POSTAL NOTICES.

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS. Post Of jfice.— Mondays, December 26 and January 2 (for Christmas Day and New dear's Day) will be observed aa close holidays ; but on Tuesday, 27th inst. (for Boxing Day) the Posb Office will be open m all branches from 9 a-m till 10 a-m. On the 27th inst. the usual despatch ot mails up to 10 a-m will be made. Mails usually despatched on Mondays, the 26th inst. and 2nd pros, will be closed at 6 30 a-m on those dates. Telegraph Office. — On Mondays (for Christmas and New Year's Days), and Tuesday (for Boxing Day), the Telegraph branoh will open from 9 a-m to 10 a-m and 7 p-m to 8 p-m. Thjb Telephone Exchange will be open on Monday, December 26 (for Christmas Day) from 9 a-m to 10 a-m only, and on the other holidays will remain open as üßual.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1898. Local and General.

Commercial news on fourth page, and a leading article on first page. A new serial ia commenced m this issue, entitled " A Deadly Dilemma." Ib will be found on bhe first page. Tinwalo Racks. — At a special meeting of the Licensing Committee held to-day, Michael Lagan, Tinwald Hotel, obtained conditional licenses for the County Club's races on January 2 and 3. Canterbury College School of Art.— Among the Saturday students who were successful at the annual examination of the Canterbury College Bchool of arb were : — Freehand — pass good — Miss E. A. Bell ; Model — pass excellent — Miss E. A. Bell. Body Found.— lhe dead body of a man was found this morning m a belt of timber between the river and the reserve below M iillan's Hotel. Ib was identified as that of a laboring man named Frederick Wallace, one of the touting population who vla>b us ab euch times as shearing and harvest, and seem to spend the rest of the year moving from place to place, living somehow or anyhow, but picking up an odd job now and again. It ib supposed the man died m a fit ; but the full facts will be brought out at an inquest to be held this afternoon. Model Yaout Race.— The Secretary of the Christchurch Model Yacht Club has written to the late secretary of the Ashbur ton Club, informing him that a race is being arranged to be Bailed m Hagley Park on December 31, open to all model yacht clubs m the colony, and eayiDg that should any of the owneis of model yachts m Ashburton be visiting Christchurch during the holidays they might bring their boats and compete. Further particulars may be obtained from Mr C. Braddell. The Dairy Industry.— A circular has been issued by the Department of Agricul turo directing the attention of exporters to section 18 of the Dairy Industry Act, 1898, v> hioh comes into effect on the lab of January. The graders? reports show that frequently the actual amount of better contained m the packages is from lib to ?lb over the marked weights, while m others it is thab much under. Care^sonpss iv filling the packages give rise to trouble between the buyer.? and sellers, and like anything else whi^h causes friction or tends to destroy confidence, it is opposed to the besb interests of the industry. The graders are therefore instructed to rigidly enforce seotion 18; A:n Asihjurtonite m Sydney. — Ashbu r ton ' pyclisfcs and especially the members of the Ashbjuirton Ri/l9 Volunteers and Fire Brigade will read with interesb thab ;Mr Alfred Willis, now of bhe Engineer Corps, 1 Sydney, is upholding the credit of Ashbur boo m New South Wales. Ab the annual > sparks of the permanent section of the sub -1 marine miners he competed, and the Herald thus reports the result ; — Half-mile Bioycle Handicap— Sapper A, Willis (scratch) 1 ; i Sapper F. Pawla (]sydß), 2 j Sapper O. S. Perry (50yds), 3. 100 yards Handicap - Sapper A. Willis (ecr), 1 ; Sapper Ransom (4yds), 2 ; Sapper W. Meaoham (3Jyds), 3. ! Siamese Ra<ie : Corporal W. H. Pratb and Sergeant Purcell. Fjcrb Appliances m Wellington— Ab the pntpome of the Royal Oajk Qote} fire '«KVtj a Wellington Press Association tele gram) the 1 Coroner (Mr Auhoroft) has for warded to Comtftßsfoper Tunbridge the recommendations to the police officers whose duty ib ia to guide the Licensing Committee ia regard to fire appliances, and the provi sion for electric fire bells m hotels on eaoh flab, communicating m such a manner tint the touch of a button on either floor would seb them all ringing. Hq also suggests thab two or three light wire-rope ladders should he provided on each floor m rooms without locks, with direotiona as to where to find them. Further, Mr Ashcrofb has written to the City Council recommending an amend ment of the buildiDg regulations, to provide thab external balconies be used, that all wooden partitions should be plastered, and that work near the chimneys or heating apparatus Bhould be protected with asbestos cement over the brickwork. Farmbrs, working men, and all who desire to see "good times" m Ashburton will materially help to bring prosperity to their own doors by encouraging local industries. Having increased our staff of workers, and showing the largest stock of tailoring goods m the district/, and with exceptional facility for trade, we are determined to offer such inducements as will " keep the money m the place" if customers will kindly oall and compare our reduced prices on and after Tuesday, December 13, 1898. Men's all wool tweed suits made to measure m a variety of new patterns for 62s 6d or suib and extr» pair of trousers to measure for 65s and upwards, ab prices whioh will m all cases compare favorably with those of Christ church or Punedin firms for caeb f and our name is a sufficient guarantee for fib, style, aud workmanship, as the leading tailors and outfitters — Craighbad & Bbbryman. (advt) The practice — which of late has become prevalent — of giving bob fly remedies or 'ordinary oolio drinks» without proper dis crimination the moment a horse is taken bad cannob bo boo' severely condemned. Many a valuable horse has been pacrijgoed through the owner not understanding simple symptoms So-oalled remedies, inimical to life under certain conditions, are ad» miniatored, with the resuli thab the disorder asßuniea an acute form, bhe owner becomes alarmed, bub alas !ib is often too late. W T KjN.(j>s¥ON haa Mod; wopderfully successful during" bhe I»te ; epidemio among horses, Veterinary medicine can be oHbaitfed' at all houra, either a* hia Veterinary Forge, Willa cureet. or » b a Private residence, Grey £* v riear' W 1 Sohool. Horseß (only) Snd'ed'upon tha £•**■* BOlfcff. «! njonjala can be seen upon application.-- ADVI) 10 19 Ye athletes, ail who bike or run, Or row or box, or may have done, Know thab of all the human ilia" : You're Bubjeob moac to oolda and chills. Bub both will disappear be aure, By taking Woodi' Grant Pepper mint Cute \

