DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. ' Tuesday, February 17. Mum Matson, Cox and C j., at the Ashburton Saleyards—Stock ' , Saturday, Februaby 21. Mr Thos. Bullock, at the Arcade, Burnett street —Property and Sundries 11 * MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Exo. This Evening Town H«ll—Public Meeting in the Upper Room, at 8 o’clock Monday, February 16. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7.30 Arcade Chambers—Star „o£ U. A. O.D.j monthly meeting, at 7 30 Friday, February 20 Ashburton Licensing District—Election of Committee, at Tinwald Saleyards Friday, February 27. Ashburton County Council —At Council Chambers, 11 a. m. Tuesday, Marct 3. Tinwald School Committee Monthly Meeting in the Schoolroom Friday, 6. Lonbgeaoh Road Board at Road Board Office. Saturday, March 7. vakanni Road Board, at Road Board office, Moore street, at 10.30 a.m. Tuesday, March 10. Asiabnrtoni School Committee —Monthly rdeetiog, in the Schoolroom, at 7.30

COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office. • Friday afternoon. The following is the Christchurch Corn Ex mge report for the week ending Friday, 13th ■ ;l :tant. A better feeling has been manifested •: he grain irarket for the past week, buyers 'bring more disposed to operate, several lines of oats and grass seed having changed handset iiidy remuneratiyeprices. Should the warm ■tveather lately prevailing continue a few weeks .linger, much greater activity may be antici- T>-ted, and-we trust, better prices obtained. A ii-.v lines; of new season’s wheat have been p acedat 2s6d per bushel at country striions, while the quality so far has been satisfactory. Oid wheats command former rat s, viz, 2s rod i o 3s for tuscan, and 3s to 3s 2d for pearl and Hunter's, f.o.b. New oats are coming forward ■ riy, and for immediate shipment is rod per Onhel, f.o.b, has been obtained. This price, however, can hardly be expected to continue, the opinion of buyers being I hat lower rates are inevitable; old oats are worth about 2d c r bushel more. Samples of bailey have teen shown, but it is rather early to quote, the grain being scarcely sufficiently matured for trade purposes. Rye grass seed is meeting ■with considerable attention, the quality gene ral iy is good, but much that is coming forward : r -n such an unclean condition that low figures are the rule, vis., 23 6d to 2s gd, f.0.b., al though machine dressed heavy seed could be readily placed at Rom 3s 6d to 3s gd, f. o.b. Quotations for cocksfoot are not yet definitely fixed, the heavy streks in ’he London market causing buyers to be shy of offering more than 3d per lb, f.o.b. We have heard, however, of some parcels being placed a' that price on the ground. Dairy produce is not eacerly sought after, and values have slightly receded. Butter, nominally, yd per lb, f.o.b, and cheese 4d. Messrs Matson, Cox and Co. report upon the live stock market for the Ashburton district for the week endrig February 10th, as follows: —On Tuesday at the Tinwald Yards we held oar ngual we kly 1 ales of sheep, cattle and pigs. a'here was a fair entry of fat and store sheep and cattle, and for the season of the year a good attendance, most of the farmers being very busy with their* crops. In fat sheep there was a mixed entry of crossbred ewes and wethers of good quality, also in merino wethers a supply quite equal to the demand. In stores there were several lines of good crossbred hogget*, mixed sexes, and several lines of crossbred lambs, all of which sold at figures equal to- last sale. In cattle the market wasovell supplied with fat an k stores, which were mostly quitted at prices slightly in advance of. last week’s sale. We quote mutton at 2}(d per lb, and b ef at 17s to 19s per loolbs. We sold fat cro-sb-ed ewes, lis 6d; melino crossbred ewes, mixed, 93 ; crossbred wethers, 13s; merino wethers, 7s 2d to 9s 3d- In stores, crossbred lambs. 8s 6d to 8s gd; crossbred wethers, ns nd, 12s, and 12s 3d. In cattle, fat cows, L 5 10s, L 6 2S 6d, L4I7S 6d, I 4 12s 6d, L 4 15s; store steers, L2 ss, Li 16s 6d, L 3 10s.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1885. Mr Walker, M.H.R. at the Town Hall.

Few members of the present House of Representatives enjoy a greater share of personal popularity with their constituents than Mr VV. C. Walker. His assiduity in the discharge of the duties appertaining to the different public positions he has filled, his felici tous manner and social worth have won for him the esteem and regard of a large circle of friends. During his brief career as a Parliamentary repre sentative his effectual advocacy of

many local matters, his exhibition of quiet unostentatious influence in the House, and his prompt and courteous attention to the petitions of individual constituents have won for him the sup port of many former opponents, and as we have already stated, the relations between him and a large majority of his constituents are of a singularly happy character, and he must have met the latter on Thursday evening fully assured of the cordial reception and marks of confidence that awaited him.

