Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1896.

Reports of the growing crops m Australia (says a Sydney paper) are of an irregular, if not AUSTRALIAN contradictory, char- CROPS acter. The general however, is, if anything, better than might be exp cted. Taking the prospective shortage of the local crop at 1,000,000 bushels, there seems a probabiliiy of the Australian colonies requiring to import about 5,000,003 bushels or more during the coming campaign. That is assuming thut disjoint produc tion of Victoria and South Australia will meet the requirements of ihuoe B two colonies, which leaves Queensland " to be supplied with 2,500,000 bushels, West Australia with 1,000,000, and " other demands about 600,0p0 bushels. At the moment the indications are for higher prices being paid for new wheat r than are generally obtained for old. California is not pushing business with the colonies^ as San Francisco shippers are finding more remunerative markets i- m India and at the Cape.

Local and General.

.. «» ""•■'' ! The Ashburtou. Hunt Club anuounce that i a general meeting will be held at Devane's Hotel to-morrow afternoon at 4.30. Two hundred applications were received for the post of caretaker of the Little Barrier Reserve, salary £150. Several ship masters were among the applicants. We advise all our readers to go and see Fletcher Brothers' magnificent display of new fruits, and crockery of every description, m i heir large plate glass windows, East street. ' At the breaking- up of the Djinedin Girls' High School Mrs Reynolds unveiled $ potrait m oils of Miss Dalrymple, through whose efforts thirty years ago the school was mainly founded. ; & Norwegian law prohibits a person f> om spending more than about threepence ab one visit to »' pub'ticho^se. Therefore, when a man decides i . is (jrrie for a spree, he must hustle from house to house. A polo ma'elj on Saturday ,( to-morrow) afternoon will be played at four o'clock. Sides will be Messrs Olaridge, Kbberts, Curtis and Bland against Messrs Sauuders, Cox, Miller, and Jackson. We regret to ieacn that Miss Minnie Bennetts, one of the teachers of the Hamp &tead school, who has been suffering from brain fever, is now m such a critical condi tion that but faint ho^es are entertained of her recovery. The CariertQii Observer understan is that Mr &.. Armstrong. Returning Officer for the Wairarapa, has instructed his solicitor to demand from Mr Goleman Phiilipa a public apology and retractation of certain alleged ! slanderous statements ; failing this an action for damages, laid at £1000, wiii be commenced. Miss Scott, Inspector of Factories, paid the factories and workrooms m Timaru a visit on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Tjmtiru Herald learns that the visit was a kind of .caution to employers and employees, and that out o£ ov_er thirty places visited, charges for breaches of the laws might be laid against the majority of .tlietn. On rare occasions a phenomenon, similar to UiaC sometimes seen m tho Harlz moun* tains m Germany, and known aa the " Spectre cf the Brocken," can be seen from the summit of Ben Nevi- 1 , Nelson. The Brightwater correspondent of the Nelson Mail writes that ft p rty had a capital view of the spectral shadows on Saturday week. The valley to the northeast of the peak was ; filled with mist while the aun was nearly down m the south-west. To each member of £he party a comp ete circle composed of the rainbow spectrum was visible. Inside this circle the huge shadow of the beholder was displayed, and the ptnajlost movement of hand or foot was made apparent irj the shadow. It would be impossible to judge the distance of the apparition, but as the mists advanced the outline became much less dist^n.ejfc. ,Qne very clear figure appeared bo resb on a peak which must Lave been two miles off at least." A v very atraageieature; wajg that oue could not see the 'shadow of, his neighbor at all unless that neighbor! were almost torching him, then the two' circles would appear cutting another. A person six feet away WQll'd produce a spectre quite invisible to anyone else. For fully half an hour the weird scene was enjoyed, then the setting of the aun abruptly ended it.

Excursion fares for the Christmas ho idays] are advertised. I Mr Henry has returned to W« lingtou from Resolution Island, where tor nearly two aud a half years he has been attending to the preservaiion of Ntw Ze.iland birds, chiefly m transferring the different; species . from the mainland do the island, where they ' would have a better chance to thrive. Mr H-^nry has m this way transferred over 190 Varieties. It is a common experience amongst moun tain climbers o find butterflies lying frozen on the anow, aud so btibole bhar th>y break uuhss they are very carefully handled Such frozen butterflies ou beiog takeu t-i a warmer climat9 recover them- elves and fly away. Six species of butter fl es have been found within a few hundred .miles of the < North Pole. Messrs R, Murray aud Son have made I great preparations for the Christmas season, as a" perusal of their advertisement will j show, 'that manifesto of the firm will also give information as to special reductions m prices, but the best way to know all that Messrs Murray would like their friends to | know is to pay a visit to the establishment, and see what is to be seen. Such a visit Would be equally interesting and instructive, I and attended no doubt with profit to both , visitor and firm. Some time ago the Premier determined upon the institution of a new order for bravery m New Zealand, and prizes were offered by the Government for the best designs for medals and certificates. Desigas were reoeivad from students at the Art Schools of Dunedin, Ghristchurch, Welling ton, Auckland, and elsewhere. The designs sent m, however, were few m number and^ poor m quality, except m two or ♦hree oases. Miss Florence Broome and Miss Milly Igglesden, of the Wellington school, took first and second prizes respectively fox—both medaland certificate. However, the designs will not be made use of, as the Home authoritieb will not allow Mr Seddon'a new order. The prize money will, however, m all probability, be given to the successful students. Angling is now (says the Titnaru Herald) m full swing m the various trout streams, and at the headquarters of the sons of Izaak Walton at Wineheater, the Wolaeley Hotel, a good tally has a'ready been made this sea son. Visitors are bringing m splendid bas kets daily, and the record up to the present exceeds 1000 fish. A good many Australians have entered their names m the visitors' book this season, and others have announced their intention of visiting Winchester tor the Christmas holidays. It must be a great tieat bo exchange sun-browued Australian scenes for the pleasant verdancy of Win chester. The rairibow trout, which were liberated m the Waihi a few months ago, are doing very well. Many of them are 'seen (rom time to time, and they are evi dently growing nicely and thriving, showing good condition.

