COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Wednesday afternoon, 1 Mr E. G. Staveley (for the New Zeala d Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited), reports on the Ashburton live stock ( market, under date 31st March, as follows: — | Sheep: There was again a heavy and varied , entry, fully 12,000, being yarded. The sale ' was devoid of much animation, though at our quotations most of those penned changed ; bands. There was an excellent demand and good prices realised for crossbred lambs. We sold a line of good, sound merino wethers from Whiterock at 4s, and ewes at 7s. Fat cross bred ewes fetched 11s 8d; forward merino 1 wethers, 6s 6d, and 7s ; aged crossbred ewes, 7s id ; weak mouthed merino ewes, 4s 6d, 4s lod, cs and 5> 2d ; inferior ditto in low con dition, is ?d, 2s lod, 3s sd; good merino store wethers, 5s lod ; 2 and 4-tooih crossbred ewes, 12s; 2-tooth mixed crossbreds, Qs lid ; ditto wethers, in forward condition, 12s; mixed crossbred ewes, 9s id ; crossbred lambs, 7s 2d, 7s gd.'Ss 3d and 10s 3d.—Cattle : Only a few yarded, and little demand, business being quite nominal. Messrs Matson. Cox and Co. report upon the live .-lock market for the Ashburton district, for the week eudi g March 31st, as follows: On Tuesday we held our usual weekly sale of sheep, cattle and pigs at the Ashburton yards. Our catalogue for the day’s transaction was a very large one, comprising over 7,000 s>-ecp, '23 head cattle and 8 pigs. In fa- sheep there was a larger 1 ntry than required by ocal but chers, and several lines were pass d in unsold ; but in stores almost the whole of the lines were sold at satisfactory prices. Our entries were from H- T. Sm ih, J. H. Rogeis, W. Strachan, I. Giigg, E. Monsa”, F. Kame, N. Welsh, ’J. Boag. J Gordon, W. UHyatt, J. Jamieson, W. Jamieson, J. Lemon, E. Her ring, S McLeary, D. Leddy, J. Angus, G. Constable and W. Anderson, and our p.incipal sales were—Bo fat merino wethers, 7s ;95 fat crossbred ewes, 12s 3d ; 151 crossbred lambs, 7s 8d ; 150 old merino e es, 3s 3d ; 663 crossbred I mbs, stall, 5 s 5 12 9 lambs, 2s 10s; 1,135 merino ewes, 4s rod to 4s 6d ; 450 crossbred lambs, 7s 3d ; 214 old merino ewes, 2s 6d ; 226 crossbred ewes, 7s; £OO crossbred ewes, I2s; 294 crossbred wethers, I id; 179 merino ewes, 3s 8d ; 291 crossbred lambs, 8s id ; 55 crossbred ewes, 12s 3d ; 176 ditto, 12s ; 173 merino culls, 2s 2d; 97 crossbred lambs, 8s; 60 coll lambs 5 s id; 551 merino ewes, 4s 4d ; 58crossbred ewes, 8s ; 168 crossbred lamls, 8s 4d; Lincoln rams to L2 2s; Border Leicester ram lambs, 2>£gs; Lexesler rams, English, Shags. Pigs : 9 small stores, 20s each. 14 steers at L 5 ; 3 ditto, L 3 ; calves 10s.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Saturday, April 4. Mr Tbos. Bullock, at tho Arcade, Barnett street —Blacksmith’s Stock-in-trade Tub day, April 7 Messrs Matson, Cox and Ci., at the Tinwald Sab yards—Stock MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Etc. Wednestay, Ap.il 1 Orange Hall—Star of the East, 1.0.G.T., meeting at 8 o’clock Aakburton Football Cub—Meo’ing, at Qall's hotel, at 7 30 Th ksday, April 2 Orange Lods.e—Regular Monthly meeting in the New Orange Hall : 7.30 p.m. Friday. April 3 Oddfellows’ Hall—Baptist Church Anni versary Tea Meeting Town Hall— ** Messiah,” at 8 o’clock Saturday, April 4 Abtkanui Road Board, at. Road Board office, Mooie street, at 10 30 a.m. Tuesday. April 7 I O.G.T.—Tea and Public Meeting, in the Oddfellows’ Hall Friday, Ap il 10. Lonbgeach Road Board at Road Board Office.

Monday, A pbil 13. Bt rough Council, at Borough Counci

Chambers, at 7 30 Arcade Chambers—Star of Ashburton D.A.0.D., at 8 o’clock Tuesday, / pfil 14.

St Stephen’s Schoolroom—Tea and Concert Ashburton School Committee—Monthly Meeting, in the Schoolroom, at 7.30

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office follows: — For Christchurch and North at 6a.ni. 10.30 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10.30 a.m. »rd 5 p.m. daily. For Dynediii, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, tnd Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. for Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., : for Tima.-u and South, at 6 a.m., it) turn., and 4.30 p.m., daily. For Greenstreot and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10.45 a.m. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seavicw, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a.m. For lloont 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 Ashtca, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4.30 p. m. For Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.30 a.m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post •Mice— From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 am., 4.35 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.15 a.m. and 4,35 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate place-s ---at 6.3'“*~.m. daily, Fro*u Temuka andTimaru at 10.40 a.m. i’.3o p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 a. in. Tor Mount Somers and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 6 a.m. and 430 p.m., and on Wednesdays *t 5 p.m. From Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at IC.o a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.iu. daily. Fiom Newlands, 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, md Sat nr wyr, qt 4 p.m.

BIRTH.

Brown. —At Cameron s'roet west, on March 31st, Mrs J. L. Brown, of a daughter.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1885.

The Guardian will not be published on Good Friday.

