MAIL NOTICES.

MailH close for the following places as, under, subject to the necessary alterations :— THURSDAY, September 22. For Northern Ports and Wwtport, per Takapuna, at 6.30 a.m. i FRIDAY, September 23. For Northern ports and Australian Colonies (except Tasmania), per Wairarapa, at 10.30 a.m. SATURDAY, October 1. For C.iathain lalands, per Kahu, at O.SSO p. in. ; late fee letters, guard's van, express, at 6.55 p.m.

ENGLISH MAILS. UOMEWAKD —DIRECT MAILS. Doric,* sailed August 18, due London September 28. Arawa, sailed September 15, due in London October 25. OUTWARD—DIRECT MAILB. Rimatuka, sailed August 20, due colony October 3. OXJTNVARD-—SAN FRANCISCO MATLS. Left London September 3, due October 5. The letter-box will be cleared for des patch of correspondence from Ashburton Post Office to the under-mentioned places as follows :— For ».m. p.m. p.m. Burnham and Dunsandel (daily) 3.15 Chertsev and Rakaia (daily) 6.30 3.15 6.20 Ohristchurch and North (daily) 6.30 3.15 6.20 and on Mondays, Wed nesdays, and Fridays... 10.30 Droneore (daily) 6.30 Eiffelton and Willowby. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays 10.30 Elgin, Wakanui, Seaview, Seafield, and Kyle, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays... ... 6.30 Flemington^ Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays 3.45 Geraldine (daily) 10.30 Greenstreet, Winchmore, and Forks, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays 6.30 Lismore, Tuesdays and Fridays 10.30 Methven (daily) 3.15 Mt. Somers, Springburn, Busheide, and Alford Forest (daily) 4.0 Mayfield and Buapuna, Mondays and Thursdays 4 0 Newlands, Tuesdays and Fridays... . 11.0 Timaru, Dunedin, and South (daily) 12.30 Selwyn (daily) .6.20 Temuka A Timaru (daily) 10.30 12.30 and on Fuesdays, Thurs days and Saturdays ... 3.15 Tinwald, Winslow, Hinds, and Wannafce (daily)... 10 30 and on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays ... 3 f 15 Wheatstone, Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach (daily) 3.45; IT.Br —'Letters containing anything of value should be handed to the Postmaster to be registered. Letters containing coin, if posted un registered, will heoompnlsorilyregistered ani charyed dcuble registration fee.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1892. THE ELECTORAL BILL.

The Statutes Revision Committee of the Legislative Council are understood to have suggested several amendments in the Electooral Bill as it came into tiiCif hands from the House of Re presentative^. The principal altera tions are in the clauses relating to women's franchise. It is proposed that women shall vote by means of electoral rights, their voting papers to Jbe trans mitted through the post to the return ing oificer and their personal at tendanceat the poll thus dispensed with It is said that the Government will not accept this amendment, and we really cannot see any necessitly for it. The Executive sf the Women's Franchise League have already formally expressed the opinion that the women of the Colony as a whole will be quite satisfied to vote under the present system, though proxy voting might be allowed to those physically unable to go to the polls. We have all seen women voting at elections of mayor or councillors without their having to suffer the least annoyance, and with far less discomfort than attends a visit to a draper's cheap sale, an auction rooni, or a crowded theatre or church, or the obtaining of a ticket far a rail way excursion. The ballot Ap£ has made elections very quiet affairs, and freed them of everything that would be objectioaable to the most delicate or refiriCd of women, The Women's Franchise £ea^» auction, that proxy voting might be al:? w«« & physically unable to go to the poll, '. granted to women cannot in equity be withheld from men. Again, the only relief that is proposed to be extended to women is that they may vote at Post Offices instead of polling booths. The whole system of women's voting as *h© Council wish te regulate it would be a!t°£ether too cumbrous. A§ described by the <C?SW Zealand Times' the proposed provisions are as follow : —" A female wishing to exercise the franchise has to make a declaration and claim for a voter's light, which she must produce when she wishes to vote, and she i 3 qualified to vote by virtue of it. The operative clause provides that she shall apply in person 'at any time after the issue of the writ and before the hour of closing on the polling day,' to any postmaster be fore whom she produces her writ, and she thereupon signs an application for a ballot paper. The postmaster then fills up a blank ballot paper with the names of the candidates for the district (though they may not be known at the time of the issue of the writ!), and he puts his initials at the left hand corner of the ballot paper (though why he puts his initials there goodness knows), and the number of the < right,' and then he secures the corner 'by gum,' finally signing his name near such corner after it has been secured 'by gum,' together with the name of his office. These preliminaries gone through he hands the paper over to fcfre voter, who with out leaving the room erases with pencil or ink the name of the candidate or candidates for whom she does not wish to vote. Having folded tke paper so that the contents cannot be seen she returns it to the postmaster, who, in the presence of the voter, encloses it in an envelope addressed to the re turning officer of the district; that -envelope he encloses in a second enve lope sifeapty and forthwith posts it to its address- $ut his labors are »ot yet concluded. He has £h©n to endorse the elector's right w^th a note .tbfttit has been exercised, ancl signs and dlttf j* «* & g he e&otor. He has u?«° fo H^fJ* .»t fhe returning officer of every illkt^-v

