Mail Notices.

Mails for Farotonga and Tahiti per Upolu, close at Auckland on Wednesday, 17th February, at 4 p.m. Mails for the United Kingdom and Continent of Europe close at Wellington on Thursday, 18th inst, per Kaikoura. Corres pondence must be specially addressed. A temporary telegraph office will be open ab the Rifle ,Camp, Takapuna, Auckland, Hours 9 a m. to 6.30 p.m.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1897. THE RECORD REIGN.

A gathering will assemble in London in June next of such a character as has been impossible until now. It will be in celebration of the completion by Her Majesty Queen Victoria of sixty years upon the throne of the British Empire. There will be pageants and ceremonials the most imposing that British eyes have ever witnessed, if in deed more imposing or more wonderful displays have ever been witnessed in any part of the world or at any time in the world's history, and they will commemorate a most remarkable event —the longest reign in the whole his tory of Britain. The event is remark able, but the reign has been no less so. During that reign the empire has been but little disturbed by war. True, it had one great and regretful conflict with the forces of a mighty northern power, a .onflict in which it fought shoulder to shoulder with France, Turkey, and Italy as allies ; and a tremendous revolt of its Indian sub jects called the flower of its military strength into the field. Other con flicts it has had, too, but they were against savage nations — little wars that were soon over, and of which the average cottager hardly knew that they were being waged. So that with these exceptions the reign has been one blessed by peace to a far greater de gree than any other reign iv the nation's history. During Victoria's reign great advances have been made in the welfare of the people, in science, in education, and in good government, and though—but far off be the day— the empire may yet crumble and fall, as other great empires have crumbled and fallen in the prist, the name of Victoria will be spoken by po< terity with reverence as that of a good and virtuous Queen, and her reign will be regarded as a wonderful period of our history and one in which the people of the land were happy. The pageantry of the coming June cannot fail to be imposing, and those who are its eye witnesses will have reason to consider themselves fortunate indeed. It is very evident that the British Govern ment desire to give an emphatically special character to the demonstration proposed, and from the very hearty and enthusiastic manner in which _dr Chamberlain has entered upon the task of making arrangements in the colonies, ie is not unreasonable to assume that, if the special character proposed to be given to the celebration be not the idea of Her Majesty herself, it has her complete sympathy and authorization. The intention is to make the gathering an Imperial one, and to pass before the eyes of the whole world such a living panorama as will leave upon the outside mind a vivid representation of

what our great empire really is. The effect of such a representation cannot fail to be both powerful and lasting, and no better time will ever present itself for putting it before the nations of the world. From all the numerous colonies of Britain there have been invited, to become for this occasion tbe guests of the British nation, their several Premiers, the official invitation having been forwarded to each Premier by the Secretary of State for the colonies himself, and it is more than hinted that a military escort of colonial

forces accompanying each Premier will be heartily welcomed, as well as repre sentatives of the Native races. Such a gathering cannot fail to be both im posing and instructive. The intelligent onlooker will be able to note and *to grasp the vastness of the empire under British rule, He may call up the oft-quoted verse:—

" Were I so tall as reach the pole, Or grasp the Ocean with a span, I must be measured by my soul— The mind's the standard of the man."

And before his eyes will be passing abundant proof that this nation of islanders has reached out to both poles and grasped the ocean with its span, so far as territory i$ concerned, and can stand the further test of mind and soul as few other nations could. Gr.eat Britain has territory lying within the Arctic circle, and to the Antarctic the dominions of no other nation approach I

so near. If a map of the world be taken, and the possessions of Great, Britain be marked upon it in red, it will be seen that the crimson tint will shine out from e&rery continent. And the student will realise how much of ' liberty and true freedom this represents when he remembers that within the colonies of the British Empire there

are those who speak other languages than our own, and that every European race and nationality has sent represen tatives to make citizenship in the far away new lands with those who claim kinship of blood with the motherland of the little seagirt British islands.

Turkey considers herself the great headquarters of Mohammedism. yet Great Britain's vast possessions whose people are Mote-ac-tens ©vershadow

