Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1897. THE ANGLO-AMERICAN TREATY.

Thk fact that the treaty recently drawn up by the representatives of Great Britain and the United States, providing for the reference of all future disputes between the two Powers to arbitration, only awaits for mal ratification ie the most satisfactory that has been recorded for many years. Indeed that ratification, which is cer tain to be accorded, will be the most remarkable as it will be the most pleasing event of the century, ft gives promise of the early realisation of that Anglo-Saxon federation which has long been the dream of optimists, but of which few persons were sanguine enough to expect a speedy realisation —a federation whioh would be the most powerful the world has ever seen, and which would make for peace, not only as between the two kindred nations, but amongst ail the peoples of the earth. Not that it is to be an ticipated that that golden era of which there is promise—that glorioui time when the sword shall be beaten into a ploughshare, and the spear into a pruning-hook—is necessarily close at hand, but it will certainly be brought nearer by the completion of the treaty, which is the greatest triumph of peace ful diplomacy that has ever been re corded. That it is not safe to be over sanguine was taught us by the events of 1851-54, In the first named year the gathering together of all the peoples of the earth at the great Exhibition held under the auspices of the Prince Consort in Hyde Park was the occasion of a psean of rejoicing and of prophecies of a period of unbroken peace; yet three years later England, France, Italy, Turkey, and Russia were engaged in a deadly struggle, aod Alma, Inkerman, and Sebastopol were the scenes of slaughter and destruction. So also at this juncture when Europe presents the aspect of one vast armed camp it would be vain to hope that all danger of war has for ever passed away, merely because two great nations have agreed to refer all their disputes to peaceful arbitrament—-yet what has been proved possible as between Britain and the United States is surely not im possible as between other great Powers —as between Prance and Germany, or England and Russia, or as between any or all the nations of the earth, and there is clearly room to hope that what has been accomplished as between the two great English-speaking peoples may yet be brought about as between all others. So mote it be !

THE PIGEON STORY.

A few days ago a telegram went the round of the press to the eJTect that a pigeon, one of a pair sent f roaj Victoria as a present to Mr Seddon's boys, had found its way back from Wellington across the Tasman Sea to its* old quarters. Tbe original owner notified the fact to the Seddons, and declares ; there is no mistake about it. Our j Christchurch contemporary, he Lyttelr [ton Times, declines to believe the story I for two reasons. First, ou the ground that t( it is very doubtful if the breeder of the pigeon—who cannot be an expert or he would tieyote more than two lines to the record of euch a marvellous feat—would recognise the bird after an absence of two or three months," and secondly because " the pigeon, even if it could see a distance of some 1500 miles, would have to mount to an impossible height to discover its old home, and then to fly at an average pace, and without a moment's rest, across a vast expanse of ocean for fifty or sixty hours." Whatever importance may attach to the first objection, there certainly seems to us to be none whatever attaching to the second. The assumption that homing birds, whether pigeons or other, are guided by sight is altogether un warranted. It is a well-known fact that swallows travel between the coasts of Algeria and the United Kingdom at different seasons of the year, and certainly could not rise high enough in the air to see their destina tion, nor if they could rise to a sufficient altitude is it conceivable that their vision would be sufficiently powerful. Again, the New Zealand godwit goes away periodically to nest in Siberia, and still less is it conceivable that the bird is guided by its visual faculties. Again, the honey bee travels for many miles fro.ni and to its nest, and flies within a very short distance of the ground, the fact being that both bird and bee are guided by an instinct which human beings do not possess and do not understand. If then the objection to the story of the return of the Seddon pigeon is merely that it could not have seen the way home, we venture to think that there is nothing in it, and are of opinion that there is no inherent impossibility in the feat alleged,

Local and General.

During last month 109 births, 58 mar riages, and 5. deaths were recorded at Wellington.

Lord Brassey's double is an Invercargil! policeman. Which is flattering to Lord Brassey,

A child in Brfgbtwatpr, Nelson, had its shoulder dislocated through being lifted up suddenly by one arm.

At the District Court, Melbourne, Harry Harris wan fined £20 uuder the Act for the suppression of street betting, for betting on the Austral Wheel Kace.

There are 5500 schools in New South Wales, a staff oi 5000 teachers, and an attendance of 230,000, or 90 per cent of the children in the oology.

Rust is reported to ba,ye broken out among the wheat crops in the Tartlga dis trict, (N.S.W.), and ib is feared that the late crops will be badly damaged.

A Melbourne cycling amateur created great jamusement in the dressing-room at a recent meeting by producing a razor and carefully shaving his legs before appearing on the track.

It will be seen by a new advertisement in another column that Messrs Craighead and Berryman are probably now showing the largest stock of new tweeds and fashionable tailoring goods ever exhibited in Ashbur ton, ?bi« speaks well for their enterprise and local l&imr?,

The Victorian Government have offered to pay a bonus of £1000 for each of three con signments of fruit landed in London in a sound condition, under treatment of Perkin's sterilised air process.

