DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Thursday, April 23 f Messrs R. Wilkin and Co, on Mr Heron’s Farm, Flemington—Live and Dead Stock Friday, Apai 24. Messrs Matson, Cox and Co., at Raupuna, near Mayfield—Live and Dead Stock Saturday, April 2» Mr Tbos. Bollock, at the Arcade, Barnett street—Land, etc. Tuesday, April 28 'Messra Matson. Cox and Ci., at the Ashburton Saleyatds—Stock MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Em This Evening Oddfellows’ Hall—Madame Pauline Rita and Mr John Badcliff, at 8 o clock Tawn Hall—Faust Family, at 8 o clock Friday, April 24 Debating Society—Anpual Meeting, Ar cade Chambers, at 8 o’clock Monday, April 27. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7- 30 , Arcade Chambers —Star of Ashburton, U.A.0.D., at 8 o’clock Wednesday, April 29 Ashburton Racing Club—Autumn Meet ine . .. Oddfellows’ Hall—“H.M.S. Pinafore, .. at 8 o’clock Friday, May 1 isoburton County Council —At Council , Chambers, 11a.m. , , Lonbgeaoh Road Board at Road Board Office. Saturday, May 2. tfakanui Road Board, at Road Board office, Moore street, at 10.30 a.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas Et Prevalebit, THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 1885.

Mr T. Bullock, J.P., presided at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morn ing, and fined J. Parker 10s and costs, with the alternative of 24 hours’ impri sonment, for drunkenness. —A man was cha’rged with the larceny of a swag, but made an explanation in connection with the matter which induced the Magistrate to adjourn the case, and later in the day the prisoner was brought up before Mr R. Alcorn, J.P , and on the application of the police discharged.

The harvest thanksgiving service was held at the Longbeach Church on Easter Day. The decorations were remarkably rich, tasteful and suggestive. Mails for the United Kingdom, etc., via San Fraocisco will close at the Ash burton Post Office on Saturday morning. This mail is due in London on sth June. Mails for the Australian ooloniei, United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, per Tarawera, will close at the Bluff at noon to-morrow.- This mail is due in London on 9th June.

A harvest thanksgiving service was held at the Church of St Philip and St James, Waterton, on Sunday last. The Church was very tastefully decorated, no pains having been spared to adorn it in a manner appropriate to the occasion. We have received a sample of essence of cocoa from the well- nown English manufacturers, Messrs Cadbury Bros. The cocoa, essence prepared by Messrs Cadbury Bros is a speciality of the firm and as a nutritive beverage is unrha'led ; its excellence and reasonable price should command for it a large sale in this dis trict. From a notification elsewhere it will be seen that Messrs Orr and Alcorn have been appointed agents for Messrs Cadbury Bros, and will shortly receive a large consignment of their well-known goods.

The Grove Farm sale has been post poned till Thursday, May 7th. There was a large attendance at the Wesleyan soiree held in the Cameron street Church last evening. The proceedings passed off with great eclat, and we think we may venture to say the Rev Mr Mo- Nicoll most favorably impressed his new congregation. During the evening the Chairman announced that he had re ceived a cheque for LlO towards ♦•■ he funds of the Church, fro.u a Christchurch gentleman. The choir, under the leader ship of Mr Gamble, with Miss Murray at the organ, sang a number of anthems in a manner that c mtributed very much to the success of the gathering.

Balmy sleep, good digestion, rich blood, elastic step and cheerfulness in American Co. ’s Hop Bitters. Read and believe. Flies and Bugs. —Beetles, insects, roaches ants, bed-bugs, rats, mice, gophers, jack-rab bits, cleared out by “ Rough on Rats.” The N.Z. Drug Co., General Agents, Another unfortunate. —Again we must draw ■the attention of our readers to the fact that a ,£2,424 stock of Clothing and General Dra pery, in the estate of Dennis O’Connell, tra ding in Lyttelton and Cristchurch, now bank rupt, was purchased by H. E. May & Co., of the Hall, High street, for £954> or only a little over one-third of its value. H. E. M. and Co. are now selling it at half the marked price, which surely ought to secure a speedy clearance.

THE FAUST FAMILY.

The Faust Family performed last even ing, at the Town flail, to not such a good house as the merit of the entertainment deserved. The wgather, no doubt, greatly militated against the attendance, the back seats alone being fairly well filled. Mr C. Waud played a well exe cuted overture, after which the brothers T. and R. Faust went through the comic horizontal bar performance, and created roars of laughter, and great applause for their really clever and amusing act This was followed by the National dances of England, Ireland and Scotland in cos tume by Master Eugpne; each dance was tastefully executed and heartily applauded by the audience The musical and acro batic clowns gave a really marvellous per formance, all the time playing violins. In the funniest of positions, turning somersaults, jumping and rolling about the stage, they managed to) keep perfect time with their instruments, and at tinus one would “ bow ” the violin of another and play together. In fact, this portion of the entertainment has to be seen, before any adequate idea of the feats they performed can be arrived ; at. The amus ing little clown, Master Eugene, plays in a wonderful manner for one so young “ The Carnival of Venice,” ' with variations, at tim£s holding the bow between his knees. This part was concluded with an amusing egg trick, which thoroughly mystified and pleated the audience. The next item was a violincelio solo, “ The blue bells of Scotland ” by Mr G. Waud, which was loudly applauded, but the encore de manded w s not acceded to. The ti st part of the programme concluded w.th the Faust Family’s celebrated represents tion of statuary, which is a very meritori ous and tasteful display. The ’grouping of the figures was most artistically am n’ed, and the lime light effect was very pleasing; the whole making one of the finest peiformances of the kind wo have ever witnessed. The feats of the various members of the Family were very clever, and msny were of a novel and exception ally interesting character, and the audi a ce waa apparently delighted. After short interval the Family appeared in their drawing-room entertainment, when some very daring and clever acrobatic ff>i<s wore gone through. The father down to the youngest child were remarfe ably expert and graceful in all their feats,

