Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, MAY 3. 1900. Local and General.

%* On the first page to-day will be found the £d ington Livo Stock Market, and on the fourth page a ehort story. A Bkookd—At Lyttelton yesterday a li>(\ during the morning, shot, 3 > rats, for whie he received 8s 9d ; on Tuesday the same lad received 9i for three doaan rats, He is making good wages. 'I he rate, which hav 1 ' bepn cremated at Lytteltoo, were found to b free from fleas. Football—Tie Pirates Football Clu'i wi 1 hold a practice match on the Domain to morrow afternoon, when teams will be ol 0 en from the following players :—Messrs Wiisoii (3), MoTigue (2), Fitzgerald (3), Pritohard, Parsons, Fawoe t, Lmitch, McKay, Jack Samuels, Childs, Hefford, Bedford, Hepburn, Bray, Hodgson, Cu'verhouse, L»very, Tom kins, Bakor, and Dardis. The m rnbers are rrqu'Sted to go into trainings in view of the match on May 24. A Remabkable Meteor.—A peculiar meteoric body was seen last evening bhort'y after seven o'clock, about) 30 degrees above the horizon, in the direction of Alford Fjreet. When first I seen it was a very bright object rather larger than Tenue appears at her brighest-, and ib remained apparently stationary for ft few seconds gradually getting more brilliant. It then began slowly to descend in » northerly direction, and there appeared to burst—*ho fragments of a deep red colour, being 'visible for a second or two longer. Several brilliant meteors have been noticed lately, and it is evident that there is great atmospheric disturbance.

Loud And Lady Roberts—A Wellington telegram states that the Government has advised bin Excellency to scud a deipatoh to Field Marshal Lord Roberta and L»dy Roberts, inviting them whenever possible to pay a visit to us, and be the guests of ■ our colony, at the same time assuring them of a hearty and cordial New Ztaktad welcome, and stating that the visit will give an op portunity to New Zsalanders to exprees their confidence in and admiratson of Lord Roberts as the Commauder-in-Chtef under whom the eons of New Zealand are now serving, and their appreciation of the great service he, as the first soldier of our country, has rendered to the Empire. Alleged Theft.—At Auckland on Wednes day Edwin Nesbit Holloway was committed for trial on a charge of the theft of £772, the property of the Publio Trustee Holloway was for four years clerk in the Publio Trust Office, Auckland, and oca of his duties was to lodge cheques to the credit of the Public Trustee. On March Ist he received a clv qua for £772, representing a fixed deposit and accrued interest, He went to the Post Office ! Savings Bink, and, it is alleged, obtained the postmaster's open cheque for the sum mentioned, representing that the Public Trustee wanted the money for disbursement that afternoon. The accused then, it is alleged, cashed the cheque at the Bank of New Z aland, and left for Sydney, and wai arrested there. The accused reserved his defence.

TINWALD PCHOOL COMMITTEE — The monthly meeting of the Tinwald school jommittee was held on Tuesday last. Pre sent —Messrs Clothier 'chairman), F Bon tiington, (J Doherty, J Hampton, and J Gudsoll. The master reported the number of children on the roll to be 141 ; the average attendance for the past four weeks 114 3 There was a slight leakage in the p irch during the last heavy rain. It was decided to see to the leakage at once. It was decided to write to the Hampstead committee, sta l ing that they were quite prepared to fall in with the latter's views in regard to appoint ing without delay a truant officer in the place of Mr E Williams resigned, and recommended Mr W G Biega for the pos> Lion. It was decided to write to the Board, asking them bo increase the assistant mia tress's salary to the fomier amount, vijc , £60. It was agreed to give a holiday on May 10. Accounts to the amount of 432 189 43 were passed for payment and the meeting adjiuined. The Timb Has Come-Critics who ha\» a mure smattering of the technical know ledge of artillery sooner or later come to grief when ventilating their opinions on the subject of guns. Some are stating tbat the 15-pounder gun ia use with our field bat teries is a useless weapon because ir< has not a range of 7000 or 8000 yards, like acme of the heavy ordnance in use with the Boers. . One writer suggests tha v our field artillery should be armed with the 12-pounder naval gun. A gun for field purposes has to be constructed in view of the fact; that ifc has ofton to move at a rapid pace over almost any sort of country, consequently there is a limit to its weight and length. As it is, the muzz'e of our 15-pounder lometimea touohe# the ground when a battery is negotiating a "itch, otherwise a field gun as long as a street would doubtless give two or three thousand yards more range than our 15 ---pounder. Unfortunately, these very long guns cannot be taken at a trot or a gallop over rough country for the reasons just stated, and, as a rule, our field batteriat do not crawl about fit a walk on the field of battle. . . . When, sooner or later, we get the Republican troops on the rolling velds, our howe and field batteries will make things warm for the burghers, Until that time arrived our gunners must possess their souls in patience.—Broad Arrow. Books Received — " A Secret of the Sea and Other Stories, " by Lux, (London, Grant, Richards; Christohuroh, Messrs Simpson and Williams.) This is a collection of some twenty two short stories, many of them original, all of them excellent, (j'lite a number of the stories relate to well known spots in this colony, especially Christohurch and Duriedin, and once the reader has commenced to dip into the volume, he will find some little difficulty in putting it down, There is about most of the stories that distinctly colonial fi%vour ; if one may use B«ch a word in connection with ft book, and bo muoh local colouring, that New Zealand readers cinnot help being greatly interested in them. The tone running all through the volume ia an excellent one, and " A Secret of the Sea" can with every confidence be placed in the hands cf young people. The writer appears to have a keen and intimate knowledge of the mainsprings of human couduct. A touching pathos runs through many of the tales, and some painful aspects of our social life are touched upon in a manner that oannot fail to elevate the motives, and strengthen tho moral fibre of Hie reader. It is a book that should find a place in every library, and its influence upon young people must be decidedly a good one*

