Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1898.

matter is be more liberal to our fellow creatures, and not to insist that our : particular way of spending the Day of 1 Rest is the only proper one —especially I when there is no scriptural authority i for our taking up that attitude j

N THE $41$ HATH QUESTION. «, " Parent," whose letter appears ir another part of this issue, takes ex ception to an article which recentlj appeared in this paper on the in terpretation of the fourth command ment. He is, however, unable t( strengthen his position by his letter or by the quotations ho makes— ratbei the contrary. The article he criticise! did not attempt to justify wrong doing a 7 as " Parent " seeks to show, but merelj ad urged a more liberal interpretation ol ed the scriptural injunction to do n< manner of work on the Sabbath Day "Parent's" quotation of the famoui ■ m aphorism " the Sabbath was made foi n- man, not man for the Sabbath," ii unfortunate for his contention that th< day should be observed according t( the views of this or that particulai sect of Christians, or in some specia manner. For if this were the correcl interpretation of the ordinance, which requires the Sabbath to be treated as i day of absolute rest, then all thosi people who feel inclined to work theii a horses to go to meetings and servicei on Sundays—not excepting* the clergj and lay preachers—would be constant offenders. Where, throughout the New Testament is there a single line to except such work as this ? And as " no manner of work " is permitted, of what of those who compel their man servants and maidservants to do all manner of work on Sunday ? It will doubtless be urged by s»ch as have planned out a little scheme of Sunday observance of their own that neccessary wxjrk may be done on Sunday. But while wjb not deny this, we say • that admitting it, admits that the Sabbath was certainly made for man, and the requirements of man's health physical as well as mental, logically justify him in seeking that relaxation and rest from the daily toil of life which may seem expedient or necessary. There are hundreds of our fellow 5 creatures .whose Ipfc compels them to work from Monday morning till Satur day night within the four walls of some factory, shop, or office; yet <■ Parent" and bis friends would j prevent them from going into the fields or anywhere, if by so doing they might be seeking a little pleasure and recrea tion. Some men's ideal of enjoyment is to go into the rural districts where their town surroundings are unknown and preach to the farmers and their families in the tchool buildings. Perhaps an unfortunate horse that has worked hard all the week has to take them there. This suits some who think they are better Christians than the majority, But there is certainly nothing in the Bible to show that such a mode of spending the Sunday is right, while a m«re walk or ride into the country is wrong. The faot is, the tendency of public opinion in this

PHASES OF THE MOON.

MAIL NOTICES.

""■" "™ — — ,~T*»- Mails close for the following places as under, subject to the necessary alterations : WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16. For Northern Ports, Samoa, Hawii, also United SSates; Canada, &c, United King dom and Continent of Europe, via San Francisco, per 1 akapuna, as follows :— Money orders, at 3 p.m. ; registered letters at 5 p.m. ; newspapers, at 6 15 p.m. ; ordi dary letters, 6.30 p.m. ; due London April 20.

Local and General.

