DEATH.

Stacker.—On Murch 25bh, at the residence of her mother (Mrs W. H. Bell) Maby Ellen, third daughter of the late William Stalker. Aged23yara.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1897. TRIAL BY JURY.

The faith of the people of this colony in that palladium of British liberty, trial by jury, will receive a rude shock, if we have many more such examples of the manner in which it operates, as are presented by two recent important trials at Auckland and Wellington respectively. In the former, that of Carroll, indicted for the dastardly offence of inflicting grave personal injury by vitriol throwing, there was bo dispute as to the fact that the vitriol had been thrown, and the injury in flicted, and that the accused was the man guilty of the ofience. Yet, in face of all this, one jury is unable to agree on & verdict and discharged, and a second jury returns a verdict of ac quittal,and is applauded for doing so by the spectators in a crowded court. We confess that the action of the jury, as well as that of the public, is to us perfectly incomprehensible j for what ever may have been public opinion as to any provocation Oarroll may have received, the oath of the jurymen bound them to return a verdict in ac cordance with the evidence as to fact, and it was for the judge, and not the jury, to decide as to the degree of punisbmenr, substantial or nominal, which ought to be inflicted in view of all the attendant circumstances. In the other case, that of the Petone murders, we admit that the verdict of! guilty took us completely by surprise. So doubt there was a host of sus picious circumstances in connection with Bosher's conduct; but the evi dence against him was absolutely and exclusively circumstantial, and it is beyond question that the records of the past furnish numerous in stances in which a much more damnatory array of suspicious cir cumstances has subsequently been discovered to have been nevertheless capable of satisfactory explanation. When it is remembered that at the opening of the sittings the Judge con-! sidered the case so weak that he suggested to the Grand Jury the pro priety of throwing out the bill, it is marvellous to find that the trial re suited in what appears to have been from the first, after the case had been remitted to them, almost complete unanimity on the part of the jury in favor of a conviction. We do 'tiot know whether it is possible to adduce any further evidence either for or against the prisoner; but if it be possible, then certainly an application should be made to the Appeal Court to grant a new trial. Thie t however, may, even in such case, not prove to be uecet-sary, aa the Goveinor-in-Oouncil (now the Chief Justice) has himself power to take action. Section 417 of the Criminal Code provides that "if . , . the Governor-in-Oouncil en tertains a doubt whether such person ought to have been convicted, he may, instead of remitting or coromnting the sentence, after such enquiry as he thinks proper, direct a new trial, at such timp, and before such Ooui't^aahe may think proper." We shall not be surprised if Sir James Prendergast should taic.s action in this direccion, bat if not, then in Flew of what occurred in the somewhat similar case of Qheirns; we are strongly of opinion that the Executive »bo»ld consider of the propriety of recommending the commutation of the death sentence upon a man whom, we are persuaded, j public opinion generally by na means i regards as having bepn conclusively proved guilty. There is a doubt in the minds of thousands, and in view of that doubc we certainly thinjc the sentence should be reduced to one of penal servitude.

I Referring to South African affairs, a writer in the London Times remarks

1 TRMSVAAL INTRIGUE.

tjmt for the moment the extreme Afri kander party in in disfavour at the

Oape. It is accused of encouraging disloyalty to the Imperial connection ; and Sir James Seivewrxght, speaking on a puMic occasion the other day, found it necfS.ary to give a pointed warning to the neighbouring Republics that " the Oape Colony would not tolerate " their conduct in sending " emissaries to propagate Republicanism and instil poison into the minds of the Oape Boers in order to prevent their being loyal subjects of the Queen. In Bir James Seivewright's position as a re sponsible member of the Oape Ministry such language was very strong. In addition to fcfce accusation of endeavour ing to subvert the loyalty of the Oape Dutch the oTJ«b graver accusation has also been brought against the Transvaal of endeavouring to incite the natives of the British colonie3 to rebellion. It is within the knowledge of responsible authorities that auch incit«mept was offered in certain native districts by individual Transvaal Boers. Thfi spor adic risings which have lately declared themselves in Bechuanaland, B.asqto land, and East Grkjualand, following upon the knowledge obtained of the propaganda, have naturally tended to accentuate the sentiment of suspicion entertained upon the subject in Oape Colony. Moreover the Expulsion of Aliens Law and the Press Law carried through th,B Volksraad of the Transvaal are held to be further evidence that the policy of that Government is more and more definitely moving in the direction of isolation, and extreme Afrikander sympafchj.es are proportionately dis credited at ths Oape "

Local and General.

