Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1897. INDIA.

Poor India is suffering from two of the worst scourges that can aftect mankind —famine and pestilence. The one seems to recur regularly about every ton or fifteen years; but the wonder is that, even with the sauitary improvements that have of recent years been almost forced into the life of the Indian people, the other is ever absent from their midst. Tn Calcutta, a port from which thousands of grain sacks are annually exported to all the grain growing countries, including our own colony, a board of medical men has reported that the area of the city is terribly overcrowded, and that several of the wards are carrying a population of over 100,000 souls to the square mile, one ward having almost 145,000. Houses intended to accommodate fifty persons only, with attention paid to ordinary sanitation, have 250 and more crowded into them, while a collection of mud huts, called in Hindoatani busti, are packed with dwellers to suob a degree as to be a permanent menace of pestilence to the whole city. Filth is the prevailing characteristic of these mud huts, and the report of the Medical Board, in describing their condition, uses lan guage well calculated to strike the reader with alarm, seeing that were any virulent and malignant fever such as typhus to break out, it would be impossible for the best medical skill in the world to cope with it. Bombay is in no better case, and it is the great seaport of India and the nearest to Europe. That great city has a harbor said to be the finest, the most beauti ful, and the most commodious in the world, and it is this fact, so important to the trade of the port, that in tensifies the danger to the outer world of the plague now raging in the city. Bombay is situated on an island, but its isolation in this respect is no pro tection to the health of its people, for the steam navigation that haa made Bombay the great centre of commerce it now is, is equally potent to carry infection to its very centre, and to bear it from the pestilence-stricken city to any or every part of the world. ! Bombay is the great cotton manu facturing centre of India, and a great portion of its population are fac tory operatives. It has sixty or seventy large steam mills, with thousands of looms, and millions of spindles, with sixty thousand opera tives at work upon them. The stringent factory laws of Great Britain are not in force among these operatives, and the neglect of sanitation, and the crowded condition of the factories, provide at once ready elements for the plague to hold high revelry. What Bombay is in cotton Calcutta is in jut,e, the fibre used in the manufacture of grain bags, and though as compared with the beginning of this century, both cities have improved in sanitation, the environment of both is such as to be dangerous in the extreme. The population of Bombay is about 825,000, mad© "up of abbut half a million Hindus, 150,000 Mohammedins, 50,000 Parsees, 45,000 Qhristians, and 5000 Jews, and it is said that iuom lr-u^u^es aFe spoken in Bombay than in any other city in the world. This city has suffered most from the plague, and offering as it does the readiest neces sary conditions for pestilence to become rampant, there is little wonder. It is not often that we find a people doub.y scourged wifcti famine and pestilence m the people of India are to d*y, and it requires now but war, such aa s?as waged in 1857 during the mutiny, to complete the intensity of the. horror of tbe aituation. This last fell scourge ha 3 been mercifully withheld. But famine is in itself a fearful inaiction, and Lord George Hamilton, Secretary of State for India, was credited, in a recent cable mesßage, with saying that the famine would cost six millions to contend with—in finding employment for the starving natives and providing them with food. This sum sounds in New Zealand ears as something eoor ! snouts, but viewed in the light of the remarks Qf a bjgh Indian authority — Sir Richard Teinple^ifc v/ili not press heavily on Indian finance. Sj> Richard Ba y S: «I do not think that the outlay will have the effect of greatly embar rassing the finances of India. Judging fro© the experience of 1874-77, I should think ,that, at the worst, the outlay might bo fivfc or six millions sterling in the first year, and tw*? or three millions in the second twelve months. This, of course, would be borrowed > % I doubt whether the Indian cash balance, high as it is, could bear such » strain. >low, £5 000,000 at 3 per cent would be £130,000, ana £2,000,000 would be £60,000 ■; ho that, all told, the total would be under a quai te? of a million. This would not be an important addi tion to the interest charges of India, and, after all, th# burden might turn out to be less. On the other band, by means of such an outlay the people, and, with them, the revenue, would be saved, and a considerable quantify of earthwork would have been dona for j the railways. The saving of revenue by effective relief is a matter of great importance. For example, in 1874,1 the Government of Bengal, o'i,?»O£ to ifc§ famine relief work, escaped any loss of revenue and got as much into the Treasury during that year as during other years."

