THE WEATHER.

l m • , The following is the meteorological report at Alford Station for the week ending May 25th. 1888 :— •

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, MAY 26, 1888. CURRENT TOPICS.

1 It is generally thought that England is the Queen of the Wave so far as the r size and equipment of her fleet is con cerned, but Lord Wolseley thinks our ! sea forces are neither large nor strong enough. At a dinner m London, re cently, he gave vent to his opinions on tho British Navy and his estimate of it. In the course of his remarks he said : — That as far ob the officers and men of the navy were concerned they left noth ing to be desired, and it was to be wished that the same thing could be said of the size of Her Majesty's navy. He knew it was the custom on great occasions for men m high position to speak of the navy as though it were also everything that could be desired, and that England had a preponderance on the sea But ho had a prejudice for taking the opinion of Admirals and captains of experience, and knew that these did not hold the opinion that the navy was so strong as it ought to be. Considering the duties tho nary had to perform, the important interests it had to guard, it could not be said we had a sufficient number of ships afloat. He was one of those foolish people who believed m the possibility of invasion, and if any disaster befel our fleet our shores woald at once be open for an enemy and the military forces would have hard work. If our home fleet wore defeated, there would at once be a cry to recall every ship we had abroad, leaving tho protection of commercial routes and the guarding of tho means of food supply. He confessed to feeling strongly on this point, because the navy was by no means as strong as it should be. His Lordship deplored that Ministers did not &blc Parliament for the supplies necessary to put the navy m a proper condition, for he "had never known such demands to ba refused when they were necessary. All had read of the patriotism recently displayed m tho German Parliament — the Parlia ment of a poor nation — when their great statesman came forward and asked for 14,000,000 for military purposes ; and was sure the British Parliament woulc vote with equal readiness the few millions to put our navy m a proper condition. The news from Europe is more and more portent and the preparations by England to get her defences m a thoroughly sound condition are being hurried on. The war cloud which now darkens the whole continent may burst at any time. Though assurances of peace aro baing given on the part of Borne of tho Greater Powers yet there is constant news of their arming, which news is rather at variance with peaceful intentions. The different squadrons are being strengthened by additional iron clads, and troops are being held m readiness for action at the first sign of open war. Germany, Austria, Russia and Turkey, as well as Italy, France and Great Britain, are all on the alert. Under such an unsettled state of affairs trade and commerce must bo interfered with seriously, and it will be a brighter day for Britain when those wars and rumors of wars are at an end. The sharp earthquake tho other day startied a few of the people between Blenheim and Napier and not without some cause. The effects of a sharp shock would be very disastrous, m Wellington for instance, and lately there has been plenty of damage and suffering through out tho world by earthquakes and upheavals to make people anxious when they experience a quake. Those who make the subject of earthquakes their Bpeoial study are at a loss to fix upon the exact cause of these earth tremors which come so irregulary and without warning of their immediate approach. Those who think that something more serious will ultimately follow these motions of the earths surface may be assured that as yet nothing has been discovered to lead to any such belief.

. I I constantly preaching economy j k tho Atkingou Government ere always J

giving evidence that they' never practice it under any, circnmsffinorq yrhere they have not the continual pressure of the House to compel them to keep within bounds. The latest phase of extrava gance is the expenditure of £300 on railway passes for members. They are made of gold m the shape of a sovereign, and inscribed with tho name of the constituency which the holder represents. They are intended to han# on the watch chain, and be the outward and visible sign of a New Zealand legislator. Mr j Taylor, the elect of Sydenham, has i brought the matter of the unnecessary extravagance under the notice of the House, and has asked the Government if the outlay was at all necessary, seeing that so many unemployed people are to be found m the colony, and where the very poorest of the civil servants have had to submit to a reduction m salary. The answer to Mr Taylor's query was by no means satisfactory, and we think more notice should have been taken of this item of unnecessary expenditure by the House, Printed . railway passes have hitherto Berved the purpose admirably, and why they should have been replacad by an expensive bauble m these de pressed and retrenchment days is some thing of a marvel. But it is like Sir Harry all over.

