Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1896. NEW YEAR'S DAY.

♦ To morrow the world begins a new volume of its history, and each of us starts a new page m the journal of life. The first day of the New Year is and has been always, and m all countries, a notable day. In the Roman calendar it was marked with a white stone, and m France to-day it counts — as it is called "le jour de I'an " — as the day of the year. Its observance thero .. indeed partakes largely u£" the character of old fashioned English Ohristiuases and Boxing Days, inasmuch as it is a season of reconciliations and of inter change of gifts, the value ai;d number of its cadeaux being simply enormous. Tn England, Scotland, and Ireland its eve is a watch-night or vigil observed m religious, convivial, hilarious, or it amy be serai superstui us fashion, according to the bei-fc of the observers. Doors are set wide at mk'night " *o let ho New Year m," and good wishes are exchanged as the chiming bolls announce its birth. As the old Latins said, we do nojb change our natures when we change our skies, and hence under the Southern Cross we honor New Year's uvo and IS'ew Year's day as they honor the season m the old horne — New Year cards, New Year greeting?, New Year gifts, and all. And we do well thus to mark what is really an era with us all. For the very fact is a reminder that each year brings duties and responsibilities as it inevitably brings its joys and sorrows, and as we pass milestone after mile stone on the journey ef life— and, as it verily ?°en>B, with ever increasing rapidity— it is Wfill to remind our selves and each other that '* we *oend our years as a tale that is told." Looking back to the years that are past, let us note their failures and shortcomings, not f*r the purpose of mutual disparagement or discourage ment, but for that of enabling us to avoid the like failures and shortcomings m the year that lies before us. So shall we leave " footprints on the sands of Time " which others m&y safely follow, because they will lead away from error and evil to happiness and honor. "The path of the jusr," we are told, "is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day," and he that would walk therein does well each New Yeat's day to look back upon the road by which he has travelled, and bhen with fresh hops and courage to 3et his face towards the future, assured that though none may ensure a prosperous, yet each and all, i£ it be entered upon m a right spirit, may look forward with confidence to ." A Happy New Year."

SHEEP.

■ ♦ Figures, without explanation, are apt to mislead sometimes, and the English Live Stock Journal has been misled by some figures it has received regarding the pastoral industry of this colony. In its issue ojt October £8, it Jjad the following paragraph : :— f( Attention was lutoly called m this journal to the decline m the number of sheep m New Zealand shown by the returns for the present year. The total has fallen from 20,230,829 m 1894 to 17,340,073 I m 1396. This is certainly a notable I decrease jmt two years, though it is not I so great a (Je.cline as that which has I occurred m this country. ' But it indi- 1 cates, probably, that the sheep industry j m New Zealand has for ihe present I reached its limits. The year 1894 was I its high-water mark, the number of I sheep haying steadily increased year by I year up to that time. This is shown I oncisely m the following statistics of J ti e number of sheep m New Zealand j Jn each of the last seven years : — J 1889 ... 12.503 563 1893 ... 19,227,302 I 1890 ... 16.196,0.48 1894 ... 20.230,8291 1891 ... 17,865,423 1895 ... 19,380,3691 1892 „, 18,417,685 189.6 ... £7,340,073 I It will be seen, therefore, tfrat the sheep j stock of the co'ony h*s now gone back I to the position which it held m 1890 91. 5 Probably the extension of dairy ing and j

