At his installation to-day, Mr Ailkec, the incoming Mayor, said he would oil a meet ing to-morrow re the South African fund He announced that Messis L> yin and 00. had also promised him a hundred pounda, half for the general fund and half for the Contingent, The Waiwera Contingent will probably be again employed as a troopship The car penters were to dismantle her on the way back, but the operations will be intercepted at Albany if possible. Offers are Btill pouring m from local volunteers. The Premier has received the following from London :—"Nothing is known of the events which have occurre i m South Africa ' aince Saturday. Considerable speculation an so whereabouts of General Olery'a brigade j m Natal. The corrected returns of Meth uen's campaign show that the Highland brigade had 213 killed. The natioa ia anxious, but showing plenty of spirit Volunteers offering wholesale."

A N.Z. Trooper Rilled.

Ninety-aeven per cent of the members of Parliament h&ve signified their approval of •ending another contingent, und nccepting the offer of the HotchkißS guns. The latter was made through the Imperial authoritiei. Goreromenb reqairea 250 horses — bays, bUoke, or browns, 15 to 15.3 hands, and five to ten years old, Mr G. G. Stead, of (yhristohuroh, has presented tei, and a ■etbler at Hawera two. Government will be pleased to acknowledge any other offers of horser. It is cxpeoted the men will get ew&y about the* beginning of the second week m January. Information has baan received from the Agent-Genera! thab Trooper Bradford, of Paeroa, was killed m the skirmishing at Arandel.

Chrisxchubch, December 20 02-rs to join ihe New Zealand contingent are coming m fast, both from present Toluttteers and others.

THE LATEST.

Australian

United Press Association—By Electric

Telegraph—Copyright

(Received Wakapunka Deo. 18, 9.42 a.m, lhisOffice9 55a.m)

Fire.

Melbourne, December 20 A fire destroyed three top floors of Tynsiey's Urge warehouse m Liule Collins Btreet—damage £10 000. Disastrous Drought. Brisbane, December 20 A disastrous drought prevails m the northern and western districts, and thousands of cattle and sheep are dying,

CABPENTER

All ihe timbers to be the best of their respective kinds, free from sap, ekakef, or any imperfections, and wo?l seasoned The j ijs'B, sleepers, plates, und al ground timbers to be black pine cr totara. Any parts of tho timber that come m contact with ths c ;ncrete or ground, are to be tarred. Tha roof timbers white pine ; general framing rimu ; fljoi- boards (union) kauri ; ioin boards, kauri (union; ; the slet'p »v piles Bin x Sin totara, nor, to exceed 4ft 6iu between centres : Mie fl >or j ji^ls 4x3 nob to exceid 18in batwm>ti centres notched and apiked to Bl^eperw, 4in x 4in all the flora hid with proper floor cramps, m mannor of straight joint to be as few h a<3ing joinls a° possible ; no wi> boards to head toga her on ssmo joist: whera heading j )ints do occur, th?y arc to be ."-played ; hoards (6 x luaion), nailed down with prvp;rcut flo >r hradf, which are to be puhch- d m, and fl >or cieared off at the conclusion of the works; b^ardr taken close up to the currr boarding and cut, m between tho studs ; put mitreo borders to all hearths; cover the fron wait ou'side wi'h 7 x 1 rusticated boards <o be primed as tlv>,y go up, all bead ins.' joints cut splay ; all the other wa'b nufsido are to bj covered with 6h fea'hered weatherboards Hin lap ; pu p oper angle stops; rafters 6x2 birds mouthed to peata and wvll spiked to ridge and hip rafters 9x2; 1 y on the rafters lin boards shot a-)d cramped closely together, butting cLsoly together at hips ; cover the main roof with iron ; pvr. groov3d saddle boards and roll (o ridge and hips ; finish with bargea at ends of two leantos. Trim cut the rafters fo> chimney, mortico and tenon rl he leanto to have rafters 6x2. not to exceed 24u between centres ; 3x 2 purlin, covered with corrugated galvanised irnn o 1 approved bran?, nailed down with ga' vai.isod iron naila and load washers ; iron to hwe a side Jap of two corrugations* and lergth lap of 6!n. The genera) fiatnitig a-, shown on tho drawing's, ar.y no 1, shown to be similar, to consist of 4x2 stud?, mortice and tenon into platen ; brakes 4 x 2 let solid into side of studs, lipped into plates and spiked to studs und plates ; framing to h'*vp als' horizon'al bracing 4s 2 ; pWes 4x3; '■parting slug's, angle studs, and tians<ni 4x3; ceiling j lista 6x2; io prnj ct over ijlnttfe Gin, and not to exceed 20 n centr< to crntre, and assisted ty t-usponwior piosep nailed to rnfters at.d j >iHt-s ; nf.il a f-isc'a board on enris of j its and a lin soffit board with |m round ; braoke! round 3 aitiei of house.

WINDOWS

The windows to b) dcuble hung, sasli fram d case<s pnlley styles grooved to liui^s. wi 1c 3in weathered bi)lm, double xDnk snd throated If n ovolo cashes, 16 oz sheet glass free fr< m bubbks, streaks or any imperfections, properly sprigged and pulteyed ; best biasa sash fasteners ; braes faced solid ax!e pulleys ; tas-h beals m rebates, cashes, double hung with patent coid* and weights all left In perff c^ working order ; 6:n moulded architrave* Inside to two front rooms and passage ; 4:n architraves to other room?. Piain mould 2in window stops scribed to weatherboards, zinc flashing over window heads.

