DAILY MEMORANDA

MEETIN G', A •*U .• • Tic { WeD.VSSDAY. I-ECi-MBEK lt> OadfelL«-.->’ B-/ - f'<m ©rt i.t 8 ■k Tkub: i>.ay, D rhymes ■ 16 ■.i-int’a GareLu* _ - «••} 'y.d©u Pa-ty in v i 8 Church Most* tv !>EC" MB Ml 27 L.O.L. -. ■ -.i «■ U 1./ I a: d Ball Mo i'ay, Dicember.27 BaronsH Conned, at Borough Conndl Chambers at 7.30 Friday'. Fecembeu 31 Odd fell ov' a Hall—* 4 Fuiao Coiots” at S o'clock

RAILWAY TIME TABLE

• ■ Tbains Arrive at Ashburton— -From Christ horoh and the North, at 10.15 a.m. (express), 4.36 p.m., and 7.10 p.m. From Timaru 19.45 a.m. From Dnnedm and South, o.H o.m. (express). From Mount fcomern, 10.5 B *™kains Leave Ashburton — For Christ ebnrch and North, at 7.10 a.m., 10.55 a.m., Bhd -5.37 p.m. (express). For Dunedin and Booth, 10.23 a.m. (express). For Timaru, 4 p.m. For Mount Somers, 5.5 p.m

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

From and after the 30th November, 1886, the terms of Subscription to this journal will be follows, viz. IF RAID IN ADVANCE I Per Quarter.. 6s 6d, by post, 9s 6d . Half-year 12s 6d, by post, 18s 6d „ Year .. 4s Od by post, 37s Od IF BOOKED t Per Quarter..’ 7s 6d, by post, 10s 9d Half-year 15s Od, by post, 21s 6d ‘ ” Year .. 30s Od, by post, 43s Od Birt Marriage, and Death Notices if paid for at the time of insertion, 2s 6d each (stamps may be sent as payment); if booked, * PRESENT t-ÜB'CRiLERs MA> 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 ill a Arhburtoc Post Office follorra : For Christchurch ml Nortrt at t? »•«- 0.30a.m., and 5 p.m., uany. For Ohertsoy <Ve., ;>t 10. ■’-■ a.m Coldstream, Or»rs,. Winchester. %nd Geraldine, at 10 a.tu. ciauy. For Tomaka, at 10 a.m. and 4.30 p.m 4aily. , for Timaro and South, at 10 a.a., and *3O p.m., daily. For Greenstreat, on Weauefidayß and tordavs, at 10.4-0 <t.m. For Wakau’-I, 1 m Seariew, Beat:eld, Ttd Kyle, op s' i -s, Thursday?, *r.d turdave, at 4.3" .-. m. For vlount S urn-, daily at 4.30 p. t, For Mayfield and ku.ipmia, on Mot: days and Thnral'-yn, at Loo p.m. For Ashton, Yt■..tenon and Imngbeach, 4.30 p.m. daily. For Flemmaton, on V. clous days, and Fridays, at 4. o 0 p. m. For Newlaadr, on Tuesdays and t-V at 10.30 a, m. Matin arrive m toe -.sAr: ;-urn ■nee — 7 V1 . ; , ntr.e; - •■■ ~1 !<-,(! ...a. ' " r ‘ - '• '-■ d.’r'- , ■!.. ; 0 ; ~v- ’C. ;■! S w. 3 "S ; ■ ■ Prom l»ui;fluj UUO’-m.. led.; ola,- ■ {..S* ", in. dany. rOu, Femak ; and Tnaira at .o:. 4 ) o 5 30 p.m daily. From Greenstrset, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. Jr ora Mount Somers, daily at 10.5 . m. From Mayfeld and Rnapaua, on Woi flesdays £ad at 10.5 a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Lour each at 10 a.m. daily. From New lands, on Tuesdays and Fri days, at 2.30 p. m. From Fleminr-ton on Tuesdays, Thors days, and Saturdays, at 10a.m.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1886. PRACTICAL IRRIGATION.

It will have been seen by our cable grams that a day or two agothe Victorian Parliament bad under discussion a scheme of irrgation by Messrs Chaffey. A few particulars as to this scheme may prove of interest. Messrs Chaffey Bros, have made an offer to the Victorian Government to take waste mallee land and to create an irrigation settlement, or colony, in which kind of work it is said the Chaffey’s have done great things in Victoria. That colony has certainly made the most progress of any ot the Australian group in the matter of irrigation, and some time ago she despatched a special commission to California, the “ home of the cult,” to thoroughly investigate irrigation and water conservation, and in the present session of Parliament a Bill was brought down in which one of the Com missioners embodied a scheme founded on what he had seen while acting on the commission in California. This policy involves the expenditure of four millions sterling, if tie Parliament of the future so wills it. The Bill has passed the Assembly, and. is now before the Council. Ihe proposed agree ment between the Victorian Govern ment and Messrs Chaffey is, says an Australian piper, a very stringent one. “jTliey will be given 47,000 acres on the Muldura Run, Lower Murray, eleven miles from the junction of the Darling and the Murray, on condition that they expend upon it in irrigation works £05.000 the five years, ■£140,000 me second, £,'75,000 the third, and £40,000 ihe fourth—alto gether abeut £3 0,000 in twenty years, or £6 7 s Sd pei acre. Il the Govern ment is satisfied th -t the experiment is a success it will give 200,000 acres more to Messrs Chaff y ; and they will have to expend £420.000 on 250,000 acres and pay £200,000 to the Go vernment. The licensees will have power to sell I a nil in parcels of So acres for fruit growing, and 160 acres for other purposes ; and the land can only be sold to one person. Of course, this is only a rough draft, and a bill must pass Parliament to give the negotiation effect, should the Chaffeys accept the terms. The State will lose nothing if the experiment fails. If it succeeds, the gain will be immense. The ex periment will have proved whether irri gation is practicable and profitable in these colonics; how irrigation is to be pursued; and what culture should be followed. The land only gives a rent of one penny per acre, being worth only from 23 6d to 5s per acre. At the end of 20 years the value, say the large block is taken up, will be £2 12s pd per acre in the outlay alone ; while the value of the large area of Crown lands in the Mallee district, fully 10,000,000 acres, will have been immensely in creased. The sum of £500,000 will have been expended in Victoria in twenty years. But, above all, the State may have the irrigation problem solved for it without (lie expenditure of a penny; for, if Messrs Chaffey are suc cessful, and show the way, we may be certain that capitalists will take up the matter, as in California ; and all the State may be called upon to do is to construct headworks, making a remu nerative charge. Further, if the Chaffeys succeed, other Californian and Ameri can capatlists J, \v ill come to the new diggings ; and there will be an influx of capital, which will revitalise Australia. Besides, once irrigation is proved prac ticable and profitab'e, there will be no difficulty in borrowing money in Lon don for irrigation works to any extent ; for no capitalist will refuse to lend money on reproductive works which pay.” This is the first step towards something practical in irrigation, on a large scale, that has been made in the colonies, and should Victoria accept tiie offer, her experience, while costing her little or nothing, will prove most valuable to her neighbors.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

