MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close for the following places as under subject to the necessary alterations: — TUESDAY, April 10. For Northern Ports of New Zealand and Australian Colonies (except Tasmania), per Tarawera, at, q,30 a.,hi. WEDNESDAY, April 18. For doited Kingdom and Continent of Europe, via San Francisco. Due London May 23.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1894. THE DRINK BILL.

Once a year the advocates of total I abstinence give us figures showing how much alcoholic liquor is consumed per head of population, This an nual drink bill is prepared for England by a statisti cian, the accuracy of whose figures has never, to our knowledge, been im , pugned, and thoss figures are pre pared for the United Kingdom Al liance. The Rev Dr Burns is the statistician who keeps the British grog score. A similar giog score is kept by, we believe, a Christchurch ex- Mayor, for the New Zealand Alliance, and both bills are made up from official returns accessible to everybody. The English bill is founded on the trade and navigation returns supplied to the British Parliament, and the New Zea» land one from the Customs returns of the colony, Higher authorities could not be appealed to, Dr Burns tells us that in 1893 Great Britain consumed spirits to the amount of £39,301,790, This be it noted was the retail cost—> actually what the consumers had to pay for their liquor. The amount for 1892 was «541,131,894 — a decrease of £1,830,104. On beer, in 1893 the British people spent £85,304,745, an against £85,073,358—an increase of £231,387. Wine was consumed in 1893 to the amount of £12,748,394 ; in 1892 to the amount of £13,161,010. The Bill for British wines, cider, etc., stood both years at £1,500,000. The de crease on wines and spirits together show a reduction in consumption of £2,242,820. Subtract from this the increase in beer s and there still re main? a net decrease on the total bill for the year of £2,011,433, —something less than 1^ per cent on the bill of 1892. The population in the United Kingdom in the middle of 1893 was estimated at 38,429 ; 992, so the grog score per head of population was £3 12s 3d, or £18 Is 3d per family of five persons. Take from this calculation the number of people who use no liquor at all—total abstaining adults, and the millions of ohildien who cannot consume liquor, and the bill per head would of course be very much larger indeed. The bill per head is shown thus for the last four years r— 1890 -£3 14 4 f 1892—£3 13 11 1801- 3 15 0 | 1893- 3 12 3 The decrease during the last two years is very marked indeed, although 1891 showed an increase of 8d per head on 1890. Divided amongst the three King doms, after making every allowance for export, England uses per head of population *66 gallon British spirits and *22 gallon foreign and colonial spirits; Scotland figures up to 1*49 gallon and "18 gallon respectively of the two classes of liquors; while Ireland shows *90 gallon and *14 gallon respectively. The figures for the less potent tipples are—England : beer (barrels) *97; wine (gallons) -38 ; British wines, cider, etc. (gallons) '47. .'•'cotland: beer (barrels) '37; wire (gallons) '34 ; British wines, etc, *12. Ireland: beer (barrels) -29; wine (gallons) "31; Britist wines, etc, "11. England's spirit bill is 18s 5d per head j Scotland's £1 14s 2d; Ireland's £1 Is sd. This disparity, however, is rectified when we find the Englishman getting outside of £3 18s 5d worth of beer and wine, as against the Scot's £3 0s sd, and Pat's £2 2s 9d. The Scotchman's climate inclines him to whisky, and the Englishman has ever been partial to the nut brown ale; but that Pat—whose country gives the best stout brewed in the world, and who has a name to live for the production of poteen-—should only tot up £2 2s 9d per head is a feather in his cap one hardly expected to see waving there. Be it here noted before we turn to the New Zealand figures that Dr Dawson values his spirits at 203 a gallon, or on a basis of 3d a 11 nobbier," while the New Zealand statistician values* his gallon at £2— at 6d a " nip." The English value of foreign and colonial spirits is taken at 24s a gallon ; wine at 18s a gallon ; and beer at Is 6d a gallon. The New j Zealand basis is higher than this, viz. —Wine all round i 3 taken at the same price per gallon as spirits, 40s; im ported ale at Gs, and colonial brewed at 4s. Looking then at the prices, we are much mere sober than our friends at Home, Just fancy the possibilities o,f beer swilling in New Zealand if the | retail price were Is 6d per gallon ! instead of 6d a pint! In 1892 the New Zealand people drank more liquor by 220,947 gallons than they did in 1891, and the increase in the cost was £85,268, or about Is per head of population. In 1893 there was a , slight increase in the amount con | sumed, except of imported ale, which fell off, but there was also an increase in the population, which reduced the amount per head consumed to £3 5s sd. But the total quantity of liquor consumed was 5,680,822 gallons, and the drink bill £2,198,335. This amount of £3 5s 5d is a big bill per hea.4.; but compare it with the English, man's £3 J.2s 3d, wjth the latter's liquor costing him only M |he price