DOORS. Front door to ba 2in four-panelled bolection moulded outside, hung to 4in solid rebated moulded frames, huna; with 3 *sin butt hinges ; door 6.9 x 2, 9, side and fanlights to have figured gound glass of approved pattern beaded m and putteyed, 6 & 4 rebated moulded frame ; sill raised lin above fl or weathered and hosing } moulded waterboard ; beat) lOin doable 'drawback lock ; approved orna mental brass centre knob outside. Two back doors to have 2in frame and braced JinH.G.V. joint cover boards, hung with three 4'n butts to 2in solid rebated frame 10!n rim lock, raised sill and waterboard. Znc flashing over door head, other doors of house to be If m (full) four-panel kactl doors 6, Bx2, 8, hung with three 4in butts to 2in solid rebated frames. Archi traves same as windows ; 7in mortice lock white and gold furniture to 6 front rooms. Kitchen, servant's bedroom, and pantry te be lined throughout with £m union beaded kiln driej kauri lining, plain moulded Bxl skirtings ; tho four front rooms and passage to have 12in. double mou ed skirtings Put m dining room, sitting room, a d bedroom, mantelpieces,

burned kinds, all true <<> one giuge ; no soft or unbound ones will be permitted to be used. Bricks wnll wetted, and used while wefc. The chinn^ys and hearths built on solid fouuiia'ioi.sj of coi creH\ as beiore specified- A damp c .urae of ar, < •late or zinc is to In; 'fiid down to Ktop ail suction. Ail the chimneys to be buiit to the heights shown, described, or implied. Chimney carried up square flues 14 x 9, m. ido measurement, carried up eepar ■Uely. Turn arches ov»:r proper 2x §m, iron chimney birs, split and turned up' and down ; gather m core and parget quite smooth the chimney shafts (fair mortar nil cowdung); finish at top over railing courses, and cement splay colored brick to a thin edge next fiut. : rake oat and point with cemenb the brickwork where it shows above roof.-; ; fl ish chim neys with 61b m Had lead, stepped into joints pointed with cement; the mortar lo be composed of one part, before slacking, of • tone lime and bhree (3) parts of sand ; provide and set m plinth ten (10) 9x6 cast iron ornamental air bricks. Provide and fix m sitting room, dining room, and two bedrooms four register grates, value £2 10d each (cost price). Provide and fix m kitchen on the concrete hearth whero shown on plan a cooking stove, value £5

value £2 iOa each, labour only; 9x2 pilasters, shelf and fritz b 12io x 2in, double moulded, cut brackets and bases Provide and fix m sis front lin thick picture rails, well nailed fco sfcuds, flush with plaster, put f n. staff beads to all angleu.

I»ArERK ANGER

Cover the walls and ceiling of passage m proper workmanlike manner, with scrim and paper, taped and tin-tacked, to have lining paper for varnishing, value of paper 3a per pieo?, also borders. Three front rooms to be tinted, distemper tlnfs to be approved. Prime sashes before giving ; prime all outside wood work, best red lead and oil, stop, knot and paint; all exterior woodwork three coats, best lead and oil ; angles, brackets, verandah posts, etc., etc., p;cked oat m a darker tint, colors selected by architects ; closet, etc , painted similarly j glaza all 16oz sheet glaas bedded back, putteyed and sprigged, varnish two coats (and size) the kitchen and back bedroom, f.ll skirt ings, architraves, mantelpieces, etc ; froat door oak grained and varnished.

I*i.UMBKR

Flash with 4lb milled lead at junction of loan-to, with mun roof to be taken under shinglts and over iron same wldlh ; lead fUshing to chimneys stepped into joints m approved manner; pat to all eaves s'n galvanized 0.6 guttering, three 2h'\n down pipes.

IMASTERER

Lath, plaster, float and set al! the walls and ceilings to four front rooms ; laths of totaia of the best quality, well nailed to studs and joist*. Piaster composed of besb fresh burnt stone lime, and simp, clean, washed sand ; with a sufficiency of hair therein. Lime (o be run at leas three weeks before being used ; construct manhole m passage, trap-door, moulding round.

THE ART OF STANDING.

How to Balance the Body Gracefully. How to Sit Down.

How to stand is quite aa much of an art as sitting down.

Few women can manage feet, hands and shoulders gracefully if they remain standing any length of time. There is a tendency to rest first on one foot and then on the other, to sway backward and forward or to move the hands nervously.

In the first place, the body must be perfectly balanced, the weight being equally divided on the feet. The right foot should be a little m advance of the left, but firmly planted, and any temp tation to sway backward and forward should be strongly resisted.

The poise of the body should be easy and flexible, bending a trifle at the waist. To stand erecC the hands hang- Ing loosely by the side, the shoulders straight, but without a suggestion of stiffness, is one of the prettiest and most difficult of all poses. It should suggest the grace and pliapility of the lily— ready to sway with a passing wind and then swing back to queenly stateliness.

