Mail Notices.

THE BRINWSI MAIL. Mails for the Australian Colonies, Tas mania, Ceylon, India, China, .Japan, Straits Settlement Continent of Europe, and the United Kingdom, via ijrindisi (due m London on 16th March); also the Sandwich Is'ands, Vancouver, Canada, md the United States, to connect with the Miowera from •Sydney, close at Christchurch, per Tekapo, on SATURDAY, January 3Q. at 5 p.m.

MARRIAGE.

Maokay—Orr.—On the 28th inst., at the residence of the bride's parents, Wood lawn, Ashburton, by the Rev. G. B. loglia, Henry A. Mackay, of Paeroa, Auckland, to Emma Amelia, eldest daughter of Mr Andrew Orr.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 1897. THE BUSHY PARR PURCHASE

The purchase by the sons of the Hon. John McKenzie of the Bushy Park Estate is being commented upon adversely throughout the colony, the position taken up being that—(l) The transaction was improperly conducted, and (2) The price paid is possibly less than could have been realised had the matter been gone about m a different way. As to the first point, it is-urged that the property being one of those administered by the Assets Realisation Board, of which the Premier is a member, should not have been sold by private contract, but by public auction or tender, or at anyrate should not have been sold privately until after it had been ascertained what was the highest figure that could be obtained at public competition. Per contra, the defenders of the transaction point to the fact that the property m question is one of a number belonging to the Assets Board which have been adver tised by the Board for sale, and m respect to which it has notified its readiness to receive offers to purchase. This is undoubtedly an answer, so far as it goes, to the first objection, but we certainly think it was a serious mistake on the part of Ministers to allow the transaction to be completed, seeing that the purchasers are sons of a Minister, without the Board again notifying that tenders would be received up to a date fixed, m which case if the present purchasers proved the highest tenderers the sale could have been concluded without the smallest reason for a suspicion of favouritism, inas much as it would then have been shown that there was no ground for the second objection now urged, viz., tHat the price paid was not the best that could have been obtained. As to the last point the N.Z. (Auckland) Herald makes the following statement:—" A gentleman now m Auckland informs us that shortly after the appointment of the Hon. Mr M'Kenzie's son as manager he made an offer of close on £20 per acre for the estate, which consists of 2340 acres, which would have been £46,800. His offer was declined, however, and we presume that the Assets Realisation Board, which is virtually the Government, have obtained a better price for the land now ; but at all events is is somewhat; curious that Bushy Park, which is one of the finest estates jn the p^uth should now fall into the a*ndt( of a son of the Minister for Lands." Now if the «tatement be true that an offer of anything like the figure stated was made only two or three years ago and refused it is certainly most extra ordinary that the estate should now have beeen sold for less than h^lf that figure. There has been np porresponding fall m the value of land ii* the interims}, indeed the tendency has been rather m the contrary direc tion, and m the interests of all con cerned it is desirable that a full an^ authoritative statement of all the facts of the case should be mude. We notice that at a recent interview with the Premier m Dunedin he defended the sale and declared that the objectors had got hold of " another mare's nest," to judge from which we opine that there is information yet to be disclosed \ which will fully and satisfactorily explain the transaction. That informa- j tion will doubtless be elicited when Parliament meets, but the Govern ment or the Assets Board would we think do wisely not to wait until then but to make it public forthwith.

Among the many wondeiful freaks m Nature, there can be rone m the geological line than NATURAL can possibly excel SCUiPTUIiE. that known as " The Giant's Head." It stands, or rather reclines, against the face of a cliff at Point Pinas, m Monterey County, California, and all who have viewed the wonder declare it to be the most collossal, as well as the most marvellous, freak m natural sculpture m existence. All portions of the " head " except tl»e baok (which appears to be "blocked" into the nietamorphic rocks, against which it seemed to be so naturally reclining) are as perfect as though fresh from the hands of souse giant sculptor. The chin, mouth, nose, eyes, and brow are all perfect as is also the hair, which appears to be gracefully drawn back from the forehead. The ears are not so '' true to life " as the other features are, but even jn this respect no stretch of th.c imagination is required m order to see tolerably per fesfc auricular appendages. The bold features, backward wave of the hair, massive forehead, moustache, finely chi&elled nostrils, and deep-set eyes are all reproduced on a natural, yet gigantic sqale, and with* wonderful exactness. The freak stands near the Point Pinas Lighthouse, being about 500 ft from that building m a northerly direction. The " head " stands almost at tide level, the lower portion of the face being partially submerged during high water. At time of low tide, however, the wonder is high and dry, and is at that tijije a our-1 i yellous object from whatever direction 1< ,"" *« Viewed, I j

Local and General.

