COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Wednesday afternoon.

Messrs Fricdlander Bros., in conjunction with Messrs R. Wilkin and Co., per Mr F. C. Tahart, auctioneer, report on the live stock market for the week ending Wednesday, March 4th, as follows Considering the weather the entry of stock at the Ashburton yards on Tuesday was rather large, but busi ness was very slack. Buyers did not care to operate at anything offered to them, therefore the majority of stock yarded had to be turned out unsold. In fat sheep, which consisted only of merinos—one pen of ewes, the only line sold under the hammer made 5 s tod each. Store sheep were sent forward in fair numbers, the bulk consisting of crossbred lambs, which sold, according to size, from 3s 6d to 8s id each, The fat cattle market was not largely supplied, but the quality, was prime beef. Messrs Matson, Cox and Co. repert upon the live stock market for the Ashburton district for the week end ng March 3rd, as follows; —On Tuesday, at the Ashburton Yards, we held our usual weekly sale of sheep, cattle and pigs. The entry in sheep for the day’s trans actioos was small and the attendance poor and buyers evidently expected a large reduction on late quotations, which resulted in most of the sheep being pased in unsold by auction, but later on most of diem were sold at prices nearly

equal to late sales. In cattle there was not a very large entry, but those that did come for ward were of a for better description than we have had in the market for sometime, and the bidding was spirited. We quote mutton at 2d to 2#d per lb; beef, 18s to 205 per 100 bs. Fat merino wethers, 953 d to 8. 6d; merino ewes, 5s tod; store merino ewes, 5s 6d; cross bred lambs, 8s id to 7s 3d; merino w thers, 3s 6d to 3s 9d; crossbred hoggetts, 12s. In cattle—Fat steers, L6to 16 12s 6d ; heifers, L 6, I6SS, L 6 7s 6d, L 5 Ss; cows, L 5 10s, L 4 17s 6d; springers, L 4 Ss, L 6 L6.3S 6o ; COWS in proft, L 6 I os, L 5 12s 6d; yearlings, Li 13s.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SAMS. Tub;DAT, March 10 Mturs Matson, Cox and 0;., at the Tinwald Saleyacda—Stock

jaIiTESiGS, AMUSEMENTS. Em Wednesday, March 4 Orange Hall —Star of the East, 1.0.G.T., meeting*at 8 o’clock Wesleyan Band of Hope—Anniversary Tea, in (the Church Thursday, March 6 Orange Lodge—Regular Monthly meeting in the New Orange Hall; 7.30 p. m. Saturday, March 7. A’akanul Road Board, at Road Board office, Moore street, at 10.30 a m. Monday, March y. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7‘ 30 1 Tuesday, March 10. Ashburton School Committee—-Monthly Meeting, in"the Schoolroom, at 7.30 Fridax, March 13. Lonbgeach Boad Board at Boad Board Office.

Monday, March 16 Arcade Chambers— Star of Ashburton, -H.A.O*I>.» at 8 o’clock Friday, March 27. isihbnrton County Council—At Council Chambers, 11 a.m.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

Advertisements for The Ashburton Guardian must be sent in not later than 8 p.m., with the number of insertion, written plainly on the copy, otherwise they wiU be inserted until counter manded, and charged accordingly. Re place Advertisements must be supplied the day previous to that oh which they are to be inserted. Special notices can be received up to 5.30 p.m., but will be charged double All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must bo accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. AH advertisements and business,otters bO ber addressed The Manager; literary communications should .be addressed to The Editor.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office follows: — FofrGhristcharch and North at 6 a.m. 10.30 a. m., and 5 p.m., daily. Fof Ohertaeyilakaia, &c., at 10.30 a.m. and spim.dady. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. Sfat Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., For- Tima/a and South, at 6 a.m., 10 *.m.»and 430 p.m. , daily. For Greenetreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10.46 a. i Fot Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a.m. For itount Somers, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 6 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. 1 For Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at &a.m. For Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30p.m. daily. For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 430 p. in. For Newlaads, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.30 a.m. Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post flffice— ; From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.13 «.m., 485 p.m-, and 7.20 p.in. From Ohertsey, &c. at 10.15 a.m. and 435 p.m. daily. / From Dtmediri and intermediate places at Britan, daily. Fron» Temuka andTimaru at 10.40 a.m. b. p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. From Green gtre et and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 an. ■ u ■ lor Mount Somers and Ashburton Gorge, on:Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 6 a.m. and 4 30 p.m., and un Wednesdays at 6 p.m. From Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at. 10 Aa. m. • From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach atlO a. m. daily. FromUewlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days, at 2.30 p.m. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. Froilt Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, and Kyle on Tuesdays, Thursdays, And Sat urdays, at 4 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas Er Prevalebit WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1885. Exuberant Vegetation.

Delayed.

A Foolish Prosecution.

