Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1897. MARKEY'S BRIDGE.

At whose expense the bridge was built over the mill-race, at the farm so long occupied by Mr L. Markey, is a ques tion we are not in a position to answer. We have some sort of notion that it was built before the constitution of the county, ard at the expense of the old Ashburton Road Board, before the road district was cut up into the many little districts that now comprise it. But who built itis hardly the questien that will interest the people who use the main South Road. The question they will find most interesting will be —when is it to be made fit for traffic ? It appears that the bridge is in the Hampstead town district, and the Town Board declineg to spend money on the maintenance of a bridge which is of no direct service to the settlers in the Hampstead town district. The Town Board asked the County Council to share in the cost of maintenance; but the County Council did not feel in a bridge-building mood, and declined any responsibility for main roads. The Board has now resolved to have the bridge inspected, and if found to be unsafe, to have it closed. The bridge has had some very hard things said about its stability of late, although the county engineer reported some time ago that the under work was sound and likely to last for some years, but the deckingwantedseeing to. Decking of ex- I posed bridges usually does want seeing to frequently, and to a Board with only £117 of rates coming in per annum, out of which all the public works done in the district have to be paid for, the I maintenance or rebuilding of Markey's bridge is a serious item. But the County Council has decided that the legal responsibility for the mainten ance of the bridge lies with the Hamp stead Town Board, and the Town Board, accepting the responsibility, if it must, will simply close the bridge if any expenditure is required from the funds of the Hampstead district. The closing of this bridge means the closing of the main south road from the mill crossing to the crossing at the engine sheds, and throwing the whole main south road traffic upon a wooden bridge at the mill. One can hardly blame the Hampstead Board for closing the bridge, like the countenance of the French teacher at Killaloe " for alter ations and repairs," when the County at its last meeting voted to the "Wakanui Road Board £25 for the re-erection of bridges over the same creek lower down, and in 1895 wrote to the Hampstead Board expressing readiness to bear half the cost of widen ing Markey's bridge, of which struc ture apparently we are likely to hear more by and by.

WELLINGTON SUBURBS ELECTION.

They appear to possess a phenomenal faculty up Wellington way for the finding of mare's nests. The latest, but doubtless by nomeausthelastjinstancecf th'S curious fact is set out in a wire to the Christchurch Press, in which the correspondent of that journal details at length a supposed hitch in connection with the election for Wellington Suburbs, rendered necessary by the unseitingof Mr Wilfordupon which the

I quidnuncs of the Empire City are now exercising themselves greatly. This is that there is no Speaker, that the Gove rnor is functus officio and that there are all sorts of speculations as to what should or can be done ; whether the Clerk of Parliament could act under tie authority of the Premier or the Cabinet, etc, etc. Now it appears to us that there is no necessity for any speculation on the subject, the present contingency being, as we read the law, clearly provided for. For sec, 186 of the Electoral Act, 1893, expressly provides that " Whenever a vacancy occurs at a time when there is no Speaker . . . the Governor shall

cause" all necessary proceedings to be taken including the issue of a warrant to the Clerk of the Writs and the cir cumstance of Lord Glasgow being now functus officio as Governor pre sents no difficulty whatever. For, like the king, the Governor never dies, though the holder of the office may—the Chief Justice being Gover nor in such an eventuality, or in the event of the Governor's absence or in capacity, by virtue of what is known as ''the dormant commission," which reads as follows :-*- l( Now, know you that, by this our commission, under our Siga-inanual and Signet, we do appoint you, our said Chief Justice, for the time being, until our further

pleasure shall be signified, to admini ster the government of the said colony uf Hew Zealand in case of the death, incapacity, or removal, or of the departure from the colony of our said Governor ..... with all and singular the powers and authorities granted by our said Letters Patent." Now as Sir James Prendergast has accordingly formally assumed office under this Royal commission he is to all intents and purposes the Governor of the colony, aud as we read the law is fully empowered to issue the necess ary warrant to the Cleilj of the Writs ; and if we are right in that view, then the the Wellington folks can rest' their souls in peace, and need not wony themselves further as to what is to be , done to meet a .d'fficu^y which exists^ Only in their own imagination.

Local and General.

In the last 200 years France has spent £993,000,000 in war. People who use tobaooo to a great degree are ra ely sujjferera from cholera* The Congregational J^nion closed its sittings at Chriatchurch yesterday. In Melbourne a woman receives 2^d for making a shirt, while a Chinaman gets 5d for washing it. A quartz reef five miles long has been discovered on Balruddery, one of the estates of Mr Jjphn Reid, near Oamaru. Bishop Julius and Mrs .Julius left by the Manapouri yesterday 'en routti for Home where his Lordship attends the Lambeth Conference. The Aahburton School Committee have; recommended the Board of Education to < ntrust Mr David Grant, second master,: with the charge of the jichool pending the i sppointineat pF» be»di«*Btsf.

