DAILY MEMORANDA.

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS’. Eto Monday, October 11 Oddfellows’ Hall—Standard Comedy Com pany at 8 Friday, October 15 Town Hall —Scotch Cocoort »t 8 o’clock Dramatic Society—Meeting in Oddfellows Rail at 8 o’clock Monday, October 28 Rorough Council, at Borough Connell Chambers a r 7.30 Friday, November 5 Ashburton County Council —At Council Chambers, H a.m. Saturday, November 6 'Wakanot R*«»d B -.rd —*oo. th.y meeting at the B-.Aid’s office, Movie street, a 11 >• m. __

RAILWAY TIME TABLE

Trains Arrive at Ashburton— From Christ hnrch and the North, at 10.15 a.m. (express), 4.85 p.m., and 7.10 p.m. From Timaru, 10.45 a.m. From Dunedin and South, 5.27 tun. (express). From Mount Somers, 10.5 H.Tti Trains Leave Abhbubton —For Christ* thnroh and North, at 7.10 a.m., 10.55 a.m., ■Bd 6.37 p.m. (express). For Dunedin and Booth, 10.25 a.m. (express). For Timaru, 4-46 p.m. For Mount Somers, 6.5 p.m.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

From and after the 80th June, 1886, the taros of Subscription to this journal will be U follows, viz.: —

ra> pah) in advance : Per Quarter.. 6s 6d, by post, 9s 6d , Half-year 12s 6d, by post, 18a 6d Year .. 4s Od by post, S7a Od

rp booked ; Per Quarter.. 7b 6d, by post, 10s 9d Half-year 15e Od, by post, 21s 6d Year .. 30s Od, by post, 43a 0d

iN. B.- The above in bo far as regards sob- Orxttions paid in advance will not afleot old ;nbscribors, with whom previously existing arrangements will be maintained. Birth, Marriage, and Death Notices, if paid to the time of insertion, 2s 6d each (■tain may be sent as payment); if booked, ’ PRESENT SUBSCRIBERS MAT RENEW THEIR SUBSCRIPTIONS AT THE OLD RATES. Announcements of Births, Deaths ana arriages sent for publication from the country require to be verified by the sign a of the person sending the notice.

MAIL NOTICES.

close at the Ashburton Post Office follows: — For Christchurch and North at 6 a.m 0.30 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. ITor Ohertsey Rakaia, &c,, at 10.30 a.m and 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin,Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, DoJdatream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, Uid Geraldine, at 10 a-m. daily. For Tamaka, at 10 a.m. and 4.30 p.m *aily. for Timaru and South, at 1G a. m., and 130 p. m., daily. For Greenstreet, on Wednesdays and turdays, at 10.45 a.m. For Wakanui, Elgin, Sea view, Seafield, no Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and •turdays, at 6.30 a.m. For Mount Somers, daily at 4.30 p.m For Mayfield and Ruapuna, on Mon days and Thursdays, at 4.30 p.m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, 4.30 p.m. daily. For Fleming ton, on Mondays, W edue* days, and Fridays, at 4.30 p. m. For Newlanda, on Tuesdays ami F-> at 10.30 a-m.

arrive at the Ashburton P'-u offioo* ■ From Christchurch and Rakaia at 20.16 .m., 4.35 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Chertaey, Ac. at 10.15 £ and 35 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate place* 6.3^’Em. daily. •Front Temuka and Timaru at 10.40 a. m p 5 30 p.m daily. From Greenstreet, Wednesdays ana Saturdays, at 10 i.m. From Mount Somers, aaily at 10.5 > In * ‘ __ From Mayfield and Ruapuna, on Wed oesdays and Saturdays, at 10.5 a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long Bsach at 10 a.m. daily. From Newlands, on Tuesdays and Frl days, at 2.30 p.m. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thun, days, and Saturdays, at 10a.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas Et Prevalebit. MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1886. NOTES.

At a time when big gooseberries are not yet in season, and in a country where snake stories are not possible for the lack of “ snaix ” —to use the Artemus Wardian mode of spelling— anything in the shape of a water monster such as they profess to have seen up Auckland way is thoroughly acceptable to the newspaper para graphist. There is something positively refreshing in the sensational particulars supplied of the great scaly monster that has been seen ploughing its way up river and lashing the water into waves by the sweep of its tail, for all the world like a sea-serpent, while the chasing of little boys open-mouthed by a creature —variously described, as to size, as being something between a re triever dog and a dining-table—with big rows of teeth 4ike a shark’s or a crocodile’s, is all so delightfully start ling and so deliciously vague as to leave but little to be desired. Even that little is indeed supplied by the sovpfon of horror suggestively intro duced by the incident of the little Maori gill, drowned in the same neigh borhood, one of whose arms had been evidently eaten by some creature, possibly, it is hinted, by this very “ Saurian ” as the reporters have learnedly termed him, and which the Maoris declare is neither more nor less than a “taniwha.” Now there is noth ing more improbable in the assertion that there were creatures of the alligator or crocodile species in New Zealand rivers in the olden time than that there should have been, as there undoubtedly were, in the moas, birds as big as giraffes, but seeing that for forty years or more the country has been pretty intimately known to Europeans and that not a single specimen has turned up, the probability of finding a living representative of either in the present day is exceedingly remote. So remote is it that we shall not be sur prised to find this “taniwha” story revolve itself into a question of ortho graphy, that is to say, that instead of all/gators in the water the whole busi ness will be traced to alligators ashore, i

