Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1897.

Some issues ago we made reference in these columns to an article in the Live Stock Journal, in OUR FLOCKS, which that English ._. agricultural guide was good enough to show, by a table of figure, Quoted, that there had been a steady falling otf foi some years in the number of sheep pastured in New Zea land. From what authority the Live Stock Journal took the figures on which it founded the statement made we do know, but with the exception of those for the year last dealt with, all were wrong. That exception was the year 1895, and the figures given were those of our own Stock Department. For the year 1896, the annual report of the Stock Department is to hand, and from it we gather that as between 1895 and 1896, there has been a fall ing oft to the number of 688,111. This, however, ia accounted for, as every South Island resident knows, by the tarribly severe winter of 1895, which decimated most of the southern runs, and to make good the losses of that year will take some time. But that there is any reason for saying the pastoral industry is dwindling, every New Zealander who knows anything at all about the subject will unhesitatingly deny. In fact, the reverse is the case ; for though on many of the runs there has been a falling off—for the cause just mentioned : a cause that may not recur for many years—there ha. been a marked increase of sheepowners over the whole colony, and nearly every farmer now turns his attention to some extent to pasturing sheep, and \ many to a far greater extent than aforetime they used to give to agricul- j ture. From the latest return to hand we cull the following table :—

The North Island shows' an actual increase for the year of 137,090, but the exceptional severity of the winter of 1895 can be appreciated when it is stated that the return for 1896 shows a decrease in the South Island of 825,201. Subtracting the increase in the North from the decrease in the South, the- total decrease for the year is arrived at. But, we repeat, this falling off will be made good in a very short time, and the supply for the export trade maintained as well. The return gives a table showing the number of sheepowners in both years. From it will be seen that the increase of settlement in the North Island, aud the rapid rate at which land is there going under grass, most of it being bu»h land recently cleared, are telling a satisfactory tale, and no less than 808 new owners of sheep were added to the list during the year. Only 97 new owners were added iv the South Island; and Otago, in which tlie rigors of th^ 1895 winter was more severely felt than anywhere in the South Island, shows a decrease of 158. The following is the owners' table:—

Writing in the Argus on the subject of the recent marine engineers' strike on the other side, THE ENGINEERS' " Oriel " says : — STRIKE. Perhaps the greatest sufferer of all was the gentleman who took passage for Launceston by the Coogee, and, after the manner of tbe masculine animal when bound on a bachelor holiday, invited as many of his friends as he could possibly gather together to see him off. The presence in thia little gathering of two or three returned West Australians, who insisted on shouting champagne, made (he vale dictory ceremony an exceedingly lively one, and at a comparatively early hour in the proceedings the voyager found it expedient to seek the seclusion that a cabin grants, and hide his troubles in sleep, When he woke the next morning the vessel had already moored alongside; so collecting his impedimenta he crawled on deck, braved the dangers of the gangway, and ordered the first cabman to drive him to the Brisbane. I " Don't know where it is, sir," says cabby. "Don't know the Brisbane? Why, everybody in Launceston knows it." " But this ain't Launceston—its Melbourne, Ship didn't sail, sir, in censequence of the strike." "Ship didn't sail?" murmured the bewildered traveller. " Then," triumphantly, « why the blazes wag I seasick ?"

There is every probability now that Antarctic exploration will be engaged in with some spirit. SOUTH POLAR Southern explora* EXPLORATION* tion has long been neglected by the scientific foodies of the world, the whole of their efforts having Jbpen devoted to exploring the frozen north. Mow, however, no less than three expeditions to the Antarctic regions are likely to be organised. M. Borchgrevink, who j [ recently distinguished himself by I shipping beside the mast in a whaler j in order to gratify his taste for investi- ; gation, is now at Hobart ; where he will j endeavour to enlist the aympathy of the assembled Premiers on behalf of his scheme, to the cost of which he desires the colonies to contribute one-half. An expedition is now being fitted out at Antwerp under the direction of LieutenantDeGerlache,and is expected to be ready to set out #bout the middle j of July, The steam 'whaler BelgicaJ bas been selected for the voyage, a;ad I will carry three years' supplies. The! Belgian <lovepa?ent has prosed' £4001 ' --"fcrda tfee expenses! o£ the under J tow. * «. muwber o| wealthy j, taking', anu .. "** ts©ttt«bßte,d I private citizens havt. * Kg *( largely. As Belgium can hardly _.; I tinned a maritime country, fcbeicientific I J

impulse that has prompted the expedi- j tion is no less surprising than credit-j able. Lastly, there is the expedition] now being promoted by the Royal | Geographical Society. At the annual j meeting recently, the president, Sir j [Clements Markham, referred in his address to the eagerness of their hopes that an Antarctic expedition would be fitted out this year. No doubt the splendid success of Nansen in Arctic exploration has added fuel to the enthusiasm, and since the Admiralty has now taken the matter up the expedition may be considered definitely determined upon.

