MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close for the following place* ac under, nubject to the necessary alterations: WEDNESDAY, December 28. For the United Kingdom, Continents of Euiopeand America and West Indies (via San Francisco), Sandwich Wands, etc., and also for Northern Ports of New Zealand, per Takapuna, as follows:— Ordinary letters, books., and newspapers, at 6.15 P-™* 1 : registered letters, at 5 p.m. ; moDey orders, at 3p.m.; late fee letters, mail van, express train, at 6.55 p.m. This mail will be due in i London on February 1-

ENGLISH MAILS.

BOMKWAttD-WBWr MAIM. Ruapehu sailed November 24, due London January 4. lonic, sailed November 12, due London, December 23. OUTWAKD —DIRECT MAILS. Tongariro, sailed November 14, due i December 30. OUTWARD—SAN FRANCISCO MAILS. Next mail leaves London December 24, due colony January 25. - __

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1892. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Messrs C. E. Fooks and Son have taken central and convenient officeß in the Arcade. Whittle's hotel at Waiau was burned down between eleven and twelve on Sunday morning. A well-known teacher of. music at Auck land, Walter Stubbing, was found dead on Sunday morning in his room. The circum stances point to suicide by taking pruseic acid. Albert Thomas has been committed for trial on a charge of assaulting Mr J. L. Kirkbride with intent to kill him, at Well ington. A private letter received at Wellington states that Mrs Darrell, wife of Mr George Darrell, the well-known actor, Hied at Johannesberg, South Africa, from cholera, after twenty.four hours' illness. At Timaru on Saturday four men who had been employed by the Elginshire Salvage Company in recovering material from the wreck, were remanded for a week on a charge of stealing £21 worth of tar*! paulins and wire rope. , A mild form of influenza continues pre valent in and about Timaru, but inland a : severe type prevails, and nearly all hands on some of the Mackenzie stations are laid up with it; One death in Timaru, that of a middle-aged woman, is attributed to the epidemic. On Friday, the woolshed of Mr Harrison," Alford Forest Road, was destroyed by fire. The fire had a complete hold when it was discovered, and a chaff cutler, a quantity of chaff, several sets of harness, and other property were destroyed, only two or three articles being saved. The property was insured in the New Zealand office. A boat 1 containing fourteen men of the warship Katoomba capsized in Auckland harbor oh Saturday afternoon near Dean Rock lighthouse. A stoker named Smith was drowned. The other men swam to the lighthouse reef and were rescued, but one of them, a marine, died after he was taken on board the Katoomba. The average of 30 years' wheat-growing in Kew South Wales has been 13.10 bushels The highest average was 17-37 bushels reaped in 1887, when the total yield from 337,730 acres was 5,868,844 bushels, The lowest was in 1880, when 314,803 acres yielded 1,450,503, an average qf 475 bushels. The largest area under wheat during the 30 years was 419,758 acres in 1890, which yielded 6,570,335 bushels. It is evidently not going to be a merry Christmas for anumber of our readers this year, the influenza having claimed so many for its victims.. It will perhaps interest sufferers from this much travelled disease to know th&t Mr J» M. Cambridge, chemist, of this town, has secured the agency fpr Mr Marshall's cures for this disease. These remedies have a splendid reputation, being almost exclusively used in Bunedin. The Fire Brigade teams from Christehurch and Rangiora-two of the qrack teams of Kew Zealand—that competed at the sports yesterday, were met o,n their arrival in Ashburton by the members pf jihe local brigade, and taken to the Brigade Station to lunch, which was put on in first-class style by J'ireman Beach, Panama Hotel After the sports they were again entertained j and they Ipft Ashburtoti highly pleased with their reception, a 4 with ringing cheers for the Ashburton Brigade; While the express fop Ohriatchurch last night was between Promqre and Chertsey a passenger fell from the platfprm of a second class carnage. The train was near Rak&'a before the driver could be warned, and on arriving at Rakaia the guard of the evening train from Christchurch was notified of the occurrence. The officials and passengers of the latter train picked the man up, made him as comfortable as possible, and on arrival at Ashburtow prefaced tg gend him to the hospital, but the suflfewr «titpmed everybody by rising up and walking off un assisted. About si* o'clock on Saturday evening the gorse fsnce on the north east side of the Ashburton racecourse was. discovered to be ■on fire, Mr J. tt. Co^and his dons were p» the spot soon afterward", but the #re pould not be stayed until farthe* assistance arrived, and by that time along itiwtch of fencing, as well as a considerable expanse of eras? hud been destroyed. About eight o'cSews of the fire got **£■£. «£ the Brigade were sent out to ?revw the fire reaching the plantations. They respondea .quickly to the sound of the bell, but the fire had been got under whei* they reached the spot, Sir Matthew Davies has shown » der 6PM>ncy in his (estate of £101,000; but (the Melbourne correspondent of the "Otago Daily Times" says) as he is still liable for £10 10s per share on 10,000 shares in the ; s ~'A Investment and Banking Company Freeno*. • » j fc w iH be seen that his (in liquidation;, • —«, increase. His liabilities are liable to a iai fe ~ . ■ t», unencumbered assests are only £8500. *-■ 1888 Sir Mat hew is reckoned to have been worth, at a modest computation, L 600,000. Had he met the good fortune (for so it may surely be expressed) of joining the great majority at that period, what a different reputation he would now have possessed. Mr H- Hanmer, a well-known landed proprietor of Canterbury, died suddenly on Saturday night, at the Star Hotel, Auck land, where he has been staying. This news will be received with feelings of regret. Mi Hamner has, for many years, lived a retired life in Sumner, where he has gained the respect oE the residents, as he did those of Christchurch when he was engaged in business pursuits. Mr Hanmer was a very early settler in Canterbury, having arrived here m the fifties. He leaves a widow and sou and daughter to mourn his death. Mrs Hanmer was with him when he died. His remains are being sent to Christchurch for interment. The deceased gentleman, Mr Humphrey Hanmer, was ancle to Mr Hanmer, of Miles and Co A paragraph in our news summary by last San Francisco mail stated that the late Mr ThomaaTfelson, publisher, Edinburgh, had bequeathed £ 53,000 to the Edinburgh Work ing Men's Club. Those who knew Mr Nelson thought this very strange, and the following from the Edinburgh correspondent of the " Otago Witness : J shows that the mail paragraph was erroneous :—Mr Nelson bequeathed i' 50,000, umler trust, to be used in the erection and maintenance in the poorer parts of the city o\ shelter halls " to which persons of the working class and others can so. to sit, read, write, converse, and otherwise occupy themselves. The trustees have power to sell and dispose of the halls if they think they are not sepying a useful and beneficial purpose, or they may hand over the management of them to the corporation. The correspondent feara the acheme will not work well. Mr Nelson is supposed to have died worth a million" though he was benevolent throughout life. Cbacknbm. and Digestive Biscuits for fyyajids are unsurpassed. Mad© by

