COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Saturday afternoon. Mr T. Bullock reports on the horse ma>ket for the week ending Saturday, February 14 : On account of harvest operations very few horses have been brought forward during the last three weeks. There have been several en quiries for young medium draughts of a good description, and those offered have realised fall market rates ; but for inferior horses of all descriptions there are few buyers, but I have no doubt as the time approaches for ploughing for wheat, aged and other medium draughts will be mote saleable. —Timber: On Thursday, 12th instant, I held a clearing sale of a large quantity of timber and other building materials on account of Mr A. Tapper, who is relinquishing the Ashburton branch of his busi ness. There was a very good attendance, and the following prices were realised, viz.:— Scantlings, 4 x 2 and 4 x 3 good, ros 6d to lOS pd ; inferior, 6s to 8s 6d according to quality j black pine and totara, 4x2 and 4 x 3 mixed lengths, • 10s to 12s 6d ; ditto, lOS 6d, inferior, from 8s to 9s 3d ; rusticated, rather inferior, 8s to 9s 96 ; feather-edged weatherboards, 8s to 9 s 3d 5 V.D.L. 5 feet palings, 15s to, 16s 6d; 6 feet ditto, 2is. Building for removal, Ln 10s; portable vrhare on wheels, Li 7.

DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Tuesday, Maboh 17 Messrs Matson, Cox and C y. , at the Aahburfcon Saleyarda—Stock Messrs Mites and Co., at the Ashburton Yards—Sheep Saturday, March 21. Mr Tfaos. Bullock, at the Arcade, Barnett street —Town and Suburban Properties MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Exo. Monday, Mabch 16 Arcade Chambers —Star of Ashburton, U.A.0.D., at 8 o’clock Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7-30 Tuesday. Mabch 17 X Oddfellows’ Hall—lrish Concert, at 8 Wednesday, March 25 * Ashburton Building and Investment So ciety—Annual Meeting, Arcade Cham bers, at 3 o'clock , _ Oddfellows’ Hall—Miss Ward and Com pany, at 8 o’clock Orange Hall —Star of the East, 1.0. G.T., meeting at. 8 o’clock Thursday, March 26 Tinwald Saleyards—Annual Kam and Ewe Fair Friday, March 27. ilttburton County Council —At Council Chambers, 11a.m. Saturday, March 28. Ashburton Caledonian Society—Annual Meeting, at the “ Lyttleton Times ” office, at 7.30 Friday, April 3 Oddfellows’ Hall—Baptist Church Anni versary Tea Meeting Town Hall—“ Messiah,” at 8 o’clock Saturday, April 4 tfakanui Road Board, at Hoad Board office, Moore street, at 10 30 a.m, Friday, ap al 10. Lonbgeacb Road Boat d at Road Board Office. Tuesday, April 14 Ashburton School Committee —Month»y Meeting, in the Bch<olr >om, at 7.30

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office follows: — , For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m. 10.30 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Cheney Rakaia, &c., at 10.30 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Bangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily, ffor Temuka, at 6 a-m. and 10 a.m., For Tima/u and South, at 6 a.m., 10 a.m., and 4.30 p.m., daily. For Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10.46 * For Wakantfi* Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a. m. For Kount Somers, on Tuesdays and aturdays, at 6 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. For Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 6 a.m. For Ashtea, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For flemington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4.30 p. m. For Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.30 a.m. Mail, arrive at the Ashburton Post office - From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.16 *.m., 4.35 p.m., and 7.20 p,m. From Ohertsey, &o. at 10.15 a.m. and 4.36 p-m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at i.m* daily. From Temuka and Timaru at 10.40 a. m. tt.dO p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 A. HU lot Mount Somers and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 6 a.m. and 430 p.m., and on Wednesdays *t 6 p.m. , , . , From Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 10 Jb a. m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach at 10 a.m. daily. From Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days, at 2.30 p.m. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. From Elgin, Wakanui, Seafield, and Kyle on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sat urdays, at 4 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1885. The Unemployed.

Messrs Powell and Corley, two members of the Commission appointed to enquire into the condition of the unemployed in Canterbury, have threatened that unless the Government publish the whole of their report they will do so themselves. From this ii would appear that the authors of the report are not satisfied with the sum mary which has already been furnished to the press of the colony. We should have been surprised if Messrs Powell and Corley had been satisfied by the publication of anything short of what they considered necessary to make the results of their labors intelligible } gentlemen of their class are not likely to allow an opportunity to parade their own particular views to pass with out availing themselves of it. We think, too, that in bare justice to the authors the report should be published in full. It may be very flatulent, pleon astic and impracticable,—probably is ; but even an able report may suffer by contraction, and besides it is possible that it will be all we shall receive for the expenditure connected with the Commission. We never expected, nor do we believe that the Government ever expected, that the labors of the Commission would alleviate the con dition of the unemployed or lessen their number. The enquiry was doubt less in part instituted to pacify a tur bulent section of the community ; and so far it has served its purpose ; mal contents have been tranquilised by the knowledge that they had a Commission sitting in their own special interests, and by an

