DAILY MEMORANDA

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS Etc Thubsdat, Drcembe v 23 Ashburton t heesa and Butter Factory Company Meeting in the Arcade Chambers at 2 o’clock * Mosdit Decrmbeb 27 LO.L.- Annual Concert and Ball Monday, December 27 9 srough Council, at Botou*n Ooanotl Oh-*mh«.r« a’ 7.30 Wednesday December 29. Wakanm cbool of R*t6pay6 r s Fkiday, December 31 Oddfello*a’ Dali—“ False Colors ” at 8 o’clock

RAILWAY TIME TABLE

Tjuras Abbivb at Abhbubtoh — From Ohnst hnrch and the North, at 10.15 a.m. (express), 4.35 p.m., and 7.10 p.m. From Timarn, 99.45 a.m. From Dunedin and South, 6.97 g,«n. (express). From Mount Somers, 10.6 UB Tpipfl Lun Ashbubton —For Christ- Sbnroh and North, at 7.10 a.m., 10.66 a.m., •ad 6.87 p.m. (express). For Dunedin snd Booth, 10.26 a.tn. (express). For Timarn, 4 p.m. For Mount Somers, 5.6 p.m

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

From and after the 30th November, 1886, the tonne of Subscription to this journal will be as follows, via.:— nr paid in advancb : Per Quarter.. 6s 6d, by post, 9a 6d Half-year 12s 6d, by post, 18s 6d „ Teat .. 4s Od by post, 87s Od rr booked: Per Quarter.. 7e 6d, by post, 10s 9d .. Half-year 16s Od, by post, 21s 6d „ Tear .. 80e Od, by post, 43s Od Birl Marriage, and Death Notices, if paid for at the time of insertion, 2s _6d each (stamps may he sent as payment); if booked, PRESENT SUBSCRIBERS MAY RENEW THEIR SUBSCRIPTIONS AT THE OLD RATES. Announcements of Births, Deaths and Marriages sent for publication from the country districts, require to be verified by the signa ture of the person sending the notice.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close at the Ashburton Post Office follows: — For Christchurch and North at 6 a.n> 0.30 a.m., and 6 p.m., daily. For Ohertsey Rakaia, «feo., at 10.30 a.m **For Tlnwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Bangitata, Orarl, Winchester, «Bd Geraldine, at 10 a-m. daily, pof Tdmukft, at 10 a.m. and 4.30 p*xa for Timaro and South, at 10 a.s>., and ftSO p.m., daily. _ , For Greenstreet, on Wednesday* and tordays, at 10.45 a.m. For Wakanul, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, Kyle, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and todays, at 6.30 For Mount Somers, daily at 4.30 p.m For Mayfield and Buapona, on Mon |m and Thursdays, at 4.30 p.m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, 4.30ip.m. illy. For FLemlngton, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4.30 p. m. For Newlands, on Tuesdays and Frl at 10.30 a.m.

UT.lia strive at the Ashburton Post Moo From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10.16 ,m., 4.85 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Ohertsey, &o. at 10.15 ( and .86 p.m. daily. Item Dunedin and Intermediate places 6.3 < '*sm. daily, -1 rom Femuka and Timaru at 10.40 a. m p 5 30 p.m daily. From Greenstreet, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 *.m. From Mount Somers, daily at 10.6 Tn. From Mayfield and Bnapona, on Wed c<v-r~‘&ys and Saturdays, at 10.5 a.m. a om Ashton, Waterton, and Long each at 10 a. m. dally. «f-om Newlands, on .Tuesdays and Fci days, at 2.30 p.m. P rom Flemington on Tuesdays, Than, days, and Saturdays, at 10a.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1886. JUSTICE AND MERCY.

