PHASE OF THE MOON.

DECEMBER. D H M First quarter .... ... 1 245 am Full moon .. ... 9 424 pm Last quarter ... ... 17 352 am New moon ... ... 24 725 pm

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1897. SWEATING IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

For some time past an agitation has been carried on, having for its object the introduction of technical education into the swllabn? Of the public schools. When the education p0 came into force twenty years ago, .the only |and. of technical education included in it jvas needlework ; and the instructions the© la;d down for the guidance of teachers have remained unaltered! to the present time, But jiittiqu&tj thf syllabus for the school sewing was unchanged, the requirements of the inspectors have become much more exacting, and, in order to meet these, tjie sewing teachers in the state sclipols have palled upon to devote a great deal more of the|r tip.® and attention to the preparation of the work for the girls " - *n«b ¥ to b« wjpected Urn $*%

under the circumstances. We are fully aware of the importance of sewing as a branch of instruction absolutely essential to a girl's education; out unless it be given a much more promi nent place in connection with the standard passes in our public schools, it seems quite unreasonable that so much should be required by the Inspectors at the annual examinations. Thefact is, the way sewing mistresses—in the larger schools at anyrate — have been compelled to work long before and after the usual school hours to prepare the sewing for their classes, is nothing less than sweating. Re cognising that some effort should be made to remedy such an unsatisfactory state of things, the lady teachers of Canterbury held a meeting in Christ church some months ago to discuss the matter, and, if possible to suggest some better system of teaching sewing in the State schools. A report was drawn up in support of certain resolu tions passed at that meeting, which re port is before us, and as the authors are not only experts, but are among those best able to give an opinion upon the deft cts of the present Bystem, we cannot do better than quote from it. It is pointed out that as sewing has never been a pass subject at annual examinations there is nothing to excite wonder that it has never occupied much of the head masters time and attention. " Similarly, inspectors have allotted marks to the sewing presented without any strict inquiry into the quantity of work done, and the amount of the burden undertaken by the teacher." On this point it may be added that the very absurd practice of submitting the work to the judgment of a non-expert, such as a Government school inspector, often leads to much disappointment to the painstaking and honest teacher, whose girls present work entirely their own, excellent and creditable alike to teacher and taught ; but not so highly marked by the inspector as that done in other schools, chiefly by the teachers and pupil teachers. That this is not only possible, but actually occurs under the present system of examination, many parents who have had girls attending certain schools are well aware, and if such an evil were the only one sought to be remedied by the lady teachers of Canterbury they would be entitled to universal support. But other blots upon the system have been pointed out, and as we have said, the uncalled for demands upon the time and energies of the teachers constitute one requiring prompt action to remove. Concerning this point the report says that " While it is undeniably a good thing to have the layman's interest in a reform movement, there is always a possibility that, through lack of practical know ledge, his anxiety for justice in one direction may lead him to overlook in justice in other directions." This proposition received an amusing con firmation a few days ago, when at a meeting of school committee d«!exatee held in Christchurch. more than one mem ber protested against any change being made in the sewing syllabus, one going 80 far as to assert that " the agitation for a reform was merely got up because the teachers were too lazy to do the work now required !'' The ladies who framed the report on the sewing ques tion, showed that they were, at least, good judges of human nature when they anticipated that through, lack of practical knowledge, it was more than possible an injustice would be done to them by the nonexperts who have be6n entrusted with the supervision of education matters throughout the colony. We. however, are not pre pared to admit that the mere lack of practical knowledge concerning the question of teaching sewing in schools should be accepted «s a reason or ex cuse for School Committees or the public opposing a reform in the sewing syllabus, and a modification of the re quirements of the inspectors. Although few njembers of School Committees have a practical knowledge of sewing, none can plead ignorance of the fact that the sewing mistresses are con tinually engaged outside of the regular hours in preparing the girls work, and we could name some committeemen having relatives employed in teaching, who must be aware of a matter so well known to all members of the teaching profession, the report very pertinently points out that "sewing and cookery and carpentry sheuld stand on the same footing, and be somewhat equally taught, but in fapt the twp latter are omitted altogether," and ft proceeds to show that both of these subjects might have been added, and all three taught "in a cheap and elementary way." But the present regulations have gone quite beyond that stage with regard to sewing, " and by prescribing cutting out and garment making have dipped into the work of the expert," "and haye saddled the girls and sewing teachers "with purely technical opera tions that have no counterpart on the boys' side, or in the masters' work;" and at the same time the work now required is not for a primary, but for a technical or second ary school. In arguing against tlie provision in the present syll ibus for cutting out garments by the upper standards—a provision tha£; palls for much extra labor from the teacher^ the ladies' committee point out that the style of cutting out contemplated by the syllabus v quite out of date, and that "all that pupils now really require is a little practice in handling the patterns, now so cheap as to be within the reach of everybody." And !it is further sjiown that as the respon sibility of*showing jbhat each article completed will bear close ihspectiorij it is evident that the adoption of gar ments for sewing practice' places " a burden unparalled anywhere else in the syllabus upon the sewing teachers." The sewing arrangements, we are informed, " create a drain—unjust and practically unprofitable, and useless— on the teacher's time, health, and chances for self-improvement. Pre paring e|.ch pupils work " takes on an average the best par£ pjf two or three evenings a week, for the greafer part of the school year. Some teachers prefer to remain in the schoolroom to j do this work, and thus save them selves tfa© trouble of carrying the bags of sewing to and from fo<pe^ but the ] vitiated air of 1 the schoolroom, and the I fagged state of the' teacher at the end of the day, render this practice decidedly unhealthy," That this has been going on eyeri here jin Ashburton for yetts, every peri6»' interested j n