the balancing of the former being wonder fully good. The Brothers Faust then followed with a selection of popular melo dies played on hand bolls, They then gave the “ Risluy act,” perhapi the most sensational part of the evening’s perform ance, which consisted of single, double and triple somersaults; in this they stand unrivalled. Whilst standing on the feet of the elder brother, the two younger ones are tossed into the air in all conceivable ways, and one is revolved at w terrific pace, something similar to a Dhtheiine wheel, and ultimately tossed in the air and lands safely cn his feet. Another violoncello solo by Mr O. Waud was very ably played, and the performance con eluded with a laughable pantomime sketch entitled “The tenible infants,” in which the Brothers Faust play several excellent selections on common pieces of wood, and please the audience thoroughly. The performance on the whole is a most ex cellent one, and can be enjoyed heartily by all classes, The Company will appear again this evening with a change of pro gramme, and we hope to see a large at tendance.

WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Reception Soiree.

A highly successful soiree was held In the Cameron street Church, last evening, to welcome the Revs D. McNicoll and T. J. Wallis to the circuit. The Rev T. J. Wallis was unable to bo present, having been deputed to temporarily undertake the duties of the Nelson Church, but pleasing reference was made to the absent minister by the different speakers during the evening. The tea which preceded the public meeting, was largely attended, and the tables were bountifully supplied and taste fully decorated by the following ladies, viz —Mesdames Wheeler. H. Chapman, Meech, 0. Baker, J. (Jrr, Sparrow, id. M. Carson, G. Andrews, S. Alcorn and Gamble, and Misses Alcorn, Harvey, Pearson, Jones, Causey, Cameron and Stewart. It is superfluous to state that the wants of the visitors were assiduously attended to by the ladies and gentlemen of the congregation ; tea meetings are peculiarly a Wesleyan insti tution; the church thoroughly understands this form of hospitality, and the Ashbur ton members are evidently determined to hold fast to this agreeable tradition of Methodism. After the tea a public meeting was held, every available seat in the large church being filled, the audi ence comprising representatives from branch churches and other denomina tions. Mr H. M. Jones presided at the public meeting, and briefly referred to the object of the gathering. Ho regretted the un avoidable absence of Mr Wallis, but had no doubt that gentleman was with them in spirit Tbe Chairman having referred to the Itinerant System, recounted the history of the Church in Ashburton, and expressed the gratification he experienced in reviewing the progress they had made under Divine gui lance. The establish ment of the congreg rtio.i was first pro posed in 1876 ; in May, 1877, tourteen adherents to the Church met in the old Library Hall to discuss ways -*nd means, and within a few months of that date they had erec ed their present place of worship. They had additional churches now at Wakauui and Willowby, both making excellent pro gress and promising even increased usefulness. They had a church mem bership of 160, and had secured the ser vices of two ministers. Ha had much pleasure in welcoming those ministers to their new circuit.

Mr Collins said he was neither a born orator nor one by practice, and he should, perhaps, apologise for his appearance be fore them ; he was not there, however, by choice, but by appointment. He ap peared in Ira representative capacity of superintendent of the Sunday School, and he had very much pleasure, on behalf of the school, in bolding out the hand of welcome to their new ministers, and in as suring those gen'lemen of the reciprocal sympathy and desire to assist by the young people of the congregation. Their Church system provide! that their ministers should move from circuit to cir cuit that periodically they should break np local ties and associations, and under these circumstances they r.quire! all the kindly help and sympatny of their con gregations. It was a common practice in their midst to criticise tha first sermons of their new minist ra. Without express ing any opinion upon (ho sermons de livered by Mr McNicoll last Sundiy, he must acknowledge with exceptional plea sure, the interest Hut gentleman had dis played in the working of their Sunday School. Mr Collins referred at some length to tho importance of school work, and the responsibility of the Church in connection with it, and concluded an interesting address by again welcoming Mr McNioolland his colleague to Ashburton.

Mr Chapman, of Willowby, said he waa much surprised when called upon to address them. He was quite unprepared for such an ordeal, but was glad of an opportunity to j »ih in the welcome to Mr McNicoll. Mr McNicoll was no stranger to him; he had eoj >yal that gentleman’s ministrations when he (Mr McNiooll) was a lay-preacher. This fact suggested to his mind the glory of Methodists —that there preachers were laymen, men who had-risen from the ranks by sheer merit and zeal. There was a great field of use fulness before their new minister ; they had a large staff of excellent workers and required a good captain. He thought Mr McNicoll would make a good captain. Mr Chapman appealed to the young men of the colony to make use of the special advantages they enjoyed, and ex horted Christians of every age and de nomination to display more bold ;esi in their confession of faith.

