DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Saturday, May 23 Mr Thoa. Bullock, at the Arcade, Burnett

street—Land, etc. Mr Alfred Harrison, at his Salerooms— Sundries Tuesday, May 26 Messrs Matson, Cox and C)., at the Ashburton Saleyards—Stock

AMUSEMENTS, Eto. Thursday, May 21 Town Hall— Mr Giigg's Address to the ..Electors . ~ . Oddfellows’ Hall— Quadrille Asaemoly, at 8 o’clock Friday, May 22 St Stephen’s Schoolroom —Concert, at 8 Monday, May 25. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7.30 .... Arcade Chambers —Star of Ashburton, ' U.A.0.D., at 8 o’clock Wednesday, May 27 Orange Hall—-Star of the Ebbi, LOrG.Tij meeting at 8 o’clock Friday, June 5 Isnburton County Council—At Counci. Chambers, II a. m. Lonbgeach Road Board at Road Board Office.

Saturday, June 6. J7akanui Road Board, at boad Board office, Moore street, at 10.30 a.m.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

Advertisements for The Ashburton Guardian must be sent in not later than 8 p.m.,. with the number of insertion, written plainly on the copy, otherwise they will he inserted until counter manded, and charged accordingly. Re place Advertisements must be supplied the day previous to that on which they are to be inserted. . Special notices can be received up t° 3.30 p.m., but will be charged double rates. ~ All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of bod faith. . . , ' All advertisements and business letters o be addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office follows: — For Christchurch and North at 6 b. m, 10.30 a-m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertaey Rakaia, &c., at 10.30 a.m. * n For Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. Vor Teinnka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., FbrTim&rii and South, at 6 a.m., 10 *.in., and 4.30 p.m., daily. Por Greenstreet, on Wednesdays and Saturclays, at 10.46 a.m. , For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seateld, Utd Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a.m. For llount Somers, daily at 4.30 p.m. For Mayfield and Ruapuna, on Mon days and Thursdays, at 4.30 p.m. For Ashtsa, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes lays, and Fridays, at 430 p. m. For Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.30 a.m.

MtLilw arrive at the Ashburton Pos From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 ».m., 4.85 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. FromChertsey, &c. at 10.15 a.m, and i. 36 p.m. daily. ~ A . From Dunedin and intermediate places at 6.3° "'.m. daily. Froxax Temuka andTimaru at 10.40 a.m. xdO p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. From Green street, ’Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 *.m. Irom Mount Somers, daily at 10.5 a.m. „ , From Mayfield and Rurpnna, on Wed nesdays and •‘Saturoaya, at 10.5 a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. . . From Uewlands, on Tuesdays and Fn fttys, at 2.80 p.m. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, at 10 a. m. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, and Kyle on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sat urdays. at 4.4 5 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1885. America’s Failings.

The Rev Joseph Berry is a gentle man for whom we entertain the highest respect, and the distinction he has at tained in the church to which he be longs is evidence that the esteem with which we regard him is shared by a very large and important section of the community. But Mr Berry, like 1 many other earnest and good men, and particularly like earnest and good men following his own profession, forms an opinion hurriedly, clings to it tenac iously, and pronounces it dogmatically. Last night Mr Berry delivered a lec ture at the Oddfellows’ Hall upon what he had seen in the United States during a visit made to that great coun try five years ago. The address, as might have been expected from the reputation of the lecturer, was remark ably able and entertaining, the descrip tions were graphic and truthful, and the anecdotical illustrabon was pithy and appropriate. Had the reverend gentleman confined himself to a recital of his own experience and impressions of America, we should have had little fault to find with his remarks. We might have disapproved of some of his strictures upon the social circumstances and condition of the Americans; we might have dissented from his very gloomy predictions in reference to the future of the States, but we should not have protested upon mere matters of opinion. But we do protest, and that most emphatically, against a too preva lent tendency to deprecate America and things American. We protest against an inclination to regard America as hostile to British interests, against the disposition of some public men —happily the number is daily growing l ess —to raise an antagonism, commer cial and national, between the two great sections of the English-speaking people. We, too, have travelled America; we have seen San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Chicago, New York and some other places, altogether about as much as would be covered by a threepenny piece on a good sized map. The country is one of almost inconceivable vastness and variety. Of its extent we obtain some faint notion by looking at its dimensions upon a chart of the world, but of the variety of men and manners, of soil and climate, we obtain but little idea. The States have had great social and political evil? to cope with. They have neglected politics and allowed adventurers to occupy positions of power, and they now feel the want of honest public men. The lower classes, composed to a large' extent of emigrants from Europe, people with no stake in the country, and whose past careers, in numberless instances, have been in the haunts of vice and turbulence, have exercised an undue share of power, and they have opposed the establishment of an army or a police force to control them. There is the continued friction between the Na tional Government and State rights; there is the burden of Protection. But Americans are now turning attention to the politics and the future of their country; the working classes are re cognising that they are not less in terested than other classes in the pre servation of order and are adapting themselves to the necessity of making sacrifices to maintain it. Local government is a problem that will be solved as readily in America as elsewhere; and the death knell of Pro tection has already sounded. For the rising generation of Americans we have little fear ; the only evidence we have noticed of that precocity, of which we read and hear so much, is found in the early manifestation of common sense and self-control. In the matter of early independence both sexes are equal: it appears to be a principle of American education to impress upon the smallest children a sense of respon sibility and independence. Neither in home life nor at school are children dictated to as they are in British house holds. An American mother will appeal to and reason with the smallest child, treating it at once as if it were a reasonable and responsible being. The position taken up by Ameri can women is perhaps un-English, but the status of an English woman is not perfectly satisfactory. In America the greatest respect is universally paid to women. In travelling, a woman is universally treated with consideration, and it is the pride of Americans that a woman, unaccompanied, can travel from one end of their country to the other without being subjected to any unpleasantness or to a vestige of im pertinence. Doubtless the indepen dence of American children and women is frequently carried to excess and leads to evils of its own; but it possesses numerous and striking advantages. In conclusion, while lamenting many evils apparent in their social and political systems, we submit that the many ex cellent qualities—the energy, the ingen uity, the sobriety—of the American people entitle them to our sincere esteem, and we again protest against any ill-advised word or action that could delay the consummation of the great English-speaking confederation to which we look with the utmost confi dence

A number of new advertisements, of special interest, appear in this issue.

