Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1897. SALMON IN NEW ZEALAND.

(Whatever complaints may be lodged against acclimatistg for misdirected efforts in other directions, nothing but praise is their due for their successful operations in the stocking of our rivers with fish—especially trout. The rivers and lakes of New Zealand now teem with speckled beauties which for size and number cannot be rivalled ip any waters in the world, and which afford splendid sport to the lovers of I the rod, as well as constituting a by no means unimportant addition to our food supply. But this latter is m nothing to what would be achieved if the stocking of our rivers and seas with salmon could be successfully accomp-

iished, and reoognising this, our pisci culturists have for years devoted great pains to the endeavour to acclimatise this king of fishes, and have been heartily supported by the Legislature, which has voted many thousands of pounds for the introduction of ova, Mauy consignments have been brought out more or less successfully, many thousands of young fry have been turned into the rivers, and yet until now indubitable evidence has not been forthcoming of the capture of a single adult fish. It has frequently been announced that salmon have been seen leaping in the rivers, and that fish be lieved to be salmon have been captured, but specimens sent Home have until the other day always been pronounced by expeits to be trout, or at least regarded doubtfully. Now, however, all doubt has been set at rest by an authoritative pronouncement that a fiah caught in the sea near Oaraaru. harbour is a veritable salmo salar. Referring to this, " Ked Spinner ' in the Field says :—" It is worthy of special note that the frozen fish sent Home by the New Zealand Refrigerating Company has been pronounced by Mr Boulenger, of the new natural history museum, a true salmo salar. This declaration must certainly be taken as once for all settling the question of salmon in the Antipodes. For years salmonidse in both .New Zealand and Tasmania have been subjects of doubt and contention, because, though they had the appear ance of salmon, the known facts wit.h regard to breeding, locality, habitat, and movements kept even experienced observers in a condition of doubt. l>r DeLautour, knowing theinterest I have taken in the matter for many years, wrote me a letter about the fish that was being forwarded, and it cannoi fail to be read with much interest. In 1892 a box of fish was forwarded to the Field office containing three young 3almon reared in New Zealand, to a certain point, from ova taken from this country by Mr Farr, for many years the moving spirit of the Acclimatisa tion Society, and they wera of course pronounced salmo salar. Some ques tion had, however, arisen in the colony fiom the fact that they had been kept in the Acclimatisation Society's ponds until they had grown to about 21b, and had naturally lost most of the exterior characteristics of the true salmon The fish, which Mr Boulenger kindly examined last week, was, however, an adult salmon of some 81b or 91b, and was taken under conditions that leave no room for doubt. I have examined dozens and scores of fjsh sent from New Zealand ad salmon, which, in spite of their size and appearance, were trout of some kind. This is the first of these forwarded specimens which has been to ray mind thoroughly satisfactory, and which, from a superficial inspec tion, would lead me to say with confidence "This js a salmon," There is an old proverb that " one swallow does not make a summer," which adapted to the present case would mean that it dpes not follow that because one true salmon has been caught, therefore there are plenty io New Zealand waters, but fortunately -he hope—-we might now almost write belief, that the salmon has been suc cessfully established has greaterwarrant than this single instance. For Dr De Lautour, president of the Waitaki and Waimate Acclimatisation Society— himself an enthusiastic fisherman—says that fishermen have frequently caught in thejr nets in the sea many miles from the mouth of any river pink fleshed fish identical with the specimen sent Home, and which has been de clared to be a true salmon, and adds that lighthouse keopers report that they S nt&tm ?omd the poasts at pertain seasons This ®°> tbe da| is evidently not far distant \T. *a w Zealand may become as famous for ua , salmon, as it is now for its trout j fisheries, (

V good Catholic, Mr Joseph B. Button is the best known man at Molokai since Father Damien FATHER died. He, a dozen DAMIEN'S years ago, resolved SUCCESSOR. to give his life to | following as closely as passible in his Master's ateps. He went to Molokai, knowing that he could never leave the Island if he once made his home there. Mr Button is known by the Kanaka lepers as the; " Good White Man." He lives in a little five-roomed cottage on the out skirts of the leper settlement, He has a library of several hundred books. One of his rooms is lined with shelves, and there are enough bottles and cans and baxes of medicine to stock a country drug store. He has dozens of medical works and dictionaries. His life is devoted to the amelioration of the lot of the lepers and teaching- them the blessings of Christianity. He sits with the sick and dying; he nurses them, studies their distress and ad ministers medicine for relief; he cheers them and plans pleasures for them.

