MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close for the following places •. 1 under,subject to the necessary alterations — THURSDAY, December 15. For Northern Ports and Westpbrt, per Takapuna, at 6.30 a.m..

ENGLISH MAILS.

aOMEWAKD—DIKSOT MAIM. Ruapehu sailed November 24, due London January 4: OUTWARD —DIRECT MAILS. Tongariro, sailed November 14. due December 30. OUTWARD—SAN FRANCISCO MATLS. Next mail leaves London November 26, due colony Decembei 28.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1892. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Messrs J. W. Sawle (Tmwald) and John Lambie (Kyle) have been appointed Justices of the Peace. We congratulate both gentle men on their appointment. At a Volunteer parade in Dunedin recently two or three men had dirty slings and belts. The satirical remarks of Colonel Fox made their ears tingle. Captain Edwin reports that there are strong indications that there will be heavy gales from the southwest with much colder weather between the 15th and the 17tti inst, and that they will be experienced throughout the colony. The following team will play for the Ashburton Cricket Club on Friday next in the match against the St. Alban'a Club :— Lane, Denshire, Dixon, E. and A. Buchanan, Simpson, Chapman, Fooks, Mitchell, T. Sawle, and Cromie. Emergencies—Kings well and Cuthbertson. Mr Hooker, a son of Sir Joseph Hooker, the famous naturalist, is at present visiting the colony on behalf of an English syndicate to examine the tin ore at Stewart Island and the localities where it is found, JVr Hooker is a specialist in mineralogy and mining- A number of gentlemen are about to form a Club for the purpose of collecting information as to the mischief done by the bot-fly, and publishing the particulars from time to time. Mr Berry, of "The Pines," New Brighton, will receive the names of those who wißh to join the Club. The use of the word " local" in the letter referring to the delay which in some places occurs in paying school teachers' salaries has led to an impression that one or other of the town school committees was referred to. This is not the case : certain country districts were referred to. The town committees do not retain the money a day. We are requested to remind those who are about to post Christmas cards that in order that they may pass at book rates of pastage the envelopes must not be closed : but left open, so that the contents may be ; inspected. If postad with the ends only | partly cut those for places within New ' Zealand will be charged the deficiency and sent on, and those for places beyond the colony detained, and scut to the returned letter office, Wellington. A^out a year ago a young woman named Valentine recovered aftains£ an Invercargill resident named M'Killop for breach of promise qf marriage. The damages were never paid, and recently M'Killop became a bankrupt on his own petition, District Judge Rawson being of opinion that the debtor had filed simply to avoid paying this debt, gave, leave to continue the proceedings against him under the Imprison ment for Debt Abolition Act. The "Belfast News Letter," in a recent issue -ia3 ftn articl. e on fche public career of the Hon the Premier. It eulogises the per severance, {energy, and industry by which Mr Ballance has attained the very honorable position which he now occupies. As Mr Ballance was educated at the Belfast Model School, and afterwards served his apprentice ship to the hardware business wjth a Belfast merchant, it is not unnatural that a Belfast jonrnal should chronicle the Premier's suc cess with some feelings of pride. In suggesting to our member, Mr Wright, that certain blocks of land suitable for settlement would ihortly be available if the propersteps were taken tosecureth.eiufqr that purpose, we by no means implied that he was neglectful of the interests of his constituents in "this matter. We may mention that within th» U«t few months, on Mr Wright's representations, Educational Reserve, No. 1551, South Hinds, was sub.dii.idpd and let t s r*U fcoldere instead of one large holder. fSalUng fc shouiu' X -ttWivided will have Mr Wright's attention. The following story, from the report of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to ChiWren, is terrible in its tragic irony:--" A little girl of five, who had been tortured by her father and mother by being tied crucifix wise to the foot of an iron bed' stead in the morning with her face to it, and then beaten from the neck to the heels, in her one thin garment,, with a buckled strap, and in the evening turned and tied again with her back to the beadstead in the same fashion, and then flogged with the same strap from the throat to the knees; in the morning being left all day, and in the evening &H night, this child in the new home te wtujshj after imprisoning her tormentors, she was «e<i£ by the society, on seeing a crucifix, slowly, solanyijjr said, ' I was once like that!'" In the course of the Arrowto* n slander action at the Dunedin Supreme Court it transpired that on one occasion the wards man at the Arrow Hfispifal, in the absence of the doctor, undsrrook the sptting of a fractured leg. The wardsman, an .old sailor, admitted that he had never tried to set a leg before, fcut that after waiting some hours ho tackled it, »nd, as it proved, set it properly. When the case was closed and the parties were waiting for the verdict, the defendant's counsel, Ut J- P. M. Fraser, asked the witness referred to hdv on earth he managed to do what is commonly supposed to demand surgical'.Bgjll, end he got his answer with sailor-like pro^pift^s- " Well, you see," said the wardsman, <ri giveVf the natient half a glass of brandy, took half a gias? of brandy myself, had a buck at it, and the job was done.' When it was announced that the future boolkyorm n^gbt literally "live" on his booij: when binding in trjpe became general the sfcatemeot was l*o do^bt taken as jocular. wSSw, Dr J X, Taylor, F G.A/F.JJ S, in his notes oii popular science in the '•Australasian" of November 12 says " As an article of food the days of tripe are likely to be over. It has been discovered that when tanned and dyed it makes a leather exceeding in sottae** q,fjd beauty the well-known morrooco. This tfipp leather can be split like ordinary skins, and the spongy part then makes a durable, soft and lustrous article, admirably suited for bags, purses, and other artideSi Xfcere is frdi» IMP t-9 29^ oi tr'P e forming tne stomachs oi +iiiwn#»t animals, so that, especially in the great eatp}§.-s}aughterfng countries a new industry ought to spring ■ up. ": "■ Mr Seffern, of the "Taranaki Herald,' has received the following autograph letter fiiu> the Marquis of Salisbury, which refers to liis visit fco tfey Plymouth in 1852 :— " Hatfieid House, Hatfield, I«.erts ; October 14 1892. Sir—l have the honor to acknow ledge your letter of the Bth September, and to thank you very much for the intimation that you have forwarded to me your History of a Colonial Newspaper, with the first num ber of the »' Taranaki Herald." I have a lively recollection 'of my arrival from the Manukau iii the little vessel you mention, which, as far as 1 remember, was jif LWrtyrtwo tons burthen." The half-deck formed a very cold and wet bed during the night's naWgP down the coast; bnt: the dutiful yiev of Mount E.gmonfc wan ißfl're thai) (compensation fcr tjie discomfort. ~ "— * tut* yours very truly, oAfciSjßUßV lia-u... "-^-fH.. £■£«," The London W. H. J. »>.!*.. J^ October al<o "Daily News" of the iu<" -^ contains a leading article on " lhe History , of» Cvhaml 2few»p»per." j

