Mail Notices.

Mails for Ceylon, India, China, J_pan, Straits-Settlements and Mauritius; also Continent of Europe and United Kingdom via Naples (due in London Maich24) for specially addressed correspondence, will close here per Talune on SATURDA v , February 6, at 3 p.m.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1897. WOMANHOOD SUFFRAGE.

Although there were numerous pre dictions on the part of those who opposed the granting of the franchise to women as to thebaneful results which they averred must necessarily follow ; the experience of the colony, so far at anyrate, by no means bears out those doleful anticipations, but on the con trary has gone far to justify the contentions of those who held and advocated directly opposite views. On the other hand, the hopes of the supporters of the female vote have as yet not been entirely fulfilled—it is indeed too early to look for their complete fulfilment—still on the whole New Zealand has no cause to regret the advanced step she has taken, but on the contrary has good reason to look forward to its complete justifica tion. Max O'Rell, we know, in writing of this colony and its affairs while recounting the experiences of his recent t visit, represented that the female franchise had worked so badly that it was certain to be withdrawn at the earliest possible opportunity; but Bishop Oowie was quite justified in laughing to scorn (as he did the other day) these assertions of the inaccurate but witty raconteur, and affirming that there was no desire in any quarter of tbe colony to retract the concession made to the gentler sex. No, woman hood franchise has come to stay, and there ate already indications that other British colonies will follow the lead we j have given. More than this, it appears j not improbable that the Mother Country will follow in our footsteps, for we learn by a Press Association ( telegram that a private letter received in Auckland from Miss Mary Cozens, secretary of the Parliamentary Com mittee for "Women's Suffrage, London, conveys the information that Viscount Templemore (Conservative) has under taken to introduce the Women's Suffrage Bill into the House of Lords this session. The committee hope, it is stated, to get their Bill through both Houses of Parliament during the present session. In that hope we fancy they are over-sanguine, for it teems to us in the highest degree improbable that so radical a reform will be effected with such remarkable celerity. Changes iof this sort are not brought about in the Old Country with tho same rapidity as in Colonial legislatures, though of late years social and legislative reforms have been achieved with far less delay than was at one time inevitable. Still it is a noteworthy circumstance that the extension of the franchise to women is regarded as within the sphere of practical politics at Home.

The superstition prevalent in roost countries in regard to '' 13 ' as being

NUMBER THIRTEEN.

par excellence the unlucky number should receive its qautus in view of

the experience of the great Arctic explorer whose name and fame are now so familiar to us all. For although " 13 " seems to have played an extra ordinary part in the experiences of Dr Frithjo- Nansen it seems to have presaged good and not ill fortune in every instance of its occurrence. For example, we learn from our Paris correspondent that the crew of the Frani numbered 13 men. Nansen de cided on his. trip March 13th, 1895. On January 18tb, this year, the party reached a southern current, and started on their homeward journey. It was on February 13tb, that the news of his having been seen in Siberia first became known. Nansen's sledge dogs numbered 13, and the remarkable fact occurred that three times some of his dogs threw a litter of 13 pups, which, in view of the scarcity of dogs, were heartily welcomed by the explorers. Finally, no less than 13 German publishing houses bid for the privilege of bringing out his "In Night and Ice."

By thia time evC^ody who has taken any interests in the wc)i-_. <3 'l'*ulc,eveloP" ment of the __ _"*7» THE BAD SIDE knows that those OF THE X RAYS, who are constantly subjected to them run considerable ri.k of injury. Pro bably the most detailed account of the harm likely to be done is furnished by the gentleman who exhibited the X rays at the rec.nt Earl's Court Exhibi tion. He sends his hat rowing story to the pages of Nature. He started to demonstrate with the Rontgen rays in May, and for some weeks he exposed his hands to the " 'fluence " without a symptom of discomfort. But soon after this little dark blisters appeared under fche skin, which ultimately be came irritable The skin turned red and seemed -much inflamed. The trouble grew so serious that surgical advice was taken, and the remedy was ultimately found in a " much advertised ointment " Thus was cured, perhaps, the moat disagreeable symptom of too much X rays, but this was nofc the only symptom. The EarPs Court demon3trator tell-, us (hat the skin of his hand grew dry, hard and yellow, became sensitive to touch, and ulti mately peeled off. By this time he flattered himself that he had got ac climatisfid, so to speak, to the little ways of tj^e rays. But this was imagining a vain thing. The new skin behaved in precisely the samn way as the old, and then a new trouble arose. About, the middle of July the tips of his fingers began to swell up and express an urgent desire to burst. Then the nails grew uneasy and wanted ' to come off. Henceforth the demons ] fcrator _ experiences were such as to | command pity. The misery andi 1 suffering were only relieved by a sort ' of suppuration from the nails, which | then parted from the finger's nofc with j out considerable pain. His right hand I was in bandages for six weeks, this £ beiogths member chiefly exposed to| fc

the withering glare of the new light, j To save the left hand from a similar, fate be began to theorise, and conclud ing that the rays in some way or other destroyed the natnral oil of the sk"n, he succeeded in keeping that hand out of the hospital by wearing a glove saturated with lanoline—the natural oil from sheep's wool. This, he states, though not a perfect preventive, still goes a long way to reduce the mischief.