MAYROAL INSTALLATION.

The statutory annual meeting of the I. Boiough Council for the installation of the J new Mayor was held yesterday at 12 o'clock. AH the members of the Council were present except Cra Orr and Scaly, who sentapologieß. There were also preaeub by invitation Messrs R. Friedlander, T. Seaiy, D< Williamson, T. Rollitt., O. Wroughton, H. M. Jones, E. Sounders, H. Willis, E. I'rotheroe, aud tho tffieetß of the Council, Meßsrs O. E. Fooks, H. H. Fooks, and C. W. Purnell, the Birough solicitor. The retiring Mayor opened the proceedings by expressing hia appreciation of tho hearty co-operation aril valuable assis'nnee he had received from the councillors during hia term of office. He then read his reporb upon the work of the year, which was as folio W3 : — In uccordance with tho annual usage, that the outgoing Mayor should give a valedic tory address on the occasion of the install ation of his succesaor, I would ask your patience for a few remarks on the municipal events of the past year. First, however, I wish to express my grateful acknowledg ments of the valuable assistance aud loyal co-operation I have received from my colleagues at the Council table. There have been differences expressed, as there is bound to be m any elective and representative assembly ; but I think I may safely aay that all have been animated by one Bpirit, a desire for the welfare of the Borough, and when the heat of argument has cooled down no bitterness has remained. I need not occupy your time by enumerating all the detailß of the works done by the Council j during the year. As was pointed out by my predecessor, Councillor Scaly, when he occupied the Mayoral chair, the necessities of maintenance and repairs of Btreets, water supply, culverts, and other works carried on m former years preclude, under the existing circumstances of the Borough income, expen diture to any extent m new works. There have, however, been certain additions and ( improvements effecbed m the direction of street formation, asphalt footpaths and oon crete channelling, though not to the extent that we wished or considered was actually, needed. The necessity for additional channelling and asphalt, as well aa for proper office accommodation and strong room, was alluded to at the Mayoral installation last December, and early m the year the Council gave the matter their Berious attention. After full consideration, the Council came to the unanimous conclusion that for both economical and sanitary reasons a loan of £6000 should be raised for the purpose of carrying out bhese works. Before, however, the proposal for the loan could be laid before che ratepayers, another large and important question (that of the Borough water supply) cropped up, which m our opinion required to be solved before the amount and purposes of the loan should be definitely fixed. The whole matter has, m consequence, been held m abeyance, and I beg to commend it to my succesaor for his earnest/ attention. Aa the subject of the Borough water supplyj assumed, 1 am sorry to say, a somewhat! controversial charaoter with the County Council, a body between whom and thisi Council friendly relations have always' existed, I do nob consider this a fitting occasion for discussing ib further. I would only take thia opportunity of assuring the burgesßes that it has not been taken up lightly by their representatives, and that m my own firm opinion — and I believe m that of the Council — ib ia of bo much importance to the Borough that ib ought to be setoled, and that finally. I wish just to touch on onej other topic, And then I have done, though that topic may also, I am afraid, be con- Bidered a controversial one. Partial state ments—and even balance sheets sometime* give only partial statements— may be, an^ often are, misleading. It ha 3 been said too that a clever accountant can make figures prove anything. Now, m respect of the financial position of the Borough, I Bhould like to give a few figures that I think ought to prove to an unprejudiced mind that this Council have not been extravagent or waste fa 1 , and that the Borough is m as good a financial position as ever it was. I take the figures from the published balance sheets for the last ten yearß and find that m Match, 1688, the overdraft was JK2QQ2. Since that time, m acTclition to the ordinary expendi ture for management and maintenance, an amount of £3200 has been devoted to what may be termed perminenb works, such as the formation of new streets, asphtlb, con crete channelling, and building ; besides whioh we have borne tho expense of the Domain, which haa coat ua, after deducting all receipts, including the sum of £75 received from the County Council, a net Sum of £1589Jj sd. Now, Ido nob say that this amount has been improperly expended, nor do % grudge thp money spent on the Domain, but ib^musb be acknowledged to be a heavy ch*rge on our : resburcßs, and it is one not always recognised when the CounoU'B expenditure is oriticised. Now, it must be borne m mind that the Borough income has nob increased with the demands upon it. In tact, some sources of inoome have oeased altogether. Prom the year 1880, ib had been supplemented by the ocoasßional gale of iron pipes that had been provided for a high pressure water supply, but m the year 1893 the Btock of pipes waß nearly exhausted, and, no more were sold. I find that from 1889 to 1803 the Bum' of £426 was raised from the sale of pipes, aod from 1889 to 1895 £280 was received m annual Bubsidieß fronij the Fire Insurance Association/ aa confcri-j butions towards che support' of the Fire/ Brigade. That addition to the Council's ordinary revenue has also ceased to be available. As regards the revenue derived from the general ri^s, there have' been considerable variations m the annual rate, rolls since the establishment of the borough.. In tho early days the valuation basis was much higher than m I»te years. DuriDg the years from 1878 to 1886 the sums received on the annual rates struck varied from £1100 to nearly *#l3Qo. SVora the latter date the 1 rate rolls became gradually less. In 1888 the amount o f the general rate was £922 11s ; but la 1689 there was still a greater deficiency, and it may be said thab the borough values had reached low water mark, for the valuer considered the annual rateable values to produce only £845 13a m rate*. Sinoe then, however, it has been regularly increasing ; this year ifc stands at £987 16a. There is a decrease also m the rente of reserves—n ot very much, ifc ia true — ana this decrease will not be permanent, as by the falling m of the leases of some of the reserves, m 1902 I have litbla dpubb bhere will be a substantial increase. As regards the expenditure of bhe present year, I have had a calculation made of the probable receipts and the necessary expenditure for the remaining three and a half months of the financial year, wjbh the following result : — the receipts, 'estimated at £843, and the expenditure £565 j giving a balance on the oredit side which would reduce the overdraft existing at the present date to £1496 at the end of March, 1899/ In the ten years preceding, the overdraft haß exceeded £1600 at four annual auditej namely m 1889, 1891, 1895, ftnd 1898, when) ib was respectively, £1666, £16«3, and £1686. I might have given you a still more; detailed statement, bub I fear I may have already taxed your patience, and will refrain from inflicting any more figuros upon you. My purpose m entering into these details of receipts and expenditure m former years has been simply to show that there are other elements to be taken into consideration m judging either of the financial policy of the Council or the general managment of the ftffftirß of fche borough than fche amount of the Bank overdrafb ab the end of each financial year. The Council may have made mistakes, but I do not think they have beep, many or serious, and I believe its policy to have been m the nwin economical and judicious. Ab to my share m conducting the business of bhe borough, I would only! say that I have endeavored to do what I' conscientiously believed to be my duty ; and m welcoming my suecessoi* I may be allowed' to express the hope that the Council will nob lose noy of {t'a steady goi°g character under hie chairmanship! ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE 90 MARCH 31ST, 1899. REVENUE.

