EPHEMERIS

SUN.

Phases or the Moon for December.

Mail Notices.

Mails close for the following places, a3 under, subject to the necessary alterations: TUESDAY, Dec. 2. For Northern Ports and Westport, also United Kingdom and' Continent of Europe, via Monte Video and Teneriffe, specially addressed per Wakanui, per Eotomahana, at 6 p.m.

Mining.

Dunedtn, Dec 1 During tho week ending to-day, returns have been reported from 57 dredges, the total yield being 13090zs 15dwb 6grs, or an average of 22ozs per dredge.

Additional returns. — Perseverence II 31ozs lOdwt, Waimumu Queen 28ozs lldvvt, Island Block 26ozs 16dwt, Enfield 25ozs 1 ldwt, Waitahuna 20ozs, Globe 19ozs Bdwt, Upper Waipori 16ozs, Junction Electric 14ozs lldwt, Eeliance lOozs lOdwt, New Nevis Bozs 17dwt, Coal Creek Plat 7ozs 4dwt.

G-reymouth, Dec. 2 The gold export last month was 68590zs Ildwt2lgrs, valued at 7a 6d. Last week 24 dredges obtained 7450zb, an average of 31£oza.

Commercial.

London Wool Sales.

London, Nov. 30. The wool market is very excited and ex ceedingly firm. Waipahi brought Bid, Longburn 6|d and Greenfield 7&d. The amount catalogued to date is 47,740 bales and the sales have been 46,224 bales.

London Markets.

London, November 30 Tho Frozen Meat Trade Association's Smithfield Mai'ket quotations for the undermentioned classes of frozen meat are based ou actual sales, of not less than 11* carcases of mutton or lamb or 25 carcases of beef of fair average quality. The quota tions are not for selected lines, but for par cels fairly representative of bulk shipments now on the market. Sheep - Canterbury, sdj Dunedin and Southland, unchanged; North Island, none offering. Beef -Un changed. Eiver Plate sheep— ITeavy, 4 7-16 d; light, unchanged. Beef—Unchanged. Hides—Good demand, New South Wales heavy ox, 4sd; light, 4£d ; cow, 4fd.' Leather-—Unchanged and firm. New Zea land basils, Is 2d.

Ashburton Grain Market.

The Ash burton Agency of the _ New Ze iland Farmers' Co-operative Association of Canterbury, Ltd., quotes as follows on Dec. Ist, 1902: Wheat- Tuscan 4s 2d to 4s 3d Pearl 4s 3d to 4s Gd Hunters 4s 2d to 4s 3d Oats—Duns 2s4dto2sod „ Danish ... 2s 4d, 2s sd, 2<s Gd „ Sparrowbills ... 2s 5d to 2s fid „ Canadians ... 2s7dto2sßd Barley—Malting, prime 2s Ud to 3s 3d ; Inferior ... 23 to 2s 3d ; Peas —Prussian Blue ... 5s „ Partridge ... 3a 6d Chaff Good oatshoaf ... £i 5s to £i 7s 6d Grass seed-Farmers' ... 3s to Ss 6d The above are prices current paid to farmers on trucks at Ash burton.

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1902. THE ANNUAL SCHOOL SPORTS.

As it i 3 just possible that some of our readers may now be able to turn their at tention to some subject unconnected with the late no-liceuse vote, wo think it worth while to remind people interested-and these should be almost everybody -that the Combinml School Sports will take place on December 16th. It is of course pretty generally known throughout the Ashbur ton district that these sports were inaugu rated a couple of years ago by the teachers of the town schools, assisted by Mr David Thomas and others, for the purpose of en cmragin^ healthy athletics, stimulating a wholesome spirit of rivalry amongst the pupils attending the public schools, and promoting pleasant intercourse between the young people in town and country. It is impossible for any person with a fair knowledge of human nature not to recog nise that these friendly competitions, should if properly conducted", secure the objects for which they were promoted. Indeed, much good has already resulted from the \ the gatherings that have taken place in Christchureh and Dunedin, where they wars initiated shortly after the first meet ing was hold in Ashburton. But, so far, the country schools in the Ashburton County have not availed themselves of the opportunities which have been afforded them, and only three or four of them have sent representatives to the annual sports. It was thought at fii-sfc that the meetings had not bean sufficiently advetticed, and consequently the Committee in 1901 sent special notice-) to all the teachera and chairmen of School Committees throughout the district But this made little or no difference; such schools as those at Rakaia, Methven, and Mount Somers being amongst thosa not represented on Decem ber I'JtK Various reasons have been sug gested for this remarkablo stite of aloof ness on the part of the country schools, some of which we should be very sorry to accept for the credit of their teachers. There may be—in fact, we fear there are— amongst our schoolmaster somo who are averse to let their boys and girls run the xlsk of defeat. Indeed, wo fear that this feelin" has had something to do with what hashappened in the past.' But if so, let us remind them that thpy are missing a grand opportunity of giving their youthful charges one of the most valuable lessons possible to fit them for their journey through life. That lesson is one that many adults have neglected to loam in their young days, and it ig-how to take a beating. We, as Britishers, have been in tho habit of priding ourselves upon being very hard to convince that we are beaten; but, also — when there is no doubt about it—upon being able to accept defent courageously. We want our boys taught this, and our girls too, for that matter, and our teachers should be able to inculcate this lesson both by pre cept and practice. Bi/t what^ve^ th<3 reason may have been that caused pjir country schools to adopt such a peculiar attitude towards the annual school sports, it is to be hoped that in future they will follow the example of the schools in the country districts of North Canterbury and Otngo'anct be w.oll represented at the com petitions in the Ashppwqn Pornain on the 16th of this month.

