MARRIAGE.

Curtis-Steward.—On the 7th insfc., at St. Stephen's Church, Aahburton, by the Bight Rev. the Bishop of Christchurch, assisted by the Rev. T. A. Hamilton, vicar, Reginald Frederick, second son of Alfred Curtis, Esq., Ashburton, to Gertrude W. Whitefoord, only daughter of the Hon. Major Steward, M.H.R.

Ashburton Guardian. Megna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 1897.

Over the signature of " True Sport," a correspondent, whose information ap pears to have been " TRUE SPORT." a good deal " too previous," irore than insinuated that only such players as had subscribed to the guarantee fund in the Queensland cricket match had been selec'ed for the local team. As we were aware that a rumor to that effect was abroad, we inserted our \ correspondent's letter, knowing that, those responsible for the management wonld at once take an opportunity to correct what our knowledge of the management convinced us must be a error. How the rumor got abroad we cannot say, but the letter of: the Bon Secretary, Mr Aims>ton, which appears in this issue, ought to be sufficient evidence that it had not the slightest foundation in fact. The majority of our cricketers are men who play the game for the love ol it, I and in tha true spirit of the oM Home school. There, the bebt bat in the village club may be the lord of the manor, the best wicket keeper the rector of the parish, the best bowler a young apprentice in the village smithy. In making the selection of a match team the question of a player's poverty or riches is never allowed to influence the choice. It is uot a man's social position that qualifies him, but his ability to play, and it is no unusual thing for a youth, earning the low wages of an apprentice trsdes man, and the son of very poor parents, but an excellent player, to not only have all his losses made good to him when he sacrifices a day to join the team, but to have suitable clothes found for him, so that lie may look like his fellows of his own team, and appear decently among the stranger?. He is fitted out with a correct club uniform of no less cost than the captain's, and so that he may not be humiliated iv any way he is supplied ! with money sufficient, io pay, when called upon, his "shot " of the general expenses of the day'a outing. All this used to be done so quieJbly ; with so much tact and consideration for the young fellow's feelings that lie hardly felt any qu-slm about accepting the assistance, atid nobody buf; the noble fellows who found the money was any the wiser. In the English villages the players pay " the cost of their sport themselves, with the aid of perhaps the j spontHiieous aid of old cricketers, natives of the village^, and old time j members of the club, but a general passing round of the hat is considered infra dig-, and is therefore not indulged in. Colonial Clubs—cricket and other —are not so high strung as a rule ; but ! mo£t of the money to provide the Queensland guarantee has been sub scribed by th& pia^ers, past and present, of the district, and at y/as, quite a pleasure to sne many IS has beens " —whom a day's play would now leave stiff and sore— stumping up their coin to enable She young fellows to try conclusions with "the j'a:v3.d.3«'S. We hope this spirit will always live strong in Ashburton cricketers. We knew it, was there —always has been—and the manly letter of Mr Alington only shows that the management in thia tnateh have been grossly libelled, Not only hub no one been threatened with exclusion for nofc subscribing, but the selection of the team has n<?t ypt been made,

The ambulance cure fop the liquor habit is the latest. It is an idea of [ the Salvation Army, j " Ambulances and it is to be put IP' tljp into practice in ljrnilk; S. Jjpndon as soon as the dotafis can be arranged. The details are ambulances, white horses, and Salvation lasses. The ambulances are to patrol by mghfc tbpie poffciwi of ifci mefc»p°lilf whicfe

yield the largest crop of street "drunkards." They are to be painted red and white. One girl is to drive aud two others are to ke^p a «h»\rp look-out for drunken men and women. If a man is seen sleeping in a doorway or tacking helplessly up the walk, or otherwise betraying his inability to take care of him elf, he or she is to be seized, put aboard the ambulance and taken to a Salvation Army shelter to get sober. It may be urged that this .species of capture smasks of kidnapping The Salvationists have weighed this objection and found it of smuil account. I The ambulance corps will not attempt to detain their captives against their will. There will be no fines, but if the penitent feels like paying for his ride, his night's lodging, and his break fast he will not be hindered. There will be no hauhug before a court, but the '? prisoner " need not complain if his •' gaoler" prays with and for him. The new service will necessarily be brought to bear most often upon the habitual drunkard. But if a man overtaken in his cup falls by the way side he will not escape. Indeed it is expected that such offenders will most appreciate their escape from the dis grace of an arrest. The work will be conducted by the " League of Love," a branch of the Army, and its symbol will be painted on the sides of the ambulance.

