Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1899. THE PUBLIC SCANDALS.

Tub present Ministry of this colony has inaugurated an w phase of politics, new at least to New Z aland. The most prominent member of it-— some people say the only rail Ministfir—has been able to pmciuUe the history c-f his term of office with public scandals which hive placed the country, so un f jrtunate as to have such a man m power pretty well m the van of mis governed states. This is the more to be deplored, sinco Mr Seddon with all his faults, is undoubtedly an able man. With education and a better knowledge of the past and all the follies and failures, even of the great; with a proper training m political economy that would have given him a higher idea of his duty to the rest of the com munity, he would have avoided the pit falls which have proved fatal to his reputation, and have killed his claim to be classed with men like Stafford, Fox, Hall, and others whose public careers are unstained by scandals such as those that have besmirched the record of the present Ministry. These are many and grievous, and were it not for the inconceivable blindness of a section of the electors, the party now m power would never have retained office until now. It is safe to say that m no country under the British crown has the public property been so lavishly squandered ainongat Ministerial ad herents, or the laws so recklessly trampled upon m the interests of the same 6ection of the community, as has been the case m New Zealand while the Seddon party has been ia the ascendant, The scandals that have arisen out of this condition of things have made New Zealand a by-word amongst the peoples, sojthat when any fresh one is telegraphed across the seas the facts are summarised under the significant heading " Another New Zealand Scandal." Surely the electors will purge their House at the next general elections, and also curtail the power of their representatives for evil doing m the future. After all the electors themselves are to blame for the existing condition of things.

THE MARINE SCANDAL

One of the most noticeable things m connection with the Marine Scandal is the blind pertinacity with which Mr Seddon's followers endeavor to adver tise the fact that they will not open their eyes to what all the rest of the world can see, including even their astute chief; which v that the Marine Commisiion was a ridiculous farce. For some reason, which we confess our selves unable to understand fully, m view of the previous reputation of tii6 members of that Commission, tliß find ing is dead against the evidence ; there is no blinking that fact. Lawyers and laymen, except the few whose conduct we are criticising, are agreed that whatever the actual report may say, I the printed evidence clearly proves | that Ministers of the Grown, who \ should of all people uphold the law, made persistent attempts to override it m order to benefit one of their friend?, and proves also that those attempts succeeded. Whatever the members of the Commission may have said, they connot alter the evidence of the wit nesses, and that has convinced the public that the particular department of Government immediately concerned has been conducted m a manner that amply justified Mr John Hutcheson's strictures. This being so, can any thing be more iudicroua than the atti tude of the bulk of Mr Seddon's followers ? For example, not content with saying that the v report of the Commission was looked upon by the poople of the colony as a complete refutation of the charges levelled at the Government," Mr George Fisher —one of that servile following—has given notice to move " That there be laid before the House a return showing the cost to the country, under ail heads, of all investigations and pro ceedings connected with what is known as " the marine scandal," including (1) all expense to the Marine Department of any kind whatsoever; ($) the cast of the proceedings before the Magistrate's Court and thn Supreme Court; (3) cost of Ust Wellington by-election ;(4) cost of the Marine Commisfiion ; (5) oosb of printing report of commission and evidence; (6) cost of printing exhibits; and (7) approximate cost of all debates and discussions upon the subject m Parliament." One would suppose that even an intelli gent observer of political events should have shown a keener grasp of the posi tion than Mr Fisher hasdone. Moreover, he has lost sight of the fact that even if only a minority of the electors of this colony, as he contends, condemn Mini sters' action m connection with the marine scandal, the more the matter is stirred up, to indupe fuller considera tion, the worse it must be for M> Seddon and his party. Mr T. IS. Taylor had ample justification for moving his amendment that the House was dissatisfied with the administration of the Marine Department, as shown by the evidence given before the Com mission, apart altogether from the circumstance that it was the only way members had of getting an opportunity of discussing that matter. And here we may point out that the amend ment was a clever counter move to checkmate Mr Seddon's attempt to burke discussion on the Marine Com mission's report. This was laid on the table of the House m the course of an afternoon sitting, aad under ordinary circumstances the matter would have, been disposed of at the 5 30 o'clock' adjournment, giving little over an hour to the subject, Captain Eussell asked the Premier to arrange so that the representatives of the people might have time to consider the report, and take the discussion #t the 7.30 sitting. Bnfe Mr Seddon would not liatep teh that Then Mr T. E. Taylor's amend ment gave everybody a chance to, epeak, and although his amendment ,\vas treated, of course, as a party question, an.4 was therefore defeated, i the narrowness of the majority—five may well cause Ministers uneasiness, it is due to Mr Taylor to say that he has spotted one of the weakest spot! m

