Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY. MAY 9. 1893. LOCAL OPTION IN ENGLAND.

Now that we are in possession of the terras of the Local Option 'Bill introduced in the House of Commons by Sir William Vernon Harcourt, Mr Gladstone's Chancellor of the Ex chequer, we see that in this, as in many other subjects of social, reform New Zealand is far in advance of the Old Country. Which is showing the greater wisdom in dealing with this most difficult question is matter of opinion. Our readers know the aims of the New Zealand prohibitionists; we will briefly state what the English Government Bill proposes to do, and leave each individual to his own judg ment on the case. We must first premise that in England the liquor traffic is recognised as a distinct trade. It is certainly a necessary preliminary to the issue of a license that a " re freshment" or "victualler's" license (whence " licensed victualler") be obtained, authorising victuals to be sold for consumption on the premises, this license being equally requisite for restaurants, confectioners' shops, and similar businesses, but there is no hypocritic ignoring of the solid fact that the licensed victuallers —as keepers of public houses legally term themselves—have the sale of liquor as the primary and main consideration in their trade. Hotels are on a quite different footing, and we may here say that there is nothing in the English Bill to prevent the grant or renewal of i licenses for the sale of liquors on premises " intended to be used in good faith" for any of the following pur poses:—"'(a) For refreshment rooms at a railway station —for persons arriving or departing by train, (b) For an inn or hotel—that is to say, for the accommodation of travellers or of persons lodging therein, (c) For an eating-house—that is to say, for persons taking meals on the premises." But " there shall be attached to every such license such conditions as the licensing authority think necessary or proper for preventing the use of the premises for any other purpose than that specified in the license; and if any person commits or permits any breach of those conditions he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine uot exceeding £50, and, if he is the licensee, to the forfeiture of his license." As all licensed houses in New Zealand are designated hotels, and are supposed to afford accommodation as well as re- j freshment, the Bill is chiefly interest ing here through its recognition of the principle of local option—the issue and renewal of licenses being controlled by the popular vote, operating by way of the direct veto. One-tenth of the municipal electors in any. district, as defined for the purposes of the Act, may address a requisition to the local authority requiring a poll to be taken on the question whether total closing shall be adopted— i.e., whether the sale of intoxicating liquors shall be pro hibited. If a majority of two-thirds of the persons voting resolve the question in the affirmative, no license, except as provided in the Act, is to be granted or renewed. No further poll on the same question can be taken before the expiration of three years, The Govern ment, Sir William Harcourt said in his speech introducing the Bill, does not admit claims to pecuniary com pensation tor the extinction of "licenses in their nature annually terminable." The House, he said, had never recog nised any vested interest in this de scription of property, or any right to compensation, although it had fre quently interfered with the trade— notably in respect to Sunday trading in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The Government, however, recognised that the trade was entitled to fair notice of the alteration in the practice and the introduction of a new authority in the matter, and were of opinion that a reasonable time should be given to the publicans to accommodate their position to the changed condition of things; and in the Bill they propose to give a three years' notice to those engaged in the trade that they will be subject to the operation of the Bill. As regards the popular veto vote, one year will be allowed before it comes into effect, so that, after the three years' notice, there will be another year of grace to the licensees. The provisions of the Bill, it will be ob served, are by no means so drastic as those of any of the proposals which have been made by New Zealand pro hibition ists, and it is not surprising to I hear that the English local optionists are dissatisfied with the measure. They fail to recognise that for six thousand years man has taken intoxicating liquor and it is beyond the power' of any law to prevent his doing so now, and that if the traffic ceases to be legal it will be carried on in illicit ways, without the control which can be exer cised over a lawful trade. Sir William Harcourt, in the speech we have re ferred to, declared that in his opinion no mere licensing bill would ever go to the root of the question; and every body who has studied the subject dis passionately will agree with him. Let the control of the traffic be the most perfect that can be devised, State or local, public opinion and conscience will still be the most effective factors in promoting the temperance cause.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mrs Langtry's colt Milford (by Saraband) topped the list as a winning two-year-old on the Knglish turf last season with a total of £7818. The appointment of Mr John Davison as Deputy-Official Assignee at Ashburton is gazetted. Mr Alfred Harrison advertises that he has been en'rusted by Signiore Bitossi with the sale of a number of beautiful specimens of hand carving. ' In the new Magistrate's Court Act the term "Resident Magistrate" is abolished, and the term "Stipendiary Magistrate" substituted. During fche recent elections in South Aus tralia the daily papers declined to report any candidate who refused to pay £4 4s a column for the insertion of his speech. The Huddart-Parker company, owners of the Warrimoo and Miowera, are said to have lost £19,000 during the six months they have been doing business with this colony. Sir Archibald Giekie, of the British Association, after careful thought and patient investigation, together with a great deal of figuring, has come to the conclusion 3j that the world is between 73,000,C00 and 650,000,000 years old. At the Magistrates' Court to-day a man named Peter Hausen was charged before Mr Sawle with drunkenness. As this was the second offence within the last two months, Peter was fined 10s with the usual alternative. As will be seen by advertisement a meet ing of draughts and chess players is called tor this evening at the Arcade Chambers, Efforts are being made to form a strong chess and draughts club in Ashburton, and considering the numbers of players in the place no difficulty should be experienced in doing so. Mr Murphy, secretary of the Canterbury A. and P. Association, informs the " Press " that he saw a flock of martins, numbering fully a dozen, flitting about at New Brighton on Saturday last. The birds are supposed to have been blown to New Zealand, having been first noticed some weeks ago after a heavy gale of wind. Mr H. M. Jones, who has kindly taken charge of the subscription lists for the Ballance Memorial Fund, purposes leaving a list at each of the banks, and one at the Mail office, keeping one of course, at his own place of business. So that every colonist may have an opportunity of contri buting to the fund, subscriptions from a shilling upwards will be received. The Jubilee money received by the Pope up to the end of February amounted to 7,000,000 francs. The Austrian Enhperoi, Austrian Archduchess, the Archbishop of Prague, and Primate of Hungry gave 1000 francs each. The Bishops of Austro- Hungary gave 220,000 francs, the nobility of Bohemia 300,000, the Mexican Catholics 150,000, and the South American Catholics 250,000. The Stradford correspondent of the " Taranaki "Herald " writes :-" The Car diff Co-operative Cheese Company con tinues to receive excellent reports of its cheese in the Glasgow market. The output for the seaoon will be about 100 tons, and will net the suppliers 4cl per gallon for their milk. A few years of this sort of thing, and our dairy fanners will be plutocrats." In Victoria a remarkable development has taken place in the sale of letter cards and post cards since the reversion to 2d postage. Prior to September 12 the monthly average sale of letter cards was about £2000. Now it is £219,000, while the sale of post cards, which averaged ±'65,000 monthly before the reversion to the 2d postage, now averages £222,000 monthly. It will be seen on reference to our adver tisement columns that Miss Hitchcock has opened a class in the Oddfellows' Hall for teaching dressmaking on the American system. Judging from the charts one of which has beea left at this office, we can understand that it would be quite possible for an apt pupil to learn this useful art in the shot t course said to be sufficient to teach it in. About noon to-day a sad accident occurred at Bakaia by which the youngest child of Mr George Murray, baker, Rakaia, lost its life. Ttie child had been playing on the road near its father's residence when a traction engine and threshing plant passing unfortunately ran over it, killing it on the spot. No further particulars are to hand, but an iuquest is to be held probably to-morrow. i; Works erected at the cost of £50,000 for disposing of a fifth part of the sewage of Glasgow by precipitation, have just been completed on the banks of the Clyde 1 be tween Dalmarnock and Rutherglen bridges. After chemical precipitation and filtration, the liquid contents of the tank* are dis charged in a clear and odorless condition into the river. The solid matter is formed into cakes by hydraulic pressure, and is then sold as manure. If the experiment succeeds, the whole of the sewage of the city will eventually be treated in the same way, and the Clyde regain its pristine purity. The motto " Place aux dames !" appears to be the watchword of the day, for not only have we ladies in the medical, legal, clerical, and journalistic professions, besides compositors,' telegraphists, and a host of other occupations formerly restricted to the male sex, but even the commercial travellers now number at least one representative of the fair sex. This in the person of Mra T. G. Sawkins (wife of the journalist of that name who was the founder of the " Napier Evening News ") who is on a visit to Ash burton as the accredited traveller of Messrs Turle and Co., manufacturing chemists, of London and Dunedin. She is a good busi ness woman, and is by no means new to her present role, having for several years prior to her marriage pursued the calling of a commercial traveller with great success in the United States. The Ashburton hounds met according *o appointment at Mathven on Monday May 8. The muster all told barely reached a dozen. While proceeding to the appointed ground a hare was put up on the Chertsey Road which, after a ring in the paddocks on each side of the road was lost. After a long draw a hare was found on Mr McLean's land and killed after a nice run of two mile?. Another was found almost at once and a good run of four miles resulted over Messrs Campbells, Henderson's, McKay's, McKendry's, ' McLean's, and Small's properties resulting in the hare being lost; near the railway about half a mile from Cairnbrae. Two long checks took place during the run and the hares must have been changed on leaving McLea aY, as the hare was viewed close to the homestead when the hounds were fully half a mile away. The scent was very catchy and the going very heavy. The Masaey-Harris Company has sent to New Zealand the first shipment of the new Massey-Harris cultivator, this year's patent. The cultivator has several new features that combine to make it a useful implement. It has two rows of teeth or tines, and the teeth can be adjusted to any distance apart. The teeth are of special oil-tempered spring steel, warranted not to break, even in hard clay, and by an ingenious contrivance prevented from breaking by the rebound alter being released from any obstacle. The machine is very light, the frame being angle steel, and the pressure, is obtained by an arrange ment of springs pressing on the frame hold ing the teeth. Adjustable "shoes" at the rear prevent the teeth sinking too deeply into the ground, and the whole action is regulated by a lever at the hand of the driver. A new sectional seeder has been designed for the cultivator, and the combi nation makes up a most economical machine for working and sowing stubble or fallow land, and, we may say, it is claimed for it that it works equally well in clayey PX stony soil. Mp D, Thomas and Messrs'j'riqdlander Bros, are the local agents for this district.

