MAIL NOTICES.

The Letter Isox will be cleared for the despatch of correspondence from Ashburton to the undermentioned places as oltema : —

Burnh&m and Daneandei, daily .-■ 3,15 pm Chert sey and Kakaia, Christ church and north, daily 630 am 3 15 pm 6 30 pm

and Monday, Wednes« day, and Friday ... 10 30 am DrOmore and Selwyn, daily 630 pm Eiffelton, Willowby, daily ... 1030 ara Lieincre, Tuesday, Thars- . day, and Saturday ...10 30 am ElffiH, Wakaoui, and Biver tide, daily ... ...6 30 am Seaviww, Soitield, Kyle, and Newlands, Tuesday, Thursday Saturday ... 630 am Grwostreefc, Winchmore, and Forks, Tuesday, Thurs day, Saturday ... ,6 30 am Wheatstont?, VVaterton, Ash ton, Longbeach, and FlemiaftoD, daily ...3 45 pm Mount Someis, Spriru?bum, Bathside, AK«rd Forest, Btave'ey, daily  ... 4pm Mettwen, daily ... ...3 15 pm CJeraidine, and Orari, daily.. 12 30 pm Oamaru, Danedin, Waimate, and south, daily ... 1230 pm Baling, Rangitata, daily ... 10 30 am 12 30 pm Temuka, Timaru, daily, 10 30 am 12 and Tuesday, Thursday, 30 pm and Saturday 3 15 pm TinwaW, Winslow, Hindß, 10 30 am 12 daily 30 P«* ,And Tuesday, Thursday, ;»,nd Saturday ... ... 315 pm Ruapu.o*! Monday and Thur« d*jr • 4 Pm Mayfieid. Monday, Tuesday, Thunwfoy, and Friday ... 4pm Liters *»nt.aining anythiug of value •Irow'd be revered. Letters con.tai«ing coin or bank notes if posted Horegbter««r will be compulsorily rwgiitwnwl, and chargfcd double registration fee

FIRE ALARMS

; «ftei»ton • -«**« t*ll »IW«iph, north of railway ... two fe©i|« TBorongh, south of railway ... three t*W* SHampruead ... fo»r toiaß

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1895.

MADAGASCAR.

The French people do not appear to be particularly keen on the war with Madagascar; not nearly so popular is it as was the campaign in Siam, and in addition to the want of popularity of the Hova war among the people, the Legislature is very greatly divided on the subject. It was stated at the commencement of-the trouble that the campaign in Madagascar would be an , arduous one. The country was iL difficult one to fight over in the, capacity of invaders, not only on account of its roughness but more; particularly on account of its in salubrious climate for Europeans. The climate is bad enough and dangerous enough for Europeans who have all the advantages that the ability gives to surround themselves with the comforts of modern civilisation, and all the protection which western science affords against the inroads on health of malaria ; but in camp, crowded together as troops necessarily are, with but imperfect attention paid to sani tary matters, and every arrangement of the most temporary and unequal nature—to-day fairly satisfactory, to morrow dangerous to health in the highest degree—what must that climate be for the army. We hear but little of how the war progresses in the island. Any information that reaches us» comes from a French source, and naturally tells of the success of French arms, but a recent cable, dealing more particularly with Noumea, lifts a corner of the curtain and lets in a side light that 6hows something of the state of affairs. As with.our own Maori war the Hovas have to be fought in the bush—that is their great stronghold, and knowing every foot of the ground, trained to the warfare of their own woods, and fitted by nature to withstand the climate of their island, they have » heavy handi cap in their favor against their Euro pean invaders. So soon as the warlike intentions of the French .were known, the Malagasy held meetings all over the island, and the enthusiasm which characterised those gatherings indicated that the native people had no intention of calmly placing their necks under the feet of the invaders. Stories— fqundationless, of course—had been told of French atrocities, and those inspired in the simple native minds feelings of intense horror, which would doubtless add to the enthusiasm already existing in the war of defence, On the side of the Malagasy, therefore, there is every indication that the war will be carried on with great energy. Harking back on what reached us three months ago as to what the French were doing or intended to do in the campaign, it seemed to us then that the force intended to be SRnt was altogether too small for the work that would be required of it, pnd the French War Gsc& either did not realise the nature of the task they were setting the expeditionary force, &f they were disregarding it. Fifteen thousand men were asked for, and sixty-five million francs in money. There were many politicians in France who unhesi tatingly pronounced this force to be £0,0 weak, and the sum asked for gAtogalfaep inadequate. For be it remembered tljatt^e standing army in Madagascar consists oi 2G,OSQ welj drilled and well-armed men, aud if I necessary a force of 50,000 can be raised. It has been asked whether the island is worth the cost of the exp,estjion ? for the population is some whereabout f ( 0j9Q,000, and the exports and imports eacty abouifa a pjillpn and a half sterling. Under ,the French Protectorate the trade has beep divided between Britain, the United fftates, France, th.c Mauritius, and B£uniojQ ; and a considerable portion of'the total ii^ts $qn§ to By Fcjr the present, all" that E'r^uce. could hope to gain would be to direct $ portion of the trade with other countries to the coffers of her own merchant?. It ia said the trade may be greatly increased in the future, Bhd this prospec,t may have weight with the Chamber of deputies. The campaign, j however, has ypt fcp ha fought, and the result of a war is guffieientiy doubtful to the make prophet discreet The purveyors of French news of Mada gascar have been very discreet, but at last we get the cable in regard to Noumea which we have referred to. wj& arp tpld in it that no more convicts will b^ Be^jt to Noumea from Jfrance, and tha f t 3joG^ goo* conduct men wijll be sent to Madagas^ap to make rpads through the tush forjbhe use of the t,roops. It is usual for an ..atfpy *G P?^6 own ro ; ads and do all dtsowjn pic|c andjjhoyel work, although the Crimea a,ib^da f pfefiedenp in whi^h civilian navvies wers se#t pypv from England to wprjk on entrench ments, and so save the trained jfjghjbfng men fop warfare pure and simple. But , this was not done until the War Office j

