DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Friday, May 1 Messrs Matson, Cox and Co,, at Corwar, South Bakaia—Live and Dead Stock Mr Alfred Harrison, at Mr Bozenberg’s Stables —Thoroughbred Stock Saturday, May 2 Mr.Tbos. Bullock, at the Arcade, Burnett street —Land,, etc. Tuesday, May 5 Messrs Matson, Cox and Oj., at the Tinwald Saleyards—Stock Wednesday, May 6 Mr Thos Bullock, at Alford Forest— Farm and Stock MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Etc. Thursday, April 30 Ashburton Racing Club—Autumn Meet ing Oddfellows’ Hall—“H.M.B. Pinafore,” at 8 o’clock Town Hall—Diorama of the Soudan War Friday, May 1 ishburton County Council —At Council Chambers, 11 a.m. Lonbgeach Road Board at Road Board Office. Oddfellows’ Hall— Phrenological Lecture, at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 2, tfakanui Road Board, at Road Board office, Moore street, at 10.30 a.m. Wednesday, May 6 Orange Hall—Star of the East, 1.0.G.T., meeting at 8 o’clock Monday, May 11. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7.30 Arcade Chambers—Star of Ashburton, U.A.0.D., at 8 o’clock

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

Advertisements for The Ashburton Guardian must be sent in not later than 8 pm. with the number of insertion, written plainly on the copy, otherwise they will be inserted until counter manded, and charged accordingly. Re place Advertisements must be supplied the day previous to that on which they are to be inserted. Special notices can be received up to 3.30 p.m., but will be charged double rates. All notices of Births, Marriage?, or Deaths must he accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of ood faith. , AH advertisements and business »et-r • s *.„obe addressed The Manager; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor.

MAIL NOTICES.

Maila close at the Ashburton Post Office follows: — For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 10.30 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Ohertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10.30 a. m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. -Ifor Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., for Tima/u and South, at 6 a.m., 10 *.m., and 4.30 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10.45 For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a. m. For Mount Somers, on Tuesdays and aturdays, at 6 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. For Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 6 a.m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. „ For Flemmgton, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4.30 p. m. For Rowlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.30 a.m.

Mnil« arrive at the Aahburton Post Office — From Christchurch and Bakaia at 10.15 t.u, 435 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Ohertsey, &c. at 10.15 a.m. and 4.35 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at *vm. daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.40 a.m. U. 30 p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 *.m. lor Mount Somers and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 6 a.m. and 4.30 p.m., and on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. From Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 10.5 a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Newlanda, on Tuesdays and Fri days, at 2.30 p.m. • From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, at 10 a. m. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, and Kyle on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sat urdays. at 4 p.m.

BIRTH.

Purnell —On April 2), at Burnett street, the wife of C. W. urnell, of a son.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1885. Village Settlements.

So far as we know, no political writer, great or small, has ever ad mitted to the full the really secondary position that politicians fill in moulding the destinies of mankind. We owe much to our greatest statesmen, but the progress of society and the develop ments of civilisation have been far more effected by our engineers and inventors. Watt and Stevenson did more for their race than even Cobden and Peel, Arkwright more than Bright, and McCormick more than 1 Lincoln. The small politicians that from time to time have tried to guide the destinies of New Zealand have been singularly slow to see the great changes that are resulting from im proved implements, and how com pletely those changes have left behind the methods that fifty years ago might have been patent for the improvement of the condition of the least wealthy and prosperous members of society. Grev, Rolleston and Ballance are now and have been parading remedies for poverty that would have worked wonders when the spade and single-furrow plough and sickle were the most expeditious means of securing the people’s food, but are now as much antiquated and as much out of place as if they were to propose to relieve the unemployed of Christ church, who turn up their noses at 4s a day, by setting them to work at spin ning wool with the Roman spinning wheel. The more servile imitators of the more able, if not more honest patriots, who were at work a century before them, will accomplish little in the present day. To be of any service to the poor they must keep pace with the inven tions and improvements of the present time. When Cobcett told the laborers of England how to keep a cow on a quarter-acre of land by incessant spade work he was not writing for men wh 0 bad learned the old song of Eight hours’ work and eight hours’ play. Eight hours’ sleep and eight bob a day, and Mr Ballance will find that in order'to improve the condition of such men, he will have to think of some far brighter idea than that of placing them on small allotments of land to work without any of the improved tools used by their competitors. The treble fur row plough, the mower, but above all, the reaper and binder have now become indispensable implements on a farm, and if very sm?ll farms are to be made profitable at all it must be by some system of co-operation or hiring the best tools for the agricultural work. To attempt to work a farm profitably with out such implements, in the present day, would be as hopeless as to attempt to convert wheat into flour by mere hand labor, or to make cloth without using the inventions of Hargreaves, Arkwright, or Crampton. This one fact is quite sufficient to account for the future of all attempts to found settle ments of small farmers, just as the sawmills have done away with the com munities of hand sawyers, and the power loom with the cottage wheels. There is a good deal in this fact that the poet and the moralists lament, or the philanthropist wish otherwise; but the statesman must deal with facts as they are, and a man is not a statesman who vainly resorts to the processes that were available during the last eentury, without seeing that they are not applicable to the present time. There is yec another obstacle which eyery practical man has seen to be en tirely fatal to small land settlements in the circumstances by which we are sur rounded. The Chinaman carries his soil to rock terraces; the Dutchman houses his cattle; the Englishman cuts up all his straw and feeds it and returns it to his land with oil cake, bone dust or guano. None of these processes will pay here. The futility of the land must be slowly recovered by rest, by sheep, and by pasture, with from three to seven years to complete the process. So that whilst the improved and ex pensive machinery demands some hundred of acres to keep even one efficient man employed to cultivate it in cereals, three tjmet that quantity

