Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1900. THE NEW RAILWAY TARIFF.

Havikg instituted numerous and bene ficial reforms in the conduct of the Postal and Telegraph department, Mr Ward haa now turned bis Attention to the Railway department, and hag shown that he intends to " run" it, as it should be " run," on commercial lines. The plans which he has made for im proving the railways and increasing the facilities for travelling in the colony are generally commendable, and the colony as a whole will thaDk Mr Ward for them. They have not come a day too soon. Indeed, on Mr Ward's own showing, these reforms m'ght very well have been instituted years ago. The past financial year was a pheno menally prosperous year with the rail^ waye. And for a branch of the State organisation, which is not regarded, and should not be regarded as an instrument of taxation, the Railway department has not given back to the public much of its surplus revenues. Mr Ward has determined to ligna'ise his assumption of its control by the offer to travellers of liberal redactions io fares The value of the concessions which be proposes is estimated at £75,000 per annum on the existing business. Mr Ward anticipates that the result of the changes will be a largely augmented traffic, 'and *uoh » farther increase in the revenue at will before long repay

the department to the full extent of the concessions. This expectation is supported by all previous experience of the effect of concessions' of , the kind. A really substantial redaction is con templated in the charges for workers' commutation tickets, a substantial reduction also in the season ticket rates and in the ordinary single tickets. It is a feature of Mr Ward's policy to encourage settlement by the working classes in country districts and country towns, and so to prevent overcrowding in the principal centres of population, and as a means to that end the reduc tion in the charges for workmen* tickets to a uniform charge of 2a per week will be recognised as a step in the right direction. The reduction in season ticket rates which the issue of sectional charges will involve is in certain respects more apparent than real. It is somewhat misleading to say, for example, that the charge for an annual first-class ticket between Dunsdin and lovercar^ill will be, reduced from £50 to £25, and that for a ticket between Christchurch and Dunedin from £50 fco £33. As a matter of fact the ticket which is at present issued for £50 is available over the whole of the Middle Island rail-* ways. The issue of sectional tickets Bhould not imply the withdrawal of tickets issued, as at present, for a whole island. For sectional tickets there will probably be a brisk demand. Their availability will certainly be recognised by the mercantile com munity as a boon. In regard to season tickets, Mr Ward announces material reductions, and the new tariff of ordinary passenger fares is distinctly a liberal one. The rates for single tickets are to be Id per mile for second-class passengers, with an advance of 50 per cent for first-class rates. This is a very con siderable reduction which will be, as Mr Ward anticipate?, fully appreciated by the public. Bufe every person who leaves his home to travel on the railway

does so with the intention of returning at some time or other. A return fare is, however, when the alterations come into force, to be the rates of two single fares, and the traveller will conse quently find that his return fare is not much less than it is now. He will, however, enjoy the advantage that he is under no limit as to the duration of his stay away from home. The in ducement which at present exists, and of which many people freely avail themselves^ to defraud the Government by the transference or other improper use of return tickets will no longer prevail. The decision o! the Minister to remove all the restrictions with regard tp the period for which tourist tickets are available will also be gener ally recognised as a wise one. Another point in Mr Ward's declaration of rail way policy that may be approvingly mentioned is bis intention to supply a much needed improvement in th« ac commodation provided in the second class carriage?, and to arrange for in* creased facilities for the sale of tickets. The outdoor staff of the department will hail with the keenest satisfaction the decision of Mr Ward to make regulations which will open for the deserving and intelligent and aged men reasonable opportunities of becom ing stationmasters. This is as it should. At present there are numbers of stationmastera who are thoroughly capable of either superintending the station, or, if necessity demanded, running the trains. There are others, however, and they are extremely numerous, who are ignorant of the most elementary rules for safely runn ing a train and who have the most vague ideas of how to protect a train in case of accident. Mr Ward's opinion that "it is only right that men who are constantly required to attend to trains on Sundays should have some pa} meat for the work " will awake an answering echo throughout the colony,

Local and General.

The ORMAZON~Th9 Ormazon, which coa veys the remounts to South Africa, sails on Monday.

