Village Settlements.

HON W. COPLEY'S VISIT,

Among the nuny difficult problems ■which have engaged the attention m recent years of the South Australian Government is that of the settlement of the people on the land. Various methods of sale and lease have been made trial of, but no satisfactory system has yet been found. The present South Austra lian Government have given special atten tion to the question, and hearing of the success of the New Zealand Village Homestead Settlement system they de spatched the Commissioner of Lands, Hon W. Copley, M.L.C., to inspect the settle ments, ascertain the working of the system, and report thereupon to his Government. Mr Copley arrived m New Zealand last week, and quelling his incli nations towards pleasure excursions to the southern hills, of which he had heard so much, and which he now saw afar off, proceeded to visit each settlement m turn. Catlins and other south Ofcago settlements were first visited ; then the Oamaru dis trict and South Canterbury, and last evening Mr Copley reached Ashburton, accompanied by Mr March, steward of the Canterbury Village Settlement?, under "whose guidance Mr Copley had been since crossing the Waitakh From Mr Copley, who stayed last night at Henry's Commercial Hotel, we obtained some particulars of his journey. He, with his secretary, were joined at Timaru on Monday by Mr March, and starting at eight o'clock on Tuesday morning the Beaconsfield Special Village Settlement was visited. Several of the settlers were interviewed (they being at home, owing I to the crops being too wet for harvesting); their holdings were inspected, and their position enquired into. From thence they drove to Arowhenua and went ever both the deferred payment and the Village Homestead settlements. Then to Orari. m which district there are three settle ments, all of which were visited; and from thence to the Belfield settlement. At each place the settlers were questioned about their occupations apart from the cul tivation of their holdings, the amounts ex pended upon their sections and dwellings andotherimprov«ments,and the income or produce from thftm. The information gained was very satisfactory, and was borne out by the appearance of the crops and dwellings. At Befield, a settler was able to show a fifty-bushel crop of oats, and at Beaconsfield a nice bit of wheat was being reaped, the owner of which put it down at 25 bushels. Mr Copley at first estimated it at about 15 bushels, but on more closely examining the heads was; bound to agree with the settler's cal-i culation, the visitor explaining that inj South Australia the ears are much lighter than those usually seen here,; Mr Copley was also surprised to see such! grain, grass and turnips grown on such shingly soil as most of that which he passed through. From Hinds the partyj* came on to Ashburton by the express.' After dinner the Hospital was visited; and Mrs MacKay, the matron, showed the party through the wards. They were highly pleased with the arrangements, and especially with the interest which it was evident Mrs MacKay took m every thing connected with the Hospital and the patients. The Domain was quite a surprise to the visitors, who did not think ? such a sceneof sylvanbeauty could be found, m so dry a country as surrounds it this year. "But," said Mr Copley, "you; seem to have had most exceptional; weather this year." Mr Copley was! assured that such a season for wind and drought had never been known before. The capabilities of the Ashburton County ( ior wheat-growing were pointed out, and • explained to Mr Copley the need for the aren't warehouses across the line, and the, ineanis of existence of the town —" this' very nice little town," as our visitor styled it. . Besides enquiring into how land settle ment was effected m New Zealand Mr Copley willingly told the position of matters m South Australia. The country was originally surveyed into " hundreds." •r blocks of ICO square miles. In each hundred a township site was surveyed, frequently of ambitious size, and around, this a quantity of suburban sections were laid off. The unsold parts of this subur ban land have been devoted to the small holdings experiments, being sold by auc tion at the upset cash price of £2 an acre. Many of the townships never emerged i^rom the "plan" stage, and the settle ments are frequently very remote from pop illation or any means ef employment, and tfifi land unsuitable, and these have, been the principal causes of the want of success which has attended the efforts hitherto. Where employment has been obtainable awl the land of fair quality the settlers have done well. About 1200 Hocks of 20 acres each have been taken up. In order to provide land of suitable quality and situation a vote of £20,000 has been granted for tke repur chase of land—very little being now m the hands of the State. On Mr ; , Copley's return he will call for offers, to be laid before Parliament, by whom all purchases must be approved. In South Australia, as it has proved to be here, village settlement by suitable men on suitaWe land m suitable localities will be successful, but most depends on the class of people. Fruit will be their mainstay. The system of disposing of larger areas of land was touched upon, and Mr Coplev j referred to hisremarks m the "Otago Daily Times." Our beet plan is to repeat the re report : The system of balloting for land be- i ingmentioned. Mr Copley stated that when the system of the disposal of land on de ff ferred payment was first carried int.* operation m South Australia the applica tions were decided by lot, but this was <dven up for the reason that m many cases persons lodged a number of appli cations so as to stand a better chance of success m the ballot, and it was held that such proceedings constituted an abuse of the system. Then the Govern ment introduced a system of auction between the applicants. They received Applications up to a certain hour for land that was for disposal, and if there were, more than one applicant for a piece of land it TOJ-s put up to auction between the, applicants, but it was found that there was a tendency to run up land to excessive prices, and the system was abandoned m consequence. Another jsyefcem that was then tried was one of auction for first choice. Considerable tracts of land, fcp be disposed of m areas limited to 1000 acre*, were opened for selection up to a certain date, and were then submitted to auction for first choice. The highest bidder —nrho, of course, made his bids on the basis of 1000 acres—had the right of first choice of 1000 acres, which had to be selected m one piece, it not being per mitted to the successful competitor to pick a block here and n, block there to make Up his thousand acres. That system proved unsatisfactory, for it very often happened that bidders ran one another up for first choice, while at the same time they were not bidding for the same land, one man's choice, as is really imaginable, not always being anothei's. The latest system of the disposal of Jand adopted m South Australia is one which has been m vogue for about two years, and resembles m many respects the system that obtains m. New Zealand. Mr Copley calk it the Land Board system, ior the purpose of which jithe colony was divided into five land districts, each having to land board. At first the several boards (consisted of three local residents appointed ty the Government and two members of tjie civil service, but racier a Land Act passed iagfc session, the -number was reduced to three, two of them fteing local members and the thitd an officer o| the civil service. That is the lysfcem now w operation The Boards

