Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1897. THE INDIAN FAMINE FUND.

The terrible s! raits to which millions of Her Majesty's subjacts among the dense populations of India have been reduced by the awful scourge of famine, are, we fear, not sufficiently appreciated by tho people of this colony. Here, though there are doubt less many cases of misfortune and straitened circumstances which appeal | to the aid of the charitably disposed, i there are happily no such scenes as are to 1 8 witnessed daily among our Eastern fellow subjects where thous ands are perishing daily for lack of necessary food. The harrowing stories told by correspondents of the Home papers of emaciated men and women perishing by the roadside, and of starving mothers selling their children or abandoning their infants rather than see them die, are enough to move to pity the most stony hearted and should certainly not appeal in vain to the generous help of the people of New Zealand. We know that there are those who protest against sending money to India until aid has been given to all who need it within the limits of our own colony, and who quote a proverbial saying in [ support of their views. Well, we agree I with them that our own sick, suffering, and poor should not be neglected; nay, rather should be our first consideration, but while charity rightly begins at home it should not be forgotten that it should not end there. The ancient Mosaic law prescribed certain tithes of mint, aniseed and cummin, but the higher duties of benevolence were inculcated by the same great law-giver, and a higher authority than Moses declarer! •' these ought ye to have done and not left the other undone." Notwithstand ing not particularly prosperous times our people are able nearly all to give a little, and some, if they would, could give much to help India iv her distress, and we hope to see as generous a response to her call for aid as was made to the appeal on be half of the suflereis by the Brunner ton disaster. An opportunity occurs for contributing in connection with the harvest thanksgiving services at St. Stephen's on Sunday, the collections at which are to be devoted to the Indian famine relief fund, and members of other churches will experience nx> difficulty in finding a channel through which to forward any contributions they may be willing to make. Those who have but little to give need not withhold that little under the belief that small contributions are unimpor tant, for it is stated that a penny suffices to prolong a life in India for a day.

THE TRUE SHAMROCK.

I It i 3 well known (aays the Tablet) that the plant commonly called the shamrock in New Zealand is not the true Irish shamrock, and al though Irishmen have always made ths best of the New- Zealand representative it has never entirely filled the places < f ihtrr " own little, dear little shamrock of Ireland." By the courtesy of Mr Blair, late of Messrs Nirutoo and Blair, we have received a spc.ci.iiea of what is declared to be the true and veritable Irish shamrock. It is a thriving plant with a thin wiry stem and small yellow flower. It has been grown in Nhw Zealand from seeds imported by Messrs Nimmo and Blair from a well-known seedsman and prominent horticulturist in Oork, a fact which should of itself be a sufficient guarantee that it is the true shamroclf. We have submifci<d the plant to the inspection pf a number of gentlemen who have some claim to be considered good judges and we are glad to say that tjbere is a decided preponderance of opinion in favor of the genuineness of this JJew Zealand grown specimen. There were, of course, one or two unbelievers who shook their heads incredulously and refused to be persuaded. They had evidently made up their minds that no self-respecting Irish shamrock would think of growing in this degenerate country. We are sure at any rate that a great many of our readers will be interested to know that a large quantity of shamrock seed has been imported from a prominent seedsman in Ireland, and that vigorous and flourishing plants have been grown from the seed. We leave it to those of our readers who are interested, to get the gegd, grow the plant for themselves, and then ferrcj their own opinion on the matter.

Local and General.

Sporting notes oa fourth page. The usual monthly meeting of the Ash hurfcon High School Board takes place on Tuesu"7« 23 rd inst,, at 2.30 p.m. at the Secretary !s office. At Ohristchurch on Wednesday Inspector" Stringer condemned and seized 103 dozen mackerel, consigned from Wellington aud which were*unfit for food. Mr P, Keddie's store, St. Andrews, was broken into on Monday night. The cash box, which was ripped open, happened to contain only 6s in smalt change so that the tbief did not get much for his pains. Farmers having been busy this week during the fine days fetchiog ia their grain to the Ashburton stores, and at times West atreet looked as it used to do in the old times .-graiu laden drays everywhere till the road was " stiff wid 'em," A farewell presentation will be made to Mr Lionel Broad this eveniog at a quarter past 8 o'clock at the .Commercial hotel by a number of subscribers, including memberaof the Ashburtmi Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, the Football Club and other public organisations. Excursion fares for Dunedin races are announced by the railway authorities— rates 2d per mile first-claas, Id per mile second class, mileage counted one way only. Ticketa issued from 22ad to 26th inst. available for return till March 6. The journey must be started on day of purchase of ticket and may be broken after the first 25 miles. Excursionists can return by a special train which leaves Dunedin for Chrislchurch at 9.52 p.m. on February 27, Yesterday afternoon a young man named Moody, working at Laghmor, met with a rather peculiar accident. He was in the midatof a te>m of horses fixing up a chain when someone fired b> gun and the horses, startled by the report, sprang forward and knocked hiia down ; and he was trampled upon and rendered unconscious. He was brought to the hospital, and was attended to by pr Leahy, who found that hie in|ur£ea were not serious, Later oq he returned to J>gh,mor, ,