Owing to the wet and sodden state of the ' bush at Pet I Forest, Mr Newmau's excursion has been postponed for a week. Things were lively in the Arcade this afternoon when Mr Thomas held a clearing sale of furniture and sundries, Mr R. Curtis acting as auctioneer. It is understood that the seamen in Wellington will, though somewhat un willingly, accept the Conciliation Board's terms. | Colonel Pole Penton, who ordered an inspection parade of the Ashburton Volun teers for Monday next, has cancelled the order, and the usual Government inspection will be held on Tuesday, 16ih inst. The Presbyterian General Assembly, has decided to ask .the JNew Zealand Government to co-operate with the i Governments of the Australian colonies in endeavouring to prevent the annexation by the French of the New Hebrides islands. According to the Rangitikei Advocate, Mr J. S. Cawood, of Metzio'a Bridge, near Feilding, has sold no less than £150 worth of fruit from his orchard. For the product of one pium tree this season, Mr Cawood has obtained no less than £5. His Worship the Mayor has a curiosity in the shape of a tomato tree, now making its second years' growth, and should bear fruit next season. This is the only one propagated from a packet of imported seed, and probab'y the only one in the colony. We have just seen a fine sample of potatoes grown by Mr R. Coward, of Chatmoss, of the variety Sealy's Perfection, being a nice clean, large and evenly grown lot. They I would have taken a lot of beating had they been exhibited at the Horticultural Society's I late show. It is declared that what is probably the only record of kindness that can be attributed to Butler, of Glenbrook notoriety, during his career in New South Wales, occurred when at Meranburn. He was touched by the crying of a child and gave the poor little thing 2s. There is excellent flyfishing in the Temuka river just now. Mr Leslie Brown, a visitor, took thirty fish, scaling 18glb; Mr A. Brown in a few hours eleven fish averag ing lib. Miss Brown has also made several good baskets. Fish are in capital order, and since the rain rise freely. A man named William Scott Oakden was arrested on Friday afternoon at Makikihi by Detective Livingstone and Mounted Con stable Crawford, charged with breaking into the house of Mr John McKenzie, farmer, near St Andrews, on the 11th inst., and stealing a sum of money therefrom. The will of Mr William Morris, the socialist, poet, and art manufacturer, has been proved. His personalty was sworn at £55,069, which is more than was left by any poet, except Lord Tennyson, who bequeathed £57,000. Dante Rossetti left £5008, Sir Henry Taylor £7000, and Robert Browning £15,774. Mr Colyer, Clerk of the S.M. Court, has received the Gazette notice of his appoint ment as deputy registrar of pension claims under " The Registration of Peoples Claims Act 1896 '; also a copy of the Act and Regulations thereunder. The registers and forms have not yet arrived but are expected every mail. Two informations have been la?d against electors in the Riccarton Electorate for offences under section 160 of the " Electoral Act, 1893,"—0ue for registering under age, and the other for registering under a wrong Dame. The cases are set down for hearing at the Magistrate's Court in Chnstchurch on ihe 23rd inst. The services at the Primitive Methodist Church to-morrow will be conducted by the | Rev J. Olphert, who is to take a? his sub jects, " Creed and conduct," and " Decision lin youth." During the evening service, Miss Birdie Butler, a visitor from Auckland, will sing ToplifFs fine composition, "Remem ber now thy Creator." Not long ago a railway workman was walking along the Manchester Bridge, Crewe, when he picked up a small parcel ■ which, on being opened, was found to contain notes, cheques, and securities of the value of £60,000, Inquiries showed that the | parcel belonged to Sir Baldwin Leighton, and chat it had been lost In transit between Ludlow and Knutaford. An excellent programme has been arranged by the Ashburton Amateur Cycling and I Athletic Club for their annual meeting on Paster Monday, amongst other events being i the three mile provincial championship. ! Altogether there are fifteen events, and the prizes are worth £64, which should bring competitors from all parts of Canterbury, and even from greater distances. Farmers with spare horses to dispose of, or who are in want of horse flesh to face the autumn and winter work, would do well to note that Mr David Thomas's horse fair in the Arcade will be held on Thursday, February 18. Mr Thomas has already about one hundred head of all descriptions to offer, but this number is likely to be greatly increased before the fair cornea off. Mr Spencer Walpole, Secretary of the London Post Office, tells the story that last Christmas a letter waa received addressed as follows : —•• Father Christmis, North Pole G.P.0." On its being opened it was found to contain the following communi cation :—" Please Father Christmas, send me a box of paints for New Year's day." The authorities •' found " Father Christmas, and in the course of a few days the trustful little correspondent receiyed her box of paints. Arrangements for experimental netting of the Mackenzie lakes have now been made by the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society and the Waitaki Society. Repre sentatives of the latter body will leave at the end of the week, via Kurow, and expect to reach Ohau on February 15, where they will be joined by the South Canterbury patty. After testing Ohau a trial will be made at Pukaki, Tekapo, and Alexandiina. The party will carry suitable nets and the material for a useful punt. The trip will last a week or ten days. A special meeting of the Ashburton School Committee was held last evening, to receive and consider the report of the sub- Committee appointed to enquire as to an excursion for the school children. There was a full attendance of members, The sub committee reported that they had inter viewed the stationmaster, and had found that a special train could be run that the country people could take advantage of, and specially low fares would be charged. Lyltelton waa chosen as the place to be visited, for which the fares would be Is 6d for children, 2a 9d for elder scholars and teachers, and 3s 6d for adults. The date chosen was Thursday, March 11, The Post says that Lord Glasgow must have been misunderstood as to his reported claim to have been longer in office than any other Governor of New Zealand with the exception of Sir William Jervois. Our late Governor represented the Queen here for four years and eight months (from June, 1892, until February 1897) and Sir William Jeryois's term is just six years (from January 20, 1883, to March 20, 1889) But Colonel I'homas Gore Browne waa also Governor fpr syer six years (from September 6, 1855, to 3ctobeF 2| 1861); and Sir George Bowen for aver five years (from February 5, 1868, to March 19, 1873); while Sir George Grey's record stands far above all others. One of iis two terms of office alone would form the ,'ecord. The first extended from November 18, J. 845, to December 31, 1853 ; the other :rom November 7> 1861, to J?eb.ruary 5, LB6B.