are empowered to receive applications for laud under lease with the right to pur chase or under perpetual lease ; and, as to revaluation, it: a, holder thinks that his land is too dear, the Board h»s the power to recommend reductions, and the Com missioner i« practically guided by the advice of the Boards. The foregoing con ditions apply to agricultural land, and the pastoral leases are, Mr Copley states, submitted to public auction, as m this colony, with upsets placed upon thorn. Mr Copley and party lefh early this morning to inspect the Ashburton, Dromore, Chertsey, and Rakaia settle ments, going on to Christchurch m the afternoon.

Latest Cable News

HOME AND FOREIGN [per press association.] (Received February 4, 10.30 a.m.) POLITICAL. Lo»doxV, February 3. Mr Gladstone's Religious Disability Bill is causing many non-conformist members to desert his party. There are indications of an Oppoti tion "cave" being formed if the re ported agreement with Mr Parnell is confirmed. AN APPEAL. Ottawa, February 3. The Canadian Government _ intend to appeal to the country on their trade policy, and after the elections are over will send a delegation to Washington. CATTLE DISEASE. Sydney, February 4. Pleuro-pneumonia is very prevalent m some parts of the colony, and the chief stock inspector recommends that cattle be inoculated with anti-pleuro virus. WIFE MURDER. Adelaide, February 4. A painter named Lowenthal shot his I wife three times, and a fourth shot struck the baby she was nursing. The woman died, but the child is recover ing- ioi - DR. KOCH'S SPECIFIC. »C-'**■•-* Brisbane, February 4. Five injections of Dr. Koch's con sumptive lymph have been given to a patient suffering from consumption. No bad results have been felt.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS

[per press association.] Tli« JAwilwajr ComniiN»ton*r». WoOdville, February 4. At a meeting of the settlers of Victoria and Mangatua Valley last night it was re solved to petition Mr Seddon, Minister of Public Works, to bring m a Bill to repeal the Act by which the Railway Commis sioners were appointed, and a Committee was selected to draw up the petition. The ]»ui»'ic»(« Cable jNelson, February 4. The Superintendent of the Cable Com pany at Wakapuaka, reports that the Tele graph Construction Company's steamer Etine, with a portion of the new duplicate Madras-Penang cable, left London on January 24th for Madras, where the same Company's steamer Britannia will meet her this month, and both start laying the cable. Sndflwn Death Timaru, February 4. Mr R. A. Barker, farmer, Winchester, son of the late Dr Barker, died suddenly at his home this morning. An inquest will be held. The deceased gentleman was a useful public man and had been a member of several local bodies for many years.

The man Fray/ley, who was severely in jured by being run over by a cart at St Albans, is improving. The public account of the valuation of Christchurch has not been issued yet, but it is supposed to be nearly £2000 less than last year, and last year the valuation, was £194,682. In 1885 the valuation of the town was about £250,000, and the rate levied was <M, m 1886, £244,622, rate lOid; m 1887, £220,148, rate Is; m 1888, £225,434, rate Is; m 1889, £200,886, rate Is; m 1890, £194,652, rate Is Id. Holloway's Ointment and Pill«. — The combined ill effects of over-crowding, sedentary occupations, and monotony of life are only too well known to those who have to past the best part of their lives laboring m factories and crowded workrooms. The compulsory confinement weakens the general health and induces chronic constipation, indigestion, and various forms of skin diseases. Holloway's remedies are of price less value to persons of this class, for they can be used without entailing loss of work, being purely vegetable m their composition, and consequently act without harshness on the most delicate system. The experience of more than forty years proves that no means surpass Holloway's remedies for curing bad legs, bad breasts, piles, and wounds of all kinds.

THE ASHBUKTON GUARDIAN, I^P^SPAiy FEBRUARY 4, 1891.



