WOOL SALES.

CHRISTCBURCH. Press Association — By Eleotric Telegraph Christchuroh, January 14. The third of the {present series of local wool sales was held to day. There was a large attendance of nuyers, including a Con ' tinental buyer who made his presence felt for all good merinos and the better classes of orosabreds. An American buyer was present, but did not operate as the wool here is too heavy m grf ase to allow of going to the States, on account of the heavy duty. Out of 7339 bales offered, 6536 changed hards. The (<ale throughout was spirited. Competition for greasy merino waa ve*-y btroßg ah a considerable advance, and good *nd super greasy c.oaahreds and halfbreds were also m demand at an improvement on Jut sale, while medium wools advanced id to per lb ; inferior and faulty parce's dull of salt and difficult to quit at December rates. Scoured wools were not so much sought after and last Bales prices were barely maintained. Culverden wool again topped the market for the fourth year m succession, merino bringing up to B±d. The following are the catalogues sub mitted to auction by local auctioneers at the Ghristchnroh wool sales yeterday : — DAVID THOMAS. AH conjoined, halfbred and Shropshire, 1 bale at SAd. 03 over — , halfbred ewe, 2 at $td. VX, halfbred ewe, 3at 6d. BG, half. toed ewe, Bat 6Jd ; bellies and pieces, 1 at 3d. JB, crossbred, 9at s&d. C over — , crossbred ewe, 3at s£d ; crossbred hogget, lat shd. 85 over — , first cross ewe, 3 at 6d. SS, first cross ewe, 9at 6| J ; gE con joined, first cross ewe, 3at s|d. W over <crou, crossbred ewe, Bat s|d. higham, 'crossbred ewe, 21 at 6£d ; crossbred hogget, Sat 6£d. GFC, bellies and deadwool, 1 at 3d. 2ff, half bred ewe, 7at 7|d. B over V, crossbred ewe, 4at 6d. W9 first cross \ «we, 9at 6d. WB, halfbred, 26 at 6d ; orosßbred, 18 at 6d ; merino, lat6d ; cross* bred and halfbred, 2at Bid. AD conjoined, threequarter-bred ewe, 10 at 6|d. WX, crossbred, 6as s£d. 85, first comb halfbred, 9at ssd ; tbreequarter-bred first comb, 2at s|d. MV, halfbred and crossbred, lat 6&d. con joined, crossbred ewe, 3at4£ d. — -over 61, first crosß hogget, I3atsd ; merino, lat 4£d. 2D ever — , huifbred, 6at s£d ; threequarter-bred, 2at 5Jd. VR conjoined, halfbred, 6atSf d. IR, crossbred hogget, 13 at sfd. 4K, first and second cross, 3 at s|d. JQ, merino, 3 at 5d- E7, three quarter-bred, 2 at s£d. JJ, crossbred hogget, sat 6d. GV over — , crossbred, 5 ■at -sj|[d. — over 3X, first cross ewe, 6 at 4Jd. <J over G, 8 crossbred, 24 first cro^s, 10 first ores* ewe, 42 at 6d ; merino, 1 at 6d. HZ, crossbred, 3at sd. RT, halfbred ewe, 7at 6£d. C between bars, locks, lat I£d ; bellies, lat3d ; ram.«, 1 at 5d ; merino, 1 «t 3£d; threequarter-bred ewe, 2 at s£i; halfbred -ewe, 10 at s£d. JA, threequarter bred ewe sat 5J(i ; halfbred ewe, sat 6|d ; halfbred hogget 2ats !. 2L, first cross ewe, 7at 5Jd ; crossbred, lat sd. H, halfbred, lat s|d ; crossbred hogget 6at s£d. — over HR conjoined, fine crossbred, 5 at 64. FR, crossbred, Bat s§d. Tin cire'e over V, crossbred ewe, 6at 6d. R7, merino ewe, 1 *t 6d ; merino ewe, 2 at 6d ; pieces and k>oks with merino and crossbred fleeceß, 1 at 3d. ~~ over 8, halfbred ewe, 2al 6Ji. 39, half bred ewe, 2 at s^d, W5 oyer -, merino, 3at s&d ; halfbred ewe, 2 at 6£d. «- over WD coujoined, halfbred ewe, 2 at 6£d. Broad arrow over A, merino, 4 at 6£d; orossbred,s ats^d; crossbred hogget, 1 at s£d pieces and looks, 1 at l}d. 3T, merino ewe, 3 at 5Jd. »grE conjoined over — , merino, 2at s£d. DQ, crossbred, 2 at s&d. H. merino ewe, 2at s£<l ; halfbred ewe, 1 at 6d ; tbreequarter bred ewe. lat 4|d ; pieces, 2 at I£l — over WG,.inerino. J. at 6£d. — under 3HL, Qroßsbred. l al 4^d. FH over — , merino, 1 »t s|>l 28, rams, lat 6J. (C), crossbred, lat sid. B diamond, merino^ 1 at ss-i ; half bt ed ewe, 3at 5 Jd Lyatt ovuy SS m tquarep, pieces, 3at 2£d. i>% merino, 1 at s£d ; piecec, 1 at 2£d. f}R conjoined, n.erino, lat 5d 5 over D, merino, lat sd. J'riuDgle on I , merino ewe, 3at />f d. K/0, merino, 6at sd. Q over G, orosisbrcd, dead »Dd black, lat 4d. — over SA, bellies, I it 3}d. L 12, halfbred, 3 at 6fd.

FRIEDLANDER EROS.,LIMITED.