day by day from the issue of the writ i to the hour of closing the poll the numbers of ballot papers arpled for, exercised and transmitted by him to the returning officer, together with ;he name of each voter in respect to whom the ballot papers were issued by him. When the returning officer gets hold of these telegrams, etc., he has to ■* place against the narre of every female person on the roll to whom the ballot paper has been issued, a note indicating that she has voted. Then whew he receives the ballot paper, he compares it with the signature of the voter on her application for a ballot paper with the signature of the original application for a voter's right, and if he finds them to be identical, he must allow the vote. If not, he refuses it. Finally he stamps on the voter's right the word ' voted' and the date." It is stated that the Committee will recommend a return to the single electorates in the large cities. We do not attach much importance to this question, though much has been made of it in some quarters the Party that instituted the system being loudest in condemning it. The larger the con stituency the more likely is its true opinion to be represented by the member or members elected; small constituencies are more easily go verned by a clique. Still we scarcely think that should the Council insist on the change the Government will make the amendment a vital question. The main principle of the Bill, the one-man one-roll provision, is understood to be accepted by the Council, and this former hone of contention will not be a cause of quarrel this session. The fate of the measure evidently hangs on the Women's Suffrage clauses, and if a conflict should arise over them the argument of those who wished them embodied in a separate Bill will be justified. On other points the Bill is safe.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Throughout the district (says the •' Wan ganui Herald ") and all along the coast lamb ing is rapidly progressing, and itise xpected that the percentage this year will be very high. A rumour was widely spread last week among the Maories of. Hawkes 5 Bay to the effect that Te Whiti is dead. How it arose the " Hawke's Bay Herald " has not learned. An Awatere farmer reports that things agricultural and pastoral wear a very healthy appearance in that district, and that the production of prime mutton there is quite phenomenal, ■ A Manawatu settler utilises a novel method of getting his ewes to adopt strange lambs. He rubs the nostrils of the ewe with turpentine as well as the coat of the lamb, and the result has been eminently satisfactory. The ''Timaru Herald" learns that no other attempt will be made to float the Elginshire as she now lies. It is Captain Millbank's intention to have the steamer dismantled, the engines, etc., taken out oj her, and to sell the hull. At a meeting of delegates of friendly societies of Christen urch on Tuesday night, it was decided to form an association for the interchange of medical and other benefits throughout the colony. The Druids were not represented at the meeting. The Parliamentary excursionists to West port had a rough return journey, They were due at Wellington last night, but the Hinenrioa had to put back ani take shelter from the heavy weather under Farewell Spit. Forged deeds of property, owned by Hetty R. Green, the richest woman in America, were brought to light in Chicago on August 6. The value of the porperly inroh'ed M'a3 one miUisn dollars. Their timely discovery frustrated one of the greatest swindles ever attempted itf Chicago. Mr Gale, president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, has written to Mr Seddon f protesting against the abandon ment ot the representation of the colony at Chicago, and asking the government to per? severe with it before jt is too late, The Minister replied thajb Parliament haying dealt with the question after full considera tion, the Government are unable to take further steps in the matter. In the case Keller v Simon, an action for £600 damages for alleged assault during a Borough Council meeting, the jury awarded the plaintiff, the Mayor of Boss, one farthr ins; damages, and expressed regret that such ft trivial case should come before the Supreme Court. Hiß Honor also commented severely on the case, which was frivolous to the last degree. Each party was ordered to pay his own costs, which amounted to the respectable sum of £120. A country BfltyQQ} teacher, Mr Ritchie, has sent the following letter t# the Auckland Board of fidueatlon, which fllus^rafces the perils of a country teacher's life in a mining district. " I beg to relinquish my engage ment as {teacher of the Awharoa School Whoever BUGseeds me jit would be' well for Uiia t© have hi? Hie insured before coming here, ami, lt he ? a»> #»<* » sesjety to ensure his remaining in his rl«ht Bj(nd { as my tWQ immediate predecessors left, it Is Bald, with their minds seriously unhinged." Gunner Good, stationed at Lawyer's Head Battery (Otago Peninsula), gallantly rescued a drowning man on Tuesday. James Reid, in the employ of the Union B.S. Company, who is in poor health, visited Lawyer's Head. He was sitting on a rock when lie somehow fell into the sea and was carried away by the surf. He struggled hard to regain the shore, but soon lost consciousness, Gunner Good happening to pass saw^Reid in the water and plunged in and with difficulty got him ashore. Reid was convpyed to the hospital, and appears likely not to suffer from the misha. Allard, a blacksmith of Quebec, Canada, is said to have discovered the long-lost art of hardening copp«Hy known to the inhabitants of fcouth and Central Amei'i#s at the time of the Spanish conquest. The natiyeß* i#in£ng tools were all made of copper, treated by a process t'foat the Canadian blacksmith claims he has brought to light a^ain. On August 12, a piece of Allard's prepared eppper was tried at the Government rifle ranges, Jn ?. shot fired ipom 40 yards distance the bullet was shivered intefragments. Another bullet, the missile striking squarely, wgs completely flattened. This, it is asserted by experts, will be vastly superior to anything that the best steel could do under the circumstances, and the matter is to be brought to the immediate attention of the British Admi ralty. New York papers that Qaptain Thomas Simonds, of the hydraulic dredge Little Giant, is succeeding, it would appear, in his efforts to recover a large amount of treasure that went to the bottom a century or more ago in the British ship Hussar. She foundered in Long Island Sound, just south of the present Port Morris dock, and the money — some accounts say 4,500,000 dole —aboard the corvette was for the purpose of paying off the British troops in the revolu tion, The cgryefcte sank in 1790, and the exact spttt is directly off One Hundred and Thirty-seventh street, about one.-eighth" of'jj, mile from the Hew York shore. The captain had been grappling for so-ne time unsuccessfully; but on August 12 he waa encouraged by finding in the dredge bucket a lot of English guineas of the time of George 111., two gold buttons from the uniform of a British naval officer, two short square bars of silver tarnished and pitted by brine, and a quantity of copper coins worn very thin by the action of the water, The dredse is working in ninety feet of water

