Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1897. THIS WEEK'S HOLIDAY.

It was unfortunate, both for the Oricket Club and for the Polo Olub, that two such interesting events as the Queensland match and the annual polo sports should have been timed to fall within one and the same week, as | it would doubtless have made a great j difference in the gate-money if each hud had the advantage of a holiday after noon. An attempt was made to obtain the universal observanoe of this afternoon as a holiday instead of Thursday afternoon, and a number of our merchants and tradesmen issued an announcement through our columns to the effect that they proposed closing on Wednesday. Then a misunder standing arose, owing to one or two firms not having signed the agreement, and as the result tradesmen generally were this morning in a ( very un comfortable state of incertitude as to what was going to be done. En quiries were made of us as to whether if Wednesday were observed, the shops would have to close also tomorrow, that being the usual weekly haif i holiday. Reference to the Shop and Shop Assistants Act and the two ' amending Acts shows that this would be the case, the power to substitute one day for another being dependent upon the interpretation put upon the words " public holiday or half holiday." The paragraph referring to the question is to be found in sub-section (b) of section 7 of the Amending Act of 1895, which reads: "Whenever a public holiday or half-holiday occurs in any week, it shall be a sufficient ' compliance with this Act if a shop keeper closes his shop on such holiday or half-holiday instead of on the closing day under this Act." Now a a public holiday" must either be one fixed by statute as such, (such as Ohristmas-day, Queen's Birthday, etc) or one appointed by some public authority,as for example by the Mayor, and as to-day was not proclaimed by the Mayor, it seems to us that if the strict letter of the law be enforced the closing of the shops to-day does not absolve the shopkeepers from closing them to-morrow also.

The New Zealand colonists are great on betting, but the Americans go mad on the vice. CURIOSITIES OF How else can one BETTING. account for the idiotic wagers that were made between between partisans of Bryan and McKinley? Men who are still at large made bets with each other on the result of the election that they would shave their heads, half shave their faces, or not shave them selves at all; that they would cover their bald heads with silver or gold stripes; that they would walk through crowded streets with bare feet or with sandwich boards; that they would wear each other's clothes, or wear their own turned inside out, or ride in peram bulators sucking feeding-bottles like babies ; that they would stand in public places while others pelted them with eg^s! Husbands made beta with their wives that they would do the family washing for a month, or that the wives should chop the wood for the same period. And one lunatic wagered his wife against a thousand pound house, the wife herself agreeing, if her spouse lost, to get a divorce and marry the winner ! Such are a few only of the mad freaks that have been recorded in American newspapers.

Local and General.

Referring to Mr Zander's letter published in last issue'we may mention that we learn from Mr Collins that he was out of. town when the requisition re closing to-day was taken round. We are requested to call attention to an extensive clearing sale announced to he held by Mr A. Lawrie, Saundera' Buildiugs, who promises his customers great bargains in drapery goods, boots aud shoes, ironmongery, glassware, etc. Many narrow escapes from serious conflag. rations have occurred during the present long spell of drought. Among others was the ignition of a goree fence on Mr T>. Ooohrane's farm, Elgin, on Sunday. With the help qf the neighbours the fire was for tunately put out and but little harm done, Sir Robert Stout haß been instructed by Mr Te Ao, the second on the Wes era Maori poll, to take steps with regard to a petition againßt Mr Kaihau's return. The chief ground is that many voted who were under twenty-one, aud some of the successful candidate's nominators also were under that age. The following are the vital statistics for last month as compared with those with the corresponding month of the previous year, viz.—Birthe, 1896, 24; 1895, 22; deaths, 1896, 5 ; 1895, 5 ; marriages, 1896, 5 • 1895, 3. The complete figures for the year 1896 are births 278; deaths, 77; marriages, 52. Our musical and artistic contemporary, the Triad, now publishes no less than nine editions, which speaks well for the enterprise of the promoters. Another £10 competi tion, particulars of which have been adver tised in our co'umna, is announced, this time for the fortunate selector of the six most popular works out of a list given, The Press reports that during last Sunday night the premises of Mr W. R. Harding in Hereford street were entered, and the sum of about £$Q was taken from the safe. The money belonged id Mr West Bowman, and 1 had been placed in the safe by Mr Dalton as a means of security. The B&fe had apparently not been forced, but opened with a key. The rite of adult baptism was administered by the Jfcev. Mr Ager on Sunday evening at the Baptists Tabernacle in presence of a crowded congregation, many of whom were members of other churches. The candi date were Mipes Ager. Addia and M. Keely and Mr Sege c, tfee last named while still a member of the Chnroh of England professing his belief in adult baptism. A parson and digger were travelling by rail the other day on the West Coast, and | had a compartment all to themselves. The digger wanted to strike up a conversation, ant'he broke the ice by saying, "Kin ye tell me, sir, Just to Battle a bet for drinks, how old the devil is ;>" The parson neatly answered, "My friend, you must your own family record." The rest was silence.