;he growth of the export butter trade j is to be held largely accountable for j 1 the contraction of the sheep industry." It is worthy of remark that only one year's figures of those quoted by the Live Stock Journal are those of our wn Department of Agriculture — the figures for 1894 Those figures are official, and as a matter of faei; do represent the maximum reached m the colony. But all the other years' figures quoted are ab variance with the official figures of the Department, and those for 1896 quoted by our English con temporary are erroneous, and give a very wrong idea of the situation. Where the Journal got, its figures from wo, of course, do not know, but with official figures so easily available, it is remarkable that the writer took no pains to verify the ones he worked from before using them. Jn consequence of his remissness m this matter he has very probably left a false impression on the minds of a very numerous body of readers with regard to our wealth m sheep. The last official returns for this colony were published m April, and the figures were approximately : — Auckland district, 847,204, being an increase of 331 over the previous year; Hawke's Bay 4,229,411, increase 1 12,179 j Wellington— West Coast 4 032,026, increase 101,485; Marl borough-Nelson 892,44^, decree 18,865 3 Canterbury — Kaikoura 5,080,625, decrease 479,365, Otago 3,900,372, decrease 465,289; total, 18,982,080, being a decrease of 844,524. The North Island shows an increase of 113,995, and the South Island a decrease of 985,579. Since the publisation of those figures no others have been issued, but instead of only 17,340,073 as given by the Journal, the number of sheep m New Zealand for the year quoted came very closely up to 19,000,000. The decrease m the South Island is very easily accounted for by those of us who remember the severe winter of last year, when many of the mountain runs weie decimated. The snow l«y so deep and so long that thousands of sheep perished, and when the thiw came it laid bare a sad sight indeed. Such miserable sheep as had managed to come through the storms had only dove so because of the extra good constitutions they possessed, and many of them had actually been eating the wool off the backs of their fellows The Department thus told the story of that dreadful winter: — "The wiuter of 1895 will be long remembered for its severity, especially by the occupiers of the high pastoral lands of the Middle Island. Early iv June a heavy fall of snow took place, and this was followed at short intervals by others equally heavy. The sheep got blocked by the first fall, and the second coming on so shortly after gave no time for the first fall to clear away. It was therefore impossible to move any of the sheep. Consequently, on many of the runs a large number were 'ost. It is estimated that fully 70,000 perished. And, m addi tion, the lamb ing was much below the average." Thu>4 it was that th ore was a shrinkage. Not because there is any intention on die pare of pastoralists to reduce, or because the butter or any- "> other industry has crowded out the sheep. The runs were re-stocked at once m the Spring, and Canterbury residents will remember the long special trains that carried sheep southward m the night time to the frozen out runs, the supplies coming from the more fortunate north. Such a shrinkage as three quarters of a million — a large propor tion, too, being ewes — is not made good m one year ; but next returns, we feel sure, will show that the leeway his been largely made up. The following are the Department's official figures for the years dealt with by the Journal m its endeavor to show how j very much our sheep strength has fallen off:— • 1889 ... 15,423,328 1893 ... 19,380,366 1890 ... 16,116,113 1894 ... 20,230,829 1891 ... 16,753,752 1895 ... 19,8-26,604 1892 ... 18,570,752 1896 ... 18,982,080 It is thus evident that the Journal must fyaye got its figures from some other source. J?igures ? as we have said, are misleading without explana. tion, Hud the Journal had any know ledge of the severity of the 1895 winter, it would never have misled its readers m regard to a pastoral industry that is as far from decaying as we hope the Journal itself is,

Local and General.

*  The T\apier Evening News has ceased publication. The Aahburton Rifles haye arranged for a handicaps hooting match for priz?stormorrow, January 1, to commence ab 10 30. The Alameda with the English and Ameri can mails via San Francisco, has arrived at Auckland. As yet no ti\;ce has been found of the prisoner Simpson, who ebcaped from the warders at Dunedin on Tuesday. Mr David Thomas's stock report and the leport of the Addinglon stock market will be Jo.und on the fourth page. The San Franoiseomatjl mlj. reach Welling ton overland at ten To morrow' night, It is expected the Penguin 'will be detained until 11 tomorrow nighb, to take on the southern pirtionto Lyttelfon.' In order to give our employees the full benefit of the holiday on New Year'g Bay, the AjAili will not be published on Saturday morning, The Guardian will not be pub lished to-morrow," but will Reissued at the usual hour on Saturday. The New South Wales township of Never tire, Which was wrecked by a cyclone, ia an important centre, particularly with regard to wool, formiug a collecting place for a somewhat extensive and fertile pastoral district. It Jies m a north-westerly direc tion tr.pm Sydney, on the railway line to Bourke, and is distant about 300 miles from fclie capital. The regular meeting of (he Star of the East Lodge was held m the Templar Hall on Wednesday night, Bro. G. W. Andrews presiding. After initiation the lodge decided to hold a picnic at Mr J. Coehranes, Elgin, on New Year's Day to which al! old members and friends are cordially invited. The friends are requested to bring their own provisions: Conveyances leave the Templar Hall at nine o'clock. " Messrs Fleming and party, who have been ■ exploring a route for a road into Canterbury through the Whitcombe Pa?s, returned to HokiCiba. on Thursday, having been very successful. The West Coast Times saya Mr (J. Douglas takes charge of a party, who go through aftop the holidays, t iking the levels and preparing "for the suryey which will subsequently be checked by Mr Murray, Chief Surveyor. Great care is being taken] to ensure that the best pcs-ible route ia( .secured, so that every additional expenditure on this work will be a distinct step towards getting a safe and easy means of access to Ashburton arid South Canterbury and at the samp time bring within the reach of the j toutist some of the moat sublime scenery m J tho Southern Ajpv, ;

