COMMERCIAL.

Ashburton Guardian Office, Friday afternoon. The following is the Christchurch Corn Ex change report for the week ending Friday, 6th Instant;—Expectations of improved weather have not been at all realised, the torrent of nin which fell from Wednesday evening to Thursday morning having damped both the pain and the hopes of farmers to a very con siderable extent. Large areas in stock must be seriously injnred by the deluge, more es rwjjb as.. the . tempe-ature is so high, that sprouting must inevitably follow. It is to be feared that this uncut wheat will be so beaten dowpas to entail great difficulty in reaping. AltolpEher the outlook is very unpromising, and las cast quite a gloom over the agricultural districts, the only gleam of comfort being the prospects of better prices for those who were fortunate enough to have early crops. The of farmers to secure their crops has prevented their appearance in the market, consequently less business has transpired than is usual at this time of year. Sales have - been confined principally to a few lines of early wheat and oats, wbilft barley meets .with a little more attention at below quotations. The demand for rye grass seed is sickening slightly, buyers’ re quirements being pearly satisfied. The block between vendors and purchasers of cocksfoot is ndt q' ite removed yet, both classes holding firm Id their values. '* Some fine peas are now coming Toward, but prices asked are not re sponded to. There-is tto alteration to note in regard to : dairy produce. Quotations for the week are as follows: —Wheat; Old Tuscan, 2s lod A ; Hunter’s and- Pearl, new 2s 6cl to 2s gd, f.o.b ; chick wheat, is gd to 2s, f.o.b. Cats; Prime milling, is nd; bright short feed, is* gd td is iod j long and discolored feed, is yd to is Bd, lo.b. Barley : Malting, us fid to 4S ; feed, is £d td 2s, Christchurch. Grass seed : Rye, farmers’cleaned, 2s 8d to 2s gd ; machine dressed, 3s gd to 4s; cocksfoot, 3 %d to 3 per lb, fab. Dairy produce : Bntter, fij&dtoyd ;■ cheese, 4d to 4#d per lb, • f.O.b. ~ ■ : .

DAILY MEMORANDA.

auction SALES. Saturday, March 7. Mr ThosVßtillock, ait the Arcade, Barnett ■trf and|3undries at the Tinwald Saleyarda—Stock

MEETINGS, : AMUSEMENTS, Etc. Saturday, March 7. jYakanui Road Board; at Road Board office, Moore street, at 10.30 a.m. Monday, March 9. Borough Council, at Borough Council Chambers, at 7.^0 Tuesday, March 10. Ashburton School Committee—Monthly Meeting, in the Schoolroom, at 7.30 Wednesday, March 11., Orange Ball—Star of the East, 1.0.G.T., meeting at 8 Votock ' Friday, Mae ch 13. lionhgeach -Road .Board ■at Road Board Office. ; !

Monday, March 16 ■ Arcade Chambers-Star of Ashburton, U.A.O.D. , at 8 o’clock Th rsday, March 26 Tin Walcfßaleyardß—Annual Ram and Ewe Fair - : Friday, March 27. isibnrtori County Council —At Council Chambers, 11 a. m.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.

AdvrYtuements ' for The Ashburton Guardian must fee sent m not later than 8 p.m., wlth : the number of insertion, written plainly on the copy, otherwise: they will he inserted until counter manded," and charged accordingly. Re place Advertisements roust be supplied the day previous to that on which they areipVmM ... . Special notices can be received up to 3.30 p.m.," blit will bo charged double fgtof* All notices of Births, Marriages, or Deaths must be accompanied by the sig nature of the sender, as a guarantee of goodialth. ’ , . . All advertisements and business letters uobe addressed The Manager; literary aomnmnications should be addressed to The Editor. _______

MAIL NOTICES.

Mail. close at the Ashburton Post Office follows: — For Ohristchurcli and North at 6 am. 10.30 a.m., and 6 pim., daily. For Ghertsey Rakaia, &c., at 10.30 a.m. and 5 am. daily- For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, OoJdstream.Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a. m. daily. 4for Temuka, at - 6 a.m. and 10 a.zb., ForTimaru and South, at 6 a.m., 10 *.m., and 4.30 p.m., daily. _ For Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10.46 ** 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- Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, at4.3op.m. daily. For Remington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4.30 p. in. For Newlands, on Tuesdays and Fri days at 10.30 am.

Mails arrive at the Ashburton Post Uflute—- From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.15 *.m, 4.35 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. Prom Chertsey, &c, at 10.15 a.m. and 4.35 p.m. drily. From Dunedin and intermediate places daily. From Temuka and Titnaru at 10.40 a. m. tf.AO p.xn., and 8 p.m. daily. From Greenstreet and > Ashburton Forks, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 *.m. ■

For Mount Somers- and Ashburton Gorge, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 6 a.tn. and 4 30 p.m., and on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. From Mayfield, on Tuesdays and Satur days, at 10.5 am. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach atloa.m. daily. From Nowlands, 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, »nd Sat urdays.- at 4 p.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1885. A Beginning.