Hogg, the Ettrick shepherd, bad a collie whom ho had trained from a puppy, and who literally understood

A FAITHFUL mi,

everything he said

One evening there came on a terrible snowstorm, and that; so suddenly that he had not had time to collect his flock and bring them under shelter. Taking his dog on his knees, as was his custom when he had any thing to tell her, he explained to her that she must go "east" and he •" west," and gather home the scattered Sock. She understood at once, and started oft as directed. Hogg went in the opposite direction, and brought back his portion o£ the sheep in safety ; but his dog and the rest did not appear, and he begaa to fear that all bad perished in the drift, Towards mill' night, however, be heard ft soratobipg

at his cabin door, and on opening it gaw to his great joy s his faithful collie and the whole of the remainder of the flock. Not one was missing, But the dog had something in her mouth which she deposited at his feet, and then rushed out again into the storm and pitch darkness He took it up and found it was—a puppy* The poor beast had evidently had a struggle in her mind between her duty to her master and her duty to her young. She had bad her puppies on the way, and had com promsed the matter by bringing home one with the sheep and hid th< n gone to seek the others. At last she returned with a second puppy in her mouth. But the effort had been too great—she put the second p ippy in the shepherd's lap and then fell down and died. Hogg oried like a child when he told the story.

Local and General.

Reading matter on fourth page. The Kindergarten School will re-open on Monday next.

MrGilfedder, M.H.R., has resigned his appointment of teacher under the South land Education Board.

Mr Earnshaw, ex-M.H.R. for Dunedin, now occupies a responsible position in a lead* ing firm of plumbers and brass founders in Wellington.

The oldest physician in France, and almost the oldest in the world, is Dr de Bossy, of Havre, who celebrated his 104 th birthday some months ago.

One of the events of Sydney last week was the baptism by the primate of Austra'ia of seven Chinese converts and their recep tion into the Church.

An Amerioan millionaire, Mr Philip Armour, of Chicago, has in his employ five heads of department, to each of whom he pays a salary of £4000.

Elizabeth Brien, aged about four years, one of the family who were poisoned at Hawera on Wednesday last, has died after suffering j»reat agony.

The census shows that in April there were 344 blind persona in the colony—2ll males and 133 females—and of this number only five were in receipt of charitable aid.

The Foxton Telegraph tells a tale of how a Maori rushed into the water at Otaki the other day, and seizing a shark 9ft long, succeeded with the assistance of others, in landing him.

A museum in Berlin has secured possession of Luther's Bible which he used iv his study. Its margins are covered with notes in the reformer's handwriting, It was printed in Basle, in the year 1509, and is said to be in an excellent state of preservation.

The North Otago Times says that a number of the Maerewhenua settlers have finished cutting, and are well pleased with 6heir prospects from the threshing mill. The yield is variously estimated at from 36 bushels down to 25.

There are at least 200 horse butchers shops in Paris. The first one dates from July Ist, 1366, since when the consumption has grown continuously. In 1872, 5034 horsea were eaten in Paris ; in 1878,10,000 ; in 1894, 81,227; in 1895, more than 30,000.

" What time is it, my lad ?" asked an American traveller of a email Irish boy who was driving a couple of cows home from the fields. " About 12 o'clock, air," replied the boy. " I thought it was more." " It's never any more here," returned the lad in surp'ise. "It just begins at 1 again."

The Rev. Rutherford Waddell, M.A., Minister of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Dunfidin, and the Rev. R. Erwin, Mi, who is in charge of the North Belt Presbyterian Church, Christchurch, have been nominated by the Theological Faculty of Ireland for the degree of Doctor of Divinity.

M. Moissau states that the moat stable compounds known to science disappear ia the electric furnace. The only exceptions are the perfaotly crystallised borides, silicides, and carbides, discovered by him. These, he thinks it probable, are original constituents of the globe and must still exist in some of the stars.

A southern writer says that that supposed to be extinct bird the takahe or gutnt swamp hen (till exists in Long Sound, on tho West Coast, and Mr Shand, who was residing in Pi eservation Inlet, says he came i across a beautiful specimen a few months ft back, when up Long Island, but he had no guv with him at the time. There are only I two stuffed specimens of this bird known to I exist.

The story that Mr Fish will not be able to take his seat in the House of Representatives on account of his throat being seriously ail cied hiving got into the newspapers, the Dunedin Evening Star haß made inquiry, and can stale that the tale is without foundation. Mr Fish's throat ia certainly a source of trouble, but he has no fear of being compelled to y&cate his place in. Parliament.

We are pleased to learn that the ypung man—Edward Tucker—who underwent an operation in Christchurch for an injury to his eye, is doing very well, Dr Manning says that, thanks to a grand constitution, the young fellow should be about again in a week. The eye was taken out, the foreign matter removed, and the eye replaced, and it seems there is a lingering hope that the sight has not altogether been lost.

A party of excursionists availed themselves of the fine weather and started on Saturday evening in Lloyd's drag, drawn by a four in-hand, for Peel Forest, where they spent a most enjoyable a*y, returning on Sunday evening. There were d"numf»e; iof other parties in various parts of the bush, chiefly from Geraldine and Temuka, although another party from Ashburton were en countered in the course of the day.