Local and General.

Reading matter on first and fourth pages Zoologists aver that in 100 years the lion will be extinct. Terrible cold is being experienced throughout the United States. The soil in Cuba is so fertile that i« some districts four crops a year are raised. The election of Major McKinley to the American Presidency _o.t £282,400. The only dumb aninal is the giraffe. It cannot express itself by any sound. Baron Liebig says horseflesh is more wholesome than either beef or mutton. Mr Manisty, an unsuccessful Opposition candidate at last election, has been presented with a purse of sovereigns. The Westport Times states that the Rev W. 0. Woodward has resigned his ministry in the Primitive Methodist Church. It is 75 years since the first railway in the world was finished, and now some 400,000 miles are in existence. Commandant Herbert Booth, of the Sal vation Army, arrives in Wellington by the Mararoa. An Englishman living at Hammersmith, claims to be a direct descendant of the Pharaohs and rightful heir to the Egyptian throne. Another fatal case of sunstroke is reported —this time from Brunnerton, the victim being a man of 62 yeara of age named Hatherton.

Typhoid fever is very prevalent in Wan ganui, the number of oases being so large that none but urgent ones are admitted to the hospital.

It is rumoured (says the Mataura Ensign) that the Rev. Mr EYere, son of Sir Bartle Frere, is to _ ike charge of the Gore Anglican parish at the beginning of next month. The usual monthly meeting of the Borough School Committee takes place on Monday evening at 8 o'clock. Among other business will be the appointment of a pupil teacher. Charles Batt, licensee of the Masonic Hotel, Wanganui, convicted of allowing liquor to be consumed duriug prohibited hours, has been fined £10 and costs, and his license endorsed. A New York florist was stung in the tongue by a small insect. The injury was I so serious that a surgeon was compelled to cut the man's tongue out in order to save his life. The Westl.nd Hospital Board recently advertised for a surgeon superintendent for their hospital, and received upwards of fifty applications for the position. Dr Teischel mann, of Adelaide, received the appoint ment. A Kansas girl of 17 won a prize in an unusual contest the other day. She was matched against two of the mostexpert black smiths in the city, and, to their dismay, turned out a perfect horseshoe in less than four minutes. The industry of cork-cutting is to be started shoitly at Petone, near Wellington. The necessary plant has been purchased capable of cutting corks from fin up to 2|in diameter, and turning out the fiaished article at the rate of 12 gross per hour, with the attendance of one assistant. j Here is a hint from the New York Herald that will be useful to many a housewife.— "To peel onions, without discomfort to youiself, get a deep pan, fill it with water and peel the onions under the water. There will be no unpleasant smell and no smarting of the eyes."

Yesterday afternoon, before Major Steward and Mr R. Alcorn, J'sP,, Margaret Webster, against whom there are numerous previous convictions, was charged with vagrancy. She stated that she had friends in Christ church, and was discharged on condition of leaving Ashburton forthwith.

In reply to an enquiry Mr Taylor, M.H.R., has b;en informed that the districts and appointment of registrars under the Regis tration of Peoples Claims (for Pensions) Act of last session will be gazetted next week, and that as soon after that as possible forms of claim will be sent to the Postal Depart ment for distribution to applicants.

Melbourne news states that Lesna, a French cyclist, has lowered the five-mile record from lOmin 25sec to lOmin lfsec, and ten miles from 21min 35sec to 20min 44aec. At Lancaster Park yesterday Mr J. 0. Shorland reduced the New Zealand record for half-mile by four-fifths of a second, viz , to lmin 4|sec, and for a mile by two seconds, vie., to2min ll&aec.

On dii, in Wellington, says the Press' correspondent that warrants have been made out for the call of four new members to the Upper House. The names are even given, viz , Messrs Pinkerton (Dunedin), E. M. Smith (Taranaki), Andrew Collins (Welling ton), and Llewellyn Smith (kelson). The last named gentleman is altogether an un known man in politics | he is a surveyor by profession. There is a good deal of scepticism, however, on the subject.

