PHASES OF THE MOON.

JULY. First quarter... ... 8 12 am Full moon .. ... 14 422 pm Last quarter ... ... 22 238 am New moon 30 3 28 am

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

G.W.L.—-It ia against our rule to insert letters referring to what has appeared in other papers. Very few have seen the article referred to, so the peculiarity mentioned is of no consequence.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, JULY 17, 1897. THE HOOLEY SCHEME.

We have not yet heard the last of the liooley scheme for the acquisition by v syndicate of the freezing factories of Australia and New Zealand. Several »f the Australian meat freezing com panies have expressed themselves as not favorable to accepting Mr Hooley's offf-r, bjjt the opposition does not appear to ije to he monopoly that would follow, so much as to the terms of the offer itself, so that $ suspicion remains that if the terms are made ->A.tisfactory~that is, if the transference of the business of these companies to the syndic vte is Hkely to be an imme diate and sufficiently pr"c£table trans action—the opposition will vanish, 0? at least be far le,3s lively and formid able than it is. The companies here '>aye not yet given a final answer to the offer, if the offer has actually been made to them f 1* plain terms j and it is to be hoped the raatteT will be weli considered before it is fiually disposer* of. We all Know about how the great businesses c£ America are run by "trust-." Nearly every special pro duct or industry is handled and con trolled by those trusts, and the result to the country is far from satisfactory. Trusts control the railways, the tele graphs, gas and the elrctric light, irri gfttion, petroleum, coal, iron, the grain markets, the pork products of the great factories at Chicago, and so on ! through a long list of special lines. It was but recently that we heard of a combination in the manufacture of reaping machines, and one already exists in bicycles. And those trusts have been found to bo so inimical to the general weal that legislation of a drastic and repressive character is now being clamored for by the people of the United Sfcates. That wonderful coun try was the birthplace of trusts, which have grown from infancy to sturdy man hood so rapidly thab their promoters have become fl rich beyond the dreams of avarice." In fact, in no country in • the vT^l'^ have so many men become multlmilho.:^^ out of the toil of the common people as ** the #mfced &tates of America. The trunt is .^igenoßs to the soil of " the bird of freeau,!?,' and has not as yet been imported to our southern lands. It may be, how ever, that that is because we have not yet developed a financial genius equal to the duty, or that we have not many products capable of being managed by trusts. It is evident, though, from Mr Hooley's scheme that the frozen meat business is one at least that pre sents attractions to the money-spinner. We in New Zealand have for years been sufferers fronr« evils in connec'ion with the frozen meat trade, and have vainly sought for remedips. There has been a want of uniformity in the [ quality of the meat as shipped, an uii evenness that was even more apparent when the meat arrived. There was irregularity iv the supply of the mar ket—at oqp. time a giut, at another a scarcity. vVhen the market, in con sequence of this irregularity, was over stocked, that fall in prices that al-vays follows over supply was the result—to the loss, of course, of the producer. Then there has been imperfect and faulty classification as to quality, care less, or at least inefficient freezing now and again, trouble about storage, handling, distribution, and so forth. In regard to all these matters there have been divided opinions amongst those in authority, and it stands to reason that, if there were one all-con trolling head of aftaiis—whether the hoad were one strong mind or a num ber of minds acting as one when a decision had been arrived at—all these defects would be remedied, and all siitalties raapved., There would

