MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close for the following placas ■< ■ - nder,»uhj«ct to the necessary alterations — THURSDAY, December 15. For Northern Ports and Westport, per Takapuna, at 6.30 a.m..

ENGLISH MAILS.

HOMKWAKD—DIR3CT MAILS. Ruapehu sailed November 24, due London January 4. OUTWARD—DIRECT MAILS. Tongariro, sailed November 14, due December 80. OUTWARD—SAN FRANCISCO MAILS. Next mail leaves London November 26, due colony Decembei 28.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1892. MR REEVES' SPEECH.

As one of the most able men in the I Ministry, Mr W. P. Reeves is looked 1 to, when he delivers a public address, 5 for an interesting speech. His address to his constituents cannot have dis appointed them in this respect, and we regret that we cannot give the full re port of the speech. Mr Reeves' narra tive of the history of the colony during the two years that haye elapsed since the General Electionfwas a brighter tale than New Zealand politican has been able to tell for many a year. He claimed that though the Opposition had two years ago predicted the finan cial wreck of the Colony, the total destruction of industrial prosperity, and the repulsion ot all foreign and other capital, none of these predictions had proved correct; but, on the contrary, there never was more satisfactory pro , gress made, and so far from the Go vernment being afraid that their esti- I mates would not be realised they never i saw more reason for confidence, and they had reason to expect a substan tial surplus. Mr Iteeves was able to dispel any uneasiness that might be felt upon the "influx," amply confirm ing our recent remarks on that sub ject. Every town dweller will be glad to hear that Mr Reeves has pledged himself to re introduce the Shop Hours Bill next session in its original form. The success of the Government's Labor Legislation had been demons trated, as also had the justice and fair ness of the taxation system. Mr Reeves justified the appointment of working men Justices, on the ground that it was most desirable and neces sary to associate every class of the: community in the administration of 1 justice, to make every class feel that it was on the side of law and order. The announcement that the Government had determined to provide land for settlement in both North and South Islands is highly satisfactory. The defects of the present system of school inspection were recognised, and teachers and committees will be glad to know that Mr Reeves is determined to legis late OP the truancy evil. Mr Reeves, remarks on the drink and gambling evils gave evidence of his > interest in social questions ; and his review of the successes and failures of the session was a powerful vindication of the Ministerial policy and attitude,

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

# * # The Guardian will go press at 1 p.m to-morrow, the Anuiversary of Canterbury Province, Important official announcements of Crown Lands open for selection are to be found in o#r advertising columns. A '• Leap yPa* sqcial" h advertised to take place at Wakaniii l^ain scljdql to morrow evening. Tha Will's Suprise Party arrived in Ash burton by the morning train from th,e south, and will perform in the Oddfellows' Hall this evening. A guileless Chinaman in Western Aus tralia, charged with assault, convulsed the court, judge, constables and onlookers by, when asked his name, gravely saying "M® Patlick O'Blien." Another injustice tp Ireland. Jn Cape Colouy the negroes are coming' into citizenship 96 fist that the people haye raised the property qualifications for votes from £25 to £75, and the voter must be able to write his name and address clnarly, Mr Charles Burton, formerly steward of the Ashburton Club and recently of the Victorian Hotel, Christchurch, advertises that he has entered }ntq possession of the Occidental Hqte.l, Latiij-e/ squaj;e, Chqst church. There is no more comfortable house in Christchurch than old " Collins' Hotel," and no doubt Mr Burton will have'many visitors from his old Ashbu'rton friends. At tbeß,!»si, Cofjrt th> momlng -«Mf C A. Wray, R.M., on the' be»oh~Dayid Amos wan d's niPßed on a charge of having had an untendtd cow on the street; T. E, Kil worth was cautioned against riding a bicyole qh J/jje footpath; and two boya were lectured iqv letting off crackers on the etieet. W. de Coniiptcjn was non suited in I a case in which he sued Jfelson fpr E\ for tresnaes on a section belonging to ar^ absentee. The British pauper is becoming fastidiour According w a Soij-th Londou contempoiary one of the regents j n a workhpuse 911 ih>» south side of the Thames has sent a lettgr to the gnardiaos whp haye charge of him inti: mating that he desired their permissipu to change bis religion, A* present he is v member of the Ohurgh of Knglaiid, bub he had discovered a flaw in one of the Tftirty* nine Articles and therefore wished to be* come a Komuu Cjitholic. The guarJiaus gravely considered the matter, and decided fchat the thing could ouly be done by con sent of phfi Local Government Board. The applicant was fcheretore referred to the gentlemen at Whitehall, At a meeting of the Amateur Atjjletie Association, on Tuesday evening, applioa. jbion was received from Mr L. "Broad, a member of the C.A.A.0., for pevmisaiou to compete hi'a JFire lijrigadc'competition at Aaifburtqn en T^pxing Dxy, and saying lie would opjy a trophy. The secretary was instructed tp >yrite saying the 4ss43'a" tioh were unable tp grant permission, as i^ was contrary to th« i'ales. '1 h*3 is a ycry unfortunate decision for the brigade as fireman Broad had been practising iv the competition team for three months and it s^ll be difficult if not impossible to till bis place"so >,eai' ths fjsture. We believe the Athletic AssopiatJofV ppinij' amateura to compete ajb the Fire ijrigade 4^<iclatiqi» meeting but not at sports meetings. " rp he * e -.oDening services in courieciion witli the Weslcyan fihorcb, which baa been recently removed to 3*tWs Square, are announced to begin to-monW. Quite a programme of meetings has been arrangeu, 1 extending ir f tq npyfr week. To-morrow at 3 p.m the ro-op'ening aervipQ is to be preached by ftev L, M. f**itt", ihjis is t H b s followed by tea which will be laid from 5.50 to 7.30 p.m , so as to meet all demands, not forgetting exoursionists to Spnngburn \vho will fipd tea waiting on' tljeir return', "At the public meeting in the evening addressees are to be given by Epv h M- Xsitjb and ' other ministers. The seryjees will bs/jon- I tinued on Sunday ne?t, when the Rev G. < Bond, PresjcJent of thg Ciouference will be the preacher forthg day, and on Wedne^^ay next the popular patftata " IJud§r t||e Palms" is to be rendered by ahrwpphoif and orchestra. The Oxslow Biscuit. The latest nd ( most dolic c biscuit manufactured by Aulsflbroyk ftU Co