The annual general meeting of the Ash burton Football Club will bo held at Quill’n Hotel this evening at 7-30. The following are the Ashburton vital statistics for the month of March : Births, 23 ; deaths, 3 ; marriage, 1. The offices of the County Council will be closed from to-morrow evening till Wednesday morning next. The meeting of Justices to revise the jury list for Ashburton has been post poned from Saturday next till Tuesday, April 14. A special train conveying members of tile C. Y.O. to the Easter encampment at W inchester will leave Christchurch at 1 15 p.m. to morrow ; another train leaving Christchurch at 8 30 p.m. will convey the Rifle Corps. Both trains will stop at Ashburton to take up the local contin gent. The Ashburton Rifle Volunteers will parade opposite the Post Office at 8 p ra to-morrow.

The Resident Magistrate.will sit in the local Court to-morrow ; the usual weekly sitting of the Court will not be held on Friday.

The following are the Ashburton Hos pital returns for the month of March : In Hospital Ist March, 7; admitted during month, 8 ; discharged, 6 ; remaining in Hospital 31st March, 9.

Thiei morning an accident occurred to a man named John Solway, in the employ of Mr John Brown, which, fortunately, was not of a serious character, ft ap pears that whilst driving a three-horse team and dray loaded with oata opposite Mr Jamieson’s farm on the Beach road, the harness on the shaft horse broke, and the dray tipped up, throwing the driver, with several sacks on top of him, to the ground. The horses then bolted with the dray, and galloped up Moore street into Mr Kidd’s yard, where they were secured by Mr Mab n and Constable Beddek. Solway received a severe shaking, and it will be a few days before he will be able to resume work, but no bones wo r e broken.

The Customs rece : pts in Christchurch last month were L 22,672 18s lid. During; March, 1884, the receipts were L1G.435 Oi lid. Sir Julius Vogel vfill pass through Ash burton by the express to-morrow evening The rainfall at Chertsoy for the month ending March 31 was 4.4 t in. 2.74 in. fell between « p.m. on 220 d and C a.m. on 23rd March. We would remind our readers of the fact that the Ashburton Choral Society will produce Handel’s sacred oratorio “The Messiah” at the Town Hall on Good Friday. The music has been under rehearsal for some months, and the performance promises to bo the greatest musical treat yet < flared to an Ashburton audience. Mrs Hodge and Miss Kidd will take the soprano solos, and the past successes of these two ladies are a sufficient guarantee that the important passages with which they are entrusted will he ably rendered. Miss H. Barrett, a young lady who pro mises to take the very first rank amongst our vocalists, will sing the contralto solos, and we have no hesitation in p elleting a brilliant triumph for this talented debutant. The tenor and baas solos will be taken by Messrs Piuchel and Gamble respectively, and the chorus is a thor oughly efficient one. Mr Sidney Wolf, who has superintended the rebaarsa's, will act as musical director, and wo hope to see a large attendance at the Town Hall on Friday evening. The racehorses Captain Webster, Taia roa, Evorton Lad and Guide passed through Ashburton by the express last night en routs for Christchurch, where they will take part in the Autumn Race Meeting. The Christchurch District Drainage Board last night decided to discharge all their officers except the Engineer, to give > up their offices, and make arrangements * for the loca j bodies to collect the rates. 1 These steps are necessary on account of the Board’s financial position, which at 1 present is about L 2,000 a year to the bad. | The Mayor of Christchurch has re T | ceived through His Excellency the Gover f nor a copy of a uoto addressed to Earl , Granville by the United States Minister £ in London, requesting Her Majesty’s Go vernment, through the proper channel, to 8 convey to the inhabitants of Christchurch j. and Lytteltcn an expression of the Pre- t sident’a high appreciation of the generous (. and humane spirit displayed by them in making arrangements with such prompt- j ness for sending a steamer to Campbell 8 Is'and in search of the unfortunate American seamen of the Swah W. Hunt. () Referring to the death of Messrs Camp- 5 f ron and Herbert, war correspondents in h the Soudan, the Morning Adccrfiser says : —“ln men like Cameron and Herbert n and their colleagues—staunch, truthful, u

independent, fearless—our soldiers and ailors find their truest friends and histp-

rians their surest guides.

When the day

comes to record to posterity the brave

deeds of Stewart’s column in its march

upon Khartoum, the names of the “ specials ” will assuredly not be omitted from the glorious death roll. Hop Billers gives good digestion, active liver, good circulation and buoyant spirits. Get the only genuine American's Co’s. Bead. that husband of mine is three times the man he was before he began using “ Wells Health Rcr.ewer.” Druggists. The N,Z Drug Co., General Agents, 2

Tic-Doloureux, Toothache, or any other neuralgic pain speediiy yields to Baxter’s Auti Neuralgic Pills.

Letters from places beyond the colony! I are awaiiing Robert Bingham, Federick Hobden, E. M. Olde, James Sinclair and Thomas VVhito at the local Post Office, where they wore received daring the month of February, 1885. | Our cablegrams this evening convey ( important news from tho Soudan. The ■ Mahdi is harassed by rebellion, and , Orman Digna has enquired for conditions , of peace. • Last night Mr J. Crowes addre-sed a meeting at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Christ church, on the policy of Si-Julius Vogel Thera was a fair attendance, and tho speaker was well received. Mr Crewes opposed the policy of the Colonial Trea surer, because, in his opnion, it did not either promote tho greatest good to the greatest number or to the most deserving He strongly deprecated tho war fever which had arisen, ami the proposal of Sir Julius Vogel to send money home towards the expanses of the war in tho Soudan, white England was becoming richer every ye ir by one hundred millions. Another unfortunate.—Again we must draw the attention of our readers to the fact that a ,£2,424 stock of Clothing and General Dra pery, in the estate of Dennis O’Connell, tra ding in Lyttelton and Cristchurch, now bank rupt, was purchased by H. E. May & Co., of the Hall, High street, for £954, or only a little over one-third of its value. H. E. M. and Co. are now selling it at half the marked price, which surely ought to secure a speedy clearance. August Flower. —The most miserable beings in the world are those suffering from dyspepsia and liver complaint. More than 75 1 per cent of the people are afflicted with these two diseases and their effects ; such as sour stomach, sick headache, habitual costiveness, 1 palpitation of the heart, heartburn, waterbrash, k gnawing and burning pains at the pit of the stomach, yellow skin, coated tongue an 1 dis ■ agreeable taste in the mouth, coining 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. — lAd'-'T.

