SECOND EDITION

Commercial.

ABHBURTON GRAIN MARKF/iT" | The Ashburton Agency of tha New Zealand Farmera 1 Co-operative Association of Canter bury, Ltd, quote as follows on July 2, 1900:- Wheat— Prime milling Pearl „ 2s 3d „ „ Tuscan... 2s 4d ,1  Hunter's 2s 2d Oats—Dans .« la 41 to Is 5d Danish Is 4d to Is 5d Canadians Is 6d Sparrowbills Is 51 Barley—Malting, prime 2a Inferior Is 6d Peas-Partridge, 2a 3d Chafi—Good catsheaf 47s 6d Grass Seed—Old pasture, Is 9d to 2s New „ Is 3d to Is 6d The above are prices current paid to farmers on trucks at Asbburton.

ASHBURTON STOCK MARKET

Owing to the heavy rain prevailing over the whole Canterbury district), a email total yarding of 1500 sheep was brought forward for this fixture, in the presence of a very sparse attendance of buyers. Tne butchers' pens included about ISO sheep, nearly all merinos. Thera was a em*!! entry of cat! le, and prices dragging. The following were tha ruling prices :—Butchers* sheep Meriao wethers 9s 9d to 11s 2d, crossbred wethera 12s 3d to 13a 9j, lambs 9?, merino ewes 10* 6d, freezing wethers 16s, 17s, 18J. Store sheep —Crossbred ewes in lamb lOssW, 11s 4d, 12s 7c*. Oftttle-Heiferß £3 5a to £3 153, oows £3 to £4 ss, steers £3 2s 6d, dairy cows £5, springers £5.

TO CORRESPONDENT.

D Brick.—Letter declined.

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1900. THE HON JOHN MCKENZIE.

The people of this country, of all shades of political opinion, must agree in regretting the necessity which has arisen for the retirement of the Hon. John McKenzie from his position in the Ministry and his seat in Par liament; He has won the respect even of his strongest political op ponents, who, if they could not always coincide with his views, were compelled to admire his sturdy independence of character, and recognise bis practical knowledge of the requirements of the rural population of this colony. Mr McKenzie may take credit for being largely instrumental in bringing about much useful legislation for settling the Crown lands, and for resuming other lands for the purpose of closer settle ment. A large sestion of the press of New Zealand has, from time to time, criticised some of the public acts of the late Minister of Lands, but we notice a consensus of opinion as to the great value of his servicps to the colony, and to his worth as a man, in the references to his retirement which, co far, have appeared in the columns of our contemporaries, Mr McKenzie's absence from the ministry would be much more severely felt, had not his party been so firmly established by the result of the late general election, for " Honest John " always scored when a political fight was In progress. His sledge hammer style of debate was often more effective than the keenly pointed darts of Scobie McKenzie, and in any case, he was a tougri, opponent to deal with. Mr McKenzie's letter to Mr Ward on the subject of His resigna tion, has been published in fall by some of our contemporaries, bub aa the substance of it was anticipated by a telegraphic summary, we con tent ourselves with quoting the following from the text of the letter : " When Mr Baliance first formed his ad ministration we deliberately adopted the practice of going about freely among the people, partly that they might judge for themselves what man ner of men we really were, and partly that we might judge for ourselves what the loc -1 wants and grievances really were. The settlers have many a road and bridge to day that would not have been built if I had not been on the spot and seen for, myself that the work was necessary and proper. Thia prac tice, whether right or wrong, has become established, and I do not think any Government can change it now. The people have got used to meeting Ministers freely, and would resent any change that would make them inacces sible. -Then, again, we have always ; given very much time and attention to i departmental matters—too much, it is said, and that we should leave those j things to the under secretaries. Per- j haps so ; but considering the enormous i number of questions and debates in j Parliament on matters of purely de-' partmental detail, it seemed to u& to | be prudent to try and master I them ourselves, and to do it j meant long hours of work" j No one reading the above can have acy ; doubt about the cause of Mr McKen- j zie's breakdown ; he has over-worked ; himself like his chief, the Premier ; and we think our readers will agree j with us that there must be something ! very wrong in a system, which can \ bring about such results. Indeed, wo are sure that the majority of the people of this country entirely disapprove of Ministers of the Grown rushing all j over the country, instead of staying at j their posts at the seat of Government, except when the exigencies of the, public service call them away. Apart from this more obvious view of the ( subject which implies a waste of power in the machinery of government, there j is the fact that, at the present time, we j have the two most important members of the Cabinet incapacitated from their public duties by the over indulgence in this method of strengthening their • party. We shall, however, have something more to say on this matter

later. As for Mr McKenzie himself, we are sure shat from one end of New

Zealand to the other, the hope is every where entertained that the cause of his retirement from public life will not ibe permanent, and that he will soon I be restored to health.

Local and General.

%* Interesting reading matter will be found on the first and fourth pages of this issue,

The Railway Occident—At the inquesb on Saturday on ihr. body of the man, James Francis, found on tb/s railway Ifne, the jury returned an open verdict. Thk First Contingent—Trooper Wilkie writes under date May 16, that of the 214 men who formed the first contingent there are only about sixty on the fighting strength.

