MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close for the following places as under, subject to the necessary alt-rationr.— THURSDAY, February 16. , For Northern Ports and Australian Colo nies, per Tarawera, at 6.30 «•*"»• _ _ ' For Kaikoura, per Wakatu, at 630 WEDNESDAY, February 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 ©.145 p.m.: registered letters, at 5 p.m. ; mooey orders, at 3 p.m.; late fee letters, mail van, express train, at 6.56 p.m. This mail will be dut in ! London on March 29.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est veritas et prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1893. THE TARANAKI HIGHWAYMAN.

[. " Robbery under Arms "in a capital town in New Zealand*, performed with out let or hindrance in the year of Grace 1893 ! Really we are inclined to rub our eyes and enquire if we are not dreaming. But there it is, set up in big capitals over a telegram from New Plymouth, which records in most matter-of-fact style a genuine case of Ned Kellyism carried out on Saturday night last in the chief town of Taranaki. We are told that at a quarter to eleven on th»t night a masked highwayman, wearing an officer's uniform and sword, entered the White Hart Hotel in Devon street, opposite the Government Build ings, presented a brace of pistols, one at the head of the barman, and the other at the head of one of five or six men who were drinking there, and then coolly opened the bar door, annexed fifteen shillings which were on a tray, helped himself to a bottle of whisky, and then strode out, his sword clang ing along the passage as he went, mounted his horse, and rode away uninterfered with and unchallenged, notwithstanding that there were some eighteen persons in the billiard-room of the hotel at the time, besides the half dozen in the bar. This last circum stance doesn't say much for the pluck of New Plymouth folk wbo in these -degenerate times, show a sad faring-ott" from the plucky conduct of Taranaki ites in the days when the Maories were on the war-path—indeed this highwayman, whoever he may be, seems to have established an unmis takeable funk among the burgesse* of New Plymouth. For it is not his first, nor his second escapade, as within the past two months we have read at least twice of his making an appearance in the character of a knight of the road and sticking up Her Majesty's lieges. That he has not ere this found his way to durance vile is a reproach to the whole district and especially to the police. The numeri cal weakness of the force in New Plymouth cannot be accepted as an excuse, for tha* is a matter which can be and ought to be promptly remedied, and the Minister for Defence owes ie to the Colony to take prompt steps to vindicate the Jaw, and to show to the outside worH that highway-robbery is not an amusement which can be indulged in with impunity in New Zealand.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A public meeting will be held, summoned by the Mayor, on Saturday next at three o'clock, in the Orange Hall, to consider the question ot affording relief to the sufferers by the disastrous floods in Queensland.

The re-opening of the Wiilowby Wesleyan Church after its enlargement will be marked by special services conducted by Rev W. G. Parsonson on Sunday. The accommoda tion of the church has been increased by sixty sittings.

G. S. Rickman, late clerk of the Avon Road Board, was committed for trial on Tuesday on two further charges of em bezzling small sums of money, the property of the Board.

At the first rehearsal by the Musical Society last night of Bennetc's "May Queen,'there was a large attendance. On Monday evening the Committee enrolled twenty-four new members, and three new honorary members have been secured.

Entrieß for the Ashburton Horticultural Society's show close on Thursday, Feb ruary 16. Entries may may be left till five p.m. of that day with Mr VV. C. Davis, East street, and after that hour with the secretary, who will be at the Arcade Chambers from six till eight o'clock.

Mr McGurva, the well-known and popular foreman of works on the Canterbury section of the railway, has been transferred to Otago. He held the Canterbury position for twenty one years, and on Saturday last his fallow workmen at Qhristohurph presented him with hi gold watch, etc., and an illuminated address.

The following are the handicaps for the Fire Brigade competitions, to be held next month:—Manual engine (dry) for two men Pauling's and Barbel's teams, scratch; Comptoira, 2aecs; Donna, Ssecc. Ladder rescue for two men—Pauling's and Dorm's teams, scratch; Barber's and Compton's, 1 second each.

It is reported in Chriptchurpn that the Mount Possession Run has been sold by Messrs J. £. Ford and Co to the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Com pany, who are acting for a client, The price for the station and 20,000 sheep in stated to be £12,000.

Ihe Wellington "Times" contend* that New Zealand should find no difficulty in sending £50,000 to the sufferers by the floods in Queensland, and adds:—"The country sends as mnch every year to support gambling. Surely we can do at least as much for humanity as we do for gamb ling.

Before Mr J. W. Sawle, J.P., this morning, two first offenders—one who had been found drunk on the Ashburton station —was dealt with in the usual way, and a charge of have been illegally on the premises of the Somerset Hotel, laid against John Cook, was dismissed, but he was fined 5s or twenty-lours in gaol for drunkenness.