Tlie Permanent Arlillery Corps at Auck land atul Lyttelton are to be strengthened by the addition of twenty men each. The knife, for which search has been going on since the Petone murder, believed to be au important link in the case, has come into the hands of the police. In our report of the assault case at the S.M. Court, the accused's name was given as Patrick O'Kane. It should have bee;* Johu O'Kane. The Rev Father Hyland arrived la Ash burton yesterday from Ross, in which parish he has been stationed since he left Ashbur toa. He is the guest of Father G'Donnell, with whom he will stay during hia visit. The committee of 8t Patrick's annual concert are hard at woik. The musical directorship is, as usual, in the able hands of Mr D. J. Jones, who is recruiting for the concert the best talent ih the district, and will introduce a few novelties.

Arrangements are almost compete for tho schools excursion to Lybtelton on March 11 Mr E. G. Wright, M.H.R., has been ap proached with a view to ob;aiuing the use of the Harbor Board tug to convey the excursionists round the harbor, and a move ment is on foot to make the day a whole holiday in Ashburton instead of a half holiday, j Last year the steamer Maori made a special trip from Sydney to Capetown with over 230 passengers. Most of these fouud business in South Africa to be far below their expectations and have found their way back to Australia, some of them returning by the Maori on the tiip just ended. The managers of the freezing works must have their hands pretty full just now. The railway traffic in freezing sheep has been very heavy during the last week, large numbers of trucks laden with sheep having gone over the line to the works, and to-day another thirty trucks of freezers went north.

Mr Ben Jones, one of the Manchester co-operative delegates, declares the colonies to be ideal Greek repablica adapted to modern conditions, and free from the curse of slavery, He thinks that Australia stands tirat, America second, and England third among the democratic countries of the world. Sir John and Lady Kail were passengers for Ohristcburch by yesterday's express. They leave in a few days for England, iv order to escape the New Zealand winter, her ladyship's state of health rendering this course advisable. We were glad to notice that Sir John was looking remarkably well. We wish them both bon voyage.

The floods caused by the recent rains in Auckland have done good service in the way of the floatage of timber. Messrs Mitchel sonhad no leas than 8,000,000 feet brought down to their Opunaki booms, end Messts Finlayson and Brown also got some 5,000,000 feet of kauri brought down the Taugowahine by the freshes in the rivers.

The dep'h of the A-tlantic between the Canary Islands and the West Indies is something awful. A pretty level bottom runs right away from the African islands to the American ones, gradually deepening to nearly 19,000 ft. At this spot we might sink the highest point of the Alps aud still have nearly half a mile of sea water covering ib.

From the top of the cathedral spire iv Mexico you can see the entire city, and the most striking feature of the view is the absence of chimneys. There is not a chim ney in all Mexico j not a grate, nor a stove, nor a furnace All the cooking is donewi'h charcoal in Dutch ovens, and while the gas is sometimes offensive, one soon becomes used to it

The X Rays were turned to good account at the Wellington Hospital one day last week. A little girl having fractured her elbow joint some time ago, an examination, conducted by Mr R. Turnbull by means of the X Rays, showed that the joint had not reunited properly, and that the lower shaf r, of the arm was out of place. An operation was performed and ia likely to prove com pletely successful,

' nergetic wotk is being done in making arrangements for the aonua! meeiing of the local branch of the Bible Society, which comes off next month. A conversazione will be he!d at which a lantern lecture on " How we got our Bible " will be delivered by the Rev G. B. Inglis, and the music will be sang by the united choirs of the town under Mr Gates' baton, with the auxiliary of a strong orchestra.

Yesterday afternoon the fifty yards race was awum in the Domain Bath. There were four entries—J. McTeague scr.,E. McTeague 3 ! ec»., Wilkie 6i sees., and F. Smith 9sec3. The race was anybody's for half the distance but within tweuty strokes of the rope, an exciting race was being carried on. Wilkie had overhauled Smith, and K. McTeague was almost en terms with Wilkie, when J. McTeague Game through them all like an otter, and won by a touch, Wilkie being just ihe same better than E. McTeague, with Smith at his heels—a very close finish all round. The time was very fast—32§ — just 1§ slower than the record for the colony.

MORE GOLD

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. Keefton, February 18. Mews is just to hand that a rich reef eight feet wide has been found at the Lord Braasey lease on the Victoria range.