The well known steeplechase horse Mousetrap, a Grand National winner, will be offered for sale by Mr Bullock, at the Arcade, on Saturday next. Mr John Holmes, M. H R,., delivered a lecture in Christchurch last night to a crowded audience, under the auspices of the New Zealand Protection Assoc adon, on the best means of supplying the work ing men of New Zealand with employ ment. At the conclusion of the lecture the following resolutions were carried unanimously—“ That the subject of fur nishing employment to the workmen and youths of the colony has become of vital importance ; that in consequence of the low price of wool, grain and other farm productions, it has become necessary that a larger number of the people should be employed in manufacturing, and so make a home market for the farmers, and thus become more self-reliant; that to give an impetus to manufacturing thewfovernment be respectfully requested to revise the Customs tariff, with a view to the fostering and encouragement of the industries and productions of the colony, ”

Intense interest was taken by the people of the United States in scanning the hourly bulletins issued in reference to General Grant’s illness when the disease was at its height. Some of the Republican weekly papers delayed their iesuts a day, as his life was despaired of, and histories of his life were in type ready for use. The usual weekly meeting of the Star of the Bast Lodge, No 62,1.0.G.T., was held at the Orange Hall last evening, and was fairly attended. One new member was admitted. The subject of Local Option was mentioned, and attention drawn to the approaching day for voting on this question, and the importance of the members who were entitled to vote in its favor using their best influence in this direction. Attention was also drawn t.. the approaching amiivarsary of the estab lishment of the Lodge, and notice of motion was given on the subject. It was resolved that another open Dodge be held in about a month. Previous to the ordi nary meeting a Degree Lodge was held, at which two members were initiated in the second degree. L.D. Bro Mullaney assisted by D.G. Bro Cook, conducted the ceremony.

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, Edward Honey wood was charged witn the larceny of money and rings, the property of Charlotte Coulston, which had been entrusted to his keeping, and which he had appropriated to his own use. The accused was remanded till to-morrow. — For drunkenness a first offender was cau tioned and dismissed.

The death of the Bishop of London was what the racing folks term h “ nasty knock,” for the Lite Insurance Companies which had written his name in their books for L 43,000 ! His might be termed a most valuable life from every point of view.

Mr John Grigg, M. H. R , will address his constituents, the electors of VVakanui, at the Town Hall this evening at eight o’clock. A private coursing meeting will be held at Rakaia on Monday next. A large entry c£ dogs for the event has already been received. Mr M. W. Green, who by the way labels himself in all public announce ments as ex-M H. R , is now engaged in a lecturing tour in the interests of temper ance. At Southbridge the other day he stated that “ it was not his intention to abuse those known as publicans. His war was not against individuals, but ! against the traffic in intoxicating drink." Mr Green is to be commended for his moderation, which is in rather striking contrast to the drastic measures Mr Booth advocates. Mr Booth’s proposition is to close by law all the public-houses, give the proprietors no compensation for the loss of their businesses, and lebjhetn work for an honest living by the sweat of their brow. We greatly fear that such intem perate counsels as this will do the cause of temperance infinitely more harm than good. Like manv another good move ment, it has suffered fully as much from the hands of its friends as it has from its enemies, and we are sure that there are now, as there always have bean thousands of the best class, and the most intelli . ent of abstainers, who will stand aloof from all public participation in the movement it its advocates indulge in such rabid and foolish talk as this. Mr Julian Jackson has been re-elected Chairman of the Mount Hutt Road Board. The Oamaru election took place yester day, and resulted in the return of Mr Hislop by a majority of 61 over Lord Reidhaven. The numbers polled were Mr Hislop, 439 ; Lord Reidhaven, 378. The Ashburton Hounds met at Winder mere this afternoon. Owing to the dis tance from town there was only a small attendance of followers Mr and Mrs E. G w right extended their usual hospi tality to the visitors. Speaking of Russian soldiers, Mr G A, Sala, in the course of a lecture at Par ramatta, said they wore not to be despised as opponents, although their military knowledge was flogged into them It was calculated that it took 500 lashes to make an efficient private, 850 a corparal and 1.200 a sergeant; hut despite this treat ment they fought doggedly and blindly,

neither asking nor caring why or whom they fought, and loyal to the death. He considered it a great pity that Great Bri tain had not in the past engaged in some decisive struggle with Russia, and it would be well if the struggle were to come now, for come it must, and ho was certain that Great Britain would be the victor. Much had been said in connection with recent complications of Russian cruisers , but if war came England would checkmate them by covering the sea with cruisers alike to protect her own shores and her possessions abroad.

