Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 1895. THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

If there is one man in Parliament who, more than any other, knows the history of the Midland Railway, its aims and objects, its likelihood or otherwise of ever fulfilling these, and generally can grasp the whole situation whether as regards the colony or the Company, and the English capitalists &rhose money has been spent in con« strueting what of the promised line has been laid down,, that man is the Premier. His enemies are unkind enough—aa witness the screech of the Grey River Argus in denouncing the seizure as a high handed act of claim '/jumping," and accusing the Govern ment which word read Mr Seddon) of having a de^r^e $0 disconcert and discomfit the Midland Railway Com pany—to say that he has no love for either the Company or the undertaking on which it is working, and would be only too glad to see the who'e thing jfcurst up. do not see. that Mr Sqddon to be so charged. i Naturally, as banging to Canterbury, and desiring .to see our broad and lEertfte plains connected ,by rail with £fye W^st (Goast, so that direct coin municatjjioii be established on the one part wifcb. ,a jlarge market in a mining community which wpuld take our farm produce, and on the otjber with an equally large market that would take the coal and timber of Westland, we would certainly wish to see the West Coast Railway con structed and open fop traffic, At the

time the first agreement with thej Midland Company was made, we were among those who consented to the land grants because, although we con sidered the Company had been more than handsomely dealt with, it was a J cheaper way of making the line than by the colony borrowing money for the purpose on the London money market. But we never clearly saw, with what perception and foresight we possessed, how the Company would ever be able, with the capital it was likely to raise, to complete the undertaking. We dared give expression to our misgivings, and the advocates of the line and means and mode of making it were good enough to tell us for our pains that we were throwing a wet blanket on one of the grandest projects for the enriching of Canterbury that could be devised. We suppose we felt dutifully small and very wicked at the time for having dared to aay one word against what was a pet scheme in the great City of the Plaine just then, but we were convinced against our will, al though we retired to a silent corner. We regret to say our misgivings have proved to be not without foundation. The Company are fairly stranded, and Mr Seddon, we take it with a full knowledge of what he is doing, has stepped in and virtually seized the line. He has taken possession under the Railways Construction and Land Act of 1881, and all future proceedings must be regulated by the provisions of that Act. It is to be regretted that this step has been found necessary, be cause a very heavy loss will un doubtedly be entailed on the persons in England, who have invested their money in this undertaking, and that is always detrimental to the colony. But the Company is not blameless They failed to carry out their original agreement, and time after time have had modifications and concessions on that agreement granted to them on their own application to Government. By the first contract, as is well known in Canterbury, the project was to be carried out under a system which gave to the Company every alternate block of land along the route of the line. This arrangement, however, was found to be unsuitable, not only for the Com pany but for Government and a Bill was passed under which a new contract was arranged. The company con structed the line from Brunnerton to Reef ton, which it has completed. The company also proceeded to construct what is known as the East Coast con nection, that is, commencing at Still water, and going via Lake Brunner and Jackson's, and at the other end from Springfield to Paterson's Creek. The line has been finished to Paterson's Creek at the Christchurch end, and as far as Jackson's at the West Coast end of the line. The company were allowed to make certain deviations, they were also allowed not to make a costly tunnel, but to adopt the Abt system at the Otira Gorge. Then the funds of the company became exhausted, and in 1893 they made certain proposals to the Government. A committee of the House of Representatives went into the matter, and recommended that debentures in lieu of land grants be offered, and that the original contract should be maintained. Last session the company asked to be relieved from making the Motueka-Reefton connec tion. They asked also that £618,000 by way of debentures should be lodged with the Public Trustee, and stated that this amount would pay interest for fourteen years at the rate of 4 per cent on the £1,250,000 required to complete that portion of the line pro posed to be finished. A Biil was brought in by the Government which proposed to lodge debentures at certain intervals to enable the company to raise money in London, With the fate of that Bill we are all conversant. It was rejected on the second reading by 32 to 26, and not a few of the Government's sup porters voted with the majority. Then followed the attempt at arbitration. The company selected as their arbi trator Sir Bruce Burnside late, Chief- Justice of Ceylon, and Govern raent chose Sir Charles Lilly, late Chief- Justice of Queensland, but as ttose two high legal functionaries could not agree upon a referee, the whole thing burst up, and the company's people " shook out their sails for Fngland." This indefinite hanging up of matters was apparently too much for blunt and practical Richard Seddon, who has determined' that, whether the line is to be completed or not, that part of it already constructed is not to remain idle, and he has therefore "put the bailiffs iii," and will work the line in the interests of all parties. That such a course has been found necessary is much to be regretted, but it has doubt less recommended itself to Government, who know the position well, as the best course to follow to bring matters to a crisis. There are 75 miles of the line constructed already, and this portion will not now be allowed to remain idle while the dispute continues. Fifty eight miles remain to be made before dir&ct communication between the plains and the West Goast can be established.

