Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1897. Local and General.

Theie are twenty-nine candidates for the High School scholarships this year. The next sale will be held at Methvea yards on Thursday, 23rd inßt. The next wool sale in Christohuroh will. bo held ou Thursday next, December £§, Philpotfc was committed for trial for the alleged murder of Hawthorne at Silvm etrearn. Viscount Hampden, Governor of New South Wales, and party, are to arrive in Wellington en the 14th inst. Railway excursion fares are advertised in this issue for the fitoral fete t$ be held at Christohurch on Thursday next,' December 16. Messrs Friedlander Bros., Limited, will hold a clearing sale at Mr C. Storier's, Cold stream* Hinds, on Monday next, December 13. i At a land sale at Ohristcljurgh to-day 2004 acres in Robinson's Bay, five miles from Akaroa, were sold foi £2000 to Gould, Beau mont, and Co. A report of the entertainment given last evening J?y tf? c Hudson Surprise Party appears on our first page; on the fourth page will.be found uorrespondepoe a»d other reading matter. Sajsuiday, the 25th, Monday, the ,27th, and Tuesday, the 28th inst., and Saturday, the Ist, and Monday, the $rd, of January, 1898, will be observed as holidays fa the Govsrnment offices.

The following passage at arms took place between Mr Jellicoe and Constable .Jeffries during the hearing of the Blenheim Jibel cases :— Witness— " The courthouse at Takaka was an inch deep in dirt." Mr Jellicoe (sarcastically)— "So the peon's of Takaka are wallowing in dirfc, are they f Witness—" I don't know that if they go to ;he reurthouse they are in dirt. ' (Much laughter). It has been definitely devid^d fcp hold an industrial exhibition at Danediti'iß con nection with the jubilee of the settlement in: March next. Although only taken* In haud a. few days, a guarantee has been already sefcivjiij sufficient to justify the promoters ij'eoing'onV $. gilding ia to be erected alongside" t*o 'Agri&HtaraJ H&I1 9 aad the htter will be used" Tor iwmpetitloris^obneeris, etc. It ib proposed to open oiß March 23, : and conclude with the A. and P. Society's: winter show, matmfftDtyJFWH hftve

Mr A. A. Fooks has been appointed to the j sub agency in Aahburton district for the ' Public Trustee, A local syndicate in Wellington ha decided to send four men to the Klondike gold field by the quickest route possible. It was reaolved to form a limited liability com pany with a capital of £1000 in £1 shares. The Tabernacle Sunday School anniversary will be celebrated to-morrow, when special sermons will be preached by the President of the Baptist Association. A special feature will be the singing of suitable hymns by the scholars, led by an efficient orchestra, i A deputation at New Plymouth on Thurs day waited on Mr Thompson, Minister of Justice, urging the release of Wallath the New Plymouth highwayman The Minister promised to lay the matter before the Cabinet as soon as Parliament i« prorogued. The Grey River Argus reports that a very old settler named Carter has been drowned In Kopara River. Deceased was commonly known as Yorkey Carter. He was a farmer near Pike's Plain, and is supposed to be the flrst man who drove cattle up the Grey Valley. He was one of the beat known men in the district. An induotion service was held at St Stephen's church yesterday evening for the purpose of admitting Masters E, Pilbrow and Fred Andrews into the choir. The new members have nice voices, and take the places of H. Stephenson and W. Amos who are retiring. The latter were, together with W. Oaldioott and E. Hyde, presented with suitable mementos by the Rev T. A. Hamilton in recognition of their long connection with the choir. Members of the Ash burton Riflei will be pleased to learn that an old comrade has been sooting in athletics in Sydney. Sapper Alfred Willis, of the permanent Corps of Submarine Miners, N.S. W., took part in the sports st the annual picnic of the corps and was able to pull off the hundred yards. There were thirteen entries, and Sapper Willis was given two yards by the best man in the corps at a hundred. He won his heat and the final. He also ran in the winner of the half mile bicycle race. We are pleased to be able to state that a ring which was lost by a member of the Hudson Surprise Party yesterday has been found. Mr Macpherson, manager for Mr A. Lawrie, was the lucky individual who was the means of restoring it to its rightful owner, who, needless to say, was much pleased at its early recovery. The ring was found opposite the firm's shop, just off the side walk, and at a glance would catch any observer's eye. The thanks of the loser are sincerely tendered to Mr Macphersou for its restoration. Whilst others have been complaining of the bad quality of the ammunition supplied by the Government, the Timaru volunteers (says the Herald) have been very patient under the same annoyance. Their shooting records this year are said to be much below those of last seaion, and some of the ac counts given of bad phots made show that the cartridges are very mixed in quality. Many bullets do not reach the target at 500 yards, the very worst case being one in which the bullet failed to reach the further end of the rifle barrel. Some persons appear to be continually up to mischief in the Domain, and interfering with matters which do not concern them. The caretaker of the oval has on several occasions found the hose used for watering the cricket pitch interfered with, and this not by boys only but by young men who should know better. Then, again, the gate leading from the Domain to the Ho pital grounds is continually lifted from its hinges, and on Thursday evening it was not only lifted off bub carried some distance and thrown info the water. It is a pity a few of those who do wanton mischief of thia kind cannot be brought to book at the S. M. Court, S^ys the Waimate Times of Wednesday :— Tho strawberry season has, as usual, had a very disasl erous effect on the school atten dance. No fewer than 113 children were absent on Monday—"strawberry picking " The truant officer (Constable Gough) hunted up those oh whom attendance could be en fo osd, while other steps were also taken in the way of setving notices, but the only result up to yesterday was that tho number of absentees was reduced to 106 I has been therefore decided to close the Bchoo. a week earlier than was intended— a very w se course, we should say, for the school and the parents, and also for the strawberry growers.

