THE LAND ACQUISITION BILL.

The Wellington Speolal of the " Lyttlr. ton Timea " supplies the following precis of Mr Ballance'a Land Acquisition Bill:— Twenty or more persons associated to gether for thepucooae of promoting settle ment and the oconpatlun of land m Biuall farmo, having framed special ruloß for tho conduct of their aSilrs, will be deemed to b« formei Into an Association under the Aot from the day when the Governor has notified hit approval of the rales. Any ■uch Afleooiation may then o mtraot with the owner of any private land m any pai t of the colony for bo much of sash land m shall be sufficient for the purposes of tho Agieciatoo, at any price not exceeding the valuation made under "The Property Aiieiament Act, 1885," with not more fthtn 10 per cent added, as well an the value of all improvements (if any) effected on suoh land since the valuation was made. If the Association have agieed with the owners of the land aa to price, they may petition the Governor to enable them to acquire, setting forth m the petit'on the area, locality and quality of the land, •nd the price they are willing to pay (not exceeding, however, the amount men tioned above), and depositing an amount equal to one-fourth the price agreed upon . Every petition of the kind is to be remitted to two Commissioners for investigation and report, one Oommiaßioner to be the Oom nlfiloner of Grown Lands for the district m which the land is situated, end the Baßveyor-General, or any person whom he may appoint to act m his place, ia to be the other. For the pntpoaes of this Aot the powers of "The Commißsionerß Powers Aot, 1867," are conferred upon the Com missioned, whose daty it will be, on re oept of a petition, to fix a time for enquir ing whether the land proposed to be ac quired Is suitable for the purposes of small farms settlement, and whether the Associa tion will be probably able to carry Into effect the permanent settlement of thelaud. All suoh investigations are to be open to the public, and the Commissioners are to report their deolaluns to the Governor. Objeotions to the acquisition of the land may be lodged with, and considered by, the Oommlssionew. The Governor m Council may (but Bhall not be compelled to do co) give effect to any petition on receiving the report rf the oommiasion9rs, bat if the Governor agreeß to the acquiring to the land commissioners •hall require the owners to execute a deed of conveyance or transfer of the said land to Her Mt» jest y. If the Association einnot agree with the owner of any land for Its purchase, or cannot agree as to price, or if the owner refuses or has no power to sell, the Association may still, if they think it des rable to acquire the land, petition the Gnvernor-ln-0 mnoil to that •nd, letting forth In the petition the price they are willing to pay, and that having offered Jinoh price It has been refused. The Governor m»y then direct the Pro perty Tax Commissioner to appoint a competent assessor to make at the expense of the AM relation, a separate valuation of the land they propose to acquire, and of the Value of thd parmanent improvements (>f •By) at the time of the application. The •UMBoris to take tin va'uation of the land last made under " The Property As •esßment Aot 1885/' aa the basis for calculating the Bepara'e valuation. The Governor, having received the valuation, Uto notify to the Association tho amount thereof, and to require them to deposit with the Commißsi ncr one-fourth at least of the amount, plus 10 per cent. , as a guarantee of gwod faith. As coon as the Governor receives a notification of the payment of tha deposit, he ia to transmit the valnatlon, together with the petition, for Investigation and report by the Oom mlfliioneri, who are at the same time also to report wbe'her, m their opir lon, it is desirable to acquire the land oompals >rlsy Upon receiving. Biich report, the Governor in-Councll may or may not give t fleet t:> the petition of the Association. If it is decided to acquire tho Jand oorapuisorilj , tbe Governor will ba entitle! to do bo, upon written notice beiug givan to the owner, that he will take the l»nd for the purposes of the Act, md that he baa re ferred the disputed r.u»»M<m of prica for deolilon by the Land Cour to be eatab liihed for such purp. bi b Thereafter all matters m relation to ili acquisition of the land are to be carried out by the Court nntil It makes its decision. The following lands are not liable to bo takon without the owner's consent m writing :— (l)*L&nd of any area lees than 1000 acres, the property of any person w.o is not the owner of more than 1000 acres m any part of the oolony, unleso auob land !■ lylcp waste, anfenced and uuimprovnd .(2) Land on which the owner's family dwelling-h<:use stand*, together with not more than 1000 acreß, around or adjacent thereto. (3) Land which may not he taken under «« The Publ'c Works Act, 1882." <s£he Land O urfc is to be a Court of recorfi to be optn to the public, and t> h»ve all the pow ra Incident io Courts of record. It is to have jurisdiction m ary part of the colony with power to Investi gate and determine on all matters m dispute relating to tbe acqutsitioa of private lands, which may be referred tn it by the Governor, Power is given to tin Governor to appoint a Judge and officers ■of the Court, whose salaries are to be fixed by tbe General Assembly. The usual powers are given to the G< vernor- In-Gou'.uil to make, alter, or revoke rules touching the procedure. Ihe Court, m proceedings before It, may receive such evidence as It thinks fit, whether it ia atrlotly legal evidenoe or not, and where •ny question of law ariaes the Judge is given discretionary power to state a cane for the deolslon of the Supreme Court thereon. The Conrt may award to the Association the whole or only part cf the land described m the petition. The Court Is to determine the value of the land described, and if It then thinks the owner will sufier any damage by the taking of suoh land, which i> not euffi cle&tly paid for by the price to bo paid for It, Ifc may dlreot a further sum to be adided to the price to be paid as com pensation to the owner In respect of inch damage. The Court may award a groaß turn as the. compensation to be paid to the owner, or it may determine that no compenßution is payable. No de cision of the Court is to be void through any error or omission m the matter of form, and the deouion of the Court is to fee final aa regards tbe acquisition of tho land and the amount to bo paid for it, but It will not be deemed to be final aa zegards the right or title of the defendant or any other peraon lo receive buoVi amount or any part thereof. The Gover nor may pay the price m caah out of any moneys appropriated by the General Assembly for the purpose, or partly out of moneys standing to the credit of the Land Acquisition Account, established under this Act. Tbe Colonial Treasurer may, In each financial year, for the pur })Oße of providing the money to acquire ands undar this Act, bsrrow any such money from tbe public accou&t or from any fund m such account under his con trol. He Is also authorieed to issue land bonds for any Bum not exceeding the total agreed or awarded to be paid for any land obtained under tho authority of the Act, and may deliver Buoh boud for aecarity for such money borrowed, or may diopoae of the bonds to any person who may derlre to purchase th*m. • Beach bond 1« to be for a sum of not loss than £20, psyable to bearer at any tjmo the Goveruor-in-Council may proscribe, alwaj« aubj ct to redemption by the Colonial 2'yeanurer at twelve mon^B notfoa from any date at which interest 1* payable. The rate of Interest is cot to exceed five per cent, psyabh In the Colony or Australia (inoludlng Tasmania); as may be named In the bond. Bonds and Interest thereon are to be a charge upon (be goniolldltcd Fund,, tiqcb bonds, as

