DEATH.

Wilson— On September 4, at her daughter's residence (Mrs Joseph Clurk). Great South Road, Tinwa d, Mrs Elizabeth Wilson, in her 96th year.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1897.

Australia has a considerable in- j terest in the Hawaian Islands, not! only in trade TRADE WITH exchange, but also THE SANDWICH in the matter of ISLANDS. passenger traffic, as nearly all the steamers trading between the colonies and America put in at Honolulu. Her trade is not increasing, and it ia certainly not bo large as it might be, when we see England, China and Japan, much farther away, doing three times as much trade. Here are the imports from Australia and New Zealand for six years:—lß9o, £28.510; 1891, £37,031; 1892, £20,040; 1893 £25,209 < 1894, £37,303; 1895, £24,5§8. As against these figures the exports from Hawaii to the colonies do not amount to more than 7 per cent, of the total trade, or an average of about £1220 a year. Of course the market is practically con trolled by America, both in the im ports and exports. America takes 99 4 per cent of Hawaii's produce, and exports about £1,000,000 worth of goods to the island every year, Eng land's export trade has fallen from £220,894 in 1890 to £94,224 in 1895, whist China and Japan show an in crease from £62,721 to £86,165 in that period, San Francisco is Hawaii's chief agent both in exports and imports. Last year she sent £717,000 worth of goods to the islands.

Local and General.

A canard is something that one canardly believe. A farmers' co-operative society is to be formed in Auckland. Lieut-Colonel MoDonnel is about to write a history of the Maori war. Two eggs for a quid looks like a good price. VY hat price the chuckie that lays them ? Klondyke item. The Matron ef the Hospital acknowledges with thanks donations from the following ladies:—Mrs W. B. Denshire, illustrated papers; Miss Bishop, Canterbury Times. A Masterton settler informs the Waira rapa Star chat he expects to have nearly 200 per cent, of lambs this year* Besides twins he says that several of his ewes have pro duced triplets. A rabbit fence on the Queensland border, extending a distance of 112 miles, has just been completed at a cost of £6299, which is borne jointly by Queensland and New South Wales. Not long since in one of the American States, two cows, two pigs, eighteen poultry, a greyhound pup, and a bull were given to a travelling agent for a cabinet organ, showing that •* music halh charms." A recent wedding notice in an Australian paper remarks that " the bride comes from Cuddell, near Narandera." Girls from a place with a name iike thati ought to find it rather easy to pick up husbands. Her Majesty in her long life has travelled very little abroad. She had never been in Russia, Denmark, Austria, .Sweden, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, nor Greece. She has never yet set eyes on any of her colonies, nor upon any part of Asia, Africa, or America. A Dunedin railway, officer has succeeded in producing a single-handed signal lamp, which leaves one hand free to perform the multitudinous duties of a railway guard or shunter. The use of this lamp has been practically demonstrated, and it is said to have proved a great success, the various lights being capable of being instantaneously put out while held in one hand, Says the New Zealand limps ;—Mv W. Tyree, the New Zealand agent for acetylene gas, arrived by the Takapuna. The action his company has commenced against the Dunedia firms for infringing the Wilson patent is likely to develop into a big one. Expert evidence will be brought from America and Europe to supporb the claims of the patentees. Quite a chapter of accidents, more or leas serious, has taken place on the traffic bridge lately owing to reckless driving during wet or frosty weather. That too much care cannot be taken was shown yesterday when a horse attached to a buggy slipped and fell, but, a$ the animal was going dead alow, the occupants, though somewhat scared, received only a slight shaking. The Sydney General Post Office building exhibits fifteen distinct fractures down the Martin Place frontage through stones vary ing from one to si* tons. At first the fractures were supposed to be due to sub sidence of the foundations or to shrinkage between old and sew portions of the build ing. It is now officially stated that the daf **• wa* OiUßec* by the building being struck by ."ditaiiij. The new Wesleyan Cbruch at Tinwald was opened yesterday by v.ha Rev>; Mr Fairclough, President of the We'^fJ* 0 Conference. There was a good attendance at the morning serviae, and in the evening the church was crowded to excess. Id the afternoon a children's service was held, at which there was a good attendance of young people and their parents. Collections taken up during the day were in aid of the build ing fund. The opening tea and soiree will take p!ace on Thursday next. One of the deputation of ladies who waited on the Wellington Education Board re the introduction of practical cooking lessons into our public schools, stated that she herself cooked for a large family, and, in order to he present at that meeting, had been compelled to obtain assistance from another lady, who would fill the breach. " Breeches, mum !' a mournful member murmured. The mem ber, for safety's sake, left the meeting by the back stairs, and was last seen having his hair cut. Mr Twomey who has a turn for thafc sort of thing haß broken out into verse in con nection with the return of the Premier, and publishes in the Leader a song "Our Dick's come home to-day " in the metre of the well known " Our Jack, etc." "J. M.T." i» very enthusiastic and piles up the agony in this style: — : «• A mighty, potent, great P.C. Who wields Imperial sway, i A cage and subtle L.L.D. Our Dick's come home to-day " . And so on, for a matter of seventy lines. Hurroosh < The Marlborough Egress says:— L rather curious scene was witnessed on Friday last on the road on the Greyfcown side of the Black bridge. A buggy in which were two men, who evidently had not been drinking water, suddenly stopped, and one of the occupants waa forcibly ejected on to his head on the road by his mate, who then descended, and getting the ejected one up against the fence began to pummel him with his fists for a considerable time. They then re-entered the buggy and continued their journey, both evidently satisfied. Many Ladies complain that the Tea they have been using has neither strength nor flavor. If they jtry.Kpziß Tha they will i-e Misled Try the No kat 2/4, 'tissuptrb SmteiNew Vtntth

