Telegraph Notice.

A temporary telegraph office will be open at Napier Park racecourse on Wednesday and Thursday, 19th and 20th inst Hours— 11 a.m. to 4 45 p.m,

Holiday Notice.

Her Majesty's birthday, Monday the 24: b inst., will be observed as a holiday by the Post and Telegraph Department. Ihe Ash burton office will be open from 9 a.m. till 10 a.m., and from 7 pm. till 8 p.m. All mails will close at 6.30 a.m. The Telephone Exchange will be open as usual.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

HUMAKITAS. —If the facts are as staled th# matter should be referred to the Committee. Our columns cannot be used to formulate charges against people who are unable to defend themselves.

Ashburton Guardian. MAGNA EST VERITAS ET PRÆVALEBIT. TUESDAY, MAY 18, 1897. HAMPSTEAD.

An agitation is now being vigorously pushed in the liatnpstmd town dis trict in favor of incorporation with the borough of Ashburton. It is a ques tion (hat has been raised before, and if not Battled finally as the result of this agitation, will doubtless be raised again and again till the energetic spirits who f*vor incorporation either i succeed in accomplishing their desire, or find themselves in so pronounced a minority that it would be hopeless to continue. There is much to be aaid, no doubt, on both sides of the ques tion ; but first let it be noted that the Seddon Government is still in power and with a strong majority at its back. Le.t it be remembered, too, that more than once Mr Seddon has emphatically stated that the Lccal Government Bill is one of his pet measures and he is determined if he can to c*rry that measure into law, and *t as early a period as possible. If the Local Go vernment Bill does become Uw, the Hampstead town district, as such, wili be wiped out like the figures from a blackboard, and unless it incorporates with the borough, the chances are that the borough will go the same igno minious way. There ate many of the Hampstead peop'e who are opposed to incorporation witii tho borough, and who have expressed themselves very strongly on the subjict. TVy will doubtless look upon joining the borough undtr fear of Mr Seddon'a bill is acting as St. Fatrkk'a frogs are said in the song to haye d jne— " The frogs committed suicide To save themselves from slaughter/ But there are others of the opponents who will hardly look upoßi fche union as a suicidal one. 'J he people of the borough, we are sure, would be only Loo glad to welcome them, and it does seem absurd thst a thickly populated district like Hampstead, ao near to Ashburton, should be sepirated irom it as it now is, and having only an annual ineoraefrom ratesof about £100 [c has been often stated that the by laws of the borough are too stringent for some of the Hampstead residents But as was stated some time ago by the Mayor, our neighbors of Hampstead have no reason to be afraid of the stringency of the by-laws, as fresh ones would have to be provided for the new district, and they would be so constructed as not in any way to interfere with the Arcadian simplicity of life in the extern suburb. It may he that the ntes over all would be I slightly increased, but not materially, j and there would be only one rate, so that the Haiijpatead people would no longer have to pay theGounty rate ! for which they have paid for so ma»y years with but little return. On the question of expense all the advantage *oi the argument ie in favor of the advocates of incorporation, and we would like to sco the whole district, whose interests are certainly identical, united in one municipality. Outsidp, Ashburton is credited with a popula tion of only 2000, because at the last census those figures represented the number of people living within the belts, Hampstead his a population of 1200, and it would not be s tying too much if we pointed out thit there is' scarcely a soul of tint 1200 whose liying is not earned in the borough Wliy nU s tjjen, make an effort to give the district weiivfoin £he credit in the colony that it ought to have for popula tion and importance, and make one district of it ? The matter, however, is one for the Hampstead ratepayers themselves to settle. l¥e would be pleased to see the petition £orineorpora tion unanimously signed, but would point out t^tt if an equal or greater number of ratepayers sign a counter petition, the Governor will r#ake no proclamation,

Local and General.

A report of the meeting of the Mount Hutt Road EoMd will be found go fche fourth page. The Auckhnd Technical School has been presented with a large working model of a beam engine and sawmill, which cost £100 I to inukke. Owing to his having received intelligence of the death of hia eldest son, at Auckland the Hon. Thomas Thompson left Dunedin for the north by the express to day. Deceased was aged forty, and unmarried. A f.elegrant dated London, May 15th, states tfak Reutep's Telegram Cempany, Ltd., has declared the wmal at the; ra,te of o per cent per' annum. ;The total profits were £9708. of which there was Mijed to the reserve £4686. The total reserve aoioiAOts to $20,000.

