DAILY MEMORANDA

MEETINGS, AMUSEMENTS Etc Wednesday, December 15. Oddfellows’ Hall—Borough School Con cert at 8 o'clock Thursday, December 16 Hoot’s Gardens —Annual Garden Patty In connection with St Stephen’s Church Monday, December 27 I*O.L , —Annual Conceit and Ball I Monday, December 27 Horongh Council, at Borough Council , Chambers at 7.30 Friday, December 31 Oddfellows’ Hall— *' 8 . o’clock '

RAILWAY TIME TABLE

Trains Abbiye at Ashburton —From Christ • torch and the North, at 10.15 a.m. (express), 4.35 p.m.( and 7.10 p.m. From Timaru, 10.45 a.m. From Dunedin and South, 5.27 g m. (express). From Mount Somers, 10.6 un „ Trains Leave Abhbbbton —For Christ church and North, at 7.10 a.m., 10.65 a.m., •nd 6.87 pan. (express). For Dunedin and South, 10.25 a.m. (express). For Timaru, 4 p.m. For Mount Somers, 5.5 p.m

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN.

Prom and after the 30th November, 1886, the terms of Subscription to this journal will be M follows, viz.:— IF PAID IN ADVANCE : 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 : • Per Quarter.. 7s 6d, by post, 10s 9d „ Half-year 16s Od, by post, 21s 6d Year .. 80s Od, by post, 43s Od Pirt Marriage, and Death Notices, if paid • tor 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 for publication from the country districts, require to be verified by the signa -ture of the person sending the notice.

MAIL NOTICES.

invtia close at the Ashburton Post Office follows: — For Christchurch and North at 6a.ni 0.30 a.m., and 5 p.m., daily. For Ohertsey Rakaia, &0., at 10.30 a. m ■nd 5 p.m. daily. For Dunedin, Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, Coldstream, Rangitata, Orari, Winchester, md Geraldine, at 10 a.m, daily. For Temuka, at 10 a.m. and 4.30 p.m felly. for Timaro and South, at 10 a. m., and aSop.m., daily. For Greenstreet, on Weaneadays and tnrdaya, at 10.45 a.m. For Wakanui, Elgin, Seaview, Seafield, id Kyle, t»n Tuesdays, Thursdays, and turdsys, at 6.30 a.m. . For Slount Somers, daily at 4.30 p.m For Mayfield and Ruapuna, on Mon days and Thursdays, at 4,30 p.m. For Ashton, Waterton and Longbeach, 4.30 p.m. daily. For Plemington, on Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays, at 4.30 p.m. For Nowlands, on Tuesdays and Fri at 10.30 a.m. arrive at the Ashburton Post ffioe — From Christchurch and Rakaia at 10. IB '.m., 4.36 p.m., and 7.20 p.m. From Oiartaey, &c. at 10.15 s. and ,35 p.m. daily. From Dunedin and Intermediate places daily, * Front Temuka and Timaru at 10.40 a.m p 5.30 p.m daily. From Greenstreet, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 10 a.m. From Mount Somers, daily at 10.5 , zo. From Mayfield and Ruapuna, on Wed oesdays and Saturdays, at 10.6 a.m. From Ashton, Waterton, and Long each at 10 a.m. daily. From Newlands, on Tnesdays and Frl days, at 2.30 p.m. From Flemington on Tuesdays, Thun, days, and Saturdays, at 10a.m.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

G. Gilmour—Your letter arrived too late to receive attention this issue

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1886. CRUMBS OF COMFORT.

