Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1894. THE BARE MAJORITY.

Writing on the result of the local option poll in New Zealand, but more particularly on the doings and sayings of the members of the New Zealand Alliance at their annual meeting in Wellington, the lf Sydney Morning Herald " said:—" Judging by the ordinary history of events, it may be expected that rapidity in pressing the views of the extremists will lead to a reaction, and that temperance reform will be thrown back instead of hastened by precipitate action." It is tlie looker-on always who sees most of the game, and those who are with hot en thusiasm urging the adoption of a bare majority in place of a three-fifths majority in settling the question of license or no license at local option polls, would do well to consider the position. No one will deny that the Act requires amendment, but we are not with those who think amendment should be made here. It is unreason able, we think, to demand that half the voters on the roll should come to the poll. If one half of the voters care so little about how the question is to be decided as to refrain from voting altogether, or rather not trouble them selves to vote, those indifferent and unpatriotic people have no right to be considered, and ought not to be made factors in the solution of the problem, But the three-fifths majority is a pro vision of the Act which we hope will be retained—that is, after it has been made clear, beyond the possibility of any doubt at all in the matter, as to what a three-fifths majority means. If it means as the Ashburton returning officer holds it means that the teeto tallers must poll four to one of those who vote "continue," then we hold that the handicap is too heavy and makes the game a " moral*" as sporting men would say, for the publicans. But if it uieans that if the votes polled by the no license party are in number as three to two of their opponents, then we advocate its retention. Take for instance the Ashburton vote. Out of 3500 or thereby names on the roll, 2000 over came to the poll—something more than half. Take the first figures of the totals on each of the three ques tions voted on, and we find that the no license vote was 9, the continue 6, and the reduction 1. For reduction this was as 10 to 6, for prohibition 9 to 6 or 3 to 2, and this should surely be substantial enough. We have more faith in the good sense of Parliament than to believe for an instant that it will entertain the bare majority' pro posal for a moment, and if the Alliance would think for a little what it is asking for, the proposal would not b« made^ Let the question by all meanß be decided by those who vote—not by those who do not vote ; but let us re tain the substantial majority of three to two before we have to adopt such a drastic cure for our thirst as the closing of all the houses licensed to quench it. A substantial majority always carries with it respect, and if the licenses were to be withheld on the vote of a bare majority at the poll, the law would be deprived of much of its power—all its power in deed, for it would not have behind it that strong moral support which the sanction would give it of the voice of the people expressed in an overwhelm ing majority at the polls. If the prohibitionists persist in this, to our seeming;, unwise demand, they will do their cause more harm than good. Let them get rid of the balf-roll proviso if they can, but if they keep clamoring for a removal of the three fifths restriction they will alienate many friends whose support they now have. In no part of her Majesty's dominions have the teetotallers a better chance of seeing their hopes crowned than they have in New Zealand under this Act, and they would act wisely if, after securing reasonable amendments, they were content with what remained. A contemporary draws a comparison between what is promised in Sir William Vernon Harcourt's Bill and what we have here, and points out that the promised English Bill is a miser able dole alongside the New Zealand Act of last session. Our contemporary says:—ln New Zealand we have universal Sunday closing, but the English Radicals protest against " the idea of giving a bare majority of one in a densely populated neighbourhood the power to coerce the minority by depriving them of the right to the accommodation which the public houses affbjfd Q,n Sunday afternoons." In New Zealand hardly a soul dares to whisper the word "compensation," but Mr Chamberlain, sincere [reformer as he is, will have nothing to do with any jsj?flpps,aj "to destroy any trade wh^ch has bjeen carried on under the sanction jpf the law without; gjvjng full co«ipessatiQn." Jn New Zealand the local veto applies tQ aU houses where intox* J*ting ltyuor is sold j prohibition means prohibition ) *>Ut §ir William Harcourt, whose Bill the temperance organisations gratefully accept, pro poses 0 estempt " hotels " as distinct from mere liquor shops, so that, provided a district is nojt wf tijwut p hotel, no such thing as genuine prohi bition will be possible. In England, again, thousands of working men and ardent Eadicals protest, as the depu tation protested before Mr Chamber lain, against ft an unwarrantable at tempt by the teetotal party toy control i * f

individual liberty for the supposed benefit of the habitual drunkard, whose depraved appetite was to be used as a weapon for the destruction of human freedom." No doubt in New Zealand these views also find frequent expression, but those who entertain them have not been success ful in withstanding the grant of large powers of restriction and prohibition,

