Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1894. THE HALF ROLL.

Throughout the war of words that was waged before the local option poll, the " Otago Daily Times " was a most vigorous opponent of prohibition, and to raise the ire of the gifted gentleman who controls its leading columns it is I j only necessary to attempt a defence of | the proposed law "Topermit you To prevent me Prom having a glass of grog." In the midst of his enthusiastic denunciation of the prohibitionists and all their works, he has had time to look calmly at the Act under which the recent local poll was conducted, and he is not by any means sure that a returning officer would be justified in rejecting the informal votes from the count in the half-roll vote. The writer has a good deal to say on this subject, and says it so well that we gave his remarks on the subject in full, Specially do we note what he has to say about the lawyers and the question of counting or excluding the informal votes. We are of opinion that all the six-and-eightpences spent on legal consultations on this subject might just as well be cast into the sea, for all the use the legal advice is likely to be. There is little if any precedent to be found in Court history to guide any lawyer in the matter, so that really the opinion of a layman of good sound common sense is of more real value than that of the most erudite counsel whose forensic eloquence everjjenvinced a juryman against his \mty The article is an interesting contribution to the controvery and wo make no apology for quoting in full that part of it referring to this particular question:— Our review would be incomplete without reference to ihe deplorably enormous num ber of informal votes cast at this election, the total in Dunedin being no less than 1921 on the issues and 865 on the election of comtnitteemen. As regards the latter elec tion, the intention of the majority of electors c-nnot have been nullified by the informality, as if the highest unsuccessful candidate had got all the 865, he would only have tied (curiously enough) with the lowest candidate. Nor is it necessary to suppose that the result in the issues was materially affected, though it i» just possible that the informalities may have deprived the prohibitionists of a victory. A point of some interest arises in connection with this matter. In counting the number of votes polled—in order to discover whether an effective result has been obtained—should the informal papers he counted ? Lawyers, we believe, answer the question with the returning officer—No ; but common sense seems to suggest a different reply. The 1921 persons who spoiled their papers in Dunedin ---or at leiet a large majority of them—in tended to record their votes, and we are inclined to think that the provision of the Legislature (hat half the voters on the roll should record their votes) would be com plied with by counting the informal votes in order to make up the quota. Of course, the votes are worthless for any specific purposes, but we are not at all sure that the fact of voting, even informally, should be worthless in the direction indicated. We have not noted any cases in which the vote is invalid through a deficiency so small that it would be made up by the number of in formal votes, but should such a case occur the point would be of importance. Then there is the question whether the returning officer is correct in his ruling that the entire paper is void if voteia omit to erase two of the lines in each of the three issues. The clause says one thing and the schedule another, and presumably the clause prevails; but here again common sense is against this view. Surely, the informality should only vitiate the particular proposal to which it attaches, and it does seem wrong that electors should lose their votes because they havo got puzzled about the accommoda tion licenses and consequently left the three lines regarding that branch of the subject untouched. We do not see that there was any occasion for separating accommodation licenses from publicans' licenses in the Act, and at all events the law should provide for | their omission from voting papers in dis tricts where they do not exist. It is ex traordinary that an Act which excited such intense interest in the Legislature should be marked by slovenliness and confcradictoriness of expression. What of our parliainpntary lawyers ? " Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink," wailed the Ancient Mariner ; and " lawyers, lawyers every where, and not a bit of good of them," may Wi&ll be the complaint of the New Zea'and elector ag \}p> scans the Statute Book of the colony.

THE ASHBURTON POLL.

l\m returning officer, after much tfrgught Jja.s at last decided to conn fche informal votes in tfye half roll pol}, and reduction has been declared apt cordingly. On Saturday, the informa tion we received in regard to Mr Ward's disallowance of the informal votes carried with it sufficient appear ance gi authority to warrant us in telling our riders tha;b reduction would not be carried. TJw? o^cia^ declaration had not then been made, but after two days' thinking over what was his proper course to follow, the re- Umn§ sf&wp decitJecl to adhere to tljq

