Mail Notices

Mails close for the following places as under, enbjeot to the naoeeßary alterations : SATURDAY, A PHIL 27 For Northern Ports and Westpert per | Rofcomahana, »b 6 30 p m MONDAY, APPIL 29 For Tasmania and Australia, Oeylon, India, China, Straits Settlement), end S. Afrio*, also Continent of Europe ond United Kingdom ('ue London June lOih), specially addreßaed via Rrindisi, per exp-esß, to oonneot with Mokois, at 12.30 p.m WKDNESDAY. MAY I For Northern Ports, Weßtporb, Samoa, Hawaii Philippines, Japan, also United Btateß, Canada, United Kingdom (due London June 1), and Continent of Europe, via San Francisco, per Mararoa at 630 pm

Commercial.

United PreaßAißociation—By Electric Telegrs.ph—Copyright London, April 25 Wheat—The Donna Franomea's cargo of Victorian wheat sold at 29 7£d per quarter. The American visible supply of wheat is estimated At 66,035,000 bushels

ASHBURTON GRAIN MARKET.

The Ashburten Agency of the New Zealand Farmers 1 Co-operative Association of Canter bury, Ltd, quote as follows on April 26, 1901:— Wheat-* Prime milling Pearl ... 2s l|d „  Tuscan.~ 2s 2d „  Hunter's 2a J Id New OatH—Duna Is Id to la l^d  Danieh Is Id to Is l£d „ Sparrowbills Is 2d to la i:|d „ Canadian Is 3d i Barley—Matting, prime 26 j Inferior 1b 6d Peas—B'ue Prussian 2a 9i „ Partridge 2* 7d to 2-» 93 ClhaS—Good oatsheaf 37» 6d Grass Seed—New .JLs to Is 6d (The above are prioea currenb paid to farmers on truoke at) Ae'aburton

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1901.

The paragraph we reprint from the Dunedin Star stating that Mr Seddon would probably be appointed Governor of one of the constitutionally governed colonies has apparently been suggested by a short articlo that appeared m our columns on April 5. Our statement waa as follows: —" Some little time ago a correspondent m Sydney, writing to a resident of this town, mentionrd a curious rumour which was current there regarding Mr Seddon'a prolonged stay m that city. It was to the effsct that the New Zealand Premier had been interviewing certiin leading members of the Federal Cabinet with a view to get a promise that a bill should be introduced at an early d<\te providing that the State Governors should be elected by the people. On that con dition it is stated that Mr Seddon undertook to bring New Zealand into the UommonweiUh."' That rumour has far more probability about h than the statementpublishedin tho I unedinStar, which would indicate each a departure from ordinary usage under the present constitutional system of government that we cannot for one momoot believe it has anj foundation, Mr Seddon is certainly one of the leading Colonial politicianl-", but we mast not imagine that outsiders regard him m the same light as New Z aUnders do. Even if he were universally admitted to be head and shoulders above all the other Colonial statesmen, the ■departure indi cated m the »Stow'» rumour would involve serious complications m other colonies. It would a's> he a complete reversal of the policy hitherto followed by the Imperial Government of sending out men of J»igh rank to represent the Crown m thf-se colonies. It mutst uot be forgotten that tho Governor v the repre sentative of tho Sovereign, and a step m the direction proposed would certainly be entirely antagonistic to ono teriatic feature of the British cuujii u tion, which is that the distinction between the Crown aud the people should be carefully maintained. We do not pay that this principle is alto gether m accordance with the theory of democratic Government. This is a very large and interesting question, and we can conceive that m the future, if New Zealand politics continue to ran m the groove they are now following, it will become of some importanco to the colonies, if not to the Empire. But that time is not yet. However popular a statesman might be m the capacity of a Premier, public opinion m the colonies would have to undergo a great change before a commoner, and a colonial at that, would be willingly accepted as the King's rppresentative If the Imperial Government intend to jrearo Mr Seddon a Peer of the Ream, the ca«e might be different. But m view of al! the circumstances, we should have our doubts even then.

We ieara that the members of the Aeh barton band have been aßkei to assist m the proceedings that are being arranged to celebrate the return of the four members of the third contingent who are returning by the Tongariro ; bat that under the circuits'ancea they cannot see ifaeir way jaet now to take part m them. This is certainly to be regretted, ft. is reported that owing to the want of public support the band is quite disheartened, and proposes to wind up its affairs at the annual meeting which will be caUed shortiy. We are sure that the public of Ashburfcon will regret to learn this. The local band has been an institution inthistown for years. At one time there were three bands here, and it would be a reflection on the place if we permitted it to go forth that we could not support our band. We strongly urge all who can possibly give aaaiat ance m re-establishing the Ashburton band to do so. We cannot think that a vigoro ua effort m that direction, and an appeal to the public for sup port would fail m getting Band matters on a more satisfactory footing than they have held of late. We hope the returning troopers Reception Com mittee will not have to go outside of Ashburton to obtain a band to pby at the forth-coming function ; but unless something is done by the local musi cisue, we fear that will happen. We recommend the members of the Ash burton Band to call a meeting at once of all persons desirous of joining or assisting the local band m taking part m the proceedings to welcome the troopp. That will probably lead to a good understanding between the band and the public, and may result m the re-eetabiiahment of the band m the position it once occupied.