Proposhd Bacon Factory—All interested are reminded of the meeting in the Agricul tural and Pastoral Association's rooms on Saturday afternoon, at 3 o'clock, to hear the decision of the Freezing Company's direc tors.

Fire Inspector.—The Borough Council notifies that Mr JH Pauling has been ap pointed fire inspector for the borough, in place of Mr A A Fooks, resigned. Pretoria Night—A correspondent writ ing to the Press protests against the waste of money proposed in connection with " Pre toria night," aad asks the suggestion of some more Suing demonstration. "We are eiok of processions aud torch ights" he says. A Sanctuary tor Docks.—Milford lagoon and its tributaries has been permanently reserved as a sanctuary for will ducks and other aquatic fowls* Home misapprehension appears to have arisen over this matter, which has now been settled by reference to i the Colonial Secretary. Personal -Mr L. J. McGregor, of Mount Somera, who recently hud a email bone in the ankle joint broken by a kick from a horae, is doing as well as could be expected, and expects to be about again in a few weeks. He is an inmate of Mre Cullen'e establish ment). ' Astronomy.—Quite a crowd was gathered last night m Baling Square, where Mr S. Ooopei had erected a large telescope through which those who felt inclined oould view the ■tars for a trifling fee. Venus, whioh is U9t o -> w an evening planet, of great brilliancy, attracted much attention. Indian Famine Fund—The amount col. lected at the Baring Square Wesleyan Church for this fund stands as follows: ~ Previously acknowledged, £24 6s ; Rev Fee, 41 6d ;W T Kingston, bi; Craigkead and Berryman, sa; T Andrews, 3s 61; W Sparrow, £1; W H Collins and Co, £2 2a ; John Orr, £2 2s ; total, £30 B*. Yesterday this sum was sent to Rev James Cooling, Rayapettah College, Madras, MovKTAiNOtrs WAVBa.-rThe second mate of the e.B. Wainui informed the Marlhorough Express that in his ten years' experience at S'-a he never saw waves anything like equal to the mountainous waves in tne Straits on Wednesday week. A passenger on his way to Christchuroh, via Wellington was properly scared *fc the sight, and landed At Picton when the boat pub back to go over* land to h*s home.

Life on a Newspaper Staff.—A lino type operator, subpoenaed to serve on the common jury at the criminal sessions, Christ church, pleaded to be excused on the ground that he had been at wnrk all the previous night and was to begin agtin abseven o'clock in the evening. While allowing him per mission not to aerve on the jury on Tuesday, because it was unreasonable that a man should work all day and all night also, his Honor ordered him to attend on the follow ing morning, and suggested that he had better make some other arrangement regard ing his work, pointing oub, although he regarded these applications as reasonable, particularly in the case of chemists, the legislation did not say that either chemists or lirotype operators shouM be exempt, and he could not rule so ; subsequently a printer was refused leave on the same ground. Board of Education—The North Canter bury Education Board held its ordinary meeting yesterday. The only items in the prooxdingi of interest to this district were the following:—The Appointments Committee reported that the attendance at the Tinwald school, did not warrant the appointment of an assistant mistress, and the original ar rangement could not be departed from; that) the average of certain schools—amongst them being Chertsey—not entitling them to the eetvices of mistresses, the Board be re* oommsnded to propose bo the Committees the removal of the respective assistant teachers. The Chairman and Meißrs Hardy and Peryman, were appointed a committee to visit Fairten, aud report on tha applica tion foe a aohool there. The resolutions from Rakaia South deprecating the decision of the Board, to reduce teachers salaries and incidental allowances were received. Catholic Literary Society. — This popular Society held its usual weekly meet ing in the Boya* School on Wednesday even ing. There was a large attendance, and Mr L. Hanrahan (President) occupied the etmr. The attraction of the evening was centred 1 in a card tournameufr, in connection with i which a membsr cf the Society had , generously contributed two handsome prizes for firet and second respectively. The tournament, waa a keenly oontaated one, and 1 waa the means of contributing plenty of fan i and amusement for those present. After a i oiuple of hours playing gsrnes were tallied up, with the result thai J Brankln secured 1 fi-sb and W. Soal second honour*. The winners, in suitable speeches, the • donor cf the prizes, and a most enpyable 5 evening's entertaiomenb was brought to a I close in the usual manner. The programme set down for next Wednesday evening, 1 namely— 11 A triil by jury," was postponed ' fora fortnight.

