MAIL NOTICES.

ENGLISH MAILS. UOMBWAKD— DIRECT MAILS, Ruapehu sailed November 24, due London January 4. OUTWARD —DIRECT MAILS. Tongariro, sailed November 14, due December 30. OUTWARD —SAN FRANCISCO BIATLS. Next mail leaves London December 24, due colony January 25. The letter-box will be cleared for des patch of correspondence from Ashburton Post Offioe to the under-mentioned places as follows :— For am. p,m. p.m Burnham and Dunsandel daily) . . .. •■ 315 Chertsey and Rakaia (daily) < 6-30 3.J5 fl-20 Cbristohurbh and North (daily) 630 3.15 6.20 and on Mondays, Wed nesdays, and Fridays... 10 30 Ororrow (daily) 6 30 EiSelton and WiHowby. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays... .. 10.30 Elgin, Wakanui, Ssaview, Seafield, and Kyle, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays 6 30 Flemington Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays 4 45 Geraldine (daily) 10.SG Green3trcet, Winohmore, and Forks, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays 630 Ltstnore, Tuesdays and Fridays., , 10.30 Methven (daily) .., , 3.15 Mt. Somers, Springburti, Bushside, and Atford Forest (daily) 4-0 Mayfield and Buapuna, Mondays and Thursdays 4 0 Newlands, Tuesdays and Fridays 1-10 ! Timaru, Dunedin, and gouth (daily) 12.30 Selwyh (daily) ..., . ... n _ 620 Temuka & Timaru (daily) JQ..30 12.30 and on Tuesdays, Thurs days and Saturdays ,. 3.15 Tin vvald, Window, Hinds, and Wattnate (daily) ,10 30 and on Tuesdays, Thurs days, and Saturdays ... 3 15 Wheatstone, Ashton, Waterton, and Long beach (daily) ..... 4.45 N.B. — Letters containing anything of value should be handed to the Postmaster to be registered, ] Letters containing coin, if posted un- I registered, will hveompulwily registered an 3 charged double registration fee. j

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1893. THE NEW TAXATION.

One of the happiest circumstances that has attended the dawn of the New Year is the triumphant vindica tion of the policy of the Bailance Government in making a radical change in the incidence of taxation, The Opposition declared that the j change would result iv financial j disaster—the required revenue could not be raised by this system —but in stead of that, the receipts on account of land tax already exceed the I reasurer's estimate by nearly £7000, Farmers, for whom so much sympathy was sought to be excited by their new found friends ot the Opposition party, have made their payments and realised that the present system of taxation is the best that has ever existed in New Zealand, and tradesmen and merchants are of the same opinion. The English money market, to influencing which So much effort has been made by the : Opposition press, tells of our improved standing and haß placed New Zealand securities at the top of the list bi Colonial investments. Every steamer is bringing numbers of desirable colonists, the demand for land is greater than has ever before existed in the Colony, and pur industries have never before beon in so prosperous a condition. The great Opposition Crusade, which was to begin when the Land Tax returns had exposed the predicted breakdown of the Govern ment financial policy, has so far been as great a failure as its promoters' pre dictions were, and speakers and writers are forced to admit that it is useless now to attempt to persuade the people that the new taxation is oppressive aud unjust. A small section of the press endeavours to conceal its discom fiture by emitting clouds of ink. Others accept their defeat honestly, among these being the Wellington " Post" (which, it will be remembered, at first strongly supported the Ballance Ministry, but afterwards opposed them most virulently.) In the course of an article on the result the" Post " says: <• We are by no means ashamed to confess that we entertained grave doubts as to whether the data available were sufficiently reliable to justify making so radical a change in the incidence of taxation at the present time. The paramount necessity being to raise the revenue essential to the preservation of the public credit, it did not appear to us to be prudent finance to chance anything or to part with the bird we had in liand, although its plumage was not attractive, in hope of capturing the more brilliantly feathered pair of birds in the bush. . . . . The result justifies the attempt, and we are heartily ' glad that it is so, nor would we willingly withhold an iota of the credit which is due to those who differed from us, and, taking a more sanguine view than we did, boldly assumed an enormous re sponsibiiity in making the change, It would be ungracious now to hint at rashness, or to speculate on what might have been. The result has vin dicated the policy of the change, if not of all the means -used to attain the desired end. The new taxation has triumphantly passed through its first and most severe test. We hope it will pass equally well through the less severe strains it hasi yet to undergo. In offering our congratulations as a seasonable greeting to the Ministry, and to Mr Ballance in particular, we do so with persect sincerity, and with out any " arriere pensee " in regard to the general principle, although we do not wish to be understood as expressing approval of all the details of the new taxation, or the methods by which the change has been effected, Regarding both of these points there is still room for much difference of opinion, The broad fact, however, is indisputable— that a most desirable fiscal reform, in volving fundamental changes in the incidence of taxation, has been effected without endangering the public credit.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Settling over the Tinwald New YetJf race meeting will take place at the Tinwald Hotel on Saturday evening at eight o'clock. The inspector of police at Dunedin has received a telegram stating that the man Robert Clark, who has been missing for some days, has returned to his home at St Nathalie, On Monday, at prebbleton, Mr C. H. Amyes, of the Al Hotel, Ohristoluiroh, was married to Miss Hazelbon. The many | friends in this district of both parties will join in the good wishes that are being showered upon them. Before Major Steward to-day two inebriates were fined 53 each with the usual alternative—one of them had been pre viously before the Court,, but not within the last two years, and he was treated like his fellow-prisoner, as a first offender. The following are the Ashburton vital statistics for the month and quarter, ending December 31, 1892 :—Month of December- Births, 22; deaths, 5; marriages, 4. Quarter—Births, 70 ; deaths 24; marriages, A Polo match^ Married v Single, will fee played on Saturday, play tp commence'at 3 o'clock. The following players will represent the team. Married -Buckley (captain), D^n? ehire, Bland, Sannders j Single—Claridge, j Curtis, Stewart, Rickman-tea will be pro vided. Mr Tregear, head of the Labour Bureau has returned from a visit to Taranaki, and reports that settlement is going ahead at a, gieat rate in Taranaki, and. every man who cares to work can find employment. Several ftinplpvers in that district are anxious to get more hands during the summer, but are un able to qptain them. Arthur Charles #rice ? 23 ygars of age, a | native of IJew Zealand, vh.Q,se' parentg re : side at Christchurch, committed suicide at Sydney on December 22 by taking " rough on rats." Price, who is a fish vendor, had been drinking somewhat heavily, and was greatly put about at the arrest and com mittal of his wife on a charge of stealing two sovereigns from a man. Qn Saturday th<j 4d& I<X?i oy Surprise Party give the first of a series of jmcj entertainoipnts in the Oddfellows' Hall. Migs A4l* 3?itj?r°y *s marvellous in mnemonic feats, clajfvoyaifce. &e.\ supplying by h'tr own unaided efforts no email portion qf the entertainment, while the cither members qi the company make up an interesting programme. r I#k Best Remedy fou Indigestion— JJorton's Pamfiroile Pills are confidently peeommepded as a eimplp remedy idi Indigestion, whiph is the cause qi nearly all the diseases to which we are subjects Norton's Pills, with justice called the 'Natural Strengthen^ of fc'jp Unman" Stomach," act as a powerful tonic and gmtla perient, arc mild in their operation, and safe under any circaiKetanoss, Sold in bottles, at Is 14d, 2s 9d, 11s, by all uifldieiiM vendor* thrpHgwu* the wwldi

