Mail Notices.

Miils close far the following places as under, subject to the necessary alterations : WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14. For Northern Ports, Samoa, Hawaiian Islands, North America, West Indies, United Kingdom and Continent of Europe (via San Francisco), also South America, United Kingdom, and Continent (via Rio d« Jaueiro) per Tongariro, from Wellington (due London May 28) per Takapuna, at i 6.15 p.m. Money orders, 3 p.m.; registered | letter?, 5p m. Due Load on May 19. . r

Ashburton Guardian. MANGA EST VERITAS ET PRÆVALEBIT. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1897. THE UNANIMOUS VERDICT.

Trial by jury is one of the rights given by the Great Charter to the subjects of the Throne of Britain, and any attempt to abolish that right will doubtless be met with bitter opposition by the British public, who on matters of this sort are as Conservative as the most immovable Tory that ever found things as they are, and wished them to remain so for ever and ever. But trial by jury is not without its faults, and a pretty general feeling is enter tained m this colony that the system could with advantage be amended. For instance, it is gradually being impressed upon the intelligent and thoughtful portion of the community that coroners' juries could very well be dispensed with, and their place taken by some such officer as the Procurator- Fiscal m Scotland, who examines the witnesses, and makes a report as the coroner does here. As the Procurator Fiscal is always a man with a legal training, his investigations can he depended upon as thorough, and his recommend*done wise and sound. H< has before him all the evidence th< police can bring, such as is usualli adduced at a coroner's inquest, and i any breach of the law has been com mitted, and the evidence points to an] particular person or persons as th< guilty parties, the Procurator-Fisca takes action. And Scotland has existec for many years without the help o coroners' juries, and no harm seems t( have been done to the people, who an as law-abiding as their neighbors, am live ia a country where life and pro perty are just as safe as m any othe portion of Her Majesty's dominions But this reference to coroners' June is only by the way, The particula part of the jury system which seem to us defective is that which requires ; unanimous verdict from a jury c twelve men m a criminal trial. Rf cently, a man was arraigned m Auck land on a charge of vitriol-throwinj He really did net deny having bee guilty of the act with which lie wa charged, but the sapient jury failed t agree on a verdict, were discharged, new jury empannelied, and the caa proceeded tie novo. In the second trie the jury did agree—to acquit the man We contend that it was the fault c the system that this new trial wa necessary. In Bosher's case, ag*ir there was no failure to agree, and th twelve men found their prisoner guilt on evidence that was, from boginnin to end of it, wholly circuinstantia Unanimity is a sine qua non i any verdict given by a jury i a criminal case, and failure t agree means repetition of thei evidence by the witnesses befor a new panel. Now it may be aver pleasant sentiment to be extremel careful to safeguard the life and libert of the subject; but it is absurd to suj pose that, given a jury of twelve me of average intelligence—who have a sat out a case from beginning to em have had equal opportunities of maste ing its details, have all heard th pleadings of the counsel engaged, an have all listened to the direction of th judge m his summing up—one ma must be right m his conclusions, bu differing from the eleven others, the must be wrong. Yet this is yirtuall what is assumed by the principle < the existing law m this colony, whic is also part of the judicial procedure i England, and m some other countrie \ But it is not so m France, nor ia it s ' ia Scotland, where to a great exter the law" differs from what is m fore across the Border, If, then, the jur system differs m different parts of he Majesty's dominions, the question C dispensing with the unanimous vordic is fairly open to discussion as one c expediency. The majority verdict ha never caused dissatisfaction m tlj countries where it is returned by th jury and accepted by the judge, an that being so one is justified m belie\ ing that the unanimous verdict is no at all necessary to the impartial adm: nistration of justice, and we are certaii that insistence on it is not warrants by reason In Scotland fifteen jury men are required to try a crimina case, but the opinion of a bare majorit; is the opinion accepted by the judge a the opinion of the jury. Perhaps it i just as well that this is so, for Scots men do not get the credit of bein| easily shifted m opinion after having gone through all the facts of a case anc taf^en part m a debate upon them and to get fifteen " brith?r Soots " tc be of one mind under such circum stances is to expect something wholly at variance with the history and tra ditions of that hard-headed but some what " dour " people. But the Scotch, is has been frequently seen m other 3arts of thft ercjpirp ; are not alone, and ;welve Englishmen often fail to agree. [t is a pretty sentiment, as we lave said, to safeguard the life >nd liberty of the subject, and to equire that the twelve men who ia,ye heard the whole case against ,n accused as well as his defence shall laeh be convinced of the accused's ;uilt before he can be «ond©naned. Jut it is only a sentiment, and does \ Lot extend to civil cases, m which iter a certain time has elapsed to llo>v free and full deliberation a uftjorifcy verdict may be taken, and y it the property ia dispute feefcwttgj

