Mail Notices.

Maih cloae for the follf/wing places os under, subjsct to the n"cessarv aherations: - THURSDAY, J LV 26

For Northern Purts, Westport and West Coasb, per Rotcmihina, at 6 30pm

FRIDAY, JULY 27

For Northe v Ports aud Westporb, Austra lian Coloni-s (via Wellington), South Africa, Oylon, India, China, etc , also Uoi'ed Kingdom and Continent of Europe, specially addressed " via Suez, 5 per Mokoia, ab 10.30 i.m. Due Bydney August 2nd, London .■September 11.

For Australian Colonies (via Blufl), per express, to connect with Westralia, at. 12 30 pm. For Northern Ports. Westporc, Samoa, Hawaii, Philippines, also United States, Canada, etc., i'nited Kingdom, and Continent of Europe, via San Fran • .■sco, per Takapur.a, as follows :—For money orders at 2 30 p.m.; registered letters, at 5 p.rn ; looks and newspapers, at 6.30 p.m.; ordinary letters 6.30 p.m ; lata fee letters, mail van, 'express train. Due London Sept 6th. W. H. Kbnner, Postmaster.

THE ASHBURTON TRAIN SERVICES

Trains leave Aihburtoo daily for— CHRISTOHURCH—at 7.20 a.m., 11 a.m., 3.15 p.m., 7.5 pm. (express) TIMARU—at 10 55 a.m., 350 p.m. DUNEDIN—»6I2.S4 p.m. (express) SPRINGBURN—at 4.25 pm. Trains arrive daily at Ashburtoa from— CHKISTOHURCH-at 10.45 a.m., 1247 p.m. (express), 8 p.m. TIMARU—at 10.35 a.m., 255 p.m. DUNEDIN—at 6.57 p.m. (express) SPRINGBURN-at 9.45 a.m.

EPHEMERIS.

Phases of Moon for July.

SUN,

Commercial.

CHRISTOHUKOH GRAIN AND PRO DUOE MARKETS.

Quotations are as follows : — Wheat —Prime milling nominal, Tuscan 2s 4d to 2s 53, Pearl and Hunter's 2s 51 to 2s 6d. Oata (nominal) —Milling Canadian Is 8d to Is. 9d, short feed Is Bd, Ducts Is 7d to Is 83, and Danish Is 7d Barley (nominal)— Prime malting 2i to 2a 3d delivered. Flour (millers' quotations, nominal)— Roller £7, stone £6. Sharpß~-£4 Bran—£3 10s. Oatmeal~£lo Beans—2s 3J te 2a 4d Pe&R—Blue Prussian and Partridge 2s to 2a 3d Potatoes—Derwents (July delivery) 21s to 22-i 6 1 an country stations Ontfcheaf Ch iff—46s to 50s at near country stations Hay—£3 5a to £3 1O», delivered ; prjmest baled £4, f ob- Seeds—Ryegrass, farmers' lines Is9d to 2s, prime heavy, town dressed, 2s 61 to 3s 3d, Cocksfoot 2|-d to 2| I for bright seed, to 3d 1 for extra good, town machine dressed 16!b i to 17 b aped, 3^ ts 4d, Cow grass srt to 6i, extra choice 6&<i, white clover 6d to l^i Dairy Produce—Cheese, dairy, 4l to 5<J, factory 5d to s|d. Butter — Local factory, 1r Id, best) dairy 8d to lOd, salt (in boxes) 8d to 9d. Bacon and hams, s£d to 6d, factory £ per lb higher

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1900. FILTHY LUCRE

In the House the other day Mr Allen, the member for Waikouaiti, asked whether Governtpfcßt would take steps to prevent the issue by the New Zea land banks of soiled and filthy notes. The Premier, in hia reply, admitted the existence of the evil referred to, but said Government had no power to interfere with a system which the banks themselves ought to recognise as bad, Ha thought that at all times, but especially in plague times, they should have cl«an bank notes.—" Un doubtedly, the matter brought up by Mr Allen is a very serious one, some of the notes in circulation in this colony are," he continued, " a serious menace to the health of the public,"—being as they are foul, evil smelling bits of paper unfit to handle. What histories some of them must have. A few yean ago an Auckland college professor, lecturing on microbes, exhibited an enor mously magnified picture of a dirty bank note. The effect on hia audience was decidedly marked. For the first time many of them realised what ' filthy lucre" in its literal sense really implied. The lee 1 turer pointed out how easily such a dirt begrimed and odoriferous article as he had experimented on, might carry in its folds the seeds of disease and even of death. This matter of dirty bank notes affects the bank employees even more than the public, since they Ire in a much greater degree exposed to the risks attendant upon handliug them. As to the Premier's statement that Government could not interfere, we doubt whether the public will attach much importance to it, in view of recent legislation, not only on sanitary matters, but on others not in any way connected with the public interest. This does affect the public interest very seriously, and we believe that if by either gentle pressure or legislation an improvement can be aftacted, the Government will earn the gratitude of the bank officials and the public at large.

