Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1897.

A. leaflet issued by the Registrar- General, one of the very useful series

he has * prepared from the last cen sus returns, gives

FIVE TEAKS' PROGRESS-

some interesting particulars of the progress ra de in the Worth Island of New Zealand during die quinquennia! period from 1891 to 1896. The figures show that a great advance has taken place. The popula tion has increased from 281,455 to 340,631, an increase of 21 per cent. This addition has led to a substantial improvement in the settlement of the land, the number of ho'dings in cultivation having increased by 5589, or over 00 per cent. The total area in cultivation is i.ow 1,372,392 acres more than it was in 1801. While in the same period the number of horses, cattle, and! sheep have increased by 2,184, ] 46. As settlement progresses the heavy bush is disappearing before the axeman's strokes. The output of sawn timber has increased by 20,675,398 superficial feet. But it is in the dairy industry that the most remarkable pro gress has been made. The number of dairy factories has increased by 56, while the output of butter has risen from 1,621,7171b to 0,267,7781b, and of cheese from 554 tons to nearly 200 ' toiP, the total value of these products in the samo period having jumped from £77,576 to £342,078. These figures are very encouraging, and prove that the North Island people are forging ahead with great rapidity. Many causes have helped to retard their ad vancement in the past as compared with that mMc in the South. These, however, have disappeared or are dis appearing with tl c result that they are now making striking progress. It' all this improvement has been effected in the past five years what may w& not hope to see accomplished in the next quinquc nial period 1

Local and General.

Tomorrow is the last day for making the income tax returns for this year. At a meeting of the Auckland Exhibition Committee it'was stated that tho guaranteed amount —£1300—had been obtained, and a! canvass had not commenced yet. The many friends of Mr Isaac Sargent, Ashburton Forks, will regret to learn that he is at present confined to his house, suffering from a badly sprained ankle. The Tasmania, which left Auckland on Monday, took a number of stud sheep for the Sydney Sheep Fair, amongst them being eighteen Shropshire Downs from the farm of Mr U. Rhodes, Hunua, Southern Wairoa. Mr John G. Restell leaves to-day to take over the of the Wellington branch of the Uni?cd Farmers' Co-operative Association, Limited, oj£ which there are branches at Wanganui, Feilding, and Fdlmeraton No til, His many friends wish him every success. Intending competitors at the meeting of the New South Wales National "Rifle Asso ciation in October (if thnre should happen to be any such in this district) cm see a copy of. the programme and regula'ions at this office. For this we are indebted to the secretary, .Oiptam W. Foskett, who for- j wards the copy,

| A correspondent writes to the Ifaiiganid Chronicle expressing satisfaction &b the fact that the oarnivorona slugs are increasing in the rliVrict. He adds:—"l have known of thpir existence in the upper part of the town for the last two or three years, but during the past ten days I have Been them in my own garden. They are about as large as a raan'a finger, and vary in colour from liffhb grey, aotnetjmes striped or spotted with dark brown, io almost black. They should never be destroyed, an their food consists of the smaller slugs and snajila, which are such peats in our gardens. I mentyo.a this because ignorant people would be hfeely to kill these good friends. Many Ladies complain that the Tea they ha.ye been using has neither strength nor flavor. If- they try K.OSUB Tea they will bo

An accident occurred to a daughter of Mr W. Strachan, Rakaia, last night. As she was driving to her brother's, the pony shied and she jumped out, receiving a very severe shock to the nervous system, and was paralysed. Dr Oordner was in attend ance all night, and this morning there is ft decided improvement. ' In Napleß there is a race of cata which j live ia the churches. They are kept and fed by the authorities on purpose to catch the. mice which infest all old buildings there. the animals may often be seen walking about among the congregation, or sitting gravely before the altar during the time of M*a~ss~. ' " ' '

At a sale of the late Sir John Millais' pictures at Christie's a portrait of a man by Holbein realised 3000 guineas; a figure subject by Van Byok, 1050 guineas; and two of Sir J. Millaia' own works, "The Naturalist" and a landscape, 1700 guineas and 1050 guineas respectively. The Press Association telegraphs from Gisborne that the Hon. Mr Carroll states that the Engineer of the Public vVorks Department, who has been recently engaged upon the Main Trunk railway line, has received instructions to proceed to Gisborne forthwith and make a trial survey of a line for a light xailway between Gieborne and Rotorua, Mrs Alfred Curtis has resumed her wood carving classes. These were discontinued some time ago in consequence of the teacher's illness, but now that Mrs Curtis has been restored to health her services are again at the disposal of pupils. One of Mre Curtia's pupils gained an " excellence" I certificate at the recent) Wellington exhibi tion. At a meeting of the Palmeraton North Agricultural and Pastoral Society on Satur day several members wrote tendering their resignations owing to the peremptory tone of a circular re unpaid subscriptions. Con siderable discussion ensued, and eventually it was resolved that a conciliatory letter be written to each one, reminding him that | the annual subscription was due.