the parties is disposed. Tt is all very J well tosny that liberty is wore valu- . able than goods, but if men were not satisfied that the majority vet diet safeguarded their goods they would clamor for a unanimous verdict. WV remember on one occasion hearing a [ lawyer complain of an attempt to throw 1 the ranks of his profession open to a ' wider circle of the public, and, dwell ing on the injustice of the thing and the bad law that would follow, pointed [out that nobody ever attempted to throw the medical profession open that way. A listener replied that if bad law lost him a ten pound note he could get over that and make another, but a leg taken off, that need not have taken off if the operator had known his work, was a piece of property that could not be replaced. This argument is all right enough m its way, and the owner of a neck that is m danger of being stretched is no doubt anxious about the jury, but he naturally wants only one kind of unanimity—for his acquittal. Sensible people know that a majority verdict is just as good a guarantee, if not better, for securing justice as the unanimous verdict. We say if not better because while unani mity is imperative there is open the possibility of the cupidity of some jurymen being appealed to by unscrup ulous but wealthy people, and the appeal resulting m the suborning of them to make use of the unanimous verdict to serve unjust ends. There was a time when personal liberty was liable to be interfered with m a very arbit rary manner, but that time has long gone by. This unanimous verdict, however, is a relic of it, and does seem effete m an era m which law is admin istered by the officers of it, and the public look on at the administration, with an earnest desire to see the scales fairly balanced and perfect justice dealt out to all.

Local and General.

* # *The Guardian will not be published i on Good Friday or Easter Monday. j On dil that the liquidators of the Colonial ' Bauk intend making application for the examination of Mr George McLean. The Samoan Times states that a native who was charged with the murder of a fellow-countryman and found guilty " was sentenced to imprisonment for life, to receive one hard biscuit and one cup of water pet day, his relatives not to be allowed to bring him any native food." The paper states that it will take but little treatment of this kind to kill the orimiual. The term " im prisonment for life " h suggestive m the cir cumstances. The Oommander of the Forces is dissatis fied with the physique of a number of the Maoris brought to Wellington for the native contingent, and it is understood that only niue of the original selection are to be re tained. Several more Maoris from various parts of the colony, including Urn, of Canterbury, and Wirihana and Taranaki from Hawkes Bay, three stalwart young fellows, well known m a'hleiic circles, are now on their way to Wellington to take the places of those men who have been rejected by Colonel Penton. — Post. Farmers are again reminded of the ex tensive clearing sale to take place to-morrow at the farm of the late Mr R. E St ddart, on which occasion Mr D.wid Thomas will submit to auction all the live and dead stock. The lines of sheep are first-class and the horses are of a superior stamp, while the implements, etc , are: all m good working older and condition, Mr Stoddart having been a practical farmer who knew well how to look after his working tools and maintain them at the high water mark of efficiency, j 1 he sale ia at one o'clock, and luncheon will be provided.,,^ There is something essentially practical m the British tradesman. Poetry and fine al lusions m literature or art may suit the "upper classes," or even the "lower <rders," but the tradesman wants business all the time. A peculiar case was tried m a Welsh Court recently. A printer sued a butcher for a parcel of papar bags with the butcher's advertiemenfc printed on them. The butcher resisted the claim because the printer had printed the Royal lion and unicorn upon the bags instead of the likeness of a fat pig. The Judge said the lion and unicorn looked nicer than a fat pig The butcher said His Honor might like to eat l;ons and unicorns, but his customers pre ferred pig, and bo he killed pigs instead. The butcher won the case. _^ , A pretty story, savouring of the romantic, is told m the French pre.»s about the Kaiesr. Recently His Majesty went to the Berlin Barracks alone. The corporal on guard recognised the Kaiser immediately, and saluted him. The Kaiser was pleased, and approaching the soldier said : ''Why do you look so sad, corporal ?" The corporal did not reply. The Emperor then asked if he was disappointed m love. At this the corporal found his tongue, and replied that Jie wished to marry Marguerite, the daughter of his sergeant-major, but that her father ■would not give his consent until he became a sergeant. " And do you love her very much ?" asked the Kaiser. "Oh yes," was the reply. "Then,'' said the Emperor, "go and tell your future father-in-law thai William 11. makes you a sergeant.^*- The British Medical Journal sounds a time y note to warn those who engage m athletics at middle a?e against very certain dangers. There have been several deaths lately of eminent people due to the excessive strain of cycling. There can be little doubt that any form of exercise or sport which makes serious demands on the attention, on quickness of the eye and hand, and on endurance, ought to be taken up by people who have reached middle life, and are engaged m sedentary occupations, only with great circumspection. The lesson has been loarnb by Alpine climbers through many bitter experiences. Ib is pretty generally held by them that most of the fatal acci dents m mountain climbing occur through the failure, at the critical moment, of some who have taken to mountaineering too late m life, and who are, perhaps, also out of con dition. An old dog cannot be taught tricks, according to the proverb ; and though it is disagreeable to have to realise that we have passed the age when we can excel m a new pastime requiring special skill to avoid acci dent, and youthful adaptib-Hty and elasticity to nvoid overstrain, it is the part of wisdom to accept the inevitable. Dr Morris has forwarded to us a copy of his " Liadertafel March," just published for him by C. Begg and Sons, Dunedin. As a pieca of lithographic work the march is a credit to the colony. The title page is an excellent piece of lettering, and is enhanced by an admirable piece of process engraving j —a little slice of native scenery, a stream j flowing through a rocky piss, but overhung I with foliage, where trees have obtained j roofchold m the soil. The score is large, j open, and ..'ear, so that the pianist can read I the chords at the very Qiy& glance, and the i whole has been scored on the {itho, stone I and reproduoed from it m a thoroughly j workmanlike manner. The march is stately j m character, i»nd a tuneful theme Sows j through it, beginning immediately after the I opening, and never obscured by any surplus- j &<>e of variation chords, introduced, as is too j often the .ease, for questionable effect. >It is* j c sy of execution withal, and is bound to be I popular, with young players more especially, I to whom it affords opportunity for con- j siderable dash, after it has been thoroughly I mastered ; but to do this it will require a I lit le study and some careful handling, as I here and there chromatic effects call for I closr attention. The published price is the I stereotyped^s, but as is the custom this ia j reduced to'^a when the buyer means [ business. The march is* 1 dedicated to Mr I < P. M. Wallace, leader of the Christchurch 11 Liedertafel, and Dr Morris is to be con-1 ' granulated on the tuneful composition be I ' H»i ipw t9 tbi muitail pblis, j;