official assurance that the amelioration of their distressed condition was at hand or at least receiving the “ earnest attention of the Government.” The Cabinet probably hoped that the delay they had secured would bring some happy solution of what was, and un fortunately remains, a very formidable difficulty. A bountiful harvest, a large expansion of mining operations, the institution of large public works or private undertakings, were all contin gencies that would, by absorbing the surplus labor, have rectified the condi tion of the market. But none of these contingencies have been realised; dis tress if it existed six months ago exists now, and the positioi is aggravated by the absence of any immediate prospect of relief. As Messrs Powell and Corley have expressed their disappro val of the published summary of their report, we shall for the present refrain from commenting upon it, beyond ex pressing our strong disapprobation of at least one of the remedies they pro pose to apply. By what mysterious course of reasoning they conclude that Protection would benefit our workmen or our agriculturists, in fact anyone but a small number of manufacturers, we shall not attempt to discover. Most sensible men have long since satisfied themselves of the fallacy of such a con clusion, and those who still support it are either wilfully blind or deplorably simple. The Commissioners, who sug gest relieving the distressed condition of our working classes by raising the price of their clothing and the agricul tural implements of their em ployers, had better have confined themselves to the collection, of facts in connection with the unem ployed, and allowed some more en lightened authority to prescribe the remedy. The report of Mr J, D. Mac ■pherson, the Chairman of the Com mission, who is understood to dissent from the report of his colleagues, will be looked for with interest. It would be strange, but would doubtless be very agreeable to the Government, if Mr Macpherson were to impugn the facts of the summarised report. But it is more probable that the Chairman, who is not imbued with anything approach ing socialistic ideas, and is too well grounded in political economy and practical commerce to entertain the fallacies of Protection, was induced to make a separate report as he found himself unable to concur in the reme dial suggestions of his colleagues. At Christchurch on Thursday evening, Sir Julius Vogel referred to the report, but only in the briefest possible manner; his reference gave no indication of the view he takes of it; but it the Com missioners are unanimous in affirming that distress does exist, prompt and effectual measures will be demanded for its relief. The unemployed ques tion, although no more difficult of solu tion than some very prominent features in the ipimsterial programme, will not brook the delay that those items have already suffered

The Borough School.

Barely six weeks have elapsed since ye had occasion to congratulate, the householders of Ashburton upon the election of a School Committee, which we ventured to hope would speedily re duce certain complications that had arisen at the Borough School. We did not at the time profess that the result of the election was entirely satisfactory to us; we deplored the exclusion of several gentlemen whose presence upon the Committee would have raised its

, ■•" c and increased its efficiency. It L‘ l -••nerfluous to say that one is almost SU| » , • the time of writ name in our mind vtaunr ing was that of his Worship me * By a curious operation ol the curoula

live vote, Mr Friedlander, although supported by a substantial majority of voters, was amongst the defeated can didates. Since the election we have learnt nothing to estrange our con fidence from the sitting Committee, but we understand that their re cent action in connection with the dismissal. of the headmaster has ex cited the hostility of a large sec tion of the community. It will be re collected that a communication ftom the North Canterbury Board of Educa tion with regard to the headmaster, and the condition of the school was con sidered in camera at the last meeting of the Committee. It is generally re ported that the members of the Com mittee were not unanimous in the de cision ultimately arrived at ; at least one member —Mr Thomas— has re peatedly applauded the work done by the headmaster. We regret, however,

that the friends of Mr Dempsey have thought it wise to make an organised attempt to set aside the deliberate de terminations of the Education Board and the Committee. The attempt

must prove futile and can only delay the removal of long-standing troubles, and prejudicially affect the future of the headmaster for whose official zeal and scholastic attainments we have sin cere respect. Let the friends of Mr Dempsey rather display the esteem they bear towards him by some tangi ble testimony of the fact that in their opinion his failure here

has been more his misfortune than his fault, that he is likely in some other sphere to discharge similar duties with advantage to his .pupils and credit to himself.