opinion he had at first arrived at on the question, and counted in the votes. As Government had sternly declined to advise their officers as to the course i to be adopted; and as legal opinion is just about as valuable as lay opinion on this question Mr Ward was perfectly justified in acting upon his own, and this he has done in the end. All that can be done now is to await develop ments.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The validity of the local option poll at Dunedin is to be contested. A meeting of the committee entrusted with the preliminary work in connection with the prooosed creamery will be held at j Mr Heseltine's, Tiawald, to-night. Special attention is directed to the fact that the Bakaia railway bridge will be blocked to road traffic from Wednesday night at eight o'clock till eight o'clock next morning. A fatal fire occurred at West Oxford yes terday morning. The house of Isaac Marsh was destroyed, and Mrs Marsh was burned to death. Her remains have been re covered. Marsh was badly burned. Before Mr Alfred Harrison to-day* Niels Ludwig was sent to prison for thirty days, with hard labor, for vagrancy, George Vincent, suffering badly from the effects of excessive drinking, was remanded for eight days for medical treatment. A five-roomed house at Sydenham, the property of Walter Flowers, a shunter on the railway, was destroyed by fire yesterday morning. The family was absent at the time. The insurances were—on the house, £100, and on the furniture, £50. In the Murray districts of Victoria, after the gathering of the grapes, sheep are regu larly grazed in the vineyards. They con sume all the weeds, leaves, grapestalks, etc., and in this way destroy many destructive insects, clear the ground of herbage, and manure the land as well. A novel construction is put on the de parture of Sir George Grey from the colony by a Whangarei paper, which says:—•' Ihe fact of his leaving New Zealand just as Mr Gladstone had retired may be only a coin cidence, but a more unlikely thing may hap* pen than to find him in the House of Com mons shortly leading the Home Rule party.'' What it is to be a popular idol. Henry Irving's American tour, which has been con cluded, is expected to realise over £120,000 net. At the end of December his takings had totalled £90,000, of which £12,000 re presented San Francisco receipts, £29,000 in Chicago, and £40,000 in New York. No wonder, then, that the Yankee managers are doing a big growl. A strong hot nor'-wester marred the holi day in Christchurch yesterday, but all the local attractions, as well as the excursions, were largely patronised. Thousands of people went to Sumner and New Brighton. The meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton attracted many, and the annual temperance demonstration of the Canterbury Bauds of Hope Union at Hagley Park was attended by about 2000. On Sunday at all the services in the Church of the Holy Name, there were large congregations. The church bore evidence of much painstaking labor in preparation for Easter, but" the special attraction was the mission just openei by the Hon. and Rev. Father Pluukett and his coadjutor, two Re demptorists, whose missions in other parts of the colony have been attended with very marked success. Amongst the many obsolete and forgotten acts of the British Parliament is one which prohibits any man possessing leaa than £1000 or an income of » £100 a year from keeping a greyhound. An English paper says that as late as 1874 a prosecution took place under this Act, a baker, named M'Donnell, in receipt of £1 per week, was fined £5 by the Carlow bench of magistrates for keeping a dog of the greyhound breed. On Sunday last the Rev. Mr Sharp, of Timaru, and formerly an Ashburton mini ster, preached at the Primitive Methodist Churclj both morning and evening. He also gave an address in the afternoon. The singing was led by Mr Smith, with Mrs D i,vis as organist. The congregations were large, especially in the evening, when the church was crowded. Last evening a tea meeting was held, when about 250 sat down to tea. The tables, nicely decorated, were well filled with the best efforts of pastry cooks, and together with the smiles of the bonnie lasses who were most attentive, left nothing to be desired in that portion of the evening's entertainment. After the tea meeting addresses were given by several reverend gentlemen and others, recitations and dialogues were rendered by friends, and an enjoyable evening was closed by the usual votes of thanks. The weather on Saturday was all that one cou'd have wished for holiday-making, and a large number of country people came into town. The e*rly part of Sunday was also grand weather, but a rising glass indicated that a change was near. Towards sundown it came in the shape of a strong north-wes blow, and the dirty gardeners gave their cleanly neighbors a benefit, as thistledown filled the air, and was borne here, there, and everywhere, and every coat with a nap bore testimony to t!»e season. The roads also gave an offering, and blinding dust was borne in clouds upon the gale. Overnight there was a lull, but on Monday morning the nor'-wester again took up its disagreeable parable, and sadly interfered with the day's outing. The patrons of the bicycle sports in the Domain hid a rather windy time, but thanks to the shelter of the trees, life was far from being unbearable in the Domain on Easter Monday. The Tnturau correspondent of the " Otago Witness " writes thus :—" I read an article in the ' Daily Times' of Saturday, the 10th instant, commenting upon the conviction of a person at the Supreme Court sitting in Dunedin of sheep stealing, and noticing the same as a rare occurrence. The rare occur rence is not at all a matter for comment, if the business men in Dunedin are ready to accept hush-money instead of bringing the offender to justice-as happened in a case in a certain district which shall be nameless, a few weeks back. A certain farmer sent spme rams to |)uncdin for Bale. A firm in tpwn, who $ct as farmers' agents, saw the, rams, and knowing by the brands that they were sheep over which they had a lien, at once telegraphed tq the owner to know why the sheep were not sold through them, when he discovered that the rams had been stolen j and thus the thief was caught red-handed j but the mattpr was hushpd up by the thief paying ikeiv value, and in this way he was allowed ts/ go scot-free to prey upon his neighbors again, as he has been suspected of doing for some years past.

SPORTING.

C.J.C. AUTUMN MEETING.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Christchuech, March 26. The weather was fine, with a slight nor' wester. Following are results :— Epsom Welter, of 100 soys.; one mile.— Kuinine, 9.11 (Clark),; Mount Royal, 7.13, 2 ; Barnardo, 77, 3. Exile, Lord Zetland, Inez, Token, The Winchman, Lord Aston, Awarua Pose, Lord of Misrule, P.^.C, Lady Sockbum, Abel Tasman and Wheedler ran. Won by a nose. Diva—£l3 18s 6d and £17 8». Champagne Stakes, of 15 soys with 300 added; six furlongs.—Blue Fire, 8.8 (»er rett), 1; Casket, 8.10,2; Pompom, 8.7,3. Loveshot, Strathbraan, Philson, Teredina, Keroli, Nixie and Blarney started. Won easily. Time—lmin. 15£ sec. Divs—£s 6s and £6 2s. Great Easter Handicap, of 500 sovr, seven furlongs.—Lady Zetland, 7.12 (P. White), 1 ; Forbury, 8.4, 2; Beadonwell, 8.4, 3 Vogeogang, Westmere, Foresight, Lake Shell, Ultimatum, Melenite, Reflector, Goosander, Aldershot and Black Cloud Btarted. Won easily Time—lmin. 29sec. Diva—£6 4s 6d and £6 9s 6d. Kildark Steeplechase, of 150 soys; 3 miles.-Norton, 12.7 (Clark), 1; Magpie, 9.7,2. Clarence also started, but stopped at the double. Won fairly easy. Time— 6min. 47£ sec. Divs—£l 17s and £113s 6d. Russley Stakes, of 100 soys; five fur longß.—Britomarte, 6.13, (F. Kingan), 1 ; Searchlight, 8.9, 2; Georgie Sharp, 7.0, 3. Seven other* ran. Won all the way. Time —lmin. 2|sec. Divs—£B 10s 6d and £10 18s. Sockburn Handicap, of 100 soys ; Ij miles.—Prime Warden, 9 3 (F. Cochrane) 1 : Ben Godfrey, 7.8, 2 ; Retina, 7 4,3. P.B.C also ran. Warden ran home an eaay win ner. Time—2min 12^sec. Divs—£l 11s and £2 2a. | Gimcrackßace—Perkin. Diva--£5 7« 6d and £10 7s Bd.