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Ash burton Borough Council was held lasfc evening. Present —His Worahip the Mayor presilin^, and Councillors Jones, Cuthbertson, Phul, Thomas, Scaly, Orr, Duncan, and Flower. FINANCE. ■■■■■■■ The Mayor reporter! the debit balance' at the bank to be £943 12s sd. The income received from all sources sines last meeting had been £21 lbs 6d. THE BELTS, The Hampstoad Town Board wrote asking for a contribution from the Couucil towards improving the N.E. and E. Belts, as numerous complaints- had been made to them. It was decided to prepare an estimate for consideration at next meeting. THE BALLANCE MEMORIAL The. Secretary to the Wellington Trades Union Council wrote asking the Council to open a subscription list for the Ballance Memorial Fund. The matter was left in the hands cf Cr Jones, who agreed to tike charge of the list and receive subscriptions. SALVAGE CORPS. i The Secretory of the Ashburton Fire Police and Salvage Corps wrote 9 sub mitting the names of members, and asking the Council to accept the services of the corps. It was resolved that the M&yor enrol the members and that thanks be tendered them for offering their services. ThY following were the names submitted: |— T. K. Kilworth, R. Minnis, J. C. Duncan, J. L. Brown, J. M. Cambridge, J. Mullaney, J. R. Steel, W. de B. Compton, R. Clark, R. Alcorn, D. Zander, W. H. Collins, R. McOallum, T, Birch, C. Braddell. j ENGINEERS* REPORT. The Engineers' report was as follows :■=— [ Labor Gang.—During the last two weeks the men have been engaged in repairing the concrete channels, shingling the streets, making and fixing foot bridges in East street, repairing and putting in culverts, making water race and fencing in the Domain, making ford at corner of West street and north-east belt, repairing the traffic bridge, attend ing to water supply and sundry mainten ance work. Streets, —Th© Works Committee have examined some of the streets reported to be in a bad condition and find that some of them have never been properly formed or finished. The Committee recommend that the formation of the upper part of Aitken street from Fast street to Cass street be completed and metalled, also that the Wakanui Road east be repaired by ploughing off the grass side and to have a sufficient Coat of metal. They have also directed some small repairs to be made and shingle placed on certain footpaths. The Works Committee re commend that tenders be called for at least six hundred yards of shingle at once so that this work may be proceeded with. The report waa adopted. LIGHTING. The Mayor and Cr Thomas reported having waited upon the County Council re lighting the traffic bridge, with the result that the County Council had promised to supply two lamps, the Borough also to provide one.—The matter was referred to the Lighting Committee to report on. MEETING NIGHT. The Mayor's notice of motion—That the nex L j meeting of the Council be held on Monday, May 29, and that in future the Council meetings be held fortnightly from that date—was allowed to stanxl over for a month. , COMMITTEES. Pursuant to notice, (Jr. Thomas moved to increase the number of members on each standing Committee of the Council to live, .three to form a quorum. The.ob ject of the motion was to lessen the diffi culty frequently experienced of securing a working quorum at Committee meet ings. The motion was carried and the following members were added to the Committees :—Works, Cr. Scaly ; by laws, Cr. Cuthbertson; finance, Crs. Paul and Anderson ; reserves, Cr. Jones; lighting', Gr. Orr ; library, Cr. Duncan ; fire brigade, Cr. Paul, '> CHARITABLE AID. Cr. Paul raised the question of chari table aid, and referred to thn fact that the Council was wholly dependent on the County Council for representation at the Charitable Aid Board. After some dis cussion, the Mayor was asked to inter view the Chairman of the County Council, with a view to steps being taken to empower some local person to give temporary relief or admission to the Old Men's Home. ACCOUNTS. Accounts were passed for payment to the amount of £68. The Council then sat as a DOMAIN BOARD. Mr Flower's name was added to the Domain Works Committee. Mr John Marsden wrote asking per mission to put one or two pleasure boats on the Domain lake for hire. The ap plication was referred to the Domain Committee, with power to act. May 24 was set aside as a close day for the Ashburton Footbnll Club, marches having been fixed for chat date. This was all the business and the Board adjourned.

