Ashburton Guardian Megna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1899. PROHIBITIONISTS AT THE POLL.

We note that the press throughout the colony is almost unanimous m the opinion that the result of the recent local option poll is conclusive proof fhat the colony will not tolerate pro hibition—at any rate just now. The No,pkr lekgraph thinks "The pro hibitionists nave madb themselves the laughing-stock of Australasia," and declares that the obvious deduction is that prohibition is a dying cause m Napier, The Lyttel* ton Times advises the prohibi tionists to give up striving after the impossib'e, and to unite m working for a system of educating the people m the direction of temperance reform. We very much doubt whether the extreme temperance party will take this advice. In fact, we feel sure that they will do nothing of the kind, more particularly m those districts where, as m the Ashburton electorate, they have not gone back since the poll m 1896. Even where they have been signally defeated they will presently be found pursuing the same tactics, which a recent writer says is the strongest factor m keeping alive the opposition to drastic reforms m the I liquor traffic. Another writer In a j northern paper expressed a similar idea m these words—" Let the prohibition ists get rid of certain agitators, with ! their bitter misrepresentation of their' opponent!, and frequent attacks upon

the private life and character of m-1 dividuala, and the cause of temperance will advance more rapidly than it has clone for years." Whether this is a correct diagnosis of the position we need not venture to discuss now ; but we do not for one moment suppose that the extreme section of the no license party will accept any suggestion that a change m their methods might lead to more satisfac tory results. We have heard it said that they would not accept reform unless it came under the guise of pro hibition ; but be that as it may, we fail to see anything m the results of the licensing poiia to justify the opinions of our contemporaries that the prohibition cause is an dead as Julius Csesar. It is true that |C con tinuance" is carried m almost every electorate, but the relative differences between the numbers polled for no license m 1896 and the Dumber poled m 1899 do not seem to justify the opinion that prohibition has been so ; ignominiously defeated as some of our contemporaries contend. We are not yet m a position to quote the exact figures for the polling throughout the colony, but m our own district the prohibitionists have certainly uot gone behind. On the contrary, thf-y have polled about seventeen per cent more of the total votes recorded than they did m 1896. It is said that, they themselves put at leatt 400 additional names upon the roll, which about represents the extra numbers, and this is a feasible explanatioa of the result. We can, however, see that even here prohibition has a very small chance of being adopted by the people, and therefore it is a question for its supporters to consider whether some other means should not be tried to advance the cause of temperance m New Zealand. We note that the irrepressible Mr T. E. Taylor ostimates that the prohibi tionists have gained 20,000 \otes m the three years ; but we have little doubt that he is deceiving himself on this point. Wo cannot see any more grounds to justify this statement than the other that prohibition is " knocked out" The probability is that the great body of the pub ie is just about where it was m 1896 on this ques tion, The moderates have not been working, and the extremists have, and the iuference is that if those who oppose prohibition on principle had taken the matter up, there would have been no doubt at all about the direc tion of public opinion. If the result of the late local option vote throughout New Zealand should be to bring about a fresh deal, and unite all classes of temperance reformers, then indeed mankind would have good reason to bless the last poll of the century. After that the Millenium.

POLITICAL IGNORANCE

It is a surprising fact that m an age when every civilised nation makes its boast that the intellectual standard of its people is being constantly elevated, the masses are just as unreasoning now as they were m the days of Pericle?, the story of whose banishment by the mob of Athens forms one of the most striking episodes m ancient history. The fact that many a faithful represen tative of the people m our own day has been thrown on one side for some trumpery reason, unworthy of a moment's serious consideration, or for no reason at all that will be>r investi gation, is a significant comment upon the ignorance of the masses upon the questions of vital importance to their own well being, and upon our system of educating them. If there is one point more than another upon which the ideas of the average Briton are out and out conservative, it is the subject of education, Except m small matters, we stick to the form of education adopted by our forefathers, which was practically confined to a knowledge of reading, writing, and arithmetic for the masses, and a smattering of the dead languages and of mathematics for the "upper ten." The system of education provided for the people of New Zealand is the boast of its f ramers, because its machinery will enable the son or daughter of a poor man to write B.A. or M.A. after his or her name. But the substantial advantage of a public education m this colony is by no means a matter to boast about m this nineteenth century, when soinpared with the systems of Northern Europe. Yet the circumstances of this country, more than those of any other, require that the education of the young should embrace a knowledge of the great problems of liff, and an ac quaintance at least with the natural laws upon which the prosperity of a people depends ; the relatioas between cipi tal and labor; between supply and demand, and between man and his fellow man, But we know that up to the present no attempt has been made to instruct the masses m these im portant subjects, and we also know that without a fair knowledge of such matters, a man can have little idea of what is be6t for his country or himself. It follows then that m choosing a representative the majority of the electors are influenced by the most inconsistent, and often the most ex traoriinary motives. We have heard of one case where a vote was cast for a candidate because he once bought a cow from the elector; another voted to return as his representative a candidate of whom he knew nothing beyoud the alleged fact that he had never tasted spirits m his life. Another candidate lost a vote which on principle should have been ca3t m his favor because the candidate's recommendation had not been sufficient to get the elector's son a position m the government service. It is not necessary to multiply examples to show that the return of a represen tative is always very largely doe to matters quite foreign to the great question whether he is himself suitable, or whether the party he ia pledged to support may reasonably be expected to benefit the country, Nobody can deny that this is the state of affairs all through New Zealand, The chances are that more than half of the members of the new Parliament have been returned merely to please the Premier, and that m a large portion of the elector ates returning government supporters the individuality of the candidate has been a very small factor. We need not particularise, a very cursory examination of the Hat will prove what we have said. Now, although this state of things has existed for years the position has not been so plainly

