DEATH.

Smith.—On March 20, 1899, at the Timaru Hospital, of typhoid-fever, Thomas Smith, of the Railway Department. Aged 45.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 1899. Local and General.

Typhoid.—Another case of typhoid fever was taken to the Hospital yesterday.

The Shooting Season. — The shooting season for native game is fixed from the 31st March to the 30th Judo, and lit imported game fn m Ist May to 31st July, all inclusive. Personal.—Mr Donald Ross, farmer, Lyndhurst, the well known piper, ia now lying jseriousiy ill at the Ashburton Hospital, where his frleads may rest assured all will ba done for him that medical skiil can suggest. He was taken m ,f>n Sunday.

AfiSKS3MENT Cosjrt. — '1 be assessment court for the district and borougJj of ABhJaur ton, to hear all objections to the valuation list, will he. held at the Magistrates Court, Ashburton, at 10.45 a,m on Thursday, March 30.

General Booth.—General Booth arrived at Invercargill lute last evening, and de livered an address m the theatre. He will pass through Ashburton by the express on Thursday evening, and speak for a minute at the railway station.

AsifBORTON Cyclists.—A correapondea ,oi tks Temuka Leader of this morning highly •compliments some of our Ashburton cyclists for their honest riding, especially Messrs Willis Bros, and E, John, by the way he thinks is a Geraldine rider;

The Burgess List.—A large number o| persons who are entitled to enrolment on the foorough burgess list have not yet made their claim. ID may be well to remind them that they must do ao on or before the 31st inst., on which date the roll clobgs.

T.mb Bailway Disaster.—As will be seen elsewher", the enquiry into the recent railway disaster at Kakaia was brought to a conclusion yesterday. The verdict of the jury deals pretty fully with the case, and makes some suggestions aa well ap strictures upon the arrangements. The main point, however, is the finding that " the Accident was caused -by the negligence of Charles Henry Carter, the driver of the second excursion fcraiu m maintaining too high a rate of speed, and thereby not having sufficient and proper eontrcl oyer his train m approaching Rakaia station/

Serious Bicycle Accident.—The many Asbburton friends of Mr E, H. Jecka, late of Ashbutton, will regret to learn that he ha 3 met with a serious bicycle accident at Samner. The LyttelWn Timet of yeßtepday says :--Further particulars which have been obtained of the bicycle accident to Mr E. H. Jecks, at Sumuer, on Friday, show the oc currence to be of a much more serious nature than was at first supposed. It appears that he was riding his bicycle down fcfae Sumaer Bide of the Zig-zag road, when the machine fc<K>k charge, an x to avoid being thrown to the bottom of the gully, Mr Jeeks had to stser ii into the other side of the road, againsfc the rooky faca of which he was dashed with such, violence that ho lay un conscious for some hours. His plight wa9 at length discovered by a lady and gentleman^ who, after dressing his wounds, left him, and iater sent along a van, m which the injured mats was conveyed to Lytteltons He was there attead,ed to by Dr Pairman, and ,on examination it wet) found that besides itwo nasty cuts on the head, fee haunch bone Was slightly fractured.

New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association,—-There is little doubt but that the New Zealand Farmers' 00-operative Association have come to stay io Ashburton. la addition to securing the offices and stores formerly occupied by Mr George Jameson, J&jtles and Co., and others, they have now feougiat fc.hp whole block of land from Moore Street up tp Meßsrs Tucker and Bean's timber yard, the elepth running back to the section on which Mr Fletcher's house stood before the fire. The whole block j$ to be enclosed at once by a nsab six_ foofc iron jisnce. As far as the office goes, ib has not altered much, as any attempt at alteration would hajfdly have improved ib. The little store at the back of the office has been fitted with shelves to the ceiling, and on these are arranged an endless variety of. goods, which gives one the impression that it ip iptended at an early date to follow the exampie of Whiteley and Oo: of London, and pose aB the universal providores. The little office lately occupied by the Ashburton Saleyards Company has been set aside as a waiting room for the shareholders, fitted up and furnished as a reading room and provided with writing material, etc. hjor have the ladies been forgotten, aa a private roosj has been set &pa,rt for them, with lavatory, etc , .conveniences which will no doubt be ap preciated. Large add itiona to the storage rooi» are anticipated &t uju ea>ly elate,

