Mail Notices.

Mails for Australian Colonies, United Kingdom and Continent of Rurope, via Sydney and Suez, close at Auckland at 4.30 pm. on Monday Bth. Due ia Locdon April 2tst.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1897. Local and General.

Spotting news on fourth page. A fine oil painting of the late General Feeding has been presented by his widow to the town of Feilding. The Hon. Mr Seddon when in Tasmania arranged tor a supply of black opposutm for the Greymouth Acclimatisation Society.

The Taieri Advocate is informed that quite a number of the West Taieri farmers have disposed of their wheat at 4s per bushel, delivered in Dunedin.

A man who has tried it says that two or three dandelion leaves chewed before going to bed will induce sleep, no matter how nervous or worried a man may be.

About one hundred applications have already been received from Volunteers anxious to form part of the contingent to go Home.

The Belgian expedition to the Antarctic under M. De Gerlacke is to leave Belgium in July. M. Louis Bernacchi, at present studying at the Melbourne Observatory has been appointed to the scientific staff.

Mr R. C. Kirk is definitely announced as a candidate for Wellington Suburbs, for which seat Mr C. Wilson ia already in the field. Both are supporters of the present Government.

Letters from places beyond the colony, addressed aa under, were received at the Ashburton Post Office during the mouth of December 1896 and are still unclaimed:— John Cuddon, J. Dyson, W. Ferrier, J. H. Krause.

They have been having some good fishing in the Rangitata. Mr and Mrs J. T. M. Hayhurst and party killed 43 fish scaling from 41b to B.b. During his six weeks' stay at Temuka, the Rev L. M. Isitt landed some 900 fish. All were taken with the fly.

In Australia, a hundred million sheep and great herds of cattle and horses now feed upon pastures covering flat ground which 30 years ago was a desert of soft sand, "so rotten," that their feet sank deep at every step.

An Auckland telegram of 4th mat. aays :— At Tengae, near Rotorua, wedding festivi ties ou a most elaborate scale are going on amongst the Maoris, eight brides being led to the altar by as many bridegrooms. No intoxicating liquor was to bo seen at the meeting.

A Foxton tailor is making a suit of olothes for a man 4ft 2in round the waist. No wonder one hears of earthquakes in the North Island so frequently. " When he goeth out all the earth trembieth." The strange thing is that the man's name is Mr Thynne.

An Oamaru lady, who was volubly assur ing the local dog-tax collector that she wouldn't keep such a dirty thing as a dog about the house, was somewhat surprised when her favorite poodle inopportunely crawled from under the house and grabbed the collector by the calf.

The butter sent Home fr^m the factories in this district, {records the Hcvwera Post) has been averaging about Jld per lb, which is nearly up to the best Victorian standard. It shows the strides made in this important pxport, for only a tew years ago the best N-w Zealand butter sold at 20a to 30s under the be^t Victorian butter.

The annual meeting of the District Grand Lodge of Canterbury, U.A.0.D., was held iv Christchurch on Thursday, and a iarge amount of business was transacted, a report of which will appear to-morrow, Bros. G. J. Neill and P. O'Connor, the two representa tives of the local lodge, left on WecUieadiy night to attend the meeting, and are expected to return to-day.

The five medals presented by Mr G. A- M. Buckley, and won by the Fire Brigade at the lite contest in the five man manual wet competition are on view in the window of Mr S. Balek, jeweller, by whom they were manufactured. They are of tasteful design and nicely engraved, the centre being raised wilh block letters A.V.F. U. thereon, and the name of the winner is engraved on each.

A workman named Wheeler employed on Mr R. Meaolem's threshing mill had hia foot crushed by one of thfi wheels passing over it while travelling along the road on Wednes day last. He was taken to the Hospital where it was found that fortunately nobones had been bioken, On enquiry to-day we learn. tn&t the patient, who is under the care of Dr iVevfir, js progressing sati' fac tor ily.

The Hospital Committee Bat this morning. All the members were present. it waa resolved that the visiting hours at the Hospital be from two to four o'clock only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, sub ject to the doctor's approval. Repairs to the bath pipes were sanctioned and cer tain work on the grounds, after whi,oh accounts were.passed for payment and the Committee roses

The usual meeting of the Star of the East Lodge, held in the Templar Hall on Wednesday evening, waa opened by theCT , Bro C G. Andrews. An invitation from the Clearbrook Lodge, Waterton, to attend their picnic on Good Fi iday was accepted. Besides other business, motions on the programme of the Grand Lodge were dis cussed. Harmony was then proceeded with, when a most profitable and pleasant time was enjoyed by all.

Mr S. Salek, jeweller, has on view in hie shop window the .trophies won by the local competitors at the late pojo sports held in Ashburton. The ladies' bf&celetj manu factured to order by Mr gaiek, is yery handsome, being a broad band of gold with a pair of polo sticks crossed and ball in raiflflcl gold, bearing a suitable inscription, showing it to have been won by Miss Shur/s b'm (jjiitar, ridden by Mr E. W. Roberts. The whofc fprnj a very nice lot of trophies.