i the New Zealander has to pay, and it is at once shown that New Zealand is far and away the more sober country. Elsewhere we sfiva a table of the Alliance's figures for comparison.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Manawatu country is reported to be very dried up for the want of rain, but stock keep in good condition. A large number of green insects swarmed into Featheratone the other night greatly to the annoyance of storekeepers, who were com pelled to close their doors. A Bottler's wife at Alfredton could find no water when her house took fire the other day. She ran at once to the dairy, and, promptly seizing the pans of cool, fresh milk quenched the flames. The police have lately been raiding the Chinese opium dens in Melbourne. Two Chinamen recently were sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment, and two girls they kept there each received three months. We are informed by Mr Doherty, Tinwald' that the chief dairy expert will arrange to address a meeting at Tinwald within the next three weeks, due notice of which will appear in the local papers. Friend t "You took your son into your establishment some months ago to teach him the business, I understand. How did it turn out?" Business man (wearily): " Sreat success. He's teaching me now." " Woman's rights!" explained a man when the subject was broaohed; "what more rights do they want? My wife bosses me, my daughter bosses us both, and the servant bosses the whole family. It's time the men were allowed some more rights." The Government dairy expert, Mr Valen tine, who has just returned to Wellington from a North Island tour, says that he hopes shortly to see refrigerators up in the various butter faotories. At Hawke's Bay he was assured by various of the run-holders that they would go in for dairying when the milking machine was perfected. During the regatta at Picton the town was transformed into a miniature Henley. Con testants wearing the blazers of their clubs were to be seen everywhere and the many ex-champions were also conspicuous in the Association maroon coats and caps. The number of competitors was over 100, and there must have been another fifty oarsmen accompanying the crews. An action for damages for malicious pro secution, in which a son proceeded against his father, 'was concluded in the Supreme Court in Sydney on the 21st ultimo, the jury awarding the plaintiff £800 damages. The case was a most painful one, and Mr Justice Innes urged the parties to settle it out of Court to avoid making the miserable details public, but the parties refused to do so. A Yankee critic thus announces the advent of Miss Delia Fox, a new comic opera artist: "I think Miss Fox should succeed- Her hair ia the colour of a new clothes-line, her limbs are as plump as autumnal sausages, and she can bleat a comic song like a lamb calling for break fast. She has all the attributes of success, and I guess she ib a good investment for managers." On Good Friday night a woman entered an-Oamaru hotel (says the local " Mail") with a billy, and demanded beer. The publican in a sudden access of Puritanic Sabbatarianism, and perhaps a trifle sus picious of the lady's bona fides, took the billy outside and filled it with milk, and replacing the lid, returned it. Subsequently, on seeing the lady joined outside by two piohibitionists, he turned round and patted his own back at his astuteness. In one of the London workhouses is a former prima-donna ot the Royal Italian Opera, a woman who made thousands of pounds annually by her voice, and ultimately came down to singing in low public houses in seaport towns. She refused the offer of a charitable person to take her out of the workhouse to teach children singing. Another inmate is one who was a sort of lay preacher. He gave away every penny of £15,000 amongst the poor, is of singular habits, and will not leave the workhouse. Stags are numerous at Lake Fawea, and in the deer forest there some really magni ficent royal beads were got during the first three opening days of this season. The sportsmen out got stags as follows :—Messrs J. Handyside 3, J, M. Gray 3, J. Roberts 1, Sherman 1, C. Turnbull 1, C. Studholme 2, D. Maclean 3. This it will be noted surpasses similar sport in Scotland, and should be ' sufficiently inviting to rifle shots to try their skill at big game shooting in the most picturesque part of N°w Zealand, and which is also easy of access, j The French statesman, M. Lockroy, who has recently been causing a considerable amount of uneasiness in France by his severe criticisms of the navy of that country, is a son-in-law of the celebrated Victor Hugo. His career hag been of a most remarkable and romantic character. At one time he was private secretary to M. Ernest Renan, the author of "The Life of Jesus." In this capacity M. Lookroy took part in that famous author's tour in the Holy Land. After that he served with Garibaldi in Sicily, and then, returning to his native France, took to j journalism and politics. As a journalist he has undergone two terms of imprisonment— j to say nothing of mere fines, and as a politician he has held a portfolio in several of the short but eventful French Ministries. He has also fought a duel with M. Paul de Cassagnac. Colonel Robert Haokett, familiarly known iv the neighborhood of Birr as •• the blind Colonel," died at his residence, Riverstown, County Tipperary, on December 30. Hia death at the comparatively early age of fifty four is directly due to the efiects of fearful injuries received in the Zulu campaign. Besides quite a host of minor wounds, he received a shot in the head, which took rather a remarkable course* The bullet, entering the outer corner of the right eye, passed out by the left, destroying both organs. He was a£ thp time leading the 90th Regiment at the battle of Uluadi, which it will be remembered, brought to a close the Zulu campaign. He was for some hours among the dead on the field, and it was by accident that he was not in his unconscious stjate buried alive. Hqwoway'3 P-iUiS.- Sudden transitions from heat to cold, or from raw inclement weather to oppressive climates, favor the development of manifold diseases, which may in most instances be checked and ren dered abortive by an early resort to these purifying, regulating, and strengthening pills. This well-known and highly esteemed medicine affords a safe and easy remedy for almost every constitutional wrong which unhealthy climates, rapid changes, or dietetic errors, can engender, and effectually removes any weakness or self-indulgent habits may have induced. In all apathy, listle&sness, and restletjsnjeas, Holloway's Pills will prove especially" serviceable in begetting ' the vivacity of mind' and body appreciated by bojbh sound and sick.

