RAILWAY TIME TABLE.

Trains leave Ashburfcon FOR THE KQRTH every day at 7.20 a.m., 3.40 p.m , and 7.5 p.m. (express). On Mondays, Wed nesdays, and Fridays, an extra train leaves at 11.0 a.m. Trains arrive from the North "very day at 10.45 a.m., 12.48 noon (express) and 8.0 p.m. Trains leave Ashburton FOR THE SOUTH every day at 10.55 a.m , and 12 53 noon (express). Oa Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays a train leaves at 3.50 p.m.

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1897. FIGURES FROM THE YEAR BOOK.

The official year book of the colony is an annual volume for which we are indebted in the first place to the Registrar-General, Mr B. J, yon Dadelzen, who compiles it, and in the second to the Premier, under whose orders it is issued. The year book is compiled with very great care, and contains much valuable information. In fact, if a New Zealand resident desired to let a friend outside the colony know a very great deal that is worth knowing about the colony, bat which information the average oolonist does not have at his fingers' ends, he cannot do better than send his friend a year book. It was said of Maeauley, the great historian, that his know ledge, though amazingly comprehen sive, was not by any means amazingly exact. Mr Yon Dadeizen's knowledge of New Zealand is both comprehensive and exact, and his book is an enter taining and reliable shilling worth, and far more than full value for the money. Amongst a well-arranged mass of matter we select one or two subjects on which are quoted figures that ought to be of interest to some of our readers. Not every reider would note the fact that in their consumption of sugar the New Zealand people stand second in a list of twenty-five countries and colonies. South Australia con sumes per head 102.111b per annum, New Zealand 93.591b, the United Kingdom 68.991b, Argentine 50.041b. From the latter figures a big jump takes place to 29.691b, whioh is the allowance per head of Denmark, highest of the Continental countries, which gradually go down the scale till Italy tails off with 3.201b. In the consunrption of sugar all the colonies stand high, though New Zealand con sumes more than most of them, but [in tea drinking they aIJ, except Tasmania, beat our colony. The highest i tea drinking average is in Western Australia, where 10.701b per head per annum is used, Victoria follow ing with 10.011b, and New Zealand is sixth on the list with 640 lb. ,The United Kingdom reaches 4.701b, the United States 1.401b, and we go down the scale till we reach Spain with 0.01 ib. Italy, so low in sugar consumption, does not appear at al) in the tea list. In tobacco, Hol land, of all the countries and coloniea quoted, uses the largest quantity per head. It takes 6.92 ib per annum to keep the Dutchman's pipe full; while Brother Jonathan, who is supposed to use a large quantity of the weed, is content with 4.401b of it. The Aus tralian colonies, New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia all burn the soothing incense to the tune of about 3^lbs per head, while New Z°aland is content with 2031b, and Tasmania manages to rub along with 1851b. Switzerland tops the Continental consumption (sifter Hol land of course) with 3 241b, and France is jusfc two points over New Zealand at 2 051b. South Australia at 1 701b is a heavier smoker than John Bull with 1.381b, and Spain uses but I.lolb against Italy's 1.281b. Those are what teetotallers would call the smaller vices—if vices they are at all—and take but little note of them Another table will be more interesting to our temperance friends. The year book sa y S •.—" During 1895 excise duty was paid on 4,936,400 gallon 3of beer; and 201,770 gallons of beer, 435,431 gallons of spirits, and 93,138 gallons of wine were entered at the Customs for home consumption." The editor of the year-book then proceeds to give a tablewhich shovvstheconsumption per head of alcoholic liquors by the people, giving separately the proportions of beer, wine, and spirits for the last thirteen years. To the quantity of beer made in the colony in each year, on which excise duty was paid, has been added the quantity brought into consumption from imports. The follow ' ing is the table—i.e. that part of it which deals with the consumption of the white population only, or at any rate excludes the Maories from the count: —

Mr Yon Dadelzen remarks that "so considerable a reduction in the rate of consumption of t>hese liquors in the last thirteen years shoul4 give every encouragement to th/ 8 advocates of temperance principles in the prosecu tion of their work," He adds that •" it ia most satisfactory to observe how favorably the above rates of consump tion in this colony compare with those of other countries," and in proof appends a statement of the annual consumption of beer and spirits per head which shows the subjoined figures for the year 1895. The figures first following the name of the country represent gallons of beer, the next gallons of spirits :—United Kingdom, 28.74—100; South Aus tralia, 20*04—0-49 ; Germany, 1938 —0 95; Victoria, 1936-1-12; Hoi land, 19 05—2 08 ; New South Wales, 1194—1-15; United States, 1074 —, 134; Queensland, 10-23—159; Tas-! mania, 1002—0.59 ; Switzerland, 8-15 —104; New Zealand, 7 00—062; Austria-Hungary, 683—'0*63; France, 4-53~~0 85 ; Canada, 3.05 — 119 3 Sweden, g-fiS—f gp,

Suicide amoag children appears to bet phenomenally rife in Berlin. We read I

that from January 1 to September 15, 1890, 62 children,

SUICIDE AMONG CHILDREN,

46 boys and 16 girls, committed suicide in that city. Of this number, 24 had attained the age of 15, 14 their 14th year, 9 their 13th, while 7 were only 12 years of age, and 1 had not attained the age of 7. In most of the cases the immediate cause for the act remains a secret, but it is supposed to have b»:en due to excep tional severity on the part of servants or teachers.