When seated, there should always be m the attitude a suggestion of action, not of'intense weariness. To 101 l except m the seclusion of one's boudoir is bad form. A woman should sit easily, the shoulders relaxed, but as if ready to rise or bend forward at any moment. The suppleness of the waist is nowhere so apparent as m the sitting posture.

That is the only correct way to sit down. There are, of course, innumera ble wrong waya of performing this sim ple act. Probably the most common way is to sprawl down as if overcome with excessive weariness, which some women seem to think is merely indic ative of aristocratic languor.

It is an even worse position than that of the stiff woman, who gingerly en croaches upon a chair as if reluctant to trust it with her weight and determined that if she must sit down she will at least be uncomfortable. So she holds her shoulders straight back, throws up her chin as if she were afflicted with a stiff neck, touches her toes to the floor, leaving her heels to wiggle uncomfort ably, and imagines that she is sitting properly.

She is not. She is violating every canon of grace and also looking ex tremely awkward. Every graceful po sition suggests ease, not effort. That is the keynote of charming poses. Of course no woman m polite society would be guilty of the vulgarity of crossing her legs. That is unpardon able. But to show the tip of the toe, or even to let one foot peep out from be neath the hem of the gown, is very graceful, especially if the foot is a pret ty one. A dexterous and almost imper ceptible movement will place the skirts m graceful folds.

How to Carry Beef.

For a curry of cooked meal cut the beef into email squares, according to the quantity of meat to be curried. Put two tableapoonfuls or more of butter into a stewpan and two good sized onions chopped. Stir the onions m the butter until of a pale brown. Add one tablespoonful of curry powder and the same of flour with a little salt. Mix and stir for five minutes. Moisten with a cup of stock and stew gently for a few minutes longet. Put m the meat and simmer until done, but do not let it boil. Serve with rice around the dish.

How to Make Potted Herring.

To make this appetizing dish cut off the heads, tails and fins of six herrings, spilt open and remove the backbone, roll up and pack into a pio dish. Slice a raw onion and lay it over them. Mix together three tablespoonf uls of vinegar, two of Worcester sauce, half a teaeup fnl of water, a dessertspoonful of brown sugar and a saltspoonful of salt. Pour the mixture over the fish, cover with pape* and bake m a slow oven for seven or eight hours, or until the fiah are brown and have absorbed nearly all the liquid.

How to Serve Grape Juice.

When grapes are abundant, a supply of the tsnfermented juice should be canned for use m sickness. This will always be found a valuable tonic, with out the deleterious effect of alcoholic stimulants. A drink that is often served m sanitariums is made as follows: Put m the bottom of a wineglass two table spoonfalsof the grape jutca Add to this the beaten-white of one egg and a little chopped ice. Sprinkle sugar over the top and serve to the invalid.

How to Make Cocoanut Cream.

Grate one cocoanut and one cupful of water; press through a fine strainer. To the juice add an equal quantity of thick sirup, made by boiling water and sugar m proportion of one cnpfal of water to a pint of sugar, and six eggs well beaten. Cook over a slow fire until it thickens like custard. When cold, dust with powdered cinnamon. Serve cold.

How to Make Jenny Lind Pudding.

Grate half a loaf of bread, butter and lay m a dish. Pare 10 or 12 applea, cut them up and place them on top of the crumbs with plenty of sugar. Use an other layer of crumbs and another of apples, until the dish is full Place a bit of butter on top and bake m a steady oven.

How to Bake Rhubarb.

Cut two pounds of rhubarb into half inch pieces, put them into a porcelain basin, add half a cup of granulated sugar, cover, thickly with fine bread crumbs and pour m sufficient water to cover about two-thirds. Bake m a quick oven for about half an hour.

How to Ice a Cake.

To ice a cake take a quarter of a pound of powdered almonds, half a pound of powdered sugar and as much white of eggs as will make this into a stiff paste. Spread over the cake about half an inch thick and as evenly aa pos sible.