It will be satisfactory to the taxpayers of this colony to learn that the Govern ment at last see their way to give effect to an important part of their policy— the reduction of our much overgrown Civil Service, A telegram published in, yesterday’s issue announced that a reduction was being made- in the Sur vey Department, by which a saving of about Li 8,000 would be secured to the colonial exchequer. Civil Service re form was not, perhaps, the most promin ent plank in the platform set up by the now Colonial Treasurer at the last general election, but it was certainly esteemed a matter of some moment by the electors, and the JCabinet could not with prudence disregard the force of popular sentiment upon the question. The continued depression both in agriculture and what we have of other industries, would make it

highly impolitic, almost impossible, to increase our revenue by adding to the burdens of those already overtaxed, yet in the near future an expansion of our revenue might, with our present expenditure and threatening contingen cies, become absolutely necessary. It is therefore a matter for congratulation that the Government have accepted the alternative, and earnestly applied themselves to the reduction of a ser vice which, notwithstanding periodical outcries against its overgrowth, had under a Government tradi tionally identified with its exist ence assumed dimensions beyond the requirements or the means of the colony. We hope, too, that this move ment may be taken as an indication that the present Government will shortly satisfy the growing impatience of the electors and give practical effect to their other popular proposals.

We have received from “ Robin Hood” the names and addresses of the principal winners in his last “ programme ” on the Dunedin Cup. A journeyman tailor in Christchurch took the first prize, L 1,068 15s ; the second, L 634 7s Od, fell to the lot of an employee in a Christchurch coal yard ; and the third, L 267 3s 9d, was secured by a Lyttelton billiard-marker. At Methven to-day the following can didates wgra nominated for the Mount Hutt Licensing Committee, viz Messrs D. Cameron (Springfield), D. Cameron (dunes), G. Coward, Julian Jackson,” William McMillan, George Pooock, David Quinn and Jonathan Hibbs. The election for five of the above will be held on 11th inst.

The usual monthly meeting of the Tin wald School Committee was held last evening. Present—Messrs Shearer (in the chair), Smith, Heseltine, Schneider, and Simpson. The headmaster reported as follows:—The school closed in Decem ber with 121 on the roll, and opened again on February 2nd, and at the end of February had 106 on the roll, 20 children not having returned to school. The ma jority sf the latter have left the district, and five new scholars have been enrolled. The average attendance is 81.9; highest attendance on any one day, 91.—The re sults of the pupil teachers examinations were also received, and were considered satisfactory, the Tinwald candidate having made a good percentage in the most im portant subjects, standing 23rd in order of merit in a class of 44 Correspondence was read from the Secretary of the N.O. Institute, and the School Committees of Ker wee, Kimberley, and Courtney districts re election of members for the Board of Education. The Committee regset ed these communications had not been re ceived in time for the Committee to take steps in the matter.—Messrs Shearer and Hezeltine were appointed a Visiting Com mittee for the month. Routine business having been disposed of and the usual monthly accounts passed, the Committee adjourned. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Loyal Orange Lodge was hold at the Orange Hall, Burnett street, last evening. The business was of a routine character.

The usual monthly meeting of the Wakanui Road Board will be held at the Board’s office, Moore street, to-morrow. At an early hour this morning a much needed improvement took place in the weather, which to-day has beep brilliantly fine. We learn by telegram from Christ church that a similar change has occurred in North Canterbury. At the annual meeting of the Southern Cross Petroleum Company, held in Christchurch yesterday, Messrs W. 1).

Mears, G. Hart, and R. Walton were elected directors. The report showed that L 28,000 of capital had been called up, that the liabilities amounted to L 1,263, and value of property L 9.408 The expendi ture during 1884 was L 12.597. The pipes for the new bore have left Christchurch, and the bore will be commenced next week.

We are informed by the organiser that “ Boaz’s ” seventh grand Hamburg draw ing for L 4,000 (filled before the end of February), took place in the presence of a committee of subscribers and other gentle men. 'the first prize, L3OO, went to a well-known person who resides in Castle street, Dunedin, second L2OO, to Napier ; third LIOO, to New Plymouth; fourth LSO, to Gisborne ; fifth LSO, to jjepfton. Tic-Doloureux, Toothache, or any other neuralgic pain speediiy yields to Baxter’s Anti- Neuralgic Pills. Holloway’s Pills are strongly recom mended to all persons who are much reduced n power and condition, whose stomachs are weak, and whose nerves are shattered. The beneficial effects of these Pills will be percep tible after a few days’ trial, though a more ex tended course may be required to re-establish perfect health. Holloway’s medicine acts on the organs of digestion,, and induces .complete

regularity in the stomach, liver, pancreas, and kidneys. This treatment is .both safe and cer Mil in result, and is thoroughly consistent with observation, -experience, and common sense. The purification of the blood, the removal of all noxious matter from the secretions, and the excitement of gentle action in the bowels, are the sources of the curative powers of Hollo vray’s Pills.—Advt,

A cablegram published in this issue states that Count Herbert Bismarck, act ing German Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, has arrived in London with a view to bring about a friendly 'understanding between England and Germany in refer ence to the Pacific question. A cablegram states that the English army is to be increased by 50,000 men. Messrs W. Montgomery, G, Booth and T. H. Anson were elected members of the North Canterbury Board of Education yesterday. [ The Lyttelton Licensing Committee have decided to extend the hour of closing from 10 to 11, the latter hour being gen erally adopted in and around Christ church.