BIRTHDAY HONORS.

Tub li«fc of men whom the Queen de lighteth to honor by the bestowal of distinctions on the occasion of her birthday contains no New Zealander's name in all the category. We have beea told that the Hon Mr Seddon re fused the honor of knighthood, but no reason for that refusal has been as signed. Those honors are conferred without regard to what we haye come to speak of in !New Zealand as "colour" in politics, and the sole recommenda tion is loyal service done to the country. There are those, no doubt, who fancy tha/fc much that has been done for New Zealand by Mr Seddon and his party in the interests of the colony, would have been far better left undone; but those who think so are in a decided minority as compared with those who approve of his policy. The last election returns prove this up to the hilt. But all are of one mind in regard to the assiduous labor in public life that has been Jlj[r Seddon's. From his first re turn for Hokitika in 187^, through his OjF service as representative of jt^uciara and "V^estlan^ t^ll to-day, he has been a prominent member of the House of Representatives, and has shirked no iota of the share of work that fell to him—and that was far more th»» (be iii»re (bit {ell to the ordinary

rank and file member of the House. And apart from his Parliamentary work Mr Seddon has bad his share of public work in his own province. He was in the fore front of the battle in the old provincial days in Westland, and of the borough of Kumara, forj which he sat in Parliament for nine years, he was the first mayor, and held the office for a second term. He is now in the highest seat of honor available to a colonist—has reached the top rung of the tallest ladder, and does not appear to be at all dizzy with the exaltatioD. His worst political enemies allow that as a public man he has worked hard, and deserved well of his fellow colonists, and that if there is one man who by work done in his public capacity has earned his sovereign's notice—if a man's public work is to earn him a mark of distinction from his sovereign—that man is Richard J. Seddon. The distinction which most men covet has been offered to him, and he has declined it. Why 1 The purveyors of news who told us of the offer and the declinature stop at that question and are silent. Neither are we better informed, but we have no hesitation in saying that the refusal by Mr Seddon of the honor of knighthood will be counted unto him for righteousness by the great body of the electors of the colony whose votes are the bulwark of his party, the sheet anchor of his ministry. There are thousands among those electors who hold such honors cheap, and who have no hesitancy in stoutly denying any right that a democratic leader of the Seddon stamp has to accept and wear them. Yet had Mr Seddon accepted the honor of knighthood he would have done what even those ultra-democrats must allow would have been quite within his right as a British subject who had deserved well of bis sovereign for faithful service rendered in a distant part of that gracious sovereign's dominions. But the ultra-democrat is above distinc tions given by royalty. He looks coldly upon any that have not been awarded by the votes of the people, or in the conferring of which the people have had no voice, foigetful apparently that it was the voice of the people that called Richard Seddon to Parliament, and the same voice that keeps him in power. Perhaps in Mr Seddon's re fusal of the honor he was guided by the experience of other democratic leaders in these colonies whom we could name, who, as soon as the Royal mandate put a handle to their names, lost the bold they previously had on the confidence of the people, found their political power shattered, and their prestige gone Perhaps, too, Mr Seddon shares in the not uncommon belief that these honors are becoming too plenti ful, and that because of the frequency with which colonists so distinguished may be encountered, the honors them selves have their value largely dis counted. At any rate every birthday brings out a shoal of them, all well de served no doubt; and at the rate they have been conferred of late we would soon have found "Sirs" and "C.MG.'s" as plentiful on this side the Pacific as are " Colonels " in the United States. But if the example of Mr Seddon is to be largely copied in our own colony, there will be no room to charge New Zealand with having an extensive electroplate aristocracy.

An Auckland contemporary has the fallowing regarding the position of affairs after the hurly-burly of the Japanese the China-Japan war war. has ceased; —The war