THE ASHBtfIiTON OUAEDIAN % WEDNESDAY, DECBMBEK 20, 1899



2|l b Tin.* Preserved Frui^o, aprioota *ad peaches, 81 per tin 2|lb Mount Hamilton p-ars lOd tip Pearl Sso;-> or T«picca 6:^s, la Japan Rice sU<f> l.s. or 2id lb Ground Itice Sid i Split Peas 61bs"ls, or 21 lb Pearl Barley 51bs U, or 2^d lb Egyptian Ltnti'b 3^i lb Haricot Bears 3£ i tb Macaroni and Vermicelli la lOd box o» 6d lb Flag Brand Pickles 9j 6d per doa or lOd per bottle C ard B Currie Powder 10a per dtz or lid bottle Mellcr'e Sauce £ pint B£d, pints Is 3d bofc. Lea and Perrin'a Saoca Is 4d f pints 2e 6d Our Own Sauce Spirit sd, pint 9d Tomato Sauce 9d per pint bottle j Anchovy Sauce Is 3i pint hottle Tobacco— Williams' Jano 5? Ib ; Nallrod ! 4s 6d lb ; Derby 5s 64 lb; GoldeP Eagle 63 per lb CandJes-PftrafficeWax (plain orflate d 6£d per lb; National Sperm by box 7£d lb; Bedroom Candles self-fitting, 12 m box, lOd ; Price Carriage Candles Band 10, 10.1 packet Matches—Plaids 4--p;r grossl 4id dcs 1000 Vostas, Bell's, 4s 10d doz, 61 box; If 00 VfPtßa, German, 3s lOd dcz, 41 box ; 250 Veacas, Bell's, Is «d dcz, 2d box ; Safety's, B and Sf, 8d packet, small 3d p^ickeb Starch, Colman's, 5 b pkh 6|d lb „ Lily, per lib box 6d Borax Starch Glaze, la di z ; lsd packet Pears' Fuller's JEarth and Violet Powdsr 8d box Caaphor, loz blocks 3d, or 2a 3d doss Vaseline 5d and 9d jir, lib tins Ib 9d Pure Glycerine 6J and 9d Lottie Glycerine and Cucumber 10J per bottle Bud eon's Extract of Soap 9 packets It Pain Killer Is 4d Bonnington's Irish Moss Is and Is lQi Seigel's Syrup Is 9d and 3s bottle Pills—Holloway's and Cockle's Is 4d box Beecham's and Seigel's la 5d box Senna 2d packet, Epacm Salts Cd dew Eno's Fruit! Salts 3s 3d bottle Fluid Magnesia Is bottle Hood's ai,d Ayer's Sataaparilla 4i 8d bot Condy'B Fluid Is 6d, Lung Preserver I Barry's Trieopberua Is 5d bottle SUNDRIES. Staples 3d lb, s!bs Is Nails 3d lb, 51bs Is Boss Lanterns la 3d each



Golden Syrrjp 2b 6d, 4lb la, 71b la 9d 14! b 3.3J, 28lb 6> 6d, 56 b 11s 3d tfupetior Treacle, 2ib 6d, 4!b Is, fib Is 81, 141 b3s 3d, 28 b 6, 561 b 10* 9d Ffßence Jiernet 8d and lOd bottle Ne»vi,% Food lid, Mellin's Food la ti Hunger's Food Is lid and 3s 6d per tin Robinson's patent Groats and Barley tj per tin Nelson's Gelatine loz. packet 61 - 4 ThingSass, lr % packet 8i Brown'.s Corn Floor 3d lb Brown's Maize Flour 31 lb Maiz na 83 lb, Qneensland Arrowroot M Oadbury's Cccoa Jib 10J, |!b 1r 81 Van Eoutnn's Coct.a 3s 3d per lb Fry's Cocoa \\h 4id, B|4, lib Is 44d A uslt brook's Coco Jib 4^, ilb7fl Chooo ate 4d and On p. r c»iTe Mi knaid Mi k 7« 3d d^z, 7|d tin G ldm V*le Miik 5.- 6i d. z, 6i tin I bjsouits. Fancy Ltii:ch 3Ji lb by tin or 3W lb College  >t I Roper. Wine o|d lb by tin, or 6d lb | Vini'li Wine   M ij, I Rch Tea <^d lb by tin, or £d lb Perp! V Mixed 4! lb „ or 4id lb Faiwy Mixed BJllb  or 6d lb Desserfc «d lb „ or lOd lb Garibaldi 6itd lb „ or 6d lb Sulisnas .. „ „ Jb Snowflukie 4f Jlb „ er 6i Water ( .  Ginger Nats 511 h ,[ or 6d !b Coconut UUh „ orßUb Cracknels la Id lb „ or Is 2d lb



Full Illustrated Price Lut, containing 29 pages, free on application Terms : Prompt Nett_Oftsh with the Ordwa. No charge for packing cases, and all orders delivered free at railway ctttioa and within a two miles radius of Ashburton. FLETCHER BROS., CASH SUPPLY STORES EAST STREET, ASHBURTON AND HIGH STREET, OH RISTCHUROB , Wbelesale and^Retail Agent* for Nimwo mi Blair's Seeda,



Day & Martin's paste Blackirjvloz. 0 A\ Nixiy's Black Lead por doz. 0 9 Peerless Glo=ss ppr Vot. 0 8 Black Lacquer, (Cas'le Brand) bot. 0 9  m tins 0 7 Brunswick Black, per tin 0 7 Keen's Oxford Blue, fer Ib 0 10 Peckitt's Bag Blue, „ 010 ftt George's Bine, 0 8 Colman's D.S F Mustard, lib tins 1 8 |lv ttnslO^d, £lb tins6d Keen's Mustard Condiment par lb 1 3 71b tins 6s M Finest Dairy or Table Salt, 5s por cwfc Salt, 71b bag BJ, 14-b bag, Is 3d Gi' ger. whole Is 3d, ground la 4d lb White Pepper (guaranteed pure) la 4d lb Belfast Sheep Tongues, lib Is, 2lb Is lOd Wgshdyke „ 2lbls6d lib Tin Rabbit m Jelly 7d, 21b. 10 ! and Is PRFSBKTED FISH Salmon, Californian Bd, Flat 9d, Catting j lOd, Cocktail lid—per tin Sard;nes, Albert patent, opener Is por tin  Small, 4d and 4M, large 7d and Sarcinos, m tomato sauce, 4|d per tin ' Morton's Fresh Herrings, flit 7d, kip pered lOd, Herrings m tomato sauce 103 per tin Red P erring 9 afc la, or 100 fish 10.4 6 j Stir Brand Mullet 16 per tin Preserved Bloaters 10J per tia Table Vinegar 63, 9d. and lOl'boltle White Wine Vinegur 9d bottle' Washing Soap— Silkstone 105 bar oriOs 63 box McLecd's almond scented 9d bar. 10a 6c? box Rawling's almond scented, 9J uar, 9s lid box Domestic, 6d bar, 7s Hi box Bond's Olbanser, 5d bar, 6s 3d box Barilla Ash 9d bar Sunlight so*p Is per box, 4|d bar Lifebuoy (Carbolic), la 4d box, 6d^bar Toilet Soap—Pear's assorted tablets, 4 m box, Is box Pear's unacented tablets, 6d each, 5> 6:) doz Cieaver's Shaving Sticks, 91 each Brown Windsor, lib bar 10J, 10 tablets for Is Glycerine Saap, £!b bars 4ci, lib bars 8d Whiting Id per lb, 7e 6d cwt. Hops, loose. Is 41, aud Is 6d lb pressed Bovril Is 9d snd 3s bottle Lieblg's Extracl: JMEeat Is 9d per j*r Washboards, wood, lid, zinc 1« 2d American brooms la 3d, Is 6d, Is 9J, la lid Fresh Ground Coffee? Is 4d, la 6d snd Is 8d lb