A young man, representing himself as the second son of an English lord, but locally known as “boots" at a leading hotel, appeared at the Resident Magis trate’s Court this morning charged with the embezzlement of certain property entrusted to his care by a fellow employee —a barmaid. It appears that this pro mising branch of the English aristocracy became enamou el of the fair lady be hind the bar, and, having aupported his suit by references to his high lineage and his immediate monetary prospects, his affection was reciprocated. The lover in duced his fiancee to abandon her employ ment at the hotel and to take sequestered lodgings in a highly respectable part of the town. The happy day for the con summation of their hopes arrived, the wedding cake appeared, and the breakfast was in course of preparation. The bride groom left the house avowedly to secure the attendance of a clergyman to tie the mystic knot, hut he did not return at the appoints! hour, and was seen no more by his fiancee until, on her information, he fell into the hands of the police. The accused was remanded until to-morrow, when he will appear before Mr Baddeley, R.M.

August Flower.—The most miserable beings in the world are those suffering from dyspepsia and liver complaint. More than 75 per cent of the people are afflicted with these two diseases and their effects; such as sour stomach, sick headache, habitual costiveness, palpitation of the heart, heartburn, waterbrash, gnawing and burning pains at the pit of the stomach, yellow skin, coated tongue and dis agreeable taste in the rpoulh, coming up of food after eating, low spirits, etc, Go to your druggist and get a bottle of august fl.ower, This valuable medicine has cured thousands and thousands of sufferers, and is known in all civilised countries. Two doses will relieve you. It costs only 3s dd a bottle. Samplf potties, M.-JAOVT. !

A practice of the Western Fire Brigade was held at the Brigade Station last even ing. Single man drill and other exorcises having been performed under the direc tion of Captain Fooks, a meeting of mem bers was held, and it was resolved to call a meeting for Wednesday next to appoint trustees of the Brigade’s property. A concert and dance will be held at the Kyle School to-morrow evening.

A sale will be held at the Hinds to morrow, when Mr Bullock, by instructions from the Official Assignee, will dispose of the whole of the furniture of the Hind hope Hotel. Mails for the United Kingdom, Conti neqts of America and Europe, etc., via San Francisco, will close at Ashburton on Saturday morning at 10 o’clock.

An extraordinary practice of the Ash burton Volunteer Fire Brigade was held last evening. There was a good attend ance of members, and the different exer cises were performed in a 'satisfactory manner.

The Ashburton County Council adver tise that water-races C and D and branches between Drotnore and Chertsey will be closed on Tuesday, May 2G, for four days. Mr R, T. Booth’s Reception Committee and others willing to assist at *he G spel Temperance meeting on May 29, are re quested to meet at the Templar Hall to morrow evening at eight o’clock. The shoemakers’ strike in Christchurch was finally settled yesterday. Messrs Lightband, and Co, the only whole sale firm who have, resisted the demands on the men, agreed yesterday afternoon to practically accept the revised schedule of wages submitted by the men, who re sumed work to-day. Parents do not use vile drugs or nostrums in your families, but use pure Hop Bitters, made only by American Co. See and read. “Staying” Powee. —lt will be interest ing to athletes, and to all who valua the p iwer of physical endurance, to know that at “ home ” and in the sister colonies an article has of late years come into general use, which is very strongly re commended as being an exceedingly plea sant beverage, and which yet imparts, in an unusually large degree, what is expres sively known as “staying power, * —in other words, nutriment and strength. We refer to Cadbury’s “ Cocoa Essence.”

THE UNITED STATES.

The Rev Joseph Berry, of St Albans, delivered a lecture at the Oddfellows’ Hall last evening upon the United States There was a large attendance, and Mr Robert Alcorn, J.P., occupied the chair. The choir having sung a hymn, the Chairman in a few appropriate remarks introduced the lecturer. The Rev Mr Berry, after a few intro ductory remarks, said the Americana had always displayed a partiality for big things. On arriving in San Francisco five years ago he had been impressed by this national characteristic. They were particularly fond of big hotels ; whether it paid or not each man was anxious to have the largest establishment of ifca_ kind. He had visited the biggest hotel in the • tatss—the Palace Hotel of San Fran cisco. That immense establishment pro vided accommodation for 1,200 guests and 400 servants, and he was informed that 1,000 Sunday school children had pic niced on the roof of the building. Hotels of this character in America were not merely drinking establishments. He had dined with 200 or 300 guests at a public table and seen nothing drunk but coffee and milk. Mr Barry described the life and dietary at American hotels. Many of the occupants were permanent resi dents; settled men, even married men with families, frequently made a home of these hotels. This practice, which ho was sure would be vary uncongenial to Englishmen, was attributed to the scarcity of domestic servants ; but, while admitting the diffi culty of procuring household help in the States, he thought the real causes of the custom were the determination of the men to eat, and the disinclination of the women to work. Of American ladies ho could not spe»k in complimentary terms, Mrs Leavitt had told them that the New

England women were the best looking In the world. Ho had not seen this particu lar section of the sex ; but the ladies he had met, those in the beat hotels and on steamboats wore all more or leas rouged. He contended that it was not beneficial to the community nor to the ladies them selves, that the women should be relieved of all housekeeping cares and joys. Ha remarked that American mothers had at most one or two children, and regarded with pity, almost contempt, the English mother of six or eight babies. He spoke in a depreciatory manner of American children, they ware puny wizen and un natural, and would, he feared, prove to be a serious discount to American great ness. He read extracts from a news paper report of a sermon delivered by a Baptist preacher in San Francisco, and thanked God that no Christian congrega-

