THE CHIMNEY CORNER.

THE DISRUPTION A TALE OF TRYING TIMES.

CHAPTER XXl— continued.

Mr. Bacon did not intend to keep this long a secret. After dinner he produced an immense book of dried botanic specimens, and placing it on the table before the young lady, said— “ I hope Miss Stimperton, you and Mr. Afleck will amuse yourselves for a little in ■ turning over my hortus siccm, and excuse me while I speak a word with Mr. Duncanson in private.” This was readily assented to; and, while Robin took an opportunity of displaying some of his recently-acquired knowledge in botany, and Shusie (for a wonder) ex pressed surprise that Mr. Bacon thought it worth while to keep withered dockens and nettles in a book, that learned gentleman took Mr. Duncan son into another room, and there opened a very delicate subject, with a good deal of ingenious circumlocution, and what he intended for great tact. After due preparation, he said—“ Now, Mr, Duncanson, I wish to ask you a question which I hope you will answer confidentially and without reserve.” “ Well sir ? ”

“ Are you in love ? ”

The student blushed, looked per plexed, and neither could well answer the question nor evade it. At length he said, hesitatingly and with evident reluctance to be explicit—“ Well, I don’t know but I am ”

Ay, I was afraid of that,” answered Mr. Bacon, “ I was afraid of that, sir. It is very foolish of you, Mr. Duncan son, and an unfortunate business for both of us. I thought I had warned you so well against such a weakness that there would be no danger of your falling into it. But I see there is no use in the Jbest advice when it can be acted on neither by the giver nor the receiver. The case would not have been so bad if you had taken a fancy for any one else.” “Than whom?”

“ Miss Stimperton, to be sure.” “ Oh, you may keep your mind at ease on that point. There is no ground whatever for your suspicion.”

“Is there not? Are you not in love, then, with Miss Stimperton.

“ No.” “ Well, lam delighted to hear it. I must confess I am a good deal in terested—the fact is, positively in love —with her myself.” _ “ Impossible!” p “ Perfectly possible, and true too.” “You, Mr. Bacon, who have such a contempt for women, and all who associate with them ? You, who can not endure the restraints of female in fluence, and look on the.sex as the bane of intellectual excellence? You, who live so contented in a single state, and entertain a horror of petticoat neighborhood? The thing is past be lief. You must be joking.” “There is no joke in the matter; but you are proceeding on false pre mises. You assume that there can be no exception among women to the faults which characterise the sex, and so did I. But I find I have been mis taken. I under estimated the richness of nature, and did not imagine, it pos sible she could produce a specimen of womankind so perfect as Miss Stimper ton. Bless your soul, sir! she is not properly to be accounted a woman at all. She is more of an angel. Other women are restless, frivolous, vain, coquettish creatures; never content without keeping everything in a turmoil about them, and continually docking down men’s habits to suit their own petty ideas. But this beautiful nymph breathes the very spirit of meekness and serenity from every feature of her lovely face. She has neither imperti nent curiosity, conceit, caprice, nor perversity. I verily believe she has/ been created expressly for my comfort. She is the very personification pf heavenly beauty and gentleness; so recollect, Mr. Duncanson, that while I avow my love for her, I am still con sistent in my aversion to the female sex in general. There is no rule without an exception you know, and an excep tion only proves the rule.” “ Miss Stimperton is certainly very amiable, good natured, and pliable; but I am not sure if even she would think it her duty, were she advanced to the honor of sharing your lot, to con form to all the habits you have ac quired in the fulness of your bachelor freedom.”

“ Her duty! She would know no duty but to accomodate herself to my will and pleasure. I am sure of that, else I should not doat on her as I do. But what habits do you allude to ? ” “ Why, for instance, smoking in bed, having no regular hours for sleeping, eating, dressing, and making a work shop and laboratory of the best rooms in your house.” “Well, I can’t believe she would attempt to interfere in any of these matters. I see, sir—l plainly perceive —by the respect she pays to all I say and do—that she thoroughly under stands and appreciates my character; and I shan’t be fool enough to let such an inestimable jewel slip through my fingers.” “ But perhaps it may not be easy for you to secure her after all.” “How? Not easy for me to secure her! Consider, Mr. Duncanson, that independently of my personal merits, I am a man of property and high con nections. Few ladies would refuse; how should you suppose Miss Stimper ton could ? Isn’t she but a country girl—the sister of a humble farmer— and without expectations or wealthy relatives ? ”

