MAIL NOTICE.

Mails for Ceylon, India, China, Japan, Straits settlements, also Continent of Europe and United Kingdom via Brindisi. Due m London, January 19, 1897, and closes at Wellington, per Manapouri, on Saturday, ihe sth inst., at noon. Mails for Australia and Tasmania, due iv Sydney on lOrh inst. Close at Wellington, per Manapouri, on Saturday, the sth inst., at 1 p.m.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Bad Memory. — Hitting below the bet.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1896.

The Dunedin Star publishes a letter from a Mr Dawson a prominent pitizen of that city who has tfAINE IS 1895, lately visited the prohibition state of Maine. It will be interesting reading for our readers, but we have only spt»ce for the concluding remarks which are as under: — I took several drives m various directions from Portland into . the country, and liquor was on every occasion unhesitatingly supplied at every house of call when asked for. While I was m Portland the Rev, A. H, Wright, pastor of the St. Lawre Congregational Church, Portland, preached a sermon on Sunday, the 29th ■"September, 1895, an extract from which is givan jn the Boston Evening Transcript of Saturday? sth' October, 1895. The extract runs as follows : — The condition of things here is Bimply amazing to all honest, unprejudiced, and right-minded citizens. Liquor selling is a crime m this state • m the eyes of the civil law liquor' gellprs are criminals. Yet here m our Christian oity ? goV'eped'by phrisiian men, we ape tpjld that not less than ttyefi hundred plapcf are open apd jn full operation for'tlu3 sale of intoxicants. The people who deny these things evidently do so m a fit of intellectual desperation, " Ihe facjis are against them, and they have no', other recourse. ] After my own personal experiences m Maine I could not, as a reasonable being, come to' any other conclusion but that prohibition theie is simply a farce, and if I had not had any per sonal experience there I should be iiic!:.™* l tg tcvk.e th.c opinion of the Rev. A. H. Wright, who is result there, rathar tl^an be guided by state ment's made by sjSraijgers au«h as the Rev. L. M. Isitt and Mr A','S'.' Adams. I can assure you my feeling is that if ever prohibition were carried m New Zealand a state of things would arise (if Maine is any guide) that would make every Britisher bitterly regret the loss of that freedom that his ancestors fought for and have left him as a legacy. — I am, etc., W. Da,wson. Dunedin, November 2.8. The statistical returns just reoeived from the office of the Registrar- General supply some ALCOHOL IN NEW tere.sting figures m ZEALAND TOR connection with the 1805-96. consumption of al coholic liquor. From these official records it appears that for the pas(s te# years there has been a aradual decline m the rate ojc consump tion per head of beer and spirits, From 1882 to 1895 the quantities have fallen as under :— lßß2— Beer, 9.345 gallons por head j spirits, 1.088 gallons y wine, 0.315 gallons. 1895— Beer, 7 421 Gallons; spirits, Q. 629 gallons^ and: wine 0.135 gallons." Or,, to put it, inofrher way, the following table, com muted o$ tte official figures, would represent the rsfejbivp of 9sar aud spirits M &&$ avfiyage J

1000 people consumed at the periods given : — Gallons. Gallons. Gallons. Boer. Spirits. Wine. 1882 ... 9345 1088 315 1895 ... 7421 629 125 and the reduction appears to be going on still more rapidly. The figures for the United Kingdom for 1893 showed a consumption of 28,740 gallons of beer per 1000 persons. This supports the con tention of the moderate advocates of temperance reform that drunkenness is rapidly declining m New Zealand, and that the young New Zealander com pares favorably with the people of any age and country" for sobriety. The arrests for drunkenness have also declined during the past decade nearly forty per cent. In view of facts like these, people may very naturally resent the continually repeated statements of the prohibitionists that nothing but their scheme can effect temperance reform. •

Local and General.