Mohb Trucks Needed —The Hon. W. J. steward, M.H.R. (says the No>th Olago Hmesl, has written to the Hod. J. G. Ward, Minister for Railways, regarding the com plaint of the Waikakahi settlers as to the a oar city of trucks. Both at Morven and at GHsnavy there was urgent need of more truckts, at the latter place 5000 sacks of grain were awaiting to be forwarded, and were exposed to the weather. The necessity for a grain shed was urgent, and the station yard required fenoing, else an aocident would happen Mr Steward urged the Minister to visit his district and inspect the stations from Studholme to Waihao, Timarn to Fair lie, Oamaru to Kurow, and O*maru to Tokn-rahi lines, bo that he might be better able to understand the necessities of these lines; The Minister, In his reply, said a grain shed was to be built at Glenavy, and the station yard would be fenced. With regard to the alleged insufficiency of trucks, every effort was being made to overtake the work of carrying the grain, but considering the shortage of storing and shipping at Timaru, the Waikakahi settlers had been well attended to. " Ourselves as Others She Us."—Our friends are generally too polite to tell us our | faults; but they seldom fail to observe the Scaud style of our clothes. Young men who want to make good impressions, must bear in mind that " appearance goes a long way." An ill-fitting suit is uncomfortable, and an " eye sore "to your friends. Don't risk it I if yon are a stranger here, the first well dressed oitizen you meet will I gladly direct you to " The Leading Tailors" where you will always find a large assort ment of "Up to date" suitings to select from, and where you can always depend on getting satisfaction. The large and still increasing busineßS done by Messrs Craig head & Berryman speaks volumes. This firm has just imported probably the finest stock of new Seasons tailoring goods ever shown in Aehburton, includiug a beautiful range of the new rain-proof Beavers and Meltons for Covert coats and Chesterfield overcoats, both fashionable and durable.

LETTER FROM EAST LONDON.

Mr C. E. Kendall, who represents Messrs Murgatroyd Bros, at Ashburton, has received an interesting letter from a friend in the telegraph department at East London. Tha writer thnks it would be a great mistake for anyone to go to Cape Colony with a view to bettering his position. He says everything there is cut just) as fine as in Victoria. Speaking of wages he says grocers get about £10 per month, foremen on railways 8d per hour, police About) £3 per month, while board costs about) 25s per week. The labouring work in thai country is done by Kaffirs for a few shillings a week. Johannesburg Is described as a better place, but there was an immense crowd of people waiting to go there The writer mentions the report thab there are hundreds of miles of reef at Johannesburg that Kruger would not allow to be opened up* With the British in possession he thinks these should bourn. All the wheat and meat used at East London ia imported, and the writes says there arc hundreds and hundreds of miles in the colony where the country is worse than the " Old Man Plains " in New South Wales. He had seen the New Zealanders at East London, and At the time of writing, 29th March, about ten thousand troops had been landad there. The people of East London looked oa the Australian troops as "terrors to fight." The writer is evidently a bachelor, and from bis remarks on the East London young ladies it is to be gathered he thinki there are no girls to compare with Viotorian ones. H« scorns the idea of being captured by a Boer lam.

THE LANGER'S PROPERTY RESTORED.

The Oxford correspondent of the JFtess writes:—-" The Oxford Committee imposed upon two of their number a very pleasant duty, that of bearing to the Langer family the key of their cottage and the glad tidings i hat their old home was again their owe The two gentlemen appointed, accompanied by Mr Hugh Hoare, of the Terminus Hotel, their horses slipping and floundering along the muddy track up the steep mountain side, arrived at the cottage at about 2.30 on Saturday afternoon, and oommunioated the glad tidings to the mother and daughter, who welcomed thj party as smilingly and effu sively as one could expeot. The bußinees being completed, one of the party noticed a fiddle sticking in the thatch, and quickly proved that he was no stranger to the bow. The merry tune set the oldest man of the party dancing, and be performed tuoh grobeeque figures on the slippery clay that the old lady laughed as she had not laughed for many a year, and then, after cordially shaking hands with the mother and daugh ter, the three men left for home, with feelings of pride and thanksgiving.that they had performed this act on behalf of those who so generously assisted in restoring these people to their home. 1 have the authority of the Committee for saying—and I am also sure that I eoho the feelings of the generous contributors—that we tender our heartfelt thanks to The Press, whioh opened its columns, and took the initiative ia removing this reproach from us.

RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

An Early Conflict Expected.

United Press Association—By Eleofcric Telegraph—Copyright.

(Reoeived Wakapuaka May 50, 6 50 p m, This Office 7.30 p m)

Hong Kong May 29 The American military tuttaches at Pekin have been sent to Tokio, which is construed to mean that an ear'y conflict betweeu Russia and Japan ii expected.

Interprovincial.

United Press Association —By Bleotrio Telegraph Wellington, May 30 It is stated that the oo ß t of deviating the railway line from Upper Hutb into the Wairarapa district, thus avoiding the Rinw taka mountain would be a quarter o f a million pounds. M Ab the Supreme Court Herberb Doughty pleaded guilty to theft at Masterton and was remanded. W. Lioius C*rey, oa a charge ef aasaalt with intent upon William James Robertson at Featherston, pleaded noc guilty. The cure occupied the Court the whole day Ooe of the cables between Lyell and White's B*ys, which traverses Cook Straits, broke during the recent stormy weather, but the department assert no inconvenience is caused, as the other cables are quite oipablo of carrying the work. The break is a few miles from the Lyell Bay end. Daring April 997 people arrived in the culoay, white the departures were 1885.

There was Do demonstration in town on the announcement of the cnpture of Johan nesburg, but fl*gs were hoisted over the post offitie and also at many of the mercan tile offices, Christohuroh, May 30 , News of the capture of Johannesburg was greeted by a great display of fligs, but no other public demonstration was made. At the Supreme Oonrt today, William | Henry Day was found not guilty on a charge of fraud under the Bankruptcy Ac*. The following motion was car-ied at a meeting of the Education Board to-day : — | " Thab this Board is of opiniou that clauses ! six and seven of the Sohool Attendance Act should contain a minimum penally of » substantial amount, as the usual fine of from Is to 2s fails to induce a better alter danoe of truant children, and the Board's efforts to provide education for all children in their district is much hampered in can sequence." A cable from Sydney states that Messrs Wark and Burland's collie Armobsarer won three firsts and the championship at the show of tba Keanel Club of New South Wales. In consequence of the high prices now ruling for fat sheep the loc*l butchers have decided to raise the price of mutton all round by $d per Ib. Invekcakgim-, May 30 This being the half>holiday, the news of the occupation of Johannesburg drew a large crowd to the band rotunda this afternoon. Speeches were m*de by the Hon J G Ward And several others. To-night the town is being traversed by motley bands and pro* oesaions, and there is great) enthusiasm.

Tie Auckland Assault Case.

United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph

Auckland, May 50 The Adjourned inquest touching the death of Alfred James Boonstra, who died at the hospital last Friday, was continued to-dity. Constable Finnerty, who is charged with having assaulted Boonstra by kicking him ao as to cause him aotual bodily harm was in attendance, The depositions of deceased stating that Finnerty had kioked him were supported by the evidence of deoeaied's companion, Maslem, but other evidence went to show that deoeased was walking about apparently all right some time after the assault is said to have been committed! The defence is understood to be an absolute denial.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Electric v Telegraph Copyright. New York, May 29 The? Prize Court has allotted Admiral Dewey forty thousand pounds prize money in connection with the campaign at Manila.

Parii, May 30 M Gallifet, Minister of War, has resigned, declaring his health ib broken and he is unable to bear the present strain. General Andre succeeds him. London, May 2$ Mr Borchgrevick, the Antarctic «x< plorer, has arrived in London.