JG, crossbred ewe, 3 bales at 6rl. 42 m tquare, crossbred ewe, Sat s|d. MB, half bred ewe, 1 at 6Ad ; crossbred pieces, 1 at 4&d ; crossbred and merino pieces, 1 at 3|d; oroßsbred, lat S^d. AH conjoined, three ■uarterbred ewe, 2 at 6d. — over 2V, hallbred, 3at sd. W.A, crossbred hogget, 5 at 6d, passed ; bellies and pieces, 1 at If J. DO, merino, 10 at s|d ; crossbred and rams, lat s£d ; locks, lat 1 Jd. — over DS, half, bred wethers, 2 .at 5Jd. D-B, first combing merino, 7 at s|d ; second combing merino, 2at s|d ; first combing halfbred, 5 at s£d ; ■eoond combing halfbred, 2at 4sd ; bellies and pieces, 1 at 3§d, passed j looks and pieces, latlf d ; ipms, lat ssd. WS con joined, three quarterbred ewe, 2 at 6§d. PN over — , merino, 3 at 5Jd. over TH, first cross ewe, 12 at s£d ; first oross hogget, 2 At &^d ; first cross ewe and hogget, 1 at 5d ; merino, 3at 4jjd. D 5, oroßsbred ewe, 4at SJd. — under RD, English Jjeicester, 3 at 6d passed; merino, 10 at sid, passed ; pitoes, lat 2d. *m L, crossbred ewe, 3 at s£d ; bellies and pieces, lat 3d. SF, croßS bred, 4at s&d. — under CD, halfbred, 4at s£d. 25, crossbred ewe, 4at ssd 5 halfbred Bhropshire and orossbred hogget, 1 at s|d ; 20 crossbred fleeces, balance merino, 1 at 4&d ; loeke and pieces, lat 2d. xC, crossbred, 28 at sid ; merino, 1 at 4£d ; pieces, 2 at 3Ad. LS, halfbred and crossbred hogget, 13 at s£d ; pieces, 2at 4d. DW, crossbred ewe, lat S^d. BL, merino, lat 6£d. NT, eroßsbred, 1 at s§d,

TIMARU.

The following are the catalogued sub mitted to auction by local auctioneers at Timaru on Wednesday, January 12 :— HAVMER AND OBAVES. Fj», crossbred ewes, 5 bales at 6£d ; merino, 6at s|d. Ufl, merino, 3 at sid. DS, first cross Shropshire Down hoggets, 6 at SJd. R, oroi>sbred ewes, 3 at s£d. JE conjoined, crossbred ewes, 3 at s§d passed. ET, hi»lfbred ewei and wethers, 7atsf d ; halfbred ewes, 10 at s|d. S& T, oroisbred flwes, 7 at 6Jd ; locks and pieces, 1 at 3sd. — over LW, second oroBS hoggets, 2 at 5d ; merino, lat 5d passed. 38, merino, 1 at sid. AB over -*, halfbred, 3at s£d. D 2. first cross ewe, 6 at 6Jd. (JL, crossbred •was, 6 ats£d. J through 0, crossbred ewes, 13 at 6d, passed -, halfbred ewe, 19 at s|d, passed ; bellies and pieces, lat 4d ; bellies, lat 4d ; bellies »nd 6 sandy fleeces, lat4d $ halfbred ewe, 3 af 6jd. TV, half brad ewe, 3 at 6d ; second crops hoggets, 1 at 5f d; «eoond oross ewe, 1 at 6£d ; Leicester ewe, lat Sid ; merino, 1 atsfd. F, merino, 2at 6}d ; looks and pieces, lat 2|d. HW con joined, first cross ewe, 4 at SJd ; first crosa and merino, lat s^d. S over J, halfbred •we, 5 at6|d. US, crossbred ewe, lat s£d; mixed wool, 1 at 6£d ; merino, 2 at s§d ; crossbred ewe, 7 at 6£d. 3E under bar, halfbred ewe, 7 at 6Jd ; merino 1 at s£d. 17, three-quarterbred hog* get, 3at 5Jd, pasned ; three-quarter bred wether, 11 at 51, passed. S with — top, bottom, and sides, second cross bred ewe, 5 at 6Jd ; first oross ewe, 5 at 6£d; belliea (crossbred), 1 at 4|d. C with — through, oroaabred, 1 at s^d. 3N, t\ ree quarter hoggets, 9 at s^d, passed. R7, merino, & at s|d, passed. AX con joined, halfbred, 3 at 6£d. C with bar through, orossbred hoggets, 1 at) s£-i ; crossbred ewe, .2 at 6d. W over f>, threeqoarter'bred, 4 at $£d, passed ; half, bred, 9 at 5Jd, passed ; half-bred and three '^uartlr-bred, 1 atsd, passed. JO conjoined, tocksand stained pieces, lat 3£d JQ, croMbred ewe, 5 at 6d, passed ; halfbred •we, lat 6d, passed ; orosabred ewe, Bat 6d, passed. 63, looks and pieces, lat 2jfd, passed. AX. crossbred ewe, 6 at 5Jd ; merino, lat 4J, passed. 7A, crosebred ewe, oat 6dj crossbred ewe, at s£. Tin 0 over ewe, 1 at sid- croßsbred ewe, 3at B|d ; looks and pieoesj 1 ab 2f 1. -J- over H4, merino, 5 at 5Jd ; halfbted hoggets, lat 5Jd. 020, halfbred ewe, 3at . fed ; merino ewe, 1 at . s|d. UC, merinc ewe, 2 at 4sl. OG, crossbred, 6 at 6|i : pieces, lat 31<3. J^, pieces, lat 3|d ; rair wool, 2 at s|d ; merino, 2 »t s|d ; orossbi ed 2ab6id. A, pieces, 2at 2id ; locks, 1 at 2id t :— • through SS, crossored ewe, 4 al Bid, S4, oronbred ewe and halfbred, 4al Md j m«r Joo, ;nt §i<S. %Q, peiinp, 3 ; a<

