Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 1898. THE WATER SUPPLY QUESTION.

A. good deal of misunderstanding appears to exist, more especially amoug certain members of the Borough Coancil, m regard to the Water Supply Bill which has just gone through the House of Representatives; and remarks that have been made by several of them go to show that the history of the Bill is quite unknown to tr.em. They seem to be unaware of the fact that, though Mr "Wright's name is on the Bill — as some member's name must be on every Bill introduced, the laws of the House requiring this, and if the Bill is a Government measure it must bear the name of an individual Minister on its title page — though our member's name is on the Bill, he had no more to do with its preparation than the Mayor of Ashburton. It will be remembered that some months ago a conference sat m Christchurch, those taking part m it being representatives of County Councils, A. & P. Associations, and other bodies, interested m the question of irrigation. The representative of the Ashburton County Council was Mr Harper, very properly and deservedly, because of the fitness for the position which his experience gave him m connection with theirrigation movement m the Rangitita district. Mr Wright was not a representative. The Conference has since been known as the Irrigation Conference. It was that body who decided that legislation on the subject was necessary, and acting oq the resolution passed the executive appointed proceeded to have a Bill drafted for introduc tion m the House of Representatives. They employed a well known legal gentleman to draft the Bill without reference to Mr Wright, who, we understand, never even saw the draft Bill until it was placed m his hands for submission totheHouse. The Bill when drafted was then plaGel m charge of a Committee of four members of the House to see it through, Those mem bers are representatives of the Geral dine, Ashburton and Selwyn counties, all wliich counties are equally interested m the subject of irrigation. They chose Mr Wright to be sponsor for the Bill, as his county is more actively engaged with the irrigation question at present than any other, having taken preliminary steps to introduce irriga tion supplies. In the Bill as intro duced under those circumstances there was no reference made to boroughs except the clause which admitted any disputes with boroughs on the part of counties to arbitration. .After. the Bill had been drafted, quite a number of amendments were sent on. Thos" amendments vvere suggested m the interests of certain boroughs m the North Island, and the clauses tagged on with letters to clause 12, and all the subsections that comprise them, weie dratted by the law officer^ of the Crown, and were moved by Mr Buchanan, tho iztpmber for Wairaropa m the interests of the Borough of Greytown, a borough with -a very large area of laud, and whose interests were considered to Le of such a special nature as to require those clauses for their safeguard. The clauses were of no benefit to the countiep, nor w<sre they calculated to further or help the cause o$ irrigation m any way. If they made any change at all m tho position of boroughs it was m the direction of strengthening that position It is even probable that their operation may be limited to the North Island. Mr Wright and the Committee he represented had to accept them, for a very cogent reason. They wanted to see their irrigation Bill through. Like the other private members they had but their one day for private members' bills, and to " put their backs up '> againat those amend ments and new clauses would certainly have entailed the blocking of the Bill, as the supporters of the amendments would haye talked the Bill out. They could very \yell afford to allow the amendments to pass, tois, seeing that they did not m any way interfere with the existing law under which the r counties held control of tho rivers and

streams. Just by way of reminder let us quote the powers given to County Oouuci!B by statute. The Water Supply Act Amendment Act, 189:1, clause 7, provides—" In addition to any powers conferred by the said Act (Water Supply Act, 1891) every County Council and Water Supply Board i 3 hereby authorised and empowered, so far as relates to ai waters within or bouading the district "—(1) To preveut the diversion of anj! stream, or any portion thereof, withouj the consent of the Council or Board : (2) to remove, or pause to be removed] any channel, intake, weir, oi 1 other works which cause any river or streak to be diverted, and generally to do anA permit to be done anything necessary for the efficient use by the Council qi Board of the whole of the waters iia tny river or stream." It was with a thorough Knowledge of that clause m his mind that Mr Wright told the members of the Borough Council, at jbho much quoted " conference " that body held with the County Council, that they could not take a gallon of wate^ from the river without the Council's consent. The whole of the County Council members knew of the existence, of this clause, for mention was made of it at the Council meeting after it was passed as our files can prove. Knowing of the existence of this clause — which thp Borough Councillors evidently did not, and it came upqn them like a thunder clap — can the County Council or its Chairman be blamed for pointing it out 1 We think not. And we learn, too, that equally high legal authority to that consulted by the Borough Bupport the position of the; County Council under the Water Supply Act, As to the action of tlie Borough Council over the borough, racp, we hardly know whether to praise or blame it, It is no doubt; a/ gran^ thipg IU epi#e people's eves to.

