PHASES OF THE MOON

Jancabt

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1900.

In the present war the Highland regi ments have borne a couepicuons part., and have suffered THE severe losses. It BLACK WATCH, was always thus. At the battlo of Ticon deroga, m 1758, the 42nd Highlanders were to form the reserve of the attack ing force. The troops advanced with incredible ardour, making a fierce rush at the works, which proved to be infinitely stronger than the engineer had reported j for more than 100 yards before the 9ft breastwork, over which the French were pouring m security a deadly fire of musketry and swivel guns, thf-y had covered the whole ground with an abattis of trees, logs, stumps, and brushwood, among which the stormers got helplessly entangled, and were shot down m heaps When the stormers began to fall back, the Royal Highlanders, infuriated by the slaughter they witnessed, the branches and confusion cf the abattis full of dead and dying m< n ; amid whom the showers of lead were still falling, broke from their position m the reserve, and, with cries of vengeance, advanced to the attack, as an officer of the 55th described it, without orders, " and like roaring lions breaking from their chains." They cut a passage through the falling trees by their claymores, sprang through the trench, and made a gallant effort to carry the breast work by storm; •' climbing on one another's shoulders," says the Regi mental Btcord, " and placing their feet m holes made m the face of the works with their swords and bayonets, no ladder having been provided." Oaptain John Campbell and a few men succeeded m getting up, and rushed, sword m hand, m the old Highland fashion, at the foe ; but they were speedily overpowered and shot down. After a succession of these gallant but unavailing efforts had been continued for several hours, and most serious loss had been sustained m killed and wounded, General Aber croiabie ordered the whole to retreat; but so exasperated were the High landers by the slaughter of so many comrades aod kinsmen, that the order had to be given to them three times before they would obey it, and they were consequently the last to withdraw from this unequal contest. The British retired to their camp on the south of Lake Gfcorge, and the French did not venture to pursue. General Aber crombie reported the loss m killed, wounded, and missing, m bis entire force at 1944 of all ranks ; of these 119 were officers. The engineer who&e fatal report led to the attack was among the first killed On no regiment did the slaughter fall so heavily as on the Black Wafch, which had a ghastly roll of 647 killed and wounded, of whom 26 were officers belonging to borne of the best families m the Highlands. When the tidings of Ticonderoga, months afterwards, were carried, with many an exaggeration doubtlea?, to the remote glens and fastnesses of the clans, a strong sentiment of vengeance was excited among the Highlanders \ and so many recruits poured m for the regiment that not only were all the casualties speedily replaced, but the surplus was found to be so numerous tki^the king immediately issued letters of service to form th m into a second ba'.talion for the 42nd Foot, and such it continued to be until 1786, when it was constituted the 73rd Highlanders. It is the 78rd regiment of whom we have been hearing most as the Black Watch m South Africa, but as both battalions are no* at the seat of war something will doubtless soon be beard of the gallant Forty-Twa.

Local and General.

** # On the first page to-day will bo found the reporb of the Aldington Market, and oa the fourth page a short story. Flax—During the past year three flax mills, employing about one hundred hands, have been established m South Wairarapa Valley.—-Press Association telegram The Holiday Railway Tbakf a—The passenger traffic oa the Government railways during the holidays surpassed any previous return.—Press Association telegram Personal—We are phased to iearn that Dr. Trevor has returned to Aehburton muoh benefited by his holiday. A notice that he has resumed practice appears elsewhere. For the Front— the southern candidate* for the second contingent passed through Ashburton by express last evening. Cheers betweon them and the cro.wd of spectators were exchanged as the train left the atatiou. Ship Desbb?qb§ - The Rakaia was to have sailed from Wellington for London yesterday afternoon, bub no leas than thirteen firemen deserted, and the police are now hunting for them.—Press Aesooiabion telegram The War Cby—The New inland Con fcingent's war ory, which Trooper Wilkie Bay a amueed &h@ residents of Capetown, is ; — " Ake, ake, kea kaha, etc." which, tram hted, means—" Fight on ? fight hard, and we will defeat the foe." Major Coleman.—Major Coleman, who has been a cavalry instructor sinca 1874, has retired, and intends to settle down on a farni m the Taranaki district. Previous to arriv ing m New Zealand he had been through the Crimean war and the Indian mutiny, and seen lengthy service m India.—Press Asso. ciabion telegram Moa Bones—A Kiwifcea correspondent of the Fielding Star unites :~Whilst digging m my garden a few days ago, I unearthed the bonea of a moa m a wonderful slate of pre servation, considering that they lay close to the surface. The bird must have fallen or died m a hold made by the uprooting of a large tree, the earth falling back and cover iDg the remains. There are old Maori ovens close to the spot where I found the bones, but I hardly think there is any connection between the two. U.A.O.D.—The usual fortnightly meet ing of the Success of Ashburton Ladies' Lodge was held m the Templar Hall on Tuesday evening, there being a fair atten dance of members. After the ordinary routine business had been despatched the following officers were elected and in stalled j- 0 D Sister Stock ; V D Sister 0 Huffam |M"S Sister Kilgour; Secretary, Brother D Stock* Treasurer, Sister Rainey; C D Bards, Sisters Wakehim and F Sum mers ; V D Bards, SisterH Aslete an 3 Hood* JG, Sister Taylor ; 0 G, Sister R Smitheli: After the installation harmony waa in dulged m by the members, and tha Lodge was cloned ab the usual hour.

