DEATH.

Lewis,—On February 9, 1897, Maurice Allenwokth Lewis, aged 21 yeare j youngest son of William and 8, E. Lewis, of Chertsey. The result of an accident. Deeply regretted.

The Funeral will leave Chertsey Hotel for the Rakaia Cemetery on TfIURSDAV, February 11, at 1 p.m.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1897.

An interesting episode in connection with Mr Hooley's purchase of Bovri), the famous meat

MILLIONAIRE AND PRESSMAN

extract drink, wili show, says a cor-

respondent of the Manchester Guardian, a generous phase of his character. A well-known Fleet street journalist met him a little time ago, just after having an interview with one of the directors of Bovril. In the course of the interview the journalist had chaffingly observed he would like to buy the business, and he was informed that he (Sould have it for £2,000,000. Turning out his empty pockets he said he did not see much prospect of effecting a deal, and left with a joke upon his lips. In con versation with Mr Hooley, and in re sponse to that gentleman's inquiry as to what he was doing, the journalist said that he had been negotiating for the purchase of Bovril. " Get it me for two millions," said Mr Hooley, and I will make you a present of £10,020." Ihe journalist at once re traced his footsteps, and succeeded in bringing the directors of Bovril and the millionaire together. Mr Hooley made an offer of £1,750,000, but the directors remained firm, and when they left they had a cheque for £125,000 as part of the purchase money of two millions for which the company was sold. " And now," said Mr Hooley, turning to the delighted journalist, "I promised to. give you £10,000, and I don't see why the Bovril peop'e should not do the same." Thereupon be informed the directors that he had undertaken to give Mr E—— £10,000 for introducing the business, and he did not see why they should not do likewise. After a little consideration they fell in with Mr Hooley's proposi tion, and the lucky Pressman left the premises £20,000 the richer. This is no romance. It is an absolute fact.

The English and Scotch "terms" are all relics of the Roman Church. The

I CANDLEMAS DAY.

ending of the name* of the majority of them—"mas"—is a

when certain moneys have to be re ceived or paid, and such payment or receipt is of far more importance to them .than any historical or poetical interest that may attach to the day.

proof of this to some extent, as it is a shortened form of " mass," the well known service, or "sacrifice" of the Roman Catholic Church. February 2 in each year is Candlemas Day, and v was so called from the ceremony which the Church of Home observes on that day —a blessing of candles by the priests, and their distribution to th? congregation, by the members of which they were carried lighted in solemn procession. Tha more formal observ ances of this ceremony in England were discontinued at the Reformation, but it the close of tiw_ eighteenth century if was customary to light (he churches with candles on this day. Ti.e services were in celebration of the purification of the Virgin, and are still so held. The Pope every year officiates at this festival in the chapel of (he Qairinal. When he has blessed the candles he [distributes them with his own hand unong those in the church, each oi whom, going singly up to His Holiness, kneels to receive it. The cardinals gc first, then follow bishops, canons, priors, abbots, priests, and others, down to the sacristans and humblest officers of the church. Then the candles are lighted, the Pope is seated in his chair, and carried in procession, with the chanting of hymns, around the ante-chapel; the throne is stripped of its splendid hangings, the Pope and cardinals take off tbeir gold and crimson robes, and the usual mass of the morning is sung. Tho foregoing outlines the celebration of Oandlemis as a church festival in Catholic countries and among Catholic people; but in Scotland, which is very far from being Catholic, and whose people have gom in their anti-papal and anti ritualistic zeal to the extreme of severe simplicity in worship, the day receives a far different celebration, and has but little connection with religion or the church in the matter-of-fact business minds of the canny Scots. There is a curious custom in connection with the day. It used to be the practice for children attending school to make smill presents of money to their teachers. The master .sat at his desk or table, exchanging for the moment his usual authoritative look for one of bland civility, g,nd each child went up in turn and laid hie or her offering before him, the sum being generally in proportion to the abilities ■if the parents. Sixpence and a shilling were the common sums in most schools, but occasionally a half crown or a crown piece, would ma^e its appear ance, and now and again it has been recorded that a golden coin gladdened the teacher's eye, The highest giver among the boys was for tbe time the Candlemas King, and among the girls the Candlemas Queen. A holiday followed, of course, and the children formed a procession in the streets in honor of their king and queen. Some times the ij?ast t or would make a bowl of punch— not by #ny ftjeanß of the

potency of that from which his glass would be filled when he drank the health of "the Queen, God bless her," but strong enough and sweet enough for the children, no doubt—and each

pupil received a " hair " of the brew and a biscuit or cake. Later in the day the children made a blaze of any overgrowth of •■• whin " or gorse that was in the neighborhood. But though the Scotch's have no holydays i$ their church, they have not lei go altogether some of the superstitions thit survived the Reformation, and the one about the connection of Candlemas Day with the weather still resins, &nd every farm guidwife can and does repeat to you the old versicle-™ ---" If Oandlemaa day be ,«le»r and fair The half o' winter's to «oi»e and mair { If Candlemas day be black and foul, The half o' winter's gane mt Yule,'' Bat Qandlenaas day represents to moat of the Scotchmen ooly a le^u.l tertc

Local and General.

