MAIL NOTICES

Mails close for the following places as under, subject to the necessary alterations :— WEDNESDAY, April 19. For the United Kingdom, Continents ot Europe and America, and West Indies* (v» San Francisco), Sandwich Islands, etc., and also for Northern Ports of New Zealand pel j Takapuna, as follows -—Ordinary letters,: books, and newspapers, at O.l*-> p.i"- • registered letters, at 5 p.m. ; money orders, at3p.m.; late fee letters, guard's van, express train, at 6.55 p.m. Tins mail will be due in London on May 24. The letter-box will be cleared for das patch of correspondence from Ashbnrton Post Office to the under-mentioned places as follows: — p or a.m. p.m. p.m. Burnham and Dunsandel (daily) . . ... r 3 )° Clievtscv and Rakaia (daily) ... ... ... 6.30 3.10 6.20 Gnristchurch and Ntirth (daily) ... and on Mondays, Wed nesdays, and Fridays... 10.30 ,Oroirore (daily) 6.30 Eiffelton and Willowby, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays... ... 10.30 Elgin, Wakanui, River bide, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Satur days 6 30 Flemington Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays 3.*J Geraldine (daily) .. ..10.30 Green3trcet, Winohmore, and Forks, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays 6 30 Hackthorne and Lismore, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays 10.30 Methven (daily) 3-la Mt. Somers, Springburn, Bushside, and Alford Forest (daily) 4-0 Mayfield and Ruapuna, Mondaysand Thursdays 4.0 Newlands, Tuesdays] Thursdays, and Satur days ... ... ••• 6.39 Timaru, Dunedin, and South (daily) 12-30 Selwyn (daily) 6 20 Temuka ,% Timaru (daily) 10.30 12.30 , andou Tuesdays, Thurs days and Saturdays ... 3.10 Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, and Waunate (daily)... 10 30 and onTuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays ... 3.15 Wheatstoue, Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach (daily) ...  3-45 N.B. —Letters containing anything ot value should be handed to the Postmaster to be registered. Letters containing coin, or bank notes, if posted unregistered, will be compidtorily re gistered and ckaraed double registration, fee

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1893. HARPER & CO.'S BANKRUPTCY.

The more we learn of the position of the estate of Messrs Harper and Com pany the more complete doss the cat astrophe appear to be, and the bank ruptcy of the firm must rank as one of the most serious, if not the most serious, financial disasters that has oc curred in the colony. Thei tirm and its partners were closely connected [with the history 6f Canterbury from the earliest peribd of its settlement, and were held in the highest confidence and personal esteem both in and be yond the Colony, co much that when in '...New Zealand or to appoint a re presentative to watch their interests here they naturally turned to the Harpers. How the trusted firm has failed its clients was showngenerally,— particulars it was still impossible to state—at Monday's meeting of the creditors : a quarter of a million ster ling is said to have been lost, and no body cm yet tell where or how it has gone. It is not cur duty to enquire into the myatery—that will be done by the Court—nor has anyone yet made any accusation of positive wrongdoing on the part of the firm or its partners, but the ex parte statements of repre sentatives of creditors that such sums as £13,000 and £7000 had been re ceived by Harper and Co. during the last twelve months and were not ac counted for to the owners, and the further statement of the Official Assignee that £216,000 of one class and £54,000 of another class of asset* would alike prove hopelessly bad, makes the aspect of the casa exceed ingly grave. It is said that residents in New Zealand will not suffer greatly, but we fear this statement is prema ture, as it can scarcely be the case that the many individuals and companies with which the firm or its partners have had large dealings can escape without direct or indirect loss, in some instances to a considerable" extent The bankruptcy must mean utter ruin to many of the English creditors, who, it is understood, placed their whole means in the control of the firm, and, as has been shown, c&nnot possibly recover more than the merest fractfon out of tho wreck. It is easy to point many morals, but the most obvious is that the proposal that solicitors as well as auctioneers should place moneys belonging their clients in trust accounts and not in the general fund of their business was deserving of more atten tion than it-received fron' the Legis lature,

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Everyho^y is or ought to be pleased to find A. Tramp, EBq., moving on again in the columns of the "Auckland Weekly .New?*" ' A movement is afoot in Timaru to establish there a Building Society on the Starr- Bowkett system, similar to that recently started in Ashburton. A trial of Howard's digging plough will take place near Methveu on Thursday. Mr John G. Restell, the local agent, announces that five of these successful implements will be shown at work. It is rumoured (remarks the " Chit ha Leader") that the Grand Hotel, Dunedin, has been purchased by the ground landlord, Mr Sidcy, of Caversham, from the mortgagees for something under £ 10,000. When the hotel vtaa built it cogt from £20,000 to 125,000. The laud cbmpriseß nearly a quarter of an agre, and is valued at about £30,003. . j Holloway's Pills .—With darkening days and changing temperatures the digestion becomes impaired, the liver disordered, and ttw mind despondent, unless the cause of the irregularity be removed from the blood and body by such a«. alterative as these pills. They directly attack the *Gjjrpe of the evil, thrust out all impurities from the cirpulafciop, restore the distempered organs to th§ip natural state, and correct all defective or contaminated secretions. Puch an easy means of inscitutiflg health, strength, and cheerful ness should be applied by all whose stomacr 8 are weak, whose minda a.w harassed, or ! whose brains are overworked, Holloway's 1 is essentially a blood tempering medicin { whereby its influence reaches the re*note»fc | fibre oi the frams a»d effects a universa. ( good,