Mr ar>d Mrs Seddon were entertained last night m a " social" under the auspices of the Wellington Women's Social and Political League, There was a large attendance. The Government have cabled securing the sp cc available at the Brisbane Exhibition for a ]New Zealand Court, 8000 square feefc A proportion of thi*. is for individual exhibi tors and the balance for the Govtrnment exhibit. At a meeting of the Auckland Hospital •nd Charitable Aid Board yesterday, atten tion w-s drawn to the yearly increase m the charitable aid vote, which had grown from less thon -63000 a few years ago until it was now approximately set down at £5600 It was moved that £600 be taken off the esti mates, but the proposition was withdrawn on the Chairman pointing out thai, the estimate wasouiy au approximate, one, and that ever) endeavour would be made ta keep the items down. An application was made to Mr Justice Williams, at Dunediu yesterday, for an in junction to restrain the proprietor of the Democrat Dewspaper from printing or pub lishing a cartoon. The application was made by Mr Andrew McFarlane, and evi dence was given that the cartoon suggests that improper influences had bsen employed to secure for the plaintiff's firm a contract for a supply to the Benevolent Institution. His Honor refused to grant an immediate injunction, as the cses were against a Judge exercising such a power except m extreme cases. Two stacks, containing about 600 bushels of wheat, valued at, £150, the property of Mr John Fiemiug Douglas, Waihao Downs, were (says the Tiviaru Herald) burned on Saturday last. The stacks were not insured, and the cause of the fire is unknown A man named Herman Meyer, who is employed on the estate, had occasion to be out at 4.30 a.m. on Saturday, and on noticing the fire he gave the alarm. The whole camp turned out, but were unable to save the stacks. The Waimate police are making enquiries It h thought probable that the stacks caught fire through the careless use of matches when the men were buiiding them. The Press Association telegraphs from Auckland that the Waitara ladies' whale boat crew arrived there by the Kanieri yes terday. Their nanes are Misses Eva and Blanche Tatton, Miss A. Barton, Miss Bella Nichol, Mrs Sofia, and Mrs McKenzie. The Auckland crew consists of the following j ladies:—Miss Ada Smith, stroke; Miss Mabel Evers, No. 4; Miss NelUe Ruth, No. 3 ; Mist Gretta Evera, o. 2 ; and Miss May Evatt, bow. They will row m the colors of the Waitemata Rowing Club, black and gold, while the Waittra ladies will wear crimsor and white. The race takes place nexi Saturday, and a most interesting contest is anticipated. According to the New York correspondem of the London Daily Telegtapfi, " Mr Kdisoi claims to have discovered a chemical mucl more susceptible to the Kontgen rays thai is the case with any previously used. H< hopes to find others still more sensitive, am believes that it will be possible to construe 1 »n instrument that will show, by means o the •' X" rays, the internal organs am tissues of the body, as well as the bones thus enormously increasing the powers o diagnosis possessed by surgeons m cases botl of wounds and of the processes of disease He declines to furnish the name of thii Bubstance, and is experimenting with new chemical combinations at the rate of 30 pei day. The ever-optimistic w surd holds tha' when pathogenic germs are understood am destroyed, and internal diagnosis is renderec easy, human life will only be limited by ok age, accident, or dissipation." A meeting of creditors m the estate o Joseph Lloyd, junr., late livery stable keeper, was held to-day ut the Courthouse The debtor's statement showed ihat he hac commenced business with no capital, thal the business had never paid, and that h< had to file owing to being summoned bj creditors. Mes rs Friedlauder Bros., Ltd. had a registered lien of £230 over his plani aud stock, and when he sold to Trevurzi Bros, at the end of Match for £237, he hac only a small sum left, which he paid U creditors. He had no assets, and his furni ture was not worth more than £20 Hif total liabilities were set down at £91 14s, with book debta estimated to produce £25, but it was shown that several considerable claims had been omitted. Nobody asking any questions, Mr S. Salek moved, and Mi Heseltine seconded, a resolution that the Depu y Official Assignee realise the book debts to the best advantage, and that the debtor be recommended for his discharge. This was carried. Mr R, M. Cuthbertson appeared for the debtor. 1 The second general meeting last night of the Ashburton Co-operative Money Club was held m the Arcade Chambers, and was very well attended indeed, nearly forty persons being present. Mr William Jolliffe was called to the chair. After the usual preliminary business the Secretary read the draft rules prepared by the sub-committee appointed for the purpose. These were merely the rules of the Sydenham and Sfc Albans clubs, altered by the commi tee to suit the circumstances of the Ashburton Club, and were adopted, with but slight alterations, by the meeting. The rules having served the city clubs for years, and having been revised as the ripe experience ol those clubs saw necessary, were considered admirably suited to the necessities of the Ashburton Club, and so provoked compara tively little discussion, and that only to obtainmore explicit notions of their meaning The rules having been adopted, one of which fixed the pay nights as Tuesday m each week from half-past seven till nine, at the office of the Secretary, Mr McKeague, until the Club should obtain a permanent office of its own. the fo lowing officers were elected : —President—Mr William Jolliffe; Vice piesident—Mr William Robinson ; Treasurer —Mr Patrick O'Connor; Secretary—Me John McKeague; Trustees—Messrs David Cochrana and Mac Lean Dun ; Committee- Messrs M. Mac Donald, A. Lawrie, R. G. Elstou, <i Robinson, T. Crooks, ani H. Leggott. Mr A. J. Mueller was elected shareholders*'auditor—the committee having the right to appoint another. After the general meeting a meeting of the Committee was held at which some formal business was gone through.

