The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1896.

Doctors are a long suffering r-^ce, remarks an English journal, bub their trials are not, it is A feared, of that order DOCTORS' JJjVION. which wins them njuch sympathy. As with every other palling iji these days, they tind competition keen, and whilst i he- conditions of modern life rendpr their- opportunities fewer than: tjjey were, the co3t of acquiring professional proficiency i 3 greater than it used to be. It i?, however, news that things ure so bad with English medicos m general that' there is talk of forming a doctors' union. Jt seems that certain ioiWr* 6^ have beep m the habit J*-«J|(!§FSpllwgtMr brethren -with /a view Xc imwm their practice; so entirely unp. essi^;j and unfruternal a proceeding must-, v is thought, be combated by the profession at large, and it is now pro posed s to enrol doctors as members of a union — a trade union m so many words — for the purpose of keeping up fees, just as the ordinary workman seeks to keep up wnges. "A Medical Correspondent " of the Times explains the sclu ma at great length, and invites a general expression of opinion that such a professional union would be for tha general good. But tha*, surely, is about as reasonable aa would be an" appeal to masters to acknowledge that a strike is an unmixed benefit The medical profession cannot hope toi escape competition any more than any other, and its prizes are, at least, as numerous. The greatest evil from which doctors suffer is inability to collect a large proportion of their fees, but bad debts are not unknown m other directions also. A Doctors' Union .strikes one as certain to prove equally inexpedient and ineffectual. How would the Union enforce its mandates among those who refused to join it? In our cables to-day it is stated that the Prince of Wales presided at the opening, aeremouy A of the Davy-FajPa- FREE RESEARCH day Research Labor. LABORATORY. ratory. This La- t ,\- \- boratdry was built' out of funds provided by Dr Ludwig Mond, the distinguished technical chemist and inventor. Dr Mond is a native of OasseJ, m Germany, and re ceived his education m that country as a pupU of Kolbe and Bunsen. He has made important .additions: to chemical and industrial processes and products, especially m the alkali industry ; hav ing improved the mode of manufacture of carbonate of soda, caustic soda, hydrochloric acid, chlorine, etc In |.893 he developed the Mond process of sulphur recovery from alkali waste, and m 1873 founded the Ammonia Soda Works of Messrs Brunner, JJond, and Co., at Winnington, Cheshire, now the property of a limited liability;com pany, of which he is still managing director. His jlkcovery of a very in teresting compound of nickej with car bonic oxide has furnished means for ! *

extracting nick 1 fr ru its ores, and applying it to various useful purp s» s It was m 1894 that he made the muni ficent offer of £100,000 to the Royal Institution for the establishment of a physical and chemical laboratory, to be called the Dary-Faraday Research Laboratory, and it is this institution the opetiing ceremony of which the Prince of Wales has jus'; performed la such an institution as this chemical research m every direction will be pro secuted, and great discoveries are ex pected to be madp, facilities for exp ri mental research being,given to all who. have genius m this direction.

Local and General.

Miss McCulloch.

" W'l inn Berwick " supplies the Duned n Star with the following uuder the head i g 1 " A good record,' : — Mr — You give a reooid for attendance of a girl at the Albany Street school, viz, eight years. Two of my children have e ; ght first class and one second iliaa certiflcaieß, nine years each, except half a d^y the first year— one with seven first- and one second class, and one wi'h seven first class. Amongst seven of them they have 44 first class and four second class certificates. When six of one family attend regula ly for years,\ and as the older ones leave v the place is filled wiin younger ones, it will, I think, pub aside any isolated oxse of " record " m attendance. The lowa Legislature passed a 'aw, which went into effect a few months ago, which prohibited absolutely the manufactureorsale of oigareties within the State, or their im portation into the State. Oiie MeG egor was arrested fur mp rting cigarettes and selling them m the original packages, and an ap plication for a writ of habeas corpus was made to Judge ."'anborn, of the United States Circuit Court, at St. P*ul. The attorneys for the petitioner rested their arguments on the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States m the famous prohibition case that went up from the same States some years ago, after the prohibition liw was enacted there, which decision was to the effect that the fedeial constitution, having delegated to Congress the power to regulate commerce between the several States, the Legislature has. no power to prohibit the importation of liquors into the StatP, or their sale m ihe original packages by the importer. The lowa attorney general argued that the Legislature had power to prohibit the importation and sale of cigarettes, but Judge Sanborn, following the decision of the Supreme Court, granted the writ, holding the lowa law unconstitu tional. '-

