DAILY MEMORANDA

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS Eto Monday, December 6 Oddfellows’ Hall—Rehearsal cf “ False Colors” at 7 30 Tlnwald Temperance Hall—Meeting st t o'clock Tuesday, December 7 Ashburton Building Society Monthly payments due Thrbsday, Dkcsmber 9 Ashburton Racing Club—Annual Race Meeting Oddfellows Hall—Alleyne-Wade Ormedy Company at 8 o’clock Monday, December 13 Varoagh Council, at Borough Council Cham bora at 7-30

RAILWAY TIME TABLE

Tunis Abbiyr at Ashburton— From Christ ; bnroh and the North, at 10.15 a.m. (express), 4.46 p.m., and 7.10 p.m. From Timaru, 10.46 a.m. From Dunedin and South, 5.37 (express). From Mount Somers, 10.6 am . Trains Leave Ashburton — For Chnat ehnroh and North, at 7.10 a.m., 10.55_ a.m., and 6.87 p.m. (express). For Dunedin and Booth, 10.25 a.m. (express). For Timaru, 4-46 p.m. For Mount Somers, 5.5 p.m

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

From and after the 80th November, 1886, the terms of Subscription to this journal will be II follows, viz. IS* PAIS IN ADVANCE Per Quarter.. 6s 6d, by post, 9s 6d Half-year 12s 6d, by post, 18a 6d „ Year .. 4a 0d by post, S7s Od nr booked : Per Quarter.. 7s 6d, by post, 10s 9d „ Half-year 15s Od, by post, 21s 6d „ Year .. 80s Od, by post, 43a Od Birth Marriage, and Death Notices, if paid for at the time of insertion, 2s 6d each (stamps may be sent as payment); if booked, PRESENT SUBSCRIBERS MAY RENEW THEIR SUBSCRIPTIONS AT THE OLD RATES. Announcements of Births, Deaths and Marriages sent forpnblisation from the country require to be verified by the signa fbra of ths person sending the notice.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mail* close at the Ashburton Post- Office follows : For Christchurch and North at 6 a. m 0.30 turn., and 6 p.m., daily. For Ohertsey Bakaia, &o. f at 10.30 a.m and 6 p.m. daily- For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Ooldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, and Geraldine, at 10 a.m. dally. ForTemuka, at 10 a.m. and 4. SO p.m tally. for Timaro and South, at 10 a, m. , and 480 p.m., daily. For Greenatreet, on Wednesdays and tnrdays, at 10.45 ».m. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, id Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and tnrdays, at 6.30 a.m. For Mount Somers, daily at 4.30 p.m For Mayfield and Buapana, on Mon days and Thursdays, at 4.30 p.m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, 4.30 p.m. daily. For Fleruington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4 SO p. m. For Newlanda, on Tuesdays and Fri at 10.30 a.m.

M«lla arrive* at the Ashburton Post giOO— From Christchurch and Rakala at 10.15 •,m. f 435 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Ohertsey, &o. at 10.15 « and ,35 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and intermediate places 8.3 n am. daily. /Trow Temuka andTimaruat 10.40 a.m p 5.30 p.m daily. From Greenstreet, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 ».m. - From Mount Somers, dally at 10.5 . m. _ , From Mayfield and Ruapuns, on Wed oesdaya and Saturdays, at 10.6 a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long each at 10 a.m. daily. From Newlanda, on Tuesdays and Fr) days, at 2.30 p.m. Prom Flemlngton on Tuesdays, Thun.- days, and Saturdays, at 10a.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1886. THE NEED FOR RETRENCH MENT.

In view of a falling revenue, it is ad mitted on all hands that a determined effort in the direction of the reduction of departmental expenditure is im paratively necessary. For years past this has been steadily growing until the figures of 10-day as compared with those of twenty-five, or even fifteen, years ago show a really startling contrast when placed in juxta-position. The Wood ville Examiner, in a recent issue, compiles the following from the tabulated statements for the year iB6o-t, 1870-1 and 1885-6. —“The Governor’s salary was, in 1860-1, L 3500, in 1870-1 it was L 4500; and in 1885-6, LSOOO, The cost of his establishment has risen from Lx 125 in 1860-1 and L 1637 in 1870-1, to L 3500 in 1885-6. Ministers’ salaries have gone up from L 2913 in 1860-r and LSOOO in 1870-1 to L 9250 in 1885 6; while their travelling allowance and expenses have grown from L 486 in 1870 Ito L 9250 in 1885 6. The cost of Ministers’ residences has jumped up from the modest sum of L 124 in 1870-1 to L 2812 in 1885-6; while their house allowances were L 283 in 1870-1 and L 550 in 1885-6. The working expenses of the Departments also show an enormous increase. We give the returns for the three periods of 1860-1, 1870-1 and 1885-6, viz, Colonial Secretaty L 9920, 1.70,701, 1.237,304; Colonial Treasurer L 3553, Li 2,011, L 59.735; Minister of Justice L 49.449, Lx 13,666; Postmaster General and Commissioner of Telegraphs, L 33-574. Li 35,997, 1.287,524; Com missioner ol Customs, Li 7,006, L 57,062, T. 77,623 ; Commissioner of Stamps L 2717, 1.17,542, L28,2i 2; Minister of Education (no returns till

