Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1900. USING BLACKS IN THE WAR.

The aunouncem-nt which appears in our cable news to-day that the Boers are arraying the African tribesmen *gainst our forces in Africa, is, if true, of trenm.d 'Us significance. Unless thel British take immediate and strong measures—such, for instance, as the landing promptly of a large force of Gboork..s or Sikhs—it is possible that, there m\\ be a general rising in Fouth Africa. We long ago advocafed the employment of oar Indian brothers in arms in dealing wi h the Boers, and we B6ver could see the force of the usual objection that only men of the Caucasian race should be employed by Britain when fighting against white enemies, As a matter of solid fact, the Ghoork ■■■ common soldier is a much more civilised individual than the average Boer private—if we may judge from the way in which the latter have acted throughout the present war. And as to saying that England dare not remove any of her Indian troops for fear that Russia might take advan tage of thttir absence, the idea is simply absurd. For not only would 50,000 Indian troops make little or no differ ence to the position in India, but to provide against contingencies, England could in a week secure 100,000 re cruits in India, who could be made effective long before the exigencies of a war with Russia could create a need for (heir services Besides, a much more serious fact has to be faced s and that is that unless we epeedily put down this African trouble, we shall lose not only Africa, but India also. It is surely time that vigorous mea sures and not sentiment should be the characteristic of the policy of Great Britain. At any rate, there could be no h*rm in letting the Boer chiefs know that if they persist in employing African troops, we will mret them with Asiatic troops, and not only so, but to prevent an awful sacrifice of human life, and untold horrors to the human race in Africa, we will no longer refuse the help no generously ttndered to us by the people of other nation?, and accept American, Brazilian, Italian, and Grecian volunteers. The only consolation we can suggest aft< jr read ing the cable news we have referred to, is that it may turn out to be untrue.

HORSES FOR THE CONTINGENT.

A good deal of disappointment—not to Ray eoreuess—has been caused in many quarters by the rejection of so many of tho horses presented for the Canterbury troop, as well aa of those offered for sale to the Govern ment. Mr Holderness, the chief In spector of Stock, and Mr Orabbp, the one of tho G >vernm*nt veterinary sur geons, were in Ashburton to-day, and inspected several horse 3in the A rcade, noar'y all of which were rejected. From a conversation a representative of this journal had with Mr Foldei ne.e, it appears that the instructions under which the horses are judged, if we may use the term, compel the experts to exerciao the utmost caution in their select-too. The simple fact that an apparently tr.fl'ng defosb in a horse ridden by a trooper, may bring about the most serioua consequences, perhaps tha loss of his life, is of itself sufficient to compel the exercise of extreme care in picking out the horses. But on the othfr hand, we believe that the fteling of responsibility which must, to a large extent, regulate the choice of horses by the Government experts, may lead them to look for ide<i! horses—animals that; we may imagine, but seldom come across. We are inclinrd to think that the Ashbur ton farmers, as a rule, may safely be trusted to know if a horse can be depended upon to do certain work. Some of them, having generously offered to supply one or more horses, they would not b« at all likely to send in animals which would not meat the advertised requirements for horses for tha Can terbury troop. No man with any genie of self respect, would present to his country, that which he did not value, And it is safe to say, that any horse sent in as a donation by our farmers and others, is one that his owner knew would not be found want jog. 'J bis being conceded, we venture to say that the Government experts should hesitate before setting their cursory inspection of a horse, against the knowledge that must have been gained by its owner—always assuming of course, that eych owner stands in public estimation, as do those Ashbur ton gentlemen, who, so far, have given horses for South Africa. We m»ke these remarks, with the greatest respect for the Government officials, who are no doubt doiug the duty imposed upon them with the full recog nition of the fact, that upon their judg ment, the lives of men in our Contingent may depend, since there are probably many defects in a horse, which the ordinary observer, even if experienced, might not readily discover. But from what transpired this morning, wben a Peninsula horae, of a very superior etamp was rejected on the ground, that i* had bad feet, we are inclined to think the " experts" are striving after an ideal animal, which they will experience some di^lculty in finding. Meantime our men want horses^ th,at their friends can recommend, because they know more about them, than can be gathered from five ininutes inspec- ; tion. I

Local and General.

*** On the firat paga to-day will be found Commercial Newe. Church Parade—The battalion of volun. beers will assemble at the camp to-morrow ab 10.15 a m., when the annual church parade wi!l take p'ao". The service will b at St. Stephen's Church, Picnic—The members of the Ashburton : Presbyterian Church choir, and the Sunday i school teacher^ held their pionio ab the beach on Thursday, when, despite the unfavorable weather, they seem to hare thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Comical Predicament.—A youth who was getting through a fence, with two barb wires in ib, found his boot caught fast in the second wire from the (op, and at a point about half way from each po«t. The reanlb was, that struggle ac he would with his body ou the ground, he could not get free, and when found he was making desperate j effojpti to get the l»oe of bis boot andone,

Postponement—The sale ot Mr Sargent's property has been postponed until March 10 Soe advt.

SFouqol Fxcobsion —A School Excursion fr< m Ashljuiton to Sumner on February 16 is adterfeistd. Tea will be providei as tan yew.

Concert at Mount Eombrs—A code rt ■ r.'d ilano* to-.'k placo last evening at Mot nb °omars, which, in spits of the weather, was well attend* d. Those who bupplied th Virioud musical item* were :—Mrs Purch«s, (<"/ ho alf.o payed the &ocomran''Knnt-), Mi's Hied, ami MefcS*s J\< o and MsMillao, the Utter s nf ing that ever p tul&r " Absem- Minicd Beggar"

Thb Bicyci-K By-Laws—At the la«b meet ing ot the Borough Council, when the re port of the By Laws Committee was under onsideration, C 1 Thomas made a temar. which our reporter did not quite catch. We learn that he criticised the by-Uw compelling the ringing of a bell, adversely, holding that it was sufficient to compel cyclists to cirry one; their own common sense would teli them to ring it—lf necessary.