Another large consignment of dairy pro-1 duce—3oo tons—was sent across to Syduey (says the N.Z Tivus) by the Wakatipu on Saturday, th« greater portion of this beiDp from Tarauaki. The steamer's cargo also included, in aci itiuu to above-mentioned butter and cheese, a large quantity of farm produce from Southern ports. There was a satisfactory attendance las) night at the Kinematograph exhibition, and the machiue worked admir.vbly, showing the living piotures to perfection, while the lime- ' li 3 ht views were shown in a manner quite up to the Drayton brothers' reputation. There ivill be another exhibition in the Orauge Hall, when some local pictures will be i added. The fiiat case in which 10 per cent, in terest on overdue rites has been allowed ' came before Mr Carew, S.M. at L>uuediu, yesleiday. The defence was that the defen-1 , dant had called to pay his rates to the 1 town Clerk at Maori Hill, but found the , office closed, and, therefore, interest should uot be allowed. His Worship decided that ! the defendant had not called during office hours, and gave judgment for the rates and , interest, with costs. A Hastings gentleman recently icceived , a letter from his sister in Dungannon (says the New Zealand Times) in wh.ch( very complimentary references were made to our ew Governor and family. In the course of some interesting remarks the writer aays: —"You will be surprised to hear of Lord Ranfurly going out to New Zealand. It is well for you getting such an excellent man as he is. We are sorry to part with him ; he is so kind, so clever and hard working, Of Lady Ranfurly I \ cannot say too much. She has the kindest heart that anyone ever possessed, and she | ia lovely." A telegram in a Sydney paper from Albury, New South Wales, says :— " A report, from Mitta Mitta states that in t.n j empty hut on the road to Omeo was found a letter, as .follows :—' New Year's Day, —I am tired of living and mining. 1 once had a fortune but lost it through a swindle, so I am as poor as can be. I am married and I have two children in New Zealand. I came to Omeo and saw people enjoying them selves. lam broken-hearted, so Agnes, my wife and children, good-bye. I will drown myself in the river.—Gouuh McLean, New Zealand/ The police searched, but found nothing that could lead to the conclusion that the man had committed suicide." Says the New Zealand Times ;— The in cident at Kopuaranga, on the railway line from Eketahuua, on Thursday night-, when a child natrowly escaped death, was start ling. As the engine ran over the cattle stop, the driver noticed something near the rail, and pulled up the train as quickly as possible, when, on going back to the spot, it was found th.*t the child, a mite of tvo or three years old, was wedged in the cattle atop, and that the train had passed over it The escape from death was marvellous. Had the child lifted its head it must have been struck by the cowcatcher and killed. The little one hud evideiitly strayed on to the line some time before the train arrived. The local police are inquiring into a case of al'eged cruelty to animals, eleven trucks containing seven horses weie despatched from Addington yesterday afternoon. The horses had been trucked at two o'clock, and reached Aahburton by the lasc train at eight o'clock. Here they had to staud all night unattended, as there appeared to be nobody lin charge of them, and neither police nor railway authorities take any responsibility. They could not leave Ashburton for the south —th>y were consigned to Maheno— until the 6 30 goods went through in the morning, and would have to do the long tedious journey to their destination, still unattended by any person. If the account given of the case is n.n we hay.; put it, and which is as we received it from the best authority, somebody has commuted a blunder worse than a crime. Mr J. C. N, Giigg had a peculiar accident on Saturday af-eninoift He was driving a tr.em'ier of ihe New Zealand Legislature i (Mr (ieorge Hutchison we believe, the well known member for Patea) from L'ingbeach "to Ashburton to catch a train, when his ! attention was drawn from the horse he was j driving to one beiogled alongside, the imme diate result being shit the former swerved from the road and the gig was upaet, the | occupants being shot out on the side of the road. The horse in the trap cleared out be fore it could be caught dragging the trap along on its side. The animal, however, was stopped some distance further on, when it was found that very little damage had been done- Mr Grigg and the member of Parlia ment were uuhurt, and, what was mere re markab'e, the gig was little the worae for its unusual handling. The fact that the hor3e,*altho«igh s;, young one behaved with much forbearance, no doubt accounts for he satisfactory result. Aft r a few minutes delay to adject matters Mr Grigg was able to drive ou aud bring his visitor to Ashburton iv time to catch his train. Melbourne F-imcK says . — There was trouble at a country wedding up near St Arnaud the other day. The groom was j large, solemn, silent youth, with a. fluffy young beard, and when the clergyman asked him would he take this woman to be hia wedded wife he scratched his head dubiously, au'l said he was bjowed if he knew. " Not know !" said the clergyman. " Then why are you here?" "Dunno!' replied the cheerful groom. " But you came here to be married j yoiji surely do not mean to back out of it at this h>ur?" " Puano !" said the groom. The clergyman tried him again with the query v Suppose we let it goat this an' a ill an' have the rest of the we idin' to-morrow j" a 'id the groom, "I ain't in no hurry." " You cmnor, do that," the minister said. "Oh, well," was the reply, " I reckon I'll put it off till next j yeir"," And he went for his hat, but the j bride's brother, who was acting as best man, rushed him, and the y had a furious fight just outside the church door. Iv about ten i»ini}te3 the best man returned, leading the groom, who had jbwo black eyes, and looked as though he had a serious ijUsupderstanding wiih a steam plough. "He will go on with the wedding ail right now, sir," said the best man. And so he did. The frm says—A fire occurred, about 7 p m. on \Jonday, which totally destroyed a ► even-roomed woolen house, situated in | Matheson's road, Lin wood. The house was f owned by Mrs Moss, widow of the late Mr Arthur Glasson, and occupied by Mr 0. G. | Moss. It was insured in the Commercial Union for #3QO, and the fprniture, of which a little was saved, in the Manchester office [ for £100. Mr Moss and two of hjs stepsons left the house about a quarter to seveu, one of them, Leonard Glasson, putting some wet slack on the kitchen fire before going away. When the alarm was given by some boys, Mr A. Williamson, who was working close by, got into the house by a side window. The tare was t hen burning in the kitchen, Hiid was too far advanced to be extinguished j by any K^aps then available, and he and others helped to gefc out ybat furniture could be reached. The houses on either side wfyre occupied respectively by Mr Lye and Mr Pickles. Both were for a time in danger and the furniture was removed Ihe use of ihe oherjiiQjl engines and the falling of the nor'-west wind; however, saved them. Mr (J. G. Mosa is fa son of the late Mr W. B. Moss, of Ashburton. The weather prophetspredict that the long tine dry spell which we have had will be followed by a yery wet and seyere winter. The one thing needful for protection against ihe elements of such a winter is a really good reliabe waterproof coat or cloak. We are assured that Messrs Craighead an>l Berryman have become famous for thejr well known brand of winter clothing, which has hitherto given such satisfaction, and in anticipation of a, still larger s^ie for these goods, this season they are now showing probab'y the largest stock of waterproof tweed, serge, and niejton overcoats ever exhibitsd in Ashburton. They are also ■upplying ladies' and gentlemen's water, proof cloaks and coats to measure at ready made prices. Every garment guaranteed thoroughly waterproof. (Three months trial, if defective money returned). All wool linings—keeping the wearers alwa\s warrrr- and dry—sewn throughout with strong silk, ventilated and every improve, m-nt " jjp to date."—Advt. 4 29 Kozie Tea, the best* and ysi Within i reach of all; Sold at 1/8, i'lo, 2/-, and 2/4— j j John Orr & Co, Sole Agents. ' j