The amazing growth of the butter industry in the Hawke's Bay district during the past five years is shown by the fact thab nearly two million pounds more were manufactured last year than in 1891.

A duel with pistols was fought on a recent Sunday in Paris between the Marquis de Montmort and Mr J. A. Hutchison, a well-known American resident there. Six balls were exchanged at 25 paces, but with no result.

While cruiaing about in a boat at Wel lington, a party came across a shoal of sharks disporting themselves a short dis tance off the Petone beach. Several of the sharks were of an immense size, being more than Bft in length.

Mr McDonald, of Waikawa, has (says the Marlborough Express) grown coffee for his own consumption during the past year, roasting and grinding it himself. The plant ia in bloom just now, -the blossom being white, with a few dark specks on it.

Harvest prospects on the Waimeas, whioh a few weeks back were poor, on account of the continued dry weather, have been greatly improved by the rains. Hops are said to be looking better than they have done for years, and barley, wheat and oat crops promise to yield well.

It is understood that a very large number of competitive designs for the new Bank of New Zealand buildings in Wellington have been received from all parts of the colony. Ihe names of the successful competitors will be awaited with considerable interest. The entries closed on the last day of December.

The sixtieth anniversary of the Queen's accession will occur on Sunday, 20th June, and the State Thanksgiving Service, which ia to be attended by Her Majesty, the Royal Family, and the Court, as in 1887, will be held on Tuesday, 22nd, either in St. Paul's Cathedral or in Westminster Abbey.

Miss Ella Collins will be the first Ameri can lady raised to a throne by marriage. Her fiancee, Colonel John Hobbs, reigns over the people of the Jilka Islands, in the New Hebrides group. Colonel Hubhs has had a life full of strange adventures, and is now king over 1200 people, under the name of Oumaulea.

The following new railway regulation is announced :—" Season tickets at half the rate of ordinary season tickets will be issued to apprentices and pupil teachers whose age does not exceed 21 years upon production of certificates from their masters or employers that the applicants are actually serving as apprentices or pupil teachers, and that theis age is within the prescribed limit."

An exchange saya that Mr George Fisher has marked off his seat in the House of Representatives, appropriating the place he formerly occupied, but used last Parliament by Mr T. Y. Duncan, the member for Oamaru, Mr J, Hutcheson, senior member for Wellington, has takeu up Mr CarnelFs seat, and Mr Graham, member for Nelson, who sat in close proximity to the Minister of Lands, has now taken a back seat, the one occupied by Mr Montgomery.

The British Parliament willjje opened by commission on either Tuesday, 19th January, or on Thursday, 2lst, according to present arrangements. There is not the slightest chance of the Queen opening Parliament in person. Her Majesty has nob been seen at Weatminster since the first day of the sensational session of 1886, and it would be impossible for her to open Parliament again unless a variety of special arrangements were made for her accommodation, includ ing a lift.

The Transvaal is now, in proportion to its population, one of the richest States in the world, With a white population which must be somewhere between 150,000 and 200,000 it has a total revenue of nearly four and a half millions. The expenditure on military pur roses is enormous. The sum allocated und^r thia head in the Budget is nearly a million, but in addition there is a sum of oyer £500,000 applied to what are called "special purposes." In this case che special purposes are the construction of forts in and around Pretoria and Johannesburg.

The farmers in the Mataura district are dreading a shortage in the oat crop. There is (aays the Standard) only an odd paddock to be seen that can be called a really good crop. Tbe straw will be short, and even with a substantial heavy ear, it will not make up the deficiency that exists in many of the oat paddocks. Had ib not been for the recent rains things would have been much worse. The light land has suffered most. The cold non-growing weather of November and the dry weather of December have had a serious effect.

A new light for bicycles has been invented by a San Francisco youth named Woolbury. To the front forks of his bicycle he has attached a couple of tubes filled with oxygen. Another tube filled with ether is fastened to the handle-bars, while between the cross bars the lad has arranged a battery. The oxygen and ether tubes are connected with wires, and when the wheel is put in motion ib generates its own light. The only objec tion is thac the contrivance, as first used by the young inventor, was too heavy. He says he will make it weigh less, and will then have a light tbat will show every obstacle in the road ahgad of him.

The Nelson Qalonist says that at the fish ponds in the grounds adjacent to the Govern ment Buildings the balance of the young salmon are progressing well under the care they receive at the hands of Mr Nalder. About six hundred young fish Remained a week or so after they were first placed in the boxes, and though for a time there was a loss, only one has died for some time past, and there are about _ye hundred remaining. The proposal is to keep these till they are good strong fish—-if possible, till they are nearly two years old, and then liberate tbem in the Maitai, whither they can be removed without danger, and where they will have few ejjejrpjes to contend with.