Fighting Men Who Abb Nervous— Stu dents of human nature have had an exce lent opportunity in Ladyemith of studying "Vhe physiology of "funk." the lesson being pre sented in many and peculiar phases (wtites Mr Donald McDonald, in one of his letters from the beleaguered town) There iire members of th 9 volunteer corps hf pa—and the volunteers have won a name for daring in all that they have been permitted to under take—who have never yet aocompanied their onrps into action. They have simply lost their nerve, and are quite incapable of fight ing. They are pitied rathei: than despised- Their colonel has taken them aside, and ap pealed to them to pull themselves together and act like men, but neither the examples of their comrades round about them, their own shame, or their desire to overcome their fearß is of the least use They are for the time being incapable of fjghfcing, and pitiful as such &a exhibition may be, none feel it so much as the men themselves. There are others who funk shell, aad nothing else. They have the nerve to do anything required of them with the rifle, but a shell finds the weak spot in their moral armament. Neither ridicule nor argument car* prevent them ducking when a shell passes over, however high in the air, though with all the corps it is a question of honour when on parade to pay no attention to a shell, however close ib ialls. Early in the siege an old major, whose fighting record is beyond question, was lecturing his men on the folly of ducking to i shell- "When you hear it, men, it'oaotually past, bo that ducking your head is quite useless." Just then came a hissing shell from Silent Sue clone over the major's head, He. ducked. The men laughed, and the major observed, " Ahl well, I suppose it'a just human nature."

THE THIRD CONTINGENT.

" Not Brains Enough to Come In Out of the Wet"

A. correspondent with the Third Con tingent haa passed severe strictures on some of tho men, An esteemed correspondent of this paper has wickedly suggested that the men referred to are aotne from the Wea*. Coast nicknamed " Sed Joa'a pete," The paragraph reads :—Now our j urney is oearly over, and after having mixei with these meu for about a nnuth I have got to know most of them fairly well. There is « good percentage of really fin? intelliget t fe'.low<«, who, with a week cr two ashore, and such a fine commander as Moj^r Joweey, will, I am sure, do credit to New Zealand ; while we have a numb r, say forty, who should never have come at all, and how they came to be iooluded in this Contingent js a p'uzz'e bo many aboard. They are feaifal y dali and ignorant, and will never make soldiers. Ihese "awkwarda" »re drafted out and kept at manual drill, and after wards,'in ones and twos, are drilled by the officers to whoae company they belongt I saw one who could not be taught, and had to be stood aside. Realty the fellow did not seem to have brains enough to come in out of the wet. On the whole, lam of opinion it would have been better if tried volunteers had been sent. These duffers cost the coun try just as much as intelligent men, and are far more trouble to the officers. The way they use their clothes even is disgraceful, overcoats in particular. They have nerer owned such good clothes before, aud do not know how to use them. These men br« ak the hearts of their officers and the better class of men, who cannot help bat notice li. More care should have been taken in select ing m.en who have *o be turned into soldiers. However, we have got through so far, and 1 believe the majority of our men, who are bright and are keen to learn, will acquit themselves worthy of their country, ihe order of the troop has been excellent. We have no horror in the way of guardroom, and nob even i bad conduct Hat, thanks to

the very able manner in whleh Major Jow sey has managed things. One cannot be p but admire hm. He thoroughly under stands hie position and busiaefß, having had considerable experience in military matters. He stands out a eupeiior man, and by his ability and kindness has won the admiration I and respect of the whole Contingent.

A YEAR'S SUNSSHINE.

The records made by the sunshine recorder at the Christchurch Press office for the year have jasb been published, and make very interesting reading It appears that there were no less than 2318 houra 26 minutes of bright sunshine in Ohristchurch during the twelve monthu. The sun was 4381 hours 53 minutes above the horizon, so that they got about 52.9 per cenb of the sunshine that it would have been possible to record had the sun's disc not been obsoured by a single cloud during the whole yew. And this is understating rather than overstating the position, eino9 the instrument, accurate as it is in other respects, does not give a very distinct record of the sunshine when the sen is very near the earth, ao tint both at sun set and sunrise it is possible that some minutes of sunshine may escape unrecorded. As they anticipated would be the case when the Press Company commenced th« observations, the Ohristchuroh total far «ur passes anything in the British records—even those for the sunniest watering places on the const, which live on their reputation for unclouded skies. In Christohurch there were only sixteen days throughout the whole year during which the sun was not seen, even though it may hare been but a passing glimpse of his brightness lasting only % few minutes, that was caught on Bomadays, With these remarkable results before them the Press consider it ia more than ever a matter for surprise and regret that the Government Me'eorological Department should have deemed the sunshine records of this colony bene-ith its attention, and has left it to priva'e enterprise to do a work which certainly ought even now to be undertaken by the Government?,

AUSTRALIAN FEDERA TION.