The Lath Monsignoh MeT) nalp. -The fuaernl of th<jli*'e ftttiibr Wilier McDonald ( was held oo Wednesday at the Panmure Cemetery, Auckland. The precession waa one of the longest ever se.n m Auoklacd, coKuibting of over sixty vehicle?. A sohma j rrquiem maga waa said at Sr. Patrick'^ j Cathedral. The deceased, hivng been Roman O-vthoiio oh>pUin to the volunteer force, was accorded a military funeral. The naval volunteers formed a firing p-irty. The i pall-bearers were Colonel Bunk a, Btigarte j Surgeon Colouel Daweon, and Chptaine Graur, Parker, M*jor Myers. Three Mkmbrrs of the Contingent— More thin pa«i.ig interest, attaches <o uomo of the m?nm(n ioned m the list of the con tingent, saya the Pest Tom Hemplou is a brother of the wel -known amueur runner, and baa himaelf at) aiiied a C'lnspiouou-i name m Tarannki athletics, having represented the province on the football fisldl during some eight years of its palmiest days. Young, from Weatport, ia a cousin of England's cot spicuoufi statesman, the R;ght Hon J Cham berlain, atiil he left the service of the Bank of New S'.uth Wales to become a Boldier of the Queen. Fi zumrnona is a relative of •* Fighting Fi z," the Timaru pugilist who won world-wide fi-tio fame m America: Spent a Oood Farm Uoctoring- Mr h. N. Noell of Asherville, Kmsas, saya he epoob a good farm doctoring himself for chronic diarrhoea bub gob no relief and was afraid that he must die. He chanced to get hold of a bottle of Chamberlain's Colic, Clolera and Diarrhos* Remedy and waa permanently cured by it. For sale by Ashburton Drug Co. Prices 3s, and la 6d.

MURDER IN QUEENSLAND.

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Oopyrighb Brisbane, January 3 An old woman named.Pfingst was found murdered and fearfully mutilated near Goondiwindi. Her husband has been arrested.

METHVEN SPORTS.

Fine weather and a good attendance favored the promoters of Methven New Year Day sports, the arrangements made by the Committee being satißfactory m every way, and eminently successful. The following are the results : — Hurdle Racb Handicap, of 10 sovb; one mile and a half Mr W J Smith's b m Lapwing, aged, 12i9t7ib 1 Mr J Nee's br g Rhino, 4yrs, lOst 71b .. 2 Village Lad Hat, Pohio list), and Rubbie lOab 7ib, also started.—Village Lad ran off at tho third hurdle, and took Polio with him, uhuß spoiling what promised to be a good race. Lapwing won »b she pleased. Maiden Tkot Timb Handicap, of 7 bovb ; about one mile and a half Mr H H SkarpUn's b m Scottish Lass, 4yrs, lOaecs 1 Mr i Muirhead's br m Echo, 4yra, 15aec3 2 Sefton scratch, May s^eoß, Fanny Wood lOaeos, Black Angel lOsecs, Cushendun lOaeos, My Jack 15secs, also started.—Won on the post • ' Methven Cup Handicap, of 10 bovb and trophy ; about one mile and a quarter Mr G E Baxter's br h Rubicon, 6yrs, I2ab 1 Mr G W Harrtwiok's b m Soubriquet, 6yrs, lOat 7lbs ... 2 Inohoape list 51b, Lapwing list, Kaiser 103fc 91b, Goldfinch lOst, Tit 9at ?lb, Sir Robert 9at 7ib, also started. -A good race ; won by about a length Handicap Tbot, of 10 soys ; about two miles Mr W J Smith'B ram Fanny Wood, aged 13secs .« .. .. .. 1 Mr H H Sharplin'a b m Woottiah Lass, 4yrs, 13aeca .- ..2 Sefion scratch, May 7ieca, Darkie lOieos, Black Angel 139eca, My Jack 253ecs, also started.—Won easily Ladies' Purse, of 10 soys ; six furlongs Mr G E Baxter's br h Rubicon, 6ycs, 12st 121 b.. 1 Mr E Sharplin's eh g Inchcape, syrs, list 8 b 2 Kaiser lOat. 121 b, Whitelaw lOat 3lb, also started. —A very c Ojo race Hack Race, of 5 soys ; four furlongs Jack the Ripper, 9at .-.' 1 Soubriquet, list 91b 2 Village Ball, Kaiawaru, Whitelaw, Dainty and Glen Aan also ran. Jack the Ripper got away well, and was never caught. Consolation Rack, of 6 soys j six furlongs Village Lad, 10it .. 1 Tit, 9at - .. 2 Goldfinch 9*t 7lb, Inchcape list, Kaiser lOat, Sir Robert 9 it, also started ATHLETIC EVENTS Men's Maiden Race, 100 Yards Handicap r—R i\ Johnston scr 1, G Hebblewhite 3yds 2. S5 Burrows 7yds md H Ledgerwood bcf [also started, A very good race, Johnston winning by a couple of inches Boys' Race (under 14 years); 100 yards— I P Manion and J Brown dead heat. After running a dead heat twice, the money was divided Men's Hurdle Race—F Randa 16yds 1, |H E Gorddn scr 2. R R Johnaton and W T Lowe 10yd« also started. Won easily Men's 100 Yards Handicap—W Heaton 9yds 1, R R Johnston 9yds 2 , Obstacle Race—J Rouse 1, J Brown 2 440 Yards Handicap—R R Johnston 14yd« 1, HE J Gordon 2* Men's Race (over 40)— M Sheehan Consolation Race, 200 Yards—G Hebble white 12yds 1, W T Lowe 7yda 2, H E Gordon sor 3

A BOATING FATALITY.

