Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1898. THE 52ND CLAUSE

A deal of fault has been found with the labor legislation initiated and placed upon the statute book by the present Government or the party it represents, but the fault finding has always been by those who could hardly be said to belong to the labor Party. The Coal Mine 3 Act, of 1891, intro duced and passed into law while Mr Ballance was Premier, was .specially designed to afford to the actual -getters of our coal all the protection m their arduous and dangerous employment that the best skill and the accumulated knowledge of centuries of experience could suggest. So comprehensive and exhaustive are the provisions of this Act, that after one has waded through its 88 voluminous clauses, and its equally voluminous appendix of 109 clauses the wonder is left on one's mind that an accident fatal to human life, and especially such a terribly fatal accident as that at the Brunner mine which about a year and a half ago sent a thrill of horror though the whole of our own and the other Australasian colonies, could happen at all. But m spite of the greatest possi ble care taken by conscientious managers and subordinate oJKcers, accidents will and do happen, just as they appear to happen periodically m the coal mines of Britain and the Continent, and m those of the New World. Not a year passes that doe 3 not add its list of victims of colliery accidents to the sum total of the army of men and boys who have lost their lives m their stuggle to win from the bowels of Mother Earth fuel for the hearths of the world's homes, and/ to keep going the fierce furnaces that provide the motive power for the mighty industrial enterprises born of our nineteenth century civilisation. And it is seldom indeed that any one of the terrible colliery accidents we so often read about is satisfactorily accounted for. But by them wives become widows and children fatherless, and both are left to fight the battle of life without their breadwinners, and too often have to fight it handicapped by dire poverty. It was to giye those whom the victims left behind a chance to remove the poverty handicap that clause 52 was introduced into the Ooal Minea Act, JS9I. And ifc reads thus — "Any accident pecurring m a^ mine shall be prima facie evidence jbhat such accident occurred through some negligence on the part of the owner/ And the clause that follows makes the employer liable to compensate any employee injured, or the personal representatives of any employ cc killed, owing to the noa observance m the mine of any provisions of this Act, such non-observance being solely due to the person so injured or killed. Those leffe destitute or m straitened circumstances by the Brunner disaster proceeded against the company owning the mine for compensation, and the Judge at Wellington has just given his decision m favour of the plaintiffs, awarding the several representatives damages m all to the amount of over £7000. No evidence was given by the company sufficient to satisfy the Judge that the company had not been negligent, and, aa the Chief-Justice said, the cause of the disaster could only be a matter of inference, as all the persons m the mine at the time of the accident were killed, and therefore could not be cited to give evidence. He threw the onus of proof on the shoulders of the company, and m view ef the 52nd section the epinpaiiy wap

virtually powerless to defend thein-J selves, no proof of a particular act of negligence on the part of the company was necessary, otherwise m many cases the section would be of no avail, and so, as a matter of fact-, that clause of twenty-four words has enabled the people whose relatives were killed m the terrible disaster to ride triumph antly through the Supreme Oourt. Technical objections interfered complete success m some of tbe cases, but m the sixteen cases that were successful out of twenty-four brought £7225 were awarded m damages with costs pgainst the company. And now comes on another phase of the actions. The Company's debenture holders are m possession, and hold that their claim on the mine and plant is preferential to the claims of the successful plaintiffs. This will be for the Oourt of Appeal to settle, but: the damages m which the Company has been melcted so heavily have caused the directors to seriously consider the advisableness of winding up, not seeing that the future of the mine, after such damages have been paid, can possibly be profitable.

Db Dawson Burns, m his annual letter to the Times on the consumption of -alcoholic liquor BRITAIN'S DRINK m theUnited King- BILIi dom, states that the national drink bill of 1897 amounted to £152,281,723, and the estimated population of the United Kingdom being 39,824,573, there was an average expenditure of £8 16s sfd by each man, woman, and child, or of £19 2s 4fd by each family of five persons. These averages were, of course, purely arithmetical, the actual expenditure, both as to indi viduals and families, varying from sums relatively small to a large pro portion of the entire personal or domestic income. The drink expendi ture m 1897 exceeded by nearly three millions and a-third that of 1896, which was equal to £3 153 6d per head. This increase was composed of £757,125 on British spirits, and £154,016 on foreign and colonial spirits, a total of £911,141 on spirits , while on beer the increase was £2,405,714 ', but, as wine showed a decrease of £7362, the net increase was £3,309,493; 'It was generally ex pected,' says Dr Dawson Burns, ' that the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebra tions would considerably augment the expenditure on strong drink, both on account of the influx of visitors from abroad and also from a partial survival of the irrational sentiment connecting professions of loyalty with alcoholic potations,"

Local and General.

