Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1898. THE TEST MATCH ES.

■ ♦ . If it bo true, as Wellington is said to have averred, that Waterloo was wonor the cricket fields of Eton, Rugby, Harrow and other great English schools, then we do well to rejoice m the prowess displayed by the men of the Southern Oross m the recent test matches between the English and Australian teams. For if good cricketers make good soldiers we need not fear as to the way m which Australians will acquit themselves should occasion call them to rally round the national flag. Apart, however, altogether from its auguries as to the future, the success of the Australian teams, at Melbourne and Adelaide especially, has caused a thrill of proud satis faction throughout the popula tioua of Australasia, and there will be as much rejoicing at the result as at a great military victory. " Well done Australia !" say all Australians, ntf.d New Zealanders too; and "Well done Australia I" will be echoed m England also, for John Bull is proud of his bairna and m what they can ac complish, even though they are able to give himself a beatingat hisown favorite game. The present series of matches have been remarkable for the almost phenomenal success of colonial cricketers. The first match (at Sydney) proved it is true an easy win for Stoddart's team, the Australians narrowly escaping a one-innings de feat, MacLaren and Ranjitsinbji making magnificent scores and secur ing the match for the visitors with eight wickets to spare. At Melbourne came Australia's revenge, and the Englishmen were beaten by fifty five with an innings to the good, Australia scoring m a single innings 520. At Adelaide " our boys " followed thia up by a score of 573, again winning (by 13 runs) m a single innings, and now the fourth match has resulted m a third victory with 8 wickets to spare. It is i a splendid achievement, and the cricketers of. the sister colonies may well rejoice. We should now like to see the fifth match closely contested and result m a win for the English men. Three out of five will be quite good enough. Four out of five would be too much " like a Bridgenortb election" which used to be proverbially " all on one side." A gTORY m connection with the late fire m Tasmania which comes to us m pur exchanges is, A STIRRING perhaps, ojue of the STORY. most stirring, as well as touching, that it is possible to imagine. It is a tale of two little heroes—a boy and a girl — named Archie and Flossie Betts, who lived with their grandparents and t^ut at a place called Long'ey, m the Huon ai^ict, about 12 miles south west of Hobarfc. On^ December 26, when others were rejoicing over their Ohrißtmas holidays, residents of some of the country districts were saying what they could of their belong ings at the risk of their lives j but the tale told by Mr A. ,G. Taylor, of Hobart, of the two children's heroism seems to dwarf all the rest. For three days the grandparents had watched the fires coming close and still clo3er, when suddenly a fearful gale—so fierce that it blew the grandfather up against a fence and forced open the doors of the house so that the frantic cattje rushed m and trampled on the grandmother drove the roaring fire over the home stead. A man named Harris who lived with the Matthews'— -the grand pureati of the chiton referred to—

ruscued Catherine M. Matthews, thel, daughter, and placed h< r m a d am She was fearfully burned and died two days later. The grandparents, the boy Archie and the girl Flossie reached the drain. Then our two little In roes ran back and forth to the creek carry ing water wherewith to keep wet the sacks which were spread over th.9 belongings of the little houaehlod m the yard. It was while they were thus engaged that the fire awept over the house and Catherine Matthews cried out that the baby brother was within ! At this — and now we give the story m the narrator's own words — Flossie Betts and her brother rushed m and the girl seized the baby and brought it out The little girl wrapped the baby m her flannelette petticoat and kept wetting it as she ran from one point to the other where the danger seemed least. Her blouse caught fire, but the brother put it out. Presently the children could only find one wet sack remaining, and this the brother kept over his sister and the baby while they lay down m a paddock, keeping his own coat, which he had wetted, over his head as they both leaned over to pro tect the baby. They were not only m danger of burning, but of suffocation. The girl's legs were scorched through her clothing, and the boy was con tinually scraping away the hot ashea that biew over her from butnia/ stumps and the blazing stable. Once a heavy gust tore away the girl's hat, the shielding sack and the petticoat over the baby. The boy rushed after them and recovered the sack and hat. The flannelette petticoat had burnt in stantly, and the bag was now quite dry, and as the children lay down again the girl's hair caught fire, but the brother put it out. It was now, when they were too burnt and weak to stand, that the wind suddenly dropped and a light shower fell. " Oh, Flossie, God is good to us, we are saved !" said the boy as he felt the raindrops fall. It was some time before he was able to get up and go m search of the elders, but he found them presently m the drain, poor Mrs Matthews so burned that she was dying fast. Conscious that her end was come, she cried : " Ob, Flossie, be good to the little baby." Then the little girl ran back to where sh6 had left the child safely wrapped m the now wet sack m the paddock. And there she found the baby safe — peacefully Bleeping, uncon scious of all the suffering his little life had cost. That is the sort of narrative which brings un.bidden tears to unac customed eyes, but which it is good to read.