The Ashburton High School resumes on Tuesday. The Borough School Committee meets thia evening. Sporting notes by "Senex" will be found on the fourth page. The members of the Australian Eleven cleared just over £600 apiece. The licensee of the Douglas Hotel, Dunedin, has been fined £8 and costs for gelling after hours. From Christchurch comes the news that many of the artesian wells are beginning to give out owing to the drought. A Wellington telegram states thac the Empire Hotel m that city has been pur chased for £20,000 by Mr Mandel, who, it is und«rstood intends expending as much more m erecting a, new house. We regret to learn that Mr W. E. Dolman, who returned from Christchurch by to-day's express, is suffeiing acutely from I the accident to his eye, and it ia still doubt- I ful whether its sight can be preserved. Magistrate (to witness): What is your nationality? Well, sir, my father was Irish, my mother American, and I was born on a Dutch brig, under a Spanish captain sailing m French waters. Magistrate : All right, stand down. It is estimated that 22 acres of land are necessary to sustain one man on fresh meat. The same space of land, if devoted to wheat culture, would feed 42 people, if to oats 88, potatoes, Indian corn and rice 176, and if to the plain tain or bread tree, over 6000 people. At Dunedin yesterday Patrick Leith Ritchie was convioted of entering at the Customs nine bales of wrapping paper as cartridge paper, with the view of evading the duty. lie was fined £100, to be reduced to £25 and costs, while the paper, valued at £60, was eoufiac&fced. At WillywiSly, about eight miles Jrom Caasilis, New South Wales, during a very heavy thunderstorm a man named Charles Willis, about 50 years old, was killed by lightning. He was working at a well using an axe, when a flash, attracted by the steel, killed him instantly. Contrary to expectations, and very much to the regret of the fruitgrowers of the Kiama, New South Wales, district, the flyiug fox pest has again made its appearance at several places m the South Coast district. Several orchards were attacked and large quantities of fruit destroyed. A Herberton (Queensland) telegram states that W. Barry, while travelling 200 fat cattle to Herberton, met with a terrific storm at Dry River. The lightning struck the mob, killing eight outright, and stun ning or blinding some 25 others. Barry's horse was momentarily stunned and dropped to its knees, and bolted on recovering, but neither Barry nor his two men were injured, " A Bank Clerk " writes as follows to the Melbourne Age : Sir,—l would like to call attention through your columns to the amount of sweating that goes on m some of the banks. lamina bank and receive £96 per annum, and have often to work from 9 a.m. till 11 p.m., as well as working on Saturdays and even Sundays There are others m the same institution who receive £30 per annum and who go through the same grind day after day. The Croesus mine, on the top of the Paparoa Range (says the Grey River Argus) is considered, so far as ricb quartz is con cerned, one of the best claims m the colony. During the holidays several specimens brought into town were glittering with gold, the precious metal m one piece running through the stone m all directions, and cropping out m knobs, here, there and everywhere, making it appear like a cou glomerate held together with golden bars. It is reported from T&rcutta (New South Wales) that just before the late rain ceased a large flock of birds, said to resemble snipe settled down on a local garden where bee.s were kept, and attacked the bees as they emerged from the hives. A gun was used, but the bird's came so fast and thick that sticks and stones had to be resorted to by the residents. About 60 birds were killed and more were wounded. In other gardens bees were kil.ed m large numbers by the birds. A meeting of the Committee of the Horticultural Society took place on Thurs day evening at Mr Dodds' rooms, Mr John Orr m the chair. It was resolved to ask Mr Nairn, junior, of Christchurch, to be one ot the judges and Messrs Lechner and Dodds w*re appointed to arrange for advertising and for music for a promenade concert. I Some very five dahlias were shown by an inteudiog exhibitor. The next meeting will ba held on Tuesday evening next at the same ftl&'ce, In the list of successful candidates for matriculation at the recent Universary examinations we notice the names of Miss E. W. (Winnie) Purnell, Miss E. M. A. Baxter, at d Masters Charles Schneider, T. K. Riddle and J. R. Baxter (Tinwald), pupiis of thp As!),burtoD High School, and Misses M. Tresize and B, Bonningtou, late of the Borough School. The fact of so many successful passes 'speaks volumes for the efficiency ot our local educational institutions, The Otago Daily 2'imts of Thursday says Mr H. S. Fish, M.H.R., intends to visit Melbourne shortly with the objeefc of seeking the best medical advice procurable wiih regard to his throat, which apparently does not get any better. Laat night he amended a meeting of the City Council, but was undei the necessity of getting another councillor to read a motion which he iutended to move, as he could only apeak m a whisper, and there was a general expression of regret on the part of the council that he was not abe to address them on bhe subject under discussion. A Woodyille young man (says the Examiner) was m sore trouble lately. He was at the station, and to wile away the time before the arrival of the train, he sat down on the platform. Ihe surface of the platform as everybody knows is made of coal tar and sand, and as the morning was warm, our friend unconsciously sat do^n on a pleasant) soft: substance. The train was duly signalled and our friend tried to get on to his feet but couldn't j and aa the train was approaching close to the station, ajjfairs became desperate, With the assistance of a friend, however, he wsa released, but at what sacrifice—he had to leave most of his panta stuck on the platform. Here was a fix ; and there vj'ore a lot of ladies on the platform too, and we were astonished they did »ot even offer the kindly protection of an umbrella to the poor fellow,