We observe that the Wai mate $ifles are keeping up their prestigo in the beat shoot ing corps in the South Canterbury. Their latest victory waa oq. Tuesday last'when; they scored 648, against 594 scored by the Temoka Ri'fies.' ..Ranges TSOO, =300, and 500] yard* five round* at each,,ton mtn aside. The re-building of "The Corner" has progressed so far that Mr W. H. Colliers pi emises are being demolished to make way for the fine new shop .that is to be built for him. Mr Collier's stock has been moved into the shops near the Bank of New Zea land, and'has he does not intend to any ot it into his new shop it is to be sold cheap and quickly. , Anglers had again capital pport during the New Year holiday?. Mr Shury and parly came home on Tuesday evening from three days at the Rangitata with the big take of sixty-one fish, comprising seven kawhai, one herring, and fifty-three trout, the trout , weighing over 2cwt. Mr Bird, Mr Huston, and others were at the mouth of the Rakaia, and Mr Cairbridge got a nice basket, includ ing a nine and a ttalf pounder, at the moutb of the Ash'aurton, though some others at this spot were less successful. The fish are in fine condition, and to those who have, given the uufortunate newspaper men who cannot go fishing an opportunif y of testing this we return our thanks. A special general meeting of tht Ashbur tori Amateur Swimmiug Glub was held on on Wednesday evening in Gates' school of I music, at which about a score of members were present, Mr J..C. Lane, captain of the club, presiding. The object of the meeting was to elect officers to supply the vacan cies caused by the resignations of Messrs Lane, Kempthorne, Mulier and Matson. In two cases the resignations were caused by the removal from the district of the holders of the offices. "For. -the' office of captain, vacated by Mr Lan«, who is removing to Timaru, Mr Alfred Harrison was the only nominee, and he was elected. The position oi secretary, also held by Mr Line, was filled by MrW. A. Saunders, and that of treasurer, which pressure of private business compelled Mr Kempthorne to re linquish, was supplied .by Mr H. W. Barrett. Two committee men were wanted in the place of Messrs L. Matson and J. Miiller, and Messrs L. Bcoad and W. Burns were chosen. The only other business was the discussion of a proposal to remove the headquarters of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association from Auckland to Chriatchurch, and the ciub by resolution supported the proposal. Last Thursday evening the members of the St Alban's, Pleasant Point, church choir, numbering twenty, formed a Surprise Party for the purpose of vuiting the Key T. Hamilton, prior to his departure to Ash burton. By skilful manoeuvring they took possession of the parsonage at 8 p.m, Miss Smith explained the object of the visit, end requested the host and hostess to assume the role of the guests of the evening. The rooms were cleared and music, song and mirth helped to pass happily away a pleasant evening. An excellent spread was prepared by the Surprise Party, and after ample justice had been done to the good things provided, Mr Strack referred to the great interest Mr Hamilton had taken in the church choir, and to the happy relations existing between members of the choir and their minister. The choir had determined to give their clergyman some small memento of their love and esteem for him, and with fchat view they wished! to present him with> framed photograph of the members of the choir and their minister. In the name of the choir he wished Mr and Mrs Hamilton a long and happy life in the new sphere. Miss 'flalated (organist) then presented Mr Hamilton with the photograph group. The rev gentleman said that be was completely taken by surprise, and words almost failed him to express hia appreciation of the gift It would be one of the happy treasures for himself and his Mrs Hamilton. The interest he had taken in the choir waa a labour of love, and this was increased by the esprit de corps existing among the members. Last Sunday evening the Rev iVfr Hamilton preajfied his farewell sermon to a large congregation, ironi the text *' And I saw a new heaven and and a new earth," Rev XX*., 1. £he choir reiidertd in good style Kbdon's " Magnificat,' and, ".Nunc Dimitis" in E flat. Iv the anthem "In cline Thine Ear' the Rev Mr Hamilton took the solos. Earnest and sorrowful fare wells marked the close of .Mi" Mmußono ! short stay at Point. Mrs jtUmucju also won for herself a warm corner in the hearts of the parishioners.

