Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1896. ITALY'S ARMAMENT.

A letter to the London Times, written by the Duke of Argylo, gave very 3le«rly, and, most readers of it will allow, very corrrctly, the reasons why ihe Eastern question is still uusettled, *nd the unspeakable Turk permitted to go, on' wiih his outrages on the Armenian population and perpetrate unchecked his abominable atrocities. The chief reason, adduced by Bis Grace was " the dangerous instabiliiy of the existing distribution of terri torial power m Europe, and the univer daiiense of that instability which sits like a nightmare on all its Govern ments." It was this reason why all the nations of Europe were armed to the teeth, their people oppressed with conscriptions and excpssive taxation. While it is the fact that every Con tinental nation is laying burdens grievous to be borne upon the shoulders of its people — levying the flower of its manhood for naval and military service, and taxing the toilers that are left to the uttermost farthing for the main tenance of their armaments -there is one nation upon who^e people those burdens are pressing more heavily than upon others, and that nation is Italy. From a population of thirty and three quarter millions, a revenue was raised last year of £64,765,646. The ex penditure for the same year was £66,955,790, while the public debt stood at £505,813,000. The importß were £51,360,000, and the exports £44,324,000. During the same year, the whole military and naval systems of the country were reorganised with a view to economy and greater efficiency. We are afraid the economy effected was but nominal, but the strength m men of both army and navy was m creased, while the building of warships was still being pushed on. The stand ing army then m round nu\nbers reached 3,000,000 men. For a nation of her resources the navy is far larger than the financial circumstances of the country warrant. Last year, when the Minister of Marine was explaining his policy, he said " The present budget establishes a just mean between the exigencies of finance and d( fence. We cannot increase it ; to decrease it would be to fail m the rao3t elementary pru dence, and lead to complete diorganisa tiou of the navy " But the ex penditure was increased notwith standing this, and a late cable informs us now that the new war budget de livered last week projects a largo increase of tne standing army, ani will mean an expenditure for the year for warlike pu/poses of between ten and eleven millions sterling. Tne burden of army and navy is already crushing, but now that burden is to be added to, and the pitiable spectacle the nation presents, struggling with overwhelming difficulties to maintain »i position among the other nations, is made still more pitiable. Britain is on friendly term? with Italy, and it must be said of the latter power thnt it was her friendship' alone m Europe that made Britain's iecent '-'.plendid isolation" not wholly a fac 1 ". £tri*-«in's movement towards the Upper Nile while the Italian army had its hands full with the braves of Menelek was considered m many quarters as a friendly act towards Italy, and the news of the laiter's reverses m Erythrea were received with regret throughout oui\ empire. I r aly by joining the Triple Alliance placed a millstone around her own neck that has been bearing hep down for years, and it would have been far better for her bad si a followed Spain's example, and been centent with her position m Europe. t^pain has had her own trouble with Ouba, to be sure; bub she hag indulged m no evtravagant mili tary or naval expenditure on the lines of her neighbor. Great Britain has boasted of her "splendid isolation," but isolation, splendid or inglorious, is impossible for any nation on the Continent. There no "silver streak " divides og one nation from another, making invasion possible by sea only, and when any oce n&tiofl. hag for a neighbor, an unfriendly power'feeaee lessly fidgetting to be at her throat, it is felt necessary to make alliance with others strong enough to help her. This Italy did with Austria and Germany, and from that date she has been madly and ruinously struggling to maintain her army oftd navy on such a footing of strength as Will seem respectable m the' eye/3 of her more powerful Bnd wealthier allied, '•' The nation," it has ; been said, " is most at peac@ wh§n best prepared for war," but Italy ie paying a heavy penalty for the peace she secures by her preparedness for war : and it is still, a question, if, with ail her grinding' expenditure on engines of warfare could maintain those engines m working qrder if requiied itodoao jn real earh<sS ( t. JJer pea^e is surely an uncomfortable one when impoverishment of hgr people is the cost of it, and it is a sid com mentary on the civilisation and Chris tianity of the clay that the whole of Europe must carry on the arts of peace with but one hand, while the .^t^Sr holds the sword m reidiness to fight an expected foe. It is difficult to see what agressum Italy jhai? to fear, as though France has taken .territory from ; her m tfoe p-ist, no nation at present appears to be paatjng envious or covetous eyes upon any jfcracl of her) sunny land ; bufc there she is, desiring 1 only, apparenty, to be lift ajpne, but requiring the ruinous expenditure we have referred to to assure herself that sho will be so left, and to keep herself abreast of the armaments of her friends of the Allianco. Her humiliation m Africa by a half savage power has cost her no end of means, and has added grievously to tiev burdens, and these are now to be again added to by another crushing war vote. Truly heri lin#g have fallen m the reverse of plea sant places, and her position to-day is one of the most pitiable that any nation during this century has had the misfortune to be placed m. "'" • a,.;. 1

Local and General.

