FIRE ALARMS

Allenton °«c «1! Borough, north of railway ... two tolls Borough, south of railway ... three tolls Hampstead four tolls

MAIL NOTICES,

Miils close for the following places as under, i ul>j-3Ct to the 1 ecessary alterations : SATURDAY, DECEMBER, 15. For Austra'.ian Colonies, and also for United Kingdom and Continent of Europe ( pecially addressed) via Naples, India, China, Japan, etc., per express abl£2 3O p.m. Due London, January 30. For Northern Ports, per Penguin, at G.aO p.m. The next nviil for the United Kingdom, &c, via San Francisco, will close on December 26, at 1O a.m. The next mail for Chatham Islands will close on December 31st. Kotick —On and *i<cr January J IWS, tli« postage on nt \v p pers fur the U dted K'H'^dom and foreign countries will be for the first four ounces m weight one leant, and for each succeeding two ounces one halfpenny. Tho postage on newspaper* for Australian Colonies and South Sea Islands remains as a y. present—one penny for each newspaper.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1894 FRANCE'S NAVY.

Diplomatists m France view with disquietude the friendly feeling dis played by the Czir towards the Prinze of Wales, find the assurance of the Russian potentate, that while he jives, there will be nothing but friendship between England and Russia. So says a recent cable. But £hese j?rench diplomatists view with djis.ajiiettfde and jealousy anything that may sieem m any way to favor Britain, and if there is one Power m Europe more than another that the public men m France speak against with ranpor, that Power is Great Britain. (Conti nental writers have it that, although one would fancy the French ought to have a deeper grudge against the Germans than the English, the fact is tfj.&t the French hate the English far more tb>n £!;fvy do the Germans', and that all the warlike preparations France ha? been making during the past ten years have been made less with a view to 'hold hey own £n any possible war with Germany th&ri v.^Jt.! 1! & fipw to being able to inflict a serious wo^urj upon the Great Empire which at pre--ci t commands the seas, and whose* heart beats m tho little islands m the north* west corner of Europe. Franca knows ik%p England's strength is on tho ocean, and steadily gyery year for the last ten sh,e has been spending many millions of francs upon the increase 6i he? £ayy. This year she has had on the s'tockg gix line of battle ships of the first alass with three battle ships for coast defence, Her builders had orders for the putting £n hand without delay of three more, qos'tig-g about a million sterling each whe,» fully equipped and ready for commission, Jfive cruises^ haye but recently been finished—fast boats of nineteen-knots an hour speed, Five se/osdjclasa cruisers were commenced this year^ ajxd t^p Admiralty expected to see eight of this .glass pompleted m the course of the year, au'd at &h# beginning of next year it was the iiit,s^tion of the Admiralty to put m hand during i^.3 twelve months no less than thirty-two wai? yjesgels of all ranks. Only last week the cable told .p tl^at France has eighty-four warships juo. co.urs,e ,<>f construction, including twelve an^ twenty-four cruisers, ;^nd tihat it is intended to spend thi'§§ &144 a m^Hyflf fW.filihp'-iQ

further construction next year. And why all this activity m naval con struction ? It cannot be to strengthen her position as against Germany. If France feared an early or even com paratively remote strugg'o with her conqueror of 1-371 it is her military strength she would seek to increase. She would see to her frontier fort- 1, would increase her arsenals, her stores of munitions of war for the tv Id and multiply the regiments of her stand'ng army, fche would do this because it is mPitary i'orce she would have to encounter from Germany— not naval i The Gernun navy to day is but of nominal strength compared with that line of the French service. In 1871 France was possessed of a far stronger navy than Germany, but the two never met m conflict on the sea. To blockade the German ports would have been a waste of time while all the seaboards of central and southern Europe were open, and an uninterrupted road over land to these was open to the Germans, who could thus utilise the ports of neutral nations. When France, Britain, and Italy joined issue against Russia m 1854, and the maritime powers blockaded the Russian ports ; Russian commerce was carried outwards from the Prussian ports m the Baltic, so that the blockade was of little effect. But it would be different were France and Britain the belligerents and the naval forces equal. A successful blockade of the ports of Britain would be an event appalling to contemplate. The rery existence of the people on the British Islands depends on those ports being kept open, for only through them could food supplies for the teeming island populations be kept up. Britain bas no overland route behind her to a neutral port; she must keep her own ports open, and to do so she must have a navy that can bid defiance to the world. Then hers is an empire "on which the sun never sets." She has colonial possessions m every part of the world, and m conflict with such a foe as France, possessed of such fleets as France evidently aims at acquiring, those possessions would require the attention of many of her ships of war. France has few colonial possessions, and those she possesses she could very easily drop and not be m any way crippled or dishonored, while ours we could on no account part with—our Indian and Australian possessions for instance, not to mention the Dominion of Canada which the disaffected French Canadians would doubtless like to see m French hands. A blockade of the French ports could not possibly close the back door that opens upon an overland route to the whole of Europe. Nor has France been devoting her attention wholly to the building of warships Her naval system as to training and servica and manoeuvring has been completely reformed, and new methods adopted, with the results of which het naval leaders are proud m a remarkable degree. So that by and by France means to be a naval power of the first order, and if possible the first powei of that order, la certain circles, France and Russia are looked upon as not only possible but probable allies, whom Britain would have to fight single-handed withou! aid from any Continental power, and the recent fraternising of the French and Russian fleets with all the de monstrations of affection displayed by them was accepted m some quarters as a proof of how willing they would be to fight on the same side against that common ene.aiy who keeps Russia out of India, and France out ol Fgypt. And m the same quarters a union of those two powers is looked upon as one likely to be successful against Britain. Such a war is not looked upon as imminent, but it takes but little to put Frenchmen m a fight ing attitude, when they feel strongly against any other nation. And if all this naval preparation has been made with a view to an alliance with Russia for a tussle with Britain one can well understand why the lower lip of the French diplomatist should begin to hang at seeing the Czar " hail fellow well met" with the Prince of Wale?. But when France has built all the ships she can, and has buckled her waist belt m to i'u beat fighting buckle-hole, she will still have a larger order than she can fulfil when the essays the over throw of stout John Bull. John has a large family, scattered over the whole world, but they are a good fighting family, and the man who hits John Bull, senior, may at once lay his account with having to fight a vast progeny of John's from the four corners of the earth—many of them who never had the credit of having any fight m them—who will not sit still and see the old man insulted and beaten ? or a foreign foe pollute the threshold of the old roof tree with In vading fpot.