The Customs officers seized 5000 cigarettes! on the premises of Joseph Flynu, store keeper, LyttelfcoD, yesterday morning. They had been landed l>y ove of the stewards of the steamer Tainui. . Mr Charles Craddock, third master of the East Cbristchurcli School, and well known in football, cricket, and rowiqg circles, died yesterday from the effect 3of a bicycle acculeut with which he met en April 9. The Alameda, with the English mails of March 18, left San Francisco for Auckland on March 31—contract date; the Maripos* with the colonial mails of March 25 arrived at San Franci3co from Auckland on April 13 —contract date. At Christchurch to-day, Charles Lewis Fleming w.is committed for trial on a charge of larceny as a bailee of a horse, saddle and bridle. He hired them at Akaroa, to ride to Little River, but cajne into Christchureh and fold them to a holelkeeptr, to whom he owed a small account. It is stated that instructions have been ] given by'the Government to Registrars of, Electors throughout the colony, to have the electoral, roll* printed, a,s they stand, as quickly as possible. Those qualified should take this announcement as a hint and see ihat their names are on the roll. Messrs i'riedlander Bros, announce the sa'e, on an early date, of a consignment of Australian and foreign fur rugs, etc., direct from the manufacturers. Catalogues are to be circulated shortly, and meantime we can say that the goods arc very choice and just what are wanted for the coming winter. ( The colony had to pay one-half the damage sustained by the poorer portion of the sufferers by the recent flood in Wel lington, as the money collected was handed over to jthe Benevolent Institution, and a Government subsidy of pound for pound thus secured, At the Christchufch Police Court this morning a boy of tender jteaw was charged of being'concerned with another in breaking into the D.I.C. and stealing a lot of coppers. This was the second offence within a fort night, The Bench said it was a most diffi cult thing to deal with a boy of his age. There was no other course but to send him , to gaol for fourteen days, to be kept separate from other prisoners. The adjourned meetings of creditors in tl • estate of Leonard and George Harper, mem bers of the firm of Harper and Co., and T. W. Maude, a former partner, were held in ChristehUrch yesterday. In order to give the representatives of foreign creditors time to communicate with their principals, a motion was passed requesting the Official Assignee to take no motion in regard to the realisation of any portion of the estates, , except that of Leonard Harper, till after the next meeting called by him. A weed called the " yarr," which grows like net work and chokes everything but grasses and clover, has made its appearance with the last three years in the Mataura district. The " Ensign " says it is the most formidable of ill the plagues the farmers have to contend with, a3 .the more the ground is cultivated the more it spreads. The only thing in its favour is that cattle will fatten upon it. The Government will endeavour (says the 11 Post ') to pass next session the Stock Bill withdrawn last year on account of the vole re the Stock Tax, and which will embody some suggestions since received from agricultural societies; the Drainage Bill, creating drainage distri :ts and boards, with power to make drains through private lands and rate lor (heir costj and the Codlin Moth Bill', which will also embody some suggestions received during the recess. The Noxious Weeds Bill, which is to be introduced next session, will require the trimming of hedges and the grubbing up and destruction of wgid?. The local bodies will be requireVi to administer the Act, and the Government will proclaim from time to time dates in each district upon which the work must have been carried out by property-owners, filling which it will be effected by local bodies at the defaulting land-owners' expense. Owners will only be require 1 to ele.ir a certain portion of the weeds upon their property at one time, the. "schedule of the Bill will be the sweet briar, gorse, (Jilifornian thistle, Bathurst burr, Nbongara burr, burdock, and blackberry, to which the Governor may add others by pro c'amatiou.— ■" Post." List night tfhe Oddfellows' Hall was again crowded by an audience representative of every c v ■ 8? in town, to hear the Key Thomas Spurgeon deliver one of his late father's ad mirable lectures. The lecture chosan was " Sermons in Candles," —one thoroughly characteristic of the style cf its celebrated author, and full of moral and spiritual teach ing, while a happy strain of humor runs through the whole. The Rev Thomas Spurge m is an excellent reader, and an elocutionist of no mean order, while in the ability to tell a humorous anecdote the mantle of bis father was certainly fallen upon him, bo that his audience spent a highly profitable and entertaining couple of hours with the lecturer. The lecture was illustrated by pictures—photographs of the originals used by the author of the lecture thrown on the screen by Mr T. Crooks, of Christchurch, whose excellent apparatus, and equally excellent manipulation of the lime light added not a little to the enjoy of those who hear the lecture. Mr J. H. Back, aged twenty-one, a son of the manager of the Tasmanian Government railways, attempted to commit suicide ou April 9 by shooting himself in the breast with a revolver in Franklin square, Hobart. He had an attack of typhoid fever two years ago, attd his mind has Bince been weak. He purchased poison, but the chemist, suspect ing him, got back the bottle, returned the money, and telephoned to Back's father. The police were communicated with, and with Mr Bick, searched for young Back. Hearing he was in Franklin square, they proceeded there, heard a shot as they entered the jjatej and found him lying on the ground with a loaded revolver in his hand, Prior to the act young Back informed a stranger in the square that he was tired of life. He then immediately took the revolver from his pocket and shot himself. A few weeks ago he obtained leave of absence for ill-health, and has since developed symptoms of a diseased Brain. Back is now improving, and hopes are entertained of his recovery. Our Springburn correspondent writes:— At Springburn School, on Tuesday last, Mr Rawei Wherahiko, the half caste Maori evan-r gelist, gave one of his lecture entertainments in aid of his Maori Mission..There was a large attendance, and the lecturer's description of the life of the Maoris in the King Country was listened to with great interest. Mr Rawei sang several feng* both in Maori and in English, with his own accompaniment ou the guitar, and those items were a very pleasing p*rt of the entertainment. As Mr Rawei is thoroughly in sympathy with both the English and Maori races, he seems well fitted to exercise a civilising and Christianis ing influence on the Native race. It is to be hoped that the public will respond liberally to his appeal for fimds to carry out his mission work. It seem 3 sad that so clever and iritet eating ». race of peoplfi as the Maoris should be in danger of dying out, and it is to be hoped that every effort will be made to secure tne survival of the noblest and most intelligent of savage races. By a fire which ocqurrpd qn Sunday nigho, the large store at Addington. occupied by the Canterbury Seed Company was totally destroyed. The fire was discovered about eleven o'clock at night, and all thp engines of the Qhristchurch. and the Rail way Fire Brigades turned out, but were un able to save the building, although they succeeded in saving a brick malt kiln ad- I joining the store. The store contained a large and valuable stock of grass seed and gram, all of which, with the exception of a few bags, was destroyed. The store was about the largest in Christchurch, and covered a quarter of an acre of ground. It was built of wood and iron, and, together with the malt kiln, was the property of Mr R. D. Thomas. The grass seed in the store was the property of the Seed Company. ,The Company algi* h,ad/a Jargg gras^ seed ! cleaning plant in the store. The insurances ' were ;—On the store, £9QO iQ the,. Alliance, £690 in. the South British; on the malt: kiln £1200 in the National} on th« plaiit and gas engirie, £'500 ■in the London and Lancashiie and South British ; on the con tents of the store, about £4000 in various offices. The Saea Compauy valued thei stock and plant at £7000. How the firre 9P^t>U4 » »ot known.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[fer press association.]