, The Tinwald Hookey Club dinner has been poatponed till the 14th inst. Mr W. H. Renner, the new pootmaster at Ashburton, has arrived and entered upon his duties. An infant child was scalded to death with boiling milk at Keteonetea, north of Hawera, last week. An English bookmaker named O'Connor, who died in June, left property amounting 'P over £122,000. The Jubilee number of the Illustrated London News published at 2* 6d, is now selling in Melbourne at 17s each ! The Belstioa, which left Belgium a few days ago on the Antarctic expedition, has put into Oatend with her machinery damaged, The trade anticipate that the present fruit season will be the worst experienced in England for twenty years, Ihe apple orop | is a complete failure. It is stated that at the present time there are upwards of eight thousand egipty houses in and around Sydney. ' Among the list of newinventionsforwhieh letters patent has been applied for |we find thejfollowing, viz.,!RobertjElston, of Ashbur ton—improved wool working needle. On Saturday last another old settler died at an advanced age—namely, Mrs Wilson, mother of Mrs Joseph Clark, Tinwald. The deceased lady was in her ninety-sixth JiM. A London cable states that since the death from ptomaine poisoning of two children at Lichneid after eating Australian mutton, one looal dealer has bought thousands of carcases of Sydney frozen sheep. On Jubilee day, 22nd June, the following changes oame into force:—-The letter pottage rate in Great Britain was reduced so as to allow inland letters not exceeding 4oa in weight to pass for Id ; for those exceeding 4oz in weight the postage will be id for every 2oz. There were also reductions and concessions in other classes of postage. An interesting discovery has been made j at Felmrt Island, one of the Abrolhos Group. I A Dutch ship named the Batavia was wrecked there in 1627. Heavy gales , blew away the sand and exposed traces of an old camp. One relic in the shape of an old Dutch wine bottle has been found intaofc. The Kindergarten School at the Orange .Hall will re-open on Monday, 13th instant, under the management of Miss Cussen, as sisted by Misb Alice Fooks. Parents of pupils can interview Miss Cussen at Dr Leahy's residence, any day prior to the date mentioned. From the Indian Daly News of July 2nd we take the following : A new disease has mad* its appearance in some of the villages in the jurisdiction of Nowpura Thana, in India. The victim, without any previous warning, is suddenly awakened at night with a pain ful sensation all over the body, particularly in the windpipe. The patient feels his eyelids swollen. Next follows hard breath ing, and ultimately death. The fell disease takes only about sixteen hours to do its work, The rain of the past three or four days has been succeeded by beautiful spring weather, and farmers' accounts of the effect of the wet upon both orop and pasture are most le aesuting, Everything is looking green and promising, and many paddocks that for weeks were a source of sadness and gloomy foreboding to the owners are now full of bright promise. As a consequence farmer, graeier, and gardener have pleasant smiles upon their faces, and of course townspeople share in their hopefulness. Mr Mackenzie gave a sacred concert last evening in the Oddfellows' Hall. The programme submitted was far and away the best from a musical point of view he has yet submitted, and was most thoroughly appreciated. His own singing of " Calvary," "The holy city," and 'Rocked in the cradle of the deep," was the work of a master vocaliat. Miss Glover's " Angels, ever bright and fair" gave her audience quite a new idea of her powers, her exposi tion of the grind aria being superb. Mrs Carcniohael was heard to better advantage than in any song she has yet essayed. Her efforts were the beautiful " He wipes the tear," and the sweetly pathetic " Land of the leal," the latter, as every lover of Scotch Bong-lore knows, being descriptive of the deathbed parting of a husband and his wife, and the lady, in giving the line, "We'll meet, and aye befaio, in the land of the leal," threw a wealth of feeling into its expression. Miss Ihompkins' "Lost chord " waa a song in which that lady has not before been heard in Ashburton, and her grand treatment of it was a revelation to many admirers of her excellent voice and sweetly expressive style of singing. Miss Ulover's elocutionary selections were finely given, and comprised " The death of little Jo," from Dickens', ''The bivouac fire" [verse descriptive of the night before a battle, a soldier reading the simple loving letter of his little child to her father; and of the scene after the battle, when his comrades found him mortally wounded, grasping in his stiffening fingers the blood-stained letter, and murmuring a prayer to the "God of battles.") The concert opened with the singing by the company and the audience of the well-known hymn "Onward, Christian soldiers," and closed with the equally well known •• Abide with me," both of which Miss Glover's flute-like voice led with telling effect.