ASHBURTON COUNTY HUNT CLUB

The annual general meeting of mem bers of the Ashburton County Hunt Club was held at Quill's Hotel last even ing. There was a large attendance, and Mr Matthew Stitt, the Master, occupied the chair. The minutes of the last general meeting having been read and confirmed, the Com miitse’s Report aud the annual Statement of accounts were read as follows : committee’s report.

Your Committee have much pleasure in reporting that daring the past season the Club haa met with a very huge measure of success. When your Com miitee took office the finances oi' the Club were not in a satisfactory state, but owing to the large membership secured and economic management, your Committee, after providing three months sport and purchasing a small but excellent pack o f hounds, and extinguishing all the old liabilities of the Club, are able to hand over a balance of L 25 7s Oi to their successors. The district was hunted during the months of May, June, and July of last year. Mr John Smith acted as huntsman, and the manner in which he carried out his duties was eminently satisfactory to all con cerned. The thanks of the Club are due to the farmers and other landholders who with great liberality allowed the hounds to hunt over their property. A steeple chase meeting was held in connection with the Club on August 7th, and prvved a great success, the entries and competition for the different events being go id. and the fixture rasult-d in a substaat al addi tion to the funds of the Club. Your Committee trust that the present large membership will be maintained during the forthcoming season, as the promise of sport is much better than on any previous occas on. The hounds already referred to were obtained from perhaps the best pack in the colony, that of Mr Archer of Timaru, and on trial have shown themselves to bo excellent workers. . Your Committee were directed by a general meeting of members to make arrangements for keeping and hunting thehounds duringthe forthcoming season, and having invited tenders for the work accepted that of Mr John Smith to keep the hounds for twelve months, hunting them two days a week, if re qurod, during the month of May, June, and July. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS Receipts : Balance Bank of New Zea land 31st March, 1884, 12s lid ; sub scriptions, LlO4 1< ; gross receipts from Steeplechase meeting, Ll3O Os G 1 ; total, L 234 14s 51.—Expenditure : Liabilities of season 1883, Ll 6 Os 41; huntsman, L4S ; additional keep of hounds, L 4 10a ; registration, railway charges, travelling expenses, damage to fences, laying drags, etc , LlO 12s 61; rent of course, LI 4 10s ; printing, etc , Ll 3 18s 2d; sundries, L 7 15s 8i ; F. Archer (hounds), LIG ; Steeplechase stakes, L 75 ; total, L 234 14s sd. On the motion of the Chairman, secon ded by Mr M. Friedlander, the Report and Statement of Accounts were adopted. The election of officers was then pro ceeded with, and resulted as follows President, Mr E. G. Wright ; Vice-Presi dents, Dr Ross and Mr 0. G. flawdon Master, Mr M. Stitt ; Treasurer, Mr C Wroughton ; Secretary, Mr S. Saunders Committee, Messrs Wason, D. Cameron (}. Coward, H. Hint, J. Hunt. J, McLean, W. B. Denshire, J. Corbitt E. G. Crisp, M. Fried’ander, J. F Foster, A. Graham, A. Patterson, G. Scott, T. Quill, J. Reid, and W. Dixon. On the motion of Mr Wroughton, seconded by Mr .1. Friedlander, it was resolved —That a very hearty vote of thanks b.e given to the farmers and land owners for allowing the hounds to hunt over their property, and for the liberal support they have given to the Club.” Mr Saunders proposed—“ That a very cordial vote of thanks be accorded to Mr 0. Wroughton, the treasurer, for his ener getic and efficient management of the affairs of the Club, and that Messrs Stitt and Friedlander be requested to purchase some suitably gift for presentation to Mr Wroughton from the Club.” In moving the resolution Mr Sauudeys paid a very high compliment to the manner in whi t ch Mr Wroughton had applied himself to the Interests of the Club, andsaid the eminent success, the very existence of the Club, was entirely due to Mr Wroughton’a zeal and judicious direction. The Chairman seconded the motion, and expressed his hearty concurrence in the romarku that had fallen from Mr Saunders. On Using put to the meeting the motion was carried enthusiastically. Mr Wroughton appropriately acknow edged the compliment, but thought no special thanks were due to him. On the motion of the Chairman, a vote >f thanks was passed to the Huntsman or the satisfactory manner in which he jad (Jjsoharged his duties. Mr Smith acknowledged the compli nent, and the closed with the isual vote to the chair

Holloways Ointment and Pills. — Diseases of the Bowels.—A remedy, which has ueeu lasted and proved in a thousand dif ferent ways, callable qf cradicting poisonous taints from ulcers and healing them up, merits a trial of its capacity for extracting the internal corruptions from the bowels. On rubbing Holloway’s Ointment repeatedly on the abdo men q. ptsh appears, and as it thickens the alvine irritability Acting as a den z'ulkv, this unguent draws to the surface, re leases the tender intestines from all acrid mat ters, ami prevents inflammation, dysentery, and piles, for which blistering was the old-

fashioned, though successful treatment, now from its painfujiicss fallen into disuse, the dis covery of Ihi'rOinUncut having proclaimed a remedy possessing equally ye t, per* fectly painless powers, —[Advt.

