DEATH.

Andeesok.~Ou September 11, at his resi dance, Hatnpatead, Peter Anderson, Aged 70 yearß.

Ashburton Guardian, Megna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1897. THE MUNICIPAL FRANCHISE.

In dealing with the question of local government—one that will inevitably come before Parliament this session, if we have read Mr Seddon's intentions i correctly — our representatives will I have to consider the subject of municipal franchise reform. This subject wH be brought very pro minently before them, as for some time a otrong agitation has been in process in the larger centres of population in the colony. And this agitation ia likely to be .^pt alive until something has been done id equalise the franchise. The advocates of t. 1?? fquality sought for point out that municipal reforms in oiany directions r& obstructed by the self-interest in some cases, and the apathy or indifference in others, of the comparative few who are entitled to vote in municipal elections. And they point further to the fact that, while the parliamentary franchise in I New Zealand is of the widest character possible — manhood and womanhood suffrage—the municipal franchise is confined in the most conservative fashion to ratepayers only. Of course, it will not be denied for a moment that a man who, with his wife and family, lives in a house for which he pays rent, contributes in that rent towards the municipal revenue, seeing that the landlord will be careful, in fixing the amount of rent to be paid, to make it high enough to cover the nates which he is required to pay for the property. This rate gives a municipal vote to the I landlord, although the tenant provides the money for it iv the shape of rent, but has no municipal voice in consequence. Yet the tenant and every adult in his family, and every adult resident in the municipality whether tenant or lodger,arepersonaliy interested in civic matters as much as, indeed more than, in those of the , broader scope with which parliament ha* to deal. Not a single resident in a borough can be said to be without interest iv the question, say, of the maintenance ojE public health ; in the establishment of public abattoirs, so that healthy meat only shall be sub mitted to public sale, and that uo food shall find ita way to the table that coaeeals under a fair exterior the °erms ol .either cancer or tuberculosis ; iv the state of fche roads and footpaths ; in the drainage of th/s town, and the disposal of sewage, nightsoii, and the accumulations of rubbish which are inseparable from life in populous places; in the suppression generally of adulteration; in the regulation of building ; in the little amenities that fcend to the improvement acd progress &t tbe town they live in j and in such questions a| gasworks, waterworks, public fonildiags, firamways, electric lightings »n,d the many larger works which, sooner or later, have t$ fee undertaken by municipal bodies for the good of tbe people wfeoge interests mi welfare ttoj k* y« fc ppwwvp,.

Yet the election of those bodies is' placed in the hands of only a few of the residents in a municipality. We have before us a table compiled by the Ohristchurch Progressive Liberal Asso ciation in which the burgess list of the city is analysed. From that analysis we learn that in the city of Christ church in 1896 there were 9,290 per sons over the age of twenty-one years. Or those 9,290 only 2,491 were quali fied to vote in a municipal election, and those 2,491 exercised 4,249 votes. Of the 2,491 voters, 76 exercised fiv> votes each—3Bo votes ; 202 had four votes each—Boß j 192 had three votes each—s76 ; 494 had two votes each— 988 ; and 1,497 had one vote each The in< quality of representation needs no comment. We have not before us a sufficiently full list of the Ashbur on burgesses to be able to quote with accuracy; but we know that the figurei of our own burgoo Hat are much in the same proportion as those of Christcburch or any other munici pality. On the very face of those figures there appears to be made out a claim for equality of voting on the basis of equality of interest, and we are fast approaching a time when rent payers will demand a voice in muni cipal matters, a demand that will be used with power at the general parlia mentary elections. And point will be given to it when such votes are quoted as those of the Ashburton Borough Council on the question of the fire block, and of the Hampstead Town Board on the question of union with the larger body.

ORINK IN RARO- TONGA.

