A NEW AUSTRALIAN CHRISTMAS.

Christmas Eve! Ah well I'm an old man now. and its no wonder they leave me. / live in the past, they in the future. What are their 'Xmases to come to mine which have D( en spent ? Melbourne, what is Melbourne ? A city of mediocrity and mendacity; a place where generosity is reckoned idiotcy, brevity and straightforwardness, boorish- ' ness; where the old are left to perish j miserably, so that the ignoble bourgeoise ir.ay have the three meals a day, which else- ] where would be unprocurable by ordinary \ methods. ! have lived, these people vegetate. Let me recall though the worst 'Xmas time I ever spent, and see whether I am worse off this year than ever before. Yes, Lane, and his Paraguayan continent I read about in the Arpts, this afternoon, remind me of one 'Xmas, let's see, nigh thirty years ago, when 1 was prisoner at Escurion, Cielo, but that, was a close shave! Served me right for deserting from the man-o-war, though I deserted for the truest girl ever yet loved by a man. The fire burns low, my old embers are sinking into ashes with them» but there comes a flicker. J^et me go over for this once at any rate the stirring events of el veintecincode Mayo, when El Rio de la Plata—the river of silver —seduced my youthful fancies, and I, a prisoner of the revolution, lay condemned to death, not for the crime of having headed a successful revolt, but on a trumped-up bagatelle. There had been a pause in hostilities, and, unfortunately, circumstances had placed in my enemies hands an excuse for depriving La Sociedad Valenciana of its chief. It was daybreak on'Xmas morning, and I opened my eyes at the sound of a noise at the ceil gratings. Something round hit against the bars of the window. It looked like a small ball of paper, but 1 had not time to. make sure, for it bounced off again, and falling towards the street, in an instant was out of sight. There was a minute's pause, aud then it appeared again, this time with cleverer aim, for it shot freely through the grating, and fell with a slight thud on the tiled floor of the cell. For a while I let it lie there. It was by no means the first communication 1 had received from without during that morning. Sundry thoughtful Valcncians had from time to time favored me with cuttings from the Dcltad, giving an account of the trial, with scraps from the Diario and other journals, calling attention to the fact that my execution was to take place that day in the Pi;iza, at twelve o'clock precisely, and with other information of a like nature. And one, evidently n local caricaturist of some note, had furnished me with a clever sketch of myself seated in the garrotefs chair, with a marked and muscular person in the act of tightening up the lethal screw behind. I daresay there was much humor in that drawing, and the limner must have laughed most consumedly as his clever pencil I darkened in the telling lines. The iron collar fitted my neck like a glove; my hands were outstretched and knees bent up; my eyes were goggling like a lobster's. It struck me that "the eyes were exaggerated, but the rest was too painfully realistic to be pleasant—too accurate and forshadowing of what would be re-enacted upon myself in fyppria persona "in the Plaza at twelve o'clock precisely " for me to appreciate the lightly humorous spirit in which it had been .•sent. ' So 1 had torn it up, together with the newspaper cuttings, and was in no mood to peruse others. And I sat there, with my batk in a corner, cursing Spain and every Spaniard. Tomb! Tomb/ Tomb! Tomb! Tomb! T*mh! Six o'clock in the morning by the cathedral clock and it was Christmas Day! Other clocks began to chime. At mid-day I was to be garroted, strangled to death ; and for another man's crime. There was no chance of escape. It was too awful. I got up and strode fiercly round the room, once the cell of a Cistercian monk. My whole body shuddered and sweated afresh at the idea. With an effort I tried to pul! myself together again. Tomb! , The half-hour on the cathedral clock. Great Heavens! Five and a half hours was all 1 had to live. And then another thonght flashed across my brain, and I laughwi aloud at the grim irony of it. Minutes should be more precious to me then than they had ever been before, and yet time was hanging upon my hands with leaden heaviness r " Ah, well, I might as well learn a little more of the public sentiment about my case." I picked up the billet that had been flung in; like its predecessors, it was wrapped round a pebble to give the necessary weight. I flattened out the paper. The words were Spanish ; the writing done in pencil. It was a hurried anonymous scrawl, but its import made me reel up against the whitened walls of my prison with a hand pressed spas medically against my left