COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guarptan Office, Friday afternoon. Mr E. G. Staveley (for the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, limited), reports on the Tinwald live stock markets, under date 2ist April The yards exhibited a marked contrast to the crowded appearance they have lately shown, there temgonly some 3,000 sheep penned, and a few pigs and cattle. There was a fair attend ance) and values remained on a par with those recently* ruling.- -We sold drafts of merino ewes from Mount Torlesse and Brookside stations at 4s yd and 3s nd respectively. Fat merino wethers made 6s yd and ys yd; fat ewes,4s yd and ss; crossbred lambs. 5s lid, 6s 3d and ys gd; aged merino ewes, 2s, 3s 6d, 4s yd and 5s ; forward two-tooth crossbred wethers, 12s id, and ditto ewes/ lis 4d. A number of rams, mostly aged varieties, were also disppsed of. Small pigs made 10s and 15s ; large ditto, 325. Cattle were quiet. We quitted forward steers for Mr T. Milner, L 4 lbs j .fat cows and heifers, L 4 ys 6d, L 4 iys 5d," Ljf 15s and L 6; fat bullocks, L 6 2s 6d ; mixed yearlings, 29s and 33s ; aged cows and small' stores without alteration, and little de mand for them. Messrs Matson, Cox and Co. report upon the live stock market for the Ashburton district, for the week fending April 2ist, as follows: On Tuesday we held our usual weekly sale of sheep, cattle and pigs at the Tinwald Yards. Our catalogue for the day|s transaction was 962 sheep, 24 head of cattle, 65 pigs, and 86 rams. The entries and attendance weie very small, the biddings dull,'and prices low. We Sold the following lines—96 merino wethers, 6s fid ; Isy merino ewes, 4s Qd ; 157 merino CWes, ss; 105 crossbred lambs, $s nd ; 15° merino ewes, 3s 8d ; 297 merino ewes, 3s 8d ; X Lincoln ram, 17s fid ; 2 Lincoln rams, 17s 6d ; 3 Leicester rams, Li 17s fid ; i Lincoln- Leicester ram, 20s;, 18 ditto, 20s each; 8 pigs, 15s ; 17 pigs, 9s ; 3 yearlings, Li 9s fid; 3?at heifers, L 4 17s fid; I ditto, L 4 7s fid; X ditto, L 5 17s fid; 1 ditto, L 6 ; 3 steers, L 6 3s fid ; 6 steers, L 4 15s. Our entries were from 7. Grigg, J. D. Richards, C Primmer, O. Dtghy, L, E. Corsbie, H. F. Richards, S. Chapman, D. Ryan, W. Prebble, J. Crossen. P, Tulley, J. Small, and Live Stock Co. The following is, the Addington live stock market-report: On Wednesday the Addington Yards we e well supplied with stock of all sorts. There was a very fair attendance Sheep : The sale was a repetition of that of the previous week—a heavy entry, and a very dull demand. With regard to quality, it may be said *hat all sorts were represented, from inferior to prime. Except for one or two lots of firs’-class quality, there was little or no com petition. A considerable number were passed m, and we have to report a further slight re duction in values. . Good crossbreds sold at from I2s fid up to 15s 3d, which price was ob tained for a few prime wethers. Inferior and second-rate quality, brought from 9s to lis fid. In merinos, there was a small line of excellent quality on offer, which sold at from 10s 3d to lOS 6d, but for ordinary lots there was very liftle enquiry, and prices ranged from 6s 3d to Ss fid. Miuton remains about the same, viz., slightly under 2d, though, in some instances, not more than ijf’d was obtained. The entry of store sheep was again very large, in cluding one or two good lines of ewes, and also a line of first-class crossbred lambs. The major portion, however, consisted of inferior lots, for which there was very little demand, and the sale was no improvement on those of the past few weeks. Good crossbred ewes sold at from 7s to ys fid ; lambs at from 3s 3d for a line of “scrubbers,” up to 8s 8d for a superior line.. Two-tooth crossbreds brought 9s Bd, and crossbred wethers sold at ros qd. Both the latter were very good lots,—Cattle : There Was a very fair entry of fat cattle, and the quality was better than has been the case lately. As on several recent occasions the sale took place late in the afternoon, when very few buyers were present, consequently business was dull, and prices very unsatisfactory to •wnets ‘We quote beef at from 16s to 18s per loolb.—Pigs : A rather heavy shower coming 00 just as the pig sale commenced, no doubt kept many who would otherwise have been buyers, inside. However, nearly the whole of a very large supply changed bands at a slight reduction on late quotations. Porkers sold at from 25s to 40s, and baconers at from 50s up war ?s.

The following is the Christchurch Corn Ex change report for the week ending Friday, the 24th mst: —The wheat market since our last report has experienced a good deal of flue na tion. In the early part of the week now under review prices finned considerably for prime milling lines, but the time that the advance existed being so very short sellers had little opportunity to do business. Later cables of more peaceful nature coming to hand caused prices to recede. As we write later news in dicates renewed complications between Eng land and Russia which should have a harden ing tendency, but buyers seem disinclined to onerate until more reliable news is received. Prime milling cannot be quoted to-day at over Bi 5d to 25 rod ; second quality, according to Condition, £s 3d to'2s 6d; chick wheat re mains at is pd to 2S, f.o.b. Oats : Prime milling are firm at. is iod ; shert bright feed, is gd ; discolored and long feed, is 4s to is 6d; Tartarian seed, is 8d to is gd, f.o.b. Barley : A few buyers are still prepared to buy prime malting at 3s 6d to 3s gd ; second quality is hard .to quit at 2s gd to 3s 3d ; feed rangesdram is 9 1 to 2s, Christchurch. Peas: Prussian-blues, hand threshed, 3s 6d; feed, 2s

3d to 4s 6d. Beans, 2s 8d to 2s gd, f.o.b. Grass seed is fairly saleable; for farmers’ well cleaned parcels, 2s 6d to 3s ; machine dressed, 3s gd to 4s, f.0.b.; cocksfoot is weaker, heavy bright seed we quote at 3j4d, and slightly dis colored at 2d to 2% f.0.b., Lyttelton. Pota toes : Derwents have opened at 30s to 32s 6d within a radius of 12 miles-of Christchurch. Dairv produce—Butler, gd to rod ; cheese, 4d to 4K4

