Local and General.

* # * On the first page to-day will be found news in brief, and on the fourth page the initial columns of a story. Fireworks Commuter —Members of the' Fireworks Committee and others interested ' in the Pretoria demonstration are reminded that a meeting takes place this evening at 7.30, in the Fire Brigade meeting room. Voluntbbb Prlze Mosey—The Volunte r corps in the North and South Canterbury districts) draw £143 4s and £77 13s 6d respectively ffom the Government as prize moley for the past season. Orangh Social.—The members of the Ashburton Orange Lodge celebrated the Queen's birthday by a social and dance in the Orange Hall. There was a large attend ance of members and friends, The gathering was a most enjoyable one, and dancing was kept up to the small hours to excellent music supplied by Mr W. Aoderaon and Miss Nellie Coohrane. Mr Herbert Clark as M.O. was all that coulJ be desired, while Mrs Patterson catered in her usual exoellent style.

Chess -It is proposed to commence a chess tournament amongst the iooal players of this fascinating game at once, some'half a dozen having already signified their iu tention of competing. As a match with Timaru is in contemplation, players who have not already seat in their names, are requested to do so to Mr G F Dodds, before Saturday next.

An Advertising "Ruse — A new ad* vertising scheme wari recently employed by a firm in a southern city according to the New York Ttibune. The junior partner of the firm swore out a warrant for the arrest of the senior pa fcaer on the ground that he was selling goods below cost, and that the firm was constantly lo«iog snooey thereby, The case came up in court, and the counsel for the senior partner asked for a postpone* meat in order to have moro time to prepare his case. The judge granted tha request, bail was fixed and the senior member released, As he left the courtroom the junior partner arose and exclumed • " If he is released the sacrifice will go on ?" The news wn spread and the firm did a better business. When the case was again called no plaintiff ap peared, and the charge was dismissed. The firm had succeeded in their object—ad vertisement.

Dredging A" Beef —The Picmier of Wes tern Australia (says a contemporary) is the newest kind of mining expert, as witness this extract from a recent West Australian Hansard:— The Premior: A reef could be dredged just in the same way as soft stuff, *.nd work of the kind could be seen at Fre mantle. Mr KingsmtH : But the reef would have to he b'aned first. The Premier : No ; without blasting at all Dredges were so strong now that a great deal was beipg doae ia this way at'Fremantle without blasting. Mr Gregory : It would be a most incon venient way to work a reef. The Premier: It appeared to be a capital way. Mr Gregory % How deep would a dredge be able to go? The Premier 5 A dredge, would follow the reef to a depth of 3Qtt probably. Soldiers Pathetic Messages.—One of the nurse's most painful duties is writing to the soldier's friends, mothers, wives* and sisters, when severe illness, Berious opera' tions, and, of course, sometimes deaths, have to be recorded. The messages are sometimes most pathetic. " Tommy " will say, *' Don'b tell mother that I am so ill," or, "Don't tell my wife how bad I am," and so on, the greatest consideration being shown by " Tommy " for those he has left, behind him, and in many instances *• Tommy" dies soon after he has entrnsied to the nurse the short and plainly worded message in which he has shown how he lovesi those who are thinking about him at home. One of Nuree Webster's patients, just before a serious operation, an amputation at the hip joint, asked her to be sure to writ? to a friend telling her to break the news gently to his mother, who was ii! at the time.

Doctors and Patients.—At an inquest held at the Magistrate's Court, Christohurch, on Saturday, a short discussion took place as to whether or not a medical man was bound to visit a patient immediately on being summoned. A member of the jury asked Dr Fox who had made the post mortem examina tion, whether the life of the deceased might have been saved if the doctor had come when he wag first called. Dr Fox replied that he could not say; the disease from which the man was suffering was not always fatal; people might haveattaoks and recover, while again in some casea no earthly aid could postpone the end. A further question was a'ked whether a doctor was compelled to aU tend when he was sent for. Dr Fox said that a doctor was not compelled to attend unless he wished. He knew for a fact that the doctor in question had only returned ih»6 evening from a long professional journey, and had just gone to bed when the message came, Again, he had been attending the family for some time, and knew what was j wrong with the man, and was in a position j

to prescribe without seeing him. Mr Beetham said that if it was the wish of the jury he would have the doctor there, but in any case it was abaurd bo suppose that a doctor could be compelled to attend a patient if he did not want to. The jury said they were perfectly Ratified, and did not require the attendance of the doctor.

The Gamk>rnian Thistle in Otago and Southland.—At r conference of mem-

Hers of the Otago and Southland Farmers' Union, held at Dunedin on Friday, Mr Cameron, of Tuapeka West, brought up the | question of the spread of OaHfornian thisblos oh Government reserves, and moved that the Union draw the attention of the Govern ment to the alarming spread of the thistle on these reserves on the upper banks of the Olutha river in the Tuapeka distriot. The thisfcle w»s growing principally on . the reserves. In. the Tuapeka West district | there were 1100 acres of bush reserve on the banks of the river, on which the thistle was spreading pretty rapidiy, and the matter had been allowed to go, with the result that

the thistlo was to be found sea' tered over the Tuapeka West district. The source of the supply was the reserves he had referre 1 t>. The remedy was to have the thiste out twice a year. It they were cut before they seeded and kept from starting they oouWl Vie kept dowu. Most of the formers out them and tried to out the growth. One member said that he had cut the 3 nvera off in the mi'ldie of February, and the thistles died down and he had not seen them since. That was four years ago. The motion was j seconded, and agreed to.

THE GAS COMPANY'S SHOW ROOMS.