Sir Arthur Bass, MP., having com missioned Professor Leone Levi to make an enquiry into the wages and earnings of the working classes in the United King dom, the professor has made a report on the subject, in which he says that in 1867 he fcund the number of workers to be 11,018,000. In 1884 they were 12,20J,000. Of these there were, in 1884, 400.000 engaged in professional and 2.400.000 in domestic occupations, re ceiving, as is usual, board and lodging as well as wages, whose earnings were worth L4O a year, as compared with 300,000 professionals in 1867, receiving L 33, and 1.700.000 domestics receiving L 35. In 1834 there were 900,000 engaged in com mercial pursuits, at an average income of LOO, as compared with 700,000 in 1867, at an average income of a trifle above L 55. In agricultural pursuits there were, in 1884, 1,900,000, at an average income of L 34 3s, as compared with 2,700,000 in 1867, at an income of LSI 4s The industrial wage earners numbered 6.600.000 in 1884, earning each L 46 2s, while in 1867 they numbered 5,600.000, earning each L4O. The |total earnings of the working classes, in 1884, was L 321,000,000, and in 1867, L 418.000,000. Thus, with an increase of less than II per cent in the number of earners, there has been an increase of 24'64 per cent in the amount of their earnings, being 12 37 par cent per earner. Professor Leona Levi, looking at the incomes of the working classes as averaging 32s a week per family, concludes that they are in a better economic condition than the laboring classes of any other country. A meeting of the Salvation Army was held at Exeter Hall on January 12th to bid farewell to the officers and corps of the “ foreign expedition ” which is about to be sent out to the United States, Canada, New Zealand, France, and India, The la r ge hall was crowded in every part, and the proceedings throughout we.e of an enthusiastic character. “ General ” Booth, who on corning on the platform was greeted with sound of trumpet, and the waving of flags, and the acclaim of the meeting, took the chair, and after the singing of the hymn “ Come join our army, to battle we go,” and prayer, the General, in the course of what he called some introductory remarks, gave an ac count of the progress and present position of the army. At the beginning of last year, he aaic, they had in Great Britain 520 corps; they had now 637. Abroad last year they had 106 corps, and now they had 273. Last year they occupied 345 villages; this year they occupied 570. Then their organisations included a cellar, garret, and gutter brigade, an orphanage, a brigade for the rescue of fallen women, a drunkard’s rescue bri gade, and a prison brigade. The foreign work Jwaa carried on in France, Switzerland, Sweden, Canada, the United I States, Australia, India, and Ceylon. In Ceylon they had 100 converted Buddhists. For India more help in money was re quired. Some might say they should be more economical, hut he did not see how they could be,- the, .cost of the. mainten ance of each missionary being only 3s a week. Last year they sent out 90 officers to different places abroad. They were now going to send out 30, and hoped to send out 250 in the course of the year. The training of each officer cost Ll2 10s, andjthe whole cost would be about L 7,000. The 30 “officers”—who are mostly women—who are about to be sent out, were then ranged in line in front of the platform, and they stood up Th:y each bore a tri-colored staff, and the banners of “ blood and fire,” as the General de scribed them, were waved above them while the General addressed them, and, calling them separately by name, gave them their commission. A collection was then made towards the

expense of sending the nrasionaries out, which it was stated would amount to L4BO, towards which Mr T. A. Denny gave LIOO, and another LIOO, it was stated, was given by Mr Miller, the amount contributed altogether being L 285.

The Merchant marines of the world contain at this moment 53,167 vessels, of Which 44,734 are sailing ships and 8,433 steamers. These figures take no account of any steamer under 100 tons burden, nor of any sailing vessel below 60 tons. Of this total number of sail 20,474. or considerably more than one-third, belong to Great Britain, the proportion being 16,384 Billing vessels and 5,090 steamers. Miss Forteacue has, says a correspon dent, confirmed the estimate formed of her character by all that was made known in Court in the breach of promise case. She m : ght have retired from the stage on the LRLOOO awarded her by the Jury, but she preferred to earn her living as before. Of her fortune she settled L 6,000 upon her mother and went back to the stage. After her provincial tour she will return to London, acting there during the sea son. In September she sails for the United States, intending to remain there, playing in all the principal cities over a term of six or eight months:

Here is the latest edition of the ancient Irish bull. A man having built a large house was at a loss what to do with the rubbish. His Irish steward advised him to have a pit dug large enough to contain it. “ And what,” said he, smiling, “ what shall I do with the earth I dig up froze it ?” To which the steward, with great gravity, replied “ Have the pit made large enough to hold it all. ” • Sparrows have become almoat jas great a nuisance in England as they are in New Zealand. Referring to the matter the Times says :—There is no 4<wbt as to the cause of excessive numbers of sparrows. During the past few years those animals 1 which specially prey on small birds have ; been destroyed wholesale by gamekeepers, and, in addition to this, the ghardinesa of our wild birds has been seriously impaired by the kindly and good-natured system of constant feeding by crumbs thrown out, while their breeding has been encouraged by the Wild Binds Protection Act and by the placing of nests and nest br>xes In many shrubberies. Upon the good nature of this, or upon its kindly spirit, there cannot be the slightest doubt, but the great loss to our food crops may well make us doubt its wisdom altogether.

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

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT

ASHBURTON— To-day.

(Before H. 0. S. Baddeley, Esq., R.M.) POLICE CASKS Drunkenness, Disorderly Conduct and Using Obscene Language —Robert Wilson was charged with having been drunk; with having behaved in a dis orderly manner, and with having used ob scene language in a railway carriage. Mr Branson appeared for the accused, who pleaded guilty—Constable Morten proved the offence. A fine of 20s or the alternative of 48 hours’ imprisonment was inflicted for drunkenness, and for using obscene lan guage the accnsed was ordered to be im prisoned for four days with hard labor.— James Franklyn, for drunkenness, was 1 fined 30s, with the alternative of three days imprisonment. civil cases. Ashburton Guardian Company v O. 1 Inder, claim L2 7s 6i.—Mr Purnell for I the plaintiffs. Judgment by default for I the amount claimed and costs. I Same v Walter J. Sykes, claim Ll 3 I 4s.— Mr Purnell for plaintiffs. Judgment by default for the amount claimed and I costs.