THE HOLIDAY.

CALEDONIAN SOCIETY'S SPORTS.

From an early hoar in the morning, in fact just after a ahock of earthquake, an unusually fierce north-wet* gale blew on Monday, rendering getting about a my at unpleasant .task. The high wind did a lot of mischief. In addition to prevent ing many people from coming out who would certainly have attended the gather ing, and made it the largest ever held in the county, it made the day's outing un comfortable for thooe who came to the gathering; blew down several fine trees in the Domain ; levelled first one and then another in succession of the three small tents that had bten put up on ihe sports ground ;. and, finished up with collapsing the large refreshment marquee which Mr Patching had put up lor Mr W. U. Davis. Fortunately nobody whs seriously hurt, the only accident of conse-, quence being one to Mr Davis 1 little girl, who got a rather hard knock on the head from the falling tent pole. The wind dis organised everything to a great axt tat, but the Committee battled through bravely and managed to get the events off without very much delay. A great feature in the gathering this year was the cycling, and it was much to be regretted for the sake of the bicyclists alone that the high gale prevented them from doing their best. The track at its best is one of the fastest in New Zealand, but it has not been maintained up to its best of late, and the 1 gale did not add to its speed, much of the cinder dressing having been blown away. There were no. less than twenty-eight entries for the three cycling events on | the card—one, two, and three mile races. Four of them were of Australian cracks now on a visit to this colony to in troduce and help to establish the cash amateur system in New Zealand ; eighteen were from Christchurcb, also cash ama* ! teurs ; two from Oamaru, and the re i mainder Ashburton men, all of course cash amateurs ' The cycling vm done at a great disadvantage owing to the wind, and of course records were impossible, i but the exhibitions of Boyd and McCombe in the two and three miles were things to be remembered. In the one-mile, Mc- Combe, who had never had any experience of a gale before, was quite frightened when he felt his "bike tT lifted olean off the ground, and found that he required to exercise all h«i knew to keep himself up right. Ho confesses to just a little bit of funk in the mile, and certainly did not ride his best. Boyd, too, was not alto gether at home in the gale, and neither of these favorites did anything of note, but Barker, a young Christchurch rider, who had some experience of wind and has the reputation of being a grafter, lay down to his work and came in a good first- He , had a start, of 170 yds, and did the distance from his mark in 2min blsecs—uncom monly good time in the gale. Graves;! 160 yds, came in about three yards behind Barkei, and F. 0. Forbes 100 yds, w&s a good third. Chri» Wilson, Captain of Cash Amateur Club, Christchurch, is a. well-known good performer, but the influenza has put him very much off color, and though he finished unplaced in the one and two miles would have given a good account of himself had he been at all well. He did not start in the three mil as. When the two and three mile events came to be decided, Boyd and McCombe were cer rainly the favorites. Boyd is a little chap, nr>t yet out of his teens, and McCombe has the advantage in weight, in years and in experience. The latter evidently fancied that if Boyd could go on in such a gale, he could, and in the two mile event, he clung to Boyd's wheel all the way. They both soon came through their men, and a grand race resulted down the straight, Boyd passing the tape just a wheel's length in front of the Australian crack. Graves was third, but with a lot of leeway to make up. In the three-mile event, the lacing was again narrowed down to a tml of strength between Boyd and McCombe. The extra mile was all in thelatter's favor, whose longer racing ex \ erience, heavier weight, and better stay ing power told in the last bp, and jjp passed Boyi just atter enfcerhhj flip \:t>\, lap. Boyd was evidently surprised yfheti Mcnombe passed, him, and made a most brilliant spurt, which he maintained to the tape, but McCombe had got the ad vantage and the youn^ one was never able to catch, him. although McOom.be had to work all \\e knew to hold the position he gained wtyen he passed Bqyd., and he came in at a B *eat pace, waning hy ten, or fifteon yards. The Australian was loudly cheered over this exhibition, and the. '■ boys" carried htm, machine and all, shoulder high to the pavilion. Time—2 miles ~6min 45aec j three miles—Qmin 14=ieo. There was nothing extraordinary in any of the other events on the card. The pedestrian Work was as good as could be expected under the trying circumstances, and the jumping was not phenomenal, any more tfoan the hammer throwing, etc. There wag a fair tura out of Highlanders, both men and br>ys, especially the latter; whose dancing was very neat indeed; and the Irish dancing was all that it should be with Sullivan and O'Loughlen competing. Towards evening the find fell a lrttfe, and the dancingWaß^arrjsd on under better aimpigep, but in the earlier part pf £he day the mm had to danoi wifch their bodies at a very sharp %ngle to the weather sid«. The Fire Brigndes* competition in nye men manual engine drill was most in tereS«n«. Three brigades entered, and each team had to lie down hair dressed, start at "go," dress in coat, helmet, and bek run fifty yard® and man the engine, run out two length of hose, andtljrow water on a disc setup for the purpose, fenalties were inflicted for such fauhs as buttons or belts npfc fastened, joints or coupling too slack, etc. Christchurch lost gseps for an updone button^ and Bangiora gsecs for a slagk joint. Ash* burton won with a lot tQ spare. ■■■•■■ **- i«*v the Brass B*nd plwreo During t»»v ~. „ "*W gfloton^ selections of music—mo*....,, * ■•■•—- which, however, the nor-wester did its best W drown, and at times succeeded, and[the pipes had no better luck. Many children's races were run during the day, which Messrs Lechner and Paul were good enough to arrange and start. The Society was beholden to a large number of friends in the town who gave prizes for competition by the children, and many little hearts were gladdened by tojß and other prizes won on the track. Several donations to the general prize fund en abled the Society to offer a fair amount of money and prizes in kind in the events. The starter should have been Mr D, Thomas, but he w s unable to be present, and the duties of the office were dis charged satisfactorily by. Messrs W. Mal colm and James Reid. The police force, under Sergeant Moller, rendered good service during the day in keeping the track clear, but the crowd would persist in spite of them in encroach ing on the turf. The, following is the prize list :— Quoits-J, Taylor, 1; Oompton, 2—7 entries. Open Handicap Hueele Race- J. b. Murdoch, 12yds, 1; F. Close, scr, 2 ; T. Patterson, 20yds, 3—lo entries. Pipe Mcsie-^PibroelH^G, Robertson and A. McKay equal, 1 ; R. MtfTayish, Christchurch Scottish Rifles, 3. Marches McKay, 1; Robertson, 2- Reels and Strathspeys—McKay, 1; Robertson, 2; McTavish, 3. Hi^h Jump—J. Jamieson, sft 2in, 1; S. Baird, hit, 2. Pole Vaulting—J. Baird, 9ft 6£in, X ; Basking, 9ft $tin. lOOydk Handicap Ft at Raoe—F. Close, 2yds, 1 ;,A. Houston, 6yds, 2 $ W. Bruce, ,Bvels, if. 'DANCiNG-Scotch Reel -McKay, lj McKenzie, 2 ; Morrison, 3 -Wade and McTavishalao dancing. Sword Dance- McKay, X; McKenzie, 2; Wade, 3.

