Post Office Notice.

On Good Friday and Easter Monday, the 16th and 19.h inst., the Post and Telegraph Ollice will be closed exoept from 9 a.m. till 10 a tn., and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mails for the North and fciourh wi.l cloee both days at 6 30 a.m.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Vertis et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1897. Local and General.

, * : Reading matter on fourth page. Attention is called to the Aehburton ,D. apery Company's new advertisement in thia issue The nomination* for the Suburbs election are fixed for the 15th and the polling for the 23rd inst. Before Mr Robert Alcorn, J.P., this morning, a first offender was fined 5a and coats for having been drunk in Caes street. At a meeting of the Cyclists' Alliance last nighfc, A. H Thompson, of Ghristchuroh, and Dorm, of Timaru, were reinstated amateurs. Mr Seddon has practically decided to leave for London by the San Francisco route, and passages for himself and Mrs Seddon are being aeoured. A young lad named Fred Beits picked up a new purse last evening in the street. It waa empty and apparently had never been used. He brought it to this office, where it awiits the owner to come and ciaim it. Volunteers will be pleased to learn that even at this eleventh hour there is every prospect of an Easter camp. The following telegram was received by Major Douglas last evening:—" Proposed to hold encampment at Easter. Would your men attend ? If go, how many?"—W. J. Stewabd, Wellington. Akrotiri, where the last severe fighting in Crete took place, is a small town on the peninsula of the same name. This part of Crete will be found upon the map in the form of a boldly projecting headland divid ing Suda Bay from Canea Bay. A branch of the New Zealand Veterans' Association was formed at Wanganui last night. The inaugural meeting was largely attended and thirty-one veterans were enrolled for the district. Satisfactory progress is being made by the contractors in erecting the Methven yards, and the Company have decided to hold their first sale on Thursday, 22nd inst. Owing to the Railway Department being unable to run a train to suit, a coach will leave Rakaia on the arrival of the morning train from Christchurch, returning in time for the express in the evening. Captain Dolman, of the Aehburton Rifles, has received a telegram from Colonel Gordon to the efftct ihat a camp will be held at Easter, and the district orders will be issued next week. Doubtless our lads, though they had made other arrangements for Easter, [ will now shake themselves together and " reconstruct" for the coming camp. Tokat is the capital town of the villayet of Sivas, a large province in Armenian Asia Minor. The population, which is in the neighborhood of sixty thousand—the popu lation of the province being close upon a million—consists partly of Armenian Chris tians and partly of Mahomedans, the latter being the more numeious. Thus the Bulletin ;—Seddon is about the only Australasian Premier who can go to do the Record Reign grove! with a light heait And reasonable safety. He isn't in the Federal movement, and his financial year closes 31st March, bo he can get his financial statement through in April, announce his surplus, then shut up the premises and depart in a blaze of glory. It is reported that a meeting of Maoris was held at Parihaka at the end of last week to consider the advisableness of sending a contingent of Natives to England to take part in the Queen's record reign celebration. 'he Natives are anxious to show their loyalty, and detire, if some outside assist ance can be obtained, to send a representa tive number from that district;, The Executive of the newly-formed Retailers' Association at Dunedin has pre pared a list of the holidays to be submitted, as follows :—January 1 and 2, Dunedin Cup Day from noon, Good Friday, Easter Mon day, Anniversary Day (March 23), Queen's Birthday, People's lay at the show in November from noon, Christmas D»y» and Boxing Day. The question of the record reign holidays waa postponed. At the meeting of the Land Board on 1 hursday there were only two items of business transacted of local interest:—Mr David Zander, "Record eign Opal Mining Company, Limited," was granted a prospector's mining lease over sixty acrea at Mount Peel. Permission was granted to Mr W, Langdown to construct a tramway across Crown land adjacent to his mining leasehold at Alford Forest. The sleeping-oar millionaire, Mr Pulman, has a very handsome son, who is much run after by maidens and mammas in the city of Chicago. The young man is employed in a wholesale and retail "store." Young Pulman had to take his turn during the Christmas season, and stood behind the jewellery counter. Immediately the news "flew round," and such a rush was made for that department as was never seen before. Every pretty girl in the city must buy something from him. All day long he served crowds, and now the verdict ia that •• the boy came out of it nobly, and the business ought to double his pay." Messra Reid and Gray announce in this issue that they have apponted Mr J. H. Pauling to the management of the Aahburton branch of their business. Mr Pauling is in ! every sense of the word 'f an Ashburton boy, and the simple fact that a firm like Reid and Gray havp discovered in him qu^Mfcies that warrant them choosing him for local manage here, speaks volumes for the manner in which he" has spent his youth and early manhood amongst us. He has our hearty congratulations on his appointment, as well as our best withes for success in his new sphere, the duties of which we have no doubt he will discharge satisfactorily to all concerned. Out of the 361 vessels in. the British Navy, says Lord Charles Beresford, thera are forty-five armed with muzzle-loading guns, " not one of which is the slightest use as a fighting ship- " Out of this number, he says, seventeen might be rearmed at a cost of £1,000,000, and would then be v eful, but the rest should be " sold, broken up, or blown up." The names are given. And, says Lord Charles Beresford, " there are others in fche British Navy that are armed with breech-loading guns, and yet are worth less as fighting ships: all jthe C class of cruisers, for instance. A list could be made of eighty or ninety ships utterly unfit to b,a kept iv eimmission or in reserve as "fighting ships/ And "Charlie" gener ally knows. Mr K. Beresford, while performing a cony ! juriag trick at Napier, made an inconvenient mistake. Hia trick, says the Telegraph, was to make a penny disappear when seem ingly dropped into a glass of water. It is done by substituting an eye-glass for the peony under cover of a handkerchief, and when the eye-glass is dropped into the water ! it lies at the bottom of the drinking glass invi-ible, the penny in the meantime haviDg been pa'med and secreted. To regain pos session of the eye-glass the performer drinks the water to show that there is no decep tion, and retains, or ought to retain, the article in his mouth until he can remove it undetected. It was at this point Mr Beres ford failed, or rather accomplished too much. He swallowed not only the water, but also the eye glass, and with horror stricken visage he announced that he was "done for.'' The doctors, however, aay tjh it no serious consequences are anticipated. One Box of Clarke's B f I Pills warran tad to cure all discharges from the Urinary Organs, in either sex (acquired or cons i cutional), Gravel and Pains in the Back Guaranteed frep from Mercury. Sold in ; Boxes 4s 6d each, by all Ohgmists and Patent medicine Vendors throughout the World Proprietors : Tub Lincoln and Midlan gOUN«IsDBUOCOWJ?AOY, I ilJDjln, KnvU ß d

