Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1894 FICTION.

Our neighbors of Timaru are agitating for the adoption of the Public Libraries Act, and the Mayor has received the necessary petition signed by ten rate payers, praying him to take a poll of the ratepayers as to their willingness to adopt the Act. The adoption of thi# Act gives the Council power to levy can annual rate, not exceeding a penny m the pound, for cue purpose of maintaining a public library, etc., and a town of Tiraaru's inches ought certainly to have a public library under the control of the municipal authority. But it seems to us that too much is made of this library question. The time was—long ago—when a library, public or private, was a place to which the student resorted as a source from which he could draw the knowledge h& sought. That time has long gone by, an(£ instead of being almost; wholly the storehouse of .the products of the best brains of jbh'e country, the public library hag be come almost wholly a storehouse of works of fiction, and its pafci'ons almost wholly a tribe of feverish and slavish novel readers. But little enquiry at our own library, or any of the libraries £n i'JLie county, is necessary to show how very largely $ctipn predominates on the shelves, and is re§d by the people m preference to more solid ai;'d valuable literature. But this is not alone a characteristic of the colonies The iffiakness for fiction has been inherited from pbe OJd Country, or we have been infected from, thajfc (puree, for there the novel reigns supreme m the public library. Mr Charles Welch, librarian to fchs Corporation, recently read to the Library Associa tion of the United Kingdom a p?iper oa the "Public Library Movement m London," In that paper he stated that the demand for fiction was threatening to sweep all other works than novels from the shelves of lending libraries. Mr Welch s-w\ that'at the reque&t ol ,t^p prljiov of London, the libraries of seyentotm ixev. cul.-lio liWaries m the metropolis mads a return i$ Aprp last showing the classes of books read m t!?e hordes of the people. From tins it appeared that the issue of ftgtjon as compared with other classes of literature, reached a general average of 75 per eenfc, and m nine districts over 80 per cent of the total issues. In connection with the management of the lending libraries established under the .Free Libraries Acts m London they were struck, Mr P^elfOj? remarked, by the fact that the student h'aoj. toe.en ousted from his rightful place by the"'inordinate |?yor afforded to the demands oi the general reader and the devourer of fiction. Abel there *s a Jarful amount of trash puryeye.d if) sji.it the taste of the devourer of fiction, £t sgei#s to us hardiy the plac,fj of the ratepayer to provide funds for' the supply of the means for gratifying this taste. The ratepayers are not asked to pay for the gr3ti##at£.Q» of those who wish to attend a theatre or an .qperfy yet both are but another forrji of the modern (t tale,'- whether it appears m a i( yellow back" or the back pages of a newspaper, And the

novel is, after all, but a form 1 of amusement, that docs not always! instruct, and is not always profitable. But so long as the public taste runs on ' that class of literature, so long, we presume, will ib be gratified and our library shelves be covered to three fourths of their area with fiction. Mr Welch very pointedly put this question —Would it be too much to ask the novel reader to provide himself with the current fiction of the day, and re sort to ths library for the masterpieces of fiction of the present and bygone times? This at least would relieve th^ ratepayers of more than half of the library rate, and enable the public library to better fulfil its true, educational |tional mission.

Coolgardie would be the greatest water drinking country m the world just now bub for one very cogent reason A thirsty Coolgardie has not the water land, to drink. The miners thera would be only too glad to go m bald headed for prohibition, if, m 'return for voting that tickeb it was made certain to them that their case would be that of the man who "walketh right eously .... bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure." Water ia nearly as valuable there as the gold itself, and the righteous man and his antipodes are m abont the same case. According to an Australian journal, ".Numbers of men never wash their faces here, and as for their garments, they simply wear them until they become too caked or brittle, and then they get new things. The other day one of the few plucky Coolgardie tent wives had a washing day, and hung out a dozen articles on a little linß. Half the town turned out to gaze at the remarkable sight. Various questions as to whether one of the Londonderry owners lived m that tent were asked, and ib was generally concluded that the inmates mast have struck it rich somewhere. Leas fortunate residents—if they are lucky enough to possess two shirts —hang one out for a couple of nights, bang it against a tree, and then put it on> with a feeling of positive delight. With the greatest care it costs a man 4s a week for drinking water alone, and to satisfy a thirsty team of horses runs into nearly £2. The weekly bill for water, paid by the owner of the Great Western Hotel, is said to amount to over £100. Out at Dunville (the Wealth of Nations) water is 2s 3d per gallon, and when a man there wants to • shout' for a friend ho asks him mto have a glass of water ; or if he wants to exhibit especial aft' cbion towards his acquaintarca he brings him enough to bathe his face."