Local and General

Pigeon Fi.yin«— A large number of pige"ns arrived from O+mara yesterday, and were Überated this morning. BiOYCWS Auction—An unction sals of 12 high grade bbyeleg will be held by Mr H S^ephenson on Sfttardry nexfc, M«y 4 b, CxOLlHGi—George Body, who won the Ivew Zealand wheel race m 1899, has just ' cored % big win m Adelaide. From the 260 yard* mark, he won the wheel race there m 4min 13sec. The value of the prize was £200, Dbapert Samd—Messrs G Duncan and Go, the oheap cash drapers m Taoored Street, anmwnoea great sale ol drapery and clothing, when special bargain? m numerous Sines are to be obtained. 'rHE Head Waters oy the RA^awiTA —Mr GA. M Buekley bas just returned fr;>m a ten days visit to the head waters of the lUtigitafca. He waa very much impressed by :he natoral beauties: of the' district. ' A Warning To Hocskwites —Ib may be as well to remind housewives of Hampstead that ib wonld be wise not to leave their clothes on the lines at night, as some line* have lately. been A cleared .m that locality. On Thursday evening Borne olothei were... taken from the premises of Mr Hardy. JLLNBSS OFTHH Pa*MlEll'B DADSHTBR-i News was receive'! from Greymouth that the condition of Mrs Mortae, one of the Premier's daughters, who, wa«-reported to be serioußly ill, has much improved. It is thought thab Mr Seddor, who hag gone to Grrymouth to see his daughter, will now mike rhe jiurney to Melbourne by way of the Bluff. Thsj Half-Million Loan—-The allotment of the half-million loan is completed. Those who tendered for five thousand and under reoeivo an allotment m fall at the price tendered. These represent about 90 per cent of the total number tendering. This is done with the object) of spreading the loan amongst as many as possible. Large Land Sales—Messrs Frtsdlandet Bros, Ltd, report hiving sold during the last few days the following properties, viz : —On acoount of Mr A Prunby, his farm of about 80 acres at Met.hven, to Mr T." Ne© ; on account of Messrs Holland and Bora, their fnrm of 262 acres at Wakaoul, to Mrs John Bennett; on aoooant of the Longbeach Estate, farm at Dromore of 748 acre*, to Mr W, Jamiesoii, of W akanui and Dromore, AH sales at satisfactory prices. ; Narrow Escape—Mr E lery hud a very narrow escape at Messrs Friecilander Boi horse sale yeatarday. When - passing a draught horse that was being sold, .ths animal kicked out and struck him breaking one or more ribs and bruising him badly Persors owning horses of '.his description, should warn the auctioneers of their habits so that ore may be taken to avoid accident) Mr E!lery'« escape was considered by on lookers to have been marvellous: t Andrews, Tinwald—lo connection with the sale of wosk recently held at Tinwald, despite the weather the snm of £28 was realised Those who canvassed the district were even more saeeaasful and handed m the amount of £32 16a. After paying all expenses and meeting local liabilities £45 has been added to the en* largement fond which now stands m credit a little over £300, and the Vestry are taking steps to have the additions made to the church before next summer. Rasgitata Library— A moeti! g of th& Rangitata Library Committee wua held on Thursday evening. There were present — Mepsrs Coddsl (ohairman), DorwaH, Webb, Irwin and Mis» Coulter 1 Tho Committee spent some time m eelecting over thirty books from popular authors, and these will shortly be added to the library, In addition, the sum of £3 will be spent on illustrated papers and magsa'nes The periodic additions to the library have givm rise to tho necessity for a larger cupboard, but the Committee had to defer the rurchaee of same owing to lack of funds. It is to be hoped that 'some welhvlsher will send slorg a new clipboard and help the Committee out of a difficulty Who will be the benefactor? CoURStK«—A meeting of the Commitlpe of the Ashliurton Coursing Olub was held last evening, when various matters m connection with the meeting on the o.h of May were df alt with. Correepohden'oe was read, ino'uding a letter Jrom Mr JON Grigjr, accepting the position of Vice president, and enclosing a handsome (lodr tion, which was directed to be acknowledged wi'h thanks. It will be seen by advertise ment elsewhere that the entries for the Ashbnrton Coursing Club's Meeting to be hold on May 9 h on tbe Tinwald Racecourse cloßfi on Thursday, May 2 IJ ie requested that all who intend entering will do bo promptly bo that officials may got a reliable idea of how many harps to procure. It may be mentioned that tho Committee is making arrangements to provide a number of .escapes for the h»r#B . Football —A Committee meeting of the Pirates Football Club was held m MoCon nell's rooms lust evening. There was a full attendance and the Captain Mr D Wilson, occupied the chair. Correspondence was read from Messrs H Friedlander, Dr Bo'ger, and JON Grigg accepting the positions of Vice Presidents of the Club, and subscriptions of £i Is from Messrs JG N Grigg and Dr B <lger towards the Clubs Funds. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded these gentlemen for accepting these positions, and for their handsome donation towards the Olnbs Funds, The Secretary was instructed to arrange a match with the Albion Football Club (Ohristchaich)for the 240h May, and also one for the 2nd Fifteen on that da.Se. Messrs Bray, McKecz;e s Tate, E Crisp, and J Fitzgerald were elected members of the Club. A praofclca match will be held m the Domain on Thursday next, when a full muster of players is requested. i The Teoops Reception Oommicteb— A meeting of the geceral committee constituted to arrange a reception to all the returned and returning troopers fromSnnth Africa was held at the County Council chambers last evening—Present, Messrs H Friedlander (chaiiman), H M Jon*-c, C Morrisoy, J Tim mina, Garner, J Cl*rk, F Kerriman, F Nokes P Cox, T F Gibson, W H Collins, J Davisou, J Tucker, D Grant, JS J Fun!, and Rev tE Fee* *An apology wsb received for the absence of llr CDolurty The ■ report of the Domain Reception Con mittee was adopted eubj ot to an efficient brass band being provided. A discussion took place on the social and ball Committee's report and it was adopted subjsot to the folio wing amend ment, that the Social takes place from 8 to> 930"p m, the dance to take place after, at an additional charge, to inolude refresh;, ments A letter was read from the Secretary of the old fireworks Committee handing over their stock of illuminantß and the same wa« received with thankf?. I 1; was decided to mention on the programme, m general terms the troopers from Ashbiirton who have served m Somh Africa' The Committee then adjourned to Friday $rd May next.

