INQUEST.

An icquest was held at tho Hospital this morning before Mi>jir W. J. St< w*rd, acting coroner, and n jury of sis, of which/ Me B. Sauoders was chosen foreman, touch- ] ing fcho death of Katherine Oiif■ • n Sims, j who died at the hospital on Wednesday evening. The jury having viewed the body Sergeant Barlow called the following evidence :— John Sims,gardener, Hsinpafcear), said deceased waa his wife. She was 36 yeara of age. They were married in February 1882, and had seven children living. On Wednesday iait he left hon.e at- 7 30 a.m. to go to his work. His wife wuain her u^ual healthand walkid up the street somfi distance with him, ass-he had been »ccu<ttomfld to do every morning. About 2.30 hi* son came to him at Mr J Divison's, where witness was working, aud told him 10 come at onci aa hia mother was a ok. Witn*> s went ini modbtely. Artivtd »b the home about S o'clock. Found decayed \ery i!l and trying to vomit. Witness asked her what she had been doing and she said—" I have taken Bough on Rats, and you will see for your self the remains io tho drawer." Went to the cfr-est of drawers, pulled «ub a drawer, and found a box of Rough on R*ie. Openori it and found a trifle of the powlei in it. [ Box with powder produced ] Witness at once went for a neighbour, Mrs Payne, and aaked her bo go in to his wife, while he ran for tho doctor. He went and called Dr Bolger, who returned at onoe with him. Dr Bolger administered oil to the di ceased, who vomited, Fe then ordere.l her removal to the hospital. A cab was procured, and she wajj taken at once. Wit ness acoimpanicd her. Dr Trevor was waiting at the hospital, having been tele phoned for. Deceased was put to bed and remedies were administered, when she again vomited froeiy. Tho stomach pnmp was s'eo used, and milk, water, and brandy administered, f*he appeared to revive, and witness was atked to step out for a while till she was made comfortable in bad. Wit ness went home, and came back about 8 . p.m. On the way he met Dr Trevor, who told witness deceased was dead. Nothing j had occurred at home to lead to deceased's , action There had beeu no quarrel. She | bad, however, got into debt with tradesmen, bat witness did not know of it. Was not ' aware she had been getting the thine. ' After her death witieas found a bill for 15i ' vShe owed, but, thought, it w*« not that whioh waa worrying her. Ascertained afterwards I •ke owed other debt?. She told witness ' b#fora ehe died she had destroyed other ' acoounfs which he did not see. She did a • good deal of sewing for people. Witness had bought a house, and she had suggested she would keep the hous j by tewing while , he devoted his wages towards paying off the house?. Since her death, ho concluded she „ had got material for her work on credit, and finding her work had not enabled her to p»y for them, she had worritd over thu matfer. She did not mention her trouble . to witness, and he h»d no idea of it. H« supposed sho did not !ike to worry him about it. Found the letter produced in the lame drawer as the box of poison. Ie was addressed to witneßß, and read as follows: — "My dear husband—l pen you these few ; lines to let you know ,that I am in distress over my accounts. I have always given you t to understand they were paid up close. The worry of ibis has tr übled m« so much, j that I cannot bear id any longer. By the , time you get home to-oight, I will be laid ' to rest. Dear boy you and Alioe will get 1 oa well. Love my dear Willie, for my Bake. You will soon get over this trouble, ' and you and the children will be happy together. Forgive me, dear boy, for what I have done. Good-by , dear boy, may God be with you" To Sergeant Barlow—De ceased had not been summoned, but had received a letter to pay up 30s in two days. She thought it a sin, and it troubled her. The money was in the house, and she could have paid it without trouble. To the fore man—The total amounts were not large. He had p-tid some accounts on Thursday some tradesmen had deducted from the amounts. The sender of the bill for thirty ' shillings refused to take aoy:hing. To Sergeant B*rlow—Witness had been W<\ at some of the shops that deceased got goods in other people's nameß ; one name was Mrs Smith and one Mrs Welsh, and be thought she worried over being found out). To the foreman—Deceased apparently did not want to worry witness over the nutter, and was anxious tc do it all herself, aa the money was in the house and she had the keys of the drawer where ib was kept, and could have taken the money as ehe requited. Took th 3 box of rough on rats to Dr Bolger and showed it to him- When Bhe walked up th 9 street in the morning with him she was in good spirits and neighbours said they afterwards saw her play with the children. To a juryman.— Deceased told witness she got tho letter demanding pay ment betwten the time of his leaving for his work and her going for the poiaon. Witness told her she should have taken the money and paid the dsbt» He suppssed she got afraid of being prosecuted for getting the goods in other peoples names. Bha was in the best of spirits that morning, and on her return] home with the rough on rats Bhe said • to her daugh'er «he felt happier than she hed done for a long time. She went tnto the bedroom and shut the door, and the daughter had not the slightest suspicion of what she intended to do. To the foreman—De- OMiet! had always enjoyed the best of health. She had never shown any signs of mental: derangement— Dr J. K. Trevor, medical practitioner, « aiding at Avhburton, said on Wednesday last at) about 4 P-m. deceased was brought to the hospital. Was perfectly sensible, bub in a very weak and depressed state, with feet and •limbi cold^ muscles very feeble, pulse