Scan Treus—McKay, 1; McKenzie 2 ; Wade, 3. Highland Fling—McKenzie, I; McKay, 2 ; Wade, 3. Reel o 1 Tulloch I —McKay, 1; McKenzie, 2; Wade, 3. Boys' HighUud Dancirg (open) —J. Stewart, 1; R. Pophwn, 2. Members' Children only- Pickford, 1; P. Malcolm, 2. I; bh Hornpipe—Sul)i"ftn, 1; O'Lough len, 2. Irish Jig—Sullivan, 1; O'Lough len, 2; R, Popham, 3, Boys' Irish Jig —R, Popham. (Sailers' Hornpipe — Dickie, 1; Sullivan, 2 ; Popham, 3. Best Dressed Highland Boy—J. \ Stewart, l~a remarkably neat, well made, i and well appointed costume. Grand Handicap Flat Races of 100 yds, 220 yds, and 400ydd run in heats, most points in all distances to score on the aggregate, but heat winners to receive £ieach—looyds— Y. Close, 2yds. 1; J.F, Murdoch, syds, 2 ; K. Craig, bcr, 3, 220 yds -Murdoch. 10yds, 1; Craig, scr, 2 ; Close, syds, 3. 440yds-Craig, scr, 1; Close, Byde, 2. Murdoch, 15yds, was first home in the 440, but a protest against him for jostling was sustained, and Close and Craig divided the handicap money. Tossing the Cabjbe—T. W. Dalton, 1; W. Dalton, 2.-6 entries. Haw-Mile Flat -J. W. Nurse, 10yds, 1; P. Annett, scr, 2 ; J. Suther land, 15yds, 3—7 entries. Puttiag thb Stone—W. Dalton, 36ft 4in, 1; R. Oraig, 34ft Sin, 2 ; J. Baird, 30ft, 3. Fire Brigade Competition—Flvc men manual engine drill—Ashburton F. 8., 41 2-sth sees, 1; Rangiora, 42 2 sth sees, 2secs penalty—44 2-sth sees, 2 ; Christ church, 48secs, 2 sees penalty—SOsees, 3. Swimming Maich (Boys) 50yus— McKee, 1; Harris, 2; Pilbrow, 3. Wrestling, Cumberland Style —J. Baird, 1; H. Heron, 2; H. Hullen, 3. Throwing Hammer—S. Baird, 88ft 7in, I; J. Dorm, 83ft llin, 2; W. Dalton, 3. Handicap Mile Race-P. Annett, scr, 1; J. Sutherland, 20yds. 2 ; J W. Nurse, 15yds, 3. Farmers' Handicap Race—J. Cor bitt, 1. Old Men's Race—Perks, 1; Oaten, 2. Consolation—C. Henry, 1; J. Mc- Naught 2, Bicycle Racing — One Mile —A. Barker. 17yds, 1 j A. Graves, 160 yds, 2; F. C Forbes, liOyds, 3. Two miles—J. Boyd (Rangiora) scr, 1; W. S. McCombe (Victoria) scr, 2; A. Graves, 320yda, 3. Three miles—W. S. McCombe, scr, 1; J. Boyd (Rangiora), 2; R. B. Olarkson (Christchurch), 3.

