Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1897. MARKEY'S BRIDGE.

Of late a good deal haß been said and written about Markey'a bridge, which some time ago the Hampstead Town Board decided to close for an indefinite time at an indefinite date for indefinite repairs. The opinion of the County Council's solicitor is to the effect that, though of course the bridge would have to be closed for a reasonable time to admit of necessary repairs, the public have a right to the use of the main road of which the bridge is a part, and the Board having control of that road, the responsibility for depriving the public of their right will be at the door of the Board. This means, in effect, that the Board will have to give the public an open and serviceable road. But, so fir as we can learn, there is no particular necessity for any trouble about this bridge. We gather that the understructure of it ia strong enough for anything, and likely to last for many years. The fault is with the decking, and this costd be renewed for about £18. j his renewal of (he upper bridge would make the structure all that cogld ba desired, The Hampstead Town District is fat from being a wealthy one, and for years it haa been a yeiy solid ratepaying district ( to the county, and no one can say that in regard to its demands on the county purse it haa shown any horse-leech pr^cliyibiea. That being so, and the County Council having kiudly extended financial aid to the Wakanui Road Board in regard to the renewal of other bridges on the creek, we do not Bee that any unfair thing would be done if half the coat of decking Markey's bridge were borne by the County Council. The Town Board has quite as good a claim on County aid as the Wakanui Road Board has, and the County Council having promised aid to the Wakanui Road Board on this creek brfdges question, the Town Beard is justified in treating that as a precedent, and preeenting » claim for aid with Markey'a,

It has been said that (t wedding dresses interest everyone ; confirmed old maids

HER MAJESTY'S WEDDING DRESS.

soften ac the sjght,. .and the most ey nicaj bachelor is over.

awed as the vision of foamy tyllo and gleaming satin fioa s past him up t&e a'Bjo of the Church." Therefore it will be of jtatpreßiJ to recall some particulars regarding the Redding dress worn by Her Majesty on February 10, 1840, the more especially in view of tha approaching Record Reign celebra tion. This bean'lf«l gown was almost completely veiled with priceless Bonlron lace—not, however, made at Hunifcoa, bub in the secluded little DevonsMte village of Beer. The laoe flounce which draped the skirt was four yards in length and nearly a yard in depth. Over 200 lace workers were employed npon it for eight months, while ihe bridal veil took more than six weeks to complete, although only a y%rd and a half square, the greater portion being composed of lace nefc. A thcragh the Usis was along one, tht pirUU

taken by the workers in (heir labour enabled them to regard it in the light of an honor of which tLey would ever be proud. The bodic — which was cut lew on the shoulder in what was called Victorian shape, because it was introduced by the young Qaeeh—was of extreme simplicity, merely finished above the arms by large ro.ettes and ends of white ribbon, with the same roaettes repeated on the elbow sleeves, which were draped with Honiton lace. A. close coronet of white fljwers rested on the hair, to which the veii was attached behind, leaving the face free. A magn'fijient riviere of diamonds circled the neok, and completed * wedtiingdtesesuitedin its rich simplicity to a reigtr'ng sovereign and a youthful bride. The beautiful lace, which cost j £1000, will always bo guarded as an heirloom, for thadesign on the completion of the work was immediately destroyed. Perhapsone of the most interesting records about the Queen's wedding gown is that as the Honiton laoe trade had seriously declined, the 200 laoe workers employed apon the Queen's dress would have been destitute during the winter, had it not - een for Her Majesty's express desire that they should be employed in executing this important order.

The Spectator calls attention to the difficult Question that has cropped tip

THE COLOR QUESTION IN AFRICA.

in Africa with regard to the black population in t!nt country. Not only have the white races to {ace the contingency of

being swamped by the natives, bat they are threatened with an invasion of Indians, which they naturally reseat. Tne Asiatic perceives the possibilities before him in South Africa, and has been one of the first) of the daik races to endeavour to procure a footing there. He recognises how the climate will suit him, what room there is for him, and what strides, with his natural craft and intelligence, he eo'ald niake were he permitted to take up his abode in the new countries thai; have been opened up in South Africa- The old Cape settler, however, naturally does not see the question in this light, and con sequently there are likely to be ructions. The Cape Colonist absolutely objects to an importation of a coloured race, and has already protested apainsfe the landing of two cargoes of Asiatics. He objects to be over-run by a coloured population, and considers that he has sufficiently adverse elements with which to contend without being saddled by a number of men who have no notion of oomfort and luxury, would be able to work at less wages, and entirely under-bid him in any market in which he cares to compete. The question is unioubtedly a serious one, and one likely to test Mr Chamberlain's powers to the utmost. What make ib less easy to find a solution of the difficulty t's the fact that the immigrants to whom objection haa been taken at the Cape are all subjacts of the Queen, and as such are entitled to share in any of the spoils of the Empire.

Local and General.

The Masterton gardens are infested with a plague of snails—the shelled variety.

