Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 1897. THE SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST.

The naturalist has a most interesting field for study before him, as m face has every student of nature, no matter lin what direction his study be led But to those with a fondness for the study of life, whether it be of beast, bird, insect or fish, the field is specially interesting. The science of the naturalist has given us volumes upon volumes of the earth's history, and this history tells us that through out the ages certain forms of animal life have constantly been developing and prevailing over vast areas, only to be m turn succeeded by new and ad vanced types. Science goes further thaa this and points to the gradual evolution of types more useful, more intelligent, and hardier than those that have preceded them. Whether this evolution unites all creation m one endless chaio, or merely points to the survival of the fittest type of a certain order or genera, is open to discussion, and probably will never be determined ; but facts already ascertained provoke an interesting speculation regarding forms of life now existing on the globe, Within the memory of man the great auk or giant bird of the Hebrides has lived, been slain for museum specimens, and become extinct, Just how long it is since the last New Zealand moa lived on our islands, no scientist has yet had the hardihood to fix ; but there can be no doubt that such a bird once roamed the wilds of early New Zealand, and, for ought we know, had been a denizen even of those plains of ours now sacred to sheep. In America the buffalo or bison existed m immense herds, and that, too, within the memory of men still living ; but the bison haß I nearly shared the fate of the moa, and is only being preserved by the intelli gent effort of a few public spirited men who appreciate the qualities of the animal, and its usefulness to the human ! race. In Asia and Afric* the ele phant, the rhinocerous and the hippo potamus are being mercilessly slaugh tered either for sport or ivory, and their final extinction is but a question of time, unless steps be taken to pre vent their indiscriminate slaughter by ivory hunters, or those who hunt m the interests of showmen. The giraffe and | the zebra have now become tare, while the lion, tiger, leopard, and hyena are fast being exterminated m the interests of the safety of the human race, and the time will soon be reached when the | forests will no longer know those beasts, and they will be seen only bo hind the bars of the showman. The grizzly bear, the mountain elk and antelope, the mountain sheep, and the great moase have become so rare that the sportsman is lucky indeed who can find one of either on which to exercise his skill. The mink, the marten, the otter, and other fur-bearing animals grow scarcer every year. In short, all i wild animals which menace the safety of man, or which can be made to con tribute to his benefit, are destined to extinction as civilisation progresses and carries on its leavening work over the world. What, then, will we have Lf c a century or two hence 1 The ques tion may be answered iti sows degree. So long as man is a carnivorous animal he will breed for his own consumption those animals whose flesh is to his taste and whose skin cm be used for his wear. Therefore we may expect to retain the cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, as well as the domestic fowls, and it is quite possible that efforts will be made, as iv * ngland and New Zealand, to preserve the deer of the greater con tinents. Domestic fowls of all sorts will, of course, be preserved for an indefinite period; and it is possible that as the sportsman sees the quail, the grouse, and the pheasant go down before his undiscrimating shot, and their nuaibers being steadily re duced, he will see the wisdom of hav T ing them all domesticated and rele gated to the barn yard. New Zealand has no native songbird worthy the name, and such as she has have been imported ; but against them the grain grower and the fruit raider wages un ceasing warfare, and the agents of destruction they use, though specially j directed against the sparrow, tell a terrible tale every year upon the num bers of the song birds. But the song birds of other countries are steadily disappearing before the shotgun of the unscrupulous marksman with the one only desire to face his game fall, and before the assaults of birds of prey, so that coming generations will seek m vain for .the woods made vocal by the feathered songsters o i the grove Even the great sea, with its unsounded depths and its vast expanse cannot protect its animal life. The great leviathan is m danger of becom ing a fable and a tradition of the past. ""•»*PB ago he wag hunted m those southern m * md cin * numer°US he yielded handsome «»» pn« *». *J« whalers ; but the hunt was r™fc«HPed too long, and m timetbe whale became conspicuous by his absence from these waters. An enforced rest—forced by the want of profit—has given him a chance to re appear, and he is now occasionally heard of. The seal fisheries were ruined m the same way, and legislation was required to give the seals an opportunity to increase. But for the most stringent protective laws, the game fish of both Europe and America most popular with the angler and the epicure would soon be num bered among the things of a bygone age. Evidences are not wanting of a possible danger menacing the existence of the horse. Bicycles, even m our own immediate neighborhood have largely supplanted the light horse, and motor ears give every promise of doing that to a still greater extent, and there is no saying where the development of the motor car may end, or how that development may m the future afiect the noble animal who has from time immemorial been counted among the animal fiiends of man. There are those, too, who look upon the horse as an animal that ought to be fed for his flesh as human food, but far be the day when the poor horse will ba bred for the slaughterhouse and the table. To day there are some 60,000 species of insect life known to science, and per haps the number unknown to and un* pamed by the soieatiet is even greater,