s£d; crossbred, 2at s£d. — over XL, crossbred ewe, 7 at s£d ; mixed wool, 1 at 5d ; crossbred hoggets, 1 at sd. DX scoured, super co>, b halfbred, 3 at I2£d ; aecoud comb halfbred, 3 at lid; first comb haifbied, 2 at ll£'l ; super and second comb ha fbred, 1 at. Hi pissed ; first comb cross bred, 1 at B£d. paßsed; first and second comb threequarter-bred, 1 at 9^d, paßsod ; second combing and merino pieces, 1 at. 9^d. passed ; first halfhmd pieces, 2 at 9£d, passed ; firßt combing merinos, 1 at 12d, passed ; second c-unb ng merinoa, 1 at. 10£ d, passed ; third h Hbred, 1 at 9^d, passed. — over SI, scoured, first cmbiiig \ hred, 1 a! 10 £<\; first and second combing £ bred, lai lO'Uiiocond and third combing halfbred, 1 at 9^d ; looks and merino, 1 at 7£d. tf with four- bare, on« fad^e sreoud crossbred ewe. lat sd. WT over — . 16 hogget fleeces and "locks iv bottom, la! 4$ I ; oro-sV>d ewe, 3 at sd. J(J over | , mmino, 3at 4£d. IR, crossbred ewe, 6 at s£d. Ci osa over diamond, crossbred ewe 2 rams and 3 hogget:-' fleeces, 3at 6d. A over P, orospbred ewe, 3at s|d. WM, halfbred owe, 2 at 6d ; halfbred hoggets, 3atsf d ; halfbred wethers, 1 at 6d. TR conjoined, merino, 1 at SJ>J. FD, ecoured wool, first comb halfbred, 5 at lOd, passed ; firßt comb crossbred, 2 at lid, P»bb d ; second comb half bred, 1 at 12£ d, passed ; second comb crossbred and three quarter bred combing, 1 at I2d, passed ; merino combing and pieces, 2 at lid, passed ; halfbred pieces, 1 at 12d, passed ; second comb halfbred and pieces, 1 at I2d, passed ; halfbred bellies and crossbred pieces, 1 at ICH, passed. TP over — , halfbred ewe, 3 at SJ I ; merino ewe, lat s|d. CX over C 1 and — , merino ewe, lat2£ 1 ; halfbred ewe, 11 at tf d ; belly pieces, 1 at 4£d ; crossbred hoggets, lat 4d. CX, halfbred. 7 at sjd passed. CW, threequ*rter bred ewe, 6 at 6|d ; halfbred ewe, 1 at 6^d ; 6 rams and orossbred bellies, 1 at 4£J. TB, thEce quarterbred, lat6d ; halfbred, 1 at 6£d. OF, halfbred ewe, 2at 6&d. PM, thiee quarter bred, 2 at s£d, passed. LR, |- bred ewe, 6at 6£d. BT, halfbred ewe, 2 at s|d, parsed. — between A8 and O, half bred, 2at 6Jd ; crossbred, 1 at 6£d. KM, oroßsbred ewe, 3at 6d. -~- over 4, three* qu&rter-bred ewe, 2at 6|d ; halfbred ewe. 2at 6|d. — over 'JK, threequarter-bred, 1 ft-t 6^d, passed ; halfbred, 1 at 6d, passed. TB over — , looks, 1 at 2£d. *-* over M, oroscbred, lat 6d. H over GG. halfbred and threequarter-bred, 1 at 54d, passed ; threequarter-bred ewe, 8 at s|d, passed ; bellies and pieces, 2at 2sd, passed ; half bred ewe, 2at 6£d, passed. G over W, halfbred, 2 at 6£d. Q, crossbred ewes partly matted, 1 at 6d ; pieces, 1 at 4£d. JO, mixed fleeces, 1 at 4Jd, passed ; crossbred pieces, 2at 4^d. — over FD, halfbred ewe, lat s^d. (JL, merino, 1 at sd. JS, crossbred, 1 at 6d ; merino, 1 at s|d ; merino bellies and pieces, 1 at 3JI ; pieces, lat 2|d ; locks, 1 at 2Jd ; locks, pieces and dead wool, lat 3d. T, piecet, 1 at 3d, C diamond, threequarter-bred hog gets, 1 at s£d. S, crossbred bellies and pieces, lat 4^d ; black, lat 4d. — over WP, 9 orossbt ed fleeces and locks and pieces, 1 at 4£d ; HBJ, Jocks and pieces, 1 at 3^. Bag wool.— first locks, 12 Ugs at 2£d; second locks, 4at l^d ; bellies and pieces, 24 at 3|d ; locks and pieces, 8 at 2£d ; merino, 2atsd ; halfbred, lat 51 1 ; merino -fleeces, 2 at s£d ; crossbred 1 cks, 4 at ljd ; orossbred fleeces, 2at 6d ; scoured locks, 5 at 4d ; crossbred locks and pieoeß, 6 at 2^l ; merino, 1 at 5d : pieces, 1 at 2£d ; crossbred hoggets, 3 at s£<l ; croaebred, 1 at 5^ 1 ; merino, lat s^l • crossbred, 3at 6^ ; rams wool, 5 at s£d ; black, 5 at 4|d ; crossbred, 3at s£d ; crossbred pieces, 1 at 3Jd ; dea.6 wool, 5 at 5Jd.

FRIEDLANDER BROS., LIMITED

■-J, crossbred hogget", 6 hales at o£d. Fl*g, crossbred wethers, 1 at s£'J, passed. V under i— >, 15 rams and 28 crossbred hoggets, lat s|d. S/M, first cross ewes, 3 at s|d. HU conjoined, second crossbred ewes, 1 a.t 5£J, passed ; fi rat crossbred ewe o , 2 at. sid, passed, T5. crossbred ewes, 5 at sid, passed. E, halfbred ewes, 18 ai 61; r»tns, lat 5£J; half brer) ewes, 6 at s|- 1 ; locks aud pieces, 2 at 2%<\ • first halfbfcri piec.pp, 2 at 4|d ; ihree-quarterbred ewe, 2 at 5<H ; halfbred bellies, 2at 3A<I ; three quarterbred bellies, 1 at, 3^d ; three-quartei bred pieces, i at Qsd. TK, halfbred ewee, 2 at s£<i, passed. E, half bred pieces, lat 4d ; bellies aud pieces, 1 at 4^l ; ha fbreri and three-quarter la ed ewes, Int4 I. ']EI., crossbred ewe, lat s|l ; ha fbreil ewe, 2at 6| ; bellies, loclpj and pieceß, lat s|d. HP, crossbred ewe, 1.3 at6Ad j crossbiea hogget", 5 at Sid $ crossbred ewes and rams 1 at s<l; pieces, 2 at 3| ; locks. 1 at 2^l. 151, crossbred ewp, 10 at 5^J. — 6, crossbred ewe, 11 at s|d. 87, c.osßbred hoggets, 7at s£d ; first cross hoggets, rat sid ; first cross ewe, 5 at sf-5; crossbred ewe, 2 at s£d ; merino, 1 at sd.