M. Borchgbbvinck's proposal for a trip to the Antarctic regions is to rent or

buy a whaler at Home, and to leave London at the latest

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION.

at the end of Sep tember. He would take twelve fol lowers with him, including scientific men, who could be landed with the necessary huts, dogs, and provisions. He did not propose to be away more than one year, but it would be advis able to take provisions for two years. With followers, he proposed to be landed at South Victoria Land, at 76deg. S. Then he would have to go about lOdeg. of longitude westward, or about 115 English miles, and he intended to reach the south magnetic pole. It would be of great importance to navigation to make observations there. He proposed, after landing at South Victoria Land, to send the whaler back, either to Melbourne or Hobart. She could then be used for whaling purposes, and thus cover some of the expenses of the expedition. The succeeding spring the vessel could return and bring them back.

Strange stories are told of a people known as the Dokos, who live among the moist, warm THE LOWEST bamboo woods to TPYE OF the Bouth of Kaffa HUMANITY. and Susa, in Africa.

Only four feet high, of a dark olive colour, savage and naked, they have neither houses nor temples, neither fire nor human food. They live only on ants, mice and ser pents, diversified by a few roots and fruita. They let their nails grow long, like talons, the better to dig for ants, and the more easily to tear in pieces their favourite snakes. The Dokos used to be invaluable as slaves, and they were taken in large numbers. The slave hunters used to hold up bright coloured cloths as they came to the moist warm bamboo woods, where these human monkeys still live, and the poor Dokos could not resist the attractions offered by such superior people. They crowded round them, and were taken in thousands, These queer people have only one fatilt—a love for ants, mice, and serpents, and a habit of speaking to Yer with their heads on the ground and their heels in the air. Yer is their idea of a superior power, to whom they talk in this comical manner when they are dis pirated or angry, or tired of ants and snakes, and longing for unknown food. The Dokos seem to come nearest of all people yet discovered to that terrible cousin to humanity, the ape.

Local and General.

A Roman Catholic Cathedral is being built in Levuka, Fiji. Mr Ziman is floating a company to acquire the consolidated goldhelds of New Zealand. SpofForth, the one-time Australia* •' demou " bowler, is returning to Australia to take up his residence there. Sulphur ore, which comes chiefly from Tikitere, Rotorua, is now being exported by sailing vessels from Auckland to Sydney. Colonel Stuart Newall will probably take a contingent of Hew Zealand Volunteers to England for the celebration of the Record Reign. $he record egg'laying duck up Taranaki way has now deposited 170 eggs, with a break of only one day after laying the "Jlab egg- Mr Robert Nairn, of Nairn and Sons, nurserymen, Ohristchurch, has kindly con seated to act as one of the judges at the forthcoming Horticultural Show. The San Francisco mail reached Ashburton at 9 35 last night, and though a heavy one was very smartly dealt with by the Post Office employees, being sorted by ten minutes past ten. Mr and Mrs Thomas Hampton, of Mosgiel, celebrated their golden wedding on the 31st ult., having been married at the parish church at Kingswingford, Staffordshire, on 31st January, 1847. A religious sect at Orissa, in the Bengal Presidency, worship Queen Victoria as their divinity. It has been discovered thab she is also an object of worship in one of the temples at loomloong, in Tibet.

■■ The South Rakaia Road Board will buy no more small birds' eggs or heads after Thursday next, aud holders of members' orders are requested to present them to Mr Oxley, the clerk, at once for payment.

A despatch from Mr Chamberlain states that he ia prepared to advise the Queen to. confer the distinction of " Royal " upon the New Zealand Order for Bravery if after a number of years working its success should appear. There has just arrived in Lille, (Nord), a giant who is over eight feet high, Con stants, as he is called, ia a Swiss by birth, nineteen years of age. He scales 150 kilogrammes, and is reported to eat from 121b to 141b of meat per day. j Mr J C. Bell is agent for the Royal Ex change Assurance Company which under takes risks in life and marine, life and annuities. Ib is an old established Com pany, having been inaugurated in 1720, and has paid claims to the amount of £30,000,000. The Ashburton Polo Olub have accepted as satisfactory Mr C. Wynn-Williams' ex planation* in regard to handicapping at the ( recent po!o sports, and have pronounced that no reflection of any kind can be attached to him in the matter. The Lyildtan Times very properly says that the delay of the Government in regard to the petitions for clemency in the cases of Louis Chemia and Miss Flanagan amounts to absolute discourtesy which iti will not be surprised to see warmly tesented by the public. Our contemporary points out it ii,l now probable that the matter will have to stand over until after the arrival of the new Governor, We remind our readers that the annual show of the Ashburton Horticultural Society takes place on Thursday next in the Odd fellows' Hall, and that all exhibits intended for competition must be Bent in before 9 a.m. of that day. We may add that we , are informed that the unfavorable season notwithstanding, our gardeners, professional and amateur, will be able to produce an excellent display of flowers, fruit, and vegetables.

