DAILY MEMORANDA.

AUCTION SALES. Tuesday, May 5 Messrs Matson, Cox and Ox, at the Tinwald Saleyards—Stock Wednesday, May 6 Mr T. Bullock, at Mr Peterson a Farm, Alford Forest— Land, Stock, etc. Thursday, May 7 __ Messrs Matson, Cox and Co., at Mr W, B. Moss’s Store, Tancred street— Furniture MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS, Exo. Monday, May 4 Oddfellows’ Hall- Phrenological Lecture, at 8 p.tn. Tuesday. May 5 Ashburton Permanent Building aniln vestment Society—Subscriptions due Wednesday, May 6 Orange Hall— Star of the East, 1.0.G.T., meeting at 8 o’clock Thcesday, May 7 Orange Lodge— Regular Monthly meeting in the New Orange Hall ; 7.30 p.m. Babgitata Road Board—Annual Meeting of Ratepayers, at noon Friday, May 8 Watorton Library Hall —Concert and Dance Monday, May 11. Borough Council, at Borough Council at 7.30 Arcade Chambers-Star of Ashburton, U.A.0.D., at 8 o’clock Friday, June 5 Ashburton County Council—At Council Chambers, 11 a. m. , „ , Lonbgeach Road Board at Road Board Office. Saturday, June d. /7akanul Road Board, at Road Board office. Moore street, at 10-30 a-nu

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 will be inserted until counter manded, and charged accordingly. Re place Advertisements must be supplied the day previous to that on which they »re 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 must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of ood faith. . . All advertisements and business xett us „0 bo addressed The Manager ; literary jenmnmications should be addressed to The Editor. ___

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 Chertsey Bakaia, &c., at 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. daily. 'ifor Temuka, at 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., For Tima/u and South, at 6 a.m., 10 *.m., and 4.30 p.m,, daily. For Greenstroet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10.45 a.m. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 6.30 a. m. For Mount 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 Afihtbn, Waterton and Longbeach, at 4.30 p.m. daily. For Flemington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4.30 p. m. For Newlauds, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.30 a.m.

Maila airive at the Ashburton Post Office — from Christchurch and Rakaia at 10, lo tin., 4.35 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Chertsey, &c. at 10.15 a.m. and 4.36 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places at 5.3°”>.m. daily. Froixi Temuka and Timaru at 10.40 a.m. v*.do p.m., and 8 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. lor Mount Somers and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 6 a.m. and 4.30 p.m., and on Wednesdays »t 6 p.m. From : Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 10.5 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 arJays, at 4 p.m.

BIRTH.

MoNicoxi. —On Apri l , 30th, at the Wes leyan Parsonage, the wife of ReVjjD, McNicoll, of a daughter.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit MONDAY, MAY 4, 1885.

A recent number of the English Live. Stock Journal has an interesting article dealing with English imports from the United States. It is almost appalling to note the extraordinary magnitude the American supplies have attained. Ten years ago England was paying over 1.63,000,000 to the United 'tales for the produce of their farms, and in 1881 the sum was not far short of L 100,000,000. There was a slight downward tendency in 1882, but still in that year Eng land’s bill to America exceeded L8i,000,000. For the past ten years the average has been about L 75,000,000. That is a vast sum, cer tainly, and its magnitude becomes all the more fraught with significance when it is observed that it is more than double the amount England obtains from America for goods exported to that 5 ' country. The annual value of England’s exports to the United States does not much exceed L 32,000,000 ; so that the Americans have the best of the exchange to the extent of about L 43,000,000 a year.

Following in the footsteps of several of their distinguished relatives, Prince Edward and Prince George, of Wales, have published their diary of the voyage of the Bacchante. This latest addition to regal literature is neither better nor worse, from a literary point of view, than the majority of its prede cessors, but describing as it does the Princes’ visit to Australia it cannot fail to be of special interest to colonists. Referring to their reception at Kingston, the authors say “ The district council turned out, and their Chairman read a short address at the station. We shook him by the hand, and told him we were much obliged for all his good wishes, and we hoped he would live many years, and that every day of his life would be as full of happiness to him as he said to-day was.” There is a scepti cal humor about this observation which, coming from our future King and his brother, is quite refreshing, and any resentment it may provoke even among the municipal dignitaries of Kingston, will be at once allayed by the following sensible remark, which does our Princes infinite credit:—“lt is touching to see strong hearty men as well as women really affected by the remembrances of the Old Country which our coming seems to pwaken in their breasts; for of course we know well enough that all this is not got up for us, but is merely a sign of their warm attachment to Eng land over the seas, and of all that name awakens and recalls in every British breast.” The young Princes are evidently im bued with some of their grandmother’s predilections. They say : “ The Scotch are the best and most success ful of emigrants. Half the most pro minent among the statesmen of the Canadian confederation, of Victoria, and Queensland, are born Scots, and all the great merchants of India are of the same natidn. Whether it is that the Scotch emigrants are for the most part men of better education than those of other nations, or whether the Scotchmen owes his uniform success in every climate to his perseverance or his shrewdness, the fact remains that wherever abroad you come across a Scotchman you invariably find him prosperous and respected in calculating contentment; and with a strong handed, open-hearted hospitality that no words can render adequate thanks for. To come in contact only with such colonists is morally health-giving.”