Things have so long been in a bad way in New Zealand that it is pleasant to be able to gather together a few crumbs of comfort for the regalement of our readers. The first of these comes from Auckland, where indica tions of a revival of trade in the country districts is reported. The Herald's Cambridge correspondent writes :—“ The country is looking well, and there is a general feeling of confi dence that we shall have a good harvest. The turn in the tide, it is felt, has already taken place, and that the wave of general depression which has swept over b the whole world is now at last receding. Business in all the Waikato centres is reported to be brisker. People generally are tiavel ling more, and a.noteworthy change in the barometer in this district ts to be found in the fact that inquiries are being made for country lands by intending purchasers.” The next crumb that may be taken as an instal ment of the full loaf of prosperity, which it is to be hoped will ere long give us a full meal of good things all round, comes from Wellington, whence we learn that a representative of one of the largest powder manufacturers in England has almost completed arrange ments for the establishment of mills in New Zealand, which, it is contemplated, will not only supply the colony, but command a large export trade with the Australian colonies, India, and China. The new industry will, if started, employ a good many hands, and will thus be pro tanto a relief to our over r.ocked labor market, One factory is not in itself much to “ blow ” about, but every little helps, and the hope of the future lies in the direction of multiplying local industries, and in that of the extension of settlement. These last words give the cue to another line of hopefulness, for the extension of village settlement which is going on m the North Island, and which it is, we fully believe, the intention of the Minister for Lands to promote in this Island also, will assuredly help to remove the causes of the depression, and to hasten the revival of the good time coming. A fourth encouraging item comes from Nelson, where there is reason to think we shall soon see the establishment of ironworks on an extensive scale, under the auspices of an English company, which contemplates the smelting of the ore, and the manufacture of railway and other iron goods on a large scale. At Collingwood there are inexhaustible stores of iron ore and of coal, and both materials are to be extensively worked. A Mr Price Williams, who has been sent out to inspect the coalfields in that locality, has, says the correspondent of an exchange, been so favorably impressed that “ he has cabled Home for imme diate action to be taken for their development. It is understood that the necessary capital, estimated at each for two mines, will at once be forthcoming, and that active operations will be undertaken without delay for opening up the Collingwood coal and bringing it into the market. It is intended to run out a long wharf into deep water, off Collingwood, in Golden Bay, so that the largest ocean steamers, such as the Rimutaka or Arawa, can go alongside and coal, thus avoiding the extra cost of conveying the coal to any of the regular ports. It is claimed one of these steamships could go over from Wellington to Collingwood in a few hours, coal and return with little more loss of time than is at present experienced in the coaling operations, while by means of im proved appliances the coal could be put aboard far more expeditiously as well as cheaply. In any case the undertaking means the investment of a large sum and the extensive employ ment of labor, so that it will be a colonial benefit apart from the material

cheapening of the coal supply which is contemplated. This of course will prove a substantial relief to all manu - facturing industries which have to use large quantities of coal.” While the foregoing items are all satisfactory, as showing that the natural resources of the colony are about to be turned to good account in the instances referred to, and that its local industries are

steadily extending, there remains yet to be noticed a further pleasing feature which will be more appreciated in this and other agricultural districts. This is to be found in the prospects of the breadstuff's* market. Anent this our Oamaru morning contemporary says : “ The London wheat market is steadily improving. Another rise is chronicled this morning, bringing the highest figure up to 37s 6d. We may mention that 40s at Home means about 4s per bushel here, so that those interested will see that if the price remains steady next harveit m»y open with a fair paying i

price ” All these things taken togethei present a hopeful aspect, and, in view of these and other satisfactory signs of the times, we think we may fairly congratulate our readers that they wiM not have long to wait ere the cloud roll by.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Borough School Concert takes place this evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall. A meeting of the Fire Brigade will be held this evening. A full attendance is requested.

The second of the series of Ashburton wool sales will be held to-morrow.

The Garden Party in aid of the funds of St. Stephen’s Church will take place at Mr Hunt’s grounds to morrow. The Rev P. H. Cornford (President of the New Zealand Baptist Union) is announced to conduct a service in the upper room at back of Oddfellows’ Hall, on Thursday next, 23rd instant, at 8 p.m.

The promoters of the proposed wool and grain exhibition have decided to postpone further action till next year on account of the postponement of the Imperial Intitule. The Wellington correspondent of the Lyttelton Times says that the official orders prohibiting scented soap in the Government buildings have been cancelled, to the great delight of the ended darlings of the aristo cratic establishment

Efforts are already being made in New South Wales in favor of the nine men under sentence of death in connection with the shocking out rage at Mount Bennie. Nothing is yet kown as to whether it is intended to carry out the sentence.

The Woodville Examiner calculates that at least half a million of money is passed through the totalisator at race meetings in the course of twelve months in this colony, and suggests that, as such investments must come strictly under the heading of “ luxuries,” a tax of 2£ per cent, should be imposed upon them.

The usual notice regarding the sum of £4OOO voted by the New Zealand Parliament for distribution among the public libraries in the colony appears in the Gazette. The distribution will take place on the Bth Feb. nest, and no claim will be considered unless it be received by the Secretary for Education on or before 31st January, 1887. gtAn ex-Postmaater-General was recently fined, along with a number of other drunkards, at the Sydney Police Court. He is now engaged as a cabman. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr A. W. Brown) having suggested that his successor should be presented with a Mayoral uniform, the Post thinks that it ought to be original, and says :—Mr Sam Brown, the Jubilee Mayor elect, for instance, would present a very striking appearance if he bad a head-dress of huia feathers, was arrayed in a handsome mat of native manufacture, wore a necklace of shark’s teeth, a greenstone pendant from each ear, and had a mere in his hand. It is impossible to remain long aiok or out of health where American Oo.’s Hop Bitters are used. See another

SANDER AND SONS’ EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. —In protection of the world-wide fame our manufacture has acquired ail 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 Record :—“ 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 baying. SANDER AND SONS.—(Advt.)

ASHBURTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton School Committee was ha ! d at the Borongh School last evening. Present: Messrs J. O Duncan (In the chair )J. W. '■'nwle, B. Dimant, J. Orr, and W J. 'ilcook. EINANCIAL. The Chairman said the credit balance at the Bank was £26 3s lOd. CORRESPONDENCE. Letters were read—(l) Prom the Board of Education stat ng that in compliance with the Committee’s request the Board would accord the master a chance of im proving the school, and that an examina tion for the purpose of a»certalning the pr gress made by the children would be held in six months. (2) From the ame, stating that the examination to be heid at the eud of the half-year would be a progress one only. (3) From the Drill Instructor advising the despatch of gymnastic apparatus.—The Chairman said that in accordance with the instructions of the Committee he had bad the apparatus erected, PAINTING. The consideration of tenders for paint ing the caretakers cottage was deferred till next meet-ng master’s report. The master reported that the number on roll was ; boys, 210 ; girls, 216 ; total, 426 ; average attendance : boys, 160 9 ; gtrk, 173 1 ; to'al, 329.—The sale of school requisites by the teachers was a great snooks l : and a great saving to parents of obilire , > attending the school was the remit.—He recommended tha' the so-iool be closed on December 15 and re-opened on the the same date as tha Hampstead School, viz., January 24- holidays. After a long discussion the master's sag estion with regard to holidays was adopted o the motion of Mr Dimaot, seconded by Mr S»wle, An amendment proposed by Mr Silo 'Ok, to the effect that only a term of a month be granted, lasped, no seconder being forthcoming.

TREAT. It was resolved to hold a special meet, ing after tha concert to make arrange ments with regard to treat. PAYMENTS. The usual monthly accounts were passed for payment, ana the Committee ad journed.

TINWALD LIVE STOCK MARKET.

Mr E. G Staveley (for ew Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited) reports on Tlnwald sale, 14th inst : —Ther was only moderate entries of stock The attendance was up to the average, but the biddings were slow, and low values had to be taken to make a ties Fat cows made £5 5», £7 12s 6i, and £9—from 18a to 22a per 1001 he. Fat cr >aebred ewes. Be 6d; uowe’hers, 6s 101; forward two-tnoth crossbreds, 4s 6J; for ward crossbred wethers, 6s }.od; do nrxod sexes, 5» Id ; crossbred ewes and lambs, 2s Id and 2a 7d, counting each ; two-tooth mixed crossbreds, 3s lid and 4a 3d; two tooth merinos, in low con dition, la 3.i; meri- o ewes, in wool with 80 per cent iambi, 5» Bd.

ADDITIONAL MAIL NEWS.

LORD MAYOR'S Dvr. London desp tches of November 9 say fi rd Mayor's Day opooed gloomy and iaik. There were few signs in 'he Coy n aasccate the diy with the iod Mayor’s .<h»w The display of burning tod *ec usually mtde on this occasion we*e almost generally otoitted ! be authorities and popular gwin imbue i vith « sense of oppression. This o odi ion is due to anxiety for the results threatened by the gatherings of Socialists The police made ail p eslb e precautions tor reals'ing any attempt at disorder. At •n early hour, shoa's of roughs began to merge from the slums, and made ihelr way towards the sec o e where the Snoialkti had arranged t > assemble, the battalions of police proceeding to different poii ts teoeiving hearty cheer* From the people The streets in the west end of the 0 ty presented a remarkab'e appear ance. All shop shutters were down and barricaded, and toe iron railings bonrded with stout timber. Banka and o;her buddings were secured in a similar manner. These precautions were not confined to buildings on the route of the Lord Mayor’s prncesdon, hut extended to streets far removed. The suburban police a >d reserves were posted at prominent points, and a large military force and all the household troops were in readmes' if r.heir assistance had been needed At eleven o’clock the force proceeded to the north side of T afalgar square. The shop' In the vicinity were closed, and the doors and windows of the jewelry estab lishments were heavily barred. Hundreds of students, armed with sticks gathered about the square. A cowd of loafers arrived, and were allowed to proceed to the entrance of the square There they were met by a double line of police and turned into the Strand. The mounted police cleared the roadway The throng at Trafalgar Equate increased to vast proportions. The police kept admir able order. A tr.fling encounter oc curred i-n Trafalgar square at noon, a mob. eigh hundred strong marching in a body, halted by the police and separated, Th~ pol oj then cleared the square, and pushed the crowd towards the Thames Embankment; hare the mob halted, and hooted and groaned at the officers. Three hundred radical students, march ng five abreast and armed with bludgeons, proceeded »1< ng the Strand to ad the police. The Life Guards, in passing thro gh Victoria street, were saluted with groans by a small knot of roughs. Two Socialists called upon Sir Charles Warren and re quested an answer to their letter enquir ing why the prot o ed Socialist demon stration had been prohibited. Sir Charles Warren referred them to his proclama tion. The procession s’arted at the usual hour, and proceeded over the designated route, wi h >nt anything happening beyond the usual horseplay incidental to the oeea lon. The police dispersed the medi cal indents, and refused to allow them to occupy i rsfalcwr square. One thousand policemen were posted at 'he iqu.re. The 'C is Guards mustered m fit George’s barrack , bthind the National Gallery. The crowd about Trafa gar square at one o’clock had grown colossal, the rough ele ment predominating, and accessions were cn-itartly arriving, the police lining the streets converging upon the square. They dl ■" surrounded thr a juare, »nd refused t" perm t anyo-'P to e ter. Efforts were made to keen the crow t moving at far as i' w<s possible. Whan tbe p'oc sai >