It seems that Archbishop Carr, of Mel bourne, is likely to receive the red hat. It Is understood that the Archbishop will pro ceed to Rome soon after Easter, in accord ance with the custom of Roman Catholic bishops to visit the Eternal City every ten years to give an aooount of- the progress of religion in their respective dioceses. It is now eleven year* since Archbiahop Carr was translated to Melbourne. It is in connection with this visit that the Mel bourne correspondent of Freeman's Journal mentions the probability of the Archbishop receiving the highest honor it is in the hands of the Pope to bestow—the Cardinalate.

Recently, at the 73rd annual meeting of the Royal Sooiefcy for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, it was reported that the total ordinary income for the year was £17,084, and the expenditure £55,505. Legacies supplied the deficiency, and there was a balance of £2444—a sum not more than enough to cover a month's current expenses. The Chairman pointed out that there had been a falling off in subscriptions and donations compared with the previous year of £920, and more funds wore urgently needed is order to carry out the work efficiently. If more support were not re ceived from ' jLhe branches the Committee wouM bo conipeMed to withdraw a certain number of officers from several large centres.

Mr Ellis, a chemist at Stratford, has in vented an automatic voting machine which he has'patented all over the world. It is based partly on the principle of the penny in the slot, and partly on that of the tctali sator. The yoter slips a metal diac through a slot and a bell ri> gs, and numbers the vote, At the fslose Of tbp poljl the total number for each candidate }a shown on a dial, and the result is known at once. Mr Ellis pjaims for his invention abso'ute secrecy arad great say.: i»g of time and cost. He has spent five years in elaborating the machine and guarding against every con tingency that can arise. The apparatus is to be shown in the lobby of the House in We.iingfcon, The Wellington correspondent of the Duuedin Evening Stat telegraphs to that journal aa under :—I have the authority of the Premier for saying that the manner in which the Imprest Supply Bill was blocked may lead to the school teachers not getting their salaries at the usual time this month. Now it cannot receive the Governor's signa ture till Saturday, and it will be Mondtiy before it is 'returned here. Then it has to go through the Treasury and 'Aiidit Depart ments. Mr yeddon says that under the circumstances he does not see how the moneys can reach the various education boards and the salaries be paid to teachers at the time of the schools' break-up, which is the nsjjal custom. At all other times, payments are luada b_y tjta boards at the close of the month, Mr Percy Emerson, the yeung man who distinguished himself by so pluckily swim ming to the rescue of a drowning woman recently, in Napier, is a son of Inspector Emerson, and a yery swimmer. Another who distinguished him e]f bit the pecaeion was Constable Wainhouae', of Gisborne, but formerly of Auckland- The constable' was oßp of the first to make an effort, but the breakers b f ei^g thpn particularly high and strong, he' was tossed over and over, and ultimately thrown back on th.ebea.qh. When young $meraon was swimming towards the body he notified a thin black objeot just above the surface of the water, It peemed to him to be the fin of a shark, and he was about to turn in horror and make for the shore when the waves turned the object ; over and show* d it to be a black straw hat which the drowned woman had been wearing. The momentary state of Ktnerson « feehsags may be imagined, especially when it is femerfftetpds'thaj) nearly a year ago the unfortunate young' man $rigi*t Cooper w^s attacked and HlJed by *'shark p'osg to Jihe same spot. The following rooming a large; shark was seen swimming about in tone vicinity of the accident.