The outside walls of Sfc Paul's Cathedral, London, are m a disgraceful condition, and the Key. Mr dirty st. Paul's. Haweis calls public attention to tho fact. He saya at least one:half of the outside of Sfc. Paul'?, is one caked black mass of filth beneath which all Wren's floral fes toons and elaborate Renaissance decora tion has disappeared. The upper h&'f, out of shot of the filth-wave, is better, but the ornamentation there is oat of eyeshot. Our forefathers, he said, splashed white wash over the frescoes inside our phurphea. Are we any better who allow a splendid exterior to be veneered with mud ? Gen eration after generation of citizens dies without ever seeing Wren's work and labour of love. Be built and beautified a noble House of Prayer ; wa have turned ifc, oufside at least, into a den of dirt and microbes. Mr Hawqis mak.es a veiy simple and practical suggestion. He suyr, " let Ihe a' e'lilect m charge and the head fireman of London be under orders to lay their Leads together. At four o'clcckui some summer morn when all the mighty heart of the city is lyincj st.il!, have rou-;d the firo engines, charge them wiih a stiff soda and water s lution, or only pu>e water, a' d pump ! I venture to say that even a c&ug'e o? mornings' work would cr.ate a transformation scene. The news would spread throughout England that St. Paul's, which had not been seen for more than 100 years, was at hsb visible. The citiVms would flock and gaze at what had hardly been exposed to view since the .reign of {Queen Anno. The great temple would stand out like a dreary, and for the first time this century it w'euid be worth | while for outsider's to take the hint con veyed m Wren's epitaph—■ " (Si monumentum requiris circumspice !•"

It was Pope, we think/, who made the delicate reference to tl>e spider's touch that "lives along the line, 1' the living while tho spider itself keps line. homo and citadel away m the corner of the web. To Great Britain the telegraph system of the world is a a network that enables her to carry on her extensive commerce, feel the slightest dip or rise of every market, note the pulse politic*l of all the nations, and hear the whispers of her loving colonial children. I 1", is interesting to kriow'.Qyer how much of the world's tele graphic system Great Britain holds con trol, more especplly of the sub-marine pable system. English companies own lines haying a length of niore than 150/09 miles, which cosfc ever £30,00),000, and produce a revenue of more than £4,000,000. The Government has done everyth ng m its power to facilitate the laying ef these cables by ! subvention and patronage, and the pre liminary surveys have been nearly all wade by tfce naval authorities. In return the companies are obliged t& giye priority to the dispatches of the Imperial and Colonial Governments over all other, to 1 employ no foreigners, and to allow no wire to be under the control of foreign (Governments', and m case of war to re placa itieiv •sepy&nfca jby Government officials when required. In yieiv of tha Pacific Cable question, which is now feeing so much discussed m connection with Lord 4 or#sy s report on the Ottawa Conference, these facts sre not an unin? teresting contribution to the subject.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Lord Sandhurst) succeeds Lord Harris as Governor of Bombay. Exptcfced extensive repairs to the German warship Bussard will keep her m Auckland till J^eljraary. The .French' Tari# Committee has pro nounced m favor of'a sliding scale of ■ ini porfc djjtipg on cereals, wines, and cattle. The three-masted schooner Thistle hsis been totally wrecked at the Sp'ompn Group. The crew only reached the shore after considerable difficulty. Tfie vessel was insured for £800 m the South British Office. Dean Jacobs and Archdeacons Harper and Lingard have been elected clerical representatives of the diocese of Ohrisb church to the general Synod. Sir John Hall, and Messrs W. G. Bilttan, J, M. Batham, and H. R. Webb have been elested la^ I'epsesenjatiyes. Hou-cway's Ointment and Viluh — Travellers and Emigrants—Those who'oross the seas change the climate, but they do not change the constitution. The altered con ditions of life, the exigencies of travel, and (fitter ca.us.ca render the traveller and cmi- j f'rant peculiarly liable to diseases and acci enta when far from efl|cieht nteiics.l aid. With these associated remedies at hand they j may he said to have a physical! always afc their call, and they may be certain that situations will be constantly arising m which ' (they $4U retjjiirg a- ready resourcn m time of ! n.eed. The directions ior uss" wtiie'h accom pany each box and pot of IJolloway's Pilla q%& Opjroeni are written m p^ain and simple j#P|a»^ Wd are apglipable jij all pssef- f