may be bearing more than four per oent Interest will be limited m currenoy to aaven years, but they may be paid off and be re-issued. Those bonds which are hsufd at not exceeding four p9r oent are to be current for such time aa the Governor-in-Orunoil may appoint, and m»y be ißaued with or without taking th« power of redemption ear lier than the time appointed upon, the Treasurer giving twelve months' notice to that effect The Colonial Treasurer may, without further appropriation, pay out of the public account such moneys as may beoome payable m cash under any contract under the Aot, whether for the purchaai of land, compensation for its acquisition or survey, or subdivision thereof. Any Bum not exceeding £60,000 may be paid In any one ) ear for the pur poses of the Act out of any moneys avail able for auoh purposes, either by ippropriatlon of the General Assembly or otherwise. All land acquired under th« Act ia to be deemed to be Crown lands, and to be absolutely vested m fee simple m Her Ma j -sty, discharged from all mortgane olalms or interest of any kind. The Governor may set aside for public pur poses 10 per cent of the area ct any block acquired under the A en. All land ac quired Is to ba surveyed, and roada and reßerves are to be laid off. It is to be subdivided into convenient farm areas {not exoeediug 100 acres each) aa may be moat m accordance with the wisheß of the Association. The expense of «urvev, and estimated expanse of marking off and making road?, is to be added to the pricn, and compensation paid for the land, and the total is to be deemed the cost of the land. Ti.e Commlasionerß are to apportion, amongst the various allot ments and reserves into which any block of land is subdivided. (I) tbe cost of such land m flneh a manner that the c >at of the several reserves and allotments taken together shall be as nearly as poßßible equivalent to the total cost of the block : and (2) tbe whole amount of deposit paid by toe Associvtion m respeat to the several allotments (ei oiusive of reserves)} »o that, taken toge ther, they Bhali be equivalent to the total amount of deposit paid m respect to tho whole block. The ooßt apportioned to each allotment will then be the cash price of Bhuoh allotment, and the cash prico of allotment being apportioned among the acres therein, the value bo apportioned to each acre will be ihe cash price of each aore. The deposit apportioned ti each allotment is to be detmed the arnour-t of deposit paid io respect thereof. All land under tbe Act Bhall bealion-ited only to members of an Asaociation, subject (I) In all reapeota to the prov'aiono of " The Land 4ct, 188 V relating to the occupa tion of land held under annual lease ; (2) to the provisions tbat no leesees of any land under this Aot shall be entitled to acquire the fee simple of the land com prised In tne lease [which should be sub* jaci to an upset yearly rental of 5 per cent on the ascertained caah price of the land. The allotments (n each block are to be apportioned amongat members cf an Association by ballot or oihar wise fixed by their rules, and saoh member will be entitled to hold any area not exceeding 100 acres. No persons ehall be allowed, on anytermawhatever to be the hr-lder of irore than one alloment of land acquired under this Act, but he may transfer his lease to any person, although not a member of aa Aesociatioa, subj-ct to the approval of the Land Board. ISo peraon under lhe age of 17 can occupy land un^Jer thin Act, nor any person until he has dt pished with the Ocmnaißßionor a declaration th»t ho ia of that age or upwards, that he desires tho land sole'y for his own uss and benefit, and that he ia not t c owner, tenat, or occupier (directly or indirectly) of any land under this Act. Any peraon guilty of a breach of thd provisions, or making a f ilae declaration, will forfeit all right to the land In his oecupatit n, and of all money paid m respect thereof When any ocoupior of land has made substantial improvements of a permanent character to the value of tho whole amount of deposit paid m reeprct of his allotment, he shall be entitled to a re fund of his depoeifc. In evo^y one of such refund the rent to be p-iid subse quently for the land ia. to be 5 per cont on the full cash price, instead of the p<ice previously paid for tbe lard. All moneys received under this Act are to be paid into the public account, and placed to a separate account, to be called tho "Land Acquisition Account," and the money may be applied for paying «11 expanses incident to the administration of the Act, or for a refund of advances from other accounts, but are not to be applied to purposes outside the provisions of the Act. Annual statements of account and the conditions of sottloment are to bo presented to Parliament by the Trea> Burer and Miniater of ; andn respectively,

