Ashburton Guardian MAGNA EST VERITAS ET PRÆVALEBIT. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1894. THE IMPERIAL PASSENGER ACT.

Pkople who came to the colonies twenty or thirty years ago know very well what a voyage over blue water meant in a ship full of passengers, but what must such a voyage have been fifty or sixty years ago, when the Im perial Government found it necessary to place upon the statute book the Pas senger Act which is now so great a cause of annoyance and vexation to the Union Shipping Company in Sydney. The Act was passed to pro tect emigrants against the shipowners who used their sailing vessels for the conveyance of emigrants in large bodies to the new El Dorado which was drawing population by the thousand to the great southern continent. Once out at sea the passengers were dealt with in a manner which would now-a. days cause a terrible outcry, and the cupidity of the shipowners stopped at no manner of meanness to the emi grants if by it anything could be added to the profits of the voyage. The ships were like the slaver in the song, " filled to the hatches fall" of human beings, and though perhaps the over crowding was scarcely to the extent of the slaver, of whose reeking hold the skipper said " that noisome den is death," it was enough to sadly interfere with the ventilation of the 'tween decks, and generally with the comfort of the passengers. Altogether, ths condition of the passengers was such that the Imperial Parliament stepped in and the Passenger Act of 1855 came into force. The number of passengers a ship could carry was limited by the the space she had available for the purpose of a passenger ship, as so much cubic space had to be allowed for each emigrant. A dietary was fixed by law, so that a fairly liberal if withal rough bill of fare took the place of that provided by the shipowner when he was a law unto himself. Proper ooking arrangements had to be made and steps taken to have them carried out, so that every passenger was assured of having a fair supply of wholesome food decently cooked. Sani tation was imperatively demanded, and the complete separation—even isola tion—of the sexes in regard to un married passengers was made a sine qua non There were other things, of course, which need not be here enumerated, but as there are over a hundred clauses in the Act it can be readily understood that it touches a

good many things that would materi ally aftect a sea going passenger's com fort if left wholly to the discretion of the shipowner. In clause 95 of the Act a co^nial voyage is described as " any voyage from any place within any of Her Majesty's possessions abroad to any place whatever where the distance between such places shall i exceed 400 miles, or the duration of the voyage shall exceed three days." 'And this is the clause which the Customs authorities are putting in force against the steamers of the Union Steam Shipping Ooinpany in New South Wales. When the Act itself was passed no one fancied that such a service as these colonies now possess would ever exist at all; certainly not within the present century } and the framers of the Act had only in view the tubs of sailing vessels which took as many months to make a voyage as our fast steamers take weeks. Those sailing vessels' accommodation for passengers was of the roughest description possible, and, intended for the voyage only, was therefore a cheaply fitted up make shift. The steamers of to-day are designed and built with a regular passenger service in view and specially for such a trade, so that the internal fittings are like those of a palace, and a badly over-crowded steamer of the U.S.S. Company would still be a heaven upon earth as compared with a passenger boat of thirty or forty years ago, even when she was in full compliance with the requirements of the Act. But this Act exists, and although it has been allowed to lie dormant for years,—because the energy and enterprise of the Union and other companies have volun tarily gone far beyond its provisions —it has now been raked up again, and those provisions of which can cause useless annoyance to the companies and disappointment to many passengers are strenuously enforced. This has been brought about, we believe, by the fact that several excursion boats had carried more people than they were either fairly or safely entitled to do. We would be the last to advocate full liberty to any company to so crowd their vessels as to render them unsafe as passenger boats, or reduce the com fo-'t of the passengers to its very lowest minimum, but there are powers in the hands of the t authorities to prevent this, without pressing for the full tale of bricks required by an Act passed for a far different order of things, and virtually effete if not alto gether forgotten. The resuscitation of the Act has seriously disorganised the companies' arrangements, and many passengers have found that 3 by the too rigid enforcement of it, they have been unable to obtain the passage they had paid for, while the boats have to carry a supply of stores enough to keep them going for a year. But than they do strange things in New South Wales.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Oam&ru Amateur Athletic Club is defunct. ! We remind our readers that to-morrow Messrs Friedlanderßros. will sell the whole of Mr Mark Scott's household furniture at his residence Burnett street. The sale will commence at 12.30. p.m. A fine specimen of the fungus growth has been shown us by Master Keith Rollitt, who found the big "puff ball" in the mill grounds. It is nearly a foot in diameter and weighs three and a half pounds. The monthly meeting o! the Hampstead School Committee which should have been held on Tuesday evening lapsed for want of a quorum. —Messrs Crooks, Blaokler, Ricktnan and Strange only being present. Another meeting will be called for Tuesday 13th, inst. The new Railway Commissioners, Messrs Bonayne and J. L. Scott, will arrive iv Ash burton by the last train this evening, and will leave again by the eleven train to-morrowj The Commissioners will make Henry's Hotel their headquarters, and their stay for a night should afford an opportunity to the Mayor and Council to consult them on railway matters of local interest. Some time ago a gentleman advertised for an office boy, and requested the applicant to write, stating age, condition, and salary ex pected. He received many answers to the advertisement, but none so interesting as this one:— " I'm twelve years and im a orfan. I haint got no father and I haint got no mother. I'm a boy. T haint got no bro ther and I haint got nothing. I'm all alone and I got to get along. Beats everything how hard times is !" That boy got the place and is doing well. Praise is a tonic and a healer. Approba tion is a deep need of our nature. Con sciousness of duty faithfully discharged is a glorious reward, no doubt, and it will suffice to sustain a hero through the dark hours of adversity; but it still must be hard for him to feel that he has been misunder stood or that his service has been under valued. It is possible to be a little too reserved, a little too cautious in commenda tion, a little too much afraid of stimulating vanity. It requires an exceptionally strong man to be content with his own approval. The modest man is naturally apprehensive lest he should over-rate himself, and he studies his work as it is reflected in the opinion of other?. He does not want a flattering portrait painter, but only an honest mirror. In the Christchurch Police Court on Mon day morning a rather nice point of law cropped up in a case of larceny—too fine a point, the justices evidently considered, for them to take any notice of. A man was caught in the act of attempting to draw a ham through the bars of a window, the ham having been previously hanging up inside the building. The charge was worded in the usual way, " did steal, take, and carry away, etc." After hearing the evidence the presiding justice remarked that the charge was not sustained, as the ham was no*; " taken and carried away." The police officer in charge of the case pointed out that the fact of the ham having been first cut down from the place where it had been hanging consti tuted an act of larceny. The Bench, how. ever, • ould not see it, and wkile admitting they 1 bought the man was there for no goo d purptse, dismissed the case.