In some remarks which we recently made on the sentence passed by Mr Jusiice Windeyer upon the wretches found guilty of the Mount Rennie out rage, we expressed the opinion that it was necessary for the safety of society in the sister colony that a stern example should, in this instance, be made. Subsequently to this we have observed from our exchanges that strenuous efforts were being put forth to obtain a commutation of the sen tence, there being in Sydney, as elsewhere, numbers of well-meaning but mistaken persons whose sym pathy with criminals is born of an ex treme huraanitarism which curiously enough, while embracing all offenders, even of the deepest dye, seems to take no account whatever of those who suffer at their hands. Strong pressure has been brought to bear by these en thusiasts for the respite of the nine men who are under sentence of death, and the Executive have doubtless had placed upon them a duty of grave responsibility in deciding whether or not in the interests of justice and for the pro tection of the public it was necessary to carry out the last dread penalty of the law to the full extent of the sentence. Such a wholesale execution is a terrible thing to contemplate, but so also is such a wholesale crime which was in deed of so exceedingly grave a nature as to derqand a stern retribution. Sti'l, the law avenges not for vengeance’ sake but rather to deter others from com mitting like offences, and if the number of lives to be forfeited could he reduced without diminishing the effect of the law’s vindication it was well that this should have been done. And the Ex ecutive have shown their desire to temper justice with mercy, and tendered advice to the Governor which meets all the requirments of the case, the result being that the sentence of three of the offenders has been commuted to imprisonment tor life, thus leaving the sentence to take effect in the case of six, who will expiate their crime on the scaffold. The spectacle of so many young men forfeiting their lives as the penalty of their unbridled passions, and ruthless disregard of all law, human and divine, will surely strike terror into the hearts of those who acknowledge no restraints other than those of a regard for their own lives and liberties, and so prevent them from committing similar crimes under the belief that their youth may save them from the vengeance of the law. While, how ever, in this instance, we quite concur that it is necessary that the capital sentence should be carried out, we cannot help thinking that had flogging been the penalty, and had it been in flicted in some of the instances which preceded the Mount Rennie outrage, it would have had a sufficiently de terrent effect, and that, in all proba bility, the outrage for which the six young men are now about to suffer at the hands of the common hangman would never have occurred. We know that there are many persons who strenuously oppose the use cf the lash on the ground that it brutalises those upon whom it is inflicted, but we bold that the dread of flogging is so great that it effectually prevents the com mission of such offences. This was clearly exemplified in connection with the crime of garotting, once so common in London and other Home cities, and which was entirely stamped out by the law which inflicted flogging as the penalty. Better flog than hang at any rate, and though the necessity for either the cat or the gallows is greatly to be deplored, yet until the condition of society in New South Wales improves it would appear that either one or o>her alternative must be chosen with regard to a certain class of criminal ounces.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A rehearsed of “ False Colors ” will be held in the Oddfeilowa’ Hall this evening, at 7 sharp. By a slip of tber pen our special correspon dent, in writing of a recent trip to Mount Somers, stated that the charge for the local coal delivered at Mount Semen Railway Station was 16s per ton. It should have been written that the price was 16s per ton delivered at Ashburton Railway Station. District Court sittings in lieu of those pre viously fixed will take : plaoe for civil business in the Courthouse, Ashburton, on 4th Jan uary, 14th March, 16th May, 11th July, 19th September, and 9th December. Just before going to press wa were sorry to learn that the wife of Mr Dolman, sen., bad been thrown out of a trap and out about the Read, sustaining injuries which necessitated the calling in of the assistance of Dr Tweed. We are glad to hear the injuries are not serious. No blame is attached to any person. The following paragraph appears in the Dunedin Eoe%i»g Star of the 14th inst.: — A divorce oasa, the parties to which are well known in Christchurch, will be heard iu Dunedin noxt month. The petitioner is a musical conductor, and the respondent a well-known sporting medico who hwlc from 4ibbortCß.

Mr Mcßae, of the CentraljHotel, has reason to complain of having been served an exceed ingly scurvy trick by some person unknown. On Thursday night last a favourite entire pony, which was tied up in a shed on the premises, was taken away, and on Friday morning a man was seen riding it through Dromore. Nothing further was heard of the pony until Wednesday, when Mr Moßao was informed that k had been seen in a pad dock near Fairfield and lame. On being seen by a veterinary surgeon it was found that one of the pony’s legs was broken, and it had therefore to be shot. It is supposed that the person who rode* the pony away turned it adrift somewhere beyond Dromore, and that making its way towards homo it gotinto the paddock with other horses, and was kicked by one of them. It is to ba hoped that Mr Mcßae may succeed in finding out who the person is to whom he is indebted for the loss of bis pony, as that person, whoever he may be, ought certainly to be made to pay its value to the owner.

A party of local anglers, consisting of five gentlemen, took advantage of Anniversary Day for a fishing ezonrsion in the Ashburton river with the following results, viz. :—Mr Sampson, 15 fish, weighing 2Glbs ; Mr Clark, 7 fish, weighing about llibs ; Mr Quane, 6 fish, 41ba ; Mr Bhury, 4 fish, 7ilba ; Mr Moore, 3 fish, BJlba. Total 34 fish, 671 be. Mr Corbett took 2 fish, and Mr Zander, who was only out half an hour, a single fish, weight not stated. We are indebted for the foregoing information to Mr Shury, who states that the trout seem to be biting best where the silveries have got up the river—from the sea to about opposite Weaterfield Mill. In addition to the many beautiful glass ware presents, Messrs Dimant and Coe announce that they are presenting with each 70s parcel (during the present month) a magnificent floral album, 11 x 9 inches, with patent clasps, of which there are only a limited number available. Yesterday the police received a telegram that a man bad been found dead in Hagley Park, Christchurch. Ho was in possession of pawn tickets in favor of “F. Allen, carpenter, Ashburton.” A child, five months old, named Levina Scott, the daughter of Mr Scott, engine driver, was found dead in bed at her parents’ residence, Mount Somers, this morning. It was apparently in good health on the previous evening. An inquest will be held at Mount Somers at 7 o’clock to-night, before Mr H. C. S. Baddeley, coroner. New Volunteer regulations are gazetted. They come into force on Ist January.

SPORTING.