at least be the fact that whatever was done would not be made of uo effect by the influence of local jealousy and divided opinion. The regulation of ■ market supply for instance would be in the hands of the governing authority, I aud would not be left as now to inde pendent individual action at the var ious ports. And the whole trade bein^ concentrated in the one authority would be independent of the rings at Home, who take every advantage of every fault and failing, and line their pockets at the expense of the producer. For years the faults and failings have been patent to the sheep growers of the colony, and on every hand has been heard complaints of these, and be sefachments for remedy. But things remain as they have been, with but little improvement manifested. Mr Hooley and his syndicate have been wide-awake enough to note all this, and to see that, in the hinds of a united body who had no jealousies to cause friction, and only one object to gain—the highest possible profit out of the trade—there was in the trade a mint of money. The immense profits now made by the butchers of London out of frozen meat would be diverted to the pockets of the trust, and the meat itself would find its way, under the care of the trnst, to tables which never bear it under present conditions The supply to London would be regulated by the demand, and there would be no feast to-day and famine to-morrow. The Hooley syndicate would perhaps placethetradeon such a footing as might make a magnificent thing of it, if the trade could be'secured : and the scheme is " the purchase of all the meat fret z ing establishments in the colonies, partly for cash, and partly by including their shareholders in the great " trust," giving them cash or interests represent ing not the bare value of their assets, but with the addition of a bonus re presenting the dividends of the pre ceding seven years," On the liberality of the terms there can be no grounds for complaint, and to a great many of these enterprises, struggling as they have been for years with the difficulties encompassing the trade, such a ready and satisfactory deliverance will be as welcome as a godsend. But there is another side to the coin. Are we to hand over to a trust the whole of our meat trade, and have in consequence the same conditions here as exist in America under trusts ? A successful trust must not only be in a position to secure every sheep in the colony in tended for the frozen market, but also to have its controlling hand upon the sources of supply. If it is to put it self in a position to control prices in the English market it must have first secured a similar position in the colonies. To be able to dictate terms of sale to the London consumer, it must first be able to dictate terms of purchase to the colonial producer. In America the trusts are like the forks of a river—all the streams uniting in one in the end. The trust takes toll of the producer by dictating the price he is to receive for his product, of the cousutner by dictating the pripe he is to pay, and of the men who work at the product from start to finish by dictating the conditions of labor and its remuneration, Will the acceptance of the Hooley scheme establish a similar state of affairs here? Will it bf able fco prevent itself from being under sold by any other exporter or producer by placing its controlling h-uid uoon the outlets so that all coijiirjunication will beat itg command ? Such a trust may improve the interests of those who directly freeze and export, by bringing the whole trade under one managing head ; and it may also improve the position fit the producers of meat. But is the co'pny prepared tp tolerate the creation of a power that wpuld admit of no opposition and so monopo lise the whole meat product of the colony, that no producer would have any option in the disposal of his pro duct—only to the buyers of the trust? We may on this matter be fearful of the snow w£ h&ve not seen, but we think there is enough in the proposed scheme to warrant formers? closest scrutiny, both in their own interest? and the general good of the colony.

Local and General.

Mr David '£home's marjket report will be found on the fourth page, Dissatisfaction has been expressed in Christchurch at the decision of the Sheriff to exclude the press from Sheehan's execu tion. Canterbury buyers have this week bought 9000 sheep in Otago. These were sent to Ohristchurch by a special train consisting of two hundred trucks. We understand Professor Wheeler, phrenologist iind physiognomist, who is travelling through New Zealand, intends lecturing in Ashburton in the course of a week or so, of which due notice will be given. A very successful concept given last night in the Methyen Bchoolroom* by M£ss Butler and company from Ashburton. There was a good audience and very appreciative. Most of the songs were encored, as were ijj.so the recitations given by Mjss Olphert. A. JMPfJßger by the early train from ni : . ' -"-oli thi§ iiTOmiDg infornia us that onnatcnu ,„ & th groun d a several inches 01 . ™- , "Vp F |ss Aeso few miles outside the city. • ,<. v elation telegram informs us tha u -^ snow foil yesterday all over the Lake county. A proposition has bhen forwarded from Auckland go Mr Seddon in London to have a large reproduction ot the hot lakes, somet hing on the style of Venice in London, a'so to take 200 Natives to England. The idea is to better advertise the wonders of the Rotorua district. A small slip occurred yesterday on the railway line at the mouth of the tunnel near Eketahuna, aud the early morning train from Pahiatua ran iuto it. The front of the engine was smashed, and ths train brought to a sudden standstill, but other wise little damage was done. The line is now cleared. The chess match between Messrs F. Clark, G. F. Dodds, S. Salek, and Dr Hunter is making satisfactory progress, each player having played three games with another. Dr Hunter has won one from each, Mr Dodds has won from Mr Clark, Mr Clark from Mr Salek, and Mr Salek from Mr Dodds. Twenty-seven more games have to be played. Indigestion.—How much thought has been bestowed, and what voluminous treatises have been written upon this universal and distressing disease, which is with certainty and safety dispelled without fear of relapse by a course of a purifying, soothing, and tonic medicine! It acs directly on the stomach, liver, and bowels then indirectly, though no less eSectively, on the brain, nerves, vessels, and glands, introducing such order throughout the entire system that harmony dwells between each organ and its functions. Dyspepsia need no longer be the bugbear of the public, since Holloway'a Pill's are fully competent to cases of impaired digestion, and to restore the miserable sufferer to health, strength,

