Stop Drinking.

" I can't " are two little words seldom used by a man who drinks ; to use them he thinks is u,n evidence of weakness, and so we wonder why, when he quits, he doesn't stay quit;. If we knew a.. 1, our wonder would b,e, with that terrible craving at his vitals, ho is able to resist even for a short time—a craving on which will-power, moral suasion, the plocige, self-respect, have no effect whatever, and which until recently has been an insur mountable bar to reform in thousands upon, thousands of cases. But the time has come 'when that craving can be stopped ! Sure. Just as suie us it is possible to cure a cold. The appetite can be destroyed ; the man placed back, so far as drinking is concerned, just where he was before he acquired the habit. The cure does not destroy the will, but the appetite. Ro he will have to learn to pn]i all over again, and the effort will be so great that if be is worth saving be won't make' it. R. T. Booth's Golden Remedy No. I,destroys thedrfnk appetite R. IV Booth's Golden Remedy No. % is the beat brain and nerve tonic on th s earth. Ait all ch^niis.ts and storekeepers —(Advt). 1(> * Messrs Colcmane cand Sons 5 Egcalypt Extract (manufactured at Mittagong aiid Oootamunrtra, New South Wales) has attained a reputation as a specific tor affec tions of the chest, lungs, consumptions asthma, diphtheria, and a variety of other complaints. It numbers among its patrons Earl J.ersey, the present, and Lord Carring ton late, "Governor of New South Wales, while in Great Britain during the influenza cpedimie scarcely a house or office was syi% out it Messrs Colemane and Sons' whole sale depot is in Curi&tchureh. Sharland and Co. are wholesale ageuts for the Morth

MARRIAGE.

Stitt—Fooks. —On December 21, at Krtikora Hortb. Hawkesßty, by the Rev W. H. Johnston, M. Stitt to Maggijs Fooks.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1892. 1892.

Confidence in the future was the key-note of our review of the year 1891. Hope's flattering tale a year ago promised us an abundant harvest, with good prices for wheat, an im provement in the values of sheep and mutton, and a rise or at the worst no decline in the price of wool. There came early in the year a rude shatter ing of these hopes. The rain which had been prayed for for the previous three years came in the midst of harvest, and not one-fourth of the grain escaped injury more or less serious. To add to the disaster, while the wheat was standing soaking in the fields the London market took an un favorable turn, followed in a few days by utter collapse, and since then, with the exception of two very weak rallies, the tendency of the market has been steadily downwards, and to-day the price of milling wheat is Is 9d a bushel lower than it was a year ago, and with no present prospect of improvement. Let us hope that the prophets who wqre so far out in their calculations last year are equally at fault now when th«y predict a continuance of the present low prices. A great matter for congratulation is the firmness with which the farmers have withstood a shock which would a few years ago have led to a shoal of bankruptcies, but which in 1892 has pissed by without a single insolvency of any magnitude. Wool has fallen about ten" 1 per cent, from the low prices of last December, and though changes in the American fiscal system will in time bring an increased demand and improved prices for our wools, the immediate future is not hopeful. Sheep have once more proved the mainstay of the farmer. There have been fluctuations in value, but of no very wide extent, and for quite ten months of the year prices have been firm, the year closing with values much the same as at its opening. The dairy industry has pjadp ftttle or. no progress in this district, but in Otago and the North Island it has been a source of profit to settlers, and we are not without hope that the next year may see some tangible interest taken in it eyen in the Ashburton county. The fruit eafporfc £rade was unprofitable, and no new phase of th,e great agri cultural industry has appeared to show | farmers side paths to profit. To sum up, the only farmers who have j improved their position during the i year are fchos.e who were fortunate enough to be able to jthresij their wheat immediately after harvest, and wise enough to sell it at once at current rates*; if they also grassed sheep with judgment so much the better for them Those who have come out the worst are ' ikoBQ who put all their eggs into one basket-rgt>ain—and t cnose .to ! become speculators in that risky article of commerce. The great question of Irrigation is, as far as this county is concerned, as it was; but the extensive and so far successful irrigation work* that are being carried out by private enter prise in the Ashley district are sure to lead to renewed interest being taken in the matter in the A-shburton district. The works which have been carried out and others which are in progress for increasing the water supply for the plains nil tend towards the consummation of a complete scheme of irrigation, which will increase | the wealth of the farmers tenfold. The changes in the town during the year have been numerous and great. Two large blocks of old buildings have given way to new, one through a fire which happily did little further destruction, the other through the march of time and the enterprise of owner and occupier. East street will soon be able to boast o£ a line of buildings that will be a credit to any colonial town. Several of ourbusiness men have formed new relations, but the commercial position of the town remains at the high standing which it has occupied for some years past. Among the, changes must be noted the departure of the Revs M'f Scott and Father Ohastagnon, and the retire meat from business in Ashburton of Mr George Jameson, We wish each and all of them prosperity ia their, new fields of labor, and their successors the esteem which they Jvave earned. In the matter of public health the district has regained its normal high position. The worst trouble that has come amongst us is the influenza that lias been prevalent for the last month. The yaw's progress pi the OqUnht