The Lord Chancellor, speaking in London recently on the codification of the statutes, told an amusing story as to the way in which acts of Parliament are drafted and amended. An act was once passed which imposed a pecuniary penalty for the falsifi cation of pariah registers, half of which was to go to the informer ani the other half to the Crown. In a subsequent and amending act this was changed to transportation for seven years, but the remaining words were not altered, so that half the transportation was to go to the informer and the other half to the Crown.

Stanley Gibbons's Monthly Journal, Lon don, contains the following item, which will be of special interest to the stamp collectors of New Zealand :—" We con gratulate the collectors in New Zealand on having a philatelist appointed as their new Governor. Lord Ranfurley is a well-known collector here, and has been one of our clients for some years. We hope that the New Zealand Philatelic Society will be able to secure him ss their president, and we believe that his Lqtdship will take a keen personal interest in stamps when he gees to his new post," The Otas;o Daily Times understands that an address of congratulation, on the attainment of his majority, is to be presented to the Earl of Seafiald, who is about to pay a visit to Dunedin. ■ Lord Seafield ia a student aj; the Canterbury Agricultural College, and intends spending a portion of the midwinter vacation with friends in Otago. The presentation will be made principally on behalf of the residents of Dunedin who at one time lived on the Sea field estates in Inverness, Moray and Banflahires, and the ceremony is to take place in the Agricultural Hall on Thurs day evening.

The famous Leland Stanford University iv America has juai> received & curious beque3fc in the shape of a life insurance policy, which has repently been written by ihe Mutual Life of New York on the life of Mrs Stanford, the widow of the famous rail way millionaire. If Mrs Stanford dies within the next tea years the university will receive IjOOO.OOOdoi, bub if she survives that period the company will pay it 2,000,000d01. This is said to be the largest, life insurance policy ever ia»s*ed by one company, and the annual premium is 17O.j5OCd"J, Mrs Stand ford is 71 years old, so thu it 'would require rather more th^n fivo years to ensure the company agajnst Jose, The fact is worth recording (saya the Nelson Colonist) thap the little girl Rhod* Townsend, who was this first prize winner in the fancy dresi costume contest in con nection with the Jubilee celebration, wore a gold brooch and the identic \\ silk stockings worn by her grandmother at the time of the Queen's Coronation. It is in its own small way an illustration of changes which have b en wrought <j,ad changes made in the ■sixty years of her Majesty's reign that a por ion of the wearing apparel \yorn by a little la 1 sic on the Q'leeh'a Coronation day stiouU be used at the A'ntipodea by a little granddaughter as a portion of a fancy cos tume to depict the fashion of the Coronation p riod, in oonoeotion witij further rejoicings concerning the same monarch.

What might have been a very serious accident happened to Mr G. H. Sewell, of Mayfield, yesterday afternoon. He was driv ing towards Tinwald, and when near the end of the bridge, his horse took fright at a traction engine (taking in water at the river), and took charge—dashing into a mob ot ewes belonging to Mr R. Campbell, of Chett-ey, which had just reached the fridge. Here the animal came down, and Mr Sewell waa sent flying from the trap, landing amongst the ewes. Recovering himself immediately, he at once attended to his horse and trap, with the assistance of several who happened to be near at the time, and finding no damage had been done, resumed his journey apparently none the worse for the spill. There is very little doubt, however, fchat some of Mr Campbell's ewes wesre knocked about and seriously injured.

A story in connection with the recent flool is, aaya the Napier Telegraph, worth wider pa'jicity than it has yet found. When the hitherto pent-up waters broke bounds, and spread rapidly oyer the }ow-lying por tions of the district, the pih at Qluti was bo quickly inundated that the dwellers there had to escape to the trees, where, without clothing, they had to pass the night. The family of the "chief, Arona, possessed a pet in the shape of a female monkey, given to 1 hem by Mr Blithe", a»d this little animal followed the flooded out natives to the trees. While perched theic a box containing a litter of youug kittens went slowly floating by. The monkey at onco darted down into the water, reached the box, and, took out one of the kittens, which it conveyed to a place of safety in the tree, apparently with the view of going back for the other kittens. Not being able to leave ita charge, it took up in its arina the one rescued and nursed it, keeping it safe jn that manner till the water subsided and the parly c/juld leijve, the trees, Mr Panton, the most experienced police magistrate of Victoria the other day rather startled the Royal Commission which is

taking cvitlenco on the subject of old age pensions. He has almost on entire disbelief in the ''deserving poor"—that is, at any rate, suoh of them aa come before the bench. Only one per cent of the oases of vagrancy coming before the City Qou>"fc were cases of gi-nuiue poverty. Occasionally' i here was a sensational artjcle jn the news papers about some aged person being «ent to gaol for the crime of poverty, but wijen j inquiries were made it was found that fche cases were not deserving. In the great majority of cues if money was given to these pc Iple they simply went and got drunk. It wns no good giving them money, for they had uo idea hoyj to manage it. Ho also considers the Melbourne g^oj rather a place of luxury than otherwise. " Persons fn gaol are far betjber fed than many of the labouring Glasses and prospectors. They gejb eaormoua rations, and are very comfortable ju prison far the winter. When the summer pomes round they can return to their haunts jn the country." Such is Mr Panton's idea, and he should know something of the matter.