the Premier's political reputation, which is that he always places con siderati »n for hi* own frienda far and away above considerations for the public good. No man can pretend to be a statesman who ig so influenced Men have been ambitious and head strong and venal, and yet have nviin ; tai?if>.{ H,»i r political reputations. For fch« ht m upon the taxpayers m the count* i«* they have had to govern has not been on account of a whole army of friends and re latives, find so the taxpayers have not found their burdens bo irksome But now we are culled upon to take up all the frienda of the Premier, and of such of his Ministers as adopt his t.ictica m providing for frienda and relations at the public cost, and the burden ia be coming greater than we can be<*r. Moreover the system is demoralising m the extreme, and it would almost appear as though the people of New Zealand accepted the proposition that a Minister of the Grown ia above the law of the land, and no; bound by the obligations that regula'e the relations of ordinary mortals. At anyrate this would be a natural conclusion for any one to come to m view oftheJ.G. Ward, Pomahaka, Marine, and other scandals.

THE BOROUGH LOAN.

Ratepayirs are reminded that the poll for the Borough Loan takes pace m the public reading room to morrow, between the hours of nine and six o'clook, and it need not be pointed out to those who are qualified that only voting can carry the proposals of the Borough Council. Ratepayers who denire to see the loan carried, and the works proposed to bo done with the loan money completed, must not take it for granted that the popularity of the loan is such that it will be carried without their aid, and so abstain from voting. They must bear m mind that the vote of every ratepayer who does not appear to record his or her vote is tak<3n to be a vote against the loan, so that if the loan is to be carried every ratepayer m favor of it must come to the poll, and the necessity for th's onnot be too forcibly impressed upon those who are qualified to vote. If those m favor of the proposals will only take the trouble to vote there can be no doubt about the result, any more than there can be about the immense benefit the worki proposed will be to the town.

Local and General.

%* On the first pag« to-day will ba found an article heacted "Sir Alfred Milner as a journalist," and Messra T. U. Undrlll and Co.'s bueinesa advertisement), with others. Plantation Reserte —A reserve, 3i 3r 37p, m town of South Rakaia, has bean made for plantation purposes. Appointments,— Ab Rakaia, Mr W. V. Thiele ia appointed deputy regiatrar of marriages, birfchi and deatha. The Rev. 8. Hamilton has been granted a commission as hon. chaplain to the Geraldine JRifla Volun teers. An Acre of Wheat.—•• An acre of wheat ia a sling " is a new way of reckoning ship ments at the wharf, aa ten sacks are hoisted aba tims (jaya the Timaru Herald). But it is not every year that an acre of wheat will fill a aling. On thia reckoning the a.a, Adana cleared 3,600 acres. '< H. Company.—There was a muster of about fifty rank and file of the Ashhurton Guards, laßt Monday eveniDg. The men are miking good progress, and are now under going muaketry instruction. Squads are frequently to be found ab rifla practice on the range, both early morning and on Ihuraday afternooaa. Another Experimental Fa^m. — Sur veyors, acting for the Government, says the Hatukes Bay Herald, are ab work on Mr J. Saunders'a property, near Awahuri. It I has an area of about 900 acres, and it ia reported that the price paid for it was £15 an aore. Ib ia proposed to use it as an experimental farm. The Und is said to be [ of excellent quality. The Jewish Disqualification.—lo reply to the telegram of the Mayor of Duaedin, who pointed oaij the inability of Jewish voters to take partia the election of borough councillors on the 14th inst., which is their Day of Atonement, the Premier wired that under section 6 of the Munioipal Corpora tions Act Amendment Act, 1887, applications can be made for an extension of time within a period of twenty-one dayn before the day appointed for holding any election. We are afraid this will be of little service ia any poll to be held to-morrow (Sept. 14). Rhnder Accounts m Full.-—An account; waß presented to the Borough School Com mittee on Monday last for repairs executed. In sgite of tho fact that the visiting com mittee cerliffed to its gorreotness and that the work had been completed, the account was ordered to be returned for full detaili. The result is that the said apoouno will not bd paid till next meeting. Had the worda f'per agreement be*o added, j6 would probably h»va gone through. T*l AMICTLAHOB A«SOOIATOW AND fHH Railway Disaster*-On the ocoasiou of the Rakaia acoidenfi some of tho sufferers who were taken to the Christehuroh Hospital were conveyed thither m the horse am bulanoe. The St John Ambulance Associa tion made demand for payment of the usual fees on the local railway authorities, who declined to aooepb any liability m the matter. The Association then communi cated with the Department m Wellington, and following a letter from the General Manager, the fees have been paid. DRAPf ht Horsbs. •—_ SeyepaJ valuable draught horses have died suddenly m the Malvern district recently, and the ownera are unable to account for the mortality, Qne horse belonging to Mra Atkinson dropped dead from fright at the sight of a traction engine last week.—Tho Rushing, at Wel lington, brought a number of Ciydeadales for Messrs Young, Blackie and Patrick, of the Taieri, including the two three-year-old atalliona, Agitator and Garrj? Qwen, ttye two two-year-old stallions Atkenbria aod B»ndy Wright, and the mare Ethel Hood. The stallion Baron McGregor died of injuries received during the h_eary weather after leaving the Gape. The other holies were also knocked about, but recovered, A Contrast — That Mr Siloock shows consideration may bg gathered from his motion regarding truancy at the meeting of the Borough School Committee on Monday evening last. In speaking thereto, he said he did not believe m harassing and putting people to expense who could ill afford jt, an(| thought the truant officer should take no action with regard to irregular attendance without the oonsenfc of the Committee. His motion was carried, but Mr Phaup thought the Committee should stand aside m the matter and allow the officer to do his duty m acqordtinco with the Act. Is this to be taken to mean thi*fc Mr Phtup wished to give the officer full and unrestricted power to harass poor people at his own aweet will ? Inspection of Dairies -—Speaking of the unsatisfactory reply received from the Department of Agriculture respecting fche inspection of dairies, Or Samuels, at Monday night's meeting of fche Christohurch City Council, pointed out that 90 per ceub of our children were reared on cows' milk, and the state of some of the dairies m the city and vicinity were quite aa bad as that of our slaughterhouses, and he asked if thsy woro bo go on jrear q.f ter year hiving their children fed on impure iriilt, aad instead of growing up robust men and women, developing into consumptives aud weaklings. Or Sorensen remarked that the Government seemed to regard sanitary matters very indifferently, whilst they could spend weeks over «ome captain's or skipper's certificate, (Laughttr),

