Mail Notice.

Mails close for the following places as under, snbject bo the necessary alterations : WEDNESDAY, JULY 7. For Northern Ports, Samoa, Hawaiian Islands, United States, Canada, West ladies, United Kingdom, and Continent of Europe, via San Francisco (due London August 11); also South America, United Kingdom, and Continent of Europe (per KLaikoura, via Rio de Janeiro; due London August 20), per Takapuna, at 6.15 p.m.: money orders at 3 p.m. ; registered letterß at 5 p.m,

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, JULY 6, 1897. CARTER'S CHEEK BRIDGE.

! he recent accident by which the late Mr Jffi. Price loat his life has drawn attention to the bridge over Carter's Jreek on the Great S^outh Road, where the accident occurred. The bridge spans a gully of j^ome 4epth, which gully is open or;/both sides of the bridge. That is,*the bridge spans only ■». portion of the gully in the centre of Hie road, and the unbridged portions are protected ly a rough fence. This fencf, when tr c accident above re ferred to occurred, comprised a single mil supported by a few posts, The rail and posts seemed strong enough to the casual observer, but as it tun ntd out they were not substantial enough to withstand the rush of Price's horse, and gave way, so thajb both horse and rider fell into the guHy, The result of that fall everybody knows. The jury at the inquest added a rider to their verdict to the effect that something ought to be done at this bridge for the protection of the public. We have heard it stated that it is nearly twenty years since a jfotal accident happened before at the same s^ot, Perhaps this is correct, but we know of seyer&l narrow escapes within that time from what might have been very serious accidents indeed but for fortuitous circum stances, No fortunate interposition came between Edward J?rice and his sad fate, yet he was a horseajan had no superior in the county, and want of skill cannot be charged against him. Nor is any insinuation made as to any cause calculated to interfere with the exercise of his marvellous hkill a« a rider; and besides he enjoyed an exceptionally high reputation for steadiness. So that if a roan like this could meet his death where the accident i happened, there was some reason for the rider of the jury. Tt has been sug gested that eoacrefce pul verts, such as are used to pierce the railway line at creeks and water racesj should be used

in place of the bridge. But this is a plan requiring serious consideration, tor several months in the year the creek is wholly dry ; but in food time the present bridge is taxed to its utmost to give vent to the press of water from the railway side of it. This

has been the case a good many tunes in the history of the district, and as the Tinwald district is always a soppy one in flood times, and being generally liable to flood in wet weather, the same may happen again, and no man is in a position to say that even within the last twenty years we have experienced our record flood. Thus those culverts would require to be of a cap icity at least equal to that of the present bridge. Then continuing the bridge the full widtfe of the road has been suggested. This would r cosp far more tlivo the local body under whoa® con-; fcrol the road and bridge are could afford to pay, Jn fact it would swallow up more than the total inpome for a year of the Tinwald Town Boards and this would be out of the question, Another and more feasible suggestion is to sub stitute a ford for the bridge, an has beeu done in many places for culverts throughout the county, and with satis factory results. This would necessitate ufcting down the road for say a chain on either side of the creek, so that the descents fco the bel should be j gradu&Uad tbe asceat ou the other,

side not too steep. A. footbridge for passengers at one side would of course require to be provided. Over the creek at Olark'g, southward of Tinwaid, a ford like this fxists, and works admirably, and thero is no reason i why one should nob exist at Garter's creek. When the creek is dry, the dip would not be more inconvenient than ihe present narrow bridge ia in a dark night, and in wet weather the ford would take any quantity of water likely to come down, which would spread itself 'o some distance in the dip, but would never reach any very serious depth. The whole thing is another instance of the evil of local government by too small bodies. Tinwaid Town Board and Hampstead Town Board, when they first came into existence, were fully aware that the main south road within their dis tricts, with all bridges on that road, would have to be maintained r-y them. And the Boards took these over with their eyes open. They have found t them somewhat of the nature of the white elephant, and would give a good deal in reason to get rid of the responsi bility. Their case is not an uncommon one in New Zealand, and it was instances such as these, and the fre quency of their occurrence throughout the oolony, that suggested to Mr Seddon the necessity for a new system of local government, and induced him to draught the Local Government Bill of last session, which is now threatening a Jonah and the whale union of the smaller and larger local bodies.

