PHASES OF THE MOON.

DECEMBER.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1897

Weslbyan readers will be interested in the following from the Auckland Herald, regardiug the murder of the Rev. John Whiteley, to

REV. JOHN WHITELEY.

whose memory a church has just been erected at New Plymouth :—There has always been a good deal of gossip as to who composed the attacking party, the mode of assassination, and the motives which actuated the murderers in killing a devoted veteran missionary, of high character, and inoffensive dispasition. i he Rev. William Gittos, superinten dent of Wesleyan Native missions in the Auckland province, gives ns some interesting information on these points. He states that, many years ago, he was going to the Mokau on mission duties, but especially to ascertain from the chief Hone Wetere, of Mokau, the particulars concerning Mr Whiteley's murder, but on the way, when past Te Kuiti, he met messengers from Mokau, announcing the death of Hone Wetere, and who were taking the tidings to the Waikato settlements and to the chiefs Rewi and Wahanui, and the Ngatimaniapoto. The death of Wetere ended all Mr Gittos's inquiries in that direction. Some time after wards Mr Gittos was conversing wibh the late chief Rewi, and asked him to give his account of the murder of Mr Whiteley, as far as he knew of that outrage ; Rewi said : " You pakehas have always blamed Hone Wetere for the Whiteley murder. Wetere was the chief and leader in the plundering party, but was not the actual mur derer. The first shot was fired by a pakeha, who was living with the Maoris, as a pakeha-Maori. He could scarcely be distinguished from a Maori, and went about in their settlements, native fashion, bareheaded and bare footed. His name was the same as ray own, Rewi (Levi). He fired the first shot, the party of eight, of whom Hone Wetere was one, firing almost simultaneously." Mr Gittos asked Rewi why the European took any part in the affair, and he replied that " the pakeha told the natives if they allowed Mr Whiteley to pass on his way, that he would inform the garrison at Pukearuhe redoubt, and they would all be made slaves, therefore they oius< whakamatea (kill or destroy) Whiteley. The pukeha-Maori had since died." On other occasions, Mr Gittos recalled the statement to the recollection of the old chief Rewi, in order to test hi* memory, and for confirmation, and Rewi always held to the same state ment, and wished that it should be made known. As Hone Wetere, Rewi (the pakeha Maori), and Rewi, tV famous old chieftain of the Nsjati maniapoto, have all passed over to thf great majority, there is little pro bability of any further light being thrown upon the murder of the lute Rev. John Whiteley.

COLONISATION-

SpMB amusing and itstructive data nviy be extracted from a Foreign Office i report jusn issued on German co'ooies. Thedocument afforr'a the most striking proof of the cost at which Germany is attempting to build up an empire beyond the seas. Her efforts up to the present had results which go far to eclipse the French record of failure, from a colonising and financial stand point, in Indo-Chin . Germany spends annually on her colonies £402,000, and the net trade dono with those colonies amounts to £567,400. In other words, in order that certain trades might do £1 worth of business, the taxpayer was fleeced to the ext< ntof 153. Nor does population onke mor.i he id way than trade in the German colonies. They contain a total white population of 3580* of theao 1530 are officials of some sort, 1778 are not Germans, and the residue—less than 600—represents the extent to which the subjects of the Kaiser prefer German to other colo nies. Yet since Germany started colonising over a million and a quarter of her sons have emigrated to terri tory that is not Teutonic. The position would seem to be that in the interests of some 600 settlers Germany spends oyer ,£400,000, and for the sake of an erapire ? which her sons cannot be induced to support in person, she is asked to embark on extensive naval adventures. German give veiy little evidence of ' -M*ft laden with disap* progress, ana . ««.-.-■♦ v pointment, both for the mother w,m r^ and the emigrant who hns the temerity to go to them. However true it may be tljat the German is nob lacking in patriotism, the fact remains that, when he throws tho dust of tho happy Fatherland from off his f-or, he pre fers a domicile located elsewhere than in a German colony.