SECOND DAY.

1 Christchttrch. March 27- Peerswick Hurdles, of 100 boys ; once round and a distance.— Balquibher, lOst 41b, 1; Empire, lOst 61b, 2; Norton, 12st lllb, 3. Won by a length and a half. Time— 3min 11 Jaec. Divs—£s 16s and £5 6s 6d. Autumn NußSEßY—Searchlight 1, Pom Pom 2, Wedlock 3. Gbeat Autumn Handicap, of 500 soys; one mile and a half. Lady Zetland, 7st 10lb 1 Prime Warden, Bst 81b .. ... 2 Stepaiak, 9st lib .- 3

Picton Regatta.

Picton, March 27 The race for the Champion Fours of New Zealand was got off this morning at seven o'clock. The water was in fair condition but the heavy rain filling made it uncomfortable for competitors. Lyttel ton won after a great race by two lengths from Auckland who beat the Union (Wanganui) by a few feet for third place. The Union (Christchurch), Stars (Welling ton) and "Nelson also started. For the half distance the pace was terrific, Oanterbmy and Lyttelton leading the field with a very fast stroke. The latter were able to last at the pace, Canterbury, who were the favorites cracking up at three quarters of a mile from home. There was a big struggle for second and third places, the four boats being in line nearly the whole way. The general opinion is that che rice was the finest evec seen in the colony. W. F. Samuels and R. F. Crrsbie, Union Rowing Club, Ohriatchurch, won the champion double sculls, beat'ng the Star Club representatives <mtsy by a couple of length*. The Union pair, Crosbie and Samuels, also won^ the champion pairs, beating the Stars, Wellington, by a dozen lengths, Canter bury third.

The Postal Delegates.

Sydhky, March 25, The postal delegates are highly pleased with New Zealand. ; Dr Cockburn and Mr Wynne were favourably impressed with the frozen meat trade, and thought the dairy trade would prove the permanent prosperity of the colony. They express themselves satisfied that the Austra l lian colonies will export as much as, if not more than, New Zealand in a few years. Dr Cockburn did not think the village settlements so advanced as those in Australia, especially regarding co-operation. Mr Kidd said the village settlements were not such a success as people were generally led to believe. Ifc seemed to him that they were only successful where outside work could be obtained. Persons wanted a certain amount of money who were going in for these settlements.

A Remarkable Case.

A singular case has been heard be fore a Paris Court of Appeal. A wall know demi-mondaine, the Comtesse Jouffroy d'Abbans, better known by her former name of Marie Ohaboud, appealed against a decision of the lower court in the action taken against her by M. Fernandez, an architect. M. Fernandez had some time ago signed four bills for 24,000fr to save Madame Jouftroy d'Abbans' property from seizure by sheriffs' officers. When the bills fell due M, Fernandez re fused to pay them on the ground that they were given for an immoral con sideration, and sued for their restitu tion to him. He won his suit on all the points, and the defendant appealed. In the course of the proceedings the marriage contract between Marie Chaboud and her husband, the Oomte Jouffroy d'Abbans, was read* In this extraordinary document the property of the parties was set out in detail. The husband was the owner of sundry articles of wearing apparel, four family portraits, and the patents of three inventions. The whole was valued at 5000f. The property of j Mde. la Comtesse was, however, much more extensive, consisting of furniture horses, carriages, silver, pictures, a steam yacht of 53 tons, diamonds, pearls, and other precious stones, 84,000f deposited in th« bank, and over 25,000f in her possession. But the most curious part of the wife's contri bution to the joint fund was a succes- I sioa of " promises |to pay," signed by her many lovers. The Count de Bari appeared for 13,000fr, Prince Henry Reuss XX. for 35,000fr, the Prince de Melissano for 49,000fr, the Vioomte de la Beaume for 20,000fr, M Fernandez for 25,000fr, etc. The total value of the property brought by the Oomtesse was reckoned at 792,5Q0fr, It is stipulated that each spouse should contribute to the ex penses of housekeeping in proportion to their respective incomes. Consider ing that Comte Jouffroy d'Abbans' revenue was rather less than nothing this provision appears somewhat superfluous. The Court, after taking qc-gnisance of this remarkable docu ment, and haying heard counsel on bqtfy $dcs, iwved. judgment, ,