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Iman of Muscat p-aeesses a pearl weighing 2J carats, through which you can see daylight; it is worth about L 30,000. From 1638 to 1652 musket balls were used as currency in New England at a valuation of {d apiece, and wore a legal tender up to one shilling. i Mrs Jessie Russell, a New York lady, is I still alive at the age of 105 years. Her sight is described as excellent, and she reads the newspapers daily. The bells of all the parish churches in Brussels rang on Friday, January 19, as they ! have done every year since 1095, to celebrate the return of the Crusaders from the Holy Land. At the Christchurch Police Court yester day, Edward Parkerson, accountant to the late firm of Harper and Co,, was charged on six informations with the embezzlement of sums amounting in the aggregate to £1050, 1 the property of the firm. He was committed ' for trial, bail being allowed in £1000, and two sureties ef £500 each. There are some queer corners and nooks in rural England. A country parson lately ! went to preach in a remote parish one Sun day. The old sexton, in taking him to the place, deprecatingly said—"l hope your riv'rence won't mind preachin* from the chancel. Ye see this ia a quiet place, and I've got a duck sitting' on fourteen egga in the pulpit." In the case of Grimm and Co., oi Ham" burg, v John Manttan, of Wellington, claim £55 12s, with respect to a consign ment of Austrian chairs seized by the Cus toos, Mr Justice Richmond said the invoice was not fraudulent, but it was clearly artificial; Section 51 of the Customs Act did not fit the present case. Judgment would be for the amount of the bill, with costs, execution to be stayed for fourteen days, so that the counter claim might be tried, when the question of the costs of the counter claim would be dealt with. In a recent licensing case which came be- j fore the Courtj a discussion, occupying some time, took place as to the meaning of the expressions " drunk," " drunkenness," and " intoxication." The learned counsel on both sides proffered numerous interpretations, and eventually his Honor said he believed that a definition of drunkenness had recently been given by a learned Judge in the follow, ing terms:— " He is not drunk who irom th<3 floor Can rise and drink, and ask far more ; I But drunk is he who prostrates lies, Without the strength to drink or rise." , A meeting of the Cabinet was held yesterday, when Dr Cahill was appointed to succeed the late Dr Henry as Chief Medical officer of the Government Life In surance department. The vacancy in the office of Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives was filled by the appoint ment of Colonel William Frasep, who represented the Thames constituency in the last parliament. Mr Thomas Bracken, the well-known poet and journalist, who repre sented Dunedin Central in the House from 1881 to 1884, was selected to succed Mr Mr E. D. O'Rourke, who last session re signed the office of bill reader in the House of Representatives. Football practice was hestrtify indulged in yesterday by lovers of the Rugby game. Sides werß chosea by Messrs E. Confer and T. Pauling, and a good match was the re* suit. Mr & rmer Orr was an efficient referee. The following will play for the Ashburton ( Football Club against Dunsandel on Satur day next:—Houston, Purchase, Prichard, A. Stewart, Johnston, and Upton, backs ; Todd, Huston, A. Williams, Baird, Hunter, Cow, C. Clarke, W. Burns, and Center, forwards ; J. Welsh, Walkei, Maxwell and Baker, emergencies. A drag will leave the Somerset corner at half-past ten sharp. Any of the above team who are unable to go, are particularly requested to let Mr J. Wilson know at once. We are to be favored with another visit from Lyons' Operatic Burlesque Company, who, it will be remembered, included Ash button in their tour south about three months ago. On that occasion they were not patronised to the full extent they deserved, as they are remarkably clever, and their performance of the burlesque, " Faust up to date," was something to be remembered as the source of much healthy amusement to thoso whe had the good fortune to see it The singing and dancing of the principal i performers were good, and the part of Mephistopheles, taken by Mr Percy Clifton, was a pour:rayal of an excellence not met with everyday. Judging from the press notices the Company have received during their southern tour, they have evidently I met with the highest appreciation of play goers, and as their dates here are the race | nights, they are bound to have good houses. On Tuesday morning about six e'clock, a fire was discovered on the Greemtreet farm of Mr Edwin Church, among a stack of threshed wheat. The sacks of wheat were covered with straw, and the tire took its. rise on the north-west side, and helped by the north-west breeze blowing very soon had a good hold of the grain. Mr Church was up jshortly before daylight, and saw from his yard a tongue of flame shoot up from the stacked grain* He had well on to half a mile to run, and was too late to do much good to the stack that was burn ing, but was able to prevent the fire from spreading to another stack near by. Mr George Good also saw the fire, and came to Mr Church's assistance. About 300 bushels of wheat were destroyed, or at least rendered useless for the market. Qiafortunately for Mr Church,.there was no insurance on the wheat, and he has no notion at all of how the fire arose. In notifying a hplp in the traf^c bridge on Wednesday we referred to our belief that the Borough Council would speedily have it repaired. We were quite right and our faith in the lopal powers is unshaken. The old plank was replaced by a new one almost immediately, and what would have been certain tlj have causgd an apqdent at night was pemedied. There ia one matter, however, to which we would like to call the attention of both Councils— for it is * county question. The gates at fehe entrance to the bridge might well have been erected by a prohibition party pledged to prohibit the use of that part of the bridge set aside for foot passengers. Mr Paul, when a member of the Borough Council, <iresr attpptioo to this evil some months ago, but though the rep^dy is simple the powers that be appear very apathetic in adopting it. Not one in fifty of the foot passengers crossing the bridge use the portion set a.p9.rt for them, owing to the inconveDi ence attached t# ingress and egresa through those awkward ga.teij, (