foand difficulty in supplyingthe demand for fighting men. France can have no difficulty in supplying that demand, but it may not suit the authorities to ask the Chamber for more, and this way of increasing the strength of .the force in Madagascar has much to recommend it. The levy in .Noumea, it may be taken for granted, will not be restricted to good conduct men. But as nearly every man on the settle ment has at. some time cr other been a soldier, the likely fellows among the convicts will be quietly absorbed for military service against the Malagasy. Even with such aid the force cannot be too strong, and we expect to hear very coon that something decisive has been attempted.

LIQUOR CONSUMPTION.

' Perusing a blue book is said to be as dry work as any one can tackle, but there is often to be found in these dry volumes matter well worth reading— facts and figures that are wonderful evidence that the compilers of the blue book have found things just as they are. E. J. yon Dadelszen, the Regis trar-General of New Zealand, publishes annually an Official Year Book of New Zealand, and despite the dry ness of much of the print contained within its covers, there is much that will be found interesting reading. Tt is interesting to learn from the records contained in the Year Book for 1894 that the con sumption of alcoholic liquors in our colony is steadily decreasing. As drinking is the cause of drunkenness— and we think this is self-evident and cannot be controverted—it stands to reason that if there is less drinking there must in degree be less drunken ness, which of course means less intem perance. That drunkenness is on the decrease is proved by the figures quoted by the registrar. In 1891 5118 people were convicted of drunken ness in our Magistrates' Courts. In 1892 the convictions had fallen to 5055. "When the Year Book went to press the return for 1893 was not com pleted, so that the figures are not given, but judging by the Ashburton and Ohristchurch returns which have been published in the Canterbury papers, and which both show a de crease, we are justified in saying that a decrease will be shown over the i colony for both 1893 and 1894. In 1883 the consumption of beer, spirits, and wine per head of European popula tion was 9-434,1-088, and 0 315 gallons respectively. Since then there has been a steady diminution under all these headings, until in 1893 the 6gures stood at 7.716 gallons of beer, 0-697 of spirits, and o'l7o of wine per head. This com pares more than favorably with the TJnited Kingdom, where the consump tion of beer is 2874 gallons, and TOO gallon of spirits per head, and is also below those of the other Australasian colonies, which are topped by Victoria with 19-36 gallons of beer, and 112 gallons of spirits per head. Ihese figures speak for themselves, and prove beyond doubt that the people of New Zealand are more temperate than those of any other English speaking country except Canada, where but 8-05 gallons of beer, and 1 19 of spirits per head are constimed. In the latter item Canada uses twice as much per head as New Zealand, but less than half the quantity of beer, which may be accounted for by the difference in climate. The Wanganui Herald, writing on the sub ject, points out that if the wine grow ing industry flourished as it ought to flourish in the North Island of New Zealand, the consumption of beer arid spirits " would bo still further reduced anddrunkenness itf proportion, asitisan acknowledged fact that the people of wine-growing countries are the soberest and thriftiest in the world. Light, wholesome wine can be produced in New Zealand at a cost of less than that of ordinary draught ale, but owing to many causes the industry does not seem to make proper progress. Those who have gone into the growing of grapes and wine-making in suitable localities on this island have had no cause to regret their enterprise, as it is one that presents considerable in ducements to qualified persons to enter into. It is too much the habit of peeple in New Zealand to decry their own products, and we are sorry to see in the report of the Minister of Labor's Ohristchurch speech an uncalled for sneer »t New Zealand made wine, which Mr Reeves evidently held in small favour. The experts who judged the wine exhibits at the Melbourne Exhibition and at the Colinderies in London, also tasted New Zealand made w?ne and held it in high esteem, awarding Mr Spier, of Wanganui, first honors for his wines, which are both palatable and wholesome, and above all within the means of everyone. It is only a matter of time for New Zea land to stand high up in the list of wine-growing countries, as experts have repeatedly declared that a large ai^a of p\e North Island is eminently suited to the gpo#fcji of f;hs grape, and olive, which are always found growing* in wine making countries, where they form a large part of the food of the people.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Governor leaves Wellington to night in the Hinemoa for Qnehurga.