Recently thero was an extraordinary inci-' dent at a church in St Petersburg, where a young nun, a member of the i useian aris tocracy, was unwittingly about to marry his half-sister. It appears that) about twenty years ago a baron, who was an officer in the Imperial Guard, fled with a young countess to England, where" he married her. On his return to Russia he was killed in a duel by the countess's brother. The baron had had a son by a former marriage in Russia, but this son knew nothing of the second raarrige iof his father. At a ball he met ay< ung lady of whom he became enamoured, and to whom ihe became engaged to be married. When all the wedding party had assembled at church an old genera!, who had been a friend of the bridegroom's father, took the young man aside au*l told him th^t the lady he was about to marry was the countess's daughter, and therefore his half sister. The wedding, consequently, did not take p'.ace. The young man is alleged to have attempted to commit auicide, and the bride that was to have been ia almost demented.

CLOSE OF THE SESSION.

An Offer to the Premier.* Preso Association—By Electric Telegraph. Wellington, April 9. .. The Premier expects to complete the business by to-morrow afternoon. Members entertain him to-morrow night at a social, Huddart-Parker have invited the Premier and Mrs Seddon to he the guests of their company en route to London.

The Petone Murders.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraphh. Wellington, April 9. The time af. which the Executive meet to decide the fate of Kosher, lying under sentence of death for the mur deref the Jones's at Petone, has not been definitely settled, as Government has been awaiting the notes of Justice Edwards and a copy of the evidence adduced at the trial. However, the Premier states it is probable that the matter will be discussed to-morrow. Wellington, April 10 Owing to pressure of Parliamentary busi ness the Executive does not me6t until Monday to discuss Bosher'a case.

CHERTSEY.