Are we approaching a period which to future generations may be known as the insect age 1 for never did the mollusc, m the age to which he has given his name, flourish m greater variety or number. There is a logical < reason given by scientific men for this j extraordinary extension and multipli cation of insect forms. In thp original intention of Nature, certain creations were designed to pr^y upon certain other creations, and this scheme, if left to work by itself, would result m the maintenance of a proper balance be tween the different orders and species. But man is a creature who interferes with all th°i refct of creation. He im ported rabbits into the Australasian colonies, which latter are entirely lack ing m the natural enemies of this prolific rodent; and the result has been the multiplication of a pest before which the steep has disappeared, and whole counties have been devastated In America, at anyrate m California, a"though the breeding of the rabbit and the ground squirrel have »ot been directly encouraged a bounty was given for the destruction of the natural foe of these peats—the coyotte. The death I of the coyotte was the life of the rabbit, and so a rabbit pest has to be borne with by our consina on the Pacific Slope. We have introduced stoats and weasels, and these finding young lambs more to their liking are promising to prove more troublesome to the shepherd and the poultry keeper than to the rabbit, as well as being a constant menace to little children. In the destruction of birds throughout the civilised world, man is upsetting one of nature's balances, and there is every probability that the stupendous multi plication of insect life is the direct result. The destruction of such birds as live wholly on grain and seeds will, of course, not tend to this result, but there can be no doubt the war man has waged against the insect and grub eaters has done so. Neither legislation nor appeal to public sentiment has m the least availed to check the wanton slaughter, and man and his posterity must accept the consequences

Tn Mr Herbert Spencer's latest work are a great many pregnant reflections In the chapter SOCIALISM. entitled "Socialism" he says : — " The

Socialistdoes not ask what must happen if, generation after generation, the material well-being of the inferior is raised at the cost of lowering that of the superior. People who, m their corporate capacity, abolish the natural relation between merits and benefits, will presently be abolished themselves. Either they will have to go through the miseries of a slow decay, consequent on the increase ©f those unfit for the business of life, or they will be over run by some people who have not pursued the foolish policy of fostering the worst at the expense of the best." Socialism, m the second place, he claims, implies an impossible mental stiucture. "The intensity of feilov feeling is to be such as to cause life long self-sacrifice." " The character of all is to be so noblo that it causes a continuous sacrifice of self to others, and so ignoble that it continuously lets others sacrifice to self." One not only haß to love his neighbour as himself, but to love his neighbour's children as his own. "An entire loss of freedom will thus be the fate of those who do not deserve the freedom they possess. . . . Only a nature which will sacrifice everything to defend personal liberty of action, and is eager to defend the like liberty of action of others can permanently maintain free institutions.

