PHASES OF THE MOON.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

One of tuu Conureuatiox,—Oa rtlloation you will see that tho publication of your letter would only give pain undconduce <o do good result, it is therefore respectfully declined.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, JULY 27, 1897. POLICE CHANGES.

It is no doubt expedient from time to time to transfer officers of police, both superior and inferior, from the districts in which they "are stationed to other districts. This, for a variety of reasons. To keep a policeman too long in a particular locality necessarily to some extent interferes with his usefulness, inasmuch as he becomes known to those whom it is his duty specially to watch, and they are often, through a knowledge of bis habits and move ments, as well as of his personal appearance, able to avoid coming under his notice when they would not so readily escape that of a stranger to them. Again, a policeman, like other men, necessarily forms friendships and acquaintanceships which may more or less embarraas hjm in the strict performance of his duty to the State, and there are, in other, we are happy to think a minority of instances, very undesirable influences brought to boar upon policemen who become too well known to publicans of a certain e'asd Therefore, as a general rule, it in un questionably wise from times to time to change the location of the members of the force. Wo recognise that the Minister at present in charge of this department ie therefore exercising a sound discretion in making transfero from time to time, and we are abo aware that every Minister who ban had charge of tins department lijw bop more or less worried and embarrassed ' by protests emanating from the friend of the officer*, sometime« made in the interests of the officers themselves or of the locality which is loth to loce (he services of a really efficient man, but sometimes also, we are sorry to add, in the interest of persona who desire to retain an officer whose laxity has been their own protection in committing un checked certain tr&n&gressions of the law. For this reason, therefore, the department we know regards protests of this sort with a not unreasonable suspicion, or at least deems it necessary to examine them very closely with a view to ascertain on what grounds they are really based. This is as it should be. But nevertheless there are cases in which contemplated changes may be reasonably protested against, and one such now oscurs in connection with Asfeb.urton. It is proposed to remove Constable Jackson, who has been here some four of five y,©ars, to Oamaru, and transfer Constable Lernm, now of that town to this place. Such a, change would be a distinct losg to Ashburton, and although we have nothing to say agiinst the officer proposed to be sent hither (indeed we know nothing about him) we may roint out that Constable Jackson* niinself the son of a farmer in the district, is by training and experience specially well qualified for duty in a district where the carrying out of the Sheep AaU-s requires the presence of an officer thoroughly wall up not only in the Act* themselves tyjifc jn the circumstances of the persons and ,the conditions of the industry to whom and to which those Acts apply. We have it on undoubted authority that the technical knowledge which Con stable Jackson possesses has on more owmow than one enabled, a luoeisifui

prosecution of persons who have been guilty of infractions of the law, which prosecutions would probably have failed in tlte hands of a lees qualified officer. Constable Jackson's conduct during the whole term of his residence here ha« j been entirely unexceptionable, and it is not too much to sny that a more thoroughly satisfactory policeman could not be stationed here. There is, there fore, we think, strong reason why he should not be removed, and we under stand that representations have already been made on behalf of a number of our stock agents, merchants, and flock owners through the member for thfc district, to this effect, and we venture to express the hope that under the special circumstances of the case, Mr Thompson will accede to their request that the proposed removal of the constable referred to be not persisted in.

It IB possible, perhaps, to draw a dis tinction between the inordinate desire for wealth and the MIJIjTI- passion for hoard- HILLIONAIEEB in* But when analysed, the second is contained in the first, seeing that when fortunes exceed a moderate bulk they can no longer be used, but only possessed. A few years ago a New York paper set down the seven richest meu in the world. They were Li fcfung Ohang, landowner and pawn broker, with £100,000,000; John D. Rockefeller, oil king, with £36,000,000; thoDukeof Westminster, | land king, with £20,000,000; Colonel I North, nitrate king, £20,000,000; Cornelius Vanderbilt, railway king £20,000,000; Wah Qua, tea king, £20,000,000; and Baron Hindi, share nabob, £20,000,000. Some little time before the bursting of the South African financial bubble, a writer in a French magazine went to the trouble of calculating the fortunes of half-a doaea of the South African millionaires. He set do^vn Mr Beit as the richest of the lot, with a fortune of £12,000,000 ; Mr Barnato next with £10,000,000; then Mr Robinson, with £7,000,000 ; Mr Rhodes, with £5,000,000; Mr English, with £3,000,000, and Mr Marars, with £2,000,000. Few of these men have lived for any higher motive than piling million on million,