Local and Genera!.

During December twenty-seven estates were placed in the Public Trust Office..

Sydney's oversea wool exports for the season amount to £4,600,000.

I Four cases c'osely resembling English I' cholera have occurred in Gisborne and the district recently.

At the Conference of Premiers the ques tion of federal quarantine regulations aad the Snares lighthouse will be discussed.

It is thought a considerable number of miners will leave Georgetown for New Guinea after the wet season.

John Hydes was arrested at Wellington on Thursday week on a charge of forging and uttering a cheque for £32 18s at Ashburton.

The Rimutaka took away the largest consignment of dairy produce which has yet lef & New Zealand—Bos tons of butter and cheese.

A letter from the president of the New Australia Settlement states that the colony is now doing fairly well, but that more people are wanted.

Mr M'Nab, late M.H.B. for Mataura, is about to do a grand tour of the world. Mr M'Nab expects to leave early, and the tour will occupy about nine months.

Rust iB reported to have broken out among the wheat crops in the Taralga district (N.S. W.) and it is feared that the iate crops will be badly damaged.

Anyone wishing their jams and jellie3 to keep should not fail to get their preserving sugar from Fletcher Bros,, as they have in stock some of the finest in the market.

John Smith, a shepherd employed on the Kawarau Falls station, Queenatown, was drowned yesterday while crossing the river iv a boat.

It is very probable that at least two rinks from Napier will visit Ohriatchurch to play in the New Zealand Bowling Association tournament, which begins on the Ist of February.

The South Australian Assembly has jgreed by absolute majorities to drop the prohibition clause and the provision to abolish barmaids from the Licensed Vic tuallers Bill.

A cumber of spurious coins are iv circu lation in Napier just now, no less than four valueless florins having been taken over the counter by different tradesmen on oue day last week.

While at Picton H.M.S. Wallaroo com pleted a survey of Picton harbour, which will be shown on the Admiralty charts as a place of call for all her Majesty's ships that visit New Zealand,

The Victorian Government have offered to pay a bonus of £1000 for ea^h of three consignments of fruit landed in London ia a sound condition, under treatment of Perkin's sterilised air process.

The New South Wales Premier has under consideration a proposal to resume the pri vate wharves between Dj-rling Harbour and Circular Quay, and to establish direct; com munication with the railways.

The Trustees of the Wellington Hospital are claiming £300 compensation from the Government for taking, for the use of the new battery, a spring of water on the Hospital reserve, near the Botanical Gardens.

As Mr W. C. Davis, Mr and Mrs J, Hardley, and Miss Addis were driving down East street on Wednesday afternoon, the axlo of the trap broke, and the occupants were thrown out. They fortunately escaped without serious injury.

The upper deck of the new paddle soeamer Wakaterp, belonging to the Northern Ship ping Company, is so spacious that during a recent trip from Auckland to the Thames Mr G. Heuning rode his bicycle on it, doing half a mile in 3. mm 153ee.

We have to acknowledge receipt of the Sun Fire Office calendar for 1897, from Mr H. Zander, and the South British Company's from Mr Bullock —both very useful and ornate pieces of desk furniture, for no desk is completely furnished that does not have a handy calendar.

A woman named Jessie Hay, thirty years of age, and described as a dressmaker, was brought down from Kereru to the Welling ton hospital. She is badly bruised about the body, and both feet terribly burned Sho declares that her lover in a fit of jealousy put htr in the fire.

A peculiar kind of sickness closely re sembling la grippe is stated to be prevalent just now at Kuraara. Numbers are suffer ing from it. Its principal symptoms are pains in the head and limbs, sore throat and swollen tonsils, and a great lassitude. It 13 thought that the very dry weather has a great deal to do with it.

