Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, JULY 8, 1897. THE SEASON.

The season we are now passing through has been the most rainless on record, In fact, since harvest we have had hardly any rain worth mentioning, and things are beginning to look some what serious. In Ashburton town ship it is a remarkable fact that in spite of the absence of rain the wells still hold out, and though the rivers are far from running at their fullest, there is still a fair supply of water. This naay, perhaps, be accounted for by the fact thut, though rain has been almost totally absent from the plains, some has occasionally fallen in the upper districts, and on one occasion there was quite a deluge of a rainstorm, while during all that has gone of the winter snow has been always visible on the ranges, and wp3! below the waist of the mountains. But the dry weather has had its (-fleet on the> plains, and work is considerably behind on the farms. Throughout the South Island the drought has been felt to a greater or leas degree, and it is rather "an unusual thing to have to chronicle in such a city as Dunediu a scarcity of vr.ater so severe as to nepessltatp its sale td the inhabitants by measure. Yet this has been the case in the southern capital, <wd in the winter too. In the farther south the farnicra appear to be badly in arrears with work, and graziers are feeling the want of feed even more than we are here. In many districts the frosts have had the effect of Hindering the work of ploughing the already dried-np lands an impossibility. That the land owners, under these circumstances, will suffer sevet ely must be apparent to all those who understand how necessary it is to complete the work of ploughing and sowing before the winter sets in. In the South Island the greatest success has always atten^'-d autumn-sowing, and there fore the cheJif which has been experi enced will have a orejudieial effect upon farming operations 67" r * very j wide area. A recent bulletin i."" 001! Captain Edwin indicated approaching , rain, and it is to be hoped the Captain will prove a true prophet; but, while we write, the rain has only fallen as yet in the Wellington district, though it muy general at an early date. Feed has become scarce in North Olago and other districts, and altogether the out look is serious. It should be remem bered, too, that though rain should come speedily, there is scarcely any hope of feed being improved, as there is so very little growth in the winter months, owing to the severity of the frosts. That such a state of things should exist is to be deeply deplored, as the farmers of the South, who were heartened up by the advance in the price of grain which has been enjoyed for s;;me time past, and which is likely to continue, had a promise of a pros perous time as a result of the next harvest. Farmers will now have to depend on their spring-sowing, and in the meantime prices will be largely affected by the scarcity which niust follow as ft consequence of the drought,

A medallion has been designed and is circulated in Germany to commemorate

THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE.

the Triple Alliance, and is the result of a private firm's enterprise 8 but the

fact of its appearance as a commercial venture may, perhaps, be taken to indicate the popularity of that inter national compact in Germany. The obverse of the medallion shows busts of the thruo rulers, William 11. of Ger many, Francis Joseph of Austria, and Humbert of Italy, and above them b>un» a sunburst bearing the inscrip tion"' 6 In Trinitate Pax;" below are palm branches and laurel leaves. The three rulers are shown in full^uniform, with orders and insignia on their breasts. The reverse shows a com position representing the hateful figure of War, a chained dragon, threatening i the" peace aJU»»ce. Three chains bold

him in check, extending from three shields, each bearing the coat of arms of one of the three allied nations. This medal cm be bought in different sizes, and in silver, bronze, and Britannia metal.

The last of the Indian companies of the United States Army, stationed a!

DISBANDED.

Fort Hill, O. T., is to be disbanded. This marks the end of the effort to make

efficient soldiers oufc of the warlike aborigines of the frontier. At first the experiment bade fair to be success ■ful. feeveral companies, both of cavalry and infantry, were organised in com mand of white officers who had mani fested particular friendliness for the Indians. The young braves liked the jiunty uniforms, and promptly mas tered the intricacies of military evolu tions. They became men of mark in their tribes. But soon the rigid discipline and the enforced absence from their homes and families became irksome. They began to neglect their duties and to appear first indifferent, then sullen, and then tmitinouß. One by one the Indian troops and com panies have been disbanded until there remained only the command at Fort Sill, composed of fifty of Garenimo's Apache warriors. Though they will cease to be regular soldiers of the United States, th^se Indians will not leave the military service. They will probably be retained, as other former soldiers have been, as scouts, in which capacity the red braves have had ample experience in the Indian wars, and indeed, have proven themselves india pensable auxiliaries.

Local and General.