Turkey's claims, and there ia not a form of faith chat is not represented in some part of our expansive dominions, and not a soul dare interfere with the holder of that faith to prevent him exercising his full liberty of con-i science, or the right to worship in his own way. The red mark on the map would show prominently in Asia, where three hundred millions of people are subjects of the Queen. " Darkest Africa," too would be very crimson in its coloring, and the red shade would extensively illuminate the Pacific and tbe South crn seas. Thus the pole has been reached and the ooean grasped as with a span, and colonisation has proceeded all over the globe, accompanied by beneficent rule. And it is in this latter that the success of Britain as a colonising nation seems to lie. Who, but Britain, for instance, could have i held in subjection the turbulent spirits of our Indian Empire, and yet rule them with the like laws of love and justice and peace to those which are the heritage of Britons? Spain, at one period in her history, seemed likely to be the chief coloni-ing power of Europe, but instead of the Spanish race spread ing over half the world as it once promised to do, the power of Spain in her only colony of consequenoe—Ouba — seems tottering to its fall. The Dutch and the Portuguese were also once in the van as colonising nations, but they long ago gave place to others and their colonial possessions are now •insignificant. Prance has of late years revived her colonising spirit, but we hardly fancy Madagascar will flourish under her rule, and that rule if it ever be imposed upon the New Hebrides wilt not be a happy one. France was at one time paramount in Northern America, but a French-Oanadian in the person of M. Launer, the Canadian Premier, will represent the Dominion at the great gathering. Doubtless, President McKinley of the United States will make his bow before Her Britannic Majesty, as an invited guest, the great Western nation of which he is the chosen head being itself the splendid outcome of the magnificent colonising genius of the Anglo-Saxon race. The gathering will con_memo-'ate a long, a happy, and a prosperous reign, and will not only do honor in the highest degree to Victoria the Virtuous, but it will also show to the whole world the spectacle of a united and con solidated empire, strong in the strength of that power that lies not with the rulers, but with the people—a people whose mandate is that they be ruled in righteousnesss, and which mandate the rulers dare not disobey ; an empire whose people enjoy in a measure which no other people in all the world's history has enjoyed, the blessings of righteous government, religious freedom and civil liberty; and an empire the mo^t magnificent that has ever wakened to the light of the sun. And amongst the rest our own Premier has been in vited to be present to honor the oc casion. Seldom has there been more unanimity among the pr< ss of New Zealand on any subject than there has been on this, that Mr Seddon, for New Zealand, should obey the imperial mandate, and present himself to add his " Here" to the great muster-roll of Britannia's sons across the sea.

Old Londoners, who were familiar in the past with the quaint garbs worn by

children of certain endowed schools, will be interested to learn that those

THE PASSING OF THE PICTURESQUE.

picturesque dresses an. fast disappearing. 8o writes a correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph, who adds that, having had occasion to make special inquiries as to how many of the schools of city companies and wards now retain the quaint garbs of a by-gone age, he found that there are scarcely any that now do so. Indeed, that the Blue Ooat School, Foundling Hospital, thf! Marylebone Girls' School, and the Royal Caledonian Asylum are almost exceptional in keeping the uniform, ' whereby the trustees, benefactors, and others may know and perceive what the behaviour of the children is abroad,' as the reasoning of the past upon the subject used to bo. Time was when the Charity service at St Paul's was one of the most varied and interesting ceremonials of tha year. Now it ia conspicuous by its disappear ance.

Local and General.

Commercial news on fourth page. Electric cabs are being built for London streets.

It is said that a goose or a duck has never been run over by a vehicle.

A 756-horse power engine is being added to the K*iapoi Woollen Mills.

The damage caused by the recent gale at Tauranga is estimated at £1300.

The Waitaki Counby Council proposes to consider bhe queabion of taxing bicycles.

Ferrets in bhe Taieri disbricb lately made away wiih 44 hens in one house in a night.

The besb corks come from Algeria. There are 2,500,000 acres of cork forebts in bhat country.

The Rangitikei Advocate states bhat Mr and Mrs Seddon own 5000 acres of land in the North Island,

The usual Government parade of the Ashburton Rifles will take place this even ing. Every man must attend.

The Anglican and Wesleyan Churches at Opunake were bodily shifted by the recent gale, the latter some eight feeb from its original standing place.

A few yeara ago Southland was shipping horses to Australia. Last week a number of draught mares and geldings were landed at the Bluff from Melbourne.

We understand that Mr Hanmer, in re sponse to an invitation by many ratepayers, has consented to stand for the seat on the Borough Coutici! vacated by Mr R. M. Cuthbertson.

Skates made of gold are popular in Mont' eal. One lady had the blades of her skates enriched with diamonds. Skates set with pearls and precious .tonßs have also been in fashion.

A cablegram has been received from Mr H. S. Fiah, M.H.R., from Melbourne, stat ing that the thro it affection from which he suffers is of a serious nature, and that an operation is necessary.

The Oamaru Mail says that Mr Pratt, whose farm adjoins thab of Mr C. Fa'ooner, ab Willow Bridge, near Waimate, estimates that his prop of velvet wheat is even better than Mr Falconer's, As Mr Falconer's crop is estimated to run 60 bushels to the acre, Mr Pratb must have nearly a record yield, i The same paper understands that oabs are threshing out well on the Totara estate. The yield is said to be fully up to 60 bushela to the acre. These are a good sample of dun oats, and were sown early and eaten off; by sheep in the spring- lb i ptoh. there is a similar yield in a large paddock at Elderelie, I

Alexander Hermann, the great conjurer, is dead. He has performed in almost every part of the globe, and until Maskeleyne and Cooke appeared on the scene was unrivalled as a prestidigitator.

We understand that Mr Colyer will be relieved on or about the 25th inst, by Mr Taylor, hia successor in the clerkship of the S.M. aud District Courts. So soon as he ib relieved Mr Colyer proceeds to Invercargill.

Wt stern Australia's supply of jarrah and karri, the hard woods used for streeb pave ments, is practically inexhaustible. The jarrah covers 14,000 square miles of country and the karri 2000 square miles more.

