PHASES OF THE MOON

Januart

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Vertas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, J ANUARY 10, 1900.

Ever since the beginning of the war m •South Africa (remarks a contempor ary), rumours have RUSSIA IN been circulated that THE EAST. Russia is again turning ooretous eyes towards India, and a letter pub lished m the London Times, from its St. Petersburg correspondent, a care ful observer and conscientious writer, seems to indicate that the rumours are not mere newspaper sensations. In St. Petersburg many people, who are generally regarded as intelligent and well informed, have discussed m |a serious manner the report that Russia has at last actually taken possession of Herat. Another report thai" has gained credence is that Russian aggrea sion is not on the north.western frontier of India, but on the Russian frontier of Ohina, east of the Pamirs. It is stated, m short, that Russia has made up her mind to take Kashgar. The correspondent of the Times states that there is a real and serious founda tion for the gossip on this subject, quite apart from the aggressive ideas fostered by the venomous and vin dictive comments of the anti-British press. Since the military railway from Merv to Kushk was completed, a j very strong fortress has been con structed at the eastern terminus, and another at Karki, on the Amu Daria. One hundred and fifty pieces of artillery have already arrived to be mounted on these fortifications, and a few months ago several regiments of j troops, it is aaid, were sent down to the frontier on the line to Kushk. But the most important part of the news is that this year the Russian War Minister ordered a large amount of military railway material m Ger many, including 260 versta (over 170 miles) of rails and special railway trucks for carrying heavy guns. This material can be kept at Kushk, for which place it was destined, and a railway can be speedily laid down to Herat whenever necessary. Most of the German rails, if not the whole of them, are supposed to have already reached the epot, having been sent i through Poland. There seems to be no doubt that the Russian authorities are making preparations for eventuali | ties on the Indian frontier. It does ! not necessarily follow, however, that they are contemplating an aggressive descent upon Grea^ Britain's Eastern '• possessions. Russia's policy ha? al ways been one of gradual expansion, and it is unlikely that the British War Office would have withdrawn troops from India for service m South Africa if it had any reason to fear that they would be required to resist an invasion from the north.

Local and General.

* # * On the first page to-day will be found war news, and on the fourth page mis cellaneous items. Returned —Mr Thomas Howley, clerk of the Court at Timaru, resumed his duties on Tuesday, after a prolonged holiday spent m Great Britain and on the Continent Sforts Association.—A meeting of the Sports Association will be held to-morrow evening, at their registered rooms, at 8 p.m. A full attendance is requested as the busi ness is very important. I Grain Sacks —At a meeting of the Com mittee of the A. and P. Association on Tues day it was decided to recommend a reduction m the size of grain sacks (for wheat) bo a papacity sf 3j bushels. Swine FEfflß.—There have been further outbreaks of swine fever m the Clutha dit trict and m Taranaki, and suspicious cases at Invercargill and on a email farm near Chriatohurch. The news is disquieting, and it is to be hoped no effort will be spared m preventing the spread of the disease. Pbesbytery—-It will be interesting to Presbyterians m this county to learn that the Presbytery has decided to hold its March meeting m Ashburton ; and that Dt Krwin and Rev W Grant, with an elder from North Belt Church, have been appointed by the Presbytery a commission to vißit Ashburton. The HbssiAK Fly—The Hessian fly has made its appeatance m the Temuka district, One orop m Rangitattt is badly infested, and the farmer effected considers his cropj absolutely valueless. Home samples he j brought into Temuka on Tuesday were i examined by other farmers, who were as tonished to witness the effect) of this pesb on the crop. d'HB Triad—The Triad lor January is as usual about thecheapest literary threepenny worth m the colonies. Information relative to science, art, literature and music ia imparted m a thoroughly interesting style and yet at no sacrifice of accuracy or reliability. One finds information m the Triad which m the nature of things, one (3an»ot expect to obtain m the daily presß. We aordially recommend all our readers to subscribe to tfcis trighf; and up to date periodical. Colonial Finance—The New Zealancf 'limes says :— We are informed by a trust* worthy authority that there ie no truth m the published rumour that the Government has approached the Australian Mutual Pro vident Society, with a view to getting a loan at /?i per cents. On the other hand, the Government haa made satisfactory arrange ments m regard to the whole of its liabilities for the ensuing ten month?. A Militant Family—The Yen Arch deacon Harper, when addressing a meeting Bit Tijftaru, on Monday, mentioned that he had a cousin m oae of the batteries under Lord Methueu, and tb»b another cousin, a dootor, was shut up m Kimberley, while one of hie nephews was navigating Heuoenant on one of the cruisers at Detagoa Bay. Agricultural Literatdrisi—At a meet* ing of the Committee of the A, and p. Association yesterday, several books w«re reported to have been aent to the Associa tion by|the Royslßociefc ■, Ergiaaci, and these were accepted with thanks, and their.reoeipfc ordered to be acknowledged. The thanks of the Association were also passed to Mr John Studholme, jun., for the services he had rendered m connection wifah the Jibrary of the Association. Mr Studho-lme gave aofcieo to move that the Association subscribe to the Royal Society with a view to obtaining up-to-date literature on subjects kindred to the objects of the Association. An Energetic Priest—Aba patriotic meeting held at Milton last week, the Rev. Father O'Neill mads a most humorous and effective speech, and succeeded m raising the enthusiasm to the highest pitoh. At a-bout 11 v-m> #374 waß aQaounce(J. and then Father O'Neill said h© was going to stick at it till they gob £#00. Mr Jago then began to charge 20s a song, and twice tjaw amount was forthcoming* The lopal volun teers who won 2000 bricks at a reoenb mili tary tournament, sold them to the mayor for £2, and slowly the fund crept up. Father O'Neill sansc lf The hundred pipers an' a'," and then a final collection was made on the platform. Loud applause greeted th,e announcement of £401 8a 2d, ftfid the meet? 1 ipg tumin»te<i «oon after.? *