T'o-d iy being the anniversary of the foun dation of the province was generally observed as a holiday. St. Stephen’s Garden Par y took place this afternoon. A report is held over till to morrow. A special train, laden with excursionists, bound from Christchurch to Timaru, passed through Ashburton shortly before 10 o’clock this morning. The Bank of New Zealand has paid two and a half millions in dividends during the last quarter of a century. In the list of nominations tor the Tinwald races, Mr Porter’s horse, Pat, which had been entered for the Trot, was aocidantally omitted. At an evening party Dumley was intro duced to a young lady, and, after a remark about the weather, he said,'gallantly, “And have I really the pleasure of meeting the beautiful Mias Smith, whose praises are being sounded by everybody?” “Oh, no, Mr Dumley,” the lady replied; “the beautiful Miss Smith to whom you refer is a cousin of mine.” “ Oh, that’s it! Well, I thought i there must be a mistake somewhere,” said | the gallant Dumley, 1

The Timaru Garrison Band gave a very enjoyable open nirperfonnanco this morning in Baring Square. Mr Sidney Wolf, R.A.M., acte I as conductor, a position lie faultlessly fulfilled, and the following programme was carried out under bis baton, with very great credit to the performers:—!, Cyn'hia Quadrilles; 2, Glee, “ Hull Apollo,” Round; 3, Waltz, “Fairy Voices,” Crime ; 4, March, “La Caravan," Msc/t; 5, Kyrie, “Twelfth Ma s,” Mozart-, 6, Selection, “ String of Diamonds ” ; 7, Slide Trombone Solo, “ The White Squall,” well played by Mr J. Cameron; 8, Selections, “Bohemian Girl,” Dalfo J National Anthem. “ Twilight Shadows,” a very dreamy waltz, had been set down for the ninth number in the programme announced by us, but time did not permit of its being played. There was a fairly large attendance of the public, and the various pieces were listened to attentively, applause being frequent. The items most to our fancy were the waltz, “Fairy Voices,” “La Caravan ” march, and the selec tions from Haifa's opeta, “I dreamt that I dwelt,” being played with artistic skill. The Band, now reckoned to be the “ third best ” in the colony, has showed considerable improvement under Mr Wolf’s skilful manage ment, and when the new instruments arrive from Homo expected in January—the premier bandsmen at Invercargill will have to look seriously to their laurels.

The correspondent of a Christchurch paper says:—“ Professor Black has been subpoenaed as a witness for the defence in the murder case against Thomas Hall. His evidence as to the analysis of the late Captain Qain is of an important nature. The case is likely to bo concluded on Friday. In the Camera Magazine a very curious phenomenon, in connection with photography, is recorded by the person who observed it. He took a portrait of a child apparently in full health and a clear skin. The negative picture showed the face to be thiekly covered with spots duo to prickly heat. “ The camera had seen and photographed the eye.” Another case of a somewhat similar kind is also re corded where a child showed spots on his portrait which were invisible on his face a fortnight previous to an attack of smallpox. It is suggested that these cases might point to a new method of medical diagnosis.

A Bonanza farmer near Gardiner, D. T, has just finished threshing 60,000 bushels of wheat, 8,000 bushels of barley, and 12,000 bushels of oats, all of which was raised on his farm.

The arsenals of Germany, England, and Italy are direoting»a!l energies to the con version of their small arms into magazine rifles. The Germans are sanguine that their new weapon will prove to be the most start ling and effective manual implement of modem warfare, and will form the basis of future experimenting in the science of close range gunnery.

A curious phenomenon has occurred at Chimapla, in the State of Mexico. Within a few days past tremendous subterranann re ports were heard, though at the time the meteorological conditions were perfect, there being no unusual aspect of the sky nor the slightest rain. The people of the town wore filled with alarm, and an investigation was made, by which it was discovered that a high hill in the vicinity had been completely divided into two parts by some powerful force.

The question of taxing bachelors has again risen in France, A petition to that effect has been seat to the Chamber of Deputies. It says that in Paris alone there are nearly ha f a million, whereas the number of marked men is not more than 379,000. We are re minded that the tax, singular as it might seem, has already existed in several countries. The French Convention adopted it. So did the old Republics. In Sparta the women were allowed to drag bachelors into the Temple of Hercules, and give them a sound thrashing. Plato condemned them to a fine. Rome made them pay a round sum, Camillus went further, and forced them to marry the widows of citizens killed in defending the country. The petitioners say the tax ought to be doubly welcome—first, because it will increase the declining population by inducing bachelors to marry ; aud, secondly, because it will help to make up the growing deficit in the Budget.