Mr A. E. Wheeler, phrenologist, etc., will give a fres lecture in the Orange Hall on ; Monday evenicg, when the subject will be hand reading. .. Nominations for the Caledonian sports on Boxing Pay are coming in fast, and although not closing till Monday, the various events are filling well The New- Zealand Cyclist is giving a third prize tor the " Ariel Bicycle Race, " viz twelve months' Cyclists free. The Otago Daily Times saya that a petition has been tiled in the Supreme Court there by some shareholders io the J. G. Ward Assoc iation praying the Court to instruct the liquidator of the Ward Farmers' Association to institute proceedings agahis-t Mr J G. Ward and Mr John F sher under the penal clauses of the Companies Act.

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves responsible for th« opinions expressed by our correspondents;

COURT ARRANGEMENTS.

TO THE EDITOR. I Sir, —I agree with you that) important' cases, especially neighbours' quarrels, should be heard before the Stipendiary Magistrate, but you are wrong when you say that there was no reason why the Jamieson-Ciarke case was not heard by him. The Sergeant said Thursday would not suit him a* th« races would require his attention.—l am, etc., R. AtooßN.

THE BOTTLE FOUND.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—With reference to your paragraph about a bottle having drifted from Sumner to the Wakanui beach, I may say that I do not believe a word of it. My experience is that any current along the coast of thit island runs north, not south. There are no end of evidences of this all along the shores between here and Timaru.—l »m, etc., All Nonsense,

SPORTING.

TINWALD RACING CLUB.

Owners and trainers are reminded that nominations for all handicap events to be decided at the Tinwald Racing Club's annual meeting, fco be held on New Year's Day, must be in the hands of the Secretary at Lagan's Hotel, Tinwald, by nine o'clock this (Saturday) evening.

LAWN TENNIS.

Mcl rose v. Albion.

There was a large attendance at the j Melrose tennis courts on Thursday after* noon to witness the above ma'ch, which resulted in a win for the visitors by sixteen points. Great interest was taken in the contest, and the afternoon was most erijoyably spent Better weather could nob have been wished, but the players fully realised the necessity for rain, and would gladly have postponed the match for much needed showers. With their usual liberality ami fore bought the ladies dispensed after- Dor*!) t.e», which proved a very welcome acquisition. At the conclusion cheers were givuu for the respective sides, the ladies for providing refreshments, and also for the visitors. Following are the scores :— Ladies' Double. Melboss. Albion. Mis«3B Meyenberg Mrs J. Hardley < &B. Cookeon 30 and Miss Dixon 23 Gentlemen's Doubles. Messrs Gates and Messrs Purchase Barton 21 and Bowman 30 ii ji »» 22    30 Messrs Barton and .Messrs 8. HarriUoy Perceval 21 and W, Mellor 30 »> >» >» 30 „   21 ,-, pi i, 30   t , 24 Messrs Alcorn and Messrs H. Hardley W. J. Purchase 26 and G. Fowke 30 j> it >» 24  ,»  30 Ladies' Single. Mies Esther Giles 30 Miss Prattley 22 II I! II "0 II II J» 1' Gentlemen's Singles. Mr B. Shearman 26 Mr Mower . 30 it ii ii 27  )i ,| 3U Mr E, Meyenberg 26 Mr Tilley 30 ii ii ii 30    29 is ii ii 29 M  ii 30 Mr Perm 26 Mr Dixon 30 18 „ 30 Combined Double. Miss Potter and Mrs S. Hardley Mr O. Smith 30 and Mr James 19 ii ii ti &*■ >i i* i" - "W i» >i ii "" ii ii ii "° 527 543

THE KINDERGARTEN.