side. // you hold your cell against your guards until 12.80 you will be fried. Destroy this note, or the efforts of your friends may be frustrated and their lives endangered. My life might yet be saved! The revulsion of feeling stunned me for the minute; but, with palms pressed against my temples, I endeavoured to collect my thoughts and think clearly again. I was a stranger in Valencia; I hardly knew a soul. My anonymous well wisher must be the abnga'do who had defended me at the trial. Some witness had turned up who had proved something in my favor. The lawyer was waiting for some final link in the chain of evidence, which he saw his way to obtain. Then he would prove my innocence, and get the sentence reversed. But he foresaw delays, the machinery of Jaw, and could not ensure my freedom till 12.30. Till then [ must trust to my own endeavours. Vet what could have made even the abogaio turn in my favor? This puzzled me; for I could see by his lace at the trial that he believed me guilty, though he certainly handled his brief, given him by our Consul, as well as any barrister could do. What could have cropped up to change his mind? Rapidly I reviewed the case. Dark night, and myself walking sharply down a narrow calle juela, with plain, strongly, shuttered houses rising high on either side. Rain, no moon, and the air black and wet. Suddenly I stumbled over something, and failing, knew that a man lay in the pathway. In England I should have put him down for being drunk, The country being Spain, ! had other suspicions, which the sound of a groan confirmed. So I bent over him and lit a match. By six severa! stains of blood I saw that he had been knifed in as many places, and for aught I knew there were other wounds as Well. Ordinary instinct made me do my best for him, and I was beginning to set to work, when the sound of advancing footsteps made me start up and listen. A regular tramping, and a clink of accoutrements. Carabineros! The thought flashed across my brain that they would instantly suspect me of having been the assassin. I rose £0 my feet and ran down the alley. They bear^ me go, advanced quickly, found the wounded man, and raised a loud hue and cry. I fled H'k.9 the wind, and fell into the arms of another patro! at the end of the street. Then there was the scene next morning when I was confronted with the wounded man, who, in articule mortis, swore that it

was my dagger which had slain him. Even then, had it been an ordinary case t little more would have happened. Blood letting, for private reasons, is thought little ol in the Sunny South. But the victim was a man of strong poiitical influence. Assassi nations had been many of late. I was an alien, and a very suitable person to make an example of. So his party hounded me on to the garrote. Had I been guilty I should most assuredly have deserved death ; but being innocent, to suffer for the crime of another seemed ■ Ah, that be it My lawyer had seen his way clear to bring the deed home to the right man. 11. Convinced that I had hit upon the correct solution, I was beginning to set about thinking how 1 should hold the cell tiil haif-past twelve against the men who were to fetch me for execution, when a foot step made itself dimly heard on the concrete flooring outside, a key turned in the lock, and the heavy door creaked slowly open. 1 was sitting on my pallet, and, restraining the first impulse, did not get up. It was the head guarda, a cheerful, black moustached fellow, who had me under his especial charge. He stumped in in his rope sandals, puffing at a cigarette, and carrying my breakfast. Here you are, amigo; new baked rolls, a bottle of tr.a'.aga and a bottle of cana. They aren't both for you, but you can make your choice of the wines." The man carried a revolver at his waist in a black leather holster fastened by a small brass stud. I was thinking of that and didn't answer him. You English like butter with your desayuno, don't you ? Well, I sent out the senora to try for some, for I wanted you to be well suited with your food since you leave us to-day; but she couldn't manage it, the weather was too hot; so you'll have to do without. Come, now, senor, which is it to be ? The black wine ?" "No, I'll have the malaga, thanks, and- " Here the cathedra! clock began to strike seven. Tomb! I was on the point of making a desperate effort for that revolver. But it dawned upon me that I had many hours of quietude before me yet, and perhaps the abogado would get my reprieve sooner than he expected, so that all would go off without a struggle. It seemed senseless to bring the wasps' nests about my ears there and then. " Yes," said the guarda good-humouredly, j "and what else? You're a bit 'absent minded this morning, amigo. Would you I like a tortilla ? I'm sure