Alleged Witchcraft.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph GUsBORNE, April 26 The evidence m the case was concluded this evening, and counsel addressed the jury m the morning. D s Craig and Bughes deposed that the treatment given the man afti-r he was takon from tha doctor's hands would m M human proba* bility accelerate death. In answer to counsel for the defence, it was stated that the shark, potatoes, and such food given to the deceased was only ordinary Maori food.

A Bright Comet

United Prees Aesociation—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Sydney, April 26 The comet was easily visible to the naked eye, Its tail was about two degrees m length, divided by two cones. London, April 26 A brilliant triple tailed comet is visible at Capetown, rapidly approach ing the san.

Patrons of Coker'e Hotel are notified that the proprietor is prepared to treat with them for accommodation daring the period of the Royal visit to Ashborton,

Householders' Meetings

SCHOOL COM Mil TEE ELECTION.

NEWLANDS

Ab the annual meeting of householder*, held at the Newlands school on Monday evening, Mr Percy Joces was m the chair. After reading the balance shreb tho follow ing Committee were elected or the coming year : — Messrs Percy Jones, T Kelly, J Olucas, f BennisoJj, and J Lloyd, A meeting of the new Committee was then held, and Mr Peroy Jones was re-elected cbaimmn.

RIVERSIDE

"vThe meeting of householders convened for Tfcursdav did not elect; a oommibtee, owing to a difference between two of them re« suiting m a break np of the meeting.

THE CONWAY MURDER TRIAL.

United Press ARsoiiation—by Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright Received April 26, 8 56 p tn ;  Sydney, Apri! 26 Mr Reid addressed th> jary for two hour?. Accused sobbed quietly throughout) the morning bub appeared calmer in (he after r nooD. Mr Reid laid it «m the duty of the jury to firmly and clearly separate io their | own minds suspicions from the evidence. It was mob this jury's placet to build in the case, bat to teat the fabric which the Crown had built, and the Jary must not fill up gape. Aoouaed wa« charged with deliberate and oold blooded murder. It wan not the act of hot jealousy, but the Orown'a ease suggested a motive..duecfco monetary matters. -Every aobof accused had been frank, she had nob acted &• a stealthy poisoner, and at every turn her actions had been open. The faob that) while purchasing poison she used the telephone openly, so tt'&t the Identity of the person and the hotel where eha stayed were made known, was scarcely the sob of a person who wished to keep her doings quier. Why did she make two purchases of poison and try to obtain a third lot). She was only going to poison one person according to the Grown. If Oonway.was poisoned at Sumner, would lb not have flashed through bis mind on that fatal night that ha was similarly affected agaiu? He said he never felt in that way before When people take suddenly ill it was some mysterious instinct which told them what they had taken to cause Illness. Con way did not say a word that he bad been poisoned, or that) from a woman had come this thing, He had never given any indication of foul play. Constable Trehey, when cross examined as to her reference to the loss of Oonway's property, did not regard her with suspicion, nor had Conway put any suspicions in the constable's mind. On leaving New Zealand accused was found in broad daylight laughing and chatting with Conway. Was th's the aot of a stealthy poisoner? Again, why shmsld accused take Mist Huddleetone, who oould watch her movements, into her oabin f When she found no trace of the Brown's in the foreoabin, she oould have said she drank the stout herself, as she threw the botble overheard, but instead, she said she had given it to Conway. Would people who want about to take life aot as openly as this? Further, under a loose mackintosh she could have oonceatad th« articles she took forward instead of doing so openly. If a desperate woman had a design on life, would she have waited till tho ship was close to Sydney? She could have sriven tho stoat immediately after leaving Wellington, On the fata! night there were witnesses who identified accused and others who oould not, A fawn mackintosh and a white hat were common articles. There was a discrepancy in time, making it appear that accused gave Conway two drinks at an interval of twenty-five mlcufcfs. If she intended to poison him she would have taken it to him in one drink. Referring to MiflsHuddfeston illnegp, it was probable if accused had given sufficient poison to Oonwpy fehero would have been sufficient to kill Mies Huddlestone. He (counsel) regard ?"d her expression about whether the two illnesses were identical as not what a woman engaged in suoh a crime would voluntarily make. He cautioned the jary on the value of circumstantial evidence. With regard fco motive, the evidence showed that the woman voluntarily offered to replace the promissory note which Conway lost. The Crown prosecutor, in a two hours' hpeeoh, covered the evidence. He said the view of the Crown was that accused went forward twice on the fatal night, not as the defence sugge»te/l, to give two drinks to Conway. On the first* occasion she went tn the fore cabin and ii>qi.tired for the Rs-owtss. She did not see Conway. On the Becond visit she took him the d ink. Miss Huddle' stone's evidence that accused told her to give stout to d- censed was abs >lute proof that accused was with Conway that night. The jury mast be satisfied that the accounts she gave of why she wanted the stryohnioa were reasonable. She doubtless, purchased wholesale quantities to divert suspicion, which iright; arise if she only purchased a fatal dose. It would be eaiy for the defence to prove whether her relatives received any from her. From her conversation with the chemist she evidently knew all about the form of strychnine. The conversation aboard ship was to show in the event of foul piay being suggested as fo Conway's death that she did not know the drug. la an interview with the Sydney polioean innocent person would have served her cause b«b by a truthful statement; yet accused denied intimacy with Conway, She had stated, that she had paid him £200 mortgage money, yet she said he wata poor man. She gave four different stories why sbt made the trip, from New Zealft&d to Sydney. The Crown did nob suggesb that Miss Huddlestone cr Mills were poisoned. Tht Judge lengthily summed up* Sydney, April Si The jary, at a late hour, stated that there Wat no. hope of them soen agreeing, and they were locked up for the night. (Received 11,41 p.m.) Sydney, April 27 The jury disagreed in the Conway oaee. Men Smith wilt be retried on May 28. The New Zealand witnosEtn are bound over to appear on tbitdntte.