There is a cuiiousiyjgregarious ten dency in criminal offences and tragical occurrences, which would appear lo be governed by some fixed though occult law. For example, do we hear of a fire in one part of the country ? we may confidently look for news of two or three occurring at the same time in various other localities, —of a death by drowning ? it is almost certain that it will be closely followed by more deaths from the same cause. Even particular descriptions of crime would appear to be epidemic, or to be temporarily fashionable, and while at one time robbery will be in vogue, at another there will be an outbreak of crimes against the person. There is even, it would seem, a fashion in murder, at one

time shooting, at another stabbing, at another poisoning. Recently we have had two illustrations this in New

Zealand in an epidemic of forgery, and another of suicide. The latter appears to have spread over the colony daring last week, several cases occurring on the same day (Thursday last), though the methods chosen for shuffling off this mortal coil were various—drowning, shooting and hanging being each re sorted to. Is there any reason for this focussing of such occurrences at par ticular periods? If there be, it would be well that it should be traced out, as it might lead to the discovery and removal of predisposing causes. By the bye, talking of suicides, the Wel lington case disclosed some very re markable circumstances. The unfor tunate victim of his own rash act was discovered hanging from a beam and kicking vigorously. His wife asked a neighbor to cut him down, but he refused to do so until after the police had arrived, and, as a matter of fact, the man was left hanging till life was extinct. Why in the world his wife did not get a chair and a sharp knife and cut him down herself, is the question that, naturally occurrs to everybody— except to the coroner’s jury, who censured the neighbor for his stupidity, but had’nt a word to say about the wife’s extraordinary non-intervention.

Printers’ errors sometimes lead to a good deal of annoyance, especially to authors and more particularly poets or poetasters, who hate to see the beauty of their lines destroyed by the substitu tion of “noses” for “roses,” and “fiends" for “ friends,’ and other typographical liberties of that sort. But they are also sometimes very amusing or are turned to excellent account. For example, the following which we clip from a contemporary, “ In a bankrupt estate, the other day, through the insertion of a ‘2 ’ where a ‘i ’ should have been the meeting was called for a ceitain date in the year ‘ 2886.’ Among the creditors was a Wanganui firm, one of which is not unknown in connection with fire brigade matters, and the following reply has been received “ We have your intimation by P.C. of the bankruptcy of ,of your city. It was not unexpected. As the meet ing is called for the 27th September, aBS6, it is quite improbable we will be represented —at any rate in the flesh. Should we, however, meet Mr——— in the “ hereafter” we can promise him a lively time. We enclose, in case they ipay be useful, account and proof of debt. Any surplus out of the estate this side the grave we will be thankful for; from our past experience of our friend we don’t expect any. With kind regards from the writer, etc.’” !

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Cold stream Boad Board was held at Longlands Cottages on October 4. Present—Messrs Dobson (in the chair), Dowding, McKeage, and Withell. The County Council waote with reference to bringing Clause 13 of the Dog Registration Act into force. Matter deferred till next meeting. A letter was read from Mr J, C. Bell in regard to outstanding accounts. Messrs Dobson and Dowding were anthorised to pass work on Coldstream 'road when finished. A petition was received from Messrs Emerson, Ford, andjothera asking the Board to form 70 chains of Coldstream road near Pye’s, The Board decided to form about 60 chains of the said road. It was also decided to lengthen culvert near Mr McEeage’s homestead. Accounts to the amount of £57 9s 2d were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned till December 6. . Somebody has noticed that the letter “ P ” is the symbol of power and authority, fer the world is ruled by Princes, Parliament, Press, Pulpit, and Petticoats, Writing of the publio'debt of the principal colonies, the Taranaki Herald says that of Australasia rose from £10,680,000 in 1850 to £112,720,000 in 1884 ; that of Canada, in the same number of years, from £14,230,000 to £38,310,000; and that of South Africa from £420,000 to £23,365,000, Yet the public debt in the Australasian colonies only averages 4.} years’ revenue as against 8 years in Great Britain and 9 years in France. The Bose of Springburn Lodge, 1.0.G.T., held its anniversary festival on Friday last. About one hundred persons were present. After full justice was done to the substantial tea provided by Mrs Mcßae, the entertainment was proceeded with Mr N. Ohlsen officiating as chairman. Among the numerous musical items contributed during the evening the following are most worthy of notice: — Overture, by the Mount Semers Band; Alsatian Mountains, Miss A. Price; Tired, Miss Harris; Come hack to Erin, Mrs Bueohler; Polly, Mr Jas. Price; a cornet and piano performance by Mr Savage. A repoit of the financial year’s transactions, read by Mr J. Me Climont, and a temperance address by Mr Sawle were listened to with interest. From the former it a; peared that the affairs of the Order are on a sound footing, the number of members increasing steadily. The entertainment was followed by a ball. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Ash burton School Committee will be held to morrow evening.

The Standard Comedy Company are announced to appear at the Oddfellows’ Hall this evening.

Mr Isitt is announced to deliver a lecture in the Wesleyan Church this evening.