P. and D. Duncan v Quinton, claim Llß.—Judgment by default for the , amount claimed and costa. Friedlandor Bros, v Tisch, claim LI 10i. —Judgment by default for the amount claimed and costa. Wilding and Caygill v Mager, claim L2l ds. Judgment summons. Adjourned on the application of the plaintiff j, until Ist May. Leahy v Brick, claim Ls.—Mr Branson for plaintiff; Mr Wilding for defendant. — This was a claim for wages, a portion of which was disputed by the defendant on the ground that plaintiff had not started harvesting (stocking grain) until ten o’clock one morning, some considerable time after other men employed by defend ant had started to work. Defendant had paid L2 18s 4d into Court.—Judgment was given for the amount paid into Court; plaintiff to pay costs 18s. I Mitchell and Turner v Fergusson, claim L 7, amount of an 1.0. U. given by the I defendant to the plaintiffs.—Mr Wilding for the plaintiffs; Mr Branson for the do -1 fendant. —W. Mitchell, one of the plain tiffs, produced the I. • '.U., subject of the I action. The defendant was unable to I write, but had marked the document in I the presence of his wife and witness.— Joseph Fergusson, the defendant, said that the 1.0, U, had not been signed as I alleged by the last witness. Witness had I. never signed the nor had he I authorised his wife to do so. T< He filed his schedule under the Bankruptcy Act, 1876, in May 1883. The debt represented I by the I O.U. was included in his schedule. llt was Mr Branson’s fault if the debt I was not included in the schedule. Wit ness’s wife had told him that she had signed the 1.0.U.—(1. Fergusson, the wife of the defendant, said that she had signed the 1.0 U. at the request of I Mitchell, without the authority of her hus band. —The Clerk of the Court produced the schedule filed hy the defendant in May, 1883; it specified the debt repre -1 seated by the I. O. U .—Counsel having ad dressed the Bench, the plaintiffs were nonsuited. | Guardian Company v Mager, claim L2 j9j 6d. —Mr Purnell for plaintiffs. Judg -1 meat for the amount claimed and costs, I and the defendant ordered to pay 7s 6d I per week, after expiration of one month I from date. I Ashburton Cheese and Butter Factory j v Rickards, claim L 7 5s lid. —Mr Pur nell for the plaintiffs, Mr Wilding for the defendant. Adjourned. The Court then rose.

MR GLADSTONE’S BIRTHDAY.

Daily News,” December 29.

Mr Gladstone to-day completes his seventy-fifth year. The cordial greetings and well wishes of his countrymen throughout the United Kingdom and the Empire will direct themselves to the re treat at Hawarden in which he “ inter poses a little ease ” between the strenuous labors of the closing and opening year. Nor will the greeting be simply from his countrymen. All that is best among Eng lish-speaking and civilised people all over She world will send spoken or silent good wishes to the illustrious statesman. Mr Gladstone’s present position illustrates how little foresight and intention have to do with the disposition of men’s lives. Ten years ago the circumstances which now surround him would have seemed impossi ble. On December 29, 1874, Mr Glad stone’s birthday meditations were pro bably of a period of repose and slackened activity. Little more than a fortnight later Mr Gladstone, in a letter to Lord Gran ville, announced his retirement from the leadership of the Liberal party, and his intention of withdrawing from the more strenuous labors of political life. The letter was written on January 13, 1875. The Parliament which will re-assembla next February will find Mr Gladstone the most powerful leader of the strongest and most united Liberal party ever assembled in the English House of Commons, and the most trusted Prime Minister of modern times. Events were too strong for Mr Gladstone’s resolution. He from 1875 onward continued to frequent the House of Commons, at first paying rare visits there, afterwards attending more habitually. It soon became evident that ■ r Gladstone could not remain among the Liberal leaders without becoming again the Liberal leader. If in the House, of Commons at all, he must be the most considerable person in it. To be any thing else he must cease to be himself. He must strip hipjself of his knowledge, of his experience, of bis forge of mind and of character. He must rob the country of the confidence which it felt in him. It is just as impossible for a man by any act of his own will to lay aside these things as it is fop him to assume them. They cannot be put off aud on like a robe. They are a vital and inseparable growth. Mr Glad stone proposed, but forces greater,than he disposed. A something not himself, to apply in a political sense the phrase which embodies Mr Matthew Arnold’s theology, making for the public good worked its way. The general ejection of 1880 aas a sort of plebiscite reversing the retirement of 1875. The question of thp leadership was properly left open for decision by the country. Th 3 attempts to name Mr Glad stone as the leader while the struggle was going on were deprecated by himself in the strongest terms. But when the Bouse of Commons was elected it was clear to all observers that only ho could lead it. After a depeat interval of negotiation with the interim leaders, the Royal choice ratified the popular nomination, and Mr Glad stone became a second time Prime Minis ter.

RAILWAY RETURNS.

Wellington, Last Night. The following are the Railway Returns for the four weeks ending Jao. 31 :

BETROTHAL OF TEE PRINCESS BEATRICE.

‘ Morning Post,’’ December 31.