Mb F. J. Muss, Resident at Rarotonga, has his own little licensing troubles

justlike otherpoten tates, civilised ani uncivilised. The re

sident medical man, Dr Craig, made a report on the diseases due to alcohol in Rarotonga, and said, inter alia, " that there are special faci lities and encouragement given for the iquor traffic among natives." The doctor was requested to furnish an explanation of this statement, and seemed somewhat surprised at ths re quest. He says that it is generally known that the chiefs are directly in terested in the sale of permits to sell liquor. These permits, he says, are openly and indiscriminately sold. He says: " Certain individuals openly retail liquor daily to all comers, charg ing so much money per drink, without any police interference. No one could go about for a week in Rarotonga without noticing the disgracefully drunken habits of the natives. It is a rare thing to walk 500 yards any even ing in the week without meeting half a dozen drunken natives, sometimes con siderably more. As long as these faciities for traffic in imported spirits are allowed to exist, ib is impossible to attribute any of the blame for the irunken habits of the natives to the much less potent beverages of native manufacture. These are to be ranked with euch an English beverage as cider, wholesome, and, even in exces j sive quantities, doing infiuitely less harm than the poison that is retailed to the unsophisticated natives as rum, Kindly forward a copy of this letter in your n^xt despatch to the New Zealand Government." In sending the doctor's letter to the Arikis, Mr Moss added the comment that if the statements were correct it would not be himself and Mr Gamier, the licensing officer, that would be blamed, but the Arikis, the Arikis' courts, and the police, and the question would be asked, " of what use are they, and why cumber they the ground ?" ( f uke xni, 7.) No one can buy liquor from a vessel without a permit. Henpe permits are sold or else smuggling is practised. Just what happens under prohibition elsewhere.

THE ZONE SYSTEM IN DEN- MARK.

A paragraph in a recent Home paper states a new zone railway tariff has

pome into operation in Denmark. Cheap as is railway trarel ling in Hungary

under this system, Denmark seems to have # gone one better."- While there 13 no fare less than 15 ore, or about 2d, the third class passengers can travel 6 kilo meters (or about three and three quarter miles) for that sum. This rate continues to decrease slightly on a ' t l distances up to 110 kilometres, the third class **re for which would be in English money abo" f' 2$ 7d. For longer distances than this the charge is proportionately cheaper, and the Danish equivalent of 422 miles may be covered, third class for 7s 3d. There are no return fares under the new system, but monthly tickets are issued which give a still further reduction, whilst £10 will purchase an annual season ticket for the whole Danish State railway system, The propor tionate difference between the first, second, and third classes is rather higher than on most English railways, being in the relation of 2.30, i 00, and 635.

On the first; page, under the heading " Th« Tichborne Caap," will be found some parti culars relative to an application in regard to William Cress well, whom it is being sought to prove is the long-lost Sir Roger ; reports of yesterday's trial of Booth and Macdonald's spading harrow, and of last night's dramatic entertainment at the Oddfellows' Hall, and cables relating to labor questions; and on the fourth page Commercial news, an account of the Chigneeto ship railway, and the Saa Francisco mail summary.

Local and General.

Rev, Mr Taylor will preach a sermon to young people to-morrow evening in the Wesleyan $hsrj;h oa the subject of " Dancing." "Where was Magna Gbarta signed?' asked a teacher in a. South of London Board School. " Please, sir, ab the bottom." Fifteen |owls, one dog, three men, one woman, and fcw,p children were found all roosting together ia a biug\p apartment of a sunk flat in a Glasgow street feoeotly, The well known Nor' West Minstrel and Variety Company of Rakaia amateurs will give their final and best concert in the Tp^n Hall, Rakaia, on Friday evening, October 1, when an entirely new programme will be produced, A singular marriage occasioned a Sitter of excitement in the fashionable circles of several cities in America, on the 16th July, says the New York correspondent of the Standard. Mr Frank Hillhouse, a well known New York club man, was married to Mia* Sarah Fitch while she held the hand of ! her mother in the coffin. The explanation is that the mother having died before the date of the marriage, the daughter satisfied her ttncon,fcroljtable impulse that her huaband should receive his' bride from her mothet'i

