MAIL NOTICES.

The Letter Box will be cleared for the despatch of correspondence from Ashburton to the undermentioned places as ollows :— 2 Burnham and DunsandeT, daily 3,15 pm Chertsey and Rakaia, Christ- | church and north, daily 630 am 315 pm 6 30 pm and Monday, Wednes day, and Friday ... 10 30 am Dromore and Selwyn, daily 6 30 pm Eiffel ton, Willowby, daily ... 1030 a m Lismore, Tuesday, Thurs day, and Saturday ... 10 30 am Elgin, Wakanui, and River- Bide, daily 6 30 am Seaview, Seafield, Kyle, and Newlands, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday ... 630 am Greenstreet, Winchmore, and Forks, Tuesday, Thurs day, Saturday 630 am Wheatstone, Waterton, Ash- p ton, Longbeach, and Flemtngton, daily ... 345 pm Mount Somers, SpriDgburn, Bu&hside, Alford Forest, Stave'ey, daily 4pm~~l Methven, daily .3 15 pm^ Geraldine, and Orari, daily.. 12 30 pm Oamaru, Dunedin, Waimate, and south, daily ... 12 30 pm* E-iling, Rangifcata, daily ... 10 30 am 12 30 pm Temuka, Timaru, daily, 10 30 am 12 and Tuesday, Thursday, , 30 pm and Saturday 3 15 pm TinwalH, Winslow, Hinds, 10 30 am 12 daily 30 pm And -Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday £3 15 pm , Ruapuna, Monday and Thurs day ,- 4 pm Mayfield, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday ... 4 pm Let.* era containing anything ,'^of value should be registered. Letters containing coin or bank notes if posted unregistered will be compulsorily registered, ami charged double registration fee. _____^__

Ashburton Gurdian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalbit MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1895 THE CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

We heave heard a good deal within the last few years of the Californian thistle, and repeated warnings have been given irj these cplurans of the danger of allow ing it to Obtain a hold upon good land. At last County meeting the JUngjneer reported the existence of a considerable patch on a reserve at Valetta, and from various parts of the county we j learn that small patches exist. The Engineer was requested to see to the extirpation of the patch that had come under his nptice, and' farmers who have any upon their lands should take tmje by the forelock and get rid of jit. We dray %ttentiop r to this subject prompted by cases that were jfcried l#st month in Victoria under the Styre Thistle Apt The defendants were heavily fined for failing to deal with the pest. Messrs G. F.'andG. S. Armytagp, of Oolac, were charged by the Inspector with failing to suppress the Californian thistle on their land, and the local paper gives the following report of the c&»e :-=?*' Mr Hancock stated that the case had be©** be»r4 about a month ago but bad been dismissed upon $ tephnigal objection, vise,, through the notice being undated. An order absolute had been granted by the Supreme Court, setting aside the justices' decision and providing for the re hearing of the case. The inspector deposed that Messrs Armyfcage were the occupiers of Turkeith station. The notice was I served on the g'f th September. In his opinion reasonable means had nqt been adopted to destroy the thistles ; in fact it would take hundreds of men to effectually eradicate them. The bench inflicted a fine of £5 with £3 2s 6d coiifcg," We desire to draw* .attention to the inspector'^ jregaarks that it would take hundreds of men' to ejiectualfy eradicate the thistles. In the other pases reported the evidence i 8 equally strong, q\} pending to show that once .feS^ .iia§ hm'-jjfrfy pyep to the

CaUfornian thistle the work of eradi I cation is more expensive than cultiva- j tion, and to remove the pest more J costly and difficult than to remove a j hilt deep mortgage. Twitch is bad ■ enough, but it U a fool to the thistle, j and if we would be wise in time we ought to spare no effort to fight the Californian. And he must be fought thoroughly. Every scrap of root will grow with far more certainty than a pot&to set, so that the farmer must be careful when digging out a plant to see that every string of the root has 1 been secured, and, when dry, burned. In Tasmania, thousands of acres of what was once good fertile land have been abandoned as worthless, owing to the fact that the thistle has the soil in its ruinous clutch, and the work of clearing would be more than the free hold is worth,