A grus-fire occurred on Mr John Orr'a j farm, Riverßide, ABhburton, on Wednesday, ( luring the nbr'wesb gale. Tilings were } beginning to look Berions and the pine plantations, farm buildings, etc., ware being threatened when the wind suddenly chopped round to the sou west, aud a uumber of men we:e enabled to beat down tho fUims Another grass fire occurred uear Tinwald, and, spreading to the wooden culvert across Fraser's roa-.1, destroyed the bridge. The road has been closed till repaiis are effected. The New Zeal aid Championship Chess Tourney commenced on Boxing Day, and ao far tho results are as follows : -H. Ander son, CJhristehurcb, won 3 r.ud lost 1 ; R. J. Barnes, Wellington, 2—l ; H. S. Cocks, Wellington, 3-1; J. Edwaids, Dunediu, 2—2 ; A. Gilford, Bull.-, 2—l ; J. C. Grier sou, Auckland, o—3 ; H. Hookham, UhrUt churcb, 2—2; \Y. Mason, Wellington, I* -2£; W. Meldrum, Rangitikei, I—3; W. J. Mellor, Dunedin, I£— 2£ ; 0. C. Pleasants, Rangitikei, 2—l. Jusb as the seed-eating kea evoluted into a meat eating parrot, so the burrowing bunny, is, it appears developing into a climbing animal. Mr Pound, of the Queensland Stock Department, men tions that m that colony at least netted wire fencing threatens to prove use less, as the rabbits are leanvng to climb the fence* ! As proof positive of this he exhi bited several photographs of rabbits m the act of climbing, one being on ihe capping of the fence, fie also aaw them climbing saplings, m some cases 10 to 12 feet from the ground, fccareity of food has no doubt developed the climbing propensities of the rabbits m Queensland, but it is quite pos sible they may develop a similar faculty elsewhere. An effort is being made to capture the shark which attacked and killed Mr Hright Cooper at Napier on Sunday week. The other afternoon a line, with a beef-baited hook, was stretched from a buoy about seventy yards from the shore to another about one hundred and fifty yards further out, and fastened fco a shore anchor. Only one shark hook was at first obtainab c, but three others have now been obtained and will be fixed and baited at the earliest opportunity. Messrs Niveu (of the Spit Foundry), Eagleton, Finlayson, Frankliu, and Bobson undertook the work, and have so far carried it vigorously out. The break water boat has been nsed, and will be left on the beach m the meantime m caße of emergency. The baited line is almost im mediately over the spot where Mr Cooper was killed. An emergency meeting of No. 25. L.0.L., South R&kaia, took placo on Tuesday even ing, the R.W.G.M., Bro. Mathers, m the chair. There was a fair attendance of mem bers. A candidate received the Arch Purple degree, which was conferred m a very impressive manner by P.M., Bro. Hil ton, and D.M., Bro. Gregg, of No. 13, Timaru, the Bame brethren also giving the Arch Purple lecture, The visiting brethren were G.M., Bro. Mathers, No. 26, Bro. Boyce, secretary No. 26, D.G. Tieasurer, Bro. Thome, No. 52, P. M. , Bro. Hilton, aud D.M., Bro. Gregg, No. 13, Tim.ru, P.M., Bro. Fiulay, and Treasurer. Bro. Davis, No. 11, D.M., Bro. Hodgen, No. 14, Chaplain, Bro. R. Criglington, No. 37. A vote of thanks wua passed to tiie visiting brethren. The Lodge was then lowered to the Orange degree, and closed by the G.M. The visitors were afterwards entertained at supper by members of Lodge No. 25.

HIGH SCHOOL.

The monthly meetisg of the Ashburton High School Board of Governors was held on Tuesday last. The members present were — the Hon Maj .r Steward (m the chair), Messrs WillinmaoD, Denshire, Cameron, and Stitt. The County Council wrote intimating the appointmeufc of Messrs Cameron and Stitt as metnbera of the Boa<d. The sub-committee re lease of Keserve 1123, reported having visited the reserve, and arranged with the teuant. The Board ap proved of the action of the committee. The usual monthly accounts were passed and the meeting adjourned. The fol'owing is the report of the Head master on the scholarship examinations, which was adopted, and the scholarships granted : — The Chairman of the Aahburton High School Board. — Sir, — I have to leporttlub the two scholarships, given by the Board to pupils m attendance at the High School, have been won by Charle3 Schneider and Sidney Culverhonse, who have made res pectively 81.6 and 78.2 per cent of the total attaiuable marks at the term examinations duriug the year. Next m order of merit m this competition, came — 3. Annie Mackay, 74.3; 4. Katie Millar, 72.7; 5 William Brock, 72.4; 6. Clara Rule, 71.3. There are other pupils wbo have rhiJe higher marks than some of those mentioned above, bub as they already hold scholarships, they are ineligible for competition, — George; A. Simmers, Ashburton High School, Decem ber 18, 1896. The Chairman, Ashburton High School Board. — Sir, — I have to report that the scholarship examination was held m the High School on December 11 and 12, 1896. The total marks assigued to each subject are as follows : — English, including spelling and dictation, 120 ; geography, 100 ; history, 100 ; arithmetic, 100 ; total, 420. I attach a schedule showing 'the marks of each candi date m each subject. As you will see from it, only ten of the competitors make over 50 per cent. The first six on the list are entitled to the Board's scholarships. — George A. Simmers, Headmaster, Ash burton High School, December 19, 1896. Scholarship Examination, December 11 and 12, 1896. Scheduale of Marks —

A FLOATING BOG.