tion in this colony would tolerate such b'asphemoua utterances. He described the wonderful automatical arrangements and celerity of the San Francisco Fire Brigade Five seconds after an alarm, the fire engine, fully horsed and manned, would move out of the station ; at night the same feat was performed in eight seconds The Chinese quarter, a house of tan rooms occupied by 600 Chinamen, a Chinese theatre, and the opium dens were next pictured with vivid distinctness. Referring to the Great Pacific Railway he said five, six and seven miles, and in one instance, for a wager, 10 miles 200 feet of rails had been laid in a single day. The picturesque scenery of the Nevadas and life among the Mormons wore briefly touched upon. At the Salt Lake City there were 30.000 residents, 25,000 Mormons and 6.000 Gentiles and “busters,” the latter proselytes from Mormonistn. Of the Mor mons 5 per cent were rulers, the people who could conceive a big lie and tell it as if they believed it; the remaining 95 per cent were ruled, the people who heard the lie and swallowed it like an oyster. Still, with all their faults, the Mormons were industrious and temperate. He ad-

vooated leaving them alone, and allowing the progress of education to remove the grave errors of their social and religious systems. Speaking of farming in the West he advised young men following agricul ture to remain in New Zealand. Chicigo pig killing, its water supply, the general excellence of its build nga, and the remarkable energy of its inhabitants were referred to. A visit

to Niagara preceded the lecturer’s arrival in New York, where he visited the Rev Ward Baocher’s Church. He spoke

in the most glowing terms of Mr Beecher. In conclusion Mr Berry touched upon the political and social abuses of the States, and expressed a fear that a great revolt, bloodshed, and clamor would proceed the glorious future predicted by some writers and some speakers for that great country. The Rev Mr Berry resumed his seat amidst loud applause. Mr Buchanan proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Berry for his interesting and instructive address. The Rev Mr MoNicoll seconded the motion, remarking that the lecture had proved a mine of wealth to the Wesleyan connexion. It had been delivered with great success to other audiences, and had added more than L 250 to the funds of the church. Mr Barry had volunteered his services, and had bornp all the ex panse of his visit. j The motion was carried by acclam.ir

tion, ps also was a similar vote to th>, choir, which contribute! appropriate mu-

sic at intervals during the evening. The proceedings were closed by singing the Aathw*-

MOUNT HUTT ROAD BOARD.

The first meeting of the newly-elected Mount Hutt Road Board was held in the

Road Board Office, Methven, yesterday. Pre-ent—Messrs J. Jackson, D. Cameron, \V. McMillan and G, H. Alington. The Clerk took the chair, and read a letter from the Returning Officer giving the names of those who had been elected members of the Board.

Mr McMillan proposed, Mr Came ron seconded, and it was carried unanimously—“ That Mr J. Jackson be re-elected Chairman ” The newly-elected Chairman, on taking the chair, thanked the members for their renewal of confidence, and assured them that he would always endeavour to pro mote the welfare of the district as he had done hitherto, and that he was gratified to see that his past efforts had been so much appreciated. The Chairman and Mr Cameron were appointed a deputation to wait upon the Mount Somers Road Board, and arrange with them as to the division of funds con sequent upon the alterations in the boun daries of the two districts, as provided for in sections No. 5 and 9 of the Road Boards Act, 1882. It was resolved that the present fixed deposit, which had matured, be placed to the credit of the current account.

The Overseer was instructed to attend to some urgent repairs on several roads. It was resolved that the ordinary monthly meetings of the Board be held on the second Friday in each month. The Board then adjourned until Fri day, June 12.

RESCUE OF THE NIGHTINGALE’S CREW.

Auckland, Last Night. The following is the narrative of the party in the boat : “ Our boat left the wreck with the lug sail ho sted. Our provisions consisted only of bread and water. After going about two miles five of the crew con sidered the boat too deep and crowded to bo safe, and asked to be put back. We threw overboard a large quantity of our clothing to lighten the fraii craft, but without accomplishing the desired end. As a matter of fact the men were fright ened, and we were compelled to return. We landed those who were afraid to ven ture in the boat of the brigantine, and again shoved off. Our party then con sisted of Short, Hastings, Dempsey, Joe, Strott and the cook. I knew A.varillo had some knowledge of navigation, and on my recommendation he was appointed to take charge of ihe wreck. The state ment made by one of the crew, and pub lished in the Sydney Morning Herald, is, in many respects, incorrect. In the boat we retained half a bag of biscuits and two kegs of water. We had no butter at all. During the first day we made between 90 and 100 miles, but after that we kept constantly at the oars, in the hope of picking up some vessel going into, or coming from, Sydney. We had no idea how long we might be in the boat, so it was decided all hands should go ou short allowance, viz , two biscuits and a pannikin of water each per day. The only change wo had was when we caught a shark on the third day, and mad a good meal off him. The weather continued fair until May 16, at 2 p.ra , when a sail hove in sight. This proved to be the barque Remijio, in charge of Captain Howard, from New castle, bound for San Francisco. We were treated most kindly by everyone on the barque, where we remained sixteen days. Captain Howard consented to land us at Fiji, and we were put ashore at Levuka on May 11. From there we pro ceeded to Suva in the cutter Rosa, and thence came back hy the Arawata.” Captain Short has lost his quadrant, and all bis charts, and, with the excep tion of the mate, the party have only the clothes in which they stand. Captain Short says that before the Nightingale was abandoned, she passed several vessels, which did not appear inclined to render assistance, although signals of distress were hoisted to attract attention. The crew had been over four days in the boat when picked up, and at the same time the ship City of Benares was only four miles off.

YESTERDAY’S LATE TELEGRAMS.