EXPENDITURE.

The retiring Mayor then installed Mr Hugo Friedlander m the Mayoral chair, and after the usual formal toaata he proposed the health of the Mayor (Mr Hugo Friedlander) who, he was sure, would at the end of his term of office, be able to give a good account of his stewardship. The toaßt having been duly honoured, the Mayor (Me Friedlander), returned thanks. He thought the present custom of holding these meetings at 12 o'clock was open to two objections ; che first waa that there was not 'time to do justice to the good things provided, and the second was that most of those attending were business men who could ill spare the time. He believed that it would be better to have the iormal installa tion at 12 o'clock, and the festivities later. (Laughter and hear.) He might biiefly refer to one point m the statement of the ex-Mayor as to the work dene, and although he admitted his right to take all the credit he could, he (the Mayor) thought one matter was open to question and that was he (Mr Reid) had included the next three months m his statement. That did not seem to be sound finance. He would not deal with any other portion of the statement, but would cay that he would do his best to conserve the interests of the ratepayers. He would not have ootne forward on his own account. He was asked to do so, and the ratepayers had chosen him. He hoped that now there would be nothing but the best feelings between himself and the retiring Mayor. He referred to the remarks made by him at his meeting prior to the election and hoped that anything he may have said then which some councillors may have objected to might be put down to his interest m the welfare of the Borough. (Applnuae). The Mayor then proposed the health of the retiring Mayor, and m doing so said he always gave him credit for doing his beat. Mr Reid bad given a great deal of time to the work, and had shown great ability m the way he had filled the position of Mayor. He waa sure that if some of those who criticised the action of men holding the position understood its re sponsibilities, they would be careful m their criticisms. The toast was drunk with musical honors. Mr Reid m replying said he was much gratified at the reception given to the toast. Although going out of office he would al ways have the interests of the town at heart. He congratulated himself upon having been m office on the inauguration of the freezing works. He referred to the remarks criti cising hiß including the three monthß extra m his estimate. He said it was always the custom to include the three months following the installation m euch documents. Mr C W. Purnell said he was asked to propose "Ex Mayor's." It was certainly a tax on any business man to hold the position of Mayor, and he thought that no one should be asked to do the work required without enumeration. (Hear). There waa a great deal to do and no one could be ex pected to do it without charge. The ques tion of Borough finance had been much dis cussed, but he saw nothing m it, there was only a limited revenue and a certain ex penditure, and he did not see how things could be different, under the circumstances, from what they were. It seemed to him the general rate did not provide more than enough revenue to meet current neces sary expense?, and left nothing for special works. He coupled with th,e toast the names of all the Ex Mayors present. Mr Williamson replied, and said that all the Mayors for the past twenty years were etjll alive whjch was very satis factory, and they were living m, and around Ashburtop. He must say he did not quite approve of the overdraft), and hoped that there was now a, prospect of its being reduced. Then they would not only have the money to Bpend, bub they would save the interest. He thought, however, that Mr Friedlander waa really the father of the overdraft. (Liughter). Mr R. Friedl&Dder had much pleasure m following Mr Williamson. la his time he was never afraid of a few thousands of an overdraft. (Laughter.) He thought the gentleman who said the present Mayor was the father of th 6 overdraft was a little astray, but ha doubted not ' that the gentleman referred to could defend himself. As to his experience of the position of Mayor he always got on well with his Councillors, and if everybody did the same every thing would go on all right. (Applause and laughter.) Mr T. Scaly also responded, and aaid* that m spite of all that had been said of the over draft, he thought it was the making of the Council. On all occasions this overdraft was trotted out, but he considered that there was realty nothing m it. (Hear, Hear.) i Mr D. Thomas bad likewise to thank them , for the manner ip which they had treated the ■ toasti He had sat under a great many j Mayors and he agreed with Or. Scaly about the oyerdrafb. He considered that the reduction of the overdraft on a permanent baßis was siniply an absurdity. Jf they did all they were askes to do, they would have a muoh larger overdraft He could not agree wjth ftjayqr Friedlander's diptum as to book-keeping. When he made up a balanoe sheet he made it up for twelve months, not nine. But even if he was wrong he did not care. He had no objection to the overdraft. Or. Bird said they had all been talking about the overdraft. He referred to the pipe aflfoir, and said that personally either as Mayor, Councillor, or ratepayer, he would be very pleased to. see no overdraft, but aB long as a Councillor was founc| to support an application (and there always was one} there must be an overdraft. He had a grievance against the present Mayor as to the manner m which he had left him (the speaker) to j arrange the Borough's finance when last he gave up the chair. (Langhter.) M" A. Opr had been asked to propose " The Ashburton Borough fjouneil." He had been a member of the first Borough Council, and he was quite sure that all along the line, even since tha.t time, all the Mayors and Councillors bad done their duty. He hoped the present Mayor would take up the question of union of Hampstead and the Borough. He was greatly m favor of that. He had no sympathy with the cry about reducing the overdraft), and said It would be false economy. He thought this was a model Borough, and when asked on visiting the North Island if this was so had replied. " Yea, certainly. When they atarfced a cemetery m Ashburton they had to kill an. old man to make a beginning. " ( Laughter ) Mr Orr then paid a high compliment to the' late Mayor, and galled upon Crs. Collins and Paul to respond. l Cr. Collins replied. So far as his experience went everything had been done decently and m order. He thought the ratepayers had been well Beryed by the gentlemen who had teen asked to represent them on the Borough Council. (Applause.) Cr. Paul thought) he had the honorof being the oldest contiguous Councillor present, and be could Bay without fear o! being challenged* that there was no other municipality haviqg such advantages as Ashburton.' He would like to express his hearty appreci ciation of the very able manner m which the ex-Mayor bad discharged hia duties. (Applause.) He would also like to welcome the present Mayor to the position, although he did not think he would do as much as some persona seemed to expect. Or Davis congratulated Mayor Fried lander, but he would much rather have seen DmC l ? fe Mayor jo. ijie ojiajr, (Laughter.) A great deal had been said about the overdraft. Ha reminded thorn $hat there con stant applications ft»r works to be donp f but they knew that those that were moat favored got the work done. (Laughter.) He thought that all the Councillors had done the beat they could, and he would always work loyally: with the new Mayor. ] (Or. Pauling also teiponded, saying that although a young member, he should always do his duty without fear or favor. The Mayor propoted the •• Bouse of Repre sentatives," and m doiDg so took oocaßion to say that) they were much indebted to itß members for the work done. Ha would, m paeßing, refer to the remark of oca gentle man about) his connection, wibb originating