, Sir J. Hall considers there is a source of danger to New Zealand in New Caledonia, where there are some of the greatest ruffians on the face of the earth. A telegram frum Wellington states that the list of districts into which the colony is, divided for the purpose of old age pensions, seventy-three in number, is gazetted, along with regulations for the receipt of claims, che time for which has been extended to April 30. Mr Peter Gilston, addressing a temperance meetiDg at Wakefield, stated that last year, < while acting aa Mayor of Leeds, he enter tained 10,000 persons, including princes, bishops, aad judges, and did not provide a single drop of intoxicating drink for any of them. It is stated, and the statement so far has not been contradicted, that the ex-Empress of the French has willed a large sum of money to little Princess Ena of Bactenburg. Princess Ena is » handsome, nay a most Sueeuly-looking child, and a great darling of ie Queen. A policeman discovered a man helplessly drunk, in the middle of the road, fast asleep; and, after administering several kicks, managed to rouse him, remarking :■—■'• If you steep here you'll get run over." " Q dte right, old fellah, you Bhtand here and ahtop the traffic," was the reply.

Ownera of dogs in the Hinds district had better see to the good oonduot and home keeping of their charges, as Messrs D. Miller and Go,, tired of having their sheepskins ohewed, intend to lay out liver seasoned with strychnine as a fare more tempting if not so nutritive as jumbuck skin. A well-known lady of title, whose country house is not many milea distant from London, has this summer given over one of her lodges to poor hard-worked oity women and their children. The families, to whom a. change of air ia the greatest boon, come in turn and spend a fortnight at the lodge. The destruction of deer by poiohing is said to be very prevalent in the Wairarapa. The Acclimatisation Society has been in formed that in some outlying districts animals have been killed out of pure wantonness, and in others to feed dogs, but there is great difficulty in securing evidence sufficient to warrant prosecution. During a recent thunderstorm in Berlin an interesting effect on ao electric train was noticed at night. All the electric lamps inside an outside the carriages were extin guished every lime the lightning flashed, and the passengers remained a few minutes in complete darkness. Then the lamps rekindled. A Berlin engineerolaims to have discovered that _ the bicycle easily condenses the electricity of theatmosphere. la consequence he advises cyclists not to ride their machines during a atorm, except in the woods. If they are caught in a storm on a plain or near water they should stop riding, and place their machines on the ground. Mr Sheen, of Petone, says the Post, claims to have invented a serviceable flying machine, and has applied to the Oity Council for the use of the Basin Reserve for several evenings to exhibit his patent. He has also asked for permission to make a charge for admijsion to assist in defraying the expenses of patenting the machine all the world over. The Rev. C. P. Lyall, parish minister of Symington, when arrested recently for furious driving in Kilmarnock, behaved in such an obstreperous manner that four policemen had the greatest difficulty in taking him to the police station. When the case was afterwards called in court, Mr Lyall did not appear, and forfeited a pledge of 20a which he had deposited. In connection with the approaching mar riage on the 9th instant of Miss Nina McKenzie, second daughter of the Hon. J. McKenzie, to Mr Ernest Atkinson, son of the late Edward Bland Atkinson, of Oamaru, Miss McKeazie has been presented by the members of the Ministry with a magnificent oak cubinefc, containing; 100 pieces of silver plafce, suitably inscribed

Constable Drury, of Ashburton, his beeu promoted to be jailor at Timaru. Constable Drury enters upon his new duties on Feb ruary 15... He has not had a long stay in Ashburton, but while he has been here he has made many friends and earned the genuiuo respect of all with whom he has come in contact, and will thus carry away with him the best wishes of the residents.