Ab the meeting of ths .Canterbury Land Board on Wednesday, Mr W. Langdown applied for coal and limestone leases at "_ Iford Forest, and it was resolved to re commend them for the approval of the Mines Department. Ib was decided to offer the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agejjoy Company a lea*e for three years, at £&} per amin,um, of 6500 acres of land at Mount Torlease. St-y.eral applications for the surrender of leases in perpetuity were declined, and several deferred payment lessees ab South Rakaia village settlement were to be informed that ihe Board would not insist upon immediate payment of the full capitalised values, provided interest was paid meanwhile and the capitalized values paid as soon as possible ; the Head Office to be notified of the action proposed to be

taken

The funeral of the late Mrs Patrick Polian took plfrce to-day. Mrs Polian was one of our earliest 4.B__burton settlers. She came to the colony thirty-two years ago, landing at Lyttelton. After a short residence' p the Amuri she came to Ashburton and was for some time in the service of Mr Donald Williamson. Twenty-eight years ago, and herself aged twenty-eight, she waa married to the late jSi Rapley,by whom she had fourchil- I dren. Eighteen years ago, in her widowhood, she beca.*nQ the wife of Mr Patrick Polian, of Ashburton, who sUiT^M her, and is himself one of our oldest settlers. llT* Polian has for some time been suffering from heart; disease, culminated in her death on Wednesday last.' Tbo deceased lived a quiet, unassuming, but useful life, and was well-known among the older settlers, by whom she was highly respected.

Holloway's Ointment.—Sores, wounds, ulcerations, aud other diseases affecting the skin, are capable of speedy amendment by this cooling and healing ointment, whioh has called forth the loudest praise from persons who have suffered from years from bad legs, bad breasts, piles, abasessep, and chronic ulcers. None but those who have experi-, enced the soothing effect of it can form any; idea of the comfort it bestows by restraining inflammation and allaying pain. Whenever j Holloway's Ointment has been once used it J has established its own worth, and is again ] eagerly sought for as the easiest and safest remedy for 5_,ll rcomplainto. In neuralgia, J rheumatism, and gout* th£iyan& application, J properly used, gives wonderful relief;' " |

The caution money has been lodged for the petition against Mr Buchanan.

The police want an owner for a watoh and a steei Albert chain, found on the Lauriaton Road.

The motor car is coming to Wanganui, a local resident having sent Home an order for a two-horae power car.

" Hakataramea," is the new designation under the Designation of Districts Act for Hakateramea. After all there is only the substitution of an " a " for an " c."

Mr T. R. Price, General Traffic Manager of the Cape Government Railways, arrived in New Zealand by the Wakatipu. He is on a tour of New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada, the United States, and England in the interests of Cape Colony.

At Dunedin yesterday, James M'Lean, a young man, was fined 10s and 17s 2d costs for giving a receipt for £2 without affixing a stamp. The young man was in hia father's store, and receiving payment on account, gave a temporary receipb in pencil, not hav ing a stamp on him. A properly stamped receipt was sent the same evening. The man who paid the money having a disagree ment with the M'Leans, placed the matter in the hands of the polioe.

A correspondent, writing from Otaki to the New Zealand Times, states' that on Friday evening last himself and several others watched the sun go down behind Kapiti, the speoial attraction consisting of a large black spot apparently on the sun disc. In the Thames Star of January 9 the following paragraph appears :—" Yesterday a large spot and several smaller ones were observed on the sun at sunset and also during the morning. Those who take an interest in solar phenomena will be able to observe the groupe of spots, whioh resembles some .hat the hull of a schooner, by means of a piece of smoked glass."

A significant fact, says the Otago Daily Times, was mentioned by the Chairman of the Benevolent Institution Trustees on Wednesday in eonneotion with the annual balance-sheet of that body. In the year 1896, he stated, there were 454 fewer Eersons relieved than in the preceding year, ut the cost of relief during the former period was £475 5s 6d more than ib was in ihe latter. • • How do you aooaunt for that J" queried Mr Hazlett. The Chairman replied that he could only presume that the amounts granted were inoreased or that the needs of the applicants for relief had been greater.

Oa Sunday, says the Wellington Post, Mr G. Macdonaid picked up on the beach at the head of Evans Bay a beer bottle containing a message which has every appearance of being a wicked hoax. It purported to have come all the way from Cape York, Queens land, and to relate the wreck of a yacht named the Captain on the 22nd July 1896. The message was written in lead pencil on the corner of what had evidently been a newspaper advertising inset, and was signed "Captain Simpson," also having on it the words "friends in Sydney." From the appearance of the bottle and the fresh smell of the dregs in it, however, it cannot have been in the water more than a few hours,

A wretched New Zealand journalist has gone into hiding and three infuriated brothers, armed with stockwhips, are search ing for him. Poor fellow, he meant well, bub he didn't know. He waa sent to report a wedding, and ho spread himself out in style. He made inquiries and was told that the bride's dress was a lovely " creponne," a very elegant fabric. Bub he reported that the bride's dress was "cretonne." Seeing that cretonne iB generally used for window curtains, covering chairs, sofas, etc., the feelings of the bride and her relations can be better imagined than described. Fools rush in where angels never tread, and why will reporters who have not yet reached married bliss attempt such dangerous feats as describing wedding dresses ?—Kumara Times.