The market reports of Messrs Friedlander I Bros, and Hanmer and Graves appear on the I fourth page. '. \ The well-kt.own racehorse, Young Cheviot, J the property of Mr R H. Bennett, Wakanui, died yesterday. The cause of death vas inflammation of the bowels. To-night the Sirasburg cock model will be exhibited for the last time during this | season, which closes to-night. Those who r have not seen this marvelous model should take advantage of to-night's fiual opportu nity. The AKmeda, with British mails to the 28th November, left San Francisco on I December 10th ; ihe Mariposa, with colonial ( mails to the 28th if November, arrived at San Francteco on the 17th of December, ( both due dafc a. The Borough Council met m Committee i of the whole last evening, and the question of water supply waß discussed. The Council nppointed a sub-committee to further con sider the question, and exhaustively to report at next meeting of Council. Messrs McDonald and McDiarmid, East Street, have a new advertisement m this issue, m which * they enumerate a few ' special lines of footwear, suitable for the holiday season, which they have on sale at prices that " ought to draw blood." Speaking last evening at the meeting of the National Association at Christchurch, Mr Lewis, M.H.R., t<aid m reference to that organisation that if it only had the effect of inducing Mr Scobie Mackenzie to come out and win he thought the Association had justified its existence. ~ ' Messrs John Orr and Co. advertise a beautiful assortment of electroplated goods - suitable for presents, etc. To show better the new goods being offered by Messrs Orr and Co. are some beautiful mirrors, especi ally imported by the firm, and well worth inspection. The handsomely got up photograph of the executive officers of the Ashburton Amateur Athletic Cub, which was presented to Mr Buckley, the President of the Club, is on view m the window of Messrs Mitchell and Brodribb It is un excellent Bpecimen of the work of Mr John Mitchell, whose pictures of the Domain scenery— reproduced lately m the columns of the Guardian and Mail — have been so much admired. By advertisement elsewhere it will be seen that holiday excursion tickets issued from December 21 to January 2 will all be available to February 2. This is an altera tion from the arrangement notified m the posters and handbills, which made the ticke;s available for one month from the date of issue. Under the altered arrange ments all excursion tickets ismed during the fortnight from December 21 to January 2 wi 1 run out on February 2, so that a ticket issued on December 21 will be aviilable for six we;;ks. Intending excursionists would do well to take note of the alteration. A young woman employed m one of the Wellington dressmaking establishments met with an adventure ou Sunday. Feeling confident of her ability to ride her bicy.cle along the narrow concrete top of the breast work of the Thorndon Esplanade, she foolishly made the attempt, but losing her nerve a'lowed the machine to run over the edge. Her posit ion would have been awk ward enough if she had been left free to struggle m the water, but unfortunately her dress caught m the spokes of the bicycle, and she would have been drowned buc for the assistance of a passer-by, who had great difficulty m hauling her and the machine ti gather on to the breastwork. One of the' best stories told of the new archbishop-alect comeß from his Rugby days. A Rugby hoy, suffering from some grievance, ' real or supposed, which he thought ought to be removed, wrote a long letter to hia father suggesting that he should bring the matter before the head -master, Dr Temple. In the | 1 tter occurred this passage :— " Now, Temple is a beast, but he is a just beast." The father, n^omentarily overlooking the i passage, tent the whole letter as it stood to Dr. temple, and he, instead of being the "j least offended, regarded it as one of the greatest complimentß ever paid him. And 1 so, with the" necessary allowance for the freedom of schoolboy language m dealing with pastors and masters, it undoubtedly ' was. A peculiar case came before the Supreme Court m Dunedin. Some years ago, a tradesman, when entering on new business, decided to settle Borne property on his wife m case reverses overtook him. Inateid of going to a lawyer, he asked an accountant to prepare a document. His friend copied out the framework of a decd^in his posses sion, filling it up with new names aud figures, and it was duly signed without being read. On coming across the docu ment the other day, the tradesman found that instead of tin property being made over to his wife it was pi. iced with trustees, with a life interest to his wife and a number pf other conditions. The action was brought to rectify the deed bu% on tlje Judge's sug gestion, it was decided to nullify it. We regret to have to chronicle the death this morning of Miss Minnie Bennttt, as&isr taut mistress of the Hampstead school. As was stated m a previous issue, Miss Bennett had baen suffering from brain fever, and that }ier case was critical. The case ended fatally at half-past eleven this morning. Deceased was a promising teaober, having gone through her pupil teacher term m the Borough sohool, and it was only reqently that she was appointed as assistant mistress at the Hampstead school. Miss Bennett was a teacher m the Hampstead Sunday school, and was also secretary of the Ladies' Orange Lodge, and her funeral to-morrow S?ill be conducted with Orange honors. Sha was a frearty ? happy, high-spirited young lady, amiable arid ''obliging to all she met, popular everywhere, beloved by 'net pupils, and her death at the early age of twenty-two will leave many heartaches m a wide circle of friends $. tea and concert m aid of the Home Mission' fund waa held m the Primitive Methodist church last evening. The attend ance was not very large owing i o other attractions at the same time. The tibies were' bountifully supplied, and were weli presided ' over and oontained bountiful supplies pf goo.ql things, jbhe chief of which i was strawberries and cream, eyeryone?a appetite bgiog stimulated by the delicious f i uit. At about § o'plQgk all was ready for the concert and the chairman, ihp Rev. J. Olphert, made a few lemarks about Home Mission work, saying that by the last census, while ttdhefsnt3 of other churches had m the List five years increased 13 or 14 per cent, it wa3 pleasing to note that those of the Primitive Methodist church Jlftd, increased I is'p"er oeujL'.: £he first musical item on the I "proafammeV afa'antheuri by pha choir, was well sungi as also were'tihe 'others contributed fey them at intervals "during the 'evening'. "A roiling sfone gathers no moss:" arid "Poor little Johnny, >? * by Miss Prateley, of Hinds, were well received. Mrs W. Marsden gang •• Aly bud m Heaven " with good effect. Miss Ruth Hirding, Willowby. sang " The old countree" and "' Why do summer roses fade," and quite kept up her renitaiion as a vocilisfc. A duet, •' The river of light," by the Misses Clara and Lnviuia Trevurzi, of Wakanu', w&s nicely sui g, ohe voices being evenly 'balanced r and showed that careful practice had not beeu neglected. "Recitations "Tho Dutchman's family," and "The roll - call m He iiyen,'.' were given by Miases J. r Addia andtfara fjreo. The accompanists were Misses Frateley, Ruth Harding, Isabella James^ and Mr (i. High't. A pleasant evening closed' by Mr Qlphort thanking all wft<? h,»«J j«? an,y way helped to assist. ■" Holloway's Piils, — Changes of tempera ture & weather frequently upset persons who are not careful of their health, and particu lar m their diet. These corrective, purify ing, and gentle 1 aperient pills are the best remedy for all defective action of the diges tive organs. They augment the appetite, strengthep the stomach, correct biliousness, and carry olff laU "tha.t iQ noxious from the system. Hollo way's Pilfs ar% conjjjosed pf rare balsams, unmixed with baser matter, and on that accounUt peculiarly adapted for the y.ouog, delicxte, and aged. As this peerless medicine has gained fame m the p»rt, so Hewitt' preserve ip m the future by it's renovating and invigorating equalities, and the impossibility of its doing harm/ , '■' From the Tea Vlanfc to the Tea Cup tt»ad»tteyated ; — yhie is Kozia TjU F

