord Burton denounced it as the hardest form of tyranny, and an attempt to pander to the votes of hyprocrites and dissenters. The measure if passed would ruin the trade. He denied that the working classes desired any such Bill. Mr T. Sexton declares that the Irish landlords are grossly coercing their tenants to sign a protest against the granting of Home Rule. London, March 16. At a meeting of 5000 Unionists in Dublin, comprised of Catholics and Protestants of all classes, resolutions, protesting against Home Rule, were carried. Archbishop Plunkett de clared that Ireland was being sacrificed to the whim of a consummate political mischief-maker. The meeting was characterised by immense enthusiasm.

Mineral Resources of America.

Some idea of the vasfness of the mineral wealth of the United States is furnished in a tabular report recently issued by the United States Geological Survey department. It embraces the years 1880 to 1891 inclusive, and mentions 55 mineral products which are exploited and add to the wealth of the Great Republic. The gross production of mineral products for tho year 1891 was of the valuu of 133 million pounds sterling, and it has risen in the period covered from 73 millions. Of .purely metallic products the value obtained in 1891 was more than 60 million pounds, and to this pig iron, which stands at the head of the list, contributed more than 25 millions. Silver comes next with 15 millions, and then gold with rather more than six millions. Copper, load, zinc, quicksilver, aluminum, nickel, antimony, tin, - and platinum follow in the order named and constitute the list of metals which are found. Among the non metallic substances bituminous coal stands worthily at the head of the list with a yield for 1891 of 105 million long tons — that is tons of 22401b—anda spot value of 23 millions sterling. Of anthracite or smoke less coal 45 million tons were produced, of the value of 14 millioue. Petroleum is re turned among the mineral product*, and 54 million barrels were drawn from the native rock in 1891, yielding a value of more than six million pounds. Sixty million barrels of lime ware produced, and their value was seven million pounds. It is not necessary to enumerate the re maining iron metallic products. Jib will be sufficient to say that their variety and extent are surprising. In yield and value they dwindle down in the tabulated re port till we come to asbentos, which has a local interest in view of the existence of that substance at Dusky Sound. The total production of it in the States in 1891 wu 66 short tons—that is tons of 20001b,—and thd value was less than £800, Immediately below it comes rutile, an ore of titanium, with 3001b weight of the value of £160 sterling. Absolutely last U lithographic stone, which appears to have given out, as no return his been presented for two years, and its highest production in any year was 40 tons. The return Bhows how much the republic is indebted to her mineral wealth for her progress.

Mr Percevel at Work.

The London correspondent of the Dunedin "Star" says that the Agent- General is busy correcting the proofs of a new pamphlet in which all the informa tion likely to be required by farmers thinking of emigrating to the colony has been carefully collated and brought up to date. The Official Handbook, of course, provides a good doal of this; but Mr per ooval found the inquiring agriculturist— usually a thrifty being, with a keen eyel to the s&lyititin of bafrbees—did not bare to' give Is 6d for it. Moreover, it is a mass of matter concerning mining and other industries ; and the difficulty of finding just what they wanted made such men j reject ihe. Handbook. " Farming in New Zealand" will be a slim booklet tempting to read, and giving facts in "the clearest, simplest language. Mr Perceval liopesiq appeal to nianv, thousands through it.' Mr Perceval is emphatic re the immense usefulness of books and pamphlets draw? ing attention to special features or special attractions of the colony; such for in. stance as Mr W. H, Spackmau's (of Christchurch) "New Zealand Trout." This book has oiroulatei widely among anglers, and no doubt will be the means of attracting many tourists your way. Good fishing gets scarcer and scarcer every day in Europe. I may mention, by the way, the circulation of Mr Spackman's book woutd have been even larger than it was but for an unfortunate mishap. Ke viflw copifci appear to have been sent out to the papers before the cases containing the supply for sale Arrived. The conse quence was that when the " Field" ♦;• boomed'; the book*, aud the demand wm moat wtive; urn w«w to be titd, !<