very weak. She was vomiting, and he believed bad beats vomiting for lome considerable time. She was quite free from pain and said •he had B»t> had Any pain. Told witness her hatband hap nothing whatever to do with it, witness was not to blame him. Witness used various remedies, erected ether and heart tonics, as the heart was failing. Stayed with her till about sis o'clock and returned again a little after seven p.m. Found her sinking, and at kib she sank very rapidly, and died a little before 8 p.m. Rough on rats was simp'y pure arsenio with a little - colouring matter* He had no doubt death was the result of poisoning. To the Foreman—The*action of arsenio w»b uncertain. Sometimes there was a great deal of pain and at other times very little. There was enough powder in a box of rough on rats to kill a very great number of men. Rough on ratu was an especially deadly form of arsenic, as the powder was so fine it would be quickly absotbed by the system. He would not like to be one of 400 men to ■hare a box. To Sergeant Barlow—lt was ]ust possible the exceptionally large quantity taken destroyed the nerves at once, but ho did not say it did. Had deceased lived twelve or fiftean hours longer she would have had a good deal of pain. To the Fore manT^-Deceasei was in a perfectly rational state of mind. —Frank King, chemist's as- Bistant, in the employ of "the AshburtoiiDrug Company, said he had identified the body as " that of Mrs Sims Last saw her alive about half-past ten on Wednesday last She called at the shop, said her place was overrun with rats and that she wanfcpd some rough on rats to poison them. Did not know her personally but spoke to a fellow assistant, Robert r.l otty, who said both he and Mr Cambridge knew her very well, and it was quite safe to sell it to her. She waa supplied with a box and paid Is. Witness produced the register for the sa'e of poisons of the Drug Company. The signature in the book was that of deceased. These were the usual precautions for the sale of poisons that the buyer was personally known to the seller, and both buyer and seller signed the poisons' book. If the seller did nob know the buyer personally, the latter had to bring a witness. To Sergeant Barlow—Deceased appeared quite rational when buying the poison.— Alice Maude Mary Sims, eldest daughter of deceased, said that on Wednesday morning her mother appeared in her usual state of health and in good spirits, and accompanied her husband some little distance up the road. After she returned to the house the postman called with a letter, about 9 o'clock. p ; ceased showed it to witness and told her it w§» a summons, She appeared greatly distressed, and went to town about 9 30, returning at 10 o'oloek. Deceased said she had some sewing to deliver and would have to take it home. On her return deceased ' said she had a summons from Mr Duncan, draper, and she wast going to call in and tell him the amoun-t was paid. She meant that fcheamount had previously been paid. When she returned she said she was happier, and seemtd. ail right, She then went dowo tc

the line ro peg some alothes and on return ing sai.l shn had teen outside a paper with Rrugh on Rats on ir, and asked witness if , »h« knew what it meant. Witness said she i did not, and deceased said it meant poison. i This conversation took place outsidn, I Dpsaased then went into her bedroom and shut the door. She took a tumbler with watf r and m spoon in with her. In about half an hour she came ont of the room and said she wa» sick and her lips were bitter. ; Asked witness to come into dinner and &he did so, bat deceased would have none her soif. She then went again Into Hie bedroom, [laking & tumbler with aome water in it. Witness heard her afterwards stirring some thing in the tumbler with the door • the kitohen adjoined the bedroom. After a' out ten minutes deceased came out of the be'lrirom and eaid ehe wished her husband we;e homr, and that she had told him what (hu had been doing. Witness aeked if ehe , Bhould go for him, and decease' said no, there was no one to stay with the baby. , I Witness then went across lo the Haropateno school, called her brother, and rent him for her father, who came at once. He called the next door neighbour and went for a doctor* Deceased commenced to vomit i about half p*st one. To Sergeant Barlow— 1 Her father and mother were always in good terms To the Foreman™ Did not sec , deceased write the letter to her huehund 'but saw her take ink and paper into the bedroom soon after she returned frcm town, and befcre she took the poison. Ihe baby would be two years old in Angnst.— Sarah Ann Payne, residing a*i Hsmpetead, next door to deceased's house, raid : On Wednesday afternoon, just before 3 o'clock, John Sims, the husband of deoeased, called and asked her if she would go in to Mrs Sims at once, as she had been taking " Bough on Rats." Went in immed ately, at the same time telling him to go f<>r ?he doctor, which he did. Found dec ased lying on the bed, and imm diatcly gave her an emetic, which caused her to vomit very freely. Soon afterwards Dr Bolger arrived. Her own observations >»nd reports she heard led witness to believe Bitns and hie wife lived on very affectionate terms. 1 hej had been her next door neighbours since last August; Deceased objected very strongly to taking Ihe emotio, saying she was in trouble and must) die and would die. Knew absolutely nothing about the private effkin of the deceased. They had a'ways Leen on friendly terms, but their conversation had been on general »übjetc To the foreman — The emetic administered was strong salt and water,—This concluded the evidence.—The jury found th»t deceased had met her death by taking " Rough on Rats," administered by herself.