PRIZE DISTRIBUTIONS.

« Miss Barratt's School. The annual gathering aud distribution of prizes at Miss Barratt's school, Cameron street, took place yesterday afternoon, when there was a large attendance, including many parents and other friends of the pupils. An enjoyable programme of vocal and instrumental music and recitations was rendered by the children m a manner which showed they had been very carefully and efficiently taught by Miss Barratt and her assistant. The Rev T. A. Hamilton pre sided, and before distributing the prizes expressed very great pleasure at the many evidenoes he saw of the excellent -progress this school was making year after year. He paid a high compliment to Miss Earratb, aud warmly congratulated the pupils on the work ihey had accomplish!. d during the year. Mrs Ham lton, who had judged the sewjng, expressed herself as highly pleased bjth with the variety and general excellence i.f the wo<k displayed. Some of it was so good I hat it had been a matter of consider able difficulty to jutlga and decide which was really the moat deserving of the first award. , Mr and Mrs Hamilton then distri buted the prizes as follows : — PRIZE LIST, Class I. — English— lla Paul (dux) 1, Annie Ferriman 2, Emily White 3. Sewing — Annie Ferriman 1, 11a Paul special. Class ll.— English — Henrietta Denshire 1, Dora Bland 2, Evelyn Haumer 3. Gas coitjne Greenwood, great diligence. Sewing — Dora Bland. Class lll— English— Eric Greenwood 1, Nina Rsfd 2, May V> bite 3. Geography — Kathlten Denshire 1, Writing — Becky Home 1. Sowing-^Becky Home 1, Nina Reid 2. - .^ Class IV.— English — Katie Smith 1, Zac Ferriman 2, Octaviua Digby 3. Sewing — Katie Hmii h 1. " Class IV. — Lower division. — English — Louisa White 1, Beatrice Greenwood 2. Sewing — Beatrice Greenwood. Class V.-i^EJuglish— Alice Willers 1, Elsie Fletcher 1, John Digby 2, Mody Ferriman 3. Sewiog— Elsie Fletcher. ' • ' Class Vl. —English— Nellie Bruce 1, Mabel JVXu^laney 2, Dolly Home 3. Special prize gi?en by Mrß Home for writing— Henrietta Denshire.

AUSTRALIAN MEAT IN AUSTRIA

Visit of Delegates. Press Association — By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. Sydney, December 17 Tfrree represpntatives of the Vienna Butchers' Association have been visit ing Sydney to make arrangements jdr regular shipments of meat to Austria. | Australian frozen meat is already largely consumed m Austria, and some time ago an enterprising timber mer chant entered into contracts with the principal wholesale butchering estab lishments ,to sripply them wi t th -Aus traUan meat. The supplies proving insufficient to meet th© demand, the contractor raised the price, which th^ butchers resented, and they combined to send delegates to Australia to arrange for constant supplies at a uniform price. The delegates express themselves highly pleased at^the result of their enquiries, and are confident £hat a large trade will be opened up. They have pompleted arrangements for shipments or exfcensjvp consign ments within the next few weeks, and it ia their Intention to visit Queensland ' to make similar arrangements

BOERS ASSEMBLING.

Piess Association — By Electric Telegraph — ' Copyright. Pretoria, December 17. Many Beers are assembling at Paar dekraaf tp celebrate Dingan's day. There is, however, riot mugfy excite ment m the Rand, j Received December 18, 11,5 a.m, Pretoria, December 17. Eive thousand Boers have assembled to take part m the celebration of the anniversary of the great defeat of the Zulus under Dingan. President Krvjser said Government would be true to the .burghers and would entertain goodwill to the British. God gave the Boer liberty, y ' '