A Ballarat lady (says a Sydney contem porary) recently advertised for a first-class governess. She received the following reply, which is worrth framing :—Madame. —I hear that yo»f h«.ye a vaicenay in your school 1 would like very much to get it. Although I have nut actually Weft t£i^hing J have had a good deal of experience among children. I was four years assis tant domestic with M in Sturfc Street. There J had to assemble the children for breakfast-^to call thp.rool to see if they ■were all there. There wu seventeen of them. If anyone was absent mine was the i duty to go out mustering, and' bring hiw i !in to his meals. I have great command over children, and none ever dare to resist me. lam 5 feet 11J iowhea in my bare feet and measure 14 in arm, so gau have no fear, but tbat I can keep discipline #11 right, j could teach general subjects-r writing, sums, sowing and ceteree. At a pinch 1 could teach musio. Although I have not practised for five years, I have been through Zurqey'e Btudys, and oould brush it up tf ntedttf,

The Hon Messrs Seddon and Cadman are on a visit to New Plymouth. ■An Auckland settler, named William Robinson, was thrown twioe from his horse near Waiuku on Monday, and died next | day. The following is the calendar of tha Christ church Supreme Court sessions^ which open on Monday:—Thomas Downs and Henry Jensen, burglary; Fred Cooper, alias Cameron, forgery and uttering; Charles Allen, wsault with intent; Margaret Isles, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm*.; M. Corcoran and John Howard, larceny from the person ; Elizabeth Whittle, alias Taylor, larceny.

The Canterbury athletic team were met at the Christchurch railway station on Tuesday and accorded a very hearty reception from leading members of the Canterbury Athletic Club and other enthusiasts. They were driven to Warner's Hotel, and their healths honored very warmly. They accepted an invi tation to attend a performance bj Holloway's Dramatic Company in the evening, when the banner was unfurled on the stage.

At the Christchurch Police Court on Tuesday, Samuel Findley an old man, was charged with attempting to commit suicide at Spreydon. Accused pleaded "guilty." Inspector Broham said accused was found by Constable Drake with his throat very baldy cut. He was taken to the Hospital in a very weak state, and was discharged only on Monday. It was statedthat accused's sons were living in Aathburton, and the police were requested to communicate with them with a view to their taking care of accused, who was ordered to appear on Monday next.

A fanner correspondent of the "Press" points out that a simple method of prevent ing stack tops being blown off is to " place a hoop of wire round the roof of the etock, between the top and the eaves, and to this attach four dropping wires, to which may be attached weights of any sort that are handy—either large atones, old iron, or rough boxes or old sacks filled with shingle. 1' If all the weight of the national debt of Great Britain had been on the plains stacks last Monday, the anchors would have dragged.

On Monday, before the high wind reached Kaiapci, an enterprising cheap medicine venflor, who had pitched his stand on a vacant section near High street, was stand ing back surveying the richly-ornamented canvas when the first dust cloud came along. He was seen screening his eyes to protect them, and upon turning again in the direc tion of his gay signs, they had disappeared, the stand h*d collapsed, and the rest vanished. As he is supposed to have re cently extracted about £100 in hard cash from Rangiora, it should not be long betore the elegant structure is replaced. This, v c fancy, is our old friend Bryant, of Good Samaritan fame.'

Mr Martin Sutton, of Suttou Bros., of Reading, has been conducting a series of experiments to ascertain the relative feed ing value of grass cut at different periods of growth. The results of these investigations establish the fact that an early cut after math is as good as an early first cut, but that a late aftermath is inferior to a late first cut. Therefore the earlier the after math is cut the better it is. Then with regard to meadow grass the experiment teaches that the earlier the meadow is mown the irore and better produce it will yield throughout the year ; and the later it is left, on the other hand, the smaller and poorer will the yield of hay be. Lord and Lady Hopetoun, Lord Ncrthesk Mr Ralston, and the viceregal paity from Victoria, arrived at Christchurch station by the seven o'clock train from Ashburton on Tuesday. They were met by the Mayoi and Mrs George, who introduced them to Mr A. Jfi. G. Rhodes, the Hon W. C. Walker, Colonel Gordon, and many leading citizens, and officially welcomed his Excellency to Christchurch. In reply Lord Hopetoun expresbed pleasure at such a reception personally, and as the representative of her Majesty. The party then drove to Coker s Hotel, where tbe> are staying. A guard of honor was formed by the Christchurch and College, Rifles, with the Garrison Band, which played the National Anthem. At the Supreme Court at lnvercargill on Tuesday no bill was presented in the Lora Gorge murder case. His Honor said that the course taken was justifiable, as it was evident from the depositions that no jury could have convicted the accused. It was very much to be regretted that no evidence was forthcoming to bring to justice the perpetrator of such an atrocious crime. Lucy Poole, for forgery, was ordered to come up for judgment when catled upon. Frederick Charles Clarke got three years for embezzling funds of the "Southland Times." Michael Sheehy, for house breaking got four months. Henry Budd, convicted of stealing a watch at VVyndham, which he afterwards disposed of to a Chinaman in Christchurch, was ad mitted to probation. A curious dispute baa vexed Victoria and

South Australia for some years, and lately the sore place has been rawed by both sides In the early days the boundary between the two colonies was fixed at a certain meridian of longitude. The position of this line was fixed by an early survey, and the line so fixed was accepted as the boundary. Later and more accurate surveys have proved that the line is two miles west of the meridian named. South Australia claims that two miles' strip, given to Victoria in error; Victoria says " No, we have both accepted the line so long, let us stick to that; besides look what an immense territory yon have and how little we have. Don't be greedy." There is some talk of appealing to the Imperial Government, but the colonies can not agree to the terms of the reference.