—<n~—««™»— ~ Reading matter on fourth page. There are 2,500 000 acres under olives in Italy, and a few acres for a family inheritance return an income for centuries. The uaual monthly meeting of the Ash burton High School Board takeß placs on s:'aecd#y, &t 2.30 p.m., at the secret try's ofiSco. [ A meeting of erediuofta in the estate of L, I F. Andrewes was held yesterday afternoon to consider the tenders which had come in for th» stock, when ib was deoided that the i time for receiving teucjera should be ex*

[ \ North End (Dunediu) resident-, whose I fowls were being rapidly killed off, set a rat 1 trap on Monday night and oaptured a ferret, which was at once despatched. The Ashburton Lawn Tennis Club play a match at Dunsandel to-morrow. The following playera will represent the Club :— Messrs C. F. Salmoud, H. H. Fooks, K. Jackson, and J. B. Mayue. The arrivals in the colony in February were 1612, the departures 1781. In February last year the figures were 1410 and 1781, the departures, curiously eucugh, being identical iv both instances. The monthly meeting of the Wesleyun Christian Endeavour Society was held on Wednesday eveniDg. The President, the Rev T. G. Brooke, gave an exhaustive essay on Babylon, after which the meeting closed. Owing to the Orange Hall being in use by the Wesleyaus to-morrow for their harvest f< stival, the sale of Mr Coe's properly, advertised by the Messrs ffriedlander to b held there, will take pace in the Arcade at two o'clock. A Middlesbrough (England)syndicate have placed on .the London market a machine that scrubs a floor, wipes it dry, and collects all slops and dirt as fast as the operator can work, while the water used may be at a temperature much higher than can be used in the case of hand labour. The Lyttelton Times says that a patient escaped from the Sunnyside Asylum at a quarter-past eleven yesterday morniug. He is oft 9ia in height, with dark brown hair and full whiskers. He wore vest and trousers of white moleskin, marked * L.A.C.' on band, a colored shirt, lace-up boots and a tweed hat, marked C. The harvest festival at the Orange Hall, to-morrow, under the auspices of the Fiem ington Wesleyan Church, promises to be a most successful affair. There is to be a public luncheon from 12 o'clock, and tea will be provided during the evening, each of these meals costing Is, and there is no charge for admission. The weekly meeting of the Star of the East Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was held in the Templar Hall on Wednesday evening, the C T., Bro Q. G. Andrews presiding. After the usual business the lodge went into harmony, a pleasant time beiug spent with comic songs and recitations, after which the meeting was closed by the C.T. Mr James Tyson (Queensland), who goes to England this year, is, as a type, the most notable of the Australians who will salute the record reign. A native of New South Wales, 6ft 4in high, seventy-four years of age, straight, hale, cheerful; never smoked, never swore, never drank, never fell in love, ami several times a millionaire. An elderly lady died at New York lately, who had a mania for travelling by steamer. She had spent a good many years going backward and forward between Kng.'and and New York, chiefly on the Luoania. She had a considerable fortune, and lef ■•. the bulk of it to officers of that steamer, the captain getting £10,000. Her daughter, who had tried to euro her of the sea-going mania, was left only £200 It is stated (says the Timaru Herald) that the New s?ealand and Australian Land Company has just completed the purchase of a large station in Queensland named Edding ton, containing 719 square miles of splendid country, capable of carrying a stock of a quarter of a million sheep, and that the company intends spending a large sum of money in artesian wells and other improve ments. What is held t6 be the largest collection ever obtained for missionary purposes by an appeal from the pulpit is the contribution made at a recent Sunday afternoon meeting held in New York under the auspices of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. This w is a sum approaching, if it did not actually reach, the total of £25,000. Among these contributions was a single gift of £10,000, by a well-known milKomare. The prize schedules of the first Poultry Show of the season on June 17, 18, and 19, under the auspices of the combined societies of Christchurch and Sydenham, hive been issued There are, exclusive of 33 selling classes, 102 exhibition classes for poultry, 97 for pigeons, and 39 for canaries. A great many of the breeds cultivated by Ashburton fanciers are fco be shown with all varieties and young and old birds together. At yesterday's sitting of the Women's Council at Chriatchurch resolutions were passed affirming aa follows :—That the age of consent should be raised to twenty-one year 3 ; that the tune during which charges of criminality maybe made be extended tofive months, and ihat it should be made illegal and severely punishable to permit any girl or young man under twenty-one years of age to be found id a house of ill-fama. The statement that the Queen has of late years Heen practically a total abstainer ia semi-official'y denied. Her Majesty drinke little v/ino, but at two o'clock lunoh—whinh really constitutes her d»pnsr—her beverage is a glass of weak Scotch whisky and minerul water ; while her favorite dish at the meal is cold rQash beef. At lute dinner Her Majesty is but a spare pater, and does little more than merely touch her' wine, There was a baby show in Sumner the other day, and the local constable was judge thereat. The deluded man's method of deciding the weighty question was sim plicity itself. He took the b.abps in hi 9 hands and assessed their avoirdupois without regard to age, the consequence being that first award went to a big lump of a fellow fifteen monha o|d. That constable ia now £«king for a transfer \ the climate dpes not suit him. Mr A. Baulch, a farmer at WarirO^ 1 Victoria, was working at a little distance from his residence on the 16th insfc,, and, in order to obcaia some shelter from the rain, he stationed himself beneath a large gum tree. He had hardly been there ft minute when the tree was struck by lightning, and he was knocked down unconscious. He remained in this state for some time. When he came to he found that the tree had completely disappeaied, all that was visible beiog some splinters, which were scattered far and wide. He escaped without injury. The Wellington correspondent of the Otago Daily Times telegraphs:—" With reference to the opening of the shooting season for native game, the date has not yet been gazetted, but I now learn that the season wiil probably open in the south on the usual date (Ist April), and in the North Island at Easter, though the Wellington Society haa recommended the months of May, June, and July." A later telegram to the Press (dated yesterday) says :—The date for the opening of the shooting season has not yet been fixed ; but it is now stated, on good authority, that it may be the 17th April for Otago and Canterbury as well as for the North Island. Residents of Kaikora (Hawke?s Bay) had an experience on Saturday afternoon on the lines of theNevertire (Australia) catastrophe of a few weeks ago, although on a smaller scale. Shortly after three o'clock the town ship was visited by a oyo one, which caused great havoc in the main street. The verandah fronting Mr Poderson's store was lifted by the wiud and carried some distance away, and the building was badly damaged. The roof of the public library was also parried away, and several small sheds were completely wrecked. Huge willow trees were* uprooted, and fences blown down. Great consternation prevailed amongst the inhabitants, and a feeling of general relief was experienced when the cyclone passed on. Messrs F. and H. Steel have just finishe 1 to the order of Mr R. F. Uoria, a handsome new gig of light but substantial construc tion. The body is of deep coal black, and the syhepis and shafts of vermilion, lined in black. The i<xle is a Collings, and the springs are Dennett's.' The seats are up holstered in bluck bather, and are movable for balance, and have a driving box: and cu?hioa. Behind is a capacio s luggage basket, so ihat a fair load of light impedi menta can be earned, The fittings of thjs gig are all silver mounted, and altogether the turnout reflects credit on the bvildors. The gig is one of a serip-i of five for which the firm has orders on hand, and it is satiß f.ictory to know that the people of the gounty »re so well patronising their own local tradesmen, whose productions well compare, both for work and material, witij any hing made in the city, while the prices are lower.

