Ashburton Guardian. Megna est Veritas et Paævalebit. TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 1899. Local and General.

Ekuphve Display, — Mount Ngaruahoe gave a splendid eruptive display on Saturday at sunset. A new serial is commenced m this issue, and will be found on the first page ; cable news, commercial, and general items appear on the fourth page. BAiiuYiowN Flat Gold Mining Company —The manager of the Barry town F.at Gold mining Company reports that for the month of February 68 ounces of retorted gold were obtained of the value of £272. New Zealand Stockists fob the Priest hood.—-As a result of the recent) Roman Catholic Provincial Counoil, held m WeliiDg ton, it baa been decided to establish a seminary m the diocese of Dunedin for those j New Zealand students for the priesthood who do not intend to become members of a religious order. As Improvement.—The verandah now m course of erection at the post office will no doubt be appreciated by the general public. Mr Peter Gourdie has the work m hand. A clock phced m such position that the correct time could be seen from the footpath would be appreciated, as after 5 p.m. no one knows if he » m time for the outgoing mail or nob. Imporb Seed.—The Government Biologisb strongly condemns the large amount of im purities m, and the poor quality of, agricultural seeds sold m the colony. Out of 158 samples tested an enormous propor tion were useless, says a Wellington telegram. Evidently there must be some ching more than a dash of truth m this, as Cr, Hanmer, himself a seed merchant, told the Borough Council last night that he had often been asked by tenants to supply them with seed—anything cheap " for a reserve." He objected to the borough's endowment reserve being Bown down with " reserve " seed. EDgoATioJsr Board Elections—A good suggestion comes from the south with respect to the vobing of school committees for mem bers of the Education Boards. It has been the custom everywhere to publish the results of the voting by the various school eommittes as the meetings take place. The Mount Ida ChtonUU, however, states that m the South there is this year among the brethren of the Press a tacit understanding that these results shall not for the present be disclosed ; the reason being that the influence on the voting of the committees, which has m the past been exerted through the publication of the returns, may this year be absent. Candidates will thus have a better chance of election on their merits. The Domain Tback.—The Amateur Cycling and Athletic Club, having aban doned their Easter Monday fixture, the Domain Board find themselves with another source of income cub off. The failure of the Caledonian Society to get a sports meeting on Boxing Day, and the abandonment of Easter Monday \pJtot*tC£xTirKX).y meansj!4eis^ffgvfSue to the Board of £39 -for the season, unless the screw be pub on to compel those clubs to pay for the dates they booked, seeing that while their names were on those dates, no others could arrange. In view of losses like fehe above, the Board decline to incur further exp3nditure on the track. This being so, and seeing how short the time is before St. Patrick's Day, it might ba prudent for the Ariel Club to take immediate steps to utilise the soft condition of the track, owing to the rain, for getting it sprinkled with fine gravel or cinders, and then rolled. Prompt action m this matter would make a great difference to the condition of the track on Bt, Patrick's Day. Swimming.