i'he population of China has always been a moot question^' formerly was the number c nfidently statedj but during recent years doubts have been entertained whether 230,000,000 would nob be nearer the mark. From investigations lately conducted it appears th*t in 1741 an Im perial edict was issued to the governors of all the provinces throughout the empire, requiring them to collect and forward re- J cords of the population from year to year. The Qr.der was not continuously obeyed, I lib its immediate results, as stated in a me ■ o rial from the Board of Revenue in 1886, showed thit the population in 1741 amounted to 303,250,000- in thirteen provinces. If to these the remaining provinces be addei, a total closely approximating 400,000,000 is obtained, Thus it may henceforth be assumed that the latter figure ia well within the truth. The Wairarapa Daily Times says that a whirlwind of more than usual force travelled

across Masterton in an easterly direction on Wednesday aftsrnoon. Attention was first ca'led to' it by*» ■ numfaap of packing cases belonging ,to Mr Temple being carried into the air. Aa it came on to Queen Btreefc it nearly twisted Mr Temple's signboard from its fixings. Mp Whittaker's delivery cart was picked vp 1 and faced in aji opposite direction ; a horse and trap belonging to Mr J, were raised bodily off the ground and were very; nearly upset. Mr W. J?raneis was carried off his feet and spun round Ijke a top The genera! commot/ioa of women screaming and the noise of packing oases flying about soon brought a crowd together. It was found that no damage had been done with the exception of breaking several panes of glass in Mr H. Jsounßiosr's shop windows, and carrying ornaments of| the shelves and potizres off the the wail, miny oi: these being

Tenders foi the erection of a new school for Allenton are iuvited.

For the Ashburcon Polo Club's sports on f January 14, there will be a close day at the I Tinwaid liomain, I

A till robbery was effected at the shop of Mr Maddens, bakor, this week. During the temporary absence of Mis Madd*n the till had been approached, and about £6 in notes aud coin stolen. The po ice have the matter in hand.

Aahburton Amateur Swimming Club held a race last evening to count points for the President's trophy, the result being— A. Wilki \ Bjsee, 1 ; J. MuTigue scr, 2 Time--42§aen. Distance—so yards. The next distance is 75 yaras aad will be swum on Thursday week.

The Oamam Mail understands that in the Hakateramea and Kurow diatric s the crops are withering fast for want of raiu. Indeed, so far us the Kak i> Valley is concerned, the ctop is already reckoned in m^uy instacceo to be beyond cure. Oats promise to be particularly scarce. Further down—Dun troon and the Plain way—things are much better, but even here rain is badly wanted.

The MarlborougHExprc&s knows of a run in the district where the clip has increased neatly 150 biles in the past four years, and in weight by fourteen tons, and this in spite of the fact that 5200 acres hnve been sold to the Government during that period. The lambing last season was 11,900 lambs from 12,800 ewes; of the ewes 6000 were merinos.

The probable outcome of the work of the Classification and Land Purchase Commis sioners in Marlborough is (says the New Zealand Times) that a considerable area of land will be rendered available for settle ment in fairly-sized allotments. The chief portion of the land will bo south of Kai koura, where there is some excellent land suitable for holdings from a few acres up to 2000 acres in size.

Very considerable interest is being taken in the coming match Queensland v Ashbur ton and South Canterbury, which will be played in the Domain on Tuesday and Wednesday next, and as, to use the language of the hon. secretary, the play will be au object lesson in cricket, it would be well if parents who love the game would give their lads an opportunity to witness it.

The sitting of the District Court this morning was very short. Two applications for discharge in bankruptcy were dealt with —that of G. H. Bryant, baker, Hinds {Mr Cuthbertson) was granted, and that of James Allen, farmer, Dromore, was ad journed till next sitting. Probate was granted in the estate of Mrs Greenwood, deceased (Mr Purnell.)

The New Zed 1 and Times reports that the Premier has received from H. W. Mills, Hon. Secretary Brunner Relief Fund at Perth, Western Australia, a -Bank draft for £68 83 3d, being balance of subscriptions in aid of the Brunner Fuud (£2OO previously sent). A reply has been sent thanking the donors for their generous contribution, and the money has been handed over to the Public Trustee.

The bush fire in the forest at Staveley is atill burning, and has done considerable damage. The smoke of it was visible from Ashburton on Thursday, and has not altogether died down to-day. A strong team of men has been at work trying to stop the progress of the n'ro, and wioh fair success, but the tramway at Mr Sharplin's bush has been badly burned, and ranch timber has been destroyed.

" For the p*st two years," said the defen dant in a c ise in the Wellington Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, " I have only had thren hours' sleep a night." The man is employed at the Destructor, at which he works fcom 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Arriving at his home at Karori about midnight each night, he rises at 4 o'clock in the morning and works on his farm. Mr Wardell expressed incredulity at the idea of a man being able to staud such a strain.