Local and General.

Miss Bessie Doyle, the clever young Aus tralian violinist, who visited New Zealand three years ago, is said to have married, and will not again appear as a professional player. The Hon. R. J. Seddon arrived in Hobart on Saturday morning after a rather rough passage, and during the day had interviews with Sir E. 0. Braddon and Sir P. Fysh. The Premiere' Conference will open to morrow. At the Magistrates Court at Palmerston recently a settler from Woodville was convicted on a charge of chasing the train and boarding it after it had proceeded a quarter of a mile on its journey! Fast train that. A splendid line of 115 head of cattle was being driven through the Rakaia gorge on Thursday, m route for Westland. They had been gathered in various parts of the Ashburton distriot by Mr Adam Jackson, of Ealing, for Mr T. W. Bruce, of Inchbonoy, and were in charge of Willie Jackson, who, with a couple of dogs and a horse, had undertaken to land every hoof in sound condition. The Chairman of the Dromore School Committee has received a letter from the Board of Education to the effect that Miss ' J. E. Maxwell, pupil teacher of the Dromore School, who sat for the fourth year, has passed the examination and is now expected to come to the Normal School. Miss Maxwell's name was omitted by mistake when the list of successful candidates was published. We regret to learn that the Ashburton Court is shortly to lose the services of Mr J. R. Colyer, clerk of the District and Magistrates' Courts. The regret is only be cause his removal will be a loss, for any regretful feeling about the matter is tem pered by the fact that it will be attended with gain to Mr Colyer, whose destination is Invercargill, a much more important centre. Mr Colyer will carry with him the best wishes of all with whom he has had any business relations. It is a coincidence that the last clerk of Court at Ashburton is the gentleman whom Mr Colyer is succeeding at Invercargill—Mr Walter Martin—and whom Mr Colyer succeeded at Ashburton. The death of Mr W. G. Walker at Christchurch made a vacancy in the chief clerkship of the Courts in that city, and Mr Walter Martin has been appointed. The vacancy caused by his appointment to Christchurch is the one Mr Colyer has been asked to fill, and is another step up the ladder, Mr Colyer haß been ten years in his present position. Thus " Civis" in the Otago Witness, in a note on the weather :—The streets are every thing that is bad. The material with which they are covered is of such a nature that it turns to mud or dust on the slightest provocation, and when it is hot and dusty as well you are reminded of the Yankee who said that if he owned Burke and the place whioh shall be unmentionable, he guessed he'd lease Bourke. If Mr Paulin's prophecies were invariably correct we should say the same of Dunedin, The drainage into wells is often very bad, with the result of typhoid fever and many other g.rm diseases. On account of this danger, Dr Koch suggests that an iron tube 2in or Sin in diameter—with its lower end perforated—be placed in the centre of the well, and the surrounding space filled with fine gravel up to the highest point of water level. This is then covered with sand to the top of the well, and a pump attached to the end of the tube makes a very effective tube well All water in passing through the layers of sand and gravel is effectively filtered, and the nitrifying organisms change the filth into harmless nitrates. A filter bed like this removes, too, from 80 to 90 per cent, of the bacteria, and greatly, very greatly, lessens the danger to which all are subjected who drink shallow well water. A correspondent of the Auckland Herald, after reporting that a young lady named Miss Bailey bad been thrown from her horse and had a limb broken, continues—One remarkable incident connected with the accident, as showing an extraordinary amount of intelligence in a dog, is I think worth recording. Miss Bailey was thrown from her horse immediately opposite the house of Mr Deed. His dog heard the young lady screaming, and also saw her on the road. Tfte dog judged that something was wrong, as he ran down to the milking shed, some 500 yards away, howling and making plaintive sounds to draw his master's attention to the state of matters up at the 1 house. Mr Deed, who was at the milking shed, rightly thought that the dog meant him to ioilow, ran up after the animal and found Miss Bailey aB described. A correspondent of the Times draws attention to the opening up of a new, or rather a revived, industry for ladies. "If mothers of small families," she says, "realised that girls from 15 upwards can with ease earn from 15s to £1, or even more per week in the artistic occupation of silk weaving, they would assuredly be relieved of much of the anxiety which they now feel as to what to do with their daughters. The idea that the power loom has entirely super Kcded the old hand loom is erroneous, ai.d I may passingly observe, as a curious coin, cidence, that the resuscitation of hand weaving in England seems to be contemporaneous with the use of power looms on the Continent. For rich silks hand-weaving is cheaper, and. strange as it may seem, a quicker mode of weaving than power-loom work. At all events, whatever may be the cause of this revival of our old English trade, the fact is that silk manu facturers, country firms at least, cannot obtain the requisite number of weavers. It is no longer orders that are wanting, but hands. The general appreciation of hand woven materials is rapidly on the increase The many beautiful creations, impossible except at a great price when woven by machinery, can, with profit to the hand weaver, be woven in a lady's own home in silk or otljer materials. Beautiful draperies may be had for the same price as the inartistic productions now woven by power, and altogether the possibilities of hand weaving are uot limited to the expen» give luxuries of Buskin linen por to the glut of woollen goods now manufactured in so many oountry villages in Ireland and Scot land.'* The Rev. Mr Inglis can be pleasantly sar castic on occasion. A joke in a Presby terian pulpit is one of those things people value because of their rarity, and there are some people, even Presbyterians, who are sceptical as to a joke ever having come from J a pulpit! But then most Presbyterians are f Scotch, and joke wi' de^fioulty, Some of I them have deeficulty in seeing what was at all out of the ordinary in the conduct of a certain Rev. Dr, Kidd, of Aberdeen awa\ who, seeing a man asleep in the pew, and wearing a red waistcoat, picked up the bible of the pulpit, and shied it with a great crash at the offender, remarking at the same time " Wanken up, ye reid-breasted sinner; if ye winna heai* the wir^o'Cod, J'se gar ye feel it.'' But jokes come sometimes in spite of such scepticism. The Rev. Mr Inglis had occasion to appeal for aid to the Maori mission, and incidentally mentioned that to tbe one missionary now laboring there had been Bent a bicycle and a magic lantern and slides, both of which presents j the missionary had found abundantly useful. I The Rev. George delivered a stirring appeal I in the interests of the mission, but in the I course of it put in the delicate little prod, jj that it did not say much for presbyteriah I missionary spirit that all that could be I afforded for the work among the Maoris was J —«' a bike and a magic lantern." We fancy I ;lie njjse \vay of puttirig it ought to draw out | —«.* 6_ iwo w g»Won 'th' 6 work—eves I ' •--**_« _ a $ | pow gtQg § ' ■• |> »P»°pitTofdryff.»w^ *