shown until now; tbe election last week ought to wake tbe country up to its duty, which is to make immediate provision for nuffieiently educating every young person m New Zealand m what is known as the science of political economy. If this were not almost a sealed book to the bulk of the people of this country, we venture to say the verdict of the electors on Wednesday last would have been a very different one m the great tmjority of exses. It is dua to the country and to tho rhin# genprttion, to whom its government must ia course of time be j entrusted, that the fundamental. I principles of political economy should Ibo taught iv all the pabiic schools. If I the Seddon cabinet will recognise this I duty, r.nd mike provision to have it honestly carried out, it will be possible to work the one man onevote principle, without driving capital out of the country. But otherwise it is not easy to see how the attitude of an untutored populace towards capital can fail to have a disastrous effect. If Dr. Seddon can hold his followers id check for a few more years, white a new generation is being educated to a just use of the power now m the hands of the people, all may yet go well. But if he cannot keep the reins tight, and if ignorance, inexperience, and ambition get full play, the future of New Zealand will be marred by foolish legislation, reckless finance, and possibly revolution.

Local and General.

*** On the first page to-day will be found an article, England's Strength; and on the fourth page a short story entitled " Struggle on an Engine." Tennis—The following team has been selected to play against the Linwood Tennis Club on Monday, 18th mat, viz: —Messrs Salmond, Upton, Cox, Johnston, Steward and Fooks, Mieaea N. Fooks, A, Orr, W. Purnell, J. Shury, and Mrs D Zander. The players are particularly requested to prac tise daily this week. High School Scholarships—The follow ing are the names ef the successful caodi dates at the examination for scholarships granted by the Ashburton High School. The maximum was 500 marks, and the numbers after tho names are the marks obtained by each candidate:—l. Arthur W. Claridge, 350 ; 2. Albert R. Cochrane, 318 ; 3. Annie Guy, 318 ; 4. Ernest Leggett, 304 ; 5 Kdgar Williams, 278 ; 6. Edgar L. Silcock, 270. Musical Union—The Ashburton Musica Union, m order to place before the public a programme suitable for the approaching festive season, have for some time past had m preparation Handel's masterpiece—The Messiah—which will be produced on Wed nesday next', 20th inst. The various choruses have been well placed and dili gently practiced, while the fact that the solo parts are to be rendered by Msadames Burns (Christchurch), Johnston (Ashburlnn), and Messrs Fuschell and Millar (Christ church), is sufficient to indicate the how the vocal numbers are to be ren dered. An excellent orchestra will eupply the instrumental portion. The Pports Carniyal—The numbers of entries received for the various races m connection with the Ashburton Sports Asao oiation Carnival on Monday next, December 18, are as follows :—Amateur—Half-mile bicycle, 13; Two-mile bicycle, 13 j Cabh — Half-mile bicycle, 16 ; Two-mile bicycle, 16 ; Arrateur — 100 yds flat, 13 ; 220 yds flat, 13; Ha f mile flit, 9; Cash-100yds flit, 32: 220 yds fltt, 11 ; 440 yds flit, 11; Swimming races—Amateur—Football race, tobe run i:i foofb*ll costume, 12; Cash Footbill r.»C3, same conditions, 5. These entries include cyc'.ists from Albury, Geral dino, Monat Soiners. Christohurch, Kaipoi, &c , an.l th.3 racing ehou'd prove very interesting. An Fxtra Train for the Holidays.