A large consignment of trout is to be sent from Mastertou to Rotorua. Sporting news and a report of the Adiiingtou market appears on our fourth page. - i An hotel to cost £15,000 is to be erected m the main street of Ka'goorJie, opposite the railway station, '" 'Mir David Thomas intimates elsewhere that he will have a private sale of wool m his stores on January 4. Mr William Patching's new advertisement notifies that he has added saddlery and harness making to his business. Some very fine samples of coffee grown on the Clarence h*ve been received by the New South Wales Agiiuultural Department. New regulations for' the disposal of land uuder the Lands for Settlement Act have beeu adopted and will shortly be gazetted. The recent fire on the barque Alice makes the sixth that has taken place on various vessels m Wellington harbour m the last few years. The Vicar invites all strangers m town on Christmas Day to the services to be held m St. Stephen's, a list of which appears m the usual place. The Matron of the Home wishes to ac knowledge with thauks the receipt of 53 from Dr Trevor towards a Christmas treat for the inmates. No less than 100,000 sheep were driven Tia Tumbat umba (New South Wales) to the high lands during the last month, owing to the prospect of a bad stock season. Applications have been made by some candidates for the return of the deposit lodged at the laisfc election. Tho Go\ em men t decided it had no authority to do so. There was quite an exodus of miners from Waihi, Waitekauri, and Karangakake on Saturday, principally of those living at a distance, who wish to reach their homes before Christmas Day. The programme of the Scotch concert to be given m the Oddfellows' Hall on Boxing night is circulated with this issue. It will be seen - that the Society has provided a good evening's entertainment. As. regularly as the season comes round a kind-hearted anonymous correspondent ("Christmas ') sends £10 to the Evening Post office for distribution to the Wellington institutions. Steps are to be taken to obtain a recount of the votes m the Wellington election m the interest of Mr A R. Atkinson, who was eighteen behind Mr Fi9her, pro/ided the logal opinion is favourable. Petitions for the release of Louis Ghemis sonvicted of Hawkius's murder m Welling ' ton, aud Miss Flannagan, convicted of inf&u tioide at Christchurch, will ba dealt with by the full Cabinet early m the new year. In our local column of 19th in&t. we omitted to mention that the mirrors used m the display of goods m Messrs John Orr and Co.'s window were specially imported for them by' Mr J. WiUon, who has made silver plate glass a specialty. The Canterbury Frozen Meat Company (Belfast), held its annual meeting m Christ church yesterday, aud dec'ared a dividend of 8 per cent. lhe profit amounting to £2079 2s 6 A for nine months was considered very sa'isfactory. {Government regret it is unable to comply with the request of the debenture-holders of the Midland V ailway Company foe an ex tension of time for lhe paymeufc of fctie moneys claimed as payment for work done ■ by the Government. The concert on New Year's night, at the Oddfellows' Hail 1 , promoted by Mesdames Bowman Fox and Donald McLean promises to be a very attractive one. Som£ of the heat vocalists m Canterbury have been secured' for tl}e evening, and a most success ful entertainment msy be anticipated. At Auck'and op \yednesday a young man named, wljo had become banf rupf,, was Bgnt to prison for a month for not keeping proper books of accQunts^ and f,or contracting debts, which he had no reason able expectation of paying. Bis debts amounted to £1,118 and his assets to £170. " J£aiwhaka" sends the following tip 3 for theaporto at Kakaia on Saturday: — Amateur gyents— igOyds hurdles, H. Curtis, JJyds behind scr, Jst ; H. E L- Gray, syds, 2,nd. igQyd.o Handicap, J. A. Bruce, 7yds, Jet; " Weil I, lyd 8? gad. Half fclile Handicap, t Broad, tin lat^ G - g M fcr* mB \<? D * d ' 250 yds Handicap, rv. 5 ■ Mor ?* n » %*>. Ist j L. Bioad, scr, 2nd. - The Cabinet has decided that m future the maximum sa'aries of gaolers shall be re duced, and that piyment-j to governors and first- class gaolers be £300 instead of £400, and second-class gaolers £250 instead of £300. The regulations are further amended so that it is not imperative that gaolers' wives ahal be employed as matrons. A boy on a bicycle driving cjw'a was a revelation to the visitors to Werribeo, Victoria, the other day.s Arid the way m which the lad "scorched " after and " headed " a refractory beast which waa making for the You Yangs left no doubt as to the usefulness aud efficiency of ; the machine for the, business it was employed m.. ■ •.' ' ""'■> .'" • ' ■;■■ :' . '■■"■■' &■<•.• During the hearing of a charge of hoiisa-' breaking against a lad at Dunedin on Wednesday, <oeunsel drew attention to the anomaly m the criminal code by which Justices were not permitted to deal with the case. The lad made no denial of the charge, but simply because he stole goods from a dwelling tie had to suffer the hardship of waiting m gaol for over two months before the trial. In the Dunedin R.M. Court on Wednesday Mr Carew, S.M., gave judgment that a claim j for wages took precedence of an attachment order. A judgment debtor, who had a small contract, hud been paid on account, leaving a balance of £2 10a due. The judg ment creditor took out an order to attach the balance owing, but a son of the con tractor g«ve notice, under the Workmeu's Wages Act, to retain the money, £2 Bs, due to him for wages. The S.M., therefore, declined to allow the attachment order. The improvements at the Tinwald race course,' such as extending the saddling paddock, dressing the course, etc., have been completed-, and the course should be m better going order this year than it has been for some" time. Arrangements- have been made with the Ashburton: Band to play both days. i'he grand ttand is to be covered with an awning on New Year's Day, which should prove a great convenience to those using it. . The Club's annual meeting should be as popular on New Years-D ay as it has fylwayß'been m the paßt. The drought this year has extended all over the colony from the Bluff to the JJortft Cape, and there is not a single locality where any pretence at all is made at culti vation that has not felt its effects. From all points of the compass we hear of light crops prematurely lipe, failures where hitherto thsre has been abundance, and fears expressed for the'f uture ? so that this part ot Canterbury is not alone* m its misfortune iHiu h no satisfaction perhaps nor is it any more satisfaction to know that many dis tricts are much worse situated tbau we are, but \p m t!}9 feot all (ho same, -r \