Railway Collision.

A telegram from Dunedin states that a slight collision took place between two trains on the Port Chalmers line on Saturday. The early trains pass at Burkes. The Dunedin : train was run on tp a siding j but, by some oversight the lower points, which are usually opened in case the train has to shunt back, were left open, and the port train, , in advancing, went on to the siding and collided with the Dunedin train. The impact was slight, but the cow-catcher of one of the engines was damaged. No one on board was injured in the slightest .degree.

COMMERCIAL.

fcQNDON MARKETS.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. London, September 3. The English wheat market is strong in tone but prioes are unchanged. The Conti nental is inactive and the Americas is tending downwards. Californian No. I milling wheat is puoted at 38s, Russian 37a. London quotation for hard Duluth 41s,

FOOTBALL.

CANTERBURY v WELLINGTON.

In the interprovinciai match between Canterbury and Wellington, played at Christchuroh on Saturday, the latter won a well contested game by four points to noth ing.

OTAGO v SOUTHLAND.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph. Dpnkdin, September 4 In the return football match between Obago and Southland, the latter again were victorious, winning by four points to noth ing. '

FAREWELL TO MR AND MRS DOUGLAS.

The fact that about seventy ladies find ! gentlemen braved the elements on Saturday night to pu*; in an appearance at the Orange Hall for the purpose of assisting at a fare-' well presentation to Mr and Mrs St. George Douglaa was sufficient testimony of the high esteem in which they are held by the residents of Ashburton, and, but for the fact of the lateness of the hour, there would doubtless have been a good representation of country residents also, Mr Douglas during his twenty years term as postmaster having won golden opinions by his uniform courtesy and the thoroughly efficient discharge of his onerous duties. His Worship the Mayor, who presided, said that ho was pleased to have been invited to take the ohairthat evening, though his pleasure was mingled with regret which would be shared by all present and the inhabitants of the district generally, at the departure of Mr and Mrs Douglas.. Ie was, however, some palliation to know that their loss would be to some extent Mr Douglas's gain. Mr Douglas, who had discharged the duties of postmaster in Ashburton for twenty years, during which time he had seen their beautiful town grow from the tussocks to its present dimensions, had always been distinguished by his courtesy and obliging conduct to all, from the high and mighty to the humblest, whether man, woman, or child. Not only in his official capacity, but as s citizen he was a pattern to all, and few men could show fop so long a time such an exemplary record. He was always ready with his help in oases of distress—and these unfortunately sometimes occurred in Ash burton as well as in other places, and he (the speaker) had never appealed to him in vain. (Applause) Referring to Mrs Douglas his Worship spoke of her gracious disposition and her well-known benevolence, which would cause her to be greatly missed, and he expressed the hope that God's blessing would attend Mr and Mrs Douglas in their new sphere of labour, and that they would long enjoy health and prosperity. He then presented, on behalf of the sub scribers, to Mr Douglas a handsome goic hunting watch and chain, and to Mrs I Douglas a gold watch, which would serve as mementoes of the many years they had spent in Ashburton, and which he hoped would be accepted as amall tokens of the high respect in which they were held by a large circle of friends. (Applause). The health of Mr and Mrs Douglas having been drunk in champagne with musical honours, Dr Trevor, as one of the oldest inhabitants J of Ashburton, and who had been on terms of personal intimacy with Mr and Mrs Douglas during the whole term of their residence here, expressed deep regret at their departure. They had been good citizens, good friends, good neighbors, and pleasant companions, and he doubted whether any public officer ever left behind him a better record than did Mr Douglas who, during the long period of twenty years as postmaster had never had a single complaint made against him. (Applause.) He had also rendered valuable aid to several of their local institutions by which he would be greatly missed. Mr Hugo Friedlander, who claimed to be as old an identity as Dr Trevor, also ex pressed his regret at the departure of Mr and Mrs Douglas, and felt sure that Ashbnr ton would never again have a postmaster who would give such unmixed satisfac ion as Mr Douglas had done. Hon. Major Steward, as a resident in this town for upwards of eleven years, concurred with previous speakers as to the excellent I service of Mr Douglas whom he, as a news paper man, had always found most courteous and obliging. As holding the same rank in the volunteer