play the village Hampden, but it is well to consider first if the game is worth the candle. We have had our water supply for the 'borough for twenty years, and had it without question or semblancfiof interference by theGounty Council. That body has always been particularly anxious to see th^t the borough's supply was kept up. When tho north branch ran dry the County Council connected the south branch of the river with it at the first time of asking, and so kept up the supply, find at the present moment they have made arrangements to keep the supply flowingi no matter what may happen m regard to the mill's supply. Or Thomas was gracious enough to say at the special meeting of the Borough Council on AugU3t 8 that the two bodies had always been on the best of terms, and the Oouuty Council was even now offering them what they asked for m the matter of a supply, only that supply was to be given with out any surrender of the County Council's rights. This was where the shoe pinched. It is hoped that m all the circumstances of the case thej burgesses will act with caution in] giving sanction to any precipitation, m regard to legal proceedings. We have a heavy overdraft, we have much municipal work to do, we get our water supply very cheaply, and our Borough Council has had to put off very neces sary work from sheer want of funds. Is io advisable m th'-se circumstance^ to rush headlong into legal costs and new undertakings when our supply of water is not m any way threatened, bub is likely to go on for another twenty years without trouble ? This outcry about posterity is some what played out. Sir George Grey used to revel m flowers of rhetoric over tho unborn millions ; but Silj George was an ovator, and what mighf very easily by accepted without re mark from the brilliant N Z. G.O.M. is' apt to be received with laughter when it comes haltingly from a person very much leBS distinguished. The amount already spent m legal opinion af d preliminary expenses of the Borough' Council's new agitation would go far to pay a year's cost of the borough's water, and the time of the clerk and engineer would be very much better employed m attending to necessary works than m doing the correspondence that has been saddled upon them by this action of the Borough Council. Or Scaly said a wise thing whan he; urged his colleagues to have nothing to do with themillowners. For years the millowuers have been verging on liti gation about the water rights thej claim, and Or Thomas was alive to tht difficulty that must surely follow supplying a mill outside the borougl with water that ought to be suppliec by the County Council. As we have said we do not know whether to praise or blame the members of the Borougli Council, but we are certainly aversp to co3tly litigation with a wealthy body like the Oouuty Council, which holds the strong legal position given by the Act quoted above, and we again aak tho burgesses to consider whether the game is worth the candlel

Local and General.

Tho conclusion of our serial, '' Love and ft Scrap Book," will be foun I on the first page. Scale Infested Trkes. — A Welliugbon Prees Association wire says the G zet!c con t iina a proclamation prohibiting the intro (uetion into the cjlony of scale infested trce3 and plantp, and appointing Auckland and Wellington' as the only ports of entry for plants aa defined by Ilia Orchard and Garden feats Act, 1896. This step has been taken owing to the fact that considerable quantities of fruk trees and plants, infested with various species of scile insects, have bnen and are still imported into New Z?.k latid, to the danger and detriment of the fruit plantations of the colony. k'OAECiTY of Seamen. —The disengaged seamen m Newcastle have been making a stand for an adyaupe m The rate 'tiling for some time has been £3 per month, h .t o'Wirig to the scarcity of men just now m attempt) to advance rates by 10a per .nonth h^a been agreed upon among the m n Recently Captain Baron, of the bivMi'je Gleuorchy, required thirteen seamen, hue failed to procure them at £3 at the Sailors' Home. The men refused to take less thau £3 103. Before agreeing to pay the 10i advance, an attempt will be made by the shipmasters to procure men from Sydney or elsewhere. Both shipmasters and men r.te making a determined stand. Bismarck's Du^l. — A duel m which the late Erince Bjsmarck was unoa engaged had a very amusing origin. It occurred when the young " blood " waß Chief Secretary of the Prussian Legation at Praukfort. Being very popular he went much iuto society, and one Christmas attended a big ball. During the height of the festivities Bismarck's, and, indeed, everybody's attention wa3 directed j to au exceed m gly pompous individual who strutted about, the room. Thia aM. de Clancy, a Frenchman, and a noted duelist. Liter on this important individual took part m a dance, but having omitted to leave j his hay at the proper placp, hsd perforce to holl it out almost at arm's length while he danced, The spectacle tickled Bismarck immensely, and ac tfce Frenchman came filing majestically along Bismarok stepped forward and dropped a coin into the hat j Of course, a duel was one of the next day's events. Though it waß with pistols, how ever, Bismarck's lucky star never deserted him. He esoaped unhurt, while his adver sary was wounded.