The Accession Oath

United Press Antodabton-—By Bleobrlo Teleg aph—Copyright London, April 27 The Liberial peers decline to sit on the Committee appointed to deal with the Accession Oath, The Marquis of Salisbury is averse to a one sided Committee. There are indications that the Government will secure the re moval of the strong expressions with out impairing the substance of the oath.

The Federal Contingent

United Frees Association—By Eleobrfo Telegraph Chrigtchuboh, April 26 The contingent that is to represent New Zealand at the opening of the Federal Parliament left by the Warri moo to night. The new uniform;? have been arriving during the week, the last part of the order coming to hand this afternoon, when the first fail dress parade was held. The mounted men, natives and infantry were dressed m kbavki ,• the artillery and permanent force ia blue with red facings, the Engineers blue tronsors and red tonics, and the High landers m kilts. A large crowd turned out to see the contingent off, ths garrison band play ing to the station, and two local com panies forming an escort. Hearty cheers were accorded to the men as the train m"v°d off.

The BuooeB«[,ot the DIQ sale of pianos ftod organs still proceed* as merrily as ever, and there seems no abatement of business. The fifth shipment w&» opened Saturday morning, and included a beautiful specimen of the maker's art m the shape of a magnifi cent instrument by the well known firm of Kiohard Wpp and Sod,

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph ((Received 11-55 p.in) EARTHQUAKE IN ITALY Rome, April 25 An earthquake m Italy did some damage to the Raphael frescoes m the Vatican Pantheon. .A. FINANCIAL PANIC. London, April 26 A financial panic exists m Japan. Twenty banks have stfrpended m Oaaki and the southern provinces, THE NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERIES. I Great Britain has submitted terms to Franca for the settlement of the New. foandiand fisheries question. A DETERMINED SUICIDE. Brisbane, April 26 A man named Nelson cat his throat ftad then jumped over a cliff one hundred feet high.

SOUTH AFRICA

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright; AN EXTRAORDINARY REPORT Received April 25,8 25 p m London, April 25 The Daily Chronicle publishes an extraordinary report to the effect that Boer agents, acting as cattle-men inoculated a number of horses shipped for South Africa at ftew Orleans, with glanders and other diseases, with the result that one hundred died on the voyage and others had to be destroyed on their arrival at the Ospe. Private Herbert; White, of Qaeens and, was killed at Tibakplaats. (Received April 26, 1145 pm London, April 26 I Lord Kitchener reports the capture of 113 prisoners, a twelre pounder, and a Krupp gun, Lieutenant Beatty, a Victorian, was j killed, and seven men were slightly j injured, but the circumstances of the disaster are not indicated. I A i 7 inch gun, recently captured from the Boers at Helvetia, has been found destroyed. ' Some Boers m ambush captured a patrol at Badfontein, killing Major IS H S Twyford. London, April 26 Jacobus De Wet, Christian De Wet's uocle, has been sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment, and fined £350, on a charge of treason at Barkly East. J W Saver's brother, William, con victed as a ringleader m the Oape re bellion; was sentenced to a year's imprisonment. Eight other treason prisoners were fined sums ranging from £2"0 to £500 Colonel G- E Benson captured, m the Tantersburg ranges, 65 Boers, a Krupp gun, and a quantity of ammunition Ben Viljoen and 500 men, with a pompom and two Maxims, have gone south, along the Steelpoort V B Hey. They abandoned their waggons and destroyed a fifteen pounder, captured at the battle of Oolenso, and a Krupp gun Colonel A P Pnlteney has occupied Roo»9enkaal, where the landdroat and 110 burghers surrendered