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

Sudden Death >ew Plymouth, March 31 Fredk. Elliott, a letter carrier at the Post Office, died suddenly this morning. He was formerly a Sergeant ia the 57th Regiment, and had been a let tor carrier for ten yeara. He was awakened this morning about seven, whon ha aald he did not feol wail, aud on betag lifted up quietly expired. Aa blood was found on his pillow it ia thought he had broken a b'.ood veaaol. Settled out of Court Dunbdin, March 31. The compensation claim. Barr v. Ministor of Public Works, for £2250, sec down for hearing, has been settled by a payment of £600 Criminal Sittings. The criminal calendar is light. The prisoners for trial include one for rape, one for embezzlement of County funds, and one (fourteen indictments) for em bezzlement of railway funds. FunuUing a Bankrupt. Inveroargill, March 31. This morning Stephen Burgess, an hotelfceeper at Riverton, was sentenced by Judge Broad to 14 da} s' imprisonment for negleotlng to keep proper bookß. The bankrupt aald ho could net read nor write.

AN ECCENTRIC BARON.

One of the most eccentric of Parisians tho Baron de Joest, baa recently died, bequeathing bis property, worth more than £100,000 to the Society for the Pre vention of Cruelty to Animals, As \y r aa to bo expected, tho Baron's relatives intend to contest bis will, and tho revo lations expected to be made during the laweuit promise to be lull of interest. The Baron lived m a simple manner, attended only by a female Bervant, young and good-looking, like the soubrettes whom one sees on the French stage. He was m tho habit of changing his Boubrotto once or twice a month De Joest might be compared, owing to his eccentricities, to the Mad Marquis of Waterford, but he was less genial than the Iribh peer, On one occasion, after making bis coachman get his carriage ready to drive him to the Fois de Boulogne m a blinding snowstorm, he countermanded the order, and towards ton o'clock at night repeated it again, going down to the stables to observe how the unfortunate man liked his caprices. The Jehu, exasperated beyond measure, fell upon his master like a maniac, pom melled him without mqrey, and, flinging: him into the carriage, drove him off ; nolmo volenSf to tbe Boia, bringing birn back, half dead from the cold, at four o'o'ock next morning. Next day the Baron, summoning tho coachman to his preeence, gave him £5, nnd commended the strength of bis arms. The Baron belonged to seventeen different humani tarian societies, but showed little proof o£ bonevoleßQe to man, or beast during bis lifetime,

HAMMER AND TONGS.