TEE ASHBtBTQtf dUAftbIAN \ tfBlDAf, JUNE 16, 1900



■1 Wanted. i ■ —■ —— — -—-—; — f T? RIBH Oysters, Crayfish ; also Rabbit,, J JP Flounders, ani all kinds of treeh ) F:sh by Fxprets To-night at J. H. Jbwitt's. WANTED— Nurnary Governess, for the country, end cf July ; mvi be musical; two little girls. — Apply Mrs Hart, Winchmore, Ashburron. 6 103 TO LET—A welM:nilt House of eight ror.ms aad bathroom, »!*o onal house end wa«h house, with copper built in: j situate in Cameron Street ; nt present, ocou- I ped by Mr Taylor—A pp ylo Mrs Brigos Moore Street. f, 95 ij'IREWORKB in great variety »t / Fletohkb Bros.—Crackers 2d and 3d per packet or Is 9d or 2s 9d per d( zan ; alao Kookets, Roman Candl* Catherine Wheels,, Bine Light?, etc. WANTED—A healthy Boy, about 15, who can milk a oow or groom a horse; good wages and good prospects,—- Apply offioa of this paper. EMINENT Physicians—Expert Analysts and Food Specialists all favour Hon dai-Lanka Ceylon Tea as being the pores and most nutritious of all teas. Don'c take substitutes* Sealed lead packets rvi boxes only ; sold by disinterested stores. OWING to a great increase in business, we have arranged for extension of premises, and to avoid removing and storing a lob of our Stook, wi'l bold a Genuine Clearing S*le For One Month, previous to the builders commencing operations. This is an opportunity rarely met with of obtain ing New and Seasonable Drapery and Cloth ; ing at; Greatly Reduced Prices.—Rokkmp Alcqrn. NEW BOOKS—Breaking the Shackles ; Ordered South; On the eve of War ; The Natal Campaign ; The Wallet of Kai Lung; Joan of the Sword Hand ; Tbe Boer States ; The Standard Dictionary of the English Language, beautifully illustrated, and containing 30,000 more words than any other dictionary, half bound oalf £2 10s, a marvel of cheapness; Logendeof the Black Watoh 9d. Cheap Editions of popular works, from 4d eaoh.—H. M. Jones nHEAP Reading for the Winter, Just _ received 200 volumes of standard works, cloth bound lOd each. The following new Hooks are also in stock—'A maker of nations, 1 Booth by ; • Jone March,' Crocket: •Wiles of the Wicked,' La Quex; lFeo,' Pemberton j ' A Wehh singer,' Kaine ;' Wa> it right to Forgive,' by A K. Bart ; ' Home Gymnastics,' and others War Numbers of Magsz ne». —A. H. Williams, Tancred Street. NO SOONER does an article of genuine merit meet with popular favour and approval than up springs a multitude of spurious imitations, Sl Pitfalls " set to catch the unwary. Hondai-Lanka Tba must be on packet and box to ensure the Genuine, Unadulterated artioie; sold by disinterested grocers everywhere ALL Loasbys Preparations—Cinnamon Cure, Koolibah, Wahoo, and Benjamin Gum—at J T Coooh. Stort keeper Correspondence, ■ ♦. (We do not hold ourselves respanrible for opinions o«pnsse4 by on* correspondents [advertisement] A CHALLENGE. Rakaia, June 13, 1900. TO THIS EDITOR. SIR,— Will you kindly give me space for a few lines in self defence ? I have ben in business here for some time, and am, of course, always anxious to extend ib by any legitimate means. The other day I was accused of u-ing illegitimate means, and waa told that I was in the habit of standing in the shop of my next door neighbour and asking everyone who came in to trans;er their custom from my rival in business to myself. This I unhesitatingly denied, and demanded an explanation, when my accuser said "He had been told co." He, however, refuEod to give the name of his informant. Now, sir, I wish to make this public chal lenge :—if the person who said this will come forward like a man and substantiate his statement, I am willing to give £10 to the Indian Famine Fund, if ho refuses to do this, I shall know what further steps to take. I may say that X have resided in this district nearly the whole of my life, and believe I am known to most people in it, but do not think anyone can accuse me of knowingly perpetrating a mean or dishonest action. Thanking you for space.—l dm, Ac., 6 107 G. Hood, p "i 1 ■ • P. THOMAS. AROADE HORSE FAIR. FBIDAY, JUNE 29, - 1900 - MY Next HOUSE FAIR will be held en the above date, E3R WHICH I AM NOW RECEIVING ENTRIES. IT THOMAS, 6 Auctioneer. Friedlander Bros. W E ABE CASH BUYERS I OF \ WHEAT, OATS, I BARLEY, AND GRASS SEEDS. Friedlander Bros. Limited FOR PRIVATE SALE TTATING disposed of the Lyndhnret Farm on account of Me Max Fbihdlandkr we are instructed to offer his Ardagh Farm, adjoining the above, containing 2560 acres, either iv one Block or" in lots to suit purchasers. For tull particulars apply to FRIEDLANDER BROS, Lro., 6 64 Land aad Estate Agents^ W. T. ALMQUI6T, PROFESSIONAL DYER, Thirty-five Years' Experience in America and Australian Colonies, HA S Started Businesa of Dyeing, Cleaning, and Pressing, even first cU us Laundry Work, etc., in East Street, next to Mrs Knight. 6 79 MISSBEStsIE SSIMMOISDS. MUSIC Seller and Teacher of tbe Violiis, Musical instruments of evei, deecrip toion VIOLINS a SPECIALITY. Musi and Songe by every mail. First-clase Quad rille Band. Burnett Street, 4 83 Opposite Publishing Company SHEARMAN BRO^s have large stock Loasbys Wahoo, Benjamin Gnm, Koolibah, and Cinnamon Cure