" KEATING'S POWDER " destroys BUGS, FLEAS, MOTHS, BEETLES, and all other insects, whilst quite harmless to domestic animals. In exteiminating Beetles the success of this powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly clean in application. See the article you purchase is "KEATING'S," as imitations are noxious and ineffectual. Sold in Tins, 6d, Is, and 2s 6d each, by all chemists.

ISLAND NEWS.

MUTINY AND MUfcDER.

(per press association).

Auckland, February 14. Arrived—Bichmond, a s , from Tahiti and Karatonga. She reports a mutiny and murder at sea on the American barque Vesper, of San Francisco. The barque put into Tahiti on January 27, bound from Newcastle (New South Wales) to Honolulu with coals, in chu-ge of Captain Sodergen. He reported that the crew murdered the second mate; that he and his wife and the chief officer were in peri ofthnir lives. The crew were arrested and will be sent to San Francisco for trial, n r barqne Darra. Two of the prisoners turued State's evidence. The crew were under the impreosion that the aaptain had in his possession a considerable sum of money, and proposed to kill the captain and officers, and g"t possession of the ship and gold; On January 13 the second mate, named Fitzgerald, was decoyed for. ward and killed with the cook's chopper, and his body thrown ovsrboard. The killing of the captain and mate was put off, the crew sayinp they had done enough for one night. Meanwhile the captain and mate were alarmed and kept the deck for a fortnight. The crew were all shipped at Newcastle. The Richmond reports that there are prospects of a good coffee crop in the Hervey Group. Oranges are Rise doing well in Raratonga. The missionary of the Juondon Mission Society objects to the British Resident's action in connection with th'i liquor laws in the Heresy Group. The French authorities in Tahiti have K9a.de a new protective tariff, placing pro hibitive duties on British goods, so as to remove the disadvantage of New Zealand exporters, who carry on trade in meafc and provisions to Tahiti, per steamer Richmond. The new tariff will be er e forged in New Caledonia, where the French authorities are making extensive preparations for the repression of smug gling, likely to be tried in conscience of the pruhibitivt duties,

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN

(PERFBESS ASSOCIATION.)

BANCA ROMANA SCANDALS.

London, February 13. The Rome correspondent of the " Daily Chronicle " wires that a seizure of documents on the city shows that over a hundred members of the Chamber of Deputies are implicated in the Banca Roinana scandals. ROYAL BETROTHAL. The Duke of York has been be trothed to Prinq^ss May of Teck. THE GOVERNORSHIP OF NEW SOUTH WALUB. The offer of the Governorship of New South Wales to the Earl of Klgin was not referred to the Premier of the colony.

ANNEXATION OF HAWAII.

Washington, February 13. President Harrison will issue a message dealing with the question of the annexation of Hawaii on Wednes day.

CHOLERA.

I Paris, February 13, Eight deaths, believed to be from cholera, were recorded in Marseilles on Sunday. MOROCCO. It is reported that England is fortifying the Morocco coast. « THE MONROE DOCTRINE." It is reported here that Russia will support America to maintain the " Monroe doctrine," and if necessary by force. THE PANAMA CANAL. Madame De Lesseps has asked the Columbian Government to complete the Panama C*n*l, and prove that the scheme of her husband was feasible. In the course of an interview, Madame De Lesseps said " I have reached the end of my Calvary."

Constantinople, February 13. News has been received from Ar menia that the Turks have burned the Girls' College in Marcovan, in Asia Minor, and maltreated four hundred •I the pupil«.

RUSSIAN Ai) a RESSION. St. Petersburg, February 13. Russian political agents advise the Czar to annex Herat. ENGLAND'S FOREIGN POLICY. The "Novoe Yrer_ya" assert that Lord Rosebery in carrying out his foreign policy is determined to follow Disraeli to the letter.

NEW GOLDFIELDS.

Ottawa, February 13. An extensive discovery of gold has been made at Ratportage. It is said to be a second California. A large number of Americans and Canadians are rushing to the field.

AUSTRALIAN.

TBE MTSBING CLERGYMAN. Sydney, Feoruary 14. Nothing has been discovered as to the whereabouts of the Rev. Mr Smith. He was somewhat eccentric in manner, imagining he was shadowed by detectives owing to a violent speech ho recently delivered against the Pren:ier.