1875 when the amount was Lx 1.520, in ISBO-1 it was 1.271,165.) 1885-6, L 357.806; Minister of Native affairs, Li,ii7, 1.30,038, 1.22,243; Minister for Public Works, LSsx, L 32.347, 1.726,576; Minister of Defence, L6BBO, 183,773, Li6i,xoß; Minister for Mines, Lx 1,601 in xBBo-i and Li 9,056 in 1885-6. The only Department which shows a decrease is that under the control of the Native Minister, leaving out the figures for 1860-x. These f otals work out as fol lows : 1860-1, L9X,i59; 18701, L49i,920; 1885-6, L 2,090,853. In 1880-1 the totals were Li,860,297 showing an excess of L23Q.574 Jn the five years. Under the heading “ Legis lature” the figures are equally worthy of study'. The salaries of the Legislative Council officers amounting to L 1728 in IS7O-1. L 2605 in 18801, and L 3063 in 1885-6. Those of the House of Representatives for the same period are given as L 3440, L 6283 and L 4928, respectively. The total of the hono rarium was 1.7,095 in rS/o-x, Lxp.Soo in 1880-1 and L25J76 in 1885-6,” Tt is true that the colony has enormously advanced since 1860, and indeed since 1870, and that with the growth of population and the extension of sett’e ment demands have been made for all the conveniences of an advanced civilisation such as post-offices, postal deliveries, telegraph offices, registration 1

offices of various kinds, and all sorts of things—indeed the bulk of our public expenditure is for services rendered—but for all that we feel con vinced that the departmental charges are growing in an undue ratio, and that extensive reductions would be possible without loss of efficiency. Even it some of our luxuries have to be given up it is absolutely necessary that there should be retrenchment on a pretty extensive scale and we concur with the Examinef in the view that the working, expenses of the country are growing to larger proportions than either its in come or its population warrants.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There have been brought to our office some branches broken from a red currant bush, which are covered with a most curious species of blight. This is in the form of bright chocolate-colored excrescences like beads or tiny shells, each of which contains an insect. This kind of blight is new to ns. Perhaps some of our gardening friends can “ place ” it and prescribe the remedy.

The attention of persons visiting the beach at Wakanui for picnic or pleasure parties is directed to an advertisement inserted in this issue by Mr Thomas Wilson, who complains of the danger caused to fences, etc., by tussocks being carelessly set light to or fires being left unextinguisbed. Surely those who are freely permitted to take their pleasure on private lands should see to it that they do no damage. We direct our readers’ attention to the change which baa been made in the date of the meeting of the Ashburton Woollen Manu facturing Company, Limited, convened for the purpose of altering the company’s articles of association. The meeting is now to bo held on the 23rd December, instead of the 21st, as previously announced. The Wanganui Chronicle quoting, from Mr Steward’s recent speech at Waimate, his remarks upon the necessity for retrenchment, and his suggestion that it will be necessary eie long to reconsider the question of absolutely free state education, observes:—There is much inlthe above worthy of serious consideration. The Education vote is larger than the revenue of the country can stand without fresh taxa tion, as it has risen from £11,520 to £857,800 in ten years, and is still bidding fair to go on increasing, if something is not devised to ease the S'ate of some part of the burden. The amount has grown until it seriously threatens the very existence of the present education scheme, which afiords free tuition to the children of rich and poor alike. In this. New Zealand is doing what the Mother Country, will all her riches, has as yet never attempted. Our Mount Somers correspondent writes : “In my report of the meeting of Mount Somers ratepayers ro 1 Tramway to Coalpit,’ I made a mistake which I now hasten to correct, I should have written ‘ that the weekly out of coal was more than 50 tons ; ’ whereas I reported it to be £SO in value. Would you kindly insert this correction and oblige.” It will be seen by our telegrams that the Premier and Mr Ballanoe leave Wellington for the south to-morrow. Mr Ballanoe should, therefore, arrive in Ashburton on Thursday or Friday. A concert in aid of thejfunds for the annual treat of the children attending the Borough School takes place at the Oddfellows’ Hall to-morrow evening week.

A ball, the proceeds of which ate to go towards defraying the cost of completing the additions to the new Temperance Hall, Tinwald, will be held at that place on the night of Thursday 9th imtant.

A well-attended meeting was held in the Temperance Hall, Tinwald, on Monday even, ing, for the purpose of discussing the library question, Mr J. Clark was voted to the chair, and read extracts from the New Zealand Gazette referring to Public Libraries. After considerable discussion it was resolved that a library be started in Tinwald, to be called the Tinwald Public Library, and that the follow ing gentlemen be a Committee of Manage ment, viz.;—Messrs Joseph Clark (chair mao), G. Quartermaine (treasurer), C. Jeph son (secretary), F. S. Shearer, J. A. Clothier, D. Teppitts, and T. Williams. It was decided that the Secretary should issue subscription lists at onoe to be handed in by December 20, until which date the meeting then adjourned.

“ Cyclops,” in the Mataura Ensign , relates the following“ Not long ago a peripatetic draper opened a shop in Wyndhatn, and to induce reluctant housewives to purchase "bis wares displayed a large calico sign with the legend—’ 12J per cent, discount, this day, for cash.’ Some of the sports removed this during the night, and next morning tbs astonished town saw the invitation flauntfhg above the Bank of New Zealand. It nearly caused a run on the Bank.