EGGS. • "Tl/TINORCAS are recommended by the i-VJL Government Expert kb being the best layers. I have Purebied Minorca Cockerels for sale, cheap, bred from first prize Stock. ' 71 H. G. BERRYMAN. \ FOB SAL^T ~ QTRRLIJCG BICYCLE, in fint-olans run H ning order ; fitted with new Puniop Road Racing Tyres and the latest Hierhi.g Roller Chain, and an extra p*ir of Dunlr.p Path Racing Tyres, also Handle Bar*. The prettiest machine in town, Apply Mail Office THE SHOW SEASON PRIZE "POULTRY, OWING to the number of new houses recently erected in the neighborhood of the Pelham Poultry Yards, rendering poultry keeping there inconvenient, the Proprietor is prepared to sell cheap the whole stock, -including Exhibition Birds, Prize Winners, Young Birds, Etc. For particulars apply the Guarbian Office, or at the PELHAM POOLTBY YARDS PBTER STREET, ABHBURTON. NOTICE. ~ ~* A/TR CHARLES CECIL WILLIS has been appointed Canvasier and Collector for the Aehburton Publishing Company I (Mail & Guardian.) HHNRY ffILLK, Manager. Ashburton, 20th April, 1900. 4 Cinnamon Cure, Wahoo, Konlihah of Berjsmin Gum go 2 Ashburton DmfoCi. i APPLE*, PEARS, BANAHAF, ORANGES, ' LFMONS, WALNUTS, PUMPKINS, ONIONS, POTATOES, OHIOKPEED, Etc. ¥X7E have made arrangements i with growers for Regular Supplies of ! all descriptions of Fruit and Produce right through the Winter Months, and can now supply in any quantity at j Lowest Marks', Prices. i NICOLLBROS. i Grain & Produce Merchants, j ASHBURTON NICOLL BROS". H 1? Nicoll, E. F. Nicoll, L. A. Nicoil Merchants & General Agents "OUYERB OF FAT SBEEP & L&MB?, , WOOL, SKINS, PELTS & HIDES. i AGENTS FOR— Christchurch Meat, Co., Ltd, Islington Fertilisers Little's Sheep Dip Ocean, Accident and Guarantee Corpora tion, Ltd. United Insurance Co,, Ltd. (Fire and I Marine.) GRAIN BOUGHT AND SOLD ON COM MISSION. We shall be pleased to receive camples from farmers who have parcels for dis posal. Station Books Kbpt and Audited. We have received aums of Truit Monies, ranging from £100 to £1000, to !«nd on Freehold Securities ab 4£- and 5 per cent. FRUIT. We receive regular Consignments from Auckland, Sydney, and the Islaads, and have in stock Apples, Pears, and Fruit in season all the year round* S E E~D S . We stock Clovers, Ryegran, Rape, and Turnip Beed of reliable quality. THE OHRISTCHURCH MEAT CO LIMITBD ISLINGTON MANURES Especially prepared for Wheat, Turnips, Rape, and any other orop, and to suit any description or soil. 3REATLY INCREABED PRODUCTION WHEREVER USED. SATISFACTION GIVEN EVERYWHERE Nicoix Bros, store five varieties of this oelebrated fertiliser. Price on application; Allowance made for quantities, Letters will receive prompt attention. NICOLL BROS., DISTRICT AGENTS TITE ARE CASH BUYERS OF FAT SHEEP AND lAMBS AT HIGHEST MARKEr RATES. NICOLL BROS., East Street, Ashburton.^tf'"'^ ~~ ASHBURTOJ^ OOUN TV \0 OJfN OIL GUM TREeJ^TOR SALE. I 4") Ql/ ACRES on Reserve 1775, near <4)O /2 Ashburton Saleyards in five lotp £\f\ ACRES, part Reserve 1170, Sootta* f£\j den, in one lot. Particulars at Council Office and Tenders addressed to the Chairman to be sent in by i 3pm. on SATURDAY, 23rd June. By order. WILLIAM BAXTER, County Engineer. : Ashburton, 12th June, 1900. 6 100 i '_ , ~ Smoke New Venae



BENJAMIN GUM—For Coughs and Colds A COSVIMCING STATKMBKT The Manager, Lobby's '• Wahoo" Manu facturing Company, Ltd Christchurch, May 16, 1399 Dear Sir,—l have much pleasure in iratify ing to the value of your Benjamin Gum I had been much troubled with a very seiious cough, which I was unable to get rid of, when I was advised by a friend to try Benjamin Gum. I did bo, with the result that my cough has completely gone, al though the eighteen-penny bottle is not yet used up. It is impossible to over-estimate the value of this medium—Yours faithfully, A Lawrkncb Gee J^Price, Is 6d and 2s 6d ; ob'abable every where. Wholesale agent — Kkmpthobnb, Prossbb 4 Co Wade's Worm Figs, the wonderful Worm Worriers, never fail for adults or children Bubonic plague haa broken oub To leave a trail of death no doubt, A vile, detestable complaint, O'er which few medicines have restraint. Now if it were a cough, or cold, Though e'er co deeply taken hold, It could be cured with remedy pure, Wm E Woods Greab Peppermint Cure A PPLICATIONSfor the Cleaning at^ XTL Lighting of the Primitive Metho dist Church, are invited—Apply to H. Habdlby. ______ _ For Sale at a reduced piics v'z: — 00 X A—PROPERTY in the Estate obfcjOxs of the late W. Cox, on account of the Public Trustee as followp. viz:— Section 356, corner of Mackie und Rol leafon Streets, containing | Acre with small thop acd dwelling, acd two-roomed cottage thereon. Section 354, adjoining, and part of 352, containing 1 Rood 20 Petchep. On these are erected two small shops and dwellings. All let to tenants at a. total rental of 17s 6d per week. Terms and further particulars on appli cation, T. BULLOCK Agent SHEEP COUNTRY 3018 AOBis 3018 Borne disbance above Mount Sotners Town ship, Ashburton Gorge, being R,Si 31832, 318?3, 31834, and others all in its native •bite. Offers are invited for the purchase of the above. Easy terms viz : Small cash deposit ba'» anca by instalments, bearing a low rate of interest- Full particular!) furnished on application, TBWLLOCK ~, £T~EEWABt) 01 REWARD will be paid for Infor oQX matton leading to recovery of a White Draught Gelding, blemish undtr knee; cover on when lost. JOHN HOOD, 6 104 Mount Somers. NO HOB TO TENDERERS. THE Tender of P. Williams for the amount of £687 12) haa been accepted for the house for Mr W. Bryant. R. BIRD, 6105 Architect; TO Rent a House, not 'ess than 9or 16 Booms, must be near town.—Apply to J. 8., this Office. 6 106 THE POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE COLON V ARE OPEN TO ALL. npHRT are nob absolutely Free, but with a Id post card you oan reach Ballantyne & Company, CHRISTOHURCH, Who requested, will be pleased to submit samples of any olaas of goods, at any time, and absolutely Free of Cost to the enquirer. THE NEWNESS, FRESHNESS, AND STERLING VALUE O3F HUB «O©DB 18 WHA BALL&NTYNE & COMPANY Desire to represent to Customers. The sub- DUSBion of a range of their samples will accomplish Bali»anuynk .& Company's Purpose, They invite you to write for samples. J. Ballantyne & Go * OHRISTOHURCH.