A ram and ewe fair will be held at Bakaia saleyards on Thursday, March 7-

Ab Kaiapoi yesterday James White head, treasurer of the local lodge of Odd fellows, was committed for trial on a charge of embezzling moneys of the lodge.

Mr William Watt, the conatsble who has for some years done mounted duty in Ashburton district;, is under orders for Waimate,tobe officer in charge ot that districc. , , "

The Junior C. C. will play St Saviour's G.O. (Syderiham) on Thursday. The latter team wil| arrjye by the early train, f»nd will have in the (earn the Rev. E. A. Scott.

Hollow Ay's Pills. Exist ence!— This medicine embraces every tri bute required in a general and domoatic remedy. It overturns the foundations of disease laid by defective food and itrpure air. In obstructions or congestions of the lijrer, lungs, bowls,, or any other organs, these pilla uieu especially' serviceable and eminently successful:' They ohonld be kept in readiness in every family, being a menicine of incomparable utility for young persons, especially those of feeble constitutions. Tliey never cause pain or irritate the most sensi tive nerves or most tender bowels.' Hollo way's ? Jills are the best known purifiers of th,e blood, tt*e post active promoters of absorption and sepration ? "whpreby ali poison oua mi n>o»t pbnoxwuß pifcptieleß »r$ w» mmi from botjj flolidi *ni fiuidi*

1 The Lending Board under the cheap money scheme has (granted eiehty appli cations, amounting to about £9000. The recipient* come from Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, and Wttllington* districts.

Tho^e who may intend presenting them ] selves at the examination in'the tbeoiy 'of: music next June are reminded thafc Mrs Bowman Fox has commenced a class for preparing candidates in her rooms, Siunders' Buildings.

Yesterday morning's passenger train from Palmersbon to Wellington ran iato a ballast train which was standing on the siding at Tawa flat on the Manawatu Company's line. Both engines suffered, nd some damage was done to rolling stock, but none of the passengers or officers were injured The passengers and luggage were brought into town in another train after some delay.

The children's excursion to Christ church and Lyttelton will take place on Friday, Match 1, and it would be well for school committees and teachers, who have not already done so, to notify the station master at Ashburton at once of the pro bable number of children, and adults going with them, likely to come from their respective schools, so that ample carriage accommodation may be provided. The railway advertisement appears else" where.

On Sunday at Invernargill James Henry Pidgeon died somewhat mysteriously. Deceased had been engaged the previous day mixing a new rabbit poison, dig* covered by F. H. Danaels, who had warned the workman not to stand too close after he had added the poisonous ingredient, the nature of which is a secret. Pidgeon was taken ill arid died. On Sun day two other workmen were also bad, but have recovered. The presumed cause of poisoning is through inhalation.

Captain Fairchild reports that at Camp bell Island it was found that several cases stored in a depot had been broken into, and a small boathouse, erected some yards distant, had been entered and a quantity of gooda (comprising boots, blankets, shirts, etc.) taken away. All the other depots were found in good order. No seals were seen at Campbell Island and only a few at the Auckland group. At the latter, however, the skeletons of about twenty-five were found, the crow of some whaler having evidently been at work.

Last; night in the Chrlstchurch City Council the Mayor called attention to the congregation of people in the streets on Saturday nights, and the risk of accidents which is run by so many people owing to the pedestrians crowding out on to the road. With so many meetings in Cathedral square on a Saturday night it is inevitable that crowds assemble. It would b<) far better if the City Council would set apart the Market square, where traffic is not so great, for meetings such as the Salvation Army, the Liberal Association, etc.

According to a cablegram in the Aus* tralian Star, dated February 11, a murder was attempted ab Spicalfialds under cir cumstances similar to the 'Jack the Ripper' murders. The screams of the woman, one of the unfortunate class, attracted passers by, and a man who gave his name as Grant was arrested, being found bending over the woman with a long-bladed knife in his hand. The woman was not dead, bub she was terribly injured. The prisoner stated that he was a fireman, and certain clues in the hands of the police suggest that the man maybe 'Jack the Ripper. 1

The barquentine Grace Dent, Captain Pughe, from Clarence River, New South Wales, and loaded with iron-baik timber for the Government Railways Department went ashore at the Wanganut Meads on, Saturday evening, and ia no,w a complete wreck. All hands, seven \a number, were saved. The pilot says that he stave sig nals to sta.r.d off and warning the* boat of' danger, but that no no ico was t-ken.- At the time the vessel struck, 5.45, it wanted some hours to high water, which i on SatuHay night was at 9.20. She was! insured for £1000 in the fsorth Queens land Company, £750 of which is re-insured iri Sydney offices.