Mias Mijller, daughter of Sergeant Moller, late of Ashburfcon, writing to a friend on the 4bh mat. says j—" There has been no very great improvement, so far, in my poor father, bub the doctors hope still that as his physical health improves, his mental health will become greater. The Premier was most kind when my brother and I waited on him. He caused the compassionate allowance to be granted without any delay." Various theories (says the Otago Daily Times) have been propounded to account for the unusual number of icebergs which have been encountered of late. According to the Hydrographic Office of the United States Navy Department, there has been an earthquake at the South Pole, and it has upset things to such an extent that icebergs 20 and 30 miles in length have been tumb ling into the sea for five years. Mr Thomas Clark son, of the Whiritere Club, Invercargill, half-mile champion of New Zealand, lowered the one-mile grass record on the Auckland Domain on Thurs day night, putting up the fast time of 2.26. The previous record of 2.27* was held by Mr E. Reynolds, the amateur. Mr Clarkson is well-known in Ashburtoa as a cyclist, having been for some time on the reporting staff of the. Ashburton Mail and Guardian. Our Rakaia correspondent, writing this morning, says :—Every night this month Mr John Gardiner's sheep have been much troubled by stray dogs, and a good many have been worried. List night another eight were killed and a number badly mauled. It would not be much trouble for persons to have their dogs kept on the chain when not in use, and it is to be hoped that they will do so in future. Residents in the township have been considerably annoyed for the past fortnight or more through stray dogs doming about the premises. The London correspondent of the Press writing under date December 24 says that on calling on Sir George Grey a few days before he found him tar from well. He w*g suffering from what he believed to be an incipient attack of gout, basing this opinion mainly on the fact that his feet were much swollen. Lady Grey, however, was very anxious about him and feared that this might be a symptom of some worse mischief at his advanced years. Enquiring again, However, on the day of writing, the corres pondent found him much better.

Mr Alfred Orr is at present on a visit to his family at Woodlawn. He is on the stiff of the Westport branch of the Bank of New Zealand, and having a large acquaintance among the coast miners is in a position to hear and see a good deal of what is going on in the mining world. He has not yet visited the Barry town claim, but will do so before his holiday expires and on his return , journey. An Mr Fred Shury is like himself an Ashburton boy, miners who know about Barrytown as well as the " towneyship" of Mr Orr and Mr Shury have not been stinted in the information they had to give about the claim, and Mr Orr tells us that they all speak of it as a good thing Mr Fred Sbury has got hold of.

Service Acknowledged.

Per Press Association, Dunedin, February 5. Mr David Pinkerton, ex-senior member for Dunedin, was presented at a meeting of citizens with a cheque for £130. The presentation was made by the Mayor, supported by the town clerk.

COMMERCIAL.

LONDON WOOL SALES.

Messrs Dalgety and Co., Limited, have received the following cablegram from their head office, dated London, 3rd inst. :—

11 Wool—Sales continue firm and astive with brisk competition. All good wools art rather firmer, but other descriptions are unchanged, American buyers are still buying freely."

TIMARU GRAIN MARKET.

Th« Canterbury farmers Co-oparative Association, limited, report as follows .— Wheat.—Owing to harvest work very few farmers have been to town during the week, consequently enly a few lines of new wheat have been offered. The samples shown were of good quality, and one or two lots changed hands at from 3s lOd for red chaff, to 4s for velvet. Up to the present the quotations for prime old wheat remain unaltered. In oonsequenoeof large shipments of Californian breadstuffs to New South Wales, speculators are disinclined to operate, and what few lines have been sold have passed direct into millers' bands.

Oata. —Supplies of good "old"oats are now getting low, bat the demand is far from brisk, consequently prices remain on a par with last week. So far the new oats shown are of good colour but rather light. One or two lots of Danish have changed hands at from Is 8d to Is 9d, delivered at Timaru, while good shorb should fetch from 2d to 3d per bushel more. Barley.—One or two sales of feed sorts have been made at from 2s 3d to 2s 4d, on trucks here, but bo far no malting hat been offered.

AMERICAN WHEAT FOR FRANCE

San Francisco, January 8. The New York Sun, of December 11th, ■aid an interesting report became current on the Produce Exchange that a cargo of winter wheat bad been taken for France. The fact that the rumor could not be con firmed by enquiry among the usual shippers does not prove it to be without foundation. The most trustworthy advices from Paris are that France will probably have to import a large amount of wheat during the last half of the present crop year, and, as she uses only winter wheat, the immediate supply is comparatively light. It can hardly be expected that those who will undertake to supply a large part of the Fienoh demand will disclose their operations at this early date. Their is reason to believe that wheat) charters to French ports will be announced shortly.

A Montreal (Canada) despatch to the New York Evening Post of January 4th says large stocks of Ontario wheat are being bought for export. The demand in England is partly attributed to the fact that Ameri can winter wheat is being all taken up by the millers. Their shipments are said to be the first wheat exports from Ontario for almost two years.

DUNEDIN FRUIT AND DAIRY PRO DUCE REPORT.

The Otago Fruit and Produce Agency, 182 Princess Street, Dunedin (agents for the Teviot and Alexandra Fruitgrowers' Com pany, limited), report^ as follows:— Fruit— Short Supply, Apricots (Teviot) 4i|d to 6^d per Ib. Peaches, 4d to 6d peejjb. Plums ; Imported, 7s 6d half oaseß ; Teviot and Canterbury, 2^d bo 4£d per Ib. Bana nas (ripe), 3d per lb. Apples: Dessert sorbs, 6a to 10s a case; cooking, 2d to 3d per lb. Tomatoes: Nelson, 3£d to 4£d per lb; hothouse, 5d to 7d per lb. Grapes, 9d to Is per lb. Cucumbers, 4s to 6a dozen. Pears : Bon Chretien, 14s a case ; Jargonelles, 2£d to 3d per lb. Cocoanuts, 8s per sack, Produce. —Eggs in great demand. Butter ■ Fresh, 4d to 7d per lb ; Bait, 5d to 6^d per lb. Potatoes: Kidneys, 63 6d to 8s per cwt, Ouioaa (Victorian), 8s to 9s cwt. Peas, 63 to 8s cwt. Cauliflowers, 2s 3d dozen. Honey f prime extracted), 4^d per lb. Horsehair, 14d to 15d per lb. Poultry.—We sell by auction every morn ing at 10 o'clock. Hens (good demand), 2s Sd to 2s lid per pair ; roosters, 2s 6d to 3a 6d per pair ; ducks, 3s to 4s per pair. We receive consignments of fruit, pro duce or poultry any day. Account sales and cheques weekly.