the overdraft. (Oh ! Oh !) He said the gentleman who charged him with sayii g there should be no overdraft, was the very one who m his private affairs acts strictly up to the principle. If » man wants to be successful m hia own business he surely ought to live within his income. lie gave I them his word that he would do his best to extinguish the overdraft. If the Councillors are determined to wipe out the overdraft it will be wiped out and the Borough will ha no worse for it. ( Applause.) Mr Purnell replied, and also toot occasion to say that he thrught the ver.7 long sessions held lately would tend to prevent suitable men from trying for a seat m the House. I He expressed a hope that a 81l would ba introduced next session securing more inde pendence m the position of the Boroughs. (Hear, hear.) .Or Thomas proposed the "County Council." He was of opinion that the Oouncil administered the affairs of the County m a most satisfactory manner. The Borough Council had a small tiff with the County Counci jusb now, but he had nob the slightest doubt everything would be settled up satisfactorily. (Applause.) MrD. William on returned thanks. He was glad to hear there was little or no difference between the two Councils. The County Council never seemed to think there was anything seriously between them. He was sure the County Council had a desire to work araioably with the Borough, and Ihe was pleased to hear that the recent difference was approaching settlement, (Applause.) MrT. Scaly proposed the health of the Borough Council officers. It gave him pleasure to propose the toast, as it was m his term of office as Mayor that Mr Fooki . had been appointed to the combined offices. He was of opinion that no matter how ably the Council was conducted, things would not go well if the officers were not efficient. He was of opinion that the Borough had a most efficient staff. (Hear ) Mr C. E. Fooks said it was just twenty years since he was first called upon to return thanks, and ten since he had taken the combined offices. He had endeavored to do his best (applause), and hid given all his best energies to the service of the Borongh, although hie son had taken the heaviest part of the work off his hands. He would do his best to act m the future as m the past. (Applauße). Mr Purnell also replied briefly. Mr Collins proposed " The Neighbouring Bodiei." He thought the time was coming when Borne of the neighbouring bodies will become united with the Borough, and m this way reduce the expenses. Some of them were anxious to join. Mr Maynard responded, and said he was Borry the Chairman of the Hampstead Town Board could not attend. He was very much m favor of the amalgamation of the bodies round about Ashburtop, and his views had been strengthened by an article he had read that morning m the Press* He then went into the sanitary reasons m favor of concen trating the power of local bodies by amalga mation, and expressed himself strongly m favor of the proposal of Cr Collins that a conference should be held m order to disease the question. (Applause). Mr T. Scaly (Tinwald), responded. He agreed entirely with what Cr Maynard had said with regard to amalgamation. If thii were an accomplished fact, the districts would all have more influence. He pointed out some directions m which this would affeob the Banitary question ; and instanced the meat and milk supply, saying that with out amalgamation it was impossible to deal deal with the subject. Mr C. Reid pointed out that the limit of population m the new government Bill was 1800. Mr R. Friedlander desired to expross his high appreciation of the services of the late Mayor, although for obvious reasons he had voted against him m the late election. (Laughter) Ib was the first time he had done bo and ib might be the last. He pro posed "The Pastoral Interests," remarking that there had never been better prospects for the district than there were this year. Referring to the Freezing Works, he thought that within tvt o months the farmers would be able to have their sheep frozen close at hand. (Applause). Mr Williamson briefly acknowledged the compliment, and caused Borne laughter by references to the manner m which the drays of the grain and wool growers were kept waiting at the stores. Mr T. Rollitt also acknowledged the toast, He believed the bright prospeots of the incoming harvest would put everybody m good humor. The proposer of the toast would (to judge from the appearance of his crops) get from £4 to £6 an acre, and no one could grumble at that, (laughter). ° Cr. E. J. Paul proposed "The Asb.bur.ton Freezing Works," coupling therewith tfofl name of the originator, Mr Hugo Friedlinder. . Mr Hugo Friedlander acknowledged, re marking that whatever a man did for the welfare of the district m wb,ich he lived, was also for his own interest. There was no question of philanthropy about ti^is. Bub there was no doubt at all that the establishment of the freezing works jn the district was a great boon to the farmers and producers. Last year the highest average price paid for lambs was 104 63. On account of the freezing works m the district the competition had already raised the price f nlly Is 6d a head. (Hear, hear). ' • " Or. DaVis naxfe propose^ the 4*' Preps '■'■ m &. few remarks that showed he fully appreciated the power and influence of " the Press." The toast was acknowledged by Messrs IS. Sauuders, E. j. Paul, H. Willis, and E. Protheroe, and the proceedings wound up wifeh the Usual tribute to the Queen,,

MAGISTERIAL.

