TO CORRESPONDENTS.

In view of the libel laws, we cannot pub lish a letter we have received re; the Friendly Societies Sports m December last. Besides the matter referred to seems to concern the Societies interested rather than the general readers of a newspaper.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1896.

From a private letter received by a Mosgiel resident from a relative resid ing ia Sydney the distress m Advocate has been Sydney. permitted to make the following ex tract : — " The distress existing m Sydney is heartrending. There are hundreds of men, women, and children who are homeless and starving. To give you an idea of the extent of the distress and poverty, I may mention that at a recent sitting of the directors of the Benevolent Asylum the meeting •ontimued from 9 30 m fche morning until 4 p.m. As the result of a deputa tion of women that waited on the Premier for the purpose of asking for ' work for the unemployed the sura of £2,000 was granted to the Benevolent Asylum to be expended m affording relief to the unemployed and their wives and families till work was pro vided for them. The general staff of the asylum was engaged m issuing relief m the shape of groceries, food, blankets, and boots from 7 a.m. till 8 p.m. An adjournment of thirty minutes was made for lunch, but no time could be spared to partake of tea. In all, 6so men and women, represent ing 2,630 persons, received assistance. The maximum allowance was six leaves of bread, 6lb flour, 6lb meat, 31b sugar, ilb tea ; the minimum (for two persons) being four loaves, 21b flour, 21b meat, and a small quantity of sugar and tea. Upon one day this week the ordinary distribution to widows and orphans took place, the number of cases re lieved being 1000, representing 3,000 adults and children, And this m prosperous Sydney— the paradise of •«--»Wojkj&gman! r '

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tommy (inqui ingly) : * Mamma, is this hair-oil m this botile 1 Mammi : ' Mercy, no ! That's glue.' Tommy (nonchalantly, : 1 That's why I can't got my hat off ' First boy— 'You're 'fraid to fight, that's what.' •No I ain't ; but if I fight you, my mother'll lick me.' ' How will she find Id out, eh ? ' * She'll see the 1 doctor going to your house.'

The crusade against gambling In corn is gradually spreading. It was lately made the subject of a statement m the lower house of the Aastrlan Reichstag by the Minister for Agriculture, who pledged himself that everything m the power of the executive should be done to put an effectual check on it.

Dc Leith Napier, the specialist, who has just given up a London practice worth £2000 a year to become Resident Physician at the Hospital, is a relative of General Sir Charles James Napier, the hero of Scinde. The witty warrior announced the viotory to the Governor-General of India by telegraphing one word — Peccavi.

Yesterday His Honor Mr Justice Dennis ton, sitting m Ohmtohurcb, gave judgment for the Trustees m the action to quash the legacy of Mr George Cole Moule to the Old Men's Home. His Honor found for the defendants, so that the legaoy will be devoted as the testator desired, and the Home will get the benefit of ib.

At the lecture to be given by the Rev. G. B. Inglis m the Oddfellows' Hall to morrow night, the views to be shown comprise one of the finest selections ever brought to Ashburton. They were coloured by the beet London artists, and are magnifioently mounted; They will be shown by one of the finest apparatus m Canter bury, and apart from their artistic excellence should be of interest personally to very many people m the districr, who hail from the parts of the Home country of which these views are photographs.

The following is a more definite descrip tion of the boundaries of the Ashburton electorate, but the Gazette containing them m full will be to hand shortly : Ashburton comprises the riding of Mount Somers of the Ashburton Coun'y, the road distric's of Wakanui, Upper Ash burton, Longbeach, and Rangitata of the Ashburton county, the town districts of Hampstead and Tinwald, the borough of Ashburton, and that small portion of the Coldstream road district situated east of Lowcliffe road, Islesworth road, and sfcuth of the boundary road.

The free library movement has travelled as far as Siara. In November last the first free reading-room and library at Bangkok was opened, and the number of readers nowamoun^s to something over a thousand a week, and the weekly lectures are well attended, and followed with ke«n interest. The subjects range from the doctrine of Karma to book-keeping. It is now Inten ded to have regular courses In connection wi h tho library. A discussion m the pages of the V.jiranan, a monthly mag*z'ne, as to whether novels should find a place on the shelves of the library, shows that m so.ne things the East is not far from the West.