CVi Scultheis, licensee of the Whits Swan Hotel, Tuam Suett, Christchurch, was yesterday fined £10 for selling beer to a prostitute on the night of Sunday, November 25 A chaige of supplying 2s worth of wnij-ky to a man named Lucas on lha naming of the same day broke down. Whan you hear of such an appellation aa Ephraim J. Bangs, or Gtn.'rtil Cyrus Ohoake, or Professor Lsf *ye.te W, Floby, you do not need to be told i.he nationality of its bearer. Whence cmie (hey then, theso American names, which neLhev England nor Ireland nor Continental land.: can claim, and which nevertheless do not scan to have been inherited from the aboriginal red man ? /«rrangements Inve now been completed for (he Newlands school cori33rfc on Friday evening next, when a really good programme will be presented. The following ladies and gentlemen have kindly prom'sed to assist, and their names will afford proof of the ex39llence of the promised entertainment—Mesdames Bow man Fox, Cii«p, and Jones; Misses Barrett and Paterson ; tho Rev T. A Hamilton, and Messrs Upton, Broad, Allo way, and Mackay. Fitting welcomes to royalties are costly things. Her Majesty recently paid a visit of inspection to the Manchester ship canal. The total cost of the visit was £10,000. The miscellaneous items in cluded the following : —Four fancy boxes of bon-bons, fondants, chocolates, etc., for the royal children, £113s; asparagus, £16 15s; twenty-two pints peas, at 2s 6d per pint; eight pinea, at 12a 6d each ; six lemons, at 10s 61 each ; 26Jlb grapes, at 6s 6d per lb ; 24|lb strawberries, it 6s 6d per Jb; three live turtles, £i 7 14s 6i ; cigars and cigarettes, £14 10a, The Timaru Herald says—We under stand that negotiations have been con cluded with the Government for the purchase of a block of 600 acres, being a portion of Mr William Pringle's well known Rosebroo'k farm, for settlement purposes, at a satisfactory figure. This block is bounded on the south by the Claremont road, Bnd northward by a parallel road, and it forms a long strip reaching from the Whalebones past Glengummel towards Glen-iti. It should make a first class settlement, and an object lesson of great value m the close settle ment of the downs country, An incident illustrating the Premier's promptitude occurred at Waiuku yester* day morning. At breakfast Mrs Water man, the licensee's wife, trod on a match, the result being that her clothing instantly took fire, the lining of her dress being apparently very inflammable. Thefhme ran rapidly, and the Premier, instantly recognising the danger, sprang to the woman's assistance before the others had noticed the fire and speedily extinguished it. His hands were slightly scorched during the operation. The Premier's prompt action undoubtedly saved her from being severely injured. The Financial News, a London financial paper, says it is useless for the Bank of Mew shareholders £o attempt to resist the call. This remark has bean called forth by the attitude of resistance assumed by a section of the English share holders of the bank At Wellington, how ever, there is some talk as to the ability of the Bank of New Zealand to enforce its call, there beiijg a wide impression abroad that if pan only be done, under the Oharter when the Bank has beci placed m liquida tion, and that ihe legislation last ye^r does not hold as to contracts contained m the charter. Seme of the shareholders show a disposition to resist, ar>d the fallowing advertisement appears m Tuesday even ing's papeis :—" To the shareholders o f the Bank of New s*j3alanc!—Ladies and gontlernen, I hope you will club together and rrsist the call made upon you of £3 Gs Si It is better to die a natural dsath then by this slow and cruel process of slruiguhtion. Bo true to youisslvea and avoid this pressure.—lam, etc., Share holder.' There waft an exciting encounter with a shark near Newcastle, New Sou'.h Wales, recently A man named H. G' He'wison and some 50 others were swimming about; 15 yards from the shore, when Hewison felt his righb forearm seized from below. He at first thought it was one of his com panions trying to pull him under m fun, but was horrified to find himself m the grip"of a huge shark between JOffc and \%h m length. Without losing hfs presence of mind, he shouted out for assistance, and then there commenced a fierce struggle with the monster. He beat the creature about the head with his left hand, and sp^gad its tongije and tugged at it m his endeavor to release his arm, but his left hand \yag badly lacerated lay the shark's teeth. Meantime Hewieon's brother, Hereward, aged 17, swam to his ' assistance, and, catching him round the body, prevented the shark from taking him out to sea. The fight was ended by the shark snapping off the unfortunate young man's limb, and making off with it to sea. Hereward then brought his brother ashore, assisted by several of the bothers, and a degtor, who happened to be pvesent, temporarily attended tp the wounded lad. Hewiion was taken to the hospital, and the arm was further amputated at the shoulder,, A.t the Christohj+rch Supreme Cp^rb yesterday, Mr Justice Denniston gave judgment m the case EUmers v, Eilmers —an appeal from the decision of the Magistrate's Court. In this case the wife had taken proceedings against her husband for maintenance. The husband had denied liability, on the ground that m 1.833 the parties had entered into a deed c f separation, wheveby, m consideration of £300, the wife agreed that her husband might live apart from her as if he were a single man ; that she would not attempt to compel him to allow her any alimony or maintenance ; and that any future incontinence on |iis jiart should be 'no ground for complaint, or for any. proceed ings by her against him. It had been proved that during the present year a suit for judicial separation and a petition for alipiony brought by hen agaiist defendant by reason of his adultery, subsequently to the deed of separation, had been dismissed on the ground that by terms of tho deed she had co/mived at such adultery. Mr Beetham, S.M., had determined thac the deed of separation afforded no ground of answer or defence to the wife's complaint, and had made an o?df?r for payment by Eilmers of 15s per Week 'towards her maintenance, Site Honor said that though a'marrieft woman might contract herself out of her common la^r rights, the obligations created by the Destitute Persons Act were o!f a totally different character The object of the atatuta was to prevent the wife from being a burden gn the State, while she had a husband able to maintain her, and no contract between the parties could relieve the husband of that duty. He upheld the Magistrate's decision and dismissed the appeal with costs.