CbiTPART—Mr Thomas i >mes Parker, the founder of the firm of Hucidart, Parker and Co., died at South Yarra, Melbourne, on Sue day. The news was received m Christchurch by a private cable, addressed to Messie Kin suy, Barnes and Co. A Recommendation A Growl—The committee of the Wellington Gbamier of Cammerce has decided to urge the Govern ment to acquire tha Mauawatu Railway ; aho to remousfcratfl with the banks for closing bo long during the holiday?, while placus like the Custom-house, etc , were open. Cruelty to Animals.—At a meeting of the Wellington Socie'y for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, rho inspector reported that poultry were being sent there m uhoelj ing condition. Fowls were cooped up for forty-five hours without food or water, and so closely packed that they died or arrived with broken wings or legs. la one box, four by three by two, forty-one fowls were packed. A •' Rhcobd" or the First Contingent— Mr Macphereon, chief engineer of the Wfti wera, is the possessor of a graphophone, and during the voyage of the steamer to Capetown with the firsb New Zealand Con' tingont he secured some " records" of exceptional interest, including a ooruet solo by Trumpeter Fox, and rticorda of the voices of Serg9an'-Maj r Barr, and Sergeant- M-'jor Cardale giving the words of command for mounted drill, and fchem&nuaJ exercise. A Young Highwayman,—At the Magis trate's Court, Lytteiton, on Tuesday, a boy named JBrio Thompson, aged twelve years, was charged with assaulting another boy named John M'Donald, and robbing him of sa. Ths evidence showed that Thompson took McDonald unawares and knocked him down, making his face bleed, and forced him to give up the money. The Bench sentenced Thompson to receive nine strokes with the birch rod. ' Ihe Industbial Hall—The Directors of the Canterbury Industrial Hall Committee have sold enough shares to justify them m starting building operations. The contract for the erection of the new hall has been signed by Messrs Ronnie and Pearce, who have just completed Mr Allan McLean's residence m Manchester Street. The build ings ab present) on the ground will be sold by auction on Saturday for removal, by Messrs Dalgety and Company. Police Court—Before the Mayor and Mr D Thomas, tc-day, a lad named Nicholla was charged wi'h the theft) ab Longbeach, m September last of £2 10-, the property of Herbert Clerk, and 17s 6d, the property of Joseph Henry. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a month's imprisonment. The lad had absconded after the theft, and had j been m Wellington, but was arrested m ChristchurcK He was not unknown to the police, hiving been convicted of theft on two previous occasions. Old Age Pensions Eenewals—lncome and property statements are being forwarded to each old age pensioner as his or her pen sion expires, which they have to fill up and return to the local deputy-registrar. These statements will then be investigated by the stipendiary magistrate m a manner similar to the original claims. As no pensions issued m this district expire before February 28, plenty of time is being allowed by the Department for the return of statements by those whose pensions will first run out. Mortality Among Shbep.—Mr Beakee, Government Veterinary Surgeon, has been investigating the cause of a heavy mortality amongst newly-shorn sheep m the Macken zie Country. He found that the deaths were due to blood-poisoning, contracted either from the ground m the yards or from some matter m the sheds. In one case the trouble wae stopped by the shed being thoroughly disinfeojed, Jand m another by the sheep being taken to another shed for shearing. Germs \,o which the disease is attributed were discovered m the soil of one of the yards, and m this case the owner will remove the yards to fresh ground. Clean yards are of more importance than is gener ally thought.

Charitable Aid,—The statement of the expenditure of the Charitable Aid B>ard for the months of November and December, 1899, contains the following details:— November, 1899 — Ashburton flnmn, 63 persons relieved, afc a coat of £88 4s 3d ; Female Kefuge, 14 women and eleven infants, at a ccst of £44 18s5'i ; Memorial Home, 70 person?, at a ooar of £84 13s 43 ; Orphanage, 22 persons, at a cost of £43 5?, about equally divided between maintenance and boarding out } Samaritan Home, 61 persons, at a coat of £31 13a 4d; Armagh Street Depot, 10 persons, at a cost of £9 17a ; total for institu tion relief, £302 11s 4d, In outdoor relief 352 oases were assisted, at a total cost of £356 6a 7d. Thirty-nix destitute children were boarded out for £37, and 4 infirm and invalid peraona for £5 18 <. The maintenance of 33 children at industrial schools cost £44 18a sd, and general expenses, including salaries, £91 15? Id. In all 1444 persons obtained relief, at a cost of £93893 SJ. The figures for December, though varying m detail, are generally similar, and show that 1426 persona have been relieved, at a total cost of £925 5a 61.