The Town Clerk has been instructed to sue forthwith for all "outstanding rates, without fuVth'er no&ies, and without of course respect of persons. The Hat of arrears is unduly long, and with a heavy overdraft, on which to pay interest, it is not fair to such ratepayers as have promptly discharged their municipal liabilities, that others should bo allijwad bo get into arrears. Stringent measures are! also to be taken with arrears of rents of reserves and other borough proper ties.

£ ; astevening the City Fathers discussed a motion, given notice of by Cr Baker, to reduce the salary of Messrs C. E. Fooks and Son, clerks and engineers to the borough, by £25 per annum. The motion did not find a seconder, except pro forma to allow th,9 ma*'t;er to be discussed, The general opinion w,as that thptigh_ economy was always commendable, and ft wif* dasjred to S6V.Q th<3 ratepayers' money, the borough got good value for their money in tEe services given by the oncers in question.

The Assets Realisation Board have, we (//./?. Times) are given to understand, v£ the Waverley and Bushy Park fishitep the 098 in oth casea bein 8 in Scess of the 'latest v^™< . I»f b« «« of the latter estate, McKenzie I* r«»'» 0* Sh;»g Valley, through their agents, Messrs Slierretfi and W"ylie, barristers and solicitors, of WeTingt6n/ are th.c pjsrchaserß 3 the price beiug £8 per acire, stock; plant and imple ments being taken at valuation. Messrs McKenzie Bros, are sons of the Hon, John McKenzie. Bushy Park contains 2243 acres freehold and 85 acres leasehold, and carries 6285 sheep.

Some years ago (says an exchange) a trefpliwtn burr appeared on the land re claimed by the Qamaieu Harbour Board. That butr has now spreadall along the coast line and is as plentiful ab Mberaki as it; is at Oamaru. It will probably spread all over the land that is nob frequently cultivated. Dogs can now be seeu careering alone with a ooatful of the burr, distributing it in all directions. Sheep will be the next distribu tors of the peat, and then we shall be in the same state as some districts of Australia and South America, Canadian fehistlo is also spreading "rapidly, 'arid we have heard of many paddocks that yearly carry large crops of it It may be impossible now to success fully eona with these pests unless at great expense; Wt' w* p^ume something will

1' Mrs Tompkine h&8 vacancies for boarders , at Holly Lodge. Ihe annual treat of the St Andrew's Sunday school, Tinwald, will be held on Thursday afternoon in the Tinwald Domain. The Wellington Post states that "some important change® in the management of the Bank of New Zualaud will presently be made."

We notice that Mr Henciker-Heaton* M. P., is spoken of as likely to be the next Governor of New Zealand. We are not inclined to put much faith in the report.

A very large scorpion was c mght on board the s.s. Fazilka at Du.edin on Saturday morning by Thomas Mailer, one of the stevedores working at the discharge of the vessel. The reptile was fully Bin long, and very lively.

Mr Robert Alcorn, J.P., this afternoon remanded to Tnnaru, on a charge of stealing a lady's cape from a refreshment room in thai; town, a woman named Margaret Webster. Accused is about fifty years of sge, and says she has walked all the way from Dunedin. Constable Drury arrested her on the larceny charge last night at Tiawald.

Three members of the Dunedin City Guards, who visited Chrietehurch recently for a riie competition, and who appeared in public dressed partly in uniform and partly in plain clothes, were, upon their return to Dunedin, fined by the captain of the corps in the maximum amount allowed. One of the offenders, being a non-commis sioned officer, has been suspended from his duties for a time.

Ihe Labor Gazette reports as follows on the labor market in Ashburton :—Building trades—Brisk. Engineering trades—Bother dull. Boot and clothing trades—Fairly good. Retail trade—Fairly good. Un skilled labor—No men appear to be idle just at present. Shearing is busy, and the harvests is ju^t coming on. Bain is badly needed^ as the dry weather is injuring the harvest.

The efforts of the Government to sell the as. liinemoa have been (says the Wanganui Herald) unsuccessful. Not a single offer for her has been received, and it* has now been decided to put her into commission again. It is understood that one part of her work will be to cruise about tho coast to prevent smuggling. She will also carry the railway material, which it has been found the Tutanekai is unable, owing to her peculiar construction to take on board.

In spite of the prolonged drought) aad heat, the health inspector was able to report to the Borough Council last night that the town was remarkably free from sickness. There were a few oases of influenza, but none of fever, although outside the borough there had been cues of typhoid. The Mayor took credit) to the town's drainage system, and to the carefulness and cleanliness ot the iesidenta for much of this immunity from sickness.

A fund ia being raised for the relief of settlers who suffered by the recent bush fires in the Wairarapa district. An investi gation has shown that houses, fences grass, and live stock have been burned, and in some cases human lives only saved with the greatest difficulty. Over a large area of country, where formerly smiling homesteads with sheep, cattle and crops existed, nothing but a blackened, desolate waste remains. It i 3 estimated that several thousand pounds will be needed to help the unfortunate sufferers to start life again.