should be available to keep up the necessary rotation. In growing for exportation, or to compete in the markets of the world, everything is cut so fine that no system but the best can succeed. Working half time, or without the best tools, must be a failure; and hence every year brings complaints that our deferred payment settlers have not been abje to meet their small engigements,at)d the House is asked to give them further indul gence. Fifty years ago there were, even in England, thousands of able, frugal down trodden men, who would have thought themselves happy and independent for life, in pos session of a single acre of good land; but there are no such persons in New Zealand. For generations yet to come there will be no difficulty about securing land —the real difficulty is how to get wages out of it when you have it.

The ordinary monthly mooting of the County Council will ba held to-morrow. As tenders for the erection of tne Ashbur ton traffic bridge are invited to be sent in to-morrow, no doubt there will be more than usual interest in the meeting. Tho election of five members of the new Mount Hutt road district takes place on Wednesday next at Methven. The following gentlemen are candidates ; Messrs G. H. Alington, R. Alexander, D. Cameron, 6. Coward, J. Jackson and W. McMillan.

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 19 or 44 stamps.

“ German Syrup.”—No other medicine n the world was ever given such a test of its curative qualities as Boschee’s German Syrup. In three years two million four hundred thou sand small bottles of this medicine were dis tributed free of charge by Druggists in the United States of America to those afflicted with Consumption, Asthma, Croup, severe Coughs,- Pneumonia and other diseases of the throat and lungs, giving the afflicted undeniable proof that German Syrup will cure them. The re sult has been that Druggists in every town and village in civilised countries are recommending it to their customers. Go to your Druggist and ask what they know about it. Sample Bottles 6d. Regular size 3s. 6d. Three oses will relieve any ease,—[Advt.]

Owners and trainers are reminded that nominations for the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechases close at Titnaru to night.

A quantity of grass seed belonging to Mr James Johnston, of Upper Ashburton, was burnt on Saturday night. The cause of the fire is unexplained. Mr Johnston suffered a similar loss last season ; the seed was insured with the Victoria office.

On Tuesday evening Mr D. Brick, of Seafield, lost two stacks of wheat by fire. Mr Brick estimates that the stacks con tained 1,200 bushels of grain; they were insured with the Union Company.

Thompson’s Diorama of the Egyptian and Soudan War, was exhibited at the Town Hall last evening to a very fair audience. The views on tin whole were very good and reprerented over fifty of the principal places and events connected with the Egyptian War—the ill-fated expedition of Bloks Pasha, and the later campaign of General Sir Garnet Wolseley’s for the re lief of General Gordon. The lecturer, Mr A. Thompson, delivered an interest ing account of the various views as they appeared, which enabled the audience to follow the operations of the British Army and the various incidents connected with

tlie campaign, with tolerable ease. The movement of the British fleet at Alexan dria, the embarkation of refugee families on board the war vessels, charge of Arab cavalry, and mechanical effects in the bombardment of the Egyptian forts wore vary wo 1 ! delineated. Altogether the diorama is well worth seeing, as the whole history of the Egyptian troubles afford considerable interest at the present moment as well as instruction. At the conclusion of the lecture and diorama, Mr Thompson distributed a large number of gifts, which appeared to be of a sub stantial and valuable character. The fol lowing persons amongst the audience were lucky enough to obtain the principal prizes, viz-—Mrs McGregor, workbox ; Mr G. Eagle, meerschaum pipe ; Mr G. Hefford, lever watch ; Mrs Mutc ! >, cruet stand ; Mrs Hicks, fbutter cooler ; Mrs Junes, tea and coffee service ; Miss MoTeague, writing desk; Mr J. Stevens meerschaum pipe. A matinee perform, anco was given this afternoon, which was well. attended, and every child present obtained a prize. To-night the diorama will be exhibited for the last time, and there should be a good attendance of those who feel interested in the Soudan War and Nile expedition. To-morrow evening the diorama will be exhibited at Rakaia.