In excavating for the new GovernmenJ Docks at Cockatoo Island, a discovery was recently made of a most interesting fossil, which Professor W. J. Stephens has identified as the mastodonaurus, of which a similar fossil specimen, from Stuttgart, is in the collection of the Sydney University. This being the first discovery in Australia ol the labyrin thodon (a gigantic amphibian) is of scientific importance, as proving the triassic age of the Hawkesbury sandstone formation.

As a sample of the business capacity ex hibited in the administration of our railways’ the North Otago Times mentions that a piece of sawn blue gum, 16 x 4 x 2, which cost 2s 3d in Oamarn, was charged 4s 2d for convey ance to Duntroon, a distance of 20 miles.

HORSE MARKET.

Mr T. Bullock reports for the week ending Saturday, 4th December. There was a large attendance of farmers and other country settlers. Thirty horses were booked for the day’s sale, including medium draughts, light harness horses, and a few hacks, the latter being only of an inferior description. Fifteen out of the day’s entry were sold at the follow ing prices, viz. : —Medium draughts, five and six years old, of a fairly good stamp, £l9, £2O; ditto, of a ligh’er description, £l2, £l3 10s ; aged, of a good stamp, £9 to £l2 10s ; slightly inferior, £7 10s to £9 ; light harness horses, £5 10s ; and for a fairly good stamp up to £l3 10s was obtained; backs, a number changed hands, but at only low figures. Sundries—Spring carts, £l3 ss, £l7; gig, £l2 15s ; dray and frame, £9 ; McCormack wire binder, £9 10s; donble-furrow ploughs, £3 10s, £4; roller, £8 10s. A quantity of harness, &u., at full market rates. Also a quantity of furniture; piano brought £2O. Country Sale, op Thursday, 2nd instant.—l hold a clearing sale ot farm stock, implements, Ac., at the homestead of the late Mr H. Boyle, situated in the Rangitata Road District. There was a fair attendance, and all the lots offered, excepting sheep, were sold at very satisfactory prices. Horses, draught mares with foals at foot, brought £ls and £l6 10s; ditto, rather lighter, £lO to £l4 10a; backs, £ f 7 5s to £9. Cattle, eight en months old steers, £2 2s 6d to £2 6s. Implements, #o, Spring trap brought £l9 IQs; seed sower, £9; roller, £8; horse power, £7 7a 6d; grass stripper, £3 15s; drays, ploughs,harrows, harness, oats, &c., and sundry implements brought full values.

CRICKET

ENGLISH fCAvi v, SIDNEY JCMOKS. [RBOTEU’s TKLEQII AMS—COPYRIGHT.] Ryu ikt, December 6 Fhs crirk it m-tuh, Shaw-Lilly white ream v Sydney Juniors, which com menced on Friday conc’uded to day In -.he first innings the Juniors scored 76, *nd the Englishmen 253. lo the ••>c > d ininga the Hi mo todm made I‘o, 'he ffiuitors winning by an tunings and 170 tuns. AUSTRALIANS v AUCKLAND. |PRH > Auckland, December 6. The match bet ween the Auckland 0. 0. a: id the Australians commenced yester day, the laUer going in first. The !■ cal bowling and fielding is spoken of as ex cellent. The Australians were all out for 104 runs, and Auckland went in for the first innings, and scored 64 for 8 wioketn. Lynch was not oat 19. He and Araeil made the best play of the local men. The stumps were then drawn at ten minutes to six fur the day. The scores were as follows ; -

Auckland First Innings Yates, b Garn it ... 0 Testro, at Jarvis, b Palmer ... ... 3 Gardener, et Jarvis, b Palmer ... 9 Mills, st Jarvis, b Palmer 8 Lynch, not out... 19 Arneil, st Jarvis, b Palmer ... ... 11 Barton, o spoff .rth, b Palmer ... 2 Dewes b Palmar 3 Crowe, Ibw, b Extras 7 Total for eight wickets... ... 64 AUCKLAND. December 7 At the luncheon ar’j urnme t the score was 101 tor 14 wb-k- tt, Lynch not out with a so >re of 46 was b adly cheered

THE DIRECT STEAM SERVICE.

Writing of the last trip out of the S.S Aoraogl, which arriv-d on the 3rd inst (delivering her mails nearly six days under time, and earning a bonus of between £6OO a"d the JVew Zealand Times says The pon'tualuy and ot this splendid service are extraordinary, if not unpre e •ented. The Aon»ngi’s last two outward run-i have only cl ff ired by miuutes. a writer in an Log’ ah paper recently pro duced figures to show th-U the New Z a laud shipping Company’s nail si-rvc during the ( as 1 year has ao-ually observed greater punctual! y lhr< uvh-iut its io>iv voyages round the wnrld than the inane mail services on the E< g ish railways can show. ■ This is a marvellous record.