LOCAL AUTHORITIES BILL

Thk Government have again re-cast the Local Government Bill of 1895, and have followed their customary course of laying it on the table of the House pro forma, ?o that persons interested moy become acquainted with its provision.. This new attempt to deal with the complex question of local government is re named "The Local Authorities Bill." It does not deal with boroughs, The colony J8 to bo divided into not more than forty counties, none of which is to contain a population smaller than the electoral quota. Special districts may be constituted for river protection and land drainage, and these may include boroughs. Part of counties may be constituted borough districts, the county council exercising borough powers therein. Existing road districts may be retained. > The franchise is extended to the case of a twelve months' householder. The whole Coancil goes out of office every two years, and on account of the close touch with the electors thus maintained wide powers are to be given to councils. The bill contains the powers given to counties by the Public Health, Public Works, L"and Drainage, River Boards, "Water Supply, Hospital and Charitable Aid, and many other Acts, which accordingly will be repealed. The pro visions as to hospitals and charitable a;id are necessarily d pendent upon the passing of the Municipal Corporations Bill, so some other measure de ling 1 with the question. «

Local and General.

— 4} — Reading matter ou first and fourth page B . The National Bank declares an interim dividend <f 5 per cent, per annum for the lust h.tlf year, During last month 2301 persons arrived in the colony, and the total number of depar tures were 814. A notice re the Permanent Building Society's Chiistmaa and New Year's holi days will be found in this issue. Messrs Collins and Co , notify in our advertising columns the arrival of a ship ment of goods suitable for Christmas presents. Mr James Patterson, saddler, is issuing a nice sporting calendar, in whioh the life of a racehorse from foalhood to the winner of a standard race is finely illustrated. At Westport, a large case of plate glass, consigned from Christchuroh to Mr Scanlon, slipped from the slings on to the deck when being landed from the Corinna. Tbe glass was completely smashed. The Agricultural Department forecasts a medium harvesb owing to damage to the crops in Southland and Otago by web, and Canterbury by drought. The North Island is not greatfy affected by the weather. Holiday makers may be interested in learning that Mr Paulin telephoned at 8.15 on Tuesday evening—" N.E. to B.E. & S.W. winds and rain showers j stormy and electrical." In this district the glass stands very high still. In order to enable the members of our staff bo have some benefib from the holidays', the Guardian will not be published on Satur day, 25th insb. (Christmas Day), or ou Mon day, the 27th. The Mail will be published on Friday evening, for Saturday, bub not on Tuesday morning, 28th insb. The National Insurance Company of New Zealand has issued bheir usual calendars for 1898. The wall calendar is a striking one with a week's dates shown ab a time in bold letters, while the desk one is in the shape of a foot rule that will be found use ful in any office. The Licensing Bench—the SM. and Messrs Scaly and McLean—to day granted a temporary transfer of the license of John Dore of the Central Hotel to Timothy Conolly, and conditional licenses to Messrs Lagan and Davis for the Tinwald and Mount Somers races respectively. With the Guardian to-morrow (Friday* 24th) will be issued a special supplement containing an excellent story " For Bobs's Sake." and a variety of interesting items, amongst others being " The Derelict in Dusky Sound," " Diiven bo Buicide," "Educational value of shows," *'Blind from Birth " etc.

According to an Australian correspondent of the London Church Times there is a grow ing indisposition on the part of the Aus tralian dioceses, to import clergy or bishops from England, the colonials believing that they can do better by utilising their native resources. "The Colonial Church has suffered much from later English supplies," says the correspondent, "and the feeling in Melbourne and in Sydney is very strong. 4 No more bishops from Eng'and,' is bhe general feeling, and an Euglish Churchman cannot be surprised when he regards the state of affairs. One can quite understand why, when the Australian B*ptists applied to Mr Spurgeon they added this P.S.— •Dou'bsend duffers.'"

According to the Mainichi, a charter was granted by the Japanese Government on the 30bh September for the organisation of i company bo be called the " Japan Social Life Insurance Company." The new com pany is foundedon plans vfhioh seem to work i i Germany. America, too, is reported to ■ibound with such companies. The pro gramme is divided into four parts—vie.: (1) Insurance of funds for education and marriage; (2) fuods for too attainment of occupation ; (3) funds for subsistence in advanced years (4) funds for lorujeviiy. The first of the above irems ie applicable to children above the age of 1 year aud below 15, the second to persons from the age of 1 to 35, the third to adults betwean 16 and 55, the fourth to those above lb and below 75 The main object of the company, there tore, is to provide funds, nob to be paid after one's death, but to the persona insured while living.