News was recently brought from Puerto Cortez, Gautemola, of an attempt to poison the President by two brothers, druggists., T"ey prepared a poison and gave it to a servant of the President, with 2,000d015. as a bribe to administer it, but the servant proved faithful, and handed over to his master both the money and the poison. The druggists were arrested and put to death.

SANDER AND SONS’ EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. —In protection of the world-wide fame our manufacture has acquired all over the globe, we publish the following : —Hazard, M.D., Professor of General Pathology and Diseases of the Mind and Nervous System, says in an editorial published in the Clinical lit-cord :—“ We have examined half-a-dozen specimens of different manufactures; the preparation of Sander and Sons’ was the only one that proved to be reliable and corresponding to scientific tests.” Another concoction called “ Refined Extract of Eucalyptus,” has made its appearance since. This product stands, according to Dr Owen, foremost in causing injurious effects. That gentleman communicates at a meeting of the Medical Society of Victoria, that a child living at Fitzroy became most seriously indisposed through its use. In another case a lady states on the strength of statutory declaration that she suffered cruelly from the effects of the same concoction. To guard the high reputation of our manufacture we feel warranted in exposing the above facts, and desire the public to exercise care and pre caution when buying. SANDER AND SONS. —(Advt.)

CORN EXCHANGE.

The fallowing is the report for the week ending Friday, 17th December ; The rains that have fallen during the past week have done an incalculable amount of good to the farming interests, not only to the grain but also the grass and root crops. English values are still improving, and advices from Australia are as good as could be anticipated. Wheat has no alteration in values. Sellers are very firm, and buyers will not buy beyond their immediate wants. Pearl remains at ds bd ; Tuscan and Hunter’s, 4s 5d to 4s 6d ; second quality is being quitted in small lots at Is 2d to 4s 3d; chicken wheat is almost entirely out of the market. Oats —This cereal seems to have got to its lowest, as there ate buyers ‘in moderate quantities, while large holders are asking higher prices. Milling i sout of the market, consequently prices are nominal at 2s Id short feed range from Is lOd to 2s ; Tartars and Danish are slow at Is 8d to Is 9d. Barley—Nothing beyond feed parcels are offering, values ranging from 2s 2d to 2s 4d. Beans have been sold in small parcels at 3s 3d. Peas are unsaleable, there being no outside demand. Grass Seed has no business to note, although enquiries are being made as to the likely opening rates, which, however, as yet have not been determined. Potatoes have but little doing, almost any price would be accepted for stocks now re maining on hand. Dairy Produce has but limited business to note. Butter (in tubs) is worth from 5d to 6d ; , and new cheese (which is only offering in limited quantities) is fetching 4d to sd, according to size and quality. The above prices are those paid to farmers and delivered f.o.b. at Lyttelton.

A TRIP TO MOUNT SOMERS.

(Bv oon Special Correspondent.)