The announcement that the Queen has given her sanction to the marriage of Princess Beatrice with Prince Henry of Battenburg will be received with universal satisfaction by Her Majesty’s subjects. Comparisons are invidious, but we may say with confidence that not one of Her Majesty’s children is held in more affec tionate regard by all classes in the United Kingdom than the Princess who is now about to pass from stogie to wedded life. Owing to circumstances she has for many years been the * close companion of the Queen, and has shared, whilst she has done so much to alleviate, the. sorrows of the bereaved widow. The marriage of all the other children of the Queen threw upon the Princess Beatrice what was to her a labor of love, and it needs not the language of hyperbole to say that she has done as much as the most affectionate daughter could have done by her fib'al love and unremitting attention to her mother to make her forget, so far as it was possible, the partial severance of the ties which unite her to her other children. Of her grace and her accomplishments we need not speak, for they are known to all, bat, to borrow the homely ' lan guage employed in everyday life, we may say that so affectionate and excellent a daughter cannot fail to make as equally affectionate and excel lent a wife. To the Queen we can readily understand that the marriage to which she has given her consent will necessarily cost a severe pang. For several years past the lives of the and daughter have been so completely entwined that the partial severance which the marriage of the latter almost necessarily implies must be a cruel wrench. There is no one who can replace the Princess Beatrice in the Queen’s home, and it is therefore not improbable that, though the Princess marries, the Queen will nut entirely lose her companionship. With respect to the choice made of her husband —a choice to which we may be sure the mutual affec tion and esteem of the now affianced pair almost exclusively contributed—little re mains to be said The House of Hesse once more supplies a husband for one of our Princesses. The present Grand Duke is the widower of the lamented Princess Alice, whose devotion at the deathbed of her father and whose subse quent affectionate solicitude for her be breavod mother still lies in the warm re collection of the English people. Prince Louis of Batteaberg, the oldest son of Prince Alexander, who is uncle of the Grand Duke, married the Prin cess Victoria, eldest daughter of the Princess Alice, only a few months ago; and now Prince Henry of Batten berg, his third brother, is about to wed the Princess Beatrice, fie is an officer'ln the Prussian Guards, and, having been born in 1858, ie very nearly the same age as the Princess, who was born in the pre ceding year. The marriage is, therefore, in every sense of the word suitable, and we heartily echo the prayer that, like all the other marriages of the Queen’s chil dren, it may prove felicitous. Wheu Par liament meets some six weeks hence the betrothal will be duly announced in the Speech from the Throne, and though under similar circumstances there are always a few captious dissentients, the House of Commons will ungrudgingly vote the necessary provision for the maintenance of the new household.

THE EDUCATION GRANT.

(By Telegraph.) Wellington, Tb-day.

The Government hare had under con sideration the distribution of the special vote of L 60,000 passed last session for school buildings. The sum of .L 50.000 .has been distributed amongst the several education districts accordibg to population, the sum of L 3.750 has been taken for In dustrial schools and native schools, and the balance of L 6,260 has been divided amongst Boards, as nearly as pos sible, according to their several necessi ties. The following are the several sums granted for the current financial year Auckland, L 10,682.; Taranaki, L 1,342 ; Wanganui, L 2,736 ; Wellington, L 5,007; Hawke Bay, L 3,159; Marl borough, LI, 146; Nelson, L 2,707; North Canterbury, L 9,439 ; South Can terbury, L 2.830 ; Westland and Grey mouth, L 2.574; Otago, Lll,128; and Southland,* L 3,500. A circular on the subject of the school buildings vote has just been issued. The following are the leading statements of the circular —“ I am to take this opportunity to press upon the consideration of Boards a repre sentation made by the Minister of Educa tion in his sixth annual report, to the effect that Boards shall out of ordinary Board funds make payments for purchas ing school buildings just as much as for payment of teachers’ salaries and Boards’ departmental, and other expenditure. As you are aware, the Boards have been in formed on several occasions that the Go-

vernment coat of providing and repairing school buildings and that it is incumbent on Boards in conformity with the spirit and letter of the Education Act to devote as large a proportion as possible out of the ordinary capitation grants to this object, and to regard the special vote as merely supplementary. lam further to refer the Boards to section 42 and 80 of the Act, which clearly shows that the legislature contemplated the fund and the School Committee fund being made up to some extent from donations and subscrip tions, and also to point out the great advis ability of effect being given to a practice that obtained very generally in former years of the Board making it an essential .condition, more espe cially for painting, fencing, or repairs,

that the residents and those interested in schools should contribute a fixed pro portion of the coat. The Government expect the Boards’ contribution towards the funds for such expenditure (which, strictly speaking, is to be regarded as current expenditure) shall be defrayed out of the Boards’ ordinary fund, and that special grants out of loau shall be devoted solely to their legitimate purpose of providing new school buildings and en larging existing ones.— John Hislop.”

SPORTING.

V.R O. AUTUMN MEETING.

[rSUTKR’s TELEGRAMS—OOPVBIQHT. J (Melbourne, Yesterday. The second day’s races of the Y. 8.0. Antutnn Meeting were held to-day at Flemington. The weather was fine, and there was a fair attendance of spectators. The Governor wia not present to-day.