will coa* the bigger nation some £170,000.009. This huge sum will, as an external debt, borrowed at six per cent., involve China in an annual payment of £10,200,000. Now the balance of trade ia decidedly Against China, for on consulting Whittaker we find that the imports of the celestials in 1893 were some £7,100,000 in excess of their experts. Ac one can hardly imagine that this annual payment will be made in bullion, it will be necessary to look to other sources from whence it may spring. Hitherto tea, silk, silk manufactures, and sugar have constituted by far the greater bulk of the exports, but India, Ceylon, Japan, and Java have most seriously cat into and partially destroyed a business for which China twenty years ago had practically a monopoly The silk indus try has also suffered from Japanese and French competition, and cultivation of the sugar-cane, now, thanks to German and French beetroot, barely p^ys the grower. Therefore looking \b these facts we must come to the conclusion tint China will (like the New have to curtail her imports—of cotton, which will affect Manchester, and of opium, which will seriously cut into the Indian revenue. Fortunately for herself, China has vast aoal deposits, and she can grow her own cotton, therefore thn newest machinery for making cotton stuffs will ba imported from Europe and America. Experts will organise and direct the patient yellow man in the working of factories, tnd the labor of thousands will be employed at a of 6d per day of unlimited working hours. Interest on the external debt will thus be paid fcr in cotton stuffs and in woollen goods made from imported Australasian wools. Therefore England, through lending money to China, will not only stand to lose a good customer, but will actually be in danger of having her own markets flooded with ottons and woollens of the latest and most approved patterns, manufactured by the cheapest {abbr jn th,e world.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Reading matter on fourth page.

A sixteen stop-organ is to be built for the Nelson Presbyterian Church at a cost of £400.

At a meeting of the Ashburton High School Board yesterday Mr W. H. Tait was appointed drawing master.

Haulage rates on the Southern Cross- Coolgardie road are on the rise, teamsters now demanding £20 a ton.

The Bishop of Qoulburn (Dr Chalmers) is opposed to the use of the unfermented juice of the grape at the Communion.

The baseball club, which was started at Wanganui about a month back, is flourish ing, and great interest is being taken, in the game by the general public. " '

The Napier Magistrate's Court was oc cupied yesterday in hearing a case against Isabella Laws, charged with forging two receipts for £110 53 and £277 17s, by means of which she procured moneys be longing to bhe Good Templars, of which her husband is the secretary. The ac cused was committed for trial. '■

The Press Association telegraphed that Mr McGowan, the Commissioner of Taxes, met the Napier Chamber of Commerce yesterday evening for two hours. He answered questions relating to the income tax Assessment forms and explained them. A inotipn was passed expressing satisfac tion generally vith his explanation, especially with the part relating to the sccrtcj of the returns

The closing of the Alpha Tea Estate is regretted. It was the oldest tea estate in Fiji, and had a yearly omput of 35,0001b.

Owing to the prevalence of whooping cough in the district, the Newlands School Committee have decided to close the local school for one week from Monday next, in place of holidays in July.

The Wellington Education Board has this quarter ceased to pay the school com mittees the 10 per cent addition which it made some time ago to the ordinary capita tion allowance.

At Wanganui the meat company put down an artesian well to a depth of 600 feet and got a flow of 21,600 gallons a day. The deepest well hitherto in Wanganui was 350 feet.

In order to make room on co operative contracts for as many unemployed as possible during the winter monthe, Government has decided to reduce the working time for each man to four or five days.

It is stated that Mr Julius Grove has been making fairly large purchases of colts and fillies for service in India at Winton, Queensland. Next year he intends to pur* cnase from 300 to 4' 0 head of horses principally from that district.

The celebrated Dean, whose case Is arousing so much excitement in New South Wales, is a well-known wheelman. During his incarceration many brother bicyclists have been to see him, and express cheir belief in his innocence.

Weregrecto learn that the hopes of many would be buyers of land in the hills district will not be gratified is regard to the Alford estate, which was under offer to the Government under the Land for Settlements Bill. The Government has declined to purchase.

The Viscountess Sherbrooke has pre sented to the British Museum the two bound volumes of the Atlas newspaper, of Sydney, for 1844 and 1845, when that journal was under the editorship ot the then Mr Robert Lowe. Lord Sherbrooke's articles are indicated by initials ' R.L.* in his own handwriting, while the other chief contributors are marked in a similar way.

Dr Buckby, the Hawera Hospital sur geon, asked the Hospital Board if it was part of his duty to lake splints to the race course and attend to any accidents there. The reply was that it was no part of the surgeon's duty to attend any race-meeting in anticipation of an accident occurring, and that the doctor was quite right in refusing to allow appliances and splints to the course or other public amusement grounds.

The action of the Auckland Coroner, Dr. Philson, at the recent inquest on the remains of Mr Grubb, is severely com mented upon in Auckland. A postmortem examination having been made, the Coroner ordered the heart of the deceased to be brought into the juryroom, as it * would be interesting to see.' Some of

the papers denounce this proceeding as an outrage, and demand Dr. Philson's retirement.

At a largely attended meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Alliance held last evening in Wellington, it was resolved to hold a colonial convention of representatives of all temperance societies from all over the colony In Wellington about the first week in July. A large number of delegates have already promised to attend, and it is expected that the gathering will be one of the largest and most representative ever held in New Zealand.