In a recent cablegram we were in formed that the Porfce was uneasy about the approach RAMADAN. of the fast of Rama dan, as religious riots were likely toVccur. A recent cable informs us that Ramadan has been made the occasion of further persecution of the Armenians, many having been arrested on pretence of preventing trouble during the fast The average newspaper reader knows that Jtaadau is areJigiom institution

of the Mohammedan faith, but just, exactly what ifc is may not have come within the range of his reading. A few lines of explanation, therefore, may >aot be unwelcome. Ramadan is the Turkish equivalent of the Christian Lent and commenced on February 3. This time of the year is generally an anxious one to the Turkish authorities, for Mohammedan religious fanaticism is liable on such an occasion to cause a massacre of those not of the faith. Last year every precaution was taken to prevent religious riots; and at the present moment the Porte is very uneasy least the recent Armenian massacres should be repeated. Rama dan ia the ninth month of the Mohammedan year, and in it Mo hammed received his first revelation- Every believer is therefore enjoined to keep a strict fast throughout its entire course, from the dawn—when a white thread can be distinguished from a black thread—to sunset. Eating, drinking, smoking, bathing, and even swallowing one'a spittle is prohibited, and if obliged to take medicine a Mohammedan must make some amends for it by spending a certain sum on the poor. During the night, however, the most necessary wants may be satisfied, a permission which is interpreted by profuse indulgence in all kinds of enjoyment. This fast, though less generally observed than in former times, is still often a severe infliction upon the orthodox. The sick, and soldiers in time of war, are temporarily relieved, but have subsequently to make up for the time during which they may have failed to keep the fast.

Local and General.

There are nine woollen mills in the oolony employing 1416 hands* The surface of the sea ia estimated at 150,000,000 square miles. In keeping the accounts at the Bank of England over fifty ledgers are filled daily. A ladies' match will be included in the next programme of the New Zealand Rifle Association. Out of 146 deaths registered in December in the four chief cities of New Zealand, no leas than 24 were from cancer. All the letters of the alphabet are con tained in the following: "A quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." Microscopists are of the opinion that the best glasses now made fail to reveal the smallest forms of animal and vegetable life. The salary list of the Bank of Eng'and, including pensions, aggregates £300,000 per annum. J here are 1100 employes in the Bank. At the present time it ia said that France has more money in circulation in proportion to its population than any other country in the world. It is stated that seven thoasand tons of mining machinery have been landed on the Auckland wharf from Home steamers during the last few days. Lord Glasgow held the-office of Governor of New Zealand longer thau any other who has filled the post with the exception of Sir William Jeryois. During the last fifty years Great Britain has been at war more frequently than any other nation. The total number is forty wars for fifty years. An old lady, Mre Winnifred Martin, aged ninety-five years, died suddenly pn Monday morning at the residence of her son, Mr Benjamin Martin, Glenavy. On our fourth page to-day will be found a description of a new butter box, which will be exhibited on Saturday, iv the Arcade by Messrs Dunlop and Crisp. The Taieri Advocate says:—The wheat crop in the Bruce district this season is expected to average fifty bushels to the acre. Taieri should run about the same. There are earth tides as well as sea tides. Professor John Mi!ue states that the tall buildings upoa the earth's surface are being continually moved to and fro like the masts oi a ship upon the ocean. Oruden labored nineteen years en his "Concordance to the Bible," and immedi ately after its publication was sent to an asylum. lie never entirely recovered from !he mental disease induced by this gigantic undertaking. It is reported that the settlers on the Maerewhenua estate are busy threshing, The wheit ia yielding very well indeed; one se tier threshed forty bushels to the acre, and sold at the nearest railway station at 4s per bushel. The Taieri Advocate is informed that there are large numbers of perch in the Waipori Lake, some of them being of a very large size Anglers can always depend upon a good afternoon's sport in the lake. Perch can also be caught in the lagoou close to the township of Berwick. It ia stated that the oldest tree in Eng land is the yew tree at Braburn, in Kent, which is said to be 30C0 years old, while at Portignal.in Perthshire, is one nearly as old. At Ankerwyke House, near Staines, is a yew tree which was famous a>t the date of the signing of Magna Oharta. We learn that tenders are about to be invited for the erection of seven shops in brick on the vacant ground in Burnett Street,'behind the Somerset Hotel. The buildings will extend in frontage from Mr Braddeli's offioe to the Somerset right of way, and backwards to within dray room of the sample rooms. The Manawatu Standard? suggests that the '— Me Balance's memorial card :— •♦ To lines on ■ - *« those I love is sot to live in the heam —Uw for the die ' —would be far more approj^. inscription on his statue than the pompous words selected, " B-illance —he loved the people " We entirely agree with ouc con temporary. A well attended meeting of the Primitive Methodist Christian Endeavor Society was held on Monday evening, Mrs Sando presid ing. Mr H. Hardley read a paper on " Home and Foreign Missions," showing the progress made during the last hundred years. Several members having spoken on the subject, the meeting closed. A novel race wa<) witnessed on Monday between two weU-known railway employees for a wager, the conditions being that one was to run 100 yards while the other traveled 50 yatds wiJi a sack containing two cwt of sand. Needless to say, the 100 yards man won easily. Time—l4aee. A well-known amateur athlete acted as starter and timekeeper. A business meeting of the Wealeyan Christian Endeavor Society was held on Wednesday evening, Miss Meyenberg pre siding. The reports of the several com mittees were received and adopted. Miss Chapman was elected secretary in the place of Mr J. E. Purchase resigned. Several new members were elected and the meeting adjourned.