QQjflfiloEKjNG the great prominence which the dairy industry is ju->t now receiving m Now Zealand, owing to A Danish the coming into operation of DAiity, the new Ddry Industry Act, a few particulars of one of the most noted dairies m the world cannot fail to ba of interest It is a Danish dairy, and 13 under the direct supervision of a woman. Madame Nielsen's farm is about ityL hofii-'s ride by rail from Copen- Ingen. The products of her skill go to many counties', everywhere commanding Driers much 'larger thin those lor which the goods of other prodacars sell.' She has been a close student of dairying "for nearly thirty-five years. She has visited England, Holland, Switzerland, Norway, and France, and has studied the methods of dairying m those countries. She row has a sort of school of dairying, m which ! she instructs pupils. Most of them are young w.imen. They give their services io hew while they are under her tuitior', so thai m'tjch Qf hsf wo: 1; is done by her pup:3k Throughout Europe umiy of the chief dairy women are graduates from Mdme. Nielsen's school. The farm' on which the dairy is carried on comprises only a hundred acres. It is c*red for by Madame Nielsen's husband and son-in law, but when they deliver the warm milk into her possession their responsi bility Qe^Cti. gho personally superin tends the nfaMng of tfye butter ancl the vat'loua kinds of cheese, and she markets her products. Between 85 and SO cows arc kept m ths herd, and about 20 is the average number giving milk at ©he time. The 4 a'rJ buildings are not elaborate. Nearly an tfte are old f *shi ned. ifoi" ia9tfttic@, no sepaValof § a^d ity sfcevjiils* . ing apparatus is used m her creamery. The churning and butter-workings dona by hand. The product is packed m small China grocks. Madam Nielsen: makes several kinds gjc cheese,, all eaually cele brated. ' She ia not edacafcedf e&cepi m subjects of her specialty. She lias made ■ » snsia Jogtiino and an international reputation •" " -; ;

Reviewing m a two-column article ( 1( Labor Legislation m New Zealand," the ( v Times Hiya that "New) labor Zealand* ia orapha ical'y j legislation, not a muiufachmt.g i country. Its chi f jnlua trias arc pastor»l and agricultural. . . . la New'Z'jaiand, kborlegiNation i\> as fir as lajor questions aru concernuJ, j imiul,y -a preventive, a safe^u-itd against' (evils discovered elsewhere," anl ifc thinks v tin Soci.ilist'c tendency > I No*Zj»lind legislation has been graatly exaggerated. ' , " With a large pauper and unsnap'oyad class co-existent with inanho )d suffrage, Somlistie legislation would be inevitablo. but hs yet tlin c >lony has a'm.)^t no paupers Lrop9P, and ths unemployed diffijulty though perhaps on ilv3 incre;iso ii still not at all formidable." The Times believes that the m;»jo:ity of ih-3 working class bein^ small property owners wiil prevent such Socialistic legislation a3 would m any way lessen the exchange value of their wealth. Whi'e admitting that New Zealand is the "Paradise oi the working man ' as regards wages being "very high," the Tims holds th« against this must be set the fact of living being "much more expensive m thia colony at home." Referring to the pro posed New Zealand legislation empower ing the Government to re-^cjuire private lands for small settlement, the Times says, " There seems little doubb that the land of New Zealand as a whole is unfitted for agricultural operations on a small scale, and that the pastoral industries will be the mainstay of the colony m the '■ future as m the past."