“Yes. very true; but suppose she should have no personal objections, but, on the contrary, a high respect for you—still there may be obstacles —she may be engaged.” “True, true; I did not think of that; but I fondly hope she is is not. You must try to find out if she is, but I dare say Mr. Afleck will manage such a piece of business better. Pray be so good as to send him to me, and keep the young lady company for a little, till I have some talk with him concern ing her.” These requests were imme diately complied with; but Mr. Dun canson found it no easy task to keep up a conversation with Miss Stimper ton. She had nothing to say herself except what was drawn from her in the shape of answers, and these were of the briefest. Neither did she seem to take much interest in any subject that i

could be started, for she was equally void of curiosity and information. What charm her society could have for such a loquacious and discursive talker as Mr. Bacon, it is not easy to imagine, except by supposing that the eccentric bachelor valued a good-na tured disposition to listen, which she possessed in a supereminent degree, above all other qualifications in a com panion.

When Mr. Bacon and Robin Afleck returned to the dining-room, the former seemed possessed with anxious thoughts, and the latter almost bursting with subdued merriment. Mr, Bacon instantly betook himself to smoking, without ever consulting the feelings of his guests, or supposing that it could possibly annoy them. His taste for the Indian weed was stimulated pre cisely like Robin’s stomach for food — by the pangs ot love. He soon filled all the room with such a cloud that it was impossible for the company to see each other; and he was the first to feel the inconvenience of this himself, for it prevented him seeing, Miss Stimperton, except when he made a pause and blew away the murky wreaths which rolled between them, and this he did more than once. At length he had the grace to make himself more agreeable by volunteering a tune on an anomalous looking piece of furniture, which _he said was an organ of his own building. It had been partly converted into a clothes’ press, and for many a day had not been used for any other purpose. Nevertheless most of its machinery was entire, and, though sadly out of order, and coated with cobwebs and dust, the instrument was not much worse than ever. The first effect Mr Bacon pro duced by touching the bellows-pedal, was to set a colony of mice scampering and squeaking, in the interior, where they had long been established and had never before been molested. Next, the organ itself spoke out, but in tones so disonant and discontented like, that it seemed grumbling at being disturbed from long repose. By dint of hard work, Mr. Bacon did eventually manage to extort from the crazy instrument some resemblance to a tune which he obligingly informed his audience was “ Black-eyed Susan.” He then began to hum, as a vocal accompaniment, the words: — All in the Downs the fleet was moor’d, The streamers waving in the wind —

As he proceeded with the song, his voice rose over that of the organ ; he twisted himself into so many strange contortions, and threw up his eyes with such a grotesque expression of senti mentality, that Mr. Duncanson and Robin Afleck had a hard struggle to preserve their gravity, but Miss Stim perton was overpowered with unaf fected admiration. Mr. Bacon’s theory that she had been specially created for him really did seem plausible enough for perhaps no other woman in exist ence would have been so delighted with his music, or delighted him by applauding it as sincerely. On account of Jean Brown’s absence, the rehearsal was postponed sine die, with little prospect that it would take place at all, for by this time it was known that the Queen’s Drawing-Room would be held on the, following Mon day, so that there was little time for preparation. As the hour was nigh at which M. Duncanson and Miss Stim perton were engaged to be at Mr. Calmsough’s lodgings they began to speak of moving, but to this Mr. Bacon, for a long time would not hearken. At length, when he had hinted to his dulcina that he would do her the honor of calling on her next day, to arrange all necessary matters for appearing at the grand state cere mony, he reluctantly allowed her to depart with Mr. Duncanson, but de tained Robin Afleck to assist him in making preparations for an illumination ysvhich was to take place on the follow ing evening. At the lodgings in Pitt Street, jointly occupied by the Calmsoughs and Mont gomeries, Mr. Duncanson found as sembled all the little party he had hoped to meet, and along with them a gentleman he had neither wished nor expected. This personage was no other than M'Cheatrie the lawyer, brother of our old friend the “Scooneral Customer.” Mr. and Mrs. Calmsough were as usual bland and courteousj; Miss Montgomery looked kind but dejected; and her father was punc tiliously civil. He eyed'Miss Stimper ton with evident satisfaction, and pro posed her health in the first bumper that went round. He watched his daughter and James Duncanson with constant attention and seemed on the fidgets every time he caught them exchanging glances, which was not sel dom. After supper was over, and the company had become engaged in general conversation, Mr. Montgomery and the lawyer rose and retired to gether to another apartment. Their temporary absence excited no attention, till after a short time Mr. Duncanson was called out to join them. As he rose to leave the table, Agnes became as pale as death, and seemed about to faint. Her lover observing her agita tion, whispered a few words into her ear, which had a marvellous effect in restoring her to calmness; but what he said it would hard to tell, for, as Robin Afleck remarked, no third party could ever learn a syllable that passed be tween them.