Ashburton Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Ashburton A. A. and 0,0. was held on the Domain Oval yesterday. The attendance was very good, but the disagreeable nor'-wester which prevailed rau«t have militated against a racord gathering. The same element aho prevented record times. The track, ho arever, was very fast, being in perfect condition, and except that its narrowness caused occasional blocking in the short races, was all that could be desired. The racing, as a consequence of large fields in each event and good handi capping right through, was exceptionally' fine. The officials are to be congratulated on their success in keeping faith with the public by running the races true to time. The Ashburton Brass "Band was on the ground, and helped to make the time pass pleasantly. The principal race of the day was the ten mile championship, and this event produced five starters, of whom Hayward, the holder of all last year's championships, was a strong favorite, especially after his beautiful exhibition of fast pedalling in the quarter mile, gaining 1 second place from scratch in 36 4-sth sec Jones, also from Christchnrch, a young rider—this being his second Beason—bad many friends, who predicted that his sprinting powers would bring him to the front, and in this they ware correct, for a magnificent finish saw him cross the tape first by a tew inches. Hayward is & beautiful and fast pedaller, but Jones fairly outpedalled him in the last lap of I the ten mile yesterday. Naturally with such a wind the pace was not fast, and this face was sufficient to upset any chance that either Hall, Pibher, or Appleby had of winning, as a fi«t race from start to finish was their only shance. The five mile race run later in the afternoon also promised another trial of strength between these two well-matched rivals, but just at the critical time, when both had commenced to "go," Jones fell, and the principal interest in the race was gone. In the roadster events Ritchie, from Christ church, also in his second season, showed that as a roadster rider he is par excellence. In both races he was closely followed by R« J. Shearman, whose riding was also very oreditable. The foot races were also well contested. 0. F. Smith, from Christchurch, was in good form, and with the assistance of liberal handicaps won both the short distance events. The quarter mile hurdles fell an easy victory to E. Clowes, who established a long lead at the start, and jumping nioely was never headed. In the half-mile flat A. Williams' excellent judgment and gameness enabled him to wrest the first place from Clowes. H. Curtis showed the best condition by winning the mile steeplechase with ease. He took his jumps very prettily, and won by a dozen yards. Mr D. Thomas was starter, and Messrs Kempthorne and Graves were Judges, with Mr H. H. Stephens for referee, while Messrs Robert Murray, J. Boyd, and A. J. Mullet held the watches. Several protests were made during the day for various reasons, and these will be considered by theJOommittee. Mr Davis' j refreshment booth was a very welcome attraction on thn grounds on so warm a day, and was well patronised. Appended i are the results :— I Onb Mile Novicb Bicycle Handicap. First prize, £2 ; second, £1. —A. Hun nibell, 25yds, 1; C. J. Goldstone. 25yds, 2; J. Scofet, syds, 3. R. A. Mitchell syds, J. Mills 10yds, E. O. Farrell 15yds, | and J. Reid 20yds, also started. Hunni bellied all the way, ani leaving Gold stone in the last half lap won easily. Mitchell, who showei the best form, through a collision with Reid, lost his chance in the race. Time—2min W 3-6tha sees. QuAKTBa-MiLB Bicycle Handicap. First Heat—A. J. Daly, 19yds, 1: W. J. S. Hayward, scr, 2. W. F. Waller 12yds, W. J. Shearman 22yds, J. Mills 28yds, and C. J. Goldstone 31yds, also started. Daly won easily, though Hayward came splendidly at the finish. Time—3s 3 sths sees. Second Heat—H. J.Moss, 20yds, 1; H. Thompson, 15yds, 2. A. Dorm fiydb, R. H. AppleHy I4yds, also started. This was the fastest heat. Time —35sec. Third Heat—E. O. Karrell, 29 yds, 1; R. F. Curtis, 17yds, 2. 8. Macdonald 11yds, J. Currie 18yde. also started. Time-37sec. Final Heat— O'Farrell 1, Hayward 2. Moss, Thomp son, Curtis, and Daly also started. Hay ward came with a beautiful spurt in the straight, but failed to reach O'Farrell by a few inches. Time—36 4 sth sece*. 440 yds HniiDLES—First prize £2 10s, second £110s, third £1 -E. E. Clowes, 10yds, 1 j E. Purchase, 30yds, 2; H. E. Curtis, scr, 3. A Williams 18yds, HA Hoult 23yds, A Jamieson 30yds, also started. Clowes made up his ground very quickly at the commencement and passing his men in the first half lap won easily, with Purchase second, and Curtis, who ran and jumped strongest at the finish, a good third. Time—laiin lOsec, Combination Bicycle Race, one mile —First prise £1, second 10s-R F Curtis 1, W S Shearman 2, H B Curtis 3. W O Murray also started. R. Curtis showed the best judgment in negotiating the sacks, which were the prime feature of an interesting novelty race, and won easily. 220 Yards Flat Handicap. First prize, £2; second, £1.-0. F. Smibh, 11yds, 1; R. FrisszsU, 17yds, 2; F. S. Harley, scratch. 3. F, Stone llyds, R. IH. Morgan 14yiU, G. McOonnell 15yds, A. E. Gee 16yds also started. A good race; won by a yard The scratch man came well in the straight and got within a yard of secondjplace Time—24 l-sth sec Three Milk Roadster Handicap. First prize, £2 10a; second, £1 10s; third, £I.—P. J. Ritchie, scratch, 1; R. G. Shearman, 105 yds, 2. W. Morgan 60yds, B. F. Sutherland 135 yds, O. R. Andrews 160 yds, R. A. Mitchell 160 yds, J. Orr 175 yds. T. Orr 175 yds also started. Ritchie very quickly made up his handi caps, and in the last mile the riders were altogether, making a pretty race. Enter ing the last lap Ritchie darted to the front, followed by Shearman. The local rider however was unfortunate in collid ing with another, and though he did not fall he lost by the accident at least a dozen yards, so that what would un doubtedly have been a close race for first place was lost to the public. Time—Bmin 40 2-sth sec. Ten Mile Championship of N.Z. First prize, gold medal; second, silver medal; third, bronze medal—C. H. Jones 1, W. T, S. Hayward 2, H, J. Pither 3. C. B. T. Hall and R. H. Appleby also started. Little excitement was caused by this race until the last half mile- As is usually the case with championship raoes the pace was slow, and consequently though intentionally a race to bring out the long distance men, it re solved itself into a contest between the fastest sprinters. Appleby did the lion's share of pace-making, and well deserved his win of Mr Murray's special prize of a gold medal given to the com petitor passing the post first the greatest number of times during the race. Pither and Hall also led at times during the race, but Jones and Hayward merely tailed on till the l»st miJe. When three miles had been covered, Pither's bicycle broke down, but he quickly mounted another machine, and, as the others generously slackened their pace, he was soon amongst them. Their sportsraenlike action was heartily applauded by the spectators. In the last half mile the riders were all together. Then Hayward made his effort. and sprinting Ibeautifully, all but Jones were quickly left in the irear, Pass ng the scand for the last lap Jones was still immediately behind Hayward, and a dea perstte rage ens « lor tlw wboto of *h3