Local and General.

There is no thunder and lightning within the Arctic Circle. The Ameer receives a subsidy of 1,800,000 rupees a year from the British Government. Attention is drawn to the Ashburton Drapery Company's replace advertisement m this issue. Water is said to be the only liquid that can be drunk m Alaska without injurious effects. In India there are 100,000 boys and 627,000 girla under the age of fourteen who are legally married. Within a few years 200 artesian wells have been opened m Queensland, yielding 125,000, gallons of water a day. The cost of the tunnel between England and Ireland has been reckoned at from six to eight millions Bterliog. The average person drinks 76.700 pints of liquid m a lifetime, which weighs 42§ tons. Some take more, some less. The Hessian fly has again made its ap pearance m the Milton di-trict, where it caused such great havoc m the wheat crop a few seasons back. A church building m Chicago is joiutly occupied by a Baptist and Hebrew con gregation, the one having services on Saturday and the other on Sunday. Quits. — She (hesitatingly) : Now we are engaged, James, I — l ought to tell you that my — my grandfather was hanged. He : That's all right; my grandfather hanged him. The new clubhous9 of the New York Athletic Club, when finished, will have cost £140, 000, and it is estimated that the fur nishing of the house will coat another £10,000. The Taieri Advocate says that all over the district the damage done by the small birds is simply enormous. Grain crops have m same cases been almost half eaten by* the little peats. A couple after the marriage ceremony m Berlin sbarted off on bicycles for their honeymoon tour. They went to Rome and baok. A procession of cyclists, the mother in-law among them, went out to meet them on their return. 1 At the Revels County Council meeting, it wan stated that £141 14s 9d had been paid for small birds' eggs. A member reckoned that this meant IS,QOO dozen eggs. Mem bers discussed the " farming" of nests, and 1 admitted that it was impossible to prevent it. The caße Parker v Salt m which it wa B sought on behalf of plaintiff as a debenture holder to set aside the mortgage held by the defendant over the Canterbury Midland railway, has bean decided by Mr Justice Denniston m favor of thp defendant with costs on the highest soale. A destructive fire haa occurred ab Auck. land at Jervois Road. The premises of Mendel, tobacconist, several private resi dences, and a sauce factory were burned down, and a draper's sfook and premises damaged. The estimated loss is £4,000, or which about £§,50.0 is covered by insurance. France and Italy are always on the lookout for something to tax, and have now taxed bioyclea. The French tax is 10 francs (8s), and it last year produced £130,092. The Italian tax will only come into force next year, and it is to be 8s for ordinary bioyoles, 12s for tandems and Ify for motor cars. A female miaer has been found dead from cold and starvation m the miserable cellar m which she resided m Paris. Her dead hand clutched a bag containing £2QO m gold, the sum of £200 being concealed under the rags whioh formed her bed. For years she spent only five sous a day on food for herself and cat. News comes from Soone (New South Wales) of phenomenal wheat yields m the district. Qne paddock on Belltrees estate yielded 43£ bushels per aorp, and * number of the others have averaged 35 to 40. The la&e wheat suffered from the prolonged dry weather, but it ia expected that the estimate of 25 buihels will be realised^ It ia itated m Machinery that acetylene gas is now {Q W 8 * B §everal of the Paris omnibuses The geuCr* tQr weigh? » boub 291 b, and is carried under the fronc aie^; Each load of carbide is about 0.711 b, and produces about three cubio feet of gas, whioh is enough for si£ hours and a-half, with a Light equal to that of six Let jb candles. Since 1878 there have been nine epidemics of dysentery indifferent parts of the couatiy m whioh Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy was used with perfect success. Dysentery, when epidemic, is al -31081 as savere and dangerous as Asiatic 3holera, Heretofore the best efforts of the nost skilled physiciana 'have failed to check its ravages 1 his remedy, however, has cured ihemosb malignant cases, both of ohildren tnd adults, and under the most trying oon" iitions, whioh proves it to be the best nedioine m ?he world for bowel complaints. Fos ill* by Aibburtoa Drug Company,