A man who died mysteriously in a London hospital the other day was found to have a needle embedded in his heart, which he is thought to have swallowed a month previ ously when eating a chop. The Christchurch *' Press " thiß morning says:—According to our Wellington corres pondent various names nave been mentioned for the Speakership. At one time it was thought that the Government would nomi nate Sir Maurice O'Rorke, but now it is supposed that Major Steward's chances are increasing. It is leported that he will be proposed by Sir Robert Stout, and supported by the Temperance party, and that the Government will not put forward a candidate*

CABLE ITEMS.

Queen Victoria received a great ovation on her arrival at Ooburg. The lfVossiche Zeitung" strongly urges Germany to permit the Aus tralian Colonies to appoint a Governor of Samoa. Sir J. S. D. Thompson says that the United States Government has refused to consider the Canadian reciprocal proposal unless through Great Britain. Eight candidates have been nomi nated for the Presidency of the French Republic. They include MM. Oarnot, Perrier, Dupuy, Lacour, and Melin. | A Frenchman, named Eugene Posset, sixty years of age, was found murdered in North Melbourne. His hands and feet were tied, and he had apparently been battered to death, There was also a gunshot wound in the body. Robbery was evidently the motive for the crime. A woman named Burgess, who resided in the same house as the murdered man, has been arrested on the nominal charge of vagrancy.

BRAZIL.

Rio de Janeiro, April 18, Admiral de Mello, at the head of twelve hundred men, has surrendered in the Argentine Republic. An explosion occurred on the Presi dent's gunboat Cabidello, when the vessel was off Belem, and fifteen of those on board were killed.

SILVER.

Washin&ton, April 18. Senator Lodge has moved to impose retaliatory duties on British and Australian goods until Great Britain agrees to the coinage and use of silver.

Sir George Grey.

London, April 17. Sir George Grey is deligKted »t the warm welcomes he received on his arrival Home, and is especially pleased at the reception accorded him by Lords Ripon, Salisbury and Knuts iovd. April 18. Owing to the state of his health Sir George Grey has declined the dinner at which the colonial members of the House of Commons proposed to entertain him.

The Loan and Mercantile

London, Aoril 17. It is expected that Mr 0. J. Hogan and Mr Alfred Garrick will join the directorate of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company. Mr Henry J. Bristow has declined to join the Board. New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company bondholders of the 1879 issue are asking for larger repre sentation on the Board.

IMPERIAL POLITICS

London, April 18. Mr Balfour's amendment to the motion to set up a Scotch Grand Com mittee was rejected by a majority of thirty three votes. Mr Bannerman stated that similar committees would be appointed in regard to Welsh and Irish affairs. Sir John Rigby succeeds Sir Charles Russell as Attorney-General. On the motion of the Marquis of Ripon, the Colonial Governors' Leave of Absence Bill was read a first time in the House of Lords. (Received April 19, 10.40 a.ra.) London, April 18. The Budget proposals are well re ceived.

The Collision, at Sea.

Sydney, April 18. The ship Titania has arrived safely, but details of the damage are not yet available. Two of the Konoowarra's crew who are on board have only a hazy idea of the whole affair. One asserts he was picked up by the Titania after being in the water a quarter of an hour. The captain of the ship does not speak English. The vessel is in charge of the Adelaide pilot, and the latter asserts that lights were burning on the ship and that he never altered her course. He attributes the disaster to an attempt on the part of the steamer to cross the bows of the ship and under estimating the speed of the vessel. The bows of the ship Titania are a good deal knocked about. The damage is estimated at about £800, and it will cost about £500 to repair the Konoo warra. The pilot on board the Titania was in the forecastle when the collision happened, He says that the lights on the ship were burning brightly, and he kept her on her course because it was the steamer's place to give way. (Received April 19, 11.55 a.m.) Syeney, April 19. The ship Titania is leaking badly, and has sustained much damuge. The force of the collision caused her anchors to go overboard, which brought the vessel to a standstill. Owing to the darkness those ou board were unable to ascertain the full extent of the damage, cons,eqij,e».tly pumps were kept I going continuously. Next mornjng the steamer Glaucu's picked her up, and brought her into port.