Tn regard to the prices and scarcity of cheese in the British markets, the Agricultural Gazette CHEESE* January 18 thus re* ports :• —" There is

now a marked scarcity of English cheese, and only remnants of parcels are left for disposal, for which extreme rates are required, being chiefly for Cheddar (including loaf) from 66s to '/Os for good prime quality, and 74a to 788 and 80s for superlatively fine make, with Cheshire from 70s to 74s for very useful grades, up to 80s and 84s for matchless cheese. The inquiry for Canadian continues active; finest, 53s to 545. Utiderpriced goods are practically clearpd. United States sell freely at about 51s to 525. There is a good quantity Dutch arriving, which go off at firm prices. New Zealand, about 800 crates landing." The Agricultural Economist states that the fourth draft of iast year's cheese, made m September and October lest, at the cheese school carried on by the Bath and West and Southern Counties' Society for the Somerset County Council at Oossington, near Bridge water, has just been sold to Messrs Hill Bros, of Everpreech, at 72s per cwjb of I]l2lb, Writing m the Qrocer, Messrs Grant and Co., dairy produce merchants, Liverpool, state that they very much question if the quantity of English cheese is 40 per cent of last year m the country at the present time | " American pheese is likewise m the same position, On a parity with ■k* m .j eeß o f English cheese, finest Canadian shou!:! b© B^ing from 65s to 70s. That we are now ofi *he eve of a great advance goes without sayiag A large section of the trade look to New Zealand to fill the gap t> but we hear also of a shortage m that direction,"

The Earl of Ranfurly, whose family name is Knox, is Viscount Northland, Baron Wells of THE NEW Dungannon, county GOVERNOR. Tyrone, in the peerage of Ireland,

and Baron Ranfurly of Oamphorlie, county of Renfrew, m that of the Ignited Kingdom. He was born m 1856, ard succeeded to the title m 1875. He married m 1880 Constance, only daughter of Colonel James Oaulfield, present earl of Oharlemont, of Charie mont, county Armagh, Ireland, whose wife was the Honorable Annette Handcock, daughter of Lord Gastle maine of Maydrura Castle, Athlone, Ireland. Lady Ranfurly was the only I result of the marriage. Lord Ranfurly has threa children—Viscount 1 Lord Northland, born 1882 ; Lady Constance, born 1885; and Lady Ellen Knox, born 1891. His Lordship is a broad minded Conservative m politics. The above is taken from " JDebrett's ?eerage," aad shows plainly

that both the Farl and Counteea of Ranfurly are " blue bloods" of the deepest dye.

In discussing the probabilities of a great European war, a New York paper remarks that THE no country has ever PROBABILITIES parsed through a OF WAR century of exist-

ence without a war. As a matter of fact, the wars average about three for each century m every country, and sometimes, as you examine history, you will find an extra war or two thrown m for good measure. France has been particularly lucky m this respect, having had enough wars on hand during the timo of Napoleon to keep her general average above that of every other country, even had con tinuous peace succeeded Waterloo. The statistics of wars show that they are always bucceedad by peace. These periods of peace, as history -shows, average a little more than a quarter of a century m duration, and it is now well to remember that over thirty one years have passed since the last great war m this country closed Within the past century England has had more wars than any other nation. Napoleon was responsible for the long struggle between 1798 and 1815 ;then there was a lapse of a score of years, when the war with Spain broke out. Eighteen years passed, and ihen came the Crimea, and since then her many struggles have been with the tribes of the conntries m Asia and Africa that she has swallowed. Germany had the war fever badly m the decade bounded by 1860 and 1870. It had Napoleon to contend with seventeen years between 1798 and 1815, and this strife satiated the martial spirit of the nation till 1848, when the Prussians battled with the Danes. Sixteen years 3|ftter the Teutons again battled with their Danish neighbours, and with such marked success that the German thirsted for new foes to conquer, snfl for a titr»e satisfied their desire by the seven weeks' war with the Austrians m the summer of 1866. The German war spirit was then at its height and eager to revenge itself upon the French for the many defeats administered by Napoleon. But Bismarck held the nation m check unt 1 the perfection of military strengthcould be realised. Then when France threw down the gauntlet m 1870, and Napoleon I IT. imagined that he would repeat the triumphs of his uncle, the united Germans made haste to accept the challenge, and m six months divested France of martial glory. Since 1870 Germany has prac tically had peace, and with the excep tion of colonial uprisings, like the last rebellion m Madagascar, France has been at peace for a corresponding period. Uf course, I'ranue has been the victim of internecine strife many times during the past century, but these are merely an eccentricity of French people. .Aside from the con quest of Algiers m 1829, the Napoleonic wars, and the struggle of 1870 with Germany, France's only other war was her part m the Crimea of 1854, when, with Turkey and England, she allied herself against Russia. Russia has had peace since the Turko-Russian war of 1876, France and Germany since the Franco-Prussian war of 1870, Austria since the Italian war m 1861, the United States since 1865, and England since the Afghan and Zulu wars of 1878 79, excepting the present Soudan campaign and her other Egyptian quarrels.