" Look at that hump." 4I What hump, my son?* ."That hump on the man's back." f< Those are round jjhoiilders, my boy caused by a neglected (sougfa when a* child.;' '.' Why didn't he take Woods' Great Peppermint Cur*, it always ourea uk,'? "It's a p t>y he dida't," retorted the mother, July $

Arrangements have been made to play tho first hockey match of tha Beauon botwoou the Tinwald and Aehbmton Gluba in tho 1 Ashburton Domain to-morrow, fit 2,30 p.m , when the following will represent their respective Clubs : -Tinwald -VHzgemhi (4), Millichamp (2), Clark (3), Huston, ftov. Blackbuuie. Emergencies—Clark, Guiiiiell and McKenaie. Anhburton—-C. Andrewn, E. Sullivan, F. Pater, H. H. F..oka, F. Clark, forwards ; F. Gale, W, Potter, K. Miller, half-backs ; W. Mellor, N. -loneH, three-quarters ; L. F. Andrewee, goalkeeper ; Dr. Leahy and W. Biloock, line umpireu ; Emergencies—A. Silcook, C. O'Connor, G Eowke.

Finee the Ca'vart expedition left Adelaide, on Miy 24, 1896, the disbursements of M.<- A. F. Calveit in connection with the party have amounted to quite £4000, and of this sum nearly £2000 haa been spent during the last ssven months in rescue work. It is now stated that twice while the main body of the expedition was travelling from Separation Well towards the B'itzroy River, Mr L. A. Wells nearly lost his life in searching for water for himself and his companions. He repeatedly went out from camp under a biasing sun to find the means of quenching the dreadful thirst which oppressed them all, and bub for his self-sacrifice on more than one occasion the main party would have met the sad fate which oven ook Messrs O. F. Wells and Jones. Mr O. F. Wells leaves a widow and three ions, but Jones was only twenty years of age and unmarried.

A motion in the House of Commons by ' Major Rasch, "That the duration of speeches has increased, ia increasing, aud ought to be abated," was carried almost by acclamation. The straw which broke th* camel's back was the inordinate length of the Bpeechea on the financial relations with Ireland, when Mr Blake spoke for three hours and aquarter, Major Rasch expressed a strong opinion that a private member who could not say all he bad to say in a quarter of an hour had mistaken his vocation, and ought not to hive ea^ in that House. He woald, however, allow Ministers to speak for an hour. One member said that speeches had degenerated into essays; and another blamed the reporters. If a bore made a long speech it was condensed, but still made a long report, while a member who made a short, bright speech was put off with "after a few observations from Mr A." The "time limit" has not yet reached the British Houses of Parliament.

On the question of the power of a teacher to keep back children in standards which they have already passed, Which was recently raised before the Wanganui Education Board, the Inspector-General of Schools has written to the Wanganui Board a letter in which he says that a pupil who has failed to pass Standard IV may be kept in and taught with the class preparing for Standard IV, or (though he has passed only Standard III) he may, at the discretion of the head teacher, be placed in and taught with the class preparing for Standard V. A pupil in any standard class may be taught with a higher class in any subject in which he shows special aptitude. A pupil may fail at every stage from Standard I upwards, and yet be advanced from class to class until he reaches the highest. Mr Habeas sees, however, no provision in the regula tions for putting a fyuW child back, or keep ing him in a class from whioh he has emerged by passing the standard at which the class has been aiming, or even putting him to be taught with a lower class in any subject in which he ia disproportionately backward.

An incident which reminds one of an . pisode in Zola's M Germinal " occurred (the London corn apondent of the Age writes) a few days ago in Durham. A miner named John Wilson, who, with a number of other men, was in the Kellow pit when it was flooded out by an inrush of water from an old working, was found by the resident manager after having been in the mine for 100 houra. He told his rescuer that when caught by the inrußh of water he attempted to make his way out by floating on props and pieces of old timber'^ He heard the manager's voice on three or four occasions previous to the day on whiph he was found, but wae unable to make headway against the SoocJ. The poor fellow, who was deputy overman, was imprisoned without food or light for exactly 100 hours* His first words .' on coming to the surface were, " It's grand to see ihe bonny blue sky again !" He was first of all taken to the colliery offiia, where cordials were administered and medical aid I summoned. He boor fell into a deep sleep, and when he woke was able to make a state ment. He says that when the water entered the nrne it came on li^e the waves of the sev. He succeeded in making his way to the ledge yhere ho was found, but half an hour afterwards his lamp went out, and after that lie had no idea of time. When brought up he thought he hatf been only one 4ay in darkness instead of more than four. He felt neither hunger nor thirst, and all his faculties were concentrated on attempting to escape. So confidently was it believed that he had perished that his insurance money wa3 handed over to his wife. AH the other men in the mine—lo in number were drowned, and their bodies have been recjvsred.

(We do not hold oursolves rospousib'e for the opinions expressed by our correspondents;

CORRESPONDENCE.

FORESTS VERSUS DROUGHTS.