Belfast is going to spend £5000 on a statue of the Queen.

One hundred new words are annually added to the English language.

Two wealthy Jews of Bagdad now own all that remains of the ancient town of Babylon.

The programme of the promenade concert at the Flower Show to morrow evening is a Ivertised in this issue.

It is stated that there are now over 700 I avowed Salvationists in the Navy, and some j in almost every regiment of. the British'i Army,

Tho wives of Siamese noblemen cut their hair so that it sticks straight up from their heads. The average length of it is about an inch and a half.

Mr Swan, senr., of Carterton, who is now 95 years of age, the other day carried out the work of shingling a large barn entirely with his own hands.

The Gazette notifies the appointment of Mr James Sheate as ranger under the Animals Protection and Fisheries Acts for North Canterbury. This district includes the Rakaia River.

As one testimony to the rapid growth of Palestine's population, it is stated on good authority that, while ten years ago there were only 15,000 residents in Jaffa, to-day there are 42,000.

Dr 0. K. Maude, a recent arrival from England, has commenced practice in Ashbur ton, and notifies that for the present he may be communicated with by leaving messages at Mr Bonnin^tjn's, lCa3t Street.

" Yoh kain't set down no fixed rule o! conduct in disher life," said Uncle Eben. " Samson got inter trouble 'case he done got 'is ha'ah cut, an* Absalom got inter trouble 'case he didn't."

When a person ia drowned io certain parts of Norway, a cock is put in a boar, which is rowed about the scene of disaster, the belief being that the bird will crow when the boat passes over the body. A little girl wished to prepare a gift for her saintly grandmother, and was allowed to do so unassisted. It proved fco be a card board motto, selected .by herself, and bore in scarlet worsted : " Go, and sin no more." The O-imaru papers say that in the Kakanui district the wheat crop is expected to give the best average that has been obtained in that district for years. The yield is expected to be over thiity bushels, and farmers are jubilant accordingly. Lord Brassey, speaking at Wellington, said that of all the seas which he had navigated, and of all the coasts upon which his eyes had been set, he had never before seen more of the sublime and beautiful and more of maritime interest than he had seen upon the coasts of New Zealand.

Ib is stated that ihe Duchess of York will shortly again go into temporary retirement, and ib is rumoured that the Duke of York will be promoted to be a rear-admiral, at which there is a great deal of ill-feeling, as he will thereby overstep more than 100 captains who me his seniors. The Queen will receive a unique present from the English Jews on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of her accession to the throne. The address, which will be presented to Her Majesty will, as the result of a resolution by the Anglo Jewish authori ies, be contained in an album of olive wood, made in Jerusalem. It is reported from Taeoma that gold has been discovere 1 beneath the stone pavement surrounding the Capitol bui ding of Washing ton Scate. Miners who have examined the findings as they lay believe they are the surface of rich deposits. The entire pave ment will be taken up atonGe and machinery for goM extraction erected. The Capitol will doubtless be removed too. A very heavy hailstorm recently pissed over the town of Maclean, ]\'ew South Wales, smashing windows on the western side, but fortunately it did not last more than a quarter cf an hour. Lumps of jagged ice fell weighing from 2oz to 4oz. Trees at the rear of the town, anl as far as to Broome's Head, were torn up by the wind and shattered by the lightning. Nominations for the seat on the Borough Council vacant by the resignation of Or. Cuthbertson must be sent in to Mr C. £. i?ooks, Returning Officer before 12 noon en Thursday 18th inst, and for the Wakanui River Board election (five members) to Mr A. A. Fooks at the Board a office, Bullock's Arcade, by 12 noon on Saturday next 13th inst. Miss Dodds, sister of Mr G. F. Dodds, has been appointed organist of the Presby terian Church, Ashburton, in place of Mrs H A. Mackay, now of Paeroa. The appointment is a popular one both in choir and congregation, and the church is to be congratulated on obtaining the services of an organist with so clear a perception of what is required in devotional music as Miss Dodds possesses. The friends of Mr W. Lewis, of the Chfjrtsey hotel, will be sorry to fee by a death notice in this igsue that his little boy Maurice Allenworth who, as was mentioned in a recent issue, was scalded by overturning a bucket of boiling water, has died from the effects. The little fellow was 2£ years of age. I he funeral leaves Chertsey hotel for the Rakaia Cemetery to-morrow (Thursday) at 1 p.m.

!A new fireman's cap has been invented- It is made of fine strips of asbestos, and is held in place by a rubber band, making it air-tight. There is a strip of mica before the eyes, and a silk sponge, through which no rmoke can enter, but which admits air in pleutiful supply, fills an aperture for the mouth. It is claimed that with this contri vance a man can work for an hour in a stifling smoke, and that its use will be of immense advantage to firemen. The Queen of Denmark, the mother of the Princess ot Wales, has just reached her seventy ninth year. It is little known that the aged lady has a withered hand. The injury was the result of a mauling by a tantie tiger which she received in her youth ful days, i hough she was seriously hurt— the tiger, however, had only attacked her in play—she bore herself with singular courage, and induced the animal to follow her to where she knew Bhe would find the palace guards. Ihti tigej; was then shot. Tabmania has a bjind axeman who can put a "scarp" into a Branding block as tru.aly and dexterously as most men. He falls a tree-r-fafis son tells him how it leans butts the logs; crosscut?, sharpens his saw, makes his maul, and uses jfiis paling-knife well enough to support a wife and six children. He lost his sight 20 years ago from a gunshot accidentally received while watfcle-b:rd shootiDg. "The last objects I saw were a gum tree and a wattle bird," pathetically remarks the old timber slasher.