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

[ Tenders for repairs to the Ashburton Borough School are invited through our advertising columns. A special meeting of the ABhburton High School Board is called for tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the Secretary's office. At the request of Archbishop Redwood and Bishop Moran, the Southland Educa tion Board have decided to authorise its inspectors to examine Catholic schools in the district, provided they can overtake the work* The Tariff Commission will becompleted to day. Those already selected are the Hon Major Steward, Messrs J. Duthie, Tanner, William Hutchison, Stevens, McGowan and Thomas McKenzie, M.fl.R.'s. The Land Purchase Commissioners, who are at present in the South Island have been making selections of land in the vicinity of Christchurch with a view to the Government acquiring a sufficient area under the Land for Settlements Act for purpose of close settlement. An esteemed correspondent signing him self "Observer" writes from Hampstead calling attention to the mischievous effect of allowing boya and girla to loiter about the streets after dark. He is too explicit in his details to admit of the publication of his letter, but his remarks as to the duty of parents to endeavour to prevent juvenile immorality we heartily endorse. The first meeting of the Leading Board under the Government Advances to Settlers Act has now been fixed for Tues day. Near'y 600 applications have been received, and more than 400 have been marked for favourable consideration. Over £400.000 has been applied for, the proparties being valued by the applicants at £1,200,0:0. Sporting men wiil regret to learn that Fred Hedge an elderly man, well known some years ago as a cross countiy rider and trainer, was found drowned in Timaru harbour yesterday afternoon. It U sup posed to be a case of suicide, as Fledge had been hard up and despondent for some time past. Hedge rode in several steeplechases at Ashburton in the early daye.3 A public meeting was held at Oaraaru on Friday night, when ib was decided to wait on the Minister for Lands as he passes i hrc ugh Oamaru and urge upoa him the desirableness of opening up land for settlement near Oamaru. The Ardgowan estate was mentioned as the most desirable. Tin's estate contains between 4000 and 5000 acras, and lit s close to the town. Another old plank in thi traffic bridge gave way on Saturday evening when a trap was passing over, allowing the horse's hoof to go through. As aeon sfquence the oosupants got hurried accommodation in va'ious postures on the bridge for a- minute. However, little damage was done, and the old plank was so m replaced by one a great deal thicket —perhaps t ,o much so. The Mines Deparimsnt ha* been ad vised of a jadical decision at Home which will have great influence on the mining industry of the colony, inasmuch as it will set aside patent lights under which royalty is charged for the application of cyanide of potassium to the treatment of gold and silver ore. Mr Gordon, Chief Inspector of Mines, considers the aboli tion of royalty will enable many mining companies to carry on at a profit that have hitherto failed to obtain anyadequate return. A Wellington Press Association telegram stites that the Government has not stipu lated that Auckland should be made a port of call for the Vancouver service, but left it open to the contractors to choose Wellington or Auckland. The statement that a substantial subsidy has been offered is a mistake ; the colony will pay its pro portion of the cost. The Postmaster- General is averse to any branch line to Fiji, and thinks that if the Vancouver service is used it must be by the large steamers toushinp at NewgeaJand ports. Five gentlemen of France, and as many ladies, have determined to realise Utopia by taking off their clothes and going to live in caves in the forest of Auvergne. They will subsist upon chestnuts and the proceeds of the chase. Inorder that the shase may not be too arduous they have stocked a plantation with rabbits, goats, pigs, cows, and fowls, and fenced it in. They have also laid in a stock of cigars. The idea is to live a life of ease and pleasure without work, which is a good enough idea. But we rather doubt whether the nineteenth century Frenc'i woman can become primeval at ten minutes' notice. — Pall Mali Budget. On Sunday afternoon last a farewell address was given to the fceacjtiers and scholars of the Sunday Schools connected with St Stephen's Church by Mr Edgar S. Buchanan, M.A., who is leaving the district. The address was founded on St Luk<j ii—£9 —" Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business." The solitary ac" tenca which fell from the lips of Christ when' twelve years old. was the only one recorded during the first thirty years of hla life. Yet it was a pattern word for all tipae, and for eyery age of life. Mr Buchanan urged many points indicating the ' business. 1 and hovjr to per form it* and to follow the example of £he child Jesus, who was 'subject unto his parents.' Thus school and hpme life would be made happy. The one saying he hoped would be the guiding light upon their pa* ha, and they would find it a firm foundation for all right conduct, at home, at school, or in the world. An affectionate leave taking was afterwards made. Mi? j^uphanan has acted as lay reader, Sunday school s^psriritendent, and vestryman, and leaves an excellent record behind him. He read the lessons for the last time at the evening service. His presence will be greatly missed and especially at the Sunday school pic nic at the Sale Yards next Thursday.