Delay in Cable News—Some idea of the, manner in which important news from th<j front is kept back from the colonies, may be gathered from a cablegram received from London this, morning. It informs us that a man named Quiulan, has been arrested by Biden Powell for carrying on a treacherous correspondence with the enemy In the same cable message, we are informed that the sequel to this event, has bsen the Bubjact of a question in the Commons. Not only therefore is a message apparently still on its devious way, but the item that should be new, must have been days old in London* Funeral.-—The remains of the late Mr Robert Campbell, farmer, Cairnbrae, were interred in the Methven cemetery yesterday afternoon, a very large number of friends and neighbouis from all parts of the district being present to show their sympathy. The coffin wasborße fiom the hearse to the grave by friends of the deceased. A large number of floral wreaths were sent from all parts of the district in which the deceased had beea a settler for the last twenty jears, bearing testimony of the esteem in which he was heW. The Rev J. B Wesibrookecondttcted the service in a most impressive manner.

Christchurch Meat Company.—At the animal meeting of shareholders of the Christchurch Meat Company held yesterday, the balance sheet and profit and loss account were adopted. The sum of £10,447 8) 61 was written off for renewals and replace ments The profit and loss account showed a profit of £13,428 12s Id including the balar.ee from the previous year of £11,187 3s Id, A dividend at the rate of nine per cent, per annum waß declared, leaving £16,298 0j lOd to 100 carried forward. Mr Albert Kaye was elected director and sundry auditor. The Company put through 1,050,247 hsad of stock for the year.—Press Association tele gram

Something like a Send Oj-f. — It has been decided by the lately appointed Patriotic Committee to give a • send off ' to the Ashburton section of the Canterbury Contingent of Rough Rider?, when a pro gramme of speeches, patriotic songs, etc., will be carried out, and when also a unali purse of sovereigns will be presented to etich of the Ashburton men about to leave for South Afriaa, and also for those three Ashbur ton men who have lefo with the first aud second New Zealand Contingents. All dfS.rousof subscribing thereto are kindly asked to communicate with the honorary treasurer, Percy H. Cox, at Bank of Australasia, or any member of the Patriotic Committee before Thursday next, 15th inst. Ovebdosbd Officials—The literature te a certain well advertised ayrup has practi cally flooded the Ashburton Post Office of late. The clerks of the mail room have waded in it ankle deep. Under the superin tendence of the genial postmaster, the carriers and sorters have been compelled to take copious doaes of it morning, t>ooa, and night. These unfortunate officials declare, however, that their health is not improved one fraction thereby, and they w;ll be heartily glad to see the lust of the stuff.

THE VALDARES.

The Valdares were extremely unfortunate regarding weather for their perfornnsca in Ashburtc-n, which took place last evening. Theis spacious marquee was erected in the usual circus quarters, near Davane'a Hotel, and at ihe opening hour there commenced a heavy downpour of rain, which continued throughout the evening; Judging fr> m the large number that attended, with favor able elements, they would have recorded a " full hou»p." The programme provided was an excellent one, and several numbers were redemanded. The trick bioycU^-riding by Mr Valdare, and Mias Besvtt Vaidare w it* quite a revelation to an As burton audience, tend the grace and ease with which they ac complished the moac difficult feats, were greeted with applause. Piofessor Godfrey's performing animals are well trained, and are an exceptionally cUver kennel. Somersaults, by both dogs and monkeys, dancing and jumping, of a particularly clever order were sufficient to prove to what degree animals can be trained. Mr James Mnoney and Miss Ida Holbein, after giving a clover musical sketch, "Bluo Bells of Scotland "on cow bells, displayed their abilities as high kickers, Mr Mooney touching a hat at an elevation of fully nine feet—sufficiently high for anyone to relish. Misi Marie Ray is a clever serio-voealist, bub the merit of her songs waa affected by the noise of the wind and rain. Altogether the performance waa one ram y offered to tha public at popular prices, and can be recommended as worthy of patronage

The soothing and healing properties of Chamberlain's Cough Remedy, its pleasant taste and prompt and permanent cures, have made it & great favorite with the people everywhere. For sale by Ashburtoa Pff«f Company

CORRESPONDENCE

We do not hold ouueives responsible iox opinions expressed by our corro j orients

CATERPILLARS V. SMALL BIRDS PESTS.

TO THE EDITOB.

Slß,—Reading the paragraph in your local ■>i the 3rd mi t reminds me of the time when I resided at Garaldice many years since, and of the destructive habits of eiterpili&ra on growing corn. Tluy climbed the coin stems till they got to the ear.-, then bit the stem off below the Bars, causing the corn to belo^i for practical purposes. Whfin the ca'(-r ---piltars were at the top of v c corn I often noticed a bird simi'ar in appearance to pigeons, named, I believe, sea marten, hovering over the corn. Ie sometimes darted down and rose with a caterpillar in [ its bill. This was before imppjst&i birds had ' arrived or before they had multiplied : sufficiently tc check the caterpillar?. About a week ago I had occasion to travel on the Wakanul Road, between the farms of Messrs J. and y. Brown, aud was astonished to see the enormous number of caterpillars dossing the road from north to eouih, apparently with a certain purpose, migratiog for fresh fields or pastures now. Reaping machines were at work on the north tide of the road, and that perhaps disturbed them. The corn on the south side w«s cut at the time. The question is is it possible that last winter was too severe for birds and so lessened their numbers that they cannot oops with the caterpillars. —I am, etc.,

Resident.