Oamaru Bay is alive with " whale-feed," a kind of small shrimp, and with cod fish that are living upon them.

The Hon Mr Cadman says he has on his file over 6000 applications for positions in the railway service.

Outbreak of typhoi 1 fever in Hawera, due to insanitary condition of borough. Fifteen cases recorded.

Farmers and dealers are reminded that the ram and ewe fair at Rakaia will be held on Thursday, March 18.

A party of Waipawa printers, who struck Coil in Tattersall'a Newmarket Handicap consultation, profit to the exteutof £900.

The annual general meeting of shareholders of the Ashburton Permanent Building Society takes place on Monday at 5 p.m. at the office, Tancred street.

The advertisements of Messrs Mitchell and Brodribb, McDonald and McDiarmid, and Salek will jae found after reading matter on the fourth page of this issue.

The ratepayers of Palmerston JjForth, by 402 votes to 12, have decided to bring the Rating on Unimproved Value Act of last session into force within that borough.

The lateafc addition to the Ashburton Telephone Exchange is Mr J. H. Jewitt, fishmonger, Burnett street, No. 96. Sub scribers should amend their lists accordingly.

Yesterday Messrs Alcornand Rule, J.P 's, committed a middle-aged man to Sunnyside Asylum as a lunatic, his state of mind hav ing been certified tp by Drs Trevor and Hunter.

A man named Timothy Kiordan waajjent to gaol for fourteen days on Thursday py Mr W. Morgan, J.P., at Methven, for hav ing used obscene language on the public street.

The bankruptcy of Mr L. F. Andrewes, stationer, is announced. Meeting of creditors appointed for 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, lQbh inst, at the opce of Mr John Daviaon, deputy official assignee.

The Meat Trades Journal {London) of December 17 contains an account of the Canterbury Frozen Meat and Dairy Produce Export Company illustrated by a number of well executed photozincography

A report of a meeting of the Tinwald Town Board will be found on the first page of this issue, and the pem*inder of the report of yesterday's meeting of th§ County Council on the fourth page.

Farmers and others interested ought to note the date, April B—of the clearing sale at Mr Robert Frisby's, to be held by Mr D 1 homas. A few good bargains in live and dead stock ought to be picked up.

The sale of the reversionary inheres*) in the will of the late John R. Cuthberfcson, Esq., advertised for to-day, has been post poned until Wednesday next, ab 3 p.m., when it will be offered by Mr David Thomas in the Arcade.

Messrs 8. R. Dean and Soup, of Dowsby Hail* Jjh.3 well known Lincolnshire sheep breeders, have just sold, amongst other sheep f'»r exportation, v rarr; lamb, eight months old, for 120 guineas. I'his is fceliepd to be a reord price for such a sheep.

Electricity in motor form has robbed teeth-filjing of much of Us former terror. The work is dpjje in one-fourth the time. The mallet, driven at p, high pate of speed, is almost painless, when compared to j>he old hand or foot treadle process.

Mercury Bay can boast of five living generations, and jn this paae the number of great grandchildren is seven, two of whom are over school age, Mrs Gamble came to Auckland in the ship Sir Robert Sale in October, 1847, and now has two children, 14 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, and 7 great great grandchildren. The old lady is now in her 86th year, and is described as a wonder.

i The phonograph is to be made use of to-morrow ,by Mr Campbell Colquhoun to aid in the sacred concert to be given in the Saltation Army barracks!' Mr Colquhoun has a good many exceilenf "records" of sacred music, and of a recent Sunday enter tainment at Rangiora, given by Mr Colqu houn in aid of the Army funds, the paper spoke very highly. The Army purpose rebuilding their barracks, and the proceeds of this entertainment will go to the barrack fund 1

I The Nelson Star says that at Hc.£e, on Sunday morning, Mr VV. Cdlem&u was awakened about 2 a.m. by the neighing of one of his horses, and on going out to see wh^t was fcha matter, taw the sky all aglow with chain lightning, the }ike of which, he says, he never before wjifcnessed» It played about in the most fanfcjltic manner, lighting up the heavens in every direction for many seconda at a time. kater on it was found that sixteen sheep, belonging to Mr David Max, of Brightwater, had been kped by th# lightning They were huddled tonether in the corner of a paddock, and were all iyipg doie togstber when diiQQVf Ef & ,

Recent reports in regard to the Queen's health have led the Lancet to declare authoritatively that the condition of Her Mujeety does not give any cause for anxiety to her medical advisers, apart from that naturally attaching to old age.

The Marlborough Express says that it is estimated that aftew the payment of the bequests named in the will of the late Mr C. R. Carter the residue will amount to about £1900. Under the conditions of the will, this sum will be devoted to a fund for the establishment of an observatory in Wellington.