school matters well knows j and that it is nothing less than sweating in its worst form, for the teachers do not get aoy extra pay for their extra work must be apparent to the most super ficial observer. The views of the lady teachers were embodied in a series of resolutions, which have been adopted by the .North Canterbury Educational Institute, and ordered to be forwarded to the annual Council, which meets in Dunedin during the Christmas holidays. There is little doubt that the annual Council will endorse the views of the lady teachers on this ira portant question, and it is to be hoped that the Minister of Education will take steps to carry out tbe suggested reforms with as little delay as possible.

Local and General.

When a fine ruby is found in Burmah, a procession of elephants, grandees, and soldiers escort it to tbe King'u palace. The matron of the Hospital acknowledges with thanks the receipt of a number of illustrated papers from Mr C. J. Harper, for tha use of the patients. The Brass Band gave an open-air concert on Saturday evening in Baring Square to an j appreciative audience. The programme previously advertised was gone through satisfactorily. A female town-crier fulfils her duties in the Scottish town of Dunning, Perthshire. She is a hale, hearty old dame of seventy, locally known as the " bell wife," and is very proud of having proclaimed the Queen's birthday for fifty-three years running.

An exchange asks : —When town travellers ask for printing orders, do business men sufficiently consider what it means ? If the work is done locally at least 75 per cent goes back indirectly to them. If sent away, they do not even get 5 per cent of it back. Burglar alarms can now be attached to bicycles. The device consists of a bell sur rounding a clock mechanism which is fastened to the name. A lever projects in line with the spokes in the back wheel, to i sound the alarm when the wheel is moved.

1 There is a church in the City of Cork which is known for miles around on account of the peculiarity of its steeple. The steeple is built of two different colored stones, two sides being built in white, and the other two in red stone. A society is being formed in Paris the members of which are bound under a penalty j of a fine never to shake hands with anyone unless with a gloved hand, as the practice is supposed to be contrary to health. One of the most beautiful orchids was re cently exhibited in London. It was a white flower, shaped like a sea-gull with outspread wings, and a gold and vermilion heart. It came from Veuueuela, and cost £1000. Near Woodstock, Oxon, a man who had just put some tools into a chest at the ap proach of a storm w*b struck by lightning and killed as he stood under an oak tree, which was photographed perfectly on his body by the electric fluid.

All the flags for British ships of war, except the Royal standards, are made in the Government dockyards ; and the enormous number required may be judged from the fact that in the colour-loft at Chatham alouo about 18,000 flags are made in a year.

