PHASES OF THE MOON.

DEATH.

Caibncross— On July 21, at her residence, Tinwald, I ONES, relict of the late Daniel i Cairncroa?, m her 66th year. Deeply 3 regretted. 1 i

TO CORRESPONDENT.

Wasting Ratepayers' Money. — Your ' letter is too personal for one thing, nor ia the matter of any public interest, as it , is an open secret that the proposed liber ality of the public body referred to can nob delay the inevitable, and therefore much money taken from the ratepayers cannot be expended m the manner you objecb to.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, JULY 21, 1898. DELAYED REFORM.

» What a pity it is that our legislators as a body are afraid to touch the educa tion question. Time after time efforts have been made by individual members of Parliament to remedy somo glaring defect m the system, but only one or two changes have been effected — none of them touching the most vital parts of the subject, and every such amend ment has been made only after the most skilful engineering on the part of those promoting it. The subject is always dealt with m a gingerly fashion, as though the whole fabric of national education was so fragile that any careless handling would have the most disastrous results. It is generally supposed that the reason for such a condition of affairs is, that the sup porters of the present system are kaunte.d by the fear that if the whole question .were once fairly opened, the Bible-in-Schooia p&rty would make a determined effort to enforce their views upon the country, or at least, to interfere with the workjng of the present secular system. This fear, however, is absolutely groundless. We naiy rest assured that if that section of the people was sufll ciently numerous to enforce their views upon the country, it would not be left to the other side to take the initiative. It is therefore safe to say that if the Education Act of 1877-8 were repealed to morrow any new Aob would be quite as stringent m its provisions on the point m dispute. We make this remark with the full knowledge $f the great efforta that are even now being made to introduce B ible reading into our public schools. We believe that if the temper of the people has undergone any change during the last twenty years, it is to resist atill more strongly than before any attempt to place upon the taxpayer and the State the responsibility of the religious education of the young. This being so we sincerely hope that Parliament will not allow this difficulty to itand m the W»7 of pctocfttioaai rifprm, Xbftt our

system neecta reform m many ways, no \ c intelligent person can deny. We are \ £ ready to admit that it might be worse ; 1 1 m fact we think it possible that there j < are education systems m some civilised i ] countries which have m them more J t serious defects than ours has. But those of most of the English speaking nations are far before that of New Zealaud m the matter of adaptability to the circumstances of the country. We may point out that at the very outset, the selection of subjects to be taught, as indicated m the syllabus attached to the act, showed a want of appreciation of the true aim of a scheme of free education for the people. The framers of the syllabus seem to have shaken up the nameß of all the sciences, 'isms and 'ologies m a hat — a graduate's bat probably, to judge from the results For surely nobody can say that persons well acquainted with the requirements of the people of this country, and having a fair idea of the kind of education and training necessary to enable a man or woman to get on m it, would have included m the programme some of the subjects named therein. Almost every day we hear of cases illustrating the shortcomings of our public education scheme m this direction, and are brought face to face with the fact that the real elementary and necessary part thereof has not been supplied m the New Zealand public schools. There are of course exceptions to the general incompleteness of the work done, but these are mostly due to the intelligence, skill, and common sense of individual teachers, who, m defiance of the exacting syllabus forced upon them, have found opportunities to devote more than the usual attention to the essential subjects, reading, writing and arithmetic. In the majority of our elementary schools the pupils af ver passing through the course pre scribed by the Act, are quite unfit for any position likely to be open to them. They draw fairly well, but cannot write well enough to copy a letter, or make out an account ; they can tell the names of the parts of aflower, reptile, or fish, but they cannot spell some of the commonest words m their own lan guage, or write a letter of half a dozen lines without a mistake. They have sometimes a smattering of chemistry or cognate sciences, yefceldom have the least idea of the meaning of the busi ness terms m every day use ; and yet they have probably passed the highest j standard m a public school. How on earth they accomplish this would puzzle the casual observer, but not anybody ( who knows that all this is due to the systematic cramming, almost impera tive, if the teacher hopes to pasß his pupik. That we have mno way exaggerated the evil, everyone who may have given employment to a youth educated m one of the best of our primary schools, knows to his cost ; and a paragraph recently published m our columus shows that this state of affairs is not confined to ono place, but is general throughout the colony. We think the time has come for the public <o insist upon a reform. We are spending a vast; sum annually Off national education, but the machinery is defective, and does not work so that we may get the fuli value for our outl.iy. Thechildren do not really get the education they have a right to bave, aud we doubt much whether they would be much worse off if the free education stopped at standard IV. It i 3 the opinion of a good many thoughtful and observing persons that the New Zealand school boy or girl does not learn much that is really useful to him, or her, after passing the 4th standard, and that the years spent m the sth and 6th and sometimes the 7th are practically wasted. When the matter is looked into it, will be seen that this is, after all, only what might be expected, for we haye — be sides this unsuitable syllabus to work against — primary schools doing the work of secondary schools, and second ary schools taking up the work of the primary schools. 1 his is not only a great waste of public money, but it is confusing, and utterly destroys what ever claim the national scheme of education might have to symmetry or completeness. There are numerous other defects that might be pointed out, but at present we are content to have shown that on the ground of utility alone there is urgent need for amendment of the Education Act of 1877 8, if the children of this colony are to have a sound and useful education, one that will fit them to take part m the battle of life under more favorable conditions than now meet them at the very outset.