The Kino Country. — Respecting the immediate openiug of the King Country, it is stated that five survey parties have gone to commence work m the district.

S.M. Court. — There were ouly two casea heard at the Court to-day— both civil cases. They were as follows :— Pollock v. White, £2 13a lid— plaintiff nonsuited ; Stephens v Kennedy, £1 19a 3d — judgment by default.

The House Stabber. — The horae fiend has made his appearance m Greytowo, m the Wairarapa district. One night last week lv?o valuable draught animals were stabbed, each m the foreleg, by some person whose identity is at present unknown.

Swarm of Bees m a Telegraph Office. —The employees m the Palmerston North Post and Telegraph office received an un welcome surprise the other morning. A swarm of bees entered the room where the operators were engaged and made matters so lively that all the employees beat a hasty i e treat through the back door, and had to wait until the bees shortly afterwards lefo the building.

The " Government Stroke."— Mr Hogg, M.H.R. for Masterton, m an interview with the Premier, called his attention to the slipshod manner m which the roads that the Public Works Department constructed were being made. He cited a portion of the Alfredton- Weber road which he had person ally inspeoted. The culverts were out of all proportion to the watersheds. Some of them were built oi inferior material, and others, owirg to the weight of earthwork overhead, had collapsed. An expenditure of £600 was required to replace culverts that had only been constructed within the last five or six years.

The Meat Supply of Dunedin. — At a meeting of the Dunedin City Council on Wednesday night, a report was received from Mr Gilruth m regard to slaughter houses around' Dunedin, after which it was resolved—" That m view of the matter dia closed m the report, the Council issued a warning to all butchers onrrying on business or Belling meat m Dunedin, that the Council will treat as a ground for refusing licenses the selling of meat killed and dressed at any of the slaughterhouses mentioned m Mr Gilruth's report, and will revoke the lioense issued to any butcher who shall be fo und selling such weat."

TgEBipTCLE Craze. — The bicycle appear 8 to be m the way of falling under the same condemnation as the tofalisator. At Dune din a lad of fifteen was charged with obtaining goods under false pretences, and Mr Eraser, who appeared for him to beg the Bench to let him off this time, said the boy 'a trouble had mainly risen from a craze for bicycles. The facilities afforded to young boys to get bicycles brought about a state of things which was simply deplor able. Mr Allan remarked that that excuse was not sufficient.

Canterbury Hockey Association. — A meeting of this Association was held at the City Hotel, Christchurch, on Wednesday evening. It was decided that the uniform of the Association should be navy blue and white. The following officers were elepted } — President, Rev. J. Blaokburne ; vice* presidents, Rev. H. H. Mathias and Mr D. B. Low; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr E, H, Pavitt. J.t was decided to arrange test matches during the season between affiliated clubs. A match m being arranged for the .Queen's Birthday between Chiist charph and Tjnwajd, and a combined team from the Qrocers and Drapers and Ashbur ton, fco be played at Ashb, urtoa, i

Methven Cqllie Trials.— The Methven collie trials commenced on Tuesday on the Rosehill Downs, the property of Mr John Holmes. The day was perfect, but there was only a email attendance of the public. Class 1, heading and bringing back, about 509 yards, m which there were nine teen entries, only fcwo having withdrawn, resulted m a win for Mr J. Muirhead's Rap, with 23 pojnts out of 50; W. Beattie's Roy second with 21 points, and Mr D. McDonald's Dan third with 20 points, Itan cast to the left, headed wide, twd brought back father quickly, but keeping the sheep well under oontrol placed them m the- ring m nine minutes. About half of Olas3 2 was gone through.

Maori Justice —During tbe hearing of a charge of rape by a Maori, at the Hastings Court Q. few days ago, the Bench asked the interpreter whether it was an unusual thing to bring a case of this kind before the Magistrate's Court, Mr Spencer said it Wftß. Such cases were usually dealt with by the chiefs. Jn former times the criminal was sentenced to deajth without hope of compromise. This oourße not beiqg allowed by British law, the punishment is now ajfine according to the oiroumßtancee of the delin quenb, as a rule the fine consisting of all the man possesses, horses, sheep, cows or any thine else. A short time feince a man was fined £300- The Bench suggested thab the reasou for this exceprion was thatf the man hatf nothing to levy upon. ,