" VV''.: PART ' ' IR^W 'f^TT^^SV- '"^ PRACTICAL WATCH AND CLOCK MAKER, JEWELLER, &c. OAS to hjind an immense Stock, of WATCHES, CLOCKS, JEWELLERY and wrlmrtT^vi oft^c litest and most approved designs. WAioitßib.—Gold and Silver, Een<*lish and Geneva, American Hunters, and Crystals. JEWELLERY.—An almost endless variety of Fine Gold, Bright Gold and bilver Brooches, Lockets, Ladies' and Gentlemen's Guards, &c., &c. . A uplendid assortment of Gem, Weddins, Keeper, and Signet Rings of all sizes. A large and well selected Stock of MARBLE CLOCKS and TIME PIECES, bilver Plated Goods, suitable for Christmas and Wedding Presents, at reduced prices. Exceptionally liberal terms to Presentation Jommittees, School Committee*, &c, &c. All Departments of works done on the Premises with despatch, and at moderate charges. EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. 2 147 ~~~~IL M. JONES. : SANTA, CLAui.ilS COMING A ND so is Old Father Christmas, to give the above a fitting reception. The -L\. Undersigned is now opening up a varied and well selected Stock of Useful and Ornamental Goods suitable for Presents, Prizes, Rewards, Xmas and New Year Gifts, ranging from a diminutive Penny Doll to a ; Seventy Guinea Piaiio panese Toys and Fancy Goods, Albums, Photo Frames, €>esks, Work Boxe* Cabinets, Ladies Bags, Glove and Kerchief Boxes, Dressing Cases, Electro-Plated, Goods, Ornaments m great variety, elegant and chaste m,design, Perfumery and Toilet Requisites, Cricketing Material, Fancy Glassware, Tea Services, Opals Brackets and Plush Leather Goods. •■ «,> M , *. » book:© suitable for Prize and Presentation purposes, specially imported from the Religious Tract Society, Ward and Lock, Cassell ,an.d. .Co.", and other publishers for the Xmas Trade. Booklets m great variety and Xmas Cards. The above is the largest and most complete Stock of Books and Fancy Goods m the county, affording the greatest choice, and offered at the LOWEST POSSIBLE REMUNERATIVE PRICES ;l-< : ' ' '^ " ■ : - << School Committees purchasing Bo^ks for priajs Tos aivl Fancy Go ods forschool treats will be supplied at lowest possible cli urges. Inspection Invited. H. M. ~JONES TIMBER. TIMBER. TIIMK. TTfE HAVE JUST LANDED AND TO ARRIVE— Ex " Invercargill," 30,000 ft of RED PINE, BOARDS and SCANTLINGS. Ex "Loui," 20,000 ft PRIME WHITE PINE FLOORING and MATCH LINING. Ex " Wild Wave, 20,00 ft, V.D.L. TIMBER, all Sizes. Ex " Wild Wave," 20,000 ft, 5 and 6ft PALINGS. Ex " Zior," 20,000 ft KAURI FLOORING and MATCH LINING, MOULD INGS and TIMBER. COAL- CoXl-. OOAI/ —NOW LANDING AND IN STOCK— WESTPORT COAL, GREYMGUTH COAL, NEWCASTLE COAL, SHAG POINT COAL, KAITANGATA COAL, MOUNT SOMERS COAL Every Description of Building Materials PAINTS, OIL, GLASS, and BUILDERS' IRONMONGERY kept m Stock. W. H. Collms and Co. TIMBER AND COAL MERCHANTS ASK3Xjß,iroisr The Rojal Insurance Company. f"T^HE wealthiest known Fire Insurance Company m the world, and sti nsuished JL for MODERATE RATES, PROMPTITUDE, and LIBERaLITY. ACCUMULATED FUNDS OVER £6,0C0,0CG, beg"to advise our Clients and others that we are prepared to receive Is for Insurance m the above Company, on BUILDINGS, MERCHANDISE, FURNIiUKE, etc, and GROWING CROPS AT LOWEST BATES. W. H. COLLINS & CO., AGENTS 4ABT STREET ASHBUBTON WHSTwHEAT WHIIAT WE ARE PEOMPT CASH BUYERS Of PRIME MILLING WHEAT at highest market price. We are also prepared to STORE' GRAIN on Farmers' account m our NEW GRAIN STORES, West Street Ashburton, oii favorable terms. Cornsacks and Twine supplied at Lowest Current Rates, R ULL ITT & GO,, CANTERBURY MILLS. OFFICES and STORES : West Street, Ashburton. WE Allß LANDING EX " MILTIADES" and EX "MINYHIVE, 1200 Bales Corasacks, * FULL SIZE AND FULL WEIGHT, which we'offer to Farmers and others at LOWEST CURRENT. RATES. W(e have lor Sale pT J^ TONS PURE MANILLA BINDING TWINE. -j Q TONS MIXED BINDER TWINE (J Manilla, -J Flax;. • Q TONS PURE NEW ZEALAND FLAX BINDER TWINxQ QA TONS BINDING WIRE, white cross brand WHICH WE ARE PREPARED TO SUPPLY TO FARMERS AT LOWEST CURRENT XfcA/riss WANTED FOE IMMEDIATE DELIVERY 10 GOO BUSHELS RYEGEAS3. ■*J« 'U* FRIEDLANDER BROS.