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A report of a meeting of ratepayers in the Anama Boad District, held on Friday last; will be found on the fourth page to-day.

Weather Forecast. — Captain Edwin wires:— Gale from between west and south west and south; glass rise; weather colder. ' ■

Gardening.—The gardening work for the month of November will be found on the first page of this issue.

Thistls Lod3E.— The E.W. Bro. F. C. Binns, Grand Superintendent, will conduct the ceremony at the installation, of the \V. M. and investiture of officers of the Thistle Lodge, No. li 3on Thursday evening.

Bazaar.—The bazaar which is to be held in connection with the Baring Square Church is to be opened on the 16th of December, at 2 o'clock. "Further particu lars will be advertised later.

Fishing.—Fishing at the mouth of the Ashburton yesterday, Mr Jno. Dawson landed a troub weighing 13£lbs. This is one of the biggest fish that has been brought to grass this season.

A New Feiu'UYeser.— " Burnt ale," the liquid refuse from the manufacture of Scotch whiskey, has been used with great success in Glenlivet district this year as a soil fertiliser.

Strawberries. —The first strawberries of the season were put on the Dunedin market on Saturday. They were only a small lot, from Ashburton and Waimate, and they realised 2s 3d per bottle and 2s 6d perlb.

Sib MArEicE O'Eokke.—The Auckland •' Herald " understands there is good rea son for believing that Sir Maurice O'Eorke will bo called to the Legislative Council, in which case it is considered certain that he will be elected Speaker of that Chamber, Sir H. Miller's term of office having expir ed.

A Fatal Mistake.—A Press Association telegram from Invercargill states that Charles Maider diea at Queenstown on Sunday from the effects of a dose of butter of antimony, which he mistook for whiskey. He was frightfully burned about the mouth and internally, and lay for six hour 3 before being discovered.

I New Zealand Wheel Each. — For the ' N.Z. Wheel Race, of 75 soys., run in Christ church < n December 16th, there are thirty five competitors. G. Sutherland (Christ church) i 3 placed' on scratch, conceding the Ashburton representatives— H.*"Holland 40yds, A. Huston 95yds, and J. Gordon 200 yds.

Accidents. —A man named Sutcliffe was brought into Ashburton by the Mount Somers train this morning suffering from a bad cut on his foot while bush falling. It appears that Sutcliffe was in the act of striking at a large branch when the axe slipped and struck his foot, inflicting a nasty wound. Mr Ellen, of Staveley, ac companied Sutclifie to Ashburton, where he was taken to the Hospital, and the wound dressed.—A lad named Daniel Eobertson, who is a farm hand at Winchmore, was brought into the Hospitrl yesterday suf fering from a compound fracture of the right leg, caused by a kick from a horse.

Bpficent Officers.—We are sure that wo express the general opinion when we say that tho manner in which the late election was carried out in this electorate reflects the greatest credit on the Return ing Officer (Mr T. W. Tayler) and his deputies. The loose manner in which the roll was compiled must have been a serious handicap to those officers, and as a matter of fact Mr Tayler, his deputies, and the scrutineers had a great deal of extra trouble on that account. We desire also to acknowledge the courtesy shown by Mr Tayler towards the press in enabling us to give to the public the very earliest informa tion as to the progress of the election.

Cube for Dyspepsia.—A physician has recently called attention to the use of water, not only as a remedial and therapeutic, but also a=i "a mechanical agent in the treatment of certain forms of dyspepsia. Let the patient (says " Health ") drink from one to three pints" of water one hour before each meal, and thert comfortably seat hiself. in an easy rocking chair, and rock backwards and forward* one half-hour. The locking will agitate ,tbe water in the stomach, and wash the walls completely, liy this means absorption will be wore rapid,

Electoral Rolls.—The " Napier Tele graph" wan* s an inquiry made into tho condition of the electoral rolls of the colony, and Bays that the strangest part of the business is that to a considerable extent the names omitted are, those of persons who were visited by agents for the purpose of assisting to make up full rolls. The Government should call upon the person or persons implicated in what looks like suppressing claims to explain their con duct.

