MAIL NOTICES.

i Mails olose for the following places as under, subject to the necessary alterations : , TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15. For Northern Portß, per Penguin, at 6.30 p m WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16. For Northern Porte, South Amerioa, and fpeoially addressed correspondence for | United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, per Tongariro, via Monte Video, (due London April 1), Samoa, Hawaii, blbo United States, Canada, &o. and United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, via San Francisco (due London March 23), per Elin gamite,' as follows ;— Monty orders, ab 3 p.m. ; registered letters ancj parcels, at 5 p.m. ; ordinary letters, 6.. 30 p.'ml FRJ DAY, NOVMBER 19. For Northern Ports, Weatpor*, and Aus tralian Colonies (via Wellington), per Monow&i, at 10.30 a.m., Due Sydney, Feb ruary 24.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1897

I The Speech f rpm the Throne to the Parliament of Great Britain is, like the Colonial Governors' speeches which are imitations of it, intended to tell the members of both Houses of the Legislature just what they -al ready know, or what they may know wjth safety. The philosopher who said that language was given to man that he may conceal his thoughts, must have had a Queen's Speech m vi,ew yhen he compiled the sentence wbjlch has now passed into a proverb. We do not expect to gather from the Queen's Speech all the secret things of dip lomacy. They are not disclosed by that medium, if ever disclosed at all to the eyes of the nation. Kor do we glean from it the intentions of Govern ment with reference to the maintenance of the nations rights and prestige against the encroachments of foreign Powers. For the declaration of such intentions we have to await such de liverances as that of Lord Salisbury, m which he recently gave the country a solemn warning that though the Go vernment were prepared to strain every nerve to prevent the invasion of the nations rights, it would be dangerous to revert to the old idea that it was the duty of Britain to fight everybody and take everything. Such a doctrine, added the noble Lord, meant over taxing her strength. But though the Speech from the Throne is solemnly silent on Jjaany things on which one would like it to be eloquent, ft is one of the disadvantages ' perhaps that attend free institutions and the V gp f vernment of the people by ,the people " ! tbar, m spite of every precaution taken, and the closest watph set upon their lips by the leaders themselves, the nature of our parliamentary proceed* ings is such that rays of light leak out from the cracks and crevices of explanations, and otherwise, and illumine State secrets of considerable delicacy. Governments less amenable to the people they govern than are the powers that be m Groat Britaip; are able by ittrn negative? to

prying questions to keep thei' secrets C] locked up ; and at the same time, by a I ( close scanning of the very fully re- I ported sittings of the British LugU- < lature, can Bee just where those rays of ight fall and what they illumine, and ( thus gain information that wild horses < would uot have dragged from a diplo- | matist. There is one very bright spot \ which the speeches are illumining just now, aud that is the spot on which is , written the determination of the : British people, as reflected m the tone of Parliament, not to tolerate any interference with British interests, either m the Far East or anywhero eisp, and that whenever the honor of the nation is assailed, ull party differ ences will be sunk and the whole Legis lative strength of the nation will be of one mind. The Queen's speech is full of items that are both interesting and important, but we look m vain to the forecast of it for information on sub jects that are uppermost m the minds of/men m every part of the civilised world. Pleasing it is, no doubt, to be ' assured by the highest m the empire that friendly relations are maintained <vith all the Powers ; but the pleasure is very considerably dashed by the knowledge which we possess of the movements of fleets to waters the shores of which are known to be bones of contention between several warlike powers, and on which shores the British people have vast commercial interests at stake. Tht assurance only assures for the moment when we know that at any moment the fat may be m the fire, and the bolts of war may be flying as the result. Our Sovereign Lady lauds the magnificent services of her troops, European and native, on the Indian frontier m which, however, she does only what every loyal reader of the accounts of those services has done before her Speech reached the paper it was written on. The lauda* tion, however, has a background of sadness, and sorrow, and misery to cast frowning shadows over the scene — shadows of plague and famine that stalk like ghouls across the glory of the picture. The treaty concluded with Abyssinia is noted as a matter of interest to the Empire. Other nations have evidently noted it with interest, for a cable m our budget tells us m language easily amplified into jubilant that Britain by that treaty has scored a victory, and by it has given a check to certain sinister advances by Russia and playful filibustering by France on the Upper Nile. General Lockharfc made it plain m a recent despatch that unless a Spring campaign were under taken the brilliant work of our army would be lost, and the Speech gives us assurance that that advance will be made. The other advances of the Anglo-Egyptian army m Equatorial Africa, the reinforcement of the army on the Upper Nile, and the increase m the expenditure on the whole army of the Empire, are all items m the Speech which are addressed as much to the other Powers of Europe as they are to the Parliament and people of Great Britain. Bu there is a grave and Sphinx like silence on the Chinese ques tion — not from want of anything to say on that important question, but that,, the subject involves issues too momentous to play with m a formal speech intended only to set moving the business of the Parliament of the Empire. Of items referring to the in tentions of Government regarding social and domestic legislation the speech is prolific, but we can afford to wait for the development of parlia mentary procedure to learn their fate — just as we have to do with kindred legislation forecast by the Governor's Speech to our own Colonial Parlia ment.