Parliamentary.

(PKR PRESS ASSOCIATION) Wellington, September 20. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p m. ELECTORAL BILL. > The report of the Statutes Revision Committee on the Electoral Bill was presented, and wms ordered to be con sidered next day. SHOPS BILL. Sir Patrick Buckley moved the second reading of the Shop and shop Assistants Bill. Sir George Whitmore opposed the Bill. It was monstrous that shopkeepers should be compelled to shut up at a certain hour at night. Mr Oliver considered that the Bill would havft the effect of restricting the liberty of the subject. He was strongly in sympathy with th<* half-holiday move ment, but thought it best that it should l»e voluntarily conferred. Soon every act of a man would be subject to Govern ment inspection. He expressed a hope that the Bill would be thrown out. Mr Pharazyn opposed the Bill, as he regarded a compulsory half-holiday as an absurdity. Country laborers and store keepers' assistants were, in his opinion, equally entitled to the concession with townspeople. The Bill was read a second time on the voices, and was referred to the Labor Bills Committee. OTAGO HARBOUR BILL. The Otago Harbor Board empowering Bill was ordered to be committed that day six months. The Council rose at 4 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Further leave ot absence for a week was granted to Mr Taylor on account of ill ne&s. and for ten daya to Mr Mitchelson in consequence of illness in his family. PAYMENT OF MEMBERS BILL. The Premier gave notice to introduce the Payment of Members Bill. COURSE OF BUSINESS. The Premier gave notice to move that the House sit on Monday at 2.30 p.m. for Government business, and that the Standing Orders be suspended to allow fresh business to be taken after 12.30 a.m. Sir John Hall said he felt sure that the House would be glad to see the Premier in his place after his recent ill ness, but he thought that at this stage of the session the House was entitled to be informed as to what Bills the Government proposed to go on with this session. The Premier thanked the member for Ellesmere for his kindly reference to himself. He hoped to be able in a few days to afford some definite information as to what business the Government would $sk the Hems.6. to go on with this session. Mr Fergus complained of the delay in bringing down the Public Works State ment. The Premier replied that the Statement was in course of preparation, and would be brought down early next week. Mr Fieh protested against the non* appearance of the Statement. Ie was evir dent that as its production would cause a howl of dissatisfaction amongst Govern ment supportors, Ministers were keeping it back till the House was in a state of utter collapse through late sittings. FOREIGN INSURANCE BILL. The Foreign Insurance and Assurance Companies Bill was introduced by Message from the Governor and read a first time, BOBJ/IC REVENUES BILL. The Premier mov^d the second readini? of the Public Revenues Bill, The object of the BiU was set out in the Financial Statement. It was intended to redeem ut.ee dobeu !,':.;■;. s iv Ljudon and to rerluoe Treasury Bills from £476,000 to £450.000. It was also provided that the Treasury may issue further Treasury Bills to the extent of £100,000 to meet the expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund, £450,000 for redeeming guaranteed debentures issued under the Immigration and Public Works Loan Act, liftQ. The Bill also provided that travelling allow ancea to Royal Commissioners should be limited to a sum net exceeding twenty shillings per day, in addition to money paid for travelling fares. The Govern ment were of opinion that in order to provide against contingencies there sho.uld always be in the hands of the Agent? General in London, debentures to the amount of £450,000. Sir .)ohn Hall sajd that he regarded with considerable anxiety this prqposal to increase the borrowing powers of the Government to the extent of a million, He also took exception to the manner of the audit proposed by the Bill. A long debate ensued, the Bill being strongly opposed by several members of the Opposition. Mr Moore moved as an amendment that the Bill be read that day six months. On a ciiyisio^ the amendment was rejected by 25 to 16. : In the course of his reply the Premier denied thai the Bill was a borrowing ono The B«con4 reading was carried by 25" to 17- The House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. On the motion of the Premier the Public Revenues Bill was referred to the Public Accounts Committee for the special consideration of clauses 4 and 5. workmen's liex bill. A conference was appointed to confer with the legislative Council on their amendments }i\ the \^or If men's Lien BUI. LAND ANP INCOME ASSESSMENT BILL. The Premier moved the second reading of the Land and Income Assessment Act Amendment Bill. He pointed out that under the Bill friendly societies, savings banks, and all kinds of charitable institu tions, were exempted from the tax, but the House would see that the amend ments made were not such as to alter the character of th« Bill passed last session. Referring jbo thp proposed exemption of building societies, he sps prepared to leave that to the House to decide. l?he amount of concessions proposed by the Government was £15,000, and the amount expected to be realised was £350,000. With respect to Sir George Grey's pro posed amendment for the exemption of improvements, he estimated that such a concession would rpsult in a less of from £37,000 to £50,000, and as. that wopld mean a serious disarrangement of the finance of the Government they could not pos sibly accept the amendment. Were the Government to concede this matter of e^r emption of improvements without con sidering the whole scheme of finance, they would not be pursuing a wise course.. The Government believed that it was only prudent to be on the safe side, and they had every reason to believe that their estimate of this tax would be realised. He hoped that the House would accept the concessions he had made in the Bill ma rioh-party spirit, and with a general desire to r»nake the Bill Work as fairly as possible- Sir George Grey strongly defended liig proposal to exempt improvements. The Premier had a great chance with his large surplus to relieye the poorer classes by the removal of taxation from ifee neces saries of Ufa. He' galled or> $h,e House to neglect all other considerations and to say that no taxes on improvemens should deface the statute book of New Zealand, Sir John Hall congratulated the Govern ment and the House on the extent to which the .Government had seen the error of their 1 v>'ay in respect to the tax on debentures, a tax which could not fail to