At the Police Court to-day—before Mr David Thomas, Justice of the Peace—three I first offenders for drunkenness were con victed and discharged. The following will represent the Ashbur ton Swimming Club in the inter club race to be held in Christchurch on Saturday next:—Messrs G. A. M. Buckley, H. Cnrtis, and A Williams. The same swimmers will take part in other events at the same meet ing. A. Wilkie will compete in the junior events. At a meeting on Saturday of the Horti cultural Society's Committee Mr Elston's | tender for staging at the show was accepted, and Mr WJ. Adam's for lighting the Arcade with gas. The lighting with gaa will have the effect of doing away with any badly lighted corners, so that all the exhibits will be placed in the best possible position for inspection by the public. Mr David Thomas offers two special prizes ot a guinea and half a guinea for the largest prize takers in the amateur classes. In our report of the fire at Mr Pollock's bakehouse we stated that the brigade was on the spot in a remarkably short time. That statement was perfectly correct and so would another if it had been made attributing the same smartness in getting up steam and having water available. Water was avail able within eleven minutes from the first toll of the bell—exceedingly good time. The reason it was not laid on at once was a desire on the part of the captain—seeing that danger was over—to prevent the damage which might ensue from flooding the build ing. The experiment of planting the roots of the Arundo arenaria, or sea bent grass, on that dreary waste Sandy Point domain, Southland, has proved very successful. The " News " states that the grass has formed a perfect oasis in a desert. For a distance of a quarter of a mile in the sandy waste, the sparse natural vegetation of which is of a dirty yellow-brown color, there roße a six feet high sand ridge topped with bright green grass, crowned with long cylindric panicles, the culms (or straw) being \ about three feet high. Mr Waugh, the corporation gardener, cut the grass, but the seed was not quite ripe enough to thresh out. The heads were scattered about. The grass has spread from seed sown in 1891, which was supposed to have failed. Mr Thomas Brown, who is a member of the Council of the Otago Acclimatisation Society, made inquiries during his prolonged trip from which he has juat returned, as to the advisability of introducing the black bass to New Zealand waters. This fish abounds in Canada, and is largly found in the St. Lawrence. Mr Brown came to the conclu sion, however, after consulting a good many people who are authorities on the subject, that it would be a very unwise thing to introduce the bass, as it is very voracious, and as, moreover, the trout and it never live together. He thinks, however, that some of the Canadian lake salmon might profitably be introduced. These salmon aie only found in one lake, they do not go to see at all, they take the fly freely, and are a cap ital angling fish, and they are very good from an edible point of view.— Ofcago "Daily Times." Accurate fitting of the parts of a machine is not all that is needed. Oil is required. Our life functions bring us together. Some thiDg is needed to make all work smoothly. Good manners, courtesy, pleasant behaviour are this oil which is needed. Some say: What have we to do with good manners between master and workmen ? Every creak ing bearing in the social machine means loss of power. All heating and friction must be avoided. " Fair words butter no parsnips,' is an old adage. Bat they do much in a shop where the assistants are attentive and obliging. Customers will be more likely to come. So in all things. The faculty of mastership is largely behaviour. The man on a committee who is courteous is worth two who are not. Courteous manners and fair words, if they do not put money in the pocket, sweeten life and make it more en durable.— " Brook Herford." A deputation representing the Brockley Co-operative Coal Company waited upon Mr J. L. Scott, Railway Commissioner, on Tuesday afternoon in Christchurch. The deputation pointed out that if the railway line was constructed, as laid out, between the railway bridge at Whitecliffs and that at the Rakaia, it would prove of immense advantage to those engaged in mining and other pursuits, and also return a large revenue to the Railway Department. They asked:—(l) Whether the Railway Commis sioners could hold any promise for the con struction of such a line in the event of the Brockley mine putting out, say, from 500 to 1000 tons weekly. (2) Whether any con. cession in the present charges upon carriage of coal could be made. Mr Scott replied that, with regard to the first question, it was a matter for the Public Wofks Depart ment, and no doubt if the facts were clearly set out to the Minister of that department, the matter would have careful consideration. With regard to lowering the tariff he could not hold out any hopes for some months to come, as the Commissioners apprehended a considerable falling off in the grain traffic this year. He would keep the matter in view, as he agreed that the mining industries of Canterbury required fostering. Mr James Porter, Allenton Nursery, haa a splendid display of dahlias this season, and fanciers of this regal flower can obtain from h'm a supply of almost c cry tint and variety. Sample stands were view to day at Mr John Orr's, East stre and Mr W. C. Davis' respectively. That at the former place consists of eighteen show dahlias of great size and beauty. Among these are especially noticeable—T. S. Ware, a magnificent wine crimson ; Mont Blanc, a superb white; Maud Fellows, a large briliant yellow, edge of petals splashed with crimson ; Glow-worm, a gorgeous scarlet; Reliance, fawn edged with purple; the Hon Mrs Wyndham, pale pink, tipped with magenta; and a magnificent old gold of which we did not obtain the name. In the stand at Mr Davis* are twelve cactus dahlias, three pompones, and three singles. Of the first named we select for special commenda tion— Gerasy, a bright scarlet; Honoria, a daffodil yellow ; Black Prince, a grand dark maroon verging on black; Mrs Douglas, pink, suffused with amber and tipped with lavender, a new variety and a very free bloomer ; Sir T. Lawrence, a grand crimson ; and Mrs Hawkins, a pink with primrose centre. Of the pompones we specially note Guiding Star, a very beautiful anemone petalled white. The singles are seedling varieties raised by Mr Porter and very choice. They are white, yellow, and j magenta, respectively striped with magenta, scarlet, and chocolate. Holloway's Ointment and Pills.—Old Wounds, Sores, and Ulcers.—Daily experi ence confirms the fact which has triumphed over all opposition for more than fifty years,' viz., that no means are known equal to Holloway's remedies for curing bad legs, bad breasts, sores, wounds, diseases of the skin, erysipelas, abscesses, Bcalds, and, in truth, all maladies where the skin la broken. To ' cure these infirmities quickly is of primary importance, as compulsory confinement in doors weakens the general health. The I ready means of cure are found in Holloway's Ointment and Pills, which heal the sores and expel their cause. In the very worst cases the ointment has succeeded in effecting a perfect cure after every other means had failed in giving adequate. lelief,