The Rev Mr McNic ;11, who was re ceived with loud and prolonged app'ause, said he must confess that be wished the meeting was over. The genuine heartiness of thp reception recorded to him had quite taken him aback. It was not quite so bad, or perhaps he should say quite as good, but they would understand his feelings, as a valedictory raee'i ig it which ho had been ca’le 1 upon to say farewell to the friends and d s of his late circuit. The large audi.m o before him had shown their readiness to take him on credit, hoping for the best, and he naturally felt some anxiety for the result. People were apt to think that preachers, speaking so frequently, felt no difficulty about the matter, bpt he could assure them that although engaged in the ministry for nearly 2Q years,ho still experienced on certain occasions a degree of nervous ness. He referred to the fact of the Chairman of the meeting (Mr EL M. Jones) having been a member of his Sun day School class in Christchurch many years ago, and expressed the surprise and pleasure he felt on arriving in Ashburton ♦p find Mr Jones one of the circuit ste wards. Mr McNiooll recounted in a very happy manner his experience as a Sunday School teacher. He had been taken from Canterbury by the Church 17 years ago, and the authorities had been very careful not to allow him to return to Canterbury pntjl no v. Const quejrly hs was a V,linger to ityost of them', but cou’d cihin to be a very visitor to Ashburton He came to the colonies like most other young men, with a determination to make his fortune, and had met with about tho same material sue cess tie the other aspirmts Twenty two years ago he waa engaged with a sur vey party and had a punt one evening at an accommodation house then on the banks of the Ashburton river. His hearers would understand the immense

change he noticed between the Ashburton of that day and the Ashburton of this. The progress had been almost incredible, and 1 he was glad to find here ns elsewhere that the old gospel had penetrated into the new land. Referring to the Itinerant System Mr MoNicoll said it had not been an un qualified success, but had it not possessed much that was advantageous it would have broken down before now. Some people said the preachers were anxious to interfere with the system ; it was true that some did not recognise the three years’ term as a divine rule, they con tended that it might under some circum stances be extended to four, five, or even six years, as it was now occasionally cur tailed, but he thought none -of their ministers sought to abolish the system. That it hid some disadvantages was gene rally felt and admitted. The cost of moving their 'ministers amounted to a very considerable sum; this cost was borne by the receiving circuits and if the Church members had not recognised the advantages of the system they would have declined to pay the cost. Ministers were reputed to be great mendicants, but he did not admit the accusation; he never begged but sometimes collected accounts. te regarded the relation between the Church and its minister asasimplecontrac, between man and man. Excepting himselft they would not find a finer class of men on the face of the earth than the Methodist clergy. Mr MoNicoll created J much amusement by his recital of the evergreen tale of a minister of the Church ridding himself of a ghost by the display of a sub scription list. The itinerant System was a serious discomfort to many of them ; it entailed a dislocation of affections, and a severing of li>-s, which were more felt by the ministers than the people, although he was sure the former had the warmest sympathy of the congregations A greater disadvantage than parsonal inconveni ence was the loss of power suffered by the ministers. On entering a circuit they were comparative strangers to their con gregation, tney spent three years accumu lating power, and at the end of that period were required to relinquish their position and commence the same process in an other locality, Turning to the other side of the question there were many very material advantages in the system Ministers were not infallible and moving to new districts they were able to apply the experience they had acquired and avoid the mistakes they had made in the past. The change, too, gave a minister an opportunity to juse his old sermons. They might be amused by this statement, but tho sermons were revised and improved, and more effectually preached. The strain upon even the most able man of preaching week after week to the same congregation was more severe than many of them would under stand. Each time he hid moved to a new people he had found them better than the last ; he thought, although he could not yet speak with confidence, that his present change would bear this expe rience out. These changes, their troubles and discomforts, discipline:! their minis try, and presented forcibly to their minds the certainty of their final dissolution ; they provided the churches with new preachers. Human nature was weak not only in the pulpit, but in the pew, and listeners were apt to grow indifferent as they became familiar with the speaker— they required fresh faces and fresh plead ings. This would not be so in an ideal state of soo’ety, but they had not yet reached that ideal state, and the process was forced upon them as a means to an end. Mr MoNicoll concluded by thank ing the congregation for the very kind reception they had extended to him, and expressing a hope that his labors in their midst would meet with the divine bless ing. The Chairman explained the circum stances that had dstained Mr Wallis in Nelson, and said the Rev gentlemm would probably be in Ashburton the first Sunday in May. Mr William Harding pointed out the claims Methodist ministers had upon the sympathy of their congregations. He de scribed the progress of the preachers from the ranks to the pulpit. Ho strongly supported the Itinerant System, compar ingtheworkof Dra Osborne and Panshon and Drs Newton and Chalmers, in support of his argument. He - dwelt upon the difficulties of a ministers life People critici-ed who should pray, others sneered who should plead for mercy. He was glad to see the secular press of this colony adopting a much better tone to wards the Church and its ministers than the press of England. Their preachers were able men, mm who had they applied their talents in a different direction would have realised groat worldly success. Mr J. E. Buchanan congratulated the circuit upon tho arrival of Mr MoNicoll in their midst. Ho feared those of their visitors, who were not Methodists, would have been somewhat mystified by the discussion of the It nerant system. Re ferring to Mr Harding’s allusion to Dr Osborne and Dr Punchenr he compared tho former divine t > Nestor and the latter to Ajix. Dr Osborne wai a great genius, he never preached for longer than twenty five mmutes. Mr Buchanan referred to the evils of procrastination, pointing to theblundsrs of the British Government in tho Soudan as illustrative of his re marks. He conc'ulei by proposing a vote of thmks t) the ladies who had pro vided the tea and to the member of the choir.