BRAZII.

Rio de Janiero, April 7. A rebel squadron has forced an en trance into Hio Grande harbour.

The Liquor Riots.

New York, April 8. South Carolina is quieting down, and the proclamation declaring martial law has been revoked.

Behring Sea.

—— •>. Washington, April 7. The President has signed the award in connection with the Bearing Sea Fisheries.

The Pennsylvanian Riots

Few York, April 7 One hundred and fifty of the rioters in Pennsylvania have been arrested on charges of riot and murder.

ROAD BOARD.

WAKANUI.

The monthly meeting of the Wakanui Road Board was held on Saturday. Present—Messia M. Bruce, chairman, G. Coe, and D. Leddy. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Ashburton Deng Company, giving quotations for poisoned wheat for the coming season. From Mr M. Miller, requesting that Mr Archibald Lusk's name be put on the valuation roll of the district hv R.S. 7900, 10413,14494. and 7901, in lieu of hia. Also from Mr T. Bullock, agent for Mr H. Brittain, in forming the Board that he had sold lots 41 and 51, part R.S. 25108 to Mrs Kate Madden, and Asking that her name may |be substituted on the roll for Mr H. Brittain. Both alterations to be made after the present outstanding rates are paid. overseer's beport. The Overseers report was read and approved, after consideration by the Board. WAKANUI ROAD. The repairing of this road was post poned for consideration until next meet ing ; the Clerk in the meanwhile to inspect and form an estimate of the shingle re quired and report accordingly. LEVBIi CROSSING OVER RAILWAY. j The Clerk having reported what was the usual custom for defraying the cost of making a level crossing over the railway, —it was revived thattheroatfcer be deferred until the July meeting of the Board had been held. TENDERS, Tenders were opened for the purchase for removal of the Board's cottages on the Wakanui road, and the following wore accepted :— "Reserve 1412, one cottage, Mr "K. Thomas; reserve 1768, one cottage, Mr TG. Thomas ; reserve J7BB, one cottage, Mr T. Cavill, junr. RESERVES. The Clerk was instructed to \dvertise for lease the Board's reserves for a *erm of five years at an annual rental. PAYMENT. Accounts amnuntin? to £14 43 5d having been passed for payment, and after some bu^in^s of minor and routine importance, the Board adjourned.

SPORTING.

Dunkdin, April 8. The following nominations have been received for the May meeting :— Hurdles (first day), of 70 soys. Two miles.—Ben, Silvertail, Msiton, Seaward, Nenthorne, Empire, Invader, Lupus, Billy, Enn-go-Bragh, Victory, Smuggler, Rebel. Tradesmen's Handicap, of 120 soys. One mile —Black Cloud, Captive, Bay Bell, P.P.C , Au Kevoir, Maribyrnong, Reflector, Blizzard, The Winchman, Vostengang, War tington, Wolseley, Dunoon, Lady Spencer, Dora, Remembrance, Skirmisher, Hippo menes, Forbury, Throne, Mount Royal, Aldershofr, Exile. Hurdles (aecoad day) of 60 soya. One mile and a half,—Same as first day, with the addition of Outram and Jack Harkaway. St Clair Handicap, of 110 soys. Seven furlongs—Ben, Nenthorne, Kmpire, Cap tive, Birmtrdo, Douglas, Mariner, Lupus, P.P.C, Maribyrnong, Reflector, Rancor, The WinchmaD, Brin, Wheedler, S^eelah, Wa-rington, Wolseley, Crown Prince, Dunoon, Lady Spencer, Remembrance, Dora, Skirmisher, Throne, Occident, Tempest, Mount Royal, Aldershot, Dunbar, Exile, Nomad, Stockfish,

CABLE ITEMS.