New Zealand Rifle Association Meeting.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Auckland, February 18. Following are the day'a results ; — Auckland Match—3oo, 500, and 700 yards, seven shots—Kiug (Oamaru) 95, Kruae (Wanganui) 95, A. Ballinger (Wellington) 92, Wilkie (Upper Hutt) and Grundy (Thames) 91, Steadman (VVbangarei) and Smith (Uamaru) 90, Head (Whangarei) and Winshde (Wanganui) 89, G. Loveday (Woodville), Simpson (Kai>poi), Robinson (Upper Hutt), and Chicken (Woodville) 88 each. Wellin.oton Match—soo, 600, 700 yds; seven shotp. Wilson, Woodville, £5 10s and medal 95 A, Ballinger, Wellington, £5 10s ... 93 Hteadman, Whangarei, £4 ... ... 91 Hollaud, Petone, £3 91 Wakelin, Christohurch, £3 ... ... 90 Robinson, Ciiristchuroh, £2 90 G. L.oveday, Woodville, £2 „.. ... 89 Turner, Wellington, £2 ,„, ,„, 88 The CHAWPiONSfIfiP. A. Bdlinger (Wellington) 396, Head (Whangarei) 392, King (Oamaru) 387, G, Loveday (Woodvillej 385, Holland (Petone) 382, Steadman (Whangarei) 382, Williams (Wellington) 381, Baratow (Carterton) 377, Krude (Wanganui) 377, Hawthorne (Wel liagton) 3?4, Love {Wanganui) 374, Banks .(Christchuroh) 373, Weir (Thames) 373, Smith (Oamaru) 372, VVilaon (Wcodville) 3?2, Robinson (Christchurch) 372, Simpson (Kaiapoi) 371, McHattie (Wairarapa) 368, Turner (Wellington) 368, O'Neill (Alexandra Cavalry) 367, McParlane (Chrisfcchuroh) 367.

The Wellington City Election Petition.

(PER PRESS AipSOGIA<EIOtJ,)

I Wellington, February ly. Counsel for the petitioner said he had come to an arrangement over the disputed votes, which gave Fisher a, majority of 40. There were still 10 left, but they would not aifect the result. They found all the charges of personation could not be proved, and unless all could be substantiated they would not upaefc the admitted majority. He, therefore, abandoned this part, and the claim on the peat The Court then gave irs decision on the non-gumming of the ballot papers. It held that there was no reason able ground for thinking the irregularity in this respect had affected the result of the election, and therefore dismissed the peti tioQ. A loug argument took place over the costs, Mr Chapman contending that the whole should not fall on the petitioner, while Mr Skerretb claimed to succeed on Mils poisjibj Jadgmeab wag reserved till

KASPAR'S WALLET.

Recently in the cou'se of my search for interesting items, I came across a very read able arricl'd on the curious subject of " C>ime among Animals. 1' In this were cto i numer ous instances of apparently deliberate suicide, and not a few of murder. Here is one of the latter, the parties whereto seem to have emulatedjtvery suecessfu'ly the ili doings of some human exemplars iv regard to the breach of the D-calogue in more par ticulars than one. Karl Vogt, the celebrated German naturalist is the authority quoted, who states that " he has observed a couple of siorks that had for several years built their nest in a village near Salette. One day it was noticed that, when the male was out in search of food, another younger bird began to court the female. At first he was repulsed, then tolerated and welcomed ; at last, one morning the two birds flew away to the field where the husband was hunting for frogs and killed him." All which reads vastly like the plot of a modern sensational novel, doesn't it ? And what is more, it rather knockß out of time the old-fashioned notions of the innocent nature of the birds of the air as exemplified in Dr Watts's ditty about " Birds in their little nests," etc.

Writing of birds and their nests, I may here allude to a suggestion which I submitted some little time ago to an official of the accli matisation department as to the possible prac ticability of the introduction of the swallow into New Zealand. This was that eggs of these birds should be obtained from Hobirt or Sydney where swallows are numerous and placed in the nests of insect-eating New Zea land birds such as the fantails. I now notice that a similar proposal is put forth in a letter signed "F. P.," pub'ished in a recent issue of the Otago Daily Times. The writer, alluding to the circumstance that the plea sure of a visit to the West Coast Sounds is greatly marred by the torment caused by innumerable sandflies, writes as follows :— "If such insect-feeding birds as the sand martin, the Bvvallow, and swift, also the English fly-catcher could be introduced to the Sounds, they would prove a great boon to all touriats and those residing in these districts, Doubtless there would be & diffi culty in the first introduction of these birds, but I think it could be overcome by placing a number of their eggs in the various nssts of the wood robin and finches, or even the common sparrow, at the spots where they are intended to remain. They would then return each year to the places they were reared in, as they do now in the Old Country. lam quite aware these egg& could not be obtained from Home much before Juoe, which unfor tunately for us is then our winter season, I but is there not any means by which such eggs might be preserved or kept fertile, until the nesting season comes round aguu in this colony ? This would be a question for our acclimatisation societies to solve. Th>»,t charming songster, the nightingale, might | also be introduced, as it is also an insecti vorous bird, and would thrive well in our nativ.e bush." I quite concur in the desir ableness of acclimatising the swallow tribe, but am afraid that it would not be found posaib'e to preserve the vitality of the eggs during the' long voyage from England. Again, even if it were, they would arrive in the depth of the New Zealand winter when, of course, there would be no nests of native birds in which to place them to be hatched out. It is, however, just possible that the experiment of introducing them from Aus tralia or Tasmania might be successful, the chief difficulty, I apprehend, being that of avoiding the eggs being rendered infertile by vibration during the passage across.- This might perhaps be obviated by slinging the packages in which they were conveyed by india-rubber bauds, or swinging them in the same manner as a compass. As "P. P." observes, the matter is one well worth the consideration of our acclimatisation societies.