Being favored with a seat in the special which on Tuesday conveyed the Minister of Lands, .Mr McKurrow (Ohiof Surveyor), Mr March, and others of the Ministerial party up the Mount Somers line, I send you a few notes of the journey for the delectation (or otherwise) of your readers, many of whom I fancy have never made the trip on their own account. Leaving Ashburton station four minutes or so before the down express, in a carriage of which, as we dashed past, wo saw the Premier, Lady Stout, and family en route Dunedinwarda, we we-e at Tinwald in next, to no time, and neatly ran on to the branch line a few hundred yards before the up train, which was snorting along towards ns aa we glanced off and showed it our tailboard. Stopping here a second or two to pick up the genial laird of Windermere, we were soon swiftly dashing away westwards, making a speed of nearly thirty miles an hour over the smoothly laid road. Oscillation there was almost none, and we do not know of a line in the colony that—to use the professional slang—“runs more sweetly." Wo now had time to admire the exceedingly comfortable and well arranged composite carriage, which forms usually the entire passenger train. It consists of first and second-class compart ments, smoking compartment and guard’s van—all parts of one “ couch ” —resting on two sets of bogie wheels, one set at each end, being at once light, compact, convenient, and cosy. Bowling along swiftly and comfortably —of course we were in the •* smoker we lit our pipe, and turned our attention to the scenery, which was what Punch describes as “ tooral looral.” Capital pasture on either hand told of juicy English grasses, and a so far favorable season, and the effects thereof were patently visible in the round forma of the sheep and oattla, which sprinkled the well-fenced paddocks. We are not long in reaching Valetta, a wayside station with small passenger platform and shelter shed, where we take aboard the always cheerful and pleasant member for Ashburton, who, accompanied by a friend, has driven op to this rendezvous from his tree-embowered homestead, which we see a mile or two away to the right, and rushing along again we speedily open out the view of the Hon. Mr Peter's homestead, apparently about as far away on the other side of the line, and soon begin to perceive away to the left front, as our military friends phrase it, the roofs and trees and hedges, and all the other signs of settlement which indicate Mount Somers. Pulling up at the station—about halt a mile on this side of the village—we find Mr Peaohe and Mr E. F. Wright in waiting with a couple of vehicles, the one horsed by a nicely matched pair of greys, and the other by a useful team of bays or browns (it doesn’t matter which) and climbing into these we are quickly bowling merrily towards the village. On the right hand, es we turn past the rail way shed, we notice a capital paddock of grass in which are grazing some well-fed and well-bred looking cattle, among them a few polled Angus, belonging, we believe, to Mr McClymont, and next we come upon a blacksmith’s shop, an hotel, a store, and several neat-looking cottages with, of course, children at the garden gates all looking olean, healthy, and happy, and leaving all these behind us, are soon speedily away towards Mount Possession. The road is a fairly good one, but in places scored pretty deep with the ruts made by heavy laden waggons of stone and coals of which we pass two or three, and runs for the most part parallel to one of the branches of the Ashburton river, known hereaway, we believe, as the Hakatere. And on the principle of “ when found make a note of it ” always insisted upon bv the lamented Captain Cuttle, and on the authority of Mr Lewis, junior, (son of the Under secretary for Native Affairs) who was with the party as Mr Ballanoe’s private secretary, and is a good Maori linguist, let it be men tioned here that “Hakatere” means "a swift dance,” and is a very appropriate description of the stream that goes swift'y dancing below us over its bouldered bed. Ou away westwards, or perhaps a little south of west (wo left our pocket compass at home) through a fine vadey of apparently fairly good land, with high hills on either side, those on the right being fronted by rolling downs, covered here and there with black biroh, very useful to the settlers for fencing and firewood. Somewhere about here the road crosses the division lines of private pro perties, as is indicated by here a brace of boundary-keeping dogs, and there an un happy collie doing duty all alone. Poor fellows ! we sympathised with them all, and were positively rejoiced to find, on the return journey, that one of the three bad got bis chain unfastened since we passed, and was paying a visit to his nearest neighbor, to the evident delight of both. Talk about “lead ing a dog’s life.” Here is the full realisation of the original intent of the saying, for surely the most lonesome and miserable existence in creation must be that of the poor companion less co'lie with only a radius of some six feet for a promenade, and questionable mutton, often decidedly *vil smelling carrion, for his sole regalement. “ Pair beasties,” as a Scottish friend terms them, we pity them from the very bottom of our hearts. Leaving the dogs behind, we soon come upon unmis takeable signs of limestone formation, and are assured that on both aides of the valley there are whole bills of limestone of the very finest quality, as a sample taken aboard speedily convinced us. This, we are assured, proves to contain over 96 per cent.—to be precise, 96 75 per cent.—of pure lime, and it is not surprising that with lime at 4s 6d per bag, the result of an Otago monopoly which has recently jumped it up to that figure from 2s 7Jd, it is in contemplation to start lime kilns here on an extensive scale. There is, indeed, a grand opportunity to initiate a very thriving industry. The raw material of the very finest quality is to hand in inexhaust ible store, and there is a large and always increasing demand and a payable price. The result is certain, and ere long lime-burning will, it is confidently believed, give employ ment to a good many hands in this locality. But while we are talking of all this, we are leaving the proposed site of the kilns far away in the rear, and now opening out to view to the right, and within a few chains of the road, a splendid outcrop of white building atone, which, like the limestone before mentioned, is, we be lieve, to be found on both sides of the river. There is also on the left-hand side, on Mr Peter’s property, a very valuable quarry of building stone, a sort of sandstone or free stone, of a yellowish color, with reddish streaks, which has been used with such excellent architectural eSeot for one of the banks in Hereford street west, Christchurch, we forget which, though we know the build ing well, but we think the Bank of Austral asia. The white atone before referred to, which is on the right-hand side, has been opened out at a large quarry, from whence the stone for the new bridge over the Avon, just being built, was taken. It is verly nearly as white as the Oaraaru stone, but is much more durable, being impervious to wet, and stands heavier pressure, as might be ex pected from its greater specific gravity, the Mount Somerf. stone going only 16 cubic feet to the ton, as against 20 cubic feet in the case of Oamaru stone. We understand that it is likely to be exported largely to Vic toria so soon as it can be placed on board ship at a sufficiently low price, which must bo the case when the projected tramway from the coalpits to the railway is un fait accompli , the route of the tramway being close past the quarry. Two or three miles further on, and we have arrived at the head of the valley, and, looking away to the left, see Mr Walker’s old homestead, on the slope of Mount Possession, and in the foreground a stretch of some fifty acres of level land, to the left of which come purling down the waters of ths Hakatere. To the right is an old hut and a gravel pit, close by which is a tent, and bard by a team of horses getting a meal pre paratory to a start with a load for Mount Somers: and a little further on, the road takes a sharp ascent towards that which we have “ come out for to see”—the Mount Somers coalpit. A climb of about two minutes, and we have it in full view, as fine a face of coal as cou d possibly be wished for. It (the face) is fully 25ft high, by perhaps 100 ft wide, a solid face of coal, which pro mises a supply that it will take many years to exhaust, even though it were carted away by hundreds of tons. For it evidently ex tends a long way on either hand, the outcrop being traceable for some five chains or more westward, and being found some hundreds of yards away on Mr MoGlymont’s property, on the eastward, while nobody knows how deep the coal goes down, or how far back it extends into the hills. Probably it extends over a very wide region, as the coal has been worked also on tbe opposite (Mr Peter’s) side of the