*TflE ASHBTTRTOM GCTAKDIAIS : , MAKdfe I?, 1891



Waned. ) WANTED, a respectable Girl, age) 14 or 15 ; light house work; good home; no children. Apply Joiui MA^it^Bailway Bookstall, - 3 106 /^fONVEBTIBLK Cycle, suiuWle for VJ L»dy or Gentleman. First class •♦ Star " Machine now on view. Cycle requisites supplied.—H. M. Jo«K3. "I>IANOFORTJi and Organ Show j JT Rooms. Best cash value obtain-1 able. Extended terms ; reduced sca'e ; Christchuich pricevS. —H. M. Jomks. \\ I ANTED Kauwn—lce 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, tlu bsst, and the cheap est. Small a specialty. *ul weights guaranteed. A trial solicited. —W. J. SILOOCK. ______4l^ /^HEAP Firewood—Short Dry Gum V; Firewood, at 26s per jwrd; mixed wood, 24s per e»rd at Mayos, Trevorton.—Apply Mrs Jamks Fruit Shop. WANTED Known- 9£d Glovea for 4£d; 7£d Embroidery for 4^d ; 13s 6d Summer Dresses for 8s 9d.— Mitohbm. & Turner. * b£ WANTED Known-Robert Shields, Charles Street, opposite Woollen Factory, has commenced Dyeing and Cleaning Ladies'ind Men's Garments. Blankets and Woollen Goods Scoured. Moderate charges. Parcels etc., left at Mrs Adams', Saunders' Buildings, will b« attended to. 3 41 f\ HE Good Samaritan, for the imme * diate relief of pain— Light s Cash Store. 2 33 If OMEOPA.THIC Medicines, price LX Is. Sole agent for district. Light's Cash Store. 2 34 lOTCLWS, O^linary *od Safety Cycles, Star Humber Roadster, Racers—Star Diamond Frame, Star Cross Frame (Adams, Ourties and Co's Ma chines.) Uash or Terms. Chnstchurch Prices.—H. M..IQSES. 2Si WANTED Known-Andrew Orr has Removed to the Old Town Hall for one month, during the re-building of his premises. Drapery, Clothing, and Boots greatly reduced.-AKDRww Orr. 2§104 CHEAP Fruit—Having bought Mr j Mayo's orchard, I can sell Fruit cheaper than any one in town. Orders may be left at East Street Shop.— { Mrs James. __$fi_ W' ANTED the Public to know that S. W. Alcorn and Co's Summer Sale ii now un. Great Bargains in Millinery, Underclothing etc. I W""~ANTED~Known.— Come and see our dress lines at 4*d and od, leather shirting 6sd, three-quarter cloaks 12s 6d.— H. C. Segers, Malford House. LadieH and Gentlemen to see the C>rand Display in the windows at "The Corner" Saturday.- W. H. Cqtlibr. I iEST Nickel Watches in the market, O are those at 22s 6.1 and 255. Specially made for S. Salek, Jeweller. Guarantee with each watch. \TT ANTED Known— 1' The Corner "is * I showing a magnificent New Stock of Drapery and .dotting.'-—W. H COJ-LIKR. ■ ANTED—Purchasers tor Bargains n Summer Dresses, Prints, and Delaine*, Sunshades, Ac. at S. W. Alcorh and Co'aSale. THE Misses Adams' new Refreshment Rooms now open. Tea, Coffee, Cocoa. Lemon Squash, Soda and Milk and all the new summer drink? ready at All times. Coleman's Buildings, East Street. ANTED everyone to come and see the beautiful presents we are giving away f o r every 5a and upwards •pent —H. C. Segbrs, Melford House. "jfUST Opened. — A splendid assort 'l ment of Ladies' and Childrans' Jackets a-d ulsters.—H. C. Segbrs, Melford !-louse. BANG ! Buns*! Bmp ! Guns ! Guns ! Guns ! by the best makers and fitted with all the latest improvements Ponder, Shot, Caps, Cart.idges, Wads, and Cases at J. W. Hardleys, East Street. Guns repaired. IIHE Missing Word Is. Books on . Sheep and Dairy Farming, The Horse, The Dog, Poultry, Gardening, Athletics and Training. Back Numbers of Graphic, The Queen, Sporting and Dramatic News and other illustrated papers ai half prio«, at L. F. Andrewes & Co., Stationers' Hall. WHY not Bake your own Bread when you can get 501bs of the Best Roller Flour for five shillings cash or five shillings and sixpence booked at Robert ALOorn s, Saunders' Buildings. 11 31 \\f HO is your Plumber ? Why, J. W. VV Habdley, who is a Manufacturer of Spouting, Ridging, Steel Gutters, Baths, Sinks, Tanks, etc., and who has on hand the large t stock of Pump 3 and Pipe in town. . WHERE do you get your Ironmon gery ? At Hakm.ey'B of course, j where we g«t the best value in Sheet Lead, Nails, Locks, Hinges, Plouah Chains, Rope, Wire Knotting, Gorse Knives, Spades and Forks, Lamps, Fender an* Fire Irons, and anything you require. T^IHRISTMAS^SuTts. Boys, three \J garment long Trouaer Suit« at 15s. Boys, Colonial-made Knicker Suits from 10d. Men's nicely made Colonial Tweed Suits 3(K Colonial Tweed Suits to measure from 50s.—Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. Robert Alcorn. - T3EOPLK about to marry and furnish X their houses, are invited to call on Plckford A Undrlll, AT THE ASHBURTON FURNITUBE WABEHOUSE, TANCRED STREET, Next Building Society. —NOW ON VlEW fV,iine-Tonm Suites in Rimu, Bedroom Suites in Rirou, Iron and Brass Bedsteads, Chests Drawers, Washstands, Spring Mrtttl . «.„ haitf.i-sb and Colonial Peram hiikt ,'s U-.r^" Hairs Kapoc and Flock S&1-. I'uchw and Fancy Tables, Floor C.Wb* "'"1 Linoleums, Carpets, Hearth Rwgs, and M^ts. Furniture Rewired, Restuffed, and EepdisiieA f«* ttie Premises. —Note the address-^ fANOftHB STREET, j jSTex Building Sosiety.