Squaring the circle is a mathemati cal and mechanical problem which hitherto has defied solution, but if we may credit a statement appearing in an American paper received by Friday’s mail, a great advance has been made towards overcoming the difficulty. It is stated that the first and only augur ever manufactured that will bore a square hole is now in the shops of the Cleveland Machine Company, This augur bores a cin square hole, but im plements could be made on the same principle to bore square holes of any size. Its application is the ordinary one, and it works on the same prin ciple as round-hole augurs. Its end, instead of having a screw or bit, has a cam motion, which oscillates a cutter mounted on a steel rocking-knife which cuts on both sides. In order to pre vent the splintering of the wood, t(?e ends of the cutter are provided with small semi-circular shaped saws, which help in cutting out perfectly square corners. It is estimated that this pro cess will save the Ipbor of three men who work with chisels, as one man can readily cut a 2in mortice in the same length of time he can bore a round hole.

Even the Hon Thomas Dick must have learnt by Ibis time that the Gaming and Lotteries Bill, of which he is the author, has done more to en courage horse racing and extend gamb ling in this colony than any other legis lative enactment or social circumstance. Acquainted as we are with Mr Pjck’s peculiar temperament, and entertaining the very highest respect for his phil anthropic motives, we would not remind him of this fact were we not tully

assured of its reality. At the last meet-' ing of the Ashburton Racing Club L 2,750 was passed through the totali sator, of which sum we suppose about Lzoo found its way into the coffers of the Club. We have no hesitation in saying that previous to the introduction and legalising of the totalisator, not one fourth of this amount was speculated at any one meeting of the Club, and we assert with even more confidence that the machine has trebled the number of speculators. However, we do not re gard those facts as so calamitous to public morality as they have been re presented by sterner critics. The totalisator is a mathematically fair medium for speculations, its own pro fits are fixed by statute and generally known, what it takes from one it gives to another, and above all it has enabled racing clubs to more liberally subsidise the sport they are formed to encourage by a tax on the exact individuals who should supply the additional aid.

Mr T. Bull, ck, J.P, presided at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, and dedt with the following offenders. A first offender was fined 5s and coats for drunkenness. —A first offender for drunkenness and resisting the police at Methven, was fined 10s and costs —Wil-. liam Travers, who was convicted of a similar offence on Saturday last, was fined 20s and costs, with the alternative of 48 hours’ imprisonment for diunkenness. Albert Ringland, for having while drunk, committed a grossly indecent act was charged under the Police Offences Act and ordered to be imprisoned tor seven days.—J. H. Roberts, who was arrested at Marton on April 27, was charged with the larceny of cheques amounting to LlO 5s 9d the property of Mr R. Patton, of Methven. The accused was remanded till Tuesday, May 12. At a meeting of the South Rakaia Licensing Committee, held cn Saturday, a further extension for three months of Mr James Wallace’s license to sell liquor, etc., on temporary premises near the site of the hotel recently burnt, was granted. A collision occurred at two o’clock yes terday morning in Manukau harbor. The Herald left for Greymouth at ten on Saturday night, and four miles down the harbor was met by the Gareloch from Waitara. Captain McArthur could see the Herald bearing down on his vessel and reversed the engines, but too late, as the Herald came stem on to the Gareloch’s starboard bow with a dreadful crash, dint ing and cracking her plates nearly to the water’s edge, raising her forecastle head, and straining the vessel, which is making a good deal of water now. After getting clear the Herald moved on down the har bor, and the Gareloch proceeded on to Onehunga wharf. The damage is estimated at LI,OOO. Messrs E. S. Coster, D. G. Holmes, W. Lyttelton, and J. Brimicombe have been nominated to fill the three vacancies on the South Rakaia Road Board. A poll will be taken at Rakaia and Kyle on May 8.