ROAD BOARD.

MOUNT SOMERS.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Board was held on December 5. Present — Messrs Peacho (Chairman), Hood, McMillan, and J. Harrison. The Overseers' report was read and considered. The road to the new wool-scouring works, Mount Somers, was ordered to be repaired. Mount Somers Station Road.—The Overseer reported having measured some loads of shingle on this road, and the smallest was four feet less than » yard, and according to the specification this would b»» the average for the whole con-I tract which made a different of 100 yards. Resolved to only inflict half the penalty as it was the first case, but for the ' future the full penalty would be endorse.. Fox's Road.—'l he overseer reported i i that Mr Fox wanted about forty chains of this road formed.—Left with Mr Hood and the overseer to inspect and report at next meeting. VVinterslow Pack Track —The overseer was instructed to imprbve this track in tho riverbed near Mr McMullen's. Correspondence was read—From the Ashburton County Council, agreeing to the shingle pits on the Mount Somera Tramway jTieserve, on condition that the Bjard fence them. —Agreed to. From the same, re exchange of shingle reserve 1823.—The Clerk was instructed to iorward the required information. From Mr W. Morgan, asking permis sion to take water across the old road near the South Ashburton bridge.— Agreed to on condition that a proper crossing be made to the satisfaction of the Board's overseer. From the Charitable Aid office, en closing a list of recipients of aid, and re questing that the same be allowed to be open for inspection »t the Board's office. Agreed to. In connection with this the Clerk was instructed to write to Mr Walker that it appeared the funds were spent out of the district, and judging by the list a very small portion comes back to the district, and to ask if there is any remedy by which the County Council can control their own fund*. The Clerk was instructed to write to the Commissioner of Crown Lands with respect to the land sold by the Alf old Pstate Company, as several of the rate payers had refused to pay rates, on the ground that the valuation was more than the land cost, and to ask what was the Board's remedy in the matter. Tenders were opened for forming and shingling on the Mount Somers Tram way Feserve Road; also for repair* on the Ashburton Main Road ; and in each case it was left with the Overseer to arrange with the contractor at a price. Ihe pay sheet, amounting to £120 9s sd, was passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.

MOUNT HUTT.

The usual monthly meeting of the Mount Hutc Road Board was held on Thursday. December 8. Present—Messrs Browne, Murdoch, and Drumuaond. In the absence of Mr Cameron, Mr Browne was elected chairman for the meeting. . It was decided to call for tenders tor repairs to the High bank road. |t was decided to pay Mr D. Quinn for work done on the Bridge road, and allow him to give up his contract. Consideration cf the following works was postponed to a fuller meeting : -Re pairs to roads at Mount Hutt, formation of township roads, Holmes' road, and a storm water crossing on H&le'd xoad. Mr J. Devery's and Mr J Stack's con tracts not being started, and being much over time, were cancelled. The clork was directed to draw the it tei.tion of the County Engineer to the water races blocking the wat«r tables on roads, and to the overflow from the waste charnel at Mr Harding's. Correspondence wa3 read from the County Coqncjl re payment for transfer of reserve 1009.—The matter y?** lo.i iv the hands of the chairman., From the same covering a definition of the approached to a bridge with reference to the Ralkaia Gorge;bridge, from the Survey Department. From the same coveripg a popy of letter frqm Mr MacAvey, re payment of water rates from third*.—Tne clerk was in structed to reply showing the amount ac crued on Mr Macavey's land in the hands of "th,e Ijan4 department,' Frjni the Laftds Survey P^eparfcinent, asking for further informatiqn re petjtio^ of Alaoavey and others.—Tlie clerk rea4 his repW Which was approved. From th« Ocmmissioner or Crown Lands, asking for information re proposed expenditure of thirds.—The cletk had given the information. Messrs G. Chambees and, J. Black wrote complaining of stqrm flrftter 01* Barber's road,—Tb* sjerk was instructed to forward copies of their Htejm to h,e County Engineer, Mr Chambers was granted pprmissjon to occupy the Board's shingle pit on th.§ Chertsey roa<?. A rate of one sixth of a penny in the U for the year ending March 31, 1893, pay able in one sum on February 1,1693, was struck. Recounts to the amount of £253 11s Id were "passed fpr payment.