Correspondence will be found on the \ first page to-day ; and reports of the Asti-l burton and Addington stock markets appear 3 on the fourth page. Baring Square Church.— At a meeting of trustees of. the Aahburbon Wesleyan Church, held on Wednesday evening, arrange ments connected with the coming anni versary services were discussed. Matters relating to the church, property were also dealt with, and considerable time occupied m dealing with matters financial. The Rev F. W. Isitt is expected to conduct the anniversary services, and will also be asked to deliver a popular lecture. Race Privileges. — Messrs Friediander Bros., Limited, yesterday Bold by auction the privileges m connection with the Racing Club's autumn meeting as follows:—Publi can's booths— No. 1, two days, at £5 ; No. 2, two days, at £10 —both toMrT. Connolly. Luncheon booth, two days, at £3, to Mrs i Thomas, The horse yards at £1 15s, race cards, at 11s 5d per dozen, and the outside stand, Bs, were bought by Messrs Baker and Brown. Oysters and fruit rights, two days, at £1 Is, Mr J. H. Jewitb. Mount Peel Road Board.— lbis Board met on Friday, April 15th. Members pre sent — Hon. J. B. A. Acland (chairman), Messrs R. Thew, and B. H. Tripp. The Clerk reported that, as directed, he had seen the Stock Inspector re rabbits m the plantation, and had arranged to have the fenoes cut ; also that the surfacemen had m their time painted the tipcarts ; and that he had made up the accounts and prepared the balance-sheeb. It was arranged that the ratepayers 9 meeting be held on May 7 at noon, the election to be on May 6 and the nominations to be m by noon on April 27. He had a Big Swallow. — This is the sort of thing we read about m the American papers : — Pasadena, Feb. 11. — The Rev J. H. Kelly, a negro preacher, swallowed a live mouse lasb night and lives to tell the story. Mr Kelly, who is a pastor of the Friendship Baptist Church, had been reading a newspaper and fell asleep with his mouth wide open. As he waa lying on his back, a mouse, attracted by the loud snores, crawled into the wide open mouth, and squealing and clawing continued down the food channel into the stoinaoh. The pastor, jumping to his feet, and gasping for breath, got on his wheel and rode for the nearest doctor. Epioac broaghb up the mouse after two hours. The Vagaries of a JBullet. — The fol lowing extraordinary story of the vagaries of a bullet is told by an Indian correspon dent. A sepoy of the 36th Sikhs, when retiring from the Saran Sar Pass on the 9th, said he felb something hit his rifle, bub seeing no imrk thought he was mistaken. On reaching camp, when he came to clean his rifle, he found a bullet had actually entered the muzzle and penetrated about nine inches down the barrel, a seemingly impossible thing, but for all that true, It was lucky says a correspondent of the limes of India, that he had no occasion to fire his rifle again on his way home, or it would of coarse have burst. Submarine Ppotooraphy.— A Rio de Janeiro inventor is reported to hsve devised a submarine photographic apparatus for use by divers. The operator has an incan descent electric lamp with a reflector fixed on his head-piece, and is provided with an ordinary camera, enclosed m a rubber enve lope having a glass front. Currenb for the lamp is supplied from the boat above, and pictures are taken by pressing buttons through the rubber covering. It is stated that objects m Rio de Janeiro Bay have been photographed under the water by this means at a distance of ten or twelve ieet as easily as m full daylight.

Colonial Defence.— A Wellington Press Association wire says : — The officers com manding the volunteer districts have been summoned to Wellington to confer with the Commandant of the Forces and the Under Secretary for Defence, as to the best steps to be taken to improve the means of defend' ing the chief ports. The Conference began its^sibtiDga m Government buildings yester day (Wednesday) and those present were — Colonel Pole Penton, commandant, m the chair ; Sir Arthur Douglas, Under Secretary for Defence ; Lieutenant Colonels Banks, Auckland j Newall, Wellington | Gordon, Christchurch j and Webb, Dunedin. It is likely that the Coaferenoe will last several days

The Paterson Concert.— There was a very satisfactory attendance at the concert given m the Orange Hall last evening for the benefit of Mr William Paterson, who has loat his eyesight and \b m consequence unable to follow his ordinary work. The pro gramme comprised well rendered items by the following ladies and gentlemen: — Vocalists— Mrß R. D. Wilson and Miss Kathleen Orr, Messrs Kersel, Wilson, Gates, Hammond, Brooking, Bryant-King, and Williams ; instrumentalists — Mrs Claridge, Misa Bessie Simmonds, Mr Llewellyn Owen, and Mr Msrsden. All the items were heartily enjoyed, and most of them vociferously applauded and encored. A well attended dance followed, and the financial result of the whole should be very satisfactory. The " Buried Treasure." — Says the Otago Daily Times : — The communications showered upon Otago respecting buried treasure, or as it is generally known, " the Spanish swindle," would appear to indicate that the promoters are becoming desperate. We gave the particulars of the scheme from a letter received by a resident .m Dipton, Southland, on the 19th ult. We have since heard of several other letters being received and the latest is addressed to Mr W. J. Waters, Port Chalmers. The handwriting and the matter are m each case identical, the letter m each instance stating that the writer had concealed m an iron box " m the neighbourhood of your place " 650,000 francs m French bank notes. It is scarcely probable that the gentleman, who writes from Barcelona, will find any victims m New Zealand.