The student found Mr. .Montgomery and Mr. M'Cheatrie waiting for him rather impatiently. He could not imagine what their business with h:m could be, but he was not long left in doubt. There was a portable writing desk with writing materials on the table before them, and a sheet of letter paper lay exposed to view, on which a few lines had aperently just been scrawled, for the ink was not quite dry. The lawyer addressed Mr. Duncanson in an overdone wheedling style, in tended to be very insinuating, but it merely had the effect of putting the yonng man thoroughly on his guard. “ Mr. Montgomery,” said he, “ has been speaking to me about a small affair in which you are concerned, and which, it seems, has been giving him a a great deal of uneasiness. Now lam sure, Mr. Duncanson, you are a gentle man who would not willingly create disquiet in any respectable family. Indeed, I believe you are, in every sense of the word, a gentleman, and will not refuse to do what is just and reasonable.”

“Be more explicit and less compli mentary. What is it you mean? What is it you wish me do ?”

“ Why, the truth is, Mr. Duncanson, you know that there has been —some time ago, I mean—a correspondence ol a tender nature between you and Miss Montgomery; and, seeing it is at an end now, it is very desirable for all parties that there should be a right understanding on the subject; and Mr. Montgomery is very anxious (perhaps needlessly so) that you should give it in writing under your hand, that your correspondence with his daughter is finally broken off, all previous writings or engagements notwithstanding.” “This is a very strange proposal. Has Miss Montgomery herself been made aware of it ?”

“Why, yes—no —not precisely. But she knows as much as it is necessary she should know. It has been gone about in the way best calculated to spare the young lady’s feelings, and you certainly must approve very much of that. Besides, there is nothing so very extraordinary in the proposal after all. You have been in correspondence with Miss Montgomery. You are not so now. You seem to have formed another attachment, and you must allow she ought to be free to do the same. All right and proper—nothing can be fairer. Well, let this just be understood, and in order to set all to rest, just state in writing, in as few lines as you please, that so and so is the case. Or —to save you all trouble about it—here are a few words to that effect, which, if you please, you may subscribe, and Mr. Montgomery and I can be the attesting witnesses.” Here the wily lawyer put the document he had drawn out into Mr. Duncanson’s hand. It ran thus :

“I, James Duncanson student of divinity, presently residing in Edin burgh, do hereby, and of my own accord, renounce all claims on Agnes, daughter of Gideon Montgomery, feuar in Burncrook, in respect of any pro mises or engagements made to me, either verbally or in writing, by the aforesaid Agnes Montgomery; and I also do hereby voluntarily agree to cease all correspondence with the said Agnes Montgomery, either directly or indirectly, from and after the present date.”

