Ashburton Guardian MAGNA EST VERITAS ET PRÆVALEBIT. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1894. THE VANCOUVER SERVICE.

Than the plea for the Vancouver ser vice entered by Mr A. C. Begg, Presi dent of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, at the quarterly meeting on Monday of that body, we have read nothing on the subject more telling. Mr Begg, who has only recently re turned from an extended tour through the great American coutinent, and a sojourn in Great Britain, and had covered every inch of the country through which the traveller would be conveyed if the Vancouver service were adopted, spoke with a very close knowledge of his subject. It has been said that for teaching the geography of a country to the world there is no better master than a war in that coun try, as, just as soon as the campaign commences, the press teams with de scriptions of the theatre of operations, i maps are published and spread broad cast, and all the most reliable litera | ture on the geographical position, etc., i of the country is quoted from, while the keen interest in the war awakened in millions of readers impels a close study, and the students become apt, learners indeed. And so it is with travel— more especially if the traveller have a pounds, shillings, and pence interest in the lands he is travelling through. Mr Begg had such an in terest in the country he exploited on his way to the land of his birth, for with the keen eye to the main chance, and the loyal fidelity to " their am folk " which so strongly characterise the race from which the worthy President springs, he marked as he went the ad vantages that would accrue to New Zealand as a producing country, and to himself as a New Zealand merchant, if the Vancouver service were substi tuted for the one via San Francisco. He reckoned up the claims upon New Zealand of the one as against the other, and he found that the Vancouver line far out-weighed the San Francisco route. He pointed out that the San Francisco service had never been a pro nounced success. It had done satis factory service no doubt in carrying the mails, as during its existence it was the shortest mail route to England from New Zealand; but as a means of trade between this colony and the United States the lesults had been disappointing in the extreme, and it remained to-day just what it was at its initiation—a mail and passenger ser vice. Help in maintaining that service had J^en- no P e(* or from t!irl nited States, but the hope year after year had been deferred until the New Zea. !an4 heart was sick. The main sub sidies for tfoc line had been provided by' New Zealand contributions from the other colonies 3?e£ng nominal, while America contributed nonty charged^ highest possible tariff for overland mail vaxfaqi, and reaped all the benefits of the l^ne wWiiosfr a single benefit given in return to New Zeaifp,n4 On the other hand the Vancouver line had soM befits to give. New Zea land was part of tUe great British empire, and tb« Fauqouw Jinp W»W

travel through the country of fellow subjects of Her Majesty, The Can- 1 adian Government and the Canadian— j Pacific Railway Company were anxious j to see the line inaugurated, and the' time that would be occupied in the | journey between New Zealand and London would not be over thirty days. And the route would be taken through a population much more interested in helping us than the Americans are, and the help would be both in subsidies and in encouraging trade. The Canadian —Pacific Railway Company had verj. largely subsidised the Huddart Parker service from Sydney, and they had them selves a splendid line of steamers running from China and Japan, and were en deavoring to concentrate as much trade as they could in Vancouver. Mr Begg then went on to show how vastly the population of British North America had increased of late years, and this portion of his interesting speech we give in another column. But of the real benefits we may expect to derive from the Vancouver line, Mr Begg spoke towards the close of his address on this subject, and as we fancy he has made out a good case for the line he favors we give his statement of these benefits in his own words:— With regard to what we could send them, he thought it highly probable a trade might spring up in frozen meat. In all those western towns mutton was pretty dear. In the butchers' shops in Victoria and Winnipeg mutton was sold at 9d or lOd per lb, and he was I told that at Winnipeg they could take a large quantity of mutton ai» a good deal higher price than we got for it in London. Of course the railway would require refrigerating cars, but to Win nipeg it was only a journey of two days and a-half, and he had no doubt that if once they introduced this trade it would grow. Then from Winnipeg there was railway communication with some of the great cities of the Western States—St. Paul, Minneapolis, which were cities of 250,000 inhabitants, lying to the southward of Winnipeg. It was possible these could take a lot of frozen mutton if it were available. He had no doubt a trade of that kind could be opened up there. It was only a question of time and money to have it opened up. He thought he had said sufficient to show the desirability of their doing what they could to encour age the Vancouver mail route as against the San Francisco route. If we were to have only one route he had no doubt the Vancouver route offered much greater advantages than the other.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