When Spades abe Trumps ? — Apt illus tration is the preacher's treasure (says a recent number of Si. James' Gaxeite). That Father Bernard Vaughan (brother of Cardi nafyaughan) possesses this gift is proved from' the following extract from a recent sermon whioh he preached at the opening of a new baptistry at . the Church of the Holy JSlame at Manchester. "Life," said he, "is ppt unlike a game of whist. Some are play ing for riches," qontinued the preacher, " and for these diamonds are trumps, Some are playing for love — for these hearts are trumps. Some are playing for power and dominion^for these club 3 are trumps. But there is a fourth hand, and that is the most important m the game ; this hand is taken by the Angel of Death, and for him spades are trurrps. Shall you," asked the preacher, " be able to say when spades are turned up on the table, ' Q, Death, wheni is thy sting ? 0, Gra7e, where m thy victory ?'" "Not the Czar of Russia."— At the recent Trades and Labour Conference m Wellington, one of the members, Mr Vaney, suggested that a deputation should wait on the Minister of Labour (Mr Seddon) and present to him the resolutions of the Con ference. This elicited an interesting little discussion. The Post reportßi— Mr Nagel said that they should go to the "boss "if thoy wanted to do anything. It might be said that ho wou}d make a three hours 5 speech, but the man was not the Czar of Russia, and he could be informed that the deputation's time was limited. Mr Wilson favoured writing to the Premier. Mr Fisher — From experience, I know that all deputations that have gone to the Premier have come away with the idea thafe they had fastened him/ whereas thpy hadn't fds toned tim up to the present, and pro r bably they wouldn't fasten him. It 'was deoided not to wait on the Premier, and the matters will probably be brought before the Government by letter.

Hollow ay's Pj lls and Ointment!— Some occupations tend to phe development of pertain diseases, and those who toil as miners are peculiarly liable to rheumatism, lumbago, and other allied complaints. Jn the gold fields and copper mines Hollo way's remedies have been largely patronised by the workers to their very great advantage, and they can be confidently recommended aa invaluable remedies for inward congestions, spasms, and cramps ia the bowels, and all those condi tions of the lunga and liver to which those who work underground or m impure atmo spheres are so peculiarly liable. For cuts, bruises, sprains ans stiffened joints, the action pf Holloway's Ointment* is eminently healing and soothing, and a supply should frlw&ye b© at hand iv o»w q£ need,

Technical Education.— -The followia.? | letter from the Under-Secretary of the 1 Education Department was read at the { meeting of the Board of Education on Wednesday : — " With reference to yonr application for assistance towards the establishment of technioal schools at various centres in your district, I am directed to inform you that, in the present condition of the law relating to this subject, and in default of the legislation which the Govern ment had in view last session, the Minister is very much limited in the action which he is able to take upon such proposals. At present he is only in a position to say that if the establishment of such institutions as are proposed is initiated by local effort the Government will take into favourable consideration any application for subsidy so far as buildings and appliances are con cerned." The Perils of the Sea — A most ex citing stpry was related ab the Board of Trade inquiry in Liverpool regarding the steamer Drummond, recently abandoned off the Spanish coaßt. The Drummond left Mary tort in December for Argentina, with a cangp of steel railß, and when off the coast of Spain she encountered terrific weather which caused her to roll so heavily that the cargo shifted. The steering gear afterwards gave way, and the vessel became helpless. She was every now and again washed from stem to stern by mountainous seas which smashed her bulwarks and carried away the boats. Eventually the vessel got on her beam ends and believing that she waß about to sink, the crew of eighty hands abandoned her, being taken off by a German steamer which had gone to the assistance of the Drummond in response to distress signals. While the Drummond was tumbling about for days in the stormy Bea no fewer than eleven of the crew were injured. The cook had both legs broken, another man had a fractured leg, while the boatswain had hiß collar bone and several ribs broken. After being abandoned for several days the Drum mond was picked up and towed into Lisbon.

News in Brief.

