The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1887. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1672, 26 September 1887, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1887. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A telegram from Adelaide to Melbournal states that stockholders on the West Coast' and Gawler Ranges had held a meeting and had agreed m the first place «' that as shearing is done by women m South Amerioa, 15s per 100 is a fair prioe m Australia," m the eeoond, " that as times have been bad with sheep-fatmers of late, united aotion should be taken to introduce a sufficient number of women to start work m June m South Australia, finishing m New Zealand m January, when they would be shipped home." Some time ago an ancient Hebrew, named Benjamin, died at a great age m Melbourne, bequeathing something like a quarter of a million sterling to his children and grandchildren. He was supposed, even by the members of his own family, to be somewhat closefis ted ; but when, after his decease, his axeoutors oame to examine his accounts, they found that he had disbursed no leas a sum than £30,000 m acts of private benevolence, exclusive of his subscriptions to religious and charitable institutions, and that not a soul know of tbe.e munificent deeds except the grateful recipients. In some instances his donations reaohed as high a sum as £500. and m every oase he •« did good by stealth," and was oareful that his bounty should not be bruited abroad. All honor to his memory I exolaimes ,the «« Bruce Herald," a sentiment whioh we heartily endorse. Two hundred years and more ago the beds m England were bags filled with straw or leaves, but not upholstered or squared with modern neatness. The bagß could be opened and the litter re-made daily. There were few bedrooms m the houses of Ancient England. The master and mistress of the Anglo> Saxon house bad a chamber or shed built against the wall tbat enclosed tbe mansion and its dependencies; their daughters had fhe same. Young men and guests Blept m the great hall whioh was the only noticeable room m the house, on tables and benohes. Woollen oover-lids were provided for warmth ; poles or hooks on whioh they oould hang their olothes projected from the wall ; perches were provided for their hawks. Attendants and servants slept upon the floor.

The services at tho Wesleyan Churols.' yesterday were well attended and evidently muoh appreciated. The Bey J. J. Lewis, who is a proaoher as earnest as he is gifted, oonduoted both morning and evening servioes. and delivered an address to the scholars m afternoon. The singing was all that could be desired and augured well for the success of to-morrow night's entertainment, when a series of songs entitled " The River Singers " will bo given at the Church. A final rehearsal takeß plaoe this evening. The connective narrative of tho servioo of song is well written and will add muoh interest to the proceedings. Two new steamers, built for Messrs Huddart, Parker, and Co., have been engaged by the Victorian Defence Force to aot as armed cruisers should occasion arise. The Montreal police raided a house m that oity reoently, and oaptured 200 cats tbat had been making the neighborhood miserable. Their owner, who is a wealthy woman, will j fight the oase m the courts. I The eight hours question has been further discussed by the British Trades Congresß now sitting at Swansea, and the adoption of this Bystem has been favored on the grounds that it will provide work for 700,000 of the un* employed. Last mail brings intelligence of the death at Dublin, at an advanoed age, of Miss Ann Burns. This lady was a sister of the late i Rev Dr Burns, and daughter of Gilbert Burns, the poet's brother. Her deoease may be Baid to olose the list of the near relatives of the poet. The New South Wales Anglican Synod passed a resolution, before conoluding its sittings, expressing disapproval of the praotice of raising money for churoh purposes by j means of raffling, lotteries, and games of chance. Sir Henry Tiohborne, who has lately come of age and entered into possession of the estates which were claimed by the Claimant, has been married at Coventry to Miss Mary Petro, a member of the well-known old Catholic family. The London correspondent of the " Otago Daily Times " writes : —" Madame lima de Murska, the oelebrated oantatrice, is reported to be contemplating another tour m Australia. It will be remembered that the last time this gifted vocalist was on your side of the globe Bhe buried one husband and married another within the spell ef one brief stay m Dunedin. There is a rumor that Madame Sarah Bernhardt—the divine Sarah—contemplates a visit to Australia.' 1 London photographers encourage the idea of Amerioan women being presented at court. Every woman immediately has her picture taken m oourt oostume to send home to her dear 500 friends. The photographers are growing rich under this new dispensation. , A Miohigan woman, who probably has muoh time to spare, has made a unique dre_s. The material is oommon white spool thread, ' and the entire dress is band-orooheted work, beautifully flowered and strong, and 10,000 yards of thread were used m its construction. The sieves are crocheted m the proper shape, and are fastened m m by a look-orooheted stioh. ' • - ' I i