The annual " breaking up " of the Kinder garten took place in the Orange Hall yesterday afternoon. There was a large at tendance of friends of the school—both ladies and gentlemen—and in the absence of the Rev. T. A. Hamilton, Mr Hugo Fried lander was asked by Miss Cusseus to assume the position of chairman, which he did, and in a few appropriate words of welcome to those present and congratulation to the Misses (Jussens and Fooks, introduce 1 the children, whose programme was then pro ceeds dvith. The stage had been beauti fully decorated with floral wreaths, and the children ranged in front of it made a charm ing spectacle, all dressed as they wore in holiday attire. Beginning with a march, the children made their little circuit in ex cellent time, and at the close of the march were ranged in a semicircle in front of the stage, where they in unison recited the Lord's prayer, and afterwards s*ng a hymn very sweetly, The little exorcises in physical drill, which is a part of kinder garten work, were then gone through, con ducted by Miss Fooks, while her sister played the piano, supplying the tunes to which the children worked, The next item was given from the stage itself, and was an action song entitled "Swinging." Two swings were erected on the stage, the ropes of which were garlanded with flowers. The swings were occupied by two little mites, a boy and a girl, ftnd were swung by their playmates whi c the little song was sung with suitable action, admirably performed. Then came pole exercises by the children, conducted by Miss Cusseus, the time being such as would not have disgraced a volunteer company at the manual exercise, Another action song " The Skylark," was a. charming little item, in which the tittle or, |B acquitted themselves very well indeod. 'Linied in with this item were a recitation "The graves of a household" nicely delivered by Miss Kitty Friedlander, and a dialogue on "The baby" by Miss Lawton Leehner and Eric Fried lander, both of which were loudly ap. plauded. In another action song, '* Dame Trot," Miss Ip'tfcy B'riedlander wore suit able costume, and Miss Bird AlIaD, Lindo s£%nder, and Percy Orisp gave very naively a dialogue on '? Flowers," and Miss Lawton Lechner and Lindo gander paused no little amusement by an archly given dialogue en titled '' The coming man." f The Caohuca " by the members of the dancing class, was yery cleverly executed, find the laafc item of the programme was another action song ♦'The fairies "ia which Miss Dolly Fried- Under appeared as the Fairy Queen, and Master Lindo Zander as the Fairy King, hoth suitably attired. The dance " Sir Roger de Ooverley" was introduced, and wus a very effective item. At itß conclusion isisa liawtqu; LeolfUfr recited very nisely a few versus specially.written fop closing day by Major Steward^ and wj« loudly ap. plauded. The evening hymn followed, and this having been sung Mr Fried lander an nounced that the school would be carried on in i'utur<9 J?y the Misses Fooks. The school wt» th.9o 4wniM«4 pr the h<jlid*yi t

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.

Wellington, December 10 The Council met at 2 50 p.m. SECOND READINGS- The second read it g> were passed of the Hawera Gas Works Bill, Westport— Sgakawm Railway Extension Act Amend ment Bill, Water Supply Act Amend ment Bill, Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Aot Amendment Bill, i Government Emergency Loans to Local Bodies Bill, and Westport Harbor Board Loan Bill. OLD AGE PENSIONS BILL. The debate on the second reading of the O d Age Pensions Bill was postponed till the disposal of a motion given notice of by Mr T. Kelly, affirmiug that the Council has power to amend all clauses in the measure. The Council adjourned at 4.20 till 230 on Monday,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, December 10 The House met at 2.30 p.m. SIR WALTER BULLKR,

A petition wu presented from Sir Walter Buller, asking to be beard at the bar of the House in connection with the Horowhenua Bill. MORNING SITTINGS The Premier gave notice to more that the House after Monday nex^ Bit on such morn* ings aa shall be ordered by the House. LAWD TOR SETTLEMENTS The Hon Mr McKenzie moved the com mittal of the Land for Settlements Act Amendment Bill which authorises the borrowing of an additional £250,000 per annum for the purchase of land for settle ments and extends the operation of the Act of 1894 till 1900. He did not desire to enlarge oa the propriety of acquiring private j land for settlements, as the principle had already been affirmed by the House. He ' detailed the various amendment! proposed by the Bill and stated that a hew blauee had been added by the Waste Lands Com mittee empowering the Government to work the Makareao estate, containing a deposit of lime, which Dr Hector had reported was the best in the colony. He intimated that