THE GERALDINE FIRE.

Charge of Arson

Ab the Magisterial enquiry into the late fire at Webber's store, Geraldiue, Webber deposed that he purchased the stock for £934 at 12s in the £ cash, and began bubi ness on the 25th of February He returned to the shop in the evening, lit two lamp-, and was carrying a lamp from the office to the drapery side of the shop when the hanging loop came out and the lamp fell, and the oil ran over the floor. The wick ignited the dust-curtain over the drapery shelves. He tried in vain to put out the fire, but bad nothing to smother it with. He put out the other lanip and ran out to give the ;.larm. He met two men outside, and asked them to ring the bell, and then called the neighbours. One neighbour stated that Webber was smoking when he I called him; another, Mr Pearpoint, late owner of the Bhop, went with Webber to the shop and went in. He saw two fires, one near the door and one at the back. He threw abucket of water on the former and practically put it oub. He drew Webber's attention to the second fire, and Webber told him to come ouc or he would be suffo eated. He went out for another bucket of water, when Webber pulled the door to, locking it, and took out the key and ran away. When called he said he was going to hurry up the Brigade. When the Brigade arrived in a very short time the fire was all through the shop. The jury found that the fire w*s wilfully caused by Webber, who was ai rested and reminded till Tuesday. [Webber is well-known in Ashburton, having at one time been in charge <>i the New Zealand Clothing Company's establish ment.

THE QUEEN'S CELEBRATIONS.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph. Wellington, March 25 The members of the European and Maori contingent are to be supplier! with Kharkee uniforms. The collar of the coat is to be maroon color, and similar material is to be used to ornament the cuffs. Etch man wiil bo provided with two pairs of trousers, one pair of Bedford cord for riding purposes, and the other of Kharkee cloth for use when off duty. Kach is to have maroon stripes down the sides. The headgear is to consist of a soft) hat. Leggings will be supplied to each man.