Ashburton Rifles.

"Bullseye" in the Weekly Press writing on the military tournament at Dunedin, in which the Ashburton Volunteers took part, says:—-" I fully expected to hear of a protest in the Manual, but the Ashburton boys took their beating like true sportsmen In the Manual the Ashburton were really the best team, but their present was weak, otherwise they were nearly perfect. The Highlanders rather inclined to hurry matters but worked well together. The Kaiapoi well drilled, but sightly upset owing to having to substitute a imn after arrival on the field. Not so smart in appear ance as either of the other two, their oniy faults lay in some of the men not keeping the heel* closed, and a slight want of unison in coming to the charge. The Dunedin City Guards and Bluff Navals quite out classed. -About the best public performance yet seen in the colony, either of the first three being fib to win nineteen out of twenty contests. In the Sword Bayonet the Highlanders went at their work too fast, and had evidently not been trained to time. Their performance was not sb good as the Kaiapoi, but their sections were better dressed. Bad luck still followed the Kaiapoi as one man dropped his sword, losing the team several points, The Asbbuyton boys (Sergt. Dee) were oub for a canter and information. Had they known the exercise they would undoubtedly have beaten the Highlanders, and they put in steadier work. The Oi' y Guards went well for a time and looked like winning when a panic set in, and the team went to pieces, some of the men stopping and looking round. The North Dunedin Rifles and Bluff Navals badly wanted schooling as to time. Both teams were very steady, but altogether too slow. The Manual was won by the Ijighlanderp (19 points), Ashburton second (18 points).

MAGISTERIAL.

.__» — ASHBURTON—THURSDAY.

(Before Mr C. A. Wray, S.M )

CIVIL CASES.

Sutherland v. O'Shea, £30. In thia case plaintiff sued for the value of a filly taken away by defendant from plaintiff's farm, and for loss of the animal's use. In evi dence plaintiff said he bought the filly from his brother-in-law T. Polger fourteen months ago, who had bred her, and he had paid him £10 for her. The filly was brought home and witness branded her. O'Shea had not made any claim to him of the horse, bub sent a man to take her away. Told bhe man that the filly was his property, and latpr the filly was taken away. Bolger denied to him ever having sold the mare to O'she*, but admitted thab he had said once to O'Shea that he might give him the foal if he were* not able to find the price of the horse service. Had offered to pay O'Shea any debt that Bolger may owe him, bub O'Shea would not have this. Had broken in the filly, and nursed her through a bad attack of the staggers. J. McKay, shep herd, said that twelve months ago, Suther land told him he had bought the mare from Roiger. The filly bore Sutherland's brand. Thomas Bolger said the mare in dispute was rising four years old. Owned her dam which was well bred. Q'^hea's charge for his horse's sar.vic.es' was'£^ £08. Sold bhe filly to Sutherland for £10. Was bringing her to Ashburton for sale when he met Sutherland and the transaction took place. O'Shea had no claim on her at all, and she had been in witness's possession from her birth to her sale to Sutherland and O'Shea bad never made any claim on her to him. DiC. „Ob owe a peony to O'Shea, bub the latter owed him money. A few days after the mare foaled he came to witness's house asking for the service fee, but witness said he*couid not pay then for five or six weeks. O'Shea asked for the foal as security and witness said he could take the foal. This conversation took place in witness's house at the Forks, while the foal was twelve miles away. he foal waa never taken away, and ' witness had never promised to seti him the foal, nor had he had any conversation with him aboub her after the one referred to. The defence was that the horse was the property o" defendant to whom it had been given by Bolger in p§,ytpei}.fc of She horse service, its value being then set' do^h at £5 Bolger kept possession of the foal became he said he had sold the dam to Sutherland and the foal would have to stay with the dam till weaned. There was a deal ot very con-1 flicting evidence, and the case was ultimately I adjourned for a week to allow of the evi-1 demie of '* witaegj., who was not prewnt, | being obWueiJ.

POLO CLUB.

.annual Sports.