Thomas Bowman and John Robertson were drowned last night while attempting to board the dredge Dunkeld in the j'Clutha river. i Official returns show that the imports I of Victoria for the year were of the value of £12,470,000, being a decrease of £813,000 on the previous year. The experts were £14,026,00J, or an increase ,' of £718,000. George Henderson, who was before the Dunedin Court last week on a charge of theft from his employer, and reminded for the rep )rt of the Proba'ion Officer, attempted suicide yesterday by - cutting an artary in his left wrist with a penknife. His injuries are not very serious. An extraordinary duel is reported by French papers to have taken place in India batween two English officers. Captain Ph:llipps and Lieutenant Shepherd. They caused a venomous serpent to be shut up in a dark room. An hour later the two adversaries simultaneously entered the room by different doors Ten minutes afterwards Lieutenant Shepheid was bitten. He died within a short time. As for Captain Phillips, whose hair had turned completely white, he is to be court-martialled. At the adjourned meeting of the Racing club, on Saturday evening, it was reported that the apparent difference between the Committee and the Metropolitan Club had been satisfacto ily explained. The following committee were elected—Messrs C. W. Purnell, O. A, M. Buckley, Henry Zander, Hugo Friedlander, S. H. Graves, W. B. Denshire, E. Gates, C. F. Tod hunter, David Thomas, E. J. Paul, and Dr Leahy. A chairman wiil be elected at next Saturday's meeting, April 3 and 4 will probably be the dates fixed for the Autumn meeting. The following handicaps have been de clared for the 100 yards handicap, for trophies presented by G. A. M. Buckley, Esq., to ba competed for on Thursday evening. --L. Brord tcv., E. Purchase 9yds, H. Curtis 9yds, E. Matson 9yds, E. Morgan Hyde, E. Sidd 11yds, J. McTeague llyds, W. Theil 11yds, A. Williams 11yds, L. Andrews 12yds, C. Smith 12yds, H. Hoult 12yds, W. Hefford 12|yds. W. Steward 12Jyde, C. Smith 12£ yds, F. Tucker 13yds, J. Shear man 13yds, G. McConnell 14yds, W. P. Daly 14yda.

Miles and Co., Limited.

Petition for Voluntary Winding- Up

Information waa received by cable from ' London on Friday that Messrs Miles and Co., Limited, have presented a petition for the voluntary winding up of the company. It is announced that the business hitherto carried on by the firm in Canter bury will be continued in liquidation, and that all clients' moDeys that may be received will be placed in a special trust account, Mr F. A.. Archer intimates that the ttock and station business hitherto carried on by the company will in future be carried on by him and in his name.

Primitive Methodist Conference.

Wellington, January 12. The following resolutions were also carried:—"That in the opinion of this Conference any union cf the Methodist churches in this colony which will meet with the hearty support of our people should be upon the Hues of a basis si/nilar to that of 1883 " ; " That this Conference places upon record its high appreciation of the Christian courtesy shown by the deputation of the Wealeyan Methodist Church in their addresses to us upon the question of Methodist union, and trust that the kiadly spirit evinced by them and heartily recipro cated by us may ever continue."

COMMERCIAL.

London, January 11 New Zealand 4 per cent inscribed stock 106, 34 per cent 100J ; New South Wales 4 per cent 108, 2k per cent 100|; Victorian 4 per cent 101J, 3| per cent, 94|; South Aus tralian 4 per cent 106^, 3| per cent 100|; Queensland 4 por cent 105?], 3£ per cent 97f; Tasmanian 3J per cent 98-J; Western Australian 4 per cent 111. New Zealand long-berried wheat ex ware house firmer at 255, South Australian 265, Victorian 25s 6d. New Zealand frozen me»fc, first quality, 4d j second 3gd. Lamb, 4jd. January 12. A ton of Melbourne winter butter, packed iv September according to the Sewell patent, and shipped aa ordinary cargo, has arrived here and is reported to be in magnificent condition, The process excites much in terest, and it; is considered that if it always yields equal results it will revolutionise the trade to the amount of £9 per ton. Had it arrived and been available before Christmas, the butter would have fetched 1)%% ppr cwt. A portion of the butter consignment, packed in shellac, was of inferior quality, and had gone off, Sydney, January 12 The area under English barley is greatly in excess of last year's area. The estimated yield ia 975,000 bushels, the average being fifteen bushels to the acre. In regard to feed barley, nearly the whole of which ia of the Cape variety, it is anticipated that the yield will amount to a quarter of a million bushels, an averale of twenty-four bushels to the acre» Melbourne, January lg The Loader in reviewing the oat and hay crops says that the oat orop is a fairly good one in most districts, and really fine crops have been harvested in portions of the Northern districta. The crop is estimated at 6,000,000 bushels, or 25 bushels to the acre. The hay yield will be about 625,000 tons, or 1^ tons to the acre. Complaints, however, are made of the dirty character generally of the crops this year, which pre judice the market value of grain.

ROAD BOARDS.

MOUNT HUTT.

The usual monthly meeting of the Mount Hutt Road Board was held on Thursday, June 10. Present—Messrs Batty, Murdoch, and Drummond. In the absence of Mr Cameron, Mr Murdoch was appointed chairman. Extension of time was granted to Mr Clifford on his contract for shingling the Railway road. The Clerk" waa instructed to have repairs made on the bridges broken by traction engines"on the Mouh£ Hutt road. Consideratioa of Mr Dent's letter r<? storr t i vr^tes? crossing on the Urrall-Lauriston road was deferred for a fuller meeting. Letters fjeom Mr W, McMillan and the District Railway Engineer on the matte? were read. Correspondence from Mr Purnell re shingle pit required on Mr Friedlander's land was read, and the Clerk's action in the matter was approved, Mr M. I. Ilrowne wrote re obstruction «f road by a contractor's camp, also re damage to his fence by burning gorge. The Land Board wrote, authorizing ex penditure of thirds as proposed by the Board. The Receiver of Land Revenue advised the payment of £18 10a 7d accrued thirds on Mr 3. McFarlane's land. Accounts amounting to £31 63 8d were passed for payment.

