LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1899, 23 July 1888, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The 'Friaoo mail should bo delivered m [ Ashburton to-morrow. It is expeoted to arrive at Lyttelton to-night or early to-morrow morning, A woman residing m Maplewood, and said to be worth £4000, was recently refused the privilege of riding on the horae-oars of Maiden on the ground that she was too uncouth m appearanoe. A German engineer and chemist between them have perfected a portable furnace by means of which captive balloons for war purposes oan be inflated anywhere. The gas is obtained from zinc dust and lime. At the E..M. Court this morning, before Mr A. Harrison, J.P., John Tondra waa charged with drunkenness. He waa ordered to pay ' £1 for medioal expenses whioh had beea inourred on his behalf, m default seven days' imprisonment. The " Moniteur," published at Borne, says that Parnell, who is a Protestant; cannot be qualified to be the spokesman for the Oatholio- people of Ireland, and that he ib ignorant and does not give the sentiments of Irisbmeu. A faotory for the production of that wonderful prcduot known aa sacoharine ia now completed m Germany, and will be fully equipped for work Bhortly. It is looated m Weaterhaußen, near the old historic oity of Magdeburg. A leoturer upon " Politioal Economy, the History of Industry and Commerce, and Commercial Geography " ia to be appointed at University College, Liverpool. The office will be tenable for three years, and the salary will be £200, besides fees,

The Frenoh Minister of the Navy has caused fourteen of the large steamers of tho Transatlantique, Meagageries, Maritimes, Australian, and Algerian Lines to bo inspected and classed as auxiliary cruisers for Government service m case of war. There waa quite a discussion at a recent meeting of the Trades Oounoil of Cork, Ireland, over a proposition to hunt the 300 Jews,of that town from the oity on the ground that they are ruining the oooupations of other men m their respective businesses, ' The petrified remains of a huge animal have been discovered lying beneath the earth's surface on the bank of the Des-Moines River, near Perov, lowa. The leDgth of the monster, without the head, whioh was detaohod from the body, measures over 40 feet. A Befton lad named Ohumley, aged 13, played the truant from school. His father threatened to " warm his jaoket for him," whereupon he took the first opportunity to play the truant from home. This was about three weeks ago, and he has not been found yet. As showing what the oolony suffers from introducing a low type of immigrants, Dr Maogregor m hia annual report traoes out m a tabular form an acoount of two families brought out under the immigration system, and gives their asylum history. Thoy cost the country no leas than £3817.

Full particulars of the train arrangements to enable patrons to witness tbo Grand National Steeploohase at Ohristchuroh on the 26th instant are advertised. The fareß are unusually cheap, and the running of the trains will be suitable for the travelling publio on that day. A new insurance oompany has been formed m Denmark. Only young girls are admitted as members. Each member pays a small sum yearly, beginning at the age of thirteen, If the member marries, she forfeits all her rights; if she remain single she receives a pension at the ago of forty. The " Dunedin Herald " says :— A letter has been received from Sir Julius Yogel, m which he definitely abandons all hope of returning to the colony before the end of the present session. Sir Julius had road a precis of the Budget, with whioh, especially the primage duty, ho was not agreeably impressed. He beJieved that Protection would do the colony much good, but only after a lapse of time. A very excellent concert ia to be given to-morrow evening m tho Sohoolroom of St. Stephen's Church. A referenco to the list of •performers, the names of whom are given m our advertising oolumnß, will show that several vocalists hitherto unknown to Ashburton will take part m the concert. The proceeds will go to defray the exppnso of a lamp outside tho church, whioh has for a long time boen muoh needed. The conoert, admittance to which is one shilling, will begin at 8 p.m.

The Skating Bink re-oponed on Saturday night, at popular prices, and the result waa a large attendance of skaters, a deoided majority of whom were learners, showing that the craze is still on. A quarter mile hurdle race for a medal brought throe competitors to the soratcb, and of these Mr Ernest Simpson won comfortably, never failing to negotiate the hurdles. Mr Grubb skated well, but loßt ground at the obstructions. Mr Thompson was olean out of it from the first. Tho Kink gooß on as usual during the week.

Tho "Post," m commenting upon the Governor's salary being reduced, says that Sir William Jervoia has had to trench upop bis private means, owing to the entertaining of tourists and others. 'j?his js very depressing, and ooming on top of the tariff pnd the continued doprension, vergea on tbp terrific j but for all that, the taxpayers will hardly see why thoy Bhould pay for globe trotters beinp^ " entertained." A moro enthralling question to the general public ia how to buy boots for the children.

The Wellington correspondent of tho " Otago Paily Tjmea " Bays :— " The Public Works are almost ready for transmission to the Cabinet. J understand that the whole amount to bo defrayod out of loan for the current year will be £800,000, of which £450,000 were liabilities on Blßt Maroh last, a considerable portion of which was a legacy from the late Ministry. This leaves £350,000, from which Is to be deduotod £80,000 for expenses of raising the loan, which will leave a balance of £270,000 for roads, publio build, ings, telegraph extensions, etc."

The Magdalen Asylum at Mount Magdala, Christchurob, was formally opened yesterday, by the Right Rev Dr Grimes, Roman Catholio Bishop of Chrißtohuroh. Up to the present time the amount of money expocded on the land and buildings is £10,000. There are at prpßent oyerdO penitents, or ohildreu, as they are oaile'cf, iti tbfl institution, which is undor the charge of the Sisters of the Qood Shepherd, and room could be made for a few mo»e, The laundry is the chief employment for a large proporlion of the inmates whilst others aro engaged m plain sewing and fanoy work, making tho light boots and slippers worn m the' and light work m the garden.

A writer m the "Lyttojtpn Timeu " gives the following estimated roturiis for" butter and pheeso:— Xiet us examjno these 'figures as a guidp to tho comparative profit ol '' bqtter and oheoaermaldng :— 29lb o* mflk wjll make lib of butter, wort)i Jh London, say J&: cost' of freight, oonamisaiop, etp., 2d ; mnkjng, with labour and material, at Id, net return at the faofcory, 9d per Ib. Choose— Judging from past experience 4A per lb is a fair valuation of the price of oneeae at the faolory, and taking 111 b as the standard for lib of cheese, then j^lbs of milk will make 2£lb of cheese, worth at 44 per lb, Kb o|d j cost of making, at J.d per lb, 2£d ; nefrottirn's, .9M per lb ; thus pbowfng a proflt of on/j' farthing per gallon In favour of flh,eose,m&kfpg.v ■ ■ >■•• r ,