SPORTING.

London, April 18. The following is the result of the City and Suburban Handicap at the Epsom meeting :—-Greyleg 1, Hury 2, Lenicham 3.

The Maori Parliament.

Gisborkk, April 18. The Maori Parliament is now in session at Pakirikiri, and the pah is being visited by a large number of Europeans, who however, are denied admittance to the room where the deliberations of the assembly take place. A large number of influential chiefs are present from all parts of the colony. i

CYCLING.

THE ARIEL CLUB.

The Ariel Club's road race took place yesterday afternoon. The weather was perfect but the roads were considerably cut up with sheep traffic. A large number of spectators had journeyed to Tinwald to see the race, and the fact of the courso chosen having been euoh that the competitors, after covering three miles of their journey had to pass the starting place in full view of the specta tors, added greatly to the interest taken in the race. There were twelve starters, of whom ten finished within about half a mils of each other, the result of good handicapping; but It was evident that the scratch man had had too severe a task set him, and although the chain of his machine broke and prevented his finishing! it is scarcely likely that he could have won. The Ariel Olub are to be con-" gratulated on providing the cycle loving public with sport at a time when their hobby is usually considered dormant. Following are the results of tVe race :— First prise, cup presented by B. Gates, Esq., James Wilson, 9min ; second prize, gentleman's companion, presented by lady friends, A. Anderson 9min ; third prize 10s, given by Mr Stone, B. Stuars D&mlri. T. OUrkson scratch, J. Andrews 6min, W. Woods 6tnin, A. Prichard 6|min, T. Hawkins 7imin, J. Burns 7|min, E. March Bmin, Ji. Dunlop 9|min, and J. Ford lOmin also started. Ander son and J. Wilson soon caught Ford, Dunlop, and Stuart, and the quintet kept together until about three miles np the Lagmhor road, when Ford's pedal came loose, and he had to dimount. Then Dunlop fell back, and the remaining trio kept their lead throughout At the corner leading into the ho ace straight—about 150 yards—Wilson had a slight lead of about two yards, which he kent to the finish, Stuart being close behind Ander son. Time—4smin 21sec. The course was 14£ miles.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

Wellington, April 18. Stephen Casscls, a cabinetmaker, was found drowned yesterday morning in the Inangahua river close to Reefton.

A Reckless Bankrupt.

Wellington, April 18. At a meeting of the creditors of labez Mather, commission agent, formerly of Auckland, held this afternoon, the state-1 raent showed that the debtor had started business with £90, part of which sam was borrowed ; that he had lost his capital during the last twelve months, and had also incurred liabilities to the extent of £570. The Official Assignee said the debtor should have fled long before he did. The estate was in a most unsatisfac tory condition. Addressing the debtor the Official Assignee said <:—■ " The fact of the matter is you have simply been living < on yonr creditors. In the course of twelve months you have not only eaten up all I your profits, but also £500 belonging to your creditors. Yon then coma here with a statement that £350 has been consumed in office expenses. The thing ia utterly unjustified, and unless some better expla nation can be offered, I must bring the nutter under the notice of the Judge. Such a thing is perfectly monstrous. It is just like your impudence to come here with sqch a statement." Later on the Official Assignee said the question would have to be considered whether the debtor had not br«ught himself under the penal clauses of the Act. The debtor might not have incurred debts with the intent to defraud, but still he had no right to incur expenses in the hope of better times. It would go hard with the debtor when he applied for his discharge. The realisation of the estate was left in the hands of the Official Ass'gnee.

THE COLONIES.

London, April 18. At a dinner tendered to Sir T. Mcll wraith by Queenslanders at present resident in London, Sir Robert Her bert, Agent-General for Tasmania, in proposing the health of the guest, said that the Australasian colonies would never be satisfied until they had had a visit from the Prince of Vales. Sir T. Mcllwraith, who received a cordial reception, referred to the in creasing prosperity of the colony, and indicated the necessity for the gradual mitigation of the school of Socialism. The people, he said, were too much in clined to rely on the State. The colo nists themselves were probably stronger supporters of Imperial federation than Lord Ripon was. He defended the annexation of New Guinea, and said that great expense would be saved if j the annexation were confirmed. He hoped that Germany would soon sur render her claims. He praised the Germans as making admirable colonists who settled down much better than the British. He admitted that the labor members of Parliament in Australia were not such fire eaters as they were expected to turn out, but they needed political education. If the colonies elected their own Governors the plan would result in the election of the worst men possible for the position. The Marquis of Ripon eulogised the services of Sir William McGregor, Ad ministrator of New Guinea, and said that he noted Sir T. Mcllwraith's ad mission with regard to the appointment of Governors. At the banquet, Sir T. Mollwraith stated that the Queensland mining in dustry had increased tenfold during the past few years. The sugar industry had an immense future before it. The Government at present in power did not require additional taxation. The separation movement in the colony was dead,

The Pacific Cable.