An untamed swallow, which had its nest on a farm near Chetwynd, in Shropshire, was caught and taken in a cage to London, where it was released. It returned to its nrst in eighty minutes, having accomplished a distance of 145 miles at the rate of nearly two miles »• minute.

Id has been computed that if the sea wm c emptied of its waters and all the rivers of the earth were to pour their present floods into the vacant space, allowing no thing for fiVAporation, 40,000 ye.irs would be required to bring the water of the ocean up to its present level.

Paper gaspipes are now made. Manilla paper is cut in strips, equalling in width the length of the pipe to be made. These are passed through a vessel filled with melted asphalt, and then wrappel firmly and uni formly round an iron core until the required thicknsss is attained. These pipes are claimed to be perfectly gaslight, and ate said to be much cheaper than iron pipes.

The latest official estimate of the popula tion of the United States is 77,000,068. This is made by the Government Actuary, a Treasury officer whose duty it is at fixed intervals to report on the per capita ciicula tion of money in the United States. He estimates that the present holdings of money are nearly twenty-three dollars for every man, woman, and child in the United States.

It is popularly supposed that the interest in bull-fighting in Spain is lagging, but the facts of the case indicate that, if anything, popular interest is more intense than ever. The remuneration received by thematadores ranks with that obtained by some of the leading operatic singers in England Last year the least reubwned matadores received from £60 to £80 for each fight ia which they took part, while the more famous were paid from £100 to £170.

A remarkable development in the Dreyfus case, outside of the announcement that the German Emperor had expressed his belief in the man's innocence, is the statement recently made by one of the vice-presidents of the French Senate, that Captain Drefus's brother has charged Count Esterhagy, com mandant of artillery, with being the author of the document on the strength of which Dreyfus was convicted by the court-martini.

The big railway strike which will take place in England on the 16th inst has b, een organised by the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, who have issued a ?' national programme," in which the eight hour day for signalmen, locomotive men, shunters, examiners, greasers, and plate layers form a leading part. Ten hours are to be the maximum for any grade. Time and jb to be the rate for overwork, with extra pay for Sunday work.

The defence in the Brunner cases has been amended by the insertion of a plea that the explosion was caused by a sudden incursion of firedamp, which escaped into the mine owing to tr*e falling in of a part of the roof, and that this falling in' was inevitable, and could not have been prevented, by the exer cise of any care or • diligence on the part of the defendant. James Bishop, manager of the mine, gave evidenoe in support of this contention, and against tfte conclusion arrived at by the Royal Commission'" that the catastrophe was caused by a blown-out

A rather awkward thing for a would-be borough councillor happened lnsfc week at Timaru, Nominations for the seat on the Timaru Borough Council rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr David Owera, fell due, The Returning Officer received two nominations—of Mr Andrew .sberratt and Dr R. Stuart Reid. Ihe Returning Officer declared Mr Andrew Sherratt duly elected, Dr Reid being ineligible, his nomination paper having the following memo, attached to it : ««Dr Reid having failed to pay rates qualifying bim to be entered on the burgess roll until aftes tha roll was completed, is not entitled to be ruminated for..election, not being a burgess." f: '• ■'•

Christmas is now nigh at hand, the time for sending greetings and practical ' ex pressions of good fellowship and kindly remembrance from friend tp friend. la these days, whop nearly eyery one cycles more or less, wbafc present more appropriate, or more likely to'"be appreciated, than a first-class "bike," or some of the numerous 1 accessories thereto ? In this connection the Austral Cycl? A ? ency have »JP»«^ unlimited selection of cycling no».. ■.« »na accessories, and a magnificent stook of both ladies' and 'jehtrf"' bicycles of the highest grades, and with all the latest improvSmerits, as may be seen by a visit to any of their depots, or by writing for a catalogue which will be posted free.