A practical and successful test of the efficiency of the Ronfcgen rays waa made on Wednesday evening last at Messrs Kemp thorne, Prosser's laboratory, Dunedin. A young man named E. W. Watkin, in Meßsrs Hallenstein Bros.' employ, broke, in Nov ember 1 >st, a fishhook in one of his fingers, the barb being so embedded as to defy removal, it being impossible to locate the position. Mr Watkin submitted himself for experiment, and a radiograph on a fluores cent screen was taken of the hand. The barb was located quite distinctly in the tip of the middle finger, and Dr Stephenson, who was present, at once lanced the finger, .and without any difficulty extracted the barb.

Holloway's Pilis.—The ills of life are increased tenfold by the mode of life so many have to lead, most especially is this the case amongst the toilers in our factories and huge workshops of the manufacturing districts whose digestion becomes impaired and nervous systems debilitated by the pro tracted confinement and enforced depriva, tion of healthy out-of-door exercise. The, factory workers may almost be said to haveo diaeasea of their own, readily amenablee however, to treatment, if not allowed to proceed unchecked. Holloway's Pills are the most effectual remedy ever discovered for the liver and stomach complaints, they act surely but gently, regulating the secretions without weakening the nerves or interfering with the daily work.

THE NOTORIOUS BUTLER.

A box of cartridges, 38 calibre, was found on Butler's person when he was arrested. While in prison Butler took particular delight) in telling stories, that, in the beginn ing, sound like confessions, but later on turn out to be jokes at the expense of his auditors. He pretends to take a liking to some visitor who has given him a cigar, and after puffing awhile at the weed says :

'• Now, I aay, thiß talk about my murder ing Lee Weller has some foundation after all. Of course, I did not kill him, but I know something about the matter just the same.

" He went out on a prospecting tour with me and my mate killed him. That's how I got these things. My mate went away, and the trinkets were left in camp and they fell to me. 8'

He told this story* to Constable Oonroy, and when the latter became so interested that he knocked his own hat off trying to get his head through the bars and catch every word, Butler quietly confided that the murder was done in Chili.

This is on a par with the other stories that Butler tells, and all are given with a twinkle of the eye that betrays his joke to those who watch him closely.

He seems entirely oblivious to the hang man's noose, and laughs whea the subject of his reception in Australia is mentioned. tf It will be all right when I get there," he says, with a heavy accent on the last four words. •• At present lam doing first-rate. 'Frisco is a great place." His main concern at first was to get pipe and tobacco and a change of clothes.

" With all these nice ladies calling to see me," he remarked^ " I ought to have gome decent duds to receive them in, I want white shirts and some clothes that will make me look like a gentleman." Butler did a rushing business selling his autographs to those who called at his cell He was not high-priced, but signed for all who cared to pay half a dollar for a name scribbled on a piece of paper or card.

"I sign any name they like," he said " Buler or Weller ; it is all the same to me. Most people want the name I used on the J ship, and they get it all right when they I put up half a dollar."

According to advices from San Francisco up to date (remarks an Australian paper) Butler's defence is as follows : —(1) He knows nothing about Lee Weller; (2) He was not in Australia at the time of Weiler's death; (3) He Went out prospecting with Weller and another man, and Welier was accidentally ah.ot—at least the other man said so ; (4) He knew Lee Weller, but never went prospecting with him j (5) Lee Weller was killed by two men, whose names he will disclose later on ; (6) He is Le Weller him velf, and it is Butler who is missing.

School Committee.

Hampstead,

A meeting of the Hampstead School Committee was held last evening for general business, and to consider a proposal that thfa Hampstead Bchool shoald join in the confcenapjtatad excursion to Christchurch and Lyttelton. SCHOOL EXOOBStfQfI. After full discussion, the following resolu tion was proposed by Mr Andrews, seconded by Mr Pickford, and carried unanimously— •• That it is inadvisable to grant a holiday so soon after the long Christmas vacation, and when the school is just getting into go<id working order; moreover that the e^tra charge of |d per ticket proposed to be levied is an unfair ta£ on £he children and public, and one not contemplated by the Railway Commissioners when framing the excursion concessions on as liberal a scale as possible, and that this Committee take no action in connection wijbh the excursion."

SCHOOL COMMITTEES ASSOCIATION. A circular letter was received from the N'prth Canterbury School Committees Association, enclosing copy of rules, and inviting the Hampstead Committee to join fche Association,—lt was unanimously decided to do so.

VISITING COMMITTEES. \ The retiring Visiting Committee reported , that the filters had been put in order, and Messrs Andrews and Pickford were appointed for next month. MISCELLANEOUS. Some formal correspondence on un important subjects was dealt with, and the meeting adjourned. , %

SWIMMING.

2sr. G-. A- M. Buckley's Trophy

The trophy presented by Q. A. M. Buck ley, Esq., to the Ashburton Amateur Swimming Club, for competition by' local swimmers, and to be given to the competitor scoring most points in all races during the reason, was won by A H. Wilkie with 9 points. The following $re the winners of the trophy to date:-1894, F. Williams, 9 points; 1895, J. McTigue, 11 points; 1896, J. McTigue, 8 points; 1897, A. H. Wilkie, 3 points..