PRIZE DISTRIBUTIONS.

Convent Schools.

The following is the piize list of the Convent Parochial school. . Si'Eoial Prizes.— Good Conduct— Mary Mahouey. Regular attendance, 4s h class, Anastasia O'Brien ; 3rd class, Catherine ilahoney ; 2nd class, Mary Noutlt'y ; Ist clues, Minnie Prenderville. Christian Doctrine — sfch clas?, Aga( ha Madden ; 4th c ass, Katie Crowe ; 3rd class, Annie Nealun ; 2nd cluea, Mary Adams, . Class Prizes— Fifth cksi— Frances Hicks 1, Agaiha Madden 2, Mary Dm<y 3. Fourth class — Norah Fitzgerald 1, Auastasia O'Brien 2, Flo:rie Hicks 3. General Improvement — Louisa Bryant. Third class — Lizzie Mad den 1, Wiuefride O' Jonnor 2, Anuie Nealon 3. Second class — Ellen Dore 1, Katie Drury 2, Esther Dore 3. First Class — Lizzie Roche 1, Esther Nohelfcy 2, Norah Moriarcy 3. Needle Work— Margaret Hannigan.

The High School.

There was a fair gathering of parents and friends at the High School yesterday after noon on the occasion of the annual prize distribution. Mr W. B. Denshire sent an apology for absence, and as none of the other members of the Board of Governors were present, Councillor W. H. Collins kindly undertook, at a moment's notice, to address the pupils and distribute the prizes. Mr Collins, gave the children some excellent advice, pointing out to them that we lived m a progressive age, an age of study and research, an age when all civilised peoples weie engaged m a struggle to hold their own m trade, commerce, and industry. To do this, so great was th 9 competition, it was necessary that the population of every grade must be well educated, and the people possessing r,he best scientific knowledge — the knowledge that was power m art and m industry — was most likely to hold the supremacy. He eojoihed the pupi's to note this fact, and to value highly the educational advantages they possessed. In was m youth they could best profit by those advantages, and he urged them to study with diligence and attention, so that they may be well qualified for the work that lay before them m ailbr life. He paid a high compliment to both teachers and pupils on the work that had been done during the ye »r, and at the close of an excellent address distributed the prizes as follows : — PRIZE LIST. English.— Class III — Thomas Riddle 1, Charles {Schneider 2, Olive Meddins 3. Class II — Edgar Dunstan 1, David Dunn 2. Class I — Josey McOwen 1, Charles x Den shire 2. Latin.— Class 111 — Winnie Purnell 1, Eva Jones 2, Charles Schneider 3. Cla-.a II —Annie Mackay 1, Clara Rule 2. Class I —Olive Meddins 1, George Mayne (special prize) 2. French.— Class IV — Winnie Purnell 1, Hilda Lawrie 2. Claaa III — Annie Mackay ■1, Edward Corduer 2. Cla»s ll— Winnie Orr 1, Percy White 2. Class I— Thomas Lawrie 1, George Mayne 2. Arithmetic — Class 111, Charles Schneider and Sidney Culverhouse (equal) 1. Ciass II — Olive Meddins 1, Kdgar Dunstan and Reginald Collins (equal) 2. Class I— Josey McOwen 1, Arthur Friedlauder (special prize) 2. Algebra. — Class IV— Lila Baxter 1, Eva Jones 2. Class III — Annie Mackay 1, Bert Culverhouse 2. Class II — Reginald Collina 1, Percy White 2. Class I— May Scaly 1, Thomas Lawrie 2. - Eucud.— Class ll— Charles Schneider 1, Lila Baxter and Thomas Liddle (equal) 2. History- — Class II — TiUie Clothier 1, John Smith 2. Class I— Josey McOwen 1, I Leslie Purnell (special priz a ) 2. ' Geography^ — Class II — Olive Meddins 1, ■Blllie Ulothier 2. Class I—Josey1 — Josey McOwen, 1, Arthur Friedlander 2. Mapping.-— Class ll— Clara Rule, Class I — Winnie Orr. Writing.— Boys— Percy White 1, Edward Cordner 2. Special prize for neatness of written work — Charles Denshire. Sewing— Aunie Mackay 1, Katie Muir 2. Dux Prize.— Winnie Purnell and Charles Schneller equal. The-Board's scholarships, given to pupils m attendance at the High School, are this year won b*y Charles Schneider and Sidney Culverhouse, whd< respectively made 81 6 and 78.2 per cent of the total obtainable marks at the term examinations during the year. These scholarships entitle the holder to free education at the High School for two years. The school then broke up fqr six weeks holidays.