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Russian newspapers advocate plac ing Armenia under the separate protection of the Great Powers. One of the dentists m Broken Hill hangs out the laconic sign, * 2th pullin.' Pillow v. Pillow and Bolster v. Bolster were two recent Sydney divorce cases. There are at present 349 boys stationed on the training ship Sobraon at Sydney. The Gear Meat Company's profit for the year was £7734, after increasing the re serve by £1487. Mr W. McLean, evangelist, from Ireland, will preach m the Arcade Chambers this evening. The Magistrate's offices will bo closed on Monday next, 17th instant, that being : the day fixed by the Regulations for observing the holiday. The Melbourne Harbour Trust's expedi ture for the current financial year is esti* mated to be £21,350 leas than the revenue. The interest, £86,251, is the largest item. The Hobart Exhibition Building is an imposing structure covering 11 acres. In its design the building is a replica on a smaller scale of the structure m which the Dunedin Exhibition was held. "Picoolo Charlie," a character well known m this county, has had his flute silenced for another three months, while th« player serves Her Majasty m the Wellington gaol —for vagrancy. According to the most reliable estimate obtainable the lawyers who practice as barristers m Victoria, make incomes averaging £727 10 j each, and the solicitors earn on an average £752 per annum. At a meeting of the South Australian Ostrich Company, it was stated that there ■Here 620 birds on the fa m. Tin profits during the half-year had been £106 more than during the previous six months.

A. Wairarapa farmer, bankrupt, under examimtion stated that he bad made ifc a practice to buy stock on tills from one auctioneer, and soli it a day or tvv > after wards for cikli at considerable loss through another auctioneer. In addition to the fine and costs for-non registration of a dog, the Bench of Magistrates may add the amount of the registration fee, ?nd the whole nrny be recovered by dis'raint or m a summary way. After unsuccessful attempts by various parties, extending over a porind of twenty years, a band of Russians hwe lately navigated the Oxus River m Contra! Asia, and reached Faizabad on the Afghan frontier. The carters have cut into the wool traffic m the northern railways of Canterbury by undertaking contracts to convey it into town at Is per bale less then the railway rates. Some of the large stations expect to mako a pretty considerable say-

la the District Court, m chambers, upoH the application of Mr Puruell, His Honor Judge Ward has granted probate of the will of the late Harry Smith, of Ashburton, farmer, to Mr David But terick and Mrs Ada Smith, the executors named m the will. The following will represent the A&h burton Club m their match on Mondiy next at Temuka with the Timaru B, team. The Ashburton team will leave by the 10 20. a m, train:— Messrs Russell, Divis, Denshire, Buchanan, Andrew.?, Todd, Oromie, Peters. Fulton, Orbell, Bourke. Emergencies— Moffatb, Stewart, Cuth bertson. The New South Wales Agricultural De partment forwarded a consignment; of 12 dozen eggs to Vancouver by the last mail steamer with the object of seeing how they will carry and the price they will fetch. Eggs ate selling m Sydney at 51 a dozen, and if they reash Canada m gool condition at Christmas it is anticipated that they will be worth from Is 6d to 2s per doss jn. The settlers around Tutaekara have been heavy losers during the past winter through so many sheep having been s' plen, says the Pahhtua IforaM. One settlor has dis covered a shortage of over 600, of which number 50 at the outside could be ac counted for by death. Another settler out of 450 sheep has lost 303. Losses of 300 are common, and scarcely a sheepowner has escaped a visit irorn the thieves. The manager of the Master ton Gasworks and two < f the employees at tha works_ named Parker and Jon e.°, had a narrow escape of being suffocated by tha fumes of gas on Wednesday. Thay were transferring the connection with thb mains from one tank Tto when a bladc|er, containing gas, burst. The manager and Parker were rendered temporarily unconscious for fully an hour. Assistance was procured, and the men are now progressing favourably.

A Wellington paper says:—Tho pres sure of work at the Government Printing Office consequent npon getting out the forms of application required for the Gov ernment 4-dvanyes to, Act has rather delayed operations m respect of the Consols Act. Still small parcels of forma have been sent out from the General Post Offica, but supplies have not yet been despatched to the extremities of the Colony. A number of applicitions for consols has already been received by the Treasury. 'H^llqway^ Ointment; akd tttu.s — Travellqrs .and Emigrants—Those who cross the seas change the climate, bub-they do not change the constitution. The altered con ditions of life, the exigencies of travel, and other causes render the traveller and emi grant peculiarly liable to diseases and acci ( 4eqfc3 wljeii Jar from efficient medical aid. Witft *¥e4 W«cc.iaced yemedj<s at fhey may be said to have a pjjysioan iilways at their call* au<l they may bo certain that situations will be constantly .arising m which they will require a ready resource m time of ngQ<j. The directions ior Use which accom !• p^ny eaoh'box arid pot ol Hollo way's Fills t ' and Ointment are written m plain atfiisiniplej ; language, mi are applicable iv all caß«?r *