„ ,-y/1.,

SEAFIELD.

PRESENTATIONS TO THE REV. MR AND MRS SCOTT,

On Tuesday evening a pleasant gather ing took place in the Scan"old schoolroom, when most of the Seafield community assembled to do honor aud say good bye to Mr and Mrs Scott. Mr A. H. Ayrton was the Chairman, and in a few! well choseii words stated that "the '"'eatield peopie had decided that they cou nob allow Mr Scott to depart without some tckon of their esteem a».d respect. The movement w*as not confined to any special denomination, bub was* the popular voice. The Committee hhd asked him to present Mr Scott with something useful. The presents consisted of two entree dishes, with hot water space under neath. The dishes bore the inscription : —"Presemed to tho Rev. E. A. Scott, as a token of esteem from the Seafield congregation. Ashburton, December 13, 1892." The presents also included a complete set of excellent table cutlery, and in addition a sum of money to Mrs Scott for the purpose of purchasing a small keepsake. Mr Scobt, in thanking the Seafield people, spoke of the kindly Christian feeling that prevailed among all denomi nations at Seafield, and hoped that no thing would ever a»*ise to mar the broad j catholicity and kindly Christian charity I which existed. He would never forpet, their kindness to himself und Mrs Sceit. Their congregations had increased greatly of late, and their services were attended by people from Kyle and Doiie, and from all round. The music was now greatly improved. The foundation of this was laid by Mrs Kedinayne, and Mis« Mary Richardson was a pupil of whom she might feel proud. He hoped they would extend to his successor, Mr Hamilton, the flame kindneso and support he had re ceived at their hands. The choir sang the hymn "Lead Kindly Light." Miss Lambie sang, with violin accompaniment, " There is a Green Hill Far Away," from Gounod's " Cal vary." Songs were also given by the Misses Richardson ; the Mis3es Bruce ; a trio t% Excelsior" by Miss Stewart, the R^v. Mr Scott, and Mr Lambie ; several glees and duets were also given, in which Mr Scott took part, and a most enjoyable and pleasant evening was spent. Mes dames Ayrton, Collison, Richardson, Hampton, and Bruce were most attentive in supplying ample r3freshments to the Urge gathering. The entree dishes and cutlery were from Mr Salek's establish ment.

School Committee.

HAMPSTEAD.

The monthly meeting of the Hampstead School Committee was held on Tuesday evening. Present—Messrs Crooks (chair man), Orr, Sage, Meaclem, Bisset, Andrews, andKUiott. The Master's Report gave the attendance aa follows:—Nuuber on roll, 371; average attendance, 323 3; highest daily attendance, 335. The report was considered satisfactory and adopted. ! The Chairman stated that several of the ' teachers being absent owing to influenza, he 1 had consulted the headmaster and given in structions to close the school for Christmas holidays on Thuisday, December 15, instead of Friday, December 23, as first fixed. The Chairman also reported that Mr E. G. Wright, M.HB., had kindly consented to distribute the prizes at the breal^ing-qp. The Chairman's action was approved, and it was decided to give the children a treat in the school grouuds (as was done last year) after the prize distribution, Correspondence was read from the Beard of Education seating that tenders would be called for painting the school buildings. The Visiting Committee reported that several neoessary repairs had been effected. They- also drew attention to the construc tion of some of the drains, and it was decided to call the attention of the Board of Educa tion to the necessity for alteration!*. The, Chairman reported hiving had the spouting, etc., put into tuoiouuh repair preparatory to the painting of the buildings. Messrs Orr and Pickford were appointed Visiting Committee for the ensuing month. Accounts fop £3 Ss 34 were passed for payment, ~

SUPREME COURT.

(PBR PRESS ASSOCIATION; Wellington, December 14. In the Supreme Court to-day, in the Syins case, Elizabeth Hall, \a cross examination, said she did not notice any difference in the manner in which accused treated her, and the manner in which doctors had previously treated h^er for diseases of females. Before the libel action against Mr Haggen, Dr Davenport and his wife asked witness to sign a ceitain statement, but as .they declined to put in all she wanted to say, she refused. The Crown Prosecutor asked witness whether she was willing that Dr Daven port should state what she had told him , of her s'ondjtiqn. Witness replied, she was nob accused. Counsel contended that would cover the evidence of all the ; doctors in the case. His Honor (to wit ness* *• The fact is you wish to stop the prosecution." Witness —"Oh ! no." Witness still persisting in fyer refusal was not further evaVninedy Iffer sister "(t/iva Walsh) and Dr Davenport were next examined, the evidence being principally a recapitulation of that in the lower Court. At 6 p.m, the Court adjourned until § o'plogk, the jury being anxious to go on (|ntil ten Q!clocf T . The owe \ft\\ probably last three day's.