An exciting Fcene was witnessed on the banks of the Regent's canal, near New North rop.d bridge, Bristol. A little boy "ir»ht years of a^o, accidentally fell into the cinni and was carried into mid-stream whfire. ho. s-ink There waa a panic among i he boys present; hut one of their number- F.vederick L^ngdon, fourteen y.ifirs _>f <»g*— pul'ed off hia co*b and dived ia after the drowning child. He managed to catch hold of the hair of the boy and bring h m to th-3 eurfsc9, and thence to "ho bank. If. is sail by those who saw die occ irrei-oe that Langdon was consider ab'y exhausted. and behaved most .pluekily. This little fellow Is made of 'the right material. Has the all-round athlete disappeared ? Ace >r'ire *o Mr B. Fletcher Robinson, m CasselVs Magazine, he haa. When the love of athletics spread from school and University to the people, athletes began to ' specialise 'm their sports. All-round men became few and far between. A man became a mile-runner, a high-jumper, a five-mile bicycle racer, and did not attempt to combine the three. Increased competition and increased efficiency forbade it. Style was seen to increase speed, and style was cultivated. As speed became the main thought of the athlete, f record-worship,' as it has been fitly called, sprang into existence. To I such an extent has it been carried that it has proved a curse rather than a blessing to. athletics of all description. A person not m the know learned something to-day. Seeing a business man telephoning to another almost nexb door, he enquired * why not run over and see him ?' The reply was instructive. •Be cmse I may be kept waiting, but the telephone must be attended to.' By the way, it may be mentioned that while the attention and correctness of the telephone officials leaves nothing to be desired— the conversations of others constantly interjected while one is using the instru. ment mix up matters a good deal occasion ally. A few days ago the writer was conversing with a person when he heard a ring and a voice asked to be ' put on to ' the name person. The latter then said * I must ring off as I hear I am wanted.' This suggests thab an improvement is desirable. A large number of householders as sembled m the Winslow school on Monday August 10 for the purpose of electing a new Committee, the previous eleotiori having been declared invalid by the Board of Education. Mr Robert Kennlngton, the late chairman, was voted to the chair, The following were the nominations; — Messrs Cookie, Bain^y, Shlllito, Smart, Kennington, Ry«i. Kennedy, Drennan. Grace, McGee, and Wilson. On a ballot? being taken the votes appeared as follows : —Wilson, 18 ; Kenningbon. 17 ; Shillito, 16 ; Smart, 16 ; Drennan, 16 ; McGee, 16; Ryan, 14 ; Cockle, 10 ; Kennedy, 10 ; Grace, 8 ; Ralney 7. The first seven were therefore declared duly elected. Three cheers were immediately given for the new committee. At the committee meeting held subsequently, Mr Roberb Kennington was unanimously re-elected chairman,

English breeds of horses (says the Live Stock Journal) are the best m the world by common universal consent ; and per haps it is no exaggeration to say that English horsemen— on the turf, In the field, on the highway, m the park— are the most accomplished. A rational system of breaking m and the best-appointed i t tappings also, with slight exceptions, prevail amongst as. The command our skilled grooms and coachmen have over their high-mettled animals m the streets of London — m orowded Piccadilly and the orush of Hyde Park Corner— ls a frequet I subject of remark by the foreigner, distinguished and ordinary. The pictur esque docility and perfecb manners of oar carriage pairs m ths madding crowd strike the most unobservant passer- by. Homebred or foreign, made m Germany or elsewhere, they are soon trained to perfect subjecbkn ab the hand of the driver. True, bearing reins are occasion ally found" too tight, and faulty handling ni!) y be seen ; bub on the whole the driving and equipment a-e admirable, and, of more importance, they are steadily 1 improving. | Many ladies complain the Tea they have been using has nejjbher strength nor flavor. If they try Kozie Tea they wjfll be satisfied The 2/4 ia superb

Address on Prohibition.