—The Ashburton Swimming Olub held a committee meeting last night to arraage details m connection with their competition on Thursday next. All the members were present and Mr Gates was m the chair. The Secretary reported that Mr A. Francis, Christchurch, waa coming, and would bring with him a team of New Zea land cracks, including Mr Edwards from Wellington, holder of the 100 yards championship of New Zealand ; Mr A. B, Truscott, holder of the provincial champion ship of Wellington ; Mr E. Trusoott; Mr Stokes, the East Uhristchurch champion; and fifteen other Chriatchurch cracks. Rakaia ako waa sending four of its beslmen, aud entries had been received from other neighboring clubs. For the school champion ship there were six entries, including the Rakaia crack, The president of the As sociation—Mr G. Harris—the hon. secretary, and other officials of associated clubs, had signified their'intention of being present. Officials were elected for the day, and com plete arrangements were made for a good day's sports. As the races are free, such swimmers as the visitors referred to, should attract a good attendance of spectators. The visitors will be entertained to a compli • men tary dinner by the Club after the races. Henry's Dbamatio Company—Mr Joseph Ivees received no advertisements from the Henry Dramatic Company, and m con sequence proceeded to throw cold water on ib. But he rather struck a snag. This is how Mr Henry closed an address to a crowded audience on the subjecb of the article :—■" I have quoted these paragraphs to show the character of my company and audience m Sydney. The statements con tained m the Tima* article are quite false, and I have taken this opportunity of deny ing them, bo that the eyes of the public may be opened to the untruthful statements that appear m a journal which should enlighten an intelligent community on all subjects appertaining to their wellfare. It is a puzzle to me why such a journal should be tolerated by an intelligent public like the one I have met with m Temuka. In conclusion, I charge the writer of that article, whether he be the editor or the printer's devil, with being a dangerous and malicious liar. lam told he is an Irishman, but I don'b believe it. He must have been born at sea, and washed ashore with the scum that has stuck to him ever sinca." During the delivery of his speech Mr Henry was frequently interrupted by storms of applause. Business Change. —-In passing along East street many persons look for the well-known old jeweller's shop occupied for so many years by Mr R. Murray, but there has been a complete change at this spot* As was reported some time ago, Mr Frank Curtis (late of A. Gundersen's, Ghristchurch) bought Mr Murray out, and having done so, lost no time m making numerous alterations all through the establishment. The old window was soon removed, and a fine sheet of plate ' glass inserted, whilst the inside of the window has been fitted up m the latest style with dust-proof oases and mirrors arranged m such a way that they are well worth j stopping to have a look at. In fact, as you pass this shop the excellent display of gold and silver goods cannot fail to catch the eye. On entering the shop great changes are again noted. The old partition has been removed, there is twice the amount of room for the j display of clocks, &c, which are well set off m neat counter and wall cases, and amongst which will be found an endless variety of goods both useful and ornamental suitable j for wedding or birthday presents. Behind the Jeweller's shop is fitted upon the mosb approved lines with regard to light, &c, a room exclusively for optical purposes, where Mr Curtis has a very complete seb of sight-besting instru ments, which enable him to fib those m need of glasses with lenses of the form and strength suitable for each particular case. Persons requiring glasses will do well to remember this before running off to Christ church or elsewhere, and paying exorbitant prices for that which may be obtained at a moderate figure close at hand. Having passed through these departments, the watchmaking and repairing room is reached, where all the best and most up-to-date tools and appliances required'in connection with J a watchmaker's and working jeweller's ! business are to be found, and where satis faction ia thsse connections is guaranteed* Mr Curtis is to b& congratulated upon the improvements he has ra&ds ab the old shop, and doubtless he will command a fair share i of the business going.