I liie County Council at its meeting on [ Monday decided to reoognise the plucky, almost heroic, conduct' of Miss Margaret Muirhead in connexion with the Pudding Hill bridge fire. It was represented to the Council that several people, as well as the |

lAlford Forest school children, had done excellent! service at thia fire, and it was assumed that some recompense was expected for iUa wprk done. Tbe Council, however, were'not at one on this question, it being pointed out that ai the bridge was there for tho service of the settlers, with chose money it was built and maintained, it was every body's dijity ,to assist with Jiheir best efforts in saying public property like this from destruction; Following the example in simi'ar cases of the Borough of Ashburton, whose highly efficient fire brigade give theip services throughout the year without fee or reward of any kind, the County Council passed a vote of Jihanks to those whose good work had saved the bridge, jpfc also passed a special vein to Miss Muirhead who ao ppmplily gave the alarm and recruited the work3i-s, adding a guinea as gratuity to the vote. In Ashfourto'u the person who gives *< the alarm and rUgs the f|re bell?e«eiyea ffye i \ •hilling*. 11

The Union Company has received advice that the Monowai left San Francisoo at S p.m. on Febraary sth, one day late.

Conditional licenses for the Forbury ami Tabuna Park race meetings wery granted to-day, after having been refused three years.

The dispute between the Seamen's Union and the Shipping Companies has been arranged, both parties hiving agreed to terms laid dowu by the Conciliation Court, which include a rise of 10 i a week in wages.

Messrs John Orr and Co. have shown us an account for freight of seven c .ses of goods from London to Lyttelton, amounting to £1 13a 6d, and another for freight from Lyttel <on to Ashburton for £2 8s si. Comment is needless.

QDhe blacksmith who for 50 years conducted marriages of runaway couples at Gretna Green has just passed away. Curiously enough, saya the Edinburgh correspondent of the Ofcago Daily Times, the papers do nol mention either his name or lm age, though the latter must have been very great. He was commonly known as " The Priest of Gretna Green."

Ihe new Society for the practice of part singing met at Gates' rooms list evening, when there was a full attendance and a pleasant rehearsal. At a business meeting presided over by Mr H. A. Piokford, it was decided to call the society the Asnburton Harmonic Society, and Mr Gates was appointed conductor; Mr J. Ward, junr., Secretary and Treasurer ; and a Committee aa under—Mrs Dee and Misses Tompkins and Barratt; Messrs Gordon, Pickfoid, and Brooking ; pianiste—Mrs Claridge.

At the annual meeting of the Canterbury (Addington) Solayards Company held on Tuesday, the Directors' report announced a dividend for the year of 9 per cent, after providing for a dilapidation of buildings account of £2200. The stock passed through the yards showed au improvement for the year, the following being the totals yarded —Sheep, 547,263; pigs, 23,879; cattle, 20,367. Messrs Wi Henderson, Parker and Westenra were re-elected directors. The Chairman said the year had been the most satisfactory the Company had yet passed. Mr Henderson was re-elected chairman.

The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand met in Ohristchurch yesterday in St. Andrews Church. Very Rev. William Watt, the well-known Island missionary, whose charge is the island of Tanna, and who was elected Moderator -laat year, presided, and conduct d the opening service, in the course of wHich he preached a stirring missionary sermon. He constitu ted the Assembly the roll of which wag called showing a eederunt of eighty-two ministers and elders. The Very Key. John Lothian, the Rev. J. Gibson Smith, and Mr Keith Ramsay, elder, were received as deputies from the Otago and Southland Synod and associated After the Moderator hud given a retrospect of the past year, he nominated, iv highly eulogistic language, the Rev. Robert Erwin, M. A , North Belt Church, Christ church, as his successor, and Mr Erwin was unanimously elected and inducted into the Moderators chair. The new Moderator delivered an excellent inaugural address, at the close of which some routine business was transacted, and the Assembly rose for the sit 1 ing. The members attending from this district are— Revs. G. B. Inglis, James Skinner, P. J. Riddle, and B. J. Westbrooke, and Mr W. Craighead, elder.

The Wellington Suburbs Election Petition.

(PER PKESS ASSOCIATION.) Wellington, February 10. Mr Hislop'a side have abandoned that portion of the petition against Mr Wilford based ou improper registration.

THE GLENBROOK MURDERS.

History of the Crimes. in. butler's objects, methods, and move ments.