The Polo Club held their annual sports j in the Tinwald Domain on Thursday aftsr- 1 noon. There was not a large attendance, and the weather was excellent during the earlier part of the afternoon, but towards evening was rather drizzly, it was not, how ever, sufficient to stop the play or greatly to j interfere wibh the comfort of either those who took part, or those who looked on. Tha general public do not appear to know tha' there is a good deal of fun to be enjoyed at ■ polo sporta, and that some of the competi- = tions are reaiiy interesting and require great skill in horsemanship, otherwise larger j gatherings of people would be present at those meetings. Mr H. Britton presided over the publican's booth, and Mrs Elliot waa in charge of the tea pavilion, both doing fair business. The sports began with the

Bunding Competition.-—ln this event lines of poles are planted down the oourse at a distanoe of about twenty feet apart, and the riders must zigzag their way along this line, " bending " their oourse to the end of the lines and back again to the starting point. There were four competitors in this, and after fairly clever work all round the winner was found in Mr W. Digby Miller, who, on the smart pony Mandolin, oame home without error. Mr Totty also shaped well on Fairy and Mr Smith on Emily, but second plaoe in the final heat was gained by Mr E, Roberts, who handled Nobby very prettily. ASHBUBTON Poj.o CUP HANDICAP, for Cup • presented by Mr G. A. M. Buokley; four furlongs ; minimum weight lOst. Mr F. P. Claridge's b g Rajah, lOst i . (Owner) 1 Mr John O'Shea's m m Rose Agnew, 13at 21b ... ... (T. Cotton) 2 Mr P. H. Cox's blk m Brusthig, lOst 31b

(Miller) 3 Mr G. Roberts' br m Daisy, list slb (E. Roberts) 0

Brusthig was in the van for half the distance, when Rose Agnew showed in fronb, to be passed again by Raj*h, whose light weight and Agnew's crushing burden settled the matter easily for Rajah, not withstanding Cotton's game attempt to get home in front. Time—ssaec.

Polo Ball Race; three furlongs.—ln this competition the riders have to drive polo balls along the course, as in playing the game, and a very good exhibition of play was made, the successful competitors being Messrs Roberts 1 and W. D. Miller 2, Tandem Raoe ; four furlongs with turns. Mr John Totty's Fairy and Midget

(Owner) 1 Mr E. Saunders' Emily and Auburn (E. Smith) 2 Mr P. H. Cox's Brusthig and Mandolin (Owner) 3 Not every man can drive tandem,and fewer still can ride a pony and keep a tandem leader straight. 1 his waa proved in the tandem race, some of the teams getting mixed up wondei fully, bub Mr Tobty got home without mishap.

Stee-Lechase Handicap, trophy presented by Mr J. C. N. Grigg; over five brush jumps; minimum weight lOst; one mile course. Mr F. P. Claridge's b g Rajah, lOafc 101b (Owner) 1 Mr J. R. Bland's Whopper, 12st

(Roberts) 2 Mr P. H. Cox's b m Topsy, list (Miller) 3 Mr E. H. Jackson's erg Nobby, 12sb

(Smith) 0 Mr John Totty's b m Midget, lOst 71b Riokman) 0

The handicapper had given Whopper too much to carry, and Rajah came home an easy first,

Ladiks' Bracelet—ln this competition, the riders have each an attendant at the start. At the word they dismount, leave their ponies in oharge of the attendants, run fifty yards to a lady posted at that distance from the starting point. Tbe ladies each thread a needle presented by the competitor, and this done the competitors run back, remount, race round a post 250 yards, and back to the winning post, finishing with the needle threaded.

Mr E. Roberts, who rode Miss Shury's Guitar oame home first, Mr Millar on Miss Roberts' Mandolin second, Mr Smith on Mrs Saunders' Emily third, Mr Cox rode Miss McCulloch's Topsy, and Mr Rickman Mrs Totty's Midget. The run to the ladies gave Miller an opportunity of showing a very fast sprint, and he was at, his lady's Bide first, but Mrs Saunders having been " there before "in this game knew what was wanted of her, and her champion was quickest away on the return journey closely followed by _ _ Roberts and Millar. Topsy was skittish and Mr Cox failed to remount in time and gaye up, but a very pretty rush was made by the others, the flatter ending as above. Tub Costume Race was a funny affair. Whopper was ridden by Mr E. Roberts,, dressed in a lady's skirt over his gold riding colors, and Whopper carried the winner. Mr Cox wore the oostume of a fifteenth century gentleman, and rode Brusthig into second place. Mr Millar, in the garmenture of the New Woman, with abundance of skirt, and smoking a cigarette, rode the Ply. Mr Graham Koberts was on Daisy, clad as a ghost; while Mr Broad on Midget, arrayed in nondescript clothing, bat suffi ciently grotesque, brought up the rear.

The Fabbwbli, Handicap, post entries, lOst minimum | half a mile; was an exciting little flutter, and a close finish. Mr F. P. Claridge's b g i£ahu, list ! {Owner) 1 Mr P. H. Cos's Brusthig, lQst 21b (D. Miller) 2 Mr J. R. Blattd's Whopper, lOst 101b (E.Roberts) 3 Rose Agnew, Topsy, and Daisy also ran.

CRICKET.

TINWALD v LAGMHOR.

