Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 1896 LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Beading matter on fourth page. The Blueskin Company obtained 378$ ounces of gold for the year end^d Novem ber.

The adjourned meeting of householders re the proposed Allenton side school takes place at Mr W. J. Silcock'a residence to-morrow evening at e?ght o'clock.

The Jjytlzltoa Times says it is estimated that the gale on Saturday and Monday has reduced the promis,ea average yield of oats m North Canterbury by fully ten bushels to the acre.

Our Waimate contemporary hears on good authority that Mr Andrew Loughrey, a member of the firm of Loughrey and Lane, solicitors, Christchurch, is likely to be askeji to, contest the seat rendered vacant by the apgoiutmpnjb of the Hon W. P. Beeves to the Agept-j^auorslshijp. Mr Loughrey was formerly member fbr Lin wood, and wiU at and m the Liberal interest.

The recent high wjtads (saps th. c Tjwary Jlerald) have done serious inj ury to the corn crops m the Waimate district, and although the damage done cannot be properly estimated, a g»"eat number of the grain heads must have been broken off by the furions gales of the last few daya. The orchards have been almost stripped of fruit, and the weak spots m fences and buildings found out.

A.t a farm m Tyrol, two youns; peasants woood tj?o two beautiful daughters of the owpar aftcj w^re accepted. Their banna were pronounced'froa» ttie pulpit. After the service was over one of the youths said to the other ; * Look here, shall we exchange brides ? ' The other answered ' Ig's all one to me.' The brides were thon asked whether they wou'd agreo, and as they did not object the exchange was made/

The L<vke Ohau c^rtee&ondient of the Oamaru Mail, states that the loss of sfaeop by the snow of last winter is proving m pome cases even more serious than was anticipated. Afc Me-sra Richmond and Cowan's stations, $ej^apb # only a few hundred sheep were mustered' out of. 2,0, V QQQ and 10,Q00 respectively turned out before w£n£er. yhi'e the' Qlenoi.ore, "•— **s»F, and j§ a lff?9rajl ijlso lose Wily At^ W^V^ 9^^ is finished, two-thirds hfi 899K W said to be missing. Most of the oc.u<r* stations have not yet finished their shearing.

In consequence of the heavy downpour of rain, there was a very thin house at the opening entertainment given last evening at St. Stephen's Schoolroom by Hooper's Virginian Fun Flashes Company ; not withstanding wh'ch, the programme was gone through to the thorough enjoyment of those present. Miss Emily Elliott who has a full, true mezz i-soprano voice, gays a number of songs — among which < c A.lice where art Thou?' and "Come buy my Flowers 11 deserve spepial mention; and Mies Iris Fontaine, who is & clear soprano vocalist, among other selections sang "Ib waa a dream " and "Oh ! you girls !" an arch and amusing ditty. Mr Hooper was immense m plantation melodie?,including "Slavery Days" "The little black Coon v and "Get you gone Satan," as well as two comic songs "That is love," and " The Irish Fray." He also gave some really clever performances on the bones. The two lady performers also i gave an admirable rendering of the duet "Sainted Mother." A distribution of gifts followed ; the more valuable being held m reserve with the . full consent of the audience for a fuller house, which the Company hops for and deserve to get to-, nigh*", when they will again appear with »n entirely ww WW/

At 4 pm. yesterday, Ashburton was visited with ahailstorinof unusual severity, and which will, we fear, h*ve done con siderable damage m the gr*in fields and oichards. Shortly before 8 pm. a very he«vy downp-jur of rain set ia.

The Timaru Hera'd say« that nearly all the stations on the Waimate side of the Waib'ki, below Sandhurst-, are sending their wool to Oamaw by road. Also a number of those far' her up find it cheaper to send by bullock and horse waggon direct to Otmaru, than to rail it from Kurow. A number of Waimile farmers have this year arranged to cart their wool direct to Timaru and some to Oamaru. In all cases the expei se by mad is less th n by rail.

Telegr nu received late last night from Christen urch record a heavy thunderstorm with hail and rain, by which considerable damage has been dono. J. X Inglis, licensee of the Central hotel, was charged on three informations wi h selling liquor after hours. Magistrate's decision re served . William Tasman Scott, of Heath cote, aged 21, attempted suicide by cutting his throat. The death from sun stroke of William Home is n parted. A bush fire at Oxford has destroyed thousands of acres of feed, and a qoantity of valuable timber ; also a cottage and some sheep and cattle.

Every line of Boots and Shoes, and every single pair selling at a great reduction dur ing the last ten days of McDonald and MoDiarmid's aale of Anderson's Boot Stock. 11 157

DISTRICT COURT.

ASHBURTON— THURSDAY. Before His Honor Judge Ward. APPLICATIONS FOR DISCHARGE. On the application of Mr Orisp, immediate orders of disoharge were granted to Hay Taylor SnaLh, Eliz* Myra McGregor, and William Ellery. PUBLIC EXAMINATION. .Re Charles Samuel Robins and John Robins. Mr Wilding for the Assignee, Mr Crisp for debtors. It appeared from the Assignee's report that debtors had I Bled with assets nil and liabilities £704 11s, atter being; twelve months m busi ness. They had bought a farm of 1252 acres, paying nothing down and having only £10 to start with. — Charles Samuel Robins said m October 1891 they agreed to purchase 1252 acres from the Bank of New South Wales ; his bro'hers James and John were m partnership with him. The price of the farm was £3190 j paid nothing down ; interest was to be charged at 6 per cent. H-id a plant worth £75 ; It belonged to himself. His brothers had no capital. Owed ab^ut £71 when he went into the farm ; told the Assignee he owed £100. This was true. Had a crop of oats besides on land rented from Bean Broß. Wa 1 * to give one bushel m five as rent-. Owed for the seed. This was all he had m addition to the plant. Had ljept accounts ; kept no books but the one handed to the Assignee this morning ; it was written up lately — m the last few days. The fiim filed on September 25 last ; the assets were nil and debts £704 11s, Incurred £600 of debts m eleven months ; paid the Bank no money. They had grass seed worth £13. Was married. Elis brother John married oight months ago. Paid away money for living ; several small accounts, about £20. Had sheep on the farm ; us9d most of the land for grazn» ; had about 80 acres of crop. The Bank wanted to turn t hem out, and they refused to go, as they hid done a lot of W' rk on the place. The Bank gave them £3Q ah last to go ; had not paid this to the