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

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[ Olubs maintained the track themselves it I would be very different;, and a much wonse track woiild suffice. He was averee to any more of the ratepayers'money being spem on the aports ground, and if that part of the Domain was not to be ealfrsupporting then it ought to be closed up. Mr Orr was of opinion that a satisfactory track would not,*ba obtained until the use of tar was sanctioned, Mr Collins moved that the Domain Com mittee be asked to take into consideration the scale of charges for the use of the sports ground, an I report generally on the whole I question at next meeting ' Mr Davia seconded, and the motion was carried Alter some other business the Board rose

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves responsible for tbe opinions expressed by our correspondents)

THREEPENNY BEERS.

TO THB EDITQB. Sib,—When the Aahburton Club and M.S. A. firßb began business m Fowler'a Build ings, Tailored Street, there was introduced a system cordially welcomed by a great many people—members and noa-members of the M.B.A.—and to this system was due, m a great measure, the rapid riae of the club m general popularity. That system was the dispensing to members of " soft" drinks at threepence, At the M.S.A. a member, for self and friends, could obtain as many half pints of colonial ale as he wanted for three* peace each, and this rate of charge has been maintained ever since. One would have thought that the other purveyors of beer m the town, seeing; the popularity of the M.S.A., would have followed suit. But they did not. One man I remember tried it but his career m the town was short* His career was like the rocket, brilliant m its ascent, but the return journey made m darkness. That was many years ago, and though times and people have changed a good deal and m many ways since then, the hotelkeepers, with the conservatism of their class, hold on to sixpenny drinks, One ex ception, however, has manifested itself within the last few days, and that, too, the oldest house m the town. In that popular hostelry the customer is nob required to pay for a small glass of beer the same price that he would have to hand over fora full pewter containing twenty fluid ounces. You can there obtain half a pint for the price of half a pint. It has always been a wonder to me why the public put up with this sixpenny system of charging, seeing the gross unfairness of it; but the public ia long suffering m some things. When a man who is frequently beer thirsty goes to quench this thirst, he starts with a pinb or " a long one." He does not want "a long one" for a second dip, perhaps, and would be content to spend his nexb sixpence at " twice," but he could not do this, because of the publican's Medo- Persian law of "all drinks sixpence." Under this law, a barrel of beer costing £4 10s— even were full pints for sixpence always the order—should return something over £10^ Butjjhen h&li'pinta^J^g!a^3SeiS^"(yfhich 'are^not alway^pTnts), •• medium " beers, " small" beers, and " pony " beers all bring m the same price the profit should be some thing like two and nob seldom three hundred per cent—altogether too much for any business to expect to make.—l am, etc, KJ.-

THE PRICE OF BICYCLES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Can you afford any explanation of the reason why bicycles are so enormously dear m this colony. Fo machine worth having can be purchased, I believe, for leas than £12, retail price, while the figure more often ranges from £15 to £20. Now it ap pears to me that there mast be some ring or combination among importers to keep prices up to these excessive figures, and that they musb be making enormous profits is sufficiently evidenctd by the large ommis sioos paid to agents upon the sale of the irachities. Certainly the material and workmanship can cost the manufacturer not more than a third or fourth of the retail price, especially seeing that all the parts of the bicycle cau be turned out by machinery by the thousand. Nor is this mere specula tion on my part, as I notice m an account of an interview with Mr Arenas of Ohristchurch, who has juat returned from a trip Home, that that gentleman informed the represen tative of the New Zealand Times that " the prices of the machines had fallen consider ably, and at Birmingham and Coventry first class bioycles could be bought at from £3 10a to £4." If so, then adding five per cent, for freight, twenty per cent for duty, and allowing the large profit of twenty-five per cent, to the importer, these machines should be purchasable m New Zealand ab from £5 5s to £6. In other words, the customer has now, it would seem, to buy at least three times the value of the article. Surely this is a state of things which calls for re form,—! am, etc, Wheelman.

CRICKET.

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THE WEATHER.

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I Rainfall during February:—Alford Forest, I 7*lo inches ; Alford Station, 4*lo inches.

THE CHURCHES.

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CABLE NEWS.

' United Press Aaaooiafc on—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.

London, March 5 i H.M.P. Sphinx, engaged m special service, has been recommisaioned for service m the Persian Gulf, at the entrance to which lies the Sultanate of ; Muscat,- March 6. The Right Hon. Lord Peimnce, Judge of Ecslesiastical Court, has re signed, Eomb, March 5 Great Britain has applied to the Italian Government for permission to provision the Anglo-Egyptian garrison at Kassala via Massowah and Agor date, two towns m Italy's Abyssinian sphere of influence. The Pope is now able to sit m an armchair for hoars. Brussels, March 6 The Queen of the Belgians is suffer ing from an attack of bronchitis, and is m a critical condition. The mem bers of the family have been summoned. New Yobk, March G The German Emperor cabled hia sympathies to Mr Kipling. Sydney, March 6 The first horse m the Newmarket Handicap sweep, the value of which is £4050, goes to Mr Sea ton, of Gtoro hanga, Auckland, and the second horse, valued at £1215, to Miss Morgan, Westport. Melbourne, March 6 A young man named Hill, aged 19, has confessed that, while working at Henry's he placed a lamp near some straw. Looking round shortly after, he saw it m flames. Frightened at what had occurred, he left the cellar and did not inform anyone.