Viicounb Wolaeley, Commander-in-chief of the British army, iv a speech recently delivered at Edinburgh said that in future warfare would be difficult from the fact that there would be in the field not mere armies, but the whole manhood of the nations engaged. The shock would be sudden and tremendous, and the effect so great that no land war fought with regular armies could last long. A South American lady is quoted as stating that some Hme ago, in the absence of water, of which there was a great dearth at the time, she washed her face with some of the juice of a watermelon. The result was so soothing that she repeatedly washed her face in this manner, and her astonish, ment was great a few days later to find that there was not ft freckle left on her previously bafreekled face, A wrinkle this worth knowing,

The Wellington Suburbs Election Petition.

(PER PHESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, February 10. The case for the petitioners was finished to-day, and two witnesses for the defence were heard. After hearing evidence by Barr, clerk to the Registrar, Mr Chapman with- | drew that portion of the petition vn Mr Wilford'a alleged informal registration, and also Mr Hislop's claim to the seat. Mr Skerrett said he would not press the counter charges, but if a claim were made to the seat they would be revived. Mr Hislop gave evidence to-day, but there was nothing striking in it. For the defence, Mr Skerrett called . George Gapes, foreman painter in the Railway Department, who said Mulvaney came to his house in October and conversed re bis accident. Mulvaney said Hislop, who was an old friend of his, had offered the advance. He told witness he had come to tell him he was willing to work for Wilford, and Hislop knew it. Mulvaney admitted having introduced Hislop to certain electors a few days before. Witness accused him of treachery. Mulvaney told witness he wanted to get a Government billet, and said he had a letter to the Premier from Wiiford. He offered witness two rooms in his house for Committee purposes. On the advice of witness Wilford declined the offer. WitnesH stated he had drink ab Mulvauey's on elec tion day. - Examined by Mr Chapman—He consi dered Mulvaney a scoundrel. He had never taken payment for election services. Wm. Durrell, butoher, Kaiwarawara, de posed that Mulvaney said to him before the election. •• You may get Wilford in, but Hislop and I have got him fixed. Hislop has got a letter which will unseat him. Adjourned till 10 a.m. to-morrow.

Presbyterian General Assembly

The following interesting items are from the report of Wednesday's sederuut :— Presbytery of Christchurch. —The Rev R. McOully has been ordained and induced to the charge of Seffcon. The Rev P. R. Munro has resigned the charge of Rangiora. The report on Religion and Morals was received. It contained inter alia the follow ing passages :—There are certain elements in our natural life which every Christian must deplore. The reports draw attention, with painful uniformity, to what ia called, in stereotyped phrase, the " passion for pleasure." Without doubt, this is noticeable on all hands. * * * We admit frankly that recreation ia a necessity, but we unhesitatingly declare that a life whose chief interest centres in amusement is totally alien to Christianity, and unworthy of rational being 3 Gambling, which is one of the chief forms of pleasure, has become a mania. Its immediate attraction to many is excitement, its ultimate goal is personal enrichment at the expense of others. The Church has repeatedly denounced this vice, and cm make no terms with it. .*. * * It, is also io be regretted that Sabbath desecration is so common. Recently a sham fight took place on the Sabbath near Christ church. Against such proceedings our Church must enter a most emphatic protest. Ours is a Christian nation, and it is monstrous that those who are in power should think themselves at liberty to trample upon Christian principle, outrage the Christian conscience, and insult the Christian Church. If the State refuses to teach religion, far less has any body of officials the right to use their position and authority, to promote such a flagrant act of irreligion. SABBATH SCHOOLS. The report of the committee on Sabbath schools stated that the number of Sabbath schools was 173, scholars on roll 11,642, average attendance 8725, male teachers 418, female teachers 78? ; Bible classes 93, with 759 male and 1258 female members; there were 22,333 volumes in libraries ; there had been collected for missions £329 5a 31 ; and for libraries and other purposes £1126 3a 2d. CJIUBCH UNION. The Assembly went into committee to considar the Articles of Union. • On resuming it was reported to the Assembly that the articles had been unani mously passed one by one, and on the motion of the Rev Gordon Webster the articles as follows were adopted by the Assembly :—The United Church to be called the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand ; the doctrinal basis of the United Church to be the Holy Scriptures as the supreme standard and the only rule of faith and practice, and the Westminster Confession I of Faith as interpreted by the Declaratory Act as subordinate standard, with liberty of opinion in regard to marriage with a de ceased wife's sister ; that the United Church shall be constituted and governed by sessions, presbyteries, and a general assembly consisting of all ministers iv charges, with an elder from each session, and such other ministers as may have seats in their respective presbyteries, which shall | be designated the General Assembly of the | Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. The trusts, properties and funds owned and ! administrated by the Synod of Qtago and Southland to remain its own exclusive property, with power to meet from-time to time for the due administration of its trusts; the first meeting of the Assembly to be held at Dunedin, and the Assembly shall itself determine and fix its next pla.ee of meeting from year to year, but ordinarily the Assembly Bhall meet alternately at Welling ton and Dunedin; each Presbytery to appoint one-half of the number of their ministers and as many elders, whose travel ling expenses to and from the Assembly shall be paid from the Assembly expenses fund ; that the principle of the Sustentatinn Fund shall be recognised as determining all arrangements for the support af the ministry; that the General Assembly shall at first recognise the Sustentation Fund and Church Extension Fund schemes of the two Churches, and, pending the effecting of a uniform soheme ? the funds to be adminis tered separately by commiteea of the General Assembly; thab the' Missionary Funds of the two Churches shall be amalga mated and devoted to the missions which are now being carried on by the respective Churches ; the Widows and Orphans Fund, and the Aged and laiirm Ministers Fund, to be similarly administered, pending amal . ,: * a, Q cL Daneciio to be the seat of KSlogi.,! Haii, an.i and removal of theological prolessora .a mains with the Synod ot Otago and South land ; the operation of the Barrier Act to apply to all proposals for fresh legisjat on.