he was not prepared to accept the amend ment given notice by Mr Wason giving Crown tenants the optioa of converting their leases into freeholds. Sir Robert :>toufc contended that the pro posal for taking small areas was a reversal of the policy of the principal Act, the objecb ot which waa to break up large estates. Captain Russell comp imented the Minister on his courage in introducing the Bill, but described the measure as an execrable one. If pasted as introduced it would destroy freehold tenure in the colony. The exfendU tare on the acquisition of lands for settle ment should be under the review of Parlia ment. Mr Mills considered that the Bill should receive the support of every member of the House. He pointed out that the prices asked for estates which were under offer to the Government were exorbitant. He was not in favour of periodical revaluation un less it applied to all Crown tenants. Mr Wason said that his amendment had not been given notice of from any hostility to the Bill. Crown tenants under the Land for Settlements Act desired to have the power to convert their leases into freeholds. Mr Montgomery said that the Act had done much to relieve the unemployed diffi culty. Kooner or later Crown tenants would have to be given power to obtain freeholds. Mr Gilfedder expressed his intention of supporting the provision for periodical re valuation. Mr Lang argued that the effect of the principal Act had been 10 drive capital out of the colony. Mr O'Regaa intended voting against the Bill, because he did not believe in the State paying landowners foe land, the value of which was due to public expenditure on rail ways and other works. Mr Rolleeton regretted that the Bill had not come down earlier when considerable good would have come from it, Ho acknow ledged the necessity for the acquisition of private estates, but considered lease in per petuity an impossible form of tenure. The Rouse adjourned at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p m. Mr Duncan questioned whether any one could state that an inflow of capital for the purchase of large areas of land was good for the colony. £Mr Tanner spoke in favor of the bill, especially its provisions for the acquisition of lands for workmen's home*. He com plained of the regulations drawn up in con nection with workmen, and quoted from them to show that they were designed to prevent bona fide workers from taking up sections. Mr Kelly said he would support the measure, but be objected to the provision for increasing the amount which could be spent annually. Referring to the purchase of the Otahu estate in Southland, he Baid his previous condemnation of this purchase had been justified by the fact that) the estate had been open for application since 3rd November, and that only one application had been received. Mr Richardson said that he could sot conceive a man like Mr McKerrow recom mending the purchase of estates like Potna hakft and Olabu. He considered that he must have been over-ridden by men who know nothing of the quality of the land or its suitability, tie contended that) the possession of the freehold pub heart into a farmer* work. Mr Ward point ad out that the Poma haka estate was paying 4 per cent., and that there were 750 acres yet to be leased. 3e said that Mr Kelly's previous refer ences to the Otahu estate had injuriously affected its disposal. Mr Piraci considered that the Bill justified the arguments urged against the compulsory acquisition of land. Mr Buchanan could not approve of the Bill, and questioned whether the estates purchased would return 5 per pent on the purchase money, ' " Mr Carncross Baid the Opposition argu ments against the Bill were threadbare, and he contended that the Minister of Land* had no intention of destroying freeholds. Mr Flatmin considered that the Bill did not go iax enough. Mr Massey objected to the provisions of the Bill, and expressed hit intention to vote against it. Mr Meredith and Mr Hogg supported the Bill, Mr J. W. Thompson urged the Pomahaka settlers' claim for relief. Mr Moore considered that the provisions respect ing close settl ment required modification. Mr Monk considered that money could be better spent in the purchase of Native lands, and Mr J. Alien adversely criticised the Bill.

The Hon. Mr McKenzie contended that there had been no criticism of the Bill, and tho.°e who were supposed to support ib had done more harm than good. , The motion for the committal of the Bill Waß agreed to by 32 to 12. ' ' ' ' • Clause I—short1 —short title. Ctptaiu Russell's motion to report pro gress on the Land for Settlement Act Amendment Bill was negatived by 26 to 18. Captain Russell moved to amend the short title to read "Small Farmers Expropriation and Land for Settlements Act Amendment Bill. After discussion this was negatived by 31 to I|. " Clause | was agreed to. Clause 3, giving power to borrow was extended.

Captain Russell moved that the clause be struck out. Jfegatived by 28 to 15- Clause 5-rSmall areas maybe taken for close settlement. The clause was amended to provide that the prescribed area in the vicinity of the four centres by 100 acres instead of 500 acres, the effect of whion would be that no estate under 100 acres can be compulsorily acquired. The clause was agreed to. A new cause was added, limiting the area to be acquired within five miles of four centres to 100 acres in one year. v Waaon moved a new clause providing for the conversion of leases under the p iuetpal Apt into freeholds; Negatived by 20f09. ' ■ ,■ Th> Bill passed the third reading by 22 to g, and was passed. ; Ths Home adjourned at 4.50 ».».