THE LATEST.

Australian

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright Received Wakapuaka Jan. 10, 915 a.m, This Office 10.15 a.m) Ocean Survey. Sydney, January 10 H M.S. Dart has returned from a surveying cruise on the Queensland coast. She discovered several unchar ted rocks, including a large one covered 'with only twenty-four feet of water, directly m the track of steamers by the inner route through the Straits to China.

Strike of Locomotive Men on the Westralian Railways

United Press Association—By Eleotrlo Telegraph—Copyright Received Wak&puaka Jan. 10, 9 40 a.m. Thia Office 10.32 a.m. Perth January 10 There is a strike of railway engineers ancl firemen m consequence of the Government asking the locomotive en giaeer te resign,"owing to frigtiop with the genera] manager. Only a few men remain attheir posts and traffic through out the colony is disorganised. There have been large gatherings at the various centres. The police are keep« ing order. The strikers cut a number of signal wires, and at Kalgoorlie seized the engine of the mail train which was about to start for Berth, and took: her some distance up the line and blew o^steatn, preventing the train getting away.

TRANSVAAL WAR.

General Buller's Inactivity, Shelling Boer Trenches. The Despa'.ob. of Reinforcements Twelve Batteries Warned for Service, A Splendid Donation. The Ba 1 tie-field of Grasspan. A Correspondent's Impression Escape of Boer Prisoners, United Press Association—By Eleofcrio i Telegraph—Copyright Lond®n, January 9 Sir Redvers Buller's inactivity is attributed to incomplete transport arrangements and the lack of concen tration. Twelve batteries of field artillery have been warned to hold themselves m readiness to proceed to South Africa. Werner, Beit and Company, the South African diamond merchants, have given £50,000 towards equipping the Imperial Yeomanry. Mr Balfour, speaking at Manchester, pleaded that the Jameson raid preven ted Great Britain insistingfupon stop ping the Boers arming. The unanmity of the Empire m face of a war which was deliberately precipitated, was worth many army corps. The Government took such steps as the information m their possession warranted. If vigorous preparations for war had been made earlier they would have been the cause of division and censure. The present crisis spelled the consolidation of the Empire, cementing citiisnship on a per manent foundation, Durban, January 9 During General Buller's demonstra tion on Saturday he fired shrapnel into the Boer trenches without evoking any reply. Melbourne, January 9 The special correspondent of the I Age describing a visit to the battlefield at Grasspan, says it is difficult to realise how the British could cross an open basin leading to kopjes which were held by the Boers, and it is more j difficult still to conceive how any men worth calling fighters should abandon such positions, short of the bayonet Sydney, January 9 The Bushmen's Contingent Fund amounts to over £20,000 Another donation of £2000 has been received. The Government has been advised that the steamer Persic, which is at the Oape, is disabled. The Govern ment is negotiating for the charter of the Langton Grange, en route from the Oape, to replace her m carrying the bushmen. Capetown, January 8 Three Boer prisoners escaped from Simon's Bay. One was recaptured wearing a lifebelt, but the others were drowned Berlin, Jan. 8 Herr Simon, of the German Red Cross organisation, repudiates the alleged members of the German Red Cross Society aboard the Herzog,

BATTLE AT LADYSMITH

Defeat of the Boers. Boers Eepulsed Everywhere- Heavy Loss laflieted on Them* (Received W&kapuaka Jan: 9, 4 40 p.m Thiß Office 5.15 p.m f ) London, January 8 General White reports to the War Office that the Boers were repulsed everywhere with heavy loss, greatly exceeding the casualties of the British. Later The widespread suspense over the attack on Ladysmith was relieved late this afternoon by the War Office publishing a heliograph message re ceived from General White, stating that "The attack lasted for seventeen hours, and was pushed with the greatest sou rage and energy. Some of our [ entrenchments on Waggon Hill were thrice taken and retakes. The enemy held one point throughout, bat at dusk, during a heavy rain storm, they were ejected most gallantly at the point of the bayonet by the Devonshire regi ment, Major Cecil W. Park leading. , Oolonel lan Hamilton, rendered valu* able services at Waggon Hil', The troops had a very trying time, but behaved excellently, and are elated at the s&rvices they rendered to the Qaeen."

Boer Council of War.