Mr Henry Stpphcnson notifies that he will hoJd a sa!e next Saturday of fruit direct from the Otago Fruit and Produce Agency Company, aud he states that he has beem .appointed local agent ot the company, and \\ ill be able to offer consignments of this Uind of fruib every week. Ifc is now definitely announced that Sit c Robert Stout is about to retire from political j life. Bußiuesß considerations are alleged to , be the cause. It was au open secret m ( Wellington towards the close of laat session < that this eventuality might be looked for at , an early date. At a meeting of the Committee of the Dunedin Horticultural Society to appoint | udges and make arrangements for the \ i March show, a letter was received from Mr T K. Sidey from Paris intimating that he would send Borne chrysanthemum blooms frozen m ice. An oil painting more than 200 yeara old has been presented by the Countess Jouffray d'Al bins to 01 c ot the Professors of St. Patrick's College (Wellington;, the Rev. Tather O'Sullivan. The picture, which has been placed m the diningroom of the Fathers, is, as may be imagined, of great value and interest. The subject is "The Marriage of at. Catherine," and it is of the Florentine school of art. Holland holds the first place m the world as a nation of smokers. Kvery Dutchman consumes, on an average lOOoz a year. The Belgian comes a good second with an annual consumption of 80oz, followed closely by Turkey with 70oz, and the United States with 60oz. Germany, France, Spain, and Italy tread oloeely on their heels, while the United Kiugdom comes comparatively low on the list with 250z. The most extraordinary forest m the world ia one discovered by Dr Welwitaoh, which occupies a tableland some six miles broad, at a height of 300 ft or 400 ft above the sea, near the west ooast of Africa. The trunks of the trees of this peculiar forest are 4ft m diameter, and yet they only attain a height of lft, giving the tree the appearance of a round table. There are never more than two leaves, whioh attain a length of 6ft and a breadth of 2ft. the flowers forming crimson clusters. The Otago Daily limes says that harvest ing operations have commenced m some portions of the Taieri district, and with fine weather will soon be general. Good yields are expected, although the small birds are m many places doing considerable damage. In the Southland district, owing to the long-continued bad weather, the crops are very backward, and unless fine wirm weather is experienced shortly the outlook m many places will be somewhat gloomy. If safely harvested fair yields are anticipated. The Westminster professes to know that " there has been a rapptochcment between the Queen and the Emperor William during the . last few weeks, and they are again on cordial terms. This satisfactory state of affairs is i attributed at Court to the influence of the Emperor's cousins, the Empress of Russia and the Grand Duchess Elizabeth. After His Majesty's return from St Petersburg he wrote the Queen a most pleasant letter, and Her Majesty then sent her grandson a magnificent album containing a number of large photographs of the Jubilee festivities and the Naval Review at Spithead." la regard to the harvest m the districts around Temuka the Leader says: — "Good progress has been made with the in-gather ing of the crops. Practically all oats are cut, and there only remains a comparatively small area of wheat to be disposed of. Stacking is being proceeded with as rapidly as the season permits, but a good many tanners are threshing from the stook. Good yields are reported from Seadown, Ohapi, FTiltou, and Milford districts, and Waitohi wheat is said to be likely to yield better than was anticipated. On the other h*nrl one farmer has threshed only 13 bushda per acre of bat ley, and poor quality at that ; another, who rarely gets less than 30 bushels per acre of wheat, has found a part of his crop only yielded at the rate of seven bushels ; while a third jußt nets 10 bushels por acre all round, This is none too encouraging, and bears out a statement made earlier m the season, that the all-over 3'ield will not be much more than 12 bushels per acre. Six weeks ago I suffered with a very severe cod; was almost unable to speak. My friends all advised me to consult a physi c; »n. Noticing Chamberlain's Cough Rem edy advertised m the. St. Paul VSlks Zeitung I procured a bottle, and after taking it a short while was entirely well. I now most heartily recommend this remedy to anyone suffering with a cold. Wm. Keil, 678 Selby Aye., St. Paul, Minn. For Bale by Ash burtoa Drug Company.