the senora would be glad enough to fry you one. Take the advice of one who is competent to give it, my lad, , and have the tortilla, if you can fancy such a thing at this early hour. I want to see you go up boldly and well on to the platform. There'll be a great crowd in the Plaza. The people are gathering there already.'' " Ah, yes, 1 think I will have the senora's omelette then. Give her my compliments and thanks for her kindness." "That I will. You're the sort I like, amigo. There's no whining about you. I'll speak to the—the—you know—the lad that does the trick, and tell him to give you an easy time of it." He turned to go with a friendly nod, but, before reaching ths door, faced round again. "I'd almost forgotten," he said, bringing a paper bundle of dry crisp cigarettes out of his pocket, and chucking them across to me, together with a box of matches. When I was alone again I took one of the cigarettes, unrolled, rerolied, and lighted it; and then smoking hard tried to decide what was the best for me to do. That the guarda's liking for me arose merely from a profes sional standpoint, I saw pretty clearly. He was an ex-ma-tador, thrown out of work by obesity, and I felt sure he would rrvel in forming one of the crowd already collected to see me "turned off." It would be of no use confiding in him that a respite was expected if only sufficient time was granted it to arrive. Also, that it would be in my power to master him, and gain possession of that precious revolver, I hadn't a doubt; but even supposing that such a proceeding could take piace without causing noise he would be missed in a very short time and then the fat would be in the fire. Of course 1 could help myself to his keys, and so gain the corridor, but ! knew enough of the prison to be sure that that would be but little advantage. The place would be alive with rifle bullets instantly. Of a surety such an end would be far preferable to the garrote— but I had hopes of escaping both. So I sat quietly smoking, and when the warder came in with the hot omelette in a brown earthenware dish, I ate it before him; and we drank long life to one another out of the nozzle ot the wine bottle. " I'll always say after this, amigo, give me an Yngles if you want a chap who'll do you credit for your care." And again I was left to myself, 111. The time passed with inexpressible tediousness. The packet of dry cigarettes dissolved into gray smoke, that billowed into the sunrays from the grated window, and then vanished into space, and the cathedral clock drawled over the quarter hours as I swear time had never been so long spun out before. Tomb ! again and yet again. Eight—nine—ten—haif-past-~the quarter —eleven ! The walls of my cell were of ponderous thickness. I dragged the wooden bedstead minus a leg, across the floor, and thrust it into the corridor which led to the door. One leg I wrenched off, and reserved for a weapon. The room was bare of ail else. A quarter past eleven I I thought the cathedral bells would never have completed chiming that miserable fraction, so deliberate were they; and when the last echoes of their deep diapason had died away, 1 began to imagine that the guarda had forgotten me, or else that there had been some mistake about the date and hour of execution. There were noises in the street beneath the window, but in the prison all was as quiet as a sea-calm. . Half-past eleven! So intense had become my expectancy that 1 actually longed for my gaoler's to come. I bit my fingers with rage at the delay. Was this dish of excitement never to be set before me 9 Had I gone through all this wealth of mental agony for nothing ? Were the events of last week merely a gruesome dream ? Was I still snugly asleep in my bunk at sea ? Was 1 mad ? The third quarter rang out its tune, Ah, at last! I knew the dull thud of that rope-so!ed foot-gear—my cheery ex-matador. "Come, amigo mio.we mustn't keep people waiting. The senoritas are all fanning. Eh, but what's this r " He had swung open the door, and, seeing my bedstead, drew back a pace. " The torril's not going to empty itself just now, 1' said I, drawing from a metaphor which would go home to him. " How —what do you mean ?" " I'd rather stay where I am for the pFesent f it s all the same to you." I heard him get rid of a good rousing tarraiitbo under his breath, but he did not give vent to his somewhat natural spleen rtloud. " Come,amigo," quoth he coaxingiy, "don't be squeamish. Prove yourself the caballero that you are, and walk up with a cigurrillo between your teeth, and fit the iron collar on with your own fingers. And, if you can manage it, puff out a little whiff of smoke when your neck goes. I've only seen that managed once, but—and I speak from some experience—believe me it was most effective.