TO Tifß EDITOE. Sijj, —J feel impelled once more to utter a note of warning on the di.-aatrous effects that w{U be caused by the destruction of the forests. Some may say it is too late as regards Canterbury, ami that the timber is required for the use of the people. Granted that it is so, but what prevents Government planting largo areas) on the hill sides and on i poor $oijs that are not profitable for settle ment. A long titnp ago, jn a letter to this paper, I called attention to the fast th^t the forests wore fast disappearing, and to the evil effects that would result therefrom, and advising settlers to plant trees extensively. Later, I wrote to our then and present member, Mr E. Q Wright, to use his influence in Parliament to encourage forest planting. I believe he did so, q,nd got the Act amended to help public bodies to plant trees. At the time my letter appeared in the paper, about fifteen years ago, ir, caused people to think over the matter, and ft few planted a few acres about their homesteads. Others again, who had their land on lease hold, could not afford to go to the cost of planting, knowing they would not be allowed ' the expense of plautingby the landlord, On behal) of posterity, ). protest against the wholesale destruction' of the forests o£ Neyv Zealand, knowing the people wjll bitterly regret tfrat they enaouraged the destruction. I strongly advise Government tq reserve some of the forests and ajso to make plantations on a large siuSe, taking pare there is no undergrowth of inflammable j tussocks allowed to grow. I hope some of our representatives will feel impressed with the importance of forests in their relation to climate and rainfall, and introduce the subj :ct in Parliament. In ponclusion I must congratulate Mr W. W. Smith on his able and practpcal leaser on forests and rainfall. He deserves the thanks of the community.—l am, etc , Colonist.

A. and P. ASSOCIATION.

Annual Mooting.

Iho annual meeting of the A>-hburton A. and l\ Association was held yesterday uftornoon in ihn Arcade Chambers. There was a good attendance of member*, and Mr James Brown, President, was in the chair. Tho Ohftirmiiu apologised for the absence of M.r T. X Upton, and Mr Lytteltou entered apologies for Messrs- Gordon Holmes and R. Kriedlander.

After the preliminary business had been gone through the Chairman said that the ujuuui report did not de*l with the proposed annual oonf ■■ rence. He regretted that owing" to the limited response that had been made to the Sooiety promoting it, the conference had been indefinitely postponed. He regretted this, as closer union among the formers was necessary for their own protac tion. They had seen how other industries Had been combining for their protection, with a v'ew to shorter hours, limitation of the number of apprentices, etc, and how those unions had in a great measure influenced the legislation of recent years. Unless Borne union were brought about, so that farmers could protect themselves, the time would come when those engaged in agriculture would be reduced to a state little better than eeifdom, or at least to the conditions that had existed in the days of past generations in the Old Country. He was glad to see that Buoh questions as noxious weeds and other mattera we« being dealt with by the Government and the local County Council, but he thought that f&rmers, by looking afer their own interests, and uniting in some such way as the con ference referred to indie * ted, could approach {Government successfully and secure for themselves much that they did not now have, simply because ib was not asked for, with the request backed by the great numerical strength and powerful influence which a united farming interest would certainly possess. He hoped' the incoming Committee would consider this question. ANSUAL REPORT.

The Secretary read the annual report as follows :— Tour Committee have pleasure in laying before members the annual report and balance sheet showing a statement of re ceipts and expenditure for the past year, and also of the financial position of the Association at the close of the year ending May 31, which, the Committee venture to think will be considered very satisfactory, in that it shows the position of the Society to be materially better than it was at the end of the previous year, and further, that good work has been done during the year just closed to place the Association altogether on a Bounder footing. Members are aware that