We are requested to draw the attention of our readers to Fletcher Bros, 1 new advertise ment which appears in this issue re crockery and enamel ware just arrived per* s.s. Waimate. Don't fail to note the prices. The advertising sheet distributed with this issue notifies a great clearing sale of boots and shoes by Messrs McDonald and McDiarmid, of East street, Ashburton, commencing to-morrow, 12th inst. Aa all doga must be registered within fourteen days after Jannary 1, and aa there are many dogs still unregistered, the County Council intimate the liability of owners of unregistered dogs to be prosecuted at once. By advertisement in another column it is announced that Mr David Thomas will offer by auction on Saturday, at 12.30, a full trichord Dresden model piano (Milner and Thompson) in excellent order ; and will also submit a quantity of household furniture on • account or the owner leaving the district. J

COMMERCIAL.

LONDON WOOL SALES.

London, February 9 i At the wool sales a small catalogue was offend, and the competition was quiet. The market for faulty merinos was weaker. Good wools were firm, with an increased demand from America. A better feeling is evident in the Bradford market, although only small business is being done on account of the spinners not being able to give the prices asked.

LONDON WHEAT MARKET.

English wheat is selling at Is lower, and the market is weak. Foreign wheat is unchanged.

AUSTRALIAN MARKETS.

Sydney, February 10 Wheat—Chick 3s 9d to 4a; milling, 4s 9d to 4s lOd. Oatß, p'ime feeding, 2s 4d; medium, 2s 3d ; seeding 2s 6d to 2s Bd. Peas, Prussian blue, 4s 6d to 4* 9d. Barley, Cape, 2s 3d to 2s 6d. Bran, 7d. Potatoes, local £2 to £3 5a ; Circular Heads, £3 lOi to £3 17s 6d. Onions, Victorian, £5 5s to fiSjlOs. Butter, dairy-made, 6d to 6|d. Cheese, 4d to 4Jd. Bacon, sjd to 6d. Hams, New Zealand, 9d. Melbourne, February 10 Wheat, steadier, 5s 9d to 6s lOd. Oats, Algerian feed, Is lid to 2s 2jd; milling 2s 3d to 2s 4d; stout white 2s 4d to 2s B}d. Barley, Cape, 3s 3d. Potatoes, £3 15s to £3 17s 6d. Onions, £4 10s. Adelaide, February 10 Wheat, 6s 7d to 5s 8d ; millers are .draw ing their supplies from Riverina and America. Oate, stout) white and Algerian 3s 6d.

OLOVER SEED.

In a report in the Mark Lane Express of December 7 the following remarks on the clover seed harvest in England appear:— I Red olover and oowsjrassy total failure of this year's crop. Oowgrass (single cut).— Little cr no new seed. White clover.—A short acreage compared with last year; quality defective. Ked suckling—A fair crop and medium quality, Alsike.—Very little new seed, quality cannot be fioe. Trefoil.— jin almost total failure of the crop.

CHRISTCHURCH GRAIN AND PRO DUCE MARKET.

The Lyttelton Times of yesterday reports:— There has been a fair inquiry for wheat from the north, but local millers seem de termined not to purchase in the meantime at rates that would establish a higher value for any small parcels which farmers are bound to realise on at once. In spite of the fact that the Sydney market is at present flooded with Oalifornian wheat and fjour, and is practically closed for the moment against the New Zealand article, there is every prospect of a fair demand later on, and those who c*n afford to hold have every chance of getting higher prices by doing so. Some very good wheat was offering from the EUesmere district on Monday, but millers declined to give more than 3s 3d at country stations. The only sales reported are for export, viz.:—loo sacks pearl at 4s 2d f ,0.b., and 300 sacks mixed Tuscan and pearl at 4s Oid f.o.b. Buyers both here and at Ashbur ton are offering from 3s 6d to 3a 9J, whilst those growers who can afford to hold de cline to sell at less than 4s. There is an in quiry locally for short feed oats, but very few are offering, many farmers holding off I in anticipation of good prices ruling for oat sheaf chaff later on. Blue Prussian peas have been sold at 3s 6i at country stations, but there are no beans offering. The only sale of blue Derwent potatoes reported is that of a line of fifty tons for April delivery at 40a at country station. The following are current prices for old grain and the prices demanded for new :—

Wheat.—Pearl (prime milling), old 4s 63, new 4s ; Tuscan, old 4a sd, new 3,3 lid; Hunter's, o'd 4a £>d, new 3a IQd; good seconds, old 3a 4d to 3s 6<i, new 3s, Oats.—Old milling, 2a Id; stout feed, old 2s, new is lid ; Dims and Danish, old la l|.d, new is |Qd. _ JBarle¥.—Prime malting, old 33 new 4s ; medium, old 2a 9d to 3a, new 33 3d to 3a 6d. • Oatsheaf Chaff.—Nominally 40a to 42s 6d at handy country stations for prime samplet}. Potatoes. —Kidneys and Early Rose £3 10s to £4 at Ohristehurch. Onions. —£4.