Assignee ; received ifc on September 2Q ; had not charged the constable at Rakiia ' with stealing this ; it was m a box ; the box was open all one day. Said he did not kiow who took it. His brother James hid pufc the money m a box j believed he put £30 m- Did not know where James Robins was now ; ho went away shearing. His brother John took £8 out of the box the day af'er it had been put m by James. Bttlieve it was paii to Mr Crisp for filing. The £22 had disappeared. Had been farming ijj Ashburton before.- 1 - John Robins, a partner and brother of last witness, said he did not know where t J*me=) Robins was now. Say him last on ■ October 6- He went to look for work. Had not received any of the missing £22. i They had been working separately before j taking the farm from the Bank. James j and he had about £10 between them when they took the farm ; they owed nnre than : they oou'd. pay at the time. Jamea also , owed some money. Getting married cost I £2 or £3. Employed labor on the farm ; sr m^ of it is still not paid for. Did not .owe £#00. whan thny filed. Lawrie and Go, put m the bailift* "Owed them £IW 1 Ha 4no accounts at the time of filing^ aha ( had over es'imatetl their HabDities. Mr Thomas had security for his account over | the plant and sheep ;in fact all they had. This was m the autumn. There was £50 deficiency on the account. Were getting \ Into /iebt; bad no cash to pay, ard depen ded on what tfte orpps would turn out and ' thought* it would clear them. H»4 only 80 acres In. and most of the ground* rea-Sy '' to put m 160 acres more, to piy | £2 l|Ls per acre for the land. Had paid 1 the "bank no interest or jfetjt," bjjt did work 1 on the fat nji The bank agent jbold them 1 he would set of any improvements against ' the Untereafef that is, they were to wait for ; it and not push thorn. They kept a book ; was nevar asked for it ; gave it to the assignee this morning. It was written up lately m ink, it had been m i pencil before. Paid "E. Welsh £3 12s ' for wages and Ellen some ; but s ill owed some wages. Paid nothing else. The sheep sold did not realise what they cost. #'ames d'd a few weeks harvesting off the farm. Worked on tjr»e 'farm putting m crops and cutting fences ; ploughed m all j about 281$ acres and put §0 acres m oats. Was present when £t}Q was reguved from the Bank to give up possession of the farm to Lawrie and Co. The B»nk oomplained they (Robins Bros ) had not kept their jE^ereement, and demanded possession. The Hq wa9 putin a box on a SahucUy by Charles Robins. Saw the bo# opened the same evening ; James opened it { and gave witness £8 to pay' his way. Did hofc p*y it away then. They agreed to have £1.0 each of the £3Q : 'the balance of £22 was p.ut m the box, \f hibfe was afterwards broken open by pme one and the money jbfkei*., Paid his £8 to Mr Orjtap oil SC- Qonnt' Qi the tjjjfoe pf fcjjem for filing ' a «Bs?n'g<?9- The box was taken to Stewarts St "'"■.* oEWS? the box was broken open. " • ....'j*^ the money from Thursday till Satuiuc^ morning, when ib was pufc m the box wrapped m the skirt of a dress First knew the £22 was gone on Wednesday, when James told him m Ashburton. Charles discovered that the bog had been opened on the. farm on Tuesday before it was taken to Stewarts. He did not then look to see if the money was gone, James found 'he money was gone on Wednesday/ - skirt and all ; he did not tell the polica or any one at Rakaia that the money ludbeen taken nor did he tell the police himself, Told Mr Or so on Thursday. Lewis, Hyndman. and Walker were aot r ing as bailiffs. Hyndman is a partner of 1 Lawrie's. Believed they broke open the box. It contained wearing apparel. Only James Robins and himself knew the , money was m the box- T his closed the examination. Ite Cleveland Oondell Ross. — On the application of Mr Crisp an order was made closing the public examination, probate. . ; Re Murdoch Bkucb. — On the applica tion of Mr Paraell, letters of ad minis tra- ; tion were granted to the widow, Catheiine Bruce,

Yo(4 iry ihfi Nby Vmm Tobacco

COMMERCIAL.

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Sydney, January 8

Wheat — Chick, 3s 9J ; new milling, 4s. Fiour— Roller brands, £10 to £10 10s. Oats —Prime feeding, 2s 6d. Maize, 3s 5d to 3s 6d. Barley— Cape, 3s. Bran, 9d. Pollard, lOd. Peas — Prussian blue, 4a 9d to ss. Potatoes — Local grown, £6 to £7 ; some prime sorts, £8. Onions, £7. Butter— Dairy made, 10d ; factory, lljd. Cheese— New Zealand, 6d to 7d. Bacon, s£d to 6Jd. Melbourne, January 8 Wheat — Growers witholding supplies, 4s 6d to 4a lOd; expected to advance to 4s lid. Oats— Algerian, 2s 7d to 2s lOd ; white, 3s Id ; 2000 bjigs of New Zealand oats sold privately at 2s 7sd to 2s 8d per bushel, m bond for export. Maize, 3a 6d. Barley — Cape, 2a 10il. Bran and pollard, la Id each. Potatoes, £6 to £6 ss.