The Petone Murders.

Bosher to be Hanged,

Preas Association—By Electric Telegraph. Wellington, April 14. The Executive have decided to let the law take its course m respect, to Boaher, condemned to death for the murder of the Joneses, at Petone.

THE CONTINGENT FOR HOME.

Press Association—By Electric Telegrapl

Wellington, April 14 The following are the names of the contin gent selected to go Home. The average height of the men is sft lOin, and there were twelve rejections. They leave by the Ruahine: —Lieutenant Colonel Pitt, Com mander ; Captain Robin, Otago Hussars; Lieutenant Pringle, Manawatu Mounted Rifles; Sergeant-Major Rogers, Hawera Mounted Rifles j Sergeant Roll, North Otago Mounted Rifles ; Sergeant Somerville, Alexandra Mounted Rifles; Corporal Hay don, Canterbury Yeomanry ; Corpor.il Slinn, Heretaunga Mounted Rifles; Bugler Chen wia, Canterbury Mounted Rifles : Privates Boyd and Inness, Southland Mounted Rifles ; Private Burr, Wairoa Mounted Rifi%s ; Privates Close, Lloyd and Marshall, Mana watu Mounted R fles; Privates Glover, Grant and Hutson, Heretaunga Mounted Rifles; Privates Grant and Henderson, North Otago Mounted Rifles; Privates Hamilton, McDonnell and Watson, Marl borough Mounted Rifles ; Private O'Neill, Hawera Mounted Ri#es j Privates Cardall, Crossley and Parsons, Canterbury Yeomary ; Privates Freeman and Hazebt, Otago Hussars; Privates Monfcgomerie and Rice, Alexandra Cavalry.