[PER TRUSS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, December 6

The Aorengi a voyage jest o m pie ted is not the quick’st, as is generally supposed, although the second best. Her voyage >n July last ta fndS the fastest on record by one hour and fifteen roinnt p. The cm wa d voyager of the New Zealand Ship ping Company’s steamers f r the past six m- nths are given below, and the lis> will be in ereviog if only to show how close has be n the running of the Aorangi, Rimutaki, s’ougariro -nd Kaitoara*

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

British an u foreign. [reuter’s telegrams—copyright] LONDON MARKETS London, December 4. Consols, ex div. New Zea land securities at last quotations, viz , 5 per cent. 10-40 loan, 102; 434 per cent, loan, stock, 97. Colonial breadstuff's temain at the improved prices last telegraphed, Adelaide wheat, ex store, 375; New Zealand, 31s to 365; Adelaide flour, 25s 63. The total quantity of wheat afloat for the Uuited Kingdom is 1.500.000 quarters, a reduction of 100.000 quarters daring the week, Australian tallow Beef, average quality, has declined a shilling, and is now 25s 6d ; mutton remains at 30s. The wool market continues weak. The catalogue of yesterday’s sale comprised 9000 bales, and for to-day 7300 bales. New Zealand frozen mutton, prime quality, is selling at 4d.

AFFAIRS IN IRELAND. London, December 6

The anti-rent agitation in Ireland is increasing daily. Numerous meetings were held yesterday in different parts of the country for the purpose of dicussing Ihe question. Several prominent me nbers of Parliament who were pre- I ten' delivered speeches jri which they ad icated non-payment of rents. Serious rioting took place in Corj;: yesterday evening. The police charged the mob, wounding many rioters. A ustraliTn. [reuter’s telegrams—copyright ] A STEAMER ASHORE. Bvdnet. December 6. The steamer Corangamite, while on a voyage from this port to Melbourne, ran ashore in Jervis Bay, where she now lies making a great deal of water. The crew and have already left her, several of them proceeding to Ulla dulla. ANOTHER VICTORIAN LOAN. M lboukne. Deco tube 6 It is again reported that a second in stalment, amounting ot the Victorian loan of ,£8,000,00 will be issued in London in January next.

THE OCCUPATION OF EGYPT.

[rBUTBR’s TELEGRAMS—COPYRIGHT. ] (Received December 6 b, at 1.3 C pm) London, December 2 M. Waddington, French Ambassa dor, is urging Lord Iddesleigh, Foreign Secretary, to give a definite pledge a to the evacuation of Egypt by the British forces, and agree to the control of the Suez Canal being of an inter national character. M. Waddington’s. communication to the Foreign Secretary couched in amicable terms.

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON bPK.NS MEETING. The following acceptances were re ceived last evening : County Hurdles.

Nominations for the principal even s at Tiowald Racing Club’s meeting, to be held on January Ist, must be sent in to the Secretary, Mr Cyril Jephson, before 9 p.m on Saturday next. TRADESMEN’S RACING- CLUB. A general meeting of members of the Tradesmen's Raciog Club wa- held at the Com mere al Bote last evening. There were about a dozen members present, Mr J. G Duncan in the chair.—l'he chairman reported that no satisfactory arrangement had been come to with the Hon. J Me Lean with reference to leasing ground for a course at Lagmhor.—Mr L. Markey offered to give the use of a course 01 his property free of charge —A committee, consisting of six of the members of the Club was apoointed to in pect the ground offered by Mr Markey, the committee to report to an adjourned meeting to be held on Monday next —Two new mem bers were e ected.

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

[Per Press a ssociAXtoNj,

Auckland, December 6.

At the nomination for the Waitemata elect'on Richard Monk and H. W. Furnell were proposed. The show of hands was in favor of Monk. A poll was demanded by Farnell, young man named Theodore Behrens, only a few months in the colony, blew out bis brai s in a bo rding-house this morning, it is supposed during a fit of depression. Inveucakgill, December 6.

The tug Awarna returned from a trip to the Snares in search of castaways at 215 p.m Captain Tyson reports that he reached the Snares on Saturday morn ing. He landed and made thorough search, but saw no indications of anyone having been recently on the island. He found a lett-r, deposited t ere by * aptain Fairchild, of the Government stenner Hinemoa on October 3rd 1886, stating tha' on that date he had been compelled to seek shelf r ueder the Snares through stress of weather. The Awarua steamed slowly round, sounding her whistle at intervals, but there was no sign of any thing. In going down the Awarua stemmed along the South coast ol Stew rt’s Island, but saw no sign of wreclca e, or anything to lead to the supposition that any vessel has been lost. Wellington, December 6. The Premier and Mr Ballanoe leave for the South on Wednesday Colonel Sir Geo Whbmore is to be pro moted to the rank of M j r-Ganor«l. Dunedin, December 6.

Ninety-five candidates have entered for the matoculation, medical preliminary and jn< lor scholarship examinations. The Je«ish btziar, which has been open for the past fortnight, closed this evening. It Is expected £2OOO will have been rea lised.

DETERMINED SUICIDE.