The vote was carried by acclamation. On the motion of Mr 0. Dixon, a vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman, and the Doxology having been sung, the Rev D. McNicoll pronounced the Bene diction and the proceedings closed.

MADAME RITA AND MR JOHN RADCLIFF.

From “ Pan to Pinafore ” was the title of a musical treat of very rare excellence given at the Oddfellows’ Hall last night by Madame Pauline Rita (a prirna donna who has deseivadly won the brightest renown as a most charming and accom plished vocalist) and Mr John Radcliff (the most illustrious and accomplished flautist the world has ever known). At no previous time has an Ashburton audi ence been treated to a bet!*.- or more in teresting and instructive musical enter tainment than that given by ivladamo Rita and Mr Radcliff, and it is no wonder that the appearance of these great artistes should have been looked forward to wiih the utmost pleasure, and the anticipation of enjoying a musical treat of the rarest excellence Owing to extremely unpro pitious climatic influences, and two stropg counter attractions, tho audience was not large, but to merely state that it waa a highly appreciative and enthusiastic one would very imperfectly convey an idea of the unanimous and thoroughly genuine applause that greeted the artistes at the conclusion of ea"-h of the princi pal numbers appearing on a p o gramme of an unusually excellent character. The principal portion of the concert in which Mr Radcliff takes so large a. share has by some writers been termed a “ musical lecture,” and this may be true to a certain extent in so far as the earlier portion of the entertainment is concerned, but when he comes to the part where he introduces the flutes of the p:e sent day, and treats his audience to an exhibition of his marvellous skill in the pjanagement of the lips, longuing, power of expression, his wonderful rapidity of fingering, and the exquisitely sweet tones that he produces from the flute o’amodr, ( the oyl nder flute, and the new bass flute, the f.-eling is that of iho most intense j pleasure and indescribable rapture, and < when Madame Rita coiqes on the stage, t and avngs one of her favorite songs, wUb £

flute obligato by Mr Radoliff, it may with truth be said “ that flute and voice was never before heard to blond so beauti fully,” and the most enthusiastic applause or warmest eulogy very poorly expressai the ecatadc feelings which such truly rare and artistic performances excite in the breasts of all who have the good fortune to be present. Mr Radoliff opens the entertainment by introducing the pipes of the earliest ages, and in a few concise, interesting and amusing re marks trices the development of the flute from the primitive pipe or simple cylinder down to the beautiful instrument of our own day. He conveys in a chatty, humorous strain much curious and inte resting information, and as ho handles each instrument gives both oral and prac tical illustrations of what some of the ancient and uncivilised nations were pleased to consider music, these illustra trations being given with a view of show ing both the development of the instru ment and the marked difference between music of the earlier times and that which delight and entrance the people of our own time, air Radoliff introduces and plays upon the three-hole pipe the “ Kay,” the “ Arghool,” the flutes used by the Chinese, the Egyptian boatmen, the Zulus, the two note Malay flute, the snake charmers’ flute, the whistle, 6fe, one keyed flute and a large number of others, and the sounds he pro duced from those of the most primitive description were as fearsome and marvel lous as the instruments were peculiar and rude in construction. The Mesette, the forerunner of the Scottish bagpipe, was also brought out and played upon. Pro bably the most ludicrous of all the instru ments exhib ted was the Upper Armenian bagpipe, which consists simply of the skin of a big, with a chanter. This Mr Radoliff inflates by means of a pair of bellows and produces sounds similar to those that have become so dear to the hearts of the Highlanders, and which possess the peculiar faculty of rousing them in battle to a state of irresistible enthusiasm. On one of the small pipes of the early times, Mr Radoliff played an ancient • Hebrew melody, traditionally suppose 1 to be that to which the “ Song of Miriam” was originally sung. Mr Glutsam played an accompaniment on the American organ, and at the close Mr Raduliff remarked that th»i beautiful melody would put to blush mtitty of the hymn tunes we are sometimes now obliged to listen to. The melody was certainly very fine, and one which on so simply constructed a reed instrument could only be produced by an accom plished musician such as Mr Radoliff. Madame Rita then appeared on the stage and sang, “ The Bird that came in Spring" (composed expressly for herself by Sir Julius Benedict), with flute obli gato by Mr Radoliff, Mr 0 utsam playing the piano accompaniment. The piece is a most difficult and beautiful composition, and Madame Pauline Rita, who possesses a moat astonishing flute-like voice, with such skill and culture ’as are rarely com bined, held the audience spell-bound while she exec ited in the highest artistic man ner the brilliant passages in this truly beautiful song. She seems to sing with no apparent effort, but her stylo and vocalisation is of the highest and most finished order, and the perfect accord of voice and flute was enthralling and de lightful in the highest possible degree. Both the vocalist and fliutist seemed to be rivalling each other in the eff >rts to pour out the most delightful and melodi ous tones we have ever had the felicity of listening to. The song received the heartiest of hearty and genuine applause, and Madame Rita acknowledged the richly deserved compliment by singing a berceuse by Gounod- Mr Radoliff then played with marvellous expressive ness and indescribable skill a fantasia on Scotch airs. The piece was brilliantly executed, and won for him the warmest applause and an unmistakeable en core. In response “ Rule Britannia ” was given in the most masterly style we have ever heard. Indeed, without writing one word of mere flattery we can safely assert that until Mr Rad cliff came amongst us we had not the least idea that the flute was such a won derfully beautiful instrument, capable in the hands of so thorough a master of giving forth tones of so exquisitely sweet and melodious a nature, Gunod’s “ Ave Maria” sp cially arranged for voice, tenor flute, piano and organ, concluded the fir.it part of the programme Anything more delightful than this grand peice of music could not possibly be imagined, and the audience were delighted beyond ex pression both by the singing of Madame Rita and the flute playing of Mr Radoliff. We should like to convey some idea of the pleasure felt in listening to this wonderful piece of music so brilliantly executed as it was last evening, but if we were to attempt it we should utterly fail, for no words could do it justice. It was without the slightest shadow of doubt the greatest musical treat that has ever heen given to an Ashburton audience. “L>, here the gentle lark,” with flute obligato, was also a rare treat and was loudly applauded and re-demanded. During the evening Mr Radoliff played selections on the bass flute, a new and beiutifully deep, rich full-toned inatru merit. He also played on the cylinder flute. His principal items in the second part of the programme were selections from Irish airs, “Blue Bells of Scotland,” “ Home, Sweet Home,” and “ Auld Robin Gray,” the playing of which showed how deep a study he had made of flute playing, and what a highly accomplished fliutist he has become. Mr Glutsam, a very talented pianist, p’ayed several solos in a most brilliant and masterly manner and won very hearty applause. This ! gentleman is certainly a pianist of rare promise and is sure to make a great name for himself. A medley of airs from the well known opera “ Patience,” played by Mr Radoliff and Madame Rita, brought to a close the most rare musical treat wo have ever heard in Ashburton. It is seldom the Ashburton puolic have amongst them such talented artistes, and all those who love to hear good music we would advise to pay a visit to the Oddfellows’ Hall this evening It is an opportunity that should not be missed. Previous to and after the per formance Madame Rita and Mr Radoliff were seranaded by the Excelsior Band. Mr Iladcliff complimented the band upon their music, and kindly volunteered a number of suggestions, which were evi deut'y much valued by the members.