. —... ♦ — From Our Own Correspondent THB SEASON, At the moment of writing our old f< iend the nor'-wester has returned, and though of late years he seems to have lost the fury of old tirres, yet he is still a most unwelcome visitor. The dry weather which has again pet in has stopped the growth of feed and kept the ploughing hack, and our farmers, rhough they have got threshing, carting, and some of them dipping over, have fctiil something to growl about. I noticed in your columns some little time back, that the Maoris had predicted a very dry winter. Evidently the clerk of the weather has started early to fulfil their prophecy. I paid a visit a few evenings ago to Mr Tom Doig's threshing mill, while threshing wheat on the farm of Mr Paul Doig (son of Mr Peter Doig, senr.), near Chertsey. This machine, at time of my visit, was said to hold the year's threshing record for the county, having threßhed over sixty thousand bushels. Mr Tom Doig had just left the machine when I arrived, but everything was going on sweetly under the care of Mr Jonas Grunnel, who is Tom's right hand man. Mr R. Withell was on the combine. Before I left, Bob, the cook, did the honors of the camp. With regard to the quality of the stuff threshed this year, I learned that neither the yield nor the sample were on the average quite so good as was expected, but when compared with other districts very satisfactory. The carting season this year seemed a remarkably short one, being over almost, before we knew it had aarted. Ploughing has bsen commenced, but is very much hindered by the dry weather, the ground being as hard as a brick. THE LICENSING ELECTION. The licensing election passed off here with little exci'ement. You would notice from the voting that we have little sympathy with prohibition here. In connection with prohibition and prohibitionists, I may pay that I have heard a good deal of talk about that remaikable verdiot and rider at the lute inquest—the general opinion here being that after the evidence of Dr Leahy and Mr Smart, it was entirely contrary to fact, and the outcome of fanatical bias. JOURNALISTIC. I would like to mention that the change lately made by your Manager, by which the GUABRIAN is delivered each evening at Chertsey, instead of the Mail tri-weekly, is a decided advantage, and will be better appreciated when subscribers have got used to the change. THE CHKRTSEY SALEYARDS COMPANY, The Chertsey Saleyards Company have had their yards done up lately, and dipping has been jrojng on apace iv the able hands of Mr John Downie. q?HE SHOOTING SEASON. After all the fuss there has been over the opening of the shooting season, I would like to know if the rumor is correct that hares, with the native game, are protected in the Selwu and Ashburton counties? I may say they are getting very scarce in the immediate vicinity of Chertsey. [ Harea are vermin in Ashburton, like rabbits.—Ed ] MR W. EALHAM. You will .be sorry to learn that Mr W. Ealham has been in very poor health lately, and has had to spend some time in Christ church under the physician's care. It is to be hoped he will soon be about again all right. BDILMNG. Some little time back Mr Jameß Copland put up a very substantial addition to his residence. This was rendered necessary, as his family is growing up and increasing. Quite recently Mr Cjeorge Scarlett also made some extensive additions to his residence. I hear that Mr W. Oakley, of Overdale, intends building also very shortly. The (Jhertsey Hotel has been in the hands of the painters during the last week or so, and the extensive improvements carried out by Mr Lewis since taking possession are now about completed. WORK. ' Owing to the completion of the threshing Season and other causeß there seems to be' plenty of men about the township just now FRESH FISH. Until the last few months it was quite a r*re thing to have fresh fish brought to yotir doorg in Chertaey, but I am pleased to state that there ase nojr/ two or three fishermen visiting here each week, , ENTERTAINMENTS. We have not been wanting in entertain ments here lately. After the Wesleyan tea meeting and concert, Mr Buchan followed with a ventriloquial and panoramic show, rhfjjt came Mr Clark's pictures of Japan, Now we are promised a phrenological lec'ure by Professor Sphmidt. jt is rumoured that the Swimming Club are getting up a concert and dance to raise funds to pay off some mall indebtedness, SCHOOL COUfMI'fTEK. The Sohool Committee held its usual monthly meeting on Saturday evening, but beyond making arrangements for the annual meeting there was no business of importance. For the benefit of those who are under the impression that owing to the bye-elecion held some time back there will be no election of Committee on April 26, I may say that it will be held as usual. SALVATION ARMY. The Salvation Army stilt holds its meet ings here on Wednesday evenings. I think it would be a great advantage if steps were ' taken to remove those young fellows who interrupt the proceedings and litter the floor by cracking and eating walnuts. i