LOCAL AND GENERAL

, The Ashburton High School re-assembles after winter vacation on Monday. One efleofc of the appointment of Bishop Barry, of Sydney, as an archbishop, will be to give the ohuroh m the oolonies the power to deal with questions relating to the hier archy. Two hundred and twenty-five pounds /or an egg ! That is what an egg of the great auk ' fetohed at auction. It has proved a very good investment for its late owner, who only paid £18 for it m 1851. Persons setting up poultry yards are advised to prooure a couple of auks. , According to the " Gippsland Meroury," •; 1 the late Henry Miller left £6,000,000 behind ' him— £3,ooo,ooo m Viotoria, and £2,000,000 m New South Wales; but he disposed of it all by deed of gift, and left no will, bo no pro* bate duty will be paid. It will be remembered that the death o - the violinist Bemenyi was reported some time ago. We notice, however, from the " Oape Argus " of April 4th last, that he was then about to open m Capetown. The paper adds that he was " looking well, and had benefited greatly by his sojourn m South Africa." Regarding the Royal marriage announced m our cable news, we may mention that Prince i Albert William Henry of Prussia, third Bon of the present Emperor of Germany and grandson of Queen Viotoria, is m his 26th , year, and Princess Irene, of the Grand Duke Louis IV. of Hesse and grand* daughter of our Queen, is not quite 22. = The City of Rome, Italy, is having Berious labor troubles. The city is full of idle work : men, and the professional Socialists are making a bad matter worse by inciting them to mob violence. This all results from the great building boom of the last five yeara, I which is about over, with & debt of 3 300,000,000 franoa just beginning to make . itself felt. r Count Herbert Bismarck, the favorite son r of the Iron Prinoe, was foroed, much to hia ' disgust, to share a Bleeping compartment with a commercial traveller while journeying 1 to Dublin by the Irish mail train. The train . was orowded, and the " drummer " deolined . to be bought off; while the company's official r intimated to the Count that "ha could take it or leave it." j It is stated that the oldest working journalist m Europe is Sir Edward Baines, now m his 1 eighty-ninth year. He began his oareer as a . journalist some three years after Waterloo i 'was fought. He was prasent as a reporter at , the battle of Peterloo, m 1819, and subse quently gave* evidenoe on behalf of the tnen ' <arrested m connection with that famous i gathering, which told greatly m their favor. [ For full seventy years he has been a journalist. A Case of Self-Denial — He was brought before a Texas justice on the charge of. , drunkenness. "Do you plead guilty or not guilty ?" " I don't plead at all. I deny 1 (everything." "Do you deny having been up i here before?" "I should smile. Why, > Judge, 1 deny being here right now. I deny [ ,'that you are here, or ever have been here. If you catch me giving myself away, just 1 wake me up and let me know it.— Texas * Sittings. » A return giving particulars of the expen- ' , diture m connection with the Centennial . celebrations m Sydney shows that the ftrnnt to the Agricultural Society absorbed £7350 ; | the Centennial banquet cost £2854 ; the gifts I and provisions to the poor, £2767 ; the illu ; minations m the publio buildings and the j harbor, £5084 ; advertising, etc, £2352 ; while the ceremonies of unveiling the Queen's * statue at the opening oE the Centennial Park, I and the laying of the foundation stone of the f new Parliament House, oost less than £2GOO ; [ ' the total outlay being £25,839. i American steel rails have appeared m Great Britain, American cheese is driving the Stil- I ton from its native haunts, American hard ware has gone to Sheffield, and Amerioan ' watches to London. The imports of foreign ■ silks are less yearly, the best telescope lenses [ oome from Cambridge and the best cut diamonds from Boston. These nnd a thou sand similar facts indicating progress m the same direction should Bufflce not only to show Amerioan manufacturers what possi , bilities lie. within their grasp, but should encourage foreign traders to auk ua for what they want and leave Amerioan enterprise to fill the bill.— Amerioan exohange. A young man named William Jamieson is missing from Gore, having disappeared m a rather curious manner. The Mafcaura Ensign states that on the night of April 3rd Jamieson was met by the occupant of a buggy, and being m a quarrelsome mood and acting m an objec tionable manner, a quarrel took place. An information for assault was laid against Jamieson next day, but he has not been seen or heard of since. It was supposed he was keeping out of the way, but last week his hat and ooat were found m a ditch between the road and river. It is feared that, as the river was m high flood at the time, Jamieson may have been drowned. To reach the spot where the clothes were found he would, on the night m question, have had to swim through Beveral lagoons. The " New Zealand Herald " eaya :— There is now at the Auckland Railway Station, a natural cariosity, which is well worthy the attention of .scientists, as Berving to show the power of organic growth. Under one of the platform seats a growth of fungus, as soft m texture as a mushroom, has foroed its way through the asphalt, bursting the latter right and left, and it has now attained a height of six inohes or seven inohes. The fungus is m a bunoh of about ten heads, They are elon gated, not flat, but are quite soft to the touch, and break readily. They were first notioed on Monday, breaking through the asphalt close to the brick wall of the railway ■ station, and yesterday they had attained the , growth of six inohes or seven inohes, and the asphalt burßt and shattered surrounding them, whioh shows the strength of the organic growth. It is supposed that this fungus has developed from some of the wood ■ piles put m for the foundation of the building. If the other piles go m for similar develop ments, it may be that the building, as woll as < the pavement, will buffer. I A fretful mother and orosa ohild indicate < health, requiring only Amerioan Oo.'a Hop < ttera to remove. See I HOLLOWAi » PILLB AND OIHTHEHT. — ( Vioissitudea of climate, exposure and hard- r ships, tell heavily on soldiers and sailors, * sowing the seeds of diseases whioh may ulti- £ mately break up the constitution. Naturally careless of their health, a word m season r. may averc many evils, and may oause them 1 to resort to timely measures without any v difficulty or publicity. Holloway'a efleotual I remedies are so suitable, and so easily adapted for. the various complaints to whioh our sol- t dierfl and sailors are liable, that a supply \ should always be obtained before proceeding « abroad. It may with confidence be stated " that many a valuable life might have been c saved, or confirmed cripple prevented from c begging m the streets, if|Holloway s'remedies i< had been used m time. <£# ' \\