Increased Accommodation.— Owing to] the iucrea&e m business, Mr Henry Stephen son ha» found it necessary to enlarge his auction moms The new portion will be used chi fly for furniture, and the floor being raised, the lota will be displayed to much greater advantage. The Borough Loan—We regret that owing to pressure on our apace a letter signed " Prmlentie," received somewhat late this a'ternoou, and referring to the proposed bo ough loaD, cannot be published. It will, however, appear m the Mail to-morrow morning. Ashburton Industrial Building So OIETY—I'he fort -fif'h appropriation of £300 m this Snciet^ was ballotted for on Tuesday eveniug m the presence of a large number of i-hareholdera. Th» appropriation fell to f-hares numbered 589 and 590, held by Mr A J briedlander. This makes the large sum of £13,500 up to the present allotted by the Society to its shareholders. Hockey—Perhaps the mosb interesting hookey match of the seasou will be played m the Doimin to-morrow at two o'clock. The contest will be between South and North Canterbury, and as the latter have beaten Wellington, South Canterbury will be on their mettle, and will meet " foemen worthy of their steel." The payers for South Canterbury are H Millichamp (captain), W Huston, M Fitzgerald, P Watt, AFiizgerald, W Smith, W Fiiagerald, F Potter, D Stook, J Smith, A Millichamp; emergencies—O Simpson, B Amos, G Clarke, G Hardy. Mr F Clark will occupy the responsible position of referee. After the match, at five o'clock, the teams will dine together at Devane'a Hotel, under the presidency of Mr Charles Reid. Deill m Sch ois —A Wellington tele gram states that the regulations drawn up Mr T W McDonald, Drill Instructor under the Wellington Bjard of Education, for the organisation and control of the Boards school cadets and for instruction m drill, have been approved by the Education Department, which ia sending copies to the other Education Boards m the colony, to eerve as a model of what the Department require. Between 400 and 500 of the 2000 model riles imported by the Government have been issued to pchools m the Welling ton education district, and other schools m the colony will receive a supply es Boon as thn boys have been sufficiency drilled. Forty of the model rifhii have been ordered for the Ashburton school cadets, and Sergeant Grant, of the Guards, the second master, will undertake the drill of the lads! Tinwald School Committee —The usual monthly meetiig of the Tinwald School Committee was held on Friday last. Present —Messrs J A Clothier (chairman), J Hampton, J Gudsell, and V Honnington. Apologies were read from Messrs Hawkins and C Doherty. The master's report was as follows :—'• The present number of children on the roll is 146, and the average attend ance for the past four weeks hai been 119.5. The attendance has been fairly good during the late fine weather. The caretaker's duties hkve been satisfactorily carritd out during the year." It was decided to have tome palings put on the closets at once. The truant officer's report; was read and adopted, and it was decided that he should take action m two cases if they offend again Applications for the position of caretaker for twelve months are to be sent m to the Chairman by next meeting. Accounts to the amount of JB2 15s were passed for paymene, and the meeting closed, Ashburton Rifles —The twentieth anni versary of the Aehburtoo R'fl«s s O. Com pany, was celebrated at tha Oddfellows' Hill last evening, by a social and dance, and a most gdj >yable evening was spent* There were about one hundred and fifty present, amongst the guests of the evening being the officers of the newly formed Ashburton Guards, Captain W. Sparrow and Lieu tenants R. M. Cuthbertaon and F. G. Tucker, together with the sergeants of that Company. Dancing oommenced at 8 o'clock to music supplied by Gates' quadrille baud, and was continued with much spirit till 1 a.m., ab which time the " lasb post ' sounded, and the company dispersed. During ihe evening some capital songs were sung, that added much to the pleasure of the gathering. For the occasion the hall and its ante-rooma were specially arranged, At the main entrance end, a portion of the hail was curtained off, and a supper room arranged, this department being entrusted t-> Mrs Morton, who did the catering m her usual efficient and satisfactory style. Other rooms provided were a ladies' retiring room, one net apart for the officers, and another for the non-commijeioQed officers, and one f:r the privatee. The stage was furnished with seats, which were occupied throughout the evening by a cmsiderable number of lady friends, who did not care to take part m the dancing. The floor of the dancing room was m excellent order. Sergeant H. Baker, dis charged the duties of M.O. m a highly satisfactory manner, and taken all round, tha celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the Ashburton Riflas, proved to be one of the moßfc enjoyable gatherings m the history of the oorpsi The programme was brought to a close with the National Anthem.

