Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 1893. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 3049, 11 August 1893, Page 2

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 1893. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

An Italian steamer has arrived at New York with cholera on board. The enterprising firm of G. J. Neil and Co, have a new business advertisement in thia issue. The correspondent ot the " Times " says that etch city in the United States it carefully guarding its own supplies of specie. Mr Dawes, the well known shipping magnate, has been elected a director of the Suez G*nal Company in place of the late Sir R. MacKinnon. We remind chess players that the Club meets this evening at Gates' Booms. A good attendance ia requited as it is intended to make arrangements for commencing another tourney. A patient in Paris, having lost a portion of her skull through in operation for tumour, has had a piece of a dog's skull successfully grafted on to her own, and is now quite well. The usual monthly entertainment in connection with the Ashburton Wesleyan Church was held on Thursday evening in the schoolroom. There was a good attendance, and a very enjoyable social evening was spent, refreshments being handed round at intervals by lady friends. The fortnightly meeting of the Primitive Methodist Band of Hope was held on Thursday night, at which there was a good attendance. The Rev Cocker, chairman, gave a temparance address as did also Mr G. W. Andrews, recitations, etc. were given by friends* A very enjoyable evening was spent. Two or three dwarfs belonging to a family of sixteen children, the offspring of a stalwart father and mother named Rossow, natives of Croatia, ate giving an athletic exhibition in Paris. The eldest is twenty years of age, and weighs 21lb ; the second, aged eighteen, weighs 15lb. They are both very powerful, and go through a series of gymnastic performances which excite the astonishment of all who witness them. A telegram from Wellington says that the Patent Officer on Thursday delivered judgment in connection with the application of Mr Job Osborne, of Doyleston, for letters patent for a combined clover threshing and dressing machine. Mr H*selden dismissed the the objection raised by Mr John GreenBlade, of Prebbleton, and granted the letters requested. A well attended meeting of the Te Korero Club was held on Ihursday evening, the subject for the evening's entertainment being "Tennyson." Mr Brock, vice-presi-dent, occupied the chair. Several essays were given by members, descriptive of the late poet laureate's life and traits of character as shown in his works. Musical items by lady friends and readings cf the authors choice poems were also included in an excellent programme. Amongst the gemi that are cut, the diamond holdß the first place for brilliancy. The ruby ia next in value wh n of considerable siz3, a«d perfect in transparency and colour. The sapphire comes nsxf, and varies from a rich dark blue to an almost colourless tinge of the same hue. Then come 3 the emerald, which should be as clear aa the ruby, and of a rich gresn color. The acquamarine is a pale varisfcy o! the same mineral. The topaz is a lovely yellow. Garnets cf very rich color are red, like the ruby, but rather bluer. The zone railway tariff in Hungary continues to show wonderfully favourable results. During the five years preceding the introduction of the tariff (August 1, 1S89) tha returns showed a number of passengers varying between 61 and 7 6 miilkms. During the first year of the zone tariff, from August 1, 1889, to July 31,1890, this number rose to 16.2 millions; during the second year, 1890-91, to 19 0 millions; and during the third year, 189102, to 28.3 millions. The receipts during the same time have been very nearly doubled. The criminal session of the Supreme Court ..at.Christchurch opens ou Monday. The oalendar comprises fifteen cases against twelve prisoners. Thomas Coupar is charged with forgery and uttering (two cases), W. J. Kidd larceny, Arthur Henry E. McKinne, larceny (two cases), forgery and embezzlement, John Sinclair rape, George Corie misdemeanor, James McLaughlin larceny, R. Cochrane false pretences, John Allen breaking into a shop, James Waller breaking into the Sumtoer Borough Council office, Ernest SydneyiDyer larceny, Thomas G. Vangioni and W; Collins receiving pioperty knowing the «ame to be stolen. The prospectiw of the Canterbury Ostrich Farming Company, Limited, has been issued, and a considerable number of shares have been already applied for. The Provisional directors are Messrs Baag, William Birdling, F. Brittan,George Humphreys, William Henderson, William Recce, John T. Matson, And Dr Thomas. The object* are duly set forth in the prospectus, and from the experience of the pa*t few years the enterprise has Ift great future befow it. The feathers have sold well in London. The birds have taken possession of their new location at Burwood, where convenient enclosures have been prepared for the breeding season, and when upon a visit to Burwood you will be introduced to Mr and Mrs Gladstone, Mr and Mrs Ballaiwe, Richard Seddon, and tjie ««Dunedin PiscatoriaUat," and so forth. The birds are in robust health and great hopes «re entertained that now the industry will I expand and prosper, and form another element in the productions of this colony.