_he reopening of the High School has been postponed until Wednesday next owing to the paiuting not being finished. The Forth Bridge is constantly being re painted. This is no light undertaking. So vast is the structure that it takes fifty tons of paint to give it one coat, and the area dealt with is something like 120 acres. hiatal case of sunstroke is reported from Nelson. Misß Trower, & young girl who was brought from the Marchison suffering J from an attack ot sunstroke, died on Tues day last at the Hospital in Nelson. We are indebted to Mr Ward for the following vital statistics for Ashburton for January 1897, viz., Births 23, deaths 6, marriages 2. The figures for January 1896 were births 24, deaths 5, marriages 1. At Timaru on Saturday Mr D. Maclean passed under the hammer the Temuka Dairy Factory property, about two acres of land, with the buildings and fittings. These additions to the freehold were stated to have cost £2000. Bidding started at £200, and at £370 the property was sold to Mr H. Lee, of Temuka. Mr D. McKillop hat tendered his resigna tion as bandmaster of the Stanmore Band. He will sever his connection with the band in three months' time, as he intends caking up his quarters in Inveroargill. Mr McKillop has had fifteen years active service in the band, about three hundred bandsmen having been taught by Mr McKillop in that time. At Lancaster Park on Saturday evening there was the first publio appearanoe in this colony of a cycle to carry four riders, and known aB a quadruplet. The maohine was manned by Messrs Shorland, Archer, Benson, and Dumerque, and it successfully negotiated the corners of the track at a pace of under two minutes to the mile, and ran with perfect smoothness from the start. There was also a triplet, or oyole for three riders, A beautifully executed illuminated address to Mr J. H. Twentyman, Bigned by the Tioar and officers of St Stephen's Church, is on view in the shop of the Ashburton Drug Company, East Street. The work was entrusted to Mr G. W. Wade, of Christ church, and does him great credit. The whole of the address as well as the illumin ated border is done by band and the finish of the minutest details is elegant and admirable. This afternoon there will be an annular eclipse of the sun, visible as a partial eclipse in the south-east of Australia, New Zealand, the south Pacific, the south-east of the United States, Central America (except the south-eastern portion). The line of central eclipse passes from the north of New Zealand across the Pacific and over South America from Buenaventura to the Gulf of Paria. The eclipse begins on the earth generally at 5h 23m p.m. in long. 176^deg W. andlat. 28deg. S. ; ends at llh. Bm. p.m. in long. 78deg. W. and lat. 15deg N. Sheep worrying is complained of at Fairlie Creek, and has been for some months. i hree dogs, after destroying forty ewes and lambs on the Ailandaie estate were traced home, and the owners of the dogs admitted their liability, destroyed the dogs, and accepted (with some demur at its total) an account for the sheep killed based upon an independent assessment of their value. The incident had the effect of causing owners of other dogs to consider their risk., and the registrar will lose a good many fees in the township this year. A most distressing accident happened on Sunday morning at the Chertsey Hotel. It seems that a bucket of boiling water had just been drawn from the boiler and was left standing on the kitchen floor for a moment or two, when Allan, the little two-year-old son of Mr W. Lewis, the licensee, while playing near fell backwards into it, cap sizing the contents over his back- The poor little fellow was very severely burned, almost the whole of his back being quite raw. Dr Cordner, from Rakaia, w;as sent for, and did all he could for the little sufferer. On enquiring this morning our correspondent learned that the little fellow's condition is such aB to cause great anxiety. However, as he is a sturdy little fellow he may pull through. The area of pastoral runs to be offered for lease by the Lands and Survey Department this month comprises 1,370,116 acres, and of small grazing runs there will be 45,522 acres, making a total of 1,415,638 acres. The pastoral runs are in Nelson, Marl borough, Canterbury, Otago and Southland. Two runs in the Mackenzie Country have an area of 48,887 acres, one of thorn forming part of the Haldon Station, while the other is the Gray's Hill Station. Five runs in the Mackenzie, Waitaki and Vincent counties aggregate an area of 201,300 acres. The Lobu n and Bloomfield runs, in Ashley County, will be put up for a lease of three years. There is also a large area in Otago. The largest area is in Marlborough, 587,598 acres, including the Patriarch, Raglan and Birch Hill runs. Since the establishment of the plumbers' classes at the Wellington Technical School in 1894 the total cost to the City Council has been £127 7s 3d, exclusive of the cost of the workshop and fittings, on which the Council expended £210. During the three years the number of certificates issued has been 73. The classes are now attended principally by apprentices and young men learning their trade. The Plumbers' Class Committee recommends the City Council (says the Post) that the classes should be continued till June 30 next under the same conditions as heretofore, but at a cost not exceeding £30 for the half-year. The committee further recommends that, so far as the Council is concerned, the classes should be absolutely discontinued on June 30, and that other arrangements will have to be made if those attending or benefiting by the classes are desirous of their continuance. Six weeks ago I suffered from a very severe cold j was almost unable to speak. My friends alt advised me to consult a physician. Noticing Chamberlain's Cough Remedy advertised in the St Paul Yolks Zeitung I procured a bottle, and after taking it a short while was entirely well. I now most heartily recommend this remedy to anyone suffering from a cold. Wm Keil, 678 Selby Aye., St Paul, Minn. For sale by Ashburton Dferra Company. Keating's Powder aescroys bugs, fless, moths, beetles, and all other insects, whilst gui c h rmless to domestic animals. In exterminating beetles the sucoess of tbis powder is extraordinary. It is perfectly olean in application. See the article yon purchase is Keating's, as imi ations are noxious and ineffectual, Sold in tine, 6d, Is and 2a 6d eaoh, by al ohemisfcs I