“Edinburgh, September first, one thousand eight hundred and forty-two.” When Mr. Duncanson had perused this precious missive, his eyes flashed indignation, and he looked up at Mr. Montgomery and the crafty lawyer with the expression of his feelings faltering on his tongue. The old man, however, seemed desirous of avoiding all alterca tion and discussion on the subject; for he paced up and down the room with uneasy steps, and never once ventured to turn his face to the student, or to say a word. Mr. Duncanson equally desirious of avoiding an angry dispute with him, and disdaining to speak his mind on such a a subject to ,the pettifogging man of business, after considering for a moment what to do, lifted a pen and deliberately wrote under the document he was requested to sign these words — “ When I renounce Agnes Montgomery, may my right hand forget its cunning.” Having done this, he left the room and returned to the little supper party. The excited state of mind in which he re sumed his place in the companj', was too obvious to escape notice; but there was no time for speculation on the cause of it, for he had scarcely beon seated, when Mr. M'Cheatrie entered with the alarming intelligence that the old gentleman had taken suddenly ill. Miss Montgomery rushed out of the room in a state of distraction, and was followed immediately by the rest of the company to the room in which her father had fallen down. All for a time was confusion and consternation, but, on medical aid being obtained, it was found that there was no immediate danger to be apprehended, and the patient, at his own request, was soon left with only his affectionate daughter to attend him.

Mr Duncanson felt un easy in the conviction that the decided manner in which he had acted had thrown Mr. Montgomery into a par oxysm of anger, to which in all proba bility, his sudden illness was to be attributed. I nsuch painful circum stances it would have been out of place to offer any explanation to Miss Mont gomery, for she was too anxiously engrossed in her attention to her in firm parent to hearken to anything but what concerned his immediate condi tion. He therefore took leave of her without attempting to touch on the subject; but he took care before de parting to relate in general terms to Mr. Calmsough what had been pro posed to him, and how he had acted, for he knew that the worthy man was on confidential terms with Agnes, and would do him ample justice. (To be continued—commenced on July 26 )

Retaliation. —A strange freak on the part of a ewe has come to our knowledge. Her lamb had been devoured by a raven ous sow with a litter of pigs. The ewe thereupon adopted one of the little pigs, and suckled it with the utmost tenderness. —Rangitikei Advocate . ■ Nobody’s Business. One Charles Tutchen was so moved by his affection for the widow Sarah Ann Gard, that he married her on the 23rd of August. This is nothing extraordinary, as getting married is an every day affair—but it is somewhat unusual to announce the fact as Tutchen did, in the New Zealand Times, with the finish up—“No cards—nobody’s business.” Rough on Us.—Here is a sample of the mendacious statements which are being circulated concerning this colony. The San Francisco Chronicle says New Zealand owes 175,000,000 dollars, and is suffering from such wide-spread business prostration that an appeal to the charity of the world is not improbable. Thousands of her people are threatened with starva tion. Affairs in Ireland are not much worse.” “ Smellington.” —Writing of the Em pire City, the Rangitikei Advocate, says ; —The “ city of smells,” as Wellington has been appropriately called, had an alarming death rate for the month of August, no less than 62 persons having succumbed in that month. The people fought for about two years over the rival merits of the Clark and Olimie drainage schemes ; and whilst the wordy warfare went on from month to month, old Charon did a brisk trade. The Wellington papers are in the habit of joking about “ another lunatic from Wanganui. ” We can imagine the grim ferryman of the river Styx rubbing his hands at each victim of zymotic disease arrives from ‘ ‘ Smelling ton,” and exclaiming, “Another victim of bad drainage from Wellington. ” The rival drainage schemes seem to have acted like the Kilkenny cats, and utterly anni hilated each other, for we never hear of either of them now, though they cost the ratepayers many hundreds of pounds.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1880.

Printed and published by Horace John Weeks and Charles Dixon, at their Printing Office, Easi Street, Ashburton, Thursday, September 16,1880, -