Th* Telephone m N.S W. — No leas than 140 telephones were connected for new subscribers m New South Wales during the mouth of July, and there are now 8600 telephones m use m the colony. Mr Cook, the Postmaster-General, says that at the present rafco the whole country will m a fow years be connected up by telephone, with the result that a great change will come over tho country life, as settlers will bo able to 'ring up their neighbours and have a social chat m the evenings. Deprived m this way of its loneliness the country wi/1 have attractions for many that it does not now possess. Tho change— ib seems almost too Utopian to be possible— will be most j appreciated by the feminine portion of the residents \a the country. Members of the fair Bes, it seems, are 'm the b,abib o£ gossip ing through the telephone by the hour, much to the annoyance of the Telephone Department. In one case recently a lady oocupied a trunk lino gossiping to a friend fora whole hour and a tnlf. The Eriosson telephone, with its convenient transmitter and receiver m one piece, is responsible for this, as it renders it possible to ait comfort ably m a chair and speak without fatigue.

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wellington, August 18 1 Tho Council met at 2.30 p.m. ' LEAVE OF ABSENCE. , Leave of abaenca was granted to Mr , Taiaroa for fourteen days, on account of i illuess. MOTION WITHDRAWN. The motion by Mr Jennings chat only calf lymph should be used by the public vaccinators, and that the appointments of all these officials should be revoked, was with drawn on the suggestion of the Minister of Education, who stated that an amendment of the law w« anticipated m the direction of English legislation. THE lANKING BILL. The second reading of the Banking Bill was moved by the Minister of Education, who urged that the measure was required, and would place the institution m a sound and permanent position. Mr Ormond unfavourably regarded the proposal to dispense with the executive officer by Act of Parliament. It was a Government function and should be dis charged by them. He also questioned the wisdom of abolishing the power of veto, and thought that there should be some permanent officer to report from time to time, and generally safeguard the colony's interest. He intimated that after the second reading he would move that a Committee be Bet up to enquire into the progress of the bank since 1894. Mr Stevens supported the appointment of ] a Committee, and urged that the position of the shareholders who had suffered consider ably should be made more satisfactory. Dr Grace criticised the measure at some length, deolariug that m his opinion the ' charges of corruption against politicians and others connected with the banking legislation were unfounded. The debate was adjourned till next day. j MUNICIPAL FRANCHISE REFORM BILL. The debate on the second reading of the Municipal Franchise Reform Bill was i adjourned after a brief discussion till next ! sitting. I The Counoil rose at 4.45 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, August 18 The House met at 2.30 p.m. JIKST READING.

The Impounding Bill was introduced and read a first time. THE FINANCIAL DEBATE.

The financial debate was resumed by Mr Flatman, who showed that under Govern ment; control the railways had been managed m the interests of farmers. It was impossible to flatter the Railway Department too much on the manner m which the railways were managed. He considered that if the Oppo sition had not moved the amendment on Tuesday the financial debate would now have been ended, the money would have been voted, and men re-employed on railway rolling stock. He was m favor of the establishment of Stace farms, provided they were systematically managed. Respecting the Savings Bank deposits, he contended that the progress of a country was evidenced by their amount, and quoted examples of prosperous countries m support of his argu ment. Mr Hunter quoted figures to show that there had been more deaths and accidents on the railways since the Government took them over as compared with the period they had been under the control of the Com missioners. Referring to the statemont that the Opposition had no policy, he said that the principal policy of an opposition was to expose the shortcomings of the Government and they were not called upon to enunciate a policy until they were m a positiou to give effect to it. When that time arrived he belitycd that the present Opposition would be m a position to pro pound a policy which would be acceptable to the people of the colony. In order to pre veut accidents on the railways the linei should be fenced, but when, he had asked that this be done to a portion of the line m hia district, he had recaived the reply that it wou'd have to staud down uatil m^re urgently necessary works were done. Mr Meredith cou3idered the time had not arrived for borrowing for railway extension, but he believed that m a few years when more land wi\g taken up and rccupied and the volume of pruduce had increased, the people of the colony would be called on to express their opinion on the question of borrowing for railway extension. Before borrowing even the £500,000 proposed m the Budget, there should be a, remission of taxa tion to the same amount. He was much pleased with the proposals for a remission of the duties m favor of Great Bricain. which he thought would be approved of by a majority of members of the House. He con sidered that the administration of the Lands Department for the year had been most satisfactory, and the number of forfeitures 533 and surrenders 171, was comparatively small compared with the number who took up sections, 2058. Taking into consideration that £100,000 had been remitted m railway freights on the carriage of stock, fencing and building materials, and manures, he con sidered that the railways had been managed by the Minister of Railways m the interests of tho people of the oolony. He thought that the Government should expend at leaßt £5000 m advertising New Zealand frozen mutton. Mr Buchanan said that if the Government had been really anxious to re-employ men on the construction of railway rolling stock they should have brought the Financial Statement down earlier. It could not be urged that the Opposition had bean blocking busineas m View 'of the fact that the Govern ment still possessed an overwhelming majority. He suggested that the Auditor- General should be authorised to grant returns, approved by Mr Speaker, to mem bers of the House, m order that they should get information now denied them by the despotic gentleman m power. Mr Buchanan was speaking at the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. I The House resumed ac p.m. Mr Buchanan combated the Premier's statement that the public debt per head had decreased under the present Administration, i Jn 1891 the indebtedness per head was JPS9 123, while last year it £§0 93. The taxation had also iucreased m the same period, from £2 7s lid to £2 123 6d. The Government valuation had been the worst he ha i wit nessed sine? he had had anything to do with public life. Many of the valuers had not gone on the land at all, but the worst feature had been that the values m many oases had been made m the Wellington office. Mr Duncan said that members of the Government party were just as desirous of getting information as the members of the Opposition were, but the latter made the mistake of asking for the information m au unreasonable form. He hoped that the Local Government Bill would soon pas? m order to remove the question of roads and bridges from the floor of the House. The