Rents in Wellington—ln a oaee heard at the Mugistr&tts'a Court, Wellington, (according to the NZ. Times) a carpenter gave evidence that he earned 10s a day, but through broken lime he sometimes only made 353 a we«k. He was paying £1 2s bd per week in rent

Boycotted—The upper classes in Sebaa topol (says a Daily it/a;'/correspondent) have started a thriving association for the boy cotting of British produce. It is busily canvassing for members in every parb of Russia.

Early Settlers,—A suggestion has been made in connection with the Canterbury Jubilee that, as there are some of the settlers who arrived by the fksb four ships who, through no fault of their own, have not) been successful in life, the Jubilee should be commemorated by their receiving a special pension or a grant of land.

The Hon. John McKENZIE—The Council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution on Haturday, regretting the resignation of the Hon. John McKeczie, and placing on record the great service! to the trade and commerce ot the colony that had been rendered by him.

Dismissed.—The Wellington City Engi neer has been obliged to dismiss the boys who were employed to collect refuse in the streets on the ground of their " inattention to duty." The Council recently decided to empower the Engineer to employ a number of young men over seventeen to do the work at a wage of £1 a week.

A Cabpentbrs' Union.—At a meeting of carpenters held on S&turday nighb at the Somerset Hotel, it was resolved to form a Union; also to communicate with the Conciliation Board. It was also resolved to meet again to draw up rule* for the guidance of tho Union.

Telegsams—lt may br useful to know tint in this colony telegrams from members of the Executive take precedence of Govern ment telegrams, marked urgent, then come service telegrams and urgent private tele grams, and the best paying dais, ordinary telegrams, come lash.

Landslips in Wbllington. — A PreEs Association message states that heavy rain brought down a tremendous slip of earth at the rear of some of the business premises in Willis Street. The shop of Christenson, tobacconist, was damaged to the extent of £200. Small landslips are reported from several parts of the suburbs,

Gtjn Accident—Mr W Brown, of Lauds ton, met with a rather serious accident on Saturday while out shooting on the Rangi tat a. He appears to have been trailing his gun, when it exploded, and the charge entered and shattered his right foot. He was taken in to Lr Maude about 5 a.m» on Sunday, and after having the wound dressed was conveyed to the Ashburton Hoepitili On arrival ab the hospital, ib was found necessary to amputate the injured foot. Mr Browu, although naturally somewhat de pressed, is doing fairly wel).

The New Railway Rates.—The fallacy of the new system for railway tickets is being shown iv tho fact that many persons along the north line who previously took return tickets only take singles, which in the first place doubled the work of issue, and in the next enables mvny to got home with persons who prefer to use the road, and the department Iroin statious nearer town will soon find that in this respect there will be a f filing iff in revenue

j Volunteers.-—There was a fair attendance ' of members at the Company parade of the Ashburton Guards last evening The candi dales for the position of Corporal—Privates W. Tucker, O Willis, and W; Anderson— were examined by Captain Dolman, of the Rifles, both practically and theoretically, and at the close, Captain Dalm&n complimented the candidates on the work shown. The result of the examination will probably be announced this evening, when a full battalion parade uader Lieut. Colonsl Bailey will take place.

Grbymouth Coal. — Owing to the increased activity in the coal trade, s»ys the Grey mouth S?ar, the Blackball Coal Company find ib ueoessary to pub on more men, and advertise for twenty extra ooa! miners, aud ben truckers* The company have chartered the Dingadee, which, along with the Gresham and Pareora, will run in the coal trade. To complete its contracts now in hand the company must put out 14,000 tons in the next five weeks, and farther orders are coming to hand.

A Sad Dbath.— An inquest) was held on Saturday last at Str&thnoou, near Geraldine, touching the death of Jessie Worcer, a girl between five and six years of age, daughter of the late F. Worner, who died on Thursday from injuries received through her clothes catching fire while lighting gone fires in the Waihi riverbed. The inquest was held before Colonel Moore, J.P, and a jury oi six* Mr J. Ktilaugher was chosen foreman.. After tha evidence had beea heard a verdict of " accidental death " was returned.

Took The Hint—The Lake Wakatipa Shipping Company, apparrenbly adopting the hinb which the Hon, J G Ward gave it) in his speech at River ton a few weeks «go, has made a reduction in its fares. The ordinary fares from Queeastown to Kingston are reduced from 7s 6d saloon and 5a steerage to 5s 6d and '6$ 6d respectively, and the fares between Queenstown and the Head of the Lake from 10s saloon and 7s 6d steerage to 6s 6d and 4s 61 respectively. The return fare will be double the single fare.

Ministkb of Lands. — The Wellington correspondent of the Oiago Daily limes saya thab ib is now definitely decided that Mr T. Duncan is to be Minister of Lands. Matters relating to roads and bridges and other thing?, which have in the past been placed under the control of the Minister of Land?, are to be handed over to other departments, and Mr Duncan wiil be Minister of Linda only. Ib has nob yet) been decided whether the other two port folios are to be filled this session.

British Forces at Hong Kokg. - The British garrison at Hong Kong before the outbreak of the present trouble in China was made up as follows : —BO.h Bittery of Royal Field Artillery, 25th Company Eastern Division, and 25'h and 38th Companies Southern Division Garrison Artillery, 25th Comptny Royal Engineer?, 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Fuailiers (25rd Foot), Hong Kong Regiment (native), Ist) Sikh Infantry (PurrJMib Frontier Force).