COMMERCIAL.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright. London, January 29 The prices realised at to-day's wool salees were the highest during the present serie of sales. The American representative, bought all the lots offered. In Australian butter fair business is, doing, but prices are unchanged. The cheese market is booming, and prices show an advance of 2s. January 30. The prices at yesterday's wool sales were well maintained, and little was withdrawn. The total quantity catalogued up to date is 113,294 bales, of which 99,240 were sold. Babbit skins are in brisk demand at id to Id decline.

FIRE AT HORSLEY DOWNS.

From a Correspondent. I On Tuesday last, juat after the train from i Culverden had passed Medbury, the tussock , on a blook of land some 2000 acres in area— a portion of the Horsley Downs estate, ! lately acquired by the (iovernment, and leased by Mr G. T. White, of the Peaks was found to be on fire. Three of the 1 settlers living close at hand turned out and attaoked the flames, which they succeeded in conquering at 8 p.m., having worked like Trojans for five hours. They returned home, thinking all danger was over. But the worst was to come, for on Wednesday, about 10 a.m., smoke was seen rising in many plaoes from the manuka scrub, whioh covered a large portion of the block. The limited number of hands available saw at once that this outbreak would be more than a match for them, as the fire covered a very large area, and burned with great fury. All they could do was to stand and watch the flames do their work, whioh they did most thoroughly, making almost a clean sweep of the whole block. When night came matters grew more serious, as some of the homesteads were in great danger, and were' only saved from destruction by continued conflict with the enemy. Up to the time of writing this, it is not known if the valuable flock of sheep, or any portion has been lost, but the general opinion is that many sheep have been burned. In any case Mr White must be a heavy loser, as all the feed te completely destroyed. The musterers were to go out on Thursday, and I shall soon be able to report the full extent of the loss.