Three stacks of grain were burned yester day afternoon on the estate of Mr Studholm, Cfoldstream. Full particulars are not yet to hand. The concert in aid of the hall at Ruapuna was, through a printer's error, advertised to tke place at Mayfield. Our readers will notice the advertisement in another part of this issue, and we may mention that the concert ia expected to be one of the best ever given ia ihe district. A tennis match will be held on the Queen's Birthday at the Ashburton Courts between a team from the Ohristchurch Lawn Tennis Club and the local Club. Pay will com mence after tho arrival of the first traiu from Chris'church, and a good game is expected. The Cl^b hold a cauce in the evening at the Oddfellows' Ha 1. A native of the Masterton district was included in the contingent which was to have proceeded Home. At the last moment, howevtr, he backed out of the trip. In answer to an enquiry as to the reason for hia conduct he said, " Trip very good ; plenty tucker, plenty people ; no money, no tobacco ; might I stop there six months sent to tight Turkey, get killed. No fear, not good enough."—Sam. The A«c Zealand Times (Wellington) says that Mr Morrison, of the Harbour Board staff, found a carrier pigeon lying dead on Sunday on the balcony of the watch tower at the end of the Queen's Wharf. The bird was just dead. Round its leg was a gold ring bearing the words New Zealand, 1896-7, and the number 83, the latter number being in black letters. There was no indication of where the bird had come from, but it is supposed to have been released by Captain Fairchild, of the Tutanekai, at present on the Eaat Coast. The Press Association telegraphs from Auckland :—For some time past accountß have appeared in the Press of the movements of a body of men who hailed from San Francisco in. search of uninhabited islands in the Pacific, upon which they could settle. The American papers put it that they wert in search of an Adamiess Eden. Discount ing this their search for unoccupied territory would appear to have been, in the minds of some members of the party at least, a failure, for six of the men, including the Secretary of the Society, have made their way to Auckland. They appear very intelligent men, but say, as far as they are concerned, their delusion has vanished, and they are in Auckland in searcn of work. Their ninety five fellow co-operatives, all young, hale and strong, they left iv Fiji, where the Govern ment officials were showing thum round available plots of land. On their arrival in Auckland they were asked why they had not made enquiries as U* the P*c fio Islands from some one who knew them, and they said they had seen one old captain, who said the Solomon Islands were really good if they could get hold of them. They, however, had had enough of the search at Fiji, and came on to New Zealand. Though they were certain of the bona fides of the Corporation, and that their shares would hold good, they say they have had a delusion, but that delusion has brought them to New Zeaiand, where they mean to work. Aa an evidence of this they afc once put themselves in touch with Mr Connolly, the United Sta'es* Consul, and sought his advice, with the idea of going,on the gqldfields,

