Ashburton Guardian. Manga est Veritas et Prævalebit SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1895 LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Reading matter appears on the fourth page.

A man named John Lawrence committed suicide by drowninsr himself in the Kak anui river this morning.

At Napier the Railway Department are inaugurating cheap excursion fares every Wednesday^ the ony generally chosen for the half holiday there.

The Nekon Poultry AsscciaH'm bus decided t" affPmfcft with t.be New Zealand Poultry Association. Ifc holds a show on the 4th, stb, and 6th of July.

The General Synod, at Nelson, yester day elected ihe Right Rev. Dr. C'owie, Bishop of Auckland, to the position oi Primate of New Zealand.

.The vital statistics for Ashhurion for Ashburton for January are :—- Births 21, deaths 9, marriages 2. For the same month last year the figures were—Births 22, deaths 8, marriages 3. A), the Wesleyin Church to-morrow evening; the Rev. T. G. Brooke will con tinue the series of monthly addresses to younsr men. The subject for consider ation will be " The millennial reign of Christ."

Heavy bush fires have been raging in the Wairarapa and Forty Mile Bnsh districts. Pahiatua township was enve. loped in dense smoke. At Kaifcawa the wool sheds and yards were burned. besid es Rovsral milft"> of fencing while sevtrtf the settlers' houses had narrow escapes. The Ashburton High School will re open on Tuesday next at 930 a.m. The headmaster, Mr G. Simmers, and the headmistress, Miss Peßrce, will be in attendance at the scboolhonsw from 10.30 to noon, and 2 to 4 p.m. on Monday next, to meet parents and enrol pupils.

At the Timaru magisterial enquiry yesterday, Frederck ScMner, second mate of the barqun Franz, was committed

for trial at the Supremo Court on Tues day for the wilful mnrder of Ernest Thompson, a seaman. The evidence was

he same as ar the inquest.

An amusing incident is reported from Tasmania. A swarm of bees lodged in

the Hagley Church organ, and when the choir assembled on Bund?iy, and the organ began to pay, the bnes and the choir be came mixed np. The members of the choir h«d to retreat, leaving the bees in possession.

The Japanese of Thursday Island are a

festive crowd. The other Saturday they held a wrestling carnival There were over 60 performers, and a large assemblage. A. slight hitch occurred, owing to some out aiders throwing broken class into the aren^. The Japanese made a rnsh for the offenders, and the police h*»d to interfere.

At the half-yearly meeting of the Broken Hill Proprietary donapany the net profits for tbfi six months were shown te be £340 000. The report stated that there was sufficient oxidised ore to keep (he plantgoine atthep<-esenfcratefor two years. fflfforts to find a method of treating snl phise ore were still unsuccessful.

The Rev. T. A. Hamilton desires to make a farther acknowledgment of gifts in aid of the Newlands sufferers. Peven te/an shillings and sixpence has been h» t i((e<jt i^i to the fund, making a to'al of four pounds, $ght shillings and sixpence. Five more pareejs _^f clothing are also thankfully acknowledged', $£r and Mrs Smith are extremely grateful %r the kind beneficence which b%9 been extended to them in their trouble.

The £O^.fch- west gale we experienced ou Thursday hap evidently been severe along the coast, although ipo /^ry serioaa dam»ge has beenreported. jltcause^ flo^je trouble anaono the siraller craft in the shipping, but the ((tausalties were slight. On Jand corn stacks Buffered the most, and the fanners in .coasexpence had some extra kbour entailed upon them, F^ile orchard ists will have a good deal of windfall fruit to wild 4pwb Jo profit §d 4 lops wccu&t, ■

Mr J. H, Stephens, blacksmith. \ Wakanui Foad, realising the position of j financial affairs this season among the J farmers, and desiring to bo equal to the situation, has reduced bis cuar,ges for shoeing and general smiih work. He advertises his shoeing fees in another column. I

An evp.nt unique in the history of Vic toria w»s witnessed at Ballarat the other day, when a sentence of court-martial on Private Alfrod Glasson, found guilty of drunkenness while ia uniform, striking his superior officer, and obscene language, was carried into effect with all the cere mony of martial law. The proceedings were very impressive.

A. meeting; of ladles and householders was held at Mr Liddle'a house in the Hinds district, to consider the advinab'ene*s of having a school erected Mr J. W. Sawle was chairman and those present repre sented twenty-seven children of school age within two miles, it was unanimously re solved that the chairman confer with the Board of Education on the matter.

A Wanganui paper atates that during the past week a presumably would be suicide was caught by a constable as he thought, red-handed in the act of self destiuction by the aid of a rifle. * But,' said a townsman, * the gun was not loaded, so I hear!' • How the divil was I to know that ?' retorted the man in blue, with his usual pre-occupied air. 'Leastways I saw him fixing the thing, and be jabers, I grappled wid'im —divil a lie in it V

Numerous as are the birds of certain kinds upon the Auckland and other islands, notably the penguin family, Captain Fair child, whose observations extend over a long series of years, is of opinion that there is a general falling off in number. Of albatrosses, nellies, molly-hawks, petrels, gulls, and, on the Antipodes, ground parrots, there is not, he believes, more than one-half as many as when he first visited the islands.