* # * The Guabdian will go to pres3 at 1 o'clock on Frllay, the polling-day. Ad vertisements muse be lodged nob later than 12 o'clock. * # * As the whole staff of this office will be heavily taxed during the night of Friday to bring out the Mail at the usual hour .on Saturday morning, the office will be closed to the public after 8 p.m. Telephonic mes sages cannot be attended to for the same reason. Mr J. W» itawle will address the electors m the Oddfellows' Hall this evening at 8 o'clock. We are informed by Sargeant Barlow that the Mayor will swear m fifty special con st ibles to-morrow evening to keep order on polling day. Overheard m a railway carriage : Excited Liberal, entering, to Radical friend : "Have you seen that Rosebery's resigned ?" Radical Friend : c Why, what had he got to resign ?' There were only two tenderers for the position of Borough valuer, and the Borough Council, at its meeting on Monday, accepted that of Mr F. Makeig, who undertook to do the work at £10. In another column will be found an announcement of a garden party m connec tion with SD, Andrew's Church, Tinwald, which is to be held m the Tinwald Domain on Thursday, December 10. The women who are agitating f>r the release of Mrs Locher, who was convicted of shooting Mr Norbury, have presented a petition to the Premier containing 4000 signatures m favour of her release. Mr Atkinson at the Wellington Opera House daid : — "lf his remarks that night inspired any of them with a desire to punch his head he asked them to wait outside until the meeting was over." An announcement that tickled the audience immensely. One of the most curious incidents of the Czar's entry into Paris was the salvo of artillery which greeted him at the Invalides on Tuesday. For the salute was fired from four muzzle loading cannon which were captured at Sebastopol. The French alone of all nations ate capable of so theatrical a palinode. "I can't understand a working man being a Conservative," said a'• Liberal " at Mr Hialop's meeting at Petone, and he asked, '• What makes » working man a Conserva tive?" "Intelligence," promptly rep'ied the candidate, and the L.beral has been pondering over this concise definition ever since, and is beginning to see the hang of it. The New Zealand Shipping Company's direct liner Tongariro, which sailed on Tuesday, took thirty-nine sheep for Monte Video, fifteen being shipped by the New- Zealand and Australian Land Company and the balance by Mr G. H. Scales, of Wel lington. The aninyils were comfortably housed m peas, constructed by Messrs Hollis and Brown, over the fore hatch. A quoit match haa beeu arranged between six Geraldine and six Ash burton players, to come off on Anniversary Day iv the Domain. The following will play for Ashburton : — Messrs J. H. Pauling, J. Stephens, W. Lindsay, J. Taylor, senr., J. Taylor, junr., aud W. de B. Compton. The local 'team should be able to hold their own, as the team picked are all very fair players. Toe Rev Dr Elmslie m the course of a sermon at St Paul's Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening said :-— " The principle of the New Testament involving temperance was expressed by a term signifying self control by the grace of God, a very different thing from State control by j;he law of the land. He pointed put that prohibition did noc touch the great ethical problem— the reform of the moral eharrcter of the indivi dual. No prohibitory agencies, either moral, social or political, could reform the world into the kingdom of Christ." The Post contends that the sale of liquor m Parliament House should be confined to Bellamy's, and not as m the past be carried ' by waiters into the loCbies, clerk's rooms, preao rooms, etc., and concludes : — " The resutt pan be underwood- — more people than members are seen ' under the inijfuehep of liquor ; and there were times towards the close of the past session when the place beyond the floor of the House was more like a booz : ng-ken than the house of national deliberation." If this could be truly said of last session it points to a terrible degenera tion. Who is responsible for such a con dition of things " The whole community are interested m protecting the Domain, and it is much to be regretted that some mean thief has been stealing plants from the flower beds. Mr \V. W: Smith complains that, of a nice collection of really valuable geraniums he had receiyed from a Christchurch gentleman, a large proportion have ' b r e'ep stpleri^ The plants were lifted clean put of their places and carried bodily away. As they are of a . very rape £md, any one shqwing them is likely to get into trouble, and the very rarity of the flowers, though making them valuable, is likely to be a means of identify ing the thief, who had thus better put them back where he took them from. . The. Domain Board means business m regard to stone throwing m thp Domain. Peveral of the young swans and other water fowl have been killed by having been hit by mischievous lads throwing stones at them. If any delinquent be brought before the n*»im..nn mercy.will be shown. Small boys will be handed over to the tender mercies oi the cruel cane on their bare skin, laid on by the strong arm of our biggest constable. Just think of it, boys J Haying to strip, lie over tHe water trough' at the police station, and be whacked hard with twelye whacks by— say, Constable " Moore or Constable Hammond. Big fellows will get heavily fined, or sent to gaol, where the tucker is not so fine as at home by any means, and the beds are very hard, and the cells very dark. Parents would do well to talk to their lads on the subject. Messrs Jeffs Bros., old Ashburton boys — now resident at a place m the North Island, with an uopronouuoeable Maori name, with as many 'letters m it nearly as there are m the alphabet, but situated near Kaipara have presented to the Borough Council, for the museum, some real'y beautiful samples of kauri gum. There are several pieces of I the raw material m all the shades of color, nicely cleaned, and all ready for exhibition. Some of them are of large size, others small, bub all of course, of the shapeless and i. regular form that the gum deposits assume. The other samples show what can be done with the gum by clever workmen. One of the articles is a beautifully made anchor, about three ineheo long, and finely polished. The Color of it much resembles red granite, and though too bulky for the purpose, is light enough for a watch guard ornament. There are other articles, one of them being a little block, also finely polished, cub to resemble a closed well-bound bible, but as c.lear'&3 tho fmost amber, and of the same color; Several' finely pojishod stone axe heads are m the 'collection, and the thanks of the' whole community are duo to the 'Messrs Jeffs for their nice present) to the p'eoplo of their old. fco waibip. j