COLONIAL CREDIT.

London, April 17. Sir C. (h Duffy denies that the colonies have been recklessly lavish. Land speculation was a national fault, but the prae it difficulty would have a salutary effect, It would be impossible to permanently injure their crtdit. LABOR MATTERS. The London dock ra have deferred striking in support of tht-ir Hull com rades pending a conference of the Trades Unions throughout the country, which will be held to-night. The 'owners of the shipping state that they [are thoroughly prepared. The majority of the press discourage the strikers on the ground that their action is untimely. Tho shipowners assert that they are besieged by non unionists. Mr J. Wilson, M.P., asserts that it will be impossible to replace the unionists if a general strike occurs. Mr Burns informed the leaders of the men that he would assist them to fight. Mr Tillet told them that the forces of the capitalists have improved since 1889, and require more science to de feat them. > Bkossels, April 17. The Socialists assaulted the Mayor of the city with bludgeons. He was rescued by the police. Many shots were fired during the riot.

A COALING STATION.

Washington, April 17. The Republic of Ecuador have ceded the United States coaling station in Galapagos Islands, undef the equator.

SERVIA.

St. Pjstk&sbukg, April 17. The sf-m'-official press applaud the Servian coup d'etat, Belgrade, April 17. Ex-King Milan and Queen Natalie are returning to Servia. The European Courts congratulate the young King on his vigorous action.

THE ANARCHISTS.

Rome, April 17. One hundred and fifty Anarchists have been arrested in Rome, and will be kept in prison until Jhe conclusion of the fetes in connection with 4 the Royal silver wedding.

AUSTRALIAN.

Sydney, April 17. The Board of Health does not in tend to proclaim Western Australia an infected country if passengers are examined before embarking. Perth (W.A.), April 15. There are at present ten cases of smallpox. All have been isolatad.

SMALLPOX.

POLITICAL.

.Adelaide, 17. Only^fbur returns under the genera'U alection are as yeb complete. Sir J. -JXT—:Uf«wjGuasi!—djaatioja__J.R. -Q|&l±V—JEbU assured. Mr Grayson, Minister of Public Works, has been defeated. In tha four completed returns the Labor party has secured a seat in each case; they are very well satisfied with the position their candidates occupy in the other districts. Mr Kingston, leader of the Opposition, was re-elected. Mr Rounseville, Colonial Treasurer, has been defeated. Mr Playford and Mr Cockburn have been returned. So far eight labor candidates have beon elected.

MURDER AND ROBBERY.

