THE NEW PRIZE ESSAY.

PROHIBITION BY LOCAL POPULAR VETO. WHILE advanced Temperance thinkers may believe the ideal msthod of Pro hibition to be by means of an imperial law forbidding the manufacture and aftleof alco hol except for medicinal purposes, and for use m the aits, yet at the present stago of public opinion this ia impossible of attain ment m this country, and we therefore need not dißcu.3sit, but contentourselvea with com mending it to the earnest consideration of the wiaer generation that will follow, while we apply ourselves to a less sweeping, but more immediately practicable, means of abating the intolerable mischiefs wrought by the traffic m intoxicants. The movement for the Local Veto pro poses simply the enactment of a law by which the people of a parish, or town, or other local division of territory, Bhall be empowered to deiermine by popular vote whei her licenses for the sal*- of liquors ahull be granted within the designated locality. It does not demand any change m tho method of g anting licenses, or that till licenses shall be refused until a popular vote shall have been taken, but that m localities where a fair proportion of the electors shall signify their de-ire to vote on \ he question, a poll shall be taken, and if at such polling a majority shall cast their ballots m opposi tion to the sale of liquors, then no hceabe shall be granted therein for a certain speci fied tirre, nor until the electors shail have had an opportunity to reverse i heir action m the matter by another poll, To the unprejudiced mind such a demand must appear to be m a high degree reason able and just. Among the considerations which suggest the wisdom of clothing the people with the desired power are the following:— 1. The demand is exceedingly moderate m character. (1) The veto ia not prohibitive of drinking, but of selling, and that within limited areas. A minority who would still desire liquor would meet with no insur mountable difficulty m obtaining supplies from without the Veto district. (2) The Veto being local m its scope of operation, no hardship would be inflicted on unwilling communities, as might be the case under a general law prohibitive of the traffic. (3) The period of its operation may be limit d. Provision may be made for the re-submission of the question at recurring intervals of a few years, if desired by a certain proportion of the electors, so that if the results of Pro hibition be not satisfactory the people may soon relieve themselves from it. 2. The demand for the power of Veto is eminently just. To clothe the people with the elective fran chise and then deny them the right to exer cise it m defence of their homes is to make the privilege little more than a mockery and a delusion. There is no subject on which their suffrages are invited which involves so much and so important interests as does the removal of the gin-palace and the beerhouse from the neighborhood of their homes To the weak it means freedom from temptation ; to parents, safety for their children ; to the masses, iccrease of all the comforts of life ; to ratepayers, a lower local taxation by rea son of a decrease m pauperism aud crime ; to property, greater teouiity; to the whole community, the advantage of an improved moral tone and the quickening of a;l the forces which teiid to elevate society. The justice of the demand is further shown by the fact that the rich possess means to protect themselves from the proximity of common ducking places which are not with in the power of the masses, Because men are poor that is not Bufficient reason for thrusting upon them without their consent that which is held to be a nuisance wherever it exists. The protection which their poverty forbids them to buy, iheir vote should en able them to secure. '1 o compel them to make their homes and raiße their families amid surroundings that are demoralising, and influences that are to the last degree uncongenial, is tyranny of the basest sort. Legislation which denies to the millions the right to protect themselves by the use of the ballot from cvi's from which the weal thier classes are free is class legislation of an aggravated type. »»a wh*t principle of justice can it bo claimed that a brewer or liquor-dealer, for purposes of gain, shall have the right to establish nuisances m the neighborhood of the homes of British electors, while to these there shall be denied the power to make effective protest against the outrage ? To permif such a condition of affairs is to make the boasted freedom of the British subject a docaptive dream, and the electoral privilege m the hands of the common people to be little more than an empty bauble. 5. The Local Veto is the most practical method of suppressing the tiaffic While the Prohibitive policy remains m the experimental stage of development because of the unprepareclness of the public mind to accept it fully, it is eminently desirable that it should be tried on a limited scale and under favorable conditions. If a general law were enacted it would probably be only par tially successful where local feeling proved largely opposed to its operation, and failure anywhere would tend to throw discredit on the law everywhere. It is therefore wise that it should first be put to practical test where local sentiment is favourable, and where con sequently the chances for success are greatest Its beneficent effects within the small areas first adopting it would afford a series of object lessoni for the country at large, so that the experiment might be tried on a larger scale. 4 national law applicable everywhere without regard to local opinion or conditions wouLd m its administration meet with difficulties that will not be encountered on the plan proposed. Where public opinion should be adverse to the measure it would encounter such opposition as might create a movement; for its repeal, and thus, by attempting too much, the friends of sobriety would incur the ri=k of total failure ; whereas if the suppreasive policy be confined to localities inviting it by popular vote the probability of failure would be reduced to & minimum. So, while the opponents of Prohibition cannot but prefer that ths are& of its operation ahall be limited, the friends of total suppression may readily be content that m its initial stages the practical applica tion of the principle shall occur only where conditions are favourable, m order that spacers may be rendered more certain arsd complete. BEBULTS OF PROHIBITION. The argument of the Prohibition of the liquor traffic is not only sustained by (he principles of sound poli ical economy, the teachings of science, and the spirit of the gospel, but i& fortified by the happy results of the policy wherever fairly tested. Appsal can be made to fact a which cannot be refuted, showing unmitjtakeably that the practical effects of Prohibition are such as to commend it to the favourable consideration of all who are entrusted with governmental power, and Who idesfre thereby to -subserve the public welfare. Our trana^antio cousins, being less (.he slaves of ancient cußtom than ourselves, have been more ready to try experiment i m legislation, and to put to practical teßt ths doctrines that are the logical outcome of the fundamental principles of the Temperance reformation. Local option ; hi»B been triod on & large scale ia the United Slates. ■■ Each State comprising the Union possesses th 6 right of Home Rule m reference to all internal affair^ and hence their Courts have decided that the control of the liquor traffic |s within the powei; of each State,: and that the sale of liquor may be licensed or prohibi ted as the pa pie or the legislatures of the respective States may determine, Exerciaina the nr«rn«aki.'» -~* • L . o .-.^ vi sovereignty, aeveral States have adopted a prohibitory law, and the condition of things, m the territory covered by suppressive laws affords (i grand oh]ect-le4Bpn for other States and pationa. Maine, Kansas, lowa, the two jp-j'kotas, and Several other States have passed kwa of various kinds for the destruc tion of the traffic m liquor. It may be well to explain that m the oLatest there are two grades of law: one kuown as constitutional Saw, and the other &8 statutory law. The first is enacted by vote of the people, and defines the limits of legislative and administrative povrer. A law fchus created cannot be repealed but by an appeal to the popular vote, while a statutory law can of course be repealed by t)he legislature. In Maine, and m gome other States, while theProhibiorj law was merely the creation ' of the legislatu c it was a football between rival political parties, one or the other joking to aeeuw its overthrow with, the