A. man named Alexander Oampbeif, tt# employee of a threshing mill working at Kapua settlement near Waimate, had a narrow escape jfroiK being burnt to death. It abpaars that he fell asleep and left the eaudlgs burning. When the candle burned down the straw ignited and the ten 6 was immediately enveloped in flames. On hear iug his cries his matea went to his assistance, and managed to get him clear of the flames. He was severely burnt, and was iat once taken to the hospital.

Mr J. W. Foote, of New Plymouth, was obliged to seek the protection of the Bank ruptcy Court some years ago, but his sense of honor would not permit him to regard his debts as completely wiped out, and he formed the high resolve to pay everyone in full, as his circumstances permitted. From lime to lime his former creditors have been surprised to receive dividends on their old account?, and now Mr Foote announces that on and after March 9th all proved claims still unsatisfied will be settled in fall.

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves respons'b c for the opinions expressed by our correspondents,

THE CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

TO THE 'EDITOR, gin, Allow me to correct a slight error , in your report of the 4th iust. Messrs E, Recce and Sons, through their represent*, tive, left with me one pair of quoits to be "competed for at. our next annual meeting on Boxiug Day. I may mentif n that the cup was the gift of Mr John Smalt, and has been under competition for the pabt two seasons.—l am, etc., A. Lawkib. Ashburron, March 5, 1897.

THE LICENCING COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

TO THE EDITOR. J Sir,—Evidently "Not-indifferent" is not sa^ed with the trial that the Prohibition Committee have had in the effort to regulate the drink traffic, and has not profited by the experience of similar Commit tees in D.unedin and Invercargill. I don't think there are many prohibitionists that care two straws whether conditional licenses are granted or not, for it is very well reoognised that the evil must be stopped at its source in order to become effective. I have been told (whether it is authentic I can't say) that anyone can get as much liquor as ever he can oarry on a Sunday hare, and yet we have a Prohibition Committee. Be that as it may, instead of was!ing time and money on the election of a Committee I think the Prohibition League j would act more wisely in concentrating their ! efforts and in consolidating their forces for the great fight in the next three years. Agitation and education are the two great factors which will crown the efforts of those who are laboring in the cause of Christianity asd humanity, and which will eventually enable right to triumph over wrong. But as to regulating the traffic or the granting or refusal of conditional licenses I fail to see the utility of it, and therefore shall remain Indifferent.

Primitive Methodist Church.

The members of the Primitive Methodist Church held a social on Thursday evening for the purpose of raising funds for the painting of the church, inside and out, and for providing the choir with a rostrum. Mr W. Allen, Ruapuna, occupied the chair. Loug before the hour of starting, tho church was crowded, the monotonous task of wait ing, however, being relieved by sweet strains from a polypnone belonging to Mr Marsden, and which quite delighted the audience. The first item on the programme was an anthem by the choir, who also contributed several others during the evening. Miss Birdie Butler, of Auckland, sang "The Toilers" and "Eternal Rest," for the rendering of which she was rapturously recalled and responded viith "There's no one like mother to me" and " The Holy City." Two recitations were well given by MiseOlphert, both being re-demanded. A j quintet was given by Mesdames Marsden (2) and Messrs Jones, James, and Tilley, a duet by Messrs Jones and Trezise, a violin solo by Miss Bessie Simmonde, and vocal solos by Mrs Marsden, Misses Dalton and Davis, and Messrs Butterick, E. Craigheixd, and Kersel. Misses Ada Tucker and Isabella James (organ), and Misses Gates, Butler, and Trevurza (piano) played the accompani ments. During the evening an interval was rnadefor refreshments, which were dispensed by a bevy of young ladies. Before the closing anthem by the chosr, which concluded a most enjoyable entertainment, the Rev J Olphert thanked all who had helped to make the gathering so successful, and said that he had received promises of help for their new undertaking, and hoped others would be forthcoming.

CABLE NEWS.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— . Copyright.

Disastrous (Sale. London, March 4 A great gale in the Southern counties of England caused serf<-us damage and many shipwrecks Malls wore delayed. A Bank Robbery. A burglar robbed the North Eastern Bank at Sunset land of £6000 Miss Ada Ward Miss Ada Ward, the well-known actress, has jjimd the Salvation Army. In an interview she stated that on the jjkb of Januaiy something touched her, ffid she looked up and saw the figure of Our Lord distinctly. She then went to *he peni'ent foun, ar,d will work with the Army, Imprisoned For Life. Constantinople, March 4, Yielding to tl»e pressure of the Em bassies, it has been decided to imprison Mhiihar Boy for life. Aliens Bill Washington,- March 3. President Cleveland has vetoed die Aliens Immigration Bill. March 4 The Housa passed the Immigrants Restriction Bifl by 193 votes to 37 over the veto. Monetary Conference. President Cleveland signed the In ternational Monetary Conference Bill. The New President. Mr Smalley states that Major M'Kinley's inaugural address will not be Jingoistic, and will strongly favor general arbitration. ' The M'Kinley Tariff. The FepubUcan Committee of Ways and Means of the House restored the M'Kinley rates of 1890, so far as coal and coke are concerned. Tljie Notorious Butler. S^et Fjjt4.Nq.sco, March 3 The owner of a pho&oeraph is suing Bo tier for a refund of a hundred dollars for phonographing poetry, which it,was afterwards proved was not an original Qcmposition of Butler's.