COMEMRCIAL.

LONDON WOOL SALES. Press Association—By Electrics Telegraph Copyright, London, January 27. At the wool sales to-day heavy catalogues were submitted. The bidding was quieter, and the prices unchanged. The total quaa'ity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom ia 2 840 000 quarters and for the Continent 430,000 quarters. The Neiy Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited^ have received the fo lowt g London cable message, dated 27th January:— " Wool —Since cose of last sales greasy merino super, ftne greasy and medium greasy crossbred, and coarse greasy cross brad are par to %& per lb higher. Slipe, greasy »ud gcjured merino medium and inferior, fine washed and scoured crossbred are par to £d per lb lower Qlher descrip tions unchauged. Iphe American demand i good f>? long staple merino. Se.d a>d Ou"rv wools and wools of a faulty character are negieCt(sd« Tnere w tnUch »«egnlari-y m the bidding. The total quantity cata logued to date is 78,000 ua.?? -the total quantity witjb<irftwa pq date is 9500 '• gtozm Meat—Mutton market sluggish. Oanterbw^y »pd Wellington iputtion are wortll respectively iSgd and 2|d per lb (Ist quotation* 3|d and 2|d.) Primp &Z lamba are worth per oaraase 4d per Ib, "Butter—Market weaker. Fine qualities N,Z. range m value from 100-s to 104s per owt, last 103= to 106»)."

KASPAR'S WALLET.

There is a phase of drunkenness described m Scottish phrase ns " greetin' fou " —that is auphase m which the victims of alcoholic ' excess are so drunk that they cry for sorrow. In such cases the sorrow, I fear, ia not that i of which repentance is the ftuit, nor is it even sorrow that the limit of capacity ha been reached, and that they can imbibe no longer, or that funds have run out and con sequently no m>re liquor can be obtained — those who are greetin' fou are just greetin' foa and don't know a bit what they are greeting for. I have even heard of old soakers m this sorrowful condition sitting down by a dykeside and howling heartily, and, on being questioned as to the cause of their grief, explaining that they were " greetin'for the national debt!" But on Saturday night last I witnessed a case m which the cause of the "greetin'" was still more incomprehensible. Two swaggers who had evidently had a whisky dinner and had reached the greeting stage retired towards nine o'clock to greet and pray. The place . they chose for their altar was the alley be j tweeu the Mail office and Mr Braddell a, and there they lay down almost prone with their heads pressed closely together, and fell to weeping and praying. Their petitions, if not very coherent, were loud and emphatic; so loud that a crowd soon gathered attracted by the outcry, many thinking that the men had been stricken down by some dire disease. By and by, however, a constable appeared on the scene, and after running his ex* perienced eye over the befuddled couple de cided that they wtre not drunk enough to run m, but advised them forthwith to move on. This they did, with somewhat stagger ing and unoertain g*it, and what subse quently became of them this deponent knoweih not, and, not knowing, cannot aay.

The mischief done by the misguided per 80a or persons who are responsible for the introduction of the house-sparrow into New Zealand is incalculable. Were it not for the destruction effected by poisoned grain, and for the price set upon (fheir eggs by the local governing bodies these birds would speedily multiply so enormously that fruit growing would be an impossibility, and our farmers would be half, if not quite, ruined by their depredations m the grain-fields. The shrub beries and plantations of the town are regu lar breeding-places for them, and to give an idea of their vast prolificness, I may mention that within the past few days no less than 300 eggs were taken from nests ia a belt of trees surrounding a small allotment—only an eighth of an acre—on the East Beit. And while on the subject of the bird-nui sance I may as well reproduce here for the benefit of your readers the following recipe for the destruction of small-birds given lo the Tuapelia limes by a lady resident at Millar's Flat :—She soaks 60 or 70 luoifer matches m water till the heads become soft, when Bhe scrapes them all off into a eaucet ful of oatmeal mixed with a handful of white sugar. She then mixes the phosphorus, oab meai, and sugar weil together, dries it well, and puts it out for the birds to etfc. Though only tried m a very limited way, yet the result, it is stated, has been very suc cessful. The birds, principally sparrows and goldfinches, were picked up dead m an oat field close by, the depredations on which have not been nearly so great as before the preparation was tried. It is a simple recipe and a homely one, and could be easily carried out m any farmhouse or cottage where the small-bird nuisance is experienced.