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph. Wellington, April 9. SPEAK KR OP THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, The Legislative Council Ac& Amendment Bill was amended in the direction that when the period for which the present Speaker of the Chamber was appointed has expired, when Parliament is in recess, he shall hold office for fourteen days after the beginning 1 of next Parliament or until the election ot his successor, whichever happened first. If the office become vacant the Chairman of Committees shall have all the powers and rights of Speaker until the latter is elected. The Bill passed and the Council adjourned until the evening. SANITATION LOAN BILL On resuming, Ihe Wellington City Sanita tion Loan Bill was read a first and a second time. At 7.40, the Counoil adjourned till 11 a.m. on Saturday.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. ADDRESS TO HBB MAJESTY. The Premier brought up a report of the Joint Committee appointed to draw up an address to Her Majesty, whioh would be considered later on. CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES. The Premier moved that Mr Guinness be Chairman ot Committees, and referred to hie impartiality when occupying the chair in last Parliament. Mr Smith moved to postpone the motion for a fortnight, which would shelve the question until next session. Sir Robert .Stout seconded. Cap'ain Russell supported the amendment, declaring that last session he had not received fair treatment from Mr Guinness. The Premier defended Mr Guinness, and alleged that a rumor was current that Mr Smith was an aspirant for the office. Mr Pirani, Mr Wasou, and Mr Taylor favored an adjournment. Mr R. McKenzie and Mr CarncroßS opposed the amendment. Mr Monk moved an adjournment of the debate, which was loßt on the voices. Mr Smith's amendment was lost by 37 to 32, and Mr Guinnesa's election was carried by 35 to 32. Mr Guinness briefly returned thanks, stating that on every occasion when in the chair he had given decisions to the best of hts ability and judgment, irrespective of party. THE NEW ZEALAND "ARMS" FOR ENGLAND. Mr Seddon proposed a vote of £3000 for thirty Europeans and twenty natives, forming the contingent to go Home. He would ask for £500 for a team of riflemen to visit Bisley. All the afternoon was occupied in dis* cussing the question, some members urging that the amount was too large. ri he leader of the Opposition said he would like to hear something about discipline. Mr Seddon assured members that the con tingent would be under strict military dis cipline. Eventually the amount was increased to £4000, and the vote passed. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AMENDMENT BILL. The second reading of the Legislative Council Amendment Bill was agreed to. PUBLIC REVENUES ACT. The Public Revenues Act was under dis cusiion when the House adjourned for dinner, the Opposition opposing the exten sion of supplies beyond September 30. The Premier offered to split the difference between September 30 and October 14, but Captain Russell said he had already made a concession. The debate was proceeding at 5.30. 'J he House resumed at 7.30 p.m. In committee on the Public Revenues Act Amendment Bi 1, a lengthy discussion ensued on Captain Russell's amendment to extend the Public Revenues Act only to September 3Ginstead of October 14 as proposed in the clause. Captain Russell's amendment was finally lost by 39 to 27, and October 14 waß carried. Mr Seddon withdrew his offer to insert October 7 as a compromise.' Clause 3, £150,000 for unauthorised ex pend^ture, elicited a lengthy debate. Sir Robert Stout moved that the clause be struck out. This was lost by 40 to 21, and the clause was carried, and the remaining clauses agreed to. Mr Seddon moved the next clause as follows :—" Ab incidental to the representa tion of the colony in England on the occasion of the celebration of the sixtieth year of her Majesty's reign, the Colonial Treasurer may issue out of the Consolidated Fund any sum or sums not exceeding £3000 for the purpose of defraying the expenses of sending to Eng land a contingent of military or volunteer forces of the colony, and also a team of marksmen." Mr Moore strongly disapproved of the volunteer contingent, but approved of the rifle team going to Bisley, Ke moved that £3000 be struck out and £5000 inserted to send Home a rifle team. His opinion was that the money meant to be devoted to this contingent could be better spent on the volunteers in the colony. Mr G. J. Smith thought, the whole pro posal was a fraud, and he hoped the House would strike the clause out. If the Premier were to go to England there was no occasion for these volunteers to go too. Mr Taylor pointed out that the Bisley meeting was an annual affair, and it had no connection with the Queen's celebration. Ffe wished to make a final protest against the expenditure required for this contingent. Mr Wason tupported the proposal. He said those men were not going Home as a bodyguard to the Premier ; they"'were going to do honor to the Queen at the coming celebrations. Mr Hogg opposed both new clause 7 and Mr Moore's amendment. He felt that the Queen was the last woman who would seek a military masquerade. This money was required for more useful purposes. Mr McLean deprecated the idea that the colony could not afford to spend a few thou sands to take part in the Queen's celebrations. He thought a contingent should accompany the Premier, and regretted that the House had not recognised that thia was a great Imperial question. Mr Graham complimented Mr McLean on the manner but not the matter of his speech. He could not agree that the Queen com manded anyone to attend her celebrations, but they had received a cordial invitation to do so. He opposed this contingent because they could not afford it. The House adjourned for supper. On resuming Mr Fraser said that he would not support the amendment Mr Tanner opposed both the clause and amendment. Mr parson thought that only the Premier and volunteers should go Home. He would like to see the vote reduced, not beeouse he was against the Maoris, but; they were not part of the colonial forces. Mr Buchanan did not agree with (he par j simony that would prevent the volunteers going Home. Bir Robert Stout said that the contingent would be no proper representation of the coloDyt The Premier thought that thp men should go to London, but he would not force it on the House. The amendment was rejected by 48 to 20. Mr Millar moved to strike out the provi sion for marksmen going Home. Lost on the voices. The motion that the cjause be added to the Bill was, on a division, carried by 41 to 26. Sir R. Stout, Mr Rolleston, and Mr Scobie i McKenzie entered a protest against the third reading, . The Premier replied, and was speaking at 2 a.m. when the telegraph office closed. Wellington, April 10. j Shortly after two this morning the third reading of the Public Revenue Act Amend ment Bill was passed. The Legislative Council Act Amendment Bill passed through ail its stages and the House rose at 2.15 until 2 30 this afternoon

MAGISTERIAL.