Numbers of people who use gas daily in their homes have no idea of the m<iny uses to which this clean and exceedingly handy illuminant can be put A visit to the Aeb burton Gab Company's show room?, in Tancred Street, whera the Company's courteous manager, Mr J 0 Cawsey, holds a miniature exhibition every Saturday night, would undoubtedly give most people fresh thoughts on iho subject. In t'-.is room, for instance, a clever little patent, fixed to a gal pipe, indicates that a Wellnqach incandet cent buraer corsumea a triflja more than 3 feet per hour, whioh, with gas at lOi per 1000 feet, gives about 35 hours lighting for jpmething like Is ; uot a very expensive il lumination. The, value of the Wellsbaoh mantle is demonstrated, and it is shown that by the use of oue of these li; tie wonders, whioh cost a mere trifh, the lighting power of a gas j--t i« increased from 17 fondle power to 70. Housewives will be ohar.ned with the patent hand iron. This ingenious little contrivance is a hollow iron, into which ie introduced a gas jab, which heats ie up very quickly. All that is needed is a length of india rubber tubing to make the connection, and the housewife can then go on ironing from morning till night with the one iron. No need for a big fire and half-*-dozm irons, with smut flying about, causing annoyance and despair Tl c gas hand iron is a veritable gem, and in summer time is invaluable Another invention that will fill the visitor with astonishment, is the instantaneous water heater. Wi' h water and heater absolutely bold, a connection is made with a pt by means of a length of tubing, a match is applied, and, astonishing as it may appear, in lees time than ifi has taken io describe the heater, hot water is flowing from the tap, and will continue to flow as long at^ the snppfy from the feed pips laata. Tr en, th^gas fires and gaa ptovea are of the latest pattern, and the Company have another large con signment of these most useful artio'e* aim st due. A selection of hu'.bs, globes, and shades, with or without coloured eye sevens, com plete the Company's present stock in trade, which will be greatly augmented at an early date. Comparisons are proverbially odious, but occasionally give considerable satisfaction to the parties making them. The gas con sumers of Ashburton probably think they pay a flfciffish figure for the commodity. They will, no doubt, bo pleased to learn that with a very few exceptions the Ashbarton Com pany charges less for ita gaa than any other company in New Zealand. Even the seaport towns, where there is no railage on coal, do pot compare favourably with Ashburton, while Westport, where the ooal is practically at their very doors, the prices ohaigad per thousand feeb for lighting and cooking purposes are not much less than the Ashbur ton ones; and when the price of Ooal at the respective places is taken into account, the Westpnrt charge* are found to be consider ably higher.

ISLAND NEWS.

United Press Aesooiation — By Eleotrio Telegraph

Auckland, May 28

Laber Tongan news states Mr Thomson met the king and chiefs soon after the Tavinui'sf departuro. The king wishes the agreement to contain a provision assuring the kingship of Tonga to himself and his line, Tonga flig to be guaranteed and total inde pendence of Tonga from ontside control. He wished a p'Oteotoraoe only ao far as would guarantee Tonga against foreign agreements Mr Thomson refused to accede to these points and an agreement was not came to at this meeting. Mr Thomson proceeds to Sydney in H. M.S. Porpoisa, breaking off the negotiations.

Demonstration Against a Sal vation Army Corps.

THE QAPTAIN HOOTED AND PELTED WITH EGGS.

United Press A««ooiation--By Eteotrio Telegraph

Auckland, May 28

There was a great demonstration at Waihi on Saturday night to mark disapprobation of the Salvation Army refusal to hoist the flug on the local barracks on the relief of Mafe kinij. Rotten eggs were thrown and the Captain hooted. He could not get a hearing and sheltered in the barracks. The crowd made a demonstration outside. It is stated contributions are being refused for the same reason.

Interprovincial.

Ualced Preso Association—By EleOtrio Telegraph t CHRiSTOHtrBdH, May 28

At ft meeting of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College to-day the Finance and Estates Committee'reported that funds were available for instituting lectureships in electrical engineering, and sound, heat), and light, md for purchasing an electrical plant ab a cost of £1113, and physical apparatus, the whole departure involving a total ex penditure of £2388. The Committee also reported that the euro of £1000 would "be available for the erection of a building for an electrical laboratory. The reporo wa.sadopted, and members expressed the opinion that tho possWion of a school of electrical engineering wouM put- Canterbury far ahead of the other provincial districts, and would make Canter bury College a centre in this respect for the whole of New Zealand,

DrjNEDIN, May 28

An accident, resulting in the death of Professor Uirich, head of the school of mines, occurred on Saturday afternoon. The Professor, irf company with nil eon, was gathering geological specimens on Flagstaff Hill, Port Chalmers, and while In the act of testing stone he slipped and fell down the hill, a distance of nearly 100 feet, Ha was at once attended to, but the injuries, which were principally to the head, were very severe, and it was evident that Mb chances of recovery were .small. He died shortly before 2 p.m. When decsased met with the accident his son was some distance away, getting some specimens of mineral rock. It is supposed that the Professor, who had been in ill-health recently and was only recover ing, became giddy, and felt down the bare precipitous side of the hill above the graving dock in a series of falls, the last beitg a sheer drop of about 40 feat.—At the inquest a verdict o! accidental death was returned.

News in Brief.

Messrs Friedlander Bros, and Mr David Thomas, joint agents, will hold a clearing sale on Friday next, June I (on account of Messrs James McOrenor and Thomas Mathie son), of horses, contractors' plants, imple ments, etc. }*alpo a 1,0-acre farm, wibh four roomed house, etc, thereon fon account of Mr McOrenoi). The sale will b.e held oh Mr McCrenor's farm, Methven, commencing at) 11.30.

MARRIAGE.

Tavlob—.Anderson. —On May 23, 1900, at Fiemington, by the Rev. J. Skinner, M.A,, William JAMBS, eldeefe son o\ Thomae Taylor, Ashtoo, fco Isy, eldest daughter of William Anderson, Fleming ton.

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, MAY 29, 1900.