DEPUTATION TO THE COLONIAL TREASURER.

Dunedin, Last Night.

Sir Julius. Vogel was waited on to-day by a deputation from the City Jouncil and the Chamber of Commerce, with the Volunteer officers, in order to draw his attention to the defenceless state of the city. Ho took the deputation aback by saving he was sorry to see the course they had taken They seemed in Dunedin to onioy the luxury of drawing attention to their defenceless position, and this seemed to him the worst of policy. It was very important that what was done should be done secretly. His colleague, Mr Stout, telegraphed him that the scare in Dune din was not warranted, and that he would not de ! ay an hour in fortifying. It was necessary to have plans, and Major Caut ley was very busy preparing them. What the Government wore going to do was to place a gun at Lawyer’s Head, another at St Clair baths and several at Taiaroa Heads, and torpedoes across the channel inside the bar, etc,- Mr Stout pointed out that it was quite useless to put all these guns in petition unless it was done properly, because if they were mounted improperly the very first shot of the enemy would dismount them. Plana for all these places were promised, and in two days Major Oautloy would leave for the South, and his assistant would go to Auck land to fix guns there. Twenty five of the Armed Constabulary were to be sent to Dunedin, and the same number to Oh istchurch, to form the nucleus of an artillery force, and one of the Colonels would bo placed in command. Mr Stout further said—‘‘You have little idea what even our temporary works wi'l cost. I am alarmed at the amount. ” And he then proceeded—“ We have telegraphed Home to the Admiralty to provide one or more ironclads for our coast. ” He (Sir Julius) hoped the deputation would pardon him for speaking plainly. He did not think any more representations should be made upon the subject, unless they were made privatsly, because the publication of

their plana muat be injurious They were spending a vast amount of money, and in a few days the principal ports of the cojony would be sufficiently protected. For himself, as he stated last night, he did not think there would be any war, and he was glad to tell them that within the last quarter of an hour he had received a telegram' from the Agent-General in England saying the position seemed less ominous to-day. They had the beat advisers possible in Major Cautley and the Governor, In reply to a question as to the shore ends of the cable, Sir Julius Vogel said that the question had engaged the atten tion of the Government weeks ago, and they had made provision for it. He thought it was not politic to say anything more on the subject. He repeated that what he objected to was, the constant reiteration of the words, “ our defenceless position.” He was not speaking for him self, but under the highest inspiration he could receive, when he said that nothing could be more undesirable than for them to allow every one to think that the colony was in a defenceless position, for such was not the case.

DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND.

The following telegram was received yesterday by the Mayor of Christchurch from the Premier in answer to the tele gram sent to the Government after the meeting held to consider the d fence question on Monday Wellington, March 31. Government are having plans prepared for temporary works. When ready, Major Cautley leaves here for Ch iatchurch. Government will send on officer of Armed Constabulary with 25 artillerymen to Christchurch to form the nucleus of artillery defence. We have communicated with the Imperal Govern ment as to naval defence. With regard to accepting the Reserve Corps, I will communicate with the Minister of De fence. Our colonists must recognise, however, that even the temporary defence works will be very costly, and that our funds are not unlimited. We thank you and the Christchurch Committee for offers of assistance, and we will be glad to receive your aid and advice.— Robert Stout.” Later in the day the Mayor received the following telegram from the Hon the Defence Minister;—‘‘Govern ment thanks the Mayor, and will accept the services of the corps on the conditions proposed ” The Mayor also receive! a telegram from Mr Peter Cunningham in Auckland, offering his services, while in America, in procuring arms and accoutre ments for the proposed force if required, and doing anything he possibly can to further the matter.

Welli gxon, Last Night. This afternoon Government sent a cable message to the Agent-General asking him to endeavor to arrange for a cruiser of the Admiralty class, and suitable for coastal defence, being sent out to New Zealand. The Government have offered to bear the whole expense and pay interest on the cost.

Government are arranging for the services of Captain Bodham, of Tasmania, in connection with the erection of bat teries. etc. Captain Bodham is an officer of the Royal Artillery, and experienced in such works.

Referring to defence work tha Evening Pod suggests that “Auckland. Welling ton, Christchurch and Dunedin should organise a series of ‘ Defence Bees,’ to aid in the construction of the roads and earthworks required. Those able to give manual labor might do it, and those unable to work themselves might well pay others to work for them for three or four days. ”

Government have in store 85 rounds of shot and shell for each of the 23 big guns, and they have recently received one million rounds of Snider cartridges. A large supply of guu cotton w r as ordered from Home upwards of two months ago for tor pedo mo, and it now probably on its way out. Government are also having con structed a number of dynamite torpedoes, or mines for harbor defence.

Wellington, To-day.

Captain Bidham, of Tasmania, who has been elected by the Government to take charge of the artillery and also the shore battorjes has, for some time past, been engaged in superintending the fortifica tions of Tasmania, He js spoken of as a gentleman of high abilities, and was re commended by His Excellency the Go. vern or. Ho is expected to arrive in New Zealand in a few days. Lieut. Douglas, of Rangitikei, an officer iu the Royal Navy, has been appointed to take charge of all port defences. Lieut. Douglas, who will enter upon his new duties almost immediately,' has had large experience in naval warfare and the uso of torpedoes In connection with the appointment 6* a cnnmander of the whole of the volun teers in New Zealand, the Government are in communication with an English officer at present in Canada, and have offered him an appointment. As no answer as yet been received to the cable sent bin) hU name is withheld. It is, however, understood tfyat he is an officer of high rank, and that ho also has been recommended by Sir ffm. JervoiS. !The appointments of Captain Badham, Lieut. Douglas, and the commander of the Volunteers, will be of a permanent nature. Major Cautley leaves Welling ton on Friday to arrange for placing guns in position there. After spending two or three days at Lyttelton ho proceeds to Dunedin for a similar purpose. Mr Bell, Major Oautley’s assistant will leave for Auckland to-morrow and it js expected that the work in connection with the de-