THE ANAMA LAND SALE.

Notice has been issued by tbe Lands Department that allotments- m the Hekeao settlement (being that portion of the Anama Estate which has bren acquired by the Grown under " The Land for Settlements Act ") and con taining 2 1.86 acres, divided into holdings of from 5 to 373 acres each, at rentals of from £s 6 d to 6s (5d per acre per annum, w»U be open for application uader the lease m perpetuity system on the 9th March next. It is further notified that applications must be made upon the forms prescribed, which can be obtained at the Land Office, Christ church, and lodged at tbe Land Office, Ohristchurch, or at the Land Office, Timaru. on or before the date named, viz., March $. Further, that the Land Board will 'sit at the Land Office, Ohristchurch, on Thursday, March\'l(^, to examine applicants, who must attend and give any negessary evidence as to their eligibility under' the regu lations ; and, lastly, that Ihe ballot to j determine the successful applicants will be held at the Land Office, Christ church, on Friday, March 11. As usual the Department makes the gross blunder of not appointing a sitting to ( examine applicants m %c locality m which the land is situated and, from which fb is almost pertain that the bulk of the applications will come, and residents m this county who purpose applying for sections complain bitjterly of the o&cia} howrnpt-to-do it methdd of procedure, which involves two journeys to Ohristchurch, via., for &x« animation by the Board, and to be present at the ballot — the former is inevitable, although it of course by no means follows that the applicant, if ipproved, will be successful. Un ioubtedly the Board ought to arrange 'or a sitting to examine applicants at £Lshburton, where also it would be nost 'convenient to most applicants for he ballot to take place. As, however, he personal presence of the applicant it the ballot is not in'dißpepsab^e--an ' .gent can.be instructed to action his! •ehalf — the greatest grievance (and it 3 a grievance) is that applicants can ot present theinselvoß for examination t Ashburton, but must journey to IJiristchurch. This is the sort of lunder Ibhat }a almost always made, lib as attention wnpf called jso the latter m time to have it remedied, we ope that the Board will arrange to 1 old a sitting at Ashburton. Intend ig applicants shoijld bring the matter nder the notice of the member for the istrio 1 -, c ad we feel sure that if they do • Mr Wright will endeavour to induce le Board to meet their wishes.

Mb O. W. Purnell informs the Jhrißtchun.U Press that he saw on Monday m the Ash niE NZ. CUCKOO, burton Domain flutteri g amongst, ;he trees a fine specimen of the long tailed cuckoo (Endinamis titensis) which tie regards as probably " a straggler from some migrant flick," thiß bird being "rarely visible m such open country." If, as we suppose, the bird < m question is identical with that some times spoken of as the shrike and dubbed by some of the settlers the ci sparrow hawk " (albeit it is not a hawk at all but really a cuckoo) then M r Purnell is quite right m speaking of ife as a very infrequent visitant to open country. It naturally frequents trees, aa it robs nests of eggs and young birds, and m the early days of acclimatisation we remember one season m which these cuckoos destroyed the content-i of a dozen or more thrushes nests m a plantation on the property of Mr Derrett, near Oamaru, m which those birds had been tamed oub to establish themselves. Mr Purnell is, however, if we mistake not, wrong m supposing that the Hew Zealand cuckoo migrates m flocks. It is we think a 1 bird of solitary habit. Anyhow we never saw more than a pair together at one time