The Times correspondent in Tokio Bup plies a translation of passages from

I JAPAN AND i BRITAIN.

sbveral representa ti v o newspapers written in Decem ber. Immediately

after the reverses at ►Stormberg, at Magersfontein, and at Colenso, the Nichi Mchi Shimbun had the following: -~" The strong points of the English character are its endurance and resolu tion. Two months have now passed since the garrisons of Mafeking and .Kioaberley. found themselves cut; off from succour and environed by large forces. Yet the fierce Boera have not yet succeeded in reducing them. Tfae spectacle is worth considering. Even assuming that England's military organisation is inferior, even assuming that the training of her soldiers is defective, it is plain that she has the faculty of developing strength and determination the longer and harder the task before her. Provided, there fore, that public opinion in England does not change, and provided that the present Cabinet retains the confidence of Parliament, Great Britain's final ■ victory ia beyond doubt. Our convic tion is that the war will not enter its decisive phase until after next January, and that the resolution and endurance of the .English will carry them to victory at last, whatever the fierce ' courage of the Boers or the diml*- culties of the war. Without paus ing to consider the rights or wrongs of either belligerent, we only pray that our friend, England, may overcome those that stand opposed to

her, and may quickly restore peace. ■* s for the apprehension that the Powers of Continental Europe may combine for some fnterpri&e in the Far East, we do not bulieve that the for tunes of the war in South Africa will affect the greatness of England." And the Sochi Shimbun, to quote only one other: —"What makes the. character of the English bo", trustworthy is its [fortitude. One or two defeats do not discourage them. They never lose heart or nerve Each reverse has the effect of doubling their resolution. A hundred defeats would find them just as certain of victory aa ever. Their history for the past thousand years 1 shows them always steadily advancing, always winning in the end, always keeping a stiff back under all circum stancee. Is thera any room to doubt the 18806 of the present warf The fight in Sooth Africa is only just beginning. The real capacity and temper of the English will now he known. Our predictions of the initial difficulties have come true. We invite our readers to observe whether our present forecast is not equally verified.'

MR WARD AT RIVERTON.

The Itailways.

Important Reductions In Kates.

United Press Association—By Blectcric Telegraph Riverton May 28

The following is a condensed report of the Hon. J G .Ward's speech at Riverton last evening ■ —

Af er dealing with the railway revenue returns for the year, Mr Ward proceeded to announce the following proprsed conces-

Bionß :-—

PROPOSED CONCESSIONS. Encouraged by the increasing returns from >ur railways during th 6 past four years, the government h«ve determined to cheapen fche lost of transit, and it has therefore been lecided to carry out th« following altera nion«: — Workers' tiokets available by all trains arriving before 8 a.m. at Auckland, Christ- Bhuro'n, Wellington and Duaedin, and for reiurn by any train after 9 o'clock, will be issued at a nominal charge of 29 per week. Additional train* where required will be, put on to enable workmen to reach the centres ■■it the honr named from Avondale, Oaehunga Otahuhu, Lower Hatt, Lyttelton, Port Chalmers, and Mosgiel. The preseit charges for workmen's tickets available for twelve trips by these trains to Dunedin :— From Dunedin 4s 64, Abbotsford 3s, Moi gial 5i 6ti, to be reduoed to 2s per week, available for travel to and from work on each working day. The details of thii change may be improved upon. It will bs carefully watched to see its effect. Demands for many years past having been made for sectional tickets, it hat beau de cided to issue sectional tickets available for twelve months—lst class, ISO -miles, £25, with 2=i per mile per annum for each ad ditional mile. ThoY annual fitafe class tic kets will cost aa follows : Between Dunedin and Inveroargill, £25 : Dunedin and Timaru £25: Christohurch and Os<m»ru, j826: Christchuroh and Dunedin, £33 Thus for 12s 9d per week » person may trayel first class between Christohurch and Dunedin every working day in fcne year. Ido not think that cheaper travelling than this can reasonably be desired. The present annual first-o'asß season toket rate over ihe South Island State Railways coat £50 per annum. Persons desiring first class season tickets will be able to procure t hem in future be tween the following points at the rates named ; -Dunedin and Invercargill, present ohirge£so, reduced to £25; Dunedin and Timaru, £50, reduced to £25 : Christohurch and Oamaru, £50, reduced to £25; Christ ohurch and Dunedin, £50, reduoed to £33. To enable these tickets to be transferred, an additional charge will be imposed. This is an important departure, and it may in prac tice be found that some improvements in the details of the method adopted can be made. Mr Ward stated tha*. ihe ordinary season ticket rates would also be materially re duced, and quoted examples on the Dunedin and InvereargUl line* to illustrate the changes. He continued :—1 have decided to reduce the frtrea for ordinary passengers ! throughout) the colony to Id per mile. I may state that this will then confirm to the English parliamentary fare of Id per mile | The fares for Bret-class passengers will be at 50 per cent, advance on eecond-elasi rates, which is a very large reduction from the present existing scale RETURN TIOKKTS. Return tickets, which in the past have been found to be very troublesome in con sequence of the time restrictions, will be completely changed under the system I havi decided to adopt. Return tickets, though available if the public desire to use them, will to all intents and purposes be unneces sary, as return fares will be the rates of twe single fares to any station in th cVony, sc that a person desiring to travel fr m laver cargill to Dunedin, for instance, 'could take out a single ticket, and remain in Dunedic six or twelve months or louder, and then return to Invercargill by taking out an ordinary single ticket, and he would have paid no more than if he had taken out a return ticket in the first instance. Instead of being restricted as fo mer'.y to a month os six weeks for the use of the return ticket, there will now, by taking out a single ticket each way, be no time limit. This is * very great change, and it applies to all the sta tions in the c lony. However, while making the change, I still propose to give the public an opportuoity of taking out return tickets if they so desire at the rate of double the new single fares. In addition to other advantages which this change will invo'va, I may add that; the inducement which exiafed to transfer or otherwise improperly to make use of return tickets w*ill cease to exist. Mr Ward gave comparisons between the present and propeeed rates. The figures on the line Dunedin to Christphureh are :— Present farei —Single: First olass, 47s 4d ; second class, 32a. Return : First class, 63s lid ; second class, 42s Bd. Proposed fares—Single : Firßt claw, 28s lOd ; second class, 19s 3di Return : First class, 57s 81; second class, 38s 6d. HOLIDAY AND TOURIST BATES' Apart altogether from the concession! which I have told you will be made upon ordinary travelling there will be specially reduoed holiday excursion tickets issued from time to time aa circumstances re quire throughout the colony. I think it is desirable to remove the restrictions which have hitherto existed, and which have been found to be very troublesome to thosi whose holidays are limited to a few weeks, and who have been called on to pay an additional fee for an extension of a couple of weeks. I have decided to abolish this extension fee altogether, and for the future holiday ex cursion tickets in connection with the Prince of Wales's Birthday, Christmas, New Year, ISaster, and Queen's Birthday holidays, will be extended, and be available for return until the full term has expired without the extr* charge, I feel persuaded that much good would result from enabling our own colonists, as well as visitors, to go to some of the wonderlands of New Zealand when they so desired. Hitherto it has been the custom to issue ♦• tourist tiokets " from the Ist No vember to the 31st March, both for the whole of New Zealand and for each island respec tr ely. These have proved of very little uae to people who cannot obtain leave from their avocations during the period to which these tickets were restricted. In order to remove this disability, and for all classes to have an opportunity of visiting the vari one attractive portions of the colony, I have deoided to remove the restrictions altogether, so far as any particular period is concerned, and to make these tickets available at any time intending^ travellers apply for them during the year. I expect aa a result of this concession that the tourist) traffic will rapidly grow,