— The Railway department announce that from the 20:h inst. to January 20 a fast pas senger train will be run daily from Dunedin toOamaru and from CXtmaru to Christchurch, Therq will also be a daiy f^st return train from Oamaru to Chrietchureh. Tho train will leave Dunedin at 10 20 a.m., and will reach Oamaru at 2.10 p.m. It leaves for Christchurch at 2.25, and reaches its destination at 825 pm. The train from Oamaru to Dunedin leaves at 4 40 p m., and reaches tho city at 8-30 The train, it will thus be seen, travels both waya some little time m advauce of the express ; the evident intention is to ciuse excursionists to travel by the new fist train, thus reducing the load on the express. Trout Psaching—The late dry weather had up to the last few days (reports the Marlborough Express) so reduced the water m tho Wairau River as m some places to leave but mere waterholes. It has come to the eara of the secretary of the Acolimatisa tion Society that parties of men and boys, taking advantage of the low state of the river, have been making persistent raids on the fish, one party securing twenty-one m the early morning, another party with the aid of torche?, capturing a number at night, the fiah being driven with sticks and stones into the shallows and there secured. Another diabolical contrivance used has been a long stretch of wire netting, with which the water haa been dragged to catch the fiih. The police are now on the alert, and the Acclimatisation Society are offering a reward for the conviction of the offenders. Floods m Otago*—The Gore Standard re ports that the flood of Tuesday caused great damage to crops and live stock. All the low-lying country from Knapdale to Gore bordering on the M&taura was submerged to a good depth. The Otamete was also m high flood, and the bridge over the Mataura was awash, and traffic had to be suspended on Monday. Between Knapdale and Gore the lower road was flooded for a great distance, and some of the settlers' houses had Ifb or 2ft of water m them. Live stoc«c wera drifted against fences, and straw stacks were half submerged. Several houses m East Gore wi>re partially surrounded by water. The Ensign reports that while Mr Thomson and four companions were returning to Waikaia the trap cipaimd, and the occupants were thrown out. The road all along the valley was under water, and the men had to make for a willow tree which could be seen. Coußtable Lawrence organised a search part y, and, using gates and r&ila sa a raft, the five men were brought to dry land. The St. Kilda Shooting Case-—Tho S& Kilda ahooting case provided another sen sation for Melbourne on the Ist inst, when Mra Fraßer was brought up on remand charged with attempting to murder her husband, Dr Fraser. The Sub-inspector, m asking for a further remand, informed the bench that Mrs Fraser had been to the private hospital where the doctor is being treated, and cr^a.ed several disturbances. She frightened Dr Fraser and Mra Evans, and on the last occasion left the hospital, threatening to go and shoot her chi'dt The bench, m granting a remind for two months, was about to advise Mrs Fraser, when her counsel interfered. It is alleged that the disturbance occurred because of the doctor's refusal to go with his wife to a house she had furnished and prepared for his recep tion. He said it would be dangerous for him to move. Mrs Fraser is stated to have become excited, and upbraided him for not keeping his promise. After a painful scene, she left the hospital, and when seen subse quently by Detective O'Donnell, denied any thought of attempting to shoot her child, and said she had been utterly misunder stood m the matter. An Express.— Everybody knows the advantage of an expressman who kttows the town and suburbs thoroughly, and executes orders promptly. Therefore send for John Cooper, General Carrier and Expressman Peter Street east, near C^» mercial Hotel— Advt) Now to the hall there dared to go, A man persisting coughing so. The audience shouted chuok him our, Sit on his chest, the noisy lout; Bub one kind man among the push, Who came along with quite aimsh, Soon stopped hie cough a way more sure, With Wm. B. Wood*' Great Peppermint O«rt, I

SPORTING.

ASHBURTON COUNIY RACING CLUB

Owners and trainers are reminded that nominations for all handicap!) at tho Ants burton County Raoing Ciub'n Summer meeting, to be held oa tho TinsvaUl race course on January 1 and 2, cluee with the Secretary ("Ac A. A. p.iokn), at, bin oflioo, Arcade, to-night {I'uesdny), at 9 o'uloch.

MAKING CRIMINALS.