Mr Goschen states that he wai amazed to find that though the wood work of thb Belleisle was terribly knocked about, she was not act on fire by the Majestic* gun-fire

May 30 In connection with the solar eclipse, the position of the green ray was determined and measured for the first time.

(Thß green ray referred to is a specfcro soopio line in the green, due to the presence of some unknown element in the sun's chro mosphere. It was particularly remarked at ths great eclipse of 1893 )

Sir Robert Peel has been committed for trial for libelling hi 3 sister's hus band, Mr Vonderhaydfc, trustee of the Peel estate. He used the epithets " blackguard" and "blackmailer." Sir R. Peel attempted to plead justification, but tbe plea was not permitted at that stage of the trial.

THE REVOLT IN ASHANTI.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright London, May 30 Lieutenant Slater and aevaral Hau« saa were isolated going to Kumasi and were killed.

Commercial.

ASHBURTON STOCK MARKET

Messrs Fried Under Bros , Limited, report I upon the live stock market for the week ' ending May 30, as follows-—On Tuesday I last the ueual tale was held at the Ashbut-1 ton yarde. There was a fair entry of stock, he bulk ot it consisting of butchers' and fre.z ng sheep, and prices for these showed a decided improvement on recant prices. There were several lines of good freezers, amongst them being a line of fat wetberß' grazed by Mr A H Aryton of Bea<ield, and sold by us at 20s Id. Butchers' sheep atao sold well, crossbred ewes making from 12a 6d up to 14 61, merino wethers up to 9j 6J. The entry for the day consisted of 5122 Nheep, 32 rams, 31 cattle^ and 1 pig. Our entry was made up of 2123 sheep, 10 rams, and 8 cattle (including a line of 661 sheep sold in conjunction with the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association}. The following are the sales :—9O fat hull bred ewes 13s lid, 100 fat merino wethers 9s id, 30 fab balfbred ewes 13s sd, 136 tat wethers 181 7d, 168 fat ewes and wethers 16s, 13 crossbred lambs 8s lid, 138 two and four-tooth wethers 14s 6d, i; 6 crossbred ewes and rums 10s" Bd, 661 orossbred wethers Us lOd, 68 f&t wethers 20) Id, 141 fat lambs Us 7d Cattle—l fat heifer £5 15s, 1 f»t steer £5 ss, 2 fat steers £3 3s, 1 fat oow £5 2s, 1 fat beifer £4 19f, 1 fat heifer £4 10s, 1 Jersey bull £1, 1 springer £4 15s, 1 cow in profit £2 10a. During the week we sold privately 295 cross bred wethers 18s, 219 merino wethers IGj 6d, 64 crossbred ewes 16s 6d.

CHRISTCHURCH GRAIN AND PRO DUCE MARKETS.

There is (till but little buiaeas to record in connection with the grain markets. The oats market is lifeless, and offerings are much beyond the requirements of purchasers. The recent heavy rains in New South Wales have pttt a stop to any farther orders coming from Sydney. Some 2000 sacks of potatoes were shipped by the Zealandia on Monday to fiil orders, bat as no new orders are coming to hand from Sydney, exporters are not anxious to purchase, and 22s 6d at country stations is the best price generally offered. The following a re current price* paid to farmers, f.o.b. Lyttelton, for direct shipment from country stations and frea of commieiion, except where otherwise specified :— Wheat—Hunter's 2t 2d to 2s 3d, pearl and velvet 2* 3d, and Tuscan 2s 4d, Oats—Canadian Is 9d", short) feed Is 81, Dp as and Danish Is 7d Barley (nominal)— Prime malting Is lOd tOl 9 3d dJ l* IT* oAA Beans-2, 3d to 2-W Few -Prussian bl«es 2» to 2s 3d, P"tridge 2s to Zs 5d . on *°, Ufeoei T hl tw«ntt > June W»wy, 22^ 6d, country stations _ Omons--2256d to 27i 6d, delivered O»tsheaf Ch ff - 503 at near country ««1OC" „,,.-..„•-,. , . \ w ft^f? s l to £3 1O '» d«livered '» P»mMt B„ ' « S"„ , 4 , n , Grass Seed-Ryegrass, farmers'lott Is 9J to 2s, prime heavy town dree ed, 2s 6d t« _2s 3d, cocksfoot 2^d to 2| i tor bright "ed» J? M to*-«tw.good, cow 4|i to sd, white clover 6d to ?id.