A new Factories Bill has jusfc been introduced into the House of Repre sentatives, and a A NEW copy roached us FACTORIES ACT. recently. We may call attention to one eiauae which has been slipped in, and which will surprise many of the users of gas engines (Section 39, sob-section 7, is as follows:— ♦* Every engine or boiler whose motive power is steam, gaa, oil, electricity, or compressed air, and exceeds five horse power, shall at all times, whilst being used in a factory, be in charge of a driver holding an engine driver's certificate under the Inspection of Machinery Act, 1882/)

At the present time there are many hundreds of gas engines in the colony, aud probably about ha fof these are ovpt five horse power. The clause is quite new; never has anybody thought of such a provision. But if. the Bill passes every manufacturer vho uses a gas; engine will at once have to engage a driver holding an engine-Jriver's certificate under the Inspection of Muchinery Act. Thire is no reason for the introduction of such a clause It has been the groat recouatnendation of the makers of these engines that they did not require a certificated engineer to work them. Messrs Gross ley hd*e, wo believo, made some thousands of these gas engines, and in noiiißtancehasan engineer been required to work them. Immediate steps should be t ken by those interested to get the House to delete this clause.

Local And General.

%* Interesting reading matter will bo found on the first and fourth pages of fthia issue.

Weathk Forecast.—Captain Edwin fore casts :—■" North to wesb and aoulh weak gale after 16 hours from now ; gks* fall.

Stock Movements—Two trucks of oattle on tha way to Mr Sharplin of Sprir-gburn, pasted through Ashburion to-day; and six trucks of sheep went through to the Isling ton freezing works. Heavy Rainfall—The heaviesb rainfall in the colony during June was at Rnkamoana, 1470 in. At Kokonga and B&nf'irly no rain fell. The fall at Cliristchurch was 0 58iu, and at the Rhode* Convaleßoent Home 0 41in.

VoLUNraKßiNG—There was a very fair muster of the Rifbs at the drillahed last evening, where the non-coms pub the men through company movements. After the parade duties were over, the men indulged tn a practice footbtill match in the shed.

Postaii Appointments —The following appointments are gazetted:—Miss E N Vincent, Co.dette, Chrlstchurch telephone exchange ; Mr J P Rodgera, poßtmaater »t East Oxford ; Mr 8 J Anderson, postmaster at Fiemingtou ; Mr J Rohan, postmaster »t Lmriiton.

The Coal Supply—When the shortage of coal took place some little time back, ib was forced upon the coal merchants of Chist church to advance the price. Since then large arrivals from Newcastle have eased the market conaider&b y, and prices have there fore receded to about the old rates.

Telegraph Communication.—The Tele graph Departmenb notifion that the Cape Colony Administration advises that telegrapk commuoication via Delagoa Bay with those parts of Iho Transvaal occupied fey the British troops is interrnpted. Private telegrams -may, however, be addressed to Pretoria, Johannesburg,G«rmißton, Vsreeni giog, and Heidelberg via Cape Colony, if they are written in plain English.

A Mystery of the Past—A mystery, which has remained unsolved for forty years, has been revived by the diicovery of what is supposed to be part of the skeleton of a m*n, and a watch, on Kangaroo Island (doulh Australia). In 1860 ft young man named Pennington, with a number of com panions, went trom Adelaide to the Island on an excursion, and Pcnningtou gob iott in the bush. The remains are supposed to be Penniugtou'a.

INSOBANCB COMPANIKS AMALGAMATE.— Negotiations have lately been completed for the amalgamation of the accident insurance business of two of the companies which are operating iv New Zealand. The Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation, which, although the most recent arrival in tha accident insurance field of Mew Zsaland, has proved to be not the least energetic, has acquired the accident business of the Scottish Metropolitan Life Assurance Company.

Eaxino Akd The Weight of The Body- Id haa been seriously asserted by many peo. pie that we are naturally lighter after a ms&l, and they have even gone the length of explaining this by the amount of gag that it; developed from the food. Average ob servations, however, show that we lose 31b 6oz between night aad morning ; that we gain lib 12 z by breakfast; that we again loseabcut 14*.z before lunch ; that lunch puts on an average of lib; that we again lose during the afternoon an average of 10oz ; but that an ordinary dinner to healthy persons adds 2 b 2 z to their weight.

The Effect or Prater—An extraordin ary lawsuit is about to be tried In Pennsyl vania. The Rev £ Dixon, a Methodist) eergyman, recently attempted to prevent the erection of a big brewpry, and, failing, publicly prayed for Divire veugence against it. A few da>e later, during a violent thunderstorm, lighting struck the brewery, partially wrecking it, and the brewery com pany thereupon commenced an action for the recovery of 50,00Gd0l againso Mr Dixon, charging him with bning responsible for the damage. The case promises to be one of the most novel ever tried in a court) of justice.

Cooper's Lagoon—The new drainage cu' vert recently constructed through the Ninety Mile Beach, at Tattiutu, to drain Cooper's Lagoon, stood a very severe test during the late heavy sou-wester. It wai feared ab one time that the culvert would have been swept clean away, as very heavy sews were running clean over the top of it, and pouring thousands of tons of water into the Lagoon, but after tha seaa moderated, ib was found, on examination, that only one end of the approach was damaged—the culverb itself was intact. The work was passed out of the contractor's hands on Monday, and on Tuesday the damage was done. The way the structure stood the severe test epoke weli for the work put in by Mr Forbes, the contractor.