has been eminently satisfactory. New Zealand has established itself at the head of the Australasian colonies in financial standing, and this in spite of many drawbacks and many enemies. The working men find small capitalists who left this colony during " the exodus" are flowing back again, and as they will be gradually enabled to settle upon the land their . return — bringing companions of similar stamp with them—is one of the best signs of prosperity that the Colony could wish for. The Government policy is vindi cating itself. The "new taxation" has proved itself to have been singu larly well considered, and the close approximation of the result with the estimate is an effectual answer to those who predicted the failure of the finance of the Ballance administration. The Liberal Government has certainly not been able to achieve all its aims during the year, but it has done much to establish fairness between man and man in the various relations of life. The Land Act, and the several Labor Acts, the Labor Bureau, the Labor members of the Legislative Council, and the Labor Justices of the Peace, all show an earnest endeavor on the part of the Government of New Zea land to recognise the great principle of the equality of man. The Electoral Bill, which further asserted this prin ciple, and included women in its scope, was not passed, and will be one of the first measures with which the strengthened Legislative Council will have to deal. The Premier's illness interrupted the course of legislation towards the end of the session, and later reports as to his condition were most alarming, but apprehensions have been lightened by the recent satisfac tory accounts of his progress towards recovery. The House of Representa tives has to face the constituencies before the end of another year, and the Liberal party has every reason to be confident as to the result. The obituary of the year did not affect our district very directly, though many who were known and honored here passed away. Sir Harry Atkinson was the greatest of the New Zealand dead of the year. Altogether 1892 has been a better year for the colony than for this district. Settlement in the North Island has gone on apace, and many of our former neighbors are pushing their fortunes there. But this district still holds up its head. Land here has become distinctly more valuable during the year, and than that there are few, if. any, better signs of prosperity. It shows that there are those who, know ing the district, are confident in its future. The outlook might be brighter, but there is nothing in it to make one despair, and we do not think "there will be many sighs in i^esponse to our wish to our readers of A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The San Francisco miil will probably reach Ashburton on Monday afternoon. Mr W. T. Norrish has been appointed piaund keeper at Hinds from December], Mr J. C. Bell, dog registrar for the Hainp stcad Town Boird, will supply dog collars at his office Ashbnrton, The fees for regis tration have beeu fixed at 2s 6cl for bc»i% (ida sheep or cattle dog=, and 103 for othnr dog*. Mr David Thomas has to ley 'y *<-i: ler, uh a seveu years' leise, the farm of Dinder in the Temuka distiicfc—B3o acres of first-da*^ land, ia a high state of improvement, with all necessary buildings, stone dwelliug house, orchard, etc. Mr Joseph Ivess, formerly of this town but who has been five ysars in JNew South Wales, has, we learn, returned to Christ church with the intention of settling per manently in New Zealand It is notified in our advertising columns that an entertainment will .take pkee in the Riverside School on Tuesday next. It .will include a tea at 5.30 p.m. and a concert for which a capital programme hns been pro vided commencing at eight o'clock. The proceeds are to be devoted to the purchase of prizes. The. annual draft of the Cheviot sheep— amounting to 22,500 —will be sold by auction on Monday, January 16,1893, at the Govern ment Reserve, Omihi Plat, by Messrs Pyne and Co., audtjongfrs. Conveyances will meet the morning train from Ohristchurch at Waipawa, and the sale, which begins at 12,30, will be over in time for the afternoon return train. , ; The car horse is being cleared off the streets in the large cities of America. In Toronto as soon as the electric cars were started five hundred horses were dispensed with, and $ coii)gany id New York which now does more and 'quicker work with twenty trolley oars than it did with forty two horse ear 3 has recently sold three hundred and twenty-five horses. The Rev James Hill, for many years I pastor of the J?resbyterian Church, Lyttel ton, and now of Auckland, will conduct service in the As'hb,urtou F-resbyterian Church to-morrow morning and evening. Mr Hill, who is ono of the most popular clergymw in the ciuirch in this colony, has many friends in this district who will be glad'of an opportunity of hearing him once more. A lady who was working for Lord Curzon at the recent -pjnglish elections tella a good story, feihe approached a farm labourer in bho sweetest tone possible, with the words, "You will vote for Lord Curzon, \yill you not ?" and met with the reply, (f No mann, I won't. Fooks tell me c's got a Bill in Parliament to make every rom marry his wife's sister, and my wife's sister would make just the worst wife in our village." Anglers have been busy during the holidays in tho A- eh'ourt6n and other rivers. Mr Shury and a frieiid from Mel bourne caught twenty-two fish from the Ashb.urtou river, averaging about five pounds each, tlv Huston, of Newlands, fished in the Rakaia on Friday, and found sporfc very good. He landed twenty {Uh, weighing one hundred and fifty pounds in all, the largest being fully fourteen pounds In weight The fish are now in good coii 'dition,- ' ; An. advertisement in. another column, bearing the signature of the Minister of I/ands, inyites persons having blocks of land for sale in the vicinity of centres of popula tion in Canterbury, to submit particulars of same to Mr Marchant, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Chrisfcchnrch, with a view to Government acquiring such lands under the provisions of the Lands for Settlement Act, 1892, Areas of good agricultural land arc wanted by the Government for the purpose of subdivision and disposal as town, subur ban, and farm allotments, with a view to extending settlement. "Mechanically stuffed educational sausage skins " is rather a strange designation for persons (says the Auckland "Star") who' have secured academical honors, but that term was used at the meeting of the Board of Education recently by Mr Muir. He was speaking on a motion on Mr Grant relative to inspectors ;being compelled to hold degrees. Mr Muii' said' that ■while he did oofc wish to disparage academical honor's, he Had come to jbok'npon degrees as educa r tional sausage skins filled by mechanical ar rangements, carefully stuffed and stoppered to prevent eacape, fhen labled 8.A., M.A , or L.L.D., and put upon the market. Some wera engaged as teachers, some were sent to the asylum, and others to the cemetery} and another section were let loose upon the,