Australian Oof, a handicap sweepstakes of. 20 sovs each, with 600 added. For three -year-olds and upwards. Two miles and a quarter. > » Mr N. Wilson’s b g Kingwoqd, by St. Albans—Deception, 6yrs, 7st Blb ... 1 Mr R. G. Talbot’s Sheet Anchor, 6yrs, 75t51b.. ; ... ... 2 MrT. Henty’a b c Stornoway, Syrs, 6st ... ... ... . ... , ... 3 The betting at the post was even on Coronet, who led from the start, and waa a dozen length ahead at the river. He waa, however, beaten at the sheds, and collapsed at the home turn, where Bing wood came up with a rush and won by three-quarters of a length from Sheet Anchor, after a most exciting race. Time —4min l£sec. Malua has been scratched for all events at this meeting.

EGttaONT RACES-

Haweea, Last night The following are the acceptances for the Egmont rases Handicap Hubbles si lb at lb Jim... ...12 0 Wideawake 10 0 Billy - go-by- Worm ... 9 9 ’em ... 10 7 Onepu ... 810 Caoutchouc 10 01 Flying Handicap. Administrator 9 4 Last Chance 612 Speculation 8 9 Okata ... 610 Fusilier ... 8 4 Awatea ... 6 0 Danebury... 7 9 Kitty ...'6/0 Witiora ... 7 7 LadyFlorenoe 6 0 Ringleader... 7 7 J Eomoht Handicap. Administrator 9 2 Lord of the Fusilier ... 712 Hills ... 612 Bayard ... 710 Maid of Ec- " Deceiver ... 7 8 cleston ... 6 0 Buzzard ... 7 01 Distbict Handicap. Speculation 812 Last Chance 7. 0 Bayard ... 711 Ravenswood 612 Buzzard ... 7 7 Egmont ... 6, 7 Witiora ... 7 7 Awatere ... 6 0 Ringleader 7 7 Maid of Eo- Lord of the - cleston ... 6 0 Hills ... 7 0 Kitty ... ,6. 0 Maiden Plate. Fusilier 1 Le Clair Gipsy : I Egmont Mermaid J Stiletto

WANGANUI RACES.

First Day.

Wanganui, Last Night The results of the following races reached us too late to appear in yester day’s issue:— Wanganei Stakes Handicap, of 150 sovs; oue mile and a half.

Mr Butler’s Faailier ... (Demit) 1 Sir Bedivere... .... (McCormick) 3 010ga... ... (Clifford) 3 Armourer, Awatea, and Ringleader also ran

Awatea cut out the running. Pawing the post for the first time, Sir Bedirere took the lead and tan very etrongly. Half a mile from home Sir Bedirere, Fusilier, and Clogs ran in the order named, the two first whipping. Ologa made an effort to reach the leader, but was twice baulked. The finish a grand one. Fusilier win ning on the post, Clogs a good, third. Time, 2min 42 l-sth see. Dividend—ln* side, L2 18s; outside, L2 14s.

Maiden Bundles, of 60 sots ; two miles and a distance,

Pathfinder .... 1 Rambler... ... ... ... ... § Kautere... ... ... • ... .... 8 Paleface and Notice of Motion also ran. '

Totslisator dividend— Inside, LI 17s; ontside, L2. Flung Handicap, of 100 sovs ; one mile

and a distance.

Speculation... ... (McCormick) 1 )kato... ... ... ... (Peters) 2 Lmrel ... ... (Sutherland) 3 Ascot, Buzzard, lost Chance, and Lady Florence also ran.

Time, 2min 7 l-6th secs. Totalisator dividend—lnside, LI 15s; outside, LI 7s.

Second Day.

[By Telegraph. ] Wanganui, To-day. Selling Race, of 50 sovs ; 1J miles. Mr R. Higg’s Duke ... ... ... I.' Mr J. Paul’s Gipsy ... ... ... 2 Mr Morton’s Tally-Ho 3 ; Time—2min 24£seos. Dividend—ln side, L2 Ids ; outside, L2 7s. Handicap Hurdles, of 100 sovs ; 2 miles and a distance. Mr Gentry’s Jim ... ... ... 1 Mr Hughes’ Totara 3 Mr Proffitt's Macoaroni 3 Time—4min 26seo. Dividend—lnside, LSI 10s ; outside, L2 6s.

CABLE NEWS.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

fREUTER 1 8 TKLEGRAHB—OOPTRIGHT.] Monetary and Commercial. London March 4. Consols have further declined by $4, and ate now quoted at 97j6. New Zealand securities are unchanged. The markets for colonial breadstufis and, tallow are quiet, with quotations un changed.

Shipping- The Shaw-Savill and Albion Com pany’s steamship Arawa, from New Zealand (Wellington, January 21), ar rived at Plymouth last evening. Hef cargo of meat is in good condition.

Reception. Bombay, March 4. The formal reception by the Viceroy of the Ameer of Afghanistan will take place at Lassan Abdool, in the Pan jaub, where 20,000 troops will be en camped for the occasion. The cere? mony will be attended with mpch splendour.

(Received March 6, 1 p.m.) The Sondan.

Cairo, March S. The latest advices from Korti state i that the British headquarters are about to be moved to Pongola, and that thp troops will, during the summer, be'quar tered at various points along the Nile ,' between Korti and Dongola. A German Mission. , ‘ LmrpoN, March 6. Count Herbert Bisiparck. Acting Under-Secretary tor Foreign Affairs of Germany, has arrived in London on ad mission to bring about a friendly under standing between Germany and Eng- , land on the Pacific question.

