The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1896. OUR RAILWAYS.

Mr Samuel Vailb, of Auckland, who is as earnest m his advocacy- of railway reform m New Zealand as is Mr Henniker-fleaton m his championship of an Imperial penny post, has issued a broadsheet headed " The Present Position of Our Railways/ 1 m which he brings into prominence some very remarkable facts. He shows by a table dealing with the railway results for the period September 1884, to March 31, 3895. I. That under the Stont-Vogel Govern ment the average lois per annum was £2 Os 2d per cent. :^ • 2 That under the Atkinson Government it averaged £2 5s 4Jd per cent. 3. That under the Commissioners it averaged £1 15s B£d per cent. 4. That under the Commissioners our rail way traffic absolutely declined. The number of passenger trips per head of ihe popula tion did not increase, and the number of tons carried decreased. la 1895 it was 25,064 tons less than m 1890. 5. That the "numerous and great con cessions" said to have .been made by the Commissioners, had no effect whatever m increasing the production of the country, 6. .That during the last eleven years we have opened 516 new mileß of railway. 7. That during the same period we have increased the capital invested m our railways by £3,286,040. V , „,... } ■ 8.. That the interest payable on^fchia in vestment has increased by £147,872 per annum. v 9. That the working expenses of our rail* ways have increased £42,134 per annum. 10 That the loss 'made last year was £307,729, as against a loss of £222,862 m 1885. 11. That m 1895 we had to pay £147,872 more for interest and £42,134 more for working expenses =£l9o,oo) ; and m return ' we obtained £63,000 more of net revenue. These facts, he rightly considers, are such as demand the careful considera tion of the legislature and of the public, and he contends that the de creasing tonnage carried by rail proves that not only have ourrailways failed to increase the production and trade of the country, but that all our land and labor legislation has also failed to effect the same object. He goes on to show that, as compared with 1885, we had m 1895 £3,286,000 more, invested m our railways, and had increased the mileage open by 516 miles, with this result : that passenger traffic is at a standstill, and is only kept from show ing a serious decline by school excur sions, while goods traffic is considerably less than it was six years ago, we have a much less train mileage than we had eight years ago, and the yearly loss has risen from £228,000 to £308,000. As to the apparent iess amount of loss under the administration of the Com missioners Mr Vaile shows that this was. arrived at "by, the. very simple process of allowing the rails arid rolling stock to fall into disrepair, and by decreasing the train service of the country, He pointi out that similar '

unsatisfactory results have accrued with persistent uniformity under all forms of administration, the railways during the period dealt with having been presided over m turn by the I Aberal party, under the Stout-Yogel Ministry, the Hon E. Kichardson I being Minister m charge ; the Con servative party under the /Ytkinson Government, Hon E. Mitchelson being m charge, Commissioners BlcKerrow, Maxwell, and Hannay. Commissioner,!} McKerrow, Ronayne, and Scott, and the Liberals again under the Seddon Government — the latter for three mouths only ; and he therefore argues, it appears to us quite convincingly, that it is not the managers of the railways but their metiiods, their policy, which is to biarae. In support of this argument he adduces the experience of Australia and America. "In Victoria (says Mr Vaile), during the last six years, they have increased their railway investment by £3,552,000, and their mileage by 650 miles ; but, during the same time their railway revenue has decreased £717,000. and goods tonnage has also decreased 651,000 tons, as compared with 1890. The railway loss last year was £380,648. I may remark m passing that, bad as this; is, it is far less serious than our loss, seeing that it is on an investment of £38,000,000, and over 3,000 miles of rails, and has to be borne by twice the population, while our loss of £308,000 is on an invest ment of only £16,000,000, and less than 2,000 miles of railway. In New South Wales, the capital invested m railways increased m four years by £3,298,758, and the mileage by 346 miles, yet their revenue last year was £229,000 'less than it was four years ago, and the tonnage carried has declined by 221,620 tons. If we look to America, where every conceivable form of work ing the present system, or rather no system, has been pushed to its utmost limit, we have the astonishing fact that fully two-thirds of their rail ways are bankrupt, and are now m the hands of official receivers," These facts, he contends, " ought to teach us how useless it is to look for a remedy m a change of managers, and how futile it is to say that the trouble is due to this, that, or the other Government. It must ie, and is, due to an inherent defect m the policy^ the system, pursued." He urges that during the last eleven , years the taxpayers of New Zealand have paid at the very least £3,167,500 to keep the railways going, the average loss being £288,000 per annum, and that this continuous loss should con vince everyone that some change is necessary. He advocates the adoption of the stage system, and points to the successful working of a somewhat similar system (the Zone system) m Hungary, where the effect has been to increase the passenger traffic by 40 per cent, as evidencing that the method he proposes is worth a trial, stating that on the showing of the railway accoun tant the experiment of trying it on the whole of the Auckland section for a full year could, at, most, involve a possible loss of £20,000, even if not one solitary additional fare reaulted from the im mense reductions that would be made. On the other hand, if it prove a success, i as Mr Vaile believes it must, he estimates that the passenger traffic alone would yield an additional return for the whole of the New Zealand railways of £200,000, without touch ing goods traffic. The whole paper gives evidence of careful preparation and exhaustive inquiry, and deserves to be considered by the Government, thn House, and the country at large ; arid we are, and have indeed long been, of opinion, that Mr Vaile is entitled s to the thanks of the public for his per sistent advocacy of reform m i ail way matters, and that the system he recom mends deserves a fair trial.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