In an interview with & Wellington Times representative Mr Gouitney, who biou^hl ninety-nine emigrants by the Ruapehu, stated they are particularly suited as settlers, as all are possessed ot considerable me^ns, and many of the youug men have come a,s pioneers of their families. Leaving Ply mouth the party numbered 100, but at the Cape several on hearing good reports there were induced to stay. The emigrants will shortly be sottled in Taranaki.

New varieties ot potatoes continue to arrive from abroad for the experiment which the Normanby (Taranaki) Horticultural Society is conducting with the idea of ascertaining the most suitable kinds for cultivating in this colony. Five new varie ties are on their way out from a French firm, and seven choice kinds from Messrs Carter, of London. The products of all the seeds sent are to be exhibited at the Normanby Society's March iShow. In out issue of yesterday we circulated our annual almanac, a very fine piece of printing in green and violet. The work was done by the job printing staff of che Ash burton Publishing Company, and, in addi tion to the usual announcements by advertisers, the calendar contains the time table of the San Francisco mail, and the telegraphic, postal, parcel post, and postal note tariffs, making the almanac a most useful thing for business reference. The Opihi mouth, which was closed for a few days has (says the I'imatu Herald) been opened by Mr Boyd Thomson, head ranger of the Acclimatisation Society. The work was not without interest;, as the mullet and herrings, which are always plentiful in the lagoon, gathered in great quantity near the place of exit, and as soon as the water com menced to flow through the near channel they made a rush for the sea. The two labourers employed threw out with their shovels betweea twenty and thirty dozen, some of them lib weight. His Lordship Biahop Julius held a welt attended couth mation service at St. Stephen's last night. There were fourteen candidates for confirmation, all males, and after the impressive rite had been performed his Lordship addressed them. Hisdiacourse was full of loving advice, warning, and encourage ment, and was delivered in that manly, straightforward, unaffeeteil way which characterises all the Bishop's public utter ances. The hymns chosen were special to the occasion, and were admirably sung under the leadership of Mr H. A. Gates. The following dialogue is reported by the Past as having taken place in the Wel lington Magistrate's Court on Wednesday : —Indignant wife suing in the Magistrates Court today for a separation order (all in one breath); " Yea, you expect a woman to get up at half-past four o'clock in the morn iug and grnb gorse, I aiu't a bullock, and I'm not going to do it, I have fuur children and the housework to look after," The husband :

" I just wanted her to exercise her muscles and amuse the children by grubbing up seedlings." "Seedlings, indeed !" rotored the lady, with' an emphasis and scorn too great for words. Bays the Neiv Zealand Times :—Mr Cooper, editor-in-chiet of the Scotsman, believes the journalism of N^.w Zealand achieves a higher st, ndard than that of any other colony he has s-en. Coming from such a source, this testimony is of ihe greatest value. Mr Cooper, as chit f editor of one of the great British newspapers, wield* an influence which may best be described as extra ordinary. The Scotsman las grown under his direction until it has become a powerful rival of the leading London dailies. In order 'o convey an idea of the enterprise and importance of the Scotsman, it may be stated that there are ten sub editors, twenty reporters, and an army of correspondents and contributors, including writers in al! parts of the world, about 100 compositors,

and several of the linotype machines, and eight web-printing machines. Hollow ay's Phils. — Nervousness and want of c ergy.—When first the nerves feel Unstrung, and listieesnesa supplants energy the time haa come 'to take some such altera tive aa Holloway's Pills to restrain a disorder from developing into a disease. These excel lent Pills correct all irregularities and weak nesses. They act so kindly yet so energetically on the functions of digestion and assimilation, tha'fc" tbe'^hnle body is revived, the blood rendered purer, while the muscles become firmer and stronger, and the nes vous and absorbent system is in vigor ated. These "Pills are suitable for all classes and all ages. They have a most marvellous effect on persons who are out oi condition ; j they soon rectify whatever is in fault, restore atrencth" to tihs bo<Jy, mi Gon§,sssm to $*«

The amount contributed for foreign missions during 1895 by all sections of Christians in the British lales, according to Canon Scott Robertson's twenty-fifth annual summary, was £1,387,665. The amount is made up as follows :—Church of England societies, £544,232 ; joint societies of church men and Nonconformists, £184,219; Non conformist societies in England and Wales, £445,847; Scotch and Irish Presbyteri>r ocie'ies, £200,455; *Ko:nau Catholic socie ties, £12,912. Dwee figures ought to pro vide some food for reflection—especially to the critics of the "poor missionary" ami his work.