niuh-d equ <■ e, t met with no tration on th- p>ri of the crowd, excoot an orgauis d cheeking and hoo-, ng, f e la»i..T being especially directed «t the Lord M yor. After the show had gone by. the mob at once surged over in the square, and oon formed a dense throng about the Nelson mo' Umoni, A number of me i mounted the pedestal at d fluent periods Some of these waved red flics The rquaro now became a scene of exci'emant The recognised Socialist leaders managed, here and there, to gather around them groups of men ready and willing to listen to their speeches, and in this way the va ,t crowd was so' n divided Up into numberless ex cited . group* ; each stirred up by Its own spokesman, and ware all independent, noisy, and excited. The poll e did not attempt to interfere with the tush of 'he mob into the rquare but they formed a strong cordon around it. Among the speakers who addressed the groups was Withrm. the Soolvist leader He declared the populace would sh >w that they could hold an orderly meeting o lot the public know the distress which at present exists among working men in England, Another said, “all the power of the country was Invoked to prevent us from assem ling, and our reply to all this is that we are here. We want food, work, and dwelling places for all, and we wdl have them Resolutions of a proper kind will be adopted, and they will be sent to the Marquis of Salisbury and Lord Randolph Churchill, and thev will be compelled to (listen to them The Socialists will con tinue their work until every vistago of tyranny shall be swept away. Our orga nisation is the only one which dares to take a proper position on behalf of the poor And oppressed. We are hero to agi tate In a peaceful manner for work for all. and overwork for none.” Resolutions asking Government to provide work for the unempl >yed, and to reduce to eight the number of hours o -nstitutii g a day’s work were carried amid loud cheering, and the group which adopted them, and which had by this time abfOrle I nearly all the multi tude remaining in the square, dispersed, cheering f r the promised revolution, of the people who had composed the audience a* once went awty. A number of anti- Socialists attempted to ho>d a counter demonstration In Trafalga Square. They were attacked and roughly handled by their opponents, and driven from the scene. The police and Life Guards inter fered, and o’eared the Square The work was not difficult, and but one ar est was made, A ecton of the crowd went from the squsre to the residence of the Ma quis of .Salisbury, and attempted to make a demonstra ion there. They were, bov ver dispersed easily by the police. Lord i-aWsb iry at the bmqaet lo ths evening, said Government was encouraged by grow g- proofs of advancing prospeiity in K 'vpt, Her finances were more pro mising than they have “var been, although they had not reached a point that would ■nable { Government to declare its task ful filled, Further, : ng and could not leave Egypt until the latter’* ind peoden e of foreign Interference had been assured. Referring to Bulgaria, Ii <rd -alisbury j said the sympathies of 'he English paople were amnsed by the spectacle of a struggle for independence, and that the language of diplomatic menace nsed towards Bu - gsria by Fu-ope h d caused the deep st regret. The Injustice of the deed w s ag gravated by foreign diplomacy having made use of conspirators in acts of inter ference, which caused the greatest repro bation through Europe; Bulgarian rights were assured by the Berlin Treaty, on which >he salvation of Europe dep-nded English Interest in that treaty was no* an Isolated interest The oth r Powers were also interested In the vindication of the treaty. He was snre that the majority of the signatory Powers recognised the fact that it was their duty to enforce th* treaty. England would not be found backward In co- operating with them. He trusted that peace would not be dis turbed, and that under the Influence ot p blic opinion the Infant liberties of Bul garia would not be Impaired. Sir Arthur Peel, Speaker, in responding to the teas' of the House of Commons, congratulated the members npon the f»c'. that a third session in 1886 would not be needed Lord George Hamilton, First Lord of the Admiralty, replied to the toast of “The j Havy," He flftld be hoped a Havel]

Reserve would soon be formed thar would ha ►qua' to all emei s be usual toasts foil .wed, Sev--a ; <>f t't speake a ref rred to the regularity of h day’s proceedings L>-u tUaaburvV speech is said to h*ve strong heneb 'hi position of OouDt K’*lri->ky The reel! v in the Hungarian -•« guton is become h oorup' aed and members appear less di - trustful 'The M gy.r do nga'o- expr e a hope that the S eecb i” Teid» a h ara p by the L owers similar to tri t which Andrtssy evoked at the B T-iu Coo erenoe.