The programme of the Mackenaie Benefit Concert on Monday night is again advertised, and appears on the thiri page of this issue, The New Zealand Shipping Company has been advised that the live stock prohibition in the Argentine has been removed. The London Gazette announces that the Queen has recognised the appointment of Mr Diilingham as American Consul at Auck land. While Mr Lusk was making rather v sharp !urn in Bast Street this afternoon his horse got his legs croesed, and fell, breaking a shaft of the gig, No other damage was done, and the horse was got on his leys again all right and unhurt. Captain Robin, of the Otago Hussjars, is to have a set reception on his arrived from England in the form of a supper and an entertainment from the citizens of Dunedin and an address from old members of the corps which he now commands. The Anama Estate, which has b.eeia pur chased by the Government, is, says the New Zealand Times, already subdivided, aad will require very little alteration before il; iB put upon the market. It is to be taken over by the Government in March next. New Zealand has one policeman to every 1530 of its inhabitants, at a cost of 2s 7Jd per head ; Victoria has one to 842, cost 4a 2£d ; New South Waleß, one to 694, coat 5s Id ; South Australia, one to 973, cost 4s 4£d; <|ueensland, one to 565, coßt 6s lid. Judge Roy Bean, of Langtry, Texas, was once trying a Mexican for stealing a horse, and his charge to the jury was one of the shortest on record: " Gentlemen of the jury, thar's a greaser in the box and a boss missing; you know your duty !" And they did. A church in a London suburb in the course of a few years has added £120 to its funds by the sale of a three-leaved plant oalled Calvary clover. The leaves have a red blotoh which gradually disappears with their growth, and the pod is spirally ,wound with interlacing points, resembling, when re moved, a crown of thorns. A correspondent writes to a contemporary stating that by adding to the milk as soon as drawn from the cow about two spoonfuls of boiling water to an ordinary sized milking pail, any taste of turnips in the butter will be prevented. He further adds that he has used it in this way in England, and the butter was sold in London (West End) for years. At New Plymouth on Friday the Secretary of the Associated Sports Cub's art union was fined 10s and costs for a breach of the Act by rail ng bicycles, <fee. In mitigation of the penalty it was urged that every prize was a gift aud that no individual made a copper out of the art union. We are pleased to be able to state that Dr Fergusson, the well-known Dunedin oculist, who has been consulted by Mr Llewellyn Owen, as already mentioned in our columns, gives hopes of overcoming the progress of the disease which has affected Mr Owen's eyesight, although it is feared that recovery may be slow, and rest is absolutely necessary. Mr Owen returns to Ashburton nexb week. The Wellington correspondent of the Press telegraphs :—I he.r on good authority that Sir Walter Buller has not yet heard the last of Horowhenua. The matter is likely to engage the serious attention of the Cabinet within the next week or two, and if the Hon. the Minister for Lands does not get his way there will be trouble. In the stomach of a cod opened in the London Central Fish Market recently was found a lemonade bottle in which bad been corked a leaf from a pocket book, containing the following message written in pencil : — " Drummond Castle sinking fast. No hopes, —L.H." The Drummond Castle, it will be remembered, foundered off Ushant in June last. There was a great demonstration at Rinds yesterday to celebrate Arbor Day. The School Committee, made arrangements for a regular fete, and after planting some 400 trees the children and their friends, almost as numerous, were entertained in the most bountiful fashion. Races and other i'musements helped to make up a very enjoyable day's outing, It is sated that a Polish chemist has invented an antithetic which volatilises rapidly on exposure to the air, rendering all persoos near unconscioui for a long; time. A pellet broken under a.man's nose puts him to sleep for four hours. Of course, it is suggested that bombs charged with large quantities of this substance might be used to render armies incapable of resistance. American newspaper* received by the mail steamer Alameda si ate that the gold fever prevails in San Francisco. There ha* been a great ruah to the Alaskan goldfields, and from Peru come stories that eclipse any of those yet reported from Klondyke. It is stated that from one town 2000 left in two days for the goldfields, and some of the smaller towns have been deserted almost entirely. The Oamaru Presbytery, afc its meeting on Wednesday, rejected a motion by the Rev. J. Milne which asked that the Presby tery should agree fco recommend the Gothen burg system to the Legislature of the country for consideration. Mr Milne was the only member in favor of the motion. The Presbytery adopted a motion against the union of the northern and southern churches, on the basis submitted, by nine bo four. The death of Air Peter Anderson, senr,, of Hampstead, is recorded in our obituary column. He arrived in Ashburton from Edinburgh with his family about fourteen years ago, and has lived here ever since, being much respected by all who knew him. Mr Anderson leaves three sons—Messrs Alexander, George, and Peter Anderson, of this town, and two daughters, who are married. The funeral takes place on Monday at 2.30 p.m. At Xhirsday's meeting of the Canterbury Land Board the application of J. A. Moote for a lease in perpetuity of section 10, re serve 1371, block 5, Hinds, 50 acres, was granted. It was decided to offer reserve 135, Ealing, Rangitata, for sale at public auction in two portions at an upaeb price of 35a per acre. It was decided to re-offer the Rtngitata Risrer Conservation Reserves for leaso by public tender for periods of seven years, the upset rentals \>o b,e ag recommended by the Crown Lands Ranger. A vessel is now being built at Toronto which, if the description given in the Mon treal Times is to be I rusted, will certainly rob M. Bazin's famous roller steamer of her : pre-eminence as a nautical curiosity. Not ing the ease with which a log revolved in the water, Mr Krupp, the inventor, con ceived tho bold idea of making a ship which j should be, not a platform on rollers, like M. I Bazin's, but a roller itself. This veejael, which is to be launched in a few days, may perhaps be best described as a marine i*ni: cycle. It consists of a hollow cylindrical plinth, in the centre of whioh, and con nected with it by the ball bearings, is an open cylinder containing the passengers, crew, engnes, fuel, and, in fact, everything that the vessel carries. "By means of fric tion," it is said, " the engines will cause the outside cylinder to revole rapidly, while the inside cylinder retains its equilibrium. But since paddles are fistte.d ]bo the former to make it grip the water, it is more than probable (remarks the Manchester Guardian) thafc the inner cylinder and the passengers will " revolve rapidly," and as a " terrific speed" is to be attained, such a result weuld be a little disconcerting.