CRICKET.

SOUTH AtfSTR ALIA v NEW SOUTH . . . ;,.,.., ■, <; WALES V ' . PER TRESS ASSOCIATION. Adelaide, December 23 In the cricket match f outh Australia v New South Wales, the' latter wer/eVictorious by fifty-one runs. >

QUEENSLAND v. AUCKLAND.

Auckland, December 22. The intercolonial match, Queensland v. Aucklandt was commenced to-day on the Domain Cricket Ground. The weather was fine and the light all that could be wished. The attendance was not large. The wicket was m good condition, but slow. In the. hope that it would improve by a continuance of the hot, dry weather with which play commenced, the Queens lander?, on* winning the toss, decided to send the 'local men firtt-to the wickets; and that the move was a wise one was shown by subsequent results, as the wicket improved considerably as the dsy wore on, and was fairly fast when the visitois went m. . • The bowling •of the Aucklancfers was expensive all through, and'tne fielding which opened fairly well, was somewhat loose to wards the end of the game/ -. •v - Auckland— First innings. G. Mills, c Wilson, b Miller ... .... 35 DrPabst, b Wilson ... ... ... 20 Cuff, b Wilson 4 Ohlßon lbw, b Wilson ... 9 Neil!, b Wilson 12 Kallender, b M'Ghnchy ... 28 Ball, b Wilson ... . 0 Hay, b WiUon ... ... .- ... 6 Wright, not out  , .... ... 9 Stemson lbw, b Wilson ... ... ... -5| Hawkins, b Wilson , ... . 4 Total 131 . Queensland - First Inning 3; • " Lewis, c Mi. ls, b Neill ... 0 Donahoo, o Pabst, b Hawkins ... ... 43 Jones, b Hay ..... ... ... ... 58 Hoare, c Wright, b Cuff 16 Bradley, not out ... ... .. .. 49 Macdooald, not out , , ... 6 Extras .. ... 7J Total for four wickets 179 * Auckland, December 23. Queensland first innings closed for 252. * The " uckland second innings closed for 253. The Qneensltinders then went m and had scored 21 for ihe loss of one wicket, when time was ca led and the match drawn.

The following is the beam of the Junior Cricket Club, which goes to Geraldine on Boxing Day, to play a match there. The team will start from the Ashburton bridge at 4.45 a.m. on Saturday morniug : — Powell, Marsden, P,ritchard (2>, Steward, E. Orr, Andrews, Amos, Crisp, Qlark, Pilbrbw.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

f — -<=- ■ (By Waj. J. SpswAßi).) f ' A merry mer.ry Christmas, - And a happy, g\ad l^ew Year !*' The kincj. old-fashioned greeting To ey'ry heart bo dear. Metjjinks I bear it sounding From far across the deep,' From hearts that aye the absent In sweet remembrance keep. And back again it ephoea from Earth's remotest strand ; And gathers into chorus, Round the dear old father-land. 0 merry, merry Ohriatmas, .. Where the holly-berrieß glow --Among the dark green branches, rjVjiair!? A n;d beneath the snow 5 Where through the frost-traced window Streams the Zula-log's gladsome lighfc, And the good cheer loads the tables 'I hat are thronged with faces bright. Where, the mistletoe ia hanging Jn cottage and m hall ; And for pn6 happy season "Love truly ?' levels all.'? Where the sound of mirjih and dancing. And of children's laughter olear, ' „ Makes Christmas, of all seasons, ;"' * .The brightest of the year. And a Christmas just as merry Where the'harvest sun rides high, Hath. far away $"ew Zealand, 'Nfiath Her blue Italiansky. Where the lark goes soaring gaily From her nest among the corn, To sing her Christmas carol At the pearly gates of morn ; Where a wreath of red, red roses, And a croWn of liiies fair, Instead of snow and holjy, Doth our Southern Christmas wear. Ay, a Christmas just as merry-*.-' For our hearts are aye the same— • And we'll kefep it aa we kept jo In the land from whence we came. With thankful hearts and joyoua, With tables filled with cheer, With though.t9.of love and kindness For friends both far and near ; With full and free forgiveness,/ To past transgressions dumb. With faith and hope directed . To the days that are to come ; With a emile to cheer the fainting, And a hand to lift the load Of the heavy-laden toiler O a Life's too rugged road WeM meet the blessed season, To ev'ry heart so dear ; 3 And we,'ll spend a Merry Chrfetmas, 4nd expect a glad New Yealr.