ROAD BOARDS.

WAKANUI.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meetfiig of the Wakanui Road Board was held on Saturday. Present—Messrs M. Bruce, Chairman, D. Johnston, G. W. Leadley and James Quigley. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Chief Surveyor, Christchurch, requesting to be furnished with the information showing the locality, length, width, and description of all road works executed by the Board out of thirds authorised and paid over by the Land Board from April 1, 1892, to March 31, 1893.—Replied to. From the South Bakaia Road Board, forwarding an account of the cost of the maintenance for twelve months of the Boundary road, and requesting payment of same. —Payment ordered to be made. From Mr J. Gibson, objecting to a ford being made across Gibson's road.—Clerk to reply. From Mr Meredith Wilson, drawing the Board's attention to the inconvenience he suffers from having no direct road to bring his produce to market, and offering the Board a certain sum if he was allowed to erect a gate across a road fronting on h's property. The Clerk to. reply. V^TER. R£CEB* The Clerk was instructed to write to the County Council, informing them that in all cases when the Council are making and cleaning water races, it is advisable that the stuff token out be spread on the side of the road, and not left in continu ous heaps. overseer's report. The Overseer's report was read $nd approved. gullies qn gibson's roap. Resolved tha,t the two members of No, 3 ward, and the Clerk meet on a day to be appointed, and decide what is best to be done with regard to the drainage of the storm water. WAKANUIROAD. The Clerk was instructed to have certain repairs done on this road at once, pending shingling when the weather permits. PAYMENTS. Accounts to the amount of 454 13s 2d were passed for payment, an.d tho Board adjourn*},

SPORTING.