The Petone Murders

Presa Association—By Electric Telegraph Wellington, March 25 Mr Wilford, Bosher's counsel, at the request of the prisoner, obtained an inter view with the condemned man to-day. It is understood that the question of lodging an appeal was discussed.

The Short Session.

The Press Association telegraphed last night from Wellington :—lt is understood that it has been practically decided, though it is not officially announced, to hold a short session, beginning on Monday week.

Christian Endeavour Convention.

The half-yearly convention of the Ash burton County Christian Endeavour Societies was held in the Presbyterian Church on Thursday evening. Te* was partaken of at half-paat five, ami a prayer meeting was held at seven o'clock. The public meeting, which began at half-past seven, wis opened with prayer'by the president, the Rev. J. Olphert. Greetings from the King-land, (Auckland) Wealoyaa Christian Endeavour Society, and their motto " For Christ and the Church," were received through Miss Olphert, who was asked to convey the greet ings of the convention to that society whon she returned. Tho greetings of the conven tion were also sent to Mr VV. G. Murray, who was absent through illness. A Bible reading wa« given by the Primitive Methodist Society from Romans 12. I heir motto was " Jesus * nly " .md their hymn, •' I could not <lo without thee.' Miss Addis gave an interesting address on " What we become in Christ." The Wesleyan Soc ety had for their motto, " Watch ye, stand f>.s f)in the futh, quit you like men, be strong," and their hymn "0 Christ in Thee." Miss Hopwood gave an addres> on "Love, 5" shuw ir>g Ihe necessity of having a Christlike fellowship with one another. The Rev. R. J. Murray, ex-president of the Wellington Christian EndeuV' ur Union, gave an address on the "The true proof of Friendship." A solo from **ankey was given by Miss Steel. The motto of the Presbyterian Socieiy was " Beloved, as He so loved us, we shall love one another'? and their hymn " Marching on." An address on '" Every day religion " was given by the Rev. G. B. Inglis. Several of Sankoy's hymns were sung during the evening, the orgtni t being Miss Dodds. The benediction having been pronounced by the Rev. T. G. Brooke, the meeting closed.

Opals at Rangitata.

The following is from to-day's Lyttelton TitffAt :—'As two shearers were trampiug from one Bhed to another in the Rangiiata district they came on an outcrop of atone, and ou< • -•-« -hearers, who had just arrived from oi lu^ . w| k working on Queeneland, and who «... "•*-"«** «f? the opjj.l fields there, immediately pi« nounced the stone to be what they called "young ' pal," found on the surface of a reef. So much was he impressed with it that he brought samples to Ashburton, and some stone was forwarded to Christchurch for analysis. Professor Bickerton considered that it was opal, and although not of the precious variety, yet indicating that in all probability the precious stone would be found in the vicinity. A small syndicate was then formed, and the two men have, been prospecting for some two or three weeks; but owing to the bad weather and the very inaccessible nature of the country have not made very much headway, although they have now located the head of the reef, and intend driving into the lull.

SOUTH RAKAIA.

From Our Own Correspondent

SWIMMING. At the Domain on Wednesday evening the swimming season may be said to have closed. Boys' races asunder were swum for trophies given by Mr Hardy :—25 Yards—E. Cordner 4 ec, 1 ; W. Cromie, ssec, 2. Nine others competed, but were so close in finishing to the first two that they could notbe separated, which speaks well for the handicappers. 50 Yards-S. Qxley, Isec, 1j C. May, ssec, 2 ; E. Cordner, 4sec, 3. Two othera also started, and were close up at the finish. LICENSING COMMITTEE. The election on Wednesday caused no excitement As a matter of fact v< ry few people in the district knew anything abut it, excepting the prohibitionists, who have been working round for some time. The election was never advertised in our local pipers, nor in the Lyttelton Times, and only very seldom in the Otiristchurch Press. Con sidering that as fir as population is con cerned this district is the larg-st in the Selwyn electorate, the returning officer might have "exercised his privilege and given due notice of the contest. THE SKASON. The weather keeps very dry, and the wind in ihe nor'west. Feed is very short, and there is but a poor ook-out for the winter. The heavy thunderstorm passing over Chertsey on Sa urday cleared us in Rakaia, without a drop of rain.

KASPAR'S WALLET.