Australian.

Press Association -By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

A Fatal Fire. SypNEy, March 4 The destruction by fire of a cottage near Gormanton resulted in the death of three children named Gehrty. The Ministers entertained Mr Seddon at luncheon today. mile Team for England. Brisbane, March 4. The Govern nent has decided to send a rifla team to England. Mr James lyson h s subscribed £100, with an additional £100 if the men a c successful in the competition. Tattersall's Consultation. Hobart, March i Mr 0. Stewart, of Dunganville, Nqw Zealand, wins the first prizo of £3600 In consultation on the Australian

KASPAR'S WALLET.

It has often been remarked that it is impos ib:e to iuvent anything in the region of fiction, which has not had, or may not have its parallel in the region of fact, the. reason doubtless being that what is imagined by one man may be imagined by another, and that that other may translate his ideas into deeds. Those who have read a charm ing little story intituled " Editha'a Burglar," and have supposed that the portraiture of the polite nocturnal victor therein so qu intly depicted is overdrawn will find the parallel of face in & Home paper, which gives an account of a burglary committed ut Ealiug duiing the early hours of a recent -Saturday morning. In fchia case the burglars, after visiting the butler'a paury, and collecting all the silver (rejecting all the electro-plate), proceeded to the kitchen, where they helped themselves to a good meal, and carried away a plum pudding, a roasted pheasant, and the remains of a turkey. They then very politely left on the table the following«briefly-worded note — " With thanks for a good meal. Wishing you a happy New Year. Yours, Mr i Burglar." Tney, however, omitted to give their address, so that an exchange of cards is not possible.

I said something in thy Jast budget about the spinning of cuffers having in these modern days been developed into a fine art, and it may be added that the most finished of its professors are to be found in America. There is evidently a past master of the art in the employ of the New York Journal, which in a recent issue tells a marvellous story of a family to whose phenomenal thirst the drouthiness of Tain o'Shanter was'nt even a ciscumstance ; the thirst in their case beioe, however, not for whisky, but water. It declares on the authority of a physician, who stands high among the medical fraternity, that he has seen one George Sawyer, the head of this remarkable family, drink bucketful after bucketful, and once "observed him put his mouth to a mountain spring, and drink until the water •level sank, and left a broad wet oand arouud the b^nk, just as a receding tide does. George Sawyer, it appears, is not alone in the possession of this remarkable thirst. It is a family belonging, handed down through four generations, and distributed among ail tlie immediate branches, and even to every individual of the Sawyer kiu. Unlike other thirsts, it has caused no decadence in the family. The Sawyers are ail sensitive about their strange propensity, and have tried coaxing, threatening, and ev^n punishment in the effort to keep their children away from the pump. But nothing has avail-d. They would get up in the night when they thought their fathers and mothers were asleep, and steal out and swallow a few dipperf uls of water, then go back to bed and to sleep again." Although the paper from which I quote assures its readers that "there is nothing apocryphal about this tale of bibulosity," I fancy it will find their swallowing capacity far inferior to that of the Sawyers' family.

Here is another American story—marvel lous enough in its way, which, however, may perhaps be true. It is that of a wonderful healer who has suddenly turned up in Cumberland Valley, Pennsylvania, This is one W., Lloyd Keyser, who is described with Yankee particularity as to personal details, as being twenty-three years of age, sft sin tall, and weighting 1301b, without whiskers, and also without educa tion. He is said to be a human battery, the like of which has never beeu previously seen. It is claimed that his touch has cured or relieved over 100 people of all kinds of ailments from rheumatism to diphtheria and St. Vitus's dance. "There is no incanta tion, no mumbling, and no public exhibition ; but the healer goes up to the patient, clasps his or her hands for a few minutes, then touches the paits aff-cted. After that the patient claims to experience a feeling of rest and relief from paiu. Just what it is that caubes this feeling neither they nor the healer knows. 'Ihe healer thinks it is e'ectricity generated in his body which lubiicates the joints, and the patients say that at his touch, which is warm and moist they experience a tingling seusation through out t.be entire body, followed by a pleasant and reatful reaction. '<

There will be, by the coincidence of two great events, a unique gathering of Anglican prelates in London at the time of the celebra tion of the Queen's record reign. About 200 bishops from all parts of the empire will be assembled together in connection with the thirteenth centenary of the landing of St. Augustine, and pf the baptism of the first Christian English king at Canterbury. There will be an imposing function in Canterbury Cathedral in which all the bishops will take part, and at which the Prince and Piincess of Wales have promised if possible to be present. It is alao expected that all these bishops will take part in the thanksgiving service for the Queen's long and glorious reign to be held in St. Paul's. The fund raised for the Canterbury commemoration has reached considerably over £13,000.

