COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office. Monday afternoon,

Mr T. Bullock reports on the horse market £#r the week ending Saturday, November 21: — There w-s a large entry of horses, viz 37, but most of them were agai ; of a light description, and■ biddings on the whole were not so keen as on the previous Saturday ; nevertheless a large proportion, viz 19, were so d a t the following prices, medium draughts of a light description, Lia, 103 to Ll 4 10s; aged and i .ferior, L? je*to 111. There were no first- Iss draughts ofered, light harness horses of a fairly go d description, L 8 10s to Lli 103; hacks, L 5 to L 6 ss; ditto of a better d scription, L 8 ; three • year-olds unbroken, suitable for light harness work, L? 15s to L 8 10s; inferior, L2 10s to T • scrubbers at nominal prices-

MEMORANDA

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Eto. S Monday, November 23 Borough Council, at Borough Council Cham bore, at 7,30 Arcade Chambers—Star of Ashburton, U.A.0.D., at 8 o’clock Tuesday. November 24 Drill Shed—Volunteer Parade Town ball—Troupe of Maoris, at 8 Friday, December 4 Aiaborton County Council —At Council Chamber*, 11 a. m.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails dose at the Ashburton Post Office follows: — For Christchurch and North at 6 a. 10. 10.30 a.m-, and 5 p.m., daily. For Ohertsey Rakaia, Ac., at 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Raagitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. ForTemuka, at 10 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. daily. for Tima/n and South, at 10 a. m., and 4.80 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10.45 a.m. For Wakanui, Elgin, Sea view, Seaheld, nd Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a.m. For U#unt Somers, daily at 4.30 p.m. For Mayfield and Ruapuna, on Mon days and Thursdays, at 4.30 p.m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Remington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4.30 p. m. For Newlaada, on Tuesdays and rn rysat 10.30 ».m. FOl Hampstead at 9 a.m. daily.

M»ll. arrive at the Ashburton Poe* From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 a.m-, 4.35 p.m., and 7-20 p.m. From Chertsey, &C. at 10.15 a.m. and 4.35 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places »t 6.3'" 1 *\m. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.40 a. tn, and 530 p.m daily. , , , From Greanatreet, W ednesdays ana Saturdays, at 10 i.m. ... from Mount Somers, daily at 10.0 I. me ... From Mayfield and on Wed oesdays and Saturdays, at 10.5 a.m. From Ashton, Watorton, and beach at 10 a. m. daily. From Newlands, on Tuesdays sad rr> days, at 2.30 p.m. From Flemington on Tuesdays, lhur ß days, and Satnrdyas, at 10a.m. From Rampsteai a* 930 a.m. daily.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit MONDAY, NOVEMBER, 23, 1885. Housed or Unhoused?

That the annual exhibitions held by the Agricultural and Pastoral A so. ciations are eminently calculated to advance the agricultural and pastoral interests of the colony, there are few men hardy enough to publicly deny. Even doubters of this state ment regarding the shows' value, though perhaps having the cour age of their opinions, will more than likely consider prudence the better part of valor, and wisely refrain from the expression of any opinion they may have contrary to the very general one we have referred to. We have no wish to be classed among the doubters, among those dissenting from the uni versally held opinion, but we contend that the aims and objects of such As sociations in these colonies ought to be first, the discovery of what breeds of stock are best suited for the soil, climate, and circumstances of the colony (or portion of the colony in which these Associations exist), so tha the most remunerative stock only may be reared; and, secondly, the encour agement, by a healthy competition among the breeders and growers, of the rearing uf such stock only. Now, at several of the Agricultural and Pas toral Association shows we have had

the pleasure of visiting, we have noted in the catalogues prizes offered for the best “housed and clothed” merino sheep. We would ask any farmer reader of our paper to say if it is pos sible for him, or any one else in this colony, to house and clothe all his merino sheep ? We fancy we can see his quiet smile at the absurdity of the question. In New Zealand the sheep of the ordinary flock have to be con tent with the paddock feed provided for them by their owner, the result of his or others’,, cultivation, or the Open pa'sfflrc still ctftfWg the]

vegetation sown by nature. Such sheep must take (to use a vulgar phrase) “ pot luck ” as to weather, and depend for shelter upon the live fences surround ing their paddocks, or the luxuriant in digenous tussock supplied by most of our open pasture. The best sheep, then, for the purposes of our farmers are such as, endowed with strong, hardy constitutions, are able to live and thrive on our outdoor pasture with only such food and such shelter as the ordi nary Rocks of the colony obtain; and, doing so, return at the same time a fair remuneration to their owner for their keeping. The idea of building large shelter pens for their sheep has not yet commended itself to our farmers,

neither has it struck them to start their wives and daughters upon the labor of making dainty little coats for the ani mals to keep them warm and dry. For what purpose then are classes for housed and clothed sheep retained upon the Show catalogues ? Once commence a system of pampering with any animal, no matter what its species —whether human, equine, ovine, or bovine —and you immediately begin to introduce into its system elements cal culated to weaken the power of that system to bear up against the asperities of life to which it must be subjected when the pampering can no longer be continued. The sheep we want in this colony are not the fops and dandies of the flock, to whom the shepherd has become a snecies valet de chambre . but

a hardy, strong, living animal, capable of picking up its own food from the pasture, surviving unhurt alike the scorching nor’-westers, the cold, scath ing winds from the opposite direction, the hot days followed suddenly by cold ones, and times of soaking wet or bitter frost. Judges, speaking at the luncheon at the recent Metropolitan Show in Christchurch, referred to exhibitions of housed and slothed sheep as not only useless, but absolutely pernicious, and one of the speakers—Mr Brydone, of Dunedin, a well-known sheep judge went the length of saying that “ hothouse plants were not wanted. . . animals pam pered, and their constitutions damaged by over feeding.” Mr D. Sutherland, an equally able judge, from Oamaru,