force as himself it would per haps come well from him (the speaker) to point out that Mr Douglas an a Major of Volunteers, and before that as the Captain of the Ashburton Riles, had done excellent service ; for the training of young men in the volunteer force was not only a servioe to the State, but % benefit to society, as a good volunteer was always the makings of a good citizen. At the present time, when the glamour of the success of the Colonial Volunteers at the Queen's Celebrations was still upon them they were all especially proud of the volunteers, and should be equally proud of those who made them, of whom Major Douglas was one. While in respect to his value as a volunteer officer as well as in other respecs they were all sorry to lose him he (the speaker) suspected that in Hokitika they would be on the lookout So utilise his ser vices as a military man, and would no doubt find him some work to do, and which he felt sure Major Douglas would readily take up. He might point out that as regards his official position as a postmaster, though in no respect did Ashburton play second fiddle to Hokitika, yet the office of chief postmaster-there was a higher grade in the service than that of postmaster at Ashburton, and he hoped Major Douglas's promotion was an indication that ere long he would occupy a position considerably higher up the ladder. The speaker con cluded with a complimentary reference to Mr and Mrs Douglas's children, of whom they might weU be proud. (Applause.) Mr Ferriman also expressed his regreb at the departure of Mr and Mrs Douglas, and said that as he understood the postal business here was greater than at. Hokibika he thought Ashburton should be constituted a chief post office, and hoped the day was not far distant when they would be welcoming Mr Douglas back again. Mr Paul bore testimony to Mr Douglas's courtesy, attention, and businesslike tact, and spoke highly of bis organising abilities and methodical system, which had enabled him to cope with emergencies, as an instance of which he referred to the transmission from Ashburton to the leading papers of the colony of the important speech delivered here in 1884 by Sir Julius Vogel. Mr Ivess, who had returned that day from Sydney, also spoke in complimentary terms of the fine perspnal character and sterling worth of Mr Douglas, whoso acquaintance he first made 25 years ago when he (Mr Douglas) was a cadet at Hokitika. He also spoke in eulogistic terms of Mrs Douglas's relatives. Captain Newlands, a brother of Mrs Douglas, distinguished himself by his courage in a somewhat severe engagement during the Maori war which, had occurred very many years ago, with disastrous con" sequences to the brave volunteers who had fought in that memorable battle. The anniversary of that engagement was cele brated during the speaker's visit to New Plymouth in April last. Captain Newlands, he was pleased to say, was among the very few survivors. Dunng the proceedings in connection with that celebration, Captain tfewlanda' name was most favorably men tioned. (Applause.) He concluded by wishing the departing guests every happi ness in their Dew |ome, Mr Douglas, in replying, expressed his gratification at the many kindly remarks that had been made regarding him and his family. In conveying his thanks to the gentlemen who had organised that meeting and to the subscribers to the handsome E resents of which he and Mrs Douglas had een recipients, he said he felt very consider, able diffidence and embarrassment, as he was no orator, and it was difficult for him to give expression in words to the feelings that were then in his breast, He asked them, how ever, 60 accept his most heartfelt thanks for the handsome send-off they had given him and Mrs Douglas that evening. He was not deserving, he knew, of the high encomuims they had passed upon him, nor was he the Admirable Crichtoh he had been made out to be. Like other men, he had his fau!^, and he was painfully conscious of many imperfections. As postmaster of Ashburton he knew he nad done a little more than strict duty required of him, but he made the statement in no boastful spirit, as any public officer who drew the line at the bare performance of the Written code of duty had no conception of what was really required of him in the position he was called upon to fill. The post office was an institution established and maintained by the public for the public benefit, and the postal officials were the servants of the publicV Providing that nothing outside the bounds of reason was asked for the public were entitled from the officers to evepy courtesy without dis tinction of social rank or position, If this view, which he took, were common to all the service he believedt here would be much less dissatisfaction expressed by the public. It had been siid in the course of the evening's remarks that be had stretched the official red taps to the last strand, He wished to remark is this* connection tjjat fto hit] serif