It is notified that Mr W. J. Steward has been re-appointed as a member of the Aih burton High School Board. The ladies of Ashburton will be interested in examining the Bismarck sewing machine, the sole agency for which has been secured by Mr B. Hallenstein, for Messrs Hal lens tern Bros., of the New Zealand Clothing Factory. 2354 acres of Crown lands in seven teen blocks in the neighborhood of Wester field, Alford Forest, South RaugLtata, Orari and other localities will be open for application on and after February 14. Plans may be seen at the railway stations and post offices throughout the county. As there was only a fair attendance of players on the Domain on Wednesday the clubs combined. Sidea were picked by Mr R. M. Outhbemon and Mr C. E. Dj,vis, and one of the most enjoyable games of the season resulted in a win by 33 runs for th 9 side captained by Mr Dans. For the winners—Burke 30, Divis 17, and Kerr 11, showed good cricket; for the losers Lane (20, not out, played a good innings. The bowling honors where divided by Constable and Davi3 for the winners, and by Dixon and Lane for the losing side. An "army pensioner with an artitical head,' has long been, like a Swiss Admiral," synonymous in colloquial French with some thing that does not exist intature. The first named phenomenon, or something like it, hus at length been found. In & litte village in the neighborhood of Avernes, not far from Lille, resides a retired artillery man named Moreau who was one of the heroes on the French side of the war of 1870. At the memorable action at Bapaume, Moreau was wounded by a .shell, which exploded right in his face. He was summarily attended to by the surgeons, who were afterwards surprised to find him still alive at the end of four days. Of his face, nothing remained intact but the forehead and the jaw. An operation was performed, and thirty-five pieces of bone were token out of the wounded part. This left a hideous cavity in the front of the face, so that a wax mask had to be resorted to. Moreau recovered, and for years he petitioned the Government to give him a platinum mask, a request which was at length acceded to ten years ago. The metal mask is said to answer wonderfully well, but it has to be repainted from time to time. Moreau lives with his wife and grand-daughter. His photograph is to be 'een in Paris in a shop in the Boule- i yard St. Germain. It is the fashion (continues the " Saturday j Review ") to say that to be " quite " is an unnecessary luxury, and tbat the backbone of the country is among those who never can be " quite." We agree ; we believe that the backbone of the country is among that class, who look as eagerly now as they did in the age to which we have referred, for those possessed with " hall the hinstints of a gentleman" to be their leaders and their chiefs. No clasa has shown a greater belief in, or a more steady adherence to, those who from position and from election have been for ages the ruliug classes among us. The backbone of the country—they are the quickest at discerning the failures of those who have arisen from their own ranks, and they havenotbeen slow to lay the blameon the absence of the said "instincts." The truth is that, though the borders of society have been enlarged, and the multitude has been i allowed to force its way in, yet the old land- I marks remain, the old standards are still the ! real test, the old tone ia still the highest. We have no hope of any country where these social dis^ia^tiocii are obliterated and become pdiijerent to all classes alike. The power of the " Not Quites " may possibly be great in the future ; they will be hapgy if £hey can make society as brilliant and as atimui^tiag $b it has been in the past, fortu nate if they pan rule jthe Empire as well as those who have made it, and who have proved themselves h to tits mmsi bm*'

Mr J. Thomas notifies that he has any quantity of sheaf and straw chaff for sale. ; The following are the Ashburton vital statistics for January :—Births, 22 ; deaths, 9; marriages, 3. At thfl R.M. Court this morning a man was fined. 53 for ejecting a baliff'R assistant. No doubt but for the intercession of the bailiff he would have been dealt with more severely, as the Magistrate said it most be understood that Court officers would be protected, and he hoped this case would act as a cau'ion. There has been on view for the past day or two at the shop of Mr Randall, East street, a very handsome stand of thirty-two dahlia blooms, grown by Mr Pitt, of Seafield. They include pompones and cactus dahlias, but the finest are certainly to be found among what may be termed the dahlias proper. Of these some self colors in purple and dark chocolate, and a very handsome yellow splashed with crimson, named after Chang the Chinese giant, are specially worthy of commendation. It ia alleged that, so far aa agriculture is concerned, one of the greatest scientific dis coveries of the age is the result of experiment made by Messrs Garfcon, in Lancashire, who for some time have been engaged in crossing cereals and grasses in order to obtain new and superior varieties. At a recent meeting of the Highland and Agricultural Society, Mr M'Alpine, the botanist of the society, reported that he hal visited Messrs Garten with a view of seeing the experiments carried on with the propagation of new varieties of grain etc. He stated that Messrs Garton had been so successful that they could now give them what varieties they liked. They were now in a position to get breeds of cereals to suit the country so that other countries would not have better sorts, A committee was appointed to consider the matter. A Blue-book was issued in December giving the evidence taken before the Select" Comtnit- I tee of the House of Lords on the Marking oi \ Foreign Meat, and reprinting the report of that committee, which was published as a parliamentary paper in July last. A great amount of evidence was received from both sides on the allegation that misrepresentation was practised as to salesmen and dealers. Some ot the witnesses declared that large quantities of animals imported from abroad and slaughtered in Glasgow were dressed in the Scotch fashion and sent to Smith field and sold as the best Scotch. In like manner imported American cattle killed at Birkenhead were stated to be sold in Lon don as real "Aberdeen beef." Wot only is New Zealand mitton frequently passed as Welsh, but River plate mutton is made to take the "Best Welsh" and priced accord, ingly. The committee report that in South port, with a population of 41,500 where 54 j butchers carry on business, an average of only three English animals are killed during the week. I There was quite a large gathering in and around Baring Square last night to enjoy the music kindly provided by the Ashburton Brass Band, who gave their first open air concert since they have obtained a complete set of new instruments. The music was a wonderful improvement on what we have been accustomed to hear from any band in ; the town, and both tenor and bass made ; themselves agreeably felt in the programme | gone through. Horns, euphonium, trom bones, and the heavier baas instruments were all well up to their work, and felt a confidence in it that they have not enjoyed of late, while the fine cornet work the band i does was "as per usual " —the beautiful tone 1 of the bandmaster's cornet and his fine manipulation being captivatingly in evil dence. It is to be trusted the public will find an odd pound or two —shillings make pounds, and the Band, is not proud—to help the treasurer to wipe off the balance yet owing on the new instruments. It is not much, bub it is heavy enough to be trouble some to the fifteen or so working men who form the band.