The annual meeting of ratepayers of the Mount Somers road district takes place on Monday next at Mount Somers. Mr J. R. Bradley, ledger keeper at the U.iion Bank, met with an accident this morning, whilst taking some hay down from a stable loft, which resulted in breaking his cellar bone. He is now progressing favorably. The following are the vital statistics for the month ending April 30th, 1885 : Births, 25; marriages, 7; deaths, 6 Mails for the Australian Colonies, United Kingdom, and Continent of Europe via Hobart close at Bluff, per Te Anau, at noon on Saturday, May 2nd. Balmy sleep, good digestion, rich blood, elastic step and cheerfulness in American Co.’s Hop Bitters. Read and believe. Walls’ “Rough on Corns.”— Ask for Wells’ Rough on Corns.” Quick relief, complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts, bunions. The N.Z. Drug Co., General Agents. 1 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 or only a little over one-fhird of its' value. H, E. M. and Co. are now selling it at half the marked price, which surely ought to seenre a speedy clearance.

“H.M.S. PINAFORE.”

The Ashburton Choral and Orchestral Societies are once again entitled to our congratulations on the production of Gil bert’ and Sullivan’s comic opera of “ H.M.S. Pinafore, or tho Lass that Loved a Sailor.” Our congratulations have to take two directions on this occa sion. Firstly, on tho keen business per ception of those who have tho manage ment of the Iwe Societies’ affairs. This perception evinced itself in the choice of the race nights as the time for giving the second production of the opera. The town on these evenings has usually a large influx of visitors, all on pleasure bent, and, with their evenings unemployed, those visitors naturally look for jjsome sort of entertainment, and as the natural tendency of the Briton —at least the sporting Briton —is towards the theatre for an evening’s pleasure, a play or an opera is preferred to anything else. Then, too, the local people who have spent tho day on the racecourse are just in the frame of mind suitable for patron ising an entertainment. Hence, a good “ show ” always gats a good house in Ash burton on a race nighN Secondly : We have to compliment the Societies on scoring a success with their performance. We are not prepared to say this success was as signal as that which marked the performance of the opera on its previous production, but still after all proper allowances have been made, there is great room for congratulation, and this we heartily give. Last night the audience and ft was a large one—who attended the Oddfellows’ Hall showed a willing ness to be pleased and a readiness to ac cord applause for meritorious work, which we hope all deserving amateurs will ever encounter in the audiences who patronise them, and when those who went to listen were in this happy frame of mind it would be ungracious on our part to be out of ac cord tyith them. The cast of characters, as we stated yesterday, greatly differed from that of the previous performance, and to this may be attributed soiree of the unsteadiness that was occasionally ap parent, caused by the fact that the parts were new to many of them, and possibly also wanting in the necessary- amount of rehearsal. The chorus, too, had been soqaowhat altered in ypanonue

Among jthe m-Ii voitej, a little more bass wotjl4 been an ad vantage, but the ladies of the chorqa had received some very valuable additions and the fresh “crowe of blushing beauty” was certainly an acquisition. In the orchestra the place of Mr Jenkins, the clarionet player, whites rprnovai from Ash burton has been’ bo great a loss to the Society he belonged to, was ably jfi led by Mr Petrie from Christchurch, and Mr Wood, the well-known violinist from that city had the onerous duty of leader to perform. It la to bo hoped—and the hope is not altogether without good foundation —that Mr Wood will be able to take up a permanent residence among us. From the orchestra there was withdrawn Isst night the piano. This instrument has always, when well played, a steadying effect upon the orchestra, but while it helps to hide faults that would otherwise be badly apparent, it has itself tjie fault of tending to obscure excellences gf which the e»r would [regret to have missed the enjoyment, Ij’hp piano also supplies what may be wanting when ail the parts are not as fully represented as they ni'gh.t be, but the practice of work ing without one gives confidence to the players, end w,e were welj pieced to see the orchestra essay its work last night on its own merits alone. It is a small matter, perhaps, but we would recom mend to those interested in the Odd fellows’ Hall to devise ; Bome means of pro tecting the immediate front of the stage from tho draught of the side door. On a damp night like last, the necessary and frequent opening and closing of the aide

door admits a most disagreeable draught, uncomfortable enough to that part of the audience sitting in line with it, but speci ally so to the violinists, who, playing in a hottoom, have the tension of their strings awkwardly affected by the sudden draughts of odd damp air that so fre quently blow in upon them. Most of our readers know that upon the trueness of the violin string’s tension depends the accuracy of tune of the instrument, and if this difficulty With the door could be re medied the comfort of the audience would be greatly enhanced, and players of both string and wind instruments liable to bo affected by change i in temperature would be relieved of a source of annoyance The place of the lady who on the last perform ance of “ Pinafore” by the amaters played the heroine of the piece—Josephine—was taken by Mrs Sidney Wolf, Not only was the part new to her, and that she took it at short notice, but Mrs Wolf sang under the disadvantage of suffering from an affection of the throat, which certainly interfered with her rendering of some parts of the music and prevented her from doing the fullest justice to her well known powers. But otherwise her ren dering of the part was really excellent, and this talented lady at once won the hearty approval of her audience. Her acting was faithful and powerful and she fully sustained the high anticipations we had promised of her redering Sir Joseph Porter was taken by Mr J W. Jones We must certainly say the audience bene fited by this change, for while Mr Jones’s acting was certainly up to that of the pre vious performance of the part, his pro nouncedly better voice greatly enhanced his pburtrayal of the high and mighty K 0.8. Mr Jones sang throughout re markably well and was frequently ap plauded, but nothing could exceed the enthusiasm he raised when to the end of his song “ The Queen’s Navee” he tagged on the following verse, the pro duction of a local poet ;