United Press Assooiatlon--By Eleotrio Telegraph Nelson Jan, 2 Mr W. J. Stewart, of York Station, Croij:elle« Harbour, came into town to-night, having walked overland ani pined the coach at Waugamoa. He reports that, about 1] a.m. on Monday, Mr James I^ellor, aged twenty-eight, and his wife, aged twenty, and Mr Lewis Stewart, aged twenty-six, left Kellor Bay, afe the head of Croixellea Harbour m an open boab for Mr W. J, Stowart'«i where they intended to have dinner and spend the rest of the day. A heavy south-wester was blowing, and when a quarter of a mile from land a squall upset the boat, which sank. Kellor never moved, not being able to swim, Mrs Kellor struggled, and Stewart caught hold of her, and tried to tow her shorewards, but she made frantic struggles to get towards her husbund, and implored 60 be allowed to go to him. Stewart was fully clothed, and had his boots on, and is only a moderate swimmer. He hung en to the woman until he believed her drowned, and, being much exhausted, tried to swim ashore. He would not have sucoeeded but for picking up a piece of the boat's stern-sheet. He walked to hiti brother's house, and a search party went out, and succeeded m finding the woman's hat and Kellor's coat on the shore to leeward. Stewart then left for Nelson. A steamer will leave here at ooon to morrow, to help search for the bodies, which it is believed will be found, Stewart is a brother of Charles Stewart, of Fi'zroy Bay, Pelorus Sound, who was drowned about a fortnight ago. The. Kellors had been married only eight months.

The Murder at Dunedin.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph DUNEDIN, January 3 la connection with the South Dunediu tragedy, the police yesterday discovered the head of the tomahawk wi h which it is believed the crima was committed. It was found wrapped up ia ft piece of cretonne, lying with a quantity of rubbih undiirceath the bod. There were no stains on it, but it is surmised that it had baen washed. I' exactly fits the handle with blood-stains which had been fouud id the house.

TRANSVAAL WAR.

Battle at Springfield. Brilliant Work of Colonial Forces Complete Bout of the Boers. The British Yeomanry Forces. Help Towards Its Equipment Volunteers From Canada. Widespread Enthusiasm, Capture of Another German Steamer. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Capetown, January 2 A gymkhana was held at the Mod eler River camp yesterday, despite the Boers' bombardment. London, January 2 The rulers of nearly every native State m India have offerod horses for South Africa. January 8. Twenty-five English-speaking for eigners, supposed to be Leyds' spies, endeavoured to enrol m Lord Oh»s ham's Yeomanry, but, being unab'e to prove their naturalisation, were turned away. The Queen asked for Midshipman Huddart's portrait, and sympathised with his family m their loss, Newcastle and Durham have raised £40,000 for the equipment of Yeo manry. Sir Christopher Furness, a Yorkshire shipbuilder, Earls Durham and Grey, will provide the Yeomanry with transport, and the Elswick Works will provide artillery. i Ottawa, Jan 3. ! There is unbounded enthusiasm m Canada. Major BordeD, a son of the Minister of Defence, has resigned his commission m the Hussars, m order to serve as a lieutenant with the Cana dian Mounted Infantry. Many officers are joining the ranks from similar motives. Durban, January 3 The British seized the Hamburg steamer Hans Wagner, at Delagoa Bay.

Precautions Against the Native Telegraph.

Engagement at Sunnyside Colonial Troops Fight Well. (Received Wakapuaka Jm 3, 10.45 p.m, This Office 11-40 p.m) Capetown, January 3 The Sunnyside kopjes ranged north and south. Leaving the natives girir ded m order to prevent their divulg ing the movements of the British, Colonel Pilcher, of the Northurnber lands, with the Queenslandera under Major Ricardo, and two hundred Canadians, two guns, a horse battery, and forty mounted men—Captain Dodds m charge of the Queensland ambulance—marched to within four miles of the kopjes. The Canadian guns were ordered to attack a laager at the foot of the northern spur, while Colonel Pilcher,and the Queenslanders worked splendidly on the left, taking advantage of every cover. Two sheila at 1500 yards range were landed amongst the tents m the laager and it was the first intimation the enemy had of the presence of the British. The Boers hurriedly ascended and lined the kopjes, volleying hotly. The fire was soon subdued, and at 1000 yards range the Canadians shelled with wonderful accuracy. Major Ricardo and Captain H Q Channel's Company, delivered & front attack, demoralising and routing the Boers, whose laager with forty prisoners was captured, besides dead and wounded. {Lieutenant A G- Adie, Queensland, while patrolling before the attack, was severely wounded. Brisbane, January 3 Sir Alfred Milner has cabled con gratulations on the success x>t the Colonials at Sunnyside. He also intimated that Privates Rose, Macleod, and Jones, of the Queensland con tingent, were killed. London, January 2 Lieutenant Pilkington, of New Zealand, has been ordered to South Africa. j The battery presented to New Zealand by the Armstrong Company leaves m three weeks-

Results of British Victories.

Loyalists Jubilant Capetown, January 3 Colonel Pilcher has occupied Douglas, The Loyalists are jubilant at his vic tory. The Boers who were routed at Ooles burg numbered four thousand. They used a British fifteen-pounder, probably one of General Gataere's, with Wool wich ammunition. A thousand of the enemy, with two guns, fled to Norvals General French controls the road and bridge into the Free State.

Our Artillery Question.