The New Woman, the new fashion, the latest orawe, have some particular virtue to commend'them* 5 so it is wish the new cough mixture, Woods' Great Peppermlnff Cure* instantaneous relief for man, woman, or child is the feature of this unfailing remedy. All Grocers and Chemists keep it, the prioe ii r«ites»bie, U 6<J *»<* Si 6rt, Pi, I©

* Mr David Thomas advertises t hat his next j wool Bale takes pl»oa in ChristCourch on j Thursday, December 16, entries for which! close on Monday, December 13. Instructions j as to consigning, etc, are given in an adver tisement. Mr P. L. Payne, whose term of office as stationmaster at Ashburton has expired, I leaves by express this evening for the north jen route to Napier, of which station he is i I about to become master. Mr Parson?, Istely of Hastings, succeeds Mr Puyne. A party ef excurionists left Ashburton by I Trevursa's drag on Saturday night for Peel Forest, and returned last evening, quite delighted with the beautiful scenery and invigorating atmosphere of this favourite holiday resort. The correspondent of the "Southern Standard " has the best authority for stating that the Hon. W. P. Reeves, Agent-Genera', will be on the platform at the next general election, but for which constituency has not transpired

A peculiar form of bicycle accident hap pened a few days ago to Mr W. Morsehead, a well-known official in the We lingfon j Post Office. He was cleaning his machine, , and caught his hand in the spokes of the j wheel as it was whirling round, with the result that the forefinger of bis left hand was broken. His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to offer a free pardon to any person, not being the principal offender, who shall give such information as will lead to the | conviction of the offender or offenders in | connection with the horse killing cases at i Christchurch. A reward of £100 is offered to any person, not being the. principal offender, who first gives such information as will lead to the said conviction.

Step dancers at the Caledonian Society's Sports on Boxing Day will this year have one competitor less to contend with, Mr E. Sullivan, the well-known and clever Irish and Highland dancer having decided to retire on his laurels for at least one year. Mr Sullivan, daring the sixteen years he has been competing in dancing and athletics, has won nearly £300 in prizes, besides some half dozen cups, and as many medals as he can find breast room for. He has scored as a runner, a hurdle racer, and in other sections of the arena, and certainly has earned a rest.

Says the Hastings " Standard ":—We are informed on what we consider good authority that two days before he died, Sergeant Slattery, who had an unblemished record of thirty-five years' service, received a letter from headquarters that unless he was fit for duty to-day he would be super seded, and that the intimation accelerated his death. If this is correct we cannot find words to express our opinion of the writer of such a letter to a dying man, and we hope the matter will be sifted to the bottom.

The death was announced in October at Bury St. Edmunds, of Colonel J. R. Collins, C.B , who saw active service in the Maori war of 1863 65, when he took part in some of the principal engagements in Taranaki and the Waikato. Subsequently he served in the Afghan war and the Soudan expedi tion. He joined the 70th Foot, now forming the 2nd Battalion of the Eist Surrey Regi ment, and in 1881 became Colonel Com mander of that corps. In 1390 he was promoted to the command of the 12th Regimental District, which post he retained until 1395, when he retired on half pay, and the following year was made a C.B.

A correspondent thus addresses the Timaru "Herald ':—Sir,—Does it not strike you that this town is wrongly named, seeing that the Qoddess of Shingie is so specially favor ing it with the only pieoe of no fori<ty it possesses. Shingle ! One harbour is buried with shingle, our sreetsand footpaths are planted iv shingle by our city (grand) fathers. There is more shingle in Timaru than in any other place of its size in. the world. On your way to woik you simply have to crawl through—shingle ; you ward off your neighbour's dog with —ahicgle, the small boys are settling an argument with— shingle. You open your morning " Herald," the leader is on—shingle; they might also have admitted being short a—shingle, Shingle is a source of annoyance to all excepting bootmakers, " I.'s an ill wind," etc. There is more boot-leather worn out in Timaru in half an hour than in all Scot land in ten years ; cause—shingle. It is allowed that there are numbers of people in 'I imaru with extra big feet who are clumsy to a degree, and walk fifty times heavier than ordinary going people, but the shingle must be held accountable for this great com sumption of cowhide and consequent prosperity of Timaru's bootmakers. Yes sir, since shingle has come to stay the Booner we make friends with it the better, aud just form one mom deputation to at>k that Timaru's name be changed to Shiogletown.