Those who have witnessed the feats of that Ptince of leger-do-maio Hermann, will remember how he used to delight m literally "astonishing the natives"—as for example when he bought a handful of peaches from a Maori woman up Auckland wa,y. He opened peach after peach and apparently extracted a sovereign from each, and thereupon said he would buy the whole contents of the woman's kit. Biit she incontinently refused and forthwith opened every peach m her possession looking for sovereigns but finding none, much to the amußement of the conjuror. The laugh, however, is, I find, not si ways on his side, aa witness thefuWow ing from the Pall Mail Gazette :—During a peiformance at the house of the governor of Monte Video Hermann undertook to mystify three half-savage Pafc.gonians who were present. He stupified the first by taking an orange from his nose; he astonished the second by producing a series of piastres from his hair; but lh,e third seemed, overpowered viith terror as he extracted from his noae a living rat. Utter iug a cry of fright, the Patagoman withdrew, and the company congratulated Hermann upon his success. While rec iving their congratulations, he suddenly discovered that hia watch was gone, and that his chain had gone with it. His purse, too, hid dis appeared, and ao tko his eyeglass and pocket handkerchief. The Putagonians had stolen them !

There is no merit m lying—very much the reverse indeed, but if you de indulge m spinning a euff.r, well then do it poporly, there is far leas likelihood of auy harm being done, seeing tt.at if your yarn is only tall enough nobody is likely to be deceived into believing it. This, I take it, is one of ttie lessons sought to b,e inculcated by Dean Swift when he published 'the celebrated "Adventures of Baron Munchausen," and it is a lesaon that has been well learned by the Yankee press. Here is an example : — " A patent will be granted m a few d^ys for what must be regarded as an extraordinary contribution to to the science of warfare. It is a passenger projectile, designed to hold soldiers, who by this means are to be shot into the camp or fortress of the enemy. Having arrived, they emerge from the bomb and proceed to do as much damage <*s they arp able, It is easy to imagine the consternation of the foe on finding hostile warriors m their midst, and more arriving every minute perhaps m a series of shells that hatch out fighters like so many dragon's eggs. Dragon's teeth, such as Jason sowed for military purposes, do not fit the metaphor. This novel species of bomb is big enough to contain three or four men. It is provided with portholes, through which the occupants are able to fire their rifles while the projectile is m the air. Naturally, the idea suggests jtself that tfyey would be killed by the nhock of landing ; but this is provided against by rubber tubes like pneumatic tyres, three of which encircle the hollow shell. When the latter strikes the ground it bounds a|ong and rolls for come distance before coming to a stop, This method of passing the enemy's pickets at night, by gpjng overhead, is particularly recom mended." There, that's tall enough to satisfy the most exacting lover of the marvellous, and it's quite harmless, for there isn't the smallest danger of anybody giving credence to it,

By-the-faye, m this connection, while not wishing for a moment to impugn the veracity of the Pclonis Guardian, which the other day recorded a phenomenal rainfall m that district, amounting to from " twelve to fourteen inches m thirty-six hours," it may be interesting just to see what that means m tons of water tp the square mile. I see it statedm auothar papeti that "an engineer his figur d out that one inch of rain, falling upon an area of one square mile, is equivalent to nearly 17,600,000 gallons, weighing 145,200,000; b, or 72,000 tons." Well, accepting that calculation, and multiplying those figures by 13 (the mean of the Pelorus rainfall above stated), we get g28,800.000 gallons, or 956,000 tons per square mile, , equal to 357,500 gallons, or 1462£ tons per acre. Well, all as I can say ia that if it did rain like that up Have ock way last week, well then anything this part of the world can do m the wa.y of rainfall is'nt a circum stance to it.