THE LOONEYS CASE.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph. Wellington, September 11 After a long retirement the jury in the Looneys case found them guilty of shooting without i a tent. [ Mr Wilfred raised the point that the ver dict disclosed no offence under the Criminal Code, and with the consent of His Honor die point was reserved for the Court of Appeall Bail was ajlowed, the accused in £50 each and two sureties of £85,

CRICKET.

Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. London, September 9 Albert Trott, who it was recently reported i would spend the winter in London, has been engaged by the Pretoria (Transvaal) Cricket Club for five months, at thirty pounds monthly,.the Club paying all his expanses.

WRECK OF THE TASMANIA.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph. Wellington, Sep* ember 10 The Hinemoa has finally abandoned the search for the rock on which the Tasmania struck. Captain Neale states that he is sat isfied that no rock exists outside the danger hue, A search was made for the patent log, which it was expected would show the dis tance travelled from Giaborne before the wreck, but it had apparently broken away, as the diver could not find it. Gisboenk, September 10. The Hinemoa arrived from Mahia and sailed f*r Auckland. Duting her three days' stay at Mahia she completed soundings | without finding a trace or unohartered dangers. The diver Lloyd went down and failed to find the log, reporting that the rail aftou the starboard side was carried away. He says it would have been dangerous to attempt to recover the mails, the appliances being inadequate. A telegram has been received by Messrs Kinsey, Barns and Co., Ghristchurch, to the effect that the wreck of the Tasmania will be sold by auction at Auckland next Wednesday.

COMMERCIAL.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

LONDON WHEAT MARKET.

London, September 9 The Mark Lane wheat market, to-day, is very firm, English wheat showing an advance of Is per quarter on the week, and foreign 2s per quarter. The English wheat market is firm, with an upward tendency. Ihe Continental is tending upwards, and the American shows a general advance, Californian No 1 milling, 39s 6<i ; Russian cargoes, 38a 3d ; No 1 hard Duluth, 445.

HARVEST PROSPECTS IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Sydney, September 10. A speculative forecaat of the whe*t harvest is most encouraging, 11,600,000 bushels ; being looked for.

THE FRENCH WHEAT YIELD.

Paris, September 9 A Paris trade paper estimates that the French wheat yie d this year will show a decrease of 36,000,000 hectolitres compared with the yield of 1896.

Volcanic Activity.

Prtss Association — By Electric Telegraph—

Auckland, September 10 After a long period of freedom from any earth tremours, a rather prolonged earth quake was experienced at Taupo at about a quarter to five yesterday afternoon. It had been preceded by lighter ones during the day. Later in the evening several slight shocks were felt, and again, at about twenty minutes to two, most of the residents were awakened by a low rumbling and severe shaking, which lasted several second*9, the direction being from south to norih. No damage is reported The mountains have not been visible for several days, owing 10 dense clouds, so no one can say whether they are active or not, except that a few minutes before noon Te Mare was seen in activity. .

The Midland Railway.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Wellington, September 10. Work on the Midland railway is being actively carried on to the foot of the Otira Gorge. Some 200 men are engaged, and there are m>w four miles to complete out of fourteen between Jackson's and that point, »nd it is expected that the line veil! be finished to the accommodation house in the Otira Gorge in eighteen months. Platelay ing will de started at once to enable & loco motive to bring up stone for the embank ments at Riverside. None of the blocks will be less than three tons. At the Melson end the formation is complete to Norris Gully and the rails will be laid immediately, to enable the line to be ready for the wool season in December. It is estimated that there will have to be five miles of tunnels in the Otira Gorge in order to avoid a steeper gradient than lin 5 (?). This is the same as the Kimutaks* incline. One effect of these tunnels will be that passengers will see very little of the gorge from a tourist's point of view.