PRACTICAL PATRIOTISM.

TO THK EDITOR.

Sir.—On Saturday, February 17, the third New Zealand Contingent will depart from Port Lyttelton, a-uti we who have watched the proceedings in forming same naturally feel a keen interest in their departure, amongst whom are some who will probably return no more. Such being the case 1 would suggest to the powers that be ibat i»eps (should be taken to commemorate that day by tradesmen closing their places of busi ness toaliowali who wish to proceed to Port to witness this pageant on the greatest of red letter days in the history of Canterbury. 1 am perfectly well aware that Saturday of all days is perhaps the moat awkward for shop keepers to close, bat still if an eff >rt> is made, and the publio given timely notice, I feel sure that the day could be given, and thus commemorate the departure of the Contingent and honor to our Queen and Empire by her subjects, even from Ashburton.—l am, etc., Bhopkbkpkb. [There seems to be some doubt still as to the exact date of the departure of the Canter bury Troop —Ed ]

LOCUST SWARMS IN AFRICA.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, —In a recent letter to yoar paper Trooper All xander Wilkie, now serving in , the Transvaal war, mentions having seen a " swarm of locusts &ye miles long." As these formidable infects commit immense havoo in many regions in Africa at intervals of several years, some remarks oa their habits and depredations may not prove un interestingt Plagues or destructive swarms of migratory loouats are recorded in Holy j writ, while figures of large locusts are depicted on the monuments of ancient Egypt, and on Adrian relics recovered from tho ruina of Nineveh. The largest and most destructive ewarrt a of locusts occur in Egypt, where they cause immense destruc tion and loss to the Egyptians. Only a few years ago the Egyptinn Government sent the army out to several districts along the Nile and westwards to burn the grass country and even the crops in order to check the onward march of the great swarm, which extended t,wo hundred miles across the country. In 1836 an immense swarm swept over the eastern districts of C<*pe Colony, spreading desolation during their flight towards the aea. On reaching the coast they flaw out to sea, where they perished, their bodies after wards being thrown back by the waves on the ciast in millions. Since then other swarms occurring iv the tarns region have likewise perished at see, and chips sailing aiong the South African coast hnvo been known to leave a clear track behind them when the surface of tho sea was thickly covered with their dead bodies Livingstone witnessed a great) swarm afe Kuruman, then the home of Rcbert and Mary Mvff *t (names now cheruhed in the annals of African missionary work. Sw&rma varying in num bers and extent occnr more or less every year in many p-irta of Africa. These great flights of migratory locusts occur in hot summers following a moist spring, The caterpillars of these insects live in Africa as they do in other count ries, on the roots of plants growing on moiab land near the great rivera or on cx vencive swampy areas. ! As moisture favors their more rapid growth j and enables them to escape freely from tho foil, they appear in the winged or perfect stage in December, when the simmer bud begins to rapidly dry the moist land and parch the vegetation. Congregating in great swarms they instinctively travel north or south from the equator or seawards into cooler regions, where they devastate nearly every class of vegetation they meet with. When colleobed and cooked like shrimps, locusts are said to form a very palatable dieh. They are much used for food in summer by the Hottentots and bushmen, aa are also the eggs of several large species of ants occurring in South Africa. Although locust swarms have proved destructive in parts of Southern Australia, they have not brought suoh destruction there as they do in Africa and parts of Asia. We in New Zealand should feel grateful that we are not troubled with these dreaded hosts, which almost invariably'spread desolation and rain wherever they occur.—l am, eto,, W.W.S.

The Rival Cable Routes.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—-Copyright

Stdstey, Feb. 9

Sir Wilfred Laurief, the Canadian Premier, has cabled strongly objecting to the last proposal of the Eastern Extension Company, or any other that would remove the control of the tele graph business from the local Govern ments, or give the Eastern Extension a free hand in competing with the Pacific Company. Mr Crick says Sir W, Laurier neks him to favor a mon opoly for the Pacific, but be will not.

DISTRESSING ACCIDENTS

A rumour reached Ashburton last evening to the effect that Mrs Rands, of Methven, was thrown from a trap and killed. Ib is stated that Mr and Mrs Rands attended the funeral of the late Mr Citnpbetl, whess owing to something goiug wrong with the seat of the trap, Mr Rinds got out to adjust it, and immediately tho horse broke away, knocking down Mr Rand, and later on overturning the trap. Mrs Rands was thrown out, and when picked up the unfortunate lady appeared to be dead or dying. Much sympathy is felt with Mr Rands, and the accident his cast quite a gloom over the district.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Sydney, February 9 A gatekeeper, named McMillan, near Wellington, stumbled on the line as a train was approaching. His daughter attempted to drag him off, and both were cut to pieces.

WAR FUND.

Amount ackr.ow'edgful .. £272 10 0 Messrs Jft 5J Mdhaith .. 10 0 0 Collected by Misses Burr and Fowke at the Athburton BaUyarris .. .. 2 II 4 Mr & Mra Lati^don, Wester fi«!d ; al?o 20 bujhdfi oats .. 110 Winchmore K.st>itp(a- jr Mwrs J R Hart and M Stilt) 50 Sacks oatf-n chaff. Woollen Factory Employees .. 3 1 0 J. Grigg, amom.it promised to Vcur.g M«t/s Club, trans ferred to War Fund account SO 0 0 WP Allan 2 0 0 J McLuchlan, M.H.R. .. 2 2 0 Total £243 15 4

CABLE NEWS.