THE RATES FOR HORSES.

Continuing, Mr Ward said :— With a view ,tn fostering the breeding of horses, a con cession will be granted in the case of race horses returning from race meeting 1), and' hunting horses and polo ponies returning from matohes and meetings. The conces sions which will ba given for these purposes will take the form of carrying the animals back iree of charge, subject to reasonable conditions. The Railway service as carriers cannot of course take any side co far as the sentimental aspect of horse racing is con cerned. It is the duty of those who prtro utse and maintain this sport to see that it I is conducted on proper lines, and in a way , thar will remove any praotioes, if they exist, which might, militate against it. I hope that those who are responsible for the control of racing (a sport which is patronised j by so large a class of the community) will strictly enforce such regulations as to leave no cause for reproach. I take it to be the duty of those who control the State railways to consider the conditions of tha multifarious callings of the people throughout the colony who require to use them, and while giving facilities as seem most conducive to the business of the Railway Department, and seeing the services are efficiently and pro fitably oondnoted, and I am of opinion that the reforms I am indicating will do much to improve the quality of the horses bnd in New Zealand.

PRESS TICKETS,

Kecogniiing that the Press is ft medium through which a vast amount of information ib disseminated, and that we are a great read ing community, I think thafc every possible facility should be given to tho Press of the colony to obtain information from all parts of it, and that spscial facilities for this purpose should be provided for reporters to move about the oountry. I have therefore decided thac ordinary season tickets, single journey ttokets, and return tickets are to be tuned to the Press at quarter ratts, and that

annual tickets, available over tiv Onvern ment lines for the whnie colony, »h% 1 b issued at £10 p*r annum.

BETTER TIME TO BB KEPT.

The time has arrived when every eflfor should be made to keep better time on ou pHsaer ger trains, and in order to attain thu obj-ct; it has been determioed to limit tin . work on a number of trains co that they ma\ keep better time, and as far as possible be confined to purely passenger business, and that the shunting so tedious to traveller? generally, may be avoided at intermediate station. To enable this to be done, additio nal trains will be run whenever required. Mr Ward gave ft list of trains which are to do no goods shunting en route,. Amongst these is the express between Chrißtchuroh and Dunedin, He farther stated that the morning train from Waikari to Christchureh, and the evening train from Christehuroh to Waikari, and the 8 a. m train from Christ ohuroh to Aehburton, should do no shunting, except at Rolleston for goods traffic en route. Of courie, he continued, goods waggons between the teTminal stations will be taken by these trains, provided punctuality doe* nob suffer thereby, but »s before stated, shunting at intermediate ebations will be prohibited To enoourage the tourist traffic, said Mr Ward, the Government has been considering the advisability of running an improved service between Danedin and the cold lakes—at all events during the summer months—bub before doing so will negotiate with a view to securing much cheaper steamer fares betwesn Kingston and Qapens town, and between Qaeenstown and the head of the lake than now charged, feeling as sured that it Is useless to expect the business , to rapidly expand unless popular prices are ! charged. If the locU steamship company cannot see its way to make charges accept i able to the Railway Department, and in my opinion sufficiently low to develop this great traffio, the Government will immediately take steps to establish its own steamers upon the lake, to be worked in conjunction with the railway service. The second class ac commodation throughout the colony will b« generally improved, and I have determined to provide second as well e.B first ekes lava tory accommodation on all trains outside tht subui ban areas. A start has a!ro*dy been made in this direction, and wiil be vigorous! 5 pursued vat I completed. OVERCROWDING AT TICKET OFFICFS. Ihsre has been in tha past considerable complaint as to the difficulty of obtaining tickets at the principal centres, and in re gard to the overcrowding of ticket offices 11 am therefore arranging to have ticke's solr at the principal centres dai y throughou 1 the ytwr on the day before they are r*qairec to be u*ed, so that the crowding oomplatnec of a.'»y be avoided, JOOTWARMIRS FOB THE CARS. I have considered the advisability of pro viding foVftwarmers to be placed at tht services of the public to be used in p*seengei carriages during the winter months, and J am disposed to ibmk that the travelling public would not object to pay a small fe< for the use of each oonveniene . The presen winter is too far gone to enable this to bt done to meet this season's requirements, bui before the following winter I hope to hay« the system in full operation THB TKLKGBAPH *-ERVICS I may mention that to give greater facili ties to the public, the principal telegrapl offices throughout the colony will be opened continuously day and night. In i^e tire* instance, this will be done at Auckland Napier, Wanganai, Wellington, Christ, church, Timaru, O*maru, Dunedin, and InvereargSU. Mr Ward wenl on to lay—l do not on the pre sent occasion intend to di cues any genera matters effecting the Post anj Telegraph service, beyond the change I have just indi cated ; but upon some future occasion J intend to publicly review the working of thai important department, and I truss to be able to suggest some improvements beneficial bo its ownerß, the people of the colony, ] have noticed that it h*s been stated by some journals that I proposed to deliver a speech dealing with the polioy of the (joverament during the coming gsssion. This I have never had any intention of doing. We are now close up to the mreting of Parliament, and in my opinion the right place for this to be outlined is in the Governor's Speech at the opening of Parliament. I felt it was duo to the public to give thm some idea of the important changes I have indicated in the management of our State railways. It is the largest of our State Departments, and represents more of the pubic money than any other department. I feel confident as the result of these ohaages, which repre sent concessions to the amount of. about £75 000 per annum upen the existing busi ness, that the increase of traffic which will follow will go largely to m»ko up a con siderable portion of this at an ea^ly date, and before long 1 expect to find the revenue folly recouped to the extent of the reduc tions now being made. lam satisfied that the revenue of the railway service can well afford the amount that has been conceded. Ths changes are to come into fores on the 28 hor June next). They will be watched with considerable interest, and I hope that my predictions here concerning the effects which the changes will have upon the revenue will be so far boine out as to warrant the Governirent In further reviewing at an early date the rates applying to goods, produce, and timber, with a view to giving the public the advantage of still further reductions. Mr Ward, in concluding, paid a tribute to the employees for the uniform courtesy and attention shown by them generally through the colony. After travelling through various parts of the world, it was no empty compliment for one to be able to say that our staff was a credit to the colony. At the conclusion of hit speech, during which he waa frequently applauded, Mr Ward was warmly cheered,-