At the Dunedin Police Court on Thurs day proceedings wore taken against a farmer in the Taieri district for adolterat ingmtlk. The charges were laid under the Food Adulteration Act, but it was also created an offence under the Dairy Act, aud the penalty that may be imposed was heavier than that in the former Act. The defendant in this instance pleaded guilty. His Worship stated that the fraud was a gross one. and imposed fines which toother with coats, amounted to some £19i

The Woodville Examiner s»ys :—" Of late there has been a great deal of talk amongst our local swimmers about swimm ing the Manawatu Gorge. As a result Mr L. Manu has offered a handsome silver medal, to be suitably inscribed, to the first persan belonging to the district who dots so. The starting point will be the Gorge bridge, and from there competitors will make down stream for the Ashurst Island at the further end of the gorge, a distance of four miles (more or less). Several enthusiasts have expressed their determination to have a try for the medal. As yet, however, no »!ate has been fixed for the preformance."

Holloway's Ointment.—Sorea, wounds ulcerations, and other diseases affecfciDg the skin, are capable of speedy amendment by this cooling and healing ointment, which has called forth the lowdest praise from persons who haa suffered for years from bad legs, bad breasts, piles, abscesses, and chronic ulcers. None but those who have experienced the soothing effect of it can form any idea of the comfort it bestows by restraining inflammation and allaying pain. Whenever Holloway's Ointment has been once used it has established its own worth, and again been eagerly sought for as the easiest and saf3Bt remedy for all complaints. la neuralgia, rheumatism, and gout, the same application, properly used, gives wonderful relief.

CRICKET.

AU3IRALIA v ENGLAND.

Sydney, February 1 There was a large attendance at the fourth test match to-day, but the wicket had been spoiled by heavy rain during the night and again by a shower which fell just before the commencement. During the rest of the afternoon the weather was fine but windy. Stoddart at la3t won the toss and sent in the Australians, who at first had a very bad time. The early batsmen adopted careful play, and were quickly got out, six wickets falling for 51 runs, but Graham and Darlitig adopted bold tactics and hit the bowling all over the field. The former had a good share' of luck, as he was missed several times. They took the score to 119, and after Darling left, Graham and A. Trott, whose fine performance was thq feature of the Adelaide match, quite collared the bowling. Graham reached the century by fine free hitting before he was stumped, the scoie then standing at 231. After his departure Turner and Trott put in some merry hitting, and the innings finally closed for the good total, under the oircumatances, of 284. Trott, for the third time, carried his bat, having now made 195 without losing his wicket. The Englishmen had i time to see McLaren stumped before play closed for the day. The scores are :-—

Australia-—First Innings. H. Trott, c Briggs b Peel l Bruce, c Brockwell b Peel 15 Giffen, b Peel, 8 Moses, b Richardson ... , 1 Gregory, st Phillipson b Briggs ... 5 Iredale, c and b Briggs 1 Graham, st Phillipson b Briggs 105 Darling, hit wkb b Richardson , 31 A. Trott, not oub 85 Jarvis, c Phillipson b Briggs 5 Turner, c Richardson b Lockwood ... 22 Extras M ... 6 Total "284 Bowling Analysis.—Briggs four for 65, Peel three for 74, Richardson two for 78, Lockwood one for 22, Ford none for 14, Brockwell none for 25. Expand—First Inninga. McLaren, st Jarvis b H. Trott 1 Ward, not oub ... „ 5 Briggs, not out 4 Extras ] 1 Total for one wicket v

FIJI v. OTAGO.

Dunedin, February 2 The weather is fine but the wicket is heavy, though improving. The Pijians won the to3s, Otago battintr. At noon four wickets were down for 92. Baker not out 52.

SPORTING.

C.J.C. MIDSUMMER MEETING

Cheistchurch, February 2, Weather very fine for C.J.C. Summer Meeting, and the attendance fair. Follow ing are results ;—

Hoknjjy We&ter,—Silver Spec 1, Lord Zetland 2, Busybody 3. &11 started.. Silver Spec aud Doubtful were almost equal favour ites. Won by a length and a half. Time— 2.12 J. Dividends—£2 5s and £2 13s.