Some apprehensions have been felt (says the "Otago Daily Times" correspondent) that with the greatly lowered fares for passage from Sydney, through the competi tion of the rival steamship companies, Auckland might be floodel with a class of visitors of au undesirable type, ho tar, those fears have not been realised, though the Charitable Aid Board authorities have been keeping a sharp look out, and nothing worse has happened than the advent of a band of itinerant fiddlers and strolling street musicians, who are probably earning la tnncli better living than any of our artisans, as one Italian string band of three members already here declines to play for less than £5 a night. Hollo way's Pills.—lmportant for the delicate.—lt is difficult to determine which , is the lhore trying to the human constitu tion, the damp, cold days ot autumn and winter, or the keen dry easterly winds ot spring. Throughout the season good health may be obtained by occasional doses of Holloway's Pills; which purity the blood and act as wholesome stimulants to the skin, ( stomach, liver, bowels and kidneys. ; Thusf I celebrated medicine needs but a fair trial to convince the ailing and desponding that it will restore and cheer them without danger, pain, or inconvenience. No family should be without a supply of Holloway s Fills and Ointment, as by a timely recourse to them the first erring function may be reclaimed, suffering may be spared, and life saved

CRICKET.

AUCKLAND V OTAGO.

Auckland, Desember 30. Otago won the Match by eight wickets and three runs.

ASHBURTON V. GERALDINE

(Return).

Tlvj eleven to represent Ashburiron in the above match will be selected from the following ; — Lane (captain), Fooks, Densnire, Todd, Chapman, Simpson, A. Buchanan, Cromie, Kinrig, Mitchell, Pilbrow, Dixon, Price, and T, Sawle. Play to commence at 10 a.m.

ASHBURTON V. TIMARU.

This match was played on Thursday, ard although a defeat has to be scored against Ashburton on the first innings, the second innings of the Hub men was very brilliant, and one that would be creditable to any team. Timara scored 153 in the one innings they played— Pritt 54, Perry 32, aud Raymond- and Cayley 10 each, doing grand work for them. Ashburton's first innings yielded only 47, but on taking the bat a second time some brilliant cricket was displayed. Chapman played a dashing innings for 55, A. Buchanan with fine free play got 39, Lane had to retire to catch the train when be had got 18 together, and G. Andrews and'Dr Withers had fco leave with the same object without batting. But even without these playeru the score reached the fine total of 139

SPORTING.

[white chokek.;] The annual race meeting at Tinwald takes place on tlonday. # The meeting has established its reputation as the best country race meeting in Canterbury, and being this year the only meeting in the province on the New >'ear\s holiday, it will no doubfe be the most successful j the Club has had. The Committee has taken all means to increase the popularity of the fixture, and last night took a step that will meet the complete approbation of the public by deciding to charge only teii per oent commission on the tofcalisator , investments. At the request of Dr j Leahy, the elected Starter for the year, the Committee appointed Mr H. Piper, whose starting at meetings near Christ- j church has been very sucsosaf ul, to aot »3 s^rf^r at Monday's }cc as. Several im pruvjuicii.d iUivo be.;u mild since last meeting, and only a fine day is needed to ensure a very large attendance. The express trains, south and north, will stop at Tinwald.to set down and take up passengers. With the exception of the Hurdle Race the fields will be good. My selections are : — Hurdle Race—Gillie 1. Maiden Plate—Sir Robert 1, Rose hill 2, Maria Martin 3. Tinwald Cup—Aquarius 1, Beau Nash 2, Quibble 3. ■ Trot—Commotion or Fleethound. Weltbr—Frivolity 1, Countess 2, Sir Robert 3. Novel Race—Emerald 1, Oarsmaid 2, Rosanna 3. Flying—Kate Greenaway 1, Warring ton 2, Rosehill 3. The Ashburton Brass Band will play in the Domain during the day, and tlis day's amusement will conclude wilh a ball in the Tinwald Temperance Hall in the evening.

[per pkbss association.]

Auckland, December 30. Only two of Major George's yearlings were, sold to-day. A chestnut filiy by. Nelson - Tenambra for 85 guineas to; George Simpkins, and a tili> by Nelson— TJio Maid at 70 guineas to A. Austin. ;

SCHOOL PRIZE DISTRIBUTION.