Uaited Press Assooiation^-By Kleotrio Telegraph—Oopj righb

(deceived Wakapuaka May 2, 5 p.m, This Office 7 43a.m London, May 1

Tlifi delegates think Mr Chamberlain is likely to pass the Commonwealth Bill unaltered, simultaneously creating an Imperial Ooujt, giving Australia the option of recognising it. This conciliatory procedure ia attributable to reliance on the assurances lhat Aus* tralia was willing to adopt the Ooart. London, May 2 Th« Federal Delegates' Memorandum contends that the Commonwealth Bill is doubly Australian by origin and by the endoriement of Parliaments and people. Any alteration not abiolutely essential and incapable of achievement by other msana destroys the character of the measure and re-opens the issues happily conclusively settled. It would be unwise to create friction and dis satisfaotion for ao little. Refusal meant much to Australia; gracious conces sion* means little to Great Britain. The delegates deprecate the allegation that restriction of appeal would prove a permanent injury to the link with the Empire, and declare that Imperial Federation is best served by placing Australian Federation in apparent opposition. Mr Chamberlain does not anticipate a lengthened discussion on the details of the Commonwealth Bill. The pre liminaries in connection with issuing a Blue Book will possibly slightly delay the introduction of the BUI.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. London, May 1 The Archbishops have decided that the Ohurph of England does not per mit the reservation "of the Sacrament in any form, The Hoi:lf of Oommorjs voted an additional two millions towards the construction of the Uganda Railway. The gigantic telescope erected at the Paris Exhibition reveals flames and prominences on the sun's surface which have hitherto only been perceptible on its edge. The University of Cambridge has conferred tbe Doctorship of laws on Mr Barton.

THE OTTAWA FIRE.

VICTORIAN SYMPATHY.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Melbourne, May 2 The Premier cabled to Sir Wilfred Laurier Victoria's sympathy with the Ottawa fire sufferers. In reply to the enquiry of the Queensland Premier, as to whether Victoria was prepared to join the other cblonies in subscribing £10,00Q to the Ottawa Fire ]?und, Mr McLean has stated that Victoria is prepared to, subscribe a reasonable sum if the other colonies are agreeable.

THE WRECK OF THE GLENELG.

United Press Association—By Elootrio i Telegraph—Copyright j Melbourne, May 2 An ex stewardess gave evidence that fromi June to Df-"ember last there was on!y one attempt at boat drill, at.d that was frust> nttd owing to the boat falling-. The lifbbelts were in bad coi. dition.

The stewardess who succeeded the previous witness said the 'lifebelts werp rotten. On one occasion » sailor when cleanicg the side said, " Watch me chip a hole." Witness told him hf> was not gftfla<>, and he responded by putting his hammer through a plate. Witness always slept in her clothes in case of an emergency. Sbe. left the Glenelg because she was frightened. Other witnesses deposed that some, of the plates were thin but in fair condition as she was an old vessel. The boats were in good order, and there were plenty of lifebelts

Magisterial

ASHBURUON-THURSDAY.

(Before C. A. Wray,Eiq.,S,M.) Civil Oases—ln the cases Craighead and Berryman (Mr Marriott Watson) v OH Oliver, claim 8j 6^, and s»me r J Smith*! £1 11» 6d, judgment, was given by default for the amount claimed and oosts Henry Davis (Mr Orisp) v Thos. Stephen*-, claim £18 9j, judgmenb summons. 'JhTs was a claim for money lent some eighteen months ago, for which judgment had been obtained in May 1899. B*fend»nt swore, said ho had earned abaufc £27 during the past eleven week?. Previous to that he had not been able to earn anything for five or six months, as he got no work, and alao suffered fro* rheumatics. Had earned altogether about £40 in the year. Oat of that he had paid a i storekeeper's account of £10. With the balance he had kapt himself and his father, who was an old man. Was perfectly willing to liquidate the debt in small amounts. Could manage to pay abonfe 3a per week. In about six months time his father would receive the old age pension,—His Worship said under the circumstances he would not make an order, but would hold the case over for a month or two. In the meantime defendant was to pay off as much as possible. Remanded—On the case of F Daly being called, Sergeant Barlow asked for a further remand for a week, as Daly was still unable to appear.

COMMERCIAL.

GERALDINE STOCK MARKET.