Electric Alarm Wires Across the Koads to LadysmitL Ser Majesty Congratulates Her Troops on Ladysmith Battle- Boers Fire en Free Staters. Free Staters Preparing to Quit Their Capital Compliments to the Colonial Troops. Received Wakapuaka Jan. 10,9.30 a.m., UhU office 10 s§a.m) Dsrsan. January 9 General Joubert held a great poun eil of war before attacking Ladysmith. The Boers as a protective measure laid electric alarm wires across the roads near Ladysmith. London January 9 The Queen congratulates General White and his troops on the result of the Ladysmith fighting. Correspondents reporting from Lady smith on Tuesday, state that there is no anxiety about the town holding I Capetown, January 9 The Boers are being reinforced m the neighbourhood of Oolesburg. The activity of the Queensland and Cana dian troops m the vicinity of Belmont caused the enemy to abandon a large belt of country across the Free State border. The Boers fired upon the Free Staters who surrendsred when General French occupied Arundel. Pretoria reports state that the Free Staters are preparing to quit Bloemfori tein, and many &r« going to Pretoria,

Kruger Wants No British Repre sentative.

Mounted Indian Troops Accepted

6000 More Soldiers to Land This Week (Received Wakapuaka Jan. 10, 9.30 am, This Office 10.15 a.m) London, January 9 Kroger has again refused to allow , the American Consul at Pretoria to ' represent British interests. -He said no British representative was wanted. The British Government have ac cepted 250 mounted Indian volun teers. Six thousand troops and six gems will land m South Africa at the end of the present week.

Victorian Second Contingent

(Received Wakapnaka Jan. 10, 9.40 a.m, This Office 10.32 a.m) Mklboubne, January 10 The Assembly voted £35,000 for a second Transvaal Contingent. Patri otic speeches were delivered by mem bers of all parties, and cheers were given.

Convoy for the Contingents

Received Wakapuaka Jan. 10, 10.25 a.m This Office 11,10 a.m Sydney, January 10 The Queensland Government ha/c asked Mr Lyne to consider the sending of a warship convoy with the ships carrying the contingents. The Admiral oonsidera there ia no danger of being attacked, but if the colonies desired he make the necessary arrange ments with the naval commander at the Cape. Mr Lyne is consulting the other Premier*.

Cable from the Agent-General.

Unibed Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Wellington, January 9 A well-known personage m shipping cir cles has received a cable stating that the enemy's forces around Ladysmith were re pulsed with serious loss, greatly m exoess of the British. Wellington, January 10 The Agent-General cables bhab tbe Suffolk regiment, under the command of General French, were defeated on Saturday. Our loss was about 100 men. The New Zealand contingent was not concerned.

THE BATTLE OF TUGELA RIVER

SOME DETAILS OF THE FIGHTING. TREMENDOUS FUSILADE BY THE E>JEMY. A WAR CORRESPONDENT'S TESTI MONY. Hobart, Jan 9 The Aotea brought Cape files up to December 19, containing the following dt taUa of the battle of Colenso :— Chievelky. Camp, December 15 The relief column continued its advance from Chieveley ab an early hour, intending to assail the Boer position. For two days the enemy had allowed themselves to be fired on, only responding by one shot. They further gave half an hour this morning witboub exchanging shots, when suddenly they commenced belching out a stream of firefrom all their entrenchments, besides a fearful cannonade with a!l their quick-firing and siege guns, which were posted from end to end. When the enemy's actual position were known the Naval Brigade commenced shelling all the ridges north of the town with marvellous accuracy. The artillery of General Hart's brigade was busy among the entrenchments of the kopjss on the left, under cover of which the Irish Infantry Brigade advanced m extended order to cross the river and attack. The Field Artillery on the right shelled the ridges on the Boer« left fUnk. The enemy retaliated, sending back a scathing fire, which stampeded the gun carriage and limber horae?. Heavy rifle fire wasi thrown into ths artillery and cavalry on the enemy's left flank, and j a gun posted there kept playing on the j infantry. The Naval Brigade quickly j played a rain of fire on the spot, silencing the gun for the time, but whenever they slackened off the same gun would recom mence. The Mounted Brigade, which had advanced on the right of the railway line, was subjected to a galling fire from the Boer artillery, one battery of field artillery being almost decimated by the enemy's rifle fire, which was ad this period most accurate. At eleven o'clock the battle was a perfect) tornado with rifle and artillery firet The Bsers responded with their well-known grit and vigour, but onr shell fire was beginning to tell its tale, and from the fourth ridge the enemy could be seen changing their positions. By galloping from cover to cover the scouts brigade advanced under a hail of bullets, and ib was wonderful how the men continued to ■advance m the face of such a fmilade. The Boers were all this time under the best of cover on several ridges to the north of the town, and at times their fire would ease off, they being no doubt tired of the long spell of continuous shooting. Then it) would break oub again and again, with a rattle which musb have been heard to be realised. It wae fearful. A uever-ceaßing rain of bullets dropped on the dry, hard veldt, and the dust rose as rain drops splash m water, The heat was intense, and the trial of endurance of the troops was supreme The rifle fire drew from the veteran war corres pondent, Mr Bennett Burleigh, the remark, 11 1 have never seen anything like this mmy life.". Then the Naval men created a furore by engaging the enemy by themselves, The twelve-pounder gun with shrapnel, and the 4 7in gun with lyddite, kept up a heavy fire on the fortified position. During the heavy rifle fire against the field artillery, nearly every man was shot down, and when the orderly arrived with instruc tions to retire no gunners were left to execute tne order. The pronounced feature of the fight was the marvellous rapidity with which the Boers moved their heavy guns from point to point. Three attempts were made subsequently to get the guns, but the fire of the Boers was too severe, inflicting heavy losses. The British casualties are reported to be: —Five officers and 162 men killed, 6 officers and 634 men wounded, 21 officers and 311 men missing, presumably prisoners. Ib is impossible to get the Boer losses, bub they are estimated to be 2000, the trenches being seen to be full of dead. Ten guns were captured by the enemy.