One day last week an unfortunate acci dent happened at Mr Frost's farm, Lis more. A neighbor was assisting Mr Frost to cart in. At lunch time Mr Frost's shaft horse was lefc in the dray; and the boy in charge of the neighbor's horse was asked to take the bib out of tha horse's mouth to allow it to feed better. He toojj? the blinkers off, and the horse at once started oil at full speed. Another horse was being fed at a feeder, and tiie shatter in his rush caught this horse with tha point of one of the dray shafts near the short rib,.nearly disembowelling the poor brute, and carrying it along for some dis tance. The horse died in about fifteen minutes.^

Mr Ferguson, the Auckland Inspector under the Shop Hours Act, has not yet decided whether to prosecute the shop keepers who kept open on the strength of the decision of the Wellington Magistrate or await the result of the appeal to the Supreme Courtab Wellington. At a meet' ing of the Auckland shopkeepers yester day, a resolution was passed expressing strong disapproval of the action of the Attorney General in refusing to grant a fiat in order that the legality of the Auck land Conference re the fixture of the half holiday might be tested in the Supreme Court. A copy of the resolution is to be forwarded to the Attorney-General and the Premier. The Wellington City Council, last night, by 8 votes to 4, refused the application from the watchmakers of the city to make the day for the statutory halt-holiday under the Factories Act Wednesday instead ef Saturday, for that trade.

A correspondent of a northern contem | porary protests against the proposal of the I Bishop of Christchurch, which has been accepted by the Anglican General Synod, to call clergymen, in charge of parishes "vicars,' 1 and their assistants '• curates " The word "curates" implies qne who has the ''cure" (ctyra) of souls in a parish. The word "vicar implies one who acts " vicariously," that is, as a substitute or deputy for another, whifh is what the assistant does. ' To adopt) Bishop Julius's suggestion is. to transpose the meanLigs of the two words. The double misnomer has grown into use in England, but that is no reason why it should be introduced in New Zealand- In France the terms are correctly used—the "cure 1' (curate) is the priest who has the "cure" of the parish, and his assistant-priest is called the "vicaire." The correspondent says that, as a little boy, he asked, " Why da we pray at phurch for ill bishops and curates, and always leave oat the vicar?' "Ah, my boy,"replied his uncle, "the vicar is past praying for."

RELEASED.

Sydney, February 24

Frank 3 t . Smith, i&eorge Finlayson and Augustus S, Millar, whp weire sen tencedas pirectors of the Australia^ Mercantile Loan and Guarantee Com pany, to seven years. 1 penal servitude, have been released after serving three years.

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held last evening. Yrs&fsjn.t —His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Cuthbertson, Role, Thomas, Bird and Orr.

CrThomasmnved, and Cr Orr seconded, "That out of respect to the memory of the late Cr Tweed the Council do ad journ." Crs Cuthbertson and Bird supported the motion, both gentlemen bearing testi mony to the starling character of the de ceased Councillor.

The motion wan carried, and the Coun cil adjourned accordingly.

ATHLETIC.

Th« Cliaiuploßihip Meeting"

Napiek, February 25 The remaining events of the Athletic Championship Meeting were run off this afternoon. These were the one mile and twenty-five mile bicycle Championships. In the short distance Pither and Jones, I both of Canterbury, finished first and second in the first heat, and in the second j heat Hayward, of Canterbury, finished in I front of Reynolds, of Auckland. This quartet ran off the final, and Pither won, with Jonas second, Hayward third, and Reynolds close up. Time, 2 26 3-sth. In the Twenty five-mile Bicycle Handi cap each started, and after perhaps one of the best " bike " races ever seen in New Zealand, Pither, Christchurch, beat Jones, Christchurch, by a wheel, while Hayward, Christchurch, was a good third.

School Committee.

Cltcrtccy

The usual monthly meeting of the Ohertsey School Committee was held on Saturday evening last. There were present, Messrs W. Oakley (chairman), Copland, Childs, Downie, Lukies, and Scarlett. The master's report, referring to irregular attendance and other matters, was received. It was resolved that the parents of irregular attenders tie written to.  ,

It was resolvad to support the candidature of Messrs Sawle, Joyce and Wentenra for a seat on the Education Board.

Messrs Scarlett and Childs were appointed the Visiting Committee for the mouth. It was agreed to close the school on Friday, March 1, so that any children that wished might take advantage of the excur sion to Lyttelton. An account amounting to £1 7s 6d was passed for payment.

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourseives responsible forth* Opinions expressed by our correspondents)

THE DOMAIN.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —I notice a correspondent, signing himself "Ratepayer," complains in your issue of this evening that the whole of the Domain is closed against the public on days set apart as close days by the Sports Association. I would like to inform "'Kafcejjayer" and others who are not acquainted with the facts that this is not. so. The only two gates at which a charge is made for admission on clcme days are i he' West Street and -Park Street entrances, the other gates being open to the public. I think I am safe in saying that on the lasc two close days there were over one hundred persons in various parts of the Domain, and who had free access to %U of it except the sports ground. I pointed thia nut in the Council not long ago, also that it is no hardship to the public, as there is no restriction on them unless they desire to attend the sports meetings, > when of course they can have no objection to paying.—l am, etc , R. M, CUTHBEKTSON. Ashburton, February 25, 1895.