At Geraldlne old yards, yesterday, there was an average yarding of sheep and cattle. There was a rise on tha last fortnight's sale of Is to la 6d per head on sheep, and the caMle trade was brisk, at late rates, the springing of fresh grass in paddocks makiDg farmers anxious to stock up for the winter. The surrounding oountry was looking more like Springtime than the end of Autumn. The following prices were obtained :—Sheep —Crossbred ewes and wethnrs, I3c, 14s 6d to 15b 8J ; lambs, 9a 4d, lls 2d, Us 3d, 12*, to 12? 41; merino wethers, 7s 3d; fab merino ewes, 8s 8d ; fat merino wethers, 10s 3d; fafe orossbreds, 12s to 13s j crossbred ewes, 12i, 12s Bd, 13^ 2d. C*ttk—Steers and heifers, £4 ss, £2 10s, £2 13a 6d ; Ut heifer*, £4 10s; yar»ing««, 20s to 255; j springers £5 5s to £4 2' 6d. Pigs—Baconers 35s to 45?; porkers, 255; weaners, 5« to 6s 6,1

CHRISTCHURCH GRAIN AND PRO DUCE MARKETS.

The cats market is very quiet, as ex porters are busy getting away vtock* by the boat* that are bow in port. Thn Tropea Sb expeoied to take away some 45 00) to 50,000 sacks of oa's for the Cape, besides potatoes and onions, which are packed in boxes for the purpose of testing the South African market. Ths following are current prices paid to farmers, f.o.b. Lyttelton, for direct «hipmept from oountry stations and free of commis sion, except where oherwUe specified :— Wheat—Hunter's 2< 2d, pearl and vc've' 2> 3d, and Tuscan 2s 4i Oata—Canadian Is 9d to la 10<5, short feed Is 81 to la 9£l, Du«is and D*ninh Is 8d to Is 9d Barley—Prime mahing 2a ,31, dUcoloured la lOd to ?■(•, delivered Beans~2i 5i to 2h 6d Peas—Prussian blues 2s 4(1 to 2a 6J, partridge 2a 5d Potatoes—E*rly Rose and Be*uty of Heb ron 22s 6d ; Derwentß, May delivery, 20s to 22a 6d, country stations Onions—2os at oountry stations Oatsheaf Chuff — 40s to 455, afc near country stations. Hay—£3 5a to £3 10«, delivered j primest baled, £4 10s to £5, f ob Grass Seed—Ryegrass, farmers' lots la 3d to Is 9d, prime heavy It, 6d to 3s fob; cocksfoot, new, 2Jd to 3d at Lyttelton

Interprovincial.

United Press Association—By EleObric Telegraph Wellington, May 2 A cad accident happened on the train from Lower Hutt this evening. A man named T A Wallace, a resident of Greytown North, who was journeying into town with hie wife, after attending the races, slipped from the carriage before the train stopped at Ngahaurangi, and was dragged under the following carriage. His left leg was completely severed, and the righfc so mutilated that there is no doubt amputation is necessary. The railway authorities are acquitted by eye witnesses of all blame. The sufferer reoeived every attention, and was removed to the hospital, i His recovery ia doubtful* The Agricultural Department publishes complete returns showing the area returned for threshing wheai this year aa 269,749 acres, a decrease of 29,285 acres: oats 398,243 acres, decrease 19,077 acres ; barley, 48,003 acres, increase 2332 acres. Rye grass for seed shows a decrease of 25,848 aores, but grasses for feeding, down land j ploughed, show an increase of 302,483* acres, and surface sown grasses, not ploughed, 353,944 aores; turnip 9 415,462 acres, de crease 562 acres; potatoes 35,984 acres, decrease 1620 acres. Horses are returned at 262,390; cattle 1,210,439, both showing a small increase* Swine 249,751, increase 56,239. Sheep 19,348,506, decrease 325,219. ; In the plague hospital case the decision has been reserved • ill Friday.

Ashburton Acclimatisation Society.

The annual meeting of the members of the Ashburton Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday evening at Devane'g hotel. There was a good attendance. Mr ,T. Snodgrws was voted to the chair. The Society's title to the 20 acres purchased at the mouth of the Ashburton was laid on the table. ANNUAL REPOBT. The fourteenth annual report of the Com mittee was to the effect that during the year the cash balance had been increased by £17 0s 91. Receipts for the sale of licenses totalled £74 10s, as against £63 2s 6d last year. The chief items of expenditure wore £20 for twenty acres At the mouth of the | Ashburton river purchased for £50 and used for a camping ground; £8 S3 7d cost of plantation and fencing at Rangitata, and £15 for 6000 rainbow trout purchased and turned out. Of the 15,000 now liberated in the Ashburton Rivor, a good many of last year's fish from seven to eight inches long had been caught, and In most cases returned to the river, also a few of over half a pound. The rainbow trout was said to be a very game fish, giving good sport, and, inoldentally, it was mentioned as being very good eating*. The thanks pf the Society were due to Mr J. Studholme, June, for ploughing the land and superintending the fencing and planting of the plantation at Rangitata. Poaching was Baid to ba very prevalent). Tbe Saolety had successfully prosecuted two men during the year, Mr Wildiog conducting the oaje«