Butler is believed to have systematically decoyed his victims iDto the bush, and then murdered them for the sake of the money or the valuables they carried with them. From Newcastle came the very important informa tion that a man named Lee Weller arrived there on November 15th, and that on thu 23rd he shipped for Sao Francisco as ,a sea man on board the ship Swanhilda Whilst in Newcastle he stayed at the Sailors 1 Home. A portrait < f Butler was forwarded to New eiscle, and was there identified as that of the man who shipped under the name of Lee Weller. The police had no doubt, from strict enquiry, that Butler used the master's, certificate of the missing Captain Lee Weller to secure a berth on the ship 3 for he was not himself a sailor. Butler resided some months ago in Western Australia. The Police Department in Syd ney recently received a telegram from the Western Australian police stating that Mi- Frank Harwood, who ia at present in Cool gardie, had a bag stolen from him at that place four months ago. It contained papers, photos, testimonials from H. H. Schlopp, of Broken Hill, as well as Mr Harwood's miner's right, which was numbered 1840, and was issued on December 14, 1893. A brother of Mr Frank Harwood is the present manager of a Broken Hill mine. A miner's right in the name of Mr Frank Harwood was discovered near the camp at Glenbrook.

"RICHARD ASHE '—ANOTHKR "ALIAS." Information respecting Richard Ashe, who was in Newcastle in 1873, and is now gener ally belieyed to be Butler or Harwood, was given by John Brown, a well-known board mghouse-keeper in Newcastle. Brown re cognised the photograph of Butler at the Newcastle lock-up, immediately he saw it, as that of Richard Ashe. Brown said they were both seamen on board the barque Olive Bank, which made the round voyage in 1893 from Glasgow to Rio and thence to New castle. Brown shipped at Glasgow, and Ashe at Rio, but as the latter was always domineering and passionate in the extreme, he was disliked by his fellow-seamen and officers. He was always in hot water with the latter, and seemed to take a liking only to Brown, with the result that he was more communicative with him than with anyone else. Their theme of conversation principally waa easy ways of getting money. He was a good sailor. When reaching Newcastle he wanted to leave the ship, and shammed sick ness in the shape of rheumatism. The doctor prescribed liniment, and Captain Petrie was taking this to Ashe's bunk, when he rushed at the captain, abused hit? shame fully, and ended by threatening to ttJje his life. The result was that Ashe was arrested, and receiveda month's imprisonmentin Maifc land Gaol. He stopped! up,on his release, at the Northumberland Hotel, bub was very reserved, and chatted only with Brown. The ship?s articles sit the Custom-house prove that Aahe and Brown were seamen on board the Olive B&«k» and were discharged at Newcastle in 1893.

After Asho had remained at the Northum berland Hotel for some time, he suddenly disappeared, leaving a bag and portmanteau behind him. He was not again seen in New castle till a few weeks ago, when he met Brown about a week before he joined the ship Swanhilda, under the name of Lee Weller. It is a curious coincidence that

Ashe's previous ship, the Olive Bank, was in porj at the same time, and a warning was given by its master to? Captain Fraser, of the Swanhilda, that Ashe wa,3 a dangerou man to hive on board. Brown had pre viously told Captain Petrie that Aahe was in Newcastle, and men'ioned the fact to

Ahe that hh former captoin was in port. Ashe said that if he fell scroes Captain Petrie in San Francisco he would blow Jis brains out for getting him that month's

imprisonment. Ashe aecoiinted for his absence from NV-w ---cas'tle since 1893 by saying that he had been all over West Australia, buying and celling elajins. He wanted Brown to joim him in a trig to jfchat colony, and seemed to have plenty "of'money, asked by B own how he got it, he pulled oufc two cartridges from his vestpceket, saying, "This is how I get my money." He was always remark ably abstemious, though willing to shout for others. When talking he had a way of twirling his heavy moustache. Brown was certain that Ashe is identical with the mm Harwood or L,ee Waller, who left \n the

School Committee.

Hainpstead. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Hampstead School Committee was held on Tuesday evening. Present—Messrs Lawrio (in the chair), Sage, Andrews, Hsndry, and Pickford. Apologies were received from the other members.

MEMBERS OF BOARD. It was unanimously agieed to vote for Messrs Buddo, Rennie, and Silcock as members of the Board of Education.

APPOINTMENTS. The Board of Education wrote confirming the appointments of Miss Lusk as second assistant mistress, and Mis 3 McDonald as pupil teacher.

visiting commutes;. Messrs Hendry and Lawrie were appointed Visiting Committee, and requested to have the filters put in order at once.

ACCOUNTS

Accounts amounting to £6 5s 6d were passed, and the Committee adjourned.

HORTICULTURAL.

To-Morrow's Show, At a meeting of the Horticultural Society on Tuesday evening, final reports were received and arrangements made for the Show to-morrow evening. It waa stated that over sixty entries had been received from Longbeach estate, an i that Mr G. T, Smith, who had not exhibited to any extent at several past shows, had entered thirty exhibits. Between Longbeach estate, other Longbeach exhibitors, and Mr 6. T. Smith, the entry list would be added to by about a hundred exhibits} making over 400 in all. Notwithstanding the unfavorable season, the florists would show well, and the display of the vegetable growers would not be disappointing. The Committee arranged as to judges, and it was stated that an excellent musical programme - had been prepare I, which would include several pieces by the Orchestral Society, and vocal items by friends. Special interest attaches to the promenade concert this year, as the occasion, if not the very last, will be nearly the last on which Mra C. M. Brooke will sing to an Ashburton public before the departure of her family to take up their permanent resideace in Christchurcb.

The Ryley Bankruptcy.