ASHBORTOx\ ttAULNG CLUB.

AUTUIN MEETING.

I [By Tocjchstonk]' Wednescay and Thursday nex 1; are the days appointed for holding the Ashburfcon Autumn Race M«etiug. The meteoro logical prospects during; the past week h*ve been anything bub satisfactory, nevertheless tho course is in good order, and given tino weather for the next two days, \shburtcii may give the cracks another record to br^ak, the last of which j —Tasinan's, 2min -i6see, for one and a , half ni'l«~ was broken by Merganser at ! the C.J.C. Autumn Meeting. Mr J. ! Ciesswell hi« again the whip-hand of his I critics, securing for the Club splendid acceptances. To-morrow's programme is ; the most interesting that has ever been provided for Ashburton race-goers, though it must be admitted that at times greater heroes of the turf hive competed. When country clubs are given fair treatment Ashburton may again be able to attract first class performers to its races. Still, the Hurdle Race, the Netherby Handicap for gentlemen riders (a new and com mendable feature), the Ashburcon Stakes (in which the great Saracen is engaged), the Autumn Handicap (the chief handicap of the meeting), and three other races, none of them without special, interest, make up a day's racing which sets an example to some of the Metropolitan Clubs. The st a tier's flag will be in the competent hands of Mr H. Piper, and train arrangements are very satisfactory. The following should trouble Mr Stitt :— Ashburton Hurdles—Magpie. Ashburton Stakes—Saracen 1, War rington 2, Taranna 3. Nethbrey High-Weight—Aquarius 1, Srin-go-Brajjh 2, Gillie 3. Autctmn Handicap—Crown Jewel 1, Re Una 2, Liberator 3. IS ovbl —Oarstnaid. i District Welter — Warrington 1, Frivolity 2, Aquarius 3. Flying Handicap—Lady Zetland ], Roseguard 2, Rosehill 3.

Howard's Digging Plough.

A very successful trial of Howard's famous digging plough was held yester day (May 8), at Wakanui on Mr Sam. Brown's farm in long stubble and lea. Everyone was greatly pleased and well satisfied to see the thorough manner in which the plough did its work, for the stubble, which was fully a foot high, was completely buried and a perfect seed bet? was left. Amongst those present we noticed Messrs Charles Hill, George Clephane, Sam. Brown, Joseph Choak, J. (rilmour, W. Jamieson, J. McLeod, Lewis, W. Bates, and V. Joyce. Mr Sam. Brown kindly supplied a grand team of horses—the plough' being worked by Mr E. Kirwan. All unanimously agreed that the style of cultivation as shown by the digging plough was very much superior to the ordinary double furrow plough and disc harrowing, as no disc harrowing is required aftor it; also the draught of the plough is no greater than that of the ordinary.

"CURRENT CASH."

The members as well as the management of the Kennedy Dramatic Company must have felt highly gratified by the reception given to them last evening by the public of Ashburton on their re-appearance in the Oddfellows' Hall. Long before the adver tised hour for opening quite a crowd had gathered at the main door, and at half-past seven the rush to gain admittance, was so great as to keep the man at the receipt of customs as busy as he could be supplying the necessary passports. By curtain time the hall was very well filled indeed with an enthusiastic gallery and an appreciative front seats audience. The plot of "Current Cash " is well known, and for the staging of the piece Mr Kennedy has had special scenery prepared, which was a welcome addition to the stock scenes of the Odd fellows'. The part of the hero was appor tioned to Mr Frank Norton, and this care [ ful actor played the character well, both in the prologue and in the acts that followed, , his disguise being perfect from the gentle manly officer to the tattered vagrant. " Bowles" found a lively and amusing delineator in Mr Charles Hill who kept the audience in a simmer of merriment through-' out the play. The villain, Major Gordon' Challis, was taken by Mr Harry Saville, and he sncceeded so well in his part as to earn the very heartiest execrations when called before the curtain. Mr J. J. Kennedy was seen in a new role as a " parson," and caused plenty of laughter, while Mr Baker filled in the part of the Hon Harry Chafferton well enough. Miss Lily Hill was the Grace Mil ton of the piece and acquitted herself with her maual success, while the little Euby Kennedy (in the prologue) played the part of the doomed captain's child admirably, singing a song on her father's knee very sweetly. In the after drama her part was taken by Miss Mary Vernon, whose love passages with the " par son " were very amusing, and Miss Millie Collier made an excellent Delia Challis, singing an introduced song in a pleasing manner. The piece generally went with a swing, and at the end of each act the leading J Performers were called before the curtain. ! o-night, "Con, the Shaughraun" will be! staged. In " Con," Mr Kennedy is familiar I to Ashburton people, and ■it is one of hw, best characters, as the piece is one of the best of the comic plays in the repertory of the Kennedy Company. There should cer tainly be a full house to-night.

The Harpers' Bank ruptcy.