RAKAIA SPORTS AND RACES.

The usually pleasant Boxing Day gathering at Rakaia was this year less pfoasant than usual on account of the nor'wester, and the same influence told against the attendance. Nevertheless it was a successful gathering. The sport, of which the horse races were the most important and most interesting items, was good, and those who were able to sit all day among the trees on the hill were as comfortably situated as was possible on such a day. Fortunately the sheltered situation of the Bakaia Domain prevented any damage being done to tents or trees. As usual some of the horses showed form good enough for most .race meetings, Manilla, a three-year-old filly by Johnny Faulkner, from Sobriety, taking the palhi on this occasion. Blackwood Abdallah, Macilleathean, and Perkin Warbeck 11. were also reprpsented by winners. The sport was kept moving briskly by Messrs C. Hardy (starter), H. Primmer (Clerk of the Course), and, above all, L. Oxluy, (Secretary), and Mr E.. Osborne also took an active part in the preliminary work. Messrs Lyttelton, Hughes, and Kemp I were the judares. The Burnham Band played a good selection of music in r«ally first class style. The licensed booth whs run by Mr H. F. Briiton (everything, of the best), and the luncheon booth by Mr G. Shellock, and both did a good trade. Several improvements in the (pounds since the previous gathering were noticeable, conspicuous among them the fine swimming pond, and the Rakaia Domain bids, fair tq becqme still more twtttj »«» (MVJ <*'f the moat picturesque spots on the plains Th« tallowing are results of the various events ; — Hurdle Race, of 10 soys j second horse 1 soy from the stake- One mile and a half. Mr J. Baxter's b g Roy, aged, list 71b < Tillett) I Mr E. Wilson's gr m, Buncragon, ftyrs, list 71b (J.Butler) 2 Won comfortably by about two lengths. Flying Stakes, of 7 soys j second horse 1 soy from the stake. Abqut six furlongs. Mr Q. Harrison's eh f Manila. 3yw. 105t... .:. ... (Hardwick) 1 Mr E. Wilson's eh g Ringrove, 4yrs, list (carried 12st) ... (T. Watts) 2 Mr R. Bryan's, blk m Rotomahana, aged, list 71b (Owner) 3 The Masher list 71b, Roy list 71b, King list also ran. Rotomahana led till the last furlong, when Ringrove and Manilla closed up,, and a gc<4 fywh rer suited in favor qf Manilla by half a length. Lames Purse, of 10 soys ; second horse 1 soy from the stake. About one mile and three quarters. Miss H, Jf. J-farrison's br m M*y ' Queen, agedj list 71b - * ' ■ (E. Harrison) 1 Miss E. Wilson's b v Jiew Hope, aged, list 71b (J, Butler) 2 Miss R. IS. Hardwick's b g Enterprise, 6yrs, list 71b (G. W. Hard wick) 3 May Queen ran in the rear till the last half mile, when she ran through and won easily by a couple of lengths. HiyiWpAp BAWffifc" Tflflj, of IQ soys; "second horse 1 soy from, the stake. Three miles. Mr R. Beatty's m g Max, 4yrs, 2Qsec behind (Owner) 1 Mr R. Baxter's b g &aoo, aged, 3Qsec behind ... , , (Owner) 2 Mr H. Larraman's b, m Kitty, aged, sor , ... ;.« (Owner) 3 Tommy Oodd, scr; I'm Sure. aOseo . •: * • 20aec behind jThe started. A good race, Farmeks Plate, of 10 soys; second horse 1 soy from the stake. About one mile and a half. Mr G, Harrison's eh f Manilla, 3yrs, lOst 71b, including 71bs penalty (Hardwick) 1 Mr H. J. Harrison's br mMay Queen, a«ed. 12st, including 71bs penalty (K. Harrison) 2 Mr E. Wilson's b g New Hope, aged, list 71b (Butler) 3 Jack 11. list 71b, Buncragon list 71b, and Rotomahana. list 7lb, also ran. I Manilla and May Queen raced away from ; the others at the end of a mile, and the i former won rather easily at the finish. Selling Race, of 10 soys. One mile. Mr J. Alexander's br j? King, 4yrs, list .„ ,„ , (O'Keefe) 1 IMr T. Baxter's 1) g Roy, aged, Ust 1 71b (A. Stewart) 2 Mr G. Hardwick's br g Enterprise, 6yrs, list 71b (Owner) 3 Penelope list 71b, Jack 11. list 71b, New Hope list 71b, also ran. Won all the way. The winner was sold to Mr F. P. Claridge for £13 ss. Hurry Scurry, of 153 each with 1 soy added. Catch weights. Six furlongs. Mr E. Wiison'-'a eh" g _ fiingrpye, 4yrs (H. Jorme) 1 Mr A. George's eh m Penelope (Claridge) 2 Mr R. Byan's blk m Rotomahana (Wilkio) 3 Sflmerton and Fair Nell also ran. Won easily. ATHLETIC EVENTS. 100 Yarbs-,}. Stewart, 3yds, 1; E. 'Laraman. scr, 2 ; .1. Welsh, 2yds, S. Boys 200 Yards (underW)—H, Hpod^ X ; W. Shellojk 2} -f, Oofey »n4 w f

