DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Tuesday, Maeoh 3 Mann Matson, Cox and oat the Ashburton Saleyarda —Stock

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Exo. Monday, March 2. Borough Council, at Borough Council Ohißshen, at '7-SO Primitive Methodist Church—Public Tea, at 6 o’clock

Tuesday, March 3. Tinwjsld School Committee Monthly Meeting, in the Schoolroom Ashburton Building and Investment So ciety—Subscription due Wednesday, March 4 (kmim Hall— Star of the East, 1.0.G.T., meeting! n't 8 o’clock Thursday, March 5 Orange Lodge—Regular Monthly meeting |n the New Orange Hall; 7.30 p.m. Friday, Mabch 6. JjonbgeAob Hoad Board at Road Board Office Saturday, March 7. /Takanol Road Board, at Road Board Moore street, at 10.30 a.m. Toesday, March 10. Ashburton School Committee— Monthly Meeting, in: the Schoolroom, at 7.30 Friday, March 27. isMiarton County Council —At Council Chambers, 11 a. m.

MAIL NOTICES.

IMTaHn 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 Chertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10.80 a.ra. and 6 p.m. daily. . For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow t Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a. m. daily. Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., For Tima.ll and South, at 6 a.m., 10 *.m., and4.3o p.m., daily. For Greenstreet and Ashburton fork*. Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10.45 For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6,30 a.m. For Jlount Somers, on Tuesdays and aturdaya, at 6 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. For Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 6 turn* For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Memiagton, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 430 p. in. For Rowlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.80 a. m.

'Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post From Ohriatchoroh and Rakaia at 10.16 O.HL, 485 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Oherteoy, &a at 10.15 a.m. and 435 p.m. daily. _, _ From Dunedin and intermediate places at s.B'' n.m. dai’y. Froku Temuka. and Timaru at 10.40 a.m. o.dO p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. From . Green street and Ashburton Forks*! Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 am. lor .Mount Somers and Ashburton /Gorge, on Tue; days and Saturdays, at 6 a.m. and 4 30 p.m., and on Wednesdays at 6 Pina. . FromMayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur- From Ashton, Waterton, and XiOng beach at 10 a.m. daily. . . From Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days, jit 2.30 p.m. From Fleming ton on Tuesdays, Thurs day), 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 e Prevalebit MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1885. The State Bank.

Mr John Bathgate, who has been in turn a bank manager, a member of the House of Representatives, a minis ter of the Crown and a Judge of the District Court, has given renewed prominence to what Mr Macandrew says “is a question a great many thoughtful men are directing their minds to,” by inducing the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce to memorialise the Government in order that a Parlia mentary Committee may be appointed to investigate the whole subject of the currency, and the practice of banking within the colony. In Mr Bathgate’s opinion, as expressed in a lecture de livered by him to the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Association, in Dune din, our restricted and defective note circulation is the main cause of the present commercial depression and financial ills. “Relieve,” he says, “the defect and confidence is restored, trade resumes its wonted channels, men of enterprise can rely on funds being available to carry out their plans— prosperity ensues.” Mr Bathgate tells us that in 1879 the note circulation in New Zealand was while in 1884 it was only Lq60,x97, and adds “if our circulation had been in a healthy state it would have increased in five years in correspondence with our increase of population and production fay at least 1,250,000.” Mr Bathgate alleges that the note circulation has been contracted by the existing banking in stitutions; a statement which must ap pear ridiculous to. anyone acquainted with the character of paper money in this colony. It is obviously to the ad vantage of the Banks to maintain a large note circulation, but its volume is quite beyond their control; its decrease or increase merely indicates the decline or expansion of trade. It is true that no Bank will exchange its notes except for equivalent in value, but we do not suppose that even a State Bank would be expected to do more, except by those few simple-minded individuals who appear to imagine that wealth could be created by the production of notes, and that it is quite feasible for a State, to enrich its people by the indiscriminate issue of paper money. We need not seriously discuss the preposterous fal lacy that attributes a creative capacity to the note circulation; no ordinarily intelligent man is likely to find any difficulty in confuting such a flagrant error, and we have quite recently re ferred to the ludicrous aspect of this egregious delusion. The following are the chief points of Mr Bathgate’s pro posal, wh’ch we are given to understand were embodied in a Bill by the author, and would have, been submitted to the last Parliament —of which Mr Bath-

gate was a member —but for its pre mature dissolution : —(i) “ The Bank to be a corporate body undei the nara'e of the New, Zealand State Bank of Issue. (2) Circulating notes to be issued in exchange for specie, bullion, approved drafts on London, Go vernment debentures or stock or other usual securities affording undoubted margin, and in payment of salaries, wages, and other debts due and pay able by the Government in the colony in terms of any Appropriation Act; (3) the notes to be a legal tender; (4) the issue of private circulating notes by any bank or company to be prohibited ; (5) the State bank-notes to be redeemable in specie or by draft on the Bank of England; (6) the money received for notes to be applied— (a) in maintaining a reserve on hand to suit the conveni-

ence of the public; (b) in exchange for debentures issued under the authority of Parliament; (c) in maintaining a credit with the Bank of England; (d) in such good and sufficient securities, at three months’ notice, as may be allowed in terras of law; (<?) in ad vances to landowners for improvements, repayable by way of annuity in such amount as may from time to time be fixed by Parliament; (/) in the pur chase of exchequer or deficiency bills issued under the authority of Parlia ment.”