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held on Monday evening. Present—Hia Worship the Miyor (Mr Hugo Pi'iedl&uder) presiding, and (Jrs Thomas, Pauling, Orr, D^vis, Maynard, CJollins, Paul, and Seaiy. FINANCE. The Mayor repotted that the A< bit balance at the bank stood at £1487 lls-9d, and £89 Is s>l had been received sincu last meeting, of which £40 was an auctioneer's license. THE BAKAIA ACCIDENT. Cr Thomas moved " that this Council, on beha't of the burgesses of A shbnrton sincerely dep ores the sad loss of life and icjuries occasioned through the disastrous railway auoident at Rakaia, and begs to offer its heartfelt sympathy to the friends of those who unfortunate ly lost their lives m their groat bereavement, and also to all those who received injaries through the acoident." He said that m view of the sad calami-y that had happened ha would ask the Council bo paas the resolution. He would offer no remarks, as the case was sub judice. Cr Scaly said he seconded tha motion with the deepest regret. He said the visitors with the excursion trains had come among them to eDJoy themselves, and ie waß lamentable that such a calamity should have happened to them as they were reburning to their homes. The motion was carried unanimously. THE POST OFFICE VERANDAH The Mayor said lhab, m regard to the erection of the verandah at the post office, he had instructed the engineer to write to the postal department and to the contractor, pointing out that the ye andah was contrary to the building by-laws, being lower m height than the regulation, and no notice had been given to the engineer of the inten tion to build. A reply had been received to the effect that the contractor should have given the notice referred to, bub the depart [ ment was not amenable to the by-laws of the i borough m its building arrangements. It was decided to hold the matter m j abeyance till legal opinion had been obtained, I as tlir. footpaths were not the property of the Government, but of the borough. SMALL BIBDS. Cr Collins was appointed to tha Small Buds Committee to meet the deputation i from the County Council. NUISANCE. Mr P. H. Cox complained of the smell from a skin store just opened near hia premises, I and the matter waa referred to the inspector. INCANDESCENT LAMPS The Gas Company wrote stating their readiness to fix incandescent burners m the street lamps when the lamps were sufficiently weather proof. The matter waa referred to the Lighting Committee to bring up an estimate of the cost of providing suitable lamps. ME NICOLL'S LICENSE. The Audit-Inspector wrote, enclosing the opinion of the Auditor-General that there wa-i nothing m the Acb to authorise the refund %fa license fee legally payable and received for an auctioneer's license properly issued under the Auctioneers Act, therefore ib would be the duty of the Audit* Office to disallow any such refund m the accounts of the borcugb. EAST BELT. The Hampstead Town Board wrote, asking for an estimate of the cost of forming the East Belt from Wakanui road to Moore street.—The information was ordered to be provided; RESERVES COMMITTEE. The Reserve Committee reported as follows t — I Smithel's Application,-.-Your Committee I have granted Mr Smithel the timber, etc , j required to repa'r the premises occupied by him, the tenant doing all labor necessary. Sutherland's Reserve. —Your Committee have empowered Crs Scaly and Maynard to see that paddock No. 3 of the Hinds Reserve is properly Bown down m permanent pasture, ggd also that the centre fence is cut. Railway Siding —Your Committee recom mend that the Qounpil take Btepa to obtain the lease of the railway siding leading t,q the grain Btore on T.S. 211. Some discussion took place on tho last clause of the report, bub as there was a want of information as to the lease of the siding referred to, the cla-uae waa referred back to the Committee for a further report. engineer's report, 1 he report from the Works Committee and engineer waa road as follows, and adopted ; — Petition for Water Channel m Peter Street West.—The Works Committee recommend that consideration of this application be held over till tho estimates for the next financ al year are drawn up. Typewriter.—Your Committee beg to jfeport that a Remington typswriter of the latest p.a'teji-u hjjg been purchased at a cost of £25. v Labour Gang.—The men have besa engaged during the past two weeks m ploughing, harrowing, and preparing the piece of ground near tho Curator's Lodge, watering the streets, preparing footpaths for tarring, metalling streets, carting rubbish, attending to the water supply and general maintenance work. DOGS. Cr D.iviß asked how many dogs had been registered this year, and was informed that only fourteen had been registered. He moved that all owners of doga not registered before April 1 be prosecuted, and that an advertisement^ that effect be published m the local papers. PATE DEFAULTERS. The M'ayor'r^&d a fist of twelve defaulters who had beenballocted for legal proceedings, five of whom had paid before the sufu ; mouses were issued, three were absentees who could not be found just immediately, two were trustees foi somebody else, and would pay, while the two left had been sum moned. Another twelve would follow immediately. THE POUNDKBEPER, ETC. Applications for the position of pound keeper, ranger, inspector of nuisances, etc., were r'ecejyed from thirteen residents, and W. Kennedy was elected after a short Hat of three had been voted upon. NEXT MEETING. Nexb meeting was fixed for the first Wednesday after Easter, aad the usual holi days were given. ACCOUNTS. Accounts (y the amount of £71 18a 9.1 were passed for payment,, and the Council sat as a DOMAIN BOARD. Messrs F. Clark and W, J. Silcock waited upon the Board, antl urged the granting of the immediate use of the hockey ground to the Hockey Club. It was explained that jkhp ground ■was m good enough order now after the rain, but when the Club were informed that they could not get its use fop Bepsr^l weeks the weather hid been dry. The Curator reported as follows :— The Board will be aware that owing to the heavy rain storm on Saturday, the 11th inst., the Islington excursionists who came to Ashburton on that day were unable to use the Domain. Seeing, m the morning, that the <$&y would continue stormy, we applied to Mr iSufllo&k f.or tha use of the Arcade, which was readily and generously granted, Ail was also done to make "the party as comfortable as possible under the trying circumstances. I would call the attention of the Board to i Ctj.se of interference iv the Domain which oieurje«4 on the afternoon of Thurs day, the Bth inst. A^tjnw on instructions received from the Board, I closgd £he bicycle track ou the afternoon of that) date. Ab 4 30 Mr Henry Stephenson removed three of the ropes when I prevented him from removing others. Whilp thus engaged Mr Maynard rode round the track and temoyed the remainder, at the same time stating that he would be responsible for any further trouble m the matter. I protested against Mr Maynard'd interference, and informed him that ib waa wrong for any councillor bo individually overrule my instructions m the presence of the public, or m any way bo interfere with the work of fchp Domain. During the afternoon I informed the cyclists that the ropes would be removed at five ! o'clock, when practice would be permitted, j None of them interfered m any way except- J ing Mr (Stephenaon and Mr Maynard, If such practices were tolerated they would undoubtedly tend to demoralise any future public gatherings iv £he Domain. Hitherto they have invariably pasaed pleasantly, and I hope they will continue to do ao without any further interference of this nature.—l am, etc., W. W. Smith. Qa the second clause Mr Scaly said he regretted that the curator had found ib necessary to make suph a report to the Domain Board, and it was the duty of the