Baxter dead heat. 3. Men's 440 Yards— J. Stewart, lOjds, 1; E. Larrauian, scr, 2. Girls Unmjr 16 (100 Yard*)—O. Oakley and M. Clark, + ; G. Sturgeu, 3. Boys Under 12 (90 Yards)-G. Bruce, 1; W. Pycroft, 2; P. Harvey, 3. Gibls' Rack Undkr 12 (60 Yards)—O. Oakley, 1; B. Boucher, 2 ; E. Shepherd, 3. Running High Jump—J. Harvey, 1; J, Welsh, 2. Tug of Wak (Married v Single), was won by the Single team. Consolation Race 100 Yakdh) — E. Larraman, 1 ; J- Welsh, 2. A Bill was held in the Town Hall in I the evening, and was largely attended- I

Chfistchurch, December 26. Five thousand people attended the Bicycle races to-day. The following are the results of the principal events :—One Mile Handicap—H. Thompson, lOOjrds. 1; O. EL Jones, 50yds, 2; K. Reynolds, (Auckland), 70yds, 3. Time-2imn. 39 2-sths sec. Two-Mile Handicap—A. Dorm, 260 yd», 1; G. P. Simpson, 260 yds, 2; W. F. Waller, 230 yds 3. Five Mile Handicap—W. L. Kerr (Australia), scr, 1; W. J. S. Hay ward, scr, 2; 11. J. Pit her, 40yds, 3. Time—l4min 9 2-sth sec. Auckland, Desember 26. The principal events of to-day's holiday were the races at Ellerslie and the Foresters' sports at Takapuna. The usual number of water excursions took place. The weather was beautiful. Wellington. December 26. A strong northerly gale was blowing all | day and interfered with the success of the holiday. The city was clouded in dust, and locomotion in the streets was diffi cult owing to the high wind. AU the excursions were largely patronised, especially those by the Te Anau and Rotorua to Picton, it being estimated < that quite 1600 were on board the two vessels. The only attraction in town was the cricket match between Christchursh Midland and the local Midland. The scores at present are—Wellington Mid land, first innings 100, .second 97 j Ohristohurch Midland, first innings 109. The latter require 89 to win. iNveRCARGiix, December 26. Rain commenced to fall early this morning and continued till the afternoon, with a stiff breeze. The Southland Racing Club's races were postponed, and Also the sports gatherings in the country townships. Tne sky is clearing to-night, but the barometer is low.

EARTHQUAKE.

Yesterday morning about 6.35 a sharp shock of earthquake wu felt throughout the Ashburton district. It was proceeded by an unusually loud rumbling noise, a sharp shock then coming, followed by a longer wave, the whole lasting some ten or twelve seconds, The direction was apparently east to west,, Some alarm was caused by the sharpness of the quake, but no damage was sustained. We have heard that there was a slight shock about four o'clock in the morning, The 6.35 shock or shocks were -felt At Christchurch and Timaru,but no damage was done.

Waterton Sunday School.

The annual picnic in connection with the Waterton Sunday School was held on Friday afternoon in the beautiful grounds of Mr Grigg, Longbeach, kindly lent for the occasion, The day was line and a large number of children, with their parents, assembled. Some of the children amused themselves in roaming about the grounds, while others passed | the time playiug cricket until tea lime, I when a bountiful tea was provided to all < and sundry on the grass under the shade' of tho trees. After this prizes were distributed to the children according to merit, the distribution heing made by the Rev MrFarJey, who also gave a short address to. the children,.as also did Mr Donaldson, the superintendent, Cheers were then given for Mr Farley, the superintendent, *nd teachers, and *lso to Mf and family for their kindness in flowing the use of the grounds. Mr J. C. JN. Grigg and other members of the family afterwards interested them selves in getting up races for the children, after, which, all returned home satisfied with their day's outing 1 Too much praise cannot be given to Mesdames Donaldson and Watson and Misses Donaldson, Hep-, worth, and Ofrigg (4) for their efforts in connection with the picnic.

Christmas Services

St. Sttphen'B Church was as usual beautifully decorated for Christmas, white lilies being freely made use of with excellent effect. The font, which was a perfect mass of these lovely flowers, was indeed a marvel of beauty, and the win dows, pillars, altar rails, pulpit and lec tern were all tastefully adorned with flowers and forage. Tfte general effect did great credit co the ladies and gentle men who had charge of the decorations. These were Mrs Alfred Curtis, Mrs Wat son and sister, the Mieses Purnell, N, Fooks, Twentyman, Fowler, Jennings, and J. Reid and Messrs, 4. and'F. Curtis and %, Clowes. The services weie con ducted, morning, by Rev T. F&ilev, and evening, by Messrs Rees and Twenty man, and were attended by large congre gations.

The Church of the Holy Name was prettily decorated, and the congregations were large at all the masses, The Very Rev Father Q'DonneU preached at eleven o'clrc^ mass, dealing specially with the season, and the choral service was more th»n usually good.

The Wesleyan and Primitive Metho dist services were special to the occasion, the preachers at both places of worship delivering sermons appropriate to the season. The services at the Presbyterian Church were of the usual character, the pastor delivering a Christmas address to tv» people ID Uv mominK. The Salva tion Army made their services special, and a field officer from a distance was present. At all the above services there were fair congregations. r'

TELEGRAPHIC. HOME AND FOREIGN.

(rtX. PBESS ASSOCIATION.)

GENERAL BOOTH.