HaMPSTEAD School.

There was a large attendance of the friends and parents of the children attend ing the Hampatead school, on Friday after noon, at the schoolroom, to witness the distribution of prizes awarded to the suc cessful candidates on the occasion of break ing up for the summer holidays. The room was tastefully decorated with floral and other ornamental devices, and there was a fide exhibition of kindergarten work and drawings. Mr Crook, Chairman of the School Com mittee, woloonfbd the visitors, .whom he was pleased to see m numbers, as their presencs indicated the increased interest taken m the school, Although the Com* mittee did thei& best to promote the welfare and success of the school, very much rested with the parents themselves, and the committee were glad to have their oounte nance and assistance. They could not over-estimate the value of the educa tional opportunities placed within the reach of all, and parents should see that their children availed tnemselves of it by attend ing regularly to school, before their chance was gone. He was gad to see, from the number of attendance prizes, that there was. Tittle to complain of m this respect m connection with their own school, and many of the pupils had attended without losing a single half-day for three years. If they did not come to schhol they could not learn, and good attendance, as a rule,' meant a good general standard of attainment. ' About 15Q of the little ones then executed a number o't' action song 3, and wenjb through musical drill m a Very pleasing and credi-able mtmner^sunder the direction of Fawcett, the infant mistress, m the performance of which the piano recently pur chased for £ne school prpyed a great acquisitiqn. In accordance with the subjoined pri?e Hat, the prizes were distributed by Mr Cooks', with a few encouraging words to each of the recipients, after which three j cheers were given for the committee, the teachers, and the friends who had assisted to provide the prize fund. A liberal supp'y »of sutt"b la books were awarded m the standard classes for regular attendance, general proficiency, writing, drawing, etc., an? a quantity of toys were distributed amongst ( tfhe infants'. j In dismissing the school, the -chairman said they could g*>t all gain privet, but' he understood th? school had done we'l as a whole, and the unsuccessful competitors should persevere until they too reached the top of the tree. He was pleased to gather from their hearty acclamations at the success of their schoolmates that there was no feeling of jeal-msy, and that the awards hid given general satisfaction. He wished them all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. < PRIZE LIST. Standard VII — Proficiency : Thomas Stephens, M. Porter. Sewing : M. Thomp son, M. Baker, NY Reid. : Attendance : feiisibeth Broker. ' Standarq VI — Proficiency ; Annie Hitghjsnp. Proficiency and -Sewing: Amy ]junt, Proficiency and attendance; Frances Baker, M. Collins,. (General proficiency • Bessie Betts. Sewing iM. Andrews, At tendance : C. Collins, H. McEtoea, M. Rittray, M. Sage, E. Strange. Standard V — Proficiency ; P. Jessop, Eunice Buchanan, M. Griffin, W. Berryman, F. Anthony, J, Pearce. Proficiency and sewing :M. Leggett. Sewing : F. Cookson, V. Johnson, A* Brown; Attendance : Willie Bftfcer, '• S^astpard IV— Proficjenoy : Maud Gamp beUj Ella Roberts, ; Edith :Joyce, Esther Strange, Willie Summetg, Mary Cameron, Lily Hunt, Robina Hurrell, Fred Beken. Sewing : F. Hosken, Edith Hyde. Atten dance? P/Hendry, W. Hosken, E. Pick ford. : Standard HI — Proficiency : Beatrice Moguagvis, Jm, : Fergan, W, JSepdry, tt,

Marsdeu, W. Meac'em, G. Landells, Ruby Poison. Proficiency and attendance : R. Fuwcetr, E. Bakur. Sewing : Etta Hopkins, F. Inwool, Kmily Cox, Winuie Collins. Attendance ; Hilda Campbell. Standard II — Proficiency aud "'sewing.: May Andrews. Proficiency : El. Fergan, E. .-itock, E. Pearee, A. Mcßae, M. Neville, W. Keeley, C. Je sop, V. Hvmilton, A. Bright Sewing : Mary Strange. Standard I—i1 — i roficiency :M. Buchanxn, R. Manning, M. Terras, M, Hunt, M. Joyct. Proficiency and sewing.: Minnie , -Roberts, Flora Belta. Sewing : Gertrude Stigley. Attendance : Elizabeth Tuit^.

HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS

Of the twenty-seven competitors for t the six scholarships ottered by the High School Board of Governors, only tea gained the 1 requisite 50 per cent of marks. They are as foliowg m order of merit s — Elizabeth K. Alcorn, Ashftirton\ ** , Percy Prebble, Flemington /M™ 1 - Muriel Bill, Aahburton Samuel Gudsell, Tinwald George Henderson, Flemingbon Thomas Stephens, Hampstead Alfred Brooke, Aahburton Edith Dunstan, Ohertaey May Canning, Aabburton Benjamin Barr, Aahburton Of course, until the Board meets and sanctions the appointment of the scholar ships, the above is not official, but, accord ing to the order of merit given above the first s.x should be the winners of the scholarships.

The Glenbrook Murders.

Farther Ghastly Discoveries. Hlore Missing- Men. Piess Association — By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. Sydney, December 18. The police have traced Butler and Lesah (the thhd missing man), into the Parkes district at Yarrakundie Creek, where, on August P, they were' seen 'prospecting together. They have secured a collie dog, watch, "coat, and other articles, which have been identified as belonging to Lesah, who was never seen after that date. A few days later, Butler sold a waggonette, pair of horses 3 and mining outfit, and then left for Sydney, v The police are strongly of opinion that Lesah met with foul play, and are continuing their search for the body.

Tbie body of Captain Lee Weller, believed to have been murdered by Butler, was found about nine o'clock oo Sunday morning, December 6, m a valley about a mile to the westward of the town of Glenbrook, buried m a grave uuderneath an overhang ing rock, a:moat exactly like that under which Preston's body was found.' v The finder was Mr J. J. Wood, an old resident of Glenbrook, who wasout searching m company with Mt % C. G- Champion. They took a course along the ridge of a low hillock whioh trends south- westerly. Champion took a course near the ridge, but Wood kept more to the brow of the hill, and after going a mile and a half the latter wa ked up to the spot, and saw that' the earth had recently been disturbed. He also noticed that some small rotten logs were lying on the- 'ground, and that they looked as though they were placed there more by design than by accident,. Then again two or three pieces of the rock were chipped off, and some of the sand disturber! m the^prncess of digging had lodged on a ledge or the rock. He prodded the grouud with a stick which he carried, and was after several trials rewarded with unmistakeablo biges that there was some thing dead underneath. The precautions to hide this grave were not So elaborate as Were taken at Linden. The mound was levelled off, but there did not seem to h<>ve been so much care taken to hide all traces of the disturbance of .the Boil. ' The logs were arranged rather care fully than otherwise, and their method of arrangement would leave room for the sup position that it was intended to light a fire. However, they ' were not burned. There was a great similarity .of situai iou m the graves of Preston and Weller. Both were under over-hanging rocktj, and both were placed so as to catch the drip of the water I from the rocks above m wet weather. THE EXHUMATION. The police were fetched as soon aa possible and after they had communicated with Sydney it was decided to leave the body where it was until the Coroner and doctors could be present, A special train It ft Sydney m the afternoon for Glenbrook, carrying the Inspector-General of Police, the Government medical officers, chief detec tives, and several persons who had been intimately acquainted with Capt&iu Weller. "Glenbrook, ''.says one of the special correspondents with the party, ?'was one large picnic party when we arrived, People from miles round had come m with their horses, or conveyances, and were making a day of it. The bush was dotted with picnic pat tied. They were, having afternoon tea about this time, but they hurried down to the gully when they saw that, the Sydney visitors had arrived. "A sudden drop from one large boulder to the ground beyond, and we were almost on the top of the grave. There were a few cons ables there on guard. Immediately round the grave the space was very limited, and already it was crowded with country folk. • They made way for the Inspector- General and the doctors, and contented themselves witlr watching operations from the surrounding rocks and trees. There were some hundreds present. The afternoon was oppressively hob. The constables who handled the spade were relieved at short intervals by direction of Mr Poabery, who superintended 1 operations. Tttey were bathed m perspiration. The coffin, all ready for the reception of the body, lay alongside the hoje, which deepened every few minutes. 11 At 1 first they removed the earth from the side of the body, then scraped it carefully from the top** m order to avoid destroying kny possible means of identification. The sheath knife, fastened by a belt round the dead man's waist appeared a^ove thY sur face, IJetective McLean withdrew it from its case. I^exj) came a soft felt hat, which had apparently been thrown m after the body. The diggers plied their spades m the soft, aandy. aoil, until the whole of the back was exposed to view. Then they removed the loose stuff, and tried to decide m what position the body lay. It was like a turtle's back. The feet, which were doubled up underneath the trunk, soon settled the matter. Some one lifted the feet and pulled out a coat which had been thrust under m ?a lump. No one recognised the garment readily, bu* McLeau felt the pockets and produced a' briar pij&; } Thut w^s Weller's pipe. I was with him when he boifghb it. He gave a shilling for if This from one of the two men mentioued before. There was also a pocketkniie, also identified. " Dr Paton watched the process of exhu mation carefully. He had already found out the lie of the boiy. It was trussed up like a table fowl, the head forced down on the chest, and the kneea drawn up to the chin. In this way Weller had been literally crammed into his : grave. It was a sickening sight. Some strong men who -stood. round I found it advisable to move away. A blanket was spread alongside the body, and two, of the constables lifted the corpse on* to it. They turned the corpse over ana straightened out the' limbs, while the medical men made a superficial examinatiog&6l the heal. Qae ljalf the'face would be easily recognisable by any person' who had knewn feller m life. In the blanket they lifted the body into the coffin, and then it was fa§'ened up tempo rarily. Four men carried it to the carfc Which was m waiting, AH the picnickers vanished after they hid taken a last look at the spoi, but a big crowd followed the coffin to the station, aud saw it safely deposited m tho mortuary car e>t route for Penrith." EVIDENCE AT THfl INQUEST. At Mie inquest held on the Monday, Dr. Paton, .'who had {examined the body at fen rith, deposed that he found a bullet wound about 2m under the left ear, where the hair joined the neck. It had passed upwards, inwards, and forwards, lacerating the brain $io(l causing ineUnb ■ death. He w»s of,