Melbourne, April 17 A mau named Condon has been arrested at Buchan for the alleged murder of an Indian hawker. A por tion of the murdered man's hand was found in a fire close to Condon's hut, and jewellery and other property was found in Condon's possession. THE -qLARKE-PARKER CASE. In an action brought by Clara Parker against Joseph Clarke, a claim for £10,000 damages, the defendant denied that he had any part in the woman's abduction, but admitted that he had lent £2 to a man who informed him he had taken her away. The money was merely given as an act of charity, Clarke also admitted that he had paid Mrs Paiker's husband £1000 in consideration of not attach ing him as co-respondent to divorce proceeding?, The jury returned a verdict for £1250, with cosls.'

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Atjckland, April 17. One of the Sisters of Meicy, the Rev Sister Mary Stanislaus, died at -Sb Mary's Conven^ Pbnsonby, on Saturday. She had been in delicate health for many years from asfchmv and lately from bronchria. The deceased lady, who was born in Sydney, was located in Auckland, and made her religious profession in 1865. Ths Waitohi returned to-night frcm the bearch for the dismasted schooner, reported by Captain Johnston of the Staff*. The efforts to find the vessel have proved futile, and it in generally believed now that tho boat seen by Captain John ston was the American barquehtine Minnie Swan, which arrived in port on Satuiday from Fremautla, An additional sum of ons hundred pounds was sent to Sydney to-day^TJy cable, for the New Hebrides relief fund, as the result of the collection in the local Presbyterian churches. The sentence of death passed on Scott was the subject of a lecture delivered at the City Hall yesterday by a Mr James Baard, who argued that Scott was not responsible for his actions, and ought not to be hanged. This view Vas dw agreg! wijih by another speaker, Mr James Adorns, who proposed a motion expressing approval of the verdict of the jury in the case. There was some dis» turbance during the. proceedings. In answer to an interruption from one of the audience, Mr Adams said that ha would li;ing Scott himself if no one else could be found to do it, and would giro the fees to ehe B,Htid Institute. Th.3 voting for and against tho motion were about equal. Wellington, April 17. The Typographical Association has re commended the Trades and Labor Council tq establish a mc*nthly or fortnightly labour journal,' as a medium of ventilating grievances against; unfair employers, especially upon the boy labor question from wnioU their trada particularly suffers. The Agent-General has written to the Agricultural Department that the market I for New Zealand produce is at present in A bad way, aa a. result of inferior bufct«

(rushed »>n the mirkvb dv.in* the p-ist ;year. Hn nr«er» improvement h-s^ to (grading aiid means of tr-ansic. as unless this is "effected the produce will not hold ' its own. He nho urges the Ooiiipin^ei to adopt .N'egretli anil Zam brti'i* theriu«)Sfr»pb, for autoiniticilly regibtoringand recording tho temperfttui|« of the cuol" chamber ia wiiicli produce is conveyed. O.\m\ku, April 17. John Doyle, ,a farm lalidrer, sin«le, .was killed this morning in the main street cf the town. Ho and another r.»au Wtre driving in a buggy ; the horse bolted and Doyle attempted to jump out ard was pitched on his head. He was picked up unconscious and died in a few minutes.

The Liquor Traffic.

DIODES*IN INQUIRY.

The second meeting of the Liquor Traffic Committee of Inquiry of the Diocesan Synpl ot Duneclin was held ob Saturday, those present l«ing :—Rev. Dr Belcher (chairman), Yen. Archdeacon Edwards, Mr R. Rlaris Clark, and Rev. B, T. Howell (secretary). Correspon dence with the Bishop of Cheater and the British Ambassador in Washington (U.S.) was laid upon the table, with Foreign Office reports and a pamphlet on " The Gothanburg System," forwarded from America and England respectively. These were placed in the hands of members of the committee for conside ration, and.a general discussion on the information obtained privately since the last meeting took place. The general impression seemed to be that no heroic legislation would put a stop to the evil which arises from the use of intoxicant*, or secure anything like universal tem perance. The greatest difficulty exists in getting impartial evidence as to the working of any system, such as prohibition, local option, high licenses, and the like. The opinion of the Secretary of legation in Washing ton, who had compiled two separate reports on the liquur laws ot the various States of the Union} was decidedly to the effect that while there had been real advance in the cause of temperance dur ing the last few years, much more was due to the general progress of the country than to special legislation of any kind. To the committee it seemed that two great factors in intemperance in the past had been—with the upper classes a sort of fashion, which advance in moral feel ing had caused to die out; and with the labouring classes, low pay aiid bad homes. It is very questionable whethef there is now anything like the amount of drunken ness in England which there wad early in. the*, century, and whether in these colo nies there is as much as in England. At the same time, the committee felt that there was distinctly scope for improve ment in the regulation of the drink traffic in Dunedin, whether by new legislation or more careful enforcement of existing' I laws, and that the subject required much ! further careful consideration. —" Otßg6 ; Daily Tm?s."

The Maori Parliament.