Sydney, April 18 In a letter addressed by Sir J. Pender to the Colonial Office, with' reference to the decision of the Wel lington Postal Conference re the Pacific cable, he says that the costly alternative cable across the Pacific cannot be said to be required to meet existing commercial wants. If estab lished by Government assistance it could only be justified on the grounds of strategic use to the Empire. After S dealing with the financial position he remarks that Her Majesty's Govern ment could not in equity refuse to guarantee or subsidise the Eastern Extension Company to the same extent as it guaranteed or subsidised the Pacific cable, otherwise a fatal blow would be given to private enterprise, which would seriously affect the carry ing out of similar pioneer works in future. Moreover, the Pacific cable would be no safer in time of war than cables in other seas, as there would be the necessity of guarding it by the navy at a time when it might have to concentrate all its energies nearer home to protect a more fre quented trade route. If, however, the Pacific cable is considered a strategic necessity, and the Governments con cerned are prepared to provide the requisite subsidies, the Eastern Exten sion Company will be quite ready to compete in the matter, and. with its large experience and special facilities it is in a better position than any other company to" carry, out the work advantageously,

Purging His Conscience.

The Auckland correspondent of the " Otago Daily Times " wirts as follows: —At tbe meeting of the Harbor Board a Mr E. A. H. Eraser, of Wanganui, wrote iis follows:—" I feel it is incumbent on me to let yon know that I knowing broke the by-law re throwing any dead domestic animal into the harbour, I was guilty of so doing some years ago, off the railway wharf. One of my reasons for thus writing you will find in Acts xxiv 16 (Laughter. 'This is an instance of God's will in the matter.') I hereby express regret for having transgressed as above stated.—l am, Ac." The letter was dated March 1890, but had not been posted till the 24th March/ last. Mr A. Potter moved— KTlr»t the gentlemen be forgiven." (Laughter.) The letter was (received with great laughter. Mr Napier asked if the board had not a Bible. It would be interesting to know what the text was. He thought it would be a fine oppor tunity of giving the board a Scriptural lesson. Mr Devore: You evidently do not know what it is yourself. (Laughter.) Word was passed down to the office staff to hunt for a Bible somewhere or other, and: st hwfc it arrived. Mr Napier, found the text after a good deal of searching ia various parts of the volume, and read it out as follows:—"Herein do. I exercise myself to have always a con science void of offenca toward Godand coward men." The scriptural lesson being then ended, the board proceeded to discuss the Freeman's Bay mud deposit. -...

Death of a Notoriety.

. + . ■ . A - " Up like a rockot, down like ka stick." One of the most beautiful women of the Second Empire died the other day in comparative poverty and in Absolute obscurity. Twenty years a£o. one heard enough and too much about Leonide Lsblanc, about her beauty, her wit, her follies, the suppers she gave, and the diamonds she owned. There was a certain necklace of pearls which she used to wear at the opera on a Fri day, and which cost—such was the gossip of the .coulisse —soo,ooo francs. She was a strange mixture of a canni ness that was almost Sqotch, and a reckless extravagance that was more than Irish. Her great ambition was to be thought of good birth. She came, she said, from Orleanais, but all Paris knew that her parents were of Moutmartre, and that her blood was not blue. In the days of her grandeur she was one of the notabilitie* of Horn burg. Her toilettes were a marvel of daring and of taste. People crowded round the table when she played, and believed in her luck and backed it. On three successive days she broke the bank. On the fourth that inexorable wheel of fortune went over all her gains, and there arose a little scene be> tween her and » croupier which con firmed the story of her Montottrte origin. That, however, was soon for gotten, and onea again she was in funds. Gambling was stopped in Hooch burg, but there was the Paris Bourse, which did as well. She was a daring speculator and a successful one. With her winnings she bought an estate in Orleans, and invited "All Paris" to her fetes, " All Paris " came readily enough, and a few bailiffs slipped in uninvited with the .other guesti, and "didtheir duty." The famous pear! necklace was swept off to auction and sold to the highest bidder at 181,000 francs. Somehow these exploits, so dear to the Parisian scandalmonger, eclipsed her fame as an actress, bat in her art she was conscientious and sincere. She worked hard and had her successes, especially in the plays of Scribe and Sardou, and at one time she was very near joining the Theatre Francais.