AN EX 1?R AO ItDI * A R.Y AFF \I •-. One of '.he roost extraordinary *ffdrs that has token place for many years in the 0 uoty of Surrey has (says a Loodo paper of November 3) been engaging the attention of the Metropolitan Pnlioa. The Oomte and Oum esse de P-tris, who. since their emulsion from Prance, have taken Sir Ha >ry Me x’s famished real le<oe, sh- en House, S 'bon, for a short time, w?n‘ thero a or so ago, and on Tuesday witnessed the oonfDmailon < f thei- second daughter, PmiceM Helene Lou se Henrietta, at the Church of ~>t Louis de France, King street. Baker streot. It appears that at an early hoar on Wednesday, the Oomtesse de Paris diecjverad a man crawling along <be fl >or of her bedroom on his hands sad knees. F ading he was discovered, he quickly disappeared into an adjacent room. Tie Oomtesse immediately raised an alarm, and on a search bei"g made, gravelly footmarks were discovered on the carpet of the next ro-un. These were traced to a window, and It (s believed the culprit escaped that way by means cf a Udder placed against the wi idow sill. T» add to the mysterious nature of the affair, it is stated that the key of the bedroom, which had been missing for three or f ur days, waa found In the bedroom door after the misceant left, thus plainly ■bowing tbs' whoever committed the deed was well acquainted .with the premises, A door waa left unlocked at the time of the family going to bed No hlug has been missed Notwithstanding ad reports to the contrary, the police believe it to have been a case of attempted robbery only.

A LOST COINTESS. The criminal authorities of the Grand Duchy of Baden Baden have issued a no ice that since September 12, the Countess of Arnhelm has been missing from her establishment at P aiieeg, in B »rk Forest. She »as somewhat un settled in h r mind, and went for a wlk with an attendant, from whom she separated on some ordinary pretext, and has not since been seen, although moat searching enquiries have been ma ie ab ut her There are no grounds in her reU lions to her family to ecdmnt for h<r voluntary dis*; pjaranoe, so the police fear she has been the victim of a deed of violence, wi'.n the object of plunder She had In a parse on her persnn about £ls A desoripli-n is given of the jewellery she -ore, all <f a cutly and very rtis .io character. The Donates* was 34 years old. moderately tall and strong, of a beautiful figure, and very pleasing features, and was clothed in a way corresponding to ho- Hocia' position. Her husband has off -red £SO J re war I For information.

BARTHOLDI’S STATUTE. • Bartholdi’s great statue of Liberty en lichten’ng the world, on the K e dU e I-d-.rd, New York Harbor was unveiled on '• >ctober 28, I'! the midst A a ralu ur -p-n. Bi-ino-a was wholly suspended, and New York city m holiday at the t me. S -eobea were de ivn-ed by President O e-oland, M La Faore, Count Da (.esaeps, M. FCver-g and othe-s De Lesai-ps, it is said will seize this incident as a lever to raise fresh enthusiasm in the Un tai States for bis Panama Canal ach-one. The torch that the statue bolds a ; o’t was lighted on November 2, but the eff- ct was a failure; It was supposed the figure would be seen at a great distance, sharply defined, but it was mostly in shadow. The glory of the pedestal eclipsed fiarthoidi’a work. The engineer who bad the illumination in charge con fesses it to be only an experiment. Later despatches say the torch has n>t been relighted since the first experiment ; that the American Committee has no fnuds f <r the 1 nrp >se of illumination. If no funds can be h-*d from Washington, the goddess will have to wait notil a Bill establishing a lighthouse at Bedloe Island, and an Appropriation Ac for maintaining It, passes at next session of Congtess, before a torch can be lighted again. Later despatches say that preparations have been completed for immediate lighting.

PENSIONS IN THE UNITED STATES

Bradatreet’a writing of pensions in *ha United States, say. : —Some of the results of the pension legislation of recent years are apparent in the annual report of the 'ommlsaioner of Pensions for the last fiscal year. It appears that daring that year, notwithstanding the number of names dropped from the rolls beoanse of death and other reasons there was a net increase in the number on the rolls of more than twenty thousand names. The annual average value of each pension also increased, and the aggregate annual value of the pensions showed an augmentation of between six and seven million dollars as compared with the preceding fiscal year. The tendency of recent pension legisla tion, it a ill be seen, has been the reverse of niggardly.

A SPLENDID BRIDE CAKE.