The lonic on her outward trip took £150,000 worth of gold. A report of the & ddington stock market t appears on the fourth page. Two Hawera settlers have patented an i easy contrivance for filling sacks in a potato or corn field. Swarms of corn bugs have made their appearance in the Mudgee district, N.S.W., and cover the trees and fences. The position of chairman of a school com mittee at Havelock has been held by a Mr J. A. Moore for seventeen consecutive years. A letter from beyond the colony, addressed John Jameson, was received at the Ash burton Post Office during the month of April and is still unclaimed. The timber trade is brisker in Wellington than it has been for many years past, owing to the amount of building now going on there. Two lads named Riohard Carpenter and John Smith started bushranging on a small scale at Broken Hill, and have been dealt with under the First Offenders Act. At the Gateshead Dog Show, instead o •' pass-out " checks, which might be trans ferred to others, each p3rson who left the building received the impress of an india rubber stamp on his hand* The lambing aeason has already corn- I menoed in the North Island, and quite a large number of early lambs are running about the paddocks in the Taranaki district, j Allowing eighteen inches for each person '. along both sides of the six-mile route of the London Jubilee procession, there would only be §0,000 persons in the front row of j spectators. I The Orangemen of the district have decided to parade for diviue service on Sun day, July 11, but as yet the particular churoh in which the order will worship has not beeu decided upon. The naval authorities have received ad vice that the R.M.S. Austral, of the Orient line, which is due at Sydney Lais week, is bringingjout 170 men of the Royal N*vy for the Australian Squadron. Andrew B.urng, of the Petone Chronicle, charged will) hayipg printed certain ballot papers at Petone on the 24th Margli "and having omitted to print thereon hia name and place of abode, was fined £5 and costs. So determined to make his work effectual was Patrick Corbett, of Wanganui, who committed suicide by hanging himself afc that tp!Fn on Monday that he greased the I running portion of £he noose around his neck. fhe officers of the Bank of New Zealand throughout the colonies are being invited to I subscribe towards a tsstmonial which it is proposed to forward to M> Henry Mac kenzie, late general manager, who is now in England. The Post says that a number of the members of the Wellington staffs have refused to contribute. A man named O. Thompson, engaged with the chaffcutter of Messrs Taylor and Cox, met with an accident yesterday. It appears that while the chaffcutter <?,nd planb were travelling along the road, the unfortunate man tried to get on the water cart. In doing so he slipped and fell, the wheel of the carfc passing over hie body, Mr G. Cox, who was in charge of the machinery, con veyed him to the hospital, where it was found that three of his ribs were broken*'

One of the message boys at the telegraph osLee, named Grocott, had a rather sensa tional experience, (says the Dunedin Star.) ! In cpmpany with some other boys he was ! fossicking about Mea'ars l>algety iand Co.'s > old premises in IJond s:reet, which are at nrps"nb kein& re»Oyftted» and PJ eked UP a pnimlfi of J'»nooeat.looking articles, bub wh£h were In rea^ detonate^ B 3 y like, ho at once applied ul* owtket^mU to one of these, and commenced picking C n" the wax in the top of the detonator. Before he had fairly begun the thing burst, *nd thafc the boy was not killed is little short of a miracle. The knife he was usiug was smashed to pieces, and a portion of the blade waa driven into oue of his hands. Grocott also received one or two alight cuts about the forehead, but otherwise he was uninjured and was able to resume his usual duties. The Napier Daily Telegraph expresses strong resentment at the liberation from gaol, as a mark of clemency in connection with the Record Reign celebrations, of the Maori half-caste Rowlands, whom itdescribes a3 a murderer of quite aa cowardly and dangerous a type as Ohemis. The truth is (our contemporary says) that Rowlands in duced a new-chum European named Neaye, a " remittance man," to go into a sort of partnership with him in a firewood-cutting lease. About four o'clock one morning Neave was preparing to go into Gisborne with a load of wood, and the half-caste came behind him and shot him in the back. He was not killed, although mortally wounded, and he bravely turned on hia murderer^ but the latter then struck him down with an axe, and rode off on a horse co Giaborne, where he reported that his mate had shot himself. The police there, behaving like imbeciles, accepted this story and allowed Rowlands to go away without question. When the police reached the whate where Neave had been shot they discovered that he had managed to drag himself away seek ing help, and he was found at a publichouae a mile and a-half distant. He died there the same afternoon, but not until his depositions had been taken, in which he described how Rowlands had attacked him. Then followed an inquest. The police, owing to another blunder, did not have the murderer present when Neave's depositions were read. Row- ! 1 nds was tried and convicted. He had behind him the best legal advice the district could supply, and his conviction was ap pealed against on the ground of the error of the police. '1 he upshot oi the whole business was th&t the half-caste, instead of being hanged, was sentenced to penal servitude for life. " Look at that hump." " What hnmp, my son I" ?'That bump on the man's back." | " Those are''round Bho#lderß ? my boy caused by a neglected cough whea a''child./' f? Why didn't he take Woods' Greafc Peppermint Cure, it always cures ua." "It's a pity he d:d.oV retorted, thj m.Qfcber* July 9