The following challenge is printed in the London Morning Advertiser: —“Hear ing so much boast of shaving in London, Paris, and other places, Julias, of Oabla street, in St George’s in the East, will back himself for from L 5 to LlO tu lather and shave six men while blindfolded without catting them. Men and money ready. ”

The annual meeting of tatepayersof the South Rakaia Road District was held on Saturday. The-e was only a very limited attendance. Mr E S. Cos'or occupied the chair, and briefly explained what had been been done by the Board during the piat year He remarked that the balance-sheet showed * substantial bal ance, and if due care were exercised it would not be necessary to strike a rate for some considerable time. The following statement of accounts which had been Audited by the Provincial District Audi tor, was read :— Receipts—Balance to ctedit of Road Board account, L 6,058 4s ; now road, L 5 ; incidental receipts, cot t iges, etc, L 33 13s lOd; interest from fixed deposits, L 265 ; maintenance of roads, 12s 61—total, LG,413 10a 41, Ex penditure— 'ew roads and works, 1.43'D0s 9J ; maintenance of roads, L44i 14s Ud ; Rakaia township works Llsl 19s Id ; Ole; k’s salary, L2lO ; plant, L 24 15s 81 ; plantations, L 63 is 61; printing and ad vertisin'-;, L3l 3s 81 ; village settlement works, Ll 3 10s 61 ; general expenses, L 46 19s Id ; balance of cash in Bank, leas cheques drawn and outstanding, L 5,003 3s 2d—total, L 6413 10s 41. Assets— Cash in Bank, L 5.003 3s 2d ; buildings, L 275 ; office furniture, e'.c, LSO; planta tions, L 1,405 ; accounts due from other districts and Council, L 256 8s 7d ; iron pipes, L9O 3s 9d ; grass seed, 1 34 10s; accrued interest, L 24 18s 7d —total, L 7,392 4s Id. Liabilities—outstanding accounts, LBl 10s 61 ; account due Wa kanui Road Board, L1314s 9d—total, L 95 6s 3d. On the motion of Mr Coster, se conded by Mr Brimicomoe, the statement of accounts was adopted. A ratepayer asked a number of unimportant questions, which were answered by the Chairman, and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the members of the Board. We have received a copy of “ Gordon, the Hero of Khartoum," a small work dealing with the life of .General Gordon and the prominent features of the Soudan campaign, edited by Mr J. Izett of Christchurch. The book is well written, and giving a most comprehensive anl intelligent view of subject! that have for sonje months attracted a large share of public attention, it cannot fail to be of wide genenl in.terpst. IVfessra Andrewes Bros., of East street, have tym ap pointed Ashburton agents for the sale of the wor I '.

In the good old nrssionary (Jays it is said that the Maoris ware inluoed to at tend church through the promise of pre sents of flour and sugar. On one occasion, at a Northern missionary station, the supply of these commodities had run short. On a Sunday morning a guileless Ngapuhi walked up to the missionary and said, “ Gala morning,’ Mitta Minitar Any prour this morning 1” “No, Jack,” repliel the minister, “lam sorry to say that I have no flour for y.u this looming.” The savage’s brow clouded “Are you not going to church, Jack!” queried the priasionary. “No fea , Mitta Miniter—no prour noharerui” (no flour no halleluiah).

By a fire at Dundas, Sealield, on Sun day, April. 26, Mr Harvey lost a quantity of threshed oats. The proparty destroyed was insured in the Colonial Office.

A public meeting will bo held at the Borough Coqncil Chambers on Wednes day next, at p.m.. to consider a proposal to form a Reserve Corps for Ashburton.

A special meeting of the Borough Council will he held at the Council Chambers on Thursday next at 7 P- m. to emsider a communication from the Colo nial Treasurer in respect to certain con templated amendments of the Municipal Corporations Aot.

Flies and Bugs. — insects, roaches ants, bed-bugs, rats, mice, gophers, jack-rab bits, cleared out by “ Rough op Rats-'’ TJje N.Z. Drug Co., General Agents, 3 A' .other unfortunate.—Again we roust draw the attention of our readers to the fact that a ,£2,424 stock of Clothing and General Dra pery, in the estate of Dennis O’Connell, tra ding in Lyttelton and Cristchurch, now bank rupt, was purchased by H. E, May & Co., of the Hall, High street, for £954, or only a little over one-third of its value. H. E. M. and Co. are npw selling it at half the marked price, which surely pught tp secure a speed clearance!

Mr P. T. Mayo having withdrawn his candidature for No 1 Ward on the Waka nui Road Board, Mr W. H. Zouch has been declared duly elected to the vacancy. A special meeting of the Wakanui Road Board was held after the annual meeting of ratepayers on Saturday, when it was resolved ‘‘ That it be a recommendation to the incoming Board to take steps to alter the boundaries cf the present Ash burton Hiding, so that the Wakanui and Longbeach Road Districts shall each be a riding.” This resolution refers to repre sentation in the County Council. The following amounts have been paid to winners in connection with the recent meeting of Ashburton Racing Club ;—A. Hathorn, Lll9 15» ; J. Smith, L 66 10j ; T. Sheenan, L 47 10s ; H. Bradley, L 42 15s; J. Murphy, L3B ; 0. Sullivan, L2B 10s ; R. Alexander, L2B 10s ; W. Healy, L2B 10s ; W. Tillison, Ll 4 ss; A. McKay, Ll 4 s? —total, L 428 10s. The Rev T. W. Dunn gave his second