ON THE PITCH.

By The Barber The railway station, as it will be after the railway workmen have hauled and hacked and hoisted it into its new position and form, and the railway navvies have done all the necessary earthwork for the platform, will still be far from what the Ashburton people wanted. The shanties will afford no more accommodation to public or staff than-they did before, but the widening of the platform will be a substantial improvement, and that, and the throwing of a roof over il", will go a long way to mollify the growlers. I hardly understand what the Mayor and Councillor Tweed had in view when they a:ked for the shifting of the iron build ings from the south to the north eni of the station, and I fail to see, wi h my present light, what benefit is to be derived. Where they stand now they give no more offence than they would at ths other end. They are not much nearer the Post Office now than In the suggested new site, while, should the alteration bd made, the tenants of Sauuders' Buildings may have caust of offence against the two gentlemen who have taken steps to influence the powers that be. Guests at Henry's Hotel would hare to pasa the unsavory erections on their way to and from the station, and the landlord will probably have a "what for 1?" to say about the matter. Then there may be a possible difficulty about the drainage. East Street objected to their channel being used, and the fall in that channel is about the steepest in the town. Compared with the fall past Saundors' Buildings the one southwards is a torrent. It is questionable whether the drainage, should a continuation of the existing system be adopted, will be) satisfactory.

"A blast o' Jauuar' win' Blew hansel in on Robin." That blast blew on January 25, 1758, and the Robin its " hanselled " was Scot land's popular bard. There are very many Scotchmen in Canterbury and Caledonian Societies are numerous, out as yet I have not noted any intention expressed to commemorate the poet's natal day-cer tainly none in Ashburton. Duuedin has its Hums Club, and of course in that second Edinburgh the "blast o' Jauuar' win" will be duly commemorated. In vercargill has no such Club, but an agitation, likely to be successful, has been got up to fittingly celebrate the birthday. Out of the InvercargUl gathering will probably come a Burns Club, and such a Club is likely to do more to further the main objects of the Caledonian Society than anything else that body undertakes. Most o£ the country Caledonian Societies are merely Clubs for the promotion of an annual sports meeting, and so far do good work, bnfc it Is a kind of work that any other Athletic Club could do just »s well. Call the body by almost any name, but make the prize money sufficiently sub stantial, and the competitors will roll up. Probably the Scotch spirit would not pervade the meeting so thoroughly, but there would be dancing and piping in plenty, for dancers and pipers have as keen an ey« to prize money as any other "athlete"—and an athtere he re quires to be who essays the dancing of reels or flings, or the playing of Highland music on the bagpipe. The Scottish language is rapidly disappearing in these colonies. Old Scotchmen are to be found, to ba sure, who still stick loyalty to the quaint old words and phrases, but most Scotchmen in New Zealand do their best to speak by the book. Their language is the English, although their accent gives th?m away in every sentence. The sons and daurhters of people who have emi grated from Scotland rapidly lose all trace of the Scottish accenr, and many of theda know but little indeed of Scottish litera ture. The cultivation of the memory of Burns, the study of Irs poems and sones would go far to preserve the true Scottish spirit among Scottish people. Writing of the songs of Burns the other day, the editor of the Invercargili Times said that "immortal in their pathos and humor, they have embalmed for all ages the language and genius of his country. He waa besides the prophet of the common people, a true high priest of humanity, who anticipated by half a centuty the emancipation of his countrymen, and pro claimed a coming era of the universal brotherhood of the race. He glorified by his genius the peasant life, the psasant loves, and rural sports of his native land. , No man that ever breathed had a larger ' heart far nature, or one that beat more truly to her in all her moods and aspects. 1

I commend the formation of a Burns Club to the Scotchmen and Scotchwomen of the county. In such a club all that is good in Scottish literature is brought to the front. The song lore of the country is preserved to the Scottish families, and very many of the very best of the Scottish ballads are as thorough strangers to numbers of Scotch people as though they had never been written. I had an in> stance of this not long ago. At a private reunion I listened with rapt attention to a young lady singing " The bonnle banks of Loch Lomond." After the well-deserved applause had subsided an old Scotchman shook me by the hand, and expressed his joy that the spirit of the eld bards was not dead yet, and that the Scotch writers of the present day could produce co ex cellent a song. He passed on to sing the praises of the new aong to others. How will he look when I tell him that Bong was written the year Culloden was fought, and that it? melody has pealed from the chanter of every piper worthy the name for at least two centuties 1

An Ashburton man In Cheviot will look funny when he opens the twine box of a reaper that has just been sent to him from here. His brother had used the reaper last year, and had left a more than half used ball o! twine in the box. Before sending the machine away he thought it would be only decent to put in a new ball and took off the lid to replenish. Two enormous bumble bees came out in a towering rage to protest against the dis turbance of their nest. That lid went on again quick, and a piece of wood was put in to plug up the hole. If the bumble bee has not yet reached Cheviot, one nest at least is in a fair way to get there. i