BUSH FIRES.

BIRCH HILL.

There has been a serious fire at Birch Hill. A party of thirby-aeven, mostly ladies and children, who were camping out m the bush, were burnt out. All belonging!) at Boyd's mill were burnt, and the homestead and out buildings at Haylands wera also destroyed.

BELFAST.

News was received early on Friday after noon that a grass aud scrub fire was burning some four or five miles from Belfast, between the property of Mr Acton-Adams and the Ya'dhurat road. No daDger to the Belfast township wbb anticipated.

OXFORD.

Press Aaaooiatioo — By Electric Telegraph Ohribtohurch, January 1§« A disastrous fire occurred at Oxford yesterday, and the losses will mostly fall on poor people, many of them being rendered enticely destitute. A gale which was blow ing at the time was unprecedented m its fierceness. Catble and Bheep were destroyed and forward crops threahed out. Maay narrow escapes ocourred, bub no liven were lost* The fire made a clean sweep of the dwellings, outbuildings, and crops of Meßßrs Askew, McGiJlivray, l£o#riar Bros., W. Weld, S. Weld, J. Froham, and W. Friar ; Booth's mill, Roaßiter'a mills, and the pro periies of Messrs Mo'.tz^n, Dohrman, Jones, Osborne, Williams, Shannon, Allan, Young man, Wynn, Burrows, and Miles. Camping out parties fled for their lives. At nine this I morning the wind had moderated, but all danger is not yet over. About midnight the nor'west gale died out, and to-day the weather is bright, with a light cool breeae. There is no smoke passing over the city, and the sky being dear, it is thought the bush and grass fires m the country districts are extinguished. Blenheim, January 14. Bush fires are raging about the Rounds, and the settlers at Mahau and Keneperu j sounds are suffering sevarely. Ashtpn's house at Keneperu was burned down yester day morning .Greenaill'B property suffered severely, the fencing and some sheep being burned. The settlers are lighting counter fires to save the property from complete destruction. The great fire m the Rai valley is still burning, and the surrounding country is enveloped m smoke.

NORTH ISLAND.

Woodtilie, January 15. Slight showers fell last night, checking the fires and clearing the air of smoke. George Land's training stables were burned, bub it now appears that Bead's house at Mahara hara is safe. Pahiatca, January 14. The howling gale is bearing the fire d iwt towards the town, and people are becomiof anxous. Monokton Bros., Mangahao, an burned out and at Mangtainoka the reai dences of McKenjrie, Mullen, and Harvey have gone. 4 p.m. The houses at the north end pf the towi are surrounded by flames. Help has beei sent for and men have gone down. A Makuri township the settlers have beei fighting tho fire since yesterday morning. :; : 6.30 p.m. The gale is still raging* If it continue the Norsewood disaster will be repeated, bu on a much, larger scale. Att Mangatainok* the residences of Maoloskey and James ar destroyed. The police station is siirroundei and abandoned, and the railway station a Mangatftinoko' was saved with great diffi oulty. Quintan's timber yard is burning a one end. : Yuile's and Mexted's outbuilding are burned. Tho creamery at Hamua i deitroyet}, Th* d»m»g«, \n loifl of itock