CABLE BREVITIES.

Press AgFociation—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. London, December 9 Lord Charles Ueresford, speaking at Liv«rpoo>, advooitpd three years' service in the army so as to secure a large reserve. The London police warned the Paris Huthorititis that a woman had crossed the En lish Channel with the inten -Ikm of »ssftPsinat; D,v; Maria Christina, Q leen Regent of Spain, to avenge the execution of Golii, the murderer of Oanovas, Acting on the warning detectives succeeded in arresting the woman at Biarritz, near the Spanish frontier. She has been sent to ft penal colony.

Vienna, December 9. Baron Goutsch hopes to effect a com promise between the German Nation*! Party and th 6 Czechs by January next. i. Baron Goutech's efforts at reconcilia tion have apparently failed. It ii now stated that the Beicherath will not likely meet for three months. Berlh*, December 9 The Emperor has arranged for an imposing spectacle at Kiel on the occasion of the departure of the squad ron for Kiachoua. Reports from Batanga, in the German Cameroon territory, Weat Africa, state that the Natives have capture i a German expedition, com* prising six officers and two hundred men.

Bucharest, December f ._ Riots have occurred in the Jewish quarter, and several of their residences have besn pillaged. Many arrests have been made. Hundreds of Jewish warehouses at Galatz have been sacked. Rome, December 9 The officials and employees of the Vatican protest agunst the payment of income tax to the Italian Govern ment, claiming that the tax is opposed to the extra-territorial rights guaran teed them by the civil Government. Athens, December 9.

The Cretan Assembly is urging upon the Powers the necessity of completing the promised scheme of autonomy for the Island and the withdrawal of the Turkish troops. Melbourne, December 10 Mr Robert Guidman, ex under treasurer, has hanged himself. He was suffering from melancholia. December 10.

A letter Ins been received from a firm in Bombay stating that the Indian Government intend calling for tenders for supplies of Australian frozen produce for the army and navy, and enquiring the terms on which shipping companies will be induced to make Bombay a port of call and the cost of landing produce at Indian ports.

THE SITUATION IN INDIA.

Press Association — By Electric Telegraph— Copyright Calcutta, December 9 The British troops have been with drawn from Tirah. General Lockhart is proceeding to Port Bars, where Generals Gaselee and Westmacott's ooiumns are expected to effect a jane* tion with the Peahawur column on December 15.

Two Indian employees at Dnnstratal and Golub, connected with the arsenal at Rawal Pindi, in the Punjaub, ninety miles east of Peshawur, were arrested lor selling ammunition to Pathans for the use of the rebellious frontier tribes* men.

LABOR QUESTIONS.

Press Aiwocfotion--By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. London, December 9 The Clyde engineers favor the con tinuance of the Btrike. The officials of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers report that the number of members opposed to the .acceptance of the terms submitted by the employers at the recant conference is b yond their anticipations

FIRES ON VESSELS.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. Sydney, December 10 The English ship Corolla, from. Capetown to Tallat, put in here last night to repair damage occasioned bj an outbreak of fire off the Australia!} coast. An attempt was made to reach RTew Zealand, but failed owing to adverse weather. The fire broke out in Baas Straits amongst the oils and paints, but after four hours' hard work it was extinguished.

A fire broke out this morning abroad the Glasgow barque Scotia, with a large general cargo, but was extin guished before the cargo was reached. The damage was confined to the vessel and fittings.

NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS

Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Cipyright. Sydney, December 10 A meeting of the Cabinet decided to withhold the promised subsidy of haif-a-crown ia the pound on municipal r/ates, representing over JB^OOCj, in order to malte up the deficit caused by t»he Legislative Council rejecting the Probate Duties Bill." ' : . ' It has been decided to prorogue Par) mm en t on January 31, and th,Q formal prorogation will hp subsequently issued. j t " •

THE ABHBUKTOIW GOAKDIAtf I SATtJKDAY, DECEMBEB li, 1897.