It is astonishing what dangers drunken men como out of scatheless. Qo Saturday an inebriated Individual—about; as tight as he well could be—was driving home. His horse bolted and went away, as train* ing notes writers would say, at a gcod bafc. The wheel caught a 4 x 4 pest fixed two feet in the ground, and snapped it off like a carrot. A slight jolt, bufc no stoppage, no capsize, no losing of the reins, no falling out. Only a tipsy sway of the body to a deep angle, and when the body swayed bacj? again the horse was pulled up to a respectable stride within fifty yards. Hal that man been sober, thee would have been a fee for the coroner, and a solemn verdict by six men of "Accidental death."

LABOR SETTLEMENTS.

Sydney, January il As a result of the Ministerial in spection of the labor settlements at Pit Town and Wilberforce, the state ments published as to the unsuitability of the soil have been amply proved. Notwithstanding this, the Minister is convinced the mtn worked so in dustriously that they deserve a trial under better circumstances at the hands of the State, so there is every probability of the settlements being removed to more suitable localities.

THE COREAN WAR

Shanghai, January 11 The Chinese have been routed at Kaiping after four hours' fighting,

FIRE

Tobonto, January 11. A fire in the city destroyed several warehouses, and the damage is esti mated at a million dollars. Several persons were killed by the falling debris.

The Fisheries Commis sion.

Sydnjby, January 12 The Fisheries Commission has laid before the Government an important memorandum on the fisheries of the colony. It states that the colony is actually importing fish food to the value of over £100,000 per annum, despite the frequently reiterated asser tion that our seas literally swarm with fish of great variety. The Commission recommends that in order to prosecute the enquiry into the important subject of deep sea fisheries and carry on its investigations to a successful issue, it is absolutely necessary that a thorough and systematic exploration by means of a completely equipped steam trawl ing vessel be made of the several fish ing grounds close to the shore line. The boats should be fitted with wells in order to bring the fish alive to the market. It is estimated that it would cost £6000 to make the experiment.

Victoria Politics.

Melbourne, January 12 The Cabinet has considered the rejection of the Land Tax Bill, and it is believed that the Government for the present will abandon the proposals contained therein and cast about among the many proposals made by the members of both Houses for a suitable scheme for balancing the national ledger. The Income Tax Bill will probably be recommitted with a slightly increased scale, and further efforts in the direction of retrenchment will be made.

WHEAT EXPORT TRADE.

Melbourne, January 12 Some time ago a number of wheat producers in this colony despatched a delegate to the United States to gather information as to the wheat export trade and cognate matters. They have just received a report from him, in which he states that he sees no real difficulty in the way of bulk shipments of wheat being sent to America at a profit. The inventor of the new whale oack ships, who is now engaged in con veying wheat to England, assured the delegate that his ships could take the bulk of the grain on any voyage with out the necessity of an increase in in surance risk. The company controlling this method of transportation will con sider a suggestion made by the dele gate that they will secure almost a monopoly of the Australian wheat trade if they carry bulk cargoes at reasonable rates. If such vessels were procured, he suggests the erection of elevators in Melbourne and Geelong. The report adds that the Victorian farmers have so far weathered the storm of low prices better than the American or Canadian farmers, and declares that with proper development they possess advantages which should place them far ahead of them.

LABOR.

Sydney, January 12 The Southern Miners' Delegate Board deem the present an inoppor tune time to demand an advance on, the hewing rate, and therefore recom mend that the Lodges allow the ques tion to remain in abeyance.

The Postal Conference.

Hobart, January 12 The Hon. Mr Ward has cabled to the Hon. Mr P. 0. Fyah, asking him to arrange with the Victorian Govern meat to call the Postal Conference for February 1 in Hobart instead of Melbourne. Mr Fysh is negotiating with the Victorian Government on the question.

Wellington, January 13 The Postmaster-General has received a cable message from the Postmaster* General in Tasmania to the effect thab the negotiations for holding the Postal Con ference in Hobarfc instead of IVJelbourne have "been successful, and that the date fixed is February 1, Each colony ex pressed a wish that Mr Ward should attend*

THE TIMBER TRADE.

Sydney, January 14 With the view of facilitating the timber - industry, Groye.rnme.n.fc ha,s [ granted a site a_t Balmain for the pur pose of erecting works for seasoning t|cqber to. hfi sent to. the Eurep an market. Government is also building a large wharf adjoining the land, which will be capable of accommodating vessels of the largest draught. The plant will be capable of seasoning two million feet annually by the Reiser process, which it has been decided to adopt. The timber can be perfectly seasoned in three weeks, which would otherwise require years naturally.