METHV EN—FRIDAY. (Before Messrs D. Cameron, W. Morgan, and E. Chapman, J R'a.) Civil.Oases— H. T. Knight v J. King judgment far the amount claimed by default, The same v J. MeCrenor—p'aiutiff was non suited with costs; Mr Cuthbertaon for de fendant. Mount Hutfc Road Board v C O'Suilivan, cluim for rates. The amount of rates having been paid, and part of the costs, judgment was entered for the balance of costs. Defendant did not appear O'Keefe v J. >tack, claim fo*r wages-judgtneat for Lde fal amount and costs. Mr Cuthbertson for plaintiff.

HAMPSTEAD TOWN BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Hampstead Town Board was held on Friday evening. Present — Messrs Maynard (chairman), Hendry, McElrea, Hard ley, Pickford, and Elliott. Mr Mahood sent an apology. NEW COMMISSIONER. The returning officer wrote, notifying the unopposed election of Mr James Elliott as a commissioner of the Board and the chairman welcomed Mr Elliott to the seat. markky's bridge. A letter waa read from the Ashburton County Council, offering to pay half the coat of repairing or widening Marker's Bridge. The chairman said this letter embodied the decision come to by the Council as the re-gult of the interview held with the depu tation from this Board. Mr Pickford propoaed " That the offer of | the Council to pay half the cost of repairing Markey's Bridge be accepted, and that the chairman and County Engineer inspect the bridge and have the work done at once. This was seconded )<y Mr Hendry and carried unanimously. WORKS COMMITTEE. Mr Piokfor'l's name was added to the , Works Oommil tee, and it was resolved that' the gully under the bridge on Trevor's Road be cleaned out, and the large stones removed from the main South road. BATES. The collector was ordered to sue for out standing rates. DOSS AND GORSE. The ranger was ordered to prosecute the owners of unregistered dogs and parsons allowing gorse to grow on the roads and parks. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr Hardley, on behalf of Mr Mahood, gave notice to move at next meeting, " That it is desirable that the Town District amalga mate with Ashburton borough. ACCOUNTS. icoounts amounting to about £16 were passed and the Board adjourned.

CORRESPONDENCE.

-i *_™ (We do not hold ourselves responaib'e for the opinions expressed by our correspondents,,

THE RAILWAY TELEPHONE.

TO THE EDITOB. Sib,—Can yoa explain why the railway station master's office ia not on the telephone exchange ? Surely it should be unnecessary, now that we have an up-to-date exohange, to walk to the Railway Station everytime one wishes to see the gentleman with the uniform on ?—I am, etc., Abb You There ?

CABLE NEWS.

Home and Foreign.

Preas Association —By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

Aii Australian Pianist.

I London, April 8. Miss Elsie Hall, a young Australian pianist, gave a concert in the Steinway Hall, London, which was a brilliant success. Divorce. The Divorce Court granted a decree nisi against Kate Vaughan, the well known burlesque actress of the Gaiety Company on the ground of adultery with Lethcourt, another member of the Company.

Criminal Law Amendment.

April 9. In the House of Commons ihe Criminal L»w Amendment bill, en titling prisoners to give evidence and allowing wife and husband to be called upon to give compulsory evidence, was read a second time, The Bill applies to England and {Scotland. Messrs Lloyd, Morgan, and Oarson opposed the Bill, Sir Charles Dilke said it removed the last remains of barbarism.! Investment Company. The report of the North British and j New Zealand Investment Company j shows a profit balance of £2525. The *urn of £276 is carried forward and a

2 r j Obituary. i

Berlin, April 8 De yon Stephan, Secretary of State for Posts and Telegraphs,

Lieutenant Bluff's Case.

PBETOnrA, April 8. President Kruger has ordered a special Court to try Lieut, Kloff.

Mississippi Floods.

Washington. April 8 Congress voted 200,000 dollars for the relief of the sufferers by the Mississippi floods. McKinley Administration. Mr Smalley states that Mr Theo dore Roosevelt, the well-known states-! man, has been appointed Assistant Secretary to the Navy in the McE inley Administration, He adds that Mr| Roosevelt is a member of the extreme Jingo party.

Australian.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.

Sentenced to Death.

Sydney, April 9. In conmc'ion with the Bourke mystery, Moore has been found guilty of murdering Smith, and was sen tenced to death.

Wreck of a Steamer.

Brisbane, April 9 The coasting steamer Burdekin was totally wrecked in a storm off Wood lark Islaad. The passengers and crow, numbering twenty-six, were all saved. :

The Drought in Australia.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright. Stdney, April 9. At the request of the heads of the churches, the Executive have fixed April 16th as a day of humiliation and prayer for rain The outlook in Queensland isequal'y bad, and the same applies to the North western district of Victoria, where the crops and stock are suffering badly for want o! rain. j ' ———————i—— ' . I

THE LATEST.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright, Received Wakapuaka April 10, 10, a.m. Guardian Office 10 30 a»m.