From the reports which have been re cently issued by several of the Indiau and Ceylon tea-pro- TE.I. dacing countries, it is evident that tho industry had % prosperous season last your in both countries, for of tho fourteen companies whose dividends have been announced lately five pay increased rates, as against two tanking smaller distributions than in respect of t\u\ preceding year's results. During 1895 tha 56 Jndi<n toa companies then said to be in full working order hsid a paid-up capital, including d« bemturos, of .£(5,007,000. and upon this capital a profit equal, to a liulo over 7^ Per c(mk WftH obtained, and it n probable that when tho complete returns for 1896 come to he analysed, it will be found that thin average, profit was at least maintained last year, while at present prices an average return of from six to seven per cant could be obtained upon cipifcal spread! over the principal share issues. 7n vestora have to remember, however, that the remarkab'o development of te* cultivation in India and (Tylon as shown by the fact that the consump tion of the tea produced in the two countries haa increased from 59,000,0001b in 1893 to over 203,000 ; 000lb last year, has been due fa the gradual displacement of Ohina tfias from our market, but as the great safety-valve provided by the displace ment of Ohina teas will' vary soon be shut off, the producers of India and Ceylon will have to depend ppon fresh foreign markets for placing the oon stantly augmenting output of tea Con sumption at homo has steadily ex panded; but if that factor had alone to be relied upon it is scarcely to be doubted that the enormous increase in the production of India and Ceylon teas, estimated at 18,000,0001 ha to #O,(^G,,QQOIb« for the current year, would result in i* yery oonsidomblo fall in priced.

Rei'OßTm of pArH&meni'idry " socmos " come at almoat regular hjtwvab from f'li JdU'lli Of till! A KOWUV wo rid, and the ■ PARLIAMENT. "Mother of* Purlin uieniH " not, long ago contributed a (tree fight that will take v permanent place in Britiwh hitttory ; but (ho " record " in ihh department KooiitH to have boon beacon on May 27 by the Auatrian !ioich«nii;h. Thnro « great d.iypufco in in pitKjiTMH ovor tho language queatjon ,iw H,oh()/|)ia. ISvon J before the sosßion was op«»«d (tho ' London Daily A'cwwoorrospondont tells uk) the prcsidont, |,)i* Kathroin, wjis so overcome with OKoitoiuGiit jn anticipa tion of the scene which was expected that he fainted and did not recover sufficiently to preside. The first vice president took tho chair. For many houra the reading of petitions and the culling of the roil seems to have been alternated with outrageous scenes. Scraps of written paper were thrown in the face of the president, inkstands (die Daily Telegraph's representative assures us) were hurled at his seat, unceasing pries of " Down with Polish management J Down with Polish Badeui ! To Poland with'him !■" were accompanied by hisses and whistlings ; and the members crowded with clenched lists round the Ministerial table, where Oount Badeni sat as pale as ashes. The Daily Chronicle's corres pon(|en.fc telegraphs :-—" The obstruct ionists turned oy.er their desks and smashed the inkstands, Steaogjraphers were noting the nameg of the offenders when their notes, rules, and books were torn away from them and flun^ into the speaker's face. The coarsest in vective was exchanged between the partie^. All this went on for hours, and finally the Speaker h«,d to give way and close the sitting after t6n hours' duration."

Local and General.

On the fourth page will be found the acceptances and entries for the 0.J.0. Grand National Meeting.

The Nor' West Minstrels give an enter tainment in the Chertsey schoolroom to morrow evening, in aid of the Swimming Club. h

The Premierof Now Zealand and hia patty are coming back to the colony by way of Brindisi and Suez, and expect to reach Wellington on the 10th September.

Manufacturers declare i hat bioycles have seriously afftsctod the sale of pianos, as when a girl ii atsked to ohcose between the two for a present she often selects the cycle.

There was a fair attendance of the share holders of the Timvald Cheese and Butter Factory in the Templar Hall last evening. The expected representative of the Central Facto y, Christ church, did not appear, and the meeting adjourned.

There has just! died in the village of Soamblesby, Mary Griffin, who was bmi at Tealby, Lincolnshire, and whoso birth register is dated November 24, 1793. She was until the last month or six weeks of her life able to perform her household duties, and nothing gave her greater pleasure than to receive visitors.

Mr F. Ferriman has a new advertisement in another column, notifying that he has a number of properties for sale iv various parts of the county. He also informs farmers that he is agent for Ford's celebrated mixture for cure ofsheep diseases. He alto advertises Milner'a safes for sale.

A paragraph has recently been going the rounds of the press to the effect chat Mr Hone Heks, M.H.R., contemplated visiting the Old Country to lay certain Maori grievances before the Queen. We have reason to think that this is a pure canard and that Mr Heke h<ts no such intention.

The New. Zealand Loan aud Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, in conjunction with Messrs H. Matson and Co., will offer afc auction on July 29, that very desirable farm known as Keumuir, situated at Chertsey, also the live stock, implements, and house hold furniture.

The Ashburton Dorcas Society is now firmly established, having reached its fourth year of disinterested service on behalf of the poor and suffering, and as the greatest disorimiDation is used in the matter of distribution we feel sure that a hearty response will be made by the benevolent to the call upon their liberality to support so good an institution in our midst.

An inquest was held yesterday afternoon in Devane's Hotel on the.body of the late Mr Daniel McCormaok. Major Steward was coroner, and Mr Joshua Tucker foreman of the jury. After hearing such evidence as was available, the jury returned a verdict, in accordance with Dr Leahy's evidence that deceased died from inflammation of the bowels the result of a kick from * horse.

It is stated that a settler on the Pomahaka Downs, the occupier of a 250-acre section, has this season threshed 1064 sacks of oats from about 130 acies—representing some thing like half of his holdiDg. Thi?, at 2s per bushel, gives the handsome return of £425, aud furnishes, at the tame time, evi dence by which the Minister of Lauds may bo enabled to fling back the taunts of his adversaries when next the evergreen subject of the Pomahaka comes up for discussion.— IS nice lltrqld.