PRIZE DISTRIBUTION.

The annual distribution of prizes in-con- | nection with the St Stephen's and Hamp- j stead Sunday Schools took place on Sunday afternoon in Sb Stephen's school. There i was a fair attendance of scholars, parents, and friends, about two hundred being I present. The Rev Mr Hamilton, before distributing the books, gave a few word* of encouragement and advice to the children. An old St Stephen's scholar, Mr E. Pass, ! now a resident of New South Walts, was present, and gave the sum of £1 towards a prize to be given to the scholar ot either Sunday school, who showed at the end of the year the greatest knowledge of the Bible. The following is the prize list :— St Stephen's. BOYS. Standard 6—William Hoaken 1, Robert Totty 2, Percy White 3. Standard 5— William Amos 1, Fred Amos 2, George Fowke 3. Standard 4—Arthur White 1, William Breeze 2, Robert Hodgson 3. Special prizes—John Stock and Harry Robot torn. Standard 3—VV. Buchanan 1, Uter Hoaken 2, Charles Segers 3. Standard 2—Ernest Breeze 1, Harry Robottom 2, Walter Amos 3. Standard I—Gerald Breeze 1, Matthew Page 2, William Page 3. Standard 1 (B division) —Krnest Bickerstaff 1, George Sol way 2, Alfred Hoaken 3. Special prize—Leonard Robottom. Infants —Cyril Breeze 1, Mabel Collisou 2, George Smith 3. GIBLS. Standard s—Sybil Sogers 1, Katie Breeze 2, Gertrude White 3. Standard 4—Nesfa Minnis 1, Alice Patching 2, Lottie iooks 3. Special prize—Martha Pearce. Standard 3 —Annie Davis 1, Eva Scott 2, Edith Patch ing 3. Standard 2—lsabel Buchanan 1, Emily White 2, Alice Davis 3. Standard 1 —Maggie Haynes 1, Evelyn Davis 2, Gladys Newman 3. Standard 1 (B division)— Queenie Totty 1, Annie Barber 2, Lucy Minnis 3. Infants—Mabel Buchanan 1, Muriel Segers 2, Lila Bickerstaff 3.

Hampstead.

BOYS. Standard 6—Fred Watt 1, Edmund Gale 2, Fred Pritchard 3. Special prizes— Arthur Childs, Ernest Chiids, David Siook, Arthur Kelly, George Keely, Ernest Hyde, William Coldicotst, Standard s—Arthur P.itchard 1, Harry Hopkins 2, Hany Stephenson 3. Standard 4— Mont Keely 1, William Childs 2, F. Andrewes 3. Standard 3—Arthur Crum 1, W. Stephens 2, W. Baker 3. Standard 2— Victor Hamilton 1, J. Amos 2,, Fred Sum mers 3. Standard I—William Ferriman 1, Reginald Sfephenson 2, Ernest fcage 3. In fante—William Inwood 1, Stanley Fowke 2, William Hyde 3. Infants (B division} — Joseph Ferriman 1, Sidney Childs 2, Bert Stilwel) 3. GIRLS. Standard s—Olive Fowke and Esther Carter (equal) 1, Annie Ferriman 3. Stan dard 4—Frances Baker 1, Gertrude Coldi cott 2, Ellie Stephenson 3. Standard 3— Augusta Stephenson 1, Kitty Baker 2, Esther Htrange 3. Standard 2—H.ttie Hopkins 1, Violet Johnston 2, Lily Hunt 3. Standard 2(B division)—E. Baker 1, F. Inwood 2, S. Smith 3. Standard I—Edith Hyde 1, Annie Hyde 2. Florence Taylor 3. Infants—Mary Stephens 1, Elsie Hopkins 2, Millie Hunt 3. Infants (B division)—Ellie Cox 1, Lily In wood 2, Louisa Cox 3. The following passed the last diocesian examination with honors, and received gri_es :—Sybil Segers, Kate Bell, Katie reeze, Kezia Hosken.

THE WEATHER.

ALFORD STATION. The following is ths meteorological report for*he week ending January 29, 1897 :—

Methodist Union.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. Sydney, January 31. The final returns of the voting on I the Methodist Union question in New South Wales show—For union 10,617, against union 3387. The total voting j papers issued amounted to 23,188.