I LeHDON, December 9ft. General Booth, in a letter to the newspapers, declares that lor ever he is freed from suspicion in England, and reiterates his appeal for ; an addi , tional £60,000 for the "Darkest Eng land " scheme. He announces that Ihe will proceed, with the oversea ! Colony if further money is subscribed, but disapproves of the appointment of additional trustees for the present, as he believes the appointment would be unwise. DYNAMITE BOMB. A portion of the Dublin detective office has been destroyed by an explo sion of a dynamite bomb. Constable Sin not was killed, the body being horribly mutilated. The front of the building was wrecked. LABOR MATTERS. The Admiralty, in deference to the wish expressed by the Royal Commis sion on Labour, has abolished overtime in order to give employment to more men. Mr Ben Tillet, presiding over a lectureat Bermondsey, stated that since the dockers' strike the wages of the London riverside labourers had in creased by half a million per annum, Labour in England, he said, was full of gratitude for the sympathy of the Aus tralian LaMftur party. Violent language has been used, by the Labour leaders in connection with the lock-out of Bristol dockers. An attempt to march in procession through the streets was forbidden, and the result was a severe struggle between the police and the men. The former were reinforced from the military, and dispersed the mob, but not before several casualties had bean reported. December 25. The leaders of the dockers in Bristol, In addressing a meeting of twenty thousand of I the men locked out, de manded that there should be an altera tion of the system under which the men worked, and denounced the conduct of a handful of tyrant employers who were willing to starve their workmen. THE ALTHuRPE MURDER. The trial of M'Rae for the Althorpe murder was concluded yesterday, the prisoner beiug found guilty and sen tenced to death. . IRISH AFFAIRS. | Mr Davitt was personally exonerated of corruption. In granting the peti tion the judge declared that the priests had been convicted of deplorable acts 1 of violence, and intimidation of women. Bishop Nulty's Pastoral was, he laid, sufficient to null the election. ] THE UNEMPLOYED. ', The proprietors of the "Daily Telegraph " have been warned that if the paper continues its attacks upon the unemployed and their gatherings at Towerhill, the men will forcibly resent them. A similar notice has been sent to the proprietors of the "St James Gazette," THE QUIDORE MURDER. Four of those convicted of having a hand in the murder of Inspector Martin, at Quidore, Ireland, while the latter was attempting to arrest Father McFadden on February 8, 1889, have been released from custody. .-

DRAINAGE.

Calcutta, Deoember2s. The Shone system of .drainage is to be carried ont in Kurcachee, one of the chief seaports of India, at a cost of six lacs of rupees. :

THE POPE FEARS WAR.

Boms, December 25.. The Pope in a« allocution says the moral and religious condition of, Europeans indicates the gathering of a storm, and hopes the powers will agree to a conference with a view to a dis-> armment. ' ■■•'?

THE PANAMA SCANDALS.

Paris, December S3, The French Government has issued 1 a manifesto, denouncing the foreign reports of discontent in France, and asserting that the Republic is safe. The Orleanists are highly elated at the excitement over the Panama scan- - dais, and are drafting a^maaifesto. M. Floquet admits that he" bribed the Press for political purposes.  . December 24. /. Owing to the Panama Canal scandals . there was a sharp fall in the Rentes of ' the Credit Fonoier, but they have now \ slightly recovered. , . Vi The vote of confidence gave M. Ribot -; a majority of 262 in the Chamber of- Deputies, but this is not regarded as a real indication of the feeling of the Chamber. M. Rouvier reiterated the assertion that he had levied money on friends in order to combat Bovlangtst ' plots, and they declared that they were reimbursed by advances oat of secret funds. If he acted otherwise, he says, . the Republicans would have been ' wandering in the paths of exile.. M. : ; Rouvier admitted that he received ia- ■ directly the sum of 50,000 francs, but he was not aware that Baron Heinach advanced it. M. Floquet's admisdon ,' that when Premier he had said, in the  course of an interview, that he had control of an immense Panama Ganal press|ußd,'c,reatedabadinipi!eißJ6n^. ; the Chamber, though It was obviotft .. that the inotiye was to combat Bqu iangerkm, >■■ - - . f'lje Seicle" deolares that a con spiracy has been discovered similar to that of which Boulanger was at the head, Several Paris new«p«pers an. nounoe that it is intended to arrest M. Audrieux in connection. with the Panama scandals, and M. Andrieux declares that the object is to close his mouth. He states that he has not yet reyaalad aU the nam,es implicated, especially one leading politician. The Senate has authorised the pro secution of the Directors and othtrs implicated in the Panama swindle.

AUSTRALIAN.

DEEMING'S WILL.

Mf-^otTRNS, December 2.4 Probate HaVIM" jWjM for #ccV ing's will. The value of thfe esUte |g stated t»J» £50. , ' " \ m mtorq. Mr J. Muiiro, the Agent-Oenerul, fa tfiecourse' of aulnterview, said {&$, ai far as he was concerned, there was 'ftbtbjnpoonnwte^ with fjqMwtaJi(t»tj:

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FoR THE HOLIDAYS. G. J. NEILL and CO's i SPECIAL PRICES FOR THIS MONTH. Ladies' Cashmerette Hoae, double knee, 10£ d Ladies' Cashmere Hose, Is „ , j „ ' New Fashionable Dress Oood ß , 3» 1M a dozen to 5a 6d per yard I All Wool Flannel, 7£d p«r yard Flannelettes at 3s 6d per dozen Good Heavy Twilled at s£d . leather Shirting, Swansdown Back, at 7£a per yard Washing Prints, 3s lid per dozen a special line of White .Muslin, 4£d Pongw CloJhsand Delaines in most beautiful patterns CLOTHING. Men's Colonial Tweed Suite, 23s 6d Men's Serge Suits, 22s 6d Men's Tweed Trousers from 5s lid Boys' Tweed Suits in endless variety Men's Ribb*d Cotton Pante, Is6d , 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 Braces, 4d per pair. BOOTS. BOOTS. BOOTS. UNMISTAKEABLE VALUE. Ladies' and Children's Tan Shoes, a specialty Brown Canvas Shoes, all sizes Men's Bluchers, 5s 3d sizes at very loir prices. G. J. MILL and 00: FRIEDLANDER'S BUILDINGS CORNBR Ot EAST t MOOBB BTPEEIS. HARDLET BROS. EI,B«AIVT AWD USEFUL GOODS At Low Prices. EVEEY ARTICLE 01? OUR NEW STOCK WARRANTED. Oois, we wish to Impress ON ALL the following :~- S^n have the money returned if they so desire. * j au rtu, nwU will be FIRST-CLASS of the Newest and Most Desir- Jeli^atd 2?ft£. areVuch 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 reoeire the BESr. , v w « . ft tUfied with a Small Profit, and as Our Business is of such 4th.~-We ar eßftXfI ro ' h buvinff our Goods off the Manufacturers in I^rge Proporfcons fch**rrou e to SELL our Goods for LESS r^ Those who want GOODS should vend to US and Save Money. Just Amved-A Splendid Assortment of Men's and Boys' StJITS. SPECIALLY FOR CHRISTMAS WEEK. JHAKDLEY BROS., ABCAVB HOUSE, BDItNGTT STBEET, ASHBC R T 0 N. ~ "~ S- SALEX'S NEW JEWELLERY BSrABLISHMENT. r L ty. price, and newest Resigns co^ l requiren)entß of the ABhburfcon District in •te-y br°a*ncn nof a tKewellary Tmde, and is showing a Larger Stock than ha ß ever ■ before been seen in this Dismct^ specially suitable for « aß .trT^ ywKDDING PRESENTS, BIRTHDAY PRESENTS, AND XMAS PRESENT*, * TES fIMONIALS. . ««iii mnA Silver Jewellery ot every description. THE WATCHMAKING'AND^JEWELLERY REPAIRING THK waiw DEPARTMENT i * ;« to »rr*neements, and add-tional aseistance having been Affl.rSsSi^rW on lwvillg their work done promptly and atidactorily S. SALEK, - WATCHMAKER AND JEWELLER. .„.——_— --.„. _ i — '*. I j^^^aTaiidr^lotlitng Factory. FOB THE HOLIDAY SEASON. - TT7B are now Shown* the Best Assorted S^ck o t MEN'S : \V MERCERY and HATS in Aahburton. • ■ ■• . r, . , .- „ TT, lf , : Gents' Ties in endless variety .: Gente' Tennis and Cricketing Hats gflk Handkerohiefs - Gents' Tennis and Cncketing bhirts the lafceSt shftpes Tennis Shoi s Children's Tan Shoes :. Cents' Canvas and Tan bhoes nd Gente> su s : uite' Walkinst Shoes J '•■ CLOTHING DKPAETMENT. ' - TV-^(rlothes should Writ the OLOTHINO FACTORY. ■ ■ Tb°"SSftiRS.S-ISfSTO- O*-WT«d for 9i U.



The Best Tea ... * IN THE WORLD I Hyalop** Ceylon. I KINIAN HfSLOP, and CO., '- . Tea Importers, f J% C»hel itrwfc, Chrlgtcnumh,



COLBWAN* AND Sol iP.PPAI.YPTB B» tkact ia the only genuine m tte Wftwet, and was awarded medal* and dwbtttW »P Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, beating ail competitors. For all affections of the Chest and Luns?s Consumption, xVsthma, Oouriw, Oolde, Gravel, and Kid»ey Com plaints, ib has no equal. Agent«— Ashbcetoji Pxyfi Cow;* 'w.