The Hastings correspondent of the Napier "Telegraph," writing on April 12, says :—The Maori Parliament opened j esterday, but was svo.-nof much of the eclat and ceremony of last year, and the spectators were not so numerous. This last fact may be accounted for by the date being fixed for tht 14th, but the Maori is not particular is to dateß, and appears to stait when he ia ready. A flag was hoisted containing a representation of the North and South Inlands, with a Maori sanding one foo", on each. After the food-offering ceremony, which -waj_-ac -w^i^mmTStr-Tcrjrnm»r~USttSr"aaiTCe'™^nfee Ifie hak'i) ar.d-some private Ungis —that is, in honour of the memory of some frier.ds of tho visitors—the Heretaunga Band, under Air Clemens, formed in order near Ihe church. All wore kilts, but the pattern and Color seemed to be according to the fancy of each. They then played & '' March ".. of Linter's with a skill and precision that many liuropean bands might envy, A Maori bsaring the British flag leading them, they marched to the runanga, followed by Henare Toiuo&nain robes of some sort, and accompanied by the speaker, Mr Ngapuki Heta te Haara, of the Bay of Islands, and the members. The ceremony of opening the Parlia ment seemed to be bri< f, for after a few minutes Henare Tomoana came out and addre&sed thoge present. He said, after welcoming thenij that the object was to consider the legislation as it affected the Maoris. Both outsiders and members could help in this. He said that to-day (Wednesday) he would speak to them upon the Maori laws as they existed before the British occupation, as they arose out of the Treaty of Waitangi, and all the laws relating to them to the present time, and would consider the best means to alleviate the evils arising from them. This year the Waipatus have taken a leaf out of the white man's book, and allowed for a consideration refreshment places, at which almost everything c«nlbe purchased except intoxicating liquor. Anyone, Maori or white man, found ton the ground with such, will be fined £2, and it may be well to remember that in this respect the Maoijlawß can be en forced by the law of the colony. Al though the Parliament i 3 open f many of the members hava nor arrived. 1 believe the meeting will last about three weeks.

A Napier telegram of April 17 says : — A so-called Maori Parliament is encamped at.Waipati, but is attracting no attention. Although close to Hastings ihe correspon dents of the Napier paper* report no thing, and the proceedings are quite unim portant so far.

School Committees.

ASHBURTON.

The monthly meeting of the Ashburton District School Committee was held "en Friday evening. Present—Messrs W. Craig, head (chairman), Bean, Meddin*, Braddell, Macphercon, Jones, Barrett, Silcosk, and Paul. The credit balance at the Bank was reported to be £34 17s. Letterß from the Board of Education were read regarding instructions as to corporal punishment of pupils, salaries forwarded, etc. No funds were available for infant jwhool porch. The Board confirmed the appointment of three pupil teachers. The headmaster's report showed a total on the roll of 546 scholars, vith q,n average attendance of 490 —strict average '134. Mr Dickie's application for use of class rqqm fo? drawing class was held ever. The question of a new footpath to the front porch was left over for the new Com mittee to deal with. Ifc was decided to ask the Education Board's pernvssion to remove some more trees trom the school grounds. After some small accounts bad been passed, a vote of thanks to the Chairman was put on record for his good servioes for the past year, "

Parish Meetings.

ST MARK'S, RAKAIA.

The annual meeting of parishioners was held iv the church on Thursday evening. Owing to proper notice vi ihe meeting not being given, very few kaow yf ir, and those pi esent consisted uf the two church war-lens, fiva nf the vestrymen, one pjri^l ijiior, :ind tho Rev Holland, who presided. The balance licet read showed a snuill balance on tho wroug side. Dur ing the yoar Ihe offertories had tlightly increased and an improvement is looked for. The Rev Holland re-appointed Mr J, M. Broadbent as minister's church warden, and Mr VV. B. Dixon waa re , elected parishioners'churchwarden. The following wore re-elected vestrymen — Messrs Bryant, Gorringe, Midgley, Rountree, D. Street, J), Bruce, and W. Cox. Votes of thanks were accorded to the organist, choir, lay readers, Sunday school teachers, and others who had assisted in church work, especially to the ladies who ha.l taken so much interest in the sewing bee and garden party. After discussing sundry matters relative to saat renting and singing, and passing a vote of thanks to the late vestrymen, the meet ing closed in the usual manner.

THE PROBLEM OF POVERTY.