' Farmers' column on fourth page, I Ihe inventor of Singer's sewing machine made £4,000,000. i Acceptances for the Geraldme Trotting I 1 Club's Meeting close on Monday, April 20, at 9.30 p.m. An 1 imony m the form of a large lode has been found this side of the Victorian border near Al.bury. A monster skate, sft lOin lonjy and 4ft 4in broad, was caught m Wellington harbour the other day. Widows' caps are as old as the days of Julius Camr. An edict of Tiberias com manded all widows to wear one under the penalty of a heavy fine and imprisonment. The Hinds and the south branch of the Ashburton Rivers are greatly increased m volume, owing to the heavy rain, and the latter is m full flood, and very dirty. Within the brief period of thirty years 155,000 miles of cable have been laid on the beds of ocean and s*ea, at a cost of about £40,000,000, An inmate of the benevolent ward of the Ararat asylum. William Alfred Stead, celebrated the 100. h anniversary of his birthday on Good Friday. He is m possession of ali his faculties. The pendanb to the London Lord Mayor's chain oonfcains diamonds to , the estimated value of £120,003, and before being sworn m the Lord Mayor-elect executes a bond for its safe custody. A coach will meet tho midday train from the north at Omii on Thursday next, to convey passengers to the Geral dine Trotting Mooting, the first race m whioh starts at 1.15 p m. A sanguinary oonfliot has taken place m Sala, m Piedmont, between the popu lace and troops, owing to tax-collecting troubles. Five persons were killed and several wounded. The Secretary of the Masterton Bene volent Society received a bit of a surprise the other day, says the Observer. A lad called with a note from his mother stat ing that she was expecting a lady visitor, and would like suffroienb money to buy a few cakes. It is said that the secretary's remarks were rather discursive ; at any rate the order for sakes was not forth coming. The Tapanui Courier states that a white stag with a small show of antlers was exhibited last Saturday. On Mouday there was a speoial display which com prised two medium sized heads, secured by Mr J. Bayne ati Black Gully, and one real old veteran, shot by Mr T, Crawford. This stag had the most massive horns of any beast ever scoured on the mountains, with twenty-four points and immense breadth of horn. The stag appeared to be a very old one, the body being Beemingly dwarfed, bub the animal had an immense neck. Messrs P. Stiven and J. i'rice also secured fair stags on Monday. " I would rather trust that medicine than any doctor 1 know of,"' says Mys Hattie Mason of Chilton, Carter Co , Mo., m speak ing of Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diar rhcei Remedy. For sale by the Ashburton Drug Company,