was quite solemn in his warning to farmers against housing and clothing their sheep, which rendered the animals unable to cope with the hardships of colonial life. He added that the first Society which excluded housed and clothed sheep from its competitions would do a great deal of good to the colony. With the expressed opinions of both gentlemen we heartily coincide, and we hope the Associations every where will give the matter their most earnest consideration. Befote we close our remarks we would like to quote from the Lyttelton Times , a sentence occurring' in that paper’s report of the Oamaru Show which has just fallen under our eye, and which aptly bears out all we have said on this subject;—Mr R. H. Rhodes showed tha ram from Gibson’s Bellevue flock, which last year gained the champion medal in Mr Teschemaker’s entry. Not having been housed or hand fed since his change of owners, he was rather low in condition, and was only placed third, but his grand quality was undeni able.

Complaints are still made of gates and fences in the neighborhood of Ashburton being broken down daring the night time. In one instance a padlock was wrenched off the gate of a stnalljpaddook near the town, and in another the rails of fencing weie forcibly removed. Mr J. Tasker, a principal sufferer by this nuisance, has an advertisement iq this issue.

The following statement of assets and liabilities has been filed James Samuel

Savage, of Ashburton, painter. —Liabili ties—Secured —Christchurch : Trust and Agency Company, L 366 6s; Ashburton, Tucker and Restell, LIOO Unsecured— Christchurch : B Button, L 43 lla lOd ; S. Nasbelski, L 43 13» ; DeVemx and Co, L 3 3a; J. Nmoarrow, L 24 7a; Kelsey Bros, L 4 J 6s 91 ; Dunedin : Smith and Smith, 149 lls ; Ashburton ; J, ft. Chap man, L 25 ; Dr Leahy, L 4 5s ; J. Clayton, LI 8* 4d ; T. Quill, LlB 10a ; total, L 727 Is lid. Assets--Town section 536, Ash burton, with shop and six-roomed dwell ing-house, stables, etc, estimated value LSOO (under first and second mortgage to Trust and Agency Company, and Tucker and Restell respectively) ; stock-in-trade, L 5 ; book debts, L 5 (estimated to produce LI 10s); furniture, LlO ; total, L 516 10a; deficiency, L2lO lls lid. A meeting of the Committee of the Ash burton Racing Club was held at the O'ub’s room on Saturday evening. Present— Messrs 0. W Purnell (Chutman), W. B. Denshire, R. Friedlander, D, Thomas, A Harrison, M. Priedlander, Drs Leahy and Ross. —A large amount of routine business was disposed of.—lt was resolved to sell the usual privileges on Saturday, December 6, and it was decided that Mr David Thomas should act as auctioneer. While discussing the sale of privileges, it was determined that the local auctioneers should act as salesmen in rotation. —It was resolved to employ Messrs Hobbs aud

>oodwin to work the totalisator.—The Secretary was instructed to make certain routine arrangements in connection with the forthcoming raca meeting, after which the Committee adjourned. The “Hobart Mercury" of Oot. 15th thus records the death of a journalist who, for sometime, leased oar local contem porary:^ — “Intimation was received here yesterday of the death of Mr R. Eyton, at Adelaide, he having seen seized with a fit, in which he expired. Mr Byton was well known in Hobart, and was for some little time a member of the literary staff of the 'Mercury * He had, previous to arriving in the colony, resided in New Zealand, and was well kuown there in connection with the Press on the West Cons of the South Island, and also in Canter bury and the nothern districts.”

Mr Henry. Hunt has determined to open his beautiful grounds, abutting on the Wakanui road, as a pleasure garden. Boating and other pleasures—of which strawberries and cream are not the least attractive —will bo offered to visitors, and the charges, we understand, will be, what they seldom are for these luxuries, strictly moderate. A fuller notice of Mr Hunt’s property will appear in an early issue.

That husband of mine is three times the man he was before He began, using “ Wells Health Recewer.” Druggists. The N.Z- Drug Co., fiaoera Aeents. a Holloways Ointment and Pills combins both sanitive and sanative powers in a high degree—by the former term is understood the ability to preserve health, by the latter their capability to restore health. With these reme dies at hand no invalid need be at fault to guide himself or heiself safely through the many trials to which everyone is subjected during our long and ofttimes inclement winters. Coughs, colds, ulcerated throats, diptheria, whooping cough, can be successfully treated by well rubbing this' Ointment upon the chest, and by taking the Pills. During damp foggy weatherasthmaticalsullerers will experience the utmost possible relief from the inunction of the ointment on all tender rhnfljcd nelsons will save endless misery by

Th» usual mou'hly meeting of the Mount Hutt Uo-'d card was held on Friday. Present—Messrs J. Jackson (chartuan), \V tVtcMillian, D, Cameron, and G. H. Alina'm —The Overseer’s report was road and approved of.—lt wa* resolved i-i «e:.d a. c -py of the paragraph referr ng to toot-m w*’er to the County

Council. —A letter was read from the Railway Engineer, with regard to the Railway road, asking the Board to appoint a deputation to meet hi u on his next visit to the district- Messrs Alexander and McMillan were appointed a committee to meet the Engineer —The action of the Chairman with respect to bridge fences was approved of, —A letter was received from the Mount Somers Road Board coveting cheque for amount due on the division of the district —lt was resolved to write to two gentlemen and ask them if they would aot as valuers for the Board for certain roads that hed been closed.— It was resolved to levy a rate of in the £ for the period ending March 31, 1886, payable in one instalment on Janu ary 8 next. The Overseer was instructed to advertise the intention of the Board to strike a rate and to call a meeting of rate payers to affirm the closing of roads.— After passing several accounts for payment and transacting 'he usual routine business, the Board adjourned.