At the half-yearly meeting of the Star of Asliburton Lodge, U-A.0.D., held on Mon day night last, there was a large attendance of numbers. Nominations of officers for the eusuing term were received, thee being sevpral candidates proposed for some of the offices, The election will bake plape at, bhe next meeting on Monday, January 3. The District President, Bro. Simpson, of the Timaru Lodge, will be preseut to install the various officers, several visiting brothers from the Timaru Lodge are expected. A sum of money was voted from the funda for the purpose pf entertaining brother* and vidcors after the close of the nexb meeting. Tbe sick barde reported there were no sick members, this making nearly two month'! since any member had declared on the sick fund, it was unanimously resolved to preseut Bro. T. Crooks with a framed Past Arch diploma, at next meeting, for the worthy manner he had carried out the duties of Arch Druid and Past Arch. Other routine business having been disposed of, the Lodge closed in due form.

Motberp will Snd Chamberlain's Cough Remedy especially valuable 'for group and whooping cough. It will give prompb relief and is safe and pleasant. We have sold ib tor several years and it had never failed to give the most perfect satisfaction, G. W Richards, Duquesne, Pa. Sold by Ashbur ton Diug Company.

Interprovincial Items.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Wbllinqtoij, December 23 A Gazelle extraordinary issued torday *-'»m_,iiy prorogue? Parliament until the 17th February. A Swede named Mats Mattsoil Was drowned last evening near Paremata. __. party of ten were out fishing, and he attempted to swim a channel, bub sank and was drowned in sight of his comrades.

The Court Arrangements.

The following letter has been forwarded to the Minister of Justice, who has promised to give attention to the subject thereof :— Wellingbon, December 21, I«97.—Sir,—The Stipendiary Magistrate who has charge of the Ashburton Court, is considered by the Jusbices of the Peace in that district as giving too small a. portion of his time to the business, and consequently throwing upon the said Justices work which should more properly be taken by himself j and J would therefore ask whether it cannot be arranged thab the S.M. should attend ab the Court upon two d.iys of the wet-k instead of one. I am also asked to bring under your notice the untidy manner iv which the grounds are left which surround the Court, and the necessity for painting the Courthouse.—l have, etc., Edward G. Wright. The Minister for Justice, Wellington,

LABOR QUESTIONS.

Press Association -By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. London, December 22 One hundred and twelve trades societies have accorded support to the movement initiated by Messrs Barnes, secretary, and chairman of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers,! for holding a National Convention 0 f Trado Unionists. Mr Barnes states it is not likely the engineers' conference will reassemble. New York, December 22 Many American cotton employers have notified to their employees an in tended 10 per cent reduction in wages.

PRIZE DISTRIBUTIONS.

High School.