Reading mafcter on fourth page. : A Press Association telegram from Wel ! lington this morning states that the Railway Department has decided to build a timber bridge of 800 ft over the Waitangi river, and another of the same length over the wash out caused by the Htwke's Bay floods Specially long piles will be procured. A [ cylinder bridge ia to replace thit over the j liaugitikei. A sheep was killed a few days ago at Mr J. C. Wason's, of Corwar, upon which some two years ago his private mark was placed with Mr L. Davia's tattoo brand. When the animal was skinned, the brand was found to be plainly visible on the* carcase. The sheep was branded on the brisket, and the instance noted shows the value of this method of marking. In Harper's Magazine Mr Pouleney Bigelow continues his articles on " White Man's Africa" and " The V\ hite Man's Black Man." He describes the negro as '' a chil.i'a spirit scattered about in a big black body." The same authority says that "the enforcement, of the liquor lawa has reduced orime by nearly three-fourths in those dis tricts of South Africa where the tree sale of liquor to the natives is prohibited.' It is a pity that the same law is not applied to the heathen whites. A literary society has been started in Methven, the second meeting which took the form of a debate was held on Thursday evening in the school, the Ryv. J. R. Clark in the chair. The subject for debate was '• Is capital punishment necessary ?" the affirmative being taken by Mr Dart, and the negative by Mr Alington. There were several speeches on either side, showing in some cases considerable ability, and on a vote being taken at the close of the debate, it was found that twenty members were in favor of capital punishment, and seven in favor of its abolition. The active little Japs are leaking over steadily into Northern Queensland and Weßt Australia. Each State is endeavoring to grapple single-handed with the problem of alien immigration, and a nation possessed of such power as the Japs will possess, and en- 1 dowed with their ambitions, is not likely to prove so easy to deal with as the phlegmatic Chinese, especially as the national spirit ia in essence different; for while the Chinese authorities discourage immigration, the Japanese rulers are ever on the lookout for an outlet for their surplus people. However the position is looked at, it appears to re quire very delicate handling, and it is cer tain that it could be better dealt with by a united Australia than by individual States. — Sydney Mail. Dr. Kronecker, of Berne, in order to demonstrate his opinion that •' mountain sickness" is materially increased by exer tion, had several persons of ages and constitutions carried to the top of the Breithorn from Zermatt. At a height of 10,000 feet the bearers (six to [each sedan chair) were almost overcome, and their pro^ gress was very slow till the Plateau, 12,300 feet high, was reached. No inconvenience was experienced by the subjects so long as they remained sitting but all suffered from palpitation and want of breath on making the slightest exertion, '1 he doctor, there fore, concluded that persons carried to the height of the Jungfrau by railway and lift need not experience any unpleasant sensa tions. Bu< what of the men who are to be engaged in constructing these works ? Wi 1 they become acclimatised 1 The prke medals granted by the Govern ment for compel ition among members of the Volunteer Force for the year ending the 28th of February have been won by the men named below :—Gold medal for best shot in each island—North Island, Sergeant Frank Humphreys (Hastings Rifles), 99 ; South Island, Private John W. Ching'^Stoke Rifles), 104. Gold and silver medal for second best shot in each inland—North I-land, C.P.O. James Scott (Wanganui Naval Artillery), 97; South Island, Sergeant John L. Uhiug (St- ke RiEes), 102. Silver medal for best shot in each district—Sergeant John A. Hatsway (A Battery, New Zealand Artillery, Auckland, 97 ; Private Arthur Parker (Manchester .Rifles, Marton), 96 ; Private Wilfred H. Ching (Stoke Rifjes, Nelson), 94 ; Corporal Stephen Lister (E Battery, Canterbury), 86 ; Private Patrick Cu'ran (North Otago Mounted Rifles), 82; Colour-Sergeaut George Kennerd (Dunedin City Guards), 81 ; Private George Wood (Riversdale Rifles, Southland), 83. j Colonel Hill James has celebrated the Jubilee by erecting, in the little cemetery at Araques (Arcaugues), near fiiyonne, a nymument in memory of the ao diets who fell 83 years ago, during the moup sanguinary sttuggle of the Peninsular War. When Wellington drove the French under Souk back to France, they took shelter under the fortress of Bdyonne. By the light of a signal fire, early on Docember 9, 1813, " the English troops advanced over rough and woody ground, intersected by two riyera, Wellington had to extend his opeia'ions un'd tiisperue nm tro^opis ovee a large area. Sou't, a masterly taclioian, took advantage of this, and fall with over whelming force on our Light Division, under General Kempt, at Arcangues. The French, early on the £}th, were scan 'lining the hedgerows and silently stealing up' the wooded hollowa ' in front of the Aroanguee, . . . The enemy bravely fought their way into the very midst of our position. Our Portuguese allies fled, and even our men wavered. A.t the very crisis of fate Wel lington himself rode up ? Hairing, • You miujfc keep your ground, my lads; there 'ip nothing behind you. Charge J * And charge they did, with a loud hurrah." Two thousand of our men and three thousand Frenchmen fell in this battle. What could have been more appropriate, at such a time, than that Colonel Hill James should have made such amends for national neglect to honor these men. The weather prophe spredict that the long fine dry spell which we have had will be followed by a very wet and severe winter. The one thing needful for protection against the elements of such a winter ia a really good reliable waterproof coat or cloak. We are assured that Messrs Craighead and Berryman have beoome famoua for their well known brand of winter clothing, which has hitherto given such satisfaction, and in anticipation of a. still larger sale for these goods, this season they are now showing probably the largest stock of waterproof tweed, serge, and melton overcoats ever exhibitod in Ashburton. They are also supplying 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 warm and dry—sewn throughout with strong aiik, ventilated and every improver ment M up to date."—Advt.