Board to protect the Curator from inter- I ference by private individuals when carrying ! out the instructions given to him by the Board, j Hh movpd that the curator be instinct ed to obtain the eery ces of the solicitor and take proceedings against; Mr Maynard for inierferiDg with him on the day mentioned iv the report. ... | VI r Davis seconded. ' Mr Mayna'd explained that what he had done wa>- oie on the impulse of the moment, and wj»- case of anting first and thinking after. Ha was not likely, however to repeat the cff ;nce. Messrs Or, Thomas, and Paul expressed themselves as eatified with Mr Maynard's explanation, though all three we^e fully sensible of the gravity of the offence that had been committed. Mr Orr moved that Mr Mayoard'e explana tion be accepted. Mr Oollina waa averse to Mr Maynard being allowed to go free if Mr Stephensou, who was c qually guilty with him waa to be prosecuted. Mr Pauling thought with the others that the explanation had been manly, and thought the nutter should be allowed to drop. Mr Fealy had nothing to say against the manliness of the explanation, bub had much to say against the authority of the ourator being defied, and the Board being told on every hand that they had no backbone, but allowed themselves to be defied and doubled up as any one chose. Mr Maynard wished it to be understood that it was not m the interest of the club or &vy club that he moved but of the cycling public who desired to use the track. Mr Thomas wished it to be. known that legal advioa had been taken, and the public had no right to use the sports ground or the track against the wishes of the Domain Ba&rd, I MxOrr's amendment was carried. Mr Collins moved to refer the whole question back to the Domain Committee to investigate and report to the next) meeting, which was carried by five to four, Messrs Thomas and Seaiy protesting. The report was then approved. DOMAIN COMMITTEE'S EEFORT. . The Domain Committee reported as i follows :— Islington Excursion.—The Domain Com mittee resolved to remit the charge of £2 2a for the use of the Domain on the 11th inst., and have informed the secretary that it is desired that this amount be devoted to the fund for the injured. Your Committee ask for the Board's approval. Sports Ground,—Your Committee recom mend that the various clubs and saoieties interested, be naked to send not more than two delegates from each club to meet the Domain P»oard for the purpose of endeavor ing to place the use of the athletic sports ground on & proper footing. The report was adopted, but under a misapprehension od the part of the Chairman and several others who were under the impression that the last clause referred to the Domain Committee and not to the whole Board. Mr Collins, however, claimed that tho clause waß carried and he moved that the specal meeting be held next Monday. The Chairman said he could not really attend that meeting, as there were really no complaints before the Board, and he did not know what he Gould ask the delegates. Mr Orr, on thinking the matter over, said he felt like the Chairman. Mr Thomas moved that the meeting be held that day six months. Mr Scaly seconded. The amendment was lost, and the motion was carried. Consideration of the Hockey Club's application wss held over for the special nieetiug. Mr Pauling a3ked|jfor details of the work done m the Domain during the last seventeen days, which were given by the engineer. The Board then rose.

THE RAILWAY DISASTER.

The Inquest Resumed. Evidence against tlje driver Verdict Equivalent to Manslaughter TJuitod Press Associafcipn—By Electric Telegraph, Cbristchuuck, March 80 The inquest on the victims of the Rakaia accident was resumed this morning. F. D. Mather, fireman on the second excursion train, stated that the engine was pat into the shed ab Ashburton, and was m good working order, as were also the brakes. The engine was a new Baldwin one. Witness had been with Carter all the'time he had baan on it. The engine and tender were fitted with Wes-inghouse brakes. Witness aad Garter were quite conversant with the eßntroUing power cf the brakes. He had not seen the' 'BigpaT which" gijard fJurrowg Stated ha had continued making all the way from Ohfirtgey, though he had looked towards tho van at least twice between Ashburton and Rakaia, The speed of the train was about 35 miles an hoar. The driver shut oil steam about half a mile from Rakaia station points. They gob no signal from Rakaia to come m. He was aware that it was the driver's duty to keep outside the station points. The driver applied the brakes bub did not seem to be able to stop m time. Witness saw the danger signal about two chains m front of the engine and saw the lights on the rear of the first train about the same time. The tender had a screw as well as the Westinghouse brake. Witness applied the epra'v brake shortly after steam was shut off. Shortly after 'this Carter had his hand on the air valve of the brake, which hp applied a few seconds after, The driver called on witnes#to turn the tender brake, which he did immediately. The tender brake seemed to grip, but he could nob say what was the effect of the engine brake, as he was riding on the tender. He noticed the engine wheels skid on one occasion. Sand was applied freely by the driver. Shortly after applying the air brake the driver ravepsed the engine. At this stage the enquiry was adjourned till 2 p.m. In the afternoon the cross-examination of fireman Mather was continued. Thirty-five miles an hour was, as neai as he could say, the fastest speed they travelled ab any por tion of the line. He would be surprised to h.sar that their speed averaged thirty-seven and a halt: jwilps ap hour, but conceding that, he would "not sweat: thap tjiey did fcfre journey from Oherfsey to Rakaia on the down grade at less than forty miles an hour. He ynderstopd that the engine was capable of dojng fifty-rive jniles an hour; The maximum speed they jye're allowed to £ rayel was thirty-six miles. He did not remember haying beep put on such a bad night as the night of tfcje accident. The strong wind helped to drive tho train a).ong. Carter shut off steam south of a point at which he usually did so. It was almost immediately after seeing tba signalman's light that they passed ib. He only learned ; after the accident that the senior guard had j been left behind. On the run to Rakaia he had been firing frequently, and this made it difficult for isim'te sea yall. After the driver had shub off steam h/e fdid not fife again, Bamuel Hughea, engine driver,, deposed that on March il he was driving on the Mebhven branch line* He was on his engine stanui"™ an the branch line about 320 yards Bouth of the Rakaia Sl»tioa when the firat. excursion train arrived. He saw v^ ./. come along to hia engine with a red light m his hand. O'Neill asked witness^ fireman the time, and was told 6 52, and he then Walked away to the main line, saying that he was going to signal the last part of the excursion* As near as witness could judge, the second excursion train passed him at about fifteen to twenty miles an hour. He thought that pace was boo fast to enable the driver to pull up within the station limits. The Coroner here pointed out that accord ing to the plan. Carter was two chains with in the station limits when he passed Hughes' engine. Witness continued—When the second train passed he noticed that sparks were flying from the wheels of the van, and did nob think that sparks would fly unless the brake was tight on and the wheels were skidding. By the Coroner—He should think he would have been able to see a red light about three-quarters of a mile away that night. By Mr Russell—According to the plan there was only a distance of eight chains between where witness's engine stood and the tail of the first train.