river. The Ipit, or rather face (tor, strictly | speaking, there is nothing like a “ pit” about' it), is under lease to Mr E. F. Wright, who at present has two men engaged mining coal, and who expects speedily to be able to employ at least ten or a dozen, and the coal can be quarried out with the greatest ease and facility. It is an excellent brown coal, and gives a better test than the Mal vern, and has been used with the most satis factory results for the stationary engines at' the Woollen Factory and elsewhere. It has also been used locally for domestic purposes for a long time past, having been burnt at the homestead at Mount Possession for as nfany as twenty years, and has also been carted down to Mount Hutt and to settlors upon the plains. In the old days the price at the pit's mouth was 20a par ton, and freight down was much dearer then than it is now. The price to day at the pit is Bs, and at Mount Somers r .ilway station 16a per ton, and when the tramway is made the latter figure will be very considerably reduced, with-doubtless a corre sponding extension in tne demand. The Minister was very favorably impressed the prospects of the mine, and arrangements ware made for the laying off of sections on the 50 acres or so of fiat land, before men tioned, which will be available for home steads for coalminers and their families. By this time an exceedingly cold wind, with rain and sleet, had set in, and yonrs truly would have been well nigh perished (having had the . misfortune to leave his greatcoat at the rail way station) bat for the Good Samaritan like conduct of Mr Carleton, who kindly lent a wrap for the downward journey. This (the journey not the wrap) the party speedily took, the route of the proposed tramway being pointed out as we drove along. Part of the way it will run on the side of the road itself, and at places takes a straighter line. It wilt be mostly level, or at a very easy grade, and there will be only two bridge* worth speaking of—neither very long. It is to be a horse tramway, with metal rails of 2ft or 2ft Sin guage, and is estimated to cost about £3500. A vote on the subject is shortly to be taken, and there is no doabt whatever that the work will be sanctioned and pro ceed'd with. In about an hour after leaving the coalpit the return journey, so far as the hotel, was safely accomplished, and here a capital repast of beef, and mutton, and ham, and cake, and tea, and ale and whisky for those who preferred them, awaited us and was done tall justice to. When we had dis cussed these good things, we had time to talk of what we had seen and to hear of what we bad not seed, bat must go up to see some other day, of splendid trout in Lake Heron, some twelve miles or more farther on than we had reached, trout that would charm the heart of Mr Shury if ha loves a big fish— one, it was told ns, was captured in the Hakatere, only the other day, weighing 331bs 1 —of a monster eel of over 23lbs, of limestone oaves on Mr Peaohe’s property adorned with stalactites and stalagmites and well worth exploring, and of the fossil remains of some thing like an ichthyosaurus, 40ft long, away somewhere m the ranges, which has certainly been seen if not reported upon by Mr McKay, Government Assistant-Geologist. Then another start, and as we shook hands at parting with oar generous host, braw John Hood, wn discovered in him a shipmate in the good ship Mersey that bore the writer also to the shores of New Zealand twenty four years ago, and in a few urinates more we took train at Mount Homers, and were landed safely at Ashburton in little under the hour. A quarter of an hour later Mr Ballanca and party took the down train en, route to Timaru, and yours truly retired to his den to compile for your columns these few notes of a trip to Mount Somers.

ASHBURTON BOROUGH SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENT.

The entertainment in the Oddfellows’ Hall last night, in aid of Borough Sohool children’s annual treat, attracted, as tne object deserved, a large audience, the building being comfort, ably filled in every part. The entertainment passed off most successfully, and the members of the Sohool Committee must have been gratified to see their efforts to afford the children a holiday treat so liberally sup ported. Much of this success, in a pecuniary sense, is due to the valuable assistance of Mr Kneen, the “ Roselle Brothers,” members of the Dramatic Club, and lady and gentleman amateurs. Proceedings opened with a pianoforte solo, well played by Miss Kidd. Mr Brooks followed with the song “ Powder Monkey,” which he rendered in good style. Miss Barrett sang “ Sweet Home ” sweetly and with confidence, and her efforts received and merited hearty recognition. Mr Atkinson, who was in good voice, rendered “ The Last Watch” with ability, and later on in the evening favored the audience with the descriptive song, “ The Midshipmite,” to which was done full justice. The singer was slightly disconcerted at first by the unrnly conduct of some of the juvenile portion of hie hearers. “ Golden Love” was very creditably rendered by Miss Kidd, whose sing ing gave general sa'isfaation. Mr D Thomas, who accompanied himself, sang “ The Cork Leg” in bis well-known jovial style? and obtaining the honor of the only encore of the evening gave “ The British Lion” with appropriate gesticulation. Pianoforte selec tions by Miss Orr followed. Throughout a long and difficult piece this young performer was listened to attentively, her brilliant exe cution being greatly admired. Mr> Denshire, whoso appearance on an Ashburton stage is always sioeerely welcomed, rendered a pretty song in cultivated style. Mrs Tippetts, of Tinwald, gave “ Dear Little Jessie” fairly well, and Mrs Maelean Dunn concluded Part I. by singing " Logie o’ Buchan” with proper quaintness. Tha “Bosella 8r05.,” two well-known local amateurs, occupied the boards for about twenty minutes by giving a really creditable per formance on the Roman rings, their feats being neatly and cleverly performed. Applause was frequent and hearty throughout the performance. Mr Elston as the dumb clown was funny, and bis antics caused many little ones real enjoyment. The entertain ment concluded with the laughable farce “ The Recruiting Office," in which tne different characters were well sustained by Messrs R. Riston, H. Sawtell, H. Peate, J. Pauling, and W. Vinton. At a special meet ing of the Committee held afterwards, it was decided, in consequence of the absence of the teachers during the holidays, to postpone the treat to January 21st. The entertainment is expected to realise about £l2 net.

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

The latest news of the frozen meat market comes as follows from London; Ihe frozen meat market continues in a glutted condition, and the rates at which carcases sell are extremely irregular. At the end of last week there were In store no fewer than 65,000 New Z ealand car cases, 3,500 Melbourne, and 20,000 River •'’late, besides 5,000 Falkland, or over 90,000 in all. Added to this, the Elder alie, from New Zea’and, which is just docking, has on board 26 000 sheep, it Is comeqnently fntile to hope fur any advance in rates for some time to come. The whole question of the frozen meat trade (as regards New Zealand} should be inquired into by an independent per son or commission, and certain regulations framed on their advice. The present stae of affdrs is the result of shear bed management. At the annual roeatlng of the River Plate Frczan Meat Company on Wednesday, a dividend of 10 per cent was declared on the preference shares, and the Chairman pointed out that, despite the depressed stale of the market daring the past rear, the falling off iu t ie rates of New Zealand meat had been much greater than that in Kiver Plate.

ADDINGTON LIVE STOCK MARKET.