Business Notice- FRIEDLAKDER BROTHERS. TO REDUCE STOCK, AND MAKE ROOM 3?OK New Goods—Novelties —New Goods !! FRIEDLANDER BROS, are just opening, in addition to their well selected stock—Best quality only in French Merinos ; Brown, Dressed and Striped Hollands ; Check, Piques, and Marcella Muslins ; Crochet Antimacassers, from 2s. Bd. Beautiful Lace Curtains—large variety. Muslin Long Curtains, a varied choice. Muslin and Lace Short Window Blinds —of every description. Grey and White Sheeting—all widths ; extra stout bleached and twilled Sheeting. Saxony Welsh Flannels ; Strong Real Welsh Flannels. FELT CARPETS—Splendid Patterns. Cocoa Mattings in Iyd., l£yd., and Uyd. widths. Table Cloths and Table Baizes ; Velvet Pile Table Covers ; Horrocks wollknown Long Cloths ; White and Colored Quilts ; All-wool Plaids —the very best. A Rare selection of New Dress Stuffs and Dress Buttons. Crochet Cotton, in reels and skeins ; Brook’s 500-yd. reels of cotton best for machine use. Baldwin’s Fingering Yarns ; Baton and Son’s Alloa Yarns. "Ol q-jil/alc! In great variety, I Cotton and Union Sheetings ; Floor Cloths JDxc«xxJLAtJ Lo f rom 12s. upwards. ] choice patterns ; Cocoa Mats — various sizes. WOOL GOODS, HOSIERY, GLOVES AND RIBBONS—A well assorted stock. Corsets, Silk Scarfs, Braids, Wool Fringes—all shades ; also handsome Black Silk Fringes, Piece Velvets, Ribbon Velvets, &c. A splendid assortment of Scotch Needlework. Ladies’ Cambric Handkerchiefs —bargains. The above goods are imported direct from the manufacturers, and will be sold REMARKABLY CHEAP, in order to reduce the stock. •o- Outfitting Department. This department is now replete with the most fashionable aQ d serviceable and exhibits a splendid variety of Men’s and Youths’ OVERCOATS and ULSiERS. JUVENILE DEPARTMENT.—Boys’ Knickerbocker and Tunic Suits—in all shapes ; Tweed Galatea Suits ; Hats, in large variety ; Trousers and Vests ; Moleskin Trousers ; Crimean Shirts ; Collars,Braces, Ties, &c. * MEN’S DEPARTMENT.—Men’s Geelong Tweed Galatea Suits, Sac Suits, Paget Suits, Trousers and Vests—fashionable shapes, and fit guaranteed; Waterproof Coats in Great Variety; Men’s Blouses and Overalls, American Duck (patented; ; Hard and Soft Felt Hats, all sizes ; Merino and Flannel Shirts and Pants ; Colored and white Moleskin Trousers; Soft Twill Cotton Shirts —splendid value ; Crimean Shirts, remarkably cheap ; White Long. Cloth Shirts, remarkably cheap (American open hack); White Long Cloth Shirts, in pleats and military fronts, remarkably cheap ; Merino and Ribbed Lambs’ Wool Half Hose ; Super Hand-Knit Half Hose ; Novelties in Silk Scarfs and Ties ; Novelties in Braces and Mufflers ; Novelties in Linen and Paper Collars. SUPERIOR BOOTS AND SHOES, OP ENGLISH AND COLONIAL MANUFACTURE. Implements, Etc. TO FARMERS WE CAN ESPECIALLY OFFER, AT REDUCED PRICES; Hornsby’s Ploughs, H., H.H., R. 8., and R. 0., and extras for same; Reid and Grey’s Double and Treble Furrow Ploughs, and extras for same ; Drays, 2h, 2|, and 3 axles ; Zigzag and Flexible Chain Harrows ; Cambridge and Plain Field Rollers ; Broadcast and Hand Sowing Machines ; best Ironbark 2,3, and 4-horse Swingle Trees; Bentalls Chaff-Cutters and Corn-Crushers, all sizes ; Corrugated Iron, from 6to 9 feet, best brands ; Byland’s best Fencing Wire, No. 6to 11; Fencing Material, Consisting of Staples, Stakes, Posts, Rails, and Wire Strainers. Also a very large Stock Douglas’ and Gould’s American Pumps, Force Pumps, and Piping (IJ. li and 2), and Farm and Station Stores of all kinds. We have always on hand a large assortment of Saddles, Shaft, Leading, and Plough HARNESS. Horse- Cloths in