lecture on physiognomy,in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Saturday evening. The audience. 1 owing, doubtless to the inc’ement weather was notlarge. The subject of the lecture was “ Faces we meet and how to read them.” In his opening remarks, the lec turer said, tho physiognomist in all his investigations must follow tho Baconian method;” he must simply, as Bacon said, “ Ask questions of nature.” Certain signs in face, head and form are seen to accom pany certain types of character, and from this„fact the physiognomist must draw his conclusions. As we can judge the charac ters of a country by its face so, we can judge the character of the individual by his face. The lecturer then in a very in teresting manner described the many types of face we meet in society. The inquisi tive face, marked by the sharp nose and wedge shaped face; the honest face indi cated by bony form, square-shaped face and well developed cheek bones The sensual face indicated by small piggish eyes, gross lips, lower face bloated and puffed, back part of neck thick. There was the obstinate face, marked by long jaw as seen in the pig, mule and donkey. The vindictive face indicated by darkness of complexion, and a hollow in the centre of the forehead. The mirthful face indi cated by a graceful upturning of the lips, and wrinkles going out wards from the eyes. Many other faces were treated of, such as the fighting face, sympathetic and loving face, tho cruel and incredulous faces. The lecture was enlivened with a number of amusing and pointed anecdotes, and throughout the applause of the audience showed their appreciation of the entertainment Mr Dunn lectures to-night on “ Onaracter, as indicated by the head, the noss and lips.” To-morrow night Mr Dunn will give the most popular of all his lectures, entitled “ Sweethearts, or mated and matched.” The Ashburton Hounds met for the first time this season on Saturday after noon at Scotadean. Notwithstanding the very unfavorable weather there was a fair attendance of numbers, but the presence of 1 00 many hares and a little natural un steadiness on the part of the young hounds militated against the sport. A correspondent signing himself “ Amor Patria ” writes to the Nelson Colonist: “ I havs heard the name of Sir Wm. Fox mentioned as a fit and proper person to stand for the vacant seat in the Waimea electorate. Surely no lover of his adopted country will be found base enough to sup port the candidature in any New Zealand constituency of a man who has so cruelly and untruthfully maligned the colony during his recent visit to the Old Country when intemperately lecturing on his pet subject “ Temperance."

A meeting of the Committee of the Tin wald races was held at Scott’s Hotel on Saturday evening. Present—Messrs G. James (in the chair), Scott, Begg, A. McLeod, and J. Heseltine. The Trea surer submitted a statement of accounts showing a balance of about Ll 3 to the credit of the Club, On the motion of Mr

>egg, seconded by Mr McLeod, the state ment of accounts was adopted. The run ning of the horse entered as Brown Boy in the celling Hack Race was then con sidered, and it was resolved —“ That as no explanation has been received from the owner regarding the running of Brown Boy, alias Pippen, in the Hack Selling Race, the horse bo disqualified for ever. It was further resolved —“That J. Quig ley having nominated the horse Pippin as Brown Boy, he be disqualified for two years,”

A meeting of the Winslow School Com mittee was held in the schoolroom on Saturday last. Present—Messrs J. Hay man (in the chair), Rainey, Williamson, and Drennan. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Corres pondence was read from the Board re water supply for school. It was resolved that accounts due to Messrs R. S. Bean and T. F. Farley be left over until the next meeting. It was proposed by Mr Rainey and seconded by the Chairman, that the schoolmaster’s salary be paid by Mr Harris, also Mr Drennan be paid for work done.—Carried. It was decided that Mr Harris should reply to the Board,

giving the information required respect ing the well. A vote of thanks to Mr Uayman for acting as Chairman termin ated the meeting.

MOUNT SOMSERS ROAD BOARD.

Ordinary Meeting.

(Bv Pigeon Post.)

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Mount Somers Road Board was held at the Board’s office, Mount Somers, to-day. Present —Messrs W. C. Walker (chair man), W. Edson, A. Macfarlane and T. E. Mcßae.

The minutes of the last meeting having bean road and confirmed, the Clerk sub mitted the annuul statement of accounts, which was considered' highly satisfactory by the members of the Board, and was adopted for presentation to the annual meeting of ratepayers.

Annual Meeting.