Grass SEECt.~Ryegrass, farmers' lots 2« 4d to 23 10J, machine-dressed 3s 9d, heavy i weight 4s to 4s 3d. Cocksfoot, farm rs' lines 3d to 3|d, town machine-dressed, 4£d to sd. Daiey Prodtjok.—Cheese 3d to 4d, loaf 3Jd to gutter—Fresh factory 9d, prime dairy 6d to 7d, salt (in boxes) 5d to 7d. Bacon and hams 6Jd to 7^d. The above prices, except where otherwise stated, are those paid to farmers f.o.b. at Lyttelton.

The Press of same date says :— The change in the weather has interrupted business somewhat, and aot muph grain is offering. There ia little doing in wheat locally, A large line, principally Hunter's and the ba'anco Tuscan, has been aold at 3s 6d at a country station, with a railage of 2-j.d. Sale 3of Pearl at 4s 2d f.0.b., and 3QO sacks of Pearl and Tuscan at equal to 4s OAd f.0.b., are also reported. A line of 400 sacks of extra prime malting barley has been sold at 4s at Chrisfcehurcn. Ihe following are current prices paid to farmers, f.o.b. Lytteiton, except) where otherwise specified:— Wheat —(Last Reason's)— Pearl (prime milling), 4s 4d to 4s sd, Tuscan, 4s 3d to 4s 4d; Hunter's 4s 2d to 4s 3d, good seconds 3s 2d to 3s 3d. Oats—(Prime milling), 2s Id ; good stout feed U lid, fair short feed Is lOd, Duns Is lid to 2s, Danish Is lOd. Barley—Malting, prime, 3s 6d to 3s 9d; medium do, 3s ; feed, 2s to 2s 3d. Beans—Well saved, ?a Bd. • I Peas—Blue Prussians'(nominal). Oatsheaf Chaff—(Nominal)." Grass Seed—Ryegrass, farmers' lots, 2a 3d co 2s 9d ; machine dressed 3s 6d to 3s 9d, and heavy shotty seed up to 4s. Qocfesfoot, (nominal), 3d to 3§d, town "machine dressed, 161b seed 4Jd, 17ib seed 5d to s|d. Cow grass, (nominal) Sid to 6d. W&tte clover (nominal) 6d to 7|d. Alsyke (nominal) 5d to 6d. Dairy Produce— Cheese 3d to 4d, loaf 3|d to 4§d. Butter, factory 9d, dairy 6d to 7d, salt (in boxes) 5d to "6d. Bacon 6£d, do. roll 6|d to ?d; hams 7^d,

The New Zealand -Farmers? 00-opeba- TivE Association of Canterbury, Ltd., quote as follows on February 5, 1897 :—- Wheat (new crop) — Prime milling Fearl 4a to 4a Id f .o.b   Tuscan 3a lid to 4a ,>  „ Hunter's 3s lid „ Seconds, o^an „, 3a 3d „ Oats- Tartars and Duns .. Is 9d „ Good stout feed ... lalOd »» Milling .. ..2a „ Barley- Prime malting ... 3s 6(1 to 4a „ Medium (dull) .» Ha »> Beans 2s 6d » Peas- Prussian Blues ... "' ... 3s 6d to 3s 7d „ Patridge , , w 3a „ Ryegrasa— , Farmers' lines ... 2s to gs 6d Cb.ch. Cocksfoot— Good bright seed «,3dto3id 1, , Medium grades .., 2Jd to 2|d „ Ohaff— . .. Good oatsheaf .... 40a country stations Potato, s— Derwents «. ... 40s »» . April delivery. \ 1

ADDINGTON MARKET.

Christchurcb, February 10 The entries in ali departments of stock were good at the Addington market to-day, and there was a large attendance. Fat Cattlb. —The yarding of beef was made up of 143 head of mixed quality, the best sorts being a few steers running to abou 8001b ahead. The sale dragged con siderably for all bub really good stuff, j Several lines of inferior did not change bftodi, Steen brought §5 2s id to £? 3* 6d, J