SPORTING.

WANGANUI RACE S.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Wanganui, March 4 SECOND DAY. Concluding results : Ncjrsjsry Handicap—Defiant 1, Chasseur 2, Picklock <5. Time—slsee. Dividend— £1 10s. ' ■■'■•■■>■ Autumn Handicap—The Miser 1, ivingj's ; Bowman 2, Target 3. Dividend-~£3 14a. Hack Handicap—Vedette 1, Emerald 2, Kaeaea 3. Dividend—£3 2a. I Farewell Handicap—Ascot Vale 1, J3o«afide2, The Workman 3. Dividend— 0> l - ___»™ a »^_____

MAGISTERIAL.

M FRIDAY.

(Before W. Morgan Esq., J.P.)

Insulting Language,—James Carr, for using insulting language at Alford Forest, was fined 10s and 18s cost*.

There being ODly one Justice of the Peace present, all other business was postponed.

COMMERCIAL.

LONDON MARKETS.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, have received the following London cable message, dated March 2: —"Wool — Since close of the sales there haij been some business by private treaty at fully previous rates, the sales com prising 1000 bales, chiefly medium and in ferior greasy. Sheepskins—Market steady. Butter—Market lifeless, fine qualities New j Zealand range in value from 903 to 94s per cwt. (Last quotations were 92s to 965)."

FROZEN MEAT MARKET.

PER FBHSS ASSOCIATION. * Napier, March 5. Nelson Bros, have received the following cable message from their London agents :— "No signs of impiovement in the frozen meat market, and the immediate outlook is bad. To-day's quotations are—Best Canter bury 3d, Dunedin 2|d, Napier and North Island 2fd."

Mr D. Thomas reports that he held a clearing sale yesterday at Mr G. Ramming ton's homestead, Laghmor road. The day being tine a large attendance of farmers tolled up. The sale proceeded shortly after one o'clock with a lot of sundries, followed by the farming implements which were all disposed of at very good prices. The horses, which were very poof, realised quite their fall values. Had there been any good aorta bidding would have been lively, as several buyers had come from a distance to try to obtain them. The following are a few of the prices:—Plough £4, harrows £1 10s, £2, £4, drill £19 10s, broadcast £8, chippers £2, roller £6, gorae-cutter £11, drays £3, £1110s, horses £2 ss, £3, £4 10s, £7 15s, £11 10s, cow £3, merino ewes 3s 3d,

CHRISTCOHURCH GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKET.

The New Zealand Farmers' Go-opera tive Association of Canterbury, Ltd., quote as follows on March 5, 1897 :— ' Wheat— : Prime milling Pearl 4s f .o.b   Tuscan 3s lid    Hunter's 3s lOd „ Seconds, clean ... 3s 3d "m°' Oats- Tartars and Duns .. 13 lOdtolslld  Gooi stout feed . Is lid to 2s  Milling .. .. 2s Id „ Barley- Prime malting ... 3s 6d to 4s  Medium (dull) .... 3a to 3s 3d „ Beans ... 2a 7d „ Peas— Prussian Blues , ... 3s 91 „ Partridge .., .„ 3s 3d  Ryegrasa— Farmers' lines ... 2? to 2s 6d Oh.eh. Cocksfoot- Good bright seed ... 3£d to 3|d „ Medium grades ...3d „ Qhaff— Good oatsheaf ... 42s 6d to 45s country stations Fotatoes—Derwents ... 40a off forks country stations

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

(New Zealand Times )

Only a few short years ago, the New Zealand butter industry was in a most un satisfactory Btat,e. Shippers to the Home market had almost ceased to regard it as a merchantable article of commerce owing to the infinite variety and quality of the lots offering ; occasionally different qualities \ ire to be fonnd in one package. The adoption of the creamery and factory system during the past few years, together with Govern ment instruction and grading before ship ment., have practically saved the industry from destruction and many country settlers from rafif, especially in the Worth Island. Victorian best factory butter, however, always carried the palm in the Home market, and the New Zealand article was a good way behind. Jt is now a " dead heat " with them, as the following private advices from London by the mal just to h^nd shows. It is dated January 22 :—Colonial butter is arriving in fine condition, with quality and flivour satisfactory. This week's prices tire :—Danish and Swedish choicest factory, 114 ato 118 *; finest UOa to 116s j Victorian and New Zealand choicest factory, 104s to 106s; finesi, 100 ato 102s. Cheese—Ameri can, 48s to sQi', Canadian and New Zealand, 52s to 545." Now that New JXealand choicest factory butter is abreast of Tictorian, we see no reason why it should not advance still further and get abreast of Danish and Swedish, which are quoted 10s to 12a higher. Doubtless improved methods and stricter cleanliness amongst milk-suppliers must be resorted to if this result is to be arrived at. The Candians are making greater efforts than ever to supply the Home markets, as the following extiact from a late English paper will show :—" An Ottawa correspon dent of the Exohange Telegraph Company states that the Hon Sydney Fisher, Minister of Agriculture in the Laurier Administration, ia completing arrangements by which the Government of Canada expects largely to increase trade relations between Great Britain and Canada. During the past few days the plans for cold storage for the Atlantic ocean .liners, for the railways and for the depojbs on both sides of the ocean, have been issued, and the other arrange ments are being rapidly pushed forward for next season's shipments, under Government supervision, of game, poultry, fruits, eggs, butter, cheese, dressed beef, mutton, veal, and so forth. The department is forwarding with unprecedented vigor tne establishment of the new creameries in the Northrwest territories, and assisting the development of those already runuiug under Government supervision in other provinces of the Do minion," It is satisfactory to find that our own Minister of Agriculture, the Hon John McKenzie, ia alive to the importance of fostering the dairy industry. When publicly asked, a question at the opening of . the Matarawa bridge in Wairarapa as to the prospects of the promised Bill, making pro vision for advancing money on dairy facto ries to within 50 per cent of their value, he said he had introduced a measure himself at the end of last session which went in this very direction, but owing to pressure of business he was unable to it through. He would, he said, re:introduce it, and en deavor to get it passed this session,' believ ing it to be in the interests of a large section of the colony. We are of opinion that no time should be lost in passing such a mea sure, for there can bo up reasonable doubt but that it will be of great benefit to the colony.