Mr Zander notifies that he h selling a| a ge line of hheep at the Tiuwald yards I m Tuesday next. The services ai the WesL'yftii Church to-morrow will be conducted by Mr H M. Jones m the niorning, and the U«v 1 . li. Brooke at nighf. iha su* jet at 'he aiter service will he 'Patrioiissm, or pUy thy tu^n. fetr*ngers are invited. Mr Edward Corbibt points out an erro m 'he paragraph residing the accident wh : ch befel the young mv who h-»d hid collar bone broken by a fa'l from his horse. It w»8 Mr W Oorbitt, ton of the late Mr John o>cbitt, of the Forks, who was the Bufferer. There was lately sold m Lmdoti, at Messrs {Sotheby's, a document) with signatures of Queon Victoria and Prince Albert, 1848, empowering Sir William M ttin to invest Sir George G. ey. Gover nor < f New Z jaland, with the Older of the Bith. It realised £3 12i. Mark Twain is writing a book about Australia and .New Zealand (a London correspondent writes) Apparently it will be a scorcher. Mark found such a lot of fun m you that he says he wouldn't take £10.000 for this m-tsterpiece. The two-year-old son of Mr D. Grant, of Cray (West Taierl). was badly kicked by a horse on his father's fatm on Sunday afternoon. The little fellow's skull was fractured m three places, the brain being visible. Dt ' Oatton does not hold, out much chance of the boy's recovery. The South road between Winalow and Hinds is m a sad plight, m consequence of the recent heavy rains. It is almost impassable, being covered with mad inches deep, and more or less voder water. Travellers have to rely on the railway reserve for a track. A Press Association telegram from Wellington says : —The Government have decided to establish a system of sixpenny telegrams. The delayed system will be abolished entirely, and a Bixpenny tariff for ordinary telegrams for twelve wotds substituted* with a penny a word after the first twelve words. Referring to the illness of Mr E. G. Wright, the Press of this morning says : — Mr Wright is staying at Warner's Hotel, and Mr Bishop, Secretary of the Gas Company, is with him. Upon nuking enquiries last night we learned that Mr Wright was much better, and at present there is no apprehension that the illness will be more than temporary . A mas of pure, solid, compact rocksalt> located on an island 185 feeb high, which rises. from a miserable seamarsh on the route from Brasher to New Iberia, up the river Teche, m Louisiana, is one of the I wonders of the world. ' An engineer who I bas but recently visited it estimates that ! there is not less than 90,000,000 tons of I pure crystal salt m sight. * Step this way, please, ladies,' said the gracious shopwalker at a West End drapery establishment, as he led off with a majestic wave of his hand. *We are sorry,' re turned one of the fair easterners, demurely ' bub we haven't really learnt) to step that way.' 'But we'll try,' put m another. And they all did, imitating that haughty shopwalker till he wished ha had never been born. We are sorry to hear that a number of farmers m this district are likely to lose haavily by the damage done by the recent rains to grain m stack. Many of them trusted to the fiae weather lasting long enough to enable them to thresh our, and omitted the precaution of thatching their ricks — a penny-wise and pound foolish poiicy, whioh they ate now bitterly regretting. We have ourselves seen some stacks which have grown quite green and have hoard of many others. We observe that At Feilding yesterday the Stipendiary Magistrate (Mr Stanford) ruled that a prohibition order signed by two Justices of the Peace was invalid, as such an order can only be issued by a Stipendiary Magistrate. We recently wrote an article m which we held the opposite view, and may add that we know our opinion is shared by at; least one Stipendiary. In view of the ruling above referred to it is time that the matter were authoritatively settled by a reference to the Attorney-General or the Supreme Courf. At a meeting of the Caerbsey Domain Board held on Saturday evening last, there were present Messrs R Campbell (chairman), Murpby and Copland. It was decided to accept Mr J Downie's tender for cropping the Domain, Several matters connected with the Domain were diacufised. At a meeting of theOematery Board hold afterwards, Mr W. J. Thomas was appointed sexton. The question of recovering unpaid fees for past interments was discussed, and dissatisfaction ex pressed on the matter. It was eventually agreed that the Secretary insist on pre payment of fees, and he was instructed to write to defaulters. On Thursday evening a strong south wesb gale blew over the Hinds district, following a heavy downfall of rain, which was accompanied by loud thunder claps and vivid lightning. Farmers m the district think they have had enough rain to satisfy all their wants m that direction for some time, and could do with sunshine and warmth to forward the feed growth, grass being somewhat scarce. Late sown turnips are really good, but the early sown lots are Irregular and patchy, and m some parts there is no sign at all of results from the sowing. Stacks have suffered a good deal from the heavy and continuous rain, but it is worthy r.f note by those who have suffered m this way that there are many farmers whose stacks have come through the rainy season all right, and without damage. It might pay, perhaps, to study a little the way m which those stacks are built that do not suffer from wet weather. •HOLLOWAY'S OINTMEXI AND PILLS. — Health's Defences. None save the strongest can with impunity pass through the sudden transitions from wet to dry, from cold to muggy weather so prevalent during the autumnal and early winter months, lnfluenzv bronchitis, cough, sore throat, or quinsy will I attack those most watchful of their health; but they can readily arrest any of these complaints by rubbing Holloway's Ointment twice a day upon the skin over the affected parts, »nd by assisting its corrective action i with appropriate doses of his Pills. This well-known, safe, and easy mode of treatment efficiently protects the invalid both from present and future danger without weakening or even disturbing the system m the slightest degree.

The Matabele Rising.

Capetown, April 17 The Australian residents m the Band have offered Earl Grey, the Administrator, 1000 men for service m Mat abel eland. The Boers prevented Mr Fowler from commanding a relief expedition to Buluwayo, on the ground that his bvidence was required at the trial of members of the Reform party at Pretoria. Eighteen chiefs have asked for British protection m the present trouble. Capetown, April 16 Fifteen thousand Matabele are massing near Buluwayo. Help has been asked from the Transvaal.

SPORTING.

TIM ARU RACES.

Following are the results of the events decided af tec we went to press y«-Bterday :— Novel Race. — Wetsail, 1 ; Misß Mac, 2 ; P.my M-)ore. 3. Dividend— £2 18». Shorts Handicap — Warrington, 1 ; Va nili«, 2 ; Miss Orwell, 3. Div.dend-£3 6?. Electric Trot — Sam, 1 ; Black Jack, 2. Dividend— £l 19s. Consolation Handicap. — Speculator, 1 ; Salvo, 2; Stockfish, 3. Dividend— £2 Bs.