The specimens which have been presented to the Borough Council as the nucleus of an Ashburton musueni were to-day placed on view in two glass-cases in the Beading-room. Each exhibit has been neatly labelled by Mr Braddell. We have been desired to state that further similar contributions or of small models would be gladly accepted. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Longbeaoh Boad Board was held on. Friday. A report is crowded out of this issue. A child eighteen mouths old, the daughter of T. H. Brittan, was accidentally drowned in a creek, near Christchurch, on Saturday. A boat belonging to the ship Bangitiki cap*

sized in Lyttelton harbor at about four o’clock on Saturday afternoon. Captain Edward Budd, of the Bangitiki and a seaman named George Hawkins, were drowned. The accident happened off Bipa Island. The boat, with four men in her, was under sail, and it is supposed the sails were made fast. A sudden squall capsized her, and she sank. The captain and sailmaker supported themselves on an oar, but the former became exhausted and let go. The third mate, Watkins, swam until picked up, but Hawkins, A. 8., sank soon after the boat upset. Men working on Bipa Island hoisted a distress signal on seeing the accident, and Mr Mclntyre’s yacht, the Neva, came up and saved the third officer and the sailmaker. A boat sent out by the Garrison Artillery picked up Captain Budd, but he was dead. Hawkins’ body has not yet been recovered.

i For sinking spells, fits, dizziness, plapita- I tion and low spirits, rely on Hop Bitters. I Genuine made by American Co. Notice

LATE GABLE NEWS.

[“ AGE ” .SPECIALS ]

[By telegraph from the Bluff ] THE LATE ARCHBISHOP VAUGHAN. FRANCO-RL SSI AN ALLIANCE COERCING ENGLAND. THE WOOL MARKET. THE EASTERN SITUATION. London, September 27. The Rev Herbert Vaughan, Bishop of Salford, ia indignant at the careless atti tude of Cardinal Moran in reference to the 'defrayal of the coat of the proposed interment In Sydney of the body of his predecessor, the late Archbishop Vaughan. It ia probably the body will be buried in England unless the Roman Catholics of New South Wales speedily arrange lor its transfer to Sydney. September 28. A rumor, which, in diplomatic circles, Is generally understood to be well founded, gained currency that Russia has been conducting secret negotiations with France with the object of forming an offensive alliance against Germany. It Is stated that Russia offered to declare war against Germar y on a guarantee being given that the active support of Francs would be given her. The report further states th<t the negotiations -were dia covered by Plsaasrok who, by his ■ nargy, succeeded in frustrating the contemplated alliance.

La Fiance., in an outspoken article on the suojeot of the French occupation of the New Hebrides, advocates the with drawal of the French soldiers from the Islands. It asserts that the Now Cale donian ring is urging the annexation of the Islands simply with the object of ob valuing facilities for kidnapping natives September 29.

Hanlan attended at the Sportsman office yesterday afternoon in order that be might sign articles in connection with the proposed match, in the event of Beach pre eating himself. He waited two boors but the champion did not re spond to the challenge. Hunlan professes great indignation at hia challenge n t being taken np and calls Beach a coward It has transpired that eff irts are being made by the French and Russian Govern ments to compel Great Britain to evacuate Egypt. Germany, it is stated, has been invited to co-operate in the de mand for the British evacuation of terri tory, bat the invitation was declined. Several leading newspapers publish articles commenting on the con clusion of the tour of the Australian eleven and generally pronounce the team a failure. . September 30 The Standard this morning comments on the prospects of the wool market, and the largely increased prices realised at thn opening sties, as compare! with those which hid for some time previously been ruling. It ex cessed the belief that the rise in prices has rescued many of the Bank and Mortgage Coys from a position of serious danger The Standard takes a pessimistic view of the future pr babilities of the wool market. Prices It predicts have not reached their maximum aud it anticipates that a reaction will shortly take placs. The French agent at Sofia is the only foreign envoy who supports General Kaulbars in his demand that the elections for the National Assembly shall be post poned. I |The Due D’Aumale has presented his Chantilly estate to the French Institute, snbj >ct to his retaining his life interest therein.

The Saturday Review comments cynic ally upon the impudence of the continued occupation of the New Hebrides fcy France and asserts that before long Franca will discover that she has overfed the patience and stupidity of the Foreign office.

The Eastern question has assumed a mire peaceful aspect but the press still continue to discuss the situation at con siderable length, lord Salisbury has ex pressed the opinion tha the ponptaoti' n of Germany has had the eff-ct of checkmat ing the designs of Russia upon the Balkan Pr ivincf>a A speech which was delivered by M. Tisza has met with very general approval, and it is now considered im pr >bable that the peace of Enrops will be disturbed. It Is expected thac the ra»ency recently appointed in Bulgaria will concede tha demands of Russia and thus render an occupation of the country needless. A rumour is in circulation that the| Russian Government have determined upon at once recalling their representative in Bulgaria, General Kaulbars Berlin newspapers oonaure Harr Tisza for playing into the hands of Eng!»nd by his speech atßuda-Pes'h on the 29 h nit. In which ha declared that Austro-H ungary won d not permit any occupation or protectorate of Bulgaria

A TREMENDOUS LOSS.

Ddnedik, October 11. Captain Ba’dvin supplies the Times with particulars of an extraordinary loss of a i-eo in Buenos Ayres. Bvween the effect of an epidemic and drought the loss i« said to be nearly twentv miMl >n sheep, representing a v lue of £3 000,000.

THE NEW LOAN.

Wellington, October 9 The £242 000 inscribed stock to bo raised for the District R«ilw»y debentures represent? in round figures about £116,000 for the Rotorua railway ; £33 000 for the Waimate ; £70,000 for the Bakaia ; £20,000 for the DuntroDn-Hakatersmea, bought by the Government under the District Railways Purchase Act. fear is expressed by the Treasury that the announcement of-the deficit of two mil lions in New South Wales, and the donbts as to whether It Is au addition t) the old deficit, may prejudice the prospects of the loan.

THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER

T e Wellington co-respondent of the Lyttelton Times telegraphs that the Government having reason to suppose that Oaffrey may attempt to cammit suicide while on the voyage to this Colony, have wired to the New South Wales authorities to keep the strictest watch over the prisoner, and, if necessary, place him In Irons, so that he may he brought safely to New Zealand. No further information has bi-en received from Brisbane respect ing Penn, and the authorities here feel convinced that he aud the women have been either murdered or drowned. Wellington October 11,

Government has wired to the authori ties of New South Wales to take every precaution that Oaffrey does not commit anicide on bis way here even if he be put in irons. There is no further news of penn and the women, wh • are now it is concluded murdered or drowned.

METEOROLOGICAL. READINGS.

The following are the Meteorological readings at Alford Station for the week ending Friday, October 1, 1886

WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL ! ANNIVERSARY.

The superb weather with which yester day morning was ushered in supplied one of the essentials to a sucr 'saful Sunday School anniversary celebration, and as an event of this kind has been looked forward to for many weeks past by our Wesleyan friends, with an Interest closely akin to anxiety, the benign way in which old &I beamed forth was a matter of supreme I gratification to the teachers and officers of 'he Institution under notice. Perfect, however, as the weather proved, there were other considerations upon which interest centred—the hymns to be sung by the scholars, and the offertories of the congregation. Apart from the patient and unwearied manner iu which a con ductor may have drilled bis juvenile choir, there is always more or leas of uncertainty as to how they will respond to his o»ll and acquit themselves when the culminating occasion arrives ; bat of the sinking more anon. Any fears that the school treasury might suffer through a continuation of the colony’s financial “ dark days may be considered already dissipated, the total collections yesterday amounting to over £7, and with a fail house to-night, the gross proceeds of the celebration should realise £2O. The item of the proceedl iga . upon which no anxiety was felt was when Mr F. W. Isitt consented to give his services at the yearly festival- Mr Isitt has a colonial as well as a Canterbury reputation as a pulpit and platform speaker of rare merit, and the whisper of his name was sufficient guarantee that the congrega tions wo ild bo large and the sermons effective, both of which anticipations were realised to the full. Mr isitt chose for his mornings remarks tha words of Christ “For of such is the kingdom of heaven." The relationship to the church allowed 'or disallowed to the children by the respective denominations was referred to in disparag ing terms, theWealeyan Church itself com ing in for a fair share of stricture for is mis interpretation of Christ’s views regarding the voung, the preacher maintain! g iu decisive terms that the children were born into the Kingdom of God, and only by their own action in after Ufa could tn y be detached from the family of God. The evening sermon was based on the love o f God, manifested by the greatest gift he could confer upon mao, namely, that of His r wn Son, and from this sublime theme Mr Isitt gave an impressive discourse, replete with careful study and originalitv.

At; the afternoon service the Rev T. W, Newhold an address to the scholars, in which he succeeded in riv t lag their attention by his apt and Illustrative manner of dealing with his one-word text —“Love ” Preceding the address, Mr W H. Oollins, Superintendent, read the annual report, from which wo glean the following items of Interest;—There are 205 scholars and 20 teachers on the roll. Four teachers have left during the year, th-ae having left the district, and one retired from the work. These vacancies have been fi led by others The balance sheet shows that the institution is in debt to the amount of £3 17» 21, the library requires replenishing with new books, and It is hoped the proceeds of the anniversary will allow of this being done. A number of conversions have taken place daring the year, and the spiritual state of the school is cause for great thankfulness. Mr J. Gamble deserves credit for the high state cf efficiency into which he has trained the scholars, and with one or two exceptions the singing was better this year than ever. There was a precision and acc iracy in some of the pieces which coaid only have been attained by careful in at uotlon, and the hearty way in which some of the spirited choruses were ren dered was quite refreshing. Miss Potter manipulated the instrnment with consider able ability. The behaviour of the scholars at each service was irreproachable and worthy of commendation. We may agein remind our readers of the lecture to night on “Fred. Dmglas.” Mr Isltt mentioned yesterday that the subject of his lecture was still living, and if ha were asked to name the ten greatest orators of the day, Fred Douglas would take one of the foremost places. In ad dition to a number of slave songs being sung the lecture will be illustrated by diagrams.

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Auckland, October 9.

At the Supreme Court to day, a prisoner named Held, indicted for an indecent assault on a child acred eleven, was ac quitted by direction of Mr Justice Ward, owing to the child not understanding the nature of an oath. Another prisoner, named Johnson, for an Indecent assault on his own daughter, was sentenced to five years and two floggings of twenty-five Isshee each.

A letter was read from Bishop Cowie at the meeting of the Board of Education to-day as follows : -In June last the Hev E. J. Phillips, of Mount Roskill, wrote to the Chairman of the Mount Eden School Committee, asking perm ssion to give religious ins f ru tion in the school buildings of that district on two days of each week after school hours Two months afterwards Mr Phillips received the following answer to his I- tter:— 1 Your application was duly laid before the Committee of the Mount Eden district school at a meeting of the o'>mmi>tse. The Committee request me to inform yon they cannot see their way to grant your request, having already granted permis sion for nndennmb ational Bible reading after school hours ’ May I trouble you to inform me whether it is in acco-danoe with the prorvistons of the Education Act for a School Oommi tee to grant permission for undenominational B ble reading to one person and to refuse permission to another to give religious instruction ?” It was reaolvec—“ That the Bishop be informed that tbe decision in the matter rested entirely with the School Committee ” Wellington, October 9.