Mr Garrard, solicitor, of Evesham, has failed, with liabilities amounting to £300,000. During March the British imports show an increase of £1,200,000, and the exports a decrease of £1,300,000. Mr Huddart states that he feels disposed to make Southampton tha terminal point of the Atlantic service. The German Chancellor has decided to mint additional silver to the value of twenty million marks (a million ster ling) As the result of a visit to Smith field, Sir Thos. Mcllwraith expressed surprise at the inferior quality of Queensland beef as compared with American. " The Times " considers the colonial opposition to penny postage quite in telligible, but that perhaps a reduction may be possible at the next revision of rates by the Postal Union. The King of Italy and the Emperor of Germany had a brilliant reception at their meeting in Venice. In re sponse to the demands of the crowd they appeared on a balcony of the palace and bowed their acknowledg ments. Owing to Western Australia making no response to the Salvation Army's proposal to establish an oversea colony there, General Booth now contemplates setting it up in Paraguay, from tha Government of which country, it is said, he has received encouragement. Almost daily new gold discoveries, with splendid returns, are reported from the Toowong Reefs, in the Albury district, while gold has been found in Gulgong. An assay of stone brought from Sudest, New Guinea, yielded at the rate of 620z to the ton. A representative of an English pro rision merchant has already purchased about £50,000 worth of butter for the ensuing Home season. He states that the high prices which ruled last year were due to the abnormally bad season, and it would not be right to encourage exporters in the idea that they will get the same rates next season. At the Colonial Institute, Mr Inglis, a New South Wales legislator, read a paper on the Economic Development of Australian Enterprise, and dwelt, especially on new industries and sub tropical crops. He said the influx of farmers into the central division $f New South Wales, and the epe.n^ng u,p of the naallee irrig^tiqn co.lon.ies, had been a|t^nde^ with gneat suocess, and he declared that co-operative dairying, frozen meat, and artesian wells had added a new province to Australia as large as Matabele. Land, and without bloodshed]

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Lonoos, April 7. i The defection of the Parnellites is causing the Government serious i anxiety. The Radical members are, much incensed at the Chancellor o£ the Exchequer claiming private members time for the whole of the session. Dissension is said to be increasing among the followers of Mr Justin McCarthy. A section of the Cabinet is resenting the pressure brought on the Govern ment by Ministerial factions.

The Colony's Liquor Bill.

The following comparative table, quoted from statistics laid before the annual meet ing of the New Zealand Alliance last week, shows the quantity of liquor consumed in the colony for the last four years, its total cost to the purchaser, and its cost per head of the population: | 1

The Licensing Polls.

Mr P. B. Fraser writing to the Oamaru •■ Mail" says of the polls for Waitaki, Oamaru, and Waihemo :—"There can be no doubt that Major Eeddel should have counted the informal votes io the Waitaki poll. In hia declaration he says, *' 2087 ballot papers were issued to the voters." And in his rolls he has recorded the names of these 2087 voters, any of whom had they voted a second time, he would have sent to gaol. Therefore these 2087 voted, Bub for anything to be car ried, there must be an absolute majority of the total number of votes recorded at the poll and marked on the roll. Now, the poll was—For publicans' licenses: Remain 771, reduce 111, no license 869. Of coarse, neither of these is a majority of " the 2087 ballot papers issued to the voters." But neither is the number for "reduction" added to "no license," namely 980, a majority of 2087- Conse quently nothing is carried ! "Neither things as they are, nor reduction, nor no license ! Regarding the Oamaru poll, whatever view is taken of the informal votes, that is, even counting them in, there is an absolute majority for reduction as already declared." On the same principle Mr [ Fraser contends that prohibition was car ried in Waihemo and suggests that ap plication should be made to the Courts to compel the returning officer to declare ac cordingly.

SAMOA.

Auckland, April 6. The " New Zealand Herald's " Samoan correspondent says under date March 27 • —Ifc is now reported that the Aana re bels who had retreated to SatapuaJa have returned to tha firafc position they had at Faleasin and hare again entrenched them selves. The overtures of peace made by tha Government at the request of the Consuls will only be accepted by Aana conditioaally on the rebels being allowed to retain their arms and ammunition. It is not likely that the Government will mike this concession, and as it is morally certain that the rebels will persist in re taining their guns, the efforts to restore peace will be futile. It seems to be understood by both parties that active hostilities are to be resumed next week. when the rebel position at Faleasin will be again attacked. Ataa has openly avowed its attention of coming to Apia ostensibly as a neutral force if fighting continues Should this intention be carried out, very serious trouble will inevitably ensue, as it is certain to eventuate in a rupture with the Tuamasaga. There was a cry raised last night, shortly after twelve o'clock, that Mulinuu was about »o be attacked. A man came running from the seat of Go vernment along the streets of Apia, crying out Uiat Atua boats were approaching Mulinuu with warlike intentions. In a few minutes the whole town was alive with Tuamasaga warriors rushing down to the peninsula, to meet an attack. Drums even were- beaten and bugle 3 blowing in all directions. The excite* ment was intense for more than an hour, and then it became evident that that also was a false alarm. It had transpired that on the evening of the day on which the first encounter in the present war took place Chief Justice Ida addressed a fono or council of Samoan Chief?, reminded them that, although a law had been passed pro hibiting decapitation in warfare, yet, in defiance of the law. heads had been taken that day. He would sooner or later see that the offenders were arrested and punished by the Supreme Court. Mr R. L. Stevenson defends both the ordinance and the oonduat of the Ohief Justice, but uuny persons consider the law a mis chievous one, and the address of the Chief Justice, as a most extraordinary one for a person occupying a judicial position, and as likely also to do much practical harm.