L, fences and grasp, irrespective of building?, ia at incalculable- The smoke is so thick ereu ia >X town that respiration ie difficult. The town d ; is full of homeless people, who are '-einjr nb billetted out. amongst the townspeople. If nb the town catches it will be appalling. Com -9- municatioD with outlying parts i-s cut off. id 815 p.m. * 1 ; At the present time the fire ia rapidly d. reducing the circle m which stands Pahiatua. d, The spectacle is snhliire. The hills are d, ablaze m every direction, and the whole d, fiinument is lv id. '■ he cra^hof falling trees — and roariug of fl,tnescanbe plainly heard X m town. With every fall myriads of spark* it are scattered Abroad. The tree tops all it round the town ate ablaze, and unlebs the h wiud drops a terrible disaster seems inevi p. tßblo. A few diops of rain have jmt fallen, d and if the wind fell we would probably have 3 a downpour, bub tht-.ro appears liv!« lik li- L, hood of that. The fate of Pahiatua depeude I, on the force and direction of the wind s, during the night. Numbt : sof night w itch I. men were employed, but uxcept m case" of d incipient firea they cou'd do nothing. Man it gttainoko also is still m a perilous condition I, No news can possibly be got from Balance t or Mangahoe, which will probably wire I, later. The railway station at Manga , tainoko has just been burned out. The - north-east portion of the town is a raging ; furnacei The wind ie still raging. ; January 15 1 At ten o'clock last night rain checked < he ; progress of the fire. The rain continued to b fill at intervals during the night and 5 quenched the fire, which this morning waa ) smouldering all round. A heavy wiud , sprung up, and unless ■ here is further rain i fall the danger is as gn at aa ever. Number* I of. families at Mangataiuoko were driven ; from their homes last night, and their i furniture is lying m the paddocks m every > direotion. The destruction of feed is calamitous, and the outlook of the dairy industry is very gloomy. Maugatainoko made a splendid fight for ihe butter factory, i library, eohool, police station, railway station, salvation barracks, and other buildingß, which were surrounded by walls of fire. The grand stand at the racecourse is intact, but the adjoining buildings were burned. A number of persons are delirious with the smoke, and the settlers are absolutely exhausted and unable to continue the fight if requited. Rain has given a respite, but further tain alone can remove the danger. No news yet from the Ballauce dißtric f , but a reporter hns gone out. Greytown North, January 14. Bush and grass fires are still raging m the vicinity of Wooduide and Tararua range, and Greytown is stifling with smoke. Three young vn«n named Humphries Brothers (2) and Mabhews, met with a terrible experience on Wednesday night. They were engaged m a whare near Wood side, and were surrounded by bush fires. Towards evening the wind carried sparks to the grass, and for hours they fought the flames to save their property. Frank Humphries rode to Greytown for assistance, but arrived considerably burned and almost tuffooated. He was unable to speak or c nvey his message for hours. A rescuing party went out to the scene early yesterday morning, and brought the others into town They had spent a terrible night. The fire brigade was cil'ed over to Matarawa last night to save Gallons' sawmill from destruction, and worked all night Fires are still raging at Papawai and Morrison's bush, Carterton. Ihe homes of the dairy farmers bordering on theTararun range of hills at Daltfield and Be'vedereare being teriou ly endangered by bush fires on the ranges, which havrf fpread on to the plain?. Miles of fences have been burned and hundreds of acres of grass, besMcs many sheds, and it is only by the most strenuous efforts, and by keeping water poured on the roofs, that t^e houses are kept from igniting. People are becoming completely knocked up, as the fires have been raging since Sunday last. Tn the Wainaioru district, towirds the East Coast, theie r< re .signs shotting r>f ex 'ensive fires. 8 i 3 rising m dense volumes, and everything is parched up and favorable to the spread of fires. FKATpjiRSTON, January 14. Shortly after midiiiglit a fire was dis covered m one of four bnil lings, a'l unin habited and belonging to the Masterton Building Society. Four building* soon dis appeared, and aR a strong ga!o was blowing at the limp, two other building's the property of Mr J. Dickens, an I inhabited by himself and Mr J. Buker, were quickly demolished. Both of I'ickens' hou.-ea were insured, and one of the Building Society's houses. It ja believed the firo originated from incendiarism. Wellington', January 14. The firos between Ohariu, Johnsonville, and Wadc-Btown, are still burning more or less fiercely, but no especial damage appears to have been done, beyoud ihe burning of grass. Some of tho residents at the back of Wadestown, one of the suburbs of the city, were m a state of alarm, as last evening the fires were threatening them m that direction. In one or two cases furniture was removed from the houses, but no great damage waß done. A strong northerly gale which has been raging all day has played havoc with the telegraph wires m the North Island, and communication is now entirely cut off be tween Wellington and the North. On both the east and west coasts, wires which usually carry all the railway department's in structions to and from the trains have also been blocked, causing disorganisation of the railway service on .the Wairarapa lines. A misty rain is now (5 p.m) falling, and indications point to an early downpour. Captain Edwin inolnea to the opinion that to day's gale is the tail end of a storm whiph was experienced In Queensland a few days ago, but he thinks it will blow itself out by midnight. Np information can be obtained to-night as to the progress of the fires near Pahiatua as the township is completely cut off from telegraph communication. The homes of dairy farmers bordering on the Tararua range of hills, at DaJetJeld and Belvedere, are being seriously endangered by the bush tires on the rangeß, which have spread on to the plains. Miles of fenoea have been burned, and hundreds of acres of grass, besides many sheds, and is lonly by the most strenuous efforts and by keeping water poured on the roofs, that the houses are kept from igniting, The people are becoming completely knocked up, as the fires have been raging since Sunday last. Wellington, January 15 The Postmaster at Pahiatua wireß that a heavy shower of rain fell at 10 last nighr, - which has relieved anxiety. The present atmosphere is pure and bracing. No news i 8 yet to hand of further looses.

CRICKET.

THE THIRD TEST MATCH,

Press Association— By Electric Telegraph - • Copyright. i, Adelaidk, January 14. Judged by their improved form at pra< j tice, the Australian team generally is coe i sidered stronger than those that have playe m previous test, matches ; The at.tetidKuce w<s 12 000. Trott wo . the tons from Moddar 1 , who cook the p'ac [ of Wain^'righr m the. English team, am , McLeod and Darling began 'he innings on i ' pnrfeoc wicket against Richardson am Briggs. While, the Vicr.orian ston"wnlle< I Darling began brilliantly, and made snmi maeniffcent nff dri% r es air l cu*s r»ff , bowlers, besides I -f title B-igea for fie The first; hour's play realised 61 runs. At Ih< luncheon hour, Darling was 54 aud McLeot • 16 Heame and Hiryt were tried at bowling SeoriDg was slow. When McLeod was 21 Ranjitsinbji missed a simple chance at point from Heame's bowling. Ar 9? Briggs re lieved Hirst, and his Beoond ball bowled McLeod who wap batting one hour and fifty-five minute?, and gave only one chance during his monotonous though useful dis play. Hill began busily, but Darling quite eclipsed him by the vigour with which he sent the ball flying m all directions. He was severe with charming cuts on Hearne and again hit Briggs for five. When the score was 86 Darling made a hit off Briggs which Hearne could not quite gee back to. At 135 Richard son replaced Hearne and Darl ing went to 98 with a sequence of three fours. At that stage he gave a terrifically hob chance which Ranjitsinhji could not hold. Theu he completed hiß century sensai iooally by hitting Briggs to square leg clean out of the ova!. This i« only the second time that such a hit was seen on the ground which is an unusually large on«. Darling made his 100 m two ami a half hours. At 170 Hayward and Mason were tried. At the four o'clock adj -urnm nt the scores were Darling 117, Hll 45 ; m one hour since the partnership began 98 runs had been scored. Darling had made mostly boundary hits, while Hill had got his runs by splendid all round playing. Hirst and Richardson re sumed the bowling and from the latter's third over 10 runs were ecored of which Hill made eight. Then the earns batsman hit ! eleven oft" one of Richardson's overs, but from the fitst ball of the next over was caught at slip. His innings extended j over 98 minutes, during which time 148 runs were scored. Hill's was a superb display for although he was so brilliant he did not make a mistake, and he hit all round the wicket with equal skill. Seven fours were m his score. Gregory began so cautiously that m a quarter of an hour he made only two singles. The Bcore reached 2.5Q after fur houra' batting. Darling, after taking a breather, opened out at Briggp, whom he hit for ten m one over, and eight m the next, four of the bits being fo'irs. Darling com pleted 150 m four and a quarter hour?. Hearne and Mason were now pnt on, but Darling punished them m the same w*y as he had the other?, Three hundred runs were completed it four hours aud a half, and the b tsmen phyed out time c-iutiously. Darling played magnificently, and the only chances were those mentioned, neither of which was easy. He hit one 6, two s'c, and twenty-s-x 4's. At times hia batting was terrjfio, but he never sacrificed caution for brilliance. Gregory was m »v hour for fifteen. The bowling throughout was brilliant, but the wicket was so good that the bowlerß could get no work on the bill. The fo lowing are the scores j -? AUSTRALIA. First Innings, McLeod, b Briggs 31 Darling, not out  ..   yjQ Hill, c Storer, b Richardson   81 Gregory, not out .. .. .. ..16 Extras . .  . . . .  4 Total for two wickets .. .. 310 PowwNci Analysis — Brigj»s 1 for 91, Riohunl-on 1 for 93. Hirst 0 for 43, Hearbc 0 for 47, Hayward 0 for 20, M*son 0 for 14.