Middle Park Plate, six furlongs — Bloodshot 1, Golden Vale 2, Nautilus Sheli 3 Won easily. Bizarre was scratched. Time *" 1.16|. Dividends~£l 8s and £19 3l

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Ashburton ! County Council was held yesterday. Present—-Messrs HugoFriedlandpr (chair man), C. J. Harper, Andrew McFarlane, ] John Grigg, Duncan Cameron, James Johnston, Donald Williamson, E. G. Wrigh% and E. Richards ohaihsians statement, The Chairman's Statement was, as follows : — Messrs Grigg and Scaly have been duly gazetted members of the North Canterbury Charitable Aid Board to re present the borough and this county, A circular from the Commissioner of Crown Lands re Fair Rent Bill will be placed be fore Council to-day. Mr Peache in accordance with terms of his lease of the Mount Somerd tramway ferwards for the Council's information a return showing traffic returns for 1894. The Receiver of Land Revenue advisee payment of £20 on account of thirds Hickman's section. The Commissioner of Crown Lands intimates that he has again applied for the necessary funds for the Westerfield and Clearwell village settlement water supply and trusts , shortly to be able to state definitely whether the funds will be available or not. The amount of general rates collected up to date id £2592 3s 6d, leaving £407 16s 6d outstanding. £390 2s 9d has been paid on j account of this rate since last meeting.

engineer's report, The Engineer's Report was read as follows:— Aahburton-Rakaia Plains Water Supply — The races in this district are in a fairly efficient condition, and the various supplies are being well maintained. The travelling shingle at Padding Hill, and intake of auxiliary channel is rather more troublesome than in former years. From this cause the supplies have been a little variable at times/ but no cessation has occurred recently. The mains in the lower part of the district have been partly overhauled lately, and are vow carrying their full volume of water. You will observe from Banger Stuart's waste sheet and report that considerable waste and neglect occurred on R S, 26608, as well as some slight traces of irrigation in garden. Ashburton-Rangitata Water Supply—The '< recent showery weather has given an ample supply in races fed from the Hinds gorges, !and there is generally a fair supply through out the whole district; the treminal points | of the N and Waterton races, are however, a little light, but are in process of being augmented.

Mount Somers-Ashtmrton Forks Water Supply—Some minor repairs to flumes, etc., have been undertaken in the Mount Somers district and the supplies there, and the Springburn are ample. In the Forks the small weir at intake has been improved, and will ensure a steadier supply. Connection Between South and North Ashbnrton River—The caretaker at intake of Wakanui creek has reported that the river supply was getting insufficient for fully supplying the creek. I made arrangements, as authorised by yon, to bring an auxiliary supply from the south branch to the head works at upper end of O'Shea's creek, and presume there is now an adequate supply in the connection. It can readily be further increased if necessary. County Plantations—lt appears from the Ranger's report that the plantation at south west corner of reserve 2592 is frequently used for camping travelling sheep to and from the Upper^Rangitata bridge. This plan tation was sometime ago advertised for lease for seven years, but no tender was received. As it will not do to have irresponsible stockmen occupying the plantation to the detriment of fences, etc., orders should be given to impound until such time as the plantation can be leased. You will observe from Rangei's report that a portion of plantation reserve 1770 about two miles, north of Ashburton was destroyed by fire on Monday last. The area damaged is about thirty-five acres. The fire was noticed shortly after the express passed south, so that it was most likely caused by sparks frotn the engine. The cocksfoot in plantation near Mt. Harding, Methven, is being harvested, and will be all secured in a short time.

Caliiornian Thistle.—l am having the patch of this weed, near Valetta, kept under as directed by the Council.

Stray Stock in River-beds. — With reference to the complaints recently nude as to damage by stock in Wakanui and Forks districts it would appear that the nuisance can only be abated by issuing an order to impound.

County Bridges. -Some of the decking of North Ashburton Bridge at Pudding Hill has been renewed recently. I have also ordered a quantity of timber for Upper Rangitata bridge for renewals of some of the longitudinal bearers and decking. I beg to annex a draft copy of proposed bylaws for county bridges, other than Ashburton traffic bridge. ■•■•:■,

Guaging Streams — Ashburton-Rangitata —The latest record is a very low one showing a diminution generally, the last six months of fully fifty per cent. TAMPERING WITH WATER SUPPLY. It was resolved that Messrs Moore and Clucas be written to for an explanation of the waste of water and use of same for irrigation. NORTH AND SOUTH ASHBURTON WATER SUPPLY. It was resolved that the Chairman's action in having the supply augmented be approved. TRESPASS ON PLANTATION. It was decided that the fences of reserve 7592 be repaired, and the Rangi tata Road Board authorised to impound stock trespassing on the same, and that a notice board to this effected be erected.