CRICKET.

CANTERBURY v. OT GO.

There was splendid weather yesterday for the second day's play in the cricket match Otago v Canterbury. The latter team were more at home on the dry wicket, aud captured the last five wickets of Otago for 44 runs—a total of 144, Clayton adding 11. This left Canterbury 98 behind, but the second innings produced 204—Pearce 68, Labatt 57, Reese 15, De Maua 11, Robertson not out 11, Cuff and Collins 10 each. Otago requiring 107 to win lost one wicket for two runs at the call of time. The game will be resumed, on Tuesday afternoon.

SHOOTING AFFAIR ON THE PORT HILLS.

Christchurch, February 25 A shooting affair is reported to have taken place on the Port Hills this after* noon. John W. Otten, whd looks after Marley's cottage, about four miles beyond the Convalescent Home, was wounded by % half caate Maori boy named Daniel Kelly. The boy had been committed to Bnrnham from Auckland, and then licensed out to a person' at Lincoln. , There he is suspected of having broken i into a house and stolen a double ' barrelled gun. From Lincoln the boy { made his way down to the hills, and a few | nights back he was suspected of having broken into the cottage at Marley'p, and of stealing a watch and chain, Last night it is supposed he broke in as;a:n and stole a carbine and a number of cartridges and j some other articles. This morning Otten ! started out to look for the boy. He says his dog 6tarted a rabbit, and he vent into the scrub to try-to get a shot at it, when he was suddenly confronted by the Maori boy, who at a distanca of only two yards fired a shot gun., wounding Otten on' the right side. The latter re'urned it, but is unable to say whether he wounded tha boy. Otten came down as far as Cash iflere, Wilson^ co*.;h.man banging him on from there to the hospital. A detach ment of police at once set out for the hills after the boy. On examining the wound at the hospital the surgeon was unable bo find any trace of shot. The police who went to the Port Hills to search for the Maori boy concerned in the shooting case with the man Otten, found him very seriously injured, a charge of shot having struck him in the left jaw, which is smashed, and shot have lodged in the mouth and at the base of the brain. He was brought to the hospital, but was not expected to live through the night. The hospital surgeon who ex amined Otten found Ha face burned and blackened by powder, and a graije on the top of the head, which might have been paused by a wad.

European and Other Foreign Items

London. February 24 The Sydney Harbour Collieries Company lias been formed, to work the recent find of coal on the north side ef the harbor, with a capita! of £500,000. Thirty-four thousand £10 7 per cent preference shares will be issued on Tuesday wtek. Sir George Dibbs will be chairman of the Aus tralian Board.

Captain Hunter Blair has been selected foe the adjutancy of tho Third Gordon Highlanders.

Lord Brassey sails for Melbourne in the Sunbeam in July. London financiers subscribed one hundred and twenty million dollars for the United states loan of sixty-two and a half million dollars.

Bbrum, February 23 A commercial congress hw passed » resolution condemning; the motion adopted hy the Reichstag in favour of bimetallism, and adding that it is im perative that the German nation should not meddle with the currency at present in force.

February 24 The Kaiser, addressing the Brandon burgers, dwelt on the thorny nature of bis office, and ridiculed Utopian schemes. No class, ha said, could claim special pririleges at the cost of others.

Pretoria, February 24 President Kruger has presented the Pope with a diamond weighing 971 carats, said \o have no equal in the world.

Imperial Politics.

London, February 24 The Right Hon. A. J. Balfour's absence from the House during the debate on Sir Henry James's motion, attacking the Indian cotton duties ruined Mr Chamberlain's plan for the overthrow of the Government. Mr Chamberlain withdrew from the Chamber a$ the last moment and the Conservative party collapsed. Mr Fowler, in speaking against the motion, appealed to the Imperial in stincts of members, and said the House was responsible to the people of India, whom every member represented. Mr Fowler's remarks were received with cheers.

The whips of the Conservative party, in the absence of the leaden, appealed to the members to support Sir H. James' motion.

The Westminster Gazette says that the Government has resolved not to sacrifice Indian interests to a section of the English trade.

The retreat of the Conservative members from the House before the division was taken was like a stam pede. Lord George Hamilton vainly invoked Lord Salisbury's authority, commanding them to stay and vote, but without avail.

The Bill introduced by Lord Ripou permits intercolonial freetrade.

Trouble In West Africa

London, February 24 News has been received from West Africa that a party of marines and sailors was landed from H.M.S. St. George, and after a sharp engagement defeated the natives of Akassa, on the Brass river, in revenge for their out rages on officials of the Niger Company. The natives, although armed -with machine guns, sustained heavy lots.

February 25. Major Claude Macponald, H.M. Commissioner on the Niger coast, and the officer in command of H.MS. St; George's party, were wounded in the attack on the natives on the Bras* river,

THE CATTLE TRADE.

Paris, February 24 The French Government have pro hibited the import of cattle from America, owing to the fear of introduc ing pleuro pneumonia.

