The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1896 THE TRANSVAAL RUMOUR.

The intelligence that reached, us a few days ago, that the Transvaal Government would shortly proclaim its independence of England, was some what alarming. It was all the more so that it was the communication to Jthe London Times of its special correspondent at Pretoria. The first newspaper of the world is not given to the circulation of alarmist news with out some solid foundation, but there have been instances m which even the Thunderer has been a little to> previous, • and a glaring one m the paper's history was the Piggott affair, and it had to clim^ down badly. From the first, the story of the intended " cutting of the painter " by the Boers was tak«n with a grain of salt, and the Times itself, m dealing with the rumour retailed by its correspondent, got into no flurry over it. One can easily understand that the excitement raised by the success of the Boers against Jameson's raid has not yet altogether subsided, and that the burghers, whose statement the correspondent quoted, may have been full of a Jingo spirit, which had only the wish as father to the thought. At any rate, subsequent assurances by Oom Paul that he has no intention at all of interfering with the Convection of England, show that those burghers had no warrant from him for their vaporings.* Oom Paul lis very far from being a fool, and we must surely allow to -the Boer people credit for the possession of a fair share of common sense. The Boers may not know very much of the general affairs of the world, but they must know that war with England is a game m which they must certainly be beaten. They cannot be ignorant of the power of Great Britain, nor can they have remained unobservant of the signs zisib'e all around them of the might of the nation from which they are said to seek severance. They must know that the men they overcame at Laing's Nek and Majutia Hill, under Sir G. P. Colley, were but a detachment, bo to speak, of the army they would have to fight were Britain to rise m earnest and attempt to efface the Boer exist ence as a separate state. It may be flattering to them to remember how they, caught Jameson's little band like rats m a trap, and nipped the Johannes berg rebellion is the bud ; but to fight the- military might of Britain m open and declared warfare they must know is a totally different thing. They may provide themselves with twenty-five millions of cartridges, and heavy quick firing ordnance, and Maxim' guns, and recruit from the military nations of Europe experts m the modern art of war. One cannot blame them for providing against such contingencies as another raid, or another rebellion, for from the dangers attending the success of both of these they escaped by the skia of their teeth. I? they had not provided themselves with the means of strengthening their position after their recent experi ences, they would have belied the reputation they have for foresight and forethought. But all this preparation may be just as easily explained to be defensive measures, which they are perfectly justified m taking, as to be offensive measures, which would have to be justified m a suicidal conflict with one of the mightiest nations of the earth. The secret treaty spoken of we have heard, of before, and are not inclined to attach much importance to. Doubtless Germany is meant ; but • the young man m a hurry' is not' m any great hurry to involve his nation m a war with England. There are other signs, too, that the Boers are viewing the situation m a less exclusive spirit. They have given the Uitlanders educational concessions recently that had been for a long time denied, and English may now be taught m the schools, and the granting of the franchise to 5000 Uitlanders, of which we heard but a few days ago — these things do not chime m harmony with an intention to sound the war note at an early date. The Times' correspon dent at Pretoria doubtless retailed what he heard ; and hearing it oa the spot his alarrr may have given it a more fiery color than circumstances warran ted, But his chief m Printing House Square, who was not, of course, on the spot m Pretoria read the story calmly,, and m cold blood wrote that Great Britain, if challenged, would settle the question once and for ever The Times knows just 'how it is — knows that not one step backwards can be taken by the Tsland power from her position m South Africa, and a fight, such as any ill-advised action of the kind rumored on the part of the Boers would be a fight to the last gasp — a fight the end of which would mean m any cisc the end of the Transvaal Republic.