Under the presidency of Mr G. W. [ Leadlay, a large audience assembled last I nighi. m the Oddfellows' Hall to hear an \ address on prohibition by Mr T. E. Taylor. I After the usual introductory remarks Mr I Taylor proceeded with his address, lie j traversed a good deal of the ground usually j coveted by platform advocates of prohi- ' bition, and ridiculed the idea that a hotel keeper was entitled to any compensation for loss of license as the result of the people's vote. He pointed out that, suppose a section, building, and furniture had cost £3000, and after use as a hotel it had acquired a value as such up to fc7ooo, the : increased value had not been earned, and it was a part of Mr Taylor's political creed that the unearned increment belonged to the people, to do with as they chose. The publican paid his £40 or £45 license fee for permission to retail liquor for a year. At the olose of that year the agreement be tween him and the State ceased, unless the State; as represented by the Licensing Com mittee, elected by the people, chose to renew the license. Mr Taylor was very severe on what he said were the usual lies told before those Licensing Committees when licenses were asked for. He then replied to the argument so often advanced, that prohibi tion was an attack on the liberty of the subject. The liberty of the individual had to sink to a very large extent m face of the requirements of the community m which the individual lived. The individual could only have the fullest liberty when living m an isolated position, and even there he would find that that liberty had limits Bet to it by the law of the land. He laughed at the statement bo often made by the opposi tion, that under prohibition more liquor would be sold on the sly than had ever been sold under license. If there were any truth m this at all, if there were the slightest possibility of this being the fact, every publican and brewer m the colony would join the prohibition ranks to-morrow, for the trade was run wholly and solely for the profits it brought to those engaged m it. Mr Taylor then touched on the bare majority question. He said that when the prohibition movement was not aa strong as it is now, the publicans were quite content that the bare majority should decide all licensing questions, and the bare majority . decided mostly on the publican's side. Now the prohibition movement was too strong for the trade, and the trade wanted to handicap it by the three-fifths majority re quirement. He instanced how this worked, and how the weight of influence was ad justed under it. The proportion was as three to two, and take two of the most worthless of worthless bar loafers, and three of the most respectable and industrious farmers. The two loafers voted " license," but to carry the "no license" that the three farmers voted, all three votes were wanted* The trade wanted to hand over the question to the minority, which, when it was i a majority, had not been remarkable for its j virtue. On the one side were the publican and his bar loafer and drunken cnatomers, the spieler and the blackleg, the harlot and her following, the publican's wife and her bar retinue — this was the minority which it required a three-fifths majority to remove from power. The virtuous mother, anxious for the morality of her sons had only one vote, but the barmaid and her mistress had a vote each and a bit. Prohibition five years ago did not bulk largely m the public eye. The press said it was beyond the range of practical politics, but the press had to acknowledge th'tt prohibition now was a living and a burning question, so live that the fate of ministries hung upon its solution. Mr Taylor then went on at great length to speak of the Popham-Taylor slander case. He was very severe on the young reporter who,not able to write shorthand, was yet prepared four months after his notes had been taken, to swear that the twenty-four words he had reported out of fifteen hundred spoken were the exact words of the speaker. This reporter had said he could write 100 words a minute —which no man m the world could do, using longhand characters — and Mr Taylor spoke at the rate of 150. The words charged against Mr Taylor were not the words he used, but as he had severely criticised the George street bar of Coker'a Hotel, he had no desire to hide from the consequences of that criticism behind the inaccuracy of an incompetents reporter, and so fought the question on the plea of justifi cation. He then ran over the whole of the evidence given, and criticised it. He was very rough on the police for their relations to and conduct towards the liquor traffic — 11 lackeys of the trade," he oalled them — and Inspector Broham would hardly have felt happy had he heard what Mr Taylor said of him. The address was replete with racy anecdote, happy illustration, lively humour / and stinging sarcasm, and was frequently and loudly applauded. At the close of the address Rev Mr Olphert moved a vote of thanks to Mr Taylor, an expression of opinion by the meeting that the verdict m the slander case was against she weight of evidence, and that the meeting had every confidence m Mr Taylor as a leader of the temperance cause. Mr Keir seconded the motion. Mr Silcock took exception to the second part of the motion, deprecating any attack on the court, and holding that the last clause was sufficient protest. The motion, however, was carried un amended.

Mr Harding moved that the members for the district be asked to support national prohibition, which Mr Lill seconded, and this too was carried.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting.

ROAD BOARDS.

LONGBEACH.

The monthly meeting of the Longbeach Road Board was held on Saturday last. Present — Messrs J. Grigg (chairman), James Bishop, J, McQuilkin, and A* Wilson. floop water. Mr W« Pearse wrote re flood water at Waterton School. — It was resolved to place the matter m the hands of the Board's solicitor. Mr E. Gr, Wright wrote re blockage of natural water, channel on Boundary Road. — The Surveyor was instructed to inspect the position and report at next meeting. i FORMATION. | Messrs <Tame, Dawaon, and others asked that a portion of B.each Road be formed: — Resolved that the petitioners be notified that the Board have already determined to do the work, The Charitable Aid Board forwarded a list of recipients of relief. DEPOSIT. Mr A- Urquharb asked for a refund of depdßit t money on his contract* — It was decided to allow Mr Urquhart to complete his contract m the dry weather. GRAVEL RESERVE. Mr J, McConnell wrote re rent of gravel reserve, Wheatstone. — Mr McOonnell was granted use of the reserye upon certain conditions. GENERAL RATE. Mr James Bishop gave notice that) he would move next meeting that a general rate be struck on the rateable properties within the district as follows : — Ho. 1 ward, 7-16ths qf a penny ; No. 2 ward, 9-16ths ; No. 3 ward, 5-16ths j No. *4 ward, 5-Bths ; Ho. 5 ward, 3-Sbhs of a penny m the pound. MISCELLANEOUS. A considerable amount of minor business was considered, and after passing accounts amounting to £25 19s, the meeting ad journed.