PLDMPTON RAOEB. Christchurch, December 16. The P umyton races wore attended by about 400 persons Hurdles : |3 mile. Irish Kin., 10>t31h.,. ... 1 Maioboom, lOat 5 b 3 Mammock, 10-t 71b ... ... 3 Time— 3min 57'iec*!. Plumpto -- Cup ; miles. Patrician. 7«t 7lb ... ... 1 Rocket, B>t 41h ... ... 2 Vinaigrette. 7st6lb ... ... 3 Tim*- 2-nin 17seca Anniversary Handicap ; 6 furlongs. Galatea, 7st 81b ... ... 1 Teddy YuMe, 6sc Hlb ... 2 MirelU, Bat ... ... ... 3 Time —Imin 16-iecs- NEW BRIGHTON RACES. About 400 people were at the New Brigh'on Races Hurdles;2 miles. Aroha, 10»t 8 b 1 Gunpowder, B*t 91b 2 Matter juy, 8a- 91b... ... 3 Cup ; mile. Derwenter, 8 t 7lb 1 Kngask, 8v B’6 2 Marlborough, 6st 101 b ... 3

CHERTSEY SCHOOL

The Ohertsey District School annual treat was held on the school ground on Thursday and proved from first to last un urq ial fled success: The children as sembled i>> the school ground early iu the afternoon, accompanied in most oases, by their parents and other Mends of the school. The School Committee mns-ered well, and were untiring in their eff 'ns to assist in the amusement of the young folks. After v-rlous sports of an »ttr«o 1 1ve nature had been Indulged in an ad journment was made to the sohoolroen where the young peop'e ><nd their friends were reg’Fd with an excellent and» bun dant service, of t-a aud osko. Presents of valuable books were th« n distributed every child in the school being the re cipient of a handsome volume At 'his «"age cf the proceedings the master, Mr Todd, called upon the children to give t-ree hearty cheers, first 10 ill, t'ommitte■ who had one aud all put themselves to so much trouole to enter tain them, and secondly, to all thn people of the district who had responded so liber ally towoms the fu d for the purchase of the b oka Various sports were then afterwards taken p-rfin. Messrs Oh ids, Hi rsua'.i and Wells rendering excellent service in their efforts to amuse all and sundry. A dance In the evening fermi nated a very pleasant dry’s proceedings.

GOVERNMENT LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES.

Wellington, December 16- The Colonial 'treasurer supplies the following information respecting the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act : A great deal of attrition has been given to tois Act. A precis of the two Acts wa* sent to every Real body in he colony Ft wa< then determined to invite applications from local bodies for loans amoanting in all to £200,000, authorised to be granted this year Applications were to be sent in by the 30th November. It was resolved, as the applications were not ex peoted to be m excess of the total amount, to allow applies ions to be sent in for loans for which the local body had only resolved to ask the ratepayers consent, before that o nsent was granted For tunately the totvl amount comes jnst within the total aval able tom, and no pto rata reduction has to be made, other wise it would have been unfair to place loans unauthorised by the ratepayers upon the same footing as those which had received their sanction. The total applications received were for £286,667, from which had to be deducted amounts included for the second year, amounts asked to pay off overdraft (which could n t be oeseuted to under the Act) and applications not sent in in time. After these deductions were made there re mained a total number of formal applica tions to be dealt with, amounting to £199,744 divided »a follows :—Counties, £127,764 ; Koad Boards, £66,380 ; Town Boards, £1 400; boroughs, £3,V00; Rl* er Boards, £1000; total £.99 744. It ly probable, though these are all provis ionally granted, that the ratepayers will refuse to ratify emit of them, The C lomal Treasurer has intimated to tba local bodies whose applications came In too late that he will consider them If the ratepayers reject some of the -cans pro visionally granted The whole of the replies to local bodies will bo posted by to-morrow.

ST. STEPHEN’S GARDEN PARTY.

The garden party iu connection with St Stephen s Church has now come to be ooked upon as a regular annual institu tion ; the success of which it is always safe to calculate upon beforehand. For the last few years the pa-ty has been bald at the 1 arsocage ground ', but this year Mi J. Hunt, sen.’s, beautiful grounds on the Wakanui I toad were cli sen for the purpose. A rather unpleasant n r’w-ster somewhat detracted fro n the pleasure of the jou-'cey from town, but at Mr Hunt’s the wind was ke jt outside by the thukly p anted belts of tail trees There was a very numerous attendance during the day and the visitors all a'-poored to enjoy tbemsslt’es ’mmensely The usual stills, nicely decora’ed, »ere present and were under the charge of the following ladies : Mesdames C. C. Foots, Bullock, Gates, Olaridge, Thomas, Trevor, Halsell. Rest el I, Felton, Bland, Mayo, Misses Shury, Gates, Arkwell, and others. A feature of the day was a Maypoledance, prettily executed by a number of diminutive young ladles, whose success was due to the painstaking tuition of Mrs A Curtis. The usual games were indulged in, and there was also boating ad lib, for those whose inclinations were that way be .t, A Richardson’s Show was on the ground, and was »ell patronised. There was an a dition 1 attraction in the fact that the Volunteer Review took place in one of Mr Hunt’s paddocks A substantial stun should be realise i by the party

THE EASTERN CRISIS.