A large quantity of late telegraphic matter appears in this issue. Owing to pressure on our space we are compelled to exclude a number of unimportant inter colonial telegrams. Three men arrested in Ashburton yes terday for drunkenness were dealt with at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning. Having dismissed the offenders Mr H. FriedlanJer, the presiding justice, very pertinently asked the Sergeant of Police how the men obtained drink on Sunday. Sergeant Felton was unable to supply the information sought, but pro mised to make enquiries. Mr Murray, one of our most enterpris ing tradesmen, has determined to erect a clock over his well-known premises in l£ast street. The time-piece selected by Mr Murray is a large one, having a face of 18 inches, and will be easily read from West street. It will be in position by Saturday next, and will prove a great convenience to country visitors and others having occasion to consult the time. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning a private of the Salvation Army figured as a first offender. The accused was arrested at an early hour yesterday morning in a helpless state of intoxica tion, and later in the day several of his comrades appeared at the police station md applied for his release, repre lenting that he was required to bear an important part in the even ing service of the Army. Sergeant Felton, however, was inexorable, and declined the proffered bail, at the same time offering the intercessors some very appropriate advice as to the future treat ment of their erring brother. In our last issue we called attention to the fact that the Minister for Public Works had directed the Ashburton police to take proceedings against persons disregarding the railway by-law that require persons driving or riding across the rails to stop and look out for the engine. We regret to learn that a very able and popular clergyman is to be the first victim to this ridiculous regulation. This morning the gentleman in question was detected by Constables Smart and Beddek crossing the railway in Havelock itreet driving a pair of horses without having previously stopped in accordance with the by-law. The two officers have made separate reports to the Sergeant in charge of ths station. A number <>f wit nesses have been interrogated, and the case is likely to occupy the early atten tion of the Resident Magistrate. The annual general meeting of the Ash burton Coursing Club was held at the Somerset Hotel on Saturday evening, ’’here was a fair attendance, and Mr F. L. K. Hill occupied the chair. The minutes of the last general meeting having been read and confirmed, the following officers were elected;—President, Mr M. Digby; vice-president, Mr R. Alexander; secretary, Mr Hill; treasurer, Mr Digby. It fwas resolved to fix the annual sub scription at LI Is. On the motion of Mr Mcßae, seconded by Mr Tait, Mr Donald McLean was elected a life member. It was resolved that the officers of the Club, together with Messrs Mcßae, Leitch and Miller be appointed a Committee to con sider the programme for the forthcoming season, and report to the Club at a future date. Mr George Graham was elected a member of the Ciub. The Treasurer reported >that the balance in hand was LlO 10a. A circular letter was read from the Plumpton Park Coursing Club in re ference to the compilation of a Greyhound Stud Book, and on the motion of Mr Tait, seconded by Mr Digby, it was re solved to approve of the proposals of the Plumpton Club. His Excellency the Governor says that, should a Victorian force ever be required abroad, he would consider it the greatest honor of his life to have the privilege of leading them in the field. The old and inconvenient use of pasted paper for obliterating the bullet holes in canvas targets ha» been obviated by a simple invention of Mr hrank Stevens, - the genial secretary of the Rifle Associa- ( tion. The invention consists of card-

board discs, one side of which are white while the obverse are painted black. Through the centre of the cardboard is a piece of wood pointed at either end, suffi ciently small to be speedily inserted in a hole made, by the bullet. The action of the marker merely necessitates the inser tion of the peg, and the movement is in stantaneous. Should a bull’s eye be scored, the black aide ia placed outwarda, whilst, if the bullet hole to be covered is in a circle, the white side is displayed.— Wellington Times.

Members of the Ashburton Volunteer Corps, who wish to attend the Easter en campment are requested to give in their names at once to the commanding officer, Captain Douglas. Drowsiness, biliousness, pains and aches, and ague, Hop Bitters always cures. Read.— [Advt.j Dr Scwargback, M.D., in response to an urgent invitation, has consented to visit Timaru professionally, and may be consulted at that town from Tuesday, March 17111, until Vio day, March 23rd, at the Grosvenor Hotel. —[Advt.] Tic-Doloureux, Toothache, or any other neuralgic pain speedily yields to Baxter’s Anti- Neuralgic Pills. A other unfortunate.—Again we must draw the attention of our readers to the fact that a ,£2,424 stock of Clotning and General Dra pery, in the estate of I tennis O’Connell, tra ding in Lyttelton and Cristchurch, now bank rupt, was purchased by H. u. vIAY - Co., of the I-fall, High street, for £954, or only a little over onerthirJ qf its value. If. E. M. and Co. are noy selling it at half dp marked price, whicji surely ought to secure a speedy clearance.

" Bi/CBU-Paiba.”—Quick, complete cure, all annoying kidney, bladder, and urinary diseases, Druggists, The N,Z. Drug Co,. General Agqflfo ?

Mr James Gudsell reports that between Kyle and Seafield there ate three water-

races running and three dry. Between Seafield and Seaview there are four run ning and two dry. r i ho New South Wales Government have engaged the services of an Arabic interpreter to accompany the troops to \frica. Me Hugo Friodlander, J. P., presided at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, and dealt with the following oases of drunkenness;—Robert Hun ret, fined 10 ■> and costs, with the alternative of 24 hours’ imprisonment—three first offenders were cautioned and dismissed.

The sum of L 5.000 has been set apart by the Victorian Goveinment for the Colonial and Indian Commission. At the Queen’s Theatre, Christchurch, on Saturday night liivingtone, the long distance runner, essayed running 20 miles in two hours against tour local men run ning half-hours spells successively for LlO a side. His opponents were MoOourt, Drummond, Cusack and Fosse, whose aggregate was about 19 miles 1500 yards, Livingstone beating this by 20 yards. Hancock attempted to walk 16 miles in two hours against Carl, Ttaingrove, White man, and McCourt for LlO a side. Ho finished 14 miles 1520 yards in the time, his opponents’ total being 14 miles 1470 yards.