Banking Bill was more necessary than many of the Bills before the House, as it would end what appeared to be interminable trouble m connection with the bank. Advances to settlers had done more for the progress of the colony than anything else, and the 'and for settlement system had been next m importance m this respect. Mv Scobie l^cKenaie referring to the ramarka of the Jasfe speaker said that m accusing membera of the Opposition of being under the thumb of the Bank of New Zea-

land he had been appealing to the lowest and most ignorant of human motives. So

far as he (Mr McKenaie) knew, no member of the opposition side of the house owed the i bank anything. Taking the Financial Statement m one hand he proceeded to ask what comprehensive phrase described its dominant characteristic, In hia opinion the Statement respecting some of its figures re vealed nothing morenor less than an audacious and at. the same time odious falsification fehe public accounts. This was borne ous by an examination of the table of surpluses and deficits, the figures of' which' he contended cou,ld not be verified by the audited public accounts. The table had the effect of

traducing the political reputation of the late Mr Ballance, as a deficit attributed to the late Sir Harry Atkikson wag m reality to be attributed to Mr Ballance. In 1891 the surplus vpas. attributed to Mr Bal lanc,e, whilst m reality Sir Harry At kinson Bhould have had the credit;, ft|o language wqb too strong to ooqderno and denounce a table of this kind, whioh had been poi^piled with no. obhpr object than, to deceive the people of fcho colony wtw jbatj no]

means of verifying it. As a proof that no reliauca could be placed on any assertion or proposal m the Statement, he referred to the proposal respecting the amount required for the new library as it stood m last year's Budget and the amount now required to complete the work. The Government's attitude m the matter had been a conspiracy to deceive the people ot New Zealand, and throw I'arliamentiry authority to the winds. Those who had voted with the Government were accessories after the fact m this cou spiracy. He had met many who considered that settlement of the land had commenoed when the piesent Government came into office,- but he quoted from a table to show that from 1878 until the time the present Government took office land settlement had been more vigorous than under the preaenb administration. One compensating fact m the Statement was that there was a legal sur plus which, though legal, was none the less a manufactured one. He could not move an amendment, but could he have done so he would have moved that no surplus, real or fictitious, is, or ought to be, considered a , set off against the moral evils engendered under the present Government and the administrative blunders they have com mitted. He adversely criticised the recent appointments to the Legislative Council. Mr Hogg complimented the last speaker on having introduced some animation into a debate whioh had opened more tamely than any other financial debate he could recollect. The number of forfeitures under the present Administration was not due to a bad land system, but to the fact that the eyes of the country had bean secured by the land monopolists, and the settlers at present had to be content with rough country. The prosperity of the colony was due m a large measure to the progressive policy of the Government and at no time had land brought auoh good prices. He considered the Minister of Lands had done more for the prosperity of the colony than any other previous Minister of L^nda. Settlers could be materially assisted by giving them cheap land, and by making land accessible, and the Minister was doing his best with the meanß at his disposal to do so.

Mr J. W. Thomson, referring to the table of deficits and surpluses m the Statement, said that the Colonial Treasurer should have had some consideration for his late colleague Mr Ballance, aud should not have thrown a brick at Sir J. Yogel, whom hs had sup ported. He hoped that the Treasurer's esti mate of revenue for the next year would prove correct, and that the expenditure would be under what wai estimated. He in tended to oppose the proposed increase of wages of surface-men on the railways, which he considered was an uncalled for expendi ture and wonld be unpopular m the country districts. The increase m wages would mean that there would be an increase m the number of applications from young men for work on the railway. He considered that they were attempting too much legislation this session* On the motion of Mr E. G. Allen the de bate was adjourned. The House rose at 12.30 a.m.