Mr Hobds, M.H.R., has been getting into uncommonly hot water with ihe Auckland " Bell." It appears that thai gentleman has been telegraphing to the "Herald" that the Herekino special settlers have cause to complain, and do complain of unfulfilled promises on the part oi the Gevernment. They have, says Mr Hobbs, <{ no stores, no credit, and some are m want of food, and have not tasted meat for weeks. Flour is twenty shillings a hundred, and other goods are m proportion. Some of the people are not on their sections yet, not being able to get to them for want of roads. These settlers are m an isolated, inaccessible place, and many will certainly starve if immediate relief is not forthcoming." Mr Hobbs declares that a great responsibility rests on the Government, and urges that small contract? for road works should be let at once, and that " a steward should be appointed at once for this district to look after these people brought here by the Govern ment — a respectable man, with some regard for morality, and able to dis criminate as to those who require immediate relief." Thereupon the " Bell" goes for the unhappy M.H.R. i m the most uncompromising fashion, and pours out the vials of its wrath upon his devoted head without measure or stint. It declares that the telegram is " all lies ; pure unblended lies." and characterises Mr Hobbs as "an oily politician, who has been burrowing underground among these settlements with the object of doing them harm, and has been dragged to light, and now stands disclosed m all his malignancy." It asserts that " there are no promises unfulfilled at Herekino, and says that, the statement that the settlers have no [stores, no credit, and that some of i them are m want of food is ' all false ; every word of it.' " It denounces the. i insinuation about ihe necessity ol sending up as a. village steward a man with some regard for morality, and avers that the steward already there is a man of unimpeachable character. But (says the " Bell ") " this is exactly Mr Hobbs' style. It was so at Wellington. He was always insinuating something against the moral character of his fellow-members of Parliament ; and he had the daring even on one occasion to address a conventicle on the impurity of the men with whom the holy Hobbs was obliged to associate m the fulfil ment of his public duties." This last passage is severe enough m all conscience, even if it be that Mr Hobbs has published as facts statements which cannot be justified, and which he has been misled into making by im perfect or unreliable information, but the " Bell " transgresses the limits 'of ordinary journalistic courtesy in' giving, as it does, to Mr Hobbs the '* lie direct." But it errs still more grievously m going on to write as follows : — " It is one of the saddest things m life that the effect of religion on some minds is morally bad, and, speaking m general terms and from wide experience we, are compelled to admit that religious men will do with an unction often what men cf the world would scorn to do, and that for a downright mean and unscrupulous thing we must look commonly to a strong professor of religion. It is not the fault of religion this, but just as the most wholesome ingredients some times form chemical compounds of the most dangerous kind, so religion on certain forms of human nature produces developments of character and action sometimes, from which worldly and sinful people shrink. Sulphur is whole some, oxygen is lifegiving, yet they form m contact oil ot vitriol, which is lethal, It is m human nature as m physics ; and religion, which is from heaven, and human nature, which is of earth, sometimes form a combination which is more like hell than either. , ... It is to us inexpressibly saddening that Mr Hobbs should try to mar this noble and beneficent scheme, and that he should do it m this underhand way, trying first to excite these poor struggling settlers to dis content with their lot, and then trying to smuggle m his secret telegram into a. public journal, to mislead the public into the belief that it was the telegram of an impartial observer. We are sorry to say it, but we must express our belief that no one but a religious man would do anything so mean. . . . What idea can people form of holiness and heaven from observing the doings of holy men here, giving indication of what holiness will be m the perfect state. Fancy a whole heaven filled with Hobbses ! Is there any spirited man m Auckland that would not rather take his chances m the other place of worship ? The climate might be warmer, but the society would be infinitely better." Surely our contemporary does not mean to say that because some who profess to be religious act inconsistently with their professions, therefore religion is the parent of hypocrisy, but if it does not mean this, clearly its argument is calculated to lead to that conclusion, and so to do infinite harm. It is a pity that a journal so ably edited, and that (if we do not mistake) by an ex clergyman ot the Presbyterian Church, should, m refuting what it believes to be an unjustifiable complaint, lose its temper and its discretion, and indulge m such loose writing as the foregoing.

WOMEN'S FRANCHISE.

The Wellington correspondent of the " Prees " telegraphs : — I understand that the Women's Franchise Bill ia not to be introduced as a Ministerial measure, but will be brnnght on by either Mr Ballance or Sir J Yogel aoa private member's Bill, fho present intention Is to propose the complete concession of franchise to all women, married or binglo, on precisely tho same terms aa those on which it is held by men. If Mr Batlarice fathers the measure, it will, I believe, enact aim ply tbat wherever the franchise la, by statute, conferred on a male peraon, the word " male " Bhalljbo expunged, bo that both property vote and residential franchise would be given to women. I hear that Mr .Ballance will not aupport the Bill unless this Ib done, aa he dooa not np provo of anything but a " wholesoulei " measure, and it is reported that Sir J. Yogel hold 3 similar vlewa.