PER PKESS ASSOCIATION. Dunedin, February 10. The charges against John Ryley are— Failing to keep sufficient books of account; making a false balance sheet by which means he obtained money from the Colonial Bank; making payments out of the regular course of business in respect of mining and other shares; engaging in rash and hazardous speculations; contracting debts without reasonable expectation of being able top*y; and making preferential pay ments. N

Mr Haggitt prosecuted for the Assignee, and Mr Simon Eraser defended. As soon as the case was called on, one of the Justices, Mr Robert Wilson, summarily quitted "the Bench, and the Court had to be adjourned to hunt up a'Silbstitute. Owing to inability to get a second Justice to sit with Mr Wills, there was a deadlock in Ryley's case. The Court adjourned till the afternoon.

Narrow Escape of a Cricketer.

On Sunday last says the Dunedin Ev ni*ig Star, W. Johnston, the well-known Otago cricketer, met with an experience which he is not likely to forget for some time to come. It appears that he and J. Baker, his club mate, went for a bathe at lawyer Head at the Ocean Beach. The latter, not being a master in the art of swimming, amu-ed him* self by paddling about the shore, while Johnson, who can do a few strokes, ventured out a distance of about twenty yards, where a rock is situated. Feeling inclined for a spell, he made for the rock, and was stand ing up ready to make a start for shore, when suddenly without the slightest warning, he was swept off the rock and carried bodily into deep w»ter. Several people were stand ing on the hill at the time, and noticing Johnston floundering about ia the current, which runs very strong at that particular spot, they lost no time in giving the alarm. Fortunately, Messrs R, Crow and W. Brebner, of the Telegraph Office, were bath ing in the surf near at hand, and these two adept swimmers immediately made for the drowning man, who waa then about 50 yards away. After considerable difficulty they managed to get hold of Johnston, Who, prior to their reaching him, had suuk once, and was under the water for about fifty seconds. He was unconscious when brought ashore, and remained so for about five minutes, The plucky action of Messrs* Orow and Brebner is deserving of the highest praise, for had it not been for their timely assistance Johnston would certainly have been drowned.

COMMERCIAL.

OAMARU GRAIN MARKET.

The Evening Mail of -Monday reports :— There has been a little more life apparent in the markets this week and samples of the new crop are beginning fco show. Sales of wheat, too, have been reported at 4s and 4s 2d, and the market will probaby settle about this basis. Another week will enable a better estimate to be formed. OJd wheat remains unchanged, and where offering commands from <\b 5d to 4s 7d. Old oats have been moving off fairly well at quo tations. Good prime- malting barley is enquired for, and could be placed. Second quality is fairly plentiful.

We quote s— Wheat—Tuscan, 4s 6d to 48 Bdj velvet, 4s 6d to 4s 8d ; red straw, 4s 4d to 4a 6d ; Molda, 4s 3d ; good whole fowls', 3a 3d to 3t 6d (at sidings), New wheat, 5d to 6d less.

Oats —Prime short oats, Is lid to 2a Id ; Danish, la lOd to la lid; Tartars, la lOd to Is lid (afc sidings, sacks extra}. B xrley—33 to 3s $i. Flour—Roller, 10s, Stone, £1 less. Bran—£2 l§s.

Pollard-£3 10s.

Potatoes—Prime Kidneys, £6 to £7 10s psr ton. Dairy Produce—Butter, prime factory, 8d ; other sorts 6d. Eggs, 9d» Pork, 3d,

DUNEDIN GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKET.

Messrs Donald Reid and Co. reporb that prices at their auction sale on Monday were as follows ;—

Oats.—The demand continues good, par ticularly for ppime feed samples suitable for shipment, which are readily placed at quo tations, We quote prime milling Id ll£d to 2s ; gooi to best feed, Is lid to Is ll£d ; inferior and medium, Is 8d to Is 10|d per bushel (sacks ex.ra). Wheats—We offered several lines of fowl wheat. Good whole wheat is in fair demand at 3* 6d to 4s. Broken samples are poorly competed for. Potatoes.—We submitted a fair quantity. Good, freshly-dug kidneys met with strong competition "at £5 and £5 17s 6d; but medium and stale lots were not in request, and sold at £2 10s to £4 per ton (sacks in.)

Chaff.—rThe market is fair:y well supplied, and late values still hold good. Best oaten -heaf ia worth £2 12s 6d to &% 15s; good, £2 10s; medium, £2 to £2 7s 6d per ton (bags extra}.

ENGLISH MARKETS.

Haweba, February 10. A private cable reports that the English cheese market ia greatly excited. '■•

DEATH OF A NONOGENARIAN.