J>LANTATION FIRES. It was decided to call the attention of the Railway Engineer to the recent disastrous Ore in, reserve 1770, pre sumably caused by a spark from the express engine, and to ask him to take such precautions, by ploughing annually and other meann, as shall protect the planta tions near the railway. STOCK IN KITERBKD. Complaints were received from persons, who had planted willows on their river frontages, of destruction of the same by cattle and sheep, and asking the Council to take some action in the matter. A long discussion ensued, it being ultimately resolved, on the motion of Mr Harper, seconded by Mr Johnston, that the matter be deferred till next meeting, for the Engineer to report as to the special damage complained of and generally throughout the length of the Ashburton riverbed. BRIDGE BY-LAWS. The suggestions in the Engineer's Re port in reference to this subject were referred to the Bridge By-La^s Com mittee ; and the Engineer's Report as a whole was adopted. CALIFORNIA THISTLE. It was resolved that the Engineer pro care some salt and gas lime to put on a patch of this weed existing near a water race on the College Reserve near May field. SPRINGFIELD WATER SUPPLY. Some voluminous reports, statements, and correspondence were read on this subject. Mr Wright proposed that, as it would be a great saving of time, the matter be referred back to the Committee to deal with.

Mr McFarlane seconded this, when Mr J ohnston asked why it should go back to the Committee when the Council were in full possession of the facts. Mr Wright thought the Committee should have an opportunity of hearing Mr Donald Cameron's and Mr Stitt'a evi dence. While conserving the interests of j the public the Council should not roughly override private claims. Mr Wright's proposition was carried. ROAD CLOSING. The Road Closing and Bridge By-Law Committees were granted an extension of time tio bring 1 op then 1 reports. IRRIGATION. Mr Wright give notice to move at next meeting " That wherever practicable at a moderate cost the Council take measures to increase the supply of water iowtsi t.t?

j such an extent as will permit of water I therefrom being used for the irrigation of j small areas of land for experimental pur-, ' poses." FAIK KENT BILL Consideration of a circular from the Government, asking for information as to rents, whs on the motion of Mr Grigg. seconded by Mr Johnston, deferred till next meeting, it being understood Mr Griiic? would then bring forward a re solution dealing with the circular ACOOTJNTS Accounts amounting to about £400 were pa<Retl fnr payment. MOrNT BOMEKS TRAMWAY. Mr Peache wrote forwarding one h*lf year's rent of the tramway in advance. BPIUNGBPRN TRAMWAY .RESERVE. The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote, stating that this reserve was not vested in the Council. It was resolved to take no further action in the matter. whitcombb's pass. Mr Oakley Archer, 0.E., applied to the Council to support an application made by himself to the Government to provide the cost of surveying this road. On the motion of Mr Wright, seconded by Mr Williamson, it was resolved that this Council concur in the proposal. reserve 2778-2779. Mr P. Roberts applied to be relieved of his tenancy of these reserves, and it was decided he might transfer them to other persons at the same rent. SPECIAL ORDER. The special order dissolving the Upper Ashburton and Mount Somers Road Boards, and re-constituting the same under new boundaries, was confirmed, and the clerk was instructed to take steps for the election of members of the Boards when the order is gazetted. * LYOTELTON HARBOR BOARD. , Mr E. G. Wright was unanimously re elected to represent the county on the Lyttelton Harbor Board. WAGES. Ranger Stewart's salary was increased by £15 per annum. CALIFORNIAN THISTLE. Mr Tothill wrote from Invercargill, asking the Council to have all Californian thistles on the roadsides cut. It was re solve I that as far as is known, there are no Californian thistles on the roads, and where they are reported to exist, the Council is taking steps to eradicate them.

SLAUGHTERING LICENSES. The following slaughtering licenses were S anted :—H. Primmer, Rakaia; A. arvey, Mount Somers ; H. T. Smith, Springburn ; W. Broker, Hampstead ; W. E. Bond, Whealstone. HIGH SCHOOL BOARD. Messrs Cameron and the Chairman were elected members of the High School Board. WATER RACE APPLICATIONS. Extensions were granted to Messrs Mulligan, Dent, Henderson and Sons, D. G. Holmes, Robertson, Lyttelton, and Segers On the motion of Mr Wright it was resolved that the clause in the solicitor's draft form of authority, where water is granted for temporary U3e subject to withdrawal, be printed MOUKT SOMERS DOMAIN. A running water supply was granted fjr the swimming bath at this place. I , WAKANTH CBEEK. j The Council's solicitor wrote stating ' that the millowners had desired to have a name other than the Now Zealand Estates Company inserted in the agreement with the Council. -The Chairman stated he had instructed the Council's solicitor not to accept any other name, and his action was approved.

The Council then adjourned.

THE CIRCUS.