It will be noticed that Mr Bathgate does no advocate the wholesale manu facture and promiscuous circulation of paper money; his commercial experi ence, it not of a very fortunate or bril liant character, has at least acquainted him with the first principles of finance; but we regret that he has not thought it necessary at this stage to furnish some further details of the scheme which in his opinion, is to inaugurate the com mercial millennium. The redemption of these State notes would be a matter of paramount importance, and unless they were made payable in specie, without the alternative “ or by draft on the Bank of England,” we fear they would not be generally acceptable to the public; in fact, with this alterna tive, it would in any case follow that their value would be at least so much below par as the exchange on London. However, there is ample evidence us to show that banking in this colony has been a profitable under taking, and it is possible that a scheme might be devised by which these a<J vantages could be secured to the Go vernment and the people; but in addi tion to the ordinary dangers of a Go vernment trespassing too far upon the fields of private enterprise, there are 1 special difficulties surrounding the es tablishment of a State Bank that ate

not surmounted by Mr Bathgate’s proposals, and which, we fear, must long delay the consummation of his as pirations. In reviewing the scheme an Australian periodical specially devoted to the interests of the banking frater nity points to our railways and says— “ It would be well for the Government to demonstrate its fitness for competing with men trained to the business, by shAwing that it manages its railways upon better commercial principles than companies can do.” While admitting the application of this allusion to a much mismanaged department of our Government, we da not base our objections to a State Bank mainly upon the past commercial incapacity of our executive. To our mind it would be impossible for a com plicated money lending business con ducted by the Government, to be com pletely removed from political influence and intrigue. The officering of the Bank would, too, place an immense amount of additional patronage iat the disposal of the Ministry of the day. Looking at the generally excellent ad ministration of the banks at present existing in this colony and seeing no tangible benefit proposed in the scheme, for the real sufferers—the men without money and without “ good and sufficient Jsecurity ” —we are compelled for the present to withhold our approval from Mr Bathgate’s crude proposals.

The Borough Assessment.

Much dissatisfaction prevails with the assessment of the borough under the provisions of the Rating Act, the extent of which must not be measured by the number of appeals against the valuation which are made to the Assessment Court, Many persons re frain from appealing, because they en tertain the belief that however well founded their objections may be, they are not likely to weigh with the Assessment Court, which is pretty sure to uphold the valuation. We are con vinced that this fear is entirely un warranted, and that the Court is always prepared to reduce the valuation wherever it is shown to be too high; but the Assessment Court, like other Courts, requires a certain amount of evidence to be adduced in support of an appellant’s case, and this objectors too often forget. Anyhow, the fear operates to lessen the number of ap peals. Then there are many small property-holders who may feel that they are unjustly assessed, but the amount at stake is not suffi cient to induce them to go to the trouble and incur the loss of tiipe entailed by appealing, especially when they feel dubious of success. The fact is, the requirements of the Rating Act are not strictly adhered to by the Borough Valuers. The Act lays it down that the assessment shall be based on a certain principle, viz., on the annual value to let of the property to be rated, deducting therefrom 20 per cent in the case of houses, buildings, and perish able property generally, and 10 per cent in the case of land and other hereditaments. If, however, the annual letting value of any particular property comes to less than 5 per cent of the value of the freehold, then it is to be • raised for the purposes of the assess* ment to an amount equal to 5 per cent of such value. The Act gives the Valuer no option whatever; and yet it will be obvious to any person who will examine the assessment rolls that in numerous cases the Valuer has assessed the properties at a round figure, thus ignoring the principle which the Act says shall be followed. It wilt be observed that under the Act the as sessment of the Borough ought to vary materially in good and in dull times. Now, let anyone take the Assessment Rolls for the Borough since its forma tion and test them by this cri terion. Just now, owing to the undue depreciation of property, the valuation should be at the lowest ebb. The root of the mischief is that one of the per manent Borough officials js the Valuer; whereas an entirely independent per son should be appointed; and this we assert without the slightest intention to reflect upon the integrity or capacity of the present Valuer, So long as a Borough official is entrusted with the making of the assessment the suspicion, however, unfounded is sure to arise that the assessment is made more with a view to augmenting the Borough funds than with the object of doing even handed justice between the Borough Council and the ratepayers ; whereas the ratepayers have a right under the Act to demand that their properties should be fairly and impartially as sessed, in strict accordance with the terms of the Act, whatever may be the effect upon the Borough finances. To reply that dissatisfied ratepayers can appeal from a wrong valuation is no reply at all. The ratepayers ought not to be put to the trouble of appeal ing.