A very good story ia told in connection with the licensing election on Wednesday last. At a place not a hundred miles from Ashburton there were congregated a number of Prohibitionists and one or two of the moderate pirfcy. Mr ■ of the prohibi tion party, descanting upon the awful results of drink, s-aid, "Look at young— — of __ i naming a email plaoe not far away. Poor young fellow, two yearß ago he was in an awful st-ite, and a doctor had to be called in, and he had a very bad illneßS through drink. He used to be a fine young fellow too." As it happened the " fine young fellow " referred to, unknown to the speaker, wa3 standing close by him. He turned quickly on the speaker wi'.h "you're an (adjective) liar. lam the person you have spoken about, and I never had an illness nor a doctor to attend to me a 8 you aay, and I think I am a good enough bloke for you." The speaker's fists twitclud ominously as he spoke. For a moment or two there was a solemn silence, and a look of confusion and embarresment on at least one of the party's countenance, but as the traduced one was a tiroad - shouldered, healthy - looking young fellow di-cretion was thought the better pan of valor, Moral —First, be sure of your facts, and then take care to know who is at your elbow when you are speaking of any one.

A medical authority recently gave a scientific explanation of the phenomenon of " seeing snakes," which is one of the re?ul<s of excessive alcoholism—-that explanation being thab certain veins or arteries in the eyes are unduly distended and throb with a .wavy motion, and thai the patieut seeing these is under the belief that he sees snake*. Be that as it may, however, it is certain that c.rcumetances may arise under which the idea of seeing snakes is traceable to other causes than incipient D T's. As for example, up in Marlborough a party went out eeling the other night and had the misfortune when returning home, to lose one of their bags of eela. After falling from the trap the bag gave wt»y at the mouth, and the occupauts paraded round the streets. Pre sent y a wanderer returning home from a soc al party came In contacc with the strange adventurers. When in (he midst of the lot he commenced sinking right and left, at the same time calling out at the top of his voice "snakes," '"snakes." The residents all around were aroused by his cries and going to his rescue they were surprised to find the whole place strewn with eels.

Here is an amusing story which is credited to a Westralian correspondent:—A man got " one month hard" in an inland mining town, and was appointed groom to her M jesty. He wore ordinary clothes, no broad arrow visible—and was well connected {i.e., chained up) at night. While grooming away, a new arrival came up and looked on ; they exchanged words, the new chum remarking that grooming was an old game of his on the other Bide." *' Do you want a job ?" inquired the prisoner. The new arrival said he did. ". Well, you can start now, said the prisoner, handing him the brush and comb After he had rubbed down several horses, the police sergeant came out, and enquired surprisedly: " What are you doing here, my man?" "The boss has put me on grooming," said the new man. " Which bass ?" asked the sergeant. " That one there, he said, pointing to a man asleep under a mulga tree. •• Why, he is a prisoner!" exclaimed the sergeant. And the new groom left, thinking it was the closest shave he ever had to being in gaol.

It is always refreshing to read of the successful bowling-out of a, swindler and the following instance will be highly appreciated by those among our readers who in their time have been "had" ia connection with mining ventures A young Englishman travelling in Mexico became acquainted with one Don Mmuel who represented to him ihe immenso value of a certain silver mine with which circumstances competed him to part. The Englishman was, however, advised to a-e the mine and judge for himself. The two men were accordingly lowered a short distance into the shaft, and the Englishman was ao pleas.'d wiih the appe^ranpe of the ore that he gave his eh' que for half the purchase price. Later he felt inclined to explore his iuvcs'ment further, and going aiong alone to the mine hired an Indian in the vicinity to lower the c;ge. He speedily •liscovercd that the mine was full of water. Putting into immediate action a plan of repriail, he sought Don Manuel, and expressed hia desire to visit the shaft again, to which the Mexican reluctantly yielded. The Indian was again hired to lower the cage, Don Manuel, at the Englishman's rpqueat, he giving the lequisite instructions. The l'nlishman then poliiely motioned to the older m«n to ! c seated. Hardly had he done s > when the ludifin, in obedience to a gesture from his patron, began to turn the windlass. In vain Don Manuel Untreated >nH threateuel, till the sound of his voice ome but faintly from far below. Then the cage was drawn up to within a few feet of t\v surface, and the Englishman demanded of its drenched occupant the surrender of his cheque. Evidently the young man meant business, aud without a word, Don Manuel yielded. " Now yon can come out. I hope you have not taken a chill t" said the Englishman courteously.