A democratic journal m America die* cussing Mr Bryan's candidature for the presidency says :— the gold It is said by ex standard.. perienced observers tftat Mr Bryan really owed his nomination to the clos ing|words of bis peroration : f We shall answer their demands for a gold stand ard by saying to them ; ' You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You shall not cru cify mankind upon a cross of gold.' " The essential fanaticism of the free silver movement cannot be better demonstrated than it was by the way m which the convention mob caught at this shocking simile, destitute alike of relevancy and truth. Is the best money 'a crown of thorns' for labor? Is < mankind crucified ' m gold-standard England, France, Germany, and Austria, and exalted m free silver Mexico, Central America, and J apan ? If it comes to a question of torture and death, is it any worse to sufter upon a 'cross of gold' than to be twisted and torn on a rack of silver 1 Tested m the crucible of common sense, Mr Bryan's perfervid peroration is simply sublimated nonsense. The gold standard was given effect m this country with the resumption of specie payments m 1879. "For twelve years thereafter the United States enjoyed one of the most prosperous periods m its historry, For six years the export

pice of whrat \v\s above 1 dollar, and of cotton 10 to 11 cents. Ltbur was well paid and generally employed. Our fon ign trade was enormous. For tune, to ba sure, favoured us as to cr ps and markets, but the bottom causo of the prosperity was restored confidence — the assurance of every body that our dollars were real dollars and that our sacred promises would be kept. Against facts like these the froth of rhetoric, the thunder of declamation, and the frenzy of a hysterical mob beat m vain.

Oanon Farrar thinks we shall one day have a universal religion. In the course of an inter- A. universal view he is reported religion. to have said : — Christianity will be the only religion of the far future, an ' we are fast coming toward a universal religion. Have you ever thought how rapidly the Ohri9tian religion is grow ing 1 Three cen furies after Christ, of ( all the people m the world only one m every one hundred and fifty was a Christian. Now, one-third of the world's population bows down to the Christian God. Our missionaries to-day are m every part of the globe. They are beginning to make themselves felt m places where for years they have labored under the greatest disadvant ages. c . In. Hindustan there is a vast number of- Christian churches. The Fiji Islands have become Christian; and a great work is, now going on m ,New Zealand and elsewhere, The opening up of the interior of Africa means that Christianity will follow the explorers, and I can see the time coming when a great corps of Christian workers will be pushing the standard of Christ into the most remote corners of the globe. "But how about the spread of infidelity ?" the interviewer asked. "We have m America many infidels. England and the other parts of Europe are full of unbelievers, and it is said that the Japanese and the Hindus when they give up their own religion through missionary teaching often become agnostics and lose faith m everything." " I don't believe in fidelity is increasing," Canon Farrar replied. " One unbeliever makes, as a rule, more fuss than a number of believers, and he becomes conspicuous by the fewness of his kind. Why, m England the people believe more and more intelligently every year j and as for the Theosophists and Buddhists of this country — you can get them all m this room and have' some space to spare about the corners. It is not true that the majority of Hindus or Japanese who are converted become infidels. The most of them who give up their own ' religion at the teaching of the missionaries become Christians, and many of our best and most faithful workers are found among those of the so-called heathen nations."

Japanrse immigration has " become a matter of serious alarm m Queensland. There seems to be a the japs m dread that this Queensland. energetic and enter-

prising race will overrun the colony, and exercise a sort of peaceable annexation. There is good reason, however, to believe, says the Leader, that these fears are over strained. , Much has been said con cerning a Japanese appropriation of the northern pearl fisheries, and the assertion has been made that they were gradually becoming the owners of most of the boats. Bub official statistics are less alarming. The number of boats owned by Japanese is two, and of the 237 boats employed m the trade, the number licensed by aliens is under 30 per cent. Many of the divers are Japanese, but otherwise they do not appear extremely prominent. It is of some interest to learn the aspect m which the Japanese themselves: are in clined to regard Australian exclusive ness. The resolutions carried at the Piemiers' conference have been pub lished m the Japanese newspapers, and an enterprising journalist has sought to obtain an insight into the Ministerial mind upon the subject. Although Japanese dignity is injured by the in cludion of the nation m the same category as the Chinese, the industrial features of this immigration problem are admitted to present some features of difficulty. The Colonial Minister acknowledged that our working classes cannot be blamed for looking after their own. interests, and he indicated that no objection would be raised to shutting out Japanese labour ' under contract.' But a general poll-tax directed against Japanese would effectually dispose of any hope of utilising Japan as a market for our raw materisl. 'The Japanese Government,' said the Minister, « will not ha?e a favorable impression of the colonies if they put absolute and sweeping restrictions upon the intro duction of Japanese immigrants.' However undesirable it may be to offend a friendly nation, the matter is one of too dangerous concern to our national existence to permit unchal lenged ssope of alien immigration. A hint is given that a good many Japanese intend to go to British New Guinea. The difficulty is one which will trouble statesmanship m the future.