Ashburton Fire Brigade

Ihe annual meeting of the Ashburton Fire Brigade was held last evening. There was a good attendance, and Captain Fooks occupied the chair, and apologised' for the absence of Lieutenant Pauling. NEW MEMBER. The Borough Council wrote approving of Mr W. C. Page as a member of the 1 Brigade and he was duly elected. MAINTENANCE, ETC i The Council also declined to bear the expense of varnishing the steam engine, which, in terms of their mutual agree ment, should be borne by the Brigade. The question of shed accommodation had been deferred for consideration by the Council until March, NEW YEAR'S GIFT. The Rangiora Fire Brigade wrote notifying the forwarding of a photograph of all the members of their brigade, as a New Year's gift. The letter was re ceived with enthusiasm, and it was unanimously decided that the best thanks of the brigade be tendered to the Rangiora Brigade for their welcome gift THE NAPIER COMPETItIONS. The same brigade also stated Irs 1 intention of sending a team to compete at the Napier competitions. The Fire Brigade's Association wrote enclosing the forms to be filled in in connection with the competitions to be held at Napier in March. The following compose the team selected to represent the Ashburton Brigade:—Firemen R. and J. Dorm, branchman T. Barber, firemen W. Kidd and J. Kennedy. Fireman George Barber was appointed as emergency man to go with the team in the event of an emergency man being sent. 1 LECTIONS. Fireman Simpson, pursuant to notice given, moved that in future all officers be nominated a fortnight before the date of election. The motion was seconded and carried. Fireman Baker drew attention to the fact that at present there was only one engineer, who might at any time be pre vented from executing the duties of his office, and in such a ease the engine would be without an engineer. He moved that the committee make strong recommenda tions to the Council to appoint an assist ant to Engineer Dolman. THE CAPTAIN'S REPORT.

The Captain congratulated the Club on their present strength—24—the attend* ance of the men during the year, which had been most satisfactory, and also on their finances, which, if they did nofc show a large balance at least had not deterio rated. The brigade had shown in com petitions that it was equal to the best in New Zealand, and the men deserve great credit for the remarkably good time pat up, especially in the two-men event. As regarded the plant it was nearly as good as the day it was put into the shed, and reflected great credit on the men, and especially the engineer, whos3 especial care it was, There were very few bri gades with so well kept a plant, ATTENDANCE REPORT. The attendance report was read and showed that with a few exceptions the attendances had been exceedingly satis factory — foreman, W. J. Baker and fireman J. Kennedy showing the best records. balance sheet. The balance sheet was read and adopted. It; showed a small credit balance. The expenditure for the year had been £95. The auditors in their report stated that the balance sheet showed exceedingly careful expenditure and good manage ment by the officers and committee. abnujl election. The captein in vacaiirfg his seal; prior to the annual election of officers, thanked the other officers and men for the manner , in which they had shown their co-opera tion. They had always proved them selves amenable to discipline, especially at fires. He trusted the incoming officers and the brigade would have the same amicable rehtions as in the past. So long as they stuck together, so long would they be a successful brigade. Tne election of officers was then pro ceeded with and resulted as follows :— Captain, A. Fooks ; lieutenants J. Paul ing and J. Miles ; secretary and treasurer, H, Fooks ; auditors, F. Nokes and J. Baker; foreman, steamer detachment, F. Nckes ; foreman, curricle detachment, T. Hayes; foreman, hook and ladder detachment, J. Baker; committee, F. NokeSj T, Barber and K. Dorm. DELEGATE. Lieutenant Miles was elected as dele ; gate co the Napier conference.

How the British Soldier is Manufactured.