Come with me peacefully, and I swear nut . to let this little pleasantry pass my lips. Lei j me in, amigo, and we'll talk it ivir sensibly j and quietly." ' "You can try if you like, ci course, but 1 advise you not.'' "This is unfriendly, senor. Is it tie want of butter this morning tl.Jit !.n. put you out? 1 :>wcar lo v.v lv.it ti.. ( neglect was unavoidable. Ana beyond thM you can have nothing to conipiam oi. hti.fi* the tortilla compensated for it , J 'l iiii.lc. senor, did it not r 1" IV. The man was wasting time, as I was only to glad to see him do. ;wid so endeavetirci. to keep him in conversation. Liut lie wuj> not to be hoodwinked much longer. Altei the exchange of half-a-dozen more sentences and a repeated refusal ior admittance, hi changed his tactics and his temper, called me an ungrateful brute, slammed the door, and retreated, vowing vengeance. Now that 1 was in the thick of it my nerves had quieted down, and I was as cooi as ice. Wedging and pinning the bedstead so that it could neither be drawn out into the passage nor shoved into the room, 1 gripped my Cudgel and awaited events. Twelve o'clock boomed out before any thing else happened, and I thought grimly that the expectant crowd in the Plaza would already be blaming someone for un punctuality. But the delay was evidently to be cut as short as possible, for less than five minutes after the hour had gone, there was I the sound of heavily-shod feet, and the door once more swung open, whilst the ring of rifle-butts made itself heard from the pave ment. " Now, ladrone, out you come," said my portly attendant, " or you will be fetched in a way you won't like," "That last," 1 replied, "remains to be seen. But you won't deal harshly with me, amigo, will you after the good friends we've been ?" The guarda's only response was to order off a file of the soldiers to come and haul me out without further palaver, a command, which from their movement, it was easy to see they had no particular liking for. However, on they came, of necessity one before the other, crawling over the bedstead, which filled up more than half of the passage way. I lifted my weapon, waiting till the first comer got within range. He saw me, and, losing nerve, snapped off his rifle. > The shot missed, and the cell was full of choking powder smoke. But my blow fell true to its aim, and he collapsed on the bed like acorn sack. His companion was daunted and drew back, and, whilst I possessed myself of the fallen man's rifle, the others drew him out by the heels. That ended the first move. My weapon was unloaded, and as there was no bayonet fixed, I gripped it by the barrel, and awaited fresh developments. < The carabinero who had so ignominously ! gone back lilted up his rifle and let drive. The bullet missed, and I stepped back under cover of the angle of the masonry, ready to mow down anyone who advanced. ' Again the guarda tried cajolery : " Come, amigo, you've had your spree. Surrender now, like a wise man. We're bound to have you out." I didn't see it, and said so. " But you can't stay there for ever," he remonstrated. I hoped that half-an-hour would be all / should wait; but that anticipation I kept to myself, and only gave a dogged refusal to budge. This state of things could not last. There was a whispered consultation, a rattle of arms, and again two men assayed the passage. They had laid aside their rifles, and came on armed with revolvers, with which they hoped to disable me before coming to close quarters. But the butt was too quick for them. It broke the head of one. it cracked the arm of the other like a dead stick, and save for a not bullet scar on tho cheek, I was none the worse. The men outside were cursing as only Spaniards can curse. But, poor Fellows, what could they do ? As things were my position was impregnable. For them to advance was worse than a forlorn hope. It was a hopeless sacrifice. There was another long consultation, and then, "Run for an axe, Jgnacio!" I heard the guarda command. They were going to demolish the obstruction piecemeal, as they could neither drag nor push it away. What would have been the outcome had the axe arrived, I cannot say. But, as matters happened, it never camel Directly the soldier set off there broke out a great uproar down below, which increased every second. There was the sound of shots being fired, and the heavy trampling of many feet. The din drew nearer. The carabineros and the warder fled down the passage, and in their place arrived a crowd of men who welcomed me with otitstretched arms. There had been an entente, their leader explained, and I, the brave Ingles, was free. They had sworn to save me, he said, because it had been by my hand that their chiefest tyrant fell. Great heavens they had freed me, not because they thought me innocent, but because they believed me to be a muadcnr! And it was Christmas Day. Edmund Carey. New Australia, Paraguay,

ffifr- ohHMingWM OCAttDUfI: SAfIOBDAY. JAKUAM 87, 1894.