U.A.O.D. —The usual meeting of the Star of Ashburton Lodge of Druids was ' held last evening. There was a large at tendance of members. Bro. G-. Bowman, A.D., opened the Lodge at the usual hour. Correspondence from the Grand Lodge was read and dealt with. The balance sheet and auditors' report wa? taken as read, and adopted. The balaace sheet showed a sub stantial increase in the Lodge's funds for the six months. The election of officers for the ensuing half year then took place, and resulted as follows:—A.D.~Bro. D. Stock ; V,A.—'Bro. W. H. D. Pearf.e; Secretary— Bro. 11. Steph'enson (re-elected); Treasurer —Bro. H. C. Shrimpion (reflected); I.G. Bro. C. Berry; O.G-. Bro. Lester Johns] A.D.B.'s—Bros. Johnston and Mulford; V.A.B.s —Bros. Gobbe, junr., and J. Harris, junr; M.S. —Bro. W. Pearson (re-elected); Auditor- Bros. Dunlop and Berry; D.G-.L. Roprosftntatiyes- Bros. W. Pearson and R. M irsden. The officers sleeted were in stalled into their various offices in a yery impressive manner by D.P. Brp. Gobbe assisted by P.D.P. Bro. Marsden. A vote o.f thanks was unanimously passed to the |).P. for his services, alao to the retiring Officers. After transacting routing busines=, fcho Lodge was closed by fhe A.D., Bro. Tt. Stock. The receipts of the evening were. J> 18 12s. At the close of the Lodge the members, together with the members of the Ladies' Lodge, sat down to light refresh ments, when a very pleasant hour was spent, members and visitors contributing songs, speeches, etc. The retiring D.P, Bfo Oobbe, was presented with a P.D.P. collar, and a;meinber's sash was presented to Bro. Mulford, P.A,, for introducing the largest number of members during the past six months.

"Plumping" at the Election,—ln the .cities there is considerable discussion ro " plumping " for one candidate. Whether the practice is commendable or not, it is a fact that the electors of New Zealand are "plumping" for the Rudge-Wbitworth, which they recognise to be the best and easiest running bicycle on the market. R. D. Johnston, agent, Burnett Street.

The Tailoring Trajos Jsisj3it.te — The secretary of the Tailors' 5 Union objected in Court that Craighkad and' Berryman put fay more work in suits than ordinary (Christchureh) tailoring. Manufacturer's agents explain that Craighead and Berry ina#'s linings have to be made and imported specially, bQing'bpfcter'quality than usually sold. They h&ve just engaged several extra experienced man to cope with the rush oj orders. Craighead and Berryman pay extra for both labour and material because their motto is " Satisfaction." Up-to-date suits from £3 10s. New summer hats, shirts, tiei3, boois, efp., jnst opened. Compare prices!' "Qb>erys the quality .'^(Advt.) •

News in Brief.

Motor cars belonging to the Motor Oar Company will soon be running between Wairoa and Napier. Mr I). Thomas will s»ll by auction in the Arcade next Saturday Mrlileyellyn Q w *,n s bigii-cjnss musical instruments. I his'op portunity should not be missed by those in search of a really first-class article.

The Situation under No-license.

With the object of giving as much information as possible on the probable effect of " no-license " in this district, we are publishing a number of opinions which we have elicited from persons of all shades of opinion in various positions and in all parts of the district. The following are some of these opinions:—

A largo employer of labour in the county (not a teetotaller) holds the opinion that the abolition of the liquor traffic in Ashburton is "the best thing that has ever happened to the place." He is almost sure that all the large landowners in the connty voted for " No-license " last Tuesday, be cause they have better opportunities than most of the electors of seeing what a big factor the public houses are in causing so many of their employees to go astray. The gentleman interviewed said the wages paid away on some of the large estates amounted to over J3200 a week, and unfortunately a great portion of thi3 large sum has been wasted in hotels, for he held that most of what is spent by the agricultural labourers in drink is wasted, inasmuch as so many of them are not satisfied with a drink or two, but go on drinking for days. If it had not been for the hotels getting such a large proportion of the wage earners' cheques, more people would now be settled on the lands working for themselves.

A -well-known Justice of the Peace, whose opinions aro pretty well known on the prohibition question, considers that great benefits must accrue f lorn the change. He was at Gabriel's Gully and Weatherstone's in the early days—in 1861—when drink was sold at the stores, and when the licenses were withdrawn many threatened to leave, and actually did so, but they soon returned and settled down again. He did not think that there was any danger of the farmers not coming in to do their business through no drink being sold in the town. He considered the manner in which some people had exp'essed their opinions was an insult to the county. There were 41 prohibits here, and to his own personal knowledge there were as many informations laid and not gone on with as those that were. He recognised that the hotels were not revenue producing in the same sense as the land ; they were only channels for the circulation of coin, only a small percentage of which found its way into the pockets of the local tradesmen.

A well-known farmer in the Winchmore district considers it an insult on the far mers of the district for people to state that they (the farmers) won't come into Ash burton because they cannot get their beer. He is certain they will come when business brings them —beer or no beer. Mr Donald McLean, who, as most people are doubtlgss aware, has been a total abstainer all his life, said he is not in favour of the abolition of the liquor traffic, which he believes will not be such an effectual check on intemperance as a more vigorous administration of the existing law, which he hold provided sufficient machinery to keep the evil within proper bounds. He did not see how it could be completely done away with, for there would be drunkards under almost any conditions. He instanced what happened on new diggings in Aus tralia, where thero were no end of drunks before anybody got a licence to sell liquor, far more than there were when licensed houses were opened. He had never seen such heavy drinking as he saw when thero was no legalised sale of liquor. His ex perience of men on stations was that they would go away and spend their cheques somewhere, and generally came back with nothing. He thought they would be more likely to fall into bad hands if the traffic wa" not legalised. He believed many men would drink more if they kept it in the the houso. He would, as already stated, prefer to see the present law properly en forced, and would have e,very man found drinking in a hotel at prohibited times punished as well as the licensee. As to the statement that the publicans try to get all they can from a customer, that may unfortunately be true ; but his experience was that most business men had the same objectionable habit, and it was not peculiar to publicans. He would like to see the police have instructions to caution publi cans against supplying liquor to nen showing a tendency to go to the bad. People did not seem to him to take enough interest in their fellows to try and stop the men who were going wrong,

Conversing with the skin buyers who ape in tho habit of coming to Ashburton regularly to attend the skin sales, our reporter was informed that the effect of no-liceme would not trouble them much. "We intend," said one, "to bring our supply with us."