Personal—Mr James O'Neil, who for some seren years has been chief dark at the Rakaia railway poib office, has reoeived notice of a ehifb to Nelson At a public meeting held »b the Library last evening, there was a fair attendance considering the ehorb notice. Mr Oxley was voted to the chain It was resolved to show the appro oiation of Mr O'Neil'a services, not not only as a public officer, but as a private individual, by giving him a good send off and a reminder of Kakaia district. A strong committee was appointed with power to add to its number, and the matter will be taken in hand at once. Another meeting will be held on Tuesday eveniug next. Mr Oxley was appointed chairman of the committee, and Mr George flardy s secretary and treasurer*

Lake Ellesmsre—Lake Elleamere .has risen very rapidly duriug the last ten day?, and now practically all the Lake settlers' low-lying properties are under water. The settlers are anxiously waiting to hear that the outlet iuts the sea haß been successfully made. The late heavy eou wester made the Lake rise rapidly, and proved a very anxious time for the settlers. The contractors, Messrs Dobbin and Millar, have again made a good start with the opeuibg through the beach to let out the lake. Wi*>h two days' easterly weather it should be leb out satis, factorily. There has been a week's very rough sea on the beach. The seas were running clean over the bench into the lake, On Tuesday last the cutting was made through the beach, leaving only a wall on the sea side, when the heavy seas on Wed nesday completely filled ifa up again, and the oontraotors had all their work to dojover again.

€C Ouksblves as Others She Us."—Our friends are generally too polite to tell us our faults; bub they seldom fail to observe the fib and style of our clothes. Young men who want to make good impressions, musfc bear in mind that " appearance goes a long way." An ill-fitting suit is uncomfortable, and an " eye-sor© "to your frienda, Don't risk it! If you are a stranger here, the first well dressed citizen you meet will gladly direct you to " The Leading Tailors where you will always find a large assortment of ' Up to date" suitings to select from, and where you oan always depend on getting satisfaction. The large and still increasing business done by Messrs Craighead and Berbymas speaks volume*. This n\-m has just imported probably the finest stock of new seasons tailoring goods ever shown iv Aahburton, including a beautiful range o fche new rain proof Beavers and Melteros for i Covert ooafcs And Chesterfield overcoats, both fashionable »od durable,

TRANSVAAL WAR.

IHore Fighting

Highlanders Captured

I Battle Impending

Two Thousand of the Enemy

Steyn and He Wet in Command

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

London, July 28

The Boers destroyed the telegraph wires and railway north of Honing spruit, A British supply train ,»nd a hundred Highlanders were captured A battle is impending*

July 24

General Broad wood had a sharp encounter at Walmeilfontein on the 19th with a commando 2000, with four guns, commanded by Steyn and two De Wets. Darkness prevented purruit.

Major Moore, of Western Australia, and four men were killed. Lieutenant Stanley, 10th Hussars, Lieutenant Tooth, of New South Wale 3, and fourteen men were wounded. Eight Boers were buried.

The Times published Professor Oheyne's letter condemning the absence of independent transport for the Army Medical Department in South Africa,

THE MURDERS BY BLACKS.

Shocking Outrages

The Latest Murders

United Press Association —By Eloctrio Telegraph—Copyright

Sydney, July 24

At the inquest on the Mawbeys, Jimmy Governor's wife said she wanted o ccc Joe and Jacky Porter cleared because they had no hand in the

murders. Jimmy had a grudge against M rs Mawbey for making him pay a few shillings for rations. Jimmy said (hat if Jack Underwood had not been so slow he would have killed Mawbey and his two song sleeping with him. He got a rifle and ammunition and declared that he, Joe Governor, and Jack Underwood were going to their native haunts to kill some cribe against whom they had a grievance, They would steal rifles and ammunition and take them to the mountains, to shoot anyone who came to t»ke them

A rumour is current that the blacks, at the instigation of Jimmy Governor, resolved to attempt to kill all the settlers in the district, because he alleged they had stolen the blacks' country.

The Mackays were stuck up early yesterday af ernoon. Both the old people were terribly mutilated by j means of tomahawks, An adopted daughter escaped and gave information. Another girl, tea years old, was an harmed, promising to find the murderers two horses. The blacks stole Mackay'g horse and accoutrements, and £$ in money- They subsequently stack up an Indian h».wker in Gugong Road, and demanded boots and ammunition. Both were armed with rifles and tomahawks. They boasted that they had killed the Mawbeys and Mackays, and were tk*n off to kill Henry Neville, of Wollara, a few miles distant, near their native haunt, which is described as the roughest country in Australia. I! they reach it their capture will be extremely difficult,

The police left Gugong to. try to intercept them. Hundreds of settlers are assisting in the chase.

Prior to visiting Mackays the blacks stuck up two settlers' houses, demand* ing food, and threatening to kill the inmates if they informed the police of their whereabouts. They declared that they intended to kill others and would never be taken alive.

News was received this afternoon that the black fellows concerned in the Mawbey massacre had killed a woman named O'Brien and her child, ten mile* from Merriwa to day.

Mrs O'Brien, with her boy, eighteen mouths of age, and Mri Bennett, a nurse staying with Mrs O'Brien, who was near her confinement, were sitting in the kitchen at eleven o'clock i n the forenoon when two blacks armed with rites rushed in and fired several shots. Mrs Bennett was wounded in the shoulder, breast, and thigh, but escaped through a window and ran to O'Brien, who was a short distance away, and told him to go for help to the nearest neighbour, seven miles away. When he returned there was no trace of the blacks. Mrs O'Brien was dead in the kitchen, Bhot through the breast; She had been tomahawked on the head, and the child had been killed in the same way. Mrs Bennetts condition is serious

At the inquest on McKay the evidence of the wife and daughter clearly established the identity of the slayers. A verdict of wilful murder against Jimmy and Joe Governor was returned

Gulgong reported late to-night that Jacky Underwood had been captured and lodged in gaol.