Judicial.

London, April 9 Mr John Stratford Dagdale, QO, Recorder of Birmingham, has been appointed successor to Mr Justice Charles.

Reprisals.

Ottawa, April 9 The Lower House nnanimbatly passed the second reading of the Alien. Labor Bill, Mr Laurier said Canada was unwilling to retaliate against the United States, but was compelled to do so, and for this reason the United States form of legislation had been adopted.

President Steyn.

Capetown, April 9. President Steyn, of the Orange Free State, baa ignored the telegram published in the London papers to the effect that the State was hostile to Britain. He says the telegram if beneath his notice.

Australian.

Presa Association.—By Electric Tslegraph— Copyright. Received Wak«pu»ka, Apvil 10, 10 a.m, Ouabdian office 11.15 a.m.

Light Railways.

Sydnby, April tO , The Moreenarrabi railway, the pioneer light line of a number intended to open up the outside agricultural districts, has been opened for a length of 62 miles at a cost of £133,000.

I Steamer on Fire.

Adelaide, April 10 The steamer Roth well Castle, which left for Western Australia on Tuesday, returned to port late last night. A fire broke out on Thursday afternoon in her afterhold which burned fiercely, and was not got in hand till Friday morning. It is still smouldering. The large number of passengers behaved splendidly.

Murders by Natives.

CooktoWN, April 10 A German trader and his family have been murdered by the natives of New Britain.

Naval Architects' Aasociation.

»• ■ . New Ships for Old Press Association—By Electric Telegraph. Copyright. London, April 8. Lord Hopetoun, who presided at the annual meeting of the Naval Archi tects' Association expressed a hope that a plan would be devised for the conversion ef the old pattern ironclads into vessels of the latest standard. April 9. At the naval architects' meeting Lord Charles Bereeford stated that it was possible to convert seventeen older cruisers and render them effective as modern warships at % cost equalling the amount required for the construe* tion of a battleship and cruiser.

FEDERATION.

— ■♦ Tie Convention at Adelaide.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph. Copyright. Adelaide, April 9, When the Convention met this morning Sir John Forrest sprang a surprise by moving the suspension of the standing orders to enable him to move that the clauses dealing with finance and powers of the two Houses with regard to money Bills be taken first when the Bill goes into committee, as the Westralian delegates intended to return on Wednesday, and wished to take part in the divisions on the questions naoied. Outside these they were willing to leave the Bill to the judgment of the other colonies. Strong opposition was made to Sir John Forrest's proposal, but on a division he | secured a suspension of the standing orders by twenty six votes to fourteen. The small states voted solidly, one delegate each from New Sooth Wales and Victoria sided with them. Mr Biggins, Victoria, speaking to the resolution, thought the division was an object lesson for those who upheld equal representation in the Senate. Sir Joseph Abbot twice endeavoured to upset Sir John Forrest's motion on points of order without success. After wasting the whole morning, Sir John Forrpgfc withdrew his motion fqr the drafting of a committee consisting of Mr Barton, Sir John Downer, and Mr O'Connor Hope to have the Bill ready on Monday morning. A petition was received from the Queensland Separa tion League in favor of the division of that colony into three separate States. The Convention adjourned til Monday. The Finance Committee gave special consideration to the rail way question this afternoon and resolved that, sub ject to the consent of any State, the Federal Parliament shall have power to take over the control of the rail ways of a State or States on such terms as shall be arrived at by mutual agreement; also that there snal|*be established by the Federal Parliament an Inter State Commission, in order tq deal effectively with railway matters arising between the States, It was also resolved that the Interstages Commission should have power to regulate the trade of rivers an<s their tributaries flowing through two or more Stages.

GORED TO DEATE BY A BULL.

Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph WILUNOTON, A pril JO. Alfred Seldon Buck, aged about 38, a farmer at Taita, was killed ob his farm by one of hia own balls. Deceased was very highly respected in the district.

THE ASHBtJETON GtJARI)IA& t SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1897.