There was a fair gathering of parents and friends of the pupils at bhe High School yesterday afternoon on the occasion of the prize distribution. As quite a number of the pupils were sitting in Christchurch for examination for matriculation aud senior scholarships, the full numerical strength of the Echool was nob shown, and ab one poinb ot the proceedings the princip>l, Mr George Simmers, took the opportunity of apologising for their absence. The Mayor of Ash burtoo, Mr Charles Reid, was present with the following members of the Board of Governors —vieasra Donald Williamson, W. B. Denshire, and Andrew Orr. Mr Andrew Orr, speaking for the Board, welcomed the parents and friends to bheir gathering, and augured from the excellent attendance that the sohool was a popular institution, and giving satisfaction. He was sorry that the protracted parliamentary session had deprived them of bhe presence thab day of two valued members of the Board—Mr E. G. Wright and the Hon. Major Steward, members of the House of Representatives, who were in Wellington at their parliamentary duties, and could nob possibly get away. Tbe speaker then went on to refer bo bhe sohool. He paid a com pliment bo bhe abiliby of the beaching staff, noted bhe excellent tone of bhe eohool, and bhe exemplary conduct of the boys, who always spoke wibh respecb of bheir teachers; and thab was always a good criterion as to bhe relations exisbing between beacher and pupil. As bo the girls—of course the young ladies always behaved well. (Laughter and applause). After a word of advice to the lads, and the expression of a strong belief that many of them would be beard of in after life as having played their part well, and taken a good position in bhe affairs of bhe colony, he asked bhe principal of the school to submit his report. Mr George Simmers, the principal of the school, gave his annual reporb. He abated bhat there had been again a slight increase in the number of pupils. When he took charge of the school three years ago the roll stood at 35. The following year it had risen I to something over 40, and this year 50 and over had been reached; bub during the last term ten boys had left to enter upon positions in commercial offices. Mr Simmers took credit bo the school for bhe fact that merchants showed a preference for boys who had been educated at the High School. In deference to the expressed wishes of a number of parents it had been decided to make bookkeeping one of the subjects of instruction. Ib had been said by some merchants thab the bookkeeping taughb in the schools was nob bhe kind wanted in com mercial offices, and the schools only spoiled boys in that direction when bookkeeping was essayed. The merchants preferred te have bhe training of their young clerks themselves, preferring to instruct them ia tho particular system practiced in their owe offices. Battli«re were many pupils wbc would nob in after life find their sphere it the office of the merchant but on the farmi of their parents. lo these the system taughl in the school waa very valuable, and perfec tion in ib would prove an inestimub'e booi to the man who had to manage the com mercial affairs of the farm. Beference wai made bo the question of technical education The High School course waa to a large ex tent technical, aB there couli be no really useful technical education without a mathe matical and scientific grounding, and thii was obtained in their course. He could no see any way, with the available staff a present, of doing more ia bhe direction o technical education than they were doing Bub tbe people had ib in their own hands and if they increased the roll by aaothe twenty children ib would then be possible t< increase bhe staff, and so direct greater at tenbion bo this subjecb. ihe Board oi Governors gave annually six scholarships t< outside competitors, and two to pupils at bending the school. These are tenable fa: two years, so that there was always in at tendance a*; the school sixteen holders o scholarships. It was required by the rulei of the school thab competitors for those scholarships should make fifty per cent, o the possible marks. As a matter of faot all the candidates who (since he had come tc the sohool) had made fifty per cent, hac won scholarships. Ib would thus be seer thab the poorest child in bhe district, il clever and reasonably diligent, would be able to secure a scholarship. Mr Simmeri then spokmlof those pupils who had beer successful in outside "ep»i«ii«M».tioes-» i Th«s< had been — 1895 —- matriculation—Josepl Friedlander and Eva Jones ; 1896—matricu latipn—John Baxter, Lila Baxter, Thomat Riddle, Charles Schneider, and Wiunie Purnell: civil service—Eva Jones and Charles Schneider, Mr Orr then asked Rev, T. A. Hamilton to assume the chair, and distribute the prizes. The rev. gentleman said he accepted the position with pleasure, and ib was an equally solid pleasure be him to hear the satisfactory reporb submibbed by the principal, which showed that the institution was doing good work. There had been no complaint of the school during the last three years. When the wheels were going smoothly, the machinery was all right. He hoped bhe High School would go on and become a higher school in days to come, aud bhat the excellent work done this year would be instrumental in increasing the number of pupils in bhe year coming. Iv an | excellent and practical address the speaker i urged upon bhe pupils the necessity for energy, perseverance, and method, without which there could not be bhe fullest measure of success. He 'instanced the death of the Admirable Chrioton at Mantua in a b»awl— the consequence of want of self-control, bhe poeb James Thomson with his hands in his pockets eating peaches off bhe tree because he was too laay to pluck them. Ib was only the qualities he was asking them to cultivate that t had produced the marvellous improve ments' that hab) been witnessed chmrsg the past "few years—one "of Which was the improvement in locomotion, and the bicyole, to which he made humorous reference, waß in thab class. Demosthenes said thab the secret of his success as an orator was "action, action, action." For those bhree words read the threa he was holding up to them, for bhey were all included in that word " ftQtion/' and they were the key to aucceas in evening i« % 4f(W » few further remarks on the digniby of labor,«.~ rev. gentlemaa proceeded to deliver the prises as under :—

Prize List.

English.—Class I- C. Denshire 1, Josey McOwen 2. Class 11-T. Sbephens and P. Prebble (equal) 1, Muriel Bell 2. Class 111 —Katie Millar and D. Moriarby (equal) 1, Lillie Clothier 2.

1 atin.—Class I-F. Bonifant 1, Marian Doia 2. Cliss lI—P. White 1, T. Stephens 2 Class 111-Lila Baxter 1, S. Culver house 3.