Running a Newspaper.

Jim Jones, he was an editor ; tHat is, he tried to be: He bought himself a hand press, an' he started in to see Jes' what there was in editin*, but whan he canvassed 'round Some fifteen hundrad editors in that same town he found. They all knew more about it than Jones could hope to know : They told him : ** You must run her, Jones, just so an' so an' so. Be sure and boom the Baptists, they're bound to help yon out, And give the good old Methodists a big ealraljon about. Give every mana.notioe: be sure and put it down Whenever Major Jinks is seen perambu late the town: Pat in a few free locals for all the stores, and give Each man a free subscription, if you want your sheeb to live. Well, Jones, he done jes 1 as they aaifl, for fear they'd make a row j But the more he tried to please "em alt, th» niore they told; him how, Until at last he took his book and laid it on the shelf; Then run the paper in the ground, an* follered it himself.

JULES VERNE.

Who is there who has not heard of Jules Verne ? or who has not at one time of his life been carried away by the charming manner in which tbis author has made the impossible read as though it were simple truth ? A few weeks ago Jules Verne arrived at the age of sixty six, and ie is an odd coincidence that he has just written sixty-six books. His one regret is that he has never taken any place in French literature. Though his fame is world-wide, though the sale of hia books is a matter of millions, he, like Emile Zola, has never been able to win the blue riband of the French 1 iterary world—election fco the Academy. '• I do not count in French literature," is his frequent lament. Born in 1828 at Nantes, by parentage half Parisian, half Breton, Verne began wiiting at the age of twelve. He wrote nothin* but poetry at that time—" dreadful poetry "he calls it now. Strange as it may seem, he has never been much of 1 a scientist, though to judge from his works one would take hint for a Faraday or a Flammarion. Proceed ing to Paris, and to the Quartier Latin, Verne fell in with Alex&ndre Dumaa fih, and the two became close friends. At the age of twenty-five the famous author published his "Five Weeks in a Balloon," and his other famous works followed in quick succession. Verne is a man who has never looked back and there is "still plenty of work in him," he declares.

"His Rivirence!"

A solicitor's clerk was collecting evidence of clerical intimidation of voters in a certain constituency in Ireland. He bad questioned many voters without eliciting anything of much importance, until he came to an old man who had not voted. "And why did you not vote," asked the clerk. " Well, thin, sur," was the reply, "it was all His Rivirence's doing." " Ah, his reverence," said the clerk, brighten ing up. " And what did he do to prevent you?" "I was working in the yard," said the old man, " whin he suddenly burst into it, and chased ma into the barn, and kept n»e there until it was too late to vote." " And are you ready to swear that his reverence forcibly prevented you from voting ?'* asked the clerk " I am, sor," was the reply, " and there are others who can swear to it, too." " That is sufficient," said the clerk " I have not time, to go into particulars now, but there will be a gentleman here in a few days to whom you can tell everything." So important was old Pat's evidence con sidered, that the next day the solicitor in the case drove ten miles in a blind ing rainstorm to interview him. Pat repeated the same story, with the ad dition that he considered himself lucky in escaping as he did. "You appear greatly afraid of your priest," said the solicitor, a little surprised. "The praste!" exclaimed Pat. "Arrah, sure it is not the praste I'm tallying about at all, at all ; it's Phil Hogan's bull! Faix, I thought everyoae knew Phil's bull, which we call ' Hia Rivirence!'" The feelings of the solicitor may be imagined.

The Loan and Mercantile.

London, April 7- In the examination before Justice Williams, Mr Paul, the London manager of the New Zealapd Loan and Mercantile Company, virtually ad mitted that there was nothing in the new form of debentures to notify the change to the holders. The Board, he said, was well aware that there was no special security. While negotiating with Baron Schroeder the Company issued a considerable quantity of de bentures on the old basis. In reply to the Judge, Mr Paul said he was un able to explain why at the time of the Schroeder issue the Directors failed to clearly indicate that the old holders were not secured. He said Mr Lark worthy's report had been postponed 4a deference to the wishes of Mr Thomas Russell, and it had not been, investi gated. He added that Mr Barker in 1892 reported a deficit of £690,000, The Board had not discussed the pro priety of specific mention being made in the report, that of 1892-1893, of the Company's holding £393,000 worth of the debentures of the New Zealand Land Association.

Fire at Rakaia.