Weliington, April 29. Lieutenant Hughes, of Cbristohurch, who isez>H ting men m the colony for Brabant's Hone, interviewed the Commandant of the Forces tc-day, m regard bo Lord Kitchenes'e cable to tho Pnmier; He lays Colonel Pentou informed him that the Government would try to prevent men going as recruits, bur, of course, could nob stop thorn shipping as ordinary passengers. Lieutenant H ughet agreed to drop the word ' recruit' from advertisement* and confine himself to aerat ing men to leave for South Afrioa uncondi tionally. In regard to Lord Kttohener't cable, he contends that he b&s a perfect right to recruit anywhere for any irregular body of horna

THE BRITISH BUDGET

United Frets Assaolatlon—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright London, April 27 The Times states that the loan has been subscribed sevenfold. Small applicants receive the amount of their tenders m full) the rest get twelve or thirteen per cent. The House of Commons approved of the new dutieson glucose and saacbarine Sir M. Hicks-Beach informed a deputation of coal masters and expor ters that he waa unable to abandon the duty on coaU

Germans in East Africa

United Preas Association—By Electric Telegraph BssLiN, April 25. The Reichstag has referred to the Badgat Committee a Bil> providing for the contraction of a railway between DaresSalaam t a seaport m German East Africa (the only port on the German coas«i with a well sheltered harbour), and Ologoro, an inland town, which it is es timated will cost £1 200,000, During the discussion, Count Yon Bulow, Imperial Chancellor, warned members that unless the railway is built Great Britain will divert the whole of the trade of German East Africa. HerrHichter supported the proposal, and the Social Democrat leader, Herr Bebel. denounced the scheme on the grounds that It would be impossible to make the line pay. In reference to the Dar-es-Salaam' Olcgoro railway, it is proposed that the German Government shall guarantee a syndicate of bankers at 3 per cent, on the cost.

The Unrest in Russia.

THE COLLEGES RE-OPENED. United Preps Association ~ By Electric Telegraph—Copyright St Pktkbsbdrg April 26 Vannesvetki, the new Minister of Educ ation, reopened the colleges m 8t Petersburg. Ha refused to poßtpone the examinations until the autumn. The students refuse to undergo examin ations until the students excluded from the Universities, consequent upon the recent troubles, are allowed to participate.

A Serious Crime

Gis»OßKE,Aprll 261 At the Supreme Court, m the cast of Rawiri Huna, for indecent assault upon a native girl, aged ten, a verdict of guilty wal returned. Mr Justice Oonolly eaid : "I address not oniy you, bub all such men as ysu. These indecent assaults upon yonng children are beoomlng alarmingly prevalent, I think it necessary they should be pub down by severe punishment. But for my own intense objection to the imposition of flogging I would order it to you. . I never have inflated that punishment, but realty m cases such as yours it will be a question for me co consider at to whether I shall have to do to. The *entence of the Oourb !■ that you be imprisoned m the Auckland Prison, with hard labour for five years, "

SOCIAL COLUMN.

[The matter included m this column is contributed and paid for *]

Poisonous Pure Beer.

(To the Editor of the Alliance News), Sir,—-There is death m the pot of pare beer, aa well as m the pot; of beer with arsenic, m it, Thia is an impor tant fact, established by abundant evidence. Yet few believe it, for evi dence has little influence on th? beliefs and less on the conduct of the average Briton. Bat it is now quite beyond reasonable question that alcoholic liquors, whether pare or impure, are among the agents that are most des tructive to human life m *his country. As gotng towards proving this, take the following startling facts. The most satisfactory method o f making comparisons as to longevity t>. tween groups of persons io the community living under dissimilar health condi tions, it that which has recently been adopted by the Registrar General. That officer informs us that of every 61,215 men between the ages of 25 and 65 m the general community, 1000 die within the year; and be tells us further that the age-constitution and the rates of mortality at the fonr age-periods indicated m this group are as follows :— AH Males : K»te of Mortality Age-Period No, living, per 1,000. Deaths 25-35 22,586 7.67 173 35-45 17,418 13.01 227 45-55 . 12,885 2135 278 55-65 8,326 3901 325 25-65 61,215 ICOCI Ho farther says that (by applying to these four numbers the correspond ing rates of mortality for any occapa tion (or mode of living), the number of deaths is ascertained which would occur among 61,215 men engaged m that occupation (or adopting that mode of living), bat with the same age-constitu tion as that which ruled m the general population.' Hence, when we apply the rates of mortality which are found to prevail amongst the teetotal Reeh&bitea be tween the ages of 25 and 65 to a group of 61,215 persons of the same age and constitution as that of males of the general community, we find their deaths for the jear to number 553. And when we apply the rates of mortality among the liquor dealers, as given by the Registrar General, to a group of 61,215 of the sieme age-con stitution, we discover that their mortality figure is 1,639. Here are the figures :— INNKEEPESS, &o BSOHABITE? Age Number Mortality Mortality ! Period Liritts pw.IOOO Deaths per 1000 Deaths 25-35 22.5J36 15 21 343 5.09 114 3545 17,418 23.32 406 619 107 45-55 12,885 34.84 448 11.19 144 55-65 8,326 53.18, 442 23.25 193 7^639 558 So we reach the remarkable discovery that while, when age-c nditions are equalised, 61,215 teetotalers have only 553 deaths per annum, the same num ber of the general population have j 1000, and the same number of liquor- \ sellers have 1,639 | Tome it seems an altogether tre mendous fact that during what ought to be the most valuable and fruitful forty years m the lives of Englishmen, there should, m proportion to numbers, be two deaths among alcoholic drinkers and three among alcohol sellers for every one that occurs among those who do not use alcohol at all. W© are a wonderful people. We spend £165,000,000 yearly m the pur chase of a premature death, crime, misery, and madness. la it a good investment ? The point, if we could but find leisure. i 9 worth considering. —Yours, etc, JAMES Whytb, Secretary, United Kingdom Alliance. Grosvenor Chambers, 16, Daansgate, Manchester, February 25tb.