The Ashburton Road Bridge.

We have no doubt that the Engi neer-in-chief is a very necessary and a very efficient functionary, that his duties—'Whatever they may be—are discharged with ability and zeal, and at the meeting of the County Council held on Friday last we had incontro vertible evidence that he is imbued with a determination to do something for his ample salary. The plans pre pared by Mr Baxter of the Ashburton road bridge were submitted to this official, they were examined by him, as they had been previously by every member of the County and Borough Councils. But the results of the two examinations were widely different. The Councils approved of the plans, and it appeared to us that the most humble layman possessing any com mon sense at all could have done no less. The Engineer-in-Chief, however, has a name to sustain, and it would not perhaps look well if plans prepared by the engineer of a County were of such a character that the high and mighty Engineering De partment of Government were to allow them to pass without correction. The result of the Engineer-in-Chiefs ex amination is that the plans of Mr Bax ter have been virtually condemned. The superior officer of Government, from his coign of vantage, looks down upon the old bridge with its 60 feet spans, and discovers in his great wis dom that the new bridge ought to be built on spans of a similar length. He says, in effect, that such must be other wise in time of flood, the new bridge will be to imminent peril. He will haye

it that the new bridge, being only three chains from the old one, must have its piers in line with those of the old bridge, as a matter, we take it of security. We are not prepared to quarrel with the en gineering skill of the Engineer-in-Chief, but we are quite ready to accept, from our now lengthened experience of Mr Baxter, the latter gentleman as an engineer ot at least equal ability with his corrector, and we are perfectly cer tain that the extension of the spans of the new bridge from 20ft to 60ft is a work of supererogation which will en tail a useless expense of La.ooo or L 3,000 extra to the county. This is rather a heavy sum for the county ■ and borough to pay to gratify a professional fad in Wellington, or as a tax levied upon the district by a mere piece of red tape.

The annual ram and ewe fair under the auspices of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association will be held at

the saleyards, Tinwald, on Thursday, 26 March.

The official liquidators of the Ashbur.

ton Woollen Factory invite offers for the purchase of the Company’s property and plant.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the

Ashburton Borough Council will bePheld at the Council Chambers, Library Build ings, this evening at 7-30. ft may not be generally know that Mr Waring Taylor still retains his position as trustee in a number of estates, and that he transacts the business in connection with them In hia present residence— the Terrace Gaol. Bankruptcy, it appears, does not in this colony, as in England, void a trust, and to oust Mr Taylor would require long and expensive legal process. If he is sentenced for the offences he has been fouod.guilty of, the trusts held by him, however, will revert to the Public Trustee. —The Post.

The anniversary services in connection with the Primitive Methodist Church, Willis street, were celebrated {yesterday, and attracted large congregations. The Rev J. Nixon preached in the fmorning and evening, and Mr W. Lill in the after noon. The former gentleman, who will shortly leave Ashburton to assume charge of a large Dunedin congregation, selected for his evening text “ Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” —Mark—lo—l4, and delivered a very ekquent and impressive sermon. In con cluding his discourse thejrev. gentleman reviewed his past four years’ work in Ashburton. His severest critic, he said, could not have so been a sense of the shortcomings of his ministry as he had himself; but this at any rate was true, be had been faithful to his convictions; he had sought to share with his congregation those truths which had been to his own soul as the bread of life. Perhaps he might have been more successful if he had adopted other methods. It was a small matter to be judged of men ; he had, however, many proofs that his ministry had not altogether been in vain ; some had been cheered by the words spoken from week to week, while not a few had been brought from darkness to light. The greatest things done in this world are not re ported.—The choir, under the able leader ship of Mr R. Bevan, rendered appro priate music at the services and recita tions were given by scholars of the Sun day school.—This evening, for the pur pose' of bidding farewell to Mr and Mrs Nixon, a public tea will be held in the Primitive Methodist Church. The tea will be followed by addresses from'the clergy of Ashburton and othdr representa tive gentlemen in the Orange Hail. The following are the Ashburton vital statistics for the month of February ; Births, 26 ; marriages, 1 ; deaths, 4. Important cablegrams in reference to Afghanistan affiirs appear in another column of this issue.

We are' given to understand that im portant ousineas in conneo ion with the Volunteer Fire Brigade will come before the Borough Council at to-night’s meet ing.

It will be observed from cablegrams appearing in this issue that the vote of censure upon the Egyptian policy of the Imperial Government was rejected by a narrow majority of 14 in the House of Commons, and carried by a majority of 121 in the House of Lords. The Cabinet will continue in office. The following are the Ashburton Hos pital returns for the month of February : —ln hospital on Ist of month, 14; ad mitted, 3 ; discharged, 11 ; remaining in the institution at end of month, 6. The New Zealand Gazette, of 26th Feb ruary, defines the terms of sale of Reserve No. 7 35, Bangitata Island.