Ths Sydney Morning Herald of the 18th ulfc. says :—" We understand that a meet ing of the medical profession was held yesterday for the purpose of considering the case of Naval Surgeon Lea, who was recently dismissed from his position on H.M S. Ttinsarooma, It was decided that steps should be taken with a view to plac ing before the Naval authorities in Eng land the medical aspect of the circum stances that led to Surgeon Lea being arraigned before the Court Martial." Captain Wsstrup, of the Wailapu, re ports (says a Wellington telegram) that on his trip from Patea he narrowly escaped

Ii unning into what was apparently a fore and aft schooner. The meeting took \ place at about 2 a.m. off Mana Island, and the night being very dark Captain Westrup was unaware of the presence of the echooner until close to it, when he just managed to alter his course in time to avoid a collision. The schooner had no lights.

A Press Aspociatlon telegram from

Woodville says :—Mr T. J. Nathan ad dressed a large meeting on his frozen meat scheme. Among those who spoke was Mr W. H. Nelson, of Nelson Bros He supported the proposals for consolida tion and control, but doubted the possi bility of combining retail business at Home with the scheme. Resolutions were passed calling on the Government to con vene a conference to discuss the frozen meat question. The meeting was en thusiastic

A concert in aid of the funds of the Hinds public library wan held on Friday evening. The schoolroom was tastefully decorated with evergreens, the platform tastefully arranged, and decorated with bunting. Nearly all the performers came from Ashburton. The songs, etc., given by Mesdames Claridge and Gates, by Misses Gates, Wilson, and Orr, and by Messrs Brooke, Miller, Gates and Broad, were much appreciated, and encored in each instance. After the concert the room was cleared for the ball, and dancing was kept up till cleae on daylight.

The Danedin Assembly of the Knights of Labor has pas3ed resolutions •—(1) That, from the present abnormal rise in the loeal>heat market, resulting in large financial transactions, the farmers will no* derive any benefit, and that the state of the wheat market outside the colony doeß not warrant the prices. (2) That in view of the general fall In value of produce, and of the decrease of incomes of all con nected with agricultural and commercial pursuits, the Government be asked to initiate a gradual reduction in the salaries of all civil servants receiving £200 and ovpr, including Education Boards.

The representatives of tba athletic governing bodies in Wellington held a conference yesterday Afternoon to con sider the best means of secmngr proper legal recognition of athlet c bodies. It was urge 1 that with the j»rowinar impor tance of athletic organisations, it was ad visable that they should he pat on some i more satisfactory basis, and that the Registrar should be empowered to register them as corporate bodies. It was re solved that step 3be taken to secure the legal incorporation of athletic bodies, and that the Premier be ask.cd to receive members of the Oonferenoe an a depic tion to lay before him the proposals which ifc is desired should be given legis lative effect to. The Coherence was called by the New Zealand Rugby Union

IJoixoway's Ointment and Pills.— Colds, Coughs, Shortness of Breath—These maladies require early and unremitting attention, for if neglected they often end in asthma,' bronchitis, or consumption. The ointment well rubbed upon the chest and back, penetrating the Bkin, ia absorbed and carried directly to the lungs, whence it expels all impurities. All the blood in the bocty is perpetually passing through the Jungs, and there are noxious particles, tend ing to disease can be Quickly, thoroughly, and permanently neutralized, rendered harmless, or ejected from the system. Hblloway's Ointment and Pills perfectly \ accomplish thiti purification \ and through the b%>d thu'fi cleansed, the influence of tljese wonderful medicaments reaches the remotest park| p.f the human body, and thus cures ill djeeas&d *ctioD, wb«tbcr intwnai or extern*],

The viul statistics for the nnnth of Hay in the Ashburton distriot are as follow: Births 20, deaths 11, marriages 3. For the same month last year the figures were —Births 15, deaths 4. marriages 4.

At the Wesleyan Church to-morrow evening the R«v. T. G. Brooke w 11 con dnue his monthly addresses to young men and the subjeot will be ' Shams and Slanderers ; or Strictures on the Church.' Che Bubj. cc is to be a reply to the pretß report ot a lecture delivered in Christ* church last Sunday evening. The public dru cordially invited.