Lady readers may be interested in a description of the dress Her Majesty

wore at her Corona tion, of which Mon day, June 28, was the fifty ninth anni-

TIIE CORONATION DRESS,

versary. Her Majesty wore a dress of crimson velvet and ermine, richly adorned with diamonds and pearls, rather a hot and heavy kind of gar ment for a sanny day in June, and one which must have weighed heavily upon the youthful monarch towards the end of the four weary hours during which the coronation service actually lasted. On her head she wore a purple velvet cap lined with white tafletas, and bordered with ermine, while her train was carried by eight young girls whose frocks of white silk were trimmed with blush roses. The crown which adorned the brows of the young girl Queen must have caused them to acbe cruelly. This crown is of solid gold, set with jewels taken from the old diadems of past monarchy, and partly of stones provided by Her Majesty herself. Emeralds, rubies, sapphires, pearls, and diamonds are the stones used. They aro set in gold and silver work, inside which there ia a crimson velvet cap, bordered with ermine and lined with the finest white silk. On the lower edge of the band, and just above the crimson border, there is a row of a hundred and twenty-nine pearls, the upper edge being bordered with a hundred and twelve of the same jewels. A huge sapphire, purchased by George IV., is placed in the front, between the two i borders of pearl. In the aides of the crown there are three sapphires, eight emeralds, fourteen large and a hundred 1 and twenty-eight small diamonds, in the front, surrounded by diamonds, is the famous ruby which adorned the i helmet of Henry V. at Agincourt.

Local and General.

Commercial news will be found on the fourth page. In Western Australia they have just decided to restrict the importation of dogs. Mr H. R. Webb has been elected Chair man of the new Board of Canterbury College. The Maoris s;;.y next summer will see the most terrible drought ever experienced in Maoriland.* The Wellington Harbour Board has pur chased debentures of the Auckland Harbour Board to the value of £2500.

Representatives of the meat exporting trade in Victoria have agreed to State con trol of meat intended for export. Jt is said that a well-known settler in the vicinity of Tua Marina is the recipient of a welcome legacy from Home—£so,ooo. The Survey £hpartmenfc are issuing new maps of both islands o» a most complete scale, showing all the roadj, railways, and post offices. A young man named Edward Henry Imms, at Melbourne, obtained a verdict against his father for £312, six years' wages at £1 per week. The Melbourne Chamber of Commerce has commended the membern of the conference which recently sat' in Sydney, for the valuable work done. <

In the last issue of the Sketch there is a picture of the " smallest lamb ever imported 'from $Fey Zealand." The lamb in shown frozen'ia the contra of a huge block of ice The Mitcham.-Aihburtoa rqad ? from the Mtkia Elver road to the Back Track at Irwiu's corner, being under repair, will be cloied against all traffic from Thursday next till the repair work has been executed. An account of the ascent of the New Zea land Alps by Mess-s M. Rosa and Fyfe is published at some length in the columns of the Mnin'irtg Post, the Westminister Gazette, and othet leading papers. It is remarked by a leading Scottish paper that New Zealand is now making 1 so much by exporting rabbit akins and pre served rabbits that the colony bids fair to find the rabbits, instead of being a pest, more valuable th^a the gold produced by New Zealand. -■•'■■ • ■ ;

Several references appear in recent English journals to the apparent volte face of the woman voters in New Zealand in re gard to the liquor o[ueßtion. The Echo remarks that the rtfcent New eieoioas have produced results which have caused surprise and dismay among the friends of wound's franchise in England. Mr E. A. Archer broke the (|fty-.mile bicycle record yesterday. J}e left Hotel at 12.45, reaching Lesaton ab He signed the record card, and was paced home by a Dunlop triplet, »nd reached Riccarton at 3.17. Time—two hours, thirty, two minutes, five seconds, beating the pre vious r?CQt^ by our minutes, thirty-nine seconds. .

The Dunedin Evening Star i« responsible for the folio wing.—Mr H. J. Hansen, of the Post Office Hotel at Hokibika, brought under the notice of the German' Emperor some disparaging remarks on hia compatriots by our Premier, and has received the fol- ; lowing telegram in ruply from the Kaiser :—; i .«• Herr *Ha&s,«Q, Hokibika.—Seddon drohet ! Deutschland bitte g\itlich vermittle urn ■ mannohmiichkeiten za vermeiden. —Wjl-j helm 111., Berlin." Which translated! reajjs:—"Mr Hansen, Hokitika.—Seddoni .yaes '%reate^ir»g language to Germany. Please give information accordingly to pre yeni; aisagreeaijfeneafl. — W.ilhelm f.ll t . Berlin.'*

"Look at that hump." " Wbftt J»«»p, my son f *' That hump on the man's batik." " Those are round shoulders, my boy caused by a neglected cough when a child." '♦ Why didn't he take Woods' Great Peppermint Cura, it always ourei m." "It'« • pity he didoV ittorttf tb« mother- July 9

A branch of the British Life Saving' Society i« about to hs established in New Zealand, \ Notice appears in the Gazette that Mr S. Buird has been appointed registrar of births, marriages, and deaths and vaccination inspector for the Springburn district. Whilst the fachooner Aotea was discharg ing cargo at Tologa, laßt Wednesday, a large whale was disporting itself round ■ bout ihe bar, and once passed nnder the vessel's bottom.