ELECTION NEWS.

(By Telegraph.) Wellington, To-day. Writs for the Oomaru and Taaranga elections to the House of Representatives will be issued on Friday, and the elections will take place within six weeks from that date.

Dunedin, To-day.. Mr Buckland received a unanimous vote of confidence at Waikouaiti last night. He hoped the Government would not pro-a the Went Coast railway if the company failed to get the work taken np. He thought highly of Sir Julius Yogel’s local Government proposals, but opposed the cheap money Bill which would not help the clasi intended to be benefited. The proposal was really meant for Canter bury only. He would do all ha could to get for Otago similar railway rates to those in Canterbury. i At Balolufcha, Mr Thomson was ques tioned about his action in the early part of last session. He said it was a great honor to turn out the Government, and he might turn out another Goverdmehl before long. An amendment simply thanking him for his address was nega- I lived by a large majority, and the motion ( for a vote of confidence wascarried.

THE ATTEMPTED MURDER IN TIMARU.

(by telegraph.) Timaru, To-day. At the R.M. Court to-day Frederick Lucas was charged with wounding with intent to murder his wife in Sandietown on April 8. The evidence was to the effect that some hours after her confine ment accused repeatedly exclaimed that the infant was a b— Chinamen, and, seizing a pea knife, after vainly searching for a razor, he stabbed his wife in the neck- She managed to get away and ran in a fearful state to the house of a neigh-. I hour The charge was very fully sus tained, and accused was committed for trial, bail beiug refused.

YESTERDAY’S LATE TELEGRAMS.

Auckland.

Then Hon Mr Richardson, Minister of Public Works, was a passenger by the Coptic, for Wellington,

Wang inox,

At the inquest on the body of Charles Kelly the evidence went to prove that he was only seen by two or three persona after the arrival of the South (rain last night, by which he was a passenger. The medical evidence proved that the wounds on his did not cause death, but that he probably fell down an embankment and stunned himself, and his head being under water he was suffocated. He was sober at the time. There was no evidence to account for his being in that place. De ceased told the last man who saw him alive that he was going, home. The place where he was found is in a totally different direction. The verdict was in accordance with the medical evidence. Wellington. A meeting of the Executive Council was held to-day at Government House, but the business transacted was purely formal and of the ordinary routine character. After the meeting terminate 1, the De fence Minister had a conference with the Governor with reference to defences, but no informotion has been allowed to trans pire The Minister of Justice has received a telegram from Auckland, statin; that two petitions are on the way to Wellington, respecting the case of Prendergast, under sentence of death at Auckland for murder —one from the jury who tried the case, and the other from residents in the neigh borhood. Both refer to the state of the condemned man’s mind. Government have, therefore, deferred their decision until the petitions have been received. A lengthy meeting of the Government Insurance Board was held yesterday, Sir Julius Vogel presiding. The proceedings lasted several hours, and it is understood that the main business was the question of appointing local Boards.. This was urged by Sir J. Vogel, and opposed by several other members of the Board, the result being that it was shown a majority were willing to carry out Sic J. Vogel’s wishes if at any meeting he determines on pressing them. The attention is to ap point local Boards at Auckland, Dunedin, and Christchurch only. This afternoon the Governor received a telegram from London with reference to the Russo-Afghan difljoilty, which in dicated that the colony ought to be pre pared with defences. The Government anticipate that the British navy will be represented within the. next few days, in New Zealand waters, by two war vessels. There is, it is stated, a possibility that the s. s. Arawa, another of the S.S. and A. line, will also be required for the pur pose of a cruiser. ‘ Dunedin. A rather novel defence waa set up in a case of spearing trout, heard at {'apauni. The defendant sail he was fishing on the previous day, when the fish carried away three or four yards of his tackle, and he used the spear to recover it. A fine of LI and costa was indicted. The mounting of the big guns at For bury and Lawyer’s Heads was completed to-day by Mr T. B. Low (Public Works) and Sergeant Major *M‘Kay (A’.O.) and should occasion require it, they could open fire to morrow. Dunedin is, therefore, in a state of defence against bombardment from the sea. The mounting of the guns at Taiaroa Heads is expected to be fin ished early next week, thus completing the defence of the harbor.