Tigs and Plague—A Nelson oontempor ary gives currency to a rumour that a pig in tha neighbourhood was believed to be suff-iiog from plague, and had been neat to Wellington for examination by Mr Gikuth. The pig duly arrived (says the Wellington post), but there is nob the slightest indica tion of plague about it. Examination ho far leads to the supposition that the animal suffered from swiue fever or contagious pneumonia, bub nothing more serious. This fugt has been communicated to Nelson.

Ashburton Boss—Writing from Kroon stad, under date May 22, Trooper Alex, Wilkie says :—"I was sent away with the Remington scouts to search some Boer houses for rebels, and upon my return from this expedition a couple of days later, was sur prised to find that the Third Contingent had arrived. It was about 8 o'clock at night, but I immediately set to work to find the Ashburton boys. After making numerous enquiries, I found Bob Upton, Roberts, Edward and Alf Willie, Heailey, and Hewy Harper, sitting in a circle having tea, They all looked remarkably well. I then went round to Lieutenant Tucker, who intro duced me to the officers, and we talked till nearly midnight,

Vital Statistics —The vital statistics for the six monfhs ending June were—Births 142, marriages 27, deaths 25.

The Frisco Mail—The Mariposa, with J the Frisoo mail reached Auokland this morn- }

ing, aud the mail should resch here about Thursday eveuing.

A Narrow Escape—The Rev. Father Grotty, of Ashburbon, had a rather lively experience on Sunday last. He was just starting oat in a gig, when the horse suddenly bolted. The occupants were thrown oub but escaped serious injury.

The Weather — Telegrams from else where show that) the wet weather of the past day or two has been pretty general over a, considerable area. In the Wellington dis trict the rain was exceptionally heavy, and heavy floods took place in the Hubt River.

Unclaimed Letters.—Letters from p'aoe beyond the coltny, addreaeed as under, were received at the Ashburbon Posb Office during the month of April, and are still unclaimed : —James Murphy, Thomas Pritohard, Alger non Ryan.

The Canterbury Millers. — The new scale of wages, as fixed by the Arbitration Court for the Canterbury Assooiation of Millers, comes into force to-day. All the South Canterbury mills are said to have closed down for a week, probably with a view to giving the owners time to consider the new position.

TIMWAIiD LITKKAET ANJ> DIBBATISO Society — Tha meeting of the Tlowald Literary and Debating Society, which was to be held laeb evening, was adjourned to Tuesday fortnight on aooounb of (he in clement) weather. At thin meeting an interesting debate on Prohibition will take place. New Postmasters— The following po«t*i appointments have boon made s—Postmas ters—J 1 Appltby, Little River j H Arnold Hornby; 0 W Johnson, Mown* Somer* ; 1) W Pemberton, East. Oxford; W Middletcm, Lauriaton; F Eedpsth, Prabbkton, Tele phonists-D Murray, Annati; F Belahunfe, Papatsui.

Waihkmo—A Dunedm telegram ttftto* that Mr Thomas Maokenzie, a former repra sentative of Clutha, ia definitely announced for the Waihemo seat. It) ia reported thats Mr J O Gow, Mayor of Palmerrtoo, wIH aho contest the eear,—A Wellington Vretrn tele gram statea that the writ for the Waihexno election has been it sued, and the date of poll fixed for July 18.

The Coal Famine—lt is an ill wind that blows nobody good is illustrated by the fact that the present coal famine tends to cause % boom in the development of the ccal measures in this colony. According to the Nalsoo Colonist a (splendid team of coal, said to be seven feet thick, has been opened up at Puponga, and it ia believed that at no dis tant date, a considerable output of excellent t al will be poisible.

A Clever Invention—According to the Berlin correspondent of the Daily Mail a syndicate his been formed by the Darmstadt Bank for the commercial exploitation of the telephonograph, a combination of telephone and phonograph, the great merit of which seems to be that one can hear the massage a long time after it ii spoken. The Postmas ter-general, Herr Yon Ptfdbieleki, who examined the invention closely, ia said to be quite delighted with it.

Chertsev School-The usual monthly meeting of the Ghertsey School Committee was held on Saturday evening last>. There were present—Mr Scarlett (chairman), and Messrs J Ironside, Copland, G Campbell, Dunstan and J Stewart. The inspection report of Dr Anderson was read and con sidered very satisfactory. Correspondence was read from the Board of Education, con cerning the removal of the assistant mistress, owing to the fall in the average Attendance ; from the Acting-Premier about war medals to celebrate the proclamation of peace ; and from the Education Department on the matter of celebrating Arbor Day. It was arranged to get four dozen medals and to take part in the peace celebratioDS. An account of £1 15s was passed for payment.