A team of the Ashburton Cricket Club play the Hororata Club, at Kirwee, on Wednesday next. Mr T. E. Kilworth, whose skill as an architectural and mechanical draughtsman wa have on more than one occasion no ticed, has turned his attention to the con atruc'iou of apiary requisites. Bee-keepers who wish to derive pleasure and profit from their hives should visit Mr KU worth’s factory, Wakanui road. Tbe entries for the Dunedin Agricul tural and Pastoral Society’s show are slightly in excess of last years. The me rino classes shows up well this year. At a meeting of the Auckland Board of Education the salaries of female bead teachers were fixed at 60 par cent less than those of male teachers.

There has lately died a Vienna woman who was a famous rifle shot—Kmilie Hirsch was her name—her skill betng in fact, so great that many shooting societies would not allow her to compete at their matches, on the ground that it was a foregone oo iclusioo that she would win Nominations to fill the vacancy lu the Ashburton Borough Council, occasioned by the resignation of vlr Joshua Tucker, must be made to the Returning Officer, Mr Charles Braddell, by noon on Thurs* day next.

A meeting of the Flemington Gospel Temperance Society was held in the dis trict schoolroom on Friday evening. The Rev A. Blake, M A., presided, and there was a large and enthusiastic audience. The meeting having been opened in' the usual manner, an attractive programme of music and recitations was rendered by the members. Mrs Dunn, Messrs James Osborne, Robert Oroy, John Shearer, and Dskers, were each successful in the itsma they contributed. The Chairman de livered an address on moderate drinking, treating the subject in a popular and scientific manner. He referred at some length to the researches and experiments made by Dr Riohar Json, which, he con tended, had shown that aicobol taken even in the smallest quantities, was injurious to the system. He concluded a highly interesting and instructive address by asking his heaters to adopt total abstin ence principles. Twenty-one names were added to the roll of membership, Miss Holland kindly distributing the badges. After the usual compliments to the per formers and the Chairman, the meeting separated.—This is the first meeting of the Society since Mr Burnett’s visit, and several members took occasion to refer to the efficacy of that gentleman's mission. Tha official inspection of the Ashburton Borough School was conolded on Satur day. The following are tha results : Standard VI: presented 6, passed 2, per centage 40; Standard V: presented 28, passed 13, percentage 46 4; Standard IV: presented 32 passed 22, percentage 68 7 ; Standard 111: presented 51, passed 18, percentage 35 3; Standard li : paesanted 41, passed 28, percentage 68 3 ; Standard J; presented 38, passed 36, percentage 94 7- Totals: presented 95, passed 119, percentage 61. There will be nc meeting of the Ashbur ton Borough Council this evening. 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. Sold everywhere, or post free from J. "Baxter Chemist, Christchurch, for to »r 44 stamps.

CORRESPONDENCE

vVedo not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

STROLLING PLAYERS.

To the Editor. Sir,—l seek space sufficient to humbly protest against such inartistic and utterly ridiculous entertainments being brought to Ashburton as tint givmon Friday and Saturday nights last by half a dozen young people calling themselves the London Variety Company. Does not the law directed against perjury or fraodulence deal with such oases as this, where a troupe, by profuse advertising, allure a few hapless ones to part with their silver and get not the worth of a penny of the money 1 The entertainment was bad be yond belief on Friday night, and one un sophisticated individual found excuse for the wretcned performance in the fact of the cirousdrawiDgalargeC'-owd, and there being only about a couple of dozen in the Odd fellows’ Hail to encourage the Variety Company. On Saturday. handoills were distributed about town proclaiming an entire change of programme— new songs, dancing—but the fare provided proved to be, if possible, worse than <,hat inflicted on the audience and doorkeeper the pre vious night. Of course, I shall be told, if people go to such places and throw away their money it is their own look out; bat I aver that, the public Press should pro tect the people. It an objectionable char acter were to osme into the town, the police wonld soou have all the history of 1 that person from the police at the place

the queer one c<tme from, and similar in* formation should be obtained and made known of the appointments of adventurers in the sock and buskin line. If frauds Hite this compan> are not denounced, the general public will lose any faith they muht have in advertisements, and when a genuine company come to the town their pecuniary success will suffer, the truth of the old saying, once bit, twice shy,” being uppermost in the minds of the people. —I am, etc, Observer.

MAYORAL ELECTION.

TO THH EDITOR. Sir,— Doubtless each of the Councillors now offering for the Chair voted for the recent reductions in the Council’s expen diture. The candidate who shows that he is in earnest in striving to save the rate payers’ pockets by announcing his will ingness to undertake the clerical work of the Council and allow one of his sons to attend the chambers during the present office hours for the year he la entrusted with the honor, might be deemed worthy of all the support we poor ratepayers pan give him, earn our everlasting gratitude, and have little cause to worry ovep the o imiug event, besides giving the sterling gentleman now working lor iji up oppor. (.unity of getting a salary in )ieu of the miserable pittance he now obtains. X am, etc., A foe* EUiiivras.

THE UNEMPLOYED AT RAKAIA

A Visit to Sod Town.