THE ASHBUBrON GUARDIAN, THDEBDAX, MABCH 31* 1887



Public Notices. MACANiiItEVV MEMoFiAL FUND. AfcUBSCHTPTION List lies at the •' Mai! " and " Guardian" Cffiee for - signature, and I shall ho hnppy to receive and forward contributions, other for the Scholarsh p, or statue, or unconditional. WM. J STEWARD. From the Official Assignee m Bankruptcy, District of Ashburton, [Canterbury, N.Z. ' Memorandum for Mr Andrew Orr, ABhburton. . ; Dear SiR,-/Je Alexander Smith, I have tiie pleasure to inform yoa that your Cash Tender for the Stock iv the above j Estate is Accepted m terms of the Tender. Yours truly, J. C BELL, Deputy Official Assignee. mHE above DRAPERY STOCK having X been Purchased at a BIG DIS- COUNT off the FIRST COST, is Now on Sale, AND MOST BE CLEARED Dubino thb Next TteßEjs Weejks^ AS A Large Shipment OF JSTEW GOODS EX DORIC, JUST TO HAND. COME AT OFCE AND SECURE TBE GREATEST BARGAINS EVER OFFERED Iff ASHBUBTON. All Classes of Goods Greatly Reduced. ANDREW ORR. ASHBURTON RACING CLUB AUTUMN MEETING THHURSDAY & TjIRIDAY APRIL 21st. & 22nd, 1887* President— B. G. Wright. Vice-PreHdent— John Grigg. Jndge— Matthew Stitt. SrBWAitDS : H. Pfia-'laiKlor j W. C "Walker W. B. D-nshire I R. McOwen J. C. N GHg.j I Dr Leahy B. Friedlander Tre<t<m'er — Dwid Thomna Olf'k of the Pcalea— ■»'. E. Upton. O'erk if tho Ccirec— A. Heweou. H:it'dio*ppprR — The Committee. Sorter — Dr Leahy. First Race ok Paoh D»y to Start V 2.-60 ra FIRST BAY 1 DI-TUT'T y URDLK RACE of 20 eovn over i-ix fii hi» ot htn-d ea. about 3tt 6in hij.h,, Nonnnmion 15b ; acceptance, 1 0e. 1^ mile. J'intrict horpeß only. 2. AbJBTJRTON AUTUMN HANDICAP of 60 fovs Nomination. 1 hoy ; acceptance •i^fov: ijnjile. 3. FOAL STAKES of 1 sot each, with 15 Bova ndf^ed- F^r two-year-ol'<s bred, owred, »nd trained by *esidents m the distiict defined by Rule 3. Colts Bat 10lb fillies and geldings B^t 81b. Nominatio n, 10s. The Bwoep to be paid by 9 p.m. on April 18th. Five furlongs. i HANDICAP TIME TROT (m saddle) of 20 soya. Nomination, LO* j acceptance, 10s. "Weight not leso than 103t. Break and turn. 3 m lea. *6. FLYING HANDICAP of 25 soys. Nomi- "-• nation, I eov ; acceptance, 10a. f-mile. 6. POST STAKES of .10 soya. Entrance, 30a, to be mado to the Secretary imme- diately after the F.ying Handicap is run. Catcli weights. £-mile. Tao winner to be sold immediately after tho race for 15 &ovs, any surplus to go to the fun4<j of the Club. SECOND DAY. 1. DISTRICT "WELTER HANDICAP ot 20 BOY*. Nomination, 103 ; accoDtance, 10s. Minimum weight, lOst. 1^ mile. Distiict hor?ea only. 2. GRAND STAND HANDICAP of 40 soys; Nomination, 1 eov j acceptance, 1 boy Seven furlongs. 3 HANDICAP T£MB TROT (m saddle of 15 soya. Nomination, 10s ; acceptance, ss. Weight not less than lOst. Break and turn. T\vica round ths course. Distric horses only. 4. HARVEST HANDICAP of 20 boys. Mominat on, 10s ; acceptance, 10s: Dis- trict horses only. 1 mile. 6. £ OVEL RACE of 16 fovs. Entrance, 10a, to be made to the Secretary immediately of tor the Harvest Handicap m )un. Catch weights. Five furlongs. Tho winner to be sold immediately after the race, the whole of the proceeds to go to the fundß 0 f the Club, . CONSOLATION HANDICAP of 20 soya. Nomination, 1 boy, to be made immediately after the Novel Race is run; acceptance • free, to be notified to thn Secretary within ten minutes of the declaration of weights. 1 mile. RULES AND REGULATIONS. 1. Tho Meeting will be held under the Rules of Racing and Ashburton Racing Olab Rules. 2 No entry will be received except on the condition that all disputes, claims, and ob« jeetions arising cut of the racing shall be decided by the Stewards or whom they may appoi: t ; their decision on all points connected with tho carrying out of this programme to be final 3. A district horse shall mean any horee ti at has been commonly resident m the dis- trict between t h° rivtra Selwyn anct Opihi from January 21. 1887, and vp to the date of the forshconiinc meevine. and owned by a i erson who has resided iv tho said district daring the same period. 4 Five per cent, will bo deduct- d from the grcs of all moneys payable m accordance wi'h this progr mmc for the expenses of tho course. & A ll nominations and acceptances to go to the funds of the Club. 6 Trotting Knees. Horses must trot fairly to the satisfaction of the Referee. NOMINATIONS. All nominations to be cccompanied by fee, name, age, and description o horse, and colors of rider m the ha&ds of the Secretary (address — Ashburton) no later than U p.m ; on Monday, March 21, 1887. WEfGHIS. Weights for th fir=t d.iy's handicaps will bf declared on TVedo srtay, Apiil 13, 188 Weight* for th' s rond day'e hmdici.ps <.M be dec a ed &c 9 o'cl ck on U.e eveniug of the first cay's racing. ACCEPTANCES. Acceptances for iho fira day's, handicaps mu-t be made to the Secretary not, lat<* tV.an 9 p.m. on Monday, Aprii 18, 1887. Accent a'.ces for the tccond day's inndicapa at 10 o'clock on the c-veting of the firat day a racing, C, O-FOOKS, Seoretatyi