Exceedingly heavy entries both of fat and store stuck were yarded at Addington yesterday. Otttle*—The supply was one of the largest sent forward for a considerable time, and included sev *ral lota of ve y good quality, n > ab'> Mr John Fergus son’s annasl consignment of Christenta beef. The heifers, whiih were splendid beasts, sold from £8 to £ll 10a, and the steers from £8 6a to £lO For ordinary 1 de, no alteration i.: yarns can be n >tal, prices ranging from £6 10s to £8 10a We quote beef of fairly good quality at from 17a to 21-i per 1001 b. The best of the line spec ally referred to brought at least 2s per 1001 b more tfeao the latter

price. There was a fait market of store cattle. The recent reins have provedof much benefit to the pastures, ami. lair con 3 e~ce there was an fmproremet}| in the demand for good lines of ytiung cattle, a clearance of most lots Being effected at fairly satisfactory prices. •:>' Sheep.—The number of fat sheep penned was again very large, and greatly exceeded the demand. The quality, aa at last week’s sale, consisted for the moat part from inferior to medium. The pro portion of ewes was much greater than wethers, and, as nrght have been ex pected, farther redactions la values took plsce. The enquiry for wethers, too, was only limited ; late rates were barely maintained and several pons were passed in. For good crossbred wethers, pylees ranged from 8* to lOj 3d ; medium, from 6s to 7s 6d ; ewes brought from 4s 61 to Bs. Most lots, however, sold at from 6s ■ n 7s. Marinos realised from 3s to 6i, J7e‘quote mutton at from Iji to pas lb. Of store sheep there was afro a large entry. The demand, except for really first-class young sheep, was extremely quiet, and late low values showed no Im provement, but rather the reverse. Part' of a line of well-grown superior two-tooth crossbreds realised 6) and fit Id; fout tooths sold at 6<, and other lota of two* tooths at from 2s 3d to 4s Id,

Pigs—The pig market was doll, and prices showed » ImnwH tendency.

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

AucKtisro, December 15.

The Banitsry Inspector la his annual report on the health of the dty of Auck land says the deaths of Infants and child tea under one year and five years U a souroa of the increase The total number la 263 for 1883 aa compared with 331 foe 1886,. which la more than hat* tha total number of deaths for the ysar. This mortality of infants and children under one and five years la something alarming lo Auckland, whatever is the cause. No fewer than 209 children under ooe year and five years died out of a total mmSer of 266. This is far in axons of any other city in New Zetland.

A letter has been received from the Hon James White, stating that he is coming to Auckland in tha Mariposa on her return Ulp. He says he is not oom ing for the races, but will be present at the annual sale of yearlings at Sylvia Park to see the last sale of poor old Musket’s stock.

The orparatiou annual report shown an increase in the vain ion of city property for tha year of £28,621, and an Increase in tha rates of £300;

At a meeting of tha Auckland Racing Club to consider the rescinding of the new rule with egard to the working of tot»U eator at oonntry meetings, the decision was sustained, the rules preventing any reviaal.

Dunedin, December 15. The question of licencing oat a girl from the Benevolent Institution, to la tree* thinker name Low tm again before the Committee of the institution. An applica tion was male by another person (or the same girl, and the Chairman held that Ljw’s application, which had been pos'- ponei till after the examination, was not before the Committee. Mott of the members d d not agree with this, and tha matter was adjourned till after the annuel meedop of subscribers.

Ad inquest was held on the body of John Currie, a laborer, who died suddenly while at tea at Mount Hyde, apparently from suffocation, although be had pot nothing in his month. After the evidence a < erdtct of death from natural censes was returned. The Hospital Trustees, after considering a letter from the Cbrfstchnrch Beard re specting tha admi-alon of patients suffer ing from delirium tremens decided to ad journ the mat er. Must of the members, however, expressed approval of snob patients not being admitted. Invercargill, December 15. In tha Supreme Court to-day, a verdict for defendant was given by Mr Justice Williams in a case in which a constable stationed at by a moo whom he had apprehended with out warrant on a chsrge of stealing a dog which the officer found on bis premises* His Honor held that there were circum stances which justified the constable In arresting. At the Divorce Court a dqpree nisi was granted in Sheridan v Sheridan and John* sco i, a husband's petition for divorce, on the grounds of adultery. The co-respon dent is a youth of seventeen. Ho costs were asked for against him.

COLONIAL AGRICULTURE.

An article which recently appeared in BelPs Messenger. an influential English agricultural journal,of nearly one hundred years’ standing* will do much towards enlightening the people at Home, as to the resources of the colo nies, and the progress they have made, and indeed the account of what has been accomplished in agriccdtnre in the Australian colonies, and especially in New Zealand, which is given in the paper mentioned for the information and admonition of the British fanner, should go far towards correcting the singularly erroneous impressions which exist amongst only too many of the colonists themselves. It is shown that “ whereas the population of Australasia has increased by one-half during the last twelve years, the area under culti vation has increased during the same period nearly 2% times. Among the seven colonies of Australasia, South Australia stands first in point of area under cultivation, Victoria second, and New Zealand third; but- in point of yield of wheat, barley, and oats, New Zealand tops the lists by an enormous proportion, and in hay and green fodder is only slightly behind Queens land and New South Wales. New South Wales used to bead the list with sheep, having twice as many as New Zealand, which stood second; but the late droughts in Australia have changed that, and New Zealand has now more sheep than any other colony.” It appears that Great Britain imports four times as much mutton from New Zealand than from any other country, the supply from Holland, which used to be the most important, being thrown into utter insignificance by the meat which New Zealand now can, in con sequence of the application to practical purposes of refrigerating apparatus, land in England. And it seems the day is not far distant when this colony will be able to supply the Mother Country with dairy produce; The little kingdom of Denmark gets two mil lions sterling yearly from Great Britain for bu ter, but BelPs Messenger says that old Zealand is destined, ere long, to find a formidable competitor in New Zealand. As a contemporary justly remarks it is curious to note the astonishment and admiration with which the wonderful productiveness of this colony is regarded at Home, and then to listen to the “ croaking ” qf some people here, who say that the country cannot hold its head above water. —Mail