The match between the above clubs took place on Thursday afternoon in the Tin wald J)°f.ain, and resulted in a win for the home team by ten ' wickets. The visitors batted first and were all dismissed within an hour for 55 runs (L. Moore 22, being the only player to reach double figures). In their first innings, the home team put together 89 (E. Price 19, Bennett 16, F. Clark 13, Bowler 13). Seoond innings, Lagmhor, 59 j L. Moore again being top scorer with 13_ Tinwald requiring only m to win, it was speedily accomplished with out the loss of a wicket (Price 22). For the winners, Price, Dixon, Sawle, and Bennett, were most successful wibh the balS. For the losers, T. Mahoney and Gt. Keller.

Sohool Committee.

HAMPSTEAD.

A meeting of the Hampstead School Com* mittee waa held on Tuesday evening. Present—Messrs Lawrie (in the chair), McKeague, Strange, Pickford, and Sage. Apologies were received from Messrs Crooks, A. Andrews, Stillwell, and Hendry.

SCHOOL ACCOMMODATION.

A letter was reoeived from the Board of Education, stating that the additions to tha school had bean postponed till after tha erection of the Ailenton side school, and stating that a room might be engaged for one of the larger classes in the meantime. Ie was pointed out that a sohool at Ailenton oould in no way affect the attendance at Hampstead, and the seoretary waa directed to write urging on the Board the nooaaaity for proceeding at once with the addition! to the Hampstead school.

TEACHERS. The Board notified that a seoond assistant mistress would be advertised for, and ex pressed their regret at the loss of the lata Miss Bennett. The Seoretary of the Sohool Committee was directed to write a letter of sympathy to her family.

DRAINAGE.

A letter from the Hampstead Town Board, in reference to drainage from the sohool grounds, was reoeived. The Oommitteo decided to raise the channel in the grounds.

MEMBBRS OF BOARD, It was resolved to allow the question of nominating members of the Board of Bduoa* tion to stand over.

PRIZE FUND.

The Committee appointed to deal with the prize fond handed in a statement of receipts and expenditure, whioh showed a balance in hand after paying all liabilities. The balance was ordered to be applied to reducing the liability on the piano.

VISITING COMMITTM. Messrs Strange and Sage were appointed a Visiting Committee, and the Uomimttoa adjoarned after passing a small aooount.

FIRES.

PEB PBKSS ASSOCIATION.

Napieb, January 14 , An extensive gran fire took place on the Puketapu Hills last night, an area of one thousand acres being burned, and a large quantity of fencing destroyed. Several small settlers are heavy losers.

Masterton, January 14. The bush fires are still spreading, and losses of grass, fenoing, etc., are reported from all sides. The residence nf Mr C. Nicholla, near Eketahuna, was totally de stroyed last night. Sheep in large numbers are being sent away. The residence of Mr John Mackay, ab Wangaehu, bas been burned. It was in' sured in the South British office, but th* amount is unknown. The Parapara Saw mill and Mr J, P. Perry's homestead wars saved with difficulty.

Wellington, January 14 In the Wairarapa district, the bush fires caused sad havoc, and widespread rain haa been occasioned. From the Stirling block all the children were removed to Ekelahuna for safety. The fire spread to the Pack ville Reserve, and a large lumber of cattla were destroyed. In the Wangaehu Valley 600 acres of felled bush are on fire, and there is great concern for some settlers' homes. At Fernridge, Berrill's mill plant, valued at £150\ was seriously damaged. Captain Shaw's house and outbuildings, valued at £300, were destroyed. Many losses of minor amounts are reported- At Mikamika, Messrs Chamberlain Bros., farmers, estimate their loss of stock and timber at £1000. To the north of Masterton, fences and feed have been destroyed. Mr F. Homer, farmer* estimates that he will have to sell his sheep, about 700, as no feed remains. From Hast we)l, Mount Brace Boad and Parkville re ports are reaching town of ravages by fire. January 15. The rain has now stopped, and ths weather has set in fine again. The fall amounted to 3*2 inches, and was extremely heavy at times. There has been heavy raife in the Wairarapa, which is expected to stop the fires. Ihe damage amounts to many thousands.

CABLE NEWS.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

Letters of Naturalisation. London, January 14. Mr William Waldorf Astor, who American journals declare is an aspirant for the hand of the daughter of the Prince of Wales, has obtained letters of naturalisation as a British subjeot.

Studies in Australia.

Mr T. A, Brassey, who recently returned from a visit to Australia, delivers, before the Colonial Institute on February 9, an address on "Studies in Australia in 1896."

The Cleveland Seat,

Mr A. E. Pease, the Radical candi date, was elected for Cleveland by a majority of 1428 over Lieutenant- Oolonel Ropner, Conservative.

Socialist Sergeants.

Brussels, January 13. Seventeen sergeants ip the Belgian Army have been suspended for haying, at a Socialist Olab, pledged themselves to refuse active service.

Australian.

Recognition of Braver?.

Sydney, January 14 The National Shipwreck Society intend to present the captain of the Orient with a trophy, the chief mate with 20gs, the boatswahi with a gold medal and pair of glasses, ahcj eacH member of the boat's crew with a silver

medal and £5.

The Irish Party.