Imported Seed Wheat—Samples of the following seed wheats from recently im ported seed, are on view at the office of the Stock In pecbor, and for sale at 4i per bnehel f.o.b. train :— Autumn wheat: Ailo ra Spring, Boarded Herriaon, Ful z, Im proved Fyfa, Sicilian Square Head, Blountz, L'tmbrigi White Velvet, Pearl Velvet, Tar dent's Blue, Darbl&y's Hungarian, Hedge row, Battling Jack, Australian Taiavera. Winter or early spring: Xalavera de Bal levue, Medeah, Marshall's vVhite Chaff, Anglo-Australian, Red Cl&wson, White Essex, Hudson's Early Purple Straw, Alge rian, Bed Straw, Marshall's No 3. Spring Wheat: Zealand or Berth'oud, Marshall No 8, White Tuscan, Beardless Q larlz'ee, Early Baarb, Early Para, Budd'a Early, Golden Drop, Poland, Tall Neapolitan, Steer's Early Purple Straw, Steinwedel, White Lammas, White Naples, Farmer's Friend, King's Jubilee —Press

A Candid Admission—" I had a row with the forewoman, and was sacked for giving her cheek. Fhe pulled my hair, and I smacked her face !" Such was the candid admission of a girl witness in the match factory case at the Conciliation Board on Friday afternoon (says the Post.) Mr M'Kenzie told the board, ia referring to the girls who recently arrived from London to work in the factory, that some of them had brought! out farthings in their parses, and complained thab they could nob spend the coins in Wellington. They could not find any farbhing articles in our shops. Another complaint of the. Londoner! was thab Wel lington kept no penny doctor^. Mr M'Lay explained thab in the London factories girl* subscribed a penny a week to the doctor* fund, and when the doctor made his rounds of the factory the subscribers were entitled to consult him. Hence the term penny doctors.

"OtJBSELVBS AS OIHSSES S»E Us."— Our friends are generally too polite to tell us oar faults; bub they seldom fail to observe the fib and atyle of our clothes. Young men who want to make good impressions; muet bear in mind thab " appearance goes a long way." An ill-fitting suit: is uncomfortable, and an " eye-sore " to your friends.- Don't risk it! If you are a stranger here, the first) well dressed citizen you meeb will gladly direct you to " The Leading Tailor* where you will always find a large assortment of 'Up to date" suitings to select from) and where you can always depend on getting satisfaction. The large and still increasing business done by Messrs Craighead and Bebbymas speaks volume?. This finn has just imported probably the finest stock of new Beacons tailoring goods ever ehnwa In Ashburton, including a beautiful range cf the new rain-proof Beavers and Meltons for Ooverb ooate and Chesterfield overcoats, both fashionable and durable.

Interprovincial.

United PreSß Association—By Electric Telegraph

Auckland, July 2 The New Zealand Government has de cided to inform the Canadian Government thab ib will act in accordance with the latcer's views in the mat&er of the Pacific Cable, and will take its full share of responsi bility in regard to it. It has been lefb to the President of the New Zealand Counties Association to convene a conference of dele gates as soon as ib is certain Parliament is seriously undertaking legislation for a reform in local Government-.

Sporting.

WELLINGTON WINTF.R MEETING.

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph

Wellington, July 3 Torpina was scratched for the Wellington Steeplechase and Winter Hurdles, and Pipi for the Hack and Huntera* Steeplechase at the Wellington R.C. Winter Meeting.

The Proposed Loan.

United Press Association—By Eleotrio T|legraph. Wellington, July 3 The various demands by members for railways and other works, arid the evident intention of the Government to prosecute certain works more energetically than bad been the case during last yean, leads to the conclusion that the amount of the Loan Bill will be bigger than usual this ■estion. Id ia expected ib will be at least two mil lioHg,

Arrival of the Frisco Mail.

Uo!ijd Press Association—By Electric Telegraph

Auckland, July 3 Arrived— Mariposa, with the Frisco mail.

THE MINISTRY.

Mr T- ?. Eunean swoil, in as

Minister of Lands

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph WKLUNOTOif, July 3

Mr T. Y. Dancp.n, member for' 'atnara, was sworn in as Minister of Lauds and Agriculture this morning.

MESSRS HARDLEY BROS.