Lasb night Cr Baker wanted the Council to supply the scavenger with carbolic acid to disinfect the closet pans he had to empty. Cr Brooke mentioned that the price whole sale of carbolic acid was 5s a gallon, but re tail it was about 2s 6d a pint. Tnis was considered too costly a means of disinfection, especially in view of Cr Collins' reminder that no disinfectant was more effiaa :ious than dry earth. It was suggested that the burpessea might be safely left to use dry earth for their closets, without the corpora tion spending money on disinfectants.

The experience of the people at Spring, burn on Friday evening was proof of what has often been asserted that the rainfall towards the hills is far heavier than on the plains We had but a slight drizz'e in Ashburton that evening, but at Springbum it rained in torrents, and continued to do so bill far into the morning. As a consequence the grass is beginning to look like itself again at the hills' foot, and the prospect for feed ia thus very greatly improved. In the upper districts the same rule obtains with regard to the crops—all are rather light; but on the good land the yield wilt be fair, and poor on the light land. The earlier sown crops are passable, but those that were not got in till late in the season are the next thing to a failure—certainly very disappointing.

The Census returns show that in every 100 persons 8060 could read and write, 289 could read only, and 16 51 were unable to read. The proportion per cent, unable to read fell from 2372 in 1878 to 21*19 in 1886 and further to 16 51 in 1896. Of persons at the age period 10—15 years in 1896 98*73 per cent were able to read and write, while 0*65 per cent, could merely read, and only 0-62 per cent, were unable to read. The proportion who could not read increased with each succeeding quinquennial period of age until at 50—55 years it stood at 4 "04 per oent. At 75 —80 the proportion was 7.05 percent., and at 80—85 advanced to 8"07 per oent. Similarly the proportion of per sons who could read only increased from 0 65 at 10 —15 years to 3*66 at the period 50—55, and again to 974 at 80 and upwards. The better education of the people at the earlier ages is thus exhibited.

At the meeting o! the Domain Board last evening the chairman, {His Worship the Mayor) drew attention to a difficulty ex perienced by the officers conducting sports meetings in the oval. The unfenced con difcton oi the oval (he said) enabled a certain 1 claea oi the public to trespass on tha track and on the grass, to the inconvenience of both competitors and officials, and also obstructing the view of the public who observed the rules and remained outßide the track. The Chairman said he had received many complaints on this subject, and it \vould be necessary for the Board sooner or later to consider the question. Some of the members of the Boai?a favored terracing the ground outside the -track, so that a s com manding view of the whole track and oval be given to the onlookers. Others favored a fence with alternate movable panels, such panels to be removed when a cricket match is being played, but fixed in a continuous line for other 1 meetings. Ultimately the matter was referred to the Domain Com mittee to consider and report. The Board will find th it fencing will be the cheapest and most effective, as it is the more selfish of the crowd that have to be dealt wfth, and in the absence of a fence such people will always scramble to a position from which they can see what is to be setsn, regardless of the fact that by crowding round the competitors they pbafcruflt the view of others whose gate money is as good as their own.

The Qommittee'of the Aehburton Pacing Club met on Saturday^Mr Hugo Fried- Under in the chair. The meeting discussed the financial position of the Club. The Ohairmxa read a statement showing that t.ha Olub was now much stronger than it had u o » n tor some years past. There was a SlyTncrJed mem^ip, wl the meg. inT held on January 2nd bad been u y .„. the mosii piiccossft'.l meeting for the past four years. Vhe previous goyan meetings had each resulted in a heavy" financial rlosi. The whole of a credit balance of sottte £90( which the Olub had on deposit: in 1892 had been absorbed, and a loan hai to be raised. The spring meeting of 1892 resulted in a loss of £14, the autumn and spring meetings of 1893 showed a total loss of £119, those of 1694 £217, the autumn meeting of J895 a losaof £159. and tnß summer and autumn meetings of 1896 each showed a loss. He was pleased to say that the Glub had now been put in a solv nfc potitlon.. It would be able to meet all its liabilities, including paying off the loan advancei by the Tinwald O;ub a year ago, and iUrt the present season with a small credit balance. It was decided to hold an autumn meeting, and a Committee was appointed Jo fix a date and draft a programme. A_he_rty expression of thanks was accorded tha Hon. Sec , Mr J. Bavison, for the valuable and efficient wrvicei he had rende re< | &fc i 0 O rui cal a Dtriod to th« Ciwb'i history,

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening. Present— The Mayor (presiding) and all the Council lors.

fINANCB.

His Worship said the overdraft now stood at £1247 12a sd, &nd the income received since last meeting amounted to £46716s 2d, of which £200 was for auctioneers' licenses, £140 Government subsidy, £104 reserve reuts, the rest being miscellaneous.

JIBE IN THE RAILWAY RESERVE.