Mr Ourran, a member of theHoijse of Commons, at present on a visit to Sydney, has appealed for funds to aid the Irish Parliamentary party. Cardinal Moran thinks the friends of Ireland should not contribute until those assisting the national oause at Home present a more united front in demanding Ireland's rights.

Cardinal Moran.

Cardinal Moran is willing to become a candidate for the Federal Conven tion if requested. He sees nothing incompatible with his position jd accepting a seat on the Convention.

Death of an Empress.

News from Japan announces the death of the Empress Osaka, dowager Empress of Japan.

THE ASBBUETOt. GUARDIAN t FBIDAY, JAKUARt 16, 1807.



_________________ Busine s Notices GOOD WASHING PRINT, 3£d. WHITE MUSLIN, 3s lid per do_ X AT V-* • tf • X JL-J JL JL_f JLJ hDm A BEAUTIFUL SUMMER DRESS FOR 6s lid AT \JT» v • .1- JL—l.l, 1 ,JJL-J *J% Flannelettes 3£d yard. The Besb Turkish TOWELS in Ashburton are at— (jr. J« JN Jl_iaJLJL_ o. BOSS' Navy Blue Sailor Suits 4illd, Men's Tweed Trousers 5s lid, Men* Heavy Colonial Tweed Suits 28s 6d, at 9 J. ii JuxJUlj Ladles Law Shoes, _i lid. Ladies' two-strap Shoes, 4s lid. AT G. J. NEILL'S. _La_i*-, Maid*', and Children's TAN SHOES of Every Description, at Very Low|Price«, AT G. J. NEILL'S, FRIEDLANDER'S CORNER, EAST STREET.



BOOM IN DRAPERY. CROWDS ON SATURDAY. TTOST COMING BACK TO SALE AT MITCHELL & TURNER'S.



NEW FIRM -:- -:- -: ... ... - : - NEW FIRM SATE MONEY BY DEALING WITH MITCHELL & BRODRIBB NO BAD DEBTS. NO OLD STOCK THAT ACCUMULATES BY YEARS op BUSINESS THE Public should only consider what they can save by dealing with a Gash Firm, where they do not have to pay for the great losses that are occasioned by Bad Debts. MITCHELL & BRODRIBB BUY AND SELL FOR CASH, THEREFORE THEY ABE ABLE TO GIVE BETTER VALUE THAN ANY OTHER PLACE IN ASHBURTON.



— A Few Quotations will be Convincing — Brown Ribbed Pants (heavy) la 6d-worth Ladies' Hose, fast colors, plain and ribbed' Is lid &<* pair Men's Socks 6d—worth 9d White and Brown Turkish Towels, only 6d Harvester Hats B^d—worth la White Calico, grand value, at 2s lid—l2yds Blncher Boots 4s lid—grand value The Besb \ alue for Flannelettes n -Heavy Shooters 9a lid-worth 12s 6d Ashburton. Ladies' Gem Shoes, Special, 4s lid—worth Heavy Twill, 4s lid dozen-worth 7d a yd 6a 6d A Splendid Line of Corsets, all sizes, at Hairline Tweed Trousers 8s 6d—cheap at is lid jjQ s _& The Best Assortment oi Sunshades in town, Men's Felt Hats from 2s 6d * «"» |> „ ;' We have the Choicest Assortment of Hats Ladies' Sailor Straws, all shades and shapes, in town. *Rom *"* eacn—Pick your own shape 12yds Strong Print for 3s lid-Cheap at 6s and trimming, and have your A Beautiful Summer Tweed is ld, double Millinery done Free of Charge. width WLL RANGES OF KAIAPOI AND MOBGIBL CLOTHING. MEASUEED GARMENTS A SPECIALTY. ; A€\a at\ toll SUIT FROM /IQq An 4W)& t) n FULL SUIT FROM 4zV& O-1^ MITCHELL & BRODRIBB, lABT BIBWOT



Public notices. NEW ZEALAND Clothing 1 Factory, Q0 L E AGENTS FOR THE FAMOUS " VICTORY " SEWING MACHINE.



r P_ 3 . ■ © § ■. _l S : r* __ $* g ; Si H.sSg |" g w l o I g LJ P. -A & © 5 881S § °1 1 H CO _CJ_3N POUNDS