A Flourishing Business,

Situated in East Street, some three doors from the right of Burnett Street, there utamlii a shop which looks filled to over flowing with bright and attractive gas hangings, tape, tooii, tinware, guns, and all the et-oeteras that comprise the stook in trade of an np-to-date tinsmith and plumbing establishment. The premises are well known throughout the county as those of Messrs Hardley Bro*., tinsmiths and plum* hers, bub the front shop*, which appear to be atmo«t banting with the goods packed into them, give the passerby but little indication of the extensive and flourishing business carried on behind. Seme few years ago the little shop was quite large enough to accommodate the business of the very onterprbirg young men who constitute the firm. Comprised in their stook in trade, however, were three things calculated, in the course of a few years, to make the name of their little establishment. They pos sessed energy, perseverance, and *> deter mination to give fair vaine for money received, and these three have pushed the , end out) of the building to an extent hardly contemplated by the firm. The place grew altogether too small, and consequently had to be enlarged. Fireb the office was e'eared ftwuy, and the space it formerly occupied lacorjor*ted wl<h the front «hop, making that some rixty feet in length. The new part ia devoted to ranges and registered grates, a class of stock never previously kept by the firm. The increased room allowed of the heavy stook being rearranged and classi fied, adding greatly to convenience in hand ling. At the extreme end of this shop are an office for the bonk-ketper, and a private office for the proprietors, A brick wall cuts off the workshops at the rear, and passing through the dour into the workshops, one is surprised by the busy hive of industry presenting itself to view, Th« firm have recently erected this workshop, and al ready it is proving much too email for their rapidly extending business. The building is ot brick, and runs back some 80 feet, making the whole some 180 feet in length. The workshop is thoroughly well lighted by windows and skylights. .To the left is a corner devoted to gas fittirg and here, in a small rack or set of pigeon holee are junc tions, Ts, elbows &o, said to be worth £200. This item afono gives the visitor a slight inkling of what the machinery, material, tools, &o, in the building must hive cost. Labour saving machinery is all roand the place. Here is a guillotine for small tin ware, there a pair of snipe with handles three feet long. If the visitor has a turn for mechanise, his attention will be arrested by a machine combining both drill and vyce, a very fine and useful tool. On the ieft is a complicated looking machine for making spouting, and on the right a guillo tine built something likeahuge tobacco cutter, but Bevor.d feet ia length, and capub'e of tak ing in a full sheet of zinc or iron aft once. There is no laborious snipping along the sheet with a pair of hand shears. The lever is raised, the sheet put under, a pull, *nd down comes the long keen knife cutting iike a razor. One cannot help think ing with a slisht shudder of the consequences to a hand or foot getting under such a knife At the far end of the workshop is a room specially arranged for a gun-fitter, and the firm are making a special feature of gun fitting. In this room a handsome lathe of latest design, for turning brass work unions, taps, and general fine work, is crested. Here, too are fisted up special appliances for brazing, and a very large proportion of the brazing work of Ashburton ia done at Hard ley Bros. Stamping mach'Bos to manu facture spouting brackets, machines for making down pipes, for punching and drill ing, and sundry other appliances attract attention by the neatness with which they do their work: A special machine turns out star headed nails. Ia these the firm do a great business, and cannon keep paos with the demand. They a'so do a very big busi ness in corrugated iron water tanks. A special machine curves the iron, and men and boys rivet and solder it into tanks. Some hundreds of tanks have been turned out, and the demand increase*. The work benches are well lighted, and for the short winter days a gas jab is fitted for each workman. When all are alight the room presents a brilliant aod busy appearance. The general management of the establish ment is under the oare of Mr J. W. Hardley * 1 The workshop is in charge of Mr S. Hardley,. and tha front shop in charge of Mr* H, Hardley. All three brothers are popular members of the community, take a keen interest in the wellfare of the town, and no one will gradge them the success whioh their industry and' perseverenee baa won for them.

Correspondence.

(We do not held onnelves responsible for opinions expressed by onr correspondents

SANITATION.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sib,—Now that we have that dreaded scourge " the plague " in the colon,? I trust the Health Officer will see thai) all the premiiea in the districts of Hampetead and Treverton, with their, honeycombed filthy quarter acre sections and piggeries thereon, are kept clean, and not a menace tq the other districts. I have written before »s to the absurdity of Hampstead and Treverton being under a separate Board and think that the time is cow ripe : for amalgamation with the Borough, more especially as no proper sanitary arrangements are carried out in these two suburbs, and also would like to see the 'sealed pan' or other system made compulsory at once, both in the borough and suburbs, and nob delayed until it is too late, when an epidemic breaks out. —I am, etc.,

Suburban Risidknt.

THE SLOUGH RAILWAY COLLISION.

Opposite Verdicts Toy Different

Juries.

United Press Association—By Eleotric Telegraph—Copyright

London, July 1

At the inquest oa the railway collision at Slough, the jury acquitted the driver of the Plymouth express, which ran into a special race train, of any blame for the accident, on the ground of bis temporary aberration in not seeing the signals against him. At the inquest held on another victim, the second jary found that the collision was due to the culpabld negligence of the driver, and committed him for trial»

MASONIC.

There was & large gathering of Maeoae at the Ashburton Masonic Hall on Friday evening, including members from Waikan, Obristchurch, Ashburfcon, Geral dine, Orari, Winchester, Tiniaru, etc., the occasion being the installsl ion of Bro. J. W. Hardley as W,M. cf the Ashburton Lodge, 1811, E.G. ThecnremoDy was per formed by Bro. W H Gundry, O.D.G.M-. assisted by other Grand Lodge officers. The following were duly installed and invested : —W.M.,Brc\ J WHardley; 1.P.M., Bro. RFr:zz?ll; S.W., Bro. T Stone; J.W., Bro. G Oromie ; treasurer, Bro. Q Meddins, P.M.; Secretary, Bro. T M Jones, P.M. ; 8.D., Bro. J Pipe; J.D., Bro. T E Clayton } DC, Bro. H A Vesty, P.M.; IG , Bro. J W Timmins ; organiib, Bro. H Stepheuson; tyler, Bro. W Peittersen ; stewards, Bro. R F Lewis and A O Maxwell. After the close of the installation and ordinary business the brethern adjourned to the Orange Hall, and spent a couple of hours in harmony.

PROPOSED TECHNICAL CLASSES FOR ASHBURTON.

A meeting of those interested In forming technical classes for Athburton w«i held in the long room, Arcade, last night. There were present—Rev B. A. Woodthorpe (in the chair), Messrs F. Ferriman, J. W. Hardley, W. Brook, J. C. Oawsey, J. S. Tennant, Salmon, Grant, and Miss Jones. Apologies for absence were received frost the Mayor, and Meuri Bcaddetl, C. Reid, and C. W. PurnnU.