A rather nice little story of the Prince of Wales wub told the Argus correspondent the other day. Tin Pritioo was at dinner, and tho conversation turned upon a certain appointment. Ono guest contended that tins appointment was bad, as the recipient Wttdiiixty yotttK of age, and iherefore was too (fid, Drawing himself up involuntarily, U■ R. H. remarked incisively that that was nothing. " Sormj men's careers begin at ulx y!" Th*> application of the remark was fdlfc, and tho oon vernation drifted into other diatimjjjj.

I O.i Juno 2, the Liverpool Coroner held an in^uoat on the hotly of a child named (/lU.hcrine Elliot, who was alleged to have been the smallest human being in existence. The child was born in Glasgow 10 weeks previously, and waa being exhibited in Liverpool, the parents receiving £3 10i per week. The child weighed 20oz, was 12in high, aud the palm of her hand was on'y the size of a shilling. The parents dis claimed any de ire to limit the growth of the midget, which had been guarded from cold, wellnuriured, and had never hfti a day's illness before May 29, when, according to medical evidence, ifc dpd suddenly from natural causes. The jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Ashburton county members of the Oitriat church Co-Operative Association would do well to consider what they are doing when called upon to bestow their votes for the Directorate. Of the number offering Messrs Herring and Chapman are, we think, the m ist suitable for the Aahburton county. Mr Lyttelton, wo hear, is "not anxious for t!>e honor, if he were, he would make an excellent member of the Board. Messrs Herring and Ohaptmvn know pereonal y jjsfc what is wad ted in the district where must of tho members are, and it would be well, iv view of the proposed establishment of an agency ia Aahburton that two Ashburton tnenibera were appointed, lo any case we trust that the Ashburton county votes will bo given In the Aahhuitou oouuty men.

Ou tlui CfOonslon of the visit of Sir George Grey to tht> JNtnv Zealand Premier in Lon dtui, Mr StxUlon whs muoli affected at H)ai»g a» jjreftt iv olmngo tie has taboo place in hit oivi politjioai ally j^nd friend siuoo they huti mot flothe four ydiib »j|o,' and when Sir Oooi'uo, tit'uir v long oonvmmbion, prepared to (nko lilh liukvo, Mr SiuJdon, after first Mking ptinfiiuMJoit, took his old chief in his nt'iHN niui otirtK'iji him bodily down tlie elair onito, balioving thai jin this way he would mKuirt) to hia distinguished hut feeble visitor v iooro usii'iy iiiodo of tr.vnsit. Sir George (!r«sy on !m« sfdo sept^od yery grateful for i Inn uttoutjoi) ahowu to h>>)), and a good doi»l moved by )(,. Mr Seddon's great phymcul atrongth enabled hitp to curry Sir Ooorgo in hia nrma as easily as if the great jHo-ootiHul had boon a, mere child.

Mr John Burns, M.P., delivered a stirring address upon v T(ie Evila of Gambling " re oenlly at the Washington Music Hall. Ha. lovod athletics, he said, as much as any man in England, but their ganiPß were in danger of being' permanently demoralised, anl it behoved all lovers of true sport to stop the spread of gambling. If gambling begun nearly I^oo years ago, when the soldiers oast; lota for the plothing of the oruoifiod Nasjareno. it was a bad' start. The gambling spirit, which in the past had been confined to the world of sport, was now permeating national interests, and although he knew he had made himself unpopular by what he had said on the subject he intended to make himself more unpopular still. He was going to do his best in the House of Commons to prevent the sending of betting | telegrams, which had proved a curse to many Po«fc GS?ce employees. Sportsmen generally must be brought to see that those who worked for the moraj. and intellectual elevation of the people wire t he., friends and not the opponents of true sport; The members of the Aahburton Biass Band are making an effort to raise funds with the object of obtaining new uniforms, which have long been badly needed, and also a few instruments for new members, and to defray the expense of the band in attending the next band contest at Oamaru With this view an arbunion is being arranged for, and a concert is also contemplated. The following gentlemen have been appointed an art union committee; viz ;—-Js,#r Qordon (Chairman), Captain Dolmstf, Messrs Lawrie, Gates, Armer Orr, James Baker, H. D. Baker, P. Anderson, Donald Leitch, Duncan Leitch, Chapman, J. H. Pauling, and Trezise, with Mr A. Lawrie treasurer, and Messrs R. S. EUton and H. A, Gates as secretary and assistant secretary. The tender of the Ashburton Publishing Company has been accepted for the printing of the arc union tickets, for which there is b<? large a demand that the books are going off quite as fast as they can bo printed, In addition to prizes to the value of about £100 offered >y the promoters of the art union, special prizes have been promised by Mr J. B. Pauling (for Messrs and Gray), Bandmaster Hosken, and several others. The prizes will b© shown- at an early dates in the window of Mr H« &• Gr»tea' new shop, Lane* Buildings, T&e (jkuwiag take* place

The brewers of Great Britain use annually J about 70,000 tons of sugar in the manufao I tare of beer and malt liquors. \

The Japanese Government, with a hope of increasing the stature of the people, haft taken steps to encourage tho uhq of meat aa an article of diet. Whether the result will justify expectation remains to be proved.