SOUTH RAKAIA.

At the usual monthly meeting of the South Rakaia Road Board there were pre fjnt Messrs Lyttleton (chairman), Lambie, tiingtellow, Coster, and Richards^ The GJerlj's ren6rt was read^ and^ con sidered, The Clerk was instructed to forward fpaj notice re rates to Messrs Morro wand Dowlipg. Messrs Loughrey and Lane wrpte to the effect that the Board could proceed ftt any time to enforce (he law for clearing gorite off roads. • The Clerk was instructed to have the foot path from Railway Hotel levelled. ■" Messrs Lyttleton, Coster, and String fellowVer"* appointed to inspect Tancred street, and the Üb»ir»Wv*« authorised to have anything done on the ro.ias Where required. It was resolved to metal the road near the Parsonage. A nurnbgr of applications for alterations jbo'the roll 'were, ftsc&vfg ajjd were granted, $pd jit was fesof ved thai ia iuturg all persons put on the rdjll ghpuld be notified.' ' * j£r J, frwin peceiyed peraission to cut grass on **>'•*! W?d.pr £he usijal conditions. The JB.N.Z. Estates. tio&'?pijnjf wrote je r questing that e.ll notices for rates fee fi>jf r warded to Mr A. M, Clark, Temuka. Attended fco. The Clerk was }rtstr4c|;gd t>g have the boulders' picked off Qardepers road and put, in the pit. It was reeolved to pi? »• »""?' *°» account of his contract. .On the motion of Mr Richards, seconded by Mr Li<#bie t it was resolved that in future all new works should be passed by two members and the Clerk. Mr Sheehan's tender for reforming Baker's road was accepted at 7s 6d per chain. It was decided to call fresh tenders for forming Mitcham road. Recounts for £98 6s 9d were passed for payment, and the members met on CEMETERY ?USINfc?S. After passing accounts, Mr Coster stated that he iptended moving' iii the Council to the effect that all Cemetery Boards in the county be subsidised. The meetyng then terminated.

An Operatic Visitor.

MISS FLORA GRAUP3NER.

I Ashburton was favored this weok by » I visit from a rising young cantatrice in the person of Mian Flora Graupner. The, young lady is a member of Williamson's Royal Opera Company, and was the guest of Mrs Henry Zander. Miss Giaupner isftot wholly unknown in Ash burton, having been here with the Stanley ana Darbisliire Juvenile Opera Troupe several yews ago,—in the heat, it will be remembereJ, of the Alford Forest diamond fever, when Mr Stanley, the , head of the firm of musical caterers, who 1 was also an expert in precious stones, ] was almost but not altogether convinced nf the genuineness of the diamonds that Mr Jitoobsen had discovered. Miss Miss Graupner is but twenty-three years of age, and few public singers have achieved the success that she has done in her short life. Her first appearance ou the.etage was in pantomime at seven years old, and at ten she was taking a leading part in comic opera—"Josephine" in "Pinafore," being one of her chief .characters. It was in this character that i she scored a brilliant success in Ashburton. I After leaving the Stanley and Darbishire combination she went into regular musical study and voice training under Madame Simonsen, and.it was under her auspices she came out in Italian opera. Miss Granpner's " Marguerite " in " Faust" is quite a brilliant performance, and h«s earned for her high commendation from press critics. She was for two years with the Bracey Opera Company, and her ability as an actress, together with her superior mezzo-soprano voice, robust but sweet withal, and telling, attracted the attention of Williamsou'a manager, and so we find her on tour with that company, and winning goldtn opinions from all sorts of people. • Miss Graupner is quite captivated with Ashburton, and only re grets that we do not possess a hall of sufficient holding capacity to induce Visits from the larger companies that are so often compelled to pass us on their tours. Owing to the limited capacity of our largest hall popular priceu will not repay a visit, and high prices do not admit of the crowd being present. Miss Graupner j looks longingly upon Ashburton as a I possible place of future residence, and i hints that sooner vr later a nunber of Melbourne lady artistes will be on the look out for suitable places in New Zea land in which to settle down as profes sional music teachers and concert singers.

CHERTSEY SCHOOL.

! INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The following is the report on the Cheitseyschool,examined November 1:— Pass Subjects. '

Percentage of passes—s3.B. Percentage of failures—lo % Marks. Class Subjects. (0 to 100) Grammar ... 45 History 60 Geography ' 65 Elementary Science, Object Les sons, etc 55 Total „. 225 Percentage on class subjects—s6"2s, Addtxiuixal Subjects. Marks ' (0 to "20) Repetition and recitation 14 Drill and,exercises ..,. .., ... 14 Ringing (Upper classes only) ... 12 Needlework (Unfinished ) ... JO Subject-matter of reading lessons... 14 Additional market ... . 64 Staff—Mr D., Thomas, Todd, master, Standards 3—Q ; Miss M. Todd, F.P 4, Htai^dwd§ai ]Uan,dP. w / " " Remarks'—Tl^e preparatory classes ai^d Standards 1 and 2 are to a very large P£|;ent exgeilent in the work professed or prescribed. Their preparation is highly creditable to the pupil teacher who has taught them. The upper classes are also good. The programme has been faith folly carried out, the qualities of the subjects are generally good, and pleasing eyiacnc.es pi intelligence are sho^n by a good proportion qf IbV children.—W. J. Andbrsqn, Inspeptor.