THE LATEST.

Some and Foreign* United Press Aaiooiation—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright , (Received Wakapuaka March 7, 9 30 a.rn, Guardian Office 10.7 *.m) A Guard for ller Majesty. London, March 6 Elaborate^ arjg&gsta&i^tfie^ftisuig made to'secure the safety of the Queen on the occasion of her approaching visit to Nice, with a view of guarding - against any possibility of an attack similar to the one made on the Empress of Austria, The Poonalt Plague Murders. Calcutta, March 6 The two Brahmins at Foonab, Chapekar and Ranade, have been sentenced to death for being concerned m the murder of the two brothers Dravid, who gave evidence Against Chapekar at his trial for the murder of the two English plague officials at Poonah.

FEDERATION.

Umbed Presß Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright) (Received Wakapuaka March 7, 9 30 am, Gcabdian Office, 10 7 a-m) • Sydney, March 7 At a meeting of the Anti-Oonveu tion Bill League, Sir George Dibbs presiding, it was decided to emphati cally protest against the Federal Bill as amended by the Premiers j and to form a committee to resist the Bill, unless amended so as justly to conserve the interests of New South Wales; and to raise funds to carry on the campaign. Already ten thousand signatures have been attached to the league's Anti- Oonvention Bill petition.

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THE GATTON TRAGEDY.

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TERRIBLE EXPLOSION IN FRANCE.

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CHINESE AFFAIRS.

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THE ABfIBUKTOIS OOaRDIAN : TUESDAY, MA HOW 7 is 99



Shi

ade. j

Date.

High, in Sun

State of weather.

Low.

[High

Saturday .. Sunday .. Monday .. Tuesday .. Wednesday Thursday.. Friday ..

40' 44 --- 5-- 1--52-55' 51 --40'

77 --83> 70' 84 --- 8-- 690--81-

142 --1- 4-3-141* 139 --142* 140- ISO-

Fine, Calm

»> !• S. ii E« „ N.W. Showers „ Fine „



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Bedad ! the colleen knows what's besb, and that is diamond jubiljEk unblended tea. —Shearman Bros., Agents, [



BUSINESS 40HANGE. NOTICE is hereby given that we have this day Sold our Business of Boot and Shoe Manufacturers and Importers, East Street, to MESSRS J- MOHOLAS and A. PICK FORD. The said J. Nicholas and A. Pickford will receive all Debts owing to us, and their receipt will be sufficient discharge. McDonald & mcdiarmid. Ashburton, March 3, 1899. In reference to the above, having bought the Business of the late firm, we hope by strict attention to the wants of our cus tomers, to secure a continuance of the liberal patronage accorded to the above firm. Also, m order to facilitate the settlement of Trans fer of Business, we respectfully request an early settlement of all Outstanding Accounts. 5 33 PICKFORD & NICHOLAS. J. L. Higgs — Decorator. j ASHBURTON PERMANENT BUILDING AND INVESTMENT SOCIETY. THE Monthly and other payments will bo received at the Office, Tancred Street, THIS DAY, TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 1899, From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from 7 p.rn to 9 p.m EDWARD STEPHENS, i 3 7 Manager. : OAT SHEAF CHAFF. FOR SALE, 30 tons firsb-clasa OAT j SHEAF CHAFF Apply, MAIL OFFICE. Smoke New Venus



BOOTH, MAODONALD AND UO, ANDREWS AND BBAVAN. X BEG TO NOTIFY to the Farmers and all who are interested m Agricultural or other Machinery, that I have been' appointed AGENT m Aahburton tor th above Manufacturers, whose celebrated Implements and Machinery are giving satisfaction throughout the Australasian Colonies. I have on hand a large quantity of EXTRAS { also Sample Machinery and Implements. H. CHILDS, WAKANUI ROAD. 195



(/. BALLANTYNE &~Gq., OF OASHEL STREET, OHRISTCHUROH, TTAVE FITTED A MOST COMPLETE FACTORY, and Manufactun FROM START TO FINISH High-Clasa Furniture at very MODERATE RATES. A* Visit to Ballantyne's Showroom and Factory, by any of our Countryl Clients when m Christchcirch, will be MUCH APPRECIATED BY THE FIRM.