without} charge; The ir>justic' of iho Society i paying all txpenses ai d G vnrr.ment taking a!l the fioea would be done awey With by the amendment of the Act to be intrr duced ccxc session. Shags appeared to.be (iecreasins, only 21 heads being paid 'let this year as against 46 last The continual nor' weaters and cocst qusnt fl >od» had greatly interfered.with fining in the Racgitata ftud Rakaia rivers. On the o'her hand the uarne causes had grtatly improved the fishing in the Ashburton river »s the floods only lasted a day or two and the river had been in capital order. Never before had so many large fiUh been taken from the lagoon. In one day 88 fish, ranging from 6ibs to 14lb* in weight had been grata?d to six rode. The present, committee now rotired from office, but were eligib'e for re-election. BALANOB SHEET. . The bal nee sheet showed rece;pts for the year, including balance to credit £5117* and ' £74 10i for licenses, £106 7s; expenditure £57 9i 4), leaving a credit, balance of £48 17a 9. Of this amount ib wm proposed to pay a further cum of £20 eff the land at the mouth of the Aehbnrton river, leaving only £10 due on that section^ THis was the only liability of the Society. The assets in land, plantations, fencing, etc., amounted to £103 15s 3d, in addition to the credit, balance at the back.

The report and balance sheet were con- Bidored highly satisfactory, by far the best the Society had ever had. They were unanimously adopted. • VOTES OF THANKS. Votes of thanks were accorded to Mr Preston for liberating the rainbow trout in %he river ; to Mr Wilding for conducting the Society's oases in the Court free of charge, the resolution to be forwarded to him by letter ; also to Mr J. Studholme, junr., for supervising the work at the Rangi ata plan tation. It was decided to recommend the incoming committed to pay £20 off the balance due on the section at the month of the Ashburton. . I An honorarium of £5 s', which oatries I with it a free license, was voted to the Secretary, Mr Shury, for his service* for the year. The suggestion for the erection of a small open cookhouse in »h;ch to cook when camping was referred to the inooming com mittee for favorable consideration. DEER FOR ALFORD FOBBST It was decided to communicate with the Ohristohurob Sooiety with a view to turning out some fallow deer at Alford Forest. SXOOTING QUAIL. The question of shooting quail was brought up, members reporting that they were being shot by sportomen in considerable numbers. To eho-)t quail a fee of 30a was required, and heavy p imtties were incurred by killing the birds without such license. KIiECTION OF OFFICERS

The dec ion of tfficers. resulted as fol lows :—Pre-idrnt, Mr 0 A M Buckley; Yice-PresiHentß, Hon Major Steward and Mr J McLachlon, M.H.R'b, . Messrs J SiHdholme, j >nr, pnd E G Wright; Treasurer, M F C< x ; Secretary, Mr A H Shury; Au-Ht..r, Mr A Fieid ; Committee, Messrs J M Cambridge, J Snodgrans, T X Upton, J V de Beer, ani Dr Maude. -A vote of thanks to the chairman ter minated the meeting.

Huston's Kinematograph Exhi bition.

This company concluded their Ashburton season last night, when there waß again a good attendance. The performance elicited the frequent and hearty applause of the audience, and those present evidently en joj«.i * pleasant evening. The company open in Wellington on Monday night next, and will exhibit there for a week.

Sporting.

WELLINGTON R CES.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph WBLLIBGTON^May 2 Heavy rain fell in the morning, and the -Howards met t<> decide whether they should open the Autuma meeting. However, the clouds broke before noon, and it was decided to co on. The attendance was limited. Remit?— : ■■■■■' ■' ;\ Waiwetu Handicap — Aide-de-Camp 1, DoDOvan 2, Rebal 3. Won easily by two lengths. Dividend—£7B 1?* Maiden Hack — Fashion 1; dividend— £2 6s Thompson Handicap—Jabber 1, Oingo 2, Okoari 5. All started but Autaia. Won easily b? twr> l<ngths. D.vidend—£l2 2i Bubbles-Coin 1, Roller 2, Dr Bill 3. All started. Won easily by four lengths. ! Dividend—£l2  Welter—Derringcotfce I, Volley 2, Ku» mahunga 3. Won easily. Dividend-—£ls Chaixekge Stakes—Formosan 1, Gannie i Ohiel 2, Paphos 3 Advance and Autaia also started. Forrnoean led almost the whole way, and won by about a length. Dividend —£6 Hack Racb — Transvaal 1; dividend- Big 7s Railway Handicap —The Shannon 1, Glenogle 2, St Dennis 3 Okoari and Autaia were scrßtohed. The Spinner fell. Win by about a quarter of a length, Dividend— £3 9e £8§73 was put through the machines

AVONDALE RACES

Auckland, May 2 The attendance was good at th« first day's , races to-day. £4646 was pub through the totalisator. Results— Maiden PLAia—Lady Dash 1; dividend —£19 8j Hgbdlm—Korowai 1 } dividend £2 Sa. Avondale Handicap—The Needle 1, 8t Ursula 2, L%etitia 4 ; dividend—£7 10s. . Pony—Lena I ; dividend—£4 15a. Haok — ftosiphele 1; dividend—£3 11*. Auction—Kettledrum ; dividend—£2 4b. Railway—Val Rosa

ASHBURTON TROTTING CLUB.