We are sorry to note by the latest reports from Dunedin, respecting Mr li. S. Fish, that all hope of his rocovery ht»s been given up. Since ihe symptoms of cancer (in the throat) became apparent two mouths ago hie medical ud risers gave him bub three months to live.

America posßesaes a giantess who in eight anda-half feet i« height, and is fluid to be atill growing. She is at present travelling with a oireua. She seemed to be a normal girl tilt she reached the age of seventeen, when she startled her parens by growing at an amuziag rate. She is now twenty years old.

The date of the consecration of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Melbourne, haß been fixed for 31st October. The total cos;, of the cathedral haa been about £200,000 ; of this, £9000 remains as a debt, but it is hoped that the whole liability will be removed on the opening day.

Mr Tillett, lecturing at Wellington on " Labor and the Legislature," did not see that the people in Now Zealand had much to boast of. They were Just as big fools as the workers in England. If they liked they could return three-fourths of the Legisla ture. The difference between them and the Home workers was only one of degree, but the position here was not yet acute.

Mr Gray, late Inspector of Produce in London for the New Zealand Government, states t hat Auckland butter, on account of its first-class and uniform quality, holds a position which has been attained by no other New Zealand butter in the English market. It invariably commands from 4s to 61 per cwt. more than other brands. That reputa tion, Mr Gray eaye, is universally acknow ledged by the trade.

The full returns of the railway traffic for Jubilee week have recently besu completed, and they show that from the 19ch to the 26th June no 1-as than 23,000 persons arrived in Dunedin from north and south, 12,000 of that number coming in on 'Satur day, Monday, and Tuesday. The Railway Department had. of course, the return traffic to cope with, so that the total number of passengers arriving and departing at Dunedin during the busy season was 46 000 persons, and that this immense amount of traffic was accomplished without accident is a matter for which the authorities deserve the highest credit.

It is intended that the demonstration in connection with the reception of Lord Ran furly at Wellington shall surpass anything of the kind previously seen there. The steamers in port are to meet the Tutanekai in Worser Bay and proceed up the harbour in two lines abreast of the Government afceamer At the wharf his Excellency will be welcomed by the Mayor, who wi'i pre sent an address. A carriage and four, with poaHliona and a Queen's outrider, will c .n ---vey the Governor to the Parliamentary Buildings. The wharf will be lined with troops, and the guard of honour will be a detachment from one of the warships. His Excellency will be accompanied by a pro cession consisting of 200 or 300 cyclists, Fire Brigades, Volunteer and Permanent forces, Friendly Societies, trades and Par liamentary and Civic representatives. Two triumphal arches will be erected. AH the City bands and the Otaki Maori Brass Baud are to be aaked to take part in the demon stration.

Holloway's Pills.—The Great Need.— The blood ia the life, and oo its purity our existence depends. These Pills thoroughly cleanse the vital fluid from all contaminations and by that means strengthen and invigorate the whole system, healthily stimulate slug gish organs, repress over-excited action, and establish the circulation and secretions throughout every part of the body. The balsamic nature of Holioway's Pills ex rcisea marvellous power in giving tone to debilitated and nervous constitutions. These Pills remove all obstruction?, both in the bowels and elsewhere, and are on that account much sought for promoting regulaiity of action in young females and delicate persons who are naturally weak, or have from some cause become so.

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves rpsponsib'e for the opinions expressed by our corrqspoadents>

SHORTHAND.