Mr Woodthorpe explained the purpose of meeting, indioated the lines upon which the proposed classes might be ran, and spoke of the great success and benefit the classes had proved elsewhere, particularly on the Con tinent

Mr J. S. Tennant spoke of his experience* with the technical olftsses ab Dunedin, »nd the great benefit they bad proved to himself and others. He Iliad respeoTso muoh benefit himself be felt in duty bound to try and provide similar classes for others. He in* dicated the auhjeoti that might he taught, and pointed oat that to obtain the Govern* meat subsidy paid to teohniot>l classes they would need to provide tome technical snb jects, for instance carpentry and plumbing. As to » place for meeting, he felt tare they would be allowed to me the Borough or High Schools, although the latter was not | very conveniently situated. Finances would, do doubt, be the main difficulty, at they could not rely upon the fees, whloh would be ■mall. At Dunedin the charge wae ?■ 6d each class. If the classes were started In 1 Ashburton voluntary subscriptions would probably come in ifor the firet year or two and enable them to meet the difficulty In that respect. They might find it necessary here to charge a trifle more, say ten shillings per term. As for teachers he was quite sure they, oould get a number of gentlemen in the town who would be willing to accept a very small return for their services the first year* They would probably find that for subjects like shorthand, book-keeping, or type writing • sufficient number would join to make these classes self supporting. He had been connected for a number of yean with the Dunedin classes, both as pupil and teacher. They began in a very email way, and now they were becoming one of the most important institutions ia the city. The expenditure was £1500 per year. The receipts from class fees Usb year amounted to only £530. Notwithstanding the financial difficulty their success was very great, and in a email place like Ashburton the success might be even greater, as the need was greater. Messrs Ferriman, Brock, Cawsey, Grant, J, W. Hardley and Miss Jones spoke on the necessity there was for such classes. Mr Salmon apologised for the absence of Mr Bardic, who was indisposed, and said that gentleman was not altogether in favour of starting the classes. He realised the seed there was for thorn, but in view of the utter failure of She Young Men's Club, which had been started under most; favorable auspices, he was afraid the youupr people of Ashburton had not sufficient perseverence to support the clause*. The subject was freoly discussed at consider able length, ftnd eventually it was decided to appoint a Committee to enquire as to the probable number of ntudents, the Committee to report at a meeting to be held in the same place on Thursday evening, at 5 o'clook. The following were appointed a Committee: —Rev Woodthorpe, Messrs Brock, Cawiey, Ferriman, D. Thomas, Salmon, Hardley, Grant, Mies Jones, and His Worship the .Mayor

A vote of thfcnki to the chairman termi nated the meeting

ROAD BOARD.

Coldstream.

A meeting of the Coldstream Road Bo<*rd was held at Hindji yesterday (Monday)* Present—Messrs Dobnon (chairman), Stud holme, Miller, and Willis WOKKS The Chairman reported that, ai authorised, he had let the shingling of Dobson'a road.— Hie action was approved, and be was farther authorised to. employ a man to .tally and spread a portion of the ehingle, and make the beet arrangement he would to get the work satisfactorily done. The Clerk stated that Mr Wright detlred about twenty chains of Windermere road shingled. This had never been shingled, bat Mr Coward, on behalf of Chatmoss estate, had applied last week to the Jjongfaeaoh Road Board to do the work.

In reply to a quostioio, the Clerk said he understood that as no tender had been re ceived for shingling from the Pound to the Cemetery, the work was to be let at the first favorable opportunity, and this view was assented to by the Board. Mr Stud' holma offered to allow the shingle to be taken from bis pit, and it was decided to aooept his offer.

Mr Dobson war authorised to procure pipes fora orowiog at the junction of Trig role and Dobwn roads, and to get the filling done . , ■'■■"'■  '.'

(The Rangitata Road' Board wrote, en qtiiting the oosfc of the proposed level oreis ing south of Hindi town.—The Clerk stated that he had replied, giving the probable cost 1, and he wu instructed to enquire of the District Railway Engineer if he would do the work, and wbao the actual ooit would be

It was decided to repair the bridge oa Drain road, and put tome shingle on the same road by the bridge Mr Studholme stated that he had had a drain oa Crowe's road deepened, and the shingle taken out was available to be put on the road " r

atrSGELLANBOTJS An alteration of the Valuation 801 l forwarded by the District Valuer waa agreed to. ' -'-" - A form of declaration in reference to sab> sidy on rates was received from the Com missioner of Taxes, and signed by the Chair* man, as also was an application for county subsidy on eggs and beach of small birds. The Clerk reported Uiat the Board's accounts to March 31, 1900, had been audited- " * The Commissioner of Crown Lands wroU stating that he was endeavouring to arrange with the Railway Department for a direct road to Ealing. ABBOB DAY,,

The Secretary for Agriculture notified that the 18th of July had been fixedfor Arbor Day, and requested the Board to brine it under the notice of residents of the district.

EOAD'BXOHANGKB, VSG- M^ Studholme submitted plan 3 and propoibU for closing a number of blind and loop roads and giving other land for roada gravel pits in exchange; alto offering to pay half the cost of survey, plant and advertising.

Mr Studholme having left the room the Boatd fconiidered tha offer, and nnanimonsly resolved to accept it, and Mr Stndbolmc vh uuthorised to have a»plan on larger scale prepared, which, on being oertiged by the ehairm.n and Mr Miller, corald be depo«ited for pub ]o inspection.