Married Women Selectors

Dunedist, January 31. Afc the Land Board to-day the Crown Solicitor gave his opinion on the point raised as to the area of land for which a married woman might apply under the Land Act, 1892, as follows : —" A married woman can only become the owner, licensee, or lessee, under parts 3, 4, or 5 of the Land Act, 1892, of 320 acres of first-class land, or of 1000 acres of second class land, but she may be an applicant for 2000 acres of land, inclusive of not more than 640 acres of first-e.asa land. I do not think tnat the law would have been left so bad the attention of the Legislature been directed to the point, ! but there is nothing in either sections i 62 or 93 to exclude married women from being applicants up to 2000 acres. The third paragraph of section 93 is not amended by sub-clause 11 of section 3 of the Land Act Amendment Act, 1893, although it was no doubt intended to amend it by substituting the word ' selector, 1 which has a defined interpre tation, for the word 'owner,' which has not. Ido not think, however, that it matters so far as regards the decision of the present point, as the intention of section 93 clearly is that a married woman may acquire any title contemplated by parts 3, 4, and 5 of the Act to 320 acres of first-class land or 1000 acres of second class land, and if she may acquire a title she may make application and do every thing else necessary to be done as a preliminary to the acquisition of such a title as she desires to obtain."

The Wellington Election Petition.

Writing on this subject, the Wellington correspondent of the "Otago Daily Times" says:—"As a result of the Lindsay affidavits, and in conjunction with other evidence. I gather that the Court will be first moved to discharge the peti tion with costs. This will be the next move in the legal battle. It is an open secret that a prominent and influential member of the liquor interest here was largely instrumental in procuring the petition and finding the £200 necessary to its presentation. Against this gentle man, I am informed on excellent authority, an action is contemplated for what is legally known as "maintenance," or in plainer phrase, for intermeddling in a suit iti which he was not concerned by giving monetary assistance. A notable trial of the kind was the case of Mr Bradlaugh, M.P., against Mr Newdeg&te, M.P., which arose out of an illegal vote by Mr Bradlaugh, he not being properly sworn in. Upon this Mr JMewdegate instigated a third party, destitute of means, to bring an action against Mr Bradlaugh for the infliction of certain penalties in such cases made and provided. The defendant, dis covering the real author of the proceed ings, successfully mulcted Mr Newdegate in damages for " maintenance." This case will, I understand, be cited in sup port of the coming accion, and should prove of interest to the gentleman who is likely to figure as the defendant."

SILVER.

London, Janua y 30. It is believed in official circles that the colonies will be satisfied with 5 per cent upon the purchases of coin in lieu of seignorage profits, if they are allowed to mint silver.

SWIMMING.

Half-pasfc five —either morning or evening —is nob the hour to expect many people to witness sports of an> kind, but notwith standing this fact there was a goodly m.uster oi the public at the Domain bath laat evening to see theswimming races which were decided at that time. Aa was expected, the large entries, together with excellent handi capping, produced some very fine finishes, each heat of the 30 yards dash, and the boys' race being splendidly contested. The 220 yards race, in which the placed men counted points for Mr Buckley's trophy, was an easy gift for Frank Williams, who had been leniently dealt with in receiving thi-ty seconds start, doubtless owing to that being his first race in the senior division. Follow ing are the results :— Thirty Yardß Dash. First and second in each heat to compete in the final heat. First heat—L. Andrews, 2sec, 1; T. Grubb, lsec, 2. W. Mitchell scr, H. Hoult4sec, also started. Time, 26 l-sth sec. Second heat—E. Purchase, 2sec, 1; E. Clowes, 3aec, 2; R. Upton scr, P, Cookson 49ec, and J. Shearman ssec, also started. Time, 26 4-sfch sec. Third heat—R. F. Curtis, 4isec, 1; H. Curtis, 2sec, 2. G. A. M. Buckley scr, C. W. Steward Ssec, and F. Williams 4|sec t also started. Time, 26£ see. Fourth heat— A. Williams, 4sec, 1 ; C. Wilkie, ssec, 2. F. Smith 3sec, F. Tucker ssec, and V. Cook son ssec, also started. Final heat —B. Curtis, 1; A. Williams, 2 ; L. Andrews, 3. Won by a yard, the remainder in a bunch. 220 Yards Handicap—F, Williams, SOsec, I • B. Purchase, 13sec, 2 ; W. Burns, I2sec, 3. R. Upton scr, T. Grubb 49ec, G. Culver house Ssec, H, Curtis, L. Andrews 12sec; E. Clowes 15sec, A. Williams 18sec, P. Cookson and H. Hoult 25sec, also started. Williams went well throughout and won easily. Upton, scr. swam a fine race an* came second, but was disqualified for having touched the bottom while turning round at the half distance. Time, 4tnin 44sec . 75 Yards (juniors)—W. Purchase scr, and H. Page, 2sec, 1; Pritchard 2aec, Kelly Ssec, and Stevenson 10»c, also started. This race resulted in a grand finish between the two placed boys. Purchase drew level with Page about fifteen yards from home, and the two struggled from that distance to the rope, neither gaining even a temporary ad vantage, with the result—a dead heat. During the evening two members of the Committee solicited subscriptions, and the Club desire to thank the public for the liberal manner in which they responded. Mr Albert MiUler performed the arduous duties oi starter, Messrs A. J. Daly, B. Shearman and L. Broad were judges, and Messrs G. Jesson and J. J. Lewis acted as timekeepers. A smoke concert to have been held in the evening was unavoidably post poned.