The following paragraph appears in the N.Z. Times of Wednesday :—A singularly striking story of a flyingfeat by an Antwerp homing pigeon reaches us from the Hon. R. J. Seddon. It appears that some time ago his family were the recipients from relatives in Victoria of a beautiful pair of Antwerp homing pigeons, which were duly installed as pets, One day the birda were out flying, but only one returned to the cot, and nothing more was heard of the other, despite every possible enquiry } but yester day a letter was received from Victoria in which the wonderful announcement was made that the missing bird had arrived safely at is firmer home! There can be no mi-take about the matter, as the bird was easily distinguishable. To reach Victoria from New Zealand, the bird must have accomplished the feat of flying something like 900, or possibly 1250 miles, without a rest, and, according to the da es, it must have done tine jonrney in three days, which would mean that it would have to fly ab a speed of from eighteen to twenty miles an hour continuously.

Last summer one of our grandchildren was sick with a severe bowel trouble. Our doctor's remedies had failed, then we tried Chamberlain's Colio, Cholera find Diarrhoea Remedy, which gave very speedy relief. We regard it as the beat medicine ever put on the market for bowel complaints. —Mrs E. G, Gregory, Frederickstown, Mo. This certainly is the best medicine ever put on the market for dysentery, summhr com plaint, colic and cholera infaniutn in children. Ifc 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 Ash- BUBTON DBCG COMPANY.

DAIRY PRODUCE.

New Plymouth, January 8

The Mahinapua took away 3343 packages of butter from the local freezing works to-day, under shipment per the Otarama, together with 3042 despatched on Monday last. The season's output of dairy produce promises to largely exceed former yeare t and the establishment of the freezing works insures its shipment in first-class order,"

UNKNOWN

A Scene of Desolation-

Many Harrow Escapes.

Three Hundred Homeless.

The special correspondent of the Mel bourne Argus, writing from Dubbo on December 29, gives the following details of the cycione at Nevertire, New South Wales, of which a recent cable message gave us the bare particulars: — The most disastrous storm ever known in New South Wales visited Neverfcire and its neighbourhood last evening. Nevertire is a small town, containing about 300 inhabitants, and ia situated about

340 miles from Sydney, on the Western line. The township lias been built ou the Never tiie H.iin, on Messrs E. and K. Rutiedge's station, about hulf a mile from the home stead. The plain ia almost a dead level, which may account, iv some measure, for the amount of damage done. The buildings were mostly of wood, the number of brick buildings being very lew. All the roofs were covered with galvanised iron, and this material was also largely used in the con struction of the outhouses.

The storm which did so much damage came up without any warning whatever. The temperature during the last f3w days has been very high, and last evening at about five o'clock a seveie dust storm swept over the town. Without the slightest indication, the wind mc; eased to a regular hurricane, and rain fell in torrents.

The force of the wind increased every moment, and the slender structures were unable to withstand the great strain. In a few seconds the fury of the elements began to tell. The roofs of the houses gave way uuder the great pressure of the wind, and in less time than it takes to record the fact the galvanised iron off the roofs was flying about like pieces of paper. The inhabitants fled from their houses into the streets in terror, but they wee unable to find shelter anywhere, as the buildings began to give way to the raging storm. Within twenty minutes the whole town was laid in ruiua. Even the brick buildings were destroyed, noi a place being able to stand against the cyclone, which swept over the plain with tremendous force. Happily no fatalities are recorded, the most severe injuries being received by a young child, the son of a settler named F!ynn, who in running for safety was struck by a piece of iron from a roof, and had hi» head split open. Mr Rutledge's homestead was swept right across the plain iuto the timber on the sta tion, and Belaringar, Mr Campbell's home stead, though not completely destroyed, suffered severely from the storm. The only building which seemed secure was the rail way barracks, and the men who occupied the building state that it was impossible to ace one yard out of the windows. They describe the storm as of a blinding white ness.

Reynold's brick building, the largest in the township, was blown down, and nearly every house shared the same fate. The Roman Catholic Church was levelled with the ground,, and the fierceness of the storm was such that trucks were blown off the railway line.

Trucks loaded with wool were driven out of the wool road at the rate of fifty miles an hour. They jumped the locked points and travelled before the wind a distance of five miles. Horses were blown under the trucks and had their legs cub clean off. Dogs were carried up iuto the air, and poultry were whirled away. The whole of the Nevectire I'lain was strown with sheets of iron and other debris for fourteen miles on either side of (he township. The telegraph poles were torn out of the ground, and the wires were broken, all telegraphic communication being cut off. The telegraph poles were destroyed foi miles between Nevertire and Mullen gudgery.