Fitb or six years ago the British Government gave £50,000 for the right to use the Lee- SMALL ARMS. Metford rifle, and since then there have been invented the Lee "Turnbolt" and the Lee " Straight-pull " rifles, the latter haviDg been adopted by the United States Government for its navy. With the use of a new cartridge cljp, which enables the magazine to be fully charged by one action m the time now occupied over a single cartridge, an expert can fire upwards of 50 shots per minute from the *f Straight-pull," and the rifls itself can be manufactured and sold at a profit for £3. The " Straight-pull " weighs 2lb less than the Lee-Metford and has only twenty eight parts as compared with the lattfir'B fifty seven parts. Both the " Turnbolt " and the " Straight-pull " are easily kept m order by a soldier or sportsman, and the firing system cm be quickly taken to pieces and put to gether again by a soldier without tools. Not very long ago all foreign Govern ments went to England for their small arms, but at present thp British can do very little more than make rifles for their own use, as there are only two smail-arms faotorjes m phe King dom. It is therefore proposed to found a new company which will establish a factory at Birmingham and commence the manufacture of the new rifles with in, six months. IjYom som* facts which have been disclosed it seems .that war casts a long shadow before it! Last year the Birmingham Small Arms Company were unable to supply promptly 30,000 Lee-Metford rifles, and ponsequently lost an order for 100,000, with seven months m. wbjch ; to oompje the contract. An order for 50,000 Lee M etfords could not be taken because fchey oould not be turned out as quiokly as Continental rivals oould supply » competing rifts. Aa

>rder for 1 #0,000 rifles for the United 1 States could have been obtained, but ;he coonpiny would not undertake to jompiete it under two years. The Lee-Metford therefore seems to b« m aniversal demand, and with its ac suracy, its low trajectory, its improved killing qualities, and its low price is almost an ideal weapon. An Indian writer, m Sir George Newnes' new magazine, tolls a etory of the ma-vellous acts EXTIUOttDLYARY of an Indian jug- JUGGLLYG. gler named Kara Pershad, which, if true— and amazing and incredible though it appear, the writer asserts it is an absolutely true account of what he saw with his own eyes — throws the tricks of Madame Blavatsky and all her Mah^tmas completely into the shade. Ram Pershad, of Benares, ia described as a juggler. The writer waa m Calcutta with a party of friends, when Ram Persbad was introduced to the company, and proceeded to perform his marvels by boiling some rice m BO seconds. The kettle was placed upon & mass of burning straw, which was set on fire on the bare head of a boy without burning him m the least. That, however, was nothing to his next performance. Ram Pershad struck the wall with his handkerchief, and caused a tiny silver tap to spring ! out of the bare surface. This, be it remembered, happened m the writer's own room, where there could have been no pre -arrangement. Ram Per shap then asked each of the company to choosd their drink, and m rapid succession exquisite port wine, cham pagne, sherry, and claret issued from the tap. An Irishman, however, insisted that nothing would satisfy him but Irish whiskey and soda. No sooner said than done. An inch and a half of Irish whiskey streamed from the silver tap, and then there spouted a clear stream of soda water. Ham Pershad then asked them to sit m a crescent. One of the company had a rupee m his hand. He was asked to close his eyes and think of some distant country. He thought of Russia, and lo ! the rupee had changed into a rouble. The juggler never moved from his original position. The rouble was passed on to another, who men tally and silently thought of Austria. On opening his hand he found the rouble had changed into a gulden. So the coin passed from hand to hand, until at last, when it reached the hand of the Irishman, it was a Mexican silver dollar. This time the Irishman decided to trick the juggler, and when asked to open his hand there was nothing m it. He had slipped the coin up his sleeve, The juggler said nothing, but proceeded with the next experiment. This was a variition of the familiar mango tree marvel. The mango stone was buried m a pot of soil, which was brought m from the garden for the purpose. Half-a -tumblerful of water was poured on the pot, which was then covered m a sheet of cloth; Ram Pershad then began to play upon a musical instrument, and the mango tree began to grow. It grew and grew until it had reached a height of two feet under the cloth. He snatched the cloth off, and there m the flower-pot was % beautiful little mango tree m full«blossom, and m the centre of the blossoms there lay an excellent little mango, a rosy pink mango of Central Bengal. The Irish man was then asked to cut the fruit which had thus been miraculously pro duced. To his horror, when he opened it, he found within, not the mango stone which he expected, but the identical Mexican silver dollar which he had slipped up his sleeve !