[By oor Special R sport br] It is hardly possible for persons born and reared in this colony to realise the full purport of the term “poverty,” or to comprehend the dire grimness «'f the word “ starvation ” They have seen neither the horrors that surround the London poor, the squalid wre-ohedness of the Irish peasantry, cor the bit-tet want of the Highland crofters. They read of the sufferings of the English agricultural laborer, but can form no adequate idea of the cruel reality of hia misery And those who have seen the poverty of Great Britain, or the poverty of any other European nation, will thank Providence that the sights they have witnessed are beneficently witheld from their native born fellow colonists. The accounts we have of the condition of the English laborer daring the thirty years which in tervened between the close of the great

war and the adoption of Freetrade, are simply heartrending, disgusting, and hu miliating tat my own acquaintance with the poverty of England was made twenty years later—when the persistence and eloquence of Richard Oobden and John Bright had thrown open the portals of British commerce and broken down the banters of ignorance and prejudice that had so long impeded the master and starved the servant. And what was the condition of the agricultural laborer in England then? Bad enough, still. Hardwoi king industrious men and their families were

often without bread to eat, and such a luxury as meat was seldom seen on their tables The wages of agricultural laborers in the farming districts were sometimes reduced to nine shillings a week ; and even at this low price their labor was not cheap, as semi-starvation left them so weak and listless that they

had neither strength of body to do their work, nor strength of mind to think of improving themselves. I have seen, ton, the poorest districts of Ireland and Scot land and Franca ; perhaps not at their poorest times, hat at times when the sufferings were horrible enough and ap parent enough to make a life long impres sion upon my mind. Burdened with these recollections—-teoolleotions that will never require to be revived—l received a com mission to visit

SOD TOWN AND THE VILLAGE SKTTT-EMKNT, at Rakaia, and enquire into the oondition of the people there. It is hardly neces sary to remind my readers that a meeting of representatives of these people was held in Rakaia oo Wednesday last, at which it was alleged by one or more of the speakers that several families in the settlement were actually in want of the common necessities of life, were, in fact, starving. I soon gathered, from informa tion applied to me by residents in Rakaia, that the village settlers are not in good odour with the townspeople. I checked several statements volunteered to me, as 1 wished to approach the subject of my investigation, as far as possible, without prejudice. The settlement is situated about two miles in a north-westerly direc tion from Rakaia, arid is approached by following the Rakaia- Alford Forest road —a thoroughfare which at the present moment carries, in addition to the traffic of the neighborhood, a promising crop of grass seed The land on either side of the road is excellent, ani as the traveller enters the settlement he cannot fail to be impressed bv the indications of humble cottage comforts that come into view. The holdings vary from one acre and a quarter to six acres in extent. The price charged for the land by Government is LlO an acre, payable by instalments of LI an acre on January 1 and July 1, each year Sod Town, now a part of the village settle ment, was founded eleven years ago, in 1874, by the Rakaia Road Board, that body erecting a dozen sod cottages, each costing about L4O, for the reception of English immigrants. The name popularly given to the settlement, Sod Town, ia not acceptable to the villagers; they prefer the official designation, Newtown, and gratefully eulogise the efforts made by Vtc J. O, Wason, while a member of the local Road Board, to abolish the less euphonious title. Nearly ed the cottages built by the Road Board have disappeared —none are occupied—and, generally speaking, the buildings nowin use are com fortable looking structures. The gardens are particularly neat and well stocked with but few exceptions, and the live stock— cows, pigs and fowls,—seem to thrive well The children seen on the roads and around the cottages are ruddy and intelligent, they are well-clad, and, if I may judge from the glimpses I obtained of their varied antics, healthy and happy. There are some cottages wearing a neglected, poverty stricken appearance. Here and there a pig-stye is made by placing a lean-to against the dwelling-room, and in one case I saw “ the gintlemsn that pays the rint ” disputing possession of the family floor-barrel with the youngest scion of the house. Tire dirt and disregard of ordi nary sanitary precautions, the careless in difference which distinguishes some mem bers of every considerable community, are found in Newtown—as I shall call it in deference to the wish of the inhabitants— but taken as a whole the village presents a comfortable, fairly prosperous, and cer tainly pleasing aspect. Let os see WHAT THE VILLAGERS SAT. As speedily as possible 1 made my way to the gentleman dabbed (< Mayor of Sod Town,” an intelligent,{airly wall educated, and somewhat loquacious Englishman. He first wished to assure me that the reports published of the meeting held on Wednesday last were incorrect. It was not, he said, alleged that anyone was starving ; no one was actually deprived of food, but several families were subsist ing on the charity of neighbors and the liberality of tradespeople. The sufferings of the poorer class were very great, and promised, if relief were not forthcoming, to become greater. Women, mothers of families and young wives, ware going about hatleas and shoeless, their bodies covered by rags which barely satisfied the demands of decency Children were born without the attendance of a profes sional man or a skilled nurse ; the little ones were allowed to pariah, and the parents felt grateful for their release.