We always think of Central Australia, remarks the Australasian, as what \i called " a God jnteriob forsaken pountrjr," a.ustrai,ja, chiefly composed of barren hills or roll ing deserts of sand. Our conception of- a considerable portion of the interior is not altogether a false one, as the most recent explorations have shown, nor can we well imagine anything more desolate than the country described by Major Warburton on his journey t< West Australia. The only creatures that were always active and attending to business were the ants, which gave the party no rest either by night or day — a fact which leads to a question as to whether ants ever sleep, and the localities m which they are found to another question, as to whether they ever drink. . , , The Mac- Donnell Ranges are situate m the very centre of the continent. They rise to a height of nearly 5000 feet above the sea level, and the surrounding country has an altitude above the sea of 2000 feet, They are barren and rugged, but they are visited by thunder clouds, so that at times torrents of rain pour down, when the sandy desert within a few weeks blossoms like the rose, only to fade, again as quickly as that beautiful flower. This seeing to prove (

that that barren land must at one time have bren suited for the luxuriant growth of grasses and plants, the seeds of which remain m the ground to be vivified by the moisture, and urged to rapid growth by the warmth. And this behef is borne ouc by the dis covery of numerous fossil remains of r'iprotodons of gigantic siz^, and of struthious birds larger than the tamous m B °«° ,6W Zaaland *nd the epiornis of Madagascar, supposed hicherto to have been the largest birds that the world has produced, unless we give life to the roc of the Arabian Nights. At Lako Oallabonace, m the great basin of the salt Lake iflyre, the skeletons ia a fossilised state of these and "other anim*ls are found m thousands, many of which have been successfully re moved to the Adelaide Museum. The bones are found not only on the surface, but often at a depth of 12ft, and they extend over an enormous area, some having been found 600 miles south-east of the MacDonnell Ranges. Now, these facts throw a remarkable light upon the ancient state of this country, which is at present at most times a desert unfit for the abode of animals of any size. The complaint that nothing worthy of Burvival is being added to American . literature by this literature^ generation is natural ■xr i tt^ , V en Pugb, says the New York World, .m view of the immense amount of merely ephemeral matter whioh appears m books, magazines, and other, publications. It by no means x follows, however, that the times are ag barren as they appear. No generation has ever been able to judge the merits -of its literature. There are exceptions to all rules as there are to this, but here they are rare and apply only to* the very few wrifers of the highest rank. For all others— and seemingly, too, for some of the very best— time and what almost appears the blindest of blind chance decide. Thus when the parchment of what are now the lost books of the great historian Livy was used m the Middle Ages to cover tennis bats, and when the almost unique specimen of the classical novel survives because at the sack of Of en m the sixteenth century a common soldier happened to pick the manuscript out of the street, it is not easy to con clude that immortality depends wholly upon merit. It is certain, however, that there is no possibility of survival without merit, and that of a kind which means- usefulness. Of the European literature, which exceeds the age of two thousand years, we have only disconnected fragments of the merely beautiful and pleasing, while the most perfect instances of survival are those m which the general experi ence of all men has been so clearly and fittingly expressed as to make it easily available, and therefore highly useful, for posterity ; and perhaps, after all, that is the surest guarantee of survival, and the severest test of fitness for it.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Beading matter on fourth page. The cost of ihe staging of "The Gondoliers" by the Auckland Amateur Operatic Company is estimated at £750.

The delegates from the* Wholesale Oo operative Society of Maiwhester, who are touring Australia, will reach Tasmania ••bout September 12. Thence they come on to New Zealand. -

The Press Parliamentary correspondent m Wellington states that Mr Joseph Ivess will be a caudidate for the Ashburton seat at the general election. In what interest Mr Ivess will seek election is not stated.