Now, seamen all, keep wide awake, Our national honor is at stake ; If England should this war declare

The lion is sure to beat the bear. But stick close to your guns

And let the Russians see That we British are the rulers of the world’s navee.

The verse “fetched” the loyalty and patriotism of the Briton’s before him, and he had of coarse to respond to an encore, so decided, that refusal may have been quite as dangerous for him as for the “ bear." Mr Rose, who kindly took Mr Branson’s place as Oaptain Corcoran, must be made allowance for. He was asked to sing the music of a part that had previously been sung by one of the most brilla'nt baritones in Can terbury, and while the possessor of < f that voice brought to the aid of the part a figure of very comfortable 'proportions that made him look in his uniform the very beau ideal of a “ skipper,” Mr Rose has not the same substance, still the latter gentleman went through his part very accurately, and his spirited delineation of the character made up for what was lost by the absence Of his predecessor’s excel lent voice. Dick Deadeye was the next change in the cast, and Mr Alfred Fooks t ok the part of that “ miserable crittur.” It is no easy one to carry through, but Mr Fooks acquitted himself very creditably indeed in his work, and the scene with Captain Corcoran when ho betrays his messmate’s plan for a runaway marriage to his Oaptain, was very enjoyable. Cousin Hebe was personated by Miss Moss. This lady’s task is not a heavy one, and the most Hebe has to do is to look pretty. This, of course, was no effort to the young lady who had the part assigned to her. Tom Tucker, the Midshipmite, and Dorothea were played by Master Pat Ireland and his little sister, and the diminutive pair were very amusing The old faces among the principals were Little Buttercup, played by Mrs Hodge with all the jollity and success of her last appearance ; Ralph Rackstraw, by Mr Stephenson, who did not lose a single laurel he bad won ; and Bill Bobstay, the boatswajn, by Mr David Thomas, who was as f eah and as funny as ever. Mr F. Bevan, as the Boatswain's mate, sang an interpolated song, “ Sailing,” in a style that made it a very acceptable addition to the text, and received for the item a well merited round of applause. Golor -ergeant Thomas Hayes, of the Ashbur ton Rifles, was there with a guard of honor recruited from his comrades, and the little company of snider-armed red jackets made a good appearance on the stage. The chorus was made up as lol lows :—Mesdames Crisp, Ireland, Saun ders, Branson, Uestell, and Misses Boyle, Barrett (2), Graham, Moss ; Messrs Gun dry, Andrewes, Salek, Field, Flower, Morgan, Bevan, Paul, Gates. The opera will be repeated to-night.

SUPREME COURT.

[By Telegraph.] New Plymouth, To-day.

The Supreme Court criminal sessions were opene I this morning by Mr Justice Williams. There were only three oases. Kurn for larceny, and Gavey for forgery, both of whom pleaded guilty. In the cr.se of Boswell, for perjury, the Grand Jury found no bill.

Blenheim, To day,

In the Supreme Court the Salvation Army procession case (Filds v. Leasdale) came before the Court on appeal from the decismu of the Resident Magistrate dis missing information on the ground of no evidence of obstruction, Justice Richmond held that no question of law was involved, and that obstruction was purely a matter of defence. It did not appear from the evidence that tr a ffi: in the Market Place was obstructed, and the Ooutt could not hold that there was obstruction, because a person could nor stri .e a B line from one place to another. His Honor ad mitted that these meetings in a public place on Sunday afternoons might be annoying and injurious to appellant, whoso rpmpdjr might be by indictment for a nuisance. The Army must recollect that passing people together in that way, although by professing Christians for re ligious purposes, might be a serious an noyance to individuals and the public, but in the present case as the R.M. had found there was no evidence of construc tion, and as no point of law was involved the appeal would be dismissed. His Honor dismissed an appeal from the RM. who convicted the ex licensee of Grove Town Hotel, for selling liquor after his license was cancelled. His Honor held that the Magistrate was justi fied i i assuming cancellation, and that the R. M. Court was not a Court of appeal from Licensing Committees, if the Commit tee had informally cancelled the license without taking evidence on oath or with out properly hearing out and determining the matter in dispute.—the appellant’s remedy was by application to the Supreme Court for prohibition.

THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN.