Sir Westby Perceval has consented to '(. . act as Ageni-3eneral foranother yaar. f 1 Tlio Shipmasters' Asßosiation r«^nt the i [roraaik* by the h'eio Zealand Times, m •' conimeniinjj on tho Wairarapa enquiry, that Captain MclntosU'rf behaviour was probably the i-fiect of drink, and have • I placed tha matter m trhe hands of their j j solicitor. Owing to tho short no'ice by circular, if, is understood that tha time fur the Sou: hern sawmillera to send m applica tions to have their timber sen 1-; II m) h to bo expended. The sh'oment will probably bo made m tho Unio i Com p iny'a Port Melbourne m January. An a^enfc of SanU Olaus has his office m Hyde's Fancy Fair, and will stay over Chiissma?, keeping open every night n'ixt week ti 18. 30. Ho will be glad to intetviiw parents and Mends of good boys and girls, and show them all sorts of pretty things m tha shape of toys, j ipanese and fancy goods, cards, etc. The following are appointed Superin tendent Collectors of Agricultural Sta tistics:—John 0. Heslop, Buller and Inan gahua j David Barron, Grey and Weotland; Walter GJeorge Walker, Amuri, Cheviot, Ashley, Selwyn, Akaroa, Ashburton and the adjacent islands ; Edward Lebrow, G-eraldine, Levels, Mackenzie and Waimate.

In October of lasb year a pony, saddle, and bridle were stolen from St. Albans and sold at Eangiora. Here it passed into the hands of three owners and from the third the police seized it m October of this year, and the animal went back to the original owner. The person who bonght the pony last has sued for the amount which he paid to the man from whom he purchased it, and if he succeeds the second purchaser will recover against the first. The man who stole the horse and first S3ld it boingat present unknown, it h likely the first to purchase it will be the victim. For the la3t three days the chief topio of conversation amongst local shopkeepers has been the anniversary holiday. Some insist upon keeping; it on Monday 37th, and some on Wednesday 19th, while other again express an intention of closing all Monday and half of Wednesday. This last although apparently a reasonable com promise,'finds no favor with the extremists who have announced by advertisement and otherwise their determination to stick to their first choice, whichever it may be. So it happens that just now the general public do not know any more than this— that there will be very little business doing on either of the days named, as some of the shops will certainly be closed on both days. The event of the year for the children attending the Ashburton Borough School —the annual concert—tak js placa this evening, and is expected to be one of the most attractive enter tainments of the kind ever given by the school. The scholars have prepared some excellent pieces and action songs — notably a fai song, which will be rendered m costume by the girJe, and the K'izoo Band and Old Soldiers by the boys, who will also be appropriately costumed. There a most successful rehearsal yesterday afternoon m the Oddfellows' Hall, of the portion o? the programme allotted to the school children, and to-day the EUII is being decorated for the auspi cious ocsasion. Those persons who wish to secure seats would do well to be m time.

COMMERCIAL.

London, December 12 The health officers condemned the peas and asparagus ex Cuzco and Valetta. The peas landed frcn the first mentioned vessel were to a large extent mildewed and rat eaten, while the asparagus was rotten. The Valetta's peas-' when cooked were nob eatable and emitted an offensive flwor. The total quantity of wheat- and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 2,620,000 quarters, and for the Continent 1,070,000 quarters.

LATEST GABLE NEWS.

Bank of New Zealand.

London, December 12 The market is resenting the call on the Bank of New Zealand shareholders, and the sbares will not sell at 15s dis count. December 13. The Bank of JTew Zealand share • holders m Great Britain have formed a Committee to oppose the payment of the call recently made by the Directors. Dunefin, December 13 The local shareholders of the Bank of New Zealand meet to-morrow to discuss the call made by the Directors.

Fatality at Windsor Castle.

Deatli of tito Canadian Premier

London, December 12 Sir J. S, D. Thompson, Premier of Canada, who was expected to be likely to resign, died suddenly at Windsor Oastle, immediately after he had been sworn m as a Privy Councillor. December 13. Sir J. S. D. Thompson was suddenly seized with illness while at luncheon at Windsor Oastle. Brandy was adminis tered^ and the stimulant c.aused him to revive ; but the improvement was. only temporary, for he soon afterwards fell back and expired suddenly. The medical men have certified that Sir J. S. D Thompson's death was the result of syncope and no inquest is necessary, Tho Queen was greatly grieved on hearing of his sad death, Ottaw i, December 13 The news of Sir J. S. D. Thompson's death caused a profound sensation throughout Canada. It is expected that Mr McKenzie Bowell, Minister of Trade and Com-' merce, will be summoned by the Governor-General to take charge of the Government.