is hope of gal ing political advantage. This rendered the jiolicv unoertiiu m its tenure. It waa therefore dtteuniuen to have Prohibi tion imbedded m the fundamental law by | pi- bisere :-o as to remove the question from the immediaie o ol of the legislature, and take it out of cunent political controversy. Other States, profiting by the experience of M»ine, commenced by sutmitting the quea ' tion to the vote of the people, so that m all the States named above Prohibition has received the endorsement of the popular vote. ( lv several other States, a Local Option law is m force, and under its provisions a number of cuuuties have banished tin traffic from their borders with uuifortnly good results. We might give almost numberless t sli rrionits to the effectiveness of the Liw m the several States named, but muse be content with a, few extracts bearing up^n the several points sought to be set forth m tins essay, viz, the improvement of financial conditions, tho elevation of public morals, the disappearance ot drunkenness, and the general improvement of social conditions. MAINE. In Maine, Prohibition has been subject to a test of forty years 1 experience. While m the larger citiea it has not totally suppressed the sale of liquor, for reasons to be explained elsewhere, and which operate more par ticularly m the United States, yet m all the smaller towns and villages it has virtually extinguished the business, ao that a degree of sobriety has been secured Euch as exists nowhere outside of Prohibition territory. Did space permit, we could fill pages with extracts from the official utterances of public men showing the immense decrease m the use of intoxicating drink, and the benefit to pubic morals and social well being resulting therefrom, Ex-Governor Diugley, m a speech delivered m Washington, and published by the National Temperaace Society, reports as follows: — "Prohibition m Mane has practicilly extinguished the open traffic m intoxicating liquor outside of a very few places, and m the rural parts of the State, compri ing three-fourths of the population, secret dram shops have also been driven out. Fifty years ago Maine had one diam-shop to 225 inhabitants. Now, only one to 860 popula tion, and these mc ude the State-agents appointed to dispense liquor for medicinal and other permitted purposes, 'lhe average sales made by atcret rum-shops are so far below those made m liceuse States that it may be safely affirmed that it would take twenty to do the I usiness and the injury of one licensed open liar-room." Another, who has had good opportunities of knowing, says, " sales of liquor m Maine will not exceed' two dollars per inhabitant per annum, against fifteen dollars m other States." The number of arrests for drunken ness is less than one-fourth the number m licensed communities, and this notwith standing the notorious fact that much greater diligence is shown m arresting drunkards where the traffic is illegal than where it is under the protection of law. The license city of Lowell, Massachu etts, reported thirty arrests to every thousand inhabitants, while Lewiston and Auburn, Maine, possess ing a manufacturing population like Lowell, reported but three arrests to each thousand inhabitants —a difference of nine huudred per cent, m favor of Prohibition. Maine has also a smaller proportion of convicts than any license State. JEtecent figures show thaf. its convicts of all grades were as one to 1,600, while m license States they range from one m 500 to one m 1,400 The Canadian Commissioners, who a few years ago visited Maine to investigate the workings of Prohibition, reported tlut they attended a muster of the State militia forcew, where from 10,000 to 15,000 people were present each day for four days?, and yet they did not see half a dozen cases of intoxica tion. " I haveseen," says Governor Dingley, "more drunkenness on a Saturday after noon m a Canadian village of 1,500 inhabit ants, with two or time licensed groggeries, than I have observed m a. Maine city, ten times as populous, m a whole year." Hon. Neal Dow Bays : " ihe drink bill of Maine, m proportion to its population, would be about thirteen millions of dollars, and we used to drink our fall share of the vast aggregate, But now, I am confident that half a million will cover the cost of all that is smuggled into the State." A reduction of more than 96 per cent. That the suppression of the tiaffic tenrtu to iiisancia' prosperity is shown by the fact that Maine has a far larger propor tion of Sayings Bank deposit i than any of the license State 3. The popula tion of Maine compared to that of Ohio is as one to six, bub its deposits are fifty per cent, more, making a difference of 1,200 per cent, m favor of Maine. Compar ing it with Illinois there is seen a greater difference. Illinois has five and a half times the population of Maine, but less than half its amount of deposits m .Savings Banks. While the Prohibition State hi»s an amount equal to £16 16s 6d, Illinois has but 25s 7d for each inhabitant That the general effect of the law is satis factory is shown by the repeated refusals of the pople to repeal it. Whenever the question has been m any way involved m an election the results have been uniformly and emphatically against a return to licence. The following letter from Hon Neal Dow to tho writer showa this fact. Portland, August 2, 1896. Dbar Sir,— Your note of recent date came yesterday. As to your inquiry as to the standing of Prohibi tion m Maine, a very short answer will cover the ground. At our iaat State election the Democratic party put this into its platform-—that if elected it would overthrow Prohibition and re-establish license; that the old rum times should be restored to bless the people. They took special care to spread that news all over the state. Our Senate contains 81 members, our House of Representatives 151. When the vote was counted it was found that ! the rum party had not even one senator, and only five representatives. No thing can be clearer than that as to 1 the standing of Prohibition m f Maine.—Respectfully, Neal Dow. The people of Kansas adopted a Constitu tional Amendment m November, 1880, for ever prohibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors, except for medicinal purposes, which amendment took effect May 1, 1881. The law enacted by the legislature to cany out the provision of the constitu tion provides that for every offence a five of 100 dollars and imprisonment for 30 days shall be the penalty. Places m which liquor is sold can be abated as nuisances, and the property held for the amount of fines and e&ats. Testimony to ihs benefits of the law is abundant; ■ Governor John A. Martin, who waa a resolute opponent of Prohibition m 1880, became converted by the logic of its success, and m his last message to the legislature, after eight years' experience of the law, said • —« "Fully nine-tenths ct the drinking and drunkenness prevalent: m Kansas eight years- ago have been abolished, and 1 declare, with earnestness and emphasis, that this State is to-day the most temperate, orderly, sober community of people m the civilised world. The abolition of the saloop has not only promoted the personal happiness and general prosperity of our Otto, but it li M »»^^; y crime ; has filled thousands of homes, where vice, and want, and wretchedness once prevailed, with peace, p'enty, and content ment ; and has materially increased the trade and business 04 those engaged m the sale of useful and wholesome articles of merchandise. Notwithstanding the fact that the population of the State is increasing, the number of criminals confined m the peniten tiary is steadily decreasing. Many of our 1 gaols are empty, and all show a marked falling off m the number of prisonerseonfineo- The dockets of our courts are no L,~ e «» burdened with long Lsts of criminal cases. The business of the police courts of our. larger cities haa dwindled to one-fourth of its former proportions, while m cities of the second and third class the occupation of police authorities is practically gone. '. In a'pamphlet published by the Kansas State Temperance Union m 1890 statistics are «iven showing the number of criminals and of paupers m each of the 109 counties of the Estate, from which it appears fch,*^ fcherf