The books of a tradesman not a hundred miles from Gore (says the Malaura Ensign) who recently assigned his estate and sought fresh fields and pastures new, were found by the receivers on examination to be hardly kept with the strictness which would faciliate the speedy recovery of the amounts owing. One entry ran: —"The man with the red-headed wife—one suit of clothes, £« 10s." and others were almost as unsatis factory. Rabbits in the Marlboif Ugh distriot are so much reduced in numbers thai the run holders not only have them well under, but j expect in the course of another two years i to have them practically extinct. A J station in Marlborough that two years ago was paying rabbifcers oyer £200 a week, has had its wool clip increased pinee that time from 100 to 300 bales, simply owing to the better feed that has resulted from the diminishing of the pest. According to the Wellington correspondent of the Press, it is stated that the Earl of Hopetoun, the late Governor of Victoria, haa siguified his willingness to accept the Governorship of New Zealand, although it is a step backward rather than forward in the way of promotion. That makes the statement improbable. On the other han_ it is alleged that Lord Hopetoun is not iv robust health, and would, for that reason, desire a temporary regidppge in New Zealand It is pleasing to be able to note the marked improvement in Mr W. E. Dolman's health. The injured eye is much better, and there is now no fear that he will lose it, while the sight is gradually being restored. He was able to be present at the Fire Brigade's dinner last evening, and hia fellow rqernbera were quite overjoyed to have him there, and to find him so far recovered as to be able to sing his own old song " The Fire man." The song is his own in the best sense, as the verses were composed by him. and the music adapted. It is a song iv which the singer's excellent bass voice is made good use of, and Mr Dolman sings the piece very well indeed. [

Holloway's Pills and Ointment.— (Travellers to and from different climes I would do well to bear in mind that these changes and the altered diet and surround ings of their lives entail manifold risks to health. Occasion is suie to arise in which they will need a remedy such as these renowned Pilla and Ointment, and no traveller by land or sea should ever fail to have a supply in hand. Then he may truly be said to have a physician always at his call for the various emergencies of travel. Chills and fevers should be promptly Seated, and the printe.l directions should be carefully studied ab the commencement of any illness, for Holloway's remedies oan be safely used in all climates.

The Rev E. Walker, organising agent for the New Zealand Allimco, arrived hfre on Tutsday intending to deliver an address on the following evening, but owing to the failure of correspondence no arrangements had been made, and the proposed meeting did not take place. The rev. gentleman lectures to-night at Rakaia.

'Ihe annual picnic of the employees of the Ashburton Woollen Factory takes place on Saturday next at Mr Herring's station, Alford Forest. Two drags, as well as other conveyances, have been engaged, and all arrangements completed to make the gathering the most successful that has yet been held.

A meeting of the Wesleyan Christian Endeavor Society was held on Wednesday evening, Mr H. Steei being in the chair Miss A. Hopwood was appointed as repre sentative of the Society to give an address at the convention to be held next month. Misses Di__on, Hurrell, and P. Chapman read papers which, having been reviewedat some length, the meeting clo-ed. ' Gormon and Roulston, two members of the Napier Club, swum a dea„ heat in the 100 Yards Cub race, held on the 20th ult., in 71_aec. Uhis beats Bailey's recent Auck land performance, and stamps the two second to none in New Zealand. It is on the cards that these men will probably contest the 100 Yards New Zealand Cham pionship to be swum in the Ashburton baths on March 4. It will be a magnificent go if Bailey comes from Auckland, besides the Christcburch representatives who are work ing hard. Probably the most terrible death on record-has befallen two British seamen in New Guinea. The London whaler Mel huish, while lying %S the coast, sent some of her crew on shore for water, and two of her men who were suffering from scurvy were taken on shore at the same time and buried in the loose mould up to their necks as a remedy. Alligators infest the shore in great numbers, and whilst the party were away, and the two men perfectly helpless in the sand, their heads alone being visible, an alligator came from the water and approached , them. They screamed for help, but in vain, and the huge reptile bit off both their heads. This story is vouched for by Mr Henry Foster, the Queen's Pilot, a sketch of whom appears in a recent issue of CasselVs Family Magsmim.

At the dinner of the Fire Brigade last evening, Fireman John Hefford, one of the oldest members of the Brigade, was presented with the gold bar, or medal clasp of the Fire Brigades' Association for long service. Mr Hefford has been thirteen years a fireman, and has earned several silver ck.pa repre senting terms of service, but when the years go into double figures tHe bars become golden, and it was one of these that Mr Hefford was presented with. Mr Thomas made the presentation, and while expressing his admiration of the fine physique of the men, and the number of young and enthusi astic fellows in the Brigade, was yet pleased to know that there were several veterans among them of Mr Hetford's stamp—steady going, solid, well balanced, cool-headed men, who knew what discipline meant, and whose example was sure to exercise a great in fluence for good in the Biigade. He hoped Mr Hefford would long be spared to earn and wear many gold.n bars. Mr Hefford acknowledged the presentation, and said he would be a fireman as long as he was able, for it was a work he was fond of, and he waa very proud, as moat firemen were, of honors gained in the service.