ACCOUNTS Aeoptwts amounting to £7 19s 2d were pawed and the Board adjourned.

THB AfeHBDEION GOAJttDUN : TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1900



PROCLAMATION OF PEACE! ————»:o: —— FT!HERE is nothing more conducive to peace than to give the Ladies Goods i JL at Bargain Pricps. Then to the thrifty and wise who want to save money, go at once and nnsko your purchases from GEORGE DUNCAN & Co., "THE PrOPLE'S DRAPEBB," T --NOaBD STREET, ABBBURTON, OPPOSITE AROADE. JUST ARKlVED—Fpeoial Shipment of jib lines in Faced Meltons and Serge Dress I Materials, 42 inches widf, fisbionable colors, Now note the prioe— 4i lid the full Drees, better qualities at 6< 91 a. d 8a lid 'nil Dross, worth doable ; come and a?c Job prices to clear Ladies' Capes *nd Jackets from 5s 9J upwards j prices will astonish yon Ladies' Fur Necklets (Bpcoial purchase) from 2a 6<i to 6? 6d Women's Black Cashmere Ribbed Hose, seamless freb. Is pair White Muslin Apron (Kmbrosdery trimmed) la and Is 3d, Roiog quickly Ladieft' Black Cashmere Gloves 6d pair; Lawn Handkerchiefs la 6d dczia NOTlCE!—Gteovfpe Dnncau Sc Co, have gob the reputation for Belling Colonial White BLANKKTS Cheaper than any firm in Canterbury. Proof it the prices—Single Beds 13s lid pair, Double Beds 19a lid pair ; pleas* note, cannot be replaced under 4s to 6s more per pair when our present! stock is aold out SHOWING EXTRAORDINARY GOOD VALUE IN THE FOLLOWING LINES, viz.— Colonial Flannels from lOf d, Flannelettes from 2|d. We are the noted house for these Goods 2 Yards Wide Fine Grey TVill Sheetings from 10|d Uabieaohed Linen Tabling llfd ; Art Muslins, in great variety, from 2£d yard Cretonnes 3§i; White and Grey Calicoes from 2d yard ; Roller Towelling 3|d SPECIAL NOTICE FOR DRESSMAKKRS-Slate Llainfw from 3£d, Al valua White and Grey Turkish Towels from 4|l, Toilet Covers from B|d ß An&imaooosaars from 7£d Ladies' Corsets from 2* 6d, Ladiea' ''hard wear" Umbrellas from 2s lid Exceptional good value in Bu?h and Bed Rugs from 6s 6d White Satin and Honeycomb Quilts from 4j 6d, Tapestry Quilts from 5s 6d Direct shipment of Nottingham Lace Curtains from Is 6£d, lovely patterns, and at Job prices; Reversible Cretonne Curtains 5a 6d pair MEN'S AND BOYS' OLOTHING—Note Prices Onehunga Tweed Trousers 7s 6d, New Sac Suits 32s 6d, Boya' Knioker Suits 13s 6d Men's Denun Overalls 3s lid, Mole Trousers 5* lid, Persian Cord Troußare 6s 63 Mf-n'i Brown Cotton Dr&wera la lid, Men's Merino do. 2> 6i, Lambawool do, special job lint, 2n 9d, Coloßini (Kaiapoi make) 3% 61 upwards Fatio■■■ Cotton Shirts, Cole, Is lid ; Leather do, 2a 61 upwards j Union do, 2s lid up* ward? ; FUrtni! Undera 3s fid uowards ; Kaiapoi Piaiding Drawers 5s 6d Men M\.ffl:-.r;i from 1» ; Samson B'ace? Boy« 6d, Men's Is M "V\ oo! K'in<ed Soclke, double heels, ll|i pair ; Men's Handkerchiefs 4£d upwards



NEW TAILORING DEPART MENT. A T tbe reqaesfe of a large number of my Customers I have added the TAILORING DEPARTMENT TO MY BUSINESS, and having secured a FIRST CLASS CUTTER, Gentlemen may rely on getting an excaileafc fit and style at moderate prices' GOOD SUITS FEOM £3 3s. AND RE W O R R . NOTICE TO FARMERS. ■yy E ace OASH BUYERS of PRIME MILLING WHEAT IN ANY QUANTITY Please take your Samples to the Mill We can supply Oornsacks at cost price. CANTERBURY ROLLER FLOUR MILLS. (BOLLITT AND C 0.,) J. B. HOBART, Manager 7 -.-.:.. !9uo.