We observe by a paragraph in the Lyttelton Times that a social gathering will be held in the Mission Hall, Colombo street, Syden ham, at 7.30 this evening to bid farewell to the Rev E. A. and Mrs Soott, who are leaving for England to-morrow.

The Grand Jury at the Supreme Court at Christchurch yesterday made short work of the charge of manslaughter against the old man Parkes who struck down in self-defence the ruffian Ryan, in the Opawa case, and promptly threw out the bill.

Mr C. B. Fisher, one of the fathers of the turf in Australia, who was also a pioneer squauter, but is now in monetary difficulties, is 79 years of age. A subscription is being raised, so that his last days will be free from want. One squatter has promised £500.

The instructions received by Mr Colyer in regard to the registration of Old Age Pension claims state that the forms of claim are obtainable from the local post office. We made inquiry this morning and find that up to then no forms had been received here# This should be attended to at once.

The pike swal'ows small fish voraciously, and in default of theße, such birds as moor hens and animals of small size, whether alive or dead. A curious instance of a pike's gluttony took place in an English canal. While a swan was feeding under water a pike seized its head and gorged so much of it as to result in the death of both bird and fish.

Mr Walter Martin, Clerk of the Court at Invercarill and transferred to Christchurch, was met by the local Justices in the Inver cargill Courthouse yesterday. Several speakers eulogised highly Mr Martin's dis charge of his public duties, and wished him success in the future. The staff of the Court presented him with a silver mounted mirror suitably inscribed.

During his address before the Conciliation Board at Dunedin, Mr Mills said that the Union Steam Ship Company's employees afloat numbered 1616, consisting of 317 officers and engineers, 756 petty officers, deck, and stokehold hands, 38 boys, and 505 in the victualling department. The nation alities of the seamen, firemen, and trimmers might be approximately stated as 200 colonial-born, 400 British, and 100 foreign.

A number of mementoes of the industries of New Zealand were taken away from the colony by Lord Glasgow and his family. Among these were gifts from the Welling ton Woollen Company and the Kaiapoi Woollen Factory. Mr P. Herens, manager of the Kaiapoi Woollen Factory, on behalf of the directors of the company, sent two handsome travelling rugs to Lord and Lady Glasgow. The Wellington Woollen Com pany's gift was a suiting woven in the Com pany's loom in the Exhibition. Dresses woven in that loom were also presented to the Ladies Boyle and Lady Glasgow, the latter wearing this dress on her departure from New Zealand.

COMMERCIAL.

BOLTER FOR EXPORT.

A Press Association telegram from Wel lington says :—Butter is now coming forward for shipment to London in excellent condi tion. Formerly the prominenrfault was too much moisture, but now it has been almost wholly eradicated by the syst<-m of grading established by the Government.

Female Politicians in Trouble.

The latest development of women's franchise book pace (says bhe Post) in the Wellington Magistrate's Court on Friday, when four young women were charged with having used behaviour in Taranaki Street whereby a breach of the peace wasoccasioned. According to Mr Wilford, who appeared for the four delinquents, the question ab iasue was the action of Mr Atkinson in petitioning against Mr Fisher's election, two of the defendants being supporters of the Temper* ance Party, and bhe other two being opposed to any interference with the present Licens ing Act. From cool and deliberate argument to a hasty retorb and a general ?nslce was a quick transition, and the parties were now sorry for their dispute. Mr Wilford asked bhab a lighb penalty should be inflicted, as bhe accused were all unknown to bhe police, His Worship fined each of bhe accused 10s, with 2a 9d costs.

Presbyterian Assembly.

The Presbyterian General Assembly on Monday morning received a deputation from the Christchurch Ministers' Association, and friendly greetings were reciprocated. The following ministers were received into the ministry of the Church :—Rev J. M. Simpson, formerly of Sydenham ; J. C. Tennant, from Victoria; P. McQueen from New South Wales; J. V. Johnsbon, from Scobland ; and D. Jamieson, from Scobland. The reporb of the Sabbath School Teachers' Examination Committee was given in by j Rev Mr Mackenzie, Nelson. He stated thab an examination was held in October, for which seven candidates were entered for the C certificate, and all passed.

The Assembly recorded a standing minube expressive of the high appreciation of the character, life and work of the late Rev James Treadwell, Wanganui, and of sympathy with the bereaved family. The Rev Dr Sidey reported that there were 169 churches, 83 ministers, 418 elders, 11,209 commuuicanbs, 217 Sabbath schools, 1565 teachers, 15,272 scholars, and that £28,985 had been contributed for ordinary

purposes. The reporb on the religious census showed thab there were 159,952 Presbyterians, and that 96,671 were in church connection. The condition of things bearing upon religion was much better than was generally repre sented.

The scholarships committee reported that the literary scholarship had been awarded to T. Riddle, Rakaia.