Tenders are invited for supplies for the 1 Old Men's Home, Aahburton. ' To-day it co. ts £187,500,000 per annum to maintain the peace ot Europe. The Cabinet has decided not to Mr Jelliooe's application to be allowed toaddresß the li'xeoutive Counoil on behalf of Pbilpott. Mr Justice Williams has tendered his resignation of the presidency of the Arbitra tion Court as a prelude to taking a trip Home. A calf owned by a farmer at Manaia, Taranaki, was tethered near a hive of bees and managed to upset the box, when the insacts set upon it and stung it to death. The Premier is against guaranteeing a cable from the Cape to Australia, and is inolined to stand by the Pacific route m preference, provided it touches New Zealand. The Railway Departments notify that excursion trains at reduoed fares will be tud on the 17th m connection with St. Patrick's Sports to be held at Timaru and Gerald me on that date. A few days ago a boy threw a detonating cap at a Maori girl at> Whangarei. It ex ploded and shattered ■■ 11 the fingers on one of her hands, also injuring the other hand and cutting her face. According to the Observer's London cor respondent there is still living a man wh< was concerned m the '98 rising. He iB IK years of age and still acts as postmaster a Scara, m Ireland. He took part as a volun teer m the movement but on what side doeß not appear. John Brown, a young wan, was sentenced to five years' hard labor at the Auckland ' Supreme Court to-day, for indecently assaulting Mrs Jane Brown. The Judge said he could senteuoe Brown to be flogged as well, but had a disinclination towards flogging as a punishment. The Miowera on her present trip takeß one hundred and fourteen passengers from Sydney, most of whom are bound for Klondyke. The steerage had to be enlarged by running up rough berths. None of the men have leas than £100 with them, and most of them have from £200 to £300. The tenders received for the new library and additions to Parliament House are so high that the Government have determined to do the work under the co-operative system. It will not be possible to get more than the shell of the entranoa of Parliament House up by the time of the usual opening of Parliament. We would remind the small section of the public who have not yet taken advantage of the sale of drapery m Tancred street (Messrs Mitchell and Turner's), that the remaining few days will be specially devoted to clear ing old lines and remnants as the firm, having immense shipments of goods now m the harbor, have determined to quit this week. We learn that owing to the pressure of her professional engagements, Mrs Bowman Fox has been compelled to resign her position as conductress of the " Liederkracs," the society which she initiated some three years ago m Ashburton. It is stated that Mr Llewellyn Owen has been requested to ac cept the position of conductor of the Society. The entries reoeived for the St. Patrick's Day sports meeting have been phenomenally numerous. For the bicycle events eighty entries have been received, and the same number for the pedestrian events. For the open 100 yds, fifteen have entered ; for the open 250 yds, fourteen ; for the open 440 yds twelve ; and for the' hurdles ten. For the amateur eveuts, seven have entered for the 100 yds, nine for the 230 yds, and twelve for the 44,0 yds. At a meeting of the North Canterbury branch of the Educational Institute held on Saturday, the principal business was the discussion of the question of the appoint ment of teachers. Bqm9 suggested that the selection should be left m the hands of the luspeotor, and some preferred the Board, all condemning the present system, Even tually a motion was carried that the Eduofttton Board should be asked to reconsidei- t'he present method of appointing teachers, and to devise a scheme which would minimise the evils of canvassing, and whioh would work more satisfactorily m the interests of both teachers and primary education. The Tinwald Wesleyan Sunday School anniversary services were held on Sunday, large congregations attending both service*. In the morning Mies Parsons preached from Isaiah xxv., 22, while at the evening service the Rev J. J. Mather took for his text, "Even a ohild is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right," and portion of the time at each , service was devoted specially to the children A children's service was impressively con ducted iv the afternoon by Miss Parsons, and at this, as well as the morning and evening services, special hymns were sung by the scholars of the Sunday school. A social m connection with the anniversary will take place m the Templar Hall on Thursday next, particulars of which will be advertised, One of the strangest links with the past which can be found m Great Britain is sup plied by the obscure village of Fortingall, m Perthshire, which tradition points out as the birthplace of Pontius Pilate. Fortingall lies m a beautiful and sequestered mountain vale some ten miles we9t of Aberfeldy, m a dis trict rioh m memories of Fingal, Wallace, and Bruce. Near the village are the remains of a Roman camp, where, at the beginning of the Ch detain era, the soldiers of the empire were posted to guard the pas sage from the Highlands through Glenlyon. This encampment is probably not earlier than the time of Agrioola, and before it was made the Scottish king Metallanus held his court at Fortingall, and received an embassy from Augustus. One of the ambassadors, we are told, was "the father of Ponfcins Pilate, and here the future Governor of Judea is said to have been born shortly before the Nativity of our Saviour. 1 his morning — before Messrs Hugo Fried? lander and W. H. Rule, J.'a P., —Robert Alcorn was charged with having allowed a cow to be at large m Cass street on March X He admitted that the cow had been out, but someone had opened the gate, as the gate was closed and fas ened when the cow was put into the paddock. A fine of Is without costs was inflicted. — RobertSmythe, for whom Mr Crisp appeared, was charged with grazing four cows m the public thoroughfare. The case was d. fended, but after hearing tfte eyidenpe of Ranger Compton and a son of the defendant, a fine of Is was inflicted, the Magistrates taking into consideration that trie boy m charge of the cattle had no intention of breaking the by-laws. — John Olsen was fined Is for a similar offence, but only one cow. Much consternation was caused last winter, amongst the medical men m Wel lington, by the introduction of Woods' Great Peppermint Cure for coughs and colds ; that a very bad cold could be cured by a Is $d bottle, and' a whole family, ' with a 2a 6d bottle, was » serious loss to them* It is sold by all grooers and chemists. Holloway'sPills. — Nervous Irritability. — No part of the human machine requires more constant supervision than the nervous system — for upon it our health — and even life depends. These Pills strengthen the < beryos and are the safest gßneral purifiers of 1 iihe 1 blood, ftausea, : headacjie, gHdinees. < numbness and mental apathy yield' tp them; j they relieve m a summary manner thq c ' distressing dyspeptic symptom.*, stomachio < pains, fulnesß at the pit) of the stomach, Abdominal distension, and regulate alike { | aaprioious appetites and confined bowels— yy the commonly accompanying signs of defeo- J tive or diminished nerve tone. Holloway'a \ Pills are particularly recommended to persons of studious and sedentary habits, who gradually fall into a nervous and irritable state, unless some auoh restorative be ooqftßionftUy t*ko©|