CABLE NEWS. Home and Foreign.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.) Copyright. Extensive Forgeries. London, January 29. A farmer has been arrested at Scar- / borough on a charge of having com mitted seventeen forgeries in America involving sums aggregating one million dollars. The Cowley Divorce Suit. January 30. In the Oowley divorce suit both Earl Cowley and Mrs Oharrington denied adultery, but tbe Earl admitted two offences with other women. The jury found the charges not proved and were then discharged. In consequence of the Earl's admissions tbe Countess applied to amend her petition. The hearing was adjourned. Russia and France. Paris, January 29 M. Muravieff has arrived at Paris, and had a long interview with Presi dent Faure and M. Hanotauac. The Plague. Hong Koua, January 29. The bubonic plague has appeared in Formosa. The Dervishes. Cairo, January 29 The Dervishes have abandoned the camp at Agordat, and have retreated in a body. The natives friendly to the British are pursuing them.

THE RECORD REIGN.

Invitation to Colonial Premiers. Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. London, January 29. Mr Chamberlain states that the Government has invited tbe Premier! of the various colonies to visit London as guests of the country, to assist in the celebrations of the Queen's record reign. It is also desired to have a detachment of military from each colony present on the occasion. Canada, Cape Colony, and Natal have accepted the invitation, and the replies of these colonies are considered extremely gratifying, as thpy have testified their loyalty by their desire to assist at the unique function.

THE GLENBROOK MURDERS.

The Swanhiltla's Crew. Their Character Vindicated. Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. '_________ . Sydney, January 30 . The ship Burma, which left .New castle on November 17th, has arrived at San Francisco. The members of the crew state that the Swanhilda's crew were "a hard lot." Four were imprisoned while the vessel was lying in Newcastle, and only released ia time to join her before sailing. One waa sent to gaol for striking Captain Fraser in the street. The majority of the crew state that mutiny raged most of the time the Swanhiida was ia port, the police having to quell numerous disturbances on deck between the officers and men, The Burma's crOw allege that they only needed a leader to make the Swanhiida a floating hell. | (Beceived February 1,10.10 a.m.) Sydney!. February 1. The statements in regard to the mutinous conduct of the crew of the Swanhiida have been greatly exagger ated. Several men deserted at New castle, but informed the police that they did so in order that they might ship again under the higher rates ruling in the colonies. One-sailor assaulted Captain Fraser in the street in order to get away from the ship, and the plan proved successful. Fraser is spoken of as a good captain, but some men are inclined to regard the first mate as a bully.

The Australian Squardron.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— London, January 31 Captain Meryon is appelated Com mander of HM.!S« Mildura, and Captain John Jones Commander of the Katoomba. Captain George Neville is appointed Commandant of the Vic torian Navy. Staff Surgeon John Thomas is appointed to the Orlando, Staff Surgeon Lilly to the Mildura, and Surgeon E. B. McSherry to the Wallaroo. |

England's Defences.

An Extensive Scheme. Press Association—By Electric Telegraph-** Copyright. London, January 30 In the House of Commons, Mr Brod rjck, Under-Secretary for War, an. nounced that the Government proposed to float a loan of £5,458.800 with a currency of thirty years, the money to be utilised for urgent military services. It was intended to spend £1,120,000 in fortifying Berehaven and Lough Swilly, on the ooast of Ireland, Fal mouth and Scilly Islands; £2,900,000 upon barracks and large camps, and £1,149,000 in strengthening the defen sive position round London.. A por tion of the loan also is to be expended on stores and rifle ranges, and the pur* [ chase of sixty square miles in the vicinity of fcstonehenge for military purposes.

THE FEDERAL COUNCIL.

(Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. • !■ ■ -» Hobaut, January 30. At the Federal Council Mr Byrne?, of Queensland, moved in! favor of making the Council elective ancf en larging its powers. Mr Wrixon pro posed as an amendment that, pending the holding of the Federation Conven tion, it is inadvisable to deal with the 1 constitution of the Council. The voting being equal, both the amendment and motion were withdrawn. The fittings have concluded. The next meetiag wai fised for Melbouroe. *

THE ABRBURTOH GUARDIAN: MONDAY, FEBRUARY I, 1897.



Increase x

or

District 1896 1895 Decrease - Auckhnd... 819,221 846,873 - .27,652 Napier ... 4,242,548 4,217,232 x 25,316 Wellington- West Coast 4,069,967 3,930,541 x 139,426 Marlborough — Nelson _ 889,863 906,307 - 19,444 Canterbury— Kaikoura... 5,121,398 5,559,990 - 438,595 Otago ... 3,995,496 4,365,661 - 370,165

19,138,493 19,826,604 - 688,111



District Auckland Napier Wellington-West Coast Marlborough-Nelson ... Can te rbury- Kaikoura Otago

1895. 1896. ... 2,268 2,523 ... 1,446 1,589 ... 3,782 4,092 ... 1,474 1,595 ... 3,826 3,960 ... 4,102 3,944

16,898 17,703



| Shade. i

High .Sun. j

State of weather.