Sir W. J. Steward.

Sir W. J. Steward said: "My opinion upon the question as to the effect of the carrying of no-license in Ashburton is that it is impossible to predicate it with any thing like cortainty-^one can only speculate as to the probable outcome. I think, how over, that it may be, in the first instance, safely assumed that there will be a great fall in the value of hotol property; that 'is to say that the buildings now licensed will be of a less market value by many thou sands of pounds when the licenses are withdrawn, and I cannot regard it as a just state of things that the owners should be called upon to bear the entire loss, espe cially in such a case as that of the Somerset in which the owner has practically been compelled to go to large expense to fulfil the demands of the public, and before he could derive any return whatever from his expenditure haa been suddenly deprived of the right to carry on the business for the proper conduct of which that expenditure was insisted upon. The fall in" the value of hotel property will necessarily mean a corresponding loss to the Borough in rates, and the Borough will also lose £270 a year In license fees and rate?, the immediate consequence of course beiijg that it will be necessary to increase the, rates by, say, 3d in the £. This loss may be to some e"xte.nt reduced by a slight increase in value in properties adjoining hotels, as in some jjases the fact of a property being close to licensed premises has a dppreciative effect. Exactly how this will pan out cannot be determined beforehand. As regards the business of the town generally, I think that, at first, and for some time at anyrate, the drapers and grocers—the former esper pially—will stand to Ipse considerably in one direction. That is to say, there are a good many persons who, resenting a state qf things which interferes with their ordinary methods, will go to Christchureh much more frequently than of yoro and while there will purchase their stores and soft goods to the logs of the. Ashburton tradesmen. On the other hand there will be an offset, in that a good deal of loose cash that under license would be spent in the hotels will, under prohibition, be avail able to ppend with the Ashburton shop keepers. What will be the balance of advantage only experience can decide. We must wait and see. For myself, although I have read a great deal on both sides of the 'queStiob I am n£)t convinced that prohibition does (always) prohibit - ther^ are perhaps communities id' which it has been a success, but on the other hand there are clearly others in which it has been a failure. What the result will be in Ash burton it therefore appear.3 to me to be impossible to predict.' It is a leap in the dark. v ' '

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association — By Electric (Telegraph—Copyright

The King of Portugal. London, Nov. 30 The King of Portugual spenda the weeks j end at Sandringhain, and afterwards visits Lord Lansdowne, leaving England on the ; Bth December. ■ j A Defaulting Secretary- The "St James's Gazette" states that William Parker Owen, secretary to the Sunrise Goldmining Company, New Zea land, and to-the Indian Q-lenrock Consoli dated Company, has been arrested at Lisbon on a charge of embezzling several thousand pounds. The Mullah. The stores captured from the British, and returned by the Mad Mullah, were unfit for use ' Military Reinforcements Paris, December 1. Large military reinforcements are being sent to Marseilles, where forty vessels have been deserted by their crews. Mr John Dillon. New Yoke, December 1 Mr John Dillon is much improved in health. Affairs at Venezuela. Venezuela seized four. British merchant men at Orinoco. Washington refused to guarantee the loan intended to settle the Venezuelan debts. Famine and much sickness exists at Cuidad Bolivar. i Russian /Treats. Sr Petersburg, Dec. 1 The "Novoe Vremya" states that if Britain refuses the sugar arbitration, Russia will be released from treaty obliga tions and will act in Europe and Asia in accordance with her own interest. A Judicial Appointment Perth, December 1 The Government has appointed Mr Robt. McMillan, of the Inner Temple, to one of the vacant Judgeships. The new Judge will leave London at the end of the vacation.

Protecting Australian Shipping. Melbourne, Dec. 1

Sir E. Barton has announced that he will introduce a Navigation Shipping Bill next session. The measure will compel over-sea shipping to pay seamen Australian rates while trading between coastal ports, and will prohibit coastal traffic in over-sea ships carrying the flag of a nation similarly restricting British and Australian ships.

South Africa.

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright London, November SO. Sir M. Hicks-Beach has forwarded Ex- President Kruger's letter to Mr Chamber lain.

Mr John Redmond and Mr Patrick O'Brien had an interview with General Botha lasting for an hour. London, Deo I. Mr Ritchie, Chancellor of the Exchequer, explains that neither he nor Mr Chamber lain intends that the British taxpayer shall supplement the free gift for the re settlement of the Boers. If further assist ance is needed it will be rendered by means of loans on easy terms from the Transvaal ex-chequer. Lord Milner haa telegraphed to the Lord Mayor that his letter (published on October 29th), has been misunderstood. It referred strictly to new war losses, 1 exclusively in the new colonies. Owing to the Govern ment's liberal provision for British sufferers by the war in the Transvaal and Orange Rivor Colony, an appeal to private benevo lence was unnecessary, and was not de sired in their ca*e. He never wished, how ever, to discourage assistance to loyalists in Cape Colony. Sufferers by boycotting were deserving of every sympathy. The Government has ordered from Neil son and Ka'id, of Glasgow, sixty locomotives ■for-Soubti Africa. Wagonwrights are also receiving large orders for the same place.