Extraordinary Scene. Preaa Aasocfation— By Electric Telegraph — ■ •' popy right. London, December 29 The bog, half a mile wide and thirty feet deep, is floating towards the lakes of Killarney. Bridges and roads have been destroyed, and the river Flesk, which flows juto the lake is blocked by the bo&, and the transport of farm produce and cattle interfered with. Che Electric Light works are stopped, and Killarney is m a state of semi larknes?.

THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.

(By W. J. Steward.) king out the Old Year ! Ring m ihe New ! Karth's joys are fleetiug, Life's hours art few ; Loud the sonorous peal swells on the wind, 1 ime leaves another year's footßtepß behind. i Ring out ihe Old Year !— Voice of the bells, What tales of pleasures past loudly it tells j What, t-.iles ot hope and joy, sorrow and sin, Ringing tt.e Old Year out, and the New m. Ring out the 013 Year ! — Voice of the Past, Chiding the follies and wrongs of thj list ;jR Telling of buddiug hopes ciuahed m their bloom, Ringing a dirge on the path to the Tomb. Ring out the Ofd Year ! Ay, thus the sands tan Down m Life's hour-glasa, one after one, Slowly but surely, for great and for small Death shall have empire at list over all. Ring out the Old Year ! it« troubles are o'er, Then be its trespasses cheiiahed no more ; Gather nob up again leaves, that are shed, But let the dead Past bury its dead. Ring out the Old Year's sorrow and sin, __ And full of fuiih and hope ring the New m ; On to the Future ! hearken its call, God is above us and ctreth for all. King m the New Year ! God is above ; Ask for His blessing, and trust m His love ; So shall each year to us graciously given Be but a stepping-stone leading to Heaven. Ring m the New Year I Life here begun Sha'l <paBB through death to life beyond the sue, Life that the angels share round the White Throne, Where neither Old Year nor New Year is known.

A Gala Say at Springfield.

(by an occasional correspondent.) We had a big day at Springfield on December 18. Mr Duncan Cameron had issued invitations to the children of Methveo, Lyndhursb, and the other schools m the district, to come and spend a day at his homestead, and fixing the date above mentioned for the visit. The invitations were readily accepted, and at about one o'clock Mr and Mrs Cainercn fouud the j duty upon their ham s of entertaining about 300 children, parents, and friends. And t :is duty they discharged m splendid fashion. The visitors arrived about the hour mentioned, and they could not have had better weather for iheir day's outing. Mrs Cameron, who, of course, was once " a wee lassie herse)'," and knows from her youthful as well as subs; quent experience doubtless, that to beßb please young people attention must be paid to the pleasing of the palate, had the visitors at once arranged m a shady part of the grounds near the house, and served out good things m abundance. After every want m this direction had been supplied, the whole gathering adjourned to an adjoining pad dock, where sports of every kind were engaged m from cricket to Aunt Sally. Perhaps the most amusing incident for the young people was the letting go of a fleet and sturdy young pig, with a greased tail, and a general race to catch him resulted, fle was finally coursed into corral by a young Methvenite, te whom the prize was given for his prowesa. During all this time Mr Gates' band, from Ashburton, had been pouring " music on the bosom of the palpitating air," relieved at intervals by the stirring strains of the bag pipes. The sports had been carried on with so much energy and relish that the arrival of five o'cock, and the sumptuous tea the hour brought with it, were heartily welcomed, and full jus' ice was .done to the abundant and tempting repast Mrs Cameron had provided. It was then reported that Father Christmas had come, and was holdiug a hvee m a shady nook iv the woods. To this nook a'l tKe children repaired, and there, sure enough was Father Christmas, dressed m the garb with which pictures have made him familiar 'to us. Ihe dense wood put the aged patriarch into deep shade, so that the young people failed to recognise whose kindly features v. ere covered by the wintry beard and hoary looks, but the presents received by each child showed that he knew them wel l , for each li tie guest was suited with a gift fitted for hi 3or her years. The gifts bestowed by Father Chris* mas were highly appreciated, and the, little ceremony of presenting them only made the patriarch more popular. When Father Christmas had disappeared, there was a movement made to the lawn m front of the house, where Mr J. T. Mitchell grouped the party, and secured a good photograph of it. Then the band struck up, and dancing became the order of the liwn till dusk, when the conveyances arrived for the children ; but before the party dispersed, Mr Gillanders, the school master at Methven, proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr and Mrs Cameron, which Mr Cameron acknowledged. This done the young people took their homeward way, having spent a most enjoyable day.

SPORTING.