The futility of attempting to paint the rose or gild the lily is universally admtted, but this cannot be said of the imparting of perfume to na urally scentleß3 flowers. This very curious aud novel industry is it appears pursued in Paris where not only they have discovered a method of doing this, but also of changing the odour of plants already odorous. The African marigold, for ex ample, which has naturally an unpleasing srasli, is fi<:st deprived of its eyil odour, and then endowed with some delicious smell. This is effected by steeping the seeds of several generations of flowers in appropri ately-scented solutions. Sunflowers are made by similar means to smell like roses, violets, etc. Some violets which are finely-colored have little or no scant, stud these are brought to have as pleasing a smell a3 thf ir sweeter bcented sisters. It is said that trees also are made to produce blossoms scented ac cording to fancy, by pouring into the trunk, at the proptr season, through a hole bored ] for the purpose, a thick liquid impregnated with the desired odour. T i

11 the United States, with a view to the inculculation of the sentiment of patriotism among the rising generation, every public sphooj is provided with a star-spangled banner,'which is displayed at all times at those buildings. Although this wa<? at first ridiculed in England as an example of Yankee spreadeagleism, it has evidently only entered upon the first stage of the history of all innovations, viz , first ridicule, then toleration, then universal adoption A movement of which the Earl of Meath has placed himself at the head, is already afoot in favor of introducing the same practice in Britain. In a letter to the Times, his Lard ship suggests that in commemoration of the Queen's sexagenary, " a portrait of Her Majesty and a Union Jack should be placed in every school room in the Kingdom, aud every school class that distinguishes itself during Jubilee week shall be made the custodian of that flag and portrait till it loses |tp place of honor," What about adopting the suggestion—rat anyrate so far as the flag ia concerned-—for the schools of New Zealand ?

To judge from the numerous paragraphs one comes across nowadays recording the attainment of the century by men and women, ifc would almost appear as if centen arianism were becoming a vogue, la it that people are becoming longer-Jived in conse quence of the greater attention paid during the la3t generation to sanitary matters, or is it that the greater facilities of intercom munication place us in possession of more information. Whichever it be, or whether both hypotheses are correct, the fact re mains that recorded instances are much more frequent. For example, I read that a gentleman named Sprouler recpntly died in Ireland at the age of 111. He had been a member of one church for 100 years, aud was predeceased by a brother who had reached 104. Again there is a Mrs Tbomaa now living at Burry Port in Wales, who is in her 109 th year, She recently fell into a trance which lasted thirfcy-sis: hours, and was thought to be dead, but recovered, and at latest advices was quite well. On her 106 th birthday, the Princess of Wales sent to thie old lady a cheque for £5 §a, representing a shilling for every year of her life. Mrs Thomas retains all her faculties, but is a somnambulists and on that; acoonnt has to be locked in her room at night. These are oaly two out of many instances, for I may I'ld that the last census showed that there were in France alone no less than 223 cen tenai'ians, of whom 157 were women and 66 neni

Net long ago spare extraordinary stories want the rounds of the newspapers with regard to the outrageous folly of some wealthy Americans in the pampering of pefc dogs, one account relating how a Fifth Avenue lady had spent thousands of dollars in the celebration of her poodle's birthday, the pet doga of her friends being invited aa guests, and fed with the most costly delicacies from ijilysr dishes. The same sort of folly is, it appears, the fashion on the Continent, where (says Pearson's Wtekly) "it is by no means uncommon for the pet dogs of iadiea of the high aristocracy to eat their meals off gold plates,, while they are waited on by servants in livery. These f pampered menials/ when they take their walks abroad, are clothed, not in woollen materials as are those which go for their constitutional in London on a cold day, bub in the costliest silk and satin, and even furs, while Jittlo bedsteads, elaborately appointed, with sheets of fine linen and quilts of the richest eider down encased in satin, serve to cover them and keep them warm.'' And $11 this tyhile in the very cUies in which such criminal exfcravagmce is perpetrated, thousands g hungry for lack of bread, and. nob a feu© perish for want. And thia ia civilisation ia the nineteenth century ] {