INTERPROVINCIAL.

United Press Association —l*y Electric Telegraph. AuckijAnd, December 1

In response to the European petition in favour of licensing hotel accommodation for travellers and tourists an ordinance regulatiug the importation and sale of liquor has been passed by the Island Council of Raratonga and forwarded for the Governor's consent. It provides that only one license shall be granted during the first ten years; no spirituous liquors to be , sold to any native except upon the authority of the Government medical 1 officers. The law prohibiting the sale of liquor in the other islands to remain in force. Nelson,- Dec. 1 A destructive fire at Brightwater last night burned down Dogshun's store and Organ' 3 boot shop. It was apparently originated by matches in the store gnawed by rats. Mr Dogshun insured the building 1 for ,£350 in the Sun Office, and the stock for j>3ooo in the Royal. He estimates the l«ss at £1000 over the insurance, on the stock and £100 over on the building, which carried a heavy new stock for the summer season. Mr Organ lost his stock of boots,- tools, etc., and had no insurance on the stock. Organ's insurance was $350 on the building in the Sun Office. GHEIST.CHIJECH, Dec. 1 Some discussion has taken place in the City Council on account of the Works Com mitte having sent workmen to clean up the streets on Sunday morning during the carnival week, and the Committee has been instructed not to have any wprk done on Sunday unless it is absolutely necessary There is a desire among City Councillors to have the half holiday here changed from Thursday to Saturday^ but there has been no agitation on the part of the citizens.

Mr F. Waymouth, General Manager of the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company, has received information from Colonel Sharpe, Commissary General of United States Army, that tenders are required for the supply of frozen beef and mutton to the Philippines. Th^e first tender is for a million pounds' of beef and a hundred thousand pounds of mutton for delivery at Manila by May 13, 1903; second for 600,0001b3 beef and 50,Q0Olbs mutton per month for the year ending June 30, 1904. Tenders must be cabled to United States Consul, Manila, and close on December 29.

A man named Frederick Curtis, an old employee of Messrs Matson and Co., was run over by a truck yesterday at Addington station and killed instantly. He was proceeding to unload some pig& from a track when he was struck down by another line of trucks which were being shunted.

The New Zealand Cricket Council met to night and arranged a programme of'the tour for Lori Hawke's team aa follows : — Auckland, December 19, 20, 22; South Taranaki, at Hawera, December 30 and 31; North.Taratiaki, at New Plymouth, January 1 and 2; Wanganui, Janunry 3, 4 and 6; Manawatu, at Pftlmerston North, January 7 and 8 ; Hawkes Bay, at Napier, January \U, 12 and 13; Wairarapa, at Greytown North. January .15 and 16; Wellington, January 17, 19 and 20 Marlbqrough, at Blenheim, January 23 and 24; Nelson^ Janaary 27 and 28; West Coast, at Grey moutli, January 30 and 31 and February 2; Panterbury, at Christchurch, February 6, H apd 9 : Qfcago, at Dunedin, February 13, 14 and 16; Sbi^th Otago,' at Balclutha, February 18 and 19; Southland, at Inver casgill, February 21 and 23 ; South Can terbury, at Tiraaru, March 4 and 5. The dates for the New Zealand matches will be arranged after the arrival of the team in Auckland. It was resolved to appoint one selector for the New Zealand team, and the appointment was deferred

Correspondence.

(We do not hold ourselves responsible tot opinions expressed by our correspondents.)

NO-LICENSE.

TO THE EDITOB.

Sir,—l was much amused to see an ad vertisement in your paper the other day saying that now that the liquor traffic would be abolished, we could expect " wealthy tourists " to come to Ashburton, and visit the hills and gorges close by. Now, Sir, the author of that advertisement Must; be extremely ignorant of the true posi tion. 1 expect I have met in my travels far more " wealthy tourists" (as he des cribes them) than he has, and my experience is that they invariably want the beat of everything," and that i 3 not always quite good enough. Ye Gods! Fancy a mis guided tourist stopping at what will then be a sort of second-rate boarding houße, for it is obvious that no small town like Aahbur ton can run a first-class Temperance Hotel, They cannot even do it in Melbourne, as anyone who has been to "The Grand "(I think they call it) can testify. No Sir, they would shun this town, as though if) had the bubonic plague. So the Prohibition leaders can congratulate themselves on having done their best to not only ruin unfortunate licensees, but also the town and country. I would not care if Prohibi tion had ever dene any good. In America, the Prohibition States, several of which I have been through, are all gradually going back to license, having proved without doubt that Prohibition has brought far more curses than blessings. For one thing in all Prohibition towns it is an acknow ledged fact that immorality increases enormously. The late Dr. Smith, who was one of the best men I ever knew, and who was revered by all Balclutha, told me that after Prohibition was carried in Clutba the immorality increased 50 per cent., and adds; the Doctor, "I ought to know, being the medical man there." Now, Sir, compared with that, I consider drunkenness a small crime, but I believe Prohibitionists do not. One more thing. I believe I am right in quoting Bishop Nevill, who states that increased drinking has occurred in private houses in Clutha, even reaching the wives.— lam, etc., * . G. R. Peacookb.