ASHBURTON MARKETS.

I Mr David Thomas reports upon the live j stock market in the Ashburton County for .; the week ending February 4, as follows : — { On Tuesday at the Ashburton yards the usual weekly sale was held. At) this season of the year large entries are not expected, farmers being too busy with their crops to attend to live stock sales. On Tuesday, for the time of year, there was an average entry, made up principally of store lambs in for ward condition and fat ewes. There was a good attendance of farmers, dealers, and others interested, and biddings were more lively thm they have been for some time. This was more apparent in the various lines of lambs offered, some of which brought Is more than they would have done the pre vious week. The totals yarded for the day were 1717 shoep, 7 head of cattle, and 2 pigs, of which my entry consisted of 1179 sheep, 5 head of cattle, and 2 pigs. These I sold at the following prices :—Sheep—so four tooth maiden ewes 7s 6d, 20 four and six tooth crossbred ewes 8s 4d, 11 four-tooth cossbred wethers, 9s 26, 20 fat crossbred ewes 5s 6d, 162 six-tooth fat crossbred ewes 7s 6d, 16 six-tootii crossbred ewes 6a 6<i, 20 crossbred cull lambs 2s Id, 52 crossbred lambs 6s 9d, 328 crossbred lambs 7s 3d, 80 cross bred lambs 7s 5:1, 23 crossbred lambs 6s lid, 82 four-tooth crossbred ewes 8s 6d, 94 cross bred lambs 6s 6d. Cattle—Fat cows £5, fat steers £5 15a to £6 2s 6d. Pigs 245. '•^During the week enquiries for good 6 tore sfceep and freezing lambs have been very keen, and I have sold the following lots :— 819 two-tooth store wethers Bs, 600 store lambs 8a 6d, 60 fat lambs 10s 6d, 59 fat lambs 10s, 40 fat) lambs 10s, 55 fat lambs 10s, 226 store lambs 7s, 595 crossbred four-tooths 9s 9d, etc.

DEHORNING CATTLE.

j The process of dehorning cattle is strongly advocated by many practical men. It is especially recommended for milking cows. We, Manawata Times, learn that Mr J. Donald, of Featherston, who has a private factory, recently had the whole of bis herd of milking cows, comprising over 400 head, distributed over four farms, dehorned, with moat satisfactory results. The output of milk was reduced a few gallons for a day or two after the operation. The experiment was attended with every success, as it is found the cattle are quieter, require 'leas room in the yards, and feed closer in the paddocks. Mr Donald is thoroughly oon vinoed of the value of dehorning, and his example has been followed by several neigh bors.

THE ACTING GOVERNOR.

The Meeting" of Parliament.

The following items aa* from the Welling ton telegrams of the Prttt :—

The Chief Justice {Sir James Prendergast) will be sworn in as Acting-Governor on Monday next. There will be one day's interregnum (Sunday.) The ceremony can not be held while the jurovernor is in the colony or within New Zealand waters. The suggestion made by Lord Glasgow on Thursday night that the Premier should accept the invitation of the Secretary of Sfeato for the Colonies to go to England to assist at the celebration of Her Majesty's "record" reign, has produced a very lively j interest here. How is it to be done ? His | Lordship said, "Therecould be no difficutty in arranging a brief meeting of Parliament to pass votes of supply until the Premier returned. The date of the anniversary of her Majesty's accession to the throne and the ordinary time for the meeting of the New Zealand General Assembly are almost coincident. If the invitation be accepted, Parliament would meet some time in March for an extraordinary session, and the ordinary session would take place some time in October next." People are specula ing what might happen in the interval. There are many possibilifciei itartad &n,d purified with much eurisiity,

Accidents and Fatalities.

PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Auckland, February 5. , Oaptam J. A. Beawick, who has been in the Island and Intercolonial shipping trade uearly thirty years, met with a fatal acci dent to-day. His steamer, Scotchman, fouled with a yachc moored in harbour, and cue latter's bowsprit caught Beewick inside, hu'liDg him overboard. He expired shortly after he was picked up. The Rev. R. Laiuhley, Congregational minister, died suddenly to-day from hemorrhage of the luDgs. He was eighty one years of age. He arrived by the Udmers in 1860, under the auspices of the Congregational Colonial Missionary Society. Owing to the absence of some local ministers at the Congregational Union he had arranged to take three services to-morrow. Wellington, February 5, Thos. Robaon, a labourer, died suddenly at Newton road from rupture of the aorta.