M. de Harveo, Belgian Commissioner, has relumed to Dunedin.

THE RUSSO-AFGHAN DIFFICULTY

(ttßUXElt’s TELEGRAMS—COPYRIGHT.) London, April 22. Statements were made last night in the Houses of Lords and Commons by Earl Granville and Mr Gladstone re spectively, to the effect that Govern ment were in receipt of a reply from General Lumsden to the communica tion which had been addressed to him, asking for a full account of the recent hostilities near Penjdeh; but that his account differed very seriously from

that supplied to the Russian Govern ment by General Komaroff. In the House of Commons, Mr Gladstone asked for a vote of credit for Li 1,000,600, of which L4,so°>°p o was intended for operations in the Soudan. In proposing the vote, the Premier announced that the general situation of foreign affairff rendered it incumbent upon Great Britain to pre pare all her forces. Government were not prepared to abandon th§ operations at present being conducted in Egypt, but reserved full liberty of action in the future. The Indian troops now in Egypt, Mr Gladstone added, would prove sufficient to hold Suakim, the British forces being reserved for any emergency that might arise. From further particulars which have transpired regarding . General Lums- , den’s reply to the‘British Government, , it appears that he places considerable emphasis on the patient hearing pf tlje Afghan troops, and states thgt the con: diet was entirely due to the aggressiye action of the Russian Commander,

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1885.



JpUBLIO ANNOUNCEMENT



OPEN MONDAY, 27th INST., 1885



MESSRS BAYLIB <fe 00. (late of Orr and Alcorn), will Commence Busi ness as Family Oncers and Tea Dealers, in Saunders’ Buildings, next to Mr tar lev’s, Bookseller, on above date. Ihe premises being only temporary, their new shop (next door to that lately occupied by Messrs Orr and Alcorn), is now under going alterations suitable to the trade. Messrs B. and Co. beg to announce to the public of Ashburton and District, that as they Boy for Cash and in the cheapest markets, they are in a position to Sell at the lowest possible prices, and tiust by punctuality and despatch to receive a fair share of the public patronage. 4 584 BAYLI3 & CO.



TTTAR WITH RUSSIA.—At the pre- YY sent juncture it would be difficult for’ Boy one exc 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 smoke. The absence of full information as to what is transpiring between two countries may indicate that the political breeze is blowing harmlessly past ; or, it may be the awful silence 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. Now is the time, therefore, to lay in a stock of clothing, before the general ad vance begins. In order that we may not be caught napping we have just purchased a Splendid Assortment of Winter Tweeds and other materials necessary to a well equipped tailoring establishment, wh-ch wo are prepared to offar at unusually low prices for cash Regarding style and fit, it is almost needless for ns to repeat what everybody knows, viz , that by our scien tific mode of catting, and th- care exer used by us in fitting the figure, a mis-fit j« an Impossibility. — Craighead and Co., Merchant, Tailors, Tancred street.



SLAUGHTER I SLAUGHTER ! ! Have Yon Rbad the Following ? Hard Cash Prices, to be turned into Cash, An Immense Sacrifice must necessarily take place when Cash is so scarce as it is at present, MESSRS HAYES & CO., DESIRE to inform the Public Generally, that they are determined to CLEAR IMMEDIATELY. ONE-HALF CF THEIR LARGE AND ASSORTED STOCK OF BOOTS, CLOTHING DRAPERY AND MILLINERY, Amounting to £IO,OOO. SALE TO COMMENCE JANUARY 15 th, 1885, Now Look at the Prices 1 Now Look at the Prices ! DRESS DEPARTMENT. 3000 yards Print, 2|d originally 4jd Colored Salens, 4£d, were 101 Linen Ginghams, 3sd, were 6d Dress Materials, various, 4£d were IOJd Black Cashmere, Is 4d, double width CLOTHING DEPARTMENT. A few Mclntoshes to be cleared at 7s 6d Men’s Tweed Suits from 15s 6d Blue Serge Suits, 12a 6d 1711116 Flannel Cricketing Suits, 19s 9d Men’s “Kapai” Tweed Trousers, 5s 3d Men’s White Shirts (linen fronts), 2s lid, worth 4s 6d Men’s Regatta Shirts, with collar, 2s 9d, worth 3slid Men’s Brown Cotton Drawers, ll£d per pair Men’s Heavy Ribbed Drawers, Is lOd per pair Men’s Umberllss, 2s each MILLINERY AND MANTLES, Print Costumes, 2a lid, were 6a 9d Straw Hals, 4£d, worth Is 6d Knitted Petticoats, full size, la 9d Legh rn Hats (trimmed). Is 6d MANCHESTER DEPARTMENT. Heavy Twilled Sheeting, B£d, 72in wk*e, All Wool Welsh Flannel, Is per yard All Wool Welsh Scarlet, 2s d pe yard Green and Crimson Damask, lid per yard Heavy Flax Shirting, reduced to 4Jd Heavy Union Shirting, reduced toOd Blankets from 6s lid per pair Turkish Towels, 6d each Tapestry Brussels Carpets, 2s 4d, worth 8s 6d Cotton Tweed for boy's wear, la 3d per yard BOOT DEPARTMENT. Men’s Heavy Shooter Boots, 10s 6d teen’s Bluchers, nailed, 6s 6d Our Immense stock of Women’s Boots ; all Reduced to startling prices Children’s Patent Leather Elastic Sides, Is 3d per pair, worth 2s 6d HOSIERY DEPARTMENT. 3 pairs Women’s Colored Stockings for Is 6d Girl’s and Boy's Stockings, all colors, 4sd Children’s Sooks, id per pair Men’s Sooks, 6d per pair. All Remnants and Odd Pieces to bo SWEPT OUT AT LESS THAN HALF PRICE