The Moderator, and the Rev Mr Mac kenzie, Nelson, and Mr John McNab, Timaru, were appointed deputies to trie Synod of Otago and Southland. The widows and orphans fund showed— income £484 15s 7d, capital £5854

In the evening a deputation from the Prohibition Council was received, aud a > report on temperance was tabled by the Rev R. Barr. The last Sabbath in November was appointed the temperance Sabbath. The Rev G. Webster submitted bhe report on education, and urged the necessity of united effort by the churches interested to secure the introduction of the Irish Text Book into the public schools. The report was adopted. The aged and infirm ministers fund showed—income £423 and capital £3992. Four ministers were placed upon the fund. The assembly closed at 10.45 p.m. I

ISLAND NEWS.

I anc-iiif? of Frencli Troops at Baiatea*

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. ] Auckland, February 15. New. from Tahiti lay the Richmond state that on January 4th the French warships Duquay Trouin, and L'Aube landed troop at Raiatea Island, in the Society Group, the natives of which have for the last eight years opposed French annexation, and frequency requested English protection. The French forces, consisting of 200 soldiers from New Caledonia, and some 50 native volunteers from Tahiti, marched to the native entrenchments in the centre of the island, where 80 insurgents occupied an ambush in a trench. The natives, however, allowed the French to come right up and turn ihe trench before they opened fire. The rest fled to the forest, hills, but a large number afterwards surrendered. The in surgent chief, however, with the remnant ot his followers, is still at liberty, and the soldiers are searching for him. Many prisoners have been sent to the Marquesas. It is considered that the French have now completely subdued the natives.

BOARD OF CONCILIATION.

The Furniture Trade Difficulty Arranged.

Per Press Association.

Dunedin, February 18. The Board of Conciliation met again this afternoon and evening, to deal with the dispute in the furniture trade. The Board decided to recommend special reductions in four items in the Union's log, and the reduc tion of 8 per cent on the other items in dispute. The employers bound themselves to accept the recommendation, and the delegates from the Furniture Trade Union intimated that they would recommend the Union to accept them.

A VIOLENT THUNDERSTORM.

Three Horses Rilled.

Damage to Property.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELKGBAM.)

Hawera, February 15. A violent thunder storm occurred here on Saturday night, and the lightning was the most vivid ever seen here. In an open paddock three horses were killed, and the ground in the vicinity was torn up and punctured with deep holes. Napier, February 15,

A thunderstorm of unexampled severity visited Napier yesterday morning shortly after five o'clock. The whole town was lit up with an awful flash of lightning, followe?! by a thunderclap resembling a tremendous explosion. Then, came a downpour of raiu which speedily flooded the low-lying parts. The channels proved unequal to the occasion and in Hastings street the storm water over flowed the footpath and entered several shops, greatly damaging the stocks. The storm continued for a couple of hours, when the weather showed signs of clearing, bub it came on with renewed force in the afternoon. Two chimneys were shattered by the light ning, but no other accidents have been reporbed. The rivers in bhe country dis tricts rose rapidly. The weather has now cleared.

New Zealand Rifle Association Meeting.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION,

Auckland, February 15. The New Zealand Rifle Association's annual meeting was opened by the Mayoress this afterroon. There wa._ fair attendance of the public, aod the lady was almost within scoring the possible, the inner disc .SSSilig-JLiP °j_ lie hii-U_f bhe__bullVe^__in a good direZtiLonT^&ae Hon.*^o"mas"____nip-_S s as Minister of Defence, in a short speech congratulated the Association on the position it held, and promised that every assistance would be given by bhe Governmt-nb. Major Sommerville replied, and then the shooting commenced. Only the 200 yards of the Nelson Match, not c .unting for the belt, was complet.d, and the position was kneeling, sitting, or standing. ,vomo capital shooting was made. Only one range was finished, and the leaders are WiLon (Woodville) the possible, 35; King (Oamaru) 34, McKay (Christchurch) 34, H. Doughty (Auckland) 34, Love (Wanganui) 33, Robinson (Upper Hutt) 33.

AN UNFORTUNATE PICNIC PARTY.

Invehoargill, February 15 Six persons were injured by a road acci denb beyond Otautau yesterday. A drag conveying sixteen young people to the Waiau Caves was going down Fenham Hill when a trace got loose. The brake not being effective the horses dashed down the hill. AH went well till they came to a sharp bend ab the foot, which the horses negotiated safely ; but the terrific pace at which the drag took 'he curve threw its occupants clean out into the swamp, the drag nob being capsized. The driver, John Pye, had his wrist broken and dislocated. Lizzie Mclvor, a delicate girl of sixteen, had her collar bone broken, and was insensible till to-day. Others were unconscious for a time, and all were more or less injured, some with symptoms of internal hurts.