Local and General.

On the first page to-day will be found an article entitled " Cable telegraphy " ; and on the fourth page appears the Addington stock market report. Accident. — It J8 repotted that Mr John McKeague met with a serious accident on the Rangitata traffic bridge to-day, and will be brought home per express this evening. The Abk and thb Battleships. — A correspondent of an Englißh Service journal poiats out that the dimensions of our latest warehipa correspond almost exactly with those of the first recorded ship as given m .Genesis. ' This should make Europe tr-r-r-remble. Royal Colonels.— The Prince of Wales is Colonel of thirteen British, regiments, the Duke of Connaught of eight, the Duke of York three, and the Duke of Cambridge eight. These, of course, include regulars, volunteers, and yeomanry regiments, and the positions are mostly honorary. Explosive Bullets. — Ib is said that soir.e of the Dervishes at the battle of Atbara used elephant rifles, firing there- I from large conical bullets, some of which I had their base hollowed out and filled with I fulminating powder. These bullets were I thus practically small shells, and upon ex- I plosion inflicted fearful injuries upon those I who were unfortunate enough to be hit by I them. I The Kai-chow.— Mindful of the difficulty I which the Kaiser's " mailed fist " had to I reach the Far East, Germany is now anxious I to secure a coaling station on the Persian I Gulf. When this has been obtained, not I only will the value of the Kai-chow be I enormously increased, but an extended field j will be opened out for German produots. I Piper Findlater. — There seems a possi- I bility of Piper Findlater now retiring from 1 the somewhat prominent position he has I held for a fairly reasonable time. Upon his j lowing Netley Hospital, he entered into an ' I engagement with the Alhambra Palace Com- I pany to act asa 'f draw "m one of those I I spectacular exhibitions for whioh "the Balace I 1 has so long been, noted. To this step the j I War Office objected as being *' not m con- j I sonance with the traditions of the Army," I I and the engagement was cancelled on the j J understanding that Findlater abstained from I I similarly exhibiting himself elsewhere. I I Tme Shakespeabe-Baoon Controversy, j J— -V'hew phase of the Shakespeare-Bacon I I controversy has arisen m the shape of a new I I theory to the effect that not only did Bacon I I not write the works of Shakespeare, but, on I I the contrary, Shakespeare wrote the works I lof Bacon. The author of this new theory I I points out that Bacon, well-known to be one I I of the busiest men of his time, did nob have J j time to write oven his own works, much less I I those of one of the moat voluminous of I I dramatists, while historians of literature I J notoriously fail to tell us how Shakespeare I I pint m the most of his time, and claims that I I the ease is a very simple one— that is, I Shakespeare not only wrote his own works J bub those of Bicoa also. I Fighting Celestials — A Chinese wit- I ness, giving evidence m the Wellington I Magistrate's Court before Justices, said he I waff m opngfcant fear of beiDg killed, as the I defendant, who was a y'ery vicious and ex- I oitable man — he, too, was a Chinaman— had I threatened to Bhoot and stab him. The I witness (eaya the Post) went on to explain j that the Chinese m Wellington were divided I lpfco different tribes, and he Baid that what I were practically wars on a small soale, con- I sisting moßtly of wordy warfare and wipked I threats, were continually going on. The I witness happened to belong to a tribe whose I numbers were comparatively small, and he I SZLL toce Wiki0 * th * pwttotU $ ft*!