Mr T. Bradford wants a competent steady engine driver. The annual meeting of parishioners will be held m St. Stephen's schoolroom this evening at 7.30. On Saturday next Mr D. Thomas will offer at the Arcade 11 draught mares and geldings, also light dog cart. On Saturday next Messrs Friedlander Bros., Limited, will sell farm implements at their West Streeb Mart. Messrs Friedlander Bros., Limited, have received instructions from Mr T. Bradford, to sell by public auction on Saturday, April 30, the whole of his property situated near the Woollen Factory. Mr D. Thomas holds his next horse f air m the Arcade on 29th inab. The catalogue at present comprises 106, among which will be found a number of good draught mares and geldings. Farmers requiring good horses should give this sale their attention. Farmers m want of a nice comfortable ' farm, of good fertile land, would do well to remember that on Saturday Mr R. Fried lander will offer by auction, for his firm, on account of the trustees m the estate of the late Henry Bennett, the. Wakanui farm of J4(j acres. The sale will be held at the West Street mart at half-past one, and terms will be announced then, bub the property will be sold without reserve.

ASHBURTON HUNT CLUB.

The postponed annual meeting of the Ash burtoa County Hunt Club was held at Devane's Hotel on Tuesday, Dr. Leahy presiding. The Secretary read the annual reporb as follows : — Your Committee beg to report" that sufficient money had been collected to pay off all liabilities, and it was unani mously decided to hunt the hounds again during the coming season. Mr B. Wynn- William 3 hunted the hounds aud though he spared nothing m bringing the hounds out m good condition, the season was unfavorable owing to the dry, hard going. However, whenever they had a favorable day, they had good eport. During the season the fields were small. There were a great number of hares killed. The hounds were taken to Geraldine and Temuka, where they met large fields and had good sport, and the visitors were splendidly treated by the Southerners, who seemed to enjoy a good run to hounds. Special mention is due of the number of horses that were brought out and did battle for Ashburton at the Hunt Club races m Christchurch. The thanks of the Club are specially due to Mr G. A. M. Buckley, who was away on a trip to Eng land, and was greatly missed m the field, as the welfare of the Club is greatly due to to him. The thanks of the Club are also due to our Masters, Mr J. C. N. Grigg and Mr P. Jones for the way m which they assisted the Club and worked to keep it going. The Club wishes to thank the farmers over whose land they have been hunting for permission to do so, and for the kindness extended to the members of the Club. The report was adopted, as was also the balance sheet presented. The officers for the season were elected, pending the acceptance by the geatlemen chosen, and after some minor business had been transacted the meeting adjourned. The first meet was fixed for Saturday, April 30, at the Kennels at one o'clock. i

THE ROAD BOARD ELECTIONS

The arrangements for the election of the various road boards m this county are now all advertised m Mail or Guardian, and will take place as under : — Nominations. Poll

OBITUARY.

Mr Arthur Perry, Solicitor, Timaru.

Press Association—rßy Electrio Telegraph— Tibjaru, April 22. Mr Arthur Perry, solioitor, a very old ant] highly respected resident, died this morning, after Buffering severely for about nine months from cancer m the mouth. He had been Bolioitor to the borough siuoe its incorpora tion, and served m the provincial council. He took great iatereßb m acclimatieabion.and horticulture.

RHEUMATISM CURED.

My wife has used Chamberlain's Pain Balm for rheumatism with great relief, and I can recommend it as a splendid liniment for rheumatism and other household use for which we have found it valuable. — W. J. Cuyle^, Red Creek, N. V,

I was reading an advertisement of Cham berlain's Oolic, Cholera and Diarrhea Rem edy m the Worcester Enterprise recently, which leads me to write this. I can truth fully say I never used any remedy equal to it for goljo and diarrhoea. I have never had to use more than one or two dojes to cure the worst case with.myself or children. -7- W. A. Stroud, Popomoke City, Md. For sale by Aahburton jJrqg Company. Don't Cough. — Relief oan be obtained immediately. Use " Keating's Cough Lqzenges " — well known as the utterly unrivalled Cough Remedy. Strongly I recommended Dy many eminent physichns. ' They at once check the cough and remove the Gause without any after effect : the most delicate can therefore take them. One Lozenge alone gives ease— one or two at bed time enoures rest. Sold everywhere m tins. 13£deaoh. * '

CABLE NEWS.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association— By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. Fatal Colliery Fire. London, April 20 By a colliery fire at Whit wick, Leicester, thirty-five miners perished. Lord Salisbury. Lord Salisbury returns to England on the 30th inst. Turned Professional. Tyers, the English amateur swimmer, has turned professional. Evacuation of Thessaly. Athens, April 20 The evacuation of Theßsaly by the Turkish troops begins on the 24th inst. ' Suicide. Paris, April 20 The daughter of the late Due de 1 Pereigny has committed suicide. A Japanese-Russian Treaty. Tokio, April 20 ' The new Japanese-Russian Convention with regard to Corea is nearly concluded. The Samoan question Berlin, April 20 German officials discredit the re-opening of the Samoan question as suggested by the newspapers.

Australian.