The Wesleyan Conference.

3?ER PRESS ASSOCIATION,

Wellington, Mirch 5,

In drafting the stations the Wesleyan Conference gave the Revs. Isitt rest for a year to devote themselves to temperance work. The Revs T. A. Joughin and J. G, Chapman will reside in England for a year.

Various reports were read in connection with the apjjlicationß for full connection with Conference di the following ministers ; —The Beys William J. Elliott,' George Frost, C. 0. Harrison and L. J. Ryan, and it was decided that the oral examination of these ministers be taken to-morrow morcing.

The following passed their third year:— The Reva Hugh Beggs, H. K. Bellhouee, William l^wweon and Charles Porter. The I following passed their second year :—The Heva Alfred VV. Ashcroft, Arthur Aehcrofb, John W. Griffin, John A, Loctore and Thomas R Richards. The following passed their first ye*r:—The Revs William S. Bowie, Henry L. Blamires and Albert B. ChappeJl," '

SUPREME COURT.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION,

ELL v. HARPER.

Cbbistohcrch, March 5.

To-day Mr Justice Denniston gave a Jong and exhaustive judgment in the long stand ing action Ell v. Harper. The judgment which occupied forty minutes in reading, referred in detail to the proceedings since the inception of the case, animadverted on the delays occasioned by the course taken by the plaintiff, exonerated the officials from the allegations of improper conduct, made certain orders as to accounts between the parties; deoided on the items referred to him—that items 62 and 63 amounting to £100 be credited to the plaintiff, that interest on the item of £250 be reduced by £50, and th*t it be remitted to the registrar and an account ant to adjust the certificate accordingly, and on the other items referred to him, His Honour decided that the findings in favor of the defendant should not be disturbed.

Wesleyan Church Choir.

Annual Meeting.

The annual meeting of the Wesleyan Church choir was held on Friday evening, thirty-five members being present. The conductor, Mr Jackßoa, occupied the chair. The secretary read the balance sheet for the past year, which showed that the I treasurer had a credit balance in hand. Two new members were elected. The ballot for officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows:—Conductor—Mr Jack son ; organist—Miss Carson ; pianist—Mits Kathleen Orr; secretary—Mr J. W. Baker; treasurerr-Mr .Thomas, librarian—Mr E. Undrill j comipittee— Misses Steel, R. Williams, L. Potter, and Messrs F» Potter, and E, A. Peaohey. Thanks were accorded to the outgoing officers, and to the ladies who had provided refreshments daring the evening. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the meeting.

CABLE NEWS.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

McKinley Administration. Washington, March 4. Me Blise has been appoiated Secretary of the Interior j Mr Mc-Kenna, Attorney- Generalta and Mr Uary, Postmaeter- General.^. These appointments complete the Mcß'ailey Administration.

Australian.

Press Association —By Electric Telegraph— Copyright,

Rich Gold Returns, Melbourne, March 5 Rich gold has been struck in the Highland Chief mine at Freeburgh. Twenty-five pounds of stone gave two pounds of gold. The reef is large and weU defined. Other prospectors are obtaining large returns. Queensland National Bank. Brisbane, March 5 In deference to the opinion in London that none of the present Board of Direc tors of the Queensland National Bank should cffar themselves for re-election, thesa cjentlerrjen have d<ciied to retire at the forthcoming general meeting. A Dastardly Outrage. What looks like a dastardly attempt to destroy properly w*a made at the Golden Cave mine at Crocodile. When the fire w*s being replenished in the battery room an explosion occurred. Ie is presumed that dynamite was concealed in the wood Only small damage resulted. Telegraphic Interruption. Adelaide, March 5.