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION •'-AL'T.y. Fbikay, '.Pun 24. Messrs Matson, Cox and Co., at Ran pun a, neat Mayfield—Live and Dead Stock Satdbday, April 21 METhos. Bullock, at the Arcade, Burnett ■treet—Land. etc. Tuesday, Aphil 28 Messrs Matson, Cox and 0)., at the Ashburton Saleyards—Stock MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, This Evening Debating Society—Annual Meeting, Ar cade Chambers, at 8 o’clock Monday, Aphil 27. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7.30 Arcade Chambers—Star of Ashburton, (J.A.0.D., at 8 o’clock Wednesday, A pan 29 Ashburton Racing Club—Autumn Meet ing Oddfellows’ Hall—'* H. M. 8, Pinafore,” at 8 o’clock Friday, May 1 ifoburton County Council—At Council Chambers, 11a.m. Lonbgeach Road Board at Road Board (Mice. Saturday, May 2. Afckanui Road Board, at Koad Board office, Moore street, at 10.30 a.m.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS

AdvjTtisaments for The Ashbuktoh OffAEHtaN must be sent in not biter than 8 p.m., with the number of insertion, written plainly on the copy, otherwise they will' be inserted until counter manded, and charged accordingly. Re place Advertisements must be supplied the day previous to that on which they are to be inserted. Special notices can be received up to 8.30 p.m., but will be charged double rates. All - notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths most bo accompanied by the sig nature oh the sender, {is a guurameb of ood filth. All advertisements and business iett ;s .0 be addressed The Mawaoek ; literary communications should be addressed to sSfl SpiIOB. I

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas Et Prevalebit, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1885.

It will be seen from a cablegram Ap pearing in this issue it is positively affirmed in London that Russia has re-

fused to inquire any further into General Komaroffs version of the Penjdeh affair. Up to 2 p.m. to-day the New Zealand Go vernment had received no information

from England confirming the news, but should it prove correct, little probability can remain of a peaceful settlement of the Russo-Afghan difficulty.

A private cablegram from was received in town last evening, advising a decline of 3a per quarter in the price of wheat. The Rev A. Blake, M-A., will preach in the Presbyterian Church* Ashburton, in the morning, and the Rev J. Elmslie, M.A., of Christchurch, will preach in the evening of Sunday next. The latter will' also conduct the services at the opening of the Flemington Presbyterian Church, which takes place on Sunday morning at i 11 o’clock. At both the afternoon and evening per formances of the Faust Family jesterday, there were fairly good houses, and the acrobatic feats and musical efforts of this really talented company were well re ceived. As acrobats we have never seen their superior, and the music they pro vide is of a really high order. The com pany will appear at the Town Hall, fta<aia, this evening, and we trust they will secure the patronage they so thoroughly deserve. The Railway Department has deter mined not to run excursion trains in con nection with the Ashburton Autumn Race Meeting, but will make arrange ment for specially low faros, which will be I advertised at once.

There was a very small attendance at the second Rita-Radcliff concert given at the Oddfellows’ Hall last evening, but the different items on the programme were received with most genuine appreciation

by the limited audience. Madame Rita and Mr Radcliff loft Ashburton by the 10.55 train this morning en route for Wel lington, where they will appear next week. It is very much to be regretted that artistes of such merit and reputati <n should be allowed to leave Ashburton with such an unfavorable impression of the musical taste of the taste.

The opening of the Flemington Presby terian Church will take place on Sunday next. On the Wednesday evening fol lowing a public meeting and tea will be held in the Flemington schoolroom.

To-day’s issue of the Referee has the following reference to the handicaps for the Ashburton Racing Club’s Autumn Meeting:—The handicaps for the first d >y’» racing were declared yesterday after noon, and seem from a cursory glance to be fairly well put together. If fault can be found, it is that Secretary might have had a bit more in the Hurdle Race, and that Marion has too much weight in the Autumn Handicap, Mr Radcliff, in addition to marvellous ability as a flautist, possesses a care fund of humour, and is a far better conversa tionalist than lecturer. During a recent interview we had an oppnriunity to enjoy selections fr m the immense supply of anepdotas he has collected daring a long acquaintance with the prominent men of the age. Mr Radcliff started life as a journalist, end some of his best narratives refer to in idents of the press. Speaking of war correspondents, he assured us it had been shown that the best effort of a famous “ special,” who recently delighted these colonies with an account of wars he had seen, waa the description of a battle fought while the correspondent was enjoying a game of billiards in the hotel of a small town many miles from

the scene of the conflict. Writs for the Oimaru and Tauranga elections to the House of Representatives were issued this morning, and are re turnable on or before June 3rd. The Hon W. J. M. Larnach, Minister for Mines, returned to Christchurch last night from his visit to the Malvern and Wilberforce districts, where he has, during the past week, personally inspected the collieries and gold-bearing reefs. Mr Larnach passed through Ashburton by the express this morning tn route for Dunedin. He will probably return to Christchurch in the course of a few days. The harvest thanksgiving service last evening at St Stephen’s Church was at tended by a largo congregation. The decorations were tasteful and effective, the corn and fruit employed combining with the autumnal flowers and leaves, being very suggestive of the season of the year. Tne singing, led by a strong choir, was hearly and congregational, but we were a little surprised that while there was scarcely a single absentee among the men and women of the choir so few of the boy chor sters should have been pre sent, The anthem, by Oalcott, taken from the 65th Psalm, was we(l rendered. The sermon by the Rev E. A. Lingard was based on Phillipians iv., S—“Be careful for nothing, but by everything by prayer and supplication, giving with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” Mr Lingard held the attention of his listeners to the end, as he has done for the last 18 years in his own church of St Luke’s, Christchurch. The offertory amounted to L 3 5a 6d. It has been decided to amalgamate the Montecillo and Ashburton Football Clubs. The amalgamated club will be known as the Ashburton Football Club.