[REUTER’a TELEGRAM* —OOPTRIOHT ] St Petersburg, December 15 The Official Messenger today pub lishes an article rebuking the Russian people for the anti-German feeling which they have manifested. Common interests, it declares connect Russia a?id Germany. Rus ia will respect the special interests of Germ my, and it is assured that Germany will respect Rus sian interests in Bugaria. A hope is expressed that German influence will be solely directed for the maintenance of peace, which the Czar and Russian people earnestly desire. Fbtersbdro D-camber 16 It is thought probable that the Rus sian Government will object to Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg accepting the throne of Bulgaria,

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[renter’s tklkorams - COPTBIO.IT.] THE IRISH QUESTION. London, December 16. Mr Gladstone, in a letter- to the Marquis of Ripon, states, in reference to the Irish difficulty, that neither threats of vengeance nor illegally combining to resist the law can be countenanced by the Government. RATE OF DISCOUNT (Received December 17 12 40 p.m ) > 'eOßna 1 " «>r 16 The Bank of England has raised the rate of discount to 5 per cent. A COMMERCIL PANIC. It is expected there will be a large withdrawal of gold in North America, owing to a panic on the New York Stock Exchange. SHIPPING CASUALTY. Yesterday the ship Western Monarch, bound for Wellington, was towed back to London much damaged by a severe gale. The owners of the tug which brought her claimed salvage. A GOVERNOR IN TROUBLE. Oafktown, December 15 An extreme disagreement has arisen between Sir Arthur Havelock, Governor of Natal, and the Natal Government. In the Legislative Council to-day notice was given of a resolution that the Governor had forfeited the confidence of the colony, and praying the Queen to appoint a competent Governor. THE ENGLISH IN EGYPT. Alexandria. l*e «mber 16. General Stephenson, commander of the British forces in Egypt, has sub mitted details of a scheme for the reduction ol the army of occupation in accordance with the decision of the Government. A FIFTY-DAYS’ FAST. Paris. Dncnnnber 16 Steffano Minlatti, a young Italian artist, has completed a fast of 50 days. He was very much emaciated, but otherwise suffered no ill effects.

AUSTRALIAN.

[rRCTBR's TEIiEGK VMS COrYRIOHT ] GOVERNOR’S SPEECH. Melbourne, December 16 Parliament was prorogued to-day by the Governor. In his speech the Irri gation Act was discussed at some length. He showed that the Act, which encourages private enterprise, would lead to the establishment of irrigation centres in Victoria. He declared that it would much enlarge the habitable territory by the addition of rich and populous domains. Referring to the Tramway Loans Act, he said this would enable the country districts to be con nected with the main railways, and he was assured it would contribute to the immediate development of remote country districts, and would introduce a system capable of further extension. The speech congratulated Pailiaraent on the promptitude with which the Centennial Exhibition proposals had been accepted. If these were executed with spirit and with the cordial co operation of the neighboring colonies, it would stimulate the Federal move ment. The Exhibition would be a great advantage to colonial industries, and would demonstrate to the world the strides Victoria had made since 1880. Satisfaction was expressed at the result of the Postal Conference, at which com plete unanimity had prevailed as to the postal requirements of the colonies. It was hoped a Federal postal service would be established. The prosperity of the country was great, and there was a steady increase in revenue. There were prospects of an abundant harvest, and signs of a revival in the mining in dustry.

THE MOUNT SENNY OUTR-' GE.

Bvombx, D-oember 16, The Government have decided that si» of the prisoners who were sentenced to death for the Mount'Rennie outrage shall be banged, Sentence pn the other three has been commuted to im prisonmft&t for life.

CORRESPONDENCE.

vVe do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

THE 01 D MEN’S HOME.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Peing well aware that the Press is cipa'ile of doing more execution than the cannon. I «sk your permission to publish the following: lines, viz. :—I had oceasi >n to pass the Old Men’s Pome at 2 am. and was much gr'eved at meeti >g with some of the aged inmates toddling about iu a melancholy st te 1 was informed by them that they had been driven from their beds by vermin, seating that death would be preferable to the manner they were tormented night after night. Is is not a pity that bo good and well meant an institution as the Home should be in such a deplorable state. Even if the pests cannot be altogether extermina'ed, 1 am well aware thkt by a little trouble, and at a very trifling expense, they might be kept under, so as to allow the inmates to ebb out the remainder of their few days in a more agreeable manner than they are at present doing.—Yours, &c., S.T. [This letter has been held over for some days, pendm' enquiry which wo have now made, and we regret to find that o t correspondent's statement as to the Home being infested with insects of the same description as overrun d rty lodging houses iu London is not in the least exaggerated This should be eeen to a*, once by the authorities.—Ed ]

ASHTON SCHOOL ENQUIRY.

TO TBS EDITO*. Sib. —ln Saturday's is; ue of the Guar dian there appeared *hat purported to »e an impartial report of a public enquiry held on November 15th. Now, Sir, our Master has attempted a fee- which, 1 fee sure, no qualified re porter on your staff would ever think of doing, namely, writing a verbatim report ef a pub c h qniry from memory almost a mouth a tar it has t*ken plsca Ymr correspondent states that it waa tekan from hia notes, but it is a cu'ious coinci oeuca that such notes introduce in hi* report, I will i ot say wilful misrepresen tations, bat assumeily gross misstatements which apparently have been furnished w th a view of misleading your readers and to satisfy a certain sm ant of vanity wh oh, perhaps, is pardonable in a youag mantes.