TINWALD RACING CLUB

The chief local attraction on New Year's Bay will, of course, be the Tinwald races. The Tinwald Racing Club has been m existence for many years, and its annual re-unions have been looked forward to with great interest by the sporting public and I pleasure seekers. Year by year extensive I alterations have been made by the Club to I serve the comfort and convenience of its ] patrons, and this year is no exception to the I rule. Several minor improvements have I been effected, and a long felt want has been 1 supplied. We refer to the extension of the! saddling paddock, which was taxed to its I utmost last year. The public will, no [ doubt, feel ihe benefit of this alteration on j New Year's Diy, 'Ihe course has been I lop-dressed, and owners of ho ses will I also be glad to learn that the Club are I watering ihe course, which, through the dry I weather, is now very hard. Mr A. A. I Fooks, the Club's secretary, has been un- I sparing m his efforts to make the New Year I gathering a brilliant success, and no doubt I his labors will be amply rewarded, as, given I five weather, a record attendance may be I looked for. Train arrangements have been I made to suit visitors from Christchurch and I elsewhere, and the Ash burton Band has I been engaged to play selections during the I day. The fields ate numerous, and the I winners well concealed by the Club's handi- I capper, Mr John Cresswell, but to make the I best of a difficult task, I will attempt to I t>lace the winners thus :— I New Year's Gift — Bizarre 1, Annoyance 2 j Pony Race — Dandy or Loo. Tinwald Cup— Marquis of Zetland. Tinwald Trot — Katipo or Big Mick. Welter — Tale of the War. NoysJlj — Moderation . Fly'ino — Remorse.

ASHBURTON RACING CLUB.

Ihe Ashburton Racing Club will hold its Summer meeting on Saturday next, January 2, on the Tinwald racecourse. Handicaps tor the various events will be declared on New Year's night, and acceptances close the same evening. As the meeting takes place the day following the Tinwald Raoing Club'g meeting, a good day's sport may be looked for.

THE LITTLE WILLIE PROTEST.

At a meeting of the Plumpton Park j TroUiug Club held yesterday afternoon, the | profesc agaiust Mr T. Webb's horse, Little Willie (winner of the two-mile harness trot at the November meeting), for having started previously under another name, w.is dis missed, as it was proved to the satisfaction of the Stewards that the horse had never started under any other name.

COMMERCIAL

Press Association — By Elecbrio Telegraph — Copy tight.

(Received December 31, 10.25 a.m.) London, December 30 The quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 2 920,000 quarters ; for the Continent 980 Ot.O.

BUSH FIRE.

* PBR PRESS ASSOCIATION. Masterton, December 31 A bush fire at Upper Ferp ridge spread to a Urge tract of country towards Masterton, destroying the grass and fences of about twenty settlers. -The residence of Mr A. Burnett, a new aawmill and timber, and Berrill's vroolahed were destroyed, besides great losses of stock. The amount of damage is not yet ascsrtainable. In other directions Mr Chamberlain's woolsbed and other bui 1 ding?, and the Mikimiki bridge were burned. ,

WEDDINGS.

— • Hyland— Stalker. St. Andrew's Church, Tinwald, was the scene of a pretty wedding on Wednesday, when Mr George Hyland, of Featheiaton, led to the altar Miss Isabella Annie Stalker, of Tinwald. The bride waa given away by her uncle Mr John Stalker, and looked charming indeed m a dress of olectrio blue with peach plush trimmings, and a picture hat, white, trimmed with eleofcrio blue. The bridesmaids were Misses Hyland (sister of the bridegroom), Byron, Stalker, and Clara Bell, who were all dressed m pink crepon, with white hats. The ceremony was per formed by the Rev. J. Blackburn, before a large congregation, the church bei igcrowded, and Mrs Blackburn was organist. The hymns sung were suitable to the occasion, one being " The voice that breathed o'er Eden," and after the ceremony a merry peal was rung from the belfry, under the manage ment of Mrs Blackburn. In the early parti of the day, a large marquee had been ereoted at the house of the bride's stepfather, Mr VY. H. Bell, Tinwald, but the force of the ' north-west gale so disarranged matters tbab it was considered ad viable to receive and entertain the numerous guests m the Tinwald Hall, and here a sumptuous repast was laid, to which about 150 guests did ample justice. The Rev. Mr Blackburn was chairman, and proposed the usual toasts, m the course o£ whkh he t>nd others spoke m high terms of both the bride and bridegroom, and the members of their families. The arrange ments at the breakfast were m charge of Mesdamea McLeod and Williams, and two more capable hostesses could not have been found anywheie. Mrs Bell, the bride's mother, was unliriug m her efforts for the enjoyment of all, and her kindly welcome put each guest at ease from the beginning. .Miss Hyland must have approached the task of dissecting the wedding cake wit h mingled feelings of fear and regret t.he former at essaying so formidable a duty, for the cake was a five atorey one on a Bolid foundation, and the latter at having to demolish so excellent a work of art, of which the architect and artist was Mrs McLeod. The tables having been removed the floor was cleared for dancing, which was kept up with spirit till a late hour, songs, etc., being introduced at intervals. The newly married couple left for their home at Feathereton by the express m the evening, * the usual demonstrations expressive of good wishes being made as they departed. There were many and valuable presents.