A Useful Hint to Farmers.

The following recipe communicated to the Australasian by a correspondent is at least worth a trial for telegraph and ordinary posts e~" I discovered many years ago that wood could Ije made tp l^st longer than iron in the ground,'though ths grocees is so simple that it was npt well to make a stir about it. I would as soon haye poplar, bass-wood, or ash as any other kind of timber for fence posts. I have taken out basa-wood posts after having been set seven years that were as sound when taken out as when first put in the ground. Time and weather seem to have no effect on them. The posts can be i prepared for lyps than two cents apiece. This is the recipe :—Take boiled linseed oil and stir pulverised coal to the consistency < f paint. Put a coat of this over the timber', and there is not a man who will live to gee

TOWN BOARD.

Hampstead

The monthly meeting of the Hampstead Town Boaid was held Jast evening. Present —Messrs J. H. Maynard (chairman), J. W. Hardley, H. McEliea, E. J. Siiliwell, and EL A. Pick ford. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs Mahood and Hendry. LAND RBVKNUK The Receiver of Land Revenue notified payment of a small sum to credit of the "Board, on account of reseive 1261. BY-LAWS. Mr McElrea, on behalt of Mr Mahood, requested leave to postpone his motion respecting the by-laws till next mcetiug.— Granted. markby's bridge. A letter was read from the Ashburton County Counci 1, declining all responsibility in connection with Markey'a bridge, and the followingresolutioo was unammously carried, copies ordered to be sent to the mill-owners and the Council:—"That as the Ashburton County Council has declined all responsi bility in connection with the bridge over the mill race on the Main South road, the Hampstead Town Board, recognising that the said bridge is of no service to their district, will close it, and other bridges over i the mill race in their district."—lt was re solved that the Works Committee inspect Markey'e bridge at once, and, if found un safe, close it immediately. RATES AND DOGS. j Ib was resolved that rites must be paid and dogs registered forthwith, and notice of this waa ordered to be advertised. The Board then sat as a Board of Health i and received the Inspector's report, which was satisfactory.

ROAD BOARDS.

Mount Hutt.

The usual monthly meeting was held on the 11th insb., all the members being present. Mr J. Devery's tender for shingling Back Track was accepted. It was decided to con tinue the formation of the Roaehill road. It was decided to sue for all rates out standing exceeding 5s in amount, three uames drawn by lot to be summoned at first. It was resolved that in future al shingle be harrowed after being spread on the roads, the stones then broken, a second harrowing to be then done, and all stones necessary to be broken. It was resolved to write again to the County Council asking for a list of the fords that the Board were required to take over ; also asking that the grade on either side of a ford on the Lyndhurst road be reduced. The Chairman and Mr MoFarlane were appointed to inspecc the bridge on the creek near Mount Hutt sheepyards, and em powered to take action in the matter. Mr Aynsley wr te consenting to alteration in the course of the sheep wash creek. Mr J. Batty wrote advising removal of the bank adjoining the water race on Mr McMillan's land. It wa3 decided that mem bers of the Board inspect the ground at 11 a.m. on March 11. The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote giving permission to take shingle from the shingle reserve on Highbank. Extension of time was granted to M. Clif ford on his contract on account of harvest. Accounts amounting to £220 12a 8d were passed for payment. Messrs H. G. Baker, G. H. Alington, and Rev Mr Clark attended as a deputation from a public meetiDg asking the Domain Board to grant permission to make a swimming bath in the domain. Granted subject to the i conditions and rules being approved by the Board.

MAGISTERIAL.

METHVEN—FEBRUARY 12

(Before Messrs D. Cameron and W. Morgan J's.P.)

Abusive Language.—J. Butt for using abusive language in a public place was fined £1. Civil Cases—W. Scott v. W. Anthony. This was an action to recover the sum of £14 10s being 14 weeks and 3 days wages at £1 per week- Mr Cuthbertson appeared for the plaintiff and Mr *Vilding for the defendant. The defence was that the plaintiff had been engaged to do fencing at 2s 6d per chain and the sum of £8 5s was paid into Court in satisfaction (if the p'aiutiffs claim. After hearing the evidence of several witnesses, and counsel having addressed the Court, the Bench gave judg ment for the plaintiff for £13 6a 7d. Quirw v. Goldsmith—This case was adjourned till next Court day. tiDhe Court then rose.