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1886



CHAW 7 KISS,.. Bootmaker, Timvald has just reeivtd a proud assortment of BOOTS '' NO S'UOKS for the Summer Season, all of which vriT be ro d at prices not to be rubbed out in Asbburt n. ! arly call solicited. 11*06 fTT ANTED KNOWN W THAT MRS STRIBLING HAS REMOVED from old premises in Burnett street (nest to the Arcade), to the PANAMA BuABDING-HOUSE, TANCREu STREET (Lately occupied by Mr Lucas). 8 C 537 moWLI?’S P NSY ’OY'L AND JT STEEL PILLS FOR FEMALES quickly correct aT irregularities, and relieve the distressing symptoms so pre valent with tile sex. Poxes 13 lid and Is 9d, cf all Chemist- and P-nent Medicine Vendors. • repared or ly oy The Linco.n and Midland Counties Cruz Co., Lincoln, England. V’Tiolesale nr all the Wholesale Houses. Beware of Imitations. jpiOß GOUGHS, COLDPKONcmxis. AsiHAiA, Coryza, Influenza, Con sumption, &c. KAY’S COMPOUND OF LINdEFD, Aniseed, S.ae.g.i, squill, Tolu, ArJ with Chlorodyne. KAY’S COMPOUND, a demulcent expec f orant, for Coughs, Colds, K Bora K' Err-cifis in Ao . Con _ A rticlea. Sol'- Evorjff! Sola Makars ort, England, r‘.Y BROS., Stock- NSW CL r THING mHF, X T'-” H'- US EUlv Till. I SUMMER S-..,vSJN SOW ■ ■UN ED OUT. '.Hie Slock is IdK LiAIrGEPI’ O' BEST SELECTED And the variety of :-tyle and Patterns in Men’s, Youths’, and Boys Clothing reaves nothing to be desired. Thousands of Men's and noj s Suits, newest styles. Trousers and Trousers end Vests manufactured ot New Zealand Tweeds. Every garment warrfi£te'* tlu'uiilc Overcoats, v. a+erproof t/Outd a.n. • id #reat variety Hats, i-ompris ng every nev.-s-.ylo wo..i Children's Jeitey tails, Childrens inen of-War tints tlsurer,’is Hosiery, Sears -sSit-atta and a him onxls j portmanteaus, and i lavcllini Oxford Bag- The celebrated \v i.iiTLt A lISG MACHINE. Time Payments. N.SS CLOT H.IKG FACTO BY, Hast SxasßE



Wont-:. Il' }, MED KNOWN.—Washing end \ i .dangling done > illic;' by the day nr dozen. Mangling 2d per dozen.— Address on application at ‘‘Guardian” Office. ..880 I.VUHN ITHRE—To meet ihe times, W r DAVIS, Cabinetmaker, bast street, Ashburton, is now soliim; !’ urnituro of all kinds cheap r than ever. < heat of Drawers. £1 5s ; -prim' Couches, £1 5s Every other article < ipia ly cheap. Ad new furniture at second-hand price 804 1.-ST TPBRBU-Ch. ice assortment . f Kew Spring in-, a ' tufla, Prims, Miller ty, etc -he cheapest Douse in town for first class goods. Dressmaking ou the pu'tuiics. R. 0. Seqkbs, Mel ford Rouse. OLDS. D LLB —ln great variety wood. ear. china, composition, indiarubber and ind-'aiructable. Dods, dolls, d l!a. H. M. Joves



WAXES' 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 V.cOuegor. T inch'd street V|■AN' ED k nwn-DIKCAN AND CUaWXH 'W have removed to their new premises, Tancred street, end of Arcade, where tiiey will conduct th-Xr next sale on Saturday, 18th inst 12§70 V 5 ') ANTED by a steady man situation VV as tiro in. Thoroughly accus tomed to horses, ami to town ami country work. Good references can be given. Address Guardian office, 12 c, 71 tv WANTED known that J Heseltine W Saddler, etc, Burnett stret, Ashburton, and at ’ inwalcl, is ELLING SA' DLfiHY CIIKAPEH THAN EVE it Large Stock to select from. Reaper and Binder Canvasses made and repaired at lowest prices. Cash paid for Horsehair in any qu ntity. ’’ ote the add.ess Next Bullock’s Aica :e, Huinett street, Ashburton. 12J1 r racial Advertisements. M (I S 1 C. MRS A, C. CLAD IDG is prepared to receive PL TILS tor PIANOEORTE aud (»!-;(}.\N Terms on Application Cox street, Ashburton. 9CGS



W. F. lIANNAFOED, (Burnett street, o p she “ v iail” Olfi ■<>) TINSMITH AND METAL-PLATE WORKER, ISHFS to info m he public of A Ashburton ;m the suronnding districts tiist be keeps in slock or can MAN’Li s’.'CTUit K> o, PER all de scriptions of 'li.-'V .r.R for ! A!£M or DA RY purposes; also, all stl- PA' liS of any n.-iture p. o.; p: it cxeeiit-d in a skilful unnueo All go da sold at low. at remunerative prices ATr al suLktted H RS£-HAI ii m.d ID. LIS WAX bought in any quanti j lot (J IS 11. 11 73 WILDINU AND LEWIS, ARBISTER3 AND ' OLIOITORS. F. WILDING, Notary Public. Offices: Next “ Ni-il ” Office, Burnett st,, Ashburton.