The Banking Committee

Wbtlington, August 11 The House Banking Committee met at 10 30 a m.

The chairman informed Mr Booth that the Committee had decided for tho pre sent to hold over the question which he had refused to answer on the previous day.

Me Booth, re-examined by Mr Hutchi son, said that certain documents which j he had been asked to produce would be rea< yon Wednesday. Aa to whether a Government Auditor should inquire into tba advances made by the president, he thought that, m view of existing ar rangements, the directors when they deemed it necessary should have the power of reporting to the Government any irregularities m the bank. That wrb the result of his experience, and not mere theory. He oould give any further information whether the advance of £20,000 had been redeemed by the Colonial Bank. It was perfectly safe and still m existence as a guaranteed account. He was not acquainted with the precise form m which the guarantee covered the £5000 advanced. Under clause 18 the Bank of New Zealand had the option within three months of taking over the accounts m O list. The Colonial Bank had power to call on the Bank of New Zealand to elect. He oould not say they did. so. They elected not less than one day from the end of the term. They had not been required to realise or liquid ate those acooums. When they refused to take over those accounts they were asked to realise or liquidate. They did not require any security for C list. The liquidators took the sole responsibility. The Bank of New Zealand was entirely quit of those accounts. Mr Hutchison — Do you object to pro duce O list ?

Mr Montgomery— l object to Mr Cooper prompting the witness. Mr Cooper— l claim that I am strictly 'within my tights. I have advised Mr Booth to s»y thai he will not produce C list.

The Premier— We have said that counsel may advise clients. We cannot gag them or diotate how they shall advise. The Chairman — That is so.

Mr Montgomery — Counsel may advise witness not to answer, but not how he shall answer.

"Witness— Though the accounts m 0 I list were not taken over by the Bank of New Zealand the list belongs to the bank", and to disclose particulars would be disclosing the private business of the i bank. I cannot say whether any amounts were debited to 0 list lasb November. I cannot say whether It waa m B list. In the form m which that question comes, I mnst decline to answer it. It might open up other matters. Mr Hutchison— lt Is already before the Committee m your previous evi dence. Was the liability of Biley to the Bat.k (f New Zealand or the Colonial Bank upwards of £74 000 1 Witness — I am unable to give any further information about that. Mr Hutchison — At present or aob at all? Witness—Not at all. The chairman — Will you ascertain ? Witnet-s— I will ascertain, but I will not hold myself responsible to produce the information. I have no knowledge of the correspondence as to the appoint* raenb of the liquidators m the Ward Association between the two banks, or regarding the appointment of liquidators of the Colonial Bank. Mr Hutchison — Have you any know ledge of correspondence regarding the Ward Association ? The Premier argued that the question wsk3 outside the order of reference, be cause m writing off had been proved. Mr Maslin said that it would be im possible to prove the writing-off if every question leading ,up to information on the subject of writing-off was ruled irrelevant. Mr Hutchison — We have now absolute proof of what was described m the agree ment as printing off, no matter what phraseology may be used, or what term the books may apply. The Premier said that they had the sworn evidence of Mr Booth that there was no printing-off m connection with the Ward Farmer's Association. The action of Mr Hutchison and Mr Maslin was merely a political attack on a late member of the Government. Mr Maslin argued that proof had been adduced of writings -off by the Bank of New Zealand. The agreement provided that the bank should write off the accounts m the right hand column of the C list. The bank ran the risk of losing £98,000 m that list if it did not fulfil the agreement. The Premier said that the Bank of New Zealand had not taken over the accounts, but had notified the Colonial Bank that it ( would not take over the accounts. Mr Montgomeiy — The bank was bound to write off these accounts from the time the agreement took effect. Witness — We had no need to write off. We have got the money. Mr Montgomery — I maintain that Mr Booth's former statement, that the agree* ment was carried out* is proof that the accounts m the C list were written off.