SPORTING.

(PBK PRESS ASSOCIATION)

Wellington, January 4. St Hippo and The Dancer have been scratched for all engagements at the Wellington Racing Club Summer Meet ing.

WELLINGTON PARK SALE.

Auckland, January 4., The annua) sale of yearlings, bred by Mr Morrin at Wellington Park, took plage to-day, when thirty-three lots were quitted for a total bum of 6201 guineas, The principal prices paid were for a filly by Nordenfeldt —OuWa, Mr Power, of Sydney, on behalf of Mr Hordern, 900 guineas ; for a filly by Castor—Victoria, Mr George Hunter, 300 guineas ; for a filly by Castor—Necklace, Mr Power, 700 guineas; for a colt by Nordenfeldc— Lyrelinu§, the Hon. jj. Qrinond, 300 guineas j for a colt by Castor— Balisiia, Mr Power, 350 guineas ; for a colfc by Castor —Bangle, Mr R, Macmaster, (Oamaru), 300 guineas ; for a filly by Nordenfeldb—Pungawerewere, Mr Power, 450 guineas ; for a colt by Hotchkiss— Onyx, Mr Power, 420 guineas; for a filly by Nordenfeldt—Steppe, Mr L. D. Nathan, 200 guineas ; for a filly by Nov denfeldt — frormy, 'Mr Austin,' 2|»Q guineas,

WELLINGTON RACING CLUB'S SUMMER MEETING.

Auckland, January 4. Mr Evett has declared the following weights for the Wellington Cu:p ? a piecp. of plate of the value of 100 soys, with 4QO soys added. One mile and a half.

MOUNT SOMERS.

The annual sports in connection with the Mount; Somera. School were held on IJdonclay, in a piddwsk* kindly lent for the occasion by Mr Felton. The weather was delie;htfu"), and as;'those sports are the most important ones held along the foot of the hills, there was it lar^e attendance, many coming from Alford Fcrest, Spring burn, Mnyfieltl, Hu-ipuna, and other places. The • Oouimittee had spared neither pains nor money to make the meeting a &uccesw, and they are to be songratulated on .the batisfactory result achieved. In a large tent under the charg3 of Mrs Jones was laid a bountiful spread of good things, in the shape of cakes, sa dwiches, tea, etc., at which everybody was welcome, and at which the most hungry could be oatisfied. 3n another tent under the charge of Mr William Turcon, prizes of all descriptions j were arranged, and here the Committee showed their wisdom in procuring a lavpe quantity of useful materials in the ship© of dreas pieces, aprons, hosej hce, hats, etc. A lpng programme of , events w|iß successfully gone through,' each item bringing forward a large number of com petitors, and the close finishes in a large number of the races reflected credit on the handicappers, Messrs Tait and Wat son. At the close of the sports Mr Watson summoned his charges together, and a handsome book was presented to each child, special ones being awarded to those who had been most punctual and regular in their attendance during the year. Extra prizes were given to the. most popular boy and girl in the sdhdol, and these on the vote of the children themselves fell to Master Thomas Taic and Miss ißertha Hood. Cheers to the 6ommittee and teachers brought a very successful and happy day to a close- In the evening a large number of the young people assembled in the schoolroom, and kep^ up dancing to the "wee sma 'oor ayont the twal.

Additional Mail News.

AMERICAN SUMMARY.

The University of Chicago is having a 40-inch lens telescope made, exceeding that of the Lick Observatory by four inches. Burglaries, sand-baggings, and highway roV)berieß are now so common in Chicago that orders have been issued by the chief of police to his subordinates to suppress all mention of such misdeeds. Even the morgue is not exempt from .robbers. They steal the furniture of the rooms and the clothes of the unfortunates on the slabs. Dr JohnP<itton, from the New Hebrides, arrived at Washington on November 15 to petition the United {States to help to stop the Kanaka labor traffic between Polynesia and Queensland. Dr Patton is the head of the New Hebrides Presby terian Mission. According to his state ment these islands form at present the great slave market of the world. Be wants to invite Greab Britain, France, and Germany, with the United States, to co-operate ia preventing the continuance of the traffic. 'V-'hen Mr Cleveland goes into oflice General Harrison will return to India nop.'riit?, and form a law partnership with the Attorney-General (Mr Millar), John B. Elam, and Fred Winter. During the next bummer or fall he will make a pro tracted visit to Europe, and spend several months in the largest cities of England, perhaps also in the cities of Germany and othe> Continental countries. His pur l_o.;e, it is said, is to study economic conditions in the countries of Europe, and it is probable he will write a, book on the American tariff when he returns, which will be a contrast of th^ conditions of labor and the manufacturing interest in American cities, with those in which his investigations have been pursued. He oiill '.olds to the couviciun that the American system is not a failure, and! that the tariff will be the dominant issue between the parties in the United States. His private secretary (Mr Halford) will accompany him on his Lour, and probably write his book. Great excitement has been cheated in Bois<£ and other town^ in Idahs, on the south bank of the Snake river, by the dis covery of diamond fields. Those who have visited South Africa declare that the formation of the soil is the same as chat of the Kimberley diamond fields, The shipping of oranges from Florida to Europe has begun. The s.s. Ethel wold, which sailed from Tearandina en November 5, arrived at London on December 15 with a cargo of this fruit in fair condition. The rate of frieght was seventy cents per box- Sales were satis factory. Should success attend the sale of the Ethelwold cargo by auction, another vessel will be despatched on January 10. A singular accident occurred at the Wigram Theatre, San U rancisco, un November 5. A man named Samuels and his wife were exhibiting trained apes that they thought were quite docile, One of the brutes watched hjs opportunity and sprang on his trainer., while a second assailed his wife. They lacerated, both in a frightful manner befoiv being beaten into insensibility by *onie" persons from the audience. The wounded parties must lose their hands by amputation or perish from blood poisoning.