Messrs Fried lander Broe., Limited, an nounce that they are supplying cornaoeks $t 4i 74 I per doz n, guaranteed full eiza acd weight, of which they have 1200 bales land ing ex "Oruignair." About thtee o'clock this afternoon there wa* quite a whirlwind at the Havelock stroet crossing, n great column of dust; atd bita of paper being caugfu up and carried to a. gteat height. At about one o'clock to-dnyihe fence at the old cemetery bounding Kcr.node Street waa fouud to be on fjre, and but for the prompt action of neighbors and others m beating out the fhmea we might have had an impleasanb experience with grass and fence fires m that part of the town. The beatfrs, however, onry mastered the fire after a black gap of twelve yards or so had been made m the fence.

ink A2«BbJK¥o» 6tTABi)iAN ; Saturday, January 15, 1898.



FLETCHER BROsT~ REMOVAL NOTICE. h M t" l l. be Ifav1 fayo luredI ured b^ xou '' -»te. mod orders In our new premises wHSI the H p u e b He w? I ay h *?: eVPry - k!> dOt ° rOCk ' r y •""«- E-rr-lreJotU the public will be able to , u .peot our v.dtd «tock without being pressed to WE havejußt received the following goods ex 8 A RimuUka, lonic, Matatua ° f Eartben ™ and Clunaware from the met celebs We are now showing the moßb belutifuljroiletSeta ever Been m Aihbnrton. ou?n°ew ASS " • dfty ' a WUI be Sa^e immediacy after moving tat T NOTE SOME OF THE LINES : c °»^ B —. fc« th, inn. - f CMeTßT'^w loo^ ft 0 !?? fche Ansonift Clook Company. 1 Case of BiW Ware ,» Table, Desert and Teaapoon?, aL Table and Des»ert Forki, Preserving So^ar. PreseiTing- Sug-ar. S TONS BRKWERy CRYSTALS. S TONSBKEWERS CKTSTAM 7011) BAGS 15s. Notice o^Removal will be duly advertiaed ia the local p a p erß , FLETCHER" BROS,, 1 CASH SUBTLY STOEES, P.O. Box"?. Street ' ABhburton « »nd"nigh Street, Chrislchuroh.: r - N Telephone 24. — — »— —^—^— — — , — mi mmmmmmummi mtm X GREAT CLEABING BJ^EE OF" Suiiuuer Drapery & Clothing-; ~ FOR ONE MONTH, ' COMMEMCINa FRIDAY, January 14. — w— Wonderful Reductions. Great Bargain^ Genuine Clearing Sale OF : Surplus Stock. A. P. WILLIAMSON, CASH DBAPER & CLOTHIER, TANCRED STREET; Funeral Notice. MOUNT SOMERg BOAD , BOARD - FUNUKAL NOTICES. -XThTTPi? ; v ~x . IV ICE » given that, m accord- HHHE Friends of Mr David Mor.i,, of of 1894"?^ ■ ce^iHb^SiS*?" 1 !^? J. Lyndhurat. are respectfully informed RATES OUT^NDINr Ift! d *J° that the Funeral of hi« lare beloved wife, d,y of January 1898 f the 19th Martha, will move from the residence of 1, "„, Mr W. Argyle, Alford Forest Road, v ih « °«*k will be m attendance at the ii 7 S 'i« L^ •" OMO0 ?u. ryiKß Friends of the late Mks Kakstkn ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. JL are respectful y informed that her w-uv, Funeral will leave the residence of Mr H. " Stephenwn, Aitken Street, on SUNDAY, riIENDERS are invited fnr th« t - t January 16, at 12 30 p.m., for St. • tepheu^a 1 TS. 12% for 21 year, with O^t Church, thence to the Ashbnrtan Cemetery, nation Clause for improiw^nt7 vSSSSI BAKER BROS., m ?y be obtained at Wough Council Office 187 __ rfIHE Friends of the late Mr Chaulbs CHAS. E. FOOKS JL Fkntox Hre respectfully informed thut _, * his funeral will move from, the County j .,-„„,, 1t; , QQO J-own Clerk. Hoapital on MONDAY, l?chf nst at 3p m. JaiiUai >' IWB 1 BAKER^BROS., « AVTrnvn , ■ » IJO y|ndyaken,- ■CO^VENT SCHOOLS. ~^^ *? j Cod vent Schools, conduct«<i h» tu. LQNGBEACH %D |^ARD. I i-»«of« Notre Dame des MU.J» a ? +i $$&' wi!l RE -°«? « ■«°5S&. ALL Ratea^fue toll above Bo^^prJ F ° r P ftrtieular « apply to the J^ay.Janualy*3l&t iy>. w^U be Senior 1 82 JitV. MOTHER PRIORESS V^AN Cla^^n^TMt wey^re nov\ lH^|^^^^^^^|^^^|Hj^H| m a h°j?9P W l6 S^'aT' aa&^rtmenl of Ueuta' Ties Jiß»\' "and Scarfs, yfre have ever had/th|rty»jPuFß of submit tiofli Men's and Ba^f SwSw and Felt Hats iv endless asß(Mraelt. New Goods m Tennis Shi ts just|[opened,— Mitchell & Turner. ■Hlb^^^^l^^^^^H^^H^l^l^^l WANTED— In a quiet and c«iusilfiabU} home, two or more. boanW^T Ap ply Mies AHman, \V\lHacn Strejpr ..^B^Hl^^^H^^Bß^^B^^^^^^^H