it was a recommendation to the Committee on their election to office that the financial year should for the future end on May 31, or one month earlier than formerly, which has been adopted ; and also that the rules of the Association have been revised and re printed as recommended. The very important question of a more suitable show ground haß again been the subject of considerable enquiries and deliberations, your Com mittee being of opinion that) the present position of the Society with respect to its ground is very unsatisfactory, and a sub Committee set up to enquire into the matter have recommended, if possible, that arrange ments be entered into with the Ashburton kaleyards Company, the present lessees of reserve 26214, for acquiring a show yard better adapted to the Association's increas ing requirements. This will be a question for your incoming Committee for their con sideration. After very careful and ex haustive enquiry into the matter, your Committee have adopted a revised scale of entry fees to be charged in the several mentions at our annual show, and have also adjisted the amount of prise money to be paid according to the entrance fee charged, which it is lv ped will now be considered an equitable and acceptable arrangement to ail exhibitors. Your Committee having ascer tained that the 4^ociation had never been incorporated under the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies Act, took immediate steps by the circulation of a petition, which was signed by over two-thirde of the members, for presentation to His Excellency the Governor to have the Society constituted a body oorporate under the Act, which has been done, and was published in the Gazette of May 13. Th« oertifioate of title to th Association reserve at Tinwald has also now been aaquired, and ia in our possession. Your Committee are pleased to congratulate members on the improved financial position of the Society as compared with last year. The receipts amount' to £607 12s 2d, and the expenditure to £554 9a^2d, leaving a balance of £53 3s to the Association's credit. The statement of liabilities and assets shows that £50 of this has been placed on deposit bearing interest with the Ashburton Perma nent Building Sopiety. 'I he reserve at Tinwald, ac present producing a rental of $20 per annum, is a valuable asset, which, together with various property on the show ground, such as hurdles, timber, rope, etc., and cash balance at the Bank, without estimating the capital .^vilue of reserve, shows the assets of the Association to be £83 33, which your Committee think must be considered very satisfactory. As in the past two years, through tjie courtesy of His Worship the Mayor and Borough Councillors, the horse parade was held in Mona Square on September 19, when twenty horses were paraded—the same number as last year; bnt a' noteworthy feature of the fixture was the increase of high-class and promising young sires, particularly in the draught and carriage horae olasses. The annual exhibi tion waa held on October 31, and it may, 1 with confidence, be said to have eclipsed any of ita predecessors, both as regards the attendance of the public and also the high standard of excellence in the exhibits. In marked contrast to the previous -year, the weather was all thst could be desired, and consequently the amount taken at the gates was a rec >rd, realising the substantial sum of £152 110 sd, as against £95 la 3d last year. The entry fees also show a consider able increase, being £170 lls to £159 4s in 1895. It is to be regretted, however, that there is a email falling off in members' subscriptions, which the Cqmmittee think is a state of things that ought not to exist, and it ia hoped thai, all members will endeavor to induce their friends to become members, and so further the undoubted useful objects of the Society. The items of expenditure are very much the same as last year, although there was an increase in entries, both in the sheep and oattle sections, which necessitated the putting up of addi tional pen accommodation. The amount of prize money paid away was £349 2s 6d, or nearly £5 in excess of last year. In con cluding their year of office the Committee beg to thank all those gentlemen and busi ness firms most heartily foi the substantial support accorded 1 by their liberal donations to tha private prii.9 list, which so materially enhances the sucpess, as also better competi tion, at the show. They wish also to tender their hearty thanks to those gentlemen who undertook the responsible position of Judges, and who appear to have given general satis- , faction ; and also to the Class Stewards, Committee, and other officers and gentlemen who so generously aided and assisted to carry out and maintain the admitted very high standard of our Ashburton Agricultural j Show. The Chairman moved the adoption of the report in a few congratulatory sentences. h\v Bullock seconded. It was the most satisfactory report,, he said, that the Associ ation had prehented to fchetji, and he con gratulated the Society upon it. In doing so he paid a high complim nt to the president who, ever since his appointment to the chair, had never lost a moment in looking after the Society's affairs. ftjr Silcock, while fully agreeing with the high teams'"" of praise accorded to the president for his energy aud' intention in the business of the Society, wished to point out that in 1879 the aunu&l report said that the Society had been incorporated under the A. and'P. Socie ies Act. He contended

that this was so, and that the Association had a show ground that could not be taken from it. This was his opinion, and he had suen 1 no reason to change it. The Chairman said he and the members of the Committee 1 had baea <iuite awaVe of Wha& was in the report mentioned by Mr Silcock, but fyad found that in spite of th&Ji report the Society had nob been incorporated, and no trace 6f its incorporationpquld b^ found in any of the Gazettes that had been published. The ground on which the show was held was vested in the County Council, as was also what was known as the police reserve, and had been led bo bh« Saliyarde Ccwauy.

The .Society had jnat succeeded in letting 1 their twenty acres of land at Tiawald, and he was quite of opinion that if the Society , made known to the Saleyards Company and the Couuty Council what was actually required (hose bodies would be only too ready to meet them. There hid been set uside, as the balance sheet would show, the sum of £50 for a buiiding account. The reported was adopted unanimously. NEW MEMBERS. The fol owing new members were e'ected : —Mr R. Curtis, Mr W. L\ Lill, Mr H. Britton, and Mr W. Brown.

BLEOTION Or OFFICERS. Mr Lead ley Dominated for the presidency Mr James Brown, who had been the best president they had ever had. He did not Bay this with any idea of comparing others who had gone before unfavorably with Mr Brown, but the fa«t re m&ined that the Association had never enjoyed a more prosperous year, and those who had had had anything to do with the work knew how much of that success was due to Mr Brovn. Mr Brown declined the honor. He had done his term, and was pleased to see that he had earned their appreciation. It was an honor that he was proud of, but he had do right to accept that honor when there were others to whom it was equally due and had a right to it, as weli aB to discharge the j dv ies that fell to the position. He deoidedly would not accept another year in office. The Chairman also pointed out that the duties of the president were now much lighter thaa they had been in the past, owing to the efficiency of their Secretary, and this was an efficiency that grew year by year as experience was gained. He con gratulated the Society on possessing a Secretary of Mr Simpson's ability. Mr Leadley was proposed, and so was Mr Thomas Taylor. Both declined, the one in 1 favor of the other, but ultimately Mr Taylor was eleoted unanimously, and almost whether he would or not.