More Troops Ordered Out. United Presß Association—By Eleofcrio Telegraph,—Copyright. (Received Wakapuaka Jan. 4, 9,20 a.m, i This Oflßce 10 3 a.m) ' London, January 3 The Daily Mail states that Govern ment will shortly spend five millions on additional artillery with a vievr to securing mobility ia the field, and adaptability of position of guns as field artillery. Seven military battalions have been ordered to South Africa.

The Contingent

United Press Atsaooiabioa—By Electric Telegraph—-Qopy right Wellington, Januiry 3 While on riding exercise this morning, two "f the contingent, Privates Signal! and Chapmun, were thrown. Signall (Jlarton) received a severe shaking. Chapman hails from Napier, and hie horse fell on him. It }is feared his spina ia it.jared. He was re moved to Wellington hospital. It ia ex pected the contingent will be ready to eai! on January 15. i Mr T. H. Boaworth has composed a song " Britons brave and true," of which he h»B preaeDfead two hundred copies to the co< - ibgent. Presents of provisions hive come m from various quarters, and Mr &.. Ali^xmder, of Waihi, Hawera, has sent two hundred s^cks of wheat. The following have e;ich presented a horse :—Mrs Beddon ; Dr J. Philip, Wellington ; Messrs Lit!, Auckland ; R-ddiford Borough, and Oouaty Oou cil of Waihemo ; Mr J. F. Dalrymplo ; Dr Allen, Moßgiel; Mr Tolmie, Oiinton ; Mr Pelford, Clinton; Messrs W. and F. Duncan and J. Hialop, Hawera; Messrs McHardie Bros-., Blackhead (two). Mr T. R. Waring, Temuka, seat & horse, but it was too large.

Wellington, January 4 Dr Jfilzherbetb, of Wellington, who went to South Africa m the Waiwera, mentions m a letter jusu received that he has taken service m the South African Light Horse, and is a member of No. 4 troop of E Squad ron, Major ViUieis m command. The rate of pay is 7s 6d per day less Is for rations. There are six other New Zaalandera m the squadron, including Messrs Snow (Levin), Anderson (Ghrlstchurch), Hayne, Jessop, and Oliver. The squadron at latest advices i had proceeded to Be Aar.

Adventurers in South Africa

THE FASCINATION OF WAR. Mr Julian R*lph, an American, thus de- ! scribes life at Capetown, for the London Daily Mail :—On every ship that arrives m Capetown from London are many British Army officers. Some ships bring a dozen or 20 ; others as many as 50. They are the pick and flower of Englishmen. Most of them are youog men, m the late twenties and early thirties, bearing distinguished names, exhibiting the long, elender faoes of the British aristocracy, carrying themselves at once like dandies and like athletes. The one atrange thing about them is that nobody is sending them here, and they do not. know to what part of the seat of war they are going or what they are going to do. They onty know that they could not keep away. They are here to see what they call *' the inn." It is a war aga;nst bushwhackers, guerillas, and sharpshooters, m which afar greater proportion of officers than men are certain to be killed, but that does not matter to them. The first accounts of skirmishes they read ! after they have lauded tell of the deaths of officers and the wouoding of others. Apparently the manner m which the enemy reveals its pretence among tho hills out Natal way is by the dropping of an officer from his saddle or m his tracks as he pushes ahead of his men. These fine young fellows have come during their leaves of absence, which have been well earned m active service, m disagreeable climates, m lonely garrison posts m the Soudan or on the Indian frontier, One who came here with me has given up a billet for which he had long been striving, and which was offered to him juse as he had.determined to come out here and do a little fighting for variety. Another of my companions on the voyage was starting to make a long pro jected tour of the world, but this disturb ance proved more'attractive. A third officer on the same ship arrived m England to see his people, from whom he had long been separated ; but he got no further than London, and only stayed four days when he caught the spirit of his comrades and bolted for South Africa. On another ship was a young man with an income of £40,000 a year, who was just about to be married, but instead of taking his bride to St. George's he asked her down to Waterloo to see him off for Durban. I watched these meu on shipboard during seventeen days. They were up ab six o'olock every morning, run ning so many dozens of times around the deck m slippers and pyj «naa m order to keep themselves m good condition, then plunging into a cold bath and coming back to the deck again m flannels as fresh and blooming as new cut flowers. AU day they read about South Africa iv the little libra ries they had brought aloog with them, and which they exchanged for other books that other men had brought on board. They were, I say again, the bast of Englishmen— wide-awake, well-informed, proud, polished, 1 polite, considerate, and bounding with ani mal health and high spirit?. The more I saw of them the angrier I got at all I have ever read about the various fanatic*! people on earth who are celebrated for not being afraid to die—the Soudan dervishes, I mean, and the stolid Turks, and pilfering Alban ians, and now, last of all, these wooden headed Boers. Of some of these we are told that they welcome death, of others that they believe themselves m God's care. And what of these English? Are they afraid to die? Who would say such a thing—or think it for a moment—of these splendid fellows who have led England's ranks againsb every fanatic on earth except the Turk ? They are aa ready to die aa any men, and then rank above their foes as towers rise above the lowly grass, because they risk their lives with a full knowledge of what they are doing and because m risking them selves they risk the moat enviable lot of | which any men can boast. The incomes, the estates, the wives and sisters, the companions, the sports, the clubs, the com forts and the luxuries with which these men can surround themselves whenever they will, are ties which should make life deafer to them than the bare, hard lot of most of the poor wretches whom historians and poets have glorified for not fearing death ; every one of whom, 1 honestly believe, fears it more than these splendid, dashing fellows, who keep on carving empires out of the map to swell the size of England. " Been to Government) House ? ' I asked one of these men yesterday. '• No," said he, " and I'm not going. lam afraid they might send me somewhere out of the thick of things, I don't want them to know I'm here. I'm going to wherever it's Hveließb. I'll be certain to find somebody whom I have served with or with whom I have fought, and so I'll see the besb of it." And that was the man who told me that oub of 100 men with whom he studied for the service seventy-five are dead already, fifteen of illnesses, and sixty of bullet wounds and spear thrusts !