T»h Biggins-Taylor Cases —Mr Jastioe ( Denniston delivered judgment m the appeal cases by Martin Taylor and Higgina. The appeal m Taylor's case was dismissed with ten guineas costs, and in ' that of Hipgins the appeal was allowed. Personal —Mr and Mrs Hugo Friedlander arrived m Ashburton by the express td-day, and Mr David Thomas by the early train — Mr Friedlander and Mr Thomas from their recent trip to Barrytown. Mr Thomas Arthur, for some time stationmaster at Ashburton, now traffics manager at Dunedin, went south by the express. Diphtheria.— No fresh c isos of diphtheria hive been reported within the borough dudDg the past week. There are now only two cases under treatment ab the Hoapit.l. It is reported that.no fatalities have occurred since inoculation with anti-toxine was intro duced. It is to be hoped the outbreak is nearly stamped out. Magistrate's Court.— The Courb sat only five or ten minutea this morning. The I case against Mr John Fowler under the j by-laws was called, and the report on the work required to be done having been satis factory, the case was dismissed. The only civil case was Hallenstein Bros, v Smith, £2 2-I— judgment by default, with £1 Us coats. Coursing. — The final coursing meeting of the season takes place at Longbe&ch on Thursday next, the 28th mat. Given fine weather the champion stakes will provide a splendid day's sport. Coursing men are to be seen daily hard at work getting their dogs into form m hope of capturing the handsome stake. The secretary reports that dogs from Christohuich will be among the entries. Entries close next Tuesday evening at 8 30. Draw will take place at 9 p.m. Lucky Triboters.— Luck attended a party of five tributes on the old Llan berris mine, Ballarat East. Some weeks ago these men, who not long since were m very poor circumstances, found m their block three nuggets, weighing respectively 750z, 560z, and 68oz. from the sale of which they divided over £700. A few days later the party came upon another nugget which turned the scale at 109oz, and from the proceeds of ten days' work they have now divided £1200. Art.— -There are on view m the window of Mr H. A. Gates, Burnett Street, several very nice specimens of wood carving, and cromiiline work. The carvings consist of a handsome coai scuttle and chair. The cromiiline work appears to be quite a new departure, the flowers being modelled and colored after they have been placed m position on the panels or plaques. Both carvings and pictures ha7e been executed by Mr A. G. Barton, of the New Zealand Clothing Factory. Laghmor Estate. — In 'answer to Mr Wright's question as to whether he would expedite the negotiations for the purohase of the*}Laghmor estate, the Minister for Lands stated that the matter was now m the hands of the Land Purchase Board, and the Government could do nothing till they got his report. Mr McKerrow would be m the district shortly, and when the Government heard from him ib would be their duty to open negotiations for the purchase. Gold it* Sea Water.— ln view of the contemporary interest m the various methods for obtaining gold from sea water, the most recent analyses made by Dr Don, of New Zealand, are referred to m a recent issue of the Engineering and Mining Journal." He treated six samples of sea water by different methods, and found quantities of gold vary ing from .061 grain to .078 grain, tho average of the six determinations being .071 grainß per ton of sea water. The value of the fine gold would be three-tenths of 1 cent per ton of water. The analyses are considered most j trustworthy, and, according to the Journal t \ render absurd the claims of those who pretend to be treating sea water for its contents m gold with commercial results. The Re shipiment op Butter to New i ealand. — With reference to the shipment of 853 packages of colonial butter sent Home some time ago and returned by the Aotea and forwarded to Auckland, inquiries insti tuted lo2ally (says the NZ. Herald) have elicited the fact that the butter was returned because it was anticipated that the price to be obtained m Auckland would be better than that ruling ab Home. The colonial market had improved, and as the condition of the butter was good enough to warrant the step, it was decided to re*3hip ib by the Aotea. It m urged that it is incorrect and unfair to assume that the butter was m such bad condition that it could not be disposed of : on the contrary, the butter could have been placed as usual, but the price ruling m Auckland wm considered high eneugh to pay for the extra freight incurred m re-shipping the consignment. i An Old Friend.— Old Tinwald residents, and several Ashburton athletic " has beens" will read the following from the Auckland Herald with some interest : — Mr Cyril , Jephaon, the Thames inspector of slaughter houses, milk, etc., who was unfortunate enough to lose his diploma from the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester, Eng land, through the destruction of his house by fire at Ashburton, has just received a duplicate of the same from the college, which places him on a proper footing with the Thames local bodies, by whom his services are engaged. Since Mr Jephson assumed his duties at Thames m March last, he has (writes our Thames correspondent) proved himself thoroughly competent m all branches of his profession, and has done ex cellent work there. Westralia. — At the present juncture it is interesting to recall the facb (says the London Daily Chronicle) that until recent years one of our great colonies — West Australia— was ecclesiastically a province of vSpain. The last two Roman Catholic Bishops of Perth, the West Australian metropolis, Dr Serra and Dr Griva, were both Spaniards, although their priests and I congregations were almost entirely Irish, j Spain has now been ousted from the ecclesiastical supremacy, and an Irish prelate rules at Perth, although the Spaniards are still m possession at New Noreia, where bhey have a remarkable monastic colony, governed by the only mitred abbot m Australia, Dr S-tlvado, one of the original Spanish missionaries, who went out more ;han half a qentury ago. It is not perhaps aa widely known as it leserves to be but McDonald anb tfcDIARMiDS' stock of ladies walking and ivening shoes is the best m AshburtoD, while i he prices are the lowest ever quoted owing j o their great relinguish.ng sale now m full irogress. Call and inspect, and buy before he opportunity of purchasing is gone. See dvercisemenb m this paper.