Wanted. TT J ANTED —A correspondent for the VV Guardian, at Mount Somers. Apply to the Manager. WANTED A General Servant. Apply, Mrs McNicoll, Wesleyan Parsonage. 4 609 WANTED— To purchase, from 2to 4 Acres of Land, within a radios of two miles from the Post Office. Apply * : M,” Office of this Paper. 4 608 \\T ANTED —A Situation 3 as general » » Servant in a small family, or to assist in house work. Country preferred. Apply Office of this Paper. 4 503 WANTED Known—lf owner of Grey hound Slut does not pay expenses by Friday, 24th instant, she will be sold on Saturday to defray same. C. Rtel, Alford Forest road. 4 679 WASTED —An Assistant Mistress for the Side School, Hampstead ; salary at present average about L7O per annum. Applications to be sent to the Chairman Ashburton School Committee by the 27th instant. Charles Bbaddell, Clerk. 4 574 WANTED— Purchaser for a Piano, by Cramer ; very cheap ; in first-class order. Apply, S.F. 8., Hinds. 4 572 j \TTANTED Known—Before buying I VV Dress Materials, Dieters, Jackets, Dolmans, Millinery, etc , call and inspect our stock. The cheapest first-class Drapery and Millinery Establishment in Ashburton —H. 0. Segers, ealys’ Buildings, East N treet. /'"'t BEAT Reductions for Cash at Jones and Jbadshaw’s. —Good oaten sheaf chaff from 50s per ton, Is 6d per bag ; prime oat straw chaff 35s per ton, 9d per bag; new oatmeal 4s per bag; good cheese 5d per lb ; Hour, bran, sharps, and chickwheat at very cheap rates. TTJ’ANTED Known—Wertheim Sew- Vf ing Machines can be had on Time Payments at the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Branch, East street, Ashburton. 2 276 GLORIOUS NEWS. Andrew Orr will give away on Saturday 100 pairs men’s boots at Cj 9J ; 60 pairs can vas slippers at 2s 6d ; 30 pairs cricketing boots at 6s 6d ; 100 pairs Kaiapoi trousers at lla 6d—every article at half-price. YTJ" ANTED Known—Boots ! Boots 1 VV 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 sides, 9s, and a lot of odd lines that must be cleared at once. 7 1278 WANTED Known—Umbrellas at Is lid, six doz Buttons for Is, China Matting at 6d, Ladies’ Hose at 6d, Cor sets at 2a 3d, Shitting at 36-inch Oilcloth 9J, Camisoles Is 4d. Andrew Oer’s Cheap Sale 2 185 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 attended to. 760



Special Advertise MRS KENNEDY * MI DRKBBM \ K Compton’a Buildings, B Ashbuiton N. B. — Registry Office i vants. SELLING FANCY GOODS, TC STATIONARY Must be sold —even To Suit everybody at prii be beaten. Andrewes Booksellers, Static Ashburton Canterbury FJIO FARMERS AH CORN S A Ev, size At lowest current rates, 3 292 0. GRI G U L Machine 1 WAKANGI II CHARLES Repairs Engines, Combine Reapers and Binders, an machinery. Special attention give: Tricycles and Sewing Mac Lawn Mowers repaired, adjusted. *Mn«3ol wrtrlr r>An£



Special Advertisements. rpHB LONDON AND LANCASHIRE Fire Insurance Co. We hare much pleasure in informing the public of Ashburton that Mbs bs WILDING, LLWIS & CAfGILL have been appointed AGENTS for the above Company in the Ashburton Dis trict. All rUki taken at lowest current rates, LEWIS & GOULD, 3 328 General Agents for Canterbury. Timber Timber I npO FARMERS and Others about to JL Build—Buy your timber from the Producers at first cost and Save Money. To Housekeepers who wish to have the satisfaction of burning Good Coal— We are no*/ landing, ex s.s. Tekapo, PRIME NEWCASTLE COAL, which will bo sold at Lowest Rates. Every Requisite for the Building Trade kept in Stock, and Building supplied throughout. *** Farmers would do well to call and obtain quotations. MAOPHERSON, FILMER AND 00. (late A. Hayes), TIMBER, COAL & WO3D MEROH ANTS, Fast street, Ashburton.