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not held ourgeives responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents)

THE GORSE ROOT BEETLE.

I TO THE EJOITOB. I Sf R, —Affcar a careful examination of the caterpillars recently brought) to your office by Mr JMoaes, of Flemington, I find them to belong to two distinct species of click beetleß, Thoie caterpillars, or wireworim, have attacked the roots of gorse fences, and hare wrought serious hayoc on them during the last are more or less dry saasons. These beetles generally increase during pro tracted periods of drought, but their pre (enoe is scarcely noticeable during normally moist seasons. Id torentl districts gorae fences thatsnffared seweraly from the Attacks of these large grubs during the dry period of 1393 99, now show signs of rapidly recover, ing from their attacks, it is difficult to suggest any means f r their eradication, especially when they attack gorse fences growing on sod banks. Thera is no question that the copious rains of last spring, and the heavy rains experienced during last autumn, followed by a normally wet winter with a heavy snowfall, will again greatly invigorate gorse fences, and enable them to overcome and outgrow any attacks made on their roots by the gruba. Overgrown fences, where die rain's cannot neqetrajie to the roots of the fence proper, growing on sod walls, is conducive co the incraase of these (instructive beetles. When fanoes are well trimmed and kept m order, especially on their sides receiving the greatest rainfall, the chances of the grubs injuring them would be greatly reduced. It is equally import ant, howerar, to keep them trimmed and clean oa both sides, m order bo cheok the ravages ojf these wireworms. Nothing improves farms or other property more th\n well kept fences, while it minimises the attacks of injurious insects or other destruc tive parasites,—l am, etc..

BOROUGH EXPENDITURE.

qPO TUB BDITOB. Sib, — V our contemporary the Aehburton Standard has thought my letter of sufficient importance to be dealt with m a leading article. He is very indignant at my state ment re Councillor Pauling, and denies that he was connected with the Standard, etc. Well, to teat the question, some ratepayer his only to spend three shillings, and after that he will probably have a show for other possibilities. I have no animosity at all against Cr Pauling, and I hope I have not hurt his feelings by even suggesting that he is & shareholder m the Standard Company, but I haye'a dim recollection of seeing his name somewhere aa Chairman of Directors of the Company come time ago. As to the j M grossly untrue statement about the Standard not circulating m the Borough, I will pay £5 to the Young Men's Club if it can be proved tbab there are one hundred subscribers to that paper within the Borough. The only condition I make is that the Editor or Manager or Chairman of Directors of the Company shall pay a Ijke sum if lam shows to be right mmy statement. —I am, tyg., RatepayKb.l [We have again excised gome of "Rate payer's" letter.—-Eo.]