WILLOWBY.

Tl>e annual treat was given to the children of Willowby schpol on Tuesday. After a bountiful tea, provided by Mes- : dames Chapman, Low, and McKay, and the senior scholars and teachers of the Sunday School, had been done full justice to, various sports were indulged in, until about eight o'clock, when all met in U)e schoolroom for the distribution of prizes. Mr Chapman, Chairman of the School Cornmittiee, presided. The folr lawing is the priae list :— Standard "Vl.—Walter Gray burn, Kate Fletcher, Eteanor Gray burn. " Standard V.—Herbert Lill, Flora Hor sey, Annie Fletcher, Ellftn Gray. Standard IV.—Annie McKay, Cather ine Jones. Standard IJ. I.—Thomas Chapman, Wini fred Gray, Olive "Davhqn, Betsy Chap, man, Elizabeth Parish. Standard ll.—Robert Frnsby, Maggie MeKengie, Jane McKay, Elizabeth Bell, Agnes Davison, Kose L^ll, Olivia Gray, Emma Williams, Emma Chapman. Standard I.—Goo, Chapman, Arthur Haypian, JPriscilla Dawson ; innie Grayburn. Goood conduct.—Flora Horsey, W,alter Grayburn. Recitation. —Annie Fletcher, Arthur Liil. Sewing prizes.—Standard VI, Kate Fletcher; special, E. CSraybuvn ; standard V, Annie Frisby, Flora Horsey ; standard IV, Annie McKay ; standard 111, Alice Frisby, Annie Parish ; standard 11, Olivia Graj% Lizzie- Bell, Jeanie McKay; standard I, Priscilla Davison. A vote of thanks was heartily accorded to Mr and Mrs Low for their excellent work as teachers of the school during the year, and a special feature of the meeting was a vote of thanks to the Committee moved and seconded by two ladies wh ol did their part gracefully and well- This very pleasant meeting then closed.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(per pkbss association.)

SAMOAN KINGS.

London, December 29. The Countess of Jersey, in a letter in the " Nineteenth Century" de scribes an interesting secret visit to ex-King Mataafa of Samoa, who ex pressed sympathy with King Malietoa, and wishes to be reconciled to the latter.

TRIAL.

The trial of those connected with the Hansard Union Company is fixed for i January 20.

THE "HO WE "COURT-MAR TIAL.

The court-martial of Rear-Admiral Fairfax in connection with the ground ing of H.M.S. Howe on the Spanish coast has been opened. He is accused iof having laid a hazardous coursei Mr War ton, the hydrographer, doubted the wisdom of the course set,

THE CHANNEL TUNNEL.

At a meeting of the Channel Tunnel Company to-day Sir Edward W. Watkin accused the Hon. J. Chamber lain of ruthless, tyrannical, and abomin able conduct in stopping the works when he was President of the Board of Trade, He also mentioned that the opposition displayed by the Duke of Cambridge was incomprehensible.

THE STORM IN THE ATLANTIC.

The Ounard liner Umbria has been ' re-insured at a premium of twenty-five guineas. She was sighted on the 25th inst., in longtitude 28 west, in a dis abled condition, but declined to accept assistance. Other Atlantic steamers are overdue.

CuLONIAL INSTITUTE.

The Council of the Colonial Insti tute are urging the public and middle class schools to give greater promi nence to the teaching of Colonial history and geography.

IRISH AFFAIRS.

An anonymoua letter has been received by the Right Hon. John Morley, Chief Secretary for Ireland, threatening him with murder. Tht British Government are arming the Belfast night police with revolvers. London. December 30. It is reported that Archbishop Logue, of Armagh, will be created a Cardinal instead of Archbishop Walsh, of Dublin, because the latter failed to promulgate an important decision of the Pope in Iriland. Mr M. Davitt, recently unseated for North Meath, on the ground of intimi dation by priests, has been asked to contest north-east Cork, for which con stituency it is said Mr W, O'Brien will shortly resign. .

THE AGED POOR. The Prince of Wales, Lord Brassey, the Hon. J. Chamberlain, Mr K. T. Ritchie (late President of the Board of Trade), and Mr H. Broadhurst, M.P. for Nottingham, are among the mem bers of the Royal Commission set up to enquire into the question of making provision for the aged poor. "The Tjmes" condemns the exclusion of members of the clergy of the church of England from the Commission.

EXPLOSION.

Pabis, December 29 It is believed that the explosion of the bomb at the prefecture of the police was caused by a dismissed police man.

LABOR MATTERS.

Beklin, December 29. Eight thousand miners have struck at Saarbruck, a town of Rhenish, Prussia, situated on the left bank of the river Saar.

GOLD CLAIMS.

Nkw Yokk, December 29. : A fierce fight is taking place over the gold claims in San Juan, a county in the South Western part of Colorado. Eleven, fatalities are recorded. RUMOR OP WAR. New Yokk. December 30, A war is pending between Nicaragua and Costa Rica owing to a dispute over the boundary of Panama. FIGHTING IN MEXTCO. News from Mexico states that General Estrada has joined the insur gents and that the latter are reported to hava defeated 300 Government troops. The United States Govern ment have garrisoned the Mexican frontier iv order to prevent the trouble spreading into the States. MUNIFICENT DONATION.^ Mr Rqckfellew, head of the Standard 1, Oil Company, one of the most wealthy citizens, who in March last made a idonatiqh of £260,000 to the Baptist University of Chicago, 'has made an additional donation of the same amount to that institution.