The nominations for the New Zealand Cup were advertised to close on Satur day night, hut for some reason, which the officials will surely be required to make public, it is announced that they will not bo published until. to-night. We tele graphed io our friends of the New Zea land Referee this afternoon to make en quiries for us in respect to the matter, and just as we go to press we have received the following reply :—“ Can find out nothing at present. The Secretary of the Canterbury Jockey Club is in Dun edin ; back to night.” An authority states that one pair of rabbits will increase to three millions in three years. The oldest newspaper in the world is said to be the Journal of Peking, estab lished in a d. 911, but issued regularly only sinoj 1351. The Chinese journal in question has recently undergone a thorough change, and is now published in three editions. The first which is called the King Paou (Journal of the In habitants), and printed on yellow paper, is the official organ of the Chinese Em pire. The second edition, Chsina Paou (Commercial Journal), also printed on yellow paper, publishes commercial news. The third issue, the Pilan Poau (Provin cial Paper), which appears on red paper, prints entraota from the two first-named newspapers.

The Methven and Meant Somers re creation grounds have, by a proclamation in the Gazette of 2Cth February, been brought under the operation of the Public Domains Act, 1851. The members of the Mount Hutt Hoad Board, and of the Mount Somers Road Board, who respec tively will constitute the Methven Domain Board, and the Mount Somers Domain Board have received similar powers, sub ject to similar conditions as those enjoyed by the Ashburton Domain Board and which are published in another part of this issue.

We know that there is nothing on earth equal to Hop Bitters as a family medicine. Look for.—[Advt.]

Wells’ “Rough on Corns.”—Ask fo. Wells’ “Rough on Corns.” Quick relialr complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts bunions. The N.Z. Drug Co., General Agents. 3 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. '

A other unfortunate.—Again we must draw the attention of our readers to the fact that a stock of Clothing and General Dra pery, m the estate of Dennis O’Connell, tra ding in Lyttelton and Cristchurch, now bank, rupt, was purchased by H. E. May & Co.. ■ f the Hall, High street, for or only a little over one-third of its value. H. h'. M. and Co. are now selling it at half the m irked price, which surely ought to secure a speedy clearance,

At the District Court in Invercargill, before His Honor Judge Ward, Ann Harrington, aged 23, pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting suicide. The pri soner said she had been drinking, and was not in her right mind when the crime was committed. His Honor, addressing the prisoner, said : “ It may well be that he who deserted you was sorely to blame, and that you chose to trust, in God’s mercy rather than to suffer farther cruelty. It is well for us all that God’s mercy is greater {than man’s. But it is not thus that we are bidden to seek him. Christ has said, ‘ Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest,’ But we must bear His yoke, and endure the burden He lays upon us ; and though His yoke be easy and His burden bejlight, it may be long before we find them so. Think you there are none here who have prayed, in bitter sorrow or trouble, that God would grant them rest ? But we have a{l to run tht race that is set before us ; and it is God, and not we ourselves, who should fix the end. It is at the touch of His hand that

the silver cord is. loosed at last, and the golden bowl is broken; it is at His bidding only that our dust should return to the earth as it was, our spirit to Him who gave it. I bid you return thanks to Him for saving you from the fearful sin of self-slaughter ; and if hereafter evil times should come once more upon you, I bid you trust and pray. ” The prisoner was bound over in her own recognisance to appear for sentence when called upon. The Christchurch applications for space for the Industrial Exhibition amount to 6,400 feet from over fifty exhibitors. The Spanish Vice-Consuls appeal on behalf of the sufferers by the earthquake in Andalusia met with a liberal response from the Christchurch public. - It is pro posed to hold a fete to raise funds.

The Gazette publishes the following new scale of fees and percentages to be charged in respect to proceedings under the Bank ruptcy Act, 1883 Filing petition by .a debtor or a creditor, L 5 5s ; For the net value of the estate realised by Assignee, including debts collected—On the first amount of LI,OOO, or any less sura 6 per cent; on the next amount of LI,OOO, or any less sum, 2\ per cent; on all further sums, 1 per cent. Supervisors, remunera tion to, on the net receipts from the bank rupt’s property, not exceeding—on the first amount of LI,OOO, or any less sum,- 2\ per cent; on the next amount of LI,OOO, or only less sum, 2 per cent; on all further sums, 1 per cent. To Assignee’s solicitor, including all services until release, not exceeding L2O ; to bank rupt’s solicitor, including all services until discharge, not exceeding LlO ; to solicitor for creditors or supervisors, in cluding all services until discharge, not exceeding L2O ; to solicitor for preparing deed of composition, inclusive of all charges whatsoever in relation thereto— where the estate amounts to LSOO, or any leas sum, L 5 ss; where the estate exceeds LSOO, LlO lOs. Yesterday a grass fire occurred in the Domain, but the flames were promptly suppressed by the efforts of several resi dents in Wills street. An energetic mem ber of the Western Fire Brigade appeared on the scene with one ofthebrigade’s hand machines, but the services of the ex tinguisher were not required. Mr Gudsell reports that the following water races are dry ;—Two between Dob bin’s ford and Kyle, one between Kyle and Seafield, and one between Seafield and Sea View.