Further meetings of the creditors in the estates of George and Leonard Harper and T. M. Maude were held in Christ* church yesterday. The Official Assignee reported that he had received no informa tion respecting the application made by him to the Supreme Court for an order consolidating the estates. At the meeting inT. W. Maude's estate, Mr Wilding, solicitor for the Official Assignee, sub mitted a Ions; report, detailing the results of the investigation which the Assignee had instructed him to make into circum stances attending the alterat v of the articles of association ot the ' i .yttelton Times " Company, Limited, and into the dealings of the bankrupt in connection with shares held by Harper and Co and himself in that Company. With regard to the mortgage by Maude of his shares to Mrs Maude's trustees, who had made a claim on the estate of £1407 6s lOd, Mj Wilding reported that, after conference, with the supervisors, although doubts existed as to the validity o£ the mort gage as a whole upon various grounds, it was resolved to, the claim of the trustees, after deducting the items which wore considered clearly in contravention of the bankruptcy law, and for which no equivalent was received by the estate. He was therefore authorised to pay over to the trustees the sum of £840 15s Id.' upon the mortgage being realised, qnd the option claimed by Mr M/.lei to pus; chase 100 of the shares relinquished, i The asset thus recovered amounted fco £567- Tl^e report stated that it was hardly likely' tfce "Lyttetton Times'* Company would raise any, serious obstacle to the Assignee heing registered as the holder of the sharsa owned by the bank rupt, but it was anticipated that by rea son of the alteration effected in the articles of association some time ago difficulties would arise on any attempt to register a person buying the Bhares from, the Assignee by auction or puh% teuder in accordance with the Ba^ruptcy Act The nation to v tie. bankrupt hb furniture was not seconded, and another to dmer. the matter till the English | creditors had been communicated with was withdrawn. . the est»t W of Gteorge Harper and tagnitd Harper no motiw ww pwpowd,

THE WHEAT MARKET.

: Latest English files bring reviews of the London corn market up to the end |of February. That was a very bad month—the worst of a series of many bad months. It was bad for the Eng -1 lish farmers, bad for English mer chants, and bad for the importers of | all nations who make the London market their field of operations. An authority whom we have often quoted under this head says :—" The corn market has for several seasons been painted black ; but in February > 1893, it has been blacker than it was painted. It is market-gospel to say that the millions of the United Kingdom are eating bread very considerably under cost price; the difference being paid out of the pockets of the British grower and the all-round-the-world importer. In the latter category we have Greeks and Italians, Jews and Germans, Latins, Armenians, and Parsees, with a few Mexicans and Peruvians, and all have been in the maelstrom of the market for loss. Not, perhaps, for a serious loss, but for the loss of all profit; and often foi something more. Capitalists invest their guineas in wheat cargoes tor 32s per qr, and when these arrive they are worth, in London, only 28s to 80s per qr. As for farmers—who expected little—they have got less; and Feb ruary, 1893, must be marked as of short life and a sorry one." .... The present t«ade was bad; and that the future would be no better was the constant refrain. There was plenty of wheat and flour in hand; and there was plenty of wheat and flour on the way to meet the wants of the next six months. If the continuance of extreme frost in Russia, and of blizzards in the United States, happened to prevail, their effects did not seem to touch this realm, set in the silver sea, whereto | come ships of all nations, and whereto ; come news from India and Australia, Argentine and Chili, that they are willing to accept offers for their new j crops on the bad old terms of 27s to 32s per quarter. As to America, it has still a heavier burden of wheat than it ever had before. Its visible supply is stupendous ; and what it will do with it is not " understaDded " by the market people. At present trade simply staggers under it, but keeps on its old level What the supply does do besides is to stand before the Eng lish farmer and block his way. It makes the plough stick in the furrow, and it floods all the European ex changes. Worse still, it wakens prayers in the markets, grievous for English and Christian ears to hear— " that nature may withdraw from the earth its full harvest favor " —meaning in plain words that the surplus-produc ing countries may have their supplies reduced by adverse seasons? The above is, without exaggeration, the voice of the wheat markets in England for February, 1893, and it may furnish Parliamentary committees with a text. With English wheat at an average price of under 26s per qr ; with fine samples of imported white, wheat at 30s to 345, and of strong and good, red samples,%t 27s to 31s, the English area for wheat may become uncultivated. If the land receives cultivation, seed, labor and harvesting, the crop will go to the market owing more than it can pay. Still there is an even lower depth than that indicated by American wheat selling at 30s in Mark Larie. This is the offer of American flour some at 10s 6d—but I quote 14s 6d per sack of 2801b, and others at 18s 6d to 21s, which, relatively, are lower much lower—than wheat at 30s per qr. English wheat, from 26s 4d in the beginning of February, receded in price on February 4 to 26s 3d; on February 11 to 25s lid.; on February IS to 25s 7d; and on February 25 to 25s sd—the lowest price on record for the century." Unsettled weather ia the United Kingdom and the great severity of the winter in Europe and America caused tke rally of 3d to Is a quarter, but this was soon lost under the influence of the heavy stocks in America and Russia, while further ahead there are supplies to come from Australia, Argentine, .and probably India. The statistics given in " Dora* busch's List "—for (1) stocks of foreign wheat and flour already in the United Kingdom, (2) wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom, (3) farmers* English wheat as yet undelivered, and (4) visible supply in America—gave a total of 10,390,000 qrs in 1891; of 15,660,000 qrs in 1892; and of 20,361,000 qrs in 1893. These figure* seem overwhelming» but they demand explanation. The whole dispropor tionate increase was in the one item of American visible supply. Thai bulk has yet to be dealt with. On. March 1, 1893, there was an hnment^ bulk to be absorbed by the auvgle mouth of England^ On March 1, 1892, there was a similar bulk,; but France, Germany, and the Nether lands were competing for a share of it. Of course, the market logic is that, if prises went down in 189% (when the position was strong), must be expected to decline, now when, in reality, the situation is decidedly weaker. There k» however, one excep tion to be taken into account, that is, that already value is down in the deepest rut that it has. ever reached. The argument is that in March, 1892» there was some profit left in the wheat sack which could be squeezed out of it; but that in March, 1893, there i& nothing left in prices when Norfolk wheat sells for 24s 6d, and American flour—serviceable bread-making flour— isjfreely offered in Mark Lane at 14s 6d to 18s 6d per sack. At the end of the mouth,thedewand for wheat was weak, with prices tending downwards, and the unheard of reductions in the price of American flour made anything; appear possible.