At a recent wedding reception at which some of the members of the new English Cabinet figured as relatives and honored ?u nts, the bride’s cake was a simply magnificent structure—eight tiers, each varying in the style of ornamentation. The cake rested on a elver plateau, with handsome 61 <gree w rk reaching slantwise fmm the plateau to the cloth of blue v»lv-t, or plush, covered with lace. Three double (ertwined) horseshoes were on the u <r"‘ht rim of the first tier, amid a gronpinv of fern leaves, in white sugar w rk. On the top was an artistic group ing of the two families’ shield, crests, etc , and the new quartering dinar *d by the marriages. The shields were about 8 inches ong, the crest at their pedeiest point 2 inches long The next tie's repreaen’ed “ The Seven Age* of]VL>ti,” founded on Shakespere’s lines On the top was an old woman nnralng a babe

UNKNOWN

T e change that is fast taking place la the view wi*h which the Scotch Presby terian clergy regard Sunday observance is strikingly shown by the remarks made by the Rev Principal Cunningham at a harve-t. festival atOnleff Parish Ohnrchon Sunday October 17th- He said that his psrishto* nars were in great measure to blame for the present disastrous harvest On a re cent Sunday when all tbe crops were in a fit state to be gathered in, the farmers and their servants were either In church or in bad when they should have been in the Gelds. Tbe country would suffer in almost every respect on account of the bad har ves’. All this was caused by the ton rigid and pnritanosl observance of the Sunday In question. In conclusion, the reverend gentleman said that the late dis astrous seasons would work good in the ai d. They were on the verge of a revolu t on both in regard to the land laws and agriculture In general. Everything fp connection with agriculture must be greatly changed, and a season like the pteeent would gveatly hasten that day*

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[rei TER’s TKLBCHa > s - COPYRIGHT.] AFFAIRS IN BURMAH. Rangoon, December 13. News has been received from Upper Burmah that an engagement between the British force and the rebels has taken place near Pakoka. The Bombay Lancers, who formed part of the British squadron, charged the enemy, killing 200 and wounding many others,

OCCUPATION OF EGYPT.

The Standard states that the British force in the occupation of Egypt will be greatly reduced in April next.

SHIPPING CASUALTY.

The ship Mangalore, bound to Ade laide, has returned to London, severely damaged, during a hurricane en countered after leaving.

LONDON MARKETS.

Consols are unchanged at zoofs. New Zealand four per cent inscribed slock has fallen per cent, and is now quoted at g6'4; New Zealand five per cent 10.40 loan is unchanged at 102; New Zealand four and a half per cent 5.30 loan, 99^. Colouial breadstuff's are in hfftfr demand at advanced rates. Adelaide wheat is is higher, 38s fid; flour is quoted at 26s fid. Australian beef tallow, 25s fid; mutton tallow, 30s. At the colonial wool auctions yester day and to-day i 4,800 bales were offered. The market continues dull.

THE MELBOURNEEXHIBITION.

London, December 14 The Agents-General consider it im probable that the Prince and Princess of Wales will accept the invitation ol the Victorian Government to visit Mel bourne for the inaugural ceremony in connection with the Centennial Exhibi tion of 1888.

THE FRENCH MINISTRY;

It has been officially notified to the Foreign Office that M. Flourens bet been appointed French Minister of Foreign Affairs.

(Received December 14 12 40 p.m ) THE BRITISH IN EGYPT. London, December 14 A statement has been published that it has been agreed to reduce the British force in Egypt to 500 men and the Egyptain standing army to ten thou sand.

AUSTRALIAN.

[RC.UTKR’s TELEGRAMS—COPYRIGHT.] MELBOURNE MARKETS. Melbourne. December 14. The Manager of the National Mort gage and Agency Company, New Zea land, reports as follows of the local mar ket :—Wheat is firm at 5s id to $s 3d per bushel j barley slow of sale at 3s qd to 4s 3d. There is a moderate Inquiry for New Zealand oats (feed.sorts) at as pd to as ndj New Zealand oats (milling sorts) are in a fair demand at as lid to 3s. New Zealand oats under bond are selling at as to as 3d.

PROPOSED CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION.

Sidney, December 14. The Government propose holding an intercolonial exhibition in connection with the centenary of Australia. It bad been suggested that this be enlarged to an international exhibition, and that the Prince and Princess of Wales be invited to visit Sydney on the occasion. (Received Deo. 14, IS 40 p m.) A DAILY “HANSARD.” Msi.BOUßirx, December 16. A Select Committee of the Legisla tive Assembly has recommended the ac ceptance of the tender by 'the Mel bourne Age for the production of a daily Hansard.

THE CENTENNARY.

The Victorian Government have de cided to ask the Government of New South Wales to join in inviting the Prince of Wales to visit Australia dur ing the centennary celebration in iBBB.

SHIPPING. • SvninsT, December 16, Arrived last evening Mararoa, from Auckland.

SHIPPING MISHAPS.

The steamship Corangamite, stran ded at Wreck Bay, has been aban doned.

An inquiry is now proceeding into the cause of the loss of the steamship Keilawarra.