Printed aod published by the Ashburton Publishing Company, JUtd, at their steam printing office. Burnett Street, Ashburtoa SATURDAY, January 27, 1694,



■W BRYANT, BAKER AM CONFECTIONER, WXLLB BTRKBT, NBIAR ODD FELLOWS' HALL. ALL descriptions of Paalry, Con fectionery, Wedding and Birthday Cake, etc , of tha best quality supplied oii hort notice. Parties, Balls and Picnics, cartered for n reasonable terms. 12*136 DON'T wash yourself. Titan Soap does tt*e work. Nu rubbing. No j



MAIL <V GUARDIAN. CHRISTCHURCH AGJ^NCY. TV /TR J. li. SIMPSON has been anointed our AGENT at Ohiiatchurcb, and is authorised to make Contracts for Advertising and Printing, and to give receipts on our behalf. THE ASHBURTOJS PUDLISHINQ COMPANY, LIMITED, per Wm, J. Steward. January 0, iB*H.



THE TWO DOORS. Whisper " Farewell 1" at midnight. To the Old Year whisper low; Then open the western door, Open and let him go. The works of the hands not good ; The will of the wavering mind ; The thoughts of the heart not pure: The words of the Hps not kind. Faith that is broken or lost; Hopes that are fading and dim; Love that is selfish and vain— These let him carry with him. Whisper farewell to your doubts, To follies and faults that you know ; Then open the western door, With the Old Year let them go. • ****♦ Turn to the sunrising next; When the shadows are growing thin Set open the eastern door, And welcome the New Year in. Welcome the order brave— " More faithful do your part "<— Welcome the brighter hope, Welcome the kinder heart. Welcome the daily work, Welcome the household care; Clasp hands with the household love, Lift hands in the household prayer. Forgotten be all mistakes, And over again begin, ' When you open the eastern door To welcome the New Year in. Amelia E. Barr, Charles Hawkins, OP TINWALD. WHILE thanking his customers for past favors wishes to remind the publis if they want real good value for their money, they might do worse than stop at Tinwald. No cheap stuff bought for a low quotation, but his motto is to give satisfaction, so as to expect cus tomers back again. ROSLYN BLANKETS, WOOLS & FLANNELS, kept in stock. —Also— THE "STANDARD" BOOTS. Boots made and repaired on the pre mises at the lowest price Not being under the expense of large ' stores is able to compete and give the best value, as a steady increase in trade 1 is a proof. W r ANTED Known—That A. J. Walker repairs Bicycles, Sewing 4achines, Lawn Mowers, Medical Coils, and all descriptions of light machinery. MEDICAL Coils made and repaired on the shortest notice at easy prices at A. J. Wawer's, Old, Kinder. gartG»i '<



= GREAT CaJASTiSaLK ~ j i ___ IS ASSIGJSED ESTATE OF ROBERT ALCORN. most of it to my own order from Colonial tweeds. There v •great ™^*J™Z£ ! "^^aiS^SrSS H*-e, ffl~ and OjJ-fc Great reductions in BOOTS for CASH, and a Large stock to select from. Man Shooterp Colonial made Bs. •„,.,. , o rr *„s s la b , n.^ for Is A large stock of Men's, Boys' and Children's Straw Hats, 3a 6i to ss, Mats tor is 6d, 2i to 3s, Hats for Is and Is 6d, Hats for 6d each. The WHOLE STOCK will be sold at very Low prices for UAbU. KOBERT ALCORN, 12 75 SAWDERS BUILDINGS. waliTpapers. J 5,000 Pieces. TUST LANDED, ex AORANGI, CHEAP PAPERHANGINGS of the Latest O Patterns and Designs. A SPLENDID SELECTION. CALL AND SEE PATTERNS. PAINTERS and PAPERHANGERS sent to any part of the town or countr shortest notice. JOHN WILSON, PAINTER AND PAPEEH ANGER, CORNER OF ARCADE AND BURNETT STREETS, ASHBURTON. W. H. COLLINS^COT i FARMERS BEWARE! BEWARE! OF PURCHASING INFERIOR OILS which will only destroy your machinery and waste your time. WE HAVE art Stocked a large supply of GENUINE VALVOLINE and.other Machine Oils which will not only Lubricate, but will keep the working oarts of machinery cool. Prices on application. W. H. Collins and Co., fßoya- Insurance Company. Grey Valley Coal Company. AGENIS fc'DR \ Springfield Pottery Company Corben and Go's Celebrated Enamelled Mantelpiece I McKenzie'e "Furniture Renovator * BTJHPLUS SALE, — OF — DRAPERY, • CLOTHING, & BOOTS, A N D R K.W 0R R will hold> Great Clearing Sale of Surplua «tock, — COMMENCING - Saturday, January 13, FOR ONE MONTH — GENUINE BARGAINS. — H. M. JONES. Cycles, Cycles, Cycles, p EARED Ordinary Reduced to £20 Raleigh Bicycles 5 per cent cff'iißt prices New Howe Bicycles 5 per cent oS Hat prices Humber Bicycles 5 per cent off list prices Now is the time to buy. Send for Catalogues and forward orders at Once. DOLLS. DOLLS. DOLLS. Exceptional Value for Christmas Trade. TOYS. TOYS. TOYS. BOOKS! BOOKS!! BOOKS!!! For Prize and Presentation purpoaes. School Committees very liberally dealt with to endeavour to keep trade in the place. I CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR CARDS vorine, Gelatine, H. M^JONBS^^ 8. W. Alcorn's CLEARING OUT SALE Further Reductions. AS the Stock has to be cleared out quickly further reductiona ia all classes o Goods are now being CONCEDED TO PURCHASERS. Dress Goods further reduced Prints and Delaines further reduced Brown Hollands further reduced Window Curtains and Quilta further reduced Damask Tablingsf urther reduced Sunshades and Umbrellas further reduced Hoisery and Gloves further reduced Ladies' Capes and Dust Cloaks furtherreducea Corsets and Underclothing further reduced LADIES' HATS AND BONNETS Further Reduced* All accounts owing are requested to be paid promptly. S. W. ALCO-RN EAST STBBEX



Business Notices. READ THIS! IN Consequence of the Great demand for Gash and being under the necessity of reducing Stock owing to heavy shipments purchased during my stay in London and on Uie Continent, I have made SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTIONS in Every article in the Grocery and Other Departments, and until further notice will SELL for CASH at CHRISTCHORCH PRICES Ido not advertise quotations for the simple reason that they are copied by small Shopkeepers, but I guarantee to give every article of the Best Qaality CHEAPER than any other firm in Ash , burton. Come and judge for yourselves and be i Convinced of the Truth. 20 Tons Mauritius and Queensland Sugars for the Jam Season now to hand; Kerosene, Matches, Tobacco, Sago, and Tapioca, and all other Goods too numerous i to mention, at UNHEARD-OF PRICES in Ashburton. Come and see our Windows. CURRANTS, RATSINS, & SULTANAS cleaned by Machinery specially imported and now on view on tne premises, These fruits are ready for use without further washing. Teas. Teas. Teas, CHINA, CEYLON and INDIAN. Our own Mended Teas at 2s, 2s 4d, 2s 6d in |lb, lib, packets, and 101b tins (blended on the premises by machinery) are 3cknowledged to be the best flavored and best value in the district. A special allowance of 2d per lb on 101b tins Italian Goods. I have now landing ex Coptic the Finest Delicacies ever seen in Ash bcrton, and Inspection is invited Price lists and particulars | on application. BUTTER- Highest PRICE paid for BUTTER in any Quantity, k. tew good Dairies wanted, ALL Goods in the Hardware and Crockery Department are equally reduced. JUST LANBIB Coptic) Two Hundred Galvanised Steel Elastic Horse Collars (in all sizes). Early application necessary. BINDING TWINE BINDING TWINE BINDING WIRE; BINDING WIBE NOW IN STOCK. Also all other Harvesting material. Do not give your order without get ting my quotation. I have some second-hand McCormlok andMassey REAPERS and BINDERS for Sato at a LOW figure —Also, — ONE MASSEY MOWER. All in Best Order Wines and Spirits, Ales^and Stout, Liqtleuors and Havana Cigars, Cigarettes, in view of ap proaching holidays, AT SPECIAL LOW RATES, CABPETS, LINOLEUMS, OILCLOTHS, etc. In order to make room for harvesting and other Goods now landing and to ar rive, I will sell the whole of the above Stock at 25 per cent Below Cost Price. 1 This is a real fact. Come and see for yourselves. I WE LEAD OTHERS FOLLOW APPLY EARtv— HENRY ZANDER AGENT FOR Australian Mutual Provident Society Sun Fire Qfftce J. T. Ford and Co.