We are apparently on the eve of some remarkable scientific developments. In connection with telephony, for example, it is stated that a Russian electrician, M. Kildichewsky, has discovered an improve ment in the apparatus by which distance has no effect upon the transmission ot sound. In a recent experiment between Moscow and Rostoff, on the Don, a distance of 890 miles, talking, music, and singing, were heard with perfect distinctness. An ordinary telegraph wire waa used. M. Kildichewsky goea to London to experiment with his improvement on the Atlantic cables between London and New York. Then again in connection with motor cars it is stated that railway travelling is to be altogether revolutionised. Kach car of a train will, it is said, provide its own motive powep, and the driving power cow I exercised only by the driving wheels of I locomotives will be multiplied by the number of wheels of the whole train, which ' will all be driving wheels, with theresulb that a mile a minute will be a very low rate of speed compared with the speeds obtainable i under the new system Mr Lawson, who ! inaugurated the recent trial of auto-motor carriages between London and Brighton, says " With a drop of petroleum and a quart of air we're going to revolutionise the whole system of transport in England. Not only cabs and busses, but railways too will be revolutionised. What do you say to motor Pullmans, each acting independently ? I ake it from me, we'll provide a revelation, ' Yet again Mr Charles Algernon Parsons, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, brother of the well knowjj astronomer, Lord Rosse, has invented a new marine motor which will, it is said, revolutionise steam navigation. It is an adaptation of the turbine system, and a torpedo boat built and fitted with it natred the Turbinia, which has just made a trial trip on the Tyne, has attained the enorrpous speed of 29.6 knots, or 34 miles an houi.

The vast power which has for all the ages been running to waste at the great water falls of the world is also to be turned to Agcouut in the service of man, Niagara itself haying best; put in harness. At midnight recently a salyo of twenty-one guns announced the receipt in Buffalo of eleetrip power developed at Niagara and transmitted to that city, a distance of twenty-six miles. A stream from the rapids falling from water level a distance of "|75 feet enters a turbine which drives a vertical steel shaft 22in. in diameter at the baae, diminishing to 15in. at the bearingg, at a speed of 250 revolutions per minute. Atth© top of the shaft revolves a dynamo developing §000 horse power o. electrical energy in an alternating two-phase current of 2200 volts. Three of these mighty, though almost silent, generators are emitting 15,000-horse power, supplying energy to half a sc )re of large and sueeeasful manufactories, to hotels and private houses innumerable, to the local troliey tramlines, and to the troliey rai'road connecting Niagara city with Buffalo and the inter mediate town of Tonawarden. The first Buffalo customer was the Buffalo Street Bailway Company, supplying street convey ' ance 'for the 'egjbiye city of 375,000 souls. It was originally worked by hor&qs. and later by dynamos driven by fooal steam engines The latter are now superseded to the extent of 1000-horse power from Niagara. The aggregate horse-power from Niagara already contracted for in Buffalo is 10,000. Many manufacturers are anxiously waiting to have thai:* appliosktions accepted. "From tb(i

(says a Buffalo paper) it is Safe to predict' tb-.t it is only a question of time, and no very great time, when all of the industries here requiring power will receive it from Niagara Fa'U, when the twenty-two miles separa iog the two cities will be built i-olid with smokeless aud teeming factories, and this will' become the greatest manufacturing centre on this continent." I Out in the Colonies people are not given I muc'aiy to the worship of'rank and title, iudecd the general idea is that Jack's as good as his master, if not a little better, This so! t of thing, however, cornea rather as a shock to some of our visitors, as witness an incident relaied by the Auckland Observer, which says :—" A certain noble lord aud titled lady had their digni-y rather severely hurt on board a New Zealand steamer som^ ten days or a fortnight since. They were on their way from Wellington to Nelson to await there the arrival of Lord and Lady Br&ssey, and, of course, when the dinner gong sounded they naturally thought fch<y were entitled to the best seats at the table. But just conceive their high toned disgußt when a steward c*me along, and, without going down on his knees ab all, asked them to move lower down, as they were occupying 'officers' seats,' Bub the noble lord merely gave aa extra curl to his aristocratic moustache as he pitronisingly remarked, ' Oh, that's all right,' my man. Wa are quite satisfied with these seats. Don't worry yourself on our account.' I don't mean to,' replied the unabashed steward, ' but if you don't shift from those seats you wont get served. They belong to the officers' 'You don't appear to know I'm Lord So-and-so, ' said the offended scion of an old nobility. ' You may be the Duke of Thingumybob,' retortad the steward, 'but those seats are reserved.' He scored. Evidently he had a higher regard for the toe of an officer's boot than for the approving smile of a noble lord." —Kaspab.

COMMERCIAL.

RAKAIA STOCK SALE.