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Melbourne, February 14. I The shipments of butter tor the '■ season just closed amount to 3600 tons, > valued at £400,000. THE CLARKEPARKER SCANDAL. The 01a ra Parker divorce case is settled, the petition having been with drawn. POLITICAL. 6ir Graham Berry has been elected leader of the Opposition.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Wellinotox, February 14, The Government have instructed the Crown Solicitor to defend the action brought to test the validity of the sentence passed on Aldridge by Mr Edwards when sitting as Supreme Court Judge. Captain Edwin reports there are now evidences of heavy gales from the north ward with wind between midnight on Wednesday and noon on Saturday next, the wind changing by west to S. W.E,

Presbyterian General Assembly.

[PBK PRKSS ASSOCIATION.]

Wjbi ungton, February 15. At the opening of the Presbyterian General Assembly, delegates from Auck land, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Wan vanui, Nelson, ChrUtchurch, Timaru, Weatland, Otagi, and Soathland were present. liev W. Gillies, Tinaaru, was elected moderator, vice 'Jr Klmslie. Mr Gillies briefly addressed ihj assemblage on the policy of the church, and referring to the liquor craflic urged its abolition, and warned the people against gambling. The Legislature, he said, had not oi.F, been criminally protective and patronis ing towards this vice, but had also been criminally and suicidally interdictive and obstruptive towards virtue by its state ban upon the Bible in schools,

THE GALE.

The "Timaru Herald" says the gale of Monday at Pleasant Point must have been travelling at the rate of fifty mile* per hour. Large trees were snapped, others were completely uprooted. The school was in some danger from fallinj trees, and the pupils were removed from the infant department. The barometer fell nine points and read 28*8. Several stacks were blown down, and the orchards have suffered to an alarming extent. The gale was severely felt at Temuka. The drill shed was shifted three inches on its foundations, the Royal Hctel had part of the roof stripped, some large windows were blown in, the rope walk at the flax mill was blown down, and scores of frees broken and uprooted in the park and elsewhere. All over the district the stooks were scattered, and stacks' torn open. v The heavy gale did some small damage at Oamaru. Stooks were flattened, a few windows blown in, and' orchards and gardens damaged. The full force of Monday's gale was felt in the Geraldine district, many trees being uprooted or denuded' of th«ir branches. Breit havoc was done in the various orchards, trees being literally stripped of their fruit. Many stacks were unroofed and stooks blown over, the damage thus sustained taking some time to repair. Tlje greatest injury occurred \n the township*

Imperial Parliament.

THE HOME RULE BILL.

(PER FBKSS A3SOCIVTIOW.)