John On* & Co. INVITE fcTHE ATTENTION OF FARMERS To their Largo and Varied Stocks of all classes of Goods, suitable for the Harvest Field. 1000 Bales Binding TWINE, Crown Brand 250 Bales Manilla Binding TWINE Machine Extras and Fittings 100 Cases Binding WIRE, White Cros 100 Cases Castor Oil Leather Belting, l|in to 6in Valvoline and Lubroline Oil Lard and Olive Oil Cylinder Oil Perforated Zinc, 3/32Jto|7/8 Seaming Twine McCormick Binders. The agents of the a "McCormick reapers and binders have just received news of a very exciting trial at Tamworfch (N.S. W.) on Saturday, December 6. The prize competed for was the Society's medal, which was offered to the machines exhibited at their Show ; but m order to have a successful trial they m addition offered a prize of ten guineas, open to all comers. Both prizes were gained by the McCormick, which was awarded the full maximum number of points. This was the first time this season where the winner at any trial m Australia obtained the full number of points under each heading. The McCormick also gained first prize at Stawell (Victoria) beating the Massey, Hornsby, and Deering. John On & Co. Massey-Toronto Light Bindar LIGHTEST IN DRAFT. SUREST TO TIE. EASIEST TO MANAGE. SWIFTEST TO CUT, THE LONGEST LIVED.fI MOST SCIENTIFICALLY MADE Stationary Axle AND Raise and Lower Style 5, 6, and 7 FEET CUTS. Of the latter only very few on hand. £2000 Vorth of Extras m Stock, which wil be supplied to farmers at manufacturer's prices at any time DAY O R NIGH T. FRIEDLANDER BROS THE COMIAI MUM dOMPANY 01IEWJEAH11 (FIRE AND MARINE ) HPHE Business of this Company has JL been TRANSFERRED to the COMMERCIAL UNION ASSURANCE COMPANY, Limited, of London, by whom, through the various Branches and Agencies m New Zealand, all accounts i owing to and by and all losses under the Colonial Insurance Company's policies will be settled m future. F. ALLEN, General Manager. Wellington, New Zealand, December 11th, 1890. THE COMMERCIAL UNION ASSUR ANCE COMPANY, (Limited) Established 1861. Incorporated under Act of Parliament, 7 and 8 Vie, Cap. 110. Head Office : 19 and 20 Cornhill, London , Capital fully subscribed ... £2,500,000 Total Invested Funds ... 2,351,707 Total Annual Nettlncome.., 1,132,239 HEAD OFFICE fob "NEW ZEALAND : Lambton Quay, Wellington. With Local Boards of Advice m Australia and New Zealand. General Manager for New Zealand : FRANK ALLEN, J P. Every description of Fire nd Marine Insurance effected at i LOWEST CUEREJST EATES CUFF & GRAHAM, Managers for Canterbury, Christchurch. Agents for Ashbuktok : FRIEDLANDER BROSS 22



ruplio Notices. \J . _b AWOETT JL/ODDS SURGEON DENTIST, Address :—Couris Chambers, above Mr H. M. Jones, Stationer, East Street, private Residence, Tancred Street, Three doors below Masonic Hall. Irrigation. TUST what is wanted for the country O also a REVOLUTION m the DRAPERY TRADE. Hebe we have it at W. W. Spencer and Co.'s TEE MOST GENUINE Clearing Sale Ever held m Ashburton. Everything Reduced 25 per cent. drapery7^lothing AND BOOTS- Sf-.Men's Tweed Trousers 10s 6d, reduced to 6s lid Men's Tweed Suits 22s 6d Boys' Tweed Suits 5s 3d White Lace Curtains 2s 3d a pair Best French Merino Is 5Jd Stay Busks, all sizes, 2d a pair I Prints 2s 6d, dress length Prints 3jd, 4|d, s|d, guaranteed to | wash Towels 3gd each Washing Muslins 3d per yard Dress Goods 4jd per yard * Boys' Braces 4d. Boots. Boots. Colonial Shooters 9s lid, Bluchers 6s 6d, 6s lid. Women's Strong Elastic Sides 6s 9d Childs Kid Elastic Sides from 2s lid AT I W. SPIIM k t, 'IHE ABCADF TO THE WORKISC MAS OF ASHBJU^RTOF COUNT|Y. LITE WILL SUPPLY YOU WITH ,£ s. d. A COLONIAL TWEED SUIT FOR 18 6 1 FELT HAT 2 6 1 PAIR BOOTS 6 6 1 SHIRT 1 9 , 1 SINGLET, Merino 2 3 1 PAIR DRAWERS, Merino 2 3 1 PAIR SOX, Merino 1 0 1 TIE 1 0 2 5 9 WE don't have bogus Cheap Sales, but are prepared to supply the above goods EVERY DAY IN THE WEEK until further notice FOR 0 A[S H ONLY liAIAPOI HOUSE, MITCHELL Q_. mURNER. ITCHELL <X> XURNER. THE 1101 tilE 111 MARII IIBUUIK COMPANY OF \E \\ ZEAIAM ITU. i _. . ... CAPITAL £2,000, 0 PAID UP « £100,000 RESERVE & REINSURANCE FUND «. £65,000 Geneeal Manager, : W. DEVENISH MEARES E*q. OFFICES ; 172 HEREFORD STREET, CHRIS ICHURCH. Special Features: L'hb ONLY INSTITUTION of its kind having its HEAD OFFICE m CHRISTCHURCH. LIBERALITY m SETTLEMENT of CLAIMS. RATES, ihe LOWEST CURRENT. To Farmem CLIENTS of the COMPANY and others are reminded that all Grain, Stack, and Implement RISKS are taken by this Company at Lowest Current lates. John G-. Restell WEST STREET, ASHBURTON AGENT 1