Rob.rfc McKee, fireman with Hughes, gave corroborative evidence. Charles Fowko, e'erk at the Ashburton station, deposed that he remembered guard Ciimpson reporting having beeu unable to get on the train. Wituass went into the telegraph office, where he found that the ( operator had >'een calling Ohertsey, but had been unable to get a reply. Under inetruc- ; i tioDa from the stationtnaster witness ■ telegraphed to R*kbis, that the guard was nob ou the train, and afterwards called Cherteey again, and got an answer. It was 648 when ho got Ohertsey. The station master asked whether there was another guard on the train, and witness replied that there was an assistant. George William Athmore, stationmaster at Cherbaey, deposed to receiving at 6 45 the following telegram : — " Guard Climpwn missed second special, following by express." It was eight minutea afterwards that the second excursion train "passed Cherbsey. Uhortsey was 5 miles 22 chains from Rakaia. Upon learning from Ashburton that there waa an assistant guard on the train witness did not think it necessary to take any steps to stop it. Ib struck him that the train went past pretty fast, but he had seen other trains go through as fast. James Burnetfy district engineer, recalled, stated, m reply to the foreman, that m his opinion the accident would nob necessarily have been averted by the erection of a semaphore at a point indicated by the Rakaia stationmaster, some 800 yards south oi Rakaia, railway station. If erected, a semaphore would not have been placed at such a distance from the station. Distant signals were only erected when the view of the home signals was restricted. It was admibted that the semaphore signal would be desirable. The light would be seen at a greater 'distance than a hand signal, the lamp being more powerful, and aba greater elevation. The ertctionof a semaphore ab Rakaia had been suggested by officers of the department. Had there been a semaphore the driver would have seen the light) l»fore he got to the bottom of the hollow. Henry Curson, guard, stated that he was m charge of the first excursion train, which arrived ab Rakaia at about 6.40, a few minutea before time. He heard the second train whistle approaching the station. Afterwards the brake signal given twice. When he heard the firsb whistle for breaks he' knew there waa detnger, and gave the signal for his train to move on. The wain moved on as quickly as possible, bub it had only gone about a carriage length before ib was struck. As far as he could judge it waa 7.3 p.m. when the collision took place. His train was thirty-five minatea coming from Ashburton to Rakaia. There were two engines on the train, and he did nob have to assist his drivers by braking, as they went into the platform steadily. John Gray, traffic Inspector, stated that the 4.40 p.m. train from Christchurch to Ashburton on a Saturday connected with the train from Springfield at Rollestoa. The latter arrived at Rolleston Ifte, and so de layed the Ashburtqn train. The train from Springfield was m its turn delayed by hav ing to wait at, a crossing for a train from Christchurch to Springfield? This train was delayed by meeting the south west gale. Michael Gardiner, driver of the leading engine of the first excurson train, stated tbab his train arrived at Rakaia aboub 6.45. When going into the station the brake on his engine only was used, as ib was nob necessary to call on the second engine. He shut off steam m the dip more than a quarter of a mile soutb of the station, and had ib been neces sary they could have stopped anywhere south of the station limits. When he heard the second train give the signal for brakes, he got ready for moving hia train m case the signal was repeated, recognising that there was danger. The signal was repeated, and witness blew his whistle and gave his engine stei'.m m readiness, He told hia fireman to look out for a signal to go ahead, and re ceiving ib wenb on as quickly as possible. He had the sand boxes open, so that the engine might nob slip. One would have been able to see a red light aboub a quarter of a mile south of where O'Neill was Btanding. When he shut off&team he was going about twenty-five milea an hour. William Hyland, driver of the second engine of the first excursion train, gave evidence similar to tjiab of the last witness, j Alfred L. Beattie, locomotive engineer on i the Hurunui Bluff section, stated that Uie Baldwin engines which had been üßed for the two excursion trains had greater brake power than any engines m the colony. Both engine and tender were fitted with Westiog house automatic brakes, and there were brake blocks on fourteen wheels. Career, 1 the driver of the seooud train, was appointed as driver is December, 1878, and witness's experience of him was that he waa trust -1 worthy and reliable. He happened to be * travelling from Dunedin to Christchurch by 1 the express on the date of the accident and 1 on arrival ab Rakaia did what ho could to • assist. After attending to most of the L urgent needs, he made a point of seeing all ! the ty'aio men, and found that th.ey were all ' sober. He' tooji'jparticuiar rjotice of Carter. 1 The delay m sending on the two excursion trains he was personally responsible for, as | he wished to satisfy himself that the [ carriages were safe to parry passengers, In 1 addition to three obviously wrecked carriages, 1 there were six others absolutely unsafe to 1 take passengers. An examination of the l. engine showed that the brake was m perfect » order, and that the damage to the engine waa only slight. Assuming that Carter's 1 train passed Chertsey at 6.56, and arrived at 1 Rakaia ab 7.3, the pace would be 45 miles ! an hour, without allowing anything for slow ' ing down, or for the grade against him. See ing that hs had to stop ab Rakaia, the pace 1 was, m witness's opinion, inconsistent with 1 safety. It the psqe w§g effect' Carter 1 should have shut off steam half a mile before ■ he did so. Had had several conversations i with Carter, who made no complaints aboub ■ the engine or brakes. Sparks emitted from ' the wheels of the brake van did not necessarily mean that the wheels were > skidding. Did not think the van on the ' second train waa ab all likely to skid, as it r was one of their heaviest vans, weighing 7| 1 tons empty. \ t At 615 p.m. the inquest wag adjourned till 7-30 p,.fn., the evidence haying been concluded. At ?.3Q Mr R. Beetham, the Coroner, summed up, directing the Jury as to, the manner m which their verdict should be framed. He did nob review the evidence at 1 any length, but said that they should con i sider firsb—how deceased came by their i death ; second—whether re?ponsible officials 1 had been negligent m any way ; and thirds 1 whether thai) negligence had m any way con tributed to the ffesthct of the deceased,' The jury retired for an hour and a half, and brought m the following verdict—•' That 1 deceaspd ftfary Ann Franks, Rose Harwood, '• Fanny Jones; and 'Richard Jlowden met their death by accident m a railway col '< lision at Rakaia railway station qn March 111 and that such collision waa paused by 1 the negligence of Charles Henry Carter, the 1 driver of the second excursion, m maiutaiu -1 iog too high a rate of speed, and thereby nob having sufficient and proper control over his train m approaching Rakaia station. The jury desire to represent— (1) The lack of proper and necessary signalling appliances at such, an important st^tiop as Eakaiii', whereas on the night m guea tion five passenger trains met, and the oiily ihethod of signalling %as by dispatching a messenger up the line with a hand lamp. (2) The absence of continuous brakes on the passenger trains of the New Zealand railways. (3) The want of sufficient capable guards on excursion trains. The jury consider inttu „.., *„ ! " oau»eu the oollision should have had at least two experienced guards, whereas it was m charge of an inexperienced acting guard, the efficient one haying been acci dentally left behind ab Ashburton. (4) The want of judgment on the part of the Ashbur ton stationmaster m not causing the second excursion train to be stopped at Chertsey, m order that the driver might be informed of the absence of the head guard. (5) The jury deßire to commend the prompt action of the officials of the first excursion train m moving it forward, and thereby avoiding a much more serious calamity. (6) That the rider of the jury be forwarded to the Minister of Railways." The Coroner, said that the verdict was equivalent to one of manslaughter against driver Carter, and he entirely agreed with the verdict.