Aii Euglish pvper says : — lt is authorita tively statofl that the Chnrch of England" and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel m Foreign Parts will benefit to the extent of £400,000 by the will of Mr Alfred Marriott, of The l^'rauge, Mirfield, near Devvsbury, and brother of Mr W. T. Marriott, of Sandal Grange, Wakefield. Deceased has left considerably over half a million sterling. The dioceses of York, Lomfon, and Canterbury benefit immensely by the princely bequest). Deceased was a bachelor. . In the course of his decision m a " tied house " case, that of McCarthy v Kelleher, au important point was dealt with by hia Honour the Chief Justice of , Wellington, j The case involved a claim for damages for J breach of covenant The defendant agreed to tike all the beer consumed m his hotel from the plaintiff during his existing lease of seven yeara or any extended term. Tb.9 defendant admitted having purchased beer from other brewers, but contended that the covenant came to an end for various reasons stated when the case was before the Court. Upon that part of the defence under which the defendant claimed to have been served with inferior beer, his Honour held that this defence had not been established. He did not think any deceit had been practised upon the defendant, but he thought that the par ticular portion of the defence m which it was claimed that the covenant was an un reasonable restraint of trade, especially as the price was to be fixed by the plaintiff, had been established. This, it is under stood, is an important decision, and one Which may iiave a wide effect. On the whole his Honour was of opinion that judg- I menb must go for the defendant. Holloway's Ointment and Pills are beyond all doubt the most valuable and most convenient medicines that > ravellers can take across the seas to distant climes, for change of climate and the new conditions and surroundings of life to which they will be exposed will assuredly give rise to great disturbances of the system and to such especial morbid states of the blood and con stitution generally as will render the use of these effectual remedies highly necessary, for they will m them fin^a ready and safe means of relief m most of the diseases which afflict the human race, and with them ab hahd they may be said to have a physician always at their call.

The Parliamentary Stakes.

THE STRAIGHT TIP. By Snarry. There are four probable starters lef b m for j the Parliamentary Stakes .to be ran off on Friday next. I—Prohibition,1 — Prohibition, by Slow Coach — Weak ling, 6.10. l 2 —Backbiter, by Traduoar— Disparagement, 7.5. 3— The Publican, by Free Life — Miss Boosey, 8.0. 4— Justice, by Equity— Fairplay, 15.10. All have previously been before the public and their capabilities fairly are well known. Taking them m the order named above I will deal with them individually. Prohibition is of the large lumbering order, and so far none of his public per formances entitle him to a moment's con- \ sideration. Owing to his exceedingly light impost, he may carry a good bit of money, bub I should advise his backers to hedge a j bit, as should he land first past the post he ! is almost certain to be disqualified. I Backbiter is a strong little horse, who j always appears to be going much faster than he really does. Bub he is naturally so vicious, and bites and kicks at everyone on the training ground and at the post, that backers are now very shy of him, as he generally-exhausts himself before the start, j He was once badly beaten by Qockatoo, a horae from the same stable as Justice. The Publican is a likely enough horse, but unf rtunately he was badly ergotted while running out at grass, and since has suffered from sudden and unexpected twitchings of the musoles, which have caused his over throw on more than one occasion. Amongst other mishaps may be noticed his fall at Rakaia, when just about to start for "the post-sessional stakes. Nevertheless, bar accident, I expect him to run a good horse, as he has a very handy weight. Justice has been bo long before the public, and has so repeatedly carried heavy imposts to victory there, notwithstanding the crush ing weight he ha 3to carry, there is no doubt he will he heavily backed, and all his per formances have been so genuine and con sistent, that I still look to him to finish the winner : my fiual tips 1 eing — Justice 1, Publican 2 (bar accident), Prohibition 3.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Hampstead.

A meeting of the Hamps'edd School Committee was held on Tuesday evening. Present— Messrs Crooks (Chairman), iawrie," Hendry. Andrews, Strange, Sage, McKeague and Pickford. Leave of absence was granted to Mr Still well; s ACCOMMODATION. The Board of Education wrote, stating that after their next meeting they would be m a position to give some definite informa tion respecting the increased accommodation at the school. POLLING BOOTH. J The Returning Officer notified that he would require the uae of the school room for a polling booth on December 4. raster's ebport. I The master reported that 'tad number on the roll was 406, and the attendance ' 357. He applied for stationery and other requisites, and asked thab new leathers be put m the pumps. — It was considered that the pumps should be left till after the holidays. HOLIDAYS. It was decided that tbe school break up on December 18 for five weeks' holidays. VISITING COMMITTEES, ETC. Messrs Stillwell and Pickford were appointed a Visiting Committee, and one small account was passed. PRIZES. Cash and books to the value of £12. 18s }ld were received m_ aid of 'the pri£e fund, and Messrs Jjawpie, IJendry, an d McKeague were appointed a Committee to consult with the master and procure prizes. The question of distribution as to time, place, etc., was left m the hands of the Chairman.

A PROHIBITION RALLY.

No More Open-Air Meetings.

A very lively meeting convened by the Prohibition League took place last evening m Cathedral Square, Chrisfcohurch. Some inUft.a took a van intQ the square and gave a nigger concert alongside the van holding the Rev L. M. Isitt, Mr T. E. Taylor, and other leaders. In the course o| the speeches interjected by them, Mr %'E. 1 Taylor said "that this was ! the kind of thing that the Lytteltoii Times and Press supported m their leadit g articles that day." Eventually the meeting became so near to a riot that it was adjourned to the Prohibitionist office. At a meeting of ihe committee of the Pro hibition League, held after the gathering m the Square, it was decided not to hold auy more open-air meetings. It may be added that the Liberty League immediately advet bleed m both the city papers repudiating any connection with the disturbance. In a leading article on the above the Press aa y a : _«' Meanwhile one very obvious reflec tion suggests itse'f. Between the extreme prohibitionists on the one hand and the strong anti-prohibitionists on the other, there will always be a great feeling of anta gonism, which at any time may set. the community by the ears. We have no desire to 8e 3 . any reflex of last night's encounter-in the proceedings m Parliament or m <jir egislation. What the electors ought to <fr therefore is to shuu extremists on 00/h «icles. Let them vote for moderate m)n who wiJI approach public questions without party bias, who arenfit swayed by personal feeliDga or party rancour, aad who will do justice to all. In this way will the credit of our institutions and the good feeling of 1 our citizens be secured," . ( p ■ " •i I

CORRESPONDENCE.