DRINK DESTROYING FRANCE.

There was a time m the history of ths Temperance movement m England when France was held up as the blessed example of the virtues of mode* ration, and her light winea were sup posed to supply the corrective for the evils of drunkenness m this country, But we now see that France is becom ing quite as much as England the victim of alcoholism. The causen of the French decadence are being dlie cus*ed with much interest m that country, and two or three prominent writers have plainly declared that ' alcoholism is the enemy'—the real cause of French decline m population, physiological vigour, and enterprise, In a strong article on the subject con tributed-to the Paris Matin by Henry Fouquier, that prominent Writer and critic extols the patriotism of those who are engaged m tbeJcrußade against alcoholism, and adds:—' But they do not insist enough on disguised alcoho lism, on that slow poisoning which any exist m persons who preserve all the appearance of tempsranea and who really are not addicted to intoxication. Whether it be hereditary or acquired, nr rvosity has become so general m our race that the evil of alcoholism* may produce its ravages without the vic tims suspecting its inflaence upon them.' He concludes by saying :— 1 It is necessary that we should kaow tbe truth. Alcoholic poisoning may exist outside habitual intoxication. The enemy of the human reason may insinuate itself without noise and excess, drop by drop we may say, and gain control all the same. It is a Tar tuffe who waits for the last act—• delirium or paralysis—to proclaim himself master of the house. It is for us to shut the door to him by all pos sible means. Here I imply the use of public remedies for reasons of State.'

THE KING'S PROHIBITION ESTATE

Afe Lincoln on Wednesday last, an interesting statement was made at the opening of a Primitive Methodist bazaar, by Mr 0 H Roberts, the Liberal candidate for the recent election. He said that for the first time they had » Sovereign m England who possessed an estate wlbich was managed nnder prohibition of the liquor traffic. The Prince of Wales, on his Sandringham estate, disallowed public-bouses, and now that he was King Edward Til they bad this rather singular acd noteworthy fact that the Grown was doing for the people whtt some day the people would be allowed to do for themselves.

UNITED STATES PROHIBITIONISTS

Notwithtandins; the fact that John P Woolley was defeated »s \h- ProhiM* tionbts candidates for President of the United States, hia followers intend to hold mock instillation proceedings, at which an inaugural address written by Mr Wi olley will ba read. An iffort will be made to have the address read before 5 000 audiences m ihe different States.* Mr W*o'ley is a gnat orator, and Is expected to send out &n address of great power ta mark the advent cf the new century of Temperance work.

ALCOHOLIC LUNATICS IN EDIN BURGH ASYLUM.

At the annual meeting of the fmmenM Edinburgh Royal Lunatic* Asylum on Monday week, Dr Clouoton reported fchut daring the past year the" number of ad missions had been S5 over the average of ihe past five years. He could not gob - , over the conclusion that the excessive Qse of alcoholic stimulants during time of I brisk trade and high wages had to a large extent been the cause rt the undue amount of mental disease. They had as a matter of fact, 115 cases, or about a f Barter of the whole admissions, m regard to whom drink was anstgnad as the cause of the disease. If the admission of men alone wart looked at, one'third w«« alcoholic eases. He had never had ex' perience of anything approaching that before, and he should fail m his dnfcf If ha did not strongly draw r-ttent ion to ft fact so disgraceful o them as a common, ity. Convictions for being drank and m capable steadily increased m Scotland* His alcoholic lunatics had risen from an average ef 16£ pei cent m the year 1874 «01899 to 24| In 1900—all apparently resulting from the prosperity of the country j and yet the politician cried " Non possumua.'* Dr Glouston was ©on* vinced they would have a big reckoning some day. A consumptive race might conceivably be Absolutely cared In two generations, but he did hot believe ft drink'sodden race could be folly oared m a hundred years.

TEMPERANCE AND LONG LIFE.

(Alliance [News March J7tb, IS01) The testimony oPthc varione insor~ •nee Bocieties h«va now for many yearß supported the claim that abgtainers live longer than even modern drinkers. The annual report of the Sceptre Life Asso ciation for the year 1900, jast issued again contains s me interesting figures bearing upon this matter. Of 623 policies issued, 444 were on the lives ef total abstainere, or npwardg of 71 per cent; of these latter 292, or over 65 per cent, were life abstainers. The mortality experienced daring the year shows that the expected and' the actual claims were m follows :—ld the general section the expected deaths were HO, the actual deaths were 117, or ft percen tage of 83,57 ; m the Temperance section the expected deaths were 98, the actual deaths 54, or a percentage of 55, 10. This is a very remarkable diffe rence m favour of the abstainers, and is only the latest proof of what is coming generally to be understood that mode rate drinking, or drinking far short of actual intoxication, is physically very injurious. Etrl Grey, •m bis recent speech, recognised this m connection with the drinking habits of the indus trial claeaos; and the writer of the article m the French journal, (Le Matin, referred to m another note comments on the same circumstances m a tery striking way.

DOCTORS AND INTEMPERANCE.