London, Feb. 8

The majority of the remainder of the miseing notes stolen from Parr's bank last year have been eeot back to the bank,

Melbourne, Februarys

In the Assembly MrHiggins moved, " That the near approach of the Federal elections renders of supreme importance the solidarity of the Liberal party, and the existence of the present Govern ment, being an obstacle to the unity of the party, is contrary to the beat interests of the country." Mr Turner, in reply to the Premier, said, person ally, he concurred with lie motion, 'lhe Home adjourned till Tuesday. The Premier has accepted Sir George Turner's reply as an indication that the Opposition support Mr Higgins's want-of-confidence motion. The Go vernment is confident of a majority.

CHRISTCHURCH WOOL SALE.

United Press Association—By Eleotrlc Telegraph Christchubch, February 9 There was the usual attendance of local and foreign buyers at the fourth of the series of local wool sales to-day. Bidding was moßt irregular throughout, most of the ocm* petition resting with local fellmongers. and priced showed a decline of Id to 2d on January sales, fine wools suffering most. There was no spirit in the sala. Oat of 4969 bales offered only 2385 changed hand! at auction, the balatoe being withdrawn. Priors were—greasy merino 84 to 104 and in a few isolated oases up to llfd, haifbred 6£d to 9£d and up to lo£d for s> few exceptional luts, crossbred 4d to 8d and up to 91 for ex ceptional lots, long wool 4£i to 6d, pieces and bellies 3£d to 7d and np to 10£ d for ex ceptional lots, locks l£d to s&d,

MESSRS FRIENDLANDER BROS., LTD.

Greasy.—Bar in eqaare, crossbred ewe. i at s£d ; P, crossbred ewe, 7 aft 6d, pasted ; W P, crossbred hogget, 1 at G£d ; BY, first cross, 2 at 81, second cross, lat6fd, merino* 2 at 9i ; HVV conjoined, merino, 1 att£4 ; •-a J, threequarter-bred, 2 st s^i ; 43, crow bred, 2at 5| I, haifbred, 1 at 6jd, nr-erioo, 3 at 8| 1, crossbred hogget, with 10 crossbred ewe fleeces on top, 1 at &|i; Scoured—lß, Brefc pieces. 1 at 6|d ; Greasy—l", first cross ewe, 4 at Bi, paused; Scoured—+o, first crossbred, 1 at 9Jd, passed, first and second crossbred, lat B£d; Greasy— — over MS, crossbred, 5 at 6}l; triangle over S, crossbred ewe, 9 at f§ J, passed, crossbred hogget, 1 at 7Jd, cross bred ewe and ram, 1 at 6£<i; P, orostbred. with 16 merino fleeces, 1 at 6Jd, passed, bellies and dead wool, 1 at 4^l; J 6, merino, 5 at 10d, crossbred, 2 at s£'l, pas-ed : WL conjoined, pieces, 1 at 3|5; T9, halfbred ewe, 4at B£d, 6rst cross ewe, (10 haifbred, and 5 Lincoln ram isece-), 2 at 61 ; 6M, first crossbred, (3 ram Qeecea and 8 hogget fleeces). 2 at7£d ; Dover B M, hilfbred ewe. 7 at B^l, 23 haifbred and 19 mf rino fleecer, 1 at Bd, crossbred ewe, 1 at "fd; +C, merino wetber, lat B|d, merino and haifbred, lab 6§ 3, roma, 1 at 6£d,pieces, 1 at tyi, locks ana pieces, 1 at 2|d, half* bred, 2 at 7^5, haifbred, 3 at 7|d, crossbred, 1 at 6^ \ nrosebred, 3 at s£d, crossbred, 1 at s£d, crossbred, 1 at 5(3, merino wether, Jl at 7|i, merino pieces, 1 at sd, crossbred piceus, 1 at 3£d, bellies and pieces, 1 at ji|d, mixed, 1 at £|d ; -j- over diamonds, crossbred ewe and nether, 1 at 5|J ; AX conjoined, oro»s-> bred ewe, 1 at 5^4; HY conjoined oroas* bred, 1 at sd, parsed ; S 111. haifbred ewe, 12 at B£d, passed ; E, crossbred hogget, 6 at 6|J ; W A, crotsbred ewe, 7 at 6)d, patted ; triangle over 8, crossbred, ewe, 15 at 6^d t passed, haifbred, 13 at B|J, puted ; + U, bellies and pieces, 2 at 4|d.

THE LATEST.

Australian

(Received Wakapuaka Feb. 10, 345 a.m, This Office 10-11 a.m)

Bush Fires—Enormous loss Melbourne, Febuary 10 The Bush firei have burnt oat in some district!, but are itill raging in others. Th« loesei in grass, stock and property are enormous.

The Train Wreckers. Lovering and Johnson, the youths who created a sensation, by baring con fessed to attempts to wreck trains, and tamper with railway point* hare each been sentenced to three yean on the latter charge.

More Cable Arrangement*. The only point to be settled at re gards the Cape eablf, is the payment the Eastern Extension Company is required to make, for connecting the larid lines. The Cable Company is prepared to adopt the Postmaftgr- Gfeneral's suggestion, that the colonies should receive so much for each word passing over the lines,

A SPLENDID SUCCESS.