m I ASHBURTON— THURSDAY. (Before Mr 0. A. Wray, S.M.) Civil Cases. — H. Zander v. James McCrßDor, £15 16a 54 on a digpnted promissory note. Mr Darnell for plaintiff, Mr Crisp for defendant. The defence was that defendant went to horrow £14 from plaintiff, but wat refused on the ground thai; defendant was too drunk to sign his name. To prove that he could Bign his name, he wrote it on a black promissory note which plaintiff threw, dowo to him, After eigning, he waß told by plaintiff that the bank would not acoept such a signature, and that he had better come back next day. I»ef b the office and went away. Had not received a penny, under the promissory no'e, and when it was signed owed Zander £8 9* 2d. The signa ture to the note produoed was anch a signa ture as he usually wrote when under the influence of liquor, bat he never saw tbe note after it was filled m, and did not see it filled m. The note was at two months, and was made payable at the Bank of Australasia. He had never had a promissory note for two months before from Sender, who also kneV that hie bank was the Union. The firattima he saw the note was when a oopy of it was sent to htm with the summons. Mr Zander was recalled after hearing defendant's evidence, and swore that defendant had never alleged to him that he was the i wort e for liquor, wheii he signed the bill, and the same day" he renewed a dishonored promissory note for £25. That one he took away with him and never returned, bub he left th,e one now sued for with plaintiff. The note was fjlled up when he signed it, Y itU9^'B I?u?ine88 was being wound up when the note was signed. He had acknowledged n» liability to witness and had asked for t}me to pay, wanting an extension, till after hardest. Mjo- Crenor was frequently m financial difficulty, McOrenor said he would not sign at all until be gob £J. His Worship said that MoCrenor appeared to have a perfect re« collection of what bad occurred and gave a lucid enough account of it, so that he could hardly have been so drank m he made out to be. The signature was tbe same as those on all the other bills pub m, and Hia Wor ahip could nob realise m face of the evidence before him that Mr Zander could be guilty of What' McCfenor charged him with, and therefore gave judgment for the full aipognf augd for ftnd o,oV|? :

THE ASHBUfcTOB GUARDIAN: THtTftSDA*, DECEMBER 22, 1898



£ a Rates ... .„ ... 120 10 , ' Rents, owing' and falling due ... 260 0 ' licenses, auptjoneera' ... 240 0 { Government subsidy.,. .., 147 10 Domain aooount , ,„ 55 0 ' Library Bubsoripfcions and ' outatandiog acoounta ,, 20 10 843 O J Overdraft 313/88 1496 0 l 2339 Q '



Salaries ... .« - 80 0 Domain account .. ... 50 0 , Wages 150 0 Charges, advertising, etc. ... 20 0 Library account ... ... 50 0 Fire Brigade ... ... 10 0 Hospital and charitable aid ... 60 0 Interest on overdraft ... 45 0 Contingencies ... ... 100 0 565~~0 Overdraft December 31yt98 .... 1774 0 2339 0 Difference between revenue and expenditure ... _ 278 0 ']



SYNOPSIS OP NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. J S Jowitt— Fat poulty for Christmas The Dust Pan— Christmas carda aad toys Notice— Special Bank holiday Wanted— Young girl Cricket Clvb — Annual concert. January 2 B&rrytown Gold Mining Co— H&lf.yearly meeting, December 31 Borough Council— Notice ra oloiina of library .■ Mount Somera and Sprlugburo Boxins Day epom~Hanaioap« . °; ; !



CHURCH SERVICES. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, Ashburtoc. THURSDAY -G.F.S. Picnic, 10 a.m.; Vestry Meeting, 7.30 pm. FRIDAY — Short Seivice, 730 p.m.; Choir Practice — 8 p.m. SATURDAY— Church Decoration, 2 p.m. Contributions of flowers and ever- greens will be thankfully received on Saturday morning. SUNDAY SERVlCES— Christmas Day. 8 30 am — Holy Communion 11 am — Morning Prayer and Holy Com- munion 2 45 pm — Children's Service 3 pm — Seafield 6.30 pm— Evening Prayer REV T A HAMILTON