FOOTBALL.

In the football match Juniors v Netherby, played on the Domain oval yesterday after noon, the Juniors won by 14 to nil.

A match was played on the High School grounds yesteiday afternoon between a mixed team of the High School and the Crescent Club, which ended m a draw, each side securing a try; This result wa3 obtained by Gudaeli for the High School, and Donovan for the Crescent team. The game was evenly contested throughout.

CORRESPONDENCE.

tWa do not ho^d ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents;

THE ASHBURION FREEZING WORKS

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — Your correspondent, Mr Hugo Fried: andjr, seems to doubt as to whether lam a genuine shareholder m the Bslfa^t Freezing Works. This I wiil Drove further OQ.^He aayathiit he has oonfileiico iv the Company m all they have done. I hope he has.' I beg to differ for reasons slated m my last letter. Mr Friedlander appears to imagine that by culling it a popular institu tion he has answered my objectiqoa. I would remind him thac because an institu tion is popular this does uos esempt it from mistaken, ' aud sometimes very grave ones. It is at this stage of any institution that there is the greatest danger, when share holders shut their eyes to the aotions of the direotors. With Mr Friedlander, or any other shareholder, being satisfied, I have nothing to do. We read m history of one notable person fiddling while Rome was burning. No doubt he waß satisfied. With regard to Mr Fiiedlander purchasing my shares, I should like him to be more definite. Does ha infer that the price of shares has fallen I I would like to. know if he will take them 'at post price. If so, I will gladly accepb hia offer. If he does take them, which m honor tq himself and the Company he ought, I promise to send the numbers of the shares I hold and my name and address for publication.— Waiting a reply, I am, etc,

A Shareholder.

PRICE OF WHEAT.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — Allow m$ to inquire where the famous Mr William Harker has gone to ? He was all there when the price of wheat was vb. Perhaps he has gone away and taken the big price with him. If this ia so, the sooner he returns the better. — lam, etc., Young Country Bumpxin.

THE HOSPITAL.

TO ?HE ediigb..

I S4R, — Aamy children have been discharged from the above institution oured of diph theria, would you allow me through your columns to express my sincere thanks to l)r Trevor and the matron ior their prompt ness m reoeiring them ; also to their nurse, Mrs King, for her kindness and attention to them whilst under herc&re. — Thanking you m anticipation, I am, etc., W. Bowdkn. Hampgtead, August 19, 1898.

DISASTROUS RAILWAY COLLISION

United Press Association— »By Electrio Talegraph — Copyright Capetown, August 18 A number of runaway railway trucks dashed down an incline, colliding with a mail train at Manocsfontein, and completely wrecking the train. Five Europeans were killed. The wrpckage caught fire, and twenty-five Kaffirs perished m the flames

THE DIPHTHERIA SCARE.

Our Reporter Visits Hampstead. He Finds Tilings as They Are.

A good many complaints having reached this offic* regarding certain sanitary matters m the Hampatead district ; and at last something definite having been placed before va in regard to localities, a, repre sentative of this paper paid a vißit to the properties mentioned. Two of these were houseß m which diphtheria had been busy and had claimed victim*. There waa nothing out of the way m regard to the surroundings of those dwellings. The houses were those of working men. One had perhap3 more people living m it than the air spies usually allowed per head would warrant; bat saoh things are not uncommon m houses whose owners are not rolling m wealth. The house was low m the roof and Bet low on its foundations, bub the little garden, if it may be so called, had been vigorously spaded m view of the growing season, so that any objectionable matter that may have been existing before, was now under the soil, and would m future be a source of sustenance to vegetables instead of a danger to human health. The other house was larger, and its surroundings m perfect sanitary condition. In fact both houses and their surroundings were Bimply average cottage homes, and neither better nor worse from a sanitary point of view than such homes usually are. Another section^ visited was that on which one of the borough scavengers resides with his family. Interviewed andLmadeacquainted with the reporter's miaiion, Mr Brown showed his readiness to have all his arrange ments inspected. The section is large, and affords ample room for a oommodioua dwelling house and plenty of stabling. The night cart is kept m a shed by itself, bat though within a few feet of that shed the reporter's olfactories were not made aware of its proximity. Mr Brown explained the secret of thisi So soon as the night's round is accomplished the scavengers drive tne cart into the river, and m the stream the whole plant is mopped and swabbed till every vestige of the purpose for which it has been used is thoroughly washed away. The subject of dumping yard refuse was then raised, and Mr Brown was asked where he was m the habit of depositing that. He at once led the way to what was at one time the clay pit of Mr Andrews' brick works.