The Resident Engineer wrote stating that he had certified and sent forward for pay ment a voucher in favor of the Council for £2, expenses incurred by the Fire Brigade in assieting to extinguish fire in railway plantation at Ashbunon on December 4, 1896.

strasiDY,

The Paymaster-General forwarded voucher for £140 12a 6d subsidy on £860. The amount of subsidy was £187 10b, and the sum forwarded was 75 per cent of that amount.

RESERVE LEASES.

Mr William Patching wrote, asking for a slight alteration in the conditions of the lease of reserve held by him. The matter was considered in committee, and on resuming it was decided that the original lease must be adhered to.

Miuttera aeked for by another tenant were ordered to be put up. An application for reduction of rent of the Hinds endowment farm was made by the lessee, and remitted to the Reserves Committee.

ENGINEERS* BEFORE.

The report of the Engineers dealt with the work of the labor gang, and after a short discussion the report was adopted. INSPECTORS* REPORT.

The Inspector reported that there were no cases of typhoid or other fever in the borough. He had given notice in one or two instances to have drainage improved. He also called attention to the number of unregistered dogs about. The Mayor said ib was matter for con gratulation that the Borough waa so free from disease, especially during the hot weather.

The report was adopted. TORB INSPECTOR'S REPORT.

The Fire Inspector reported on the recent fire at Mr Shury's residence. Cr Thomas said he bad heard that a num ber of gentlemen had declined to work the pump of the curricle engine because of the refusal of the fire insurance companies to subsidise the fire brigade. The Mayor was not aware that any person had refused to pump, but he certainly had seen a number of able-bodied men standing by looking on while others were working. Amont» others he saw the Rev T. A. Hamil ton working very hard.

BATES AND RENT,

It was decided that all overdue rates and rentß be Eued for without further notice.

RETRENCHMENT

Cr Baker moved the motion standing in his name to reduce the salary of the engi neers and town clerks by £25. Ur Cuthbertson seconded the motion pro forma, but could not support it, as he thought the remuneration was not too much for the time devoted to the borough's ser vice. , / Cr Reid moved that the matter be referred to the Finance Committee, and Cr Bird seconded, but neither favored the motion of Cr Baker.

Cr Thomas also opposed the motion, con tending that the firm who did the borough's clerical and engineering work was not over paid. Nor was he in favour of the amend ment, as it was a matter that ought to be dealt with by the Council. Cra Paul, Collins, and Orr expressed them selves in favour of letting things remain as are. as did also Cr Brooke.

Ultimately both amendment and motion were put aud lost.

SANITARY. A discussion arose on a suggestion by Or Baker to supply the scavenger with some disinfectant for use on the closet pans which he had to empty. Some Councillors sug gested carbolic acid, others chloride of lime, but on Cr Collins Baying that the best disin fectant was dry earth, and that was to be found in every garden, the matter dropped. On the suggestion of Or Baker, however, it was decided that; the scavengers be asked to supply a list of residents who refußed to allow them to enter on premises to remove night soil. 40CODNTS.

Accounts to the amount of £70 were passed for payment and the Council eat as a

DOMAIN BOARD.

Mr Harrison wrote drawing the attention of the Board to the heroic conduct of Egbert Bdker, a lad of fifteen years, son of Cr Bxker, in saving the life of the young man Dunn, who narrowly escaped drowning in the swimming bath on January 12, and suggested that an effort should be made to procure a Humane Society's medal for young Haker. The thanks of the Board were passed to Mr Harrison for his suggestion. In reference to the Curator's letter of last meetiug, referred to the Domain Committee, thq,t Committee asked for an extension of time in which to report. Mr Paul mentioned that in conversation with the Queensltnd team ho had learned that they were of opinion that the pitch in our Oval was equal to the Lancaster Park pitch. This, he thought, was a compliment to Mr Perks, the caretaker. Tlie Mayor said every Ashburton man was proud of the Domain, and justly so, for it was a credit to the place, lie had had the pleasure of escorting a distinguised journalist now on a tour of the colony, through the Do main, and he had expressed his astonishment at the excellence of the public park. The Mayor would like to see new gates at the lodge, when funds were available. He also drew attention to the fact that at sports meetings there was a great tendency on the part of the spectators to crowd on the Oval, and it would be well for the Board to consider how this could be remedied in future either by fencing or terracing. The matters mentioned by the Mayor were referred to the Domain Committee. ' The Board then adjourned.

Stacking and Thatching.