When Mrs G. P. Donnelly was in Wel lington the other day ("ays the Hawke's Bay Herald) she received from Mr Seddon a most interesting souvenir of the Queen's Jubilee celebrations. Mrs Donnelly sent to ber M» j sty through Kurupu Tareha, one of the Native contingent and a near relative of her own, some valuable Maori curios, and, in acknowledgment, Mr Chamberlain sent through Mr Seddon an album of beautiful photographic views of the procession through the Btreets of London. It is handsomely bound in morocco, and on the tit'e page bears the inscription, " Diamond Jubilee, 1897. Presented to Mrs Airidi Donnelly by the Bight Hon Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the C donits, and Mrs Chamberlain." The first picture is one of the tyieen with her autograph, then follow photos of Mr and Mrs Chamberlain aud of Mr and Mrs Sedd >h, all with autographs. The rest of the album is filled with views of the procession taken at different points. They are magnificent specimens of the photo graphic art and well worthy of preservation, apart from the unique circumstances under which Mrs Dunnelly receives the volume, As the daughter of one who fought nobly for the Queen in New Zealand's day of trouble, and who was specially honoured by her Majesty, Mrs Dounelly will attach additional yalue to the gift, and treasure it as among her most precious possessions.

JPST in Timb son Christmas.—ln order to keep " up-to-date" with our steadily increasing business we have decided to effect considerable' alterations to our premises, aud to make room for the builders we have resolved to greatly, reduce our stock before Christmas. We have therefore culled a large quantity of our Tweeds and Worsteds, etc, to clear at the following reductions:—Men's suits to measure, usual price 90s. now 70s; Men's trousers, usual price 25b, now 15s 6d ; eto. We have also pleasure in notifying that we have just been appointed agents for the famous .''British Lion" and J«Waverley"? Bicycles-(both gents' and ladies'), which we are now selling With »fl the'«' up-to-date'" improvements at the lowest cash' prices, or on the moaf liberal terms to suit the convenience of' our customers. (Every machine guaranteed).— Craighead and Bebryman, the leading Tailors and Outfitters,

THE WEATHER.

ALFORD STATION. The following is the meteorological report for the week ending December 3, 1897 :—

Rainfall during November, J897 j—Alford I Forest, 416 inohes j Alford Station* 3*75 j inches, |

COMMERCIAL.

LONDON MARKETS.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph. Copyright, London, December 4 At the wool sales to-day there was a g6od eile all round. Prices being firmer there were no withdrawals. Tbe sales olose on Monday. i'

CRICKET.

STODDART'S TEAM v TWENTY-TWO OF TAMWORTH.

Press Association — By Electric Telegraph Copyright. Sydney, December 5 The Tamworth match wa* abandoned without further play, owing to heavy rain. The Englishmen agreed to play another match on Monday. Ranjitaiuhji is im proving.

THE FIRST TEST MATCH TEAM.

Sydney, December 5 The Selection Committee at length dis« cussed the claims of Donnan, McLood, Lyons, A. McKenzie, and Noble, and even tually decided to include Lyons, and oboote .VlcLeod as twelfth man, and Donnan «■ thirteenth. George Giffen was included without his consent. Interviewed last night he said nothing had occurred to change his decision not to play. Subsequently he telegraphed to Gregory, that out of no disrespect for Aus tralia and Englishmen, he declined to play. He wished them all luck. McLeod, there' fore, takes Giffen's place. Fisher, the JSew Zealander, in a letter to Iredale, says he is in good form, bit has been given no opportunity in the soratoh teams pitted against bim. Victoria it anxious for his show against men of the first rank, and has ooafidenoe in hie ability. It in understood that he will be given the desired opportunity before the seoond test match.

CYCLING.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

Mblbourbe, November 4. In the Austral wheel race today Body, the New Zealander, won the heat. In the final of the Ten Mile International Scratch Race, Green (England) was first, Gargu revich 2, Body (New Zealand) 3. Won easily. Time, 25min 52£ sec

New Zealand Wheel Race.

In the handicaps declared for tha N.Z. Wheel Race, of £50, two miiee, to be decided; at Christchurch on December 18, the two Longbeach riders have been handi* capped as follows:—J. T. Andrews 200 yds, H. Bushell 230 yds.

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON RACING CLUB SUMMER MEETING.