PRISE DISTRIBUTION.

Ashfourton School. Th« annual prize distribution at tht Ashburtou school was made yesterday by the Chairman. of the School CommiUee, Mr David Macpheraon. The distiibution was made m one of tht larger rooms of the school, for pupils attending other than the infaofc school, while the iofantß and first B'andard children received their awards m the infant school. There was not a large number of parents present — some hall dozen m all. Mr Macpherson, after ex presßing his pleasure at seeing so many happy young faces before him, said lie regretted that so few gcown-up people had seen fit to honor the occasion with their presence. He had accepted with pleasure the duty of di°tributing the prizes — a duty that had been laid upon him by the com mitted, and ID 60 doing he desired to impress upon the children the necessity for regular attendance at school. There was nothing so discouraging to the teachers as irregularity [' of attendance. Children who were irregular I could not hope to get prizes ; but worse than that, they were bound to lag behind m their education generally, and when irregu larity waß allowed m early youth, the grown man was usually found to be m possession of a bad and unprdtibable habit. He itti-~ plored parents to be cartful to see that then childten went regulaily to school, and to let no cause, lint could be at all controlled, interfere wi.h their young ones' chance to obtain a good education. Tne prizes last year were distributed on the baais of an annual examination. 1 his year the awards ' were made on the basis of monthly examina tions, and this he thought was the fairest way* The chairman then went on to refer to a letter that had appeared m the Guab dian on the Bubjecb of prize distributions, aud pointed out.thab instead of £7 having been expended m prizes, as stated m thatr letter, the value was about £15. The criticism of the concert committee was quite uncalled for, as that committee had worked very hard indeed. At anyrate it was not gracious on the; part of an anonymous w riter to disseminate false statements about the committee by, means of the public press. School committees were sorely put upon. 1 They were elected to look after the business of the school— a work that not many seemed to be willing to undertake — but were abused and -sat upon m every direc.ion. He did not mind the truth being told, but the dissemination of falsehood about the com mittee's work was grossly unfair. The Chairman then distributed the prizes according to the following :— PRIZE LIST. ''Standard VI. — (Presented by Mr G. A. M. Buckley), Bertha Alcorn, dux (presented by Mr David Thomas), Basil Stephens, 2 ; (presented by Mr David Thomas), Sybil Segers, 3 ; Kittie Bell, 4 ; progress (presented by Mrs Willis), Alfred firooke ; problematic arithmetic (presented by Mr J. C. Duncan), Bertha Alcorn ; solid geometry (presented by Mr T. Bullock), Basil Stephens ; good conduct (presented by Mr D. McPherson), Florrie Cox. ' . Standard V. — Gertie Meddins, 1; Alick Anderson, 2 ; Muriel Revell, 3; Rona Duucan, 4f ; writing (presented by Hanmer and Graves), Percy Thomas; arithmetic "(presented by Mr W.J. Silcock),R. Hodgson; composition (presented by Mr H. M. Jones), Florrie -Crjaighead ; plan 9 "geometry (pre sented by Mr Bullock"), Percy Dixon ; good conduct (presented by AJr Meddins), WV Payne ; freehand drawing (presented by Mr J. Wilson), Vivienne Willis. Standard IV.— Harold Revell, 1 ; Robert Henderson, 2 ; Douglas O\r, 3; Annie Nortnau, 4; (presented by Mr Phaup), Florence Harrison, 5; writing (presented by Mr James Keir), Edgar Williams j drawing (presented by Mr A. Orr), Noel -Douglas ; good conduct' (presented by Mr J. Orr), Rose Hefford ; arithmetic (presented by M?- Craighead), Harry Brooke; composition (presented by Mr Mac Lean Dunn), Hastings Braddell. Standard lll.— May Clayton, 1 ; ZeDha Duncan, Z' r Ernest Leggett, 3; Fanny liffeson. 4-j. Edith MoOlatehie, 5; writing (presented by Mr J. B. Mayne), Annie Birberj good conduct (presented by MrJ. B. Mayne), Verna Neville.. -Standard II. — Chailie Brooke, 1; Ethel Begg, 2 ; Evelyn" Davis, 3 j Miles Segers, 4 ; Mary Monson, 5 ; 'John Steele, 6 ; writing and drawing (presented by Mr J. R. Cnap man), Amy Birch ; good conduct (presented by Mr J. Phaup), Gordon Craighead. Standard , I. — James Primmer, 1 ; Mary Shaw, 2 ; Christina Begg, 3 ; Ethel Claridge, 4; William Brown, 5; writing, Mabel Collison ; good conduct, Douglas Oraighead. Attendance Prizas — Gerald Brfeeze, Hugh Graham, Elizabei h Collision, Gilbert Mc- Callum, Vi illiam Veel, Fred Gobbe, May Clayton, Alice Davis, Owen Cox, James Smith. Sewing Prizes. — Standard VI. — Kitty Bell 1, Berta Alcorn 2, Sybil Segers 3 )( Minnie Dixon 4. Standard "V. — Vivienne Willis 1, Mary' Norman 2, Lottie Fooks 3, Rona, Duncan 4,. Standard' IV. — Annie Norman 1, Lily Smith 2, Una Mayne 3, A. Davis 4. Standard lll.— Ella Smith 1, Annie Harris 2, Sarah Collins 3,, May Clay ton 4. Standard IL— JVlary Monson 1, Maude McKee 2, Gertie Pilbrow 3, Florry Edmonds 4. Standard. I.— M. Segers 1, M. Shaw 2, Mabel Qollison 3, Suaey Wilson 4. The third and'f ourth prizes m each sewing glass were given by the bead mistress. • Speoially sent for Infants. —Mrs Breeze 2s, Mis Neill 2s, Mrs Segers, seven dolls and six d.zen mugs. ''■■•'.. * Before finally closing the distribution, Mr Macpherson said that Che secretary of the Art Society—Mr H. A.. Gatea-^had just handed to him the Bilyer medal awarded by that Society to Miss Vivienne Willis for freehand drawing m the competition open to the public schools of the* county. Mr Gates had asked him to present this medal to the winner, and he had great pleasure .indeed m handing it to Miss Willis, whom he hoped would be long spared to wear ie and win other honors to grace it. After the distribution Mr Mayne shortly addressed the children, and presented to Miss Orr, m the name of the pupils and ' teachers, three handsome flower vases. Miss Orr, after several years' work m the school, was about to sever her connection with it, to Ihe "regret of \\ a]],. He <made special reference 'to the excaleuqe of Miss 'Oir's work m the matter of composition, and to the great . aid she had rendered the school iv the teaching of Ringing. Her interest had not bean confined to 'her own class, But had extended to the whole school, and she woujl carry with her to her new sphere oi life the best wishej of both teachers and .fhiidren; JVJiss Orr gracefully acknowledged the presentation, after .which the chairman, m the name the' pirls of Mr Mayne's class, presented that gentleman with a little token of their, appreciation, which Mr Mayne also acknowledged. Cheers having been given for Chairman-, Committee, ' and . teachers, an adjournment was made tp '-jig' inf int school, where the Chairman again presided. 4 Q ° here may be mentioned that the admirable di 3 cipline that was noticeable m the Jnfant D,epart rnent reflected $>he greatest credit upon the head mistress and the pupil teachers" assiat iafi{ her. Propoedjngs opened with action songs by the children; gi^«;n m suqh a capti vating manner, the Chairman 'said tha{> fclmt papt'of the day's fare was like the wine m the parable-=rthe best had been kept to the last. He then distributed the prices, paying kindly little compliments to the ohildfen as they game up for their pVi}s.'S, which con sisted of toys and other suitable gifts, as well as speoial prizes~~for good pondi^cfc as under :— Willie Barber, presented by Miss : Turner ; Eva Clayton, presented by Miss Segers ; and Leonard Greenslade, Violet Breeze, Morris McGregor and Ruby Claridge, presented by Miss Kate Breene. The Chairman then called for three cheers for the head mistress, which were given m a hearty manner, and the school broke up for the holidays.