had any rei. tape in the post office. The material he used was good substantial binding twine. (Laughter.) It was a! severe wrench to him to leave Ash burton with all its pleasant association*, and the regret of going away became more and \ more intensified as the time for final sever-1 ance drew near. He had been twenty years iv Ashburton, and he could safely say that during all that time he had never had a single disagreement with any member of the community. He was all the prouder of this, because in some communities there was always friction arising between the postal officials and the public. There were people so contrary to be dealt with that oven the angel Gabriel were he behind a post cffice counter would have difficulty in giving satis faction ; but there were not many of that class in this district, and that perhaps was the reason why he had been able for twenty years to steer clear of friction and maintain the public sympathy. He would not affect that he did not appreciate the many expressions of regret at his departure which he had listened to, but he wished to assure those who had given expression to them that his place would be well filled by hie successor, who was an excellent officer, and had very satisfactorily discharged the duties of important positions for a number of years. Major Douglas then went on to show the substantial progress that had been made by the town since he came to it, and mentioned that when he first assumed charge of the office the whole staff numbered five; now there were sixteen, and all of them had their hands full of work. The telegraph work had increased by an enormous percentage, especially during the last year, a fact doubtless largely attributable to the reduced tariff, but in any case it was a good indication of the progress the district waß making. There were out ninety-eight subscribers to the telephone exchange, for the establishment of which the town was indebted to Mr Henry iSfender. This I was a small number, when the advantages of the telephone were considered, but it was large in comparison with other towns of | greater pretensions. He had become very closely attached to Ashburton. It was attractive because of its climatic excellence, and for many other reasons; and he felt sure that when a few more of the larger estates were cut up and more closely settled, there would be a great impetus given to business, and the importance of the town would be very greatly added to. He pointed out that an agricultural town had always a more substantial business foundation than a gold mining town, and as showing how unsub stantial was the latter he mentioned one town he knew which, in the heyday of its mining prosperity, had had 130 hotels in full swing, but could not now number as many inhabited houses in its almost deserted streets. The speaker then referred to the appointment which he was about to take up. It was not a very substantial promotion in the matter of salary, as he would receive but £10 a year more than he now received. He would, however, be entitled to an annual increase of £10 till tne maximum of £350 had been reached. This was hardly in itself enough to attract anyone away from such a position as he hid held in Ashburton, but there was something behind it. It was an advance in grade, which if he did not accept, and so keep advancing, he would "get left" as the Americans put it, and find juniors promoted over his bead to the pluniß of the service. [At the meeting of the Rifles on Sunday Major Douglas more fully explained this to his comrades, and pointed out that just as they must be corporals before they could be sergeants, and sergeants before •olor-sergeants and sergeants-major, so postal officials must rise by grades, and if they declined higher grades they must not complain if some day they should find young fellows trained perhaps at tbeir own counters stepping over their heads into the higher positions of the service.] On behalf of Mrs Douglas he again thanked them for the many kindly wishes that had been expressed and the compliments paid to her. He had the best means of any of knowing how well those kindly words were deserved. A man was very much what his wife made him. He had found in his married life how true were the words of the preacher—" A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband,'* for in a good wife he possessed one who was a golden crown to a happy married life, in which they had never had one serious difference. He concluded by expressing a wish that Ashburton friends would not fail to call on the chief postmaster of Hokitika when visiting that town, and as long as that officer was called Douglas they would receive a hearty welcome. The National Anthem was sung, and hearty handshakes with the guests closed the pro ceedings.

AT THE RAILWAY STATION.

A large number of friends assembled at the railway station this morning to give Mr and Mrs Douglas and family a send-off. Handshakings and farewells were exchanged, and as the train started Mr Alfred Harrison called for three cheers with beat wishes for their happiness and prosperity. Needless to add the oheers were heartily given.

Church Parade.

The Ash burton Rifles paraded for Divine service on Sunday morniDg, The company fell in as usual at the Post Office, ana the muster included fifty of all ranks, exclusive of such members of the band as do not belong to the corps. Captain Dolman was in command with Lieutenant Hayes, and, with the band leading, the men marchad to St Stephen's Church, where the Rev J. Teakle preached a most eloquent and instruc tive sermon. After service the company marched to the drill ehed, and were formed into three sides of a square. There were present in the ehed several of the old officers of thecorps, and of thenow disbanded A&kbur ton Guards. Of the unattached officers of the Volunteer district, there were present Lieutenants Cuthbertson and Paul, and apologies were tendered for the absence of Adjutant Fooks and G<ptain Sparrow. The retired officers in attendance were Captain Purnell and Lieutenant Mac Lean Dan, Lieutenant Mtiller, now tti voyage for San Francisco," was also apologised for, Captain Dolman addressed the men, stating that the occa ioa of their parade was special inasmuch as they were that day to take farewell of an officer who had belonged to the company almost from its embodiment;, and who during his long connection with it had been its mainstay, and had done more to keep it together and worked harder for its welfare than anyone who had ever be longed to it/. He referred to Major Douglas, who had been its first commissioned Captain, and had been promoted to his majority while in command of the company. His comrades of the Ashhurton Rifles could not let Major Douglas leave the district without saying farewell in proper volunteer fashion, and they had arranged this parade for that purpose. Captain Dolman then took from the hands of Sergeant Dee a handsome binocular field-glass, with case and sling, and asked Major Douglas to accept these as a souvenir of his connection with 'the Ashburton Rifles, He was going to the other side of the Island, and would be separated from them by a high mountain chain The range of the binocular was hardly sufficient to bring the old friends to his vision, but the glasses might enable him to see whatever of interest was to be seen from those hills, But the chief object of the Rifles in makfog this presentation was to remind Major Douglas of the esteem in which j he was held by his old comrades in Ashbur-1 ton, an esteem which prompted them to I wish him—and the speaker now framed that I wish in words—health, prosperity, and j succeii wherever Providence mightCAsfc his j lot. I Major Douglas, in acknowledging the j gift, said he had the honor of having been j the first commissioned officer of the Ash-J burton Rifles. Others certainly had been I officers of the corps before him, but held I only acting appointments. Among them I was Mr Thomas Bullock, who held an acting j appointment as captain, and it was at Mr I Bullock's urgent and oft repeated request I that he consented to accept the position of j lieutenant of the corps. He did so with I grave misgivings, for though he was not I without some military experienpe, he did I not fee{ qualified tp undertake the respoasi- j bility of what he knew would be the] command of the company, for Mr Bullock! had frequently expressed nil intention of J resigning as soon as he found some one with time to devote to the work. As a matter of J fact Mr Bullock had never attended » parade \ in the capacity of an officor, and had never j worn tjw wsnpauy 1* wifora; b»& f« *V\