T0 THB EDITOR, Sm,—ln a letter appearing in your columns a few days ago, Mr Clarkson, in advising students of Phonography to study Pitman's system, makes the statement that f* Pitman's position aa the leader m the world's stenography has never been seriously challenged,'" Now, Ido not dispute Mr Clarkson's assertion when he says that Pitman's is used by the majority of stenographers here —it could hardly be otherwise, when we consider that Gregg's system was almost unheard of in New Zealand fcwo years ago. But chal longed it has been—nay, more, ia many oases in both England and America it has suffered defeat by Gregg's light line. In fact so fast has this system been growing in favor with the business people of America that in August last year only two business colleges of any importance still taught the Pitman system, namely—Soule College and the New York Business College, while Gregg's Light Line is taught in the Cleveland Commercial University, Cleveland Y. M. C. A. > The Alliance Business College,- Pennely vanian Business' University, The- Actual Business College, Canton, Ohioj The Scio College, O ; the famous Eastman Business College, New York; the Capital City Com mercial College, Charleston ; Mielly's Prae tio*l Business College, New Orleans j the De Fuui ik Business College, Florida ; while a@ early U3 1893 the Salem Commercial School, ope of the foremost business colleges in America abandoned pitman for Light Line. The principal ot this school, George C. Grant, M.A., formerly a teacher at Gordon's college, Aberdeen, Scotland, is a writer of both the Pitman aud Script methods, and is therefore in a position to judge as to the merits of the two systems. There is no Pitman writer bold enough to dispute that Light Line is much more easily learned and also read than the older system, but many of them believe it imposs ible'to attain a speed of more than IQO words a minute with it, but this is a great mistake as the following will show :—|n May 1893 (before the sysrem had reached its present proficiency) Mr P, Murray, a teaqher of pit man in Belfast, Ireland, adopted Light Line, and, studying without assistance, ten months later, at the shorthand examination under the Society of Arta, he carried off the only first class certificate granted in Ireland. The examiner was Mr T. A. Reid, the well known Pitman reporter, and the test was a yery stringent one—l4o words a minute for seven minutes on difficult scientific matter. Mr Tyndall, once an eminent exponent of the Pitman system, but now a teacher of Light Line in Edinburgh, and alao Mr F. H. Spragg, who is in charge of the Gregg Shorthand Institute, 116 Chancery Lane, London, both write at an average spaed of 200 words a minute. But to come nearer home^-at MeUjourne, in JVy, 1896, Mr G. A. Simmoads, a Light Line writer, whose average speed is 180 words a minute, was one of three successful candidates at an examination held under the Evidence Act, 1890 (No, 2), for the licensing of shorthand writers to take evidence in the Suprem* Court of Victoria. In order to pass this examination: it' is' necessary to write 150 words a minute, and then to read your ntftes I back at the rate of 30 words a minute, and the examiners are the heads of the Govern ment shorthand and Hansard staffs. See Melbourne Argus, July 15, 1896. In con clusion, I may add that as regards the reading of Light Line, there is no more chance of misitransjaiing it, than there is of the average business lo)6ghand*?a result'due to the absence of shading, and to the insert tion of vowels, even when reporting. -^1 am, eta., W. H. H. Andebsok.

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ihe usual fortnightly meeting was held last evening. Present—The Mayor (in the chair), Cra Baker, Haumer, Paul, Keid, Orr, Bird Oo'hns, Brooke, and Thomas. The Mayor reported that the debit balance at the B'itjk was £1483 13s 3d, and that the amount received biuce laso meeting had beeu £135 CORRESPONDENCE. From Morrow, Bassett and Co., asking permission to erect a signboard. —Referred to Works Committee. From the County Council, asking for puymt nX of £3 8s 7d, share of the silary of the Secretary of the Licensing Committee. From the Australasia Incaudesceut Gas Lighting Co., recommending their b roens j on the ground of economy.—Referred to th • Lighting Committee for report. TUB UNEMPLOYED. A petition signed by teveral persons, askitg the Council for work, was presented. Cr Orr moved that the matter be refeir d to the Works Committee with power to act. Cr Paul seconded the motion. Crs Thomas and Reid thought that the Council should just affirm that the Council were prepared to find work for the unem ployed. Cr Bird said that the Council had not sufficient work to keep their own men in regular employment. • Cr Collins thought that the proper course to adopt was for the Mayor to call a public meeting to deal wirh the matter, and moved an amendment accordingly, which was seconded by Cr Thomas and carried, Or Orr withdrawing his motion. It was arranged that the Chairman of the County Council and Road Boards should be asked to attend the meeting. FINANCE COMMITTEE'S BHFORT, Your Committee have considered the matter of the separate accounts, as shown on the balance sheet, and have caused a state ment to be made out of each account showing the present balances, and these are j now laid on the table, and will at every future balance be placed before the Council. Adopted. • LIBRARY yOHDS. Ge Thomas moved that the interest pay ' able on the residuum, due to the old Library Committee, be reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent. This was seconded by Cr Collins. An amendment was proposed by Cr Brooke* and seconded by Cr Reid that the rate be 6 per cent. The Town Clerk said that the arrange ment come to fourteen years ago, was that the current rate should be paid. After considerable discussion the amend ment was carried by all the Councillors, with the exception of Crs Thomas and Collins.

BY-LAWS AND WOBKS COMMITTEES* BEPOKT

Clause 1. Building By-laws.—Your Com mittee, after due consideration, have come to the conclusion that do alteration be made to the existing building by-laws with respect to out-buildiDge, and would recommend that in future any person erecting or pro ceeding to erect or alter any building within the building bock without the necessary notice according to the by-law be prose cuted forthwith. Clause 11. Asphalting Footpaths.—Your Committee recommend the Council to adopt a by-law uuder section 256 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1886, compelling payment of half the actual cost of asphalting any footpath within the Borough from the adjoining occupiers of land, and also recom mend that in future no footpaths be asphalted, unless the asphalt is laid from one corner of a street to another corner, or to complete a block already partly asphalted. —Adopted. FIBE BRIGADE AND WOBKS COMMITTEES' REPORT. Accommodation for Turncocks.—Members of your two Committees have met on the ground with reference to this matter, and beg to submit to the Council the alternative plans of (1) building a' chimney and fire-place in present room used by the turncocks, or of (2) extending the present engine station about 18 feet further back. On the motion of Cr. Brooke, seconded by Cr. Hanmer, it was "decided to erect a fire place in the present room, Cr. Paul dis- ; senting. i engineers' reeort. '. The engineers' report was read &g follows ; Watering streets.—The Works Committee i recommend that the question of procuring a reel and hose for street watering be held over for the present. Labor gang.™ The men have been engaged during thg past two weeks in forming Wa'ker street and cartiug soil "to sections, watering streets, grubbing gorse and broom in plantations and streets, repairing concrete channelling, and fixing channel gates, cutting willows, attending to water supply, and general maintenance work. Wo have to stop the work of formation and propose putt ing the horses to carl shingle for metalling, -—Adopted. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £62 6s 4d were passed for payment and the Council sat as a DOMAIN BOARD. A letter was read from Mp Smith, com' plaining of the state of the fence of the paddock rented by Mr Siloock, and pointing out; the risk to the Board's property by the trespass of cattle. It was decided to give Mr Silcock notice to do the necessary re pairs forthwith. ■ FINANCE. Cr. Orr moved that the Board limit their expenditure on - the Domain to £150 a year in addition to the income for the year. Cr. Paul seconded the motion. Carried. GRASSCUTTER. The purchase of a grasseutter was left in the hands of the Mayor and the Chairman of the Domain Committee. The Board then adjourned.