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Fob Indigestion, the besii remedy is an do ibtedly Camomilk Pills. They ear confidently be recommended m being mild in operation and absolutely free from nj'iriour drugs. Acting at once as a |plen< did toui* and a gentle aperient, for nearly 130 years they have proved utequalle^ for r»idigestion f Dyspepsia, aick Headache and or Liver and Stomach complaint*. Sold ia. .otdes Is l|d, 2a 9d» and ll«, by aIIM«tH. o!m» Vendors fehroughonf »h<» w^ri^r "A



Bragr&t and InvkfcaHn^Nw Vmm, J



Mechanisville, St. Mary County, Me.—l sold a bottle of Ohamberlain's Pain Balm to % man who had been suffering with rheuma tism for several years. It made him a well man. A, J. MpGiLL, lor l&le by &SHBPB



t rjrYir OTIT 0F GREAT interest , TO LADIES G. J. NEILL FOR THE COMING WINTE «. —IS SELLING— Table Damask at Is per yard Twill Sheeting, 2 yards wide, white'or grey,£9|d Turkish Towels, 8d each "V^OU CAN SECURE AT Cretonne. B|d X Flannelettes, 2s lid per dozen; j THE NEW ZEALAND G. J. N EILL F S ELLmG" Clothing Factory Men's Heavy Tweed Suits at 21s 6d, wonderful value SS.%daSU6.Ud A «^INE WATEB.ROOF mmmmmmmm CLOAK, TAILOR MADE, Guaran- BOOTS. BOOTS. teed Sewn Seams. Men's Nail SHOOTEKS 7s lid. Women's SHOES 4b lid Men's BLUCHERS 4s lid. Women's Lace SHOES 4s lid CALL and Inspect our Grand Rang* of  , , , , , Patterns The Cheapest Boots in Ashburton are to be got at G. J. NEILL'S, HALLENSTEIN BROS. JPRIEDLANDER'S CORNER, EAST STRKET. m _^_^___^^ a _ mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ALEX. HENDRY, Manager. . jftjgj^JL STEAM CARRIAGE FACTORY, iloM^^ ' "" x7\y *VK SHOEING FORGE. g 55 pH F. AND H. STEEL i g g fc BEG to announce to the inhabitants of Ashburton and surrounding district that they eg &** *^4 have taken over the Business so long carried on by J. R. STEEL, and hope by £ d -T^ Strict Attention to Business, Good Workmanship, aud Moderate Charges, to merit a fair -g H g Q j share of Patronage. # g g 55 H = ,j ■Coachbiulding Department — '% 2g o J^» This Department will have our personal supervision and to aH who require a new *** " H S ° "8 f*) W Vehicle of any description, or their old one repaired, we can guarantee satisfaction if they jr^ » g M » W' tf place their order with us. . . r""1 §g £j <5 W *; Q^ « Painting and Trimming— GO g | |I' s Now is the time to have your traps put into ejood order by having them well r- —\ 0 k, B'S J' . 9 ■ painted, and our workmen are in tho front rank of their profession, and the material used g £ g .3 £H 3 is the very best. >*»x g g oofl S5 ig V^ O Ironwork Department— w g g |^ | | Ph § We are prepared to quote prices for all kinds of ironwork, and to supply or PJH <j -5 o do . Jj Lv w repair Agricultural Implements of every description. HH 3 g „ a] § Shoeing Department-- g| % «fg In this as in all other parts of our business we will give satisfaction to our ~ g Sg 0 I "^H rf customers, and if you want y our horse shod by practical and skilled workmen, send it gjs » Sd^ 3 ap g •"""•tiotobhh shoeing forge. q I I 1|" I gg F. AND H. STEEL, <| 5 I*B^B PROPRIETORS, WEST STREET, ASHBURTON, 234 rj < § |® 3 j h^ g . tfsgrssS* AUTUMN AND WINTEit NOVELTIES. « §1 §§S^ GRAND SPECIAL DISPLAY I s I B MITCHELL & TURNER'S. 1 MANTIE«- MILLINERY- GB*M) BAZAAR IAITtIfTS WATERPROOFS AKn CLOAKS WK BOAB CAPES UNDERCLOTHING SALE OP WORK "~~ ""* "T"N AID of Plemington Presbyterian X Manre Fund, Splendid collec'ion of -, ,^. ■*■ » -»^ t-h /n Goods of every description. Large quanti- IMPOBTANT ANNOUNCEMENT 'JO LADiES,— ties of F«m Produce, Wheat, Oats, Chaff, IN PURSUANCE of oar policy in keeping our Business well to the Ig8 ' e> tront, we have decided to add a FIRST-CLASS DRESSMAKING AOfiTTON SALE AT 2 n m DEPARTMENT to our Establishment. We have secured the services fIWUU" a v-"* ---of Miss HiA, a lady of ability, who brings with her Sumptuous Luncheon from 12 for 1/ credentiak of the highest order from MKSSRS W. STRANGE & CO., Tea at 5o > o i ock . in whose Workrooms she has beea engaged for over sbvkn yeaks. Our object is to supply