The report of the Board of Visitors on the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, which was issued as a parliamentary paper, contained some curious information with regard to what is called the education of British officers of the line. ! While others are fixing their minds on an eight hours' day as on some "golden vision," tha Sandhurst boys already enjoy a four hours' day! "At present the cadets study for only four hours and twenty minutes daily in summer, and four hours five minutes in winter, of which a very large proportion is in the open air, requiring little mental effort. Aa a conse quence, there is a very large amount of time at their disposal,-for which they must > find occupabion in some way or another, and hence the provision for entertain ments, whish otherwise would not be re quired." These "entertainments" ap pear to be numerous and diversified, as,' in addition to facilities afforded for cricket, football, lawn tennis, rackets, golf, and rowing, polo is permitted, and also an " outcome " of it, entitled "Gymk hana." _ t "•'%• The question of pAo is a burning one. One of the visitors advocates its suppres sion, but the majority are satisfied with the present arrangements, under which it is kept as far as possible in the back ground. " The game is played in a field at some distance from the college, and does not come under the notice of the large majority of cadets. A form of en tertainment called * Gymkhana,' consisting of pony races and other sports, has been introduced in addition to the rajyular athletic sports. The Board considered that this form of entertainment is quite unnecessary, and should be stopped at once. The life at the college, as well as the actual instruction in it, must be regarded as a preparation for that future career in the army, where, as officers, young men meet who are possessed of very different means, and thoss who are not so well off will have to practice self-denial while mixing with others who can afford more expensive luxuries and amusements." If the cadets do not learn anyching else—for even the riding is reported on an unsatisfactory— they at any rate Isam to run bills und contract expensive tastes. They are allowed to spend 23 a day on credit for extra messing. They all have to pay equally for an entertainment fund. Many of them keep horses of their own in i addition to those provided by a grateful 1 country. The cadet also indulges in too many changes of cbthes. The teachers, as might be imagined from the foregoing, have an easy time of it. "The Board I are of opinion that in any case no additional instructors are required, as they find three professors do not take classes except occasionally (!), and that one of the instructors is employed as mess secretary (H)" "•- A more searching and scathing report we have never seen. Altogether, Sand hurst seens to be a case for some Emperor I William*-" Westminster Gazette."

Position of Women in Finland.

A husband in Finland has no claim to anything earned by a wife, who may, moreover, by antenuptial agreement, re tain all she has as well as all she may ac quire, and may reserve to herself the privileges of managing her property and its income. Divoiee is of rare occurrence but it may be obtained for adultery on either side, for a year's desertion, or when either party to the marriage is sen tenced to be imprisoned for life. Women have cert tin municipal though no political right?, and are eligible as members of •School Boards. Their intercourse with men is free and unrestrained* but their morality is unquestioned. As infants they are taught in ambulatory, pre j parabory, and kindergarten schools; as little girls in the folk or public elementary institutions, of which every commune supports at least one, with the assistance of the State. Afterwards they continue to learn in "practical continua tion classes," or ia practical schools for the training of housewives. Next comes the people's colleges for male and female students, of which there are eight, and six Finnish and five Swedish high schools for girls, besides numerous private insti tutions and technical schools. As a con sequence of the excellent education they receive ladies are largely employed in Finland as clerks in Government, in rail way, and private offices, in Town Councils, Courts, and as local receiving officers. They almost invariably give satisfaction to their employers and to the public, and are paid at only a slightly lower rate than men.—-" National Review."

Bismarck on America.

Miss Kinnicutt describes, in the " Century Illustrated," a visit which she recently paid to Prince Bismarck j and in the cours of her article are some remarks by the ex'Ohanqellor which tore worthy of consideration, since they point to the dis« advantage resulting from the preserva tion of distinct nationalities. Conversation next turned upon America, and Bismarck asked much about his old friend Carl Schurz. " In 1845," he said " I anticipated quite as little as did Schurz what the future had in store for me. My highest) ambition was to become a good farmer, and to be able, eventually, to purchase the lands adjoining our estate, Occasion-* ally I cast a hungry eye upon the office of justice of the peace, but the only chance I had to obtain it was cut off " —with a smile at the princess—" by my not succeeding in marrying the girl who could have helped me to attain it." • 80 mnch the better for me," wan the Princess's laughing rejoinder, And the better tor us all, thought I ; for what a wholesome and blessed example of happy marriage has this historic home presented to the world during the last half century! Bismarck, in talking aboafe America said:—"The security and strength of your country lie in the faofc that the American race is a mixed one—a * Sammelvolk. 1 History has never made a great people in any other way. Look at France. It was the invasions from Italy and the north that gave her bone and einew, Spain was stronger because she sucked in Iberian blood. 4nd Eng land, whit made her so great 1 Not the invasion of the Anglo-Saxons only, but the fact that there they joined hands with the Normans. A people may be com fortable and prosperous without an influx of foreign blood, but it will cease to be capable of great things whenever that ceases." Continuing he said:—"The Americans to my mind, hare overdone the Columbus worship. The Norwegians were the first discoverers and settlers of Americaa. Columbus was a map-and* chart maker, and, before setting out on his own voyage, had. positive proof of the existence of other continents. And if! would have been far better for America and her early history had the settlement continued to be by Norwegians and other hardy tribes from the north. The Spaniards made a bad beginning in America." <

Chinese Fortitude Under Operations.