The Marine Department have written, to the Lighthouse Board at Washington for full particulars about the fog signals usecl m the United States lighthouses. The Nortfi Otago Times has been, m» formed that 116 shearers were pre3tnfc at' Bximore when the roll was called for shearing, and many had to leave dis appointed. The shearing is expected to be carried oub without any molestation, The P si reports that m the Wellington Magistrate':) Court on Monday, a solicitor on either side of the tab!e bobbed np i'aultaneously as appealing for the plain* ■>if, and the end of it was that while one ppUedfjr judgment the other paid the h.ating fee. Mr Thomas Wilson, of the Beach, hands "a 15 i—ihe sarplus, over cash out <?f pocket, of an 4 apology' certain young men had to pay for a laik played with hie water taps when the youths were holiday ing at his place. He asks us to devote the money to same charitable, purpose. We place it to the credit of the Old Men's Home tobacco account. At a special meeting of the Dunedin Licensing Committee to consider the question of conditional licenses m view of the application of the Caledonian Society, the elected members decided to adheie to their previous decision to refuse all such licenses. It is understood tha the Com mittee will rfc-boL aider this and Other matters after they have been a year m office. A gang of men cutting a road up the Rangitikei cliff had a surprising escape lately. The cook's timepiece having gone wrong, he summoned the gang to dinner a quarter of an hour before the usual time, bcarcely had they got seated when a heavy mass of papa, weighing several tons, broke away from the cliff and fell immediately on and over the spot at which they had been working. All their tools, etc., were either buried 01 carried down the cliff, and there can be no reasonable doubt; that but for the accidental error m the dinner hour the whole gang of eight men must have perished miserably. The railway accident m the Manawatu Gorge was says the New Zealand Times, within an ace of being a terrible catas trophe. Just before reaching the large viaduct between the two tunnels the tender left the rails, it was impossible to stop the train anil m a few seconds the engine and tender were on the viaduct, the latter bumping heavily on the sleepers, which were cut to a depth of several inches by the flange of the wheels. Immediately the solid ground was reached the train was stopped—the engine and tender on one side of the viaduct, the trucks on the struc ture, and the passengers cars on the other side. Only the weight of the cars behind kept the tender from going, over. The ravine spanned by the viaduct is 50 to 60ft m depth. „ \ Ft/be Blood is the Secret op Health Gordon's 81000 Pills cleanse the syatem of all impure blood, cure iudigeation.con stipation, liver complaint, pains m back and sides, biliousness, sick headache; remove pimples, scrofula; scurvy, etc. Large box (h; two boxes, lOs, post free. J. W. Clayton Box 234 Danedin

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHRI7RTON—THUKSDAY.

(Befqre Mr C A, Wray, S.M. CiyiL Cas^s.—A. Orr v Walter Lundy, §s for cost of summons. Defendant said he had paid the account ten days before he got the summons. It appeared tin summons had been taken out on November 15, and the' account paid on November £0. Judgment for plaintiff for amount claimed. A. Elliot v A. M. Pearson, £3 ]4a for balance of wages at f*s per day, alleged $q be owing when p'aintiff boarded himself. Mr Outh* bertson for defendant, who said he had arranged to pay 6s per day all through, giving defendant all his work. Judgment for defendant with costs.—Judgment went j by defau't with costs m J. Orr and Co v J. C. Grubb, jnnr., £12 43, and J. Purchase v H G. Flower 16s.

CRICKET.

ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA,

Sydney, December 13 The Australian team has put m capital practice the last few days, Iredale, George Giffen, and Trotfc are m splendid form, but Graham is not shaping up to his reputation. SfELiiouRNE, December IS,' In spprting circles the Australians are'the favorites m the coming cricKet match, and slight odds are laid on their ability to dqyyn the Englishmen. '

The Russian Loan.

St Petersburg, December 1% The Rothschilds have consented to float the Russian loan of 15 J millions on the express assurance that the persecution of Jews m Russian terri tory shall cease.

LABOR

Sydney, December 12 The mineral working at the New castle Joining Company's pita have rejectecl the proposal to accept the reduction of the hewing rate to 2s lOd. This decision on the part pf |he n}eri cQrqpefs tKe Directors of th.c Company to refuse a contract they had secured for the supply of between 60,000 and 100,000 tons of coal at 7s 2d. (Received December 13, 10 30 a.m.) Sydney, December 13. The "Wallsend miners have resolved to resist the proposed reduction m the hewing rate. '

THE COREAN WAR

Shanghai, December 12 It is reported that 'the Japanese haye paptured "Kinchow, and are' command ing the road to Pekin. The invaders met and defeated 3000 Chinese troops at Ipnkahan, the latter losing 100 men. The Chinese at first stoutly resisted the attack, but afterwards broke and fled. The Japanese are now advancing on Tsohunkow,

Financial Panic in Newtoundland.

St. Johns, December 12. The Government is applying for Imperial assistance. Owing to the financial panic there is a lack of cash, and fish valued at half a million is lying rotting m the stores unsaleable.

St. Stephen's Church.

AariUJAI, fiAKDKI PABIT.