At Bowen (Queensland) Constable Burke, while in pursuit of a notorious aboriginal thief on Kelsey Creek, fired two shots as the aboriginal was escaping into the scrub, in ending to stop him. The aboriginal, however, was killed. Some one at the Upper Hutt, Wellington, on Jubilee night tolled two 36gal. barrels of tar, which had been bought by rhe local school committee for asphalting the school yaid, into an adjoining paddock and made a bonfire of them. It ia probable, says the Wellington Post, that the Napier Naval Artillery will resign rather than go to the expense of getting new aaiforms, as recommendad by Colonel Fox, late Commandant of the Forces, who desired to see the whole of the Navals in the colony wearing a regulation uniform. At present every Naval oorpa has a uniform of its own.

According to the North Otago Times a I settler in the Oanmra district, who has taken particular notice of the rainfall, says that it has not rained fora whole day during the past eight months, This, we believe, is a reoord for dryness. It i», perhaps, not bo noticeable from the fact that the most part of the drought has occurred in winter ! time. The Committee appointed to carry out the arrangements in connection with the Oddfellows' twenty-fourth anniversary which will be held on Thursday evening, Bth lost., has bean assiduous in arranging that all the details shall be complete in every respect, so that those who attend will be assured of an enjoyable evening's enter tainment, consisting of dancing, songs, etc.

As Mr and Mra George McLean, of Greenpark, were driving home from Christ church on Saturday the horae suddenly swerved towards the side ot the road, and then dropped dead. Both the occupants of the trap were thrown out, but escaped unhurt. An examination of the horse revealed the presence of a large quantity of bota in its stomach, the coating of which was almost, entirely eaten away. Messrs Tonkin and Co., rabbit buyers, in form the Timaru fferald that the Otarama, which sailed from the bluff list week, took the record shipment of rabbits, viz., 306,000. The Pakeha, which left Timaru on Saturday, had on board 60,000, shipped at Port Chal mers, i hose shipments make a total of 1,200,000 shipped from New Zealand up to the present, and there are 700,000 more in the different fre zing works ready for ship ment. Rabbits are now so scarce in the South that this firm have closed some of their buying agencies. Prominent members of the New Zealand Cyclists Alliance have drawn up a scheme to be submitted to the affiliated Clubs by which Alliance riders ar? divided into two classes—-one taking cash as prizes, the other trophies; but both competing in the same races. The promoters of this anticipate gaining control over all cycling races in New Zealand. 'Jhe other amateur bodies in Christchurch ara strongly indignant at the contemplated action of the Alliance. On Saturday evening an "in memoriam " service was held in St Paul's church, Cnrisfc church, where the Rev Dr Elmslie, who preiched, paid a high tribute to the charac ter and career of the late Mr David Duncan, of the firm of P. and D. Duncan. His intercourse with the deceased gentlem in, he .said, had been a thing of unbr< ken harmony for a period of more t nan twenty years. At the cose of the service Mr Davis Hunt, played the •• De&d March in Saul,' during which the large congregation remained standing, This morning a "drunk" who had not been previously before the Court was con victed and discharged. Mr Alcorn was on i he Bench, and it is a Baying among a certain e'aas—whose predilections are in the direc tion of taking more to the head than the head can carry, and so find themselves penitent and sorrowful in the morning, telling the same old story, promising the same old lie as to reformation, and listening to the same o'd lecture—that though the moat pronounced prohibitionist of them all, Justice of the Peace Alcorn is the most merciful beak to " drunks" that ever sat on the Bench. Mr Thomas Bell, a settler of Sunday Inland in the Kermadec group, is now in Auckland consulting Mr Napier as to his claims against the New Zealand Government for the Tatter having annexed the island. Mr Napier has advised Mr Bell that the alleged "annexation" waa illegal, as neither the New Zealand Government nor the Grown can extend the boundaries of the colony without the authority of an Act of the Imperial Parliament, Mr Bell is arranging locally for the thorough develop ment of Sunday Island as a fruit) and wool growing centre. Mr Bell was the first to occupy Sunday Island over twenty years ago, it being quite uninhabited at that time. At the Central Criminal Court at London on May 14th, the trial was concluded of Joshua Jones, described aa a New Zealand explorer, charged with having published fal«e and defamatory libels of and concern ing Messrs flowera and Fellowes, solicitors, of Great Winphe»ter street, And Mr C. Hopkinepn, banker, Regent street. The defendant put in a plea of Justification. The alleged libel was contained in a circular addressed to Mr Leslie Walker, 26? Win chester House, on February 26, 1897. In effect it accused the prosecutors of having been guilty of " a conspiracy to defraud a client out of an estate worth £100,000." The circular appeared to be the outcome of extensive litigation betwsea the parties in connection with the salgi of an estate of 56,000 acres in this colony. The defendant was found "Guilty," but strongly recom mended to mercy. The common sergeant ordered him to enjber into a recognisance of £600 to come up lor Bentenos it called upon. The Gazette to hand yesterday intimates important changes in the volunteer system. The Canterbury Battalion will again be divided into two—North *nd South—as it used to be. The South Battalion will com prise:—Timaru Naval Artillery Volunteers (to bn formed into an infantry corps), C Battery Artillery Volunteers (to be formed into aa infantry corps), Temuka Rifle Volunteers, Ashburton Rifle Volunteers, Timaru Rifle ¥oluntcers and Waimate Rifle Volunteers; It will be* commanded by Major Walter Montague Mobre, with the rank of Lieutant Colonel; and the staff will be made up as under:—Major—Captain Thomas Jowsey, Timaru Rifle Volunteers; AdjiiUoe—Lieutenant Sidney Wolf, Timaru Naval Artillery j Surceon- Capt»in—Surgeon-Captain Richard Bowen Hogg, Timaru Rifle Voluuteers;; Honorary Chaplain—Honorary Chaplain the Vener able Art?hdeaoan jfenry William Harper, Timaru ' Rifle Volunteers. Cqrfpisions to date from 10th June, 1897, the headquarters being Timaru. Captain' Hobday, of the Christqhurch City Rifles, becomes adjutant of the Canterbury Battalion. An important case, which is of special interest to Australian shippers^ was recently decided by the Admiralty Court in London. The Australian Timber Company (Limited), Sydney, shipped by the Canada certain timber upoa which the freight amounted to £235 129 9J. One half of the freight was oai4 i» Sydney, and the other half was to bo paid «-MriY»l of the ship in London. But on arrival the off^ra <le«ia.n.ded pay menji of t}ie whole amount before they woU!C" deliver. The payment was made, but the shippers sued for repayment, wty.h damages. The Canada was, however, a chartered ship, and it is the law that the owners in such cases hold a lien upon all freight. Inasmuch, therefore, as the owners had to be satisfied, the Court decided against the plaintiffs. The moral seems to be tha£ if a merchant ships by a chartered vessel he should not pay theoharterer.but the shipowner, leav ing fchqs'e parties to settle' their accounts themselves. Afc>*»attyjr of practice, it is usually saffe to p^y'freight to the (Charterers, but sSchpaymenlb is a queslioto of |ionour, nob of law. As a cgrollary, it follows fchajt a bill of lading signed by the gaptain is signed on behalf of his owners, and not cm behalf of the charter en. Tfre distinction is » radical on*, :