Finest Factory Cheese, per lb 0 6 Lewis' PriM Bacon, by roll or side per IS 0 7 Lewis' Prize* Hams, per lb 0 8£ St Oeor^ \ German Sausage, per lb 1 0 Finest He-fined Lard, per tin 0 6 Dfpsicated Coaoanut „ 0 8 Fdmond'« lJaKii g Powder, 6d and lid per un Walii«!s  0 8 ''ea Nats  0 5 lib Tins St. Gi'orge'o Jams, 4s 6d drz>n, por fin 9 5 lib Raspberry Jam, 5s 6i doz., tin 0 6 lib „ Cros^e ajidßlackwcll's Mar mah^o 0 9 Concentrated Jellies—L»mon, Rasp berry, >Vaniila— r int packets, 5»6-idfz per packet 0 6 Pc Vere's Ji-l*y Powflcr*, assorted fl-w^nrs, per packet 0 6 Bird Seed—Hump, Rape, Canary, lb 0 3 Linseed, whole, 3d, crnnhed, p' rlb 0 4 cnriuioALs Morton's Cream oi Tartnr, per lb 1 3  Cavboi nte Boda  0 5 „ Tnrtaric Acid „ 110 „ Citric Acid. Bd.oz. „ 3 6  AJdto, powdered  0 6 „ defined Salipetre „ 0 6 „ B r»x, powdered „ 0 8 Sulphur „ 0 6 WajhicgSoda „ 0 1



HSiSSi'SL-.pf ib SiS ;; gKJffis? - 2IS aa^sj-r Peel> pet"° o i Kssicjtsj bw"e j: evet™ Ehf °ANE SNGAR' 7O'b baß> "' PM b* 8' (Aooklw'd N«- »"> «"»■""« FINKST OANB SUOAR with TEA, 13s 3d ncr 70! b tm, AUCKLAND Ho. 2 CANE SUGAR, with TEA, IS, IH per 70 b bag. of ,h^S.f <?e^a hSta &S3SSS 9i Pll 'b b 7 6l° lOb "^ * B""4 CK.YLON ORANGE PB"OB (Golden Tipped) per 2b 0 . j o d by theTln CEYLON PEKOE, from Is 3d per 3b by 101 b Tin F bTATION TEA. m Chests and Half Chests, from Is lsi per lb. M ■b™ l£ T6^ OLLEB FL°UR| 2C°lb l 3s< I 0 Ib Bag *8 6J« 3s 103 '



1899, CMWSTMAB, 189 ft FINEST NEW FJRUIT. FINEST NEW FRUIT. AT FLETCHER BROS. CASH SUPPLY STORES. Let the email voice In your pocket book speak and •» will carry you Btrafcht to tka Cheapest Store on earbh. ALL oar FRUITS are Cleaned by Machinery.



WEST STREET AUCTION MART. IOUR NEXT HORSE FAIR Will be; held •N THURSDAY, December 21, 1899. [For which we are now booking entries. JRIEDLANDER BROS., Ltd R. FRIEDLANDER, 11 154 Auntioneeri ~ DAVID THOMAS. ARCADE. HORSE FAIR. THURSDAY, JAN. 11, — 1900 — I WILL hold my Next HORSE ; FAIR en the above date, B3RJ WHICH I AM NOW RECEITIKG ENTRIES. D. THOMAS, 12 J 14 ____ Auctioneer. CHERTBEY SiSLh;YARDS~COMPANY THE ANNUAL MEBTINQ of the Chert- Bey Saleyards Company, Limited, will be held m the Library, Cherteey, on FRI DAT, December 22, 1899, at 4.30 p.m. BUSINESS :— To receive the balance sheet for the year ending December 20, 1899, and general. GEO. SCARLETT, 1^ 169 Secretary. HOW IS IT the Alcobn's can sell co cheap ? Easy, when you know that their rent is less than one-third it would be m East Street, and that they do most of the work themselves. If you want a nice Suit for yourself or your boys, or Boots o Shoes for wife or daughter, come to Robert Alcobn's, tfavelock Street, where you wil get them good as well as cheap. You can easily buy worse ; You can hardly buy as good ; Yoa cannot buy better. mHEREFORE sco.e out the two top JL Lines and plump for MoKen«ik's j Unblended Hondat-H&nk* Tew—packed io { Ckyioo,