SPORTING

ASHBURTON TROTTING CLUB.

: [WHITE CHOKEIi-] The Spring Meeting pf the As^burton Trottirt^ fUub will take plaga tQ-morrow, on the new track, at tho Show grounds, which by the way is in capital order, and a good afternoon's sport is promised, weather permitting. My selections are : —Maiden—Tommy 1, Boston Girl 2. Lagmhor Trot—Lady Jane 1, Fleet hound 3. DjsTßicr Trot—Barney O'Hea or IJumbugj. AsifijUftTON TapT—Boston Girl 1, Bridal Rose 2,' Louie 3. Seeing Trot—Coralie 1, Shanks 2.' Electric Tiioi—Miss Molly or Humbug.

TINWALD RACING CLUB.

A meeting qfr' tho fiomnutbpp fif t{)e Tinwald Racing Club was held pn Tuesday evening, when a number of details in connection witli the race meeting were arranged. A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs Gates, Stone, J. M. Hampton, Etesellfiie, and .lames was appointed to arrange other mattpre, including band, railwaiy service, asd tenders for minor privileges. It was decided to hold the usual baU, and Mossru J. M. Hampton, lr.hu Clark, and S. llountvee were appointed tne ?? U Oommittee, Several new members were proposed.

Messrs .GolGnii?,^ a^d Qoip' Eijcalypti Extract (manufactured at Mittagong afad Cootamunrtra, New' South' >Vales) has attaiiied a reputation aa a specific for affec tions of the chest, lungs, consumptions asthma, diphtheria, and a yariety of other conjplairj^£, It mnpbers among its pa]tron§ Earl Jersey, the present,, and Lord Parriug r tou, late, (Governor of New South ffaU, while in Qreat gritaiii duripg the infjuenssi epedimic scarcely a hpuse or office was w^th r 6Ut if. M^srs G^eniaoe m$ Sons' whole sale dcp&t ib in SUrland and Co. are wholesale agenta for the Jjorfh lBla»4

COMMERCIAL.

(PUR PKEBS ASSOCIATION)

Sydney, December 14. Wheat, chick, 2s 9d to 2s lid ; milling, 4s Bd, nominal. Flour, New Zealand, £810 ato £10. Oats feeding sorts, 2s 5d to 2s 7d ; seed, 2a'.9d ", buyers are offer ing 2s 6iJ, at which price purchases have been made to arrive from Mew Zealand. Maize, 4s> Id to 4s 2d. Barley, New Zealand crown English, 3* 6d. Bran, New Zealand, 9d to »id. Pollard, New Zealand, 10£ d, Peas, Prussian Blue, 4a 61. Potatoes, New Zealand, nominal at £2 to £2 10», limited demand. Onions, £4. to £4 53. Butter dairy made, 7d to 8d ; factory, 8d to 9d. Cheese, choice, s*d, Bacon, New Zealand, B£d. Hams, ll£d to Is. ' Melboubnk, December 14. Wheat, 3a sd. Floar, roller, £8 10s to £9 Oats, dull, new Algerian, Is 8d ; stout white, 2s to 2s 2d. Bran, B£d. Pollard, 9d to lOd. Barley, prime malt ing, 3s Id. Potatoes, New Zealand, £2 to £2 ss. Butter, dairy, 9£d ; factory. Jl|d. Cheese, sd. Bacon, Bd, with downward tendency. Adelaide, December 14 Wheat, new, 3j 3sd ; old, 3s 4|d. Flour, roller, £9. Oats, 3s 2i to 3s 4d. Bran, 7W. Pollard, 7£d.

Addington Stock Market.

ChbistchukcHj December 14. Store Sheep.—The sale was confined to a few lines of young crossbreds and some merino ewes with crossbred lambs. The entry numbered about 1800. Crossbred hoggets brought lls 4d, four-tooths (mixed) 12« Bd, four-tooth wethers 12s Id to 14s 6d, I merino ewes and lambs lls and lls Sd, merino wethers 7« 9d. Fat Lambs.—About 800 were sold at very satisfactory prices as freezers were operating freely. Best quality sold at 12s to 14s 6d, ordinary sorts from Bs.3d. Fat Sheep.—The entry was larger than lately, and some very prime crossbreds were offered. The demaad for export showed improved activity. Crossbred wethers and maiden ewes brought 12s 4d to 14a 6d, extra, heavy weights up to 18s; shorn English Leicester • Shropshire Down cross ewes ranged from 12s to 15s 6d, according to weight. The sale of merino wethers was limited; for good aorta of shorn prices: ranged from 9s 6d to lls, Fat Cattle.—Though so near Christmas ' there was a limited supply of really prime beef, under a dozen head of 180 offered being prime quality. The demand was light, and prices generally unsatisfactory. One prize bullock brought £11, but others of this class Bold at £7 to £7 17s 6d. Heifers brought to £1 15s. Stoke Cattle.—There was. an absence of young cattle, the pens being mostly filled with dry cows, which brought up to,£4 18s; two-y«ar-old heifers £3 8b to £3 13s, calves 24s to 30s, three-year-olds £5 15a. Good dairy cows brought £6 5s to £7 12a 6d, inferior sorts from £4 10s upwards. Pigs.—About 150 were yarded. The demand for baconers was slight. Porkers, ranged from 15s co 245. Stores were in* good demand,

Ashburton Markets.