v The poor ye have always with you " is as truly a prophetic utterance by tho Greatest of all Prophets as it was a record of an actual fact existent at the time the words were spoken. And de spite of all that the most enlightened, the most humane statesmanship can achieve the problem of poverty is one which, in its varying conditions but unfailing permanence, will inevitably be continually presenting itself so long as the world shall last. Theoretically, its last crucial stage—that of absolute starvation—is not possible under the conditions of modern civilisation, though even yet, on occasion, the sad records of actual fact give the lie to theory, and there is even yet a great deal to l>e done before it can bo said that in no civilised country can any perish from actual want of the neces saries of Jife. This at any rate ought to be achieved, and modern statesmanship should aim at achieving a great deal more—at securing a condition of things in which the helpless aged, and parentless children, as well as those who by misfortune are temporarily re duced to want, shall be provided for during their need by the State itself. In Great Britain the poor-law system with its workhouses provides against actual starvation, it is true; but it haft many objectionable features, and alto gether fails to fulfil the requirements, while in New Zealand the present administration of charitable aid is also confessedly inadequate to those require ments. Indeed one of the matters to which Parliament needs to devote its most serious consideration is this very question, and it is therefore well to look around and see whether we can not obtain valuable hints, as to the direction in which we should advance, from the legislation and institutions of other countries. Judging from an article on " Tho Improvement of our Poor Law," which will be found in the March nuraber of the " Review of Reviews," we may learn a good deal from Austria in this connection. Prom this we learn, on the authority of writers in Jhe "_Newbury_-_HffliseL magazine"" and •' Macmillan," that in Austria, " after seventy, or if feeble at an earlier age, the poor are freed from work, and can claim as a ri*ht admit tance into the municipal almshouses, where they enjoy the fullest liberty together with the comforts of a home," while " anyone between eighteen and sixty, who is in a state of destitution, can claim admittance to an asyl t a place corresponding to our (ths Eng lish) casual ward, though managed on a very different principle. These asyls are, in reality, workmen's boarding houses, where a bath, supper, bed, and breakfast are supplied free of charge. They are the greatest boon to indus trious working men, whom illness, or some sudden misfortune, has reduced, to want, for they afford them a shelter at night after a day spent in fruitless search of work;" But a wise and proper discretion is used, which dis tinguishes between the worthy and the unworthy, the real unemployed and the loafer ; the former being regarded "as fellow-citizens to be helped, the latter almost as criminals to be punished. Supposing a man be sud denly reduced to destitution, he is pro vided with board and lodging in the casual ward. He is informed where best he can procute work, and if (for he is caretully watched) he shows him self in earnest in seeking employment, his board and lodging are continued until he finds it. No disgrace or re flection whatever is attached to a visit to the casual ward, or even, the work house. It is an unfortunate and in convenient little episode, and that is all. This is the way the industrious are treated. The hopelessly lazy, and utterly corrupt, are sent to the Zivan garbeit Bans, a very different place with very different discipline." Further we read that in Austria, "no child is, in any circumstances, sent to a work house. If it have neither parents, nor other relatives who can provide for it, it is adopted by the town, and placed . under the care of a Waisenmtitter, if it be a girl, or of a Waismvater if a boy. Considerable trouble is taken to pre vent any stigma being attached to these children on account ot their desti tute condition. They are neither rjalled paupers, nor are thsy regarded in the light of paupers. Many of them attend the national schools ( Volksschule), whore they mix with their companions upon terms of the most perfect equality. In these schools they are supplied with books free of charge: special scholarships are offered for their competition; and any child who shows signs of unusual talent is given the opportunity of cultivating it. , . . , The boys are carefully taught some handicraft, while the girls are prepared for domestic service, laundry-work, or any calling for which they may manifest an aptitude." This then (says the writer of the article, in the " Review ") is in its barest outline the, Austrian system, and it is quoted to show how a, Poor Law can be based ou the truest principles; how, in fact, whilst it relieves distress, it avoids pauperising tha people, and, whilst it cultivates individual and national virtues, it tends to check their corres j ponding Surely, what the '-efforts of Austrian legislators have^so successfully accomplished, need prove no insurmountable task for the com bined wisdom of our own law maker* to undertake,