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves responsible for tba opinions expressed by our ooirespondentß)

WATER SUPPLY.

TO THE EDITOB. Sir, — A few days ago I noticad the Borough Council had published ia your paper a notice to take over, under the Publio Works Aob, a piece of ground on the banka of the Ashburton river, for the purpoae of getting m a water supply of their own, to supply the town and different races. I hear on good authority that the County Council have also started to make a new race from the same point aa that applied for j by the Borough. Surely we are nob to have fcwo intakes at one pomt — one to supply the Borough and the other the County Council ? If so, I think it is about time the ratepayers of both Borough and County Council inquired into this matter, aa either one body or the other must be going to a lot of unnecessary expense. I think both the Borough and County Counoil should let the ratepayers know something about this water race matter.— l am, etc, Ratepayer.

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

United Press Association — By Eleotrio Telegraph Wellington, July 20 The Council met at 2.30 p.m. SECOND BEADING. The second reading of the Deceased Husband's Brother Marriage Bill waa negatived by the casting vote of the Speaker. STATK FARMS A committee was act up to enquire into the question of establishing state tarms aud industrial settlements. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr Scotland gave notice to move that the Legislative Council Reform Bill be proceeded with without delay, Mr Stewart gave notice to move that consideration of the Juries Act Amend ment Bill be deferred pending advice from the Supreme Court Judges, the Law Societies, and the Chambers of Commerce, aa to ita provisions. STATE FARMS AND INDUSTRIAL SETTLE MENTS. Mr Bolt moved that a Seleob Committee be appointed for the purpose of considering the desirableness of establishing State farms and industrial settlements as means of alleviating the evils arising from irregularity of employment. The motion was carried on the voices, The Council rose at 4.15 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, July 20 The House mci at 2.30 p.m. SEuOND READING. The Auckland Electric Lighting Bill, was read a Becond time, on a division, by 57 to 19. and referred to a Committee of Selec tion. QUESTIONS. In reply to questions it was stated, m reference to calling a conference of School Inspectors, th»t the last conference m 1894 had apparently accomplished its purpose, and bo far as the Government knew there was no present occasion for another con ference ; that as to introducing value pay ment m the paroel poat system, and allowing books for exchange to and from public libraries to pass through the Poat Office at Id per volume, the Government did not at present think either ohange practicable, bub would keep the proposals m view ; as to the position m the Government service occupied by Mr James Izett, his duties, office hours, and qualifications, Mr Izatfc had been em ployed toolassify valuable records of the colony and place them m a state fit to be utilised for purposes of history, and during the recess Mr lzett had been employed m thiß way at 15i a day, and during the session acted as clerk of the Goldfields Committee ; that the Government could not appoint special officers as superintendents of the mercantile marine at each of the four princi pal ports of the colony, and could not place on the estimates a sum of money sufficient to provide ealaries for such officers, bub would see that competent seafaring men should attend to the duties of the position : that the duty of keepiog the graves of soldiers and sailors who had died for the country, m a proper state of repair, was one for the Cemetery Boards and trustees and other local authorities wherever such graves were ; that ib was not yet necessary or ad visable to establish a School of Agriculture, near Auckland, but the Government would eudeavour to obtain laud for an experimental station, which might m time be used m con nection with a college ; that after the fog ■ignal experiment at Pencarrow Head had been thoroughly tested the Government wou d rtonaider the Question of making similar provision at other places where there was danger from log; that it was doubtful whether it was possible at present to issue a really helpful handbook for settlers, but if it were found possible the Orovernment would consider the queation j that the Labor Department had no objection, to enquire as to the wages paid by the con tractor for the Auckland Exhibition building, or as to the sub-lettiDg of the buildings; that new legislation would be needed to abolish the system of nominating members of Domain and other Boards ; thao the Government could not see their way to set up a Committee to examine and inquire into the several items of expenditure con tamed m the Public Works Estimate prior to subm-.tting the Estimates to the House for appropriation, such Committee to have power to call forpersonß, papers, and docu ments; that the matter of the purchase of the Laghmor estate m Canterbury was m the hands of the Lands Purchase Commis sion, and that the Government could not interfere m any way until the Board had reported ; that the Premier personally was quite willing to give ladies free aocesa to the gallery at night as well as m the afternoon ; Rhat goods were weighed at railway Btationß for the purpose of ascertaining what freight should be charged and the fee for weighing was a reasonable one j that the Government would consider the question of arranging with some expert to deliver a series of lectures m the colony upon the subject of irrigation ; that letteis addressed for one man were not sent by another except when j too late for the one for which they were I addressed, and there was no reason for interfering with the present arrangements. In reply to other questions, Ministers said ( they contemplated attaching dining cara to ! the Chnstchurch— Dunedin express train at | the expiration of the present leases of the refreshment rooms. It was for the Educa tion Boards to deal' with the question of paying teachers m district schools equal .salaries, where the qualifications 'of teachers and the conditions of Bohools were tqual. Government could not yet say what effect the annexation of Hawaii by America would have upon the San Francisco mail steamers not owned by America, but appre hended there would be no difficulty. The House adjourned at 5.3 Q. The Hquse resumed at 7.3Q _ RESTBAIKT Of WAGEBING BILL. The Restraint of Wagering Bill [Mr R Hutchison) came on for L selond reading The Bill provides that if any person sends £ causes to be sent to any other person any document which invites or may be implied to jnyite the pewon receiving it to make an* bet or wager or to enter into or take an? share or interest m any betting or wagering transaction or frequent or loiter about anf Sw° r J°K*J- y f ° r the P ur P° Be or with thJ shin h°l- h ? g ° r wa g° rin g' «ooh person shall be liable to imprisonment and fine lhe second reading was agreed to without debate on a division by 25 to 19. " lUUOUO ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE BILL. Major Steward m a long ani earnest from a Minister as lo the Bill, which if wrthe^SL^ 6 "^ BUI - ■«" Mr E. G. Allen opposed the Bill, which m his opinion would substitute political mar lonettes for responsible Ministers. MrCarncroßS, while admitting the evils of party, did not think that thf BiU pr?. vided a remedy which might be found m the dlm , ln £ tlod of P arfcv . subaerviencv. ' I Mr Sligo said that he would vote for the rhe OQd M ead^ g u Of the *"• manner In' V^FTT ° n the * drairabl ° I ™ l r m whlch he had introduced it. IwonM Mh ° PP ° Bed the Bill beeft ™c ib Tthelte. qaee " ng * UfcObhe ceding* of fheßm egaQ / Up E° Pted fche 6eoond ***&** m favofif Baid that ifc Waa no "gument undtr it n •, c - pa u ty J Byßfcem t0 aa y th **> could hi ? ntaiQ had P™»P«ed, nnless it . I parties m the country and the House ; I n hilst ifc wa.9 apparent that the BiU would I not effeob its purpose. tt 3^", Gilfedder » Mr Taylor, and Mr J. j ttutoheson supported the Bill, and Mr Hora I opposed it, 8S I Major Steward having replied, the motion I was negatived by 32 to 19. I The House rose at 12.15 a.m.