Up to the present £1600 has been col-1 leoted for the children's ward at. the Dune din Hospital. At a meeting of the Auckland Mining and industrial Exhibition Committee the total amount on the guarantors' list to date "was stated to be £2250. At Maateiton the other day District Judge Kettle laid it down that a wife took very iittlo notice of her husband nowadays. The New Woman, he remarked* took every thing into her own hands. The Council of the Churches has petitioned the various Australian Parliaments on the subject of an acknowledgment of ihe Supreme Ruler in the Commonwealth Bill. The Caledonian dancing class having loßt the services of Mr R. Fr zzell, his place his been taken by Mr James Moholas, who com menced the duties of M.C. last evening, every satisfaction being given. A Dunedin telegram states that Duthie and Co, coal merchants, were fiued 5$ and coats for having a carter employed after home one weekly half-holiday. Counsel for the defence intimated the decision would be appealed against. The annual meeting of the Wesleyan Christian Endeavour Society held last even ing was largely attended. The officers for the ensuing year were elected, and several new committees formed. Pledge tickets were given to new members.. It was decided to form a junior society. Refreshments were dispensed during the evening. Speaking at a meeting of the Prohibition League at Wellington, Mr A. R. Atkinson said the chief object of a series of meetings which had been begun was to increase the league membership so aa to make it thoroughly representative of 5000 prohibi tion voters in Wellington, and at the same time to work to inore&ae that number to 7000, which would be necessary to carry no license ab the next losal option poll. The Licensing Committee met to-day—all present —and transferred the license of the Somerset Hotel from W. James to H. 8. Drummond, and confirmed the temporary transfer of the Aahburton Hotel from M. B. Shaw to John Mullan—the police report in the latter case being favorable both as to the new licensee and the condition of the build ing after repairs. The wholesale license of Henry Zander was renewed.

An accident that has hitherto, so far as we know (says the Dunedin Star) evaded newspaper record occurred to the Lawrence- Roxburgh coach on the evening of May 28. When within two or three miles of Rox burgh, at about 7 p.m., rain falling heavily and a gale of wind blowing, the leaders' traces broke at an awkward pinch in the road, and while Mr Craig, junr., the driver, w*.s trying to pull up the starded horses the reins also snapped, and their swerving caused the coach to partially capsize, It did fall over on to one side, but the luggage on tho roof became entangled in some sorub, and this was chiefly the reason why the vehicle did not overturn into the river. When the driver realised what was about to happen he sang out to the passengers to jump, and they did so, but one, a girl, got pinned underneath for awhile, and Mrs Hueaton, of Clyde, had her arm badly hurt, while the driver himself was seriously bruised.

Already upon the pathetic aide of the Paris catastrophe has supervened the practical. The practical mind is beginning to calculate tha amount of succession duty it will soon begin to garner in. In many cases the duty will be double ; in not a few it will be triple. This arises from the fact that not only was the dutiable class of the community largely represented in the bazaar, but that the same family has lost represen tatives of two, and even of three, generations. The French c;jde is very comprehensive in its dealings with successions. Tike the case of a mother and daughter who have j been numbered among the victims. If the j daughter were over fifteen she would be [ held, by French law, to have survived her parent, and so to have become dutiable in , respect to her parents estate. Further, j duty would be exactable from her own heir at-law or next to kin. If she were old enough to have made her mother a grandmother the law would cliim the duty over again from the grandchild. Duly With it is always a duty. The ffmoke's Bay Herald, of July 3 pub lishes some verses on the Queen's reign, remarking that as the author "is lfof f reign extraction, it would have been thought the necessary enthusiasm for writing such a poem would have been lacking," but adds that; " the author possesses the true poetic instinct." It may be added that the author, ,who is known to many people in South Canterbury and Ashburton, is a German professional man now residing in Napier. The following verse js a specimen of the poem :— The Indies' Empress, Queen of sunny Austral land, Her subjects are as countless as on snore the sand ; All bail her, siog in diverse tones the songs of prajae, Grand anthems to her honour Jn their churches raise. -

SPORTING.