Mr Eden George announces that he has I reduoed the price of admission to his exhi- , bition of piotures for this evening. Detective Kirby arrested a man named r McSweeny at Springfield, on Thursday, on a a a oharge of forgery. The 'Prisoo mail arrived at Auokland by t the R.M.S. Zealandia yesterday afternoon, t The Southern portion left Onehunga by the \ Union Company's steamer at 8 p.m. laatj c night, and it should, therefore, reaoh Christ- t ohuroh on Sunday and be m Ashburton by i first train on Monday. < Nominations for (he Canterbury Cup of £50, ' for all ages, and Ashburton Stakea for ' puppies, to be run at Lagmhor on June 6, must be secured by eight o'clock on Monday evening from the Hon. Secretary of the 'United Canterbury Coursing Club, Mr W. Zander, Ashburton. A raid, whioh is expected to result m serious disclosures, was recently made on the copper smiths' shop at Eeyham Dockyard. It is alleged that large quantities of artioles have been manufactured for outside firms out of Government store?, and the trafficking being at length suspeoted, the police were instruoted by the Admiral Superintendent to make a descent. It i 3 understood that a large number of officers and men will be placed under arrest. After various delays several tram-oara driven by compressed air on the Mekarski system have recently been plaoed on a tram way line m the north of London, where they are regularly taking their turn m working the traffic with the ordinary horse-drawn oars. The tramway upon which the oars are running is that seotion of the London Street Tram way Company's lines between Holloway Road and the King's Cross station of the Metropoli tan Railway. It is about two miles m length, and has several heavy gradients and sharp curves. The Mekareki oars, whioh resemble the ordinary horse-drawn cars, take their turn regularly with the other oars on the line, keeping time, and observing all the other conditions of traffic. A meeting of subscribers to the Sustenta tion Fund of the Chertsey Presbyterian Churoh was held m the Schoolroom on Friday evening. All the subscribers to the fund, save one, attended. A statement of acoounts was read by the Seorelary and Treasurer, Mr D. Todd, from whioh it appeared that the Central Committee at Rakaia had been paid more than the actual amount of Sustentation j Fund collected m the Chertsey district for the past six quarters. Approval was expressed re iheaotion of the Secretary and Treasurer m declining to pay sums of subscribers' money m advance to the Central Treasurer, Rakaia. Suggestions having beeu made re the conduct of the financial business during the* current quarter, the meeting adjourned after accord ing a vote of thanks to Mr Copeland, who i presided. In an interview published by a Southern paper Mr James Mills, member for Port • Chalmers, says :— " la my opinion what is at the bottom of the present stagnation is [ not so much ourpubiio indebtedness, although , that is heavy enough, but our large private i indebtedness. A vast number of properties I are over-mortgaged to our financial ins'itu . tions whioh are afraid to realise. It suits j them better to keep the securities on their , books at a fictitious valuation, m the hope that something may turn up to their advantage. The* nominal proprietors are really insolvent, ' and have neither money nor heart to improve 1 and manage their properties as they shonld 1 be managed. We want to get rid of those 1 insolvent proprietors. Let th« mortgagees 1 realise, and when it beoomes known outside > that properties m New Zealand can be got at ' fair values, I feel cure men with means will 1 be attracted to our shores from the neighbor ing oolonies and the old country. We want 1 oapital as well as population, and if we drive 1 away the former the latter will follow. It is ; going on as we see at present.

CRICKET.

• (PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.) London, Mey 24. i The match between the Australian ; Eleven and Lancashire waa begun to day 1 at Manchester. The County m iheir first innings soorad 98 In the cricket mstoh against Lancashire the Australian Eleven m iholr inninga ■cored 163 runs, Jonos (57) being the blghoet nearer. Li their second Innings the Lancashire team have lout two wloketa for 47. ; Tne eleven chosen to represent the - Gentlemen of England afloat the Aus tralians m the mutch which commences on Monday are—Messrs W. i->. Graoe, Paterson, Buokland, E>y, Shaker, Read, Keller, Smith, Reed, RidoHffe, Newham and Bowden. (Received M^y 26, 1 20 p m.) London, May 25. The cricket match Ltuoashira v Aus tralian Eleven was continued tc-^ay. The teo^nd innings of Lancashire closed for 153 The Australians hava loßt 2 wicketa tor 68 runs.

THE MARKETS

+ (PKB FRBSS ASSOCIATION',) London. May 25 Three hundred thousand bales of wool have arrived for the next series of auc tions. New Zealand 5 per Cent. Stock, 105 ; Consols 101|. The weekly returns of tho Bank of England, published to-day, show the total reserve m notes and bullion to bo £11,800,000, and the proportion of reserve to liabilities 39 per cent., being an increase of £40,000 m the total reserve and an increase of one per cent, m the proportion to liabilities. The total quantity of wheat afloat for tho United Kingdom is 2,400,000* quarters, and for tho Continent 460,000 quarters. The English wheat crop is more favorable, owing to fine weather. It is expected that the cargo of the steamer Belembria, which met with a mishap on her voyage Home, will be condemned ♦