BOARD OF EDUCATION

A meiting of the North Canterbury Board ot Educabiou was held on Wednesday at the offices of the Boaid, Normal school. The fo lowing anMhe only items iv the report of any local interest, : — . ... ,. A recom.nendation from Ashburton that Miss Curd should be appointed to the vacancy caused" by the" resignation' of the senior assi tanb mistr< sa, was reserved pending receipt of approval of headmaster. The Board could hot see its way to reduce the Lismore School to the status of an aided school aa naked. A number of examination i eports were received from the inspectors. With regard to the appointment of a truant officer, furthe r i ifo mation. was -being sought from the Boards m whose districts the Act was being enforced, and the . Committee hoped to be able to bring up a report kt the ' next meeting, it was decided to defer the question of the revision of the> echolarship regulations till a subsequent meeting The report of the Buildings Committee showed that repairs iLd bien ordered at Dromore. A deputation from the Springburn School Committee waited upon the Board., with reference to the retention of the services of the present master. The matter.: was considered m committee, and, on resuming, the chairman announced that it. had been decided to carry but. the. recontStendat^o^ of .the Appoiattnents Committee. , r _ .;. „, V The flampstead Committee notified the Board of the death of Miss M. Bennett, the junior assistant miatresa. lx> was resolved to advertise for. another assistant n>istresa f ? regret being expressed at the sad occurrence.

CABLE NEWS.

Home and Foreign.