Mr W. S. Allen, M.P., for Newcastle under-Tyne, who is at present with his wife and T family in Auckland, has, it is stated, bad his stay in New Zealand sud denly shortened by an urgent communica tion from the Liberal whip, requiring him at once to return to bis Parliamentary duties. He originally intended to stay for six months in New Zealand, bub he is now going to return to England by -the Doric. The Liberal party in England must feel their position rather insecure when thefy have to recall members from the other side of the world.— Post.

CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

Auckland, Saturday, At the sitting of the Congregational Union a deputation of denominations, in troduced by the Rev J. Robertson, was received most heartily. The Rev Mc- Kenzie Fraser said the deputation, came as representing the Auckland Ministers’ Association and the Young Mens’ Chris tian Association. Fraternal speeches were made by the Revs A. Reid and Thos Spurgeon. The Rev W. A. West, chair man, said it was a great pleasure to receive and hear the deputation. Dr Roseby moved—“ That this Union has heard with great pleasure the members of the deputation of the : Ministers’ Association of this city, and reciprocates their expression of good will.’’ Rev. J. Hoatson, in seconding the motion, said Congregationalists, however firm in holding their principles, were not above learning from other bodies. The election of officers and committee was proceeded with. Noah Wood was elected treasurer, John Milne secretary. The following are the Committee :—Revs Dr Roseby, Mor raunt, J. Beckenham, J, Hodaon, J. Fos ter, H. J. Dewis, Robertson, T. Adams, H. J. Miller and Messrs J. W. Jago, O. Ooole, A. W. Beaven, J. Born, W. Ma guire, S. Dando, W. H. Lyon, H. De bailly, 0. E. Button, Hudson and Captain Daldy. Some time was occupied with business connected with the admin istration of the Sites Fund. On conclu sion it was decided that, if possible, a mission pastor be employed to open up new spheres of work preparatory to the settlement of ministers. A resolution bearing on the question of intemperance and congratulating Auckland friends on the successful use of (legislation affecting the matter, was adopted. This closed the business of the session.

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

(Manapouri at the Bluff.) [“ Age ” Specials.], London, February 17. It is certain that Victoria’s offer will be accepted. The troops are not likey to be called into action before September or the beginning of October, as there is to be no summer campaign. Commenting on the determination arrived at by the Cabinet, the Times expresses regret that all the Australian colonies are not allowed to share in restoring order in Egypt.

London, February 18. H. G. Forbes, who is at the head of an expedition to the south-eastern portion of New Guinea under the auspices of the Royal Geographical Society, states that he is willing to co-operate with the Rev Lavs in exploring the island. London, February 19, Mr Wright, barrister, has been ap pointed British Commissioner for Fiji. Her Majesty has written an autograph letter to Earl Derby, in which she thanks the Australian Colonies for their patriotic offer of assistance to the Mother Country. London, February 20. Mr Bly, the Agent-General for South Australia, in a speech delivered at a meet ing of the London Chamber of Commerce, supported a proposal made by Mr Ashley, Parliamentary Under secretary, to the effect that the State should allow the Australian colonies to be represented in the House of Commons through thejj Agents-General. He, however, objected to the suggestion that colonial representa tives should not be allowed to vote.

SPORTING.

V.E.O. AUTUMN MEETING.

[REOTBR’s TELEORA MS—COPYRIGHT. ] Melbourne, Saturday. The first day’s races of the Victoria Racing Olnb's Autumn Meeting came off this afternoon at Fiemington. There was alargeßttebdance, *mbngßt th<^ , |i|®(iit" wt being the Governor and suite. The weather was fine, hue ths course was heavy, owing to tbo reoent rain. - «■*- The principal events reunited as fol* lows:— Ehsbndon Stakes. One mile and a half,. Commotion ... ... 1 ' Malua ... ... . ... , ... 2 ' Reginald ... : . ... 3 Won easily. Time, 2min 47|aoca, Leobr Stakes. Silver King ... ... ... ... 1 David 2 Mozart ... ... ... ... 3 Only four started. Silver King won by a length and a half. Time, 3min 32£secs. '■ Newmarket Handicap. Three-quarters of a mile. Coronet ... ... 1 jUiddlemarch ... ... 2 Sheet Anchor 3 Thirty horses started, arid it was a splendid race, the finish being very close. Time, Imin Id^seos. Betting at the post—s to 1 agst Coro* net; 6 to 1 Prometheus; 7 to 1 Bohe mian. '

THE DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB AUTUMN MEETING.