do are&t injury to tho colony. He wan. glad to see the exemptions contained in the Bill, bub h« asked why several partners in a piece of land should not have the same exemption as partners in a firm. As regarded "the taxation*: im provements he questioned the Prem er's statement that the wealthiest people were those who would benefit most by its re moval. The Treasurer could not deny that rhis tax was a great discouragement on improvements. Dr Newman said that it was time the Premier ceased his taxation proposals, as he had this year imposed more fresh and vai ied taxation than any Minister who had yet sat on the benches, notwithstand ing that the Government this year possessed a large surplus and a largs revenue. Mr Gsorge Hutchison lamented that when the most important measure of the session was on, the Government were represented by such a beggarly array of empty benches. They were told that the exemption of improvements to the extent of £37,000 would seriously interfere with the finance of the Government, but he thought that if a revenue of four millions would be endangered by a small sum of that kind ifc showed that the finance was in a delicate, not to critical, position. The Premier, in his opinion, was the natural enemy of settlers, and this was proved by his taxation proposals. Mr Allen took strong objection to several clauses in the Bill. Although the Government had given way in the matter of the debenture tax, the exemptions only applied to those outside the colony, which he regarded as very unfair. Mr Rhodes pointed out that the people whom the Premier would exempt wei c the wealthiest class, namely the banks and foreign loan companies. Mr Fish said. that the amendments made in the Bill had been forced on the Premier at the point of the bayonet. Mr Richardson thought that the Oppo sition were to be congratulated on thi3 Bill, as it was the result; of the contention made by that side ot the House last session. H« pointed out that twelve months ago the Government were pre pared to sacrifice £40,000 in the reduc tion of postage, and yet the Premier now declared that if Sir George Grey's amend ment were carried, involving a loss of £37,000, ie would ruin his finance. Mr Saunders would have liked to have seen agricultural improvements exempted from the tax, a'ud contended that Sir George Grey was impolitic in asking for the exemption of improvements on build ings instead of on agricultural improve ment?. Mt Moore, Mr Fisher, Mr Duthie, Mr Buckland, Mr T. Thompson, and Mr Shera also spoke. In the course of his reply the Premier said that as soon as the iinances would allow if, he should be in favour of ex empting; all improvements, accepting Sir George Grey's amendments, as he be lieved in a land tax pure and simple. With respect to what had been said about banks being exempted he believed that those institutions would pay more under the new system of taxation than under the old form. The second reading of the Bill was agreed to on the voices. liANI» FOR &ETTLEJIERT BJH. The Lapd for Settlement Bill passed through Committee with amendments made by the Waste Lands Committee. The Bill was reported with amend ments. The House rose at 1.50 a.m.