I Wanted ANTED, plain Cook Apply by letter to Mrs Hb« ring Alford House, Ashbuttoa. .I*l7l WANTED Known. -Wonderful value in first-class Drapery now on at Melford House. Beautiful Leather Shirt- j ing*o£d.—H. 0. Segers, Melford jlouse. WANTED Known.— High class Dress Goods, latestpatterns, now Belling under wholesale prices. Special line of double widih stuff 6d and Is, less than half price.-H. C. Segbbs. Melford House. /CHRISTMAS Younsf Ladies' Journal L> now in.-H. M. Jokes. __1^ H^I^TMAS~FAfBrnow open, every thing new and cheap. Come and see for yourselves.-The New Shops, Coleraan's Buildings. lliii ANTED to let four or five rooms in house, occupied by Missus Morri son and Holloway. Apply on the premises. L Is 2d, 2* 6d Packets Xmas V Cards. Choice selection of Cards and Booklets.-H. M. Jonbs. ___ ON*T let the rain water destroy your buildings. Get Spouting fixed at 4d per foot and buy a tank, complete with Up, tested before leaving workshop, for 30s%t J. W. Hardlby'b. /CHRISTMAS Suits. Boys, three \J garment long Trouser Suiti at los. Boys, CoioPial-made Knicker Suits^fr jm 10s; Men's nicely made Colonial Tweed Suits 30s. Colonial Tweed Suits, to measure from 505.-Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings. Robbrt Alcorn. f  ANTED Known—loe Creams, Ice Creams, for the hot weather, ' always ready at H. G. Fiowbr's, Confec tioner, East Street. SOMERSET Meat Mart. The oldest, the largest, tha best, and the cheap est Small tfoods a specialty. Full weights guaranteed. A trial sohaijtd. --W. J. Silwok. *THM WANTED Known—We are now giving away Beautiful Presents to every purchaser of 6s and upwards. Uomeand see our bargains in Drapery, &g. —H. C. Sbgbes, Melford House. WANTED— Purchaser* tor Bargains in Summer Dreaaes, Prints, and Delaines, Sunshades, &c. at S. W. AiiCORN and Co'a Sale. WANTED the Public to know that S. W. Alcorn and Co's Summer Sale ia now on. Great Bargains in Millinery, Underclothing etc. I SELLING OFF Bocks, Stationery, and Account Books, Fancy Goods, Music, Violins, Accordeons, etc, Fire Screens and Stove Ornaments, all at Reduced Prices.— lt, F. Andrbwbs & Co. MINTED Known—New Flannelettes at extraordinary prices; 3s lid »nd *s lid doz. Thirty per cent under price.—W. H. CofcUBR. W ~ANTED Known that S. Sai^k, Watchmaker and Jewaller, has removed to new shop near N_ew Zealand Clothintr Factory. _______■ WANTED Knowo—Dr Scott's cele brated Electric Corsets can onty be obtaiuei in Ashburton at W. H. Colmbb'B, "Thfl Corner." ' , ■ - <*• ■ «-wt-C-' WHY not Bake your own Bread when you can get SOlbs of the Best Roller Flour for five shillings cash or aye shillings and sixpence booked at Robert Aloorn's, Saunders Buildings. olFFForget the Borough Bye-Laws re Carr age Lamps, and that Hardmh. as large Stock on hand, also a krge assortment of Tinware and Iron mongery, Scythes, Reaping Hooks, Way Knives, Forks, etc., of best quality, and all at lowest possible prices. J. W. Hardlbv, Eftst Street,. Ashburton. EAR in mind that J. W, Harpi-bv, Plumber and Gasfitter, East Street, has the largest Stock in town of Pumps. Pipes, and Fittings, and that he is selling them cheaper than ever at prices hitherto Kar4 & in Ashburton, Now is the I chance for a cfteap Pump ; improvedJSo, 4. ?2ce, 16s. Larger si*«B in proportion. JA. gptendid assortment of Cards, Booklet*, and Souvenirs for season 18W-.1 New Games in great variety, Beautilui lot of Vases. Fancy Glassware, and #>wy Lamps. Boys' and Girls' Annuals, and other new Volumes. Prize Books at CO., Stationers' HftU. __ IIU « VTANTEDlKnown—Thit J. MvnoK W keeps the best stock of Boots in Ashburton, for this reason that he pays oash and is not under or bound to any one firm like many in the trade, whi,oh enables him to procure and supply the public with the Best Colonial and English -*»akes ; and his well-known make need* '" n rfi -«ntendauon. Always on hand « !«i r -•■her. used for repairs and Best bole L^ Impermeable done at once.—J. Moiso.., oA.^* Bootmaker, Town Hall, East *el« nexc Court House.



Stop Drin*cing. , —-* ~ " I can't" are two little words seldom used by a man who drinks ; to uqe them he thinks is t»n evidence of weakness, and so we wonder why, when he quits, he doesn't siay quis. If we knew all, our wonder would be, with that terrible craving at his vitaU, he is able to resist even for a ahort time—a craving on which will-power, moral suasion, the pledge, self-respect, have no effect whatever, and which until recently has been an insur mountable bar to reform in thousands upon thousands of cases. Bub the time has come when that craving can be stopped ! Sure. Just as suie as it is possible to cure a cold. The appetite can be destroyed ; the man placed back, so far as drinking is concerned, just where j he was before he acquired the habit. The cure does not destroy the will, but the appetite, Bo he will have to learn to rink all over aa;ain, and the effort will ! be so great that if he is worth saving he won't make it. R. T. Booth's Golden Remedy No. 1 destroys the drink appetite R. T. Booth's Golden Remedy No. 2 is the best brain and nerve tonic on th s earth. At all chemists and storekeepers -(A»vr). .. 10 *n



How Sambo Understood French I inne siys to the runaway negro on the raft, "Jim, what'd you say if'twas said to you « Parlyryous-franzy V" " Wouldn t say nuflin. I'd just bwsjt him over de ear ; if he wasti't a wite map, 'Low no njgger to call me dat. ' Finn says the words only njpa.p, "Do you speak French?" Jim inquires, "If they mean that why don't thsy say that?" Dr Forest says, in "Health, the New' Method," we might make similar in quiries of the professors of Massotherapy J but he goes on to explain massage, rubbing, aid its beneficial results so that it might m e»ier |thp sfe»M of the densest negro ; tit hi? muscferrofe %# other new methods much enlarged, i» pabliahed g ' "Wj» Indi "Health" Publication (Jtfices, ISO Tuaro street, Chrwtchurch.-JADVT.}



HeijLOWAY's PiiiLS.—lmportant for tbe delicate.—lt i» diitjcult to deteripin* which is the wore trying to the hjinpn cjptttilai tion, the damp, cold days oi autmT|ttand winter, or thp keen dry easterly winds of jprina, Throughput the aeason good heaUh may be obtained by, fwcasional doepi of Hofloway's ?i»s, wfiigh party the blood and act as wholesome stiwulant? to t}>eslsin, atomaoh, liver, bowels an 4 kldneya. This celebrated medicine needs but a fcur trjal to convince the ailing and desponding that it will restore and cheer them without danger, pain, or inconvenienoe. No family should be without a supply of Holloway's Tills and Ointment, as by a timely recourse to them the first erring function may beT reclaimed, suffering may be snared, and life saved This Best Rkhed? koh lupiGjcsTiplfT- Nortdn's C*mpmil» Pill* are confidently recommended as a simple remedy foi Indigestion, which is the oauso of nearly all the diseases to which we are subjects Norton's Piijx, with justice called the •Natural Strengthener of the Human Stomach," act as a powerful tonic and gentlfc perient, are mild in their operation, and aaffl uttdar any pircumstances. Sold in vendors throughoyt the «tflfl-



The Best Tea IN CANTERBURY for the money, and free from any Excess of astlfingency. GOUNTESS 2§/