AUSTRALIAN.

THE PADDINGTON OUTRAGE. Sydney, December 30. At the inquest on the body of the woman Morrison alleged to have be<m , maltreated by a band of larrikins in Paddington, the coroner's jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against a person or persons unknown, MR RUSKIN. Adelaide, December 30. Mr Ruslqn, the historian, has re turned to the colonies and announces his intention of permanently residing in Australia.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Wellington, December 80. Mr McLean, ' Government* veterinary surgeon, severs his' connection with the Government service afc the end of the year. The Stock Department is send ing to England for two veterinary surgeons. One Is to be stationed in the North Island and one in the South Island. They will bo required to, travel j through their respective islandls, in vestigating all matters connected with the diseases ri stools, and., giving information to farmers upon thenu An Order-in-Council has been signed vesting the Kaihu Valley, railway, north of Auckland, in the Rnilway Com missioners. The order will take effect from the first of the year. At a s»le of land, in the Wanganui and I Wairarapa districts, under the new Land; ; Act the. area disposed of was—Wharita- Wbclc I,''1,'' 3000 acres (two applications); Otaihakapua Whangawhariki, 3600 acre* (eight applications); Otaraaioho, 3536 acres (one application) Managai Cold; Greek, 3/440 acrts \t-yelvo applications).. The t^j'ai arpa disposed ;qf wag 11,93^ acres, the price ranging from 2&a to 3'fa 6dper»w«i i

The San Francisco Mail

PER PHESS *SSOCIATIO>. Aucki,a>D; DeceJiber 30, Arrived—Moriowai, from San Francisco

GENERAL SUMMARY.

The cholera has not disappeared from England with the col] weather as was expected. A fierce bati le with the plague next summer is looked "or. Mr Labouchere unearths another bopus society of science and letters, similar to the International Society of Science, Literature, an<! Art, the council of which included Sir Gilbert Campbbll, recently convicted of swindling and sent to Drison, and other notables. The poisoner Neill had t murder , record on both sides of the Atlantic. He poisoned six girl* in London. Reports dated December 9, a month after the beginning of the great colton lock out in England, say that matters are no nearer a settlement ihan at the begin ning. Perfect order prevails throughout the district, but there is a fearful amount of suffering. Forty tl msand non-union "till hands are idle through the same dispute, with no treasury to draw on, and their condition is pitiable. The new Duke of Marlborough, who came of age in time to step into his father's shoes, is the kind of young man who is accustomed to have his own way. He is passionately fond of riding, and does not allcvr such a little thing as the death of his father to interfere with his amusement. r A prospectus was issued by Hon. Cecil Rhodes on December 8 for a Company having a capital of £500,000, the shares to be allotted. Of this sum £140,000 Is set aside to provide for the construction of a cible to Uganda. At the coming session of Parliament the Right Hon. Jamas Lowther will introduce a Bill providing for the slaughter of all foreign cattle imported into Great Britain at the ports at which they are landed. It w stated, apparently on good autho rity, according to a London despatch of November 23, that Mr H. J. C. Oust, the Conservative member of Parliament for the Stanford division of Lincolnshire, is tne real buyer of the "Pall Mall Gazette," or is at any rate to direct and edit it. Mr Oust has had little or no experience in journalism, buc has long been regarded by those that know, as a coming man on the Conservative side. The " Pall Mall Gazstte" sneers at the Yankee details and exclusive information concerning Gladstone's Home Rule scheme as sent from London to the American press. Representatives of the associated press, London, had an inter view with Herbert Gladstone on Nov. 30, who siid the despatches were unworthy ot notice, were a mass of lies, and con tained their own most effective denial. The receiver in the case of the widow of Charles Stewart Parnell has given out a statement concerning her bankruptcy Her liabilities are stated to be £7431, aud her assets £4825. She has an interest in £21,000 invested in consols, and