MOD NEWS FROM THE FRONT. mmmmmmmom^ QJmmmmmmmm r aev learns that the Bri i^h mean to get Justice for all in South Africa. \% *- HOPE thf People of ABhburton have learned that we give Justice to " % our Customers in all our cutoproue lines. We have \mt landed, per the as" Wbakatane," the finest assortment of Brass and Iron BEDSTEADS ever landed in Town. Latest styles and designs. Direct from the Manufacturers in Birmingham. Call early and see for yourselves. Ahoit K'O Bedsteads to choosa from j all sizes; all prices. BEDDING of all kinds kept in stock and made on the premises. We have also just rs ceived a choice shipment, per the 8 s Kangatira, of TAPESTRTBS, SERGES,, PLUSHES, UTRECHT VELVETS, ORETTONES, Etc , for Furniture, And having secured the services of a First-class FP^^^e of Mel bourne), we are prepared to make New and Repair Old FURNITURE in Ds-to date styles,, at lowest prices, on shortest notice. Linoleums, Oilcloths, Rugs, Mats, Matting, Carpets, etc, just opened. New patterns, grand designs, per bs" lonic' At the request of numerous Customers, we have imported a choice assort ment of OILCLOTHS for Dados, which have just opened up in splendid order, Qt 11 and inspect them, ,«..,. j For Bedroom Ware, Dinner and Tea Ware, Fancy Goods, Pictures (framed acd tmframed), Photo Frames, Vases, etc, see our stocks before baying else wl ere. Pictures framed in latest styles. Largest stock of Mouldings in Town to chooae from. , Colonial, American, and Austrian Chairs, Folding Chairs, Qamp Stools and Wicker Chairs, Bamboo Tables, and Flower Stands with fancy Btand and hanging pots, also a few Bamboo Overmantlea. Bamboo Cornice Poles, al' sisea and prices , . Duchesse Tables and Chests, Washstands and Wardrobe^ kept in stock and made to order in any design. Perambulators, Go-Carts, Children's Ohaira of all kinds, at various prices. LIBERAL DISCOUNT FOR CASH, AT T. H. UN DRILL & CO., CABINETMAKERS, UPHOLSTERERS, & UNDERTAKERS, TAKCRED STRF.BT, opposite Aucadh.



PUBLIC NOTICES. 1 NOTICE. TT is rf quested tliafc all Claims against the Ashburton Publishing Company up to the 30th JUNE, 1900, be sent in afc once to 1 HENRY WILLIS MONK Y TO LEND. I HAVE Trnßfc Monies for Investment in sums of £500 feo £5000 on First Mortgage at lowest ourrent r&tep, DAVID Z\NDER, ; 6 119 Tapered Street PUBLIC NOTIOS. ("1 EO. WORNER, Butcher, begs to "X notify the Public of ARhburton and surrounding Districts, that he h;»s com menced Busioe^a on the Premises lately J occupied by O. Digby in East Street. First j Ciass qualiby Meat always on hand. Small goods kep^. Fimilies waited on daily. * The Premises will be opened on SATUR | DAY, June 30. 1900. 6_17 ' vi 1 I 31 EC] * a !h« rf) S 3 ts h y-H *§ s v^ s o I !JS g I " 1£ 3 B - r Hs § ii S ° pa UfJ o



FOR SALE SHEEP COUNTRY 3018 AOR« 3*lß Some disbanco above Mount Somers Town ship, A»hburton Gorge, oeing.RSi 31832, 318?3, 31834, and others all in its uative state. Offers are invited for the purchase , of the abovo. ■ Easy terms viz : Small cash deposit ba! ---! once by instalments, bearing a low rate of I interest- Full particular? furnished on application. T BULLOCK



J. WILSON, HOUSE DECORATOR, BUENETT STKEET. HAVING secured the asrvic 8 of a first close Pioture Framer, I am now In a position to receive orders for all classes of PICTURE FRAMING. LARGE STOCK OP MOULDINGS TO CHOOSE FROM. Telephone 65; P.O. Box 16 RE TATTRRSALL'S COKSULTA TION. HAVING been seriously, congratulated by a host of friends (moie than I thought I had) owing to a paragraph in your paper en winning % substantial priz'», I 'wish the public and all my friends to know that I am nob the luiky individual referred to, and that such a trifle of £300 odd would nob upset my equilibrium as much as it haa done my friends. The only thing that would annoy me would be for my friends U just drop in and give us an order for a Bath eaoh, and thus compel us to employ more hands. This, I take it, would be a Teal friendly action of my numerous friends. C. F. HARDLEY, Plumber, East Street, Ashbucton. HEOXOK MACDONALD, Sir Redvere Buller, Lord Roberta, The Natal ; Campaign, Capetown lo Ladyemith, Fight for the Flag ia South Africa, Stories from the Front, On the eve of the War, Wallet of Kai Lung, Maker of Nations Story of Han nah, The Plunderers, Haromi (a New Zealand Btory), and other new books. The Siege of Ladyemitb, in 64 photografiiiP. Pearson's Strand, Wide World, Casual's Royal, Wind sor and other Magazines for May.—H. M, | JONKS,



FOR g\\ YEARS I. MOATE&CQ's } SHEARMAN BRO^'i have large stock Loasbys Wahoo, Benjamic Gnm, Koollbah, and Cinnamon Cure _^ MOTHERS i Have you delicate children who are always taking cold and sub ject to croup? If so, try Tonking'a Linseed Emulßion, which will co:re where all other | medicines fail. Sold by local chemists and ! grocers in bottles, Is 6d and 2s 6d. 3 246 ;



What bring* the oolour to the cheek Of those tbab suffer and are weak, Whoie ailranuls hare bub made them crave To be released and in the grave ? What now has given such desire To live again, you may inquire, \ Consumption cannot well endure The strength of Wodda* Great Peppermieb Cure ■ • ,- , Wade's Worm Figs, the wonderful Worm Worriers, never fail for. A^ulte pr children



n The reliable Family Remedy Woods' Great