GENERAL SUMMARY.

Count Tolstoi, in the Russian Gaaette on November 10, calls .attention to the continued miserable condition of the peasantry cf Russia. He says famine again threatens the already afflicted districts. The rye harvest is as bad as it was in. 1889, aad oats are an utter failure. There is a complete dearth of material for fires, and peopleare exhausted by last year's misery. The outlook is as black as possible;. The agitation in favor of suppressing the Royal buckhounds was greatly strengthened by a cruel hunt which took place on November 29. Two deer were carted from Windsor to Marlow, twenty miles away, and one of tb,em lob loose". It proved to b,6 a poor-spirited animal, however, and, after travelling aimlessly about for a while, with a crowd of small boys and ruffianly men afc its freely, took refuge, dead heat, in a farm yard shed, Tb.e other deer was then started, but was c ,'en less satisfactory from a sportsman s point of view. Instead of taking to the open country, as any plain-conditioned animal ought to have done, ib ran. intol the outskirts of the town, and finally got entangled in a barb wire fence. There it hung for a time, with the hounds close behind, and when it extricated itself ran round the field with blood pouring from its mouth Finally ib fell in a dying condition, and th,e nearest butcher droye a knife into its hbart. This is "i Royal sport," for the continuance of which aristocratic and ako Windsor tradesmen recently petitioned the Queen. Her Majesty has decided that the Royal buckhounds shall ceasG ta exist at the end of the present season. Tl)o English Socialistic Democratic Federation^ through its committee of employed working men, intend to begin an anti-rent campaign. Waite, who organises the. demonsb.ratipn > of the ] unemployed, addressed a meeting on j November 21', at which he said that if aftei that date any man paid a farthing in rent while his family did not have sufficient food, \\e v/ould be a cur. He called upon fyis hearers tp imitate the : Irish and pay thei" landlords with n blackthorn. An emergency com.mitteo,; he added, hacl been formed in evervj district to assist tenants who resisted; landlords. This speech wafj gree>e4 witJi ho^rty spj-]ftuse,

The Bot Fly.

Mr J. F, McLean, Government Veterinary Sm"geqn,,. ; has made the follow ing report, to the Chief inspector *f Stock on the botfly in the Canterbury district :— " 1 have the honour to report that I visited the Canterbury district during this and the preceding month, to investi gate the damage done by this pest. For the laat two monchs reports have been reaching this Department of horses dying in this district suddenly ; find on j.ost inoriem examination by their owners no lesions other than those due to the pre-1 sence or the 'hot' could be perceived, j Although i spent something like .six weeks in the district, I only obtained one J specimen for examination. This> was a( three-year-old draught horse, never Bhow | ing any previous sign of the disease, sud ! denly dropping down dead while plough ing. I made a po.it mortem examination, and,found that the cause of death was rupture of the »orta as a lesult ,of aneurism. Fiom this lam led to bulieye that many of the horses reported to have died from * bots' have in reality died from other causes, but these causes not being so evident as the presence of the larva* of the ' bot fly ' have been over looked, and to the ' bot' has been attri buted the cause of the mortality. In this opinion I am supported by the local resi dent practitioners, who inform me they have not as ye - seen any serious results due to these larvas. . vVhile in .North Canterbury I was afforded an opportunity of seeing many horses reported to be suffering from the effects 01 the fly, but most of these were suffering either from septic pneumonia or valvular disease of the heart as a sequel to influenza. In fluenza has been very prevalent in this district, and has in my opin ion been the cause of far more serious losses than thd ' bot' is likely to be."

The Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland.

One of the matters of surprise in con nection with die new- Lord-Lieutenant ot Ireland was (writes Mr H. Lucy in the "Sydney Morning Herald") that Lord Houghton should be able to afford to accept it. His father, best known a^ Moncton Milnes, Wi»s a Yorkshire squire of ancient lienage tnd modest fortune. He had at least quit a enough to keep open house at Fryston, his Yorkshire home, and to make attractive his breakfast table in London. But that does not imply sufficiency to meet the drain on the Lord- Lieutenant's purse, it was slated at the time that his kinsman, Lord Ore we, had undertaken to add £10,000 a year to the Lord-Lieutenant's revenues during Lord Houghton s residence at Dublin Castle. I hear from one having intimate relations with the family that this high appoint ment will have even more permanent ad vantages for the young peer. He has always been spoken of as Lord Urewe's destined heir. But the arrangement was only kindly conjectural. JNow Lord Ciywe, delighted with the advancement of his young kinsman, and the prospect opened up before him of an honourable public career, has, it is said, made a will leaving him sole heir, Lord Grewe is (though no one would think it to look at hiai) one of the richest peers in the king dom. With this wealth added to his own modest competency Lord Houghton be comes an even more attractive parti than he has been iv che>6 later years' of his widowed life,