WAR ITEMS.

Kimberley'e six powerful searchlights show up object* tea miles away. Two English "clergymen are still holding services m Johannesburg. Several hundred Leicestershire hunting horßea have been requisitioned by Govern ment agents for chargers and remounts' " The Boer fort at Johannesburg," says a former resident, " is absolutely powerieea to prevent an army from entering the town." The army <has lost a fine old aoldier at Lady smith m Sergeant- M»jr>r James Garner, of the Royal Artilllery, who had seen thirty one years of service. Commandeering has been going on briskly at Colesburg, and one storekeeper had to part with 150 suits of clothes m exchange for a receipt. Lewis Balfour Bradbury, one of the young lieutenants of the Gordon Highlanders killed at Elandslaagte, was a second cousin of Robert Louis Stevenson. The firm of Julius Wei!, whose store at Mafeking wasshit by a Boer shell, gave up a large dwelling house as a hospital and fitted it with thirty beds. A guard boat steams round the cruisers at Durban every night from dusk till dawn to prevent Boer sympathisers from imitating the attack on the Maine. The War Offi :e has deoided to grant to the family of every Reservist m Government employ half the wages he was drawing, m addition to their separation allowance. The tonnage of the whole mercantile staam marine of Russia, Japan, or Holland does not equal the tonnage of the merchant ves sels taken over by our Government as trans-! ports. *• At places of entertainment fn Paris," says a resident of twenty-six years standing, " Knglishmen are hooted, and English per formers are hissed by the soum of the boule vards. I have never experienced »uob treat, meat before,"