every variety. The Deering Twine Binder Was awarded the Gold Medal at Ashburton, six machines competing. It also took the Special Prize at the Oamaru trial, etc, Having been appointed Sole Agents for the above machines, we are now prepared to TAKE ORDERS for the coming season. The New Improved Althouse Vaneless Windmill Is now on Exhibition erected in front of our Store. Prices are lowered, and are within the reach of everybody, we therefore invite the public to examine the samo.J o Ironmongery Department. We beg to call special attention to the above, and have determined (to meet the pretent depressed times) to reduce the prices to lowest remunerative rates To parties furnishing we can offer advantages seldom met with, having just received a large and well-selected stock of household requisites, comprising Single and Double English and French Iron Bedsteads, Fenders, Fireirons, Coal Vases, Scuttles, Fountains, Boilers, Kettles,, Saucepans, Stew and Preserving Pans, all sizes ; Electroplated, Nickel Silver, Britannia Metal, and Tinware of all descriptions.' To builders and contractors we offer special inducements, having a heavy stock of Leamington Patent Ranges (2ft 6in to 4ft 6in); Cindreila, Queens, Victoria, Vesper, and Kaiser Stoves, Register Grates, Carpenters’ Rim, Mortice, and Plate Locks, and general builders Ironmongery. We have also on hand an extensive stock of painters’, glazier’s and paperhangers materials, consisting of Red and White Lead, Paints, and Colors, of all kinds ; Raw and Boiled Linseed Oils, Turpentine, Varnishes, Brushes, Window Glass, of all kinds; Putty, Paperhangings, etc., etc. Carpenters and joiners would do well to call and inspect our stock of Tools. We are now landing a shipment of American Goods, containing a great variety of Tools and Yankee Notions. A large stock of Rod, Bar, and Sheet Iron, also a large and good stock of Black smiths’ and Farriers' tools on hand. A limited assortment of Patent American and Colonial Washing Machines. Grocery Department. The above Department is now well stocked with New Season’s TEAS, in half-chests and boxes; Green and Pekoe Tea, for mixing purposes. Superior Mauritius SUGARS, white and brown Crystals and Counters. “ Venus Twist” and “ Nail Rod” TOBACCO ; “ Centennial” Cut-up Tobacco (Golden Leaf), in quarter-pound tins and half-pound packets. PIPES of every description. Currants, ERimes, Sultanas Muscatells, and Figs (all New Fruit); Jordan and Shell Almonds, Barcelona Nuts. Neaves’ Infant Food, and Robinson’s Patent Groats and Barley. French Prunes, Bottled Fruits, Essences, Spices, etc. A large stock of English and Colonial Con fectionery. A full assortment of Pink’s, Morton’s, and Crosse and Blackwell’s Pickles, Sauces, Potted and Preserved Meats, Fish, etc. New Jams, Marmalade, Red and Black Currant and Apple Jellies. Van Houten’s and Fry’s Extract of Cocoa, in quarter-pound and half-pound tins. Cheese Rennet Extract and Extract of Annato. PERFUMERY AND PATENT MEDICINES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. China and. Glassware. We invite this Department in particular, as we have just unpacked Nineteen Crates of General CROCKERY, consisting of richly enamelled and gilt, white and gold, enamelled and plain Toilet Sets ; white and gold China Cups and Saucers—small size ; Dinner Services, complete ; and Soup Turreenes ; Hot-water Jugs, in sets, etc., etc. And Eight Casks of GLASSWARE, consisting of Sets of Cut and Pressed Decanters, Water Caratfes, Tumblers, Wine, Custard, and Jelly Glasses. INSPECT OUR STOCK BEFORE PURCHASING ELSEWHERE. FRIEDLANDER BROS Agents Colonial Fire Insurance Company.