fHE ASttBtJRfOJM ÜbAUMA^t TtTESfiAf, MAY 9, 1898.



Wanted. | TCfURWOOD for S,>lea7~i6B per Cord. •*- Apply to the Ouatodian, A3hburt<«n Domain. , 5 81 THE Ashburton Working Men's Co operative Society require a young Man to assist in the Bakehouse and k;ike a Bread round. Apply at the Store, Tnncred Street, before one o'clock on Wednesday. 5 78 ALL interested in Draughts or Chess . are requested to meet this Evening at the Arcade Chambers at eight o'clock for the purpose of forming a Club. 5 79 3' OST - Two Cheques ; payment _J stopped. Finder kindly leave ht Ashburton Club. 5 80 tSJRESSMAKING by the Scientific JL/ American Cutting and Fitting System. A Class will b& opened on Mon day, May 8, at 10 a.m., in the OddfellowH Hall, when all particulars will be given. Under the sole management of Miss «J. Hitchcock. .JLZ, i\7"OUNG Ladies' iJourna~for March. I Weldon's for February, ltevie wof Reviews for April, New Books and Magazines.—H. M. Jones^ 5 66 WANTED Known—Andrew Orr has opened his new premises with his First General and Grand Display of Ladies' Jackets, Fur-lined Oloaka, Milli nery, Carpets, Boobs, etc.—Andrew Orr. 5 19 BICYCLES (Adams, Curties, and Co.) machines) Cash or terms. Christ church prices.—H. M. JoNEa ___ ___„ HAVE you seen the New Slippers at Mwcheh and Turner's T4148 HAVE you secured some of our warm Slippers for children, Is 1— Mitchell and Turner. 4 149 'TV/ANTED Known.—Warm Slippers W for mothers ;Is9dto 2s 9d per pair.—Mitchell and Turner. 4 15G THE Good Samaritan, for the imme diate relief of pain.— Light's Cash Store. 2J® F"~~IaNOS from £20, £26, and £28 10s, Organs from £15 10s. Harmoniums. £10. Easy terms of payment.—-H. M. Jones. \\T ANTED Known.—T. Hoult VV having commenced Bacon Curing he will have a good Rupply of Pork Sausages, Pork Pies, etc., fresh made very day. * 214 \A l ANTED Known—leo Creams, lea VV Creams, for the hot weather, always ready at H. G. Flower's, Oonfec ioner, East Street.  S""~OM'ERSET Meat Mart. The oldest the largest, tha best, and the cheap ast, Small /Joods a specialty. Ful weights guaranteed. A cnal solicited. —-W. J. Siloock. 4+183 Inr^M^OTATHIC~ Medicines, price £jL Is. Sole agent for district, Light's Cash Store. 2 34 WANTED, Ladies and Gentlemen to 'see the (srand Display in the windows at " The Corner " Saturday.— W. H. Cotlier. f\rANTED Known.-Como and see *▼ our beautiful Mantles, Jackets, Ulsters, Macintoshes, Dress Stuffs, etc H. 0. Seobrs, Melford House. f" ADIES' and Children's Hats ; all the J j new shapes for the season now opened. Prices low to suit the tfmes ;at 8. W. Alcorn & Co.'s. CHEAP Firewood—Short Dry Gum Firewood, at 26s per cord ; mixed wood, 24s per cord at Mayo's, Trevorton.—Apply M&s Jambb Fruit ghop. ,;•_.. : WANTED Known.-? Jacket & Dress Department a specialty. High class goods marked cheap. H. C. Seoees, Melford House. . WANTED Known.—For Jacket, Ulsters, Dress Stuffs, etc. Come to Melford House. H. 0. Seqbrs. BBaTMckeTWatchea in the market, are those at 22s 6d and 25a. Specially made for S. Salek, Jeweller. Guarantee with 9ach watch. W" ANTED Known—" The Corner "is showing a magnificent New Stock of Drapery and Clothing. — W, H. Oollier. CJALVAGE, ex Ruahine, Blankets, O Shirtings, and Flanellettes nothing the worse, but which the extra insurance on my other goods will enable me to sell less than usual prices, and as they are direct from the Manufacturers anyone wanting ought to secure a supply at once. Robert Alcorn, Sanndera' Buildings^ BANG ! Bang 1 Bang I Guxis 1 Guns ! Guns 1 by the best makers and Stted with all the latest improvements. Po#der, Shot, Caps, Cartridges, Wads, and Oases at J W. Hardlett's, East Street. Guns repaired. THE Misses Adams' new Refreshment Rooms now open. Tea, Coffee, Cocoa, Lemon Squash, Soda and Milk and all the new summer drinks ready at All times, Coleman's Buildings, East .Street. " HO is ymir Plumber 1 Why, J. W, Habdlev. who is a Manufacturer o( >iM«urinK. Ridging Steel Outterw, Bh h-, ->inkß, THnks, ore, and who has on hand the lar^e t Htock o< Pump* nud ipe in town. WANTED Known—Robert Shields, Ch^rits Street, opposite Woollen Factory, has commenced Dyeing and Cleaning L|lies' -Hid Men's Garments. Blankets ana Woollen Goods Scoured. Moderate charges. Parcels etc., left at Mrs Adams', Saunders' Buildings, will be attended to. 3 4 HER £ do you get your Ironmon gery 1 At Hardlev sof course, where we gftt the best value in Sheet Lead, Nails, Locks, Hinges, Plough Chains, Rope, Wire Knetting, Gorse Knives, Spades *nd Forks, Lamps, Fender and Fire Irons, and anything you require. /HHRIST3KAS Suits. Boys, three \J garment long Trouaer Suits at 15s. BoVa, ColoPtal-made Knicker Suits from 10s. Men's nicely made Colonial Tweed Uuits 30s. Colonial Tweed Suits to measure from 50s.—Ashburton Clothing M*rt, Saunders 1 Buildings. Robkrt AIiOORN. . ■ _____ "TOASTER Cards and Booklets. New JuJ Games, new supply of the Zither Harps and Autoharps, New Books, {Stationery, and Fancy Goods. Sub scribers wanted for our Circulating Library, L. F. Andrewls and C<«, Stationers' Hall. __^ WANTED, —One hundred subberibert. for the following Humorous, Pic torial, and amusing weekly papers, two pence each.—Ally JSloper, Snap Shots, Pictorial Nuggets, Scraps, World « Comic, Lot o' iFon,. Shbrb Stories, Fuany Folks, Amusing Journal, Old and Young, Boys' Novelette, Intending subscribers to the above wi'l do weU to leave their names at the Railway Stall Circulating Library. Jo** Mabjjpbn, Ashburton.