The annual meeting of the Ashburton Debaling Society will be held m. the Arcace Chambers, Barnett street, this evening.

The Borough School prizes remaining from last year were to-day awarded as follows;—Mr F. L, K. Hill’s prizes— tlannah Curd, by examination, 781 marks out of 900 ; Matthew Kerr, by examina tion, 777 marks out of 900. Neither of these pupils have been absent during the present year. Mr W. C. Walker’s prig s

tor the most industrious in the school— -Ist. Girls: Lucy Tucker, 1; Anne Phelps, 2 —Boys : Wiilie Jameson, 1 ; John Painter, 2. Use American Co.s Hop Bitters once and you will use no other medicine. Test it. Take no other. Be sure and read.

Catarrh of thr Bladder,— Stinging .rotation, inflammation, all kidney and similar complaints, cured by “ Buchu-paiba. ” The N.Z. Drug Co., General Agents, 3 Tic-Doloureux, Toothache, or any other neuralgic pain speedily yields to Baxter’s Anti- Neuralgic Pills.

Wells’ -‘Rough on Corns.” —Ask fm Wells’ “Rough on Corns.” Quick relief complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts 1 bunions. The N.Z. Drug ,Co., General Agents, 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASHBURTON—' Today.

Before H. C. S. Baddeley, Esq , R.M.)

Drunkenness —A firck offender was fined ss, and costa wilh the alternative of 24 hours’ imprisonment.

<"’iv l Cases,

"Reid and Oray v Holmes, judgment summons —Mr Branson for the plaintiffs, Mr Wilding for the defendant —Mr Wild ing asked that the order made against the defendant might be varied, as it had be-n obtained in the absence of his client. He said the bailiff had not tendered defend ant’s expenses until the morning of the heaving and had then told defendant the case would probably be heard between 10 30 a.m, and 11 a.m. The defendant presented himself at Court at 10.30 a. tn., but found the case had then been disposed of in his absence. —Mr Branson opposed the variation and submitted that it should not be made, so long a time having elapsed between the making of the order and the present ap plication. The Magistrate said he did not see his way to vary the order. Mr Wilding gave notice of his intention to apply to the Supremo Court for an order prohibiting the arrest of fhe accused, and asked the Magistrate to delay execution against the defendant until the result of the application was known After a prolonged argument it was agreed that the instilments due under the order, L 3, should bo paid into_ Court to await the result of the prohibition order, of which Mr Wilding had given notice. BiObsv Richmond, claim L 3 2s 6d. Judg meat by default for the amount claimed and costs, . , . Friedlander Bros v J. Davis, claim Llsl6j 83. - Judgment by default for the amount claimed and costs. Martin v Thomas Dunn, claim LB. Mr Branson for the plaintiff —Judg ment by default for the amount claimed

and costs. ~ Betts v Horne, claim L 33 13s 4d.—Mr Wilding for the plaintiff, Mr Purnell for the defendant —This was a claim for the price alleged to hive besn paid by plain tiff to def«ndant,for aDeerng reaper and binder, L2O ; special damages, ' Ll2 18>; and the price of certain machine extras, 15s 4d. The plaintiff alleged that the ma chine had been guaranteed as in good order by 0. Ray, acting as agent for the defendant, but that upon trial the ma chine proved' to bo in bad order and un workable. In support of these conten tions a large amount of evidence was taken at the last sitting of the Court For the defence it was alleged that the machine, subject of the action, was not the property of defendant, but of 0. Ray, who was the actual vendor, and further thatno guarantee had been given. The evi dence of the defendant was also taken at the last sitting of thoOourt, and the follow ing additional evidence was taken to-day:— Charles Ray, a reaper and binder expert, said he had had four vears experience with reapers in New Zjaland, and five years in the United States. In January last he had a Deering reiper and binder in his yard for sale. I' had never be longed to defendant. Witness bought it at a sale held by Matson, Cox and Co., and spent about T. 6 in nutting it in order. Witness knew Albert Betts, the plaintiff, who had come to witness in January last, and said he had been advised by defen dant to see two machines witness had f.r sale. One of the machines was a Samuelson belonging to defendant. The plaintiff had thoroughly tried both ma chines Witne>s told plaintiff he could have the two machines for Lso—the Samuelson at L3O, and the Deering at L2O ''he two machines were ult ma t«lv sold to the Samuelson at L3O, the Deering at Ll 5. The sale was made in witness’s shop ; witness, his son, and plaintiff were the only persons pre sent Nothing was said about a guarantee, it was not asked for by plaintiff Witness never gave guarantees with second hand machinei, nor had he said anything about returning the machine nor allowing a trial of it. _ Witness would not have permitted a trial of the machine without being present himself Reapers were delicate implements, and it wss not usual to grant trials of them to purchasers. Plaintiff was to try the ma chine in a half acre paddock adjoining the Town Belt ; witness was to starlit for him, but no reference was. made to re turning the mschine. Plaintiff had taken the machine a greiterdistance from town than arranged to try it. and had started it cutting grass. Witness declined to attend the trial, as the distance was too great and witness did not approve of the machine cutting gras. During the early part of the cutting season plain tiff brought machines to witness’s shop but made no complaint about the Deer ing. During the season D. Betts, father of plaintiff, told witness the machines were ** going fine ” The machines were taken away on January 19, and on Feb ruary 7, plaintiff told witness the Deering machine had broken down on the bridge and requested him to furnish extras for the necessary repairs. Plaintiff urged witness to hurry the repairs as ha had a large quantity of grain to out, and con templated procuring another _ machine. Plaintiff at this time said nothing about returning the machine. [ll this stage the Magistrate called Mr Wilding’s attention to the impropriety of the plaintiff leaving Court, witnesses having been ordared out, —Mr Wilding explained that the plaintiff had left the Court to secure the atten dance of a witness to contradict part of the evidence given by Mr Hay-] The witness described the damage sustained by the machine, and produced the account for repairs. The machine had evidently been roughly handled. If three-eighths of an inch had been worn off the cogs as represented by the witness Stephans no cogs would have been left. Witness proceeded to give a large amount of technical evidence. —To Mr Wilding: The plaintiff should understand reapers and binders fairly well. He was occupied nearly half a day inspecting the machine previous to ths purchase. ■ At the time of the sale, the Deering machine was in seed Working order, apd witness bid plaintiff so. Witness had not told plaintiff which ma chine belonged to him (witness) nor which belonged to defendant. Witness took an order for the amount of the purchase money from plaintiff and handed it to defendant. Witness had agreed to take L 5 off the Deering machine. Witness placed no value on the evidence of Stephens, ho apparently knew nothing about reapers and binders, it was not his trade. Nothing was said about returning t;,e machine, but if it had proved un workable he would have felt morally bound to take it back. If the machine had been returned after the alleged trial witness would have had an opportunity to sell it elsewhere. The machine was severely tried before leaving the yard. Defendant had a right to retain the amount mentioned owed him from the order received from plaintiff Plaintiff j obtained-a knew knife from defendant on January 29. no complaint about |