COMMERCIAL.

FROZEN MEAT MARKET.

Messrs Balgety and Qo., limited, have received the following cable message from their London office, dated §3rd inso."; — " Frogen Meab-»Markeb very depressed, but priceß of prime New Zealand mutton (crossbred) are slightly in favor of buyers, while for second quality the prices are lower by to |d per 1b since out last telegram. , Stocks of lamb are excessive, and the demand is dull, the present values being 3|d to 3gd per lb."

NEWS FROM TONGA.

Pr«B8 Association—By Electric Holograph

Auckland, July 26 News by the Ovalau states that the Tongan Parliament was prorogued on July 20oh after a stormy session. Some time ago the young King's father and the Wesleyau members of Parliament asked the King to dismiss the present Ministers and appoint Mr McKay Premier. The King refused, aud since then Parliament has been making attacks on all the members of the Ministry, and there were many stormy scenes. No change has been made in the Customs duties.

Ashburton Dorcas Society.

Annual Meeting-

The annual meeting of the Ashburton Dorcas Society was betd on Thursday, July 22, in the Wakanui Road Board office. There was a large attendance of members, Mrs A. Curtis presiding. THE YKAB'S BUSINESS. The annual report showed that, although the zeal of the members was unabated, the work accomplished wan not so great as in the previous year. This was owing, pro bably, to the mildness of the winter, as fewer applications had been received for help. In all 352 garments had beeu n.ade, and 315 distributed amongst 26 families, as agams> 400 made and 396 distiibuted in 1895 6. . | The balance sheet submitted by the Treasurer, Mta Hugo Friedlander, showed a very healthy state of things. The receipts during the year amounted to £16 15s, and the expenditure £14 9a bfad, leaving a credit} balance of £2 5s 6£d. The expenditure * included the purchase of a sewing machine, and a spirit lamp and kettle. The books were in very good order. Several new members had joined daring the year. 669 penny fees were paid by members, and 277 fines, also in pence ; the donation! amounting to£B 7i. OFFIOKBS. The following were elected to the various offices in the Society: —President—Mrs Hamilton ; Vice • Presidents — Mesdaraes Buckley, Thomas, Hanmer, and Max Friedlander; Hon. Secretary—Mn Ourtw ; Hon. Treasurer—Mrs Hugo PriedUnder } Committee—Mesdames Trevor and Oath* bertson, and Misses Barlow, Purnell, and Fullerton; Visiting Committee—Meedames Trevor, Purnell, Cuthberton, and Bland. THANKS. Hearty votes of thanks were pawed to the Hod Secretary and Treasurer respectively for their valuable services to the Society, and the ability displayed in the discharge of their duties. A special vote of thanks was accorded to Mrs Max Friedlander for her help in cutting out garments, a work the has kindly consented to continue this year. Votes ot thanks were also passed to the Chairman and members of the Wakanui Road Board, for the use of the Board room* and to the caretaker for the kind help afforded in preparing the room and making it comfortable for the meetings of the Dorcas Society. Much re c reb was expressed that Mrs Poole'a kindly presence was no longer with them, she having left the district since her sad bereavement, and great regret was felt at the loss which the Society had sus tained in her removal. J?PTUEE OPBSATIONS. The generous and liberal support of the general public in the matter of money and materials was heartily acknowledged, espeoi* ally the great kinduees of Messrs Mitchell and Turner in sending parcels containing hood?, souks, hats, bootees, etc. la view of future operations, it was de cided to form a sub-committee to canvass the district in aid of the funds. Afternoon tea followed the serious business of the meeting, and a very enjoyable time was spent by the members before dispersing,

CABLE NEWS.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

A New Trust

London, July 25 The West Australian and New Zea land Market Trust has been formed, with a capital of two and a hall millions, of which a million and a half is being issued for publip subscription. Mr ri. Bottomley is Chairman of |he Board of Directors.

Mr Wilson Barrett.

Mr Wilson Barrett sails for A us* fcralia in January. He has been qua* ranteed £10,000 for 100 performance*.

Germany and Russia.