’ences will be commenced next Monday

The armed cruiser which the Government are endeavoring to arrange for is to be of

the Esmeralda type, steaming about 19 knots. The Government are willing to pay interest on the total cost and two thirds of the amount required for mainte nance, conditionally on her being avail able at all times for training purposes. It is understood that the Admiralty have several vessels of the class required on the stocks. The Government intend that each naval corps in the colony will be supplemented by a torpedo section, and consist of ton experienced men. The Go vernment have cabled an order for White head torpedoes to the extent of L 50,000. Launching gear for torpedo boats has also been ordered so that the boats may be taken up and launched from any ordinary coastal vessel when requir d. It has also been deciled that twenty-five men of the Armed Constabulary shall be stationed at each of the four centres and will form the nucleus of a permanent artillery ; the number to be raised to 100 in the event of war breaking out. The additional members will be drafted from the Volunteers. Govern ment have also decided to have in Auck land, Dunedin, Christchurch and Well ington a permanent torpedo service con sisting of five men in each place, the number to be raised to twelve (should hostilities occur) hy drafting men from sections of the Naval Brigades A move ment is o a foot to form a special torpedo corps consisting of the yatcring and boat ing men. A meeting has bean called by the ex-Commodore of the Regatta Com mittee, Vico Pre idont of the Yalclung Club and Captain of the Boating Club, i for Thursday afternoon to consider the ; question.

YESTERDAY’S LATE TELEGRAMS.

Auckland

The Auckland Agricultural and Mer cantile Company have declared a dividend of 8 per cent. The Hon J Bryce is now in Auckland to give evidence before the Commission which has been appointed to take evidence in the libel case, Bryce versus Rusden. Mr F. D. Fenton and the Hon J. Tole have been appointed Commissioners to act on behalf of Mr Ruaden, and Mr Bryce has appointed Messrs James Russell aud 4. B. Whitaker. The post and telegraph office at Puke kohe railway station was broken into last night, and an unsuccessful attempt was made to get at the contents of the safe. Mr Napier, counsel for Sheehan, ac cused of the Caatletown-Roche murders, ha s instructed a leading solicitor to defend the prisoner at Cork Assizes. Detective Walker and Sergeant Downing leave with the prisoner. They expect to catch the Ruapehu. The Government Insurance Board have purchased Shera Brothers’ promises in Queen street, with a frontage of 40£t, for L 19,000. Wellington. Government has received a cable mes sage from the Agent-General in connec tion'with the Federation Enabling Bill. The message stated that the Agents-Gene ral had had an interview with Lord Derby, and had decided as follows : Clause 3 of the Bill will probably be re instated, with amendments ; clause 5, amendment ; Members of Council will only be increased at the request of the Legislature ; cl iusa 15, sub-section simi larly amended; clause 26, the second amendment relating to expenses to be omitted ; clause 30 to be retained. The Island Bay Park Company has be'en voluntarily wound up, and another Com pany is to be formed, to be called the Island Bay Park Racing and Coursing Company, Limited, with a capital of L 20,000, in LI shares.

ASHBURTON VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGAD E.

A meeting of the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade was held at the old Council Chambers last evening. There were 12 members present, and Fireman W. E. Dolman, the Borough Custodian, occupied the chair. The Chairman drew the atten tion of the meeting to the by-law framed by the Council, which provided that ap plicants for membership; should be pro posed by the Brigade aud accepted by the Borough Council. Notwithstanding this by-law he noticed that two members had been accepted at the last meeting of the Council without reference to the Brigade. Mr James Keir, one of the members re ferred to, explained that he had been in formed by members of the Brigade that application should be made to the Conn oil, and he had accordingly done so. Mr R. Christie, the other member referred to, made a similar explanation to that tendered by Mr Keir, and both of the gentlemen were elected members of the Bridge. On the motion of Fireman Parkin, seconded by Fireman Davis, it was resolved to appoint five members of the Brigade, viz , Firemen W, E. Dolman, Parkin, Keir, Higgins, and Davis to con fer with the Fire Brigade Committee of the Borough Council in respect to the bye-laws, as suggested by the latter body, on Tuesday next at 7.30 p.m. Secretary Higgins suggested that the mem bers appointed to meet the Com mittee of the Borough Council should

acquaint themselves with the old and new by-laws previous to the conference. The Chairman read the newspaper report of the remarks made by Cr Harrison at the last meeting of the Borough Council, and said that as he wished to place the action taken by their Secretary in a proper light before the public ha would be glad to have an expression of opinion from mem . bers. The Secretary said that he had attended the conference referred to by Cr Harrison between the Fire Brigade Committee and the Brigade, but that he had not created any distur bance, obstructed the business nor asked any frivolous questions. He considered that he or any other member present at that meeting had a perfect right to object to any rule that appeared unworkable, and to make any suggestion he thought advisable. The Secretary ex plained that the question put, which ap peared to irritate Cr Harrison, had refer ence to the private funds of the Brigade, and was by no means of a frivolous charac ter.—Fireman Parkin said that he had attended the conference, and by the action of Or Harrison in tho chair had been unable to place faia views before the meeting. —lt was resolred, “ That the Secretary send the following resolu tion to the Borough Council, viz :

‘ 1 hat the members attending the meeting referred to by Cr Harrison deny the whole of the statements made to the Borough Council by that gentle man, and that Mr Higgins did in no way cause trouble or obstruct the business, nor ask any unnecessary question.” The Secretary denied the charge, made by Cr Harrison, to the effect that he (Mr Higgins) said the Mayor had stated that Or Harrison had no business at the meeting called for the con sideration of the by-laws. The mem bers of the old Brigade present testified that the difficulties which led to the dis band of the old Brigade had in no way been caused by Mr Higgins, but that that gentleman had as Secretary discharged his duties diligently and well. It having been’ arranged that the next meeting of the Brigade should be held on Wednes day, April Bth, the roll was called and the meeting adj urned.