the machine.—To Mr Purnell: There was no agreement to take the machine back in case it did not work satisfactorily, but to preserve his reputation as a tradesman ho would have done so if it had bpen shown after reasouable trial that the machine was out of order. —C. Ray, son of the former witness, said he worked in his father’s shop He knew the plaintiff, and recollected an interview that had taken place between the parties to this action. Defendant had not guaranteed the machines purchased at that interview Plaintiff and his brother had tried the machines m the yard, Witness was pre sent when the Deering machine was re turned after the accident. Plaintiff wanted the machine repaired by the fol-,

lowing Monday, but the repairs were not' complete till a day later.—To Mr Wilding’ Witness, plaintiff, and defendant were alone at the time of the purchase. His \ather had told witness to say all he knew of this case ; lie thought Mr Pur nell was acquainted with the tenor of his evidence -James Keir, manager for P. and D. Duncan, said he knew a “ little *’ about reapers and binders. Ha had seen the broken wheel taken from the Deering machine referred to in this case. The breakage appeared to have been occasioned by neglect. Saving given a quantity of technical evidence witness said it was not customary to give a guarantee with second-hand reapeis. Reapers were not adapted for cutting grass, the voik wai too severe Tor them.—To Mr Wilding : The machine (subject of this action) ap peared to be about four years old- Com paring it with a new machine he thought, from a cursory examination, the machine was worth from L2O to L2s.—Counsel having addressed the Beach, judgment was reserved.

Martin v McLoughlin, claim L 4 10s. — Mr Branson for plaintiff.—J. Martin plaintiff, said he had sold a horse, the subject of the present action, to the de fendant for L 5. Defendant had paid 10a on account ; the balance was still due To defendant : Witness had not received 2ls from defendant on account of the h >rse. The horse was not sold on a Sun iay —To the Bench : Witness had never jiveu delivery of the horse; the IDs wai a deposit to bind the bargain ; defen dant had taken possession of the horse without permission from witnes. —B. Mo Longhlin, the defendant, said he had pur chased the horse from plaintiff for L 5, and paid a deposit of LI. Plaintiff said ho might take the horse away at any time and pay for it when he could.—Andrew McLoughlin, brother to the defendant, was present when his brother paid the plaintiff 20s on account of the horse.— Judgment was given for the amount claimed and costs. The Court then adjourned.

YESTERDAY'S TEELEGRAMS.

Auckland. Seven tenders were received for the completion of Oontract No 1, Thames Valley and Rotorua Railway. The lowest tenderer was Daniel Fallon, L 27,045. No decision was made

At a meeting of the Auckland Native Colonisation Company, a recent resolu tion for winding up was confirmed. Heavy freshes in the Mangaroa brought 3,000 logs to the mills, equal to 6,000,000 feet of timber.

At the inquest on James Bracetin, la borer, who died from fracture of the skull by falling on ihe stone steps of the Clar endon Hotel, while coming out of the hotel in liquor, a verdict of accidental death, no blame attached to anybody, waa returned. Thames. The differences which have agitated the Thames Borough Council since December last, in reference .to Parawai Ward, have at length been satisfactorily settled. At a spe dal meeting, held to-night, the busi ness transacted during the last four months was reviewed and confirmed. resolution was then passed, giving the happy despatch to Parawai Ward by merging it in South Ward, after which its members gracefully withdrew. Wellington.

At the inquest on the body of Barlow, the verdict was “ That deceased met his death by burning in the fire at Te Aro House

The members of Government have been in Cabinet almost all day-. Nothing, however, of any importance has trans pired, the business in the main being dis cussion of measures to be presented to Parliament,

The operations of the Arras Act, 1880 have been suspended in the Middle Is land.

Mr G. B. Davy is gazetted District Judge for Wairarapa, and Mr C, E. Raw sun for Wanganui. The resignation is gazetted by Thomas William Hislop, of Oamaru, of his ap pointment as Crown Solicitor for the Judicial District of Otago and Southland, and as Crown Prosecutors for the District Court, district of Timaru and Oamaru Dunedin. It was stated by the police, in a case for the committal of throe children to the Industrial School, that their mother had been found lying drunk on the day. after her husband’s death, the house being in a corrible condition. At a meeting of creditors of J. A. Allen, cordial and aerated manufacturer, * bankrupt stated he had, in about four, yeavs, spent over LIOO in bottles, but had not at present in stock L 25 worth, as he could not get them returned. Invercargill. In the Supreme Court to-day, the civil case Bank of Australasia v. Mclntyre concluded with a verdict for defendant. The claim was one of Ll.ooo on a promis sory note, signed by defendant as one of the Committee of the defunct farmers’ Co-operative Society. The defence was that the note was signed only on condition that each member of the Committee signed a similar docu uent, which two refused to do. Richard Burke was again put on trial, for concealing money from the Official Assignee in bankruptcy. The jury found him guilty, with a recommendation to mercy, on account of previous good con duct. His Honor, in passing sentence of one year's imprisonment with hard labor, said that the jury had pr-.ctioally found that he had hidden the sum of L 265 in gold. While it was not in the power of the Court to commute the sentence, if accused divulged what he had done with the money, he (His Honor) would make a representation to the Crown on his behalf. Invercargill races were poorly attended, only about 300 being present. The racing waS'cfno general interest, only district horses being engaged. The Invercargill Botough Council to night reiolved, as a Harbor Board, to in troduce a Bill next session for powers to borrow L 50.000 for harbor improvement and reclamation.