The Coming General Election.

The following election para are from our exchanges. Mr J. C. Buckland has definitely an nounced th%t it is his intention to oonteat th<* Taieri seat at the next general election. Mr H. Graham, Mayor of Arrowtown, will oppose Mr Eraser, the sitting member for Wakatipu. Mr H. 8. Valentin?, ex-member for Tuapekt, is spoken of as a likely candidate for Wallace. Mr W. F. Masßey has decided to contest either Franklin or Manukau at the general election. Mr Monk will be the Opposition candidate for Waifeemata, the seat tor which he was returned three years ago, but was ousted at the instance of Mr Jackson Palmer. A new poll was then taken, and , Mr Massey defeated Mr Palmer.

CABLE NEWS.

HOME AND FOREIGN

THE ENGLISH BUDGET.

London, April 16 The Budget discloses no fresh taxation proposals. The surplus is to be expended on Education, and on the relief of agriculturists. A GOOD DIVIDEND. April 17. The Trust and Agency Company of Australasia has declared a dividend of 20 per cent. BNGLI&H, SCOTTISH, AND AUSTRALIAN BANK. The English, Scottish, and Austra- , Han Bank shows a profit of £2537. A loan of £10,000 enabled the Directors j to postpone the call. THE TRANSVAAL TROUBLE. The Johannesburg correspondent of The Times telegraphs that the English fear that the action of Sir Hercules Robinson m not asking for an increased garrison at Capetown \vill encourage the burghers m the belief that he will not insist on reforms being carried out. President Kruger depre cates a show of force, while the Trans vaal is arming to the teeth. THE CZAR'S CORONATION. ; St Petersburg, April 16 A Russian warship will convey Li Hung Chang from Port Said to Odessa. Li Hung is to represent China at the coronation ceremony. BULGARIA. The \Russian Government has asked Bulgaria to reinstate the officers whs! took refuge m Russian territory after ! King Alexander abdicated the throne. GERMANY AND NEW GUINEA April 17. The German Government is negotia ting with the New Guinea Company for the transfer of its rights to the Government with a view to the colony being brought under direct Imperial control. THE SOUDAN WAR. Cairo, April 16 Five friendly tribes m the vicinity of Wady Haifa, will patrol both sides of the Nile. ITALY AND ABYS3INIA. RoMts, April 16 General Baldissera advises his Government that he will await the result of peace negotiations before relieving Adigrat. A NEW COMPETITOR. Berlin, April 16 The new system of rebates on freight on Geiman railways will enable Westphalian coal to be landed m England at a sufficiently low rate to compete with English coal.

AUSTRALIAN

THE COLLIERY TROUBLE. .Newcastle, April 17. At a meeting of miners' delegates it was decided to postpone the notice of strike for a week. Prior to deciding, the delegates wired to Mr Reid, asking for definite information as to the willingness of the proprietors to confer on the difficulty: Mr Reid replied that three large proprietors had voluntarily negotiated for a settlement, and he was confident the others would act similarly. THE SOUTH HEAD SUICIDE. Sydney, april 17 At the inquest on Mrs Down a ver dict of wilful murder against her hus band was returned. MURDER AND SUICIDE AT MANLY. The Manly tragedy was the outcome of unrequited love. The murderer, whose real name was Arkle, had kept company with Miss Collins for three years, and several times proposed marriage to her, but she refused. Arkle persisted m his attentions, and fraqueDt quarrels took place. The pair • arranged to £o to Manly, and it is feupposed he intended to press for a final answer to his suit for marriage, and premeditated the tragedy if the girl refused. After shooting her, he evidently shot himself, and dropped exhausted just as he reached the water's edge, where he lay for several hours m agony, with a terrible wound m his breast. Arkle returned m December from New Zealand, where he spent some time m knocking about. ECCLESIASTICAL VISITORS. Among the passengers for Welling ton by the Wakatipu are Bishop Murray and Monsignor Verdon. SPLENDID RAINS. Adrlaide, April 17 Splendid rains have fallen through out the colony, with the exception of the northern districts, and have greatly improved the agricultural prospects.

The Egyptian Question

Cairo, April 17 Friendly natives at Tokar defeated Osruan Digna and killed eighty of his orce ; their own loss being only nine.



St. Andrews, Tinwald.