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last nighb. Present—His Worship the May ok (Mr Hugo Friedlander), On J Daviaon, H Davis, E J Paul, J H Pauling, W Joilifte, H M Jones, H Willie, and D Thomas. Leave c-f absence wu granted to Cr Scaly. MAT R*S STATEMENT. The Mayor stated the debit balance at) the bank was £593 15s. The amounts received since last meeting totalled £60 8i 3d. They had paid back £500 from the loan, which caused the large increase of the overdraft. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read aa follows :— From Mr C. Campbell, secretary of the committee formed to celebrate the final success of the British arms in the presenb war, fttking the Council to give its support to the movement and appoint delegates to attend the next meeting of the committee. Cr Joliiffe said, that as a Council, they could do nothing in the matter. They might, however, pasß round the hat. Replying to the Mayor, the clerk said there was a small sum still available for the t purpose in the fund for unauthorised expen diture.

Cr Jones moved they vote a sum of £2 towaid) the fund.

Cr Davis seconded the motion.

Cr Jolliffe opposed. The amount in hand was very small, and there would be many calls on the fund yet. They might do some thing privately, and would no doubt have to do so.

On Cr Jones' motion b«ing put, it was lost.

Crs Jones and Davis were appointed a Committee to attend the meeting as dele gates from the OoundiL The telegram of the Acting-Premier, the tlou. J G. Ward, re : the relief of Mafeking, was read, also the reply sanb by the M&yor,— His Worship was congratulated on the word* ing of the reply, and his actioa approved of.

From Mr H. McElrea, suggesting that the Wakanui Road, where ib ran through the Borough, be namedl High Street, as it was the highest) in the Borough and corresponded with the street of that name m Christchurob. —Received; from Mr E. R. Biake, engineer for the Pahifttu* county, giving full details re the sealed pan system of scavenging. The letter was referred to the Sanitary Commit tea, Mr Blake to be heartily thanked for his information; from Mr E. Parkin, resign ing his position aa assistant engineer to the fire Brigade, as he was leaving Ashbnrton* he resignation was accepted with regret, councillors remasfcing Mr Parkin had proved himself an excellent aßsistant engineer ; from Mr P. Gourdie, applying for a culvert over the water race on Winters' road, to give entrance to section J79 for a traction engine. •—Referred to the Works Committee j from the Rev. Father J, J, Q'Donnell, re the foot, j