The Vancouver Service.

Speaking at the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce quarterly meeting on Monday, on the subject of the Vancouver service, the President, Mr A. C. Bes?g, said :— Perhaps many people were not aware of the important position Vancouver was likely to occupy." Vancouver is situated on an immense inland sea, with some where about 400 miles of inland naviga tion. The shores of this inland sea were the terminus of two trans-continental railways. One of these was the North Pacific railway, which goes through the United States from St Paul in Wisconsin to Tacoma at the foot of Puget bound. In con&equence of this the city of Tacoma had sprung Into great prominence, and has increased from being a mere village to a city of 70,000 inhabitants, and said to be growing at the rate of 20,000 in habitants per year. Ot course this was a great city, and was now a very important centre of trade- Then there was another large city in Puget Sound, 40 or 50 miles from Tacoma, a great coal centre, a city with 60,000 or 70,000 inhabitants. Then on Puget Sound, on British territory, there was the town of Victoria on Vancouver Island, the capital of British Columbia, a city of 25,000 or 30,000 inhabitants, also rising rapidly. On the other side of the Sound waa Vancouver, the terminus of the Canadian Pacific railway and the town of New Westmin ster, the old capital of British Columbia. On the shores of Puget Soand there are citiss that together have attained a popu lation of 200,000 in the course of the last twelve or fourteen years, and the trade of that district is growing, and will grow, more especially as there were large coal deposits on Puget Sound which were wanting in California, San Francisco having to depend on coal supplies sent from a distance. Then there was »nother large coalfield just on the other side of Paget) Sound from Vancouver, where an immense quantity of coal was being raised, and all the steamers trading with China and Japan and also the Huddart- Parker Company's boats called there. The fact of there being coal ia such krge quantities there, and the fact of Puget bound being the western terminus of two trans-continental railway services, made it evident that the district would, in the long run, be a district of far greater importance than California, great a% that was. There would also be the additional advantage ofeour having direct communi cation with our fellow-subjects it the route through Canada were taken. The Canadian-Pacific railway was a very fine one, and went through splendid scenery that compared very favourably wi h the scenery on the route < f the Union Pacific railway from San Francisco, which lay for a long distance through desert country. The Canadian-Pacific railway for about 500 miles from Vancouver eastward lay through the Rocky Moun tains and the valleys of the Rooky Mountains, up the Frassr river, <md through the watershed of the Columbia river. It was really beautiful ccanery, and the line was splendidly constructed, the roUine stock of the best descriptioa, and the sleeping cars palatial. Altogether, for a passenger route, he thought the Canadian-Pacific railway, including, of course, the mail ronte from New Zeaiand and Australia to America, would be of great comfort and convenience to passengers. There waa no doubt at all that the Canadian-Pacific railway offered greater facilities for traveling across America than any other route, and for quickness, he might say it would compare with any of them. The mail trains left Vancouver every day, and took four days to go to Montreal, which was within a day of any of the great Atlancic seaports --New York or Boston. Then with regard to what trade we could do with Canada, he thought we could do a great deal. He referred to the arrival of the Miowera in Vancouver, and went on (c say that ho found on going across the continent tint oranges and apples and other Australian fruit were to be had along the line in every town and city they came to. That was the trade which could be opened up largely because there was a considerable season of the year during which they had no fruit of their own, and they would be very glad to get it from Australia and New Zealand, Then they had an immense quantity of tinned salmon. He supposed that on the i Columbia river and Fraser river there | were the largest tinning establishments in the world, and all the tinned salmon which had hitherto been brought from San Francisco had to go to San Francisco from that place. By this route they cqulfll get; the salmon direct. Then no dquhtalarge trade would spring up in dried fruits—-raisins, prunes, and so on— which were grown in the immediate neighbourhood af the Canadian..Paci6c rajiw&y, i

ASHBURTON WOOL SALES.