Ashburton Fire Brigade

Annual Dinner. The anmial diuner of the Ashburton Fire Brigade was held m the engine room laßt evening. There was a good attendance of both old and present members of the brigade, besides a fair sprinkling of invited guests, inc'.uding members of the Borough Council, Dr Maude, and others. The Mayor presided, and having given " the Queen," which toast was loyally honored, apologies were read from several gentlemen whom business prevented from attending — three of whom gave promises of subscriptions towards the cost of sending a team to Auckland, vi?. — Mea rs Hugo Friedlander £2 2*, Joseph Scaly £1 Is, and Henry Davis £1 la— he aßked Mr Cuthbertson to propose the next toast. Mr Puthbertson gave " The Army and Navy," and m doing so said the two services on land and sea were never more required than they are to-day. The nation which w«s most at peace was the one which was best prepared fqr war, but he could not say our little nation of Npw Zealand was as well prepared for war as it would have been had Government given such enpouragement as it ought to the volunteers, and as the force de served. But -in sp}te of the gold neglect received at the hands of Government, the Ashburton corps was one of which all may be proud. He had heard it said it was the best ia the colony, and the best officered m the colony ; and it was something to have this said of tk corps considering the thank less task volunteering was. He coupled the toast with the names of the officers of the corps, who acknowledged the compliment after the toast had been duly honored. Captain Fonks gave the toast of the Borough Counoil. He had had the honor of being captain of the Brigade for sight years, and during that time he could say the Brigade had met tha utmost consideration at the hands of the Borough Council. The brigade had often to go to the Counoil to Have wants m the shape of plant supplied, and had always been handsomely met when anything m reason was asked for. The feeling between Brigade and Council was exoellent, and both bodies did what they oould to make the fire prevention system thoroughly effective. : He congratulated the Mayor on his recent election, and felt sure that during 1 his term of office the brigade would work as well as m the past. There was no burning question at present bebwee'n the brigade and Counoil, but any real want on the part' of the former was always supplied by the latter as far as the financial position w°"ld permjt. ' He coupled the toast with the names of the Mayor and the Councillors present — Crs. ga'ul, Baker, and Collins, who all replied, the last mentioned expressing a- hope that the next annual dinner would ftnd wives anfl sweethearts at the dinner tabje with them. He added a guinea to the fund for the team for Auqk r land. (Applause.) The Mayor said he had undertaken to devote* day this weejf to pauvaasing tfoe town fpr Bubsoriptiong. The Governor «"»atd ?l?Jfc th? $ 9^o s|»or*ly and the firemen m uniform woiuu _ < r tion. At this point the Mayor presented a two years' service bar to Lieutenant Barber, and another to Foreman Baker, who had each seen nine years' service, and a three-years' certificate to Fireman Burroughs. Haying made these presentations he proposed the toast of the Fire Brigade and its officers, paying a well deserved compliment to the efficiency of both officers and men. This toast having been duly honored and suitably responded to, others followed, and the evening was pleasantly spent with song and sentiment. " The catering waß m the hands of Mra i Huffam, and was quite equal to that lady's ' wml Bwoceiiful «ffo(bß, j

MAGISTERIAL.