Cyclonic Storm in the North.

It Stopped a Train,

Perhaps the best idea of the cyclonic force of the gale in Taranaki, writes the Taranaki correspondent of the VVanganui Herald, can be conveyed by mentioning the fact that the North train, due in VVanganui at 5 5 p.m., was twice brought to a dead standstill by the sheer force of th? wind. Juat after leaving Patea, and when on the embankment and approaphing the up grade as the line leaves the river bank, the engine failed to make any headway for fully two minutes. At the spot there is a fall of fully 25ft., on the one side being the river, and on tho other a bed of quarry stone, and had the train toppled over, there must have been a terrible loss of life. In addition to a good number of passengers there were eight valuable racehorses on board. Sufficient, however, to prove that I am not exaggerating, is the fact that the whole of those passengers, occupying a first class smoker, got out on the platform, where it was difficult to keep a footing, and were ready for emergencies, aa a dip in the river would have been nothing to being dashed to pieces on the rocks below. The train was again brought to a standstill on the Waitotara hill, and for several minutes never budged an inch. The driver and fireman ou the engine, exposed to the full blast of the gale, must have had a very unpleasant time, and many of the passengers were heard to award to them credit for the way in which they brought the train through a journey whioh was undoubtedly attended with a good deal of risk,

CABLE NEWS.

Australian.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.

Troopers Visiting England. Sydney, February 12. The Colonial Secretary states that a misunderstanding has arisen in con nection with the Government assist ance to the Mounted Troopers who visit England, The previous promise of £500 has not beeu withdrawn. The Sunbeam, The yacht Sunbeam arrived to-day. Owing to head winds she bore up for Sydney instead of Melbourne. The Federal Convention. Adelaide, February 12 ■There are thirty-three nominations for the Federal Convention,

KASPAR'S WALLET.

The off time at Home—that is when Parliament is in recess—is known in the newspaper world as "the silly stason," its attendant phenomena being eruptions of pars < f the big gooseberry description. Out here—this recess at any rate—the species of yam most in vogue ig " tishy," iv the fignra tive as well as the literal sense. We have heard of the capture <f sharks up to nine yards hi length ! of Brobdiynagian eeb measuring sft, and turning the scale at anything up to a quarter cwt., and of monster trout galore. Bat a Hawke's Bay paper is entitled to the cuke for the fishieat yam of all. Ittelis of a teagullshot by a Wai pawa resident with a t.\elve-pouud trout in its mouth! Pretty tall that. Another journal suggests that the bird that was shot must have been an albatross and not an ordinary gull, but I suggest as more feasible that there has been a transposition, and that; it was the trout which had the gull in its mouth and not the gull the trout. Yet more feasible still is the suggestion that the whole story is a "gull " of the first magni tude.

Some amusing stories are told anent the unsophisticated manner in which cukxed parsons of the negro persuasion conduct religious services among their woolly-headed congregations in the Southern States of America. Here is an amusing example : — During a visit to Florida, the mil ionaire iron-founder, Andrew Caruegie, attended a little negro church. When the contribution plate came round, Mr Carnegie drooped a five-dollar bill upon it. After the contents, of the plate had been counted, the e'ergy man arose and announced : " Brethren and sisters, the, collection this evening seems to figure up six dollars forty-four cents, and if the five-dollar -bill contributed by the gentleman from the north is genuine, the repairs on the sanctuary will begin imme diately."

Among the fin dt slide proverbs, "Money makes matrimony" deaerve3' a foremost place. Dollars and cents-less unions are almost universally voted dolorous and sense less, and the up-to-date Cupid ought to be depicted with an arrow of gold tipped with diamonds, while for Hymen's chains of roses there should be substituted others warranted 18 carat at least. He> c is an instance of the magic effect of the mere suspicion of the possession of golden charms : —A gentleman : was riding in a carriage with one of the fair sex ' all of a summer's day,' and accidentally dropped an arm around her waist. No objection was made for a while, and tjjearm gradually relieved the side of the carriage of the pressure upon it. But of a sudden (whether from a late recognition of the impropriety of the thing, or the sight of another beau coming, never was clearly evident), the lady started with volcanic energy, and with flashing eye, exclaimed, 'Mr Jones, I can support myaef!" • Capital !" was the instant reply ; ' you are just the girl I've been looking for these five years. Will you marry ? "

The following little story is not new, but even if some of my readeis have heard it before, it is so pretty that it will bear telling again ;-Her Majesty, the Queen of Italy, has always liked to dress in white, and regal and handsome indeed she looks in satin em broidered with pearls, or stiff white silk that stands by itself with delicate traceries of silver and goH. At a recent Royal function she astonished everybody, and particularly her husband, by appearing in & colored toilette. The King asked why she had deserted her preference for white, whereupon the Queen replied somewhat sadly that she was now too old to wear it. To this the King made no response, but a few days later there arrived at the palace an enormous box full of dresses fresh from Paris. Each one was of pure white, and on the top of them lay a piece of paper upon which was written just these words:— "The King's answer." Since then the Queen has reverted to her old love for white dresses.