Local and General.

Annual meeting to-nighfc A.R.V.—in the I orderly room at eight. Dr Trevor's little daughter is reported to i be very much better to-day. i Commercial news will be found on the fourth p^ge and farmers' colunin on the first page. Singapore advises that the Malta and Alexandria lines have been righted and traffic is now passing without delay. In London no fewer than 188,000 people live four aud more to the room, and of these 3000 are packed to the extent of eight or more to the room. The latest news from Abyssinia (brought by a French f 6 explorer," by the way) is that bicycling is coming into fashion, and that the Emperor Menelik rides m an auto car, which he works very skilfully. Owners of greyhounds and those inter ested m the good old sport of coursing are reminded that the annual meeting will be held m the Central Hotel on Friday evening, and we hope tbe new Club will have as prosperous 3, year as last. Iv Austria drunkards are treated under the Curatel law, which applies to persons mentally affjicfced and to spendthrifts, their affairs being pLiood m charge of an admini strator. A person suffering from excessive indulgence m drink may be brought judicially under this law. A telegram received from Hokitika hst night states that Mr T. JN. Broderick, one of the Canterbury district surveyors, has arrived with his staff at Paringa from Ben Nevis station. They found a. good paßs to Otoko along a branch of the Faring River, and saw several outcrops of quartz reefs. In reply to a request from the Rev H. Van Staveren, the Minister of Charitable Aid, after communicating with the trustees of the institution, has authorised a com mission of inquiry into the mode of con ducting the Home for the Aged Needy at Wellington. Farmers and others are reminded of the sale of stock and implements to be held at Mr Samuel Hardley's farm at Lauriston to morrow under the hammer of Mr R Friedlander. Mr Newmans conveyance will leave after the arrival of the Timaru and Christchurch trains to convey intending purchasers. Everything is to be sold without reserve owing to the farm being let for a term of years. A ¥/el)ington telegram states that a cyclist named Aplin, while riding between Greytown and Carterton on Saturday, waa stuck up by a man who threatened to shoot 1 him unless he gave up all hie money. Aplin turned out his pockets, giving the man a shilling, and was then told to go. After proceeding about twenty yards Aplin heard a shot, the shots striking a telegraph post near him. Aplin then rode to Greytown and informed the police, who made search for the assailant, bu l so far without success. The only evidence that has ever been found going to show that the prehistoric cave dwellers of America had a wrjtten language waa discovered for the first time m the year 1891. In the summer of that year Professors Shaler and Warren, Ihe formsr of Yale Col lege, made a thorough exploration of what is known as Falling Spring oave, m the Sequatchie valley, State of Tennessee, and therein fouud inqontroyertible evidence that the prehistoric Americans were a race of civilised beings, possessing a literature and an alphabet. In one of the galleries of the ' cave they found the body of a human being, transformed to stone by the salts and silica m the dripping water, and near by a large oval slab, upon which were carved 467 words. In all these words, some of which contained nine and ten letters, only thirty?two diffe- ' rent characters were used, proving condu-1 iively that their alphabet was one of thirty tm letfcw* oply, ,