Presa Association— By Eleotric Telegraph- ....... Copyright.- .. - : ludiaii Famine Fund. London, December 22 - Lord (J. Hamilton, Secretary for India, has askfd the Lord Mayor to refrain from forming _a fund to assist Hindoos distressed by the famine, until the situation is more fully .declared. The Russian Church is givinga large contribution to the fund. Massacre Feared* The Pall Mall Gazette aaya the movements of the Turkish troops4&tely disbanded are causing great alarm ia Syria where a massacre is feared. An Amnesty. Nelidoff has asked for a partial ainneßty to be declared, but the . other embassies are strongly m favor of making it general. Tlie Mild lira. ; London, December' 23. John G. Jones is appointed captain of the Mildura. : ' x=v> " . t The French Press. Paris, December 22 Le Temps which formerly, supported the Porte has suddenly changed its tone, and now attacks the Sultan, ex pressing sympathy with the Armenians. Figaro publishes a stinging attack on Nelidoff, accusing him of failing to support France. '■•',_■ Anarchists, Madrid, December 22 Forty Barcelona anarchists have been sentenced to twenty years, -and twenty-seven to eight years imprison ment. Republicans Dispersed. - •-";'■. Madrid, ;Leceuiber 23 Gendarmes attacked and dispersed a band of Republicans at Alicante, killing seven of them. - Shipping*. ■ --^ Monte Video, December 22. **"" The Tongariro left yesterday all well. Stambuloflfs Harder. Sophia, December 23 StambulofF llet;f t ; a remarkable letter, written shortly before hia assassina tion, disclosing complete knowledge of the plot to murder him. It implicate? Mityewitscb, T*!*fektschienVahd a dogen, others. The letter was reacj at the tr;al, and created a sensation.

Australian.

Alleged Parricide Sydney, December 23. Twp hrothersj named Phillips, aged fourteen and •' sixteen, have been arrested on a charge of murdering their father, whose charred remains were found near Cassilis, with a bullet hole m the skull. Tlie Reciprocity question. Mr.. Ui id states that there is no " objection to New Souih Wdleg being rppreaentedat the Conference 1 proposed by Mr Sed'don. Though the Govern ment believe m f reetrade, they are desirous of promoting reciprocity as much as \jpQ.ssible. X% is impossible, however,Mhat the colony can be repre sented unle^a the Conference is held m Australia. ] 9 : - f The Bubonic Plague. Melbourne, December 23. The Board of Health fea|l:^ed the Government .to convene"iiin^i^nter colonial Confejeice; to take efficient measures to p.reye^t; the- introdu^tioa of the buboniq piague. "

TURKEY AND THE BOWERS.

■ -i — — — « Constantinople, December 23. The Pqrte h&s issued * decree grant? ing an amnesty to all Armeniang ex cept a hundred "wfyo wepe sentenced t© death, including two bishops. These will- receive a commutation, and will be interned m fortresses. The Ems bassies compelled the Qultan tq refrain from granting an amnesty also/to, the murderer of father SaJ.vatpr'e. ' Qreek rebels m Mapedoi.ia-attapke(J a Turkish esport, killing eight judicial officers apd twenty-four soldiers, theic pwn loss wn§ only'four,

A Remarkabls Scene.

Protest Against the Archbishop of Canterbury. Press Association— By Electric Telegraph— | Copyright, London, December 23 A remarkable scene took place yes terday, at the confirmation of the •lection of JDr Temple as Archbishop of Canterbury, The Key .&' D. Brown* john, Chaplain to the late Bishop of Bath, protested, on the ground that Dr Temple had confessed that he was a believer m evolution. Dr Mac Lagan, Archbishop of York, the Chief Com missioner, overruled the objection, but Mr Brownjohn twi2e reiterated' hig protest, and declared the ceremony a farce. There was an immense congre gation. A mandamus will probably b$ ipplied for, '

tfifii ASfiBORtOJS GrUABIHAN: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, iM



It will be seen by a new advertisement m j another column that Mesara Craighead and Bferryman are probably now showing the largest stock of new tweeds and fashionable tailoring gooda ever exhibited m ton. This speaks well for their enterprise and looal industry. You have ruined your cons itution um'cienbly by drinking inferior Tea. Keoruil i»y drinking <?re/y Fozie Tea ;it is pure. Ibe tfia is delioiou ir



s Synopsis op New Advertisements. Lost. — Fox Terrier. D. Brick— Re Tenders. I J. Wilson — Business notice. ' J. Megson-^Horse rake for hire. W, Sf.. pollins and Co.— Japanese goods. Hampatead To^n Board — Feed £>r dog registration. Jfttnii Tdeker-Opeo on Saturduy. ■»