St. Petersburg, July 26 The Csnr and Czarina will officially w^lsome the Emperor and Empress of Germany on their vitit to Russia, at Oronatadt, on August 7th.

Starvation at Johannesburg*

Capetown, July 2,6 Five thousand persons are in a stale of starvation at Johannesburg owing to the closing of the mines.

Snooting Friendly Natives.

Captain Meiotjea and Lieutenant Coetzec, two Transvaal officers, com manding the Burgher forces, are being tried for shooting friendly natives at Langebeergen. Eyidence was given that they shot two Kafir women and two children who were carrying a white rag.

Currency Bank Commission.

Washington, July 25 President McKinley, in a message to Congress, recommends the appoint ment of a Currency Bank Commis sion, to report in time for legislating upon the subject in December.

England and America.

July 26 Mr White! aw Reid, the 'American representative at the Queen's J;ufeiW says his visit has greatly impressed upon him the strong de&ire of t}|s English to be on good termt with America.

Japanese Immigrants.

Japan has agreed to submit to arbitration the difficulty which hai arisen at Hawaii over landing Japanese immigrants,

Australian.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

A Flour-Mill Burned.

Sydney, July 26. Afire at "^illough by 'destroyed "tfaq Chicago flour-mills and a large stopt of flour. The damage t3 estimated at £10.000.

Rich Quartz.

Exceedingly rich quartz has been struck at Rice's mines near Gundagai, Sixty-one pounds of stone f from a pocket is estimated to contain £2,000 worth of gold.

Discovery of Opals.

A patch of opate ha'a been struck on the Wnitecliffa * field, s "V^lcanm^ valued at about £2,000

The Orange Procession Riot.

Mblroubkk, July 26 Four men, arrested in connection with the Orange procession riot, were fined from £5 to £1.

t HE ABHBOKTON OBAKDIA* J TUESDAY, JULY 27, 1891



vTOIiY,

First quarter Full moon Last quarter New moon

8 14 22 30

1 2 am 4 22 pm 2 38 am 3 26 am



OUR ANNUAL STOCK-TAKING SALE IS NOW PROCEEDING, AND WILL CONTINUE TILL AUGUST tub 18th. EVEKYTHING^ REDUCED. PLKASE NOTE the following Quotations, being a few of the BARGAINS OFFERED :— DRESS TWEEDS—Regular price Is 3d per yard, sale price 4s lid dreas length. Dress Tweeda—Regular price 15s 9d dreas length, sale price 6a lid dress length. SERGES in Black, Navy, and Brown 2s 3d, sale price Is 6d per yard. Blue Black Merinos, sale price Is lid per yard, regular price 2s 6d. DRESSMAKING during this sale gg od. Children's Caihmere Hose, sale price 6d per pair. Ladies' Cashmere Hose, sale price lOid. Ladies' Ribbed Hose, sale price 8d por pair. A few Men's Colonial Tweed SUITS 15s each. Men's Cotton Shirts Is each. Men's Heavy Grampian Shirts Is lid. A large assorted line Men's Tweed Trousers, to ba cleared at 7s lid per pair. Men's Tweed Hats 6d each. Men's Tweed Caps 61 each. Men'i Colonial Knitted Socks 6d per pair. Extra Heavy Twilled Sheeting, 2 yards wide, Is per yard. Flannelettes from 8d per yard. All wool Colonial Shirting 1b 6d per y»rd Ladies' Corsets, size 18, 19, 20, our regular line at 2s lid, to be cleared Is lid. T HB SHOW-ROOM THE REDUCTIONS WILL BE OF A MOST THOROUGH DESCRIPTION. SUB DOORS AND WINDOWS FOR BARGAINS. Ashburton Drapery Company, AECADE HOUSE.



•■»' ■«"»•«■ ■ ■ '■""' """ " ■ BANKRUPT ESTATE OF' G. J. NEILL AND CO., DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, MERCERS, AND BOOT DEALERS, ASHBURTON THE VENDORS would respectfully call the attention of the Inhabitants of Aahburton acd Surrounding District to this Bona Fide Sale and also we wiah to draw your attention that we have aacured another stock at a very low figure, and we have decided to mil the wholß at Ashburton and hope you will favour us with your pitronago as early as possible. So come all and come early. Every line must go. BY ORDtfR, STOCK VENDORS. BY ORDEIi OF THE PURCHASERS OF ABOVS ESTATE. 6 238 DRESSES & DRESSMAKING = EXTRAORDINARY. = AFTER AN EXCEPTIONALLY SUCCESSFUL SEASON WE AEE NOW PREPARED TO TAKE » VEEY MUCH KKDUCED PRICES FOR OUR FEW REMAINING COLORED DRESSES. A LOW PRICE quofced for Drees Complete, Beat Style and Fit. MITCHELL & TURNER.