CABLE NEWS.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association—l'.y Electric Telegraph— Copyright, University Honours. London, April 12 The University of Edinburgh ha* conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws upon the Lord Chief Justice of England Suicide of a Grand Duke. I .Paris, April 12 Frederick Francis, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg Schwerin, one of the Grand Duchies in Northern Germany, committed suicide at Cannes by throw ing himself over a bridge. Racehorses Burned. St. Petersburg, April 12 The great racing stables of M. Branicky, in Poland, have beeD des troyed by fire. One hundred and thirty racehorses were burned to death. Discovery of Rich Mines. New York, April 12. It is reported that new rich mines have been discovered at Fort Oudashy, on the river Yukon, Alaska. A rush has taken place. Chess. Vienna, April 12. Sfceinitz played twenty-two simul taneous games at chess in this city, and won seventeen of them.

Australian.

———_ 1 Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. The Cyanide Patent. Sydney, April 13 Th a Crown and most of the leading mining agents and Companies have filed notices of opposition against an amendment of the cyanide patent. The Australian Squadron. H. M.S. Royal Arthur has arrived with the relief crews for the Wallaroo, Katoomba, and Waterwitch, The Stockton Mine. A deputation represents the Stock ton miners asked the Minister for Mines to reinstate McDonald and McAuliffe. They had no desire to cast reflection on the decision of the Court of Enquiry or the new management, but the mine was dangerous and the old managers knew ib better than any one else; the miners were safest in their hands. The Minister sympathised with the old managers, but said he could not ignore the decision of the Oeurt, "which had found them guilty of negligence and incompetency. Mew Zealand Affairs. The Sydney Morning Herald says that New Zealand has reason to feel satisfied at the position disclosed by the Colonial Treasurer, especially as the increase in the revenue has been obtained over a wide area, which em braces customs, railways, stamps, and direct taxation. Mr Seddon has be haved with prudence and self denial. The paper adds, with reference to Mr Seddon's hint at something like a free breakfast table, " We cannot wonder at the necessity for lowering taxation according to a plain rule in cases of a surplus becoming obvious in a country .where taxation is not light." Accident to a Judge.. Melbourne, April 13 While Mr Justice Williams was on a holiday trip he slipped and broke his kneecap. He will be incapasitated for duty for several weeks. Political Influence. As the result of the continuous pes tering by members of Parliament on behalf of their unemployed consti tuents, the Commissioner of Railways ; has forwarded a letter to the members , stating that the Premier forbids the , acceptance of recommendations for employment in the railway Depart- ( ment from members. ,

THE INSURRECTION IN CRETE.

■Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

.. Athens, April 12 3. A portion of the National League >r irregulars continue operations against ■'. Baltino, where they are besieging 800 _ Turkish troops The remainder have }. advanced into Turkish territory, but t. the direction of their advance and its •* object are not known, f London, April 12 c In the House of Commons Mr .8 Curzon stated that if the Greeks did not repeat the raid into Turkish terri tory Turkey did not desire to regard the Kransa raid as a cusus belli. He added that, without loss of dignity, stepß might be taken which would lead to a peaceful conclusion of the difficulty between Greece and Turkey. Received Wakapuaka, April 14, 9,50 a.m. Guaedian office 10.40 a.m. a Athens, April 13 Baltino was captured by Greek irregulars after a desperate resistance. Tiie Turkish garrison escaped during the night. A battalion sent bo relievf the town was surrounded and routed with heavy loss. The Greeks have cut the telegraph lines communicating with Grevena and Janina, m Albania, A force of a thousand Gr«ek volun teers evaded the efforts of Delyannis to intercept them, and crossed the frontier. It is their intention to endeavour to occupy Janina. London, April 13 In the House of Commons Sir W. V Harcourt moved for the presentation of an address to the Queen urging that Great Britain should aot employ force against either Greece or Crete. Received Wakapuaka, April 14, 10. a.tn Guardian ofißice 11.10 a. m. London, April 13 In the House of Commons Mr A, J. Balfour, said that Britain, by acting m concert with the Powers, had done more for freedom and peace than other wise would have been possible if the opposition's proposed policy of isolation had been adopted. Government would offer facilities for debating th* question. Sir William Harcourt's motion was negatived by a majority of 161, and the House adjourned till April 26.