THE ASHBURTO* GUABDIAfI: THtIBSfrAY, APRIL 19, 1894.



Business Notices. ] Special Prices for this Month: AT G, J. Neill and 00/s THE CHEAPEST HOUSE IN ASHBURTON FOR I>JbtA.P£2R'Y v CLOTHING, AND BOOTS, Long Lace Curtains Is 9d j-air Double Width Dress Goodß.9_rd Cretonne 3id Dress Goods 3s lid doz Double-bed' White Twill Sheeting 9|d i-arge Turkish Towels B£d Grey Calico 2* 3d dt z. Women's Ribbed Hose 6i pair Cotton Shirting, vvryf-trong 3£d Double-bed Quilts 3a l]d each trong Ticking s|d Heav Forfar 6|d CLOTHING. CJJL.OTiiING. Boys Tweed Suits 3s lid Men's Shirts at any price t Men's Tweed Trousers 10s 6d now 6a lid Men's Merino Socks only 6d pair Men's Colonial Tweed Suite only 19a 6d Men's Ties at half price. Men a New Zealand Tweed Suits 39a 6d Men's Oolonial»knit Woollen Socks only now 29s 6d 9,dpair BOOTS. BOOTS, In Boots we defy competition, all our Boots are made specially to ourorder. We guarantee every pair to give satisfaction. Women's ElastiO'Side Boets 8a 6d, now Men's Balmoral Boots 10s 6d, now 7» lid 0 S ua Men's Bluchers 5a Women s Kid Shoes 7s lid, now 5a lid Men's Nailed Shooters 10a 6d, now a lid Women's Leather Shoes 7a 6d, now 5s lid Waraen's Carpet Slippers Is 6d Children's Patent Leather Shoes and Slippers in Endless Variety ab ' G. J. NEILL AND COS, FRIEDLANDBR'S CORNER. TERMS CASH.



SPECIAL. SPECIAL. STEPHENS BROS, Market Mouse, HAVE DECIDED TO RELINQUISH THEIR BUSINESS IN ASHBUBTON, A ND in order to facilitate their arrangements, they will Sell the whole of their Large and Well Assorted Stocks of IRONMONGERY, CROCKERY, GLASSWABE, GROCERY, Em, Afc TWINTY PER OENI Below Cost Price* No more goods will be bought than Necessary to dispense with the other Goods' They also ask all ;Customera if, Convenient, for their accounts |on or before the Ist May., After that dafce, all Goods will be disposed of for CASH. Stephens Bros., MABKET HOUSE.



mo LET.—Dwelling Centrally Situated A in Burnett Streec Rental required 7a per week. T. BULLOCK. DOLLAR cTG-JBETTBS^. 3d. No holders or photos. —Hjenih? Zander, Whole i sale agent. 1 Special Consignment I \IRECT from the Manufacturers, ; LADIES' GOLD RINGS. GOLD BROOCHES, GOLD BANGLES, In plain Gold, *nd set with Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires and Pearls. A large and very choice stock of newest designs juat received- Bought for Oish, DIRECT FROM T^K MANUFACTURER in England at r liberal discount, will be ofteied at TWENTY y&K CENT LOWER than usual prices by 8. Salek, WATCHMAKER ani JEWELLER, ASHBURTON.



HENRY ZANDER I I BEG TO INTIMATE that I have just j anded a Large and Varied Stock of duns Cairns latins HOLLIS' BEST MAKE. Single and Double Barr«l, Breech and Muzzle Loading, wetlj.worthy of inspec tlotu BBVOLVEBS, REVOLVERS, AMMUNITION AMMUNITION OaittWges and Cartridge Owses, Clips, Shot. Gunpowder, Po^Oer and shot Slftska, Cartridge JJelts, Itecßppew, Xioaderfl, Wads, Punfc», etc. SOOTTS WKU..KNOWN RANGES at Greatly Reduced Pi ions. T HAVBS IN STOCK AND TO LAND -100 Drum* Linseed Oil 20 Cases Valvoluie 200 Cases Castor Oil 10 Bates bpst 6 ply Seaming Twine Ohm* and Glassware Harmby'fi and Ransome'sPlough shares Barbed and B'encing Wire Mauritius and Queensland Sugars China, India, and Ceylon Teas Best English Leather Belting. —now in stock- Two Hundred Galvanised Steel Elastic Horse Collars (in all sizes). Ea4y application necessary. Ths? are giving UNIVERSAL SATTS y FACTION. Wines and Spirits, Ales and Stout ktqueurs, Havana Cigars, Cigarett2s, of boat brands only. Ako, a ohotoe assortment of the HKBST DELICACIES ■■fam-all patts of the world, Henry Zander AGEKT FOR Australian Mutual Providen Socie y Sun Fire Office Canton Marine Office Health Tea.