The Autumn meeting of the Ashburton Trotting Club will be held to-morrow (Friday) afternoon, on the A. and P. Association's grounds. There is every prospeot of the 01 ub having a very successful meeting, and no doubt there will be a good attendance, as some first-class trotting should be witnessed, All the events have filled well, and the horses competing are the best Ashburton has ever had. The track should be In first-olaaa order, as Mr W. Sutherland has had the work of getting it into trim in hand. The uauai weekly half-holiday will be to-morrow \ {instead of to-day), which should enable townspeople to enjoy a good afternoon's sport. The first race is timed to Btart at 1,15 pm. sharp. The following may run well forward in their respective engage ments t-— Maiden—Mistake 11. 1, Jackoo 2, Bran don 3 Farsjbbs' PLATB—lmpudence or Fanny-* wood l t Scottish Lass 3 - Lagmhor—Wild Poole 1, General Grigg 2, Prince Albert 3 ' SELMNG^Fairchild 1, Gsneral Luck 2, Ishulet 3 Ashb^rton Handicap — Royal wood 1, Scottish Lass 2, Wenlook 5 • Electric—Myrtle P. 1, King Harold 2 Prince Imperial 3 Dash -— Sefton 1, Auctioneer 2, Fou droyant 3 _________________

Transvaal War.

A Courteous Act.

The Siege of Mafekmg

Message From Lord Ro%e:t3

Asked to Hold Out'

Baden-Powell Confident.

Operations of Lord Roberta's Forces

A Great Enveloping 1 Movement-

Eighteen Thousand Engaged-

Enemy Covering Rttwat of Wepener Boers-

United Prets Aiaoaiatton—By Bleotrio Telegraph—Copyright London, May I the British Resident at B-ira gave a ball in honour of the officers of the Queensland Bushmen's Contingent. Lord Metbuen, at his own expense, erected a tomb over the rem tins of Colonel Viileboie. The French people warmly appreciate the act. Maf eking reported all well on the 20th. The Boers had removed a big gun southwards, and dynamited the railway. Three thousand are besieging the town with many guns. Commandant Snyraan killed sine native women fugitives. Lord Roberts asked tbe garrison to hold oat till the 18th. Maf eking was disappointed, but determined, and Colonel Baden Powell is qaiteconfident. May 2 General Brabazon's Yeomanry, on Sunday night, extricated a convoy which was attacked at midday between Thaba Ncbn and Dewetsburg. Lord Roberts reports that Boers attacks in the Thaba Nchu district were persistent on Saturday and Sun day. General Bundle's position was very strong. The enemy in tht vicinity were fewer on Monday, enabl ing General French to strengthen General Hamilton, who, with General Sraith-Dorrien is fighting a . strong force under General Botha at TTautnek, twelve miles north-west of Thaba Nchu. Colonel Hamilton's casualties are thirty. Lord Roberts reports that General. Maxwell occupied the Schanckraal and Vlakfontein row of kopjes, running twenty or thirty miles north-north east of Thaba Nchu. The mounted troops engaged some of the enemy's horse. Alt the British troops have ample warm clothing. Lord Roberts is carrying out a great enveloping movement His mounted forces are sweeping the whole front. Eighteen thousand troops are engaged, threatening Botha. The latter coven the retm ment of the Wepener Boers in the direction of Winburg, a retreat towards Brandfort being already ren dered hopeless Mr Reitz has declared his intention to expel every foreigner in the Repub lics refusing to fight. Brisbane, May 2 The result of the enquiry into the accident to the transport Manchester in port, is that no blame can bo at tached to anyone for alleged tampering with the rope. The Ooutt did not think itwas maliciously cut, though it hears slight cuts in two or three places, probably made by carelesa persons cutting tobacco while the tope was coiled in the forecastle. The transport has sailed for Sydney, where she is to be docked. No arrangement has yet been made for the despatch of the Bushmen.

General Buller Offers to Resign.

London, May 1 General Bailer »ffered to resign his command, but Lord Roberts declined to accept it. The first contingent of Australian bushmen passed Umtali on the berden of Rhodesia.' *

All British subjects have been ex pelled from Johannesburg since tha recent explosion a.t Begbie's foundry, which was converted Into * shell factory.

Promotions in the Rough Riders.

A letter received tn Ohristchurcta tail night ftorn a member of No, 1 Company •( tha Rough Riders, states that Uentenant Bourn was appointed to take command of the Company vice Captain Rose resigned, and S«rgeant-M»jor Walker had been ap pointed junior lieutenant. Quartermaster Sergeant Rom h»d been appointed sergeant" major, and Sergeant Stephenson quarttr maßter-aergeant. Leslie Ross, brother ol the sergeant-major, had been sworn in as a trooper. _________

Commandos Escaping.