Army Increase. The limes of to-day states that the Government have decided to forthwith ask Parliampni: to authorise an increase - . of the standing army by 50,000 men.' (Received March 6,2.30 p.m.) Coloxdal Troops. London, Much 5. Earl Wernyss has given notice ,in the House of Lords ot a motion for the adoption of an address to the. Queen thanking Her Majesty for accepting the local offer of New South Wades, and expressing satisfaction at similar offers by the other colonies, and hbping that these will be accepted at the right time)

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, -FRIDAY, MARCS 6, 1885.



I Per North Revenue Exp nditure |Cent. Island. y c A y e d 1 Kawakawa Xc s. SiS 6 a. & s. 5 296 8 8 88-05 Whangarei So3 13 0 230 15 4 8878 Auckland 8,775 13 1 5>6o5 7 iot 70' 22 Napier ... 4,925 12 8 2,110 7 4 54^6 Wellington 6,015 19 5 3,676 5 6 74.22 N. Plym'th 1,386 13 5 1,081 13 2 109.48 Total ... 26,04 * 1-15,672 19 I 7l - 63 S. Island. . Hurunui- Bluff ... 54.250 2 1 34.115 12 5 6459 Grey mouth 1,697 15 4 633 7 2 59"°i Westport 331 8 9! 457 18 3 S 2- i2 Nelson ... 794 12 ►I 574 4 7 79'09 Picton ... 449 14 7 43i 3 7 94-02 Total 57,523 13 5136,202 6 0 64-68 Grand tot'1'83,566 14 6151,875 5 1 66-61



Caution. CjOMB unscrupulous fimi a-e trying to O force on the Hew Zealand people a Nostrum, under the cloak that it is made Id the United States— WHICH IS NOT TRUE. Under tide pretence they are trying to deceive the Public and Incautious Par chasers Into the belie! that they are the Genuine _ AMERICAN HOP BITTERS. wish to warn ail honest and unsus pecting people against this DECEPTION, ffiii to *“11 the attention once more to the imetM that the Genuine American Co.’s BQP BITTERS Jkie pot Dp In Sqnre, Panelled, Amber gfflprrd Bottles, with White Label on one printedln Black Letters, and Green Bop Cluster : and, on the other aide, Yellow T^lj' with Directions in Red LettecSi In- Uin c Ush end German, and the name of . “ Dr- Soule ” ' blown in every pottle. This is tba onlv in wh : ch Genuine AMERICAN MOP ITTJS -is are pul



Wanted. WANTED— A good General Servant; one who can milk preferred. Apply office of this paper. 3 218 WANTED —A good General Black smith ; must be a good Sheer. Apply, at once, to Geokoe Tait, Black smith, Wabanui. 2 296 TXTANTED Known—Before buying W Dress Materials, Dialers, Jackets, Dolmans, Millinery, etc , call and inspect our stock. The cheapest first-class Drapery and Millinery Establishment in Ashburton —H. 0. Sbobrs, ealys’ Buildings, Bast Street. TT7ANTED Known—Wertheim Sew -IV\ ing Machines can be had on Time Payments at the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s Branch, East street, Ashburton * 2 276



X7S7 ANTED Known Mangling done. W Mrs Minhibb, North east Belt. 2 263 GLORIOUS NEWS. Andrew Orb will give away on Saturday 100 pairs men’s boots at 6s 9d ; 60 pairs can vas slippers at 2s 6d ; 30 pairs cricketing hoots at 6s 6d ; 100 pairs Kaiapoi trousers at 11s 6d —every article at half-price. 2 237 WANTED Known—Umbrellas at Is lid, six doz Buttons for Is, China Matting »t6d. Ladies’ Hose fit 6d, Cor sets at 2s 3d, Shirring at Towels 3|d, 36-inch Oilcloth 9J, Calicoes Is 4d. Ahdbsw Obb’s Cheap Sale 2 185 TTSWANTED. Known —Fresh Flounders » » are daily despatched direct from our own boat, now fishing at Labe Elles mere. Delivery guaranteed within eight hours from time of catching. All orders received at my shop will be immediately executed on arrival of the train. W. O. Page, East street, Ashburton. 11 2151 WANTED KNOWN— Robert Elston, Bill Poster, Theatrical Agent, etc., Town Hall, Ashburton. Theatrical companies and others visiting Ashburton should communicate with the above. Orders by post or telegram promptly attended to. 760



\%T ANTED Known—Boots ! Boots I Vt That Hayes and Co. are Clearing a few desperate lines of Boots, eto., to wit, Ladies’ Leather, 4s 6d; Men’s /Shooters, Pegged, 10s; Men’s Elastic sides, 9s, and a, lot of odd lines that must be cleared at once. 7 1278 WANTED Known Removed.— Jones and Bbadshaw, Corn and Chaff Dealers, have removed to the large premises in Havelock street nearly oppo site Mr A. Harrison’s auction rooms (lately occupied by Messrs Robinson and Tofrnsend), where they will be better able to comply with the demands of their trade. Jones and i badshaw. WANTED Known—o. Hawkin’s, of Tinwatd, having decided to com pete with either Christchurch or Ashbur ton, in price and qutlity of Boots, will, Ist January, 1885, Bell for Cash Only, at the following reduced rates : —Men’s Harvest Bluchers, tips and nailed, 6s 9d } Shooter Boots, 10s 3d; Women’s Strong Lace Boots, 8a 6d ; Leather Elastic, 9s 6d; Children's all reduced from Is per pair. Motto—“ Small Pro fits and Quick Returns.” O. Boot and Shoemaker. 12 2393