A temporary telegraph office will be open at Hutt racecourse from 11a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday 7bh, and Saturday 15th. Seigeant-Major Ramsay, of the Wellington Police, has been transferred to Christ church He be incceeded by Sergeant- Majoi Mason, of Christohurch. Ttiere is to be a concert at the new school at Alleaton this evening, which will, no j doubt, afford a pleasant evening's entertain- j tnent. The school wan to have been opened yesterday, but owing to some mistake the furniture did not arrive in time:

FIRE.

Towards midnight' last night an alarm of fire was raised, both tire bells ringing out, and the railway engine at the shed whistling. The fire engines, however, did not turn out, as it was found that it was a cow-shed in the Hampstead district, away from a water supply, that was burning. The shed was a thatch-covered one, and in it were two cows, both of which were burned to death before any help could reach them, and after the straw caught fire the total destruction of the whole of the rude structure was only a question of a few minutes. The shed belonged to Mr Patrick Polian, who paid his usual nightly visit to it at about nine o'clock, when no sign of fire showed. An hour or more la er another member of the family passed the vicinity of the shed and saw no sign of fire, so that how it arose is at present a mystery.

The Royal Commission.

Press Association—By Eleotric Telegraph.

Auckland, July 5 The Royal Commission on Private Benefit Societies "sat to-day to enquire into the provident fund of the Bank of New Z aland. I Among the witnesses were Henry Buekleton, j accountant; George §. Kisßling, an ex manager; Henry Green, and K. S. Brook field, assistant accountants ; J. S. Fairgray, ledger-keeper; and J. B. Hammond. The tenor of the evidence of the officers was that there was dissatisfaction throughout; the service as to the fund, on the grounds that they had no voice in its management, no real knowledge of its accounts and administration, no prospect so far as subordinates were concerned of reaping any benefit from it. Those who joined in the early days with big salaries reaped the reward of the provident fund. Mr Buckle ton thought the fund a good one, but it should be reconstructed. Mr Kissling said he left with twenty-seven years' service, and got no pension, although he had an un blemished record. On his representation he got a year's salary as compensation, which money he believed came from the bank, not from the provident fu---d. He was ordered to Fiji, but oould not accept the positiou. On taking legal opinion, the trustees said they were debarred from extending any consideration to him. He had never seen i he legal opinion or the question upon which [ it was based.

FOOTBALL.