BOWLING TOURNEY.

Frees Association—By Electrio Telegraph

CHBiSTOHtrBOH, February 6. The Bowling Association's tourney closed to-day. In the final round of singles W. McLaren, Kaitangata, beat A. Gillies, Dunedin, 16—15. In the final of doublea W. Thomson and A. Oorie, Dunedic, beat) T. Meek and Waddell, Oaraaru, 24—8, In the rink tournameut the Christohuroh Clab (H. Thomson, skip), beafe Napier (E. Evans, skip), 24—8.

Primitive Methodist Church:

A well attended meeting of member! of the Primitive Methodist Church was held last night to consider the question ot paint* ing and providing spouting for the exterior of the church, constructing a choir railing and rostrum, and painting the interior of the building. It was decided to hold a monster social and entertainment on March 4 to raiM the necessary funds. Nearly all present) promised to each sell or pay for a number of tickets. A strong committee was formed to carry out the necessary arrangements. The Rev. J. Olphert mentioned that two Auck land young ladies would shortly arrive on a visit, the one a gifted vocalist, and the other a gifted elocutionist, and they would willingly assist. The church properly has recently been improved by the forming of asphalt footpaths ail round, and the replac ing of the shingle roof with galvanised iron; and when the now contemplated improve ments are carried out, the comforb and convenience of the worshippers will be fully met.

Tinwald Presbyterian Church.

Annual Meeting.

The annual meeting of the Presbyterian Church at Tiuwald was held on the evening of Thursday last. There wu a fair attend ance of the congregation though many were absent at harvest work. The Rev, J. Skinner occupied the chair. The various reports, including the session report and the treasurer's report, were read and approved of. The income for the year was found to be £50 11s Id. A new committee was elected, consisting of Messrs Fergie, Meharry, and W. Mackay (Tinwald), Gunn {Wins low), and McDonald (Lagmhor). Mr Fergie waa appointed treasurer, and Mr W. Mackay secretary. The Presbytery prize* and certificates were distributed to a number of the Sabbath school scholars. At almost all the scholars had this year generously given up their prizse money, amounting to £1 15s 6d, %o help to support the Dayepring, the mission vessel of the church, there were no general prizes dis tributed. A number of pieces were sung by members of the local choir and also of the Flemington choir, and were greatly ap preciated, Altogether the meeting was exceedingly pleasant, and all parted with the feeling that they had enjoyed a treat.

WEDDING.

Curtis—Watkins.

The wedding of Mr Alfred Curtis, second •on of Mr Isaac Curtis, Albury, with Miss Annie Watkins, eldest daughter of Mr E. Watkins, took place at the residence of the bride's father, Tiawald, on Wednesday, the Rev. J. 01 phert performing the pleasant duty of joining their hands in wedlock. The bride, who was given away by her father, looked lovely in a blue striped snob lustre dress, with orthodox veil and wreath of orange blossoms, and carried a beautiful ehower bouquet of white camellias, margue ri'es and ferns. The bridesmaids were Miss Rhoda Watkina* sister of the bride, and Miss J. Curtis, sister, of the bridegroom. They were both charmingly dressed ia silver grey lustre trimmed with ribbon and passementerie, carried choice bouquets, aqd wore gold brooches, the gifts of the bridegroom. Mr Edwin Watkins, brother of the. bride, acted as best man. After the ceremony the wedding breakfast took place, when the usual toasts were given and responded to. The happy couple then left on their honeymoon tour by the express for Christchurch en route for their new home at Eketahuna, amidst showers of rice and slippers. In the evening about seventy guests gathered in a large marquee, when music, speeches, recitations and game* were indulged in, a most enjoyable evening being concluded by the singing of Auld Lang Syne. The presents were both numerous and valuable.

The Premiers' Conference.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. Hobart, February $. The Premiers' Conference decided that any Minister going to the Wash ington Postal Conference to represent Australasia should be a Postal Mm* ister elected by the Postal Ministers, Numerous colonial politicians were angling for the appointment, and this resolution was to ensure the selection of a man who knows something of the subject, A resolution wan submitted with regard to Australian quarantine. The Conference agreed wit ft the sug? gestion that Federal Stations should be established at Albany, Thursday Island, and Adelaide, Tt was decided that the colonies should exhibit at the Paris Exhibition in one court, forming part of the British Empire. The Con ference adopted a resolution earnestly urging the Imperial authorities to zea lously guard and conserve British interests in the Pacific. With regard to the codification of the commercial law in the United Kingdom and the colonies, the conclusion arrived at was that it would be best to deal with each subject by a special Bill to enable the, colonies to adopt portions of the Qode as it was passed. It was agreed that the naturalisation laws should be assimilated; that the laws of one colony should operate judi cially in others, and that there should be a uniform Company law. It wag officially announced at the conclusion of the Conference that some resolutions had not been unanimous. (Received February 6, 10.20 a.m.) Hobart February 6. Mr Seddon spends a few days in Launoeston before proceeding to Mel bourne. The Premiers have decided that they could not collectively accept Mr Cham berlain's invitation to be present at the celebrations of the Queen's reign, but each must answer it separately.