Ashburton is perhaps the township in the colony which can show the most rapid increase in size since its first settlement, and of this fact the residents within its boundaries are justly proud; but it will take many years, probably, before all its vacant sections are built upon or otherwise rendered productive of revenue, either to their owners or, to anything more than a nominal ex tent, to the Borough Council. A large number of those sections are held for simply speculative purposes, and are lying unoccupied, waiting until a renewal of prosperity, either sudden or gradual, sets in and produces a demand for sections sufficiently brisk to induce their present owners to realise. This is one of the misfortunes the place has to put up with, and what cannot be mended nor prevented must be endured. But there is one trouble in connection with these sections which can easily be removed, and therefore need not be endured. This trouble is patent to any one ac quainted with the town. Many sections are overgrown with rank tussocks and other dry vegetation, and even a casual observer must remark how great is the danger from fire of which those dense growths are a source. The Borough Council has power to compel the re moval of this danger, and should not lose an hour in exercising that power < It was only on Sunday last that a grass fire took place in the Domain, and just on the other side of the street from the Domain frontage, a fire arose among the luxuriant tussocks there, which might have occasioned serious damage but for its fortunate early dis covery and prompt extinction. Nor is the Borough Council itself sinless in this matter. On some of the streets, notably the part of Wills street running past the lower portion of the Domain, long dry grass is densely growing, and the incautious dropping of a match by a thoughtless smoker may light a fire even in the street that may extend—who knows where? It appears to us that the clearing of this superabundance of waste growth is a work calling for im mediate performance, as well for the safety of property as the creditable ap pearance of the town.

In no other part of the British Empire has, what its votaries are pleased to desig nate “ the national sport,” assumed, pro portionately, such huge dimensions as it has in the Australasian Colonies. Whether this distinction is a matter for congratula tion or not are questions upon which neither our readers nor any other section of the community will be unanimous. So many abominable excrescences have iden tified themselves with horse racing that it is difficult to distinguish its distinct from its corporate effects, but one - thing is cer tain—the status of the sport in the colony can only be maintained by our Racing Clubs, and particularly our metropolitan Clubs, being conducted in a manner to place them above the breath of suspicion. The nominations for the New Zealand Cup, the most important event in the New Zealand racing calendar, have been published forty-eight hours after the time advertised for cl sing, without any expU; nation, so far as we can learn, being' vouchsafed for the delay. The high char acter of the Canterbury Jockey Club 'makes it unnecessary for us te disclaim any intention to insinuate that its Com mittee has been guilty of the slightest impropriety with regard to the receipt, of entries. We have no doubt that the cir cumstance is capable of explanation in a manner ~that would be satisfactory to all concerned ; but remembering the promi nence recently given to the question of late entries, we think the Club should have been specially circumspect in the matter of their nominations, and, if the delay was unavoidable, the publication should have been accompanied by a state ment of the cause.

A case came before the Resident Magis trate yesterday which only escaped being melancholy by being ludicrous. Four very diminutive lads, sons of well-known and highly respected burgesses, were charged '• that on the 15 h February, at Ashburton, they did unlawfully and wil fully commit damage to and upon certain personal property there of a private nature, and belonging to one Frederick Macfarlane ; that is to say, to and upon an express top and frame of the value of L 6, by there and then breaking the sjid express top and frame contrary to the Malicious Injury to Property Act.”— Small wonder that the youngest of the de fendants, a little fellow of about four summers, was moved to tears by the read ing of this fonmdableindiotment;although we doubt if any of the lads were old enough to comprehend the character of tho accusation. However, the Resident Magistrate, . the Olerk of the Court, a solicitor, four police officers, four re porters, innumerable witnesses, and a full Court, devoted two hours to the investi gation of the charge against these des paradoes. Evidence was adduced by the prosecution purporting to show that two of the defendants had upset the frame of a waggon, which had been left to its fate by its owner, but the defence had no difficulty in refuting this evidence, and clearly establishing a contention that the defendants had done nothing more heinous than sit under the shade of the , property they were charged with maliciously injur ing. Had the information been unamended and a jirimd facie case made out, the Resident Magistrate would have been compelled to commit the lads for trial f and on conviction by the Supreme Court they would have been liable to a length - ened term of imprisonment. The solicitor for the defence in very forcible but very appropriate language stigmatised the pro ceedings as monstrous, and his opinion will be so generally agreed with that we need not dwell upon that aspect of this disgraceful fiasco. What is now of more importance is to ascertain who is respon sible for tho proceedings—the complain ant or the police. If the former we ore distinctly of opinion that he should be mulct in the costs of the prosecution and the defence; if the latter they should re- f ceive a severe reprimand for what, at least, I was a grave error of judgement. I

At a meeting of the Southland Waste Lands Board held on Thursday last it was resolved to call upon Mr Moftatt (late of Wakanui) to show cause why a penalty of LBO should not be imposed upon him for cutting timber from the Otaulau Bush without a license. Messrs R Alcorn and T. Bullock, J.P '3, presided at the R.M. Court this morning James Franklin, against whom there had been a number of convictions previous to I‘■'B2, but none since, was charged with having been drunk and in capable, and, the evidence of Constable Smart having been taken, the accused was fined 10s and costs with the usual alternative.

Very heavy rain fell throughout the northern districts during Monday night and yesterday morning, and it is feared the uncut and unslacked crops will suffer damage to a considerable extent.

A meeting of persons interested in the formation of a Working Men’s Club was held in Fowler’s buildings last evening. There were about 20 persona present, and Mr S. B. Nelson was voted to the chair. After the matter had been fully discussed it was proposed by Mr Tasker, and seconded by Mr Marsh—“ That a Club be formed, and that it be named the Ash burton Club.” The motion was carried unanimously. Those present expressed their willingness to become members. Mr Amos was appointed Secretary pro iem , and the following were appointed a Com mittee to draft rules :—Messrs S. B. Nel son, Tasker, Connelly, Hoult, Scott, Noakes and Bonuington. It was resolved to write for a copy of the Christchurch Working Men’s Club rules. The offer of a building was received, but nothing de finite was done in this direction. The meeting then adjourned till Wednesday next.