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBURTON— IHUi SDAY. (Before Mr C. A. Wray, S.M., aud Mr T. | E. Upton, J.P.) ; Impounding Case. — Nicholas Welsh laid an information against W. de B. Compton, poundkeeper, for illegally impounding 654 shrsp belonging to couip'ainant from a piece of !and then occupied by him with the con sen o of one Gougb, who was m possession of it. Damages to the amount of £10 wer* , claimed for injury suffered by the sheep from over d.iving, aud ib was sought to recover the fees charged for the illegal im pounding — £7 148 6;1. Mr V. ilding ap peased for plaintiff, and Mr Purnell for defendant. After opening the case for pliintiff, Mr Wilding called the following evitlence : — John Gongh so id he was a fanner neir Dromore, and had a section of twenty acres adjoining the railway reserve. There was v road opposite the section which had nob been used by the public for more than nin=* years, about which time ago he had applied to the Wakanui Road Board clerk for liberty to fence m the toad. He got a reply that the Board had no power to stop him from fencing, nor had they power to authorise him. He then fenced m the road, and had not been disturbed m bis Dossession. The road was about a mile m extent, but only eight chains of it was m front of hia section. The road had never had anything done to it m the way of formation. Let the 20-acre pad<iock to Welsh, who had his sheep on it when they were impounded. By Mr PurnelW— Had never paid any rent for this bit of road, bub Welsh's aheep were on it with witness's consent. The old maps would not show this road, because it had only been laid off since the reserve was subdivided for village settlement, and was shown on recent maps. Gibson; a neighbor, had complained of Welsh's sheep, and had asked the Board to form the road. Gibson had fenced and cropped hia part of tho road, bub had taken his fence away.— Nicholas Welsh said he rented the railway reserve, which was from a chain and three-quarters to two chains wide. Had about seVen or eight mildsof the reserve, which came down to Dromore station. At Gough's he had none of the reserve on Gough's aide of the line. Had camps all along his line of reserve for putting his sheep m at night, and Gough's 20-acre paddock was one of these. On November 27 he had 656sheepon the line being tailed, and he put them m the little paddock at seven o'clock. On November 28 he found that his sheep had been impounded. Had heard about there being a road, and went to the Road Hoard to see about getting the use of it, but the Clerk of the Road Board said there- was no road there that they could do anything with. This waa five mouths ago. Had paid the fees— £7 l4a 6d— on the sheep. The distance from the paddock to the pound would be about nine and a-half miles, aud Compton had cold him that he had the sheep m the pound before five o'clock m the morning. Had heard that Compton waa seen m the town at half-past eleven the nighb before, and 5£ hours was too short a time m which to drive the sheep. They had been overdriven, and he estimated the damage done to them at £10. He got no warning from Oompton at all. By Mr Purnell— Had heard no complaint from Gibson, who had taken down the fence enclosing the road. Had wanted to lease the road, but the authorities refused, because ifc was wanted for the perpetual lease settlera.— James Daly knew the class of sheep Welsh had, and had had a good deal ot experience. More time should be taken ab night m the driving of sheep than m the daytime. A mile and a half an hour would be hard driving .it night, but it depended on circumstances. — W. H. Rule had land at Dromore, and knew Gough's [land." There was a road opposite Gough's, which had been fenced m for some years. Had no knowledge of the Road Bu.trd doiug auyihing with this road. Had known the road for thirteen years, and it had been open to tlis public for that time. — J. A. Poofe, Clerk to the Wakanui Road Board, said the road opposite Gough's section was not shovvu on auy of the Board's maps, an i it had not beeu taken charge of m auy way by the Board, who kuew than Gough had fenced the road, aud did not interfere. By Mr Purnell— Compton had beeu authorised to impound stock off all roads m the district, the Board's map was incomplete m several cises, and did nob show the village settle ment roads io. every instance. The Board had declined to form this road because it was not a continuous one, and the adjacent property yielded bub little m rates. The fences had beeu created, before he was Clork. — Mr Furnell, m opening for the defence, said the Act was such that all public roads m the district were under the charge of the Road Board, whether they were maintained or work done on them or not. He ca'led m evidence— Francis William Hunt, of the Public Works Department, who produced a map of the department showing ihe read m question to be one of the ordinary roads of the district. — James Gibson occupied land next to Gough, and had known for six yeirs • hat there was a road there. Had com plained to Compton that Welsh was feeding his sheep on his place, and asked Compbou to come and take the sheep away. He came out to witness's pLce about twenty minutes to one o'clock on the morning of November 28, and took away the sheep up the line. Had fenced m the piepe of roid opposite his place, but Welsh's sheep had eaten off all his oat". By his Worship — Was complaining now of VVelsh doing what he himself had been doing. — -Robert Gibson also gave evidence. •^•A. A. JTooks was Clerk to the Board before Mr Poole. Did not remember giving Gough any sanction to fence the road, though lus cousin John may have done bo. — Alexander Shaw, living at the pound, was working there when tlie sheep arrived. Ho counted them and put them m a ten acre paddock with plenty of grass. They were shorn hoggets and showed no signs of fatigue. Welsh nude no com p.lainb to hi-n as to the sheep's condition. They arriye<s at five o'clock. — W. de B. Compton corroborated the^ evidence of Gibson as to the impounding, and also said he had satisfied himself at the Road Board Office and Connty . Council office as to the road. The sheep were impounded at Gibson's requesb. He took the sheep away at twenty minutes to one, and arrived m Ashburton ab five o'clock. It was bright moonlight, aud five weather. I Left Ashbittr ton a,t nine o'clock m the evening. Charged driving' fees for eight 1 miles buly. By Mr Wilding — Poole was not' certain about Mjerpad being on the map. — Donald McLean, Laghmor, sad CJDmptQu had im pounded his sheep on occasions, bub i hey had never been illused.in any way. Four to five hours would; be a reasonable time to take m driving shorn hoggets over eight miles, if there was no desue to feed them on the road — George Robertson said two and a half miles an hour would nob be overdriving m cool weather. — His Worship said the question for decision was whether Compton was authorised to impound stock from this enclosure, which fcha occupier had been m possession of ftir a number of years» He wpuld take time to consider his' decision. : By 1/i.ws -si. Maccuilum, a young man, waa dismissed with a uiution against rising his bicycle on the footpath. — Hugo Fried lander was fined 5a for obstructing a foot path with a iiors*. A , H. Williams was dia missed for a similar offence, with a caution. Tub Half Holiday. — Fletcher Bros, were charged with having on November 2€ kept theii' shop open till half past two m the afternoon 1 , m contravention of tho Sh< pa and Shop Assistants Act, such day being a ha'f holiday under the stitute. Mi? Wjlding appeared for the inspector, aud Mr Crisp for tho defendants. — Constable Ede, inspector under the c\cfc, said he ha/1 been m tructed to lay an inf.ormu.tjon against Fletcher Bros. — Constate Jackson said that on fche day named, and at the hour mentioned, ' he was passing Fletcher's shop when Mr Flefpher came out m his shirt sleeves and delivered a parcel to a dray standing on the street, The door of the grocery department was wide open, and it was from this door thab the parcel was brought out. t By Mr Crisp— Did not know if any of Messrs Fletcher's assist ants were m the shop. The whole affair took only '-'thres .minutes. Mr Crisp's conten tion was th'afc'tßfe Blum #as not open m the sense of the ;! Act." This facts were that before twelve o'clock his clia it had received an order from a farmer to, the extent of over £4. The farmer said his dray would be m for the goods, after it had delivered wool at the wool store. The farmor came in' at a quarter to one, and said the drays were ooming now, 'but would have io deliver tho wool fired Xhe tanner wanted