The Chinaman will endure without flinching a degree of pain that to the more highly developed nervous system of the Westernfir would be well-nigh impossible. Dr Thomson writing on this svbjpcb saya his experience also goes to confirm the general testimony regarding the remark able recuperative power of the Chinese after surgical injuries. The reasons he suggests are the simpler feeding habits of the Chinese, the rare occurrence of albuminuria or glycosuria, and their equable mental constitution. With re* ferenee to the Chinese surgeons who have already been trained by the medical missionaries Dr Thomson says bis obser vation of these men leads him to the con* viction that the Chinese are fitted to take at least a respectable place as surgeons, and that a time is coming when Chines* surgery will giya favourable results. As to the reception native surgeons are likely to have at the hands of their countrymen, he says, the chief obstruct, ing elements are certain restrictions of the Chinese Penal Code, the native pre judices in favour of ancient methods, the powerful anti-foreign feeling that prevails in China, the vested interests of the native practitioners, the influence of ancestral worship, and the prevalent notion as to the future state. Serious as these are, the writer remarks that each individual who has been successfully submitted to the surgeon's knife becomes > the centre of a little circle prepared to pin their faith when need arises to the foreigner's methods, and such circles are daily increasing. The progress is slow, but it is steady. " Surgery in China," though in the past crude, semi-barbarous, spasmodic, promising much, accomplish ing little, though in the present a vanish ing quantity, a system of quackery, un controlled, often er doing harm than any good, yet possesses in the constitution of the Chinaman all the advantages ?nd few of the drawbacks known elsewhere, and will undoubtedly in the future take a high place, worthy of the gr«sat nation which has maintained its identity and possessed % true civilisation during thou sands of years."— -* China Medical Mis* sionary Journal."

The Anarchists.

Paris, February 6. Vaillant went to the scaffold shout ing " Death to the bourgeois society.jj

European Affairs.

Constaotinopm;, February 7. The Emperor of Germany in a letter to the Sultan says he hopes to visit Constantinople shortly. Bbblin, February 6. Caprivi has assured the Reichstag that the Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha is no longer a British subject. The Emperor William, in announc ing that the commercial treaty between. Germany and Russia had been signed, warned the Eeichstag that a tariff war ; would follow the rejection of the terms of the treaty, and this in its turn would! be followed shortly by real war. Ho stated that the treaty was due to the personal action of the Ozar, who had overcome the obstacles! n the way. St. Petersburg, February (fc. The proposal by France to place-an import duty on. wheat 18 offensive tq Russia.

DHI ABBBURTOI* GPAftDUK ; WEDNESDAY, ffEBBUAM f, UM.



IIARVEgT CHEQUES, OF 1894, WILL FIND THEIR WAY TO ! U. J. NBILL and Go's AS THEY GIVE THE BEST VALUE IN ASHBURTON FOR READY MONEY. I>Ifci?LPJEK,Y AND CJL.OXIim<*. Women's Hats 6d Turkey Rec 1 s£d Women's Ribbed Hoso 6d Men's Tweed Suits 16s 6d Chiffons in all colors Is 31, reduced to Men's Colonial Tweed Suits 19d 6d B|d Boys' Tweed Suits from 3a lid Washing prints 2^ lid doz A few Boys' Washing Suite left, to be White Muslin 3a lid doz cleared at 3s Pd Summer Dresses 3s lid Boys' Caps 6d each Cretonne 3|d Men's Braces 8d Double- bed Sheeting SAd 20doz Men's Merino Socks 6d Berlin Wool Is lid BOOTS. BOOTS. The Bebfc 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 Is pair Men's Strong Leather Shoeu 7s lid Canvas and tan Leather {shoes, in all 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 5a lid Black. Good and cheap WE GUARANTEE SATISFACTION. SMALL PROFITS AND QUICK RETURNS AT G. I NEILL & GO% FRIEDIiANDER'S CORNER, EAST STREET. Re The Assigned Estate of Messrs Hardley Bros 1