We regret to learn that Mr R. Jenkins, who for some time has been a prominent working member of the Orchestral Society and the Ashburton Brass Band, will shortly leave Ashburton to take up his reidenoein Napier. At a meeting convened by Mr Arenas, the Spanish Vice-Consul in Christchurch, yesterday, the Mayor presided, and a Committee was appointed to consider the best means for raising money for the relief of sufferers by the earthquakes in Spain. A telegram received yesterday from Sir Julius Vogel states that he will arrive in Christchurch on Monday or Tuesday next.

A meeting of the Excursion Sports Committee will be held at Messrs Matson, Cox and Co. ’a 1 ffioa this evening to re ceive the Treasurer’s report and wind up the affairs in connection with the late sports.

One of the moat striking features of modern French life is the rapid increase of insanity, the number of cases of which, ard epeciaily those induced by alcoholism, is becoming larger each year. In 1882 there were 13,434 admissions in the asy lums, of which 10,181 were new cases, the total number under treatment in the year being 58,760, of which 27,000 were men and 31,000 women.

The Committee of the Ashburton Dis trict School met at the Borough School last evening. Present—Masers William son (chairman), W. H. Collins, A. Ore, S. W, Alcorn, J. Orr, J. Tucker and D. Thomas. A communication was read from the North Canterbury Board of Education in reference to the head master. The Inspectors’ report and the headmaster’s reply were also read. The Chairman announced that no reply had yet been received to the Committee’s ap plication for a copy of the Inspectors* comments upon the headmaster’s letter; it would be for the Committee to deter mine whether they should go into the matter or not before that reply was re ceived. Mr Thomas thought they were unlikely to receive any further informa tion from the Board in reference to the matter. ne was prepared, from his own examination of the school, to combat, the Inspectors’ report, and suggested that they should discuss the matter forthwith. The Chairman and Mr A. Orr thought the proceedings should be adjourned until the Committee had at, least, an ac knowledgment of their communication. Mr Thomas proposed, and Mr Collins seconded—“ That the question be dealt with at this meeting.”— : Aa an amend ment, Mr A. Orr proposed, and Mr J. Tucker seconded—“ That consideration of the question be deferred until the ordi nary meeting of the Committee on Tues day; March 10th.”—After a desultory discussion the proposition was withdrawn the amendment substituted end carried. —The Committee than adjourned until Tuesday, 10th March. The Marquis of Lome is still, it is understood, desirous to go to Ireland as Lord-Lieutenant, and it is possible that this post will :be offered to him should Lord Spencer retire in the spring. In the meanwhile the Campbell family are send ing telegrams to the Scotch crofters, to which they decline to listen, and writing articles in magazines to prove that all crofters, with the exception of those on the estates of Lord Napier of Ectrick, are exceptionally well off, whilst those on the Argyll estates are in an earthly Paradise. — Truth.

The jury list for the district of Ash burton now lies at the Resident Magis trate’s Court for inspection. Objections to the list will be dealt with by a meeting of Justices to be held on Friday, April 3. The Port Chalmers Licensing Bench have granted extensions from ten to eleven o’clock to all the hotels in the port. A young woman appeared at the Rear dent Magistrate's Court this morning charged with child desertion, but Sergeant Felton informed the Bench that the ac cused bad arranged to pay expenses and take charge of her infant, and the case was consequently dismissed. Af a meeting held at the Tinwalii Hotel oo Saturday last, it Was resolved to hold the annual Xinwald Races on Wed nesday, 15bh April, io a paddock kindly lent by Mr Robert Wilkin. The follow ing officers were appointed .'—President, Mr C. J. Hawdon ; vice-president, D. McLean ; secretary, Mr J. 0. Bell; clerk of the course, Mr W, Hanks; clerk of the scalps, Mr Hazeltine; starter, Dr Leahy; judge, Mr M- Stitt; handi cappers, Messrs Crisp, Fooks, Saunders, and Dr Leahy ; treasurer, Mr M. Scott. A meeting will be held on Saturday even ing to arrange details of the programme. The Borough Couuoil’s advertisement, inviting volunteers .to form a Fire Brigade, has yet received no response.

Another unfortunate.—Again we must raw 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 11. E. May & Co., of the Hall, High street, for £954, or only a little over one-third of its value. 11. E. M. and Co. are now selling it at half the marked price, which surely ought to sepnre a speedy clearance.

The local industries of Ashburton are grow ing apace. A visit to the principal workshops in this town will convince any of our readers that there is still a splendid future before us if we only patronise those of our enterprising townsmen who are determined to do a legiti mate business with small profits. In Burnett /street the workshops of Messrs Meech and Co present a busy appearance, and having im proved machinery are able to turn out an ex cellent display of household furnishings equal to any in Canterbury. We anticipate a great demand ana a satisfactory profit for the manu facturers in return. In East stpect Messrs M. Sind Co. haye also opened a show roprp> vytyere is to be seen some very fine furniture suitabl tp all classes, and We believe at prices that must command a ready sale. Our advice is inspect Meech and Co.’s stock for house fur nishings.