The Lancet this week has a notable article on the drinking habit* of the nation and of tbe mischief that it dona thereby. It points out that since the days of Dr R B Todd, a generation buck, no leader of medical thought ha* sanctioned a reckless use of alcohol m any form. And not a few ef the men m the front rank have spoken with plainness on the subject and hare reduced their prescriptions ot alcohol to the iighest forms and moil; uiodwt quantities; Mention is made of raeh recent and living authorities ai Sir J Burdon Sanderson, Sir Henry Thom son, Sir William Gairdner, Mr Victor Horeeley, and Dr Robert Hatcbiion— all men of scion tifiejiighfe and leading— who have spoken oat on the question. Indeed, the growing number of death* from alcoholism and the increasing consumption of it by the peocle, men and women, and especially women, m oar contemporaryV opinion, maka it incumbent on medical men who have studied the- question to place their views clearly before the poblic.

LEGISLATIVE OR OTHER ACTION

An address by Dr William Oafter of Liverpool, is referred to by tot Lancet. Dr Garter points oat m thai ftddretf (of which we hope to give some fuller report another week), that m regard to every great group of disease a marked fall m mortality holds save In the diete tic /group, which is subdivided into three headings—deaths from starvation deaths from scurvy, and deaths from intemperance. Deaths from starvation have fallen from 18 to 12 per 1,000,000 deaths from scurvy, 1 m 1,000,000, have remained stationary ; but with deaths from intemperance the case ii quite otherwise—-they have risen from 45 p<r 1,000,000 of those living m the year 1871 to 77 per 1,000,000 m 1897 Dr Carter is impatient with such a state of matters and calls for iti redress by " legislative or other action."

DEAN FARRAR'S PROGRAMME.

Dean Farrtr has written m the JZcmileiic Beview on Temperane Programme, for the Twentieth Century.' The fol lowing things are what the Dean thinks should be attended to :—lncreas ing number of total abstainers ; to stop deluging the uncivilised with ardent spirits. Will God, he asks, new call England to account for girdling the world with a zone of drunkenness?} earlier closing. There is no valid reason why the drink shops should not close When other business is suspended, Sunday closing. Scotland, Ireland ana Wales have it already, but the English man must have his beer ; fitop Beijing to children under sixteen ;. local action, Majorities should judge as to the need of liquor selling; more stringeml control of licensed houses, with decisive penalties, not mere fines of a few shillings.

LIFE INSURANCE.

Life insurance is making very rapid headway m this country. The. Board of Trade n.'urns m the 1900 Bine book show that m ufteeu years—up to ltfft .—the accumulatedJife awurance funds m crease Jby over €7 per cent. In ifae year tiamed the ordinary Tife fefioes bad accumulated funds, amounting te £224,872,445, and the industrial life offices had funds totalling £16,969,35!,

iilii aSfIBUI.TON O—RDIAS; SATURDAY, AFML 27, 1901



IIA.UIIJ/S I " ' f^i FNUINETaiIor-madeOostumen, Habits vX Jackets, Rainproof Mantlee &o, made to m(aaur<j m the latest Styles and naweßt Materials, Fit and workmanship guaran teed. GENTLEMEN ! We nave just opened out ex e.s 'Ranga t.ira' a !arge Shipment of Now Winter Goods We respectfully invite maprodor of our new Worsted and Vicuna Suitings, Serges, I Sootch, Irish, and West of England and New { Zealand Tweeds, Meitone", B«averi», Vene -1 tiflris, New Rainproof Covert Coatings, real I' Doquj brook' Irish Friezes, Ac. Suifci to measure from £3 Trousers from 16s. Oni motto is always * Satisfaction !' CEAIGHBAD & BERRYM4.N The leading Tailors & Ou fitters I • Aahburton MONEY. ~ || ; f. ONEY_ TO LEND cd Freehold \ IV 4 S«carity, m sums to suit borrowers. / Apply to ! MR OW. PURNIiLL. Solicitor, Mon'gomery'a Bnlldipgs N IHURSDAYTthe 28th March at the Adelaide O?aJ» W Mastih on his RED BlKDcub several new niches m the record post, breaking all Australian records from 2 miles up to the hour. Martin was paced by a Motor, the firab 5 Miles were done m Bmin 57J*ecs againat 9mm B|?ece, Rolph'e time nude m 1899 at Sydney. 10 miles fiew p&Bt m 17min 59f aeos being Wfsecs faster than the previous best time. When the running for the 60 minutes was totalled out, it) was found that Martin had established ann? Australian hoar record of 31 miles 13£0 yds TVTOYOLKSIromT TiTS |A 1 1 i otM ill BICYCLIB do do BIOYOLMB do do BICYCLES do do BICYCLES do do Guaranteed. Terms can be arranged.— H O M Jones. fTVHE" "Rapid XighTning "Shirt Gloss JL works woaders. T»y a tin ; it will m c than pay you /"IARBIDE, Carbide—For Bike Lamps V^ Carriage Lamps, and for House Lighting, etc, ab Uhristcharoh prices— Hajsd&ey Bbos, Bwti Btreod i