At the Ust meeting of the Tarift Com mission the following resolution was carried:—"Seeing chat the work en trusted to the Tar ff Commissioners has occupied them until a period which only leaves them about fourteen daye between the date on which they can reach their homes and that on which they will have bo leav- again to attend the coming session of Parliament, they will be unable to de liver the usual pre-sessional addresses and hereby appeal to their several consti tuencies tv hold them excused "

Owing to the extra number of appli cations for admission to the Ashburton Ambulance Society, it h»s now been de cided to extend the list, but an this exten sion must be limited, those who wish to join should appy early, According to the rules of the Society, uubscriptiom (which are now due) must be paid to the committee or the secretary in advance, and receipts for the amount will require to be produced at lecWe room 4 As some misconception appears to exist with regard to the examinations of members for certi ficate*, it is clearly to be understood that no persons need puss for certificates unless they wish. The matter is quite voluntary.

Model Yacht Club.

The third heat in the competition for Mr W. G. Murray's trophy was sailed on Thursday afternoon cm the Club's reach in the Domain. There was a north breeze blowing which gave almost a beam wind over the whole course. The race started at a quarter past two—fifteen minutes late—and about a dozen yachts engaged in the contest, which was a time race. When all wad over, it wan found that the Blue Bell (Miss Stewart) was first, the Fleetwing (Mr Makei*) secondhand the Fairy Queen (Mr Willis) third, The Mabel would have been fourth, but for an accident to her main brace, which foaled the tiller head, and sent her up into the wind, and lost her ninety seconds. The race for first pWce was as exciting and interesting an a close finish in a local hoise race. The Blue Bell was astern by twenty yards, and the Pleetwing was within ten yards of the winning rope when the Fleetwing jibed, and went on the starboard tack. This made her course an angle instead of a straight line. The Blue Bell astern, bringing the wind with her, came on with a rush on the port tack, and surged right into the rope, ten seconds by the watch before the Feetwing, whose distance to ran had been lengthened by an accidental shift of tack. Miss Stewart, the fair owner of the Blue Bell, is to be complimented on the sail* ing of her craft, und«r many exasperating conditions, for she had more than her fair share of fouls with small fry. There is a big tree just on the bank of " Smith's Strait, Duck Island," which causns an eddy in the wind, and is very baffling to the yachtsmen.

The Shops and Shop Assistants Act.

Auckland, May 31 This morning notice of appeal was lodged by the local inspector of factories, Mr H. Ferguson, against the decision given by Mr Northcroft in the cases heard at the Magis trate's Court on Tuesday last against H. S. Badeley for alleged breach of the Shops and Shop Assistants Act. The hearing will take place at the Supreme Court about June 19.

SPORTING.

londok, May 31 At Epsom meeting the following are the results of the other chief events:—Oaks— L* Sagesse 1, Galestria 2, Penkridge 3# Epsom Grand Prize—Whittier 1, Powick 2. No third horse was placed.

NEW ZEALAND CUP.

Christchukch, May 31 The following nominations have been received for the New Zealand Cup :— Pegasus, The Artist, Huatia, Impulse, Royal Rose, Oscillator, Irish Twist, Casket, Euroelydon, St Hippo, Torpioa, Qailtiri, Spindrift, Solitaire, North Atlantic/Bugler, Maximilian, Mahaki, Brooklet, Bessie McCarthy, The Possible, Bonnie Scotland, Ponnamau, Sternchaser, Golden Plover, Rip Van Winkle, Loveshot, Missfire, fiellicent, Magazine, Chaos, Marino, Saracen, Lord Zetland, L%dy Zetland, Prime Warden, Ngatuere, Westmere, Speculator, Alderahot, Orion's Belt, St Regel, Monte Carlo, Banner, Deadshot, Skirmisher, Solano, Silver Spec, Au Revoir, Cannon Ball, Padlock, Waiuku, Outpost, Gipsy Grand, Lottie, Errington.

Tinwald Town Board.

The monthly meeting of this Board waa held on Friday. Present—Messrs 18. Gates* D. Tippett, T. Williams, and J. Heseltiae. CORRKSPQKDENCE. Correspondence was received—Prom the Ashburton County Council, stating that money had been voted for the purchase of poisoned grain for distribution id the Tin wald district. From the same body, for* warding account for copying valuation roll, and also an account for licensing committee clerk's salary. POISONED WHEAT. It was resolved to purchase poisoned wheat in equal proportions from Messrs Brooke and Powell. RATES. Mrs Hawkins wrote, pointing out that she had been charged twice on the same section. It was resolved not to collect rates on the larger amount. It was decided to press for the payment of outstanding rates before the end of June, in order that the Government subsidy could be obtained. TENDERS. It was resolved to call for tenders for forming about HO chains in Johnstone, Thomson, and Agnes streets; and af no tender had been received for reforming sides of South Road, to include the same in the above contract. WORKS It was decided to have some shingle carted to var ous places needing ir, to repair ford near Ford's road, and to have gorso removed from certain street*. Attention was drawn to a blockage in Grove street, and also excavations made on footpaths for the purpose of fencing. In struotions were given to see that the former nuisance was removed, and the Chairman stated that the latter oomplaint would be, remedied within a few day*. DOG RANGTSIt. It was resolved to appoint a ranger for the purpose of ascertaining owners of un registered dogs, ; ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £7 16s lid were passed for payment and the meeting adjonrned.