Mr David Thomas reports of the usual monthly live stock sale held at Rakaia on Thursday as follows :—There was a heavier yardiug and a larger attendance of buyers than for some time past. Bidding was brisk throughout the sale, only one line of sheep, two-tooths, beiDg passed in. The total entry was sheep 2745, rams 44, 9 head of cattle, and 23 pigs ; of winch my entry consisted of 856 sheep, 4 rams, 7 head of cattle, and 9 pigs. Prices obtained at the sale were as follows :—

Sheep. —600 crossb'ed sound mouth ewes, 8s lOd; 50 fat merino wethers, 5s 7d ; 24 four-tooth crossbred ewes, 7a lOd ; 53 lambs 8a 6d ; 158 sound mouth merino ewes, 2s 9d; 60 crossbred ewes, 4a 9d ; 218 merino ewes, Is lOd ; 52 do do Is Id ; 50 do 3s Id ; 50 do 2s 4d ; 200 cull do Is 4d ; 200 do wethers, 4s 5d ; 20 merino ewes, Is 10d ; 140 lambs, 6a; 132 crossbred ewes, 5s ; 160 crossbred lambs, 7s j 441 cull merino ewea, 8d ; 130 crossbred ewes passed at 3a. Hams— Shropshire Downs, 1 at 12s 6d ; 22 English Leicesters pasEed at f guinea; 19 Lincqjn and Border Leicester 10s 6d to 15s 9d ; 2 Shropshire rams 10s sd. Pigs.—lo weaners 4a, 7do 5a 3d, 2do sa, 4 do 4s 6d. Cattle.—Old cows £1, £1 10s, £2; springers £2 2s 6d, £4, £4 ss.

A land sale was held immediately after the stook, eale at which Mr Furze's property of 700 acr«ja adjoining Acton estate was sub mit t< d, The upset be ng £3000 the property was passed in without a bid.

The Wesleyan Conference.

PEK I'RKSS ASSOCIATION,

Wellington, March 4

The Wesleyan Conference was opened this evening. Delegates were present from all parts of the colony. The Rev W. Baumber, the retiring President, delivered an address dealing chiefly wi'h the union of the Meihodist Churches which was brought about last year. The Rev P. W. Fttirclough, of Kaiapoi, was elected President for the ensuing year, and the Rev D. J. Murray, Secretary of the Conference. Wellington, March 5 The first draft of stations before the Wealeyan Conference was Ashburton, Rev. T. G. Brooke.

THE QUEEN'S CELEBRATION.

Presa Association—By Electric Telegraph-- Copyright.

London, March 4 Mr Chamberlain's despatch suggests subj t*s Nuch aa Commercial Union, Colonial Defence, Representation of the Colonies, Legislation with regard to Im migrants from Abu and elsewhere, for discussion by the Colonial Premiers. It is nob anticipated that (ha duration of the actual ceremonies In connection with the celebrations will expend beyond a week, bu Mr Chamberlain Is disposed to think that four or five weeks might be profitably employed in discussing the questions mentioned and other obj eta for the ad vancement of the Colonial Empire.

THE INSURRECTION IN CRETE.

The Greek Admiral Recalled.

Assistance Offered by It Garibaldi.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. Athens, March 4 The Greek Government recalled Admiral Reimch, Commodore of the fleet, on tha ground that he was too friendly with 'he Admiral* of the foreign fleets.

Riccntti Garibaldi telegraphed to the President of the Greek Chamber that 100,000 Garib*!diana will assist Greece if she declares war against Turkey. There Is intense excitement in Greece and the populace is defiant. Constantinople, March 4 Thn Powers have notified to the Porte that the gradual withdrawal of the Turkish troops from Crete is necessary, A Tuiko- European military Convention will eetile the detiils.

The Porte claims that the Governor of Crete must be an Ottoman subject.

The Transvaal Raid.

{ Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.

London, March 3. In the course of his ez .minacion, Mr Oecll Rhodes decHred fc'a he would never repeat such an i!I eality as fhe Jameson taid. He admitted that ho held 50,000 shares in the Chartered Company. A suggestion by Mr L*bc>uchere that tho interests of his pockets dictated the Jameson raid gave riae to a scene. Mr Rhodes asserted that the Uitlanders were treated worse than the Kaffirs, and the ore was taxed at the rate of 36s par ton. March 4 Mr Ohambflrl&in advises Sampson and Davis, two Englishmen connected with the Transvaal raid and left In prison at ! Pretoria, to petition for clemency and submit to banishment He states that their refusal to aoc npfc release will not assist the redress of the Rand's grievances.

SWIMMING.

Ashburtea. Swimming Club

Annual Mooting.