CORRESPONDENCE.

■• Wo do not hold ourselves responslb'e for the opinions expressed by our correspondents)

SANITARY.

TO THE EDITOR. Slß,—Now that typhoid fever cases have occurred m Ashburton, it becomes a question as to what predisposing causes exist ? May I be permitted to suggest that the practice followed by some of our local fishmongers of waahing their fish with water ftoin the side channels, which the draininga of back yards of hotels, restaurants, and urinals have con taminated, must surely be attended by great risk. Nor is the attempt to cleanse utensils, afterwards used to contain food, by rinsing them m the same sorb of water, likely to improve the public health.-—I am, etc., Householder.

SABBATH OBSERVANCE.

T« THE EDITOR. Sir, — It was with no little surprise and regret that I read your article of sth inst. headed "The Sabbath." A lack of leisure, and a hope that some abler pen than mine I would deal with the subject m your columns, are sole reasons for my tardiness m drawing attention to that same leader. On perusing it, I waß reminded of a forcible article which appeared m the November issue of The Young Man, under the headiog of ' The Devil's Dictionary," the writer of which says: — *• Isaiah, m one of the most scathing of his prophecies, utters a woe against tho«e • that oall evil good, and good evil ; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.' The Religious Tract Booiety would render a public service if it would print this verse m large letters, and hang it up m the editor's room of every paper m London." Whether suoh a donation would be appreci ated by the journalists of this colony is_ an open question, but that the need of it is just as great m New Zealand as m London is apparent. I have been trying, Sir, to persuade myself that the Guardian's lead ing article of SaturJay week did notprooeed from you ; but the bitter fashion m which you dealt with " Symon Gtoodboy V letter, dispelled the illusion that the leader was the work of a 'prentice hand. May I venture to offer a little friendly advice, Mr Editor. In addition to a frequent study of your paper's own motto — "The truth is mighty, let it prevail," reflect often upon the quota tion from Isaiah, given above. Now, if I usk you to answer two or three straight-out questions, don't say you are not " prepared to discuss m these columns the question of Sunday observance," but remember that you have questioned my ability to "find a single passage m the New Teßt&ment to define what Sabbath observance really ib." Jeßua Christ made this declaration — " The Sabbath was made for man," "Will you tell me aud your readers-^l. What part of the man is least, and what part of him most important ? 2. When Jeaus Christ declared that the Sabbath was made tor man, did He mean simply the physical man or the whole man, including the intellectual apd spiritual \ 3. Are suoh practices an bicycle, tennis, picnic, and shooting parties on the Sabbnth as likely to exalt and help the intellectual and spiritual as the attendance at Church, meeting or Bunday School, at which m your article you seem to give so oovert a sneer ? In St. Luke iv, 16, the Great Teacher, by His own example, illustrates how, m one respect, the inestimable gift of the Sabbath is to be used, where it is stated — "As His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day.-' — I am, etc., Parent.

CRICKET.