Tftß AgHBUftiON (aJJARi)IA&; THtJRSDAS, mht 21, 1808.



• J ULY. »D H M 5 Full moon „. ... 4 842 am 1 Last quarter .„ ... 11 413 am New moon .« ... 19 717 am Firet quarter ... ... 27 1 10 am 9



HLOZI.E2 TEA is pur«



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CHURCH SERVICES. T7 STEPHE N'S CHURCH. Ashburtoc. Friday, Short Service 7.30 p.m. „ Choir Practice 8 p.m. SUNDAY bERVICES. j-;(24th July.) 8 30. — Holy Communion. 11 a.m. — Morning Prayer. 3 p.m. — Seafield, Rev. T. A. Hamilton. 6.30 — Evening Prayer. REV. T, A. HAMILTON.



Public Notices. ! NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. OIHE LEADING ESTABLISHMENT FOB FASHIONABLE CLOTHING, HATS AND CAPS, TIES, COLLARS, GLOVES, ETC. A. G. BARTON, MANAGER. Do fieFSejfersifadeif So wuya/w gf/Aei/p/fa/iom, I 7/fs/s/ on n&wm I Qs s££ss£s TFJifS \ T/marepweandmoksms I experience c4fr &m \ Ismesf safe iff /tmffs/as/d. Lssaio sv AiuyiQCfSs*