Wanted. WANTED Known.— Will be opsn for a few hours on Suurday, Morning aud Evening. - James lasker. 12 176 LOST from Grove House, Tmwald, last Saturday, a Fox Terrier ; answers to me name of •' Winnie." Any one return- ing same to above address will be rewarded. 12 175 AHORSE Rake for Hire. Apply Joseph Mkgson, Eton Street, Bamp- aUad. . 12 172 OWN Make m Ladiea* and Children - Underclothing, Aprons, aud Piua- fores; also a good as ortment of Calicies, Muslins, Flannelettesr^Trimmingß, etc., at Mrs Alcorn s new shop, Bak r's Buildings. IF YOU WANT the Newest and Nicest Millinery, Trilby Muslino, and Drees Goods, go to Mrs Alcorn's. Dresses made on the premises. Fit guaranteed. WANTED, Situation as Machine Driver. Used io general harvest work. Apply "Expert," P. 0., Ashburton. 12 152 LOST — Kicking Strap, between Mail Office and A. Orr's private residence. Finder please return to Mail Office. , TAPANESE Goods 1 Japanese Goods ! ! tf Jap Jap. Jap. Christmas, disp'ay, chaste and beautiful. Cheaper than at auction prices. — W. H. Collins & Co. 12168 OPEN This Evening for Sale of Christmas and New Year Cards and Booklets, 1 oys, and Fancy Goods of various kinds. New Book?, Boys'_ and Girls' Annuals, .Sunday' at Home, Leisure Hour, and others. — Andrew£S, Anderson, & Co^ MERRY Christmas to all "Christ mas comes bub once a year, and when io comes it brings good cheer." Ihe Somerset Meat Mart has supplied this festive season for a longer period than any other shop m Town to a wide and ever increasing throng of satisfied customers. On this occasion we sha 1 exceed all former efforts, and will have m stock the choicest display of meat ever offered ,m Ashburton. Prize heifer beef, primest two-tooth wether mutton, Shropshire lambs, prize pork, veal jfrom our own fat calf, German sausage and pressed beef for picnics, and all the small goods, for which we take the lead. Don't forget the prize pork sausages at 4d per lb for cash.— W. J. Silcock. 12 162 MY Premises will be open Late This Evening and To-morrow Evening, for the Sale of Christmas and New Year Cards, etc. A splendid assortment to select from. — H. M, Jones _ WANTED everyone to know that Fletcher Bbos. do a most extensive Business, acknowledged by a member of the Force here on Thursday afternoon, December 17. WANTED Known— Go to the Corner for Newest Styles m Drapery and Millinery — W. H. Collier. WANTED Known— looo pairs of Boots to be aold m twenty-one days at Dlellor's. Boxing 1' ight. DID you ever hear the like ? Men abe Canvas Shoes 5s 6d, at Mellor' "ancred street WANTED Known.— Feculina. Fecu- lina. Another shipment of this Celebrated Cake Flour at Fletcher Bros. , Ca*h Supply Stores. WE lead, follow who may. Children's Silppers la. Mellor's Tailored street.



PUBLIC NOTICES. ' TBE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. NEW ZEALAND /CLOTHING "pACIORY. Light Summer Coats from 6s 6d Light Summer Suits from 10a 6d Light Wajhing Vests, slightly soiled 2s 6d Light Blue Serge Suits for Summer wear 163 6d Boys' Washing Suits, all siz? s 4s 6d ; SPECIAL PURCHASE. Boys' Drill Suits, all sizes 6s 9d, ÜBua price 10s 6d. FcR TRAVELLING. Portmanteaux from 10s 6d Steel Trunks from 10a 6d Gladstone Bags, Black and Nut Brown. straw~"hats. Boya' Straw Hats Is, the best value m Ashburton Men'a Panama Hats Is. I- < - BOOTS &~SHOES. Men's Black and Tan Canvas Shoes, best quality 5a 6d Men's Leather Shbes 7s 6d, splendid value Men's Light Boots for summer wear 8s 6d new Zealand Clothing Factory. ALEX. HENDRY Manager. m ■ * • 'V * i £ "i a M ■ h s a ■ Si % O • oi • H - X I S til §J s d * S YK * —^ a, &* C 3-■ I i M . Charcfr Services. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH Aahbufton. Thursday — Church Decoration, 2 p.m. Chri-tmas Jwe— CAROL SERVICE, 8 pm (Offerings m aid of the Choir Fund). CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES. £ v 3O a.m. — Early Celebration of Holy Communion Ji a.m,T^f»iorning Prayer and Hoy Communion All ontr '^unieante are inyjted to attend either the early :«lel>ration of Holy Pom- wvuttioft «.t B.«f *.t&. , ot :.^ c ftt , er Be^, 1 1 c ?' . The offerings on Christmas u-7 w " 1 be '" aid of the Sunday Schools. Visitors to the town will be heartily welcomed at these 8e vices. SUNDAY SERVICES. - 8 30 a.m.— Holy Communion : 11a.m. — Morning Prayer p 3 p.m.— SEAFIELD "/ 6.30 p.m. — Evening Prayer. REV I. A. HAMILTON. Wanted. STUDY Economy and patronise Mellor's Cheap Boot Sale. TTTANrED— Every Lady m Ashburton YY to see our Window of Blouse Goods, bought at a big discount, and selling at less than wholesale prices. — Mitchell AND TURNER. WANTED Known — Alterations and Additions to our Show Rooms now completed, Special display of Millinery for the Holiday Season. A late shipment of Sailor Straws to be sold cheap. — Mitcheli and Turner. WANTED Known— What the people say. That Andrew Orr has the largest and best assorted stock of Boots m Canterbury. - .11 125 WANTED Known —We have justopened a line of cheap all wool Suits and Trousers. Good cut and splendid value. Tennis and workiug Shirts m great variety. Mitchell and Torner James Jago- WANTED Known— Large delivery of the " Economic" Kid Gloves, four buttons, Is 9d per pair, worth rrueh more. — W. H. Collier. MILLINERY— Ladies Bhould inspect the new Millinery, Capes, Mantles, Jackets, Blouses, French and English Corsets ; all new and up to date. — A. Ohr. 11 126 VTTANTED Known— The Economic, T V 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. fTIHERE h no doubt, no possible dmibjb I that you get Good Value for your money at Mellor's. A FULL assortment of new Veilings m white, black, and black an 1. while. Buy the celebrated new kid glove -The Victory — only 2s 6d. The best glove m New Zealand for the money.— -A. Oau. j 11 124 ' MOTHERS and fathers who have to j provide Boots and Shoes, Bhould oall at Mellor's gealandia Boot Store, V