The Wellington City Election Petition.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, February 15 The Court was further engaged this morn ing in enquiring into the case of double vot ing, some of which were disallowed and some abandoned. Others were left for furbher enquiry. Evidence was then brought to show that Mrs Fisher had hired a room near the Rink, which was u.ed as a Committee-room, bub this count broke down and bhe Court disallowed the charge. H.J. Williams gave evidence as to the organisation of the licensed victuallers for the election. It was princi pally for bhe local option poll. About £250 was subscribed. They had several Commit tees, one of which arranged for bhe convey ance of elecbors to the poll, bub he cnuld nob bell the names of the cabmen employed. Mr Williams admitted thab the licensing interest worked with the Liberal interest, and their ticket included Mr Fisher. Mr Martin Kennedy was examined, and then this portion of the case stopped, as the peti tioners had no more witnesses on the subject ready.

i The ibem treating was next taken Mr i Skerrett objected that the treating must be on election day, and the treating alleged was on the day before. Mr Morrison contended bhab bhe election was from the time the can didatures were announced. If they proved wholesale treating the votes would be dis qualified en bloc, but if bhey did nob succeed they would take individual cases on their merits. The Court decided to hear the evidence before determining the point. Mrs j

Fulton was called, but her evidence was not very material, and Mr Justice Conolly said

Ib was half an hour wasted. The enquiry waa adjourned till to-morrow.

THE WEATHER.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. Wellington, February 15. The weather has again changed. South warnings sent are of easterly gales from Manukau to Lyttelton.

SPORTING.

DUNEDIN TRAINING NOTES.

PEE FEESS ASSOCIATION.

Dunedin, February 16. At Forbury this morning Plotter galloped seveu fudonga, easily beating False Impres sion. Campbell aud Maremma ran a miie pretty fast, but not raing. Hippomene« and Marlin beat Sequin at six furlongs. Fulmene finished in front of Edelweiss and Decoy at five furlongß. Lord Rosslyn -.did long half pace work, winding up with a spurt. Gleaner seemed to hold Belmont safe at seven furlongs. Winchman and Aldershot galloped six furlongs together. Blazer and Black and Red had a similar talk.

ORDER OF FORESTERS.

An ordinary meeting of Court No. 6729, An.ient Order of Foresters, waß held in the Orange Hall on Monday evening, there being a very large number of ForesteM present, despite the threatening weather. The interest taken by the members in the welfare of Forestry has, of late, been very marked, as shown by the excellent attend ance at the meetings. The membership also is increasing very rapidly, two or more members being elected every Court night. A considerable amount of correspondence was dealt with, amongst which was a discussion in connection with the Foresters' annual social aud ball, March 25 being fixed as the date on which it is to be held. A strong Committee was then formed to make all arrangements in connection therewith. Two new members were admitted into the Order.

Burglery at Waimate.

We learn from the Timaru Herald that the premises of Mr S. J. Adams, timber merchant, of Waimate_ were burglariously entered during Bur day night. Access was obtained by breaking a window of the chaff room, and then lifting the sash. The thief then procured a sharp pointed piece of iron called a logging spike, and enbering the office burst open the drawers in which the cash is usually kept. He waa richly, rewarded for his labors by finding nothing. He then tried the other drawers in the desk, with a similar result. A large safe stood under the desk, bub this was not tampered with.

THE GLENBROOK MURDERS.

It is stated that Butler has the right to appeal against the granting of the extradi tion order, and that the appeal does not come on for hearing for ab least three weeks. Should this be actually so, there can be little doubt that Butler will exercise hia right, and in this event it is difficulty to say when he will actually be taken back to Australia.

The Relief of the Phyllis.

AN EYB-WITNESS' ACCOUNT. A passenger by the E.M.S. Orient on the recent trip from Melbourne to Sydney, during which a boat's crew from the mail steamer conveyed provisions to the starving sailors of the brig Phyllis, and for which they were presented with rewards in recogni tion of their bravery, supplies the following graphic account of the incident to a Sydney weekly journal:—The relief of the starving seamen of the brig Phyllis by the boat's crew from the liner Orient, which formed tha subject of the big public demonstration presided over by Governor Hampden in Sydney on Tuesday night, was a truly stirring deed. The big steamer on its way from Melbourne to Sydney encountered a hurricane. It raged for many hours and raised a mountainou^^^^^^ -w%e_r- •fete'^wlnc^ahated. In pursuance ~oT mail steamer tactics, Captain Inskip put out far from land, and there, remote from the ordinary steamer track, found the brig, her sails blown to ribbons, helplessly wallowingin the trough of the huge waves. Signals showed that her crew were starving, aud as she had lost her boat, nothing remained but for the Orient, herself tossed about like a cork by gigantic short seas which broke every time, to send a boat with food. It was an appalling task, truly a forlorn hope, but Mr F. J. Rankin, R.N.R., the chief officer, off-red to face it, and at once pi.ked a crew of six from the numerous seamen who volunteered. The gallant six were not a big set of men, three of them were distinctly undersized, but -hey were a well-knit, tough lot, fit to pull for their lives, which was exactly what ihey had to do for the next three hours and a half. Having put on life-belts, they got into a clean-lined, smart-looking boat of semi whaler type hung near the steamer's stern, and took their daring plunge—in which their craft was so badly stove that thereafter she had to be continuously baled. But they got away, and soon it was perceived that the boat had not only a grand set of oars men,* but that it possessed in the chief officer a rough-water helmsman such as is rarely met except iv a whaling crew. So tremendous were the seas that for quite half the time you could not catch, even from the high vantage of the Orient's hurricane deck, a single glimpse oi the boat, as it chased fche distressed brig, which rapidly went to leeward, and thus greatly added to the big task the Orient men had set them selves. When the boat was lowered the brig was Within 500 yards of the mail steamer, now hove to, but owing to the confused, breaking sea and varying wind it is probable that the crew had to pull six or seven times thab distance to reach the stern of the brig, over which supplies were with I difficulty passed by line. With the return j began the real troubles of bhe Orient men. j The sky to windward assumed an j evil scowl, along came a hurricane-squall ; and a still more difficult sea, and for : a time neither brig nor boat was visible from the Orient. Gloom settled on the steamer's crew and passen gers, for night was near, and for a boat to be separated from the steamer in such water meant certain death to the gallant seven - and, at best, how were the men to board the ship ? Bub the boa. at last did re-appear, on the port side, from which it had been dropped, and which now became the weather side, and when at length it got within one hundred yards of the big vessel the now exhausted men looked up—as if to measure their chance—and the people on deck looked down, far down into the wave hollow, and thought of them in the same helpless way one thinks of the drowning dog which he sees vainly treading water along the sea-wall devoid of any landing place. "Buckley's show" was plainly the portion of that gallant band of sportsmen. " Can't do ib, sir," shouted the chief officer, above the roar of the storm, to the anxious captain on the bridge—" too dangerous— must try the other side." The captain told the mate aud his men to save themselves for j the boat could not be saved. And then another rain squall came, and in the growing darkness half an hour, during which the boab was sometimes visible and sometimes utterly invisible from the ship, was spent in getting to lee. And what a lee it was ! When those on deck looked down and saw in the great gulfs the little boat, on which the electric light had now been turped, some of them went below that they might not see the end. One man, more " done " than the rest, was pulled up oa a bow-line, but the others simply held on to ropes, and —marvellous feat of endurance under the circumstances—were hauled the whole way from the boat to bulwarks. Three men came up on one line—the chief officer was the last man out of the boat, and nofc one of the lob could stand when he reached deck.