A Me may gie a wise man counsel, and it's this—drink unblended diamond jubilee teas!—-Agents—Shearman Bros , Ashburton, \V T Doak, Mtounb Somers and Mayfield ; James Grudsell. Tiuwald,

ASHBURTON PERMANENT BUILDING AND INVESTMENT SOCIETY.

The twenty-fourth annual general meeting of shareholders of the Ashburtou Permanent Building and Investment Society was held yesterday afternoon. There was about the usual number of shareholders present, and Dr Trevor, Chairman of Directors, presided ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report ran aa under -.■ —The Directors hava pleasure m submitting to the shareholders the twenty-fourth annual report. After allowing interest at 7 per c«nb on capital and invest mont shares, the profit and toss account shows a oredit balance of £600 9a 9 1, which ycur Directors recommend to be appropriated aa follows : — The payment of 2 per cent upon "A" capital, adding bhe same percentage to the "B" investment shares and carrying forward the balance, £207 9a Id. The retiring directors are Dr. James E, Trevor and Mr Joseph Ward, who have offered' themselves for re-election. Dr. Trevor moved tte adoption of the report, a motion he had pub before them now for twenty-four years m succession, and he had to reiterate the congratulations on the soundness of their business which he had extended "to bhem on previous occasions. > Last year he had said that he feared they would not be able to continue paying 10 per cent m these times. They were not paying ten per cent this year but nine, but even that was highly satisfactory. They had issued loans to the amount of £13,359 13a, and he wished to point out to the share holders that the sound condition of the society waa owing to the careful manner m which the loans were considered before being granted, The business waa going oa ita usual way, and it was pleasing to be able to say that there had not) been the shadow of a bad debt. He made refereuce also to the improvements effected on the only property the Society possessed—the site and building m which the business was carried on. Mr Bullock seconded the motion. Mr Harrison said that the actual earnings of the society were not less this year than , last, bub there had been a larger amount paid to B shareholders. The Chairman said there had been a much larger number of B shares issued this year than last. The report and balance sheet were adopted. EJECTIONS AND THANKS. Dr. Trevor and Mr Joseph Ward were re elected Directors, and a hearty vote of thanks to the directors for their year's work was passed, and acknowledged by the Chairman. A vote of thanks was also passed to the auditors, on the motion of Mr Bullock, seconded by Mr Harrison, which Mr Albert Roberts acknowledged for himself and fellow auditor, Mr Moritz Friedlander. Dr Trevor acknowledged his re-election as a Director as did also Mr Joseph Ward. A high compliment was paid by the Chairman to the secretary and manager, Mr Edward Stephens, and to the staff, to whom votes of thanks were passed aad acknowledged by Mr Stephens, who mentioned that during the last ten years the volume of business done by the Society had been more than trebled. A vote of thanks to the. Chairman was also passed and the meeting adjourned. • At a meeting of the Directors, Dr. Trevor was re-elected Chairman.