although she is interested in. the Parnell estate, it, is doubtful if she will get anything from this source. Mrs Parnell has offered her creditors t^n shillings in the pound. She admit* that she has a net annual income of £900.. The Blackwater river in County Cork, Ireland, overflowed its banks on Nov. 21. The adjacent stretches of country were inundated for miles. The town of Fermoy was in darkness, the gas works being submerged. A house at the base of Clardoamih mountains was swept away and ?he occupants drowned. A specimen parcel of cotton, alleged to have been cultivated in South Russia has been received in London. The cotton is said tohave been raised : from American seed in the province of Kherson. FiXperts declare that the cotton is equal to that of American produce. Prince of Battenberg, in the Royal Navy, has been appointed Naval Adviser to the Inspector Jreneral of fort works. The post is a sinecure and adds £800 to the yearly income ot th« Prince, The London " Finnancial News," of November 14, thinks the long expected boom in American railway shares may come at any time. Ammican speculators, it declares, have not yet grasped the potential sources of the traffic expansion that will be afforded by the Columbian exposition. There i > nothing extravagant in the estimate of 250,000 dollars''of foreign money being left in America as the harvest of the Exposition. America will be literally burdened with money seeking investment. A corresp3ndent of the London "Times" at Ferrul, Spain, wribes thac the wreck ing of the battle ship Howe was entirely due to the inaccuracy of the Admiralty chart, which was supposed to be correct up to 1875, It was'found by sounding to be entirely unreliable. - ' A crowded'national federation meeting was held in Dublin on November 15. A majority of the McCarthyite, members of the House of Commons were present. The meeting adopted a resolution favour ing the immediate introduction and steady prosecution of the Home Rule Bill; denounced the Marquis of Salis bury and Mr i alfour for their impudent attempts to discredit the Evicted Tenants Commission before the investigation was well begun, which showed that tlxo 1 Unionists feared the result of the enquiry. Resolutions in favor of a liberal measure 1 of amnesty and continued support of the claims or evicted tenants were also, passe/i. T. P. O'Connor, John Dillon, VV. O'Brien and Timothy Healey ad dressed the meeting. Leading French vignerons strongly op pose the introduction of American vines into France. They assert that wherever the American vine is introduced phyl loxera appears, and that the vine will not thrive. Magnificent alterations are to take place in the Boulevardes ItaHens and the adjoining streets in Paris in view of the gr^at exhibition of 1900. . It was reported in Paris on November 27 that Baron Hirsjh blew off his right hand while hunting with a party of friends on his reserve at Acreas. ; A vessel which recently entered an English port reported that while passing the Cape of Good Hope heavy icebergs were sighted, upon one of which the bodies of four men were seen. The captain of the vessel conjectured that the corpses were those of sailors belonging to the Madiera, a British barque bound for FacoQiba, which h»s been missing for some time. It was supposed 'she had'gorie among the ice and been' abondoned, the crevr'perishing on the ice from cold and hunger. MKS MA.YBRICK. Jft ia learned, says'a London despatch of December 8, that Sirs Maybrick, wh^q is in W eking prison j Liverpool, on a charge of murdering her husband, is critically ill, It was thought sho was dying, and the last sacrament was admin istered. She made a last confession as a dying person, and decla ed she was inno cent of any immoral act or deed, and was guiltless of any act against the life of James Maybrick. She had several hemorrhages of the lungs, which left her so weak that if they occur again she will probably die. She had been suffering from hemorrhage, for six weeks. She has petitioned the Home Secretary to release her from prison before the disease becomes incurable. • < . '<;■ \,- '.. THE JfISSING WORK CBASSB. Tho missing word competition pro moted by the penny weeklies is noy th_e rage in England, ■jhe editors print a paragraph with the last word, usually an adjective, miswng. They invite their