SIR HENRY LOCH

London, February 23 Sir H. Loch informed the Cape Go vernment that he intended to retire. He took this step with the deepest re-. gret, as he had passed some of the most eventful years of his life in South Africa. He expressed his gratification at the energy and enterprise of the Chartered Company. The Press waa misled as to the details of his resigna tion, owing to the terms of the minute of the Cape Government. Sir Hercules Robinson, is mentioned as big sdocea* sor.

INFLUENZA

London, Fabruuy 24 The influenza is raging in a virulent form, and many members of both Houses and the Judicial Bench are affected. A number of deaths in the working classes has been recorded.

February 25.

Lord Rosebery and Mr Ba! four, who havevbeea prostrated by the prevailing epidemic, are now better. The Criterion Theatre has had to be closed, nearly all the members of the company playing there just now being confined to bed with inflirenzs.

THE COREAN WAR

Shanghai. February 23 Chinese officials have quelled the rioting at Takau, Formosa,, beheading twenty-five of the leaders before the arrival of the gunboat. Tooo, February 24 The Imperial Diet hag voted sixteen million pounds sterling with which to continue the war against China, and has also a Oorea loan of half a million sterling.

February 25. Another large force is mobilising at Hiroshima, with the intention, it i» believed, of making a descent upon Fotmosa.

Shanobai, February 29 The Chinese armies at Yigkow and Niuchwang are retreating. It is reported that Li Hung Chang is accredited with the fullest power to treat with Japan fer a declaration of peace. The Chinese Court is weary of the war,, and it is generally be lieved, if the present mission fails, the Emperor of China will appeal to the Great Powers to-step in and bring tha war to a close, promising in return to open a portion of the country tQ foreigner*.

THE ASHBOBTON GUARDIAN: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1895.



Canterbury—First Innings , 46 Otago—First Innings. J. Baker, c Reese b DeMaus 12 W. Parker, b J-'earce 3 A. Pownes, b Pearce ... ... ... 0 A-,fc>,arke, c and b Pearce ... ... 41 A. H: Fisher, cA. Ridley b DeMaus ... 12 0 W. Rattray. b Pearce 12 F. D. Clayton, b Robertson 28 A. G. Rains, h w t b Robertson 1 F. Harper, c Labatt b Pearce 7 .K. Currie, b Robertson ... ... ... 9 J. Hope, not out .., ... 0 Byes 10 L«g-byes , ... 9 !' Total .„ 144 Robertson took three wickets for 55 rune, Pearce five for 34, Labatt none for 12, Be Maus two for 24.



sale at HPTneilL'S. BAB9AISB. CLOTHING & BOOTS. White (Mic Is 9JdcZ l urfe. ey mßed^ d- f  ex MS? TWIU Sheeti°e '" %& SS ££2& 5s lid mu9ndina<lMdci Boys' Smoker Suits 3s lid BOOTS! BOOTS!! BOOTS!!! ¥,■'■■■• w nman 'a Ta«a Shnßß 4b Hi Men's Blnchers 4a lid ¥ wSCI32S!I^bSiB.IM Men'»B»lmc»*lB6ot 8 08lld Men's N»Ued Shootert 7a lid EVEUY ARTICLE REDUCED TO LE3S THAN COST PRICE.AT G. J. NEILI7S FRIE DL A Xl) ER S! CORN EB,^ EAST STREET. CASH. CASH.



JOHN jyLBONv aktists-~Sateeialß. I have Received » in a potion to Supply I cherj an o v*B S*lec. Stock of WINSOB the Artists 0 Ashbur-1 Academy Boards, Oils R nd Nkwton'B A«TIBT'B ton with Oil Tubes, r Easels,^ Etc., Etc.. at^ Matbbials, and am now Brushes, oanvaß_ Stret-1 Very Cheap Rate. House Painting & Paperhan2:mg ? T HAVE Bspecially haoging Dwellings dur-1 Very Best of Oils and 1 Reduced the Prices ing the summer months, j Lead used m the work, of Painting and Paper- KB-^None but the | Al*ree Stock of Pwwrhangings, Window Glass, and Picture Frame Mouldings 6 on the Premises J. WILSON, CdftNER OF ARCADE AND BURNETT STREET, ASHBCRTON,



BEATH'S Great Summer iSale. f\ COD Servicoftlp press Goods now 3^d par )'ar \ Strong double width Drens 7|l All Summer Dresses at half price FSst C lor Prills now ofl \ Strong Heavy Gafetra now 4|d B auiifal Washing Brocades now 6|d Hfc»vy Flannellettes now 2id AH Linen TnMi g now Is 6|d He vy She. ting (two yards wide) now lOjd GREAT- SUMMER BALE ■Men'-a New Pattern Tweed Suits now 17a lid \yutliR 1 New Pattern Tweed Suits now 13s lid Boys' New Pattern Knuker Suits now 4s lid Men's Strong Working Shirts now Is lid Men's Blue Jumpers now 3-i lid Men'a Stiong Mole Trouser* now 5a lid Men's Heavy Knitted Socks now 10|4 BOOTS AND SHOES WOBEAT REDUCTIONS. BEATH'S IrTaT SALE, TANORBB STREET.