A Rich Discovery; Perth, April 20 A splendid bonanza of tellurida ore has been strnck m the Australia mine. A couple of hundredweights of the stone yielded 2500z of gold. The Dudley Mine Disaster Sydney, April 20 The Chief Examiner nf Coalfields, giving evidence as to the Dudley disaster, ■ attributed the explosion to a naked light carried by Hebherington coming m con tact with gas. It was a mistake to stop the fan when no miners were working m the mine. Had it been kept going con stantly, the chances of an explosion would have been greatly reduced. Expediting a Mail Melbourne, April 20 The question of facilitating the despatch of the English mails from Adelaide la engaging attention. When a steamer mlases the express ib delays the mails kill the next day's train, causing great incon venience m the Eastern colonies. Ib nod Infrequently means missing the New Zealand steamer. It is now proposed to despatch a special train if the express has gone, the oost to be borne by Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, and New Zealand.

THE SOUDAN.

Presa Association — By Electric Telegraph- Copyright London, April 20 News has been received that a British gunboat has defeated a force of Mahmoud's fugitives at El Aliab, kill ing 200 and capturing seventy. The captives assert that 2000 perished of thirst or were lost m the desert after the Dervish defeat at the hands of Sir H. Kitchener.

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

Discussion— atr-tiitr Cuiontat-ftistrr- — tute. Press Association — By Electric Telegraph — Copyright LoprDON t April 20 Ma]or-General Rutlon, late Com mandant of the New South Wales forces, read a paper before the Colonial ! Institute on defence. He said it was time the [Empire co-operated m a scheme of mutual defence under an | elastic policy on tbe lines of the Aus ; tralian federal defence, controlled by a Council of Defence. One hundred and seventy-three thousand federal militia were available, on the basis of popula tion for Imperial defence. Canada and Australia could supply 14,000 each, | South Africa 7000. Additional troops i were available for local defence to the number of 309,000, the Australasian proportion thereof being 12,571. | Sir Saul Samuel said that when shown the necessity the colonies would share m the defence of the Empire. Sir Henry Norman said the colonies did not at present realise the necessity, but when they were m face of war they would do all that was neceegary. Msijor-General Sevan Edwards suggested that a committee of the Cabinet ought to be entrusted to deplare authoritatively the require* ments for the defence of the Empire,

COMMERCIAL.

Presa Association— By Electrio Telegraph—* Copyright. Sydney, April 28 Wheat— Chick, 2i 6d to 2a 9d ; milling, 43 to 4s Id. Flour, £10 to £10 18s. Oata —New Zealand, feeding, 2s 2d to 2s sd^ milling, 2s 5d ; Tartarian seeding, 2s 5d to 2a 7d ; local feeding, 23 2d. Potatoes, Circular Heads, £6 103 ;. local, £5 to £5 15a. Onions, New Zealand, £6 153 to £7. Melbourne, April 20 Wheat, 4s Id. Oats, Algeriap feeding Is 4d to Is 6£d, milling la lOd, stoub whits and Danish }s lid. Adelaide, April 2Q Wheat, 43 to 4s O&d, market hardening, Flour £10 153 to £11, Oats, New Zealand 3s 5d to 3s 9 i local Algerian 2a 5d to 2,9 7d, Dan 2s 4d to 2s 6d. Messrs Dalgety and Company, limited, have received the following cable from fcheic London office, under date 19th mat. ;— • " Wool — The list of arrivals is closed, and all your wools have arrived m time. The total available, including old stocks, of oolqnial (Australasian and Cape) is 209,0QQ bales. " Wh^eat-^The market is firm, owing to large shipments being overdue. Ab the moment the position is uncertain ; ib depends entirely upon war.'

In order to make room for the builders to complete the alterations we have resolved to greatly reduoe our stock. We have therefore culled a large quantity of pur Tweeds and j Worsteds, etc.; to ole,ar at the. following reductions :— Men's suits to measure, usual price 90a, now 70s; Men's trousers, usual price 255, now 15s 6d ; etc We have also pleasure m notifying that we have just beep appointed agents for the famous " British Monarch ' " Wayerley " and EQlipse-Humber Bicyoles (both gents* and ladies'), which we are now selling with all the " up-to*d.ate " improvements at the lowest oash prices, or on the most liberal terms to suit the convenience of our customers. (Every machine guaranteed).—* CBAigHJ&D and Bhbbyjun, tbfl leading Tailors and Outfitters. ' *

THE ABHBUKTOH GUARDIAN: THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1898.