\ Advice has been received that the land lines to London ate down as the result of the gale, and messages are being sent to Plymouth by ra;l every few hours. Mr Sedttan. Sydney, March 5 The Ounsu'-General of France had a long tnterview with Mr Seddon to-day. The first question to engage their attention was whether JNew Zealand wou'd agree to send exhibits to the Paris Exhibition. i Mr Seddon approved of the colony joining in the British Court, and that steps should be taken to give effect to the scheme. The I next matter dealt with was as to whether New Zealand would be'prepa-ed to permit the French Oai le Company to have the use of ihe cable repairing steamer futans-kai, in the eveat of any repairs being required to the Noumea cable. Mr Seddon stated that he would lay the proposals before his Cabinet on his return to New Zealand for decision.

Mr SeJdon, o» his visit to Parram^tta, also inspected the Govern meat .dock at Cockatoo Wand.

The Federal Elections.

PressAesociation—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

Hqbaet, March §. The federal returns are incomplete, bat (he following are leading:—Sir Philip Fysh, Sir E. Braddon, Messrs Henry, Lewis, Dobson, Browa, Grant, Clark, Moore, aud Douglas. [Received Wakapuaka, March 6, 11. 15 a.io., Guabdian Office, 12.5 p.m.] Sydney, March 6 Ah the Federal elections 148,000 votes were oast out of 264,000 on the roll. Mr Barton headed the poll with 104,463, the Premier was next with 89,861, while Mr Wise the tenth man scored 56.760, Melbourne, March 6 Sir C. Turner headed the Federal poll with 83,690 votes. The tenth man polled 44.565.

THE INSURRECTION IN CRETE.

fjiiglisll If.P.'s arid King George.

Mr Gladstone on the Situation

Bresa Asßociatiqn—By Electci" Telegraph- Copyright.

(Received Wakapuaka March 6, 10.15 a.m., Guardian office 11 50 a.m.) Athexis, March £?. M. Smolentji, Minister for War, has resigned on the ground that the OabiDet refused to reinforce the Greek troops In Crete undur the command of Vassos. M. Metaxas succeeds him. A. hundred Liberal members of the British House of Commons wired to King Gaorge expressing tht-ir sense of the services of Greece towards Crete. The Athena newsp ipers assume a war like tone opposing tbe submission of Greece to the Powers.

London, March 5. In a letter on the Cretan question Mr Gladstone says that to expel Greece from Crete and retain the buohers of the Armenians as polioo waald bt bat to deep* n the disgrace of the Powers.

THE LATEST.

Home and Foreign.

Prat?B Association —By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

Received Wakapuaka, March 6, 9.50 a.m., GoABBiiK Office 11.35 a.m.)

Installation of President McKinley. Washington, March 5. Major McKinley formally assumed the office of President yesterday. The / pageant at the Capital was a striking one. Thirty thousand troops lined the route, and there was an immense gathering of spectators to witness the proceedings. In his inaugural address, President MoKinley said that territorial aggression would be avoided, and a firm dignified foreign policy adopted. Every agency for the preservation of peace would be tried before resorting to war. Arbitration was' the true method of bringing about the settlement of international disputes, and the treaty recently entered into with th* British was a glorious example of the exercise of reason fit securing peace* (Received Wakapuaka March 6,10.45 a,m., Guardian office 11.50 a.m.) The Queen's Celebrations. Ottawa, March 5. M. Laarier, the Ptemier, is consulting his colleagues as to whether he should Visit England to take part in the Qaeen'a diamond celebrations. The Orotava. London, March 6 The Orotaya has. been floated o% and has arrived at Aden. ' 0u« hundred aod three mat! bags were sent ou from Adea in a soaked condition. Hongkong as a i\aral Base. The Admiralty has authorised the ex penditure of £100,000 at Hongkong, with a view to making the port a fintakss naval base. Bern Tillet, The Belgian Government has referred to arbitration the ckira of Ben Tlilet, labor leader, for compensation, on account of his arrest at Antwerp, on the occasion of the dock laborers' agitation last year.

Australian.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright.

[Received Wakapuaka, March 6, 11,15 a.m., Mail office, 12.5 p.m.] Sydney, March 5. Population of Australasia. At the end of last year the population of the seven colonies of Australasia was 3,809,985.

THE RYLEY CASE.

(per press association.)