iDOfLLAR CK'ABE'TE^, 3rl.—No toUlots m^liofcoa,—Hknw Zavpfb, Whole



; NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY, EAST STREET. Half-Yearly Stocktaking. STRAW HATS to be cleared out at Greatly Reduced Prices. Boy's Straw Hats 3s 6d for Is/ ', Men s Straw Hits 3* 6d for Is MVb Java Straw Hats 2s 9d for Is 6d Men's Straw Hate 6a 9d for 3j 6i5 We do not often advertise Cheap Goods, but these are GENUINE REDUCTIONS. BOOTS. BOOTS. BOOTS. Boy's Strong School Boots 5s 6d Men's Light Balmorals 8s 6d. Men's-Strong Canvas Shoes 5s Men' .Strong Nailed Shooters 9s 6d You will Save money by purchasing your Boots from the H. ZJS- F. j <Vcraen s Canvas Shoes 4s 9d Women's Glace K'd Shoes 5a 6d Maids' Tan Strap Shoes os 61 NEW ZEALAND i CLOTHING FACTORY. Hallbnsibin Bkos



NOTICE. T7 E BEG to notify to the Farmers of the Ashburton District that we »r BUYFRS OF WHEAT & FA KM PRODUCE, AND HAVE APPOINTED MR F. FERftIM&N to BUY for us in the district. wood brosT; limited, MINERS, QUmSTmUBGU* j



Wanted. WANTED, by respactable young Girl, situation to assist in house work. Salary no object —'Stranstw,^ Poat Office, Christchurch. 2~1C6 HM. .TOSE> is offering his Iwrgo . and Varied Stock of Statior.ery Account Books, Pr'ze and School books, Fancy ooois. Plated Giassand Chinaware, at lowest pricea for cash. Pianos at^i Cj cles on Easy Terms. 2 158 ICE CREAM, Ice Cream. Cool your selves during the.se hot times at t£. A Flower, Confectioneer, East. Street. Ice supplied In large or small lots. CHOICE New Season Fruit. Grapes, Peaches, Pines, Plums, Bananas, Apulefl, ApricotH, and Tomatoes,; the b^et in town. — a dams, Siundert>' Buildings. VTEW Season's Teas, just to hand. \\\ Best value in Ashburton. Prises 1/6, 1/9, 21-, and 2/4.—Oakson AN&iCo ■ 2 24 TITAWTED Known-Holders of VY Present tickets can now get them changed.—-H. 0. Segebs, Melford House. T ADIES 1 and Gentlemen's leff-off' LJ Clothes and all kinds of goods bought, sold, or exchanged.— Mrs Knight, opposite Templar Hall, netr Post Office. 11 170



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 LF, AflDKJfeiWHo & 00.—oalo now • on of Surplus Stock of Fancy Goods, Toys, Books, Stationery and Account Books, and all at greatly reduced prices for cash, at L. F, Andbewks & Go. OWN Make In Ladies' and Children's Underclothing, Aprons, and Pina fores ; also a good assortment of Calicoes, aluslins, Flannelettes, Trimmings, etc., at Mrs Alcokn's new shop, Baker's Buildings. ANTED~Known—Special line of Gents' Regatta Shirts, all sizes, with or without collars, 2a 6d.—W. H. Collier. WANTED Known — Spectacles, Eye Protectors, Goggles, Folders, and everything in the option line at S. Saxek's, Optician. HERBAL Beer, Herbal Baer. Six _ gallons of splendid Herbal Beer for 7d. Made with a bottle of Potter's Herbal Beer Extract, price 7d per bottle, Warranted purely herbal. Fletcher Bros.. Wholesale and Retail Agents, Ca&h Supply Stores, Ashburton and Cnristchurch.