{fifteen Germans, who refused lo go to the front, were drummed out of Johannes burg, and subsfquently arrived at Lorenz* Marque r. P.ofegflor Westlake, who holds the chair of International Law at Cambridge, said at Tony bee Hall that Boer supremacy would degrade the inhabitants ot South Afrioa to a eta.cc hardly distinguishable from that of slavery. The Gsrman corps of the Boer army, which Buffered most severely at the battle of Eiandslaagte, hag been reorganised with Oap'ain Van Aldebyll at ita head, and has been brought up to ita original strength of 600 TF.en. M. Paul de Cassapnae writes m L'Aulorite : —" There are do English soldiers, the so ca'led English soldiers are simply merc< narioe, every one of whom, if taksn prisoner by fche Boera ought to be hinged as a re venge for the Boers killed by lyddite shells." la the Parisian subscription list f°r the Boers is included two francs " for the ex termination of England." Other subscriber* sign themselves " A Trio who T)etest the English," while a donor of 10 franca mdi* oates that it is to be cued " against the Eng lish pirates." The Prudential Assurance Company has paid claims upon the lives of the soldiers who fell at Giencoe and Elandslaagte. No fewer than 10,000 of the troops who will be at the front ars insured m that office, which has nob charged war risks. Another regiment of Light Horae has been formed m Africa, this time m Capetown, The pay and conditions were the same m for Colonel Baden-Powell's regiment. The regiment was raised by Lieutenant- Colonel Court, of Sir Redvers Bailer's staff, And by Captain Yd iers, of the Royal Horse Guards, and was called the South African Light Horse, Postal communhation with the Transvaal is not entirely suspended (says a Port Eliza beth paper). A letter carried on November 4 from Johannesburg, was addressed to a lady m Port Elzabeth. It had come via, Delagoa Bay. The letter hid been opened, and a notice m Dutch, which wm pasted on, stated that the tampering wm done by the Republic War Department. " The experience of General French m the present campaign is unique m the annals of military life,' says the East London De spatch. "He was a passenger by the Nor* man, which left the roadstead here at tix p.m. on Wednesday. He landed about two o'clock the next afternoon at Durban, left shortly after by special train, arriving m Ladysmith on Friday evening. On Saturday ' morning he took command, and by sundown he had won a stiff and hotlj-sontested battle." At Elands Laagte General French had a narrow escape. A Boer shell fell within a few yards of him, bat fortunately did not explode. When the Boert mobilised (heir forces, it ; is said that they only sailed out the first levy, of men between 18 and 34, some 25,000 m all. The second levy would consist of those between 36 and 50. The third levy would sweep m everybody else capable of bearing arms. The hospital train which the Central Red Cross Committee !• sending to South Africa, is being completed with the utmost speed. It is Doing built, lays the Nstpital f at Birmingham, and as many as four hundred men are at work on it night and day. It is understood that Sir John Fnrley will take charge of it. The regular forces now m South Afrioa are said to number 14 regiments of cavalry, four hone batteries, 24 field batteries, one moon tain battery, one field troop, one pontoon troop, one telegraph division, one field park, two balloon sections, 11 field, fortress, and railway companies of engineers, and 60 battalions of infantry - In contrast to the treatment of Dutch oitkens m the Cape Colony, when even a proclamation of " martial kw " m a district "annexed" by the enemy has been die counted by a circular from the Dutch Prime Minister, the following is the oath which was ordered to be administered m the Orange Free State to all British subjects who de sired to remain m the State on special per mit :—" I promise that during my residence m this State I will remain quiet, calm, and be obedient to the law of this State; that I will give no information to the enemy of the Btate, or be m any way, directly or in directly, oi assistance." The notice issued by the Free State Government to the tn&gir trate commands them to see that "no British subject, against whom no reasonable suspicion exists that he ia prejudiced to the State, or can be helpful to the enemy, is needlessly refused leave to remain," if willing to take the above oath. Among the officers of the Scots Greys is a son of Mr Walter Long, MP, Several troopers paid a visit to his quaifcers at Alder shot, and presented him with a small dog mtzz'e, with the remark, " We've got 'em off now, sir, let Kruger look out!" The pay of officers, as well as men, is formally, and therefore oaly temporarily, stopped, when they are made prisoners by the enemy ; but all the same, it is a hard ship where the pay has been assigned for the support of wives and mother* at Home. The Natal volunteers got their mobili sation order on a Friday, and by Sunday morning everyone of them had covered the thirty, sixty, or eighty miles of bad and hilly road that led to the capital, and was ready with his horse, rifle, 100 rounds, blanket, etc., prepared to march. Three M.P.'s, one a Liberal, one a R«di cal, and one a Conservative, are affected by the order calling up the militia for the defence of garrison towns. They are the Hon. T Ooohran (Mr Chamberlain's private secretary), Mr G Lambert, and Mrßosoawen (Sir M. Hiokt-Baaoh's pfivate secretary}. Brigadier-General Patton, C.8., oomman dant of the Severn Brigade, speaking at a volunteer dinner at Taunton, said he and General White had served together almost as boys to the Innlikilling Dragoons. Gene* ral White was one of the most chivalrous men he had ever known. The New Zealand Government has placed a further order with Mr W. 8. Jones, saddler, for another 50 saddles}* bridles, and 150 pouches, etc, for the second contingent, to be shipped from here on January 15. This mikes 146 saddles and , bridles and 388 pouches made by this firm to the order of the Government. A despatch to the London Daily Mail horn St. Petersburg says that Lieutenant-Colonel Gonetki of the Guards, and General Seletss, formerly commanding the Groono Hussars, have resigned from the Russian army for the purpose of serving under General Jonbert, commander of the Boers. These officers arrived recently at Delagoa Bay. The 4th Mountain Battery Royal Artil lery, before leaving Newport, was presented by the townspeople with two tons of luxe I*>« m the shape of hams, tinned meats, fruit, cabin biscuits, and pickles* One local fund produced 2cwt of tobacco, and Dr Ruthsrfoord Harris presented each man with a silver-mounted briar pipe. The Capetown correspondent of the Dailf Mail recently cabled to his paper as follows: —"The native method of conveying news I has never been understood. A leading | theory is that) they shout across from hill Ito hill the naws of any great event. A strik- I ing fact is that news so carried is never altered m the slightest detail nor exagge* rated m any way. When a white man sends a message the natives carry his exact words I hundreds and hundreds of miles." The Natal Witness says:—"When the terms of the victors come to be formulate^, it will be well for the Imperial Government to bear jo mind that each of the self governing colonies which have shared m the victory will demand to be consulted as to the terms, and if the demand be not granted it needs not much of the prophet's nature to predict the result. 'Each for himself,' will be the key note. Canada would join the Unitsd Sbates, ar»d the Com monwealth of Australia would declare itself independent." The Natal volunteers at Fort Wylit, when Colanso was evacuated, had great difficulty m getting away their nine-pounder m the dark. They were advised to spike the gun, but were exceedingly unwilling to do this, and made a determined effort to take It) with them. While they were running the gun on ita carriage down a hill the ropes broke, and gun and carriage rushed on, the carriage being smashed an the bottom of the inoUne. Nothing daunted, the plucky fel lows undertook to carry the undamaged gon, and got safely to Estcourt. The war has left even dogs m need, A Wesleyan mission official has made arrange* ments for feeding the doga of Aldershot sol* diers who have been sent to the front. These dogs knew tSe bugle call to dinner, "and answered it with the same regularity at the - men, whose departure hit lift the placa

HE ABHBURTON &OARDIAH : IHtTBBDAY, JANUAh* 4 191)0.



STew moon ... Firat quarter _ tnuon List quarter ._ New moon

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is ix' Ricurr For an Bditor to ttvcoiuntentl Pat« tint M««tlcln«» v From Sylvan Falley News, Brevard. &.O. It may be a question whether the editor of a newspaper has the right to publicly recommend any of the various proprietary medicines which flood the market, yets as a preventive of suffering wo feel it a duty to say a good word for Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhcei Remedy. We have known and used this medicine m our family for tweaty years ana have always found it reliable. In many cases a dose of this remedy would save hours of suffering while a physician ia awaited. We do nob believe m depending implicitly on any medicine for a cure, but we do believe that if a bostie of Chamberlain's Diarrhoea Remedy were kept on hand And administered at the inception of an attack much suffering might be avoided and m very many cages the presence of a physician would not be required. At lease this has been our experience during the past twenty years. For aale by Ash burtois Drug Co. Prices 3s, and la 6d. I Woods' Great Peppermint Cure for Oo *gh ' »»d Qgli» oe?er faile-ls Gd aB <J 9» 6d _



For Children fo looking Cough take Wooda 1 Great Peppermint Ojjre— ls 6d and 2 6d gmoke New Venu*