* I (Wo do not hold ourselves reapoHs'b'o for the 1 opinions expressed by our correspondents ■ — — —^ —

MR DAN BRICK'S CHOICE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — In your issue of December 1, Mr Brick has concluded, aa he says unwillingly % that after Mr McKeague, Mr Ivesa is the next choice, and m support of his conten tion quotes a number of aotions which he considers commend Mr Ivess to the electors. I have every respect for Mr Ivess, who doubtless has done many good deeds m the past for Ashbur.on, but electors would do well to ponder seriously over that word independenty which is prefixed to his Liberal ism. It is too elastic altogether, and scarcely likely to suit either Aahbnrton Liberals or Oppositionists. An Independent candidate is answerable only to himself, and is just as likely to be found supporting Captain Russell as Mr Seddon. Mr Ivesa has a decided opposition to Mr Seddoo, for his speech at Ashburton was wholly a criticism of the Government actions and policy ; the only Liberal measures having his support being those introduced by private members. The isaue ia plain- for or against the Goverment? and as Mr Iveas is only the medium, I scarcely see the wisdom m falling between two stools. As between Messrs McLachlan and Sawle there is but a slight difference, llet. t the bare majority versus the three-fifths. They are otherwise staunch supporters of the present Government. Electors should consider the difference m this manner:— " We elect our representatives by a bare majority; they pass laws affecting the inpi dence of taxation (which affects vested in terests) by the, same majority. Now, as oug ny representative merely represents the voice of the electorate, surely it is liberal to allow " us to pass a local governing law, which affects our constituency, by the same majo rity." If anything, my contention is the most liberal* .for m one case we have to abide by the decision of the whole representatives of the oolony whether we are agreeable or not ; ia the other, only when thg consti tuency decides m that direction. Ttn con r elusion I would aak electors to assist the Government who have benefited the masses. Remember who obtained proper accommo dation for our shearers, -tad placed their requisites on the free list ; who reduced the rates of interest ; protected the lives of the little onea m the factories; regulated the | hours of labour and afforded proper holi- Idays; assured workmen's wages-; reduced {the railway fares; extended the eleotoral laws ; and made our land laws the most liberal m the empire Con'raat these with the laws existing tea and fifteen yearo ago, and electors should have no hesitation m joining true Liberals for the return of that party whose aim has been the uplifting of humanity, and whose object is the greatest good to the greatest number. — I am, etc., A. J. Tyrell-Baxtbr.

ANOTHER PRIVATE OPINION.

! TO THE EDITOR, Sir, — In perusing yonr esteemed paper last eyeniug, I noticed a paragraph signed "A Traveller," stating chat he finds that Mr McLachlan is the favorite. Kindly allow me to state, Sir, that m the position I hold, I see people from all parts of the district every day, and while talkiqg on I the political topics, I notice that Mr McLichlan's chance is poor. It leaves me to think that he will be like the boy that fell oat of the balloon— not m it. The general opinion is that Mr Sawle will secure an easy victory and walk m straight to the position of M.H.R.— I am, etc., Liberal Elector.

WASTING VOTES.

. TO THE EDITOE. Sir,— l certainly think you ought to urge upon those electors who may be open to conviction the folly of throwing away the r votes by casting them for Mr Sawle. That gentleman is a very enthusiastic temperance advocate, but why should we throw away our votes merely to" reward him for his enthusiasm m this matter, and by 80 doing, perhaps let Mr McLachlan be sent m as our representative. I say it is better to make sure and go for Mr Wright, who may be 'safely depended- upon to advocate temperance reform. — I am/etc, TEST. OTALJiEfU

THAT SIXPENCE A DAY.

M> THE EDITQR. Sir,— The claim of credit to Mr Iveas for having gained for the railway servants the restoration m 1882 of the ten per cent of their wages that had been reduced, is a piece of unblushing impudence. Mr Ivess was quite a new member of the House, and his party was m opposition. He made qne o£ his usual frothy, windbag speeches, hut it b,ad no more effect upon the House or the Government than any speech has that comes frqm a nobody among the rank and file— which Mr Ivesa always was. The Govern ment of the day had promised to inquire into the question, and had inquired into it, and intended to raise the wages of the rail way men, but when it was made a no confidence question of, they declined to be beaten, and Mr W. C. Smith's motion was negatived. Mr Wright made an excellent speech on the occasion, pointing out all the claims the men had on the Government fop the increase, and giving his leader very plainly to underatatia fcbat had foe Govern- Hient had any intention of withholding the inciease his vote would have been against them. As, however, he knew better the intentions of his party than an unimportant raw member of the Opposition like Mr Ivess, he voted against the no-confidence. Before three dxya were over, the Government had given the increase they had promised ; but not m consequence of any action of Mr Iveas. Bather m deference to Mr Wright's wishes, who was a man his party considered good enough to offer' a portfolio to. — \ am, etc., *"' Anti-Humbuo.