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

United Press Aaaooiation—By Eleotric Telegraph Wellington, Sepb. 12 The Council met at 2 60 p.m. SiLLS PASSED The Native Towuahip Bill passed its final stages without debate. tOAH BILL The second reading ot the Aid to Public Woiki and Land Settlement Bill was moved by Mr W C Walker, and after a debate tho Hpooud reading was agreed to without a division The Council rose at 4 50

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, September 12 The House met at 2 30 p m TBS DRKYffUS GABK Mr Lawry gave notioe to ask if the Government had received any expression of indignation from the people of New Zealand relative to the aenteno^ pasted upon Dreyfus. THE WBIGG CASE The Premier gave notice to move that when the Wrigg case comes np again, Mr T M Wilford be heard m Wrigg's defence before the bar of the Bouse MONDAY SITTINGS The Premier gave notice to move that on and after the 18th inst. the House ait on Mondays at 7.30 p m the rsins bonus The Premier placed upon the table the correspondence m connection with the pay ment of £100 bonus for the manufacture of felt Mr Hutchison raised the question of the legality of the payment, asserting that the payment h >d been made without the alighteat proof that the conditions had been complied wilsh. Mr Taylor said that the payment of the iuki named under the circumstances showed groaa negligence on the part of the officer! of the Government) Th« Premier said that m sanctioning the payment the Government acted from moab disinterested motives, and m the interests of the oolony The House adjourned at 5.30 p m The House resumed at 7 36. PUBLIC WORKS BTATHMEKT Mr Hall-Jones Uid upon the table the Public Works Statement and Estimates for the year ending 31st March, 1900 THE B°TIMATES The House went into Committee of Supply. The Treasury Dapurtment and Friendly Societies Registry OSes vofes of the Esti mates were pasted without debate Ab th« vote £1950, Old Age Pensions Office, some discussion followed The Premier said that he would leok into the suggestion that an interpreter should be appointed for native applicants, who now had to pay the fees out of their pension money. With referenoe ts the contention that th«re should be some provision m the proposed legislation of the Government for the appointment of valuers of property owned by the applicants, the Premier said the Government were powerless to act, be cause one magistrate had refused to accept the valuation of the departmental officials, and based his decision on a valuation of his own. Most of the magistrates, however, took a reasonable and commonsense view of the question This brought forth a discussion on the j question of the correctness of the valuations made by the Valuation Department, and the Government having been urged to bring down ft gensral amending measure to the Old Age Pensions Aot, the vote was passed. Land and Income Tax Dep rtment vote, £26,596 Captain Russell referred to the enormous discrepancies m the v*'nations, and said that they were done m the moat perfunctory manner. For instance, he had known valua tions to be mads when the valuer had Dot tven gone near the property. The whole priucipie of the Valuation Department wanted revising. Competent valuers should ba employed aa adequately paid permanent officials. The Premier said that, as m other Acts, there were anomalies, and he was prepared to remedy them if given an opportunity. The item was then agreed to, and the heading "Treasury, miscellaneous services, £10,073," was come to. Mr Dubhie moved to strike out the vote £157 for the preparation of a new Qovern m«nt code, which he said was a mere detail of the departmental work. The amount was retained by 29 votes to 25 Mr Taylor moved that the item £50, salary of the Registrar of Consols, be reduced by £1 as an indication that the depositors m the Post Office Savings Baok were not being fairly treated m having to be contented with at least 1 per cent less than larger investors m Consols. The Premier said that m giving 3 per cent for assets up to £300 m the Post Office Savings Back, the Government were giving better terms than any of the other colonies. The motion Was lost on the voices Justice Dapartment, £122,582 Mr Piraai moved 'that the salary of the Mapiitratc at Lawrence, £475, be reduced by £5, as an indication that the Houae was not satisfied with that officer The motion «ai lost on tha voices The item £625, ottoe of industries and commerce, caused some discussion As an indication that the Department •hould be handed over to the Labor Depart ment, Mr Piraai moved that the item be reduced by which was lost on the voices The total rote wu passed without alter ation The Committee proceeded to consider the Stamps and Deeds Department, £25,300, which waa paated without alteration Colonial Secretary's Department—£92 035. The item, Minister's salary representing the Maori race, £400, waa on a division carried by 19 to 12. On tho item elections, £26,200, admae comment waa marie upon the charge that some returning officers and deputies had displayed party spirit, aad took a prominent part m the elections. Th« Premier admitted that casea of that nature had occurred, but that such steps would be taken as would prevent, as f«r as possible, the recurrence of such appoint ments. Item printing and stationery—£2s,l76. In answer to &$r G Hutchison, "Mr Hall- Jones said there was at present no intention to introduce linotype machine*. Progress was then reported and the Houae rose at 2 45 a.m.

THE FRENCH IN AFRICA.