Hicks— Knight.

A very quiet but pretty wedding took place on Christmas day between Lizgie Knight, youngest daughter of Mr Henry Knight, Alford Forest and Leonard Hicks, Bushside. The ceremony was conducted by the Eev. Harold Pure as, at the home of the . bride's parents, and was witnessed by about forty of their family, four generations, boing present, who afterwards partook of a sumptuous luncheon, which was served m a marquee erected m the garden for the purpose. The bride looked charming m a blue silk dress, with the usual orange blossoms and veil. The bridesmaids, three nieces of the bride— lda and Mabel Lylian and Lizzie Wright— were prettily dressed m piuk with cream lace. Mr Clement Wright acted as besu man. Muaic and games of many kinds wore heartily enjoyed till even ing, when the happy couple set out on their honeymoon,, amid showers of rice and the hearty good wishes of all.

Christmas A-wheel.

BY "HUMBEB." The Christmas holidays this year, extend ing over three days, had the effect generally of bringing out all sorts and conditions of picnic parties. Having bicyo'es, and feeling m good nick, Swift and myself decided to take a ride to Castle Hill on the West Coast road, and around North Canterbury. We made a start from home at 6 a.m. on Christ mas morning, and reached Methven, our first stopping place, at eight o'clock. The roads were m first class order, bat we encountered a slight head wind. After having a good Breakfast (during whicri time we noticed with awe that a strong nor'-wester had sprang op) we started for Glentunnel via Phillips' Station, Rakaia Gorge, and Glenroy. The pull up to the Gorge was a fair corker, and when we got by the cuttings near the bridge the wind actually blew us off the machines ; but all's well that ends well, and after taking a snap shot of the bridge we sailed away up the cutting, with the wind at our backs, and soon reached Phillips'. J£rom here to Gentunnel is a nobby run, the roads goobj,' and running up hil and down dale, round corners, over rivers, etc. We reached Glentunnel just m time for Christmas dinner, which you may be sure we did full ju tiqe to, and for which Host Clayton would take no remuneration. After taking a stroll round the pottery works and enj >ying a bath m the Selwyn river, we mounted our machines and cut away through South Malvern and Whitecliffs, climbed the Pig Saddle and dipped down into Russell's Flat (a pretty district). From the fiat the roads were perfect, and we rode merrily into Spring field at aix o'clock. A cold bath and a hot dinner freshened us up wonderfully, after which we strolled on the verandah and en joyed a cigarette with the visitors. Arguments, yarns, etc, filled op the time till ten p.m., when we went out %o watch the arrival of the ooaohes. They came thunder* ing down the incline and after settinjrdown paasengers proceeded ' to the station^ wftlj the mails; Refreshed with a night's sleep we got up early on Saturday morning, ana started for Castle Hill, arriving there at 11.30. It waa a terribly hot day for this ride, especially when we had to climb Porter's Paaß and other large outtiDga : but we soon qooled ourselyes again m Lake Lindon and potter's 1 Creek. WerhaoT dinrier at Castle Hill, and left again ac two o'clock', arriving at Springfield early m the 'evening: After tea ws again mounted our jiggers and ran down to Sheffield, thence round through' the Waimakariri Gorge to Oxford, tnia finishing our second' day?s ride. Cjri Sunday we made an early start from Q'ifordj and riding along the railway line, and down through the magnificent Cusfc va'Hey,' we* reached Rangiora at 9.30. From Rangiora', through Kaiapoi and Christchurcb, into Riccarton waa soon done. At Riccarton we had dinner. Leaving there at one o'clock we role round through Prebbleton, Lincoln, Doyleson, Irwel, Selwyn, Leeston, and across the plain into Rakaia, where we had tea. Mounting on bikes for the last run we left Rakaia about seven p.m. and arrived here safe and sound at nine o'clock. Taken all round the trip was a most enjoyable ong, The weather was' perfect, but the roads were i little loose m places. We only had 'one' accident with the machines, which did not detain us long. Everywhere we went people were oiying out for ram, and the districts generally looked pirched up. The distance covered was 227 miles for tbe three days, an average of about 75 miles a day: We succeeded m getting a number of sxcellent snapshots "of places of iaterest -. iloug the journey which will serve as a" i reminder of the pleasunt trip enjoyed by US I »n our bjkea durjog QhrUtWM XB96j ' 1

TfiE ASHBt'ftTUM GUARDIAN : THURSDAY, DECEMBER SI, 1896.