Tlie Lute Mr John Steel. There died at Biugley, in the County of York, on December 7, 1896, the oldest inhabitant of that town, aud one who had been a resident of Ashburton for a short time. This was Mr John Sieel, father of Mr J. R. Steel, of Victoria Works, of Mr John Steel, of Alford Forest Road, and of Mrs R. BUko, of Tinwald. The deceased was well known to many Ashburtoa people, and made mai.y friends during his residence with his eldest son in Anhburton. Thin being so, we need not make any apology for quoting at some length from the obituary notice of the late Mr Steel, published by the Keighky News, a paper published in York County. 2he News says:—The town of iiingley has lost one of its chief char acters by the death on Monday last of Mr John Steel, of York Street, at the very advauced age of ninety-five yeara. It will be remembered that he took part in the proceedings which followed the o d folk'a treat on November 7th, and it was only a few days afterwards that illness overtook him. His condition became such th^t he waa obliged to take to his bed, and despite the beßt medical attention he gradually sank. His death is generally regretted, m there were many who had hoped to see him attain his hundredth year. The deceased mi born at Addingham On the 17th of February, 1801, and was one of the sons of a small farmer there, who—as was the general rale then — combined with farming haodloom weaving aad combing. John was brought up to farm work and haad-oombing. He married when twenty-eight years of age, and oamt to Bmgiey when thirty-three, to follow hit occupation as a hand-oomber, much of this work being done in. the;; town at that day. He was so engaged for some thirty yean. Like many more, he found himself super. seded by machine combing. But that souroe of livelihood having failed, he worked for a number of years on a farm on land much of wmohr he has lived to see covered with buddings—and this was perhaps the last regular work that he did. During fifty years of his long life in Bingley he resided in Wellington Streev occupying one house for twentjone years end another for twenty five yaaw. * '« Thea scarred what is rightly considered as a marvellous feafc in his life. Although then eighty-two years of age, he went with £ wo °f-h» ! OBS au<* three daughters to visit the families of two of his sons settled in (Ashburton) New Zealand. Two sons had originally left home for Australia, where one had the misfortune to be killed at the gold diggings, and a few years later the remain ing brother and the two families removed to Ctrastchurch, In New Zealand. The old man a plucky journey was commenced in June, 1883, and his stay in the ooloniet ex tended over nearly two years. He returned to England in May, 1885, and it is a re markable faot that on neither journey wai he seasick. The visit was one which afforded great pleasure to Mr Steel, arid to the end of his life he always looked back upon it with enjoyment. It may be mentioned that while-there he renewed acquaintance with a biisden man named Andrew Dawson (of WatertonJ, who had then been in New Zea land many years. Since returning to Bin gley Mr Steel lived very quietly in a house in York Street with one of his" daughters. To the last his faculties* remained unim paired, his eyesight, for all purpose! except reading, being very good. Although the oldest member, his family can be fafrly regarded as long-lived, seeing that two of his brothers each reached over eighty years, and hiß father was well and strong at more than sixty, when an accident terminated his life. No doubt Mr Steel'i longevity was greatly promoted by temperate and frugal habits, and by a love of work in the open air. He was one of the original holders of an allotment at Cottingley Bridge, obtaining possession when the gardens were opened in 1842, and only relinquishing ib when leaving for New Zealand. Long year* ago he was also on« of a number of men who combined in renting what is now the Myrtle Park for the purpose of pasturing cows, each man contributing his quota of the cost in ratio to the number of cows he kept. The ground then went by .the name of Cow gate, and there are people still living to whom the name recalls the former use of the land. The deceased was not a smoker, and almost a teetotaller, wad all hw life he had enjoyed good health, with perhaps the single exception of a bad attack of illness a few years ago. His frugal habits may be said to have been lifelong, and this is not surpris ing when it is remembered that during many of hia early years the necessaries of existence were only to be had at excessive prices, when white bread was a luxury, when flour waa sixpence s, pound, and when sugar wai equally dear. He could remember well'the condition of the country when the great struggle with Napoleon was closing, and especially the events which led up to the Battle of Waterloo. Mr Steel was twice married, his second wife dying before he went to New Zealand. The number of his children was fifteen.

The News publishes an excellent portraft of the old gentleman, taken when he was ninety-four years of age. The deceased was the grandfather of Steel Brothers, coach builders, Lincoln Road, Christcnurch, as well aa of the Steel Brothers, Ashburton, and he passed his eighty-third and eighty-fourth birthday* in Park Street, Aahburton. Ise wore his yean lightly indeed, and no one casually noting his upright figure and sturdy presence then would ever have given him credit for not only having passed the three wore years and ten, but the four score by reason of more strength. But the years were there in spite of his looks though he bore them well—in spite, too, of hia fund of jokes and endless store of old country stories of the early part of the century, long before thb reaping machine was dreamt of as likely to supplant the reaping hook, or the combine the flail.

MAGISTERIAL.

ASRBTRTON— W EDNESDA Y. (Before Hon Major Steward and D. Thomas *25q.,J.P.',.) * ■