Mr D. Thomas reports upon the wool sales held on Monday as follows:—The total catalogues submitted comprised 1244 bales, 1 offere3 790 bales, besides about 50 bales in the bins, and succeeded in disposing of 622 bales and the bin wool. The number of buyera present was not large, nor were the biddings very keen, merino showing a reduction of |d per lb, whilst for good cro a breds the difference was not appreciable. Best halfbreds realised 7|d to B£d, best second cross 7d to Bd, rauis to 6£d, dead , wool sd, black wool s,{d, crossbred pieces 4| \ to 5Jd, merino piecas 3£d to 4|d, merino fleece wool, for best, 5d to s|d per lb. The only wool left in my store unsold was the Montalto wool, a" grand shipping line. Followiug is a detailed list of prices: — XX, merino, 1 bale at 5d ; crossbred, 1 at 7d ; pieces, 2 at2|d. 92, merino, lat 4|d ; sandy, lat 41; first merino, 2at s^d. Din square, merino, 5 at 5Jd; crossbred, 3 at 7|d. Cm square, bellies and pieces, lat 2|d ; merino 1 at 4Jd ; halfbred, 3 at 7Jd; merino, 7at sd. 21, merino ewes, 4at sd. LX, crossbred, 6at 7£d. 6 over — 0 under, merino ewes, 6at s|ii. — over gC, merino ewes, Batsd ; locks, lat 2|d. Ll2, mixed crossbred, 1 at 7Ad. Triangle and points, merino ewes, 3at s|d. Ll2, crossbred, 3at 7|d. 7K, merino, 5 at sd. W over h? > merino, 1 at sd. S over triangle, pieces, 1 at 3d; bellies, lat 4|d; crossbred ewes, 6at 7|d; halfbred ewes, 15 at B|d. 2S, merino, 2at s|d; halfbred ewes, 3at 7|d; crossbred and rams, JL,at 7fd. 8 under •-», crossbred, lat 7Jd. HF over —, merino, 6at s|d. C between bars, crossbred bellies, 1 at 4f d. 4K, bellies and pieces, 1 at 4d ; crossbred, 6 at 7£d ; merino ewes, 4at s|d. HC, merino, 2at 4|l. HB, merino, 4at 4d. 42, merino, 3at *4|d. — over PB, merino, 4at 4£d. HL. Lincoln cross, 12 at 7£d. CR, cross bred, 10 at 6|d. — over C, halfbred ewes, 13 at 7|d; crossbred bellies and pieces, lat 3|d ; crossbred locks and pieces, 1 at 2|d. My, pieces, lat 4d. RP, locks and pieces, lat 2|d. XS, crossbred, 2at 7£d ; merino ewes, 2at sd. FJ, merino ewes, Bat 5Jd. JM, merino ewes, 2at 5Jd. R6, merino, 1 at s|d. P reversed A, crossbred, 1 at 6|d. K6, crossbred, 2at 6|d. J over T, merino, 2 at sd. TE, halfbred ewes, 3 at 7£d; merino, 11 at s|d. DX, halfbred ewes, 6at 8d ; merino ewes and crossbred, 3 at s|d. SC, crossbred hoggets, 4at 6|d. JJ, mixed crossbred, 2at 6|d. WS, crossbred, 2 at 6|d ; merino ewes, 4at sd; merino bellies, 1 at- 3d; merino pieces, 1 at 2|d. DX, halfbred pieces, 1 at 4|d; memo pieces and locks, 1 at 3Jd. Bar over BH, merino ewes, Bat 5Jd. TO, crossbred ewes, 3 at 7&d. MF, crossbred, 2at 7d ; merino, lat 5Jd. ■— over 9, crossbred ewes, 1 at 7d. 82, merino ewes, 3at s£d; crossbred, 4at B|d. Bar over and under C, locks, lat Hd. 3 over L, coarse crossbred, 1 at 6&d. Jj, crossbred, 2at 6£d. C over X, rams, 1 at 6|d; merino, lat s|d. DO, merino, 19 at sd. Cm half circle, merino, i at4|d. RH, merino ewes. lat sd. SM, .merino ewes, 7 at 4fd. W over T, merino ewes, 3at sd. MV, merino ewes, 4at s£d j halfbred ewea and hoggets, 4at 7|d. 15, scoured locks, 3 at 5Jd; scoured merino lock?, 2at 8d; scoured merino, 1 at lOJd; scoured ctosh bred bellies, lat 6Jd; scoured good pieces, 1 at 9|d ; scoured merino fleece, 1 at 12£ i j scoured halfbred, 1 at 12|d; greasy black wool, lat s|d; scoured Leicester combing, 3 at IOJd. oR» merino, 3 at 4|d. BK, merino, 2at s|d. RP. crossbred, 7 at7dj merino ewes, 3 at 4|d ; merino wethers, 3 at sd. 7R, merino ewe, 2 atsd" 9 over D, merino ewes, 2at sd. My, crossbred ewes, 3at 7Jd; crossbred hoggets, 2at 7£d; merino, with 16 crossbred fleeces, 3 at s|d. Dash over SH, crossbred ewes, 4 at 7Jd; merino ewes, 3ats i. D-ish over and under C, halfbred ewes, 7 at 7fd j crossbred ewes, 6at 7|d ; merino ewes, 2 at s^d. 2H, first halfbred ewes, 8 at B£d; second halfbred ewes, 5 at 7£d ; halfbred hoggets, 1 at 7d ; second cross ewes, with 19 fleeces first half bred, 1 at 7d ; 39 cotfced, 21 rams, 1 at 6|d ; 22 sandy, 45 hoggets, 1 afc s£d; first pieces, lat sd. Hexagons, halfbred ewes and Ido wethers, 48 at 7|d ; halfbred hoggets, 8 at ; 7£d; halfbred bellies, 5 at4Jd; firat halfbred pieces and I do halfbred hogget pieces, 10 at ojd; second pieces, 2at 3d. Hexagon, first halfbred ewes, 35 at 7W ; halfbred ewes, 11 at 7£d ; halfbred hoggets, 21 at 6|d ; half bred pieces, 4at s^d; second pieces, 4 at 2|d ; halfbred bellies, 2at sd. second cross ewes, 1 at 7£d ; lambs, merino and halfbred, lat 3d. Hin diamond, merino sheepskins, 4at 4d. TT, crossbred locks and pieces, 2 at 2^d. ZC, locks and pieces, 1 at 2|d; bellies and pieces, 1 at 3|d ; clothing merino, I at s|d ; combins? merino, 1 at 5Jd ; cross bred, lat 74d. HS, haltbred and quarter back, lat 7£d. C over T, merino, 4at 4|d. Balloon, merino, 11 afc 5Jd. Square & over C, merino, 1 at 4d. Jj, merino, 1 at sd. Balloon, locks, lat 2d. P over H, locks, I at lsd. W over L, merino, 7at s^d. MD conjoined, merino, 4 at s^d; 2361b merino, balance bellies and locks, 1 at 4-|d. 22, merino. 3at s|d. DO, locks, lat 2d. TE, locks, lat lfd. D over «2, crossbred 2at B<j;d ; merino, lat s|d. Bar over NI, cross bred, lat 7£d. TE, merino, 4at 5Jd; merino pieces, lat ljd. Bar over 3X, lat 4|d. O over WM, merino, lat 5Jd. F5, crossbred, lat 6|d. Wy, merino, 4at sd. over V X, merino, 6at s£d. WT, merino, 3at sd, over 10, crossbred, 1 at 7d ; merino, 1 at s^d. Anchor, longwool, 1 afc 7d. 2H, scoured first combing crossbred, 2 at Is o^d ; scoured crossbred pieces, 2 afc 10|^d ; scoured cross bred locks and pieces, lat 6d. TE, scoured quarterbred combing, lat Is; sooured half bred combing, 1 at ll^d; scoured mixed pieces, lat 7d; scoured quarcerbred pieces, lat 9Jdt; scoured merino fleeces, lat *9d. over JR, merino, 6at 4|d. —— —— over JR JR, crossbred, 1 afc 7id. TE, scoured crossbred fleeces, 1 at TOfd ; scoured sandy pieces and locks, 1 at 6|d. JB, merino, 1 at o|d. Bin 1, dead wool, sd; bin 2, rams, 6Jd; bin 3, crossbred wool, 7|d; bin 4, merino wool, 6|d; bin 5, cotted, 6d ; bin 6, first crossbred pieces, 4|d; bin 7, second crossbred pieces, 3§d; bin 8, first merino bellies and pieces, 4d ; bin 9, second merino pieces, 3|d; bin 11, first crossbred locks, 2d ; bin 12, second crossbred locks, Id; bin 13, second merino look*, 2|d; bin 14, black wool, 5Jd.