I [From, our own Cor««ponJtent,l On Saturday night, shortly before twelve o'clock, an alarm was gWen that the flour rail! was on fire, ftTidfrom the hold it had thweia little doubt that id had been burning for some time. Mr 0. North, the proprietor, states that he locked up about six o'clock, and every thing appeared to be safe. No one was in the building afterwards, and how the fire originated is another mystery. The building was of iron and strongly built, and the machinery In first-class order. The only insurance is £300 in the London, Liverpool and Globe, covering the build ing and some of the plant. Mr North, had some machinery lately put in, and his loss will be vary considerable. Be sides the building and plant, there was a considerable quantity of grass seed, oats, wheat, and flour completely destroyed, moat of it belonging to farmers in th© district. Fortunately there was no wind during the night or other buildings adjacent would have caught fire. As ifc was, had It not been for a few willing hands, amongst whom Mr Kountree did good work, Mr North's cottage close to must have been burnt. About mid-day on Sunday a sfceady nor'-wester blew, bat as there were no buildings in line, there was no fear of further damage. About* half-past five, however, the wind chopped round co the south-east and south-west,, and blew heavily, and ib was thought tsha& sparks would catch the gorse fenc» oppo site, and a fQw houses near to. The small hap.<ipump and hose was kept going* and buckets of water carried till'the raia panm on, and kept the smouldering heap* in bounds. Great sympatay is felt for Mr North, who suffers severely, and is highly respected in the district. Nothing was saved except a hand barrow, grindstone* five sacks of grass need, and Mr North managed to secure his books, but lost many papers.

THE ASHBUETUft GUARDIAN: MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1894.



Spirits, at £2 per gallon. Cost to Cost per Galls, purchaser, head 1890 .* 438,325 £866,650 £17 9 1891 ... 439,924 879,884 17 9 1892 ... 458,332 916,664 18 2 1893 ... 465,197 930,394 17 8 Wines, at £2 per gallon. 1890 ... 115,088 230,176 0 7 4 1891 ... 108,066 216,132 0 610 1892 ... 111,709 223,418 0 610 1893 ... 112,122 224,244 0 6 8 Imported beer, at 6s per gallon. 1890 ... 264,746 79,424 0 2 6 1891 ... 247,659 74,298 0 2 4 1892 ... 261,853 78,556 0 2 5 1893 ... 229,959 68,988 0 2 1 Colonial beer, at 4s per gallon. 1890 ... 4,676,240 935,248 1 910 1891 ... 4,567,920 913,584 1 810 1892 .... 4,752,640 950,528 19 3 1893 .., 4,873,544 974,709 19 0 Grand total—Spirits, wines and beer. 1891 ... 5,363,587 2,083,898 a 5 9 1892 ... 5,584,534 2,169,166 3 6 8 1893 ... 6,680,822 2,198,335 3 5 5