MB ASStittttftDOS GOAftDIAS: MtONDA*, JANtfAtft, 14, 1895.J



Business Notice*. | Holidays Holidays. HOLIDAYS ARE NOW IN FULL SWING. fIiHE CHEAPEST HOUSE IN CANTERBURY FOR Drapery, Clothing, and Boots. G J. NEILL, Flannelettes 2s lid dozen I Double Bed Sheeting 9£d Good Wasbing Print 3£d A Man's Real Good Suic for a Pound A Holiday Dress for 3s lid I A Boy's Suit for 3s lid Calico 2a lid dozen • BOOTS. BOOTS. Ladies Shoes 4s lid | Men's Bluchers 4s lid Men's Nailed Shooters slid I G. J. NEILL. EAST STREET, FRIEDLANDER'S BUILDINGS.



Most Extraordinary Revolution IN THE Tailoring Trade. NO MORE NEED FOR PEOPLE TO GO TO CHRISTCHURCH OR ELSEWHERE FOR THEIR TAILORING; W- SPARROW HAS proved from pasb experience that the credit system is unsatisfactory, both to buyer and seller, the good marks have to pay for the bad ones. He has therefore decided to CLOSE HIS BOOKS and go in for the CASH SYSTEM entirely, and will sell at prices which are bound tocimmand a laraje turnover. The following quotations will give some idea of the REDUC TIONS:- ? . . A First Class Tweed Sac Suit ... .- 555, former price 70s First Class „ ... .. 60a, former price tos First Class „ ... • • 653, former price 80s First Class „ ... ... 70a, former price 85a Best Quality Twee! money can procure ... 733. former price 90i No 4 Foxes Serge Suit .. ... .. £3 12s 6d Best black or blue Worsted Coat and Vest, bound, with best quality Trousering ... £± Os Od Remember these Prices are for Firtt Class "Workmanship. FIT aND STYLE GUARANTEED WILLIAM SPARROW, EAST STREET. N.B.—As these prices may be copied by other Firois, please call or send for samples and compare qualities.



1 § » 4. Chtistmas and New Year's Greeting FLETCHKE BROS-, HAVJG JUST EECEIVED EX GOTHIC— 100 cases Finest New Vestisan Currants 50 boxes Finest New Sultanas 30 boxes Finest New Valencias 50 boxes Finest New Elemes 25 boxes Australian Muscatels, to be cleared at 8d per 1b ALSO THE FOLLOWING JUST TO HAND FOR CHRISTMAS TRADE- Jordan Almonds Dessicated Cocoanut Keene's Mixed Spice Preserved Fruits Preserved Ginger Pears, Peaches, Cordials, <&c Apricots, &c. Valencia Almond 3 |lb bottles of Persian Sherbit, 8d per bottle. A splendid line of Christmas Oake in Fancy Baskets to be sold at Is 6d each, PLEASE NOTE that all these Goods are of the very FINEST QUALITY PROCURABLE, wbi3h we intend to sell at the LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICE. A look at our windows will show. PRESERVING SEASON, 1895. JUST LANDING Ex AURIGA, 25 tons Finest Mauritius Cane Sugar (1164 bags This is the FINEST CANE SUGAR to be got and jam, 4c, made with it will keep almost any length of time. NOTE ADDRESS FLETCHER BEOS., CASH SUPPLY STORES, ASHBURTON, AND LOWER HIGH STREET, CHRISTOHURCH. Don t miss seeing our splendid show of Ohristmai Fruit?, &c.



1 ~ " -—■■•■■- | WIN SLOW. C HB££ «.M '££ I s EOTI°. NS »v£ "R,- 4151- & Bate and Dolls for everybody from Id *f .acre m one block on the upper side each; Jointed Dolls for W, Sleeping of railway. Offers ate Invited for these. Beauties I^. Chinese Conquerors 6d, Terms if required. App^y to . RiiKsian Fmb>Esi«s la, Wnlkiog Men, T- BULLUOK. Talking Dolls. Scotch Greys, and Ennis- tj aN u j Bang , bw ; My new flea killen Dragoons all wonderfully cheap at XI son - 8 stock of Ammunition to hand Mks AMJOWKsLadw*' Underclothing and Eley . 8f Kynoek's and, Ouo Cartridges, Fancy Bazaar, Havelock street. Powder, Shot, Caps, Wad«, |3a««s a,pd * " aU sporting materials of the first *U&Wj JXJtLAft CI<?AREITKS-«3d. per p*ck«t. »t J. W. HijiMfiY's, G«n Bmjwnam. -