_ DAVID THOMAS. £7 OAT SHEAF CHAFF. 89 ion 1 T AM a Buyer of Oat Sbeaf Chaff m an\ «• ;I X quantity. _f 12 89 D. THOMAS. S? "CORNSACKS. 84 ' »t_ T ARGESST SIZE & BEST QUALITY ? 4s 7-|d per doz n. ■y DO T GHY'S BHST TWINES — 3jd, 4id, and 4^d per lb., less 2£ neb cash S I>. THOMAS. ■8, ■■' 5 F. FERIRMAN. 1. ■ — IHE PATENT ELASTIC STEEL t HORSE COLLAR. Contractors to Her Mnjeaty's Government War Office.) Patented m Great Britain, France, Bel- gium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Italy, South Auslralia, Victoria, and the United States of America, eto. LATEST AWARDS. Silver Medal, Birkenhead Agricultural Society, 1890.— Silver Medal, Altringhatn Agricultural Society, 1890.— Diploma of Merit, Royal Military Exhibition, Chelßea, 1890.— Bronee Medal, Prague Exhibition, 1891. THE COLLAR is an invention which wins the approval of all owners of horses who once give jt a tkial. TESTIMONIALS. To MkF. Pirkiman-, Dear Sir, -I have taken great paius to see how the above Col'urs would answer, and H8 you have taken over the agency lor them I urn smding you this testimonial, hoping you will uVit for the benefit of the farming community, ns I am satisfied the Si-eel Collar m a great hoon to this oounty on account (if Lh« j/rout htat and boulders we I aye to contend with. 1 have used them for caning shitig'.e m riverbeds and h"nd that they ea?e the hoises very much. I have <tlso used U\em m the hotteat put of summer to pub m mrnip-, and find Use horses wearing the Steel Collar* naished much fresher and took leBS feed to keep them m condition 'han those working m ihß leather col ; ars. I had a mare s nt to me with her shoulder* quite raw, and her owner could not cure them. I. started to work her iv the Steil Collar, and within a mouth had hfr aa souud as possible. Another man ser.t me a mare with a tumor ou her shoulder. I worked her m a Sttel Co!Ur and had her well m a week. In fact I do nob think they can be 100 highly praised, ( and if once used no other sort will be used again At the same time I would like to remind all that use them that they mußt be kept quite clean, a rub with a wot cloth is all that is required. F. A. Sau.vwrs, May field. ""If W Ahhburton, November 30, 1897 Mr F. Fbrhiman, Dear Sir— l have used the Patent Steel Collar and find them very satisfactory. My horses are never troubled with sore shoulders when worked m these collars. Thomas Bbsnbtt. ABhhurton, November 27, 1897 Mr F. Fekriman, Dear Sir— l am using sijc of the Patent Steel Horse Collars for draught horses, and although my country is very rough none of my horses working m these collars ever suffer from sore shoulders. Whenever my leather collars fail I replace them with the steel onea. I alwayß use them when breaking m young horses, and never have any trouble with their shoulders. I have horses I could not work unless I h*d. the Steel Collars. John Dotlk. THE A dvantages of the Collar MAY BE SUMMARISED AS BELOW :— No Barnes required ; Ib is easily fitted ; It oannot get -out of shape by wear ; Ib requires no stuffing ; There is no pinching of the shoulders ; The jerk at starting with a heavy load is minimised, the collar being m it self a spring. The pull is distributed over a large surface of the shoulder, and d.oe? not come wholly o,n the outer edge, as is often the ewe with th,e- ordinary Collar. Ib never wants drying, and, therefore, a second Collar for use during that pro- cobs is unnecessary, It is cheaper, lighter, and more con,\for'j- able, and lasts logger than a Leather foliar an.d The parts are interchangeable. AUENT FOR ASHEURTON ; F. FERRIMAN.