A young man named Dunn had a narrow escape from drowning at the swimming bath i Ittgb - sygaing. Diving from the bank and not being a ve?y able Bwimmer, he got into difficulties and it was only wi.t>h a very grtat effort that the bystanders got him oui>, in a far gone condition. Dr Trevor was brought itptff. the Hospital, and with energetic work got Oitntsi wund, who was then sent home in a cab. 3ft ita&y b ( a mentioned that this acoideut is supposed to hay 6 psulfced from (phe youth being a taoked by cramp in the § omaeh—a B#fc utjOPjpmon remit cf batjtiog ?:-*«ftcr #«••!*" ' " ,

Sporting items on fourth page. t Yesterday in the Wellington SM. Court Wilhelm Spaethe, traveller for a German Piano and Organ Company was charged with failing to take out a license as requited by law. The Magistrate oonvicted and ordered j him to purchase a license, the cost of which i is £50. As this was the first case of the kind' he did not inflict maximum penalty which ib £20 per diem, but Sued the defendant 20s for each day he had carried on business. i Invalids and others wishing to undergo hydropathic treatment or massage and others seeking the advantages of a con valescent home will be pleased to see by an announcement in another column that Mr W. H. Rule hae re-opened his very com modious and comfortable establishment which is ever available for all except patients Buffericg from contagious diseases. Mr Rule is prepared to treat fever patients at their own residences. The heat yesterday was unusually trying, and in some places its effects were much more severely felt than in others. For ex ample, in a shop in East Street the thermo meter registered 89 at midday, in another the reading was 91, while in a house near the hospital, the record wab 85 at 6 o'clock in the evening. It is noticeable that the heat in the North Island does not seem to have been so great, notwithstanding that according to latitude it should have been greater. The record of 81 last Monday is mentioned as making that day the hottest of the summer so far. The Rev. G. B. Inglis informs us that he has recently received a series of forty photo graphic views illustrating the story of "How we got our Bible." A few of them set forth piotorially the history of Mary Jones and her i-ible and showing how the British and Foreign Bible Society was originated. Others are representations of famous MBS, Bibles, translators, etc. The entire series are most interesting, and wili be entirely new to the people of this district; indeed we are not aware that there is anything like them in any other part of the colony. Mr Inglis intends to show them privately to the local committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society in the Presbyterian Church on Monday evening, and also to exhibit ad desor be them at the Bible Society'a annual meeting. Holloway's Ointment.—Soree, wounds, uicei'ations, aud other diseases affecting the skin, are capable of speedy amendment by this cooling and healing ointment, which has called forth the loudest praise from persons who have suffered from years from bad legs, bad breasts, piles, abscesses, and chronic ulcers. None but those who have experi enced the soothing effect of it cad form any idea of the comfort it bestows by restraining inflammation and allaying pain. Whenever Holloway's Ointment has been onoe used it has established its own worth, and is again eagerly sought for as the easiest and safest remedy for all complaints. In neuralgia, rheumatism, and gout, the same application, properly used, gives wonderful relief,

TRIAL FOR MURDER.

A Sensational Confession.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— . Copyright. Yokohama, January 11. The trial of Mrs Carew for the murder of her husband, W. H R. Carew, took & most sensational turn yesterday. The case as against Mrs Carew bore a resemblance to the famous Maybrick case. Carew, who was for many years Secretary to the Yokohama United Club, had been unwell for some time prior to October 22. On that day Dr Wheeler had him removed to the hospital, suspecting it was a case of slow poisoning, but the patient died the same afternoon. At the inquest Mrs Carew stated that her husband had been in the habit of taking arsenic. Miss Jac >ba, a governess employed in Carew's family, testified that she ordered syrup of lead and arsenic at Mra Carew's request, the chemist asking her at the time why the family purchased so muoh deadly poison. Mrs Carew admitted she had been indiscreet in not taking a medical man into her confidence with regard to her husband's habit and she was subsequently arrested on suapician of causing his death. Intense excitement was caused in Court when Miss Jacobs confessed that she had murdered Carew, and had also written a number of mysterious letters which had been found, and which sought to show that the deceased committed suicide, owing to the appearance of a strange woman at Kobe, with whom he had formerly had relations.