Turning to the matter of Mr Walker’s speech, one cannot fail to be impressed by the strong resemblance it bears to the address recently de livered in Dunedin by his political leader—-the Premier. While remarking this we must hasten to add that we know Mr Walker too well to think him capable of obsequious imitation, and respect him too highly to think him possessed of the petulance and levity that disfigured some portions of Mr Stout’s utterance. Mr Walker announced that he had met the electors “ to lay before them an account of the proceedings of the last session of Par liament ; to explain the position he had taken in respect to them, and to sub mit his views as to the present position and future proposals of the Government. ” The first part of this programme he discharged with sufficient lucidness, without wearying his hearers, as the Premier must have done his, with a prolonged recital of occurrences with the history of which they were already familiar. He briefly and modestly re ferred to his own relation towards the Ministry, but when he essayed to “ submit his own views as to the present position and future proposals of the Government.” he had only tt> offer the political pabulum [upon which we have been compelled to exist lor some time—promises. The results from what he designated the primary measures of last session—the West Coast Harbor Bills, the West and East Coast Railway Bill, the District Railway Bill, and the determination of the route of the pro posed Trunk Line through the North Island are, so to speak, in future. The Railway reform, the improved land administration, the placing of our Vo lunteers upon a better footing, the bettering of our Local Government system, the adjustment of Hospital and Charitable Aid, the institution of facilities for technical education, are, Mr Walker assures us, all approaching consummation ; but to the uninitiated observer they appear in statu quo , and the Ministry, whose existence is de pendent upon the fealtyof such followers as the member for Ashburton, must in self preservation accede next session to the demand for results. Mr Walker trusted “ that the electors and Parlia ment would have a little patience and recognise that the Government could not possibly effect everything in a mo ment.” We think that if the Govern ment give some tangible indication of their sincere determination to intro duce the very necessary measures of reform which we have denoted, _ they will not be embarrassed by impatience on the part of the electors. But a large and increasing number of colonists are very much in earnest about these matters, and they will not allow themselves to be cajoled or defeated in their demands. |Should the introduc tion of these measures be unduly de layed, or thfiir provisions fall far short of the views held by a majority of the electors, thejatter will prove themselves to be no respectors of men. They will show that no combination, be its com ponent parts what they may, can long successfully resist the demands of an independent people. Moreover, we must remind Mr Walker that he and several other of the Canterbury mem bers owed their "election mainly to the expectations that were held out to the constituencies, that the return of Sir Julius Vogel to power would be im mediately followed by substantial re forms being effected, and a revival of the prosperity of the country. Proba bly more was promised than could be performed; but the promises having been made, the Ministry will have no right to complain if the country betrays a little disappointment upon being told that it ought not to expect any start ling results from a change of Govern ment. Mr Walker had no occasion to 'excuse the consistent support he has given the present Ministry, Such a course was quite in accord with the views he expressed prior to his election. But the member for Ashburton, be his personal popularity and his attention to detail ever so great, cannot venture to allow this constituency to be a nonentity in the more important spheres of colonial politics. He must, without forgetting the existence of Ash burton, take a liberal, earnest and practical view of the greater questions of the day, and should the exigency of the position demand it, be prepared to forego popular applause in an effort to secure the happiness, prosperity and ; permanence of the State, * i

'lhe Lyttelton Times this morning, after commenting favorably upon Mr Walker’s recent address to hia constituents, ays:— “ It is well for men of this stamp to have honest enemies (political), for he converts them to become his friends, as Mr Thomas was converted at Ashburton. Few in these days have the independence of judgment to change their views, and fewer still when they do it, have the manliness to apeik plainly and boldly about it.” Mr J R. Colyer, the clerk of the Ash burton Resident Magistrate’s Court, has been appointed Patent Officer at Ash burton.

A gentlemrn, who is a great “fumiza" tor,” says that he has philosophised abou 1, smokers, with this result:—“ An even tempered, quiet man never goes to an ex treme in choosing his cigar. A nervous man wants something strong and furious ; a mild man something that smokes and nothing more. There is a great deal in the way men handle their cigar. If a man smokes his cigar only enough to keep it lighted, and relishes taking it from his mouth to cast a look at the blue curl of smoke in the air, set him down as an easy going man. Be has keen perceptions and delicate sensibilities. He will not create trouble, but is apt to see it out when once begun. Beware of the man who never reDases the grip of his cigar, and is indifferent whether it burns or not. He is coo), calculating and exacting. He is seldom energetic physically, but lives easily off those who perform the labor. The man who smokes a bit, rests a bit, and fumbles the cigar more or less, is easily affected by circumstances. If the c gar goes out frequently, the man has a whole-souled disposition, is a devil-may-care sort of a fellow, with a lively brain and a glib tongue, and gene rally a fine fund of anecdote. To hold half of the cigar in the mouth and smoke indifferently is a lazy man’s habit. They are generally of little force, and their characters are not of the h'ghest stnta. A nervous man, who fumbles his cigar a great ceal, is a sort of popinjay among men. Ho'ding the cigar constantly be tween the teeth, chewing occasionally, and not caring if it is lighted at all, are characteristics of men who have the tena city of bull-dogs. They never forget anything or let go their holds The fop stands his cigar on end, and an ex perienced smoker points it straight ahead, or almost at right angles with his course. Such have been my observations with re gard to smokers. ”

“ One who has travelled in the Old Country ” has written to the Lyttelton Times suggesting that the railway depart ment should issue cheap accident insur ance tickets.

The New South Wales Government has offered the Imperial Government two batteries of artillery, properly horsed, and a battalion of infantry, 509 strong, to form part of the expidition to the Soudan.

Some amusement was caused at Timaru last evening after the departure of the last excursion train by an individual who had failed to secure a seat before the guard’s whis'la sounded. Getting on to the track he put bis best foot foremost to catch the fast receding rear vau, but as his arms were full of bottles and parcels, and he seemed to be as well '* loaded ” inside as outside, all his efforts to catch the train were in vain. If he had cast his “ lug gage ” down, he could have caught the train easily, bat it was apparently very dear to him. — Herald.

On Sunday evening next a sermon having special reference to the death of General Gordon will be preached by the Rev. J. Nixon at the Primitive Methodist Church.

Nominations for the Mount Somers Licensing Committee must be made to the Returning Officer, Mr F. Mainwaring, Mount Somers, before noon to-morrow. The election, if required, will take place on Saturday, 21at inat.