Press Association —By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. Bathurst, July 5. Saturday's play was sufficiently rough to prevent some of the New South Wales players taking part in next Saturday's match. Warbriok sustained an injury to his head, and with Abbott will be unable to play. The manager of the New Zealand team found it advisable to strengthen them, and cabled for Roberts. It is - unfortunate that the team has to play two mid-week matches, especially if any of the men a:e hurt at Orange, which is likely to pu- a very heavy team in the field. The following will play to-morrow : — Back — Smith ; three quarter—Orchard, Allen, and Armit; jive eighths—Bayley ; half—Humphries ; wings — McKenzie and Glennie ; forwards—rHan cock, Harris, Pauling, Brooker, Blair, Wilson, and Murray*

THE HASTINGS STABBING CASE.

i Verdict of Manslaughter. Press Association—By fcleotrie Telegraph. Napier, July 4. After a hearing extending over five days John Fitzgerald and William Wilson, charged with the murder of James Mclntosh, were found guilty of manslaughter with a recom mendation to mercy on account of their youth. The evidence was almost entirely of | a circumstantial nature. The three men worked on theTemahanga station. Mclntosh drew a heavy cheque, and spent some time on the spree at Hastings. Qjae day he drew | the balance of his money, and with the accused came to Ifcpier, intending to return chat night. The three were seen tqgether in town, Mclntosh being the worse for liquor, and one of the accused in the evening said he must see him to the station as he had a lot of money, and someone might "go through" him. Half an hour afteiwards the accused took beds at a hotel in town under assumed names, and Mclntosh was found severely wounJed with the pocket of his trousers cut out. A week afterwards he died from pneumonia, which the medical evidence ascribed to the wound he had received, Blood was found on the prisoners' boots and trousers, and on a broken walking* stick, which was picked up at the scene of the assault. The stick had been lent to Mcjntosh by a Hastings publican. Before he died Molntosh made his depositions, declaring that the accused were his assail ants. Mr J uatice Edwards reserved sentence until Monday. July 5.

At the Supreme Court to-day John Fitz gerald and William Wilson, who were csn victed on Saturday of manslaughter, were sentenced to fourteen years' imprisonment each.' In sentencing the prisoners Mr Justioe Edwards 1 said the crime waß a most brutal one, and the evidence would undoubt edly have justified a verdht ot guilty of murder. The grounds for a recommen dation to mercy seemed to be inadequate, and in the interest of society it was necessary that the punishment should be severe. It would, hia Honour said, be difficult to find missing from the case any one of the ele ments which go to form a horrible crime. The attack was brutal and cowardly, and committed by two very able-bodied men j upon an old and helpless man. The Crown Prosecutor entered a nolle ptose/pii in con nection with a second indictment against the prisoners, charging then} with robbery with violence.

Dunedin Manufacturers' Association.

I Prosß Association — By Eleotric Telegraph A)tfNEDIN, July 5 At a meeting of t^e Executive of the Manufaotm?era s Association, ia response to an invitation of defeg*tM of the Canterbury industrial Association, it was reaolyea to altar the name fco the Industrial Association of Otago, and in framing t*»e rules and regulations care will be taken tfot IB the event of t.hje federation of the Canterbury, Wellington, Aucklan^, and'Qbago Societies, uniformity of working may Ua secured. A communication was received from the Secretary of the Agricultural Hall Company, stating that ib mA 'intfen4ea to hold 'an indd«trial"e?hjljitiQn on ihe ?3rd of March ne;?b on the oouasion of the .Jubilee of the province, and a«king 00-operatioa. It was ; $tM*s t<? Mk to* * ooafereiw.

CABLE NEWS.

Home and Foreign.

Preßß Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. Fancy Dress Ball. London, July 4 . It is anticipated that the grand fancy dress ball to be given by the Duchess of Devonshire in London, will be the greatest event of the kind of the century The Queen's Garden Party. The members of the Houses of 1 Lords and Commons attended in large numbers the Queen's garden pai'ty, which was a brilliant scene. The French in West Africa. The missionaries on the west coast of Africa report that the French are extending their territory in the Hinter land of Sierra Leone. They are im porting farming appliances and erecting telegraph lines.

Australian.

Press Association—By Eleofcrio Telegraph— Copyright; Found Browned. Sydney, July 5. At the inquest on the man Arthur Erneat Livingston, an open verdict of "Drowned" was returned. The evi dence disclosed nothing to explain the j cause of his being in the water. More Bookmakers Fined. Another batch of thirty bookmakers were fined sums ranging from £10 to £50 for caeh betting. The fines totalled £795.

Club Swinging. Newcastle, July 5 In the presence of a large gathering )Jack Griffiths, the well-known athlete, swung two fifty-one ounce clubs for thirty-six hours, easily beating Bur- ■ rows' recent world's record of thirty' hours with forty ounce clubs. An M.P. Unseated. Adelaide, July 5. Mr Peake, who was recently re turned to the Legislative Assembly for the Albert electorate, has been unseated through irregularities in the voting.' A fresh election has been ordered.

The Missing Explorers. Perth, July 5 The bodies of the explorers,-Wells and Jones, have reached here. Jones' diary was of an incidental character, and only records their doings when they made a fresh start from the Separation Wells, after having re turned. Their leader considers that returning to the Separation Wells was a fatal mistake. Had they kept on to the Fitzroy river they would have struck the track of the main party.

THE COLONIAL TROOPS.

Presentation of Medals.