A CORRECTION.

TO THE EDITOR,

Sib, —There is a slight error in my letter of this evening's Gttabdian. Whether the mistake is on the printer's part or mine lam not aware. It should have read thus: "As a would-be Christian, I suggest a few weeks grain carrying as ample compensation for our publicans." Trusting you will give this consideration.—l nm, etc., Witness. Mount Somers, Deo. Ist.

THE LOCAL OPTION POLL

TO THB EDITOR.

Sib,—Th6 " opinions " you publish re the probable result to Ashburton of the recent no-license vote, are certainly interesting, and some of them amusing. That for in anceofMrT. Bullock, is, to say the least, queer. He is careful not to commit him self as regards the effect upon property, for Mr Bullock knows as well as anybody that the property adjoining the hotel property will increase in value by the putting awiiy of licenses. As to the travelling public, do any such break their journey in Ashburton* excepting those who . have business or friends there? I venture to say no. Mr Bullock says, " what we want is to put down drunkenness, and to alleviate the misery that exists through it." Is Mr Bullook still amongst those who cannot see that while drink is procurable at the open bar, there will be drunkenness, and consequently misery 1 And, on the other hand, does not Mr Bullock and others see, that like the working man's mate, a man may spend on an average, Bix shillings a week on drink, without getting drunk, which means more misery to the wife and children of the man who earns only 30s per week. Then lam surprised at so many blaming the Licensing Committee re the re-buildihg of the Somer set. How can they be charged with com pelling Mr Lane to rebuild? Nothing of the sort. Mr Lane gambled on public opinion. True the Committee intimated that unles3 the building was improved no license would be forthcoming at the end *of June next. Then Mr Lane chose between two things, viz.; rebuilding, or chancing the loss of license; he chose the former, and lost. Those who did precisely the same in Christ church won; the " no-license " people.there lost, but there is no such fuss with them as with the liquor folk here. Then we hate that wail from W. J. A. Clay, who, I under stand, is the Mount Some^-s hotel keeper. Mr Clay talks about taking away a man's living by "closing a man's home up," Mr Clay by this admits that it is the bar that keeps his home up, and not the accommodation the tourists to Mount Somers require. Mr Clay talks about would-be Christians walking about the Ashburtoh district to see the misery they have brought upon people who have made homes for themselves, etc. Now, Sir, I don't know much about Mount Somers or its people, but I venture to say Mr Clay os anyone else, could find more than one home in bhat district that has been ruined, and is being ruined by drink, which Mr Clay wants permission to keep on selling. I fear Mi- Clay's boast that he is an Australian, will not be any very great help to the Commonwealth; his tirade against the women's franchise will be appreciated at its full value I am sure by New. Zealand Zealand women, one of whom lives very near Mr Clay. I may say, however, that'if all the women voters of New Zealand had done what their teat friends advised them to do, they would have struck out the top line and have killed the pursed irink traffics. I would like to say, Sir, in closing, that I lived in the Clutha before and after 3 No^ license" was carried. The Clutha publicans, did precisely what their confreres are doing here. They tried or threatened to. upse? the election, they boy-cottod every trades man who they thought voted " No-license," and so far as they could put him out of his business, commercially killed him, and would have done so physically, but for the law of hanging. They soon show what their tender mercies are, and how far they allow another to exercise his personal liberty. My experience of the Clutha leads pc to say that to a certain extent tho opinion of "An Ashburton grocer" is correct; the publicans and their friends will make things look as bad as they can for a .while/ but soon the community will be better off than before, One woula think from the talk of some of those interviewed that only drink ing not drunken farmers came to Ashburton, to do business how, and that the beautiful land throughout the electorate from hence forth will produce less grain, wool, or hides per acre. How ridiculous. Where does the wealth of the district spring from—the hotel bar or the broad field that smile with corn, etc. etc. —I am, etc., •■ ' - J. D. Joky.

Willowby* 29th Not.

THE MODERATES AND THE LOCAL. OPTION POLL.

TO THE EDITQB.

| Sib,—-To, the splendid organisation of the No-License Party and the silent vote of the Moderate, niust be attributed the mandate i "No license shall be graced, in the Ash. burton electorate for a period of th,rea years." There is a ring in that; mandate^ or victory, which cannot be associated with, a conquering: race, reared on beef and bear, i a raeo who, by the moderate use of rum, triumphed at Trafalgar, and the sharing of an alcoholic beverage gained such kudos for heroic deeds on. the field of Waterloo and the banks of the Tugela. In view of the fact that the Moderate was the "over balancing" element in the recent contest, the question arises : What is a Moderate 1 Sir, he is the citizen who takes a " nip " of some sort occasionally. He doesn't usually take enough to make him either a conquer ing race "■or a horrible example, but j^ssfc enough to make him upset-tl^Q'tUectsie'S'qß those who never "nip " at all. I£e g,o.as for days, weeks, and even months without even" indulging in a kola-n,ut. Then h$ wj^

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1902



Dat lee. » » » » »

te 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Kises 4.17 4.17 4.17 4.17 4.16 4.16 4.1G 4.16

Sets 7.21 7.22 7.23 7.24 7.25 7.26 7.27 7.28



Tirst Quarter Moon jasfc Quarter few Moon apogee ... 'eriaee ...

d 8 15 22 30 3 16

h m 5.57 p.m. 3.17 p.m. 7.30 a.m. 8.55 a.m. 4.0 a.m. 1.0 a.m.