The mea did not care to leave their homes and had taken work under the Road Board at prices which yielded not more than 2s or 3s a day. At least 25 men are out of employment, earning nothing, and it ia estimated that the settlors owe the tradespeople of Kakaia fully LI,OOO. A majority of the children are so ill-clad —the Mayor says, but my own observa tions did not bear the statement out—that

they cannot be sent to school, and are growing up without even the rudiments of Education. I inspected some of tbe cottages, and interviewed several of the inhabitants. Tbe statements made by the “ Mayor” were reiterated, and numerous instances of personal suffering were de scribed, bat I could find no indica tions of the alleged destitution. I should state, too,' that none of tbe cot tagers complained of their own conditionj it was the suffering of soma friend or neighbor that they deplored and sought to alleviate This applies, particularly to tbe “Mayor”—the principal agitator—who oc cupies 15 acres of freehold ana 50 acres of leasehold land—well stocked and carefully cultivated. One of the settlers who signed the petition to the Road Board praying for temporary relief work, admits that ha is in a fairly good position, indeed the ap pearance of the block of land tie occupies wogld belie any statemsat he made to the contrary. He was the “ first inhabitant ” in Sod Town, and four years ago took up a section in the new part of the settle ment. Fir the moment he is out of work »ad would tyke tbf to

him employment. “ But if they don’t,” be says, “we shall not starve yet.” I have not described any instances of per* soual snfferinß, as 1 was nn&ble to fiw<H the sufferers in propriA persond, and 1 re turned to Baksia disappointed, from a “special’s” point of view, that I bad nothing approaching the sensational to re cord The

VIKW TAKXK BY THX RAXAIA PEOPLE should receive a moment’s examination. “ o<inld you," I asked a tradesman, “pro cure twenty laborers from New Town, at fis a > ! ay each.” “ No” was the reply; “if I offered thhm such wages they would probably pelt me with atones. If 1 offered them even 8a a day they would ask where they were to go to, what they were to do, and how long the job would last. If my replies to these enquiries were in their opinion satisfactory, they would probably request me to defer the matter until ■ the roan oow had e«lved or the bees had swarmed.” Another informant said— “No, they are not starving. They have suddenly become landed proprietors, and the dignity of the situation has tcrnad their heads. They are jealous of their independence, and prefer minding the cows or taking unprofitable contracts to supplying the ordinary labor market” notwithstanding these I am satisfied the settlers have endured some hardships. The

CAUSES AND BBUKDIES are not very evident, bat it appears to me that a great mistake was made in locating an jexceasive supply of labor in a spot where there was no Immediate probability of a large increased demand. As a mat ter of tact the demand has decreased. The men, reluctant.to leave home and re luct ant to accept lower wages, have at tempted to eke oat aa existence from the produce of their small holdings la this attempt they have naturally failed, and having awakened to the fact of their fail ore, they are now looking round for soma remedy. Few of the men would accept charity pure and simple; what th'y ask is some legitimate opportunity to enlarge their resources. The “ Mayor ” thinks that if the extent of the holdings were largely increased and the perpetual leas ing system substituted for the deferred payment, the bulk of the settlers outlet live in comparative comfort. To a certain extent I agree with this view, but it must be evident that some of the unfortunate Ji pep’e—those absolutely without means \J —could put fifty acres of land to no pro fitable ose. These ossea must be absorbed by the labor market, and If the competi tion of those in a post:ion to farm larger holdings were withdrawn, I believe em ployment could he found in the immediate dUi riot Vlr Ivass, M. H. R., has arranged to confer with the settlers at a meeting to ha held on . Wednesday next, And it is pleasing to be able to record ’hu the vil lagers entertain the utmos'. good will to wards the large landholders in the dis trict. The “ Mayor ” testified tat the “ gentry ” had the utmost confidence of , the settlers; “if they told them they wanted a vote at anytime, why, they had it.” The local storekeepers, too, have won the gratitude of the settlors by their forbearance, and the Government have been in no way harsh with their tenants.

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

(“ Age ” Specials.)

By Telegraph from Bluff To d .t. London, November 11. The anticipation that the Indus would float into deep water after the removal of some of her cargo has not been , realised, the vessel having sustained more damage through mishap than was supposed, and has foundered. The passengers and mails were saved, and are being re-shipped on board the Clyde, which was sent to the assistance of the Indus. Mr W. E. Gladstone, addressing a public meeting at Edinburgh, declared that the question of church disestablish meat was not to be regarded as a to-t question at the general elections. He strongly denounced the Tory party for raising it. London, November 12. Sir Charles Gavan Duffy is suffering . from indispo’ition of a rather severe character.

A Committee of shareholders has been appointed to investigate the affairs of the English and Australian Copper Company, carrying on operations in South Aus tralia.

‘London. November 13. The Home Office has been requested to receive a deputation of sympathisers with Mr Staad, headed by Mr Vatley, the re vivalist, who desire to plead for ■ remis sion of the sentence passed upon Mr Stead in connection with the Lily Arm strong’s abduction case. The Home Office has, however, declined to receive the deputation. Dissenters in Scotland are indignant at the evasive attitude assumed by Mr Glad stone on the question of the disestablish meat of ths Church.

Lord Selbonrne, Lord High Chancellor, has announced that he will decline to sup port the Liberal Party if they should adopt an attitude of hostility to the Church of England,

Sir Richard Cross, Home Secretary, has issued an order that Mr Stead shall be treated as a first class misdemeanant. London, November 15. It is rumored that Major Rhodes, .who was lately engaged by the Victorian Go vernment to take charge of the torpedo branch defenses ia to be recalled foe Home service.

Earl and Countess Dalhoasie have ' , passages to New Zealand by the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer, Kaikoura.