The Herald in referring to the excur sions from Timaru . and Christchurch to Ashburton, suggests that .they should take place' on the same day, in order that an additional attraction may be given to the holiday. If this suggestion is carried out a large number of excursionists will pay us a visit. Mr F. G. Garrick, M.FT.R , for St Al bms, addresied his constituents last night and receive I an unanimous vote of thanks and renewed confidence

The trial of the Deering Junior Twine Harvester, which was commenced yester day on Mr|S. Mullins, farm, was continued to-day, and attracted a number of farmers and others to the scene of the work. The crop, which was a fairly good one of wheat, will probibly average about 30 bushels to the acre. Owing to the heavy rain of Wednesday evening yesterday’s work Wis not so easily effected, but the light draught of the mahine was exempli fied by the manner in which the team of two horses kept going the whole day. The par icular success of this twine binder is attributed large'y to its new knotted attachment, which is very simple, and to its extreme lightness. It weighs but 1,2001 b, a fact which alone must make it popular with farmers. What is termed the new adjusted extension is also a great improvement on the olden Deering machines. This improvement enables the Deering Junior to bind grain not more than seven inches in length, and even then the bundles will always be tied in the middle The bundles are laid very evenly, and the sheaves are tied in such a manner as to leave nothing desired. the cut is six feet wide, and for such a light machine its various parts must be made of the best of wood, steel and mal leable iron to enable it to compete with others, when heavy crops have to he har-* vested. Taken altogether, the work done yesterday and to-day must be pronounced an unqualified success. Mr A. Tapper is the local agent. The weakest woman, smallest child, and sickest invalid, can use Hop Bitters with safety and great good. See.— [Advt,] “ Rough on Rats,” —Clears out rats, mice, roaches, flies, -vits, btd-bugS, beetles, insects, skunks, jack rabbits, gophers. Druggists, The N.Z. i> vp Co., General Agents. 2 Tic-Doloureux, Toothache, or any other neuralgic pain speediiy yields to Baxter’s Anti- Neuralgic Pills. A other 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-third 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.

The Bad and Worthless are never imitated or counterfeited. This is es pecially true of a family medicine, and it is positive proof that the remedy imitated is of the highest value. As soon as it has been tested and proved by the whole world that Hop Bitters was the purest, best, and most valuable family medicine on earth, many imitations sprung up and began to steal the notices in which the press and the people of the country had expressed the merits of H. 8., and in very way trying to induce suflering invalids to use their stuff instead, expecting to make money on the credit anci name of H. B. Many others started nostrums put up in simi lar style to H. 8., with variously devised names in which the word “ Hop ” or “Hops ” were used in a way to induce people to believe they were the same as Hop Bitters. All such pretended remedies or cures, no matter what their style or name is, and especially those with the word “ Hop ” or “ Hops ” in their name or in any way connected with them or their name, are imitations or counterfeits. Beware of them. Touch none of them. Use nothing but genuine American Hop Bitters, with a bunch or cluster of green Hops on the white label, and Dr Soule’s name blown in the glass. Trust nothing else. Druggists and chemists are warned against dealing in imita Uoas counterfeits.

We would remind persona interested of the meeting to be he'd to-night at the upper room of the Town Hall, to devise me ins for the amusement of the excur sionists to Ashburton on the 25th inat.

On Sunday next the Redempterist Fathers, so well-known all over the world for their eloquence, will open a mission in the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesua At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, a man who pleaded guilty was convicted of a very audacious and heart less larceny. A “mate” had entrusted him with a letter containing a cheque to post to the former’s wife, who was re siding some distance from the work upon which her husband was engaged. The ac cused abstracted the cheque, applied it to his own use, end destroyed the letter, and sometime during, which the unfortu nate wife was considerably inconvenienced and alaimed by absence of news from her husband, elapsed before the theft' was discovered.

Mr Albert Roberts has drawn our at tention to the fact that farmers are re peating the error of last season —thresh ing the wheat before it has been properly seasoned in stook or stack. Mr Roberts has shown us an excellent looking sample of wheat of this season, whichjon closer examination was found to be quite soft. We do hope that farmers will not persist in this calamitous practice. This morning, during the hearing of a civil case at the R. M. Court, Mr Baddeley severely admonished a witness for an evi dent attempt to excite the risibility of his companions—the frequenters of the body of the Court. The offender’s ill-timed effort consisted of some remarks deroga tory to the value of the Borough labor gang, three of whom, ho averred, were about equal to one good man.

Last week considerable attention was attracted to the case Munro v Ferntnan, in which on Tuesday the plaintiff secured a judgment for L2O. The amount of the judgment was paid into Court in due coarse, and this morning Mr Purnell, for an astute firm of local tradesmen, secured an order of the Oourfapplying the amount to the satisfaction of an execution issued against the fortunate plaintiff. A person named Danger kept a public house on the Huntingdon road, near Cambridge. On being compelled to quit the house, which was not his own, ho built an inn on the opposite side of the road, and caused to be painted be neath the sign, ‘ Danger from over the way.” His successor in the old house re torted by inscribing over his door, “ There is no Danger here now.” Little Rudolph one day bagged an in vitation to dinner at the house of a little friend with whom he had been playing during the morning. At the table bis hostess anxiously inquired, ‘‘Rudolph, can you cut your own meat ?” “Humph,” said Rudolph, who was sawing away, “can’t 1? I’ve cut up a great deal of tougher meat than this at home.” “ Buchu-Paiba.” —Quick, complete cure, all annoying kidney, bladder, and urinary diseases. Druggists. The N.Z. Drug Co.. General Agents. 2 That husband of mine is three times the man he was before he began using “ Wells Health Renewer.” Druggists. The N.Z Drug Co., General Agents. 2 August Flower. —The most miserable beings in the world are those suffering from dyspepsia and liver complaint. More than 75 per cent of the people are afflicted with these two diseases and their effects ; such as sour stomach, sick headache, habitual costiveness, palpitation of the heart, heart bum, waterbrash, gnawing and burning pains at the pit of the stomach, yellow skin, coated tongue and dis agreeable taste in the mouth, coming up of food after eating, low spirits, etc. Go to your druggist and get a bottle of august flower. This valuable medicine has cured thousands and thousands of sufferers, and is known in all civilised countries. Two doses will relieve you. It costs only 3s fid a bottle. Sample bottles, fid.— [Advt.