F. FEREIMAN. To Investors E. FEKBIMiLN". Land and Estate Agent, HAS for sale in both towa and country properties -well worth the prompt attention of either investors or farmers seeking a house. I may say as a proof of my faith in No license, as affecting the value of properly h. ere, that recently when the result of the local option poll was undecided, although very probable, I made several purchases of town properties. Now that it is decided jay advice is to buy before the boom sets in. Oar town and county possess ail vantages from a tourist's point of view which it should be our earnest endeavour to develop. At no point on the railways is Alpine acenery better in view; and our brunch line to Mount Somers, and a connecting ooach service, should be so used as to make & delightful Alpine trip in a day there acd . back available, with Ashburton as a stop- ! piag place for tourists doing the colony, as j well as a place of resort for our fellow citi- ' zen-. Supplementary local attractions, in- I clndmg trout fishing 1, trip 3 to the beach, through onr rich Canterbury farms, could with push and enterprise al3obe provided, and the attractiveness of our Domain be still further increased. The Rakaia Gorge is also near enough to help to create a reputation for our town as a Canterbury tourist centre. No-License will give us a reputation and advantages which will make our hotels and town additionally attractive to wealthy touring families, such as are met with on the West Coast Sounds annual trip from | all parts of the world, many of whom ; express a decided preference for good hotel ■ accommodation free from the inevitable { concomitants of the presence of liquor, and ] many of whom have both capital to spend ] and sons to settle on the 1-ind. The Government must be urged to push our interest in these respects through the : tourist department, proclaiming the suita- j bility of the district as a health resort for j the convalescent as well as for the tourist i and the settler. j H there are people who are afraid that No-license is going to injuriously affect properties and have such to sell cheap I have buyers. F. FEREIMAN, Land and Estate Agent. TO LET. Atford Forest Eoad near Woollen Mills.' HOUSE of 4 Eoouis, with over an aero : of land. Eent 8s per week. v i F. FEKBIMAN, j Land and Estate Agent ■!<■■ ■■ ' ■ m««———<—■■■ | BUSINESS NOTICES. : NEW ARRIVALS : (By the Steamer Eangatira) TnrTE have just received the first con-j T T fiignments of Drugs and Druggists \ Wares, carefully selected in London by Mr j Cambridge. We are now using all new i Drugs for dispensing. Entrust us with ■ your physician's prescriptions, we will j dispense them with -care and accuracy, j using fresh and pure drugs in their com-] pounding. j The Popular Vinegar Essence is again in j full supply, la 6d for a gallon. j Sponges.—The selection is -the largest and finest ev<<r shown in Ashburton, prices ranging from Is to '28s each. This (jUality of sponge is always reserved for the Home trade and seldom exported. j SjMBKi.Kt Botti.es. — The new design, \ double size, with a syphon tap for drawing ] oS Bttiall.quantities of aerated water, also , 5000 Sparklets and 500 packages of fruit \ crystals for making delicious fruit drinks, j - Photographic Camkbas. — The Little Nipper No. 3, quarter plato, latest improve- ] mpnts, a really good snapshot Camera, ' bolda 12 plates, 10i. Fob the Babies.—Everything is Corona tion. Buy the baby a Coronation Dummy or Soother. Cost'? 9d. Fur the best and lightest yet introduced. Fob tub Farmer and Cattle Owner. — We have a useful assortment of instru ments, sui-h as gags and drenching bits fjr giving medicines. Probangs for choking, needles for wounds, enemas, etc. Fore THE Ladies -■ (With apologies for placing them U*t) w ■■"•■■ '■ '•'!, '>y s s . W«.inr;-Vf>. tI"W : r» •> i! ■ •!. s: 11. V.--! 1 • - ' - - ■: ii<-» • --UU ..- :u Dm. .1. M. ! •■■ IDG;:;, 12 239 Manager. H ORESHAM, SUEGEON AND MECHANICAL DENTIST. 8y Examination, October, 1897 ---■STIIGHT years experience with E. G. and jtb F. W. Gresham, Dentists, Dunedin «,nd lavorcargilL j Has commenced practice in rooms qapstairs from the entrance to Thomas' Auction Eooms, Burnett Street. j Stoppings in Gold, Amalgam, and Cement. Gold and Porcelain crowns made ; also sets of teeth with Vulcanite and Porcelain gums, flaa administered. All work guaranteed, j . ! Hours of Attendance —9 a.m. —5 p.m. Private Residence—Care Mrs Geant, Wills Street. j Helpless with £% \ Rheumatism ■ Tou'v* tried liniments and prescriptions without result. Now ... ! CURE YOURSELF with j THE GREAT ... CANADIAN ... SEAWEED CURE. A medicine and Not a liniment. A Quick and Permanent Cure. SOLB BY ALI, DEALERS At 3/6 pxr Bottle. \ Sole Agent for Australasia: OEO. W. WILTON, Wellington. % - 1 1 » ■ ' —- .1 . FOE Men's Wear Summer is coming Full range of Jackets, Pants, and X, Overalls in Denims, at special quotations — I Geant and Moobb. j BIRD Nesting is now on, and you will want boys' heavy knitted Hose cheap; ; threes and fours Is, fives, sixes, aud sevens : at Is 3d, at Grant and Moobe's. ,