T^EW 7 EAL AX D nothing Factory OPENING New Winter Goods mi 3 WEEK-



Wanted j WANTED, Ymuwj Girl toTttend to | Dental Rooms. Apply Mks < Dodds, Tancred street. 4 118 R L. R~BUCKERIDGK, Piano forte Tuner, is in Town for a few j days. Orders left at Gates' Academy of j Music, or with Mr L. Owen, will be 1 attended to. 4 116 j : __ : ,_- ; , SALE at Melfori House still on until! further notice.—H, O. Segers. WANTED Known. — For Millinery,! Mantles, Jackets. Ulttor.s, and Macintoshes, Ladies' and Children's Underclothing, try Mitchell & Ttjbnbk. ANTED Known—Special lin<Tof Gents' Regatta Shirts, all sizes, with or without collars, 2s 6d.—W. H. Collier. WANTED Known — Spectacles, Eye Protectors, Goggles, Folders, and everything in the optical me at S. 1 Salek's, Optician X^XTJBNSION of Sale at Melford -■-- House. We are still selling nearly all ourGoodn, with New Stock added, at reduced prices.—H. C. Segkrs. WANTED Known—To make room for Spring Boots I will give ten per cent for cash. Repairs dene at once cheaper than evei to stay bad times over at J. Moisoct's, Premier Bootmaker. TT/ ANTED Known—The Corner la VV showing a magnificent New Stock of Drapery and Clothing.—W, H, Collier. WHAT is most essential to a tea drinker's happiness % Why, Health Tea, and don' 6 you forgeb it. Heney Zander, Wholesale Agenf ' BANG 1 Bang j B»u S 1 My new sea son's stock of Ammunition to hand ! Eley's, Kynock's and, Oluu Cartridges, Powder, Shot, Caps, Wads, Cases and ; all sporting materials of the first quality ' at J. W. Hakdley's, Gun Emporium. "VTOTICE! Notice! Sport; for all. JJN Guns let out on hire or sold on time payments. Having a professional Gunsmith on the premises, I undertake to repair Guns of any description, Gun fittings in stock. Prices low.—J. W. Hakdley, Ironmonger, etc. WANTED Known. - Ladies are invited to inspect the Novelties in' our Dress Department and Show Room without being pressed to buy,—Mitchell and Ttm»Eß,. WANTED Known.—ln consequence of the scarcity of money, we have pxtended our Sale till further notice. — H. C. Segbrs, Melford House. j fjIRED. S. JE6FRIES, 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 CTEALTH TEA is more economical JLjL than ordinary tea. It undergoes a process whereby the injurious ingre dients are eliminated, whilst it renders 1 the release of the better properties of the leaf more easy. Henry Zander, Autho rised Agent. SALE now on—White Calico 2s lid per I dozen, Towels 2s 6& per dozen, Lace, Curtainp, from Is lid per p*ir, at Arcade House. 4 WANTED Known — Men's strong Tweed Suits from 163 61 j shirts j from 2s 6i,—Arcade House. 4 24 WANTED Known. — Embroideries from Id a yard, Corsets 3s lid, Indies' Ulsters from4s lid, Ladies' G>ves four pair for 1«, Kid Gloves four buttons Is 6d.~ Arcade House. 63 WANTED Known.—Cheviots, Hop sacks, Diagonals, Fast Dye Serges, Tweeds »nd Fanoy Dresses, &c, with Trimmings to match at Mitchell and Turner'B f CHOICE Ornaments, Folding Screens, J Own make in Ladies' and Children's Underclothing. Aprons, and Pin»fores.— Mrs Aloorn, Saunders' Buildings. '"PEN Crates-—New goods from the -■- manufacturers in R. Alcork's sale. To* sets for six persons, 9s 6d; 40 piece Tea Sets frcm 15s; Bedroom Sets from Bs. Lirge coloured hand or gilt, very handsome 19s 6d. WANTED Known—Tomatoes, good ripe Grapes, Plums, Apples, etc., \ at Mabsdens Fruit Shop, below Mitchell ancTTurner^ 2 109 "VriSlTthe Sale. Trimmed Millinery * going at any price. Ladies' Under clothing reduced to 20 per cent, below coat.—Arcade House. 4 64 :ANT£DlCnown^All goods in Show Ro>m to be slaughtered at any price.—Arcade Fouse. 4 28 FIT ANTED Known -L W Pants 33 VV lid, Flannel Shirts 3a 9d. Worsted Socks (51 per pair.—Arcade Hous« 425 LF you want first-class fruit go to Ad mis for Fiji, Tahiti, Auckland and Sydney Oranges, Uitrons, Lemons, etc. OYSTERS and Freph Fish of all sorts arrive evening per express at Deep Sea Fishing Oo.'a Shop, Burnett street Ashburton. 2 62