— ENGLISHMEN y. VICTORIA. Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright. Melbourne, March 12 The last Victorian wicket gave the Englishmen a deal of trouble, both batsmen hitting briskly. The Englishmen's play was of a very uneven character. Banjitsinhji was badly missed by Worrall after making a single. With two wickets dqwn for SO, Hayward and Ranjitainbji entered into a fine : artnership, 145 appearing before a dissolution was affected. KaDJitsmhji's innings, however, was of an uncerraiu character, The aepond oentury was just turned when Hayward was dismissed. The next three men were dismissed without scoring. At the olocc of the day's play Storer and Board look like making a good display. Following are the scores: — Victoria.—First innings —McLeod 16, Worrall 13, Trumble 107, Stuckey 57, Bush 0, Giller 17, Trott 39, Btuoe 0, Layer 15, Roche 24, Johns (not out) 31, extras 7; total 328. England.—Firßt inniugs —Wainwright 8. McLaren 29, BaDJitsinbji 61, Hayward 96, Druce 0, Hirst 0, Mason'Q, Storer (not out) 24, Board (not out) 20, extras 0 ; total for seven wickets 238. The match Mayfield v. Ashburton, which was played at Lagmhor, resulted m a win for Ashburton by one innings and 2,6, runs. A.first-oiasß oocoanut matting pitch was prepared, which played exceedingly fast. A feature of the match was a brillant catch brought off by A. Hart m the alip, a oatoh that would hava done credit to any player m t»n All-England v. Australia match. Mr Buckley provided luncheon for both teams, and Mr J ackaon seemed as if be could not do enough to make the visitors comfortable. For Ashburton, Percy, Morriseey, Russell and Crisp were the chief scorers. For Mayfield Harper and J. Peter showed the best form with the bat. Marsden and Russell bowled fop the town, and Harper and C. Peter for the country. The totals ( were—Ashburton, 72 ; Mayfield 11 and 35 — 46 for two innings.

ROAD BOARD

_ « Longbeach The monthly meeting of the Longbeach Ro>d Board was held on Saturday. Present —Messrs James Bishop (chairmaß), J, MoQuilkin, and A. \yilson. CORREBEQNDENCE. The CJharifcab,le Aid Board wrote stating that relief had beep discontinued m the case of one person m the distript, Mr J. Oroy apologised for hi? absence at the meeting, and pointed out the state of the pound gates.—lt was resolved to have the gates refixed. Mr R. Kenniogton asked for compenaa* tion for injury received on Boundary road. — The Board decided they could not entertain the claim. The Valuer General forwarded valuation list for persusal.—lt was resolved to make application for new valuation roll. MISCELLANEOUS. Authority was given to carry out some small works, accounts were paaaed, amount ing to £33 3s, and the Board adjourned.

New Zealand Rifle Association.

. Press Assooiation^-By Eleotrio Telegaph— | Oamaru, March 14. ] There was fine weather for the opening of ] the shooting, with fresh rear winds. , The Nelson match, not counting for the < Belt, is proceeding, and ia not likely to con- i 3<ude until late m the afternoon. Those ( eading at the finish of the 200 yards range c ■vere—Winalade, 1 names; McDiarmid, ( i*maru; G. Fraaer, J|aitangata; Kruse, n WanganUi; Rutherford j ; Rarra ;lough, Oamaru—32 each. At the conclusion of the 50Qyds the fi eaders for the Nelson matoh were^-Win- a lade, Thames, 65} Hastie, Oamaru, 64; t Ljove, Wellinßton, 62. The other range h will be fired m the afternoon. \_

ASHBURTON TROTTING CLUB.