Farmers' Co-operative Associa tion.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph,

I Timaru, September 11 The annual meeting of the South Canter, bury Farmers' Co-operative Association was held to-day. The balance-sheet shows 8125 £5 shares held, on which £22,072 has been paid up, with reserve funds of £12,000, and capitalised bonuses and unclaimed dividends £2920. The Association has also the use of £25,316 fixed deposits. The assets total £87,206, of which the chief items are free holds £16,225; advances on produce £18,709; due on current accounts £21,948 ; goods in store £23,961. The chief items of the re ceipts, including a neb balance of £625 brought forward ? amount to £15,973, of which this chief items are—Commissions I £3789 ; profits on merchandise £8384; stor age £957; interest and discounts £924. Among the expenditure, salaries and wages form the largest item, £3390. The bad debts were £334, the net profit for the year £7917 16a 7d, plus the net balance brought forward. The Directors propose a 6 per cent dividend and 2 per cent bonus on the paid-up capital, 2 per cent bonus on pur phases by shareholders, a similar bonus on Salaries and wages, I§ per cent refund on commissions earned, £1250 to be added to reserves, $1500 to be written off freeholds, and the balance carried forward.

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves responsib-'e for the opinions expressed by oar correspondents,)

OLD TIME EXPERIENCES—A GOOD SUGGESTION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I have for some time been thinking on a subject of which I should like to have the opinion of yourself and your readers. A generation is growing up around us, who know nob of the fighb their fathers have fought, and who are liable to think that as things are ao they have been and so they will be. Now, among your readers there must be many whose reminiscences would be well worth recording. Will you then ask them to send you shorb accounts of early adventures, fording rivers, fighting fire, loss by nor'westers, and fencing with famine, not alone of water, since before road, rail, and bridges came time was money, if meal was scant. As iron sharpeneth iron, so I think would one story bring another, to the benefit both of writer and reader. But as you are the one who must 'fire! say yea or nay to this suggestion, with you I leave the matter and subscribe myself.—lam, etc , Pilseim. ["Pilgrim's" suggestion is an excellent one and we shall be very pleased to have the opportunity of publishing such contribu tions M he suggests.—Ed.] |

StWkV Nm Venus,

CABLE NEWS.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association—By E!ectrio Telegraph— Copyright.

Thessaly.

Athens, September 9 The Greek refugees from Thessaly refuse to return to their homes until the evacuation of Theesaly by the Turkish troops has been completed.

Australian.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. Withrtawal of Capital. Melbourne, September 10 According to the Age the leading financial agents are beginning to speak seriously about the withdrawal of English investors from the colony, which is due largely to the fact that double income tax has to be paid, 3d in England and 1b 4d in Victoria. Three firms report the withdrawal since 1896 of over £600,000.

The Federatios Convention.

Press Association —By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. ;. Sydney, September 10 At the federal Convention this afternoon Mr Isaacs supported equal representation, but said that Victoria would not assent to it unless accom panied by certain other principles. He recognised that the small States would j not join without equal representation. Messrs Deakin and Barton supported the Bill as it stood. Mr Lyne said it was absolutely illogical that the small States should dominate New South Wales and Victoria. Those who demanded equal representation were going the right way to destroy all chance of federating. On a division, equal representation was affirmed by forty-one to five, the noes being—Messrs Carruthera and Lyne (New South Wales), and Berry, Higgins, and Trenwith (Victoria.) Received Wakapuaka, Sept. 11, 10.20 a.m. Guardian Office 11 55 a.m. Sydney, September 11. The tone of yesterday's debate was of a high character. Mr Reid at an interview said he was hopeful of the succes3 of the federal movement. In voting for equal representation he did so in order to meet the smaller popula tions on the point, without which they would not federate. He expected them when the time came to define the powers of the Senate and arrange a method of preventingdeadlocks to meet the more populous States upon that point, without which they could not federate.

THE SITUATION IN INDIA.

The Trial of Tilak.

A Letter to the Ameer.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— - Copyright. Calcutta, September 9. A fanatical rising among the Mollahs of the Mohammedan section on the Malabar coast has been sup pressed, with little bloodshed, and the leaders have been captured The trial is proceeding at Bombay of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the editor of the native paper Kesari, | September 10. The Indian Government has sent a letter to the Ameer of Afghanistan, i stating that the military operations on the Indian frontier are intended for the punishment of Hadda Mollah and his followers. It ia not proposed to interfere with the independence of the frontier tribes or permanently occupy the territory. j The Khans of Nawagi %nd Manda will assist in Brigadier-General filled' expedition against the rebellious Mohmanda.