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Polrpathic Medical Institute/ Corner of Giouo. B fer Sfeeb antf Latimer Square, CHRISTCHURCH, (Isnintidiately behiiid the Exchange Kuihiiugß FIFTH VISIT TO"A i HBURTON. Fill DAY AFT-tiXOOV, '.'.•y 3rd, 1901, ' ' ' 2 o'clock p,m onti) 8 p iv srtTUlii^-Y. MAY 4th, I 9am aotil 1 o'clock p m CONSULTATION FKES —GRANGE'S UOTKL. sA POLYr*ATHY, the New Method of Healing, is the s*~ J!sdE&\j& surest and most n pid Syet'ni, us it cures with übsolute jjjjrf fr'ilei3J*^^^*rt^MCs^ C!ertß'nty BUC^ di«*ft^es aaC'-nctr, Eli lepsy ar-d Asthma, W^^^^glS^^^^^^S^ incurable under the old ey Urn, bb we'l &» all Chronic J^^S^^^^^^^SsSSSm^' 1^ Nervous Con p'ninta if Women end M't:. MOBK jß^^^^g^PPfe^!?g|Cures made by KJI.YPATHY than any other system 4J^^^^W^^S^3'' c '* THOUSANDS OF TESTIMONIALS ■^^^^^^^SrtQ^nj Epileptic Fits for Eight Ybabs; also Heaet * PQSmMBH^I feel better iii every way, and the pains at the he arc have' 9h9|^B>«^Bß^^^M entirely If ft infi. I have not had one fit) since Ukiog wiPl*"^^^n*';^iw!^SS ytiar mfeliic'ne "~ remain, yourß truly, " l^^Si^S^»^^^S'- ::^^jli ' LtJNG DISBASB ANE» EXTREME DEBILITY I aye mu°'l pleasure m sending this letter, thanking w^^^3^^W^^shS y°u verymHch fnr the beneg° have °ierivfc<i from y°ur llaßsSl^^SfaSfa^ftfll medicine, which I have been usiDg biz weeks. I WR3 :iMJS^IlL'^f^tRW^M B reduced m weight from I2st 41b down to Bst 7!b, and I HSJjfj SF^^^'^mM!Bß'll. h:l(i uite Siven myßelf a P t0 niy Maker; bat thafik God lfcffiJLKßf^@*^aMy-!laBi Km tt'ter I had been under your treatment nine days my upP^HM^^:.aiiSlDi iiliW»™ WafLiiwodß oould see a ohange m pc, and I could feel it lifr^2£&J"'™Jgig^^*£2g&£NAJ*^ myself, and have been improving ever sinoe. You o»n -^gg»jfes i_j3^-—^~-m^j uae this letter for a test monial, or refer anybody to me. "«j&«—«^~g 1 gJB»- Wishing you ©very prosperity,—Yourß respectfully, q 157 8 Joho Klphifk_; ■ LIMPS. LAMPS. LAMPS. £ MONTH.' ' . BEDUOEO PfilOES. 1 'MONTHi " GAS LAMPd FROM 12a 6d. ' ,  ' Northlieht 12« 6d, Hetefr 12a 6J, Acetylator 15s, Breckenbndge 17s 6d, Phenomenon 18s 6d, Solar 20s, Laminator 17s 6d LARGE STOOE of OARBEDE on b«ad crushed ready for use. OIL LAMPS FROM 3s 6d. KEROSENE LAMPS FROM 6s, feLucent 3s 6d, Burbury 3^ 61, Courier 3^ 6i, Warner 5-, Uncle Sam 6e 6i, Pathfinder 7^ 6J, Miorophote 7s 6:1, Ueita 7a «d, Banner 8? 6d, Liio 9;, Club 10s Toura 10a 6d, Kinglet 12a 6d, Silver King 15b, Holo phote 17a 6d, Kob-i-Nor 15j, and others too numerous to mention. LAMP OILS kept m Stock at 6d, 9d, and la. Zealandia Cycle Works, BURNETT ST-RBET, ASH BURTON 2 JUST IN TIME GUNS. atM*. GUNf ' Single and Doable Barrel, from 30s to £7 10* OAETRIDGJBS! "'X'"OaRTRTDGES. Ely's Blue, Fmokeless, md Cniverssl ; NEW CLUB, NEW RIVAL - HOIiSI^CLIPiMms OHE^P AND GOOD, RA T¥T/^I?O ("Orion," '••'ZpaUndia," and '• ScottV) Register A 1 1 \X-LjS- Grates, Mantel Pieces, Garden and Carpenters' Tools, Lamps, Builders.' and Furnishing Ironmongery, ere. Kind'y Pay Me a Visit, and Save Money. ; G. melTdins, The People s Ironmonger, Burnett Street, Opposite Arcade "Tm^TGLEARING SALE OF PIANOS & ORGANS. ■3 (x)— , NO BEASOtfABJ.K OF MR BBPCSED. The Dresden PianofiHte Company ARE now holding their Ancual Sale of Pianoe at-d Organs, when theur large and varied stock of firs', clats inetruments will be tff.red to the public at wbolesale rricpe for ci>-h cr on the moet reasonable tenne. The inflfcrumentß are on view at THH Dbbsden /genoy, Mb Henby Stefheksok's Auction Booms, Havelock Street. Their Mr R A Horoe and Mr J A Coombs, BalestiK-D,. from the head office, Duciedin will be m attendance at the above address. The Sale will Sast for a few weeks only, and intending purchasers are invited to call at; orce far-d inepi-ot the Btoch, when Mr Home will tapply all ialormatioa required. If you have an old PIANO' we will lake it m exchange, or treat it as the] Depoßlfe if required. Full value allowed' J A X REIDLB, General Manager