A LONG SITTING.

__ * _ : , <~ I Syi>xbv, December 14 ! The Legislative Assembly sat con tinuously for thirty-two hours discus; i sing the estimates. Very few reduc tions were made.

LAND AND INCOME TAX BILL.

. ~* _ Melbourne, December 14 In committee, on the Land and Income Tax Bill, a proposal was made that the £500 exemption should apply to mortgagees as well as owners. The Premier agreed that m mortgages lip to £1000, the £§00 should b{3: * db dticte'd, abd this was 1 carried. In the section providing for an income tax, the Premier moved that the tax on income derived from property bs doubled as follows —8d m the £1 up to £1300.; Is m the £1 up to £2200 ; U the 4$ over the latter, amount. The motion was earned, '

THE COREAN WAR

_ yrtANCHAi, December 13 Ihe Japanese occupied Fooshow, on the Gulf of Tian 'Jong, practically, without bloodshed, their attack being unopposed by the Chinese, who arc retreating to JS Tuchwang. Tho garrison of Woihaiwei has an nounced that it will desert if attacked. It is reported that Japanese divi sions have landed on the shores of the Gulf of Pcchili, and have taken up a, position near Taku. 'December 13, The Japanese who landed between ■ Taku and Shanghaikwau are believed to be advancing on Pekiu.

THE BANK OF ROME SCANDAL

„. „. , Rombj December 12 feignor Gioletti, the Premier, pro duced the suppressed documents m the Banca Rouiana scandal m the chamber to-day. After a stormy sitting a committee waa appointed to report.

DIPLOMACY ALARMED.

JLondow, Dacsmbtr 12 French Biplomatists are deeply im pressed with the result of the visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to Russia. It is declared the Czar assured the Prince that there should never be anything but friendship be tween Russia and England.

A BIG DIV.

London, December 13 The West Australian Goldfielda Company, Limited^ shows a profit for sis. months of £47,000. A dividend has been declared at the rate of 25 per cent for the year and £20,000 carried forward.

Cable Protection.

«. »„.,., Adelaide, December li In the Legislative Assembly the Colonial Treasurer stated that the Government wouH not contribute towards the defense of Thursday Island until the Queensland, Govern ment agreed to assist m defraying the cost of protecting the Port Darwin cables.

TASMANIAN LOAN

Ho bart, December 14 The Premier confirms a cablegram frora London that Government are about to issue a loan, and says it will be placed on the London market about the first-week m January.

The Wairarapa Verdict.