F. FERBIMAN. BONE mTlIu j A FTER SATURDAY NEXT, tho 2<Rh XjL iost., the Wakb.nui Road Boue Mill will be closed until further notice, and I will not be responsible for any bones that are left here after the above date. F. PERftIMAN. FOB, fcSALE^ HAVELOOK STREKT. 'X'OWN Section 467. upon which ia JL erected a comfortable house of seven rooms. 1 asy terms can be arranged. F. FRRRIMAK FUR SALE. COX STREET. A Comfortable House of five» rooms situated on Town Section 776. The owner having lef b the districb will accept a low price. Farther particulars on application. F. FERRIMAN. I HAVE a Bpeclal sum of £10.000 to invest on a sound freehold security either m one or two sums at 4$ per cant. FOR SALE. 7 Acres at Eketahuna, North Island, Close to Railway Station, TO those desiring a change of Climate this affords an opportunity seldom offered of obtaining a section whereon to build a comfortable residence within a convenient distance of a Railway Station. Full particulars on application. F, FERRIMAN, "" TOTLET. A Shop In Tanored Street. I Have a good shop to let In Tanored Street, within a chain of East Street. F. FERBIMAN. TO LET— WAKANUI ROAD. 4 ACRES of good land with a well stocked orchard and a capital dwell- ing hoase. '' To a gord tenant a moderate rent will be accepted. F. FERRIMAN. FOR HALE. Mford Forest Poad. LCT 3 containing J of an acre nearly opposite the Factory entrance gate. Fall particulars on application. JF. FERRIMAN. ' FOR SALE. 500 ACRES SHEEP FEED. I HAVE for Sale about 500 acres of good I Sheep Feed, within about 10 miles of Ashburton. The property is well fenced and watered, and is capital country for fattening lambs. Apply F. FERBIMAN. GUANO. (Extract from Government Analysis by Mr William Skey.) A VERY fine grained article and of good quality, containing 46 per cent of Tricalcic of Phosphate. F. FEKRIMAN Knife Grinders FO.IJ Grass Mowers. THE NEW MODEL' DUrJ'ON MOWER KNIFE GRINDER THE New Model Dntton Mower Knife j Orinder ia believed to be aa near perfection as such a machine can b 9 made. A moat Valuable Improvement has been ma.cjie jn the means nsed for holding the knife to the grilling wheel, when being Ground, " The of the knife against the wheel is made ;c:S at the lower part of the knife section, where . fh <» » e »»t grind- ing is needed, and is gradually as the wheel is moved along the edge C. the section towards its point. •• KEEP THE KNIVES SHARP," Is what every manufacturer of mowers directs. With thia grinder it can easily be done. With a dull knife, the wear and strain, both on machine and team, are greatly Increased, and the grass will be badly cut. A man, or even a boy, with this machine, can grind a mower knife per* fectly, and with ease and rapidity. When a section is dulled or nicked by coming In contact with a stone, as often happens, Ib can be sharpened without grinding the other sections. THE *' CORUHDUM GRIKDING WHEEL " Does its work well. It: wears bub little, and will last, according to the amount of work done, from three to five ybara, and probably longer, There is a large hole m the centre of the wheel, made water tight by the flanges which clamp I he wheel and hold it m position. When the machine is used this hollow space is filled with water through a small hole m the side of one of its flanges ; the hole is then plugged up. When turning tho wheel In grinding, the water is driven through its pores by centrifugal force, completely wetting its grinding surface, this prevents the temper of the knife from being destroyed, whioh would be done if the wheel were used dry. THE OPJ3RATOX While grinding a knife, stands facing Ihe side of the whe^l and over the knife clamp, th : s brings ihe grinding of the section, directly under the eye. By means of a new improvement the grinder fian be readily clamped to a pole or the rim of any wh'egl haying a width of from 3 to 6£ inches. Ib requires bub libfclo ekill to ase thlg grinder ; the directions senb with each machin9 will, if followed, enable any one to work it withont trouble. These machines are protected fully by patents i,n the United States, Canada, Great? Britain, franco, Belgium and Sweden. F, FESBIMAN, AGENT. c PHASES OF THE MOON. \ December. d h m Last quarter .