Auckland. Mr J. McGregor, of Dunedin, was ap pointed Harbor Board Engineer on the casting vote of the Chairman. There were 21 applications. ' The Tarawera, for Sydney, yesterday took the following blood stock, the pro perty of Mr J. Bennett: —Rosebud,Jtwo years, by Musket—Rosanna ; Piscatori ous Yatterina colt, Musket Fanny Fisher filly, and the steeplechaser S'inray, At a meeting of the Northern Steam ship Company, the annual report showed balance at debit of profit and loss account on the year’s business L 905, to which had to be added L 2,000 for depreciation L2 000 for insurance, and L 755 as pro vision against doubtful debts, making a total of L 5.443, after deducting the credit balance at the beginning of the year. Mr Hamlin, member for Franklyn South, met the electors yesterday. He disapproved of the land policy and native policy of Mr Ballauce. He received a vote of confidence.

Wellington.

The Marine Department have made an investigation into the report, alleging that on Friday last, the light at Pencatrow Head was out for a time It has been ascertained that the report was true, but the light was only extinguished for four or five minutes owing to a slight accident to the lamp. No blame is attached to the lighthouse-keeper.

The Civil Service Examination Board have decided to include drawing among the optional subjects for examination. It is understood that the police in Wellington are about to institute proceed ings, under the Gaming and Lotteries Act, against the promoters of racing sweeps and consultations. In the Appeal Court to-day the case of the Bank of Australasia against Wilson (Wanganui) was called on. The case related to a bill of exchange given by defendant in favor of Mr Jackson as security to the Bank. Argument was not concluded when the Court rose. The argument in Rogiua v Waring Taylor will bo taken next.

Dunedin. The son of Captain Sinclair of the Plucky, was severely injured on board the Te Anau. by being struck by a block of wood he was carrying, caused by his foot slipping. He is in a very precarious state. At the Land Board meeting it was de cided that 24 deferred payment settlers be called upon to show cause why their holdings should not be forfeited for non payment of rent.

Mr Mouat, the solicitor of the petition ers who asked for the recent dummyism enquiry, has requested the Land Board to forward to the Minister of Lands the evidence taken, and suggests that, looking at the resolution passed, the Board shculd recommend the Minister to secure a filler and more comprehensive enquiry.

AUSTRALI AN NEWS.

Sydney, May 15. It has been decided that the contingent shall return at once. A message was received from Lord Hartington, suggest* ing that the troops should not remain lonegr than was necessary in such a oli* mate as that of Suakim, and the Govern ment repUed that it was their intention that the men should be returned without further delay. June sis given ast!f<f data .of departure. .' They will return direct, and will not'visit England, as was at ono time suggested. ■ '■ - . , Owing to the peaceful nature of-the news, the defence preparations have been eased off. The Massilla is lying, in stream with all her armament aboard, andv the Lusitania is nearly completed. It is stated that these vessels, with the Coptic, have been chartered for six months at L 5,000 a month. - Mr Stuart has returned in good health, and resumes active doty next week. The scarcity of water is now a great question, and., is causing consider able anxiety. There is still no appear ance of | rain, and the Botany Swampw have become mere mad holes. Suoh a drought has not been experienced for a. period of thirty years. Every precaution Is being used to conserve the small supply still remaining. The Minister of Lands is very ill, and great difficulty exists in,bringing the'hew Land Act Into operation. ’ It is expected that the plans for a tail* way into the city will be presented to Parliament in August. The Vice-Admiralty Court ordered-the sale of the schooner Nightingale and her , cargo. • ■ ’ Archbishop Moran, who leaves here

next month for the purpose of paying * visit to Rome on church business, is ex-

pected to return in time for the plenary Synod, summoned for Nov. 14. Typhoid ia becoming prevalent, a greater number of cases being reported than in any previous year,

Brisbane, May 18, li has been decided to accept tho tender of Gray and Davis for a applying six bounty immigrant steamers from London.

Government have decided to advance loans for the encouragement of deep sink* ing on the goldfields below the lowest depth now reached. Melbouene, May 15. At Messrs Robertson Bros’ sale of stud cattle the highest price given for a bull was 525g5. The first day’s sale brought over LB.OOO.

The New Zealand horse Welcome Jack was offered at auction on' Thursdays 1,350g5. was the highest bid,, but he was pissed in at 1,500g5.

MANUFACTURE OF AMMUNITION IN THE COLONY.

Auckland, Last Night. Colonel Whitmore has just concluded a contract on behalf of the Government with Captain Whitney for the mannfao ture here of half a million rounds of snider ball ammunition. The price is.but a slight advance on the imported article, and Captain Whitney has men in his em- - ploy acquainted with the manufacture, of cartridges. Captain Whitney is an ex- ; officer in the Army with private means. He is the representative of a number of other Auckland gentlemen, including - Messrs G. Schwartz, Kiasling and W. H. Hazard, who intend.forming a Company, to be called the New Zealand Cartridge Company, for the purpose of carrying out their contract. The contract wjth ... Government is for a space of three year* ; that is the Government bind themselves to purchase rifle ammunition only from the contractors. A portion of the ma« . ohinery for the manufactory will in the Colony, it being the intention, of , the promoters to encourage local industry aa much as possible. The consumption of . Snider ball ammunition in the Colony for Volunteers for practice is 1,000,000 rounds. It is intended to use powder manufactured at the Dnnedin powder mill, and should it prove as good as represented, • the Cartridge Company will use many thousand of pounds’ weight of it yearly. Mr James Hurst, who has for many years past made the scientific manufacture of explosives a special study, to-day forwarded to the Under-Secretary for Defence a sample of gun cotton manu* factored by him alter General von Temps* key’s process.

MOUNT SOMERS LIBRARY.