Adelaide, January 8. Wheat, 3s lid. Flour— Roller brands, £9. Oats, 2s Id to 2a 3d. Barley— Cape, 2s 6d to 33 ; malting, 2s 9d to 4s. Bran and pollard, Is each,

ADDINGTON STOCK MARKET

Christohurch, January 8 There were large entries at Addington market to-day and an average attendance of buyers. *Fat Cattle— lßo head were yarded. A good demand was shown for small handy weight cattle but the heavier sorts were hirder to get rid of. Steers realised from £4 12s 6d to £8 7s 6d, heifers £4 17s fid to £7 12s 6d, cows £4 to £6 17s 6J. Prime beef fetched from 19a to 21s per 1001 b and cow beef 15a to 18s. Dairy Cattle — A large entry. Any thiDg good mcl with a fair demand but inferior which were m the majority were dull of sale. First-calf heifers brought up to £4 16s ; second-calf heifers £5 ; third-calf £6 10a ; old cows £1 10a to £4 10s.

Store Cattle— A large yarding of varied quality. Yearlings sold at up to £1 15s, two-year-old* £2 15a, two-and-a -half-year olds £3 10s, three-year olds £4 10a, old cows £1 to £4.

Fat Stock — A good entry but market very irregular. For good freez ng sheep fair values were obtained ; best wethers 12-) to 15 i 4d, best freezing sheep, mixed s.-xes, 11s to 13 * 61, fat ewes, piimest quality 9d 6d to 11s 61 ; medium 7s to 9j, inferior sorts 5 s 6d to ?s.

Store Shkep— S'ore sheep sold slightly easier than at previous sala. Two tooths brought from 4 a 91 to 10a 6d and one large line sold at 10s lid. four-tooths 10a 6d to 11s, store lambs 5i 6d to 83, cross bred ewes and lambs 10d Bd, aged merino ewes Is 6 J upwards, aged cross bred ewe 9 2-i 6d upwards. Fat Lambs —A large entry and a fall m values must be quoted; butcher's iambs brought 6s 61 to 9j, freezing lambs 9s 6d to 12s 61 and up to 143 5d for one ex* ceptionally heayy pen.

Pigs— The yarding was a Urge one of very good quality and all classes met with a gnod sale. Porkers and baconers averaged 3d per lb. Prices were — baconers 25s 6d to 89s. porkers 16 3 3d to 255, stores 7a 6d to 163 weaners 4s 3d to 6*3 i.

ASHBURTON MARKETS.

Mr David Thomas reports as follows upon the live stock market m the Ashbur ton county for the week ending January 7 t —On Tuesday, at the Ashburton yards, there was an average attendance of farmers and others interested. The catalogues sub mitted consisted of 5040 sheep, 54 head of cattle and 6 pigs, of which my entry was made up of 3241 sheep, 18 head of cattle and 6 pigs. Owing to the dry appearance of tfye weather biddings were/ slow and no store shegp were sqld by auctiop except small lots. I cleared most of my entry directly after the sale at a very considerable advance on prices offered at auction. Several very goad lines of two and four tooth crossbreds had to be dealt with m this way, buyers being shy and many lines of this description had to be turned out at fully Is per li9ad less than hey were worth the week previously. Of my entry I succeded m placing the following lines, viz, — Fat Sheep — 29 crossbred ewes, 83 5 3Q crossbred ewes, 6s 3d ; 7 merino ewes, 3s 5d ; 31 crossbred ewes, 7s 3d ; 9 fat cross bred wethers. IQ3 (jd ; 92 four-tooth ewes, 03 ljd ; 39 two,' four' and six' tooth cross bred ewes, 7* Hd ; 27 merino ewea, 5s 3.d ; 11 two and four-topth, 83 Q.I; 13 merino ewes, 2a 9d j 11 crosabreda, 5, j 6d ; 28 fat crossbred ewes, 7a fd. Stores— loo two tooth erossbreds, ewes and wethers, 9s ; 207 two-tooth oroasbreds, 83 9ti j 301 foiuvtooth crossbreds, 103 ; 200 four-tooth crossbred ewes, 10s ; 81 crossbred hoggets, 7s ; 214 two-tooth crossbreds, 7s 9d ; 297 two-tooth crossbreds, 8s 101. Cutle— l fat cow, £5 ; Icow, £1 17s 6dj 1 steer, £2 18s 6d; 1 steer, j£6 4s ; 2 steers, £6 2s 6d ; 1 heifer, £6" §3 ; v f steer? £2 Is steers, £1 23; ]l cow, 4?f5 15s j 1 springer, £<j ; two steers', £4 9s. 3PigSr=r§ weaners, 3s (Jd. Privately during the week { have disposed of several lines of two. tooth grosebreds, merino ewes and lambs, fat sheep and lambs at full market value, viz, — 147 fat lambs, 10a 9d ; 160 fat sheep, 12s ; 125 fat lambs, 11s ; 191 iuermo ejyea &nd lambs, 63 6d ; 190 merino iswea and lamfts, igs } 301 fourrtooth wethers, 103 Id ; 210'fcwo-tbotH drosßbreda 7s 9^d. :I