heifers £3 17s 6d to £6, and cows £3 to £5 10s, the range of prices being for prime beef 16s to 18a, and medium 12« 6d to 15s Der 1001b. Stoke Cattle were muoh better repre sented than of late, and included very useful lines of yearling, eighteen month, and two year-o'd cattle, Moat of the bustoesa was done privately, at prices not disclosed. Fat Sheep embraced a few pens of really good freezers, but the bulk was ewe mutton. Prime freezing wethers lls to liJa and up to 13s for extra heavy weights; medium freezing wethers and mixed sexes, 9* 6d to 10a 91; maiden ewes, 8s 6J to lls 7d; butchers' four and six-tooth ewes 8s to 10s' and 6s 6d to 7s 9d for others ; merino ewes' 4s to 6s. ' Lambs.—There were not bo many lambs in the fat peas an last week and quality generally was not so good. Best lines brought 10a, and up to 12s 3d for an extra good pen ; inferior to medium 6s lid to 9s 6dr. Stork Sheep.—The largest yarding of store sheep of the season was on offer, and all classes met better competition. Good forward wethers for topping off brought 8a 3d, 9a 2d, to 10s; two-tooth wethers, 7s 2d and 9s Id; mixed ewes asd wethers, 7s i9d to 8s 3d; four, six, and sound mouthed ewes 5s 7d, 5s 9d, 6s 2d, 6s Bd, 7s Bd, 7s 9d, and 8s Id; two-tooth, 6a 2d and 7s 8d; sound mouthed merino ewes, 2s 7d, and boilers lOd. Really good forward lambs, 7s to 8s Id, and up to 9s 7d Cor an extra good line ; 4s, 5s 9d, and 6s 6d tor weedy to medium sorts. Pias— A medium entry of alt classes met a better demand. Fata rose quite id par lb, and stores also showed an improvement. Baconers brought sjd to 3±d, porkers 5d to 3£d per lb, baconers averaging from 30t to 60s, porkers from 16s to 25s t stores and weaners from 7s 6d to 20s 6d.

ASHBURTON MARKETS.

Mr David Thomas reports upon the live Stock market in the Aahburton county for the week ending February 10:—On Tuesday, at the Tinwald yard*, the usual weekly sale was held. The attendance was better than it has been of late, no doubt on account of the heavy rain and harvest operations being at a standstill. Some of the farmers flocked in to buy and some to see how values would go. The market was made up pdncipally of store lambs, and prices improved from 6d to 9d on late sale rates. Several lines of ; good stores were notable, and competition being keen, I succeeded in placing all my lots at satisfactory prices. The total for the' day comprised 4553 sheep, 14 head of oattle, 70 pifts, of which my entry consisted of 1993 sheep, 9 head of oattle, 67 pigs, which I placed at the following prices :—8 fat cross breds 3s 3d, 59 fat crossbred ewes 4a 3d, 55 cull crossbred lambs 3a Id, 97 lambs 7s Bd, 150 crossbred lambs 7s 7d, 58 two-tooth croaßbreds (culls) 5s 7d, 128 crossbred lambi 6s lOd, 18 onll lambs 3s lid, 75 crossbred* lambs 8s Id, 61 at 8s 3d, 150 at 7s Id, 153 at 7a 2d, 394 at 6s 6d, 276 at 8s 3d, 50 two tooth crossbred ewes 7s 3d. Cattle—3 steers (fat) £5, 2 at £4 18s 6d, 2 fat heifers £4 15s, lat £4 14* 6d, 1 fat cow £4 10a. Pigi.~ 10 stores §a, 19 at 7s 3d, 10 fat pigs £1 9* 6d, 4 stores 5s 6d, 6 stabblers 12s 3d. Privately during the week I have placed the following lines of sheep, viz.—s29 four-tooth wethers 9s 9d, 682 at 9s 6d, 61 fat crossbred ewes 88, 519 crossbred two-tooth ewes and wethers 9s 9d, 300 two-tooth cro«sbreda 7a 9d, 160 fat lambs 10s 3d, 74 at 10s 6d, 600 crossbred lambs 8a 6d, 59 fat Umbs 10i, 55 at 10a.

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBURTON—THD RSDA Y.

(Before Mr C. A. Wray, SM.) Civil Cask. —Peache v. Cameron. Thia case under the Fencing Act had been »d ---journel to allow the Bench to consider m to whether the proceedings were in order. Hii Worship said that after looking into the ( matter, he found that it woujd be necessary to serve notice. Mr Wilding said he had a cross notice drafted, and the case wai held in abeyance till proper notice bad been given. Mr Cuthbertson for plaintiff

CABLE NEWS.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

The New Hebrides. London, February 8 In the House of Commons, Mr Chamberlain stated on behalf of the Governinenb that Mr Oursson tii awaiting a reply from the French Government with regard tp the pw£ posala for regulating the liquor trade in the New Hebrides. Australian Defences. At a meeting of the Colonial Insti ! tutuf, Mr T. A. Braasey read a paper I on the question of Australian defences. In it he referred to the increasing ijn \ portance of a Naval Reserve. I The McKinley Cabinet. Washington, February 9 M r John D. Long has been appointed Secretary of Marine in the McKinley Cabinet. The Czarina's Health. St. Petersburg, February 9 The winter festivities at St Peters burg have been abandoned owing to the state of the Czarina's health. ' . Venezuela Arbitration. The Venezuelan Arbitration Com i mission meet in the middle o! 1898 to settle the boundary dispute.

Australian.