[From Our Own Correspondent. ]

A public meeting took place at the Jjibrary, Mount Somers, on Saturday last. Thera was a fair attendance, and Mr A. E. Peache, Chairman of the. Com mittee, presided. The Chairman read the statement of the receipts and expea* diture in connection with the Library for the year ending April 30, 1883, and the annual report as follows : Receipts. £ s d Balance brought forward from year ending April 30, 1884 17 13 3 Subscriptions ... ... ... 14 o O Government subsidy ... ... 818 3 Total' 40 ii 6 Expenditure. Books from Bell and Bradford ... 26 I 2 Sundry expenses ... 3 11 2 Balance in hand 10 19 2 Total 40 n 6 ANNUAL REPORT. During the year ending April 30, 1886, 330 volumes have been taken out of the Library, 123 volumes have been added to it, including 4 presented, making a total of 320 volumes in the Library at the end of the year. The subscription list shows 38 names of subscribers during the year, exclusive of subscriptions for single velumes. The Report and Balance-sheet having been adopted, a very hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Committee and officers. The following Committee was appointed for 1885 6 :—Messrs Peache, Maofarlane, Hood, Easton, Wright, Wilson, Edaon, and Williams, It was resolved- that the thanka of the Committee be conveyed to Mr W. 0, Walker, M.H.R., and to Mr Merewether

for their handsome contributions to periodicals to the Library. It was decided to make an effort oj hold an entertainment in June, in aid of the funds of the institution. About 120 volumes, recently received from England, bound specially in hal calf for Library use, were much admired and the thanks of the subscribers are especially due to Mr A E. Peache for the very excellent selection of books.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1885.



Wanted. WAITED TO LET or FOR SALE, Suffolk Butchery Premises, con sisting of shop and dwelling-house, sausage factory complete, etc. Apply to J. C. Duncan, Ashburton. 5 785 ANTED Known that B. Lancaster’s Pork Sausages at 6 per lb excels any other in the Canterbury province. Cash buyer of bacon pigs. R. Lancaster Beady-money Meat Mart, Bullock’s Ar cade. 5 774 YX7ANTED, till Tuesday, 26th May— * » Tenders for Ploughing at Wheat stone, 150 acres land, 6in deep, in one chain lands as laid off, to be finished by Ist July. Tenders to be addressed to Geo. Giddings, Tinwald. 5 806 WANTED Known The undersigned is prepared to Drill Seed with Reid and Gray’s drill or sow with broadcast sower, on reasonable terms. Apply to Martin Griffin, Newlands. 5 730 TAN TED Known—That T, Hoult has commenced Bacon Curing, and having purchased a first-class sausage machine, he will be able to supply the wants of the inhabitants of Ashburton with a real good Pork Sausage. Fresh every day. Only good corn fed pigs boaght. 5 711



■pUBLIO ANNOUNCEMENT. OPENED MONDAY, 27th APRIL, 18c 5. MESSRS BAYLIS & CO, (late of Orr and Alcorn), have Commenced Busi ness as Family Arrears and Tea Dea’ers, in Saunders’Buildings, next to Sir Far ley’s, Bookseller, on above date. Messrs B- and Co. beg to announce to the public of Ashburton and Listrict, that as they Bay for Cash and in the cheapest markets, they are in a position to Sell at the lowest possible prices, and trust by punctuality and despatch to receive a fair share of the public patronage. 4 584 BAYLIS & 00. IJIRI ANGLE BAKERY B. MORRIS being the first to RE DUOE the Price of BREAD in Ashbur ton, takes this opportunity of thanking bis customers for past favors, and has now the pleasure of informing them that j prompt monthly customers are waited upon at CASH prices, viz , 41b Loaf sd, Also, that Gristing of farmers’ lots ia re ceived at the Triangle Bakery, for the Westerfield Flour Mills. B. MORRIS, MILLER, WESTERFIELD. 5 712 TTTTAR WITH RUSSIA. —At the pre \\ sent juncture it would be difficult for any one exe pt a prophet of the highest rank to say whether or not the present negotiations between England and Russia will lead to a general European war, or whether they will end in smoko. The absence of full information as to what is transpiring between the two countries may indicate that the political breeze is blowing harmlessly past; or, it may be the awfulsilence which generally precedes a storm. In either case, we ought to be prepared for the worst. If a general war breaks out the price of nearly every article of commerce will rise. Among other commodities wool and labor will go up. Row is the time, therefore, to lay in n Stock of clothing, before the general ad vance begins. In order that we may not be eaugbt happing wo have just purchased a Splendid Assortment of Winter (‘weeds and other materials necessary to a well equipped tailoring. establishment, which we are prepared to offer at unusually low prices for cash. Regarding style and fit, it is almost needless for ns to repeat what » very body k tip f.s, viz , that by our scien tific in< di- <and the osrekxer- ( lUed t/ u's it. -fir.-ing the figure, a 'mis fir i .aan impossi niiy.—Cb-ton'em 4SD Co. ; | {fetchsot (allots, Twtcrsd street.