The Servian Government have dis claimed any feeling of hostility against the Saltan in connection with their de claration of war against Bulgaria. The Government of Bulgaria have re quested the Sultan to signify his approval of the union of Bulgaria and Ronaelia. London, November 16. There are great rejoicings in Hungary at the outbreak of bostUities between Servia and Bulgaria. In England the development of the dispute is watched with much anxiety, and earnest hope is expressed that the war may be localised, so that the Great Powers may not become embroiled in it. The Conference bf repre sentatives of the Great Powers, which has been sitting at Constantinople with the object of arranging a settlement ol the difficulty, is divided an tbs question at issue. The joint Commission, com prising the representatives of England and Russia, which was appointed to deal with the delimitation of the Afghan icon* tier, has assembled at Zulificar. a. “Agk" Specials.

(By Tblegbaph peoic WbiusgiJok.) (Per Tekapo from Sydney. Londo.v, November 13. In the appeal case It\ Barton, Speaker of Legislative Assembly of New South Wales v A. G. Taylor, M.L.O. for Hudgae, arising out of “ Ironhand ” re solutions passed by the New South Wales Legislature, Taylor obtained leave to ap pear in person, and the hearing is fixed for February, when Taylor arrives in England.

Reuter’s telegrams have been published attributing the Parliamentary deadlock in Queensland to influenoa of Victoria. Tha report has caused considerable sensation.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 185*5.



Wanted. tfTT ANTED — A Boy. Apply. Vioto- W man Carriage Works, West street. 11 38 WANTED Euovn — Wax, Wax, Wax. Bee Hives for Sale, A Consign ment from Bagnan Broa, Auckland, the celebrated hive makers. All sizes ami prices. -F Ferriman 11. 30 il l ANTED Known —Down aga’.u ! VV What, the price of wheat ! No Bat the price of meat. Lamb, fore I quarters, Vs 6d; hind quarters, 3s 6d Best sausagea in the town, 5d per Id, at Baker and Co s, London Butchery, Tan cred street. H 971 WANTED Known—A really good White Crystal Sugar, 3d per lb ; Dried Apples, 6d ; Ling Fish, 6d ; Fresh Herrings, 7d ; Salmon, 8d ; Sago, 3J ; Tapioca, 3d ; at J. McGregor's, Tsncrecl *tr et. 11 936 ■•V? ANTED Known The Cheapest \\ House in Town for first class Millinery and Drapery, H. O. Seqers, East street. * WANTED Known—That Hayes and Co. has bonght 1009 yards superior Velveteen, all shades, from Is; dress goods grand value, worth 2s, now Is; ladies’ jackets, cost 25s 6d, now 4s 6d ; hats and bonnets half-price ; winceys, 1 yard wide, 6d ; ladies’ ulsters, 2s lid. 637



AND HEADS UF SMALL jj BIRUS. Two Shillings and Sixpence per Hundred -will be given at tbe following places for eggs and heads collected in the Wakanui Bead District:— Sohoolhouse, Wakanui ~ Sea field Seaview „ Ehrin „ Newlands Board Office, Ashburton 11 968 Mrs Adams, AGENT FOR MADAME WEIGEL’S PATTERNS,



HAS now on baud a nice assortment of crewel wools, silks, filoselle, fioesette, lace, braids, transfer patterns, new designs, crash, oatmeal and satin cloths for art needlework, five o’clock tea cloths, embroidery frames, eta IHE little shop, East street, IKext Mr Ranger’s, baker). 5 76C Wilhelm Zander EBSPfiOTF' LLY notifies the public i of Ashburton and its vicinity that be HAS TAKEN OVER MR F. CLARK'S HAIRDRESSING, tobacco, and PANOY GOODS BUSINESS, carry on the same on hia own account. In addition to the well assorted stock I have just opened ont a variety of Pi7KB, SCENTS, BbDBHWaBE, and FANCY Goods or kvkby I>bso«ipxion, ALL DIRECT IMPORTED, Also, Cbicketisg and Lawn Tennis Matrial at greatly REDUCED PRICES. A trial solicited,—Ladies’ and Gentle men’s Hairdressing and Hair Work of «very description made op on the shortest notice. —A Private Boom for Ladies. — Monthly subscriptions now open. WILHELM ZANDER, Tobacconist, Hairdresser, and Fancy Goods Dealer, ‘ EAST STREET. ASHBURTON. LI 997 T HE REASON WHY ORB AND AIaOORN’S Gigantic Drapery Sale ii such an immense Success



Became the rale is a genuine one, every article being reduced Oeeaoee the reduction* are tremendous, in many cases being less than half price Became onr prices are lower that any other house can compete with, onr object being the reduction of the stock, irrespective of loss the reductions we have made are universal, and not on a few Spe cial Lines, for the purpose of catching the unwary PfrPflrtfa onr stock is superior to others, being mostly direct importations, and is now beiog sold at less than wholesale prices TolWufc-hly understand and appreci te the bargains now being offered, put basers would require to call and inspect be stock. We refrain from quoting prices as nn tfsa the quality is known prices are no imd». Oal}' eafly and call often at the Gigantic Sale At Qrrand Alcorn’s



Special Advertisements. Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, * Asthma, Coryza, Iftfinenza, Con sumption, etc. KAf'S Compound of Linseed, Ani seed, Senega, Squill, Tolu, et;-, with Chlcrodyne. KAY’S Compound, a demulcent ex pectorant, for Coughs, Golds and Const Complaints. KAY'S Compound, for Coughs and Colds, is .equally serviceable for Horses and Cattle. KAY’S Tic Pills, a specific in Neu ralgia, Face Ache, etc. Contains Quinine, Iron, etc. COAG CLIME Cement for Broken Articles. Sold everywhere. Sole makers— KAY BROS., 101 Stocknort, England iTOWLK’S pennyroyal and steel pills for females quickly correct all irregulari ties and relieve the distress ug symptoms so prevalent with the sex. Boxes Is lsd and 2s 9d, of all chemists. Prepared only by t&. T. Towle, chemist, Nottingham, Eng land. Wholesale of all the wholesale houses.—Beware of imitations. I 12



