PHASES OF THE MOON.

MAIL NOTICES.

Mails close for the following places as under, subject to the necessary alterations : FRIDAY, MARCH 11. For Northern Ports, VVeatport, Australian Colonies (via Wellington. Doe Sydney, March 17), Fiji, Hawaii, also British Columbia, Canada, United States, &c, United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, via Vancouver, per Tarawera, as under : — Money orders, at 3pm.; registered letters, at 5 p.m. ; books and newspapers, at 6.15 p.m. ; ordinary lettir.*, 6.30 p.m. Due-Van couver April 2, London April 15. SATUREAY, MARCH 12. For Australia Colonies (via Bluff), Ceylon, India, China, &c, also United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, for correspondence specially addressed via uez, per express, to connect with Wai kare, at 12 30 p.m., due Melbourne March 21, London April 24. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, For Northern Porte, Samoa, Hawii, also United States; Canada, &c, United King dom and Continent of Europe, via San Francisco, per Takapuna, as follows : — Money orders, at 3 p.m. ; registered letters at 5 p.m. ; newspapers, at 6.15 p.m. ; oreli dary letters, 6.30 p.m. ; due London April 20.

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1898. THE WELLINGTON ELECTION.

We cannot say th^t we are altogether surprised that Mr Duchie has been successful m securing the seat vaoated by Sir Robert Stout m view of his undoubted personal popularity m the City, of the fact that he has previously sat for the same electorate and that his opponent is regarded rather as a Petone than as a Wellington man. The majority, however, is unexpectedly large, as we Jiad anticipated a very close run. The largeness of Mr Duthie's majority — perhaps even his success — js probably due to the prohibition vote having been cast m his favor m con sequence of J^Lr Duthie's candidature hay *""* I]ft <* ti)e Ba PP orfc of s J r Stoutrhi mbt M< aFro.hibitionist, and also to the secession from Mf &}& °* a numher of the Labor Party sympathised with Mr Hindmarsh and ware dissatisfied with the proceedings m connection with the ballot for the choice of a Liberal candidate. It will, of course, be claimed by the Opposition that the return of Mr I)uthieis a great victory — a*d so m one sense it is, and that because of the extraordinary efforts put forth by Ministers on behalf of Mr Kirk — but the assumption that the result is an indication that the country generally, or even Wellington itself, has revolted from Liberal principles, and will at the next general election return the Conservatives to power is one which we feel assured the event will not justify. But ie may be admitted at once that during their long term of office Ministers, as is inevitable, have been guilty of sins of omission and commission — all Ministers are — and it is of course only a question of time before a change of personnel, and modifications of policy will become inevitable. That is the invariable history of constitutionally governed countries, and what has been will be. It is also true that the radical defect of our present Execu tive, system which m a very real sense makes the Premier m his own person the Administration — which not only allows, but almost demands that he shall be the dominant fuctor — makes for the exercise of powers such as more fitly pertain to the very an tithesis of democratic government, and produces m time a revulsion which is sooner or later fatal to the Ad minis tration. The Wellington elestion is an indication of this, and goes to show that a process has begun which m timo will bring about a reform of the eyatetu. Indeed but for the defects of

the present system it would not have been necessary for such pheuonuenal efforts to be put forth on either side at the Wellington election, and we wonder that Mr Seddon does not himself Bee how infinitely better it would )..e to separate the fate of Ministers froai N that of their measures, m wh'ch case no interference would be regaided as necessary by the leaders of parties if. the choice by the people of their repre sentatives. Even under existing cir cumstances, we think it infinitely pre ferable that candidates should be allowed to fight their own battlos, and we are, moreover, strongly inclined to the opinion that, even from the Party point of view, a policy of non j interference is the more likely to be successful. As regards the effect of the Wellington election m the present Parliament, the return of Mr Duthie does not alter the position of parties, J as it has simply replaced one Opposi- j tlon member by another, but it will pro- ( bably have the effect of hardening up j the supporters of both the Government and the Opposition, and will help to intensify the struggle over the Minis terial policy measures. If so, it may result m bringing about an appeal to the country at an earlier date than if the election had resulted m the return of the Government candidate.