[reuter’s TELEGRAMS—COPSRIGHT.] (Received April 30, 1.30 p.m.) [from reuxer’s special correspondent.] Suakim, April 29. It is announced that the garri son to be retailed fyere will consist of the Berkshire and Surrey regiments, to gether with the Indian contingent.

THE RUSSO-AFGHAN DIFFICULTY

(rBOTEh’s TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT.) • London, April 30. The Standard this morning pub lishes a telegram from its special cor respondent with General Lurasden to the effect that the Russian troops have occupied Maruchak, a position on the river Murghab, twenty miles south ot Penjdeh. No details are, however, given with regard to the occurrence, (Received April 2, 11a.m.) London, April 29

In the House of Commons last night Lord Edmund Fitzmaurice, Under secretary for Foreign Affairs, announced that the Government had received a telegram from General Lumsden, dated Sunday, April 26th, in which he stated that the Russian troops were advancing up the valley of Murghab, and had oc cupied Maruchak.

WAR PREPARATIONS.

Per Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Captain Taylor and 18 Armed Consta bulary, employed in road making at r r ■ have arrived to proceed to North mead or big gun drill. I She number of men at work on the I foiuiioations has been reduced to 200. By the end of the week the whole of the heavy guns in the batteries will be mounted. Wellington, Last Night. Government have not received any news from Home respecting Russian affairs. Dunedin, Last Night. A most enthusiastic meeting of Irish men was held this evening, for the pur pose of forming a corps to assist in defence. Before the close of the meeting, 189 names of those desirous of becoming members were handed in. Efforts are being made to form two companies, consisting principally of men who were at one time Volunteers, some of whom were the best shots in the district, and it is expected that they will offer their services, each member paying the coat of uniform, etc, and only requiring arms from the Government (By Telegraph.) Wellington, To-day.

The Government propose, with the co operation of the medical profession, to organise an effective Ambulance Corps at each chief centre of population, and it is hoped that the ladies will co-operate and form a Red Cross Society. Submarine mines for defence purposes will arrive in the colony in a day or two. These are intended to be laid at the prin cipal ports and also at the coal harbors. The ETinemoa leaves for Auckland to morrow with nine miles of cable, to be used in connection with the torpedo de fences, Captain Medley, of the Royal Naval Reserve, has beeu temporarily en giged to assist Lieutenant Douglas in matters connected with marine defence. His Ex :ellency the Governor has cabled to the Secretary ( for War, requesting that a supply of one million cartridges for small arms be sent without delay. Enquiries are being made throughout New Zealand as to the facilities for manu facturing cartridges in the colony. With respect to the navigation of Port Phillip the Melbourne Government has received information similar to that cabled, and further that arrangements will bo made for piloting vessels between sun set and sunrise. Electric lights may be exhibited from Qieenscliff and Point Nepean for defence purposes Such lights must not be taken as guiding lights. Government, some time back, sent Home an order for several 9-pounder field guns. These are now on the way out to the colony, and will be distributed over the various centres

The Government are experiencing great difficulty in having their orders for tor pedoes fulfilled, owing to the enormous strain placed on English manufacturers in supplying the demands of the Imperial Government. The Imperial authorities have, however, allowed New Zealand and New South Wales to particip ite in their orders, and they consequently will be supplied with a few torpedoes as they are completed. It is now believed that the vessel seen off Wakapuaka on Sunday last was an English man-of-war. It is known that Admiral Tryon, in charge of the Austra lian Squadron, has received from the Ad miralty secret instructions in connection with the protection’to be offered to colo nial commerce, and it Is also known that some vessels under his flag are cruising in these waters under sealed orders, audit is more than likely that the vessel soon was one of these, which just stood in towards the land, and then cleared away again. One or m re of these vessels may bo ex pected to put in an appearance at New Zealand ports within two or three days when arrangements have been made for them to come.

It has been decided that no more com missions are to be issued to officers of the Militia and Volunteers up to and includ ing the rank of Captain except provision ally, and then these will lapse unless a satisfactory examination is passed by officers within three months. The exam ination to be undergone is that prescribed in the Volunteer Regulations. It is in tended to organise a school of instruction here, which will be available for all offi cers provisionally appointed. The attend ance at such will not be compulsory, but will be recommended to officers. Ar rangements are to be made at each princi pal town for holding examinations of officers of the Militia whose commissions were recently revoked will be invited to elect between being placed on the retired list with former rank and seniority or re-entering the militia for active service. Those who desire the latter will have te apply through the officer commanding his district and present a certificate of physical fitness, and should ho pass the necessary examina tion within three months he will be placed on the active list with former rank.

YESTERDAY’S LATE TELEGRAMS.