The Lord-Lieu tenant of Ireland receives from the State an allowance of £,20,000 a year, vii the faco of it a. respectable sum, even exceeding that which Mr Ohevalier draws in acknowledgment of a few songs sung nightly in custumo ac various London music halls. It is twice as much as the President of the United Scates receives, and is only £4000 n year less than ihe President of the French Republic draws. Bui, as Earl. Spanner discovered, it is wholly inadequate to the occasion. People wonder why Lord Spencer should give up his, town residence and sell the family heirloom of the Althorp Library, They forgot that for six yetrs. h,a was Lord-L-eutenant of Ireland, or remembering the fact, do not realise what drain upon the purse the position involves. As direct repre sentative of the Sovereign *he Lord- Lieutenant must live in regal styJe, and, not being born in the pu.tpl.ej is not per i'iitttd to practise ariy of those little economies \vtiich make, life more or less pleasant at Windsor and at Osborne. Lord Spencer left a post in which he had served the Estate at a orjjicfd epoch financially crippled. Lord Houghton «ould not have accepted tha honor proffered him by Mr -Gladstone'unless he had at his b&gk the proprietor Hall, Which things seem a little quaint in:connection .with'-the Government of the wealthiest empire in the world.

COMMERCIAL.

(PER PEESS ASSOCIATION,)

London, January 4. The Anglo-Australian Investment and Finance Company returned their January debenture coupons unpaid, and the London cffice has cabled three times to Sydney fnr the nvmey, but received no reply. The "fall Mall Gazette" says that there will be no excitement over the non-pay n^ent of the coupons ac the com* pany s position is known, and the shares have been unsaleable for some time. The company are not compelled to pay the coupons for two months, Sydney, January 4. At a meeting of the directois of the Anglo-Australian Investment and Finance Company, it was decided to call a meet ing of shareholders for the 19th instant, to consider a proposal to wind up the institution under the supervision of the court. Wheat, chick, 2s 9d to 2s lid; milling, nominal, 3s 6d. Flonr, £8 to £8 lQs. Oats, bright feed, 2s 6d to 2a 7A Maize, New Zealand, 3s lOd. parley, Cape, 3s 4d bo 3s 6d. Evan, SJd to 9d. Pollard, 9d to lOd. iJ «as, blue Prussian, 4a 6d. Potatoes, Victorian Early Rose, £4 15s; blue skins, , £5. Onions, £5 5s to £5 ],os. "butter, dairy ! made, 7d to 8d j factory, 8d to 9d. Cheese, pciiy.e, 5d Bacon, New Zealand prime curf»d, 8/jd ; hams, lljd to Is, MBTiftqußN*, January 4. Business restricted. New wheat, ijs 2d } old, 3s s^d, Flour, £7 }0s to £8 15s. Oats, Algerian, Is Gd j Danish, Is lid; stout, 2s H<\. Maize, 33 Id. Bran, Bd. Pollard, 9d. Cheese, New Zealand, 5d fo s|d in bond,

Addington Stock Market.

CBPTSTctJ.i7iip^, January 4. The weather was perfect and the attend ance gooc(, . ■ ■ . ■ Stork Sheep—About 2000 wer? yarded, all classes being fully represented. Bid ding was nothing like so brisk as recently. I Two-tooth crnssbreds brought 12s 9d, ! four-tooths up to'l^3 ?d,* and gome six ' booth, wethers 13s; Aged crossbred ewes a.id lambs sold up to 9-s 9d all counted, and aged ewes with lambs were sold nt 7 s 7d the pair. Mnrino ewes and lambs were sold at from 5s 3d all counted. Merino wethers failed to find purchasers. About 1500 were all cleared, best quality for freezing ranging from lls to Hs, and lighter sores from 8s 9d upwards. Fat Shekf— Less than 400 J being, yarded caused the demand for good sorts of we! hers and n:aiden ewes fco remain firm at h\*e rates, prices ranging from 12s to 15s fld. In the case of a" few yens of extra heavy weight wethers from'lQs. to 17s Id was obtained, sale of dry crossbred ewes was good, all being dis-, posed of at an average of from Us Qd ttf' 1 Us?

Ashburton Markets.

MESSRS FRIEDIiANDER BROS. Messrs Frierilander tiros, report upon the live stock market for the first sale of the New Year as follows :— : A. very fair entry of sheep were penned at the Aghburton yards on Tuesday . last, January 3, consisting mostly of two-tooth crossbred sheep with a fair sprinkling of ewes and lambs, the store and fat pens being mostly represented in merino wethers and ewes, with a few lots of i crossbred ewes. The attendance was not so large as usual, but several farmers in. want of harvest mutton kept things moving pretty freely, making a good clearance in the fat pens. Store sheep, with the excep tion of ewes and lambs, did not meet with the strong competition which .'hid. been shown before the holidays, consequently most of the two and four-tooth crossbreds were withdrawn at auction, but several lines were dealt with privately immediately after the sale. Following are the prices obtained for the day's transactions:—Fat Sheep— Merino wethers sold at 6s 9d to 8s 6d and up to 9s Id; merino ewes, 6a to 7b Id ; cross bred ewes, 9s lid to 11s. Only two line* of freezing sheep were entered, the competition tOi* which was not very strong. We sold one.line of two and four-tooth crossbreda on account of Messrs Rule and Stringfellotr at 14s 9d each, but the demand for this class of sheep was weak, and most of the lines withdrawn at auction, but sales were effected soon, after up to 14s. A nine line of forward two-tooths ranged up to 13s. A line of crossbred ewes, with good lamb*, sold at 10s each. Merino ewes, with about ninety per cent of late lambs, sold at 4s sd, and we sold a line of aged merino ewes, with one hundred per cent of good well-grown lambs, at 7s Id each. There waß nothing else calling for special mention in the day's market. In beef there was nothing of special quality entered, and all lots were disposed of at rates lately ruliug. A very small entry of store cattle was represented by young stock, and these being in good demand met with a ready Bale.