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

(PBll PRESS ASSOCIATION .) W KLLINGTON, May 25. An examination shows the Cook Btrait oable haa be»n broken In three places, and the greater portion of it will have to be taken up and overhauled, which will P'obably.oocdpy a month. The Sherrard Oaborne goeß oat to-morrow morning to resume operations. Hokitika. Mey 25 A fatal accident happened yesterday afternoon to John Foater, a carter, plying between here and Ross. Deceased wrb descending a hill leadlpg to Deep Oreek Bridge, neat Rlmu, when he fall, and the wheel of the hravily-laden dray parsed over hla ohent, craahiDg him faarfally. He waa shortly after picked op and oon vojed to Rlmu. Medical assistance was cant for, but Foster breathed his last ten minutes bofore th» doctor arrived. De oeaaed leaves a wi/o aud tec uLildren, The Bink of New Zealand have shipped 1756 zt sdwt 3gr of gold, valnod at £7020. Dunbdin, May 25, The polloe, having failed m securing convfo'lona sgalnat publiciPß for Sunday trading m tho ordinary way, made a raid on some hotels last Sunday m private clothes. Four publicans appeared m court tc-day. Throfj vr*ro fined for »srviog4wo constables. The other case was dismissed na the publican pat a qnostion to them about being travellers. They did not answer the question. At a meeting of the Forbuty Park Com pany a dividend of 4 per cent for the year was declared, Owing to a deoreaße m the value of land and the paucity of sales, £1500 was written off the freehold acoonnt. The Kaikorai School Committee decided , ; ] to-night to aooept the decision of the * Education Board as to the dismissal of Mr i j McLAUohlin, hoadmaater, under protest, I \ expressing regret that the Oomraisslqn <>i , enquiry was not held m public and that .;> independent examination of the ucl;o i was uotjgtftQtedj ;

MR EDEN GEOHGE'S EXHIBITION

Mr Eden George was unlucky m having to run his exhibition of piotures and oonver satzione against the opening night of the rink, whither the elite of Ashburton wended their way last night. The fact that the attendance at the Orange Hall last evening was not oommonsurate with the worth of the show was what might have been expeoted under the circumstances The exhibition itself is a oharming and very pretty one. The exquisite taste displayed m the arrangements show that Mr George possesses great taste m decorating. In the centre of the hall is a pile of oameras, the largost of which cost £150. The photographs exhibited are by far the best that have ever been seen here. Two of the frameß contain piotures for the Mel bourne exhibition, one" being pedestal pictures of ladies taken from life and the other large photographs taken diraot. There are num erous large and small photographs of well known personages, the most noticeable being the Primate of ' New Zealand, the Royal Princes, bis Honor Judge Johnston, his Excellency the Governor, and a host of others. A most pretty effect is secured by having a boat scene arranged m the hall. Mr George has brought a violinist with him, who m conjunction with a local lady pianist discoursed some refreshing mußio during the time the hall remained open. The conversazione will be open this afternoon and evening, when we hope to see a muoh larger attendance.

THE PALACE SKATING RINK.

That " nothing Eucceeds like sucoesa " was exemplified to the letter, when the Palaoe Elite Roller Skating Company opened their , rink m the Oddfellows' Hall last evening. The assemblage waa a brilliant and dazzling one. The hall waß decorated with a lavißh but artiatio hand. The stage was a perfeot galaxy, and the admirable lighting of the hall shining through the decorations of bunting and evergreenß revealed the faces of repre sentatives of the elite of the town and country, young and old. The floor was per feot, every seam being filled with Plaster of Paris, and every oare had been taken to make it smooth as the proverbial glass. The arrange ments for the reception of a large number of guests were perfect, and reflect the highest credit upon Mr J. 0. Ross, the manager, who, m his place, is facile princcps, was obliging, attentive and übiquitous, while his staff \ of assistants were well ooaohed m their respective departments, and aided their chief materially m the discharge of his onerous duties. Punctually to time Mr Scaly came forward on the stage, and after apologising for the absence of Mr D. Thomas, who had been selected to open the proceedings, m the course of a few remarka deolared the Palace rink open, and Bhortly introduced Professor Arthur Greenwood, who gave an exhibition of fanoy Bkating. His movements were most agile and graceful, and his suooessful per formance of the more difficult feats was re ceived with hearty applause, The floor was then thrown open to the public, and skates were given out free of charge. Over a hun dred personß, inoluding a substantial sprink ling of ladies, took advantage of the permis sion granted, and were soon on the floor. There were, of oourse, many amateurs, and the frolics of these were the source of great amusement to the spectators. The rink will be open daily, ,at hours advertised, and we are safe m predicting a most successful season for the promoters. Certainly, if the opening night is any guarantee of its future suooes's, our prediction is safe enough. It mustn ot be forgotten that the Ashburton Brass Band were placed on an improvised gallery, and the musio discoursed was of the best quality, and greatly enlivened the proceedings.