Praise by the Duke of Con naught I Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— j Copyright. I London, July 3 The Ooldstreain Guards Band was present at the review of the colonial troops at Windsor. The cavalry were, under the command of Colonel Lassetter and the infantry under Colonel Walker. July 5. The medals presented to the colonial troops by the Prince of Wales con sisted of silver medals for the officers, and bronte for t!se men. Sever*! Vic torian, New South Wales, and South Australian unattached officers also received medals. The Dukes and Duchesses of Saxe-Coburg, York, Con naught, the Duke of Cambridge and Lord Wolseley were present at the ceremony. Lord Roberts commanded the colonials, and as each detachment approached the Prince of Wales the officer commanding called out their names. I In the course of his speech at the Colonial Institute dinner, the Duke of Connaught said he was pleased to have the command of the colonial forces. If all the colonial troops were of the same standard, the colonies had reason to be proud of them. He was certain the colonial troops would return home feeling at one with the British army of all ranks, which had been proud to welcome them.

The number of officers and men from the different colonial contingents pre sented te the Queen included Lieut.- Colonel Pitt, Titaira Bangi, Lieut. Pringle, Sergeant Slinn, and Private Te Puni. A concert was given at the Chelsea Barracks in honor of the colonial troops, tl;e singers including Madame Albani and Miss Ada Orossley. The Qaeen, at Sir G. Turner's re quest, has accepted the tame kangaroo taken to England by the Victorian troops.

Sydney Sheep Sale.

Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. Sydney, July 5 t The annual stud sheep sales opened to-day. In consequence of the drought the catalogue wa* not so lengthy as in recent years, but the pondition of the sheep generally was good. There was an excellent attendance The bidding was rather slack ab the com mencement, but improved later } and prices generally were satisfactory. The catalogue was confined to Tasnianian and New South Wales merinos. For Taqmanians Mr Qibson, of Sqone, ob tained top prices with the rams Royal Hero 11. and 111. j and Hero 11. and IV i three years old respectively, each bringing 350 guineas, Six others in ! the same lot averaged ss. Amongst the New South Wales offerings 130 guineas was paid for Messrs Olark Bros.' ram Ooionel; Stickney, 95 guineas, being the next highest figure. Fourteen Qollaroy Company's rams averaged 5<T guineas.

The Colonial Premiers.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. London, July 3. At the banquet, M r Goschen said it was the duty of the British Navy to watch the trad-? routes and protect commerce between Great Britain and her colonies. The cruisjrs at Spit head already had their parts allotted in case of an outbreak of war. Mr Reid said that when the most I beautiful spot on eirth was made an Tmperial city it would contribute accordingly. Meanwhile, the first gift the colonies could bring was a record of Australia's achievements in d cve 1 oping the Australasian continent. There was a time when (jreat Britain's path was marked by blood, force and conquest; but freedom and justice now followed the flag. July 5

At the National Liberal Olub luncheon on Saturday, Sir George Turner, proposing tha toast of the "British Parliament," urged that England should adopt some of the Australian advanced legislation. . Lord Roeebery said unless the Record Reign celebrations were brought to a close it would be neces* sary to give the dyspeptic colonial Premiers a State funeral at West* minister Abbey. The time, he said, had passed for using the word colonies; he preferred the term Empire. Mr Seddon referring to Mr Gosohen's remarks at the Hotel Oecil banquet, with regard to the Australasian con* i tribution to the Navy, said the loyalty of the colonies was not measured by their contributions to specific objects, but by fighting for the supremacy of the race. New Zealand was uncom plainingly pay in a; interest on eleven millions spent in holding the colony for England, The Premiers to-day were ban quetted at Trinity House. The Prince of Wales was amongst the speakers, and said the recent naval review at Spithead had doubtless con vinced the Premiers that the Empire was resisting on a safe basis. The Duke of SaxeCobtirg eulogised the smartness, discipline, and efficiency of the colonial troops as displayed in the Jubilee celebrations.

At a meeting the Premiers dis cussed and unanimously decided to oppose, the proposal that the Admiral on the station should be free to send the ships of the Australian auxiliary squadron anywhere in time of war, and insisted that there should be a limitation of the powers of the Ad miral in regard to utilising the squadron, otherwise intercolonial steamers would be placed at the mercy of an enemy. At the Trinity House banquet Lord Roberts said the presence of the colonial contingents must have con vinced everybody of the stability of the Empire. Lord Salisbury said the Jubilee year would be memorable for laying a deep and broad foundation of Imperial policy for future Premiers, Received Wakapuaka July 6, 9.sojft.m. j Guabdian office 10.40 *.m.) . i London, July 5, At a meeting of the Premier* it wm resolved to support Mr Laurier in de manding that the British Government ' should denounce the Belguim and | German treaties. This decision was unanimous. It is unlikely, however, that Mi Chamberlain will denounce treaties. He will, in all probability, adhere to the despatch of Lord Ripon, when Secretary of State for the colonies, in reference to the Colonial Conference I at Ottawa, Earl Jersey entertained the Premier* at his country seat at Osterley Park. They, with many notabla people who were present at Beerbohra Tree's, stayed to a reception at Her Majesty's Theatre, 4b

TRANSVAAL RAID ENQUIRY.