THE SOUDAN CAMPAIGN.

Battle of Abuklea.

[Per City of Sydney at Auckland ]

London January 23.

The special correspondent of the Morn ing Post telegrapa : —General Stewart on January 17th fought an obstinate battle with enemy lasting from nine o’clock in the morning till 1 p m. The correspondent states that the struggle culminated in a desperate charge by Arabs numbering oyer 3,0 0 on the British square, from which they were repulsed with great loss. Gene ral Stewart left Gakdul on the 18th and arrived near Abuklea wells on the after noon of the 19th, and observing that the enemy was not far ahead he determined to halt four miles from the wells, and there . threw up entrenchments, under cover of which the force bivouacked for the night. During the whole night the enemy maintained a fire from the hills, and in the morning General Stewart, seeing they did not attack, determined to advance against them. He therefore left camela and stores, with luggage and hospital commissariat, in the entrenchments, under guard of 150 men, and at once marched out with the remainder of his force. Advance was made in a square, with mounted in fantry as skirmishers in front and on tho right, the Hussars being in skirmishing order on the left. The enemy saluted us with a hot fire from the hills, by which several of our men were wounded, among | whom were the following officers:—Major Gough, Mounted Infantry; Major Dick son, Lord St Vincent and Lieutenmt Beach, Life Guards; and a surgeon. The march continued, and by bold skir mishing of rifles and mounted infantry, tho enemy was admirably driven away; the artillery at the same time keeping up a brilliant fire on the position across the valley, where hostile plumes floated in a long line. Our advance square was formed in the following order:—The left front consisted of two companies of mounted infantry, and the right of two companies of Guards. The left faee was composed of two companies of mounted in fantry and one company of heavy dragoons. The right face was composed of two com panies of Guards and two companies of Sussex Regiment and the rear face consisted of four companies of heavy cavalry and camel corps. The artillery was in the centre of the front face, and the Naval Brigade occupied the centre of the rear face ; the whole force was on foot, the camels being left behind in an entrenched I position. Those allotted for hospital ' purposes and to convey water and ammU' | nition were stationed inside the square. At 11 o’clock the square was moving on the right incline in order to enfilade the enemy, who were distant a quarter of a mile, and had brought its left face to wards the Arab force, w hen suddenly the Arabs leaped up in masses, and rushed I fiercely at great speed against the square. I The onset was such that skirmisher's had scarcely time to reach the square before the enemy were following close upon their track. A call was made upon the Heavy Dragoons, who formed tho rear half of tho left face, and the whole of the face of formation, but so fierce and rapid was the rush at this moment that the heavy cavalry were borne back by masses of Arabs, and in a moment the square was forced. Gardiner’s gun was jammed, arid for ten minutes a desperate struggle en sued from the left rear Ito the centre. There it was Colonel Burnaby fell dead, a spear having severed his jugular vein. General Stewart’s horse was shot under him, and as the General fell to the ground at the same moment his orderly was killed beside him. Many of the camels were speared by the Arabs, and the whole place was filled with dense smoke and dust, while shots and sword strokes were replies

to Arab spear thrusts, It was not long

before every Arab in the square was killed, and the rest were beaten off. Three hearty cheers were given as the square was reformed on fresh ground. The enemy then retreated suddenly, num bers of them rising from among the dead, and rushing past the square, not without many being shot. The number of the enemy, according to information given by every prisoner,: was 14,000. They are said to have consisted of followers of the Mahdi from Khartoum, Kordofan and Berber, the latter having especially sent a great chief. Among the killed are the Emir of Metemneh and Chief of the Hamir Arabs. One of these penetrated into the square on horseback. After the fight had terminated the Hussars were sent forward to the wells of Abuklea, which were three miles in advance, and took possession of them after a few shots : had been exchanged. The heat had been extreme, and the men, who were without food or water, bore it admirably. Their behavior was splendid during the march, and is worthy of the highest praise, and also when in face of the enemy. The Welts of Abuklea were reached by the troops at 5 o’clock in the afternoon, where water was plentiful and excellent for drinking. Ac eight o’clock that night General Stewart sent back a portion of the Guards -with some of the heavy cavalry camel corps aud mounted infantry to fetch everything from the entrenched post in the rear. They a 1 arrived safely their at 8 a. m., and on their arrival the troops had the first food they had partaken of for twenty four hours. The British losses were heavy, and the following nine officers were killed:—Colonel Burnaby, Majors Atherton, Carmichael, and Gough (Royal Engineers), Captain Daerly and Lieut. Garb (20th Dragoon Guards), Lieut. Wolfe (Scots Greys), and Lieuts. Piggott and De Lisle (Naval Brigade) Among the wounded were the Earl of Airlie, Vis count St Vincent, and Major Gough (Mounted Infantry), Major Dickson and Lieut. Oostell (50th Lancers), Lieut. Bea olife (Guards), Lieuts. Lilo and Guthrie (Artillery), and Surgeon Magel. There were sixty men killed, including forty six of the Heavy Cavalry and Camel Corps, and eighiy-five wounded. The number of the enemy killed is supposed to be 2,000. They had 900 special negro riflemen, who proved themselves to be good shots, and as these men kept on the hills they suffered leas than others. Pri soners in giving an account of the number of their forces reckoned them as ton tribes, having on an average 800 men in the field, which would make a total o 8,000.