- ._ 6 936 p.m New moon .. ._ 13 11 13 p m First quarter — „. 20 252 p.m FulJ mypn gp U 0 a ,m



Kriediancter bros., Limited. ' WOOL SEASON, 1898 99. OUR NEXT SALE will take place at Timaru on FKIDAY, DECEMBER 30 1898, And Catalogues (or this Sale close on TUESDAY, 27th InstJ Clients are requested to deliver their Clipe either at our Ashburton Stores prior to that date, or to consign the Wool to MILL k. CO.'S siding, Timaru, where it will have our moat careful and personal attention. Advices of oonaignmentß will be received at our Ashburton office, FRIEDLANDER BROS., Ltd. WE HAVE FOR SALE A FEW SECOND HAND BRANTFORD REAPERS AND BINDERS IN GOOD REPAIR. Apply to FRIEDLANDER Bros. Ltd., XTT E ARE LANDING, ex Waimate and Tokomaru, X A I N I T, The most celebrated German Potash Manure, ALSO, STANDARD PHGSPHATE, Containing 44 per cent of Bone Phoßphate of Lime. These Mannreß are unequalled for.Turnip, Rape, and Grain Crops. Low f quotations on applioation. FRIEDLANDER BROS., Ltd. TTTE are favored with instructions from A. BUTTERIOK, ESQ., TO SELL BY PRIVATE TREATY, HIS COMPACT LITTLE FARM OF 238 Acres NEAR WILLOWBYj FRIEDLANDER BROS., Ltd. Insist ujwn. having 1 onr Pure Teas. J>ou't be put nppu, They are the Beat imd Cheapest. Absolutely pjir e. Copied but never equalled. WONDERFUL Guaranteed Nicer and Better Value than any at 4d per le. more money. Compare our 2/- Tea with any at 2/*, and our 2/4 with any at 3/- per 10. ' " THE Ashburton Drug Co. (LIMITED) HATE just unpacked, direct] from the English Manufacturer, a new Btock of all theDruga used m compounding physicians' prescriptions, specially made m conformity with the new British Pharmacopcea, 1898. Tti© Im> of dispensing medical pre- portnnt Boriptions is the Bpsoial and Work constantoare of the manager (J. M. Cambridge), who has been engaged m this •3uty for 36 years, aa well as having had the benefit of an IDugrii&h. training and experience, and holding an English certificate. To thoße who unfortunately have to take medioine, especially incases of Serious It is of the utmost import- Illness. anoe that the drugs Bhould be new and freshly im> ported ; that the medioine should be accurately and skilfully prepared ; and that exactly what the Physician orders should be used, and nothing elee enbstituted m Its place. 1 lie Price Bhould never be the first and only consideration- Drugs oan be bought at all prices. We prefer to import all our Drugs from a firm we oan rely on, though we eoiild buy many of them cheaper i# fche colon} But we charge no $10* c tuan ia usual m most of ibo larger towns, and generally a little less. A.T AULa An urgent call for medicine TIMES is responded to ab once, whether during business hours or at nighb, Sundays or holidays. Night Dia- ncns&ry — opposite Dr Maude's, and next to Dr JZuptep'a repjdenoo. J. M. Cambridge, ! MANAGER. 11 135 NOTICE TO CLIENTS. A TTENTION ia specially directed to the J\. fact that the Accounts recently sent out from the Ashburton Publishing Com- pany, Limited, (m liquidation) have no reference to the business of the present proprietor of the Aehburton Mail and Ash- burton Guardian. The Aocoonts referred to are up to March $1 last), and aa tbe books have to be closed to that date immediate settlement }• neußß»»ry,