CHB ASHBURTON GUARDIAN. WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 15, IBS6



C HAWKINS, Bootmaker, Tinwald , has just received a good assortment of BOOTS aND SHOTS for the Summer Season, all of which will be so d at piices not to be rubbed out in Aahbun n. 1’ arly :$ r anted known V V’ THAT MR- STRIBLING HAS REMOVED bom old premises in Burnett street (next to the Arcade) to the PANAMA BOARDING-HOUSE, TASCREOSTREET (Lately occupied by Mr Lucas). 8*537 OWLE’S PENNYROYAL AND STEEL PILLS FOR FEMALES quickly correct all irregularities, and relieve the distressing symptoms so pre valent with the sex. Boxes la l£d and Is 9d, of all Chemists and Patent Medicine Vendors. 1 repared only bV The Lincoln and Midland Counties Drug Co., Lincoln, England. Wholesale of all the Wholesale Houses. Beware of Imitations. call solicited 11*96



IOR COUGHS, COLDS, Bronchitis, Asthma, Coryza, Influenza, Con sumption, &c. RAY’S COMPOUND OF LINSEED, Aniseed, Senega, Squill, Tolu, &a with Chlorodyne. KAY’S COMPOUND, a demulcent expectorant, for Coughs, Colds, and Chest Complaints. Kit’S COMPOUND, for Couchs, and Colds, is equally serviceable for Horses and Cattle. AY’S TIC PILLS, a specific in Neuralgia, Face-ache, 3tc. Con tains Quinine, Iron, &o. CO A.GULINE.—Cement for Broken Articles, Sold Everywhere. Sole Makers :—KAY BROS., Stock - ort, England,



Wanted. WANTED KNOWN.—Washing and Wangling 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, Ashburton, is now selling Furniture of all kinds cheaper than ever. Chest of Drawers, £1 6s ; Spring Couches, £1 5s Every other article equally cheap. All new furniture at second-hand price 804 JUST OPENED—Choice assortment of New Spring Dress stuffs, Prints, Millenry, etc. he cheapest House in town for first class goods. Dressmaking on the premises. H. C. Segues, Mel ford Honse. W.NTED the Public to Inspect a grand assortment of New Season's Tea and Sugars of all grades, at price.* to suit all classes of purchasers.—Jab McGregor. Tancred street, DOLLS, DOLf.S— In great variety— wood, war china, c> mposition, hidiarubber and indestructable. Dolls, dolls, d >lls, H. M. Jones ANTED k-own—DUNCAN AND CRAWrHAW 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 ANTED known that J Heseltine Saddler, <Sc , .Burnett street Ashburton, and at ! inwald, is r-ELLING SA DLKRY CHEAP! R 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, Burnett street, Ashburton. 12J1



Special Advertisements. MUSIC. MBS A. C. CLABIDGE is prepared to receive PUPILS for PIANOFORTE and ORGAN Terms on Application Cox street, Ashburton. 9668



W. F. HANNAFOED, (Burnett street, opposite “ Mail” Office) TINSMITH AND METAL-PLATE WORKER, DTTSHES to info m the public of M Ashburton an the 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. A ll goods sold at lowest remunerative prices A Trial solicited HORSE-HAIR and BEESWAX bought in any quanti 3 forC.iSH. 11 73



NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORS The new goods for the SUMMER SEASON NOW OPENED OUT. The Stock is THE LARGEST & BEST SELECTED IN THE T< iWN, And the variety of Style and Patterns in Men’s, Youths’, and Boys’ Clothing leiaves nothing to be desired. Thousands of Men’s and Boys Suita, newest styles. Trousers and Trousers and Vests manufactured of New Zealand Tweeds. Every garment warranted shrank Overcoats, Waterproof Coats and Leggings in great variety Hats, comprising every new stylo worn Children's Jersey Suits, Children’s Men of-War Suits Gentlemen’s Hosiery, Scarves; Oxford Regatta and White Shirts Bugs, Portmanteaus, and Travelling Bags The celebrated WERTHEIM SEWING MACHINE. Time Payments. N.Z. CLOTHING FACTORY, East Stbxkt,



TO STAND THIS SEASON AT ASHBURTON, And Travel the Surrounding Districts, The Thoroughbred Horse, Kingfisher. For Pedigree see cards Terms—For one mnre, £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. WILDING AND LEWIS, ANi< gOIIUITORS. F. WiTdING, Notary Public. Offices: Next “Mail” Office, Burnett at., Ashburton. Mr Wildi'Q will attend the sittings of the Ashbur'on ourts on Tuesday and Fridays, and may be consulted personally or these days. The firm is now represented in Ash burton by Mr Clayton, an English Solicitor of considerable experience, who will be in daily attendance at. the office to receive instructions and comer with cienta. *IOO 8



WHITE, CAYGILL, & CO., BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS, J. W. WHITE, Notaet Public. OTICR is hereby given that the undersigned, Messrs White and o. (White Smithson, and Raymond), of fimaru, and John A Caygill, of Ash barton, have this day entered into Partnership as Barristers and Solicitors, at Ashburton, under the style of “White, Caygill and Co." Mr J. W. White, will attend the sittings of the Courts at Ash urtcn.