The following events concluded' the Dunedin Annual Meeting : Marshall Memorial Stakes, of 160 sovs, with a sweepstake of 6 eove each, the amount of the sweep to go io the second horse; one mile and -a quarter ; weight-for age, . 1.. . Hon. W. Robinson’s hr h Vanguard, syrs, 9st 21b ... , r (Darrett) *1 : Mr G. Bate's ch m Minerva; syra, 9R ,!, (Barlow) ■ Time, 2min 31seo. Dividends—lnside, LI Is; outside, LI 2s 6d; '' - Flying Handicap, of 100 sovs; one mile; the winner of the Fdrbury Handicap Id carry 71b extra. Mr G. G. Stead’s b f Marion, 3yrs, 6st 121 b ... i.. 1 : Mr J. Stephenson’s oh h Taiaroa, 6yi% -

7st 121 b ... T 7?... ... ... 3 Major George's ch h Kelson, 4yrs, Bst 91b ■ -... ... rr..'. Kubina (Bst 71b) and Mokoia (sat 121 b) also ran.

Time, Imin 46seo. Dividend, L 4 s*. ■ A Hack Race was won by Leopold by j: half a head. The inside dividend was L 4 17s fid, but outside .only eight were .on him out of L 521. He was sold foe L9O, of which L7O went; to the Club.

Consolation Handicap, of 80 soy# j , one mile. .j . Mr Stephenson’s ch h Taiaroa, Syra, Sat 61b ... , ... ... (Kean) 1 Mr Bate’s ch g Poet, aged, 8»t 21b (Williams). 2 Mr Goodman’s b g Billy, aged, 7st . . (White) $ Time, Imin 49aeo. Dividend, LI 14a.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

[RBnTRB’S TSLBORAMS—COPYHIOHT.I Monetary and Commercial. London, February 27. Consols remain at New Zea land securities ;—-Five Per-Cent 10-40 Loan. has declined to 104 and the Four and a - Half' Per Cent 1879-1904 Load to 103 j. Four Per Cent, inscribed Stock has advanced by 10s to 99Colonial breadstuffs—-Adelaide wheat remains at 365; New Zealand at 28s 10345; ; Adelaide flour, 255, all ex store.. The : total quantity ot wheat afloat for the United Kingdom is 2,700,000 quarters, being an increase of i6o;ooo during the week. New Zealand mutton, prime quality, remains at to jd. , Aus tralian tallow is : unchanged; i beef, average quality, 335 ; mutton* do, 345. Anarchists. Bebnb, February 28. Numerous arrests of suspected chists have been made throughout Switzerland during the past few dap. The Arawa. i / 'Madeira, February 28. - ‘ The Shaw, Savill and Albion Conn, . pany’s steamship Arawa, from Welling ton (January 21st), left here last even- ' ing for Plymouth With her cargo of meat in good condition. ! ' Soudan.. .-■t.-.-v-V.: uaiko, February 28.. Telegrams are to hand announcing :: that the British column under Major- :: General Bullet reached Gakdul from Abulka yesterday. The retreat was made without molestation by thh rebels. :

The latest news from Souakim states w that the rebel tribes in the neighbor hood are making nightly attacks on the British advance works, which have in several places been wrecked the attackers.

The Vote of Censure. , -*% London February 28. ' " | The House of Commons' rejected . ™ Sir Stafford Northcote’s motion of cen sure on the Egyptian policy of the Go-; vernment by a majority of fourteen. In the House of Lords the Marquis of Salisbury’s motion condemning the Egyptian policy of the Government was carried by a majority of izi. (Received March 2,11.20 a.m.) London* March 1.

The result of the divisions on Sir Stafford Northcote’s motion of censure ... in the House of Commons and on ■ Lord Salisbury’s in the House of Lords j will not cause the Government to re* ' : sign, but the Cabinet will continue in * The Parnellites supported the A censure on the Government. . : . Master of the Mint. ' ; ‘ It is announced that Mr George : Anderson, M.P. for Glasgow, has been appointed Deputy Master of the Royal, : Mint, Melbourne, vice Mr Delyes Broughton, deceased. i . j Affairs in Afghanistan. Oalooxta, March 1. -

The Ameer of Afghanistan will visit India next month, when be will . meet Earl Dufferin in the Punjaub. St. Pbtebsbuqh, March 1. The Russian press generally expect the Anglo-Russian negotiations regard ing the Afghan frontier will result in aq amicable settlement. A Formidable Fleet- ; ; / ' V Beblxn, March 1, A combined German-Austrian squad- • - ron, consisting of frigate, cruiser, cor- : vette and gunboat, hag been formed, but its destination is not'yet known. _ , [RecelyodMaroh 2,12.30 p.m.] -j,. The Mails. , The Australian mails per Orient - R.M.S. Austral from Melbourne (Jan. 23rd) were delivered yesterday. Lazy and dull feelings always preceed sick ness, which nothing but Hop Bitters (will banish. Read.—{Advt.J

THE ASHBtJBTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1885.



NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. Advwtiwmeate for The Ashburtok Guardian most bo sent in not later than written plainly on the copy, otherwise thet will b« inserted until counter manded, and charged accordingly. Re the day previous to that on which they we to be inserted. _ Special notices can be received up to rates. All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of good faith. . All advertisements and business lett-rs to b« addressed The Manager ; literary communications Bhould be addressed to Thb Editor.



Notice 1 TED KNOWN. ’to the Inhabitants of Ashburton end surrounding districts, that a. J. F. Lublow, Has jost opened up a first-class assortment of West of England . Coatings and tweeds, and also a large assortment of colonial and Scotch Tweeds JBis large and varied stock can not be surpassed in the town. ORDERS WILL RECEIVE EVEaY DUE ATTENTION, Mr G. J. F. L's abilities as a tradesman do not need any fur ther comment. Do not forget address TANORED STREET, Ashburton. Turns Sxbjctly Cash.



VALENTINES. VALENTINES— A Very Artistic Assortment. Inspection Invited. CHEAP STATIONERY. Superfine notepaper ... 5a per ream OresnS'laid envelopes ... 6s per 1000 Foolscap, exceptional value Is per quire BOOKS. Cooke by various authors, and some of the latest edition*. Toys: etiil Fancy Goods incredibly cheap, to clear oat surplus stock. Bevan, STATIC???". BOOKSELLER, &o. SALJS Ui;U)’ BUILDINGS, (Next Shop to Qaill’s Hotel.)



Wanted. TS7ANTED—?A good General Black v • smith ; must be a good Shoer. Apply, at once, to George Tait, Black smith, Wakanui. 2 296 ITT ANTED Known—Before buying TT Dress Materials, Dlsters, Jackets, Dolmans, Millinery, etc , call and inspect our stock. The cheapest first-class Drapery and Millinery Establishment in Ashburton —H. 0. >'*egees, ealys’ Buildings, Hast Street. W r ANTED Known t*. ertheim Sew ing Machines can be had on Time Payments at the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Branch, Bast street, Ashburton. J 2 276 WANTED Known - Mangling done. Mrs MiNHiEE, North east Bolt. 2 263 GLOBIOUS NEWS. Andrew Obr will give away on Saturday 100 pairs men’s boots at 6s 9d ; 60 pairs can vas slippers at 2s 6d ; 30 pairs cricketing boots at 6s 6d ; 100 pairs Kaiapoi trousers at 11a fid—every article at half-price. 2 237



WANTED Known—Umbrellas at Is 114, six doz Buttons for Is, China Matting at 6d, Ladies’ Hose at 6d, Cor sets at 2s 3d, Shirting at 4£ 1, Towels 3£d, 36-inch Oilcloth 9i, Calicoes Is 4d. Andrew Obr’s Cheap Sale 2 185 GLORIOUS NEWS—Monster Clear ing Sale:—Ladies’ Kid Boots 6j 6d, Girls’, Infants la, Men’s Elastic side, 8s 6d, Man’s Watertights 9s 6d, Blucher Boots 6s 6d, Canvas Slippers 2s 6d. A. Orb’s Cheap Sale. 2 186 rXTANTED 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. VV. O. Page, East street, Ashburton. 11 2161 WANTED KNOWN— Robert Elston, Bill Poster, Theatrical Agent, etc., Town Hall, Ashburton. Theatrical companies and others visiting Ashburton should communicate with the above. Orders by post or telegram promptly attended to. 760 ANTED Known—Boots 1 Boots 1 VV That Hates and Co. are Clearing a few desperate lines of Boots, etc., to wit, Ladies’ Leather, 4s fid; 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 %nd Townsend), wnere they will be better able to comply with the demands of their trade. Jones and kadshaw.



OMETHIKG worth knowing.—F. F. CLAYTON, Practical Tailor, pro fessed Coat and Habit Maker, is next Jones and Bradshaw’s, East street. F. F. C. is too well known as a master of his profession to need farther comment. One trial will prove it Gentlemen’s own ma terial made up ; repairs and alterations carefully attended to. 10 1952



WANTED Known—o. Hawkin’s, of Tinwald, having decided to com pete with either Christchurch or Ashbur ton, in price and qudity of Boots, will, Ist January, 1885, Sell for Gash Only, at the following reduced rates Men's Harvest Bluchers, tips and nailed, 6s 9d; Shooter Boots, 10a 3d; Women’s Strong Lace Boots, 8s 6d ; Leather Elastic, 9a 6d; Children’s all reduced from Is per pair. Motto—“ Small Pro fits and Quick Returns.” 0. Haw in's, Boot and Shoemaker. 12 2393



Special Advertisements. jQOMESTIO PATTERN DEPOT. Mrs Hodg^ DRAPER AND DRESSMAKER, East Stbeet, near Lancaster’s butchery. Ladies’ Dresses and Underclothing made at the shortest notice. REGISTRY OFFICE For Female Servants. 7 1413



NOTICE TO PATIENTS. BR. SOHWARZBACH, M.D., Specialist on Diseases of the Eye, Ear and Throat, Clarendon Hotel, Christ church. Hours —from 10 to 1. tThe Doctor will remain until about the middle of March, and will accept no serious cases for treatment at the end of his stay.