GAZETTE NOTICES.

Wellington, Yesterday. Mr W. B. Tosswill is gazetted Registrar of Marriages, etc., also Vaccination In spector, for Akaroa. Mr IT. J. Kimbell is to be Official Visitor to the Sunnyside Asylum vice Mr J. B. Parker resigned. Mr R. H. Johnson is to be Inspector of Gittle, under the Diseased Cattle Act ; also Registrar for Canterbury and West land districts. Mr J. R. Colyer is to be Patent Office Agent at Ashburton. The following telegraphic despatch from the Governor of Adelaide is gazetted ; ‘ To his Excellency the Governor of New Zealand. The Secretary of State directs me, by telsgram, to inform your Excel lency that the French Government are about to instruct their naval forces in China to enforce belligerent rights, in cluding right to search of neutral ships at sea for contraband of war. ”

“CAPTAIN" BEDINGFIELD.

Du -edin, Yesterday.

It was stated in the 'An Francisco news that Viet r Bedingfield who when a “ Captain” of the Salvation Army here ran away to Melbourne, accompanied by a “ Hallelujah Lass,” had been killed while praying in front of a saloon at St. Josd, California. That the statement was in correct is shown by an extract from a letter received by Mrs Bedingfield, who is in Dunedin :—“ I have been seriously hurt, but am all right again now. V7e were holding an open-air meeting in front of a saloon or hotel, when the propeietor came out and offered me two glasses of beer. Of course he meant it as an insult, and 1 pushed them (the glasses of bear) away. One of the glasses fell ou f - of his hand, and he threw the rest in my face, and told me he would have me out of that somehow. Then he went into the house and threw some dirty slops over me from an upstairs window. Shortly after that I went down on my knees to pray for him, and he threw a heavy pickle keg, bound vt ith iron hoops, on me. Well, it knocked me senseless, and I did not remember any thing more after that. Concussion of the brain set|in, and I was insensible for twenty seven hour?. However, lam well again, and leading meetings. The people here raised a mob, and were going to bang the saloon keeper if I died. They bought thirty-five yards of rope, and frightened him pretty well ought of his wits. I am not going to prosecute him.” A subscrip tion is being started to send his wife to him.

WESTPORT COAL COMPANY.

Dojjedin, Yesterday.

The annual meeting of the Westport Goal Company was held yesterday. The report for 1834 stated that the result of the year’s working shows a net profit from the Westport mine and steamers of L 3084 17a 3d. At the end of 1833 a net balance appeared at the credit of profit and loss account of L 1,819 i 5 s 9 but the settle ment of ceftain unadjusted claims with the Government fgr royalty and railway carnage and the realisation pf some dis puted outstanding accounts proved very unfavorable fur the Company, and to gether with the loss on the sale of the barque Celestia, converted that surplus into a deficit of L 2,035 11a 4d. After clearing off this amount, and making satis factory provision for all doubtful out standings at the pnd of 1884, there re mains a net balance at the credit of pro fit and loss account of L1,C49 ID IJd, to be carried forward to next year. A long discussion took place regarding the pre sent position and future prospects of the Company, and there teemed to be con siderable diasaiifaction with the working of the Company. The report and balance sheet were adopted, and the retiring Di- j rectors re-elected,

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASHBURTON -To-Day.

(Before H, C. S. Baddeley, Esq., R.M.) Indecent Exposure.— A man was charged with haring . indecently ex posed his person in Ashburton on the 10th instant, —Sergeant Felton said that the cha-ge rested entirely upon the evi dence of a girl ten years of age, whose testimony was not considered by the police as sufficiently reliable to secure a conviction. He asked permission to with draw the charge. Permission was granted, and the accused was discharged. Luna y.— A patient from the Hospital was charged with lunacy.—Sergeant Fel ton said that Dr Trevor had examined the accused, and had declined to grant the cer tificate required before committal.—The accused was discharged Lakckny. —Charles Frazer was charged with having stolen a cheque, the property of Richard J ames Knigh ton. The ac jused pleaded guilty.— H. J. Knighton said that in December,lßß3, he had met the accused at Greenpeaks station. Witness had given the accused a letter containing a cheque for L 8 16s to post to his (witness’s) wife. Three weeks later witness went to his house in Sydenham and found that his wife had not received the letter or chi que. On enquiry at the Bank he found that the cheque had been cashed. Witness had not seen accused since December, 1883, until he now saw him in the dock.— Constable Neill deposed that he had re ceived a description of the accused in Jan., 1884, and on the 12th inst, had stopped him in East street, Ashburton, and asked his name. Accused replied that his name was Jackson, and professed not to know witness. When asked accused replied that his name was sometimes Frazer.