BANK RETURNS.

Wellington, Last night. The following are the Bank returns for the quarter ending March 31 : LIAbILITIES, Deposits— £ s. d. Government 489,191 18 2 Beating interest 5.972,963 19 8 Not bearing interest ... 3.563,467 3 10 Notes in circulation ... 963,703 6 9 Bills in circulation 54,490 19 10 Balances due te other Banks 26,959 13 4 Total ... 17 o Assets. Coin ... ... ... 2,004,562 10 2 Bullion 106,669 17, o Notes and bills discounted 4,271,619 5 6 Government securities ... 892,307 13 io Good debts due 10,608,740 13 2 Other securities 991,542 8 9 To.tal ... 1 5

CUSTOMS REVENUE.

Wellx gxon, Last Night The following; is the *Customs revenue for the quarter e eling March 31 : —Auck land, L 51.215 ; Thames, L 1.487 ; Rus sell, LSS ; Wanganui, L 27 ; Hokiang'*, L 43 ; Kai ara, L 405 ; '• auranga, L 596 ; Poverty Bay, L 2,39 2; New Plymouth, LI, 102 ; Patna, L 326; Wanganui, L 2.085; F>>xton, Llsl ; Wellington, L 64.850 ; Napier, L 9.079 ; Wairau, L 1,732 ; Pic ton, L 37 ; Nelson, L 11,279 ; We-uport, L 2,149 ; Ureymouth, L 6,315 ; Hokitika, L 3 888 ; Lyttelton, L 52.927 ; Timaru, j L 5.148 ; Oamaru, L3,4b3 ; Dunedin, L 102.605 ; Invercargill. L 9,161 ; River ton, L 468 ; total, L 362.971 For tne corresponding quarter last year the amount was ted 1,505

SPORTING.

NORTH CANTERBURY AUTUMN

RACES.

The Autumn Meeting of the North Canterbury Racing Club was hold at Rangiora yesterday. The following are the results :

Hurdle Race Handicap (open) of 30 sovs from the stake Distance, two miles over eight flights of hurdles. Mr J Wild’s b m Polly, Gyrs, Sat (Skiner) 1 Mr J Forward’s b g Royalty, aged, lOst 101 b (A. Lightfoot) 2 Mr I>. Markey’s gr h Reuser, aged, Oat 101 b (Rudings) 3 Mr A. W. Dillon’s Ida also ran. Totalisator dividend, Lll 2a. District Hurdle Bags, of 20 sovs, , second horse to receive 5 sovs from the stake ; one and a half miles ; six flights of hurdles. Mr A. W. Dillon’s oh m Ida, aged, 10at (Sheehan) 1 Mr E. D. Gales’s ch g Baldie, aged, lOst (Harrington) 2 Mr W. F. Gilchrist’s b m Zanetta, 6yrs, Oat 71b ... ... (Walls) 3 Orange Peel and Black Boy also started, Totalisator dividend, L2 lls. North Ca'tree ury Autumn Handicap, of 60 sovs, second horse to receive 10 sovs from the stake ; one mile and a half. Mr F. Busch’s b m Farewell, aged, Bst 31b ... (Stratford) 1 Mr M. Duncan’s g m Caati'lo filly, 3yrs, 7st 91b (Huxtable) 2 Mr R. Alexander’s oh h Cranmer, 3yr», 7st 4lb (White) 3 Mata also ran. Spec was scratched. All the horses got away together. Pass ing the stand Cranmer led, with Castilla filly and Mata well up. At the back of the course Farewell led, with Castille and Mata close at her heels. Coming into the straight this order was still maintained, and a splendid race ensued between Fare well and Castille, the termination being in favour of the former by nearly two lengths. Cranmer managed to secure third place, with Mata half a length be hind. Totalisator dividend, L 5 7s. Handicap Trot of 25 sovs, second horse to receive 5 sovs from the stake ; time start Mr G. Term’s ch g Term, aged, GOsec Mr T. Lynskey’s b g Charley, aged, GOsec 2 Five others started. Totalisator dividend, L 7 9s Farmers’ Plate of 20 sovs, second horse to receive 5 sovs from the stake; weight for age ; one mile and a distance. Mr M. Duncan’s gr m Castille filly, 3yrs, Bst 41b (Huxtable) 1 Mr T. ‘I. Lance’s ch m ediment, 6yrs, 9st ... (Derrett) 2 Mr M. Duncan’s b m Mor, syrs, 9st (Duncan) 3 B’ua Gum, Rex, Ida, Ballinasloe, . Meteor and Lavender also started. Totalisator dividend. LI 18s Winter Oats H indicap (open), of 30 sovs, seco d horse to receive 5 sovs from the s ake; one mi<e. MrF. Busch’s b m Farewell, aged, Bst 121 b ... ... ... ('tratford) 1 Mr F. Busch’s b m Spec, syrs, 7st 51b (White) 2 Mr J. Wild’s b m Papanui, syrs, Gat 4lb (W. Clark) 3 Mata and Castilla filly were scratched. Totalisator dividend. LI 9a. District Hack Bacb, of 10 sovs, catch weights ; one mile. Mr E. D. Giles’ ch g Baldie, aged (White) 1 Mr M. Duncan’s b m Mor, syrs (Brown) 2 Mr R. Moffett’s b g Blue Gum (late Toby), Gyrs (Binnie) 3 ’Six others ran. Totalisator dividend, I*ll ss. Consolation Handicap, of 15 sovs. Mr F. Busch’s Spec it Mr J. Wild’s Papanui ... % Mr T. H. Lance s Sediment ... ... 3 Mata also ran. The owners dec ded to run off the. dead heat, when Spec won as she pleased, Papanui bolting off the course.

TOKOMAIRIRO RACES.