1 LP>l\ IpP-OM Rivoi-Htlalo, Tinwald, GO ? 2-tooth Ewes, branded two O's conjoined m black. Anyone giving in foriTKilion leading to their recovery will oblige J. R- WILLIAMS, 2+12 Biversdale. Mb F. W. THOMFSoar SURGEON T\ENTIST, URGF.ON UeNTIST, 2LB HIGH STREET, CHRISTCHURCH Hours—lo a.m. to 5 p.m. Having purchased Dr N. A. Nebiey's Dental Practice, MR THOMPSON may jS consulted at the above address. 211 art" needlework, and F\NCY REPOSITORY, EAST STREET, ASHBURTON". MRS ADAMS I S now showing some nice designs m J_ Plush, Canvas, Raised Woolwork, Crash, Arresene, New Shades m Macrame Tinsel Silk, Filloselle, New Transfers, Cords, Tassels, and Fringes, Braces and Smoking Caps ready for working. China, Glass, and Japanese Ornaments m creat variety. Wedding and Birthday Gifts. Agent for Mesdames /eigel and Butterbk's cut paper patterns, and Eclipse Dye Works. Registry Office for Servants. 2 8 STEPHENS "DROS TEPHENS 13 RO S MARKET HOUSF. TO STATION OWNERS, CON TRACTORS, AND HARVRSTHANDS \7t7E have just knded a First Class W Stock of this Season's TEA, in cluding the very Choicest Varieties that money can procure. The Indians are flowery and pungent, whilst the Oeylons are spring pickings with plenty of grip. We have also m China Kaisow and Moning, both of excellent quality. In addition to the abo re we have secured for this district the sole right of selling and introducing the Kangra Valley Co. VfEAS, which have been so highlycom mended and appreciated m other parts of this and the adjoining Colonies. We have therefore no hesitation m recom mending them to our Customers and the Public. We have further been successful m pro curing the agency for this town for Sutton's, of London, FAMOUS FRUIT SAUCE, Cheapest and best m the trade. No Housewife should be without it. All other Goods m Stock of Best quality, —Including— HARDWARE, TINWARE, BRUSH WARE, GLASSWARE, CHINA WARE, HOLLOWARE, CROCKERY, &c. N.B.—All GOODS purchased from us can be returned if not satisfactory, jjJ-^Satisfaction being our Motto. "=^BJ STEPHENS BROS. MAEKET HOUSE ASHBURTON. MR GEORGE JAMESON FOR PRIVATE SALE. £1 \J U Ashburton, all m grass, with five-roomed House and four-stalled Stable. r\ f\ ( \ ACRES at Nowlands. -J jrQpJ ACRES at Wakanui. T.S. 250 and 251, corner of Moore Street and East Belt, on which is erected a well'built Six-roomed House. LOTS 1, 2, and 3, Creek Road, Aiien n, containing f-acre land, four-roomed ouse. A low price will be accepted for this operty ; Apply to GEO JAMESON, Land Agent, Ashburton and Rakaia. ""SATURDAY, 7th FEBRUARY. 12 o'clock. MR ALFRED HARRISON has re ceived instructions from a gentle man leaving for P]ngland to sell by PUBLIC^ AUCTION, -j DAISY CART, NEW Bedsteads, Mattresses, Wash Stands, and Dressing Tables, Birchwood Chest Drawers, Looking Glasses, Carpets, Toilet Sets, Kitchen Utensils, etc. Without Reserve. ALFRED HARRISON,' 2 16 Auctioneer. WM. SPARROW, TAILOE AND MEN'S MERC I R. EAST STBEKT.