■*> ml,; o :*—- ■ "■■ (%m the Valua in Our PBtNTS REDUCED to fitALB 1 |PRICB« WASHING DRILLUT3 R^DUOEID FttOM 9^d to OJd. AH liress Materials REDUCED TO NEARLY HALF THE FORMER PRtUES, FOR INSTANCE PLAIN CASHMERES, REDUCED PROM 16Jd TO 90. STKIPK AND CHEUK ALL WOOL DRESS TWEED REDUCED tFROM 14d TO Bd, AND ALL OTHER DRSSS MATERIALS EQUALLY REDUCED. HECK GINGHAMS REDUCED FROM 10£ dTO 64d. ALL MANCHESTER GOODS SUCH AS CALICOES, STOCKINGS, FLANNELS, BLANKETS, HOLLANDS, TICKING, SHIRTINGS, SELSEIAS, FLOOR-CLOTHS, ETC., REDUCED TO COST PRICE. MEN'S SBIBTS, HATS, SOCKS, TIES, Etc, REDUCED TO COST PRICE, AND IN MANY OAfiESRfVERY MUCHJJUNDER COST. Men's and Boys' Glothing. EE OUR MEN'S ALL WOOL] COLONIAL JSUITS AT 32s 6d AND 35s 6d, NOT TO BE BEATEN IN THE COLONY. THIS HOUSE HAS ALWAWS BEEN NOTED.FOR THE VERY BEST VALUE IN BOOTS BUT NOW GOME AND SEr. w, v,, SPENCEK. AkC AD E ASHBUK T0 H



j Wanted YXT ANTED, a Boy about 14 years for " ™ House and Garden. Apply to Henry Zander. 2 46 TIT ANTED, a good Blacksmith. Apply " to R. Patton, Mounc Somera. | 2 51 J OST, one cap oif wheel of engine, be • * tween Hinds and Ashburton. Finder please leave at Gudsell's store or Hinds store. 2J25 TITANTED to rent, a six or seven * rnomed houae with from ten to twenty acres of land, within a reasonable distance of Ashburton. Apply to 2§26 T. BULLOCK. mHURSDAY EwningT the Rev. E. 1. Walker in the Wesleyan Church. You just hear him. 2 3 REVIEW of Reviews for January; Family Reader quarterly part; Druramond's addresses. Dictionary of quotations, 30,000 references.—H. M. Jones. MRS HOMERSHAM will resume her usual Classes for Drawing and Painting on Wednesday next, at her rooms in Sanndere' Buildings. 2 12 W" ANTED to~Let, Business Premises near post office. Also four roomed house, half-acre land.'—H. oL Jones, 2 8 WANTED, Canvasser People's Journal, New Zealand.—Apply Andrewes and Co., Stationers' Hall. 2 20 \xf ANTED, by single Gentleman I Vy board and lodging in good private amily, near centre of town. —H., Guardian Office. 2 19 ANTED7~aiT"Farmers to reduce Habdlky's Large Stock of this Season's Oil, which he is selling at his usual ridiculous low pries by the Gallon or Case. O UITS to measure, during the sale, 48s O 655, 60s, 70s, and 755. Fit and workmanship guaranteed,—R. Alcorn, Saunders' Buildings. ' \\. ANTED Known,—To Harvesters VV —Dungaree Jackets and Overalls, Harvest Hats and Shirts and Suits of all kinds, at prices to meat the times. — Mitchell & Turner. WANTEDK^'n^W. H. Collieb's noted four-clasp Kid Gloves, 2s 6d, have just arrived in all sizes. WANTED Known.—Half as much again in presents given to each ?urchaser during Christmas and New ear. H. C. Segerb, Melford Houae. WANTED Known—Spectacles, eye protectors, Gtoggles, Folders, and everything in the optical line S, Salek's, Optician. WANTED, the Public to know that Hardley's Tanks aro giving univer* sal satisfaction. Testimonials if required. Now is the time for Baths and Tanks, from 30s upwards. W' ANTED Known.