CDDFELLOW&' HILL TO-NIGHT, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20 AT 8 P.M. r^ RAND PERFORMANCE of Handei/b "MESSIAH" BY THE ASHBURTON MUSICAL UNION Assisted by Vocalists and Instrumentalists from surrounding districts, under the direc tion of Mr Hoeace A Gates, SOLOlSTS—Mesdamea Burns and John ston ; Messrs J Puschell and A Millar. Full Chorus and Orchestra—Making a Total of 130 PERFOJBMERS. 130 Doors open at 7.30 p-m. Admission—Rsserved Seatß 3s, Stalls 2s, Pit Is. Box plan now open ab H. M. Jones', day Bales at M. J. Burgess's and Gates' Music Warehouse. No complimentary tickets. 12 135 D R LAVILLE'S (H) LIQUOR Has a world-wide reputation as being the best specific. LITERATURE ON APPLICATION F. COMAR & FILS, 80, Rus das Fossta-St-J»eques, PARIS AN* O P ALL CHEM.ST*



EAST STUETT, A^HBOKTON. THE FARMERS OF ASHBURTON AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS SHOULD LOOK UP HARDLEY Bros. ANDSELECT A TA.KK BITH, AND SINK and have their homes made complete with a first-class tppDlv of HOT AND COLD WATER. Estimates given for all kinds of Plumbing aEd Tinsmith work. A TRIAL solicited for Ironmongery, Tinware, and Brushware. Wholesale Manufacturers of SPOUTING, RIDGING, TANKS, BATHS, PORTABLE BOILERS, Eto., tic, HARDLEY BROS.



SHEEP SHEARS, : SHEEP SHEARS. T.TJ.S. 8.8.A. "T.U.S. BB.A The Best Brands"obtainable at very lowest rates. Also TUBKEY STONES and OIL for above. ALL NEW AND bPEOIALLY SELECTED. LAWN MOWERS. LAWN MOWERS. EXOEUIGR;! NEW EASY ! AND CRBiSCENT! At Town Prices. ENGLISH STEEL TRUNKS. [BIiTTER V^LUB than COLONIAL and Less m Price WATER POTS and BrCKEf?. Just m timfl for the Dry Weather. AT . W. H. COLLINS & GO'S., I\BALDWABEI \ BALDWABE EMPORIUM." VAST STBKET ASH BURTON. Telephone- 14 '.v i 5. pq p ox 35



SANTA CLAUS AND FATHER CHRISTMAS I ABE COMING AGAIN. HURRAH I HD Kit VII ! H. M. JONES. A LARGE and Well Selected Stock of Goods for all Departments, imported direct from leading London, American and Japauese houses, consisting cf BOOKS. STATIONERY, TOYS, FANCY GOODS, LEATHER GOODS. Fancy" China, Glass and Electro-plated Ware, Clocks, Vaees, Nic-naos'- (suitable for CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR Gifts, BIRTHDAY k WEDDING PRESENTS. BOOKS—Excellent Variety of priz*, reward and presentation Books. Historical, Bio ruphical, Scientific, Poetical. Travels, Novels, and varic-us Bindings. Bibles, Hymns ' 1 and Prayers, (various styles) Church | Praise, Wesley's Hymns. STATIONERY—PIafD, Fancy and Commercial Paper, Envelope*, Boxed Stationery, White and Tinted 6d and Is, Specially put up for me by Marcus Ward *nd Co., of London A.I. values. Repolnic, vellum, Linen and Bank papers ruled and plain LEATHER GOODS—Purses from 6d to 20b. Wallets, Card and Letter Case?, Ladies 3 and Gentlemen's Dressing Cases, Hand Bags, — —, Pencil Oases. Comppsnions. FANCY GOODS—Photo Frames, Screens, Workboxcs. Inkstands, Vases, Ornameute 'Jlocks, A!bu«<e, Easles, Baac-kete, G'ove & Kerchief Sets, Cabinets, Trays, Flower Standp Bonls Teapots 6<l each, Vases. Ornaments too numerous to particularise. BA^KIST WARE—Open and Cioped Si'io Lined, all sizes and pi ices from 63 up, lOi'S—A Great Variety of Wood, Tin and Rubber mechanical Toys, form Horse and Carts, Barrowa, Go-carts, Tea Sets, Boats Watches Balls, Cubes, B!ock«s, Arks, Puzzles, Musical Toy Rattles Steam Boats and Engine?, Magic Lanterns, Microscope, Prams and Tricycles, and 1000 articles from Id ud. f.REWJNG MACHINKS-The Anchor Machine, well finished aud up-to-date good machine, hai;d aud Trcad.;e from £4 10s to £9 JOj. Makes a splendid present. I'UnOH and ORGAKB From lOs per month Lowest Cash Prices. TRADING STAMPS GIVEN TO CASH PURCHASERS. H. M. JONES.