The following acceptances have been re* eeived for the above meeting, to be held oft Thursday next:— Op£K Wkltxr Handicap, of 30 soys; one mile.—Weary 93, Alcestis 9.0, Crescent 8.12, Argon 8.6, General Wolfe 8.4, Tale of the War 8.2, Toxa 8.2.

Ashburton Racing Club Handicap, of 40sovs; one mile and a quarter.—Cannon shot 811, Belligerent 7.10, Rangefinder^ 6.9, Paladin 6.7. J Pony Race Handicap, of 30 soys; fotilfl furlongs.—Mania 10.5, Pickles 9.3, Botfly 1 8.6, Nigger 7.10, Liberty 7.9, Royal Saloon 1 77, Phyllis 75, Cissy 74, Rose Agoew7.o, Dot 7.0. ■ Spbing Handicap, of 30 soys; seven for long*. — Cannonshot 9.5, Belligerent 8.4, Weary 7.7, Alcestis 74, Windermere 7.0, ! Tale of the War 6.7, Toxa 6 7, Mag *.7. Flting Handicap, of 30 soys; six far longe.—Paladin 7.12, Crescent 7.10, Range finder7.9, Grandshot 7 7, Mount Clair 7 6, Windermere 7 6, Argon 7.4, Lord Stansbury 6.12, Conspirator 6.10, Nigger 6.7. Kolmar Teot Handicap, of 30 soys; two miles.—Lady Jane 4seo, Black Oats 12sec, Fairohild 28iec t Devil's King 28seo, Rockwood 35sec, Arahura 35sec, Medium And 35»c, Speculation 40sec, Bloomer 40sec, Cosmo 45sec, Minnie 45aeo, Toronto 45sec. The following are the nominations for the Novel Rack, of 25 soys $ five furlongs.— Lady George, Q»r»n^_n, Cherrystone, Rom? bill, Bogengang, Moderation, Lord Statu* bury, Perkinette.

RAKAIA SPORTS AND RACES.

The Rakaia Sports Committee met on Saturday evening last, when the following nominations were received s— Maiden Trot—Canvriford, Bessie; Pound keeper, Eulalie, JEitella, Macaroni, Actress, Satanella, Crosbie, Nioola, Cameline, Spinner. Handicap Trot—Cosmo, Bessie, Pound* keeper, Zeta, Stella, Macaroni, Satanella, Cameline, Wenlook. Owners and athletes are reminded that alt nominations close on Saturday next at> 8 p.m.

THE RECENT BOOKMAKERS' CASES.

The following reply has been received In answer to a petition in favor of reducing the sentence imposed in the recent betting by bookmakers oases:—"The Minister of Justice, having carefully enquired into ttye circumstances surrounding these prosecu tions, regrets that he cannot see any sunV oient^ grounds to justify his recommending his Excellency the Governor to grant the request of the petitioners*

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do hot hold oarsdveg raq»n«ib'« fqr the opinions expressed by oar 00RWPqna*ntt/

ASHBURTON A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

" TO THB SDITOR. Pir,—Having been appea'ed to by Mr Collins to look into the matter in dispute, and having investigated the trouble arising out of a statement made by Mr Leadley to Mr Reid, in reference to Mr Collins having stated he bad paid his subscription and had not got his receipts, I find that that state ment has been made by Mr Leadley through a misunderstanding, but in good faith. I also find that Mr Collins has not considered himself a member since 1892, being told by the Secretary at that time he was pot member. Hence he has paid no subsorip? turns since — J am, etci, ' : v \ 1 'Uhomas Taylob, ''" President. Ashton, December 6, 189?. ' '' ''

ST. MARK'S CHURCH, RAKAIA.