FOOTBALL.

NEW ZEALAND V QUEENSLAND.

Press Association —By Electric Telegraph. Copyright. Brisbane, July 16 The M«ayor welcomed the New Zeaiaurl Football Team on behalf of the citizens of all the colonies of Australasia. Queensland, he said, had the most cause to be grateful to New Zealand. The striking generosity of the island colony in the 1893 flood disa- i ster could never be forgotton by Queensland. For to-morrow's much the teams will be made up thus :—Back—McCovvan j three quarters—Brandon, Dixon and Evans ; tive eighths—Allman; half —Curry; wings—Scaru and Doyle ; forwards—'Austin, Anderson, I Pollard, F. Austin, Morrisey, Bradshavv and Tanner. New Zealand —Back—Or- chard ; three-quarters—Smith, Roberts and Armit; five-eighths—Allen ; half —Hump- hries ; wings —McKenzie and Mills; for wards—Blair, Murray, Calnan, Pauling, Harris, Handcock and Brooker.

COMMERCIAL.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. London, July 15 Tal'ow, fine mutton, 19s; medium, 17s 6d. Fine beef, 18s 3d ; medium, 16a 6i. The American visible wheat supply is estimated at 24,284,000 bushels. The English wheat market ia firm with an upward tendency ; the Continental also is tendiug upuaids, and the American advanc ing. Californian No 1 milling, for early shipment, 30s 6d. Russian cargoes 28s. No 1 hard Duluth 325. At the London wool sales there waa keen competition in all classes, with a slight advance in crossbred. In the Bradford market business was restricted. Messrs Dalgety and Co , Limited, have received the following cable message from their head office, under date of the 14bh inst:— " Wool—Sales continue firm, and prices are rather higher, especially for good aud medium wools. American buyers are again operating. Tallow—Market very quiet j any change is in favor of buyers."

FREIGHTS ON PRODUCE.

The following, from the Atw Zealand Trade Review, of July 8, will be read with interest:—The low prices ruling for wool and meat in the home markets have naturally caused attention to be drawn to the question of reducing the expenses attending the transport of these products from New Zealand, and especially to the rates of freight paid to shipowners. In the month of May last a conference took place befween the representatives of certain large exporting institutions and those of the two chief lines of vessels which serve New Zealand as carriers between the colony and England. The shippers suggested a reduction of ±d per lb in the rates of freight on wool, aud this was conceded on behalf of the shipowne s, and announced in the June issue of the Trade Review. With this reduction the exporters' representatives we;e quite satis fied, as they recognised thab it would be unreasonable to expect rates of freight to be as low from New Zealand as from Australian ports where the conditions of the trade are so widely different from those existing here. In Melbourne and Sydney a steamer takes in a full cargo from one wharf, while in this colony she may have to tramp round to from four to eight different ports, some of them open roadsteads, and some very awkward harbours, to obtain a c*rgo. This of course entails loss of time, accumulated charges and expenses, and risks which may involve higher rates of insurance. At the same time the ship will have to pay here at least twice as much for coal as in the Australian poits. For these disadvantages a difference of l-16d or £d per lb is not an unreasonable consideration. Some shippers are not content with this reduction, but are agitating for still lower rates, and quote 5-16 dto 7-166 as the rates ruling in Australia for greasy wool. From Melbourne files we learn that during the wool season rates from that port for greasy ruled as under:—November 7-16 dto ; December $d to fd ; January £d per lb; February 2d, dropping to 7-16 d, and ultimately to |d per lb, which would point to the supposition that the agitators have referred only to the lowest rates of the season, and not to those current when the bulk of the clip was being shipped. In the case of frozen meat we are informed that the initiative in suggesting a reduction of freights originated with the shipowners themselves. The Maat Companies (or the most important ones) had, only as lately aa the month of October last, entered into a contract with the shipowners for the carriage of frozen mutton for two years from Ist November, 1896, at rates of Id per ib in summer and §1 in the winter, without primage if freight was paid in the colony, and an allowance of 5 per cent was made to the Meat Companies, which practically made the rates .95d per lb in summer and .7125 d per lb in winter, The shipowners recognising that at the depressed prices ruling in London the Meat Companies could not afford to pay those rates, spontaneously offered, as far back as in March last, to reduce the ratea to 11 and £d per lb respec tively, with 10 per cent primage, asking, in return for this concession, that the term of the contract should be increased by a further two years. These terms the Companies hesitated to accept, and they were asked by | the shipowners to make a counter-cfjj^r. I Eventually on June lij, we learned by telegraph from Ch'ristohurch that the Christ church Meat Company, after negotiations, which were begun in March last by the Shipping Companies, had agreed to terms reducing the freights t:> |i per lb in summer, and £d in winter, with 5 per cent primage, thus accepting the terms voluntarily off sred by the shipowners, with only a tr. fling modification. We learn that gs many as six Companies have sinpe accepted.the s«me rales. Against this gain of 5 per cent the Meat Companies have for three months been paying nearly \\ more on all theic ship ments than they need have done. Thp freight pn tallqw h.ss been reduced from 40a to 35s per tqn, and fchat pn hemp from 60a to §1)3 per ton by either steamer or sailer. ;