ASHBURTON— THURSDAY. Before Mr 0. A. Wray, S.M.] Road Grazing.— W. J. Silcock was fined is for grazing his cows on the road —two nformations.— W. McKee, for whom his wife appeared, was fined 5s for a similar jffence. — Mrs F. D. Low was m the same ntegoiy, and was dealt with m the usual way. Tub Kennels Case — Claridge v Wymr Williams —His Worship gave judgment m , this case, fiadiog for the plaintiff, and awarding £10 damages with costs. ( The Shearers' Case. — McLauchlan v Cameron, £9 16a 10 J.— His Worship said there was nothing of unusual difficulty about this case. There was no special agreement between the parties, and the defendant, dissatisfied with the work done, dismissed the plaintiff after paying him for the work done. He was within his rights mso doing, and judgment was given for defen dant accordingly. Civil Cases — Caraon and Son, t. G. A. Smith, £3 12s lid; same \. F. Cox, £1 Os sd— McGrandel v Bradshaw, £6 Os Id. MrPurnell for plaintiff, Mr Cuthbertaon for defendant. T. McGrundel s>id that defend ant engaged with him to take meat round to plaintiff's customers, a work that would occupy him only a few hours a day. Brad sbaw offered the use of his own horse and cart, and witness was to find feed for the horse all the week round, and pay defendant £1 a week wages. Plaintiff accepted the terms and went to work. Employed Mr Bowden to look into defendant's aooounts. Several deficiencies were found, some of whioh defendant made up. After that weighed the meat before it went out. Brad shaw said that he had paid Fleming m oash for oats out of money received on witness's aoeount. Gave him no authority to do so, and the oats were not delivered to witness. Did not authorise him to buy oats and chaff from Collier, nor to pay him out of witness's moneys. Brudsliaw everyday took out his horses feed with him from witness's place, and when not working the horse was m witness's paddock. When it was found that) there were deficiencies m the accounts, began to weigh the meat, and m Bradahaw's presence made an entry the first day of 2451b5. Bradshaw brought m his books, whioh showed a deficiency of 561bs after allowing 41bs for waste. Charged him 2d per lb for the shortage. On another occasion he came back with 41 ib short. Another occasion Bradshaw weighed the beef when he went out, 2481 b, and his books only accounted for 1811bs sold, the deficiency being 641bs, for which witness charged defendant 3d per lb. Bradshaw would give no explanation of the shortages, bat eaid the meat paid witness well enough. The amount claimed included cash paid for repairs to Bradshaw's trap, shoeing his horse, and meat for his family at 7s a week. By Mr Cuthbertson — Bradshaw always deducted his £1 from the sales he made. The meat was weighed by witness and Bradshaw m presence of each other, and both made notes of the weights. Did not know that Bradehaw was buying feed on witness's account till Fleming had told him. Did not keep his own books, and Bradshaw had been m the habit of allowing customers to deduct money owing to them from the moneys that Bhould have been collected and paid to witness m full. — William Bowden, accountant, was engaged m July last to look through defendant's accounts. Found deficiencies to the number of ten or so, amonnting to £4 or £5. Brad shaw had been paying his own debts out of McGrandel'd money. Thi- was all refunded, however. It was wibuess who advised McGrandel to weigh the meat. McGrandel's book containing notes of the weights was lost, but witness had made copies of those notes before the book was lost. Had since verified them from Bradshaw's books. The claim now sued for was for meat that had actually been sold. — J. A. Clothier, Tinwald, said he Bold chaff to Bradshaw but no oats. Was get' ing meat from him at the time. Bradshaw rendered the account. Knew nothing of McGrandel m the matter, and the contra account — 10s lOd — was placed against witness's account. — William Bowden, recalled, said the 10a 10 J had possibly been a case of contra ; it had not been accounted for to McGrandel. — Mr Cuthbertson said the 7s a week for beef could not be recovered, being barred by the Truck Act. He called defendant who s*id his arrangement was that the wages would be £1 a week, meat for his family, and (witness providing the horse and cut) McGrandel was to find horße feed and shoeing. Witness made defendant fully aware of what feed was being obtained, and what shoeing had been done. He raised slight objection to the purchase of feed, but ultimately withdrew it. Squared up every week with McGrandel, goiug through the books with him. The beef was weighed m the shop, but never into the cart, and the mutton only twice. Accounted for every pound of miJat that was sold from the cart, and the cart book was the only one witness kept. The 5a 2d owing to Steel was paid, and McGrandel consented to allow it for the use of the oarfc. By Mr Purnell —McGrandel either authorised him to got the horse feed or agreed to it being got afterwards. The deficiencies mentioned by Mr Bowden were moneys owing by customers, which were afterwards collected. Had disputed the weigh tB all the time and tbe beef was not weighed into the cart. By the Bench — Did not dispose of a pound that he did not account for, and could not account for the deficiency unless by possible errors m the weighing.— His Worship said the evidence before him did not warrant him m saying that this man owed McGrandel anything, and judgment would be given for defendant with costs. HANMER AND GRAVES V. BRICK. This case occupied the Court all tbe afternoon, and had not concluded when we went to press.

Resignation of Sir Robert Stout

■-.'.. . ■ ' ♦ - Press Association — By Eleotrio Telegraph Wellington, February 3 The Times states that owing to business arrangements, Sir Robert Stout will shortly give up his seat m the House and retire, for the fcirne being at anyrate, from politics.

COMMERCIAL.

- ■ ♦ Presß Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright. Sydney, February 2. Wheat, Chick, prime 33 ; milling, 4s to 4s 2d. Oats— New Zealand, best feed, 2s 5d ; local, 2a 4d. Barley — Cape, 3s to 3a Id ; Engliih. 33 3d. Potatoes— Ciroular Heads, £7; local, £4 10 to £6 53. Onions— Yictoriin, £5 10s. Butter, dairy 5d to 6Jd {factory, 6£d to 7<3. : Bacon, 6d to : 7^d. ■ Melbourne, February 2. Wheat, weak, 4j s£d to 4s 6d. Oats, Algerian, Is 4d to Is lOd ; Danish and stout White, Is lid to 2a 3d. Barley, Cape, 3s ; prime malting. 5s 3d. Potatoes, £5 lQs to £6. Onions, £4 to £4 10s. Adelaide, February 2. Wheat, 4s 5d to '4* s^d. Oats, Dun and Algerian, 2a 31 ; Btout, white, 2s 6d to 3s.