CHURCH SERV'CES. T. STEPHEN' S CHURCH, Ashburton. Daily Prayer and Instruction—9 a.m. i THURSDAY—(Feasb of St. Thomas.) I 7 30 a m—Holy Communion 7 30 pm—Bible Class 8 p m—Sb Stephen's Guild FRIDAY—7IS pm, Evening Prayer and Address 8 p m—Choir Practice FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT. (December 24) 8 30am—Holy Communion 11 am—Matins, Litany, and Sermon 3pm-SE &FI KLD. The Vicar 3 p m-DROMORE. Mr T. A. Gatas. 6 30 p m—Evening Pra/er and Sermon CHRISTMAS DAY. (December 25) 8 30 a m—Holy Communion 11 a m—Matins, Holy Communion, and Sermon 3 p m—Children's Service 6 30 pm—Evening Prayer and Sermon E A WOODTHORPJE, M A., Vicar For Children's Haofelng Cough take Woods' Great Peppertnipti Ou,re—ls 6d an <}



Full particulars on application to F. FERRIMAN, LAND AND ESTATE AgENT, „ Ashbuytoa,



LARKSBEARE. SITUATED IN- THAT FAVOURITE SUBURB AILENTON, WHICH WILL PROVIDE A COMFORT ABLW HOME AND A SOUND INVESTMENT COMBINED. A very durable Villa Residence, contain ing 7 rooms and offices together with 5 acres of firßt-ilass land. npHE Land possesses very ample front- JL age on Winter's Road ; ifc ia situate m a very healhy locality, within easy distance of the Domain, Post Office, and Railway Station and also adjoins the Allenton Public School. The land is divided into two parts, one acre upon which the houso is erected being laid out m Lawn, Gardens, and Orchard, which is stocked with a variety of choice fruit trees. The balance - 4 acres - is cloth qd wiih an abnnrtance of feed, and is especially adapted b)t keeping a horse and cow. The frontage of this section, containing one acre, could basold at a substantial profit for building pur poses. The Rental by way of interest on the purchase money would amonnt to 18* per week. The Timbers used m": the construction of this Residence? are of the very best. The following were the Specifications ;— The work to be done In the bests and most work.mnllke manner, with the best materials m accordance with plans and specification, prepared by C. E. Fooks and Son, of Ashburton, architects, the work to ba dave under their direction and to their satisfaction, or to that of any person appointed by them to superintend the workf. EXCAVATOR. Disf for the foundations and chimney | footings, tho latter to be Sin below surface of ground, and 1 foot wider th*n will take the chimneys, including the I hearths. Dig for, insert, and ram the j pilts. Clear away all rubbish, shavings, j &c, and leave the premises m a clean and tidy condition. COHCRE'IE. The foundations, plinth, and piles, under inner walls, and chimney footings, &c, to be of approved Portland cement concrete, mixed m proportions of seven (7) of gravel and fair proportion of pand, to one (1) of approved Portland cement. Set m the foundations twelve (12j fin iron bolts, with plates, nuts, washers, &c, boiled through platts, bolts 14 n long. The chimney footings to be as follows :—The cement concrete to be 6in deep, and Jffc larger than will take the chimneys, to lie on foundation of lime, concrete taken to a depth of nine (9in) below the present surface. The hearths of concrete, carried up from the footings m four of gravel and sand to one of cement ; finish with smooth flueh face with floor. BRICKLAYER. All the bticka to be of the best hard Smoke New Venus



NEWSPAPER AGIiWL'S AG ENTS are hereby notified that Returns will not be accepted at this office after the 4th of each month. HENRY WILLIS Manager Aihburton Publishing Company D, cumber 20 1899. A USER? CUSISTMAS. STILL LEADS m up-tr-iabe Portraiture, Enlargement?, &3 M &0., at the Vau dyke Studio, Saunders' Buiidingg. ' NEWZEAJL.AND RAILWAYS. TRAIN SERVICE! CHRISTMAS DAY. rriHE only trains that will run m tho I. Chri«tchurch-Timaru district on the 25th icst. will b-:—The P.O a.m Christchuroh to Ashburton, 3 15 p.m Ashbarfoa lo Ohiiat church, 7.25 a.m Timaru to As-hburtcn. 10.65 p.m Aehburion to Timaru, North and Sou-h Express trains, t»e 1C.20 a.m train, Christchurch to Oatmru, and 225 pm, \ Oatnaru to Chriatchuich. Ho goads traffi ;. 12 186 BY ORDER A- Eaistos, the Champion Boad Bac©r Will Compete. i —__ ; — : . _ TO LET, FOR 1« MONTHS. NEW dwelling-hnuse of six rooms with verandah, situated at corner of Waka- DUt Road and the East Belfc. Apply to— T. BULLOCK. —fobT sale.—