The Premier — They got the money. Mr Hutchison— That is raera phrasing, to say that those accounts were not written off. . *

The Premier quoted from the agree ment, and evidence to show that the purchasing bank had not used its option of taking over the accounts, and the acconnts, therefore, went back to the Colonial Bank m the same position as they were m before the agreement. The Chairman — With reference to this ' question, I am afraid my only course Is to rule that at the present time the question is premature and irrelevant. I have nothing to do with Mr Booth's evidence, but he has said definitely and positively that there has been no writing off. We must wait until we get the directors and officers of the Colonial Bank, when these questions may be ptoper. Mr Hutchison— Are you aware thab the Ward Farmers' Association is m liquida tion? The Premier objected. Mr Hutchison — Is not the Ward Asso ciation which is now In liquidation a debtor to the Bank of New Zealand. The Premier again objected, and the Chairman ruled thab the question would infringe the order of reference, excluding evidence regarding accounts as to which no writ ingsroff had been proved. Mr Hutchison— Were there any writ ings-off the accounts of John Riley ? Witness— l will not depart from the ) ground which I took up on the former question, but I can say there have been no writings-off oa that account. Mr Hutchison— Do you suggest that you did hob oomply m some respects with clause 18 of the agreement ?

Witness — No, we complied with what we believed was the meaning cf the clause. We did not return the money to the Colonial Bank for C list. We kept the cover of £55 233, part of the total cover of £327,305 for B and 0 lists. When the accounh was closed we handed over to I the Colonial Bank the cover of £55,233. I could not say what the position of the account of £94,000 was. It has been m the books for years, and is good. I must decline to answer. The £2,643.190. the value of the Colonial Bank assets when taken over was madei up a& follows : — Coin, bullion, cash, balance at bankers', etc, £363,08? ; money at the London brokers at call dn'd short notice, £45.000 j notes and balances due by other' banks, £9589; Government securities, consols, etc, £168,131 j remit tances m transit and awaiting maturity, £548,732 ; total, . £1,134,669. L»ad Q d

property and bank premises, £125,399 bills discounted aod other debts due to to the bank, £1 331.549. That last amount was dealt with an follows : - Good assets m A list, £926 138 ; assef-p B and C list, €225,772; total, £1301,970; remainder kept by hank, Jista B and O, £337.305 ; bank furniture and stationary, net, £6250 ; grand total of assets taken as good, £2,568,190; remainder of lists B and O, £327 305; allowance fur furni ture and stationary, £3467; together miking £330 772 To that you mesb add the a-sats which we did n»t take m D Hat £102 274 ; total assets, £3,001 236. Liabilities : notes m circulation, £107,307; Sill. wK yab! ? and oth6r "abilities, £457,887; d pdsits, £1,947 92J, less balanoe, the property of the bank, £6973; leaving a net amount of deposits for which , the bank Is liable, £1 940,349 : balances due to other banks, £3080 ; total liabilities to the public, £2,509,286; liabilities to shareholders — capital. £400,000 ; reserve fund, £65,000 ; profit and Jobs, £19,900; current account items, £9672 ; leaving a total of £491 952 for the tSS t Ai.t f ool ltemß; total HaWitfeg,' ££'»£'?£! »" fcotel amonnfc of good asset*, £2,568,190 ; total liability"*) the public! which the Bank of New Zealand assumes. £2 509,284; leaving a balance to the c « e 2Lo onnthe0 nn the Ool <»fcl Bank shareholder* nJr n™ 8 ,' amoant P»fa for the goodwill, l!oo°2? J fchus llega ™g to the shareholders, £133,906 j money left to cover B aad O lists, £327,305 ; making, With the last amount, a face value for consideration for the sale and purchase, £461,211. The knowledge which we had as to the In security of advances arose to some extent out of the negotiations, but the final information came just when we were on the point of coming to an understanding. We agreed to give £76,000 for the good will, and were asked to take over the properties at book value, and we were not willing to do that unless we got consider nS th 75 of these two accounts of £20,000 and £5000 being guaranteed by the Colonial Bank. * Mr Hutohison— Were the directors aware of the insecurity of these two ao counts before September ? Witness— l am not able to say. Mr Hutohison— Were you aware at the beginning of the resumption of negotia tions that these two accounts were in secure ? Witness— l am not able to say. . Mr Hutchison— fou decline to say ? Witness-Yes, I must decline to say anything further. We have made a £75,000, the goodwill ot the Colonial Bauk. We are satisfied that the Colonial Bank is good to the extent of £20,000 or £22,000. Surely £75,000 paid to seouie a business making profits to that amount is a good investment. Mr Hutchison-Tbat is your assump tton { F Witness -I cannot give particulars, we had a valuation made by the actine general manager, Mr Andrews, and after ?9nS?n a moBt o generous discount we have £20 000 to £22,000 a year, which is perfectly safe. Wo are satisfied that we made a good bargain. We took over only the good of the Colonial Bwk. iilnS* ia ? ob at P re 3ent earning £14,000 from the inscription of stock m iiondon. I cannot say how far the Imperial icbrecantly passed will affect thav The cost of the administration of the bank s business has increased owing to changes of great magnitude, the extra staff expenses m connection with the extended business, and the absorption of the Colonial Bank, Economy of ad ministration m future is being secured by the present action of the directors. It was resolved that the Committee apply to the House for a funher extension of twenty-one days. The Committee adjourned till Wednes day.