Dunedik, March 5. At the Supreme Court to-day, the hearing of the charges of breaches of the Bankruptcy Act against John By ley was continued. The Official Assignee and Mr Scott, accountant with ByTey, having given evi dence, the case for the prosecution cloud. No evidence was called for the defence. Mr Sim, in addressing the jury ab con sider able leif§th in meeting the various counts of the indictment, said that the Colonial Bant put Byley into the basinets and kept him there after they saw that he waa making a loss. Practically it was the bank's business, but eventually the bank threw the responsibility ou Byley and shut him down to seize £3450 of outside creditors' money, and smashed the thing, making a loss by forced sales of about £20,000. No single act of dishoDc-ety had been suggested. They made a charge in the original informa tion that he had obtained, advances by means, of false balance-sheets, bat with drew it because it would have involved the calling of Mr Ewing, Mr Henry Mac kenzie, and Mr Vigors. He compared the position of Byley before he went in for tha mill with what it was now; Jn 1890 he was a respected and beloved minister of a Presbyterian congregation. He had saved and had invested money for his old age, and had many friends. Now he was bankrupt, a pauper. His position in the Church was; gone, his savings were gone, aud even his liberty was at stake. He asked the jury not to sacrifice him for the sins of others. Mr Justice Williams in summing up pointed out that the bankruptcy law here was more stringent than in England. The matters specified in section 137 of the New Zealand Act were for the most part merely grounds for suspending the order of dis charge in England. The people of this colony through their representatives had con idered it right, so to speak, to stiffen the standard of commercial morality here, and it was the duty of the jury, and it was the duty of everyone . C&ooerned in the administration of the Bankruptcy Act to see that the intentions of the legislature were given complete effect to, The jury, after ah absence of two hours, returned with a verdict of ff.}Jb.t Quilty *on all the counts, and the defendant was dis? charged.

Rifle Team for Queen's Celebration.

(f'RESS ASSOCIATION T«I<KGRA«.)

Wasganui, March <j Major Sommerviile is trying to organise a rifle team for the Queen's celebrations on the basis of two men from each large centre and one each from Invercargill, Oamaru, Nelson, Napier, Wacganui, New Plymouth, Master ton and Woodville. It is understood that the Government "will assist. Members of the New Zealand Rifle Association Council have been asktd to consult) the Mayor of eaoh borough and to call a meeting. A« the time is short immediate action is necess ary. The estimated coat is about £100 each man,

THE WEATHER.

ALFOSb STATION.

The following is tha meteorological report; tor the week ending March 5, 1897 :•—

THE ASHBUBTON GUARDIAN: SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1897.



Shade.

High • in i Sun.

of weat'hej:.

Date. !

Lqw. High 56• 86= 6^' 75 --- 58 --- 63 --- 59 --- 60 --- 65-

Saturday., Sunaay ... Monday ... Tuesday ... Wednesday Thursday... Friday .....

152- Wv 72 --- 7-8-82* 75 --.10-

Fine li,W.'"' Rain gW,

Showery "s.W Overcwt, C&lm

Pine' N.E.



Business Notices _____ j LOOK OUT. G. J. NEILL —IS SELLING— Table Damaßk at Is per yard Twill Sheeting, 2 yards wide, white or grey, 9-fd Turkish Towels, 6d each ;: ■■■"■■'' ' " .. pretoime- 3|d .. . Slaaneletteij,-2s lid per dozen a., j, n eill i s s elling- Mec's Heavy Tweed Suits at 21s 6d, wonderful value _^_ B^^l jßuits; 4s lid. Tweed Trousers, 5s lid ...... ;.;■.;•; BOOTS. BOOTS. "- " Men's Nail SHOOTERS 7s lid. Women's SHOES fy lid Men's BLTJOHERS 4s 1 Id. Women's Lace SHOES 4s lid The Cheapeft; JBoop in Ashburton are to be got at G. <L NEILL'S, ' FRIEt>LANDER'S CORNER, EAST STREET: ~ AiTD^E^ ORR. Great Opening OF NEW DRAPERY STOCK FOR AUTUMN AND WINTER 30 CASES NEW GOODS. 30 T'ADIBS 1 JACKETS and Mantles, lovely Goods, Berlin make; French and English JLj Dresß Fabrics ia Great, Variety. Agent for the celebrated " Fearnought' Sergea, navy and blacks. Ladies' Corsets in all the new makes, PD,Y and N, &c. LATEST NOVELTIES in Millinery, French and English Ribbons, Flowers, Feathers, and Trimmings. Beautiful Fur Trimmings juab opened, I LADIES 1 MACINTOSHES most fashionable Good, all aewn seams ; Infanta' Dresses, Pelisses, Cloaks, and Muffs. * Ladies 9 Gloves in Silk, Snede, and Kid j all prices. The BESI3 STOCK of FLANNELETTE ever exhibited in Aahburfcon. BLANKETS AND FLANNELS under contract; splendid value. Ladies' and Gents' BOOTS and SHOES, beet makes. Ladies' UMBRELLAS, all gnaranteed from Is lid. SUITS TO ORDER from £2 15a Od. ANDREW ORR. MELL 0 R'S " 'ZEALANDIA' BOOT STORE IS now making a Special Christmas Display of Summer Boots and Shoes. Already the Ashbnrton Public have pronounced it to be the CHEAPEST AND BEST ASSORTED STOCK EVER SHOWN IN ASHBURTON. —Please Note a Few Quotations— Ladieß* pretty two-strap shoes, tan and black, 7a 6d Ladies' strap shoes, 4a 9d Ladies' and Gentlemen's waterproof Canvas Shoes-—'Splendid valu© Ladies' Cromelette Shoes from 8s 9d—Very cheap Ladies' Shoes, 6s 6d —Great bargains, THOUSANDS OF OTHER LINES, THAT DEFY COMPETITION. Look ftt windows and you will admit that it is the Best display ever made in Ashburton A trial will at once convince you of the difference in price and quality from other boot-shops. N°teAddMM"JAMES "mELLOR, TANCRED STREET, ASHBURTON. I