The Native Minister leaves for Master ton to-morrow morning to interview Na tives re Walmarlno block, lately purchased by him, aad to enquire into the Special Settlements these. Previons to leaving he will make arrangements for the sitting of a Native Laqd Court on the Writ Coast to enquire into the causes of the troubles which have lately reached in the arrest and conviction of Te Whiti aud some of his followers. The Court will be presided over by Judge Wilson, who is well known on theSast Coast, and who has never been concerned in any of the West Coast con fiscations. Judge Wilson will be also ap pointed a Royal fiemmissiorer under the West Coast Settlements Reserves Act, and have full poverapf enquiry. Those Na tives who come before the Court and prove their claims will have an individual Crown Grant given to each. Those who remain obstinately aloof, and who inter fere with the just rights of the settlers, and throw themselves open to the action of the civil law of the colony, will be dealt with according .to the laws they offend Bgainstl Every opportunity will be given to Natives to bring forward their grievances, the Court being instructed to sit continuously on the confiscated territory between Waitotara and White Cliffs until some definite settlement is arrived at. A monolith representing gold obtained in the colony has been erected ia the New Zealand Court at the Exhibition. It ia said to look very well, and adds to the attraction of the Court. December Ist will be fixed as the date for receiving applications for loans from local bodies under the Acta of last session. A circular will shortly be issued contain ing a precis of the statues under which the proceedings must be initiated. It is stated that the Evening Bell, Auck land, has changed hands at £6i)j27. The

property, including the Observer and Sell, 1 1 -ut a bul diKt.B w.s. ffsied by fc&der. Ihe nstne of the purchase is not known, but Mr toeymoar George has been men tioned.

Sir Julias Vogel underwent an operation i^ 9 |[ n 0 n i, for a tt,,nonr at the black >f tne Head The opera; ion was success fully performed by Drs Grace and Collins. A Chinaman a store in Manners atres was burglariously entered some time to day during the absence of the proprietor, wad goods, value £lO, were carried away. An entrance waa creeled by cutting oat a pine of glass at the roar of the premises.

THE HALL CASE.

Tha Christchurch correspondent of tba Tlmaru Herald says:—On Saturday after noon I ascertained that what la left after the analysis of the organa of tha late Captain Cain, whose body waa exhumed some days ago, waa handed over to the police to-day, properly sealed by Profes sors Ogston and Biac-r. This important fact, therefore, seems to me to establish beyond doubt the truth of our Wellington correspondent’s telegram, the publishing of which caused anch a sensation In Timaru on Thursday last. To guard against too mnch of a entail at the courthouse, all sorts of precautions have been taken by the authorities. The Sheriff, I understood, has issued only a certain number of tickets, tba produc tion of which will enable the holders to obtain seats in tha body of the court. The gallery ia to have no reservation olaced upon it. The Attorney-General, Sir Robait Stmt, la to act as leading counsel for the prosecution, ant has been in close conference with Mr J. W. Whi a, the Crown Solicitor at Timaru, and Mr Martin, Crown Solicitor at Christchurch, since hta arrival from the North this morning. Tha Attorney-General in un folding tha case for the prosecution to the jury, will, it ia expected, not elaborate very much, but wilt place tbe salient features of tbe case carefully before them. In cddlUon to the witnesses ctiled at the magisterial enquiry one, perhaps two additional witnesses, will probably be called to give evidence respecting certiin medlctl books other than' “Taylor on Poisons " which Hall purchased.' For the defence, counsel inform me aoma h Jt-dozsn witnesses are to ba called. Who they are waa not said. The case will take fu ( ly a week to hear, especially as counsels addresses at the close are g ting to be very lengthy. Excellent pro vision has been made for accommodating tha special jurors, a complete large suite of rooms having been secured for them at Warner’s Hotel. I beard on Snoday that the Attorney-General baa arranged the ord -r of taking evidence, ao that events will ba presented In their proper sequence. The fi-st witnesses ti be ctilled will moat likely be those whose evidence relates to the forgery, the state of Hall’s bank account, and ao on, t«U finally the arrest of prisoners ia proved. A FAR-FETCHED STORY; .A - rumour was going tha rounds of Timarn on Saturday, that a dead cat waa likely to play a somewhat prominent pact in the Hall-Hovston attempted mnrder case It appears, from what the Herald can learn on the subject, that one of the nurses attending on Mrs Hall sometime before her confinment, gave the eat the remains of one of Mrs Hall’s meals, and shortly afterwards it waa foond dead. The oat was buried, and no farther notice was taken of tha incident an* 11 a week or so ago when the strange and sudden death of the cat was brought to mind. It was then surmised that it had met its death by poison, and as it was said poison had been put in Mrs Hall’s food by the prisoners, of course suspicion waa aroused by the cat having eaten the re mains of some of that Jood. ' At anyrsta we hear, though we have been unable to gather any definite Information on the subject, that it is proposed to exhnme the cat and get its remains analysed, bat as it is only rumour, we give it foe what it is worth.