Mr Henry Zander (David Zander, auctioneer), reports :— Qwing to my m« cheating bUsineas, \ ha^e been compelled to engage a resident auctiQneer. This position has Been filled by Mr -Day id Zander, wjio, after being introduced by the senior auctioneers, made his^ debut' 1 atthq yards on Tuesday* My entries were small, and I sold them at satisfactory prices In the fat pens there were more than the general re quirements for our local butchers, and consequently a good many lots .were not sold. The sale throughout was a very dull one, and the majority of sheep offered by auction were passed. I believe, however, a good clearing was ejected m tb.o store fjheep Ijtoe after the salg. :f ' •*' •i' ••' TIIS wool season is coming to a close soqn, apd it is to b<3 - ho.ped th^tby an early and combined action we w;ll bp iq a position to hold looal auction sales next season- It is indeed gratifying to me that my influenoe m bringing Mr Moss Jonaß, of .Timafu, to Ashburton. has also helped other auctioneers m disposing of the;? wool privately to him. G9O& injerlno ?and fine }iall!bre4 wp.pl \$ \n great demand, • but medium- and inferipr quality have receded m yalua. • Below atfe the prices realized for my 1 sefedad and third aale to Mr Jonas, and my clients have ex- their epfire gatisfactibn with them. Y«jr, ; 9 balls' crossbred PWO3 »t ; : TV, 2 bale 8 merino eVeS §f 3 ' § W* W- re g ewes 6|d, 1 bale English JLeicester 6jd • over G, S bales merino ewes 5Jd, 1 bale merino 4d ; \V, 4 bales hallbred ewes 7d } PR; 4 b^les merino ewes sd ; 42, S balea crosaor^ * l " a 8 6 * d » S m ??i no 4 i d ' * bala merino 4Jcl ; MB corijC:™"; & Oftlefl crossbred hoggets 7|d; O under O conjoined, 1 bale merino s£d ; DS, 2 bales merino ewea 5Ad ; 02 over J, 4 bales merino ewes, 6d ; Sb\ 3 bales halfbred hoggets 6d, 2 bales merino ewes sd; Bquare, 2 bales crossbred ewes 6|d, 1 Dale meriuo gd ; 7E, 1 bale croßsbred hoggets 6Jd ; HD conjoined, 1 -bale merino ewe 52 d, 1 bale merino 6d ; S2, 4 bales merino ewes sd, 3 bales merino ewes s|d ; R7, 1 bale pieces and fleeces 51, 2 bales merino ewes 6d, 2 bales halfbred hoggets 6|d; 2Z under bar, 7 bales crossbred hoggets 7d, 2 bales merino 51d; A, 4 bales halfbred ewes 7d, 5. bales three-quarterbred ewea.6Jd, 1 bale ram fleeces 61d ; FB, 4 bales cross. bred ewea 7d ; E. I bale bellies 4Jd, 4 bales crossbred wool 6d ; G, 3 bales merino s|d, 1 bale merino 53, locks and bellies 2£d to sd.

WOLFE'S SCHNAPPS

Is harmonious m composition, and therefore preferable to those medicines which contain jarring elements. Beware of imitations.

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBURTON- WEDNESDAY.

Alleged Shekp Stealing, — At the i Magistrate's Court yesterday, before J MesßrsD. Thomas, T. B. Upton, and A.' Jackson, J 'bR, William Cobbledick was charged with stealing nine hoggets, value £3 3s, the property of James Bell of Lismore, between October Ist and November i>3- The following evidence was taken after we went to press yesterday : — Marian Cobbledick, re-called, m reply to the Bench said she did not know there were any crossbred ewes on tha place. Never had any of her own —To Mr Cuth bertßon — Was staggered when she saw the number of sheep on the receipt, but did not say anything. Accused earned a good deal of money running. Had given him money several times to buy sheep. He bought some two yeara ago Had only about 100 i merino ewes left out of all the sheep her son had bought. Mr Bonnington bought all her hoggets except 27 last autumn. William Edgar, a farmer at Temuka, went to Cobble dick's with Bonnington. and bought 65 hoggets on November 27. Accused drove them to Bangitsta bridge. Paid 9s per head for the sheep. Took them home and branded them next morning with his own brand. 1 hey had a slit m the ear and a black brand he could not read.— To Mr Cuthbertßon— Had other hoggets, bat they were unlike the ones m question, some three quarterbreds and twelve others brought from Ellis'. Would swear the four sheep the police got were what he had bought from Bonnington. Constable David Jack son gave evidence as to executing a search warrant on Mrs Cobbledick's farm. Accused was not there. Mr Bell identified some two tooths with Cobbledick'B brand and his own earmark. The sheep were outside the Court now. Also went to Mr Edgar's with Constable Eade, and got four, more sheep with Mr Bell's earmark. Two had blue raddle marks. Mr Bell had claimed the sheep. Marked the sheep on the brisket with a brand, and delivered, them to Mr Bell. Identified Mr Bell's sheep readily, as thoy had a different appearance to the others, and were like those got at Cobble dick's.—Constable Eade, generally corro borated the last witness's evidence as to finding the sheep at Edgar's. This closed the case, and the Bench reserved their decision until a second charge of the same nature was cone into.