Fitzgerald's circua and menagerie has had a very successful tour through New Zealand, and few shows of the same class have ob tained more flattering notices from the press of the colony. So flattering indeed have been the notices by some of our contem. poraries in the north that at first we were inclined to take them with a grain of salt until the circus reached Christchnreh. When all the Ohristchurch papers joined in the chorus of praise with the same heartineaß with which the North Island press took up the strain, one expscted to see something really excellent, and on the opening of the show last night the expectation was not dis appointed. The menagerie is as extensive as one could expect to see in an establish ment so much on the move as this is, and is contained in the first of the two large tents, The lions, tigers, etc., were much canvassed, and Captain Jack Sutton, of the Wild West Show, is the lecturer. In one of the cages are a tigress and two cubs, the latter bora in this colony, and the gambols of the baby tigers were a source of much amusement to the young people After the animals had been seen the visitors made their way to the large tent, and here over two thousand people were accommodated. There was etill room for plenty more, as the higher priced tiers, though well filled, could have taken another hundred or two. One of the best features of the circus is the number of highly trained horses and ponies Mr Dan Fitzgerald introduces, and perhaps it would be we 1 in this notice to deal with them together. The first introduced is the performing mare Princess, and this animal is an exc9llent illustration of the trainer's skill. The next is the black pony Tom, a remarkably clever little animal, anil after him the piebald pony Commodore, who does almost everything but speak. Then six beautiful white horses are introduced—not all white, howevsr, one being a very light bay—and the things those horses do at the word of command are some thing extraordinary- The ponies Tom and Commodore do the see-saw act together, and a trained goat holds her place on horseback in a steeplechase round the ring. Altogether it is seldom that such an exhibition of horse trainingiaseenin any circus. The performance opened with a pageant of eight horses and riders—four male and four female -the riders ,in dragoon costume, and several intricate equestrian movements were per formed. Master George Collier rode a hurdle act very cleverly, and Mr Albert King, rid ing and driving four horses, treated the audience to what is called, in circus language, a picture act. Miss Nellie Lyndhursfc is a very daring rider, and her Mexican hurdle act, in which, hold by one foot in the outside stirrup, she bends over and picks up hand kerchiefs from the ground of the ring. This feat was loudly applauded. With Mr Albert King, Miss Maggie Connors on two barebacked horses, do some wonderful things, Mr King carrying the lady in many very difficult poses. The boy riaera of the company are also very clever. In the arena work the most striking novelty to Ashburtoa was the double ladder act in which Misses Maggie Oonuorß, Nellie Lyndhurst Millie Vidella, Addie Sutton, Ray Jones,and Rose Hogan took part. Ihe two ladders are raised up to a perpendicular position, and Mr J. Graham is made to act as a sort o

human buckle to keep them so. He lays hold of a rung of each ladder with each hand, places each foot similarly on a rung, and holds that difficult position while the | fair acrobats go through their difficult but ' very graceful performance on the steps. One of the ladies is an excellent trapezist, There is quite a host of acrobats, and the ground and lofty tumbling is perfection. Towards the close of the second part the lions'case was hauled into the arena, and Captain F. Graham went in amongst the animals, putting them through a jumping perform-1 ance. The whole closed with an amusing steeplechase, which was preceded by a cleverly executed Maypole dance. Mr Frank M. Jones and his " dumbie " associ-

ates are guilty of some excellent fooling as clowns, and keep things fairly lively. To night a change is promised, and one of the novelties will be a flying leap by Mr Joe Lestines over twenty horses. This feat was much admired by the Christchurch audiences.

A reduction is to be made on the prices of admission for to-night, and in the aftemoori "childreji will be admitted to the matinee performance for sixpence—orphans and in matee of cb»rit»bjp wititutjoß* fro*

ALSACE-LORRAINE.

Berlin, January 81 In the Reichstag the Socialists pro posed to abrogate tho extreme penal powers possessed by the Governor of Alsace-Lorraine. Prince Hohenlohe resisted the motion, and said that from the exceptional position of the pro vince, ho was unable to agree to any alteration in the Gevernor's powers until Germany was secure against foreign influence.

The Australian Federal Council.

Sydney, February 1 The Daily Telegraph says there is something amusing in the splenetic resentment of the Federal Council to wards the Conference of Premiers. For the first time in the history of the Council its proceedings are attracting Australasian attention. But for the presence of the Premiers the Council might have met and pasted abstract resolutions as usual, but no one would have been aware of the fact beyond noticing the additional evidence of its impotence, both in evidence and representative character. Its creation, says the Telegraph, was a mistake and its continued existence is a farce.

The Federal Council adopted reso lutions in favour of a system of federal quarantine and securing more economi cal finance by the Governments, acting jointly or by some Federal authority, inviting subscriptions to future loans.

Joint Stock Bank.

Sydney, February 1 At the meeting of the Joint Stock Bank the Chairman stated that an offer was being made to the holders of the first instalment of extended deposits due in June, 1897, that repayment of one-half should be made in several half yearly instalments, on condition that the remaining half shou'd be deferred until 1903, The amount thus released would be about £300,000, and the suggestion would Very likely be largely availed of. Since reconstruction the liabilities had been reduced by £2,099,000. The directors, he said, believed the amount placed aside to provide for losses on the business to be sufficiently covered by the reserve fund. This conclusion had been ar rived at after again recently consider* ing the position of affairs.

DISASTROUS COLLI SION AT SEA.

London. February 1 The Craitbie is a steamer of 475 tons. The captain states he stood by for two hours, but the survivors declare he was a mile away, otherwise many would have been saved.