The Invitations to the Premiers. Melbourne, February 10 The Age understands that Mr King ston, |Sir John Forrest and Sir H. Nelson accept Mr Chamberlain's invi tation, Victorian Election. The general elections in Victoria " will be held in October, and with the ' view of saving expense Sir Georg* Turner suggests that it is desirable to lake the Federal vote at the same time* Proposed Assets Company. A movement is on foot to form a Company to take over the remaining assets of the English and Australian Mortgage Bank and the Mercantile and Federal Banks of Australia, aiic} the City of Melbourne Bank, now'in liquidation. The asstets consist mainly of city and suburban buildings and building sites, which at present can hardly be given away, but are Ijkely fco pay if held for a future market. With the consent of the official ra? eeivers in London it is proposed tq form a separate Company ijnser the cqntroT of one Board of management, but th,§ assets of each institution will be ear marked for the benefit of the creditors of each. National Bank of Queensland. Brisbane, February 10 The Court has sanctioned the re arrangement of the National Bank of Queensland reconstruction sqheine.'" l

THE ABHBURTON GUARDIAN; THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1897.



G. J. NEILL IS SELLING WASHING PRINTS at 3^l per yd ; WHITE MTJSLINS 3a lid per doz G. J. NEILL IS SELLING DOUBLE-WIDTH SERGES ia Navy, Brown and Maroon, at Is per yd G. J. NEILL IS SELLING MEN'S ALL-WOOL SUITS at 23a 6d ; Men's Tweed Trouesrß Sa lid O. J. NEILL IS SELLING BOYS' SUITS at 4a lid each G. J. NEILL is s^N9-tSS hZo^ t . ::: ::: £85 .Men's Shoes 5s lid Women'a Shoes  4s lid Women's Strap Shoes... ... <« Ho G. J. NEILL DEFIES COMPETITION IN BOOTS *wm%£ > Weftr Bad give SATISFACTION FBIEPLANDER'S CORNER, EAST STREET. IMPORTANT TO " F A RfEB S AND lAEYESTFRB, TIXATCHES specially designed and constructed for those engaged iv agricultural work are to he obtained from WATCH IMPOBTEB, EAST STEEET. These Watches are made by ROTHEKAM and other famed makers to the special order of S. Salek foi the ASHBOETON WATCH TRADE. HAVING BOUGHT LARGELY AT A HEAVY DISCOUNT PRICES AEE REDUCED. ALSO IN" STOCK—Dixit Watches (see fthe name S. SALEK Asliburton, is on the dial) atj2Os. * Other metal watches from 15s. AH Guaranteed. "rfaM|i'||Mi|f farfp - STEAM CARRIAGE FACTORY, g§sS3&!S[ \J__\S -, M . .S<toiAr- SHOEING FORGE. ** ». b. b«3 STEEL BEOS., [H-R-STEEI BEG to announce to the inhabitants of Ashburcon and surroaading that the> have taken over the Buaines^ go long earned on by J.R. SiJiLL, and hope bj Siriflt Attention fco Business, Good \Vorkman ß lixp, aud Moderate Charges, to merit a fan share of Patronage. Coachbuilding Department— This Department will have pur personal supervision and to a'l who require a new Vehiole of my .inscription, or their "old one repaired, we can guarautee satisfaction it they place their ord'r wiih us. ...... fainting and I'rimming — Now is the limerohive your traps put into good order by having them well rainted, *nd our workmen are in th • front, rank of their profeaaion, and the material usec ia the very best. Ironwork Dep crtment — We are prepared to quote prices for all kinds of ironwork, an! to supply 01 - repair Agricultural Implements of every description. Shoeing Department— In this as in all other parts of our business we will-give satisfaction to out customers, and if you want your horae shod by practical and skilled workmen, send it *long te4 l GIOK IA N SHOEING FOBGB. STEEL BROS., PROPRIETORS, WEST STREET, ASHBUKTON. 2 34



Business Notices. NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory, QOLE A G ENTS |FOR THE F A|M 0 U S "VICTORY" SEWING MACHINE, ■ s £ $ , i pi| \4 ■; 8 . Q°Q " W " I oqs.2: X ««S O " !z; • S H PQ 5 W ■ « '■ g DO pc ■ O & Church Services. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, Ashburton. FRIDAY-rChoirPfsgtipe, 8 p.m. SUNDAY SERVICES. B.3o—Holy Communion. 11 a.m.—Morning Prayer, 3.30-Holy Baptism. 6.30 p.m.—Evening Prayer. ■ REV. T A. HAMILTON. 3 p.m.— Dromore. MR W. BOWMAN FOX, WAN I ED Known—Sale of this season's Millinery only, at greatly reduced prices, also large selection m Ladies Flannelette Dressing «owus and Morning Wrappers, Children's Pinafores, Overalls, etc., for fourteen days only.—Miss h. •' BAaUES, Arcade and Tancred street. &16