It ib very singular that, while he waa in possession of a copy of the charges pre ferred against him, he shoold studiously withhold reporting them as supplied to him, and given you an abbreviated version of hi* own, carefully omit'ing a gross misstatement which he was charged iu making to the mis re** in closing school, a d which he was confronted with on the day of inquiry and could not gainsay.

1 come now to a muter which shows how far your correspondent's notes can b- relied on, wh*n, in answer to one of the witnesses, Mr Saunders is made to say—“ If they were foolish enough to elect a Committee in whom they hai no confidence ih**y must put up with the. consequences. ” Now > Sir, as there other persons present taking notes on the matter, I have no hesitation In saying such a statement is a libel on the under standing of the gentlemen in question as well as a foolish attempt to satirise tbe Committ'-e.

If the Master to 'k such copious notes, how, 1 ask does he come to treat the charges laid against him in such a light way, and omit many or all of he leading points ? Take that of severe punish ment. He does not tell your readers in the evidence given by the several wit nesses that he kept a family of four closed up in tbe school for about six hours w thout allowing them the chance of obtaining any food ; that the mistress, through pure sympathy, allowed one of them out to eat her lunch, and when the Master had the hardihood to remark “ there were only three,” Mr Saunders said it was a very serious charge, and bad there been only one child the principle was tbe same. He refrains froip letting the public know that it was given in evidence that one boy was to badly bruised and beaten that his father stated ho had gone to see Mr Bramley, who, however, was from home, with a view of bringing the case hefoie the Magistrate. Hib notes are barren of the fact that another witness stated that her girl had her hand rendered so bad as to be unable to use it for a tort ight. But still, for purposes of his own, he makes this same witness state that her children we’e re fused admittance to another school, which nn 'oubtedly is another of the joung Master’s misrepresentations. I come now to the latter part of the so-called impartial report, and feel bound to say that a more ga bled and contorted statement coaid hardly be made. Words are put into the month of Mr Saunders w ioh he never uttered, and it is a I peculiarity that a'l such ere introduced In such a selfish form as to leave no doubt what the Master’s object was in drawing up another report of the meeting. Let me give one of my notes, and compare. Speaking to the master, Mr Saunders a id : “ You have acted very foolishly in taking np a defiant attitude towar is the Committee.” Here he asked the master if he Lad read the latter part of the Education Act, to which he replied “ No.” Mr Saunders sa dhe would advise him to procure a copy, as he would find therein that tbe C •ramittee had the supreme power over the management • f the school Imihtgo on t > show tb»t with the exception of two or throe para graphs the summing up of Mr Saunders is totally suppressed, and the Master’s own version given, so as to form a favourable report towards himself, a<>d in the eyes of your readers He says the reports on the school have been satisfactory. So far as the Committee is concerned, they were u> animously agreed that the last annual examination was very unsatisfactory. ! *ut of a roll number of 52, only 22 were presented, which, I think, spei ks for itself, seeing there is a mistress teaching the infants together with Ist and 2nd Standards

In closing these remarks, I feel sorry that Mr Bratnley should have allowed himself to open np a matter wbt h has been virtmlly settled a month back, but in justice to ms self and the Committee, I eon d not allow what is simply a satire or the mealing to go nnohaileneoi. We have been subjected to an amount of haughty contempt and self-will from the Master which is not often met with in y ung or old. We placed the whole ma ter in the hands of the Board of Hdncation ; we invited the fullest enquiry, which was made at a public meeting. The result of that erquiry was received by me from the Board, which went to show that the charges preferred against Mr Bromley had been fnllv substantiated ; also, that the Board was prepared to receive his resignation at once, failing which the Board would give him three months’ notice. I think, sir, this speaks for itself and the action of the Committee, and I will leave the public to judge how far the result of that inquiry agrees with the impartial report of the mee Ing supplied by the M-ste from his notes. Hoping you will excuse this rather lengthy common (cation. I remain yours, 6 Gjlmouk, Chairman Ashton School Committee;

THE ASHBURTON VOLUNTEERS.

Advantage was uk n of yesterday’s holiday to hold a daylight parade. Thet wo co upanies fell in at the Drillshed shortly after 1 p.m. under Major Douglas, and were it soec-ed by Oolonel Bailey at 1.30 dm. The Titnarn C 4 rrisoo Band, nader Bandmaster Wolf, was present and led the force in column of roo'e down Taoored street, up East street and thence vii the Wakanai road to Hunt’s farm, where the men were permitted to fall oat for ten minutes after piling arms. The column having been refot med Oolonel Bailey gave the corps two boars asefal drill, including a variety of battalion mivemen‘s, a march past, and the fonr deep attack. The last named was made more interesting than usual owing to a ■ apply of blank ammunition having been served ont. Prior to dismissal the Oolonel addressed the men fo terms of praise and encouragement, expressing a hope that both companies would muster strongly at the Easter encampment and weald, in the meantime, work np their drill so thstthey might compare favorably with other battalions. They had done fairly well that day but of coarse there was plenty of room for improvement. The Guards’ march-past was very credit able, but that of the Rifles was not so good. Captains Dolman*and Kestell were in command of the Rifles and Guards respectively, and Lieutenant Jackson of the G Battalion (Timaru) acted as Junior- Major. Captain and Adjutant Fooks, Lieutenants Brooks, Spa’r>w, and Muller were also present We must not emit to give Bandmaster Wolf a word of praise for the manifest, improvement he has (ff'Oted in the Timara Garrison Band, with whose performances there is now no room for the most captions to find fault.