The following is Lord Wolseley’s tele gram to Sir Evelyn Baring concerning General Stewart’s victorious engagement with the rebels at Abuklea:

‘f January 21st, 3 p.m. General Stewart ihad a moat successful tight on the 17th nat. against about 10,000 of ifie Mahdi’a forces, near the Abu Klea wells, which are about twenty-three miles on this side of Metemneh, Tho enemy’s force was collected from Berber, Metemneh, and Onderman, which place, I regret to say, was recently captured by the Mahdi’a forces, thus releasing the men from there to fight Stewart. Qn the afternoon of the Itlth Stewart’s cavalry reported the enemy as being in position gome few miles on this aide of the wells. It being too late to allow of an advance and a success ful fight, Stewart bivouacked for the night. The enemy kept a harmless fire all night, and threw up works on Stewart’s right flank. Qn the 17th Etewart endea voured to draw f he enemy on to attack, but they hesitated; so leaving all his im pediments and camels under the guard of the Sussex Regiment and some mounted infantry, he moved forward in a equate, all the men being on foot, and passed the left flank of the enemy’s position, forcing him to attack or be enfiladed. The enemy wheeled to the left, and delivered a I well-organised charge, under a withering 1

fire from'oar men The square was un fortunately penetrated about the left rear, where the heavy cavalry and camelry regiments stood, by sheer weight and numbers. The admirable steadiness of our men enabled them to sustain a hand to-hand encounter, whilst severe punish ment was being inflicted on the enemy by all the other part? of the square, and the enemy was at last driven back under a heavy fire from all sides. On the 19th the Hussars then pushed forward to the. wells, which were in our possession at 5 p.m. The enemy left not less than 800 dead around the square, and the prisoners report that the number- of their wounded was quite exceptional. Many are now submitting. The necessity of obtaining water at the wells delayed for some hours Stewart’s advance on Metemneh, for which place, however, the force was to push on, When tht messenger left Stewart, a strong post had been estab tablished at the wells, where tents had been pitched for the wounded, who were doing well. Stewart concludes his report thus: —‘ It has been my duty to command a force from which exceptional work, exceptional hardships, and, it may be added, exceptional fight ing have been called for, and it would be impossible for me adequately to describe the admirable support that has been given me by every officer and man in the force. I regret to say that our loss has been severe, butfour success was so complete, and the enemies loss so heavy, that it may dishearten them, s > that all future.fight ing may be of a less obstinate character.” Oeneral Stewart’s operations have been most creditable to him as a commander, and the nation has every reason to bo proud of the gallantry, and the splendid spirit displayed by Her Majesty’s soldiers on this occasion. Our losses have been— Nine officers killed, nine wounded; sixty -1 five non-commissioned officers and .men 1 killed, and eighty-five wonnded. General Stewart’s force was about 1,500 all told.” | The nine officers killed included Colonel ; Burnaby, and Captain Viscount St Yin ■ cent and the Earl of Airlie.

[rEOTEr’s TELEGRAMS—COPYRIGHT. ] Cairo, March2. Prince Hasaan, the Khedive’s brother, who has been appointed Governor of Soudan and Commander of the Egyptian troops therein, has started (for Eorti. Intelligence is to hand from Kassala, in the Soudan, that the Egyptian garrison recently made a sortie from that place, when a large force of rebels vas 'enoonn. tered, and heavy fighting ensued. The Egyptians were finally repulsed with heavy loss, and compelled to fall back on the town. . .

(Received March 4,11.30 a.m.) Cairo, March 3.

Intelligence has been received * that Lord Wolseley has re-called to Korti the British column under Colonel Bracken bury, which was advancing towards Ber ber,

London, March 3,

.In the House of Lords to-day the Duke of Cambridge made a statement to the effect that the .acceptance by the Imperial Government of all the colonial offers of troops for the Soudan would be’a bao lute in case the services of the men were found to be required. 'I he military authorities, he added, were now only dis' cussing, the necessary details, and it was unlikely there would be any great delay in deciding definitely as to the acceptance of the offer from the colonies.

[rboxer’s telegrams—copyright.] Sydney, Yesterday.

To-day was observed as a public holi day, to celebrate the departure of the Soudancontingent. The streets forming the line of route from the barracks to Cir cular Quay were lined with an immense number of spectators from all parts, form, ing a dense mass. buildings and points of vantage were crowded. The troops were escorted by 600 sailors and marines from the war ships, and all the available forces, accompanied by the Go vernor, Ministers and official personages. The procession formed was an imposing spectacle, and the popular enthusiasm was unbounded. The contingent proceeded along the principal streets amid loud cheers and good wishes from the assem. bled masses. .Reaching the Quay, the men formed a hollow square, and were addressed by the Governor, who said it was the first time in the history of the Empire of a distant colony sending at its own cost a completely equipped contin gent of troops, who had volunteered with an enthusiasm of which those only who witnessed it could judge. They would be greeted in Egypt by hearty welcome from thousands of chivalrous soldiers, and hews of their exploits would be eagerly read t in all parts of the world where our flag floats. The country, he added, “ charges itself with the care of their dear ones left be hind. All that generosity, tenderness and gratitude could do for them would be looked upon as a labor of love by the nation. ” The contingent, numbering 800, then marched on board the transports, which were accompanied to the Heada by a fleet of small steamers.