THE LATEST.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association—"By Eleotrio Telegraph—* Copyright).

Received Wakapuaka Sept, 11, 9,45 a.m. Guardian office, 10.30 a.m. A Message from the Queen. London, September 10 Tho Queen, in a message to Earl Oadogan, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, expresses herself greatly pleased at the loyal and kind reception extended to the Duke and Duchess of York. Her Majesty asks that the message be made generally known. Trades Union Congress. The Trades Unign Congress passed resolutions demanding the nationalisa tion of land, mines, minerals, royalties, rents, railways, and waterways, and the municipalisation of 'vater and lighting rights and tramways, also the payment of fair wage 3in Government dockyards. A resolution has been carried by the Trades Union Congress at Birmingham demanding an amendment of the j Conspiracy Act in the direction of placing workmen and employers in a similar position, and punishing employ ers for issuing black lists. The Blockade of Crete. Athens, September 10 The Powers have decided to delay the blockade of Crete until peace has been concluded beteween Turkey and Greece.

Australian.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. Received Wakapuaka Sept. 11, 10,20 a.i«, Guardian Office 11.56 a.m v Collision at Sydney, Sydney, September 11 The Rio, inward bound from Napier, while being towed into the harbor, came into collision with the lightship on the Sow and Bigs at the entrance. The Rio waa much damaged and cut almost to the water's edge- The injuries fa the lightship are superficial.

Much consternation was oaused last winter amongst the medical men in Wellington, by the introduction of Wood*' Great Pepper mint Cure for coughs and colds; that a very bad cough could be cured by a Is 6d bottle, and a whole family, with a 2» 6d bottle, was a Berioua lobi to them. It j« Wld by a'l ] grocfri and eh«mu>tf,

SPOTTING.

SALE OF RACING STOCK.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Dunedin, September 11 At the sale of Mr Jowitt's horses Fulmen fetched 218gs, the buyer being Mr J, McKewan; Rtfoge, 43gs, P. Tootneyj Musketry, 32gs, J. McGianeis.

DUNEDIN HUNT CLUB RACES.

Forbury Racecourse, Sept. 11. The weather is splendid for the Hunt Cub meeting, and the attendance above the average. The following are the results :~ Hunters' Hurdles, of 30 soya ; H mile. -Rosslyn (Mr R. E. Harley), 1; Rebel; 2} Border Lad 3. Saunterei, Cornea way, New Headford, Oberon, and Puriri aiio aUrkei. Won easily by a length and a half. Time— 3.17. Dividend-£2 11s. Kensington Handicap, ofso bovb; one mile and a distance. —Lord Roslyn, (H. I Mcilroy), 1; Tenus, 2 ; Pitch and Toss, 3. 1 Won by a length and m quarter. Aldcrahob and Hipponous alao ran. Time—2.9}. Dividend—£ll4s. Wiktkr Hurdles, of 50 soys; two miles.—Belmout (F. McGrath), 1 ; Koslyn, 2; Ulysses, 3. Sauntecer also ran. Time —4.20. Dividend—£l Bs.

GERALDINE RACES.