Received Wakapuaka July 25, 10 am This Office 10 56 ft m

Sydnbt, July 25

At the inquest on the Mawbeja » verdict of wiiful murder was given against Jimmy and Joe Governor, Jack Underwood, and Mrs Governor, the latter was included owing to the decla ration of Mrs Mawbey that she beard the woman's voica while the outrage was in progress. Jacky Underwood was arrested by a civilian and found to be wounded. A reign of terror exists amongst the isolated district!, settlers guarding the houses. An armed guard is protecting the town of Merriwa. A number of reservists are assisting the police. Government offer a reward of £100 for each of the murderers.

Zealandia's sons have shown such pluck i And steadiness when under fire, That more are on to try thefr lack Against the Boers in war attire. It's my advice that ere they start, Sound health and strength they will secure, AH coughs and colds will soon depart On taking Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, The reliable Family Remedy Woods'Grea Peppermint Cure for Coughs and Colds— > la 6d and ?• 6d

"The Christian."

The Douglas-Ancelon Dramatic Company mot with a good receptiou last evening at the Oldfeliovs' Hall, when Mr Walter Bent ley appeared for lhafirab time b< fore an Aahburtoa audience in '' The Christian/ The building waa well filled, the inter mediate and bick peats being inconveniently orowded As co v at.y of oar re< dc s must h*ve read HiUl-Caine's famous book, " The Christian," it is Of-erikss to enlarge on the plot of bni* s'.ory, which has created a good deal of c n roveray on account of its free srefitmeut of c-rain phases of society and certain human fniltie* not utuaiiy brought unler pub'io n-ittea There were evidently divided opinions a' on theques ion as to the propribty of brint^i % such subjects so vet y prominently urnifr tho public eye But there can, we think, be no doubt at all that the dramatic version given last evening is a portrayal of & very oLjactionable phase of society not at all calculated to improve public morality, or to rc-frae the tastes of the community It is bid enough to have to acknowledge that dudes like Lord Robert | Ure exisv, amongst tha higher classes of society in England, bat that females should be seen sharing in their orgies is not a matter to be proclaimed from the house tops and given ac Mutual ions of the national ohamcter As for the dramatists conception of the characters of ths story, we are ioclin«d to think they were exaggerations of even Hill-Cunt* de*ls His John Storm, in the earlior scenes at least, is a dignified Eng iih gentleman, and his Glory is sever absolutely vulgar and she is always womanly But the Glory of the play, espec ally in the first scene of the second act,where she i« first m»de to appear "in a new sphere," is an appealing creature, shock ing the proprieties and outraging the dignity and the lefinement of the sex. As for the proceedings at the supper, the less said about them the better. But the conclusion is forced upon us, thab whatever may be thought of the " Christian" as a novel, as a play, it is certainly objectionable. With regard to the actors, who took part in last evening's representation, it may be mentioned that Mr Walter Bentley'a im personation of John Storm was at times very effective, more particularly in the impassioned passages, some of the more stirring incidems with the heroine being decidedly effective. Miss Ada Woodhitl, a» Gory Qu»y!«.h&d a very difficult character to portray, possibly no more difficult one «could be found in the whole range of dra matic literature. Indeed it is ouly fair to lay that the eccentricity of both the leading characters, must render their faithful repre sentation on the stage an exceedingly diffi cult matter

Of the other characters we must give Mr O. Daly, who ■ represented Lord Robf rfc Ure credit for a fairly successful portraiture of character, while the others Oiled their parts well. We may mention that Miss Lynn Lindsay's Ashburton friends were pleased to see ocr perform the parts alloted to her, in a manner that augurs well for her future career on the stage.

Fires from Railway Engines.

THE COMMISSIONER'S REPORT

Wellington, July 24

The following is the report of Mr Poyntoa upon the fire* said to have been caused by sparks from a railway engine :—

The claim of Mr John Gardiner, of Rakaia. The fire causing damage to this claimant started immediately after, or just about, the time of the passing of the express train from Christchurch ta Dunedin, aa a p'ece of land leased from the Departmenb, amongst dry grass cub by the lessee for hay. After viewing the grouad,yoar Comnuisiooer is of the opinion that the fire came either from that or » former train If its came from a previous train it must have been smoulder ing for a couple of hours It may have been due to & lighted match or a smouldering cigar-end thrown from the train, bat from the positions of the ra&3, railway line, and fence adjoining, it is improbable that it was caused by anyone trespassing The fire spread fan a distance of some miles, and did great damage, not to the claimant alone, bttt to others also The amount of damage done to the claimant would bo about £550, to the Acton Estate approximately £520, to Mr W White about £350,t0 Mr S Ross £3 3s 4d, aad to Mr G Elliott 17s 61

The claims of Mr Henry Mackle and Mr James Moore, of Hinda. These two olaima ftrise out of the 111110 fire. It originated either la a p notation near the railway line belonging to the Government, or amongst s-ime dry grass near the line. The evidanco is coufiicting aa to whether the land between the plantations and the rails was ploughed. The fire was probably caused by a spark from an engine, but it may have bees camed n aotne otl.tr way. The d image to Mr Moore s property wai about £55, and to Mr Macklb'a about £85.