—Our Cheap Slippers ate selling in dozens. Children's from Is, women's Is 9d. Buy one pair and you will buy more. — Mitchell anp Turner, ANTED KnownT— No reasonable offer- will be refused for the balance of our Summer Dresses, Milli nery, and Mantles. —Mitchell and Turner. W~~~~ANT£D Known.—Extra valuTlu presents now being given away for Christmas and New Year. Cheapest; House in Town.—H C. Segbrs, Melford House. /"^OMMEBOK the New Year by smok \J ing ♦' Stars and Stripes." Whole sale at Zander's. 2 38 ANTMJ "Tinown. -^^ilordTaouse cheapest shop in town, extra value in presents now being given to each purchaser till further notice.—H. 0. Seokirb. /"CHOICE Ornaments, Folding Soreens, v_y Own make in ladies' and children's underclothing, Aprons and Pinafores. Mrs Alcorn, Saunders' Building. YT7 ANTED Known.—To make room VV for Spring ,Boots I will give ten per cent for cash. Repairs done at once cheaper than ever to stay bad times over atJ. Moison, Premier Bootmaker. 8 18 WANTED all and sundry to know that Habdley is still to the front with all classes of Tinware. Repairs promptly executed. Spouting and Ridging made and fixed at unheard of rates. WANTED Known—"The Corner "is showing a magnificent New Stock of Drapery and Clothiag.—W. H. Collier. W~ ANTED, everyJmTto^rder "Peo pie's Journal," large new penny weekly starting with 300 circulation in Ashburton. 2 21 _O OOD Sheaf and Straw Chaff; very VjT cheap for cash. Also, all kinds of Mill and Farm Produce.—J. Thomas. Havelock street. 2 2 PIANOS, Pianos, Organs, Organs, from 20s per month. Cycles, Cycles, cash or terms. Extras.—H. M. Jones. :pAUSO~DONOPTI<r~SPECTACLEs", X_ Pausodonoptic Spectacles, Pauso donoptio Spectacles, Pausodonoptic Spectacles, Fausodor.optic Spectacles.— Lumsden, Experienced Oculists' Optician, Tancred street. 1 136 IF you want fiist-class fruit go to Adams' for Fiji, Tahiti, Auckland and Sydney Oranges, Citrons, Lemons, etc. ANTED, Everybody to uae 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, Dolla, Prams, Fancy Goods and Christmas Presents. Saundera' Buildings DON'T wash yourself. Titan Soap does the work. No rubbing. No machines. 11 182 DON'T Forget to send your Bicycles along to the Old Kindergarten to oe repaired, at moderate rates. SOMERSET Meat Mart. The oldest the largest, the beat, and the cheap est Small $oods a specialty. Full weights guaranteed, A trial solicited.) W, J. Siloock. THAT which brings most light and hope to poorest homes is Titan Soap. 11 183 WANTED Known—That A. J. Walker repairs Bicycles, Sewing Machines, Lawn Mowers, Medical Coils, and all descriptions of light machinery. MEDIOAL Coila made and repaired on the shortest notice at easy prices at A. J. Walker's, Old Kinder garten. SALE, SALE, of Books, Stationery Fancy Goods, Music, etc., Fire Screens, Pictures, Glass Ornaments. Christmas Cards, Cricket and Lawn Tennis Material, Photo Albums and Frames, and hundreds of other articles are to be sold a* a great sacrifice for Cash during this month only, at L. 1. Aiwrbwes & Co. Stationer a aali» '