DUNEDIN WOOL SALES .

Press Association— By Electric Telegraph Donkdin, January S. The third annual wool sale will be held to morrow. 7933 bales have been catalogued, as against 54$ offered at the corresponding 3 vie last year.

Interprovincial News.

Prw AS3QQifttlon— By Eleotrio Telegraph I

Adulterating Grog.

New Plymouth, February 3 Mr Stanford gave judgment this morning m a catsebrough' against O'Donnetf a publican at Rahotu fdr the adulteration of whisky. Defendant was fined £5 and oeats £9 2a 2d. The analysis made in 'Wellington oonfiimed that of Hmtwiok the late inspector and showed 46 per cent, of water.

CABLE NEWS.

Home and Foreign.

Press Association— By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright. Obituary. London, February 1, Lord Carlingford, aged 75. Ike Engineers' Strike. The officials of the Engineers | Society estimate that 75 per cent of the members will have to resume work vithin a few days. The JHoney Lending Case. Lord William Neville has been com mitted for trial m connection with the Lewis Olay money lending case. Bail was refused. The Union Bank. At the half-yearly meeting of the Union Bank of Australia, Mr Arthur Flower, Chairman of the London Board, m moving the adoption of the ( report, said the outlook generally was ' better than at any time since 1893, Arrest of Englishmen. February 2. Beports from Tangiers state that five Englishmen, members of the Globe Exploring Society, have been arrested. They are accused of landing arms. Cable Communication with Jamaica. Direct cable communication has been opened between England and Jamaica via Halifax, ft ova Scotia. The Currency Question. Washington, February 1. The House of Representatives re jected, by 182 to 132, Senator Tiller*! reaolution m favour of bonds being made payable either m silver or gold. Senator Dingley, m the course of a speech, said the resolution was meant is an attack upon the financial honour of .America by the payment of her debts m depreciated currency. The Yukon Goldfields. Ottawa, February 1. American miners at Lake Bennett, Yukon territory, refuse to pay the duties levied by the Canadian Govern ment. They allege that the place is American territory, and exhibit Ameri can official documents m confirmation of the allegation. The Canadian autho rities, however, are enforcing the col lection of duties. Last month the American flag was hoisted at the southern extremity of Lake Bennett, but was lowered when a protest was made by Canada; A Counterpoise to Gibraltar. Paris, February t In the Chamber of Deputies M. Lockroy, who was Minister of Marine m the late Bourgeois Ministry, said that France must create a port opposite Gibraltar where a flotilla of torpedo boats might prevent the British enter ing the Mediterranean. The Young Turkish Party. Constantinople, February 1 On the strength of the Sultan's offer to pardon the members of the Young Turkish Party, and to grant them reforms at a future date if they would assist the Turkish Government during the crisis arising out of the Gr»co- I Turkish war, it was agreed by the party 5 to suspend hostilities against the Go ( vernment. The Sultan having failed 3 to fulfil his pledges the Young Turks ; intend to resume agitation for reform. 1 South African Republics. ~> Capetown, February 1 j Representatives of the Transvaal . and Orange Free State have completed ■ the preliminaries of a basis of union > between the two republics.

THE TURKS IN THES SALY .

1 Capture of two Villages. Press Association — By Electric Telegraph Copyright. Athens, February 1 1 A body of Turkish troops, forming part of the army of occupation m Greece, captured two villages near Karditzi, Thesaaly, after considerable fighting. The villagers took refuge m the mountains.

The Federal Convention.

~ "■—* —^ — ■— ■ ■■■■ ■ — - Presa Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph — Copyright. Melbourne, February 2 The financial clauses are unlikely to be ready before next. week. It is un derstood that they will provide for five years' bookkeeping between the colo nies, with special concessions to Wes tern Australia. At the end of five years, the Federation must provide a scheme for the distribution of the customs' surplus. In cases where goods imported iuto New South Wales under free trade are sent into the ad joining States it is proposed for some time to charge federal duties on them. The water question was under dis cussion all day. Mr Reid pointed out that the New South Wales Govern ment received millions for frontage on the river Darling, on the understanding that the use of its waters would be secured to the purchasers, and any at tempt to get New South Wales to~ gi?e up absolute ownership of ths Darling and the- Murray must faifc In regard to the lai-ter river 'he wa«j willing to give up as much as was necessary to South Australia, Af cer a long discussion it was decided on the voices to strike out the clau.se dealing with the control of navigation and irrigation. Various amendment? yet remain to be dealt with.