A Flaw in the Licensing Act.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. Dunedin, February 4. Mr Carew, S.M., upheld Mr Sims' con tention that under the Licensing Act the prohibition of the employment of barmaids does not extend beyond midnight. He therefore dismissed the information against a publican for having a girl in the bar at 1.50 on Sunday morning.

Education Board.

The following items of local interest are from the report of Wednesday's meeting : —

She Kyle Committee notified the destruc tion by fire on the 12th ult, of the teacher's house. It was decided to ask the Depart ment for a refund of the coat of the building. The Chairman and Messrs Adams and Sawle were appointed to visit the district and report aa to the advisableness of remov ing the Kyle school to a more central position. The establishment was recom mended of an aided school at Mr Kennedy's house, Ellesmere, Messrs Rennie, Sawle, and the Chairman were instructed to visit Highbank and report re the application for a school theie.

The Chairman reported that Mr J. H. Maynard's amended tender, £615, for a new school at Allenton had been accepted, also that of P. Williams, £102 17s, for painting and additions at Mayfield.

In answer to the Ashburton School Com mittee, it was considered unadvisable to make any permanent appointment at pre sent, as the erection of the side school at Allenton would probably result in a large decrease in the attendance at the main school. Of the three teachers named by the Committee Miss Trezise was selected to relieve, the engagement to be terminated without notice. A draft copy of the altera tions proposed in the scholarship regulations was considered, y

A letter was received from the Rakaia South Committee reporting that it had been decided to retain the assistant mistress's services till expiry of the notice required by regulations; also recommending a pupil teacher for appointment.—lt was agreed to invite applications for an assistant mistress at a salary of £60.

The resignation of the mistress, who stated that the subsidy to be granted to the Lismore school would be smaller than she oould accept, was received and accepted. On the resommendation of the Committee, it was decided to pay the ordinary salary for February, and to advertise for a teacher to take charge from March 1.

The following appointments were ap proved :—St Albans, Mr J. B. Mayne, head master ; Hampstead, Miss Amelia Lusk, assistant mistress ; Miss Annie Macdonald, pupil teacher; Methven, Lucy Duff, pupil teacher. The resignation of Mr J. B. Mayne as headmaster of the Ashburton school, was received and accepted, the vacancy created to be advertised.

The Board went into Committee to con sider the majcter of the appointment of a Truant Officer. The selection was' made by ballot, and upon the Board resuming the Chairman reported that Mr J. A. Blank had received the appointment, which would date from the l§fch insfc.

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Wellington, Februa., . The 'Frisco mail is expected to reach here by special train from the north at five o'clock to-morrow afternoon. The Mararoa will be detained to carry the southern por tion to Lyttelton, leaving as soon as the mails are transhipped.

COMMERCIAL.

AUSTRALIAN MARKETS.

Presß Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. Sydney, February 3 Wheat, cbick 3s 91 to 4s, milling 4s 91 ; flour, local £12 10s to £13 Oa'ifornian £12; oats, prime feeding 2s 4d, seed 2s 4d to 2s 6d; barley, C*pe, prime seed, 2s 9d; potatoes, local £1 10s to £1 15a, Circular Heads £2 10a to £3. Onions, Victorian £4 15s to £5. Butter, dairy made 6£d, factory 7_d. Cheese, New Zealand 4d to 4£d. Bacon 6d to 7d, Hams, New Zealand B_d. Mblbournb, February 3 Wheat 5s 7d lo Si Bd. Oate, milling, 2s 4£d to 2. s£d. Maiza 4s Id. Barley, Cape, 3s 3d. Potatoes £3 15* fco £1. Onions £4 10a to £5. Adelaide, Febrdary 3 Wheat 5s 81 to 5s 9d. Oats, stout, 3s 6d.

CHRUSTCHURCH GRAIN AND PRO DUCE MARKET.

The Lyttelton Times gives the following a« current prices for old grain and the prices at which the new season's has opened :— Wheat.—Pearl (prime milling), old 4s 6c. new 4s ; Tuscan, old 4s sd, new 3_ lid; Hunter's, old 4s sd, new 3s lOd; good seconds, old 3s 4d to 33 6d, new 3s. Oats.—Old milling, 2s Id ; stout feed, old 2., new ls lid ; Duns and Danish, old Is lid, new ls lOd. Barley;— Prime malting, old 3. 6d, new! 4s ; medium, old S. 9d to 3s, new 3a 3d tol 3s 6d. 1 Oatsheaf Chabt.—Nominally 40s to 42s_p 6d at handy country stations for prime samples. Potatoes. —Kidneys and Early Rose j.3 103 to £4 at Christchurch. Onions.—£4. Grass Seed. —Ryegrass, farmers' lots 23 4d to 2s 10J, maohine-dieased 3s 9d, heavy, weight 4s to 4s 3d, Cocksfoot, farmers' lines 3d to 3|d, town machine-dressed, 4£d tosd. Daisy Produce, —Cheese 3d to 4d, loaf 3_d to 4£d. Butter—Fresh factory 9d, prime dairy 6d to 7d, salt (in boxes) 5d to 7d. Bacon and hams b\d to %d. The above prices, except where otherwise stated, are those paid to farmers f.o.b. at Lyttelton.