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves respous'b c for the opinions expressed by our correspondents

THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —As several suggestions are now being i made as to what ought to b 3 done by way I of celebrating " the longest reign," I will, with your permission, plaice before the pub lic what I deem a good idea in connection with this matter. This idea does not origi- ■ iNate from myself, bufc f.om an Ashburton citizen ; and he gave me to understand that he received it primarily from Mrs McKay, ■he matron at the Hospital. Now, although I am nob well, acquainted with Hospital affairs, I am—and who in the county is not?— acquainted with Mrs McKay's reputation. This being the case, and be ieving that the views of, than lady were likely fco concide with those of our Gracious Queen, I wrote, asking Mi a McKay for suggestions as to what might be done, ou the auspicious occasion of the jubilee, for the greater com fnrfc of the numerous sufferers placed from time to time under her charge. I give the gist of Mra McKay's reply, in her own words, as follows :—" I have been thinking the matter over, and have come to the on elusion that the greatest benefit would be rendered to the patients by fitting the beds with spring matt esses. This is a want that has bet n long felt, Thirty mattresses would be requirrd, and should there be any money in hand, invalid furniture (couches and chairs) would be most acceptable." Now, I am convinced that every kind hearted man and woman in the county wil agree with me when I say that Mrs McKay's suggestion should be adopted. Gi.ries, fireworks, and apectacles, are too childish and evanescent to s-atisfy the minds of a hard working practical people. But if the money required for the getting up of such things were u-ed for the amelioration of physicil suffering in our midst, every adult person would feel that the right thing had been done. I will here take the liberty to sug geat that the funds required for carrying out Mrs McKay's humane scheme might well be raised by a shilling subscription from the population of the whole county. No one knows the day or the hour he, or she, may require to be carried $o the hospital to have, perhaps, their very lives restored to them through kind and comfortable treatment, It is well-known that all those who have got money, or the semblance of it, in this county have had within recent times, many calls made on their purse for the assistance of distressed humiriity ; and your paper in forms the world that those calls were never made in vain. This is one reason why I now think that the settlers of the A>hburton county might honour the Queen's Jubilee by contributing—each man a shilling, and each woman a sixpence—the proceeds to be de wed to the hospital, in accordance with Mrs McKay's suggestions. "Isy this simple means sufficient funds would accrue to mak« the hospital everything tie kind hearted matron desires. And we would be acting on lines which, if she were here, would receive Ihe approbation of her Gr.icious Majesty the Queen—God bless her.—l am etc., Country Settler.

THAT REPORT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,--Since I wrote my last letter re the Inspector's report on the Borough School, I have been shown the enclosed, which pur ports to be a copy. If it is correct, then there seems to be good ground for the opinion freely expressed by parents and others out side of the Borough School Committee, which is that the members of the latter body for some reason of their own wish to conceal the fict that the Inspector pissed a distinctly unfavorable report oa some of the work done i'a the school, I think that it is a very unfair thing to withhold from the parents of | children attending the school; a report which [ they have every right to see. \J?hy should i the new master be made to suffer fur Ehe j faults of the old. I like to s-e fair play.— I I am, etc., A Parent. Ailenton, May 18. 1897. (ENCLOSDftE.) Inspector's Report-—Although certain features of thewoik of the school present ground for criticism, the instruction i--, in the main, entitled to high commendation. Especially noteworthy ja Mrs Willis's management of the department under her charge, and there is also much merit in the work done by Mr Grant and Miss Curd. In Mr EUrdie, the new headmaster, the school has got a teacher of the first rank, who has already shown that he possesses, in a marked | degree, the qualifications necessary for one I pliced ia a position of such responsibility. That he will ashieve in Ashburton a measure J of success worthy of his high reputation, I hove not the slightest doubt. His abilities will at once find scope in remedying defect in the following subjects:—The alloca'ion of work for pupil teacheis R. Douglas and F. Silcock The supervision of Standards If. and 111. Hand-writing and exercise buoks throughout the upper school. Treat ment of composition generally, and more particularly in Standards VI. and VII.