♦ The annual meeting of the parishioners of the Bab-distriots of 1 iuwald was held on Thursday evening, the Rev J . Blackburne (Vicar of the parochial dihtrioo of Long, beach) pres ding. There, was a g., o d representative gathering of churchmen and a large assemblage ot ladies. After the minutes had been read and confirmed, the Chairman presented a report of the work for the past year. 3 0 said the attendances at the services had been good, and there had been an increase m the number of sommanioants, Infer ring to the Sunday School, be' congratu lated the parishioners on the marked improvtmentin ths attendance, discipline, and work done. The Diocesan inspector In his report to the Bishop after his recent examination says: — **On the whole, the school passed a satisfactory examination, having made great progress during the year. The teachers deserve great commendation for the maiked im provement which h*s undoubtedly taken place since last inspection. A good healthy tone prevails, and the very satis factory average attendance is conclusive evidence of the teachers' seal and influence and of the scholars' hearty co-operation." The Vicar then went on to remind them that the: Sunday School was nearly always m need of one or two extra teachers, either to fill up the vacancies on its Btaff or to take the place of teachers who may be absent through sickness or any other cause. He hoped that some of the commuuicante would take this as a call and offer their services as helpers m the work. He regretted that he had been obliged to discontinue his Bible class at the State school owing to the irregularity |of the attendance, but he would be glad to hold it again if a majority of the parents desired it, and if they would promise to do all m their power to enoourage a regular attendance. He earnestly commended bo their favourable notice the aims of the Scripture Text Book Association, and hoped that the day was not far off when Bible teaching would form part of the general course of Instruction m the State schools of the colony. In the meantime, he urged, it was their bounden duty as churchmen to avail themselves of every opportunity within our reach to impart .religious teaching to the rising generation m their } midst. Referring next to financial matters, he said that m his last report he had occasion to congratulate them on the large increase m their general and special offertories, and he was glad to learn that there had been a still further increase under both these heads during the year just olosed. In the. ease of the special offertories this increase was very marked, and the total represented an amount almost equivalent to the general offertories. Thla was not only a matter for congratulation but also for much thankfulness as a sign of a healthy religions tone. The intro duction of the 'envelope system' some six months ago had already peiceptibly increased the income derived from the general offertoritg, although the plan had not been universally accepted by the parishioners. He hoped that a special effort would be nude la the present year to increase the number of givers through this channel. Experience had shown that wherever this syscem has been generally adopted, a marked improvement m the financial condition of the parish' has been effected. The envelope system was a secret one, and no one except the Chutch wardens need know what another gave. In some parishes It was widely taken advantage of by young people, and even children, to assist them m giving regularly and systematically to God's service. In reference to the special effort which was made recently to raise a sum of money through the offertory to meet certain district . liabilities, he warmly commended them for their liberal contribution, which 'was about a third of the total amount collected. The Chair mtn concluded his remarks ' by acknow ledging the valuable services rendered by Mr J. Ward, the- Lay Reader, and Miss Cowper. the organist, thanking also Mr Teppett, the Warden, and the members of the Committee for their assistance and hearty co-operation, and invited all to help, esp cially m the manner pointed ouc by 8t Paul. "Brethren pray forns," The Churchwardens' annual report and balance-sheet presented by Mr leppett were of a satisfactory nature, All liabili ties had been met, and a email credit balance was left to be carried forward. The statement of accounts connected with the Sunday school, submitted by Mr F. Leggott, also showed a balance to the good. Mr G. Culverhouse was nominated bishops-warden and Mr D. Teppett parishioners warden. The , following gentlemen were nominated as members of the Committee. — Messrs J. Heseltine, M. Redmayne, A. Hewson, F. Leggott, J. Gudsell, G. Robinson and G. Smith, junr ; Auditor, Mr J. Ward. The usual votes of thanks brought the business to a clobb, and at the suggestion of the Vicar the meeting then assumed the form of asocial gathering; - A very pleasant two hours were spent m this way, and at 11 p.m. the party broke up after singing the Doxology.

The Brannerton Relief Fund.

Paimbrsion Nokth, April 18 The Brannerton fund colleot-ed at Palmeston North amounts to £205 and there are several lists yet to come m. Of this the Manawatu Daily. Times collected £55. The lists close on the 30fch lnst.

The Best Farm m the world.

Following is f torn -the Christohurch Spectator : — . Lopgbeach station, > near Ashbnrton, (' Grigg's,' as it is often called), has been dubbed ' the best farm m the world. 1 That may be a rather airong way of putting it, perhaps, bat ' Longbeach *is unquestionably a remarkable place. Mr John Grigg is now farming some 15,000 acres. This year there were over 3,000 aores m wheat and nearly 2,000 m oats, to say nothing of barley, peas, turnips, rape, mangolds, potatoes, eic The harvesting at Longbeach was a sight to see this year ; nearly 40 reapers and binders were going hammer and tongs all the time, and 4 threshing mills were m fall swing. More than 200 harvesters were employed. About 165 permanent hands are engaged at Longbeach, and they save £5000 a year between them. Five hundred horses are kept and lots of dairy cows, and 1,000 pigs are fattened every year for the market. Mr Grigg is a shrewed, enterprising and level headed man who has satisfactorily answered the question (so far as Longbeach is con cerned) * does farming pay ?'.