CRICKET.

VICTORIA v. SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

[PKR PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Melboujgnk, January 4. Victoria won the match against South Australia by six wickets. Graham, riot out, 86 ; Barratt, not nub, 68.

The Governor's Tour.

[PJBK HUSSS ASSOCIATION. J

Wellihgtoh, January 4. His Excellency the Governor, Lady Glasgow, and party will leave Wellington for a trip in the South Island, including the West Coast Sounds, on the 17th inst. The party will be conveyed from Welling ton to Lytteiton in the Hinetnoa. They will remain in Christchurch until January 21, proceed thence by train to Dunedin, calling at Oamaru and Palmerston South en route, and arriving at Dnnedin on lanuary 23, where they will remain until January 30. From Dunedin they will proceed to Invercirgill, staying there for a day, and then going on to the Bluff, where the Hinemoa will meet them. At the Bluff the party will be joined by the Duchess of Buckingham and Ohandos, Miss Wolfe Murray, Lady Kintoreand her two daughters, who will accompany > them on the trip to ths West Coast Sounds. After visiting the Sounds, the "' party will he deported by the steamerat Westporfc, there taking coach and driving through fco Nelson, where they will be again met by the Hinemoa and brought back to Wellington, arriving probably about the last week in February.

TELEGRAPHIC.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

(PER PIIESS ASSOCIATION.)

SEVERE WEATHER.

London, January 3. The weather throughout the United Kingdom and the Continent is intensely cold, Many parts of the country have been visited by heavy snow storms, and railway and other traffic is interrupted to a considerable extent.

THE TASMANIAN GOVERNOR.

The Right Hon. George Osborne Morgan, Q.C., Liberal member tor Denbighshire, Wales, is spoken of as the new Governor of Tasmania. '

LE CABON'S BOOK.

The libel action brought by Mr J\ J. O'Kelly against Major Le Caron has been abandoned.

THE CHINESE QUESTION.

Professor Pearson, of Melbourne, in his book on " National Life and Char acter in Australia," justifies Rachod's reasons for the exclusion of Chinese from Australia.

THE NEW YEAR HONOURS.

No political gentlemen have been knighted. Captain Theobald, who served in New Zealand, has been pro moted to, the rank of Rear Admiral.

THE SUCCESSION.

Princess Marie renounces her claim to the British throne.

IRISH AFFAIRS.

Another agrarian outrage is reported from County Clare, Ireland, in Tulla, a town ten miles east of Ennis. Men with their faces masked fired at two women, but missed. The outrage is , attributed to revenge for ejectment from some property. 1 . Lgwdom, January 4. The statement that the Irish Con stabulary are being disarmed is offi cially denied, It is reported that Mr Gladstone proposes to reduce the Irish tribute under Home Rule, on condition that there are 32 Irish members in the House of Commons.

THE PANAMA SCANDALS.

Paris, January 2. . The Columbian Government insist that the Panama Canal Company shall pay their debt of £320,000 without delay, Count Ferdinand de Lesseps, on being informed of the arrest of M. Charles de Lesseps, in connection with the Panama Canal Company dis closures, was deeply moved; He de clares that political intrigues ruined the company. M. Floquet intends to resign. The arrest of four members of the Chamber, including a former Minister, has been sanctioned, on charge! of torrtwy, * *■

TfiE ASHBOETOJN GH/AftDUH : THURSDAY, >JANUARY 5, L 893.



sfc lb Merganser 9 5 Boulanger... '9 4 Drackshot..; 9 3 Prima Warden 9 0 M. England $ 7 Stepiriak ... B 7 Kulnne .!. 8 4 fraternite... 8 4 Rpsefeldt ... 8 2 Hippoinones B 2 Scot Free... 8 0 Johnny Fa* 712 Revolution 7 12 Cretonne ... 711 Sword beU... 7 10 Dilemma ... 7 9 Free Lance 7 7 Retjna ... 7 7 Thame .;; 7 7 North Atlantic 7 7 Strephon ... 7 7 Sb. Kafehorine 7 7 Awarua hose 7 6 Crown Jewel 7 5 Queen of Trumps 7 5



st lb Captive ... 7 5 Wakawatea 7 5 Saracen ... 7 4 Loch Ness... 7 4 AronoeJ ....' ty 3 (Xsiqan. ... 7 3 Musket ... 7 2 Senator ... 7 0 Heather Bell 7 0 Koiukvi ... 7 0 Legislator,.. 6 13 Krina , 6 lx I'aramu ... 611 Tempest ... 6 11 Hakimaaa.., 6 11 Spinfeldb ... P 10 Monte Carlo 6 10 Rosa Bonheur 6 9 King Harry 6 9 The'Prem^ey 0 9! Wyvern ,' 6 # Conjurer ... 6 8 King John, 8 8 Au Revoir... 6 7 Flflba ... 6 7 Ngatioma  6 7