Ashburton Cricket Club.

A general meeting of the members of the Ashburton Cricket Club was held on Tuesday evening. There was a good attendance. Mr W. B. Denshire occupied the chair. Correspondence relative to the pro posed Waitaki Cricket As3ociatiou (some particulars of which were given in our local Columns earlier in the week) was read, and discussed at considerable length. Ultimately on the motion of Mr Cuthbertson, seconded by Mr Bell, it was unanimously resolved to join the Association. The appointment of delegate, and other matters connected with the Association, were left in the h^nds of the committee. The opening day was fixed for Wednes day, September 28. A la^ge quantity of other business was disposed of by the committee,

Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

A general meeting of the Committee of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held in the Arpade Cham bers yesterday afternoon, The president, Mr ft. Friedla.nder, was in the chair, and about forty members of the Committee and Association were present. A letter was read from Mr G. H. ■ Alington, Methven, suggesting several alterations in the classing and numbering of the entries in horse stock at the show. This was fully discussed, and a number of other suggestions made. Ultimately on the motion of Mr D. Thomas it was agreed that both the class number and catalogue number, be printed on each ex hibit ticket, and'that each entr'j' of live ■tock have two tickets. A petitipn wfts read requesting that no booths for the sale pf intoxicating liquors be allowed on the show grounds. An i animated discussion took place on this question. Examination of the signatures showedjbhafc of the thirty names only six were those of members of the Association. Mr Or. W. Leadley stated that other petitions had beensigned, but hadnot come fc j? ward. Mr Leadley proposed, aud Mr R. CJarke seconded, a resolution, " That the question be held over for consideration ijt a future Coniijiititee meating," Tbp was carried, against an amendment, proposed by iVJr C. Reid, and seconded by Mr Denis McKendry, ct That the prayer of the peti tion be nob granted^" The president, Mr R, Friedlander, offered to present silver cups for the 1 irgest prize takers in sections at the show, and the offer was accepted with applause. It was agreed that there shall be two judges in each section and a large number of iiidges and marshals were appointed, subject to th^ir acceptance of the posi tions. ; It was decided that all traction engines be on the show grounds by 8 a.m. on the rnocning of the show, and that they be nob allowed! to leaye before 6 p.m., several complaints having . been made pi the trouble they had caused at previous shovs amongst tlje horses and traffic generally. Mr D. Ttyomas brought up the question of reduction of rates and fares fur ex hibits and passengers to the ifhow, aqd it was s.ta£ed that bhu question was now under consideration by tfre railway cpm missioners. " * A Ground Cpm.mittee of ten members ' was appointed, vi? s—Messrs M. Stitt, E. Cookson, J. O. N. Grigg, l\ Williams, Thos, Taylor, Daniel McKendry, G. H. Alington, Ohas. Reid, R. Millar, and John Shearer.

Wesleyan Church.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONJtS.