Li Hung Chang, the Chinese Viceroy who recently paid a visit to London, is it appears a nun of stalwart proportions and also by no means versed in the mannejs and custom of S«eiety in th;t Western world. 11k; following amusing ttory is told in illustratitn of the laai-mentioned characteristic of the great Mongolian :—-The French Ambassador at Pekin gave a dinner party, and invited Li Hung Chang. Previous to sil ting daw to dinner, the parly, which included tj) wives of the European guests, were con versing in an apartment which adjoined the dining-ioom. Presently the butler threw back the portieres and announced the dinner. The French Ambassador stepped up to the great Chinese statesman and said, " Will Your Excellency take my wife out j to dinner ?" Li interpreted the request literally. The Fiench Ambussadr ss was a tiny woman, and Li Hung Chang is six foot three. He picked the little woman up under one arm, and, to the amazement of the company, as well as the distress of the vic tim, carried her bodily oufc to the dining table.

Here is a paragraph which may be worth the notice of our Ashburton bankers—chat is to say unless in this model community they deem it wholly unnecessary to take any special precautions for the security of their treasure. It appears that in the Westerß. States of America where the bail ing up of bank cashiers at their counters is by no me&uß unoommon, they have devieed a system for the trapping of would be bank robbers, which is said to work admirably. It consists of a diop fitted in the floor in front of th<? pay counter, and so nicely ad justed as to be unnoticed except upon close examination. The dropping of the trap is effected by a knob on the inside, and readily accessible to the cashier. Directly beneath the drop a shoot extends downward about six feet, and converges to a point at the bottom. The sides of this shoot are lined with spikes, which project inward and downward. When Mr Robber steps to the window and makes his demand, the cashier grabs the money with one hand, as if to deliver it, and Bays, " All right, here you are," and with the other turns the knob that unlatches the drop, when " down goes MeGinty," wedged into the shoot between the spikes, from which no amount of cursing will extricate him, and the bank partition, being bullei-proof, if he chooses to shoot it only adds to the alarm already given by the bank's officials, which brings the police to bag the game so easily caught.

Incredible though it may seem (says The London Daily Telegraph)) there is a man in Yieuna whose calling it is to make sweets, cakes, and other dainties beloved of children, and the bane of whose Ife is his beauty. It is a soft and mild species of good looks with which he is blessed or cursed—cheeks like strawberries crushed in cream, blue eyes, golden hair, and a form likely a stately palm, to say nothing of a blush which people remember long after they have forgotton his face. Recently his employer sent him out on urgent business, and asked him to look sharp and be back "in less than no time." Herr Schdamann rushed out of the ahop like an arrow from a bow and passed into the Graben, that paradise of shops frequented by ladies of all convictions, temperaments, prejudices, and broad, en lightened views, who agree only in their love of shopping. One of the ladies whose attention this bashful but hasty young man attracted was a matron of the strictest pro priety, as austere as, say, " Mrs Brown on her 'olidays houtinga." To say that she was attracted is perhaps a misleading statement. She was utterly horrified. For she had no doubt whatever that the bashful but run* nine confectioner was none other than an eloping young maiden, who, for some repre hensible purpose, had dressed up as a bold male, and was now bent on mischief. The Vienna Mrs Brown grew indignant. She felt that this sort of thing should be put a stop to, and aa the spirit moved hei? bo do the stopping she hurried off after the delin quent, overlook him and gave him into the custody of a policeman on the charge of being a womau masquerading in male attire. The unfortunate youth was of course subse quently discharged on its being ascertained that he ws fuliy entitled to wear male habiliments, but as this was the third occa sion on which lie had been arrested on the charge of being a woman he is not unnaturally disgusted and this time proposes to sue for damages. And he certainly oughb to get them. Kaspab.

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not h >ld ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by oar correspondents,/