♦ Presentation to Mr Donald McLean. On Saturday afternoon the officers and ; members of the Aahburton Trotting Club assembled in the commercial room of the Somerset) Hotel -not for the ordinary busi ness of the Club, but for the purpose of making a presentation to their President, Mr Donald McLean. There was a good attendance, and Mr Daniel MoKendry, vice president of the Club, was chairman. The Chairman in stating the business of the afternoon said it waa ot a special nature — not the ordinary business that usually called thfm together, but the more pleasing pqrpose of acknowledging, though in a small < way, the mmy and valuable services that their president, Mr Donald McLean had rendered to the club, and the way in which he had always shown himself to have the interests aijd welfare of the Club at heart. It was the unanimous desire of the Com mittee to show to Mr McLean that they appreciated the services he had rendered the Club, and it was decided thab that appreciation ehould be expressed in a tan gible form However tangible the form might be, it could only in a small measure express what the Committee felt, how sincere their thanks for the work done, or how high the esteem in which the President was held by both Committee and Olub generally. The President had aoted as the Club's delegate to the Trotting Association gratuitously, and had bestowed an amount of attention to the duties that fell to him in that capacity, and spent valuable time in the discharge of them, that he could hardly huve equalled had the business been his own private conoern, and there were many other ways in which Mr McLean had served the Olub in a valuable way. He would now ask Mr McLean to accept as a token ol their esteem, and as an expression of theii good wishes for his health and prosperity in the future, the gold chain and shield which it was now the speaker's honor to present t( him. (Loud applause.) The Chairmar asked those present to join him in drinkin{ the toast of " the health of their President.' which was done with musical honors anc three times three. Mr Mo Lean thanked them for the way ii which the toaßt had been honored. He wai greatly taken aback at what had just beei done, as he was nob accustomed to thab sor of thing. But though surprised at the uh expected honor that had been put upon him he could keenly appreciate the kindly things that had been said of him by the chairman, who was evidently the mouthpiece of the many friends he knew he possessed in the TrortiDg Club. It was, however, he feared more to that friendship than to any merit his services possessed that he owed the handsome present he had that day received, for he was quite sure that there were many members of the Club, both in the com mittee and outside of it, who had done as muoh if not more for it than he had done. He had had but little to do at the Trotting Association, bub what he had done was a work of great personal pleasure to himself, and eo far as their own Club was cerned, he had nob required to speak even once in its interests. He was deeply grateful for the kindly feeling and appreciation that had prompted the valuable present he had just received, which he could assure them he would cherish all his life as a memento of the kindness shown towards him by bis fellow members of the Club. If the Coionial Secretary but knew the class of men who formed ' the Club he would not refuse to grant the two days the Club wished. It was by no means a proprietary Club, and wat not maintained as a means of making money for any one, but simply as an agency for promoting a sport that was one beneficial to the firming community. (Applause}. The presentation consisted of a handsome massive gold chain, with a beautiful j chased gold sovereign box attached, and a I pendant shield in gold, on which was in scribed on one side the monogram of Mi McLean, and on the other the words — '< Tc D. McLean, from members of the Ashburtot Trotting Olub, December 16, 1897." Th« dale chosen was the last provincial anni verß&ry and the day on which the last anc most successful meeting of the Club wa: held. Among the speakers were Messrs P. Devane, George Rohinson, William Suther land, B. Thomas, W. Simpson, ancl others. In the conrse of remarks made the fact was emphasised th>t the trot was essentially a farmer's sport. Nobodj made it a profession as was done in the cast of fiat racing, and ib did nob reqnire specia breeds oi both horses and riders to carry ii <.n. It was pointed out thab Sir Willian Fox, on one ocoasion when denouncing hore< racing in the House of Representatives, hac said that the idea was an erroneous one that horse racing was necessary to improve anc maintain the breed of horses. Sir Willian; said that it was hardly possible to get t horse that would carry an average mac thirty miles, though they had so-called thoroughbreds in plenby everywhere. Sii William would have changed his opinioi aboub the quality of horses had he been alive to see the trotters of to-day. The epeaken mostly allowed that so far as the usefulnesi of the race horse was concerned Sir Willian: was right, as after he was done with the turf, and thab term did not take long, the usefulness of the rager ceased. It wai different with the trotter. Ability to trot might manifeab itself jusb as readily in i farmer's plough horse as in any other, anc the ability to trot did not disqualify the animal from useful work. To-day he might win the cup of a meeting and to-morrow be taking a pionio party to the beach. The trotter could be found in the doctor's gig or a long dreary drive to a patient ab the hills, or in the clergymen's buggy on a Sunday or the £oad tp conduct an afternoon service it the country, and the better the trotter the more useful the animal would be to either oi those valued servants of the people. The trotter was not ashamed to draw the oarb oJ the butcher, the baker, or the grocer, or be the horse honored with the work of bringing the farmer and his family to town or to church. The racehorse required constant training and attention of a special kind to keep him up to his work, bub the trotter's training consis'ed mostly of his daily work. The trotter was certainly the horse to culti vate, and the more the trotting quality was promoted and encouraged the more valuable would the horse be in any capacity in which he was called upon bo be the servant of man. One speaker pointed with pride to the fact that wibhout a single exception every member of the club preßent at thab meeting waa a farmer, or had been one in this colony. Reference was made to several heavy horses that had distinguished themselves on the trapk, more especially to the horse Toby who had brought rich prises to his owner. Several of the speakers spoke in high teims of Mr McLean as a true sportsman, mention ing the way in which he had fostered to the utmost of his power the athletic department of the Caledonian Society's gathering, aB well as done what he could to further the study and practice of Scottish musio and dancing, and to keep alive in the colony the old habits and customs and even costume of the Highland people. Reference was also made to Mr McLean's work as a publio man, and a pleasant hour was closed in the usual loyal manner!