CABLE NEWS.

Princess Louisa of Servia has given birth to a son. The Czar's bronchitis is abating, and he is able to sleep. Lord Gromer has warned the Khedive that the next outbreak against the British will result in his deposition. M. Leroy asserts that the French deficit is owing to the military and naval demands and the increase of State Socialism, Lord Salisbury says that the Em ployers Liability Bill is the result of cruel trade societies, and will destroy English freedom. The Kaikoura has undergone repairs at Teneriffe and proceeds on her voyage. The portion of the cargo discharged will be brought to London, His Holiness the Pope, addressing the Roman Catholic clergy, said that the city and country were afflicted with moral and material ruin owing to the attempt to ruin, religion. The agreement between the Ameer of Afghanistan and Great Britain pro vides that Great Britain shall defend the northern frontier of Afghanistan, and maintain the integrity of the country. The Rev. Mr Dewolf, agent for the British and Foreign Bible Society, will shortly sail for Australia, to discuss with the colonial representatives the new system of agencies, which it is proposed to adopt. In an article in the "Nineteenth. Century," Dr Bakewell, of Auckland, says that 95 per cent, of the population of New Zealand did not desire the extension of the franchise to women. He says that Lord Glasgow gave his assent to the reform without much 'deliberation, as he was unwilling to risk another sawbbmg frou* the

THE ASHBtmTUiS GUAfiDlAfl: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY j, 18K



lIA X VEST CHHQIJjE®, OF 1894, ( WILL FIND THEIR WAY TO G. J. NEILL and Go's AS THEY GIVE THE BEST VALUE IN ASHBURTON FOR READY MONEY. »-EfcAl?JEt_Rrsr AND CLOTHING. Women's Hats 6d Turkey Re(? s|d Women's Ribbed Hose 6d Men's Tweed Suits 16s 6d Chiffons in all colors Is 3d, reduced to Men's Celonial Tweed Suits 19i 6d Bjd Boys' Tweed Suits from 3* lid Washing prints 2d lid doz A few Boyt.' Washing Suits left, to be White Muslin 3s lid doz cleared at 3s Pd Summer Dresses 3j lid Boys' Caps 6d each Cretonne 3id Men's Braceß 8d Double- bed Sheeting 8k& 20doz Men's Merino Socks 8d Berlin Wool Is lid BOOTS, BOOTS. The Boot and Cheapest Boots in New Zealand are to be had at G. J. NEILL AND GO'S. Men's English Balmorals 7s lid Babies Slippers la pair Men's Strong Leather Shoes 7s lid Canvas and tan Leather Shoes, in all j Men's Nailed Shooters 7s lid sizes at ridiculous prices Women's strong Leather Shoes 5s lid A very large assortment of Children's Women's strong Elastic-side Boots 8s and Maid's Gem shoes in Tans and 6d, reduced to oa lid Black. Good and cheap WE GUARANTEE SATISFACTION. SMALL PROFITS AND QUICK RETURNS AT G, J. NEILL & GO'S, FRIEDLANDER'S CORNER, EAST STREET.