J L. Higgs— Grainer.

HARVEST THANKSGIVING.

In connection with the harvest thanks giving services of the Wesieyan Church, a ! meeting was held m the schoolroom, on ' Thursday night last. The object was two fold ; one purpose being the disposal of sun dry articles of produce and commodities which had been donated by various friend ; the second being to hear an account by Mr I H. M. Jones of the recent Conference held ' m Christchurch. Mr G. W. Andrews occu pied the chair, and spoke of the chequered career through which the Wealeyan Church i m Aahburton had passed, and though m the long past there were occasions when its final troubles appo^jd to be insurmountable, the church was'norina position which was decidedly hopefu', In addition to this the splendid harvest which had been recently reaped m Canterbury should awaken feelings ani sentiments of devout gratitude. Mter Mrs I, Hiskens had sung a solo, " The battle of life," Mr H. M. Jones pro ceeded to tell the meeting of the business transacted at the Conference. Following up a remark that the Conference was representa tive of tha largest Protestant denomination m the world, Mr Jones said that the eleotioa of Rev; John Orchard was a graceful compliment to the Bible Christian body, which was one of the branches of Methodism that had entered the bonds of Unioa. The meeting moat to be remembered,, arid which was spiritually a povyerful one, was when the Conference held an old-fashioned class meeting. The interest was most intense, and from lack pf time, the president was compelled to bring the proceedings to a close before many who wished to speak could do so. This was an excellent preliminary to the Csntury Fund meeting held at night. During last year 500 new names had been added to the roll of membership, and taking into account deaths, and removals, the result was satisfactory. New sites had been acquired, new churches erected, and many of the properties improved. While trust debts had been decreased, the circuits were burdened with liabilities that, m some places, hutg like a pal^, and were niost Sis-, heartening to ministers and officials. There were Ss,ooo children m the Wesieyan Sunday schools of the colony, bub the decrease of 2^B scholars and 54 teachers caused the Conference a deal of nnxiows thought, The largest proportion of the decrease was m Canterbury, and Mr Jones hinted at the inordinate use of the bicycle on Sundays being a factor m the matter. An appreciative reference was made to the Home Mission Fund. There are agents ijo the number of eighteen, bub that the 1 r.ajjks of these excellent gioneers of the Goßpel m ! remote parts of the colony should be increased was shown m the statement that, between Wangaaui and Auckland there were places where no religious service had been held for fourteen years. In future tha Methven Home Mission station is to be under the control of the Ashburton circuit. The Maori Mission was carefully considered by the Conference, aud the reports from various localities was most depressing. Thf condition oi many sections of the" "Native race was deplorable through the introduction of the white man's vices. The Maoris were fast decreasing, and as the mortality a,mong infants was great, there was a call t6' Christian women of ability to, go on a mission to the Maori women, so that the latter might be taught how to become better wives and mothers. In foreign mission matters, the Fijian problem was brought under review j the introduction of ooolie laborers m large numbem making it imperative that some thing should be done to evangelise these people, who otherwise would demoralise the Fijiane, whose couatry was a wonderful illustration of the Gospel's power to a^ter the oo|iditipQß p.f liif, ssnsf fso, 'rafse the m'eral of a heathen rage.' The Century Fund scheme, by which it> was hoped to raise £§Q,OQO had been initiated, and the pro spects wera enaouraglng. The Rev. C. Gouland had been appointed secretary of the fund, aud m course of time he would viait the Ashburfcon gireuits, The scheme em braced a series of evangelistic meetings m every centre for the deepening of spiritual life, and there waa no reason why 60,000 conversions should nob accompany the £560,009 aimed! as, Mr Jones concluded a' comprehenflif c skefcoh of conference business by intimating that the cbnnexional Qre insur ance proposal was now fully launched, and it was anticipated financial saving would be a result of this movement. Several question were asked and answered; and after refreshments had been dispensed, the meeting closed, not, however, before | some of the donations of produce and goods had found purchasers.

THE CHURCHES.