French.—Class I—T. Stephens 1, Percy Prebble 2. Class lI—A. Friedlander 1, May Sealv aud H. Silcock (equal) 2. Class lII— ff. "Douglas 1, Lila Baxter 2. Hilda Lawrie, special prize.

Arithmetic—Class I—Joeey McOwen 1 A. Friedlander 2. Class ll—Percy Prebble 1, T. Stephens 2. Class lll—Olive Meddins 1, S. Culverhouse 2. Class la—L. Coster.

Euclid.—Class I—T. Stephens 1, Percy Prebble 2. Class lI—S. Culverhouse 1, W. McKee 2

'Algebra.—Class I—Percy Prebble aud Thomas' Stephens (equal) 1, Beatrice Seymour 2. Class lI—D. Dunn 1, C. Denshire 2. Class lll—Lila Baxter 1, H. Douglas 2.

Geography.—Class I—A. Friedlander 1 ; Beatrice Seymour g. Glass Il—Oliv. Meddins 1, S. Culvertiou.se 3.

History.—Cla-B I (English)— Muriel Bali 1, May Canning 2. Class II (Boinan)—Lillie Clothier 1, Olive Meddins 2.

Botany,—Lillie Clothier & Olive Meddins equal. Dewing.—May Canning.

Box Prize.—Charles Schneider.

Rev. G. B. loglis was alio one of the speakers. Following to some exbenb in the vein of Mr Hamilton, he said education did not finish ab the end of the school term. It began in the nursery, ib was carried on in youth up to manhood and ail bhrough life, for the human being was ever learning. There were two kinds of education—the on' obtained from others and bhe one obtained from ourselves, and the last was the more imporbanb. What tbey got in the school was oply -a .piprntat for ths work of aftit

life. They were receiving prists to-day, vnd some of bhem would probably regret! thab bhey were neb in bhe list of winners. If i.hey had taken paius with their work they uad no reason to be ashamed, but if they h id not then bhey had reason to be ashamed •f neglected < pportunitics, aud thab bhey had been doing a little bit of loafing, Mr Hamilton's bhree qualities had been well put before them by that gentleman as neces sary to success m life. It waa the case that ■v me men who had not been brilliant ab school had yeb risen to high position and made their mark in the world, but it was because thty had practioed energy, per severance, and method later on. A school mate of his own had been very lazy, bub to wards the end of his term he had been taken iv hand by one of the professors, f»nd waa now one of the best Orienbal scholars thab ever lived, and his name waa Professor G. Adam Smith. He was a man of wonderful talent, but had he been energebio and per severing during his whole scholastic term be would probably have done far bebter than he had done. On the subject of technical educa tion the Governor had recently been advocat ing the teaching of science. He thought thab waa a good thing too, and inatancad the soienoe of botany as one the wanb of a knowledge of which deprived the visitor to the bush of much pleasure. He advised the young men to pick up the best ideas, the beat books, and the best models in men and institutions, and make these their own. There waa a fearful lob of rubbish issued and read every year in bhe shape of nooks. He adviaed them that much magazine read ing was waste of time, and nob to hanker afier fiobion, but bo go for the best and moat solid worka, and instanced John Ruakia and Sir John Lubbock, bhe one in at band general literature and bhe other in soienoe, aa aubhora bhab would well repay reading. He wished bhem a merry Chriatmaa and a happy new year. _ Mr Donald Williamson moved a vote of thanka to bhe bwo rev. gentlemen for coming bhere that day to address them and distribute bhe prizes. He expressed his satisfaction with bhe report and bhe fact that the school waa giving satisfaction out side. The Board desired to make the sohool a success, and if they achieved thab end they had ample reward for any work they did for the school. The names mentioned in the prize list that day showed thab the country people patronised the school better than the town, and he trusted bhere would be still greater patronage of a sohool where as good an education could be secured as in any high sohool in the colony, for it would be a great pity if the endowments of the achool were not made good uae of. He hoped the lads would lay to heart the lesaons they had liatened to to-day from the two rev. gentlemen who had addressed them, ; and press on in their atudiea, nob with spas , modie effort, but with sustained and oon | binuoua perseverance. The vobe waa carried by acclamation. On the motion of Mr W, B. Denshire, a hearty vote of thanks waa accorded to the beaching ataff, which waa second to none in the colony, and the High School waa fortu nate in securing such a staff. He was in favor of technical education, and would pre fer to see some other subjects of less import ance put aside to make room for its intro duction. If it were introduced he waa quite aure a large increase of pupils would result. Those present were invited to a very welcome cup of tea, which having been dis cussed, the proceedings terminated.