THE ASHB UIIIV >JS G U AUDI AN : S ATTTKI) A V DECEMBER 31, 189^.



F.»E- THE HOLIDAYS G. J. NBTLL and OO's SPECIAL PRICES FOR THIS MONTH Ladies' Caahmerette Hose, double knee, 10|d Ladies' Cashmere Hose, Is New Fashionable Dress Goods, 3s lid a dozen Wonderful Value in Summor Dress Tweed, b|d Value'from Is 4d Black Cashmeres and French Merinos, all pnces Wonderful ValueJiom to 5a 6d per yard All Wool Flannel, 7|d per yard i Flannelettes at 3s 6d per cozen ' Good Heavy Twilled at s^d , Leather Shirting, Swansdown Back, at 7fa perfrard Washing Prints, 3s lid per dozen A special line of White Muslin, 4|d Pongee Cloths and Delaines in most beautiful patterns CLOTHING. Men's Colonial Tweed Suits, 23s 6d Men's Serge Suits, 22d 6d Men's Tweed Trousers from 5s lid Boys' Tweed Suits in endless variety Men's R'bbwl Cotton Pants, Is 6d Men's Colonial Knit Wool Socks, Hid per pair Men's Regatta Shirts, 2s lid Men's Strong Braces, »d per pair Boys' Strong Braces, 4d per pair. BOOTS. BOOTS. BOOTS. UNMISTAK.EABLE VALUE. Ladies' and Children's Tan Shoes, a specialty Brown Canvas Shoes, all sizes Men's Bluchers, 5s 3d %sJ*£. SSffiki lldUKip S ho*,r 3 , p-A «* Uj,« '- 1* 6d sizes »t very low prices. G. J. NBILL and 00: FRIEDLANDER'S BUILDINGS, CORNER OP EASI * MOORB SIPISBIS. SARBLEY BROS. At Low Prices. EVERY ARTICLE OF OUR KEW STOCK WARRANTED. TN Calling Special Attention to the Large List o! DRAPERY, CLOTHING I and NOVELTIES in MILLINERY, described from time to time in these Columns, we wish to Impress ON ALL the following : -Ist Every Article is Warranted to give SATISFACTION, and if ever a person receives anything that don't suit, they can return it to be exchanged, or they can have the money returned if they so desire. 2nd -All the Goods will be FIRST-CLASS of the Newest and Most Desir abie Stylet, and the Prices are Much Lower than such articles can elsewhere be obtained for. 3rd __We deal in NO SHODDY GOODS whatever, and all who Order of US may be SURE that they will receive the BEST. SnsX^tr'cXwe arl enabled to SELL our Goods for LESS 35555 than others, thus giving our Customers the advantage, Those who want GOODS should ;end to US and Save Money. Just Arrived—A Splendid Assortment of iVten's and Boys' SUITS. SPECIALLY FOR CHRISTMAS WEEK. HARDLEY BROS., AKCAUK HOUSE, BURNETT STREET, A SHBURTON. ~ ~~ s . SALEK'S NEW JEWELLERY ESTABLISHMENT. ! ffltTt? « AnV Ti?TOVNT HIGH-OLASS STOCK IS NOW OPENED UP. S T?Ftwk hS B todraJ?E-attention of the Publfo to the fact that having SALfiSuplißShopin first-class style, he » showing a Stock which for • 2Si npwest designs oompares favorably with any in Ohrwtohuroh. ouallty, price, »»d »? W™C £ m ß eet the requirements of the Ashburton District in W b^clTof the Jewellery Trartt., and is showing a Larger Stock than has ever V3L fc^SJgetnd unique Stock specially suitable for .a -dp^^NTS y WEDDING PRESENTS, 'BIRTHDAY PRESENTS, AND XMAS PRESENTS, TESTIMONIALS. r n \A and Silver Jewellery ot every description. TTTF WATCHMAKING AND JEWELLERY REPAIRING IHUi WAium DEPARTMENT i l •« ik arrangements, and additional assistance having been obSr^tome^ may rely on having their work done promptly and •twfMtorily ■g. SALEK, WATCHMAKER AND JEWELLER. """nito^ Factory. FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON. ol • „ Hie Largest and Best Assorted Stock ot MEN 8 W " SbS!'SIaS in^uno,,. , n • i <■■ rr TT-i^ Gente' Ties in endless variety Cents' Tennis and Cricketing mra Gents' Silk Handkerchiefs Gents' Tennis and Cnckoting Marts fche lates( . ghapeg Oents'Tennis and Cncketu,, Baches SHOES AND BOOTS. BOOTS AND &HOE&. md qq Gents' Tennis Shots [ oi^idren's Tan Shoes Cents' Canvas and lan felioei ■ Ladieg md Genfcs » Slipper g nts' Walkiug Shoes [ _ ■ CLOTHING OKPAETMENT. : T-,,it of Clothes should visit tire CLOTHING FACTORY. ThOM -;t"j^;"XS»B°^i°f °oi°"w ™ed for 9s M n,« wUh J w a °f "le WTOtheim S6"inS ■ HALUWBHHH BKOB. J. HKNMg, Itop. " TrnTn Tknoi rFd>fl I COLBKAHB AS» SOJT KHCAI.WXB EX ; X H'V JJvoV J- Via j tkact is the only genuine in the market, j tvt aiTiw xxTi yrt n and was a warded medals and diplomas at IN THE WORLD Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, beating ' n^^ 7 m^ n all competitors. For all affections of the II YSIOI>S CeyflOll. ehesta»dLun^s, Consumption, Asthma, mCwheiSet 01,iifit,h«cch/ JAnßWiaoiiPwaOwiw-.