CONDITIONAL LICENSES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Now that tee election of a Licensing Commifctee for this district ia about to tak< place, I respectfully suggest to the manl} u,nd womanly residents of the county to have faith in each other, and to believe that w< are capable of doing what is right ant proper at all times, without having to placi paltry restrictions upon ourselves which an only vexatious, and totally devoid of anj advantage to us, either morally or finan cially. lam speaking in reference to con ditional licenses at present; and I will aai what good has accrued to any individaa! in the county through the farmers beinj; deprived of the power to buy a glass of beej or whisky at the Ashburton sale yardf since power wa3 taken from the lessee oi the booih to sell su^h drinks there ? Surelj no one, however ignorant of the ways oi farmers, imagines that we idle away our time playing cards or billiards for drinke at the sale yards. We are sometimes told that unfermented drinka ought to satisfy us, but many of us believe with the authority who says that it ia not always safe to drink vegetable juioea which have not been fermented, as they often ferment; in the stomach and bring about fatal disorders, This no doubt is perfectly true, and it is to be hoped that the new Committee, whoever they may be, will do justice to the farming community; and at an early date g-ant us the same privileges at the Ashburton yards that we now enjoy at Tinwald. All we want is liberty to take, at our own expense, a glass of wholesome alcoholic drink when we know it would do us good. Ndw concerning our A. and P. Show—our great gala day of the year—have we made ourselves wiser, better, or richer by depriv ing ourselves of the power to take a glass of wine with a friend on that auspicious day ? We certainly have not. And this being the only day in the year on which the county sends forth wholesale '* her beauty and her chivalry " to enjoy themselves, and make " a thousand hearts beat happily we ought to supply ou the gronoda every description ot drink usually partaken of by loyal British subjects. By doing this the Association would be able to offer fifty pounds mote in prizes than they have been able to do laiely, conveying driuk privately to the grounds would cease, and Sandy, John, and Pat could enjoy their glass openly and not in the sneaking manner existing conditions have compelled them to stoop to. Narrow minded, would-be reformers, have always been, and will continue to be, an evil, in any land where they gain power. The great dramatist was quite right when he said :— " Man, proud man, when decked in a little brief authority plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven as make the angels weep." What I have said in reference tp the yarefs and showgrounds applies with equal force tq the race oourae, where many of the best

[ men and women in the land meet to patronise and ecjoy the noblest of British sports. Who is it that makes out that the public oasuch highly appreciated occasions are not to be trusted with taking a glass of wine ? Is it a greater sin against heaven, or societ.y, to buy rpfresbment on the ground than to buy if/in Ashburton and carry it to the course to be drunk*there? An answer to the last question would b0 interesting.—l am, etc., p. Oliver.

CABLE NEWS.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

Boilers and Engines Bill. London, February 18. In the House of Commons the second reading of Mr J Samuels' Boilers and Engines Bill was carried by a majority of sixty-six votes. The Bill requires persons in charge of boilers arid engines in mines to hold certifl-jates of com petency. The Government opposed the second reading on the ground it would weaken the liability of em* ploy ere. The Midland Railway. I The appeal against the appointment of Mr Alex, Young as receiver for the Midland Railway Company was dis missed. The Philippines Revolt. Madbid, February 17. The Spanish troops defeated the Philippine Rebels, killing 100 and wonnding many. The rebels have lost their entrenched position. Immigration Bill. Washington, February 18. The Senate has modified the Bill dealing with immigration. It now requires immigrants to read and write some language.

Australian.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.

Federal Convention. Sydney, February 18, Addressing a meeting of Federation* ists, Mr Reid announced the receipt of a telegram from the Premier of Western Australia, expressing a belief that he would be able to take part in the Con vention. Our Ex-Governor. Melbourne, February 18 Lord Glasgow and party are the guests of Lord Brassey here.

THE QUEEN'S CELEBRATION.

P<"9s Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. London, February 17 During the visit of the Australian Premiers to England in connection with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, they will be banquetted by the Colonial Institute and London Chamber of Commerce. (Received February 19, 10 a.m.) Brisbane, February 19. Mr Nelson has accepted the invita tion to the Queen's celebrations. The Attorney-General accompanies him.

The Transvaal Raid Enquiry.

Pres ffl Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.

Mr Rhodes Cross-Examined.

London, February 17 Sir W. V. Harcourt cross-examined Mr Rhodes with bland delicacy, the duel between the witness and the Leadei? of the Opposition being watched with intense interest. Mr Rhodes was impatient when asked for details, and sometimes refused to answer the ques tions put to him. His almost rude replies disconcerted Sir W. V. EUr court. He admitted having sent a cablegram to The Times with regard to the invitation to Dr Jameson from the Rand for help, but he was unaware who altered the date of his letter. He denied having pressed the Rand to rise. He declined to state, witnout reflection, if Oolonel Rhodes' telegram of December 21 implied that the rising was not to be proceeded with unless Lord Rosmead and Mr Cecil Rhodes went to the Rand. The inquiry was adjourned until Friday.

THE INDIAN FAMINE FUND.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.

LONDON, February 17 The Indian Famine Relief Fund amounts to £305,000. Melbourne, February 18 The Indian Famine Relief Fund hai reached £1000.

THE INSURRECTION IN CRETE.