were 44 counties without a pauper, 37 with out a erimiual m gaol, three with only one each m gaol, while of the total 459 pnsour.rs moie than 200 were from six counties m which the Prohibition law has been moat laxly enforced. A comparison of Kansas with its adjoiuing state, Nebraska, which has a high licence system, shows that, m the first ten years of Prohibition, while the population of Kansas increased sixty per cent the number of prisoners m its penitentiary decreased five per cent; but m Nebraska the prison popu j laion outran the general growth of popula tion forty-seven per cent. In comparing the growth <f wealth m the two Mtates, a similar difference appears m favour of Prohibition. The increase of wealth m Kansas m ten years was more than double that of Nebraska. Kansas guiued twenty million dollars per annum, and Nebraska but nine millions. R cently gathered figures show that the amcunt of liquor sold m Kansas is less than one quart per head, while the average for the country at large is fifteen gallons per inhabitant Adding as much more for secret selling, and we have less than four per cent of the amount consumed m license States. The returns made to the Internal Reveaue Department show that the average tax paid by license States on liquors sold is one and a quarter doil*r (53 2 ), but m Kansas it is but seven cents (3J,d), As to the effect of Prohibition upon the youth, there is abundant evidence that it saves them from tha demoralising effect of i the traffic, and that children grow up m ] entire ignorance of drunkenness and its attendant vices. Professor Cranfield, late Chanc Ilor of the State University, eayfi :— •'When I began work m the University at Lawrence, every student was obliged to pass thirteen saloons on his way to the post office for his daily mail. There is not now a saloon m this city of 12,000 inhabitants, nor anything that corresponds to a saloon. Jhe mass of our school children never saw a saloon, and do not know what it means. This is also true of many older students of the University, We alrearl j have a genera* tion almost on the stage of active life who have never been tempted. Social drinking is impossible." GEORGIA. This State has adopied a Local Option Law, and under its provisions 121 counties have adopted Prohibition, and the universal testimony ia that bu«ine-s has increased, labour improved, and every rmteiial interest prospered, while ihe inotai condition haa been greatly changed. MARYLAND. This State also has a Local Option Law, and about half the counties have availed themselves of the power conferred, nnd are consequently enjoying the benefits of freedom from the liquor curse. Although the results of Prohibition m che United States have been uniformly bene ficent, yet it mu3t be acknowledged that the laws have not been as perfectly successful as similar laws may reasonably be expected to be m England. A weakness to which Brother Jonathan will confess is an inability to secure the ready and thorough enforce ment of law. The fact that offices are elective, and terms of service aie brief, tempt police and other officials to cater to the baser elements m order to secure their votes for re-election. In the large cities the lawless class often holds the balance of power between political parties, and therefore there favor is pur chased by a lax administration of law. This gives rise to undue dissatisfaction with the Prohibitory law itself, when m fact it is only the administration that is m fault. Then again the professional politician is usually hostile to Prohibition, because under it he cannot as easi y control the popular vote as when the ealoon (ai the drink-shop is called m America) c <uld be brought into service. A sober constituency is a thinking and independent constitt enoy. While the latter reaon would drub less be operative to some <xtent m England, and would lend to produce agitation for th« re versal of the popular verdict at the earliest opportunity a'lowed by the law, jet we may safety believe that its execution would be far more complete and impartial here than on the other aide of the Atlantic. The Britith police force can be relied on to enforce law without regard to the possible effect upon a coming election. We may, therefore, conclude tiiat the influences which have tended to render the tenure of Prohi bition m the U. ited (States precarious would not be felt here except m a very limited de gree, and that if we secure the right to sup press the traffic m any given locality it wJI bo alljwed a fair trial, and be afforded an opportunity to vindicate its right to be extended and perpetuated. CONCLUSION. To sum up the whole matter, it may be said that the two reasons which alone demand the* continuance of the trafftc-'-appetite and greed—rare over whelmingly outweighed by the consi derations which urgp its suppression. From every side comes voices de manding that the most pernicious business remaining extant m a world that has abolished Legro slavery and Russian serfdom shall be placed under the ban of law. Civilisation demands it m the interest of human progress. Science approves it as being the correct and logical result of the exposure it has made of the world's great error concern ing the nature of intoxicants, Philan thropy cries out for it m the name of suffering millions. Political economy insists upon it m order that tb,e nation may be savtid from bankruptcy. Chris tianity prays for it m behalf of the thousands of youth tint are constantly being lured to ruin, and the multitudes now m the toils of the destroyer who may be rescued from perdition if the tempter be kept from haunting their path. Patriotism desires it that the country may be delivered from a curse more terrible than war, or famine, or pestilence. Statesmanship argues for it that the greatest good to the greatest number may be realised. Wifehood and childhood from thousands of stricken homes stretch forth imploring hands asking to be delivered from the unspeakable woes they endure because of drink. Drunkards, too, from out their helpless slavery, beseech their sober fellows to save them from their bondage to appetite m the words the Great Master taught them, "Lead us not into temptation/.* Shall thetio cries be unheeded '] Shall the liquor monopoly be allowed still to fatten on the woes and weaknesses of an ignorant people 1 Shall millions be doomed to poverty and t^rsi that brewery shar^g may be kept above par m the market? Answer, ye who have been entrusted with the sacred piwer at the ballot I In tho name of God and humanity we p^ad with you to ordain that t\\4 experiment of suppression shall be tried wherever a majority of the people desire ™q <jeny this is to make that an instrument of tyranny which should be dedicated only to t^e service of freedom,. Wage earners of Britain, free yourselves and your class from bondage to the beer-barons, whose only care is to make you contribute to their enrichment. TJsp the ballot for the protection of your homes and the salvation of the community from the evils that flow m a constant stream -from the doors of the open beershop. Let the closing years of the world's grandest century witness a manfiil struggle of England's toilers to ema^ cipate themselves and the nation a,t |arge from trie last and worst slavery recorded m human history. - ■ ■■ a 184