FOR THE HOLIDAYS. G. J. NEILL and CO's SPECIAL PRICES FOR THIS MONTH Ladies' Cashmerette Hose, double knee, 10|d Ladies' Cashmere Hose, Is New Fashtonable Dress Goods, 3s lid a tfozen W onderf ul Value in Summer Dress Tweed, bfcci . . Va luelfrom'ls 4d Black Cashmeres and French Merinos, all prices Wondertul vaiuej to 5s 6d per yard All Wool Flannel, 7£d ppr yard Flannelettes afc 3s 6d per t'raen Good Heavy Twilled at s|d Leather Shirting, Swansdown Back, at 7|a per.yaid Washing Prints, 3s lid per dozen A special line of White Muslin, 4|d Pongee Cloths and Delaines in most beautiful patterns CLOTHING. Men's Colonial Tweed Suits, 23s 6d Men's Serge Suits, 22s 6d Men's Tweed Trousers from 5s lid Boys' Tweed Suits in endless variety Men's R'bbod Cotton Pants, is 6d Men's Colonial Knit Wool Socks, Usd per pair Men's Regatt* Shirts, 2s lid : Men's Strong Braces, 9d per pair Boys' Strong Bwces, 4d per pair. BOOTS. BOOTS. BOOTS. UNMISTAK.EABLE VALUE. Ladies' and Children's Tan Shoes, a specialty Brown Canvas Shoes, all sizes Men's Bluchers, 5s 3d A rare Hne of Women's Strong Leather-Shoes worth to o^ 6 9d Ohildren'H Lan Shoos, Brown Canvas Sho^a, and Patent Loauier auppß™. siaes afc very low prices. G. J. NBILL and GO: FRIEDLANDER'S BUILDINGS, CORNER OF EAST & MOORE STREETS.



HARDLEY BROS. |LA«AIT AHf» USEFUft. GOODS At Low Prices. EVERY ARTICLE OF OUR NEW STOCK WARRANTED. Columns, we wish to Impress ON ALL the following : lit Every Article is Warranted to give SATISFACTION, and if ever a Jl^recives anything that don't suit, they can return it to be exchanged, or SS^Stave themone} returned if they so desire. o a iv ♦!,« Ooods will be FIRST-CLASS of the Newest and Most Desir ablest a^d SStriS? are Much Lower than such articles can elsewher. be obtained for. 3rd _We deal in NO SHODDY GOODS whatever, and all who Order of US may be SURE that they will receive the Biibi. 4H,—We are satisfied with a Small Profit, and as Our Business is of such 4th.--We are saw. , b . Goods off the Manufacturers in Tge fXantZstrctrwe VZ enabled to SELL our Goods for LESS JESS tK "tburgiving our Customers the advantage, Those who want GOODS should .end to US and Save Money. Juat Arrived-A Splendid Assortment of Men's and Boys' SUITS. SPECIALLY FOR CHRISTMAS WEEK. JHARIXLEY BBOS., AKCATOB HOUSE, BXJIWVEXX STEEET, ASHBURTON.



S- SALEK'S NEW JEWELLERY ESTABLISHMENT. f S SALEK begs to draw the at en & fitted up: his Shop mj^j favorably with any in Christchurch. quality, price, and newest h of the Ashburton District in Lj 9 CchVtretew'iliyTTaL, and I showing a Larger Stock than has ever before been seen in this rict; d . stcck specially suitable for y WFDDING PRESENTS, WtHDAY PBJfiSBNTS, AND j XMAS PRESENTS, P^^TATION TESTIMONIALS. j n \a *t\A Silver Jewellery ot every description. TH E WAT^M^AND^WBLtBBy KEPAIRINO ,i. •« Hn arrangements, and additional assistance having beer, s new complete in its »™ang« .^ thdr work done promptly and obtained, customers may reiy •tiafactorily . S. SALEK, WATOHMASEB AND JEWELLER. Factory FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON, i.i TorffTcfc and Best Assorted Stock of MEN S W E aa&f'ssa™ «^Kfi-s» , « • i *• « TTiH Gents' Ties ia endless variety »ente' Tennis and Cricketing Hats gak Hanilkerchiefß Gents' Tennis and Cricketing blurts tfl the lafcesfc shapeg Gente' Tennis and 9^ VSS^ SHOES AND BOOTS. BOOTS AND SHOES. | and Ljjce ghoes Genfcs' Tennis Shots , Children's Tan Shoes Gents' Canvas and Tan blioes Ladiea and Gentg . sappers • nts 1 Walking Shoes [ __ ri OTHING UHTARTMENT. TV -7 t oiothw should visit the CLOTHING FACTORY. BW- y r^sa^^^o^f Colonial Tweed for 9, 6d. ■-*to - • i^= e ?ir^-^owr of fche Wertheira Sewillß T „„...., ' ALEX HENDRY, Manager HALLENSTEIN BRO>.



The Best Tea IN THE WORLD ■IvglopN CejSoa. NINIAN H^L',<P, ass CO., Te* Importers, |S8 Cashdl street, 0I> < ;a«oliu»«U.