CABLE NEWS.

United Presi Aaioci&tioa—By Elect ri Telegraph—Copyright. London, July 23 Lord Carzon reports hope/ally en the crop prospects of India. The Campania's passengers subscribed £790 for the sufferers on the Embleton. The latter vessel carried twenty tons of gunpowder. Hailstones, l£in and upwards in diame ter, smashed all the glass roofs, and 550 street lamps, in Northampton. The storm lasted only six minutes.

Brisbane, July 24 Professor Stewart Macphereon, a Fel* low of the Royal Academy of Music, has arrived for the purpose of conducting the musical examinations. He visits New Zealand after finishing the examinations in Queensland and New South Wale*.

Two brothers, named Smiley, descended a mine after firing a charge of dynamite, and were killed by the fames.

Sydney, July 24 Mr Frank Farnell, an ex member of the Legislative Assembly, has been appointed Honorary Magistrate of Lord Howe Island. He visits the island in a few wet Its

The Fall Court has decided that the ex Civil servants whose offices hare been abolished by Government), afcer serving a certain term are entitled to the super annuation allawanee. The case was a tost one, and the decision Invokes a Urge amoanfc.

The schooner Empress of India was wrecked at Fort Stephens. The crew of five attempted to land in a boat which capsized, and ihe Captain, Peter Williams, the cook, John Gleeson, and a seaman, Bernard Dowling. wera drowned.

Melbourne, July 24 With reference to Lord Brseaey'a proposal for Australian reserves, Mr McLean, the Premier, considers the loyalty ot the colonies is such that they will readily raise help whenever the Empire requires it without the expense of keeping a standing army. Bach help would be beet secured by means of a citizen soldiery trained to ride and shoot;.

Rival Cable Routes

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

ADM.AIDK, July 24

Mr Warren states thab everything is arranged for the laying of the cable from Cape Colony to Glenelg, The landing •taiion has been ohonen on Cettiesoe Beach near Fremaotle. Tendera will shortly be j called for preparing the South Australian I landing station, and it is expected the lay ing will be completed by the end of the next; year. The Daily lelcgraph, commenting en the Pacific Cablo Boards, and the estimated annual loss of £15,000, says : " This only covert the cost of cables to Canada, beyond which there will be other ohaiges amounting to about one shilling a word, Probably the estimate of receipt* has been made without adequately allowing for the traffic which will go by the new Cape cable. It deprecates the laying of a lingle Una aa always liable to break, while a doable line would mean a pro portionate Addition to the colonies' ex penses,

Sporting.

Woodstock was scratched for the New Zealand Cup yeatsrday^ lijin Djin, Scottish Mitsfcrel and Bloomer were scratched yesterday for the Winter Cup.

Ashburton Trotting Club

ANMJAL MEETING

The annual ireeting of the A»hburon I'rattißg Club wrs held at Devene'e Hotel do Tuesday, July 24, when there were about fifty members piesenb The roporb and balance sheet of fcbejeat'i business we read and showed tke Club to ba in a very prosperous state. The balance sheet aad report as read WM adop cd. The Chairman spoke on the very high standard the Aahburtoa Trotting Club has attained, and he hoped it would ttiil continue to prosper. The following ft the report : — Your Committee have pleasure in again presenting the annual report and summary of the Club's business for the year just •nd ing aad oan, moreover, congratulate members on the sound fioanoial position tha Olub it in; *ho the increased interest takem in trotting throughout this district. Hitherto we have been considerably handicapped in progress by the fact of having e-nly oae permit to use the totalizator, but last year we were able to hold two meetings with the totalisator, and we are also glad to be in the position to state that we have also been granted the nse of the totalisatot for two meetings during the coming year, the thanks for which are due to oar worthy President (Mr Donald McLean.) So no doubt with the large number of trotting horses in the district and tne increased value of stakes offered by thie Club for competition, it oan curtainly boast of being the best country Club in New Zealsnd, and with careful management and stria* vigilance being exercised by the Committee to prevent any malpractice, this Club cumbers' ip should certainly be inoreased from its present numbar, viz: 45. Last season this Giub ; started the year wish a credit balance of £49 13s 9d and have largely inoreased the stakes, but are still in the position to show a credit balance at the Bank of £11110* 2d, together with assets of ac*lei, £12 ; judge's box, £2 2s; saddle cloths, £2 19?, making a total balance to the credit of the Club of £12S 11s 2d, with no liabilities, and £2 10s out standing, which shows a altar profit on the year's business of £81 2t,5i, whioh must be considered very satisfactory. Your Com mittee are of the opinion that the Club should still increase the value of stakes offered for competition, so aa to get outside horses to compete, which certainly meant the success of the meeting; also it is worthy of consideration to abandon the deduction oi the five per cent from winnings, aa has been gehne in the past; another matter that is worthy of oonsids ration is the introduction of class trots at our race meetings. It would certainly help to gel a better olasi of horse to compete, and lay so doing it would encourage the public to patronize our meetings more. In conclusion, your Committee wish to record their thanks to the President, Mr McLean, for his gratui tous attendance as the Club's delegate to the " Trotting Association, aad also for the generous spirit he has at all times shown to the Club's interest; also to our worthy Vioe-Presidenft. Mr Devane, for the manner

he has afe all times looked after the Olub's interest in the capacity of Treasurer. Thanks ire also due to the offi cers and others who so materiaUjr helped in every way bo further improve ti>» position of the Club, and they would, in retiring from their year of office, most cordially bop* that the Ashburton Trotting Club will still continue to prosper, and ■tilt attain (as it is bovad to do) a still mortt prominent position to heip this popular sport.