Weslkyan. — Va'iety has characterised >hu pe.sonnal of the preachers at tha Wesley-in Cnuroh recently, aud the same bxprcaaioc. is applicable to the matter of the di:Qours39 and the style of delivery. On Sunday, the Rev. Mr Bellhouse, of Ooaki, conducted the services. In the morning a thoughtful sermon was preached from Htbrews Xl— 27 : " For he ensured a* seeing him who is invisible," Every individßal hag ; hidden springs within him chat mould his future, and how a man fights (tnd endures de* ! panda upon what he sees. Some bee one mate rialists through merely seeing the tangible things of which the world ie made, being un mindful of the fast thftt God exists, and can only be seen by the spiritually-minded. The paradox of " sac ng the invisible" was il!ußtrated by references to the great works of art), painting aod sculpture, the story of Michael Angelo seeing an angel m a coarse, rough piece of< marbio being very Apt, and well told. At night Mr Bellhonse preached from the words : -«• It pleased tiod to reveal Hia son m me." St. Stephen's.—There were very large congregations at the morning and evening services oa Sunday, and m the afternoon there was a epeoial children's service, the subject of the catechising being the fourth part of the catechism—Christian prayer. In the morning the Vicar preached from Col. i -10, and emphasised the Christian Law of Duty. He said that the Christian life was essentially a discipline of character, that it involved the development, under the in fluence of the teaching and grace of our bieesed Lord, of those inner ideals which shape and inspire the practical life of every human being. These ideals bscame clear and vigorous only m proportion as the intellect was trained, the affections purified, and tha will strengthened by habits of obedience. We were thus face to face with the necessity of education. In all communities, and es pecially m those m which the example of Ohriat is a potenb influence, the value of education to a child w«s admitted. Here m New Zealand we had secured a minimum of education by the adoption of a free, secular, and compulsory system of education, that is to say, compulsory m theory bat nob m practice. We had afro a University system, which was becoming narrower than even a secular system necessitated. And our University system is confessedly inadequate m the fact that our University Colleges are not m touch with the social life or awake to the intellectual needs of the towns outside the four cities m which they are situated: " We are thus throwing upon the religious bodies a burden m the way of education that) the State ought really to undertake. And I am not at all certain whether the religious bodies m this country are m a position to supply the deficiencies of our inadequate Bystem of secular education. We have reached a minimum of education m our national system of eliminating nob only religion but also the deepest thinking of the human mind m the ethical and social sciences. And the prospect to my mind is not an en couraging one, and may well make every educated and patriotic New Zealander begin to reflect. .We look to our University Col lege for a model as a secular institution, and yet we have seen during recent months a singular moral collapse m certain members, of its teaching staff; and now we have another Professor at Canterbury College posing as a moral teacher, and publicly avowing himself a disciple of Max Nardau and maintaining the thesis of * the immor ality of marriage,' .A gainsb such a position we have a right as Christian men to make a very solemn protest." In the evening, Mr Woodthorpe delivered the fifth of his Lenten series of addresses. His discourse on " What is my aim m life ?" was based on Epn. in-11, and was an address chiefly to young men.

THE RAILWAY.

Probable Redaction m the Grain Tariff, Uniced Press Association—By Eleotric '.Telegraph, Wellington. March 20 A deputation representing 4500 Canter bury farmers interviewed the Minister for Railways this afternoon re reduction of railway rates oa the carriage ot grain. They pointed out that they were handling the largest crop known, but the prices were the lowest on record. The rates, they said, were equal to one bushel m eight, and unless some consideration was shown to (grain growers a large quantity would have to be carried by traction engines, which they regretted, as such enginea cut up the road*. The'deputation declared the average yield to be 'thirty bushels an acre, and if a reduction were made it would largely asaiat is building up the railway tragic, while at the same time assisting producers. One apeaker urged a reduction of 25 per cent. Mr Cadmau, replying, said the question had been receiving hia earnest consideration. Usually at the end of the financial year he drew up a list of the products on which he thought a reduction could ba made m the rates, and as the financial year was fact drawing to a close this practice would be continued, and he proposed to submit to hia. colleagues among other things that a reduc-' tion be made m the carriage of/ gr,au3, manures, cheese, and butter* Continuing,' Mr Oadman said there was little difjferencia between the rates m Nero? So^th. Wa^ea and; New Zealand. A majority of particular products were oarried io the South Island which, had. received many eoncesgions. Three years ago, be said, when taking office, he had stated that money wag only .earning three per cent, therefore it was not requisite that the railways should earn more, and intended to give the difference to the producers. That was the policy Govern ment was still pursuing. When a reduction, was made m the carriage rate of sheQp, k% had estimated the loss at iS'ZQQQj but tfcs increased number carried, was more thaa sufficient to upi that de'Soieoey. AocKiiAS©, Maroh 20 The Premier m addressing a crowded meeting of the citizens of Auckland to-night announced contemplated reductions m rail way freights to the extent of £40,000 per annum. He had also arranged with the Tyser line for a considerable redaction m j shipping freights.

News in Brief.

Mr D. Thomas (m conjunction with Messrs Friedlander Bros.) will offer a large line of crossbred breeding ewes at the ram and ewe fair, Tinwald, on Thursday cext. Mr Thomas will also offer on account) of his own olients, crossbred and merino ewea from Maronan and the Hill country; Breeders should give them their attention. At the ram and ewe fair to be held at the Tinwald yards on Thursday next, Meesra Friedlander Bros,, Limited, will offer several good lines of breeding ewes, which will bo doubt command the attention oi farmers. They have also & large entry of rams to offer on account of aoaje of the leading b/eedepi, With this issue will be found a handbill notifying that "The Corner," under the new firm— Messrs Northcote and Hefford— re-opens for business to-morrow;

SPORTING.

! United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.