Drunkenness.—Two brothers, first of. ence, pleaded guilty, and were discharged with a caution, Obstructing the Police.—William Hafct and Thomas J. Me clem were charged with obstructing the police in the execution of their duty. It appeared from the evidence of the arresting constable, and of the station master, Mr Payne, that accused Hntt and bis brother had been refused by the station master permission to proceed by train on account of their being intoxicated, and that one of them lgw so much" trouble, that he was taken into custody; whereupon the. other, the present defendant, endea vored to rescue him, 4s to Meaelem, Oon T stable Moore stated that he (Meaelem) had taken him by the apm when he was taking Hutt to the cab. From evidence called for the defence, it did not appear that Meaelem had seriously attempted a rescue. Hutt was convicted and fined 20a or in default seven days; the charge against Meaelem being disa i sed. I*heft.— John Mataon, alias Span, alias Anderson, all is Smith, was charged with stealing on February 1, a pony, trap, and 'arneas, of the value of £18 in all, the property of Joseph Lloyd. The evidence showed that accused hired the pony and trap from the groom at Lloyd's on the date mentioned, and on the following day offered the pony and harness for sale' fco i; Mr [ Barcock, storekeeper' at Rakaia, for the sum of £3 15s. In reply to enquiries by M? Barcook, he represented t^at he had pur chased the potsy from Mr Fleming at Porji Levy, and that his reason for parting with it w*b that Oamerons, where he waa wording, ciiarged him 3a 6d a week for in keeping, wnile u-iiug it themselves. Barcock agreed eventually to purchase the pony and bargee* and accused bought of him clothing to.'the value of ~£2 19a, Barcock giy.iog him the difference, 16«, iv cash. Accused^ receipt Pot- the purchase money was produced. Constable Stanley, in the co ;r«e of hi* evidence, stated that after hp arrested prisoner on warrant, charging him with th ft of the potty, trap, and harness, priionep paid he did not ttaal them, nut 4io s<i])pT-ed the whisky did, Priwnpr wm committed for trUl at the Supreme QoQXt%t Qh i Utohurch on Modty next (

THE ABHBUETOK GTJABDIAfI: WEDNESDAY, FEBEUABY 10 1897.



Business Notices. NEW ZEALAND Clothing* Factory, COLE " AGENTS |FOR (EHE FAMOUS "VICTORY" SEWING MACHINE.



G. J. NEILL *" IS SELLIKG WASHING PRINTS at ty& per yd ; WHITE MUSLINS 3s lid per doz G. J. NEILL IS SELLING DOUBLE-WIDTH SERGES in Navy, Brown and Maroon, at Is per yd I G. J. NEILL i IS SELLING MEN'S ALL-WOOL SUITS at 23s 6d ; Men's Tweed Troussrs 5s lid I O. J. NEILL IS SELLING" BOYS 1 SUITS at 4s lid each G. J. NEILL IB SELLING^Wa W-fg^;;;. ;;; ft IS* % Men's Shoes 5* lid Women'aShoeß 4a lid Women's Strap Shoes.,. ... 4a lid G. J. NEILL DIFIBS COMPETITION IN BOOTS Every Pair Guaranteed to Wear and give SATISFACTION j FRIEDLANDER'S CORNER, EAST STREET.



IMPOKTANT TO'"Sffl^e PAEMEBS AND H A EjV tifi TEE 8. TJI^ATCHES specially designed-and constructed I for those engaged iv agricultural work are to be obtained from S. SALEK, : WATCH IMPOETEE, EAST STREET. These Watches are made by EOTHERAM aud other famed ankers to the special order of S. Salek foi the ASHBDETON WATCH TRADE. HAVING BOUGHT LARGELY K^ A HEAVY DISCOUNT PRICES AEE REDUCED. ALSO IN STOCK —Dixit Watches (see the name S. SALEK A shburton, is on ihe dial) at 20s. Other mefal watches from 15s. All Guaranteed.



<i i s fc -■ I S S i i o- i° - • a H 1 « mi a P PQ g W «' 'IS Ps <•



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1 M







n dl^y t STEAM CARRIAGE FACTORY, J&fflfflßßti&S^ \^\7 '■"* \/AZ SHOEING FORGE. f. h. b«] STEEL BROS., cH-R-ta BEG to announce to the inhabitants of Ashburton reel surrtuoding 'hstrjct that they have taken over the Business so long ca-ried on by J. R. STEEL, and hope by Strict Attention to Business, Good Workmanship, aud Moderate Charges, to merit a fair ihftre of Pittronage. Coachbuilding Department— This Department will have our personal supervision and to a 1! who require a new Vehicle of uny description, or their old one repaired, we cm guarantee satisfaction if they place their order with U3. m m Painting and Trimming— Now 3s the time to have your traps put into sjood oruer by hwing them well pamtei, and our workmen are in the front rank of their profession, and the material used is the very best. .^ Ironwork Depirtment — ■^"Sto**l We are prepared to quote prices for all kinds of ironwork, an! (o supply or repVir Agricultural Implements of every description. Shoeing Department — Iq this as in all other parts of our business we \ri'\ give satisfaction to our customers, and if you want your horae «hod by practical and skilled workmen, aend it "'""^VICTORIAN SHOEING FOE GE. STEEL BROS., PROPRIETORS, WEBT STREET, ASHBURTON. 2 34 .



M



Church Services. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, AshburtoD. FRIDAY—Choir Practice, 8 p.m. i SUNDAY SERVIJES. ' 8 30—Holy Communion. II a.m.—YJorning Prayer. 3.30-Holy Baptism. 6.30 p,m.—Evening Prayer. REV. T. A. HAMILTON. 3 p.m.—Dromore. MR W. BOWMAN FOX. TTTANTED Known—Sale of this season's VV Millinery only, at greatly reduced prices, also large selection in Ladies' Flannelette Dressing Gowns and Morning Wrappers, Children's Pinafores, Overalls, '. etc., for fourteen days only.—Miss E. . Barnes, Arcade and Tancred Street. 213



OUR FIRST SALE, COMMENCE SATURDAY, JANUARY 30 MITCHELL & BRODRIBB, THE CENTRAL CASH TRADERS, NEXT! TO J. ORR & CO'3 IRONMONGERY DEPARTMENT, EAST STREET. ERUPTIONS IN THE DRAPERY TRADE.