Mr Taylor said he would rather have taken a back seat, especially after such a predecessor as Mr Brown, and he hoped too much would not be expected of him. How ever, he hoped the members would help him by regular and prompt attendance a>t all meetings called. Mr Leadley was elected vice-president; Mr R, Friedlander re-elected treasurer ; Mr J. C. Duncan, audiior; and the following were, after a ballot, declared to be the committee for the ensuing year:—Messrs I John Bonifaut, J. 0. N. Grigg, James Brovn, : John Small, S. S. Chapman, T. B. Upton, i John Shearer, F. McCafferty, D. Thomas, E. Cookaon, M. Stilt, John Gilmour, Denis McKendry, Thomas Langley, W. J^Silcock, J, 8. Bland, R. Clarke, M. Friedlander, C. Reid, J. Tucker, T. Mawson, G. A. M. Buckley, W. Prebble, and D. McCormack. THANKS. The thanks of the Association were tendered to the retiring officers and commit tee. The meeting then closed.

JUSTICES OF THE PRICE.

MrE. G. Wright, M.H.R., sends us for publication the following letter, sent by him to the Minister for Justice, and which is its own expositor ; — [Copy.]. Windermere, June 28, 1897. Sir,—l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 25th June, intimating that the Governor has been pleased to place my name upon the Com mission of the Peace, and I regret that I am not equally pleased to see it there, I have refused this distinction for at least seventeen years past, for the sufficient reason that I have no time to spare for the duties of the office, and for the same reason must decline it now. Should you, however, think that there is a scarcity of Justices in this county, I heg to remind you that I submitted certain names to the Hqn, W. P. Beeves which have not yet been gazetted, though the gentlemen mentioned would fill the position to the satisfaction of the people of Asnburton. Thanking you for your intended courtesy, I have the honor to be Your Obedient Servant, Edwabo G. Weight. The Hon. Robert Thompson, Minister for Justice, Wellington.

THE WAIKANAE TRAGEDY.

Press ABBQciation--By E{ectric Telegraph. Wkcltkgton, June 29 At the inquest on the body of Ridges, who committed suicide after attempting to murder the girl White, at Waikanae, a verdict of •' Suicide while temporarily in sane" was returned. No new facts were elicited.

FOOTBALL.

The following will represent the Ashbur ton Junior Football Club in a match against Longbeach to-morrow, a drag leaving the Somerset corner at 1 p.m. for Longbeach :— Trezise, Boyle, Pfitchard, Qampbell, Pil brow, Wilson, Brown, Baxter, Ohilds, Hepburn, McTigue, Hefford, Birch, Jonas, and Madden. Emergencies—Anderson and Baigent.

SAD FATALITY AT CORWAR.

About; mid-day on Tuesday a j»uth named Ledgerwood, who had been engaged carting hay to Mr Wagon's sheep, on return ing from the paddock found hia mate, an elderly man named Ford, lying dead along side his dtay. He at once reported the matter at the statioa and the body was sent fco Rakaia. Ford and his wife were em ployed on the Oorwar Estate, and were well known. The present Mrs Ford is a second wife, and there are no children, but a family by the first wife reside in Ohristchnrch. Whether deceased fell off hia dray and in jured himself or had a gt will not be known until the iiaquest is held, hit Wason broke the. news to the poor widow in as kind a manner as possible and sent her to Rakaia, and after the shook is over she will return to Oorwar. She proceeded to Qhrisfrohurch by the express to break the news to Ford's first famUy, ,

CABLE NEWS.

Some and Foreign.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. Investment of Trust Funds. Lojtdon, June 28 When the Colonial Conference r» sutnes the Premiers intend to press the question of the investment of trust funds in colonial stocks. Mr Chamberlain is personally favourable, but deems it necessary to consult other authorities, who he hoped will be satisfied. Mr Hooley's Scheme. Sir Montague Nelson and many bankers and ship owners approve of vtr Hooley's scheme to form an Aus tralian frozen meat combination. Dr Jameson. Dr. Jameson has sailed for Cape town.

Australian.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. The Notorious Butler. Sydkky, June 29 In reply to a question in the Legis lative Assembly the Minister of Jm* tice said the Government would not permit a post mortem examination of Butler's brain, on the ground that it would not serve any good purpose. Credit Fonder Bonds. Melbourne, June 89 Tenders have been opened for £17,000 of Credit Foncier bonds. Tbe public subscribed £3000 and the Savings Bmk the balance, the whole at par. The bonds issued to date total £133,000, of which the public has subscribed £71,000.

THE LATEST.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. Received Wakapuaka June 30, 10.20 ft. m., Gvabdian Office, 10.30 a.m. Wreck of a Steamer. London, Jane 29. News has been received that the ste imer Aden has been wrecked on the island of Socotra, in the Indian Ocean. Seventy-five of the passenger* and crew are missing and are supposed to have been drowned. The ship Avenger, bound from London to Melbourne, pat into Port Louis, in the Mauritius, with her mizzen mast sprung. She encountered terrific weather and three of her crew were washed overboard and drowned. The Transvaal. Pretobia, June 26. The Volksraad has appointed a Com mission to enquire into the qualifica tion of the members of that Chamber, the object being to oust Mr Loveday, an English member. Received Wakapuaka, June 30, 10 a.m. Guardian Office 11 a.m. , * Misdirected Charity. London, June 29. One hundred carcasses of mutton, a portion of the gift of the Australian pAßtoratists for the poor, were dis tributed in Limerick. Crowds of women, however, assembled and hooted the distribution. The poorest appli cants threw the meat they received into the river.