THE MAORIS DESCRIBED BY AN ENGLISH WRITER.

The Sheffield Telegraph is publishing a series of articles on ** Wild Life in the Pacific. In the last one the Maoris are <ie cribed We give some extracts from the article : What a ‘ sell ” that mast have been for the English gent'eman who was one day strolling down Queen-street. Auckland. He espied the well and fashionably dressed figure of a young lady a short dis tance in front Her heal was concealed from h a view by a sunshade of gay pattern and ultima mode He became a deeply interested p.ny at onoo. Young English men oat in the colonies for a holiday in variably take a deep Interest in our fair sex, more especially when their personal appearance is attractive. And onr girls very of'en posies* fathers who ova con siderable stretebe- of “jnmbaofc” pro perty, which is an additional attraction. The young fellow pushed ahead till ha came on a level with the lady. Imagine his snrpthe, when he looked in her face, to find it copper-colored, with a black stuck leisurely in her mouth. Bis disenchantment waa sadden and com plete 1 The “Amurrnkan citizen” is s great amok r, as a rate ; in fact, the rale has come to be so generally recognised that the Yankee now passes, with most people as the tallest smoker in creation.

But the Maori can give him a long start And the Maori would be prepared to bet on h ; mself, too, I dare say. The pro verbial keenness of the Yankee for specu lation Is as “ nowt ” when the Maori enters the arena. The Maori, as a smoker, begins yonng. On my first visit to Auckland 1 saw a portrait in a photographer’s window, in which a mother was shown with a child slang, ia the orthodox fashon, upon hes back—the mother was represented smok ing a large-bowled meerschaum, while baby sucked at a dimi utive Irish caddy. My first impression, of coarse, was that this meant to convey some artistic idea of the photographer’s, and not a representa tion of “things as they were.” But I rfterwards learned that children took kindly and early to the fragrant weed. I was one evening the guest of a Maori gentleman in Whakarewarewa. The party was a smad one—the Maori, bis wife, her sister, and myself. We had a robber at whist, and my host suggested an adjourn ment for refreshment and a smoke. While we were e r joying onr weed, a child—about three years of age, 1 should judge—sud denly pat in an appearance, and made a formal demand for a amoke “ Finish my cigarsaid my host, tendering his bat. But tbe child would have none of him. It threw its head in “ mamma's ” lap, and made a disjointed request, throwing occasional side glances at the stranger, for mamma's pipe. My own experience has taogbt me that cigars give poor satisfaction to a real smoker. X therefore suppose that the child bad al ready learnt what it bad taken me years to gather. I said to the mother on this occasion. “ Fine boy, that.” « Q ho laughed as she replied’ “Ko te wahine” (“ It’s a girl ”). The Maori people have never taken kind yto «ha British. Although peace has resigned in the country far tiny years, the Maori preserves a anllenneas • bich at times creates some alarm in the political atmosphere. The great King Conn ry, a belt of rich, but undeveloped com try, lying between the Wairarapa and the now celebrated Hot Lakes district, has not been open to Europeans till qaite a re cent date. Afrer many years of discussion tbe Government last year succeeded in gain ng the consent of the Maori people to the construction of a railway through the conntry. The first sod of the railway was turned at Te Awamutn, a few 'miles fr> m the home of King * awhiao, at Wha ♦ iwWihoe, Wahanal. the Maori orator, and Parliamentary representative for one of the Maori districts, came to Te Aws mutu with the Premier, Mr (now Sir) Robert Stoat. It had been arranged, of coarse, that the Premier shonld tarn the first sod. Before the appointed hoar for the ceremony, however, a korero was held, «t which the Maoris decided that their member, Wahanul, shonld tarn the sod, while the Premier was relegated to a “ beck teat ” Accordingly Wahanul was tbe principal performer at tbe ceremony, Mr S out being allowed the privilege of wheeling away the barrow which contained th« sod.

Rewl—the hero of Orakau —Wahanul, Taiaroa, and many others possess more Influence than the King. Tawhiao carries the bine ribbon, and drinks as much liquor as any man in New Zsaland. He goes about preaching morality, while his fsmiv life Is one unbroken career of debauchery. Bnt as regards illustrious decent, he Is theCeoil, the Norfolk of Maoriland. His dynasty changed its ruling name a generation before http—his official title being Potatau the Second. The Maoris are keen business men, and many of them rank amcpgtt the richest people in New Zealand. 1 was sitting la s gentleman's office In Christchurch one day, when a Maori came in. He spoke to my friend for a few moments, handed him a cheque, and left again. When he had gone, my friend showed me the cheque It was drawn for £IO,OOO. I said, '‘That’s a big figure for a Maori." “Oh,”said he, “that’s nothing;’’ that m&n is worth over half a million of money. It was the Hon. Mr Taiaroa, for many years parliamentary representa tive for the Southern Maori Division, but now a member of the Upper House. It will be interesting to English readers to be told that Sir John Gorst 1s an old New Zealander, and that he conducted the first Maori newspaper published In that c yntry. The Hotel was published In the J£iug Country, in the Kiaglte cause. The press'and types were given by Maximilian kf the Maoris vkho vlstied Swope with Pr. a«9b#ie«w.‘