ASHBURTON LIVE STOCK MARKET

Mr D. Thomas reports upon the live stock market for the Ashburton district for the week ending May 2nd, as follows :— On Tuesday we held our usual weekly sale of sheep, pigs, and cattle. The total entry oomprised about 2700 sheep, 220 pigs, , and 100 head of oattle, of whioh my entry . consisted of 1956 sheep, 311 pigs, and 60 ' head of oattle. There was a good attendance of farmers, batohers, dealers and others, and 1 good competition was svinced throughout the 1 sale, and almost every line was sold at satis faotory prioes. In fat and forward condition i sheep the market still shows an upward ten. i denoy, and we have several inquiries for good lines of turnip sheep, but great dissatisfao , tion is given by farmers bringing m their nooks m mixed lines, whereas buyers would , often give higher prioes if they would bring them forward as all wethers or maiden ewes, bo that they oould be at onoe placed amongst those of that description on turnips. In pigs there was a very good demand, and anything like good baoonera or porkera were eagerly sought after. In cattle, although most of the lines were Bold, it was without animation. We sold fat orossbred ewes from 6a 4d to 83 . 6d ; fat wethers, from 7b lOd to 9s ; Btore 1 oroasbred 2- tooths, 6s 6d-; orossbred lambs, • 4s 5d to 6s ; merino ewes, from Is 5d to 3s 3d ; merino wethers, 4a 6d. In pigs— -baooners from 293 to 46s 6d ', small pigs, 7s, 9s 6d to 15s 6d. In cattle, prioes equal to late sales. On Saturday, at Tattersall's, West street, AshburtoD, we held our land sale, when we fliflpOßed Of Mr P. Lownie'a compaot little farm, consisting of 100 acres, at the satisfac tory price of £16 per acre, with very few im [ provements on it, showing that good land is still sought after. We are also m treaty with several other good properties, and expeot to effeot sales during the week.

RANCITATA ROAD BOARD.

» ELECTION PETITION. f On resuming a lot)g argument arose aa r to the production of the roll used for the * election. Mr Parnell had previously raised the point, that it would be necea- BBry for Mr Stringer to prodnoe fhat roll to show that certain of his witnesses had ' any standing In the oase, Tbe roll u*ed X at the election vras tho only one made ont I from the valuation list, end when the election was concluded tho Returning Officer handed it over to the custody of the Olerk of the Ooarfc. Mr Stringer 1 naked the Oonrt to make an order for the prodaotion of the roll, but the application ; was not acceded to, the Court holding that it would be an undue Btrninlng of the law to make the order, The petitioners should have properly prepared their case before oomlng into Oonrt. Mr Stringer then called, Charles J Harper, Chairman of the Rangitata Road Board, and who also aoted as Olerk, who said that he made up a ratepayers' list for use at the eleotion. It was compiled from the valuation roll, and he handed It to the Returning Officer, Mr Simpson. Had not received it baok. beyond what he had learned that day he did not know what had become of it. la reply to the Court, the witness said that he had received no notice to produce the valuation roll from which he had made out that for the election. The valuation roll had now been posted to the Auditor. In reply to Mr Parnell, witness said that If he had been subj osiaed to produce the roll before Wednesday last he could have taken ateps to have ratained It for the case. W.Simpson said that be preserved no oopy of the Hat he got from Mr Harper. He Bent It to the Court. Had tha rate book now. It waß at his house at Ash-* burton, and about a quarter of a mile awfty, He got the rate book one day last week, Mr Strbger considered the conduct of the Returning Officer was most extra ordinary. He had been subpoenaed to produce all papers and documents. la reply to the Oourt, the witness said that he did not know that the rate-book would be required. Mr Purnell would object to the rate book even if produoed. The Court said there was only one way of properly proving the matter. Mr Strlngor ooraplahied that tho Oourt having refused to allow him the moans of leading primary evidence, now prevented him bringing forward secondary evidence. His Worship had better refuse to hear tha obbb, when he (Mr Strings) could take steps to obtain a mandamus to have ihu caso hoard, The Court said that Mr Stringer could : njon his ca9 or go on as he thought a.,, _ . >