Grave anxiety is felt in Berlin and throughout Germany about the Emperor’s health. The Crown Prince, who succeeds him, is on bad terms with Bismarck, and has strong anti-Russian sympathies. Mr Service is of opinion that never was England in such peril as now, a-'d never was there a greater need for Englishmen to stand shoulder to shoulder. On Friday evening a woman named Horn was knocked down by the train at Oarleton, near Oxford. The engine whistled three times, but she took no notice. She was rendered insensible, and

died an hour and a half afterward*. An inquest was held on Saturday when a ver dict of “ Accidental death” was returned.

There were 1334 immigrants to and 968 emigrants from the colony during the month of February. The commandant’s salary in the New South Wales Soudan expedition has been fixed by Mr Dailey at L 1,250. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council will be held at the Council Chambers Library Build ings this evening at 7 30.

Mr_ Groves, stonemason of this town, has just completed a headstone to be placed over the grave of the late Mr Heney, Geraldine, which is a very credit able piece of workmanship. Is is made from Mount Somers s'one, and has been worked to a remarkably fine face. Over the inscription the Masonic keystone, square, compass, and sextant are cat out in bold relief, showing that the stone employed is well adapted for the purpose. The unemployed in Adelaide are moving in consequence of the dearth of employ ment in South Australia.

To-morrow being St. Patrick’s day the various Banks will be closed.

A special meeting of the Ashburton District School Committee will be held to morrow evening, at the Borough School. At the Divorce Court, Christchurch, to-day a decree nisi was granted in the case of W. L Berington v. Maria Beriog ton and Wil iam King The petitioner and respondent were married in 1871, and in 1»79 the respondent left her hus band, and has since lived with the co respondent.

From a telegram published in another column, it appears that the dynamitarda have extended their machinations to Mel bourne, where special precautions have been taken to insure the safety of Go vernment House, the powder magazine and other buildings. It will be noticed on reference to our telegraphic columns that, in consequence of the present European complications, the cable and the principal telegraph stations in the colony will be kept open all night.

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

[By Telegraph prom the Bluff To-day London, March 4.

The Agents-General of the several Australian Colonies had an interview to day with the Duka of Cambridge (Com mander iu-Ohief of the British Army), the Marquis of Hartington (Secretary of •State for War), Earl Morley (P.diical secretary of the War Office) and L eut - General Alison. The Du*e of Cambridge, in the course of the interview denied that the offers of the Australian Colonies, to supply troops for the Soudan had been declined. Lieutenant-General A 1 sen pointed out that it would be impossible to utilise raw Volunteers, and that it was absolutely essential for the Australian contingents to become accustomed to army discipline before their services could be accepted. Asa result of the interview the Agents-General consider that the offer of the Australian troops will be accepted in the autumn.

The British Government, in Issuing their ultimatum to Russia forbidding any further advance towards the Afghanistan frontier, acted upon the advice of Sir Peter Lumsden and the Afghan Commis sion, and Russia has declined to retire from any positions occupied by her troops, but disclaims all intention of encroaching upon Afghanistan. Jb is expected that a peaceful settlement of the difficulty will be effected.

, London, March 6. The Government portion of New Guinea annexed by Germany is to be en trusted to a German South Sea Company, an Imperial charter conferring that power having been granted to the Company. The Reichest g has voted the necessary funds for the establishment of additional consulates in the Pacific

London, March 6. It is probable that the War Depart ment will purchase 26,000 carcasses of frozen sheep from New Zealand to be de livered at Suakim in lota as required for the use of the troops,

Sir JJvelyn Ashley, Political Secretary to the Colonial offlee, stated in the House of Commons last night that the imperial Government was opposed to the agitation for severance of the North from the South of Queensland. They had, however, asked for the opinion of the Queensland Government on the subject. In the House of Commons last night Mr ■ ladstone stated that the Government intended to maintain the neutrality of the New Hebrides until the Australian Colo nies consented to withdraw all claims to those islands. The Russian Government has given an order in America for building several war cruisers.

London, March 18.

It ia rumored that Mr Gladstone will retire fr.>m office when the present diffi culty with the Russian Government has been settled.

The Kmperor of Germany has adviaed the Czar to come to a peaceful settlement wi h England in the dispute between the two countries with reference to the Rus sian advance on the Afghanistan frontier.

THE ROAD BRIDGE AND THE LONGBEACH ROAD BOARD.

The following are the resolutions re- I ferred to in our last issue as having been I adopted by the Longbeach Road Board at I its meeting on Friday last ; I “ That this Board having been made 1 aware by the report of the Committee of I the Ashburton County Council that it was proposed to throw an undue proportion of 1 the coat payable out of the Council’s fund j towards the erect on of a traffic bridge I over the Ashburton river upon only a I small portion of the County, viz,—the I Waaanui, Upper Ashburton, and Long beach Road Board districts, the Long beach Hoad Board hereby authorises the Chairman to make a formal protest to the ] Council of the injustice of the proposal, pointing out that the consequence of the Committee’s proposal being carried out means that the three Road Board dis tricts would have to contribute twice, first as part of the County and then specially by the amount to be debited against them ; and also further resolves that the co-operation of the other two Boards interested be invited to take any action they may deem necessary to in fluence or stay the proceeding of the Council.”