Public Notices. PROSPECTUS OF THE Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Com pany, Limited. CAPITAL, £IOO,OOO, IN 4000 SHARES OF £25 EACH. DIRECTORS : Isaac Wilson, Esq., Chairman, G. H. Blackwell, Esq., E. Parniiam, Esq., And Two to be Elected after the Allotment of New Shares. BANKERS : Bank of New Zealand. SOLICITORS : Messrs. Gakbick and Cowlishaw. Registered Office Charles Street, Kaiapoi. THIS Company was established in July, 1878, with a capital of £15,000 in 15 shares of £I,OOO each, to carry on the business of Woollen Manufacturers, and accepted the offer of the Hon. J. T. Peacock, for the purchase of the Premises and Plant of the Canterbury Spinning, Weaving, and Fibre Company at about half its original cost, since which, considerableadditionshavefrom timeto time been made tothe buildings and plant, the latter now comprising four sets of Carding Engines, and thirty-five Looms with necessary machinery, which, with the addition of machinery just arrived, makes the plant w ell-proportioned and very complete. The sum of £1,200 has been paid since stock-taking, for last additions to buildings and machinery just, received per Loch Awe. ' The Manufactory, with the addition of the machinery per Loch Awe, though com plete in itself, will not however enable the Company to meet the greatly increased demand which has arisen for their goods, although, as hitherto, continuing to run a large portion of the machinery night and day, and having conclusively proved that the present heads of departments are capable of working a Mill twice the size of the pre sent one at a saving of at least £2,000 a year on the general working of the Company’s business, they have with a view to providing extended premises and appliances, decided to increase the Capital from £15,000 to £IOO,OOO, the whole to be represented by 4000 shares of £25 each, of which the existing shareholders will bo entitled to 825 fully paid up, in exchange for the shares now held by them (including the accumulated profit thereupon amounting to £3,744); of the residue, the Directors propose to issue at present only 1,600. The increased capital will be applied to the following purposes, viz : —Paying off exist ing mortgage of £7,400 ; enlarging present premises and plant; establishing pre mises in Christchurch ; and for the general purposes of the Company. The following may be enumerated among the special advantages in favor of Share holders, viz.:—The original plant was purchased at about half-cost, the staff is now well-trained and efficient, which will obviate the difficulties and avoid a repetition of the losses experienced during the first eighteen months of the Company’s operations, while the whole of the dead stock was cleared out previous to stock-taking, July Ist, 1880. A good and safe business has been developed, which is steadily increasing, and is capable of being wmrked up to a much greater extent. All the risks and expenses con nected with the formation of a new company will be avoided, and, as can be seen by a perusal, of the last balance-sheet, the new Shareholders will at once enter into possession of a good paying concern. The present Shareholders shew their faith in the concern in the most practical manner possible by taking the amount of £3,744 (accumulated profit, equal to 16 per cent, per annum on the paid up Capital) in fully paid up shares, instead of drawing the amount which they are entitled to do. Tho Company now offers to investors an opportunity to develop a Colonial Industry which has established for itself a good reputation and meets with popular support, and which will, it is expected, shortly employ about 400 hands, and at the same time securing to Shareholders a good return for the Capital invested. Intending Shareholders can obtain any information, with an order to view the Factory, from the Directors, or on application at the Office of the Company. The Share List will close on October Ist, 1860. In making the allotment the Directors will take into consideration the order in which the applications are made. The sum of £1 per share will he payable on application ; £2 10a. per share on allot ment ; and the balance in calls of not more than 50s. per share at intervals of not less three months. ' In this manner the time for fully paying up will be extended to not less than two years and three months. All Applications with £1 per share deposit, to be forwarded to the Chairman of Directors not later than October Ist, 1880. BALANCE SHEET, JUNE 30, 1880. STATEMENT OF PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT, For Half-year ending June 30, ISBO. £ s. d. By Balance, December 31, 1879 1,041 7 i „ Profit on Wool, Shipment No. 1 ... ... 301 12 11 ~ Profit on Wool, Shipment No. 2 ... ... 150 o o „ Manufactures Account ... 11,982 2 1 £13,475 2 i Examined and found correct. W. P. WILSON, Auditor. Forms of Application may bo' obtained by applying, either personally or by letter, at the Offices of the Company. ISAAC WILSON,



GRATEFUL—COMI EPPS’S CO BREAKFAS BY a thorough knowled, laws which govern t digestion and nutrition, a application of the fine prc selected cocoa, Mr. Epp our breakfast tables wi flavoured beverage which many heavy doctor’s bills, judicious use of such artic a constitution may be gra until strong enough to r< pency to disease. Hun maladies are floating arou attack wherever there is We may escape many a keeping ourselves well for blood and a properly noui See article in the CivifrSer; Made simply with boiling Sold only in packets or til JAMES EPPS A 1 HOMOEOPATHIC OH LONDON. iOWELL’S BALSAM Duo de Montabob



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