London. February 13. Mr Gladstone introduced the Home Rule Bill in the House of Commons this afternoon. He stated that the Government still adhered to the cardi nal principles laid down in his pro posals for the autonomy of Ireland in 1886. They proposed to set up a legislative body in Dublin for Irish affairs only, and this Assembly was not to be allowed to do anything in consistent with Imperial unity. Equit able liquidation of Imperial charges was provided for. Minorities would have ample protection, and to that end the Irish Parliament would be pro hibited from dealing with numerous Imperial subjects.. Security would also be provided for religious and personal freedom. The Judges would be irre movable. There were co be c*o Irish Chambers, both elective. The present police force would be dissolved, and in | future the power of veto would be vested [ in the Viceroy on the advice of the! Irish Executive. The number of Irish members sitting in the Parliament at j Westminster would be reduced to eighty, and their voting power would' be limited. Ireland would contribute £2,500,000 to the Imperial Exchequer from Customs .duties, leaving her a revenue of over £5,500,000. The Legislative ..Council would consist of forty-eight members elected for eight years, on a qualification of £20 rate able value, and the Council could not be interfered with by Act of the Irish Parliament. The Assembly would be composed of 103 members, elected for five years by the present constituencies. The Irish Parliament is prohibited from dealing with matters relating to the Crown, a regency, or vice royalty, peace, war, defence, treaties and foreign relations, dignities, titles, treason, and everything belonging to external trade, the coinage, or infring ing on the security of religion or personal freedom. Sovereign power is delegated to the Viceroy, whose office is to be deprived of party or political character, and is te last six years withoit religious disability. The Legislative Council, Mr Gladstone contended,, would afford the minority a fair chance of expressing their views. The constitution of the As sembly would be alterable after six years. Whenever a deadlock occurred between the two Houses, aftera Bill had twice passed eitherjChamber, both would sit together and the majority would de cide. Appeals respecting the validity of Acts passed by the Irish Parliament would be initiated by the Viceroy or Secretary of State, and would be heard by the Imperial Privy Council without the assistance of the House of Lords. This clause of the Bill resembles a provision in force respecting the validity of colonial laws. The Judges would be appointed during the next six yean under the present system. The con stabulary would be gradually dis-' solved, and the Irish authorities would , appoint their successors, the police being under local control. Irish members in the Imperial Parliament would be excluded from noting on motions confined to Britain, or taxes not revised {sic), or on tie appro priation of money otherwise than for Imperial services. Mr Gladstone said that he felt that the whole business was full of thorns and brambles, but the retention of members at West minster was a secondary question in Irish eyes, and ought not to interfere with autonomy. Ireland must bear her fair share of Imperial expenditure. If she were allowed the excise, stamps, income tax, postal and Crown lands i c venue, her income would be £5,600,000, leaving a surplus of half a million. In the House of Commons to-day Mr Gladstone said that he was tired of votes of censure. There was a wild scramble for seats in the House of Commons to-day to hear Mr Gladstone's speech. He received a great ovation on rising, and spoke for two hours and a quarter. The galleries of the House of Commons were crowded for tour hours by people waiting to hear the Home Rule speech of Mr Gladstone. The tone of the press is of a pessi mist character. Mr-? Herbert Glad stone states that no doubt the Home Rule Bill will provide for a tribunal to review the decisions of the l Irish Parliament. London, February 14. Mr Gladstone explained that the Irish members in tbe Imperial Parlia ment would be allowed to vote on questions of confidence in Ministers. The Viceroy's veto would be exercised on the advioe of Executive Committee of the Irish Privy Council, subject to instructions from the Sovereign iv respect to any particular measure. Mr Gladstone forgot to mention the land question, and when his attention was drawn to it said that land legislation would be reserved to the Imperial Parliament for three years. Sir Edward Clarke condemned the retention of Irish members in the Imperial Parliament, and complained of the absence of protection to Ulster. The Opposition would offer uncom promising opposition to the measure. Mr Sexton claimed that the Irish should retain the present number of members at Westminster until the land question was entrusted to the IrishTChainbers. He raised objection to the financial scheme, and referred to the unique power which the Irish members of the Imperial Parliament would possess in the future. Mr Balfour moved the adjournment of the debate. The Government are expected to ' carry the Home Rule Bill, but to have a hard fight when it gets into Com mittee. Received February 15, 11.25 a.m.) London, February 14. Irishmen generally approve the Home Rule Bill, while objecting to some of the details, especially in the finance section. The Radicals object to the retention of Irish members in the Imperial Parliament, and it is believed that Mr Gladstone is pre pared to consider that point. The Unionists consider the proposals con fused and impracticable, and denounce the veto as futile. They'd is a lack of enthusiasm over the measure nmons tb« Liberals,

The Opposition will not call for » division on the motion to introduce the Bill. Many member* of the Radical party distrust Mr Gladstone's lukewarmness, and ar? not in favor of the retention of the Irish members. The- Unionists consider that the steps taken to maintain the Imperial supremacy are utterly inadequate, and that the double veto is delusive. " The Times " says the Bill is pro-' foundly disappointing, and that there are no real safeguards for minorities. The veto it regards as illusory, and considers that the proposals for retain ing Irish members and leaving the land to m'*'■■•.'naries and the command of the highoaO bidder, highly dangerous. (Received February 15,11,30 p.m.) London, February U. The " Daily Chronicle " says the re tention of Irish members at West minster is a great and acceptable fea ture, and should Mr Gladstone waver on this point the Bill will be killed. The logical outcome of the Bill will, it considers, be Home Rule demanded for Wales and Scotland, The " Daily News " says the measure is more worthy of acceptance by Irish men and more likely to command the sympathy and adhesion of the British people than the Bill brought down in 1886. The "Daily Telegraph" says the Bill is not statesmanship nor anything approaching that name. The total omission of the land question it regards as indicative of the spirit in which the Bill is conceived, The "Standard" believes that the Bill is impracticable and impossibly and if passed would never work satis factorily. . The Provincial Unionist press re gard the Bill as worse than that of 1886. They state it is the old Biff, thinly disguised, with the redeeming features eliminated; it is far too timid for Liberals, and does not go far enough for Irishmen, The Home Rule press refer to the proposals with guarded approval. The Nationalist feeling in Dublin resents the safeguards as too stringent. The Belfast press attacks the Bill. "Freeman's Journal" echoes Mr Sexton's views.

DUMMYISM.

(PBK PKBSS ASSOCIATION) ' Sew Plymouth, February 14. • The dummyism cases in this district hare commenced. Mr O'Hara Smith, Auditor of the Crown Lands Department, swore an information to-day-against John • Lawson, of Elthapi, late of Okaiawa, for having mad a a false declaration under the '' Land Ace. It is believed that Lawson hatt left the colony, and a warrant for his arrest han*been taken out. It is expected : that five or six other cases of duinmyicm will be commenced in a tew days.

Destitute Immigrants.