OUR FIRST SALE, COMMKNCIiNG SATURDAY, JANTJABY SO MITCHELL & BRODRIBB, THE CENTRAL CASH TRADSRS, NEXT TO J. ORR & COS IRONMONGERY DEPARTMENT, EAST STRICT ERUPTIONS IN THE DRAPERY TRADE. "TTTTE have decided to eelipsw all, with the result that one cut has been m ade at our new stock, whioh has seve^d the price in half No oil Stock no ou> of date shelf-worn gooda to palm off on a sensible public. Oar Clean, New, and Stylish Stock at just half th. «wii*3 nrice *The cry ia—How it itdone ? Here you have ib : No Bad Debts, Wo Credit which enable us to lose directly, a portion o what the credit traders are losing indirectly. With this difference-At MITCH i L and BRODRIBB'S a!! are treated alike ;at thi credit houses the g«od customers have to pay for the bad ones. Make no mistake. We want your money, and fee assured that the few following cample prices will bring it. Space will nob allow us to quote more than a very condensed list bat this is a sample of the bargains offered you :— 9 pieces Lfght Print at 3a lid per doz yards Usual Price, 7id per yard 16 pieces Dark Print at 3a lid per doz yard* Usual Price, 8d per yard 22 pieces Gingham Prints, 4s lid per doz yards Usual Price, 9d per yard 19 pieces Flor<>l Crepons, 4s lid per doz yards Usual Price, lid per yard 17 Fancy Brilliant Cloth, 7£d per yard Usual Price, Is 3d per yard 7 pieces Plain depon, 5s lid per doz yards Usual Price, la per yard 11 pieces stripe Zephyr, hi lid per doz yards Usual Price, Is 3d per yard 8 Plain Zephyr, 6s per doz yards , Usual Price, Is 3d per yard 22 pieces Cashmere Cloth, 4s lid per doz yards Usual Price Is per yard 10 pieces Mourning Cloth at the ridiculous price of 3s per doz yards, assure you that at this very important fc&le both you and ouraelveß will have a spanking time. White Calico 2s lid per doz yards Usual price ssd per yard White Sheeting, 2 yards wide s 10£ d per yard Usual price Is 6d per yard Nainsook 4£d per yard Usual price 7±d per yard White Turkish Towels 5s 6dper doz Usual price 9d each Oilsias 6yardß for Is lid, worth double Hundreds of Cheap Dreea awaiting inspection Double width Tweeds la per yard Black and Colored Cashmeres from Is per yard up Ladies Black Lavantine Paragon frame Umbrellas from 2s 6d, 3a lid, 4s lid, etc. Ladies' Sunshades all colors from 3s lid Black and Colored Velveteens from Is 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 Is up. Plain and Ribbed Black Cotton Hose, Sanitary Dye, 6£d GLOVES Gloves.—A large vari-ty Cheap and Good. A beautifil Kid Glove, any shade, at 2s lid. Lower lines from Is 61 upwards. Cashmere Glov. s 4£d, 6d, 9d, and Is per pair. Gaggety and Silk, from Is 3d upwards. rtahotj Blousesf Blouses.—We have sold more of these goods than any house in town. What we have on hand—About JJiUU >' sixteen dozen will be cle-red from la lid, 2a 6d, 2a lid up; just half price. AH muslin and fancy Aprons just half wh-it you will piy anywhere else. MTTTTNERY Millinery—Price cut-in half. Trimmed Hats from Is lid upwards. _....„ MlLUnanx Tbe bej J valnein fche trade< startling Bargains in the Nothing and Mercery Departments. A few Harvester Hats, 6Ad. Seamless Merino Sox, 6d. Regatta Shirte, all sizes, 4s 6J. Brown cotton pants, Is 6d. Heavy Working Shirts, 2s 6d. Men's strong Moles, 6s 6<l. Tweed Trousers, special 8s 6d, Colonial 8i lid. Men a Tweed Suits, 21s 6d. Men's imitation Fox's Serge Suits, 29s 6d. Sailor Tweed Suits, 6a lid, size 1 to 7. Choicest stock of Ties and Scarfs in Ashburtoa. AU our Boots and Shoes reduced. Hard and Sofb Selts io endless variety. Mohairßoot Laces, 3* per dozen. Heavy Kaiapoi Sox, Is. Kaiapoi Under Flaunels, 3s lid. , H , tAi H| lw n| DO NOT FOEGET MITCHELL & BRODRIBB'S FIRST SALE. NEXT KO J. Om & CO, EACT SXREKJ ABHBURTON.



Synopsis of New Advertisements,



Dunlop and Crisp—New patent butter box D. Thomaa —Piano for sale by auction on Saturday next. W, B. Denshire—Notice, to whom it may concern. Fletcher Bros.—Crockery, etc. McDonald and McDiarmid—New business announcement. Gmterbu-y Flour Mills—Wanted, a boy. County Council—Notice to owners of un registered dogs. Wesleyan Ohurch-^Haryest festival. Funeral Notice. J. B. Kirk—Fruit.



Ytn try tht Nm Vtntti Tohaae



Keating's Powdkr qeatroya bugs, flea*, , nntba, beetles, and all other inascts, whilst gui c h rmiCßa to domestio animals, la extamiaating beetles the suooesa of this powder is ex raordinary. It is perfectly ilon in appucaion. See ths artiole you 'purchase is, EsAxi^a'a, hh imi afions ar« aoxionj and ioefleoio^, Sold in tine, $&, 1| »od 2, $4 nob, bj |1 ebuiiitl ' 7