The annual moating of ratepayers of the Mount Somers Road District was held at 1 p.m to-day, having been adjourned from 12 noon. Thera ware about twenty members present, and Mr W. 0. Walker, Chairman of the Board, occupied the chair. The Report and Balance-sheet sub mittod by the Board were, on the motion of Mr McFarlane, second ad by Mr tlood, unanimously adopted. ;§The Chairman,announced that the elec tion of the new Board was postponed till June in consequence of alterations in the description of boundaries. The Chairman said he thought no special taxation would be found necessary in connection with the Ashburton Road Bridge. :Vip Herring fpasaed some reflections on the Board and district, which ware warmly refuted by the member? of the Board and others present. During the course of the discussion Mr Herring was invited to offer himself for election as a member of the Board. The Chairman thought this would bo the best guarantee to Mr Herring of amand in nt in the future. After some further desultory diacussjop the meeting ad journed,

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

[bv telegraph prom blofp.] (“Age'’ Special) London, April 23. The Imperial authorities have decided that the Now South Wales contingent must be dismissed when their services in the Soudan are at an end, unless they volunteer for service in Afghan, should war be declared with Russia. London, April 24 The Times this morning eulogises the New South Wales contingent in the Sou dan for having volunteered for service in India, London, April 23 It is rumored that the Czar of Russia is shortly to ,be crowned as Emperor of Central Asia. Shakim, April 22 General Graham on being asked his opinion on colonial troops replied, “ All I can say is that the New Sou f h Wales soldiers have done exceedingly well.” General regret is expressed amongst the portion of the New South Wales con tingent at Handab at having to return without being engaged in any important fighting. Many of the jmeu would like to be despatched for service in India should war break out with Russia.

Captain Rhodes, Royal Engineers, sails from London for Melbourne on the 7th prox. to assume command of the Victorian engineers and torpedo corps. London, April 25. Tho Admiralty has chartered the Coptic, one of the White Star liners, and ordered the vessel to be fitted up as a cruiser for the defence of New Zealand.

London, April 27. The Daily Telegraph this morning states that Ru-sia has consented to the appoint ment of a mixed Military Commission to enquire into the respective reports of Gen. Komaroff and Sir P. Lumsden on the Russian attack upon the Afghans. The Times says the British Government have suggested that the matter shall be re ferred to arbitration.

Shakim, April 28

During the past two nights the rebels have kept up a continual fire from the camp at Otoa, where a portion of the New South- Wales infantry and the Coldstream Guards are stationed. Three Guards have been wounded by the enemy’s fire.

The Government have cabled to Colonel Richardson, stating that if the New South Wales contingent volunteered for service in India or elsewhere, the colony would maintain them there as they had under taken to do in Egypt, and that all de pended upon the voluntarj act of the con tingent. Colonel Richardson was desired to communicate with the General on this subject, and inform him that such mem bers of the contingent as desired to re turn would be brought back at the ex pense of the colony.

YESTERDAY’S TELEGRAMS.

Auckland. The Seamen's Union do not intend to interfere with the City of Sydney on ar rival, as she carries only a few Chinese servants, unless they receive instructions from the Sydney Union At the twelve hours’ walking match for LSO a side, Rayner v Macune, the latter won. Rayner gave three and a half miles’ start. The record was .-—Rayner, 58 miles 18 laps ; Macune, 62 miles, 10 laps Rayner was taken ill during the evening, and left the track at 10 20 p.m., laps behind. Macune finished at 11.5. 10 The betting was 2 and 3 to I at the start on Rayner. Wellington. The Coptic will have completed taking in coal, and will be ready for sea to-night. It is probable she will leave either to night or early to-morrow. .She wid leave under sealed orders from Admiral Tryou through the Governor. " Oamaro. Jessie Stewart, aged three years, the daughter of a platelayer, was drowned in the Rookery river on Friday evening. The little girl wandered away from her parents’ house, and a search being made, her body was found in the river, into which she had fallen. Dunhdin. In the West Waitahuna dummy oases, the Land Board forfeited the license of Eadie, who had deserted his. section. With regard to the cases of Bruce, Keenan, Donoghus and Robertson, the Board will make further enquiry, unless the ranger report favorably on his next visit. There was not sufficient evidence to show that other licenses, ex-servants of Mr Smith, of the Greenfield Estate, are evading the Ac*-. Whilst satisfaction was expressed with the occupation of Mr Smith’s two sons, the Board considered the evidence fully justified holding an enquiry. Port Chalmers. The stone lighthouse at Taiaroa Scads is to be taken down and a wooden one built. This is rendered neoassary by the construction of the defence works.

AN ARABIAN ACCOUNT OF KHARTOUM’S FALL.

The Arabian organ Mubachir publishes the following informafion from Dongola : —“ It is true that Khartoum fell through treachery, but Faraz Pasha was not the only traitor.' He was aided and abetted by numerous friends of the Mahdi, who had been engaged in a propagandist mis sion inside the town for several days prior to its papture. Faraz Pasha was on duty at the western entrance, just opposite to Umdurman, where the Mahdi’s camp was situated. He was thus able to receive all deserters from the enemy’s ranks, and their numbers had lately increased owing to the scarcity of provisions. They were well treated in Khartoum, and at their own requestwere stationed at the west entrance where they stood closest to the besieging army, and gave no ground for complaint. On January 21st Faraz Pasha reported to General Gordon that there was great dis tress in the MAhdi’s camp and that deser tions wquld take place by the hundred it oqly the fugitives ooujd cross the White Nile in safety, General Gordon there upon ordered two steamers to cruise about in front of Omdunnau during the night, and to take up all deserters from the enemy’s camp. The captains of the two steamers were, however, bribed by the Ma idi, and during the night of the 25th a large numoer of the MahJi'a troops was conveyed to the western entrance of Khartoum. At 5 o’clock on the morning of the 26th Faraz Pasha opened the gates to them, with the connivance of the fugi tives already in the town. Such is the story of the fall of Khartoum.”