COMMERCIAL.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright*

Sydney, December 23 The wool sales closed to-day. During the half-year 308,000 bale* were sold, compared with 276,000 in the corresponding half of last year. Closing prices were firm. The recent improvement.in all good wools was well maintained.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph. Wellington, December 22. The Government has received the follow ing cable meseage from the AgentPGeneral: —••Butter 100s, market falling j cheese 425. market dull."

CRICKET.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. • «' "

m , „ London, December 2% The Committee of the Marylebone GripEefc Club have recommended Ajr F. C. Laoey, of Cambridge University and Hampshire, to ba appointed secrotary to the club, in succession to Mr H. Perkins, recently resigned.

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves response's for tha opinions expressed by oar correspondents.)

SWEATING WAGES.

TO THE EDITOR,

Sir,—The Government of New Zealand have been charged with meddling in the private affairs of the people to the detriment of the individual, and this ia open bo ques tion. In the intertsb of the wage earner, of bhis bown there is still room for farther legislation on the subject of wages paid to some shop assistants. Many purchasers would revolt ab the pittance paid by some grocers in Ashburton, and if goods are obtained cheap it is ab bhe expense of the laborer. An act compelling the rate of wage, paid to be printed on each, package %o|dS would make ib plain bo buyers thab bhey are. encouraging bhe sweating system. Ib makes one wish thab a poet would arise to cry out bheir woes after the song of the shirt •' stitch; stitch, stitch."—l am, etc., Fair Play is Every Man's Due. .

THE ABIiBUKWiv GDAKUiAN: THURSDAY, L>ECEMBfiK 23, 1897.



first quarter ... Full moon Last quarter ... New moon

1 9 17 24

It iVI 2 45 am 4 24 pm 3 52 am 7 25 pm



Business Notices, < TO RESIDENTS BUILDING & FURNISHING. TITE BEG respectfully to announce^that we Have received, Cper S.S.S M I°uic " and » Mutaura,', very^heavy shipments for" our HOUSEHOLD FUBNISHING Depart moot, viz:— SHEETINGS CURTAINS: CARPET SQUARES PILLOW COTTONS QUILTS HEARTH RUGB TOWELS TOILETS OILCLOTHS TiBLINGS MUSLINS LINOLEUMS xN the FANCY DEPARTMENT we are showing * .^™?3Z?lor!!i W W &BRICS S GLOVES, and HOSIERY, direct from the Leicester Mills j also mmtJ Choice goods in Jet Trimmings, including the new Zouaves, Boleros, and Skirt Ornaments, »od an endless variety of Black and Colored Gimps. NEW SHIPMENTS OF Dresses, Straws, Mantles. 2 OftSIS of Samples HOSIERY, at LANDED COST. MITCHELL & TURNER. REDUCED RATES FOR CHRISTMAS AT S. SALEK'S, THE LEADING JEWELLERY ESTABLISHMENT IN THE DISTRICT JLargest Stock ""lowest Prices » FOR CHRISTMAS^ PRESENTS. Brooches from 1. 6d upwards. Lades' Geotlemen s GoldLinks & at *&* {& upwards. Ladies'and Gentlemen's Silver.Lmkat 2s M, J»>^«Z\r*e a t and finest large stock to selecb from) at 2s 6d, ss, 7s 6d, lUa. £ a"™ h « f m one * ine a to tec *tock ever seen in Ashburton, equal to any >»^T&™eM designs in goM at ss, 7s 6d, WJ?JEC?IAX- ATTENTION IS CALLED TO THE STOCK OF Gold Brooches and Ladies' Rings. Those two lines are Heavily Stocked, and are of the Newest and Choicesb Designs. INSPECTION INVITED FOB CHRISTMAS PRESENTS AT S. SALEK'S JBwBLIiBEY ESTABLISHMENT, BAST STREET. STOCK ANP PRICES UNEQUALLED IN THE DISTRICT. HOUSE PAINTING & PAPERHANGING. T HAVE just to hm& a OAjmmb of GENUINE WHITE LEAD & PURE |LINSEED JL OIL for the present season's Painting and Decor ■.tin-,'. Persons desirous of having their homiTwoll painted with GENUINE MATERIALS & GOOD TRADESMEN are requested to call upon us. OIL CLOTH FOR DADO,S IN STOCK. TO ARTISTS. I HAVE a Splendid lob of OpalGlassin sto.k, specially prepared f»r Artist,' use, which oan be out bo any size required ab a moderate charge. J. WILSON, CORNER OF ARCADE & BURNETT STRMT.^^ Telephone 65.] CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. SERVICE PLATED WARE. *VTTK HAVE just lauded a choice selection of Plated Goods of Esquiaite Designs, Choice Patterns, and Good Quality. THEY have been marked exceptionally low of price, and persons requiring Presei ts for their f.iends will do well to o*U, inspector Block, and make their selection early. W. H. COLLINS & CO.