Indian Famine Relief Fund. THE POWER OF FEBIING SYMPATHY WAS GIVJSN TO US BY «O» TO HELP US IN ACTION. Thero aro 5200 Electors in the Ash burton Electorate, to whom this Fund appeals alike; to their humar.hy, Christianity, md patriotism. Read what Colonel Morrltj, an old Famine Relief (ffioer, has to say about the piiisble condition of the people under Sbch circumstances — *'^ever snail I forgefc my first intro dacijntoa starving' village. The men looked at me with tack-lustre eyes ; their cheekbones and jawbones protruding like a death's head, with the skin drawn over It. The ribe stood out lika a skeleton's, whilst the belly sank in until it looked as thongh it touched the backbone ; and this was not the case of one or two, bat nf all. The women Were in even worse cas<3, aid as for the poor little children, those that could walk tottered about on poor thin legN, which constated of bone and eldn alone, for there was not an ounce of ilaah or mutclo in the who c body. Yet most of those children had great pot-belles full of something From ! inquiry it appeaaed that the Zemindars h;ul absolutely done nothing for their people. The poor creatures had f< r weeks been living on leaves and jungle fruit when they could get any . and when we arrived we found that they were feeding upon the root of the bamboo which was p; nnded in a mortar to a pulp and mixed With water to form cakes, which they ate. 1 his substance for the time alloyed, I suppose, the pangs of hunger, but It killed them all. Think of it! They were stuffing themselves with sawdust, for that is what it came to — woody matter without a particle of nourishment, and which, once swallowed, remained in their stomach till it killed thiin ' This Awful Famine will A nst for teome Months Yet, For I was hungered, and ye give me meat ; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink ; I Was <t stringfr, and ye took me in. Aud the King shall arsweranl say unto them, verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done h unto the least of these my brethren, ye heve done it unto me.— St. Matthew xxv. 35-40. XO THE EDITOR OF THE " MOKKIKG POBT." Sir,- Some information I have received from Rsjputana my interest you as an iUußtratirm of the terrible character of the present famine in India. My reliable informant, writing from the Bhil country (Meywar), tells me that this Is practically the last time he can tpeak of the Bhils as a race. "We have bean smitten," he says, '' with famine of such a fearful kind (hat in no circumstances can more than 50 per cent escape, and unless some unexpected aid arrives all must go. We h^ve already received from Government Us 50 000 plus R5.3500 from the Central Kelief Fund. To help thia along she Mus'on (C M.S.) are spending over Es.IOOG a m nth, Kherwarra haa subscribed Rs 350 a mon h, ar d the Mtywar Durbar its 200 a month, but tf?i this adrt*>d together is but a drop in the ccean. The district ha-f 7LJDOO inhabit«ntß,.> and afc the pfes> mfc moment 40,000 ate !s^aJvi»g l The dead and dying lie all over the place." My correspondent goes on to say that he buried 120 found dead in the limits of a small cantonment, and that np to the lfith of February the namber vas already t.ver a hundred. In the face pf these numbers whati can Rs 60,(00 do, especially when it is remembered that there is no hope of alleviation till Septem ber next 'I '* All I can do," he continues, " is to hope that charir.y will come forward with help. Pennies are thankfully received, as one penny keeps the life in a mm for twenty-four hours." '• It is horrible," he eay3, "to go into the Bhilb' huts and see a row of living skeletons sitting waiting for dea'ih. They just look up when I g.> in, tay ' Bttlaam, Father,' and relapse into bilence. Every tree capable of being used that way has been stripped of bark for food ; every palm tree has been cnb down, pounded between, stones and eaten, and now only the black rocks and sun-baked mud remain. All cabtle are dead and eaten, and water is dried up in nearly all the wells, I said in the beginning that in no circumstances could more than 50 per cent, escape, but unless aid of a very substantial kind comes, and that soon, 10 per cent, only will be left alive in July. Our district is by far the most hardly hit in India, and that is saying a good deal nowadays." Thus far runs my correspondent's sad account. 