A BOROUGH LOAN.

Ax last there appears to be some sort of unanimity among the members of the Borough Council as to the advis ableness of raising a loan for the purpose of concreting the channels and asphalting the footpaths of the' town. It was, we think, Or John Orr, who advocated a loan for these purposes some time ago, and conducted his advocacy with both energy and earnest ness, but his music was played to unsympathetic ears. We ourselves have m these columns advocated the raising of a loan for the purpose mentioned, and are still of the opinion that this is the only course that can be followed if we are to make any real or satisfactory progress with these workd. And that satisfactory progress is not only necessary but imperative goes without saying. Open mud channels %re a constant menace to the health of the community. This was one of the objections raised by some of the local medical men when our existing schemo of water supply was first proposed, and the objection was met by the en thusiasts m its favor by the statement that the open channels would be open for a short time only, as they would soon be all laid with concrete, and thus easily cleaned by the channel men with brush and shovel. It was an answer that had the effect for the time of silencing what has turned out to be an only too solid objection ; but it was an anßwer that subsequent experience has shown had itself no solidity 4n it at all. There are a great many conprole channels m the town, to be sure, but there are overwhelmingly more that are quite innocent of concretp, and some of these are filthy m the ex treme, espepially those m side street k that have to receive any considerable proportion of the surface drainage of adjacent properties. Of Thomas hazarded the opinion at the meeting of the Council that it would take thirty years, at the present state of progres-. to lay the remainder of the channels with concrete, and complete the asphalting. We have no data im mediately accessibln to. show us how for Or. Thomas is right m his ostiinat.-.' &s to time, but judging by what the ratepayers as well as. ourselves can see arouod the town, Or, Thome's term of thirty years may be aocepted j but even if he were ten or twenty years oat m his estimate, plenty of time would be left for the mud channels to do a deal of deadly work, and m ten years many of us who saw the first sod of the water scheme cut will be our selves under the god, and our interest m the town buried with "us Then there is the question of justice as between ratepayer and ratepayer. Why should a ratepayer m a some what aparsely populated part of the town Jiaye to splodge through a quagmire m wet weather to his home, while his jfriend m a street with more houses, and nearer to the centre, saunters to his dwelling on a smooth and well kept path dry shod, while along thp margin pf tfoat path theirs flows m a. poncrete ph^nni&l a continuous and plentiful stream of water carrying away all impurities from his vicinity, and counting as an active factor m keeping his surround ings m good sanitary condition ? Thepe is no justice m such a state of affairs, and the sooner it is remedied the better. And the remedy is to be found m the proposal to borrow enough money to go on with the work m large' /contracts jbill }t is finished and tho of the footways and channels of i-.hcfco.wn pjjt fnt.o, proper and permanent  . : Tfee fum required is said said, would cover the existing * Vflr ' draft, on which we are paying about £80 per annum interest. Then we allocate every year at present fairly large sums m name of asphalting and channelling. The allocation of those sums would have to go on as usual, bub as tho work would have been done, they would go to pay interest and sinking fund, so that there need not necessarily be any increase of rates, or [at the worst a very small one, and, compared with the benefits to be de rived, hardly worth mentioning. Of course a vote of the ratepayers will have to be taken on the subject, and we trust wben the appeal is made to them at the ballot box, they will bear m mind how rapidly the number of dwellings is increasing m the borough, and how imperative it is that the sur roundings of the homes of the people should be made sweet and healthy — and cast their vote m favor of the proposal.

On the first page to-day will be found reports of the Police Commission, Tinwald School Committee meeting, and the Board of Education ; on the fourth page a column of commercial news.

Local and General.

The ram and ewe fair will be held at the Tinwald Yards on Thursday, 24th mat.

" On Saturday Mr H. Stephenson will oflfer a large consignment of fruit.

An eel weighing 301bs was caught the other day m the Waipoua river, North Island.