There is no medicine so often needed m every home and so admirably adapted to the pur poses for which it is m tended, aB Chamber* lain's Pain Balm. Hardly a week passes but some member of the family has need of it. A toothache or headache may be oared by it. A touch of rheumatism or neuralgia quieted. The severe pain of a burn or scald promptly relieved and the sore healed m much less time than when medicine has to be sent for. A sprain may be promptly treated betore inflammation sets m, which psures a cure m about one-third of the itime otherwise required. Cuts and bruises should receive immediate treatment before he parts become swollen, which can only be done when Pain Balm ii kept ac hand. A sore throat may be oured before it become* serious. A troublesome corn may be re moved by applying it twice a day for a week or two. A lame back may be cured and several days .of valuable time saved or a pain m the side or chest relieved without " paying a doctor's bill. Procure a bottle at once and you will never regret it. For sale by the ABbburton Drug Company. Try Wright's Family Brand CojFee ; to be obtained from all Grocers and Storekeeper!

VB!& ABtt£tiKsOi* mjAfibUti: BA*ttSi)A-S f ■ " APJitL ,iB, 1896.



Attention ifi drawn to the faci tin Meusrs L. F. Andrewes , aud^ Co. stationers and booksellers, are holding a extensive clearing sale. Those who have uot already visited the premises are re- commended to dp so without delay, A look at the windows and doors of the firm Wll convince any intending buyers. — ADVT. . .



' Every mother should know that croup can ' be prevented. The first symptom of true • croup is hoarseness. This is followed by a peculiar rough cough. If Chamberlain 8 Cough Remedy is given freely as soon as the child becomes hoarse or even after the cough has been developed it will prevent the attack. For sale by the Ashburton Drug Company. If you want delicious Coffee try the celebrated family Brand ; to be obtained •eyerywhero. i



public Notices. . ' THE WONDERFDL SERGE IN NAVYBLAGK, MAROON, MYRTLE AN') GREY. A DRESS LENGTH FOR Gs lld. LADIES' JACKETS from Os lld, NEWEST GOODS. MOST Stylish end Cheapest Millinery m Ashburton. EVERYTHING NEW AND FRESH AT LOWEST QASH PRIOES. Ashburton Drapery Company y Drapers, Olothiers, Milliners and Dress- makers, Arcade House. —OPENED UP— Q TRUNKS MEN'S, YOUTHS' AND BOYS' BOOTS ;AT NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. We have gained the , reputation of Keeping a GOOD ARTICLE, and we intend to Retain it. The Goods are all marked m Plain Figures afc the VERY LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICES. 4 Trunks GENTLEMEN'S ENGLISH BALMORALS, Sewn, at prices that will pay you to in- speotandßuy. TRY THE , . NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING EiidTOBY \ ■■■ -■ ■ ' FOR YOUR.NEXC PAIR OS 1 BOOTS ALEX. BENP&Y, Manager.