Auckland, December 6

At Parnell a young man named Then dare Behrens, only a few months in the colony, blew out his brains with a pistol in a i carding boose this morning. The bullet entered the right temple and gashed the head, p going opt at the left temple. The revolver with which the deed was committed was owned by deceased, who kept a large supply of catridgea in his box. Deceased had been a'aying at the tv use for some days past, and daring that time noth ng very atraog • was noticed in his behaviour. He always appeared to be a must quiet unassuming young man. When the breakfast h >ur c»me round o >e of the servants called deceased in the usual w*y, but received no answer. Very little importance was attached to (hi., as deceased was very reserved Shortly after the breakfast Mrs Fletcher thought she

h ard a noise la deceased's bedroom, aa if so mething had fallen, accompanied by a st fl d Bound. On Mrs Fletcher remark ing this, several lodgers want to the room and there saw deceased lying dead on the fl i< r. Brhiens had a revolver in his band, and was m that position when found by the police. Tie motive for suicide is not very clear, aa deceased was not suffer* ing from pecuniary embarrassment, as be bad money in the bank. Bis demeanour of la e seemed in no way strange Among his < fftots w re found several letters one of which was addressed to a Lady Vincent in France, and another, sealed, to Mr Cooper, which was opened by that gentle* ma», rnd found to o ntain a kind of will. His Prayer-book be left to bia a ster, and his Bible to his mother. Ray, who came out with deceased, «aw him last night. [ He all right then, and several | friends saw h m yeg etd«y afternoon, when I he was even j dly, and he appeared then .to have nothing on bi» mind. Ou the lefer being opened it was found to contain instructions for money left by deceased at the Bank, soma £9O, to be amonust time friends, Messrs Ray, 0 auJe H. Hooper and Yaung.and finished op by “ damning this confounded conn* try " Deceased was a young man, some what between twenty and thirty years of age. and was well connected, being formerly an officer in the ' Navy, where h did acme good service on the coast of Pern by rescuing a Bri ish Consul, who had bean imprisoned by the authori ties Deceased came to the colony as a second ola s passenger by the s.s, Rnap-bu but since his ar ival in thecoiouy he visited 'he *ooth Sea Islands. He aso went to Waikato where ha had worked for a tim-- forest planting at bangirlri, and oamq to town a week sgo

CHRISTCHURCH WOOL SALES.

The N.Z. L. and M.A. Co., Limited, repot# 1 as follows Our second sale of the season was held on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of a large attendance of buyers and numerous vendors interested in the proceed ings. We catalogued 1587 bales (all in store), and succeeded in placing 1135 bales at prices on a level with those current at the au 'tion sales of the previous day, but scarcely on a par with those ruling at our opening sale on sth November, An analysis of the priced catalogue shows the following range of values :—Greasy halfbred. 5Jd to 91d ; do crossbred, 5d to 9JI ; do merino. 5Jd to BSd ; do pieces, to 6|d; do locks. Id to 4d -do longwool, 6*d to 7|d ; scoured halfbred, 9M to 1s 4d ; do crossbred, 6|d to la ; do merino. lOd to Is s|d : do pieces, B|d to 9Wt do looks, Bd.

NOTES.

So the great alligator of the Waikato, the “ Monster Saurian,” who tamed up so opportunely at our New Zealand “ silly season,” proves to be neither alligator nor crocodile nor anything of the sort, but just a big seal and nothing more. Well, never mind, it served a useful purpose for a time, and the newspapers ought to be duly grateful But what about all that yarn about the ciger-hke footprints, and the creature “as big as a yearling steer that was seen crunching the bead of a cow," and what about the carcase of mutton that was taken from somebody’s slaughterhouse? Well, as to the first, we suspect that some big dog that has run wild in the bush will account for everything, and as to the second that the same explanation may also suffice, and if not, then, that neither reptile nor quadruped was guilty of the theft, but simply a light-fingered biped

Poor old Louis Kossuth! Verily, it reminds us that we are not so young as we were, to pen bis name, and brings up recollections of when we saw him accompanied by some of his expatriated compatriots, in the ancient city of Bristol, we hesitate to say how many years ago. Like many others who have served their country well, he has lived to be neglected and well-nigh forgotten in his old age. The almanac reminds us that this illustrious exile, who now lives somewhere in Italy to cogitate on the vicissitudes of fortune, attained his 84th year on the 16th of September last, and it points the moral of the mutability of human affairs to learn that the man who was once virtually Dictator of Hungary is now reduced to the status of a teacher of languages, an alien from the father-land whose independence and autonomy he once so nobly struggled to obtain.

That Auckland ammunition pro mises, it would seem, to be a very deadly article —to those using it. According to the Christchurch Press, Captain Martin, of the E Battery of Artillery, went out for rifle practice the other day, using a Snider rifle and Auckland-made ammunition, with the not very satisfactory result, that one of the cartridges blew the breech-block open, ruined the barrel, cracked the stock, and blew the hammer thirty feet away. Captain Martin himself escaped with a scorched face, and may be thank ful, but if the cartridge used w-as a fair sample of the kind that is turned out in Auckland, it will be just as well for the Defence Department to make a little further enquiry before finally adopting this species ol ammunition for the Volunteer force of the colony. For, as our Tiraaru morning contem porary remarks, in writing on the same subject, if this sort of experience is to become common as the result of patronising local industry, the result will assuredly be a list of “ killed and wounded without a declaration of war."