The same"accußed was then charged with stealing twenty-one hoggets, valued at 7s each, the property of E M Goodwin, be tween September 9 and November 3. R. F. Holdernesß proved the registration of Mr Goodwin's brand and earmark. --Marion Cobbledick gave much the same evidence as m the last case, adding that her sheep which were taken away were branded conspici ously m blue with K8 the morning before they disappeared. They were turned away m a different- paddock because they were not shorn. _ Told Mr Bonnington he had better get the cheque after teeing the receipt, as she thought there must be something wrong when accused had sold so many hoggets, and she knew they could not all have been hers. Had taken no steps to recover her Qwn sheep.— To Mr Cuthbertson— Marked all th.c hpggets and counted them herself. Was sure there were not 65, she had only 26 or 27. There were no other sheep but those marked with blue and some merinos. Saw Mr Bonnington looking at her sheep on November 4. Accused was with him. Had not authorised the sale of her sheep. All her other sheep were branded m red,— ?The Bench aaked if Mrs Cobblediok's sheep were all branded either blue or red, how was it the sheep outside the Court were branded m black. — Witness to Mr Cuthbertson — Branded the hoggets blue about 5 a.m., as she suspected her son might take them.— F. Bonnington gave similar evidence to that given by him m the last case. Saw the sheep all together on November 4, and again on the 7th. The paddock was half a mile away from the house. — The Bench then ad- I journed for ten minutes to inspect the sheep. — Adam Edgar also repeated 1 bis former evidence, an.d further stated that 21 of the sheep he bought from B.onnington were claimed' by Mr Goodwin. Mr Goodwin's shepherd came on November 11 with Con- I stable Willoughby, and tqok them away. They had a punch, hole m one ear and a double Wallow op the other. The brands weFe indistinct, and nearly black. There was a black eyed sheep amongst them. Ten of the sheep had a red brand on them. Twenty-six or twenty-Beven were branded with blue. All the brands were indis tinct. Had paid Bonnington for the sheep.— To Mr Cuthbertßon — Would not think the blue brand had been put on the morning he bought them. It might ) aye been. E. M. Goodwin, owner of Cracoft, knew accused. Missed twenty-pne hoggets between the gth and 22nd of September last. Some branded black qn shoulder and some on rump and earmarked, punch hp.le and double swallow. Found them afterwards at Mr Edgar's, t@n of them being shorn. Had received notice to go and look at them and sent his shepherd for them and had kept them sinoe. Had no doubt as to the identity of the sheep and had never sold them There were fifteen ewes and six wethers. Sold some of the same description to Mr Grigg last January; they would be eighteen months old now. Sold no ewes. James Henderson, shepherd for Mr Goodwin, went to. Edgar's with Constable Willoiighby on November }1 rind identified twenty-on.e sheep as Mr Good win's, Ten of them were shorn. Pioked oat the sheep himself. Could swear to the blackeyed sheep and others by their marks; Mr Edgar helped him out of the paddock with the sheep, they had been m his charge ever since and had not been near any^bther h^ggefa.' William Willoughby, constable m charge of tfie Geraldine station, cor roborated' last witness as to finding the i sheep at Edgar's. This closed the evidence and the Bench/having n.Q doubt there wag a w^ja iiiefe case f^r a Mr CJathberfc- Bdhsaidhe would reserve, the defence, and accused was committal for trjal qn both charges at the Supreme Court, Timaru, on February 4. Bail was fixed at and two i Bepurittos of £50 on each charge*

Intense Heat m Australia

jutsh: vjcres Melbourne, January 7 Extensive bpsh fires are- paging. ; m yaritous parts' 5 J p£ ' the : colony, -f At GreQville 'eleven buildings were de stroyed, the damage being estimated at £6000. Several people were burned m fighting the flames, but none were seriously injured. Sydney, January 7 J Yesterday the heat ■■ §b Undone registered ? 1 arid at r @obar-100 degrees. T-tfday m many of the Country districtabush fires are already raging m all directions. The Blue Mountains? are m va&nf parts. an^ f a gran^ s^eot^eje' is ppegoii|ed, At TermieJ, three nouses' "'^'f destroyed. The town of Bambala was completely surrounded by flfamfis, b^ \ w as save^ after several hours' fierce fighting. The residents turned, out m a°body to fight the flames. Besides the great destruction of crops by fire, orchards have been ruined by the intense heat.

January 8. The bush fires are ajbating. $ eyei-al deaths from sunstroke' are reported from the country districts.

Ashburton Presbyterian Church.