ADDINGTON STOCK MARKET.

United Press Association—By Eleotrio

Telegraph

Chkistchurch, May 30 The entries at Addington tc-ri»y were—* 7300 fat sheep, 1500 fat lambs, 7000 store sheep, 451 cattle, 411 pigs. Fat Cattle,—2l7 on offer, the entry being mixed, heifers predominating. The bidding waa erratic, and a good many were passed. A reduction of fully 61 per 100lb must be recorded. Best steers brought 'from £7 to £8 17 < 6d and up to £9 10s for a few extra good, others £4 17a 6d to £6 10s ; heifers £3 17s 6d to £7; cows £3 5s to £6 12s 6d.

Fat f"HREP. -There was a mixed entry, including a fair proportion of prime freezers and good ewee. Buyers of fretzers were operating carefully, and there was a drop of Is 61 per head. Butchers' sheep were alto easfer. I xtra heavy wethers up to 22v freezers 16* SI to 19s, lighter 15s to 16s, beet ewes 16* to ]B<i2d l others 13a to 15a, merino we. hen lls 3d to 12a. Fab lambs included a few really good sorts, bat also a number ef secondary quality. Better sorts were in derand, but ihe not finished sorts were neglected. A few extra prime brought 18a to 20* i ordinary fre«z -ra \3t to 15s Id, butchers' sorts Us to 12« 61. The store sheep yarding compr'sed mostly wethers and lambs, and these met; with rather a better Bale, but in several oases owners reserves stood in the way of business. Forward wethers 15s to 15s 6d, others 13a 3d to 14a 6d, lambs 3i lid to lls 3d. Only one line of ewes changed hands at 13a 3d. Figs.-—Fat pigs held their own bat stores were hard to quit. Baooners 30s to 35s for ordinary, and up to 39s for extra heavy or 3d per lb ; porkers 21s 6d to 28a or 3£d per lb ; stores 8s to 14s; suckers and weaners 2s 6d to 58.

GERALDINE STOCK MARKET

At the Geraldine Bale (upper yards) yester day the entry of sheep waa about 4000. The biddiog waa good, and prices were better by Is per head than lasb aale. The entry of cattle was a amall one and prioea were not np to late rates. The piga were very few in number and prices poor. Sxbsf—Lambs lla 7d, 13s Id. 8s 4d, 8a 7d, 12a 7d; fat wethers, 16a 2d; fat cross bred ewes 12s 3d to 14s Id, crossbred ewes in lamb Hi 6d, 149 4d, 18a 3d; forward withers 14a, 13s 6d, 15s6d {freezing wethers and ewes 12s, 15s lid to 17s 4d.

Cattkb — Fat heifers £3 l?a 6d to £5 12t 6d } dry oqwi 50a, yearlings 87a 6d to 30s; steers, 40a.

Pigs—Weaners 8a 3d, 8a 6d to 10i baooners 41a to 43a.

THE LATEST.

Australian

United Preai Association—By KUetrio

Telegraph—Copyright

Received Wak&puaka May 31, 930 am This Office 10-11 am) New Zealand Collies in Australia. Sydney, May 31 At the Kennel Club Show, the New Zealand dog Armabearer was awarded the championship for collies.

DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER BILL.

United Press Association—By Eleotrlo

Telegraph—Copyright

London, May 29

In the division in the Home of Lords, the Prince of Wales, and the Dukes of York and Uonnaught, voted for the Deceased Wife's Sister Bill, and Lord Salisbury, Lord Halsbury, the Archbishop of York and Bishop Moorhoase against it. Lord Oarring ton cited the ease of the Rev. G, Poyn der, a Church of England Minister in Victoria, recently suspended for twelve months by the Bishop of the Diocese , for marrying his deceased wife's I

sister.

A CRISIS IN FRANCE.