Favored with the best of weather, the Ashbur-on Swimming C ub were lucky also

ii. having the connection between the two branches oi the river well established, which gave aa abundant auppiy of water, and the bi.-t'i reservoir was fuil to the top, so thac when the members of the SwimmiDg Club and their visitors came to the bath on Thurs day afseruoou to engage in their annual c-mte&ts they had every reason to bless 0 d Matthew Smith, who told our reporter the day before that ii ie cost him the wettest feet and the wettest jacket he had ever had, and the longest stretch of work he had ever gone in for, the strangers should see what: could be done with the bath he was respon sible for. Mr Smith's efforts were crowned with success, and there was perhaps no prouder man in town on the day of the swimming competition than the old " water clerk," when he was able to give the visitors a full stretch of water for the swimming festival. When the time of starting drew near the attendance of the public was not very great, but by and by the people came in with a rush, and when the Club had gob fairly into the marrow of the programme there were well on to 500 people on the ground, although we leanvthab those figures and the gate money do not tally as they ought. The gathering is the sixth the Club has held, and was quite as attractive, and from the point 1 of view of the pleasure seeker, afforded quite as good an afternoon * entertainment as any that had been given on the water in previous years. The judges were Messrs A. Francis, H. A. Gates, f. H. Cox, T, Kollitt, and Dr Leahy. Mr George Jeaaon was starter, Mr James Wilson keeping the time check; and Messrs Salek, Cowlishaw, and Newton Price wore timekeepers. To see that everything was done in strict accordance with rale and propriety Messrs R. G. Shearman and F. Henry were the marksmen and costume committee, while Mr W. shearman managed the telegraph board. Messrs Eyre, Byrnes, and Jesson made the handicaps, while Mr A. H. Wilkie made as efficient and energetic a secretary as could have been met witn in a day's march, and that too in addition to taking part in every competition for which he felt himself fitted.

Owing to the resignation of the captain, Mr Lane, the Hon Major Steward was at the last moment asked to fill the position of public representative of the Club, which he accepted, and, though reversing the order of things a little, for the sake of a compact notice, it may be better to give here the Major's remarks at the close of the meeting. He thanked ihe visitors for their attendance. Ashburton had turned out fairly well, but not so well as the Club had expected, nor as it had done in former years. The time was when the attendance had brought in » revenue of £30. Last year the gate had given £14, but this year it would take it all its time to total a ten pound note. He hoped this weakness of the gate did not in dicate a want of interest In the sport of swimming, and doubtless there were other onuses for the absence of many whom he would have been pleased to see there. The Club deserved public support for its eu- I eouragement of a healthful and enjoyable sport, which was worthy of being practiced to proficiency, not only for sport's sake, but because of its value in enabling swimmers under certain circumstances to save not only their own lives, but the lives of others. There was no more useful Bport, and no better accomplishment than swimming, and he was pleased to know that very many of their boys had acquired it, but he hoped to see many more ; and not only boys but grown men also. They had a splendid bath, but it was not perfect as a racing bath, and would not be so until a course lor 100 yds had been made straight out from where he then stood (the diving platform) so that an awkard > end would be avoided. He appealed to the ladies to take this matter m hand, and suggested that they might get up a bazaar, the proceeds of which should be devoted to defraying the cost of the necessary altera tion. He was pleased to see tbe*lmmber of Christchurch representatives present as well as the boys from Rakaiajthe latter contingent haying been very near carrying off a championship. He hoped that next ! yeai the championship would be won by a representative of the county, and he would be just as well pleased to Bee a Rakaia swimmer win it as an Ash burton one. The Mai >r paid a high compliment to Mr Smart who had conducted the movements of the team from Christchurch who had illustrated the life saving drill, and also to Mr Francis who had come from town to judge the races that day. From the life saving drill team he had no doubt our young people had learned a number of wrinkles, and he only wished they all knew as much as that team did of how to comport themselves in the water. He concluded by again tendering the club's thanks to the visitors. The whole of the events or the programme were not entered for, hut all the genuine swimming ones were rilled. The unavoidable absence of the champion Stratton was to be regretted, but Mr G, J. Smart, of the Christ* church Club took his place commanding the life saving drill team, whose exhibition was a moat valuable object lesson. The team comprised Messrs Sinclair, Currie, Eaves and Smart, and the drill consisted of exercise showing how to bring a drowning non swimmer to land, how to prevent him mak ing use of his hands to his own danger (for a non-swimmer always wants to get his hands above water and so helps to sink himself, instead of keeping them under, which will keep his head uppermost), how to prevent) him getting a dangerous hold of the rescuer, and how to dislodge him if he has got such a hold. This was all illustrated by motions on the platform, and then practically shown in the water. Mr Smart also showed the valuable drill for resuscitating apparently drowned persona. The events were got off with wonderful promptness, the excellent arrangements of the Club for dressing accommodation greatly facilitating this, as well as the business-like way the officers acted in getting the competitors to toe the mark. The events were won as under :— President's Handicap—First heat—A. Wilkie ?sec 1, Woods 12sec 2. J. MoTigue also swam. The finish between Wilkie and Woods was very close, and McTigue was a good third. Time—4l£. Second heat- Page 9=ec 1, Smith lOsec 2. Page led all the way, but had little to spare from Smith when the tape was reached.. E. MoTigue was a goo I third, and Plunkett just behind him. Time—4o|. Final heat—Page 1, Smith 2. A close race, which, however, Wilkie might have been in had he not bungled his start a little. Time—4lseo. 75 Yards Visitors' Race, (open to visitors

only).—First heat—J, W. Eaves, Christ church, ,11 sec, 1; Joseph Fox, Sydenham, 7 sec, 2. Time—l-12 £. Eaves woe easily, Second heat—E- C. Brown, Lytfcelton, llee'p, 1; U. J. Taylor, Lytteltoa, B^' See, 2, B. Cleary also swam. Time—l.6s. A stiif contest, find well won. Final—Brown 1, E > vtb 2. A close finish in the same time aa Brown won the second heat—l.6s.