Out ia New Zealand we pride ourselves not a little on our go-aheadativeness, and m the matter of female franchise and generally the advancement of womanhood, we are un doujjtedly m the front rank. We once ha a mayor-ess-?—only one it a true—-»nd we have never had another—bun Yankeelau^, as m duty bound, has "gone one better,' and elected a lady Senator, so that afier all " King Dick " will be a day behind tht i f a - r ** should he succeed m getting hia pro ' posaHor lady Leg l±«™CQ*ncm ? ragreed y to. The laviy Senator referred to v*2, 1' seems been returned for the estate of Utah I where she fought her hu*bat)d fov the seat I and was elected by' a m<|ority of oyer 400r I votes T^e huaband was a Republican, the I wife * iDemocratj and In spite of ihfir I

political rivalry they are bofch on the best of ] terms. Mr Cannon, the defeated candidate, j is a leading elder of the Mormon flhurch, ; and has four wives living m neighborly com- : munion. The particular wife who fought against him is also an enthusiastic Mormon, and maintain herself by working as a physician. Utah has female franchise, over 60 par cent of the voters are women, and m the ordinary course of things, Mrs Cannon ' found herself taking part m political affairs. She learnt, that on some points she differed from her huabaud, and so they agreed to go their own way politically, without disturb ance to their domestic rela ionship. "If a woman quarrels with her husband over politics she'd quarrel with him over whether he liked raised bread or biscuits, or any other subject that came handy," Mrs ; Cannon declares. Both husban i and wife j took a prominent part m the affdrs of their ■ own parties, and when nomination day j came round the husband found himself j selected by the Republicans, and the wife by j the D moorats, as their candidates. Mrs j Cannon is the first woman ever chosen State Senator m America. Kaspar.

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

PEB PKBSS ASSOCIATION.

The Minister of Lands. Wellington, January 28. The Minister of Lauds goes South to* morrow. Attempted Suicide. While Mrs Roche, who threw herself over the Waihote bridge, was being examined m Greytown dispensary as to her sanity, she seized a bottle of opium and drank a large quantity of the drug. She haa been pronounced insane, and will be sent to the asylum. The Weekly Half-Holiday. It has been decided to adhere to Wednes day as the half-holiday for the town and suburbs.

Attempted Suicide at the Chathams.

__ -«■ I. The Islands correspondent of the Lyttdton Times writing uuder date January 23 says s —On January 12, a case of attempted suicjde | took place, the culprit being a Burnham lad > nairnd Charming. He has been working for a settler. The toy was brought before the Resident Magistrate, and stated that he i " could not stand the life he led. He could i put up with the hammering he got, but I could not ?tand the jaw." The youth got a i rope, tied one end round his neck, and j climberl a tree, tying the other end to a i branch. He then jumped, but the branch j broke. .He was not, however, to be de ! feated. He chose another tree and went ] through the same performance. This time the branch- h«ld, but the noo-e round his neck did not tighten up. He was discoveied I hanging about two feet from the ground, black m the face. Mr Mitchell cut him down and carried him '<> Mrs Beamish'a Hotel, where he was cared for. Ihe police removed him from the custody of his em goyer, and intend sending him back to urnham. The boy bears the character of being a hard-working lad.

The Bank of New Zealand.

Retirement of Mr McKenzie.

I The Wellington correspondent of the Otago Daily limes snys :— j It is cuirently reported that Mr Henry I Mackenzie has severed his connection with S the Bank of New Zealand, He Itft' here for j the south on Monday-somewhat suddenly, it is reported. There is a good deal of 1 speculative cariosity connected with his I departure. Ife is believed that the recent I report of the liquidators of the Colonial j Bauk has precipitated the action of the directors, for it has been known for some time tint the general manager of the Bank i of New Zealand did not, m consequence of ; his connection with some of the Ward and j Ward Farmers' Association accounts, stand ■ well with the directors. It has been for | some days past m " the air v that the atmosphere of the b.ank board room was very sultiy, and thit aa a consequence certain changes m the rmntgameat were imminent;, I understand that the Premier h*d an inter ! view with the dire^rs on this subject I bpfore his departure for Hobart, aud tha< he i slated tlut the president of the bank was a statutory officer and could not be removed without Parliamentary sanction- Some explanations have been made by thepresident m re&pect of rhe release of the guarantee given for £5000 by Mrs Barron upon pay. ment of £24,000 to be made to )he Colonial Bank by Mr Ward. The president has publicly stated that he was *s much amazed »t this 'statement of the liquidators as every body else. Mrs Barron is Mr Ward's mother. This explanation has been the subject of considerable adverse criticism. It appears to have brought matters to a climax. What has happened, I understand, is this: The director* have given Mr Mackenzie six months' leave of absence, and and at the expiration of that term he will send m his resignation. This is an extension of the three months' term subject to which he was appointed, Jb is said that the arrangement preserves to the acting mana ger of the Bank of New Zealand his full salary, but this is a legal question to which I need not refer. At all events it is re garded as a liberal arrangement for Mr Mackenzie. I believe Mr Mackenzie haa not been " asked " to resign, but the mature of the arrangement a seems to be perfectly understood m commercial circles here. It is rumoured that Mr Enabling, manager of the bank at Christchurch, is like y to be Mr , Mackenzie's successor. The merit of Mr < Embling, I understand, is that he was a candid critic of the nature of certain ac counts m the Colonial Bank and the Ward Farmers' Association, and recommended that they Bhouid not be taken over by the Bank of New Zealand.