The weather yesterday afternoon ras no* such as would render pleasant to those taking part mit an outdoor function. As a consequence there was nob a very larse gathering in Baring Square to usiat in laying the foundation stoms of the Wesleyan Church, the main building of which has just been successfully moved from the old site in Cameron street West to the section in Baring Square, im mediately adjoining the County Council C mt? )e^ st>ort]y after three o'clock, Ihe Rev 8. Lawry, the minister of the circuit, too* his place on an extemporised platform in front of the building, lacing the squara, and opfned the prbce<sdines by giving out a hymn. The choir, under Mr Gamble, was in attendance, and an organ, kindly lent by Mi- F. Ferrhnan, hid been placed in position against the left front of the building. This organ was played by Miss Murray, organist of the Church, and, notwithstanding the dis agreeable weather, the singing was very hearty. Heavy rain had f-illeu in the early part of the day, but fortunately during the hour the commemoration proceedings lasted fait- weather ruled, although the air was chilly enough for anything, and the south-easterly ' wind meint business. The hymn sung, prayer followed, and the rev. chairman proceeded to explain the object of the gathering. Jie said it was usual first to lay the foundation stone and then build. But in this instance they had * building already there, and they had to place foundation stonesunder it. The weather was cc tainly far from pleasant, aDd he would not detain them with a history of the Church, which most of them, having a longer connection with Ashburton than he had, knew better than he did. Besides, it was only a few weeks ago that an excellent summary of the Church's history Lad been given by the local papers when reporting the •• at home held in the Church as the last social gathering of the congregation held in the building previous to its removal from Cameron street. This project of ra7 ing, the Church was not a new one. It had been before the congregation for three years, and for a time there wae not perfect unanimity in regard to the feasibleness of the undertaking. It was feared by many practical people that the builuing would not stand Moving, and they were not in favor of it. Thos« friends prophesied tvil as certain to attend the moving, but they were fa»se prophets as well as prophets of evil, for the building was there in its position, very lrtle the worse. The rev. gentleman then paid a high compliment to the contractor for the care he had taken and the skill he had shown in the work of moving the ©hurcb, and accorded to him and his men the thanks of the congre gation for its safe transit. The simple moving of the building from one site to -andthev—no mean undertaking in itself— was not the limit of the scheme the Wesleyans purposed carrying out. The scheme included very considerable altera tions and additions, an idea of which could be gathered from the plans which he had caused/ to be exhibited on the front of the building, showing the ground plan, and the front and side elevations. The front would be very much altered. Instead of entering from the side as wastfce case when the building was in Cameron street, entrance to the new building would be gained from the front through a handsome vestibule of 22ft by Bft, and this change would enable them to present to the street an ornamental front that would advertise them all the aeven days of the week. At the back of the Church there was to be erected a school building 33ft long by 20ft wideband with a view to providing for social meetings in connec tion with the Church, a " Church kitchen" was to be erected in the far corner. There would also, of course, be the necessary visiting accommodation. People had asked why th«y did not build a new Church. It was far easier to ask this question than to find the substantial sum of money that would be necessary to put up the building. But the new Church was coming, and he believed would come all the sooner now that the old one had been moved. They would see that on the upper part of tha section they had left ample room for the new church. He was sanguine enough to believe that be fore many years were past they would need a new Church in Ashburton—n Church large enough to accommodate in one great congregation all the Methodists in the town. If that movement were brought about he would not regret that a new Church had not been erected now. The meeting that day had another object —namely, to give their friends and well wishers an opportunity of helping them financially, for before the whole work was done £460. would be wanted from some source or other. The Sunday school had provided £50 towards the cost of erecting the part that was more particularly for school purposes, and was prepared,to do more, and that should be an inducement to those who were interested in the spiritual and moral training oi the young to help in the ftork. 'MrS. $. Chapman had promised to be present as one of the original trustees of the building to lay the foundation stones., but as he had not yet come in he (Mr Lawry) would ask Mr John Orr, another of the early trustees, to lay the first stone, Before doing so he would mention that in a. cavity of the stone was placed a sealed letter contain ing the following document, along with the papers, etc., mentioned in it :— " Wesleyan Methodist Church, Baring 'Square, Ashburton."—"These memorial foundation atones were laid on Tuesday, September 20, 1892, by Messrs S. S. Chap man, of Willowby, and John Orr, of Ash burton,' to commemorate the removal of the main building from Cameron street east to this site,(and the addition of the aqhoolrpom and vestibule, and other alterations, Thg main building was originally erected ou section 700, Cameron street past, during the residence in Ashburton of the Rev W. B. Marten, the first minister appointed by the Wesleyan Conference to this circuit. The builder was Mr Matthew Smith. The foundation stone was laid by Mr Alfred Saunders, M.H.R., on October 16, 1877. The same stone is re-laid this day by Mr S. S, Chapman, who was one of the original trustees. Thp Church was opened forpublic worship on Decerriber 3j) of the same *■ ye*r, the preachers being Revs W. Morley and VV. C. Oliver. ■■ ■ ' ~> ■ ♦The following ministers have been ap pointed to tfye superintendency pf the Aan burton circuit: —Revs W. 8,. Marten, W. Keall, C. H. Standage, I). McNicoll, 1 % I Buttle, S.. Lawry. Since 18,85 two minister^ have been appointed in each year, the ! superintendents having as. their colleagues— i Revs T. J. Wallis, T. W. Newbold, J, T. Burrowjs, J. H. Gray. The last named in each lisit are the ministers of the circuit at the present date. " The trustees of this property are Messrs John Orr, G. VV. Andrews, YV. H. Collins, R. Aloorn, L. Causey, H. M. Jones. J, Gamble, T. H. Fox, J. Alison, H. G. Berry man, W. G. Murray, J. W. Baker; R. Alcorn being treasurer, andH. G. Berryman secretary. "The contractor for removing the build ing to this site is Mr A. J. Eggleton, of Christchurch; the contractor for:th.e addi tions and alterations ia Mt P. Williams, loi Ashburlon, and* the architect. Mr I*. E.: Kilwofth, of Ashburton. Mr f 1 R. Steel is the donor of both these memorial stones. " Enclosed herewith are sketch plan of the buildings, copy of circuij; plan for current quart^i;, containing lists of preachers' afrd other circuit dftfcets," preaching places, cit; cuifc balance sheet, etG,,~copies of "New Zealand Methodist," "Missionary Review," "Prohibitionist," Ashburton "Guardian," and a ticket for the lecture this evening, and some current coins of the realm. (Signed " Samuel Lawry, 20 9 1892, Sup«ruVen Unt Minister."

TTTO ASHBTTBTON GTTAKDIAff t WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1893.