Mr Wilford, counsel for Bosher, had an interview with the prisoner last night, and states that m ail probability an applicatio : will be made for a new trial, on the grounds that new evidence was available, and mis direction by the Judge. Mr Wi'ford left* j Wellington on business laat night, and Mr Sperretfc will probably act for him. At Napier yesterday a coroner's jury wu engaged from 2.30 ti.l 7 p.m. m hearing evidence m connection with the death of a man named James Mclntosh, a station hand at Temahanga, who succumbed to injuries received while being assaultel and robbed on the night of March 20 by two men named George Wileon and John Fitzgerald. The jury returned a verdict of death from failure of the heart's action, with sufficient evi dence to justify further proceedings. The barque Lintrathen, Captain Pride, arrived at Auckland yesterday m ballast from Fremamle. On February 26 her mizen stay was carried away during a hard southerly gale, and the main topsail yard-arm doubled m two. On Sunday a strong south-east gale sprang up with heavy rain, and the vessel was beating about all day m the gulf. The tug-boat picked her up at 7.30 p.m., and all through the night was orying to tow her into port against the wind. Several times the cables parted, and it was not until the gale abated yesterday morning that they were able to round North Head. So ruinously abundant have horses become m seme districts m America that the glue | factories can take no more, even at the ridicuously low figure at 12s 6d per head. In consequence it is said that 10,000 horses will be abandoned to perish dvi ing winter by cold and hunger on the ranges of the far North-West. In England the auctions of shire horses for 1897 opened satisfactorily at Waresley Paik, when 42 animals belonging to Captain W. H. O. Duncombe were sold at an average of £126 19* 6d, realising altogether £5330 17s, these results exceeding the average and total for a like number »t She first of the sales last year. An app'ication has been made to the Supreme Court, Dunedin, by Messrs Hall Brothers, solicitors, InvercargiH, acting on behalf of several contributors m the J. G, Ward Farmers' Association of New Zealand, Limited, for the examination of the Hon. J. G. Ward (lately Chairman of Directors of the Company), Mr John Fisher {iately Manager of the Company), Mr Robert Albert Ander son (lately Secretary of the Compmy), Mr J. Ewart Hannah (lately Auditor of the Company), Mr William Watson (President of the Bank of New Zealand), and Mr George Atkinson Birch (lately Manager of the Colonial Bank at Invercargill) The application will be heard on Friday. It has been decided by the authorities that the shooting season shall commence on Saturday, April 17. At a meeting of the OtMgo Acclimatisation Society, held yebter day, it was resolved to telegraph to the Colonial Secretary, requesting that April 1 should be gazetted as the opening day tor shooting native game. This date was recom mended on February 9, and as nothing to the contrary was heard all arrangements were made for its adoption. It was stated that even if the season were not opened on April 1 there would be a large amount of shooting on that day. Dhe Colonial Secre tary has informed Mr EUUy, the member for Invercargill, that the season will be extended to July 31. The oldest rose bush m the world, says the Scientific American, is found at Hilde sheim, a small city of Hanover, where it emerges from the su 1 soil of the Church of the Cemetery. Its roots are found m the subsoil, and the primitive stem has been dead for a long time, but the new stems have made a passage through a crevice m the wall, and cover almost the entire church with their branches for a width and height of forty feet. The age ot this tree is interest ing both to botanists and gardeners. Ac cording to tradition, the Hildesheim rose bush was planted by Charlemange m 833, and the church having been burned down m the eleventh century, the root continued to grow m the subsoil. Mr Raener has recently published a book upon this venerable plant, m which he proves that it ia at least three centuries of age. It is mentioned m a poem written m 1690, and also m the work of & Jesuit who died m 1673.

INTERPROVICIAL NEWS.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Colonial Bank. Ddnkdin, March 30 In Chambers to-day application was made fco sanction the agreement with John Bafcger for the purchase of the debts due to the Colonial Bank by the Hon. J. G. Ward. Monday, April 5, was fixed as the date for the examination of the Colonial Bank liquidators on their own application m reference to the matter.

The Greymouth Case.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Hokitika, March 27 At the Supreme Court this morning the case of Geogehan v (Jreymouth and Port Elizabeth Coal Company was continued. The evidence of John Moselty, a miner, w»s given, to the effect that the mine managers and deputies were all careful and experienced men, and had the full confidence of the miners. He attributed the disaster to a fall m the old workings forcing gas m on the lights. The next witness called was Mr Lintop, mine manager, Wes'port. His {ex amination will probably last all day, the evidence given being expert evidence as to the probable effect of fire damp and coal dust explosions.