THE TRIAL

THE SCENE IN COURT, Christchurch, October 11; The hearing before the Supreme Court of the Tlmsru poisoning case which, what ever may be its result, promises to be one . of the most celebrated that has ever yet been chronicled commenced this morning. More than an hour before the Court opened people began to gather round it and a dense crowd had assembled by tbe time the public ware admitted. Every inch of space in the gallery above and most cf the body of tbe Court that was available for tbe public was taken np, bat the position of the dock directly aader the gallery prevented those above from seeing much more than the top of the prisoners’ heads and only those who were fortunate in securing seats in front* of tbe dock o iuld gratify their cariosity by gaz ing on the faces of the man and woman who stood upon their trial under so grave a charge. Tbe interest taken in the case was enharesd by the rumor that the’de fence would endeavor to upset the expert evidence and bad retained Professor Bicker ton for that purpose. The spectators had to stay their im patience whde three other prisoners ware sentenced. Mr Justice J hston having disposed of these, Hal] and Houston were brought to the dock. B th looked pale and anxious. Hall’s face being- especially careworn. For the Crown appeared the Attorney-General, with him Mr White, Cr iwu Solicitor of Timarn, and Mr Martin Crown Solicitor of Christchurch. For the defence Mr Joynt, with Mr O. Parry for Hall, and Mr Hay for Houston. The Registrar read the indictment which charged prisoners that on August 16 at Timarn they did administer to Kate Emily Hall certain deadly poison to kill and murder. The second count charged them: That they did cause to be administered a large quantity of antimony; the third coant: That they did cause antimony to be talsen by Kate B. Bail. Both pleaded “not guilty," but their pleadings were scarcely audible. Mr F. H. Barnes was chosen foreman of the special jury. The Attorney-General opened tbe ease by first re f errlng to the form of the Indicl ment. The case the Crown undertook to prove was a very aerions and grave one. It was necessary to present a mass of circumstances insuoh a case in order that the jury might determine whether, if poison bad been administered, it was not given accidentally. Though appearing for the Crowd he did not wish them to find a verdict against the accused unless they were clearly satis fied of their guilt. They had no right to assume gnilt because Hall accused of other orimaa. Ha would begin by prov ing the death of Kate B. Hall would have been a pecnnury benefit to Halt and a relief to him of the fear that was hanging over him of c mv'ction for many forgeries he had commiltted He would first lead evi dence as to the probable motive Hall might have for the c dmo. He was embarrassed. He had a deficiency ot £6OOO or £6OOO. He married in May, 1884, and the next month committed the first forgery for £650. In July, 188 S, his wife left all her property to Hall by will and he had insured her life for £6OOO. By her death he would have received at least £9OOO, though it was right to say ha would have lost an income of £250 a year, bat he warned them that the question of motive was surbordinate ? Was poison ad ministered 1 He asked them to look at the facts this way ; Mrs Hall was ill after her confinement in Ju e last. She suffered fro n violent retching, thirst and purging. This, with intermission, con

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1886



Solar I In Shade heat. I *? Date. Min, Max Max. Observations. Oct 2 41. 79- 126. N.W. toS.W. »> 3 36. 61. US- Fine » 4 32- So. 75- Kain » S 32. 40. 4 3* S.W. rain 6 34- 47 79- Snow, hailstorms .. 7 27. 76. 130. Fine , „ 8 3S- 65- 105. >1



* Fowersome and Aughtsome reels. AT TOWN HALL,, ■ CT. 15.



Auld Lang Syne, ])y ilka ane i’ the liAACtn CALEDONIAN SOCIETY’S fIOOSCi CONCERT, COT. 15.



JgLAOK, BEATTIE & COMPANY, Criterion House, 201, 203, 205, High street, CHRISTCHURCH. TYe have the pleasure to advise our Customers and the residents generally !n the Ashburton District that we have ow received vary large Shipments of NEWEST DRAPERY GOODS the Present Season. The advantages which we possess in being able to buy in .he Beat British Markets, and the .borough experience of onr buyer, enables ns to supply all Goods under OUR CASH SYSTEM of business at ljo west prices. We endeavour U give our Customers best value proouc le, whatever Prices hey may wish to pu ch a 3® Goods at, and Stock is so LARGE AND WELL-ASSORTED hat the most varied wants can bo sup plied. We append a list of our Depart ments, In each of which an Immense Variety of most Novel sad Fashionable will be fonnd DRESS DEPARTMENT BOSIBRY DEPARTMENT K ANTLE DEPARTMENT DRESSMAKING DEPARTMENT MILLINERY DEPARTMENT DRkSS DEPARTMENT HOSIERY DEPARTMENT MANTLE DEPARTMENT DRESSMAKING”DEPARTMENT MILLINERY DEPARTMENT CLOTHING DEPARTMENT UNDERCLOTHING DEPARTMENT TAILORING DEPARTMENT fIOUSEHODLI’JRNISHING Manufacture from various Mills Including BANKETS, FLANNELS & TWEEDS OF ASHBURTON MANUFACTURE. Dash System ans Cash Prices. LACK, BEATTIE &CO. GENERAL DRAPERY WARE HOUSE TAILORS BY.



Wanted. w ANTED 1000 dozen Eggs Highest prce given -W. Bayris 10796 ANT V ! ■ Known- Th*i Ladies re quiring Nursing w d fi id ev ry ccommodation at Mrs Woodward’s, Al eut -le House, Cox Street, Alkntmi +9689 rSTANT-M) Known—Tinwald Wesleyan VV Anniversary Tea Meeting, Thursday, October, 14, m Schoolroom, Tinwald. Tea at 6 pm. Addresses by ministers and friends Musical Selections by Ashburton Choir. Tickets, la 6d. IQBI4 WANTED the Public to Inspect a grand assortment of New Season’s Tea and Sugars of all grades, at prices to suit all classes of purchasers.— Jas. McGregor, Tancred street. WANTED Known—The Lucky Jar of Peas will be opened and counted on the 11th of next month, when £2O in prizes will be given away. Every purchaser to the amount of 10s has a chance. Don’t delay—be in time. Hayes and Co., Arcade. FURNITUREt— To meet the times, w. DAVIS, Cabinetmaker, East street, Ashburton, is now selling Furniture of all kinds cheaper than ever. Chest of Drawers, £1 5s ; Spring Couches, £1 ss. Every other article equally cheap. All new furniture at second-hand price. 804 10.0. T. —The Star -of the East Lodge , will hold an open Meeting on WEDNESDAY, October 13, in the Orange fiall Commence at 7.30. Tickets, 6d. 10t822 JUST OPENED—Choice assortment of New Spring Dress Stuffs, Prints, Millenty, etc ’i he cheapest House in town for first class goods. Presents to the value of 2a in the £. Dressmaking on the premises. H. C. Segers, Mel ford House. ' Special Advertisements. WANTED KNOWN THAT MRS STRIPLING HAS REMOVED from old premises in Burnett street (next to the Arcade), to the PANAMA BOARDING-HOUSE, TANORBD STREET (Lately occupied by Mr Lucas). 8 3 537 ——— I C. M receive PUPils for PIANOFORTE ind ORGAN Terms on Application Dox street, Ashburton. 9668 CENTRAL HOTEL* JW. MoRAE having taken the above , Hotel, solicits a share of patronage rom the people of Ashburton and sur onnding districts Best Brands of Wine's Iplrita and Beers. Good Stabling —Feeds, One Shirrisg. Horses and Baggies to let on hire at irices to meet the times For the convenience of travellers mnsom cab will meat all trains.