DtmEOTN, March 31 i The weather is fine but threatening, V Th^ f Admiral'is" anticipations are Hackßace —Witchcraft j hurdles—Social' Past; Cham pagne—Courtier; Cvp—Boreas or DjiaDjin; Maiden—Refugee; Publicans'—Blazer, with Vanilla as a cockboat; Stewards'—St Denis.

THE a-HB -tO>l GUAIiDJUN ; TUESDAY, MMIOH 21 1899



Chronic DiarrStoea Cnret!, 1 This is to certify that I have had chronic diarrhoea ever since the war, I got so weak I coutd hardly walk or do anything. One bottle of Chamberlain's Colic, Oholew and Diarrhoea Bamedy cured me sound knot well. J; R. Gj^its, Fincastle, Va» ' I had chronic diarrhoea for twelve years. Three bottles of Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Eemedy cared me, S- L. Shaver, tfinoastle, Va. Both Mr Gibbs and Mr Shaver are pro minenb farmers and reside near Fmcaetle Va. They procured the remedy from M VV. E, Casper, a druggisb of th>b plaaa who is well acquainted with them and wl vouch for the truth of their abatements For sale by the Ash^cbton Daw Company



TO THE DEAP.-^A rich lady, cured oi i her Deathess and aoiaes m the head by Dr Nicholson's Artificial Ear J Drums, haa sent £1000 to his Institute, so that' deaf people unable to procure the Ear Drums may have them free. Apply to Department, N.S., The Institute, "Longcott," Gunnersbury, London, W., England. J. L- Biggs-—Deooratbri j



* CHURCH SERVICES. 1 QT. STEPHEN'S OBUROH, 1 O Asbburton. IUISSD \Y—Meeting of the Choir m the i^ohoolroom, 7.30 p m TO UR^DAY—Bible Class, 7.30 p m FRlDAY—Evening Prayer and Address, 7.15 p m ; Choir Practice, Bpm SAO UrtDAY—Jfeasb of the Annunciation —7.30 a m, Holy Communion PALM SDNDAY-(Viaroh 26 ) 8 30 a m—Holy Communion. Ham- Matins, Litany, and germon. Subj- ct : " Devotion to Christ iv the Mysteries of Holy Week." 3 p m—"iervi'co at Seafield, the Vioar ; Dromore Mr Gates. 630 p.m —Evening Prayer and Sermon. Subject, : "The Li'fo after Death." R. A. WOODTHORPK, M A., Vioar. Bros., Limited. GRAIN SHIPMENTS TO L O NDO 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 Commission 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,



ST PATEICK'S SPORTS, ASBBURTON. WAVERLifciYS-SlI FIRSTS, SIX SECONDS, SEVEN THIRDS In the Three Mile, WAVKRIEY'i were Firat, Second and Third. ST. PATRICK'S SPORTS—GERALD USE. HALF-MILE  WAVERLBY ... SKCOND. (ME MILE .. „ ... PIRBT WHEEL RACE .. ' „ .. FIRST FIVE MILE .» „ ,„ IHIBD. , JOHN ORR AND CO., BOLE AGENTS. Waverley Bearings Have Double Life. T* carrying out the principle of simplicity and universality which we have endeavoured to make a feature of 1899 Waverley Bicycles, we make the cones m the bearings with double 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. YOCJ have only to examine thef99 Waverley to see that oar policy of cone entrating <ffort upon one Model hrn brought forth a, wonderful degree of perfection m design, ,n detail, and m finish. No such bicycle was ever before made. The '99 Waverloy is the crowning triumph of modern skill m Bicycle building. The beautiful W»verl«y Catalogue tells the details. Now ready Free, Simplicity. YOU who are looking for simple, worry swiag dasign and construction In Bicycles will welcome the '99 Waverley. Universal nats, interchangeable donble",faced ones m the bearings, with sliding adj-istmenS, and an ideal two-piece Crank ahaft »re points worth mentioning. The Proud Record, THA.T not angle broken Waverley frame was reported during 97 or '98 speaks volumes for the quality m Wavjjfley Bicycles, for the high carbon>teel tubing and matchless drop f »rgingn of which they are made, for the skill inbrazng;. THEa%ma qnli y oftuMng, the sime qmlUy of drop forging the same skill and thoroughness jf making go into 1899 Waved, ys, with improvements m design, tried and provjd, that will mike every owner of the;Waverley proud of^his mount. The Beauty of the Waverley Bicycle, THE beauty of the Waverley Bicycle has a! y.*ya been famous, for this seaaon we surpass all previous eff >rt.s and produce a bicycle as nearly perfect as skill and the practically unlimited resources of our great factories can make It. The design is elegant and graceful, and every detail of workmanship and finish have been brought to tempting ideality. The Strongest Fork Crown Yet Produced. OKE OF THE FEATURES OF THE WAVERLEY IS THE HOLLOW- *JEfcCJEI JDHOF-F'OJcfcGnEl} FOKK CEOWN that will unquestionably cause a sensation wherever ib «s shown- Itdoub es tha strength and rigidity of the from forks, preventing all' wavering or unsteadiness of the front wheej. It'inanres the rider'a;safety. WATERLKY CYCLE DEPOT. »1V COLOMBO STREET, OHRISTCHURCH. JOHN ORR A CO.; ASHBURTON, SOLE AGENTS K)K NftW ZEALAND. THE BEAUTIFUL WAv"ERLILY'CATALOGUE I\FREE. IT IS WORTHY OF YOUR CAKEFUL STUDY.]