STREET LECTURES.

TQ TE(E EDITOR. Sir,-— Referring to a leoter m your laafc night's issue over the nam-de-plume "No Drunkard," I would like to relate an incident which has come under my notice. A lady of my acquaintence went to hear Mr Isitt, and af tsr listening to fci3 able address she fully decided to " strike but the top line.** Unfortunately for the prohibition cxuse the lady referred to happened to be passing along East street where the Rev. J. Olphert was' conducting himself m the manner des cribed by "No Drunkard." She has now decided not to "strike out the top line." This is an absolute fact- So much for agitators of an Olphert type. — I am, etc., ModekatTe,

MR DORE IN DEFENCE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — We have on oar Statute Book aa Act call the Statute of limitations, whereby a person can, by allowing a reasonable tim.e. to elapse, become clear of any creditor or dun. Now, Sir, I have also a Limitation Act m my own establishment, and I intend to apply it now, that is to limit this corres pondence (so far as I am concerned) to this, my last reply. In so doing, I must say I have simply expressed my own honest con victions, and if I have caused Mr Ivess any pain I may have a feeling akin to sympathy as his position m this election is entirely brought about by. his own oveysoii\e§ energy. In conclusion, if Mr Jvess should be returned no man will be more pleased or more greatly surprised than myself, -But always remember, Mr Ivess, m dealing with opponents of any kind-*-" To err is human, Ito forgive is divine." Ncwq mortaliwn omnibus horis sapit>—l am, etc., - John Dorb.

THE (LSHBtJKTOa GtJARDIAIS t WrMESDAV!, MCEM&EK 2, 1890.



Mr D: P. t)avis, a prominent liveryman and "" merchant of Goshen, Va , has this to say on the subject of rheumatism: "I take pleasure m recommending Chamberlain's Pain Balm for rheumatism, ag I knpw frops personal experience that it will do all ttiatli claimed for it- A year ago this spring my brother was laid up m bed with inflammatory rheumatism and suffered intensely. The first application of Chamberlain's Palm Balm eased tbe pain, and the use of one bottle completely cured him. For uleby tjjf 48Q9VBT0N Drug Cqh?An?» ' : >•



You have ruined your constitution 1 1 ufficienbly by drinking inferior Tea. Reoruifc I ( bydrinkiDg<w/yFozisTBA; itiepurej Thel ( te» U delicioua ' l I



Wanted. : WHITKBAIT, Bairacouta, Mackerel, * Groper, fresh to-night.— Jewixt, opposite "Mail" office. 12 19 LOST — Gold Medal, New Zealand Championship, Napier, m or about i the Woollen Factory. FiDder rewarded. — ( Lionel Broad. 12 17 ( JOHN 91CLACHLAN, DERWENT Potatoes.— We have m Stock a few sacks of Prime Derwent Poiatoeß. — Fletcheb Bros., East Street, Ashburton. WANTED Known— The Ecouomic Kid Glove, four buttons, Is 9d per p»ir, is the Glove for every day wear. — SV. H. Collier. oddfellows' hall, BARGAINS m Earthenware this month at Carson and Co. 'a. First-class goods. ■■ WE lead, follow who may. Children's Silppers Is. Mellor's Tancred Btreet. RIDE the Best. — Kent's Championship Bicycles are the best 'Built to your own measure. Tyres and accessories of all sorts* — Carson and Co., Agents 10 86 nnHE early bird catches the early worm, X , so call at Mellor's Cheap Boot Sale. THURSDAY EVENING, WANTED Known— Mellor aT Sale surpassing anything ever heard of m Ashburton .[ "10 "TT7"HERE, . Oh where, is that? Cheap YY Boot Shop? Mbllob's . Zeaiandia Boot Store. NOW'S your time to Buy. There is a Big Sale at Mellor's Zeaiandia Boot Store. IHEaRD a man say that Mellor is selling Boots Wonderfully Cheap. MOTHERS and fathers who have to provide Boots and Shoes, should call at Mellor's Zeaiandia Boot Store. WANTED Known— Oilcloths, Lino- leums, Carpets, Squares, Rugs and Curtaina. Special Display m Special Room. A Case of plain color Liberty Muslins just to hand. — Mitchell and Turner. DECEMBER 3, AT 8 P.M. /CHRISTMAS and New Year Cards for \J the Home mail. A tiew, Beautiful, and Choice Assortment now opened up, Diaries for 1897. New books, stationery and fancy goods. Orderß being taken for any English, Foreign, and Colonial magazines and papers. — Andrbwes, Ander- on & Co. ANTED KNOWN.— Mrs Huffam having taken the premises lately occupied by Mr G. Neill, intends to open same as Ladies' Dining and Refreshment Rooncs, where visitors will find a long felt want supplied. - Meals at all hours. A few boarders will find all the comforts of a ome.