United Preu Association—By Eleetrlo Telegraph—Copyright Paris, May 29 In the Chamber of Deputies the Nationalists accuaed M. Rossbau of connivance to reopen the Dreyfus caao, An attempt to sow discord be tween General Oailifut and M. Rob seau failed, and a vote of confidence was carried by a large majority, after a number of violent scenes in the Chamber.

OUR VOLUNTEERS.

General Owen's Report

General Owen, R.A., iv his report on col onial forces B»jb :—The standard of shooting io the forces, aft a whole, >• tot a very high eve, though in the country oorps it is usually very good ; but the average is -pulled down by tbofe or the towns. For want of lands, as in thfi case of drill-halle, the rifla ranges near the cities a*e generally insufficient; bat in the country districts it is easy to obtain th«m, there being ample wa*te or pattoraS land for the purpose ; the d ffiouity there

lies in the distances most men hare to go to reach the range*, the population being so scattered. There are a large number of men sparsely spread over a very large area in the bush, backwoods and veldt, who are well accustomed to the use of the rifl* in shooting Urge game, etc.—sxcellent material for mounted infantry, for they all ride well; but for the most part it is not possible, so scattered ore they, to get them together for any organisation or drill, R,fl a assoeiatlons, including members cf the foroes, of rifle clobs, and civilians exist, and are of much benefit, but, as in England, " pot-hunting" is too much encouraged by them. General Owen sums up the policy whioh he would like to see adopted in the future as follows ;—

A thorough reorganisation will be neces sary in many ways, both in Australia and South Africa, but its form will depend much oo the reorganisation of our own forces. If, for instance, ballot for the militia in some

form be introduced in England—it it heartily hoped that it will be—the colonies may follow suit; in any cve 1 ft will be necessary to have an Imperial defence scheme much more thoroughly worked oat, and the forces of our coloniei definitely brought Into it, for we mutt stand or fall together. The nature of force to which the condition* of each arc most favourable, they should be encouraged to maintain in greater rambers. But uniformity #/ arms, guns, tijtes, and ammunition, both in their forces and in our own, should, if possible, be determined on. They nustb* completely admitted into oar councils as to Imperial defence. The Mother Oonntry, rich in aooumn'sted wealth —where many a rich oolonist spend* bil last days, and his money—should liberally aid (by loans on the easiest terms, or other wise) in the capital expenditure neoescary for the amfle tufjiy ef field guns and rifles of tke latest type, in both of whioh they are now wofally deficient*,

TRANSVAAL WAR.

The Future of South Africa.

Speech by Lord Salisbury

Xnrolidoa Colonial!

Sisurkrili Sieftpts

Boer Treachiry

Waited Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright

Loxdok, May 30 Lord Salisbury, speaking at the din ner of the City Conservative Olub, paraphrased tho speech delivered by him at the end of last year, in which he declared that Britain sought no territory in South Africa. It wasi useless to say that desire for territory led Britain to war. This was one of the atrocious calumnies spread under the favouring iojßuvnce of Dt Leyds, but Britain's desire was to stop oppression. The contest proved that he was unpledged. The terrible sacri fices implied that the war would never recur. No shred of the former inde pendence of the Republics would remain. The settlement, depended largely on the temper and attitude of thair enemies, who had so acted that every severance of class and race was intensified by every measure they had taken, Reconciliation would be diffi cult, requiring much time, but Britain would endeavour to cause the rtoolloc* tion of the war to perish. They would follow their traditional policy of »p ---peaeement, afiVction and mutual co operation, hoping before many yean that the affection uniting the Sooth African colonies and Britain would be equally keen with thatexisting between Australia, Oaaada, and Mother Coun try.

Sydney, May 30 Amongst the returned war invalids is Strong,, a Queenalander, who had a remarkable asoape. A Mauser bullet went clean through hit body penetrat ing bit stomach and liver, and just missing the spine, At the time Strong received the wound a party of Queeni landers was retiring before a large body of the enemy. Trooper Tbomp* son gAve^Stroog a drink, and led hie horse for over a mile under a heavy fire.