y the goods sent over to the wool store, but ap •he shop cait was away theeoodscouldnot be s ent. Mr b'letcher, promised, however, m t!>e circumalancc-s i.o come do* n at two o'clock ami deliver the g'oda then, and he did so. The n.an was n<>t m the shop at all. — The Bcnoh did not think t!iu case, though an infringement, of the Act, was one m which punishment was deserved aud dismissed the case. Rkscub. — Joseph Tait was chargrd with having/ illegally rescued a ho;se fiom the custody of Spencer Complon, acting as r.iuger for the Wnkunui Road Board. Tait pleaded not -guilty, and was defended by Mr (Jrisj , Mr (Juthberc&oh appearing for the pouutikecper The. case waß heard at Borne length, and at its close the Bench thought the ca r ; e was one of somewhat sharp practice, and dismissed it. Civil Cases.- J. Hesiltine v Mrs G. T.it,, £5 12s 6,1 ; J. Orr and Co. v.Crosbie, £10 16s lid ; Femman v Hartle, £10 53. Judgment m each case by default.

CORRESPONDENCE.

\ OVe do not hold ourselves respons'b c for the I opinions expressed by our correspondents,

A SUGGESTION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sin,— Christmas, with all its festivities, will soon be upon us, and doubtless there are many who are planning their mode of enjoym nt, and with the highest expectations of Having a big time of it. I would like to suggest that we who are more fortunate than others might contribute towards giving the inmates of the Old Men's Home a Christmas dinner. I feel confident that the master and matron of the above institution would thankfully receive any gifts the generous-hearted may feel disposed to for w aid, *ad need scarcely say would be most acceptable to the men. Hoping someone with more leisure time will further the suggestion, and thanking you m antici pation, I am, etc., A Young 'un.

MR LEADLEY'S CONSISTENCY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Now that I have succeeded m com ing to terms', with yourself, and trust that we'll know one another better m the future, I crave space m your valuable journal to reply to Mr G. W. Leadley's gratuitous self glorification and inconsistency. ,Mr Leadley "thinks" that the illadvised re marks made by Mr Wright m returning thauks at ihe rostrum calia for a " word or two." Wh*t Mr Wright said on that oc casion ia undoubtedly approved of by all right-thinking men und women, and de bet yes to be written m golden letters. And as one who opposed Mr Wright (and if he and 1 live to see another contest will probabl y do so again) ib will be seen that my entire approval of his utterances are not chronicled with the view to gaining any favours whatever. Oh ! inconsistent Mr Leadley, your letter shows (your facts) weakuess from top to bo torn, and you truly deserve the characte risation that. is keeping one very good man (Hou John Bryce) from entering the walls of Parliament, viz., for penning such you ought to be ashamed of yourself .—I am, etc, Dan Brick. Tara, Dec. 17, 1896.