opinion that the builet was fired from a heavy revolver. The wound could nob have been self-inflicted. Deceased had been shot from behind, and when found had been dead about five weeks. Robert A. Luckham, of Manly, identified the body as that of Captain Lee M. Weller. " I have known Weller aiuoe February last when he arrived from Capetown. I kuow hi* handwriting. I recogniae the signature m the book containing licenses to ship. The signature • Lee Wei -or 'on the biek of the advance note dated floVembsr 19, 1895 is a forgery. It is identical witbMhe wiiting of the advertisement ioßeried by Butler to this effect :—' Metallurgist waned, sociable young man, prosp ct western d.strict, equal ahares, experience unnecessary. Butler, Metropolitan Hotel, 401 Pitt street.' I have had a good deal of experience m hand writing." Other witnesses described the meetings becween Weller and Butler, their depar ture together for Glenbrook, their arrival there, and Butler's return alone two or three daya afterwards. — — 4J . ,w c u er £ & T te h a Bw ?g« er » said — "On" October 31 tat I was^ac Emu Plains about eleven o clock. I saw a nun there, and had a conversation with him. I identify him as Horwood (alias Harwood, alias Butler). He said, 'Are you hard up?" I replied, 'It looks like it.' He rejoined, Well, you might find these things useful,' and he handed me one of those common sugar bags that we usually carry tucker m. there were some eatables m it, but no clothing. Harwood said, • Where were you last night m the rain ? ' 1 said, ' Oh, I was all right, but you seem to have been m it.' He was all wet, and his trousers were tucked up* He .replied, • Yes, I was oat shooting with my mate j but there waa f?^, 10 shoot.' Later on, he added. If I had seen you tip the road I could have given you Borne other things.' I inquired what they were. I was told, • Some water proof sheeting and a tent. It is a good tent, but a bit torn. It waa blown down. I said 1 would go for them if he would tell me where they were. He took a pocket-book from his coat and tore a leaf out. Then, against the side of the publichouae, he drew a plan of the spot. He gave me the plan, explaining, • Where that cross is you will dnd the tent. Look well round the B h*ft. You will find a lot of things there that - might be useful. ' He made another mark on the plan, showing this shaft. I thanked him and went out, taking the plan with me ; but when I could not fiud anything of con afiquence I threw the paper away. (The P J al Vfl Be ] * Wa T P roduue d by the police and identified.) I went out and found ao*p and a shirt (produced). There were some other things there, but of no value to me. I didn t find the tent. I found some sugar and some candles Then L had a BwimiU the i lagoon anoT left." I C is supposed that Butler gave Farrell the plan referred to so that if the murder waa discovered suspicion might be diverted upon the latter. SOME RUMOURS. The air is thick, says th~Sydney Telegraph with rumours of other men misstfilHirthe^ mountains. It, i 8 known that Busier, the supposed murderer, arrived herein August aat from West Australia, but the know ledge that he has evinced of the mountain country shows lhat he must have been m the locality before. Three or four men have been missed from the deviation works at Wenbrook, and there are those who incline • to the opinion that he was employed there or had become acquainted m some way or other with them. At all events, Bay the people, men have disappeared and have never been heard of; There are other rumours respecting men who have disap peared more recently. One man is said to Have gone m the direction of Bathurst with someone, who, of course, answers the des cription of Butler. The two were driving a waggonette, and the vehicle was left m the forest for months, if, indeed, it ia not there now, while the men have gone no one ' knows whither. 'I here ia a possibility that some steps wi:l be taken to prove the truth or otherwise of this story

THE PETONEE MURDERS.

Press Association— By Electric Telegraph— >'< •■* W^BLUNGTON, December 19. An information has been laid against Stephen fosher, now m gaol, for the murder of Mr and Mr, Jones at Petone. Owing to the bad health of liis second wife, whom he bigamously married, and who will be the principal witness againßt him, the case will nob Cjme on till January 10.

THE WEATHER.