ITJLj ANTED Known—The Corner is W showing a magnificent New Stock of Drapery and Clothing.—W, H. Collier. "OEADTTFULaid useful Presents to JL3 all purchasers of 2s 6dand upwards. —H. 0 SegekSj Meltord House. OBERT ALCORN has opened in Baker's Buildings, next the Court house, with a stock of Clothing, etc., bought at Edwards, Bennett's and the Kaiapoi S%les, the cheapest lot of goods ever brought to Ashburton, Also an assortment of Boots. W*' ANTED HULK O WN. -F. S. Jeffries, leading Confectioner and Fruiterer of Ashburton, East Street, next the Corner. Ice Creamp, Fresh Fruiis, Confectionery, Summer drinks of every inscription. Ice at reasonable rat«s. Ladies Room a specialty. 1*153 WANTED Known—All wool Delaines, Prints, and Crepons below whole sa'e rates.—MiTCHßLti and Turner VAfANTICD Known —Mas Hooper] ** (monthly nurse) is open to accept engagements. Apply, by letter, to Mrs Hoopbs, Alford Forest i<G.id, Ashburton. u*vn , _____________ 4*7" AiNTKD.—Fresh Iggs in any q'tarfti|y> Highest gmli price given — IjlP&heb. Bros , Cash Supply ■Stores, Afihliurb' n. 2 31 \I J ANTED Known—A tremendous Y\ run on our Gloves, 4§d upwards. —Mitchell and Turner. i tXTANTKD Known-That we are sell '» ing Mason's Patent Jam Jarc Pints bi 6d per dozen, Quarts 6s, and half Gallon 8j 6d, to clear. Enamel and Bms Preserving P^ns from 4s 6d upwards. — JoHF Orr and Co. 2 33 T3RBBENT3. We are now giving X Presents to all purchasers of 23 6d and upwarda.—H. 0. Segeus, Melford House. W ANTED Known.- Having hadsuch a successful season with Dresses, balance to clear <it nominal prices.— Mitchell asd Tim^Es. BLANKETS bought afc Edwards Bennet'a Sale, a special line of Double Blankets at 7s , 9d. Ex«ra large and heavy 15s 6d and 169 6d.~-Robert Alcorn, Baker's Bnildins" WANTED Known—That owir.g to the success of the Pale now being held up at Saundeis 1 Buildings, opposite-Rail way Station, h will be continued for another twenty-eight days. lam pot advertising a few cheap lines, bub the whole of the stock. Don't lose the oppor tunity of securing genuine bargains—A BANWI Bang; B»u s i My new sei son's stock of iuparaimition to hand Eley's, Kynock's and, Cluo X3#-tpid2es, Powder, Shot, Caps, Wads, Cases and all sporting materials of the first quality at J. W. Hardlky's, Gun Emporium BOY'S and Girls Own Annual, British Workman and Workwoman, Infant's Magazine, The Pri^e, Cfc&jte (fogjpanion, fthildren's Friend, Littje D,ot, Family Friend, Band of Hope, Young England, and other ]^ew Books at Lowest Prices.— L. F. Andrkwes and Co. 11 98 / IHIUSTMAS Presents, Choice Orna \J ments. Zithers and Jew's Harpp, Balis ap<l Dolls for everybody from Id each 5 Joieted Dolls for 6d, Sleeping Beauties Is, Gh£neg# Jgon^uetors 6d, Russian Embassies Is, Waling Men.; Talking Dolls, Scotch Greys, and Enniail; killen Dragoons all wonderfully cheap atf Mrs Alcorn's Ladies' Underclothing and Fancy Bazaar, Havelock street. DOLLAR CIGAFET-TJES — 3d. No h^ldere orpbotoa.—HßNßY Zandbb, Whole i«ale agen* ' ■



WANTED Known—That if. you are in want of a firai) class article V} sum mer Bootg and Shoes, yog cannot do\ better than call at J. Mojsof's ; you will, get tjhe very bast at reduced prices. As for his ow» j»ake, thep are well known to tfcedeJight erf the fearers, fchrppghout the' ,itt«tralasian colonies. Jsepftir ; 8 WieU done and at earn Premier Boat Maker, Town Hall Boot $tor«», 3g?i«t street, Aahburton. OTIGEI Kotice Sport for all Guns let out on hire or soltfon 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. Hiß»Ljy» Ironmonger, 9 tfi ,



f^ UNS I Guns ! Guns ! My new stopk \J{ of Gunsjust to hand direct from the manufacturers. Double and Single Barrel Breech Loaders, Rifles, etc. In spection invited. No old stock to select from at J. W. Hardmsy's Sporting Repository' WA.NYED, Everybody to use Titan Soap, greatest marvel of the age H. Zander, Sola Agent.



F- PALEK WATCHMAKER & MANUFACTURING JEWELLER. rpHE largest and finest stock In th« L District to select frooi. Ie is also the newest and cheapest. Watch and Jewellery repairs receive c ireful and prompt atttention. Watches cleaned and guaranteed for twelve months ss. ■ Sole Agent for Lazarus' patented system of sight testing and "Specialite" sp ctaclea. S- SALEK EAST STREET.



For Indigestion, the best remedy is un doubtedly Norton's Ca^omi^e Pllls. They can confidently be recommended as being mild in operation and absolutely free from injurious drugs. Acting at once aa a splen did tonic an 4 a gentle aperient. For nearly 100 years they have proved unequalled for Indigestion, byppepsia, sick Headache and for Jjiver and Stomach cotnpla ts. Sold in bottles Is l|d, 2s 9d, and lls, by ajl l/Lfii cjne Vendors throughout tjie '^wldi A implc, pafa. $«4«»»»«»rftnwyt



Ovp Box of Clarke's B 41 Pills kwarraa ted to cure all discharges from the Urinary Orgaqs, in either sex (acquired ox canaii-. tutional),, Gravel and Fains \n the $Rck. Gaarranteed free from Jdjercury. Spld ip, Boxes 4s Qd eac^, by all Chemists arid Paten. Medicine yendora throughout the World Proprietor! : Tuk Lincoln and Midlanp. CocMipDnuaCoMPiaY, LancplD, Eoglud