Miss Flora Shaw's Evidence. Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. London, July 3 T)r Harris is at present abroad, making it impossible for the Transvaal Raid Committee to recall him.

The names of the Secretary of State and Miss Shaw came prominently befpre the. committee on the 10th May last, upon thf examination of J*r Hams as to telegrams that had passed between him and Mr Cecil • Rhodes, among these were the following:— From Dr Harris to his principal, under date 4fch November, 1895:—-"You have not chosen best man to arrange with J. Chamber lain. I hare already sent Flora to convince J. Chamberlain support Times' newspaper, and if you can telegraph course you wish Times to adopt now with regard Transvaal Flora will act." Throughout these cables " Flora" is in constant evidence, and oc casionally the name of Mr phamberlatn is puriousiy promoted. ' Thus, Rhodes feq Harris : " See Flora and get Homeone to re : view boob." Harris to Rhodes the follow ing day: " Flora suggest December 16 cele brate Pretoria district 1880. I will try make best possible terms J. Chamberlain for £200,000, which I was compelled to abandon, thus could only secure English position." Again to Rhodes : 'We have given British South African code to Flora. She has been registered, Telemones, London." Under examination it was sought to discover from Dr. Harris whether there was any ground for believing fchab Miss Shaw acted as intermediary between the Colonial O*soe and Mr Rhode*. The witness said tHat Miss Shaw lenew Mr Rhode* very well indeed".' That gentleman' knew site wrote the colonial articles in The, Tit/res, am) thought it well that she should be kept advised as to what was transpiring, hence the csde. Asked hy Sir W. Harcourt, "These are not ail the telegrams which qqw e?ist in England with reference to thw matter f. There are others«" Witnsu replied, "I pan only deal with what » before me; I have bo others." Being further prassed, Dr Harris admitted that he had seen other telegrams that had not been produced, some that he had sent and ■•' received. He could not say why they were missing, and had no copies of them. He had commun<c*ted with Miss Shaw in Lon don on what is c l'led the " Jameson plan."

ME ASHBOBtOK GtJABDIAN: TUESDAY, JULY 8,-189*.



p * Business Notices, SPECIAL DRESS SALE, WILL BE CONTINUED TILL SATURDAY NEXT JULY 10. 4 LL Divas Materials at 2a per yard atid upwards—will be made FREE OF CHARGE SEE WINDOWS ASHBURTON DRAPERY COY. BANKRUPT ESTATE OF G. J. NEILL AND CO., DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, MERCERS, AND BOOT DEALERS, ASHBURTON mgiS s a l e of this Stock commenced thi^ morning, and will be continued until the whole is dispoßod of at Pill-NO MEN ALLY LOW MGURES in order to effect a speedy cleara nee. BY OKDEH OF THE PURCHASERS OF ABOVE ESTATE. 6 233 * . EX S.S. MATATDA.- WE HAVE MUCH PLEASURE IN ANNOUNCING THE AIiKIVAL OF OUR MIDWINTER SHIPMENTS, Six Cases being just to hand from the abjve steamer. THE SHIPMENT OOMPRISES ONB CASE Ladies' Black Cashmere HOSE, very heavy makes, NE CASE . Is 4d, Is 6d, U lOd ONE OA.SE Ladies' Black and Tan KID GLOVES, bought at a FB CASE large discount. Children's Tans—4 Button, Tans, 2a 6J ; 4 Domes, Tana, 2s lid ; 4 Domes, Black, 2* lid TWO OASB9 IRISH LTNBN GOODS, straight from the Liaburn WO CASES Mills. Some beautiful embroidered PILLOW SHAMS. N.D. BAGS, HANDKERCHIEFS, &c Among these goods now on view in our windows ONE O&SF, FLANELLETTESandMOLLETONS. Special lines NE CASE in white and creme ONE CASE Ladies' and Children's BOOTS and SHOES, specially NE CASE made for us by our Leicester Manufacturer fTIfIREE OASES Passage LINOLEUMS to open shortly. New designs; X all widths. MITCHELL & TURNER. THIS SPACE EESERVED , FOR THE LEADING JEWELLERY i AND WATCH REPAIRING ESTABLISHMENT IN THE DISTRICT. S. SALEK, EAST STREET.