Melbourne, Yesterday.

The Governor and the Premier have telegraphed cheir congratulations and good wishes to the New South Wales troops.

[Per s.a. City of Sydney, at Auckland. Sydney, February 26.

As the time is drawing near for the de parture of the contingent, some changes have been made in the list of officers. Colonels Raymond and Halboro will not go, and Colonel Richardson is said to be in delicate health. All the arrangements are pretty well complete. The patriotic fund has reached between L 30,000 and L 40,000, but subscriptions are not coming in quite so freely. There is a strong and growing feeling against the expedition, and a petition is being prepared to Go vernment on the subject. Sir H. Parkas has a letter in a paper nearly every day. If Government are beaten on the ques tion in Parliament they will appeal to the country. It is urged that too much |s being done without the gonsent of Parlia ment, that the expedition is not really urgently required. As Parliament does not meet for three or four months, there is time for full consideration. The ex pedition will be well fitted, and private contributions will give the men many comforts unusual on a campaign.

INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

Wblli The following thi allotted for the Indus

gton, Last Night. 3 amount of space trial Exhibition:—

Auckland ... 2000 Thames ... 300 Hawke's Bay 848 Gisborne ... 402 New Plym’th 225 Wellington.. 10,307 Wanganui ... 773 M a rlborough 180 Nelson ... 1282 Five thousand five hundred feet have been allotted t.o the art section ; 10,000 ft to Home industries; and 18,000 for passages ; total allotted, 69,404 ft.

Hokitika ... 40 Greymonth... 365 Akaroa ... 300 Timaru ... 220 Oam aru 500 ■■■• Invercargill... 410 0 h mU>l»urch 8484 Dunedin •«* 9216;

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Stdnky, February 26. The Ringarooma arrived from Auck land on Tuesday morning, and'anded her passengers in due course. It was not until nine hours afterwards - that the - *

steward was found to be suffering from the complaint of smallpox, and that the disease bad reached the fourth day. Great consternation was at once caused. The police scoured the city and suburbs in search of passengers. Of eleven saloon passengers eight were secured, and twelve out of thirty in the steerage, the rest are . still at large. The vessel has been fumi gated. The patient, Thomas James, is believed to have caught the disease when last in Sydney, and that he carried about the germs for twenty-one days before the disease developed itself, and during that , time he had been in contact with a num bet of persons. Ex- Judge Hargreave has died In his seventieth year. .The finish of the cricket match was close and exciting. The Wolverine is not yet ready for General Scratohley. Tuesday will be a great day on the occasion of the embark ation of the troops. The Governor and Admiral will probably join in the demonstration.

ASHBURTON DOMAIN BOARD.

Thereto Zealand Gazette of 56th hut. contains a notice in reference to the Ash burton Domain Board, delegating certain powers under the Public Domains Act, 1881, to the following persona, viz. •William Campbell Walker, James Ebene zer Trevor, M. 8.0.5. 8, etc., Edward George Wright, Thomas Worship the Mayor of Ashburton, Wil liam George Herbert St Hill, John Orr . and Dopald McDonald, (Donald McLean?) ■, subject to the following, stipulations:— 1. The Board shall meet for the trans-

action of business on the second Wednes day in each month, at hall-|»Bt:two.o’«lock p.m., at the County Council offices, Ash burton, or at suph'other time or place an < may from - time to time be fixed by the, Board. The first meeting shall be held ion Wednesday, the eleventh day of ■ March, 188fi. 2. Special ; meetings may , be convened by the Chairman, or by any : ; two members of the Board, provided that .< two days’ notice of such meeting be given to each member, specifying the business so V,e transacted at such special meeting, and no other business than that so speci fied shall be transacted at such meeting. . 3. Any three*~of the said Board snall r form a quorum. Any meeting, may be adjourned from time, to time;' ? • .4. The members of the Board shallj at ;■ their first meeting, and thereafter at an f annnal meeting to be held on the second Wednesday in January in every sudotfed ing year thereafter, elect one of them selves to be Chairman, who may join in the discussion, and shall have- an Original “ as well as a casting vote. The Chairman : shall hold office until the election ©! hii successor. ' ; v

6. If at any meeting the Chairman is not present at the time appointed for holding the same, the members present shall choose some-one :of their number to be Chairman of such meeting. . 6. If, by resignation, death, or in capacity, or otherwise, the-office of Chair man shall be or become vacant,, the mem bers may at any monthly or special meet ing appoint a Chairman. 7. All questions ahall be determined by the majority of votes of the members of the Board present at a meeting. t

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

fRBUXBR’s XBLEORAUS —COrraiOHT.] Mutton.' ' ’ - London, Match-B.