Primitive Methodist Conference

PER PKKSS ASSOCIATION,

Fbilding, January 12 The Primitive Methodist Conference is now being held here. On Monday afternoon deputations were received from the Wes leyan Conference, the Fielding ministers, aud the Feildiiig Prohibition League. Suit able replies were given by the various per sona appointed by the Conference. The Conference resumed its business at four o'clock. The report of the book room was received showing an income for the year of £126 3s 7£d. Balance to credit on year's transactions, £21 2 3 9.Jd; total balance to cr dit, £226 11s 2d. It was decided to hold the next Conference at Dunedin.

The Crops in North Otago.

The accounts given by farmers in town on Saturday (says the Qaniarn Mail) as to the condition of the crops vary considerably to loca ities. From the Upper Waitaki and on the Canterbury side of the river the story runs generally on the theme of failure. But from Maerewhenua, Awamok<», and Papa kaio i he accounts are more cheerful, and the hope is held out that fairly good yields may yet be obtained. Many cf the earlier sown crops appear to have withstood the drought well. From the Waiareka Valley the re ports are more encouraging, and from the southern parts of the district we bave the assurance that the whett crops have not suffered so severely as might have been anticipated, and that fair yields may yet be hoped for. As to oats and potatoes, all are pret'y well agreed tbat unless rain pomes quickly the returns will be poor, and as to feed for stock, the cry is of impending scarcity, the only hope of averting such a condition resting upon an early fall of rain starting the grass into fresh growth. It is some years since the country presented such a parched appearance so early in the season.

LAURISTON.

— -*- : from Our Own Correspondent.

Dry weather with high not-west winds continues to be the order of the day here, causing the crops to whiten off rapidly. Uutil last week hopes were entertained thar the wheat crop which had continued a good colour would hold out and fill well, but last week's hot sun aud warm r, or'-west winds have caused it to ripen prematurely, and cutting wheat will be general throughout the district at the end of the week. In one or two instances fields of winter sown oats have been threshed out from the stook, and the yield has been from 25 to 30 bushels per sere, and the sample has been of first quality ; this cannot be said of spring sown crops, both yield and sample of the latter will be Very indifferent. The turnip crop may be said to be a complete failure. Paddooks are to be «een all round the district in which not a turnip is visible. Mr ! Milton, of Sherwood, had a crop of turnips sown early which gave promise of doing well but in many places the plants have almost disappeared, whioh was at first considered due to the dry weather, but on close inspec tion it was found that ft grey beetle was the 1 cause of the misohief. Mr Milton placed 'several of these under a glass with turnip leaves and iottnd that they soon ate all the leaves leaving just" the root, Hitherto farmers have considered that as soon a* the turnips got Into . the rpngh leaf all danger was over so far as regards the ravages of insects. Doubtless the kok of other green fWnd fefcs made them attack the turnips. Unlesi We Kaste a good autumn the prospects for the grazier are anything but hopeful. At present there is no feed in the pad'focks, which are burnt up, and it is with difficulty fermeri oan keep their stook on their oyiu premiiea. It ie almost a daily occurrence to meet wp« m NM»I f°* *"|P«

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves respocs'b c for the opinioas expressed by our correspondents

THE CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—Knowing that >ou are always will ing to further the interests of the farming community, I take the liberty of bringing under your notice a matter in which if all the farmers of ths district are not at present interested they very soon will be, unless some steps are taken, I have been told that there are some farmers in the Ashburton county who have never seen a Califoroian thistie. If that be true, nnd there are any who would like to see them with their own eyes, so that they may know them, s ould these thistles unfortunately make their appearance on their own farms (which I hope will not be the case if they find them as costly to deal with and as difficult to eradicate as I do) I would advise them to take Ford's road past the Tinwald saleyards. About a mile down this, if you turn to the right, and about three chains from the comer, look over the fence on the right hand side into a small paddock, you will see a patch of about an acre in full bloom, looking well, healthy, and strong, which, if not cut in a few days, will produce sufficient seed to sow half of Longbeach. Surely suoh neglect as this is enough to arouse the indignation of any farmer who desires to keep his farm clear of such destructive weeds Such a state of things is rtroua evidence of the need for a Bill dealing with matters of this kind which interest the whole country side. The County Council has taken steps to gather information, but I believe that their hands are tied for the want of power to go further. If so, every right thinking person must agree that power should be placed in the hands of some public body to enter upon any property and Cduse the thistles to be cut or otherwise dealt with. —I am, etc, Fabmeb.

THE QUEENSLAND MATCH.

to the Editor. Sib, —I am given to understand that Mr C. Jfi. Davis credits me with having written the letter signed " One who knows." I ask you, Sir, if I am the writer of the letter referred to ? In any case I am pleased to be of foreign extraction rather tnan that < f a Britisher of the calibre of Mr C. E. Davis. —I am, etc, Jko. Mulleb. Ashburton, Jan. 12, 1897. [The letter referred to was not written nor sent to us by Mr Muiler.— Ed.]