The following nominations have been received for the Geraldine Racing Club's two day meeting :— FIBS* DAY. HuBDtB baob, of 2Saovs; 1| mile.— Windemere, Do Em All, Black Douglass, Pythoon, Clarence, Jaffa, Bang, Dundee, Squatters 9 Handicap, of 25 soya; * mile.—General Wnlf, Inch Gape, Montignyi Manilla, Toxa, Aleestie, Mount Glair, Pal*' din, Cactus. I GKRAtDiNE Time Tbot, of 26 soya; 2 mile.—Trilby Devil's King, Makikihi (late Cupid), Rockwood, The Duke, Winchester, Lettie, Fleigher, Struari, Victoria 11, lahu let, Arahura, Stonewall Jatfkson, Stockholm! Rosewood ,Fishefinan. Gebaldine Cup, 50 aova; li mile,— Belligerent, Diploma, Double Event. Stewards Staick3, 25 soya j 7 furlongs.— General Woolf, Inchpape, Dundee, manilla, Windemere, Alcestis, Supplejuck, Miller, Padlock. Flying Handicap, 33 aovs; 6 furlongs.— Conspiraor, Mount Glair, Creacent, Single Event, Medious, Maximus. SECOND DAY. Orari Hcbdles, 25 aovs; 1£ mile,— Windemere, Do-Em-All, Dundee, Pythoon, Supplejack, Black Douglas, Clarence, Bang, Bogengang. S»ring Handicap, 20 soya ;7 furlongs.— General Wolfe, Inchcape, Paladin, St. Finbar, Crescent, Manilla, Toxa, Maggie, Alceatia, Miller, Diploma, Single Event, Steeple. Electric Time Tbot, 25 aovs ; 1 mile.— Trilby, Te Aro, Davil's Kiag, Stonowall Jackson, Ishulet, Castlereigh, Makikihi (kte Cupid), Rockwood, Stockholm, Fisher man, Lettie, Fleigher, Stru&n, Rosewood, Wanaka, Rambler, Arahura, Gillie Riabhack, The Duke, Winchester. Gkkaldinb Racing Club Handicap, 40 aovs; 1 mile — Belligerent, Maximus, Diploma, Double Event. Selling Handicap Trot, 20 bovb ; H miles—Campo, {Statesman, Opal, Gillie Riabhack, Tralee, Wincheater, Victoria 11., Fairchild. Welter Handicap, 30 eovs; 6 furlongs —General Wolfe, Jnchcape, Single Event, Medicus, Manilla, Windemere, Steeple, Dodger, Supplejack, Mount Clair, Crescent, Padlock. Behtield Handicap, 18 aovs;4 furlongs Conspirator, Inchcape, Windemere, Rosine, Grandshot, Perkinette, Coolgardie, Skinner, Paladin, Montigay, Dodger, Maggie, Constance, St. Finbar, Boqengang, Sunset.

MR WARD'S SEAT.

(Wellington correspondent of Press.) Home time ago I was able to give you first information regarding the fact that Mr | Cowan had decided to abandon the proposed proceedings in the Election Court; in connec i tion with the election of Mr Ward for Awarua. The question of whether or not * , bankrupt can legally bake his seat in the House is, however, not being allowed to rest here, and I now learn that the opinion of two of the highest legal authorities in Eog land is being taken on the point. It is doubtful whether any action will be taken by the Opposition when the House meet*, with a view to preventing Mr Ward taking his seat, though, pending a caucus, one cannot write with certainty on the point, and even if the Opposition agree not to inter fere that may not prevent some other mem ber from taking action. If the question is raised there should, apart altogether from party and personal motives, be a very interesting discussion on the point.

Interprovincial News.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph

Volunteer Uniforms. Wellington, September 11 The Cabinet has decided to leb it be optional with the volunteer corps whether they retain their present uniforms or adopt the Kharkee dress. There is much dis content at the prospeofc of having to adopb new uniforms add as the Premier found that in England they have what is known as dress service uniform varying in different Companies, the Government has decided to amend the regulations accordingly. Kaitangata Coal Company. Ddnbdin, September 11 The Kaitangatia Coal Company have given a bonus of £600 to the miners in their employ.

The Soudan.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright Cairo, September 10. The evacuation of Berber by the Dervishes has caused great excitement amongst the natives, and many tribei are anxious to join the British.

Missions in Madagascar.

The Rev, R. Barron, twenty-five years a missionary in Madagascar, is now in Auck land as a deputation from the London Missionary (Society. He delivered an in teresting address at a public meeting, says a correspondent of the Otago Daily Times, in which he narrated the events which had taken place during the last two years since the French occupation of the island. He expressed the opinion that if any Power had a right to the island it was the French. The French expedition led by General Duchesne wae carried out humanely and with as little bloodshed at possible. He proved to be nob only a skilful general bat a kindly-disposed and just man. M. <J. Latoaoh was the first civil resident-general, He wm a Protestant, and thoroughly impartial and just, a man of very high integrity. A rebellion arising, however, in the island, and other causes, led the French Government to recall him. General Gallieni restored peace, and since then the country had been in a very sad con dition. Nqw it was settling down through bbc strong measures (fully justified by cir cumstances) which General (Jallieni adopted to carry out his object. Difficulties had arisen reoently in regard to the mission work in the island, but, notwithstanding these difficulties, he (the speaker) was of opinion that the French Government really meant to act with justice in all these matters. They had proclaimed religious liberty far and wide throughout the island and had initiated various beneficial reforms. He hoped that ultimately the French would Me that they had no truer friends for the open ing-up of the country than the misaiouariw of the London Missionary Sooiety and other Protestant missionary societies in the island. There were serious difficulties encountered iv the mission work, arising from various causes, but he hoped that these would dis appear, and when onoe the French people wer« convinced that the missionaries wert layal to the French flig »» wouid b» W»^

fm AStibUKTON GtJABDIAN: SATttoA*, BE^TBMBfife li, IB9t.