Holloway's Pills.—Teaching of Experi ence:—The united testimony of thousands} extending oy.er forty years, jPTfUSt strongly recon)m; eijd jfi<^s© pills as th<r|»esfc purifier*, ti)e mildest aperients, arid the surest rest'ora* tiyes. They never prove delusive, or give merely temporary relief, but attack all »il jnqnrS gt the stomach, lungs,' heart, and bowels in tho only safe and log^imate, wayi by depurating tlie bloQdy'and.^q e,sdigatfo| those impurities which arp 'the source anjj constituents of almost every disease, Their medicinal efficacy is wonderful in renovating enfeebled constitutions. Their action em braces all that is desirable in a household medicine. They expel every noxious and effete matter; and thus the strength is nutured ajid fchq energies stimulated, *



1Q MAKE Nicest Scones, Nideaf Pastry, Nicest Cakes, Use AuLSJEBKppKvs Self-Eaislbfir Bony. Cracicnbia and Digestive Bisciiits for Invalids *rp unsurpassed. Made ti^r



'One of the Old Committee."—lt wag part cf yonr duty, aa a member of the committee, to see that a balance sheet was made up. We do not care to publish an anonymous attack en a body of which you are yourself a> member.



MR T. BULLOCK.. TO FARMERS AND OTHERS. TO LET.—A convenient Dwelling House of five rooms, together wiMi Coach House and Stable, near the Woollen Factory. FOR SALE—A comfortable Cottage centrally situated in Methven Township, together with two sections or five at the option of the purchaser. Very easy terms. FOR SALE, cheap.—Half-acre, together with small Cottage, situated on the North Belt near the High School. TO LET.—Four-roomed Cottage, well Situated on the Alford Forest Koad. FOR SALE.—Capital Building Site, Peter strcefc, being T.S. 780, first-class Land. T, BULLOCK Estat@ Agent. "js'OTIOE TO CORRBSPONDENf.C



Wantetf. CASH Advertisement* under eh s heading not exceeding SIXTEEN WORDS 1/-. Addresses may be Wtat this Office. PRIVATE Board and Residence for one or two gentlemen, within one minutes walk from Post Office. Apply Mail Office. 9 113 ANTEDTaTSmart Boy for drapery. Apply between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Thursday Morning, Friedlander'sCorner G. J. Neiix&Co. 9 117 IFETY BICYCLES.—For Sale two "Raleigh" machines, changeable gear, large solid tyres, all latest improve ments ; £16 10s each.— J. Forbes, c/o H. Sander. 9 156 WANTED, for immediate delivery, 100 tons oaten sheaf chaff. Apply, Fhiedlanuer Bros. 9 154 T OfST—A black lace scarf between Dr -*~^ Tweed's house, railway station, and Mr R. M. Cuthbertson's, last Saturday evening. Finder will be rewarded on re turning to Dr Twked. 9 153 A Splendid sample of Onions, on strings, 181 bs Is, no grown ones, cheaper by sack. First class eating and seed Potatoes cheap.—J, Thomas, Have lock Street, 9{145 LOST -Spur, between railway station and mill. Reward, E. Savnbers, '' kyttelton Times " office, Arcade. 9155 ANTED Known—New Fiannekttw at extraordinary prices; 3s lid and 4a lid doz. Thirty per cent under price.—W. H. Collier. BpMfiRSET Meat Mart. The oldest, the largest, the best, and the cheap est. Small doods a specialty. Full weights guaranteed. A trial solicited. —W. J. Silcock. 4t182 HATCHSf our Chickens early ; Brown and White Leghorns, AncUlusians, and Black Spanish eggs. Guaranteed pure strains. H. G. Flower, East Street. CHEAP BOOKS.—AII Books at Eng. lish Prices for this month only. Several volumes soiled, at Less than Half-price. Books at all prices ; from One Penny to Five Pounds each.jr- L. F. Andrewes, Stationers' Hall. S^ALEK^S Prize Competition will • " be Closed on September 21. All papers must be sent in by that dat?. VIJ"ANTED Known—Dr Scott's cele" * ™ brated Electric Corsets can only be obtained in Ashburton at VV. H. Collier's, "The Corner." WANTED Known--We are now show ing the most stylish and best variety of Millinery we have ever had. Come and inspect. —H. 0. Segers, Melford House. CHANTED —Gentlemen betore buying »" their Suits and Clothing of all descriptions to inspect our stock. £1000 worth must b« sold regardless of cost. — H C. Segers, Melford House. X\T ANTED Known — That Robert V V Dojrtf, lafce' manager for James Craigie, Painter, will still continue the Piuniing Business in all its branches. Any orders left at Messrs John Orr and Co.'a, or at i 1 is private residence, Moore street, will be prdmotly attended to. " B*lo4 ,V,I ES CONLAIN and Miss Arnott, -LiIJL Costume Makers, have removed to Triangle—next Hanrahan, Baker, and are prepared to guarantee.perfect fat, and latest P»ris fashions. Dresses made from 10s 60; 7§154 WANTED Known—lf you want good value in first-class Drapery f»r.d Sloohing for your money go to H. C- Skgers, Melford House. Great reduc tions now on. ALL W ooi Colonial '1 weed Suits tc measure; fib and workmanship guaranteed : from 50s cash. Koberi Alcob>', Ashburton Clothing Marr, Saunders' Buildings. WE tender our sincere thanks to our many customers and friends for their continued support. Having increased our staff, customers can now rely upon being attended to promptly. Cash given for first class dairy produce only.—Cask Siore, Havelock street. EARLY Seed^Pocacoesjbest varieties. Vegetable and Flower Siceds, Ryegrasa, Clovers, Maize, Oat Sheaf and Straw Chaff, Onions, Apples, Trees, Pkute, etc. Save a large portion of your money by purchasing for cash from J. Thomas, Have^ck Street. "rTTANTED Known—Pump*,- Pumps W Pumps. I have on hand t'}e largest stock in town of Pumps, Piping, Gas, Steam, and Water Fittings. Manu facturers of Galvanized Sfceel Gutters, Spouting, Cidging. and Down Pipe to any strength, size or pattern. —J. W. Haroley, East street. TjTlh.Y sh°uld we lflfc *he ran water off I W our roo** rofc our buildings and run to waste when HARb:** wHI *>"<* and &* spouting at 4d per foot. A*Bo good Water Tanks, guaranteed, from thirty shillings. Note his address—J. W. Hardlet, Plumber and Gasfitter, East Street. WINDMILLS supplied and fixed. Hot and Cold Water Services laid on. Baths made to any size or pattern. Electric Bells fixed, and all kinds of Plumbing work done at lowest rates. Workmen sent to all parts of the district. —J, W. Hardley, Plumber and Gasfitter. WAITED Known —Being over stocked, and having new Spring Boots and Shoes just arrived, J. Moison intends selling at little over cost price, some below cost, for two months. Great Bargains. The stock is the choicest in Ashburton. Hid superior own make s kept on ham?, unsurpassed in New. Ze iland. .1 staff of msn kept. All work and repairs under my own supervision, and done on the shortest notice. — J. Moisay, East Street Town Hall shop-