THE PREMIER AND MR SHRIMSKI. PBR PRESS ASSOCIATION. Oamabu, February 14. - The Hon. S. E. Shrimski has sent the following telegram to the Premier With reference to Jewish immigration :—" I am sorry that you should hare lost your temper so far as to stigmatise the action of those philanthropists at home who have bpent millions to ameliorate the con dition of the unfortunate Russian Jews; v as what they are doing ia worthy of the highest commendation by all who take an interest in their fellowmen, be they black or white. The statement that the in tended immigrants are paupers is pro bably made to influence public opinion, against them, foi there is nothing to prove that they ate. I may say that although your answer may be acceptable. to the Trades and Labour Council it will not prove to be so to the majority of thinking men, who in a free country expect no distinction to be made in the treatment by the State of civilised people. I leave the matter to the judgment of my fellow colonists.—S. B. Bhrimski,"

ALFORD FOREST.

(from our cobkbspondknt.) _, February 13. The recent fine weather has enabled the settlers to get in their amall bat useful oat crop in capital condition. Grass has been abundant, as it invariably is along the hills, and. where turnips have been sown they show well. Mr A. McFarlane recently purchased eight hundred acres of land on the Pudding Hill side of the north Ashburton, and at nnce, with his habitual energy, pat two hundred acres in turnip*, which show splendidly, and speak volumes for the promise of the remaining six hundred seres. He also purchased a good mob of wether sheep at the recent Cheviot sale, and evidently does not intend good feed to be wasted. Fifty acres of turnips hat* been sown by Mr H. Muirhead on his thousand acre block, which also look extremely healthy. Of the Mount Alford Government sections to be used as sheep runs, Mr O. Grieves obtained the one nearest his homestead, but in the case of the other sections the upset price was too high by three pence per acre, feed being good in parts, but a lot of rough country intervening. No doubt the land office ■ will rectify matters next time. Some years have now elapsed since the. twelve Government homesteads- were < taken up by working men, and I*oo!d like any opponent of the present rulers to interview each ocoupant. and thus prove beyond doubt that a block of land for each man in the country would put away much bitterness as between capitalist »nd laborer. A short time back one of the said sections was re-leased by auction, the twenty acres making £27 iOd, the only improvement of any value being the fencing and a rough stable roofed with galvanised iron. Several have refused sixty pounds for their 20 ---acre sections, thus refuting the idea that a perpetual lease must be inferior to free hold tenure. A few sheep, with wool and lambs tbereform, a good milking cow or two, and a useful brood mare, soon fell tales, and the evident satisfaction of each holder of a small section, inalienable under any adverse circumstances, is plea pant to see. The Alford Station run is being cut up io suit purchasers, and the Single Tree ! Station will be put up to auction on March 2 at Dunedin by order of the Colonial Investment Company. Buyers of lambs are running round In a lively manner, things being brisk in " that line. A new era is commencing pretty generally, the old plan of buying inferior ewes to breed from hiving given place to the feeling that.it pays best t& breed from good ewes. Lambs here are soiling at from 8s 6dl to 10* Si. - ■ With the exoep'tion of influewa the health of the district is good. :iAs"i proof th>t animals take this epidemic,'it may be mentioned that a pig in capital pondi; tion died from it a few days ago, the chief symptoms being paralysis of the hiqfl

*fHE ABHBURTON GtTARPUN; WEDNESDAY, I^EBRtJARY 15, 1893.