GOLD.

Perth, February 1 ' The rich find near the Wealth of Nations was made in a sensational manner. Four new arrivals were out prospecting, and one got lost in the bush. While wandering about he fell over some logs and boulders. He examined the latter and found they contained rich gold. He then traced them to an outcrop two hundred yards away. He was discovered by his com panions next day, and they pegged out a claim. In some specimens the stone is fairly hung together with gold.

Conference of Premiers.

Hobart, February 1 The Premiers of Victoria and South Australia have drafted a Bill to give effect to the resolutions passed, by the Premiers' Conference, [which will discuss the measure on Monday.

STANDARD TIME.

: Sydney, February 1 Standard Time was brought into operation at midnight. Sydney has been put back 4min olsec. A peculiar complication has arisen. At Broken, Hill previously Adelaide time was ob served, but the new time places it 45min ahead of Adelaide. There are great complaints from business men and publicans, who state that they lose three-quarters of an hour daily by the change, and threaten to ignore the new time and ask the Government to make a special concession.

The Postal Conference.

Hobabt, February 1 The Postal Conference opened this morning. The representatives present were .—Victoria, Hon. J. O. Duffy (Postmaster-General) and Mr J. Bmi bert (Deputy Postmaster-General),; New South Wales, Hon. J. Cook (Postmaster General) and Mr S. H. Lambtoh (Deputy Postmaster-General); South Australia, Hon. Dr Cockburn (Minister of Education) and Sir Charles Todd (Postmaster-General) ; Queens land, Hon. A. G. Thynne and Mr J. McDonnell (Under-Secretary Postal Department); Tasmania, Hon P. O. Fysh (Postmaster-General) and Mr H, V, Bayly (Postmaster); Western Aus tralia, Sir H. Forrest (Premier). l: Owing to his duties in connection with the Federal Council the Hon. P. 0. Fysh declined the chairmanship in favor of the Hon. J. G. Duffy, who was elected

The Hon. Mr Thynne presented a report of Lord Jersey regarding the Canadian Conference, at which the latter attended as British representative. In consequence of the non-arrival of the Hon. J. G. Ward, the Conference adjourned until this afternoon.

i iThe Hon. A. G. Thynne gave notice that it is desirable that the construc tion, working, and maintenance of p. Pacific cable under British control be undertaken by the Governments of Great Britain, Canada, and Australasia as a joint national work, the cost to be borne in proportion—one-third each the Australian quota to be divided rateably according to the population, and the route to be via Vancouver, JVeckar Inland, Fiji, end Queensland*. If Neckar Island is not available, then via Fanning Island. The colonies concurring in the resolution to join in appointing a Commission of three re presentatives, being one each for Britain, Canada, and Australasia, to meet at an early date and discuss the, financial arrangement's necessary Such Commission to submit recom* mendations with a draft $ill, to be laid before respective Parliament*. ' ' ~ The Monowai not having arrived from 1 New Sealantf at the "expected! time the Conference adjourned till to.

flflfe ASHflOftKto GttARDIAK* SAItBDA*,. FfiBRttARY <j, 1896.



Bu sj ness Notice . STOCK-TAKING SALE General Drapery, Clothing & Boots AT G. J. NEILL'S, FR IE DLANJJB RJ.S 1 CORN ER, EAST STREET, ASHBUATON. EVERYTHING REDUCED. JJO BE&SOIABLE OFFER REPUSRD. TEBMB CASH. 18 9 4. Christmas and JNew Year's Greeting FLETOHEK BROS-, HAVE JUST EECBIVED, EX GOT|HIC— 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 bo cleared at 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, <fee. Apricots, &c. Valencia Almonds bottles of Persian Sherbit, 8d per bottle. A splendid line of Christmas Cake in Fancy Baskets to be sold at 1b 6d each. PLF4ASE NOTE that all these Goods are of the very FINEST QUALITY PROOUR\BLE, whi=h we intend to sell at the LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICE. A look at our windows will show. PRESEBVING SEASON, 1895. JUST LANDING Ex AURIGA, 25 tons Finest Mauritius Cane Sugar (1161 bags This is the FINEST OA.NE SUGAR to be got and jam, 4c, made with it will keep almost any length of time. , NOTE ADDRESS FLETCHER BROS,, CASH SUPPLY STOKES, ASHBURTON, AND LOWER HIGH STREET, OHRISTOHUROH. Don't miss seeing our splendid show 0! Christmas Fruits, &c. SHEARMAN BROS., GROCERS AND IRONMONGERS. o-- SUGAR. SUGAR. SUGAR; We Have Just Landed 1O TONS OF MAURITIUS SUGAR {or the J»m{Seasoa. Al who wish their jam to keep well should use Maukiti s Sogar "HINEST VIEW CURRANTS, -rfALENCIA B^lß^B Cr OULTAN These Fruits are a Splendid Sample, this season^ crop, WE have also to hand, per s.b. R%ngitara, 6 Crates of Assorted Crockery 1 including some choice lines of CUPS AND SAUCERS, MOUSTACHE CUPS AND SAUCERS, TOILET SETS, SETS OF JUGS, Etc., Etc., Which we are now offering at Very Low Prises. INSPECTION INVITED AGENTS for the Famous TIGER BLENDED ALL GOODS SOLD AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICES FOR Orders by Post despatched with punctuality, floods Delivered in Town and Suburbs. Customers wa!tecl ufon for Orders. SATIBIfACTIO» IS Otm MOMO. SHEARMAN BKOS, MARKET HOUSE-