MAIL NOTICE The Letter-box will be cleared for de spatch of correspondence from this office to the under-mentioned places, on and after Ist January, 1891, as follows — For Christchurch and North, daily 6.30 a.m., 3.15 p.m., 6.20 p.m. ; and on Mon days, Wednesdays, and Fridays, at 10.30 a.m. ; Chertsey and Rakaia, daily, 6.31? a.m., 3.15 p.m., 6.20 p.m. ; Methven, daily, 3.15 p.m. ; Dunsandel and Burn ham, daily, 3.15 p.m., 6.20 p.m. ; Selwyn, daily, 6.20 p.m. ; Dromore, daily, 6.30 a.m. ; Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, and Temuka, daily, 10.30 a.m. ; and on Tues days, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 3.15 p.m. ; Willowby and Fiffeiton, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 10.30 a.m. ; Lismore, Tuesdays and Fridays, 10.30 a.m. ; Geraldine, daily, 10.30 a.m.; Timaru, daily, 10.30 a.m., 12.30 .p.m. ; and on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Satur days, 3.15 p.m. ; Oamaru, Dunedin, and South, daily, 12.30 p.m. ; Greenstreet and Ashburton Forks, Tuesdays; Thurs days, and Saturdays, 6.30 a.m. ; Winch more, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Satur days, 6.30 a.m. ; Mount Somers, Springburn. and Alford Fordst, daily, 4 p.m., Mayfield, and Ruapuna, Mondays and Thursdays, 4 p.m. ; Wheatsfcone, Ashton, Waterton, and Longbeach, daily, 4.30 p.m. ; Flemington, Mondays, Wed, nesdays, and Fridays, 4,30 p.m., ; New* land, Tuesdays and Fridays, 11 a,m, ; Elgin, Wakanui, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Satur-. days, 6.30 a.m. —Letters containing anything of yatujj should bo handed to the Postmaster to be registered, Letters containing coin, if posted un registered, will be compulsorily registered and barged double registration. £«w»



AVER'S PILLS. Supply the need of a prompt, safe, and reliable family medicine —the standard remedy for diseases of the Stomach. Liver and Bowels. They are easy to take and gentle m operation ; and their pecu liar coating of sugar and other preserva tive materials, with waterproof wrapping, insures them against deterioration m all climates. They contain neither calomel nor any other injurious drug, and for cos tiveness, pick hendiichc, dimness, and bilious attacks are UNSURPASSED They relieve neuralgia, rheumatism, gout and piles, and are of great benefit m colds, female weaknesses, malaria, and all disorders occasioned by sluggishness of liver and impurity of the blood. Un like other cathartics, Ayer's Pills thor oughly cleanse, without weakening, the stomach and bowels. As an after-dinner pill, they prevent DYSPEPSIA and sharpen the appetite ; and they in variably induce natural and heartful ac tion without causing costiveness. Invaluable to travellers, sailors, miners and pioneers, AVER'S PILLS Prepared by Dk. J. C. Aybh and Co., Lowell, Mass, U.B.A. Sold by Druggists and Medicine Vendors.