Wanted rTTANTED—A Cock for station, W must be a good bread baker. Apply, Mrs Adam&, East street, Ashbur ton. l 71 TTV}R SALE — Purebred Partridge X' Cochins, also young Houdans. App'y •• Fancier," Mail Office. 1 56 TXy ANTED Known—The Corner Is VV showing a magnificent New Stock of Drapery and Clothing.—W, H. , Collier. WANTED Known—Special line of Gents' Kcgatta Shirts, all sizes, wtth or without collars, 2s 6d.—W. H. Collier. - —— ' "T>EAUTTFULa»-d useful Presents to JD all purchasers of 2s 6d and upwards. —11. C Segeks, Meltcrd House. WANTED Known —Spectacles, Eye Protectors, Goggles, Folders, and everything in the option line at S. SjlLek's, Optician. BERBAL Beer, Herbal Biier. Six _ gallons of splendid Herbal Beer for 7d. Made with a bottle of Potter's Herbal Beer Extract, price 7d per bottle. Warranted purely hetbal. Fletcher Bros., Wholesale and Retail Agents, Cash Supply Stores, Ashbarton and Chriatchurch. fVTANTEI) Known -Holders o"f VV Present tickets can now get them changed.—H, 0. Segers, Melford House. WANTED Known—A tremendous run on our Gloves, 4|d upwards. —Mitchell abd Turner.



CHRISTMAS & N*,W YEAR 1894-95 H. Z. C- F. Opened up this week for the holidays, NEW TJES, NEW SILK HANDKERCHIEFS. AL\TE shipment of Mcn'a Navy Blu« and White'STRAW HATS, to be Cleared at 3*, worth 48 6i. ■ BOYS' STRAW HATS Is. We have the Latest shapes in Hard and Soft FELT HATS. See our Windows for Grand Christmas Display, For com for b try one ot the New Soft Felt Hats—weight l|oz CLOTHING DEPARTMENT. 1 few Boys VJashing Blouses to be Cleared at 3a 3d. Gents' Fancy Vests in Great Variety. FOR TRAVELLING— Steel Trunks from 12s Portmanteaux and Gladstone Bags. HANDSOME PRESENT— A Bismarck Sewing Machine wiih Coves for ds£s IOS. NEW ZEALAND GLOTHINQ fAOTORY. ALEX. HEN DRY, Manager'



WANTED Fnown-Th»t H. A. Ixx)wer, Confectioner, East street, has a splendid variety of Fry's and Cadbury'e Chocalate Boxes, now in stock. IXTANx'ED, Everybody to use Titan i VV Soap, greatest marvel of the age. H. Zander, Sols Agent. WANTED Known—All wool Delaines, Prints, and Crepona below whole I sa'e rates.—Mitchell and Turner "PRESENTS. We are now giving JL Presents to all purchasers of 2s 6d and upwards.—H. 0. Sbgebs, Melford House. WANTED Known.—Having had such a successful season with Dresses, balance to clear *fc nominal prices.— Mitchell amp Turner. T ADIF/s* and Gentlemen's lefr-off I_J Clothes and all kinds of goods bought, sold, or exchanged. — Mrs Knight, oppo&ite Templar Hall, near Post Office. 11 170 BOY'S and Girls Own Annual, British Workman and Workwoman, Infant's Magazine, The Prize, Child's Companion, Ohi'dren's Friend, Li til a Dot, Family Friend, Band of Hope, Young England, and other New Books at Lowest Prices.— L. F. Andrgwes and Co. 11 98 CHEAP Christnr.a* Present, Cheap New Year Gifts, Cheap Toys, Cheap Dolls, Cheap Fancy Goods. Mus Adams, Saanders' Buildings. ANTED —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 OWN Make In Ladir .' and Children's Underclothing, Akrons, and Pina fores ; also a good assortment of Calicoes, Vtuslins, Flannelettes, Tiimmings, etc., at Mrs Aloorn's new shop, B kei's Buildings.



HL AftK ET S bought at Edwards Bennet's Sale, a special line of DouMe Blankets at 7* 9J. Ex*ra large and heavy 154 6d and 16i 6d.--Robert Alcorn, Biker's Building" TITANTBD Known — Mks Hoopbk * * (monthly nurpe) is open to accepT engagements. Apply, by letter, to Mrs Hoopek, Alford Forest Koad, Ashburton 11*131 _^ ROBERT ALCORN has opened in Baker's Buildings, next the Court house, with a stock of Clothing, etc., bought at Edward.", Bannett's and the Kaiapoi S%les, the cheapest lot of goods ever brought to Ashburton. Also an assortment of Boots. I^TOTICE! Notice Sport for all JLN Guns let out on hire or sold on time payments. H&ying a professional Gunsmith on the premises, I undertake to repair Guns of any description. Gun fittings in stock. Prices low.—J. W. Hahdley, Ironmonger, etc (~"\ UNS ! Guns ! Guns ! My new stock VU of Gunsj nsfc to hand direct from the manufacturers. Double and Single Barrel Breech Leaders, Rifles, etc. In spection invited. No old stock to select from at J. W. Haedlky's Sporting Repository WANTED Known—That if you are in want of a first class article in sum mer Boots and Shoes, you cannot do better than call at J. Moison's ; you will got the very best at reduced prices. As for his own «r»akj», they are well known to the delight of the wearers, throughout the iustralasian cobnies. Repairs well done and at once. Premier Boot Maker, Town Hall Boob Store, TV street, A&hburton