SPORTING.

ASHBURTQN TROTTING OLUB,

SPRING MfiETIKO.

I The following acceptances have been received for the Trotting Meeting on i Friday :— j Maiden Handicap, of 15 soya; 1$ ! miles.— lolanthe lOsec, Forester 14sec, I Hibernian 11, Shanks, Vagary, S.P.D., ! Glamour, Maggie lVlay, Geordie ISsec, ! Sedgley Maid 2Qaec, Boston Girl, Tommy 1 23sec, Alyth, Corafte, Taipq $?pep. 1 LAOMHOji HAsifpAp, (harness) of 2(| soys'; t^ro' miles.—Lady Jane scratch, Victoria it Ipsec, Rocket \t SUec, Sf.M. Fleethound 37sec^ Dj,iTRiOT IJahdioap, of 26 soys ; two Kkileu.^Miss O^veeoratobj.Barney O'He» 12sec, lolanthe JJSseo, Humbug 97rect Forester 38seo, Rocket 42«ec*, Hibernian 11, Vagary, Glamour 43sec, Taipo 53sec. Ashbubton Handicap, of 40 soys; three miles.—Mount Joy 15sec, Bridal J|!oee 25sec, Louie 35sec, Miss Molly, RockefcllSijsec, J^oet^n Girl^ Fleethound 05sec ; Selling Handicap, (saddle) of 20 soys ; one mile and a half.-lona scratch, Shanks, Julia, Queer Fellow, Whangs, Geordie $ses, Tohimy 7sec, Coi-alia lQsec. ' Electric Handi/^aV, (eaddle) of 20 soys'; one mile.— Miss Oaye scratch, I sjdy jane ?sec, Barney O'Hea 7sec, Hpmbug, Miss Molly. Rocket #.' 19sec, Ropkefc Siisec, Bogron pijet, Flgethound, Maggie 1 May 22sec, SaraV (poiiy| %s.e»}. ■

Additional Mail Items.

Burglars f .weed an entrance, October < 20, into the residence of Mrs Rylands, the purchaser of the famous Althorpe, library, arid sacured £2000 worth of jewellery, . t I Queen Victoria has become expert in Hindostanee, and talk* - to the East, Indian servants of her household in that language. Her tutor says she knows the language more thoroughly than'the Sul tan of Turkey. The Irish newspapers are urging the i claims of Irishmen to the $> >et laureate-; ship, and suggest that Aubrey Thomes De ] Yew or Timothy Daniel Sullivan are qualified to occupy the post. The Duke of Marlborough, " the wild , Duke," as he was called, was fund dead in bed at Blenheim Palace, on th« morn-' ing of November 9. His widow was formerly Mrs Hammersly, of New York, who spent nearly her entire private fortune restoring Blenheim, which she found almost a ruin at the time of her > marriage. . - | . Mr Lahouchere proposed in " Truth," ' of November 2, an heroic remedy for the depression in the agricultural industry of ! Great Britain, He says h_e_would allow every parish to appropriate the land of non-occupying owners, giving them a fair price therefor in Tillage bonds. The land thus acquired should be let to tenants by the parish. At a meeting of the North of England Liberal Association, November 3, a figni ficant demonstration of discontent at Gladstone's Home Rule policy was made. Lord Northfield, who presided, an nounced that he resigned the presidency of the Association, saying that the recent Conservative victories in the by-elections were due to the objections many Liberals entertain for Home Rule. Hon..Charles Tufton said he would not contest a seat against the conduct ot the Liberal leaders. The meeting decided to send a strong protest to the National Liberal Federa tion. Mrs Benjamin Harrison (nee Caroline Scott), wife of the President of the United States, died at the White House, Washington, D.C., en the morning of October 24, at 1.40 o'clock. This is the aesond death of a President's wife within the walls of the official building. Mrs Harrison's death was the outcome of an attack of la grippe during the winter of. 1890-91. Deceased lady wq» daughter of Mr Harrison's tutor, and they wero married in October, 1852, neither of them being over twenty years of age at the time. Anew disease, brought from Japan, called the ; • bori-beri," has appeared in New York, and is' worrying the doctors. Under itß influence the whole body be comes numb, and the motive power is in a measure paralysed. A strange feature of the disease is that it attacks young and vigorous people. Delicate and weak constitutions do not seem to invite it. Dr Henry A. Slade, whose career as a spiritualist in London and Australia is well-known, was taken to the Sanatorium Hospital, Sioux City, lowa, November 12, suffering from nervous prostration, bordering on insanity. He is without money, and utterly friendless. Reuter telegraphs from Three Rivers (Quebec;, October 10:—" Much indigna tion has been aroused here by the publication of a report sent to Washington by Mr Smith, the American Consul, in which that official makes free comments on the alleged unqleanliness of the French Canadians, On the facts becoming known Mr Smith's residence was sur rounded by an infuriated mob, who broke all the windows. The City Council and the Local Board of Health have united in requesting the Dominion Government, to demand Mr Smith's recall. The Consul's report lays stress on the alleged diuiike of the people to wash in winter, as it <le« clares that 'as a defence agaiq&t hunger and cold the French CaqaHfrn pins hi* faith, to &. crus faxeoua integument, and like Hindoo Fakirs, believes in the holi ness of dirt.' The American Consul at Montreal has received orders from Wash ington to hold a,n enquiry into the matter and make a report on the subject to his Government,'*