The papers are fall of tbe poverty of lurkey. The debt of the country runs high into the hun THE SULTAN'S dreds of millions, TREASURY. and all things are taxed. The Customs duties never, get into the hands of the Sultan. They are paid to the foreign bondholders, and the tribute from Egypt goes almost directly to England. His Majesty is supposed to be poor, but his private expenditures have amounted always to many millions a year, and there is a vast amount of money tied up m the jewels of his treasury. "It was," says a recent traveller, " through the private secre tary of the Sultan that I obtained access to this treasury. Guarded by Turkish soldiers and accompanied by officers whose swords clanked over the marble floors, I wandered about room after room filled with jewels and pre cious atones. For one whole morning I feasted my wondering eyes on cases loaded with enough gold plate to have broken the backs of half-a-dozen Go vernment mules, and I broke the Tenth Commandment many times as I ex amined the jewels, which, by the way, are kept behind glass and under lock and key. There is at least a peck of big diamonds m this treasury. There are quarts of pearls of all shapes and sizes, from the little seeds as big as the head of a pin to the great iridescent beauties larger even than an ordinary hazel nut. There is one emerald which is as large as your fist, and there are enough watches, which are set with pearls and diamonds, to fill a two-bushel basket. There is a golden cradle, covere.l with precious stones, m wbizh the children of seven different Sul tans are said to have slept, and I counted a dozen hand mirrors with frames of gold and Bettings of eme ralds, rubies, sapphires at d diamonds. There is a big armchair which is of solid gold set with precious stones, and which has a satin cushion upon it ! embroidered with pearls. This chair is kept under a glass cage, and it has a little gold footstool placed m front of it. There is a toilet-table, the top of which is made of lapis lazuli, and the feet of which are claw-shaped, the claws being made of diamond^ emerald?, rubies, and carbuuclea. Big diamonds hang down from the top of the table, and along the edge of it ther.B is a deep fringe of diamonds. Another wonderful thing is the collec tion of bed quilts, which are em broidered with pearls. Take the quilt of a wide bed, and cover it with pearls of all sizes, from those aa big as a pin to some as large as the fattest chestnut

String thousands of such pearls into all shapes, so that they cover the quilt with embroidery, and you have some idea of the kind of bedclothes under which the most famous of the Sultans of the past have slept. And then the of armour! There are numerous swords, and upon one sword hilt I counted fifteen diamonds, each of which was as large as the top of a man's thumb, and there were other ewords set with all kinds of jewels. There were saddles beyond number embroidered with pearls, with stirrups of silver. There were pipes set with diamonds, and one case contained the costumes of the Sultans of the past, each of which blazed with precious stones. Of the gold plate, there were dishes of solid gold large enough for a baby's bath, ajad phete were plates, cups and saucers, tureens and pitchers, massive and heavy, made of this same precious metal. The entire collection — and I that day saw only a part — filled a number of rooms, and it must be worth many millions. It contains the accumulated treasures and relics of the Sultans of the past, and when the Turk^ Empire is finally divided up among the rUlers of Europe, there will be a great scramble for the most precious objebtß m these treasury faults.'?

Local and General.

c a=^ — >♦ - g <( Ratepayer's " letter is unavoidably held _ over. o £ Tho principal difference between a oat and a He is that the cat has only nine lives. j Owners of racehorses are reminded that v entries for the Waimate races close to ■* morroWt ' The annual show of the Ashburton Horti ' cultural Society takes place on Thursday , week, 24th instant. ; A trial of the "Flying Dutchman" i plough will take place at 2 p.m. to-morrow on -i the farm of Mr J. M. Thompson, Wakanui. '"' ' : The estate of John Pritoh&rd, a butcher, ofFitzroy, has just paid the tidy sum of £10,059 as probate duty into the Victorian Treasury. A good many men who are the aohiteots of their own fortunes do not seem to have let the contract for construction to the right man. ' l Topdresßing the streets with tar has proved such a success m 'Ohtistphuroh that the Oity Counoil is going on with it extensively. It> will be seen m our advertising column* that tenders are invited tor the purchase of the balance Qf book Uj3b.ts of the latp firm of Mitohell and Turner. A woman named Mary Tuinham, alleged to be the associate of a gang of burglars, and one of th» most olever pickpockets m Am tralU, was yesterday, at Wellington} nea* tvnoed to tbne moathi impriioQinentj for fffctsoyi (

Yesterday a prohibition order was applied for and made m respect to a resident m the county.