Wanted' TjßlMlTlVE~Meclio'Jist Church To- L ■Wight.—Coffee Supper 10,30 p.m. Tickets 6d each. Watch Fight Service afterwards. _^J?^ i"3'UIMITIVE Methodist Church To- Morrow— Morning, Mission Band; Evening, Rev. J. Cocker. Subject- Launching Out. Strangers invited, 12 22;! \ 17EH'..EYAN Church, PaikigWquare W Preacher for To-morrow, (New Year's Day), Rev. S. Lawky. Morning Subject— "Looking Backward." Even ing—" A new start with the New Year. TO be successful, plant-, out now, Ca !) bage, Cauliflower, Savoy, fo*il. all' l Brocoli. ■- I. Whittington, Kermode street. 12»* HlTGospel of the Grace of God will be preached at the Orange Hall on Lord's Day evening half-past six,.D.V, TITAKTED Known. —Just opened a ▼ lot of Ladies' Dorothy Capes, now selling at 12s 6d, usual value 20s fco 42s. —H. C, Segbrs, Melford House. WANTED— Purchasers lor Bargains in Summer Dresses, Prints, and Delaines, Sunshades, &c. at S. W. Aloorn and Co's Sale. WANTED the Public to know that S. W. Algorn and Co|s Summer Sale is now on. Great Bargains in Millinery, Underclothing etc. CiHRISTMAS FAIR now open, very f thing new and cheap. Come and see for yourselves.—The New Shop's, Colenmn's Buildings : 12 771 WANTED Known—lee Creams, Ice Creams, for the hot weather, always ready at H. G. Flower's, Confec tioner, Eadt Street. SOMERSET MearMarti ""ThVoYdest, the largest, the best, and the cheap est. Small Goods a specialty. Full weights guaranteed. A trial solicited. — VV. J. SILOOCK. 4t182 WANTED Known.—High class Dress Goods, latest patterns, now selling under wholesale prices. Special line of double width stuff 6d and Is, less than half price. —H. 0. Segers, Melford House, DON'T let the rain water destroy your buildings. Get Spouting fixed at 4d per foot and buy a tank, complete with tap, tested before leaving workshop, for 30s, at J. W. Hardley's. JELLING OFF Bocks, Stationery, |O and Account Books, Fancy Goods, Music, Violins, Accordeons, etc, Fire Screens and fc'tove Ornaments, all at Reduced Prices.— v, F. Andrbwes & Go. WANTED Known—New Flannelettes at extraordinary prices ; 3s lid »nd 4s lid doz. Thirty per cent under price.—VV. H. Collier. WANTED Known that S. Salek, Watchmaker and Jeweller, has removed to new shop near New Zealand Clothing Factory- 10 213 WANTED Known—Dr Scott's cele brated Electric Corsets can only be obtained in Ashburton at W. H. Collier's, "The Corner." CHRISTMAS Suits. Boys, three \J garment long Trouser Suits at 15s. Boys, Uolomal-made Knicker Suits frjin 10s. Men's nicely made Colonial Tweed Suits 30,. Colonial Tweed Suits to measure from 50s.—Ashburton Clothing Mart. Saunders' Buildings. Rojjbrt Alcorn, WANTED Kuown—We are now giving HW»y Beautiful Presents to every purchaser of 5a and upwards. Uomeaud see our bitrgains in Drapery, &o. —H. C. Segers, Melford Hnuae. __^ CfTHY not Bake your own Bread when » » you cm get 501 bs of the Best Roller Flour for fire shillings cash or nve shillings and sixpence booked at Robert aloorn's, Sauudetvj' Buildings. 11 ol DON'T Forget the Borough Bye-Laws re Carr age Lamps, and that Hardle . as large Stock <>n hand, also a large assortment of Tinware and Iron mongery, Scythes, Reaping Hooks, Hay Knives, Forks, etc., of best and all at lowest possible prices. J. W. Hardley, East Street, Ashburton, T3EAR in mind that jTwTHARDLEy, JD Plumber and Gasfitter, East Street, has the largest Stock in town of Pumps, Pipes, and Fittings, and that he is selling them cheaper than e.yer at prices hitherto unbeard of in Ashburton. £Jow is tV.e chance for a cheap Pump ; improved N.o, 4. Price, 16s. Larger sb.es in proportion. "\TEW YEAR'S GIFTS.—Card, Book i-1 lets New Games in great variety. Beaut fullotof Vases, FancyUlassware, and Fairy Lamps. Boys' and Girls' Annuals, and i.ther new Volumes. Prize Books al reduced prices. JNew Birthday Reward and Weddni? Cards,-L. F. ANDREWES & CO-, Stationers' Hall. (TrllSD Kuown—ThaTX Moibon I W keeps lhe best stock of Boots in Ash^rto»f tor fcllis roason that he paya cash' find f" »«t under or bound to »ny one firm like ni^«T in the trade, which j enables him to procure .*nd supply the j public with the Best Colonial and Anglian makes ; and his wuli-kuown make neSda no recommendation. Always on hand Best Sole Leather, used for repairs and done at once.—J. Moison, Impermeable Bootmaker, Town Hall, East Street, next Court House.



i^£A.li^ PHITICKS. ;; .' Mails close for the following places as under, subject to the necessary alterations : SAT QRDAY, December 31. For Northern "Ports*, pet Penguin, at: 620 p.m. ; late fee letters, guards' van, express train, at 6.55 p.m. TUESDAY, January 3. For Australian Colonies?' per Taieri, at 6.30 a.in WEDNESDAY, January 4. For United Kingdom and Continent. o\,' Europe, via Naples, Point delGalle, India, China, Japan, etc., and also for Australian Colonies, per express (to connect with s^s. Mararoa at Port Chalmers), at 18.30 p.m. Due in London on February 21. For South America, United Kingdom and Continent of Europe per Wakatipu, (to connect with s s Doric at Wellington), and also for northern ports of New Zealand, at G. 30 a.m. Monday, January 2, will be observed as a holiday by the Post and Telegraph Depart ment. The Ashburton office will be open from 9a.m. till 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. till 8 p.m. All mails for North and South will close ac O 3O a.m. ENGLISH MAILS. HOMEWARD —DIRECT MAILS, Ruapehu sailed November 24, due London January 4. OUTWARD—DIRECT MAILS. Tongariro, sailed November 14, due December 30. OUTWARD —SAN FRANCISCO MAILS. Next mail leaves London. December 24, due colony January 25 NEW YEAR'S DAY. There will be no issue of the Guardian on MONDAY, January 2, but Advertise ments for Tuesday's Mail may be left at this Office between seven and nine p.m.



THe B<SSt"Tea ; [N CANTERBURY for the money, and free from any excess of astringency. COUNTESS 3s. Am ypya e»QQWi