MI6IS CAKbON. r mEACHER of Pianoforte and Organ X For terms, etc., apply at Seeidenoe Corner of Wills and William Streets nea Wakanui Road East. lgr IMPORTANT to Cash Buyers of Drapery, Clothing, Boots, &c. Early Summer Clearance Sale of Seasonable and Reliable Goods. Cash discount at the rate of one shilling m the pound to every Buyer of ninepence worth and over. Inspection in vited H. 0. Babrsst, late Barrett Bros., The Hall, Eaat Street. 11 206 WANTED Known—That the arrival oj the lonic completes our season's importations, which are fully double those of previous seasons. Each department ready r big business.—Mitchell & Tctrneb. j M~ E FhVEN—Why is the~British soldier like Hondai-L&nba Tea? Because the quality is quickly shown when m hoi) , water ! Hibbs Bros, aell it m packets and Ceylon packed boxes. A SHBURTON — A'body kens thab X3L Scotchmen drink M'Kenzie'a Hondai- Lanka Tea, because ib saves the quid siller, an' gangs f»ur. MESSRS SiiEAaiaAN 8808, jeoommend it. . t



BIG DISPLAY m GOODS IN ALL DEPARTMENTS FOB THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. SPECIAL Line Dress Goads at Is 9d per yard A Grand Choice of Prints and Muslins Latest m Ladies' Hats Newest Goods m Ties and Collars for Ladies Very Special—Tan Kid Gloves at 2s lid per pair, worth 49 lid Cycling White Lisle Gloves Big Variety Hosiery—Special value Gentlpnaen'a Tiee, Shirts, Collars, and Underwear Special Line Gentlemen's Suits at 29s 6d—Grand value In Boots and Shoes our prices are very low Dressmaking 10s 6d; fit and style guaranteed Trading Stamps to all Oaßh Customers ASHBURTON DRAPERY COMPANY. CHHISTMAS, 1899. WE HAVE iSGW IN STOCK AND ARRIVING FOR OUJB CHRISTMAS TRADE LARGE SUPPLIES New Onrrauta and Raining, new Ful tanas and Candid Pee'a, new Muscatels* and Almonds, new Dnssicatt d Ocoanut and Silk-dnsa^d Iceing Suair, new kinds Fruits,including Apricotp, Pears, Pt) aches, Pino Apple, and Table Plums, The Finest TEAS and SUGARS m Town. NOW LANDING. A SHIPMENT of high-class English China direct from (ha Potterios. All the latest Pa'terns. ALSO — A |SHIPMENT or CHOICE OfIBIsrMAS NOYFLTIES, Direct from Japan. Please Bend your Orders early and lige We are Agents for COLUMBIA, B.S.A. and LOVKLL DIAMOND, BICYCLES. CARSON & Co., TEA MERCHANTS AND BLENDERS, GROCERS, AND IRONMONGERS. Importers of Bicycles, Ironmongery, Glas and China. Takorbd Street, Aahburton. CH lubTMciS ajvD NftW YEAH HOLIDAYS. TjIVERYTHING A Cyclist requires from 6d worth of Graphite to a 1900 Zialandia Bicycle. Price dBQI. OATE& LOWRY AHI CO BURNETT STREET. Cheapest and best stock m Ashburton. , New Zealand CLOTHING FACTORY QPECIAL Limn m TENNIS SHIRTS FANCY STRIPES from^Ss 6d, new Patterns. ' White aad Cream Matt Shirts, 4a 6d and White and Cream Cellular Shirts, se. The Newest Styles] m Fashion Shirts and White Shirta, with fancy Cuflft and Fronts. Men's Panama Straw Hats, Men's Brazilian Straw Hats, Men's Club Straws from 2s, Splendid Variety to select from. Men's Frame Hats, Men's Bofb Felts, Meu's Tennis Hate, Men's White Felts. BOOT'hT BOOTS Newest Shape Tau Boots 16b 6^, Ifis, 2,5i6d Black Glacp Kid Bcots, 16s 6<i; Teonis Shoes 158& a. Men b, Women's, and Children's Canvas Shoes. LARGE STOCK AT LOW PRICES. ■ ALJL, AND INfeHPSSGT 1. SUITS TO MEAS¥RE A SPECIALTY. FIT GUARAN TEED. INEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. F. H. BEOKIJSGSALB, Manager.