25 Branches Now Open 25 THE NEW” ZEALAND Clothing Factory Are now Showing NEWEST STYLES in SPRING & SUMMER CLOTHING, Manufactured from the renowned Wear Resisting MOSGI&L TWEEDS The fit and workmanship of every gar ment is undoubtedly unsurpassed, while the large production and increased busi ness enables the proprietors to offer special advantages as to price. Men’s, Boys’ and Children’s Clothing in every variety at Wholesale Prices. SL'.rts, Hats, Hosiery, Blankets,* Rugs, Portmanteaux, and every requisite at WHOLESALE PRICES. Note the address— NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY, EAST STREET, Ashburton 25 Branches Now Open 25



WOOD, SINCLAIR & CO., Millers and Grain Merchants, High street, Christchurch, Are Purchasers of Wheat, Oats, Barley, Beans, Peas, Potatoes, Rye and Cocksfoot Grass Seeds at highest current rates. To farmers desirous of holding their grun 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 aro 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 be arranged. 3 454



UTUMU AND WINTER Are now showing their NEW SEASON’S GOODS, Which are well worth your inspection. They comprise the Newest and Best of every kind of MILLINERY; DRAPERY, UNDER CLOTHING FOR INFANTS, GIRLS & LADIES. MERCERY. MEN’S, BOYS', & YOUTHS’ COLONIAL, VICTORIAN, AND ENGLISH CLOTHIING, At the Lowest Possible Cash Price. If you will trouble to th'nk for a minute, we feel sure you will be convinced that the way our business is conducted must insure you the best pro curable for money. WE IMPORT DIRECT From the Best Manufacturers WE SELL FOR CASH Avoiding all bad debts WE BUY CHIEFLY FOR CASH, Securing all Cash Discounts Our Business is managed personally by the proprietor in the most economical way, thus saving the immense cost of an Extravagant Establishment with manager, sub-manager and an expensive stall $ therefore we will not allow any house or company to undersell us. So if they should advertise or make a special lead or draw of any particular article, we will give you the same at their price or lower, guaranteeing, taking things all round, our Value will be found by far the best. Country Orders sent by post will receive special attention, and be sent free of carriage (by rail) to ANY PART OF C \NTEKBURY, H. E. May & Co., H. E. May & Co., THE HALL.



Victoria House. SEASON’S ADVERTISEMENT & INTIMATION EE FINE ART GOODS, CREWEL SILKS, INGRAIN COTTONS, TRANFES PATTERNS, &c , To appear in our Next. DIM AST A COE, Ueperal Drapers, Clothiers, &0., East and Tancred Streets, Ashburton.



Special Advertisements. Groceries CHEAPER THAN EVER AT james McGregor’S. Takcked Sxbbex. Sugars—English Cut Loaf R( i per lb Best White Crysta., per lb Best Snowdrop, 4d per lb (Reductions by the mat) Teas, Is 3d, Is 6d, 2s, 2s 6d, and 2s'9d Box Tea from 12s 6d per box Canterbury Cakes, lOd each. Rice, Sd Mixed Biscuits, 6d Lunch Biscuits, 3d Currants, 6i Raisins, 7d New Figs, Is per bcx Best Sago, 3d New Muscatels, Is 6d Oysters, 6d Cairn's Marmalade, 8d Peacock’s Jams, 6£d Herrings, 7d Keiller’s Marmalade, 9d Salmon, 8d Cheese, 6d per lb English Pickles, 8d Other articles equally cheap. JAMES MoGREGOR, Tancred Street. 12 2342 Cadbury’s Cocoa. fJIHE PUREST AND BEST. Should be Used by Everyone, ON SALE AT ORR AND ALCORN’S, Ashburton Agents. To Arrive, a Grand Assortment of Cadbury’s Fancy Goods, comprising— FANCY CHOCOLATES, CHOCOLATE CREAMS, Etc. ORR AND AL ORNS- 4 606



Use American Co. s Hop Bitters once and yon will use no other medicine. Test it. Take no other. Be sure and read. Catarrh of the Bladder,—Stinging .rotation, inflammation, all kidney and similar complaints, cured by “ Buchu-paiba. ” The N. Z. Drug Co., General Agents. 3 Tic-Doloureux, Toothache, or any other neuralgic pain speediiy yields to Baxter’s Anti- Neuralgic Pills. Wells’ "Rough on Corns.”—Ask fur Wells’ “Rough on Corns.” Quick relief complete, permanent cure. Corns, bunions. The N.Z. Drug Co., General Agents. 3 Holloways Pilts.—Nervous Debility.— No part of the human machine requires more watching than the nervous system—upon it hangs health and life itself. These pills are the best regulators and strengthened of the nerves, and the safest general purifiers. Nau sea, headache, giddiness, numbness, and men tal apathy yield to them. They dispatch in a summary maimer those distressing dyspeptic symptoms, stomachic pains, fulness at the pit of the stomach, abdominal distension, and over come both capricious' appetites and confined bowels—the commonly accompanying "signs of defective or deranged nervous power. Hollo way’s Pills are particularly recommended to persons of studious and sedentary habits, who gradually sink into a nervous and debilitated state, unless some such restorative be occa sionally taken.— [Adyt.J i