= PUREJSEEDS. m T HAVE lately erected, regardless of cost, the most COMPLETE SEED-CLEANING PLANT south of the Line, and I now ask intelligent Farmers to inapect the same at work. I am now prepared TO GLEAN for Fanners any description o SEEDS AND GRAIN, and will guarantee to give them satisfaction. I can supply best RYEGRASS, weighing front 261bs to Mlbs to the bushel; and COCKSFOOT, locally grown, 14 Jibs to 161lbs to the bushel; also, best CLOVERS, dressed by my own machines, the purity of which must be seen to be appreciated. ALSO—HURST AND SONS BEST ENGLISH CLOVERS, TURNIPS, RAPE, LUOERNE, TREFOIL, Etc. D. THOMAS, ASHBUKTON, WOOL/ WOOL. WOOL. y AM now making liberal CASH ADVANCES FREE OF COM MISSION upon all WOOL placed in my hands for SALE either in Atbburtcn or elsewhere, WOOLPACKB, TWINE, OIL, AND BRANDING MATERIAL, The beet quality on Sale. DAVID "THOMAS,



PUBLIC NOTICES * j ASHBURTON ON WHEELS NEW ,Z'ALAND Cl ot hi ii g Factory. AGENTS FOB j THE ANGLO-NEW ZEALAND OYOLK COMPANY. WE hivvo just opened out a full stock of the following high grade, up-lo- j d»to, Ladiea' and Gent»' Hioycloa, all Mng ish tniko, bountifully eniMutillcd and very heavily pLlod parts. 1 rlf XC* JL«<>KlC—Very hißh grade ntiiuliitifl, 1) ahapo tubing, 3iiti tread, 3 16in ohtkiu, p'ltont head look, mvi :>li othot' latest improvements, English Ounlop Tyrei. THM MH.LTO.N-A beautiful ovle, 3|iu trua I, tilted with tho patent 3 16ia twin rollor uhuia, English Duulop Tyres, a pleasure to rido on. TOE TOWNKND- Another high<oUiSß innohiae- On uooouat of the targe number w& have sold of these oyoles we emu fully reoommeud it. English Dunlop tyres, ovivl tubing, 31in tread, large barrel hubs oil retaining, heavily plated, and strictly up-to-date. Also a full stock of accessories and novelties will always be kept in stock. Any of these machines will be sold for cash or on the easy time payment system. Inspection Invited. HALLENSTEIN BROS., A. G. BAHTON, Manager!



Church. Services. ST. STEPHEN'S OH'U BO.fi Ashburton. DDUESDAY—Teachers' Meeting, 7.30 p.m. W E ONES U A Y~Ohorißterß! Practice, 7p. m THUKSDAY—Brotherhood of St Andrew, 7.30 p.m. FRIDAY—Short Service, 7.30 p.m. Choir Practice, 8 p.m. SUNDAY SERVICES, AUGUST 1. 11 a.m.—Morning Prayer and Holy Com munion. 3 p.m.—GREKNSTRBET—Rev. T. A. Hamilton. 3 p m.—DROMORE—Mr T. A. Gates. 6.30 p.m.—Evening Prayer. REV T. A. HAMILTON.



We often hear of sensational bets being piade, such as a guinea to a gooseberry ; a b|ble-.b§cfced policeman to a pint of she oak ; a hundred pofinde to a bffndla of ohipt, and so on. The art pf bett,iDg is to a^d to win you must back certainties. Here' is a tip J You back ' Woods' Qreafc Peppermint | Care bo beab a oough or odd every time. You'll always get home; no Johnny Arm utiopg iboub feh»t,* U



Many Ladies complain that the T»% they have been using has neither strength nor flavor. If they try Ko?ib Tea they will be satined !Tr?feto9H«£B/4 r 7ttiipp;rl) •



The weather ppphets predict that the long fine dry spell which' we have had' will be followed by a very web and severe winter. The one thing needful for protection against the elements of such a winter is a really good reliable waterproof ooafc or cloak. We are assured that Messrs Oaighead and Berry man have become famous for their well known brand of winter clothing, which has hitherto given such satisfaction, and in anticipation of <L still larger sale for these goods, thjs season they are now showing probably the Mgeafc stock of waterproof tweed, serge, and melton overcoats ever exhibitsd in Ashburton.- They are also supplying ladiea' and gentlemen's water proof cloaks and coats to measure at ready, made prices. Every garment guaranteed thoroughly waterproof. (Three months trial, \i defective money returned). All wooj linings-*-keepin!g fcfie wearers -alwajs { warm and dry—sewn throughout with strong silk, ventilated and every improve ment "up to date."—Advt. You have ruined your constitution sufficiently by drinking inferior teas, recruit by drinking only Kozik Tba, it is pure and reliable John Orr & Co., Sols Ag n fragrantd>*4 Inp^oraHHg'^Nm Vtnm



To the Deaf and those trdubled with Noises in the Head or other Auraf TrbubJea.' Dr Nicholson, of London, the worid fametl aural specialist and Inventor of artificial ear drums, has just issued the 100 th edition of his illustrated and descriptive book on Deaf aeas and Aural Troubles. This book 'may be had from Mr F. Shaw, 160, Adelaide Road, Wellington, NZ., on receipt of stamps. Mr UampbeU, of the same address, was greatly relieved of his deafneaa by Dr. Nicholson's system, and bakes pleasure ia spreading the news of the great speoialisb in New Zealand. A Httlebook on the cure of Rheumatism, Corpulence; Lumbago, and Indigestion by the same author, may be h»4