,f That, if found expeient, a telegram! be forwarded to the Hon the Minister for Public Works, and also to the Colonial Secretary, stating that this Board being one of the three Road B >ard districts re quired to specially contribute towards the cost of the bridge, will object to the pro posed arrangement, pointing out that the County contains seven Road Boards, large portions of which equally interested in the work will be required to defray but a small portion of the cost. Copies of the f regoing resolutions to be sent to the Wakanui and Upper Ashburton Road Boards, and also to the members of the Council representing the three districts referred to, asking them to strenuously oppose the proposals of the Council.”

The following is the full text of the re port, in reference to the bridge, adopted by the County Council at its meeting on Monday, 9th February :—“ The Com mittee appointed to confer with a Com mittee of the Borough Council with re ference to the erection of a traffic bridge over the Ashburton river, beg to report as follows: —The conference took place on January 20th, and after discussion with the Engineer as to the most suitable and economical style of bridge to be erected, and after the Borough Council represen tatives had stated their views as to pro portion of cost over and above the vote of L 7,000, which the Borough would be willing to contribute, the following reso lution was agreed to :—' That the County Council and Borough Council contribute towards the balance required to complete the coat of traffic bridge, in the proportion of L2 by the County to LI by the Borough, provided that the plan adopted shall include a foot-bridge railed off from the roadway, but in no case shall the Bo rough’s contribution be more than L 1,500. The Committee therefore recommends the Council to accept the terms of the resolution as<an equitable proposal, and to take immediate steps to proceed with the work as desired by the Borough Council. The Minister for Public Works has in spected the plans as laid before the con ference, and intimated that he sees no reason against them. On the matter of finance the Council will require to take into consideration that over and above the vote of L 7,000 a sum of £ will have to be provided. Of the other bridges within the County constructed out of County funds, wholly or in part, the Rangitata bridge was built out of the County funds while the bridges over the IJorth Ash burton, at Digby’a and at the Single Tree, the bridge over Taylor’s branch of the Ashburton, and over the South Ashbur ton constructed haf out of County funds aod half out of Road Board funds. Supposing the Council considers that the necessary contribution to the proposed bridge should be met in a similar way as these last mentioned four bridges, the Committee suggest that one-half the amount required be charged to County funds and one-half to the Road Boards adjacent, viz., Wakanui, Longbeach, Upper Ashburton and the town district of Tinwald, But if the Road Boards inte rested are not in such a financial position at present as to be asked for a contribu tion, the estimated proportion due from each Board should be taken into conside ration in any future 0 unty expenditure, and in that manner to be charged to them. The Committee believe that the amount required can be obtained as a loan, pay able as the Council wishes up to 10 years by instalments, so that no appreciable burden or increase of rate need be necea sary in any one year. ”

WHEAT GROWING IN AMERICA.

Mr H. G. Platt, writing to Bradstreet's on “Wheat Growing in Dakota,” says that the actual cost of wheat to him was 56 cents a bushel, but ha admits that in terest and wear and tear on machinery, and interest on the cost of the land should be charged, and these items are cot in cluded. Wheat, when he wrote was sell ing at 45 cents per bushel in Dakota. Partly owing to the credit system, he says, many farmers have had to sell out and leave their farms, to get away from “ the mouuta'n of interest towering up before them,”and “old wheat fields are going to have a rest.” Another corres pondent of the journal just named, writ ing from Winnipeg, says that wheat costs not has than 50 cents a bushel to raise in Manitoba, while it has been selling {at 46 cents. He believes wheat growing will not pay in the Canadian North-West. “ The seasons," he adds, “ are apparently too short for grain growing. The wheat crops must always bf a painfully uncertain ong, even when it is not a failure. Drought and cold continually threaten its earlier stages; frost menaces it in its latter. The mercury has a most alarming habit of hanging around the ‘ thirties ’ in the latter part of summer.” This year the crop has been not only a failure, but a disaster. The writer desqribes the har vest as having been a very wet one, spoil ing a great deal of the wheat, which has yielded not more than 12 to 15 bushels per acre, he thinks. The De partment of Agriculture estimated that there would be at least 6,000,Q0Q bushels for export, but up to November 17th only about 500 000 bushels had been shipped — Bell's Weekly Messenger

SPORTING

0.J.0. AUTUMN MEETING, The following acceptances were received on Saturday night;— Great Autumn Handicap. st lb st lb Sou 1 , wester 8 3 Taiaroa -... 7 5 Trenton ... 8 2 Wapiti ... 613 Lady Emma 8 0 Oapt. Webster 6 9 Rubina ... 8 0 Ugly Buck,,. 6 6 Nelson ... 8 0 Take Miss.., 6 5 Administrator 711 Lady Evelyn 6 0 July ... 710 Nonpareil.,, 6 0

DESTRUCTIVE GALES.