An Expedition Annihilated

Battle with Ttiaregs

United Press Assooiatloa—By BUotrio Telegraph—Copyright PaM«, Sept. 12 News has been received that an immense body of Tuaregs annihilated the French expedition under M. Foureau, the welKknown African explorer, and Oolonel l'Amy, who had charge g! a protecting military column, Besides M. Fouraau, three oiviliane— M. Dorian, deputy for the Loire $ M, Vilatti, of the meteorological service ; and M. leroy, a tourist, accompanied the party. The expedition wen making its way from Algeria to Lake Tchad, and reached the vicinity of the town of Oir when the massacre occurred. Terrible fosses werp inff£ctec|'on'the Tuaregsf, !

NEW SOUTH WILLS POLITICS

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph Copyright Sydney, September 12 Mr Reid informed the House' th»t he had tendered pertain advice to the Governor, which' was not accepted. The Ministry's resignations were handed m, and the Mouse adjourned until to-morrow,

THE DREYFUS CASE.

The Paris Exhibition Endangered.

Great Boycotting Movement

Withdrawal of British Exhibitors.

Warning by M. Zola.

"A Fatal Flaw m the Verdict"

A Sensational Statement

Alleged Implication of the Kaiser.

" 4 Moral Sedan"

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph-—Copyright.

Paris, September 12 M. Zola, m a letter published m L'Aurore, warns the Government to apply to Germany for the document! enumerated m the bordereau, thus pro* widinq faits nouveaux necessitating re vision of the Dreyfus trial, otherwise a denouement will come like a thunder clap from abroad unless justice isdooe. M. Beinach declares the pardon of prisoner would be accepted ana tran sitional measure preparatory to nil formal rehabilitation. \ M. de Pressense, writing m L fAurore t | contends that the omission 'to define a | period of police surveillance is a fatal flaw m the verdict. London, September 11 Some German organs express the opinion that if Dreyfua is guilty, "hit guilt must relate to transactions with Russia. * The correspondent of a Hamburg paper asks, why was Baron Fredericks, the Russian Military Attache m Paris, recalled, and why did M. Delcaise re cently journey to St. Petersburg f I Several Italians and Austrians regard the Paris Exhibition doomed. September 12 I The Daily News states that General Mercier showed the Judgei secret forged documents implicating the Emperor of Germany. The Temps and the Debate urge that Dreyfus should be pardoned m the interest of pacification. A great American and Continental [ movement is afoot to boycott the Parii Exhibition, Several British exhibitors have withdrawn, and one British Com missioner has resigned: The Jfovoe Vnmya applauded the French army's viotory, but the most i educated Russians deplore the result of the Oourt-martial. The Cologne Gazette says that the Emperor of Germany's decisive declara i tion that Dreyfus is innocent ought to have convinced any unprejudiced Judge. Mobs m Napje« and Vienna threatened the Frenqh Consulates. Chicago manufacturers have dismissed French operatives. IJReoeived Wakapnaka Sept. 13, 9 16 a.m. Gfabduk Office 9 41 a tn) Paris, September 12 M. Zola describes the Rennee verdict an " a moral Sedan." M. Labori declares that the truth was told m the Zola trial m November, London, September 12 Tne Times states that M. Zola's letter came as a thunderclap. Doubt less he means that Germany could publish the bordereau documents, showing their origin and clearing Dreyfua.

NEW ZEALAND SYMPATHY.

Willington, September 12 The members of both Houses of the New Zealand Parliament have forwarded tha following cable message to Madame Drey fus, Paris:—" Deepest sympathy frmn members of New Zealand Parliament."

THE TRANSVAAL.

Mr Chamberlain's Despatch.

Failed Press Association—By Eieotrit Telegraph—Copyright

(Received Wakapuaka Sept 13, 10-10 *.n. Gbar»un OSoo 10.34 a-m) Pretoria, Sept. 12 Mr Chamberlain's dispatch has been handed to Herr Reitss.

SPORTING.

THE NORTH OTAGO RACES.

United Press AseooUtion—By Electric Telegraph. Oamabv, Sept 13 Splendid weather, fair attendance. b'FKisro Hurdles ; If milet—Glenore 1, Schnapps 2, Windermere 3. All started SirrsMßEtt Handicap, 6 fnrlongs—Fire side 1, Galileo 2 Only starters Dividend— £1 4d Noeth OTAao Handicap, 1 mile 500 yards •—Daphne 1, Maremma 2, Vandyke 5 Pitch and Tosi scratched Won by short note Dividend—£3l2s

REMARKABLE POISONING AFFAIR.

Sad Ending to a Neighbors' Quarrel

Alleged Poisoning of a Woman.