Mr WiLDi'd will ;-tlend the sittings .f the As!, bur'on ourta on Tuesday and Fridays, an J may be Consulted personally on these ; ;:ya. The fi u; sa now represented in Ash burton by Mu Clayton, an English -oiiciior of cei s d mb' ' ixperience, who will be in daily a::o .darco at the office so receive mti-aciii-.a and cooler w»th clouts. *IOO 8 WHITE, C.-UGILL, & CO., BARRISTERS ;ED SOLICITORS, J. W. WHITE, Notary Public. NOTICE is hereby given that the undersigned, Messrs White and O. (White iMnitus.it', and Raymond), of 1 iataiu, un i John A Caygill, of Ash burton, have .'ms d.iy entered into Partnership as i;Mr:;ators and Solicitors, ut Ashburton, uruer .ho style of “While, Caygill and C. i;r J. W. White, will attend the sittings ul the Courts at Ash u; te n. WMI M & CO., John a. caygill. hloiicy to lend in any sums on approved freehold si cunty. Ofli*. es : LuKov-k’s Arcade 10*801! mo STAND THIS SEASON AT 1 AS lilt I'!; lON, And Travel the ui r.ra. ding Districts, The Thoroughbred Horse, Kingfisher.



For Pedigree so*' car : h. i i rina For one inure, £3 3s. A reduction will !><■ in-.de tor three or more mares, the property ; f one owner. First class padd-.,cks tor marcs at Is per vf?es Groomage fee. ;»s, payable at first service E. 0 i !\ Proprietor, PiTof Li very S tables, Ashburtn. MOUNT SOMERis COAL PIT. COAL CAX XOW BE HAD AT TEE -. ii VE PH’ FLIGHT SHILLINGS PER TON, Or in Ashburton at Sit VENTS '•N SHILLINGS PER TtN, I3y the l’i uck. FOR CASH O.vLY. L. F. WEIGHT, MESSRS TUCKER AND RESTELL, Agents iu Ashburton, o°3l



Victoria Honse, HOLIDAY SEASON, 1880-87 SEC >N r> ANN! AL (mI’T I ’IS 'KIBUTIOX, comprising elegant Wo i Its if Ai 1 in Bohemian and liulfuriau Painted Vases, Glass Water Jugs, and Cryutal Flower State's itc GII'T.CUUPoKS row being iss ted to Purchasers HIM AIN T AND COE, G ■ Xf.ifAL DRAPER'A, CLOTHIERS, &c., CVutic.- East and Tancred streets, Ashburton.



Special advertisements. FOR lieli t ble Goods AT MODERATE PRICES, OBR & ALCORN ARE U napproachable. THE PREMIER STOCK'S OF ASHBURTON, DRAPERY, CLOTHING, BOOTS AND SHOES. CARPETS (NEW DESIGNS.) Christmas Cards. CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR CARDS AND PRESENTATION PRIZE BOOKS AND NEW GOODS Suitable for CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR PRESENTS,



H. J WOOD AND CO. BOtdvSELLERS & STATIONERS, (La' e T. F. Ear l l v) Feil-ULANuKR’ . BUI i DINGS. IN our New Season, I8i>l)-7. Christmas and New Year Car.ls, are included the PolZ 0 DE Hr’ S from ho fol owing celebrated pnblishin firms of Loudon Cam, Vienna, Now York, and Boston : Raphael Tuck and Sons Marcus Ward and Co. Thomas de la Hue and Co. Hildesheimer and Faulkner John Walker and Co. Eyre and SpoUiswoodo Marion and Go. L Prang and Co , Boston, C.S. And several other Publishers, t SEVERAL THOUSAND PRIZE DESIGNS. We have received pers.s. Arawa and s.s Aorangi, * ELEVEN CAS S OP NEW BOOKS Specially ordered for the Christmas Season, comprising the Latest Publica tions of ti e renowned Publishers—Cassell and Co ; Thos. Nel-on and Sons; Rout ledge ; Warue ; Partridge ; Griffith, Barren, Okeden, and, Welch ; Marcus Ward and *'o ; and several English and American iirms. And



SEVENTEEN C WRS OF NEW GOODS, Specially selected by our Home /.gents for the. ' hrietmns Season, Comprising Cabinets,' Russan l eather Desks and Writing Case’, Photo. Albums in great variety of the m st elegant designs, Writing and Scfap Albums, New Zealand Fern Albums, Photo. Frames in silk plush and morocco, Workboxes and Desks Puises, C*ni Ca es, Pocket Pooks, and every description of Fancy H. J. WOOD Sc CO.



STA.TJONEH&’ HALL, Friedlanders’ Buildings, Ashburton. G. L Beath & Co. £IOOO 0 s - OD-sth0 D -sth ANNUM DISTRIBUTION OF CHRISTMAS GIFTS



To-Day, To-Day. To-Day N AND AFTER TO-D.VY every Customer will re ceive a Ticket with each I’ur< base, 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.



'lf-1 0 STA iN D Tint) Su’ A S ON, ' I AT I NETLJEIiBV FA KM, ASM BURTON, And visit t 1 e. suriouuding neighborhood, The Thoroughbred St.Jlion Johnny Faulkner. Pedigree : ITo ia by St. Albans, out of Impudence, by Peter Wilkins, out of Prudence by Jersey, out of b lack Sail by Wanderer, out o- Fairy (imp.) (For tabulated pedigree see cards ) Terms : £lO 10s for thoroughbred mares. £5 5s for half-bred mares, Also, tho Thoroughbred Stallion Rouser, By Messenger, out of Kite O’Shane, Will stand at Nothc by Farm, and travel ho districts of Ashburton, Methvcn, Mount Somers, and Alford Forest. Terras ; £3 10 ; guarantees, £5 6s. Season, Ist January, 1887. Guarantees, Ist July, 1887, L MARKET, 9635 Propriotf r



Statistics are published that the tobacco production of Germany 1s ds oressing. The decline is attributed to th** prevailing system of taxation. The number of persona engaged in the culti vation of jtba has {alien off 12,0J0 thfs feu as compared with 1883.