It is estimated that the people of New Zealand spend a million per annum on bopee racing*

Mr D. Thomas will offer a special live of young draught horses (from the south) m the Arc ide on Saturday. Messra 0 A. 0. Hardy, A. Saundere, and vl. Dulz oi, junr., have been elected members . of ihe North Canterbury Board of Educa- I tion. Latest advices from Adelaide, state tha f the overland lines to Port Darwin are Btili unworkable. The work is filtering through via Western Austialia. 'Ihe Klondyke fever has reached the West Coast and the Kumara Times reports that several parties of minerfl have left that part of the colony for the new El Dorado. Scobie Mackenzie asserts that a sapling of the Tammany upas tree, which is flourish ing m America, has been planted m New Zealand. If so, that sapling ought to be up rooted and at once. The sale by tender of the Ashburton In dustrial Building Society's thirty-fourth ap propriation of £300 realised the satisfactory price of £53. The yarding at Tinwald Saleyards on Tuesday last was heavy— l7,76s sheep, 45 head of cattle, 94 pigs and 44 rams. This ia the largest number for the season so far. Iv addition to the sports m the Aehburton Domain on St. Patrick's D*y, March I7ch, there will be all kinds of sports at Geraldine, and cheap excursions from Chris.church, Timaru, and Ashburton, so that the holiday may be thoroughly enjoyed. Messrs Hanmer and Graves (m conjunc . tion with Messrs Dalgety and Co.) will sell lat the Ashburton Yards on Tuesday, March 15th, some grand lines of sheep from the celebrated flock of Mr A. E. Peache. A notice appears elsewhere. For six out of the six and a-half days on which she was thrashing across the Tasman Sea last week m the teeth of howling gales, the s.s. Rotomahana for Wellington obtained Bight of neither sun, moon, stars, aor sky. In one day only S4 knots were registered. The Ladies Dorcas Society commence 1 its meetings for the present year on Monday last, when there was a good attendance. The "Society meets every Monday at 2 30, at the Road Board office, Moore street, and it is hoped it will have the assistance of many new workers. The only business before the Licensing Committee, which met to-day, was an application for the confirmation of the transfer of the license of the Central Hotel from John Dore to Timothy Connolly, The application waß granted, Mr Uuthbert son appeared for the applicant. A " Hedge Doctor," a kind of qu «ck In Ireland, was being examined at an inquest on his treatment of a patient who had died. 11 1 gave him ipecacuanha," he said. " You might just »b well have given him the aurora borealis," said the coroner. " In dade, yer Honour, and that's just what I should have given him next, if he hadn't died."

QJhe Gr r ymouth Star Bays : — lk is stated m well-informed circles that at least three new appointments to the Legislative Council are to be made before Parliament meets, including one Maori m place of the late Major Ropala Wahawaha. 7 here are three vacancies to fill, bub as there is no Con stitutional limit to thenumber of Councillors, it ia quite possible that four appointments will be made. Last Saturday there was shipped for Melbourne a draught two-year-old colt for Ray and Treasle, the well-known Victorian dealers. The c6lt is named Lord Willowby and was sired by Lord Oranley, out of Mr Chapman's p'ize mare, by Kelvin. The actual pi ice of the colt has not transpired, but it. is understood to be about £150. At the Auckland Supreme Court yesterday George Croft Huddiestone, late magazine keeper at the Mount Eden magaziue, who ploaded guilty to embezzlement, the total defulct lions amounting to £223, was ad mitted to probation, it being taken into consideration that the accused would probably forfeit his retiring allowance of £275.