Before Me66iß Alcorn and Bullcok to-day I M. Shea was ordere.J to return to Mr Moison a pair of boots and p.iy 5b damages, or go to f.aol for seven days. He had received the boots m mistake and declined to give them up The Wairarapa Daily Times Bays that some horses were actually sold at the i public pouud at Tologa, Poverty Bay, a few days ago for one penny eaoh. The Department of Agrioulture has decided to rigorously enforce the prohibition against the importation of scale infested fruit, and fcuit with the Queensland fly m it. Lettess of administration of the personal estate and effects of the late Duohess of Teck have been granted, the value being sworn at £35,471 gross. It iB announced that no extra telephone or appliance other than those furnished by the department can m future be used by any tubsoriber m connection with an exchange wire. The Bank of New Zealand has (says the Oamaru Mail) agreed not to oharge school committees banking with that institution the fee lately imposed for keeping small accounts.

On Saturday afternoon (says a Press As sociation telegram) the whare of Te Pene Karaha, of Poroutawahao, near Levin, was burned, and two children, aged twelve and thirteen months respectively, perished m the whare.

It is rumored (says the Observer) that the Hon J. Maogregor, M.L.C., Sir Robert Stout'a brother-in-law, intends to resign biff seat m the Upper House and become a candi date for Dunedin at the next general election.

A woman named Warded, the wife of a gardener atPonsouby (Auckland) was barned to death on Monday afternoon. She was engaged m making tomato sauce, and her olotheß caught fire. The Royal Oak Company of Hauraki (Thames), has obtained 948< za gold, value £2475, from a orushing of 49 tons ore and 481bs picked stone. Messrs J. N. Sharp, C. A. C. Hardy, J. Bruce, W. L, Allan, D. G. Holmes, J. McLean and L. Oxley are appointed a Board of Management for the South Rakaia Domain, being fifty acres, reserve 2242. , The largest leaves m the world, according to Dr Jackson, are those of the I«azi palm, which grows on the banks of the Amazon. These leaves reach a length of from thirty to fifty feet, and are from ten to twelve feet m breadth. We are informed by Me Horace Gates* local secretary for Trinity College, London* that ten candidates have applied for the June examination m muaioal knowledge Eight are presented by the Convent, t>nd two by Mr Llewellyn Owen. At a meeting of the Auckland Statue Com* mittee, it waa decided to accept Mr William son's offer of a replioa m bronze of theßtatae of the Queen m the College of Physicians, London. Mr Williamson was the scnlptor of the recumbent statue of the late Bishop Harper, now m the Chrißtchuroh Cathedral. Mr George Sumpter reports to the local journals the sale to Mr John Banger (of Ash-

burton) of the freehold of the Imperial Hotel, Thames Street, Oamaru. The price is stated to have been satisfactory — figures not given. We wish "oar townsman success m bis new venture.

Mr T. Werry, who has been for the last five and a- half years employed at the Canterbury Flour Mills, left on Saturday for Cbriatohurch, where he has accepted a position on the Farmers' Co operative Association. An advertisement, notifying that his house is tor sale, appears m another column. A communication has been received from the Defence Department, to the effect that Easter encampments will be held this year, and that m order that the men may be prac tised m what they would have to do m actual warfare — defend the Port—the camp of the Canterbury district volunteers is to be held at Lyttelton. A New Plymouth clergyman, the Rev. F. GL Evans, looks with a ftomewhat bene volent eye on the totalisator. Preaching th'e other Sunday night upon the evils of gainbliug, he electrized his hearers by re marking that personally he waa not one who entirely disbelieved m a person putting a pound on a horse if he could well afford it, , and was not m debt to anyone. -;.- In fiondqn, the greatest/ and wealthiest pity m the world, 60,114 people live m one room, 111,532 live bwo m a room, 37,000 five m one room, 6000 seven m one room, and m some instances even as many, as seventeen men, women, and 'children are known to ' sleep together m one room. Thus 400,000 Londoners are restricted to one living-room. A farmer m the Yarran district, Viotoria, on going into his bedroom for a pair of boots the other day, w*b surprised that the weight of one of them had incre used. Upon looking into the boob to ascertain the reason, he found to his horror that a tiger snake had carefully stowed itself away m the interior. The destiny of the reptile was speedily accomplished. The Chertsey people are determined oa irrigation. A meeting is called for Monday next, m the schoolroom, when Mr Baxter, the County Engineer, will be present with all necessary data. The general idea here now is to abandon the Lavington scheme m favor of the Lake Heron one, which ia sup posed to have several advantages o\rer the former, and other schemes proposed. An old beggar, who used to frequent the doori of one of the priuoipal churches of Rome, died lately. He was found to be possessed of £37,000, which he had left by a properly drawn up will to bis three children, who were completely ignorant of their father's wealth.