Tho following ii tlio cuicluiMon cf a well written arl.ido published m the Auckland Let aid on the mo-ning hrfor- the election : - If throughout roputablu t-ocieiy drinking was held (o be immoral ; if the act of drink ing a glars debarred a man from publics life or the public faervice ; if it were confined to the dissolute and the vioioun, or their own brother tho wofully we*k, it wouM be very dffaent. Grant, the supposititious case: that liquor drinking were generally regarded as immoral —prohibition iv some form or other would doubtless be instituted without question and enforced with a Btern efleotive ucbs. But no such condition exists. The very reverse exists. Liquor drinking is not generally regarded as immoral. We doubt if there is a single prohibitionist who has not among the friends and acquaintances whom he esteems men whom he proposes to make criminal unless they cease at his bidding to use their accustomed drinks, The prohibitionists, through their organisations, have again and again oast their ballots for non-abstainers, have fre quently made lawmakers of men whose avowed habit they propose to make lawless. From end to end of the country men and women are meeting on friendly terms, are transacting business, are working for joint j political ends, are living m wedlock, are courting and marrying and giving m marriage, who to-morrow will be voting against each other on a question affecting the very social status, the liberty, the individuality, the personality, of a tremend ous section of them. If it were not such a j serious thing, we should see that the position contains m it all the elements of a roaring farce. We do not oppose prohibition from opposition to the abstinence principle, nor from failure to realise the evil of drinking habita. It is unfortunate, though very natural, that "the trade" should be to the fore m defending its business interests ; but we would ask every reasonable citizen to put " the trade " out of his mind m consider ing the question, since " the trade " is after all only a stalking horse. The real question ia not whether liquor Belling shall be prohibited, since that is only the method adopted to impose total abstinence upon the non-abstainer. The real ques tion, as we cannot repeat too often, is whether we shall make it impossible for any body to drink beer, wine, or spirits, with out thereby becoming criminal. Because it is bad government to make criminal any personal conduct which is not generally recognised as immoral; because it ia im possible to enforce any law affecting individuality against a strong minority, and altogether stupid to press such a minority into law-breaking; because the present prohibition proposal violates that principle of reasonable toleration of personal fee ing and persona! habit, and p rsonal conduct, without which society as we have it m the modern state could not possibly endure ; therefore we are opposed to prohibition. We appeal to abstainers and non-abstainers a'ike to weigh well this momentous question, and to coneider thoughtfully uot what is their desire as partisans, but what is their duty aB loyal cit)E3nß, obligated by ail that is most Baored, to use justly the authority placed on polling day m their hands.

THE "TRAVELLER."

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph Wellington, Dec 11 In dismissing the appeal m a case m which the S.M. at Masterton convicted and fined the licensee of the CSub Hotel there for selling liquor on a Sunday night to persona who were nob lona fide travellers, though they had assured the barman that they were, Sir Robert Stout; said that, were he to hold that merely asking a person demanding drink whether he waa a traveller, and receiving; an affirmative reply, were sufficient, he would bs laying down a rule that might make the provisions of section 157 of the Act nugatory.

COMMERCIAL

The A:hburton Agency of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association ot Canter bury, Ltd, quote aa follows on December 11, 1899 :— Wheat- Prime milling Pearl ... 2* 2 1 >t i) Tuscan... 2a 3d ,j  Hunter's 2s Oats—Dunß ... Is 5d to Is 6d Danish ... Is 5d to Is 6d Canadians Is 7d to Is 8i Sparrowbills Is 6d to la 7d Barley—Malting, prime, 2s 3d Inferior 2s Chaff—Good oatsheaf 37s 6d Grass Seed—Old pasture, Is 8d New „ la 3d The above are prices current p»id t) farmers on trucks at Ashburton.

THE MONTANO AFFAIR.

United Press Association—By Eleotrlo Tejegraph—Copyright.

(Received Wakapuaka Dec, 12, 9.5 a.m, This Office 10.7 am) London, December Jl Reuters telegram states that owing to the unwillingness of the Ohioese to order the execution of the official responsible for the murder of two French officers at Montano, opposite the island of Hainan, France has demanded the degradation of the vice roy of Oanton.

A SENSATIONAL BANKRUPTCY.

Suicide ot a Solicitor

London, December 10 A receiving order has been made m the estate of Messrs Ingram, Harrison and Ingram, an old-established and influential firm of solicitors, Lincoln's Inn Fields. The liabilities are £380,000, and the assets £34,000. The Duke of Mont rose is a creditor to the extent of £44,000, »nd other aristo cratic people are large losers. Mr j Harrison committed suicide.