THE PREMIER ON ANNEXATION.

The Hon Mr Stout has addressed to the Agent-General a Jong letter in refer ence to the annexation of Samoa, from which we take the following. After re-

citing matter that has already been made public, Mr Stout writes:—“l think you have been informed that on November

19th, being strongly impressed with the urgent nec -asity for the Imperial Govern ment taking steps to preserve its power in the central Pacific and to annex Samoa, we advised Bis Excellency to despatch the following telegram to the Secretary of State for the Colonies :—“ My Ministers urge the annexation of Samoa and Tonga, and are prepared to propose to Parliament that New Zealand shall bear the expense." The reply to this message, which did not reach Mimisters until the 28th December, was, in substance, as follows :—“ Repre sentation will be fully considered, but foreign interests there present difficulties.” We therefore had this reply before us when the Executive Council was considering what steps should be taken regarding the despatch of the Hinemoa, and it was after wardsdetermined that the Hinemoa should

leave for Auckland conveying the Hen Sir Julias Vogel to Waiwera, and that

the steamer should remain at Auckland with the Hon the Colonial Secretary till his Excellency received a reply from the Colonial office. Lord Derby’s reply, dated 31st January, was received by his Excel lency on the 4h. In substance it was “ With reference to your telegram of the 31st ultimo Her Majesty’s Government regret that they are unable to meet the wishes of the New Zealand Government. My telegram of the 24th instant reminded (?) that foreign interests in Samoa and Tonga prevent British annexation. With in the last few days the German Govern ment have given and received renewed assurance that the independence of the islands shall be maintained. If, there fore, the Government of New Zealand should unfortunately send the Colonial Secretary to Samoa the German Govern ment will have strong justification for annexing these islands. - Her Majesty’s Government hope, therefore, that the New Zealand Government will not preclude the internationalisation of the islands, which la obviously the best course at the present juncture far British interests.” Having referred at length to the visit of H.M. S. Miranda to Samoa, Mr Stout adds: After the Miranda left the in formation received there shows that various articles of the treaties were ignored by the German Consul. To give an example, a correspondent writes 1 ‘The other day the King wrote to the 1 three ConauL, stating that some of his 1 scouts had brought in word that the rebels were ab nit to attack the Government, and > in consequence he wished to be relieved i from that clause of the convention which prohibits all assemblages of armed men within the neutral boundaries. The houses were the King and Government live are ■ within these, hence the necessity for per mission to assemble a protective farce. There is also a supplementary note to the convention, which gives the King power I under certain circumstances of dispensing - with the prohibitory clause. Both the ■ American and British Consuls considered , that under existing circumstances the I King would be perfectly justified in col. e lecting a sufficient num' ec of armed men - to protect himself and Government; but I the German Consul, pursuing his usual e tactics, thought differently, and told the King if he assembled an armed force he i would disperse them by force if necessary, end he is the only Consul who has the e services of war at his command. He ; can and does do very much as he likes.’ f The last letter we have received from Samoa is doted February 24th. We are of course not aware what has hap* j peued there since then,- but from what we know it is perfectly clear that the treaties ot conventions made in 1869 have not been respected by the Acting German f Consul, that the power and authority of the King of Samoa have been weakened, * and that the Samoans are living in dread . that their beautiful islands will become German possessions. From the, informa tion forwarded to us from the Colonial Office aud by yourself, it seems useless for us to press upon the Impe ial Govern ment the desirableness of yielding to the 3 prayer of the petition from the King and ! people of Samoa. I may. however, point 1 out, in order that you may, should cir -3 cumstances warrant you in so doing, urge ‘ thi* view upon the Colonial Office, that this request for the annexation of Samoa ’ differs entirely from almost every other b request made to the Colonial Office from other parts of the Pacific. There has J been recognised in Samoa by Groat r Britain, by Germany, and by the United States a King and Parliament, for there is j provision in article 5 of the German : treaty, dated December 23rd, 1879, for | the creation of what may be termed two ! Houses of Parliament. Each province is to appoint two chiefs called 1 Taimua, and also to appoint Fai pule, the one answering to our second Chamber and the other to our first. If 1 then a State,.at all events somewhat civi lised, and with a Government recognised by two European Powers aud by the United States of America, desires to cede ’ its territory to Great Britain, what obj ’o tion can fairly be raised to such a pro ceeding ? If the treaty or convention with Germany provided that Samoa was to remain neutral territory, and that the King and Government should not be at .liberty to cede its sovereignty to any foreigq Power, no doubt Germany nffght have reason for objecting to any such ces sion, though there is not wanting autho rity to show that such a treaty or Conven tion might be deemed transient in its character. The position taken by Count Cavor respecting the annexation of Savoy is strongly to the point. There is noth ing in any treaty wiih Germany which limits in the slightest degree the power of the King aud people of Samoa to make treaties with other nations or to interfere with their right to yield up if they please the sovereignty of their islands. But can it as a ground for Germany’s contention, be pretended that there is any possibility of the German empire, as concerns defence or otherwise, being affected by the annexa tion of Samoa. If it should be argued that the king has no power to enter into arrangements with or cade any rights of sovereignty to grert Britain, I apprehend that the same contention would be valid as against the right to make the treaty or convention made with Germany oh the 10th of November, 1834. It is e’ear from this treaty that the King of Samoa did cede to Germany soma of the rights of sovereignity he possessed, and that be ceded them in such a way as to interfere with the rights of the subjects of Great Britain and of 'the United States under existing treaties with those powers. Moreover, this last treaty or convention with Germany was made by the King without consulting the Parliament of Samoa or the leading chiefs. In fact, it was extorted from the King under pressure, and is in opposition to the general feeling of the Samoan people. The request for annexation to Great Bri tain, on the other hand, comes spontan eously from the King chiefs, and people. Having given soma exhaustive statements of the trade of Samoa, Mr Stout con cludes—We are nof yet aware what is likely to be done with respect to Samoa. If, from 1 foreign relationships or from quest ions of expediency or relating to thb policy of the British Empire, it is pot deemed desirable to annex the group, we dope that sonje treaty or ' ponyeptipp yill oe agreed to between )3reat Britain, pre larva Samoa as neutral territory. ’lt |s lerfectly clear to us that Germany ibtaiued an ascendency theie during the ast two or three months, apd that shonlcji he King's authority be consequently