Information of the disaster was sent on to Trangie by a stock train, and thence com municated to other towns.

Two horses we c standing in a wool team in the railway station yards, and the fury of the wind turned one of the horses completely upside down in the shafts. Men were taken off their fpet and carried considerable dis tances. Three mon held on together, but were unable to stin;3 againat the storm and toppled over. Loaded wool ttuckj standing on the railway line were blown over into the railway siding. Seven railway trucks standing on a siding were toppled over, but fortunately the main line was not obstructed

by the wreckage to any serious extent. The town was totally destroyed in a moment, What had beea a flourishing little settlement was a heap of ruiDS. It was difficult to imagine that in so short a time so much d image could be done. Sheeta of

iron rested on fences after the storm, doubled up like sheets of paper, and tho whole town was strown with debris. Furniture was to be fouud all over the pace, and 'timber and sheets of iron were discovered miles oat of

the town. The railway station, a solid building, did not altogether escape, the outhouses being destroyed, and the building toeing partially wrecked.

Jb ia impossible to describe the scene as the wind came fushiug and howling down, enveloping the place in dusb, tearing Vp trees and fencea, lifting roofs and battering down walls. 'I he rain which accompanied

the wind soaked everything, and the whole place presented the most desolate appear a ace. The oy clone seems to have had a radius of fourteen mile?.

CABLE NEWS.

Australian

I Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copy right.

Death Sentence Commuted.

Brisbane, January 7

Bohan, the Lerida murderer, has lad the death sentence commuted to raprisonnient for iife.

Perished of Thirst.

A drover named Forbes, and a whole Sock of fourteen* thousand sheep, got off the track in the Flinders River district and perished of thirst.

Jewellery Found.

Perth, January 7. A waiter at the racecourse found and restored Lady Smith's lost rings.

THE LATEST.

Australian,

Received January 8, 9.55 &.m. Federal Council. Brisbane, January 8 Mr Byrnes, Attorney General, intends to propose at the coming meet ing of the Federal Council that future delegates to the Council bo elected by the popular vote. | The Brilliant Mine. I Government has offered j£soo re ward, in addition to £500 by the Com pany for the apprehension of the guilty persons who exploded dynamite in the Brilliant mine. Credit Fonder. Hobart, January 8. Government intend to introduce tha. Credit Fonder system at an early date. ' Fatal Fight. Pebth, January 8. A fight between Manilla men and Malays at Cygnet Bay resulted in one of the latter being killed. He had six knife wounds, and a crowbar was j driven through his body. Three Arrests I have been made.

The Phillipine Revolt

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

(Received January 8, 9.55 a.m.)

Thursday Island, January 8 News from the Phillipinns show that a rebel force numbers fifty thou sand, but are indifferently armed. Ten thousand have Manser rifles, the rest only bamboo lances and bowie knives. The Government forces are estimated at eighteen thousand, but twenty thousand reinforcements are expected. Four British warships and vessels of other European powers are at Manilla, watching their respective interests.

DESTRUCTIVE HURRICANE.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.

Adelaide, -January 7. During a hurricane which raged at Port Darwia this morning nearly 6in of rain fell. Nearly every building in the township was wrecked, and the fiastern Extension Telegraph Com pany's station, which is built of stone, and which also includes the Govern* ment Telegraph Office, waa damaged. The overland telegraph lines are down, and communication is not yet restored.;

The cable authorities at Port Dar win advise as under: Thay have just effected temporary repairs. The wires were all broken by wreckage from the buildings of Port Darwin which is practically destroyed, .all building! being either heaps of rains, or very badly damaged. Will speak again later on after we get things a bit straight. The office roof ia partly off and the offices are flooded with water. As far as possible cable busmen will be forwarded via Rosbuck during the night.

LABOUR.

The Engineers' Strike.

Press Association—By Electric Telegnph— • Copyright.

Sydney, January 7.

The question of the engagement of non-unionists in connection with the Engineers' difficulty was under con sideration to-day at a meeting of the Shipowners' Association, which drafted certain proposals with the view of arriving at a compromise, and for warded them to the Engineers' Associa tion, who are now discussing them. Important developments are expected to take place to-night. The Engineer* have been called out of the Adelaide Company's Franklin and Huddart Parker's Anglian, which were to, have, sailed to-day.