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

[PEK PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

QUEENSLAND SEPARATION.

f^OKDQM, December %3. A leading member of the Queens land Separation League declares that he has been assured on good authority that there is not the slightest prospect of the Marquis of Ripon, Secretary of State for the Co]on.ies, granting sepa^ ration to the colony until the , Imperial Parliament have again dis cussed the question} and that it is very unlikely the Cabinet will entertain the i^ea ntjxt session, Aj^otbef member of the league considers it undesirable that a deputation should wait on the Marquis of Ripon until all parts of North Queensland have expressed a desire for territorial separation, as the affitation at present is too local.

THE SILVER QUESTION.

A letter in the "Financial Times" states that in the event of the Mone tary Conference'in Brussels failing, Melbourne speculators fear that silver, will be unsaleable,' and then there would be a forced sale of Broken Hill Broprietary shares on the, "market. the 1 price of &ares wo^Td thus b> greatly reduced, but the facts d|d nqt justify a panic, as whatever the result of the Conference might be, the move ment of silver was confined, to narrow limits! It add* that the prospects of thto Proprietary mine were never better, and the closing of small mines would prove an advantage, The " Daily News " csonsjdsrs it absolutely certain that the Oonlerenoe will result ia failure. Bbrijh, December 13. Addressing tfie Reighttag, Count yon fjaptivi, ths pHaj}cello,r, sta|ed that Germany waa satisfted with the present system of coinage, ancj was nqt brepape4 to make any sacrifice qwjng jttthefajlfffs^verj " ;

POISONING AT GARNEGIE'S

W^siitNOTOir, Deoetpbor I§. Dalgiel'p Agency publishes a tele or&m stating that the 000k who sup o ,■_,"■ : ; '-»■ J«»»o»r«it at plied Carnegie s irte *— Homestead poisoned their food, the result being that forty aim are dend and sixty others in a dying, state. The cook "and nine others have been arrested. The strikers are 'said *° have promised the" cook five thousand dollars to poison sufl&cient hands to compel the tnilfs to be cfosed. An ac complice informed the manager, and it is further stated the cook has confessed.

BY-ELECTION.

Lp^noN, December 12. R Esslemont, fcilwtfl V.F. f °f East Aberdeen, having resigned, another flection took place wijfcfr in Mr Buchanan {Glad*tonian J-il?eral) defeating Oolonel ? ? Ruwell (Unionist) by a pajority of 1326-

IMPERIAL PENNY POSTAGE.

In commenting on the llmpsjrial penny post, the " Daily Chwmkile'j congratulated .Mr Arnold % Morlcyv Postmaster-General, and Mr J. Hen niker Heaton, M.P., for laying the first brick of the building of federation, and on their prompt and oourageons meeting of # popular demand. The Post Office denies the truth of the " Chronicle's " statement that the Government will shortly adopt an Im- Derial Dennv Dost.

BUILDING SOCIETY FRAUDS.

James William Hobbs, of J. W. Hobbs and Company, Limited, builders and contractors, arid Henry Granville Wright, solicitor, have been charged with forgery in connection with the Liberator Permanent Building and In vestment Society, which recently sus pended payment. Bail was refused.

MR GLADSTONE.

Mr Gladstone will spend the winter in Biarritz. France.

THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

The Committee of the Imperial In stitute are urging the Agents-General to expedite the shipment of colonial collections. .*..«?«»

THE CABLE TARIFF.

The Agents-General to-morrow will sign the cable agreement, providing for a 9d increase in the cable terra, to commence on January 1, without, the consent of the Indian Government.

AUSTRALIAN.

WEATHER IN VIOTORJA. Mslboukvx, Detamber 13: Remarkably wld weather baibeen i experienced the past few days throogh i out the colony. The harvest prbfpeejbi in gome part are gloomy owing to damage oauied by gale*. ";' •'

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Auckland, December 13,; At a meeting of those interested in its* establishment of classes for technical abd general instruction, it was resolved fo form an organisation with that object, to be called the •• Auckland Working Men's Association." m Wetuwreoir, December 13. After a week's interruption, throoih traffic on the Wairarapa line has been resumed. The Minister of Public Works proposes to ask Dr Lemon to furnish a report with a view of haring the. parliamentary library and departmental buildings lit by electricity. . . . At a meeting of the hospital trustees the reports showed that for the yea* ended November 30 the number of wut patients treated was 2883. The trustees expressed the opinion 'that the number was out of proportion to the needs of 4hs> community, and the house committee were asked to bring up a report on M* matter. .-. . v A shop, d walling house, and stable, a* Trenthvn, belonging to Mr Frank Paul, was destroyed by fire at noon to-day. Tha body of Henry P«ul, aged four, son of the occupier, was found among the ashes of £ he.£sk- n^JoiMngh3tt^ope«pidl by William Thomas, was also destroyed, The modified proposals of tha Midland Railway Company now in the hands of the Government consist in the propose tion that the Government Hhoald jrivi £850,000 m bonds for the lead grant and guarantee 3 per oenfeum on a loan of £260,000 to complete the work.: ' tVI Blskhsu:, December 13, " Mortality stitt cont«nnes amonmc the Maoris at Hitaroa. .lames Honaa died from typhoid fever last night, This makes about the sixth within three or four months at the same, vises. Two others are at present down with the sssfe fever, and are in a precarious condition. Influenza, is very prevalent in Blenheim, there being many eases in town, from which one young man succumbed on Sa'.urday. •-."' mL n , Intbrcaroi^l, Deoember 12. f The Bluff Harbor Board to-day resolved to reduce %11 ehanres on aoods and ship' ping by 10 per cent, beaming on the nt.f^January. The remission is equal to £1200 a year, and the ComniitWe recom mended that a further deduction be con sidered twelve months henoe. The Boavd have at present about £6000 per annom clear for expenditure ou works.