If anyone had said ft year ago that thon. sands of copies of tho expensive ninth edition of the Encyclopaedia BrUannka could be sold in Great Britain within a few months, bo would have been regarded more at a dreamer than as a judge of the book trade. The en terprise business, ability and advertising skitl and boldneds of the proprietors of The liiiies, however, has made what seemed- an impossible thing a reality, and a great literary work that hitherto hat only been found in the homes of the wealthy, or on the shelves of public libraries and similar insti tifcioas, has foaudjits way intn the oottege of the artisau, the book "case of the clerk, and the solitary apartment of the bachelor student. The manner in which this has been brought about is no less creditable to the keen commercial instincts of the proprietors of The Times than to their faith in the public, and their enterprise in embarking on an un dertaking that had in it great elements of risk and financial loss. IJtiUke many arttf | oles sold on the instalment principle, 7fa Times not only offers the Encyclopaedia Sfi tannica to residents of New Zealand at much ieg'a than the price charged to (he original subscribers to the work, »od at much U|sth»n it could be bought for in any book»ellet'i, but they offered a reprint in every particular as complete, and as handsome in appearance, ks when first issued by the publishers. The scheme deserved to succeed, and it is »uc ceeding in New Z^alaod as it did in London beyond every anticipation. The limes offer is to be permanently withdrawn on Tuesday February 20. After that date the work can not be supplied in New Zealand.

THE AfIHJBUuDON #OABDIaK j SATUKDa^\ : F£BhUAhY 10,1900



A GREAT BOOK AT A CHEAP PBICE. The popularity of the FNOYOLOFJEDIA. BRTTYNNICA is sufficiently shewn by thn f ( , c t that in less thau twenty months more than twenty thousand copies of The Times Reprint of the " Ifincyclopjedia" have Keen sold in the United Kingdom alone, in addition to copies supplied by The Times in India, Bouth Africa, and Australia, as well as to the United States, where this com plete and authentic Reprint of the great library is eagerly welcomed notwith standing that the country has, owing to tho faulty condition of the copyright laws, been flooded with three or four hundred thousand copies of piratical and mutilated editions. \ The aggregate sale of 2he Times Reprint of the -s Encyclopaedia' has been, at Homa and abroad, over twenty-five thousand sets of twenty five volumes each, a totwl of six hundred and twenty-five thousand volum s. The figures in each case are t>| interest, not only because they show that the " Encyclot sedia" is a general favourite, but also because they describe an unprecedented success in the dissemination of really good literature, and s[O far to prove that the public taate is by no means so debased as some alarmists believe it te be. They are figures, too, so astonishing that they cannot readily be grasped. Every copy of the " Encyclopedia " centring twenty two thousand pages, and this means that over five hundred and fifty million pages have been printed and sold. Large figures of this sort produce upon the mind an effect which a coatemporary foreign writer has aptly described as a " brain-blur." One cannot easily picture printed pages floating through the air and lying like snow upon the ground, but a simple comparison will assist the imagination. Each of these pages is 11 inchf« in depth by §| inches in width. Their aggregate superfiees would therefore be, if the front and back of each leaf conld be split apart and all the pages spread out, no less than fifty-two thousand nine hundred and thirty-seven millions five hundred thousand square inche?, 367,62',5^7 square feet, or 8,439 acrt 8, or nearly 14 squ^rj miles. Conceived as one gigantic sheet of printed ??ords, having its centre at a given point, the whole would exteud nearly two miles north, nearly two miles south, nearly two miles east, and uearly two miles west. On this enormous sheet there would appear no less than 750,000,000,000 words, for there are more than 30,000,000 word-? in each copy of the " Encyclopedia." Using another familiar illustration, 550,000,000 pages each 11 inches in depth would, laid end to end, make a ribbon more than 95,486 mi as in length, reaching nearly four times ronnd the earth. Each copy of the ENOYQLOVJEvI • BRITaNNICA packed in a box for delivery, weighs about one hundred and ninety six pounds. The whole would therefore weigh over two thousand tons, as much as can be carried by a dczin ordinary goods-trains. Ko other book devised by human ingenuity has ever had a sale which can be compared to this, and after the recapitulation of these figures the accepta bility of the EN CYCLOPAEDIA BRITAN^NIOA as a timely investment can hardly be questioned,



THE Wl WflFiK OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD. Ifc is a unique characteristic of the ENCYCLOPEDIA. BRITANNIOA, that while ifc ia authoritative in the highest degree—a standard in every field, it haa so little of the typical encyclopislia atmosphere, Ttwt ia to sty, ita articles are not mere compilations—they do not form a huge structure of facts uneculptured and unadorned ; they ate, the longer ones at least, rather a series of concise and rapid m >pographs They are the work of masters in every province, yet no mere masters of uncouth datails, but; of form and exposition as well. Many of them, indeed, are among the finest contributions to present-day literature. 'ihese articles are delightful reading-they are more— they are a liberal edu- j cation. This is notsaying" tnac anyone can master so vast a sUra of facts— there is no one living who could do that;. Not- doea the mere acquisition of facta constitute a liberal education. Something more is needed, and this is why no dry-as-dnst com pilation will suffice. A fine appreciation of form, the habit of detecting relations between widely-separated subjects, a mastery of broad outlines, the ability to seize the central truth, come rather from a long .association and familiarity with minds of the highest reach and training. It ia precisely minds of this type to whom the present character of the ENCY-1 OLOPJEDIa BRITANNIOA is due. " Those who have proved themselves to be ' at the summit in their particular departments" were everywhere selected tj expose and interpret for intelligent and educated people their special tpheres of knowledge. The result has bsen a degree of excellence which has never before been attained in a work of scope so immense. Notwithstanding; its high scholarly standatd, the " Encyclopaedia" is still literature in the strictest sense of the word, it may be taken volume by volume, treatise by treatise, article by article, and read for the individual interest which each affords. Because it embraces all departments of human learning, and evenly and impar tially presents the best results obtainable from each, the KiN CYCLOPAEDIA Btil- TANNICA constitutes, within itself, aa ideal popular library. Certainly it ia the foundation, the true beginning, of any extensive collection of books. Not a thousand volumes, each chosen with an undarstanding of books which perhaps not a dezen living men possess would it be possible to obtain anything like ao admirablea resume otall that a nineteenth-century man or wroman wishes to know.