Wanted. j WAHOO! THE CURE ♦ FOR INDIGESTION. Aehburton Drug Company, Agents 11 108 I7»XOII.ftSTON. — Brnnnnrton Concert -tJ m Oddfellows' Hall on Kri<Uy next Admission— One ehil'ing. 4 131 tTTIfibLttYAN Church— To-morrow.— vv iMorning, Mr HM. Jones j even- ing R«v T. <J. Brooke. SoVjact — 4 Ffttriotinm, or play the Man ' Strrt«j?ers «otdi*Uy invittd 4 130 VI • ANTKI) Known- Rev. J. Olpbert ; VV will conduct, both nervices a*" the Primitive Meinodist Oh arch on Sunday. Kveningsul jeot— "Mhiilmhs-). 1 ' 4 13S WANTKU Known ■—SuTHBEiiA.Nn,, Fihhihonger» T»nbrfd btraet, is aelline Oysters 4d per d( zon. Fresh and emoked Fiah always on hand. 4122 U HOOTIJNG «JEAftJOW,IB96— :r> ■ ■■ ' ■ .'■'■' Boy yoor Guns, Ammunition, Etc., at J. W. Habmby's. 3 79 nUNS ON HIR E j also Guns thoroughly repaired. Please forward early to avoid the rush. .1 . W. Harpiey. 380 \T7AHTED— Fresh 3utter,E«gß; Bees- v ~ wax, Potatoes, Bacon, Pigs, etc. Top prices alven for prime quality. — Carson & Co. 4 59 Board arid Lodging \y with every home comfoit, 16s per week; meals at all hours, Is J beds, Is. Tea and Coffee always ready, 2d per cup. Teuoklb's Coffee Palace (labe JLytfceleon Boardinehou«e x , Cameron street, Abhbur ton. 3 33 FRESH Supplies of Wesbporfc and Blackball Coal to hand.— W. H Collins awd Co. 4 68 OTHER P»K)ple are getting Bargains at Oakson's Monster Jale of Bicycles, Kar then ware, Glass, andUhina Why not Yon 1 I_B4 &RKAT SALfei NOW ON at L. F. ANDRBWES & 00. £3000 worth of Books, Stationery, Fancy Goods, Toys, Manic, &c, to be sold this month regard- less of cost. Sale now on at L. F. Andbewes & Co, Stationers' Hall. 4 25 WANTED TO LET, at Westerfield— 400 Acres Good Tupsook Feed, with or without Turnips, fenced and watered. For further particulars npply Mail Office. . 3 208 O EVIEW of Reviews for March. A few •^ copies Merrie England 6], New Books and Magazines, some cheap editions of Popular Works at published prioes for cash, new lines m Stationery and Fancy Goods now opening up. — H. M Jonis. \4 . ANTED Known— Ladies Shoes, vV tan or black, 6s 6d. — Mkixor's Cheap Boob Sale. HOLIDAY Suits— A Nice Kalapol Suit for 27s 6d, Boys' Km'cker and Cambridge Suits from 7s 6d, Men's Suits to Measure from 45a, Fit and Workmanship Guaranteed at (I. Alcorn's WANTED Known— Oo to The Corker fnr Newßßt Styles In Drapery and Millinery— W. H. Collier. WANTKD Known— We intend to . shake up every Boot Shop m A*hhnrton. — Meixor's Clearing Boot, le WANTED Known— Having bought our Winter Supply of Blankets and Flannels before the great advance m prices we intend giving our friends full benefit of same.— Mitchell and Turner ANTED Known— ifivaryb dy to roJl up to Melxor's Cheap Boot Sale. Now's yoor time to buy. WANTKD Known— Great Reduotioa at Mkixor's Cheap Boot Pale. WANTED Known— A Magnificent Display of Ladies' .lackers m all the Newest Styles, just landed and now •>n vt««w. See window.— Mitchell and Turner. ANTED Known — 6000 pairs of Boots and shoes to pick from. MELLORsGrpftt Boob Sale. WANTKD Known — Spectacles, Eye Protectors, Gogglos, Folders, and everything In the optloa line at S. Svlek n. Opt.ioifin \ 17" AN TED— Eggs m any quantity VV must be quite fresh. We are also buyers of good Bubswax m small or large quantities.— Fletcher Bros , East Street, Ashburton. ITTANTED Known— Our Season's W Dresses m all the New Colonial Tweed* and Choice Home Materials now opened. An inspection invited. — MrroHBLL and Turner • • \ i/.ANTED— * few Tons of Prime Oat V> Sheaf Chaff. Apply, with samples and price, to Flktcher Bros , Cash Supply Stores, Ashburton. Ik, ANTED Known— 6ooo pairs of • ' Bnola to be cl Bared m one month . — Mbllor's Zealandia Boob Store. ANTIfID Known— Monater Cleai> tn« Boot Sale at Mellor's Zealan dia Boot Store. . tljr ANTED Known— That E,. Mahood v •'•'.' : 'w still selling all kinds of Grocery, Orockery, and Glnesware at as -reasonable a price as »ny other house In the trade Orders by letter or Teleplione promptly attended to. Families -waited on daily. Telephone No. 7$ WANTED Known — Bargains from floor to ceiling.— Mjilior's Sfcosk taking Boot Sale. WANTED Kuown- You save 6s m every pound if you patronise Mbllor's Ohwip Boot Store. WAATUJL) Kuown— Lwge delivery of the 'Economic' Kid Glove?, four buttons, Is 9d per pair, worth much more — v\ H. Collier. WANTED Known— Boots and Shoes from Is 3i to 27a 6J.— Mfllor's Cheap Boot Sale. WANTED Known— lf you mws the Ohe^p Boob Sale you will be sorry. — Mellor's, Taric red Street. WANTED Known— The * E vmonvc Kid Glove, four buttons, la 9 1 per pair, is the Glove for everyday wear. — W. H. Collier. \tl ANTED Known— so pairs Ladies W and Girls' Leather Top and Canvas Tennis Shoes, at half usual price, for two weeks only.— Andrew Orr 10 136 For Indigestion, the beat remedy is un doubtedly Norton's Camomile PiLLSi They can confidently be recommended as being mild m operation and absolutely free from injurious drugs. Acting at once as a splen- did tonic and a gentle aperient. For nearly 100 years they have proved uz-equallec 5 for Indigestion, Dyppepsia, sick Headache and tor Liver and Stomach complaints," Sold m bottles Is ljd, 2a 9d, and )ls, by all Medi- cine Vendors chroughonh the world. A Simpta. «*fa <wt nertinln rnmoriv I Yoit try ito Nm Yum %!&**