The appointment of Mr J. E". Warburton aa successor to the late Mr J, E. Fi 1 zQer aid, a3 Oompbroller and Auditor- General, has been definitely decided on. The successor to Mr Warburton has not yet been appointed. V The Otago DaVy Times hears on good authority that Mr Henry J. Matthews, of Dunedin, has been offered a position m organising a State forest department about to be established by the Govern ment, and that arrangements are beisg made to plant. Jargejareas of waste lands m Otago at an early date. 1 There is now on exhibition at the (Government Buildings a mantelpiece manufactured from New Zaaland woods by. two employees at the Government) Printing Office workshops* The piece of work is valued at £150, and is insured for £100 It will be exhibited at the Wel lington Exhibition, and afterwards will be shipped Home for the Paris ' Exhibition m 1900. .'..*' The following landi have been tempo* rarlly reserved : —At South Rangitata, la lr 3p for Government buildings j at Hinds, 3a 8r for the same purpose ; at Ash burton 2a Or 4p, padlock for Stuck Department ; ab Babbit Island, 10a for dairy factory ; at Ashburton, 2a lr 8p for ballasb pit In Alford survey district, 59a 2r 31 p is permanently reserved for tramway, water- race and planting pur poses.

French medical science is, and has be ea for loDg, making bitter war against the corset. But m spite of the appalling effec's on breathing, digestion, and other important functions, which are charged against corsets, the race meetings, garden parties, dances, and other functions, all disp'ay, or ab least hint afc, the presence of the usual number of those whalebone encasements against which. . science ta fulminating.

It is 'reported that Dr Saulie*, a member of the Pasteur Institute' of Algiers, has discovered a vaccine which will prevent footrot m sheep. He has made numerous experiments, the result of which seen? to his mind conclusive. All tha vaccinated sheep get a very mild attack of the dfceaae and recover immediately. This may be all very well, bus if every sheep is to be vaccinated, or otherwise experimented upon m its lambhbod and hosrgethood, will there be any guarantee that a leg of mutton will be left us ? -

A meeting of the Committee of the Ashburton A. and P. Association, was held on Saturday last m the Arcade Chambers. Present — The President, Mr James Brown (m the chair), and Messrs Millar, Upton, Reid, Leadley, Shearer, Clarke, Gilmour, Taylor, Daniel McKendry, G. Lamb, Mix Friedlander, Denis MoKendry, StriDgfellow, Langley, Dijjby, Bjnlfaub, Bland, Grigg, R, Prledlander, Siloock, Mawaon, Chapman and Small. A letter was read from the Hon. W. 0. Walker, respecting a resolu tion carried' at the previous meeting, urging the necessity of a rabbib proof fence being ereoted. The names of gentlemen, selected to be asked to officiate as jadges at the coming show were determined on, and the appointment of class stewards left over to next' meeting. A. long dia ouasion on the motion by RJc Shearer^ "Thab,Jn order to share the prlz3 money equally m accordance with entrance fees, the prizes f >r sheep and pigs be one half of that for horses and cattle'— took place, md was ultimately adjourned for further discussion at the meeting to be held oo «aturd»y, Septefeber 5. • «...

THE ASSBtJBIOS GtJABDIA^ : tfUEgDA*, AtJGUST 25, 1896.



NOTICE. —Are you going to build. Because the oheapesb shop for Roofing, Iron Ridging, Gutters, Nails, Lead, Spouting. Water Tanka, Pumps, Ranges, Register Grates, Locks and Hinges, Washing Boilers, and all sorts of Ironmongery, Is J. W. Hardley's, Ironmonger, Plumber, and Tinsmith. Telephone 32. WANTED Known — Maddbn's Re- frenbrnent Rooms are the rooms Par Excellence. When m town do not I fail to give them a look up. Do you like ' a Loa that has a sweet nutty flavor, of good pile and bloom, m addition to its full weight, which a surprise visit) from the Inspeotor the other day proved Yuu dq ? Well, go to Maddbn's 1 If you are getting up a Spread m a private or general fay, and would like your Pastry, Cakes, Jellies, Preams, etc, to be a success, why, oome along to Maddbn's m East Street, and you won't be disappointed. Bride, Christening and Birthday Cakes » specialty,