A Fatally Faulty Link

Presa Association— By Eleotric Telegraph— .r « PoRT Chai «mbh3, March 14 Mr Chamberlain, Collector of diatoms opened an enquiry at Port to-day, touching the death of Captain Anderson, as the result of an accident at Cattle Cove, durine the Waikare's Sounds trip. The offioere of the ship, Captain Strange, and Mr Cook, anper intending engineer, were examined. The evidence went to show that the accident was entirely due to the breaking of a defective link m the hydraulic gear, which c-msed ihe crane to drop and swing inboard, •weepine the decka. This fanh was due to th/Jad quality of the iron used m the construction of the particular liok whioh could Dot have been detected. /It waa also shown that the ship proceeded on her voyage at the request of Oaptam Anderson and the injured passengers, and with the concurrence of two

COMMERCIAL.

■ -» — . LONDON MARKETS. Presa Association— By Electric Telegraph Copyright. mu » ,- u L Londok, March 11. The Afghan wheat markeb ia flat, the Continental is advanoing, and the American is unchanged. «w«u»o Californian No. 1 milling wheat, 36s t The Bradford wool market is harden ing. At to-day's anotions kauri gum was In Bt^% Q ? §raand^ 1512 caBe » were offered, and 1093 were sfeld. Threequarter toraped 112s to 115a. The atook now consists of W3 oases. Butter, alow ; colonial 104«, a few lots 106s ; Danish 106s to 110s. Cheese, flat ; New Zealand 395. Rabbits, firmer j Australian 10d, with » forward temdenoy. Messrs Dalgety an Co., Limited, have received the following cable message from « m don offioe » under date 10& inst :— •There is a good demand for hides in general, and the market is very firm at hub quotations." '

CYCLING.

— . .» A meeting of the Ariel Bicycle Club was held m the Orange Hall on last Thursday evening. A large number of members were present, and it was decided to hold a road race at an early date, for which good prises willbegrveD. Seven new members were elected, Word, waa received that in the event of the Club holding a race meeting, support would be given by the beat riders in New Zealand. For the road race Messrs H. Thompson and J. Miiller ware appointed handicappers ; Messrs J. Miiller aad R. Alexander, time-keepers ; and Messrs D. lander and Henry Davis, judges. The starting point is to be at the Post) Office, thence down the Wakanui road to Mr 8. Browns farm, baok again by the Beach Koad, and finished at the Royal Hotel.

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

♦ . Press Association— By Electric Telegraph Moving 1 at Last Wbllingtok, Maroh 14 Government has decided to establish a field battery for service where needed, with headquarters probably in Wellington. New guns and equipments of the most modern pattern are to be provided. The volunteer force is to be increased and the regulations altered in the direotiou of increasing the I number of parades. The Murderers. The Executive will nob consider the easea of the murderers Philpotts and Clements bill the Governor returns at the end of the week. Fire. New Plymouth, March 14. A dairy factory in Henwood road, owned by Mr J. Crookett, was destroyed by fire at half-past one on Sunday morning. The insurances on the building are £200, and on the plant £400 in the Norwich Union. The loss is estimated at SO per cent more. The supposed cause was a spark from the boiler fire.

THE EASTERN SITUATION.

♦■ ■ Russia and Port Arthur. i' — — Significant Admission From China. English Press Comments. j Press Association —By Electric Telegraph— b Copyright. i Lokdon, March 1$ 1 Reports from Pekm state that Sir ' Olaude Macdonald on Tuesday strongly t protested against the leasing of Port 9 S Arthur, on the ground that it would f [ disturb the balance of power. * The Chinese authorities replied that 3 they were unable to withstand the j pressure from Russia, > The Standard says the Czar's ukase b otdering a large expenditure for war -3 ships, is the Czar's reply to Sir 0. , Macdonald. The same journal considers that the 3 evils of a timid surrender and spiritless, , acquiescence in the attitude of Russia . in China would vastly outweigh tb,e t advantages of a dishonourable peace. The Spectator;, advocates the inohjli-. ' satiou of a. very powerful speoiai i squadron. > Pbkin, March 12. 1 The Governor of Manchuria, terrified , at the presence of fifteen thousand . Russian troops, has requested the > Chinese Government to send reinforce | ments, but no reply has been sent L from Pekin. It is reported that the Corean i Cabinet has decided to. release M. ; A lexieff and the Russian miliary in structors from their engagements. * ' The issue of the Chinese loan has been postponed till the 21st inst. St Petersburg, March 12, The £14,000,000 required under the recent Imperial ukase, for the con struction of warships, will be taken from the reserve of the Russian i Treasury. I ' N^w York, March 11. J American naval officers are enthusi astic at the suggested allianee with Great Britain. The English warship Cordelia, at present coaling at Key West, Florida, was the object of a tremendous recep tion, the officers and men being cordially greeted. , "* " • ' ' ' ' q "

THE ASBBURTOJN tftJAJiDIAM ; MONDAY, MALCJB H, 189 S.