There is no kind of farm work, aays 7/nstledown, in which there is more diversity of style and variation in quality of work manßhip than in building a corns tack. Some of the designs are curiosities, and when they finally settle down it ia hard to say whether they were intended for a Stack or muc)k heap. Some are ronnd, and some are square, but the great majority are neither round nor square, A great number are so irregular in contour and outline that their appearance baffles description. Now, while admitting (he faot that a very unshapely stack if thatched properly will keep dry for a con-> siderabli 'period, it is desirable that all stacks should be neatly and properly built. The more tidy and trim a stack looks after being built, the less thatching it will require. Almost every farmer knows pow topla-e the sheaves in stack-building, but a good deal of praciioe is required to execute the work as it should be done. |n a season like the present, when the straw is short, it is very difficult to build a nice stack, more especi ally of a round shape. The obloug form is much easier to build, although more thatch ing ia required than in the case of the round or pyramid shape. A plan of thatching that is coming generally into use in many —-.-*« ni thia.colony is to coyer $he long or square stacks with ordinary corrugatea iron. lie sheets are fastened together at the top of'the stack, aud hang do^n each eid£, f Jjd made fast. A simpler plan than this/ hdw ever, which I have seen adopted' with' suo cess, is to build the stack with a flat top, with just enough slope to run the water off the iron. This method does away with the trouble of fixing the sheets of zino at the, top of the stack, and ia equally effective In keeping the grain dry

UNKNOWN

From Our Own Correspondent

SOUTH RAKAIA SCHOOL DISTRICT.

Owing to an alteration in the school district, caused by the formation of the Overdale school district, it became necessary under the Act that a new Committee should be elected. The meeting was held in the school, and no interest was taken therein, the old members—Messss H»rdy, Oxley, Midgley, C. Shannon, W. Cromte, M J. Liddy, and Rev. J. Holland—being the only ones nominated, were declared elected. Mr Hardy was re-elected chairman.

SOUTH BAKAIA SCHOOL OOMHIITEB. At a special meeting correspondence waa received from the Board to the effect that Miss Howard had been appointed to the Green Park school. Miw Howard wrote asking if she could be relieved at the end of January. In the interest of the school it was resolved that Miss Howard must adhere to the usual month's notice. Owing to Mis E. Thompson, pupil teacher, having to go to the Normal school, applications for a pupil teacher were called. It was djseided to recommend the appointment of Mis* May Stanley, who had already had some experi ence, and forwarded good credentials. Seme of the other candidates' applications could not be entertained, as they were not of the prescribed age.

POLIOS COURT.

Although there have not been many men about the township this year thete has bran some pretty tall talking, and Constable Stanley had to arrest a couple of them. James Williams, alias James Oiunmio*, alias James Swanson, pleaded guilty *r «Jing obscene language ma public plaee,<«tt<la« there were several previous oonvioiioM he was sent to Lyttelton for one month! James Smith, charged with a similar offence, got seven days.

BOXING DAT SPOUTS.

An informal meeting of some of theee interested was hurriedly ca led, M the hon. secretary, Mr P. A. Keddell had received in* struotiODS to proo«ed to Palmertton Sooth. Very few were present. No chairmen wh elected, and the minutes of the last meeting were not read or confirmed. Mr Tucker, who acted as Treasurer, read a statement showing (id is understood) a email credit balance. An honorarium and rofee of thanks were passed to the Secretory. Ai there are several matters in connection with the sports which require discussion, the sub scribers generally expect that a proper meeting will be called, so that the boeinese cm be conducted in something like & decent fashion.

PUBLIC LIBRARY.

The annual meeting of subscribers was held in the book roomj very few were prs* sent—Mr Oxley, chairman of committee, presiding. The annual statement showed a small credit balance after paying 1 off all liabilities. An honorarium and vote of thanks were passed to the Secretary for extra duties satisfactorily performed. The fol* lowing were elected a Committee—Messrs Oxley, Thompson, Fabling, J. Stevenson, C. Hardy, J. Wilkinson, J. R. Sharpe, and R. D. Petrie. The question of rescinding a resolution passed at a special meeting against making an exchange of sections and building cropt up. The Chairman remarked that as so few subscribers were present it would not be right to discuss the matter, hat any twelve subscribers on giving notice to the Secretary could have a special meeting called to go into the question; It was under stood that this would be done. At a Com mittee meeting held afterwards, Mr Oxley was re-elected Chairman and Treasurer and Mr Liddy librarian.

WEATHER, The weather still keeps dry and farmers would be only too pleased to have a couple of days bard cold rain. Feed is very soaroe, and the slight drizzles which fell on Sunday and Monday do more harm than good, as the ground is so hot.

MOUNT SOMERS.