Special Advertisements. NOTICE TO PATIENTS Dr. sohwarzbaoh, m.d., 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 his stay. Dimant and Coe, ARB authorised LOCAL AGENTS for Singer’s SEWING MA CHINES, and are prepared to receive PAYMENTS and afford all information in connection therewith, Treadle and Hand Machines on Time Payments. A supply of Machine extras on hand. CORNER EAST AND TANORED STREETS, ASHBURTON. 11.2181



R. Be van, WHOLESALE & RETAIL STATIONER Bookseller, Toys and Fancy Goods Dealer. Concertinas, Accordiane, Jewellery, Cut lery, Tobacconists’ Sundries, etc. Country Stores supplied at special rates. NOTICE : Young Ladies Journals at la 3d. February Number to hand. Subscribers wanted. Note the address— SAUNDERS’ BUILDINGS, (Next Shop to Quill’s Hotel.) mO my readers and the reading public. I Just to hand.—New Books.—Black Poodle, by Anstey ; Our Old Nobility ; The Cuckoo Clock, by Mrs Molesworth ; We Two, by Edna Doyal; Poverty, by Platt; I Say No, by Wilkie Collins; John Boll’s Womankind, by author of John Bull and his Island; The Jilt, by Charles Reide; Good Stories of Man and other Aninula, by Charles Reade; Vesteged, by Qeo F. Gumming; 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 Olerioal Lympocium; Bos well’s Life of Johnson ; Magna (Jharta 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 Read Character; Christmas Autnber of Goodward’s Gbrystal Stories ; Longman’s Magazine ; The Book of the Beginnings, by R. H. Newton; Mistletoe Bough; 160 Illustrated London Graphics, latest copies, to be sold cheap at Thomas F. Farley’s, PRINTER, BOOKSELLER, AND STATIONER, Saunders’ Buildings, Ashburton.



Special Advertisements. SELLING GEE FANCY GOODS, TOYS, BOOKS, STATIONARY, Ac. Must be sold —even if at a loaa VALENT I N K n ALEN PINE jj To Suit everybody at prices that cannot be beaten. Andrewes Bros., Booksellers, Stationers, &0., Ashburton.



NOTICE TO CONSUMERS OF COAL. THE undersigned are now landing, ex s.s Hauroto, the Best N ewcastle Coal Imported for the season A. TRIAL SOLICITED They have also added to their stocks oi Building Materials the following lined, viz, y.D.L Timber and Palings Kauri Timber, Flooring and Lining Roofing Iron, Doors and Sashes Lime, Cement, Fencing Materials, <6c., And every requisite for the trade. MACPHERSON, FILMER AND CO. (late A. Hayes), SAWMILLERS, 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. SVxts, Hats, Hosiery, Blankets, Ruga, Portmanteaux, and every requisite at WHOLESALE PRICES. Note the address— NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY, EAST STREET, Ashburton 25 Branches Now Open 25



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



47 Men’s Tweed Sac Suits, 27a 6d, now 17a 6d. 37 Boys’ and Youths’ Trouser Suits, 2Qs, now 12s 6d. 34 Pairs Men’s Trousers and Vesta, a Bargain, 10s lid. Small Boys’ Tunic Suits, cheap, 6a lid. 50 Dozen Men’s Socks, s£d. 75 Dozen Men’s Merino Socks, Bfd. Men’s Hard Felt Hats, New Goods, 6a 6d, now is lid. 200 Dozen Turkey Bed Handkerchiefs, 3|d. H.E. May & Co., THE HALL.



Victoria House. Season sale commencing on January 16th, & continuing FOR FIVE WEEKS ONLY. REMARKABLE REALITIES I GLARING REDUCTIONS ! I Convincing proof and Special Prices See Windows'®^ Diinant and Coe, RE ADY-MONBY DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, &c., la premises lately occupied by Orr and Co., Coro East and Tancied sire ASHBURTON,



Special Advertisements. Groceries CHEAPER THAN EVER AT JAMES McGREGOR’S, Ta>cred Street. Sugars—English Cut Loaf, 5d per lb Best White Crystal, 3£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 12s 6d, per box Canterbury Cakes, 10d each. Rice, 3i Mixed Biscuits, 6d Lunch Biscuits, 3d | Currants, 6J Raisins, 7d Now Figs, Is per bcx 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. tames McGregor, Tancred Street. 12 2342



The Scotchman who tumbled off a bicycle says that in future he intends to “ let wheel alone.” The man who always finds something good in the newpaper is the chap who carries his lunch wrapped up in it. That 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 “ Buchu-Paiba.”—Quick, complete cure, all annoying kidney, bladder, and urinary diseases. Druggists, The N.Z. Drug Co,. General Agents. 2 A Oliver unfortunate. —Again we must 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 r in Lyttelton and Cristclmrch, now bank rupt, was purchased by H. E. May & Co,, 0/ the Hall, High street, for or only a little over one-third of its value. H. E. M. and Co. are now selling it at half the marked price, which surely ought to secure a speedy clearance.



The weakest woman, smallest child, and sickest invalid, can use Hop Bitters with safety and great good. See.—[Advt.] Indigestion and - Jdver C.Qiijplaints.—For ii«j.e complaints Baxter's Compound Quinines f'uls have proved a specific, acting powerfully on the liver and mildly on the stomach. Sold everywhere, or post free from J. Baxter, Chemist, Christchurch, for 19 or 44 stamps. 1