Press Association—By, Electric Telegraph Weljjngtou, July 13 Mr Buchanan, Chairman of the Wool Freights Reduction Conference, in a letter to the Wellington Post, combats the state ment of the Shipping Companies, and de clares that the cffei of a reduction of per lb on frozen meat was only made towards the end of May, whereaa the wool guar^nt^e was signed early in that r^onth. As to freights from Australia, he insists that the bulk of Australian greasy wool was carried at f d per lb. As to the reduction in the summer carriage of mutton he says it j amounted to barely two-thirds of a |d instead of a ii, aa claimed by the Shipping Com panies, and challenges the Companies to deny it. He supports his figures as to the freight for other produce from Australia, and in regard to the sum of £125,000 annually saved on meat freights secured by the reductions, concludes—" If the figures are correct, what an illustration they furnish of the extent to which our unfortunate producers have been victimised in the past "

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves responsib c for the opinions expressed by our correspondents,

LARRIKINISM.

fO ?I£E EDITOR. Sir, —I read with profound astonishment your correspondent's report of the Spring burn goncert in Thursday evening's paper. To put it ju the mildest form I must say he haa grossly misrepresented the facts. The whole of that paragraph alluding to the unruly conduct of "the ill-bred whelps,'' etc., is entirely contrary to the truth, and can be nothing but the outcome of a disease! imagination. How his bewildered mind could lead him into making such statements is beyond my comprehension. I was present during the whole performance and heard nothing whatever of the disturbance, cater wauling, whistling, ec, that he represents. After many of the items there were certainly loud and continued applause and requests for encores, which your correspondent evidently misunderstood. The performers received the utmost attention during the rendering of their respective items, and have sinae expressed much surprise ab this mis leading report. As a resident of Spring burn I resent the reflection cast upon our community, and am merely expressing the feelings of performers and audience in saying that the report is without foundation. Trusting your own will refrain from such flights of fancy in future.—lam, etc., SpRINfiBURNITE

CABLE NEWS.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.

The Transvaal llaid.

Lond n, July 15. The Cape newspapers concur in the Transvaal Raid Committee's report. Appeal Rejected. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has rejected Mrs Garew's application for leave to appeal against thw sentence passed upon her by the | Court at Yokohama, Japan. Mrs I Carew, in February last, was sentenced to d^ath for the murder of her husband by poisoning at Yokohama. The sentence was afterwards commuted to penal servitude forlife. | Banquet to Colonial Visitors. The members of the Junior Carlton Club banqueted a large number of Colonial visitor?, including the Premiers of Queensland, Cape Colony and New foundland, and Sir John Hall. Australian Competitors at llisley. Most of the Australian competitors at Bisley are suffering from slight colds ; they also feel the disadvantage of the unevenness of the wind, owing to the trees in the neighbourhood of the ranges, consequently their shooting is somewhat irregular. Great Britain and the United' States. ■Washington, July 15. Mr Sherman has informed Colonel John Hay, the new American Ambas sador in London, that Great Britain is responsible for the embarrassment in the relations between the two countries owing to her refusal to join the Bebring Sea Fisheries Conference which was proposed by America with a view of procuring an amended international agreement for the better protection of seals in the Bearing Sea. Mr Sherman adds, that the neglect to protect the fisheries is resulting in the commercial extermination of fur seals.