TJ3E ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, AERIL 1, 1885.



WAR WiTil RUSSIA.— At the pre sent juncture it would bo difficult far any one exopt a prophet of (ho Lighe. t rank to any wluther or not the preset t negotiations between England and busia will lead to a general European war, or whether they will end in envke. The absence <f full information as to what is transpiring between the two countries may indicate that the political breeze is blowing harmlessly past ; or, it msy te the awful silence which generally precedes a storm. In either esse, we ought to bo prepared for the worst. If a general war breaks out ti e price of nearly every article of commerce will rise. Among other commodities wool and labor will go up Now is the time, therefore, to lay in a •lock of clothing, before the general ad vance begins. In order that we may not be caught napping we have just purchased ft Splendid Assortment of Winter Tweeds ana other materials necessary to a weli equipped tailoring establishment, wh ch we are prepared to offit at unusually low prices for cash.. Regarding style and fit, it is almost needles* f'-> r Qa to repeat what everybody knosfi, viz , that by our men lific mode of cutting, and tha care exer cised by us in fitting the figure, a mis-fit is an impossibility.— Cuaigukau and Co., Mftobiot Jailors, Tancted street.



Wanted. WANTED Known—A shop To Let, in East atreet. Enquire T.lTay- ' lob, Baker. 3 439 WANTED Known—Mr W. M. - Green (late M.H.R.) will Ad dres a Public Meeting in the Temperance Hall, Tinwald, on Tuesday Evening, at t 7.30. Adult members of the Gospel Teni- ; peranca Society will receive their cards All invited. 3 474 ■VTT ANTED Known—Before buying Dress Materials, Dlaters, Jackets, Dolmans, Millinery, etc , call and inspect our stock. The cheapest first-class Drapery and Millinery Establishment in Ashburton H. C. Regers, ealys’ Buildings, East Street. BEAT Reductions for Cash at Jones ani> !' bsdsiiaw’s. Good oaten sheaf chaff from 50s per ton, Is 6i per bag ; prime oat straw chaff 35s per ton, 9cl per bag; new oatmeal 4s per bag ; good cheese 5d per lb ; ffuur, bran, sharps, and chickwheat at very cheap rates. ANTED Vf ing Machines can be had on Time Payments at the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Branch, East street, Ashburton 2 276 Glorious news. Andrew Orb will give away on Saturday ICO pairs men’s boots at 6i 91 ; GO pairs can vas slippers at 2s 6d ; 30 pairs cricketing boots at 6s 6d ; 100 pairs Kaiapoi trousers at 11s 6d—every article at half-price. 2 237 \ATANTED Known—Fresh Flounders are daily despatched direct from our own boat, now fishing at Lake Elles mere. Delivery guaranteed within eight hours from time of catching. All orders received at my shop will be immediately executed on arrival of the train. W. O. Page, East street, Ashburton. 11 2151 j ANTED Known—Boots ! Boots I . V t That Hayes and Co. are Clearing a few desperate lines of Boots, etc., to s wit, Ladies’ Leather, 4s 6d; Men’s s Shooters, Pegged, 10s; Men’s Elastic 1 sides, 9s, and a lot of odd lines that must i be cleared at once. 7 1378 i ' WANTED Known—Umbrellas at Is lid, six doz Buttons for Is, China Matting at 6d, Ladies’ Hose at 6d, Oor i sets at 2s 3i, Shitting at 4£ 1, Towels d, 36 inch Oilcloth 9d, Camisoles Is 4d. Andrew Obr’s Cheap Sale. 2 185



WANTED KNOWN— Robert Elston, Bill Poster, Theatrical Agent, etc., Towd Hall, Ashburton. Theatrical companies and others visiting Ashburton should communicate with the above. Orders by post or telegram promptly attended to. 760 Special Advertisements. ANY Person TRESPASSING on the Properties of the undersigned will be prosecuted. DUDLEY & NORTHEY, 2 302 A. PATERSON, Junr. Money. SEVERAL sums of Money to Lend on freehold security, at current rates of interest Principals only dealt with. 3 428 CEI AS. W. PUHNELL. PATTERN DEPOT. Mrs Hodge, DRAPER AND DRESSMAKER, East Street, near Lancaster’s butchery. Ladies’ Dresseaand Underclothing made at the shortest notice. REGISTRY OFFICE For Female Servants. 7 1413



SEIZING OEE B’ANCY GOODS, TOYS, BOOKS, STATION KEY, Ac. ' Must be sold —even if at a loss To Sait everybody at prices that cannot be beaten. Andrewes Bros., Booksellers, Stationers, &c., Ashburton. R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bev-n R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R Bevan R, Bevan B. Bevan R. Bevan R Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan B. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan BOOKSELLER AND STATIONER. Cut’ery, Jewellery, Concertinas, and Fancy Goods Dealer, BEVAN Young Ladies’ Journals {Mar. No ) for Is 3J. Subscribers wanted. Country stores supplied at special rates. SAUNDERS’ BUILDING NextQuill’sHotel. R. Bevan R. Bevan P. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R, Bevan R Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R, Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan Vr. Bevan R, Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan R. Bevan 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 boauti 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 largo case of books personally selected, and just received Ibe iave it was Lord Wolseley who said (he happens to be the most popular mat. of the day, and one must squeeze a littl. popularity into advertisements), “ A mai who aspires to great heights ahou'd reao incessantly, and never forget his news pa pe;s; ’ and I aay the same ! Read ! Rial! Bead I When both you and my self will be cJiiaio'erably benefited. Not having room to give a detailed list o' the contents of my shelves, I can only finish by aaying - Come »nd see for yourselves, and if you are disappointed come again.— Nothing like Perseverance !