Mr Brown said he had been asked by Mr Andrews to dump dry stuff when he got ib into the pit, and he had been doing bo. At the time of the reporter's visit to the pit, the bottom of it had stewed over its surface a collection of tins of every kind, veteran buokets that had long ago been taken off the active service list, kerosene and other tins that had fulfilled their mission, old bottles that it would be a great leap m the dark to use for any possible domestio purpose, seeing that whab they might have been last used for was nofe written m large letters upon them. The hither bank of the pit, from which the rubbish was now m the habit- of being shot, carried on its bosom a hill of macrocarpa cuttings, but beside it lay a heap of ashes and other garbage that had but recently found its way there. The appearance of the heap, and the smell that arose from it an old, musty, heavy smell of decaying matter— gave its origin away, and suggested strongly the idea that that waa not the sorb of material to be used m any large quantity for making up low ground m a populous place.

As a result of hia investigation the re porter baa come to the conclusion that the reports that have been circulated about the insanitary conditions of the dwellings m which the recent cases of illness occurred have no foundation m fact ; that if the night cart is always brought home m tha clean condition it was found m by the re poiteron the occasion of his surprise visit, but little danger to the health of the neigh, bora may be feared ; but the dumping of backyard garbage {com hotels and elsewhe.ro on a seotion m the middle of a closely popu lated district, and left without being deodorised by the beat of all smell killers, a thick coating of mother earthy is a subject calling for the notice of the powers that be m the shape of the Loc*l Board of Health,

WAR NEWS. AMERICA AND SPAIN.

United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph — Copyright

Washington, August 17. Four transports, with American troops from Santiago, have arrived at Long Island and Key West, with yellow fever aboard.

August 18 Mfarfelal law is observed m Manilla, and perfeot order prevails.

The rebel forces are not allowed to enter the city unless unarmed

The Americans captured 12,000 rifles and much ammunition.

It is estimated that 150 Spanish were killed and 300 wounded,. It is reported that Aquinaldo attacked tha Americans after the surrender of the town, but the assault was easily suppressed.

The American Press is indignant at Germany helpiog Augusta to escape. It is stated that the Spanish troops, after evacuating- Oiales, Puerto Rico, returned and tore the American flag which the inhabitants had hoisted and killed ninety person?.

The Heat Wave ia Europe.

United Press Association — By Electric Telegraph— Copyright . Paris, August 18 Intense heat still continues through out France, and eight deaths have occurred m Paris,

Many fires have occurred ia all parts of the Continent. At Finisterre half the town was destroyed.

SURPRISING A FUGITIVE.

United Press Association — By Electrio Telegraph — Copyright. Sydney, August 18 Tne police traced the wife of Peise ley, one of the men who shot a. police man at Cabramatta, to a cave at Sutherland. They surprised the hus band, and soveral harmless shots were exchanged. Peiseley escaped to the bush almost nude. His wife was arrested.

Later. Peiseley was captured after an exciting chase.

THB ABHBUKTON GUARDIAN; FRIDAY, AUGUST 19 lS9b



Holloway's Ointment and Pills— 1 He ought to be Prosecuted '—The indignaut words fell from the lips of a young girl who stood helplessly watching a drunken cabman brutally lashing his horse. It is, indeed, appalling to think how much cruelty goes unpunished m this worjd. Why are there 1 so many weakly children m all grades of society ? The explanation is simple. The blame lies with the thoughtlessness and selfishness of parents. V\ htle men and women neglect their health they cannot expect to have strong and robugb ch.ilcjrpn. Katheis and mothers, be warped m time. Clear your' systems of biliousness, indiges- tion, nervousness, and the lUre : restore your vigor and your strength by taking Holloway's P' ll9 > ths be « b ftn( * Ba f eßfc °* family mediated



In a recent letter from Washington, D C, to an old friend, Major G A Studer, for twenty years United States Consul at Singa- pore, says— 4< While at Daa Moinea I became acquainted with a liniment known aa Cham- berlain's Pain Balm, which I found excellent agiiinsb rheumatism as well as against sore- ness of the throat and cheat (giving me much easier breathing). I had a touch of pneu. monia early this week, and two applications freely applied to the throat and oheat relieved me of ib at onoe. I would not be without ib for anything." For sale by ASHBUSTOIf DRUG COMPANY, liOZTE TJfcJA %m purs



The new freezing works will undoubtedly prove a great boon to Ashburton. Fdrmerß, tradesmen and laborers, as well as the enterprising merchants who promoted the scheme, will ail participate m its benefits. The number of business men whose names appear on the list of shareholders show that they have cheerfully cooperated wUh the | farmers, realising that the prosperity of our town and district depends on our local industries. A few weeks ago we gave our readers a description of Messrs Craighead and Berryman'B well known tailoring estab- lishment (on the completion of their exten- sive alterations and improvements). They aye now one of the largest employers of labor m Ashburton, They pvy the highest wages and attribute the success of their business as "the leading tailors and outfitters" to. the employment of the beat skilled labor, and the faQb that they have the largest Btoc^ of up-to-date tailoring gqqdq to. select from. Their prices are the lowest compatible with good quality. The number of Massey-Harris bicyoles sold by thia firm lately showa that they are deservedly yexy popular high class machines, intending purchasers will do well to bear m mind that Messbs Craigihba© and Bbbby» man's motto ia "satisfaction." .