There is a boom m New Zealand honey just now. It obtains m the market the highest price of all imported honey, realising at the present time 35s per cwt. Ib is de scribed by one authority as "a beautiful honey, just suited to English tastes, which do no not favour strong flavoured articles of any'kind.?* The eupalyptus flavor i» pom pfoined of m the oase of the Australian honey, which only brings 20a to 259, as agtinsb New Zealand's 355,

By a printer's error m a recent budget from our Weaterfield correspondent the writer was made to say that an extraordi nary lathe belonging to Mr Beckett cost £14 m England. A lathe coating only £14 m England, m the eyea of a man up m the use of such a machine, would not be an extraordinary lathe. But he would perhaps be inclined to bake some interest into state* ment to the effect that the lathe cost £1400, and thief was the English price of Mr Beckett's maqhine— heoca the enthusiastic tone of our correspondent's paragraph on the aubjedL The North Otaga Times says that one of the Maerewbenua f aimers has threshed out, and his takings are 7 bushels of wheat, and 10 of oats. Lower down the plain a farmer threshed out 4 bushels of oate, but the wind had Beveral turns at his crop before the mill got to it, and is reckoned that the wind got more than the mill. The settlers on Maerewhenua Estate, and m faot all over the district, gave up the attempt to stook. One artner put up his stooks three times, and each time the fierce winds blew them down. At lasb they were left lying. The war with the elements was too much for the farmer.

A Committee meeting of the Ashburton Amateur, Cycling, and Athletic Club was held on Monday evening m the Qrange Hall. There was a full attendance 6i members present. Mr D. Grant, captain, m the chair. A great deal of correspondence was read. Ail arrangements have been made for the Winchmor« road race, which takes place on Thursday next, 17th met. On account of the record entry, the Club have decided to give a third prize. G. W. Jbey, Otto Fried, lander, and Hugh MoQonnell were elected as new mcniWs. V A general meeting of the Club will'be held on Friday evening next. An advertisement will be found m this issue.

Keating's Powdkb destroys bug«, fleaa, moths, beetles, and al| other mseota, whilst quite harmless to da.mestip animals. In exterminating beetles the auocgao of this powder is extraordinary. It ia perfectly clean m application. See the article yon purobase is " Keating's," »• imitations are noxious and ineffectual. Sold m tj nß| 6d, Is »nd 2a 64 woh, b? all oboraiita.

ANCIENT ORDER OF DRUIDS.

At the ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Star of Ashburtou Lodge, No. l£, U.A.0.D., held last evening, the business sheet for the next Grand Lodge meeting to be held on March 3, was discussed. There are several alterations of importance proposed, one very important alteration relating to sick pay will be brought forward, and other motions financially aff.cting mem bers. Final consideration of the business sheet was deferred until next lodge night, when a good attendance of members is re quested, and the lodge representative will be instructed how to act. One new member was initiated and two proposed. . Bro R. Clark, P.D P., duly installed Bro W. Pearson, the new District President of No 5 district, m an impressive manner, and Bro Pearson returned thanks for the honor conferred upon him. Other routine business having been attended to, the lodge was dosed m doe form.

The Masaey- Harris Skim Plough.

A trial of the Massey-Harris fouriurrow skim plough cook plaoi on Mr Max Fried* lander's faun at Jjyndhurat yesterday. The attendance, owing to the harvest operations going on, was not very large, but those present were well repaid for their trouble, and bo too were the agents— if one may judge from the results. Thiß plough ia capable of doing doable the work of an ordinary doable farrow plough with a four ■horse team, which fact demonstrate* what a great saying it will be to farmers. Although other trials were held daring the week thai) referred to was the moat thorough and «ktia* factory. The ground was not too heavy 1 and it was so well broken up that turnips were sown on it immediately after the trial with* out putting on the harrows, and all of those present expressed themselves greatly pleased, so mnch so that the agents inform us that no less than twelve ploughs were sold on ;tbe conclusion of the trial. "

Ashburton Coursing Club.