I The annual meeting of the congregation of this Choroh was held on Wednesday • evening, at which the Rev. G. is. Inglls I presided. There was a very good attend ance, and the chairman congratulated the Church members on. ihe success attained spiritually and financially duiing the past year. He chen read the following report of the ' KIRK SESSION. Before submitting to the congregation a -hort report of the wot k accomplished during the past year, the Kirk Session would refer with the deepest sympathy to the serious illness of Mr William Smith, one of our elders. It is known to the congregation that he was conducting divine service at May field, when he was suddenly stricken with paralysis. We are sure that the heartiest sympathy of the Church will be extended to him and his family, and oar prayer is that it may please God to restore him again to health and to his work m the congregation. The sacrament of the Lord's supper was dispensed four times during the year* Twelve persons joined the Ohurch by certificate and six on profession of their faith. Six members left the district)/ and the number on the roll is now 141. The sacrament of baptism was administered to 25 children. The Session would urge upon parents their dnty to bring their children to Ohuroh for baptism/ Private baptism is against both the law and the practice of our Ohurch, and the Session trust that wherever It is possible parents will consider it aduty to come and dedicate their children to God m presence of tha congregation. All the ordinary services of the Church haya been carried on with out) interruption. The minister has paid 370 pastoral visits to the families con nected with the congregation, besides faithfully vlsitiug the sick, the Old Men's Home, and the Hospital. The weekly prayer meetings have been held every Wednesday and Thursday, and the Christian Endeavor Society has met once a fortnight throughout the year. The Sunday. Schools at Ashburton, Wakanui and Elgin are m good working order, and the heartiest thanks of the congregation are due to the superin -1 tendents and teachers for their most valuable services. It Is with pleasure that we have to report that many of our , scholars took prizes Tab the Presbytery's L examination m Ju'y. & fewjadies have , met m. the vestry every Tuesday after* noon for Bible study and prayer, and this little gathering is very heartilycommended : to aU who seek a blessing for themselves and families. The ladies have also met ■ regularly for sewing, and have made up a large quantity of clothing, some of which \ has been given to the poor, aad some sent • to our missionaries m the New Hebrides, L to be distributed among the natives. . They have also done much useful work [ with a view tp liquidating ihe debt on the Manse, and m many ways they have ; heartily forwarded the work of Christ m » the Church. The result of all our labor ' is known only to God, and to His favor i we commend it. The Kirk Session would i greatly like to Bee an increased attend -1 %noe at the weekly prayer meeting. Both 1 at Ashburton and Wakanui there is room \ for improvement. It must never be • forgotten that the spiritual prosperity of . the congregation is of supreme import , anoe. Where people's hearts are righr , with God everything else will be found m b good order. There will be a epirit of s brotherly kindness and charity, a reail i ness to hear the Word, and a willingness j to help on thy cause of Christ. Half. day - hearing on Sabbath is far more common than it ought to ba, and the Session [ affectionately remind members and ad* I herentsof their duty not to forget God ' 3 nor to forsake the assembling of them . selve3 together, but to prize the ordinances of divine worship^ and diligently seek [ God's face. We are most anxious that i our Ohurch should be a centre of spiritual i power, and that all -.our people should bo i wi nesses for Christ. This will be accomplished when we honor God as we i should and wait upon Him with prayerful ' and believing hearts. The report was adopted, as was also the ! following report of the ! riNANOB COMJITETBI. The Finance Committee beg to report [ forihe year 1895, having held m all H [ ordinary and special meetings, at wbioh [ the average attendance of all members has , been nine per meeting, not including two i members of the Committee who were • elected at the annual meeting bub did not | accepfa office for the past year. The attend* anoe was— two members one meeting— 1 three members five meetings; one mem | ber tix meetings — one . member eight ; meetings ; one member nine meetings — ' one member eleven meetings ; five mem* [ bers '- twelve 'meetings— one member fourteen ,meeiingo — The Committee are, i very pleased to be able to present through their treasurer such* a satisfactory b'alaric.e sheet, which not only shows a credit 1 balance to carry f orw ard but also accounts for and cancels the debt of about £36 that the year commenced with. Jn addition, to this, the JHan.se debt fund if hlch stood ab £1B fy at the commencement of the year fco.w show§ a nett balance of £138 Is, and 8' ma £? worth of goods m hand from the gif c auction and sale of work, -which the Committee trust .will be continued ajgnuaUy untfl the debt on the Manse ia entirely paid off, The Manste debt of £60Q is due for repayment m November of this year, and your new oommlttee will require to arrange for this, as the present loan Is required to be paid off at maturity on above date. £138 is now on deposit with the Ashburton Building Society towards this debt. The reading desk on platform, renewal and alterations to the seats m the church, and improvements to ventilation, hive conduced to tha comfo# pf minuter and people during 'th&WI year,, On Miss. Grubb's resignation a* organist, consequent an her removal to Rakaia> four applications were received for the vaoanoy, but as Miss Orr kindly agreed to continue her voluntary services as church organist, this arrangement was continued and remains m force. The winter lectures In aid of the funds, given by the Revs Scorgw a.nd Tnglis, $er.ei\eell .attended, and proved vety interesting sW profitable toth'ae present and netted aj satisfactory sqm.-^..A; number of fcho large trees on tfrechnroh grounds have been re moved thib year, ani it is proposed to repair $c footpath^ and' front' of tj\e cliujob, eritiranoe wjfoen the roots die ottfe. The ahoual Qhuroh tea ifne'ellng "was held m tne volunteer drill-shed fchig * year* ldndly lent for the occasion by the she^ trustees, and was found fairly convenient and suitable for tha purpose, the vhole, meeting resulting m a satisfactory addition to the funds, of over £80. The Sunday aobool treat-, held eg last year on the Show grounds, was successfully carried out by superintendent, and teachers In a pra|s%< worthy manner, and the committee trust the new committee will consider the advisability of securing a section near the 6hurch' for the purpose of building 8 Sunday sohobl thereorf, a bnilcling : %Vs holding the various meetings of the church being an argent want of 'the Presbyterian congregation m Ashburton. s •••' fi 1 *HS BALANCE SHEET was also read and adopted; together with a .speclalreport from the auditors compll npntlng the Finange Committee on their management of the financial business P 6f the Church. : ' " '■ Ul - SUNDAY SjDHOOL. A long discussion took place on Sunday Schopl matters, and Mr Lawson (the Treasurer) read a balance sheet shoving a satisfactory balance m hand : m j;pp course of his remarks he said it had always been the etdeavour of the Com mittee to make the school self-supporting and only to seek assistance from thft Church fund a§ a last resonro*.

THE ABHBURTON aPABDIAN ; I'HUESDAS, JANUARY 9, 1896.



Holloway'a Pills and Ointment.— The at en tion of all 1 suffererß is drawn to these well known remedfeß, for they posaeßB f oonspiouous advantfge as a safe ats^ rahable aid la all those emergeDoies to which trailer?, .emi- grants and sailors are so especially liable- They have t.ean largely pationiaed by way- farers by land and sea, and, m fact, by all (s'assaa of the community, to their very great advantage. The Pills are beyond all doubt one of the most eflPeoUve remedies ever dieoovered for oases of obstinate ornstipation. odnfirmed indigestion and polio, complaints which are engendered by exposure and irregu» lar feeding, The Ointment will be found of the very greatest Bervice m oases of piles, abßoesees, "erysipelas, sod lUbiods Qflooal uloeratjoDß.