Australian.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. Received Wakapuaka June 30,10.46 a.m. f Guardian office 10 30 a.tn. The Customs Duties. Sydney, June 80 The customs duties to-morrow will be removed from sugar, candles, kerosene and other oils. Mr Lyne moved the adjournment of the Assembly to call attention to the alleged evil effects of diminishing the duties. Government accepted this as a motion of censure, and after a long debate the motion was negatived by 53 to 30.

The Bishopric of Adelaide A pELAiDB, Jane 30. Baroness Burdett. Oouttf has contri buted to the Colonial Bishopric fund the necessary amount to endow the Bishopric of Adelaide, New Railway. The Railway Oommisaionera have reported that the proposal to connect South Australia and West Australia by railway will post £7,000,000. The Westralian Government, however, oppose the scheme at present owing to the large expenditure. The New Guinea Massacres. Cooktown, June 30 Further details of the massacre in New Guinea show that several whites and a number of blacks were murdered.

THE WAR IN THE EAST.

Pr*es Association—By Electric fralegraph— Copyright. Received Wakapnaka June 30. 10.20 a.m., Guakdian Office 10 30 pa London, June 29. The Times in an article upon the situation in South-Eastern Europe, says the outlook promises a settlement of peace betwee^ Turkey and trreeqe, at an early date. It is expected that the wat indemnity ijxed by the Ambassadors will be accepted by Turkey. • ..

THE COLONIAL TROOPS.

Press AMOci&tion—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. Received W*kapu»ka June 30,10 a.m., Guardian Office, 11 a.m. London, June 29 In the House of Commons Mr 1 Brodrick read a letter from the com mander of the colonial troops, denying that they were displeased with the treatment the troops had received from ; the British military authorities. The letter stated that the: plans for the I comfort of the troops refected the i greatest credit on the military authqri -1 ties. Mr Brpdriclp assured the House that every effort had. been made ¥i render the stay of the colonial troops

THE ABHBOBTON GUARDIAJI: WEDNESDAY, JUNE SO, 1897.



Business Notices, SPECIAL DRESS SALE, FOR FOURTEEN DAYS. A LL Dn ss Materials at 2* per yard and upward-—will bo made FREEOF CHARGE • FROM SATURDAY, JUNE 19, TO J(?LY 3~IN'CLUBIVE. :""'- ■ ■ , SEE WINDOWS ASHBURTOiSr DRAPERY COY. BANKRUPT ESTATE OF O. J. NEILL AND CO., DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, MERCERS, AND BOOT DEALERS, ASHBURTON rpHB Sale of this Stock commenced this morning, an I will be continued until the whole ia disposed of at PH &NOMBNALLY LOW FfGUKES in order to effect a speedy cle nance. BY ORDEH OF THE PURCHASERS OF ABOVE ESTATE.^ EX S.S. MATATUA. WE HAVE MUCH PLEASURE IN ANNOUNCING THE ARKIVAL OF OUR MIDWINTER SHIPMENTS, Six Cases being just to hand from the above steamor: THIS SHIPMENT COMPRISES— ONE CASE L-idres'Black Cashmere HOSE, vny- heavy makes, NE CASE Is4d, Is GJ f MOl ONF CASE Ladies' Biac'i and Tan KID GLOVES, bought at a »E OASa larca discount. Children's Tans—4 Button, Tans, 24 6.1; 4 Domes, Tan«, 2a lid ; 4 Domes, Black, 2* lid rilWO OASES TRISH LINEN GOODS, straight from the Lisburn IWO OASES Mills. Some beautiful embroidered PILLOW A vvu uabb. SHAMg< N D BAGg) HANDKERCHIEFS, &c Among these goods now on view in our windows ONE CASE FL.\NELLRTTESand MOLLT3TONS. Special lines NE CASE in white and cremo ONE CASE Ladies' and Children's BOOTS and SHOE*, specially NE OxISE made for us by our Leicester Manufacturer HREE OASBS p A g Sage LINOLKUMS to open shortly. New designs; JL all widths. MITCHELL & TURNER. THIS SPACE RESERVED FOR THE LEADING JEWELLERY AND WATCH REPAIRING ESTABLISHMENT IN THE DISTRICT. S. SALEK, EAST STREET.