Greece Climbs Down

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

Athens, February 17, The Greek Government has in structed Colonel Vassos not to attack Oanea or come into collision with the Powers in any way. ! Constantinople, February IJ, The Sultan has ordered military measures to he taken on the Greek frontier, and also is calling out further regiments of ftedifs or Militia. Ope ! rations on the (Jreek frontier will be conducted under the command of Ed hem Pasha. Turkey has decided to leave the Powers to pacify Crete, while Kara theodory Pasha, formerly Governor of Orete, has been sent to represent Turkish imperial interests there. [Received February 19, 9.<t4 a.m.] Athens, February 18. Admiral Canevaro, senior admiral of the Italian navy, has been appointed Commander of the combined squadrons at Crete. He ha? urged tb§ fJreek^ and Turks to remain quiescent pending a settlement of the difficulty being arrived at by the Powers. The Powers have occupied the towns of Oandia, Retimo, and Setia on the northern coast of Orete. A thousand Cretan rebels who joined Vass.^sj are in the Interior of the. country. The Greek Consul at Oanea rehoisted the Greek flag but was directed by the Powers to lower it,

Constantinople, February 18. Turkey is equipping tea ironclads and twenty torpedo boats. One half of this force will sail for Crete in five diys. Fifty thousand men of the Turkish naval reserves have been summoned for service,

THE ABH£Uim>W (HJABDIAN: FKIDAY, FEBKUAKt 19, 1897.