toft AstrnMtoiN tiLtiliDiAN: tcesDaV,..al»biL is, jjga



TO ADVEKTISBRS. Asbburton Publishing Omce, Apri14,1393. -_ r ___ | Waned. ___ ANTED Board and Lodging- ApplyW42, Ashburton, sUtv^ .terms. ' .__ '___.. -— DANCING >6ia*s in Orange HaH eyoiy Wednesday evening, commenci g at 8 o'clock. Gentlemen, one Indies free. ____— r>lECULATlXGLibrary,Hoov..luine,; winter evening*. - "• »• Joy>™^ I__ \\ AN-iioiZ^ulAny F..w!s or VV' Ducks trespassing on nyF' r*rty w ill be desire yed--Mbs Jot: b East Belt. ____^______ ._---— W~~*~~ANTED Known. —T. Hoult having commenced Bacon Ourn.g he will have a good supply of Poik Sausages, Pies, and Saveloys To-morrw (Saturday), Eastjtreet. * AUO B" icYCLKsTAdams, Curties, and Co'». machines) C»Bh or terms. Chnst chuf^ch prw6s.-H;_M I _Jo^KS. ■ a- OMKOPATHIO Mediciues, price - Is. Solfi agent for district. Light's Cash Store. ________ OMKRSEI Meat Mart. The uldest the Targest, tha best, and the cheap est. Small Goods . a Bpecialty. .Ful weighs guaranteed. A trial «Jicited. _W. J. Siloock. __ 4!_j2 TvTaNTED Known^loe Creams, Jce W Creams, for the hot weather. nlways ready at H. G. Fiowbk's, Confcc ioner. East Street. , PIANOS from£2B 10d. Organs from £1510s. Harmoniums, £10. itasy terms of payment.—H. M. Jones- rTHE Good Samaritan, tor the imme- I diate relief of pain.— Light s Cash Store. _______-——-—=^? Ladies and Gentlemen to see the «rand Display in tho • windows at "The Corner" Saturday.- W. H. COILIBR. "TiTANTED E.nown-"9^.l Glovw for W 4jd;7M Embroidery for 4^l i 13s 6d Summer Dresses for 8* W.— Miroimi 1 & Tuksbr. oj>- W ANTED Known.— Como and see our beautiful Mantles. Jackets, Ulsters, Macintoshes, Drsss Stuffs, etc. H. 0. Seqeks, Melford House. T APIBS 1 and Childrens Hiits ; all the J_J new shapes for the season now opened. Prices lo*; to suit the t:mes ;at 8. W. AIIQBK & Co)' 8. r^HEAP Firewood—Short Dry (lum \ / Firewood, at 26s per cord ; mixed wood, 24s per cord at Mayo s, Trevorton.- Apply Mbs James Iruit Shop. • ■ riHiIA.P Fruit—Cheap Fruit.--Prime V> Quinces for Jam and Preserving. MK3 Jamks, Bast Street Fruit Shop. 2§6 , WANTED Known.—Jacket & Dress Department a specialty. High e^assgobds marked cheap. H. C. Seoebf, lielf ord House., ,- ANTED Known.-For Jacket Ulsters, Dress Stuffs, etc. Come to Melford Hoube. H. 0. Seoers. EST Nickel Watches in the market, are those at 22a 61 and 255. Specially made for S, SaleK, Jeweller^ \ITANTED Known— »• The Corner'" is » » showing a maznificent New Stock of Drapery and' Clotting. — W. H Coixieb. nii . WHY not bake your own KreaU when you can get 501bs of the Best Roller Flour for five shillings cash or five shillings and sixpence booked at Robert AlooßN 8, Saunders' Buildings. :•■ v 31 T" "HE Misses AdaMs' tew Kefresliment Rooms now open. Tea, Coffee, Cocoa, Lemon Squash, Scda mid Milk And all the new summer drinks ready at $11 times, Coleman's Buildings, East Street. 'VTEW Mantles and Jacknia ; immeme J^l variety just openecj, Priceo for equal value lower than any other house, at S. W. Aicobx A Cj.'s. -♦_ BANG 1 Bang 1 Bang ! Guns 1 Guns ! Guns t by the best makers and Stted with all the latest improvements. Ponder, Shot, Caps, Cartridges*. Wads, and Cases at J. W. Hardley's, East Street. Guna repaired. 'ij^ASTEII Cards aud Uoukiefcs, iSew tli Gaiues, new supply of the Zither Harps and Autoharps/ New Books, Stationery, and Fancy Goods. Sub ecribers wanted for our Circulating Library, L -F. Andrewes asd Co, Stationers' Hall. TV7 HO is yourpTumber 1 Why, J. W*. V V Hardley, who is a Manufacturer of Fpouting, Ridging, Steel Gutters, Baths, Sinks, Tanks, etc., and who has on hand the large it stock of Pumps and Pipe in town. HEBEllo"you gee your Ironmon gery? At Hakdixv aof course, where we g«t the best value in Sheet Lead, Nails, Locks, Hinges, Plough Chain*, Rope, Wire Knotting,. Gorse Knives, Spades *nd Forks, Lamps, Fender an^ Fire Irons, *nd anythinsr O requite- . .. ? gaiment long Trouser Sunn n 1-^ Boys, Colonal-made Knicker Suits frjm Oh. Men's nicely made Colonial Tweed Suit* 30s. Colonial Tweed Suits to measure from 50s.— Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders 1 Buildings. Uobbrt Atcoßir. W~~"ANTED Known-Robert Shields, Charles Street, opposite Woollen Factory, has commenced Dyeing and Cleaning Ladies' md Men's Garments. Blankets and Woollen Goods Scoured. Moderate charges. Parcels etc., left at Mrs Adams', Saundera' Buildings, will be attended to. 3 J3EOPL.ii about to marry and furnish their houses, are invited to call on Plckfortt k Undrlll, AT THE ASHBURTON HJSKIXURB WAREHOUSE, tfXKCBED STREET, Next Building Society. —ITOW ON VIEW— Tt'ntm w t~ Suites in Rimn, Bedroom r 4Hto*ifc ij&MRt iroatwlßnuM Bedsteads, ; "Tlniitn Dmmn, Vaahstands, Spring -..iSUttMtwa. Ka^ti*-h «ud Colonial Peram r^iribMiv, B«n*e H«ir, Kapoc and Flock and Fancy Tables, ; JHmt £3Soths 0B& Linoleums, Carpets, ifaarthJUigs, and Mats. Furniture Repaired, Restuffed, and Repolished on the Premises. —Note the address— TANCJTCD STBEET, BuU4i»^o3i«ty,



NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. SPECIALS. WANTED KNOWN-AU Wool Suits, 30s WANTED KNOWN -Men's Bannock Tweed Suits, 39s 61 WANTED KNOWN-Men's New Zealand Tweed Troueera, 9a 9d WANTED KNOWN-Men'n Trousers to measure,, 17»6<1 WANTED KNOWN-Boys' Guard Suits, 10s WANTED KNOWN-Boys' Sailor duits, 11s 6d WANTED KNOWN—Youths' Blue Jerseys, 33 6d WANTED KNOWN—IOO Boxes Men's and j Boyh' Hats, from Is 6d j WANTED KNOWN—Men's Boots 7s 6d, j 10i6d, 12s 6d WANTED KNOWN-Boys' Boots, 5s 6J, 6i 6d, 7s 6J WANTED KNOWN—Ladies' Boots, 6a 6d, 7a 6d, 9s 6d NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING_FACTORY. ALEX. HENDRY, Manager.