jttUbiixess Notices WATGHMAKEE, & MANU j FACTORING JEWELLEE. ' FOR HIGH-CLASS GOLD & SILVER' JEWELLER 7, PLATE & MARBLE C'jOCKS, pay a visit to the.) ewellery Establishment of S. SaLBK, Prac tical Watchmaker, Manufacturing Jeweller,jand Oculist-Optician. SOLE AGENT for Lazarus' Patented System of Sight Testing and ** Specialite " Spectacles, ensuring comfort and correct Sight. FIRST-CLASS WORKMANSHIP IN WATOH, CLOCK, AND JEWELLERY REPAIRS. 8. Salek, EAST STEEET. NEW ZEALAND C&OTiiiMGt Factory. THE "BISMARCK," HIGH-ARM SEWING MACHINES, have all the latest improvements. A First-class Machine at a moderate price, ( IT IS SIMPLE, DURABLE, LIGHT RUNNING, NOISELESS. OUR Me B. Hallbnstein, 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, i With beautiful polished cover and all ac ! cessoriea £5 10s. FAMILY MACHINE, With new and handsomely designed stand £8 10s. HAND & TREADLE COMBINED, Highly finished Table and Cover £9 10s. Any of those machines can be had on the time payment system 2s 6d per week. Our Agent will have the pleasure of calling on you at an early date. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY HALLENSTEIN BROS.. ALEX. HENDRY, Manager] ANNUAL HOLIDAY.



£N ORDER to give our employees the Annual Holiday there will be NO publication of the Guardian on THURS DAY Next. The Mail will be published as usual. THE ASHBTJRTON PUBLISHING COMPANY, LIMITED, (per Wm. J. Sxewakd.)