THE ASHbOBTOJS GUARDIAN, FRIDAY DECEMBER 17, 18S6



C HAWKINS, Bootmaker, Tinwald has just received a good assortment of BOOTS aND SHOt S for the Summer Season, all of which will be so d at pi ices not to be rubbed out in Ashburton. 1' srly call solicited 11*96 Wanted known THAT MBS STRIPLING HAS REMOVED bom old premises in Burnett street (next to the Arcade) to the PANAMA BOARDING-HOUSE, TANCBBI' STREET (Lately occupied by Mr Lucas). 8 C 537 TOWLE’S PFNNYPOY*L AND STEEL PILLS FOR FEMALES quickly correct all Irregularities, and relieve the distressing symptoms so pre valent with the sex. Boxes Is lid and Is 3d, of all Chemists and Patent Medicine Vendors, t repared only by The Lincoln and Midland Counties Drug Go., Lincoln, England. Wholesale of all the Wholesale Houses. Beware of Imitations.



FOB COUGHS, COLDS, Bbosohitis. Asthma, Coryza, Influenza, Con gumption, &c, KAY’S COMPOUND OF LINSEED, Aniseed, Senega, Squill, Tolu, &o with Chlorodyne. KAY’S COMPOUND, a demulcent expectorant, for Coughs, Colds, end Chest Ccmplaints. KAY’S COMPOUND, for Coughs, and Colds, is equally serviceable for Horses and Cattle. KAY’S TIC PILLS, a specific In Neuralgia, Face-ache, do. Con tains Quin no, Iron, &c. COAGULINE. —Cement for Broken i rtioles. Sold Everywhere. Sole Makers :—KAY BROS., Stock ort, England. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY The new goods fob the SUMMER SEASON ABE 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 Saits, newest styles. Trousers and Trousers and Vests manufactured of New Zealand Tweeds. Every garment warranted shrank Ovoieoets, Waterproof Coats and Leggings iu great variety Bate, I'ompnVng eveiy new style worn Chi •men’s Jersey Suits, Children’s Men of-War Suits Gentlemen’s Hosiery, Scarves; Oxford regatta and White Shirts Engs, Portmanteaus, and Travelling Bags The celebrated WERTHEIM SEWING MACHINE. Time Payments. N.Z.iOLOTHINQ FACTORY, East Strut,



Wanted. WANTED KNOWN. —Washing and .Jangling done either by the day or dozen. Mangling 2d per dozen.— Address on application at “Guardian” Office. 880 FURNITURE —To meet the times, W DAVIS, Cabinetmaker, East street, Ashbnrton, is now selling Furniture of all kinds cheaper than ever. Chest of Drawers, £1 5s j Pprinu Conches, £1 5s Every other article tonally cheap. All new fqrnitnre at second-hand price 804 JUST OPENED —Choice assortment of New Spring Dre*s Muffs, Prints, Millenry, etc ; he cheapest House in town for first class goods. Dressmaking on the premises. H. 0. Sbcusbs, Mel ford Honse. DOLLS, Dt'LLS—ln great variety wood, vbt, chins, composition, indiarnbber and indoetrnotable. Do’ls, dolls, dulls- H. M. Joses



ANTED CASH.—New Currants, Vf 5Jd ; Valencia®, 6d; Sultanas, 7d ; Elemes, 7d ; Muscatels, Is 6d ; lslb boxes New Figs, 8d ; White Sugar, 2jd. Jas. McGbbgob, opposite the Arcade. 'ANTED known—DDNOAN AND CRAWi-HIW have removed to their new premises, Tancred street, end of Arcade, where they will conduct th- ir next sale on Saturday. 18th inst 12§70 T'¥'> ANTED by a steady man simation VV *8 Gro m, Thoroughly accos tomed to horses, and to town country work. Good references can be given. Address Gtjaedian office. 12°71 TA T ANTED known that J Heseltine W Saddler, He , Burnett street, Ashburton, and at tinwald, is rELLING SADDLERY CHEAPER THAN EVER Large Stock to select from. Reaper and Binder Canvasses made and repaired at lowest prices. Cash paid for Horsehair in any quantity. Note the address Next Bullock’s Arcade, Bninett street, Ashburton. 12*1



Special Advertisements. MUSIC. MBS A, C. CLARIDGE is prepared to recede PUPILS for PIANOFORTE and ORGAN Terms on Application Cox street, Ashburton. 9668 W. E. HANNAFORD, (Barnett street, opposite “ Mail” Office) TINSMITH AND METAL-PLATE WORKER, WISHES to inform the public of Ashburton ant the suriounding 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 ATr al solicited H' RSE-HAlKand BEESWAX bought in any quanti j for