enstn»ss Notices. j BALANCE OF j G. J. NEIL L'S Salvage WILL BE SiOL» B3T PUJiWC AUC'TIOH In my old Shop, Corner o f i'ait aaii >Ioor« Streets, on SATURDAY, APRIL 25. DRAP^Rt, GLOOffiNt, & BOOTS. --RBMBMBBE — «• FRIEDLANDEa'd CORNER AUCTION ATJOTION. AUCTION* Seep. THOMAS' Advertisement re SALE* a SAtEK, watchmaker, manufacturing jeweller, And optician E4BT STREET. A T THIS JBVtBLLBRY ESTABLISHMENT, ia to be seen the LARGEST and FINES! STOC& m the District of GOLD AND SILVER I SILVER AND B.P. J LADIES 1 AND GBNTS I \ GOLD AND SILVER JgWELLHRY. I WARE. | 'WATCHES. The now fain<s DIXIIC Watches at|2os,s2ss,^and a doubl6 cases at 30s. . TO BE OBTAINED ONLY FROM 8. SAL EM, BAST STEEKT, ASHBITBTQN. , - ■ i- '• •* '_ : \ ■'' ■■■'■. ' •'. ■ ■'...'. iV •,-*•■■ .'■".'...'. ■■:' • ' . SOMETHING WORTfI GROWING. I NEW STRAWBBRBY il LAXCON'S NOBLE." THIS tew Strawberry has esUbltebed itself m the Home markot as the Very Best Btrawberry under caltivation. The fruit is Urge, firm, and lundsoma,' the br«gbt -crimson scarlet harries weighing an high as 2oz each, while the flavor {«' rich aad vinoai. Besides theie reeommendatioßV, " THH2 NOBLE " is one of the earliest troiting strawberriee, and we have no hesitation m saying that it is andbibtedly the Strawberry for growers of this favourite fruit. the following is extracted from the Otago Witness of January 2, 1896 : 11 Nffw Btrawberry : " Laxton's Noblo "—- . '; This strawberry excels, both m size, flivoar and appearance, anything r we. have had m New Zealand before* . . Home of these fine berries were sent by the Connteßß of Pembroke -■to the Emperor of Germany, each berry being abont the siae of an apple. They were said to be larger than had ever been seen before. The fruit arrived m ex- cellent condition, not a berry being crashed, speaking well bath for the packing md the travelling qualities of the berries. On the average the berries weighed Sfazeach, They were not big, ttgly fruit, but were full and handsome. . ,v " Laxton'a Noble " Strawberry com*»s early into bearing, and is a very h«avy betrar, and it should be very serviceable for any cottager with email garden space or for market gardener?, as it m a splendid grower and a heavy cropper, coming early into fruit. Mr Bennet has on young plants, laid m the spring, eight to ten iirg* birres, averaging, sty, 2oz each. Tney are fine handsome berries, arid of good travelling qa«litio?." Am Stock is limited, we recommend Ordering Early for delivery early m May Btrong Well-rooted Plants, 6s per Dozen; 403 per 100. Authorised Bole Agentß for Ashburton and Uhristchtirch for— - NIMMO & BLAIR, SBRD MERCHANTS AND SEED G BOWERS, DUNEDIN. Kerosene. Hcroscoe, Kerosene; 100 Cases; 100 Cases. /- We havo m stock and to arrive 100 caaea • Evening Star' Kerosene, 180 \per cent fire teat. This oil is, without doubt, one of the Safest and Best lizhfc-eiviW oils m the market. irciuti of rart^r. CTream of Tartar 11201bs. 11201b3. V?e have just received half a ton of Pure Cream of Tartar ground for us from tho crystals. This Oream of Tartar is guaranteed Pure, ana is th*» Strongest and Best procurable, and having bought it before the rise inline Home market, we are enabled to soil at a Lower Price than any other storekeeper m the town. , *'«>flfW*. coffee. Coffee- We are giving bpecial attention to our Coffee. The Coffee Beans are selected with the greatest care and freshly roasted and ground on our premises by the most approved machinery. We enn recommend it with th« greatest of confidence as Superior to any other Coffee m the market. Give it a trial and you wili use no ot .hejt. NOTICE TO FARMERS. Etc. We are Ca«h Buy^s of GOOD BBE3WAX m »njf quantity, at Highest Market Rates. . (irders by Post or Telephone Promptly attended to 1 LETCH Rl! BROS., CA^ii SUPPLY STOBEB, JEA^T BTUEKT, ASHBURTON, . . add High street, Cfcfisfcchureh.