il /ANTED Known- You aave 5s m VV every pound if you patronise Mellor's Cheap Boot Store. .a . ANTED Known— 6ooo pairs of VV Boots to be cleared m one month. — Mellor's Zealandia Boot Store. Vl # AfcTED Known — Bargains from VV floor to ceiling. — Mellor's Stock taking Boot Sale. WANTED Known— Ladies Shoes tan or black, 69 6d. — Mkllor's Cheap Boot Sale. MEN'S Bluchers ss, a good Strong Nailed Shooter at 8s 6d ; a nice assortment of Ladies' and Children's Boots nd Shoes from Is 9d a pair at R Aloorns W' AMTJtGD Known — 6000 pairs of Boots and shoes to pick from Mellor s Great Boot Sale. WANTED Known— Great Reduction at Mellor's Cheap Boot Pale. NEW Turf Register, 10a 6d ; Young Ladies' Journal for August ; Weldon's Dressmaker and Children's Bazaar, July ; Quarterly Something to Read ; Scraps and Snapshots ; Half-yearly Boys of England ; 'Virginia' Waltzj;f2|} ; Gold and Silver Paper for Fancy Dress." Large selection of Fans. — Andrgwes, Anderson, anp Co. -.\ WANTEDKnown— GotoTHBOoRNER fur Newest Styles m Drapery and Millinery— W. H. Collier. TTT ANTED KNOWN.— Mrs Huffam ** having taken the premises lately occupied by Mr G. Neil], intends to open same as Ladles' Dining and Refresh- ment Rooms, where visitors will find a long felt want supplied. Meals at all hours. A few boarders will find all the comforts of a home. 4 196



f Wanted. ' I : : _ IV ANTED to Leb — Cottage, six ' rooms, on East Belt. App'y t-o — J . Leonard, East) Belt. 8 148 OUR POCLTfctY have won 37 Fi^t and numbers of special prizes this sea oh. Toung birds cf various breeds for Sale very cheap. Eggs — Dark Brahma, Spanish, and Polish, 7s 6d a Bitting.— Ptilham Tarcta, Ashbnrton. 8 153 WAN I'ED. - Washing or Cleaning Apply B , Majl Office. 8 163 EXCURSION to Lond >>. OduMl>wß dall, Thursday, 8 o'clock Crook's celebrated Christcl u-cu Lantern. Dont mi-s it. 8 164 WANT- D, contiaot teams. for plough- ing at once. Apply to Henry Zander. 8 166 WANTID— A Youth who cm milk* drive, and m .ke h'msclr generally v efal. Apply A. Übb, Kast Belt. 8 167 »>A+li SEPTEMBER.— Soiree and dm *± til Children's Concert, with Short Talks on Sunday School topics, at Baring Square We sleyan Church. 8 158 rpEMPLAR Hall, Tlnwald. Wbdnes- jL day, August 2fi. Splendid Lantern Entertainment. Limelight views by T. Oeook, of Chrlstcharch. Subj ct— "Modern Babylon." Admission — adults, Is ,* children, 6d. Family tickets at reduced prioes. In aid of St. Andrew's Snndft/Sohool Library Fund. 8 165 n EVIEW of Rftvleifs, Weldon's Ladies I.\ Journal for July, New Books ; Cameos by Marie Corelli ; Mr Mangus ; The Story of Electricity; Mra Woods' Works; cheap editions Boys' and Girls' Own Paper ; Family Reader, quarterly parts —H. M. Jones W- ANTED Known— The 'Economic Kid Glove, four buttons, Is 91 per pair, is the Glove for everyday wear. — W. H. Collier. \\ /ANTED Known— Men's Mercery, V> Clothing and Boots. For Goods that wear well, fib well, and look well, try that old established firm— Mitchell & Turner. WANTED Known— We, are clearing out all our Macintoshes, Jackets, Lined Cloaks and Dressing Gowns. No reasorable offer refused for anything soiled or " not up to date." — Mitohfll & Turner. .. -.i /CHEAPEST House m Canterbury for v^ Garden and Farm Seeds is Carson and Co. 'a. Six packets of Vegetable Seeds for Is ; Flower Seeds from Is dozen; Garden Tools of all sorts. COUGH, Cough, Cough— l am , still / making my celebrated Cough Drops, None genuine unless stamped Flower's Oough. —H. A. Flower, Confectioner, East street. 5 24 it'AN'IUL I Known— Just opened, e> *V. Pakeha and Gothic, FJanneletteßi white, stripe's, and colours ; Velveteens* frack, all prices ; Colours, large variety including new shades m Reseda, Hum* boldt and Hungarian — Mitchell and Turner. .&/ ANTED Known— Everybody to rol ! ' v up to Mellor's Cheap Boot Sale Now's your time to buy. [ AMPS. Lamps Beautiful Bismarck Li Lamp, 3i lid each ; Alarm Clocks, 3$ lid e»oh. —Fletcher Bros, East: career,. UANTuJI) Kuowu — Monste Clear ing Boot Sale at Mbllob' Zealan din' Booh Store. KEN TVS Famous Bicycles for Ladies and Gentlemen cm now bs obtained from Carson and Co, Agents, Tyres and Extras m great variety. " « OLIDAY Suits— A Nice Kaiapoi i.l Suit for 27s 6d, Boys' Kniokes and Cambridge Suits from 7s 6d, Men'r Snltß to Measure from 455, Fit and AVorkmanship Guaranteed at R. Alcorn's WANTED Known— Lwge delivery of the * Economic ' Kid Glove?, four buttons, Is 9d per pair, worth much more— v^ H. Collier. WANTED Known— That E. Mahood is still selling all kinds of Grocery, Crockery, and Glassware at as reasonable a price as any other house m the trade Orders by letter or Telephone promptly (attended to Families waited on daily. Telephone No 76.