Auckland, Last F ight. The gale yesterday was the heaviest ex perienced for many years, inflicting some damage on shipping and property. The small steamer Blanche was a total wreck. The insurances are unknown. Several yachts were damaged. The yachts Aucatia and Beta are ashore, but not seriously in jured. A number of coasters are damaged, and the cutter Evening Star is ashore in Rangitoto Channel, and the Harvest Home nankin the harbor. he crew had a nar row escape before being rescued. The i Union Company’* coal hulk Gantero went | ashore, but was uninjured. The old Cus toms launch was baily knocked up. The Darcy Pratt, brigantine, held on with two I anchors down in Rangitoto Channel after j dragging considerably. Several houses in I course of erection in exposed situations In I the suburbs were blown down. A large J chimney was blown through the roof of jMr Seymour George’s residence. Messrs J Pearson, of Newton, received a fracture lof the leg, and Mr D. L. Murdoch’s I coachman, Welsh, fatal injuries’ - from I falling timber. The damage was over L 2,000.

Wellxgton, Last Night. The strong wind last night has blown Woodyear’s circus te it into ribbons. Dunedin, Last Night.

A heavy northern gale blew for some hours, giving place to rain in the after noon. Telegraphic communication was interrupted for some time on the North lines.

[by telegtr \ph] . Auckland, To-day.. The steamer Thomas Russell was wrecked at Oreti Point, Bay of Plenty, on Saturday during a gale. The steamer is a total wreck, but all her crew have been landed in safety. The Oreti Point upon which the vessel struck is about 8 miles to the north-west of Cape Banaway. Thera is no doubt but that Captain Helander had been running for shelter at the time the Thomas Russell was wrecked. • The steamer was almost a new vessel, | having been built for the Waimaot Coal and Steam Co., by Messrs Forrest Bros., of London, in the latter end of 1883. She was built of steel, and was of 262 tons gross, with engines of 60 hone power nominal The s.s. Minnie Oasey, steamer, of 64 tons, experienced the full force of the storm in the Kaipara harbor on Saturday morning, and in crossing to the Kaipara Heads was in a helpless oon- I dition almost driven out to sea. The I steamer left Dargaville on Friday mora- I ing with fourteen passengers, of which I two were ladies. In crossing the long* I reach above the pilot station several-heavy I seas were shipped and it was with diffi- I culty the pumps were worked to keep the I steamer clear. The storm had increased I with such force that the only re- I source was to make Helensvilla las quickly as possible. At the crossing I at the heads the steamer was carried out j towards the bar by the force of the gale, I and the sea shipped had worked into the I cabin and hold to such an extent that the I fires were extinguished and an attempt was made to work the steamer under can vas, but the sails were blown to ribbons where bant. To make matters more serious provisions ran short, as only suffi cient had been taken at Dargaville for an ordinary run to Helenaville ; the supply was exhausted on Friday night. The passengers worked with a will in assisting the crew to keep the water down. The pumps at length became unworkable and buckets had to be used to reduce the water in the hold, which had risen to several feet. At one time on Saturday forenoon when the wind had somewhat abated canvass was set and the steamer was enabled te arrive at Helenaville wharf at half-past four p.m The passengers and crew were all much exhausted from want of provisions and the heavy work they had undergone pumping the steamer.. Opunakb, To-day. The heaviest gale known in Opunake occurred on Saturday. Courtenay’s Hall has been destroyed. There will probably be great damage unless the wind drops. The steamers Stella and Oreti are in the Bay for safety. Several houses have been damaged.

NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIA TION.

Wellington, Last night. , Moat of the Rifles have finished foot

out of the six matches counting for the Rifle Belt, and also the first ranges of the Otago and Canterbury match. So fat the highest aggregates are ; —Lucas, Thames, 371 ; Purnell, Wanganui, 367 ; Jenson, •Vanganui, 350; Dowuie, Thames, 348 ; Cooper, Auckland, 344 ; Hoskin, Tara, naki, 340 ; Newdick. Thames, 339 ; Hut chison. Dunedin, 334 ; Hawk, Thames, 334 ; Badger, Greymouth, 326 ; Bentley, Masterton, 325; MoGonale, Wanganui, 322 ; Jones, Waikari, 315; Taylor, Auckland, 314. Flyger, Hummer and several others who are not far behind the leading man have not yet fired the first stage in the Otago match. The carbines have completed foor|out of six matches counting for the Belt, and a good many of the men have completed he fifth match, and the?first stage of the last match. So far the highest aggregate* are Perry, Wanganui, 393 ; Woolley, Auckland, 392 ; Davy, Wellington, 390 ; Harris, Wellington, 386 ; Webb, Welling ton, 382 ; Weir, Thames, 382 ; Babe, Wellington, 379 ; Jack, Dunedin, 873; France, Wellington, 372; Waters, Port Chalmers,' 367; Read, Port Ghaimers, 358 ; Dixon, Wellington, 357. Parslow, who at the completion of the fourth match was leading for the Belt, has yet to fire the first range in the Otago match, and Ross has not finished the fifth match or the first range in the Otago match. A general meeting of members of the Association was held in the drilUhed last

night, Captain Somerville, of Wanganui, presiding. About 150 were present. A resolution was carried to have meetings peripatetic as at present, and Wanganui was chosen as the next place to hold a meeting. Nelson, Christchurch and Blenheim were proposed, and their res pective merits were discussed before the meeting came to a decision. The ques tion of dividing the Government vote of the Association between the two islands was brought up, and a resolution adopted that this meeting is in favor cf the vote being kept intact as at present. Other matters of detail were left to a Committee appointed by the delegates. The weather has cleared again, and should it continue fine to-morrow the • Championship will be decided on Taea day afternoon. The church parade to day was poorly attended by visiting volunteers.