At the invitation of the vioar and Mrs Holland, a very pleasant evening wm spent in St. Mark's Sunday school, on Friday last, to mark the opening of the new sohool. For some five years past the ladies of the parish have worked very hard and held annual garden parties to raise money for building the school, and it is gratifying to record that their efforts have bean successful. The Bishop of Christchurch was present : and gave a most instructive address on the religious education of tbe young, and the necessity of careful home training. Be was followed; by ; fche ; yioar, wtio4eid great SttMj on the importance :nbt ;on)y of/ Mligib^f 1 instruction; but also of the ilnpiistilpiipss of training phildren to regularly attend divine service, by the parent*' example M wel) as precept. Several musioal'teleetiem . were nioely given by tbe members of the church choir, assisted by Mr Boulnois, whose (comic songs gave great amusement. Mrs Fox, of Ashburton, very kindly played the accompaniments fn her usual tfficieal manner,

*Hfc A«±ii3oliM)iv ObAAibJAd: MONDAY, bE<JEMBEB 6, 1897



Shi

tde.

High in '< Sun j

State of weather.

Date.

High

Saturday.. Sunday ... Monday ... Tuesday ... Wednesda3» Thursday... Friday ...

Low.j

i, _ I 48' ! 48 --37' 42 --- $-- 6--38-54'

! 88 --- 6-8- -.- -7- 3-- -6-0--70-83-93*

108: •74 --t '9,1 •'! 96 --120«

Fine N..W. RainNW'to'E Fine ' N.W. Squally Fine S „ Calm  S



.business Notices, ■ J _ TO RESIDENTS BUILDING & FUKNISHINGr. \T7*E BEG respectfully to announce that we have received, per S.S. ** lonic " and "Mataura,' very heavy shipments for our HOUSEHOLD FURNISHING Depart ment, viz:— SHEETINGS CURTAINS CARPET SQUARES PILLOW COTTONS QUILTS HEARTH RUGS TOWELS TOILETS OILCLOTHS T4.BLIAGS MUSLINS LINOLEUMS IN the FANCY DEPARTMENT we are showing a 6ne.assortment of new FABRICS, GLOVES, and HOSIERY, direct from the Leicester Mills; also some. jery choice goodslin Jet Trimmings, including the new Zouaves. Boleros, and Skirt Ornaments, and an endless variety of Blaok and Colored Gimpa. NEW SHIPMENTS OF Dresses, Straws, Mantles. 2 CftSOS <>i Samples HOSIERY, at LANDED COST.



MITCHELL & TURNER. [Telephone No BO.* S. BALEK. WATCH REPAIRS.



-i-TTHT MYIFIVED front Rotherham's and Erhardfs factories, a large stock of the J SeparS^2s, fortheU well known watches. Also for all other English; and American Watches,,



Having:bought largely at a considerable discount for:|spot;oaßh CHARGES FOR REPAIRS &!B:E CORRESPONDINGLY REDUCED PROMPTNESS IN EXECUTING ALL watch 'j*ki»aj:rs. *fc OJL.OCJ& RE-PAIRS,. In af RELIABLE MANNER is a feature at .8. SALEK'S, THE LEADING JEWELLEBY ESTABLISHMENT IN THE DISTRICT. BAST SIEBBT.



THE "DUNLOP" GYCLE FOE NOTHING. JLlw£ 3 miles of bicycles sold by us in Australasia durmg the last three vTrs" mSaWuS as earl/ as possible. Whoever the fortunate winner is, the « Dunlop " Cycle will make A YBBY NICE CHRISTMAS PRESENT. HRFORB buying your Christmas and New Year Gifts, we would like to show you onr Cycling Novelties. It is very annoying after giving a Dhow you ooi w 80mBt hioc your friend already has. If your friend 2^%™l^?^n 7wb*ib*c the machine has.a nice Lamp cycles-you w*u « j . £ h accessories would be £L2S?° ShSld;S'make ya more expensive present we can X^a'gooclreiaWe wheelat the lowest possible price. Being sole sSoUi n New Zealand for Humber, Danlop, Singer, Ariel, Atalanta, etc., CvolelwoM rive you a larger and more varied assortment to choose ffffimS obtain elfewhere. We return your money if your pu^ha"eU y not approved on receipt of goods. Tins practically means *h w : vw^^ » •»> t*™T Jll* "f V t„.b card It is no trouble to us to show our goods to any- IT&l^ilKvor us with a visi^whethertfaey wish to purchase or not. The Austral Cycle Agency, Ltd., THE LA.RGBST OYOLE DEALERS IN AUSTRALASIA. N.Z. ADDRESSES: cow«bosnnß. ohmsbhomh, i* amnmni, oann., AND 61, £<AMBTON QUAY, WELLINGION.