AH ADMIRABLE IfiVESTMEHT. The ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNIC 1 is an admirable investment for bhree excellent reasons. The three excellent reasons which combine to recommend the ** Encjclopsedla " are these : — In the first place ifc is the very bast thing of its sort to purchase. The ENCY CLOPAEDIA BHITANNIOA has been recognised ever since the first edition was published in177l ac the very best work of reference in the world. Ie ia easy enough to find more costly books, to purchase a thousand volumes instead of only twenty five, bat that thousand would be ill-chosen if the twenty-five volumes of the FKCY CLCPjEDIA BRITA.NNICA were nob among theia. Ib ia hog, Indeed, too much to say thab no thousand other volumes contain so great a proportion of the whole sain of human knowledge as do these fivt-and-bwenty. Here, then, is one excellent reason why the " JKncyolopeelia" is the very bett citing of its sort. ■ In the second place the &N CYCLOPAEDIA BKLTANNICA may at the moment be purchased upon remarkably advantageous ternn. The established publisher's price for the twenby-fiAe volumes in cloth binding ia £39. The Times offers precisely the same work, unaltered and unabridged, for seventeen monthly payments of one guinea each, or for £17 in cash—less than half-price. This is another [excellent reason, for everyone must wish thab the pounds and shillings one spends should do their utnosfc in adding to the accumulated wealth of the investor. • In the third place, the purchase of the ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA does not involve, on the one hand^; ready money, nor yet, on the other hand, the incur ring of a vague debt; which tha debtor may be called upon to pay when ifc ia least oodventeut for him to do so. A preliminary payment of only one guinea in cash will secure the delivery of the volumes. After the delivery has been made other payments of one guinea each become tine at monthly intervals. The purchaser of the " Encyclop«ella " who adopt a thb hovel and convenient system of paying for books knows precisely when his payments should be made, and knows boo thab each one of them is so inconsider able as to make hardly any strain upon a month's income.



THB CHOICE OF A BINDING. The r<"mAs Reprint of the ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNIOA is offered bo the r public In threw different styles of binding. The cheapest ia in a neab and useful green cloth-—the same in every respect as that which hag been sold at the higher price. UNABRIDGED AND UNALTERED. The Ninth Edition of the ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA, completed In 1889, which the Turns has reprinted, ia universally recognised as the most complete and perfect of works of reference The Times Reprint ia in every respect the same as the copies already sold at the higher prico ; it ia what booksellers call a new Impression, not a changed edition. There has been no condensation, no abaidgement, no omission- ifivery word, every illustration, every map, every element of value is preserved intacc ; there is not the moat minute cheapening of the product to offset agaiuat the remarkable diminution of the price. No steps will be taken towards preparing a tenth edition for many years, and when anew edition is undertaken, it will require at least 12 or 15 years to complete Ib. The present edition (the 9fch) will therefore be the national standard work of reference for at least 15 or 20 years to come. With care it will last lor years, and ib is to be commended ta any purchaser who has to choose between baying the ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA in cloth and not baying it afc all ; bat, in the natare of things, it fa not the best possible form in which to clothe each maasive volumes as those of the ENCYCLOPEDIA BRIT AN 3SIC4. Such a book deserves a leather binding, and the pleasure of using the volumes, and of seeing them upon one's .bookshelves is greatly enhanced when they are worthily attired. The intrinsic utility of a book depends in some measure upon itg comeliness, and the half morocco and full morocco bindings are each in its degree so handsome and so inexpensive, in proportion to their durability and beauty, thab no one who can afford to dress the best of bookn in the best of bindings will hesitate to Select the richer form of the UiNCYCUJPiEDIA BRITANNICa. The leather employed in the full morocco and half morocco binding is genuine goat sk»n, sumach tanned. The leather, clear in colour, elastic and soft, yet) firm and fine in grain and and text .ie, " resists wear and tear and the action of gas and heated air better fchan any other leather."-—(Ency. Brib., vol xiv, p 538.) The fall morocco binding is, technically considered, an exquisite production. The backs are doable sewn on four bands and the quires are hand folded. The cover boards are pressed and lined to make the binding solid, and are squared and hand cat by guillotine. The books are entirely forwarded by hand with hollow backs and fine Bilk headbands set solid.



For purchasers who elect to make serial payments for the work, the better bindings make no more urgent a call opon the purse than do the cloth binding. The monthly payments are in any case the same, and only a little more perseverance is oalkd tor in the case of the leather bindings than in the case of the cloth binding. THE QEF&B. The sensation of iho bookntjlL&g season in London, the remarkable offer of "TBisJ TIMES" Keprinb of the KNOYLuKaSuIA BRITTANICA (ninth edition), }0 already known to residents in Naw Zealand, who read " The Times." No fewer \ than 16,000 copies of the massive work were primed, but applications were received j i& rapid succession for more ihan 20,000. Widespread disappointment was occasioned by the enforced refusal of a great nam ber of orders, and residents in JNew Zealand were, owing to the delay in communl- Cftttag with London, peculiarly unfortunate in this respect. Wbati •* The limes" did for residents in England, it now proposes to do for reel