WRECK OF A VESSEL IN COOK’S STRAITS.

[By Telegraph.] Wellington, To-day. This morning a resident at Terawbiti observed a large barque painted black among the rocks in the vicinity of Tom’s Rook, Karori. After knocking about for half an hour she got dear ahd stood to wards Port Underwood. She appeared to be making water. The vessel is be lieved to be the Oceania, bound from South Australia to Wellington.' She 'Was well across the Straits when last seen. Later. The vessel which struck on. the rock this morning was the Oceania, from South Australia to Wellington. The wind was blowing fresh from the N.W., and, shortly after passing Terawbitl, at 7 30 this morning, the vessel struck. She hung for some time and then slipped off, when it was found that her rudder had gone. The pumps were sounded, and Bft of water were found iu her hold. On a second sounding 12ft of water were found. The captain ordered the boats to be cleared, and the crew were placed in them, the vessel disappearing a few mmutes later. The captain saved nothing, but some of the crew succeeded in landing a few articles of wearing apparel. The Oceania was built, owned, and sailed by Captain Robert Firth, and was about 860 tons register. She had a cargo of bark, wheat, and salt, and was consigned to Messrs Levin and Co. She was valued at and is insured in a Sydney office for LI,OOO. The crew had succeeded in rowing close to the shore when the Hnia, from Wanganui, was seen to round the Cape and she brought them to town.

UPPER ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD

The usual monthly meeting of the Upper.Ashburton Road Board was held in the Board’s offices, Tinwald, to-day. Present Messrs McLean (chairman), Friedlander, Stitt, and Sargeaut. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed. The Clerk reported having taken the books to the Auditor, and he had certified to their correctness. Correspondence was read as follows; (1) From the Ashburton County Council, re leasing reserve at Dromore, The Chairman was -empowered to deal with the matter.—(2) From ratepayers at Dro more, asking the Board to procure a road to Dromore railway station.—Resolved that the Board would attend to the matter by next Board day.—(3) From the Re turning Officer, giving result of the annual election.

The Clerk’s report was read, and it was decided to request the owner of the Can terbury Mills to repair the bridge on the Alford Forest and Winter’s roads. It was resolved on the remmendatioa of the Surveyor, to grant leave to persons to plough the unformed portions of roads where gorse had encroached; leave to be granted on the certificate of the member for the ward and Surveyor, It wss resolved to summon persons whose rates are yet unpaid. The Clerk reported having collected during the month Ll7O 19s 91, reducing the overdraft to L 263 11a 2d.

Tenders were opened for works as ad vertised, and Henry Hooper waa the suc cessful tenderer.

After passing accounts for payment, the Board adjourned.

Annual Meeting.

The annual meeting of ratepayers of the Upper Ashburton roai district was held to day in the Road Board Office, Tinwald. The annual report of the Board was read as follows :—The work done by- this Board has been rather, in excess of the receipts, but having been of opinion that the work cm never be done cheaper we decided to do the work, even though we had to borrow money. The amount due to the Bank is less than the amount of outstanding rates by some L 250 New roads have been made to the extent of 1,040 chains, and shingling to the extent of 750 chains, The Clerk then read the balance-sheet and report of the Auditor. After consideration it was resolved to adopt the report aud balance-sheet. The meeting then adjourned.

SPORTING.

WANGANUI BIRTHDAY MEETING Wanganui, Last night. The following are the nominations for the meeting on May 24 : Wanganui Steeplechase. Director Speculation (late Pathfinder Ngafciahoa) Billy-go-by-’em The Druid Aroha Ebony Caoutchouc Totara (late Par- Nukurau nell) Diomedes Scrutineer. Anaroa New Year Macoironi Glencoe Grand Stand Steeplechase. Director Speculation (late Pathfinder (Ngatiahon) Billy-go-by-’em Ebony The Druid Totara (late Par- Aroha nell) Caoutchouc Macoaroni Rambler Scrutineer Diomedes New Tear Gipay Glencoe

THE RUSSO-AFGHAN DIFFICULTY

(kBDTER’s TELEGRAMS —COPYRIGHT.) London, May 2. The Daily News to-day states that the prospects of peace are improving, and that Government have learned that the Czar is earnestly desirous of peace. It further states that the Czar has ex pressed his willingness to submit to arbitration the question whether the despatch sent to .him by the British Government on Rfarch 17 has ten misconstrued by him Q r London, May 3. Eleven transport steamers have been chartered by Government to convey troops to India, in addition to which 2,000 men will embark in the regular mail steamers. [Received May 4, 1 p.m ] Melbourne, To-day. The Government are in receipt of a telegram from the Victorian Agent- General, Mr Murray Smith, to the effect that there are indications of a slightly more peaceful nature- observ able at Home.