To the curiosities of nomeuaUture there is no cmi Writing on this subject a contem porary paragjjaphist says :—ln one of the • busiest thoroughfares in Boston there is a i sign which reads, " Coal and Wood, dealers in Wopd and Ooal;" and in the United ' Sates generally there is a kind of reckless, ness in the matter of names which puts al -*-wJna to be fo«ad so this country quTteiS'th; shade, For instance, th«™ ™ a lady in Salem, Massachusetts, who rejoiced in the cognomen of Preserved Bullock; whilst Preserved Salmon was once a well-to do Jersey merchant- Then, a Philadelphia lawyer is named Shellem and another Jawyer of the same famous city of genius bears the name of Honestman. And the mayor of a town in Ontario, which had just been honored by a visit from the Canadian Pre mier, in hia capacity of Minister of Trade and Commerce, signalised the occasion by naming the twins with which his wife had just presented him "Trade" and "Com merce J" Even in England there are some fnnay names, such as those of the pair of twins, born in 1877, who were christened Peter the Great and William the Conqueror Moreover, baptismal registers verify the fol lowing names :—Christmas Carroll, Mineral Waters, Wild Rose, Ether Spray, Boadioea Bashor, Jubi.ee Gosling, Orange Lemon, and Laughing Waters.

"Two Parisian ladies have taken to taming butterflies. A gentleman, recently returned from ABia, happened to briqg the young ladies some rare specimens as souvenirs of the Crip^ |?ach young kdy has about fifty in her collection, and it is marvel lous how tame the creatures have become. | (Jpon the entrance of their mistress they fly I to greet her, parching upon her shoulders, heart, and fiager tips. They have been most serviceable as studies for all kinds of art work, painting them on the wing and in groups, when embroidering, and wheu repro ducing their gorgeous hues in oil. The buttei flies have shown themselves very sus ceptible to the charm of music." The fore going haa been going the rounds of the newspapers, and I confess fio having beeu sceptical aa to its probability, or even possi bility, as I was under theimpiesßioa that al buttei flies were very ephemeral creatures, and that their life in the winged stage of , their existence lasted only a few hours. However, I find that, I was wrong, and that the story may possibly be quite true, my aut ority being the very excellent one of Mr W. W. Smith, the superintendent of the Ashburton Domain, who ie one of the first eutomologicil experts soffth' of the line. In reply to my query on the subject that gentleman writes:—" The story re tamed >.nd performing butterflies should bs taken cum g ratio sails. In their natural state some species of Asiatic butterfiieß live for several months during the spring and summer, am' after laying eggs they die. In a few days 'he eggs hitch and produce what is known aa the autumn brood of a dimorphic species The later brood hibernate and teappearl e^rly spring. Most species of butterflies found in all c imttes live sufficiently long to enable anyone so inclined to " tame" them. The question of their being captured in Asia , and taken alive to Paris aud afterwards " tamed "is extremely doubtful. It <s more probable that the ohrysaiedeß were oolleoted I

in Asia, and gent to be hatched in Paris, The story is like many more which originate from the {esthetic tastes and fancies of Parisian ladies."

The last of the Gretna Green postboys hat met with a sad death at Carlisle. While • leaning the windows of a bank he lost hia balance and fell to the ground, sustaining • ..juries from which he died. His name was J hn Howe, seveuty-seven years of age, and be was, so far as ia known, the last sur vivor of those Gretna Green postboys of whose adventure* in the daya of runaway marriages many tales have been told. Howe was in those days ' on the strength ' of the posting establishment of the Bush hotel at Carlisle, which was one of the most noted places on the road from the south to the Scottish hymeneal altar at Gretna Green. He was when a lad a contemporary in the Bu-h stables of Jack Ainslie, one of the most celebrated of the class. Of Jack' Ainslie the story is told that upon one occasion he befriended a runaway couple front London, who were disposed to be rather dilatory in their movements. He bad driven them towards Gretna, bufon arriving at Loßgtown they stopped short and lent Jack back to Carlisle, saying they were tired, and would have dinner before com pleting the journey across the Border. Jack, who was well experienced in sucl matt' rs, advised them to lose no time, am rather reluctantly returned to the Built, fie had not been home long when he mm the mother of the lady he had left ac Long town drive up to the Bush door, accom panied by a Bow street officer. Jaok, wh< had always a friendly feeling toward fugitive lovers, took in the situation at glance While horses were being ohangw he quietly took a saddle horse oat of th stable and galloped off towards Longtown t warn his patrons They hurried into I chaise and continued their journey towardi Gretna G een with all due speed. The had not proceeded far when the sound o the wheels of the carriage of the pursuer was heard. Jack Aiuslie, seated on th box, was quite equal to the emergency. YL\ drove his pair of lovers behind a thiol hedge, and through this leafy soreen the] had presently the satisfaction of seetn ' Mamma' hurry past at full speed in he hopeless pursuit of her runaway daughter While she was continuing her quest as fa as Annan Jack drove the daughter and he lover quietly to Gretna Green, and had thei married by the ' blacksmith' of that il without further * nonsense.' The bridgt groom was killed at Waterloo next year. Kabfah