THAI'S RIGHT TTTE not only Profesa to be th« LEADING TAILORS, BCT ALSO THK LEADING GENTLEMEN'^ MERGERS AND OUTFITTERS IN ABHBURTON. . LOVELY, TASTY, AND NATTY, ARK THE 50 DOZEN TIES JUST OPENED, And are SELLING RAPIDLY. ST. PATRICK'S DAY 1 WILL SOON BE HERE. WE CAN FIT YOU OUT WITH A TIE OF THE RIGHT COLOUR. Come m and Glanes over the MTEbT NOVELTIES, AT NEW ZEIAJUAJST> CLOTHING FAGTORYi A. <3-. BARTON, 1 Manager J. L> Siggs — Fainter, Tancred Street.



[ CHURC3 SERVICES. QT. STEPHEN'S OHUROH, O Ashburton. THURSDAY-Bible Class, 7.30 p.m. FKlU^Y—Kvetijug P>-*yer aud Address, 7 15 p.m. ; Choir Practice, 8 p.m. 4th SUNDAY IN LKNT (March 12.) 8 30 am—Ho!y Communion. II am—Matins, Litany, and Sermon; Subject—"The Holy Sacraments." 3 pm— Dromore—Rev. R. A. Woodt^orpe 6 30 pm—Evening Prayer and Sermon; Subj°or.—" Why ought Itobe a Holy Ommunia&nt ?" R.V. R. A. WOODTHORPE, MA.



G. JESSQN, PRACTICAL WATCHMAKER AND JEWELLER, IB A. Sl7 STREET. mHE CHEAPEST SHOP m town for WATCHES, CLOCKS, GOLD AND SILVER JEWELLERY and ELECTRO PLATE. Spectacles, Eyeglasses, Goggles and Eye Protectors of every description. A TRIAL SOLICITED. REPAIRS Neatly and Promptly executed 1 at Moderate Charges,



Guardian Fire & Life Assurance Company? Limited. (Established m 182I)j Subsobibbd Capital .. £2,000,000 Paid.Up Capital .. .. £1,000,00 Total Fonds over £4,500,000. Head Office i 11, Lombard Street), London rTIHE Undersigned is authorised to accept Insurances on all kinds of Property at Lowest Current Bates* ALBERT ROBERTS, 2 201 Agent for ABhburton. ~" J. L. Higgs—Grainer. NOTICE TO ADTERTISERS. ! \ TTKNTION is again directed to the x\_ following regulation with regard to Cash Advertisements, which will m future be strictly enforced :—" Advertisements of under sixteen words will be inserted for One Shilling GASH. If booked, the charge will be Two Shillings and Sixpence. Advertise ments costing under Five Shillings cannot be booked, except to regular clients."



SHAG POINT GOAL. THE PREMIER OTAGO COAL. UNEQUALLED FOR HOUSEHOLD AND STEAM PURPOSES. mHE SHAG POINT COAL COMPANY L hereby notify that MESSRS W. H. COLUNS & CO. are their OlSlaY Agents m Ashburton for THE GENUINE SHAG POINT COAL. AH orders entrusted to them will receive prompt atteabiom Colliery: Shag Poiafe. Head Office: Yogel Street, Dunedin. GEO. R. OHEESEMAN, 3 18 General Manager.