COMMERCIAL.

ADDINGTON MARKET.

Christohurch, December 17 There was a large entry of stock and a good attendance. Fat Cattle. — The entry of fat cattle waa one of the largest seen m the yards, no less than 310 head being penned, and the bulk consisted of prime steers and heifers. The supply was, -however, so much m excess of the demand that prices suffered a decided decline, prime beef bringing only 163 to 18s 6d per iOOlbs, and second quality 123 6d to 15s per lOOlbs. Steers sold at £4 2* 6d to £10, heifers £42s 6d to £8 17a 6d, and cows £3 2s6d ; ,to£B sn. • "' Dairy and Store Cattle. — There waa a larger entry of dairy cows than usual but they again met with a somewhat dragging sale at all prices from £3 10s to £6 17a 6d. The store cattle pens were filled with a good entry of mixed young stock, but there was little demand, and but few Bales were ma.de. Pias. — There was a medium yarding of piga, and for anything prime iv fit there was a good demand ; stores, which formed a 'arge portion of the entry, being easier. Bacouers and porkeis made from 3|d to 3£d per Ib for prime sorts and down to 3d for medium quality. The range of values per head was — Bacouers 29s to 43a 6 J, porkers 163 to 255, and stores 7s 6J to 153. Store SJHEysp. —There were only a few small lots pi store sheep yarded, for which there was not much demand shown. Cross, bred ewes and lambs sold at 33 Id, 5s 6d, and 5s lOd, hoggets 7a 6d," and crossbred we' hers 8s 4d. Fat Lamus.— There" was a heavy yarding of fab lambs and keen competition for freezers, but prices' throughout were not up to last week's rates. Freezera sold at 10s 6d to 133 6d, and secondary sorts at 63 6d £0 10s. • . . Pat Sheep. — There was an average yard ing of fat sheep, the bulk being crossbred ewes, and only one line of exhibition sheep for Christmas purposes. The sale was dull throughout, and prices for all descriptions, especially crossbred ewes, were easier. Extra prime Southdown wethera 17a to 19a, crossbred weihers made 9a 6d to 12s, maiden ewes 8a 6d to 8a lOd, best crossbred ewes 7* 6d to 10s, medium 6s to 7', inferior 4s 6d to 5s 6d, merino wethers 4s 7d to 6s 6d.

DUNEDIN WOOL SALES.

Press Association — By Electric Telegraph. Dunbdin, December 17. At the first wool sale of the season to-day 4051 bales were catalogued s and there was k full attendance of buyers, the English, colonial, and local manufacturers being well represented. The prices, although equiva lent to London values, were not equal to last season* Longwool and croßsbreda were £d to a Id below the prices ruling at the open ing sale last year. Merinos have > not suffered to j)he riame extent, but, owiDg to the superior condition of the wools, some of the clips realised prices almost equal to those of last season. The following was the range of values ; — Threequarteibred and long wools of sound staple »d 4 light condition 7d to 7g il, fair to medium 6d to 6|l, crosabreds (well grown and m light condition) 7£d to Bd, ordinary 6jd to 7d. halfbreds (good to super.) 7§d to B£d, fair to medium 6|d to 7^d, menno3 (good super.) 7d to 7|J, fail* to medium 6d to 6^d, crossbred pieces (light and bulky) s^d to 6J^d, crossbred pieces (waaty and small) 4d to 4|d, locks 1M to 2id. ;

THE WEATHER.

The hopes of a change of weather which were formed on Thur day afternoon, when a c':unge of wind brought up rain from tb« south, have been disappointed The i»n only lasted for two or three hours, a d owing to the previous long spe'.l of dry hot weather, the effect of the shower upon tie grass a-rd the crops will lie hardly perceptible. It is ;o be ftai'd th;t the season will be a phenom na'ly dry one, ■ n I we ecather from our exchanges that a himilu-r condition of things cxi ta f om the Nor h Cape tojhe Bluff

CABLE NEWS.

• 7~ Some and Foreign. PreßS Association — By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. Russia m Africa. X>ondon, December 17 An Aden correspondent of the Times states that the Russian cruiser Zaporo h*tz has annexed a square mile of the coast at Rehita, and removed the signs of Italian protection. An Improved Bullet. Tue Indian Military Department has approved of a ballot invented by Captain Bertie Gordon Olay, and con siders that it will be a great improve' ment on that now m use m the Lee- Metf ord rifles. .„ - ■ The French Navy. Paris, December 17 In the Chamber of Deputies, M. Bernard said France would be unable to confront the navy of the Triple Allianc3 everywhere, and if Germany increased the number of her warships it was imperative for France to do likewise. Apology to Germany. Berlin, December 17. Portugal has apologised to Germany for the affront offered to the German flag m Delagoa Bay. Turkish Affairs. Constantinople, December 17. The Porte professes that to grant an amnesty to 9000 Armenian prisoners would provoke a Moslem rising. Incendiarism. Capetown, December 17 The fire at Mr Cecil Rhodes's resi dence was the result of incendiarism. His Zimbaye relics were destroyed.