Town Edition.

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph The Arowlieiiua Estate. Timaru, March 23. There is a great rush of applicants for the Arowhenua block of 39 lots, 218 persons applying ut Temuka and Timaru, and probably more afc Chrialchurch. The majority aie said to be desirable settlers. Oats for the Cape. Bailed, barque Ganymede for Capetown, with :i cargo of 9000 sacks of oats an i two passengers. A Fatal Kick. Christchuboh, March 23. Mary Arps, the five-year-old daughter of a farmer at Marshlands, was kicked on the forehead by a horae last night. She only livtd for a few hours afterwards. Sudden Death. Hokitika, March 23 A man named James (Jarr, a resident of Arahura, dropped dead while walking into the town this morning.

Supreme Court.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Hokitika, March 23 The Supreme Court sessions opeued this morning before His Honor Judge Denniston. The criminal calendar is shorf, but there are several important civil ciHes. la Lhe case Begina v Hill, murder, the grand jury threw out the bill, but a true bill was fuund on ths charge of concealment of birth, iiia Honof, however, on the depositions directed the jury to return a verdict of " not gui ty, v the evidence of concealment beiDg insufficient. Tne charge against Gillinghatn of attempted murder is proceeding this afiernoon, the Grand Jury hay ag found a true bill

Ashburton Stock Market.