Date.

Low. High 50- 64 --- 69" 53- 61 --- 78. : 45- 89- : 56- 87- : 56- 74- :

Saturday.. Sunday ... Monday ... Tuesday ... Wednesday Thursday... Friday

92 --121 80 140 --145' 150 --1-

Fine, calm „ B,W. Light shw'rs E Pine „

»» * <» .W. Heavy showers (7.10in rain)



Business Notices GOOD WASHING PRINT, 3|d. WHITE MUSLIN, 3a lid per doz AT G. J. NEILL'S. A BEAUTIFUL SUMMER DRESS FOR 6s lid AT" G. J. NEILL'S. Flannelettea 3£d yard. The Best Turkish TOWELS in Ashburton are aW- G. J. NEILL'S. BOf B'Navy Blue Sailor Suits 4s lid. Men's Tweed Trousers 5s lid, Men s iwee« Qo { o _ M Twwd Sultß 2 5s 6d, ab G. J. NEILL'S. fcadiea Lace Shoes, 4s lid. Ladies two-strap Shoes, 4s lid. AT G. J. NEILL'S. Ladle*', Maida*, and Children's TAN SHOES of Every Description, at Very Low Prices, G. J. NEILL'S, #RIEt)LANDER'S CORNER, EAST STREET.



Business Notices. i, i NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, gOLE AGENTS FOR THE FAMOU S "VICTORY" SEWING MACHINE,]



BOOM IN DRAPERY.^ Mil IBBTvf! CROWDS ON SATURDAY. TTOBT COMING BACK TO SALK AT MITCHELL & TURNER'S. — —= IMPORTANT, NOTICE |||3B| LINOLEUMS. WBBl___ MATTING, RUGS, etc ||R«1 LINOLEUMS. BfflT FURNITURE OF ALL KINDS, •nrr . • .. i ;.__._ _.!_•«_>_• frnm the Manufacturers, ex s.s. RiAl UTAKA and OIARAMA, INSPECTION INVITED. Note the Address— T. H. UNDRILL & CO., CABINETMAKERS & UPHOLSTERERS, TANCRED STREET (Opposite Arcade) Picture Framing a Specialty. Venetian Blinds Made to Order. Agents for Olegg's Perambulators.



l! >»h p. •0 _.<d»^ K_j ® s *. m i ,4s I__ % ft I ° s<s<;s H * g g a* a. Qj w S g r,v pej ° -j _3 lis! O S ip| pq .2-2.2 §



li.— - .. Church Services. * HT. STEPHEN'S C H|U RC H, |^5 Ashburton, FRIDAY—Choir Practice, 8 p.m. SUNDAY SERVICES. ~U a.m.—Morning Prayer and Holy Com munion. *£3 p.m.—Greenstreet. ■6.30 p.m.—Evening Prayer. HJREV. HAROLD PURCHAS. WANTED Known—The Economic Kid Glove, four buttons, Is 9d per pair, is the Glove for every day wear.— W. H. COIiLIEB. t___S