Talking of Tirraru that was, it appears, a most dastardly case of cruelty to a horse which resulted in a fine in the local Resident Magis trate’s. Court the other day. The Herald says that the offender, a shearer, named Kavanagb, hired a horse at Makikihi for the purpose of riding to Albury. He called at Timaru and got some drink, and on his way thence to Pleasant Point illused the poor beast in a most shameful manner. He beat it about the head with a stirrup-iron, cutting one of its eyes nearly out of the socket, and repeatedly stabbed it deeply in the shoulders, it is supposed with a pair of shears which he was carrying, besides inflicting other injuries of a serious nature. When arrested Kavanagh’s boots and clothes were covered with blood. Convicted before the local justices of this disgusting piece of brutality, he was let off with a fjne of jQio, a decision which the Herald very properly characterises as lamentably weak, VVe entirely agnjg in that view, and regard the case ag one in which the power of imprisons ment, without option offing conferred by the Act, should most certainly have been exercised. A brute like Kavanagb should have been sent up for bard labor for three months at the very least.

It is pleasant to think that there is already a rift in the cloud of depression which has so long overshadowed the colony, and that we may look forward to the return, ere long, of the sunshine of prosperity. Amongst the signs of a coming revival in trade the New Zealand Herald points to “ the steady remittance of credits to the woolgrowers in this colony, through the rise in price of this staple in the London market,” anent which our conteiflr porary says :—“ Instead of having the drawbacks of last year, some very sub* stantial sums have come forward by the last two or threemails from England, and have greatly eased sheep farmers. One company received by the last mail no less than of credits, and another £20,000. Should favorable prices continue to be maintained at the sales that are to be opened neat week, we may reasonably look for increased confidence, which really means that an improvement will soon be telt in every branch of trade. There are rumours that the financial institu tions are very full of money, and, that some ot the banks are refusing to accept large sums upon deposit at the present high rate of 6 per cent There is, therefore, some hope that the rate will be lowered before long. But the first movement in this direction will probably come from Australia. There, of course, the rise in the price of wool has already had a beneficial effect, and with the prospect of a good season and improved prices all tound for pro duce, the general look-oat appears to us much brighter than it did a few months ago.” ! ‘' :

THE ASH BURTON HO AUDI AN, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1886,



A fst All NS Firar Innings. Jones, b Meldtunj ... 18 Palmer, b Gould ... ... 0 Tromble, c Cr :ws>, b Mtddram 13 Brace, b Lyncl’, ... .. 17 J itrls, b Arnd; 13 Utliwraith, st tlarvle, b Arnoil .. i3 Garrett, b Lyn ih 4 Evans, c McP'ieraon, b Arneil 2 rpoffortb, o M l’, b Lynch 0 Phtlllpa, not out 8 Extras ... .. 4 Total 101 Bowling analyst*. Runs. Mdns, Wtk« Meldrnm ...tlB 31 13 2 Gould ... 36 25 I 1 Mills ... 70 16 8 0 Lynch ... 88 20 9 3 Acneil ... 53 10 4 3



Jay—'Vorsoyi ... 39 days 3 hro 2 mi' 8 naii'uat—Rirniruka 39 5 M 12 Sept-— na r ofui... 41 .. 8 ., 52 ,, October—Kaiboura 39 .. 7 „ 45 „ Nov.—Ton. A'-iro... 39 5 , 5 i „ D camber—Aoranci 39 .. 4 42 „



et lb fit IK Moody ... 12 3 Eabihatea . .. 9 4 Panic ... 10 1 Loch Naw .. 9 0 Minnie ... 9 9 Nero .. 8 7 Gunpowder 9 7 f WALTER 1 Jandicap. at lb at lb Aroha ... 12 7 Meada .. 10 5 Panic ... 11 2 Loch Naw.. 10 2 J ideal ... 10 9 Salop . 10 0 Zeaiot ... 10 5 Ashburton Cub. fit lb st lb *ubina ... 8 0 Tit Bit .. 6 8 Spade Guinea 7 9 Derwenter .. 6 6 Quibble ... 7 8 County Plath st lb i st lb Melville ... 7 10 Minnie .. 6 7 Tasmania ... 7 6 Leeston .. 6 0 Zealot ... 6 10 1 Spring Handicap fit lb st 1b Quibble ... 8 10 Lit Bit .. 7 10 Jack... ... 8 10 Gaiety .. 6 0 TJNWALD RACES,



MRS MANHIBE, Fancy goods warehouse, Saunders’ Buildings, Ladies' and Children’s Clothing in great ▼ariety. Paper Patterns in stock and designed to order Special Lines in Aprons and Pinafores. 9624 ' MUSIC. MRS A . c. CLARIDGE is prepared to receive PUPILS for PIANOFORTE and jDRGAN Terms on Application Cox street, Ashburton. 9668 WESTGATE & BATES, (From G. Elliott, Christchurch), Fishmongers and poulterers oatster saloon, Tangred sikeet, Ashburton. N.B. —We are now receiving daily Fresh Fish of the best qu ulity. 964 Fob coughs, b *cn .1 ■ Asthma, Coryza, Infla 1 1 rs . ( sumption, &c. XT’ AY’S COMPOUND OF LINSEED, i\ Aniseed, Senega, Squill, Tola, &c with Chlorodyne. KAY’S COMPOUND, a demulcent expectorant, for Coughs, Oolde, and Cheat Complaints. RAY’S COMPOUND, for Couchs, ard Colds, is equally serviceable for Horses and Cattle. ] AY’S TIC PILLS, a specific in Neuralgia, Face-ache, Ac. Con tains Quin ne, Iron, &c. COAGULINE. —Cement for Broken Articles. Sold Everywhere. Sole Makers :—KAY BROS., Stock ort, England, East street,