Mr Stringer continued Ms ex&minattiik of Mr Simpson. Mr Purnell objected to a question as to cyhethsr Mr Ooakerio waa a ratepayer The Court sustained the cbjeotlon, After a good deal of disoaeßlon Mr Stringer called F. Mainwarin>r, clerk to- Oaunty Oonnoll, v/bo produced valuation roll of Rangltala R'd'iD^, which included the Road District^ Mv Stringer aeked if the name of James Ooskedd v.&} on the roll. Mr Purnull objaoled,. • 'The Oourc Btilu the evidence could be taken for what It w;jb wo'th. Atto: argutnont ihe Ooart did not see auv uso m cumbering tho case with ouch ley'tdet-co. There was only one list which wus fvideuoe, and that list was not forthcoming. The next witness was David Morrow, who Bald he was a ratepayer m the ftaogitaia district. He owed do rates; they were paid* He nominated Hugh Oocbott and Jno. Ooskerie as candidates for the Board. Attended at the Road Board office on the 25th with the nomina tion papers. Got to the Road Board office about haif-paat eleven Mr Harper waa there. Mr Doyle subsequently came to the Road Board office, cloaa ou twelve o'clock, if it was not aotually that time, Aftor a brief conversation Mr Doyle asked to apeak with Mr Harper, and they went outside. Would not like to aay if it was after twelve when they came baok, bat as Mr Harper was bomlng m witness 8» w him putting a paper Into his pocket. Witness put his nomination papers beside a letter addressed to the reiuruiai* offioer. About ten minutes past twelve Me Doyle deposited a nomination paper on the table. Witnesa' watoh was fifteen jalauies past twelve, but it waa five minu'Qs faßt by the Government time. Sho Be'uralng Offioer was then coming m the door. Mr Harper having ljoked at wtuoßs'a papers, pulled a paper out of his pcKet aad said, " There, Doyle." Me Doj'l-j thea wrote something on the paper, Tnli w*b after twelve. Mr Striuger pointed oat that there were two different handirritings : on the noml uatlou. Witness continued ! When the Return* ing Officer came witneas objected to Mr Doyle's nomination being taken, Mr Doyle challenged the time, and witness asked the Returning Offioer what the time was. The Returning Officer said he had no watch and ha did not know. The Returning Officer took the papers. Wit ness had oompared his watoh with Mr Harper's. By Mr Purnell : Witness took his time from the railway at Aahburton. He was m Aahburton about a week previous to the nomination, and he oompared his watch then with the railway time, He always kept It five minutes fast, so as not to mias trains, and when he came into ABhburton three days subsequent to the nomination, it was still five minates fast. By Mr Stringer : Witness voted at the election James Ooskerie, one of the petitioners and a oandidate at the reoent election, said that he voted at the election • i ■. ■ . This was the oaee^or the petitioners. Mr Purnell opened the case for the respondent. He was not very dear from the petitioners' case what there was to reply to, beyond the objection that the nomination paper was not put m proper time. There teemed to be some question raised of the nomination paper not being properly drawn. Mr Stringer said that some Important words had been omitted m the nomination paper which had been subsequently added, but It was then after the proper hoar. Mr Purnell continued his address indi cating that Mr Doyle, who had had the correct time would show that the nomina tion had been put m m ample time. He called ; — John Doyle, the respondent who said that he went to the Road Board office on Domination day. He arrived there at half paat eleven by his watoh. His watoh was two minutea fast on the Saturday before. His nomination paper was filled up before nine. If the Seturning Offioer had been there, witness would .-have handed the papar to him. Witness made an addition to the paper after be arrived at the office. After asking Mr Harper's advioa he added some words which had baen omitted. It wait before twelve when he altered the paper jif it had been after twelve he would not have altered the piper, as ho considered it was a perfeot document. About ■ twenty minutes to twelve Mr Harper said that if the Returning Offioer did not arrive he would send the papers to him. That was why he touched the papers By Mr Stringer : Did not remember Mr Harper telling the Returning Offioer he wia late. Remembered Morrow ob jectiug to witness's paper, and asking the Returning Offioer tor the lime. The Returning Offioer Bald he had no watoh* Oould not say what the time was when Mr Morrow objected to the papgr. The Returning Offioer was there m time, Witneas had given his nomination paper to. Mr Harper, and got it baok again to add the names. Mr Harper had it m hia pocket. Charles John Harper, Chairman of the Rangltata Road Board, remembered Mr Doyfe coming to the Board's Office about half-past eleven. He asked witnesß to come outside, and aßked him If the paper was m order. Witness said that he thought it was, only it' might be better if Doyle added the words " We the under signed electors." The words were added and the paper laid on the table before twelve o'clock . By Mr Stringer : When he had the conversation with Doyle, the latter gave him his paper. Witneas put it m hie pocket and kept it a few mlnntes. He suggested that Doyle should add the words and gave him back the paper, Doyle had finished writing before the Returning Offioer arrived. By witness s watoh, the Return ing Officer was about ten minutes late, but the oorreot time would be about five minutes to twelve, On the day after the nomination, witness checked his watoh by the WiDßlow stationmaster'a watoh and he found that it wsb eighteen minutes faat W. Slmpßon produoed the nomination papers of Messrs Obskerie and Oorbett, the defeated candidates . ' - This was the respondent's case Mr Purnell addressed the Court on the law and facts of the case Mr Stringer replied. The Court said that m deciding a one of this sort it would be necessary nnder Clause 51 of the Aot to adhere strictly to the petition The qaestion as to the advertising of the election did not ooma within the scope of the present enquiry. With regard to the petition, the allega tion that the nomination waa not given m within time or m the manner prescribed by the Aot waa the prlnolpal oae. In a small country place there were doubt less many dißorepanoies m the time shown by the tlme-pleoei of the residents. The petitioners to estab lish their case would require to have shown bßyond all doubt that the nomina* tion was deposited after twelve. This they had not done and the' weight of evidence went to show that the nomina tions were m, and the Returning Officer arrived about or a little before 12. He certainly thought, however, that it was the duty of the Returning Officer to have been at the offioe some considerable time before the hour appointed for the closing of nominations. With regard to the second allegation of the petition, he did uot see that any irregularities bad been shown that would tend to defeat the fairness of the eleotion. He might say that m deciding the oase he had not considered the technical objeotlon to the evidence of the witnesses for tha petition, but had decided ft on its merits. The petition would be dismissed. No order was made a.3 to c,o«ta, ,

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, SATURDAY, MAY 26, 5888



High Date. Shade. m State of weather. > low high Sun. Saturday 34* 63« 120- Fine, calm Sunday 30* 62- 122- „ „ Monday 32- 38- 108- Showers, N.W. Tuesday 26- 54- 112- Fine, oalm Wed'day 27- 53- 110. „ „ Thur'day 26- 55« 108- „ „ Friday 21- 50- 110- „ „