OAMARU MARKETS.

Mr E. P. Burbury (on behalf of the New Zea'and Loan and Mercantile Agency Com pany, Limited) reports as follows :— Wheat.—There has been little doing dur ing the fortnight, and no improvement in business can be looked for until the new crop comes on the market. We repeat former quotations as follows :—Prime vel vet, 4s 6d to 4s 7d ; Tuscan and red chaff, 4s 5d to 4s 6d (on trucks, Oamaru, sacks extra). Oats.—An occasional sale of Danish takes place, but beyond this there is nothing doing. We quote Danish, Is lOd to ls lid, f.o.b. ; short, 2s (f.o.b. j sacks extra). Barley.—No really prime malting on the market, and a good line could readily be placed. Second quality malting is there fore commanding some little attention from buyers at 2. 91 to 2s lOd (on trucks, sacks extra). Cape barley is worth 2s 4d to 2. 6d.

Ryecorn is inquired for, but there ia none offering.

ADDINGTON MARKET.

Christchurch, February 3. j There was a fair attendance at the live ' stock market to-day. 163 head of fat cattle wbi.h formed the week's supply of beef con tained nothing of good quality. The sale was very dragging. Inferior to medium stuff was very difficult to gui, aud a good propor tion of the yarding was turned out unsold Steers brought from £5 to £7 ss, heifers £3 15s to £5 10s, cows £3 10s to £5 15s. Besb beef realised 15s to 18s. and 12s to 14s per 1001b. Dairy Cattle were a very poor lot. The entry was fche smallest for some time. There was little life in the sale, fche best price being £6. Store Cattle were represented by a few pens of dry cows and some weeds of youngsters, for none of wh eh waa there any demand.

I?at Sheep,—A much larger yarding of fat sheep than that of late came forward, containing some very nice lines of wethers and maiden ewes fit for exporting purposes, and some very fair ewe mutton with a larger proportion than usual of merino mutton. Best freezing wethers lis 6d to 12s 7d, exhi bition line 13s 2d, medium freezing wethers and mixed sexes 9s to lis, inferior wethers and mixed two-tooths 7s 6d to 8s 6d. Butchers' best heavy weight ewes 8s fco 10s, medium ditto 7s to Bs, inferior 5a to 6s 6_. Merino wethers 3s 6d to ss, ewes 2s 3d to 4s 6d,

Fat Lambs showed a decided improve ment in quality, a good proportion being fit for freezing. One of the best lines seen in the market this season was from Oamaru, the first pen of which topped the market at 133 3d for butchers' purposes, the remainder going for export. The trade were operating freely, and a me of from 6d to 8d per head can be recorded, Best lambs brought from lis to 13s 2d, inferior to medium 7s to 10s 6d.

Stobe Sheep.—There was only a small entry of store sheep, and with an exception of one or two lines of good strong lambs there was little to select from. Considering the entry and scarcity of feed, a very fair sale resulted. Two and four-tooth crossbred wethers brought 7s 9d to Bs, two-tooth do 8s to 8s 6d, ewes of mixed ages 3s Id to 5s 7d, and lambs 5s 6d to 8s 4d.

Pigs.—The yarding of pigs was not heavy. Baconers and porkers were slightly better, selling up to 3£d, and for extra good 3_d per lb. Stores did not meet with a good demand, and the smaller sorts were difficult to quit.

SPORTING.

TAKAPUNA J.O. SUMMER MBETINO. } (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) I Auckland, February 3. There was fine weather and a large attend ance ab the opening day of the Takapuna Jockey Club Summer Meeting, and the course and surroundings looked fine and dry. The following are the results :■— Handicap Maiden Plate, of 35 soys; {jne mile.—Admiral Hawke 1, Peerless 2, The gharperj. "^wQlve-etiarted. Won by a long neck. 'Time—lmin 48|_ecs. Ijividends —Inside £5, outside £4 15&. Maiden Hubdles, of 35 soys; 1£ mile.— Hairy Legs 1, Glenlora 2, Reflection 3. Nine started. Won by length. Time—, 3min 32seo. Dividend—inside, £24 19a, J outside, £17 lie.