THE DAILY USE BEFORE MEALS

Qf Wolfed Schnapps promotes a flow of gastric juice that stimulates the stomach, re-kindling its natural craving for food.

For Indigjestiokt, the beat remedy v ua doubtedly Norton's Camomile Pills,. They can confidently be recommended v being mild in operation an 4 absolutely free fro** injurious drug*, Acting at once as a splen did tonic and, a gentle aperient. Jjfor nearly 130 years they have proved unequalled for, Indigestion, Dyspepsia, sick Headache and for Liver and Stomach complaints. Sold i» bottles Is lsd, 2s 9d, and Us, by all MedW cine Vendon throughout the world, A ijtuple, Mb and owttta WOfdf *



■ . : v ß 7bess Notices j INO MONEY- NO MONEY- j I almost impossible lo give things aw Ay, but never mind, coma and try r G. J. NEILX. I ' FOR ft APERY, CLOTHING;, & BOOTS L Hake no error ;he ia cheaper than any other in Canterbury. Hods 4&d ' Double Width Dress Goods Is 6d now Is ■lico, Is lid dozen Double Bed white Twill Sheeting, 9£d ■ttM 3* lid dozen Plaids, B£d and 6Jjd ■id each Cretonne 3M ■ Blankets. Double Bed Colonial All Wool Flannel, white, grey, and pink, Knketi 25s Bd, reduced to 18s 6d B}d Hid Children's testers and Jackets Corsets, Corsets BjAt f oar own prioe Ladles Stockings 6d I clFt°hTng. Tweed Salt, 18s 6d Colonial Heavy Tweed Suite, 32s 6d, re- Saddle Tweed fto-sen, (all wool) duced to 21s 6d. 13s 6d Men's Tweed Trousers, 6s lid Tweed Overoetts with C_pes,lß 3 6d Boys' Suits, 3s Ud Jepe, 61 each Socks, Shirt*, and Hats, at your own pnee BOOTST~BOOTS. Rw maker of our Boots guarantees satisfaction, or he will replace them, UK ILL'S FOR BOOTS. Bluohers, 4s lid Men's Balmorals, 7s 6d fen's Strong Leather Boots from Women's Strong Leather Boots, os lid 3t lid, this Is no rubbish Women's Strap Shoes from 4a lid Lrt Carpet Slippers, Is 3d. I Q. jTIJITII P FRIED LAN D B R'S CORNER, BAST STREET, ABHBURTON. [sent for Yarmouth Oil Skins.



I FLETCHER BROS. I ARE SELLING I&IN AND PEA FED BACON AT FACTORY PRICES, Lest Cured Mams ... ... ... ... ~ ... 7£d per lb lest Cured Bacon (pale or smoked) 6|d per 1b Lett Cared Rolled Bacon (Pale or Smoked) 6|d per lb I Finest Lard in Bladders 5d per lb A Finest Lard in Sausage Skins 6d per lb X Factory Full Cream Ohesse Cd per lb H fern Leaf Separator Butter [Dairy Butter 9d Per lb I Dairy Butter... .» 7d &8d per lb COFFEE. COFFEE. COFFEE. We are giving Special Attention to our coflees. The Berries are ed with the greatest care, freshly roasted to our order, and are ground on Sjmiser daily and are only mixed with a very small per centago of chicory • finest quality. We can confidently recommend; it as superior to ling in the market. No 1 Cottee Finest Quality, Is Sd No 2 Coffee, Good Quality, Is Gd No 3 Coffee, Good Valne, Is 4tl Pure Coffee 2s Od Whole Roasted 2s Od KEROSENE. KEROSENE KEROSENE. When you are requiring Kerosene it will be to your ad vantage jto I enquire our price before buying elsewhere.