WAJNTKD Known — That Messrs K. Alien and Oo obtained First Prize for excellence of Flour at the Colonial Exhibition, ani W. Nourish is selling same. “Golden Gem” EOlb ss, 4lb loat 4fcd. cash prices. Freetrade Bakeiy, hast afreet. 10 813 WANTED Known—That R. Lanoas xer will cat his family orders direct from the Freezing Chamber, in I East street, on and after November 1, when bis customers can rely on well-hung meat and tree from flyblows.— K. Lan caster, Ready-Money Meat Mart, JBur aeU street, and Somerset Butchery, East street. 9 632 WANTED Known—To the Ladies of Asbbnrton and surrounding dis tricts and the public in gbneral. Mr J. Moison, Impermeable Bootmaker, has re ceived a large shipment of French, Eng lish and German ladies’ shoes, buttor up and elastic sides, great choice, now fur inspection, which J. Moison intends dis posing of at reasonable rates during the coming holidays. His own make always on hand or made to order. Repairing done with care and promptitude. Colo nial boots of all kinds. Next to the Club, Tancred street, Ashburton. 10 880 WANTED KNuWN —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



WANTED Known—VYertheim Sew ing Machines can be had on Time Payments at the New Zealand Olotniug f actory’s Branch, East street, Ashburton 2 276 Special Advertisements. Of NIGRAL ADCIION MA T, rpHE undersigned begs to notify tha X. owing to the liberal support accorded him since opening the above, he has much pleasure in stating that, he is still prepared to undertake sales ot Horses, Cattle, Pigs, etc, every Saturday, at the lowest payable rates of commission. No entrance fees charged if sales are effected. My regular sale at Kakaia is held on the last Thurs day in eash month. Sales in town and country undertaken on extremely favor able terms. The following properties are placed in my hands for sale or to let : 30 Town sections in capital positions 3 Acres and 3-roomed cottage, Waka nui road £-Acre, store and blacksmith’s shop, Wakanni road 6-Roomed house, Treverton 6-Roomed house, Taucred street 4-Roomed house, Tsncred street i-Aore near Templar Hall J-Acte, Hampstead 20 Acres, Tinwald



Trees. Trees. Tree^. 11HE undersigned has for sale all kinds of Fruit and Forest TREES, Pin us Insignia (3s 6d per 100), Maorocarpa, by tens of thousands 6s per 100). Other kinds in proportion. N.B.—All orders by post or left at the Office of this paper will be attended to with despatch. JAMES PORTER, OLIFTON NURSERY, Allenton, Ashburton. 5 701



Extraordinary Sale or a WAREHOUSEMAN’S STOCK or SILKS, VELVETEENS, CRETONNES, CASHMERE MITTS, &o. Colored Silka Bought at 70 per cent discount. Do you realise what this means, viz that bilks 5a yard cost us Is 6d ? Bought at J dis count, and will be Colored Velveteens offered to the public Costume Tweeds ... London prices. Knockabout Tweeds 'Goods in the usual Black Goods ... way costing say 2/6 the yaH, we only paid 1/8 for. Bought also at £ dis count, which will enable ns to .sell at less than invoice price. It is a won derfnl reduction on regular safe goods of every da} demand ... )114doz, bought at ... ) 40 per cent discount "j Bought at 60 per Blue Wool Repps... >oent discount, 10/9 J Goods for 3/9 } Bought at 75 per cent discount, and sold at 6£d. —Full sized cotton shirts. } Bought at 90 per cent discount, and sold at 9d for 12doz or Id the ooz. Cretonnes .. .Skirtings .. Silesias .. Men’s Mules Cashmere Mitts Infants’ Polkas Cotton Shirts All perfectly New Goods. The Purchase only effected last week. The whole will be shown on Tables in the Centre of the Shop, and not in any way mixed with our ordinary Stock. SALK NOW ON. H. E. May & Co., THE HALL, CHRISTCHURCH.



(J 1H E NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory CONTRACTORS To 'ha New Zealand Government Rail ways, Post Offices, Volunteer Corps, &c. &o. &o. Are now prepared to enter into contracts for the supply of NAVAL AND MILITARY UNIFORMS in any quantities, the organisation of the Factory being specially adapted for turning out large supplies in the most inexpensive and expeditions 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 no entrusted to the Manager of the N.Z. Clothing Factory branches in the follow ing centres, viz:— Dunedin Nelson Palmerston N. Invercargill Hokitika New Plymouth Camara Greymouth Napier Waimate Reefton Waipawa Timaru Wellington Hastings Ashburton Mastorton Gisborne Christchurch Wanganui Thames Lyttelton Hawera Auckland



W. H. Zouch Auctioneer, Land, Estate and vommis sion Agent; Agent for the Viccotian Mutual (life;, and Phoenix (tire) offices. MPORT A N T. The J'an Francisco Mail leaves Ashburton November 7th, and reaches London about December 18th, and ail who wish to re member their Home friends bad better apply to T. F. FAELHiY, Bookseller, Stationer, Printer, and Newsagent, Saunders’ Buildings, Ashburton, FOR CHRISTMAS CARDS I OHRISIMaS CARDS I I CHRISTMAS CARDS ! ! 1 A splendid assortment is now open, and inspection is solicited. SCHOOL PRIZES— A large shipment having just come to hand, school Committees are respect fully requested to make an early selection. Thomas F. Farley, BOOKSELLER, ETC., Corner of Saunders’ Building, Ashburton