Auction Sales -To-morrow. T. Bullock, Arcade, at 1130 a.m.— 200 acres, SeafL-ld; also town section iuKermodo street. H. Stephen3on, Havelock Street — Special entry of sundrieß, etc. D. Thomas, Arcade, 11.30 a.m.— Furni- ture eale.



F. FERRIMAN. j OHEMIOAL LABATORY, COLONIAL MUTUAL BUILDINGS, Piinces3 Street. Dunedin, June 11, 1898. F. FERRIMAN, Ashburton. Sir,— -I have the honor to report on Sample of Ground Manure forwarded to^me I, for analysis. I have made analysis with the^gfollowing result : — Moisture 6 - 80 ("Organic Matter 36 60 -! containing Nitrogen equal to 5 4 I per cent, of Ammonia .Silica 340 Iron Alumina . . • • . . 0 v Phosphate of Lime as Bone Phos- phate 43-16 Carbonate of Lfme . • • • 4 # o* 100 00 Theie results Bhow the Sample to be of ABSOLUTE PURITY, thejlarge percentage both of Phosphate of Lime and Ammonia showing this. In faob the Composition can be claßaed aa a Typical Sample, which can- nob be exoelled. Your obedient jservant, (Signed) A. G. KIDSTOJN HUNTES, M .P.S., j City Analyßt, Dunedin. F. FERRIMAN. TO LET, FOR A CROP OF OATS. I HAVE about 50 Acres of good land to let for a crop jf Oats, which has been down m grass for 10 years. Full particulars on application. F. FERRIMAN. FOR SA.I7Ei COMPLETE THRESHING PLANT. I HAVE for private Sale a Complete Threshing Plant, m epleudidjliorder, consisting of — 1 Eight) horse-power Aveling and Porter Engine, 1201bs certificate, worked three seasons ; Combine, by riornsby, sft drum, with all the latest improvements, including Oliver'a Patent Feeder ; Elevators, by P. and D. Duncan, 26ft long ; four-wheeled Wharf, Scales, andjall necessary Belting m perfect order. Full particulars cm be'obtaiued on • pli- cation* F. FERBIMAN. ~"~ " THE GAKD&N. FOR TOP-DRESSING THK LAWN, BORDERS, OR VEGETABLE GARDEN I HAVE FOR SALE m 1 and 2 cwt 8.-^ a Special Mixture, consisting of Super- phosphate and Konedust, both of which are excellent fertilizers. The one gives the plant an early start, the other puts a lasting stamina into it, which results m a large and profitable yield. F. FERRIMAN- F. FERRIMAN, HAS FOR SALE, FOOT LEVER] g COPYIK G PRE3B, r" (Capel and iGaskill's Patent). SIMPLE. CONVENIENT. CLEAN. PERFECT COPIES. TIME SAVING. NO BREAKAGES. In this Age of High-pressure "m business an easy and rapid means of Copying Letters, Invoices, etc , ib of great importance. CHURCH SERVICES. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH ABhburton. FRIDAY, Short Service 7.30 p m. „ Choir Practice 8 p.m. CONFIRMATION CLASSES. SATURDAY— SpeciaI Olasß, Sb Stephen's Church, 2 30 pm SUNDAY SERVICES.. August 21, II a.m. — Morning Prayer and Holy Com.- muaion. 6 30 p.m.— Evening Prayer. REV. T. A. HAMILTON. REWARD. ONE POUND Reward will be given to j ' anyone giving such information as J will le*d to the conviction of anyone ( putting m lead, washers, or m any way « wilfully damaging the Lollie Machine at the \ Railway Station, Ashburton ■" W J. MARSDEN. r Swofce New Veauij c