We all know that politeness goes a long way towards success with business men, and does much to make the wheels of social life I run smoothly. Indeed it would be well if our colonial youths—remarkable often for their dnisquerie ) not to use the harsher term of rudeness—would lay that knowledge to heart, and endeavour to make it a rule "of their daily demeanour. Some of them indeed behave so outrageously that if there be any truth in the theory that monkeys were the original progenitors of the human race, then it would seem that there has been a descent and not an ascent from the ?imian. Stephen L. Warner at any rate tells of one particular monkey which could have given them a lesson in manners. He writes :—" One day aultalian organ-grinder, accompanied by a trained monkey, wandered into our town, and the man stopped before my house to play. The monkey was an intelligent little fellow, and was attired in a jacket and cap. While his master was grinding out the music, the monkey hopped down from the organ where he had been sitting, and, jumping the fence, came up into my yard. He was at once spied by a fox-terner of mine, and the dog made a rush at him. The monkey awaited the onset with such undisturbed tranquillity that the dog hated within a few feet of him to reconnoitre. The two animals took a long, steady stare afc each other, when suddenly the monkey raised his paw and gracefully saluted his enemy by raising his hat. The effect was magical. The pog's head and tail dropped, and he sneaked off into the house, and would not leave it until he was satisfied that his polite but mysterious guest had departed.''

The venerable chestnut about the old lady dowa Southland way who declined to go to market by train on the ground that she was in a hurry, was eclipsed the other day by the fining of a man somewhere up WaDganui way for boarding a train after a quarter-mile run in pursuit of it. After lhat picture of phenomenal slow-coaching in New Zealand, let us look by way of contrast at the fast speeds of railroad travelling in the Old Couufry. It is now claimed that the Cale donian early morning train from Carlisle to Aberdeeu is the fastest train in the world. An expert in speed who made the trip says that for twenty miles the average was 72 8 miles an hour, and for two miles 81.6. The whole performance ia described as the ordinary work now on the Caledonian, and far in excess of English times. The engine was the Dunalastair, which, in addition to large cylinders, has the largest boiler of any locomotive in Britain, In ten years the Caledonian has reduced the time from Carlisle to Aberdeen from 7 hours 22 minutes to 4 hours 31 minutes, and it is pointed out ihat if the English Hne3 made the same speed 2 hours 17 minutes would be saved in the journey from London to Hoiyhead, 53 minutes to Manchester, 52 to Liverpool, 18^ to Birmingham, 41 minutes to Exeter, and 64 minutea in the Midland Compauy's run to Carlisle.

I see that a French florist offers a prize of £1200 to anyone who can produce a plant that will yield blue roses. lie might just as well have offered twelve millions while he was about it for all the pbance there is of anybody winning the money. There is an almost universal law of Nature to which there are very very few exceptions—ocly two or three I believe, against the obtain - ment among flowers of the same description of more than two out of the three primary colors with their various intermediate shades. Ihus flowers which are obtainable in reds and yellows, are not obtainable in shades of blue; roses, dahlias and antir rhinums come under this category; flowers obtainable in blue and red, aa for instance, the convolvolus, are not fount? to have yellow ! varieties, and those of which there are blues and yellows (for example, panaies) have no red varieties. I may mention two excep tion?, via., the hyacinth, in which shades of all three primary colors occur, and lupins, the last-named flower haying blue, yellow, and red-and-white varieties. The excep tions are ao few that the odds against the possibility of producing blue roses or dahlias are many thousands to one.

'jj.'here is a Bible in Lucas County, Ohio, which was once baked in a loaf of bread. It is an example of woman's wit. During one of the cruel religious proaeeutions in Bo hemia, an edict was passed that every Bible in the hands of peasants should be delivered up to the authorities and destroyed. Various expedients were resorted to by Bible-loving Bohemians to preserve them. Mrs Schebolt, grandmother of the present

owner, paced hers in the c< ntre of a batch of dough, which was re y for the oven, and baked it, The house waa carefully searched, but no Bible found ; and when the iuvaders had departed, und the danger was past, the Bible was taken uninjured from the loaf. It was printed one hundred and fifty years ago.

One of the greatest of the daily tri.us of gool housewives is the fatal facility for breakage possessed by the average Abigail. That soil of thing is responsible for the loss o* much valuable china and glass, and often not unnaturally for much loss of temper. Of course some breakages are unavoidable, but in the majority of instances ctrelessaess is the undoubted cause of the mischief. Perhaps the following may supply a hint as to a mode of dealing successfully with cases of the latter sort. I read that " Lord Blachford tells in his ' Letters' of a lady who had a special way of curing her servants of the habit of letting * china fall. 1 One maid broke three pieces in the course of the day, so the mistress said to her, l You are ill Jane ; you want some castor oil.' The maid stared and was astonished. 'Your hand shakes ; you want some castor oil, Jane.' The maid took it as a joke, and grinned. But when bedtime came theupier maid was duly summoned, ' Jane iB ill, and wants some castor oil. Come with me and I wil! give it out to her. 5 The lady of the house appeared at the bedside, and with a quite inflexible determination explained that Jane was ill and did want castor oil, and must take it. She did take it, and no farther breakage occurred from that time,"

Presbyterian General Assembly

ChbistohurcHj February 12 In the Presbyterian General Assembly the question of replacing the mission ohip 1 Dayspring was considered at a special meet ing this afternoon. It was decided to f&ror the use of the present maritime service i between Sydney and the New Hebrides. la I the ev< nihg a pubic meeting was held in St Paul's Church, and addressed by Revs. Dr Piton, Gibson Smith, J. Lothian,, and Dr Cairns.