Wanted. WANTED— A girl, abm-t 14 to nlnd two children. Apply at this tffire. WANTED— Teams for breaking up and crciEß-plouglrng. Apple O Stbachet, Maronan, 12J26 WJ ANTED KVOWN .—That from thia VY date I have reduced j vints of Beef and Mutton a halfpenny per lb —James Tasker. 12 * 14 WANTED the Public to inspect a grand assortment of New Season's Tea and Sugars of all grades, at pricel - suit all classes of purchasers—Jas McGregor, atree* __ ||f ANTED KNOWN.—Washing and W .tlangli g done either by the day or dozen. Maugling 2d per dozen.—Mrs Nevile, North-uest Beit, Allenton. 880 FUBNITOHE— To meet the times, W DAVIS, Cabinetmaker, Fast street, Ashburton, is now selling Furniture of all kinds cheaper than ever. Chest of Drawers £1 5s ; prin. Couches, £1 5s Every other article tqu-' ly cheap. A'l new furniture at second-hand price. 804 JEST OPENED—Oh-ice assortment of New Spring Dress tuffs, Prints, Millenry, etc he cheapest House in town for first class goods. Dressmaking on the premises. H. C. Segkks, Mel ford House. - t"\7 ANTED known that J Heseltine VV Saddler, tfc., Burnett str et Ashburton, and at I'jnwald. is SELLING SA> DLEKY CHEAPER THAN EVEU. Large Stock to select from. Reaper and Binder Canvasses made and repaired at lowest prices. Cash paid for Horsehair in any qu-ntity, hoto the address Next Bullock’s Arcane, Burnett street, Ashburton. 12+1



Spicwi Advert; semen vs. MEN WANTED. W r ANTED —Two Men for the Cheese and Bntter Factory, Apply to Mr H Frikplakder. 12 42 ANTED KNOWN MRS STRIBLING HAS REMOVED from old premises in Burnett street (next to the Arcade), to the PANAMA BOARDING-HOUSE, TAKCBBi.' STREET (Lately occupied by Mr Lucas). 8°537 C HAWKINS, Bootmaker, Tinwald has just received a good assortment of BOOTS \ND SHOES for the Summer Season, all of which will be so d at piicee not to bo rubbed out in Ashburti n. E arly call solicited _ H°96 THE ASHBURTON WOOLLEN MANUFACTURING COMPANY Is prepared to PURCHASE for CASH, SHEEPSKINS and all kinds of WOOL, in large or small quantities. 12 ! 2 THAT



W. F. HANNAFOBD, (Barnett street, opposite “ VS ail” Office) TINSMITH AND METAL-PLATE WORKER, WISHES to infom tbe public of Ashburton an. tbe surrounding districts that he keeps in stock or can MANUFACTURE TO ORDER all de scriptions of TINWARE for FARM or DAIRY purposes; also, all REPAIRS of any nature promptly executed in a skilful manner. All goods sold at lowest remunerative prices A Tr'.vl solicited H 1 RSE-HAIR and BEESWAX bought in any quanti $ forC-iSH. 11 73 WILDING AND LEWIS, gARBISTERS AN a- gOUCII’ORS, F. WILDING, Eotary Public. Offices: Next “ Mail ” Office, Burnett st., Ashburton. Mr W 3 X.DI o will attend the sittings < f the Ashburton ourta on Tuesday and Fridays, end may be consulted personally or> these clays. The firm la now represented in Ash burton by Mk Clavton, an English iSo iclior of consid rable experience, who wil; be in daily attendance at the (ffice to receiva instructions and center wt.h ionta. *IOBO



NSW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY The new goods for the SUMMER SEASON .ARE NOW OPENED OUT. The Stock is THE LARGEST & BEST SELECTED IN THE TOWN, 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 I ia great variety Hats, compris ng every new style worn Children's Jersey Suits, Children’s Men of-War Suits Gentlemen’s Hosiery, Scarves; Oxford -iegatta and White Shirts Bugs, Portmanteaus, and Travelling Bags The celebrated WEBTHEIM SEWING MACHINE. Time Payments. N.Z CLOT KING FACTORY, East SraaßT,



■m TO STAND THIS SEASON AT ASHBURTON, Anil Travel the •'urrouiding Districts, The Thoroughbred Horse, Kingfisher. For Pedigree see cards Terms- For one mare, £3 3s. A reduction will be made for three or more mares, the property of one owner. First class padd cks for marts at la per week Groomage fee, ss, payable at first service. E. COOKSON, Proprietor, 9J733 Livery Stables, Ashburtn.



MOUNT SOMERS COAL PIT. COAL CAN NOW BE HAD AT THE AB-jVE PIT ♦ FOR JgIGUT SHILLINGS PER TON, Or in Ashburton at SEVENTEEN SHILLINGS PER TON, By the Truck. FOB CASH OaLY. E. F. WRIGHT. MBSSR i TI CKER AND RESTELL Agents in Ashburton. o*3l



Victoria House. HOLIDAY SEASON, 1886-87 SECOND ANNUAL GIFT DISTRIBCi lON, comprising elegant Works of Art, in Bohemian and Bulgarian Pain ed Vases, Glass Water Jugs, and Crysta Flower Stands. Ac GIFT COUPONS now being issued to Purchasers DIMATNT ANI) COE, GENERAL DRAPERS CLOiTIIERS, Ac., Corner East and Tancred streets, Ashburton.