Australian.

The Overdue Steamer. Sydney, July 16 The French warship Eura hag been sent ia search of the overdue afceamer Tanais. The Federation Bill. The Assembly adopted an amend i ment in the Federation Bill, fixing the base of representation in the Lower House to one member for every thirty thousand of population instead of fifty thousand, as proposed in the Convention Bill. The Sydney Tram Accident. The departmental enquiry into the Sydney tram accident exonerates the officials in charge of the trams. The accident was clearly proved .to be the malicious act of some person unknown.

WHOLESALE CHILD MURDER.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. Melbourne, July 16 A certificated nurse named Fuller has been committed for trial on a charge of alhged child abandonment. She received £10 from the mother under promise to, find a kind person to adopt it, and she stated that she had fulfilled her promise, but the infaut was afterwards found abandoned on a t doorstep. The police investigation of this case brought to light evidence of baby farming on an extensive §cale. Num bers of T^on^en, mostly unmarried, | came forward and made statements that they had arranged with difterent nurses or through the newspapers for the adoption of their children for various sums and afterwards were unable to. o,btain information of their whereabouts. During the past eight ' months the bodies of twelve infants have been found in the city and suburbs, and there have been nine verdicts of wilful murder, while seven Others have been found abandoned.

EXECUTION OF BUTLER.

Press Association—«E|y Electrto Telegraph— j Copyright. I Sydney, July 16. The execution was carried out with the greatest despatch, Thisr was the result of a request made by Butler yesterday. In reply to a query by the governor of the gaol if he could do anything for him, he said all he could do was to hasten the execution as much as possible. He did all he could to assist the executioner to get ready. He stepped quickly into the trap, and immediately the rope was fixed said " Let go." The governor of the gaol furnished a report to the Attorney General in which he states that Butler called him to, tne cell yesterday and made a verbal confession of the murders of Preston, Weller, and Burgess. He made a similar con fession to the ,Rev Mr Lane, adding that he had been a very bad man, and if it were possible deserved hanging over and over again for the crimes he had previously committed. The Governor's report makea it appear that the rumours regarding the man Price were unfounded, so far as the prison officials are aware. Butler never referred to Price, but from his demeanour and partial admissions it is believed that Butler could have ac counted for a man named Davis, who mysteripusly disappeared, and whom the police endeavoured to trace. Under his will Butler left sundry small articles to the Governor and other officials of the gaol. The residue goes to big sister in England. I The authorities decline to disclose j his real name. j Received Wakapuaka July 17, 10.55 a.m. Guardian Office 12.15 a m. SYEtfEY, July 17. Butler has asked the authorities to 1 write to Preston's parents and to express his sorrow and contrition for the murder of their son. The Westralian police have informed the authorities here that they are certain Butler committed the series of < crimes known as the Budoo murders.

THE LATEST.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association —By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

Received Wakapuaka, July 17, 9.42 a.m.! Giubdian Office 10.30 a.m. Imperial Parliament. London, July 16 Mr Balfour has abandoned his attempt to pass the Criminal Law Evidence Bill this session. The Work men's Compensation Bill passed its final stages by a msjority of thirty. Earl Derby. The Queen has conferred the Moifc Noble Order of the Garter upon Earl Derby. ' Menelik and the British. The Berlin correspondent of the I Standard reports that King Menelik - of Abyssinia has ordered a force of twenty thousand soldiers to proceed to the Upper Nile to operate with the British expedition against the Der vishes. Rebels in South Africa. Capetown, July 16 Reports from Salisbury state that the Hussars have cleared Ungani district, Maahonaland, of rebels. The troopers killed forty rebels at Fort Charter, Received Wakapuaka July 17, 10 a.m. Guabdun Office, 10.40 a.m. Canada and the United States. Ottawa, July 16. The provisions of the alien laws are being strictly enforced in America, and are found to operate harshly against the Canadians, As a result tha Dominion Government is vigorously enforcing the law which prohibits the employment of Americans under contract in Canada.