United Press Association—By Eleotrio GDelegraph *" ' • Wellington, September 13 Inspector Tunbridge was this morning I able to dom'municate to the Press, (he brief pArticnUrtf of a pioisoniDg case at'Qhau, on Che M>nawatu line. Mrs Gilee, described m the wife of a platelayer on the railway, was i this morning arrested by (Jhief Detective McGrath, on a charge of attempting to mur der Mrs West. Accused appeared before a J.P. at Levin ,%nd was remanded for eight days. Mrs West is m a very precarious condition* and her dying depositions have been taken. The parties live about a quarter ' of a mile from each other, and there has been a longstanding neighbors'jfendbetween them, but towards the end of last week this was to » certain extent patched up, and Mrs West accepted the invitation of Mrs Giles to pay her a visit, which the made on Saturday afternoon. Upon arrival at Mrs Giles's h <use, Mrs Giles gave her a trap of tea, which she drank, Mrs Giles then pressed her to accept a second cup. In handing it to her Mrs Giles told her she need not stir it as she had already stirred it. Mrs West thereupon drank the tea, and was immediately taken il>* Mrs Giles said she did not care about her being ill m her house, and persuaded her to, go home, Mrs Weas then left the house, and was taken seriobsly ill on her way home, vomiting violently^ She was found by a settler m a collapsed condition, and the police wers subsequently communicated with; Some vomit has been sent to Dr. Skey, Government analyst, who found mit abundant traces of arsenic. Both are middle aged women. <

AFFAIRS IN FRANCE.

United Press Association—By Eltetrio Telegraph—Copyright ' '»■• Faeis, Sept IS Five of Guerin's companion! art suffering from typhoid,

TaE ASfiIiOBTON -OUJARLIAX: WEDN SDAI, SE?TfcM EX 13, 18M.



For Bronchial Coughs take Woods' Great Peppermint Cure-Is &d »nd 2a 64



IS ° i Z i & <■ S* i 3 on ' * ' " iHw£ S c s H ; !* *^ - &5 •- I"H ! r/) J W -* "» g j ! £ 3 ft 5 % ga« g: Si i §i t> * 3 I pq Fiank Curtis, THE LEADING WatcliiM.alter 9 & Je^weUer, EAST STREET, HAB juab opened up FRESH LINES m nearly every department. New stock OF Roihernm'w Watcher bo hand. Jewelled m six holes, compensa tion balances, heavy oases, hunting and open faced, latest movements, keyless, and key winding. Also a new line of WAXiT HAMWATCHES, which are well worth inspection. Best value m Nickel and other cheap Watches m Aahburton. Largest) and best stock of Engagement and Gem Rings. I give especial value m this line, making ib a speciality. S^Safe GOLD & SILVER BROOCHES. (Novelties) Neat chasms and Greenstone Pendants m every variety. ||$§ SPECTACLES & "EYE GLASSES, Accurately fitted with latest sight testing apparatus. NOTE.—AII my Speotacles are of English Manufacture. Beware of cheap French and foreign goods. Did Jewellery re-made into latest designs at moderate charges, Watches and Clocks repaired with accuracy and promptitude* FRANK CURTIS, THE LEADING WATCHMAKER & JEWELLER. A Long Felt Want. FISHMONGER & POULTERER. AT the request of a large number of the inhabitants of Ashburton and district, I am opening business m the abovo line, and hope by civility, cleanliness and fair prices to obtain a share of public patronage. FRESH FISH DAILY. ( My Carts, with Dame on, will visit the Burrounding districts daily. G. HAMILTON, FISHMONGER & POULTERER Next Fletchkh Bbos., East Stbke* 1. 9 70 FOR SALE. O EVERAL Building Sections et Fftirtor, Prices from £8 to £18 FOR SALE. /COMFORTABLE Cottage acd Section, \^J Peter Street East FOB SALE. GOOD Family House and £ gore; con venient to the railway and (schools, FOB sale; fTIOWN Sections m very choioe positions, JL for private residences For fall particulars apply H. W. BARRETT, ARCADE* 9 11 Stud Notices mO Stand This Season At Ashburton LINKSHOT, By Chainshot —dam La Diva ; by Bun dor*, out of Minille, by Traducer—Opera, Apply to E. HEALY, ffToom m Charge. Mr Cookaon's Stable*.. 8 280 The rise m the price of wool and the firm state of thp London market will mean in creasing returns of many thousands of pounds for the farmers of Canterbury alone this .year. As a natural consequence, following the advanced cost of the raw material, ait, the principal manufeettirera of woollen good! have recently issued reviattd pri#e lists show ing a considerable rise m the prices of all Tweeds, Coatings, Vicugnas, &c. Messes ; Craigheap & Bebbtman of this town, how «v.er, with their usual foresight, took time by j the forelock, and cabled Home direct early m May for ,% large shipment of the most fashionable Suitings for the approaching Spring season. They also secured large parcels from the principal Nejp Zealand fltiilla just before the rise, and will give their 1 AustflWjßrß the full benefit of their timely contracts. Mkssbs Ckaighead and Bebby man invite &a e#r!v inspection of their New Goods- Their leading Una of Menu Suits to, measure for £3 10s, made up m their well -known style and fit, should convince the eaoat sceptical of their sterling values, j