Auckland. Mr Coates, contractor for the first sec tion of the Trunk Railway, signed the bonds to-day, and the work commences next week. The prospects of Kawakawa coal j mine are improving. The seam sft thick is gradually improving, and free from fault. The City School Committee protests against the frequent public school holi days, and recommends abolition of St Patrick’s, St George’s, and St Andrew’s Day as school holidays. Wellington. Information has been received to-diy that Alexander Forsyth Anderson, who was arrested here some months ago, aud remanded to Liverpool, was taken before the Police Court in Liverpool on March 10, and charged with the embezzlement of a large sum of money during the time he occupied the position of Master of Brown low Hill Workhouse. He admitted the offence, and was committed for trial, bail beipg refused. He was further charged with having left Great Britain with more than L3O in his possession, after being adjudged a bankrupt. The charge was also admitted, and accused waq again com mitted for trial, bail also being refused. Madame Rita and Mr W. S. Raicliff, , the eminent fiute player, are doing excel- j lent business. <

The Board of the Government Life Assurance Association decided at its meet* ing yesterday, to proceed at once with the preparation of rolls to enable an election to take place for the of

Local Boards at Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin. These rolls cannot be finished before the annual meeting of the Association, which is to be held the last Wednesday in May. It was considered 0 that if any of the policy-holders wished to offer any objection to the establishment of the proposed Local Boards, there would be ample time fot them to give adequate notice of their intention |by resolution to be proposed, and on that resolution a dis cussion could take place and a 'vote be taken at the general meeting. Gap'atn Kidley, of the steamer Coptic, shows but little improvement. It is be lieved that he i 3 suffering from brain fever.

The Defence Minister was indisposed, and unable to attend .at his office to-day.' Mr Seed, Secretary for Customs, re turned from England by the Kaikonrfc. He has much improved in health.

A writ in connection with the suit which Lieutenant Purnell, of Wanganui, has decided to bring against the New Zea land Rifle Association, in respect to the action of that body in disqualifying him at the Island Bay meeting last month, was served yesterday. The claim amounts to L 127, made up as follows;—Lso as damages for not being allowed tv fire in .the annual match, LSO as damages for being disqualified for the Biffe Champion; ship, and L 27, value- of prizes won by plaintiff, but retained by the Association. Nelson.

The winze being sank for the Doctor’s No 2 drive at Aniseed Valley, I• connect with the main level, is now down about 70ft on a mass of native copper. No 2 winze in the Champion lode was con nected with the shaft level 160 ft down. The lode is 4ft wide, native capper and rock. . Gbeymouth. At the local option poll to-day the issue of all additional licenses was carried by large majorities, the smallest balng In favor of more bottle licenses. The remit was not expected. Dunedin. At the annual meeting of the Rugby Football Union, it was stated that a com munication had been received from Wel lington stating that a team would be sent South this year. The report showed a substantial credit balance. Invercargill. In the Supreme Oonrt the case Mer chant Banking Company v Wilson, Taine and Co was concluded, His Honor re serving judgment for the consideration of the legal points raised. The application Richardson v Richardson for judicial se paration will not come before the Coart, having been privately settled.

BRYCE v. RUSDEN.

Wellington, Last Night.

A commission has been issued from the High Court of Chancery in the libel suit Bryce v Rusdon, appointing the Hon FatrickAlphonsus Buckley, Commissioner to represent plaintiff, and the Hon Joseph A. Tole, Commissioner to represent de fendant in taking evidence in New Zea land relative to the action. A sitting of the Commission will probably be held in Wanganui about May 8 to take evidence. In the meantime an application has been made to the Hon Colonial Secretary to have exhumed the bodies of Maori women and children, who, it was alleged in Mr Rusder's History, had been ruthlessly sabred by Cavalry under Mr Bryce. This request has been acceded on condition of all parties agreeing to it. The Colonial Secretary’s stipulation is that the exami nations shall be conducted in the pre sence of medical men nominated by him. The whole of the parties concerned hare agreed to this.

CABLE NEWS.

‘ ATIiST FROM EUROPE

Irkutsk's tblbob ams—copyright. 1 The Rebellion. Ottawa, April 28. News from the Saskatchewan district states that the care of the wounded, and the difficulties of transport, are de laying Major-General Middleton’s ad vance, and, in the. meantime, the rebels have rapidly retired. Shipping. London, April 29. Arrived. — Canterbury, ship, fcfrom Lyttelton (January 17), with 9,000 car cases of mutton. (Received April 30, 11 a.m.) A Good Advertisement.' • 'airo, April 29. The Bosphon Esyptien difficulty has been amicably settled, Nubar Pasha having apologised to the French Con sular-Agent, and the issue of the jour nal has recommenced.

AUSTRALIAN.

[reoter’s telegrams— copyright;] No Guide. Melbourne, Yesterday. Government have notified to the Marine Departments of the various colonies that, in the event of war being declared, Point Lonsdale, the two Queenscliffe, and the west and south channel lights will be extinguished, and the two pilot schooners withdrawn.

TELEGRAMS.