last lap, aud us Jones made hit* effort ° pass Hayward round the back stretch* the fast pedalling of th« two riders (cacti with 66in, gear) almost side by side was at. once both picturesque, and the cause of intense excitement. Coming round the corner into the straight, Jones appeared to be passing Hayward, but thia advan tage he l"8t by running so wide that he touched two of the posts on the outside, fortunately without coming to grief, and the issue in the list half dozaa yards was still uncertain, and Jones' win was only on the tape, aud then only by a few inches. The time taken was 29min. 44sec, the miles averaging three minuets, and tho last 2tnin 4lsec. Half Mile Bicycle Handicap.— First heat_S Mac Donald, 30yds, 1; A J Daly. 47yds, 2 j H Thompson, 38yds, 3. R'F Curtis 43yds, J Henry soyds, aad J Scott 68yds, also started. Time, lmin llsec. Second heat—W J Shearman, 55yds, 1; H J Moss, 50yds, 2 ; F Truman, 36yds, 3 A Dorm 16yds, W F Waller 32>d B , R H Appleby 36yds, J Carrie 40yds, J Mills 70yds, C J Goldstone 75yds, also started. Time, lmin 12 2-sth sec Final heat — Daly 1, Moss 2, McDonald 3 Thompson, Truman, and W Shearman also started. Daly rode with excellent judgment, and passing Mess at the corner leading into the straight won by a few yards. Time, lmin 12sec Two Mile Roidbtrr Handicap—First prize, £2 ; second, £I—F J Ritchie, sor, 1; R G Shearman, 70yds, 2. W Morgaa 40yds, B F Sutherland 90yds, J Scott 115 yds, J Orr 125 yds, T Ore 125 yds, E O Farrell 135 yds, also started. The field were together when a mile and a half had been covered. In the last lap. Bitchie went away, closely followed by Shearman, and a fine race ensued, Ritchie maintain? ing his lead by a few yards. Time, smin 35 2 sth sec. One and a Half Milk Ladies' B»ACEi let, First prize, £3 5s (Diamond brace* let. presented by Mr Preston); second, £2; third, £I—A Dorm, 45yds, 1 j A J Dily. 140 yds, 2; WJ S Hayward, scratch, 3. OE T Hall 25yds, H J Pither 50yds, W F Waller 90yds, F Truman 100 yds, R H Appleby 100 yds, H Thompson 110 yds, R F Curtis 125 yds, J Carrie 135 yds, W J Shearman 155 yds, C J Goldstone 220 yds, started. Daly soon made his way to the front, closely followed by Curtis, and making the pace a merry one looked like winning. In the last two laps however Dorm took the lead, and though Daly was in close attendance, the southern rider proved a better stayer and won easily, flay ward just beating Hall on the tapa for third place. Time—3min 48 2-sth see. 880 Yabds Flat Handicap. First prize, £2 10s ; second, £J 10s ; third, £1. —A William!', 38yds, 1; E E Clowes. 23yds, 2j J H Shearman. 33yds, 3. W hefford 45yds ateo ran. Clowes, after passing his men, appeared to be winning easily, when twenty yards from the tape Williams, who had followed closely, fennd an extra spart, and the leader failing to respond, lett Williams to win by a few yards. Time —2min 9dec. 120 Yakds Flat Handicap—Fir^t prize £2 ; second, £I—o F Smith, 9yde, 1; F Stone, 9yds, 2; R Frizzell, 12yds, 3 A close finish. Time, 11 4-sth sec. This race was run twio, owing to a protest by a competitor who missed starting that the race had been run before the programme time. The first race was run in 9 2-sth sec, which for 120 yds would be a world's record, but measurement showed the course to be ful-y thirty yards short. After re-measurement the race was run with the above result. One Mile Bicycl* Handicap—First priz*, £2 2s ; second, £1 Is—H J Pither, 40yds, 1 j A Dorm, 35yds, 2;ffF Waller, 70yds, 3. F Truman 80yds, R H Appleby 80yds, R F Curtis 100 yds, J Currie 102 yds, A J Daly 110 yds, H J Moat 115 yds, W Morgan 115} da, B F Suther land 120 yds, W F Oliver 145 yds, also started. Pither and Dorm caught ths limit men in the last lap, and the former after a well sustained spurt yon easily from Dorm, Waller just beating Dily on the tape for third place. Time, 2min 29 4 sth sec. One Mile Steei-leohmh—Prizes given by ladies of Ashburton—B. E Curtis, scr, 1; A Williams, 60yds, 2; E E Clowes, 15yds, 3. H A Houk 75yds, and J Shear man also started. Curtis jnmped very neatly, and won by ten yards from Williams, Clowes closs up thud. Time, 6min 16sec. Five Mits Bicycle Handicap.— First prizs £4, second £210s, third £1 ]0s —H J Pi'her, 120 yds, 1; WJ S Hayward, scr, 2; CE T Hall, 60yds, 3. 0 H Jonea scr, J Carrie 316 yds, A J Daly 330yd8, also started" Currie fell out at the com pletion of the mile, Daly at the second mile, and Dorm after three miles had been covered. The remaining ;four riders loafed considerably, neither oaring to mak* the pace, till tiro laps from home, when Pither started off closely followed by Hayward and Jones. Just entering the last lap Jones fell, and Hayward rode over the machine, but did not fall. The accident left Pither to win as he liked, Hayward just beating Hall on the tape for second place. Time—l4min 24sec. At the conclusion of the sports Mrs Curtis and Mrs D. Thomas on behalf of the ladies of A ahburton presented the winners of the mile steeplechase with their prizes, Major Steward then called for three ! cheers for the ladies which were heartily given, and cheers for the competitors, successful and unsuccessful, closed an enjoyable gathering. ,^

THE MARKETS.