British Endeavouring to Intercept l)e Wet

Colonel Hamilton a Bit Too Lftte

Mafekin? Intercepting Provisions

An Oppositionist's Views

Received Wakapuaica May 3, 8.5 ara, This Office 9.39 a m London, May 2 The Commandos escaping from th« Wepener districts are driving great f ocka and are acsompaniedby hundred! of waggoos. The British are making strenuous efforts to intercept De Wet's retreat to Winburg. Olivers was wounded in the fog at Wepener. Oolonel Hamilton on Saturday wai on the point of capturing a considerable force at Thabanchu, when a strong reinforcement compelled the British to retreat. Colonel Hamilton expelled the Boers from Haubnek. The Mafeking garrison m ade desperate efforts to catch a swaroa of locusts to supplement the food supply* Mr Brodrick, speaking at Porti mouth, said no war had been conducted with so much satisfaction to the nation or with fewer mistakes,

A New Zealand Gift to High landers

United Presi Association—By Bleotrio Telegraph Wklungtgn, May 3 General Hector .MaeDonald ha* written to the President of the Caledonian Sooiefcy, acknowledging the receipt of a ohcqu* for £150, for sick and wounded Highlanders. He explained the men are so we|l looked

THE ASHBUBTON GfIABDIAK ? THOBSUaY, MAY S,J 1900



H. M. JONES. H. M, JONEK STATIONERY BOOKS. ACCOUNT BOOKS. OKA f\f\i\ K-NVKLOPE^ imported direct. Commercial Knv< lopes ZDXJ . UUI ' from 3. 6d per 1000 ; 5000 a> 3* per 1000 Boxed Stationery, latest styles, from 6d, 9d, Ib, Is 6d, 2a box, PIANOS. OKGANS. The Best V*lu« obtainable in the Oo'ony for cash or on terms. Organs fiom lCs per month j Pianos from 20* per month. One payment only required at time of purchase, MUsKVLATdIST SONGS, & PIBOBI BICYCLES. BICYCLES. A thoroughly well built, strong well finished, up to date Ladies' or Gentlemen** Machine, guaranteed, for £U 10S, for one month only. U. M. :J O N ES - GKORGE DUNCAN & C>. BKADT MONEY DKAP3RS, TANO RX D STRRBT, ASHBURTO3S. Winter Fast Approaching. G* ' i? f^>tiT\ WKEE fortunate in securing their stock of i ' c LSL\jyJ > • Blankets and IPhinnels prior to the con*id«-i ---* able rise in price of wool, »nd all purchasers will get the full henpfit thereof. Larse st-ck of Winter Oapea and Jackets at rock bottom prices. Flannelettes, Calicos, Sheetings, Dress Staffs, and other lines in Genera! •nmpery are quoted at lowest cash prices, Please call and judjj* for yourselvts, and the verdict will be that you s>.v« money in purchasing from a. DUNCAN AGO., CASH DRAPERS. ,mflTTim—mm ■——nww—nrwimnmT* ■***-■ TEMPORARY itEMOVAL Tv Mitchell & Turne/s Old Prem ses |>ENJiU.gJhe Competion of our New Buildings in 1 tsi ' ftreet we la^e been tooi s ell d to KEMOVE to MITCHELL & ThHNEKM 5-LD SHOP, Tailored :troet Cur took has been n moved there, and every facility will be given to the execution of our (licnls Crdera. All orders left at the above address or at our Timber Yards will i\ ceive prompt attention. W. fl. COLLINS & CO., HAHDWAKE EMPORIUM, TANOBKD STRBBT, ASHBffKTON. Tblb4«kk—H »ud 15. P.O. Boi—Sß. .NOTICE TO FARMERS. VU- E AB fe O A •":• H BUY Eft '-> O F PHI ME MIL LING-WHEAT IN ANY QDANTI'IT F o*se tf.Uey&&« --amples to the Mill; We can supply Oornsacks^at cost; price. CANTERBURY ROLLER FLOUR MILLS, (ROLLIIT AND C 0,,) J. B, HOBART, Manager 17th Mar*, 1900



*******"■** Wanted. WANTED — Teamster Apply, with references, to E. H. Dobson, L">w cUff 510 QHKARMAN BROS, have large stock O Loasbv's Wahoo, Benjimin Gum, Koolibah, and Gnnnmon Care. ; iNIED— Out and Wheat Haks in any quantity, also Beeswax. Apply Fletohels Bros., Cash Supply Store. {TiopilNG BY POST 13 A FRaUD-See I^s oar-Ooosls and cxitninn them at "The oo?uer."-r*NOBTHOOTE & HkfJj'OßD "Tpßl^wirß'ioiindere, War> httu,Oyaterß and JO all kinds of fresh fich by Express to night; also rabbits to-morrow at—J. H. , Jbwitt, opposite Mail Office. TjiUlii^tl Mupply in Aceordeons, Purlor JD Games, FootbiHs, Furaos, Firo Screens Gold Paint, Sponges, Cheap Books; also, Jargo purchase of t-.tationery at a discount, Accouut Envelopes f.orn 3j 61 per IGOO, grand v*tue in boxed Stationeiy ; superior goo^s, lowest possible prices. - A H j Williams, Tttncred Street ' "l JI6IY KORTHOOTB AND iIEFFOBD's for i \ your Autumn aod W;uetr MilUn cry 1 Sea windows, <