Jseala_,dia Handicap, of 50 soys ; five furlengs.-wßes % f Nightingale % Lufr& 3. -• - . Kg. Dividends—lnside, £3 Is;

■i nme—*._,. . outside, £3 9a. i Takapuna Cup, of 200 soys; 1£ miles.— Antares 1, Fabulist 2, Nestor 3. Time— ) 2.42 Dividend—£6 14s and £5 19s. Calliope Handicap, of 60 soys; six fur longs—Miss Anna 1, Blair' Carrig 2,. Canopus 3. Time—l.2o£. Dividends—£l 17s, and £2 3s, I First Hurdles, of 75 soys; two miles — i lAughadowery 1, Hukatere 2, Gipsy Prince 3. Time-4.41. Dividends—£4 19s and £5 13b. Fibst Pony Race, of 40 soys j five fur longs -Purvoc 1, Sweet Lavender 2, Napoleon 3. Time —1.12. Dividends —£3 4s and £3 7.. Stewards' Handicap, of 60 soys; five furlongs—Lillie 1, Porangipotae 2, Lady Marion 3. Time—2j_. Dividends—£4 3s, and £7 lis. In the last race, Bern Castleton, w^o rode f.ufra, was thrown and killed, the other hor_pa galloping over him, death being in stantaneous. The accident happened as the horses went into the top stretoh, and there was a bruise on his neck, where a horse had ! trampled on him, and he was dead when brought in on the stretcher. It is supposed Lufra crossed her legs, which caused her to stumble. I' The sum of £6366 was passed through J the totaUsator. J .

:\mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 3

UNKNOWN

[from our own correspondent]

Good progress has been made with the harvest during the past week, and stacks are to be seeo going up rapidly. Given another few good days and most of the grain will be in stack.

Mr Drummond, of Lyndhurafc, has intro duced a novelty in the shape of atack covers. These he has made to his order, and they arrived from Calcutta last week. They are made of the same material as the woolpacks, and in the shape of a bell tent. As soon aa the stack is roofed these are placed on, and the stack secured against wet. No doubt they will be adopted by many farmers, as I understand they can be made at a price muoh less than the cost of thatching, be sides practically securing the stack immedi ately on its completion. I would call the attention of fche County Council to the numerous pitfalls along many of our roads in the district in fche shape of iron tanks that are inserted in the ground. These I understand were placed there when the water-race system was first introduced to enable settlers to obtain water when the races were shut off for cleaning. These tanks had 1 proper covers placed over them, and were duly protected, but through the lapse of time and neglect they have now decayed, and have become traps for the un wary traveller of stock. A case in point haa recently occurred in the Lauriston-Sherwood road whereby an unfortunate drover baa lost some half a dozen sheep through their falling into one of these tanks and getting drowned. The odour arising from the decomposing carcases is highly offensive to one's olfactory organs when driving past, Either these holes should be properly pro. tected or filled up, oi* the the Council may be called upon to make good any damage that may be sustained by accidents occurring through this cause. The school opens again next week, the harvesb vacation terminating on Saturday. The attendance having increased ao as to warrant the appointment of a mistress, ths Board of Education are now calling for applications for the position, Miss Gorman, the late pupil teacher, has now gone to the Normal School to complete her studies. During the four years she was at Lauriston, she was a very popular and efficient teacher and paased her own examinations with credit, tier friends here will wish her every success in her new sphere.

FOOTPRINTS.

Every little kindness, Every dead of love, Every little action Prompted from above; E'en a cup of water la His great name given— These are angels' footprints Leading up to heaven. Every little sacrifice Made for others 9 weal, Every wounded brother That we strive to heal, E'en a word of kindness To misfortune given- All are angels' footprints Leading up to heaven. Then let angels lead us Whereso'er they would} Ever let them teach ua What is for our good ; May they cross our pathway When from heaven they roam, Let us follow after Footprints leading home.

TINWALD SCHOOL.

The usual monthly meeting of the T|n* wald School Committee Was held on Tues day evening. Present — Messrs Clothier, (Chairman), Gudsell, Hampton, Giles, Haw kins and Stevens. ' ' ' The minutes of the last meeting were read an<J confirmed. The m^ater?s re port was read, which showed that ifyq school re.opened pn Monday, February 1, with a roll number a. neap as ceisl<j b| i umartained of 152. The attendance fof ■ • ■« ■ ..__•... that day was 123, aud about tfte same on *ion day. Some window cord was obtained to repair blindß, a new receipt book was re ceived from the Board. It waß decided thai the Visiting Committee get the g»tt*rs» spouting, and tanks cleaned out, and that the master give the scholars a standard certificate. The secretary was instructed to get 500 absence memorandum forms for the use of the master. ■ _

The Committee voted for Messrs Buddo, Renny and Silcock to fill the vacancies on the Board of Education. Accounts to the amount of £4 10s 2d were passed for payment, r The meeting then adjourned.