Business Notices. 1 I } - . T\^£ ARE JSIOW SHOWING ( THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL LINES. ! A Really Good WASHING PRINT «S lid Dozen. PRINTS FOR BLOUSE 3. A Blouse length for Is 9d, or a Shirt Bloubb made'complete for 4s. lid. A DRESS LENGTH of a^Good. Servicablt Fashionable Material for 6e 9d, Or Costume-made Complete for £S£s&i 6(1 A NICE SAILOR HAT TRIMMED for «s lid. A SPECIAL LINE LADIES' STRAW HATS, Usual Price Is 9d, we are clearing at Is eacb. Ashburton Drapery Company. ARCADE HOUSE, 1 • BURNETT STREET. MEN'S MEECERY & HATS. i NEW ZEALAND  Clothing* Factory. fi ENTLEMEN can always depend on > VJ getting the Latest Novelties m these Departments. Hard Hats m all the latest shapes. Soft Felt Hats, Tennis Hats, Lounge Hats, Frame Hats, , Land and Water Hats. ; HALLENSTEIN BROS. i * Have fadded another New Industry to | , New Zealand. OUR OWN MAKE OF STRAW HATS" j Equal to any imported article. S.H YS T S. Tennis Shirts, Cycling Shirts, Cricket Shirts The Fashion Shirt m and Blue. COLLARS. SO Difierent Shapes to choose from. TO ATHLETES. > Running Suits made to order ia any "colour [ Cyaling Suits made to order laud- in Stock. r N.Z. CLOTHING F OfORY. ' ALEX. HENDRY Manager. Church Services. ! QT. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, >C) Aahburton. i WEDNESDAY -Men's Confirmation C'ass, 730 p.m. THURSDAY-G.F.S., 7 p.m. Women's Confirmation Class, 7.30 p.m. 3 FRIDAY— Short Service, 7.30 pirn. Choir Practice. B'p.m. .SATURDAY— Confirmation clas?, 2 p.m. > SUNDAY SERVICES. I 11 a.m.— Morning Prayer and Holy Com- munion. l 3 p.m.^GREENSTREET. . 6.30 p.m.— Evening JPriyer, Rev T. A. Hamilton. ' 3 p.m. — Dromore, Mr Allington. " Wanted. " BULBS. BULBS.— AII the choicest varieties from 6d per dozen.— Flet- cjjer Bros., Cash Supply Stores, Ashburton MILLINERY— Ladies afcoyjd jjaapect the new Mjllinery, Capes, ' Mantles, j Jackets, Blouses, French and English Corsets ; all new and up to date.— A. Orr. 11 126 V TUNER, Mr Harrow, is now m" Ashburton.' Orders, sent m promptly attended £q. Organs, and Harmoniums for cash' or farms', best values obtainable m the colony. — H. M. Jones. WANTED Known— looo pairs of Boots to be sold m twenty-one days at Mellor's. WHAT do I see before my eyes? A Qheap sale of Boots at Mellor'a. NEW Mangel, Carrot, and Turnip Seeds. The favorite sorts at low prioes. — Carson and Co. l 9 WANTED Known— Where the crowd is going 1 To see Mitchell and " Turner's Alillinery to be sure. If you have not pee%, gsj at once ; it is worth deeitig. WANTED Known— \yhafc jths people say. That Ani)RE\v Orr has the largest) ap4 bejjt aborted bibck'bf JJoots m Canterbury. '■> H 125 WANTED Known— Large delivery of the " Economic" Kid Gloves, four buttoDß, Is 9d per pair, worth much more. — W. H. Collier. WANTED Known— Go to the Corner for Newest Styles m Drapery and Millinery^rW. W. CdiopjEg. DID you ever hear the like ? Men $ best Canvas Shoes 5s 6d, »b Mellor's, Tancred' street IF YOU WANT the Newest and; Nicest Millinery, Trilby Muslins, and' Dress Goods, go to Mrs Alcorn's. Dresses made on th/ 3 premises. Fit guaranteed. \ MEN'S Bluehera §s, a good Strong Nailed Sh >ot6r" at fis 6d ; a nice assoit.' n «mv of Laaies' and Ghilcfreii-'s Boots and Shoes from . la §<* • P»» » b R - Alcorn's. A FULL assortment of new Veiliuga m white, black, and black and white, Buy the celebrated new kid glove -The Victory— only 2* &d. The best glove m New Zealand for th,e money. —A. Qrr. £ •' "' tfW , NOTICE.— Are you going to build < Because the cheapest Bhop for Roofing £ Iron Ridging, Gutters, Nails, Lead, Spout- \ ing, Water Tanks, Pumps, Ranges, Register Grates, Locks and Hinges, Washing Boilers, and all sorfcs of Ironmongery m J. Iff. I Habdlby's, Ironmonger, Plumber, and r TjQsroitb. Telepbooe32, t