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS.

[PKR WtBSS ASSOCIATION.] :, ScftwlMtlC. ' ''' \ Auckland. December 14. fv A meeting of the City School Commit-! tees passed resolutions disapproving ;flf,'. the proposals now before the Board -jajt'V Education, making teachers, fodguig frivolous complaints against inspector* liable to dismissal, and making country school service coinputaory in caadidttes for appointment as first assistants in town. The motion before the Board feoommending that control be handed over to local oommiUees, and Boaids of - Education abolished is not likely to be carried. • . ( , - ■-- ■ , . ,<■ ■<■ MI«1«b« ■•llwsy. ' - V ' WnxiHGTOv, December U. \ A tull Cabinet meeting will be held > f early nexb week to consider tiie proposab ':■ : made by the Midland KaUway Company f;l At a paeeting of the Hy^t .Conner Council, the opinion was- expressed that that body, and' others siiqroly^enMiav. stkncad would soon be for^jnto smjanr, a «peoiar r§te for charitable* a^d, Se ■> Council's present' contribution: '? for tha -. purpose is at (he rate of £SQO a y«ar f whigh is said to be more than oan bt.'C"' ■pared. , ' Xaslveaaa. Vr r ., DuNKpiN, November 14.'';.. All Supreme Corirt bosiness has beon - adjourned till next sittings. :

COMMMERCIAL.

(PKK P*MS AfifloClAMpij)' ■ '■'. Lp.NppN, December pi: At the wool pnoeii *re r but the tKWQetUioti \s »grjr good, e?cep| for heavy interior aiortfij. •; f T December IS. The Tasmani»n<>dvennpent are pkcJDfl t-he^r Trewurj bjUs aafeiaftotorilv.

The Commission of the Peace.

ram iMOOuno*.] VVeLXiNQTON, December 14. The fall list of Justices on the Com mission of the Peace, including tk« munes of the new Justices will be g«ett*d to night. The JuMtioes in the various pro vincial district* numbef as follow*;-, Ota*o 417, Auc*Wn* 406, Catoterftary 301, Wellington 238, H«*k©?» U»y 100, . Tar»n»ki 97, Nelson 87, WtoUmd ?3, Marlborouafa 54. Th« following we tyft new Jußtioes of the ?eaoefor o«»»©t bury: -W. J. B*lU»ger, ChH»tohahoh ; T. Dwyer, Lyttelton; G, H Gr»l>Mn; Wain»»te ; C. M. Gr»y; ChmtchUrch ,W.; J. Hardie, Hook ; f Umtne, Kjrte ;• .% If. Lun^on, j.'Q.' Mfjriok. Waihao; W. J. Neats, tit llhaiwi Qi^ O'Jf*Hey, Chatin^ Cress; J. R. son, Kaituna ;IR. G. Rex, OJcain's Qky • F. Sundford, M.H.tl,. ChcUtchoroh ;\J. W,S»wfo, Afhburton; H.^.'Spnte