STEAM CHAFF CUTTING AND CRUSHING. Gteorge O»^ors * Begs to announce that he is PRJSPARED TO CUT CHAFF AND CRUSH GRAIN INANY QUANTITY He uses Messrs Andrews and Beavon's best Canterbury Chaffcutter, ami their crusher with latest improvements, am* can therefore guarantee giving every sat.s faction. , Tinwald; (X GEORGE OSBORNE 3#5 Willowby.



The Veal T<3|| IN CANTERBURY for the mewy, W& freo from any excew of astringwicy. couNTPSS m>



WINTER G. J- JNeill & Co. RESPECTFULLY WUW TOUB ATTENTION TO THE F6LLOWING Mew Goods lew Oootls. DRESSES. DRESSES. The latest in Shot Rep, double width, 2s 6d Amazon O.oth, double width, Is 1 Id Fancy Dress Goods, 6|d Heavy Dress Tweeds, 7^d 'Astrakhan*, Beaver Trimming "'"mlliS""'"^ AU ITS BUANOtIES. Trimmed Hats from 2< lid. Double B^() Wh te Shteting, 10^(1 Heavy Foifar, 6| 1 ■, Blankets, Blankets, freni <-■< lid . All Wool Colonial Flannel, Is. , CLOTHING. CLOTHING. Men's Suits, 19s 6d ; Men^s Heavy Suits, 25s 6d BOOTS. BOOTS. . BOOTS. WONDERFUL VALUE IN BOOTS. . . Ladies' Shoes™! Strong; I»*« BBrf". 3* « Men's Oolonial-made.Nailed Shooters, 8s 6d VV^AsSoU'StIVE OUB'IckoOL BOOTS (Ml TM*U , S' S^pperste^s varies a t G. J, NEILL & 00.% FRIEDLANDER'S BUILDINGS, CORNER OF EAST AND MOORE STREETS.



il NS^ as"/ RJC^J/\ A ~^m PLBASB NOTE- -ii consent S. SALEK, Watch" afecr, Jeweller, & Oculist. Tgaf



STEPHENS BROS., MABEET HOUSE —JUST LANDED—-' 150 Cas«» Kerosene Light of tho Ago. iOOCase^KOTllfcil^Oiion©. Best Oil rrotttrtfble. A s M advis° °ur °us" Stcfiiicns Bios, Markel House.



Hardley Bros. HAVE OPENED THEIR FIRST SHIPMENT OP WINTER GOODS. WHICH HAVE BEEN MARKED AT Very Low Prices TO CLEAR. Special Value in Blankets and Flannels. Colonial Wankets from 17s 6J. Waterproof Overcoats, grand goods, from 29j 6d. Men's Colonial Suits from 23s 6d. DON'T FORGET TO CALL AND SEE THEM & C3MPARE VALUES. Wo are Belling a Splendid Dress Tweed : at6|d. All Wool, double-width Dress Tweed, only Is lid. BOOT?. ~ BOOTS. Our Boot Stock i-s now Complete iii every Branch. Splendid Dancing Shoes, 3s lid. Men's Water tights from 12s 61. Shooters, nailed. 8s 6cL Boys' and Girls' Boots in endless variety OUR MILLINERY DEPARTMENT Is now showing some Splendid value in HATS, FUES, RIBBUNS, LACE, Etc. Come and Secure Arcade Straw Hats, ktest shapes, only Is, only a limited number lefo. Splendid Fur Collarettes, only 3i 9J. THESE ARE GENUINE BARGAINS. lIA KU>f,K V BROS., ARCADE.



MOUKT SOMERS COA.L. W. & J. HAliitiS RAVING bought the Lease of the Mount Somers Coal Mino, beg to announce that they are now prepared to supply tlic excellent fuel from the Mount ' Somers Coal measures in any quantity. They have appointed MR JAMES BAKER, HAVFLOCK STREET, their sole Agent, and all ordure will be promptly attended to. la connection with tho above JAMES RAKER, Timber Merchant, liaveiock i Street, solicits a share of public patron- I a*c, and is prepared to give prompt and careful attention to any orders for MOUNT SOMERS COAL that may J* to him for execution. *" ♦ **



The Best Remedy fob Indigestion Norton's Camomile Pills are confidently ecommendcd a3 a simple, remedy for Indigestion, which is the cause of nearly all t&s diseases to which we are subjects Norton's Pills, with justice called the "Natural Rtrengthener c,f the Human Stomach," aot &* t» powerful tonic and gentle aperient, are mild in tneir operation, and j safe under any circumstances. Sold in . bottles, at la l£d, 2s 9d, 11s, by all medicine vendors throughout the ward," ! The Osrsiow Biscuit. fhA lateat and most delicate biscuit issnufeotured by lulaobrookandOo,