FEDERATION.

Tao Convention at Adelaide.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright. Adelaide, April 13 The greater portion of the morning was occupied in wording the money clauses. After the Committee, by 27 to 21, had decided to substitute the Senate for the more awkward States Assembly the battle of the States commeac^d. Mr Reid strongly opposed the Senate having equal power in matters of finance. With a Senate constituted as proposed, suoh a system of equal power would be fraught with disaster. The Lower House must be master of thfc finance. Sir George Turner supported Mr Reid. He had raised the crux of the whole question. He believed the Com* mitteee had made a mistake in con ceding equal representation, and he dared not go back to Victoria and sub mit such a proposal to the people. He urged the small States to assist by not giving the Senate equal power over money Bills. If they were not prepared to accept what was called the 1891 compromise then federation was an impossibility. Sir John Downer thought they only asked for what was their legitimate rights. The small colonies had gone far enough, and he would not per sonally be prepared to make any further concessions to the larger States. (A member, ironically—" How far have you gone ?") Sir John Downer replied they had gone farther than the small States in America and Switzerland. Mr Wiss, Sydney, said, although it was incomprehensible to him, there was undoubtedly a strongly engrained popular prejudice amongst the people of Victoria against the second Cham ber, no matter how constituted, having power to deal with money Bills. The alarms expressed by either side were groundless. The smaller States had absolute safety against excessive op pression by absenting themselves from the Senate, which would require a third of the Senators to be present to carry a measure. Mr Kingston, Adelaide, thought if that were so they might as well re main and outvote the others. He intended, even at the risk of separating himself from his colleagues, to sup port Mr Reid. He believed they should stick closely to the 1891 com promise, and were not prepared to imperil federation by attempting to destroy a compromise which would result in federation. Sir John Forrest advocated equal powers, just as he had done in 1891. He did not accept the compromise arrived at on that occasion. He was quite agreeable that all money Bills of importance should be initiated in the lower House, but the Senate should have the right of amending taxation Bills. If Sir George Turner aDd Mr Reid would not have federation except on their terms then they had better federate themselves, for the other States would have none of it. Mr Higstins, Victoria, regarded the position as dangerous. The smaller States, outnumbering the larger States in the Convention, could do what they liked with the Bill, but he warned them they could not obtain federation by such means. He appealed to them to exercise their tremendous power wisely and with care. Both Mr Holder, South Australia, and Mr Douglas, Tasmania, stated that if Mr Reid's ideas were adopted neither of their colonies would federate. Mr O'Connor, Sydney, was quite willing to give the greatest power to the smaller States consistent with responsible Government. The ob jection to equal powers was that the bulk of the people would refuse to be dominated by a smaller section in a matter of expenditure, Mr McMillan, Sydney, in a con ciliatory speech, said he thought the giving of co-ordinate power did not destroy the financial supremacy which the Lower House possessed by its power of initiation. Why refuse to give the Senate the right, in a proper and dignified way, of telling them how far they had gone and how far they should go ? Mr Deakin, in a strong speech, urged the acceptance of the qualify ing power, which experience proved to be necessary for the transaction of public business. He thought it quite unlikely the bulk of the Lower House would accede to anything which would be vi just to the bulk of the taxpayers j therefore it was not necessary to give the Senate a power by which the minority might upset the decision of the majority, '1 he Convention decided to continue the sittings each evening, and it is almost certain to sit on the holidays except Good Friday. Received Wakapuaka April 14, 11.30 a.m., i Guardian Office 1.0 p.m. Adelaide, April 14 If Mr Reid's proposal to amend the clause of the constitution by disallow ing the Senate to amend the money Bills is defeated, as is almost certain. although by a narrow majority, the pnd pf the larger states will be gained, after the Western Australian delegates leave, by carrying an amendment striking out equal representation" in the Senate, so that while the Senate may have power to amend money Bills the small states will find themselves with a minority in representation. Owing to the dangerous condition which federation is in, a number of delegates of smaller states are waver ing, and after yesterday evening's de base three delegates have given their Ulegiance to the large states, but unless 'urther defections occur Mr Reid's imendment must be lost There is a •uinor in the lobby that Sir Saul Samuel, Agent-General of New South Vales, is about to resign, and that Mr Srunker, Colonial Secretary, is named s his successor.