» Wanted. VISIT "the Corner" for the best assortment of Csieap Christmas Cards. —NORTHCOTE AND IiUFdRD. WANTED KNOWN— Mothers to brine their Children to Miss Pages Ti-ya from Id upward?, East Street Sou'h. Christmas Tree will ba ready on FRIDAY. 12 193 FRESH Garfish, Silverfish, Flounders, and all kinds of Fresh Fish by Express TO-NIGHT Wo are taking Orders for Chrißtmaa. Poultry of all kinda—at J H Jewitt's, opposite Mail Office 12 194 AVOID the Cru«h that is now going on at The Dust Pan by shopping early,— M J BtJRGKSS. / > REAT slaughter of Toy", Toys, Toys, VjT and Dolls, Dolls, Dolls, ab The Dust PiiU.—M J BUHQKSS. npHE Shop will be open every night this JL week from 7 tilt 9 (except Monday) for the Sale of Christmas and New Y«»r Cards—A. H. Williams, Bookseller, Stationer, etc., Tancred Street. WANTED-A Few Tons of Hay. Will be bought on the field, or to be carted therefrom.—Apply Mail Office. WAN TKD—A thoroughly good general servant ; gond wages. — Apply "Country" Mail Offiae. 12 144 SADIKS & (Jentlenr-in on Picnic and J Bp>rts Committees, try THB DUST PAN for Toys aud Presents. 12 176 DAHLIAS— Bes^ us mad varieties, 53 6:1 perdiz'n; Potatoes, li 91 peraack; Chick W heat, Oats, Chaff, etc , ab lowest rates—J. Thomas, HaveKck Street. N3W BOOKS ab publi-hed prices—The Valley of Sapphires ; The Violet Flamo ; ifaine'a Cape ; Trewi'.not of Greyß ; The Untold Half; The Romance of the Greystones ; True Heart; Mother's Holiday; The Rose of Judah; Cheap cditii>: r of I Sheldons Work", A. Swan, Kingaley, Scoiit, [ Dickens ; Giffen's Bat and Bill, and others; Windsor Magaz'ne for Octobur ; Diariea.— H. M. Jones. NEW KRUITS at le?a than Christcbu eh Prices atFLETOHBR Bros Oaah Sup ply Stores. Finest New Currant* 51 per lb, New Sultanas 7.1 per lb, Now Valencia Raisins 61 and 6£' i per lb. Best Cmn Su<»v 14a per7oib bag or with Tea 13s 3d per 701 b hag



ELEGANT Christmas Presents, TT7E HAVE THIS WEEK unpacked the Prettiest Selection of! PERFUMES ever shown m Ashburton. Caskats covered plush and gold, and lined with satin. We have imported these direct from The Vinolia Company, London, and as we intend to sell them all this CHRISTMAS, WE HAVE MARKED THEM AT VERY LOW PRICES. We shall make no Display of these Perfumes m our windows, owing to deterioration by dust and sun, but shall BE PLEASED to show them to our Oustomers. Ashburton Drug Go., Id. J. M. CAMBRIDGE, 12 190 Manager. Woods' Great Peppermint Cure for Co g h and CoMa never fails—ls 6d and 9a 6d Unequalled and Invipcibie Woods' Great eppermint Cure fur Coughs and Colds,l3 6d Bmokg New Vscus



PERSONS removing Cckifoot from the 1 Roads within the district will be pro secuted. 12 187 BY ORDER, NOTI 0 E. A DRAG will leave Newmans St.ablea at 10a.m. for the Beach on MONDAY, 26'.h J'ecunber— Chrietrnns Day—if rnffl- . cient encouriigement, Fare?, 2s return ; i tickets must be obtained by SA'IURD \V. 12 194 ASHBURTON HIGH SCHOOL. TVSTRIBrjTION OF PR'ZES IN THE XJ SCHOOL ON THUESDAY, December 21. At 3 p m. Parents and Friends interested ia the School are cordially invited to attend. CHARLES BRADDELL, J 12 189 Secretary. TO BUILDERS. fTIENDERS will be received at my Office, X op till 4 p.m. FRIDAY, December 22, for Building Vicarage at Geraldine, Plans, •to., may be seen at J. Tucker's Office, Aah bnrtoni J. S. IURNBULL, 12 188 Architect, Timaru« ' UNDER BILL OF SALE. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23. MR HENRY STEPHENSON has recoived instructions from the holder of the Bill of Sale to sell by Public Auction on the Premißes-— JUBILEE REBTRAUNT, BURNETT STREET, The whole of the Furniture, Table Linen, Cutlery, Crockery, Cruets, Dining Table and Chairs, Pier Glass, Curtains, Oilcloths, Mats, large Cooking Range by 4I Waltera", Sauce pans, Boilers, 200gal.Tank and Stand, Shop Fitting!, Gas Fittings, Ectlea and Weights, Lollie Glasses, etc., etc. 2 o'clock sharp. No Reserve. HENRY STEPHENSON, 12 192 Auctioneer,



The Patriotic Foud £140 was raised m Ashburton ia twentj- four hours for the patriotic fund* Ambbuley, Dec 7, 1899 [Cow] Mkssbs Craikiiead Akd Berkyman Ashburton, Dear Sirs, —Could yon make a suit at once. lam sorry I forgot to order it sooner. The last oneis still wearing. It fitted beautifully, and hae given the greatest satisfaction. If jju have timi to make one for my son at Geraidine, I will get him to ride up on Satur day to be fitted. If there is not time to send patterns, I will trust you to choose for me, something like ihe list. — Youra truly, 43T The original letter as above frcm a well known gentleman and m*ny others of equally high complimeub m.-»y * c upon at nnr effije—• Ckaiguead and Berryman, th Loading Tailors aud Ou! titters, Ashburtoo. LOKG BEACH ROAD DISTRICT.