TINWALD. OQCr PRICE required for Cottag 3j OU • and T.S. 527, Tinwald, well situated on Graham's Road, on account; of the mortgagee, T. BULLOOK. r OLLAK OIGAPETTES — mT~77 • #rt or pbctci.—BuMT Zi?Dii, Wbolo •fiat



I VIOLIN SCHOOL I HyrlßS BESSIE SIMMONDS, Teacher I IWL of the Violin, re-opened on MONDAY, January 21, at Saundera' Buildings, on Mondoya, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from 2 o'clock till 6 p.m. Terms on application. Private , addriM-Qntk Ro»d, AUtnton. 153 I '



Wanted. PR I MITIV E Church, To-morrow. Preachers—Morning, Mr Dowle. Evening, Revs.;. Cocker and E. Walker, New Zealand Alliance Lecturer. Como early and secure seats 2 14 %•* toSLKTAN Church — To-morrow V| Morning. Rev C. Abernethy ; Evening, Rev T. G. Brooke. Monthly h rmon to young men at evening service. Subject, "J'he millennial reign of Christ." 'I ho public cordially invited. 2 11 I jjMJONb at the Circus, Greenstone iL" Brooch, gold mounted. Owner apply to S. Salek. Jeweller. 2 15 . * ANTED, by end of January, Eight * • or Ten»»oomed House, Ashburton or Suburbs. Apply Mail Office. 198 f AD IKS' and Gentlemen's left-off JLj Clothes and all kinds of goods bought, sold, or exchanged. — Mrs Knight, opposite Templar Hall, new Post Office. 11 170 WANTED — Every Lady to try Madam Balcombb'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 11TANTED Known-Holders of V V Present tickets can now get them chan ed.—H. 0. Skgers. Melford House. WANTED Known—All wool Delaines, Prints, and Crepons below whole sale rates.—Mitchell and Turner "PRESENTS. We are now giving JL Presents to all purchasers of 2s 6d and upwards.-—H. C. Segers, Melford House. BEAUTIFUL and useful Presents to all purchasers of 2s 6dand upwards. —IT. C Segers, Meliord House. "TTy ANTED Known—The Corner Is YY showing a magnificent New Stock of Drapery and Clothing.—W, H. _ Collier. WANTED Known—Special line of Gents' Regatta Shirts, all sixes, with or without collars, 2s 6d.—W. H. Collier. • I*TANTED Known —Spectacles, Eye VY Protectors, Goggles, Folders, and everything in the optics line at S. Saxek's, Optician, WANTED Known.—Having had such a successful season with Dresses, balance to clear %t nominal prices.— Mitchell and Turner. BOY'S and Girls Own Annual, British Workman and Workwoman, Infant's Magazine, The Prize, Child's Companion, Children's Friend, Little Dot, Family Friend, Band of Hope, Young England, and other New Books at Lowest Prices.— L. F. Andrbwes and Co. 11 98 f^\ UNS ! Guns ! Guns ! My new stock vJT of Gunsj tist 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. Hardlky's Sporting Repository WANTED Known—That owing to the success of the Sale now being held up at Saunders' Buildings, opposite Rail way Station, v. will be continued for another twenty-eight days. lam not advertising a few cheap lines, but the whole of the stock. Don't lose the oppor tunity of securing genuine bargains — 4 Lawhie J66 \ »/ANTED Known—That H. A. Slower, Confectioner, Eas* streot, has a splendid variety of Fry's and Cadbury's Chocalate Boxes, now ia stock. YfiT ANTED Known — Mrs Hooper *» (monthly nurse) is open to aceepr engagements. Apply, by letter, to Mrs Hooper, Alford Forest Road, Ashburton. 11*134 ROBERT 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. \Xf ANTEDKNOWN.—Fred. S. v Jefferies, leading Confectioner and Fruiterer of Ashbutton, East Street, next, the Corner. Ice Cream?, Fresh Fruits, Confectionery, Summer drinks of every description. Ice ah reasonable rate**. Ladies Room a specialty. 1*153 OWN Make In Ladies' and Children's Underclothing, Aprons, and Pina fores ; also a good assortment of Calicoes, ■Jluslins, Flannelettes, Trimmings, etc., at Mrs Aloorn's new shop, Baker's Buildings. BANG ! Bang i Bang ! My new sea son's stock of Ammunition to hand Eley's, Kynock's and, Quo Cartridges, Powder, Shot, Caps, Wads, Oases and all sporting materials of the first quality at J. W. Hardley's, un Emporium BLANKETS bought at Edwards Bennet's Sale, a special line of Double Blankets at 7s 9d. Extra large and heavy 15s 6d and 163 6d.—Robert Alcom, Baker's Building. •p^TOTJCE! Notice Sport for all (!N Guns let out on hire or sold on fittif) payments. Having a professional Gunsmith on the premises, I undertake to repair $uns of any description. Gun fittings in stock. Prices low.—J. W. HardmbY, Ironmonger, etc 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 get the very best at reduced prices. As for hia own eiake, they are well known to the delight of tho wearers, throughout the Australasian colonies. Repairs well done and at once- Ftewer Boofc Maker, Town Hall Boot Store, TV street, Aehburton. /CHRISTMAS Presents, Choice Orna- KJ ments, Zithers and Jew's Harps, Balis and Dulls for everybody from Id each; Jointed Dolls for 6d, Sleeping Beauties Is, Chinese Conquerors 6d, Russian Embassies Is, Walking Men, Talking Dolls, Scotch Greys, and Ennis killen Dragoons all wonderfully cheap at Mrk Acorn's Lfdiefr' Underclothing and Fancy Bazaar, Havelock street. •j QAt; Neif y>«stf? Cards and New JL OU D . * ear Gifts of kinds. F*nef Goods, including Fancy and Ohinawwfc, Toys of various kinds, Chinese Lanterns, itfew Games for indoors and outdoors, ineflwUngf tennis and Cricket Material; Writing Desks and Cases, Inketends, Photo a,tt# $9,rap Albums, Ladies' Hand Bags, Pjctpr^ Frames Piotures, Tejtta, Accordeqn.B,Goii^ei'^n^s, Violins, #ibher Harps, Banjos, and a I great variety of other goods all at Reduced Prices for Cash at L. j?, A^pkewjes an,d CO. 8 Pure Blood is the Secket of Health Gordon's Blood Pills cleanse the system jf all impure blood, cure iudigestion,con itip&tion, liver complaint, ptiins in back and sides, biliousness, sick headache; remove simples, scrofula, scurvy, et<*. Large bo 5«; two boxes, 10b, Popt.iree.lf# W. Otoytoo JoxS34 Du?tdtO f ; t