OBITUARY

Mr J. 1). lance.

CiraisTCHracH, March 29. Mr J. D. Lance, of Horaley Downs, who contested the Superintendence of Canter bury with Mr William Sefton Moorehouse m 1866, and eat m several Parfiaments, died suddenly at Highfield, Amuri, on Sunday night.

FOOTBALL.

Preso Association—By Electric Telegraph

Wellington, March 29. The English Rugby Union has reversed the decision of the New Zealand Appeal Committee, and has allowed Otago the try claimed m the match against Canterbury By this Otago wins.

CYCLING.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright. Melbourne, March 29. The time of the Mile Australasian j JiampioDßhip w»l 2mic iSJeec, J

CABLE NEWS.

Horns and Foreign.

Presa Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.

Imperial Parliament.

London, March 27. In the House of Commons Mr A. J. Baifour challenged Mr Morley's as sertion that the country condemned the Government, and demanded a test vote instead of persistent hilling criti cism of fragments of their policy.

Mr Gladstone.

The Queen had an audience of Mr Gladstone at Cannes.

Archbishop of Dublin,

The Archbishop of Dublin is ill and reported m a serious condition.

The Jameson Raid.

Before the Transvaal Committee Dr Jameson gave evidence that he did not receive instruction to move on the Rand. He acted on his own judgment and never doubted the success of the undertaking. He personally ordered the maxims and ammunition. He frequently talked to Lord Rosrnesd, but did not inform him of his inten tions, knowing if he succeeded he would be forgiven.

Wood Paving.

Mr Bichards, City Surveyor ot Sydney, who ia visiting England, has induced the Lincoln Oity Council to order £3000 worth of New South Wales blackbutt blocks for wood pav ing purposes instead of Western Aus tralian kauri blocks as intended. He has been invited to advise the Edin burgh City Council as to the merits of New South Wales and Western Atti tralian hard woods.

The Log of the Mayflower.

The custodian of the British Museum has granted Mr Bayard the manuscript of the log of the pilgrim ship Mayflower to transmit to America.

London Rank of Australia.

March 27. The House of Lords' Committee require that the London Bank of Australia Bill shall provide that the difference between the new and old ratas of interest remain an obligation which must be satisfied before divi dends are paid to any shareholders.

The French Soudan.

Paris, March 26. In the Chamber of Deputies M, Lebon stated that as a result of the recent French expedition to Central Africa, the French Soudan had been linked to Dahomey.

The Cuban Revolt.

Madrid, March 28. Senor Oanovas, the Premier, assert! that the campaign against the Cuban insurgents is being brought to a close.

Payment of Members.

Berlin, March 28 The Reichstag has adopted payment of members.

New Canadian -Tariff.

Ottawa, March 26. A new tariff has been introduced by Mr Laurier, the Premier, giving Great Britain preference.

Annexation of Hawaii.

Washington. March 28 The Hawaiian delegates visiting Washington asked President McKinley to annex Hawaii to America.

Australian.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraphs- Copy right. Mutual life of Australasia. Sydney, March 29. At a meeting of the Mutual Life Sociefy of Australasia the report was adopted. It expressed satisfaction at the substantial progress made, the new business exceeding any previous year. New policies, representing £677,000, and producing annual premiums amounting to £18,000. were issued during the year. The sum of £10,500 was written off the investments, making £42,800 for the last four years. Messrs Dickenaon and Brunker were re-elected Directors.

LORD SALISBURY.

Press Association -By Electric Telegraph—* Copyright. Paris, February 28. Le Temps, referring to the tialisbury- Hanotaux interview, expresses itßelt highly gratified at the resumption of direct relations between France and England. London, March 29. M BlowUz, the Paris correspondent of The Times, telegraphs that as the result of the interview between T^ord Salisbury and M. Manoiaux, the Tunis and Madagascar questions were ar ranged. It was considered that the position of kiaa: required cautious treatment. Egyptian affairs were not discus cd. The attitude of both states men was identical with, regard to Greece and Turkey.