TTTANTED Known—Before buying W Dress Materials, Ulsters, Jackets, Dolmans, Millinery, etc , call and inspect our stock. The cheapest first-class Drapery and Millinery Establishment in Ashburton — H. C. ISegers,. ealys’ Buildings, East -1 rect. ANTED ahowu—Jones and Brad shaw are offering a superior blend «f Nelson, Moate and Go’s Tea, at 20s per box ; Flour, 18s per sack ; Chaff, 35s per ton ; Wheat, seconds and crushed, equally cheap, for Cash. / ANTED Known—Wertheim Sew ing Machines can be had on Time Payments at the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Branch, East street, Ashburton. \T7ANTED Known—Boots ! Boots 1 VY That Hayes and Co. are Clearing a few desperate lines of Boots, etc., to wit, Ladies’ Leather, 4s 6d; Men’s Shooters, Pegged, 10s; Men’s Elastic aides, Ba, and a lot of odd lines that must be cleared at once. 7 1278 WANTED KNoWN— Robert Elston, Bill Poster, Theatrical Agent, etc.. Town Hall, Ashburton. Theatrical companies and others visiting Ashburton should communicate with the above. Orders by post or telegram promptly 2 276 attended to. 760



Special Advertisements. SELLING OEF FANCY GOODS, TOYS, BOOKS, STATIONARY, Ac. Must be sold—even if at a loss To Suit everybody at prices that cannot be beaten. Andrewes Bros., Booksellers, Stationers, &c., Ashburton.



jQOMESTIO PATTERN DEPOT. Mrs Hodge, DRAPER AND DRESSMAKER, East Stebet, near Lancaster’s butchery. Ladies’ Dresses and Underclothing made , at the shortest notice. REGISTRY OFFICE For Female Servants. 7 1413 Mrs Adams, AGENT FOR MADAMS WEIGEL’S PATTERNS, HAS now on hand a nice assortment of crewel wools, silks, filoselle, flussette, lace, braids, transfer patterns, new designs, crash, oatmeal and satin cloths for art needlework, five o’clock tea cloths, embroidery frames, etc. THE LITTLE SHOP, East street, (Next Mr Ranaer’s, baker). 5 760 R 1 Y A D. ARRIVE L>. new goods. Wholesale and Retail. Books by various authors Stationery in great variety Toys and Fancy Goods of every de scription Jewellery, Cutlery, Concertinas, Accor dians, etc. Photo and Scrap Albums, Is Tobacconist’s Sundries, etc. Specially low rates to Country Stores. “ The Old Flag ” (music and words), by Vincent Pyke ; at published price. K Bevan, SAUNDERS’ BUILDING, (Next Shop to Quill’s Hotel.)s 692 GRIG OLTURAL Machine Shop, WAKANUI ROAD. CHARLES RAY Repairs Engines, Combines, Chaff-cutters, Reapers and Binders, and all classes of maoninery. Special attention given to Bicycles, Tricycles and Sewing Machines. Lawn Mowers repaired, sharpened and adjusted. Model work. General repairs. 3 384 Read, mark; learn and INWARDLY DIGEST, and to accomplish the above feat, visit my estab lishment, and lighten your inward gloom by appeasing your appetite for the beauti ful by inspecting the most delightfully ARTISTIC EASTER CARDS ! ever imported into Ashburton (direct from Home). You are then at liberty to in spect the contents of a large case of books, personally selected, and just received. I believe it was Lord Wolseley who said (he happens to bo the most popular man of the day, and one must squeeze a little popularity into advertisements), “ A man who aspires to great heights should road incessantly, and never forget his news papers;’’ and I say the same ! Read ! Read ! Read I When both you and my self will be considerably benefited. Not having room to give a detailed list of the contents of my shelves, I can only finish by saying— Come and see for yourselves, and if you are disappointed come again.— Nothing like Perseverance ! Thomas E. Earley’s, BOOKSELLER AND STATIONER, Saunders’ Buildings, East St., 1 Ashburton.



Special Advertisements. 1 rjIHE LONDON AND LANCASHIRE Fire Insurance Co. We have much pleasure in informing thepublic of Ashburton that Mb'shs WILDING, LEWIS & OAITGILL have been appointed AGENTS for the above Company in the Ashburton Dis trict. All risks taken at lowest current rates, LEWIS & GOULD, 3 328 General A gents for Canterbury.



MAOPHERSON, FIRMER AND CO, (Late A. Hayea) TIMBER, COAL AND FIREWOOD MEROH AN TS, East street, Ashburton. OITUDY your Interests, and get qunta lions for every requisite for the Building Trade. Study your Comfort and try our PRIME NEWCASTLE COAL, Just landed, ex Candida. Doors, Sashes, Mo doings, Roofing Iron, Gatos, Hurdles, &j. On Sale, in any quant:; t-s WE ARE PRODUCERS And can sell to suit the times W. H. COLLINS, Manager. gTUDY THE FOLLOWING Quotations AND BEFRIEND YOURSELF s. d. All Wool Welsh Fannel, very heavy, suitable for men’s shirts 0 9f Saxony Union Flannel, fine, suit able for babies’ we«r ... ... 0 Scarlet Saxony Flannel ... ... 0 Grey Calico, per yard 0 2 Slate t-ileaia, per yard 0 2| Heavy Brown Holland, per yard 0 Forfar, for aprons, per yard ... 0 5f One Yard Wide Forfar, per yard 0 7js Cotton Tick, per yard 0 4| Turkey Red, per yard 0 Heavy Twill Cretonne; this is well worth Is.. ... 0 8£ Reversible Cretonne, usually sold for Is, per yard 0 9| All Wool Crimean Shirting ... I 3 Warm Wincey Shirting 0 4f Union Crimean Shirting 0 7f White Blankets, suitable for chil dren’s beds, per pair ... ... 7 11 No. 2 Quality White Blankets, per pair ... ... ... ••• 9 6 No. 3 Quality White Blankets, per pair 12 9 Double-bed Size, per pair ... 13 9 Extra Large Blankets, per pair ... 19 6 See our 21a and 25a BLANKETS They will really astonish you. TAILORING DEPARTMENT. All Tweeds well shrunk. Fit Guaranteed. Charges cannot be beaten. MEN'S CLOTHING To meet these hard times. Men’s Tweed Trousers—3a 9d, 5s lid, 7s fid, 10a fid Men’s Tweed Trouseis and Vest—7s lid, 10s fid, 12a G 4 Men’s Tweed Suits—l7s fid, 255, 30a Men’s Oil Goats, leather bound—lss 9d See our 21s OVERC O A T. A very special line. EL E. May & Co., THE HALL.