PROMENADE CONCERT.

There was a large attendance at the Oddfellows' Hall la.t evening, the room being well filled throughout the promenade concert, and very general admiration was expressed at the excellence of the Show, which took most people quite by surprise, in view of the very unfavorable weather experienced almost throughout the season. The concert opened with a piano solo brilliantly played by Mr Alfred Orr, after which Mr Broad opened the vocal pro gramme with his favorite item "The dandy colored coon." Miss Mary Fooks sang very sweetly " Love's golden dream," and Gates' band followed with a pretty instrumental setting of "Love's old sweet) aong." Guonod's "Serenade," with violin and flute obbligati by Miss McOwen and Mr A. K. Peachey, was charmingly sung by Mrs Crisp, the instrumental performers acquitting themselves admirably. Mr Gardiner's song " The warrior bold " was given in good voice and redemanded. Mrs Brooke, who was at her bes^, gave the "Jin gee-gee" very effectively, and in response to an encore " Love was once a little boy." Then came a brilliant piano solo by Mrs Bowman Fox, Miss Kathleen Orr following with "Never to know," very sweetly sunp, and as an encore " O promise me." Dt Morris, of Little River, then gave a piano solo—"At the flag "—the next item being "The Spitfire gallop," well rendered by Gates' band. A cornet solo " The better land " by Mr Gordon, with violin obbligato by Miss Simmonds, oompleted a very' en joyable programme, after which Mr Haumer, on behalf of the Society, thanked the public of Ashburton for the manner in which they had supported the Society by their attend ance at the show, and stated"that that day's takings would, he believed, enable them to meet all charges, and encouraged them to hold another exhibition next year. He added that a number of pot plants and other exhibits, presented to the Society, would be submitted to auction. This was done, Mr Bland kindly officiating as auctioneer. The sale over, the exhibition closed.

Ashburton Amateur Cycling & Athletic Club.

A general meeting of the Aahburton Amateur Cycling and Athletic Club was held at Button's Commercial Hotel last evening. There was a large attendance of members, and the chair was occupied by Mr W. S. Mitchell. The following were elected aa new members ;—Messrs Quinlan, R. D. Wilson, If. Boyle, aud H. Lawrence. Idias F. Wright was elected as an honorary member. Mr P. Den by was nominated aa delegate to represent the Club on the New Zealand Cyclists' Alliance. The chairman read a letter from the Alliance stating that the Ashburton Club could not have the two mile provincial championship, as that event had been allotted to the Rangiora Club. After discussion, it was decided to take the three mile provincial championship. It was also decided to hire bardies for the meeting on Easter Monday, for which the following programme was adopted :—Half mile bicycle handicap; two mile roadster handicap; three mile roadster; one and a kali mile ladies' bracelet; five mile bicycle handicap ; three mile first-class bicycle handicap, limit) 200 yards • three mile provincial champion ship ; 100 yards flat; 220 yards flat; 880 yards Hat; one mile walk; 120 yards hurdles ; 440 yards flat; 440 yards hurdles (first prize presented by Mr F. I. Gowliahaw); long jump. The meeting then closed.

Commercial.

CHRISTCHURCH GBAIN AND PRO DUCE MARKET.

The Press of to-day gives the following as current prices paid to farmers, f.0.b., Lyt telton, except where otherwise specified :—- Wheat, Old. Ifew. Pearl ... 4s 3d to 4s 4d 3s lOd to 3a lid Tuscan .„ 4a Id to 4a 2d 3s 9d to 3s lOd Hunter's ... 4s to 4s Id 3s 8d to 3s 9d , Oats—(Prime milling), 2s Id j good stout feed Is lid, fair short feed Is lQd, Duns Is lid to 2s, Danish Is lOd. Barley—Malting, prime, 3s 6d to 4s j medium do, 3s ; feed, 2a to 2s 2d. Beans —Nominal. Peas —Blue Prussians 3s 6d to 3a Bd. Oatsheaf Chaff—(Nominal), Giuss Seed — Ryegrass, farmers' lots, 2s 3d Co 2i 9J ; machine dressed 3s 6d to 3s 9d, and heavy shotfcy seed up to 4s. Cocksfoot, (nominal), 3d to 3|d. Cowgrass, nominal; white clover (nominal), 6d to 7^d. Alsyke (aomiual), 5d to 6d. Dairy Peodpoe—Cheese 3d tso 4d, loaf 3^d to 4j(J. Butter, factory 9d, dairy $d fc o 7<J, salt (iv boxes) 5d to 6d, Bacon 6id, do, roll 6;|d to 7d ; hams 7|d.