WELLINGTON RACING CHUB'S WINTER MEETING.

Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.

Hutt Racecouese, July 7. Concluding results of the first day's raoea j Parliamentary HANDiOAP.—Marfcyrdorn 1, 33 mnie Blun 2, £ir Agnes 5 Mauser was spratphed, Won by half a length after a slashing finish. Time—gmin 6s3ec. Divi dend—£s 19s. i Hontebs Hurdles.—Violence 1, Coast- I guard 2, Tricky Jack 3 Rainbow did not start. Claymore when in the van fell at the last hurdle, and Violence won easily. 2|sec. Dividend—£l 17a. Fjbst Hack Handwap. — Ruamahunga I, Swordfish2, Ouar3Binan 2}. 4^ started but Sfjerwood, Awa^ere, Totia 5 and 11. Won by half a length. Tirne-—2»nin 6aec.

WEST STREET YARDS.

Fjcia&lamdor'si Few Horse Mart.

The recent boom in horsgs was perhaps the more immediate impelling cause of Messrs Friedlander Bros, once more enr gaging the services of the builder, and erect ing a horse mart on their ground in West street, but for a considerable time previous the necessity for more covered space in the yard behind their offices had been felt. The J firm had really no auction room, properly I so called, if the large grain stores in Burnett street §re excluded, and the recent greatly I increased horae iradp decided the firm in [ building a mart. Mr R. Bird was entrusted with the preparation of plans, and a tender | was accepted from Measrn Smith and Son for the work which is now well on the way. The new building will be when finished 82 feet long and 36 feet wide. It extends from the reg.r of the firm's offices right back to the boundary of the section oa which it stands, the entrance way of about twenty feet wide supplying with the length of the building a run for horses of about two and a half chains. But should more space be necessary, there ia behind the yards half an acre of land that can be made use of aa a run. The studs ate sturdy pillars of 1% xl 2 kauri, the purlinga of the same timber 6 x 4, and the main beams in the principal are from " giants of the forest," being 36 feet in length and 12 x 4 breadth and thickness. Stud and principal together will give a height to the apex of the building of 20 feet. The structure will be open to the front or eastern aide, while the rear pr western side will be closed by large sliding doors,. To the le£t of those doors two large windows will help to light the building, and on the northern side the wall will be pierced with four large lights. These are calculated to bupply enough lighting for the conduct of business, but should they be found to be in sufficient it will be easy enough to pierce the roof with skylights. Messrs Smith are pushing on with the work, being engaged just now in getting the heavy timbers in place, and when all is done Messrs Filed lander Bros, will possess moat useful premises'for almost any purpose. Saturday week ia expected to be the opening day.

COMMERCIAL.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. London, July 6. The fourth series of London and colouia wool sales opened to day. The market in very firm, and prices are from par to 5 pi r cent advance. July 7 At the wool s.~ les Charles Balme and Co. and Jacomb, Son and Co., offered 10,681 bales of an average selection of wool. The attendance was unusually large, and there was the keenest compeli ion amongs* Home, American, and German buyers. Shaf y and greasy meriaos sold at 5 pt-r cent above the highest prices realised at the May series of sales. Other sorts wera very firm, but prices were unchanged. Americans bought very freely for immediate shipmeut.

ASHBURTON HOSPITAL.

Subscriptions for Convalescent Ward.

SCULLING.

Press Association-—By Eleotrio Telegraph, Copyright,

London, July 7. Gaudaur, who last year won the (-.culling championship of the world from Stanbury, has dow expressed his willingness to row Wray, the New South Wales eouller, on the Thames, for £500 a side.

FOOTBALL.

THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM IN AUSTRALIA.

Press Association—By Eleotric Telegraph*— Orange, July 7 The following will form the New Zealand team to pluy against the Central Wee era team; — Back, Orchard; three-quarters, Armit, Allen, and Smith; five-eighths, Bayley; half, Glennie ; wings, McKenzie and Mills; forwards, Blair, Handcock, PauliDg, Wells, Calnan, Wilson, and Hard castle. The Central team consists of:—Back, Hurford ; three-quarters, Wickham, Brown and Daley ; five-eighths, Blackwell; half, Barry; wings, Hadwin and Wilkinson ; forwards, Losan, Gardiner, Boufflyr, Lane, Thomas, McDonald and Larauce.