RUDGE-WHITWORTH CYCLES. N WI *AM SELLING GENTLEMEN'S BUDGE- J! • WRITWOBTH CYCLES AT • W:, :fe £20 CASH. £E RMS AJB ARRANG ED. If you want 'a'Good English Bicycle at the price of a €oloaial|Macbine, BUY A RUDGE-WHITWORTH FROM JOHN ORR & CO. YOUNG Ladiee' Journal for February, iHROCKERY, Crockery. Still we lead Weldon'a Ladies' Journal, January ; \J and defy anyone to J?eb better value in Family Keacler, Boys'and Girls'own Paper, Crockery, etc., and as cheap i»s we are and Family Reader (quarterly parts); selling now. Please read our new ad vertise- Ardath ((Jorelli); The Lost Stradivarius, ' ment and judge for yourselves.— Bletohee The Money Spinner, Armenosa of Egypt, , Ekos., Cash Supply Stores. Windsor Magazine. New Books by mail.— • —— H» M» JOSIIS. !Wf ANTED Known—The Economic — — ~~7t »7 "T7T" T. I » » Kid Glove, four buttons, la 9d per WANTED Knownr-Every article sold ! . . the Gioye for c da^ wear f_ proven Heavy B*ductions.~MiT. w> H CoLLIEB . CBBLL & TURNER. \ ■ ,—., _ __ —. T7 I ' H /TAKK no mistake. If you want a sake WHA. everybody »vs irnwt be truv 1^ j ob mada of your repairs, try You get wonderful value lor Ufctl [ mm £ B n.^ ft u totntfus. ,



Business Notices. I «__^_ : — ' | - Waterproof Coats N.Z.C.F. To Measure ... 35s Qd Waterproof Ooata N.Z.C.F. New Patterns ... 32a 6d Waterproof Coats N.Z.C.F. To Measure ..„ 40a Od Waterproof I Coats NZ.CF. New Patterns «* 42a 6d , Waterproof Coats N.Z.C.F. To Measure ... 45s Od Waterproof , Coats N.Z.O.F. New Patterns „, 47s 6d Waterproof Coats N.Z.C.F. To Measure ... 50s Od ..-.-. NEW ZEiUDAND Clothing Factory. o p ? in as Q^ p ry] S *" -J 5 o § M fl §■ 2 - n I B . W s I Church Services. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH Ashburton. SUNDAY SERVICES. 11 a.m;—Morning Prayer and Holy Com munion. ,3 p.ro.-GREENSTRKET. 6.30 p.m.—Kvening Pr&yejp. REV. T. A. HAMILTON.



ft «nt it to 111 it fffotlKHi* i » *s«g.;uaaiiy Mr Jacob Esbensen, who is ia the employ of the Chicago Lumber Co., afc Dea Moines, Jowa, say a: ' I have just sent sohie medicine back to my mother in the Old Country, that I I know from jpers^nal u«j to be the best medicine in the world for rheumatism, Saying used it in my family for several years. It is called Chamberlain's Pain j Balm, It always does tha work.' JFor sale fry Asa?URXO» Pbcg Comp^v,



WMtmv md R*irefhi*£-~NtVi VtMH



Jfrom all accounts Ohamberlaiu's Cough Remedy is a godsend to the afflicted. There is no advertisement about this : we feel just like sayiug it.— The Democrat* CarroUton, Ky, For Bale by AwgHtyO*' D|*p& Goty w' ' " i



We haye sometimes heard it remarked that Messrs Craighead and Berryman charge rather high prices for their suits. It is evident from the number of hands in their employ that they do by for the largest tailoring business in Ashburton, and as they employ the best workmen and pay the highest wages their customers do not expect their clothes at "sweating" rates (" cheap and nasty.") By insisting upon first-class workmanship in every garment, combined with good fit and beat quality linings etc, MesßrsOraighead and Berryman have earned their reputation for giving satisfaction! and theic reduction of about 20s per suit referred to in their new advertisement is sure to draw a fresh rush of customers. — Advs. 2 17 Kkaiins's i*OWDKB aestrbya ttiigs, .flew, m libs, beetle?, and all other insects, whilst gui c h rmlees to dcinestio animate. XA beetles the Buooes» of ttriq powder is ex raordinary. It is petfeotlV j-'oan in application. See the article' yon purchase is Keati^g's, as imj atjons |r« joxious and inefteotanl, Sold io tine, O<L 1| and 2 6d wcbj t>^ al ohtnujftg