>ath io front of the (Jonvtmt, school, wh^ch -vaß veiy rough and wet, and asking f- r it o bo graded .-md uhingled.—Referred to the ■Vorba CrmmUtee. LIMITING COMMITTEE This Committee reportt-d :~ Y<>ur Cominittfe bee to ;ej-ort that, ifca ■mtliug held on the 25 h it;s , at which the ;!-.uiim&(i was absent .(h'ough illness, the -allowing recommenda'i'jDß wore made on lie m'tiera referred to them fiom ihe Council. 1. Petition for lamp af corner of Ker -nod« and William Streets —Your Commit tee would recommend the Council te ersct • his lamp, and request tho ir\? 0 mpany to make necessary connections i 2 Lighting Committee—As fch<v cpi ion if the Solicitor to the Muo'cipal Ass-oa oion states that the balding cannot leg illy ba lighted by the Council, your Committee can only recommend that Mr Bu lookb- In formed that his requeit cannot be granttdU Cr Thomas objected to the erection of the new lamp at William Street), they could nob go on spending the great percentage of their income on lighting. He had moved before that br« Ooancil buy the gas works, and he rill held that opinion. The question of providing more lamps was a serious one* Each lamp cost £4 or £5 annually, and he knew of quite a number more that were to be asked for. He moved as an amendment that clause 1 be deferred till Inter in the evenj ing. The amendment was nob seconded, The report was then adopted M ft whole. SANITATION The Sanitary Committee reported the scavengers had made an explanation re a number of complaints, made of work negleo'ed. The explanations had been ac cepted, WORE* COMMITTEE AND ENGINHB'B REPORT The Works Committee and engineer re ported •«— 1. Disposal of Bobbish—The Works Com mit tee recommend (Ist) that a new dumping ground for rubbish be made in the riverbed above the bridge, below the terrace to the south-west of Dobion Street, and (2ad) that in view of the Council's proposed intention to adopb the sealed pan system of scaveng ing; tho matter of the removal of rubbish from private premises be dealt with in connection with the same scheme. 2. Shingle for Street*—The Works Com mittee recommend that fresh tenders be called for the supply of shingle, and this committee be empowered to accept a tender. 3. Formation of Streets—The Works Com' tnittee recommend that the Wakanui road east, and that part of East Street between Aitkin and Gray Streets, be re-formed by the Council's labour gangs, and that tenders be called for tho formation of West Street from Wills Streeb to N. V. Belt, and of Kermode Street 4. Flood Water in West Street—Wo have arranged for another escape for ft >od water towards the river, in case of emergency, bjr placing a culvert acroes Burnett Street at its junction with Paik Street, but I believe from the reports of the foreman- and ranger, that a considerable proportion of the flood water we have to contend wit h cornea aorosi the N.W. Belt from the east side of the Alford Forest road. This overflow into the borough could easily be remedied, by either putting a culvert or laying pipes aoross the end of the Alford Forest road to carry the water into the river ; it would be on the boundary line between the Upper Ashbarton road district and the borough, and would requifkVto ha done, we presume, by mutual arrangement of the two bodies* With respect to the drainage of the grain storee on the CoudcH reserve, T.S. 211, we suggested some years ago, that a catch water drain be formed on the high ground at the baok of the store, and we thiok that to make the drainage complete, it may also be necessary to car y a drain pipe under the floor from the back to the West Street side channel. 5 Labour Gang—The men have been engaged during the past two weeks in re forming and shingling footpaths recently channelled, tarring foo paths (second coat), making and fixing culvert and channel bridgep, carting soil to Bectioits, and.shingle to streetH, removing rubbish, attending to the water supply and general maintenance wot kg. The second part of Clause 1, dealing with the removal of rubbish ,was referred to|fc le By Laws Committee; Clause 4 was left in the hands of the engineer, and the balance of tho report was adopted. INSPECTOR OK NUISANCES The Inspeotor of Naisanoes detailed what had been done in the yards reported on aa dirty. Some had not been touched. Others had put a certain amount of shingle on rnp of the filch, but not "sufficient. Cr. Jolliffa Bald this was a oase where a medic&iofficer of health would be of immense value to the Borough. He (Cr. Jolliffe) waa Snti'fied such an officer would not allow gravel to be put on top of the filth. The names were detailed, and it was decided that fourteen day's notice be given to effect the necessary improvements, or proceedings would be taken. The Inspector reported there were but one or two cases of infectious desease in the Borough. He had not time to inspect certain closets he had been ordered to report on. Ib was decided to give the parties fourteen days to do the work ordered, or proceedings would be taken. , Cr Thomas said he wouid like to know how ib was the Sanitary Committee went round and reported on certain insanitary places and ordered certain things to be done, and the inspector bad noc carried out his Instructions. The committee had pointed out nine or ten houses in one block, where the closets were in a disgusting condition. They had no doors at the back. In many the boards under the pans were rotten, in some the pans were leaky, and in most there was an accumulation of excreta nnder the pans. The whole were abominably filthy, rotten and insanitary, and after the Sanitary Committee had ordered the cleansing to be done the inspector should have seen it was done. Ib was a month since the committee had gone round, and instead of the work being done at onoe it appeared from the reporb ib was to be pub off for another fort night. Councillors thought the inspector was probably busy inspecting elsewhere, but agreed that he should have seen that casee pointed out to him were rectified at once. Councillors also blamed the owners severely. It was a most disgraceful state of affairs* Th« places were in a filthy oondition and might breed a fever; Or Willis said the speoial inspectors, the police constables, appointed ab the last meet* ing had been round, and he thought ar rangements mights be made for the result of their inspection, to be forwarded to the Council. He moved to that effect, and it waß decided to apply to the authorities, for their reports to be forwarded. LARRIKINS IN THE BEADING ROOM Cr Jones asked what supervision there was over the reading room. The Mayor said it was a difficult matter. While the Council's officer was there, the boys behaved themselveo, but as soon as he turned his back the boys practically took charge It) was decided to take steps to abate the nuis nee of larrikins, disturbing the reading room. ' STREET CROSSINGS Cr Willis drew attention bo boe exceed ingly dirty state of the at rents during the recent wet weather. He thought the Council should provide crossings here aud there by scraping the mud to one side. Cr Jones contended the crossings, should be swept every morning, when the*ttreets were so bad. Id was remarked that ib was a standing order of the engineers, fchab in web/ weather the crossings should be soraped, and it wai decided to enforce the order. \ RE-NAMING A STREET Cr Willis, in accordance With -notice given, moved to re-name Wakanui> road where ifc ran through the borough. The word road led to a confusion of. \ idea_q. Strangers coining to the" town and\ being directed to Wakanui road had no idea Wshere that road was, and others thought) ibjWas Some distance out: of town. The change was desirable \ and would be more in fttaorf with the symmetry of the borough, / Councillors agreed and asked Cr WJUb to suggest n name. . I Or Davis suggested Mafeking Street. \ i Or Willis accepted the suggestion / Cr Dayia seconded the motion. •; Or Jones greatly preferred Maori naraos. Go. the Mayor's suggestion it was decided bo hold the m^'tcr over till next tneetinVg. hie: jcal obwger qt? health \^ In reply to the Council's advertismeint, Dra Bolger and Maude applied for tBQ position of medical officer, The formerV \ asked £40 pet annum ; the latter said as qq I