JOHN ORR AND GO'S REVISED LIST^ WE ni%im !o bathe Leading Firm of G oeerß, Ironmoneers, and Crockery Morchanta m Ashburton. We Import all our Stock from the Home Markets for Spat Cash and are therefore m the best position to supply the public with only genuine goods at the iowost possible price for cash. We guarantee all our goods fuU weight and finest quality. We never charge for picking and delivery, all goods at the Railway Stitiun free. Any person leaving an order *ith as c*n get a parcel ticket, and therefore always bejsure of their gooda ab tba station m time. No charge for ticket. r JLiU U -ti ~~~"PER SACK 133,, — SUGrAIc — «id per £1> -wittk Tea /^x / MARA VILLA GARDEN TEA— Is lOd, f.2a, 2s 4d| per lb 151 b Box .- ... ... 8s 9d, 9s 7d, lls 7VTF A } lOlbßor «- - .- 16s Bd, 18s 4d, 21sl8-i J S2JIX. \ KOZIE TEA — 101 b Box, {18s 4d ; 51b, 9a 7d ( GOLD LEAF TEA 101 b Box, |18a 4d; 51b, 9a 7d -PROVISIONS - FACTORY BUTTER—Fern Leaf and Sufcton's always m stock. CHEESF— Finest Factory, 6d per lb BACON AND HAMS — " Lewis." *' Morepork," " D.^McDallum. Mild Cured Hams, Siden and Rolls. 7^d. GORE C)ATMr-iL--261b Baa, 2s 6d V»n Houren's Coco», Jib, lid ; £lb, Is Carraway Seeds 8d per lh 9d ; lib, as 3-i I Pim«nr.o. whole ... ... Is „ „ Fry'n Ore-». i«b 8^ ; lib 1« 4J-' j Pimento, j-round Is 2d „ „ O^ndles. 4£<i per lt> ; 8b Sd Mix 6 Spice l£d per packet per h OI PiCKLES~Hay ward's Mixed, 10d per Parafine plain and fluted. 6|d bottle, 9a 6d per dozen per lh; 12s 6d per box Cross and Blackwell'e, la 3d par Fairy ]Niahi Sight* 1b 2d ptv box bottle FJakf Tapioca. 7!b» for 1* Captain White's, 2s 3d ppr bottle Pear. 6H*> f'» Is Curry Powder Ud per bottle ag- 7'b-for l< Bonx 8d per lb L mou, Ora- *c and Cit- Alum 6d „ „ roi.. 8d p*-r ib Saltpetre 6d „ „ L^monP.p), 7lbthJß.3s6d Tar tanc Acid . ; IslOd „ „ lib Tins Assorted Jams, 5d per lb ;4s Caiboaate »oda, 3d per lb, 2s per doz lbs 9d per doz Whole Linseed 3d per lb 21b Jars Assorted Jams, 14a 63 per doz Ltnaeed Meal ... ... 4d „ „ Lea ar-d Perrin's Saace, large, 2a 6d MATOHEb-Plalds, 4^d per dos, 4a per bottle „„ t CJ . per gross Molar's Sance, Is 3d per bottle 250 s Is 6d per dozen Worcester Saace, email, 5d ; large, 9d 1000 s 5d per box, 4s lOd per Browns Corn Flour, 3d per lb dozen M»zina fid per dozen 5s 6d Bryant and May a bafeties, 8i per Whiting, < b for is do«en Mf>rton'B Cream of Tartar, Is 3d per lb Yarmoutn Bloaters, 9 for Is Preserved Fruit, 2|lb tine, 8d per tin, Maconochie'e Fresh Herrings, 6sd per 7s 6d per doz „ tin BngHwh Cut Loaf Sugar, 3|d per lb  Herrings m Tomato, lOd Tomato Sauce. 9d por bottle P<* tin Golden Syrup, 21b 6d, 4lb Is, 561 b lls „ Herrings m Shrimp, lOd 2d Per n Trsacie, 2lh 6d. 41b la, 71b Is 9d «, Kippered Herrings, 10d Finest Balsins 6ldperlb vee n m Finest Sultanas 7sd „ „ „ Preserved Bloaters, lOd Finest Currantis 6d „ „ per tin per ca»e 4W „ „ Auckland Mallett ... ... 7d per tin Stewing F> S 8 7|d „ „ Oysters ... ... ... 8d „ „ French PK sns (choice) ... 1« „ ». »ardines, large Alberts ... Is „ „ Btewiug Plnmfl M .» .» Sardines, large 8d „ „ Finest Muscatels Ift )A „ „ Sardines, small ... .. 4d „ „ Californian Musoatela ... la „*, Salmon, Holly leaf ... lOd „ „ Dates, extra fine, 31b boxes, Is 9d p*r Salmon, other Brands ... 8d „ „ |j OX OlL—Lucea, 2s 4d per bottle Almonds, Jordan 2s 4d per lb Salad, * pint sd, 1 pino lOd Almond^ Valencia ... U6d „ „ Castor, * pint sd, 1 pint lOd Ahsonds, Sicily 16 4d „ „ Shoeps Tongues, lib Is, 2ib Is lOd Bac«?naNuts „. ... 8d „ Corned Beef, Mutton, Spiced Beef, 21b Shell Almonds ... ... 10d  „ ******. , „, t, „ t Day and Martin's Paste Blacking, ■*}<} Crosse and Blaokwell c aesorted Pastes, per doe Is per bottle, 14s 6d per dozen and Martin's Jar Blacking, 6d par Potted Meats, assorted, 6d per tin bottle Bovril, 2oz, Is lOd. .aneh Blacking, 2d pec tin, Is 9d per Leiberg's extract. Is 9d per bottle ■ doSS Patent Groats, Robmaon's, lOd ;] Har .xey'i Blaoklead, Id dies, ad per doz pert, Jd per tin «meB i:some|Blacklead,iod per d I itfelUne 1 »oed, 18-8 dl B- 8d perjfcin



fe e VERLEY WI^S 0«l BOXIHG DAY. ______ [y\, ASHBURTON. Ist and 2nd — — Half Milej Ist and :nd — — One Mile let and 2nd — — 'iwo Mile Ist and 2nd' — — WHEEL RACE KAIAPOL Wheel Eace „ „ First and Second Five Mile „ „ First GLENTUNNEL. Wheel Faoe  First and Second 1 Mile " ,» First and fcecond JMile „ „ First 5 Mile „ v first and Second OXFOBD. f Mi'e „ „ First 6 Mile „ ff First and Second Wiieel Bace „ , First and Third TOTAL AMOUNT WON £95 10 s OUT UF A POSSIBLE £125. ,iOHN ORR & CO.. AfeHBUBTOF, SOLE NEW ZEALAND AGENTS and at Waverley Cycle Depot 217 Colombo Street, Christchurcb.