BERBAL Beer, Herbal Baex. Six gallons of splendid Herbal Beer for 7d. Made with t> bottle of Potter's Herbal Beer Extract, price 7d per bottle. Warranted purely heibal. Fletcher Bros.. Wholesale and Retail Agents, Oa»h Supply Stores, Ashburton and Christchurch.



VI / ANTED Known—A tremendous V\ run on our Gloves, 4|d upwards. —Mitchell and Tuknek.



NEW ZEALAND GLOTHINS FACTORY, EAST STREET. Half-Yeakly Stocktaking. CITRAW HATS to be cleared out at KJ Greatly Reduced Prices. Boy's Straw Hats 3s 6d for Is Men s Straw SUts 3s 6d for Is Men's Java Straw Hats 2s 9d for 1b 6d Men's Straw Hats 6s 9d for 3* 65 We do not often advertise Cheap Goods, but these are GENUINE REDUCTIONS. I BOOTS. BOOTS. BOOTS. Boy's Strong School Boots 5s 6d Men's Light Balmorals 8s 6d Men's Strong Canvas Shoes 5s Men' ettrong Nailed Shooters 9a 6d You will Save money by purchasing your Boots from the H. Z.J. F. Women s Canvas Shoes 4a 9d Women's Glace Kid Shoes 5s 6d Maids' Tan Strap Shoes 5s 6d NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. Hallenstbin Bros] : nixiT. mHESB WATCHES are proving the BEST VALUE i EVER OFFERED IN ASHBURTON. Prices: 12/6, "50/-, 25/-, & 30/. Only to be obtained from S SALEK, WATCHMAKER AND JEWELLER, EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. 1 126



For Indigestion, the best remedy is un doubtedly Norton's Camomile Pills. They can confidently be recommended as being K.|ld in operation and absolutely free from Injurious drugs, Acting at once as a splen did tonic and a gentle aperient. For nearly 100 years they ha>e proved uaequalled for Indigestion, Dyspepsia, sick Headache and for Liver and Stomach compla ts'. ' Sold 'in bottles Is l|d, 2s 9d, and 11s, by all Medi cine Vendors throughout the world, A sxafrle, aaf« and certain remedy, RpjpMATiSM. — tyt E. Gordon's remedy ever faiJjS tn permanently curing rheuma tism, lumbago, sciatica, spufc, etc, one bottle gives relief. Prioe IQs, post free, J, W, P.0.80x231, Duoedip,