MESSRS MILKS AND CO,

Messrs Miles and Co. report on the live stock sale held at the Tinwald yards on Tuesday, December 13, as follows:—Ex ceptionally hot weather prevailed during the day, when there was a considerably larger maiket than we have had to record for some time past, the totals being 5041 sheep, 26 head of cattle, and 9 pigs, of which our entries comprised 1300 sheep and 6 head of cattle. The public attended in large numbers, a good proportion consisting of buyers. Taken as a whole the sale was a satisfactory one to vendors, recent values being quite maintained, although biddings were not made with quite the vigor die. Stayed qf late. Shorn fat erossbreds changed anda from 13a to Us 9d j half a dozen sheep of extra quality selling up to 17s. One or two lines of crossbred ewes were passed out unsold. There were several pens of two and tour-tooth maiden -ewes which met with spirited competition, being pur chased for trade requirements. Merino wethers met with only little response from buyers, Crossbred ewes with lambs were iv Biiiall eniry, and were cleared after the public auction up to 8s each. Merino ewes with lambs were disposed of up to Us Id, A large entry qf well conditioned hoggets were brought forward and met with much attention, changing hands from 11s 9d up to )2s 9d, the Utter price being obtained by us for a good sized lin« on aocount of Mr S. Hardley, Our sales were:—S3 crossbred two.tooths, 12s 9d ; 20 crossbreds, Us ; 100 fat crossbreds, 13a 6d ; 31 ewes and lambs, 4s 7d, all counted ; 407 crossbred hoggets, 12s 9d ; 76 fat crossbreds, 14s 9d ; 50 merino wethers, 83; 33 merino. e;ve* and lambs, 63 Id each 5 IQ$ crossbred ewes, 13s; 80 merino wethers, 8s 9d, • In another column our clients will please observe notice that there will be no sale during Christmas week.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(PJBR PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

CHOLERA.

Si Pktbrhburo, December 12. The death rate in Russia from •holera amounts to 2500 a week/

FRANCO-GERMAN WAR.

■ftljßiiK, Ltepember 13. Prince Bismarok,' in the bourse of aa interview with a Parisian journa list, declared that in the event of a Franco-German war, Russia would hurry hep fleet to the M.ediserr,att,ean, He urged Branqe to content herself with her great African empire.

THE PANAMA SCANDAL.

I^ki^, December 13. Th,e Committee of tb,e Ohara,ber of Deputies by a large majority supported the Bill conferrin.gjud.ieia} a^styingent punitive powers on the Panama Oan,al Company Committee, M. Bourgeois, %\w new Minister oi tTnstice, strongly opposed the measure, hut his argu ments were of no avail. In dircussing the Panama Canal scandal, the " Figaro " asserts that M. Cornelius Herz who fled to London had closed a conference with Reinach Oleraenceauj and Rouviei?, just prior to ReinacVs death. Tl)e post wwr.iem examination, of the remains of the late Baron Reinach support ttye theory that he did, not die 3, natural dpajih. " . i?he Press accuse M. Rouvier qf ac r eepting bribes in connection wjth the Panama Canal Lottery Bills. Paris, December 14. The " Gaulois " publishes what are allege^ to be thg details qf $»ron. Reinach?s last hoii«s. In these, it |s stated, he swallQwe4 pQisqn owing to the Panama prosecution, Jtf, Houyier h«s resigned iii« eonnep, tion with the Panama Canal Company, The French newspapers declare that Baron Reinach committed suicide after asking vainly MM. Rouvier, Clemenceau , and Hjps to ■ n§e t^eir influence with the press not to atyaok him,

POISONING AT CARNEGIE'S

ISew Ypkk, December I^. I^ate neys irom the Homestead states tjjat only sijp dpaths haye occurred aniopg the noi}-unionisj;s wrhq partook of the poisojied food. • spyER 'qiJKSTipN,

in Denver, Colorado, is denied. V ' JAY GOULD'S WEALTH. Jay Gould's executors swear that he left twenty-two million dollars.,

THE SOCIALISTS.

Bbcssklh, December 12. Street fighting has occurred at Ghent, thirty Socialists and five police being wounded. THE SILVER QUESTION. Brussels, December 14. M. Fouville, French delegate at the Monetary Conference, proposes that warrants be issued against the deposits of silver in a similar manner to that against.the deposits of Glasgow pig iron. The latter union favors the pro posal. Washington, December 13. Senator Steward, of Washington, has introduced a Bill providing for the free coinage of silver.

MR GLADSTONE.

The Committee of the Chicago World's Fair have asked Mr Glad stone to attend and deliver an address at the opening of the exhibition.

THE CHITRAL TROUBLE.

Calcutta, December 13.

Report has reached hern that the Nizam has recaptured Chitral, and that Azful, the usurper, has fled.

DANGEROUS LUNATICS.