The boab drifted away in the darkness, and has since been fouud beached near UlladuHa.

The men, when they reached the weather* I side of the steamer, certainly never expected "bo see laud again, and the chief officer, one of them told the present writer next morn* ing, snd " time for prayers had come." Altogether, ib was a sight to make a man's blood tingle, but it was one which nobody would oare to see twioei

THE A.BHBURTOJSI GUARDIAN : TUESDAY, FEBRUARY t 16, 1897



G. J. NEILL IS SELLING WASHING PRINTS at 3£d per yd ; WHITI- MUSLINS 3s lid per doz G. J. NEILL IS SELLING DOUBLE-WIDTH SERGES in Navy, Brown and Maroon, at Is per yd G. J. NEILL 18 SELLING MEN'S ALL-WOOL SUITS at 23s 61; Men's Tweed Trous..s 5s lid G. J. NEILL IS SELLING BOYS' SUITS at 4s lid each G. J. NEILL IS SELLING-Men's Bluchers at 4s lid Men's Nail Shooters ... ... 7a lid Men's Shoeß ... ... ... 5s lid Women's Shoes ... ... 4s lid Women's Strap Shofs... ... 4s lid G. J. NEILL DEFIES COMPETITION IN BOOTS Every Pair Guaranteed to Wear and,give SATISFACTION ERIEDLANDER'S CORNER, EAST STREET. TREMENDOUS CLEARING SALE OF BOOTS AND SHOES, j MCDONALD and McDIARMID, East Street, have much pleasure in announcing their Colossal Annual Clearing Sale. Special preparations bave been going on during i the past week for this great event. To effect a speedy clearance, every pair of Boots and , Shoes WILL BE SOLD at a GREAT REDUCTION. Being the only Manufacturers in Ashburton, our position for selling the best class of goods at first cost is unrivalled. Dealing exclusively in Boots and Shots we understand our business thoroughly, so that the public can rely upon a ve[y much superior class of goods than is usually found m Drapers' Stocks. Our Reductions will Range from 3s to 10s in the Pound. Some lines we have decided to clear UNDER COST. These include a part of the very large purchase from S. Anderson, which we will positively clear during this Annual Sale. Hundreds of odd pairs of Boots will be Sold at RIDICULOUSLY CHEAP PRICKS. . Per Pair Per Pair a (J s d Ladies' and Gents' Tennis Shoes Men's Pegged Watertight (R-nshaw make) 2 9&2 11 Bluchers (own make), splen- Children's School Boots (our did value, only 9 6 own make)— 7to 9 ... 4 3 10 to 13 ... 4 9 Men 8 Watertight Balmorals Ladies' Real Gla c Kid Shoes' (own make), splendid value only 8 9 —a perfect gem (own make) only 611 „-,,- «, Ladies' Evening Shoes, with Ladies Tan Leather Lice Shoes neat bow, glace kid ... only 211 splendid value, only ... 4 9 Gents' Canvas shoes (black or brown), reduced from 6s to 4 6 Girls' 2-Strap Shoes (black or Ladies' Canvas Shoes {black, tan leather)-7 to 9 ... <2 11 blue, or brown), own make only 4 3 10 to 1 ... 3 9 Gents' Tan Leather Shoes / (sewn)— Usual price ... 9. Women's Leather Slippers Sale Price only ... 611 (own make), only 3 3 All lines of Evening Shoes at Clearing Sale Prices. Children's lace and 2 strap Canvas Shoes extremely cheap. Limited space prevents the enumeration of dozens of other lines. Our Stock of Imported Boots and Shoes comprise the Beehive, Bective, Wolfe, Otto Herz, and Bostock makes. We make no reservation of any part of this splendid Stock. Every Pair on the Premises subject to a Substantial Discount. Come Early and make your Family Purchases. E3-TERMS—STRICTLY CASH. All Orders must, be accompanied by Remittance. Sale begins.on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, and will continue for ONE Month. Mcdonald & mcdiarmid, BOOT AND SHOE MANUFACTURERS AND IMPORTER?, East Street, Ashburton.] [Branches at Oamaru and Waimate. TO FARMERS. REID & GRAY DESIRE TO INTIMATE TO FARMERS and OTHERS that their late manager, MR TAYLOR, has been compelled to leave their employ owing to ill health, and that in future all Jobb'ng, etc., will be under the supervision of Mr J. H. PAULING, whose work haa always given satisfaction, aud as Reid and Gray only use the very best of materia's they would respectfully solicit a continuance of your valued support. Our DOUBLE and THREE-FURROW PLOUGHS (over 13,000 at work) as now made with duplicated mouldfcoards are perfect. OAST SHARES are extra hard carbon chilled, and especially suited for stony districts. TRIPOD and ROTARY HARROWS specially suited for working down Twitch and Clods. Grubbers Harrows Eureka Grain and Manure Drills Dray, and Rollers Chaffcutters Broadcast l^eed-Sowers, &c Oils Turnip Cutters Chaffeutters and Baggers *"**"*''*"* Fencing Standards and Wire Blacksmith's Rasps (extra quality) AND ALL FARMING REQUISITES. Soli Agents for Deering's Steel Binders with Ball and Roller Bearings. Our Latest Illustrated Catologue free on application. ! Farmers and Others will kindly addresa»all letters direct to REID AND GEAY, ASHBURTON, j TO ENSURE PROMPT ATTENTION. 2 94