The Ruapehu Enquiry.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Wellington, January 12 The shipmasters here view with disap proval the censuring of the Buapehu's fourth mate, and are subscribing his £55. They also consider the verdict generally is contrary to Imperial law. The Times considers the captain and chief officer were too leniently dealt with, but the fourth officer should have escaped. The Post considers the sentences too light, especially in the case of ! the fourth officer. -

THE PETONE MURDERS.

(press association telecjkam ) Wellington, January 12 The Petone murder trial again occupied the Court nil day. Several witnesses were ! examined, but scarcely any new facta were adduced. Henry ffleet, night watchman, deposed that be passed Jones's about eight o'clock on the night of the murder, and saw the shadow of a tall man on the window blind; be also noticed that the back door was open daring the night, and a light was burning James Ponhill said he passed Jones's about 7.15, and beard Jones talking to Boaher at that hour. Margaret Davies, of the Sal ration Army, said Bosher arrived at the barracks about 83') on the night of the murder. The trial will probably last over a week.

Tinwald Presbyterian Church.

On Thursday, January 7, the annual tea meeting in connection with the Tinwald Presbyterian Church was helt? in the local Templar Hall, when the brilliantly fine weather permitted an unusually large number to partake of the good things pro vided. The tables were supplied by Mesdames Fergie, Shearer, MoLeod, Me- Keuzie and (Juan, and over the table of the last named lady, the Misses Cairncroas (2), Lewis and Rollinson presided, the bachelors table being in charge of Misses Meharry (2), Shearer and Anderson. At. the evening entertainment the chair was taken by the Rev. Mr Skinner, minister of the congre gation. Speeches were delivered by the Keys. Aberncthy, Westbrooke, and Riddle, while the choir, under the leadership of Mr E. G. Craighead, sang four of the beautiful anthems to be found in "Church Praise," in a manner that speaks vo umes for the ability of the conductor, more especially in view of the irregularity with which most of the members found were compelled at this busy seas nto attend the pr ctices Solo* were rendered by Miss Anderson, and Messrs Kersel »n<l Ciaighead. After the usual votes of thanks the meeting was closed with the benediction.

SPORTING.

HORORATA RACING CLUB.

The annual meeting was held on Tuesday, i the attendance on the whole being large. Following are tlie result*:— Bang ob Pi ate Handicap, of 35 soys; seven furlongs —Bimetaillat, 6.11, 1; Vogengang, 8.3, 2, Ouly starters, Won easily. Time—l34i Dividend—£l 12s. Farmebs' Plate Handicap, of 25 soys ; six furlonga,—M tnilla, 83, 1; Regret), 8 10, 2 j Miss Orwell, 8.10, 3 Won by a length and a half. Time—l.l 9. Dividend—£s 12s. Hobobata Cop, o f 55 soy« ; one mile and a quarter.—Marquis of Zetland, 9.9, I ; Annoyance, 8.0, 2. Only starters. Won easily. Time—2.l2. Dividend—£l Bs. First Handicap Trot, of 30 soys; two miles —Destiny, 12sec, 1; Lady Jane, lOsec 2; Grenadier, 25seo, 3. Won by thirty yards. Time—s.2B. Dividend—£4 18s. Wblteb Handicap,, of 30 boys ; one mile. Manilla, 9 12, 1 ; Regret, 9.10, 2 ; Sab'o Shot, 9.10, 3. Won by a neck. Time—l,47. Dividend—£3 6a. Novel Race, of 20 soys ; six furlongs.— Seabrook, 9.0, 1; Rubicon 2, Windermere3. Won easily by two lengths. Time—l.2l. Dividend—£lo ICs. New Ybab's Gift Handicap, of 40 soys; six furlongs.—Bizarre, 9 3,1; Remorse, 8.5, 2 ; Miss Orwell, 78, 3, Won by a length and a quarter. Time—l.l9s. Dividend— £3. " ' Skcond Handicap Tbot, of 20 eovs; one mile and a half.—Maggie, 20 jec, I. Won by over the distance, Time-r-4.16. Dividend —£3. The sum of £1459 10s was pas ed through the totalizator.

CABLE NEWS.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. A Mimiiicient Gift. London, January 11 Baroness Hirsch has made the, maguificent gift of £800,000 for the purpose o* founding a children's hospital in England for the treatment of phthisis. The Plague. Calcutta, January 11 i Seventy-five per cent of the cotton I mills at Bombay have been stopped on 'account of the plague. There are grave fears that the flight of 85,000 natives, coupled with the famine and poverty, will induce the appearance of the bubonic plague in other centres. The Indian Famine. Lord Kothschiid contributed £1000 to the Indian Famine Belief Fund.