THE BISLEY RIFLE MEETING.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

Received Wakapuaka, July 17, 10 a.m., Guabdiaw Office 10.40 a.m. London, July 16 At the Bisley rifle meeting the Victorian team won the Kolapore Challenge Cup with a score of 751 points ; the New Zealand team second with 748. This match was open to teams of eight men at distances of 200, 500, and 600 yards. Amongst the number of colonials who made the highest possible scores in other matches were Hawthorne and Strachan, New Zealanders.

THE WAR IN THE EAST.

Press Association—By Electric Telegrap— Copyright.

Constantinople, July 16 Tewfik Pasha resumes the peace negotiations to-morrow. The foreign Ambassadors consider that the pros | pects of settlement have improved. | A stormy interview has taken place between Kallet Renaat Pasha, the Turkish Grand Vizier, and M. Nelidoff, Russian Ambassador, in the courhe of which the Vizier declared that the Turkish troops would vacate Thessaly when Russia restored Kara and Patoum to Turkey. London, July 16 The Standard states that Turkey a demands have been considerably modi fied, and it seems there is a chance of the Turks listening to reason.

LABOUR.

Engineers* Strike.

Press .MsoGiation—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. London, July 16 The amalgamated engineers of Lon don hve expressed a willingness to confer upon the points in dispute. Ten days' mutual truce has been arranged between the Glasgow and Olyde engineering firma and their em ployees. A moss meeting of the London Boiler Makers Sociey adopted a resolution against the strike.

The "Matsa" Company,

That a great treat is in store for local patrons oi the theatre, in the appearance here on Wednesday evening next, July 22, of Williamson and Musgrove's •« Mataa" Vaudeville company goes without saying. The artistes forming the company have so good a reputation that it is almost unnecco sary to enumerate their especial talents, bub for tho benefit of those of our readers who perhaps are not an fait with the doings of the specialty aifcjstes, imported from Europe and America during iate years, we will mention some of those included in the com* bination about to visit us. None of the artistes have been here before, whilst every thing they do is completely novel. Fore most amongst a long array, we have " The Lucifers," physiological marvels. Mr Lucifer is what is known as a "strong" man, a splendid all round athlete, pantoniimist, and dancer. The Lucifer's entertainment defies description, it is no novel and attrac tive. Then we have Mr Frank Lawton, the famous whistler, bone soloist, and comedian, who was such a big draw in the " Trip to Chinatown " company, which toured Aus tralia last year. Ihen the Delevines, three artigtes, who in their set entitled "Satanic gambols, 1' have never been equalled, and, together with the Winterton sisters, contri bute an elegant terpsichorean musical quintet, Mr Ernest Fitts is the company's baritone, and the possessor of a ?ery rich voice. He contributes the latest songs which attain great popularity. Little Gulliver is the company's show card. He is only 34 inches high, and 24 years of age,« tine comedian, and an excellent dancer. He receives more encores than he can satisfy. A marvellous novelty is Mr Leoni Clark's collection of domestic animals. Known throughout Europe is "The Cat King,*' he has a wonderful collection of trajned cats, rats, mice, canaries, cockatoos, monkeys, etc., which perform tricks that are said to be truly astounding, and go to prove what cQ,n be done with kindness and patienoe. Miss Chriasie Angus is a well known English burlesque artiste, who in her refined oontri. butions pleases her audience immensely. We need only add, to prove i,he thorough. ness with which the firm attends to all its undertakings, that the company carry with them their own orchestra—ten performers— from the Princess theatre. Melbourne.

THE ASB&UK'fON GUAItDIAM : SATUEDA^, JULY 17, 189?