(By Telegraph.) Wellington, To-day. The weather is fine for shooting. The following are the prize-takers in the Wel lington match —Flygor (Wanganui), 89, clock and vases ; Brooks (Dunedin), 88, : J silver inkstand ; Crisp (Pott Chalmers), 87, marble clock ; Maddock (Blenheim), 86, trophy; Parkea (Wanganui), 86, clock and barometer; Watson (Port Chalmers), 84, tea and coffee service; Taylor (Auckland), 83, carriage clock; Howell, (Taranaki), 83, salad stand; Ingtis (Thames), cake basket; Dougall (Christchurch), Panstero (Dunedin), Lloyd (Wanganui), 82 each, cup; Fairly (< >tago), 81 ; opera glass; G. ’• ■ France (Wellington), 81, biscuit box; Jones (Otago), 81, saWer ; Wratt-(Nel son), album j Hornby (Port Chalmers), 81, ebony cabinet; Paralow (Auckland) 81, card receiver j Hoskins (Taranaki)! 81, cruet; J. E. Offrey (Christchurch), 81, tobacco jar; Henn (Wellington), 80, oak QOfj Jack (Duoedin), 80, oak Qup;

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1885.



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.



Advisements for The Ashburton must be sent in not later than S 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 pravioua to that on which they ire to be inserted. Special notices can be received up to 5.30 p.m., but will be charged double rates. . __ All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths n»n«t be accompanied by the sig natuie d tb > sender, as a guarantee of good faiux. , , , All advertisements and business letters •o bo addressed The Manager ; literary communications should be addressed to The Editor. _



Caution. Qj OME unsctopulous firms are trying to force on the Hew Zealand people a Nostrum, under the cloak that it is made In the United States— WHICH IS NOT TRUE. Under this pretence they are trying to deceive the Public and Incautious Pur chasers Into the belief that they are the Genuine AMERICAN HOP BITTERS. We wish to warn all honest and unsus pecting pfople against this RECEPTION, and to call the. attention once more to the facts that the Genuine American Co.’s BOP BITTERS Are put op in Squre, Panelled, Amber colored Bottles, with White Label on one aide, printed In Black letters, and Green Hop Cluster; and, on the other 'side, Tellow Label, with Directions in Bed Letters, in English and German, and the name of “Dr frpulh” blown in every Bottle. 1 his is the only fui iu in which Genuine AFRICA# HOP BITTERS ate pot



Wanted- j ITT ANTED Known—That all debts due *V i n the estate of John Beecher must be paid to him on or before the 21st instant, or legal proceedings will be taken to recover same. John Beecher. 3 383 ITTANTED Known—Before buying Dress Materials, Dlsters, Jackets, Dol mans, Millinery, etc , call and inspect our stock. The cheapest first class Drapery an .( Millinery Kstab ishment in Ashburton —H. C. >eoeks, ealja’ Buildings, t.asi > t rest.



/ t FtE -VT (-Inductions for Cash at Jones A>'D RaDSHaW’s —Good oaten sheat chaff from 50s per ton, la 6d per bag ; prime oat straw chaff 35a per ton, 9d per bag ; new oatmeal 4a per bag ; good cheese 5d per lb ; fifour, bran, sharps, and ohickwheat at very cheap rates. \\T ANTED Known—Wertheim Sew - V \ ing Machines can be had on Time Payments at the New Zealand Clothing factory’s Branch, East street, Ashburton. GLORIOUS NEWS. Andrew Orb will give away on Saturday 100 pairs men’s boots at 63 9d ; 60 pairs can vas slippers at 2s 6d ; SO pairs cricketing boots at 6s 6d ; 100 pairs Kaiapoi trousers at lls 6d —every article at half-price. 2 237 IT* T ANTED Known—Fresh Flounders • • are daily despatched direct from our own boat, now fishing at Lake Elles mere. Delivery guaranteed within eight hours from time of catching. All orders received at my shop will be immediately executed on arrival of the train. W, o. Page, East street, Ashburton. 11 2151 WJ" ANTED Known—Boots ! Boots 1 V T That Haves 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—Umbrellas at Is lid, six doz Buttons for Is, China Matting at 6d, Ladies’ Hose at 6d, Cor sets at 2s 3d, Shirting at 36-inch Oilcloth 9d, Calicoes Is 4d. Andrew Orb’s Cheap Sale 2 185 WANTED KNOWN— Robert Elston, Bill Poster, Theatrical Agent, etc., Town Hall, 1 Ashburton. Theatrical companies and others visiting Ashburton should communicate with the above. Orders by post or telegram promptly 1 attended to. 760 WANTED Known — C. Hawkin’s, of Tinwald, having decided to com pete with either Christchurch or Ashbur ton, in price and quality of Boots, will, Ist January, 1885, Sell for Cash Only, at the following reduced rates :—Men’s Harvest Bluchers, tips and nailed, 6s 1 9d; Shooter Boots, 10a 3d; Women’s Strong Lace Boots, 8a 6d ; Leather Elastic, 9s 6d ; Children’s ail reduced I from Is per pair. Motto—“ Small Pro fits and Quick Returns.” O. Haw in’s, !doot and Shoemaker. 12 2393