Dunedin, Last Night

At Tok.omairiro race* about 600 persons were present; L 1,200 was put tbrough|tbe totalizator.- The Maiden Plate was won by Matanaka. Tokomaieiko Handicap. Black Boy 1 Don Joe ... 2 Trapper S Captain w ebster also ran. Publicans’ Handicap. Ouida 1 Don Jose ... 2 Leopold 3 Wellington, Lash Night, j Mr Wratt’s racehorse Hinemoa, which arrived here from Nelson this morning to take part in the forthcoming race meet ing, received a severe knocking about on the passage. It is more than likely he I will not face the starter. I

PAPAKURA RACES.

Auckland. Last Night. The Papikura races took place to-day. There was a good attendance. Handicap Hurdles, of 60 so vs. Revenge ... 1 Seagull 2 Evening Star 3

At the last hurdle Chandler fell, Pipi jumping on top of him. Chandler is be lieved to have his back broken, and his jockey, J. Laing. sustained serious in jury—concussion of the brain.

Auckland, To-day. Chandler, the steeplechaser who met with an accident at Papakura races yester day, had to be destroyed.. Laing, the j cokey, is now expected to recover.

PLUMPTON PARK COURSING CLUB.

The first meeting this season of the Plumpton Park Coursing Club was com menced yesterday. The following are the results of the different trials * — Tub Canibkbury Dbbbt, for an un limited number of dog puppies, whelped on or after July 1, 1883, at L 3 10a each. Winner, L 35 ; runner-up, LUO one dog at L 9 11s fid- Messrs Courtney Bros’ Sconeleigh, beat Mr J. Whelan’s Ring wood. Mr T Cooper’s Arawa, beat Mr R. i Stewart’s Sou’-Wester. Mr J. McCausland’s Figaro, beat Mr J, Hufae’s Blue Demon.

Mr J. Sewell’s Plunger, beat MrT, Surman’s Sardine. Messrs Courtney Bros’ Cardinal, beat Mr J. F. Le Seur’s Obstacle. Mr N. Lenaghan’a Kilmore, bsatMr E. Crowe’s Blievanamon. Mr G. Bailey’s Bendlmere, beat Mr J. McCausland’a Deerfoot. Mr T. Alexander’s Adventurer, beat Mr J. Sewell’s Off Color. I Mr J. F. Le Suer’s Obadish, beat Ml P. Taylor’s Muscat Alexander. Mr fi. Cassidy’s Dauphin, a bye. The Canterbury Oaks, for an unlimited number of bitch puppies, whelped on or I after July 1, 1882, at L 3 10s each. I Winner, L 33 ; runner-up, Ll 9 ; one I bitch at L 8 7s fid. I Mr J. Sewell’s Wit ah Hazel beat Mr T. I Haskett’s Snowdrift j Mr W. Waters’ Flirt beat Mr T. Sot- I man’s Sanctity. J Mr T. Bassett’s Bernice beat Mr F, W. I Ansley’a Erica. I Mr T. Howe’s Miss. Taylor beat Mr J. I Cooper’s Water Lily. I Mr J. Cooper'a.Snowflight beat Mr P. I Taylor’s Lady Downe. } Mr P. Taylor’s Maggie King beat Mf ] E. Crowe’s Maid of Erin. I Mr R. Stewart’s Scotch Mist beat I Messrs Hale and Judge’s Antonina. I Mr Stewart’s Speculation beat Mr I Hurse’s Lady Gladstone. I Mr J. Sewell’s Bergamot beat Mr T. I Surman’s Stave. I The April Cup, for all-aged dogs, at L 3 I I 10s each. Winner, LSO and silver k I collar, presented by Mr Richardson ; I runner-up, L 25 ; two dogs at LU lOs

each. . , Mr D. O’Brien’s Obstacle beat Mr T. Bassett’s Balderdash. « Mr A. Dalgleish’s Market Day beat Mr ~ J. Wallaca’s Wainui. Mr J. Le Mott’s Bolero beat MrD. M. Boss’s Bnresford. / Mr f. Alexander’s Forget-Me-Not beat Messrs 0. and E. Hill’s Santerne. Mr T. Haskett’s Nancy Till beat Mr B. Stewart’s Secret Mr J. Le Mott’s (ns), Moselle beat Mr G. P. Kissell’s Glasgow Collie. Mr T. Surman’s Salamander beat Mr D. M. Ross’s Grand Dnchess. Messrs Hale and Judge’s Hercules beat Mr J. Hay’s Young Briton. Mr T. Bassett’s Bohemian Girl beat Mr R. P. Hill’s Madeira. Mr R. M‘Gregor’s Isaac beat Messrs 0. and E. Hill’s Burgundy. Mr 0. Campbell’s Needle beat Mr H. Cassidy’s Prince Imperial Mr R. P. Hill’s Waitangi beat Mr A. Elkin’s Masterton. Vi r T. Sorman's Symphony beat Mr J. Tweedy’s (ns) Bedfellow Messrs Hale and Judge’s Princess Charlotte beat Mr A. Dalgleish’s Last Hope.

THE RUSSO-AFGHAN DIFFICULTY

(bbdtkk’s telegrams—OOPYUlGHT.) (Received April 23, 8 p.m.) Londok, April 23. It is positively affitmed that a des patch has been received by the Foreign Office frem the Russian Government absolutely refusing to institute further enquiries into General KomarofTs as* sertion as to the cause of hostilities near Penjdeh.

The news has caused , considerable agitation in political circles, and peace is now despaired of. The report as to the refusal of Russia to comply with the demands of Eng land for further investigation into the. cause of recent hostilities, has not been officially confirmed, and Its accuracy is doubted.

The Daily News to-day states that the negotiations at present bang tar* ried on between England and Russia are not of such a nature as to tend to a peaceful settlement, and expresses the opinion that the patience of England is almost exhausted;

(Received April 24,1.30 pan.) Si. Peteesbubo, April 23. The Semi-official Journal Zfc Peters burg, in an article on the Afghan ques tion to-day, expresses a conviction that General Lumsden’s report to the British Government of the recent fighting was derived from'Afghan sources. It further states that the Russian Government place complete reliance on KoraarofFs report of the proceedings. The article concludes with a hope that peace may still be looked for. .