Busine s Notices _ GOOD WASHING PRINT, 3£d. I WHITE MUSLIN", 3s lid per c'oz AT G. J. NEILL'S. A BEAUTIFUL SUMMER DRESS FOR 6s lid AT U. J. NEILL'S. Flanne'.ettes 3Ad yard. The Best Turkish TOWELS m Ashburlon are at— G. J. NEILL'S. j^^OO^S 1 Navy Blue Sailor Suits 4a lid, I) Men's Tweed Trousers 5s lid, ___ Meu'b Heavy C lonial Tweed Suitß 25s 6d, at G. J. NEILL'S. Ladies^ Lace Shoes, 4s lid. •Ladies' two-strap Shoes, 4a lid. " . ■• ' . at . ; ■ G. J. NEILL'S. Ladies', Maid»S?na Children* TAN SHOES o! Every Description, at Very Low Pricea, AT " G. J. NEILL'S, FRIEDL&NDER'S CORNER, EAST STREET. _ KAIAPOI HOUSE. --- riIHE Alterations m the above Premise* being so far advanced, we are enabled to make A GRAMD DISPLAY IN OCR NEW CAHPET SHOW ROOM OF LINOLEUMS, OILCLOTHS, TAPESTRY, AND BRUSSELS CARPETS. ALSO.— _ CARPET SQUARES IN GREAT VARIETY. 7 MATS AND HEARTH RCJGS IN ALL MAKES AND SIZES. A VttRY COMPLETE STOOK OF FURNISHING DRAPERY IM ALL BRANCHES. MITCHELL & TURNER. * TANCBED STREET. . NEW FIRM -:- :- -:- -:- -:- -:- NEW FIRM SAVE MONEY BY BEALISG WITH I MITCHELL & BRODRIRB f NO BAD DEBTS. ! NO OLD STOCK THAT ACCUMULATES BY YEARS of BUSINESS ri^HE Public should only consider what they can save by dealing with """"J. a Cash Firm, where they do not have to pay for the great losses that are occasioned by Bad Debts. & BRODRIBB BUY AND SELL FOR CASH, THEREFORE 1 THEY ARE ABLE TO GIVE- BETTER VALUE THAN ANY I OTHER PLACE IN ASHBURTON. — A Ifew Quotations will bo Convincing — Brown IRibbed Pants (heavy) Is 6d Ladies' Hose, fast colors, plain and ribbed, ~18 lid 6J F aJr Men's Socks 61-worth 9d White and Brown Turkish Towels, only 6d Harvester Hats BAd— worth Is White Cahco, grand value, at 2s lid— l2yfl B fc-^kwk*r Boots 4s lid— grand value The Best Value for Flannelettes m ■f Heavy Shooters 9i lid-worth 12s 6d Ashburton. P# Ladies' Gem Shoes, Fpecial, 4s lid— worth Heavy Twill, 4s lid dozen— worth 7d ayd ~js?. 6s 61 A. Splendid Line of Corsets, all sizes, at \ Hairline Tweed Trousers 8s 6d— cheap at Is Hd ) 10a 6d The Best Assortment of (sunshades m towa, Men's Felt Hats from 2s 61 fr ?, m J, 8 „ , , We have the Choicest Assortment of Hats Ladies' Sailor Straws, all shades and shapes, £ mi n t OWD> from 9d eacn— Pick your own shape 12yds Strong Print for 3s lid— Cheap at 6s and. trimming, and have your ' — A Beautiful Sun.mer Tweed Is Id, double Millinery done Free of Charge, width FULL RANGES OF KAIAPOI AND MOSGIEL CLOTHING. r" — ■ MEASURED GARMENTS A SPECIALTY. L Ada r*n FULL SUIT FROM /|Qa f^jx L 4:i)S O^ FULL SUIT FROM 4tU^ 0-1^ I MITCHELL & BRODRIBB,