Ameerley, Dec 7, 1899 [Copy] Messrs Craigiiead And Berrybjan Ashburton, Dear Sim, —Could you make a su«t at once. lam sorry I forgot to order ifc sooner. The last one is still wearing. It fitted beautifully, and has given the greatest satisfaction. If you have time to make one for my son at Geraldine, 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, i something like the last.—Yours truly, | «3T The original letter as above "from, a well known gentleman and many others of equally high compliment may be seen ab our | office—Craigheap and Berryman, the Leading Tailors and Outfitters, Ashburton, The Message of Peace ie always appro oiated and respected by all-true men, for many of us hope the time is not far distant when ib may be universally adopted by all nations. When this comes to pass, happi ness and prosperity will be the rule and nob the exception. In the meantime, Holloway'a Pills and Ointment have largely helped to make foreign nations understand that Englishmen delight m alleviating pain and suffering. These wonderful remedies have been blesseJ m many lands fur the relief they have afforded and the cures effected. They are specially adapted for all complaints affecting the liver, stomaoh and kidneys, and ab this season no family should be without ft supply,

TRANSVAAL WAR.

Disastrous British Reverse

UNKNOWN

': ix Hundred British Troops Missing,

Treachery of Boer Guides,

Effect of the Defeat on the Caps Dutch.

British Forties at Ladysmith The Enemy Worsted.

Boers Kepulsed at Kimberley.

New Zealanders at Work.

United Prara Atucoiatlon—By Bleotrio Telegraph—-Copyright Capetown, December 11 General Oatacre with 3000 troops, including the 2nd Northumberland*, 2nd Irish Rifles, 800 mounted infan try, and the 74th and 77th Batteries of Artillery marched on Saturday night from Molteno with a view of surprising 2500 Boera at Storm berg. When the force wag within two miles of Stormberg it encountered the enemy, who opened a sudden fire on the front and right; flank. The British sought cover behind a kopje, but were still within range, and shifted thence, the batteries covering the retreat, Boer reinforcements appeared from the north, and the Northumberlanda and Irish Rifles were sent to intercept them, but suffered heavy fire from machine guns. The strength of the enemy was underestimated, and they occupied an impregnable position, which the infan try were unable to assail, while the enemy's two forty pounders harrassed the retreat. The Northumberlanda and Irish Rifles behared splendidly, but it is feared that their losses were heavy ; 290 of the Irish Rifles and 306 of the Northumberland^ are missing. General Gatacre telegraphs his re gret at the serious reverse. He was misled as to the enemy's position by the guides, and found them on im practicable ground. Later, With reference to General Gat acre's defeat, it is known that two men were killed; and nine ofllcers and sixteen men wounded, while nine ofllcers are included amongst the missing, The British, during their retreat, were followed for three hours by the enemy's artillery. The British were betrayed while m fours, after a fatiguing march. A gun had to be abandoned. It is feared the disaster will inten sify the disloyalty among the Cape Dutch. The New Zealand and New South Wales forces made a reconnaisance at Nauuwpoort and drew the enemy's fire, killing five Boers, A British force at Arundel found the enemy m strength seven miles to the northward. The Boars were heavily repulsed at Kimberley, There are indications of an outbreak of typhoid at Spytfontein owing to the insufficient water supply. The naval gun at the Modder shelled tho kopjes to the north, crowded with Boers. The lyddite shells effected groat slaughter, churn ing up acres of ground and destroying the emplacement for the guns. When the British were half-way up Lombard's Kop they were met by a hurried fusilade from the summit, bat the men climbed like lizards, sheering, and at the sight of the bayonets the enemy ware seized with panic. TLe Boer guns were wrecked with gun cotton. Iqnpon, December \l The Queen has authorised collections to be made m churches fpr the aid and comfort of soldiers and sailors and their families. Her Majesty attended a performance of the oratorio ?' Elijah" at St. George's Hall, organised on behalf of soldiers and their families. Miss Ada Crossley, the Australian contralto, tpok a part.

Casualties at Lombardskop.

(Received Wakapuaka Deo 12, 9.5 a.m . Thi« Office 10 8 a.m) Capetown, December 10 The British bad four killed and seventeen wounded m surprising the Boer camp at Lombardskop,

New Zealanders in Action.

United Press Association—By Eleobrio Telegraph—Copyright Willikgton, December 12 The Premier has received the following cablegram from the Agent-General:—"New Zealand Contingent) had their first skirmish with the enemy at Aruodei on Friday. The enemy were compelled to retreat, losing seven, our loss one horse only." A later cable to the Premier says :— •' Gateacre has been defeated at Stromberg, with a loss of about 700.*'

CYCLING.

CHRISTCBWRCH'CYCLING CL.UB.