Public Notices. ( STOCKTAKING SALE. f\VR THIRD ANMUAL STOCKTAK IjSG SALE will commence on SATURDAY, JULY 16, Acd will continue for ONE MONTH, duriDg which time everything m Stock will be GREATLY REDUCED IN PRICE. Seasonable Goods and Oddments will be offered regardless of Cost or Value. A few Quotations will suffice to convince the publio that WE MEAN TO REDUCE OUR STOCK— All Wool Navy Serge, 1b lid, now In per yard. All Wool Navy and Black, 2a 3d, now la 6d per yard. An Assorted Lot of Dress Goods rang* ing from Is to 1b 9d per yard, all to go at 9|d per yard. A Lot of Drees Tweeda, usual prioe 2a lid and 3s 6d, to go at la lid per yard. SPECIAL PRICE FOR DRESSMAKING DURING SALE — 8s 6d, 33in Flannelette, 3a lid per dozen 72in Twilled Sheeting, 10£ d per yard Trimmed Millinery will ba offered at about HALF USUAL PRICE. Lot of Ladies' Straw Hats, prioe 2s 6d to 4s 6d, put out to clear at 6d each Lot of Ladies' Mußlin Aprons, slightly soiled, Is Id to la 6d, must go at 9d eaoh Veathere, Flowers, and Millinery Trim- mings to be cleared reg&rdleßß of cost 6 only Fur Boas, 4s lid eaoh 3 Collarettes (fur) 6a 6d each MEN'S BOYS, AND YOUTHS' CLOTHING &j MEBCERY, ALL AT' SALE PRICES. TERMS CASH. ASHBURTON DRAPERY COMPANY. WANTED KNOWN- Ladies' Hose le, Fur Top Kid G oves Is lid, Towels 4sd, Art Muslin la lid dozen, Dre?s Tweeds 9i to Is 3d all wool, Umbrellas Is lid, Corsets Is 9d, at A Orb's Sale. "YT7" ANTED KNOWN-50 Ladies' jackets T V from 73 9d, 40 Ladies' Capes 8s lid to 25b, all about half usual price, at A. Orr's Cheap S»le. WANTED KNOW ix— White Quilts 43 lid, Flannelettes 2s 9d, 3s 6d, 4a 61, 5a 9 1 per dozen, Ladies' Fall Nets, all colora, half price, Blankets 8s lid, Fur Boas at one-third the usual price at Orr's Sale. VT7" ANTED KNOWN— Ladies' Millinery IT at a great reduction, Ladies' Under- clothing at tremendous reductions, Silks, Gimp Trimmings at your own prioe at A. Orr's Sale. Wanted Enowu — . j f*f\ DOZEN Washing Darby Scarves, UU 6d each or 5 for 2a. (\ p* DOZ EN Silk Derby Scarves Is, 3 for t/O 2? 6d, usual price 2s 6d each. QA DOZEN Silk Bows, latest Styles Is O\J fid or 3 for 43, usual price 2a eaoh. f) £T DOZEN Scotch Wool Socks, 3 for 4i, &t) usual price 2s 6d per pair. lOA DOZEN Fall Sized Handkerchiefs A/-vU 4 for Is, worth 9J eaoh. a, oubTb sale Islington Fertiliser. ISLINGTON No. 1 FERTILISER, ESPECIALLY PREPARED FOR SOWING WITH GRAIN. THS COMPANY cm Recommend Farmers m bowing Wheat to USE ISLINGTON No. 1 Fertiliser. CbJT PER TON ON TRUCJLS AT abD SMITHFI&LD, SPECIAL ALLOWANCE FOR QUANTITIES. THE CHRISTCfIURCH Meat Comply, Ltd., 7 89 TIMARU. FOR SALE, j TTTE Have on hand several ' NEW AND SECOND-HAND t GIGS, & OTHEJR J VEHICLES, t Which we can dispose of at roaionabl* price?. i f. & hT'steel, • Viotorlan Steum Carriage and gron Works n 7 9ft Welt Btrcib, Aihburtpp, '