Thomas F. Farley's, BOOKSELLER AND STATIONER, Sausdkks’ Buildings, East St., Ashbdkton.



Special Advertisements. | fJIHE LONDON AND LANCASHIRE j Fire Insurance Co. We have much pleasure in informing the public of Ashburton that Mes-es WILDING, LEWIS & OAfGILL have been appointed AGENTS for the above Company in the Ashburton Dis trict. All risk? taken at lowest current rates. LEWIS & GOULD, 3 328 General Agents for Canterbury. TIMBER, 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 Coal— We are now landing, ex s.s. Tekapo, PRIME NEWCASTLE COAL, which will bo sold at Lowest Bates. Every Requisite for the Building Trade kept in StocE, and Building supplied throughout. *** Farmers would do well to call and obtain quotations. , MACPHERSON, FILMER AND CO, (late A. Hayes), , TIMBER, COAL & WOOD ! MEROH ANTS, East street, Ashburton. 25 Branches Now Open 25 THE NEaF” ZEALAND' I Clothing Factory ( « Are now Showing . NEWEST STYLES t in i SPRING & SUMMER CLOTHING, * Manufactured 8 from the renowned 1 Wear Resisting MOSGIEL TWEEDS • The fit and workmanship of every gar -5 ment is undoubtedly unsurpassed, while the large production and increased buai > ness enables the proprietors to offer j special advantages as to price. Q Men’s, Boys’ and Children’s Clothing in every variety at ) Wholesale Prices. ■ SL'.rta, Hats, Hosiery, Blankets, Ruga, Portmanteaux, and _ every requisite at e WHOLESALE PRICES. Note the address— NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY, EAST STREET, Ashburton 25 Branches Now Open 25



WOOD, SINCLAIR & CO., Millers and Grain Merchants, High street, Christchurch, Are Cash Purchasers of Wheat, Oats, Barley, Beans, Peas, Potatoes, Rye and Cocksfoot Grass Reeds at highest current rates. To farmers desirous of holding their grain we are prepared to offer special facilities for storage. In addition to onr 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. 3 451



UTUMN 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, DR4PERY, UNDER CLOTHING FOR INFANTS, GIRLS & LADIES. MERCERY. MEN’S, BOYS’, & YOUTHS’ COLONIAL, VICTORIAN, AND ENGLISH CLOTHING, At the Lowest Possible Cash Price, If you will trouble to think for a minute, we feel sure you will be convinced that the way our business is conducted must insure you the best pro curable for money. WE IMPORT DIRECT From the Best Manufacturers WE SELL FOR CASH Avoiding all bad debts VE BUY CHIEFLY FOR CASH, Securing all Cash Discounts Our Business is managed personally by he proprietor in the most economical way, thus saving the immense cost of an Extravagant Establishment with manager, nib-manager and an expensive staff ; herefore we will not allow any house or ;ompany to undersell us. So if they ..hould advertise or make a special lead or Iraw of any particular article, wo will nve you the same at their price or lower, guaranteeing, taking things all round, our Value will bo found by far the best. Country Orders sent by post will receive special attention, and bo sent free of carriage (by rail) to ANY PART OF C INTER BURY. H. E. May & Co., H. E. May& THE HALL.



Victoria House. Season sale commencing on January igtu, & continuing FOR FIVE WEEKS ONLY. REMARKABLE REALITIES ! GLARING REDUCTIONS :! iffifif'For Convincing proof and Special Prices See Windowa'&v Dimant and Coe, READY-MONEY DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, Ac;., In premises lately occupied by Orr and Co., Corn [East and Fancied sire ASHBURTON,



Special Advertisements. JJI RID A Y NEXT BEING GOOD FRIDAY, The As ißunroN Guardian will not be published. Groceries CHEAPER THAN EVER AT JAMES McGREGOR’S, Tancred Street. Sugars—English Cut Loaf. s d per lb Best White Crystal, 3£d per lb Best Snowdrop, 4d per lb (Reductions by the mat) Teas, Is 3d, Is 6d, 2s, 2s 6d, and 2s 9d Box Tea from 12s 6d per box Canterbury Cakes, lOd each. Rice, Sd Mixed Biscuits, 61 Lunch Biscuits, 3d Currants, 6i Raisins, 7d New Figs, Is per box Beat Sago, 3d New Muscatels, la 6d , Oysters, 6d Cairn's Marmalade, 8d Peacock’s Jams, 6£d Herrings, 7d Keiller’s Marmalade, Dd Salmon, 8d Cheese, 6d per lb English Pickhs, 8d Other articles equally cheap. JAMES MoGREGOR, Tancred Street, 12 2342



“ Buchu-Paiba.”—Quick, complete cure, all annoying kidney, bladder, and Urinary diseases. Druggists. The N.Z. Drug Co, General Agents. 2 “Rough on Rats,”—Clears out rats, mice, roaches, flies, -vats, b*.J-bugs, beetles, insects, skunks. Jack rabbits, gophers. Druggists! The N.Z, D up Co., General Agents, 3