A IJSTRALIAN MUTUAL PBOVI XL DENT SOClftTl. Established 1849. FOR LIFE ASSUJR AN 0 E ON THE MUTUAL PRINCIPLE. NEW ZEALAND BRANCH HEAD OFFICE-CUSTOM HOUSE QUAY, WELLINGTON. LOCAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS : Hon. Morgan S. Grace, C.M.G., M.D., M.L.C. (Chairman). ! Charles John Johnston, Esq. (Deputy- Chairman). Alfred de Bathe Brandon, Esq. The Hon. uJiward Richardson, 0.M.G., M.U.Li. Nicholas Reid, Esq. ANNUAL INCOME EXCEEDS £1,625.000 STERLING. INVESTED FUNDS EXCEED £9,000,000 STERLING, REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD AS SURE WITH THIS SOCIETY: IT is the ouly Colonial Life Office giving Annual Bonuses, reducing the net cost of Assurance to the Lowest Possible Limit. It is the old largest, wealthiest, and most prosperous Mutual Life Office m the Southern Hemisphere. ITS Bonuses are larger than those of any other Life Office of similar age m ai.y other part of the world. The Society has distributed amongst its members upwards of £4,050,000 m Cash Bonuses, representing Reversionary Bonuses exceeding £8,000,000 sterling. AFTER making unusual ample re serves, the Cash Surplus for division for the year 1889 was £426,494, a larger amount of profit than has ever been realised or divided m one year by any other office of the British Empire. THE Society issued 11,664 New Policies during the year 1889, assuring £3,679,459, with new Premims a mount ng to £133,411. The Society Offers UNDOUBTED SECURITY, LiERALITY, PROFIT ITS investments m New Zealand securi ties are £1,273,514, and all the surplus Branch accumulations are invested m the Colony, thus making it essentially a THOROUGHLY COLONIAL INSTITUTION. BE CAREFUL YOU SELECT THIS SOCIETY, AND DO NOT BE DECEIVED BY THE SIMILARITY OF NAME OF SOME OF THE YOUNGER AUSTRA LIAN OFFICES. EDWARD W LOWE, Resident Secretary. Christchurch District Office, W. H. UERRY, Local Broker, Agency Clerk. H ZANDER.



* LICENSING DISTRICT OF THE " BOROUGH OF ASHBURTON. I HEREBY give notice that the following persons have been duly nominated as Candidates for election as members of the Licensing Committee of the District of the Borough of Ashburton, viz., ROBERT ALCORN RICHARD STANLEY BEAN THOMAS BULLOCK ALFRED HARRISON HENRY MANWELL JONES DONALD McLEAN JOHN ORR JAMES WRIGHT SAWLE JOSEPH SEaLY DAVID THOMAS. And I further give notice that a Poll for the election of FIVE of the above named Candidates will be taken at the Borough Council Chambers, Baring Square West, Ashburton, on MONDAY, the 9th day of February next, commenc ing at 9 a.m. and closing at 6 p.m. CHAS. E. FOOKS, Returning Officer. Borough Council Office, Ashburton, January 30, 1891. 1J173 ASHBURTON LICENSING DISTRICT I HEREBY give notice that at the election of the Licensing Committee for the Ashburton District held by me on 3rd February, 1891, the undersigned can didates received the number of votes set opposite their names :— SEALY, THOMAS 48 THOMAS, DAVID 47 McLEAN, DONALD 44 BULLOCK, THOMAS 44 SAWLE, JAMES WRIGHT 37 CHAPMAN, STEPHEN STBPHENSON 3o GUDSELL, JAMES 32 ANDREWS, GEORGE WILLIAM 28 And I therefore declare Messrs bealy, Thomas, McLean, Bullock and Sawleto be duly elected to the office of Oommitte men for the Ashburton Licensing Districtb. And I hereby appoint MONDAY, the lfifch day of February, 1891, as the day for holding the first meeting ot the Com mittee for till? purpose of electing its Chairman, the meeting to be held at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Ashbiu-ton, at 12 noon, and I further appoint the following days f'>r the meetings of the Licensing Committee for the ensuing year at the same pla«e and hour, 4th March, 3rd June, Oth Bepterober ?Wi 9fc« Dec embei>' F. MAINWARING. Returning Officer. Ashburton, Q February!, 1891. 2§13