Business Notices. I . . | Special Prices for this Month; AT G. J. Neill and 00/s THE CHEAPEST HOUSE IN ASHBURTON FOR DMAF£RT, CLOTHING, AND BOOTH Long Lace Curtains 1, 9d pair Double Width Dress Goods tyd Cr tonne 3Jtd Dress Goods os lid dcz j Strong Ticking 6Jd He»v Forfar 6Jd CLOTHING. CULOXiUING. Kg?__3«aartft. _sja_ss*-_ «.-*■ »ow 29s 6d 9sdp«* BOOTS. BOOTH, In Boots we defy competition, all our Boots are made speoially to onrorder. We guarantee every pair to give satisfaction; Woman's Elastic-side Boots B S 6d, now Men; 8 Balmoral Boots 10s 6d, now 7s lid K iij Men s xJiuoners os t»J«n ■ Ttid Shoes 7s lid, now 5» lid Men's Nailed Shooters 10s 6d, now s lid WoS £J*i^S6?3!owß.lld Wren's Carpet Slippers Is 6d OhJldren's Patent Leather Shoes and SHppera in Endless Variety at G. J. NEILL AND GO'S, FRIEDLANDER'S CORNER TERMS CASH. By Royal 3ft§ Letters Patent, JOSEPH FORD'S Scour and Lung Worm Mixture. THE RENOWNED SHEEP MEDICINES. &OTHILL, WATSON & 00. Offices, Esk Street Warehouse Railway. Invercargill. V.Z. 6th March We have been selling Ford's Lung Worm Mixture for the paat four years, and the reeultt obtained from ita use. -^ hWrfallff Tothill. Watson Co, reports from all who have used it. .^ Wright, Stephe son and Co. MRK FERMMAN, Ashburtou June 12, 1893. As the mixture appears to be steadily growing in favor hew, it miffhtbe aa welifco sendf anotheiffew ■ «SJ. - aome of the runs are now buymg a case at a t.me.~tfours faithfully^ t^ Marlboroagh;fartners » Co-Cperati^e Assoeia^io^Limit^ The United farmers' Alliance, Limited, Wellington, Branches; Wanganui, Palmerston North. We bay. had no complaint, from those.who■ taw> used the tttiltttre, so c.nnot but conclude that it has *iven satisfaction. -Yon- Genflral Manag6f> CLOVBB_SBBD ss aJ ] CBR ide ( I BEG TO NOTIFY to the Fanner* o» LADIES' NURSE, the Ashburton l>*s^«ct tha* t have purchased a new CLOVKLt ERKWM** Burnett Streer West (a few doors from and SHELLKft, with all latest improve Drillshed), ments,and shall be prepared to thre«ft ASHBURTON. Clover on and after May 3 next. BO BEBT "mEACLEM, IIU REWARD £10. f_f^ — ASHBURTON SHEEP FARMERS, MUTUAL PROTECTION SOCIETY. B. EA L _L H TB A A reward l 0 -offered by Wandering afar o er^»B^ I*^% 8 n ea a 8 ir 5 above Society for such information as will Sighing in softnesn, murmuring in air, _ * Comes the desire for Health imparting floWiot|on rf n foand Teas, Fragrant in flavor, with aroma rare, }lty rf RHEEp sraA LING in the wealth. -_,»— , ~. •—• Blended with flavor that on the tutta ne er -H«»f£.-«... won ». M> - "othlnir Factory. place deserved, —- I«drunk in cottage homes and pUacehalla aboUfc for 8 go(jd HEALTH TEA HEALTH TEA 1 Waterproof Coat for the Winter. .Heaithlea'' cures induction. CALL AT THE FACTORY Oiher teas cause it. w EAgT STREET< " " "~ "" "" KLEOT YOUR OWN PATTERN. Speoi&l Consignment over 100.to choose from. * No perished goods in stock. " AH sewn seams. DIRECT from the Manufacturers, Waterproof Coats with Cape I iniFO' Mil n DIUPQ Waterproof Coat Macfarlane LAUlto UULU nlBUO) Waterproof Fishing Outfit cold bsooch:s, «S3SS » °'pc Waterproof Riding; Aprons COLD BANGLES, In plain Gold, and s,t With Diamonds, gp EOWL BP E6|AL SPECIAL Rubies, Sapphires and ftark. WATERPROOFS A large and very choice stock of newest LADIES WATERPROOFS designs jabt received-- LADIES' WATERPROOFS Bought for Cash, DIRECT FROM THE MANUFAOTUBIiR in England at MADE TO MEASURE, a liberal discount, will be ofteied at SSL'*" ™" LOWER '" NEW ZBAUBD 8. Salek, CLOTHING FACTORY WATCHMAKER and JEWELLER, j AND ASHBURTON. W ATE RPR' OF MANFACTURERS . ALEX- HEWDRT, XF yotrr «lij)d is troubled : nothing tjise Manager, will ewe th,© tr©ubles bo thoroughly away as Heal* Efa. Try it.—Henry



Wanted \ jj» EVIE W of RiftviewTfor March, bound *-*' volume in ; The Kingdom of God is waiting you ; Tolstoi, and other new books.-—H. M. Jones. pAT~HOLIO Prayers, Prayer and // Hymns, Bibles, in various styles and bindings.—H. M. Jones. W~ANTED Known-iTw'Pantfts lid, Flannel Shirts 3s 9d. Worsted Socks 6d per pair. —Arcade House 425 VI7ATCHES, Clocks, etc., (all guaran 1 '* teed) at wholesale coat for one month only, Now's your time.—Lums- I den's. 3 219 TXT ANTED Known—The whole of the * stock to be sacrificed by order of the Purchaser, Arcade House. 4 26 VI v ANTED—Buyers for High-class V V Knglish Oyclec, Ladies' and Gentlemen's Safatieß, light and rigid, reliable pneumatic tyres. Low price; cash.—Walker. 3 155 TXTANTED Known — Men's strong ) »▼ Tweed Suits from 16s 6i; shirts from 2s 6d,—Arcade House. 4 24 /CHOICE Ornaments, Folding Screens, \J Own make in Ladies' and Children's Underclothing, Aprons, and Pinafores.— Mrs Aloorn, Saunders' Buildings. SALE now on—White Calico 2a lid per doaen, Towels 2s 6d per doaen, Lace, Curtains, from Is lid per pair, at Arcade House. 4 27