Ml ABIiBBBTOE OUAKDIAS* *. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, im.



MeOHANISViIIe, St. Mary County, Me.—l sold a bottle of Chamberlain's Pain Balm to a man who had been suffering with rbeuma- I tism for several years. It made him a, well man. A. J. MoGill. For sale by AgaBUB ton Dkdg Comply.



Walter Bently—you a 1 know Walter- WAN at his highest one night m King Henry VIII. at the Wellington Opera House: Farewell, a long farewell to all my greatnaes, ■'. This is the 1 state of man : to-day ha puts forth The tender leaves of hope, to-morrow blossoms, And bears hit blushing honors thick upon him; The third day comes a frost), a killing frost— Voice from tho gods (mimicking Walter) "Then try Woods' Great Peppermint Cure \, t jt brought down the hotuw. j4fe|»



WMtsonu and Rtjnshi*s'~N*wVmw



EASTER HOLIDAYS. mHE GDAHDIAN WILL NO! be pub hshed on Good Friday or on Easter Monday. A3HBURTON PUBLISHING CO. April 14, 1897.



Business Notices. _____ Business Notices ~ ~~ -~" " " "" ~~" OF GBEAT INTAKES! 1 LOOK OUT. T0 LAI)IES FOR THE COMING WIN IE P. G. j. NEILL —IS SELLING— V" 0U CAN SBCUKIiI AT Table Damask at Is per yard Twill Sheeting, 2 yards wide, white or grey, 9}d n£w zealand Turkish Towels, 6d each Cretonne 3|d m 11 • t~i a. Flannelettes, 2h lid per dozen; Clothing Factory _.L..,■■!■—l C* T iyEILL TS CELLING— A GENUINE WATERPROOF CLOAK, TAILOR MADE, Guaran- Men's Heavy Tweed Suits at 21s 6d, wonderful value ■nt 3 'a.a 114 teed Sewn Seams. Boys Suits, 4s lid Men's Tweed Trousers, 5s lid — ., CALL and Inspect our Grand Range of BOOTS. BOOTS. VMma' , Men'g Nail SHOOTERS 7s lid. Women's SHOES 4s lid Men's BLUCHERS 4a lid. Women's Lace SHOES 4a lid HALLENSTEIN BROS. The Cheapest Boots m Ashburton are to be got at n T TVTUTT T9C ALEX< HBNDRY. (j. J. JN-biLLLi 0, Manageri FRIEDLANDBR'S CORNER, EAST STREET. *__ " IMPORTANT NOTICE. * § kj m< ■ — "•" ■"'^Njßlf »T /""IREATSALEOF g ™rj M&W fTNOIFUMS iJfilli LINOLEUM, J g § fP|J|l LINOLEUMS p^P FLOUR-CLOTH, °i Z ® 4HEm r rujrn vnMQ &£& V mr CARPETS, ns w 25 i\ j Mffm UNOLbUMb. JjJPLa MATTING, RUGS, etc £ .g S HH lImPI " ' K^Wh FORNITURB OF ALL KINDS, || 3 W « ll|gj^^dii| 7". //. UNDRILL &Go W I | I |" I QI .. 1 8 |.|| I | We have ittat laoded, direct from the Manufacturers, ex e,a. Rimutaka andlOtarama, )mmJ g .«? « • "»ia WW TS^SSIT^™- ■*■ oßsg3 1 1 g g INSPECTION INVITED. rfi <]*o o| Not.th.Adto»- ||^ g| a S.PHg T.. H. UNDRILL & CO., wyJ|| Jj' | CABINETMAKERS & UPHOLSTERERS, TANORBD STREET (Opposite Arcade) Og§"1 < 1 S ; O § 2 ||3 | AUTOMS AND WINIJBfi KOVELTIES. r£ | § fg a Os ' sss 111 h| GRAND SPECIAL DISPLAY "Si!l § S MITCHELL & TURNER'S. j jj i £ I -^ MANTLES— MILLINERY— TACKFTS WATERPROOFS CLOAKS FUR BOAS — — CAPES UNDERCLOTHING q T . STEPHEN'S CHURCH, Aahburton. - HOLY WEEK AND EASTERTIDE, 1897 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT TO LADIBS,— w&Sf^ Y> AprU 14~Short Bervice8 ' IN PURSUANCE of our policy m keeping our Business well to the THURSDAY, April 15—Preparation for front, we have decided to add a FIRST-CLASS DRESSMAKING t h e Easter Communion. All communi- DEPARTMENT to our Jstablishment. We have secured the services j c -ntß are earnestly invited to attend. of Miss Hill, a lady of unquestioned