— ~[A CARD], I MRS A.. c"cLARIDGE, TEACHER OF PIANOFORTE & ORGAN, COX STREET, ASHBURTON. TERMS ON APPLICATION. 3 2 NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FAC TORY, WlirrEß 1893. BAIN. BAIN- RAIN. WATERPROOF COATS WATERPROOF COATS WATERPROOF COATS LEAVE your measure afc the Factory. Over 100 patterns to choose from. OIL COATS OIL COATS OIL COATS From lOs 9d. ! LEATHER LEATHER LEATHER Try the NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY for your NEXT PAIR of BOOTS. g_r You will Save IS per cent. BLANKETS 10s'9d RUGS 7s 6d FLANNELS Is per yard NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY AND Waterproof Manufacturers. ALEX. HENDRY, Manager. j _ nn _. FOR WEDDING PRESENTS, BIRTHDAY PRESENTS, & PRESENTATIONS INSPECTION is invited of the very _L choice and high class Stock of S- SALEK WATCHMAKER, JEWELLER, AND OCULIST-OPTICIAM'S AGENT. A very large stock of Electro Plata and Silver Ware, Engagement and Wedding Rings. Marble Clocks and Gold and Silver Jewellery of every description ; forming a splendid selection of new and unique goods, just the thing for presents and[ob tained specially for the ASHBURION TRADE. —A SPECIALTY.— The Rotherham English Lever Watches expressly made by Rotherham for fe. Salek are becoming famous throughout *he district as the MOST RELIABLE WATCHES OBTAINABLE. Wgt Special attention is devoted to the Watchmaking and Jewellery repairing department. With the extra assistance obtained, work is turned out promptly. LOWEST CHARGES, gONSBTENI WITH SOUND AND RELIABLE WORKMANSHIP. g. S _Tl ER WATCHMAKER & JEWELER.



i WINTER^ 1893 . G. J. --Neill & Co. RESPECTFULLY DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING Hfew Poods. Ifew Qoods. DBESSES. DBESSES. The latest in Shot Rep, double width, 2s 6d Amazon Cloth, double width, Is lid . Fancy Dress Goods, 6|d , Heavy Dress Tweeds, 7£d . , Astrakhans, Beaver Trimming . Todies' Jackets and Mantles. MILLINERY IN ALL ITS BRANeHES. Trimmed Hats from 2s lid. Double Bed White Sheeting, 10£ d Heavy Forfar, 6|d Blankets, Blankets, from 7s lid All Wool Colonial Flannel, Is. CLOTHING. CLOTHING. Men's Suits, 19s 6d Men's Heavy Suits, 25s 6d Men's Whip Cord Tweed Suits, 29s 6d Boys' Suits, 4s lid j Men's Lamb's Wool Pants, 3s lid. BOOTS. BOOTS. BOOTS. WONDERFUL VALUE IN BOOTS. Ladies' Shoes, 4s lid j Strong Leather Slippers, 3s 6d Men's Oolonial-made Nailed Shooters, 8s 6d jfTiS««TSfIOTOO?M-«»L BOOTS (WE TRUL. Ladies' Strong E.S. Boots, 6s lid Patent Leather Slippers in endless variety, at G. J. NEILL & GO.'S, FRIEDLANDER'S BUILDINGS, CORNER OF EAST AND MOORE STREETS.