Battle of Stormberg.

DETAILS OF THE FIGHTING? MAGNIFICENT RECORD OP BRA VERY BY OFFICERS AND MEN, SPLENDID WORK BY THE IRISH RIFLES. United Press Association —By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright. (Received Wakapuaka Jan, 10, 10.45 ».tn This Office 10.56 a.m) Hobart, January 9 Details of the battle of Stormberg are to baud from Cape files. The Sjritish troops instead of reaching their destination at two o*olook on Sunday morning were three miles from Rcoipoop, , when dawn broke, the men having baen marohing twenty four hours without a stop. While skirting Rooipoop a hail of bullets suddenly showered inlo the tanks from an 1 ambushed enemy. The British artillery almost) immediately took up a position on a kopje, and poured volley after volley into the enemy's Btronghold. Generals Gatacre and Allen were amongst the thickest and hottest of the firing, directing the men m . order to get them out of tha very mouth, of j

hell. The Boers tried to sandwich our anil* lery, bub the Irish rifles gob a maxim gun to work and sent shower after shower of bullets into the enemy, keeping rhetn at bay. This magnificent bravery undoubtedly saved the disaster from still graver consequences. General Gatacre, seeing the strength of the enemy'a position and his superiority m num bers, resolved, after three hours' fight ing, to accept the situation and tffact a retirement, fighting his way back to Moiteno. The Boers poured shell after shell into the retiring line, but fortunately (he greater number of the shells proved faulty and did not bnrat, causing little or no damage. The roll call showed seven hundred offioora and men missing, though it is reasonable to sap pose that (he great majority of them are prisoners. One company of the Royal Irish had nothing bub a solitary lance corporil hfb as an other. The troops returned to Molteco thoroughly exhausted. Nearly forty-eight hours had elapsed since they left.

Mr W. H. Collins has kindly permitted ns to publish the following extract* from letters dated Capetown, December 4, received from his brother, and which will be intereating at the present moment :— I suppose by this time yea are back m New Zealand m peace and quietness, aod I wish you a merry Christmas, and a happy New Year. Things have changed rapidly m this country since you left; British troops have been arriving very fait during the last three weeks, and we are hoping the turn of the tide will soon be m our favour. The Boers managed to get within thirty-five milea of Maritzburg, and had they bufi commenced two or three weeks sooner to move m Natal territory they would have got into Durban. Ladysmith, Kimberlay, and Mafeking are still surrounded by the Boers, and I am very muoh afraid that Mafeking will fall into their hands before relief reaches the place. Our troop* are trying hard to force their way to the relief of Kimberley, bub ib ia a tough job. Three battles were fought laat week with heavy louet to both aides, and the British troope are at present holding their own. They are bridging the Modder River 8j as to attack the enemy on the other side, whioh cannot fail to be a big engagement), as tbe enemy is thare m large numbers and strongly entrenched. She Boers are now fighting for all they are worth, and still say they will yet plant their flag on Table Mountain. They are taking every mean advantage with the White fltg and the red cross. I shaft be glad when Ladyamitb, Kimberley, and Mafeking are relieved. There are about) 25,000 Boers around Ladyumzfch and Colenso, and are well entrenched, so that the British troops have all their work cub out for them. Tbe Boers are fighting batter than anyone ever expected they would. We have had a big time of ib here during the last week with the arrival of the New Zealand, Australian, and Canadian con bingents. They all had a splendid reoepbioa. The New Zealanders were seat right away to the front, and were m high spirits at b&ing called away so soon to the post of duty. A portion of the Australian Lancers also went to the front, while the remainder of the Australians and the Oana dians went after a oouplo of days' re t. They are all a fine lot of. men, and it would be impossible for me bo describe the feelings of the loyalists here m th.it country towards their colonial brother*, who had come over bo help to fight their battles and to protect their hearths *nd homes m this portion of the British dominions. The whole popula tion nearly went) off their heads with excite* ment as they cheered and shouted and sang a welcome to their brothers. The street* were one mass of haman beings, while every store and every building m Capetown's principal streets was beautifully decorated with suitable mottoes of welcome, The two bands, the pipers and the brass band, played martial strains whioh roused the enthusi asm of the people to such a pitch that the whole seething multitude waa oarried away with it, and everything else was for the time being forgotten. The fronts of the big buildings m Adderly Street were decor ated with mottoes such as, " Welcome brother colonists," "We stand or fall together," and many others. A committee of ladies supplied each soldier on arrival with writing paper, envelopes and pencil, m order that they might, on arrival notify their friends of their safe arrival at Capetown. The war is a much bigger job than the English Government anticipated, and if things had gone on for another five years or so, South Africa would hav"e been lost to England. There are a great many Germans and Hollanders with the enemy, also a number of outlawed Britishers. Natal has come oub splendidly. Many fathers, to« aether with their sons, have gone to the front, as many as four of the same family. Natal people will lose very heavily, as wherever the Boen go they steal all they can lay their hands on and wreok the houses as well. They command the English to go to the front, and if they refuse they are thrust into prison. The war is a terrible work, and how long the work of bloodshed is to last no one at present knows. We have now seen our colonial brother soldiers who have coma to our help, and they are all a fine lot of men and our whole hearts are now united to theirs,—one race, one blood, brothers all, hands for ever across the sea. Your New Zealand Contingent stood m the highest estimation of all concerned, and many gave them the palm as being the finest of all colonial soldiers who have arrived, I have seen people oarried away with intense feeling but the departure of the colonials for the fronb caused such a display of the wildest enthusiasm that the whole mass of people were beside themselves and were like a sea of troubled watecs.