' Fried lander JBros., Limited. 1 FOB PKIVATJfI SALE. TITE Have for Private Sale, a complete OHAFF-OUTTING PL A. NT, Consisting of 6 FTP. Aveling an.l Porter TRACTION KNGINE, CHAFFCJUTTER by Andrews *ud Eeftvau, OuRNOH USHER, HUT, SAW BENCH, BELTING, and Sundries; ail m firat-olaes order full pai tioulars ou application to FRIEDLANDKK BROS., Lld. Or Jos. Anderson, Methveu. CRASH tHIPMLNTS TO LO NJ) O N . WE beg to intimate to our numerous Clients that we have made special arrange ments for the SHIPMENT OF WH&AT & OATS on owners' account during the present season. We are m a position to offer freight by Sailers and Steamers at lowest rates current, and consignments submitted to our care will receive our London representative's personal atten tention. We are prepared to make Liberal Cash Advances against shipments placed m our hands for sale, Free of fCommission and Interest, and our experience m the Grain and Produce Trade is sufficient guarantee that any business entrusted to us will be well looked after It is anticipated that all the available shipping space will be required this season, and early application will there fore be necessary. Friedlander Bros., Ld, IiSDHILLSAmr - PROVED BY THE FACT THAT NEARLY - I out of every 4 of the whole population of Men, Women,and Children DRINK JPUHE! CMYJLOIX or Mtlenfieti Teas. The above statement, after ie years' trial, should convince both the trade and public that N. M. & Co.'s Pure Teas cannot be equalled. COMPARE Any of our Teas with others costing 4d per Ib. more money, and you will be convinced ours have no equal for Quality.



Waverley Bearings Have Double Life. '~^pS carrying out the principle of simplicity "and tmlvereaUty which we hate endeavoured to make a feature of 1899 Waverley Bicycles, we make the cones In the btarlngs with doable faces. Thus the same cone can be Inserted on either side of either the front or rear hub. It cannot be inserted wrongly. There are Real Improvements m 1899 Waverley Bicycles. YOU have only to examine the '99 W*verley to ace that oar policy of concentrating effort upon one Model h** brooghfc forth a wonderful degree of perfection m design, In detail, and m finish. No such bicycle was ever before made. The '99 Waverley is the crowning triumph of modern skill m Bicycle building. The beaubiful Waverley Catalogue tells the details. 3Sow ready Free. «% Simplicity. YOU who are looking for simple, worry awing dflsign and construction In Bicycles will welcome the '99 Waverley. Universal nuts, Interchangeable double faced c <nea m the bearings, with sliding adjustment;, and an ideal two-pleca Crankshaft •re points worth mentioning. The .Pfou3 Record, TBAtT not a ns?le broken Waverley frame was reported daring '97 or '98 ppeaks volumes for the quality m Waverley Bicycles, for the high carbon steel tubing and mawhltss drop forgings of which they are made, for the skill m brazing. TFfKsirae qualiiy of tubing, the same qualify of drop forging, the same skill an 1 thoroughness d making go into 1899 Wavtrleys, wi h Improvements m design, tried »nd proved, that will mike every owner of the Waverley p?oud of his mount. The Beauty of the Waverley Bicycle, THE beauty of the Waverley Bicycle has al irays been famous, for this season we surpass all previous eff n*a and produce a bioycle as nearly perfect as skill ani the practically unlimited resources of oar great factories cvi make It. Ihe design Is elegant- and grwsef al, and every detail of workmanship and finish have been brought to tempting ideality. , The Strongest Fork Crown Yet Produced. OKE OF THB FEATURES OF THE WAVERLEY IS THE NEW HOLLOW.ARCH DBOP-FORGED FORK CEOWN that will unquestionably caase a sensation wherever ib is shown, ltdoub ea the strength and rigidity of the front forks', preventing all wavering or unsteadiness of she front wheel. It insares the rider's safety. ~-(x) WAYERLEY CYCLE DEPOT. &V 7 COLOMBO STREET, CHRISTCHURCH. JOHN ORR & CO., [ASHBURTON, SOLE AGENTS FOX NEW ZEALAND. THS BEAUTIFUL WA^BRLEY CATALOGUE IS FREE, IT IS WORI?HY OF YOUR OABEFUL STUDY.