John Orr & Co. j 1 i John Orr & Co. rpHE SUCCESS ATTENDING OUR Cheap Cash Sale I Induces us bo adopb for the fubure this system of doing business. And as we purohase for Cash from bhe besb makers in England and America, bhe General Public will therefore have the advantage of Selecting GOODS OF STERLING QUALITY ab prices hitherto unheard of, CONSISTING OF IRONMONGERY, GROCERIES, OROOKERY, GLASSWARE, etc., REST SNOWDROP SUGAR ... 2|d lb TEA, BLENDED ... 101b Boxes Is lb TEA, IN HALF CHESTS, lOd lb, (strong liquor) Colonial Candles ... 4d lb per box English Parafine Candles ... 6£d lb per box Kerosene, 150 test ... 6d 6d per tin - 12s 9d per case Cornflour ... " ... ■•- 3d per lb Essence of Lemon !,,,., Worcester Sauce, Pints ... 9d bottle Essence of Coffee 10H Sago }*Jr rlb,u Tobacco, Nubian squares... 4s od per lb Bran 3s 6d per bag Sharps £ 3£fu bag Oatmeal, 251b Bags ... 2s 9d bag Rollitt's Flour, 200lbs ... 24a „ lOOlbs ... 128 6d ; 501bs .. 6s4id Currants «4j & 5d Eleme Raisins ..- ... 7d Valencia Raisins .... .~ 7d Sulbana Raisins 7d Sicily Almonds Is 2d Figs .. ■« 8d Muscatels ... — B(1 Jordan Almonds ... .. 2s 3d Mixed Peal „, ... 8d 2£lb Tins Preserved Fruit lOd Lemon Squash, English ... Is 31 Lemon Juice, English ... Is 3d Sardines H& per tin Fresh Herrings ... ... 6Jd per tin Herrings & Tomato Sauce lOd per tin Pressed Hops, per lb .. Is 4d Fruit Salts .. ... 2a per bottle Ground Ginger Is 4d per lb Anchovy Paste 8d per tin Citrate of Magnesia ... Is per bottle Sheeps Tongues, besb ... lOd per tin CROCKERY & GLASSWARE Dinner Sets Toileb Sets I Tea and Breakfasb Sets Vases and Ornaments Tumblers and Wine Glasses Deoantera and Water Botbles Glass Dishes / l!y and Butter Dishes GRAND VARIETY AND LOW PRICES IN ABOVE LINES. FOR THE FRUIT SEASON. Mason's Scr'^-fc 0P Porcelain LinedrJara. Pints 4s 9d, Quarts 5a 9d, £ gallon 7s do/.. Kenrick's Besb Enam.'lled Masiin Kettles. 8 Quart 6s, 10 quarb 7* 6d, 12 quart 8s 6d. Brass Masiin Kettles, Drop Handle?. 2 Gallon 7s, 2| gallon lis 6:1, 3 gallon 133 6c! Steel Enamel Preserving Ptins, IB 6d, 53, 3s 6d, 4s. FOR THE HARVEST FIELD. WE HAVE A SPLENDID STOCK or Reaper Sectioi s Reaper Chains Hay Forks Hay Rakes Oils, in 1, 2 & 4 gallons BINDER TWINE. DONAGHY'S BEST, Flax, Mixed, & Manilla. John Orr & Co. ]



Publ.c Notices. ' special Discount FOR CHRISTMAS SEASONS Of Is in the Pound. From this day till the end of December. TTTE^] are now offering some very SPECIAL LINES IN DRESS GOODS. Exceptionally low prices quoted for completed costumes. HJEK WllSOOWe**. Tweed Costumes complete from ... 20s A|Grand Line of Boys Colonial Tweed Knicker Suits, sizeH 1 toJI3, these we start from 4s lid per Suit. WORTH DOUBLE. SPECIAL VALUE~Tn:MEN'S TWEED SUITS. A reallygood suib for ... SJOn [.Oil We are offering Borne {wonderfully[.Cheap lines in all Departments. Ashburton Drapery Company.