We have received the March number of the Triad. As usual it is beautifully printed, and the illustrations are very well executed. The music supplement contains Raff's charming " Serenade " for soprano or tenor, and Schumann's "The Sunshine." The Triad seems to improve from month to month, and is a marvellously cheap three pennyworth. A £10 missing word competi tion will commence with the April number. Thirty-five thousand piga have been s'aughtered at Sir T. J. Lipton's Chicago establishment for transport to K'ondyke. Lipron'a special trains were to convey the pork to the Pacific coast, and special steamers were to take tha cargo up to Dawßon City, The faob thab the order waß given to the British firm over the heads of the Armours and other big American pack ing concerns* m Chjoago has excited some little surprise and comment. A touching scene was witnessed a few weeks ago, says a London correspondent, at Wilberforce House, the birthplace of William Wilberforoe. Before leaving Hull, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, the des cendants of slaves m the Southern States, paid a visit to the birthplace of the great liberator of slaves, which is now trans formed from an old manaion into suites of modern offices. As Mr Thomas Masson conducted the negro singers to the room m which Wilberforce was born, they stood for a moment with unoovered heads and then burst into " John Brown's Body Lies Mouldering m the Grave." From all sides the tenants of the offices rushed to hear the harmonious melody 1 and once more the Fisk Singers lifted 'up their' voices and chanted an anthem, "Arise and Shine for Thy Light Has Come.'? A meeting of the committee appointed to finally decide whether the Ghertsey spons Bhould be revived this year isas Ije'ld m the Library on Saturday evening. There waß a good attendance, and Mr Alexander Ironside occupied the chair, After considering ways and means it was unanimously agreed to, go on with the sports. The following committee of management was appointed, viz : — Messrs J. Stringfellow, J. Shannon, A. Ironside, H. Stringfellow; T. Ward, B. Stewart, W. $tringfellpw, W. Lewis, G. Scarlett, J. Doig, and J. Adafc. S^ssgrs Todd and Ironside were appointed secretary and treasurer ' respectively." 1 ' Several- -minior njatte'rs were arranged, and" the next meet pig fixed for Saturday evening. Every hope is entertajned of a most anp ceflgful sports meeting ab Geraldiqe on St. Patrick's Day, M «™s *7sh insfcanfc, when the A " a ocifttion offer dSl4o iil nrizes fof running, cycling, &«*<* Other athletio events. The entries received so far arfl Very good, bub the closing of entries has been held over till Saturday, March 12, so thab all events may be well filled up. At a meeting of the Association on Tuesday night, speoial prizes amounting to £20, from firms m Chrißt church, Timaru, and Dunedin, wore allotted, and the programme, on the yholia, is certainly a moßt attractive one. Besides the usual sports, the Swimming Club will hold swimming races, open to all comers, under Amateur tules, m the public swimming bath. On Sports day, the new pavilion will also be thrown open go the public for the first time. Geraldine being a pretty epot, no doubt a great many people will avail themselves of the excursion train to spend the day there. I have been afflicted with rheumatism for fourteen years and nothing seemed to give any relief. I was able to be around all the time, but constantly suffering. I had tried everything I could hear of and ab lasb was told to try Chamberlain's Pain Balm, whioh I did, and was immediately relieved and m a short time cured. lam happy to say that it has not since returned .--Josh. Edgar, Germantown, Cal. For sale by the Ash burton Drug Company. In order to make room for the builderß to complete the alterations we have resolved to 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, usual price 255, now 15s 6d ; etc. We have also pleasure m notifying thab we have just been appointed agents for the famous " British Monarch ' " Wavorley " and Eclipse-Humber Bicycles (both gents' 5 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 customers. (Every maohine guaranteed).— Craiqhead and Bbbbyman, thn leading Tailors and Qutficterj,

WELLINGTON ELECTION.

Return of Mr Duthio Majority 1029- Press Association— By Electric Telegraph. Wellington, March 9 The election passed off very quietly ; i ■ fact it was the most sedate election held m Welliugton. This was partly owing to the extra number of polling booths preventing undue crushing, and partly to the instruc tions gi\ en to the re urning offioerß and the police to allow no interference with voters. There wm sixteen booths, aud Mr Duthie ha lam* j >rity at twelve of them. The final figures give Mr Duthie 7283 Mr Kirk 6254 Majority .. .. 1029 When the result was made known Mr Daihie very briefly returned thanks. Mr Kirk, speaking later on, Baid he had ab stained from personalities and fought aB good a fight as ho could. He did not believe the labor pur by had split their vote. The Premior also spoke from a carriage m Lambton Quay, and said he hoped next election would reverse the decision, and the bear, man would have been Mr Kirk, A great many who now said they were sup porters of Mr Duthie would not have dared to say so, but for the fact that there had been an under current for four or five days. Notwithstanding the pressure brought to bear against) them, they had fought a good fight, and the result showed there were over 6,000 people who still believed m the pro gress and enlightment and prosperity of the town.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Annual Meeting;.