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Mothers will find Chamberlain's Cough Remedy especially valu .hie for croup and whooping cough; 'It will give proniDfc relief and is safe and pleasant. We have sold it for several years and it has never failed to give the most perfect satisfaction. G. W. Richards, Duqueene, Fa. Sold by the A 83-



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Wanted. t WAN lED—G ood Female Cook for Ash- , burtou Hospital. Apply, with .estimomala, to the Matron. 12 212 J TO I ET — House of Fit>e Rooms, Scullery \ ftud Washhouse, situated m Moore , Street. Apply A. P. Williamson, Tancred Street. 12 209 • < WANTED —A Housekeeper, for the i country. Apply between 12 and 2 ( oa Saturday at the Mail Office. 12 203 WANTED Known— Animal Race Ball at Tiuwald I emperance Hall, on New Year's Night. Tickets — Gent 3 3*; Ladies Is, Refreshments provided. 12 201 LOST— Kicking Strap, between Mail Office aud A. Orr's private residence. Piader please return to Mail Office. XTTANrED— Every Lady m Ashburton VV to sec our Window of Blouse Goods, bought at a big di:count, and selling at less than wholesale prices. — Mitchell and Turner. DID you ever hear the like ? Men a beßt Canvas Shoes 5s 6d, at Mellor's, ""aucred street MY Premises will be open Late This Evening and To-morrow Evening, for the Sale of Christmas and New Year Cards, etc. A splendid aeaortment to select from. — H. M. Jones. riIHERE is no doubt, no possible doubt .JL that you get Good Value for your phoney at Mellor's. WANTED Known— Spectacles, Eye Protectors, Goggles, Folders,, and Everything m the optical at S. Salek's, OptioiaD WANTED Known— Go to the Corner for Newest Styles m Drapery and Millinery — W. H. Collier. WHERE, Oh where, is that Cheap Boot Shop? Mellor's Zealaudia Boot Store. WAN '1 ED Known — We have just opened a line of cheap all wool Suits and Trousers. Good out and splendid value- Tennis and working Shirts m great variety. Mitchell and Turner WANTED Known— Large delivery of the " Economic" Kid Gloves, four buttons, Is 9d per pair, worth rr.uch more. — W. H. Collier. IHEaRD a man say that Mellor is selling Boots Wonderfully Cheap.



PUBLIC NOTICES. j THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. - NEW ziALAND e g /CLOTHING T^ACIOEY. 0 L ; ght Summer Coats from 6<i 6rt Light Summer Suits from 10s 6d Light Washing Vests, slightly soiled 2a 6<l Light Blue Serge Suits for Summer wear 16s 6d Boys' Washing Suits, all sizes 4s 6d SPECIAL PURCHASE. Boys' Drill Suirß, all sizes 6a 9d, uaua price 10d 6.1. FoR TEAVELLING. Portmanteaux from 10s 6d j Steel Trunks from 10s 6ii Gladstone Bags, Black and Nut Brown. STRAW~HATS. Boys' Straw Hata la, the best value in Ashburton Men's Panama Hats Is. boots &Tshoes. Men's Black and Tan Canvas Shoes, best quality 5a 6d Men's Leather Shoes 7a 6d, splendid value Men's Light Boots for summer wear 8a 6d NEW ZEALAND Clothing* Factory ALEX. HENDRY Manager. M 1 a ~$ © !■ h % S °* q §1 i I «, II 5 1 H ■ «:a g a.. PM w C g H B Is II &*• q2 a) o r™"l u u — ' I I ?■: S M k v «? « P |«S J PQ M Church Services. ST. STEPHRN'S CHURCH. Ashburton. THURSDAY. New Year' 8 Eve- Watch- night Service, 11.30 p.m., and Celebra- tion of Holy Communion. SUNPAY SERVICES, (3rd January). 11 a,m.-r-J#orping Prayer and Holy Com- munion. 3 p.m.— (GREENSTREET) Rey T. A. Hamilton. 3 p.m.-(I)u? vl S RR )» Mr W. Bowman Fox. 6 30. — Evening Prayer. REV. T. A. HAMILTON. ~ NOTICE. " NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAYS. nnHE Guardian will NOT be published on FRIDAY, January 1. The Mail will NOT be published on SATURDAY MORNING, January 2. Wanted. TT^TANTED Known— The Economic , Yt Kid Glove, four buttons, Is 9d per pair, is the Glove for every day wear. — W. H. Collier. NOW'S your time to Buy. There is a Big Sale at Mellor's Zealandia Boot Store. A FULL assortment of new Veilings in < whiie, black, and black and while. Buy the celebrated new kid 'glove— The Victory-*-only 2* 6d. The beat glove in New Zealand for the money. — A. Oer. 11 124 IDQiy NEW Year Cards and i JL O\j 4 • Booklets, Christmas Cards ' half price, New Books, Fancy Gooda, Toys and Stationery. A largo variety of goods suitable for New Year presents. New lot of Foreign Stamps and packets, — AsttKEWtg, Anderson, & Co. MOTHERS and fathers' who have to provide Boots and Shoes, should call at Mellor's Zaalandia Boot Store. WANTED Known— looo pairs of Boots to be sold in twenty-one days at Mbmjor's. MILLINE RY — Ladies should inspect the new Miljiinery, Capes, Mantles, Jackets, Blouses* French ?*nd English Corsets ; all new and up to do£e.— A. Gkr, WANTED Known ~ Alterations and Additions to our Show Rooms now completed. (Special display of Millinery for the Holiday Season. A late shipment of Sailor Strawy fco be sold cheap. — Mitchelx and Turner. WANTED Known— What the people say. That Andrew Orr has the larger and beat assorted stock of Boots in Canterbury. 11 125 WANTED &nown.— Feculina. Fecu- lina. Another shipment of this Celebrated Cake Flour at FLETCHER Bros., Cash Supply Stores. ANTED everyone to know tb«t Fletcher Bros, do a most extensive Business, acknowledged by a member of the Force heceon Thursday afternoon, December 17. WHAT do I see before my eyes ? A Cbe»pfial9of&9otsAl>MfiU9r'o,