The annual meeting of the above Glob was; held m the Central Hotel on Monday evening. Mr W. Miearman being m the ' chair. The balance theet of the put year was read by Mr G. J. Neill, hon. secretary, and it showed a Bmall credit balance which waa considered satisfactory, considering that very fair sport had been provided under difficulties. The election of officers was then proceeded with as under t — President*-* Mr W. H. Rule; Vice-Presidents— Messrs H. Milner, J. Jore, H. Britton, M. Lagan, Dan Brick, T. Connolly, T. Langley, and H. .. S. Drummond ; Stewards — Messrs M. Digby, H. Willis, M. Qealy, T. Alexander, W. Patching, and R. Thompson; Treasurer — Mr W. Shearman; Secretary— Mr G. J. Neill. After fixing the rate of subscription, and settling matters of detail, it was resolved that the opening meeting of the Club should be held on Thursday, April 21, when a sweepstake for puppies (of both sexes) of £1 2s 6d should be run for ; the first payment of 5s on February 28, the second of 7s 6d on March 28 ; and acceptance of 10a on April 19, immediately after which the draw will take place. The meeting then adjourned.

Interprovincial News.

Press Association— By Eleotrio Telegraph Wreckage. Wellington, February 14 A large quantity of kauri timber has been washed ashore at Palli-er Bay. Possibly these were washed from the deck of a passing vessel, but there is nothing to indicate a casualty. Otago Harbour Board. Donedin, February 15. The election ac Port Chalmers m connec tion with the harbour board resulted m the return of Mr John Thompson. Messrs $. G. Allen and 6. McKinnon the retiring members were eleoted. The members are now complete. No word has been repeived regarding the appointment oi the Govern? ment nominees.

POLITICAL,

The Wellington Seat.

The Clerk of the Writs has reoeived a te.egram from the Speaker of the House this morning intimating that he had received Sir R. Stout's resignation, notification of which will appear m this week's Gasettt. The writ will probably be issued before the end of the week.

The names of Captain Jackson Barry and Mr William Coltman are. mentioned m connection with the city by-election; bub more m the light of a joke, though both announce themselves.

The Silvorstream Murder.

Press Association— By Eleotrio Telegraph—

Wellington, February 15 The Silveratream murder case began m the Supreme Court this morning, before His Honor Jfudge Williams, when Frank Phil; pott, alias Stanhope was charged tt)e murder of A.E. Hawthorne on September"?. Mr Bell, with him Mr Meyers, appeared for the Crown, and Mr Jelhooe, with him Mr Hindmarsh, for the accused. Twelve jurymen were challenged on behalf of the prisoner, while the Crown ordered four to stand aside. So far nothing fresh has been adduced. The trial will occupy the rt>» mainder of the week.

CRICKET.

-■ • • VICTORIA v. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Press Association— By Eleotrio Telegrap - Received Wakipuaka Feb. 15, 10 10 a.m., Guabdian Office 11.40 a.m. Melbourne, February 15. % South Australia m their first innings made 394, Hill 135, Jones 66. Victoria's second innings closed for 112, Stuokey 28, Bruoe 20. In the second innings the South Australian! have lost one wicket for 3.

CABLE NEWS.

Australian.

: Press Assooiation--rßy Eleotrio Telegraph, Copyright, Birth. Brisbane, February 14 Lady Lamington, wife of the Governor, has given birth to a daughter.

THE WAR CLOUD.

Press Association— By Electric Telegraph,— V ...• Copyright.

Received Wakapuaka Fab. 15, IQ.4Q a.m, GuAßDiA^'Office, O.XOsp.ni.' -= i London, February 18 it is believed that the British battle ship Victorious recently ordered to China is shadowing the movements of the Russian Cruiser Vladimir Mono tnaeh. .

tMk ASfaßtmi'ON 6t)A&I>iAN: f rt7ESi)As, &&BRtAf& IS,; 1898.





Six weeks ago I suffered with a very aeyer^ cold ; was almost unable to speak* My friends all advised me to consull a phyisi- oiau. Noticing Chamberlain's Cou.g^ t^ett^- edy advertised m the St. Y&ks Zeitung I procure^ a bqttlei, "and after taking it a short while wm entirely well. I now most heartily recommend this remedy to anyone Buffering with a oold. Wm. Kbix., 6788elby Aye., St. Paul, Minn. For i»le by* Ash bnrtoa Drug Oompasy.



HOZXB TEjJ 10 Suoert*



Public iMotlos,



Church Services ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH Aahburton. Tuesday — Teachers' Meeting, 730 p.m. Wednesday — "G.F-S." Associates Meet' ing ab the Vicarage, 7.30 p.m. Thursday— Sunday School Anniversary at Dromore, 7 p.m. Friday— Short Service, 7-30 p.m.; Choir Praobice, 8 p.m. SUNDAY SERVlCES.— February 20. 11 a.m. — Morning Prayer and Holy Com? munion. 3.30 a.m.— -Holy Baptism. 6.30 p.m.— Evening Prayer. REV. T. A. HAMILTON.