Witness told accused that he was a police officer and arrested him. Witness then admitted the offence,—Sergeant Felton deposed that the accused had admitted the offence to him. On the 12th instant the accused had said that if it were not for drink he would not have committed the offence. He had. he alleged, spent his own cheque on the “spree.” He had then taken the cheque enclosed in the letter to Mrs Knighton, purchased some clothes and spent the balance in drink. He had since been woi king on the Coast, and hoped to meet Knighton and would have paid him back the money as soon as he (accused) had earned it.—The accused said that he had been in the colony for sixteen years and had never previously been before a Court.—The accused was ordered to be imprisoned for six months, with hard labor.

cmt CASES. Munro v. Ferriman. —Mr Wilding for the plaintiff, Mr Purnell for the dafen dant.—Mr Purnell referring to this case, in which judgment was given for the plaintiff on the 10th instant, and the amount had since been paid into Court, applied on behalf of Orr and Co., for an order under the 65th section of the Resi dent Magistrates Act, 1867, to apply the amount to the pact satisfaction of an exe cution issued by Orr and Co. v. Munro. — Mr Wilding opposed, contending that the j udvment really belonged to Mrs Monro’s trustee, and could not be disturbed in the manner proposed by Mr Purnell.— Mr Purnell submitted that Munro had ap peared as plaintiff in the case, and the judgment was clearly his property.—An order was made for the amount, leas costs, to be paid to Orr and Co.—»Mr Wilding characterised the matter as a monstrous proceeding. Baker and Co. v. D. Mackenzie, claim LI ■♦a.—Judgment by default for the amount claimed and costs. Baker and Co. v Cashmere, claim LI 15s 2d.—One of the plaintiffs deposed to the accuracy of the claim, and the wife of the defendant applied for lime in which to satisfy the claim.—An order was made for the payment of 6s a wee*. . Turner v. Harper, claim L2B 17s 4d.— Mr Wilding for the plaintiff; the defend ant conducted his own case.—Turner, the plaintiff, deposed that he had done work for the defendant amounting to L 142 13s 6d, and had received from the defendant on account Llls 16s 2J, To the defend ant ; The claim represented all defendant owed witness for day labor and contract work. The ploughing for fencing on Helmore’a It-nd was paid for by defen tart. Witness' received a cheque for L 6 from defendant in December, 1882, for wool pressing. It was not on account of part of the present claim He had not received in December, 1883, a cheque for L 7 12s from defendant for wool pressing. Witness had not received three cheques for LlO each from the defendant. Ha had not paid a man (Aitken) for plough ing fence lines for defendant. The price for fencing, 3s 6d per chain, was not to include the ploughing. Witness had not taken the contract for fencing from the defendant, but from the Ashburton Guar • dian. [Mr Harper suggested that the plaintiff should sue the Ashburton Guar dian ] Witness meant that the contract had resulted from an advertisement ap pearing in the paper. Witness, in respect to day labor, had not charged defendant except for the time he was actually engaged upon work for the defendant. The work was completed in a thoroughly com petent manner. Witness had not worked for defendant during 1884. Wit ness would swear that he had not wool-

pressed for defendant in 1883. The pay ment arranged for day laoor was 7a per day.—To the Bench : 7s per day was an “ undercurrent ” rate of wages. He had never worked for defendant at the rate of 20s per week and found. He had worked' for 25s a week and found.—P. Toomey said that the usual rate of pay for day labor was Is per hour. Witness had received 7s from E. G. Wright for a day’s work of 7 hours. The Borough Council paid 6s 6d per day, but a good man would do three times as much as any one of the employees of chat body. C. J. Harper, the defendant, said that the fencing of reserves claimed for by plain tiff, was done under the supervision of witness for the County Council. The rate 3s 6d was to include ploughing, which witness had paid another contrac tor for. Some of the work charged for was not executed in a satisfactory man ner. In addition to the credit admitted by plaintiff, witness had paid him a cheque for L 6 (December 9, 1882) and a cheque forLIO (Juno 13, 1883). Witness had paid plaintiff L 7 12s for woolpressing, and work at the rate of 20s per week, in 1883. Witness had paid 6 J per chain for ploughing fence lines. To

Mr Wilding: The County Council had paid 3a 6d for the fencing. The witness gave a quantity of evidence as to the character of the work.—F. Hill said the plaintiff was wool-pressing for defendant in 1833 Witness, as overseer for defendant, had handed a cheque to plaintiff for work done. Witness had engaged defendant for plaintiff at 25s a week. The contracts undertaken by plaintiff were not completed in a satisfactory manner.—Henry Richards

said he had experience in fencing, fie had seen the work done by the plaintiff The posts were not properly fixed, the wires were slack, and the fence was not straight. Witness thought la 61 per chain would have been a fair charge for the work.—The defendant and Mr Wilding having addressed the Bench, judgment was given for Ll 6 10a XOd and costs. Ferriman v. Abbott, claim L 4 9a 6 Judgment by default for the amount claimed and costs.

Shearer v Sutherland, claim Lll 18s 9d —Mr Branson for the plaintiff, Mr Wilding for defendant. —The plaintiff had supplied a travelling hut to the defendant v !cr>, it was alleged for the defence, was iiu. c perly constructed. A considerable amount of evidence having been taken, judgment was given for plaintiff for LIQ and costs.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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

THE LICENSING COMMITTEE.