1 feel the difficulty, if not the impossibility, of calling for any special a;.d for the Bhils, and have no doubt, that the Government of India is fully aware of their sad plight. But the condition of these good and loyal jungle people, among whom 1 lived for years, ia sufficiently sad and touching to justify my making it known —Yours etc., JASPER BURNS, Colonel, I.S.C. (Late Commandant Malwa Bhll Corps.) The County of Ashburfcon has during the last 12 months experienced an exceptionally prosperous period. MeasrH Goldsbrough Mort assert that in wool alone many lines have advanced in valne over 50 per cent. Sheep and lambs have likewise participated in the rise. Oar aitlaans are fuUy employed at higher wages than they nave received for many years. The children at some of our schools have set an examp^ which may well be followed by the adults. la one instance they have foregone their school prizes, so dear to the heart of every child. Can we not rise tothe occasion and recognise that this is nob any ordinary subscription, but onein whioh our £1 will save the Hves of several of the 85,00 ),000 of men. women ai>d children (the subjects of our £im» pres* Queen), who are starving in India* Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, in appealing to Bengal for aid towards the districts affected by the famine, said that If any rich man doubted whether he ««kould subscribe, he would give him a ticket to the famine district, and would accept! bis gifo on his return. He would go with a hard heart, bat would return with it broken. All sums received by Mr F. Fbubiman are paid to the credit of the Fund at the Umon Bank of Australia, Aahburton, and will be cabled Co the Bishop of Bombay All subscriptions will be acknowledged in the local press. Don't Couoh—Reiiefoani bei obtainedlln mediately. Use KEATING'S COUGH LOZENGES—weII known aa the utterly un rivalled Ooagh Remedy. Strongly recom mended by the many eminent physicians, They at once check the cough and remove he cause—without any after effect; the most delicate can therefore take them* One Lozenge alone gives ease—one or two at bedtime ensures rest. Bold everywhere n tins 13£ d each,



WAR IN SOUfITaFE I<Ja~~u~T7Z r~\ -vwv aix niiuva Immediate and sure rpcoveryfrom al / 0 ) - the diseases of the Stomacll by the JS tws from SJingei-rfuutein. ' «*•*■»£«£ y*1)o. «üb _ * I lished success affirm the really marral " j Joas properties of the Elixir flr«, Aehburton ie is York«hiremen to the askance of New Zealandera wW small gUts, is unquestionably the bwl v remedy to facilitate digestion. FT 17TP 1117 T> 13 Vl 4~\ O The Klixjr Grez has been adopted JLJ JCi ± U U Jli Xt Jj JX vi ft • >n «H the hospitals, and is prescribe* by the most eminent medical author! Bronghfc down there prices nearly six yews » gO , and we have kepc them down as low tfee of fche worll?» P \TJTSJ a ß weeouldpo S dblydoi.o,andpay2oaintbe£. Messrs Oollin & Co",,' 49 rue de British Troops idyancing slowly in South Africa, but, the Price* of avui-v el**, nf  ™ Manbeuge. Gods are advancing fast in New Zealand. Take oar advice and "yta Z? wSLr Mr W' Ramßa r' C9Uine * S™eOtt S« bupplj at once, if yon wish to save money. * * ««*iwr MELBOURNE -FLETCHER BROST PRi GE LIST— ~~<L> Mkd.l - FARia These Prices are subject to change at once by giving one day's notice. ' A STH MA Money spent here Finest Snowdrop Sugar. Everything we w aoenfc sell is worth LAIAKKn VJ """*" every penny we Hnj-Fever, Oppre«»lon .o'nr'Uo'n"^. **»«»■ *'•£*£ ESPIC'S CIGARETTES Fl"™L^K,hT tr «h (A:h^" «'"">•'•) MOib B.p 14.. WClb b« 7. M, OR POWDER far »up«nor to Cocoa, 2t 3d per ib. Rremedies to combat the disease* of the TWA rr, „, A ~ respiratory organ*. »eventyyear« M. MU A, TEA. Of X .A.. success. We have just rec-sived another Shipment of the Celebrated Dnohfl» T« .nrf •• M » nn - ," * CoP IC» Pdfis t 20 f Wtf .S2 ---5.p1,;..r . Cu.tom.r- with.^.uaatUy of tbkffSra S^'SSS; £»«■» WWAS^ M»~»^ Messrs W F AMgAr Co* SXo^^ 5j£ SwanßOn btrect8 'Wtata*' COMPARE OU PRICES WITH THE PRICES OTHtfR STORES ARE CHARGING *°U by *" Chemiets and Druggist.. IS £:; sra s:s SlsL%Bs&r s lb quire the Bignftture on everj ciga' Finest New Raisins 6§d per lb W»x Candles (fluid or plain) 7d per lb Ea? b bo * of Cigwettes and powder L^iWftV lb PdCe: B Stffftfr 1 W contan.apro^ectus with direction- Pure Coffee 2s per lb carriagehandles gj^er lb "~ ~ French Coffe Is Bd, Harp Colfe Is U per 0-b.B SSIV W bottle or 4s per « A DOO H•» Finest Roasted Coffe Heana le lOd and 2s -v"^^ WEN LIVER PILLS. (8«g« CoaUd New Season's Honey 7d and 9J por j»r. §^ Um^ric?