SPECIAL LINES. —Special Purchase j*." If\ DOZEN Ladies' Hats, in Fancy Straws and Sailors at Half Price, Usual Price«-1» 6d to 8s 6d. Special Prices-Od to 3» lid' NEW PATTERN""ORETTONNES, fid per Yard. Usual Price—^d. ALL LINEN TABLINGS FOB Hid. Usual Prioe—lS 3d. FOR 1» 3d. Ushai Price—l» Bd. WHITE TUBKISfI TOWELS 3sd EACH. WONDERFUL VALUE. LADIES' HEMSTITCHED" HANDKERCHIEFS &3» lid per Dozen. Utual Price—4s 6d. PRINTS, NAINSOOKS, PLISSE CREPONS, &J?X-luJSl>ir> ASSORTMENT At Lowest Piices,



A. P. WILLIAMSON, CASH DRAPER & CLOTHIER, TAISCREP pTBEET



Put lie JNotices. "\T7"E are now offering some very SPECIAL LINES IN DRESS GOODS. Exceptionally low prices quoted for completed costumes. .1 WJB-B. WINDOWei. I Tweed Costumes complete from ... 20s i A Grand Lino of Boys Colonial Tweed j Knicker Suits, sizes 1 to 13, these we start from -4L» lid per Suit. WORTH DOUBLE. SPECIAL VALUE IN MEN'S TWEED SUITS. A really good suit for ... @9i 6d We are offering some wonderfully Cheap lines in all' Departments. Ashburton I Drapery Company. THE HEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY FOR ■JQ-ICE COOL SUMMER CLOTHING. Light fancy Alpaca Coats ... ... lis 6d Black Alpaca Coats ... ... ... 12s 6d China SHk Coats ... ... .... 12a 6d Sateen Coats ... .«,.., .„ 6s 6d Holland Coats ... ... .., __ 6s Od Light fancy washing Vests from 7s 6d Light fancy washing Trousers ... 12s 6d Light fancy Tennis Suits ... ... 12s 6d Light, fancy Tennis Shirts from 4s 6d A. G. BARTON, MANAGEJR



H<»nry Zander ' THE LAST OF ZANDER'S GREAT SALE. j TN THANKING the PUBLIC for the liberal way in which they patro nised my GENUINE SALE, I beg to announce that ! THE FINAL Auction Bale



WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, DEOBIBEH 8, BY



Messrs Friedlander Bros., Limited, AT



QUE O'CLOCK SHARP, i WHEN ALL LINES WILL BE CLEARED REGARDLESS Of COST. ~ i HENRY ZANDER.



0o nofJbepersi/aWcffo 6iiya/iyoffAeJm//afiofiS t j w Ins/si on /tav/ng m ] I neyarepma/HfwMesome j 9 T/wpsstmomyaffa m/w/ence can My largest Meffi/tw/rafasia.



Church Services. S~" T, STEPHEN'S CHURCH, Ashburton. MONDAY—Teacher's Meeting 7.30 p.m. WEDNESDAY—GirIs' Friendly Society Evening at the Vioaiage, Mogpm. Honorary associates invited to attend. THURSDAY—AnnuaI Treat for the Sunday Schools. Working Party meet at School room at 9.30 a.m. Children assemble at



the Flour Mill at 2 p.m. FiHi?A?—Snorp Service 7.30 p.m. Choir Practiced p.iu, SUNDAY SERVICES. (December 12.) i 8.30—-Holy Communion. jLl.O—Morning Prayer. |.3p-rrEvening Prayer. HKV T. A. HAMILTON.



Smp&e Ntqi Vtmtt,



Keating's Powdkr destroys bugs, fleas, moths, beetles, and all other insects, whilst quite harmless so domestic .-. animal*.' ill exterminating beetles-.the suooees; of ttu« powder is • extraordinary. It is perfectly clean in application. See the article you purchase is *'Keating's," as imitation are noxious and ineffectual. Sold in tin** M, It and 2s 6d each, by all chemists. > KOZIE TEA 'r'"sti Pure v