WANTED Known—That oaring to the guccess of the £ale now being held up'at S*«ir4er,s' buildings, opposite Rail way Station, ib mil ba pontinued for another twenty-eight days. I am not adwptjsing a few cheap lines, but the whole qi tfio .stock. Don't lose the oppor tunity of s&wring genuine bargains —A Laweie. J 66 -j QAC' New Year Oards and New LOtJO #Yl M <*ifts oIE various kinds.. Fancy Goods, including Fancy Glass and Ohinaware, Toys of various kinds, Chinese Lanterns, New Games for indoors and outdoors, including Tennis and Cricket Material; Writing Desks and Oases, InkstandF, Photo and Scrap Albums, Ladies' Hand Bags, Picture Frames Pictures, Tejf's, A ecorieone, Concertinas, Violins, Either Harps, Banjos and a great; variety of other goods #11 at Reduced Prices for wash »6 U F* Ajtorewjss Asp Oo.'s .. __



TO OUITSUBSCRIBEItS. Owing to'tlio larje amount nnw'owing for subscriptions to the Mail and Guabii'N, we are compelled to press for payment, and have to notify th»t we shall take immediate steps to recover all sub scriptions that are more than one year overdue.



EXTRACTED HONEY. PETER ANDERSON'S NEW SEA.- SOS'S KXTJRACTED HONEY is now ready,, *njd Is the best sample his Apiary haa yielded anpe jits establishment seven years ago. Sold In Ifclb and tins, and by the hundredwei.ht. '■ HAKATERE APIARY, Hampstead. Brand— St. Andrew's Cross (red), 12 117 "~TOXlT.—Commodious Shop, Corner of the Arcane, fronting Tancred street, now in the occupation of Mr Hyde. 3w~t | JLvJ^, *""""' quired for i T.Sb UM, 1185 each containing \ acre, Cameron Street, Wesfe i\ ejjced and planted J with macracarpa. persons desirous of building asfe Invited i jto inspect. jEasy terms. I



FIRE ALARMS Allenton .. one toll Borough, north of railway ... two tolls Borough, south of railway ... three tolls Hampstead  four tolls



Holloway's Pills,—Change of tempera ture and weather frequently upset persons are niQst (^*js*l cf their health, and partipulaf jn jJhei'r 'diet. Tn£3e corrective, purifying, and gentle aperient pills are the beat remedy fgr all defective action of the digestive orgaas. They 8-ugnjen.fc the $ppe tite, strengthen the stomach, correct bilious ness, and carry off all that is noxious from iU« avsteiOi Hplloway's Pi"s are composed of "rare balsams, unmi^ 1 w^li Uw matter, apd on that account are peculiarly auapttu for the youug, (^dl^atp, and aged. As this priceless' medicine has gained fame in t};e past, so it will preserve it in the future by its renovating arid invigorating qualities ana the itjiposfiibility of doing Mtm.



FpßlsrpitJESsiioNf the best remedy ia uu, doubtedly NqWS's Camoitoe Pilis. They gan confidently be recommended as being mild in operation and absolutely free from injurious drugs. Acting at once as a splen did tonic and a gentle aperient. For nearly 1W vearstkey b&ve Prove(i unequalled for Indigestion, Dyspepsia, 7± Haadaofo flfld for Liver and Stomach compla ts. hold in bottles Is lid, 2s 9d, and 11s, by all Medi. cine Vendors throughout the world, A imple, Bftffl *wd cettftin iremeofy



Ciarkk's World-famed Blood Mixtuee is a guaranteed cure for all Blood and Skin diseases. It is the most searching blood cleanser ever discovered, aad it will free the system from all impurities from whatever oauae arising. For scrofula, scurvy, eczema, bad sores and pimples of all kinds its effects are marvellous. Thousands of testi monials Sold everywhere at 2a 9d per bottles Beware of worthless imitations aad substitutes (1) DOLLAR CIGARETTES.-3d. No holders or ||(f -cs-Rehky Zajsdkk. wholesale agetfti



KEATING S POWDER destroys Bug Fie is, Moths, Beetles and all other insects whilst quite harmless to domestic animals. In exterminating Beetles the success of this Powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly clean in application. See the article you, purchase is K.E ATING/S, as imitations are noxious and. ineffectual Tjuis, 6,d and IS;' te-with the signature Thomas Keating on each tin. Sold oy all chemists. One Box of Clarke's B 41 Pills is warra ted to cure all discharges from the Urinaiy Organs, in either sex (acquired or consti tutional), Gravel and Fains in the Back. Guarranteed free from Mercury. Sold in Boxes 4s 6d each, by all Chemists and Paten, Medicine Vendors thronghout the World Proprietors ; This Lincoln and Midland Counties Drug CowPAay, Lincoln, England; - j. - ■ - » "I M( 1» 1