*' V*\ \ f A WOMDEEFu7T"aDd extraordinar Peek s Chocolate Powder (delicious) Jib Sicily Almonds ocr lh 14 -**■ combin»tion ofooncentmted mediein*. tin Is 2d, lib tint 2s Si Jordan Almonds 2 4 The victorieeof Boience—Electric Tekgraphi, New Spanish Valencia Raisins 6td per lh Flneiit T> r \eA a ™*l«I ~». \i> no Bt«am and Printing — revolutionised tht Eleme Raisins 4*d per lb Dri3iA«?CS i? *hole •r.tem of the globe, and mad. ma«. Finest New Dates 63 per lb '" Sr S P?S- " ifi kind »i«r«d better. So. although thert .. BtewiDß Prune- „6i and 0 8 L»mon Syrup, per bottle 1 0 new medioai. ststbm. New Mixei Peel, orange, lemon. Peppermint Syrup „ 10 The Doctors, whose vwt doies of four or  d CJl troDi per « , , » 5 P>«« Apple Syrop .. 1 0 fi™ P«-l»» enfeeble the atomoch and paralyn 71b Tins Best Lemon Peel, per tin 3 9 Lf-mon SqaaFh 1 0 lhe bowels» mUBt fiw* W»F to th« man who Barcelona Nuts „ 0 8 Xime Juice CordUl^'nAv hntt\» 1 A restores health and appetite wi»h one or two Finest Icing Sugar, per lb 0 6 Qol f™ s yr ap 2 Vb of 4!b I^^ 71b Is Sd •« his •xtraordinary Ve h .table Pill,. Od# „ Castor Sugar, per lb 0 5 Ub £S SBUhIU to Mik IT. J3 or two of Db* Hatdi)oK'B *■*" CroEse and Blackwell's Ewenoes 9d per 8o *J's:tWi^eiKfclfi'lKi }S? «« •■■«•■ to plao. th« stomaoh in parfao* ontor, botlle Wk^'Siul^ 7?! 1883 «eat«anappetit., and renders the ipirlt Lewis' Prl« Bscon, by roll of side ir^ B^ffi ijf 1M iJSS." W* "f- hU°yWt' »" 5* L^ lB^ Wted _ o _m ' * . a oa nennetsa ana 10a bottle its functions are restored, and the NerTons T^-io- pVj« p. m . n^ih n « «e»Te« Food lid, Mellln'e Food. la W Sy.tom is enfeebled, it is invigorated and irw IKS Jfftrf l£rHn laid genger's Food Is lid and 3s 6d per tin .ustained. Finest Refined Lard, per tin 1* Id Robinson's patent Groate and Barley SYMPTOMS o* BILIOUSNESS. , *"* X h per tin 1 The patient complains of a fullness of Dedicated Oosoannt .»■'-..** Nelson's GeWineloz. packet the stomach. Kdmona's Babit>g Powder, 8d and leinelass loz nuckft 2 Distension of the bowels by wind. lid per tin Brown's Corn Flour 3d lh J ?"r^ urn. Walmits •., 0 8 Brown's Mniae Fbnr 3d lb * A feshng of wearmeis, .leepmess after 6 aro 9 7 HeaTaoh^n front of head Conceturated Jellies-Lemon, Ra.p- g *%£s£ f Mnkfa?? d"."^ ' th, 8 IDepremon of .piriu,a»d great lassitude . *„-.„ Vanilla r;«f ruw.lr.ita MIIK 03Da d< z, o ! tin All of the above eymp'oms co to show fi R?^T n!iniil P 0 fi Fancy Lunch 3£d lb 1-y fin ,r 3JI lr, notional derangement ofl tl,e Li«r; and 5s 6dd<w ; per packet °B College „ „ ", w ccmes the great importance of anve »re De Verb's Jel.y Powders, assorted Super. Wine sid lb by tin, or 6d lb ade as to the condition of the patbn't. M _ flavours, per packet ;: < 0 b Vanilh Wine   lb hould immediately provide himself wth a Bird heed-Hemp Rape, Catiaryj 11)0 3 Rich Tea 4lb by tin; or /id lb Liver Stimulant, the most common form of Linseed, whole, 3d, crushed, p«r lb 0 4 p eop i c ' 8 Mixed 4d lb or 4*d lb whioh '" a PilL Dfti! y «P«"«nce shows that A us]ebrook's Co'cbi ilb 4d, *lb 7»d Fanliv M«-r»^ KH tk " .\a iv this, when the Pill is compounded properly Milkmaid Milk 7s 3d dr Z , 7*d tin DeasTrfc flrf lh " n^in Iw " the mode of inciting and ptomot. CHEMICAM. SibLdl Ri^lh " °^t 5 ing th« notion of the Liver, and ca. always Morton's Cream of Tartar, per lb 1 3 S X*I« " v! be relied on' -1 have deTOt£ d ro<tDy J«"«' „ Carbocate Soda „ v 0 3 Sn'ZflJL. 4 V d lh »•♦' »h my life in compounding a PiH, th.L wiil art . TartaricAdd „ 110 wZr H " r^ad.ly and systenwhcally as a Bilious n;*«i« 4«i/» qj ■«-- «l fi "arer t« » i. Remedy. Ido not beheve :n g'est purea* „ Oitrio Aoid, «M oi.  » o Ginger Nuts s|a „ or 6d lb tive», and therefore have made a PHI 'one of „ A Jum, powaerea „ v o Oocoanuc Hdlb „ or 8-11b which is an active and thorcugh dose. I „ Refined Saltpetre „ 0 6 Orackn-ls la Id lb " or Is 9d lh have called it „ Borax, powdered „ 0 8 Peel-, Treens and Co Biscuits HAYfcoCKS Nrw Livrfß Piix. wV- | al phar ■" n 1 Chocolate Fingers Is 6d per lb I he,?u Wa ift* true. 18 .and^ e?