WANTED Known—Men a Boots in great variety from 4a lid to 30.3 at Mkli^Oß's Zealaudia Boot Store. B" have just opeueit sonio new lines in clothing. Our noted " Wear-well" Mosgiel Tweed Suit afc £2 : but cash discount One Shilling in the Pound makes them 38/- now.-" The Hall," Eiut Street, _ ■ __ TT7 ANTED KNOWN — The way the W young people of Ashburton should oe'ebrate thy record reign. Gob nrurieii, and bny their furniture at 11. Bairsfcow's, TftHCred Street. Satis-f ction guaranteed. 6 120 M"~ iiS KNIGHT, Cash purchaser of Udir*, genUeman'n, and children's Jefs off Clothing, "nd »U kinds of Gooes.—WekiiLui . &o»d, near H*xm Square, 5 13 i



MAKK no mistake If you want a nice job made of your repairs, iry Melloh, the up-to-date bootmaker. 1710UND— Nineteen shilling* cash to be ' worth Twenty credit. Our practical system of cash discount One Shilling in the Pouiid, meets with approval.—Babrett Buns, "The Hall." East Street. WANTED Known, Inspect Fletcher Bros' show of Crockery, etc., suit able for presents before going elsewhere, it will pay you.—FiiETCiiEgßnos., Cash Supply Stores. WANTED, Egga, 1000 dozen, muat k& fresh, and 1 ton of Beeswax, highest market prices given by FUBTCHBB Bitos,, U«*»li Supply Stores.



' Church Services. ST. BTE PH E N'S CHURCH! Ashburton. ' WEDNESDAY—G.F.S. aud Choristers' I Practice, at 7.30 p.m. THURSDAY..—Presentations., t0... Miss McDonnell by the Vestry and Choir in St SteiJhn'd Schoolroom, at 3.30 p.m. ST STEPHEN'S GUILD-A meeting of 1 all Communicants i.o enrol members and elect officers, in ihe Schoolroom at 7.30 p.m. FRIDAY — Short Service 7.30 g.m. ; Choir Practice, 8 p.m. SUNDAY SERVICES. 11 a.m.—Morning Prayer and Holy Com munion. . 3 p.m— GREENSTREKT. • 5 p.m.—DROMORE (Mr T. A. Gates) 6.3o—Evening Prayer. REV T. A. HAMILTON.



THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing* Factory. SPECIAL LINES. MbN'S WATERPROOF COATS, Newest Patterns, all Sewn Seams, 293 6d, 32a 6d, 355, 39s 6d. MEN'S ALL WOOL TWEED OVER COATS, 25a, 32a 6d, co 45a. YOUTHS' ALL WOOL TWEED OVER COATS, 19s 6d, 25a, to 355. BOYS' Do. 8a 6d, 10s 6d, to 21s. BOYS' NAVY SERGE SAILOR SUITS. Fit Boy two years, from 10s 6d Fit Boy four years, from 11s Fit Boy six yeara, from 12s Fit Boy eight years, from 13j Fit Boy ten yeara, from 14a extra collar, flannel front, cord and whistle.



BOYS' ALL WOOL TWEED GUARD SUITS. Fib "Boy four years, from 9a 6d Fit Boy six years, from 10s 6d Fib Koy eight years, from 11s 6d Fit Boy ten years, from 12a 6d Parents wanting good sbrong wearing Suits for the Boys would do well to inspect our large stock. Boys' Blue Serge Tarn Caps from Is to 3s aa Boys' Serge Caps from 6d to Is 9tl See our All Wool Tweed, for Boya' school wear, at la lid per yard. We carry a large stock of British & Colonial BOOTS AND SHOES. Inspection Invited. HALLgNSTEIN BROS. & CO. A. G. BARTON, Manager'



Synopsis op New ar^kktisemknts. Mrs Alfred Curtis—Notice to intending pupils for wood carving. Lost-r-Oppossum Rug, Organist wanted for §1 Stephen's Churph Lost—Cheque. Borough Council-Invite tenders for oat sheaf chaff Hockey Match—To-morrow. T. Bullock—Property for sale.



The public are to be congratulated on the liberal manner in which they have re sponded to the invitation of our leading bookseller, s^ajSionep, and fancy goodß vendor, to supply themselves with cheap stationery, good literature (tor wintep reading); arid Fancy goods, As this month is the record Bt*l@ of the decide— the firm giving great in ducements so ao t.o refuge the stock—we have no doubt that the ■premises of H. 1J Anderson, late L. F. Andrewes and 0"., will be well patronised during the remainder of the saje.—(Advt. The true leaf of the Tea plant, untatnpered wiljf" and pure; this is Kozie Tea, try ib —



jteautfful eyes grow dull and <Jlm ; A« the swift years steaTawayi. "■ Beautiful, willowy forms so siiia Jtose fairoe«s with eyery day'/ 1 But slie ttlll is queen and lutij charms t» spare ' ' •-•■■•■■- Wfco wears youth's corontl-bcsiUlful hgjr. Ayer's ~ * ~ Hair Vigor will preserve your hair, and thus pre serve your youth. "A woman is as old as she looks/ says the world. No woman looks as old as she is if her hair has preserved its normal beauty. You can keep hair from falling out/ restoring its normal color, or restore &S £P? m,al £olor to gray qt faded hair by the use 'of*' ' 4 ir ': ' ■ ' Acer's ♦, ♦ ♦ Hair Vigor.