THI ASHBUBTON GUARDIANS THUESDAY, FERBUAKY 4, 1897



•*» " ''' "" ' ' ' I Business Notices Gr* J« IN JlLillj.l_j IS SELLING WASHING PRINTS at 3_d per yd ; WHITE MUSLINS 3s lid per doz G. J. NEILL IS SELLING DOUBLE-WIDTH SERGES in Navy, Brown and Maroon, at ls per yd G. J. NEILL 18 SELLING MEN'S ALL-WOOL SUITS ab23B6i. Men's Tweed Troussrs 5s lid G. J. NEILL IS SELLING BOYS' SUITS at 4. lid each G. J. NEILL IS SELLING-Men's Bluchers at 4. lid Men's Nail Shooters ... ... 7a lid Men's Shoes 5s lid Women's Shoes ... ... 4a lid Women's Strap Shoes... ... 4s lid G. J. NEIL_L BEFIIS COMPETITION IN BOOTS Every Pair Guaranteed to Wear and give SATISFACTION JTRIEDLANDER'S OORNER, EAST STREET. ___ __________________--m _______■__■__■■_-_■_■ wmmmwmmmmmmmmmmm-wmmmKmmmmmm^mm^ PERFECTION OF CYCLE BUILDING. AN IDEAL MOUNT. DESIGN CANNOT FAIL ELEGANCE WORKMANSHIP IU ___J ______-LjXV_X J-J- X QUALITY ' k THE MQST MATERIAL AND STRENGTH S EABE AND COMFORT FASTIDIOUS CRITICS. THE FIVE MILES CHAMPIONSHIP OF AUSTRALASIA was won by Ken Lewis on his RUDGE-WHITWORTH, fitted with Duniop Tyres. FOR SALE BY JOHN ORR & CO., ASHBURTON. —: —— IMPORTANT NOTICE. \ lPfJ| LINOLEUMS. ]£S9l FLOOR-CLOTH, LINOLEUMS. HEL MATTING, RUGS, etc MM pP FURNITURE OT ALL KINDS, J^^^^^^^ T. H. UN DRILL & Go W?G7a_^ a wua --^ goW pRIcES 10 MEBJL , THB Ti MES. 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 Clegg's Perambulators. |



Business Notices. 1 ! : NEW ZEALAND Clothing- Factory, gOLE AGENTS FOR THE FAMOU S "VICTORY" I SEWING MACHINE. Ex] - H J in w % Cts i *! Ph Y_r 2 UH K> 1 § w Ph - o _*H £ w • i J 02 ___J S ° O * . Ph - a 2 \\ # « H ° Ph «_, H < **^ LLi a.2 O f I _. ■ PQ g PR 3 ____ P3 « g c/_ P * < o w I_WJL- 1..L ■■-__■■ ■--■ -J



Church Services. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, Aahburton, FRIDAY—Choir Practice, 8 p.m. SUNDAY SERVICES. 11 a. m.—Morning Prayer and Holy Com munion. 5 p._n.--Greenstreet. 6.30 p.m.—Evening Prayer. REV. HAROLD PURCHAS. WANTED Known—The Economic Kid Glove, four buttons, ls 9d per pair, is the Glove for every day wear.— W. H. Collier.