« n" ol \Whing Soda  U 1 J Caje Noir Is p«r lb health, and the greatest blessing that Science Disitiftctant Powder, l»rge tins 10* Cream Sandwlph Is SA no* Ik ha« given to the world* Oaostic Soda 7d,.8d, and 9d per tin SSSSISS Wafo™"fiJ^UJlfc For NefVOua Proßtr»tio«". Weakn M>t C«bolic S>nd Soap 5d per bar FlSce wSs L Si Lflh °T£ l of Appetit. and Blue Stone 3d Derlb rwrence WRteis 31 per lb Sick Headache, Dr. Haydock's New Lirw Blue btone Jd per ID European Mued Is Si per lb RU, will be found an Effectual Remedy. n^^M^tin'stMisrflßlfieklriff doz 0 4l t> Ra9Pb, e"y Boudoir 2s per lb Each vial contains twenty Pills: Pnee Hy A Martin s paste Blacking,doii. o4s p atenfc Medioine etc Twenty.five Cents. For sale by all Droggista Nixey s Black Lead Per^' » J Pears' Fuller's JHarth and Violet Powdar Any .ceptic can have a vial of Pills mh« Peerless Gloss P?.^ n 2 B<J box him frbk on receipt of his name and addrew. Black Lacquer, (Outle Brand) bot. 0 9 Camphor, 10 8 blocks 3d, or 2s 3d do Z or a trial *\ t. »i i ?i a I Vaseline fid and 9d j%r, lib tins la 9J s"nd » P OiUl ««d-'« COP? •' P»mphlet— Brunswick Black, per tin 0 7 Patft g| yoerllie 6d J and 9 d bottle " ? bl.H w. r *ad ik" M»B^- M »«««»»>•• Keens Oxford Bine, per lb 010 o , fcerine and Oncombw lOd per bo.tle «1»^^ Information to^U, Feckitt's Bag Blue, „ 010 p a f n xn , er v md fc M P «AYI>OCK A <JO., SagSriSx Mustard, lib .Ins 1 I SSSK^tft £ M * Cat—W^^^iAt, KJ:&ab^%»ik %Et2ffi u£ffi u « h rjarsi jjiite 1 s« 5iKri?.A?M Beecham's and Seigel's Is 5d box Haycock's Liver Pills. All without thu are 7lbtins6s»d M Karu , l . ( ,. h Senna 2d packet, Ipscm Salts 8d dot counterfeits. oi^fJtf v«. o^!t^?s!3S£s j* : White Pepper (guaranteed pure) Is 4d lb Ba '» B TricdDherna la MhnttU i^ '~^-^v~~ - . % .-^i |s-«o»^"^ wU' i«^^si^^i cr* a™ sssg.4osraarotffr^ ■ lOtlpertln ° per bbtti, n Lll.v£l » V lio! ntAI, S^BrlndMXVnellin" 1110'81 glplefa Extrßct Malt 2i 6d per bottle PHEVtST HIS. CO^JMGKS, [TO. Srea Bb^ra 10fp« Uu Ki^'a 2 E B X^ M b a o 1 t fc tl ! nd LI?" ° Proswv° a **™" r^° °f °C CoMtt- Table Vinegar 6d, 9d, and lOd bottle , o^ wSsJd PM The "JOHN STfEDM AN, White Wine Vinegar 9d bottle ' Split Peas 61bsla or 2d lb bhsmsst, walv.skts, c-jrrey," Washing Soap— Silkstone lOd bar or lla Pearl Barley 6ibV Is, or 24d lb Aie •n|£ravod °" i!',Z'Tl" e>" S"'Wl' *gi*eit* M Ld?almond scente49d bar. 11. S^fcSttdib * Kempthorne, Proper and Co. Agentt per box Macaroni and Vermicelli Is lOd boxo — — Rawltng's almond scented, 9d vr. 6d ]b AUU °°* ° a M flW#\W AfIPTRRti k^^&«^^ s«?«sb box, Is box oiJ *F 18 *a» Pm Tnpxi^trMAVm nfm.Okwut.SMTIIAIIPTNJII, Pear's unseeded tablets, 6d each, 5s 6d Ont S wo Sauce *.pht &«. pht 9d *•» »g^^^ ißSe^Kir M> OW. Shaving: Sticks 9d each ISvy^auce^s^l gj hS3. 1 ™ GENUINE DRI GUILLIBR Brown Windsor, lib bar ldd, 10 tablets Tobacco-WHlhms'Juno 5Hb; Nallrod 1 ELIXIR for la _ t 4 s gj lb • Derby 5a 6d !b • Golden 'ionic, Glairoue. and Anti Bilious Glycerine Soap, ilb bars 4d, lib bars 8 J £51 6s per lb J P»«d by Dr Paul Gage Fils, Whiting Id per lb, 7s 6dcwb. Matches Pliids 4s per gro*. 44d dot mt _ Chemist of fche Ist Class. Hops, loose, Is 4d, and Is €d lb preaeed 1000 y ßßfcaa Bell . B lOd d 2 5 The only proprietor of thafc remedy. Bovril Is 9d and 3s bottle v 1000 Vestaa ««rm»n <l« iiw» Kue de Grenelle, S. Germain, Paris. Uebig's Extract MeaUs 9d per jar £ 4dTx r^STBIVI.^ ** *?™°'* ™* »- «• of'the mort Waßhboards, wood, lid, ztnc Is 2d OZt 2d box ; Safety's B and M 8d economical medicines, both as a Purga American brooms Is 3d, la 6d, l rs 9d, packet, small 3d picket * ye &n'l aa a Depurative, It is the beat I* _lld .„„ . .. , „ Staroh, Colman's, s!b pkft 6id lb remedy against all bilious and glairioua Freeh Ground Coffee la 4d, Is6d snd y m y p er Hbbox6d disorders. 18 8d lb Borax Starch'^laze, la doz.; IU packet „ ¥.\* mo". Beventy five years D* - - * Gauhe s Elixir has been employed with w» arA Paali Rn,, o « fl ~£ t>^ . - success against diseases of the liver, the * we are oasa buyers of Beeswax in any quantity. t-piopn, the heart, rheumatism, gout, - „■• fever, Influenza, st in dieeaaea, etc. Termfl : Prompt Ifttt CASh With th 9 Orders! Beware of imitations, and see that .^ . wwraj - you g6t the Genuine Dr Guillie'a Elixir, No charge for packing cases, and all orders delivered free afraiiway station whj ch bt a!t fche 9i«n»tn«, of p *al Gl««J and within a two milea radiua of Aihbwton! 7 " iSal o^n G^ 0"16 b BWOIDpMI6<I —*-x—■* Sold by Druggista Patent Medicine FLETCHER BROS.!? _ «*®S? 00- ASH|;SUPPLYSTORES ASHBUKTON AND OHRISTOaUSCE.*^ =ai=a - B==aa!S!=!Sas==^ 'The reliable Family Remedy Woods' Ore Peppermint Cura^for ;Ooughs| and Oold»<-> .. , „ _ UQdaodgiM rtaa _JSJB