At the Tinwald yards to-day there was ■again a good attendance of farmers and buyers, but there did not appear to bo quite such a buoyant tone as has ruled during the past few week*, farmers, no doubt, waiting for the ram and ewe fair to fi 1 up. The yarding consisted chiefly of cossbred ewes and lambs, with a few good lines of wethers and merino ewes. The total must be some where nar 20,000 of all classes. The following prices had been obtained up to 230 pm. Butchers' sorts—Crossbred ewes ss, 7a, 7s 4d, 8-) to 8^ 3d ; four-tooth cross bred wethers, 9a to 11s 6d; two, four, six and eight-tooth crossbred wet here, 8s 3*l ; two-tool hs, 8s to 8a 9d ; merino ewes, 3a 6d, 3s 9d to 4s 6d. Stores: Four, six, and eight-tooth crossbred wethers, 9a lid ; two-tooihs, 6s to 8a 2d; cro^abreds, mixed sexes, two-tooths, 7s to 7i 8d ; four fsnd six-tooth half bred ewes, 8s 6d ; two and four-year-old crossbred ewes, 6s 3d ; eight tooth ciossbred ewes 7a 6i; Lincoln cross bred ewes, 7a 4d; cro»sbrtd ewes s good mouthed, 6; Id to bs 2d ; merino ewes, guaranteed sound mouth, 3s lOd ; culls, Is 3d ; crossbrsd lambs, 7s to 8s 8d ; first cross lambs 8s 2d. Cattle.—There were twenty eight cattle and six pigs. Fat heifers £4 2i 6d, £6 2s 6d and £5 53; fat steers £5 15s ; vea^ers, 12s, 18: i, to 23e, Store cattle—Sctore £1 10s, £1 11s to £2 5s ; dairy cows near calving £4 12a 6d, Pigs—Porkers 20s

*HB ASHBURTON GUARDIAN: TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1891



E. DUCKWORTH & SON, UNDERTAKERS, Cabinetmaker.., and Upholsterers, Burnett Street, Ashbcrton. Private Residence—Opposite Fire Brigade Station. 3 106 —— ■ -—«■ T ADIES from the. Countejr'requiring JLj medical treatment wi>l find a very Comfortable Home, and every attention given, at MRS RANGER'S, Aitken Street. 3 166 j SLAUGHTERING LIGEJS3E. . ]VfOTICE is hereby given that I intend, x\ at the County Council's meeting on April 2nd, 1897, to apply for a Slaughtering Licence for large and small cattle, for R.S., 24503. THOMAS. McGRANDRL. , Ashburton, March 8,1897. ' 365 W m t» °a « 5b i o a o h? ° S q^ 03 Q *^j c: c: o o o ■«♦** «kj •**» CO CO Uj Uj Uj _J NOTICE. \ I HAVE APPOINTED MR J. Wg HARDLEY, Plumber, Eatt Street, M AGENT for my Patent Economicaii KMt Water Service, for tha Ashburton Count J, Testimonials on application. 3JL?L J. H. WALKIEv WANTED Known—Go to the COSH 41 for Newest Stylea m Diaper;/ ti|| Miitioary-'W, H. CoiaiWi 5



Henry Zander, ASBBURTON RAM & EWE FAIR, TO BE HELD AT TINWALD SALEYARDS, ON THURSDAY, MARCH 25. I SHALL be pleased to receive ENTRIES for above fixture. HENRY ZANDER, DAVID ZANDER, 2 179 Auctioneer. D. Thomas, RAM & EWE FAIR. THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1897. ENTRIES of RAMS and Good Breeding EWES are now, being taken for the above fixture. B. THOMAS, 2 141 Aebburton* WAN IED mothers to know that the cheapest shop for school boots. ,> Mellos's Zealandia Bo,ot Store, WASTED Koown—F<>: goo d boot wea try MKtLoP';2ealandi» Boot Store . Known—That J. MolsoN has VV received a large stock of Winter Boots and Shoes, which he intends diepoßiDg of at a Discount for Cash. Hio own make, (which never was yet equalled) always on hand. I intend, as m the past, to keep the reputation of keeping the Best Boots m the trade. Nothing but the best sole leather used. Repairs done at ouce at the Premier Boot Store, East Street, Town Hall, Ash burton. 3 115 WE LDON'S0N'S Ladies' and Children' Journals, Home Dressmaker, YounjK Ladies' Journals, Review of Reviews, N&vy and Army, etc. The Red Scaur, The Swampers, Told ia the Verandah, Cursed by a Fortune, and other new books.—H. M. Jones. r ;:,; ;: i i BARRETT BROS, announce that on and after Saturday, February 27, a Cash , Discount at the rate of Is m the £ will be allowed to every customer.—" The Hall," I E*Bt street, Ashburton. 2 186 Whoitiomt and fit/tttkfof—Mw Vmm