IND r ANA BICYCLE COMPANY. Indianapolis, Ind. U.S.A. PAID IN CAPITAL— ONE BEIJLXiItXN' DOLLARS. TN the construction^ our J [machines three prime faotors have been con- sidered throughout, simplicity, universality, and strength. Subordinate to theae we have given oaref al attention to lightness, grace and modern ideas, and W. cordially invite the mosb critical attention to our new models, every feature o! whioh has been submitted to exhaustive tests to demonstrate its practicability before adoption. FRAMES. THE success of the tubing used m '97 Waverleys has been amplyfderaonß rated by its record during the season past. The fact that) not a tdngle Waverley frame has broken during the entire year speaks volumes for ita quality, and we continue the use of the best grade of high-carbon Albany weld'esa steel tubing m Waverley frames for 1898, with flash joints of drop forged steel throughout, preferring to place -<:r dependence upon th : s more expensive BUI OBbx PROPER CONSTRUCTION FOR BICYCLES of the highest standard, rather than to uae the substitutes now commonly resorted to by many makers who have aimed fco raiuca costs at the expense of quality. In our Ladies frame we have naed special tubing of 16 gauge at the loop where the strain is greatest, drawn down to 22 jyauga at the head, thus combining bhe maximum of strength with the minimum of weight. FORKS. OUR new fork U consbraobed of the same tubing as that used m the frame, with i forged steel arched crown hollowed out fir lightnesss. It was designed and perfeoted m our own factory, and we claim for it nob only graceful appearance and lightness, but it la the strongest fork crown ever made. BEARINGS, ESPEOIAL attention has been given to the bearings of our 1893 machines, with the result that we Inve secured great simplicity, perfect interchangeability, perfect aligoraent, perfect concentricity, an Jl perfect protection from dust. In ■further developing the principle adopted by v* last year for adjusting by slid- ing inato *d of by threaded cones, we have devised a universal cone, ficting either side of the front or rear wheel, and hiving a double face wit-h tvo ball races. It can ba pub on the machine m tight different places or ways, thus nuking it Impossible co assemble the bsarlnga incorrectly. Tne con^a are prevented from turning on thn axles by contact between their knurled faces and the knurled surfaces of the nuts which adjust them. Especial attention is 3illed to the dust proof qualities of all the bearings on the machine as being the moit effective protection yefc applied to bicycle construction. They have surpassed any ideal and are as potent aB they are evident. The balls rell on the inner face of the coae, while large felt washers, held m placo by dusfc « ;pa, have a long bearing rest on the outside race, thus forming a valve seat Dust or water coming aganat this washer only tends to pres9 It more tigh'ly against the raoa, closing the bearings more effectively against Its entrance. AH the bearings throughout the entire bicyole are ball refining, and tho axles ; »nd all beati ig parts are large, strong, and constructed of dpeoial stock. CRANK HANGER. THE principle of the bearings m this part of the machine is exactly the same as m the hubs. The adjustment is entirely on the left hand side, and is made positive by a plunger insurted ir» the crank, which engages one of a circle of tmall holes m the face of the sleeve. The adjustment of these bearings is very delicate, the distance between the holes representing 1-2000 of an inch. SPROCKETS. DURING the paßt year we have spent muoh time and money upon (he improve- ment of the sprocket tooth form, and have finally arrived at perfection never boforo accomplished. It will be noticed that m engaging the sprocket, our chain does not slide into its seat by the aid nf a guide roller either on the chain or the sprocket, but simply tak< ■ its exact place. In other words, it walks m and walks out of the sprocket m the same manner aß a man puts his foot down and lifts 1g from the ground. In consequence of thia no friction is caused, and each link of the chain pulls on the sprocket tooth only a part of the load, while with less perfect construction the link slides into place, carrying alone all the load during the time it takes for this aciion, tending thu^ to stretch tho chain unduly. This small stretch at each joint is continually adding to the total length of the chain nntil finally its pitch and the pitch of the sprocket are so different that the chain oin only run on the points of the teeth, grinding and cutting until both chain at d sprocket are useless. A practical illustration of the perfection of our chains and sprockets may be found m the appearance of a sprocket after it has been running several months, a layer of dust will always be found from the pitch line to the top of each tooth, showing conclusively the absence of grinding action usually present In ohaln transmission. TO the production of oar new models we have unstintingly devoted our best efforts and ripest ideas. In its construction we have especially avoided freak mechanism for tho purpose of obtaining novelties without practical value, and whila it present* many new features m keeplnsj with the progress of the cycle building -*rr, these have all been submitted to th.3 most rigid practioal tests, fully establish' ing their excellence and superiority. IT Is designed for all round hard work and wear, combining with its elegance and lightness sufficient atreng. h and durability for good service under bhe ra >3b trying conditions. PRACTICAL Novelties, self evident ad vantages, and manifest simplicity combine with strength and beauty to oonstitute our '9B Waverley the best machine that we, or, so far as we know, any other maker, have ever placed upon the market at any price, and we claim for Waverley Bicycles full equality with any bioycles built m the world, W£s HAVE APPOINTED JOHN ORR & CO., ASHBCRTON, Sole agents for Lhe s*le of cur machines m the South Island of Now Zealand. INDIANA BICYCLE COMPANY. INDIANAPOLIS, U.S.A. *