Wanted ■ . ______——^ nf\ MONTHLY Payments of £1 each OVJ will purchase » good serviceable Piano, guaranteed.-H. M. Jones. CHEAP Frult^Having bought M* Mayo's orchard, I cm bell Fruit cheaper than any one in town, Orderß may be left at East Street Shop.-Mj* James. L________—■— — CHEAP Firewood—Short Dry Gam Firewood, delivered at low prices ; branches 3s per load at Mayo's, Trevor ton.-Ap^M»sJ^ 0" XJR Toner is now in Ashburton. Orders s<mt in^at once promptly attended to. Milner and Thompson.— H. M. Jonbs. _ Wg-* I,a "At Home" in \J ..Hi. Wesleyan School worn, Baring Square, Wednesday, 7.30 p.m. Attractive programme, "etreu menu provided. * °° ANTED, at once, a Boy haying passed Standard V. or VI., as apprentice to th« printing trade. Apply jLil Office. _ WANTED Known—lee Creams, Ice Creams, for the hot weather. •1-avs ready at H. G. Flowb*'s, Oonfec tioner, East Street. . SOMERSET Meat Mart. The oldest* the largest, thu best, and the cheap- M t. Small •^oods, a specialty. Full waitchts guaranteed. A trial solicited. —W. J. SinnooK. 4t182 fPHE Good bamaritan, tor the imme- X diaterelief of pain— Light's Cash •lore. __ __ 233 aOMEOPATHIC Medicines, price Is. „ Sol« agent for district. Light's Cash Store. 2^4 ANTED KNOWN,-Short lengths Linoleums under cost. - Mit- CHCtt, AND TUBUBR. ANTED KNOWN,-- Irewdsons, and Horfoekses CaMcoes from 3s 9d per dozen. — Mitchell and IiJKtfKR. "ri7~A NT E D Known—Good Em- W broideries, 2id per yard.— MITCHCLL AND TURNER. 2JB WANTED the Publio to know that S. W. Amorn and Go's Summer Sale is now on. Great Bargains in Millinery, Underclothing etc. " WANTED Known that S. Samk, Watchmaker and Jewsller, has removed to uew shop near New Zealand Clcthinsr Factory. _____ "fTTANTED"Known.— Come and see! W T our dress lines at £jd and 6d, , leather shirting 6£d, threorquarter cloaks 12s 6d.-H. C. Skobrs, Malford House. ANTED Known—Dr Scott's cele brated Electric Corsets can only be obtniuei in Ashbarton at W. H. Collier's, "The Corner." ' "OTANTED everyone to come and see vv the beautiful ..presents we are giving away for every 5s and upwards spent—H. C. Seoers, MelfordHouse. WANTED Kaown.—A great variety of high class dress goods to choose from new selling under regular wholesale prices.—H. G. Sbgbrs, MelfordHouse. WANTED -Purchasers for Bargains in Summer Dresses, Prints, and Delaines, Sunshades, 4c. at S. W. Ai«cobk and Go's Sale. WANTED Known—New Flannelettes i at extraordinary prices; 3s lid ftnd 4s lid doz. Thirty per cent undei price,—W. H. Coiamr. TP\ON'T let the rain water destroy your J_/ buildings. Gut Spouting fixed at 4d per foot and buy a tank, complete with tap, tested before leaving workshop, , for 30s, at J. W. Hardlby's. "11THY not Bake your own Bread when "T you can cot 501 bs of the Best Boiler Flour for five shillings cash or ' five shillings and sixpence booked ac j Robert Alcorn s, Saunders' Buildings. 11 31 ' VALENTINES for v all classes. New Games in great i variet}. Boys' and Girls' Annuals, and other new Volume*. Prizo Books at reduced prices. New Birthday Reward and Wedding Cards.—L. F. ANDREWES A 00., Stationers' Hall. ON'T Forget the Borough Bye-Laws re Carrage Lamps, and that B_kd» . as. large Stock «n hand, also »large assortment of Tinware and Iron mongery, Scythes, Reaping Hooks, Hay Knivet), Forks, etc., of best quality, and all at lowest possible price*. J. W. Hab.di.ky, Eiwt Street, Ashburton. fIHE Misses Adams' new Refreshment J> Booms now open. Tea, Coffee, Cocoa, Lemon Squash, Soda and Milk •nd all the new summer drinks ready at all times, Coleman's. Buildings, East Street. {? _^ /^fHRISTKAS Suits. Boys, three V-/ garment long Trouser Suits at 15s. Boys, Colorial-made Knicker Suits frjm 10s. Men's nicely made Colonial Tweed Suits 80s. Colonial Tweed Suits to aMHun from COM.—Ashburton Clothing Mart, Baunders' Buildings. Robrkt Autobv* BEAR in mind chat J, W. Hardibt, Plumber and Gaafitter, East Street, has the largest Stock in town of Pumps, Pipes, and Fittings, and that he is selling them cheaper than ever at prices hitherto unheard of in Ashburton. Now h the chance for a cheap Pump ; improved No. 4. Price, 16s. Largersb.es in proportion. ««TANTED Kaown—That J. Moison VV keeps the best stock of Boots in Ashburton, for this reason that he pays 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 English 'makes; and his well-known make needs no recommendation. Always on hand Best Sole Leather, used for repairs and done at once. —J. Moison, Impermeable Bootmaker, Town Hall, East Street, next Court Houae ■ ' '• A CARD} MJEL& A. C.CLAHIDGE TEACHER OF PIANOFORTE * ORGAN, COX STREET, ASHBURTON. TERMS ON APPLICATION CARD. Mlafl * arson, TEACHER OF MUSIC,— PIANOFORTE AND ORGAN. } BURNETT STREET, ASHBURTON. t