The Times of India, referring to the Russo-Afghan difficulty, writes;—*'K Sir Peter Lnmsden is once compelled to enter the walla of Herat, it is very unlikely that British troops will ever be withdrawn from that frontier fortress. . Ifpr for a moment longer than necessary could w* leave there in isolation to run ,tbf risk of sharing the fate of Osvagnari 0$ Gordon. The news of his entry into; the citadel wonld be speedily followed by the departure from India of an army corps to bis assistance. Even if the Russians are cautious enough to fall back for a few miles, it will scarcely be possible to leave Herat unprotected in the future. They have shown us their hand so openly that we shall never again be able to trust in mere promises.” The Moslem Herald, a Madras paper—the views of which are usually quoted as accurately indicating the feelings of the Mahomedsns generally —wrote: —“ To be slow to anger is a very goody-goody piece of advice, bat, under : special circumstances, swift to strike is much the better of the two. There is scarcely any credit in fighting when fighting is unavoidable—a worm will do this, and [so would a coward, and the English are | neither worms nor cowards. Whatever might be the certainty of not being mis understood in hurope and among European nations, the British must remember that their conduct and attitude in India is viewed by millions of Asiatics, who, igno rant of the fine sensibilities of the refined civilisation of the West, cannot put down the caution and reluctance visible in British conduct about Afghanistan to a state of things and facts that really do not exist. Thu English are no more afraid of meeting ’the Russians in Afghanistan— than thay were in the Orimea, and if; Russians were hurled headlong down the' hillock f the Alma, we feel coujf Jent thaf they will* be dirlodged as quickly from the . heights of Afghanistan in spite of theft rugged slopes." Tt.e Ouzerati says that • “ in view of the threatened rapture be* tween Knglaad and Russia on the Afghan ." frontier, it is the duty of all Indians to ’ ofier their grateful services to the British, under whoad benign, sway they are so happy and flourishing ” The Mindd chinks thit “ the Central Asian problem must be solved ar some time, if not nqisr.‘ And if Russia is particularly’ anxioqs tp have R solved now, England win see up reason why she should not accept (ha in*

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1885.



Special Advertisements. rpHE LONDON AND LANCASHIRE Fire Insurance Co. We have much pleasure in informing the public of Ashburton that Mes-rs WILDING, LEWIS & CAST GILL have been appointed AGENTS for the above Company in the Ashburton Dis trict. All risks taken at lowest current rates. LEWIS & GOULD, 3 328 General Agents for Canterbury. Timber Timber TO FARMERS and Others about to Build —Buy your timber from the Producers at first cost and Save Money. ! To Housekeepers who wish to have the satisfaction of burning Good Coal— We are now landing, ex s.s. Tekapo, PRIME NEWCASTLE COAL, which will be sold at Lowest Rates. i Every Requisite for the Building Trade , kept in StooE, and Building supplied throughout. ##.* Farmers would do well to call and 5 obtain quotations. 5 MACPHERSON, FILMER AND CO. f (late A. Hayes), I TIMBER, COAL & WOOD 1 MERCHANTS, - East street, Ashburton.



Wanted. ANTED—A little Girl to mind two children. Apply Mbs McGregor, Tancred, street. 4 616 W- ANTED—A correspondent for the Guardian, at Mount Somers. Apply to the Manager. WANTED A General Servant- Apply, Mrs McNicoll, Wesleyan Parsonage. 4 609 WANTED —To purchase, from 2to 4 Acres of Land, within a radius of two miles from the Post Office. Apply M,” Office of this Paper. 4 608 WANTED— An Assistant Mistress for the Side School, Hampstead; salary at present average about .L7O per annum. Applications to be sent to the Chairman Ashburton School Committee bv the 27th instant. Charles Braddkll, Clerk. * 574 WANTED —Purchaser for a Piano, by Cramer ; very cheap ; fn first-class order. Apply, S.F. 8., Hinds. 4 672 "ITT" ANTED Known—Before buying W Dress Materials, Ulsters, Jackets, Dolmans, Millinery, etc , call and inspect our stock. The cheapest first-class Drapery and Millinery Establishment iu Ashburton —H. 0. Regers, ealya’ Buildings, East treet. REAT Reductions for Cash at Jones ViA AND kadshaw’s —Good oaten sheat chaff from 60s per ton, la 6d per bag ; prime oat straw chaff 35s per ton, 9d per bag; new oatmeal 4s per bag; good i cheese 5d per lb ; (Four, bran, sharps, and chickwbeat at very cheap rates. ITT ANTED Known—Wertheira Sew-, VV ing Machines can be had on Time Payments at the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Branch, East street, Ashburton. Glorious news. Andrew ukr will give away on Saturday 100 pairs men’s boots at 6i 9d ; 60 pairs can vas slippers at 2s 6d ; 30 pairs cricketing hoots at 6a 6d ; 100 pairs Kaiapoi trousers at 11s 6d—every article at half-price. 2 237 v lT' r ANTED Known-.-Boots ! Boots 1 V\ That Hayes and Co. are Clearing a few desperate Hues of Boots, etc., to wit, Ladles’ Leather, 4s 6d; Men’s shooters, Pegged, 10s; Men’s Elastic sides, 9s, and a lot of odd lines that must he cleared at once. 7 1278 D \ It7ANTED Known—Umbrellas a; Is „ V T Hd, six doz Buttons for Is, China 0 Matting at 6d, Ladies’ Hose at 6d, Cor ( seta at 2s 3d, Shining at Towels 3£d, 36 inch Oilcloth dd, Camisoles lr 4d. e Andrew Orr’s Cheap Sale 2 185 a \XT ANTED KNuWN—Robert Elston, >r W Bill Poster, Theatrical Agent, etc., Town Hall, Ashburton. Theatrical d companies and others visiting Ashburton e should communicate with the above. lt Orders by post or telegram promptly a attended to. ' 760 >r h Special Advertisements.