■ BUSINESS NOTICES PHOTOGRAPHY. HALMA AND CO., Saunders' Buildings, Ashburton, WE are doing ons dozen Baamellsd Cabinet Photos j and onß Enlarged Photo, mounted on a beautiful Plate Sunk Mount, for the low price oi 12s 6d, 18s 6d. 18s U t SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. Remember this is ior the month of December ouly. * SANTA CLAUS AND FATHER XMAS COMING- AGAIN. . . WATCH TIIIS SPACE FOR - - H. M JONES' - - NEW ADVERTISEMENT. " 12 18 (FOR XMAS 1902. PRETTY PRESENTS. WHAT could be more appreciated by your friend 3 than some article which displays your own skill ia working. We are making a speoial exhibit of ARt NEK DLE WO R X And as there is just time-to work many of the pieoas, which are started or traced, an early inspection of our window aad Show Ko«ni display is advised. FREE TO ALIT" - . - We have a ohoice collection of presents fur the boys and girls, and in fact suitable <nfts for all, which we are going to distribute froa with each cash purchase of 5s worth and upwards right up to the New Year, but advise all to select their presents as soon as possible. The Reliable House MpHBTHTISy "atfTf 'S'ff^IJPSB In Havelock street > for • |^ttaM(*ffiw^?^^?nn^^^H; where Low Kent a and Goods of Quality. fliil|j^jyh|!WM|W Prices both exist. _^^__^__^__—.—.-i,.,^— -Ln !■■ K^tßEJMmuLJiin'iL). j.tim;: rinTT —m —r~* —~—tt—r"—- —-———— »«»'— rv^-^.i-m.is^.ian Till f I &A.TES flilWi HUBDLES HURDLES SHEEP SHEARS PAINTING PAINTING. TI^E BUST is the CHEAPEST. Visit '.Onr Establishment and obtain Prices. It>ill pay you. W. H. COLLINS &CO., IronmoDgers, Painters Timber andCial Merchants Sawmillers 1 SHEEP SHEARING SEASON. THAVE JUST LANDED MY SEASON'S SUPPLY OF 3s 6d. SHEEP SHEXRS, 3s 6d ;».-ln.iine T.D.S. and X.8.A., N.,, with plain and perforated grips Turkey Oil Stones, - h; did -*ituple. Hw-Ht « il. Branding Oils— Rel, Black, and Blue, in 1 and TU .', Lam '■'<■ ', Etc. IV}J \i* »v\'t;R n sff at variety, h<m 22.- 6d to 53s each. RDB iNG T •' '1..S of every (le^orption at reduced prices. B>\Lb! BOVVLs! BOWLS! ■\s tie season ha- just opened, I cordially invite inspection of my stock—Taylor's first ou liit- only kept. 4 ' SEWING MACHINES : ■:■■■ .-010 Hjwt f i fix- i elebrated " Davey " Machine ; 7 years' guarantee ; Hand £3 10s ; i rea? le'lrom £ii ■s to Jcß hB. Call and inspect. They are worth lookipg at. i G. MKDDINB, i The People's Ironmonger, I Burnett Street, oiroosite Arcade. ! . HEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTOET. [ ,„■ ■„ ■ juljun^u .. " i - i ■ --;- - 1 - i 8 ■ iLuao W w jSHm> fimtEff * fcadtf mr^% B ■ omtP I QTTT*T?T? TOT? n.z. clothSTg factory. j Persons who wish to do their own Painting will find it to their advantage to call at my Oil and Color Store. I I have Ready Mixed Faints, Genuine White Lead :and Oils, or I will mix any shade of our own Genuine I Faint. J, WILSON, Paperhangef, Painter, and Sign-writer, ,



The Cyclists' Vote, — C'ol/}nial made B.S.A. Bicycles score by an overwhelming majority the largest number of votes every year, and especially those made by such £j.rrns as Messrs Oates, Lowey & Co. (sole x^kerc of Zealandia Cycles), who are on the spot, and are ever ready to meet their clients under a liberal 'guarantee.



FURNITURE. —Go to Strange's for variety and beet value.



SOMETHING WRONG. This is the time of year when health chan ges are most noticeable. Burin*,* the winter months the system has become surcharged ,6jje way and another, and many of the prin cipal orgaiis get cbngssted. In point of Jacfc, thjs js a time tyhe'p the liver gives trouble, and people show it by getting-'at tacks of biliousness, sick headaches s consti pation, and other stomach ailments. If you find there's something wrong with you try Nature's own remedy—lmpey's May Apple, the ideal family medicine. It is extracted from the ypgatabje kingdom, and is scien tifically compounded, ft ia the most &f-, fective' remedy 1 f%'"all: compjtaints of the stomach, liver and kidneys. ' Sold by all chemists and'storekeepers aP 2s 6d per bofc-: tie, or post free from Sharjand and Co. (Ijdfc), Wellington,



TAILORING-. — Stbakge-s are unsure passed for fit and stylo at moderate prices.