THE A**HBT}ETON GDABDIAN: SATURDAY, FEBRTJABY 6, 1897,



Year.

Beer.

Spirits.

I Wine.

1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1330 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895

Gallons. 9435 8-769 8 414 7 861 7-651 7-133 7 624 7 899 7-646 7-807 7 716 7-391 7*421

Gallons. 1-088 0-999 0 899 0-820 0-770 0 820 0-598 j 0 693 0 699 0 708 0 697 0 648 0-629

I Gallons. 0-316 0-272 0-261 0-212 0 198 0-167 0-176 0184 0172 0 174 0 170 0-144 0135



Business Notices. ' NEW ZEALAND I Clothing 1 Factory, gOLE AGENTS i t FOR OJfIE FAMOUS "VICTORY" SEWING MACHINE. _ . H < tn <4 i 3 £• ! o 3 ■I 8 . 1-3 o £3 « p « fc # o " 1P > s MI § P - ffl | § : g 'IS O P3 Church Services. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, Ashburton. SUNDAY SERVICES. 11 a.m.—Morning Prayer and Holy Oora rauniou, 3 p.m.—Greenstreet. 6.30 p,m.— Evening Prayer. REV. HAROLD PURCHAS. WANTED Known—The Economic Kid Glove, four buttons, Is 9d per pair, is the Glove for every day wear,— W. H. Collier.



G. J. NEILL IS SELLING WASHING PRINTS at 3|d per yd ; WHITE MUSLINS 3s lid per doz G. J. NEILL IS SELLING DOUBLE-WIDTH SERGES in Navy, Brown and Maroon, at Is per yd G. J. NEILL IS SELLING MBN'B ALL-WOOL SUITS at 23s 6d ; Men's Tweed Trousers 5s lid G. J. NEILL IS SELLING BOYS' SUITS at 4a lid each G. J. NEILL "BMMwwgaSwSßa-:::-- ::: * j*j Men's Shoes &8 }}* Women's Shoes 4s lid Women's Strap Shoes 4e lid G. J. NEILL DEFIES COMPETITION IN BOOTS Every Pair Guaranteed to Wear and give SATISFACTION FRIEDLANDER'S CORNER, EAST STREET.



IMPOETANT TO | FABMEKS AND HARVESTERS, "VI^ATCHES specially designed and constructed for those engaged in agricultural work are to be obtained from srSAITEKT^ 11^ WATCH IMPOBTEE, EAST STREET. These Watches are made by ROTHERAM and other famed makers to the special order of S. Salek foi the ASHBURTON WATCH TRADE. HAVING BOUGHT LARGELY AT A HEAVY DISCOUNT PRICES ARE REDUCED. ALSO IN STOCK—Dixit Watches (see the name S. SALEK Ashburton, is on the dial) at 20s. Other metal watches from 15s, All Guaranteed "Sg VICTORIAN £,* f^&g^gg^sgm&*>* STEAM CARRIAGE FACTORY, fft^j^&ST * gSJST^ «p¥ IRON WORKS AND %f%*ff i 21W x/az shoeing forge. ~**s^®fo& r%<-u j t.H. s ™,] STEEL BEOS., tH-8.-*-, BEG to announce to the inhabitants of Ashburton aurl surrcnodinj? disfcncfc that they have taken over the Business ao long carried on by J. R. STEEL, and hope by j Strict Attention to Business, Good Workmanship, aud Moderate Charges, to merit a fair share of Patronage. Coachbuilding Department— This Department will have our personal supervision and to aM who require a new- Vehicle of any description, or thek old one repaired, we can guarantee satisfaction if they place iheir order with vs. Painting and Trimming — Now is the time to have yourtrap3 put into ejood order by having them well painted, and our workmen are in 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 ironv/ork, and t^ supply oi repair Agricultural Implements of every description. Shoeing Department —■ In this as in all other parta of our business we wi 1 give satisfaction to our customers, and if you want your horae shod by practical and skilled workmen, send it *lODgt°VICTORIAN SHOEING FOEGB. STEEL BROS., PROPRIETORS, WEST STREET, ASHBURTON. 2 34