BARRETT BROS, have just opened some new lines in clothing. Our noted *' Wear-well" Mosgiel Tweed Suit ab £2; but cash discount One Shilling in the Pound snakes them 38/- now.—" The Hall," Eadt Street. _^ WANTED KNOWN ~ The way the young people of Aehburton should celebrate the record reign. iGefc married, and buy their furniture at H. Bairstow's, Tanered Street. Satisfaction guaranteed. | 6 120 MRS KNIGHT, Cash purchaser of ladies, gentlemen's, and children's left off .Clothing, and all kindiaof Goods.—-Wakanui Boad, near Bxring Square. 5 13 IBEABD a mun say that you got wonder ful value for little money, a& Mklloh's



WANTED Known, Girls' Pretty Strap Shoes, tan or black, only 3s 6d, at Mellok's Zoalandia Boot Store. FOUND— Nineteen shillings cash to be worth Twenty credit. Our practical system of cash discount One Shilling in the Pound, meets with approval,—BAKßKTT Bros, "The Hall," East Street. WANTED Known, Inspect Fletcher Bros' show of Crockery, etc., suit ab'e for presents before going elsewhere. It will pay you.—J'lktohesßeos., Cash Supply Stores. WANTED, Eggs, 1000 dozen, must be fzeab, and 1 ton of Beeswax, highest market prices given by TT IMOUVM Bbos,, Gash P apply Stores, " j



Church Services. 1 S~ T. STEPHEN'S O-£[(7 BO Hi Ashburton. WEDNESDAY—Vestry Meeting, G F.S., and Choristers' practice, 7.30 p.m. THURSDAY-Motuera' Unim Meeting in St Stephen's Schoolroom, 3p.m. ; Brother hood of St Andrew, 7.30 p.m. FRIDAY — hart Service, 7.30 p.m. ; Choir Practice, 8 p.m. | SUNDAY SERVICES. 8.30 a.m.—H'>ly O>>minumon. 11 a,m.—'Morning Prayer. 6.30 p.m.-—Evening Prayer. Tho XXV. . ANON W. HARPER, of Christchurch Cith'etiral, will officiate.



THE NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. ■— i SPECIAL LINES. MiN'S WATERPROOF COATS, Newest Patterns, all Sewn Seams,, 29s 6d, 32s 6d, 355, 39s 6d,



MEN'S ALL WOOL TWEED OVER GOATS, 255, 32b 6d, co 455. YOUIHS' ALL WOOL TWEED OVER COATS, 19s 6ct, 25a, to 35a. BOYS' Do. 8a 6d, 10a 6d, to 21s. BOYS' NAVY SERGE SAILOR SUITS. Fib Boy two years, from 10s 63 Fife Boy four years, from Us Fit Boy aix yeara, from 12a Fib Boy eight years, from 133 Fit Boy ten years, from 14a extra collar, flannel front, cord and whistle. BOYS' ALL WOOL TWEED GUARD |SUITS Fit Boy four years, from 9a 6d Fit Boy six years, from 10s 6d ! Fit Boy eight years, from 11s 6d Fit Boy ten years, fr^m 12s 6d Parents wanting good strong wearing Suits for the Boys would do well to inspect our large stock. Boys' Blue Serge Tarn Caps from Is to 3s 9d Boys' Serge Gaps from 6d to Is 9d See our All Wool Tweed, for Boys' school wear, at Is lid per yard. We carry a large stock of British & Colonial BOOTS AND SHOES. Inspection Invited. HALLENSTEItCBROS. & CO. A. G. BARTON, Manager!



Hoiloway's Pills —Nervousness and want of energy —When first the nerves feel unstrung, and lis lessness supplants energy the time has come to take some such altera tive as Holloway's Pills to restrain a dis order from developing; into a disease. These excellent Pills correct all irregularities and weakuesseas. They act ao kindly yet so energetically on the functions of digestion and assimilation, that the whole body is revived, the blood irendtred purer, while the muscles become firmer and stronger, and the nervous and absorbent system is in vigorated. These Pills are suitable for all classes and all ages,, They have a most marvellous effect on persons who are out of condition; they soon rectify whatever is in fault, restore strength to the body, and confidence to to the mind.



TW* r^iirttf. —• Belief can be obtained immediately. Use ' Ktta tx«u v ww «*» I—well1 —well known as the utterly unrivalled Cough Remedy. Strongly re commended by many eminent physicians. They at onoe check the tough and remove the cause wi'howt any after effect; the most deliq ite can therefore can take them. One Lozenge alone gives ease—-one or two a bedtime ensure* reeb. Sold everywhere id tint la lid «Mh, I



The public are to be congratulated on the liberal imnner in which they have re sponded to the invitation of our leading bookseller, stationer, and fancy goods vendor, to supply themselves with cheap stationery, good literature (for winter reading), and fancy goods. As this month is the record sale of the decade—the firm giving great in ducements ap »« to reduce tho stock—we have no doubt thai) the [premises of .-JL- $fi Anderson, la,fce L. F. Andrews and Ca^ will hn wallnatroaißfldduringtheremainder of the sale.—(Advt. :i * . Many Ladies complain that the T»» they have been using has neither strength nor fl tvor. If they try Kozib Tka they will: be -atisfled Try tfae No 4up 2fy. 'tis aupcrb The true leaf of the Taa plant), untamparfd" will and pure; fchis v Koz« T94, try fr.ym Juhn Orr & Co., ig>Qt»,