(lf necessary) South Rakaia April 25 May 2 Longbeach  23 „ 4 Wakanui „ 30 „ 7 Mount Hutt „ 26 „ 5 Anama 29 „ 7 Coldstream ,_ 25  6 Raogitata  23  5 Mount Somers May 2 „ 9



Synopsis of Nbw Advertisements Wanted — Good Engine Driver D. Thomas — Sale of horses, etc. Wesleyan Church— Anniversary services T. Bullock— lmportant Properties for sale Lost— Gold brooch



Mr Cuyier is one of the leading merchant* of this village and one of the most prominent; men m this vicinity.— -W. G. Phippin, Edi« tor Red Creek fferqld. For sale by Ash. burton l>rug Company,



Business Notice. 1348 OTAGO'S JUBILEE 1898 NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTOBTS Jubilee Commemoration COMPETITION riIHE PROPRIETORS OF THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY have , deoided to commemorate the Jubilee of Otago by presenting A CHEQUE, VALUE £25, To the person who correctly estimates the Number of Visitors to the Otago Jubilee Exhibition (exolußive of season ticket holders) from date of opening, March 22, to June 4 inclusive. (Should no one give the correct reßult, the person who guesses nearest will receive the above cheque, £25 ; if more than one person guesses the correct number the £25 will be equally divided amongst tha successful competitors. & THE PROPRIETORS make NO RESTRICTIONS as regards competing for the above valuable prize. Every Man, Woman, and Child m New Zealand may compete by applying for Forma at our Exhibit, near Fernery m Exhibition, or ab any of our 3<5 Retail Branches throughout the Colony. The above Competition closes on SATUR- DAY, May 14, 1898. All answers must reaoh ub by that date. H ALLENSTEIN BBOS. & Co., DOWLING STREET, DUNEDIN. NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY'S JUBILEE COMMEM- ORATION COMPETITION. 43 TO OUB STJBSCJRIBEBS. IT IS hereby notified that all Contracts to deliver the Ashburton Mail and Ashburton Guardian made prior to March 19th last, whether subscribers may have paid m advance or otherwise, will be carried out under the conditions originally existing, except with regard to the '• free list" which is under revision ; and all contraols re advertisements prior to March 19th last, will be similarly carried out. THE ASHBURTON PUBLISHING CO HENRY WILLIS, Msnager,



Church Services ST. STEPHEN'S OHUROH Ashburton. THURSDAY— ANNUAL MEETING of PARISHIONERS m St. Stephen's Schoolroom, at 7.30 p.m. FRIDAY— Short " Servioe, 7.39 p.m.; Choir Practice, 8 p.m. SUNDAY SERVICES (24th April). , ' 8 30 a.m. — Holy Communion. 11 a.m. — Morning Prayer. 3 p.m.— Seafield, Rev. H. Purohas, 3 p.m. — Dromore, Mr T. Gatea. 6.30 p.m. — Evening Prayer. The Rev. Harold Purohaa, of Mount [ Sometß, will officiate at all the servioes m St. Stephen's Church, PHASES OF THE MOON. April. d h m Full mooa „ ... 7 850 am Last quarter ... ,„ 14 1 58 am New moon ... .„ 21 051 am [ First quarter «* «, 29 155 pro i i



I am so satisfied with this one that I intend going m for another. Youra Truly, WM. KUSTON. THE Advantages of the Collar WAY BE SUMMARISE!? AS BELOW :- No Haraea required ; It is easily ft ted ; It cannot get out of shape by wear j i It requires no stuffing ; There ia no piaohing of the shoulders ; The jerk at starting with a heavy load iB minimised, the collar being m itself a spring. The pull is distributed over a large surface of the shoulder, and does not come wholly on the outer edge, ac is often the case with the ordinary Collar. It never wants drying, and, therefore, a second Collar for use during that pro* oess is unnecessary. It is cheaper, lighter, and more comfort- able, and lasts longer than a Leather Collar and the parts are interchange- | able. AGENT FOR ASHBURTON : F. FERRIMAN.



TESTIMONIALS, To Ma F* ;Febbiman, DearSiry— l have taken great pains to see how t*te above Collars would answer, and as yoa have taken over the agency for them I am Bending you this testimonial, hoping yon -will use ib for the benefib of the farming community, as I am satisfied the Steel Collar is a great boon to this county on account of the great heat and boulders we have to contend with. I have used them for carting shingle m riverbeds and nnd that they ease the horßes very much. I have also, nsed them m the hottest parb of summer to put m turnips, and find the horses -wearing the Steel Collars finished much freaher and took lesß feed tokeep them m condition than those working m the leather collars. I had a mare sent to me with her shoulderß quite raw, and her owner could nob cure them. I started to work her m the Steel Collar, and within a month had her as sound as possible. Another man sento me a mare with a tumor on her shoulder. I worked her m a Steel Collar and had her well m a week. In fact I do not think they can be too highly praised, and if once used no other sort will be used again. At the same time I would like to remind all that übo them that they mußt be kept quite clean, a rub with a wet cloth is all that is required. F. A. Saunders. Mayfield. Ashburton, February 12, 1898 Mx F. Febriman. Dear Sir, — About a. month ago I purchased one of your Steel Horse Collars for one of my horses, which I found ib impoßßiblo to work with the leather collar, though I tried every device m stuffing and padding I could think of. I at last decided to buy a Steel Collar, and since then I have worked the horse constantly, and he has done hia work with the greatest ease, and is ontirely free from Bore Bhoulders.