100 yds Championship of New JSoalancL— Ist prize gold medal, value £4 4s ; 2nd priste medal, value £1 la,—T. Wauchop, Ea'ab Chriatchurch, 1; A. B.l\uscott, Richmond, 2; H. Rich, L'yttelton, '5. The men got; ' way to a good start and kept well together for half distance. The fine phisique aud speed I of Wauchop then began tp teilaud he forged i ahead hand over fist till bo left quite a lake between him and the last. Ife' could not, however, leave Truscott far behind, aiuf only four yards separated the two leaders at the close. An interesting race, indeed, which showed all the starters to be good swimmers. Backward Swimming Race,—This wa* an event introduced instead of the costume race for which there were no entries, and B, McTeague won it, with H. J. Taylor second. Ladies' Bracelet.—First prize a gold bracelet of £2 10s, second a bracelet of £1. —First heat—P. Smith, Ashburton, 11 sec, 1; H. Page, Ashburton, 10 sec, 2. Time —42|. Second heat —E. Grover, Richmond, 6-J- SBC, 1; A. H. Wilkie, Ashburton, 8 sec, 2. Time — 41sec. Third heat —0. Mazey, Lytieiton, 8 sec, 1 ; E. McTigue, Ashburton, 5 aec, 2. Time—4s sec. Fourth heat—T. Wauchop, East Christchurch, ecr, 1; W. Sinclair, Lyttelton, 7£ sec, 2. Time—34 see. The heats of course threw out a good i umber of good swimmers, and when the dual between the six placed men in the

h >afcs came off there waa some excitement.

The struggle showed that in the haudic&pp. ing the two young Asbburton mpn W«|

*HB ABHBUKTOH etJABDIAft; FBIDAY, MAKOH 5 t 189*.



Business -Notices LOOK OUT. G. J. NEILL —IS SELLING— Table Damask at Is per yard Twill Sheeting, 2 yards wide, white or grey, 9-|-d Turkish Towels, 6d each Cretonne 3^d Flannelettes, 2s lid per dozen . p T -T^TEILL JS gELLING— Men's Feavy Tweed Suits at 21s 6d, wonderful value Boys Suits, 4s lid Men's Tweed Trousers, 5s lid BOOTS. BOOTS, Men's Hail SHOOTERS 7s lid. Women's SHOES 4s lid Men's BLUCHERS 4s lid. Women's Lace SHOES 4s lid The Cheapest Boots in Asftburton are to be got at G. J. NEILL'S, FRIEDLANDER'S CORNER, EAST STREET. ANDREW ORR. Great Opening OF NEW DRAPERY STOCK FOR AUTUMN AND WINTER. 30 CASES NEW GOODS. 30 | T ADIES' JACKETS and Mantles, lovely Goods, Berlin make; French and English JLj Dreas Fabrics in Great Variety. Agent for the celebrated " Fearnought Serges, »»vy »nd blacks. Ladies' Corsets in all the new makes, PD,Y and N, &c. ■ LATEST NOVELTIES in Millinery, French and English Ribbons, Flowers, Feathers, and Trimmings. Beautiful Fur Trimming 3 just opened LADIES' MACINTOSHES most fashionable Good, all sewn seams ; Infants' Dresses, Pelisses, Cloaks, and Muffs. , Ladies' Glovea in Silk, Suede, and Kid ; all prices. The BES33 STOOK of FLANNELETTE ever exhibited in Ashburton. BLANKETS AND FLiNNELS under contract; splondid value. Ladies' and Gents' BOOTS and SHOES, best makes. Ladies' UMBRELLAS, all guaranteed from Is lid. SUITS TO ORDER from £2 15a 01 ANDREW ORR. MELLOR'S 'ZEALANDIA' BOOT STORE IS now making a Special Christmas Display of Summer Boots and Shoes. Already the Ashburfcon Public have pronounced it to be the CHEAPEST AND BEST ASSORTED STOOK EVER SHOWN IN ASHBURTON. —Pleaee Note a Few Quotations-- Ladies' pretty two-strap shoes, tan and black, 7s 6d Ladies' strap shoes, 4s 9d Ladies' and Gentlemen's waterproof Canvas Shoes—Splendid value Ladies' Orqmelette Shoes from 8s 9d—Tery cheap Ladies' Shoes, 6s 6d—Great bargains. THOUSANDS OF OTHER LINES, THAT DEFY COMPETITION. Look at windows and you will admit that it is the Best display ever made in Ashburtor A trial will at once convince you of the difference in price and quality from other boot-shops. H°* AdarM8 ~JAMES "MELLOR, TANCRED STEEET, ASHBURTON.