TO THE JHJDITOa. Sir, —Now that the election of the Future Licensing Committee for the Borough of Ashburton is, before the pub lic mind. I avail myself of the oppor tunity to ventilate my ideas on this, from the Good Templar point of, TiesTj* - - important subject. I should like to ask - the pubiio in general (but not the Good Templars, whom, in my own mind, I con sider a little cracked on the subject of liquor) how any Good Templar professing to be an honorable or even an.brdinaiily honest man can occupy a seat on any Licensing Bench 1 And in order to place the matter clearly, it is as well to under stand what the law intends a Licensing Committee to be. A Licensing Com mittee is simply the machinery provided by the Licensing Act to carry into force the licensing law. A member of any Licensing Committee is bound the moment he takes his seat upon the Bench to leave behind him, and, for the time being, to abandon his private views of alcohol, whatever they are. He is there simply to administer and enforce the law as he finds it, and certainly not to enforce his own or any other man’s views on the : liquor question. His duty is to do as the licensing laws direct, and if he sits upon a Licensing Bench with the intention of carrying oat any of his fixed private views, whether temperance views or otherwise, he is a traitor to his position, and is making an illegal and unjust use of stewardship. In conjunction with many of the pubiio lam under the impression that a Good Templar’s vow is taste nut, handle not, or something of , the sort and we all know a Good Templar to be a man who is wholly, opposed to liquor in all its aspects. To him alcohol. is an evil—it is a lowering pestilence—it is a plague, a catching disease, not for a certainty to be exorcised by that moat modern of all charms a bit of bine rib bon Temperance is his God and aloohol his devil. Now the Licensing Act is as its very first words inform us, an Act to consolidate and amend the laws regulat ing the sale of liquor. How then can any Good Templar, if be is loyal to his creed, have anything to do with liquor, whether it be regulating the sale of it of otherwise. Is he not a man bound by all means to stop the sale of liquor, to anni hilate liqour altogether. If true to bis creed I ask the intelligent portion of this com munity residing out of the pale of cold water lodges, cm any Good Templar do aught but keep his vows or principles and suppress liquor by all means and at all hazards ? And if true and loyal to his. position of a member of a Licensing Com mittee, must he not carry out the law as he finds it—the Licensing Acts, which Acts contain many things utterly opposed to Good Templar principles.' A Good Templar silting on a Licensing Bench is I aver, on the horns of a dilemma. ’ If loyal to his creed he mast shrink from the provisions of these Acts, and .ha can not carry them out or have any hand, lot, or part in .enforcing them, and if trne to his position as a member of a Licensing Bench, he must, by. carrying out the pro visions of the Act and faithfully doing that duty the law expects him to do, and puts him on the Bench to do, make him self a traitor to the cold waiter cause. Can he serve God and Mammon ? Must he not cling to and serve his god of cold water, or must he not abandon this god and fearlessly do his duty to the Mammon of the Licensing Act. Good Templarism is one thing. The Licensing Laws are another. What one ordains the othbt abhors. A Good Templar must cleave to the one and avoid the other. The tide 1 of Templarism flows one way, and of the Licensing Laws it flows the other, and well may I ask how any Good Templar dare attempt to steer his boat with (he tide of Temperance and also to turn it with the current of the L-oensing Laws. These Good Templar people who are, I hear at present doing their utmost to place members of their creed upon the Licensing Bench for the Borough, should' be opposed. If they let things alone it would not matter, bat when they grow pugnacious it is time 4hat we, members of this community,- should teach them that we are not going to be governed upon the liquor question by a small and unimportant clique. These pestilent Good Templars are not numeri*. oally strong; nor, taken as a whole, do they present to us any overwhelming amount of intelligence, wealth, influence,.- a social standing, and why should they then override the community Upon the - liquor question or any other question. ■ The ratepayers have only to vote to these people that they' will not be die- . tated to by men of the stamp and class of intemperate Good Templars. What W 0 want is a Licensing Committee that will carry out the licensing law, whether that law is or is not in favor of Templarism, and a Committee that will be a credit to the Borough. And what we do not Want is to see sitting upon the Licensing Bench five men whose chief characteristic will be their craze on the subject of cold water, and the way, in the opinion of the to obtain a Bench of the same calibre as other towns possess, is to reqqeat tlpg Mayor to call a pubiio meeting in the Town Hall, Ashbnrton, so that the as pirants for a seat on the Licensing Bench may give us the benefit of their views, and so enable ua to choose the best men as is done in other local aff*irs.—l am, etc., ' One who believes in the use bot noi THE ABUSE OF ALOOHOL.

WAR IN THE SOUDAN.

A Severe Battle Fought. Gallant Victory for the English Troops. General Earle Killed. Colonels Eyrie and Ooveney and Eight Men Killed. Complete Defeat of the Enemy. General Gordon’s Fate.

(Received February 13, II a-m.) [reuter's telegrams—copyright.] London, February 13.

A telegram has been received from : Lord Wolseley announcing that a battle has been fought with the enemy at a place opposite Bulka, on the Nile, about seventy miles above Merawi. . The Mahdites attacked the troops under (General Earle on both ffanks and front, and a severe engagement ensued, resulting in the complete defeat ot the enemy, scarcely any of whom' escaped. General Earle, Colonels Eyrie and Goveney, and eight men were killed; and four officers, including Colonel Wauchope, and thirty-eight men, were severely wounded. Lord Wolseley expects to be able to open . his way to Beileer without further fighting. Colonel Brackenbarg has as* sumed the command of the column in place of General Earle, and will con tinue to advance to Berber. In the ~ battle near Bulka the Mahdites ars~’. estimated to have numbered 1,500 men. The expedition to the Soudan via Suakim has been placed under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1885.