Mitchell and Brodribb* ] THE CENTRAL CASH DRAPERY MART. Nexb to John Obr & Co. Make no mistake |"|%TITOHELL & T>RODRIBB ARE IN THE VERY CENTRE OF EAST STREET. mHE BEST Value m the Trade The Cheapest Place for Household Drapery The only place where you will find a Brand New Stock o Olothing and Mercery, Hats, Collars, Ties, Braces, Mufflers, Silk Handkercbi' fs, etc., All of the Very Latest and Up-to date Styles. .--- " The "Central Cash Drapery Mart " is the place" for a Stylish Dress at your own price. DON'T~~PASS itTITOHELL & T>RODRIBB If you Want the Very Latest m Trimmed or Un trimmed Hats, Corsets, Underdo th- ing, Aprons, etc., or anything m the MILLINERY DEPARTMENT. All Hats Trimmed FREE of COST, and altered to Suit if necessary. Mo two hats trimmed alke, so you need not be afraid of running across your friend wearing a copy of what you have on. BOOTS a"nß SfitiES. Only the Best Quality and Makes, at prices to attract the most careful and keenest buyer. j Compare Our Prices,! Look at Our Value ! DON'T FAIL TO FIND MITCHELL & BRUDEIBB If you want to Save 5s m the £ } and remember 5s saved . is 5s earned. Economy is the footstool of fortune. Underneath we give you a few quotations as a slight idea of the value at the CENTRAL CASH DRAPERY MART— ■ White and Unbleached Calico, good, at 2s lid per dozen ; Tip Top value at 4s 3d, worth 6d anywhere. , Tapestry Quilts, beautiful designs, at 6s lid for a large size. Galatea stripe for boys' wear, 6a lid for 12 yards. Table Damask, extra quality, from Is 3d, nothing commou aboutthis. Beautiful Long Lace Curtains only 2s 9d, a low quality at Is lid. 85 pieces of Print, bought as clearing line, beautiful designs, fast colors (not fast run- ing), from 3a lid per dozen-*- worth from 7d per yard. Flannelettes m Rose fink, Coral, Cream, Sky, and the hesb el ia ties at prices never before heard of. BUck and White Paisley Reversible Flannelettes at Is lid pei dozen — worth Is Nainsook Mußlin, good, at 5s 6d doz. Silecias and Body Lining from 3s lid doz Floral Art Muslins and Plain— Our price, 2s lid for J2 yards. 12 pieces Turkey Ciiintz, Oriental designs, at a very low price. Cretonne m every conceivable. Shade and Pattern, from 4£d per yard.. IN J3BESSES We have the very thing for the present season. -.. Shot Diagonal Tweeds m Fawns, Drabs, and Greys, 8s lid, the dress worth 15*. Flake Tweeds, m all shades, a very special line, to go at 9d 6d Dress — a rare gift Nun's Veilings, m all shades. A rare line of good Cloth at Is 6d, lower Ijnes at Is. • ■ China Spot Lustre ia al£ the fjest shades, Figured' Lustre and Silk Pacas iv the very latest designs, from Is lj.d per yard up. All Wool French Cashmeres m Cream, Coral, and Peacock, Eau de nil, at very low prices ; black and blue-blacks from Is yard A beautiful lot of Po.. i SV/)t and Su r ah Silks m Heliotrope, Pink, Blue, Eau Je nil, Red, Yellow, Black, Cream, Sky, Primrose, and numerous other shades, ah 2s 6d per yard, worth double; and variety Magpie Silks and Ribbons to match. Hosiery and Clove?, very special, Ladies' plain black Lisle-thread Hose, high- Bpliced heels at 6£d and Is, worth from Is to 2s 6d. All Wool Cashmere Hose from Is Kid Gloves, A ustrian Kid m Black, Tan, and White, with block-sewn backs. French Suede Gloves m Tan, Black, and Black and White A splendid assortment of Lisle-thread Gloves from 6d. - A beautiful assortment of Silk m Tans, 1 Greys, Cream, Coral, Sky and Black. Sijk. Gloves, from 8 to 20 button lengths, at a very Jojy pripe, CLOTHING & MI3BCERY Departments, being directly under MR MITO HELL'S charge, who has a thorough knowledge of the require ments of this district, customers can rely fjpon getting the article they require y at a pripe guaranteed 25 per. 1 cent Lower than any house m Ash- burton. Men's heavy Serge Suits are going fast at 19a 6d — Secure one. A Grand Assortment of Kaiapoi Tweed and Serge Suits, m which we defy com- petition. Saddle Tweed Trousers all at cut prices. HairUiws Saddle Tweed Trousers at 8s 6d, wiirfch 12s Sd. Men's Holea and Cords ig every shade, and cut at 6s 6d up ; lower qualities m proportion. Gentlemen's Hard Felt Hats, the. latest shapes, m Black, Brown, and Cuba, at 6s 6d ; cheap at 8a 9(1. Tourists 1 Hats r Brown tfnd Black, MfIeCEELL & BRODRIBBS price— 2s 6d : Soft Feltu m Drab, Black, Grey, Nut I Browa, .etc v from 2s t 6d up. j Navy, JJrown and l£ar,ocn, earner half- Hose, 6^d, ' worth is. " Kaiapoi Wool Sogks, Is pair; price any- where else, la 6d. A pile of Twee I Trouserß from 7s 6d up, worth double. Men's Heavy ribbed Cotton Under-Shirts and Pants la 6d. Good Merino Ribbed Under-Shirts 25 per ce?t chpaper than anyone else. Washing -'/Dies iv Derbies and Bows, beautiful designs, fyd e&ch. Men's and Boys' (Straw Hats jta White and Speckledi in' Club* sTacht, and B,oater shapes, from Is each Special value m Silk stripe, Flannelette, Striped Linen, Oxfords Summer Wool, Lace and Tennis Shirts— Collars and Pockets ajl at prices to catch your CASH at MITCgBLL & BRODRIBB'S Central $ash grapery Mart;. In Ooil^Wf Ouffs, Tied, D.orbies ? and Bows, we }*Q>vo the Best Variety m town, and Don'fj you Forget it. White Shirts, Regatta Shirts, and the New Undressed Shirt are all here at your own price. BOOTS and SHOES, a Large Assort- ment, at special cut prices to I bring you back again. Clothing to Measure a specialty at MITCHELL & BRQDRIBB'iS j The Central Cash Drapery Mart, i JGast street, Ashburtou, r