A Horse's Love for a Child.

A correspondent sends the following bo our Christchurch contemporary, the jPress— Mr Josh. Liewis, who ha,s the well-known steeplechaser Te I^ooti m his training stahlea at Ashburton, had misaed his eon, a little toddler if teen months old, and hearing the loud screams of a qhitd he went out and was horrifjed to see Te Kooti going round the pa,ddock with the little lad m hia teeth. In response to a loud shout Te Kooti gently put hia oaptive on the ground. The brave little fellow, after getting rapidly a few yards on hisjmnds and knees, turned round and commenced to indignantly scold the horae. The little chap, who like his father, as well as hia grandfather, seems to have a natural love for horses, had crawled through the fence to get up to Te Kooti, and the animal, out of pure love and affection, caught up the jockey m embryo at the back by his clothes, and started to give him his first ride, There was not a scratch on the boy, neither were his clothes torn.

CABLE NEWS.

Home and Foreign.

(Press Association—By Electric Telegraph,) Copyright. Mr Cecil Rhodes. London, January 27. Mr Cecil Rhodes bad a long iuter view with Mr Chamberlain to-day. Union Bank of Australasia. The report of the Union Bank of Australasia shows that the deposits amount to £17,135 460, securities and cash £7,684,560, advances and bill* £14,173,420. After a careful investi gation, the Directors consider there are sufficient reserves made, for doubt ful debts. Colonial Trade. In the House of Commons, replying to questions, Mr Chamberlain stated that the replies from the colonies to his despitoh regarding tite trade of the Golmies with Great Britain as compared with foruign countries, were full of interest and suggestions, but at the present were incomplete. The Costa Rica Packet. Mr Ourzon, the Parliamentary Sec* retary for the Foreign Office, stated that the arbitrator m the Costa Rica Packet case was now considering hii decision. Accident to the Ruauine. The sterner Ruahine has arrived off the coast of Sierra Leone with her shaft broken. [The f&uahiae was oh her outward voyage having (eft London for this colony on the I3thinst.] Mr Gladstone. Mr Gladstone has started for the Riviera, Relief Crews j The cruiser Royal Arthur, a sister Bhip to the Orescent, which visiled Australia last year, takes out the refief crews for the Wallaroo and Mildura. Italy and Erythrea January 27. The Times correspondent at Borne telegraphs that Italy contemplates the evacuation of Erythrea, with the ex ception of Massowah, and it is con sidered unlikely that this exception will continue any length of time. The Anglo-American Arbitration ; Treaty. ; Washington, January 27. A large meetiug of leading citizens m Washington passed a resolution hailing the Anglo-American treaty with joy and patriotic pride. Russia and Corea St. Petersburg, January 28 j Reports from Odessa state that a \ cruiser with a thousand men has | sailed for Corea, conveying the Czai'a envoy with presents for the King of Oorea, Preferential Trader Ottawa, January 28. The Montreal Board of Trade has requested that an Imperial Conference should be convened to discuss the question of preferential trade. Immigrants Restriction Bill. J»nuary 28. The Housr of Representatives has adopted the report of the Committee m favor of the Immigrants Restriction I Bill/ The Famine m Chicago. New York, January 28. j The Chicago police are distributing relief to the famine stricken people. Intense Cold. Terrible cold hus been experienced throughout the United States. ' Lieutenant Brusewitz. Berlin, Jinuary 28 Lieutenant Brusewitz has been sen ! tenced to three years for the murder of a civilian m a caf£ at Carisruhe. i Turkey and Greece. Constantinople, January 28. ; The Porte has despatched a note to Greece, intimating that if the latter country contiaues to countenance raids into Macedonia, it wiil prejudice the friendly relations between the two countries. The Dervishes. January 28. A large fone of Dervishes is en trenched within tea hours' march of Agordat, A Kraal Burned. Capetown, January 28, The kraal of the chief Seka, near Fort Salisbury, has been burned by the troops, owing to the chiefs refusal to surrender his arms. Amongst other things recovered from the natives was tbe Bishop of Mashonaland's com munion service.

Australian.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. _—__—~ * Sir John Thnrston. Sydney, January 28 Sir John Thurston is much improved m health and visits Sydney m the course of a few days. TUe Recent Gold Robbery. -Adelaide, January 28. The Ocßaua has sailed for Home. There is still no clue to the robbery.

THE GLENBROOK MURDERS.