Business Notices, TO RESIDENTS BUILDING & FURNISHING. T¥TE BEG respectfully to [announce that we have received, per S.b\ "lonic" and "MftUar*, 1 very heavy shipments lot our HOUSEHOLD FURNISHING {Depart meut, viz:— SHEETINGS CURTAINS CARPET SQUARES PILLOW COITONS QUILTS HEARTH RUGS TOWELS TOILETS OILCLOTHS TiBLIKGS MUSLINS LINOLMJvIS Itf the FANCY DEPARTMENT we are showing a fine assortment of new , -ABRIGB, GLOVES, and HOSIERY, direct from the Leicester Mills; also some very Stance goods in Jet Trimmings, including the new Zouaves, Boleros, and Skirt Ornaments, and ad endless variety of Black and Colored Gimp?." NEW SHIPM|ENT;S OF Dresses, Straws, Mantles. 2 iCaSOS of Samples HOSIERY, at LANDED OOST, MITCHELL & TURNER. [Telephone|Noßo.r S. SALEK. WATCIIJIEPAIRS. JUST RECEIVED from Rotherham's and Erhardfc'o factories, a large stock of the SepiSS Pfcrts for theae well known watches. Also for all other English and American Watches Having bought largely at a considerable discount for spot Oft^h CHARGES FOR REPAIRS ABB COBEBSPONDINGIjY REDUCED.



PROMPTNESS IN EXECUTING ALL* JISWBLLERY JRE.PAII&S, "WA-IOOa HBPAIBB, So CJL.OCJH. REPAIBB, In a BELIABLE MANNER is a feature at S. SALEK'S, THE LEADIEO JEWELLERY ESTABLISHMENT IN THE DISTBICT. EAST STREET.



SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. SECOND SHIPMENT OF NEW GOODS JUST OPENED ANDREW ORR f S NOW SHOWING the Finest Collection of Cp-to-date Novelties io JL MILLINJSRY, French and English. Lovely selection of Straw Hats snd Sailors' • Dress Fabrics; a Most Beautiful Collection in Pink Robes and all classes of Plain and Fancy Goods; MANTLES and CAPES, the latest styles from London; Ribbons, Laces, Face Nets, Gloves, Hosiery,! Sunshades, Prints, Blouses, Bells, etc. THE HEW CYCLE CORSET, Tust Imported, in all bizes, (specially made.) GENTS' SUITS TO MEASURE from £2 15s. A Large Assortment of Gentlemen's Ties and Scarfs Just Opened, Men's Hats in all the naw shapes. Ladies' and Gentlemen's Boots and Shoes in every Style and make. CARPETS, FLOORCLOTHS, &c., &c. ANDREW ORR



TO BLACKSMITHS AND WHEELWRIGHTS. TTAVXNO Parctaed the whole of MR ZANDER'S well selected stock of BAB AND SHEET IRON, We are prepared to Supply the Trade on the Most Liberal Terms Possible. We are also Doub'ing the present stock, so that the requirements of our clients willbe met in the most complete manner. All orders for the present Mb at Mb Zander's Store or Qivmt to Ourselves will have immediate attention. W. H. COLLINS & CO.,



John Orr & Co. » _______________________ __——_____—— ■ MONSTER SALE. t urther Reductions. rTAVING on hand and now landing THE LAEGEBT STOCK OF IRONMONGEUY, GROCERIES, CKOOKERY, GLASSWARE, etc, in the Ashburton County,



Business Notice. Special Discouut FOR OJHRIdIMLAsi SEASONS Of Is iv the Pound. From this day till the end of December, VXTE,, at» bow offering somo very SPECIAL LINES IN DRESS GOODS I Exceptionally low prices quoted for completed costumes. WJKSK WINDOWS. Tweed Coßtumeacomplete fiom ... 20a A Graud Line of Boya Colonial Tweed Kuioker gaits, since 1 t0.13, theae^we start from 4s lid per Suit. I WORTH DOUBLE. SPECIAL VALUE IN MEN'S .TWEED SUITS. A really good suit far ... *3*>H 0d We are offering some Cheap lines in all Departmeuts. A\shhurton Drapery Company.



WE HAVE DEFINITELY DECIDED TO KESDITCE BY ONE HALF, With this end in view, we are now SELLING AS UNDER:— Groceries. Best Snowdrop Sugar«, ... 2|dperlb Tea blended ,„ 101b boxes Is per 1b Tea in half cheat* IQdperlb (strong liquor) Gore Oatmeal .., 2a 8d per 251b bag Colonial Candles »„ 4dperlbperbox English Parafine Candles 6£d per 1b per box Kerosene, 150 test, ..„ 6a 6d per tin m» 12s 9d per case Rollib's Flour at Mill price?. Currants .... »* .*. 4|d perlb Cornflour ... .„ ... 3d per lb Essence of, Lemon ... .«. —4d Worcester Sauce, Pints .... 9s per doz Esaenoe of Coffee 10£ d Sago lid per lb Tobacco, Nubian .squares ... 4s6dperlb Bran - 3s 6d per bag Sharps - 5s per bug