The cargo of mutton, comprising 14,006 carcases, ex steamship Tongas ' riro, from New Zealand, wasplaced oft / the market in good condition, . u-tm a?* Dynatoiteify- - The evidence whidi hiak J been'^yjSn^‘ at the i)<snng pf the chargM , ; Cunningham andßurton, , suspected * dynamiters, connects the prisonefs.with complicity in the attempted puttatges at the London railway termini tast -

Monetary and OommerciaL Consols have declined to 98 , Thfi_ market rate for discount has fallen to

and is now £6 below the Bank rate. New Zealand securides : ;~l?ive Per Cent. 10-40 Loan, 104 ; Five

Per Cent. 1879 Loan 103 j FourvPet?* f J Cent, inscribed Stock ggfi. Colonial ? breadstuffs and tallow are unchanged; 11 J The Stench Actively Aggressive. Hong KoNG, Mwroh;2. u News has reached here that the

French fleet is engaged in bombarding Chinbai, and has blockaded theap-' ; proaches to Ningpo, one of the treaty ports.

AUSTRALIAN.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT.} .. Sporting. Melbourne, Yesterday. Commotion has been scratched for the Australian Gup. The Governor. Sir William Jervois arrived here to? ; day from Sydney. ; ? Shipping. Arrived, this morning—Parramatta* with the English rqail. ' , (Received March 4,12.25 a.m.) A Sad 1 a 'V Sydney, To-day, . As the s.s. Iberia, one' of the trans ports, was leaving the Heads yesterday ■ afternoon she came into collision, - the steamer Nemesis, one of the escort ing fleet. Two women and were crushed to death by the collision. One of the. deceased was watching her s ' husband off to the Soudan. A Crush. ‘ <r During the prbcessjon of the contin gent for the Soudan to Circular QW, several accidents occurred, the crusUin, ]; - some places being terrible. ... .' •: New South Parliament is summoned to meet on the 17th instant , ...V 1

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1885.



Groceries CHEAPER THAN EVER AT JAMES McGREGOR’S, Tancked Sxbebt. Sugars — English Cot Loaf, fid per lb Best White Cental, per lb Beat Snowdrop, 4d per lb (Redactions by the mat) Teaa, la Sd, la 6d, 2a, 2a 6d, and 2a 3d Box Tea from 12a 6d per box Canterbury Oakea, lOd each. Rice, 3d fT tviA Biscuits, fid Lunch Biscuits, 3d Oggauti, 6d Raisins, 7d Now BfcbJUper box Beat Sago, 3d Xkiir Muscatels, is fid Oysters, fid Caim’a Marmalade, Bd pMOOek’s Jems, 6|d Herrings, 7d Xante's Marmalade, 9d Salmon, 8d Cheese, fid per lb English Pickl, a, 8d other aTtjptes equally cheap. JAMES SjoGREQOR, Taoored Street, 12 2342



Wanted. WANTED —A good General Servant; one who can milk preferred. Apply office of this paper. 3 218 TAT ANTED—A good Geuerel Black v V smith ; must fce a good Sheer. Apply, at once, to George Tait, Black smith, Wakanui. 2 29(3 TTTANTED Known—Before buying VV Dress Materials, Ulsters, Jackets, Dolmans, Millinery, etc , call and inspect our stock. The cheapest first-class Drapery and Millinery Establishment in Ashburton —H. C. Segees, ' ealys’ Buildings, East Street. WJ ANTED Known—Wertheim Sew \\ ing Machines can be had on Time Payments at the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Branch, East street, Ashburton 2 276 TIT ANTED Known - Mangling done. YV Mrs Mawhike, North east Be’t. 2 263 Glorious news. Andrew orr will give away on Saturday ICO pairs men’s boots at 6s 9d ; 60 pairs can* vas slippers at 2s 6d ; 30 pairs cricketing boots at 6s 6J ; IQO pairs Kaiapoi trousers at 11a 6J—every article at half-price. 2 237



WANTED Known—Umbrellas at Is lid, six doz Buttons for Is, China Matting at6d, Ladies’ Hose at 6d, Cor sets at 2a 3d, Shirting at 4£ 1, Towels 3id, 36 inch Oilcloth 9J, Calicoes Is 41. Andrew Oer’s Cheap Sale 2 185 TXT ANTED Known—Fresh Flounders » * are daily despatched direct from our own boat, now fishing at Labe Elles mere. Delivery guaranteed within eight hours from time of catching. All orders received at my shop will be immediately executed on arrival of the train. W. O. Page, East street, Ashburton. 11 2151 WANTED KNOWN— Robert Elston, Bill Poster, Theatrical Agent, eta, Town Hall, Ashburton. Theatrical companies and others visiting Ashburton should communicate with the above. Orders by post or telegram promptly attended to. 760 \%T ANTED Known—Boots ! Boots 1 Yf That Hates and Co. are Clearing a few desperate lines of Boots, etc., to wit, Ladies’ Leather, 4s 6d; Men’s Shooters, Pegged, 10s; Men’s Elastic sides, 9s, and a lot of odd lines that must be cleared at once. 7 1278 WANTED Known Removed. — Jones and Bradshaw, Corn and Chaff Dealers, have removed to the large premises in Havelock street near’y oppo site Mr A. Harrison's auction rooms (lately occupied" by Messrs Robinson and Townsend), where they will be better able to comply with the demands of their trade. Tonesand leadshaw.