OUR FIRST SALE, COMMENCING SATURDAY, JANUAEY 30 MITCHELL & BRODRIBB, THE CENTRAL CASH TRADERS, NEXT! TO J. ORR & COS IRONMONGERY DEPARTMENT, EAST STREET. ERUPTIONS IN THE DRAPERY TRADE. TTTE have decided to eolipse all, with the result that one cut has been made ab our new stock, which has severed the price in half. *_n «M Stoalr no out of date shelf-worn goods to palm off on a sensible public. Our Clean, New, and Stylish Stock at just half the llZlirit The cry i_-HowTib done ? Here you have it :No Bad Debts, No Credit which enable us to lose directly, a portion of •hi ?h?;«S tffi-lS tosini indirect With this difference~At MJTOHBLL and BRODRIBB'S all are treated alike rat the JlSfh fhifood lusSrs have to pay for the bad ones. Make no mistake. We want your money, and feel *_^_d that thefew^folloSgTample pdces wF/bring it. Space will not allow us to quote more than a very condensed list, bat this is a sample of the bargains offered you :— 9 pieces Light Print at 3s lid per doz yards Usual Price, 7Ad per yard 16 pieces Dark Print at 3s lid per doz yards Usua Price, 8d per yard 22 pieces Gingham Print., 4a Ud per doz yards Usua Price, 9d per yard W pieces Floral Crepone, 4s lid per doz yards Usua Price, lid per yard 17 Fancy Brilliant Cloth, 7_d per yard Usua Price, la 3d per yard 7 pieces Plain Crepon, 5a Ud per doz yards Usua Price, Is per yard 11 pieces Stripe Zephyr, 63 Ud per doz yards Usua Price, Is 3d per yard 8 Plain Zephyr, 6s fee doz yards Usual Price, Is 3d per yard 22 pieces Cashmere Cloth, «> .Id per doz yards Usual Price Is per yard 10 pieces Mourning Cloth at the ridiculous price of 3s per doz yards. ; We im yo* **afca*t this very important sale both you and ourselves will hat* y. V™*™^™' yftrd White Calico 2s Ud per doz yards Usual price o_a per yam wS c Meeting, 2 yards wide", lO&d per yard Usua price Is^d^per yard Natapok 4_d per yard Pwal P». cc Wj_*_ yard S h- ito fi T!2ffilor irild 53 W 6 ortPh"o du°ble IiSSrSKf oZ-Dress awaiting inspection l^t^^^^*™ UMM fr°m 2S to »i.edp« wri^ A mixed lot of children's sunshades all colors from Ud each n-..„_. HOSIBRy-Th?beVtvaUiein the trade. Plain *_4 Ribbed Cashmere Hose from is up. Plam and Ribbed Black Cotton rrOVF* G?ov.s Slt ai?r?e yvad rl y Cheap and Good. A beautiful Kid Glove, any shade, at 2s lid. Lower lines from GLOVES «Jov«^-A jar« e 0a yB h " B Y e olov r g _u d) 6 d, 9d, and is per pair. Gaggety and Silk, from is 3d upwards, or nmwa w Bp pSms 'have sold more of these goods than any fcoase in town. What we have on hand-About BLOUSES, gxte^Sir-iifbe SleurS from Is lid, 2, 6d, 2s lid up, just half price. All mus'in and fancy Aprons just Elf what°you will p iy «ywhere else. unw ards. MILLINERY Millinery-Price cut in half in SI SKSng and Mercery Departments. A few Harvester The best value in the trade. £ fcw>-7* ~4a.ta ghirt „ 4a 6d . Brown cotton pants is 6d. Heavy Hats, 6Jd. Seamless Merino Sox, 6d. x»- -* m T wee d Trousers, special 8s 6d, Colonial 8s lid. Men's "WorkiDg Shirts, 2s 6d. Men's strong Moles, ba .' * g 6 §_ t g a ii or Tweed Suits, 6s Ud, size Ito 7. Tweed Suits, 21s 6(1., Men's imitation Fox's Serge Suits, ••. all( j Shoes reduced. Hard and Soft Felts in Choicest stock of Ties and Scarfs in Ashburton. All our Booto t_. gftiapoi Under Flaosels, 3s lid. endless variety. Mohair Boot Laces, 3J per dozen. Heavy Kaiapoi Sox, *.. DO NOT FORGET MITCHELL & BRODRIBB'S FIRST SALE. ] NEXT TP , OBR * CQ, EAST STREET ASHBURTON, j



fv. SQWS fP IS?. 9 _7!\ _ST_ BQ ts t::a source of good healtli. Ayer's Sarsaparilla I Makes Pure Blood, 1 Strengthens the Nerves, I Sharpens the Appetite, 1 Removes that Tired Feeling, | and Makes Life Worth Living. __^f\^^%__ Sufferers j€^^^\ fromindiges- I f^JWwf \\ dcbiiU^ski» I* I —i rl€l— 1• 5 diseases, or ff^SAPkK&jR-f men t arising \T^^^f\Oy from iinnm-p \Ufe \J^ biOO-J, shot. . -v..? ..;.>..'!. as s.. Up.,.: s <„r._i Expose " i, @ _.:',' ' ; i"vniro of clip fTp.mi f_.Hor.«. • ';< ii;pi!.;—Ayer's _s;>.v3»pari'lla—is pr. Un j .'i-'!it ... t!i<; wn.'pp.r, cjld is blown ir I Ui. ;.!u.. o£ _a_U bottle. 1



Sinoe 1878 there have been nine epidemics of dysentery in differen^parts of the country in which Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhcea Remedy was used with perfect ! success, Dysentery, when epidemic, is almost as severe and dangerous as Asiatic cholera. Heretofore the best efforts of the most skilled physicians luve failed to check its ravages; this remedy, however, has cured the most malignant caseß, both of children and adults, and nnder the most trying con ditions, which proves it to be the best medicine in the world for bowel complaints. For sale by Ashburton Drug Company. It will be seen by a new advertisement in J another column that Messrs Craighead audi Berryman are probably now showing the J largest stock of new tWeeds and fashionable I tailoring goods e.er exhibited' in Ashbur- J ton. This speaks well for their eaterpriw I and local industry, I