For eye, ear and throat DISEASES. DR. SOHWARZBAOH, M.D., may be Consulted at the Clarendon Hotel (private rooms), Christchuroh, from 15fch i February, for about One Month. Daring bis recent stay in Europe, Dr S. was again employed in revisiting the prin cipal Ophthalmic Hospitals, and making himself thoroughly acquainted with all, the modern knowledge in regard to Dis uses of the Eye, Ear and Throat. 2 216 HEW TWEEDS ! I NEW TWEEDS ! SUMMER SUMMER SUITS. | SUITS. Perfect Fit Guaranteed in the latest or any style that may be required. Craighead & Co., merchant tailors, WE have much pleasure la announcing to our friends and patrons, and all who may feel interested in the jeneral ogress of our times that we have just ceived a splendid assortment of Tweeds, Coatings, Serges, etc., etc., of the best quality and latest designs—suitable for the season we are now entering. All Goods Supplied at LOWEST CASH PRICE CRAIGHEAD & CO., Tancred street, Ashburton. VALENTINES. ALBNTINE S—A Very Artistic Assortment. Inspection Invited. CHEAP STATIONERY. Superfine notepaper ... 5s per ream Oream<laid envelopes ... 6s per 1000 Foolscap, exceptional value Is per quire b o~o"k S, Books by various authors, and some of the latest editions. Toys and Fancy Goods incredibly cheap, to clear out surplus stock.. B. Bevan, STATIONER, BOOKSELLER, &a. SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, (Next Shop to Quill’s Hotel.) SELLING OFF I.NOY GOODS, TOYS, BOOKS, STATIONERY, &c. Most be sold—even if at a loss A DENTINE ALBN3MNB S t Suit eveiybody at prices that cannot be beaten. Andrewes Bros., BpOSSBUiKBS, St ATIONKaS, &0., Ashburton.



Wanted. THAM’ED TO HIRE., for one month • » —Good Draught Horse; will be well treated. Matson, Cox and Co. 2 233 WANTi'D — situation by a competent hand, to feed or drive a threshing machine. Apply to William Bradshaw, Tinwald. 2 203 WANTED— A Caretaker for the Ash burton Sa’eyarda. Applications must be in writing, and forwarded to my office on or before Monday, February 23 George Jamfson, Ashburton. 2 226 'T'TTTANTED—Board and Lodging for a Yf Girl, age 10 years, during the present term at the High School. Apply, stating terms, to Mr Herring, Alford House. 2 207 GLORIOUS NEWS. Andrew Orr will give away on Saturday 100 pairs men’s boots at 6a 9d ; 60 pairs can vas slippers at 2a 6d ; 30 pairs cricketing boots at 6s 6d ; 100 pairs Kaiapoi trousers at 11s 6d—every article at half-price. 2 237 WANTED Known—Umbrellas at la lid, six doz Buttons for Is, China Matting st 6d, Ladies’ Hose at 6d, Cor sets at 2s 3d, Shirting at 4|l, Towels 3|d, 36 inch CilrlHh 9J, Calicoes Is 4i. Andrew Obr’s Cheap Sale 2 185 GLORIOUS NEWS —Monster Clear ing Sale:—Ladles’ Kid Boots 6r 6d, Girls’, Infants Is, Men’s Elastic side, 8s fid, Men’s Watortights 9s 6d, Blucher Boots 6s 61, Canvas Slippers 2s 6.1. A. Orb’s Cheap Sale. 2 186 WANTED Known—That R. Lancas Ter .starts the new year entirely on his own account with a very light handi cap, which will enable him to sell meat cheaper-than ever. With quality, clean liness and civility combined —defies com petition. So rally round to the Ready- Money Mea‘ Mart, Bull ck’s Arcade 1 2 V\ r ANTED Known—Fresh Flounders * * are daily despatched direct from our own boat, now fishing at Labe Elles mere. Delivery guaranteed within eight hours from time of catching. Ail orders received at my sh<>p will be immediately executed on arrival of the train. VV. O. Page, East street, Ashburton. 11 2151 \%T ANTED Known—Boots ! Boots I V f That Hayes and Co. are Clearing a few desperate lines of Boots, etc., to wit, Ladies’ Leather, 4s 6d; Men’s Shooters, Pegged, 10s; Men’s Elastic sides, 9s, and a lot of odd lines that mUst be cleared at once. 7 1278 VT7 ANTED Known Removed. — YY Jones and Bradshaw, Corn and Chaff Deal rs, have removed to the large premises in Havelock street nearly oppo site Mr A. Harrison’s auction rooms (lately occupied by Messrs Robinson and Tqwnsend), where they will be better able to comply with the demands of their trade. Tones and > badshaW. WANTED Known.—We are not to be beaten ! Good straw hats, 4£d, 6d, 9J ; black Cashmere, double width, Is 3d; print costumes, 2s 9d ; white calico, 2s 6d per doz; a lot of infants’ white and colored .satin and merino hats and hoods, Is to 3» 61—usual price, 4s 6d to J2a fid. H. C. fcEGEES, ealys’ Buildings, East c treet. 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 'CTtTANTED Known—o. Hawkin’s, of VV Tinwald, having decided to com pete with either Christchurch or Ashbur ton, in price and quality of Boots, will, i.st January, 1885, teell for Cash Only, at the following reduced rates:—Men’s harvest Bluchers, tips and nailed, 6s 9d; Shooter Boots, 10s 3d; Women’s Strong Lace Boots. 8s 6d ; Leather Elastic, 9s 6d ; Children’s all reduced from Is per pair, diotto—“ .Small Pro fits and Quick Returns ” C. Haw in’s, oot and Shoemaker. 12 2393 Vkj ANTED Known —J. iVleeoh & VV Co., are still Selling On and not Selling Off at saleroom prices. J. M. and Co’s Furniture is made for u»e as well as ornament and not for auction salts. The beat materials are used, being specially relucted, and combined with good workmanship, all goods are guaran teed of the best quality, and at the very lowest prices. East and Burnett street, Ashburton. 12 23 Q .2