dents in New Zealand. Arrangements have been made for a limited nnraher of copies for distribution in New Z jalaid Th«i prico hj»l terms upon «hlch»hese i copies m*y be obtained are stated in detail h.low, aid imimaiattt application should be mad>< \,y perßcns who desire tio avril themselves of this extraordinary opportunity. The price at which the work U offered is in it elf a phenomenal one, and the con ditions of sale are a eh as to imiwrially » hance the Advantages presented by fcht arrangement. The briefest statement o 1 the«e con-iiti'ns wil besufficitnfc. Below will be found a full Btoteniftnt of the plan of pajmants, also tbe further detail regarding the various styles of binding, Ac. SPECIAL TO INTENDING PURCHASERS. i Letters and teieprarrs have been received from varioas parts of New ZeUand ofiquir'ng how long it w,ll t&ke for the ENOYOLOA-JiaiA. BRITANNICA. to arrive fh m London, In ropy ro push, w« de«ira to stat-- (bat all pr>ipm«r*tn aro made direct fmrr Wellington, where a sufficient quantity of stock for filling IMMEDIATEord rs is in hand Tho'-fc who mske prompt application, therefore, can have their booka bUppliec AT OK 08.



TEMPORARY PRICES UNTIL FEBRUARY 20. M 3T k Sufficient provision has been made lor the filling of orders promptly posted, but applicants who hesitate may find that) the number of seta reserved for New Zealand hat been exhausted, and that the offer has been withdrawn, without farther notice. f JV Monthly Payments of Oxe Ociwba. each, or if Cash in Fdll CLOTH J accompanies the order, Publishers' Price for this style BINDING 1 of Binding, JS3y. f&2 Monthly Payments of One Guinea each, or i* Cash in Fell accompanies the order, £22~PublieherB' Price for thij style o! MOROCCO 1 Boding, £45. " (Which we { reoommend) !3O Monthly Payments of One Guinea each, or, if Cash in Full accompanies the order, £29—Publishers' Prioe for this style of Binding, £65. The sets wili be delivered to subscribers carefully sealed in tin-lined oases. The first 500 subscribers in New Zaaland wili receive their sets delivered free of cost as far as Wellington. Ordter Form~CßSh Payment.—Subscribers who elect to send cheque in : > full with the order have the advantage of an additional saving of one shilling in the guinea, as shown above, and to order form is required. Cheques should be drawn to the order of the Bank cf New South Walks, Wellington, and sent to The Times (London), New Zealand Office, at Government Life Insurance Buildings, Wellington, N.Z.



Order Form-MLon<hly Pnymen*. (Date)...- «, _ To the Manager, Thsi Timfs (London), New Zealand Office, GOVERNMENT LltE INSURANCE BUILDINGS, WELLINGTON. I enclose One Guinea. Please send me The Times Reprint of thb Encyclopedia Bri- TANNICA (9th Ed ) C {a) CLOTH, for whioh I agree to make to you, or to anyone you may ap point, 16 additional monthly payments of one guinea each, BOUND J (b) HALF MOROCCO, for which I agree to make to you, or anyone yon IN may appoint, 21 additional monthly paymentH of one guinea eaoh, (c) FULL MOROCCO, for which I agree to make to you, or to anyone you may appoint, 28 additional monthly payments of one guinea each, my next payment upon delivery of the complete volumes, and my succeeding payments on the corresponding day of each month following. Until such payments are complete, I engage that the volumes remain your property, and shall not be disposed of by sale or otherwise. I further agree that if, owiog to unforseen circumstances, of whioh you shall be judge, the volumes cannot be delivered, the return of this deposit; of one guinea to me shall cancel this agreement. [Strike out two of the paragraphs marked a, b, and c respectively, leaving the one which names the style of binding desired ] Please also send a revolving Bookcase^fer which I agree to make three fur- f Strike out if Book' ther monthly payments ef one guinea eoch t after the payments jot the books -J case is not de* ate complete. \ sired. Rignea., ... „, [12 QK Ash. Guardian ] Address- _....„ If books are to be delivered elsewhere than in Wellington, the pm-crnse' «hall add the name of the carrier in Wellington to whom delivery ia to be made.



SPECIMEN PAGES FRRE BY POST. For the convenience of those who desire fuller information in regard to the ENOYCLO- P/EDIA BRITANNIOA, a pamphlet has been prepared containing specimen pages and brief extracts from the work. The p mphlet will be «ent to any address poet free upon application to Tlu limes (London) New Zealand office as under.



PIANOFORTE, SINGING, Etc. MRS JOHNSTON, having taken over Mrs Bowman Fox's music practice, will be at home from 2 till 4 daily, to arrange with Pupils. Term commences 6th February. 12 65 Havclock Street. Rudg*e-WMtwortli Cycle Depot, Burnett Sstrett HAVING been appointed SOLE AGENT for Ashburton District for



BRITAIN'S BEST BICYCLV, TUE RUDGE-WHXTWORTH, Persons in want of a kibst-class up-to-date Machine cannot do better than buy one. 'Ihese Bicycles hold the position in England of being- second to none, and in New Zialand the same proud position is given them by all who have tried them. The numerous riders of this Machine include E. Reynolds, Champion of New Zealand ; and W. Tiernby, New Zealand's Ucpaoed King. I have also the Agency of thab HIGH GRADE AMERICAN WHEEL, THE TRIBUNE Tbia is the Machine on which Muuphy, the New York Cyclisb, accomplished his Marvellous Ride of One Mile in 57£ sees. Am Kinds of Machines Repaired. BICYCLES ON HIRF. STOCK OF ACCESSORIES.