London, March 23. The B«nk of England returns published to-day show the total reserve in notes and bullion to be £22,906,000, the proportion of reserve to liabilities being 66.16. Consols, 99|. Three months' bills are discounted at l£ per cent., being £ per cent below the bank rates. Business is steady. New Zealand four per cent: inscribed stock, 10S|; three and a half per cent do. New Zealand long berried wheat, ex warehouse, 275, flat; Victorian, do, 27s 6d; South Australian do, 28s. Parcete of South Australian wheat, n«w crop* have been sold at 27* 9d. New Zealand mutton, first; quality, 5d } second quality, 4f d; market active. Lamb, first quality, 6§d. The hemp market Is steady. Four hundred bales of fair to good, Auckland shipment, have been sold at from £15 to l£Wsa. Danish butter, Ills. March 25. The condition of the butter and cheese ex Tainui and Nairnshire is good. ,

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Wellington, March 29. The number of men employed on co operative works afc the end of February was 2062. They are now being reduced by 25 per cent. With reference to the statement at the Trades Conference in Auckland that only four Labor Bills are to be introduced next session, the Minister for Irtbor states that, including those blocked last year, there will be eight. Robert Wix, a colored man, cook at the Oriental Hotel, was arrested on a charge of stabbing Gastave Guibrandson. The latter, according to Wix, had been annoy ing him for some time, and eventually they had a struggle. The cook had a knife in his hand at ths time «.nd Gui brandson got it in the stomach, making a nasty but not apparent!} dangerous wound.

THE ASIiBURTUN OTABDIAN: TUESDAY, MA.BOH 27, 1894.



By Royal .^§||sk Letters Patent, JOSEPH FORDS Scour and Lung Worm Mixture. THE RENOWNED SHEEP MEDICINES. j I j OIHILL, WATSON & CO. Offices, Ei.k Street., Warehouse Railway. Invorcargill; N.Z. 6th March We have bepn selling Ford's Lung Worm Mixture for the past four years, and nring th.it period have not had a single complaint. <i On the.contrary everyone we have aaked hav<s expraased themselves pleased with the results obtained from its uae. faithfully, Tothill, Watson Co. From WKI6HT STEPHEN SON. & CO, High Street, Dunedin. March 2, 1894. Although we have acted as agents for Ford's Scour and Lung Worm Mixture for he last two years and have supplied sheep breeders regularly dv ring tnat period we have not yet had a complaint, in f«*ct we have heard nothing bub favourable reports from all who have used it. Yours truly, Wright, Stephe son and Co. MR F FER3IMAN, Ashburtou JJune 12, 1893. As the mixture appears to be steadily growing in favor here, it might be as well to tend another few cases as some of the runs are now buying a case at a time.—JTours thfully, For the M&rlborough Farmers' Co-Cperative Association, Limited, E MEAD, Managb'. The United Farmers' Alliance, Limited, Wellington, Branches: Wanganui, Palmerston North. February 2, 1864. We have had no complaints from those who have used the mixture, so cannot but onclude that it has given satisfaction. —Yours faithfully, 0 D. MULLINS, General Manager.



Special Prices for this Month AT £j. J. Neill and Co/s THE CHEAPEST HOUSE IN ASHBURTOtf FOR r>j*/*.pi3i3rr, clothing, aisjo booth. Long Lace Curtains Is 9d pair Double Width Dress Goods 9sd Cretonne 3id Dress Goods 3a lid doz Double.bed' White Twill Sheeting 9|d J^arge Turkish Towels Bjd rey Calico 2s 3d dtz. Womf nf ¥Ab^ li oß?, b, d V *X? fcton Shirting, very strong 3^d Double-bed Qm ts 3a lid eaoh rong Ticking s|d " Heav j b orfar;s|d CLOTHING, CLOTfIING, Boys T^eed Suits 3d Hd Men's Shirts at any price Men's Tweed Trousers 10s 6d now 6s*lld Men s Mermo bocks only 6d pair Men's Colonial Tweed Suits only 19* 6d Menje Ties at half price. Men» New Zealand Tweed Suits 39a 6.1 Men's Oolomal-knit Woollen Socks only now 29s 6d 9ld Pair BOOTS. — BOOTS. In Boots we defy competition, all our Boota are nude specially to our order. We guarantee every piir to give satisfaction. WonWfl Elastic-Bide Boota 8s 6J, now Men's Balmoral Boots 10* 6d, now 7a lid g g i ifi Men's Bluchers en Women s Kid Shoes 7a ltd, now 5s lid Men's Nailed Shooters 10$ 64 , now 8 lid Women's L«ath»r Shoes 7s 6J, now 5d lid Women s Carpet Slippers Is 6d Children's Patent Leather Shoes and Slippers^ ia Endless Variety at G. J. NEILL AND GO'S, FRIKDLANDER'S CORNER. TERMS CASH.



WANTED, Everybody to use Titan Soip, greatest marvel of the age. fl. Zandkr, Sole Agent. H 1»1 COOPER' 3 SHEEP DIP. TO 'I HE SHEEP FARMERS OF TIIB ASHBURTCM DISTRIOT, T B c to notify that I bave appointed MR J. G. RESTELL, OF ASHBURTON, Agent for the Sale of COOPER'S CELEBRATED (HEEP DIPPING PQW E*, AKjO ALSO That in futw* all Appointments for the DIPPING OF SHEEP AT THB TINWALD DIP (Which Jh»« ti vpn hUC^ Mtiß'acfcion to its supporter) must be made with ftf» /^TKLL, who will h«c that the same success' i« ensured in the future. MORE SIIKeTaRE DIPPED annually throughout th« World with COOPER' 3 SHEEP DIP THAN WITH ALL OTHER DIPS ADDED TOGETHER. W. LAKE. Agent, 128 Hereford Street, Clu-isiohurch.