Business Notices, G. J. NEILL lS SELLING WASHING PRINTS at 3£d per yd ; WHITE MUSLINS 3s lid per doz yv p a -pw mi" I"TO G. J. NEILL _ IS SELLING DOUBLE-WIDTH SERGES in Navy, Brown and Maroon, at Is per yd WE ARE SELLING OFF FROM f^ T I\TT?TT T JAM7ARY TO DECEMBER. 13 BELLING MEN'S ALL-WOOL SUITS at 23a 61; Men's Tweed Troussrs 5s lid " NEW ZEALAND IS SELLING BOYS" SUITS at *a lid each Clothing FaCtOIJ, G. J. NEILL - Wren'Xe; !Z I Slid «Pgg««'^chea-the Public can depend Women's Strap Shoes.„ ... 4a lid on getting ths VERY BEST VALUE G. J. JNLILL IN THE TRADE. DEFIES COMPETITION IN BOOTS A few Lines will convince :— Evr* P«r femM to We« .nd give SATISFACTION {^iSffi^KlSTS&r .7. Men's Moßgiel Tweed Trousers ... 8/9 "~ Boys' Sailor Suita „ 5/6 FRIEDLANDER'S CORNER, EAST STREET. MoSel Tweed ( P °ef S* Z Z % Men's Suits to Order ... 55/- TREMENDOUS CLEARING SALE ■OF BOOTS AND SHOES. HAL™ ZL. Manager. OUR PRICES OUIi PEICES "tV] ~ NOW IN FULL SWING. The Greatest SALE of the Year. Being the only l-J S Kj Manufacturers in Ashburton our position for Selling the BEST CLASS OF r~J g f^ GOODS at First Cost is UNRIVALLED. <q | 'g h^ Per Pair . Per Pair Zfl « s d s d 05 Ladies'and Gents' Tennis Shoes Bluchers, heel and toeplate -r-W O £. (Renshaw make) ... ... 29& 211 aad nails, our own make— *s»/ I = r""i Children's School Boots (our beats everything in the mar- >■— r 2 |m| own make)—? to 9 ... 4 3 ket at the price ... .- only 411 fL\ o 10 to 13 ... 4 9 Ladies' Tan Leather Lace Shoes lj r Ladies' Real Gla;e Kid Shoes th —a g-eat bargain .., 4 9 f~J ■ "a W —a perfect gem (own make) only 611 Special Bargains— P^2 ■ ,tS, -r -s Ladies' Evening Shoes, with Girls' 2-Strap Shoes (black or r^J g l>^ neat bow, glace kid ... only 211 tan leather)-7 to 9 ... 211 <n o^ H * Gents' Canvas Shoes (black or lOtol ... 39] i §«o brown), reduced from 6a to 4 6 Women's Leather Slippers j-—j £ra l^ cq Ladies' Uanvaa Shoes (black, (own make), only 3 3 , r u °° |>H ►_ blue, or brown), own make only 4 3 First-class Pegged Water- v\A a /*%-* Gent*' Tan Leather Shoes tighta (our own make) . only 11 9 NQ &q "^^ •• . L*J O (sewn)— Usual price ... 9a Worth 15 0 "j « : LTJ Sale Price only ... 611 Children's Strong Lace Boots (^ Of J L2J W Mda'B Pegged Watertight — 4's to 6's-a bargaiu ... 19 —^ J2 r"^ UT 1 Bluchers (own make), splen- Former Price ... 4 0 K^J r^ . |mU did value, only ... ... 9 6 Women's Leather Balmorals r- ■ ptj 0^ : jl Men's Watertight Balmorals (our own make) only 6 6 Li  H (own make), splendid value only 8 9 Ladiesi' Leather Shoea, neat rf) & g si Ladieß'Lace Canvas Shoes ... 3 9 design (own make) only 5 6 (j_J H . LLJ _ Usual Price " 4 9 Youths' Watertight Balmorals -. ii g : WJ H Neat 2-Strap Evening Shoes... 311 —I's and 2'e only 6 9 Q f] * <j Hundreds of odd pairs of Boots at ridiculously low prices. "O^ |^m^ &3 .S O Come Early and make your Family Purchases. y— . J w- Q"S . All Lines of Evening Shoes at Clearing Sale prices. ' [j«"""j J S W Variety of our. Stock best in Ashburton. l d S \^. IST QUALITY—Second to None in New Zealand. V^ (^) McDonald & mcdiarmid, g ■ ■ § g BOOT AND SHOK MANUFACTURERS AND IMPORTERS, g f_J East Street, Ashbubton.] [Branches at Oamaru and Waimate. r~n ■ X r— TO FARMERS. , | tf HEID & GRAY ok* DESIRE TO INTIMATE TO FARMERS and OTHERS that their late manager, SUJ ; ' ggg MR TAYLOR, has been compelled to leave their employ owing to ill health, and fhnrrh SfrviCPS that in future all Jobb ng, etc., will be under the supervision of Mr J. H. PAULING, imirctl whose work has always given satisfaction, and as Reid and Gray only use the very best o m -o-o xr i?-kt > a r>uTTT?n of materials they would respectfully solicit a continuance of your valued support. WT- olii-rHiliJNfc» OHUri^. Our DOUBLE and TBREE-FUBROW PLOUGHS (over 13,000 at work) as now made k> Ashburton. with duplicated mouldboards are perfect, " . „,„ «. CAST SHARES are extra hard carbon chilled, and especially suited for stony districts. m *emCe> 'IOU P" TRIPOD and ROTARY HARROWS specially suited for working down Twitch SATURDAY—Church Decoration, 2 30] Grubbers Harrows Eureka Grain and Manure Drills SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21 Draya and Rollers Chaffcutters Broadcast beed-Sowers, &o HARVEST THANKSGIVING SERVICE Oils Turnip Cutters Chaffcutters and Baggers Ham — Worninß Pr»ver and Holy Co Fencing Standards and Wire Blacksmith's Rasps (extra quality) n am- AND ALL FARMING REQUISITES! 6.30 p.m.-Evening Prayer. __, ______ Special Offerings will be made for the INDIAN FAMINE RELIEF FONI Soli Agents for Deering's Steel Binders with Ball and Roller Bearing*. Contributions of Fruit, Vegetables, Gra Our Latest Illustrated Catologue free on application. Flowers, and Evergreens will be thankfu Farmers and Others will kindly address all letters direct to received for the Decorations. All willing assist in decorating the Church are EEID AND GBAY, ASHBURTON, £££*£ riSft.i b the Sch°olro°m TO ENSURE PKOMPT ATTENTION. 294 ] RKy- Tl A' HAMILTON. MEN'S AND BOYS' HATS. HATS. HATS. p*r\ DOZEN FELT HATS ALMOSD GIVEN AWAY. A GRAND SUCCESS. MITCHELL & BRODRIBB'S T^ABETO AND PRINT SALE being such a Grand Success, we hive decided to hold, FOR TWO WEEKS, A GREAT HAT SALE. Kf) DOZBN MEN'S. Zf~\ DOZEN BOYS'. Men's Soft Felt Hats 2s Gd, worth 5s Boys' Soft Felt Hats Is 6d, worth 3s 9d Men's Soft Felt Hats 3a 6d, worth 6s 6d Boys' Poft Felt Hats 2s 6d, worth 4a 9d Men's Soft Felt Hats 4s 6d, worth 7s 6d Men's Soft Felt Ha<s 5s 6d, worth 8^ 9d Men's Soft Felt Hats 6s Gd, worth 10s 6d Men's Soft Felt Hats 83 6d, worth 12s 6d ETERY ARTICLE in the Clothing and Mercery Departments equally Cheap s so as to clear the shelves for the NEW GOODS expected by the end oJ the month ; while the balance of general Drapery will be still further reduced, so as to make a clean sweep before the New Season's Goods arrive. Printfl, Brilliants, Oambrics from 8s lid per dozen, worth double Flannelettes for Dressing Gowns and Home Blouses 4s lid dozen, half price Trimmed and untrimmed Hats, Aprons, Blouses, Veilings, Ribbons, etc., at half cost BOOTS AND SHOES—the Best value in the trade D)WT FORGET THE GREAT HAT SALE AT MITCHELL & BRODRIBB'S, THE CENTRAL GASH DRAPERY MART, $E2,0 SO J, CRK Is CO., &AST SXREKT, ABHBURTON, ...



I Six weeks ago I suffered from a very severe cold { waa almost unable to speak. My fricndd all advised me to consult a physician. Noticing Chamberlain's Cough Remedy advertised in the St Paul Folks Zeltung I procured a bottle, and after taking it a short while waa entirely well. I now most heartily recommend thia remedy to anyone suffering from a cojd. Wwr Ifeil, 678 Selby Aye., St Paul, Minn. For sale by ASKBUBTON D»UG COMPASF.



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