xne annual fete held by the parishioners of St Stephen's was held m the Vieiragc grounds yesterday, and took the form, as on several previous occasions, of a garden party. Conducted m the manner these gatherings always have been, they afford opportunities for social intercourse and innocent amusement not to be excelled m any other form of re-union. Moreover the spacious lawns, surrouuded and sheltered by well grown shrubberies, are especially suited to the purpose, and without crowding, every available space wai the site of marquees and booths, or the scene of fun and merrymaking over a game of bowls and croquet. In ad dition to these games, Miss Ksther Gates umpired a lively game of rounders, vigor ously austained by Rome of the younger visitors. Mr Pdtge had his shooting gal'ery on the groan}, and the merry-go-round, kindly lent by Mr Ferrimtn, w»s well patronissd. Although cloudy, the weather was pleasant, and the fresh north-east breeze blowing outside was not felt m the grounds, where early m the afternoon considerable numbers arrived, and the attendance rapidly increased towards five o'clock, by which hour it had attained very satisfactory pro portions, Two much praise cannot be accorded to the ladies for the unstinted manner m which their several departments were furnished, and the tasteful arrange ment of the articles. A noticeable and pleasing feature of the entertainment was the absence of lotteries. Really good tea, with unlimited sandwiches, cake, etc., was supplied m a large marquee, under the superintendence of Meadames C. E. Fooks, R. Lechner, W. Gates, F. Perriman, I, Watson, and W. Halsall. The produce stall was under the charge of Mesdames A. Curtis, T. Leahy, and ,1. G. Restell, and a glance at it was sufficient to tempt one to return before leaving and linger over a supper of the good things the fair attendants had provided. The fruit stall, presided over by Mesdames 0. W. Furnell, J. E. Trevor, E. G. Crisp, and E, F. Wright wai very pretty and enticing, and well provided with strawberries, cherries, and the choicest fruit of the season procurable. The work stall was the repository of a large quantity of beautifully executed fancy and plain needlework made up into useful articles of apparel, m which the ladies m charge— Meadames T. Bullock, E. Kempthorne, and J. B. Mayne did a good busi ness, as indeed waß the case at all the stalls, those m charge sparing do pains to dispose of their wares and promote the financial success of the undertaking. Mrs Peter Williams had charge of a taste fully decorated Christinas tree, m which the juveniles evinced great interest, and the lady was kept well employed m attending to their wants. An art gallery and museum was under the charge of Misses Compton and Douglas, and created a good deal of amusement—ruins of a country seat being represented by » very dilapidated pair of unmentionables, the holy friar by a rusty old fragment of a fryiug pan, a stirring subject by a wooden spoon, relics of the great by cinders, ruined pillars m Greece by broken candles, woman's rights by a number of right hand— say twenty button—gloves and so on. The A3hburton Brass Bind was m attendance and enlivened the proceedings by a number of well executed selections.. A number of children went through the May pole dance m a way that did credit to them selves, and their teacher, Miss Shirtcliffe, who muafc have devoted a lot of time anq trouble to drilling them.. The Rev T. A, Hamilton,.incumbent of the parish, and his churchwardens, were untiring m their atten tion to the wants of their guests, who appeared one and q.ll tg thoroughly enjoy jifaeinsplves, ■ At eight o'clock a ooneert was given m Mr Patching's largest marquee to about 150 people. The stage was erected at one end of the tent, while an annexe supplied accommodation fer those wfae^took part m the living pictures. The programme as advertised was gone- through with pnljj one omission,, and >y:as a complete success, as indeed it could not fail to be with such soloists as Mrs Denshire, Miss Venie Flower, Mr Lionel Broad, and the Rev. T. A. Hamilton underlinedi It is the first; time we have heard the two ladies mentioned sing on the same platform, and it is to be regretted that an opportunity was not given for hearing the two superb voices blend m a duet. Mr Gates 1 orchestra played an over ture m their usual acceptable style, and tUe Uyq tableaux were very captivating,' white Mrs Bowtiian-Fox as an accompanist was all that conld be desired. The promoters of the concert are indebted to Mr H. A. Gates for the loan of the piano that was used during the entertainment.

The Rangitata Telegraph.

XILSOIf V. *HE <|V*!**«

At the Supreme Court, Ghristchurch f yesterday—before His Honor Mr Justice Denniatcn—'the case Tilson v. the Queen wgug fjeard. 'This wag a claim en petition for £500 damages brought by Thomas Tilson, on ac count of his having sustained a broken leg and other injuries through a collision with a telegraph post alleged to have been erected on a public road m the Rangitata district. Me Kippenberger appeared for the peti tioner, and Mr Stringer for the Crown. The petition set forth that the petitioner was riding along the Main South Road, and that his horse came into collision with the telegraph post, whereby he sustained the injuries complained of, ' - tfhe atfttdmeat o£ defence alleged—(l) That the land described in^the petition ag the Main South Road was not a' public road; (2) that if it was a public road, it had bqen $o constituted after the erection of thq tele graph post mentioned m the pfititiqn, ao,d other telegraph posts' thereon, and tha,t Thomas Tilson and the public generally were entitled to use the road only subject to the right of the Crown to maintain the posts thereon j (3) that the telegraph posta had been erected upon the alleged road for over twenty years; (4) that the petitioner was not lawfully using the road, but was unlaw fully and improperly breaking m a horse thereon; (5) that the petitioner had been guilty of contributory negligence, inasmuch as 'he had been riding an unbroken horsq upon the alleged road-, upon which unpro tected telegraph posts-were to his knowledge erected. Argument was tak.cn on the question $$ether the defenpe raised m paragraphs £j ana 3of the statement of defence was goocj m law. Mr "Kippenberger qpened for fche peti* tioner, aha said that the latter sought his remedy under subjections 2 and 3 of section 3? of the Crown Suit* Act, 1887. . He stated that the telegraph posts had been erected m 1867, and the land L*d been constituted a> road m 1879, after which date, he submitted, it was illegal for the Government to main tain the telegraph posts, thereon «» a Mr Stringer replied, submitting that the road had been dedicated m 1879, subject to the inconvenience or obstruction 6\ th<J j;e.legra°p'h tfos.tfy'lng m the huddle qF it, and, if tHepflbiiiJ took the' road they'took ifi snbject to that inoanvenienoe or obstruction. argument, his Honor reserved hia decision.

SWIMMING.