NEW ZEALAND Clotbing 1 Factory. H[lO thoße looking about for a good X Waterproof Coafc for the Winter. CALL AT THE FACTORY IN EAST STREET. &UEQT YOUR OWN PATTERN. OVER 100 TO CHOOSE FROM. No perished goods in stock. All sewn seams. Waterproof Coats with Caps Waterproof Coat Macfarlane Waterproof Fishing Ontfio Waterproof Shotting Gape Waterproof Waders Waterproof Riding Apronß Waterproof Ponchos Waterproof Bijyole Oapon. SPECIAL SPECIAL. SPECIAL. LADIES' WATERPROOFS LADIES WATERPROOFS LADIES' WATERPROOFS MADE TO MEASURE. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY AND WATEftPfi' OF MANUFACTURERS ALEX- HEN DRY, Manager,



THE GBET SUBPBISE FIRM uF l'l-I'»TOGUAPHERS HAVE OPENED IN ASH3URTON I DOZEN Enamelled Cabinet Photos 1 and ii beautiful 15 x 12 opal or h-nmida enlargement all for or.c pound (£1). Every persoti should avail them selr*«of tht»«h»ince. All woik finished in ft thoroughly jfftintio manner, lerms -Deposit ticket 2s «d^ balance en ap proval of proofs. SaoopJee »<?»r pn view >.t Mk Gates' shop, E«»1 *tr«e*. 3 179 A. R BINO, Manager. f F your mind is troubled : nothing else -i- snU piye the troubles so thoroughly away a* tteelih Tea. Try it.— Henry Zamjlh, MuAw.4® Ationt^ '7nNWXLO^Fi3ttS"\iUS# potion Ko. Hi well situatorl in Archibald Slrea^ not fir from the llailway Station, with i-quart ».iiti<.4w6)lin;,' thfireuii, Stable, Shed, etc Price, £liW- bmall cash deposit, balance ly instalment^ .neoins inteiest at thf rare of 7 per c*« pa annum. —T. 15ULU>0K.



riIHKUE is only one quality of Health J Tea and that is thp bent. A<-\< your grocar for it, anH «c« that y^n get ir.- JHenry Zander. "Whole**!* Agent. BOOM OF STAR cYciJEJT A dam?, Cartlcs A c:o. MANUFACTUKEBS OF STAR CYCLES, /I UK Exhibiting Sawsyitas at Mr 11. M. JS J 'IWh"^ *>[i"Vi •fi'HSt Ktl*!Br» A"h' burton. Cvwo a d »>o the n^vAnM n, up to d&to Uicw, ppoko!e«a vh^-K ■ii»Ui«»ii«»W di»i«)ie ge^r, ge»r case »"<! j combined <il badi liutid 10 Star wheel.,. Li«ht KoHdstßM and L»rt itJ » K»By ,i-ym'*'«t.H—Jtß H^i*r**»it, JiO< p-r mouth. >iumedi»tb ilehv^ y fur Sfaiid %id .patterns. ADAM- 4. CUK'JIKS & CO., ! H. M. .Jones. A'^ut, Y^ i Sir^r, As'iburron. # 20' DULLER ClGAßti'l'J.'KS—3-1 per



| Wanted \ WANTED to sell, Bicycle, cushion tired rover. Good condition, cheap, owmr leaving district.—Apply, Lamjelis and Prkston. 3 204 LOSf, 21at met., between Ashburcoti | and Tinwald, a yellow and black Collie, answers to name of Rowdy. Finder please communicate with C. Roberton, Mayfield, 3 203 ANTED KNOWN.—Beat House for Orocery^ Crockery, Glassware, Holloware, Tinware and iJrushware — Stephens Bros., Market Houdo. 3 176 "\\ AJNTWD —Buyers *or High-class VV English Cycles, Ladies' and Gentlemen's Safeiies, light and rigid, reliable pneumatic tyres. Low price; cash.—-Walker. 3 155 WANTED Known—Tomatoes, good ripe Grapea, Plums, Apples, etc., at Mabsdbn's Fruit Shop, belo«r Mitchell and Turner's. 2 109



<i * j HY grumble about the price of V \ Bread and Meat when you can get 501b best Roller Flour for 4s 6d and good Fresh Butter at 6d per 1b at R. Alcorn's sale Saunders Buildings. 3 116 ipRED. S. JEf FRIES, Manufactur ' ing Confectioner, has opened a Shop in East street, next •• The Corner," for sale of all kinds of superior Con fectionery. Nothing inferior sold. No cheap cigarettes. 3§114 OYSTERS and Fresh Fish of all sorts arrive evening per express at Deep Sea Fishing Co.'s Shop, Burnett street Ashburton. 2 62 1 BUY and Sell for Cash, therefore I Sell Oat Sheaf from Is 3d per sack or £2 2s 6i per ton. J. Thomas, Havelock street, DON'T Forget to send your Bicycles along to the Old Kindergarten to be repaired, at moderate rates. 1 F you want first-class fruit go to Adams -*- for Fiji, Tahiti, Auckland and Sydney Oranges, Citrons, Lemons, etc. :pXTENSION~*oF"Saie at> Melford -*~^ House. We are still selling nearly all our Good?, with New Stock added, at reduced prices.—H. C. Segkbs. WANTED Known.—ln consequence of the scarcity of money, we have extended our Sale till further notice. — H. C. Segbes, Melford House.