Australian.

Bicycle Accident. Melbourne, December 17 Mr Justice Hodges, whilo cycling, was run into by another rider, and had his leg broken and his ankle dislocated. The Constitution Reform Bill. The President of the Council ruled the Constitution Reform BM out of order, 8s it was not introduced m the manner prescribed by the Constitution Act. Decrease of Tick. "Encouraging reports have been re ceived' as to the decrease of tick. It is disappearing from old infected dis tricts and its spread has also been arrested by the dipping operations which are proving very effective.

COLONIAL RECIPROCITY.

1 Mr Seddon's Proposed Conference* Presß Aasociation — By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. Sydnry, December 17. Referring to Mr Seddon's proposed conference, the Telegraph says that as New Zealand is not even now a par ticipant m the Federal movement, and, m fact, avowedly means to keep aloof from it, there is no earthly reason why the Premiers on this side of the Tasman Sea should make long trips across to try and arrange a scheme for business relations which the New Zealand Premier desires to haye established, and which m the very remote event of anything at all p,£ th.c kind, being done, would probably hays to be declared off if Federation game about, because, whatever the fiscal policy of Australia might be, it is very unlikely indeed that it would provide for special tariff concessions to an unfederated colony, and m any case the subject wojild have to be gone into again de novo. What there is to be gained by the Conference that New Zealand would benefit by as a matter of fact is very little. Experience shows that under the most favourable condition 0 , reciprocal colonial trade relations would be difficult to establish because so many hostile interests are represented m the Parliaments which* have to endorse the scheme, and because they are difficult to sustain when established, but if Mr Sedd n has anything to say or propose, arid ii: no Conference will suit him th*t is not held practically within his own ■lines, he can write. There is no barm m discussing the idea. On the con trary good may result m the iorm of the education of the people of New Zealand on the subject of federation. Adelaide, December 18. In the Assembly the Premier stated that Government favored M? Seddon's ■ idea of a federal meeting of .the Premiers m New Zealand. South Australia would be represented at all gatherings likely to promote a federal spirit. Government were prepared to go on with federation without Queens* land, if the other colonies desired. ! "' Brisbane, December I§. In the Assembly the Premier?- m reply to Mr Drake, said Government had no intention of being represented at the Federal Convention unless it was postponed till after next session. Meanwhile they would take no action I m the matte/.

TEE AiiHßUßTptt GtJAKDiAft : tfBILAY, DECEMBEK iS, 1*96



Mothers wilpfind" Ch^mbjefrdin's Cough Remedy especially valu\ble for croup ancl whooping cough; It wi-l?glye prompt relief and is safe and pleasant. We have. ?(?ld it for seyeral yeara and it has never failed to give the tr o§t perfect satisfaption. Q. W R cliards, Duquesrie, Pa.' Sold by the Ashl. burton LyauG Company. It will be seen by a new advertisement m another column that Messrs Craighead and Berryman are probably now showing the largest stock of new tweeds and fashionable tailoring goods ever exhibited m Ashbur- ton. This speaks well for their enterp B ;«e and local industry. One Box of «tABK B s 841 Pills warran ttd to cure all discharges from the Urinaiy Jrgans, m either ser (acquired or cons i niuniml), Gravel and Pains m the Back GhArranteed free from. Mercury. ;i Sold m Boxes 4s 6d'each, by all Chenusteand Patent medicine Vendors throughout the World r-oi'ii-tion :Thk Linooln ako MiDLAjm OoD-n« < 7 <uao UoMPAai, I wofc, K n? lJS|



Synopsis of New ApyErepisEapHTS. Asa Delroy Company"~To-night, ' R. Murray and Sou— -Special notice for Christmas. J Orr and Co. —New advertisement re e'eotroplate goods, Aahburton County Huut Clvb — General meeting. S rasburg Clock— Notice. Cdledoniaa Society— Entries. Railway.; Department — Qhriatmaa ex- cursions. ■ . '■■ • • "•' • '-,' Fletcher Bros — Eeculina, etc. Fire Briga ?e — Meeting. pelroy Company— Oddfellows' Hall, to- night. Holloway's Pii^s.— rChangesof- 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 aperient pills are the best remedy for all defective action of the diges- tive organs. They augment the appetite, strengthen the stomach, correct biliousness, and carry off all that is noxious from the system. Holloway's Pills are composed of rare balsams, unmixed wich .baser matter, arid on that agcountai peculiarly adapted for the young, delicate, and* aged, Aa this peerless medicine has gained fame (m the past, so it will preserve it m the future by its renovating and invigorating qualities, and the impossibility of its doing harm. 1 lrom the Tea' tlant to the Tea Cup uqudultepted,— Tbiij is Kozis TIJA



Kbatino's Powder aestroya bugß, fleas, mv.h's, beetles, and' all other insects, whil&t gui c h r'mless to dor^aßtio animals. In tx'erminating beetles the euc^eßS of this; powder is ex raordinary. It 'is perfectly i clean fp app'ioauon. See the 'article you purchase \s QMTf g's, m irai ations are noxious and ineSeotii>U, S.ojd m tins, 6d, Is and 2s 64 eaoh, by a! oheinJßti. "