Public Notices OENTRAIi II O T E L. * TW. Mo aAW hivi; ir takan tb« abo^e , Hotel, B<>;ic:f.n i\ -.hnra at patroaajje frona tho pfiople of Afhbarton and Bar- roctiding diatricta R<>at Jir;iru3s of Wine's Spirits and Boors. Good. Sfcablfng— Feeds, One Shilling. Horeoa and Baggies to let. on hire ft prices to meet the times. For the . convenience of travellcra hansom cab will raoet all traius. !NBW BOOKS AND NEW SHPPLIIiS OF BOOKS. H. J. WOOD & CO., STATIONERY HALL, J4O, liTGIIST, CHBISTCHURCH, Akd Fbiedlandebs' Boildinos, WE receive from London publishing firms regular shipments of from 15 to 20 cases moDthly by the direct steamers. The reading public are respectfully invited to inspect our large and varied Stock of Books m every branch of Literature. As we buy for cash and buy largely, we are allowed extra discounts, and are m a position to give exceptional ad ran- fageß to our customers, and a liberal discoupt on parcels and to Library Committees. H. J. WOOD & CO., Wholesale and Retail Booksellers and Stationers, christohurch & ashburton. account" books In every variety of size .and style of ruling, from the largest Imperial Ledger extra super handmade, full calf, double Russia bands down to a penny Pass Book. A very Large Stock always kept, and any style and size made to Older Writing, Printing, and Wrapping Papers m any quantity. Commercial and General Stationery and, eveiy description of Stationers' Sundries. • Commercial Note and Letter Paners by the case or packet — an assortment of over 3000 reams m stock. Commercial Envelopes— over 3,000,000 m stock m Christchurch. Cream Laid Ruled Foolscap — over 350 reams m etock Brown Wrapping, Double Imperial various weights, by the bale or ream- best value m New Zealand. Bchool Exercise Booka— over 100 gross aßßorted m stock. School Slates, Copy Books, and School Requisites. Parchments ruled and headed '•This Deed." SUBSCRIBE 8S WANTED For Illustrated London News, Sporting and Dramatic News, Scientific American, Young Ladies' Journal, Family Herald, Family Reader, The Graphic, Engineer, Punch Home News. European Mail Bow Bells.— We deliver m town immediately on arrival, and we post to subscribers m all psrta of the country without delay. H. J. "WOOD & CO. Stationers' Hall, 240, High street. OHBISTCHUHCH, And at Friedlanders' Buildings, ASBBUHTON A. Harrison. Alfred Harrison, ADOTIONEKjtt, STOCK A£b STVJ AGENT -i,j&u> VALUATOR. SATURDAY SALE »* 12 o'clock nh»/|. — Horses, Cattie, Piujs. Produce and Mt.rchundiat<. Agour Norwich Union Fire IsißUt a*iu<- Company Agent for the MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION UF AUSTRALA lA. FOR SALE— Grubber, by Howard,, nearly new ; cheap. Seed Sower, by H ait on and Beatdie cheap. Plough.B, Harrows, and other imple- rr.entH. Cheylesmore Club Tricycle, the bast kind mado — cheap 3-Horße Dray and Frame, new, cheap. Double- seated Buggy. Spring Cart, with back seat. Doub'e furrow Plough by Reid and Gray, nearly new ; very cheap, Waggonette iv good order. Price low. FOR SALE.— Oaten Sheaf Chaff m any quantity. ALFRED HARRISON. T. Bullock. FOR SALE. HORSE-POWER, intermediate motion, and Chaff-Cutter. Apply to T. BULLOOK. TO FARMERS. ' f^i RASS SEED— Small quantity Rye- \JT Gra« for Sale. Apply to ■ T. BULLOCK. TO LET — A 5-roomed House, centrally situated, m Tancred st. Apply to T. BULLOOK miNWALD— Town Sections 371, 372 X 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, m one block, fronting Thompson street, near the County Saleyarda, for sale at a low price, and on liberal terms. Apply to T. BULLOOK. FOR. SALE— Two setß of three leavec harrows, by " Howard." T. BULLOCK FOR SALE, at a low price, PIANO, by Broad wood and Sons. Apply to T. BULL< CX. 'k'^O LET— At a low rental, Central L Bakery, together with shop and dwelling-house. Apply to T. BULLOOK. Rita LET — Two Cott-»pes m Grey street, JL known as Coutts' block ; rent at 5s per week. 1. BULLOCK. FOR SALE -Lot 25, fronting the North Town Belt. Price, £19. Liberal terms if required . Apply to . T. BULLOOK. TO PAINTERS, TO LET at a low rcntbl, l hop and Dwellinghonee m Moore street, lately m occupation of Mr Lucas. T BULL' CK. METHVEN. FOR SALE— Lot 11, Township of Methvou, with four-roomed Dwelling- house thereon. Apply to T, BULLOCK,