Bargains. — Ladies' Straw Hats, Trimmed Hats, White and Cream Laces. See our windows. --rAßhbur top Drapery Comjapy'



THE HOLIDAYS. JUST OPENED A FEW CASES OF SPECIAL GOODS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON Straw H;»ts, Soft Felc Hats, Tennis Hats frt m Is 9J. New shapes m Hard Felr, Hals. Special f eather-weight Soft Felt Hats l£<z Frame Hats m all the latest shapes A glance at our Christmas windows will show you that we keep the Largeot and Bosc Assorted Stock of HATS m the district NEW TIES, NEW SILK HANDKERCHIEFS For travelling — A Large Assortment of GLADSTONE BAG*, LEATHER PORTMANTEAUX, AND HAND BAGS TO ATHLETES: Running Pants and Shirts m all Colors Tennis Shirts, Cycling Touring Shirts 1 Cricketing Shirts and Trousers NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. rALEX. HENDRY, Manager. vSpecial Dress Sale ON SATURDAY, January 4, we shall commence a SPECIAL SALE of the balanoe of our SUMMER DRESS GOODS, Together with some SPECIAL JOB LINES bought at a Discount of 30 per cent. Note the quotations — USUAL. SATiB PKIOE. PRICE. Double-width Dress Material ... Is 6d Is OJd „ Is 6Jd Is ljd „ Tweed ... 2s Od Is 7J<i „ (Special Job) 2s 8d to 3s Is lid During this Sale we shall MAKE UP all DRESSES at 33 6d m our usual superior Style and Finish. We shall also offer the balanoe of our SEASON'S CAPES AND MANTLES at cost price. K^" Do not miss this Sale of New and Fashionable Goods. Ashburton Drapery Company, Corner of Arcade and Burnett street. TERMS--STRICTLY CASH.



Wanted. WAHOO ! THE CURE FOR INDIGESTION. Aehburton Drug Company, Agents 11 108 WANTED, a stood Jaundry-w( man. Apply J. C. N Gbigg, LongbeAoh 1 45 FOR SaLW. Jn good order. Hrsr-cUss Light Koadscer Bicycle, 1895Pnen- matlc tytes. Address— "Bicycle," office of i his paper. . 1 46 \ DJOURNED Meeting of House* holdern re A ll en ton bide School. /\t W. J. Silcock's on Friday evening (10th) at 8 o'clock . W. J. E neooK. 150 YOUNG Ladies' Journal for January, Christmas IS umbers Weldon'a Ladies' Journals, Children's Bazaar of Pastimes, Helf-yearly volumes of Family Herald and Great Thoughts, Quarterly Division of Nuggets. Diaries and Almanacs.— H, M. Jones. WANTED Known— Cycles thoroughly overhauled and enamelled. Tyres a - speoUlty— E. Knight, Eclipse Oycle Works, Tancred Street, opposite Arcade 12 85 WANTED Known— Mks Smith, Dress- maker (late of London West), has Removed from Cameron street to Have- lock street, opposite Army Barracks. 12 148 r TIHB Very Latent. — Strawberries and JL Ice Cream 6d per plate at H- A, Flower's, the People's Confectioner Iced Boston Cream and other drinks. WANTED Known— Newest Qocda m Drapery and Millinery for the Summer Season, direob from London — W H. CotUER, The Corner. WANTED Known— No old fashioned Goods at Mellor's Zealandia Boot Store. NOTHING makes such a comfortable light Blouse as a Wool Delaine. A lot of patterns to select from at 4^d — Mitchell & Ttirnbr TX I ANTED Known— We are~now VV showing all kinds of Summer Drapery, Mi'lin ry, Ac. Everything marked as low as possible. — H. O, Seoers, Melford House. WANTED .Known — We are now giving Tickets for Presents to all cash purchases of Drapery, Millinery, &c, — H. C. Seoebs, Melford House. ANTF.D Known— so riairs Ladies and Girls' Leather Top and Canvas Tennis Shoes, at half usual price, for two weeks only-— Andrew Orr 10 136 WANTED Known— Mellor s Boots and Shoes stand like brass ; try a pair. ; * f ANTED— Every man to try Mellor's VV Blncherg, only 4s lid. WANTED Known— Stacks of cheap i Boots and Shoes at Mellor's Zealandia Boot Store. TXTANTED Known— l am a Buyer of V » Bottlf s —pin's, quarts. Whiskey, and Brandy \ also Old Iron, wrought and cas^ ; Bones m large or tmall lots ; Zinc, Brass and Horse Hair.— CHARLES I?ROWN, bottom of Havelock. Street, Ashburton. 11144 rpEY FLWTOHER BKOS. for your "■ Christmas Fruits. They are of the finesh quality tfaat are procurable, and at the lowest possible pripas. See the quality and judge for yourselves.— Fletcher Bros . Ashburton \\T E are clearing a big Jin© of Al ,1 > 7 Wool Delaines, first class pattern, ranei'g from 10^1 to Is 3d, now selling a> 4£d— Mitchell <fc Turner ANTE LTKnown— Girls' neat Kid Shoes 5j 6d ab Mellor's Zea'- landia Boot Store. \ SLANTED Known— Spectacles, Eye V A Protee£oj?B. Gofjetfcj, Folders, and everything m the optical line at S. S vlek's. Optician ITTT ANTED Knowu— Men's .Suits 17s vv 61, Kaiapoi Twoed Trousers 9a ltd, Knickor Suits 4s lid, Caps 6d.- Ihe Corner. W. H. Collier W^ANTKD— Ladies to see the latest etyles m Boots and Shoes. — Mellor's Zealandia Boot Store. HOLIDAY Suits— A N ice Kaiapoi Bult for 27a 6d, Boys' Knlcker and Cambridge Suits from 7s 6d, Men's Suite to Measure from 45 j. Fit and Workmanship Guaranteed at R. Alporn's WANTED Known— Mellor's Zea- j landia B.iot Score has Ladies' Kid Shoes at 6s 6d. 4 . ANTEDKnown— Go to The Corker 11 f..r Newest Styl©6 m Drapery and Millinery— W. H. Collier. iW ANTED Known — For good value V* m Drapery, Millinery, &c, go to Melford ££/>uj2e- Tickets tor presents given to all cash purchasers. — H. 0 Segbrs. , ■ ir^r! j WAN'L'KD— Everybody to examine the Goods and Prices at Mellor's ! Zealandia Boot Store. TyST Arrived. — A large variety of ase- (f ft*! an/a Ornamental Goods, Dolls, Toys, and Novelties also, a job lot over one hundred assorted gaskets and Morocco and Russian Leather Handbags, to bo sold at and tinder ordinary cosb price at Mfts Acorn's. V*r ANTEn Known— Repairing m»de ** to Jock like new- Mell'^l's £ "Uadfa Boob St^re. W A bndk Boot Store * ttie ehea P^ Boot shop m Ashburton. r\W IST Make m Indies' and Children's Underclothing, Aprons, and Pina- fores ; also a good assortment of Calicoes, Maslins, Flannelettes, Trimming 3, etc., ab Mrs Alcorns new shop, Baker's Buildings. WANTED Known -We are selling a nice lighc walking «hoe at 4s 6 !, the usual price of (his Shoo is 6a 6d — Mitchell & Turner JAM JARS, JAM JARS.— Fletcher Bros, are j jsfc landing; a large ship- ment of Jam Jars of all kinds, Mason Screw Top Jars m Quart and Halfrgallon Jars ab very . low p-ices ; also Fruib Preserving Sugar of the very best quality, m 561 b and 70 b Bags, ab equally low rates — Fletcher Bros , East Streefc, Aahburton. Telephone 24 AJSTED KNOWN. — F. S Jeffries, leading Confectioner and Fruiterer, of East Street, nexb the Corner. Hob Pies at any hour and Tea and Coffee also. N.B, Lady Attendant Fruit of every diwocipfcion. Ladies Room a flpoolalt.7 I*ls Breaking tile Record— Messrs Craig- head and Berryman are evidently doing a ' very large tailoring business this season. ! Whab everybody says must be true " with regard to their reduced prices, good fib, etc., All who require new suito for Ghriftmas hould read their new advertisement op our fpgrthpafcge, '