The following are the handicap* of the local riders at the Christ oh uroh Cycling Club's Meeting on the 16th and 18th msb ;— Half-Mile—A Huston and H Holland 45yds, C 0 Willis and S E Jameson 70yds, ITO Williams 95yds J Ons Milk--A Huston and H Holland 70yds, J Davidson 90yds, 3 X Jameson and C C Willis 95yds, $ C Williams ifjQyds Ojtb Mile Seoono Class—J 'Davidson, C 0 Willis; S E Jameson 46yds | F" 0 Wil liams 95yda. Two Mile Second Glass—S fi Jameson, J Davidson 85yds. AMATEUR EVENTS. Half Milk—W Harrison 50yds, R D Johnston, 80yds One Mile—W Harrison 90yd»,» D John, ston, 126y<is. Two Mile (D C L Shield)—W Harrison 145 yds, R £ Johnston 250 yds.

IHE ABHBURTON GUARDIAN : TUjGSDaY, DECEMBER 12, 1899.



Diarrhoea at faatlag-o Charles H Marks, while acting m the capacity of nurse ab the Second Division Hospital of bhe Fifth Army Corps at Santiago de Cuba, used a tew bottles of Chamber jain'a Colio, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy or diarrhoea, and found ib to work like a fhnrm. For sale by Ashecrton Drto Co



Just Arrived j NEW GQOD3 NEW IvOVELTIt S j TN faob everything a Cyclist requires J OATHS LOWBY AI CO ZEALANDIA CYCLH WORKS BURNETT STREET. We Repair any make, and guarantee all work. BOOTS. BOOTS Gigantic Sale Now On TUST arrived and opened up a grand assortment of up-to-date BOOTS AND SHOES FOR THE HOLIDAY AND SUMMER SEASON Special Lines Women's Button Shoes 7s 6d Women's Kid Laoe Shoes, only 6s lid TAN GOODS IN 3REAT VARIETY. itrong School Bootß from 5a 6d> Good Bluchers, nailed, 5a 6d. largest stock m town to choose prom. REPAIRS done Promptly and at Moderate Charges. FRED NOKES, CASH BOOT SHOP, Next Door Bank of New Zealand, EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. ~J. WILSON, (Established 1878), BURNETT STREET, opposite Mail Office Etnplrya upwards of 18 hands. DECORATOR k SIGN-WRITER. I WISH to notify that I have secured the servicei of Mr Chas, Chapman, as Sign writer, who, ia addition lo his honia training has had a large amount of expert ence m our citiee. LARGE STOCK OF ARTISTIC WALL PAPERS I have pat received—direct from the manufacturers — a few thousand foeb cf Picture Frame Mouldings. Persons desirous of having Pictures framed would do well to call and see them. Telephone 65 THE New Zealand CLOTHING FACTORY TS now Showing a Lirga and Varied j ii^eortment of k iNEW & SEASONABLE GOODS. GREY FRAME IIATS, CUBA FRAME HATS. BLA.CK FRAME HATS, IN THE LATEST SHAPES AND STYLE 9. ALSO STRAW HATS IN URBAT VARIETY] See oar Tennis Trousers and Shirta. Sac oar Ni.w Suitings for Summer Wear. See our Rea3y Made Clothing. See oar Boya' Norfolk Suits. A See our Boys' Washing Blouses. See oar New Ties, etc., etc. SUITS TO MEASURE. FIT QUARANTEED. JNKW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTOKY. F. H. BKOKINGSALB, , Manager, TO CORRESPONDEDm OOOKATo9—Verily you must think us pos sessed of the wisdom of Solomon and all the sages, bub we will try to tell you how to prevent your wooden bed from creak* ing at every turn of your body. Take oub all the Biats, and before replacing them m their sockets wrap the ends m paper ordinary newspaper. If this does not do, get. a new bedstead.



Carraway Sredu , 8d per lb Pimento, whole ... ... Is  „ Pimento, ground Is 2d „ „ Mixed Spice Hdperpackeb I PICKLES—Hay ward's Mixed, lOd per bottle, 9s 6d per dozen Crocs and Black well's, la 3d par bottle Ciptain White's, 2s 31 per bottle Curry Powder lid per bottle Borax ... ... ... 8d per lb Alum 6d „ „ Saltpetre 6d „ „ Tarrario Acid ... ... IslOd  , t Carbonate Soda, 3d per lb, 2s per doz lbs Whole Linseed ... ... 3d per lb I Linseed Meal 4d , t  MATGHES-Plalda, 4id per do«, 4a per gross 250 s Is 6d par dozen 1000's 5d per box, 4s lOd per dozen Bryant and May's Safeties, 8d per doseu Yarmouth Bloaters, 9 for Is ! Maconochie's Fresh Herrings, 6|d per tin „ Herrings m Tomato, lOd per tin „ Herrings m Shrimp, lOd per tin  Kippered Herrings, lOd per tin  Preserved Bloaters, lOd per tin Auckland Mullett * ... 7d per tin Oysters ... ... ... 8d  „ Sardines, large Alberts ... Is „  Sardines, large 8d   Sardines, small 4d   Salmon, Holly leaf ... lOd „ „ Salmon, other Brands ... 8d „  OlL—Lucca, 2s 4d per bottle Salad, \ pint sd, 1 pint lOd Castor, \ pint sd, 1 pint lOd Sheeps Tongues, lib Is, 21b Is lOd Corned Beef, Mutton, Spiced Beef, 2lb tin, Is Grosee and Black well's assorted Pastes, Is 3d per bottle, 14s 6d per dozec I Potted Meats, assorted, 6d per tin Bovril, 2oz, Is lOd. Leiberg's extract, Is 9d per bottle Patent Groats, Robinson's, lOd ; Har per's, 9d per tin Mellins'lFood, ls.Sdpei- tin