OUR FIRST SALE, COMMENCING SATURDAY, JANUARY 30 MITCHELL & BRODBIBB, THE CENTRAL CASH TRADERS, NBX'D TO J. ORR & GO'S IRONMONGERY DEPARTMENT, EIST STREET. ERUPTIONS IN THE DRAPERY TRADE. "YTTE have decided to eclipse all, with the result that one cut has been m „de at our new stock, which has levered the price in half. No old Stock, no out of date shelf-worn goods to palm off on a sensible public. Our Clean, New, and Stylish Stock at just half the unai 1 price The cry is—How is itdone ? Here you have it :No Bad Debts, No Credit which enable ua to lose directly, a portion of whab the credit traders are losing indirectly. With this difference-At MITCHELL and BRODRIBB'S all are treated alike ;at the credit houses the good customers have to pay for the bad ones. Make no mistake. We want your money, and feel assured that the few following sample prices will bring it. Space will not allow us to quote more than a very condensed list, but this is a sample of the bargains offered you :-*- ■& 9 pieces Light Print at 3s lid per doz yards Usual Price, 7|d per yard J 16 pieces Dark Print at 33 lid per doz yards Usual Price, 8i per yard 22 piecea Gingham Prints, 4a lid per doz yards Usual Price, 9d per yard 19 pieces Floral Crepons, 4s lid per doz yards Usual Price, lid per yard 17 Fancy Brilliant Cloth, 7^d per yard Usual Price, Is 3d per yard 7 pieces Plain Crepon, 5s lid per dcz yards Usual Price, Is per yard 11 pieces Stripe Zephyr, 6a lid per doz yards Usual Price, Is 3d per yard S Plain Zephyr, 6s per doz yards Usual Price, la 3d per yard 22 pieces Cashmere Cloth, 4s lid per doz yards Usual Price Is per yard 10 piecea Mourning Cloth at the ridiculous pnee of 3s per doz yards. We assure you that at this very important sale both you and ourselves will have a spanking time. White Calico 2s lid per doz yards Usual price s£d per yard White Sheeting, 2 yards wide, 10jd per yard Usual price Is 6d per yard Nainsook 4£d per yard Usual price 7^d per yard White Turkieh Towels 5a 6d per dox Usual price 9d each Hildas 6 yards for Is lid, worth double Hundreds of Cheap Dress awaiting inspection Double width Tweeds Is per yard Black and Colored Cashmeres from Is per yard up Ladies Black Lavantine Paragon frame Umbrellas from 2s 6d, 3a lid, 4s lid, etc. Ladies' Sunshades all colors from 3a lid Black and Colored Velveteens from Is 6d per yard up A misted lot of children's sunshades all colors from lid each HOSIERY—-The beet yaiue in the trade. Plain and Ribbed Cashmere Hose from Is up, Plain and Ribbed Black Cotton GLOVES Gloves —A large variety Cheap and Good. A beautiful Kid Glove, any Bhade, at 2a lid. Lower lines from Is 6d upwards. Cashmere Glov, s 4*d, 6d, 9d, and Is per pair. Gaggety and Silk, from Is 3d upwards. R7OTTSF* Blouses Blouaes.—We have sold more of these goods than any house in town. What we have on hand—About ' sixteen dozen will be cleared from Is lid, 2s 6d, 2s lid up; just half price. All mus!in and fancy Aprons just half what you will pay anywhere elae. MITLIKBRY Millinery—Price cut in half. Trimmed Hats from Is lid upwards. AUUiLAum t^ value . n the fcmde> starfcling Bargains in the Clothing and Mercery Departments. A few Harvester Hata, 6Ad. Seamless Merino Sox, 6d. Regatta Shirts, all aw*, 4s 6d. Brown cotton pants, Is 6d. Heavy Working Shirts, 2a 6d. Men's strong Moles, 6a 6d. Tweed Trousers, special 8s 6d, Colonial 8i lid. Men 8 Tweed Suits, 21a 6d. Men's imitation Fox's Serge Suits, 29a 6d. Sailor Tweed Suits, 6s lid, mze 1 to 7. Choicest Block of Ties and Scarfs in Ashburton. All our Boots and Shoes reduced Hard and boft felts in iodteas variety. Mohairßoot Lacea, 3£ per dozen. Heavy Kaiapoi Sox, Is. Kaiapoi Under Flannels, 3s 111. DO NOT FORGET MITCHELL & BRODRIBB'S FIRST SALE. NBXT ?O 3, oß»'* CO, EAST BTREIST ASHBURTON*



Six weeks ago I Buffered from a very severe cold; was almost unable to Bpeak. My friends all advised me to consult a physician. Noticing Chamberlain's Cough Remedy advertised in the St Paul Folks Zfifung I procured a bottle, and after taking it a snort while was entirely well. I now most heartily recommend this remedy to anyone suffering from a, cold. Wm Kei u , 673 Selby Aye., St Paul, Minn. For sale by ajbswmkw Dip@ Qmnn%



Since 1878 there have been nine epidemics of dysentery in different parts of the country in which Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhea* Remedy was used with perfect success Dysentery, when epidemic, is almost as severe and dangerous as Asiatic cholera. Heretofore the best efforts of the most skilled physicians hive failed to check its ravages; this remedy, however, haa cured the most malignant cases, both of children and adults, and under the most trying con ditions, which proves it to be the best medicine in the world for bowel complainte. for sale fey Attqnrßop* D&cq CtasjftUiy, j



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