The annual tneetiog of the members and adherents of the Presbyterian Church was held last evening. An increase m the attendance was very noticeable, and a good many males were present. The Bey. G. B. Inglis presided, and read the following REPORT 07 THE KIRK SESSION. The session have to 'report that duting the past year ten new members were received into Church fellowship, and five left the district. The ro'l of membership for Ash burtou and Wakanui now Btandn at 130. . . . During the year the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered four times, and was well attended by the com municants. The Sacrament of Baptism was administered twenty-two times, m moat cases m the homes of the parents. We are extremely desirouß that baptism should always be administered m the Church, i! possible. It m a most seemly thing that the children of Christian parents should be dedicated to God m His own house. . . . There are a great many young people m attendance at the Church, especially on Sunday night, and we would be exceedingly gratified if they could be helped m any way, and permanently attached to the Church, and their moral and spiritual interests cared tor by the older members. We hope that some class or meeting of some kind, will he carried on during the three winter months, with the special object of helping them to spend a useful and pleasant hour together. The minister ccuntß upon receiving the energetic support of parents and friends m maturing and carrying out a suit able programme of the kind here referred to. There are three Sunday Schools m connection with the congregation, and a willing and efficient band of teachers who labour earnestly for the good of the children. There has been a large attendance through out i he year, and we are sure that many wholesome lessons have been imparted to the children, and impressions producad which will last throughout life. We hope that all parents who do not teach their children at home will send them to the Sunday School, and we invite fathers and mothers to come occasionally themselves to encourage the teachers m their work. We have room for Additional teachers m the Sunday School, and will always be glad to get the services of suitable men and women, young or old. After a reference to the Christian Endeavout Society, the ladieß' prayer meeting, and the Dorcas Society, the report went on to speak of the weekly prayer meeting ia the Church, which might be much better attended than it was; and also made reference to the service rendered by the choir, which would be none the worse for an increase m strength. The attendance at the Church throughout the year has been good on the whole, naif day attendance is perhaps too prevalent, and indicates an unhealthy state of matters that calls for reform, There is, too, a considerable nonchuroh-going population more or less loosely connected with our church, many of whom might be p-rsuaded to worship God m this place. We would like the members to try a little friendly personal dealing with these people. It is the business of the Minister to fill the pulpit and be m his place without fail to conduct public worship, but it is the duty of the people to fill the pewB — to come themselves to the Hoiiße of God, and bring their families and others with them. The value of the means of grace is unspeakably great. The word, s&cranientß, and prayer are the ordinary meanß which God uses for the conversion of souls, and the upbuilding of His people m holiness and comfort. Good attending and good listening help to make- the best preach ing, but irregular attendance and empty pews take all the heat and inspiration out of a minister, and make it very hard for effec tive work to be done. . . , The Finance Committee have met regularly during the year, and deserve the hearty thanks of the congregation for much work cheerfully per formed. We, have sometimes spoken about improvements to church buildings and several necessary repairs have been effected during the year. We wish to make our church as attractive as possible, both out- Bide and m. The town has grown and pro gressed so much m recent years that this building is now somewhat unsuited for our needs. A larger porch would be an im mense improvement, and a moro commo dious vestry, or stn&U church hall, could be turned to good account, and would be a great convenience to the congregation. As soon'as the Manse debt is paid', we hope the congregation will see the wisdom and neces sity of improving their buildings up tp'the sfcafid ard of Prewofr requirements. Sf FINANCE COMMTWEfi. The Secretary, Mr H, W. Barrett, read a satisfactory report from the Finance Com mittee, and the Treasurer's report wai algo of a hopeful oharaoter. The income for the year had been £477 and there was a credit balanoe to carry forward. The more extensive adoption of the envelope system was urged by the Treasurer, and the Secretary referred to the proposals touched upon m the report of the Kirk Session for the enlargement oi the church accommoda tion, remarking also thaf; there wag 9 feeling with some that no" extra expenditure ahould be incurred until the manse debt had been paid off. SJJNDAY SCHOOLS. Satisfactory reports were read from the Sunday School authorities, which were adopted. OFFICE BEARERS. The following members of the Committee were elected for thp year: — Messrs W. Brock, W. Brown, W. Baxter, H. W. Barrett, J. Cunuiugham, C. Reid, W. Reid, G. Simmers, J. Swanson, Murdoch Bruce, J. L. Higgs, and W. Huston. THAHIJS, After some discussion as to raising funds to pay off the manse debt, m the course of which a strong feeling was expressed that a strong and special effort should be made to remove it, and that the building of a new church should be kept stoadily m view, ] hearty votes of thanks were passed to the Committee, the teachßre, the choir, and the pastor, to whose valued ministrations the marked suoceßS of the church's work was mainly due.