London, December 13. The man who wantonly shot at and assaulted Miss Wood, niece of Mr Goschen, and Miss Phelbrick, in August last, has been pronounced insane and ordered to bo confined in a lunatic asylum during the Queen's pleasurs. William Watson, poet, stopped the carriage in which the Duke and Duch ess of Edinburgh were driving in Windsor park. He has since been placed in close confinemeot as a dangerous lunatic, unfit to be at large. THE IRISH QUESTION. Mr Gladstone has convened a meet ing of the Cabinet to consider the granting of autonomy to Ireland. Earl Rosebery expresses himself con fident that the Government will be able to secure the adoption of a Home Rule policy. OBITUARY. Sir John Bernard Burke, L.L.D., editor of " Burkes Peerage." Willie Beckwith, the well-known swimmer ,

AUSTRALIAN.

BROKEN HILL.

Sydney, December 13. At a meeting of three thousand trade unionists at Broken Hill, it was decided to forward a petition to Parliament signed by 25,000 men pray-1 ing for the release of the strike leaders. THE PORT GLASGOW. The House is disoussing the cir cumstances surrounding the charges brought by the crew against the captain of the ship Port Glasgow. December 14. The discussion in the Legislative Assembly with reference to the Port Glasgow mutiny and charges came to nothing. PENNY POSTAGE. Mr Kidd, Postmaster-General, says that the New South Wales Govern ment will not agree to the proposals of the Imperial Government with regard to Imperial penny postage, unless the Home Government undertake to bear the cost, which will mean £30,00 yearly tq New South Wales alone « THE NEW SOUTH WALES BUDGET. In the Legislative Assembly to-night the Colonial Treasurer delivered his Financial Statement. It showed that at the end of 1890 the debit bal&noe was £770,000, and that there wad a deficiency on the past eleven months of £382,000. The principal decrease was in Customs revenue, which showed a falling off of £92,000. The Broken Hill strike had caused a. loss to the Customs receipts, of £.40,000. The l§nd. revenue had amounted to £168,000. The revenue for 1892 was £10,910,000, which exceeded that for 1891 by £87,000. The total debit balance to commence the year 1893! with was £1,152,000. The receipts from new duties since the intimation of the tariff were £301*000. Th« esti mate qf rsvemeforlß93is 410,900,000, the -principal increases being in cus toms, £108,000; land revenue,£33,ooo ; railways, £118,000- The expenditure is estimated at £10,458,050, showing a surplus of £442,000 and decreasing the deficiency at the end of 1893 to £T 10,0001 The Treasurer said that the finances were so serious that they called for abstention from borrowing for a considerable time, ooupled with the strictest economy in administration. A good feature in connection with the railways was that it is estimated that during 1893, after paying all charges* including interest on, cost and construe tiqn, there would be only a deficit of £90,000. He stated that the Govern ment had no intention of imposing ad ditional taxation as they were anxious to gfet on with useful legislation, after which they would waste no time in discussing finances. The passing of the Local Government Bills would re lievo the Government of much ex penditure plaoed upon it at present He expressed himself confident that in adopting a strict system of economy the Government would be able to wipe off the deficit, and he defended the action of the Gov@rnm.ent }n connection with the issue of Treasury bills.. The (government bad succeeded \n selling locally bills to the aoiouut of £750,000 at 4i per cent., and had, reduced the )o*n*e«mend jtu.ro fyom £4,800,000 in 181*1 to £2,800,000. this year, They must, hpwever, considerably reduce this. The b,oijutiful yield of wheat proved that there would be little if any required to, ba imported, and the present crop was worth £1,000,000 tnore to the colony than that of last year. He pointed, put that there are qow 100,000 more acre* under crop, principally In wheat, than during the 1 previous year, Mr Reid, leader of the Opposition, violently attacked the Statement, and in a scathing speech denounced the Government for delaying its delivery qq long \\ hen th,o finances were in so serious a ponditiop. THE INFANTICIDE OA§E3. Further charges against th« Makins are being investigated before the coroner. A distressing scene occurred thrqugh the daughter. BJ«nohe aooqsjng^ her father of iiQt looking after mother, adding ". Wo haye told enough, jjes to screen you, and, lurouflh telling

remarks With '^jasfl^Jf-"^

BUTTER BONDS.

Abbxakk, December,la, r .;, ;, The suggestion made by the Legis- 1 ] lative Council to limit the amount ofU' butter bonus to £10,000, extending over a period of three yean, has beeni; 7 | agreed to by the House, : '• December 14. v i The Bill authorising payment of a bonus for the encouragement of the * butter industry, after being returned from the Legislative Assembly, was re jected by the Council by 10 to 9.

THEATRE FIRE.

Bbisbak*, December 14. The scenery of the Town . Hall at : Cooktown caught fire during a per formance and the building was burnt to the ground, but the audience es caped without mishap.

POLITICAL.

Pketh (W,A.), December 14. v The Legislative Council rejected the Constitution Amendment Bill, also the Franchise Bill,

LIFE ASSURANCE.

Melbouhnb, December 14. The triennial investigation of the National Mutual Life Association shows a suiplis of £133,000, equal' to,--" a reversionary bonusof aboutjßßoo,ooo. . The new business for the year was of * satisfactory character. -; !;-:

INTERPROVINCIAL.