Press Association—By'fcleofcric Telegraph— ' ' Popy^ight. "' * !■''--■ San Fbavcisco, January 27. In anticipation of the arrival of tfya Swanjiilda, detectives are cruising off fho flnlAan data

THE PLAGUE.

Presa Association—By Bleotrio Telegraph- Copyright. St Petersburg, January 27 The .Q-overnnaflnfc has declared the whole of India an infected place.

THE INDIAN FAMINE.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. London, January 27 The provinces m Great Britain are subscribing largely to the Indian famine relief fund,

Till PBBURTON GtJABBIAN : FRIDAY, JfAHTJAEY 29 ; 1897.



It will be seen by a new advertisement m another column that Messrs Oaighead and Berryman are probably now showing the largest stock of new tweedi and fashionable tailoring goods ever exhibited m Ashbur ton. This speaks well for their enterprise and local indtulry. <



Hollow ay's Pills.—Pure Blood.—When the Blood is pure, its circulation calm and equable, and ihe nerves weil strung, wo are well. These Pilja possess a marvellous power m securing these essentials oL,frealth by purifying, regulating and strengthening the fluids and solids. Hollowuy's Pills qah be confidently recommended to all persona suflferingfromdisordereddigeatii'n, or worried by nervous fancies!, or neuralgic pains. Tljey correct acidity and heartburn, dispel sick headdohe, quicken the action of the liver, md aot as alteratives and gentle aperients. The weak and delicate may take them with out tear. Holloway's Pills ate eminently serviceable to invalids of irritable consti tution, as they raise the action of every organ to its natural standard, and univer sally exercise a calming and sedative nfluence. One Box of Clakke's B 41 Pills warrao tad to cure all discharges from the Urinary Jrgans, m either sex (acquired or cons i utional), Gravel and Pains m the Back •4-<ml free from {Vlercury. Sold m toTSSd each, by all Cne^^ IJW* n<licine Vendors tarougbuut the YYortd .p ■jprimors : T«b Unoolk and Midland o'>U'<ri!Wßl)ittooUos?.») Aai' ; liaolOi Kn«i»n4



Church Services. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, Ashburton. FRIDAY—Short Service 7.30 p.m. Choir Practice, 8 p.m. SUNDAY SERVICES. 8.30.—H01y Communion. 11 a m.—Morning Prayer. 2.3o.~Distribution of Sunday School Prizes, m St Stephen's schoolroom. Parents and friends will he cordially welcomed. 3 p.m.—DRQMOBE-Mr W. Bowman Fox. 6.30 p.m.—Evening Prayer. Collections m aid of the Church Mission Fund of the diocese, REV. T. A. HAMILTON. ITTTANTED Known—The Economic YY Kid Glove, four buttons, Is 9d per pair, is the Glove for every day wear.— W. H. Collieb.



Business Notices. NEW ZEALAND Clothing 1 Factory, QOLE A G ENTS FOR Tflß FAMOUS "VICTORY" SEWING MACHINE. %="*£ \2 S i s s sß M < I a iili 8 «0 c I |3 3| > I i -ill |g oil SJ! H »° § 3 lie. 2 « SfSi PQ



OUR FIRST SALE, COMMENCING SATUBDAY, JANUAKY 30 MITCHELL & BRODRIBB, THE CSNTRAL CASH TRADERS, NEXT TO J. ORR & GO'S IRONMONGERY DEPARTMENT, EAST STREET. ERUPTIONS IN THE DRAPERY TRADE.



-JSJT —__ important NOTICE. taTKIII "^^REhl^h \ T wmwm ' BpßKn furniture of all kinds, Wo have iosb landed, direct from the Manufacturers, ex e.s. Rimutaka and Otarama, VGrand Assortment of LINOLEUMS, CARPETS, FLOORCLOTHS, Etc., to be Sold at PRICES TO MEBI THE TIMES. INSPECTION INVITED. Note the Address— T. H. UNDRILL & CO., CABINETMAKERS & UPHOLSTERERS, TANCRED STREET (Opposite Arcade) Picture Framing a Specialty. Venetian Blinds Made to Order. Agents for Olegg'a Perambulators.



""l-llilililiriijlirl ,; , . N| .  , , _ i: , ._ Business Notices good washing print, 3|d. WHITE MUSLIN, Si lid per doz AT G. J. NEILL'S. A BEAUTIFUL SUMMHSR DRESS FOR 6s lid AT G. J. NEILL'S. Flannelettes 3&d yard. The Besb Turkish TOWELS m Aahburton are at— G. J. NEILL'S. BOSTS' Navy Blue SftUor Suits 4a lid, Men's Tweed Trousers 5a lid, Men'b Heavy Colonial Tweed Suits 25s 6d, at G. J. NEILL'S. , Ladies, Lace Shoei, 4a lid. Ladies two-Btrap Shoes, 4« lid. AT G. J. NEILL'S. JUdiw', M»id«',»odCbildrtn'a TAN SHOES of Every Deacription, at Very Low Prices, AT G. J. NEILL'S, tfRIEDLANDER'S CORNER, EAST STREET. BOOM IN DRAPERY. CROWDS ON SATURDAY. TTOST COMING BACK TO SALE AT MITCHELL & TURNER'S.