NEW ZEALAND CLOTHNC FACTORY. NEW GOODS. NEW GOODS, FOR WINTER, 1893. New Overcoats in Men's, Youths', and Boys'. New Waterproof Coats, Men s, Youths', and Ladies'. Made to measure. One hundred patterns to choose from. Hats. Hats. Hats. The Largest and Best Assorted Stock we have ever had. BOOTS. BOOTS. BOOTS. -NEW GOODS ARRIVED.— Prices that will astonish the people or Ashburton. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY AND WATERPROOF MANUFACTURERS. alexThendrt, Manager. Money. £*£M~\r\f\ oi Trust Moneys to lend ggOvvU upon Freehold securi ties, in sums of not less than £1000 At>ply to c PURNELL, | Solicitor, 2 38 Montgomery's Buildings. BOT FLY. rriHE WKLL ""KNOWN PAGE'S i- HORSE OIL haa been tested by experts, and found to be the best remedy for the Bot Fly. One abplication a week raises a scurf, and the fly cannot penetrate the skin I THEIIORSE'S FRIEND. I PAGE'S No. 1 Horse Oila. Sure cure for sprains, bruises, or swellings oi any kind in horses. PAGE'S No. 2 Horse Oils. Sure cure for sores en backs or shoulders, and any kind of broken wound*. Numbers of Testimonials can be produced. AGENTS For Chertsey Mr T. McDowell, Store for Ashburton, Mr Anderson, Saddler For Tinwald, Mr Clark, Saddler. For Geraldine, Mr Connolly, Saddler. For Timaru, Mr Price, Saddler. Sole Maker and Proprietor F. W. PAGE, | CHERTSEY, CANTERBURY. ~~Thel3est Tea IN THE WORLD i W/dop'Tceylon. NINIAN HJTSLOP, and CO., T^a importers.