Van Houten's Cocoa, fib, lid ; £lb, Is 9d ; lib, 3s 3d Fry's Cocoa, Mb, B£d ; lib, Is 4|d Heal Good Oandlea, 4fcd per lb ; 8a M per box Parafine Candles, plain and fluted, 6£d per lb; 12a 6d per box ! Fairy Night Lightis Is 2d per box I Flake Tapioca, 7lbs for 1* Pear', 61bs for Is «ago, 71bs for Is Mixed Peel, Lsmon, Orange and Oit ron, 8d per lb i Lemon Peel, 71b tins, 3a 6d lib Tins Assorted Jams, 5d per 1U ; 4s 9d per doz 21b Jars Assorted Jams, 14a 61 per doz Lea and Perrin's Sauce, large, 2a 6d per bottle Mellor's Sauce, Is 3d per bottle Worcester Sanoe, small, 5d ; large, 9d Brown's Corn Flour, 3d per lb Mazina ftd per dozen 5s fid Whiting, i b for Is Morton's Cream of Tartar, Is 3d per lb Preserved Fruit, 2£lb tins, 8d per tin, 7s 6d per doz Bnglitsh Cut Loaf Sugar, 3|d per lb Tomato Sauce, 9d per bottle Golden Syrup, 2lb 6<J, 41b Is, 561 b 11s 3d Treacle, 21b 6d. 41b Is, 71b Is 9d Fh»«st Raisins 6idperlbi Fittest Sultanas 7Jd „ „ Finest Onrrancs • 5d „ „ | per case 4|d „  Stewing Fifes 7|d „ „ French Pknus (choice) ... 1« .* »i Stewing Plums ... ... 9a .» •» Finesb Muscatels ... ... la H „  Callfornian Muscatela ... Is „ ,* Dates, extra fine, 31b boxes, la 9d per Almonds, Jordan ... ... 2s 4d per lb ; Almonds, Valencia ... la 6d  „ Ahsonds, Sicily 1b 41 „ « Barec' 9na Nuts 8d  „ Shell Almonds 10i „ ,• Day and Martin's Paste Blacking, 4£3 per doz Pay and Martin's Jar Blacking, 6d p** bottle , „, French Blacking, 2d per tin, Is 9d per doz  . NJxey'i Blsoklead, Id 3ize, 9d per doz Jaom' Dome Blaoklead,J6d per.dnz



THE WAVBRLKY BICYCLE IS IKE EASIEST RUNNING BOYCLE BJILT, ! AND ALSO Strong* Enough to Carry a Ton. JOHN ORR & CO.. ASHBURTON, SOLE NEW ZEALAND AGENTS atid at Waverley Cycle Depot 217 Colombo Street, Christchurch, JOHN ORR AND GO'S REVISED LISTs> ■M^MMMMH^HV *X * 111 \T7~E Claim to bo the Loading Firm of Goqjis, Ironmongers, and Crockery *'V Merchants m Aahburton. We import all oar Stock from the Home Market* for Sp >t Cash and are therefore m the best position co supply the puhlic with only genuine gonds at the lowest possible price for cash. We guar.*n'.aa all ou? g->ods fuU wtight and finest quality. We never cruune fo? pickiu? avl delivery, all goods at the Railway station free. Any person leaving an ordo? -*i>.h m cm got a parcel ticket, nn 1 therefore always be^aurej'of.having thfiir g)>)3 at tha station m time. No charge for ticket. JD i_iV/ U Xi """PER SACK 13s. — »DGAU — SJdl per /Lib Tea MARA VILLA GARDEN TEA— U 10<l, 2s, 2s 4d per lb slb Box - ... * ... 8s 9d, 9a 7d, 11b 7f) YT \ —— lOtbßox ~. — ... 16s Bd, 18s 4d, 21s 8d J. XJ ri- KOZIE TEA — 101 b Box, |18i 4d ; s!b, 9a 7d GOLD LEAF TEA 101 b Box, 18a 4d ; s!b, 9s 7d -PROVISIONS - FACTORY BUTTER—Fern Leaf and Sutton's always inatock. CJHEESE—Finest Factory, 6d per lb BACON AND HAMS —•• Lewis 1," " Morepork," "D. McOallam." Mild Cared Hams, Sides and Rolls, 7£d. OORE OATM¥AL—26Ib Bag, 2s 6d