Winslow Sports and Racing Club.

A meeting of the Committee . of the Winelow Sports and Racing Club was held in Keller's Hotel on Wednesday evening. There was a good attendance of members. The Chairman stated the meeting was called for the purpose of deciding whether the race meeting should be an annual fixture, and if i so to draw up rules for the guidance of the Club in the future. It was resolved that there be an annual sports and race meeting of the Club, to be held on some day selected by the Com mittee. The Secretory then read a set of rules which might be taken as a basis, aud it was finally decided that the Chairman, Secre tary, and Mr Smart be appointed to draw up a set of rules that would be applicable to the Club, and submit them for approval or alteration to the general Committee. Mr Fooks stated that he had been asked l>y the Committee to thank the Chairman for the zealous and hearty manner in which he had carried out the duties of his office, and to accept from them a memento of the initial meeting uf the Club, which through his energy and liberality had been such a pronounced success, and trusted this small token would remind him of pleasant associa tions in the past Mr Fooks then handed to Mr Sutherland a clock with barometer I and thermometer attached, and inscribed on a bold silver plate are the words—" To Mr W. Sutherland, from the Winslow Sports and Racing Cub, as a memento of the Initial meeting held on May 24, 1897." , Mr Sutherland said the Committee's action had quite taken his breath away, and he was quite unprepared for such a pleasant surprise. He was not aware that he had done more than any other man would have done in the same office, Otfing to the kind and cordial way in which subscribers had responded to his appeals it had made the gathering of subscriptions an easy and pleasant task. He thanked the Committee for their handsome gift which would certainly remind him of a very pleasant day's sport, and he was sure his wife would appreciate the gift as much as he did himse f. He trusted he should be spared to assist the ' club for many years to gonie, and that ife would eve; prosper. The health of Mr Sutherland and Mrs Sutherland was drunk in bumpers. The Chairman said he would like the Club to show a, little practical sympathy for the widow and children of the late Mr E. Price, and it was unanimously resolved that a donation of £5 53 be tendered to Mis Price. Besides the above subscription a list was opened in the room, and headed by the Chairman with a libpral donation of £5 §», the list was quickly made up by members of the club to the sum of £15 15s.

OVER-ISSUE OF SHARES.

Alleged Falsification of a Register.

Press Association •**■ By Electric Telegraph Auckland, July 6 A meeting of shareholders in the Fiery Gross, Prince of Wales, and Waihi Welcome Gold Mining Companies was held to-djky, when there was a large attendance of share holders. Mr J. M. Shera, who was voted to the chair, explained that in the Fiery Gross abjjut 0100 shares in excess had been issued, in the Waihi Welcome 9000, and in the Prince'of )|4les 10,00$. As far as oould be ascertained these snares hsd been sold and passed from broker to Jjrojier apd investor to investor, and transfers had been stamped and registered and receipts issued. In many instances calls were made, and had been paid. The position now was that, acting legally, the managers of the com panies had declined to register new tians fers on the ground that th»title was acquired from bogus shares, Ihe conveners of the meeting communicated with the directors of the various comp'ahifts, and jbbe result of their inquiries was laid before the meeting. After a lengthy discussion it was resolved that a committee be appointed with a view to arranging an amicable settlement with directors of the respective companies, and 1 failing that to take a test case against a company. Acting-dejbective Mills proceeded to J^orth Shore to-night, and arrested at his residence there Win, ft. Waters, legal manager of the Fiery Cross Gold Mining Company, on a charge of wilfully falsifying a certain book, the register of the pompany, by entering upon the said register 3000 shares bs being the property of the said Wm. R. Waters in trust, whereas such shares did not exiat in fact. July 7. , Wm. B. Waters on a charge of falsifying j the share register of the Fiery Cross Com pany was remanded till Wednesday next. Bail was allowed in £160.' Mr Mahoney, solicitor, said it was highly probable that further charges would be preferred against the accused.