CI m. „, Auc»*!">i DeoemberW.^ j The well known cricketer J. Moraford,

dropped dead wnue playing at the Domain cricket grounds to-day. Wellington, December 14. Mrßeetham, R.M., of Christchurch, arrived to-day to conduct an enquiry into the death of Ah Ching, in the Wellington : Lunatic Asylum, but no time is feed fof the opening of the commission. The '■ Government declined the request of Mr" Jelliooe on behalf of deceased's com patriots, to adjourn the enquiry ttnti after the holidays. They refuse to pay the expenses of witnesses other than those certified by the commission. The recent band contest resulted fn a loss of £65, -: The New Zealand Rifle Association meeting at Trentham is fixed to begin on January 9 and end on January 14.

"THE MESSIAH."

CONCERT BY TttK ASHtiURION f I MUSICAL SOGIWXY. \r •] til •  - 1 The Ashburton Musioal {Society it oorv three months old. Yecithad theooor' age to venture upon the public perform-" t ance of the greatest of the great Haode^s'"* works-" The Messiah "JSttheSd^f \ that time. It was a great undertaking. '■ and when the date of the performanos of the oratorio was fixed for Deoember 14, many musical people in town doubted Uw v 1 wisdom of so early in appearance befrn the public in a work of the kind, and had " 1 misgivings as to the result. Som» even predicted ignominious, failure, knowinr "A the material of which Uie! SodrtjSJ^ made up, and the enormous.diffioulties lorV' be faced in the production of an ontorio written for experienced musicians, with voices suited by nature and trained by ark ; for the singing of mono far beyond the ordinary amateur range TfomM rirr^r - meant » che Messiah "to s'. soprano and tenor voices lii^ted inraag* to the upper line of the G cleffsWilVnQr "■ by basses that lost effect before the* passed the lower line of the staff oTf cleff. In his day female alto Voices .wet* ■--- scarcely known, and the part now- m- - by them was taken by counter tenoaTor ? very huh set legiero male voice*, And to essay the works of this great Blaster the ' solo lunger's voice must b« flexible at the ripple of a rivulet, tad sympathetic in expression an the softest sigh oTsuinmer breeze. Still, if Handel is to be learned «t, all, and. voices trained to exeouto his works, he must be sung; and only hard practice can familiarise with and overoome the technioal difficulties of his score, and ' open up to the young singer the beauties of the great master. The Society aimed kind to its members, and the performsaoa of last night showed that those opporto> nities had not been wasted, by thechorusv - at least. The latter w«s wonderfully strong, for a town of Aahburto&'a limited population to rail together -about sixty voices in all mating up the choir—*nd when the ah«rt^ r time for practice is considered, the chorus work done in the prodnotiEoU; of the oratorio was highly commendable. There was a weakness in volume, perhaps to be observed in the tenoroirair, bntthe base.choir was in fair balance, and a credit to the Society. Of the tenors, howler, be it said, that they made themselves fek where their effect was wanted, and thai ' without being obtrusive at tha expense of musical singing, as is sometimes the cms ■ with a tenor choir who fancy thensebve 1 overbalanced bj their more sonoronto opposites. The alto choir 'wat'ston* ' enough, and no more, to do thsir wwk i ■ effectively; and though Ja«Wiw-altt&;:-^ and more certain hold of the higher note* I by the soprano. singers would hsro been ! acceptable, and will no doubt be ssonnftW by more frequent praotioe, their work was generally satisfactory. The orchestra, so * indispensable to a rendering of "the Messiah," was undoubtedly , ths> best feature of the evening. It was almost - wholly string,—no reeds at all, audio flutofl, - with only a trombone (beantifolly - played though^indtwooorMtsrepreaaiitiiK tbe brass, the first oornet supplyiiw as nearly as it is possibli for a comae to do, the trumpet effects of which Handel made so rouoh. We counted eight vioans in all, and two 'cello*, while the doable bass was there, and s piano sad organ supplemented and did mo«h to sopply the want of the abo^nt instrumeiita^3iM members of the orchestra vefn ceadf all *' Ashburton residvnfes, the wotptiobi </ being Messwß.Waod,the leader^ sad :"' h.is pod, Mr Charles Wood, Tiolins, and Mr Ellis Wood, 'ceUo—all from Tjqtam It wasipleasiiuta^so tono^ the -presence ~ of Mr Harry Mayo among tbe violinists ■ after »n«b«ene» of several years, and the others were—Miss Sinuaonds, Messn tL M'Kay, Broadley, Simnonds, and Oullen. Miss K. Uates also played a 'cello, and Mr H. A. GaUs thedoubU bass. Mr George Hoskin and Mr William MoDould were the oornet piayeN and Mr Maraden, trombone^ Mil Claridge and Mr Llewellyn Owen Vere respectively pianist and orginjst, anil. '^ Mr D, Sooth,, oondtictor. The two movemunts of the overture were admirably ' played, and wo* the respect of the audience for the orchestra at ones, and this respect ripened to a wanner feeUngts ; the numbers were given, until No. 13 was \ reached, in which the " oreepy " musioof ,: the. muted violins had a strangely weird: > effect, and recallei to mind, a namber <ia the programme of the Austrian Band*! concert given >n Ashburtoa in 16)39--r> «• Evening Prwer," Ac pa^DCJM symphony so well given, and illttatraUng so thoroaiihly as it does the uiea ols} , night bj the Bethiehenji Bhmhfrda , w«|B '' a fitting" prelode to. the tentativej  that followed. A. word of special praise ? is. due to Mr EJiis Woc4 whose *oello ftUying thrQHg^out thj» oratp/ie «Eksl|reTe« ■ Ufixon to inanj of o^r amateur in • and wjU*whtieas be f^ i^ j?' membered by them when Jj| e|pe ;