"ITCTE have decided to eclipse all, with the result that one cut has been ra ade at our new atock, which has severed the price in half. No old Stock no out of date shelf-worn goods to palm off on a sensible public. Our Clean, New, snd Stilish &tock at just half the BBUil Drice 'The cry ia-—How h itdone ? Here you have it : No Bad Debts, No Credit which enable us to lose djrectly, a portion of what the credit traders are losing indirectly. With this difference—At MITOHWLL and BRODRIiiB'S all are treated alike ;at the credit houses the good cualome rs have to pay for the bad ones. Make no mistake. We want your money, and feel assnred that the few following sample prices will bring it. Space wiil nob allow as to quote more than a very condensed list, bub this iB a sample of thp bargains offered you :—



9 pieces Light Print at 3s lid per doz yards Usual Pi-ice, 7£d per yard 16 pieces Dark Print at 3j lid per doz yard* Usual Price, 8d per yard 22 pieces Gingham Prints, 4a lid per doz yards Usual Price, 9d per yard 19 pieces Floril Oepons, 4a lid per doz yards Usual Price, lid per yard 17 JfaDcy Brilliant Cloth, 7£d per yard Usual Price, Is 3d per yard 7 pieces Plain CVepon, 5a lid per doz yards Usual Price, Is per yard II pieces Stripe Zephyr, 6i lid per doz yards Usual Price, Is 3d par yard 3 Plain Zephyr, 6a per doz yards Usual Price, Is 3d per yard 22 piece« Cashmere Cloth, 4s lid per doz yards Usual Price Is per yard 10 pieces Mourning Cloth at the ridiculous price of 3s per doz yards, assure yon that at this very important sale both you and ourselves will have a spanking time. White Calico 2a lid per do/, yards Usual pi ice s£d per yard White Sheeting, 2 yarda wide, 10£ d per yard Usual price Is 6d per yard Nainsook 4£d per yard Usual price 7£d per yard White Turkish Towels 5s 6d per don Usual price 9d each £silsia« 6yards for Is lid, worth double Hundreds of Cheap Dresa awaiting inspection Double width Tweeda Is per yard Black and Colored Cashmeres from Is per yard up Ladies Black Lavantine Paragon frame Umbrellas from 2a 6d, 3s lid, 4s lid, etp. Lidies' Suaehades all colots from 3a lid Black and Colored Velveteens from ls§d per yard up A mixed lot of children's sunshades all colors from lid each HOSIERY—The best value in the trade.. Plain and Ribbed Cashmere Hose from Is up. Plain and Ribbed Black Cotton fTOVFS Gloves A large vari ty Cheap and Good. A beautiful Kid Glove, any shade, at 2s lid. Lower lines from ° lB 6d upwards. Cashmere Glov. s 4£d, 6d, 9d, and Is per pair. Gaggeby and Silk, from Is 3d upwards. utnncHM Blouses Bloußes.—-We have sold more of these goods than any house in town. What we have on hand—About a. vuo» , sixt€en ' dozen wjJ j bQ c i e rs< j f rom i ? nd, 2a 6d, 2s lid up; just half price. All muslin and fancy Aprons just half what you will p-iy anywhere else. MTTTTNTMFtY Miilincrv Price cut in half. Trimmed Hats from la lid upwards. miu/uioni valuein the fcrade startling Bargains in the C'othing and Mercery Depirtments. A few Harvester Hat? 6A<i Seamless Merino Sox, 6d. Regatta Shirts, all sizes, 43 61. Brown cotton pants, Is 6d. Heavy Working Shirte, ga 6d. Men's strong Molee, 6s 6d. Tweed Trousers, special 8a 6d, Colonial 8i lid. Men's Tweed laits, 2ls 6^. Mea's imitation Fox's Serge Suits, 29a 6d. Sailor Tweed Suits, 6s lid, size 1 to 7. Choicsst stock of Ties »od Scarf* in Ashburton. All our Bootß and Shoes reduced. Hard and Soft Pelts in endless variety. Mohairßoot Laoes, 3£ per dozen. Heavy Kaiapoi Sox, Is, Kaiapoi Under Flaunels, 3s lid.



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DO HOT FORGET MITCHELL & B1M)PRIBB'S FIRST SALE. NOT 10 J. ORR * QQ, JB48? PXBEBX ASHBURTON.



Six weoks ago I suffered from a very severs oold; was almost unable to speak. My friends all advised me to consult a physician. Noticing Chamberlain's Cough Rfjiuedy advertised iv the St Paul Folks Zeltung I procured a bottle, and after taking it. a aliorfc while was entirely yell. I now I moat heartily recommend thia remedy to j anyone suffering from a oold. War Keil, I 678Selby 4ve., St Paul, Minn, for sale 1 ty Ashbcuxon Dbu<j Compan-v, J