FRED. S. JEFFRIES, Mannfaotur ing Confectioner, has opened a Shop in East street, next v The Corner,'g for sale of all kinds of superior Con fectionery. Nothing inferior ecld. No cheap cigarettes. 3§114 fTT"ANTED Known—All goods in Show » * Room to be slaughtered at any price.—Arcade Fouse. 4 28 WflY grumble about the price of Bread and Meat when you oan get 601b best Roller Flour for 4s and good Fresh Butter at 6d per lb at R. Alcoen's sale, Saunders Buildings. 3 116 j RUSHED Oats, 5s per sack. All ' -' kinds of Farm and Mill Produce cheap for cash.—J. Thomas, Havelock street. ______» WANTED Known—Tomatoes, good ripe Grapes, Plums, Apples, etc., at Makbdjbn's Fruit Shop, below Mitchell and Turner's. 2 109 OYSTERS and Fresh Fish of all sorts arrive evening per express at Deep Sea Fishing Oo.'a Shop, Burnett street Ashburton 2 62 BALE8 ALE at Melfori House still on until j further notice.—H, 0. Segjsrs. | ON'T Forget to send your Bicycles along to the Old Kindergarten to be repaired, at moderate rates. IF you want first-class fruit go to Adams for Fiji, Tahiti, Auckland and Sydney Oranges, Citrons, Lemons, etc. WANTED Known.—ln consequence of the scarcity of money, we have extended our Sale till further notice. — H. 0. Segers, Melfoid House. MEDICAL Coils made and repaired on the shortest! notice at easy prices at A, J. Walker's, Old Kinder garten. W"~~A NTI D Known^That" A. J Walkek repairs Bicycles, Sewing Machines, Lawn Mowers, Medical Ooils, and all descriptions of light machinery. sale Whe Holidays a varied assortment of Toys, Dolls, Prams, Fancy Goods, and Christmas Presents—Saundera Buildings. "\ I/"ANTED Known—wTHTc'rauEß^s VV noted four-clasp Kid Gloves, 2s 6d. have ]U3t arrived in ai siz«s. WANTED Known —Wa*erproof Rugs and Aprons, Heavy Trap Rugs from 4? 9d, Heavy Grey Blankets 9a 6d.— —MiTCffEiXAND Turner. DON'T wash yourself. Tifan Soap does the work. No rubbing. No machines. I 182 \\ /ANTED Known.—Waterproofs to /V measure, all styles und patterns Latflsn shapes and designs in stock.— Mitchell & Tubnbk. WANTED Known—Spectacles, Eye Protectors, Goggles, Folders, and everything in the optical me at S. Ssxeic's, Optician. WANTED Known.— Men s Heavy Ribbed ail wool Pants 5s 6d, Heavy Knitted bocks, double heels and toee, Is.—Mitchell and Turner. WANTED Known—To make room for Spring Boots I will give ten per cent for cash. Repairs dene at once cheaper than ever to stay bad times over at J. Moisos's, Premier Bootmaker. "TTy ANTED Known-—The Corner is VV showing a magnificent New Stock of Drapery and Clothing.-—W, H. Collier, BANG ! Bang s 5»n S i My new sea son's stock of Ammunition to hand Kley's, Kynock's and, Oluo Cartridges, Powder, Shot, Caps, Wads, Cases and all sporting materials of the first quality at J. W. Hardley'B, Gun Emporium. HKaLTH TEA is more economical than ordinary tea. It undergoes a process whereby the injurious Ingre dien's are eliminated, whilst it renders the release cf the better properties of the leaf more easy. Henry Zander, Autho riaed Agent. GUNS ! Guns 1 Guns I My new stock of Guns just to hand direct from the manufactures. Double and Single Barrel Breech Leaders, Rifles, etc. In spection invited. No old stock to select from at J. W. Eardley's Sporting Repository. TT^XTKNSION of Sale at Melford -I— House. We are still selling nearly all our Goods, with New Stock added, at reduced prices.—H. C Severs. ■VTOTICE ! Notice j Sport for djjh j JLN Guns let out on hire or sold on time payments. H&ving a professional Gunsmith on the premises, I undertake to repair Guns or any description, Gun fittings in stock. Prices low.—J. W Hardley, Ironmonger, etc. BUYS' three garment long trouser Suits for 10i. Men's Colonial made nailed Shooter Boots at 7a 6d per pair at R. ALCorn's sale, Ashburton Clothing Mart, Saunders' Buildings, 1115 MJJ John Marsdkn, of the Railway Bookstall, has opened a Book and i Stationer's Shop two doors below Mitchell and Turner. Books and Stationery at the lowest possible prices. Books cfean, complete, and in good order will be taken in exchange. Circulating library. ! PASTER £fyrds» and Booklets, Fire |v Scr,eeius jPjcWsa. Glass Ornaments, Christmas Ca'.ds, Criqket a^d Lawn Tennis Material, Photo Albums, and Frames, and hundreds of other articles ■are to be sold at a great sacrifice for Cash Lducing this month only at L. F. Msjrefw jss go. Stationers' Hall.



HEALTH TEA. "Delightful, «• Wholesome," Refreshing." All Grooenk Wholesales



DOLLAR CIOARETTES-Fraest Ameri can Tobacco, —Henry Zander, Wholesale Agent



DOLLAR CIGARETTE^. — 3d. Ko. holders or photos. —Bjh^Y Z^ndbb, Whole



f^ OOD afternoon Mrs SmitSw Xfefr *"T feeling well 1 Havife a cup of Health Tea ! Nothing so invigorating and strengthening!. My word; Mr» Brown, thia ia simply lovely! Whole sale and retail st Zander's.



mBEftE is only one quality of Health JL Tea and that is the best. Ask yoar grocer for it, and see that yoa get it»— Us>:RX^4Xi»t;B k \VhQlfißijQAg«n4