• o o i!• i §5! ' § q . : i *=* a CSJ t g - 3 la « ■" § 8 |H 5 § i 8 „ S I i^ Do oofbepersi/acfec/fo I buy any gft/)e/jp//3fion$ t I 1* /ns/sA on nav/ng. • 1| (Awanftd Co/darn/ Stiver Jtfei/a/s) cjm/vo/tßimfpffAs Jneyarepurea/Mfwno/esoms a Me test money a/fct • experience cap jsm. lamesfsa/eM/fusfra/as/a. m SOLD BY ALL GROCERS ,



John Orr & Co. John Or & Co. X^^RTHBR REDUCTIONS AS JC UNDER:— FLOUR, TEA, SUGAR, KEROSENE, POLLARD, BRAN, 40 tons Flour, Rollit'a Best, 2001bs, 21a 6d 20 tons Flour, Rollit's Best, lOOlbs, Us 3d 10 tons Flour, Rollit's Best, 501ba, 5a 9d 25 tons Sugar, Pure Cane, 701bs, 13s 3d 200 boxas Tea, Pure Ceylon, Is 6d 200 oases Kerosene, Highest Test, 6s 3 per tin ; case, 12i 6d 50 boxes Raisins, 6£d per lb 50 cftoes New Currants, 4£d per lb 630 Oases GENERAL GROOERIE: as under :— Colonial Candles . . 4d per lb. English Faraftue Candles 6^d per lb per bo Roik Salt . .  5s per owt Washing Soda  Id per lb Golden Syrup . . 6d per 21b tin M tori Kits . . .. 3d each Japan Rice . . c • 2^d per lb Whiting . . . . Id per lb Ooutto' Acetic Acid . . Is 8d per bottle Hood's Saraaparilla . . 4a per bottle Household Essenoe of Rennett .. . . 6d Pure White Pepper . . Is Neave's food.. .. lOjd Calvert's Carbolic Powder, 9d Holloway's and Cookie's Pills, Is 3d Fluid of Magnesia . . 9d per bottle Bovril .. .. .. Is9d Fly Paper . . . . 5d per dozen 50 oases Salmon . . 7d per tin Fry's Cocoa . . . . Is 4d per lb Van Houten's Cocoa .. 3s 3d per lib ti: Milkmaid Milk . . . . 7d per tin Cornflour 3d per lb Essenoe of Lamon . . 6d Worcester Sauce, pints 9d per bottle Esaenea of Coffee . . 10} d Sago ... tf  l£dperlb Tobacco, Nubian square* 4a 6d per lb Oatmeal, per 251 b bag ... &9d Bioily Almonds . . Is 2d Figs ..  .. 8d Musoatels  ... 8d Jordon Almonds „, 2a 3d Mixed Peel .. .. 8d 2JIb tins preserved fruit lOd Lemon Squash, English Is 3d Lemon Juice, English ... Is 3d Sardines.. •• •• 4£d per tin Fresh Herrings 6£d per tin Herrings and Tomato sauce, 10d per tin Vteaa&d. Hop?, per lb ... Is 4d * Eoob' Fruit) Salt . . 3s 3d per bottle Ground Ginger ... .., Is4dperlb Anchovy Paste ... .. #d per tin Citrate of Magnesia . . jts per bottle Sheens Tpngues, besb ... 10d per tin 6000yda WIRE NETTING, 2d peryc FOR THE JPRUIT gEASON— Gl«88 Jara 2s 6d, 3s 6d per dozen Mason's Screw Top Porcelain Lined Jars, Pints 4a 6 1, Quarts 5b 6d, half-gallon 6s 9d per doEea Kenrick's Best Enamelled Maalin Kettles ~8 quarts 6s, 10 quarts 7a 6d, 12 quarts pa od Brass Maslin Kettles, drop handles— .2 gallon 7s, 2$ gallons Us $3, 3 gallons 13s 6d Steel Enamel Preserving Pans, 2s 6J, 35. , 39 6d, 4s. John Orr & Co*