Business Notices i' CROCKERY - > - - - - CROCKERY, ENaMELWABE. EN AMELWajO. QKPIOKAQEB OKPACK4GES &O PACKAGES ZD PACKAGES Ex S. S. WAI MATE. FLETCHER BROS., TTAVR just received per 9. s. Waimate, 25 Packages of Crockery and Euunelwara fro ■*, .1 rnn^om «« beßtl Firms »n England and on the Continent, which our Aitoulsbotutbfc hLlw *V • . lfau! bein« tbe <me we are determined to tfve our Cuatomera o>e wK^SSiSnS^S!iSP WUI readily byCOmp*riu« the «*•«—*••« Pri« WE LEAD, FOLLOW WHO CAN. OROCKEEY. CROCKIERY. 50 Bedroom Seta from 10s 6d per set of 6 pieces, Full size 100 Sets of Jugs, plain, printed and enameled, from 2a per Mt of three bO Dozen Teapots from 6d each. 100 pressed Tumblers, 2a 6d per doeau i&TW 260 Oovered OI»88 Jam Dishes, 6d each. 50 plain Tumblen, 2s per dozen 100 Dozen lib Glass Jam Jars, (Lips), 2s 6d per dozen. 60 Dozen 21b GUaa Jen Jars, 3s od per dozen * c « MaßOn'B Jftrß» P»nt«» Quarts, and half Gallon, equally cheap. 150 Dozen Cups and Saucers from 3s 9d per dozen 6 Gross White and Gold China Egg Cups, Is 4d per dozen Lovely Alarm Clocks, 5s lid each, splendid timekeepers 60 Dozen Pudding Bowls from 4d each, etc., etc, , Lil i*Q* ENAMELWARE, EN A MEL WARE. 25 Dozen Enameled Teapots, 2s 3J, 2s 9J, 3s 3d and 3s lid, (4 Colors 5 Dozen Enameled Kettles 2s lid, 3s 6d 3* 1H ! MiESJ!3#Si£f&.SSi utkutf *• *"■2tM> M"^ 12a:; aSrtt^rjftftrlM "•u »•Oop Md 6 Dozen Enameled P.ring P« M , ], 2d, Usd, 1.8 d and la lid each Kumelai Pt«»«vi»g Kn., 4, 6d, 5. 3d M d 6. 9d «ob Candleaticta, 7d and lOd each. JAM SEASON. JAM SEASON. MAURITIUS SUGAR. MAURITIUS SUGAR. Anyone wishing their j Jams and Jellies to keep should get their preserving Sonr from up, as we guarantee to sell only the finest Cane Sugar. PICKLING SEASON. PICKLING SEASON. , .T£? f °Mt yine3ft* iai,V! c. Market at prices to suit everyone's pocket. We h»ve ako o haud Pickhng Spues of all kind« anfi of the best quality. PRODUCE EX STORE. Sharps 5s 6d per bag. Bran 3a 6d per bag New Potatoes, splendid S&mp'e 14.1) Is, 7s per cwt Fhiur—Rollitt's Su| reme at wholesale prices Oatmeal, (Timaru), Diamond Brana, lowest price m town W'iieacmea. for Bread and Porridge m 71b and 251 b bags To be Obtained from the OHEAP>ST HOUSE m ASJH BURTON, FLETCHER BROS., GASH SUPPLY STORES, ASHBURTON ANB OHRISTCHUROH. Telephone 2*—Box 67. ENCOURAGED BY THE STRJK NG SCJCOfSS OF OUR GREAT ANNUAL SALE WE have decided to CONTINDJB IT FOR FOURTEEN DAYS MORE, during which time we mtend offering all our immense Stock of Boots, Shoes, Slippers. Evening stioes, &c, rv^ f AT UNH E A IVD- oF~fl\lCES m ■ Every Pair is Reduced from 10 to 20 per cent, A number of Bargains at any price. { All those who have not availed themselves <>i the WONDFRFDL BARGAINS OFFERED AT THIS ESTABLISHMENT thonld do so immediatelly. BAB^AI«S McDonald & Mcdiaemid's J. NICHOLAS, MANAGER, East Street. N.B.—Any description of Boot or Shoe made to measure at the lowest Price m town. | Only Best Material used.



OUR Flannelette Season opens with a Special Purchase of 1216 yards, selling at 3d and 4^d per yard. Cash Discount Is m the £.—Babristt Bros., "The Hall," East street, Ashburton. 2 }68



WANTED Known—The New Flannel ette, half wool and cotton, 36 inches wide, everlasting wear.—A. Orb. 3 138



Public Notices, hamjpstead town district. extraordinary vacancy. riIHE following Person having beon 1. DULY NOMINALED to fill the Vacancy on the Hampstead Town Board, viz :— ANDREWS, GEORGE WILLIAM j ELLIOTT, JAMES. A POLL wi!l be taken for the Election of ONE of the said persons, at Mes Fawcett's House, Hampatead, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., on WEDNESDAY, March 31, 1897. J. C. BELL, Returning Officer. Hampstead, March 23, 1897. 3 181 ONE POUND~TEN SHILLINGS REWARD. LOST from Leeston on the Bth mat., one email bay Mare (14.2), black points, slight navel (high) rupture ; last seen on Rakaia Island making her way to Ashburton for Geraldine. Anyone giving information that will lead to the recovery of same will receive the above reward. H. DIERCK, 3 180 Saddler, Leeston. BOROUGH OF ASHBURTON. AS Section 10 of " The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Amendment Act, 1895," provides that the day on which the election of the Licensing Committee takes pace, shall be deemed to be a public half-holiday, the Burgessesa are requested to observe WEDNESDAY NEXT, the 24th icst,, a public half-holiday, instead of 1 HURSDAY, and persons failing to close their places of business on that day are liable to prosecution uuder the Shop and Shops Assistants Act. J. SEALY, Mayor. Ashburton, Mirch 23, 1897. 3 179