Business Notices. Cheaper Than Eyer. G. J. NEI L L IN Premises lately occupied by F. Nokes, Bootmaker, next Shearman Bros Ladies' Trimmed Hate 4s lid Boys' and Girls' Saibr Hats lOd each MILLINERY OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. Ladiea' Norfold Bodice 2s 9d New Dress Goods Goods 6£d Good Washing Prints 3s lid dozen Sew Dress Goods Is Good White Muslin 3s lid dozen Corsets 2a 3d pair GLOVES AND RIBBONS AT YOUR OWN PRIOE. Men's All Wool Colonial Tweed Suits 19s 6d Boys' Trousers at Any Price Men's Kaiapoi Tweed Suits 22s 6d Men's Trousers 5s lid BOy8 HATS, BOAPS,8 OAPS, -SHIRTS, AND TIES AT HALF PRIOE BOOTS. BOOTS. BOOTS. All Our Boots are made Specially to our order. Every Pair Guaranteed. Men's Nail Shooters 7s lid Women's Shoes 4s 6d Men's Bluchers 4s 9d Women's Shoes 5s lid Meß TAN™ BOOTS AND SHOES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION G. J. NEILL, BURNETT STREET NEXT SHEARMAN BROS. THIS SPACE RESERVED FOR THE NEW ADVERTISEMENT OF ■S. SALE Kj, WATCBMAKGJR AND JEWELLER, ;E|AS;T SITREEjT. CHBISTMAS 1895. TtoeCompHiiieHta of tlic Season to HI. — :WJSW FJRUI.T — FLETCHER BEOS., HAVhJ JUST RECEIVED their First Shipment o£ New Season's' Fruit and it is Without Doubt some of THE FINEST FRUiT THAT HAS EVER OJME TO THIS MARKET 40 Cases Finest Vostizza Currants 1 5 Oases Preserved Peaches 10 Cases Finest Eleme Raisins 5 Oases Preserved Apricots 10 Oases Finest Vaienciaa 5 Oases Preserved Pears, etc 20 Cases Finest Sultanas 10 Boxes Muscatels, Spanish and 2 Oases Finest French Prunes Californian 50 Dozen Essence Lemon, 25 dozen 5 Boxes Persian Dates Essence Vanilla, Cochineal, etc , 10 Boxes Turkey Figs specially prepared for Fletcher 5 Oases Preserved Ginger j$ rog . 5 Boxes Dessicated Cocoanut 15 Gwfclceing Sugar 2 Cases Valencia Almonds 2 Cases Jordan Almonds 2 Sacks Walnuts 3 Cases Sicily Almonds 5 Sacks Barcelona Nuts 5 Cwt Scotch Mixtures 5 Owt Conversations Preserving: Reason £$95-96. We have m Stock and to Arrive 145 TONS OP FINEST OANB SUGAR IN 561 b and 701 b BAGS. Ibis Sugar can be thoroughly relied upon for making jam of finest quality. This Sugar is solely used by Kirkpatrick m the manfacture pf their Celebrated *X* Jama. •fam Jars Jam Jars, IN ALL SORTS AND SIZES AT PRICES WlTflltf THE REACH OP ALL Mason Jars, quarts and half -gallon sizes ; lib Glass Jars with tops, 21b Glass Jara with tops ; White Jaw, three m a nest • also, a nice line of TUMBLERS, AT A VKRY LOW FIGURE Bcllist's S»iUcnt SSiSH Bucket. We have m stock these celebrated Buckets, with or without Strainer. This is really a Splendid Patent and is a much superior idea to the old style of Bucket. The following are five reasons why you should buy oae : — (1) It is perfect for holding between the knees while milking (2) The corner fotms a lip for easy pouring (3) ft is touch easier to carry than the round bucket ' (4) It is not so cumoersoraß (5) It wili hold three and a half gallons ■ n FLETCHER BROS,, CASH SUPPLY STORES, EAST STREET, ASHBURTON, AND Jl6 and 118 High Street, Ohristchurch. E OX (57 Telkpiionb 24