Wanted. WANTBD Known.— The Tender of I — Patterson haß been accepted * for work at Wabanui,— G. W. Leadley. a 5 227 ( ■pfONVERSAZtONE of Photographs, \^fgjOT aD i? ft HaU, To-night.— ln oonße- quenoa of the wet weather the price of | admission will be reduced to 6d. Children half-prloe.— Eden George. 5 228 IT7ANTED to Sell— AFirst-olaaa Piano, V\ grand action. Cash or terms very liberal. Apply Hayes and 00. BOOTS.— We have reduced our Boot List, and are Rolling them wonder- fully cheap. — H. 0. Sbqbrs, Melford Honse IF you waat a genuine Ashbnrton Tweed Soit to meaiure, or ready made, or Boots that will keep your feet dry, at prices marvellously low, come to the Aehburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' buildings.— Robeht Aloobn, WINTER.— We are now shewing a Splendid Assortment of Ladlea and Children's Ulsters m all the leading styles, very oheap. — H. 0. Seders, Melford House. ~\\ rANTED —Everyone to ooma and V V see the nicest lot of Glass, China, and Earthenware ever shown m Ashbur- ton, and the Cheapest ever landed m New Zealand. Imported direct from the Manufacturers. — Robert Aloorn, Saun- dera 1 Buildings. S+ll WANTED Known.— Melford Honse Is now shewing a splendid assortment of Drapery, Millinery, Cloth- ing, Boots, &o, very cheap. ANTED Cash. — Muir's |Oatmeal (251 b), 2a 6i ; Candles, sd ; Vestas, 6i doz. ; Coffee and Milk, Is , Cocoa and Milk, Is ; Corn Flour, 4d ; Fruits m Syrup (21b tini«), Is Crockery, Glassware, and Ironmongery. — J. Mc- Gregor, Tauored street. WANTED Known.— Oheap Jack hes" opened a shop m Oompton's Buildings, Moore street, with a large stock of Fancy Gooda, Crookery, Music, &c, which he will sell at Oheap Jack prices, v!z. 30 per cent under any other shop tn town. I TO THE LADIES OF SHBUKTON. Misses Morrison & Holloway dress and mantle makers" Tanored Street ASHBURTON. 5 169 ASHBURTON "GUARDIAN. 1 ! DUNEDIN AGSNOY. ! itJ-R R. T. WHEELER, Stafford! I Street, Dunedtn, has been appointed car t 3 Agent and will be able to arrange terms t with advertisers foe contr.iot advertlae- r . ments. TRY KtRKPATRICK'S SPECIAL QUALITY ' FRESH FRUIT ' -J A. M S— INOTIOE. OUR Special Quality "X" brand of New Benson's JAM ia made from Fresh Fruit, within a few hours after It has been gathered; it thus retains the full flavor of the Freeh Fruit, and is the best qaality it is possible to make. CAUTION : None is Genuine unless our Name is atamped on the Tin, and has our regis- tered Tiade Mark, the letter " X,"on the Label. S. KIBKPATRICK AND CO., MANUFACTURERS, NELSON. . NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING_ FACTORY- NEW GOODS ! NEW GOODS ! I FOR THR AUTUMN and WINTER (Season are to hand, and we wotild request intending purchasers of Clothing to pay our establishment a visit previous to purchaeingelßewherej and See our Men's Sac Suits from 37a 6d Latest cut and good vnlue See our Men's Tweed Trousera from 10s 6d Well adapted for good wear See our Men's Tweed Overcoats from 40s All Colonial Wool and nicely made See our Men's Moles from Os 6d Own make, impervious to wear See our Boya' Friz Suite from 10s 6d Parents und Guardians come & inspect See ourßoys' Trouser Suits from 22s 6d Colonial production, well and truly made. Purchase yonr Clothing direct from the Manufacturer?, —TAILORING— We ftro doing a very largo business m t this Department, and would request all' requiring a firnt-c ase suit, Colonial tweed, made to moafliu", to entrust their orders with us. We can offer you 800 different patters to eeloot from, and can give you value unsurpafiscd Fit, style, and work- manship guaranteed. —HATS. HATS. HATS. HATS— Any shape, etyl^, or size m stock. This Department ia fully supplied with all the latest novelties. The Mercery Department you will find rep'ete with ovory necoasary requisite In Men's Youths', and Boys' wear at prices ] which cannot be beaten m Ashburton. Encourago Now Zealand Industries and buy from the ' Net Zealand Clothing Factory. ; Agenfa for the celebrated Wertheira •' Sewing Machines, which oaa be had on ( easy timelpayments. W. P. WEBBER, ! Manager. 1