tfEW WIXTEK 5>R V^ESIY. S. W. ALCOM & CO. A RE NOW SHOWING A VERY LARGE VARIETY OF NEW GOODS Ji_ FOR THE SEASON. FEWEST STYLES IN MANTLES AND JACKETS. NEWEST DESIGNS IN DRESS MATERIALS. LATEST NOVELTIES IN LADIES' FELT AND STRAW HATS. SPECIAL LINE O* 1 SAMPLE HATS.—ONE OF EACH. wbw ooon» in jsvuiht jvEjPAjraniJHrx. Our new Goods for the Season being imported direcb from the Manufacturers we are now enabled to give our Customers best value in Ash burton; come and prove it. Besides marking down our ; Stock at a very small profit, In order to en- j courage Cash Trade, and to meet the weak harvest we have decided to give OW« SHIMbOICt OFf EVERY POITtWM TOR CASH S- W- ALCORN & CO., East Street.



Hardley Bros. HAVE OPENED THEIR FIRST SHIPMENT OF WINTER GOODS, WHICH HAVE BEEN MARKED AT Very Low Prices ! TO CLEAR. I ~~ Special Value in Blankets and Flannels. Colonial BJankets from 17s 6d. Waterproof Overcoats, grand goods, from 29a 6d. Men's Colonial Suits from 23s 6d. DON'T FORGET TO CALL AND SEE THEM & COMPARE VALUES. We are selling a Splendid Dress Tweed at 6|d. All Wool, double-width Dress Tweed, only Is lid. BOOTS. BOOTS. Our Boot Stock is now Complete in every Branch. Splendid Dancing Shoes, 3s lid. Men's Watertights from 12s 6d. i Shooters, nailed, 8s 6d; ! Boys' and Girls' Boots in endless variety OUR MILLINERY DEPARTMENT Is now showing some Splendid value in HATS, FURS, RIBBONS, LACE, Etc. Come and Secure Arcade Straw Hats, latest shapes, only Is, only a limited number left. Splendid Ft* Collarettes, only 3s 9d. THESE ARE GENUINE BARGAINS. HiRUI£Y BROS., ARCADE. MOUNT SOMBE9 COAL. W. <fc J. HAftKIS HAVING bought the Lease of the Mount Somers Coal BJine, beg to announce that they are now prepared to supply the excellent fuel from the Mount Somers Coal measures in any quantity. They have appointed MR JAMES BAKEB, HAVELOCK STREET, their sole Agent, and all orders will be promptly attended to. In connection with the above JAMES BAKER, Timber Merchant, Havelocli Street, solicits a share of public patron age, and is prepared to give prompt and careful attention to any orders for MOUNT SOMERS COAL that may be entrusted to him or execution. STEAM CHAFF CUTTING, AND CRUSHING. Gteorge Os bo rm j_ Begs to announce that he is PREPARED TO CUT CHAFF AND 1 CRUSH GRAIN IN ANY QUANTITY He uses Messrs Andrews and Beaven's best Canterbury Chaffcutter, and their crusher with latest improvements, and can therefore guarantee giving every satis action. Orders may be left with MR GUDSELL, Tinwald j Or. GEORGE OS BORNE. 3*5 Willowby. I ■'■■ ; ' ■ !



NOMCE. ' Our advertising clients and the sub scribers to the "Mail" and "GuaHian ' m-e hereby informed thau Air J. Q. Beliv late Deputy .Official Assignee in bankruptcy has been appointed canvasser and collector for the Ashburton Publishing 'Company Limited, in the place of Mr H. WY Barrett. Mv Bell will visit the coutitry distticts shortly, of which due notice will-be given. Ashburton Publishing Company, j May 1, 1893..



TO ADVERTISERS. In consequence of the Longbeach Coach leaving Aahburton an hour earlier the Gpaboian will go to press punctually at .1.30 p.m. Advertisements must be at t bis office not later than 2.30 p.m. Asbburtou Publishing Office, April 4, 1893. *



The, Best RjSmjsdy jfob Indigestion— Norton's Camomile Pills are confidently ecommended as a simple remedy for Indigestion, which is the cause of nearly all fche diseases to which we are subjects Norton's Pills, with justice called the "Natural Strengthener of the Human Stomach," act as a powerful tonic and gentlti aperient, are mild in their operation, and safe under any circumstances. Sold in (bottles, at It l*d, 2s 9d, lli,by»H mediouw ' Tendon throughout tbt w«ld



The Onslow Biscuit. Th«s latest and most delicate biscuit manufactured by



Hollo way's Ointmenx ajt» Pjlml—The attention* of all sufferers is drawn to these well-known remed;©^ for they possess con spicuous advantages as a safe and reliable aid in all th.3f» emergencies to which travel-* lers, ertm«ants and sailors are so especially liojbku T'ney have been largely patronised Vy wayfarers by land, sea, and, in fact, by all classes of the community, to their very CTea.t advantage. The pills beyond all doubt ate one of the most effective remedies * cyer discovered for cases of obstinate consti > pation, confirmed indigestion, and colic, complaints which are engendered by ex posure and irregular feeding. The ointment will be fouud of the very greatest service in