TBE ASMBUKTOft GOABDIAft; TtJESL>A?, MAY 29. I&00



New Zealand CLOTHING FACTORY WHY get web when SI» will buy you a WATERPROOF GOAT? We are showing a large Block of Coatp, all our own make and guaranteed thoroughly Waterproof. We »leo have the latcab shape Double Breasted Oheaterfield Waterproofs, and if there i* nothing to laife you we will take your order trad mai c you one. 150 Patterns to Choose From Tweed Overcoats and Capes from 19s 6d. WILL KEEP YOU WARM & DRY. Ooverb Coats in Fawn and E'aofc. Good value. Now in the time for warm' Under clothing. Srs Cur Stock. Thh Largest in Town RIBBED L.W, PANTS from 2s lid Notwithstanding the advance in Wook we are celling at the same prices as \**t Season having bought before the risf t * OLOT HING FACTOKY. ?, H. BEOKINGSALB, Manager ■ TLJ 'H « 2 vAmd -tj " . _ i l_l & « * « j! C 1 td >. • = » 5i o 1 sag s Qj« <1 « I 5: £ r^ i " pop GG-- S <! ), i - - ■ — < MttS JOHNSTON rpEAOHBR of the Pianoforte and Sieging. Havelock Street. J. WILSON, BB tt.NET T STKBET. T HAVE JHST TO HAND a very large variety of MIXED PAINTS Very Suitable for Painting Drays, Traps, Kitoheca, Interior and Exterior of Houses, Etc. OSBORN COOMBE, PIANO TONER 4 EXPERT {Late of London), VISITS Ashburton and surrounding Dis tricts every four months—viz, March July, and November. ORDERS may be lefb with MR LLEWELLYN OWEN at hia Mmio Studio, Arcade Chambers, Ashburton. or ab Commercial Hotel. WE AbK-~ Your inepectioa of our EXCELLENT TWEEDS AND OVERCOATINGS. Wo have now been in business 26 ' yoac?, and still retain many of our ' first customers, which alo.na is proof o our HONEST WOEK. McDonald & Go, twilors, Etc; Jubilee Buildings Burnett Street | THE BAPID LIGHTNINCTGLOFS IHE OHLIT RELIABLE SHIBT POLISH IN THE WOKLD, MR3 MILLIiR, of Danedin, the Pro ftmeioDa! Laundress, says :—lt is the best J have ever used. It makes Shirs Ironing pleasure. -Wise Mothers and Sißters try it and iftve your itrengtl, temper, and patienoe. Onoe tried, always used | Said in tine at : SHEARMAN BROS' & JOHN ORR &.CO. 5 136



PRBTOKIA. DEMONSTRATION A MEETING of the Firr-vorks Com- Ol mittee will be held in the fire Brieade meeting room, on '] UEBDAY next, the29ih inst., at 7-30 p.m. Everyone interested in the movement is invited to attend. A. / .FOOKS, Chairman. 0. OAMPgELL, 5 206 Secretary. ODDFELLOWS' HALL. CHURSDAY, JONfl 14, 1900 GRAND VONOERT'. PROMOTERS : A..A.0. & A.C. SPECIAL engagement of Miss LiMAN SMITH, leading Contraho of Christ church, and Messrs P. Hooklet & B. Edgar (Chriatohurob.) Fall Programme will appear in lft'er issues. UPPER ABHBURTON ROAD BOARD. fTIENDERS are invited for Clearing Goree X on Roads fronting Rural SecbioD 2L986 (Anderson's Fa<m, n*ar Westeifiald), some 220 chains, more or less. Particulars of the above can be had on application to the Clerk. Tenders to be left at the Board's Office, West Street, Ash burton, nob later than 12 o'clock Noon on FRIDAY, June 1, addressed to the Chair man, and marked • Tender.' The lowes*i or any tender not necesharily accepted. By Order, 6 211 JOHN DAVISON, Clerk ASHBURTON COUNTY CuUNCIL. TIMBER FOR PIRrCWOOD, Etc riIENDERS are invited for CuttingJCtagli X and Removiag Dead lintnJM^W on Reserve 1905 at junction of JgjjjPi'wby and Smth Road, about 25jj00na lots of one acre or more. Council Office. Tenders, addr'ftsea to Chairman, to be Beat ia by 11 o'clock ».m, FRIDAY, lit June. By Order. WILLIAM BAXTER, Oouaty Engineer. Ashbarton, 26th May, 1900. _JLS! 9 ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL. npENDERS are invited for providing and. X planting 20,700 Pirus Ii «igDi*» 3,Cjfif Lurch, and 5,000 to 10,000 Oaks. JF Particulars at OoCtaqil Office. jjjr Tenders addressee! to Ch urmat^nbe. sent ie by 11 o'clock a.ml on FRIOJpPT, Juue 1. j By Onier, \ WrWffM BAXTER, ! County Engineer, | Aehburfcon, May 26 5 218 FOB SALE, FOUR Shares in tha No. 1 Indastrial Building Society. T. BOLLOCK " FOB BALE £\C\ ACRES good Land, below Willowfcy, (&\J originally Dart of the cikbraled Longbeaoh Estate, and being part of R.B. 15619, the property < f Messrs Chapman Bros. Liberal terms cf payment can be arranged. Apply to T. BULLOCK. "FOtTSAL^ """ (JTERLING BICYCLE, in firat-clasa run J!3 ning order ; Scted with new Dunlop Road Racing Tyres a>:d the labs'; Sterling Roller Chain, aod »n extra pair of Duniop Path Racing Tyres, also Handle Bara. The prettiest machine in town. Apply Mail Offiae AIiOHITEOT. AROADK CHAMBERS, ASHBUBTON. TF you want a NKW HOUSE", or Altera tions, or Newest Style of Decorations, CONSULT- MR AGER Call and gee the NEW FIBROSE BLIND, Imitation of Venetian, at half the price. 5 191 bTw. hanm w%T~~ TO FABMERS. I AM prepared t^> make very liberal cash advances on all produce—Grain, Woo), Frc«m Mutton or L»mb, Sheep Skins, etc, etc., which may be placed in my hands for sate here—or for sale by my representatives in London. I shall not charge any Commission here for the advanoe—and my representatives in London having the full knowledge of dealing with all produce consignments which they may receive, and having plenty of money to meet my drafts, will not sacriGce anything entrusted to their oare, if there ia the slightest chance of doing better by holding for a while. Thß question of selling indis criminately beoiuse they do nofc know per sonally the consignor, ia » very strong fea ture in the mode of doing thrir business, which has always recommended them. E^ W. HANMER. APPLES, PEARS, B&NAUAS, ORANGES, LEMONS, WALNUTS, PUMPKINS, ONIONS, POTATOES, OHIOKFEED, Etc. \%J E have made arrangements "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 Lowest Market Prices. ! NICOLL BROS. Grain & Produce Merchants. n~ HEAP Reading for the Winter. Just received 200 volumes of atandwd ! worke, cloth bound lOd each. The following new Booka are also in stock—'A maker of I nations,' Boothby ; • Jone March, Crooketh ; \' Wiles of the Wicked,' Le Quex ; *»co, f Pemberton ; 4 A Welsh singer,' Kaine ;' Was | it right to Forgive,' by A E. Barr ; 'Home j ' Giinuastica,' and ethers. War Number! of > Magaziuea, —A. H. Wiilums, Tanorta ] Street, j