The monthly races of the Ashburton Amateur Swimming Club were held at) the baths m the Domain last evening' with the following results :— 100 Yards Juniors.—H. Page scratch, 1; A. Kelly 16sec, 2; J. Birch 4aec, 3. E. McTeague scratch, also started. A grand race between the first two- just won oq the 1 fepe. 1 220 Yards Seniors.— Rout 3secs, 1; A, F. Thompson 22secs, 2 ; A. Wilkie 253ee, 3. This was perhaps the best race ever swum at the baths, resulting m a very close finish between the scratch and limit men,- and for the last ten yards it was impossible to say whether Rout or Thompson* would reach the goal first. Wilkie was close up third, 1 aqd the rest a few yards hehind coald hjfoe been Covered with a blanket. Eleven started. Mr Jesson'gave satisfaction as starter, and <* compliment is undoubtedly due to the h»nd)« pappers.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAIT:

'DECEMBER'; 13, 1894.



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HEALTH TEA is more economical than ordinary ea. Ib undergoes » process whereby the injurious ingre dients are eliminated, whilst it renders |he ralea3e of the better properties of the eaf more easy. Henry Zander, Autho■ . rlsed Agent, ' 'I ' Rheumatism Dr E. Gordon's remedy NEVER fails m permanently curing rheum% tis^i, luvrihagq, tieiatica, Ktitit/etc, "one bottle kitti relief.' Price IQa, post free, J, W. pliytQii, F.O, Sox 234, punedia



HEATING'S POWDER destroys Bugs Fleas, Moths, Beetles and all other insects whilst quite harmless to domestic animals In exterminating Beetles the success of this Powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly clean m application. See the article you purchasers KEATINO'S, as imitations are noxious and ineffectual. Tins, 6d 'and Is, ie with the^ signature Thomas Keating on each tin. Sold by all chemists.



Impuetties w the blood—We have seen hosts of letters from people who have re poiyed great benefit from the use of Clarke's Hood Mixture, \b canrjofc Iqg too highly estimated, for it' cleanses and clears the blood from all impurities. This is a good testimonial from the "Family Doctor "which goes on further to say : " It is the finest blood purifier that science and skill have brought to light, and we can with the utmost confidence r«coiini,end it to our subscribers and the tfublic'*generally." 'ifcr^orotula, Sb^jr, Eczema, Bad Legs, Skin and Blood diseases, i Sores and Pimples of all kinds'its effects are marvellous. Thousands of testimonials. Clarke's Blood Mixture is sold everywhere, a,p %k gd ggv fxttW Beware of worthless mitatio'ns land substitute^'" L • DQIIABOIQ4.RMTTEBIi2dMr fwW



j Wanted , o>>K.—Christmas Magazines, Holly : Leaves, New Zmlaiid Graphic, Illustrated London JNews, Block and White, Father Christmas, Ladies Journal, Illustrated Magazine, Illustrated Paper, j Skorch, Yult-T de. Otago Witness, Weekly Press, Canterbury Times. Christmas, New "Yo-ir, Birthday, and Text Cart's, at .VI prices. Plain, Fancy, and Mourning Bta!-ioi«er/. Picture Books. | Scraps, etc. Circulating Library Term Ewsy.—John Maiisd^n, Shop and Bx>k s all. /"CHRISTMAS Presen's, Choice Orna-' V-.' ments, Zithcjs and Jew's Ha p», ' Balis and Dolls for everybody from 1.) each: Jointed Dolls for 6', Sleeping Beauties Is, ULinese Conquerors 6ci, Russian Embassies Is, Walking Men, Talking Dolls, Scotch Greys, and Ennis killen Dragoons all wonderfully cheap at Mbs Alcorn's Ladies-' Underclothing and Fancy Bazaar, Havelock street. OYSTERS, Fried Flounders, and Whitebait every right at Jewitt's, Deep Sea Fishing Company, opposite Mail office. 9 166 SWEEPING Reductions. —Is Books for 9d, Is 6d Books for la, 2a Books for Is 6d, 2s 6d Books for 2s, and all others at equnl ra»e of reduction at L. F. Andre wjbs and Cos., Cash Sale. 618 nRE~ALIRMS~"' Allenton • ... •• one toll Borough, north of railway ..„ two tolls Borough, south of railway ... three tolls Hampstead four tolls spicialTimpobtant. t~h"e NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FAOTOBY Are Special Purchasers of the well-known ASHBUBTON TWEEDS. pNCOURAGE LOCAL INDUSTRY BY PURCHASING TWEEDS Manufactured m our own district. sd Men's Sac Suits 28 9 Ashburton Tweed Men's Tweed Trousers ... 9 6 'Ashburton Tweed Men'<s Sac Suits to measure ... 59 6 Ashburton Tweed Men's Trousers to measure ... 17 6 Ashbnrton Tweed Boys' Suits ... ... ... 9 6 Ashburton Tweed BOOTS. BoiTS. BOOTS. TRY THE: NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY FOB YOUR NEXT PAIR OF BOOTS. SEE OUR WINDOW FOR PRICES. HALLKNSTEIN" BROS. ALEX. HENDRY, Manager