Kew Zealand''Times"' As everybody who has read the evidence has anticipated, the whole blame for the catastrophe has been placed by the Court of Enquiry on Ciptain Mclntosh. No other verdict was possible. Had the captain sur vived he would certainly have lost his cer tilicate, and m all probability would have been condemned to a substantial term of imprisomnenb on a conviction of aggravated manslaughter. Ifc would be charitable to suppose that a man who had made his mark as a scrupulously careful navigator suddenly lost his reason. But it would be more cor rect, we fear, to ascribe his aberration to drunkenness. There is no direct evidence to support i hat conclusion ; the evidence is the other way. But the conduct of the captain from first to la3t can be accounted for by reasonable men only on the hypothesis thsic ho lv*d lost his balance by drinking: His recklessness is a thing absolutely appalling to contemp'ate. He knew the existence of the current, he was aware that Captain A.ll -man m the Botomahaua not long before had been set as muoh as thirty miles out of his course by that ve:y current. He was de prived by the fog of lils usual bearings. He got hints from his officers of the uncertainty of his position. Yet he drove his ship along at a rate of speed only to be justified by the certainties of clear weather. After the ship was stranded he did absolutely nothing but issue contrary orders to the engineer, and and when he gave up that vacillation he left the engineer to perish without a word. Not a sound was heard from him during the. struggle to get oui the boats; not a word to rally his crew ; not a syllable to urge them to get tiie helpless passengers to the masts. All organisation, all presence of mind, all notion of coping with the difficulties was gone from him m the hour of need. And this was tlie man holding supreme command. No more disgraceful exhibition has ever been made by a British sailor iv our time, and we hope never will be again. His plunge overboard at the end was not Burpriaing, and it was worthy of his utter fqrgetfulnaw of his plain duty from the first. I* is painful to speak evil of the dead. When the first accounts reached us, they encouraged us to believe that the captain had added to the list of grand figures who have perished at the post of duty m shipwreck. But the evi dence at the enquiry has dispelled that im pression, and justice to the living and to the dead requires an uncompromising re view of the position. Of the chief mate the Court has spoken harshly, but nob too harsly of his most unaccountable neglect to report the raft drifting away seaward, carrying precious lives. A man who at Euoh a time keeps such a secret looked up m his breast when there are boats and willing hands about is unfit for a position of com. mand. An to his behaviour oa the mast, that is a different thing. The man was weak from exposure, and there \gere sor(ie unruly spirits on the mast. It is enough that one witness described them as all shouting out suggestions and orders* The most serious feature of the wreck, after the captain's shocking behaviour, is the utter collapse of the boat system. The evidence of the chief engineer gives the time between the first crash and the heeling over at eleven minutes. The fact that m eleven minutes only two boats were got out, and one of them m a crippled condition, is a sweeping condemnation of the boat service on board the ill-fated VVairarapa. The Court is wrong m condemning the boat drill as a farce. There was never any boat drill at all. One boat was out m two minutes because it happened to be m charge of the very capable third officer. We hoped when the firab accounts reached us that this was typical of the whole, and said so. Alas ! we were more generous than correct. Such bunding and jumbljng and crass ignorar'ce and in* I competence as was displayed m that boat service are humiliating to think of. The feeling is deepened by tho fact that so large a proportion of the crew git afloat. The chief engineer, we remember, was refused admission into one boat-, when exhausted after a long swim m the roueh water, on the p^a that they were looking for women. Ho:v came they to get afloat without women? We suspect the engineer was refused i'oc fear of ttie addition'o£-i}is weight to. tho boat. THe Court was quite right to speak sharply of the conduct of the crew. It was, with SJine bright exceptions, disgraceful. The stewardesses gave them a noble example, which the Court describes m proper terms. Had all behaved like them, and had the boat service been colourably efficient, the loss of life might have been very much less. This matter of vhe bfea£ sqrviqe will have, to be v«ry' systematically organised by the Union Company, For thfc lack of organisation ;'u the Wairarapa cast: tho Company'^ .management is of course responsible. Under good management such a thing could not have occurred. In no other way, however, is the management blameworthy. The evidence has established, . the fact that there; w»e no jjre-ssure of any I kind from the management dn the captain tt indnc&him to break their regulations for the sake of a fast passage In the faco of their rule to break every officer who mikea amis, take no other evidence could htvye been v:i pected r ' ,

tffift ASHBURTOSi GUARDIAN: FEIDAtf, "DMEMBEft 14, 1894







jVTO Stimulant has given so much fivor V w^h the Natives as Health Tjsa 1b must bo good \ ask your Grocei' for it Hwav Zaxdsr,< )Yiroles»le Ageri^'



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SWEEPING Reductions. —Is Books for 9d, Is 6d Books for Is, 2a Books for Is 6d, 2s 6d Books for 2s, and all others at equ*lrrfca fe of reduction ar L. F. Audrewbs and Cos., Cash Sale. 618 "^cialT&lmportant. THE i NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY Are Special Purchasers of the well-known



Wanted j I OOK.~Christmas Magazines, Holly I 1 j Leaves, New Z lalai d Graphic, « lUustratel London Wews, Black and ! White, Father Christmas, Ladies Journa', Illustrated Mag.-jvne, liHuS-atel P»per, Sketch, YuL-Tid>. Ota«o Witness, 1 Weekly Press, C.nttrSury Tirao?. I Chrktmaji, Now Yeir, Diitbd.y, and Text Car's, at a 1 prices. Plain,' Fancy, and Mourning Sta'ioi.tr/. Picture Books, Scraps, etc. Circu<atias Libraiy Teim- E*sy.—John M^hsd-n, Shop and Book stall. /"YHRISIMAS Prcsen's, Choice Orna \J ments, Z'.lhera and Jew's Hafp", Ba'is and Dolls for everybody from li each ; Jointed Dills for 61, Sleeping Beauties If, Chinese. Conquerors 6J, ■ Russian TTmbtfsics Is, W»lkiog Mtn, Talking Dolls, Scotch Greys, and Ennk killen Dragoons all wond?rful!y cheap at Mes Alcorn's Ladies' Underclothing and Fancy Bazaar, Havelock street. OYSTERS, Fried Flounders, and Whitebait every right at Jewitx's, Deep Sea Fishing Company, opposite Mail office. - 9 168