Reports froai the'yillage settlement* m North Qanterbury above Waikari re grain cropsjthis season are not at all cheering. A large portion will not pay for cutting. T^e only harve B t they c*n hope for is grass seed, which is looking well and cowing on fast. The Hawkis Bay Herald thinks the pros pects for the harvest right throughout thp colony are bad. A correspondent to the Auckland Herald believes that having passed through a wet cycle we are now on the eve of a dry cycle, and that the summer's pros pect of the farmer is a dismal one— a shoj-fc age of grain orops and of grass, and q, B fcarv* ing season for stock. Ihe North Otago Times reports ;— The continued dry weather is seriously affecting the root crops m the district. In many places the turnips have not come away well, and will have to be re sown. The innumerable flocks of small birds are also playing havoc with the seed, and it is quite possible a great many turnip fields will have to bj resown. In some places the cereal crops are also suffering, bub generally the wheat is looking remark ably well. The Timatu Herald reports :— Ihe continued dry and very warm weather is forcing on the crops at a very greao rate, and. harvest amoDg winter grown wheat and oats will be early. Early grown crops are now " shot," and it is remarkabla how abort m the Btraw is the greater part of the grain, la some places, and that not a few, the straw is not a foot m length, yet the ears are well developed and full. Here and there the arops run very light;'buj; on the majority of farms thaj; we have seen fairly good yields may be anticipated. ' - ' . : <

CABLE NEWS.

Home and, Foreigg, Preaa Aaaoeiation-r-By IJleobrio Telegraph-* Copyright, v . : A Veteran Gone. London, December 17 The death is announced of H. H. Stepherison, the well-known English cricketer, who was a member of one of the early teams to Australia. The Druses. Constantinople, December 17, The revolt by the I>ruses (the people inhabiting the country north of Syria] and under the control of Turkey), who broke oat m June last, has collapsed. The Plague iv India. Bombay, December 17. The total fatalities from the plague raging here number 1100. Quite 200,000 fled from .the district. j Another Reyol^" % The rebels "m Goa, a* pity of the Portuguese dominions, 25Q miles south of Bombay, sacked an<J burned thg treasury. Th^ troops were cal|ed o^jt and dispersed tl^e rigf§r§.

Australian..

Collision. Sydney, December 18 The Manly Beach steamei' Manly *- collided with the steam collier Marks worth off Bradley's Head. The Marks worUi was badly, injured and had to be Reached. Her stern' is ! nov^r lying }n forty feet of water. She sho\ta fffgna of breaking up. The ferry steamer wag not injured, !< •

THE ASfiMRTOfI GOABDIAtt : SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1898.



You have i*4iin.<j(J ypur constitution uffideutlybydrinking inferior Tea. Recruit by drinking anlyi&oziv, TjbA ; ib ia pure. Ihp tea is delioiou i



Public notices. [ TBE CHBLsTMAS HOLIDAYS. NEW ZEALAND riLOTHING "pACrORY. Light Summer Coats from 63 6-i Light Summer Suits from 10a 6d Light Washing Vests, slightly Boiled 2s 6d Light Blue Serge Suits for Summer wear 16a 6d Boys' Washing Suits, all sizes 4s 6d SPECIAL PURCHASE. Boys' Drill Suits, all sizes 6s 9d, ÜBua price 100 6d. Fv R TRAVELLING. Portmanteaux from 10i 6d Steel Trunks from 10a 6d Gladstone Bags, Black and Nut Brown. STRAW~HATS. Boys' Straw Hats la, the best value m Ashburton Men's Panama Hats Is. BOOTS "&~SHOES. Men's Black and Tan Canvas Shoes, best quality 5s 6d Men's Leather Shoes 7s 6d, splendid value Men's Light Boots for summer wear 8s 6d NEW . ZEALAND Clothing 1 Factory. ALEX. HENDRY Manager. a' ' ~ »' •m r { & Pi §1 s CO 3 ":a gl.pu M S ?1 1 « 1 ~ a g S M II s cd (li 0 SO I \ ■«•*■■ w u»J Church. Services, v ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH Ashburton. ' SUNDAY SEIWJOES. 11 a.m. — Morning Prayer and Holy Com- munion. 3 p.m.— DROMORE. 6.30 p^jr—Evening Prayer. REV T. A. HAMILTON. Wanted. "|3R!'SBYTERIAN Church.— Rev. Mr 1 Todd, of Geraldine, will preach To- morrow, moruiug and evening, at the u°ual hour 12 156 WESLEY Church— To-morrow. —Morn- ing, Rev O. Abernethy; evening, R-.v T. G. Brooke, fftbjeot : " What think ye of Christ V Solo, " The Holy Shrine " Strangers cordially invited J. 2 129 npHE T-ibernacle. — To-morrow. — Rev X. Albert Ager will preach. Morning— " How to walk. ' Evening, " Ecce Homo." AH seats free. 12 130 fTIHE Rev J. Olphert/jp subject on I Sunday . evening will b.e ''What is conversion," Sjtlo by Miss Sears. 12 131 FOB Sale or to. List, a good Four Roomed Cottagej close to U#?»n3tead School. Rent 59 per week..— Apply, Ed^arp Stephens, Tanfired Street, Ashburton. 12 WANTED— Every Lady In Aahburton to v see our Window .of . Bouse Goods, bought at a big discount, and selling at less than wholesale prices.— Mitchell and Turner. ANTED Known— What the people say. That Andrew Orb has the ■largest and heeb .^sorted ttock of Boot? m Canterbury. ' 11 125 WA^iTBD Koowo— We have g.usto.jp*uad a line of cheap all wool Suits and Trousers. Good cut and spJLendid value. Tennis and 1 working Shirts m great wipty, Mitchell and Tdrner WANTED Known— Large delivery of the " Economic" Kid Gloves, four buttons, Is 9d per pair, worth nr.uch more. — W. H, Collier. CHRISTMAS iwmbers of Youug Ladies' Journals, 'Graphic, London News, Pears' Annual, and others. N.ej^ ypi times of Girls' and Boys' Annuals, Suuday "&t Home, Leisure Hour, Sunshine, Little Folks, etc. A choice assortment of Christ- mas and New Y^ar Cards, at tempting prices. — Andrewes, Anderson k Go, TT7"ANTED Known— The Economic , T T Kid Glove, four buttons, Is 9d per pair, ia the Glove for every day we«r. — W. H. Collier. WANTKD Known.— Feculina. Fecu- lina. Another shipment of this Celebrated Cake Flour at Fletcher Bkos. , □ash Supply Stores. WANTED everyone to know that Fletcher Bros, do a most extensive 3ußineae, acknowledged by a member of the ?or«e here 00 Thursday afternoon, December L 7. • JVJKW BOOKS.— The Grey M.an, Crochet, LN The SeaUkin Cloak, Bolder Words, L'he Rose of Allandale, Stables, The Next' Crusade, Croraie, Sappers and Miners, G. M. London Pride, Uraddon, Christmas lumbers and Magazines, OhrLetmas and New rear Cards.— H. M. Jones. tXTANTED Known— looo pairs of Boots W to be sold m twenty-one days at lellor's. LIT ANTED Known— Go to the Corner V V for Newest Styles m prapery| apd lillinery—W. H. Cpllibh.