I TOES —BEST BLUE DERWENTS, 3s lid per bag. Delivered within the belts. |&» NOTE ADDRESS, FLETCHER BROS, (USH SUPPLY STOJR'ES, EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. R MOTTO—The Best for the Least Money, c largest and most genuine clearance sale ever HELr IN THE DISTRICT. Crowds of Customers, ' Genuine Reduction*, Immense Bargains. r REALISATION! CLOSING UP! : t WHOLE STOCK to be SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE; L PEOPLE'S OPPORTUNITY. j I AVAIL YOURSELVES OP THIS GOLDEN PRIVILEGE. I NOW'S THE TIME TO GO TO THIS CHEAPEST MARKET. lybody who has paid us a visit has gone away delighted and astonished H^ at the low prices oi our goods. ■wmlier this Sale is now on at— k W. SPENCEK & COW ■^^ UCADE HOUSE, BUIINETT



Wanted. TO LET.—House containing Four Rooms and Scullery. — Apply Steelb's Store, \lforJ Forest Road ; 5 208 WEiSLEYAN Church — To-morrow Morning—Preacher, Mr H. M Jones; Evening, Rev T. G. Brooke. Monthly sermon to young men at latter service. Subject—'• Shams and Slan derers, or Strictures on the Church " The pnblic, especially young men, cordially invited. 6 5 ÜBBER STAMPS "made to any pattern for stamping paper or linen. ' Blue Black Ink on draught; excellent quality.— H. M. Jones. Qf\ (\nC\ BUSINESS Envelopes. G.\J)\J\JVJ 4s p er 1000, cash, to clear. Five quire packets of Cream Laid Note-paper at 9d packet.—H. M. Jones. WANTED, Everybody to try a pair of House Slippers, only Is. Mellor's Zealandia Boot Store. /"LARSON ANU GO'S Stocktaking Sale V-> Now on. Groceries, Ironmongery, Brushware, Glass and China, at very low prices for cash. 5 129



piHOIOB New Season Fruit. Grapes, v Peaches, Pines, Plums, Bananas, Apples, Apricots, and Tomatoes; the best in town.—ADAMS, SiundW Buildings ORDERS for dyeing garments of every , description left at McCallum'a, Tancred Street, or Mrs Styles, Burnett Street, near Brigade Station, will be attended to by John Graham, a dyer of forty years' experience. 5 155 4T7 ANTED-Everyone to call at VV Meixor's and get his price. No one asked to buy. CASH, CASH. Drapery, Boots, Cloth ing, etc. New Goods just opened. Every thing reduced for Cash.— H. C. Segers, Melford House. WANTED Known —Spectacles, Eye Protectors, Goggles, Folders, and everything in the optical line at S. Salek's, Optician, PECIAL NOTICK^Suits aad Single Garments made to measure. Fit and style with prices to suit the times. Large purchase Heavy Kaiapoi Trousers and Knit Underclothing.—Mitchell and Turner.



WANTED Known—Ladies' Lasting Slippers only 2s lid—Udual price, 4s 6d —Mellor's Zealandia Boot Store. WANTED Known—Ten per cent under Christchurch prices at Mellor's Zealandia Boot Store. fTTANTED Known—Small Profits W and Quick Returns.— Mellor's Zealandia Boot Store. VT7 ANTED Known — Mellor's Zea- v ' * landia Boot Store Is the Cheapest Store for Boots and Shoes. TTTANTED at once—Blue Derwent ' ** Potatoes. Apply Fletcher Bkos, East Street, Ashb«rton. SCHOOL Books.—Geography—Stand ard Sixth, just arrived, 9d each. AM school booka ChriHtchurch prices Extra ordinary cheap Sale of Books still going on. J. Marsdbn. llf ANTED—Everyone to visit our VV Large Show Room now replete wif h new styles for the season.—Mitchell and Turnbe.



ptHOICE FRUlTS,—Peaches,bananas, v Granges, lemons and tomatoes, at | H. A. Floweb, Fruiter and Confectioner, East street, WANTED.— 1000 Men fco look at the Cheap Drapery from Australia, at Melbourne prises. *' The Blue House'" is the place to get it, at the Corner nf Arcade, and do..'*; you forget it. 4 240 WANTED Known—The Largest and Best shop for Evening Shoes in —Mellor's Zealandia Boot Store. OITaNTJKD Kuown-Foothall Boots, * suro poal kickers; they never fail—Mellor's Zealandia Boot Store. WANTED Known —Great Bargains are now baing given for Cash in all departments. Before laying not your money for Drapery, Boots, etc.. give us a call.—H. C. Segbks, Melford House.



\LL Accounts Owing to Joseph "■ Taylok, East street, Ashburton, must be paid on or before Monday, May 20, or will be sued for withouc farther notice. All goods will be sold for Cash Only from this date. 5 92 ANTED^KNOWN^The celebrated Yarmouth Oilskins can be ob tained at W. H Collier, "The Corner." BACON, BACON. Grain and Pea fed at Factor? prices. Finest 'Smoked Pale Hams 7W per lb, Finest Smoked Pale Sides and" Rolls 6id per lb. Finest Factory Cheese 6d per lb. Note address—Fletcher Bros., Cash Supply Stores, Ashhurton. WANTED Known — Mrs Hoopkb (monthly nurse) is open to accept engagements. Apply, by letter, to Mks Hooper, Alford Forest Road, Ashbnrton, 11*134 _____ tT7"ANTBU KNOWN."—Warm carpec »» slippers for Winter wear, girls 9d. Is, woman's Is 93.— W. H. Collier, 1 The Corner."