DFDFD



J for the holiday.-'. v G. J. NEILL and CO's i SPECIAL PRICES FOR THIS MONTH. Ladies' Cashmerette Hose, double knee, 10 \d Ladies' Cashmere Hose, Is New Fashionable Dress Goods, 39 lid a dozen to 5s 6d per yard All Wool Flannel, 7|d- per yard Flannelettes at 3a 6d per dozen Good Heavy Twilled at sjd leather Shirting, Swansdown Back, at 7ja per yard Washing Prints, 3s lid per dozen a special line of White Muslin, 4jd j Pongee Cloths and Delaines in most beautiful patterns. I CLOTHING. Men's Colonial Tweed Suits, 23s 6d Men'a Serge Suits, 22a fid Men's Tweed Trousers from 6s lid Boys' Tweed Suits in endless variety Men's R«bbi»d Cotton Pants, Is 6d Men's Colonial Knit Wool Socks, ll£d per pair Man's Regatta Shirts, 2s lid Men's Strong Braces, 9d per pair Boys' Strong Bwces, 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 ■teas at very low prices. G. J. NEILL and 00: FRIEDLANDER'S BUILDINGS. CORNER OF EAST & MOORE STPEETS. HARDLEY BROS. WILL HOLD A \ GENUINE CLEARING SALE OF Drapery, Clothing, & Boots, COMMENCING BATXJRDAT, DECEMBER 3. tOVL PARTICULARS AND REDUCTIONS SEE HAND-BILIA t\ HARDLEY BBOS., ''■{ ■ BURNETT STREET. New Zealand Clothing Factory, NEW PREMISES, „• PISf L9o BT yennSt a rl 1H New Hard and Soft Felt Hat, , New lies tfa, L«n" Ajn) mm DEPARTMENT. . . , <s7ni.k you will be convinced as to Cheapness and Quality. *™^^\s££jm £™S to be had on the Tune Payment Zealand Clothing Factory. HALLENSTEIS BROS. ALEX. HENDRY, Manager. I-:- S^ALEK'S h NEW jewellery establishment. : w rr, w vT HTaH-CLiS 5! STOCK IS NOW OPENED UP. :; TIIK MAGNIFICENT HIGH f fch Publ ; c to the fact that havin} : -BSALKK begs to draw the *Hn ion fiW^ed up lm bhop \; e^/^m pJ e ; favorably with any in Christchurch. •", Quality. ]»ruw, and r.t-wost do signs h uimnents o f the A shburton District in r '-He is now in % posit on lo m^ .^ Bliowing B Btoc k than has ever :'a- ei«ry branch of th« Jowe Jery x« » -? fatefore been seen in U"* '/'V 1 ," ■, IHl ; aue Stock spetiaily witable for * :r" ore a wy l^^SiI fSi aJBiSKNT« i Birthday presents, and THE WATOHMaKING e A^ taient r'- ■ « a mFnt.» and ftdil'tionsil assistance having been '3.. now complete iv it« f m h'viug their work done promptly and Q obtained, oustonwM W * *'*'■' «tufMtoril/ r :-.- S. BALBK, I;: WATCHMAIvER A^JKWELLE^ Tilt ~E7Zf~rp£>ft Couskakb jutd So/ EucalyptbEx ±116 JIjCSI 'JL eM TKAOT i 8 the only genuine in the market, „„ m>o(n iin d was a warded medals %vA diplomas at IN THE VJURLV gjj^ Melbourne.and Adelaide, beating " ~ ~ * «I« n all competitors. For all affections of the Bl*'j|l<iP rt l^y^O"* chest and Lunt?s, Consumption, Asthma,