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortn:glitly meeting of the Ashbnrtoi Boiougli Council wa« held on Monday even isg. Present—The Mayor (presiding), am. (Jounci lors Hanmer, Baker, Reid, Thomas, Bird, Pttul, and Brooke. FINANCE. The Mayor said that £1518 4s 7d was thi amount of the overdraft at the Bank, and since last meeting the income feceived from all sources had bee.. £132 4s. COUNCIL ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were ordered to be paid to the County Counci :—£l 6s 9d repairs to the traffic bridge, £10 for Hoapiial maintenance, and £64 14s 2d borough's share of cost of lice; sing election. The accounts were ordered to be paid, but the Mayor said the cost of the election ought no to be saddled upon the ratepayers in this way. There was something wrong when, now that tines were hard and prices low, the ratepayers should have to pay this price for licensing committee elections, when in the past, when times were go id, the cost was nothing. He would add, however, that the cost of this election was much less than the previous one. He hoped the County Council would take some steps to have thia cost reduced or abolished The cost was borne by all the public bodies in the county, in the proportion that they received revenue from hotel licenses. Or Thomas took exception to the travel ling expenses of Mr G. W. Waby—£ll4s6J f —being paid —It was explained that Mr Waby had every right to be paid, as the law provided for it, and Mr Waby had travelled to the Committee meetings from Leeaton district. Some discussion -took place on the subject of the control of these elections, Councillors complaining that the borough had to pay a high share of the cost, but had no voice at all in their control, which was wholly in the hands of the County Council. There was no complaint made, however, of the manner in which the County Council had carried out the election. MQORE STREBT CROSSING. It was decided to draw the attention of the Minister for Railways to clause 175 of the Public Works Act, 1894, which provides for the maintenance of a crossing where a road intersects a railway line, ASPHALTING. Mr Bullock asked for asphalting to be done on the footpath in Burnett street in front of his property, on the usual terms. Or Reid opposed the work on the ground that it was not a continuous block. The footpath wag already asphaled half width down to Cass street, and it it were to be done full width all the way to Cass street he' would favour it. Ultimately it was decided to do the work if the proprietors interested would pin and : have the work done as far as the south side of the Orange Hall. FENCING. Mr Moriarty wrote asking that some fencing may be done on his reserves. The Council did not see their way to contribute anything. ROLL ALTERATIONS. Three applications were made for roll alterations. They were left in the hands of the Mayor to complete on receipt of neces sary consent from those interested. THE JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. The Mayor recounted what had been done by the deputation who waited upon the County C unoil at its last meeting, details of which were reported at the time. He had mentioned a pavilion in the Domain, but the chairman of the County Council had thrown cold water on the suggestion and advocited a new Old Men's Home. Cr Brooke saw no reason why this district should be called upon to provide an Old Man's Home for the whole of Canterbury. Cr Thomas thought the order of the County Council too Targe. He was afraid it was hardly possible to procure enough money jto buy a hundred acres of Und. There was plenty of money to put up the building— Mole's bequest would do that—but the land would have to be provided. If the district could raise enough money to buy thia land and present it to the Charitable Aid Board, he had no doubt the Board would then expend Moled bequest on a new Home. Meanwhile he thought the Board had no intention of spending that money in Ash burton. He would like to have the Home retained in Ashbuuton district if possible. Cr Paul was also of opinion that the order wis rather largo. He moved that a Com mittee consisting of the Mayor, and Crs ihoTiaa, Reid, and Orr, be appointed to confer with the Committee appointed by the County Council. C • Brooke seconded. 'lhe Mayor and Cr Reid spoke further on the subject. Trie discussion arose on a letter from the County Council, in which reference was made to the deputation and its objects, which inc'u !ed the jubilee celebrations', the speed of trains, and the Domain. The speed of trains question was not entered upon, pending action to he taken by the Chamber of Commerce, but Cr Thomas had committed io writing the claims the deputation had put forward for an annual contribution from the County Council towards the maintenance of the Domain. He now submitted the letter he had written, which waa adopted by the i Council. j ARBiOR DAY. The Department forwarded an extract from the Gazette, fixing Arbor Day for July 7. KERBINQ. Ratepayers on Wakapui road, from the i Central Hotel to the Templar Hal),petitioned for certain keibing and asphalting to be done on the footpath. The petition was referred to the Works Committee. RESERVES. The Reserves Committee reoommended that reserves T.g. 1066 to 1085, Wills and Peter streets west, be submitted to public tender on Ions; building leases of twenty-one years, with compensation clause, as adopted by the Council in October, 1887, for im provements. The report was adopted. THE LIBRARY. Considerable discussion took place on the proposal of the Library Committee to pur chase the Enclyclopoadia Britannica, which waa ultimately agreed to. ENGINEERS' REPORf. The report of the Jfcngjneeis was read as follows ;— Teuders for Stkbles—Three tenders were received for the erection of the stable builds iug. —The Works Committee accepted the lowest, that of Mr P, Williams for £115. The contract has been signed and the works commenced. Reserve at the Outfall Drain-« The Works Committee recommend that the protective . work a'ong the river bank be continued from the Town Belt, and that the gorse plants on the Town Bait be grubbed up. Water Supply — The Committee also recommend that; a charge be made for the drinking places made along the borough water races outside the borough, similar to that made by the County Council for their services. Labor Gang—The men have been engaged in forming Walker street, carting soil to elections and metalling streets and footpaths, filling up gullies in Winter's road, and fixing pipes to make flumes, watering streets, repairing culverts and channels, cleaning out water races and outfall drain, attending to water supply and other maintenance wof4, The rpporr wiia adopted;' ' '* inspector's report. The Inspector reported that the brand book at the pound was antiquated, and he asked for a new one. He had received com plaints of the block on lhe fqotpath every court day. jSome time ago he had suggested I the removal of the fence, ai^d that a'rajl be run from East street to each corner of the Courthouse, which would throw the oourt yard open, and take the people off the footpath. Complaints had also been made that young men were in the habit of loiter ing about the streets at night and using bad language. The report was adopted, and the Clerk was instructed to communicate with the police in iegard to the footpaths. Cr Thomas drew attention to the work going on in Burnett street just now, and asked the engineers to report upon a certain portion, whether it had or had not been done in accordance with the building by laws. The clerk was ordered to report, HOSPITAL DELEGATES. Cr Brooke resigned his office as a delegate ;o the Hospital Committee, which was iccepted wih regret. BURGESS ROLL. There were no objections, to the burgess •oil and Crs Thomas am! Haomer^eij ppQiuted to lien it, '■ '