Trees Trees Trees THE undersigned has FOR SALE ail kinds of FRUIT AND FOREST TREES, Finns .Insignia, Anstriaca, Marltlma, and ■Vlacrocarpa, by tens of thousands; other kinds in proportion. All kinds>>f cabbage plants, etc, on sale. All orders by post or otherwise shall receive my best attention. N;B.—Gentleun-n’a Gardens tastefully laid out. All kinds of planting done by contract. JAMES PORTER,| CLIFTON NURSERY, 4 75 Allenton, Ashburton. TOWLE’S PENNY OY'L AND STEEL PILLS FOR FEMALES quickly correct all irregularities, and relieve the distressing symptoms so pre valent with the sex. Boxes la l£d and 1s 9d, of all Chemists and Patent Medicine Vendors. repared only by The Lincoln and Midland Counties Drug Co., Lincoln, England. Wholesale of all the Wholesale Houses. Beware of Imitations. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORS’ The new goods for the WINTER SEASON SOW OPENED OUT. The Stock is THE LARGEST & BEST SELECTED IN THE T-'WN, And the variety of Style and Patterns in Men’s, Youths’, and Boys’ Clothing leaves nothing to be desired. Thousands of Men’s and Boys Suits, newest styles. Trousers and Trousers and Vests manufactured of New Zealand Tweeds. Every garment warranted shrunk Overcoats, Waterproof Coats and Legging? in great variety Hats, eompris ng every new style worn Children’s Jersey Suits, Children’s Men of-War Suita Ger" emeu’s Hosiery, Scarves; Oxford jtegntta and White Shirts Bugs, Portmanteaus, and Travelling Bags The celebrated WERTHBIM SEWING MACHINE. Time Payments. N.Z CLO r HING FACTORY, East Stbrkt MACPHERSON, SAMPSON, & CO AUCTIONEERS, VALUATORS STOCK LAND, aND GENER AL COMMISSION AGENTS, Will hold their re. ular W EEKLY SAi.E of Horses, Cattle, Pigs, Poultry, Produce, and Sundries, at the CENTRAL AUCTION MAHT, Havelock street, EVERY SATURDAY, at 12 o’clock sharp Special Sales conducted when required on very easy terms. Agents for— Mutual Life Assurance Society of Victoria Limited The Equitable Fire Insurance Associa tion of New Zealand. Messrs Booth, Macdonald, and Co., Christchurch. P McNeave’s Patent Footrot Appli cation. For Sale 2 Second-hand Spring Traps (nearly new) 1 Superior Second-hand Dogcart (almost new) 1 Blacksmith’s Patent Portable Forge Quantity Superior Hurdles Several Properties to Let or for £3ale. macpherson, Sampson & co., £9693 Auctioneers



Victoria House. DIMANT & COE ARE still offering every inducement to purchasers willing to continue their favors. Our SPUING CONSIGNMENTS of Dress Stuffs, Fancy and Manchester Goods Ha s, Men’s, Youths’, and Boys’ Clothing, are now to hand, and of remarkable value and variety. DIMANT AND COE, GENERAL DRAPER CIO THIERS, &c., Corner East and Tancred streets, Ashburton.



Special advertisements. V. R, IN THE SUPREME COURT OF BANKRUPTCY!! THIS DAY G. Ij. Beath & Co, yy'ILL offer the STOCK-IN-TRADE OF THOMAS JACOBS, DRAPER AND CLOTHIER Late of High street, Christchurch, and Akaroa, AT A DISCOUNT OF IN THE Also, the STOCK in the BANKRUPT ESTATE of SIMPSON AND HARPER, WOOLLENDRAPEBS, AT A DISCOUNT OF 08 gD. IN THE TOTAL VALUE - £2«10 0 8 0 D Unprecedented Bargains. Stock Sheets in course of publication. The above are two of the Cleanest Stocks ever offered in Christchurch, Simpson and Harper having been in busi ness only four njonths, whilst the largest portion of Thomas Jacob’s Stock was purchased by him this winter. REMOVAL OF TBK ASHBURTON BRANCH OP 11. J. WOOD AND CO. (Late T. F. Parley) to FRIED LANDER’S BUILDINGS. ITJE "beg to advise our valued cue- W tomers, the commercial and general public of Ashburton and sur rounding districts, that, having taken the ! lease of the large and commodious pre mises, formerly the drapery establishment of Messrs Friedla' der Bros., next the corn r, we have opened there with a large and well-assorted stock of’ BOOKS, COMMERCIAL & GENERAL ST ATI -NERY, ACCOUNT BOOKS, &c., To which is be : ng added on the arrival of ev ry direct steamer the very latest NEW B “OKS and NEW MUSIC out. Subscrib-rs supplied with English, American, and Continental Newspapers and Magazines immediately on arrival of Mail. Special attention is given to all orders for Bookbinding, Printing, Engraving, and Lith graphy Specimens on view. ■"pedal Discounts allowed to Library and School l-’- remittees Catalogues and Lists on application WBITINii, PRINTING. & WRAPPING PAPEHS IN ANY QUANTITY. Any Book wanted which may be tem porarily out of stock will be immediately procured from our Christchurch Establish ment, the stock of which is one of the largest and b st assorted in the colonies ; or from our London Agency by direct mail ste-mer.