MEDICAL Coils made and repaired on the shortest; notice at easy prices at A. J. Walker's, Old Kinder garten. RS ALCiJaN r.aa on 'sale"fo7~he Holidays a varied assortment of Toys, Dolls, Prams, Fancy Goods, and Christtms Presents—Saunders Buildings. CHOICE Ornaments, Folding Screens, Own make in Ladies' and Children's Underclothing. Aprons, »nd Pinafores.— Mes Alcorn, Saunders' Buildings. 8 ALE at Mcl for i House still on until further notice.—H, 0. Segeks. I^HA'C which beings most lisfht and hope to poorest homes is Titan Soap. 11 18 » i/"ANTED Kno~wn—W. H. uolueh, ~* VV noted four-clasp Kid Gloves, 23 6d, have ju3t arrived Jn all siz^s. ClGAßETTES—i'hc7t~Ameri oan Tobacco. —Hknrv Zandefi, Wholesal Agent. BaNh ! Banp; i 5au S \ My new set son's stock of Ammunition to hand Eley't*, Kynock's and, Cluo Cartridges, Powder, Shot, Ohds, Wads, Crises and aU Rportinp maheriala of the first quality at J. W. Hardley's, Gun Emporium. W~A~NT"ETr~ Known. — Our Oheap Slippers are sellina; in dozpns. Children's from Is, women's Is 9,1. Buy one piirand y>U will l»uy lEOie.'— Mitchell and Turnbe. WANTED Known —Spectacles, Eye Protectors, Gogeles, Folders, and everything in the optical me at S. S&LEK's, Optician WANTED Known —No reasonable offer will be refused for the balance of our Summer Dresses, Millinery, and Mantles.—Mitchell akd Turner.



JZL found it Al, I sell it.—J. Thorn \b, Produce Dealer, Havelock street. 3 104 DOLLAR CIGARETTES—3d per packet 111 ANTED Known.—To Harvesters /V —Dungarea Jackets and Overalls, Harvest Hats and Shirts and Suits of all kii.ds, at prices to meet the times. — Mitchell & Tubneb. A~NTED Known—To make room for Spring Boots I will give ten per cent for cash. Repairs dene at once cheaper than evei to stay bid times over at J Moisov' Premiers, Kpotamker. VI, ANTJKD Known—The Corner is VV showing a magnificent New Stock of Drapery and Clothing.—W. H. Collier. "XTOTICE! Notice! Sport for all. i_N Guns let out on hire or sold on tim? payments. Having a professional Gunsmith on the premises, I undertake to repair Guns ot any dubCi-ipiicn, Gun firtings in stock. Prices low.—i. W. HAIIW.BY, Ironmonger, etc. ("^ UNS ! Guns ! Guns ! My new stock JT of Guns just to hand direct from the manufacturers. Double and Single Barrel Breech Leaders, Itiflas, etc In spection invited. No old stock to select from at J. W. Haedley's Sporting | Repository. BOYS' three garment long trouser Suits for 10-!. Men's Colonial j ma-le nailed Shnoter Boots at 7s 6i per pair -AT. i*. alcohn's sale, Ashburton 0 othingMart, Sauuders' Buddings. 1 115 J MR John Marsdkn, of the Railway Bookstall, has opened a Book and Stationer's Shop two doors below Mitchell and Turner. Bo<ks and Stationery at the lowest possible prices. Books clean, complete, and in good order will be taken £n£xchant»e. Circulating libiary. H FASTER Cards, and Booklets, Fire ' Screens Picusras. Glass Ornaments, Christmas Cards, Cricket an 4 Lawn Tennis Material, Photo Albums, a«id Frafioes, anql hundreds of other articles awi to be sold at a great sacrifice for Cash during tfetf Ijoorvth only at L. F. Aupkrwes & &>, Hall.



FOR ( WEDDING PRESENFS, BIRTHDAY PRESENTS, AND PRESENTATIONS, I T> AY a Visit to the Jewellery Establish i -*- mont of ■' S. Salek, WATCHMAKER and JEWELLER, Wheie is to be seen the LARGEST and FINEST PTOOK in the District of— SILVER AND SILVER-PLATE WARE, GOLD AND SILVEa JEWELLERY, I and Other HIGH-CLASS GOODS Suit able for PRESENTS AT LOWEST PiIICES. Watch, Clock d Jewellery Repairing SPECIALTY SPECTACLES to suit all Sights



ST. STEPHEN'S CHUftCIJ. THE Harvest Thanksgiving Services will be held on SUN DAY, April 1 The Churchwardens and Vustry have de cided to allow the offertories on that oc natfo.n^o be devoted to the completion of t'b© Par£Q#agjO .builtling fund, £40 beinj' | needed. VVfcils^ 'tfea^.king the members I of the congrtgatloji ior tfre^r "generous re i sponse to the special appeal on pßcembßr| 3L—(when £50 was given) it is hoped that this supplementary effort will be as heartily supported in order that a clear fcalai.ee sheet may be presented at the ann'uai ejecting of parishoners on Weclnes day, April 4. p, cox, *;■ i 3j|Bofi Ohuwhwajdeni.



KEATING'S POWDER destroys Bugs, Fleas, Moths, Beetles and all other insects whilst quite harmless to domestic animals In' terminating Beetles the success of this "Powder' is ettvs ordinary. It is per fectly clean in application. §cc the article you purchase is KKATING'S; as imitations are noxious and ineffectual. Tins, 6d, 1b and Ss 6d each, Sold by all chemists,



DOLLAR CIGARETTES — 3d. Ifo holdera or nhotoa, —Henry Zander, Whole wleAgeoi'