Busine s Notices BR)D PRINT, 3id. WaiC E MrSLIN, 3s lid per doz. AT G. J. NEILL'S. A BEAUTIFUL SUMMKH DRBSS FOR 6* lid AT G. J. NEILL'S. Flannelettes 3±d yard. The Best Turkish TOWELS m Ashburlon are at- G. J. NEILL'S. BOtfS' Navy Blue Sailor Suits 4s lid, Men's Tweed Trousers 5s 110, - - Men'b Heavy Colonial Tweed Suits 25s 6d, at G. J. NEILL'S. lAdiOßj LftOe Shoes, 4a lid. Ladies' too-afcrap Shoeo, 4s lid. — --■ AT G.^. NEILL'S. y Ladiea', Malda*, and Children'B TAN SHOES of Every Deaoription, at' Very Low Trices, AT G. J. NEILL'S, FRIEDLANDER'S OORNBR, EAST STRBET. WE HAVE PURCHASED STOCK OF IIGHT PEINTS PARK CBEFONS MUSLINS ' ; CORDETTES ETC, BTd. • :o: " ■ \- * mHESE GOODS ARE PERFECTLY FRESH AND NEW, and the Latest Stuff 3 for ~ BLOUSES. L ~ |- SEE WINDOWS FOE PEICES. IfftITCHELL & TURNERS NEW FIRM -:- :- -:- ■ ... -:- -:- NEW FIRM f SAVE MONEY BY DEALING WITH MITCHELL & BRODRIBB ' . " NO BAD DEBTS. - NO OLD STOOK THAT ACCUMULATES BY YE.ARS of BUSINESS rpHE Public should only consider what they can save by dealing with J_ a Oaah Firm, where they do not have to pay for the great Josses that are occasioned by Bad Debts. _ & BRODRIBB BUY AND SELL FOR CASH, *. THBBBFOBB .. ' ( THEY ARE ABLE TO GIVE BETTER VALUE THAN ANY OTHER PLACE IN. ASHBURTON. * \ - — A Few Quotations will be Convincing •— Brown IRibbed Pantß (heavy) Is 6d -worth Ladies' Hose, fast colors, plaiu and ribbed, Is lid 6(i P a!r Men's Socks 61-worth 9d White and Brown Turkish Towe's only 6d Harvester Hats B*d-worth Is White C^co grand value at 2s lld--12yd a Blucher Boots 4s lid-grand value The Best Value for Flannelettes m Heavy Shooters 9i lid-worth 12s 6d Ashburton. tadieV Gem Shoes, Special, 4s lid-worth Heavy Twill, 4s lid dozen-wor h7da yd " V" h\ A • plendid Line of Corsets, all sizes, at Hairlm^Twyd Trousers 8. ed-oheap at BMt l s A^ rtment of am , baiel , io towß| KKSS- o t Hat. «* SS»JSat» width — — — FULL RANGES OF KAIAPOI AND MOSGIEL CLOTHING. MEASUBED GABMENTS A SPEOrALTY. 49s 6 w tol^ di U ro f m ro M 49s 6d | ■ 1 MITCHELL & BRODRIBB, * EAST STXiEET. J W