Special Advertisements. NOTION TO PATIENTS. Dr. sohwarzbaoh, mjd., Specialist on Diseases of the Eye, Ear and Throat, Clarendon Hotel, Christ church. Hours—from 10 to 1. The Doctor will remain until about the middle of March, and will accept no serious cases for treatment at the end of bis stay. jQOMESTIC PATTERN DEPOT. Mrs Hodg** DRAPER AND DRESS MajCER, East Sinner, near Lancaster's butchery. Ladies’ Dressesand Underclothing made at the shortest notice. REGISTRY OFFICE For Female Servants. 7 1413



Dimant and Coe, ABE authorised LOCAL AGENTS for Singer’s SEWING M A OHINES, 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. OOBNEB EAST AND TANCKED STREETS, ASHBURTON. 11 2181



T 3 'O' TT A VT Bookseller, Stationer, Jli V y Fancy Goods Dealer. Jewellery, Cutlery, Concertinas, Accor diana, and Tobacconist’s Sundries. Country Stores supplied at special rates. Young LadieV Journals (Feb. No.) for Is 3d, Subscribers wanted. R. BEVAN, SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, (Next Shop to Quill’s Hotel.)



Read, mark, learn and INWARDLY DIGEST, and to accomplish the above feat, visit my estab lishment, and lighten your inward gloom by appeasing your appetite for the beauti ful by inspecting the most delightfully ARTISTIC E-ASTER cards ! ever imported into Ashburton (direct from Home). You are then at liberty to in spect the contents of a large case of books personally selected, and just received Ibe ieve it was Lord Wolseley who said I (he happens to be the most popular man of the day, and one must squeeze a little popularity into advertisements), “ A man who aspires to great heights should read incessantly, and never forget his news papers;" and I say the same J Read ! Real 1 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 saying- Come and see for yourselves, and if you are disappointed come again. Nothing like Perseverance ! Thomas F. Farley's, BOOKSELLER AND STATIONER, Saunders’ Buildings, East St., Ashburton-



Special Advertisements. SELLING OFF FANCY GOODS, TOYS, BOOKS, STATIONARY, &a. Must be Bold-even if at a loss Yalentinko ALMTINSia To '• uit everybody at prices that cannot be b iaten. Andrewes Bros., Booksellers, Stationers, &c., Ashburton.



NOTICE TO CONSUMERS OF COAL. HE undersigned are now landing, ex uauiuiu, wio 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, &0., And every requisite for the trade. MACPHERSON, FILMBR AND CO. SAWMILLERS, TIMBER. COAL, AND FIREWOOD MERCHANTS. s.a Hauroto, the (late A. Hayes), East street, Ashburton.



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



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



E B R U A R Y LIST. Women's Lisle Gloves, 4-buttons, 4£d. THE HALL.



Victoria House. REASON SALE & CONTINUING REMARKABLE GLARiT U REDUCTIONS !! js£t-For Convincing proof and Special Prices See Windows''!^ Dimant and |Coe, READY-MONEY DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, <feo., In premises lately occupied by Orr ard Co., Corn Bast and Tancred atro ASHBURTON, " I



Special Advertisements. Groceries CHEAPER THAN EVER AT JAMES McGREGOR’S, Fancred Street. Sugars—English Cut Loaf per lb Best White Crysta., 3£d per lb Best Snowdrop, 4d per lb (Reductions by the mat) Teas,ols 3d, Is 6d. 2s, 2a 6d, and 2s 9d Box Tea from 12s fid per box Canterbury Cakes, lOd each Rice, Sd Mixed Biscuits, 6d Lunch Biscuits, 3d Currants, 61 Raisins, 7d New Figs, Is per box Best Sago, 3d New Muscatels, Is fid Oysters, 6d Cairn’s Marmalade, 8d Peacock’s Jams, 6Jd Herrings, 7d Keiller’s Marmalade, 9d Salmon, 8d Cheese, fid per lb English Pickles, 8d Other articles equally cheap. JAMES McGREGOR, Tancred Street, 12 2342



Hop Ritters gives good digestion, active liver, good circulation and buoyant spirits- Read larger.-—[Advt.] i hat husband of mine is three times the man he was before he began using “ Wells Health Renewer. ” Druggists. The N.Z Drug Co., General Agents. 2 " Rough on Rat?,” —Clears out rats, mice, roaches, flies, Ants, bed-bugs, beetles, insects, skunks, jack rabbits, gophers. Druggists, il)e NiZ, 1) uu, Go., General Agents, 3j



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