Public Notices 1 HALLENSTEIN BROS CIAVE received their Trousers *-*■ First Selection of New T o Spring TROUSERINGS Measure suitings and COATINGS V 7» 6d •FIRST-CLASS """" TAILORING AT Suits to Greatly Riduced Prices Measure m ' „ We Guarantee Every 55 i( . Garment to be Well- made and a Perfect Covert F it. Coats """" . HALLENSTEIN BROS. *° NEW ZEALAND Measure CLOTHING FACTORY. ,«S5« 6d. Alex. Hendey, Manger. . v o « . ■3 B 1-a ■■» li< * " ■ | o 1 S % t a ff ■ ta ! ! O 1-S a p 3 tf | 3*B © S " ii f tl t i i p : a x I .a 3 < 5 3 | %™ o •i 1 1 m I 5 8 H1 J l|. 8 | 6 4 en 3§s > ' & § H -s a» - - -go *s I 1 £ s. . .. : : -2 z ® M 5 ■ >' . 3* ft D S > ■pa ■ WATCHES. WATCHES. WATCHES. (THE ESTABLISHMENT FOR WATCHES OF EVKBY DKSCBIPTION "iS 8. SALEK'S, EAST [STREET. Rotherham's English Levers, specially made to S. Salbk's order, are THE BEST. JUST RECEIVED, a shipment of S. Saiek s famed DlXir DIXIT DIXIT WATCHES. The only GENUINE D,xit has "S. Salek, Ashburton" engraved on dial. £&" See that you get it. For ONE MONTB ONLY these Watches are offered at the specially low price of 15/- 15/- 15/- --each at S. SALEK'S WATCHMAKER AND JEWELLER, EAST STEBET. WABOO! THE CURE FOR INDIGESTION. ABhburton Drug Company, Agents I 11 10 BANANAS, Bananas, ripe and sound ; also sweet D. E. Oranges at H. A. FiiOwbk'B, Confectioner and Fruiterer, Eaat Street. TTOW not to be ill, by Dr Emily B. -■ -*- Rhyder, eafa fruit, choioe fruit, good fruit, H A. Ffcowjjß's fruit, East Street, Ashbarton,



Spring, Spring, Spring Goods, OPENING DAILY. THE BEST VALUE IN THE TRADE. liOok Out! look Out! liOok Out! For Startling Values 4a , Future Issues. * Come Now and Inspect the New Goods, AT THE * Blue Rouse/ Between JOHN ORR & CO. and the CLOTHING FACTORY. EVERYTHING NEW, EVERYTHING OHEAP, FOR CASH ONLY



Public Notices. nun: w if! m m i : SPBING AND SUMMEB, I - • ■ ■■ i - . The BLUE HOUSE. The BIjUJE HOUSE! A FTEB Carefully Studying the adaptability of Ashburton for a Strictly Cash Drapery, Millinery, and Clothing busi- ness, HAVE TEOIDED TO GO RIGHT ; INTO IT, and having made arrangements to lease, m con- nection with the present 'Blue House/ those Commodious Premises Next Door to J. 088 & CO., will be enabled to Keep the Stock necessary for carrying on a Large Business, by giving The Best Value IN THE TRADE ON STBICTLY CASH PRINCIPLES ONLY.