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Press Assooiation — By Eleotrio Telegraph Death of Professor Kirk. Wkllington, March 10 Obituar>-~ Professor Kirk ; aetat 70, from failure of the heart. A Woman Burned to Death. Auckland, March 9 A twelve-roomed house, at Kimihia, near Huntly, was burned down a 3 p.m., to-day. The house belonged to the Kimihia Coal i Company. The insurances are unknown. Mrs Martin, aged sixty-four years was burned to death. Suicide of a Solicitor's Clerk. Auckland, Maroh 10 James R.- Fairs, a clerk m the office of Devore and Co., solicitors, shot himself through the heart. He was a member of the City aohool committee and * well-known volunteer. Butter Export. New Plymouth, March 10. Up to date, 72,000 packages of butter haT« been shipped from the local freezing work* being 13,000 m excess of the total for the whole of l*st season. This notwithstanding the exceptionally dry season. The Petroleum Springs. Additional plant for the petroleum boring an ived this morning from America.

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBURTON— THURSDAY.

[Before Mr O. A. Wray, S.M.]

Obchabd Robbing. — Thomaa Finlay, a lad of ten or eleven, was dismissed with a caution against a repetition of the offence bo which he had pleaded guilty — stealing pears from a garden.

aijmobd Falsh PaETENOsSi— A. J. Kelly was brought up on remand, charged with obtaining £20 from Hugo Friedlander on false pretences. Mr Wilding appeared for the prosecution and Mr Cuthbertson for the defence.— -Hugo Friedlander, merchant, Ash burton, said that he had known accused for many years. A day or two before January 10, accused came to the office of witneu, and again on January 10 He told witness that he had bought the Mount Somers Hotel, but could not get possession until he had paid some debts he owed, and if he could pay these, which would take £20, he would get possession. On the strength of the state ment that he had purchased the hotel witness gave him a cheque for £20, for which accused gave him the receipt produced, signed A. J. Kelly. By Mr Cuthbertson— Kelly had been a servant to witness for a number of years, and witness knew him intimately. The money was not lent as a purely friendly Bet, but because of his state ment about the hotel, to buy which he said his friends had agreed to find him the money. By Mr Wilding— The statement about the actual purchase of the hotel was not qualified m any way, but was very clear.— Henry Timpson, tenant and licensee of the Mount Somers Hotel, had been m the hotel for two years. In January last — could not speak as to the date — accused came and saw witness, saying he had heard that witness was want ing to Bell out, and wished to buy. Witness mentioned £200 as the sum he would take, and accused said he would give that provided Mr Moffat, the landlord, would accept him as a tenant — the £200 to be paid when Kelly took possession- Never heard anything farther from Kelly. By Mr Cuthbeitson— So far as witness was concerned, the sale was virtually made ab the first intarview, subjeot, of course to the payment of the cash, and the consent of Mr Moffit being obtained. That consent was refused, and the negotiations ended. — John Moffat, hotelkeeper, Christchuroh, said be owned the Mount Somers Hotel, and knew the accused, who had seen him with reference to the hotel. Accused said to him, at an interview m January, that Mr Timpson had made him an offer about the hotel, and had given him a week m whioh to make up his mind. After reading the lease over to accused, the latter said he had done with the matter.— Hugo Friedlander, re-called, said he saw aooused at New Brighton on January 27, and asked him why he had' obtained the money m the way he did.' Witness had learned m Ashburton that the hotel had not been bought. Kelly said ha had no excuse to make. No part of the money had betn paid. — Mr Cuthbertson ad dressed the Court, contending that a prima fafiie case had not been made out. With this His Worship agreed, and decided not to send the case to a jury. The case was therefore dismissed.