ELECTION 01' OFHCEBS.

The election of officers was then proceeded with, and resulted as follow*:—President s Mr D McLean; V ice-Presidtnt: Mr James Small; Committee: Messrs P Devane, Q Robertson, J G McConachie, Hay Smith, Dan MoKendry, F MoCafferty, W Bather land, James McOormick, James Sutherland, and Thomas Bishop; Stewards: Same m Committee with Messrs J O'Grady and H Graufield added; Auditor :Mr A A Fooks ; Secretary -. Mr R J Henry ; Treasurer: Mr W Sutherland.

THE NEW SOUTH WALES MURDERS

A gentleman now ia Aahburton iaforms as that he knows the country ia which the recently recorded outrages by blacks have been committed quite well. The teen* of the first murden, Gilg&adr*, ia about forty miles north of Dubbo, ia a ipansly tattled country, mostly pastoral, with rosgb, rugg*d iron-bark nngti, oat mot* tbftu ton atilei | distant, in which the nrardtnrt could e*tilj conceal themaelvet. The locality in the paqte has been ft favorite hiding-place for outlaws seeking to evade capture. Seme of theepisodesnarrated ia "Robbery Under Arm« " arc said by the inhabitant* of the district to have actually occurred there, and those who have read that story know thai its author professed to have founded it on foctf. Last December a "iWfcgger," who was paming through that country, left) his swag on the side of ft road no seek water m the bush and was lo«t, ortr ft we«k elapsing before a search party found his de»d body* In view, therefor*, of the wild nature of the country, itoanbe well understood why the residents thereabouts s,r# in a itiCs of alarm, at stated in a cable meeaag* Motived to-day. It may be mentioned that our informant know Mrs O'Brien, who has Imm murdered by th» blacks. Her huebftad mi a itltbtor, who, like many others, took tip land in the vicinity, *nd began in * small w*y to make » home for hie family. From two to five thousand aorei are regarded v ■mall holdings iv that locality, and ft man might leave home in the morning and be working a mile or more away during th« whole day* The nearest neighbour to O'Brien is some five or six milea »w»y, and hit land borders on ecrubby, hilly country, rarely travsned by man. The house it aituated about ten miles from Mr Low's station, Merrlwa, and wm evidently entered by the bUoka ott Moount of ita lonely posi tion, Until this incident occurred, however, people felt as secure from harm »•• farmer'a fftmily might ten miles from Ashburton.

A. and P. Association.

A meeting of the Aahburtom A and P Association was held in their rooms on Turn« day, Present—Messrs Leadley (ohairmw), T Stone, E Gates, Mawson, G Bond, J Bonifant, D McKendry, D F Gibson, Jf Small, C Reid, J M Furze, J Studholmt, O Digby, F Rich, 3 Gilmour, E Horisy, and F McOafferty The minutes of previous meeting were raid and confirmed OORttISFONDBKCE Correspondence was received from the Hereford Cattle Breeders' Assoohtien and received

From Aoton Estate recommending that arrangements be made to carry stock by earlier train to and from theAshburton Show in future If this were arranged the Estate would send greatly increased entries,—The Secretary was instructed to write to the Minister of Railways on the subject

The Timaru A and P Association wrote re annual show, intimating that the 30th and 31st October had been fixed as the dates foe their annual ahow

From the N.Z. Railways, Wellington re oonsirucfcion of aiding From Mr Thos IHarriaon re addition to building! subscription, suggesting that la tickets be granted for every 5s subscribed It> was decided that the Committee cannot ace ita way to support Mr Harrison's proposal From Mr A EPeache, Mount Somtrs, offering a prize of 2£ guineas for 10 shorn fat Oorredale wethers, annually for the next five years, subject to the condition that the Aahburton Airooiafciots make the prize up to 5 guineaa It was decided to reply that the offer was accepted with thanks, but the Society could dob promise to supplement the aum offered From Mr Wm Harding, offering to pessenb bo the Association 10 volumes of " Hand books oi Agriculture ."—Letter and offer received with hearty thanks AGEIOOMPEAL COLLEGE, LINCOLN A report from- the above was received re I experiments on last season's crops Mid cross* i tug of different breeds ot sheep

THE ASHbURTOK OkiAftDUtf ; WEDftEBbA?, JULt 26, lsi)0



First quarter Full moon Last quarter New moon

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Date July 26 „ 27 „ 28 „ 29 „ 30  31

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Seta 462 4 53 4 54 455 4 56 4 57



Berger's Sheep Marking J Composition I In Three Colors—Black, Red, B'ue [ npHE finest and mostccnomical Sheep I A Branding Oil in the market Read the opinions of Leading Sheep Farmers in Utago : — WJ INTEND USJINCJ IT AGAIN Jfrom N.Z. Agricultural Co,, Waimea House, Gore, May 22, 1897 Be»r Sir*,— We have found Bergerß Marking Oil ro be a good and durable hep branding nutetiil and intend using tt again, as haing cheaper than the prepara tion! formerly u-ed for the purpos P. J. Paierson, Stat. Mgr. UJSDOUBTEOLY M >RK ECONOMICAL THAN OIL AND IAMPBLACK From J M McKenzie, Bu*hy Park Estate, Palmers'on. May 19 1897 Dear Sirs,—l have great pleasure in stating that Bernb&'s Sheep Branding Compound that I received from you has given me every (satisfaction, and is undoubtedly more economical than oil and lampblack.