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Frees Association—By Electric Telegraph Mrs Seddon. Christghurch, March 26. Mrs Seddon arrived to-day and w» welcomed by the local members and th Womens Social and Political League. Mr Seddon, acknowledging the welcomt apologised for the absence ( of the Premiei She says that owing to the Hob. M MeKeczie's ill health and the necessity to dealing this week with the question of M Seddon's going home he could not, much t his regret, come to-day. The Minister f< Public Works also arrived to day. Educational Reform. Dpnedxn, March 26 Mr Mark Cohen, in a valedictory addrei to the Education Board, urged the Board being entrusted with the enforcement of th compulsory clauses, and the Board supply ing readers and text books to Committees a prime cost, as a first step towards free tex books, which should belong to the Bchoo.li He counselled the Minister convening durin the recess a Conference of Boards, oye which he hiniself should preside, with a viet to introducing legislation making the Systet truly national, and making amendmw proved necessary by past experience,

CABLE NEWS. Australian.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph-* Copyright. Stockton Colliery Enquiry. Sydney, March 25 At the Stockton colliery enquiry charges of not making proper provisioi to prevent noxious gases escaping info the workings, and after the first expio si'on allowing the exploring party U endanger their lives by going into th( aassy district against the air current notwithstanding that they were wamec by the Inspectors, were belcl to \|f proved. Mr Justice Backhouse adjudge* McOauliffieand McDonald equtllygujltj of gross negligence and carelessness, am ordered^ the cancellation of their certi ficates, j Telegraphic Interruption, x There is a prospect of further delay on aecqunt of the cable interruption, the latest advices received here show ing that the Malta and Alexandria lines are etill interrupted, and there ia great pressure of business on the Indo- European Mnes, while the Persian route also reports that it is blocked, The Tick Plague, Brisbane, March 25. Reports from the tick-infested dia- j tricts show that there is a satisfactory diminution of the pest, Tiic Sew Guinea Goldiieltlg Many miners are returning from th« : New Guinea g'oldfields, prostrated by fever. Fumbers "have died. A f#f were g< feting good gold, but the majority very little, Violent Wind Storm A violent wind and hailstorm at Oskloy Cre^k unroofed many houses, and cans- d consideiablegeneralcjamage, the hail Sying en the ground two |se| deep. Pushing* Queensland. The Government are sending Mr jOurnow, ex-Commissioner of Railways, and the Re:. G. Buchanan, to Eng land as lecturers, with a view to inducing settlers to come fco Queens land. They are also sending- com mercial agents to Germany and America to develop trade with those countries.

ACPIONS FOR SLANDER.

Press Association—By Electric Telegwph— Copyright. Sydney, March $3 Two interesting actions?, in wbi§h Alfred Webb, manager g£ the Elleralie station, claims £2000, and Mias Lar pent, his adopted daughter, £5000 damages f-om Oyril Darcy Leaver, Webb's nephew, for alleged slanderg, are proceeding. Trie ase for pla n tiffs shows that whila Leaver wa» stay ing at Ellerslie he became engaged t'd Miss Larpeotj but they quarrelled an | the engagement was broken off. Leave^ left the station and subsequently vrotp letters to Webb and Miss Larpefit'f father containing insinuations ing the moral relations between th§ plaintiffs. These letters form tbp grounds of the action. Thp evidence brought to light the fact thafc Miss Larpent's presenca at Bllerslie led to Mrs Wsbb separating from her husband, he agreeing to make her an allowance Leaver recently inherited £50,000 in England.

the Ashburton gUahuian: friday, makch 26, 1897.



A*nt t* foil." WotlM'r i Germany Mr Jacob Es-bensen, who is in the employ 0 the Chicago Lumber Co., at Dcs Moinex, lowa, says i ' I have just sent some medicine b>ck to my mother in the Did Country, that 1 know from persona! use to be the bes medicine in the world for rheumatism, having used it in my family for several years. It is called Chamberlain's Pain Balm. It always does tha work.' For sale by Asa burton Dauo Compact.'



from all accounts Chamberlain's Cough Remedy is a godsend to the afflicted. There is no advertisement about this ; we feel just like sayiug it.— The D mocrat Carrollton, Ky For sale by Ashbu^on Prug Com vmvt ■■■ ; ■ ■ ■"'-" ■'• (