TITTLE ARGUMENT is needed m favor of the aider's Selection of . J theWAv"ERLEY BICYCLE to-day. It haa firmly established its own place and reputation by years of unvarying success, No Bicycle ever attained a higher degree of popularly or gave more universal satisfaction than the WAVERLEY of 1898 In the construction of the 1899 WAVERLKY, we continue our policy of building the best possible machine, regardless of cost, and then fixing our price as low as the advancement m the art of bicycle building will permit. To the agent, to the rider, to the expert, we agiin, fearless of (successful oontradlotion, submit our claim for the WAVERLEY of full equality with any bicycle built m the world. In preparing for another year, we have retained the best features of our 1898 Molels, raakiug sach changes as the lessons of the season oast have suggested m the way of improvements, and always with due cons'deration for the taste of the riding public m matters of detail and design. Out equipment has bsen selected with a careful regard for the requirements of the greatest number, and m the variety of accessories and options is sufficiently liberal to meet any reasonable demand. We offer our Nos. 25 and 26 for 1899 as Worthy Successors of a long line of Successful WAVERLEYS, confident that they will be accorded a full share of public favor. mm "• O» '•mmmmm*m WAVERLEY CONSTRUCTION In making the alterations necessary to keep m Una with the changing reason's demands, we have aimed rather to elimiate every fault that has appeared m our IS9B construction, working toward the general refinement) of the bicycle, than with a view to radical changes. JFItAM.]EB As FORHB, BEARING PAUTB. la our frames and fo^ks, we continue — the ase of Albany seamless tubing with Oar bearing parts aro all of tool steel forged steel flash joints, which ws con- hardened through m oil and ground to aider so necessary to the highest class gauge. Further Improvement has of construction, but which are so little b jen made m our patent sliding used at; the present day. We also retain adjustment, which has been used so the National forged hollow arch fork successfully fur the last two years, crown. Frame lines are changed some- New detachable cranks and eproket lljlgirhafc, particularly m the rear, where fastening are interesting and dis- D forks are used. Bindi: g tinguiihing features, and a now, self colyir and bolt at handle-bar and seat- oiling and silent-running leaf chain his p^st are discontinued, Swing r* placed been adopted after Bovere tests, by our own new expanding device of neat design and great < ffioiency. — JSJLCOJS^SOItIjSS A.NX> FItSISH — We rßtain the National automatic Hub Brake, improved for 18 9, and also furnish a new front wheel Brake at a slight advance m price. Saddles of varying shapes and widths are furnished with both straight and coil springs. The Wwerley adjmtabe handle-bar Is supplied m two widths and m rams-horn pattern. The pedals are newly designed for this teason, simple and strong. YOU CAN have year REPAIRS Thoroughly and Quickly attended to nfmoßt Reaionable Prices if you will entrust them to us. We make a SPECIALTY of STOVE ENAMELLING AND NTUKEL PLATING Of Really First-Class Quality. In connection with our Christchareh Branch we hive built a Complete Enamelling Oven and Nickel Plating Pl.vni 1, which ia under the charge of Mr T. Whitfikld, late of the Austral Company, 88 fchab our customers can rely on any work entrusted to us being turned cu'. m Firab-Oiass Order. - SUNDRIES- We have ost opened a large Assortment of SUNDRIES of the Latest Patterns, including— LAMPS, BELLS, TOECLIFS, MUEGUAFDS, LUBRICANTS, Etc, — Etc. «s SOLAR" ACETYLENE G^S L4MPS, "20 h CENTURY" ACETYLENE GAS LAMPS, SILVER KIJSG OF THE ROAD, NEW HOL'JPHOTE LAMPS, DIETZ LAMPS, EXCELSIOR LAMPS, A L So,— PERFECTION, BANNER, JIM DANDY, TOM THUMB, MIOROPHOTI, And Others. OVER TWELVE PATTERNS OP TOiiJ OJLII»S. We Have STRUCK OIL Which will burn m any Lamp without the least trouble or smoke. Put up m Bottles, Is each; equal to four of the usual 6d bottles. Alac— LUBRICATING OIL, Which will not Clog m the B ariags .— Is per Bottle. JOHN OUR & CO., ASHBURTO N. SOLE AGENTS IN NEW ZEALAND FOR THE WELL-KNOWN WAVERLEY CYCLES. AND AT i Wa veiiey Cycle Depot, 317, COLOMBO STKEET, CHRISTCHIROH. I