Wanted. WANTKD Known.— Feculina. Fecu- lina. Auother shipment of this CYlubrated Cake Flour at Fletcher Bros., Cat h Supply Stores. 1 "TT 7" ANTED everyone to know that V V Fletcher Bpos. do a most extensive Business, acknowledged by a member of the . Force here ou Thursday afternoon, December DID you ever hear the like ? Men s best Canvas Shoes 5s 6d, at Mellor's Tancred street <1 TIT ANTED Known— Large delivery of r YV the " Economic " Kid Gloves, four buttons, Is 9d per pair, worth much more. W. H. Collier. WAN TED Known — We have justopened a line of cheap all wool Suits and Trousers. Good cut and splendid value. Tennis and workiug Shirts m great variety. —Mitchell and Turner /CHRISTMAS numbers of Young Ladies \J Journalß, Graphic, London News, Pears' Annual, and others. New volumes of Girls' and Boys' Annuals, Sunday at Home, Leisure Hour, Sunshine, Little Folks, etc. A^choice assortment of Christ- a mas and New Year Ct*rda, at tempting prices. — Andrewes, Anderson & Co, XX7 ANTED Known— Mellor s Sale ff surpassing anything ever heard of m ftsshburton 10 b rpHERE is no doubt, no possible doubt J_ that you get Good Value for you f money at Mellor's. ■XTTANTED Known— That E. Mahooj> yy is still selling all kinds of G.ocery Crockery, and Glassware at as reasonable a price as any other house m the ttade. Orders by letter or telephone promptly • attended to. Families waited on daily. Telephone No 76 WANTED Known— The Economic Kid Glove, four buttons, la 9d per pair, is the Glove for every day wear. — W. H. Collier. STUDY Economy and patronise^VlELLOß's Cheap Boot Sale. NOTICE.— Are you going to build Because the cheapest shop for Roofing Iron Ridging, Gutters, Nails, Lead, Spout- ing, Water Tanks, Pumps, Ranges, Register Grates, Locks and Hinges, Washiug Soilers, and all sorts of Ironmongery, is J. W. Hardley's, Ironmonger, Plumber, and Tinsmith. Telephone 32. WHAT do I see before my eyes ? A Cheap sale of Boots at Mellor's. \ "VTTT"E lead, follow who may. Children's yy Silppers Is. Mellor's Tancred street. . r I IHE early bird catches the early worm', X ao call at Mellor's Cheap Boot Sale.



Public notices. THE OHRIbTMAS HOLIDAYS. NEW ZEALAND r* LOTHING Tf ACIORY Light Summer Coats from 6s 61 I .lght Summer Suits from 10s 6d Light Wajhiug Vests, slightly soiled 2s 6i Light Blue Serge Suits fur gammer weai 16s 6d Boys' Washing Suits, all Bizes 43 6d SPECIAL PURCHASE. Boyß' Drill Suits, all sizes 6s 9d, usua price 10d 6d. F^ R TRAVELLING. Portmanteaux from 10s 6d Steel Trunks from 103 6d Gladstone Bags, Black and Nut Brown. STRAW~HATS. Boys' Straw Hats la, the best value it Ashburton Men's Panama Hats Is. BOOTS &~BHOES. Men's Black and Tan Canvas Shoes, bes quality 5s 6d Men's Leather Shoes 7s 6d, splendid valu< Men's Light Bootß for summer weat 8s 6c NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, ALEX. HENDRY Manager. _ . m I S * 3 a ft • O 3 5; I o 2 ?Rg 5 .. PH W ■■a i * « s ° .to S g » a 2 if" t^ 2 2 rH - » * w L_J .11 tt. Ghurcli Services. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH Ashbutton. Friday — Short .service, 7.30 p.m, ; Choi: practice, 8 p.m. Saturday — Confirmation class, 2 p.m. SUNDAY SERVICES. II a.m. — Morning Prayer and Holy Com munion. 3 p.m.— DROMORE. - 6.30 p.m. — Evening Prayer. REV T. A. HAMILTON. Wanted. IHBaRD a map say that Mellor is selling Boots Won ierfully Cheap. WANTED Known^r-What the people say. That Anprw O^R has th« largest and best assorted stock of Boots m Canterbury. 11 125 IF YOU WANT the Newest and Nicest Millinery, Trilby Muslins, and Dress Goods, go to Mrs Alcorn's. Di eases made on the premises. Fit guaranteed. WANTED £nown— looo p»irs of Boots to be sold m twjsnty-one days at , Mbllor's. MILLINERY— Ladies should inapect the new Millinery, Capei, Mantlesi Jackets, Blouses, French and English Corsets ; all new and up lo date. — A. Orb,. 11 126 WANTED Known— Go to the Corner for Newest Styles m Drapery and Millinery — W. H. Collier. WANTED — Every Lady m Ashburton to see fjpr Window of Blouse v?ood» ; bought at a big discount, and selling at less thaa wholesale prices. =^Mitch£|ll and Turner. MEN'S Bluchers ss, a good StroDg Nailed Sh >oter at 8s 6d ; a Dice assortment of Laaieß' and Children's Boots and Shoes from Is 9d a pair at R. Alcorn's. WANTED KNOWN —Mrs Huffam having taken the premises lately occupied by Mr O. Neill, intends to open same as Ladies' Dining and Refreshment Rootrs, wher-e visitors will fiud a long felt want supplied. Meals at all hoyra. A few boarders will find all the ,comf<?rte of a ; home. . ; ■. ■ . i NBW BOOKS.— The Grey Man, Crochet, The Sealskin Cloak, Bolder Words, The Rose of AUandale, Stables, The Next Crusade, Cromie, Sappers and Miners, G. M. Fenn, London Pride, Braddon, Christmas Numbers and Magaziues, Christmas and New Year Cards. — H, M. Jones. A FULL assortment of new Veilings m while, black, and black and white. Buy the celebrated new kid glove -The Victory — only 2s 6d. Th.9 beat glove m New Zealand for the money.— A. Q&R. " it m WHERE, Oh where, is that Cheap Boot Shop ? Mellob's Zealandia Boot Store. NOW'S your time to Buy. Tfcflre is a Big Sale at Mellor's Zealandia Boot ; Store. . i OWN Make m Ladies' and Children s Underclothing, Aprons, and Pina- fores ; also a good assortment of Calicoes, Muslins, Flannelettes, Trimmings, etc., at Mrs Alcorn's new shop, Baker's Buildings. MOTHERS and fathers who have to provide Boots and Shoes, should call at Mellor's z.ea{&ud.ia Soot Store,