BRIDEGROOMS ORDERED TO THE FRONT.

The little tragedies the war m South Africa creates m |he domestic circlet »» - ; forcibly illustrated m connection with two events that recently itirred London society, ' On Tuesday, November 27, at Bt, Paul's ; Church, JCoightsbridge, the Hon. Gerald - Ward, son of the late Lord Dudley, was "v married to Lady Evelyn Griohton, Lord , -, Erne's daughter. The next day the Earl A of Longford was married to Lady Mary ViU Hers, the daughter of the Bar! and Countess : of Jersey. Both the bridegrooms belong to - the Life Guards—Mr Ward to the Ist, the -■ Earl of Long fur d being captain of the Sad Life Guards. These are among the troops ordered to South Africa, Within a week of their wedding-day brides and bridegroom* •"■ will be parted, the latter going forth to join m a war a marked peculiarity of which is the disproportionately large number of officers who are systematically picked off by the enemy.

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, Mr Austen Chamberlain, Civil Lord of the Admiralty, addressing & meeting of unionist* at Glasgow, said the-sbrain upon the Trans port Department of the Admiralty had been absolutely unprecedented, and one which no other countr/oould haye borne. They had to arrange for the transport of '65,C00 men, 30,000 horses and mules, and ICQ.QOQ tons of stores. They had chartered 130 ships, of half-a«mill ion aggregate tonnage,' these ships fiving an average speed of SOO miles per day. fever was Britain's power on the seas more X . dearly ehown! than m the eepurity with whioh our transport fleet had pursued its way, and never was the necessity for keeping ppen the great ocean highway more m.»njießtly proved.

THE BOERS INPEAQE TJME. i Mark Twain has, says the London Daily , Mail met the Boer, and this is what he says of him:—" He is deeply religious; pro foundly igaorant f dull, obstinate, bigoted; -. uncleanly m hia habits, hospitable, honest m his dealings with the whites, ft hard master to a Maok servant; lazy, a good shot, good horseman, addicted to the abase; * a lover of political independence, a good husband and father; not fond of herding together m towns, but liking the seclusion and remoteness and solitude and empty vastness and silence of the veldt; a man of a mighty appetite, and not delicate what * he appeases it with—well satisfied with pork, "and Indian c?orn m& bilt&ng, requiring only that the quantity shall not be stinted i willing to ride a long journey to take a hand m a rude alt-night dance interspersed with vigorous feeding and boisterous jollity, but ready to ride twice as far for a prayer meet-' ing; proud of his Dutch and Huguenot* origin audits religious and military history ; proud of his race Achievements m South Africa—its bold plunge's into hostile and uncharted deserts m search of free aolitad,ea j unvexed by the pestering and detested Ens. jUeb, also it*'vioboriei over the. Oftttroi mj^

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1960.



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IS IT HICJHI' For an Xiiifor to Reewiumniiti l*af» fint Medicines. From Sylvan Falley News, Brevard. N,O. It may be a question whether the editor jf a newspaper has the right to publicly recommend any of the various proprietary medicines which flood the market, yet as a preventive of suffering we feel it a duty to iay a good word for Chamberlain's Colic, Dholera aod piarrhoe* Remedy. We have mown and used this madicfne in our family or t,wen,ty years and have always io^d it eliable. Jn many cases a ddse 6|i t£na •emedy would save hours of suffering while . physician is awaited. We do pot belieye ' n depending implicitly on any medicine for k cure, but we do believe that) if a bottle of Chamberlain's Diarrhoea Remedy were kept m hand and administered at the inception >f an attack much suffering might be voided aad in very many cases the presence if a physician would not be required. At ease this "has bppn our experience during he past twenty years. For sale by Ask mrton Drug Co. Pricea 3s, and Is pii Smoke New Yenua