I INDIANA BICYCLE COMPANY. Indianapolis, Ind. U.S.A. PAID IN CAPITA L-ONE WLIJL.LION DOLLARS. TN the construobion of our ", machines three] t prlme factors have been con- sidered throughout, eimpliclty, universality, and strength. Subordinate to these we have giren careful attention to lightness, grace and modern ideas, ani yr-. cordially invibe the most critical attention to our new models, every feature of which has been submitted to exhaustive tests to demonstrate its practicability before adoption. FRAMES. THB success of the tubing used m '97 Waverleys has been amply demons rated by its record during the season past. The fact that not a single Waverley frame has broken during the entire year speaka volumes for its quality and we contina., the Hse of the best grade of hmh-carbon Albany weldless steel tubing m Waverley frames for 1898, with flush joints of drop forged steel throughout preferring to place r.ur dependence upon th's more expensive BUI OHL It PROPER CONSTRUCTION FOR BICYCLES of the highest standard, rather than to use the sabstitates now commonly resorted to by many makers who have aimed to reduca cos^s at the expense of quality. In our Ladies frame we have used Bpecial tubing of 16 gauge at the loop where the strain is greatest, drawn down to 22 gauge at the head, thus combining the maximum of strength with the minimum.of weight. FORKS. OUR new fork is constructed of the same tubing aa that used m the frame, with a forged steel arched crown hollowed out for lightnesss. It was designed and perfected m our own factory, and we claim for it not only graceful appearance and lightness, but it Is the strongest fork crown ever made. BEARINGS, KSPEOIAIL attention has been given to the bearings of our 1898£nnchine«?, with the result that we have secured great simplicity, perfect interc!ians;eabiliiy, perfect alignment, perfect cone satricity, »ni perfect protection from dust. Iv further developing the principle adopted by U4 last year for adjusting by s id- ing instead of by threaded cones, wa have devised a universal cone, fitting either side of the front or raav whsel, and having a double face with two ball races. It can be puc on the machine m ti^ht diffirent places or ways, thus making it impossible to assemble the tearing incorrectly. The cones are prevented from turning on thoaxks by contact between their knurled faces and- the knurled KUtfaces of the nats which adjast them. Esprcial attention is sUlad co the dvs 1 ; proof qualities of all the bearings on the mnchino as being the ino.t effej iva protestion yefc applied to bicycle construction. They have surpassed any ideal and are as potent as they are evident. The balld rsll on the inner face of the c^ie, while Utge fait washers, held m place by dust c »pa, have a long bearing rest on the outsido raca, thus forming a valve scab. Dust or water coming agunat this washer only tends to press it more rightly against the race, closiug the bearings more effectively against its entrance. All the bearing* throughout the entire bicycle are ball retaining, and the axles and all beari ig parts are largo, strong, ani constructed of special stock. CRANK HANGER. THE principle of the bearings m this part of the machine is exactly the' same as m ihe hubs. The adjustment Is entirely on the left hand side, and is made positive by a plunger inserted iv the crank, which engages one of a. circle of unall holes m the face of the sleeve. The adjustment of these bearings is very delicice, the distance between the holes representing 1-2000 of an inch. SPROCKETS. DURING the past year we have spent much time and nionay upon the improve- ment of the sprocket tooth form, and have finally arrived at perfection never before accomplished. It will be noticed that m engaging the sprocket, our chain does not slide into its seat by the aid "f a guide roller either on the chain or the sprocket, but simply takes its exact pi ice. In other words, it walks m and walks out of the sprocket m the same manner as a man puts his foot down and. lifts ie from the eroand. In consequence of this no friction is caused, and each link of the chaln^)ulls on the sprocket tooth only a part of the load, while with less perfect construction tha link slides into place, carrying along ail the lo*d during the time it takes for this action, tending thus to stretch the chain unduly. This small stretch at each joint is continually adding to the total length of the chain nn'i) finally its pitch and the pitch of the sprocket are so different that the chain run only run on the poiuts of theteeih, grinding and cutting until both chain su tl sprocket are uselesß. 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 m chain transmission. : TO the production of crar now models we have unstintingly devoted our best efforts and ripa.st ideas. In its construction we have especially avoided freak mechanism for the purpose of obtaining novelties without practical value, and whild ib presents many new features m keeping with the progress of the cycle building arr, these h<*ve »U been submitted to the most rigid practical tests, fuliy establish- ing their excellence and superiority. IT Is designed for all round hard work and wear, combining with its elegance and lightness sufficient strength and durability for good service under the inoac trying conditions. PRACTICAL Novelties, self evident advantages, and manifest simplicity ombine with strength and beauty to constitute our "98 Waverley the best machine tha" wa, or, so far as we know, any other maker, have ever placed upon the markeb afcany price, and we claim for Waverley Bicycles fall equality with any bicycles built m the world. Wfl HAVE APPOINTED JOHN ORR & CO., ASHBCETON, Sole agents for the eulo of our machines m the South Island of New Zealand. INDIANA BIGYGLE COMPANY. INDIANAPOLIS, U.S.A.