T WantecS, __ I TT\ X R T&BRRNACLE -To-morrow. - I -l_ l';into!- Ager 8 Morning subject— '"Rest." Kvuuing- Question for thinkers. Monday tveuiug — Bible Class Social. 189 A FULL Meeting of the Prohibition League, Monday next, at 8 p. m. ; Wesloyan Schoolroom, Baring Square. 183 REV. J. COCKER will conduct the Evening service m the Primitive Methodist Church on Sunday. All welcome. ljtf WANTED-200 i'aiis of Pigeons at once ; highest pries given. Apply Shearman Bros. > ■ 1 86 TO LET, two shops m Jubilee Buildings, Burnett Street. -tpply to Cl.tny Siephenson. YOUNG Ladies' Journal for January. Windsor Mag nine, W/eldon's Ladies' Journal, Children's Bzaar of Fashions (Christmas Numbers), Review of Reviews, j Family Herald (bound), G»eac Thoughts (bouu"), God aid the Am, Lonely God, The Literary Gent, published prices.— ll. M. Jones. Unparalleled Opportunity. HAVING j net landed large shipments of Cycle Goods, we are holding » O-LE^ARIIN^ SALE at the following quotations FOR CASH: — " ECLIPSE - HUMBER," ) Roadsters and Road Racers, r ftAA Parry's components throughout { oQ&\J 18 months guarantee. ) ♦'ECLIPSE- HUMBER, 11 } /Jni Lad ieß' Machines. j ob/V-L ' GREYHOUND,"- Gent's) Roadsters. First c ass machines/ £i "1 £* Ball Head Locks, and all latest] dbXU improvements. 12 mouth's V guarantee. j " GREY HOUND, "-Ladies") Machine. Loop Frame. Ball > Head Locks and all the latest ) fd liV improvements. 12 months") obi. ( Guarantee. j Standard Cyclometers, usual price ... ""Os, Sale Price 7s 6d Nickel Plated Trouser Clips, usually Is per pair.— To dear at 6d per pair. Ordinary TrouserClips, usually, 6d per pair, to clear at 4 pairs for Is. ••Search Light' Lamps, spring bracket, UMial price ... ... . 3Q 3 Sate Price ._ 20s •"«Hver Pet" L*mps, only lbs 6i aaoh. " Vl y Own" Lamps, only 63 6d each. " My Friend " Lamps, on y 7ti 6d each. Tool bags from Is 6d each. "Pushing Baby " Belle, 2a 6d each. Spanners, from 2i each, ttc, etc. ALSO,— A large quanMty of .Saddles, Saddle Pads, Cnains, Chain Wheels, Handle Bars, Grips, Toe Clips, Qiadr-int?, Spokea and Nippies, Hub* ami Pedals, Inner Tubes, and Outer Covers, Helmet Lubricators, Inflators and Valves, and every requirement of the repair shop. Those who have proved Wood Rima to be defective can have Westwood, etc. WEST WOO I) HOLLOW STEKL RIMS fitted to any Bicycle at a simll charge. Goods value g£ I and upwards carriage free to any address. Eclipse Cycle Works, BARING SQUARE. ASHBURTON. h S( Public Notice of :' n THANKS. I al VTTTE Sincerely wish tp thank our W numerous clients and the publip jenerally, for the splendid support accorded fcl io us during the past, and wish to intimate 8£ ihat we ate compelled tq enlarge our w )remißes to cope with our increasing c< maiuess, and as the tenders are already out or our New Shop we intend holding a Clearing S^le S tl Tor TWO WJBE*i», to reduce JJ tj ur large StQck., and e^ye e*p.en«« of w amoving, etc, h^ tl WE have a large stock of the following nes, some of which are just landed from, he manufacturers and qiust he said :<=» Brass aud Iron Bedsteads, all aizes. * liuoleuma, Carpets, Floor Cloths, Rugs, Mattings, Mats, N lU3TRIAN & AMERICAN WICKER & FANCY CHAIRS. Toilet Sets, Toilet Glasses, 4 Fanoy Goods of all kinds. •IUXUKKS FRA.MKU h UNFRAMED, a- largo utook of Picture Mouldings just landed, STOCK MUST BE REDUCED, 3ALL EARLY & INSPECT. T. H. Undrill & Co, 3ABINGT MAKERS, UPHOLSTB^BRg 4 PICTURE FRAMERS, !fest building Society OiJ|co— (Tivnqvetf



Friedlander Bros., Limited. f VJTTE ARE CAS 3. BUYERS 0? °' WHEAT RYEGRASS! * OATS ' COCKSFOOT BARLEY CLOVERS CHAFF And all other Farm Produce. FRIEDLANDER BROS., Ltd. *' tl COENSACIiS, L T^ E ARE NOW LANDING, c*e * A Our this Season's Supply of 1300 BALES ' FULL . SI^IS AND FULL WEIGHT CORNSAOKS, Which we oflfer ex our Aohburtou, Tiuwald, or Lyndhurst Storci, at . 4s 7tfd. farmers will no doubt appreciate I our keeping prices of their require- ments down by giving us their Liberal [ Support. | \FRIEDLAN;DEH BROS: LTMITEIX |



Synopsis of Nbw Advertisements. 1 Baker Bros— Funeral notices. Convent School— Reopening. f Church Noticea— St Stephen's, The Taber- l\ nacle, Primitive Methodiot. " v« Prohibition league — Meeting, Monday ? next. ' ° Wanted—Pigeons. fc ■ Borough Council — Tenders for lease of section. County Council— Notice re sueing for ratea.



TINWALI) I'RESBWKKIiiV CIIUKCII. Annual fathering. The anniversary of the Tinwald Presby- terian Church was celebrated m the I'emplar Hall on Thursday evening last, by a tea and public meeting. The tables— which were presided over by Meadames Fergje and Mclfeod, assisted by M|Bse9 Anderson and Stewartj Mm Shearer, and Misses A. and g. OairncroßS ; and the "batohelors table" by Mrs Gunn, Misses M. Shearer, E., A., and 8. Meharry— were all laden with an abund- ance oi good things, and everything that \ could be wished for was there, and to suit all tastes. Shortly before Bix o'clock tea commenced, and for two hours the fair waitresses were kept busy attending to the wants of those who had been brave enough to venture forth m the howling nor'wester which had been making things extremely unpleasant all day. Tea over, the tabled were cleared away, and tjie public meeting began. The Rev. J. Skianer, pastor of the congregation presided, and gave a short address. Puring the evening, interesting and instructive addresses were given by the Revs. Inglis, Mather and We9tbrooke. The muaioalpart of the programme comprised several well sung anthems by the choir, solos ! dialogues, quartets, etci, were given by Misses Lambie, Meharry, and' Anderson * and Mr Kersel, and the Messrs Craighead, and after votes of thanks to fch® -eptisfeera,' the ladies whp had. supplied and'attended to the tables, the Bingerß, and the Chairman J the meeting closed m the usual way.