••"BsSsfc ■in>»i.,,i»aiiiiii»jit; i M )iia > inii].iV ..,..«^,, ,;„ ;;;,-^g.-^Y^ 'i'^, -w,i..>».i.,. iS...u < -■li!-- ~-^——^—2^-1-••■^■-"■'""■'• ■ a Business Notices ,' BICYCLES. BICYCLES. GREAT REDUCTIONS IN THE PRICE OF WHEELS. "WAVEKLEY" AND "BRITISH MONARCH J BICYCLES AT PRICES NEVER BEFORE HEARD OF IN ASHBURTON. HAVING obtained the benefit of the late Reduction in Price from the memnfucturers we can quote Lower than ever either for Cash or Time Payments, Virat-class Gentlemen's Machines] with all the Latest improvements from $18 108, usually gold at $23 10s. We can supply Second-hand Machines for the use of Beginners learning to ride, and thus save them from dis6guring a new machine. JOHN ORR & CO. LARGE STOCK OP EXTEAS OF ALL KINDS. REPAIRING DONE BY FIRSTJCLASS WORKMEN.



SHEARMAN BROS.. GROCEBS, IRONMONGERS, & GENERAL IMPORTERS MABKBT HOUSE, ASBBURTON. * /"^KEAFEST'and Best House in Ashburton for \J GROCERIES, IRONMONGERY, BIW3HWARE k OROOKERYj ALL GOODS SOLD AT CHRISTCHUROH PRICES FOR CASH. CEYLON TEAS A SPECIALTY, AGENTS FOR NIMMO k BLA.fR'B STANDARD SEEDS. Vegetable Seeds 3d per Packet. Flower Seeds Id per Packet, SATISFACTION IS OUR MOTTO. MITCHELL & TURNER —ARE NOW SHOWING— PER S.S. RAKAIA, 21 CASES 4 BALES. PER S.S. WAIMATS, 12 CASES. \ M. &T. / \ A/ p R j$ T g CARPETS SQUARES MUSLINS OILCLOTHS CREPONS QUILTS BLOUSE GOODS CURTAINS SERGES * GLOVES SUNSHADES AND UMBEELLA& TO ARRIVE SEPT. 6, P.B. AOTEA, 10 CASES, 3 PACKAGES,^ BALES, DEESS GOODS, JACKETS AND MANTLE?, MILLINERY. FOUR TRUNKS OARPET SAMPLES, 1| Yard for the Price of I Yard, WEDDING PRESENTS, BIRTHDAY PRESENTS, AND PRESENTATIONS. "■ ' """■'™ iUi 6 REASONS 6 fTTHY THE ABOVE SHOULD BE PURCHASED FROM S. SALEK'S THE LEADING JEWELLERY ESTABLISHMENT IN THE DISTRICT. I.—The Largest Stock to choose from. 2 —The Newest Stock from which to make a selection. 3 —The Very Latest Styles and Fashion in Jewellery are to be seen there. i, —Tho Greatest Varie'y of Novel and Unique Articles suitable for presents is found ia the establishment, 6,-Prices charged are the LOWEST, g,_Ancl Everything is marked in plain figures. S. S ALEK, , THE LEADING WATCHMAKER & JEWELLER, g EAST STREET. v



Public Notices. ) p . s OS! P- P5 '



Do oof JbeDerst/dcfedto\ 6vj4fyofMe/mf/af/d/?s\ (Awan?t(fGof<fa/xfSff¥*rJlfufe/s) Qm/vo/ißitmpms /neyarepurednt/wfio/esQme 9 TAettstmoneyaffrf <■ .experience cop 6qy. Idmesfsd/e/fl/fusfm/as/a. If Sold by all grocers ,



Church Services. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH Ashburton. SUND \Y. SERVICES. 8.30 a.m.—Holy Communion. 11 a.m.—Morning Prayer. 3 p.m.— Dfomore—Mr T, A. Gates. 3.30 p.m.—Holy Baptism. 6.30 p.m.—Evening Prayer. REV T. A. HAMILTON.



CLARKE'S B 4t PILLS «. warranted to euro Gravel, Pains in the baok, and all kindred complaints. Free from Meroury. Established upwards of 30 years, la boxes 4s 6d each, of all Chemists and Patent Medioine Vendors throughout the world. Proprietor*, The Lincoln and Mid land Ountie* Drug Company, Liooolo,