Melbourne, January 7.

The engineers difficulty has been farther complicated. The Engineers' Executive authorised all the members to return to their steamers, excepting thoso of the Adelaide Company and Messrs Huddart Parker, and refuse to engage any engineers on strike unless they abided by $he compromise arriyecj at in Sydney and allowed the matter. to be settled at a Conference, The Adelaide Company sent engineers from Adelaide and got the Innaminka away. Received January 8, 9.40 a, w. Sydney, January 8 No further development has taken place since yesterday. The Secretary of the Engineers Society denies the statement that the executive '^ n , structed the N"ew Zealand engineers 'to leave their employment. As a matter of fact he wrote instructing them on no account to leave their work unless instructions were cabled to do so. The Secretary therefore fails to understand the meaning of the resolution carried by the New Zealand engineers, an 4 considers that the resolution of the Union Steamship Company expressing satisfaction at the supposed action of the engineers is based upon a false assumption.

THE A^BBtmfOa GUAKDIAN: FRIDAY, JANUaBY 8, 1897.



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"TTTE Have Much Pleasure in informing Our Friends, and the Public generally, that MR J. W. TIMMINS Was ADMITrEU A PARTNER, as from the First Day of January, 1897. MITCHELL & TUENEE.'



NEW FIRM -:- :- -: -:- -:- -:- NEW FIRM SAVE MONEY BY DEALING WITH MITCHELL & BRODRIBB NO BAD DEBTS. HO OLD STOCK THAT ACCUMULATES BY YEARS of BUSINESS THE Public should only consider what they can save by dealing with a Cash Firm, where they do not have to pay for the great losses that ure occasioned by Bad Debts. & BRODRIBB



BUY AND SELL FOR CASH, THBBKFOBB THEY ARE ABLE TO GIVE BETTER VALUE THAN ANY OTHER PLAGE IN ASHBURTON. — A Few Quotations will be Convincing — Brown {Ribbed Pants (heavy) Is 6d -worth Ladies' Hose, fasfc colors, plain and ribbed i 11 i OC* pftli* SSElJ^lfe^-'-., The Be" *"%££"***• " H.irli» B^we.d TnmMr. 8a 6d-eta>p at of Sunshades in town, width PULL RANGES OF KAIAPOI AND MOSGIEL CLOTHING. .MEASURED GABMEHTB A SPECIALTY. 49s Bo fulful s luilui btrc^om 49s Qb MITCHELL & BBODRIBB, sa§t btbbot. i



Wanted, ' WANTED— Board and Residence (by single gentleman) in private family. Terms, etc., to Gr, Mail Office. 1 44 WANTED Known—Jamjars, Jam Jars of all kinds at very low prices at Fletcher Bros, Cash Supply Stores. MAURITIUS Sugar and Brewers' Uhrysials. The finest Preserving Sugars in the World- to be obtained at Fletcher Bros, East Street. TTtNGLISH Christmas Numbers—Pears' ■ U Annual, Sketch, Graphic, Back and White, Illustrated London News, Pictures and ah complete, Is.—Bookstall. 1 26 FOR Sale—Freehold of Wateiton Hovel, or will be let to pood tenant. Apply Mrs Donnan, Waterton Hotel. 1 16 , THE early bird catches the early wc;m, ' bo call at Mellok's Cheap Boot Sale WANTED Known—looo pairs of Biwls to be sold in twenty-one days at Mkllor's. NEW ZEALAND Rough and Pocket Diarits, ii'entimentai Tommy, Town and Bush, The Youngsters of Murray Home, i Little Duchess, New Books, Christmas I Annuals, New Lines in Stationery and I Fancy Goods,—H. M. Jones.



PUBLIC NOTICES. j * —— ■■■* TEE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. NEW ZEALAND pLOTHING TMCIORY. Light Summer Coats from 6s 61 Light Summer Suite from 10s 6d Light Wajhing Vests, slightly soiled 2s 6d Light Blue Serge Suits for Summer wear 16a 6d Boya' Washing Suits, all sizes 4s 6d SPECIAL PURCHASE. Boys' Drill Suits, nil aizes 6a 9d, usua price 10s 6d. FuR TRAVELLING. Portmanteaux from 10a 6d Steel Trunks from 10s 6d Gladatone Bagß, Black and Nut Brown, STRAW~HATS. Boys' StrawJ Hats Is, the best value in Ashburtou Men's Panama Hats Is. BOOTS &~SHOES. Men's Black and Tan Canvas Shoes, best quality 5a 6d Men's Leather Shoes 7s 6d, splendid value Men's Light Boots for summer wear 8a 6d NEW ZEALAND Clothing 1 Factory, ALEX. HENDRY Manager.