The Nkw Zealand .Farmers' Co-opera tive Association of Canterbury, I/n>. quote as follows on February 12, 1897 s— * Wheat- Prime milling Pearl 4a Id f.o.b. j, j, Tuscan 4a. v ' t , „ Hunter's 3s lid „ Seconds, c^an ... 3s 3d Oats- Tartars and Buns  Is 9d  Good stout feed ... lslOd „ Milling  .. 2s „ ! Barley— Prime malting ... 3s 6d to 4s  Medium (dull) .... 3s to 3s 3d „ Beans ... ... ... 2s 6d „ Prussian Blues 3s 7d „ Partridge .... .« 3s to 3s 3d „ Ryegrass—• Farmers'lines ... 23 fo 2s 6d Ch.ch. Cocksfoot- Good bright seed ... 3d to 3|d „ Medium grades ... 2|d „ Chaff— Good oataheaf ... 40s to 42* 6d country stations

Armenian women are finding a ready market for their kbor in America, where hey are greatly prised as cooke, housemaids, and nurses. As a olaes they are singularly willing &ud eager to learn,, , .'•' ■

THE ASHBtJKTON GOAEDIAN t SATURDAY, ]?EBBtfAEY 13, 1897.



G. J. NEILL lS SELLING WASHiNG PRINTS at 3£d per yd ; WHITE MUSLINS 3s lid per doz G..J. NEILL IS SELLING DOUBLE-WIDTH SERGES iv Navy, Brown and Maroon, at la per yd G. J. NEILL IS SELLING MEN'S ALL-WOOL SUITS at 23a 61; Men's Tweed Troussra 5a lid v » c. J. NEILL IS SELLING BOYS' SUITS at) 4a lid each G. J. NEILL IS SELLING—Men's Bluchera at ... ... 4s lid Men's Nail Shooters ... ... 7s lid ■,-■:■ Men's Shoes ... ... ... 5s lid Women's Shoes ... ... 4a lid # Women's Strap Shoe... ... 4s lid G. J. NEILL DEI" IE 8 COMPETITION IN BOOTS Every F*k Guaranteed to Wear and give SATISFACTION FRIEDLANDBR'S CORNER, EAST STREET. - IMPORTANT TO PARMBES AND HARVESTERS. "THATCHES specially designed and constructed for those engaged ia agricultural work are to be obtained from WATCH IMPOBTEE, EAST STEEBT. These Watches are made by ROTHERAM and other famed makers to the special order of S, Salek foi the ASHBURTON WATCH TRADE. HAVING BOUGHT LARGELY AT A HEAVY DISCOUNT PRICES ARE REDUCED. ALSO IN STOCK—Dixit Watches (see the name (3. SALEK Ashburton, is on the dial) at 20s. Other metal watches from 15s. All Guaranteed. f^gk^m^^^Sjl^ STEAM CARRIAGE FACTORY, £&j!sß^ss^ f. h. b^l] STEEL BEOS., t«-«■s— BEG to announce to the inhabitants of Ashburton and suriounding district that they have taken over the Busissess so long curied on by J. R. STEEL, and hope by Strict Attention to Business, Good Workman-hip, aud Moderate Charges, to merit a fai"r share of Patronage. Coachbuilding Department— This Department will have our personal supervision and to a'l who require a new Vehicle of »ny description, or their old one repaired, we can guarantee satisfaction if they place iheir order with us. Fainting and Trimming — Now ia the time to have your traps put into ijood order by having them well painted, and our workmen are in thl* fronb rank of their profession, and the material used is the very best. Ironwork Department — We are prepared to quote prices for nil kinds of ironwork, an 1 to supply or repair Agricultural Implements of every descripiion. Shoeing Department— Ia this as in all other parts of our business we will give satisfaction to our customers, and if you want your horse shod by practical and ekilkd workmen, send it aloDg TICTORIAN SHOEING FORGE. STEEL BEOS., PROPRIETORS, WEST STREET, ASHBURTON. 2 34



Business Notices, f READ THIS. WE ARE SELLING OFF FROM JAMJAR V TO DECEMBER. NEW ZEALAND Clothing 1 Factory, OWING to our special facilities for buy ing in large quantities—as we have to supply 32 branches—the Public can depend on getting the VEBY BEST VALUE IN THE TRADE. A few Lines will convince :— Men's Mo=sgiel Tweed Suits ., ... 27/5 Boys' Ashburton Tweed Suits ... 7/6 Men's Mosgiel Tweed Trousers ... 8/9 Boys' Sailor Suits „ 5/6 Men's Trousers to Measure 15/- Mosgiel Tweed {per yard) 1/11 Men Ts Suits to Order 55/. HALLENSTEIN BROS. ALEX. HENDRY, Manager. Xfl 2 2 F—-< or 01 1 O i^«^; M « "^ ! ■ Ph o go Q » pa h O g H,S Mlg P . 3 en P ? <J O H Church Services. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, Ashburton, SUNDAY SERVICES. B.3o—Holy Communion. 11 a.m.—Morning Prayer, 3.30-Holy Baptism. 6.30 p.m.—EveniDg Prayer. REV. T. A. HAMILTON. 3 p.m.—Dromore. MR W. BOWMAN FOX. WANTED Known—Sale of this season's 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. lUrjsks, Arcade and Tancred Street. 213