A'KAei'.— -*iuyone drinking Health Tex and diac&fdinj; all other brands, will certainly add ten years to his life, Jusfc your tr/ it. To be had from &a Groccira. WANx'BD, Everybody to use Titan goap, greatest maryfii of the age. H. .^AKDStt* A.fjent- BOY'ilnd OirJs Os'/ti Anjiual, British Workman and VTotkvroman, Infanc's M-i«azino, The Prize, Child's Oorapartion, Dhildren''* Friend, Little Dot, Family Friend, Band of Hope, Young England, and other New Books at Lowest Prices.— L. F. Ahdbbwes and Co. 11 98 W" ANTEDl&»o»rfc^Thatif you are m want of a firsb class article m sum mcr Boots and Shoes, you cannfii do better than call afc J. Moison's •, you wiljl !»eb the very best at reduced prices. Aa for his own make, they are well known (p the delight of the wearers, throughout (the Australasian colonies. Eepairs well done anrl at once Promier Boot Maker, Town 11*11 Boot Store, East street, A&hburton. GUNS ! Guns ! Guns ! My new stock of Gunsj usfc to hand direct from the i«antff;i£iurers. Double and Single Barrel Breech h' -s^ers, Rifles, etc. In spection invited. Mo oW stock to select from at J. W. Harple^S .^rfing Repository riHRISTMAS and New Year Cards for \J the Home Mail. A beautiful assort ment just opened up, Packets of Cards of uhoiae designs from 3J upwards- Writing Papers and Envelopes, Pocket Books, Purses, Writing Cases, Ink- Plane's, Pictures, Music s A.ooordeons from 7s 9d, Concertinas, Binjos, Zither Harps, Photo Frames and Albums, Scrap and Postage Stamp Albums, ln&Qor G-ames, and a great variety of goods too numerous to mention : all at greatly wyltfsgd prices for cash this month afc L, F. Ani/Ke^s ay© Co 's Cheap Salo. p AD I i*! S' aud Gentlemen's left-evff |_J Cloifclica and all kinds of goods bou<,'hr, sold, o? — Mkjj Kn)!«WT opposite Te^nplat HalJ, ne«»r E^±_ cc •. iL 1"^ WANTED Known— Thatowir.g to the success of the *>ie n,ow be,i,ng held up at Sftucders' JJuildjings, opposite R/^il wny Stadon, t. - will be .continued ior anothez twenty-eigfejb days. lam not advertising a tav cheap Uueg, bub tjie whole of th a stock. Don't lose the oppor tunity of securing genuine b»rga|n«'-»A ildAWSlli, " Jo<?



WANTED Known — Mrs Hooper (monthly nuree) is open to accept engagements. Apply, by letter, to Mrs Hooper, Alford Foreet Road, Ashburton. 11*134 ROBERT ALOORN has opened m Baker's Buildings, next the Court house, with a stock of Clothimr, etc., bought at Edwards, Bennett's and the Kaiapoi S^les, tho cheapest lot of good;: ever brought to Ashbnrton. Also an assortment of Hoots. NOTICE 1 Notice S->ort for all Guns lot-out*, on hire cr sold on Urn* payments. H&ving a professional Gunsmith on tho premises, I undertake to repair Guns of any description, Gun fiitings m stock. Prices low.—J. W Hardlbv, Ironmonger, etc 1 OWN Make In Ladies' and Children's Underclothing, Aprons, and Pina fores ; also a good assortment of Calicoss, Muslins, Fhnn&lettes, T-irnming", otc. s at, Mrs Alcorn's new shop, B ker's Buildings, \\ * E Hold a Large S'onk of iho Latest ■> V >'ov-'ltiea m Materials fur Blouses and Wilklnar Fre^es. Just « r.p..ne'?, < x Pukth't. and Innic, Dress Goods o* choice splfici'in, Siinshal*\s and Umbrella-*.'- Mitt-toll and Turner. BANG ! Bang i Bang 1 My new sea son's stock of Ammunition to hand Eley's, Kynock's and, Oluo Cartridges, Powder, Bhor, Caps, Wada, Cases and all sporting materials of the first quality at J. W. Hardley's, Gun Emporium. BLANKETS bought at Edwards Bennet's Sale, a special line of Double Blankets at 7s di. Ex I*™l*™ targe and heavy 15 i 6d and 16s 6d.--Robert Alcorn, Baker's Buildinarv



WANTED Known —Spectacles, Eye Protectors, Goggles, Folders, and everything m the optical line at S. SiLEK's, Optician, TciTCREAM, Ice Cream, Ice Cream, JL now ready at H. A, Flower's, East street, Ashburtcn. Ice supplied at shortest notice. 10 114 "O ECENT Arrivals.— Ladles'andGentle >•*■■*' men's Summer Boots and Shoes, Cricketing and Tennis Shirts. Unlimited selection of Snrnmer Ties and Hats.— Mitchell and Turner. TO LADlES.—Spring Cleaning.—We have just received Three Cases of Curtains and Liberty Muslins, together with new Patterns m Carpets, O lcloths, and Linoleums. China Matting from Shi per yard.-—Mitchell and Turner. PUBLIC Notice—Fletcher Bbos. will j close their Anhburton establishment! on Monday, December 17, the Anni versary of Canterbury, but will be open to do business all tha rest of the week, Wednesday, December 19 included. — Flktcher Bros., Cash Supply Stores, Ashburton and Christcburch. WANTED Known.—Miss Murphy Dressmaker, h',s removed tc Burnett Street, next to Orange Hall. Wedding and Mourning orders especially attended to.