Stray Cattle —H. Robinson was fined Is and costs for allowing a heifer to stray on the railway line at Tinwald.

CABLE NEWS.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association — By Electrio Telegraph- Copyright. " ' •

Significant.

London, March 8 It is considered significant that the Queen entertained Baron Courcel, Ifrench Ambassador, and. Sir Thomas. Sanderson, permanent under-seoretary at the Foreign Office, to dinner m the absence of Lord Salisbury, who is suftering from influenza. The Queen's indisposition is not serious.

Roman Catholic University for Ireland.

In the course of an interview the Archbishop of Canterbury stated that; m common with a large majority of the bishops and clergy, he earnestly desired the establishment of a Roman Catholic University m Ireland.

The United States Fleet.

WasringktoK, March § The American authorities haye. ordered a naval osicial to visit Britain, and Franpe, and to inapegt the various warships offered for sale.

Chinese War Indemnity

Pekin, March 8

The Chinese Government hare signed the assurance demanded by the Japanese Minister at Pekin, that the war indemnity shall be paid by May.

Deer Island.

The Oorean Cabinet have decided to impeach Mm Chpng Monk, Minister for Foreign' Affairs, for leasing TfyfM Island to Russia for a coaling station, ' TJie Transyaal. Pretoria, March 8 The yplksraad voted JBIj^OOQ for the establishment of a consujar feryice,

Australian.

Press Asaociation-v-B,y Electric Telegraph,— Cppynght

Heavy Weather Predicted.

Sydney, March 9 Mr Wragge advises that he.avjr weather is absolutely certain between Noumea and Auckland,

TUe Federal Convention.

Melbourne, March 0

The Federal Convention discussed the question of deadlocks, and agreed to a proposal m the Bill for a conse cutive dissolution of both Chambers m the event of a deadlock occurring.

ftBK ASfIBUfaTOJS <*t)AIii)iAJH ; MAHCII 10, IB9fe.



March. d h m Fall moon  ... 8 859 pm Last quarter 15 7 18 pm New moon - 22 8 7pm Firat quarter -. 20 7 10 pm



TiOZFE TEA If Par©



Much consternation was caused last winter, amongst the medical men m Wel- lington, by the introduction of Woods' Great Peppermint Cure for coughs aud colda ; that a very bad Gold could be cured by a la 6d bottle, and a who c family, with a 2i 6d bottle, was a serious loss to them. J, is lold by all grocers and chemists,



New Zealand I CLOTHING I; FACTORY. ! * i mms week. i^i IVING "OEST VALUE MENS SAC SUITS, 57a 6d "V^OUTHS' SAC SUITS, 21s6d JL 2Sa6d BOYS' KNICKER SUITS, 15s 6J BOYS' SAILOR SUITS, 10s 6d QPECIAL "TTALUE T^ON'T FORGET NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. A. G. BARTON, Manager. Church. Services ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH Ashburtoc. THURSDAY, Meeting of the "St. Stepnen's Guild" m the Schoolroom at 7.30 pm. Business — Quarterly reports of Committees, and Election of Officers. FRIDAY— Short Service 7.30 p.m. Choir Practice 8 p.m. SUNDAY SERVICES.— I 3 h March. 8 30 Holy Communion. 11 a.m. Morning Prayer. 3 p.m. Dromore. 6.30 Evening Prayer. REV. T. A. HAMILTON.