Australian.

A Gallant Feat. Sydney, January 12. During the passage round from Melbourne a gallant feat was per formed by a boat's crew of the s.s. Orient, During a heavy gale the Sydney brig Phillia signalled she was in want of food, and the crew starv ing. A boat was immediately lowered from the Orient and provisioned, and, after a great straggle with moun tainous seas, reached the brig. It was found that the craw had been without food for five days. .ASter great diffi culty the provisions were hauled on board the brig, and then the perilous trip back to the steamer commenced. The ship waa reached safely, but the crew had to be hauled on board one by one by means of lines and the boat was then cut adrift, as it was im possible to hoist it, A Barque Beached. During a heavy gale the barque Count Antrim, bound for Maryport, England, to Brisbane, laden with rail way iron, sprang a leak, and was beached at the entrance to the Gippß land lakes. The crew was saved.

THE LATEST.

Some and Foreign.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. (Received January 13, 11.45 a m.) The Alaskan Boundary. WashingtoNj January 12 .Arrangements have been made for the settlement of the Alaska boundary question (which covers the dispute over the Behring Sea fisheries) outside j the terms of the N«-w Anglo-Ameri can Arbitration Treaty. Ambassadorial Speeches. The United States Government has prohibited its embassies and ministers from making political speeches. This is regarded as an indirect rebuke to Mr Bayard the American ambassador in London, who made several note worthy speeches during the recent troubles in which the TJnited States was concerned. The Russian Ministers. St. Petersburg, January 12 Count Muravieff, Minister for Justice, succeeds the late Prince Lob&noff as Minister for Foreign Affairs. The budget for 1896 devotes one hundred and twenty-nine million rouble! (nearly thirteen million sterling) to railway construction. (Received January 11, 10.25 a.m.) The Anglo-American Treaty. Washington, January 12. The general treaty of Arbitration between Great Britian and the United States which was recently drawn up between Sir Julian Pauncefote, British Ambassador at Washington, and Mr Richard Olney, United States, secie tary of State was formally signed yesterday. President Cleveland in a letter to the Senate recommends the adoption of the treaty as it represents concessions by each party, and is* a lorg step in thp right direction and is a practical working out of the plan of arbitration. He admits that some of its features are merely of a tentative character, but looks forward to a further advance and points out that the treaty has made war between America and England a very remote possibility. It will completely pre elude fears of war and rumors of war which often are disastrous in their effects. The President hopes that the ultimate benefits of the tre*ty are not likely to be limited to America and England. An example has been set wcich he hopes will be eagerly imitated by other nations. The successful operation of the treaty should cer 'ainly te id to induce other nations to Adopt the principle, thus marking a new epoch in civilisation.

NEW GUINEA.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. Brisbane, January 12 The Governor has received a des patch from Sir William Macgregorj containing an interesting account of the exploration of the Mambare river and a visit to the interior of New Guinea, including the ascent of Mount Seratchley. The altitude of the highest peak of Mount Seratchley is 12,860 ft. Observations from this peak showed that the highest peak in the adjoining range was 13,100 ft high. London, January 11 It U reported that the Ifav. Canon Stone, of Wigan s Lancashire, will shortly be consecrated Anglican Bishop of New Guinea. This is the outcome !of a recommendation from the Quin quennial Synod held at Sydney in October last, when it was decided to place New Guinea under the Diocesan Synod. __ m ______ mmmmmmtm

DISASTROUS FIRES NEAR RAKAIA AND CHERTSEY.

[FROM OOE OWN COBRESPONDINTS ]