that he had done good work in furthering the Interests of the corps. He (Major Douglas) had been under military training as a youth in Taranaki in the early sixties in the troublous times with the natives, and in 1886 had been a volunteer there as a young man. In those days they had to do the best they could with auoh arms as were handy, and had to le^rn their drill with any old carbine or other muaket that could be procured. But he felt that such an experience as that was hardly sufficient to warrant him in taking command of a company, situated, as ihis was, away in whafe was then very much a, country district. He got over his scruples, however, accepted the position of lieutenant, and very soon afterwards had to accept the more responsible one of the captaincy, and and he had never had any reason to be other than proud of the company. By his owu efforts he could never have succeeded in bringing a new company up to the position the Ashburton Rifles had always been able to assume among the other corps of the province, but h« had with him from the first a color sergeant with a knowledge of drill and an aptitude for imparting it that few volunteer non-commissioned officers possess, and it was to the work done by that color-sergeant that the company has always owed its well known efficiency. Yet that oolor-sergeant was the mosc modest and retiring non-com missioned officer in the world, and it was only after unceasing importunity that he (the Major) was able to persuade him to permit himself to be elected to ft lieutenancy. And he only did so, after I failure to induce men in a higher social sphere to accept ths position. That color sergeant was now the captain oi the corps, and no captain in the service wu better up m drill. When South Canterbury was made a separate district under Lieutenant- Colonel Bailey, two officers were promoted to the Btaff from the Ashburton Rifles. Those were himself to be senior major, and Lieutenant Fooks to be adjutant with the rank ot captain. It was those promotions that opened the way to the Ashburton Rifles to secure the excellent and able Captain they now possessed, and how well he had dis charged his duty in that capacity the success of the company since he had assumed com mand was abundant evidence. The promo tion to staff position had placed him (Major Douglas) very much on the shelf, and Captain Fooks had had a similar experience, for the existence of the South Canterbury battalion had not been a very lengthened one, and both he and Captain Fooks found themselves after the alteration in the position of neld ofncers unattaohed. While in this capacity he (the speaker) could have paraded with the Rifles at any time he chose, and assumed command. But he knew that the opportunities captains possess of becoming proficient in the exercise of their companies were quite few enough without having them reduced by wandering field officers dropping in and supplanting them, and for this reason, though a member of the corps, he Lad never taken command of the company in supercession of its own officers. Major Douglas then went on to refer in compli mentary terms to Lieutenant Hayes, who was another highly qualified officer. He traced the history of Lieutenant Hayes' connection with the corps from his joining itj as a private on the occasion of the Parihaka scare, to his position as lieutenant that day. Mr Hayes had been a sergeant in the Old Country, and when he offered himself for the front to go with the Ashburton detach. ment, Major Douglas (then Captain) not being able to go himself, and none of the older non-commissioned officers being ready to go, made him a full corporal, and gave him charge of the Ashburton men. A lance corporal was in the detachment to be sure, bub young and inexperienced, and that youth was only too pleaßed to serve under the more experienced soldier. That same youth by-the-way had since served an honorable term as color-sergeant of the company, and now filled an important position in the permanent force of the colony. How well Mr Hayes served the company at Parihaka, and how excellent had been his work in the company since, was well known to them all. Major Douglas recounted some of the diflL culties that had had to be grappled with in the history of the corps. For years they had [no proper drillshed. Thanks to Mr Bullock ! and others, they had been able to hold drill I in grain sheds, the horse bazaar, an old j blacksmith's shop, and even in the Arcade. But he and Captain Fooks took occasion one day when the Hon. John Ballauce, then Minister for Defence, was in Ashburton, to " beard the lion in his den." The result of that •' baarding " Tas a vote of £200 and a grant of land. The shed in which they then stood waß built on that land and with that £200, supplemented of course by other moneys from other sources. Major Donglaa then made mention of the new staff officers than had been appointed to the reinstated South Canterbury battalion, pointing out that all of them were well known to himself. He had served with them at battalion parades and encampments, for all had been under his command in the days of the old battalion, and he knew their worth; and he congratulated the district on securing the services of men so well qualified for the posi tions to which they had been appointed. Before taking final farewell of his old com pany the Major explained that all he bad been saying was matter of history and well known to the older volunteers, but the younger ones were not familiar with many of the facts he had laid before them, and it was well that they should know, as they thought of all the advantages they now possessed in drillshed and orderly room accommodation, complete uniforms and accoutrements, that the "boys of the old brigade" did not have the most rosy time in their successful work of building up a corps to which any volunteer would be proud to belong. He closed an excellent and most interesting address by » few words of soldierly advice to the young men who now formed the oorps. Lieutenants Cuthbertson and Paul having tendered for the unattached officers their good wishes for Majot Pouglas's future, and their appreciation of the work he had done in the interests of volunteering generally, the company waa reformed, and Major Douglas addressed a few words to the band, thanking Bandmaster Hosken and his bands men for the many times they had turned out and provided martial music for the volunteers, often he feared with but scant, if any, remuneration. The company was then dismissed, and the band played a selection, the theme of which was " The fine old English gentleman," and the ending "He's a jolly good fellow." Before separating, the men, at the call of Bergeant Dee, gave three hearty cheers for Major Douglas.