For Children's Hacking Cough tak Woods' teat Pepperminb Cure—le 6d ail



I T)RIZE POULTRY —For sale. che*p, to 1 »JL reduce stock—Pure-bred Goldea and Silver Wyandotte.Andalußia.nand Orpington cull chicks about three months old; as good a 8 show birds for breeding and utility purposes. Apply office of thia paper or Pelham yards, Pater Street. FOR THIS WEEK. OPECIAL Lines Prints at 3Jd per yard. Special Lines Prints at 4^d per yard, Special Lines Prints and Zyphers at 6-Jd per yard. Fpecial Line Dress Material, usual price Is Ud; 5s lid Dress Length, Big Line Sample Corsets, prices from 4s lid to iOs 6d; to i clear at 2s. 1J d pex* pair. And many other tempting Lines m all departments. ASHBURTON DRAPERY COMPANY. CHRISTMAS AJND NEW YEAK HOLIDAYS. TTtVBRYTHIKG A Cyclist requires from 6d worth of Graphite to a 1900_Zaalandia Bicycle. Price £31. OATES. LOWRY ANO CO BURNETT STREET. Cheapest and best stock m Ashburton, CHRIBTMASTIB99r" ITTE HAVE NOW IN STOCK VV AND ARRIVING FOR OUR CHRISTMAS TRADE LARGE SUPPLIES New Curraßts and Raisins, new Sul tßnas and Candid Pee'e, new Muscatels and Almonds, new Dossic^ted Cocoannt and Siik-dressrd Iceing Sugar, new kinde Fruits,includingAprico-s, Pears, Peaches, Pine Apple, and Table Plums. The Finest TEAS and ►SUGARS m Town. NOW LANDING. A SHIPMENT of high-class {English China direcb from ihe Pottering. All jthe latest Pa.terns.' also — A SHIPMENT Of CHOICE CfIBISIMAS NOYFLTIES. Direct from Japan. Pi ease send fyour Orders early and lige We are Agents for COLUMBIA, B.S.A. and LOVRLIi DIAMOND, BICYCLES. CARSON & Co., TEA MERCHANTS AND BLENDKRS, GROCERS, AND IRONMONGERS. Importers of Bicycles, Ironmongery, Gifts and China. Tan«be» Stkset, Aahburton. New Zealand GLOTHING FACTORY SPECIAL Linea m IENNIS SHIRTS j FANCY STRIPES from [3s 6d, new Patterns. White and Cream Matt Shirts, 4s 6d and 5a 6d. White and Cream Cellular Shirts, sa. The Newest Stylesj'in Fashion Shirts and Whit* Sbirte, with fancy Cuffs an* Fronts. Men's Panama Straw Hats, Men's Brazilian Straw Hats, Men'a Club Straws from 2s, Splendid Variety to select from. Men's Frame Hats, Meo'a Soft Felts. Men'a Tenniß Hata, Men's White Felts. BOOTS" BOOTS Newest Shape Tan Bootsl6s 6<i, 18s, 23a 6d Black Glace Kid Boots, 16a 6d ; Teunis Shoes 15e6d. Men's, Women's, and Children's Canvae Shoes. LARGE STOCK AT LOW PRICES. CALL AWD lIVHPJECX. SUITS TO MEASURE A SPECIALTY. FIT QUARAN TEED NB3W ZEJA3L.AKD CLOTHING FACTORY. F. H. BEOKLNGSALB, Manager. TMPORTANT to Caßh Buyers of Drapery, X 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 ninepenca worth and over. Inspection in vited—H. C. Babrikt, late garretfe Bros., The Hall, East Street. U %% N"~ EW Yea7~Cardß, New ¥ear Cards Good selection of both single cards and packets* New linea m wall texts, birth day cards, photo frames, prayer and hymn books, general stationery, etc.-—A. H. WlL liams, Tancred Street!. WANTED Known—That now is the time to make selections of Costumes for the Summer. Full ranges of choice materials m Novelty Colorings, See oura Srsfe.~MiTcazLi< & Turner »



i Carraway Seeds 8d per lb Pimento, whole la  „ Pimento, around... ... Is 2d „ „ Mix^d Spice .., ...l£d per packet PlCKLES—Hayward's Mixed, lOd per bottle, 9s 6d per dozen Crocs and Black well's, Is 3d pit bottle Captain White's, 2s 3d per bottle Curry Powder Ud per bottle Boras 8d per lb Alum ... ...  6d „ „ Saltpetre 6d „ „ I Tartaric Acid ... ... lslOd „ „ Carbonate Soda, 3d per Ib, 2s per doz lbs Whole Linseed 3d per lb Linseed Meal ... ... 4d MATOHES-Plalds, 4|d per doz, 4s per gross 250 8 Is 6d per dozen 1000' asd per box, 4s lOd per dozen Bryant and May's Safeties, 83 per dozen Yartnontn Bloaters, 9 for la Maconochie's F^esh Herrings, 6|d per tin „ Herrings m Tomato, lOd per tin „ Herrings m Shrimp, lOd per tin  Kippered Herrings, lOd per tin „ Preserved Bloaters, lOd per tin Auckland Mnllett 7d per tin Oystera ... 8d   Sardines, large Alberts ... Is „ „ Sardines, large 8d „ „ Sardines, small 4d „  Salmon, Holly leaf ... lOd „ „ Salmon, other Brands ... 8d „ „ OIL —Lucca, 2a 4d per bottle Salad, \ pint sd, 1 pine lOd Castor, | pint sd, 1 pint lOd Shoepa Tongues, lib Is, 21 b Is lOd Corned Beef, Mutton, Spiced Beef, 21b tin, Is Crosse and Blackwell's assorted Pastes. Is 3d per bottle, 14s 6d per dozec Potted Meats, assorted, 6d per tin Bovril, 2oz, la lOd. Leiberg'a extract, Is 9d per bottle Patent Groats, Robinson's, lOd jj Har per's, 9d per tin I MellinB 119..8 d per.tin