BOOTS. BOOTS, SHOES. SHOES. THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory AND BOOT AND SHOE , WAREHOUSE. rPHE Public would do well to inspect* 1 our Large and Well-assorted Stock before purchasing elsewhere. A. Single Pair of Boots at the Wholesale Price. All new goods, 200 Pairs of Boys' and Girls' Strong School Boots and Shoes from 2s Pd. LADIES. Buy your Boots and Shoes at the Factory you will save 3s in the pound. THE AUGITE STOVE MAT, Only a f«w left; just the thing for pre serve making; only 2s. A Wonderful Line of MEN S ALL-WOOL COLONIAL TWEED TROUSERS tor 9s 6d. SEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. ALEX. HENDRY,  Manager, Th« Osslow Biscuit. The latest and most delicate biscuit manufactured by Auslebrook and Co. _ A. NajrffinjK* Wife A FACT. A speaker was holding forth on woman and he made out that she was just a little angel on earth. In glowing wordf he pictured how patient she was in suffering how courage >us in trouble, and how alto gether gentle, loving, and good she was under all circumstances, and closed his peroration by declaring that any man who laid his hand 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 swest she is, why, one would imaginefchat you believed all women were just blushing full blown roses; I guess you don't know my wife. Well she baint no blooming 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, but th^t she's nagging 1 someone. If it is'nt ma, its the children, if it is'nt the children, it b the cat. There is nothing thai escapes her nagging tongue, and the only time,any of us gets any rest is when she has nagged herself o sleep." How liko the nerves of a man who drinks; they just nag, nag all the time, giving no rest until enough liquor has been taken to deaden all nervous sensibility, and the poor fellow goes off ■■ n that sodden, snoring, miserable state that is but the rattling skeleton of a healthy sleep. R. T. Booth's Golden Remedy No 1 puts an end to all this nagging of the nerves by destroying all desire for icpior. R. T. Booth's Golden Remedy No 2 is the best Brain and Nerve Tonic on this ' ewth, All chemists.



IHE FIRST CLMING SALE ijy ft. J. tf Ellili & Co SE3SHSSS*" Double width Sheeting, white twill, 10£ d Good washing Muslins, 3a UJ **•» , White Muslins, satin stripe, 7^d now W _s^asA£ ts «*-. -«~ *» «-*dtMM> wo"d6rf"l value at 6id CLCTHmG. CLOTHING. Men's Tweed Suits, 19s 6d; Boys' Tweed Suits, 4s lid BOOTS. BOOTS. BOOTS. Men's Colonial made Bluchers, 5a Men's Cookham BooU, worth 25s for Us 6d Women's strong Leather Shoes, 4s lid Ladies' Glove Kid Boots 8s 9d, reduced to 6s Ud A s__s?si»l iiS s tan lbather sHW prUeß TERMS CASH. -REMEMBER THF. ADDRKSS- % U. J. NBILL and CO., KRIEDLANDER'S BUILOINGS- A Jeweller, The Watchmatinj "»d •lß™\°7 n V eJJ™T dioription of Waloho., Chronograps, %stttt£f^**::& ss%m WITH SODND WOHK' MANSHIP. _ NOTICE. >,M 1 W-h. «d Jewefcr, Ml for B.p»ir with ANDEBW BLACK, Watch maker, have bef»n transferred co S % Sal ek, WATCHMAKER & JEWELLER, from whom they can be obtained.



THE HABVESTJS PLEKTEOUS. AT any rate it is up to the average— and the laborers are—well, a good de<»l more than plenteous. I have never before seen so many men in Hie country on the outlook for harvest work. For a time the town was "stiff wid 'em," as Pat said about the river and the fish, but a good many h*ve >een absorbed since "the weather became harvest weather, and allowed the machines to go rattling along, CUTTINGDOWN the wealth of Ceres' golden reign. I trust the farmers will get something like a favorable return for their year • coil, and that when they come into town with their little OALICO-(2s lid a dozen)— bags of samples of grain, representing eh crop, on the growing and in-gathering o which they have been concentrating al their energies since last harvest, they wil be able to receive from the grain merchants I'RICES f hat will enable them to live themselves %nd LET OTHGH» JL.IVJE. The farmers are the men who feed us all, who grow our grain, our meat, our dairy produce, and the wool to make our CIiOTHING-(suita at 35b). They are the men who, with their wives and families, the tradesmen must depend upon to make their living, and we have tfiV most solid reasons possible for re joicing when the farmers are prospering. So thinks HARRY HARDLKI Manager for HARDLiair BROS. Who are selling goods very cheap. Beautiful dress fcweed 4s9d a dress; striped ginaharas 7id. BOOTS IN ENDLESS VARIETY. Men's Colonial made shooters 9s Cd; slippers 3a 3d. COME AND GIVE US A TRIAL. Hampton's T^URNITURE rffAREHOUSE, TANCRED STREET, Is Opposite Mitchell and Turner's. TRY HAMPTON'S FOB, Perambulators from 223 6d Perambulator? Reversible Hoods from 355, Patent Kubber Tires Basket Ware Chest Drawers Chairs and Tablet; Bedsteads Cheap Furniture AH Repairs Colonial Couches Wire Spring Mattrasses BRANCH BUSINESS. EAST STREET, Below Patching's. GREAT ASSORTMENT j ...... OF CROCKERY, AND FANCI GOODS. ---2J35 CHE IP. money. =OAOnn oi Txust Moneys to lend upon Freehold seomi ties, in sums of not less than £1000. Apply to Mr C. W, PURNELL, Solicitor, 9 33 Montgowery'i BuUdingi,