CABLE NEWS.

ATtbT f-HOM eUROPc [REUTER'S TELEGRAMS—COPYRIGHT.] Monetary. ’ London, May 2. Consols have further advanced to 96. New Zealand securities remain at last quotations. : The Doric. Shaw*Savill and Albion Company’s s.s. Doric, from Wellington (March 22), arrived at Plymouth this afternoon; shipment of frozen meat is in good condition. * ' "•* Tine Queen, London, May 3. The Queen returned to Wmdsot yesterday front the Continent,

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, MAY 4, 1885.



W. Fowke, BOOTMAKER, TT>EGS to inform his friends and the public generally that he baa started business on his own account. He hopes by strict attention to business and making ft good article, to secure a share of publio patronage. Address—BUßFETT STREET, In premises occupied by Mr J. Meech. 4 486 Yp-E HAVE FOR SALE CHEAP. WOOLPACKS, full weights FENCING WIRE Nos. 8 and 9, at less than Qi LINSEED, colonial BARBED WIRE, from L 27 10s to L6f a ton TURNIP & RAPE SEEDS, all descrip tions, guaranteed to grow OATS & CHAFF, large stock, low prices ENGLISH & OTHER CLOVERS MATSON, COX AND CO. Cadbury's Cocoa. JJIHB PUREST AKD BEST. Should be Used by Everyone, ON SALE AT ORR AND ALCORN’S, Ashburton Agents. - m To Arrive, a Grand Assortment of Cadbury’s Fancy Goods, comprising— FANCY CHOCOLATES, CHOCOLATE CREAMS, Etc. ORR AND ALCORNS. 4 605 ATfiH MAKERS



Wanted. WANTED— Young men and maidens to attend Mr Dunn’s Lecture To- Morrow night, on “ Sweethearts, or matched and mated.” 5 689 WANTED —A correspondent for the Guardian, at Mount Somers. Apply to the Manager. TTSTANTED Known—Before buying Dress Materials, Dialers, Jackets, Dolmans, Millinery, etc , call and inspect our stock. The cheapest first-class Drapery and Millinery Establishment in Ashburton — H. C. Sagers, ealys’ Buildings, East Street. /'ZJ. BEAT Reductions for Cash at Jones and Bradshaw’s. —Good oaten sheaf chaff from 50s per ton, Is 6d per bag ; prime oat straw chaff 35s per ton, 9d per bag; new oatmeal *4's per bag; good cheese 5d per lb ; ffour, bran, sharps, and chickwheat at very cheap rates. TTT7"ANTED Known—Wertheim Sew ing Machines can be had on Time Payments at the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Branch, East street, Ashburton. GLORIOUS NEWS. Andrew Orr 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 11s 6d—every article at half-price. WT ANTED Known—Boots ! Boots 1 \\ 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—Umbrellas at Is lid, six doz Buttons for Is, China Matting at 6d, Ladies’ Hose at 6d, Cor sets at 2s 3d, Shirting at 4£i, Towels 3£ d, 36 inch Oilcloth 9d, Camisoles le 4d. Andrew Orb’s Cheap Sale 2 185 WANTED KNuWN— 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 Special Advertisements. JJ R F. G. THOMAS, SURGEON DENTIST, will visit Ashburton on THURSDAY, 7th May, and maybe consulted at Quill's Hotel. 4 652 RS KENNEDY & MISS CAMERON, DRESSMAKERS, Compton’s Buildings, Moore street, Ashburton. N.B.—Registry Office for Female Ser vants. 4 537 Money.



QfEVERAL sums of Money to Lend on freehold security, at current rates of interest. Principals only dealt with. 3 428 CHAS. W. PURNELL. PATTERN DEPOT. Mrs Hodge, DRAPER AND DRESSMAKER, East Street, near Lancaster’s butchery. Ladies’ Dressesand Underclothing made at the shortest notice. REGISTRY OFFICE For Female Servants. 7 1413 SELLING OFF FANCY GOODS, TOYS, BOOKS, STATIONARY, &c. Must be sold—even if at a loss To Suit everybody at prices that cannot be beaten. Andrewes Bros., Booksellers, Stationers, &c., Ashburton. Canterbury Mills. r£lo FARMERS AND OTHERS, CORN SACKS, K size and weights, ’ At lowest current rates, 3 292 C. W. TURNER. GRIOULTURAD Machine Shop, WAKANDI ROAD. CHARLES RAY Repairs Engines, Combines, Chaff-cutters, Reapers and Binders, and all classes of machinery. Special attention given to Bicycles, Tricycles and Sewing Machines. Lawn Mowers repaired, sharpened and adjusted. Model work. General repairs. 3 384