WAN TED Known—The whole of the stock to be sacrificed by order of the Purchaser, Arcade House. 4 26 /"IRCI SHED Oats, 5a per sack. Al ! \j kinds of Farm and Mill Produce cheap ior cash.—J. Thomas, Havelock street. . .... _ WANTED Known. — Men's Tweed Suits 153 6d, Men's Tweed Trou, ers 7s lid, Mens' Strong Jf lannellette Shirts 2s 6d, Mens' and Boys' Boots and Shoes greatly reduced.^Arcade House. 465 MRS ALCOEN has ou eal^ jior he Holidays a varied assortment o£ Toys, Dolls, Prams, Fancy Goods, and i Christmas Presents—Saundcrs Buildings. BOITS' threo garment long trouser S«sts for fcOs, Men's Colonial macle nailed Stiooter Boots »t Jte per ■-«« »C fi* AaueoKN'y sale, Ashburfcon oiofchinj M»rfc' gOT"dfirßl ßuilding6'l ii 5 —____^**^r(Jiinß"F'yijr new Btock VJT ofGonsjostto •. ,-4 Binaie the manufacturers. Doubi« *"* ? Barrel Breech L-aders, Rifles, etc ***. epection invited. No old stock to select from at J. W. Hardley's Sporting Bepository. _^ MB John Maksdbn, of the Railway Bookstall, has opened a Book and Stationer's Shop two doors below Mitchell and Turner. Books and Stationery at the lowest possible prices. Books clean, complete, and in good order will be taken in exchange. Circulating library. fpASTER Cards, and Booklets, Fire J/ Screens, Pictures. Glass Ornaments, Christmas Cards, Cricket and Lawn Tennis Material, Photo Albums, and Frames, and hundreds of other articles are to be sold at a great sacrifice for Cash during this month only at L. F. Andrewss & Co, Stationow! Hall,



At Thirty Miles an Hour ■—'Our Mr J F. N. Adams arrived by the express from the aouth yesterday evening, and he will be ready to talk " wheels " at the agent's shop (H- M. Jones, East Street) this morning. The easy payment system of the firm offers great inducement to buy cycles. Deposits from £5; instalments, 30b per month. Humber Star, model B, fitted with 1894 Dunlop tires, £23 10s. English cycles at landed cost price. Genuine Beeston Hum bers at £26 10s ; Raleigho, Model G, £25; new Howe's £23 10s, fitted with Dunlop tires and Hall's patent brake.—Adams, Ctjhties, & Co., Chriatchurch.—(Advt.) i ... ._. _



HoLL^w^y's Pills and Ointmjen? exert a rapidly fayaorable effect in all those diseases which are induced by exposure to damp or by great changes in temperature, xhny will therefore be found eminently serviceable to those who work in iron foundries, copper mines, *nd collieries. These well-known remedies present manifest advaatages in respect of use and effectiveness, being entirely compounded of vegetable drugs selected with the greatest care an.d regard* less of price. When used in accordance with the ample printed directions which accompany them, th,ey ant surely but mildly, and dq not interfere with the daily work. There are but a few diseases which are not capable of cure—or, at all events, ol great relief—if HoUoway'u remedies are persever ugly used,



DOLLAR CIGABOTJSS~3d per packet



JJ* EAL T H tjl BA, Wandering afar o »r Australasia seas; Sighing in softness, murmuring in air, Gomes the desire for Health imparting Tbas, Fragrant in flavor, with aroma rare, ; At last t at last t the breezes murraar, Is found the Tex is wetl-named "Health," And Connoisseur* declare in accents firme* This tea contains within itself a priceless wealth. The daintiest leaf by cleanliest arts pre served, ! Blended with flavor that on the taste ne'er i palls. "Health Tea" has won the pride of place deseiTtkl, la drunk in cottage homes and palace halls HEALTH TEi HEALTH TEA Hea!th Tea" cures indigestion. Other teas eanse fc.



rpHERE i» only om quality of Healtft J Tea and that is tike best. Ask your groeerfor tt, and see that you ?et it,— Ukjtcy Z*^ots» { >VhQle»»l« Agent