WHITE & CO.. JOHN A. OAYGILL. Money to lend in any sums on approved freehold security. Offices : Bullock’s Arcade 10*803 MOUNT SOMERS COAL PIT. COAL CAN NOW BE HAD AT THE AB jVE PIT! ♦ FOR SHILLINGS PER TON, Or in Ashburton at SEVENTEEN SHILLINGS PER TON, By the Truck. FOR CASH OiNLY. E. F. WRIGHT. MESSRS TUCKER AND RESTELL, Agents in Ashburton. o*3l



Victoria House. HOLIDAY SEASON, 1886-87 SECOND ANNUAL GIFT DISTRIBUTION, comprising elegant Works of Art, in Bohemian and Bulgarian Painted Vases, Glass Water Jugs, and Crystal flower Stands, Ac GIFT COUPONS now being issued to Purchasers. DIMANT AND COE, GENERAL DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, &a, Corner East and Tancred streets, Ashburton.



Special advertisements. FOR .Reliable Goods AT MODERATE PRICES, ORR & ALOORN ARE U napproachable. THE PREMIER STOCKS or 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. 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 publishing firms of London Paris, Vienna, New York, and Boston : Raphael Tuck and Sons Marcus Ward and Co. Thomas de la Rue and 00. Hildesheimer and Faulkner John Walker and Co. Eyre and Spottiswoode Marion and 00. L Prang and Co , Boston, U. S. And several other Publishers, Comprising SEVERAL THOUSAND PRIZE DESIGNS. We have received pers.s, Arawa and s.e Aorangi, ELEVEN CASi S OF NEW BOOKS Specially ordered for the Christmas Season, comprising the Latest Publica tions of the renowned Publishers—Cassell and Co ; Thos, Nelson and Sons ; Rout ledge ; Warne ; Partridge ; Griffith, Fatten, Okeden, and, Welch ; Marcus Ward and Co ; and several English and American firms. And SEVENTEEN C VSES of NEW GOOD 3, Specially selected by our Home / gents for the C hristmas Season, Comprising Cabinets, Russian Leather Desks and Writing Cases, Photo. Albums in great variety of the nr st elegant designs, Writing and Scrap Albums, New Zealand Fern Albums, Photo. Frames in silk plush jnd morocco, Workboxes and Desks Purses, Card Cases, Pocket Books, and every description of Fancy Stationery. H. J. WOOD & CO. STATIONERS’ HALL, Friedlanders’ Buildings, Ashburton. G. Li. Beath&Co. £IOOO 0 8 0”



Bth ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION CHEISTIAS GIFTS To-Day. To-Day. To-Day N AND AFTER TO-DAY every Customer will re ceive a Ticket 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. BEATS & CO., Argyle House, CASHEL STREET, CHRISTCHURCH. OF



NETHERBYFARM, 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 Netberby Farm, and travel he districts of Ashburton, Methven, Mount Somers, and Alford Forest. Terms; £3 10 ; guarantees, £5 ss, Season, Ist January, 1887. Guarantees, Ist Ju y, 1887, 9636 L MARKET, Proprietr *



kmitaKlMMtirgßiSEl



The Board of Inland Revenue chuckle a good deal in their just-pnblished annua! report about the growth of the revenue from patent medicines. They observe that *• the increase under the head of patent medicine stamps la considerable, as usual, and shows how these medicines continue to gain in public favor.” This may be a subject for co> gratulatfon by the Inland Revenue, but it may well be dou t-d how far the growing habit of the population to res >rt to these quack remedies is beneficial to the nation at Urg- Twen y years ago there were only 11,250 parent medicine vendors in the kingdom, and < nly 7£ millions of labels Issued yielding £6O UOO to the revenue. In ten year- more—t j , in 1876—tbo vendors hud increased to 16 C 23, and nearly 16 millions of labels were loaned, yielding £123 000 Now tbere tm 20 279 ve<-dors, and 21$ millions of Une s were is ued last year yie d : ng an incomq to the G vernment of £179.000. Obviously, the efforts made to induce the Government to place the preparation and sale • f patent medicines under better regnlat ons are terribly handicapped by the supposed danger of losing this very profitable and growing source of revenue. —British Medical Journal .



The greatest nourishing tonic, appetizer, strengthener and curative on earth. Hop Bitten made only by American Co. See “ Lannce,” in the Wanganui Herald says: —Napier parsons are nothing il not eccentric From the recent papers I coll advertisements of Sunday evening sermons as followsßeV G. Paterson, to-morrow's subject, “ What is the Galilean carpenter doing ? ” and another* the Bev J. Edwards will preach to-morrow, subject, “ God in « temper.” Sorely this sort of thing is very objectionable. The pulpit is frequently complaining of the vulgarity of the Press, bat in papier at any cate, they aught do well to taka the proverbial bfMg Oil of their eye first,