WANTED Known—o. Hawkin’s, of Tinwald, Raving decided to com pete with either Christchurch or Ashbur ton, in price and quility of Boots, will, Ist January, 1886, (dell for Cash Only, at the following reduced rates ;—Men’s Harvest Bluchers, tips and nailed, 5s 9d j Shooter Boots, 10s 3d; Women’s Strong Lace Boots, 8s 6d; Leather Elastic, 9s 6d; Children's all reduced from la per pair. Motto—“ Small Pro fits and Quick Returns." 0. Hawkin’s, Boot and Shoemaker. 12 2393 □ Special Advertisements. NOTICE TO PATIENTS. Dr. schwarzbaoh, m.d., Specialist on Diseases of the Eye, Ear and Throat, Clarendon Hotel, Christ church. Hours—from 10 to 1. The Dodtor will remain until about the middle of March, and will accept no serious cases for treatment at the end of his stay. Dimant and Co e, ARE authorised LOCAL AGENTS for Singer’s SEWING MA- OfIINES, and are prepared to receive PAYMENTS and afford all information in connection therewith. Treadle and Hand Machines on Time Payments. A supply of Machine extras on hand. CORNER EAST AND TANORED STREETS, ASHBURTON. 11 2181



R. Bevan, WHOLESALE & RETAIL STATIONER Bookseller, Toys and Fancy Goods Dealer. Concertinas, Accordians, Jewellery, Cut lery, Tobacconists’ Sundries, etc. Country Stores supplied at special rates. NOTICE ; Young Ladies J ouunals supplied to Re gular Subscribers at Is 3d. Subscribers wanted. Note the address— SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, (Next Shop to Quill's Hotel.)



TO my readers and the reading public. Just to hand.—New Books.—Black Poodle, by Anstey ; Our Old Nobility ; The Cuckoo Clock, by Mrs Moles worth ; We Two, by Edna Doyal; Poverty, by Platt; I Say No, by Wilkie Collins; John Ball’s Womankind, by author of John Bull and his Island; The Jilt, by Charles Retde; Good Stories of Man and other Animals, by Charles Reade; Yesteged, by Geo P. Camming; Pages in Waiting, by Edmund Yates; (Notes on Ingersoll, by Rev L. A. Lambert, Roman Catholic Jesuit; My Own Child, by Florence Marryatt; Life, Opinions, and Table Talk of Dr Johnson; American Society Novels; Inspiration; A Clerical Lympucium; Bos well’s Life of Johnson ; Magna Charts Stories; Taming Down without Banting ; Money and Mechanism of Exchange, by S. Jevons; John Holdsworth’s Chief Mate; My Watch Below, by W. 0. Rus sel; The Wonder of Nature; Death Shot, by Reed; How to live upon la per Week; Stories of Waterloo; Secrets of Success ; How to Read Character; Christmas Number of Goodward’s Ohrystal Stories ; I Longman’s Magazine ; The Book of the I Beginnings, by R. H. Newton; Mistletoe Bough; 160 Illustrated London Graphics, I latest copies, to be sold cheap at I Thomas F. JParley’s, PRINTER, BOOKSELLER, AND STATIONER, Saunders’ Buildings, Ashburton.



Special Advertisements. SELLING OFF FANCY GOODS, TOYS, BOOKS, STATIONERY, &c. Mast be sold—even if at a loss ALEN UN E (j To Suit everybody at prices that cannot be beaten. Andrewes Bros., Booksellers, Stationers, &c., Ashburton.



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



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



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



pBBBUAET LIST. H. E. May & Co., THE HALL.



Victoria House. Season sale commencing on January igth, & continuing FOR FIVE WEEKS ONLY. REMARKABLE REALITIES ! GLARING REDUCTIONS] 1 Convincing proof and Special Prices See WindowatfeSi Diinant and Coe, READY-MONEY DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, &u., In premises lately occupied by Orr and do., Coro East and Tanored atre 4SHBURION,



Lazy and dull feelings always preceed sick ness, which nothing but Hop Bitters will banish. Read.—[Advt.] “ German Syrup.”—No other medicine in the world was ever given such a test of its curative qualities as Boschee’s German Syrup, In three years two million four hundred thou sand small bottles of this medicine were dis tributed Jree of charge by Druggists in the United States of America to those afflicted with Consumption, Asthma, Croup, severe Coughs, Pneumonia and other diseases of the throat and lungs, giving the afflicted undeniable proof that German Syrup will cure them. The re sult has been that Druggists in every town and village in civilised countries are recommending j it to their customers. Go to your Druggist and ask what they know about it. Sample Bottles 6d, Regular size 3s. 6d. Three doses will relieve any case.—[Abvt.] ,



We know that there is nothing on earth equal to Hop Bitters as a family medicine. Look for.—[Apvr.] Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, etc., are quickly cured by using Baxter’s' “ Lung Preserver.’’ this old-established medicine is pleasant to the palate, and highly extolled by members of, the medical and clerical profession. Read ad vertisement. Catarrh of thr Bladder.— Stinging j •rritation, inflammation, all kidney and similar' complaints, cured by “ Buchu-paiba.” The V. Z. Drug Co., General Agents. 3 h lies and Bugs. —Beetles, insects, roaches, auts, bed-bugs, rats, mice, gophers, jack-rab. bits, cleared out by “Rough on Rats.” The N.Z, Drug Co, f General Agents. 3



Wells’ "Rough on Coens.” —Ask'fb, Wells’ “ Rough'on Cdms." ’ Quick rehofr complete! permanent cure. Com?, warts' bunions. The N.Z. Drug Co., General Agents. $ '