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I HAKE A. JOINT OV RECOMMENDING IT From Kabert Logan, Madtang% Hyde, M*y 10, 1897 Dear Kirs have used Bergkk's Branding O 1 or some years, and have . ound it so t fac ory that I make a point of recoiaraen; ng it. The liquid in the drama is he same consistency right from top bottom, and requires no ■birring. OSLY TO TE USED TO BB APPRECIATED om Jamee Taylor, Wairuna, Clinton 15, 1897 ear Sirs,—l used Bebgbk's Branding J black and rrd, Jasb season on my flock, anu I am perfectly satisfied with the resales. To sheep farmers the preparation j invaluable, being alwaya ready and Highly economical. Ii has only to be used to be appreciated. ©ITJBN EVERY SATISFACTION FOR SEVERAL YEARS From Mr John Elliott, GiadKrook Station, Middleirarch. May 18, 1897 My Dear Sirs, — In reply to your inquiry regarding Bbkgea's Sheep Marking Com pound. We have need this Compound on all oar fi cks for several year* aud it has given every satisfaction. Ifc is o even quality and is ready for use. I find it lasts well, beins quite legible on ful woolled skins It is much more economi cal than brand made with the old materials (lampblack and oil), as owing to its even quality, there is no waste. Always ready for use Guaranteed not to injure th» w 01. Will wash off on ccouring without leaving a stain. Sold by F. FERRIMAN, Ashburton, N,Z.



F. FERRJMAN. ________ In Peter Street, A COMFORTABLE HOME, consist Ing jIJL t>f 7 rooms, with bath and abundant supply of water, detachi d washhouse, acre of good land, planted wish fruit trees, within three minutes' walk of the railway station. The greater portion of the purchase money can remain on mortgage. F. FEKRIMAN. Estate Agent, Ashburton. *™~ POX SALifi 5 Town Sections, a c>pital site for bnildinr;. within 4 minutes' walk of Poat Office. F FERkIMAN. ' WAK&NUI ROkAV. FOR BALB HOUSS of 8 rorm=<, acre of land Price £150, £30 deposit. F. FRRRIMAN. jFOB~'BAXii;, Alford Forts-, Road, HOUSK of fi rooms and 1^ acres of land, ai~*j 'ins Mr George Hosken's propriy; easy terror. j __jP;fBWHMAN ] FOR SALK Al aLLKNTON, ~" A First claa% Block of Lr*nd, containlnGi 5^ acres, well watered, long frontage on a good io*d. The greater portion of the purchase can remain at 5 per cent. Adap cd for Kabdivieion. Ai.yone with a little capical, and half an eye to the future, will inspect and secure thi* block.



_____ F. PEBPIMAN.^ FOX iSALK, AFonr Roomed House and £ acre of land In the suburbs. Prloe £li) 0. F.'FERKIMAN FOR 6AL&, Burnett Street, Adjoining Dr Hanter's Rfcßidence, OVWR^ acre Sand, with Hoaße of 7 R >f»ms, easy terms. j F. FERRIMAN. FOR SALE, TANORED STREET, 4 The Besidential Street of the Town, : A Comfortable Dwelling of 8 rooms ; the section is well fenced, and of good quality. . F. JFBBRIMAN. FOR SALW, CaP'«:JS.R'S TERRACiT, S§ Acres of Lina, with good Bamily Residence of 10 rooms, stable, trap bouse, etc ; the grounds are wdl laid out To anyone desirous of either retiring from farnurgor of living near the town for the purpose of educating their children, this property affords an oppor 1 tunity seldom met with. F FERRIMAN. FOR SALE, C)f\ Acrs3 of Land, with new house of 9 £*\J rooms, stable, and every rnodorn convenience, F. FERRIMAN. "~"~ FARM~ FOR" SALE; ' Q .4 Acres, within 2 miles of Aahburton. O~t This ahould prove a sound invest* ment lor capital. Price, £1174. Th-s property will lot en a long leaeo to a good tenant. F. FERRIMAN.



FOB SALE, A Good Sheep Fajm of 650 Acres. A Good Sheep Farm of 300 Acres. A Good Sheep Farm of 320 Acres, F. FERRIMAN, " FOB SALIi "' 1 Acreafc Tinwald, near the parsonage. * F. FERRIMAN. FAIRTON. A Small Paddock, well fenced. Prioa £30. F. FERRIMAN. M! L iiiiiiiiiwiir'iiriMWiiiwiiiif TO LET FOR TWO CKOPS. With or without a PurchastDg Clause. Q 1 ACBES Wheat Land, part of Isaao Sargent's, Esq's Eafc&to, A small propor tion of the purchase money can be deducted fromeaoh crop, in the event of a purchasing clause belpg made part of the bargain. B. W. HANMEH,