J. QTJANE & CO. PRODUCE AND GENERAL MERCHANTS* FINANCIAL AND COMMISSION AGENT, BEG to announce that they have COMMENCED BUSINEB3 m Havelock street, Aehburton, with a Stock consisting of — OATEN. SHEAF, AND STRAW CHAFF FEED OATS, HAT IN TRUSSES BRAN, SHABPB, FLOUR TEA, SUGAR, POTATOES, FOWLS' WHEAT PLOUGH SHARES, &c. &c. CASH PURCHASERS OF WHEAT, OATP, BARLEY, &c. and all Farm Produce Mortgage! and Loam on Land and Stock arranged at Lowest Rates of Interest AGENTS FOR KEW ZEALAND AOOIDENT INSURANOE COMPANY. CHEAP BOOTS AND SHOES. "ZEALANDIA^_BOOT STORE, HAVING received a large supply of Bamples of Ladies' and Children's BOOTS, SHOBB, and SLIPPERS, we are offering the same at exceedingly low pric?B. CHILDREN'S FROilb! LADIES' FROM 4s We have a very large and well -assorted Mock of English and Continental Goods to select from. Sole vendors of the celebrated "ZEALANDJA" BRAND. " ZEALANDIFIOOT STOEE, East Street. ERRAND SUCCESS? '' GRAND SUCCESS MITCHELL & TURNER HAVE very much pleasure iv thanking and announcing to their xinmerous) Friends and Customers that success having attended their efforts aince removing to Fowler's Buildings, especially during past Seaoon, they are encouraged to hold out special inducements for coming Winter Season. Purchasers will find a Splendid j Assortment of Men's and Boys' Overcoats, Winter Suit?, Trousers and Veßts, &c, comprising Ashburton, Kaiapoi, and other Colonial Makers. j Ladies' and Children's Ulstera, Jackets, &c. Blankets, Fugs, and Flannelß. ! f&* N.B.— See our Dress Goods, Homespuns, Serges, and Tweeds. Fair prices, excellent quality. Shirtings, Lioseys, Flannelettes, Quilts, Hooiery, and General Winter Goods BOOTS AND SHOES. ALL WHO WANT A FIKST-CLASS ARTICLE SHOULD PAY US A VIBiT. MITCnELiT& TURNER TANORED STREET- Important to Grain Growers. CATJlfol^lll AFTER the gratuitous poff m Ibo " Weekly " end daily " PrBBB," and the present advertisement In the " Aehburton Guardian " respecting the Poisoned Wheat prepared by the so-otlled Patent Prooeas of Mr J . M. Cambridge, on behalf of the Ashburton Drug Company, I deem it my doty to draw the attention of Graingrowers to the fact that the procees m qoeßtlon is not patented m New Zealand, nor ia it likely to be, for the simple reason that the various advantages set forth are exactly thoae which I have strictly obaerved m the preparation of my Poisoned Wheat for the last three years. Copt o» Telegram". Ha&kldsak, En*. , Patent Registrar, Wellington. Pleoee reply whether J. M. Cambridge, Ashbnrton, has obtained or applied for any patent m connection with Poisoned Wheats, and if so post copy of specification. Ashburton, 30th April, 1888. 0. M. Brooke. Mr 0. M. BaooXß, Ashbnrton.— No applicitlon received from Mr Cambridge. Wellington, May 1, 18*8, F. Waxdbgbavb, Deputy Patent Officer. If Agriculturists want a satisfactory and reliable article (not an experimental one, to which yoa have hitherto been chief] y treated) Brooke's Poisoned Wheat is the preparation to use, as the following testimonials hereby testify : — "I have the honor by direction of the Board, to inform you that yonr Poisoned Wheat ia proving highly satisfactory, and to request that you will forward me twenty bniheia more of exaotly similar qaality at yonr earlies convenience. — Yours, etc, Road Board Office, Kfrwree. 14th July, 1886. Albert John FBANOIS. I have great pleasure to inform you that the Poisoned Wheat the Board reoeived from you giv as satisfaction, and beg you will forward at your earliest convenience eight baehels more, the same sample as before. — Yours, &0., Road Board Office, Temuka, 23d Jane, 1886. Gekobqe Dyson. I have the honor by direction of the Board to request you to forward £10 worth of your best Poisoned Grain, the same as the last lot reoeived from you last season, which was everything that could be desired. I ueed some a few dsys ago, after hav- ing it frcm last season, and it was m Brat-rate condition, and very effectual. District Office, South Rakaia, 4th Jane, 1886. A. Makeig. PREPARED ONLY BY C. M. BROOK B, (Fate op Kaiapoi) CHEMIST, ASHBDRTON. . __^ THE STANDARD FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMP NY OF NEW ZEALAND. WITH UNLIMITED LIABILITY OP SHABEHOLDER9. CAPITAL— £I,OOO7OOO STEKLINtt. HEAD OFFICE^ DUNEDIN. ¥ USURERS have the moat undoubted Security under this Company's Pol ioie 8 I together with an assurance of Prompt and Liberal Settlement of Claims. FlKfi aud MARINE BISKS accepted on all descriptions of Property and Merchandise abo Crop, Stack, and Blachino Risks at Lowest Kates of Premium, fidelity of Persons holding situations of trußt guaranteed. OFFICE!;:' HEREFORD STREET, CHRISTCHURUH. (Opposite bank of New Zealand.) ARCHIBALD SCOTT, Manager jfor. Canterbury. AJLBBBT BOBKIITS AGKNT ASH BURTON POTATOES! POTATOES! POTATOES! mHE Undersigned. hßa now for SALE^by^Bag or per Ton, a Bpleidld Hoe of Prime Blue Derwents, Grown on {good ground, and warranted tojjglve BAtisfaotior, PLOUGH SfIARES7~PLOUGH SHARES. itANSOME and SIMS' and HOBNSBY'S, (ALL fcIZKS.) ANGLO-AMERICAN RDILLS. DRAIN ANDjI ELI) PIPES> Cape Barley, Cape Barley. KELSON, MOATE AN DgCO.'S TEA. AND COFFEE, AND ALL KINDS OF GENERAL STOEE S. GEQKdE JAMESON,- ASHBURTON-