who bringa with her GOOD FRIDAY —11 a.m., Litany and credentials of the highest order from MKSBRS W. STRANGE & CO., Address 3 p.m., ChihWn service, m whose Workrooms she has been engaged for oveb sevkn years. Our ■ _ E^ening ser vice. The offer' object is to supply our Customers with Stylish and Well-made lories will be given to St. Mary's Home, COSTUMES at a Moderate Price, and every possible effort will be • tone* wui db gi given to make our NEW DEPARTMENT an unqualified success. We WAQ rJw SimnAV fi W Holy Com. have already booked a number of Orders, and expect a very full season. EASIER SUNDAY-8.30, Holy Oom y?iK* vysr1 10 receive inteDd:ing patrons on a MITCHELL AND TURNEB, ' DAY, April 28, at 7.30 p.m. TANORED STREET, fjff^^i^^^i^^ W date Gcooda are B^.d at Mellok' ai prices that defy competition. NEW GOODS. NEW GOODS. AUTUMN AND. WINTER. PRICES CUT TO SUIT THE KEEN WEATHER*AND KEENER TIMES. LOOK OUT. LOOK OUT. THE CENTRAL CASH DRAPEEY AND CLCTaiNO MART. NKXT TO J. ORR AND CO, EAST STREET. MITCHELL AND BRODRIJBR GIVE THE BEST VALUE IN THE TBtf)E. - EVERYTHING NEW, EVERYTHING GOOD, EVERYTHING STYLKH, And of Course EVERYTHING CHEAP. T)*Y Cash and Save 25 per cent. Grand assortment bought at Special Rates to enable us to sustain our reputation, yet giving the Winter, 8* 9d, worth 1* 6d. Good strong pain Home-pun 4s lid drew. Beautiful Tweeds, grand , valnf SJt shades It II 9? and 9s 9d full dress. AH the Meat Trimmings m Furs, Gimps, Braids, Velvets etc at prices never value, newest f adf' J.LANNELB, CALICOS, SHEETINGS—yoa'II wonder at the prices. No bad debts do it. What do you think of this GRAND D I GL. OV. Ji >miW SHOWERPROOF CLOAKS at prices 50 per cent, below anything heard of- We'll trim your hat free, we only want to sell tie trimming at a low price, ana guarantee you « .-„ N ' . r ZEALAND trimmedffitrsw.. Velvet,,"Beavers, and F.U Hats, neweet shapes andhjhjdj.jOgJ^^ J^^ytS and Wool to »2 «or the l.t«t and most .tylwhtnmmin^SMlor^ !inß is a Corset any size any the coldeet, weather and lightest purse. CORbETS, %™^™ t!* UL 1r he MEN'S CLOTL.ING AND MERCERY Department, shade for 2, lid per pair, worth, and sold elsewhere for itt»oufc 5i 6(J' « JJ c, fc f e d pants 3a 11, singlets to match flannelette shirts heaviest knitted socks m the trade Is, brown ribbed pants Is lid. heavy «»I<»J»> f "T^ JJJ ev^ry conceivable shape from Is. Tweed from 1. 91, Colonial made ftonels;3s lid. Serge sa.lor suits 4s' "'^ BoJ,*^twSd 211 6d. TIES AND bXURVES-We are trousers 7s 6.1, B<< lid, 9s 6d, men'a moles 4^ lid, men's suits from 14s lid wloni»' X®*" t , o tho best qualities. BOOTS-Men's known throughout the district for our g r.nd a..orl.nent of Tie. lS 6?, women's and children's heavy ihocter boots 9a lid, grand line of light Balmorals at.J^, 6d '?te r{£s?^^, A? Sry Jeep capes, m all patterns-We are de boote and shoes cheaper .hanev c r-Callai,d see them. M^^ (^ TJ^F t^Z^aSaiU?omZivS{Km 49s 6d. Grand variety t«rmined to sell them cheaper than any other house m town. LOOK Ai IHlS—Men s auna ho nie» B uio Men's White Kid Gloves and Evening Bows, etc. DON'T FORGET THE CENTRAL CASH TRADERS, WHO ARE, AND MEAN TO BRING DOWN PRICES. MITCHELL & BRODRIBB, ?S!SXI £0 J. ORR fc 00., KAST STREET, ASHBUJHON*