HARDLEY BROS. MONSTER CLEARANCE OF SPENCER'S STOCK OF DRAPERY, ETC. COMMENCE* ON 1 i Saturday, September 3. Every Article REGARDLESS OF COST. A THOBOUOH Genuine Clean Out. ■■ -o ' " r Visit us at once AND SECURE TBE BARGAINS. -ATJGITE THE WOMAN'S FRIEND STOVE MAT. POSITIVELY INDESTRUCTIBLE. A FTBli years of experience, and chemically combining the materials contained A in ♦hiVMat, it w now offered to the housekeepers of Ashburton, as an abso iotTDiwentive from burning %U kinds of foods that have heretofore required stirring. fi?lSring tequired fo? Oat Meal, Milk, Rice, Custards, Blanc Mange, Jellies, Rutted OateuL, Apple Sauce, etc etc. In fact, nothing will burn on it Coffee SSI nS'b^l oier f the pot is on the Mat; breaji toasts nicely on it. Try it and be «v?n^d For the nursery, there is nothing equal to heat the milk and food for JhTuby** If » « ale Sre, lay th. Mat on the open fire tf the Mat becomes so.led, dte nS wtf»h or scrape, but turn the soiled part next to the fare, and burn until clean. JfcTlO© /wIS« ■! New Zealand Ulothing: Factory, AGENTS.



OPENING ANNOUNCEMENT- G. J. NEILL and CO. WILL OPEN UP IN FRIEDLANDER'S BUILDINGS, CORNER OF MOORE * BAST STFEETO, OK BATTJRDAT, SEPT. 24, A lABGE AND WELL ASSORTED lEW ITOCH Of GENERAL DRAPERY, CLOTHING, AND B o O T S. Q. J. NBILL and CO. P.S.-MR NEILL was late Manager for V. W. SPENCER and CO. of tkt Arcade for over four years.



S. SALEK, Watchmaker and Jeweller. (TjntPOR&BT PREMISES k.T W. 0, DAVIS REFRESHMENT ROOM. Fire. Fire. Fire. MUST BE CLEANED AT AWY PRICE MY STOCK of Electro-Mated and Silverware. Gold and Silver Jewellery, and other bUhHBlMi ' Jewollery, has to be S'JLD previous to gong into new premises, a? Intend opening mth *n entirely new -^ Wedding Present?, Birthday Presents, and Presentation Testimonials. . Tha* wUI b. found B°^^ l'y s^£^ J %£s** COS? PRICK- ' W%tehm^ing aiid Jcwd! ; : ''^^ •■• "'i-ricd on as usutd.