Eak&ia- : A moat disastrous fire broke outabout one o'clock on Tuesday, somewhere about; the east end of Mr White's plantation. It is supposed to have arieec from a contractor* camp fire, bat, of coarse, this is only hear s&y. The fire travelled rapidly through Mr Story's farm, now o copied by Mr Frank Wright-., burning hia feed and fences, but, fortunately, keeping clear of his wheat and oab cropt. It continued through a two hundred and fifty-acre gtasa paddock be longing to Mr W. Morrow (no stack on it), over the road, and into Mr W. Harrison's grass land on which were some eight hun dred sheep, all of which were destroyed, m WbH as a hone and dray ; through into * crop of oats and along his homestead wheat. Over the next road, and through Mr E. Richards' oat crop, skirting his wheat. Over the next road into Mr H. J. Harrison's grass, and along his wheat to the oats which are somewhat damaged, and along to Mr Butler's homestead which had a narrow escape (it waa reported that it was destroyed, but it was not so at 4 p.m.) Mr Kingsbury had a s >mewhat green wheit crop whion gave the fire a considerable check, and en abled the many willing hand* available to divert it from the homestead. On its i an, down Mr Swarm's fenoea were burned along with Mr W. Harrison's grass, and the flte got a hold on Mr Fame's property, this gentleman sustaining very serious loss; then along to McMillan Bros,, who lost feed, crop, stable, and whare, through Sptott's seaward farm and the Native reserve at Kyle, right through Mr Watson's farm to the sea. Afr Watson had driven his stock on to the bsaoh it is under* stood. It waa impossible travel from Mainwaring'a road to the Kyle road on account) of the fire, but it could be aeen that a three hundred acre grass paddock of Mr Monson'a was burning furiously, and it ia thought Messrs Sprott Bros, and MoCroy'c fine gum plantation* were fired. If so, it is bard to say where the fire stopped, for it is likely that it would sweep the Kyle district and get into the Wakanui diatricb. There was a heavy nor'weattr blowing all day* Too much praise cannot be given to a large number of willing hands who worked hard in beating out, cutting fences, ploughing, throwing water, etc., and were the meane of saving many homesteads. Further parti culars wil be seat along as aoon aa they can be obtained, when it ia to be hoped nothing more serious than damage to stock and crops has happened. Being stock market at Tinwald, most) probably several of the district farmers were away from home.

Chertsey.

From Our Correspondent It is my unpleasant duty to have to givs you particulars of one of the moat dis astrous, if not the moat disastrous, fire ever known in these parts. It seems that shortly after one o'clock yesterday afternoon, one of i'-<e men working with a contractor, em ployed by Mr Furze, at his farm between Chertsey and Doric, and about four or five miles from Rakaia, lit a fire to boil the billy. The fire quickly caught the very dry grass near, and in a few minutes it was travelling with the wind at the speed of a trotting horse. Besides, it spread rapidly sideways and soon had a wide extent of country at its mercy. Very floon after the smoke waß seen from Rakaia and Chertter willing bands were on the scene, many of whom had ridden hard. As the wind was blowing very nearly from due north,-it wu soon seen that hundreds of homesteads between Rakaia and Aehburton were in danger. By herculean efforts Mr Furse's house was saved, but all round it lies a blackened waste, The fire swept across towards the farm of Messrs Harruoat, Richards, and Baxter, and though it wa* difficult to get information list night, I believe each of these gentlemen lost a good - deal. Mr W. Harrison managed to say« his thrashing plant but was unfortunate enough to lose eight hnndred cheep. When I arrived on the scene a great battle had just been fought at the homesteads oi Messrs McCroy and Harry Sprott. By this time a gallant band of workers were at it, and several plough teams were working hard. The great aim was toconfine the flamirs bo that the fire would not work down to* wards Ashburton as it was rapidly doing. Mr McCroy lost two stacks, but both an house and Mr Sprott's were saved. 1% was at Mr Sprott's that some control was first got over the fire. A strong party of pioneers went on ahead cutting passage* through hedges for the ploughs that followed steadily along, gradually working the fir* towards the sea. Unfortunately at thi* time the wind veered round toward* tb* north-east, and it looked for a time as if the whole country between Rakaia and Ash burton on the sea side would go. At Robert Mulligan's some good work had bson done with the ploughs, and whan w» arrived there Mr Tom Doig, ofChertsey, who had been threshing at Kyle, was buy with his engine ploughing alongside the fire. If it had not been for the ploughing done at Mr Mulligan's both his homestead and Mr Lambie'a would hwe gone; as it was one or two hour's hard fight ing between Mr Lambia'a and Mr Mulligan's before the fl unes were cut off. Here again the ploughing was most useful. Beside* many thousands of acres of feed, all the fences, and many smaller buildings, there were a good many orops destroy*!. The growing wheat did nob take fire easily and to this fortunate circumstance many crops are standing quite isolated. On arriving at Mr Lambie's about seven o'oloek it was seen that the schoolmaster's house at Kyle was* burning. It was impossible to do anything towards saving it. The school escaped owing probably to the barer ground around it. When I left Mr Lambie's about eight the fire had been got under, but the teams were still at work ploughing round the homestead. A large party, chiefly of Chertaey helpers, were taken over to his place by Hr R. jfulligan, and after a refreshing wash were served with ref eshmenta, whioh were most acceptable after the warm work in which we had been engaged. Before we got away from Mr Mulligan's the fire broke out again and away several horsemen and loaded traps went back to the fight again. Fortunately it was only a gores fence that bad escaped during the day, and when it wh seen that there was no danger of the fire spreading we returned again. Before we oould start for ' home another alarm necessitated our waiting to see if wo were wanted, and it was half past one this morning before " your own " got into bed. I cannot close this report without expressing my admiration at the gallant way iv which everyone fought tbs> flames. There were several oases where the men had to retire through sheer exhaustion, but immediately after they were hard at ifa again. Very shortly after the fire started teams were got out by Messrs Harrison, Richards, Baxter, McCrory, Sprott, and others, and did splendid service. None the less valuable were the services of the plucky fellows who battled away for hours with their web sacks. Owing to the late hour at which the fire was got; under I »m unable to give you a complete list of the damage done, but besides the grass and fences a good deal of crop was burned. The loss of sneefwa* confined chiefly to the Doric side. What happened on the north east side of the fire I do not know but atn afraid there will be a leavy loss, in sheep especially. If a straight Hue were drawn from Rakaia to Kyle it would enclose between the Rakaift and the sea the devastated country,