WILDING AND LEWIS, AND gOIICITOBS. P. W iTb IN G, Notary Public. Office*: Next “ Mail ” Office, Barnet tst,, Ashburton. Mr Wildi v o will attend the sittings of the Ashbur'on 1 carts on Tuesday and Fridays, and may be consulted personally on these days. The firm is now represented in Ash burton by Mb Clayton, an English Solicitor of considerable experience, who wilt be in daily attendance at the office to receive instructions and confer with cients. *IOO 8 WHITE, CAYGILL, & CO., BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS, J. W. WHITE, Notary Public, NOTICE is hereby given that the undersigned, Messrs White and O. (White Smithson, and Raymond), of fimaru, and John A. Catgill, of Ash burton, have ibis day entered into Partnership as Barristers and Solicitors, at Ashburton, under the style of “White, Caygili and Co.” Mr J. W. White, will attend the sittings of the Courts at Ash urton. WHITE & CO.. JOHN A. CAYGILL. Money to lend in any earns on approved freehold security. Offices: Bollock's Arcade 10*803



10 STAND THIS SEASON AT ASHBURTON, And Travel the surrounding 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 mares at Is per week. Groomage fee, ss, payable at first service. E. COOKSON, Proprietor, 9J736 Livery Stables, Ashburtn. MOUNT SOMERS COAL PIT. 1 COAL CAN NOW BE HAD AT THE ABOVE PIT ♦ FOE JVIGHT SHILLINGS PER TON, Or in Ashburton at SEVENTEEN SHILLINGS PER TON, By the Truck. FOR CASH OjnLY. E. F. WRIGHT.. MESSRS TUCKER" AND RE3TELL, Agents in Ashburton. o*3l



Victoria House. HOLIDAY SEASON, 1886-87 SECOND ANNUAL GIFT DIS' RI BUTTON, comprising elegant Works of Ait in Bohemian and Bulgarian Pain cd Vases, Glass Water Jugs, and Crysa Flower Stands, cVe GIFT COUPONS now being issued to Purchasers. DIMANT AND COE, GENERAL DRAPERS, CLOTRIERS, Ac., Corner East and Tancred streets, Ashburton.



Special advertisements. FOR o .Reliable Goods AT MODERATE PRICES, ORR & ALCORN ARE U napproachable. THE PREMIFR STOCKS or ASHBURTON. DRAPER'S, CLOTHING, BOOTS AND SHOES, j CARPETS (NEW DESIGNS.)



Christmas Cards. CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR CARDS AND PRESENTATION PRIZE BOOKS AND NEW GOODS Suitable for CHRISTMAS 4 NEW YEAR PRESENTS. H. J. WOOD AND CO. BOOKSELLERS & STATIONERS, (Late T, F. Farley) FRIED LANDER’S BUILDINGS. IN our New Season, 1886-7. Christmas and New Year Cards, are included the PRIZE DE IGNS from the following celebrated publishin firms of London Paris, Vienna, Now York, and Boston : Raphael Tuck and Sons Marcns Ward and Co. Thomas de la Rue and Co. Eildesheimer and Faulkner John Walker and Co. Eyre and Spottiswoode Marion and Co. L Prang and Co , Boston, U.S. And several other Publishers, Comprising SEVERAL THOUSAND PRIZE DESIGNS.



We have received per b.s. A raw a and s.s Aorangi, ELEVEN CA,S >• S Ob' NEW BOOKS Specially ordered for the Christmas Season, comprising the Latest Publica tions of the renowned Publishers—Cassell and Co ; Thos. Nelson and Sons; Kent ledge ; Warne ; Partridge ; Griffith, Farren, Okeden, and, Welch ; Marcus Ward and ' o ; and several English and American firms. And SEVENTEEN C\*KS OF NEW GOODS, Specially selected by our Home Agents for the » hristmas Season, Comprising Cabinets, Russan Leather Desks and Writing Case?, Photo. Albums in great variety of the m at elegant designs, Writing and Scap Albums, New Zealand Fern Albums, Photo. Frames in silk plush and morocco, Workboxea and Desks Purses, C»rd Ca-es, Pocket Books, and every description of Fancy (stationery, H.J.WOOD&OO. STATU >NEKS’ HALL, Friedlanders’ Buildings, Ashburton.



G. L. Death. & Co. £IOOO 0 s 0 D sth ANNUM. DISTRIBUTION OF CHKISTMAS GIFTS To-Day. To-Day. To-Day ON AND AFTER TO-DAY 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 wili amount to about one-eighth of the purchase money. G. L. BEATH & CO., Argyle House, CASHEL STREET, CHRIfcTCHUROH.



O STAND THIS Sif A SON, NETHEHBY FARM, ASHBURTON, And visit the unrounding’ 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’Sfaane, Will stand at Nethorby Farm, and travel he districts of Ashburton, Methvon, Mount Somers, and Alford Forest, Terms: £3 10 ; guarantees, £5 ss, Season, lot January, 1887. Guarantees, Ist Ju y, 1887, 9636 L MARKET, Propriotr t



£Jio greatest nourishing (tonic, appetiser, etrengthejaar and oupatiye on earth. Hop Bitten made only by American Go. 8m It is impossible to remain long sick or cot ol bsaltb vkero Amariua.Oo.’e Hop Bitten »r« ntf, iii ftSitbw