Special advertisements. GLL Death & Co. £IOOO 0 8 0” sth ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION or CHRISTMAS GIFTS Friday, November 12th. ON AND AFTER FRIDAY every Customer will re ceive a Ticket with each Purchase, entitling the holder to select any Present of the value stated on the ticket, which will amount to about one-eighth of the purchase money. G. L. BEATH & CO. Argyle House, CASHEL STREET, CHRISTCHURCH



FOR .Reliable Goods AT MODERATE PRICES ORR & ALCORN ARE U napproachable. THE PREMIER STOCKS OF ASHBURTON, DRAPERY, CLOTHING, BOOTS AND SHOES. CAB PETS (NEW DESIGNS) REMOVAL OF THE ASHBURTON BRANCH OP H. J. WOOD AND CO. (Late T. P. Farley) to FRIED LANDER’S BUILDINGS. ITT E beg to advise our valued cus V * tomers, the commercial and general public of Ashburton and sur rounding districts, that, having taken the lease of the largo and commodious pre mises, formerly the drapery establishment of Messrs Friedlauder Bros., next the corner, we have opened there with a large and well-assorted stock of



BOOKS, COMMERCIAL & GENERAL STATIONERY, ACCOUNT BOOKS, &c., To which is being added on the arrival of ev' ry direct steamer the very latest NEW B -OKs and NEW MUSIC out. Subscribers 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. t-pecial Discounts allowed to Library and School O' nrnittees Catalogues and Lists on application WBITING, PRINTING, & WRAPPING PAPERS 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 best assorted in the colonies ; or from our London Agency by direct mail steamer. H. J. WOOD Sc GO. [ Booksellers, Stationers, Printers, and Bookbinders, STATIONERS’ HALL, ASHBURTON. Messrs SPENSLEY & CO having ap po nted us their Agents for Ashbmton and Ditrict, we have pleasure in culling atten tion to our large and well assorted stock of Sheet Music, comprising the latest and moat popular Songs, Dances, and Piano forte Soios. Teachers and others will find a useful assortment of the most approved Methods and Studies for .Pianoforte Prac tico and S nging. Pianos by celebrated makers, which may be either purchas -d on the deferred payment system or hired for any length of time. Violins, Cornets, Flutes, Accordions, Corcertinas, Har moniums, Vrguus, and Brass Instruments r J. woop AND 00. .



THE DISTRICT RAILWAYS PUR CHASING ACT, 1885, AND AMENDMENT ACT. ms RAKAIA AND ASHBURTON FORKS R IL'VAY DISTRICT. NOTICE is hereby given ander the provisions of the i istrict Railways Punhasing Act, 1885, and the District Railways Purchasing Act, 1885, Extension and Amendment Act 1886, that it is my intentio i to nv--ke, on the 4Hi Liecemhei, u rate on all Trope ty within the Kakaia and Ashburton Forks Railway District, as (1. fined in Gazette of 17th October, 1878, page 1415, for the year ending 31st March, 1886, as follows 29,311 A rate of of a penny in the 100,000 pound on all land comprised in the first class 26,054 A rate of of a penny in the 100,000 pound on all land comprised in the second class. 19 541



A rate of of a penny in the 100,000 pound on all land comprised in the third class. 13,027 A rate of of a penny in the 100000 pound on ad land comprised in the fourth class. That such Rate will be payable to the Postmaster at Rakaia on the 11th December next, and that the Hate B ok will be open for inspection at the Post Office, Rakaia, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 ~m. daily from the 15th to the 30th November, b th inclusive. J SURREY. Property Tux Commissioner. Wellington, 12th November, 1886, 11 86 TO STAND THIS SEASON, AT NETHKRBY FARM, ASHBURTON, And visit the surrounding neighborhood, The Thoroughbred Stallion Johnny Faulkner. Pedigree : He is by St. Albans, out of Impudence, by Peter Wilkins, out of Prudence by Jersey, out of black Sail by Wanderer, out of Fairy (imp.) (For tabulated pedigree see cards ) Terms : £lO 10s for thoroughbred mares, £5 5s for half-bred mares. Also, the Thoroughbred Stallion Rouser, By Messenger, out of Kate O’Sbane, Will stand at Nethe'by Farm, and travel bo districts of Ashburton, Metbvon, Mount Somers, and Alford Forest Terms , £3 10 ; guarantees, £5 5s Season, l«t January, 1887. Guarantees, Ist Ju y, 1887 9635 L MAR KEY, Propriotr r



At the nomination for the Western Maori electorate, Sydney Taiwhanga, one of the candidates, explained that the reason why Wahanui would not stand was the publication of a skit in the Illustrated Tit Bits, showing the Native Minister as a woodman chopping down the King movement, In a druggist's window a notice was exhi bited, recommending a certain patent medicine, with the very dubious heading, “Try Qna box: You will never take any other medicine.”



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