M* ABfiBUBTOB 6t)AfU)lAil i WeDSSSSDAY. JANtUB* .18, 1891



jiiLLL| .,... 1.. , ,..„. ]'■ Hinifi uSii-ir- ■■ — ■■^-■'--:--. •-"- 1 ---■- -, ■ - ' w11 , 1 ,,r-»,. im ,. l ni-,,.rT-'ir. ..^..^ Busine s Notices _______ r GOOD WASHING PBINT, B|d. WHITE MUSLIN, 3a lid por doz i G. J. NEILL'S. A BEAUTIFUL SUMMER DRESS FOR 63 lid AT G. J. NEILL'S. Flannalette* 3£d yard. The Beat Turkish TOWELS in Ashburion are at— G. J. NEILL'S. BOSS' Kavy Blue Sailor Suite 4s lid, Men'e Tweed Trouseri 6s lid, Men't. Heavy Colonial Tweed Suits 25a 6d, at G. J. NEILL'S. ; jUdie^ Lwe Shoei, 4s Ud. Ladies' two-stnp Shoes, 4. lid. AT G. J. NEILL'S. MM', Mwd»* ( »ad Cbildwu'i TAN SHOES of Every Description, »t Very Low Prices, AT G. J. NEILL'S, FRIEDLANDER'S CORNER, EAST STREET. BOOM IN DRAPERY. CROWDS ON SATURDAY. 1 TTOSTS COMING BACK TO SALE AT MITCHELL & TURNER'S. NEW FIRM -:- -:- -: -:- - : - -:- NEW FIRM SAVE MONEY BY DEALING WITH MITCHELL & BRODRIBB NO BAD DEBTS. NO OLD STOOK THAT ACCUMULATES BY YEARS of BUSINESS THE Public should only consider what they can save by dealing with a Cash Firm, where they do not have to pay for the great loesea that lire occasioned by Bad Debts. MITCHELL & BRODRIBB BUY AND SELL FOR CASH, THEBEFORK JHEY ARE ABLE TO CHVE BETTER VALUE THAN ANY OTHER PLACE IN ASHBURTON. — A Few Quotations will be Convincing— i Brown Ribbed Pants (heavy) la 6d-worth Ladies' Hose, faafc cobra, plain and ribbed 1 11 A pair M«tt'« sJoIm fid—worth 9d White and Brown Turkish Towels, only 6d , Hairlme Tweed IWra 8s 6d-cheap at of Sunßhadefl in town , XUB vo frnm la 12yd« Strong Print for 3s lid-Cheap at 68 »nd trimming, and haw your rSSSSSt Summer Tweed li Id, double M.Hmery done Free of Charge, widlb FULL RANGES OF KAIAPOI AND MOBGIEL CLOTHING, MEASUBED GABMEOTS A SPECIALTY. 49s 6o 49s 6b MITCHELL & BRODRIBB, EAST STREET.