H. J. WOOD & CO. Booksellers, Stationers, Printers, and Bookbinders, STATIONERS’ HaLL, ASHBURTON. Messrs SPENSLEY & CO having ap pointed us their Agents for Ashburton and District, we have pleasure in calling atten tion to our large and well assorted stock of Sheet Music, comprising the latest and most popular Songs, Dances, and Piano forte Solos. Teachers and others will find a useful assortment of the most approved Methods and Studies for Pianoforte Prac tice and S nging. Pianos by celebrated makers, which may be either purchased on the deferred payment system or hired for any length of time. Violins, Cornets, Flutes, Accordions, Corcertinas, Har moniums, Organs, and Brass Instruments. H. J. WOOD AND 00. Great Sale Extraordinary. ORR & ALCORN On the Opening of the SPRING TRADE, BEG to announce to their customers and the public generally that they have now opened up the greater portion of their Direct Importations for the Season All the LATEST NOVELTIES in DRESS MATERIALS, inc'uding the new Glow-worm, Kyrle, and Canvas Cloths, and the newest things out in Printed Sateen, Oatmeal, and Zephyr Cloths In Ladies’ and Children’s Straw Hats Bonn ts, Flowers, &c., we are now show ing the largest and most attractive stock ever seen in Ashburton. We desire especially to call the attention of every r one to a SPECIAL PURCHASE of a SET of SAMPLES, representing the stock of one of the largest wholesale honses in England. In this stock there are no less than 2242 different articles, composing Costumes, Mantles, Ulsters, Children’s Dresses, &c , Pelisses, Ladies’ and Maids’ Corsets, Tunics, Aprons, Hats and Bonnets, Fur Capes, Underclothing, Quilts, Towels, Toilets, Boys’ Suits of all kinds, Men’s Suits and Overcoats, Wool Shawls, &c Many of these articles are of a style and quality suitable for a wealthy city traue, and never before seen in Ashburton. At the price we have purchased these goods we are enabled to SELL them at LANDED COST, and h.ve afairprofit. but saving over 50 per cent to the purchaser. Together with these goods, that are, without fear of contradiction, the cheapest lot ever sold in Canterbury, we have decided to reduce the whole of our stock to prices to correspond. (Ef This SPECIAL SALE will commence On SATURDAY NEXT, 18th inst, Orr & Alcorn. 9646



ROYAL SALEYARD?, Mooee-stueet, DUNCAN & CRAWSHAW, Auctioneers, Licensed Lsnd Brokers, Stock, Estate, and General Commission Agents, Accountants, Valuators, Ac. Regular auction sales every SATURDAY at 12 o’o'ock, of Horses, Cattle, Pigs, Poultry, Produce, and Merchandise. Straight up and down treatment, and prompt settlement guaranteed. Special sales conducted as required. Transfers, Mortgages, Leases, aud such like documents prepared under the Land Transfer Act. Agents for the Victoria Insurance Oo„ Limited, 9*560 DUNCAN & ORAWSHAW E have for sale prime SEED WHEAT, OATS, and BARLEY Some of the above lots have been grown in tbe Timaro district. PIG FEED FOR SALE In any quantity. Just Landed- All Kinds of CLOVER SEEDS, choice quality RYEGRASS and COCKSFOOT for Sale. FRIEDLANDER BROS FOR the Blood Is the Life.—Clarke’s world-famed blood mixture is warranted to cleanse the blood from ail impurities from whatever causes arising For scrofnla, scurvy, skin and blood dis eases, and sores of all kinds Its effects are marvellous. Thousands of testi monials. Sold In bottles 4s 6d and lls each by chemists and patent medicine vendors everywhere. Sole proprietors, The Lincoln and Midland Counties Drue Co., Lincoln, England. 1 16



WA KANUI ROAD DISTRICT. ROAD PROPOSED TO BE CLOSED. I HER! BY give notice that in accord ance with section 94 of the Public Works Act, 1882, the Wakanui Road Board propose to close that Road in Wakanui Survey District which com mences at the southernmost corcer of 11, S. 26460, and extends north westerly to the Wakanui Creek, and that the plan showing the said Road is open for public inspection at the Wakanui Road Board FOR COUGHS, COLDS, Bronchitis Asthma, Coryza, Influenza, Con sumption, <Src. KAY’S COMPOUND OF LINSEED, Aniseed, Senega, Squill, Tola, &c with Chlorodyne. KAY’S COMPOUND, a demulcent expectorant, for Coughs, Colds, and Chest Complaints, KAY’S COMPOUND, for Coughs, and Colds, is equally serviceable for Horses and Cattle. AY’S TIC PILLS, a specific in Neuralgia, Face-ache, &c. Con tains Qu<nin», Iron, &o. CO4GULINE. —Cement for Broken .Articles, Sold Everywhere. Sole Makers :—KAY BROS., Stock port, England, Office. 9708 MURDOCH BRUCE, Chairman.