PARLIAMENTRY

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

wu r, WbM-WGTON, August 11 The Council met ac 2 30 p.m. FIBST READINGS | The Inspection of Machinery Aofc , Amendment; Bill and the Law Fraoti tioners and New Zealand Law Society Acts Amendment Bill were read a first time* IN COMMUTER In Commitee on the Pharmacy Bill the clause allowing the Government to license drug sellers was struck out, and anew sub-section added, exempting from the operation of the act any person whose business has been confined to the sale of homeopathic medicines. The Bill was reported with amend ments. TELEPHONE GIRLS Replying to Mr Jones, the Minister of Education said that there were on the the books 900 applications to enter the telephone service, and that telephone girls were not overworked or underpaid The Counell rose at 5 pro

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House met at 2.30 Mr Guinness took the chair In the > absence of the Speaker through illness. 1 BILLS INTRODUCED The Constitution Act; Amendment Bill, the Government Loans to Local i Bodies Aot Amendment Bill, and the 1 Government Advances to Settlers Act ' Amendment Bill, were - Introduced by 1 Message from the Governor and read a J first time. THB BANKING COMMITTEE 1 On the motion of Mr Graham, the 1 Banking Commitee was granted a ! further extension of 21 days m which to - bring down its report. 1 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, it was stated that it was not proposed to amend the general Land Act this session, bad that an amendment of the Laud for Settlement Aot would be introduced ; that the Tobacco Bill to be brought down shortly would compel all persons eellins! tobacco to take out licenses ; chat it had been decided to establish an experimental orchard, bufc the locality had not been decided upon • thab the Government were not prepared to hand over the management of co-opera tive works to local bodies. The House rose at 5.30. COMMITTEE OP SUPPLY, The House resumed at 7.30 pm. and went Into Committee of Supply for con sideration of the Estimates. The Colonial Secretary's < Department was first considered. Sir .1. Stout regretted that the G >vera. ment had continued their practice of preventing private members from moving any motion on going mbo Committee of Supply. He also compUined that the returns he had asked for were not furnished by the Government. . The Premier said that the talking power of the presenb House was stupendous, and although members had been speaking on the no-confidence debate for the last fort nighb, they now wanted to raise a debate on going into Supply. The usual exhaustive discussion took place on the first Item of the Estimates, covering nearly the whole of the depart ments m the public service. The State farm at Levin came m for a very large share of the discussion. ' '

THE ABHBUBTON GUARDIAN : WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1896.



Holloway's Ointment and Pills: — Abscesses, Erysipelas, Piles. — Unvarying success attends all who treat these diseases according to the simple printed directions wrapped around each pot or box. They are invaluable to the young and timid, whose bashfulness sometimes endangers life. Though apparently local, diseases of this 1 nature are essentially blood diseases, but a little attention, moderate preservance, and trifling expense will enable the most diffident to conduct any case to a happy issue with- out exposing secret infirmities to anyone. The Ointment cheoks the local inflammation I and alleviates the throbbing pains. These directions also clearly point out when and how Holloway's Pills are to be taken, that their purifying and regulating powers may assist by adjusting and strengthening the constitution.' Try Wright's Family Brand Coffee j to be obtained from all Grocers and Storekeeper



Dr Jameson's trial is rapidly approaohing< As to whether hid action was a wise ona or not is a grave question, The trial of Woods' Great Peppermint Cure for coughs and colds has been a decided suooess — it is allowed by all to be unequalled- from all groeera and ohemiatß,, la 6,1 and 2a 6.d. Wholesale Igante, New Zealand Drop Company*