Iff MID CLOTHING FACTORY. A. G. BARTON, MANAGEK THE HOLIDAYS. mHE MAIL WILL NOT BE PUB LISIIED on TUESDAY MORNING, 28th December, The GUARDIAN WILL NOT BE PUB-' LISHED on SATURDAY, 25kh inst., (Christmas Day), or on MONDAY, 27th iust., {Boging Day.) ___ __ _____ \ DVERTISEMENTS for the ne*t issue of bhe Mail mittfc be lodged ab this office before 2 o'clock on FRIDAY afternoon.'



Chjjfch Services. <"1 T. ST E PHEN'S CHURCH, J^ Ashburton. FRlDAY—Church Decorators assemble in St. Stephen's Schoolroom at 230 p m. Contributions of flowers, evergreens, etc, will be welcomed. SATURDAY -CHRISTMAS DAY, (25th December), 8 30, Holy Communion ; II am, Morning Prayer and Holy CommunioHji G#G pm, Carol Service (Printed leaflets provided for the congregation) The offertories on Christmas Day in aid of the Sunday Schools. SUNDAY SERVICES. SUNDAY, ST. STKPHEN'S DAY, December 26. 8 30-—Holy Communion 11am—Morning Prayer 3 p m-SEAFIELD 6.30 —Evening Prayer. REV T. A. HAMILTON.



Just in Time fob Christmas.—ln order to keep " up-to-date " with .our steadily increasing business we have decided to effect considerable alterations to our premises, and to make room for the builders we have resolved to greatly reduce our stock before Christmas. Wo have therefore culled a large quantity of our Tweeds and Worsteds, etc, to clear at the following reductions :—Men's suits to measure, ÜBual price 90s, now 70s; Men's trousers, usual price 265, now 15s od ; etc. We have also pleasure in notifying that we have just been appointed agents for bhe famous "British Lion' and /'WaverleV" Bicycles (both gents' and ladies'), which we are now selling with all bhe " up-to-date " improvements at [ the lowest cash prices, or on the most liberal, 1 terms to suit the convenience of our! customers. (Every machine guaranteed).— Craigmkad anb Bbbryman, the leading TaUors and Outfitters. <



U.OSZIK2 TEA iw Fur©



Ayer's < Cherry Pectoral a--*-.--B_-«r-_-_-_-___a_Hii____i Wot Colds, Coughs, Bronchitis, Sore Tiiroat; Influenza, 'and Incipient Consumption, no remedy approached Ayer's Cherry Pectoral, It has long been the most popular and successful anodyne expectorant in Pharmacy, and is everywhere approved and recommended by the Faculty. It soothes the inflamed membrane, breaks up irritating mucus, allays coughing, and induces repose. As a family emergency medicine, Ayer's £hwry gtfetprjri tal.es the lead, for the relief and cuj?e of croup, -whoop* ing-cougn, sore throat, and all the pulmonary troubles to which the young are so liable, it is invaluable. No household is quite secure without Ayefg, .jaill J.. 1,..,..! 1* Cherry Pectoral. -Dr. «X. O. _A.yer 8c ©q., LOWELL, MASS., U. 8. A. Gold Medals at the World's Chill ExiwHiMj, *»" Beware of cheap imitations. Th« tsame—Ayer's Cherry Pectoral-is promj: nent on the wrapper, asjd is blOWja ia the glass of e.ich bottle, *"** Synopsis or New ADTiPWHI-liuii. Building Society—Holiday notice. F. Ferriman—Portable boilers. J. H. Jo wibb—Poultry, isb, etc VV. H. Collins—Christmas presents. HOZIE X\KL_V £&o«t X£S<3ononal<9f|i