Wanted, \ A NNIVEimRY Holiday. Wednes-j Jl\. day, December 19, proohimed by \ Borough Council. So I shall be Open for business on Monday, December 17. — H. C. Sjbgbiis, Melford House. MONDAY. December 17, we eliall be Open for business, Closing D.-ee!« ---i bor 19, th" date Gxnl by iho Borough Council —H. C. fc?i:oE«s Melford House. W"~""~ AN FED — Customers to coma and do their Shopping on Monday, Wednesday, Deem' er 19, being tho Holiday proclaimed by the borough Counci'.-—lf. 0. Seobrs, Me ford House. FACIAL Line. Youths' Str ng Tweed l- three garment Trouser Suits from 13s 91-G. L Beath and Co., Tancred Street. 12 103 ptBEAP Chrisln.a< Present, Cheap v> New Y<»ar Oif s, Cheap Toys, Cheap Dolls, Cheap Fancy Goods. Mis Adams, launders' Buildings. WANTED —Every Lady to try Madam Balcombe's Patent Ex panding Belt Corset (registered), guaran teed whalebone throughout. Orders left at Mr E. Hall's, Herbalist, Ashburton, will receive prompt attention. 10 86 "TTy ANTED Known—The Corner Is YY showing a magnificent New iStock of Drapery and Clothing.—W, H. Collier. WANTED Known—Special line of Gents' Regatta Shirts, all sites, with or without collars, 2$ 6d.—W, H. Collier.



NEW GOODS. NEW GOODS. T 0 ME E T~IThE T IMES. OWING to the scarcity of money and dulness ol trade generally, we are over stocked. To ensure a speedy clearance, we have marked the whole of our atVery JLowest "Possible Prices, NOW 13 YOUR TIME. MAKE NO MISTAKE. G J. jfWl L L'S IS THE SHOP FOll A GENUINE isABGAIN. New Prints, guaiaatecd to w«b, 3£-l j New and Fashionable Inc., Goods, double New (^ tlatcL, very strong, 6.} I width, worth 2s for Is 3d -•* Mdp very pretty, 7* guaranteed J gJgJ^lU^ wl , te «j w Dress Gor Is 5a lid, dr«H worth double | Towe's, 2Jd ; Cotton Shirting, 4.Jd millineryT^milli ne ry IN ALL ITS BRANCHES EXCEPTIONALLY CHEAP. Strong Corsets, 4o fid now 2< lid | Children's Sunshades Is udie"'s"°'h*desofcS)TH!Na. ' CLOTHING. \Ton'« «Sn;t-a Infill ?, >ys'Tweed Suits, 4s lld K^. ■h«d Suit, 37, U no. ». W ajufcrjj- aJen's Colonial Tweed Suits, 45» now 32s 6J | price boots" ""boots. \Ye were never bextcn, and wo defy competition. All our Colonial Boot* aie made specially to our order, and we guarantee them. If not as good as recommended, wo will replace them. —JUS" ™O IJANi) — I^o pair of Ladies' La^n. Shoe, 4* 111 Children's Tan Shoe, and Sl.pperaaspecialty N<r< Blochcre, 4,1W _ j description. COME A_N_D SE E. G. J. NE IL L'S FtUEDLANOK&'S CORNER, $AST STREET, ASITP^HTOK]



Public Notice. ANWVERSAKY DAY, 1894. FLETCHER BROS., WILL CLOSE TJEO ASIIBURL'ON ESTABLISHMENT ON MONDAY, DECEMBER ri'Hti liu/iversary of Canterbury, but will be Open to <b business all the rest of thew^k, WEDNESDAY, D.cembor 19, INCLUDED. FLBICBER BKOS. WHOLESALE AKD JtfMAIL. GK CSBS, CASH SUPPLY STORES, ASHBURTON AND CHRISTCHURCH.



Fbirndly Society'B Spobts, 1 WEDNESDAY, DEC. 19. Monitor Procession QTARTING FROM TEMPLAR iULL. KOLIN BOOD IN ALL HWOUHiY^ ANCIENT DRUIDS DRESSEO IV THE R'iBES WOltN IN THE DAIS OF OLD. TABLEAUX AND BANN EE S. SPORTS IN THE DOMAIN STAKHNG AT ||.3O A.M. BICYCLE RAOEgs, FOOT piTCHING COMPETITION, EGG AND SPOON EAOE, INTERNATIONAL TUO OF WAR, BABY RESCUING COMPETITION. STEAM MBBRY-GO-ROUfID, " WONDERFUL." TOYS WTLL BE FREELY DISrRtBUTED AMONG ALL THE CHILDREN. THE EVENT OF THE YEAR, ADMISSION, Is, Children 6d. | 0 9 7 G. J. NEILL, Secretary.