SHEARMAN BROS., GROCERS, IRONMONGERS, & WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS WINES AND SPIRITS. to hand a Large Assorted and \\ ell-Seleoted Stock of all Classes of Wines and Spirits, and English and Colonial Bottled Ales and Stout. None but the Best Brands kept. GROGKt RYWAREr X ~~CROCKtRYWARE. WE have just landed, ex S.S. Kaikoura, some very choice lines m Dinner Sets, Tea Se'B, Toilet Sets, Sets of Jugs, etc , etc., which we are selling at Wholesale Prices. 100 Dozen White and Gold China Cups and Saucers .. 6s 6d per dozen TEAS. TEAS. TEAS. WE have received direct from the Ceylon and China Gardens a large consignment of ifferent Classes of Teas. As we make 1 Teas a specialty we can offer to our Customers »nd the general public exceptional value. Highest Grade Orange Pekoe Ceylon Tea ? 8^ rlb ,v First CUbs Orange Pekoe Ceylon Tea . . . . . • • ♦ la 9d per ID Good Full Leaf Pekoe Ceylon Tea 1 a od per lb Oeylon and China Blended Tea *« 3d per lb Good Chin* Tea Is Id per lb SAMPLES MAY BE HAD ON APPLICATION. MAURITIUS SUGAR. MAURITIUS SUGAR, A. Mauritius Bugar contains far more Preserving Properties than any other Sugar m the market it is therefore the best Bugar to use for Jams and Jellies. 701 b Bags— l4s 6d. Orders by Poßt promptly attended to. Goods delivered daily. SHEARMAN BBOS., . GROCERS, IRONMONGERS, AND WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS, MARKET HOUSE, ASHBURTON. attiefcuione No. 53. ; *r GIGANTIC SALE OF DBAPEBY, CLOTHING & BOOTS AT MITCHELL & TURNER'S. The Whole Stock Reduced. ODD LINES AND SUMMER GOODS AT AFTER SEASON PRICES. EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. H. M. JONES. (X) BEST CASH VALUES OBTAINABLE IN THE COLONY IN Pianos, Pianos. Pianos. A BEAUTIFUL UPRIGHT PIANO, 4ft 4in high, overstruug, Full Trichord, Brass Wreste Plank, Patent Check Repetition Action, Seven Octaves, ÜBual priea £55, for .crstst iok nft cash A Good Piaso, aimilar to the above, but smaller, usual Jrict £45 for c©3B 1O» net cash. These are BPEOIAL PRICES and cannot be beaten. Organs. Organs. Organs. ORGANS from £S 10s CASH to £45. A SPECIAL LINE OF ORGANS, 7 S«npa with, Octave Couplers, 2 Sets Reeds, very sweet Tone, for £16 NET CASH. Bicycles. Bicycles. Bicycles. A Shipment of Waverley Cycles, Ladies' and Gentlemen's, just to hand, up to date, high grade, well finished, guaranteed. To be sold at Lowest Cash Price. Terms arranged. The Monarch and other machines supplied. Cycle extras. Purchasers taught to ride. VIM TYRES, the best m the world and the cheapest i Thompson's Patent Yamper. ALL NON-PLAT? BRS should have one. Simplicity itself. Gail and inspect. LOWEST OAK* El raiCXfciS H. M. JONES. I Telephone— No. 80.] 1898 1898 S. SAL EX, THE LEADING JEWELLERY ESTABLISHMENT IN THE DISTRICT Largest Stock Lowest Prices FOR :NEW YEAR -1898:: SPECIAL LINES at REDUCED PRICES, marked m Plain Figures. _Gold Brooohea (new and choice deßignß) at 7a 9d, 12a 6d, 17s 6d, 20s, upwards. Silver Brooches from It 6d upwards. Ladies' and Gentlemen's Gold Links at 8s 6d, 10a, and upwards. Ladies' and Gentlemen's Silver Links at 2s 6d, 4s, and 1b 6d. Pencil Caseß (a argeßtook to select from) at2«6d, sa, 7s 6d, 10s. Ladiea 1 Rings (the largest and finest •took ever seen m Ashburton, equal to any m Christohurch) from one guinea to ten guinea*, and upwards. Gentlemen's Tia Pins, neat and taateful designs m gold at ss, 7s 6d, 10*, 26b, also » nioe selection of small and suitable articles at 2s 6d, sb, and 7s 6d. WFJECIAJU ATTHiNTIOW IS CALLED TO THE STOCK OF Gold Brooches and Ladies' Rings. Xbvn two lines are Haavily Stooked, and are of the Newest and Choicest Designs. INSPECTION INVITED AT S. SALEK'S JBWBLLEB E Y A8T EST B A B BLIBHM ENT) £TQOK AND PBICE9 UffW4£3WED JN THE DISTBICT,