OTICE TO FARMERS. WOOD, SINCLAIR & CO., Millers and Grain Merchants, High street, Christchurch, Are Cash Purchasers of Wheat, Oats, Barley, Beans, Peas, Potatoes, Ilye and Cocksfoot Grass Seeds at highest current rates. To farmers desirous of holding their grain we are prepared to offer special facilities for storage. In addition to our large brick granary we have erected a large iron warehouse. This, with the stores lately occupied by Messrs A. Moore and Co. and now leased to us, enables us to offer to farmers extra facilities for the storage and classification of grain at nominal rates. We are prepared to make liberal cash advances on grain sent in for storage, or will ship same under advance on grower's account or otherwise, as may bo arranged. 3 454. fjl H E NEW ZEAL ND Clothing Factory CONTRACTORS To "tho New Zealand Government Rail ways, Post Offices, Volunteer Corps, &c. &c. &c. Are now prepared to enter into contracts for the supply of NAVAL AND MILITARY UNIFORMS in any quantities, the organisation of I the Factory being specially adapted I for turning out large supplies in the moat inexpensive and expeditious manner. ARMY AND NAVY CONTRACTORS Estimates and drawings supplied on the shortest notice. Head Offices and Factory— DOWLING (STREET, DUNEDIN. NOTE -Measures for all uniforms may bo entrusted to the Manager of tho N.Z. Clothing Factory branches iu the follow ing centres, viz:— Dunedin Nelson Palmerston N. Invercargill Hokitika New Plymouth Oarcaru Groymouth Napier Waimate Kcefton Timaru Wellington Ashburton Mimterton Christchurch Wanganui Lyttelton Hawera Waipawa Hastings Gisborne Thames Auckland



Victoria House. 7URESIDE EMPLOYMENT, AMUSEMENT, & INSTRUCTION ’ FOR WINTER EVENINGS. NOW SHOWING—A Splendid Assortment of Fine Art Goods and Traced Work in Slippers, Cosies, Antimacassars, lidies, Lad.Oi and Children's Aprons, Brackets, P apes, £pl:iikera, Nightdress Bags. A .Nice selection of Crewel and Washing Ingram Cottons, Berlin Fingerings, Transfer Patterns, Designs for Jrosa Stitch worn, <&o. Also—A Nice Variety of Homespuns, Ladies and Children’s Ulsters, Jackets, Gloves, etc., and a Parcels of Manufacturers’ Samples in Men’s, Youths’, and Boys Lie th ing, bought at 20 per cent under the regular prices, and ottered accordingly. Dimant and Coe. GENERAL DRAPERS, 9LOTHIERS, &0.. East apd Twwyefl Streets* AeUtwtoo. Victoria House,



Special Advertisements. Groceries CHEAPER THAN EVER AT JAMES McGREGOR’S, Takored Street. Sugars—English Cut Loaf K d per lb Beat White Cryata.., Sjd per lb Beat Snowdrop, 4d per lb (Reductions by the mat) Teas, Is 3d, Is 6d, 2s, 2s 6d, and 2a 9d Box Tea from 12s 6d per box Canterbury Cakes, lOd each. Rice, Sd j Mixed Biscuits, 6d Lunch Biscuits, 3d Currants, 6i 7d Now Figs, Is per box Beat Sago, 3d 'New Muscatels, la 6d Oysters, 6d Cairn’s Marmalade, 8d Peacock’s Jams, 6£d Herrings, 7d Keillor's Marmalade, 9d Salmon, 8d Cheese, 6d per lb English Pickles, 8d Other articles equally cheap. JAMES MoGREGOR, Tanored Street 12 2342



“ Rough on Rats,” —Clears out rats, mic roaches, flies, Ants, btJ-bugs, beetles, in-icct*, skunks, jack- rabbits, gophers. Druggists, The up, Co., Qenwal Agents, 8



Another unfortunate.—Again we must draw the attention of our readers to the fact that a ,£2,424 stock of Clothing and Gentral Dra pery, in the estate of Dennis O’Connell, tra ding in Lyttelton and Cristchurch, now bank* rapt, was purchased by H. E. May & Co., of the Hall, High street, for £954, or only a little over one-third of its value. If. E. M, and Co. are now selling it at half the marked price, which surely ought to secure a speed



That husband of mine is three times the man he was before he began using “ Wells Health Renewer.” Druggists. The N.Z Drug Co., General Agents. a Indigestion and Liver Complaints.—For these complaints Baxter’s Compound Quinine Pills have proved a specific, acting powerfully on the liver and mildly on the stomach, bold everywhere, or post free from J. Baxter, Chemist, Christchurch, for 19 or 44 stamps. Holloways Ointment and Pills.—- Outward Infirmities.—Before the discovery of these remedies many case of sores, ulcers, &c.j were pronounced to be hopelessly incurable, because the treatment pursued tended to de stroy the strength it was incompetent to preserve, and to exasperate the it was inadequate to remove. Holloway s Pill) exert the most wholesome powers over the un* healthy flesh or skin, without debarring th« patient from fresh air and exercise, and thu» the constitutional vigor is husbanded whil« the most malignant ulcers, abscesses, and skin iseases are in process of cure. Both Oint* ment and Pills make the blood richer and puier, instead of permitting it to fall into tin poor and watery stale so fatal to many