DONAGHY'S BINDER TWINK, M: CHI>E OIL, BINDER WHIPS, HAY JfOBKS AND BAKES, ENGINEERS' TOOLS, HENDERSON'S DUNDEE LEATHER BELTING, CHAINS AND SECTIONS JTOR MASSEY-HARRIS AND MoCORMIOK REAPERS AND BINDERS, At Lew than Agent*' Pricea, and all Requisite, for the Harat Field at Lowe.t Prioei. JOHN ORR d Go. OUR STOOK OF ELECTRO-PLATED WARE AND CUTLERY IB by far the Fineab ever Imported into A 6 hburton, aud we are now making » BEAUTIFUL DISPI/AY m our Windows. JOHN ORR & CO. WE ARE OPENING AN IMMENSE ASSORTMENT OF Fancy Glassware and China. AMONQBT other Lines we are Showing Three Thousand GLASS VASEB and SPROIMBN GLASSES, ranging m Price fiom Sixpence euon, and as we believe a Urger variety has never been imported by any firm m New Zealand <^ fadooDfld-rt In rcqaeitui the inspection of the General Public. In order to dispose of our ImmeSrSbook m thete lines we have marked them at priow from 30 to 50 per cent below ordinary prioei. Inspboi ctob Windows. JOHN ORR & CO. CUPS & SAUCERS PLATES DISHES WATER JGG3 TUMBLERS TOILET SETS BUTTER JARS, and every article m Crockery and GUrtJwareat Rednoed Prioeß at JOHN ORR & CO. MASON'S JARS, JAM JARS IN NESTS, SCREW TOP JARS, ENAMELLED AND BRASS PRESERVING PANS. For many year» now we have altogether undersold all our Competitors m those mSSSI ffi«;ln™ we »c determined to add another »««>»*» °« «™r£ f We SSSuwmto BeU theao Goodß cheaper than any house m Ohrwtohuroh or A.hbarton. JOHN ORR & CO. raEE { INSURANCE } F « KE We beg to announce to the people 6f Ashburton and District that we have com- pleted arrangements whereby we are now prepared to offer all Cash Customers to the extent of 10a or over, A FREE ACCIDENT INSURANCE POLICY, which holds g .od for Seven Days from date of Issue, and on expiiy can be renewed at onr Stores • (hua enabling anyone dealing with us to keep covered i«ralnafc accident for £100 m the event of death, or £1 per week m the case of KrilHZlSlnl.. Ana the Beauty of the WHOLE SYSTEM ia that it COSTS THE CUSTOMER ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. We do not make any advance m our Prices to p»y for thte, bat still continue to give to all alike THE BEST VALOT AT BOTTOM PRICES IN EVERY LTNE OF OUR IMMENSE STOCK. Buy your Goods where you oan geb your Insurance for Nothing. It may be handy when you leaat expect Ib. If It costs you nothing you might aa well have fchafc thrown m. Guarantee from Insurance Company, and all further particulars on application to JOHN ORR & Co. Hams and Bacon. SIDES, ROLLS, AND HAMS- This is VERY PRIME QUALITY, having secured first prize at the reoenfc Shows m Ohriatchorch and Timarn. JOHN ORR & Go. Maravilla Garden Teas. Purvey otb by Appointment to Her Majesty's Hospitals, Army and Navy. THESE CELEBRATED TEAS are Exported to us by the Growers from their Gardens m Ceylon, thus saving all Middlemen's Profits. Ten priza medals for PURITY, STRENGTH AND FLAVOR. Everyone ehouldtry fk m JOHN ORR & Co., SOLE AGENT 3. Sugar for Jain. WE Guarantee the Pure Cane BUGAB of the Highest Quality, and especially Suitable for Jam making. JOHN ORR & CO., ASHBURTON.