auctionibk's license. A transfer of auctioueei'ti licsnse was sanctioned from Alfred Harrison to Henry dtephenson. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £197 were passed for ; ayment, and the Council sat as » DOMAIN BOARD. The Hockey Club wrote stating that ib would accept the use of the hockey ground on the Board's terms. The Football Club vvere ordered to be informed ihat they would obtain the use of the oval on the usual terms. The Curator reported that he had received a, package of lily bulbs and other plants from Mr T. A. C. Beckett, of Almora, Kiccarton, Ohtistchurch, and went on to say—"l have reason to believe that occasionally some lads come into the Domain in the dusk of the evening and stone the wild ducks off the lower lake for the purpose of allowing cockney sportsmen to get a pot shot at them as they approach the riverbed in large flights. I heard a stone drop into the water about six o'clock on the night of the 6th met, which caused the ducks to take wing and leave the Domain. I have been on the alert every night since the 6th; they have not been otherwise molested." Mr Beckett was thanked for his present, and members expressed themselves strongly on the conduct of such "sportsmen" as those referred to by the Curator. The Board then rose.

THE DANDELION.

Gay little Dandelion Light* up the meads, Swings on her slender foot, Telleth her beads, Lists to the robin's note, Poured from above. Wise little Dandelion Asks not for love. Gold lie the daisy bank*,, Cs&d but in green, Where, iv the days a-gone, Bright hues were seen. "Wild pinks are slumbering, Violets decay. True little Dandelion Greeteth the May. Brave little Dandelion 1 Fast) falls the snow, Bending the daffodils Haughty head low. Under ihat fleecy tent. Careless of cold, Blithe little Dandslion Couuteth her gold. Meek little Dandelion Groweth more fair, Till dried 1 the amber dew Out of her hair. High rides the thirsty sun, Fiercely and high. Faint little Dandelion Cloeeth her eye. Pale little Dandelion, In her white shroud, Heareth the angel breeze Call from the cloud. Tiny plumes fluttering Make no delay. Little winged Dandelion Soareth away I —Exchange.

COMMERCIAL.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.

London, May 16. At the wool saiu a large quantity was offered, mostly of shabby inferior descrip. tions, but the bidding was animated, and everything found buyers. The saka close on the 22nd instead of the 24th, as previously arranged.

Messrs Daigefcy and Co., Limited, hay« received the following cablegram from their head office, dated London, 14th instant :— ''Kor New Zealand prime crossbred frozen mutton the matket is dull, and the toue generally easier. For New Zealand crossbred frozen lamb, since our last tale gram {May 7th) prices are lower by id to

CABLE NEWS.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph*-? Copyright. Launch of a Steamer. London, May 16 The P. and O. Company's new steamer Egypt has been launched at Greenoek.

Australian.

Frees Association—By X lee trie Telegraph- Copyright. Abandoned Gold Mines. Melbourne, May 17. Overtures have been made to the Mines Department by an English syndicate to lease a number of old go id mines in various parts of the colony which have been abandoned owing to the influx of water. The Government is favourably impressed with the proposal. Railway Revenue. The railway receipts for the March quarter increased by £59,000, and for the nine months by £130,000, as com* pared with the previous corresponding periods. ; 5 The West Australian Loaii, PHftTi? f May J7 The Acting-Premier states that the Government are disappointed at the result of the loan, as it was expected that it would have been over-sub scribed. '1 hoy arc at a loss to account for its pirtial failure.