WA NTED Known—Mothers, be wise and boy your school boutt ad Mellor'a Zsalandia Boot Store. t^jTANTED Known—Bargains to be *T had every day at Mellor'a Zea landia Boot Store. : — i i \ 7 ANTED Known—l have good vV Bluchers, only 4* lid.—Mellor's Zaalandia £oot Store. OWN Make in Lades' and Children's Underclothing, Aproac, and Pina fores ; also a good assortment of Caiiooes, nluslins, Flannelettes, Trimming", etc., »fc Mrs Alookn's new shop, Baker's Buildings. BANG J Bang; Bang ! My new sea son's stock of Atftpunition'to hand Eley'B, Kynock's and, &&) .Qwpridgea, Powder, Shot, Caps, Wads, .Oaaes $ad all sporting materials of the 6rst quality: 1 at .T« W. Haediey's, Gun Emporinm 'V[rXNTBD~k N 0 WN. -F. S » » Ji^-FSijES, leading Confectioner and Frniterer oi Ashburton, East Street, next the Corner. 3[«e Creams, Fresh fruits, Confectionery, Summfl* drinks of every description. Ice fit reasonable rates. Ladiei Room a specialt ?. l^l^Si



BOY'S and Girls Own Annual, British Workman and Wiorikwonjan, Infant's M.-tgassine, The Prize, Child's Companion, Children's Friend, Litt|« Dot, Family Friend, Band of Hope, ¥oiW? England, and other New Books at Low*si Prases.— L. F. Andbbwbs and Co. II 08 NOTICE 1 Notice Sport for all fiuns let out on hire or sold on t,i»iP f«^*e»<-«. Having a professional Guflssfritfe on t%e premises, I undertake to reiiair «uns vl W Gun fHtings in stock. Fri««s (^,— J. W, GUiiWBYt Ironmonger, «t§



i Wanted ROBERT ALCORN has opened n Baker's Buildings, next the Court house, with a stock of Clothing, etc., bought at Edwards, Bennett's and the Kaiapoi Sales, the cheapest lot of goods ever brought to Ashbnrton. Also an assortment of Boofcn I F. ANDREWES & CO.—Sale 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. Andrewbs &Co WANTED Known —Lowest possible prices for Men's Knit Under clothing. Shirts, and Heavy, Boots.— Mitchell a.md Turner. WANTED Known—We are reducing the whole of our Drapery, Boots, Clothing, etc, For Cash. New Dresses, New Jackets, New Hats, etc., will all be reduced.—H..C. Segeks. Melford House. WANTED Known — The Misses Ukquhaet have started Dress making, and having a thorough knowledge of the business, combined with moderate charges, hope to receive a snare of the 'public patronage. Address: Tancred Street, next to F>. W. Hall, Herbalist. G' UNS ! Guns i Guns !My new stock of Gunsj ust 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. Hardliy's Sporting Repository WANTED Known—That lam hold ing a Sale at Reduced Prices for One Month. Come for Bargains. I have the advantage over many in the trade for the simple reason that I have no partners to pay dividends to, or interest on loan to carry on big concerns. But I buy and sell none but the best, no trash to draw the unwary. Repairs as usual, done at Once.—J. Moison, Boot Store, East street, Ash burton. 5 138



WINTER 152 Men's, Boys' and Youths' Tweed Overcoats, with Cape, to be cleared this season at 20 "per cent under ordinary prices 69 Boys' and Youths Macfarlane Over coats, new shape, to be Sold at 12$ per cent lower than last season 28 Boys' Double-breasted Reefers from 103 9d WATERPROOF COATS. Our Coats are to be seen all over the Country. SPECIAL. Lidies' Waterproof Cloaks made to .neasure ; all Sewn Seams. A SHBURTOK T3LANKETS, Large Double Bed Size, WINTER BOOTS. It will pay you to Buy your BOOTS from the NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY." ALEX. HENDRY, Manager. GENTLEMEN WISHING to MAKE A|NICE PRESENT TO.;A lady' t\7 ILL do well to see the parcel of NEW AND BEAUTIBPLLY DESIGNED GOLD BROOCHES which



S. S A L E X, Watchmaker and Jeweller, East street, has to arrive direct from Home in a day or two. These Brooches are of the VERY LAJ'EST AND CHOICEST DESIGNS.