John Orr & Co. mHB SUCCESS ATTENDING OUR Cheap Gash Sale Induces us to adopt for the future this system of doing business. And as we purchase for Cash from the best makers in England and America, the General Public will therefore haire the advantage of Select ing Goods of Sterling Quality at prices hitherto unheard of. WE HAVE THE FOLLOWING NOW LANDING AND IN STOCK ?— Acids Jellies Almonds Kerosene Anchovy Paste Knife Polish „ Sauce Ketchup Arrowroot Lime Juice Aanafcto Lemon Juice Ammonia Linseed Meal Baking Powder Macaroni Barley Mace Black Lead Maiaena Bacon Mackerel Blacking Milk Borax Marmalade Bloater Paste Matches Blotter* Mustard Blue Nutmegs Bovril (Oysters Butter Colouring oatms»jl Biscuits > Oatiaa Carraway Seeda Ox Tongue* Chutnee Olives papers Pepper Oastop Oil Potted Meat Caadtea Peas Coffee Pickles Currants Flusw Cheese Raisins Currie Powder Rice '' Candle Cotton Rennet Cream of Tartar Soap Cocoa Salt Corn Flour JBaJtpetre Candied Peel Star<*fe i Cloves Sardines Cinnamon Soda Crystals Chocolate Sugars Clothes Pegs Sajad Oils Dates Salmon . Essences Semolina Extract of Meat Sauces . Fire Kindlers Sulphur ; Fruits (Tinned) Sago ! Flour Soups Gormina Spioea gelatine Sheep's Tongues j Goldoii «yrup Teas Gioats lobacco Ginger lapioca Ha.dtlocks Vermecelli H,.p, Vestaa liemnga L ia? g *r ! lofuDtS 1 Food Wh£kijlo ißinglaßs i ea'S» Jftm g Yeasfc Powder i John Orr & Co., ASHBUBTOa.',



THE >EW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY FOX XTIOJE COOL SUMMER CLOTHING. Li^ht fancy Alpaca Coats .« ... lie 6d Black Alpaca Coats 12a 6d China Silk Coats 12s 6d Sateen Coats 6a 6d Holland Coats ... M 6s Od Light fancy washing Vests from 7s 6d Light fancy washing Trousers ... 12s 6d Light fancy Tenma Suits 12s 6d Light fancy Tennis Shirts from 4s 6d A. B, BARTQH, MANAGER



pi/y-sny gf/fiejm//a//ons\ » Jfwsf on ndvf/tg 2 »J avmeßßiffflihms /)ky are pure ant/wmesome I experience can 6i&. largest safeM/fi/sfmfas/a. t SOLD BY ALL GROCERS *



Synopsis of Nbw advmbtißbmbntß. Tabernacle Sunday School—Anniversary to-morrow. D. Thomas —Goodwill of lease for sale Saturday, December 18. J. H. Jew it t—Shrimps and fish to-night Caledonian Society—Notice to competitors D. I homaa —Oat sheaf chaff. Professor Wheeler—Orange Hall, Dec. 13 Church Notices—St Stephen's and Primi tive Methodist.



J^Q^ffS TEA. ; ■ \ ■ ■ i k ■-.



Oust in T*me ?ob eHMSjT^AS.—In order to keep " up-to-date " with oifr steadily increasing business we have decided to eflecfc considerable alterations to our premises, and to make room for the builders, we have' resolved to greatly reduce our tock before Christmas. We have therefor* culed a large quantity of our Tweeds and Worsteds, eta, to clear at the following reductions ; — Men's suits to measure, usual price 90s. now 70a; Men's trousers, usual price 255, now 15s 6d; etc We hare also pleasure in notifying that we have just been appointed agents for the famous "British Lion' and "Waverley" Bicyoles (both ! geuts' and ladies'), which we are now veiling with all the " up-to-date " improvements at the lowest cash prioes, or on the most liberal icrtns to suit the convenient of oar customers, {Every maobing guaranteed).—. Graighuad and Bkkbymast, the leading L'aiSoMand'Ootftibteni. 'V\ ; : ■ ; .v H.; .i KOZIE TK4 lf» iguperb