NEW EOOKS—Babes in the Wood, Bolderwood; The Transvaal Question; In old New York j For Faith and Freedom, W B;uend ; The Suicide Club, R L Steven i son; A FaUl Mistake; The Adventures of Martin Hewitt; The. fight for the Flag in South Africa, la 3d; Windsor Magazine for March ; Bible?, Prayer & Hymns, and Birthday Books —H. M. Jones. MRS Al/JOBN has a more complete Stock than ever of Fancy Work and M taria^a. All the latest styles to hand Inspection Invited. ' E& S. KNIGHT are buyera of all a kinds o! Second hand Goods. Ad joining Mrs Kbmht's Boardinghouse- WJSTJKD Known—We have left our old premises in Tanored Street. Customers will find us In ISew Shop, Burnett S'reet.—-Mitchell and Turner. 4 Cinnamon Cure, Wahoo, Koolibah or Benjamin Gam go 2 AaHBURTON Dbuo C>. MEN'S Tweed Suits, heavy winter Hne« 39 1 6d at "The Corner." Smoke New Verma



ST. STEPHEN'S OHORCH Aohburton. THUR3DAY-7 30 p m - Teachers' Bib!« Glass FRIDAY-7 15 pm—Litany and Addresß Q p m-Choir Practice THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. (May 6 ) 11am—Matins, Holy Commuuioß arid Sarmon 3 p m—Grt enfctreet 6 30 pm-Evening Prayrr and fterrron R- A. WUODTHORPE, M A. Virar J. WILSON, SIGN-WKKBK. LARGE B'IOCK or wall papers, , WINDOW GLASS, MIXED PAINTS.B PICTURE MOULDINGS, ARTIST'S MATERIAL, &o. i BUPNETT STREET, oppoatta Mail Office Telephone 65 I . .. .- ■ —— - *—* v ESTABLISHED 1874. McDonald & Co., XAIJL.OJRJS*, O KMO YE D to See our SampUs jrrjßlJL.fr,liJ Compare our prices JBuii<lin££»a, Burnett Street. We can't be beat 255 _ § * % 5 S . ; Q S " Si..- Pj » J g-° pn ? 1 tf teBBJ' CO H^



THE New Zealand CLOTHING FACTORY HAS received a Hpecial Consignment of Men'a and B">y* } Tweed Overcoats and Cape*, which they are marking at Ridiculous Prices to clear. SEE THEM AT ONCE. DON'T MTSS THI3 OPPOBTUNITST. Men's Overcoats and Capas 253 6d, for 19i 61; Boys' ditto lla 6', for 6a 6d. Men's Overcoats and Gapes 265, for 21s ; Boys' ditto 12s 6d, for 7a 6d. Men'a Overcoats and Capes 32s 6d, for 25s 61; Boys' ditto 15i, for 9a. Men's Overcoats and Capes 35«, for 27fl 6d ; Boys' di.to 163 fid, for 10a. Men'a Overcoats and Cspee 37s 61, for 29s 6d ; Boys' Reefers 10a 6d, for 7s &d. Men's New Shape Chesterfield Waterproof Coats mafle to order. A rery large selection of patters. L'dier/ Waterproof Cloaks made to order. See our patterns. NEW 2513* JL.A.JS X> CLOTHING FACTOJRY. ¥. H. BEOKLNGSALB, Manager NOTICE. TI/TR CHARLES OiOIL WILLIS has been appointed Canvasser and Collector for the ABhburton Publishing Company (MAIL& GOABDIAN.) HB.N.RY WILLIS, Manager. Ashbueton, 20th April, 1900. rpBACHER of the Pianoforte and Singlag. Havelocfc Street. Second Tttm corntneucca on the 7th inst. # LADIES wishing to learn the art of Shirt) and Collar Ironing and Glossing, also the best method of making Starch, either with or without Ooxon's Gloss, can do so by applying to this office for address of advertiser, , s_?^ aStE^KNOWN—Removal of the old established firm of Mitchell A Turner, from old premises in Tanored Street to Now Shop ia Burnett Street. '



Woods' Great Peppermint Oure for Coughs and Coldi never fails'—la Qd and 2a 6d



" Oprselvfs as Others See Us."—Oar friends are generally too polite to tell ua our faults; but they seldom fail to observe the fioaud style of our e'otbes. YouDg men whi> want to mike good impressions, must bear iv mind that " appearance goes a long way." An ill-fitting suit is uncomfortable, and an "eye Bore" to your f needs, Don't] risk it! If you are a stranger here, the first well dressed oitfzan you meet will gladly direct yon to "The Leadiotf Tailors'' where you will always £ad a large assort ment of "Up to date ' sqitings to select from, and where you can always depend on getting satisfaction. The large and still increasing business done by Mkssbs Oraigi- UEAD & Bebbyman Bpeaks volumes. This firm has vast imported probably the finest stock of new Seasons tailoring goods ever ■hown in Ashburton, jnoludiug a beautiful range of the new mc-proof Beavers and Meltons for Covert ooats and Chesterfield overcoats, both fashionable and durable* Wade's Worm Figs, the wonderful Worm Worriers, never fail for adults or children* Prloe, Is*