PUBLIC NOTICE. l GKAND SHOW OF NEW GOODS I AT THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. /-\UR MR HENDRY haa returned from Dunedin with the GHOICEST LOT OF NEW GOODS ever seen in Ashburton. NEW HATS NEW SHIRTS NEW TIES HALLEN STEIN BEOS. < * o r^ wot >h rac W !3 g <\ 83 S <1 » U & 5 op GC ;g^O iz; g o ifi^ii Ss O "511 02s I S s^l i^ 3 pq Dr Wilhehn Morris, PHYSICUM Erlangen (Bavaria), 1884; State Exam. Munich, 1888; late Assistant Doctor at the University Hospital, Erlangen; late Military Surgeon, Leipzig, 1889, HAS COMMENCED PRACTICE AT ASHBURTON, And may be consulted from THURSDAY 11th inst., AT HIS RESIDENCE, CORNER OF BURNETT & WILLIAM STREETS, Lately occupied by Mb C. M. Brooke Hours of attendance 9 to 11 a.m., 2to 3 and 7to 8 p.m. Sundays 9to 11 a.m. Telephone, No. 90 P.O. Box, 83.



1 ■'. ■ 11 --■' '■'■ ■ ■ — ■ — 1 MEN'S AND BOYS' HATS. HATS. HATS. p<r\ DOZEN FELT HATS ALMOST GIVEN AWAY. - M |,-,. 'A'mMi— A GRAND SUCCESS. MITCHELL & BRODRIBB'S TIABRTO AND PRINT BALE being such a Grand Success, we have decided .to hold it FOR TWO WEEKS, A GREAT HAT SALE. Pr r\ DOZEN MEN'S. KA DOZEN BOY Sj 1. Men's Soft Felt Hats 2s 6d, worth 5s Boys' Soft Felt Hats Is 6d, worth 33^9d Men's Soft Felt Hats 3s 6d, worth 6a 6d Boys' Soft Felt Hats 2a 6d, worth 4s 9d Men's Soft Felt Hats 4s 6d, worth 7s 6d Men's Soft Felt Ha's 5s 6d, worth 83 9d Men's Soft Felt Hats 6s 6d, worth 10a 6d Men's Soft Felt Hats 8a 6d, worth 12s 6d EVERY AR'IICLE in the Clothing and Mercery Departments equally Cheap, so as to clear the shelves for 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 3s 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 SHOlS—the Best value in the trade DON'T FORGET THE GREAT HAT SALE AT MITCHELL & BRODRIBB'S THE CENTRAL CASH DRAPERY MART, NEXT (EG J. QRR * CO., EA.ST- STREET, ASHBURTQN,



Business Notices, __ ______ LOOK OUT. G. J. NEILL —IS SELLING— Table Damask at Is per yard Twill Sheeting, 2 yards wide, white or grey, 9-|d Turkish Towels, 6d each Cretonne 3|d Flannelettes, 2s lid per dozen~ G. J. N EILL I s S ELLING~ Men's Beavy Tweed Suits at 21s 6d^ wonderful value] Boys Suits, 4s lid Men's Tweed Trousers, 5s lid BOOTS. BOOTS. i Men's Nail SHOOTERS 7s lid. Women's SHOES 4s lid Men's BLUCHERS 4s lid. Women's Lace SHOES 4a lid The Cheapest Boots in Ashburton are to be got at G. J. NEILL'S, FEIEDLANDER'S CORNER, EAST STREET. MELLOR'S 4ZEALANDIA' BOOT STORE. NEW LEATHERS. NEW LEATHERS. NEW LEATHERS. THE ONLY SHOP in Ashburton that is selling the Wonderful Crack proof Calf, beauiiful in appearance, and in wear practically indestruct ible- Kangaroo Calf, soft as a glove, with all the wearing propertie3 of Kangaroo. Kangaroo Kip Cow Hide, dressed on » new and improved principle, equal to the hardest wearing Kip, but as soft aud comfortable as kid skin. All these new leathers I have made up in Ladies' and Gentlemen's Boots and Shoes. They are splendid goods, and well worth a trial. Keep up to date and ask for these new goods. Every pair is guaranteed. JAMES MELLOR, ZEALANDIA BOOT STORE, ASHBURTON. i BSTiwP^EFii^l''.l''. f^l' 1 ,i.'.!.' ',i !,l I illllflflill LOWEST PRICES, J ARGE STOCKS V »UNS, CARTRIDGES, AND AMMUNITION 0! ALL KIPS, FENDERS AND FIRMKONS, LAMPS, BEDSTEADS, Etc. JOHN ORR & CO.