Marps. Full moon  ... 8 859 pm Last quarter . ... 15 718 pm New moon 22 8 7 pm First quarter 30 7 10 pm



MAXWELL V SUTHERLAND, ASHBUKTON DOMAIN, MARCH 17.



GEORGE SUTHERLAND, WINKER OP N.Z. RACE WILE BE THERE.



COME AND SEE MACNAUGHT, THE SPRINTER.



ALL RECORDS WILL GO, MARCH 17, ASHBCRTON DOMAIN.



YOU CA^'T PICK THE FIVE MILE.



In order to make room for the builders t< complete the alterations we have resolved t( greatly reduoe our stock. We have therefore culled a large quantity of our Tweeds and Worsteds, etc, to clear at the following reductions : — Men's suits to measure, usual price 90s, now 70s : Men's trousers, ijsual price 255, now }5s od ; etc. We have also pleasure m notifying that we have just been appointed agents for the famous "British Monarch ' " Waverley " and Eolipae-Humber Bicycles (both gents' and ladies'), which we are now selling with all the " up-to-date " improvements at the lowest cash prices, or on the most liberal terms to suit the convenience of our justomers. (Every machine guaranteed). — CJraighead and Bbbbyman* th« leading Tailorg arid Outfitters;. ' m I have been afflicted with rheumatism for Qurteen years and nothing seemed to give my relief. I was able to he around all the lime, but constantly suffering. I had tried ■verything I could hear of and at last was old to try Chamberlain's Pain Balm, which [ did, and was immediately relieved and m i Bhort time cured. lam happy to say that t has not since returned .— Josa. Edgar, 3ermautown, Oal. For sale by the Aah- jurfcon Drug Qojppany,



BLOZIIU IKA. J Beat* AU jb



G. A maxwell, Otago's Champion, Ashburton Domain, March 17



ftev. H. Bdw»rds, pastor of the English Baptisb Churoh at Mineraville, Pa., whea suffering with rheumatism, was advised to try Chamberlain's Pain Balm. He sayi: " A few applications of this liniment proved' of great service to me. It subdued the in- nimmation and relieved the pain. Should any tmfferer proßb by giving P»tn Balm a rrlalit will please me." For sale by tha Ashburfcon Drug Company. -,-.



Simon neOouaia, Dqraftin, v%



New Zealand CLOTHING FACTORY. FTIHIS WEEK. /^ IVING (jr TDEST VALUE MENS SAO SUITS, 37s 6d ■YTOUTHS' SAO SUIT 15 !, 21s 6d JL 25s 6d BOYS' KNICKER SUITS, BOYS' SAILOR SUITS, 10a 6d QPECIAL "TTALUB -pvON'T FORGET NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. A. G. BARTON, Manager. Church Services ST. STEPHEN'S OHUROH Ashburton. TUESDAY— Minißtering Children's League, 7.15 p.m. WEDNE3DAY-G.F.S., 7.30 p.m. FRIDAY— Short Service, 7.30 p.m. Choir Practice, 8 p.m. SATUKD AY— Church Decoration 2.30 p.m. i- Contributions of Flowers, Fruit, Grain, •- Vegetables, and Evergreens, etc, will n be thankfully received at St. Stephen's Schoolroom on Saturday morning. n SUNDAY SERVICES.— 2Oth March, i r HARVEST THANKSGIVING SERVICES 11 a.m.— Morning Prayer and Holy Com* munion. 3 p.m. — Windermere. 6.3o— Evening Prayer. REV. T. A. HAMILTON^