t Public notices. j j THE CHRISTMAS holidays. new Zealand clothing t7actory. Light Summer Coats from 6a 6d* Light Summer Suits from 10a 6d Light Waihing Veßta, slightly soiled 2s 6d Light Blue Serge Suits for Summer wear 163 6(1 Boys' Washing Suits, all sizes 4a 6d SPECIAL PURCHASE. Boys' Drill Suite, all sizes 6s 9d, viva price 10s 6d. FOE TRAVELLING. Portmanteaux from 10a 6d Steel Trunks from 10a 6d Gladstone Bags, Blaok and Nut Brown. STBAW~HATS. Boys' Straws Hate Is, the best value in Ashburton Men'e Panama Hats Is. BOOTS &~SHOES, Men's Black and Tan Canvas Shoes, best quality 5s 6d Men's Leather Shoes 7s 6d, splendid value Men's Light Boots for summer wear 8s 6d NEW ZEALAND Clothing Factory. ALEX. HENDRY Manager. 33.8 gg§" I • S| rg B 1 1 « 53 g ' &3 g to O R 3 O W I 1 H PC S3 [ A. LAWEIE. SAUNDERS' BUILDING. T INTEND TO HOLD AJ EXTENSIVE CLEARING SALE, COMMENCING FROM TO-DAY, * When a Large quantity of Up to-dat Goods, in All Departments, will be put on offer at prices which will effect a com plete and speedy S clearance. OOME EAJEtLY AND SEOURI THE BARGAINS. n 600 yds Washing Prints, good, at 3a 11< tt per rioz 700 yds Printed Nainsook, at 3s lid doz 1000 yds Urepons, Ginghams, etc., at 6d lid, and 9d per yd 300 yds All Wool Estamine Sepge, doubL width, in black and colours, la 9d per yard 300 yds AH Wool Eatamine Serge, doubl( width, Is Id per yd 360 yds French Beige, in erey and fawns JOQyds Black Lustre, figured, Is 9d per yi at is lid per yd 300 yds Black Gashuiera, 10£ d, Is lid, an< 2s 6d per yd —worth double ALL MANCHESTER GOODS 4.T CG,S'^ 500 yds Cretonnes, from 4d per yd i 2duC7- White and Brown Turkish Towels cZStMng^and mercery to bi SACRIFICED. Men's Braces 6d per pair Kaiapoi Suits 27s 6d—for 20s Kaiapoi Suits 45s—for 35s Boya' Wod Bocks 6d, Men's Socks lOd AH other linea ReJutsed. ! BOOTS AND SHOES. Women's Canvas Shoea, 4a 6d ; Woraen'i two-strap leather, 43 6d; Men's C*nva! s Shoes, 5b 6d; Men's Strong Bluchers nailed or plain, 4a lid per pajr. All other lines Equally Low. t Bargains in CROCKERY WARE and GLASSWARE. Bargains in IRONMONGERY and , * TINWARE. . J BARGAINS. BARGAINS "a. lawrie, SAUNDERS' BUILDINGS Church Services. Ci% STEPHEN'S CHURCH, JJS Aehburtjop? THURSDAY —Meeting of the newiy Co"firmed for instruction in Holy Communion, 7.30 p.m. FRlDAY—Short.l&OTice, 7.30 p.m. Choir Practice, 8 p.m. SUNDAY SERVICES. 11 a.m.—Morning Prayer and Holy Com muniou. 3 p.m.-DROMORE. 6 30 p.m.—Evening Prayer. REV, T. A, HAMIWQN,



Mrs "Rhodie Noah, of thia place, was taken in the night with cramping pains and the next day diarrhoea set in. She took half a bottle of blackberry cordial but got no relief. She then sent to me to sea if I had anything that would help her. I sent her a bottle of Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy and the first dose relieved her. i Another of our ne'ghbora had been sick for about a week and had tried different reme dies for diarrhoea but kept getting worse. I sent him this same remedy. Only four doses of it were required to cure him. He says he owea hia recovery to this wonderful remedy.—Mrs Mary Sibley, Sidney, Mich. IW aale by Ashburton Drug Company. It will be seen by a new advertisement in another column that Messrs Craighead and Berryman are probably now showing the largest stock of new tweedn and fashionable tailoring goods ever exhibited iv Ashbur ton. Thia speaks well for their enterpriie and }oeal in&Hitry,



Keatino's Powdeb destroys bugs, fleas nnihs, beetles, and all other insects, whilst qai c h rmiesß to domeetio animals. In exterminating beetles the success of this powder is extraordinary. It is perfectiy o'csn io application. See the article yoa purchase is Keaxisq's, as imitations are ooxious and inefleotunl, Sold in tins, 6d, Is and 2« 61 each, by al chemists



Whcitwmtandßittqkiw—Mw Vmvt



The important announcement of one of the oldest firms of draper* in Aahbnrton of having a heavy payment to make in connec tion with the purchase of the deceased partner's share of the business has evidently stimulated the present partners to make * great effort to meet the demand at the appointed time, as the prices, we under* stand, indicate tremendous reductions in every department; in fact, we believe the firm in their anxiety to raise the sum de manded have Uken a "new departure," }n as much as the cutting down in price* ek* tends through every branch of the basinet*. As this firm to seldom have a "sale,*' we believe this to be a genuine affair.—(Advt,)



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