Interprovincial News.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph

Death of an old Settler.

Timarit, September 6. Mrs Ho{dgate, wife of Mr Edward Hold gate, a very old resident of Timaru, died last night after a painful illness lasting ten day?. The deceased lady was most highly respected, and was a zealous worker in the Wesleyan Church. She leaves a large family and a large circle of friends to mourn her loss.

Cycling.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—* Copyright. Stdney, Septembers. At the League of Wheelmen's meeting yesterday, Forbes, of New Zealand, won the Mile and a Half Handicap in 3min 18Jseo. The Multicycle Three Mile Handicap re sulted—Martin's triplet first, Forbes and Hunt's (New Zealand) tandem second. Won by a foot in 6m in 19*eo. The International Ten Mile Scratch Race resulted—Megsoa New South Waies) 1, Green (England) 2, Torbea (New Zealand) 3. Time 26miu 39sec. In the Paced Five Mile Race Reyi noldß (Ireland) beat Martin (America).' Time, lOoiin, iQtnin 35£ sec.

THE ASHBUKTON GUABDIAK : MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1897.



Business Notices , ■ — BICYCLES. BICYCLES. GREAT REDUCTIONS IN THE PBICE OP WHEELS. "WAVERLEY' AND V* BEI TI SII MONA R. 01 1" BICYCLES set s*, ' !:.i»w- AT PRICES NEVER BEFORE HEARD OF IN ASHBURTON. HAVING obtained th* benefit of the late Reduction in Price from the munufatturers we can quote Lower than ever either for Cash or Time Payments. Biwt-clait Gentlemen's Machines with all the Latest improvement* from £18 106, usually told at $3$ 10s. We can iapply Second-hand Machines for the use of Beginners learning to ride, and thus save them from disfiguring a new machine. •■ JOHN ORR & CO. LABGB] STOCKgOFfiEXTRASJSOFa ALL {KINDS. BEPAIBING DONE BY lIRSTjCLASS WOBEMEN. SHEARMAN BROS., GBOOEBS, IBONMOKGBBS, & GENERAL IMPOBTEKS MABKET HOUSE, ASBBUKTON. /"CHEAPEST and Besfc House in Ashburton for GROCERIES, IRONMONGERY, BRUSHWARE & OROOKERY. ALL GOODS SOLD AT OHRISTCHUROH PRICES FOR CASH. CEYLON TEAS A SPECIALTY. AGENTS FOR NIMMO & BLAIR'S STANDARD SEEDS. Vegetable Seeda 3d per Packet. Flower Seeds Id per Packet. SATISFACTION IS OUR MOTTO. IIITCHELL & TURNER —ABE NOW SHOWING PUB S.S. RAKAIA, 21 CASES 4 BALtS. PER S.S. WAIMATE, 12 CASES. \ M. &T. / \ A / PRINTS CARPETS SQUARES MUSLINS OILCLOTHS CREPONS QUILTS BLOUSE GOODS CURTAINS SERGES GLOTES i SUNSHADES AND UMBBELLAS. TO ARRIVE SEPT. 6, S.S. AOTEA, 10 CASES, 3 PACKAGES, 4 BALES, DEESS GOODS, JACKETS AND MAN T L EJS, MILLINERY. FOUR TRUJSKS CARPET SAMPLES, 1| Yard for the Price of ijYard. WEDDING PRESENTS, BIRTHDAY PRESENTS, AND PRESENTATIONS. 6. REASONS 6 -TTTTHY THE ABOVE SHOULD BE PURCHASED FROM S. SALEK'S THE LEADING JEWELLERY ESTABLISHMENT IN THE DISTRICT. I.—The Largest Stock to choose from. 2 ,xhe fewest Stock from which to make a selection. 8 —The Very Latest Styles and Fashion in Jewellery are te be seen there. 4 —The Greatest Variety of -Novel and Unique Articles suitable for presents is found ia the establishment, 5 —•Prices charged are the LOWEST, e!—And Everything is marked in plain figures. S. SALEK, THE LEADING WATCHMAKER & JEWELLER, E&bT STBEET.