OUR FIRST SALE, COMMENCING SATDBDAY, JANUAEY 30 MITCHELL & BRODRIBB, THE CENTRAL CASH TRADERS, NEXU TO J. ORR & GO'S IRONMONGERY DEPARTMENT, EAST STREET. ERUPTIONS IN THE DRAPERY TRADE. TT7"E have decided to eclipse all, with the result that one cut has been made at our new stock, which has severed the price in half. No old Stock no out of date shelf-worn goods to palm off on a sensible public. Our Clean, New, and Stylish Stock at just half the usualprice The cry is-How i. it done f Here you have it : No Bad Debts, No Credit which enable us to lose directly, a portion of whab Pthe credit trade s are losing indirectly. With this difference-At MITCHELL and BRODRIBB'S all are treated alike ja. the Sedit houses the good customfrs have to pay for the bad ones. Make no mistake. We want your money, and feel assu.ed that the few following -ample prices will bring it. Space will not allow us to quote more than a very condensed hst, oat this is a sample of the bargains offered you ■>— 9 pieces Light Print at 3s lid per doz yards Usual Price, 7£d per yard , 16 pieces Dark Print at 3. lid per doz yards Usual Price, 8d per yard 22 pieces Gingham Prints, 4s lid per doz yards Usual Price, 9d per yard 19 pieces Floral Crepons, 4s lid per doz yards Usual Price, lid[per yard 17 Fancy Brilliant) Cloth, I_d per yard Usual Price, Is 3d per yard 7 pieces Plain Crepon, 5s lid per doz yarda Usual Price, Is per yard 11 pieces Stripe Zephyr, b% lid per doz yards Usual Price, Is 3d par yard 8 Plain Zephyr, 6s per doz yards Usua Price, Is 3d per yard 22 pieces Cashmere Cloth, 4e lid per doz yards Usual Price Is per yard 10 pieces Mourning Cloth at the ridiculous price of 3s per doz yards. We assure you that at this very important sale both you and ourselves will have a spanking time. * White Calico 2. lid per doz yards Usual p. ice s_d per yard White Sheeting, 2 yards wide, 10£ d per yard Usual price Is 6d per yard Nainsook 4*d |er yard Usual price %d per yard White Turkish Towels 5s 6d per doz Lsual price 9d each Sil-ias 6yards for ls lid, worth double Hundreds of Cheap Dress awaiting inspection Double width Tweeds ls per yard Black and Colored Cashmeres from ls per yard up Ladies Black Lavantine Paragon frame Umbrellas from 2s 6d, 33 lid,* lid, etc. Ladies' Sunshades all colors from 3s lid Black and Colored Velveteens from ls 6d per yard up A mixed lot of children's sunshades all colors from lid each HOSIERY—The best value in the trade. Plain and Ribbed Cashmere Hose from 1b up, Plain and Eibbfid Black Cotton GLOVES GbvU^-A^kr^vari'ty Cheap and Good. A beautiful Kid Glove, any shade, at 2s lid. Lower lines from G..U is 6rl upwards. Cashmere Glov.s 4£d, 6d, 9d, and is per pair. Gaggety and Silk, from ls 3d upwards m O.TSFS Blouses, Blouses.-We have sold more of these goods than any house m town. J* hat we have on hand-About BI.OUSE>, J™'^ wil , be cle:ired from is nd, 2s 6d, 2s lid up; just half price. All muslm and fancy Aprons just half what you will pay any where else. MTTT.I-TCRY Millinery—Price cut in half. Trimmed Hats from is lid upwards. MILLINERY Emmery rr Startling Bargains in the Clothing and Mercery Departments. A few Harvester Cs,Sd. Seamless Merino Sox, 6d. Regatta Shirts all sizes, 4s 6d. Brown cotton pants Is 6d. Heavy Workini Shirts, 2s 6d, Men's strong Mole., 6s 6d. Tweed Trousers, special 8s 6d, Colonial 8-lid. Men^S Tweed laita, 2ls 6d, Men's imitation Fox's Serge Suits, 29s 6d. Sailor Tweed feuits, 6s lid size lo 7. ChoTcas^ stock of Ties and Scarfs in Ashburton. All our Boots and Shoes reduced Hard and Soft Felts in u_dle» variety. Mohairßoot Laces, 3J per dozen. Heavy Kaiapoi Sox, ls, Kaiapo. Under Flaunel., 3s lid. DO HOT FORGET MITCHELL & jBRODRIBB'S FIRST SALE. NEXT TO h ORE ii 9s. BASE STRSKT ASHBURTON, J1



Synopsis op New Advertisements. Borough School—Application for position of pupil teacher. R. Bird—Tenders; H. Zander—New business advertisement. Wanted to rent house. W. H. Colli us and Co—New business announcement Bankruptcy no^'ce. Royal Hotel—Wants servant. J. B. Kirk—New season's fruit, etc. Strayed—Pigs.



Since 1878 there have been nine epidemics of dysentery in different parts of the country in which Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy was used with perfect sucoess Dysentery, when epidemic, is almost as severe and dangerous as Asiatic cholera. Heretofore the best efforts of the most skilled phyaioians hive failed to check its ravages j this remedy, however, has cured the most malignant cases, both of children and adults, and under the most trying con ditions, which proves it to be the best medicine in the world for bowel oomplainta, t for sale by A-Hbusxon Drug Company. I



Ym try th* New Vmw Tobaeto



My little boy, when two years of age, was taken very ill with bloody flux. I was advised to use Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy, and luckily pro* cured part of a bottle-. I cuefully read the directions and gave it accordingly, He was very low, but slowly and surely he began to improve, gradually recovered, and is now as stout and strong as eyer, I feel sure it saved his life. I never can praise the Remedy half its worth. lam sorry every one in tbe world does not know bow good it is, as I do.—Mrs Lina 8. Hinton, Grahams, ville, Marion Co., Florida. For Mid fef AeßßpaxoN Drug CoitrANYf