Mr Chamberlain on the Transvaal.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright,

;[ London, March 28. I At the farewell bacquet to Sir Alfred Milner, the new Governor of Oape Colony, Mr Chamberlain m the coarse of a speech said he hoped Transvaal would realise that it was its duty to fulfil the terms of Convention entered into with Britain, and would m time extend the hand of fellowship to foreigners. Tbe country aupported the British Government m its determina tion to maintain the integrity of the Convention, and the position of Britain as the paranaout power m South Africa, The aspiration for a federation of the State.B of South Africa under Dutch influence was incompatible with the highest British interests. The South African League cabled to Mr Chamberlain declaring that insis tence upon the terms pf the Transvaal Convention was absolutely essential. Reports from South Africa state that the native rebellion! m JBechoana> !and is spreading.

THE ASHBUETON GtlAßDlAtf : TUESDAY, MAKOH 30, 1897,



1 Keatino's Pqwseb destroys bugs, fleas, anths, beetles, and all other insects, whilst gui c h-rmlese to domestic animals, fa xterminating beetles the success of this powder ia extraordinary. It is pet foot lj oiean m application. Sea the artiole jroa purchase is Keatug's, as imitations ar« uoriool and ineffftOtii'U, Sold m tins, 6d, If *uj 2 64 «Mb, by tl Qbewiiti



Synopsis of Nbw Advertisements. N Z. Clothing Factory—New adyb. Acclimatisation Society—Annual dinner. Mitchell & Turner—New wanted. T. Bullock—Shop to let, Arcade. T. Bullock—£47 for two acres land. Gorae Grubbing—Tenders invited. Henry Zander—Large atock guvs, &c. Coursing Club— Annual meeting. W. H. Colliei—Two new wanted?, Messrs Friedlander Bros are advertising tha Massey-Harris bicye'es, and announce that an expert is now m attendance prepared to teach ladies free of charge, bub only for the next week, so no time is to be lost.



Holi.oway's Ointment and Pills— Health's Defences. None save the strongest can with impunity pass through tha sudden transitions from wet to dry, from culd to muggy weather so prevalent during the autumnal and early winter months. Influenz* bronchitis, cough, sere throat, or quinsy will ■ttack those most watchful of their health ; but. they can readily arrest any of these complaints by rubbing Holloway's Ointment twice a day upon the &kin over the affected parts, and by assisting its corrective action with appropriate doses of his Pills. This well-known, safe, and easy mode of tieat ment efficiently protects the invalid both from present and future danger without weakening or even disturbing the system m the slightest degree.



Public Notices. NEW ZEALAND Clothing 1 Factory. /~\ PEN ING UP NEW GOODS EVEBY WEEK. SO Empty Packing Cases For Sale, Cheap. 5? g » r£ U h 5 OB I § °i S lIIpI s |l s § s a y~~\ Kf S GO ENCHANTED SWING. THE GREATEST SCIENTIFIC ILLUSION OF THE AGE. mHE ENCHANTED SWING haß beeo X erected on the site opposite the SALVATION ARMY BARRACKS, OPEN WXWi SATURDAY AFTERNOON at 2.30. Admission— Sixpence.