GET YOUR Seed Potatoes, Seed Potatoes, FROM 4: 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 districts. We would advise to be sent to us as early as possible, m order that they may be filled from ,/ar own stocks, whfch 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. ' QUEEN OF THE VALLEY.' A very heavy cropper and early potato. The tubers are handsome and solid (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. ABHLEAF, 'MYATT'S EARLY PROLIFIC An exoellent and well-known variety ; valuable for sheltered borders and very early use. * NEW POTATO— 'RICHABD SEDDuN.' This fine new Potato, selected from a number of seedings four years ago, ftas been sent out to us from England by the raiser with a very high report of its qualities. Its habit of growth is dwarf, and rather compact, the haulm not exceeding 13 inches m height, with rich green smooth leaves. The tubers are fairly large, of aa oval shape, and somewhat disticct, with few eyes near the surface ; flesh close m grain, and when cooked, of a dry and mealy nature, with a flavour fqual to the finest of Potatoes grown. Being early and a heavy cropper it is fitted for an early market potato, and from general reports from the raiser we may class it with the best of all varieties now grown. ' AMERICAN ,ALPHAS.> An excellent early variety, most prolific, and of excellent flavor. 'LAPSTONE KIDNEY.' A well-known Kidney variety, excellent for winter use, good quality. ♦BATH KIDNEY.' A well-known and approved variety of good quality,, 'DEBWENTS.' We have some spiendid samples from Orari and North Canterbury. < CLOVER SEEDS.' White or Dutch (Trefolium repens), Red (Trefolium pratense), Crimson (Trifolium incarnation). < MANGEL WURZEL.' The greatest possible care is taken m growing all onr Mangel Seeds. Grown from selested roots thtey cannot fail to give the greatest satisfaction, and may be relied on for producing the greatest weight possible per acre under rich and liberal cultivation. Mammoth Long Red r , Golden Tankard, Champion Orange Globe, Etc. FLETCHER BROS.. EAT S T R BET, Sole Agents m Ashburton and Christchurc for Nimmo & Blair' Standard Seeds. rBLRPHONB 24 BOX 67



Business Notices ] THE CHEAPEST HOUSE IN CANTERBURY. ! G.. J.NEILL DRAPERY, CLOTHING, AND BOOTS. i'iORSErS 2- 6d, CORSETS 2i 9J, Few Dress Goods Reduced 50 per cent V> New Valveteens Reduoed, AH Wool Flannel (Colonial) 9J-3 Flannelettes 3* 6d doz Silesia 3s 31 doz Blankets about half-price Double-bed White Twill Sheeting 9£d Double-bed Unbkaohi d Twill Sheetirg, 9Jd Large White and Brown Turkish Towels, reduced from Is 6d to Is . C L oTITI NG. Men s AH W\ oV Tweed Suits 2ts. Men's Tweed Trousers 6s lld Men's Overcoats, Macintoshes, Oilskin date, and Legginß, reduced 5Q per cent Boys' and Youths' Suits half-price. Men's Caps, Boys' Gaps, Braces and Shirts, at Ridiculous Prices Men's Woollen Socks, 7£d pair ( BOOTS. BOOTS. We Defy Competition. Every pair Guaranteed toj wear ,■'... Every Pair Made to Our Order, Men's Nailed Shooters 7s lid Men's Ll«ht Shooters 8s 6d Men's Watertight Bluchers, pegged, 7s lid Women's Strong Leather Shoes 4s lid t '-* A Large Assortment of Ladies' Best French Glace Kid Boots and Gloves to choose from. .."•'.' .fil, J* MKllili, Friedlander's Corner, East Street. Important Notice. ■ '■ ■ tir" Closing: iff the Ash burl on Ilranclt. T AS T PE W .WEEKS OF SALE. Further Reductions . STO;OK MUST BE CLEARED. :o: G, L. BBATH & Co. TANORED STREET, ASHBURTON, AND A CBRISTOHDKOH. ,