THE INDIAN FRONTIER

Press Association— By Electric Telegraph- Copyright Calcutta, February 1. The Englishman newspaper says it has abandoned all hope of the settle* man 1 : of the trouble with the rebellious Afridi's tribesmen unless the British forces undertake a Spring campaign,

IT IE- AefaBUHION QDABIHAfr: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY S, 1898.



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Business Notices. | « W PS *~j >>r PS O -<R ' j « g 1 05 o < Sg a S h! fi g S 1 H , «§ 3 O X < % i & cq £ 1 <j not Jbeaersi/ae/ed fo oi/ya/iy gf/fie/m/fa/ioos. \ (Awarded 'GofifantfSilYerMeflals) CEViQ/ito/? &imfp rzss TA&yarepitfe&iGfwJto/es&jne experience cqp Jbqy. largest sd/e/n/ft/sf/v/as/a. \ mD BY ALL GROCERS «j



John Orr & Co. John Or & Co. SUGAR. Qpr TONS PURE CANE SUGAR, very f£)t) best for j*m making and all kinds of preserves I ;oib bags us «<i. TEA. 200 BOXES, slb and 10 b, PURE CEYLON, ako all the leading brauda. FLOUR. FORTY TONS FLOUR— Rollit'B Flour, 200lba .. 24s Od „ lOOlba .. 12s 6d i „ 50lba .. 6s U  25lba .. 3s 3d 40 Tone Bran, 3s 6d per bag ; 10 Tons Sharps, 5s per bag. HAMS AND BACON. ROLLS, SIDES HAMS. Colonial Candles . . 4d per lb. English Parafine Candleß 6£d per lb per box Keroaine (150 test) . . 6a 6d per tin, 12s 9d per cane Cornflour 3d per lb Essence of Lemon . . 6d Worcester Sauce, pints 9d per bottle Essence of Coffee .. l<Hd Sago lid per lb Tobacco, Nubian squares 4s 6d per lb Oatmeal, per 251 b bag . . 29 9d Currant 5d Elma Raisins . . . . 7d Valencia Raisici — 7d Sultana Kaisins .- 7d Sicily Almonds . . Is 3d Figs 8d Muscatels 8d Jordon Almonds ... 2s 3d Mixed Peel .. .. 8d 2£lb tins preserved fruit lOd Lemon Squash, English la 3d Lemon Juice, English ... Is 3d Sardines 4£d Fi«3h Herrings 6£d per tin Herrings m Tomato sauce lOd Pressed Hop?, per lb ... Is 4d Enos' Fruib Salts . . 3s 3d per bottle Ground Ginger Is4dperlb Anchovy Paste 8d per tin Citrate of Magnesia . . Is per bottle Sheeps Tongues, best ... 10(3 per tin FOR THE FRUIT SEASON. Glaus Jars, 2a 6d to 33 6d per dozen. Mason's Sorew-top Porcelain Lined Jars. Pints 4a 9d, Quarts 5a 9d, £ Gallon 7s doz, Kenrick'a Best Enamelled Maalin Kettles. 8 Quart 6s, 10 quart 7a 6d, 12 quart 8a 6d. Brass Maslin Kettles, Drop Handles. Gallon 7s, 2£ gallon lls 6d, 3 gallon',l3B 6d Steel Enamel Preserving Pans," 2s 6d, 3s, 3s 6d, 4a. YOU HAVE HEARD OP THE WAVERLEY BICYCLE. WE HATE GOT IT AND CAN SHOW IT TO YOU Ai 1 ANY TIMF. The wise men of the East rode Oamels, but there are far wiser men to-day, WHO KIDE WAVERLEYS, THE WAVERLEY WHEELS Are m the front rank of AMERICAN HIGH GRADE MACHINES. Light, Strong, Speedy, Handsome, and thoroughly up to date. WAVEBLEY WHEELS Are " Built on Honor," and the price ia right. ALL MACHINES FITTED WITH ENGLISH PUN LOP TYRES AND WESTWOOD STEEL RIMS. Lamps, Bells, Cyclometers, Wrenches, Tyres, Rim?, and all Bicycle Acpesßories kept m Stock. Liepairing done by skilled Mechanics and satisfaction guaranteed. John Orr & Co.