Busine s Notices GOOD WASHING PRINT, 3£d. WHITE MUSLIN, 3s lid per doz, AT G. J. NEILL'S. A BEAUTIFUL SUMMER DRESS FOR 6s lid AT G. J. NEILL'S. Flannelettes 3Ad yard. The Best Turkish TOWELS m Ashburlon are at— G. J. NEILL'S. •T>O*S' Navy Blue Sailor Suits 4s lid, J3 Men's Tweed Trousers 5s lid, : Men'b Heavy Colonial Tweed Suits 25s 6d, at G. J. NEILL'S. Ladies Laoe Shoes, 4s lid. Ladies' two-strap Shoes, 4s lid. AT G. J. NEILL'S. ' '■ A ■ ? L»dieß\ Matdn*, and Children's TAtt SHOES of Every Description, ab Very Low Prices, AT G. J. NEILL'S, FRIEDLANDER'S CORNER, EAST STREET. WE HAVE PURCHASED A WAREHOUSEMAN'S STOCK OP LIGHT PBINTS VABK CKEPONS MUSLINS COEDETTES ETC, ETC. *• mHESE GOODS ARE PERFECTLY FRESH ANl> NEVV, and the Latest Stuffs for BLOUSES. BEE .-WINDOWS FOR PMCES. MITCHELL & TURNER'S. NEW FIRM -:- -:- -:- ... ... .:- NEW FIRM SAVE MONEY BY DEALING WITH MITCHELL & BRODRIBB NO BAD DEBTS. NO OLD SrOOK THAT ACCUMULATES BY YEARS of BUSINESS rjpHE Public should only consider what they, can save by dealing with JL a Oash Firm, where they do not have to pay for the great losses that are occasioned by Bad Debts. MITCHELL & BRODRIBB BUY AND SELL FOR OASH, THEBEFORK THEY ARE ABLE TO GIVE BETTER VALUE THAN ANY OTHER PLAGE IN ASHBURTON. — A Yew Quotations will be Convincing — Brown (Ribbed Panta (heavy) la 6d —worth Ladies' Hoae, fast colors, plaiu and ribbed, Is lid 6d pair .Men's Socks 6d— worth 9d White and Brown Turkisli Towe's, only 6d Harvester Hats B^d— worth Is White Calico, grand value, at 2s lid— l2yds Blucher Boots 4s lid— grand value The Best Value for Flannelettes m Heavy Shooters 9* lid— worth 12s 6d . Ashburton. Ladies' Gem Shoes, Special, 4s lid— worth Heavy Twill, 4s lid dozon— worth 7d a yd g s 6d A. -plen^id Line of Corsets, all sizes, at Hairline Tweed Trousers 8s 6d— -oheap at ls . lld , L, „ , , . 10 a 6,1 The Best Assortment of Sunshades m town, Felt Hats from 2s 61 . J ro , m \ s „,, We have the Choicest Assortment of Hats Ladies' Sailor Straws, all shades and shapes, m town. f rom 9d each— Pick your own shape 12yds Strong Print for 3s lid— Cheap at 6s and trimming, and have your A Beautiful Summer Tweed Is Id, double Millinery done Free of Charge, width FULL EANGES OF KAIAPOI AND MOSGIEL CLOTHING. MEASUBED GARMENTS A SPECIALTY. iA a /*rv FULL SUIT FROM AQ« /^ 49S oJL> full sdit from 4:ys t>l> MITCHELL & BRODRIBB, BAST STREET,