Public Notices. HAVES & GO. MAINTAIN that it is no uae to make hue and cry about what one is going to do, unless ono is prepared to do it and m advertising what we have for Bale you are kindly invite 1 to look through our Establishments, and ,you will find tbat we are decidedly the Cheapest and Best House m town for everything. f NO MISTAKE IN THIS. TINCOURAGE f OCAL TNDUSTRY ih Li AND ASK FOR Blankets, Flannels, Tweeds, AHU Knitting Tares FROM THE ASHBURTON WOOLLEN FACTORY. STORAGE. STORAGE. STORAGE. WE HAVE ROOM FOR A LARGE QUANTITY OF GRAIN. NO VERMIN. H. MATS~ON & CO., ASHBURTON. WE ARE CASH PURCHASERS OF Wheat Oats Barley AND Eyegrass H. MATSON & CO., A3HBDRTON, Drapery, Grocery, Boots, Clothing, ftc. A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE. HAVES"* CO. Ilaving BOUGHT a Large BANKRUPT STOCK io tbe tune of £600 And many of these Goods are marked at LESo THAN HALF PRICE, Our determination is TO CLEAR. WHITE, CAYGILL, & CO., BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS, J, W. WHITE, Notary Ptolio. NOTIOR is hereby given tbat the nnderaigned, Messrs White and O. (White Smitbeon, nnd Yfnymond), of flmaru, and John A. Caygill, of Abli burton, have this day entered Into Partnership as Barristers arid Solicitors, «t Aehburton, under the style of "White, Oaygilland Co." Mr J. W. White, will attend the Bittingß ot the Courts at ABh- urton. WHITS & CO.. JOHN A.' OAYGILL. Monoy to lend m any cums on approved freehold security. Offices : Bullock's Arcade 10*803 THRESHING MACtiINE OWNERB. A TTENTION is directed to the following iL facts :-We are making STALKER'S AUTOMATIC FEEDERS for £12 10a, inoluding fixing to machine, and we are prepared to fix to machines m any part of the County for name price. Cartage extra. The time that it is necessary to stop the machine is from 2 to 3 hours These Feeders are perfect m their action, no sparking out of grain. No uncut sheaves or other improper artioles can get into the drum ; nothing but a continuous stream of golden sheaves well shaken out Tbe regularity of the feed does not depend upon the Band cutter. They can be seen st work on machines belonging to the following gentlemen : — • James Quigley Chapman Broß. Thomas Perks Nelson Eden Edward Gates John JohnMoorhead. F. White, Timara P. & D. DUNCAN, Wills Street, Ashburton, 3§42 <?nle Agents. MOUNT 'SOURS COAL PIT COAL CAN NOW BE HAD AT THE ABOVE PIU FOR CMGHT SHILLINGS PER TON Or/ m Ashburton at SEVENTEEN SHILLINGS PER TON, By the Truck. FOR CASH OinLY. "¥. F. WRIGHT. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORS' THE NEW GOODS FOR THE SUMMER SEASON ABB SOW OPENED T The Stock is THE LARGEST & BEST SELECTED IN THET*>WN, And the variety of Style and Patterns m Men's, Youths', and Boys' Clothing leaves nothing to be desired. Thousands of Men's and Boys Suits, newest styles. Trousers and Trousers and Vests manufactured of New Zealand Tweeds. Every garmen warranted shrunk Jvotcoats, Waterproof Coats and Legg^gs m great variety Hats, compris ng every new style worn Clhiidron'a Jersey Suits, Children's Men- of- War Suits Gentlsmou's Hosiery! Scarves ; Oxford Regatta and White Shirt? Bugs, Portmanteaus, and Travelling Bag* "he celebrated WERTHEIM SEWING MACHINE. Time Payments. N.Z CLOTHING FACTOnjr, East Stukt.



Public Notices ASHBUhTON COUNTY STOCK AND SALEYARDS CO., LIMITED. DIPPING SEASON, 1887. THE CONCRETE DIPS are now 60 feet long, and fitted with all the latest improvements For particulars as to coat of dipping sheep, apply at the Caretakers. QEO. JAMESON, 3164. Secretary. ! Drain Pipes. \ LL SIZES— From 3 to 15 teches— With BENDS, ELBOWS AUD JUNCTIONS FOR PALE BY OEOKGE JAMESON, ASHBURTON T AM A />(ASH pUROHASER OF WHEAT OATS BARLEY GEOEGE JAMESON, ASHBURTON. 2°lol SPORTING. GUNS. GUNS. GUNS. SINGLE and DOUBLE-BREECH and MOZZLE-LOADING Guns now landing and m Slock ; the Greatest Variety ever shown m Ashburton. OALL EARLY AND INSPECT OUR STOCK. Prices very Low QUALITY NOT TO BE BEATEN. A L S 0 .— Powder, Shot, Caps, Car 1 ridges, Cart- ridge Crises, and all Requisites for Sporting Purposes AT EQUALLY LOW PRICES. ORR & TLCORN, IMPOETEES. — — — —■ ——————^— — — — § Miles and' Co. SATURDAY, 2nd APRIL, 1887. THE VALUABLE AND WELL- KN©WN PROPERTIES RIVERSDALE AND GRAHAM'S FARM WILL BE SUBMITTED TO Public Auction ON THE ABOVE DATE AT Mr Geo. Jameson's Stores, WEST STREET, Commencing at 2 p.m. J, T. FORD, Auctioneer, 3«180 GEORGE JAMESON, Agent.