Wanted. FOR Sale, House m Cameron street West, Six Rooms, Quarter Acre, Outhouses* tanks and every convenience. For further particular ', apply "Houhp" Post Office, Aghburton. " 12 53 CiHEAP Cliristuun Present, Cheap J New Yar Gifts, Cheap Toys, Cheap Dolls, Cheap Fancy Goods. Mt a /dams, Saunders' Buildings. WANTED- Every Lady to try Madam Balcombe's Fatent Ex panding Belt Co: set (registered), guaran teed whalebone throughout. Orders left at Mr X, Hall's, Herbalist, Ashburton, will rec.ivo prompt attention. 10 86 .VSf ANTED Known—The Corner is V? bhewing a magnificent New Stock of Drapery and Clothing.—W, H. Collier. BEAUTIFUL a>d useful Presents to all purchasers of 2* 6dand upwards. —-H.-C. SbgerSj Mellcrd House. WANTED Known—Special line of Gents' Regatta Shirts, all sizes, with or without collars, 2s 6d.—W. H, Collier. WANTED Known— Spectacles, Eye Protectors, Goggles, Folders, and everything m the optical line at S. Saxek's, Optician. "PRESENTS. We are now giving JL Presents to all purchasers of 2a 6d and upwards.—H. 0. Segebs, Melford House. BUTTER, BUITER.-We are Still Selling Good Butter 6d per lb. Bran 2s 8d per bag, Best Sharps 5s 3d per bag, Rollitt's and Thomas' Flour at Mill Price. Note Address—Fletcher Bros., Cash Supply Stores, Ashburton. 11 171 ICE CREAM, Ice Cream, Ice Cream, now ready at H. A. Flower's, East ! street, Ashburton. Ice supplied at shortest notice. 10 114 > T3 ECENT Arrivals .—Ladies' and Gentle. -*-*' men's Summer Boots and Shoes, Cricketing and Tennis Shirts. Unlimited selection of Summer Ties and Hats.— Mitchell and Turner. TO LADlES.—Spring Cleaning—We have just received Three Cases of Curtains and Liberty Muslins, together with new Patterns m Carpets, Oilcloths, and Linoleums. China Matting from B£d per yard.—Mitchell and Turner. WANTED Known.—Miss Murphy Dressmaker, h*s removed to Burnett Street, next to Orange Hall. Wedding and Mourning orders especially attended to. T^TANTJCD K^own — Mils Hooper *^ (monthly nuree) is open to accept engagements. Apply, by letter, to Mrs Hooper, Alford Forest Road, Ashburton. 11*134 tVTANTED Known -Holders of VV Present tickets can now get them changed.—ll. C. Segers, Melford House. ROBERT ALCORN has oponed m Baker's Buildings, next the Court house, with a stock of Clothing, etc., bought at Edwards, Bannett's and tha Kaiapoi S%les, the cheapest lot of goods ever brought to Ash barton. Also an assortment of Boots. ~VTOTICE! Notice Sport for all k\ Guns let o«'- on hire or sold on tim 9 payments. H&ving a professional Gunsmith on the premises, I undertake to repair Guns of any description. Gun fittings m stock. Prices low.—J. W Hardley, Ironmonger, etc' OWN Make m Ladies' and Children's Underclothing, Aprons, and Pina fores ; also a good assortment of Calicoes, 'VTuslin*, Flannelettes, Tiirnming^, etc. s at Mrs Aloorn's new shop, B kei's Buildings. WE Hold a Large Sfonk of the Latest Novelties" iv Materials for Blouses anrl Walking Tresses. Just opened, < x Paktha and lonic, Dross Goods of choice s«lnc ion, Snnsha^-'s and Umbrella*.—Mrrrmtx and Toenep.. BANG ! Bang i rmng ! My new sea son's stock of Ammunition to hand Eley's, Kynock's and, Ciuo Carlridges. Powder, Shot, Caps, Wads, Cases and all sporting materials of the first quality at J. W. Hartley's, Gun Emporium. BLAfti^EM bought at Edwards Bennet's Sale, a £j?s<iia} line of Double Blankets at Va 9d. ?Vge and heavy 15* 6i and 16* fe'd.—Hobert Alcorn, Baker's Building A KACT.—anyone drinking Health Tea and discarding all other brands. will certainly add ten years to his life, Jusb your tr^» it. To bo had from ai Grocers. WANTED, Eveiyfcody to use Titan Soap, groatest maryel ,«?| tft« age. H. Zander, Sole Agcnfc. BOY'S and Girls Own Annual, British Workman and Workwoman, Infant's Magazine, Thfi Pr'ze, Child's Companion, Ihi'dren' 1* Friefldj, Ljttjo Dot, Family Friend, Band of Hope, Young England, and other New Bocks at Lowest Prices. — L. F. Andkewes and Co. 11 98 WANTED Known -That if you are m want of a firsc class article m sum mer Boots and Shoes, you cannot do better than call at J. MoisoN's;you will get the very bast at reduced pricos. Aa for his own make, they are well known to the delight of the wearers, throughout the luati'ajiisian colonies. Repairs well done and at ones Ft emier Boot Maker, Town n»ll Boot Store. Sjst street, A&hburton. GUNS I Guns J Guns i My xxep e.fcock ofCrunsj usfc to hand direct from the manufacturers. D.o«Wc and Single Barrel Breech L-aders, Ilifies, ci(S In spection invited. No old stock to select from at J. W. Haiidley's Sporting Repository /"IHRISTMAS and New Year Cards for \_J the Home Mai.'. A beautiful assort ment just opened up. Packets of Cards of choice designs from 31 upwards. Writing Papers and Envelopes, Pocket Books, Purses, Writing Cases, Ink stands, Pi&tures, Music, Accordeons from 9d, Concertinas, Violins, Banjos, Zither Harps, Photo Frames and Albums, Scrap and Pcgfcaga Stamp Aibttffjs, Indoor Games, and a great variety at goods too numerous to; mention;; all fit greatly reduced prices: for cash this njont^ »fe L, F. Andreses and Co'« Cheap Sale. T" ADIES 1 and Gentlemen's left-oft' \_J Clothes and all kinds of goods bought, sold, or exchanged. -~ Mrs Knight opposite Templar Hall, near Post O/Wce. 11 170 WANTED Knoyn—That offirg to the success of the F&lo now being held up at Saundeis' Buildings, opposite R&il w*y Station, m will bo continued for mother twonty-eighfc daje. lam nob advertising a few cheap linea, but the, whole of the stock. Don't lose the oppor-' iunity of (Souring genuine bargains—A j Lawsie, ft " 166 j