-^ MEN'S AND BOYS' HATS. HATS. HATS. p^r\ DOZEN FELT HATS ALMOST GIVEN AWAY. A GRAND SUCCESS. MITCHELL & BRODRIBB'S T7IABRXO AND PRINT SALE being Buch a Grand Success, we have decided to ho' FOR TWO WEEKS, A GREAT HAT SALE. Xf\ DOZEN MEN'S. KA DOZEN BOYS'. Men's Soft Felt Hats 2s Gd, worth 5a Boys' Soft Felt Hats Is 6d, worth 3a 9d Men's Soft Felt Hats 3g 6d, worth 6s 6d Boy*' Soft Felt Hats 2s 6d, worth 4s 9d Men's Soft Felt Hats 4s 6d, worth 7s 6d Men's Soft Felt Hats 5s 6d s worth 8a 9d Men's Soft Felt Hats 6s 6d, worth 10a 6d Men's Soft Felt Hats 8s 6d, worth 12s 6d EVERY ARTICLE in the Clothing and Mercery Departments equally Cheap, so as to clear the shelves for the NEW GOODS expected by the end of the month ; while the balance of general Drapery will be still further reduced, so aa to make a clean sweep before the New Season's Goods arrive. Prints, Brilliants., Cambrics from 3s lid per dozen, worth double Flannelettts for Dressing Gowns and Home Blouses 4s lid dozen, half price Trimmed and untrimrned Hats, Aprons, Blouses, Veilings, Ribbons, etc., at half cost BOOTS AND SHOES—tho Best value in the trade | L *f\* i- i.iv i DON'T FORGET THE GREAT HAT SALE ATI MITCHELL & BRODRIBB'S, THE CENTRAL CASH DRAPERY MART, Nra flft> J. OEK % go,, B&m SXBEET, ASHBURXON.



Business Notices. Waterproof Coats N.Z.C.F. To Measure ... 35s Od Waterproof Coats N.Z C.F. . New Pattern* ... 32a 6d Waterproof Coats N.Z.C.F. To Measure ... 40a Od Waterproof Coats NZ.C.F. New Patterns . m 42s 6d Waterproof Coats N.Z C.F. To Measure ... 45s Od Waterproof Coats N.Z.O.F. New Patterns ... 47s 6d Waterproof Coats N.Z.C.F. To Measure ... 50a Od NEW ZEALAND Clothing 1 Factory. __ o ? £ 3 in a g id 1 o p <3 pH 5 P I si pq 5 o S " fl « g « $ g 2 • O ffl g CQ ° B W __^___ s Church Services. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH Ashburton. FRIDAY—M.C.L. (Associates only) meet at the Vicirage at 8 p.m. SUNDAY SERVICES. 11 a.m.—Morning Prayer and Holy Com munion. 3*p.m.—GREENSTREET. 6.30 p.m. —hvening Prayer. REV. T. A. HAMILTON. MAKE no mistake If you want a nice job made of your repairs, try Mellor, the up-to-date bootmaker. "TTALENriNES ! Valentines! Large V assortment of Comic, Fancy Boxed, Booklets, Love Cards, etc. New Books, Fancy Goods, Toys, Stationery and Musio. New lot of Foreign Stamps and packets.— Andrew.es, Anderson, & Co., Stationers Hall.



Hoi.loway's FiLLS.—The ilia of life are incteasod tenfold by the mode of life so many have to lead, most especially i 8 this the case ai»ongßjt, fche toilers in our factories and huge workshops of the manufacturing 1 districts whose digestion becomes impaired ! and nervous systems debilitated by the pro-! tracted confinement and enforced depriva- ' tion of healthy out-of-door exercise. The, factory workers may almost be said to haveo diseases of their own, readily amenablee howeyer, to treatment, if not allowed to proceed unchecked. Holloway's Pills are .the most effectual remedy ever discovered for the liver and stomach complaints, as they act surely but gently, regulating the secretions without weakening the nerves or interfering with the daily work. Ym try ths Nw Y<mi TfiMM t



I Mr Jacob Esbensen, who is in the employ of the Chicago Lumber Co., at Dcs MoineF, lowa, says: ' I have just sent some medicine back to my mother in the Old Country, that I know from personal use to be the best medioine in the world for rheumatism s laying .use*! it :n my family for several 'years. It* is called Oh^berlain's Pain Balm. It always does tha work. 1 For sale by JtoUWJiaiQV DBVQ CO3JP4N?.



Heating's Powdeb destroys bugp, fleas, miihp, beetles, and all other insects, whiltt gui c h rrnlesp, to domestic animals. In t-xtermioa'ing beei'es the sucoßß3 of thie powder is ex raonfinaiy. It is perfect'y niean in application. See the _ artiola you purohase is Keatikg's, es imitations are j nosiooß and ineffectual, Sold in tins, 6?, Is an i 2 6i eaoh, by al chemists From all acounts Ghamberlainfs Cough Remedy is a godsend to the afflicted. There is no advertisement about this : we feel just like sayiug it.— The Democrat, Carrollton, Ky. For sale by Ashburton Dhug Cow-