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FoR THE HOLIDAYS. G. J. NEILL and CO's i SPECIAL PRICES FOR THIS MONTH. Ladies' C*shmerette Hose, double knee, 10£ d Ladies' Caalunere Hose, Is New Fashionable Dress «ood H , 3s lid a dozen Wonderful Value in Summer Press Tweed, 6fcd v ||y . . j Black Cashmeres and French Merinos, all prices WonderfulJValu* fiom is «a to 5s 6d per yard All Wool Flannel, 7£d per yard Flannelettes at 3a 6d per dozen Good Heavy Twilled at s|d _ Leather Shirting, Swansdown Back, at 7£a per yard Washing Prints, 3s lid per dozen A special line of White Muslin, 4id Pongee Cloths and Delaines in most beautiful patterns, CLOTHING. Men's Colonial Tweed Suita, 23a 6d Men's Serge Suits, 22s 6d Men 1* Tweed Trousers from 6s lid Boys' Tweed Suits in endless variety Men's Ribbed Cotton Pants, Is 6d Men's Colonial Knit Wool Socks, llfcd per pair Men's Regatta Shirts, 2s lid Men's Strong Braces, 9d per pair Boys' Strong Bwces, 4d per pair. BOOTS. BOOTS. BOOTS. UNMIBTAK.EABLE VALUE. Ladies' and Children's Tan Shoes, a specialty Brown Canvas Shoes, all sizes Men's Bluchers, 6a 3d . sizes at very low prices, G. J. NEILL and CO: . FRIEDLANDER'S BUILDINGS, CORNER OF EAST * MOOR* STPEETS. HARDLEY BROS. WILLJHOLD A GENUINE CLEAKING SALE OF Drapery, Clothing, & Boots, COMMENCING SATFBDAX, DKOBMBER 3. "O ■* FOB PABTICCLARB AND BEDUOTIONS SEE HAND-BILLS. HARDLEY BBOS., BURNETT STREET. <"" " ~ New Zealand Clothing Factory, NEW PREMISES, EAST BTRKI3T. N«w lies w, and shoe DEpARTMENT> * . i • «,« «^..lr you will be convinced as to Cheapness and Quality. %?%£^&^*^ MAchin3Blo be had on theTimeP^ment Zealand Clotftlny Factory. HALLENSTEII^ BROS. ALEX. HENDRY, Manager. ~" " & SALEK'S NEW JEWELLERY ESTABLISHMENT. THEKAaNIFICENT *™«^™^^^^ SSALKK begs to draw the atten ion Sfcock for . fitted up his Shop "JJgJ^jSS Lorsbly with any in Christchurch. quaHty. price, and new«t dewgnH re uirementß iho Ashburton District in Scry* X* of* £TjisltaJ mSli "^ ?S sh°Wing *I^" B^k l!?an hM CVer bofore been seen in this Vl*}*"*' . . Sfcrck spe cially suitable for —ir^ 7wJSdiSo Ssmts. Wthday prksents, and Mm , nU RIM i additional assistance haying feeen „ . now complete in ito "™X ™\*ri* their york done promptly and obtained, customera way r.iy on » •atißfactorily s. salek, WATCHMAKER AND JEWELLER. " TVlttO TXpSlt rFf>(i \ COIJSKANB AND SO C EUCALYPTB Ex JL /It/ JLJfjOv M Kjvmi ) TRAOT j s the only genuine in the market, rv tup Wr.Tir n and was awarded medals 3nd diplomas at IS JJiu vruwuL Sydney, Melbourne,and Adelaide, beating mm A «»^, r/ttinn all competitors. For all affections of the ■■y»IOP * Chest and Lun^S; Consumption, Asthma, NI^HN H^SLOP, ane CO., Ooußhs, Colde, Gravel, and Kidney Com- Te* Importer* Points, ib has no equal. Agente m #«1»«1 *^e^ OJiiici'dmrch. Aot»v»io» Pwg Coy" -



Wanted LOST on Tuesday, from Hampstead, a Bay Hack Mare ; white nose. Finder rewarded on returning to R. Meaclkm, Hampstead. 12 101 HRISTMAS and New Tear Card?, Hand Painted, Jewell* <, Patent Irradiant Cards, Ghaate and Pretty Book lets, Packets Cards from 6d upwards,— H. M. Jones. 12 39 OOKS, Books, now landing from London, excellent selection and value. School Committees very liberally dealt.—H. M. Jones. 12^0 ':\ r"MAS Graphic and London News, ,/X. Jockey Jatk, A. Nineteenth Century Gladiator (Sullivan), The JMun's Curse <*nd Idle Tales (M.va Riddle), A Prodigal's Progress, and other JSew Books.—-L..F. Andbkwks & Co. 12 41 W. ANTED Known—lee Creams, Ice Creams, for the hot weather, always ready at H. G. Flower's, Confec tioner, East Street. SOMERSET Meat Mart. The oldest, the largest, tha best, and the cheap est. Small Goods a specially. Full weights guaranteed. A trial Solicited. — W. J. Siloock. * 4t182 ELLING OFF Bocks, Stationery, and Account. Books, Fancy Goods, i Music, Violins, Accordeons, etc, Fire j Screens and Stove Ornaments, all at Reduced Prices.— U F. Andbewes & Co. HY not Bake your own Bread when you cau gee 50iba of the Best Roller Flour for Eve shillings cash or five shillings and sixpence booked at Robert asjoors'b, Sauuders' Buildings. 11 31 ANT~ D JSLnowln—Great Reductions in Dress Goods. Beautiful assort ment to choose from. A line at 5a lid ; usual price 12».—H. C. Segbr*; Melford House. , . WANTED Known—New Flannelettes at extraordinary prices; 3s lid and 4s lid doi. Thirty per cent under price.—W. H. Gqluzb.. WANTED Known that S. Salek, Watchmaker and Jewsller, has removed to new shop near New Zealand Clothing Factory. 10 213 WANTED Known—We are now giving away Beautiful Presents to every purchaser of 5s and upwards. Come and see our bargains in Drapery, &a. —H. 0. Skgbrs, Melford House. V/fTANTED Known—Dr Scott's cele » » brated Electric Corsets can only be obtained in Ashburton at W. H, Coimbr's," The Corner." /CHRISTMAS Suits. Boys, three \J garment long Trouser Suits at 15s. Boys, Colomal-made Knicker Suits from 10s. Men's nicely made Colonial Tweed Suits 30*. Colonial Tweed Suits to measure from 50s.—Ashburton Clothing Mart, {founders' Buildings. Robbkt JUpom- ' ;, .__,' ■ ' DON'T let the rain water destroy your buildings. Get Spouting fixed at 4d per foob and buy a tank, complete with tap, tested before leaving workshop, for 30s, at J. W. Harvey's. WANTED— Purchasers tor Bargains in Summer Dresses, Priijts, apd jf^iil^ta, Sunshades, *c. at S. W, Aloorn and Co'B : Saie. ■ - ____-, WANTED the Public to i«*»W that S. W. Amorn and Co's Summer S-^e is now on. Great Bargains in Millinery, Underclothing etc. WANTED Known - J usfc purchased a line of High-class Dress Goods at * Great Discount. Will be sold cheap. See windows.—H. C. Segers, Melford House. ■^ DON'T Forget the Borough Bye-Laws re Carriage Lamps, and that H^UDiiBY has a large Stock on hand, also a large assortment of Tiny/are and Iron mongery, Scythes, Reaping Hooks, Hay Forks, etc., of best quality, and alAt io^ P^ible prices. J. W. Habdlby, Eftst _ BEAR in mind that J, TT; Habplby, Plumber and Gasfitter, East hpeet, has the largest Stock in town of Pumpa, Pipes, and Fittings, and that he is selling them cheaper than ever at prices hitherto unheard of in Ashburton. Now is the chance for a cheap Pump ; improved No. 4. Price, 16a. Larger sb.es in proportion. R" iiuiLplNG Sale.—Men's JSO. 3 Vests Is, Men's be3t Colonial Tweed Trousers 7slid, Men's best Colonial tweed Trousers and Vests 12s 6d, Boys and Youth's Tweed Trousers 2a lid, Men's Leather Shirts 2s Sd, worth 4s 6d. The whole stock will be slaughtered as the premises are to be pulled down in Februaiy.T-ANDBEwORB. 1L 109 TTTANTED Known—Rebuilding Sale, IT peal French Merinos, guaranteed, Is Is id, and Is 6d, all colors. Prints 23* per dojzw, Silk Lace Is per dozen, Double Width Vtenoh Dress Goods Is 6d, former price 3s 6d, Lase Curtains 2s lid, Towels 3d each, lot Umbrellas I* 01, Sunshades la 111 and 2s 6d, h»U price, Muslin Embroideries 4d, worth is,- Andrew Orr. ll XIU "t\T ANTED Known—Th«fc J. Moisosr VV keeps iho best stock of Boots in Aahburton, for this reason that he pays «ash *n4 id not under or bound to any one firm Jik# m*ny in the trade^ which enables him to pro^ufa and supply the public with the Best Colon*4 W. 4 gag^h makes ; and^his well-known make ne^s no recommendadon. Always on hand Best Sole Leather, used for repairs and .done at once.—J. Moison, Impermeable Booit«ak<Btv Tpwn Hall, East Street, next Court House, ' ,- AMiRRYTHRIs'f MA §. gplendid assortment of Cuyds, Booklets, and S'oUVeiiira to* season IB9M New Games in great variety. Beautiful lot of Vases, Fancy Glassware, and x•* lts Lamps. Boys' and Girls' Annuals, and other new Volumes. Prize Books at reduced prices. .New Birthday Reward and Wedding Cards,—L. F. ANDREWES & CO., Stationers' Hall.