Business Notice . NEW GOODS. NEW GOODS. to mbeiThe.times. OWING to the scarcity of money and dulness of trade generally, we arc over stocked. To ensure a speedy clearance, we have marked the whole of our Stock at the Very l«owest Possible- Prices, NOW IS YOUR TIm"e~~MAKE NO MISTAKE. G J. «"TILIAS IS THE SHOP FOR A GENUINE 15ARGAIN. New Print*, guaianteed to wash, 3|l j New and Fashionable bress Goo Is, double New <i Uateas, very Rtrong, 6| 1 . width, worth 2s for Is 31 * ew Dslaincs, very pretty, 7£d> guaranteed | Calicos, 2a lid dozen to wash I Double-bed Sheeting, white twill, Q&i Ne M Dress Gor Is 5s lid, drcas worth doable | Towels, 2£d; Cotton Shirting, 4Jd MtLLINERV^ILLINERY IN ALL ITS BRANCHES EXCEPTIONALLY CHEAP. Strong Corsets, 4s Sd now 2s lid | Children's Sunshades la Ladies' Sunshades of every description | CLOTHING. CLOTHING. Men's Suits, 13a 6d Boys' Tweed Suits, 4a lid , Men's Colonial Tweed Suit*, 37s 6d now 27s Straw Hats for men and boys at any price gd Hats, Socks, Shirts and flL'ies at your own iJen's Colonial Tweed Suits, 45s now 32a 6d price BOOTS' ~ BOOTS. We were never beaten, and we defy competition. All our Colonial Boots aie made specially to our order, and we guarantee them. If not as good as recommended, we will replace them. —JUST TO HAND— 120 pair of Ladies* Lace Shoes, 4s lid Children's Tan Shoes and Slippers a specialty Ladies' Tan Strapped Shoe?, 6s lid with box to match Ladies' Canvas Shoes, tan and black Men's Colqnial-made Shooters, najled 7a lid Ladies' French Glace Kid Shoes, the best to Men's Colonial-made Shooters, nailed 8s lid be had m New Zealand Men's Balmorals and Cookhams of every Men'a Bluchers, 4s lid description. COME a"Fd SE E. G. J. NEIL US FRIEDLANDER'S CORNER, EAST STREET, ASHBURTON] -JUST ARRIVED THIRST SHIPMENT OP NEW SEASON'S FRUIT FOR CHRISTMAS TRADE- Finest New Currants Finest New Sultanas Finest New Valencia Eaisins (all cleaned by our new process) Also, Finest new Prunes FINEST NEW TURKEY FIGS, All of which we intend to Sell at the JLowest Possible Price*. SOLE AGENTS f6r THE FOLLOWING— Peerless and Premier Teat. Peerless Tea, Slbs for 5s Peerless Tea, 61bs for 9s 9d Premier Tea, 31bs for 5s scl. Premier Tea, 61bs for 10s 5d BAWLINGS' SOAP MANUFACTORY (First Prize at the Christchurch Show, 1804) POTTER'S HERBAL BEER EXTR4CT— 7d per Bottle, 12 bottles for 6s 6d. Sufficient to make six gallons of Splendid Herbal Beer, —REMEMBER— WE BUY 808 CASH, SELL FOR CASH, MAKE NO^BAD DEBTS, therefore we are able to SELL CHEAPER THAN ATSY HOUSE IH ASHBURTON. FLETCHBK BROS-, WHOLESALE AND KETAIL GROCERS, &c, EAST STREET, ASHBURTON, AND TOWER HIGH STREET, CHRISTCHURCfI. W. H. COLLIER TNVtTES SPECIAL ATTENTION TO ONE OF THE FINEST COLLECTIONS OF Fashionable No vel tl es FOB SPRING AND SUMMER Ever imported into the district. " The Novelties on view, and which ladies are invited to inspect, are Characterised by "VARIETY, GENERAL EXCELLENCE and MODERATE PRICES. THE MILLINERY DEPARTMENT Contains all the rery latest productions of the Millinery Art THE DRESS DEPARTMENT Is very complete with the Kewest Woollen Fabrics, i Prints, Silks, j Delaines, Pongees, Sateens, Etc, A .SPLENDID SHOW Of New Choice Goods m Laces, Fabric and Kid Gloves, Hibbons and Handkerchiefs, Blouses, Hoisery, Sunshades, Flowers, Etc. ALL*REQUIREMENTS FOR BO\S', CHILDREN'S and GENTLEMEN'S WEAR INSPECTION INVITED. THE "COBWD H"