From Onr Owa Correipondent

The Mount Somers School annual sports' were held on Friday last in a paddock kindly lent for the occasion by Mr Timpson. The day was simply perfect in itself, the heavy winds which had prevailed for the previous week having apparently blown themselves out. Notwithstanding harvest being fairly general, there was a large attendance of parents and children, and friends from the surrounding district*. On the ground a large tent was erected, in which refresh' mente were dispensed during the day by Mrs Miller, assisted by a large number of ladies. A little further along wu another tent, wlnch contained the prices for the various atble:io events of the day. Mesert A, I Harvey and J. MoOlimont aoted as judges, I and Messrs Tait and Watson as handicap* pera and starters, and succeeded in getting through sucoetsfully a long progtiMßtoM of events, al! of whioh were keenly oimtetted. The adult portion of the gathering amused themselves in games of rounders, «riok»t f etc., and all and sundry appeared to enjoy themselves to the fullest extent. At the close of the day the ahildren were arranged in front of the refreshment booth, and on behalf of the Committee the Her 8., J. Westbrooke presented each ohild with a handsome book as a reward for work done during the yesr. Special prises we're also awarded to Blanche Vincent and William Carleton for popularity, Mr Westbrooke, in the course of his remarks, congratulated the school on the auocess-of its year's work, and on behalf of the Committee, expressed his pleasure that Miss Hight had successfully passed her fourth year examination, but re grey»d they were so soon to lose her servioes, she having received notice from the Board of Education only the day before that she would be expected to present herself at the Normal School on Monday the 25th. He wished to express the Committee's high appreciation of her servioes, and thVturar ing interest She had displayed urtbe work of the school during her connection with it, and was sorry that the notice had been too short for them, at present, to show their appreciation In a more practical form. Mr Watson, on behalf of Miss Right, briefly thanked the CommU&e for tfce; kindly re marks they had been pleased to> "make. A hearty vota at thanks was then accorded to Mr Timpson for the use of his paddook, and for the handsome prizes he had rt generously donated. Cheers were then given for $h« Committee, teachers, and' the ladies who had supplied the creature oomforts. A tin of lollies'was then scrambled for,, and after a few more races were got off the crowd dis persed, all pleased with the success of the day's amusement. Ife ought to be mentions^ that the prizes were obtained from Mr H. M. Jones, Ashburton, and were of ex ceptional value, and greatly admired by tt£s people generally.

THE PETONE MURDER.

PiER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Wellington, January 86. Bother's case was feeumed this morning, A number of lads were called, who contra; dieted the accused's statement as to the presence of two swaggers on Jones' verandah about seven o'clock on the evening of the murder. Another witness, Mrs Walter*, deposed that on the day of the murder Bosher came to her plaae at Taita, and eaid the reason he had called at Jones' was to get a parcel of books for her, which the murdered man had promised to send. She subsequently found that the books had been in the powwiou of the accused for some ' time. The case is further adjourned until to-morrom

THE kSBBORTOB OtJAEDIASLs TUESDAY, JANtARI 26, 189?



Bttslne s Notices ____»_-___ ] 1 ROOD WASHING PRINT, 3£d. WHITE MC7BLIN, 3a lid per doz; t AT G. J. NEILL'S. A BEAUTIFUL SUMMER DRESS FOR 6a lid AT G. J. NEILL'S. Flanneletteß 3£d yard. The Beat Turkish TOWELS in Ashbnrtoa are at— G. J. NEILL'S. BOSS 1 Navy Blue Sailor Suits 4a Ud, Men's Tweed Trousers 5s lid, Men's Heavy Ooloaial Tweed Suits 25s 6d, at G. J. NEILL'S. |£*dit»j Uoe Shoes, 4s lid. Ladios two-etrap Shoes, 4s lid. AT G. J. NEILL'S. lMim\ Maid*', and Children's TAN SHOES of Every Description, at Very Low Prices, AT G. J. NEILL'S, FRIBDLANDER'S CORNER, EAST STRSET.



BOOM IN DRAPERY. CROWDS ON SATURDAY. TJOSX COMING BACK TO SALES AT MITCHELL & TURNER'S.



NEW FIRM -:- -:- -: -:- -:- -:- NEW FIRM SAYS MONEY B¥ DEALING WITH MITCHELL & BRODRIBB NO BAD DEBTS. NO OLD STOOK THAT ACCUMULATES BY YEARS of BUSINESS THE Public should only consider what they can save by dealing with a Cash Firm, where they do not have to pay for the great losses that are occasioned by Bad Debts. MITCHELL & BRODRIBB BUY AND BELL FOR OABH, THERIFOBJS .THEY ABU ABLE TO GIVE BETTER VALUE THAN ANY OTHER PLACE IN ASHBURTON. — A Few Quotations will be Convincing •— Brown Ribbed Panto (heavy) 1b 6<J-worth Ladies' Hose, fast colors, plain and ribbed la lid Pair M« n '« fwi™ fid—worth 9d White and Brown Turkish Towela, only 6d HarveS Ha'tß frfd-worth Is White Calico grand value at 2s Ud-lSfyd. Blacher Boot« 4g lid-grand value The Best Value for Flannelettes n f^T^X^nXn^o^ Heavy Twill 4s IS toSU^th 7d a yd" l^aaiea wmonmw, ywi* , t Splendid Line of Corsets, all sizes, at Hairline Jeed Trouaers 8s 6d-cheap at The of Wia(!eß ia toWB> wf L Fvf tKoTc™ B t28A 6eLrtment of Hats Ladies' SaZ Straws, all shades and shapes, we nave w™ ""ulurav from 9d each—Pick your own shape 12yda Strong Print for 3a lid-Cheap at 6s and . trimming, and have your ATSmpSKf Summer Tweed Is Id, double Millwery done Free of Charge, width JfULL RANGES O¥ KAIAPOI AND MOSGIEL CLOTHING. MEASURED GARMENTS A SPECIALTY. 49s 6d FV%TluTfm* 49s 6d MITCHELL & BRODRIBB,