OUR ANNUAL STOCK-TAKING SALE IS NOW PUOCEEDIfIG. AND WILL CONTINUE TILL AUGUST thb 18m. everything^ reduced. PLEASE NOTE the following Quotations, being a few of the BARGAINS OFFERED :— DB.ESSS TWEEDS—Regular price Is 3d per .yard, sale price 4s lid dress length. Dress Tweeda—Regular price 15d 9d dress length, sale price 6a lid dress length. HEROES in Black, Navy, and Brown 2s 3d, sale price la 6d per yard. Blue Black Merinos, sale price Is lid per yard, regular price 2s 6d. DRESSMAKING during this sale 8S 6(1. Children's Cashmere Hose, sale price 6d per pair. Ladies' Cashmere Hose, sale price IOJd. Ladies' Hibbed Hose, sale price 6d per pair. A few Men'a Colonial Tweed SUITS 15s each. Men's Cotton Shirts la each. Mt-n's Heavy Grampian Shirts Is lid. A large assorted line Men's Tweed Trousers, to ba cleared at 7s lid per pair. Men's Tweed Hats 6d each. Men's Tweed Caps 6d each. Men's Colonial Knitted Socks 6d per pair. Extra Heavy Twilled Sheeting, 2 yards wide, Is per yard. Flannelettes from 8d per yard. All wool Colonial Shirting Is 6d per yard Ladies' Corsets, size 18, 19, 20, our regular line at 2s lid, to be cleared la lid. IN TEE SHOW.ROOM THE REDUCTIONS WILL BE OF A MOST THOROUGH DESCRIPTION. SBE DOORS AND WINDOWS FOR BARGAINS. Ashbarton Drapery i Company, ARCADE HOUSE. #■» ■ «• BANKRUPT ESTATE OF G. J- NEILL AND CO., DEAPERS, CLOTHIERS, MERCERS, AND BOOT DEALERS, ASHBURTON THE VENDORS would respectfully call the attention of the Inhabitants of Aahburton id BISSSdi J District to this Bona Fide SUe and also we wuh to d»jjonr attention that we have Beeured another stock at a v.ry low figure, and we have decided ?o lellthe whole »t Aabburton and hope you will favour us with your peonage as early as possible. So come »U and come early. Every line must go. F BY ORDER, STOCK VENDORS.



BY ORDER OF THE PURCHASERS OF ABOVE ESTATE. O Loo DRESSES & DRESSMAKING = EXTRAORDINARY. = AFTER AN EXCEPTIONALLY SUCOESSFUL;SEASON WE ARE NOW PREPARED TO TAKE VERY MUCH REDUCED PBICE^ FOR OUR FEW REMAINING COLORED DRESSES. A LOW PRICE quoted for Dresa Oompleit, Best Style and; Fit. MITCHELL & TURNER. WATCH THIS SPACE FOB IARTICULABS OF NEW STOCK OF "gROOCHES AND j^ADIES' J^INGS TO COME TO BAND SHORTLY. S. SALEK, THE LEADING JEWELLERY ESTABLISHMENT IN THE DISTRICT. EAST STREET.



PUBLIC NOTICES. I NEW ZEALAND CJothi»£ Factory, r\ Ult HALF-YE ABLY bTOCK-TAKING TAKES PLAOB THE END OF THIS MONTH. So during the Next Week or two, we shall bring forward a number of VERY SPECIAL LINES, AND AT THE PRICES THEY WILL BE MARKED, WILL EFFECT A SPEEDY CLEARANCE FOR BARGAINS,' LOOK AT OUR DOORS & WINDOWS HALLENBTEIN BROS. & CO. |A. G. BARTON, Manager* Church Services. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH Ashburton. SUNDAY SERVICES.SJULY 18. 11 a.m.—Morning Prayer and Holy Com^ munion. 3 p.m.—Dromore. 6.30 p.m.—Eveuing Prayer. REV T. A. HAMILTON.



A football match was played in the High School ground yesterday between the High School 11. and the Tinwald School, which resulted in a win for the former by twenty bwo points to nil. Tries were obtained for the winners by L. Purnell, U, Moriarty (2), S. Gudsell, J. Smith, and J. O'Connor. Two of the tries were converted by J. O'Connor and C. Denshire. Mr Salmond acted as; referee,



!Many Ladies complain that the Tea they have been using has neither strength nor flavor. If they try Kozm Tha they will be wt jitoA Try th? No 4 ftfc 2/4, 'Us wpwb



The public are to be congratulated on the liberal manner in which they have re sponded to the invitation of our leading bookseller, stationer, and fancy goods vendor, to supply themselves with cheap stationery, good literature (for winter reading), and fancy goods. As this month is the record sale of the decade—the firm giving great in ducements so as to reduce the stock—we have no doubt that the premises of H. N Anderson, late L. F. Andrewes and Co., will be well patronised during the remainder of the sale,F-(Apv?,



Beat the big drum and shout hurrah ! A discovery, the very best thing this side of the line, licks everything of the kind into a cocked hat. No more sleepless nights; a boon to parents; an everlasting blessing. What? Why; Woods' Great Peppermint Cure for coughs and oolda, of course. Sold by all grocers and chemists at Is 6d and 2s 6d; the large size is the cheapest in the long run. J, ty 23 You have ruined your constitution sufficiently by drinking inferior teas, reoruit ; by drinking only Kozib Tba, it is pure and | reUabJ«,-Joka Q CP & Qq,, g o (f Ag 1%



Kozib Tea, the best, and yet within reach of all; Sold at 1/8, WO, 2/-, and 2/4— j John Orr &Oo Solo Agnate. j Fragrant and ImriwratfW— Nm Vmui I