PH. rvi 9 S Jlll p § ■ pq l-H Ph



Church Services. ST. STEPHEN'S CHUR CH, Ashburton, FRIDAY—HoIy Communion at 7.30 a.m. A ll communicants, aud especially those who have been confirmed in recent years, arc earnestly invited to attend. Corilirmatiou Service at GREEN STJREET, 3 p.m. Conlirmation Service (women) 7.30 p.m. Both wen and women may attend all these aervices, SUNDAY SERVICES, 8.30 a.m —Holy Communion. 11 a.m.—Morning Prayer. 6 30 p.m.—Evening Prayer, Rev, H. C. M. Watßon. N.B.—Sunday (10th) will be a holiday for the Sunday Schools. REV. T. A. HAMILTON.



DID you ever hear the like ? Men b best Canvas Shoes 5s >6d, at Mellor's, "ancred street OWN Make in Ladies' and Children's Underclothing, Aprons, and Pina fores; also a good assortment of Calicoes, Muslins, Flannelettes, Trimmings, etc., at Mrs Aloorn s new shop, Baker's Buildings. FT! HERE is no doubt, no possible doubt X that you get Good Value for your money at Mkllor's. BoonorniT, V T Kid Glove, four buttons, la 9d per pair, is the Glove for every day wear.— VV. H. Collier. "I Qfkry NEW Year Cards and lOt//t Booklets, Christmas Cards half price, New Books, Fancy Goods, I Toys and Stationery. A large variety of goods suitable for New Year presents. New lot of Foreign Stamps and packets.—Andrewes, Anderson, & Co. WANT ED Known—We have justopened a line of cheap all wool Suits and Trousers. Good cut and splendid value, Tennis and workiug Shirts in great variety. Mitchell and Tctrner



Wanted. WANTED —Every Lady in Ashburton to see our Window of Blouse Goods, bought at a big discount, and selling at leas than wholesale prices.—Mitchell anjr Turner. WANTED Known—Spectacles, Eye Protectors, Goggles, Folders, and Everything in the optical . ■ at S. Salek's, Optician WANTED Known—Go to the Corner for Newest Styles in Drapery and Millinery—W. H. Collier. STUDY Economy and patronise Mellob' Cheap Boot Sale. MILLINER V—Ladies should inspect the new Millinery, Capes, Mantles, Jackets, Blouses, French aud English Corsets ; all new and up to date. —A. Orr. WE lead, follow who may. Children's Silppers Is. Mellor's Tancred street. WANTED Known •— Alterations and Additions to our Show Rooms now : completed, Special display of Millinery for ; the Holiday Season. A late shipment of Sailor Straws to be sold cheap.—Mitchell and Turner. WANTED Known—What fcks people say. That Andrew Orr has the largest and best assorted Block of Boots in Canterbury. ______ IF YOU WANT the Newsct and Nicest Millinery, Trilby Muslins, aud Dress Goods, go to Mrs Alcorn's. Dresses made on the premises. Fit guaranteed. MOTHERS and fathers who have to provide Boots and Shoes, should call at Mellor's Zealandia Boot Store. I HEARD a man say that Meltor is selling Boots Won ierfully Cheap. A FULL assortment of new Veilings its white, black, and black and white. Buy the celebrated new kid glove—The Victory—only S* 6d. The best glove in New Zealand for the money.—A. Our. WHERE, Oh where, is ths,t ,Gh,eap Boot Shop? Mellob's Zealand** Boot Store, WANTED Known—Large delivery of the " Economic" Kid Gloves, four buttons, 1« Bd per pair, worth rouvh mwc— W. E, QQWN* I



M»ny murveilou* »w*s*t are reiiordta,



Heading's Powbbk destroys'bugs, fteab nnthe. beetles, add all other In saits,while fc qu; c h irmleß* to doro^tio ftnitoftU. la ■ xtermioa'ing baetles the Biieoess of thii powder is ex raordin&ry. It is perfect 1; clean in application. Sea tho artiole yoa purchase is Ksmso's, as imitation! irt ooiioni and ioefftoUHl, Sold io tint, 6& 1| stjfl 8* A£ Moh, fey »l eh?mliw, . „