our Customers with Stylish andl Well-made ppnMFWADW fIOWnFRT COSTUMES at a Modkkatb Price, and every possible effort will be FKOM&JNADiL UU^UJittl given to make our NEW DEPARTMENT an unqualified success. We In the Even i Dg . have already booked a number of Orders, and expect a very full season. Miss Hill will be pleased to receive intending Patrons on and| after —— FRIDAY, March 26. Come One, Come All to the MITCHELL AND TUjEfNEB, VfTTS EDA I' TANOEBD STREET, SATURDAY 10th.' 5 4 61 NEW GOODS. NEW GOODS. AUTUMN AND WINTER. PRICES CUT TO SUIT THE KEEN WEATHER AND KEENER TIMES. LOOK OUT. LOOK OUT. THE CENTRAL CASH DBAPERY AND CLOTHING MART. NEXT TO J. ORR AND CO, EAST STREET. MITCHELL AND BRODRLBB GIVE THE BEST VALUE IN THE TRADE. EVERYTHING NEW, EVERYTHING GOOD, EVERYTHING STYLISH, And of Course EVERYTHING CHEAP. TPIAY Cash and Save 25 per cent. Grand assortmant bought at Special Rates to enable ua to sustain our reputation, yet giving the Heavy Twili Dress for the Winter, 83 9d, worth 12a 6d. Good strong plain Homespun 4s lid dreas. Beautiful Tweeds, grand value newest; shades at 8a 9d, and 9s 9d full dress. AH the latest Trimmings in Furs, Gimps, Braids, Velvets, etc , at prices never before heard of. FLANNELETTES, FLANNELS, CALICOS, SHEETINGS—you'II wonder afc the prices. No bad debts do ib. Grand dark winter Flannelettes 4a lid per doz. All wool Flannels, wide width, lw£d per yard. All our goods sold at prices to bring you back again Calico for the winter 3s 9J per do/.; cheaper lines at from 2a 6d per doz. Double White She* ting 10|d, cheap at la 3d. Large White Towels 4s lid doz up. BLANKETS, BiaDkets, Blankets, White Blankets, Blue Blankets, Brown and Grey Kaiapoi Blankets 25 per cent cheaper thaa any other House ia New Zealand. A grand heavy Blanket at 8i lid. Art Muslins, Cretonnes, Hurtainß OUR PRTfjKS ARE THE LOWEST—-the reasons are--We Buy Chesp; we Sell for Cash Look here ! Look here!! W^at do you think:oi'this GRAND KID GLOVE, lon's am! Brown's at Is lid pair, ONLY MITCHELL AND BRODRIBB HAVE TH*M Here's another—The newest styles in LADIES' SHOWERPROOF CLOAKS at prices 50 per cent, below anything heard of— in Rmwn Navy Grey aud Black. 17s 9d and 19a 6d, worth 30s and 355. Golf Capes, bought to undersell any other House, tave you time Z UnxlYy 1 by^ GOING' S ! RAIGdT FOX THB CENTRAL CASH DRAPERY MART. MILLINERY, M.llinery. Millinery-. We'll trim your hat free, we only want to sell the trimming at a low price, and guarantee you a saving of fully 50 per cent on all trimmpd hata-fitrawa Velvets Beavers, and Felt Hats, newest shapes and shades, our prices are the LOWLbi. IN NMV ZbALAIsD toTut ll and «li J^lrimSs-S*"« from 9J up* UNDERCLOTHING for Winter-Flannelette and Wool to suit the coldest weather and lightest puree. CORSETS, Oorseta, Corsets-Astonißh yoo. at 1« 1W the phmi, hne is a Lorseb any B ,ze any «hade for 2< lid per pair, worth, and sold el.ewhere for about 5i 6d. In the MEN b CLOIhING AND MBROLRY Department, hwviest knitted socks in the trade Is, brown ribbed pants Is lid, heavy colonial knitted pants 3 3 11, singlets to match flannelette shirts fr«n li 9-1, ColoiLial made flannds 3s lid. Serge sailor suits 4s lid Men's and boya' hats in every conceivable shape from Is. Tweed teeusen 7s W, 8s lid, 9, 6d, men's moles 4s lid, men's suits from 14s lid Colonial tweed 25s 6d. TIES AND bOARVES-We are known throughout the district for our grand assortment of Ties and Scarves from the cheapest to the best qualities. BOOTa-Men b h« R vy ifaooter boots 9s lid, grand line of light Balmorals at 12a 6d, slippers from 2s lid water tights 10s 6d, women's and children's boots and «hoes cheaper . banfever-Call and see them. MEN'S W ATERPROOF COATS, very deep capes, in ail pit ems-We are de ftemined to sell ihem cheaper than any other house in towo. LOOK AT THIS-Men'« Suits to measure from 49s 6d. Grand variety M*b'« White Kid <3!oves and Evedng Bcw», etc. BON'T JfORGET THE CENTRAL CASH TRADERS, WHO ARE, AND MEAN TO BRING DOWN PRICES, MITCHELL & BIIODRIBB, NEXT TO J. ORR fc CO,, EASI STREET, ABHBUBTON,