[i'KK PRKSS ASSOCIATION.] Sir George Grey. Auckland, To-day. Sir George Grey addresses a public meeting here before the session, Mr Stuart, premier of New South Wales, has been visiting him at Kawau. Successful Examination. Farquhar Mcßae, formerly headmaster at the Auckland College, has passed the barrister’s examination at Dunedin. Some old boys have telegraphed, congratulating him.

Fines RenjlttetJ. Wanganui, To*day. Official intimation Has' been received

Torn the Minister of Justice that the fines

(amounting to L 103) in the cases of Timins v Spurdle, for doing work at the hospital while a Borough Councillor have been remitted.

Salmon Ova ‘ Wellington, To-day. Mr S. 0. Farr, the Secretary of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, who has returned by the Kaikoura, brings about 100,000 healthy salmon ova full of vitality. Canterbury, Timatu, Oamaru, Dunedin, Wellington,. Wairarapa, and Napier are districts which hare subscribed towards the expense, and many of these, ova will be distributed pro rata as early as can be arranged. Declined- , Blenheim, To-uay. The Defence Minister has declined to accept the services of the proposed Wairao Cavalry, on the ground that the stock of 'arms in store is limited, and not equal tb arming those corps which ere urgently re quired.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, APRIL 80, 1885.



Wanted. WANTED —To Let Gorse Cutting'. » F. M. Ft ster, Winslow. 4 656 W ANTED—A correspondent for the Guardian, at Mount Somers. Apply to the Manager. XTTANTED—Purchaser for a Piano, by VV Cramer ; very cheap ;in first-class order. Apply, S.F. 8., Hinds. 4 572 TTTANTED Known—Before buying VV Dress Materials, Dialers, Jackets, Dolmans, Millinery, etc , call and inspect our stock. The cheapest first-class Drapery and Millinery Establishment in Ashburton —H. 0. &BGERS, ealys’ Buildings, East Street. 1 BEAT Reductions for Cash at Tones VTT AND Bradshaw’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 ; ffour, bran, sharps, and chick whea ‘ at very cheap rates. 'WJ ANTED Known—Wertheim Sew- VV ing Machines can be had on Time Payments at the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Branch, East street, Ashburton. 2 276 LORIOUS NEWS. Andrew Ore \_7T will give away on Saturday ICO pairs men’s boots at 6s 9d ; 60 pairs can vas slippers at 2s 6d ; 30 pairs cricketing boots at 6s 6d ; 100 pairs Kaiapoi trousers at 11a 6d—every article at half-price. VT}’’ANTED Known—Boots! Boots! VV That Hayes and Co. are Clearing a few desperate hues of Boots, etc., to , wit, Ladles’ Leather, 4s 6d; Men’s Shooters, Pegged, 10s; Men’s Elastic sides, 9b, and a lot of odd lines that must k bo cleared at once. 7 1278



HAVE FOR SALE CHEAP. WOOLPAOKS, full weights FENCING WIPF Nos. 8 and 9, at less than on LINS BED, colonial BARBED WIRE, from L 27 10s to LSP a ton TURNIP & RAPE SEEDS, all descrip tions, guaranteed to grow OATS & CHAFF, large stock, low prices ENGLISH & OTHER CLOVERS MATSON, COX AND CO. Cadbury’s Cocoa. IJIHB 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. t ORR AND ALCORNS. 4 605 Groceries CHEAPER THAN EVER AT james McGregors, Takcred Street. Sugars —English Cat Loaf- *»d per lb Best White Crystal, 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 I2s 6d per box Canterbury Cakes, lOd each. Rice, Sd Mixed Biscuits, 6d Lunch Biscuits, 3d Currants, 6i Raisins, 7d New Figs, Is per box Best Sago, 3d New Muscatels, Is 6d Oysters, 6d Cairo’s Marmalade, 8d Peacock’s Jams, 6sd Herrings, 7d Keiller’s Marmalade, 9d Salmon, 8d Cheese, 6d per lb English Pickles, 8d Other articles equally cheap. JAMES. MoGBEGOB, . ancredStreefc, 12 2342



«.TTaNTED Known—Umbrellas ac is W lid, six doz Buttons for la, China Matting at 6d, Ladies’ Hose at 6d, Cor sets at 2s 3d, Shirting at 4£l, Towels d, 36-inch Oilcloth 9d, Camisoles 1c 4d. Andrew Orr’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 Advertisements. MRS KENNEDY & MISS CAMERON, DRESSM,'. KE R S, Compton’s Buildings, Moore street, Ashburton, N. B.—Registry Office for Female Ser vants. 4 537



Money. CIEYER4L sums of Money to Lend on freehold security, at current rates of interest. Principals only dealt with. 3 428 CH.4S. W. PUKNELL.



jQOMESTIO PATTERN DEPOT. Mrs Hodge, DRAPER AND DRESSMAKER, East Street, near Lancaster’s butchery. Ladies’ Dressesand Underclothing made at the shortest notice. REGISTRY OFFIC E For Female Servants. 7 1413