Wanted I OPENING ol Primitive Methodist ser7ices in Winchmore School, on Sunday next at 2 30. Preacher, Rev J. Cookbr. M 10 9 WANTED Known.—Orders taken for Madame Dean's Spinal Support ing Corset, at the Arcide on Saturdays. * 12 112 iITANTED Known.—High class dress ▼ » goods, latest patterns, now selliutr under wholesale prices. Special line cf double width stuff 6d and Is, less than half price.—H. C. Segers, Melford House ANTED Known.—Wonderful value in first class drapery now on at Melford Hois \ beau iul leather shhtin^ 61.— H.C. Seqkr--s Melford House. ANTID "Known.—Hand painte Xmas and New I ear's cards, , latest designs at wholesale prices, dolls in great variety very cheap.—H. C. Seokrs, Melford House. 12j_i ffrOYS, TOYS, TOYS. Steam Engines -■- 2a. 6d, Flying Machines 3d, Zoe tropes, Puzzles, Fanss, Toysfc^fl^siL M. Jonks. HRISTMASGrapjS|H^^K New Books, Seriais^vmraaTO; and Prize Books, Christmas^Cards and Book lets.— H. M. Jones. I~7aDlE9^Jo^rn»ls— Xmas and Decem- I ber Weldon's and others.. New prizo bo jks at lowest prices, new Booklets andXmas Cards. —L. P. ANDREWbs & Co., Stationers' Hall. 12 HO X~~ MAS Graphic and London News, Jockey Jack, i Nineteenth Century Gladiator (Sullivan), The Nun s Curse and Idle Tales (Mrs Riddle), A Prodigal's Progress, and other New Books. —L. F. Andrewks & Co. 12 41 W' ANTED Known that S. Salek, Watchmaker and Jewaller, has removed to new shop near New Zealand Clothing Factory- 10 213 WANTED Known—lee Creams, Ice Creams, for the hot weather, always ready at H. G. Flower's, Confec tioner, East Street. ANTED Known—New Flannelettes at. extraordinary prices ; 3s lid and 4s lid doz. Thirty per cent under price.—W. H. Collier. WANTED Known—We are now giving away Beautiful Presents to every purchaser of 5s and upwards. Come and see our bargains in Drapery, &c. —H. C. Segers, Melford House. YTTaNTED Known—Dr Scott's cele- VV brated Electric Corsets can only be obtained in Ashburton at W. H. Collier's,. "The Corner." 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. WANTED— Purchasers tor Bargains in Summer Dresses, Prints, and Delaines, Sunshades, &c. at S. W. Alcorn and Go's Sale. W"~ ANTED the Public to know that S": W, Alcorn and Co's Summer Sale is now on. Great IJargitfrtf in Millinery, Underclothing etc, SELLING OFF Bocks, Stationery, and Account Books, Fancy Goods, Music, Violins, Accordeons, etc, Fire Screens and Stove Ornaments, all at Reduced Prices.—b.F, A^drewes & Co, HY not Bake your awn Bread when you can gee 50! bs of the Liest Roller Flour for five shillings oash or five shillings and sixpence booked at ' Robert Alcorn's, Saunders' Buildings. n 31 S~ OMERSET Most Mart. The oldest, the largest, th 3 best; and the cheap est. Small '.loods a specialty. Full weights guaranteed, A P™! solicited. —*V. J. Siinoeav ¥W CHRISTMAS Suits/ Boys, three garment long Trousor Suits at 15s. Boys, Colorial-made Knicker Suits from 10s. Men's nicely made Colonial Tweed Suits 30*. Colonial Tweed Suits to measure from 50s.—Ashburton Clothing Mart. Saunders' Buildings. Robbkt ALCOjtN> , DON'T Forget the Borough Bye-Laws re Carriage Lamps, and that HaBDLEV has a large Stock on hand, also a large assortment of Tinware and Iron mongery, Scythes, Reaping Hooks, Hay Knives, Forks, etc., of best quality, and all at lowest possible prices. J. W. Harplev. East Street, Ashburton, _ EAR in mind that tI,W- Hardley, Plumber and Gasfittep, Eatf Street, has the largest Stock in town of Pumps, 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 j^ump j improved No. 4. Pr.ic©. l°*s- Largersfees in proportion. R'"ebuTLDIN"G «»!«--Men's -No. 3 Vests Is, Men's be3t Colonial Tweed Trousers 7s lid, Men's best Colonial tweed Trousers and Vests 12* 6d, Boys and Youth's Tweed Trousers 2s lid, Men's Leather Shirts 2s «d, worth 4s 6"d. The whole stock will be slaughtered a* the premises are to bo pulled down in February—Ajndrew Orb. U 109 W~~ ANTED.Kuown— Rebuilding Sale, Peal French Merinos, guaranteed, Is, Is 4d, and Is 6d, all colors. Prints 2i per dozen, Silk Lace Is per dozen,' Double Width French Dress Goods Is od, former price 3a 6d, Lace Curtains 2s lid, Towels 3J each, lot Umbrellas Is 61, Sunshades Is HI »nd 2s 6d, hall price : Musliu Embroideries 4d, woith Is.- Andrew O&u, H 1™ 77TANTRD Known-Thit ,jl. Mopjojr YV keeps tho best stock of Boots in Ashburton, for this reason that he pay« cash and is pot under or bound to any one firm like many in the trade, which enables him to procure and supply the public with the Best Colonial and English makes ; and his well-known make needs no recommendation. Always on hand Best Sole Leather, used for repairs and done at once.—J. MoisoN, Impermeable Bootmaker, Town Hall, East Street, nest Court House. • ___ "^"TTeRRV CHRISTMAS. ---/\ Splendid assortnienß of Cards, Booklets, md Souvenirs for season 1882-3 New Games in gr£* Y^ety Beautiful lot of Vases, Fancy GlassvT.*w. *n« FalIJ Lamps. Boys' and Girls' Annua."; »n<[ «.ther new Volumes. Prize Books at reduced prices. JSew Birthday Reward and Wedding Cards.-L.F. ANDREWES & CO., Stationers' Hall. ■.■■Li <T^ISErTT- -f How Sambo Understood French Firm sivs to the runaway negro on the rafr, "Jim, what'd you say if'twas said to you ' Parly-vous-fraiizy ?' " " Woaldn-t say ntiffiu. I'd just bust him over de ear; if he wasn't a witc man. 'Low no nigger to call me dat ' Finn says the words only mean, "Do you speak French?" 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 nuiriesof the professors of Massotherapy ; but he "oes on to explain massage, rubbing, And its°beneficial results so that it might even cater the skull of the densest .negro ; •ni his musel^ roller and other new methods »rV invaluable. Aft edition of his oook, mud ena-ged, U published at "Truth" ™1 "Health" Publication Graces, 100, j Tuam street, Chrwtcburch.—[Advt.J j