F. FERRIMAN. ( FOR SALE- A SPLENDID OPPORTUNITY FOR A I PERSON WITH SMALL CAPITAL. X HAVE been instructed by Mr 'V. Rouse to sell by Private Treaty his well known and Commodious BOARDING HOUSE, situated in olose proximity to the Metbven Railway Station, containing W Rooms and Soullery, together with i aore of land. As Mb Rouse has determined to sell j on account of his wife's ill-health, the above should command the attention of anyone in search of a profitable and increasing business in the centre of a large and rising district! F. FERRIMAN. FOR SALE- WAKANUI ROAD, WITHIN A FEW MINUTES WALK OF POST OFFICE ■ . 1 A Comfortable Dwelling House, contain- ] ing 8 rooms, Bathroom and Soullery, to- 1 gether with one acre of land, fronting on Wakanui Road and Cambridge Street. The above is for absolute sale, and from ts close proximity to town should call for special attention from those in search of good suburban residence. t F. FEEEIMAN. FOR SALE. LEASE IN PERPETUITY of 100 Acres of Land at Lismore, subdivided into four paddocks, with an abundant supply of water in each. 20 acres are in English grasses, 35 in fallow, and 45 are in the native state, upon which there is good feed. Upon the property there is a comfortable five-roomed house, a well planted garden, three-stalled stable, piggeries and Bheep yards. As this farm is within three miles of a Public School, anyone in search of a property at a small rental would do well to give thi? tt £ inspection. F. FEEEIMAN. FOR SALE, I HAVE FOR SALE a'good second hand FARM DRAY, 1 DOUBLE-FORROW PLOUGH, and teoond hand DRILL. ; F. FEEEIMAN. FOR SALE. LEASE OF 6CO ACRES OF LAND AT WESTERFIED.j * 100 acres Perpetual Lease, 999 years, equal to freehold; 500 acres under lease for 7 years, upon which are erected a four-roomed cottage, stable and cliaffhouse, etc., situated in close proximity to a public school. 40 acres are sown down in English grasses, 550 are in tussock, and 10 are in fallow. Anyone in search of a good sheep farm cannot do better than give this their atten- tion. Full particulars on application. F, FERRIMAN. TO LET, William Street, off Wakanui Road. A bouse of seven rooms. T O LE T, Wakanui Road, a- comfortable house of six rooms and scullery. P j. ,— ■ F. FERRIMAN. 00 no/ /beoersi/acfea f /o buy any offfie/'/p/faftons. 1 e //7S/s/ on naving. *> I C£/wj¥o/fff££m£prm\ wejf are pure and wfio/esgmdi * Mb test money and c\ experience car/ &uy. LarbesfsdJe/nAusffa/as/aA



EXCURSION WASHER. 1,000000 HIGH CLASS TOWELS GIVEN AWAY T[O PURCHASERS OF EXCURSION WASHER, The Beet Washing Powder m the World. A L»tgOj|HONBYCOMB TOWEL given with Three Packets. A TURKIBH ROLLER TOWEL or a; Large HAND or BATH TURKISH TOWEL given with (Twelve Prokets, __:o:— — v SHEARMAN BROS., FAMILY GROCERS, IRONMONGERS, & WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS, MARKET HOUSE,;BURHETT STREET, ASHBURTON. Telephone No. 63. LAST WEEK OF SALE. ODDMENTS AND REMNANTS TO BE CLEARED. FINAL SALE DAY, SATURDAY NEXT, 19 th INST. MITCHELL & TURNER. LADIES' WATCHES GENTLEMEN'S WATCHES GOLD BROOCHES LADIES' GOLD RINGS mHESE FOUR LINESJARE HEAVILY STOCKEDZAND ARE,OFFEREDIAT SEDUCED PRICES THE LARGEST AND FINEST STOCK IN the District of these and all other Lines is" 1 to] be setn at ■■■-:' B. SALEK'S THE LEADING JEWELLERY ESTABLISHMENT IN THE DISTaiC! ONE WORD ABOUT BOOTS. JAMES "ISELLOR, ZEALANDIA BOOT STORE, TANORED STREET, ASHBURTON. :o: VYTE aim to please, and our large volume of trade speaks for our success THE ZEALANDIA BOOT STORE is holding the largest and Jbeat assorted stock of BOOTS AND SHOES m Ashburtop. Ladies', Gentlemen's and Children's Boots and Shoes m ! endless variety. FOR REAL HARD WEAR TRY THE ZEALANDIA BRAND. Everybody knows we give nothing but the beat value. One trial is all *ye ask JAMES MELLOJR, ZEALANDIA BOOT STOCK, TANCRED STFKT, ASHBURTON.