Victorian Steam Carriage Works. J. R. STEEL & SON WISH to intimate to the Public of Ashburton and surrounding districts that, having obtained hTBAM POWER and other Machinery requisite for the carrying on tbeii work efficiently, are now in a position to meet the demands of the public with a first-class article at prices to suit the times. Every description of Carriages and Traps made, Painted and Repaired. Spring Traps from £2O. Whitechapols from £25. Buggies from £3O. P, S.—Special attention paid to Repainting and Retrimming. < VICTORIAN STEAM IRON WORKS AND GENERAL SHOEING FORGE. J. R. S. & SON, while thanking the public for their past liberal support in this department, beg to intimate tha*, having procured first-class Machinery, they are now in a p sition to undertake all kinds of Engineering work. ... Special attention is given to Turning, Boring and the Repairing of all kinds of Machinery, including Combines, Engines, Reaper and Binders, and every description of Agricultural Implements. ESTIMATES given for Contractors and Builders Ironwork. HORSES CAREFULLY HOD—Draughts, 7a ; Hacks, 6a. 8 451 Victoria House. ATTENTION is directed to NEW and NEAT NOVELTIES now showing in Prints, Galateas, Check Mattings (a splendid stuff for general wear), shaded Plain, and figured Dress Stuffs. Sailor and Fancy Straw Hats. Trimmings, Laces, Cambrics, and Fancy Aprons ; Also, Men’s, Boys’, and Youths’ Clothing in English and ColonUl Tweeds. Felt and Tweed liats, Etc. PRICES LOWERS Than those which have gained for u« our present popularity. Five per cent Discount allowed on Caih Parcels Crewel and Washing Silk Transfers, Traced Goods, Etc. Dimant and Coe. general drapers, clothier >. M n 4 Streets AiaDushm



H pedal Advertisements. NDON BUTCHERY. Tancred Street, Ashburton. W. Baker and Co., BUTCHERS, Beg to inform their customers, the public of Ashburton, and surrounding districts, that they ure supplying the Primest Meat at Christchurch Prices FOR CASH ONLY, Lamb, fore-quarter ... 2s 64 Lamb, hind-quarter ... 3s 6d Roast Beef from 3d Corned Beef from 2id Mutton ... ... from Ifd Sausages ... ... from 4d Small Goods of every description at equally low rates. 11 970



Remember your loved ones at HOME! Christmas Cards. CHRISTMAS CARDS IN GREAT VARIETY. A well selected stock of GENERAL STATIONERY. BOOES —Books suitable for School Prizes, etc. Every description of TOYS and FANCY GOODS. SPECIAL— Upon all large orders a very LIBERAL DISCOUNT R. Bevan, STATIONER BOOKSELLER, &0., (Next Shop to Quill’s Hotel) SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS,



AS H B ETON GOAL AND FIREWOOD DEPOT. R. S, Bean Begs to inform the inhabitants of Ash burton that he still continues to deliver NEWCASTLE. WESTPORT, AND BROOKFIELD GOAL at lowest rates. Firewood, Post and Rails, Stakes, Eto., Potatoes Chaff, Oats, Bran, Sharps, Eto R. S. BEAN, 8 419 West street.



ÜBLIO NOTICE. MESSRS SPENSLEY & CO., Music Warehousemen, CHRIS ICHUROH, Have appointed T. P. Parley, Book seller, Stationer and Printer, Ashburton, their Agent for the sale of Pianos, Harmoniums, American Organs, and have supplied him with a large stock of Sheet Music, comprising the latest and most popular Songs, Duets, Piece M.hsio, Dances, etc.; also. Violins, Cornets, Flutes, Accordians, Violin Bows, Concer tinas, eto. Pianos, American Organs and Harmoniums sold upon deferred pay ments. Easy terms granted- A splendid stock now on view at T. F. Fabxbt’s Music Warehouse, Saunders’s Buildings, Ashburton. More than 3,000 sheets of music now on hand. 3 288



CTTA TERLOO DINING-ROOMS, V Tancred street, Ashburton, Samuel Timmo, Proprietor. Board and Lodging 17s per week Board only IP ~ The proprietor, in announcingthe above terms, begs to inform the public that for respectability, regularity; and the quality of accommodation and food the above dining-rooms cat not be ex celled—being under his own personal supervision and attention. 8 446 Australian mercantile UNION INSURANCE COMPANY. The onl* Company in Canterbury WHICH DID NOT RAISE RATES 33J FEK cent on Country Risks. We are now, as wg hate bbkn for THE PAST THREE YKAKS, ACCEPTING RISKS AT 25 PER CBHT OFF TARIFF. W. B. MOSS, Agent for Ashburton District. September 22, 1885. 9 615 HAVING purchased the Asphalting Plant and Business on t.y Mr James Bradley, I am in a posi tion to execute any orders 1 nisy be favored with. All asphalt work guaranteed. Ranges taken out and re-set in the bes possible manner. Jobbing wor? in gene ral done. J. Crum, OPPOSITE CONVENT, Wakanni Road. Orders may be left with Mr J. 0. Duncan, Old New Zealand Bank. 10 799



Nothing purifies and enriches the blood and destroys all poisons in the system like AmerU can Co. s Hop Bitters. Read Wells’ ‘‘Roughon Corns.”—Ask for Wells* “Rough on Corns.” Qnick reliefs complete, permanent core. Coras, ’wart bunions. The N.Z, Drag Co,, Genemg