"f TTTB have decided fco eclipse all, with the result that one cub has been made at our new stock, which has eevered the prioe m half. No old Stock, no out of date shelf-worn goods to palm off on a {sensible public. Our Clean, New, and Stylish Stock at just half the umml price The cry is—How is it done 1 Here you have it :No Bad lisbts, No Credit which enable us to lose directly, a portion of Whafe the credit traderß are losing indirectly. With thia difference-At MITCHELL and BRODRIBB'S all are treated alike ;at the credit homes the good customers have to pay for the bad ones. Make ao mistake. We want your money, and feel Miured that the few following sample prices will bring it. Space will not allow us to quota wore than a very condensed list, tmfc this M a sample of the bargains offered you :— 9 pieces Light Print at 3s lid per doz yards Usual Price, 7^d per yard 16 pieces Dark Print at 3a lid per doz yards Usual Prioe, 8d per yard 22 pieces Gingham Prints, 4s lid per doz yards Usual Price, 9d per yard 19 pieces Floral Crepons, 4s lid per doz yards Uaual Price, lid per yard 17 Fancy Brilliant Cloth, 7£d per yard Usual Price, Is 3d per yard 7 pieces Plain Crepon, 53 lid per doz yards Usual Price, Is per yard U pieces Stripe Zephyr, 6s lid per doz yards Usual Price, Is 3d par yard @ Plain Zephyr, 6s per doz yards Usual Price, Is 3d per yard 22 pieces Caßhmere Cloth, 4s lid per doz yards Usual Price Is per yard 10 pieces Mourning Cloth at the ridiculous price of 3s per doz yards. Wo ...nr. .mi, ffcttat this very important g&le both you and ourselves will have a spanking time. we assure you tn. CUico 2a ud per do 2 yardß ÜBual price 64d per yard WHf a Meeting, 2 yards wide, 10£ d per yard Usual price la 6d per yard vy niie 0.. . „ » d Usual price 7£d per yard Nainsook 4Au °^jJJJ 5s 6d doz Usual l price 9d each White 1 urkish a. ■ double Hundreds of Cheap Dress awaiting inspection Silsiaa 6yards for la x. «• yard Black and Colored Cashmeres from Is per yard up Doable width Tweeds la pt. J«" „ /; V I1(] 4s lid etc Ladies Black Lavantine Parago- Umbrellas from 2s 6d,jta from i, 6d per y^| O p Ladies' Sunshades all colors from 3s */•" t w»^« r r WmanJol^l£^^SSr^lS^^^^»m fro.nl. up. Plata mi Ribbed BU* Cotton OLOV E3 Z^Xr^y OJ-p -J Gj* A b er ;« ™ £££& £%?" *" 18 6d upwards. Cashmere Glovrs 4|d, 6d, 9d, and la per pa.  *fc £fc n> what wa h&y / m hand-About BLOUSES Blouses, Blouses.-We have sold more of these goods than any * ,r i M mus!in and f A •fc sixteen dozen will be cleared from 1b lld s 2a 6d, 2s lid up ; just hall t " r J half what you will pay anywhere else. MILLINERY Millinery—Price cut m half. Trimmed Hats from Is lid upwards. -^ant^ A fow Harvests The beet value m the trade. Startling Bargains m the Clothing and Mercery Dep*rti7*eiJ^- /* "* . „ Hats, 6^d. Seamless Merino Sox, 6d. Regatta Shirts, all sizes, 4a 6d. Brown cotton p. vy?\ L lid" Man's Working Shirts, 2s 6d. Men's strong Moles, 6a 6d. Tweed Trousers, special 8a 6d, Colonial **„' 1 to 7 Tweed Suits, 21a 6d. Men's imitation Fox's Strge Suits, 29s 6d. Sailor Tweed Suits, 6s lid, b,J t., '* Choicest stock of Ties and Scarfs m Ashburtoa. All our Boots and Shoes reduced. Hard and Soft F<».. endless variety. Mohair Boot Laces, 3J per dozen. Heavy Kaiapoi box, Is. Kaiapoi Under Flannels, 3s lid. DO NO T FORGET MITCHELL & BRODRIBB'S FIRST SALE. NOT ffO OBR * (?0, KASU 8TR8B!0 ABBJ3URTON. j