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



Canterbury Mills. rjlO FARMERS AND OTHERS, CORF SACKS, K size and weights. At lowest current rates, 3 292 C. W. TURNER.



j GRIOULTURAL Machine Shop, WAKANCI ROAD. CHARLES RAY Repairs Engines, Combines, Chaff-cutters, Reapers and Binders, and all classes of macninery. Special attention given to Bicycles, Tricycles and Sewing Machines. Lawn Mowers repaired, sharpened and adj asted. Model work. General repairs. 3 384



READ, MARK, LEARN AND INWARDLY DIGEST, and to accomplish the above feat, visit my estab lishment, and lighten your inward gloom by",appeasing your appetite for the beauti ful by inspecting the most delightfully ARTISTIC EASTER CARDS ! ever imported into Ashburton (direct from Home). You are then at liberty to in spect the contents of a large case of books personally selected, and just received. I be'iave it was Lord Wolseley who said (he happens to be the most popular man of the day, and one must squeeze a little popularity into advertisements), “ A man who aspires to great heights should read incessantly, and never forget his news papers;'’ and I say the same I Read ! Read 1 Read 1 When both you and my self will be considerably benefited. Not having room to give a detailed list of the contents of my shelves, I can only finish i by saying—Come and see for yourselves, j and if you are disappointed come again,— Nothing like Perseverance ! Thomas F. Farley’s, BOOKSELLER AND STATIONER, Saunders’ Buildings, East St., Ashburton.



Special Advertisements. rpHE LONDON AND LANCASHIRE Fire Insurance Co. We have much pleasure in informing the public of Ashburton that Messrs WILDING, LEWIS & OA if GILL have been appointed AGENTS for the above Company in the Ashburton Dis trict. All risks taken at lowest current rates. LEWIS & GO OLD, 3 328 General Agents for Canterbury.



Timber Timber TO FARMERS and Others about to Build—Buy your timber from the Producers at first cost and Save Money. To Housekeepers who .wish to have the satisfaction of burning Good Goal— We are no vr 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. MACPHERSON, FILMER AND CO. (late A. Hayes). TIMBER, COAL & WOID MERCH ANTS, East street, Ashburton.



jIBE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory CONTRACTORS o New Zealand Government Ra ways. Post Offices, Volunteer Corps, etc. Ac. Ac. 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 moat inexpensive and expeditious manner. ARMY AND NAVY CONTRACTORS Estimates and drawings supplied on the shortest notice. Head Offices and Factory— DOWLING STREET, DUNEDIN. NOTE -Measures for alt uniforms may bo entrusted to the Manager of the N.Z. Clothing Factory branches in the follow ing centres, viz;— Dunedin Invercargill Oamaru Waimate Timaru Ashburton Nelson Hokitika Grey mouth Reefton Wellington Masterton Christchurch Wanganui Lyttelton Hawera Palmerston N, New Plymouth Napier Waipawa Hastings Gisborne Thames Auckland OTICE TO FARMERS. WOOD, SINCLAIR & CO., Millers and Grain Merchants, High street, Christchurch, Are Cash Purchasers of Wheat, Oats, Barley, Beans, Peas, Potatoes, Rye and Cocksfoot Grass Seeds at highest current rates. To farmers desirous of holding their gr»in we are prepared to offer special facilities for storage. In addition to our large brick granary we have erected a large iron warehouse. This, with the stores lately occupied by Messrs A. Moore and Co. and now leased to us, enables us to offer to farmers extra facilities for the storage and classification of grain at nominal rates.



We are prepared to make liberal cash advances on grain sent in for storage, or will ship same under advance on grower’s account or otherwise, as may be arranged. UTDMN 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. 3 454 H. E. May & Co.,



MERCERY. MEN’S, BOYS’, & YOUTHS’ COLONIAL, VICTORIAN, AND ENGLISH CLOTHING, At the Lowest Possible Cash Price. If you will trouble to th'nk for a minute, jwe 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 Beat 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 staff; 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 beat. Country Orders sent by post will receive special attention, and be sent free of carriage (by rail) to ANY PART OF CANTERBURY. H. E. May & Co., THE HALL.



Victoria House. N EW SEASON’S ADVERTISEMENT & INTIMATION RE FINE ART GOODS, GREW EL SILKS, INGRAIN COTTONS. TRANFBR PATTERNS, &c., To appear in our Next. DIM ANT A GOB, General Drapers, Clothiers, &c., East and Tancred Streets, Ashburton.



Don’t Die in the House. “ Rouugh on Rats ” clears out rats, njlce, beetles, roaches, bed-bugs, flies, ants, insects, moles, jack rabbitc, gophers. Tfie N.Z. Drug Co., General Agents. 1 Use American Co.s Hop Bitters once and you will use no other medicine. Test it, Take no other, Be sure aud read,



Skinny Men.— “ Wells’ Health Renewer restores health and vigor, cures dyspepsia, i*o poteuce, debility. The N.Z, Drug Co, General Agents, 1