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 EASTER 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 Wolsoley who said (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 1 Read ! Read ! Read ! When both you and my self will be considerably benefited. Not having room to give a detailed list of the contents of my shelves, I can only finish by 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 Advt.. j rpHE LONDON AND L Fire Insnrar We have much pleasure the public of Ashburton th Messrs WILDING, LEWI have been appointed AG



Timber Timber TO FARMERS and Others about to Build —Buy your timber from the Producers at first cost and Save Money. To Housekeepers who wish to have the satisfaction of burning Good Goal— We are now landing, ex s.s. Tekapo, PRIME NEWCASTLE COAL, which will bo sold at Lowest Rates. Every Requisite for the Building Trade kept in Stools, and Building supplied throughout. *** Farmers would do well to call and obtain quotations.' MAOPHBRSON, FILMER AND CO. (late A. Hayes). TIMBER, COAL & WOOD MERCH ANTS, East street, Ashburton.



rjIHE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory contractors o New Zealand Government RaFe ways. Post Offices, Volunteer Corps, &c. &c. Ac.



Are now prepared to enter into contracts for the supply of NAVAL AND MILITARY UNIFORMS in any quantities, the organisation of the Factory being specially adapted for turning out large supplies in the most inexpensive and expeditious manner. ARMY AND NAVY CONTRACTORS Estimates and drawings supplied on the shortest notice. Head Offices and Factory— DOWLING STREET, DUNEDIN. NOTE -Measures for all uniforms may bo entrusted to the Manager of the N.Z. Clothing Factory branches in the follow ing centres, viz:— Dunedin Nelson Palmerston N. Invercargill Hokitika New Plymouth' Oair.aru Greymouth Napier Waimate Reefton Timaru Wellington Ashburton Masterton Christchurch Wanganui Lyttelton Hawera Waipawa Bastings Gisborne Thames Auckland OTICE TO FARMERS. WOOD, SINCLAIR & CO., Millers and Grain Merchants, High street, Christchurch, Are Cash Purchasers of Wheat, Oats, Barley, Beans, Peas, Potatoes, Bye and Cocksfoot Grans Seeds at highest current rates. To farmers desirous of holding their gr»in we are prepared to offer special facilities for storage. In addition to our large brick granary we have erected a large iron warehouse. This, with the stores lately occupied by Messrs A. Moore and Co. and now leased to us, enables us to offer to farmers extra facilities for the storage and classification of grain at nominal rates.



Wo are prepared to make liberal cash advances on grain sent in for storage, or will ship same under advance on grower’s account or otherwise, as may be arranged. UTDMN AND WINTEB Are now showing their NEW SEASON’S GOODS, Which are well worth yo Imps c tion. They comprise the Newest and Beat of every kind of 3 454 H. E. May &



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



Victoria House. SEASON'S ADVERTISEMENT & INTIMATION HE FINE ART GOODS, CREWEL SILKS, INGRAIN COTTONS, TEANFER PATTERNS, &0., To appear in our Next. DIMAHT & COB, UoseCftl DESp«ro| OlothieMj &c., East and Tancred Streets, Ashburton,



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



Balmy sleep, good digestion, rich blood, elastic step and cheerfulness in American Co.’s Hop Bitters. Read and believe. Tic-Duloureux, Toothache, or any other ■neuralgic pain spcediiy yields to Baxter’s Anti- Neuralgic Pills. Wells’ ‘‘Rough on Corns.”—Ask for Wells’ “ Rough on Corns.” Quick relief complete, permanent cure. Corns, warts bunions. The’ N.Z. Drug Co., General Agents. 3 Holloway s Ointment and Pills combine both sanitive and sanative powers'in a high degree—by the former term is understood their ability to preserve health, by the latter their capability to restore health. With these reme dies at hand no invalid need ,he at fault to guide himself or heiself safely through the many trials to which everyone is subjected during our long ! apd ofttimes inclement winters. Coughs, colds, ulcerated throats, diptheria, whooping cough, can bp successfully treated by well rubbing this | Ointment upon the chest, and by taking the Pills! During damp foggy weatherasthmaticalsufterers will experience the utmost possible relief from the inunction of the ointment on all tender chested persons will save endless misery by adopting this treatment,—[AdvtJ



Use American Co.s Hop Bitters once and you will use no other medicine. Test it. Tak no other. Be sure and read. Catarrh of the Bladder.—Stinging .rotation, inflammation, all kidney and similar complaints, cured by “ Buchu-paiba.” The N.Z. Drug Co., General Agents, 3