Australian.

Theft from the Mint. Mklbouenb, Ma/ 17 Ernest Buley, chief senior clerk at the Melbourne Mint, has been com mitted for trial on a charge of stealing £120 worth of *orn silver coins, and 100 soverigns from the bullion room to wbi3h he had access. Insurance Premiums. Recently the Fire Insurance Cfom panics considerably increased ihei'r premiums. This action js being Tps by a corresponding reduction of risks on the part q,i insurers. The Tram? way Trust reduced t\\e\v risk by half. Many other public an 4 priyate' gOB}: panics are taking similar Bteps,

THE ACCIDENT TO THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE.

Preas Association —By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

Thursday Island, May 17. The Duke of Devonshire lies in still water on a sandy bottom. Until her c»rgo is removed the extent of the inj try cannot be ascertained, but the d image to the cargo must be very aerious. ___^

THE &BHBC/tt?O* GOABDIAI* : TUESDAY,! MAY 18, 1897.



Public Notices. NtW ZEALAND pLOTIIING JjUCTOHY WATERP ROOFS Fi) VI L A Dl. KS. WATERPROOFS FOR GKNTLKMEN. WATKRPROOIM FOR HOY-*. —'BEFORE BUYING EXAMINE OUK STOUK. OUR NEW PATLERNB FOX THIS SEASON are to hand in Black and B'ue Seizes. Black and Blue ParrarnitU. Dark, Medium, and Light Tweed EftfO'B, Brab and Blue Box Cloth. Splendid Range of Single Textures for LADIES' WATEUPKQOF CLOAKS. An we are the Largest Waterproof Gar ment Manufacturers in the colony, we teei quite confident in saying that our Garments ?tand unequalled, both in quality, finish fend price. Thoroughly waterproof »nd all 3wa teams, , NO EXTRA CHARGE FOR WATERPROOFS MADE TO MEASURE. WATERPROOF, LEGGINGS, CYCLING CAPES, BAGS, & CAPS. YARMOUTH OILSKIN COATS, LEGGINGS, SOU 1-WESTERS, Ac. HALLENSTEItf BROS. & CO. A. G. BARTON, Manager. ' FLAGS FOR THK DIAMOND JUBILEE. ENSIGN HANDKERCHIEFS, (suitable for Flags for the Diamond Jubilee, including Australian Eusign, New Zealand Ensign, and the Jubilee Fag on Sale at 6d ' s*?' ANDREW ORH. JUST LANDED"^- A Higli-oliss Kid Glove, four studs, all colors; price 4s Fully equal to usual 5s 6d quality.—W. 11. Collier. QUIET COW for Sale, to calve in two months. Apply for addreas at Mail Office. 5 4 cs A r ! I s % -gag Ph 2 » o f£\ co g I I I I t °i op 5f33t Si 91 tin* fii g £ ish ? i^h ° ? fc - '« £j "" I » ' a h-* 1 § g Ed s ■ - S



Business Notices j J-OOK OUT. G. J- NEILL i —18 SELLING— j Table Damask at Is per yard '! will Sheeting, 2 yards Vide, white or grey, 9|d Turkish Towels, 6d each Cretonne o~d Flannelettes, 2a lid per dozen* Q J J^EILL p gELLING- Men's Heavy Tweed Suits at 21s 6d, wonderful value Boys Suits, 4s lid Men's Tweed Trousers, 5s lid BOOTS. BOOTS. Men's Nail SHOOTERS 7a lid. Women's SHOES 4s lid Men's BLUCHERS 4s 1 Id. Women's Lace SHOES 4a lid The Cheapest Boots in Ashburton are to be got at G. J. NEILL'S, FRIEDLANDER'S CORNER, EAST STREET. AUTUMN AND WINTER SHIPMENTS—IB 97. GRAND DISPLAY. OUR PREMISES are stocked throughout with the most COMPLETE ASSORTMENT of | USEFUL, SEASONABLE, AND FASHIONABLE DRAPERY To be found in South Canterbury. Splendid Stock of BLANKETS, FLANNELS, and FLANNELETTES AT BED-ROCK PRICES. Ladies' aifd Children's MACKINTOSHES a Specialty—guaranteed to keep out the rain French and English MILLINERY, FLOWERS, RIBBONS, 4c. Handsome CAPES, JACKETS, and MANTLES. DRESS GOODS in Endleas Variety. Jfivervthing NEW and UP-TO-DATE, and the BEST VALUE IN THE TRADE. W. H. COLLIER, "THE CORNE K." AUTOMH AND WINTER NOVELTIES. GRAND SPECIAL DISPLAY AT MITCHELL & TURNER'S. MANTLED— MILLINERY— JACKRTS WATERPROOFS CLOAKS FUR BOAS CAPES UNDERCLOTHING IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT I'O LADIBS,— IN PURSUANCE of our policy in keeping our Business well to the iront, we have decided to add a FIRST CLASS DRESSMAKING DEPARTMENT to our Establishment. 'We have secured the services of Miss Hill, a lady of unquestioned ability, who brings with her credential] of the highest order from MF-SSRS W. STRANGE & CO., in whose Workrooms she has beea engaged for ovisa seven yeaks. Our object is to supply our Customers with Stylish and Well-made COSTUMES at a Moderate Price, and every possible effort will be given to make our NEW DEPARTMENT an unqualified success. \\ c have already booked a. number of Orders, and expect a very full season. Miss Hill will be pleased to receive intending Patrons on and after FRIDAY, March 26. MITCHELL AND TURNEB, TANORBD STREET,