F. FERRIMAN. THE PATENT ELASTIC STEEL? HORSE COLLAR. (Contractors to Her Majesty 'd Government WarOfficj, Patented m Great Britain, France, Bel- giam, 'Germany, Austria, Hungary, Italy, South Australia, JViotoria, and the United States of America, etc. LATEST- AWARDS.- Silver Medal, Birkenhead Agricultural Society, 1990.— Silver Medal, Altringham Agrioultutal Society, 1890. Diploma of Merit, Royal Military Exhibition, Chelsea, 1890.— Bronze Medal, Prague Exhibition, 1891. THE COLLAR is an invention which winß the approval of all owners of horses who once give it a trial.



INOANDESEKT GAS-LIGHT EXCUBSION WASHEB 1.000,000 HIGH CLASS TOWELS GIVEN AWAY TO PURCHASERS OF EXCURSION WASHER, The Best Washing Powder m the World. A Large HONEYCOMB TOWEL given withJgThree Paoketi. A TURKIBH HOLLER TOWEL or a Large HAND or; BATH TURKISH CCQWEL given with Twelve Peoketu. SHEARMAN BROS., FAMILY GROCERS, IRONMONGERS, & WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS, MARKET HOUSE, BURHETT^STREET, ASHBURTON. Telephone No. 53. WATERBURY WATCHES, rPHE LATEST IMPBOVEE SHORT WIND Gentlemen's Reduced to 14s 6d, Ladies' Waterhurys Reduced to Ws 6d] Buor A WRITTEN GUARANTEE TO KEEP ABOVE, WATCHESJ. IN GOOD GOING ORDER FOR 1» MONTHS:: TO BE OBTAINED AT S. .8 ALEK'S, Watchmaker and Jeweller, EAST STEEET, w WINTER SEASON A. P. WILLIAMSON T S NOW SHOWING a Choice Selection of the Latest and Most Fashionxble DRESS MATERIALS m Tweedß, Sergea, Vicugnas, etc., suitable foe the present NEWE3T TRIMMINGS, FANCY BRAIDS, GIMPS, Etc., Etc. HRST-CLkSS DRESS-MAKISG AT MODERATE CHARGES MIIW VT .« V PT<I Blankets. Rnp9. Etc., Value Unequalled. New Flannelletteo, O^^hSS^'-SbuSSl Bto^N-w Tartan Jt Floral Flannellettea and Moleton;. now a" L'hioaable for Bleuaea and Dreasmg Gowns. MEN'S, YOUTBS' AND BOYS' TWEED SUITS, MEN' 3 MACINTOSHES & TWEED OVERCOATS, BOYS' REEFER COATS. 6hirt», Sookß, Scarveß, Hats, Cap 8| Bracoa, eto etc. PRICES BIGHTi SPLENDID VALUE IN MEN'S COLONIAL VESTS AND PANTS A. P. WILLIAMSON, CASH DEAPEE & CLOTHIEE, TANOEED STEBET INCANDESCENT GAS-LIGHT. (WELSBACH PATENTS). GREAT REDOCTION IN PRICES XTAVING made Special and AdjgUgn- Jj™ \ v SSJ^J"!SSt ELJSTl 'aT^w^e^offer^ouffie buyers at the iSuoSfog reduced price, ;- C BURNERS, PLAIN, COMPLETE, 15s EACH. 0 BURNERS, "AVON," WITH BYE PASS, 17a 6d EACH. N BURNERB, PLAIN, 10a EACH. N BURNERS, WITH BYE PASS, 11s 6d EACH. Mantles for above are now reduced to 2s 6d each. No Householder can aflord to be any longer without the Incandeecent Light The C Burner gives FiVE (5) times the light of an ordinary gaa burner with ooiumption of less than TWO-THIRDS of the ga 8 . The N Burner gives DOUBLE the light of an ordinary gas burner, with » en- Bumption of gas lees than ONE-THIRD of the gas. FOR FULL PARTICULARS APPLY TO W. J. ADAMS, PLUMBER AND GASFITTER, BURNETT STREET, ASHBURTON, SOLE AGENT FOR ASHBURTON. * »»j