Business Notices. ( SHEARMAN BROS., GBOOEKS, IRONMONGERS, & WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS WINES AND SPIRITS. CROCKIRYWaRE. ~' CROCKERYWARE. WE have iuat landed, ex S.f*. Kaikoura, some 7ery choice lines m Dinner Sets, Tea Sets, Toilet Sets, Sete of Jugs, etc, etc., which we are soiling at Wholesale Fnces. 100 Dozen White and Gold China Cups and Saucers .. 63 6d per dozen TEAS. TEAS. TEAS. WE have received direot from the Ceylon and China Girdena a large consignment of different Classes of Teas. A> we make Teas a specialty we can offer to our Cuatomers «*nd the general public exceptional value.  Highest Grade Orange Pekoe Ceylon Tea £ £ «er lb Firat Class Orange Pekoe Ceylon Tea « *J P^ \° Good Full Leaf Pekoe Ceylon Tea ' •• J 8 g P er ° Ceylon and China Blended Tea . . •« « J P er ° Good China Tea la Id per lb SAMPLES MAY BES HAD ON APPLICATION. MAURITIUS SUGAR. MAURITIUS STTGAR. Ab Mauribius Sngar contains far more Preserving Properties than any other Sugar m the market, it is therefore the beat Bugar to use for Jams and Jellies. 701 b Bags— l4S Od. Orders by Post promptly attended to. Goods delivered daily. SHEARMAN BROS., GROCERS, IRONMONGERS, AND WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS, MARKET HOUSE, ASHBURTON. Telephone No. 53. ____^_______^_____ ' TO BESIDESTS BUILDING & FURNISHING. ■* ■~ " '«O» ■■■" ■ "' ■* TTTTE BEG respectfully to announce thab we have received, pcr k S.S. "Jlonic ' and "aXtaura," very heavy .shipments for our HOUSEHOLD FURNISHING Depart* ment, viz: — SHEETINGS OURTAINS CARPET SQUARES PILLOW COTTONS QUILTS HEARTH RUGS TOWELS TOILETS OILCLOTHS TABLINGS MUSLINS LINOLEUMS IN the FANCY DEPARTMENT we are showing a fine assortment of new ' FABRICS GLOVES, and HOSIERY, direct from the Leicester Mills ; also some very choice goods m Jet Trimmings, including the new Zouaves, Boleros, and Skirt Ornaments, and an endless variety of Black and Colored Gimps. NEW SHIPMENTS OF Dresses, Straws, Mantles. 2 CaSOS of Sample 8 HOSIERY, at LANDED COST. MITCHELL & TURNER. \ Telephone— No. 80 ] 1893 - 18^8 S. SALEK, THE LEADING JEWELLERY ESTABLISHMENT IN THE DISTRICT JLargest Stock Lowest Prices FOR :NEf YE AR-1898 : : SPECIAL LINES at REDUCED PRICES, marked m Plain Figures. Gold Brooche B (new and choice designs) at 7- 9 J, 12s 6d, 17a 6d, 20s, upwardß. Silver Broochea from \% 6d upwards. Ladies 1 and Gentlemen'a Gold Links at 8s 6d, 10b, and ipwarda. Ladtte 9 an-4 Gentlemen'a silver Links at 2s 6d, 4a, and 4a 6d. Pencil Caeca (a <arge stock to aeleot from) a. 2s 6d, ss, 7a 6,1, 10s. Ladies' Rings (the latest and finest stock ever aeen m Aahburton, equal to any m Chriatohurch) from one guinea to ten guineas and upwards Geatlemeu'e Tie Pinß, neat and tasteful doaigna m gold at sa, 7a bd, 10b, 25a, also a nice selection of small and suitable articles at 2s 6d, ss, and 7a 6d. WiPJECJIA-L. ATTENTION - IS CALLED TO THE STOCK OF Gld Brooches and Ladies' Rings. ?bew two lines are Heavily Stocked, and are of the Newest and Choicest Deaigna. INSPECTION JNVITED * AT S. SALE K'S JEWELLERY ESTABLISHMENT, EAST STREET. STOOK AND PBIOEB UNEQUALLED IN THE DISTRICT. BARGAINS EXTRAORDINARY f^i UEAT ANNUAL SALE of Surplus Stock of DRAPERY, CLOTHING, & BOOTS, COMMENCED ON SATURDAY, January 15. IMMENSE REDUCTIONS. — w — ANDREW ORE,.