NEW GOODS. NEW GOODS. AUTUMN AND WINTER. PRICES CUT TO SUIT THE KEEN WEATHER AND KEENER TIMES LOOK OUT. LOOK OUT. THE CENTKAL CASH DRAPERY AND CLOTHING MART. NEXT TO J. ORR AND CO, EAST STREET. .W. S. MITCHELL GIVES THE BEST VALUE IN THE TIUDE. EVERYTHING NEW, EVERYTHING GOOD, EVERYTHING STYM«H, And of Course EVERYTHING CHSAP. DAY Cash and Save 25 per cent. Grand assortment bought at Special Rates to enables me to sustain my reputation, yet giving the HlTv^ldl/US'offhe Winter, 8,91, worth I2e 6d. Good strong plain Homespun 4s lid: dres,. Beautiful Tweeds, grand •alnc ne£ei shade' at 8a 9d and 9, 9d full dress. AH the latest Trimmings in Furs, Gimps, Braids, Velvets etc at prices never be ore he«,l' of.FLANNELETTES, i LASNKLB, CALICOS, SHKETINGS-you'll wonder at the prices. No bad debts do it. S S!^b winfrr Klannela.tea 4a lid per doz. All wool Flannels, wide width, IOJd per yard. AH our goods sold at prices to bring trback all Calicrf r <he w?nter 3s P9d per do Z ; cheaper lines at from 2s 6d per S« P Double White Sheeting 10* d cheap at la 3d. | TTT.II yWe Sother-Th? newest styles in LADIES' SHOWERPROOF CLOAKS at prices 50 per cent, below anything heard of trousers 7.6 I, 8, lid, 9, 6d, men', moles 4, 11.1, men's suits from 14s lid Colonial tweed 25* 6 . J W , BOOTS -Men's known throughout the district for our assortment of Ties and Scarves from the, pheape.t to the hea qud^ B^ eirldren's Wy diooief boot, 9, lid, grand line of light Balmoralß at I3fai 6d^ j'yjj™^" *COAT? «r» lip w-fi .^p "ernl-We IS! de fooote and shoes cheaper h.n ever—Call ahd see them. MEN a W^rfcKFKUW OUA J ->. \ cry ace . «ap» , f d . termined to sell them cheaper than any other house in town. LOOK AT IHLfc-Men'a baita to measure fxom od. Urana variety M«n'e WihiU Kid Gloves and Eveuiug Bowa t etc. W. S. MITCHELL NKXT TO J ORP V CO., EAST STREBSx, ABHBUFTON



Church Services. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH Ashburton. Tuesday—Teachers' meeting, 7.30 p.m. Wednesday—G.F.S., and Choristers' practice', 7.30 p m. Thnra.-tay—-Urotherhood of St. Andrew, 7 30 p.m. Friday—Short service, 7.30 p.m ; Choi: practice 8 p.m. SUNDAY SERVICES- May 25. 8.30 a.m.—Holy Communion. J 11 a.m.—Morning Prayer. 3 p.m.—Droniore, Mr i. A. Gates. 3 p.m.—-Scan" eld, Mr W. Bowman-Fox. 6.30 p m.—Evening Prayer. REV. T. A. HAMILTON.



The true leaf of (the Tea plant, untampered I witt and pure ; this is KogXE Tg4, try it — j Mv Off * Uo.i I



From the Tea Plant to the Tea Cup, unadulberatel and pure ; this irK.O?I£ iBA



Many Ladies complain that the Tea they have been uaing has neither strength nor fl vor. U they try Kerns Tbi they wilLJw *i,ufied. ■ Try the N«4 »t *j[4, 'tiiraps;i