GORE OATMFAL—2SIb Bag, 2s 6d Van Honten'a Cocoa, £lb, lid ; £lb, Is 9d ; lib, 3s 3d Fry's Cocoa, $lb, B|d ; lib, la 4|d Heal Good Candles, 4£dperlb; 8s M per box Parafine Candles, plain and fluted, 6£d per lb ; 12s 6d per box Fairy Night Lights Is 2d per box Flake Tapioca, 7lbs for Is Pearl, 61bs for Is Bago, 7lbs for Is Mixed Peel, Lamon, Orange and Cit ron, 8d perlb Lemon Peel, 71b tins, 3s 6d lib Tins Assorted Jams, 5d per lb ; 4s Dd per doz 21b Jars Assorted Jams, 14s 6d per doz Lea apd Perrin's Sauce, large, 2s 6d per bottle Mellor's Sauce, Is 3d per bottle Worcester Sauce, small, 5d ; large, r 3 9d Brown's Corn Flour, 3d per lb Mazina ftd per dozen 5s 6d Whiting, i b for Ib Morton's Cream of Tartar, Is 3d per lb Preserved Fruit, 2£lb tins, 8d per tin, 7s 6d per doz English Cut Loaf Sugar, 3|d per lb Tomato Sauce, 9d per bottle Golden Syrup, 2lb 6d, 41b Is, 561 b 11s 3d Treacle, 21b 6d. 41b Is, 71b la 9d Flnesb Raisins 6Adperlb Finest Sultanas ... ... 7£d „ » Finest Currants 5d „ „ per case 4«d   Stewing ?!gs 7|d » n French Plwms (choice) ... 1R »» >« Slewing Plums , M ... 3d „  Flnpst Muecat«ls 1& M „ „ Caiifornkn Muscatels ... Is „  Psfceß, extra fine, 31b boxes, la 9d pc? box Almonds, Jordan ... ... 2a 4d per Ib Almonds, Valencia ... Is6d  „ Almonds, Sicily le 4d „ „ B»rc€'imaNtttß ... .-. 8d „ Shell Almonds ... ... 10d  „ IHy and Martin's Paste Blacking, per dot and Martin's Jar Blacking, 6d per noh Blacking, 2d per tin, Is 9dper Ws Blaoklead, Id aize, 8d per doz mn 1 Dorae|Blaoklead, 6d per d



WAVERLEY WINS ON BOXING DAY. ASHBURTON. Ist and 2nd — —■ Half Mile Ist and 2nd — — One Mile Ist and 2nd — — Two Mile Ist and 2nd — — WHEEL R^CE EAIAFOI. Wheel Face „ „ First and Second Five Mile „ „ First ;glentunnel. \Sheel Bace * First and Second 1 Mile ',', First and Second | Mile „ „ First § Mile „ jj firsthand (Second OXFORD. J Mile „ „ First 5 Mile ,j  First and Second "Wceel Race sl  First and Third TOTAL AMOUNT WON ,695 10 s OUT OF A POSSIBLE £125. JOHN ORR & CO.. ASHBUBTON, SOLE NEW ZEALAND AGENTS •'?' aud at Waverley Cycle Depot 21T Colombo Street, Chrigtchurch. JOHN ORR AND GO'S REVISED srPRICE LIST-* Wffi Claim to ha the Leading Firm of G ocers, Ironmongers, and Crockery Merchants m Aahburton. We Import all onr Stock from tha Home Markets for Spot Cash and are therefore m the besfc position oo supply the public with only genuine goods at the lowest possible price for cash. We guarantee all our goods full weight and finest quality. We never charge for picking and delivery,, all gooda at tha Railway Station free. Any person leaving an order with a-s can get a pircal ticker, and therefore always be.sare of having their goods at tha station In time. No charge for ticket. Jb -LA/ UXI PBR SACK 13 3 . — SUGAU — QJd per ito -ivitti Tea iBIARAV'ILLA GARDEN TEA— Is lOd, §2b, 2a 4d| per 1b 51b Box .. .« ... 88 9d, 9a 7d, 11s lOtb Box «. .- .- 16b Bd, 18s 4d, 21s;8d KOZIE TEA — 101 b Box, {18a 4d ; slb, 9a 7d GOLD LEAF. TEA 101 b Box, |18a 4d } 51b, 9« 7d -PROVISIONS - FACTORY BUTTER—Fern Leaf and Subton's always injstock. CHEESE—Fiaeeb Factory, 6d per 1b j BACON AND HAMS — " Lewis'," " Morepork," " D.fMcOallam. Mild Cured Hams, Sides and Bolls, 7id.