Dimant and Cqe, 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 cf Machine extras on hand. CORNER EAST AND TANOKED STREETS, ASHBURTON. 11 2181



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; 1 Say No, by Wilkie Collins; John Bull’s Womankind, by author of John Bull and his Island; The Jilt, by Charles Re.de; Good ■■'tories of Man and other Anim.its, by Charles Reade; Vesteged, by Geo F. 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 Lympocium; Boa well’s Life of Johnson ; Magna Uharta Stories; Taming Down without Banting ; Money and Mechanism of Exchange, by S. Jevons; John Holdsworth’s Chief Mate; My Watch Below, by W. O. Rus sel; The Wonder of Nature; Death Shot, by Reed; How to live upon Is per Week; Stories of Waterloo; Secrets of Success ; How to Bead Character; Christmas -Number of Guodward’s Chrystal Stories ; Longman's Magazine ; The Book of the Beginnings, by K. H. Newton; Mistletoe Bough; 160 Illustrated London Graphics, late't copies, to be sold cheap at Thoiß-asF. Farley’s, PRINTER, AND STATIONED, Faundees’ Buildings, AshbubTgn.



Special Advertisements. SELLING OFF FANCY GOODS, TOYS, BOOKS, STATIONARY, &a. Must be sold—even if at a loss ALENTINED To s uit everybody at prices that cannot be beaten. Andrewes Bros., i Booksellers, Stationers, Ac., Ashburton.



NOTICE TO CONSUMERS OF COAL. THE undersigned are now landing, ex s.s Hanroto, the Best Newcastle Coal Imported for the season A TRIAL SOLICITED They have also added to their stocks ol Building Materials the following lines, viz, V.D.L Timber and Palings Kauri Timber, Flooring and Lining Roofing Iron, Doors and Sashes Lime, Cement, Fencing Materials, &c., And every requisite for the trade. MACPHERSON, FILMER AND 00. (late A. Hayes), • SAWMILLBRS, TIMBER, COAL, AND FIREWOOD MERCHANTS. East street, Ashburton.



26 Branches Now Open 25 THE NEW~ ZEALAND Clothing Factory Are now Showing NEWEST STYLES in SPRING & SUMMER CLOTHING, * Manufactured from the renowned Wear Resisting MOSGIEL TWEEDS The fit and workmanship of every gar ment is undoubtedly unsurpassed, 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 ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY, EAST STREET, Ashburton 25 Branches Now Open 25



Davis’s gURPLUS STOCK OF FURNITURE Now selling off at HALF-PRICE. Must be sold to make room for NEW STOCK. Parties about to Furnish will SAVE 60 Pbk Cent. BY PUOHASING AT W. DAVIS’S FURNITURE WAREHOUSE, EAST STREET SOUTH, Ashburton 9 1729



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



Victoria House. s EASON SALE COMMENCING ON JANUARY 16xh, & FOR FIVE WEEKS ONLY REMARKABLE REALITIES ! GLARING REDUCTIONS ! I jZSJ'For Convincing proof and Special Prices See Windows'^ Dimant and Coe, READY-MONEY DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, &a., In premises lately occupied by On and Co., Coro East and Toncced strei ASHBURTON,



Special Advertisements. Groceries CHEAPER THAN EVER AT JAMES McGREGOR’S, Tanoked Street. Sugars—English Cut Loaf, 5d per lb Best White Crystal, 3|d per lb Beat Snowdrop, 4d per lb (Reductions by the mat) Teas, Is 3d", Is 6d. 2a, 2a 6d, and 2a 9d Box Tea from 12i 6d per box Canterbury Cakes, lOd each. Rice, 31 Mixed Biscuits, 6d Lunch Biscuits, 3d Currants, 61 Raisins, 7d Now Figs, Is per box Best Sago, 3d New Muscatels, Is 6d Oysters, 6d Cairn’s Marmalade, 8d Peacock’s Jams, 6Jd Herrings, 7d Keiller’a Marmalade, 9d Salmon, 8d Cheese, 6d per lb English Pickles, 8d Other articles equally cheap. j JAMES MoGREGOR, Tancred Street. 12 2342



Flies and Bugs. —Beetles, insects, roaches, ants, bed-bugs, rats, mice, gophers, jack-rab bits, cleared out by “ Rough on Rats.” The N.Z, Drug Co., General Agents, 3