; Business Notices. ! I; i NEW ZEALAND Clothing 1 Factory, COLE AGENTS FOR THE FAMOUS "VICTORY" SEWING MACHINE.



-a >» S3 =*£ » -<T 2 3 sigg » «§ i Pins to t-^ • '"^ o •-* _— ° sisi pq .2 •- .i a> i



TEN POXJNJDS TRIAD fl iUO (Tbn Pound) c£lo b 5 COMPETITION. Z nriHIS MONrH the TRIAD i i offers a prize of £10 to the U | one who. selects from the under- mentioned list of novels the six H y most popular books. Thiscompeti- m tion will be decided by the compe- M titors themselves. The person H w who votes for the six books which v U the majority vote for will receive {£ the £10 ; or, should there be two or more vot«rs tor the same six that the majority vote for, the mor^y will be divided equally among them. The conditions are as under:— 1. Write down on paper the titles of what you consider the six most popular books in the follow list: Westward Ko ! Pickwick Papers, Trilby, We Two, Lady Audley's Secret, My Novol, Handy Audy, Bleak House, Kenilworth, She, Valentine Vox, Kast Lynce, Charles O'Malley, The Heavenly -* Twin?, Adam Bede, John Halifax, j " Genl leman, Vanity Fair, Ivanhoe, ~ Q Monte Christo, Woman in White, M H Tom Brown's Schooldays, The " Z Yellow Aster, Cle# Keliy, The Wooing O't. £) 2, Purchase 53 worth, or more, _ of anything you may require, 0 from one of the firms below, and w . «8t a receipt, and po3t receipt and w "< your list of six to the Manager, Q TRIAD, Dunedin. If you enclose v receipt for 10s or over you may £J send in two lists ; if for 15s, three T\ lists ; and so on for every 5a worth jf r< purchased. uj j m Ashburton Drapery Co. W j r. Gates, Horace A., Music Ware- -> i H house (agent for Tkiao). * N.Z. Clothing Factory OCKIV POUNJJW



NOTICE. riIHERE is a vatsaucy ioe oni9 apprentice in this Office. Applicant must ha^e pasaed the sixth standard. Ashburton Publishing Company. January 18th.



Church Services. tT¥¥ephbn's church, Ashburton. Wednesday—Vestry meeting, 4.50 p.m.; Brotherhood St Andrew, 7.30 pm THURSDAY —Annual Sunday school Treat. Soholara assemble at the Church at 2 p.m. FRIDAY—Short Service 7.30 p.m. Choir Practice, 8 p.m. SUNDAY SERVICES. \ 8.30.—H01y Communion, 11 a.m.—Morning Prayer. , 2,3o.—Distribution of Sunday bchool i Prize?, in St Stephen's schoolroom. Parents and friends will be cordially welcomed. 3p.m.-DROMORE-Mr W. Bowman So p.m.— Evening Prayer. Collections | in aid of ,tbe Church Mission Bund of the HE7, Z 4, gAMIWWN.



Chamberlain s Cough Remedy cures colds, croup and whooping cough. It is pleasant, safe and reliable. For sale by AsifBURTON Dkuo Company.



It will be seen by a new advertisement in another column that Messrs Craighead and Berryman are probably now showing the largest stock of new tweeds and fashionable tailoring goods ever exhibited in Ashbur* ton. This speaks well for their enterprise and loot) industry.



Holloway'sPills". —Pure Slood.—When the Blood is pure, its circulation calm' and equable, and the nerves well strung, we. are well. These Fills possess a marvellous power in securing these essentials of health by purifying, regulating and streoatqen^ the fluids and aolids. Hollo way's PtUt, tiaa be confidently recommended to at^ Mf*ons Bufferingfromdisordereddigestion.orwbrried by nervous fancies, or neuralgic pains. They correct acidity and heartburn, dispel sick he i dache, quicken the action of the liver, and act as alteratives and gentle aperients. The weak and delicate may take them with out tear. Holloway's Pills ate eminently serviceable to invalids of irritable oon«ti< tution, as they raise the action of every - organ to its natural standard, and tanivetv salfy efciroiis %■ calming and ttdAtiT*