TRIAD 2 COMPETITION. * M -1 A . mHIS MONTH the TRIAD - 0 X offers a prize of £10 to the W done who selects from the under- mentioned list of novels the six H w most popular bookß. Thiscompeti- h *• tion will be decided by the compe- * W titors themselves. The person M * who votes for the six books which J] the majority vote for will receive flt the £10; or, should there be two or more voters tor the same six that the majority vote for, the , money will be divided equally among them. The conditions are as under :— 1. Write down on paper the titles of what you consider the six most popular books in the follow list: Westward Ho ! Pickwick Papers, Trilby, We Two, Lady Audley's Secret, My Novol, Handy Andy, Bleak House, Kenilworth, She, Vaienbine Vox, East Lynne, Charles O'Malley, The Heavenly j Twins, Adam Bede, John Halifax, Q ™ Gentleman, Vanity Fair, Ivanhoe, M Monte Christo, Woman in White, g " Tom Brown's Schooldays, The 2 Yellow Aster, Cleg Kelly, The __\ Wooing Ob. 2. Purchase 53 worth, or more, < of anything you may require, '< M from one of tbe firms below, and * get a receipt, and post receipb and ( Q your list of six to the Manager, Q TRIAD, Dunedin. If you enclose G receipt for 10s or over yon may q send in two lists ; if for 15s, three . Z lists ; and so on for every 5a worth * 0 purchased. w . Ashburton Drapery Co. v r m Gates, Horace _ Music Ware- » ; * house (agent for Tbiad). i I N.Z. Clothing Factory. TEN JPOUIVU» 1 65 ja^MW-W-_-WM---»B»-_»"""""»^B^___g,____ Church Services. '



ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, Ashburton. FRIDAY—Short Service, 7.30 p.m. Choir Practice, 8 p.m. SUNDAY SERVICES. 11 a.m.—Morning Prayer and Holy Com munion. 3 p.m.—DROMORE. 6 30 p.m.—Evening Prayer. REV. T. A. HAMILTON. F!s_!_sss??ss!s!!?S!?Es!l____l__^ THE early bird catches the early worms so call afc Meixok's Cheap Boot Sale WANTED Known—lQoo pairs of Boots to be sold in twenty-one days at Mjsllob's. One Box or Clarke's B 41 Pills warran ed to cure ali discharges from the Urinaiy Organs, in either j?ex facqmred or cons i tutional), Gravel and jPains in the Back Gaarranteed free from Mercury. Sold in Boxes 4s 6d each, by all Chemiats^nd Patent medicine Vendois throughout the World Proprietors : The Lincoln and Mii£4*ns> OoW!BlKsDrooCom)pa_»¥. linooln, England Vim try the New Vmut Trtma



WMmmimi^mMn^'Nm Vmw



QANIUGIt tVSoii* Eucalypti Extract I There are imitations of Eucalypti Extract in the j market now, products of simple distillation forming ( rude resinous oils. In order that these crude oils may not b; taken, OUR PURB VOLATILE EUCALYPTI BXTRACT, which is recognised by the medical division of the Prussian Government to be of perfectly pure origin,, as their information forwarded to us through the Consul'at Melbourne, March 2, 1878, we state :—'■'" ,:,.■..... Is proved by tests by the Medicsil Ch'ttips of the Universities at Bonn and Greifswald, Prussia, and reported by Dr Schulz, Professor of Partaacology, at Bon, and Professor Dr Hosier, Director of the Medical Clinic at Greifswald, that only products that are saturated with oxygen and freed of aoids, resinous and j other substances, adnerent to primary distillation, wili I



davelnpe the sanative qualities proper to the plant according to these authorities, and accorlingto Pro fessor J>r Lister, of England, and to Drs Bauer Mclntire, Wood, Hazard, etc., of America, is the only j extract corresponding to scientific tie ts, and the only one which possesses the proper therapeutic value. Sander & Son's Eucalypti Extract. j -All other crude oils are to be classed among the turpentises, which have, when uspd as medicine, no therapeutic effect, _tt- are abandoned as an internal medicament. These so-called B'upalypfi Extracts which may hava received distinction at Exhibitions as commercial articles are used for mechanical purposes are only discernible, By their deficiency in pungent odour—which our product, the only genuine Eucalypti Erfcrasts developes moat freely through its surplus of



rl Last summer one of our grandchildren was sick with a severe bowel trouble. Our j doctor's remedies had failed, then we tried , Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy, whioh gave very speedy relief. ! We regard it as the best medicine eye? _pu|i '' on the market for bowel complaints. E. G. Gregory, Frederickstown, Mo. This certainly is tbe best medicine ever put on the market for dysentery, summhr com plaint, colic and cholera infanium in children. It never fails to give prompt relief when used in reasonable time and plain printed directions are followed. Many mothers have expressed their sincere gratitude for the cures it has effected. For sale by Am* burton Dbcg Com?ant. •:■ . * .; Chamberlain ■ Cough Remedy cures colds, I croup and whooping cough. It is pleasant, life and reliable. For #*1« by AsamiMT



! oxygen. By their alcoholic thin and mobile appearance befog reduced in specific density through the presence o£'acis«_ j By their 'taste,' the result of the contracting ten dency of resins and tennates. If these cni4e oils, so-called eucalypti extracts, are app'iad by mistake in cases of crowp, bronchitis, diph theria, internal inflammations, dysentery, wounds, the consequences are appalling. For safety, always ask for SANDER & SON'S EUCALYPTI EXTRACT, aud get tbe old, well-tostad, and reliable proptt»tio&. SANDER ABL> BQNB,