LICENSING DISTRICT OF ASHBURTON. ELECTION Oi' COMMITTEE. ELECTORS!!! IF YOU DESIRE to see !.he Liquor-trade Strictly Supervised, IF YOU DESIRE to see the Houses Closed at IQp.ra., IP YOU DFSIRE that no Conditional Licenses be granted during the next three yeara, IF YOU DESIRE the Licensing Act justly Administered, but without fear or fayor, VOTE FOE TUB I'OLLOWING GENTLEMEN ;-n CHAPMA^ 'B. S. CLEPHAHE, GEOEGE LEADLEY, G. W. TAYLOB, THOMAS WILLIAMSON, DONALD 3 156



THE LICENSING ELECTION. TO THE ELECTORS OF ! AbHBURTON. i ON WEDNESDAY NEXT you will be called upon to elect FIVE rnemberß to serve a* a Licensing Committee for the text three years. It is to be hoped that the j lessons taught by the last Licensing Election m 1894, aud the'Licensing Pol m December, will iot be thrown away. rl he first taught I that, notwithstanding the fact that the ( Extreme or Prohibition party was m the minority, its leaders secured all the privileges and advantages of a majority, and returned their owu represent*tives by s'mply putting forth all their voting power. The Eecond lesson showed conclusively that the Moderate party is m a pronounced majority, and can easily carry the Foils when they can be iuducud to work together. The last Licens ing Election was practically lefc to the Liceused Victuallers and those immediately connected wi|h the liquor trade to fight out witb the Prohibitionists, almost unaided by those usually called the Modeiate party. This party, whose numbers bulked atthe polls m December last, took lutle or no interest m the elections m March, 1884, and the balauce sheets of various public institutions, sue ( iS the Aahburton R ciug Club, and the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, give ample evidence of the unfortunate effects of this indifference. But apart from this aspect of the case, there is the more important one, that by neglecting their privilege of having a voice m the regulation of one of the most import ant Trades m the Country, those who think that the matter does^ffbt concern them virtually hand it over to the tender mercies of those pledged to exterminate it. And not only so, but ib ia highly probable that during the ensuing three years occasion may | arise when the zeal of the Prohibitionists, if j elected to the Licensing Committee, will j induce them to act m a manner prejudicial to the convenience or pecuniary iuterests of the rest of the community; at any rate, should the latter considerations run counter to the views of the former, we all know, by past experience, which will go to the wall, It ia earnestly hoped, therefore, that every levelheaded, fair-minded man or woman who may be on the Electoral Roll, will nuke a point of going to. the poll on Wednesday and vote for Messrs ANDREW McFARLANE, DONALD MoLFAN JOHN McQUILKIN JOSEPH SEALY DAYJD THOMAS Thsssa are men who, we all know, are free from fads, and who will work for the best interests of the whole community. 3 166



Fnedlander joros. ,AS A GOING CONCERN. riIHE COMPLETE PLA^T of an Old JL Established li*irst Class Livery Stable, doiug 8[ good buainess. Full particularsj>n application, 3 155 £RSEDLANDER BROS,, LtO. rsnr^EWir' FAIR. THURSDAY, MAECH 25. TTINTRIES are now being received for this X±i fixture. tRIEDLANDIR BROS., Limited. 2 168 IF your boys and girls are rough on boots ■ try MeljLoh's iudcetructible Sohoo Boots



LICENSING DISTRICT OF ASHBURTON. ELECTION OF LICENSING COMMITTEE. NOTICE OF POLLING-DAY IN PURSUANCE of the Alcoholic Liquors , Sale Control Act, 1893, and the Elec toral Aot, 1893, I, THOMAS WILLIAM TAYLER, Returning Officer for the Licens ing District of Ashbuiton, do hereby GIVE NOIICE that an ELECTION WILL BE HItLD for the RKIURN of FIVE Qualified Persons to serve as MEMBERS* o£ the Licensing Committee for the »aid District, and that NOMINATIONS OF CANDI DATES will be received not later than Five o'clock m the Afternoon of the sixteenth ' day of March, 1897, and that the POLL (if necessary) will be taken at tho several Polling-places of the said p.istnct on WED NEsDAYj the 24th day of March, 1897,. Each Nomination must be accompanied by a, deposit of Ten Pounds. The following are the PQLLING-.PLACES for the Licensing District of Ashburton ;— The Courthouse, Ashburton, The Schoolhouse, Dromons. The Schoolhouse, Seatield. The Sqhoolhouae, Wakanui. The Schoolhouse, Flemingfcon. The Bohoolhouse, Hinds. The Schoolhouse, Mayfield. The Sohoolhouste, Greenstreet. The Schoo:house, Lowcliffe, The Road OSjce, Mount Somers. The Templar Hall, Tinwald. The Town Hall, Staveley. T. W. TAYLER, Returning Officer, Ashburton, March 5, 1897. 0



Government Notices. ASHBURTON LICENSING DISTRICT. THE following Persons have been duly nomir>a'ed as Candidates for the Licensing Committee of the above-named District ;— STEPHEN STEPHENSON CHAPMAN, of Willcwby, farmer. GE JRGE CLEPHANE, of Wakinui, farmer. GEORGE WILLIAM LEADLEY, of Wa kanui, farmer. ANDREW McFARLANE.of Mount Somers sheep farmer. DONALD MoLEAN, of Lagmohr, station manager. JOHN McQOILKIN, of Longbehch, farmer! JOSEPH SEALY, of Ashburtou, seedsman, IHOMAS TAYLOR, of Aehton, farmer. DAVID THOMAvS, of Ashburf.on, auc tioneer. DONALD WILLIAMSON, of Ashburton, storekeeper, T. W. TAYLER. Returning Officer. Ashburton. March 17, 1897. 3 131