Wanted. J XXf ANTKD Known— Mbs *mith. Dress * * and Hibit maker, Havelock Street, Ashbnrton. * 8 61 STRaYED on my property, Altord Forest road, a White and Red Cow m full milk. — D Williamson. 8 69 \A / ANTED, a Blacksmith at once *' * Apply to Robert Patton, Mount Somers. 8 83 YOUNG Ladies' Journal for August. Weldon's Dressmaker and Chil- dren's Baz a-, July, ; Quarterly Something co Heal ; Scraps and Snapshots j Boys of England ; New Waltz, * Virginia.' only 2<j Gj'd and Silver Paper for F*ncy Dres-s. Fins. Fans FaDs. — Andrewbs, Anderson, and Co. ANS. Fans. Fans, from ~2i 6i to 2ls. The Little Gem Organ of -five stops, including couplers, five Ociavej j erood depth and volume of tone, £14 cash Tho Sterling Qrean 11 stops. 4 sets of reeds, £22 10s cash Best value obtain- able. —H. M. Jones. IS/ ANTED Known— Men's Mercery, VV Clothing and Boots. For Goods that wear well, fit well, and look well, try that old established firm — Mitchell & Turner. \X7\ANTED Known— Lwge delivery of vv the c Economic' Kid Glove?, four buttons, Is 9d per pair, worth much more. — W. H. Collier. lir ANTED Known— We are clearing V V out all our Macintoshes, Jackets, Lined Cloaks and Dressing Gowns. No reasonable offer refused for anything soiled or •* not up to date." — Mitchfxl & TUBNER. . XXTANTED Known— lf you want Seed " * that are sure to grow get them a Flbtchbr Bros. YXT ANTED Known — For Vegetable * » and Flower Seeds call at Flbtchbr Bros , East Street. WANTED Known— lf you miss the Cheip Boot Sale yon will be rry. — Mellor's, Tmcred Street. WANTED Known— Everybody to roll up to Mellor's Cheap Boot Sale Now's your time to buy. Vy ANTED Known— The 'Economic * Kid Glove, four bnttons, Is 9 ' | per pair, is the Glove for everyday wear. — W. H. Collier. WANTED Known — 6000 pairs of Bootd and shoes to pick from Mellor s Great Boot Sale. HOW not to be ill, by Dr Emily B. Rhyder,e<ifa fruit, choice fruit, good fruit, H A. Flowers fruit, East Street, A shburton. MRS KNIGHT, cash purchaser o f Ladies' and Gentlemen a left off Clothing, etc. Letters promptly attended to. Near Post Office. 5 100 MEN'S Bluchers ss, a g'»od Strong Nailed Shooter at 8s 6d ; a nice assortment of Ladies' and Children's Boots nd Shoes from Is 9d a pair at < R Alcorn s WANTED Known— 6ooo pairs of Boots to be cleared m one month — Mellor's Zealandia Boot Store WANTED Known- You save 5s m every pound if you patronise Mellor's Cheap Boot Store. NOTICE.— Are you going to build. Because the cheapest shop for Roofing, Iron Ridging, Gutters, Nails. Lead, Spouting. Water Tanks Pumps Ranges, Begister Grates, "Locks and Hinges, Washing Boilers, and all sorts of Ironmongery, is J. W. Hardley's, Ironmonger. Plumber, and Tinsmith Telephone 32. BANANAS. Binanas, ripo and sound ; also swee^D.E. Oranges at H. A. Flower's, Confectioner and Fruiterer, East Street. A.NTKD Known— Great Reduction a' Mbllor's Cheap Boot Fale^ J^OtJGHj Cough, Cough— l am still making my celebrated Cough Drops, None genuine unless stamped Flower's Cough.— H. A. Flower, Confectioner. East street. 5 24 WANTED Known— Monste Clear ing Boot Sale at Mellor' Zealan dift Booh Store. WANTED Known— Buots and Sfcpes from la 3i to 27s 6d.— Mellor's Cheap Boot Sale. riTANTED Known— Just opened, ex •* Pakeha and Gothic, Flannelettes, white, stripes, and colours ; Velveteens, black, all prices ; Colours, large variety, including new shades m Reseda, Hum- boldt and Hungarian — Mitchell and Turner.



j Public Notices. j !*- --f o ted CD Hag o i-<! r t> of S. So "-GO Si?" 9) w gJS- t 0 ft SH-g^g W CO Sob o.^ >-4 £_ P» OSES 2 I g i dlfc " B S o a — , S»iPS si If 5- ir w S 2? -i WATCHES. WATCHES. WATCHES. THE ESTABLISHMENT FOR WATCHES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION IS S. SALEK'S, EAST STREET. Rofcherham's English Levers, specially made to S. Salbk's order, are THE BEST. T UST RECEIVED, a shipment of O S- Saleks famed DIXIT DIXIT DIXIT WATCHES. The only GENUINE D.-xifc has "S. Salek, Ashburton" engraved on dial. J^* See thab yon geb it. For ONE MONTH ONLY these Watches are offered at the specially low price of 15/-' 15/- 15/- --each ab S, SALEK'S WATCHMAKER AND JEWELLER, EAST STREET. Wanted. WAR OO ! THE CURB FOR INDIGESTION. ABhburton Drug Company, Agents 11 10 t * ANTKDKnown— Go loThbCobkbr V V for Newest Styles m Drapery and Millinery— W. H. Collier. t^INDINQ thab our stock of Earthen - -■- ware and Ironmongery is still £200 too large, we are offering a few choice nibbles for oash to clear. —Carson & Co. « r ATu-if.' ""-^liable JSew Seaeon's Garden X sSSI, x **w la »ded. Vegetable beeds ab reduoed prices. * *,X- Agents. Garden Tools In great variety. 7W I