r Bnsine s Notices WASHING PRINT, 3|d. ; WHITE MUSLIN, 3s lid per doz >* G. J. NEILL'S. A BEAUTIFUL SXJMMKR DRESS FOll 6s lid AT L G. J. NEILL'S, ""*"*' iflanne'etleß 3Ad yard. The Best Turkish TOWELS m Ashburton are at— ! G. J. NEILL'S. BO¥S' Navy Blue Sailor Suits 4a lid, Men's Tweed Trousers Sa lid, }m*. Men* Heavy Colonial Tweed Suits 25b 6d, ftb G. J. NEILL'S. Ladies/ Lace Shoes, 4s lid. Ladieß' two-atrap Shoes, 4s lid. AT G. J. NEILL'S. LaoW, Maidu', and Children's TAN SHOES Of Every Description, at Very Low Prices, AT G. J. NEILL'S, FRIEDLANDER'B CORNER, EAST STRBET. f ! |L - KAIAPOI HOUSE. rnHK Alterations iQ the above Premises being bo far advAnead, we are enabled. to make A GRAftD DISPLAY IN OUR NEW CARPET SHOW ROOM | OF LINOLEUMS, OILCLOTHS, --—^ TAPESTRY, AND BRUSSELS CARPETS. ALSO.— - - -> CARPET SQUARES IN GREAT VARIETY. MATS AND HEARTH RCTGS IN ALL MAKES AND SIZES. A VKRY COMPLETE STOCK OF FURNISBING DRAPERY IN ALL BRANCHES. MITCHELL & TURNER. ( • TANCRED STREET. -.^— • I NEW FIRM -:- :- -:- ... ... ..- NEW FIRM f SA7B MONEY BY DEALING WITH MITCHELL & BRODRIBB NO BAD DEBTS. iNO OLD STOCK THAT ACCUMULATES BY YE .IRS of BUSINESS TIGHTS Public should only consider what they can save by dealing with JL a Cash Firm, where they do nod have to pay for the great Joeses that are occasioned by Bad Debts. "MITCHELL & BRODRIBB BUY ASD SELL FOR CASH, THEREFORE THEY ARE ABLE TO GIVE BETTER VALUE THAIS' ANY OTHER PLAOB IN ASHBURTON. — A Few Quotations will be Convincing — Brown |Ribbed Pants (heavy) Is 6d —worth Ladieß' Hose, fast colors, plaiu and ribbed, Is lid . 6d pair Men'B Socka 6^— worth 9<l White and Brown Turkish Towels, only 6d k Harvester Hats B£d— worth la White Calico, grand value, at 2a lid— l2yds k Blucher Boots 4s lid— grand value . The Best Value for Flannelettes m Showers 9a lid— worth 12s 6d Ashburton. ► Lariiea' Gem frhoes, Special, 4s lid— worth Heavy Twill, 4s lid dozen— worth 7d a yd " 6s 61 A Splendid Line of Corsets, all sizes, at Hairline Tweed Trouaera 8s 6d— oheap at is lid 10) 61 The Best Aaaortment of Sunshades m towa, Men's Felt Hats from 2s 61 from Is ! We have the Choicest Assortment of Hats Ladies' Sailor Straws, all shades and shapes, m towu. fr° m 9d eacn — Pick your own shape " 12yds Strong Print for 3a lid— Cheap at 6s and trimming, arid have your A Beautiful Summer Tweed Is Id, double Millinery done Free of Charge, width FULL RANGES OF KAIAPOI AND MOSGIEL CLOTHING. MEASURED GABMENTS A SPECIALTY. Ada &i\ FULL RUIT FROM /jQc) an 4z\)& O'-* FULL SUIT FROM 4tUb OJD MITCHELL & BRODRIBB, BAST SI I BEET, j