»top Drinlcingr. ■— 1 . # . .. -—- " I can't " are two little words seldom used by a man who drinks ; to uae them ho thinks is un evidence of weakness, and so we wonder why, when he quits, he doesn't stay quis. If we knew all, our wbndep yould he, with that terrible craving at iiis yitfjls, ho is able to resist even for a shdrt time— a.Gjra^pg on which will-power, moral suasion, the pledge, self-respect, have no effect whatever, and which until recently has been an insur mo«n|tej#o bar to reform in thousands upon thousands of cases. But the time has come when' thjlt '.Graying aan be stopped ! Sure. Just as suie p» jt 1,3 'naiui ble to cure a cold. The appetite can bp destroyed j the man placed back, so fer as drinking js just where b a yas before he apqvired tha habit. The cure 4°®* nofc estr°y tne >^^v fc ie t §0 he will have to' leayn to app. - -*r- again, and t^e effort wi}l rink ail o.- - - <« wotrfi gftvinn he be so great that if tits.~ ■*»>« QoldgH won't make it. R. T. 8001.,  Remedy .No. 1 destroys the drink appetite B. T. Booth's Golden Remedy No. 2 is the best brain and nerve tonic on th s , earth. At all chemists and (storekeepers -(Apvx\ JO*U



Ciiack^t£l4< and Digestive Bispuits for Inyalida arp unsurpassed^ Mado by AT^t-SBEQOB AND Cf). TO MAKE Nicest Ssones, Nicest Pastry, Nicest Cakes, •--.»* «'gSyl|-Raipir« Floor. Au-i.- ~*»<!^jjtf ,



Hp\v Sajpq Usi)»RSTOQp French f^mn !)»h to the runaway negro on thp raft, 1 "Jim, what'd you say if 'twas said to yoa <t, 1 *■""-" ♦' " (% Woaldu't say ' Parly-vouß-ii*u«>j , ••'- nuffin. I'd just bust him over de ear ; 11 an wasn't a wite man. 'Low no nigger to call me dat.' Finn says the words only mean, "Do you speak trench?" Jim inquires, "If they mean that why don't they say that?" Dr Forest says, in "Health, the New Method," we might make similar in quiries of the professors of Massbtherapy; but he goes on to explain massage, rubbing, and its beneficial result* so that }t might even enter the skull of the densest negro; and his masole«roller and other new methods are invaluable. An edition of his book, much enlarged, is published at "Truth-" and "Health" Publication Office*, I^o, Tuam street, Ghristchurch.— [Advt.] The ifest Tea IN GANTBRBURY for tl>e an 4 free from any excess of a^trihgehcy. COUNTESS 2s. 1 AbK YOV» O^OQBBH,