Business Notices ■ THE CHEAPEST HOUSE IN CANTEEBUBY. G.J.NEILL DBAPEBY, OLOTDIKG, AND BOOTS. C<OBr?ETB 2* 6d, CORSETS 2> 91, Now Dress Door's Reduced 60 per cent New Vttlveteenß Reduced, All Wool Flannd (Colonial) 9^l Flannelettes 3* 6d doz Silesia 3s 3.1 doz Blanketa aboat half-price Double-bed White Twill Sheeting 9|i Double-bed Unblraohcd Twill Sboetirg. 9^d targe White and Frown Turkish Towels, roduced from is 6d to la CLOTHING. Mens AU We ol Tweed Salts 2U. Men's Tweed Trousers 5i lid Men's Overcoats, Macintoshes, Oilskin C >ats, and Leggins, reduced 50 per cant Boys' and Youths' Suits half-price. Men's Caps, Boys' Caps, Braces and Shirts, at Ridiculous Prices Man's Woollen Socks, 7&d pair BOOTS. BOOTS. We Defy Competition. Every pair Guaranteed to wear Every Pair Made to Our Order Men's Nailed Shooters 7s lid Men's L!(?hfc Shooters 83 6d Men's Watertight Bluchers, pegged, 7s lid Women's Strong 1 Leather Shoeß 4s lid A Large Assortment of Ladles' Besfc Frenoh Glace Kid Boots and Gloves to choose from. <*. J. HTBIJLIi, Friedlander's Corner, East Street. Garden Tools. LAWN MOWERS, SPADES, SHOVELS, FORKS, DUTCH AND DRAW HOES TROWELS, HEDGE SHEARS, PRUNING KNIVES, GORSE KNIVE3, By Best Makers at Lowest . Prices, AT John Orr & Co.V ASHBURTON. GET YOUR Seed Potatoes, Seed Potatoes. FROM FLETCHER BROS. A CHANGE of Seed Always Pays, as a Better and Heavier Crop is pro- duced. Our Potatoes are all specially raised for seed purposes from selected stocks m the very best potato producing district. We would advise orders to be sent to us as early as possible, m order that they may be filled from oar own stocks, which occasionally become exhausted before the end of the season. 4 BEAUTY OF HEBRON,' This variety is Very Early, coming to the table before either Early Rose or Ashleaf Kidney, and is far superior both m quality and productiveness. 1 QUEEN OF THE VALLEY.' A very heavy cropper and early potato. The tubers are handsome and eolid (capital variety for exhibition), boiling as white as milk as dry as flour, and is also a fine keeper. THE < BRUCE.' This Potato, the potato of the future, is remarkable for its productiveness and its resistance of droughts and frosts, they have yielded at the rate of 17 tons per acre, having very few small, and is a first-class eating potato. We have also m stock splendid samples of Bath Kidneys, Lapstoue, Derwents, Etc, Etc. LAWN GRASS SEEDS. Try Nimmo <fc Blair's Celebrated Lawn Grass Seed. It is the purest, •cleanest, and best quality m the market, and is composed only of Fine Dwarf, growing evergreen grasses. Per lb, Is 3d ; per bushel, 22s 6d, .' UfoTeltiea For Season 1890 CABBAGE— * LAMB'S EALIEST OF ALL. ' A Saperior Early Cabbage of quick growth, beautiful white compact heads, 6d per packet. CABBAGE—* BLAIR'S PHENOMENAL.' The finest main crop Cabbage ever introduced, heads as solid as a stone, weighing 14 and 181bs. The Cabbage for market gardeners, 6d per packet. NEW ONION— < EARLY GOLDEN GLOBE.' Growers have golden opinions of this Onion. It grows a large bulb as sound ac a cricket ball. For market gardeners this onion is beyond doubt the finest that can be grown for sale. Is per ptcket. PBA— BEV DR STEWART. The finest early Dwarf Pea ever introdnced. Per packet, PEA— SIR HARRY ATKINSON. Thiß is the finest tsll growing Pea m the world. Per ptcket, 6d ; per lb, ls[; or 71 bB for ss. . Call md Get one of our '. Catalogues \oi Selected Novelties. FLETCHER BRO&; CASH SUPPLY STORES, ASHBURTON AND CHRISTCHUROH. Jklephonb 24 Box 67