COLBMANE AUU Sp ,T EuCALYPTE EX tract is the only genuine in the market, and was a warded medals and diplomas at Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, beating afl .competitors. For all affections of the Chest and Lungs. Consumption, Asthma, Coughs, Colde, Gravel, and Kid«ey Com plaints, ib has no aqual. Agenta— AJBSWTQN P»WG OOV*'* ™,



j g CHRISTMAS FAIR now open, very -V' thing new and cheap. Come and 'see for yourselves.—The New Shop's, Coleman's Buildings. WANTED Known—lee Creams, Ice Creams, for the hot weather, always ready at H. G. Flower's, Confec tioner, East Street. SOMERSET Meat Mart. The oldest, the largest, ths best, and the cheap est. Small 'loods a specialty. Full woiahts guaranteed. A trial solioited. —W. J. Siloock. _ 4t182 W' ANTED—Purchasers ior Bargains in Summer Dresses, Prints, and Delaines, Sunshades, &c. at S. W. Alcokn and Oo'a Sale. ___—^ WANTED the Public to know that S. W. Alcorn and Go's Summer Salt; ie now on. Great Bargains in Millinery, Undeiv.lolliiug etc. WASTED Known.—High class Dress Goods, Utobt patterns, now selling under wholesale prices. Special line of double width stuff 6d and Is, less than half price. -H. C. Sbgeus, Melfoid House. .



WANTED Known—We are now giving away Beautiful Presents to eveiy purchaser of 6» and upwards. Uomc and see our bargains in Drapery, &o. -ii. 0.. Segehs, Melford H«mse :: _. WHY not Bake your own Bread when you can goo 50lbs of the best Roller Flour for live shillings caah or five shillings and sixpence booked at Robkrt aloorn's, Sawders' Buildings. . ' 11 dl oN'lrltst the rain water destroy your buildings. «Jet Spouting fixed at 4d per foot and buy a tank, complete with t&p, tested before leaving workshop, for 30d, at J. W. HAiUJMrH. rjELIAMiToFk Bocks, ctaoionery, O and Account Books, Fancy Guoct.^ Music, Violins, Accurduons, etc, Fire Screens and Stovo Ornaments, all at Reduced Prices.— v. F. Andrkwes & Co. WANTED Known—New Flannelbttes at extraordinary prices; 3s lid *nd *s lid doz. Thirty per cent under price.—W. H. Collier.



WANTED Known that S. Salek, Watchmaker and Jeweler, has removed to new shop near New Zealand Clothins Factory 1() 213 WAISTED Known—Or Scott's cele brated Electric Corsets can only be obtained in Ashburton afc W. H. Colwkk's, "Th« Corner." T^HRISTMAS Suits. B^ys, three \_J garment long Trouser Suits at las. Boys, Colonal-made Knicker Suits frjm 10s. Men's nicely made Oolonial Tweed Suits 300. Colonial Tweed Suits to measure from 50s.—Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders 1 Buildings. Robkkt Alcokn. DON'T Forget the Borough Bye-Laws re Carrage Lamps, and that Hakdlb . as large Stock on hand, also a large assortment of Tinware and Iron mongery, Scythes, Reaping Hooks, Hay Knives, Forks, etc., of beat quality, and all at lowest possible prices. J. W. Hardiey* East Street, Ashburton.



BEAR in mind that J. W. Hardley, Plumber and Gasfitter, East Street, has the largest Stock iv town of Pumps, Fipes, and Sittings, and that he is selling them cheaper than ever at prices hitherto unheard of in Ashburton. Now is the chance for a cheap Pump ; improved ISo. 4. Price, 16s. Larger sb.es in proportion. ■j\jiw YEAR'S GIFTS.—Card, Book i-i lets New Games in grei»t variety. Beaut fullotof Vases, Fancy glassware, and Fairy Lamps. Boys' and Girls' Annuals, and aher new Volumea. Prize Books at reduced prices. JSew Birthday Ke ward and Wedding Cards. ~U K. ANDRE WES * CO., Stationers' Hall. t ITaNTED Known—That J. Muisos VV keeps the best stock of Boots in Ashburton, for this reason that he pays cash and is not under or bound to any one firm like many in the trade, which enables him to procure and supply the public with the Best Colonial and English makes ; and his well-known make needs no recommendation. Always on hand J3est Sole Leather, used for repairs and done at once.—J. Moison, Impermeable Bootmaker, Town Hall, East Street, next Court House.



Ckackneli and Digestive B)souits for Invaßds are unsurpassed. Mado by AULSEBEOOK AlfD C'p. TO MAKE Nicest Scones, Nicest Pastry, Nicest Cakes Use AUL9K»R99K'S Self.KfMfiirg f lour,



HpLL<»yAY?s Bills.—Weakening weafcher •: —The sultry summer days strain the nerv^3 of the feeble and deprepid, and disesse may eventuate unless some restorative, such as the purifying pjUs, b,e foiji)d to cprrect the disordered tendency. MollQway'g mecji* cine gives potency to thojneryptis system, which is the source of all Vital 'movements^ and presides over every action which main tains ttye grov th and wellrbeing qf the body. ssq oniß can over egj:inia|ie thp necessity qf keeping the ne.ive3 well strung, op the easp with whjch thesje pills accomplish that end. rJ.'iiey are the most unfailing antidotes to indigestion, irregular palpifcar tion, sick headacke, ax>d co^tiyeness, and have therefore attained the largest sale and and, highest reputation,



Pat Cattle—Nearly a hnndrel head of ordinary quality of beef cattle were offered. Butchers' supplies having been well ex hausted the demand for handy sized steers and heifers was good, steers selling up to £8 and heifers to £6 12s 6d. A few nice cows were sold at from £5 to £6 6s. Si ore Cattle-With the exception of a few calves and a line of forward con ditioned bullocks, which sold at £6 10s a head, the entry was very mixed. Calves brought 32s 6d to 365, and dry cows from £3 10s to £4 15s. A few dairy cows and springers of second class quality changed hands at good prices up to £8 12s 6d, Pigs -\bout 80 pigs, chiefly porkers and a few very prime baconers, were dis- I posed of ut an advance. Baconers brovght I from 303 to 38s, and porkers from 15a to 245.