PATTERN DEPOT. Mrs Hodge, DRAPER AND DRESSMAKER, East Street, near Lancaster's butchery. Ladies’ Dresses and Underclothing made at the shortest notice. REGISTRY OFFICE For Female Servants. 7 1413 , SELLING OFF FANCY- GOODS, TOYS, BOOKS, : STATIONARY, Ac. Must be sold—even if at a loss To Suit everybody at prices that cannot be beaten. Andrewes Bros., Bookselleus, Stationers, &c., Ashburton. Canterbury Mills. rjlO FARMERS AND OTHERS. f —’ CORF SACKS, ! h size and weights. At lowest current rates, 3 292 C. W. TURNE& GUICULTURAL Machine Shop, WAKAjN 11 ROAD. C-lAR LE S RAY Repairs Engines, Combines, Chaff-cutters, Reapers and Binders, and all classes of tnacninery. Special attention given to Bicycles, Tricycles and Sewing Machines. Lawn Mowers repaired, sharpened and adjusted. Model work. General repairs. 3 384



25 Branches Now Open 25 THE NEW* ZEALAND Clothing Factory Are now Showing NEWEST STYLES in SPRING & SUMMER CLOTHING, Manufactured from the renowned Wear Resisting . MOSGIEL TWEEDS The fit and workmanship of every gar ment is undoubtedly unsurpassed, whie 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’xts, Hats, Hosiery, Blankets, Ruga, Portmanteaux, and every requisite at WHOLESALE PRICES. Note the address— NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING ' FACTORY, EAST STREET, Ashburton 25 Branches Now Open 25



WOOD, SINCLAIR & CO., Millers and Grain Merchants, High street, Christchurch, Are Cash Purchasers of Wheat, Oats, Barley, Beans, Peas, Potatoes, Rye and Cocksfoot Grass Seeds at highest current rates. To farmers desirous of holding their grain we are prepared to offer special facilities for storage. In addition to our large brick granary we have erected a large iron warehouse. This, with the stores lately occupied by Messrs A. Moore and Co. and now leased to us, enables us to offer to farmers 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. 3 454



ITDMU AND WINTER Are now showing their NEW SEASON’S GOODS, Which are well worth your inspection. They comprise the Newest and Best of every kind of MILLINERY; DRAPERY, UNDER CLOTHING FOR INFANTS, | GIRLS & LADIES. MERCERY. MEN’S, BOYS’, & YOUTHS’ COLONIAL, VICTORIAN, AND ENGLISH CLOTHING, At the Lowest Possible Cash Price. l!f 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 H. E. May & Co., money.



RKAD, MAkK. LBaRA AND JNWaRDLi DIGEST, and to accomplish the above feat, visit my estab lishment, and lighten your inwatcl gloom by appeasing your appetite for the beauti ful by inspecting the most delightfully ARTISTIC EASTER CARDS ! ever imported into Ashburton (direct from Home), You are then at liberty to in spect the contents of a case of books personally selected, and just received. I believe it was Lord vVolseley who said (ha happens to be the most popular man of the day, and one must squeeze a little popularity into advertisements), “ A man who aspires to great heights should read incessantly, and never forget his news papers; ’ and I say the same 1 Read ! \ Read ! Read ! When both you and my- , self will be considerably benefited. Not ' having room to give a detailed list of the ! contents of my shelves, I can only finish by saytng—Come and see for yourselves, < and if you are disappointed come again.— Nothing like Perseverance ! Thomas P. Parley’s, BOOKSELLER AND STATIONER, Saundeks’ Buildings, East Sx., AaftfmttTriw.



WE IMPORT DIRECT From the Beat Manufacturers WE SELL FOR CASH Avoiding all bad debts WE BUY CHIEFLY FOR CASH, Securing all Cash Discounts Our Business is managed personally by the proprietor in the most economical way, thus saving the immense cost of an Extravagant Establishment with manager, sub-manager, and an expensive staff; therefore we will not allow any house or company to undersell us. bo if they should advertise or make a special lead or draw of any particular article, we will give you the same at their price or lower, guaranteeing, taking things all round, our Value will be found by far the best. Country Orders sent by post will receive special attention, and bo sent free of carriage (by rail) to ANY PART OF CANTERBURY. £L E. May & Co., THE HALL.



Victoria House. N EW SEASON’S ADVERTISEMENT & INTIMATION EE FINE A'T GOOD 3, CREWEL SILKS, INGRAIN COTTONS, TRAEFER PATTERNS, &c., To appear in our Next. DIWANT & COE, Ueperal Drapers, Clothiers, &c. # Esffl; and Tailored Streets, Ashburton*



Fpecial Advertisements. Cadbury’s Cocoa. f|IHE PUREST AND BEST. Should he Used by Everyone, ON SALE AT ORR AND ALCORN’S, Ashburton Agents. To Arrive, a Grand Assortment of Cadbury’s Fancy Goods, comprising— FANCY CHOCOLATES, CHOCOLATE CREAMS, Etc. ORR AND AL ORNS 4 605



Holloways Pilis. —Nervous Debility.— No part of the human machine requires more watching than the nervous system—upon it hangs health and life itself. These pills are the best regulators and strengthened of the nerves, and the safest general purifiers. Nau sea, headache, giddiness, numbness, and men tal apathy yield to them, They dispatch in a summary manner those distressing dyspeptic symptoms, stomachic pains, fulpess at the pit q'f the slqiqach, abdominal distension, and over come both capricious appetites and confined bowels—tne commonly accompanying signs of defective or deranged nervous power, Hollo way’s Pills are particularly recommended to persons of studious and sedentary habits, who gradually sink into a nervous and debilitated state, unless some such restorative be occa siouaily taken.—[Ad vt.]



Another unfortunate,—Again we must draw the attention of our readers to the fact that a .£2,424 stock of Clotning and General Ora 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 'he marked price, which surely ought to secnre a speedy clearance. ' r August ProVer.— The most miseraoie 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 soui stomach, sick headache, habitual costiveness, palpitation of the heart, heartburn, 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, apd is known in all civilised cowries. Two doses will rplievg you. it costs only 36 fid a bottle. Sample bottles, 6d,—[ADVT,