MESSRS HANMEK AND GKAVES, m conjunction with Mr D. Thumas, h*ve received instructions from Mr Dun Brick to Sell at TA R A ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, the following first-class Sheep and Cattle :— | AAA Two. tooth Crossbred Wethers. xUUi/ Splendid large-framed Sheep. AC\C\ Tw°-tootn Half bred Wethers. I 4rUU Splendid large framed Sheep. OAA Two-tooth Haltbred Ewes. S)C\i\ Four and Six-tooth Half bred | A\JU Ewes. 4 Af\ Six and Eight-tooth Crossbred 4LU Ewes, 1 K(~\(~\ Four-year-old EWES; good J-«J\J\J sheep. P7(~\f\ Merino Ewes, six and eight # V/w tooth ; grand line. /Lf\ 1 Crossbred Lambs ; Lincoln cross K/"\/~V Crossbred Lambs; Leicester tJ \J\J cross. POX Half bred Lamb 9, Leicester cioss Kr^/~\ Crossbred Ewes, broken mouth £\C\(~\ MERINO EWES, broken OVJKJ mouth. 7086 Q Shropshire Rams. Young sheep. f* English Leicester. Young sheep. j £ Head Young Cattle. A L S O,— 1 Three-furrow Plough, 1 Dray and Frame, 10 Stacks Oat Straw (m splendid con dition), 300 Sacks Feed Duu Oats. » The Stock will all be found m first-class condition. Luncheon provided. Sale at 12.30 sharp. HANMBR & GRAVES 7 PerJi? LANI> D. THOMAS I Au Seers 3 91



Hanmer and Graves. raiTewe" FAIR. THURSDAY, MARCH 25. WE SOLICIT ENTRIES for the above fixture. HANMER AND GRAVE 6. J. R. BLAND, 2 197 Auctioneer.



-ITT"ANTED TO PUROAAQI -100 Tons OF BRIGHT OATEN tHEJAP GRAFF, FRIEDIiANDER BROS. I/p), TI.BNOIU6 'MATERIAI oi' all Descriptions supplied. L Bailed and Plain Wife ttud.Stttndarda.



Wanted. A I\NIVKRSARY Toa, at the Tabernacle, A Thursday, April Ist. Sale of work, Rummage stall. Gifts new or second hand gladly received. 3 183 J'jTOUND — C-rriage Rug. Apply H. _ FuNtiE, North itast Belt, near the Hospital. 3 177 lOST, between Silcock's Butchery and _J Post Ofpce, one Maroon Feather. Finder kindly leave same at Siicock'a. 3 182 APPLICATIONS are invited for the position of Turner ck. Apply to ths Town Clerk, before FRIDAY, the 26th instant. 3 178 WANTKD KNOWN, thafc you may rely on getting the latest style and best qualiiy ia Autumn and Winter Mil linery. — Miss E. Barnes, Arcade and Tancred Street. Childrens' millinery a specialty. Do not fail to see the windows. Ladies own materials made up. WANTED Known—Men's Boots m great variety from 4s lid to 30s. Mellor's Zealandia Boot Store. MAKE no mistake. If you want a nice job made of your repairs, try Mellob, the up-to-date bootmaker. "encourage looajlTin- DUSTRY. IF you want a good, strong, and reliable Umbrella, one that is not likely to get our of order, go and order one from SMJTH MACKWELL, at the Umbrella shop, East Street. Umbrellas neatly repaired and re-covered. Knives and Scissors ground. 3 73 WANTED Known-—Our Friends realise the Genuineness of the sale.— Mitchell & Turner. WANTED Known—Our Show Rooms to be cleared of all Summer Goods. —Mitchell & Turner. TERLING Value m Household. Drap7ry, Clothing, Boots, etc., and Cash Dis count Is m the £.'—Bar^etti Bkos., " The Hal!, ' East street. 2 187 WANTED Known—The Economi liid Glove, four buttons, is 9d per pair, is the Glove for eyery day wear.— W. H.'Collier. "TTTTANTED Known-^A. ORR, Agent for V f the celebrated Fearnought Sergey, defy sea, air, and water. 3 139 WAM'ED Known—The cheapest atd .most reliable boot shop m Ashburton at Mellors Zealandia Boot Store. WANTED Kuown-250 New Jackets, Mantles,, aad Capeq now open; beautiful aoqds., CJenftan Vaade',— A. Orr. - }_ '■■•' ?jL_l___ ._; 3JL4O WANTED Known-The celebrated P.D j Corsets m all prices and colors.— A. Orr, 3 141 ] . ' i "TTTANTEP linown— Every article sold yY proves Heavy Reductions.—Mit chell $ TURNER. ' BED Chaff, Bed ChaS ikeah. $nd dean) b,J per bag j splendid potatoes, aQlbs i fo'r'ls, or Ui 6d per gc'wb aacfej at Flexcheb i Brqs, ' ' ______ T")OLLITT & CO.'S Supreme Flour and Jl\ Wbeatmeal at cost price- Sharps 5a 9d aud Bran 3s 6d per bag, delivered.—- Fletcher Bkos., Cash. Supply Stoves.



tfmgrani and liivk/aratitttji'mN'ew Fettusi



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