P. FERRIMAN. ( FOR SALE- A SPLENDID OPPORTUNITY FOR A PERSON WITH SMALL CAPITAL. X HAVE been instructed by Mb V. . Rouse to sell by Private Treaty his well known and Commodiouß BOARDING HOUSE, situated m oloae proximity to the Methven Railway Station, containing W Rooms and Soullery, together with \ aore of land. As Mb Rouse haß determined to sell on account of his wife's ill-health, the above should command the attention of anyone m searoh of a profitable and increasing business m the oentre of a large and rising distrioti F. FERRIMAN. FOR SALE. WAKANUI ROAD, WITHIN A FEW MINUTES WALK OF POST OFFICE. A Comfortable Dwelling House, contain- ing 8 rooms, Bathroom and Scullery, to- gether with one acre of land, fronting on Wakanui Road and Cambridge Street. The above is for absolute sale, and from ts oloae proximity to town Bhould oall for special attention from those m search of good suburban residence. F. FEKRIMAN. FOB SALE. LEASE IN PERPETUITY of 100 Acres of Land at Liamore, subdivided into four paddocks, with an abundant supply of water m eaoh. 20 acres are m English grasses, 35 m fallow, and 45 are m the native state, upon which there is good feed. Upon the property there is a comfortable five-roomed house, a well planted garden, three-gtalled stable, piggeries and sheep yardß. As this farm is within three miles of a Public School, anyone m search of a property at a small rental would do well to give thi-? an inspection. F. FERRIMAN. FOR SALE, I HAVE FOR BALE a Rood second hand FARM DRAY, 1 DOUBLE-FORROW PLOUGH, and f eoond hand DRILL. F. FERRIMAN. FOE SALE, LEASE OF 600 ACRES OF LAND AT WESTERFIED.J ICO aores Perpetual Lease, 999 years, equal to freehold; 500 acres under lease for 7 years, upon which are erected a four-roomed aottage, stable and chaffhouse, etc., situated inclose proximity to a public school. 40 aores are sown down m English grasses, 550 are m tussock, and 10 are m fallow. Anyone m search of a good sheep farm ganpob do better than give this they: atten- tion. Fall particulars on application. F. FERKIMAN. TO LET, William Street, off Wakanui Road. A house of seven rooms. * TO LET, Wakanui Road, a comfortable} house]|of six rooms and scullery. F. FERRIMAN. Do nof Jbe persuaded /o I » /nsfsf on nav/ng, m I cmo/voAß££m£pr?j9s T/isy are pure and wk/esqme %. /ne oest money and experience cm Any.



Business Notices ______ EXCURSION WASHER. | 1,000,000 HIGH CLASS TOWELS GIVEN AWAY TO PURCHASERS OF EXCURSION WASHER, The Best Washing Powder m the World. A Large HONEYCOMB TOWEL given with Three Packet!. A TURKIBH ROLLER TOWEL or » Large HAND or BATH TURKISH TOWEL given with Twelve Peokets. SHEARMAN BROS., FAMILY GBOCERS, IRONMONGERS, & WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS, MARKET HOUSE, BURNETT STREET, ASBBURTON. Telephone No. 53. LADIES' WATCHES GENTLEMEN'S WATCHES GOLD BROOCHES LADIES' GOLD RINGS. mHESE FOUR LINES ARE HEAVILY STOCKED AND ARE OFFEREDJAT REDUCED PRICES! THE LARGEST AND FINEST STOCK IN the Dlßtriot of these&md all other Linesg is' to} be stpnftafc S. SALE K'S THE LEADING JEWELLERY ESTABLISHMENT IN THE DISTRICT ** GIGANTIC SALE *» OF DRAPERY, CLOTHING & BOOTS AT MITCHELL & TURNER'S. The Whole Stock Reduced. ODD LINES AND SUMMER GOODS AT AFTER SEASON PRICES. GRAND DISPLAY OP AUTUMN AND "WINTER NOVELTIES AT " THE CORNER." LADIES are invited to oall and inspect New Shipment* Just Arrived, comprising the LATEST AND MOBT UP-TO-DATE STYLES. NEW JACKETS NEW DRESS GOODS NEW WATERPROOFS NEW TRIMMINGB NEW CAPES NEW BLANKETS NEW WOOLLEN UNDERCLOTHING NEW FLANNELS NEW HATB NEW FLANNELETTES NEW MILLINERY NEW FLOORCLOTHS NEW GLOVES NEW HOSIERY SPECIAL DELIVERY OF OUR SPECIAL KID GLOVES. Browns, 2s 6d par pair ; Blacks, 2s lid per pair. Men's ftfld Boys' Clothing, Hats, Shirts, Ties, and Collars, m all the Latest Faßhions. BOOTS AND SHOES ! A Grand Variety by the best known Makers. W. H.~COLLIER, "THE COBNEB," Ashburton.