\ Questions Answered ! ! ! ! Ask the most eminent physician Of any school, what is the best thing m tke world for allaying all irritation of the nerves, and curing all forms of nervous complaints, giving natural, childlike refreshing sleep always? And they will Ml you unhesitatingly • " Some form of Hops ! 1 1 " CHAPTER I. Ask any or all of the moat eminent hyßicians : " What is the only remedy that can be relied on to cure all diseases of the kidneys and urinary organs j Bright's disease, diabetes, retention, or inability to retain urine, and all the diseases and ailmentß ( peculiar to Women " — " And they will tell you explicitly and emphatically " Buchu I ! ! " Ask the same physicians " What is the most reliable and surest cure for all liver diseases or dyspepsia, constipation, indigestion, biliousness, malaria, fever, ague, &c.," and they will tell you Mandrake ! or Dandelion I 111 Hence, when these remedies are combined with others equally valuable;, And compounded into Hop Bitters, sioh a wonderful and mysterious curative power is developed, which is so varied m its operations that no disease or ill health can possibly exist or resist itn power, and yet it is Harmless for the most frail woman, weakest invalid, or smallest child to use. I CHAPTEK 11, " Patientß " Almost dead or nearly dying " For years, and given up by physicians, of Bright'a and other kidney diseases, liver complaints, severe coughs, called consumption, have been cured. Women gone nearly crazy III!! From agony ot n< ura'gia, nervousnase, vratcefolneßs, and various diseases peculiar to women. ; People drawn out of shape from oxcraciat-. pangs of rheumatism, inflammatory and chronic, or suffering from sorofula. Erysipelas " Salt rheum, blood poisoning, dyspepsia indigestion, and m fact, almost all diseases frail " Nature is heir to Have been cured by Hop Bittere, proof of which can be found m every neighborhood m the known world t Prosecute the Swindlers! If when you oall for American Hop "Bitters (see green twig of Hops on the white label and Dr Soule's name blown m the bottle), the vendor hands out anything but American Hop Bitters refuse it and shun tbe vendor as you would a viper ; and if he has taken your money for anything else indiot him for the fraud and sue him for damages for the swindle, and we will pay you liberally for the oonvio- tion. ' WANTED. FEED for 2000 or 3f oo cheep for several months, graßa or turnip. 3*153 Apply METHVEN HOTEL, TO LET.— 4 roomed Cottage , Buraet street, lately occupied by Mr Dolman. Apply to ; T. BULLOCK. UPPER ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD. /TIENDERS are required for : — Fencing at Dromore. Re-decking Bridge at Maronan. In each case Labour Only. For par* ticulars apply to Cyril Jepiison, Tinwald, before Noon on SATURDAY. 3t201 •0t *b boSbiubq £61 8 •^x TLiaav^'ivaiM 'dSIIR 3ZIHJ 3° Pi* A m . liSaOMOO i«v»emna}Bai pue ivOOll rr IOOHOS SJLVIS NKXLONmaiil MR J. IVESS INVITES the ELECTORS of Wakanui to MEET BM at the following places : — ASHBURTON— Thursday, March 3l«t. at the Oifdfel'.owB 1 Hall, at 8 p.m. BAKAlA— Friday. April lot, at the Town Hall, at 8 p.m. TINWALD— Monday, April 4th, at the Templar Hall, a^ 8 p.m. 8 our old motto is SMALL PROFIT** AND QUICK RETURNS, and as it is unpleasant to quote a lot of priceß to mislead the pcblicj we shall be thank- ful for an early call, and you can judge for yourselves Note the Address — HAVES & CO, Cash Drapers and Grocers, ARCADE, And do not be be misled. N B — Our BOOT STOCK is IMMENSE. COURSING AT LONGBEACH. To be held on April Bth at Longbeacb Station . A SWEEPSTAKE of 5s per Dog for all comerß Nomination and acceptance clcme at Central Hotel on April 6th, when draw will t*ke place. J, C. N. Grigg, Esq , will give £1 for the Runner up, nnd £3 is to be given m a Consolation for all dogs beaten m their first course. § H. MILNER. WILDING AND LEWIS, OARRISTERS AND QOIIOITORS. r> _ b F. WILDING, Notabt Public. Offices: Next "Mail" Office, Buraettat., Ashburton. Mi< Wilding will attend the sittings of the Aehburton Courts on Tuesday and Fridays, and may be consulted personally n these daya. The firm is now represented m Ash- burton by Mr Clayton, an English Solicitor of considerable experience, who will be m dally attendance at the office to receive Instructions *nd confer with dents. *100 ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. npENDKRS are invited for the LEABE I of PLANTATION RESERVES m the County for 14 years, as follows :•— Res. 2670 „ 2671 | a. r. „ 2672 2 Ashburton-Rangitata „ 2673 I Plains. „ 2074 J „ 2560 )  2561 V 466 0 JUhburtou-Rangitata „ 2562 J Plains. „ 2568 92 0 Aahburton-Ranßitata Plains. „ 2571 56 0 Pudding Hill. „ 2569 1 2570 f '" 2591 (5M 0 ABhburton-Rangitata I! 2592 ) 0 Plains - „ 2647 5 0 Fea Coast, near Mr Dolan's, Kyle. Particulars aud forma of tender can be obtained at the County Council's Offices Tenders will be received at the Council Offices up to 11 a.m. on FRIDAY, Ist April next. By order. F. MAINWABING, Clerk. A Bhburtcro, Marolj 1, 1837, 3 1



ST STEPHEN'S CHURCH, ASH- BURTON. fTIHE Churchwardens of St Stephen's J. will bo glad to meet as many mem- bers of the Congregation as possible at tho Schoolroom TO-MORROW (Friday), at 8 p.m. Business : To consider the financial sUlo of tho Parish,. |