Special Advertisements. Diinant and (Joe, ARE authorised LOCAL AGENTS for Singer’s SEWING M A OJJINES, and are prepared to receive PAYMENTS and afford all information in connection therewith. Treadle and Hand Machines on Time Payments. A supply of Machine extras on hand. CORNER EAST AND TANORED STREETS, ASHBURTON, Cornsacks. Otrrv BALES of CORNSACKS to arrive ex ship Atlantigue (now due), size 48 x 26£, 2£. Apply, at once, to HAYES & CO., 1 1 Arcade, Ashburton. my readers and the reading public. I . Just to hand.—New Books.—Black Poodle, by Anstey ; Our Old Nobility ; The Cuckoo Clock, by Mrs Molesworth ; We Two, by Edna Doyal; Poverty, by Platt; I Say No, by Wilkie Collins; John Bull’s Womankind, by author of John Bull and his Island; The Jilt, by Charles Reide; Good Stories of Man and other Animals, by Charles Reade; Yosteged, by Geo F. Gumming; Pages in Waiting, by Edmund Yates; Notes on Ingersoil, by Rev L. A. Lambert, Roman Catholic Jesuit; My Own Child, by Florence Marryatt; Life, Opinions, and Table Talk of Dr Johnson; American Society Novels; inspiration; A Clerical Lympocium; Bos well’s Life of Johnson ; Magna Oharta Stories; Taming Down without Banting ; Money and Mechanism of Exchange, by S. Jevons; John Holdsworth'a Chief Mate; My Watch Below, by W. O. Rus sel; The Wonder of Nature; Death Shot, by Reed; How to live upon la per Week; Stories of Watetloo; Secrets of Success ; Uow to Read Character; Christmas Number of Goodward’a Chrystal Stories ; Longman’s Magazine ; The Book of the Beginnings, by K. H. Newton; Mistletoe Bough; 160 Illustrated London Graphics, latest copies, to be sold cheap at Thomas F. Farley’s, PRINTER, BOOKSELLER, AND STATIONER, Saunders’ Buildings, Ashburton,



Special Advertisements- NOTICE TO CONSUMERS OF COAL. THE undersigned are now landing, ex s.a Hauroto, the Best N ewcastle Coal Imported for the season A TRIAL SOLICITED They have also added to their storks of Building Materials the following lines, viz, Y.D.L Timber and Palings Kauri Timber, Flooring and Lining Roofing Iron, Doors and Sashes Lime, Cement, Fencing Materials, Ac., And every requisite for the trade. MAOPHERSON, FILMER AND 00. (late A. Hayes), SAWMILLERS, TIMBER, COAL, AND FIREWOOD MERCHANTS. East street, Ashburton.



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



Davis’s gURPLUS STOCK OF FURNITURE Now Belling off at HALF-PRICE. Mast be sold to make room for NEW STOCK. Parties about to Furnish will SAYS 50 Pbk, Cent. BY PUCHASING at W. DAVIS’S FURNITURE WAREHOUSE, EAST STREET SOUTH, Ashburton 9 1729



V. R. f>E DENS IS O’CONNELL, J-V BANKRUPT, Of Manchester street, Christ church, and Lyttelton, CLOTHIER AND DRAPErt. Marked price of Stock, £2,424 Actual Cost, £l,BlB Sold for NOTICE OF BANKRUPTCY. In Bankruptcy. In the Estate of Dennis O’Con nell, of Christchurch and Lyttel ton, Draper. Tenders are invited for the pur chase, either separately or other wise, of the stock, fittings, and hook debts of the business in Manchester street, Christchurch, and also in Lyttelton. The stock consists of clothing and general drapery, and is mostly new, the business having been carried on only since May last. It will be on view pn and after Monday next, and the stock sheets can be inspected on tho premises, Manchester street. Tenders will be received by the undersigned until 10 a.m. on Monday, Ist December. E. 0. LATTER, Official Assignee. Christchurch, 21st Nov., 1884. ACCEPTANCE OF TENDER. Official Assignee’s Office. December, 1884. Messrs H. E. May and Co., Gentlemen, —I have the plea sure to inform you that your tenders for the purchase of stocks in Christchurch and Lyttelton have been accepted, viz— Christchurch ... £1502 18 0 Lyttelton ... £315 7 0 £lBlB 5 0 At 10/6d in the £, being £954 9a. Yours faithfully, E. 0. LATTER. Official Assignee. Mr White, will deliver the stocks. Notice of Sale to the Public. This stock, which really repre sents a retail value of £2,424, was bought by us of the Official Assignee for £954, so that if we get one-half O’Connell’s price it will pay us handsomely, and that is all we want. We think you are convinced that our sales are thoroughly genuine, and always worth a visit, especially if saving money is an object SALE COMMENCES SATURDAY, January 10. Terms Cash—Nodisoounts or abatements of any kind. H. E. May & Co



Victoria House, Season sale commencing on January igxh, & continuing FOB FIVE WEEKS ONLY, REMARKABLE REALITIEsI GLARING REDUCTIONS !! Convincing proof and Special Prices See Windows"®^ Dimant and Coo, READY-MONEY DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, &€., la premises lately occupied by Ocr and Oo>, Coro East and Tancred streets, ASHBURTON.



Special Advertisements. Groceries CHEAPER THAN EVER AT JAMES McGREGOR’S, Fancred Street. Sugara—English Cut Loaf, 5d per lb Best White Crystal, 3|d per lb Best Snowdrop, 4d per lb (Reductions by the mat) Currants, 61 Raisins, 7d New Figs, la per box Best Sago, 3d New Muscatels, Is 6d Oysters, 6d Cairn’s Marmalade, 8d Peacock’s Jams, 6Jd Herrings, 7d Keiller’s Marmalade, 9d _ Salmon, 8d Cheese, 6d per lb English Pickles, 8d Other articles equally cheap. JAMES McGREGOR, Tancred Street, 12 2342