OUR FIRST SALE, COMMENCING SATURDAY, JANUARY 30 MITCHELL & BRODRIBB, THE CENTRAL CASH TRADERS, NBXP TO J. ORR * COS IRONMONGERY DEPARTMENT, EAST STREET ERUPTIONS IN THE DRAPERY TRADE. TTTE have decided to eclipse all, with the result that one cut has been m^de at' our new stock, which has Bever-4 the prtefl in 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 usiul price The cry is—How is itdone ? Here you have it :No Bad Debts, No Credit which enable us to lose directly, a portion oi what the credit traders are losing indirectly. With this difference—At MITCH IS LL and BRODRIUB'S all are treated alike ;at the credit houses the good customs rs have to pay for the bad ones. Make no mistake. We want your monpy, aud feel assured that the few following ea mpie prices will bring it. Space will not allow us to quote more than a very condensed list, ttat thia is a sample of the bargaius offered you :— 9 pieces Light Print at 3s lid per doz yards Usual Price, 7£d per yard 16 pieces Dark Print at 3<s lid per doz yards Usual Price, 8d per yard 22 pieces Gingham Prints, 4s lid per doz yards Usual Price, 9d per yard 19 pieces Flor.'l Crepona, 43 lid per doz yards Usual Price, lid per yard 17 l^ancy Brilliant Cloth, 7£d per yard Usual Price, Is 3d per yard 7 pieces Plain Ciepon, 5a lid per doz yards Usual Price, Is per yard 11 pieces Stripe Zephyr, 6i lid per doz yards Usual Price, la 3d per yard 3 Plain Zephyr, 6s per doss yards Usual Price, Is 3d per yard 22 pieces Cashmere Cloth, 4a lid per doz yards Usual Price Is per yard 10 pieces Mourning Cloth at the ridiculous price of 3s per doz yards, assure you that at this very important sale both you and ourselves will have a spanking time. White Calico 2a lid per doz yards Usual ptice s£d per yard White Sheeting, 2 yards wide, IOJ,<I per yard Usual price Is 6d per yard * Nainsook 4£<i per yard Usual price 7-£ d per yard White Turkish Towels bt 6d per doz Usual price 9d each 6ileia% 6yards for Is lid, worth double Hundreds of Cheap Dress awaiting inspection Double width Tweeds Is per yard Black and Colored Cashmeres from Is per yard up Ladies Black Lavantine Paragon frame Umbrellas from 2s 6d, 3s lid, 4s lid, etc. jjidks' Sunshades all colors from 3a lid Black and Colored Velveteens from Is 6d per yard up A mixed lot of children's sunshades all colors from lid each HOSIERY—The best jvakie in the trade. Plain and Ribbed Cashmere Hose from is up. Plain and Ribbed Black Cotton Hose, Sanitary J)ye, 6^d GLOVES Gloves. A large wurjtty Cheap and Good. A beautiful Kid Glove, any shade, at 2s lid. Lower lines from Is 61 upwards. Cashmere iGlov< 8 4£d, 6d, 9d, and Is per pair. Gaggety and Silk, from Is 3d upwards. HfOUSKS Blouses Blouses.—We have sold more of these goods than any house in town. What we have on hand—About J'' sixteen dozen will be cle.red from Is lid, 2s 6d, 2a lid up ; just half price. AH muslin and fancy Aprons just half what you will pay anywhere else. MTITINERY Millinery--Price cut in half. Trimmed Hats from 1b ijd upwards. The beat value in the trade. Startling Bargains in the Ciothiug and Mercery Departments. A few Harvester Hats, 6id, Seamless Merino Sox, 6d. Regatta Shirts, ail sizes, #3 rf?d. Brown cotton pants, Is 6d. Heavy \SorkiD" Shirts, 2s &d. Men's strong Moles, 6s 6d. Tweed Trousers, special §s 6d, Colonial 8i lid. Men's Tweed Suits, 21s 6(5. Men's imitation Fox's Serge Suits, 29a 6d. Sailor Tweed Suits, 6s lid, size 1 to 7. Choicest stock of Ties aud Scarfs in Ashburtoa. All our Boots and Shoes reduced. Hard aad Soft Felts iv endless variety. Mohairßoot Laces, 3£ per dozen. Heavy Kaiapoi box, la. Kaiapoi Under Flannels, 3s 111. DO NOT FORGET MITCHELL & BRODRIBB'S FIRST SALE. NBXX EG i. PRR & CO, EAST STREET ASHBURTON.



Holloway's Pitas—Any dyspeptic suf ferer aware of the purifying, regulating, and gently aperient powers of these Pills should permit no one to cloud his judgment or to warp his course. With a box of Holloway's Pills, and attention to its accompanying " Directions," he may fee! thoroughly satisfied than he can safely and effectually release himself from his miseries without impairing his appetitp or weakening his digestion. This most excellent medicine acts as a nervine and bodily tonic by aiding ,nutntion,.aQd banishes a thousand annoying forms of nervous complaints. An occasional resort to Holloway's remedy will prove highly salutary to all persons, whether well or ill, whose digestion is slow or imperfect, a condition usually evidenced by weariaeca, angpisr, iistlf asnesß, and, (JeppowJeooy. (