Re The Assigned Estate of Messes Hardley Bkos' '■■■ ■: o;■ »-■ ■■ qER the Value in Our PRINTS REDUCED to HALF PRICE to I 111 M ■»■ WASHING DRILLET3 REDUCED FROM 9|o to 6|d. All Press materials BEDUOED TO NEARLY HALF THE FORMER PRtuES, FOR INSTANCE PLAIN CASHMERES, REDUCED FROM 16Jd TO 9d. STKIPJii AND CHECK ALL WOOL DRESS TWEED REDUCED | FROM Hd TO 3d, AND ALL OTHER DRESS MATERIALS EQUALLY REDUCED. CfIKCK GINGItAMS KEDUUED FROM lOJd TO 6^d. ALL MANCHESTER GOODS SUCH AS CALICOES, STOCKINGS, FLANNELS, BLANKETS, HOLLANDS, TICKING, SHIRTINGS, SELSEIAS, FLOOR-CLOTHS, ETC., REDUCED TO COST PRICE. MEN'S SHIRTS, HATS, SGCKS, TIES, Etc, REDUCED TO COST PRICS, AND IN MANY CASES VERY MUCH UNDER COST. Men's and Boys 1 Clothing, EE OUR MEN'S ALLJ WOOL COLONIAL SUITS AT 32s 6d AND 35s 00, .NOT TO BE BEATEN IN THE^COI.ONY. THIS HOUSE HAS ALWAWS BtiEN NOTED FOR THE VERY BEST VALUE IN BOOTS BUr NOW COME AND SEA V. W. S PEN CEP. AKCA DE. ASHB URT 0 N



} Wanted i YXTANTED, Contract Stackers ator.ee. JOHN GRIGG, 1 129 Longbeach. WANTED, a strone Boy to milk and make himself useful. Apply to Mrs G. H. Bryakt, Ashburton Rop taurant, Burnett Street. 2 3 ("1 OOD Sheaf and Straw Ohaff; very ~T cheap for cash. Also, all kinds of Mill and Farm Produce.—J. Thomas. Havelock street-.. 2 2 ~\\ ' ANTED a Man to Stook and Fork VV SO Acres Wheat. Apply W. 0. Davis, -fruiterer, Ashburton. 2 1 WANTED Known.—l 2 pounds of Plums tor 2s 6d at Marsden's Fruit Shop, below Mitchell and Turner's. Assorted fruits of all kinds. 1 162 ■ OSl', from Hampstead, bay Foal, ten ■*-* weeks old. Finder rewarded on returning same to P. Williams, East Belt. 1 160 GOOD Kidney Potatoes, by sack or cwt., for sale cheap.—Apply, A. W. Randelx, Ashburton. 1 4 WANTED Known.—Half as much again in presents given to each purchaser during Christmas and New Year. H. C. Segers, Melford House. PIANOS, Pianos, Organs, Organs, from 20s per month. Cycles, Cycles, cash or terms. Extras.—H. M. Jones. T_>AUSODONOPTIC SPECTACLES, _L Pausodonoptic Spectacles, Pauso donoptic Spectacles, Pausodonoptic Spectacles, Pausodonoptic Spectacles.— Lumsden, Experienced Oculists' Optician, Tancred street. 1 136 ANTED Known.—Extra valuTln presents now being given away for Christmas and New Year. Cheapest House in Town.—H C. Segers, Meiford House. IF yot want fiiat-class fruit go to Adams' for Fiji, Tahiti, Auckland and Sydney Oranges, Citrons, Lenaonß, etc.