Head This. These Bargains ■•«»« »««•» «• be JBelleve«* New Dress Goods 9fcd, now 4^d All Wool Sum.-i.er Serge la, now 7td Summer Dress Tweeds worth Is, for o^d Plaid and Stripes for Children's Dresses 6*d Flannelette 3s 9d dozen ,.,,„ Heavy Twilled Flannelette 4s lid dozen Cotron Shirtings worth 8«t for W Cotton Shirtings worth 9§d for _Md Double Bod Sheeting, white tmlled. 10$ d White Uce Curtains from Is 9d a pair Good twilled Cretonne 4£d yard Striped Dimity for bed valHnces 6£d yard CLOTHING. CLOTHING. Men's Strong Tweed SuiU 32s 6d reduced to 19s 6d Men's Colonial Tweed Suits 23s 6d Men's Serge Suits 20s Men's New Zealand Tweed Trousers 8s lid ASSESSVen^ion,nd I*MM*. «**~P. Boys* Tweed Suits 4s Hi. ,Come and see them. BOOTS. BOOTS. BOOTS. Men's Colonial made Bluchers, 5s KiS^-iaS^ I!^^-. P^ ..a n.Ued, U. «. Men's Cookham Boots, worth 255, for Us 6d WWfTrE SSsßm?soS!Bßra. »^G«KS » BOYS' * GIRLS' WJfl AKJI. vvvnn™ SCHOOL BOOTS. Women's strong Leather Shoes, 4s lid Ladies' GloVe Kid Boots 8s 93, reduced to 6s lid Ladies' Glove Kid Boots 10s 6d, reduced to 7s 6a _v/ .__ U. J. NGILL and 00., FRIEDLANDER'S BUILOINGS '-nnv WATCHMAKING AND JBWMjLRBY BEI'AIRTNS DEPARTMENT with SOUND AND RELIABLE WORKMANSHIP. 8. SALEK, Wntcltmakor, Jeweller, A Oculist •BSjg*



"UNMERCIFUL DISASTER followed f *ht and followed faster" upon the fortunes of pu.^r Queensland until that unfortunate Colony is now in the most miserable condition imaginable. Gaunt famine may stalk over the land, fn na failure of the soil to give its annual increase, or from other of the many causes of that distress : the destroying plague may be let loose and grip wifca his cold hand the vitala cf the young &nd strong, leaving sorrowing widows and wal.ng orphans everywhere, and painful blanks in every household ; or the demon of war may send fire and sword over a country, and leave desolation in their track in place of smiling scenes of peace and plenty—all sad enough and sickening enough if you will; but what must be the feeling of a whole people when they find their country covered as the waters cover the sea, their homes wrecked and ruined, and their hopes for the future sunk in one mournful and inretrievable disaster* These feelings can only be imagined. And what ought ours to be in regard to the sufferers —we who dwell in the most glorious country under the sun, and enjoy buch Massing* as are only enjoyed by the dwellers in a second paradise \ Such feelinus, to be sure, as aie prompting the thousands of meetings, and p>ns and organisations of the people of this Colony, to send help to the afflicted. New Zealand has come hob'y to th« front in this matter, and her Canterbury sons have been well in the van ac the first call. And we of Ashburton shall be in the front of the foremost if we belie not our past history. _ SO THINK Hardley JBro»., who are giving special value this mouth in Drapery, Clothing and Boots. J2O Dozen large Towels to be sold at from 2a 9d a dozen. Splendid white Calico ae2s lid a dozen. Dress Tweed 4s 9d a dozen. Extra larg« grey Blankets only 10s 6d. Sheeting at 10£ d. 94 Men's Suits from 19s 6d. Woollen Socks at Hid. Men's and Boys' Straw Hats, best quality, only Is. A special line of Women's Leather Shoes 6s 9d. Men c nailed Shooters now only 8s lid, worth 12s 6d NOTE THE ADDRESS— H ARI>I,EY BROS., ARCADE, ASHBURTON. _ ASHBUfITON ARCADE -pAINTING & pAPERHANGING ESTABLISHMENT. JOHN WILBON (LateJas. Craigie), Has in Stock a Choice Selection of PAPERHANGINGS in New Designs, BORDERS, DADOS, AND CEILING PAPERS in Great Variety, Estimates for Painting and Decorating given. All work executed promptly, with the very b^st materials wid workmen. JOHS "WILSON, ARCADE, BURNETT STREET. 3§Bo Messrs Colemane and S«*s' Eucalypti Extract (manufactured at Mittagong and Cootamuiuka,, New South Wales) has attained a reputation as a specific for affec tions of the chest, lungs, .consumptions asthma, diphtheria, and a variety of other, complaints. It numbers among its patrons Earl Jersey, the present, and Lord Curing, ton late, Governor of New South Wales, while in Great Britain daring the influenza epedimic scarcely a house or office was with out it. Messrs Colemane aud Sons whole sale depot is in Chribtchurch. Sharland and Co. are wholesale »ge»ta for the North W»od.



The Onslq,^ Tlie |atest and most delicate biscuit ra?nuf»ctured by iulaebTpokwtfGo.