CABLE NEWS.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

The Lawyers London, July 6 In the House of Commons, Mr Chamberlain, replying to a question by Mr Hazel), member for Leicebter, aaid lie hoped the Colonial Solicitors Bill would be passed during the current session. The Antarctic Expedition. The conference between the Royal Geographical Society and the Agents- General of the colonies—Sir Olement Markham, president of the society, presiding — discussed the proposed Antarctic expedition. An offer was made on behalf of the Society to con tribute £5000 towards the venture if each of the Australasian colonies would contribute a similar amount. The ' Duke of Argyll; Sir Joseph Hooker, an eminent botanist; t»hd Vice-Admiral Sir George Nares, an arctic explorer, favored the expedition. The Agents- General of New South Wales and Victoria are consulting their respec tive Governments m reference to the society's proposal, The Naval Review. London, July 7 The Queen has expressed pride and entire satisfaction over the Prince of Wales'a report upon the Jubilee naval review at Spithead. Canadian-Australian Mail Service In his recent negotiations with Mr James Huddart in connection with the Canadian-Australian mail service, Mr Seddon demanded that the duration of the voyage ahould be shortened several days. Mr Huddart has now offered an increase to a fourteen knot service if the subsidy is increased. Mr Seddon consults his Cabinet in reference to the offer. The Pacific Cable. Sir W. Laurier, Mr Seddon, Mr Reid, and Sir H. Nelson are co operating in urging the claims of the Pacific cable upon the Imperial authorities. They are hopeful of bringing the negotiations to a success ful issue. If they find it necessary to do so, they will proceed independently in the matter. Visit to the Czar. Paris, July 6 The French Chambers have voted President Faure a sum of £200 (?) for his approaching visit to the Czar Disastrous Floods. July 7. floods in the south of France have caused damage estimated at 200,000,000 francs, while 300 people were drowned. The Dervishes. Cairo, July 6. Colonel Kitchener has left Cairo for the front, preparatory to an advance of the Anglo-Egyptian expedition against the Dervishea upou Abu Hamed, on the Upper File. The Plague Riots. Calcutta, July 6 Some 600 people were killed in the recent anti-blague suppression riota. European ladies are daily subjected to insults in the streets at the hands of the disaffected natives.

Australian.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.

er Hooley's Scheme. Sydney, July 7. The conference of representatives of the meat freezing companies to discuss Mr Hooley's scheme was held with closed doors. They appointed a Com mittee to confer with the solicitors representing Mr Hooley and report further to a meeting pn Thursday.

THE LATEST.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association—By Electric Talegraph— Copyright.

Received Wakapuaka July 8, 9.40 a.m. Guardian office 11.15 a. m,) Obituary. London, July 8 Sir John Bennett, Sheriff of London, is dead,

Australian.

I Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— \ Copyright. Wreck at \evv Guinea. Sydney, July 8 Private information has been re ceived, that a city vessel, supposed to be the Weslt>yan mission schooner Meda, is ashore and a total wreck at Bast Qape, New Guinea. The passengers, including a number of missionaries, and the crew are supposed to be safe. The Meda and cargo were insured ia the New Zealand office. Queensland Politics. BjijsbA^e, tfuly $. In the Assembly Mr dlassey moved the second reading of the Electoral Amendment Bill, providing for the one-man-onevote. The Acting-Premier stated that it would not be expedient to adopt the one-vote system unless the Bill also embodied a principle of equality in voting.

THE WAR IN THE EAST.

The Forte and the Powers*

Strained Eolations.

Press Association — By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

Constantinople, July 6 Owing to the Sultan refusing to yield his claims to Theasalian territory the relations between the Porte and the foreign embassies have become gravely strained Juty 7,; In the House of Lords, Lord Salis bury, replying to a question on the Greoo-Turkish war, said the Forte was entirely chargeable with the delay which had arisen in connection with the settlement of peace These delay* | were causing great injury and even I danger. The Powers were in absolute agreement. The chances of an early and satisfactory solution of the difficulty would increase in proportion as the situation became analagous to the state of affairs prevailing in 1877, when at the close of the Basso* furkish war Prince Bismarck pre sided over a European Conference, with the Russian Army lying close to Constantinople.

THE COLONIAL TROOPS.

Pros A«»ooi»tion—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.

London, July 6» At the Military Tournament at the Crystal Palace, 1 rooper Harkus, of the New South Wales Lancers, took the first prize in the Victoria Cross race. The Canadian troops have tailed on their return to Canada, , .Tuiyf, Colonel Herbert has reported Mat the conduct of the colonial troop* has been exemplary throughout their stay at Chelsea Barracks.