Business Notices FACTS ARE STUBBORN THINGS. mHERB ARE TWELVE STUBBORN FACTS THAT CANNOT BE DENIED. lat-That G. J. NEILL is selling good | 6th-That G. J. NEILL ia' selling Men' strong White Muslin t3s lid doz. Tweed Trousers at 5s lid. 2nd— That G. J. NEILL !s selling good 7th— That G. J. NEILL is selling Boys' Washißg Prints at 4£d a yard. Sailor Suits m navy blue or fawn 3rd— That G. J. NEILL has pretty Berge, at 4s lid the suit. Summer Drest Tweedß_atjs_6d,a_ ,Bth-ThatjS. J. JNEILL"^ IBlKng dress, rfchftfcanVbe beat. Women's Shoes at 4a lid. ~' ~4th— That G. J. NEILL is Belling Ladies' 9th— l hat G. J. NEILL is selling Men's and Children's Summer Hata of nailed Shooters at 7s lid. every description, the very latest lOth-That G. J. NEILL is aelling Men's style, cheaper thau anyone m Ash- light Balmorals at 8s lid. bl J rtont 11th— That G. o. NEILL is aelling Ladies' &th— That G. J. NBILL it aelling Men's and Childrens' T«n Boots and Shoes Heavy Tweed (colonial) Suitß at 24s of every description ab very low 6d. P riceß ' 12th— THAT G. J NEILL^S SHOP- Well He sells Millinery, General Drapery, Olothing knd Boots^of every .... V Description — IS AT FBIEDLANDER'S COMER, ' Eaßt Street, Ashburton. IMPORTANT TO MEN •VJtTE WOULD DRAW^SPECIAL ATTENTION^ several lines recently opened ia Our MERCERY AND CLOTHING DEPARTMENT, also, to the fact that We are sparing neither Trouble or Expense to put thia part of our business thoroughly m ~^ touoh withjthe Public, Up : to-date, and above aII— RIGHT IN PRICE 1 NECESSARY: TO CLOTHE A MAN, FOR WORK OR PLAY, MITCHELL & TURNER'S. NEW "GOODS. NEW GOODS NEW GOUDS. — • McDonald \& mcdiarmid ARE NOW OPENING their first shipment of NEW GOODS for Spring and Summer Wear. Amongst other lineß imported this season, we have a quantity of the well-known BO STOCK BRAND, BOTH IN LADIES' AND GENTLEMEN'S SORTS. Also,— Ladies' Shoes m Bective, Otto Herz, Wolf's, and otherwell-known makes, m great variety of Lace, Button, and Strap Work. Gentlemen m want of a, really Firat-claas Boot 'at a Reasonable Price,' should not fail to inspect their stock of BOBTOOK, BECTIVE, DUKE of STCRK, and other brands BOTH IN HAND AND MACHINE SEWN. A Splendid selection of Ladies' and Gentlemen's TENNIS SHOES, at prices that will Supprise you. Ladies', from 3s 6d ; Gentlemen's, from 3s 9d. . . Ladies' and Children's CANVAS and WALKING SHOES (Real Gems), m lace and strap ; Ladies, m Black, White, and Brown. Ladies Canvas Shoes, from , 2s 91 Gentlemen's Canvas Shoes, from Ss 3d (worth 6s 6d) Ladies Walking Shoes, from 4s 9d A few lines of last season's gooda left, which will be sold at any price to clear. Felt Slippers from Is (large size only). A Really Firat'claaa Slipper, good value at 4s, now aelling at ss. A number of Odd pairs of Gentlemen's Sewn Balmorals— usual price from 22a to 26s 6d— All Reduced to 17a 63, AT THE THE CASH BOOT SH[OP, > •■■""" <*. "NICHOLAS, Manager" WANTED YOU TO KNOW a?HAH W YOU WIBH TO SEE THIS < , VERY LATEST Goods m th« Jewellery Line, pay a visit to the Leading Jewellery [establishment m the district, where is to be «een the LARGEST STOCK AND NEWEST DESIGNS. THIS IS VERY NOTICEABLE IN I GOLD BROOCHES AND LADIES' GOLD KINGS. The stock held of these two lines is particularly attractive and [large, and of newest eisgßa, S. BALEK, THE LEADING JEWELLERY AND WATOH REPAIRING ESTABLISHMENT. EAST STREET. (Telephone No. 80.)