NOTICE ASHBURTON FURNITURE WAREHOUSE TANCBED STBEET. TUST arrived a large assortment of Fancy Tables, Chairs, and Ornaments of O kinds, SUITABLE FOR OHRISTMAS TRADE. Also a large stock Linoleums, Floorcloths, Carpets, etc. 4merican and Austrian chiira in great variety Persons, about to buy Christmas presents would do well itt inspecting out show Room. INSPECTION INVITED. Bedroom, Drawing Boom, and Dining Room Furniture, of our own manufacture always in Stock. Furniture re-paired, re-polished, re-covered, etc. Venetian Blinds re-painted and made to order. Note the Addre.,-jp J£ UNBUILT, AND GO.. ! (LATE PIG&FORD AND UNPRILL.) OPPOSITE ARCADE, AND NEXT BUILDING SOCJETFS OFFICE, TANCRED STREET. 'w^ SPECIAL BARGAINS Me now keing offered s lot of uJfEptl *\St CHOICE DRESS GOODS SKff^J^^^M *n ne new Mfc designs, 8s M foil llaS BW»B!$i l' dress—usually 16s 9d, and many '!//$/ other Bargainß in all d °Parfc»«otoi, CHOICE MILLINERY, / /^^KRMp^^^^ ■ which mußfc *iv 'hQ ciearßd °at' w' H* Collieb- WIIXTAM WILLIAMSON, (Ute of LONDON and WELLINGTON,) LADIES' AND GENTLEMEN'S HiitH CLASS TAILOR, EA.ST STREET, ASHBURTON, FIT,|STtLE an I WORKMANSHtP not]to> Surpassed A Well Selected Stock of TWEEDS AND WOOLLENS ALWAYS OK HAND, STEPHENS BEOS., MAEKET HOUSF, "TNVTTE all lovers of a real Cup of Tea, to drink none but Mandarin and Tiger Blends, ACKNOWLEDGED BY EXPERTS to ba the BEST AIL BOUND TE4S »t the Prices— 2®> 2s 4d, 2s 6d, per pound, i ■ ■ In 1, 5, 10, 20, and 401bs packages. SOLE AGENTS FOR ASHBDRTON, Stephens Bros., market house. Sole Agent 3 for New Zealand— J, RATTRAY & SON, DtTNEDIN TO FARMERS. M CCORMICK MACHINE. TTlie Best -of All— Second to Atone WE HAVE now on view the new McCORMIOK STEEL BINDER with SIMPLE K.NOTTBK for Season 1893-94, and invite all farmers to inspect , Beduced Price* Also Binding Twine of the best quality ac prices that prevent competition Binding Wire, Castor, Olive, Sperm, Lard, Valvoline, Lubroline, Neatsfiwt Cylinder, and Machinery Oils at bottom prices Fishing Tackle in immense variety. Fishing Licenses New Goods in Electro-plate for the Xmas Season and pi (Mentations Get our price for Mason's Fruit Jars before purchasing elsewhere Enamelled and Brass Preserving Pans Cheavin's Rapid Walter Filter Bicycle Wheel Perambulators at Christchuroh prices JOHN ORE & CO. SOLE AGENTS FOR THE McCORMIOK REAPER AND BUSDEK