LABOR QUESTIONS.

The Engineers' Strike.

ress Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright LoNDOir, July 6 The employers have 'served notices of a lockout upon 25,000 engineers. The lockout affects Woolwich, Bolton, the Clyde, Sanderland, Leicester, and North East Coast,

THE COLONIAL PREMIERS.

The Tariff and Navy Questions.

Conference with Colonial Office.

Banquet to Sir CU Turner.

Press Association—By Etectcic Telegraph— Copyright. London, July 6 The Benchers of Lincoln's Inn ban queted the Premiers. Ohief Justice Way and Mr Byrnes, of Queensland, jvere also present. Sir George Turner, in his interview with Beu^ejr's representative, said that the Victorians were prepared to in crease the duties on foreign goods, but would expect something in return. In the course of another interview he explained that Victoria would main tain the present tariff, as far as Great Britain was concerned, but would in crease it to foreigners, if Great Britain subsidised the Steamship Companies, so as to enable them to reduce the freights. Sir Hugh Nelson, in the course of an interview with a representative of Reuters, said that Queensland did not object to differentiate the tariff in favor of Great Britain, The Colony was tending towards freer trade as the revenue increased. It was willing to join in a federal defence scheme with some modifications. He favored an extension of the naval agreement. Referring to the sugar industry, he said, that unless Great Britain gave preference to the colonial industry it could not expand in Queensland. Sir George Turner, in his interview, said he was not prepared in the present hard condition of : the finances of Victoria, to contribute more to the British Navy.

July 7, The conference between the Premier* and the leading officials of the Colonial Ofßee was resumed to day, The treaty entered into between Great Britain and Japan wag under discussion. With the exception of Queensland, all the colonies declined to adopt the treaty, : . The banquet to Sir George Turner, arranged by Victorian residents in London, was held last night. Lord ; Seiborne, who acted as Chairman, in i proposing Sir George Turner's health, said everyone now recognised the Empire as a wonderful fact, ft wpuld be unwise to force the pace respecting Imperial unity, and it would be safest to wait the advance of the colonies. He eulogised Sir George Turner's financial efforts for Victoria. Sir George Turner, replying, said the marvellous patience, self-denial, and reliance of the Victorians were worthy of all praise. A snrpjug for the present financial year 'wag no% assured, and the colony was again on the up-grade. If the motherland were ever endangered the colonies would promptly help with money and men. The guests at the banquet included the Marquis of Tweeddale, Mr Sydney Buxton, the Hon. T. Brassey, Mr Kingston Colonel Templeton, and other ofMcers of the Victorian contin gent, and many other leading colonuls. Lord Hopetoun, in a letter regretting his inability to attencl, expressed admiration of Sir Geqrge Turner^ statesmanlike qualities. Miss A^ prflsslay, Miss Amy She'rwin,' a^nd Bf? Robert fcjierwin sang, Mr George Olijtsain, pianist, well kn^wn in tfte colonies, acting as accompanist. Mr Campbell Bannerman eulogised the physique of the colonial troops. Colonel Templeton responded. la the course of his reply Sir George Turner urged that closer commercial relations between Britain and the colqhies was desirable. 1 He sale} tfje existing political relations we,re satis factory. ' '■'" ■ " '■ Sir John Fqrrest leave* for Wes^ Australia on July 33rd,. Mr Seddon intends, to, risft W&leg, Scotland and Ireland, and will sail for New Zealand on July 21st,

TtfE A8HB0RT0» GUARDIAN: THURSDAY, JULY 8, 1897.



The following additional subscriptions have been received :— . £ a d Amount acknowledged ..„ ... 103 8 0 J. B. Beckett) ... , 10 0 R. M. Adair 3 3 0 G. Geddings < ... 5 0 0 St Stephen's Church, nett amount of collection on Sunday, June 20 417 5