PUBLIC NOTICES. ' AGENTS FOR THE ANGLO-NEW ZEALAND OYOLE COMPANY. THE OSMOND XHJB GLOBE THE M.XjIL.'X'OJM the xowwjErro IF yon are thinking of purchasing it Bicycle, it will be to your own interest to inspect) the above High-Grade English Maohinei. Ladies' up-to-date Cycles from £19 15a. Gentlemen's Litest Patterns from £1915s The very easy terms we are giving places any of the above beautiful Bicycles within the reach of all by paying a email deposit, aad balance in easy monthly payments. Don't be afraid to come in and see our Machines. All transactions strictly confidential. Catalogues and terms on application. HALLENSTEIN BROS, ft CO., A. G< BARTON, Manager; ■ X ! -A O P GO ~E. F. LEWIS, HAMPSTEAD, IS PREPARED to Cure Hams or Baoon by his well-known process, either PALE CURE OR SMOKED. Terms on application. 9 23 1 3 I „ o I Sgi- £ % SJgf Sg mh 5 g ml Hi gS £ S| I S"S g:s FOE "^ ALE, mHK FOLLOWING SECOND-HAND X VEHICLES. 1 Family Waggonette in splendid order, low price. 2 Farmers' Whitechapel Traps. Spring Drays from £8. 1 Farm Dray,, good order, £6, Several Gigs from £7. 4 Buggies to go at a sacrifice. Any of these vehicles can be seen at the VICTORIAN SHOEING FORGE AND CARRIAGE WORKS, WEST STREET. F. AND H. STEEL, PROPRIETORS. Manufacturers of all kinds of Vehicles, Gigf, Traps, Spring Drays and Farm Drays, REPAIRS AND PAINTING receive special attention. WHEEL-TYRING done while you wait. Give us a call, and see our patterns and get our prices, and we are sure to get your orders. IN OUR SHOEING DEPARTMENT Wjq claim to have one of the most com modious and well appointed Shoeing shops in Canterbury. If you once get your horse shod at our Forge and by our men, who are practical as well as theoretical, you will say that Ashburton certaiuly holds the record for High-olaes Shoeing, and that is to be obtained at the works of F. & H. STEEL, WEST STREET, 9 18 ASHBURTON, WANTED KNOWN—Ladies' jackets capes, and waterproofs, all new §oods, 60 per cent off usual price ; ladies' reasing gowns, at English ooit—At A. OM'O SJWP |ftlt» 7 «?



On the first page of this issue will be found an article on •• The RSntgen rays," "An awkward fix, 9' and Miscellaneous Itemsj and on the fourth page reports of the meetings of the Rakaia Road Board, and of the annual meeting of ratepayers.



To the Deaf and those troubled with Noises in the Head or other Aural Troubles. Dr Nicholson, of London, the world fame aural specialist and Inventor of artificial ear drums, has jusb issued the 100 th edition of his illustrated and descriptive book on Deaf ness and Aural Troubles. This book may be had from Mr F. Shaw, 160, Adelaide Road, Wellington, N.Z., on receipt of stamps. Mr Uampbell, of the same address, was greatly relieved of his deafness by Dr. Nicholson's system, and takes pleasure in spreading the news of the great specialist in New Zealand. A littlebook on the cure of Rheumatism, Corpulence, Lumbago, and Indigestion by the same author, may be had from Mr Shaw on receipt of stamps. The true leaf of the Tea. plant, Uatatnpered with and pure; this is Kozis ISA, try it.—



CLARKE'S 8 41 PILLS » warranted to cur* Gravel, P»in»inthe back, and all kindred complaints, Free from Mercury. Established upwards of 30 yeart. la boxes 4s 6d each, of ail Chemists and Patent Medicine Vendors throughout the world. Proprietors, The Lincoln and Mid* land Counties Drug Company, Lincoln,