MEN'S AND BOYS' HATS. HATS. HATS. f*r\ DOZEN FELT HATS ALMOST GIVEN AWAY. "■""""""""*U»"™" IW"11""" A GRAND SUCCESS. MITCHELL & BRODRIBB'S T^ABRXO AND PRINT SALE being such a Grand Success, we have decided to hold it FOR TWO WEEKS, A GREAT HAT SALE. ?r\ DOZEN MEN'S. gA DOZEN BOYS]'. Men's Soft Pelt Hats 2s 6d s worth 5s Boys' Soft Pelt Hats Is 6d, worth 3s 9d Men's Hoft Felt Hats 3a 6d, worth 6a 6d Boys' Soft Pelt Hats 2s 6d, worth 4s 9d Men's Soft Felt Hats 4s 6d, worth 7s 6d Men's Soft Felt Hats 5s 6d, worth 8^ 9d Men's Soft Felt Hats 6s 6d, worth 10s 6d Men's Soft Felt Hats 8a 6d, worth 12s 6d EVERY AR'IIULE m the Clothing and Mercery Departments equally Cheap, so as to clear the shelvesffor the NEW GOODS expected by the end of 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, Prints, Brilliants, Cambrics from 8s lid per dozen, worth double Flannelettes for Dressing Gowns and Home Blouses is lid dozen, half price Trimmed and untrimmed Hats, Aprons, Blouses, Veilings, Ribbons, etc., at half coat BOOTS AND SHOES—the Best value m the trade BOFT FORGET THE GREAT HAT SALE AT MITCHELL & BRODRIBB'S THE CENTRAL CASH DRAPERY MART, NEXT TO J, ORR Is CO., SAST STREET, ASEBURTW



= ust!.l!iTj: -Notices, LOOK OUT. G. J. NEILL —IS' SELLING— Table Damask at Is per yard Twill Sheeting, 2 yards wide, white or grey, 9Jd Turkish Towels, 6d each Oretoane. 3fd Flannelettes, 2s lid per dozen G. J. N EILL I s S BLLING- Men's Heavy Tweed Suits at 21s 6d, wonderful value] Boys Suits, 4s lid Men's Tweed Trousers, 5s lid BOOTS. BOOTS. , Mea'i Nail SHOOTERS 7s lid. Women's SHOES 4s lid Men's BLUCHERS 4s lid. Women's Lace SHOES 4s lid The Gheapest Boots m Ashburton are to be got at G. J. NEILL'S, FRIEDLANDER'S CORNER, EAST STREET. f~<g«^^^^^jdß^ STEAM CARRIAGE FACTORY, jFttMK&W^ F. AND HOEHr R°STEEL BEG to announce to the inhabitants of Ashburton and surrounding district that they have taken over the Business ao long carried on by J. R. STEEL, and hope by Strict Attention to Business, Good Workmanship, aud Moderate Charges, to merit a fair ■h»re of Patronage. Coachbuilding Department— This Department will have our personal supervision and to all who require a new Vehicle of any description, or their old one repaired, we can guarantee satisfaction if they place their order with us. > , Painting and Trimming— Now is the time to have your traps put into good order by having them well painted, and our workmen are m the front rank of their profession, and the material used is the very best. Ironwork Department— We are prepared to quote prices for all kinds of ironwork, and to supply or repair Agricultural Implements of every description. Shoeing Department— In this as m all other parts of our business we will give satisfaction to our customers, and if you want j our horse shod by practical and skilled workmen, send it *IOngbOviOT(>RIAN SHOEING FORGE. F. AND H. STEEL, PROPRIETORS, WEST STREET, ASHBURTON. 2 34 AUTUMN AND WINTER NOVELTIES. GEAND SPECIAL DISPLAY | at ; MITCHELL & TURNER'S. MANTLE*— MILLINERY JACKETS WATERPROOFS CLOAKS FUR BOAS CAPES UNDERCLOTHING IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT TO LADIES,— IN PURSUANCE of oar policy m keeping our Business well to the tront, we have decided to add a FIRST-CLASS DRESSMAKING DEPARTMENT to our Katabliahraent. We have secured the cervices of Miss Hill, a lady of unquestioned ability, who brings with her credentials of the highest order from MKSSRS W. STRANGE & CO., m whose Workrooms she has been engaged for over seven yeaes. Our object is to supply our Customers with Stylish and Well-made COSTUMES at a Moderate Price, and every possible effort will be given to make our NEW DEPARTMENT an unqualified success. We have already booked a number of Orders, and expect a very full season. Miss Hill will be pleased to receive intending Patrons on and after FRIDAY,' March 26. MITCHELL AND UENEB, TANOEED STREET.