JR. D. Johnston, BURNETr STREET, Nekt Orange Hall. i ns New Zealand CLOTHIMC_FACTO[iY Stocktaking Beductions. Tremendous Bargains. | HARD and Soft Felts 7a 6d, 10 6d, re | duoed to Is and la 6d. I Straw hats, Is 9d, 2s 3d, all reduced to la A few odd lines in Shirts reduced to 2s 6d Boys' Tweed Caps, reduced to 3d Boye' Paper Collars Id per box Men's Ties, Is 9d, 2s 6d, reduced to 6d and Is Men's Sao Suit?, Good Lines, 23a 6d Boye' Sac Suits, 25s 6d, reduced to 19a Boys' Washing Suits, 4s 63, 3s 6d, reduced to2a9i



Boys' Alpaca Goats, 7a 6d, 9a 6d, reduced to 3s 6d and 4a 6d Men's Tweed Trousers, 6a, 7a 6d, 9* 6d, BOOTS! BOOTS BOOTS Canvas Term's Shoes, 5s 6d, reduced to 2s 6d Women's and Children* Boobs and Shoes ' reduced about half. We must clear out these odd lines to make room for New Good, etc. CALL EARLY AND GET FIBST CHOICE IVJEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTOBY. F. H. BEOKINGSALB, Mftutgw^



ST. BCEPHBN'S OrfO ROB Ashburton. SEPTUAGESINA SUNDAY, (February 11.) THE DAY OF PRAYER ' Throughout the Anglican Communion for our Armies in South Africa, and of Inter cession for the Sick, the Wounded, and the Dying. 8.30 a m—Holy Communion 11 am—Matins, Interoessi* a, and Sermon DROMORE —2.15 pm, Confirmation Class ; 3 p in, Kvening Prayer and Bermon 630 p m—A. Memorial Service, with Solemn Intercession and Hetmon R A WOODTHORPE, M A., Vicar "TOR THIS WEEK.



QPIiOIAL Lines Prints at 3Jd per yard. Special Lines Prints at 4^d per yard. Special Lines Prints and Zyphers at 6Jd per yard. Special Line Dress Material, usual price Is 9d; 5s lid Dress Length. Big Line Sample Corsets, prices from 4s lid to 10s 6d, to clear at 2s lid per pair. And ni&ny other tempting Lines in all departments.



ASHBUETON DRAPERY COMPANY. FOR BICYCLE ACCESSORIES GO TO GATES, LOWRY AMD CO-, THE LEADING CYCLE DEALERS. OUR Repairs are done ia a neat and workmanlike manner. All work guaranteed, and charges reason ble.



J. WILSON, SiaN-WBHEK. LARGE STOCK OF WALL PAPERS, WINDOW GLASS, MIXED PAINTS, PIOTFRE MOULDINGS, ARTIST'S MATERIAL, &c. BUPNETT STREET, oppoaite^MAiL Office Telephone 65



fcfc V IT A D A T I O THE GREAT HERBAL REMEDY. ANOTHER GREAT TRIUMPH CVER " HYDATIDS." A grateful Patient gives unsolicited and valuable testimony to the efficacy of this pceat Herbal B«m«dT. Read carefully and investigate foe youraelf. 29 Packingston Bt., St. kilda. Mr S A Palmer, Vitadatio Institute, Bourke Bt. Sir,—As I consider Webbers' Great Herbal Remedy, 'f Vit&datio,'? has been the sold means of saying my life I think the least) I can do is to hand you this testimonial, so that ethers suffering the same as myself may know that there is a certain reliable gure fdi them Jo " Webber's Vitadatio," if it is only given a fair trial. The simple facts of my oase are as follows:—For the past 10 years I have been under the treatment of doctors inFitzroy and St. Kilda, as well as some of the best in Collins street. Some were of opinion that I was suffering from consumption, whilst others stated it was pleurisy. At any rate they «ould give me no relief, let alone cure me. You can easily imagine that I had little hope of ever being cured* But one dayl noticed an advertised cure by "Webber's Vitadatio," and the symptoms of the patient being somewhat similar to my own, Ithought I would give it a trial, with the result 'that much taking only two large bottles, I felt after better, and continued the medicine. By the time I had taken eight bottles I wae wonderfully recovered, but one day took very ill, and vomited up a lot of slimy matter, which was afterwards examined by the doctor, and pronounced to be Hydatida. I continned to vomit these "Hydatids" for some tiaie, but at last it died away. This naturally left we weal', but I continued with the " Vitadatio," and gradually my strength returned, until to-day I san honestly state I have never felt better in the whole of my life. I consider "Webber's Vitadatio" a miracle-worker. I am well-known in Fitzroy, and there ate mauy others just as much astonished at my cure as I am- I shall be pleased to speak to anyone and giye them my own experience of the worth of [ " Webber's Vit&datio." You are at perfect liberty to make what use you like of this testimonial. I may add I am now able to do all my own household work ; a thing I have been unable to do for years,—Yours very gratefully, Mrs) CARRIE HOCKING Witness-G E Richardson, 19/9/99 VITADATIO IS A TRULY WONDER FUL MEDIOINE. Vitadatio sold everywhere, 5a 6d and 3a 6d Head Office for N.Z.-39 Manness Street, Wellington. Ask your Chemist or Grooer for t.



With drinking whiskies neat, Ha swore and cursed to vent his ire, And raved Just quite a treat; Bat now he's swore off driuk for good ; He knows a thing now sure, For ooughs and colds its understood, Wood's Great Peppermint Cure. Smoke Hew Veoas,



You can easily bay worse ; You can hardly bay as good; You cannot buy better. rpHERBFOKB score oat the two top X Lines and plump for MoKenzii'B Uublend«d Hoodat.Hanka TeM~paoJwd in Ceyloa,