CYCLES RE-PLATED AND KB-EMMELLEI) In all Colours, including the LATEST KHAKI, with Silver and Gold Decorations; From 20s. DATES, LOWRY AND CO. ZEALANDiA CYCLE WORKS, Burnett Street WANTED KNOWN—That we hay just opened our final Shipment of heavy Flannelette* for this Season, and we are pleased to say that our buyers has secured them at old Pricee. See *iiae vulue* —MITCHELL & IUBHKR. LADIES DR. MAXUMS SKIN FOOD ia a power ful Tonic for the Pace and Neck, which removes and prevents all wrinkles and imparts to the face a beautiful clear complexion. Ladies whose beauty ia at all fading should at once procure this Beautify ing Oream, which possesses wonderful rejuvenating properties. Sent to any uddreea 2b 6d, also our Book on Health and Beauty, one shilling. Address— ALPHA TOILET COMPANY, Christchurch. 7 95 Old Harness, Machine Belting Eto* Repaired with BIFURCATED KXVfcTS SET with a Hammer. From all Iron mongers and Storekeepers. UIFUEOATED RIVET CO., Ltd., London, England. Full particulars from Harrison & Webbr Auckland. (Cut this out and show you 3 Ironmonger.) 6_ j . TO LET™™ NEW Dwelling house of five roomi, plastered, with rer&ndah, centrally situated near tbe Post Office and Railway Station. T. BULLOCK J Smoke JHew Vtmus f



tNEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. Boy'a Tweed Sailor Salts from 5a Boy'a Seige Sailor Suits from 7« 6d Boy'a Twetd Melville Suits from 9< Bry'a Twred Norfolk Suits f om $2s Boy's Sac Knicker Suits from 18s fed Buy's Ooveit Coae from 14s 6d Boy'a Tweed Overcoats from 6 - 6d Bi.y'B Reefer J-.<kets from 6s 6d Boy's Football Jerrys from 3a 3d B j's Caps 6d each Boy's Sailor Tarns Is tarh FOR GOOD VALUE, GOOD WEAR, LOW PRICE GO TO THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. Wm. Strange { "J^SST* } Thos. Coverdato A TRIP TO TOWN Is not always PRACTICABLE. Consequently, MANY LADIES residing in Ashburton and District find it IMPOSSIBLE to visit the Establishment of STRANGE & CO. as OFTEN as they could DESIRE. Their annoyance is natural enough. EXPERIENCE has taught them that the big City Establishments, SUOHAb OURS, offer them THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY, and the WIDEST CHOICE OF GOODS. But such Ladies can always SHOP WITH US BY POST, as HUNDREDS already do, because they know we are LARGE BUYERS, LARGE IMPORTERS, LARGE MANUFACTURERS. It is also pretty generally known now that WE BUY EVERYTHING FOR READY MONEY, and that we have a LONDON HOUSE which keeps us supplied all the year round, not merely with plain, every-duy goods, such as are in constant demand, but with The Latest London and Continental Novelties in Mantles, Costumes, Millinery, Corsets, Gloves, Dresses, Dress Goods, Under wear, Children's Goods, &c. And Our Dressmaking Department jlosely resembles a West-End of London Establishment. Our new S^nch Dressmaker, MADAME BOUTBAUD, is acknowledged to °c a JLttUJ!. ARTISTE. Her creations are the theme of GENERAL ADMIRAIJ.OJN ; while our Miss Mazey (in charge of our second room) continues to give the utmost satisfaction to her numerous patrons. As Bespoke Tailors, .ye have acquired a HIGH REPUTATION, We make Stylishly-cut Suit (splendid workmanship and material) from ,£3 3s. Those who prefer Ready-made Clothing will find our famous "ORIENT" BRAND CLOTHING (in all sizes), the NEAREST APPROACH to MADE-TO-ORDER GOODS in the Market— and at about HALF THE PRICE. Furniture we Supply Direct from our Factory to the People at Factory Prices. We also have a BEDDING FACTORY (for supply of pure, sweet bedding), a WIRE MATTRESS FACTORY, and a BLIND FACTORY (under the charge of those famous Blind-Experts, Messrs. GEE). COUNTRY RESIDENTS, T i If you CAN'T come to town to see us, you can always « « • Shop with us by Post. j State your requirements PLAINLY in writing, RBMITTAMJB, and your order shall be filled as PROMPTLY and SATISFACTORILY as. though you had delivered it in person. POST FREE ON APPLICATION. Estimates for House-Furnishing, Blind-Making, Bedding, Wire Mattresses, &c Patterns of our LOVELY NEW WINTER DRESS MATERIALS, and our NEW SEASON'S SUITINGS, TROUSERINGS, OVERCOAT INGS, &c. (together with full directions for self-measurement), Post-Free on application to w CHRISTGHURCH.



K5 , «■ l| £j S Ipr «ft H-t H G£ g CO S <1 "for sale at a low figure, "OREEHOLD Town Section No 56, haviDj? JD about 82 feefe frontage on Wesb Street and running back a depth of about 2 chains, on which is a commodious Grain Store, erected on massive conoreco foundations with concrete cellar; formerly occupied by Mkssbs Kilwobth & Bon. The store covers exactly half the eeotion, havicg a space for another building alongside of the same dimensions For terms and full particulars apply to T. BULLOCK, 4 Cinnamon Cure, Wahoo, Koolibah Q Benjamin; Gum co 2 Ashbubtcw



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