BIG DISPLAY Of GOODS IN ALL DEPARTMENTS FOR THE CHRIST VI AS SEASOX. SPECIAL Line Dress Gcods at Is 9dl per yard A Grand Oboico of Prints and Muslins Litest is Lidies' Hats Newest Gooda ia Ties and Collars i for Ladies Very Special—Tan Kid Glovpb at 2d lid per pair, worth 4* lid Cycling White Lisle Gloves Big Variety Hosiery—Special value. Gentlemen's Tie*, Shirts, Collars, and Underwear Special Line Gentlemen's Suits at 29d 6d—Grand value In Boots and Shoes our prices are very low Dreisraaking 10a 6d ; fit and style guaranteed Trading Stamps to all Cash Customers ASHBDRTON DRAPERY COMPANY. ' CHiiISTMAS, 1899. WE HAVE WOW IN STOOK AND ARRIVING FOR OUR CHRISTMAS TRADE - LARGE SUPPLIES o r New Currants and Raisins, new Sir tsnaa and Candid Pce 1?;, new Muscatels and Almonds, new Dosaicated Cocoanut and Silk-dressed Icelng Sugar, new kinds Fruits, including A pricotp, Pearß,;Peaches, Pine Apple, and Table Plums. The Finest TEAS and SUGARS m Town. NOW LANDING. | A SHIPMENT of hlgh-claes English China direot from ihd Potteries. All the latest Pa terns. ALO- A SHIPMENT OT CHOICE CHRISTMAS NOYFLTIES, Direct from Japan. Please send your Order 3 early and oblige We are Ageuts for COLUMBIA, B.K.A. and LOVKLL DIAMOND, BICYCLES. CARSON & Co., TEA MERCHANTS AND BLENDERS, GROCERS, AND IRONMONGERS. Importers of Bicycles, Ironmongery, Glass and China. Tancred Street, Aahburton. 11 23 J. T. COOCH, Grocer, Hardware, Crockery, and Froduce Merchant. OPPOSITE BAILWAY STATION, SAUNDERS' BUILDINGS ASHBURTON. GROCERIES AS this is my first Christmas here, I take the opportunity of informing the Public, that they can hay gooda of the very best quality at my Store as cheap as any. where m Ashburtoa. The following few quotations will show that for Caah I am quite alongside my neighbours :— 701 b Bag IA Sugar, 14* 51b Box pare Ceylon Tea, 7a lid 2001 b S<ick Roller Flour 13s, 50IbBag „  3a lOi Etew Currants, 5d per lb | New Sultanas, 7d   j Klenv* RVslns, 51   i New Layer Muscatels m 51b boxes j Alnoonds, Is 41 per lb ; Icing Snorar, 61  . j Dessicated Oosoannt, 73 per lb Essence of Lemon, 5d per bottle Fquare squash qaartp, Is 3d per bottle Cordials assorted, la  „ Cream of Tartar, Is 3d  lb Carbonate Soda, 3d  „ All other Lines for Cash equally Cheap. I hare a Fret-claas Stock, and you can depend upon civility and attention. I do cot require to guarantee full weight, as I have always treated the Public honestly m this respect, HARDWARE This Department ia now complete with a well-assorted Stock, and I feel confident yon will find my Pricss right. A« I am a Specialist m this Line, I do not keep Cheap j Goodo, but supply First-class articles only ! at Reasonable Prices. Shoddy Hardware : and Eaamel Goods are not worth the room j hey occupy. j CROCKEBY AND GLASSWARE I have juet received straight from the Manufacturers a Shipment of Crockery, comprising T3edroom Sets from IDs 6d, White and Goid and other Jugs from 2s 6rt Set, Teapots from la each, Mason's Jam Jars, J gallon, 7s dtzin, Other Lines equally goo'l value. I have » large assortment of Glassware, marked m plain figures, which must be cleared to make room for a, Shipment oloae to hand* JOHN T, COOCH, GROCER, HARDWARE, CROCKERY, AND PRODUCE MEEOHAMT' SAUNDSRS 1 BUILDINGS, Opposite Railway Station Aubburtoa i