TO TH >SE WHO ARE $ot I heir Own Landlords. WHY Pay Rent wh n for a cash deposit you may bacomo yonr own Landlord, and th n the weekly Rental you are at present paying would leave ] something every week to go towards reducing ihe purchase money. As an example a house for which a tenant 5: ays 7s per week could in nil probability, be purchased for £160, this by keeping ihe weekly rental paid for 14 year--, woald leave the prt party fully paid for ; while if a tenant remains in the .'anae houso for the same time without acquiring the free hold, and continues lo p*y the 7s per week rental, at the end of that time he will not own one foot of the timber of which the house la built, The following are a' few of the Proper tiea I have on my books for sale : — A comfortable Dwelling, situate In Burnett Street, the property of Mr J<;hn Newman, together with acre of land, planted with fruit treea. This property adjoins Dr. Hunter'a resirferce, and as [ Mr JNewman.bas recently purchased a larger hvUfee this is for immediate sale. . ■ F. FERRIMAN. A well built house of 7 rooms, situate in Peter t-treec, together with £ acre of land. There is also a detached wash-house (with copper and tank), woiksbop, and bathroom, F; FERRIMA.N. SMITH'S ROAD, ISiCrHERBY. A hoMs>-of 5 rooms, together with E aogalWihnd. This is an opportunity iTOoom offered to those wot king at the 'Fret-zing Works Giving ihe workmar the privilege of keeping a horse. F. FKKHIMAN. A house of 6 rooms wiih scullery, 1 acre of land, situated on the Wakanu Uoad, within ea^y distance of the cenin of the town. F. FERRIMAN jjcfalf acre of Land on the Beach Road ppou which i* erected a comfortablt house of 5 room 1? snJ scullery. The lane v well st-.c&ed with fruit trees. F. FERPIMAN. Four Acrea of land atTinwald, situah on Carter's Terrace, upon which is erected h Dwelling House of 9 rooms, detachec w»sb)>iime, dairy, etc A!bo convenieni 6tabling, consisting of 4 loose bcxes, trap house, and chaft'-house. F. FERRIMaK. k capital Building Site, situate on th« JSbrth West T-»wn Belt, containing out ajre, beirg Lot 71. F. FERRIMAN A Farm of 320 A cres, situate withlr ea-y distance of the Fre-fz'ng Works. Th< pri party is wpII fenced and watered, anc is foi immediate sale, F. FERRIMAN. CAPITAL BUILDING SITES IN AITKKBT- & GREY aTKEtaTS. I have for Sale a block of 5 Towr fieotiotti, admirably adap'ei for buildinf purposes. - TO LET SEAFIELD EOAD. A VERY Convenient Accpmmodah'or Paddock, containing seven acrea, laid down in gra?s. F, FBRRIMAN. TO LET. f A COTTAGE of 4 Rooms and Scullery /tL together with oae acre of^ laad a AllaatoD. Apply— F. FERRIMAN F. FKRRTMAN- O&TtST LOWIY 'MM FOE Gas Lamps, 15s Each. Shipment of Belfc and Carbide Just to Hand. DATES, LOWftY AHQ CO, i i Burnett Street.



School Teachbbb and Inspectors Oon feb —The teachera in the North Canterbury Education District met the School Inspectors of the district afc the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, Chriatohuroh, ' on Saturday morning, to discuss with them the new regulations for the examination of I schools. There was a very good attendance, 1 and Mr J B Mayne, president of the North Canterbury Education Institute, occupied the chair. The Inspectors spoke very frankly concerning the new regulations, and showed that they were willing to afford all the help they could to teachers, and to give any explanation where it was necessary. Mr L B Wood spoke at length on the bearing i on education of the alterations, and Dr: Anderson and Mr Ritchie compared the new with the old regulations, and spoke on the details in which they differed* &. long die- ! oussion followed, and Messrs J G L Scott, J 0 Adams, Seay, Hughea, Binnie, and Howard, among others, took part in it. On the motion of Messrs Voss and Howard, it was agreed that the North Canterbury District Education Institute and the In- j spectors Bhould meet to consider the new regulations, and make suggestions for sab- j mission to the Council of the New Zealand Education Institute. The Inspectors acqui* esced in the proposal, and they also explained very fully the method they proposed to adopt in the examination of the schools i under the new rules. A very hearty vote of I thanks was accorded the Inspectors, In acknowledging it, Mr Wood remarked that it would be in the interests of education generally if the teachers and the inspectors ! met eftener, and had similar discussions. j Wade's Worm Figs, the wonderful Worm Worriers, never fail for adults or children Unequalled and Invincible, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure for Coughs and Colds, Is 6d »nd 2s 6d



Smoke New Venus