Business Notices, READ THIS. WE ARE SELLING OFF FROM JANUARY TO DECEMBER. NEW ZEALAND Clothing 1 Factory, OWING to our special facilities for buy ing in large quantities—as we have to supply 32 branches—the Public oan depend on getting the VERY BEST VALUE IN THE TRADE. A few Lines will convince :— Men's Mosgiel Tweed Suits 27/5 Boys'Ashburton Tweed Suits ... 7/6 Men's Mosgiel Tweed Trousers ... 8/9 Boys' Sailor Suits ._, 5/6 Men's Trousers to Measure 15/- Moeciel Tweed (per yard) .... .... 1/11 Men's Suits to Order 55/- HALLENSTEIN RROS. ALEX. HENDRY, Manager. . _ — <ri i & _jr \\\ ■■ & W■! 8 ! ____*. & h i !^^; W £ <i!, tf <= O o Q ° 3 » O * . Ph <l I tf w» « 5 a i Ph ■ | c/_ o w ANTED Known—Large delivery of the " Economic" Kid Gloves, four buttons, la 9d per pair, worth much more.— W. H. Collier. _____ WANTED Known—The cheapest and most reliable boot shop in Ashburton is Mellors Zealandia Boot Store. ROCKERY, Crockery. Still we lead and defy anyone to get better value in Crockery, etc., and AS cheap _fr we are selling now. Please read our new advertise ment and judge for yourselves.—Fletcher Bros., Cash Supply Stores. . ANTED Known—Our Show Room to be cleared of all Summer Goods. —Mitchell & Turner. WANTED Known—Sale of this season's Millinery only, at greatly reduced prices, also large selection in Ladies' Flannelette Dressing Gowns and Morning Wrapp-r3, Children's Pinafores, Overalls, etc., for fourteen days only.—Miss E. Barnes, Arcade and Tancred Street. 213 j