117 8 6



:!i!l Business INotieea. SPECIAL DRESS SALE, WILL BE OOKTIN UED TILL SATURDAY NEXT JULY 10. A LL Drcsa Materials at 2i per yard and upwards—will be made FREE OF CHARGE SEE WINDOW--'. ASHBURTON DRAPERY COY. BANKRUPT ESTATE OF G. J. NEILL AND CO., DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, MERCERS, AND BOOT DEALERS, ASHBURTON rpHB Sale of this Stock commenced this morning, and will be continued until the whole is disposed of at PHENOMENALLY LOW I7GUBES in order to effect a speedy clearance. BY ORDER OP THE PURCHASERS OF ABOVE SSTATE^ DRESSES & DRESSMAKING = EXTRAORDINARY. = AFTER AN EXCEPTIONALLY SUCCESSFUL SEASON WE AEI NOW PEEPARED^TO TAKE YEBY MUCH K^DUCBD PRICES lOR OUR FEW REMAINING COLORED DRESSES. A LOW PRICE quoted for Dreaa Complete, Best Style and Fit. MITCHELL & TURNER. THIS SPACE RESERVED FOR THE LEADING JEWELLERY AND WATCH REPAIRING ESTABLISHMENT .IN THE DISTRICT. S. S'ALEK, EAST STREET.



BARRETT BEOS, have juat opened some new lines in clothing. Our noted «« Wear-well" Mosgiel Tweed Suit at hi.; but cash discount One Shilling in the Pound makes them 38/- now.—" The Hall, fea.it Street. ANTEIT KNOWN — The way the young people of Ashburton should celebrate the record reign. Get married, and buy their furniture at H. Bairsfeow s, Tancred Street. Satisfaction guaranteed. ■P l«v MRS KNIGHT, Cash purchasercf ladies , \ flentlemen'a, and children's left off Clothing, and all kiudsof Gonds.-Wakanui Eoad, near Baring Square. o lo IB BARD a, mun s»y that you got wonder- I ful value for little moaey, »t SJ«w»fi s



WANTED Known, Girls' Pretty Strap Shoes, tan or black, only 3s 6d, at Mellor's Zealandia 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.—Barrett Bros, "The Hall," East Street. WANTED Known, Inspect Fletcher Bros' show of Crockery, etc., suit able for presents before going elsewhere. It will pay you.—Fletcheb Bros., Cash Supply Stores. W'~~~' ANTED, Eggs, 1000 dozen, must be fresh, and 1 ton of Bees^ajt, , highest market priceß given by lh%xmt& feos,, OeSi Supply Stores, j



Church Services. S"""t. stb phen's church Ashburton. THURSDAY—Mothers' Union Meeting in St Stephen's Schoolroom, 3 p.m. ; Brother hood of St Andrew, 7.30 p.m. FRIDAY — Short Service, 7.30 p.m. ; Choir Practice, 8 p.m. SUNDAY SERVICES. 8 30 a.m.—Holy Communion. 11a.m.—Morning Prayer. 6.30 p.m.—Evening Prayer. The REV. CANON W. HARPER, of Christ-ohurch Cathedral, will officiate. NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. AUK HALF-YE ABLY STOCK-TAKING TAKES PLACE THE END OF THIS MONTH. So during the Next Week or two, we Bhall bring forward a number of VERY SPECIAL LINES, AND AT THE PRICES THEY WILL BE MARKED, WILL EFFECT A SPEEDY CLEARANCE FOR BARGAINS, LOOK AT OUR DOORS & WINDOWS HALLENSTEIN BROS. & CO. A. G. BAHTON, Manager.



Kozib Tea, the beet, and yet within reaoh of all; Sold at 1/B,l'lO, 2/-, and 2/4— John Orr &Co Sola Agents. Many Ladies complain that the Tea they have been using has neither strength nor flavor. If they try Kozis Tba they will be ifttiitfed Try tbr, No 4At 2/4, 'til »up«rb



Hmloway's Pills.—Nervousness and want of energy.—When first the nerves feel unstrung, and listlessness supplants energy the time has come to take some such altera tive as Hollow&y's Pills to restrain a dis order horn developing into a disease. These excellent "Pills correct all irregularities' and vveaknesseas. They act so kindly yet so energetically on the functions of digestion and assimilation, that the whole body is revised, the b!p!od rendered pifrer, while the inusqles 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 CQnf|4ence to to th^ mind. The public are to be congratulated on |>he liberal manner in which they 'have 're sponded to the invitation of our leadiog booksejler, stationer, and fancy goods vendor,, to supply themselves with cheap stationery; good -literature (for winter readies), and taucy goods. 4.5. this month is the record sale of the deo^de-r-the firm giving great in ducements so as to reduce the stook—we have no doubt that the premises of H. N Anderson, late L. P. Andrewes and Go., will be well patronlisd during fch« remainder of fchs »»!«.—(a»vi,



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