WANTED, Everybody to use Titan Soap, greatest marvel of the age. H. Zander, Sole Agent. 11 181 MRS ALCORN has on sale for the Holidays varied assortment of Toys, Dolls, Prams, Fancy Goods and Christmas Presents. Saunders' Buildings SUITS to measure, during tho sale, 49s 555, 60s, 70s, and 755. Fit and workmanship guaranteed.—R. Axcorn, Saunders' Buildings. ANTjUD Known^-W. H."ogllibb'B noted four-clasp Kid Gloves, 2s 6d» have just arrived in all sizes. 4 IT ANTED Known—Spectacles, eye YV protectors, Goggles, Folders, and everything in the optical line {at 8, Salek's, Optician. /"CHOICE Ornaments, Folding Soreens, \J Own make in ladies' and children's underclothing, Aprons and Pinafores. Mrs Alcobn, Saunders' Building. WANTED Known.—Melford House cheapest shop in town, extra value in presents now being; given to each purchaser till further notice.— H. 0. Bkgbbs. m j WANTED Known—" The Corner " is showing a magnificent Now Stock of Drapery and Clothing. —W. H. Coiher. DON'T wash yourself. Titan Soap does the work. No rubbing. No machines. H 182 W" ANTED Known. — Our Cheap Slippers are selling in dozens. Children's from Is, women's Is 9d. Buy one pair and you will buy more. — Mitchell and Tukner. DON'T Forget to send your Bicycles along to the Old Kindergarten to oe repaired, at moderate rates. TiTXNTED~Known-—To Harvesters YV —Dungaree Jackets and Overalls, Harvest Hats and Shirts and Suits of all kinds, at prices to meßb the times. — MIICHKLL & TUBNEK. SOMERSET Meat Mart. The oldest tho largest, the best, aud the cheap est Small Goods a spbcialty. Full weights guaranteed, A trial solicited. _W, J. Sjxoouk.



NEW ZEALAND CiiOtfiuiiGfr Factory. THE "BISMARCK," HIGH-ARM SEWING MACHINES, have all the latest improvements. A First-clase Machine at a moderate price, IT IS SIMPLE, DUBABLE, LIGHT RUNNING, NOISELESS. OUR Mr B. Hallknstein, while in Germany, seeing the great success of the New " Bismarck" Sewing Machine succeeded in obtaining for our firm the sole proprietorship for New Zealand. HAND MACHINE, With beautiful polished cover and all ac cessories £5 10s. FAMILY MACHINE, With new and handsomely designed stand £8 10s. ! HAND & TREADLE COMBINED, Highly finished Table and Covflr £9 10s. | Any of those machines can be had on j the time payment Bystern 2s 6d per week. Our Agent will have the pleasure of calling on you at an early date. NEW ZEALAND CLOTEING FACTORY HALLENSTEIN BROS.. ALEX. HENDRY, Manager



; S. SALEK, WATCHMAKER, & MANU FACTURING JEWELLER. T7IOE HIGH-CLASS GOLD & SILVER J- JEWELLERY, PLATE & MARBLE CLOCKS, pay a visit to the .lewellery Establishment of S. SALEK, Prac tical Watchmaker, Manufacturing Jeweller, and Oculist-Optician. SOLE AGENT for Lazarus' Patented System of Sight Testing <»nd " Specialite " Spectacles, ensuring comfort and correct Sight. FIRST-CLASS WORKMANSHIP IN WATCH, CLOCK, AND JEWELLERY REPAIRS. 8. (SALEK, EAST STREET.



WANTED, lh3 Public to know that Hakdlky's Tanks are giving univer sal satisfaction. Testimonials if required. JSW is the time for Baths and Tanks, from 803 upwards. W' ANTED Known.—No reasoaabl ofier will be refused *or th c balance of our Summer Dresses, Milli 8 nery, and Mautles. —Mitchell atcd TURNER. nTTfcUT which brings most light and i- hope to poorest homes is Titan Soap^ 11 183 T~mV &NT El> Known—That A. J. W Walkbe repairs Bicycles, Sewing Machines, Lawn Mowers, Medical Coils, and all descriptions of litfht machinery. MEDICAL Coiln made and repaired on the shortest notice at easy prices at A. J. Walker's, Old Kinder garten. \"T7 ANTED Known.—To make room YV for Spring Boots I will give ten per cent for cash. Repairs done at once cheaper than aver to stay bad times over at J. MoisoN, Premier Bootmaker. 8 18 ANTED, all Farmers to reduce Haedley's Large Stock of this Season's Uil, which he is Belling at his usual ridiculous low price by the Gallon or Case. ANTKDaII and sundry to know that Hakdley is still to tiie front with all classes of Tinware. Repairs promptly executed. Spouting and Ridging made and fixed at unheard of rates. kj ALKT~SALKr of Books, Stationery O fancy Goods, Music, etc.. Fire Screens, Pictures, Glass Ornaments, Christmas Cards, Cricket and Lawn Tennis Material, Photo Albums »nd Frames, and hundreds of other articles are to be wold a* a great sacrifice for Cash Huring this month only, at L. F. & Co. Stationer s Hal!, 1 Asm.'- , CRAICHEAD AND BEiOTI ARE the Lealing Tailors and Outfitters in Ashburton — BECAUSE They keep the Largest Stock of Fashionable Tailor- I ins Goods. BECAUSE They employ the Largest Number of First Class Txilors. BECAUSE They do die Largest Tailor ing Business. BECAUSE They give the Besc Value, Fit, and Workmanship. BECAUSE Their Motto is - SST Satisfaction. OBAIGHEAD &13ERRYMAN, THE LEADING TAILORS AND OUT FITTERS, ASHBURTON.



KEA-TINa'SPOWDRR-destroys Bugs, Fleas, Moth Beetles and all other insects, quite harmless tj> domestii. animals^ In exterminating BeetleSi the success of this Powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly clean in application. See the article you purchase is KEATING S. as imitations are noxious and ineffectual flfißf U, I, »ua 38 ea eagii, gold h ,sneiicaiist;-| j|