OUR FIRST SALE, COMMENCING SATUBDAY, JANUAEY 30 MITCHELL & BRODRIBB, THE CENTRAL CASH TRADERS, NEXD TO J. ORR & GO'S IRONMONGERY DEPARTMENT, EAST STREET. ; ERUPTIONS IN THE DRAPERY TRADE. TTTE have decided to eclipse all, with the result that one cub has been m« de ab 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 &tock at jusb half the nln-X tirice 'The cry is—How h ifcdone ? Here you have it : No Bad Debts, No Credit which enable ua to lose directly, a portion of whib the credit traders are losing indirectly. With this difference-At MITCHELL aud BRODRIBB'S all are treated alike ;at the uedit houses the good costomo rs have to pay for the bad ones. Make no mistake. We want your money and feel assured that bhe few following -a rnple prices will bring it. Space will nob allow us to quote more than a very condensed list, but this is a sample of the bargains offered you :— 9 pieces Light Print at 3s lid per doz yards Usual Price, l_d per yard 16 pieces Dark Print at 3s lid per doz yards Usual Price, 8d per yard 22 pieces Gingham PrintP, 4a 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, 7_d per yard Usual Price, is 3d per yard ' 7 pieces Plain Crepon, 5. lid per doz yards Usual Price, Is per yard 11 pieces Stripe Zephyr, 6s lid per doz yards Usual Price, Is 3d per yard 8 Plain Zephyr, 6s per doz yards Usual Price, ls 3d per yard 22 pieces Cashmere Cloth, 4s lid per doz yards Usual Price ls 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 2s lid per doz yards Usual price s_d per yard White Sheeting, 2 yards wide, lf__d per yard Usual price ls 6d per yard Nainsook 4£d per yard Usual price l_-d per yard White Turkish Towels 5. 6d per doz Usual price 9d each 6il-ias 6yards for ls lid, worth double Hundreds of Cheap Dress awaiting inspection Double width Tweeds ls per yard Black and Colored Cashmeres from Is per yard up Ladies Black Lavantine Paragon frame Umbrellas from 2s 6d, 3s lid, 4s lid, etc. Ladies' Sunshades all colors from 3s lid Black and Colored Velveteens from Is 6d per yard up A mixed lob of children's sunshades all colors from lid each .... , ... , .-. __ HOSIERY—The best value in the trade. Plain and Ribbed Cashmere Hose from ls up. Plain and Ribbed Black Cotton PTOVF3 Ihvls.-Tll^r^ty Cheap and Good. A beautiful Kid Glove, any shade, at 2s lid. Lower lines from OJjUV i a 61 upwards. Cashmere Glov.s 4*d, 6d, 9d, and Is per pair. Gaggeby and Silk, from Is 3d upwards W nimPS Blousesf Blouses—We have sold more of these goods than any house in town. V\-hat we have on hand-About BLOUbba, dozen will be cleared from ls lid, 2s 6d, 2s lid up ; jusb half price. All mus'in and fancy Aprons jusb half what you will pay anywhere else. mttttxwrY Millinery—Price cut in half. Trimmed Hats from ls lid upwards. MILLINERY MWinery Startling Bargains in the Clothing and Mercery Departments. A few Harvester Hats, 6Ao\ Seamless Merino Sox, 6d Regatta Shirts, all sizes, 4s 6d. Brown cotton pants Is 6d Heavy Working Shirts, 2s 6d. Men's strong Moles, 6s 6d. Tweed Trousers, special 8s 6d, Colonial! 8_ lid. Mens Tweed Suits, 21s 6,1. Men's imitation Fox's Serge Suits, 29s 6d. Sailor Tweed Suits, 6s lid, size 1 to 7. ChoTe.st stock of Ties and Scarfs in Ashburton. All our Boots and Shoes reduced Hard and Soft lelts in endless variety. Mohairßoot Laces, 3* per dozen. Heavy Kaiapoi Sox, Is, Kaiapoi Under Flannels, 3s lid. DO NOT FORGET MITCHELL & BRODRIBB'S FIRST SALE. MX'S 9CO J. ORB & CO, BAST STREET ASHBURTON.



Church Services. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, Ashburton. _ TUESDAY—Teachers' Meeting, 7.30 p.m WEDNESDAY — Brotherhood of St Andrew, 7.30 p.m. Special choir practice, 8 p.m. FRIDAY—Short Service, 7 30 p.m. Choir practice, 8 p.m. SATURDAY—ChurchDecoration,2 30pm SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21. HARVEST THANKSGIVING SERVICES 11 a.m.—Morning Prayer and Holy Com munion. 6.30 p.m.—Evening Prayer. Speoial Offerings will be made for the INDIAN FAMINE RELIEF FUND. Contributions of Grain, Flowers, and Evergreens will be thankfully received for the Decorations. All willing to assist in deaorating the Church are invited to assemble at the Schoolroom on Saturday at 2.30 p.m. REV. T. A. HAMILTON.



Synopsis of New Advertisements. Smibh and Temp'e—Rangitata Live Stcck Sale. Mitchell and Turner —New business advt. Borough Couucil—Tenders for leasing reserve. Jewitt—Oysters. Salvation Army—Welcome to Lieutenant Russell. Domain notice—Amateur Swimming Club. T. Bullock —For sale, good sheep country, Shepherd's Bush Survey District. Wanted —Job in cordial factory.



An interesting new advertisement from the firm of Mitchell and Turner appears in this issue.



WhvltwmmdHqmMng—Mw Vow



Holloway's Pills aud Ointment—lb is impossible entirely to prevent bhe noxious vapours which are given off in mines and tunnels, and those who, like miners and railway operatives, have to work day after day in such vitiated atmospheres, suffer in health and strength in consequence. The chest and liver often become clogged with the products of coal combustion, necessita ting great attenbion to the health. No remedy is more valuable for miners and the like than Holloway's Pills, as they carry off all affected matter from the blood, and healthily stimulate the liver. They are also invaluable for costive bowels and for all bilious disorders. The ointmenb is a priceless remedy for piles, sprains, ulcers and all manner of tores,