Oorporal Owens, of the New Sooth Wales Mounted Biles, received four bullets in his harersack before being badly wounded ip the hip. He lode refuge in a jackal hole. Sergeants M'lntosh and Farham rode back under a fearfully heavy fire and rescued him, Lieutenant Edwards, of the New South Wales Medical Corps, writing from Bloemfontein, gives the following instance of treachery :—" Some time ago the Intelligence Department was warned against a certain family, bat apparently took no heed. Whilst one Miss X one evening entertained ft party of officers, the other mounted a bipycle and rode tq the Boer pamp, where she gave such information that we lost a convoy and had threo hundred casualties, 1'

Trooper Eap&w, of the Australian Horse, who was a prisoner at Pretoria, escaped, ani bac reached Mafeking.

The Capture of Jahannesburg.

Received Wakapuak* May 30,10 45 pm This office, 11 45 pm» London, May 30 Lord Roberts telegraphs from Qer mißton, a suburb of Johannesburg, on Tuesday evening that he had arrived there, and was not seriously opposed. There were no casualties in the main column and he trusts few among the cavalry and mounted men. The enemy did not expect them until to-morrow, therefore they had not removed all the rolling stock. He is in possession of the railway junction connecting Jo hannesburg with Natal, Pretoria, and Klerksdorp. Johannesburg is reported quiet. Lord Roberts says:—"l under stand the mines are. uninjured, and shall summon the Commandants in the morning, and, if, as I expect, I am unopposed, will enter the town with all the troops at noon. The clemency extended to the Natal and other rebels is entirely provisional, and is awaiting the Queen's decision."

Sergeant Brock, the New Zealander, died of enteric fever at Bioemfontein. (Received Wftkapuak* May 30, 9,25 p m iltis Office 10.22 p.m) Sydney, May 30 The news of the capture of Johan nesburg caused another outburst of

THE ASfifcUßTOfc ; THcKSDa?, MAt 31, 1900



Wm. Strange { "%*£££* } Thos. Coverdata A TRIP TO TOWN Is not always PRACTICABLE. Consequently, MANY LADIES residing in Ashburton and District find it IMPOSSIBLE to visit the Establishment of STRANGE & CO. as OFTEN" as they could DESIRE. Their annoyance is natur^ cn°ugh- EXPERIENCE has taught them that the big City Establishments, SUOHAJ OURS, offer them THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY r and the WIDEST CHOICE OF GOODS. But such Ladies can always SHOP WITH US BY POST, as HUNDREDS already do, because they know we are LARGE BUYERS, LARGE IMPORTERS, LARGE MANUFACTURERS. It isabo.pretty generally known now .that WE BUY EVERYTHING FOR READY MONEY, and that we have a LONDON HOUSE which keeps us supplied all the year round, not merely with plain, every-day goods, such as are in constant demand, but with The Latest London and Continental Novelties in Mantles, Costumes, Millinery, Corsets, Gloves, Dresses, Dress Goods, Under wear, Children's Goods, &c. And Our Dressmaking Department bl<sely resembles a West-End of London Establishment Our new French Dressmaker, MADAME BOUTEAUD, is acknowledged to be a IKUJi. ARTISTE. . Her creations are the theme of GENERAL ADMIRATION, while our Misa Mazet (in charge of our second room) continues to give the utmost satisfaction to her numerous patrons. I As Bespoke Tailors, we have acquired a HIGH REPUTATION. We make Stylishly-cut Suit (splendid workmanship and material) from £B 3s. Those who prefer Ready-made Clothing will find our famous -ORIENT" BRAND CLOTHING (in all sizes), the NEAREST APPROACH to MADE-TO-ORDER GOODS in the Market— and at about HALF THE PRICE. Furniture we Supply Direct from our Factory to the People at Factory Prices. We also have a BEBDIFG FACTORY (for supply of pure sweet; bedding), a WISE MATTRESS FACTORY, and a BLIND FACTORY (under the charge of those famous Blind-Experts, Messrs. GEE). COUNTRY RESIDENTS, If you CAN'T come to town to see us, you can always . . t Shop with us by Post. though you had delivered it in person. POST FREE ON APPLICATION. Estimates for House-Furnishing, Blind-Making, Bedding, Wire Mattresses, ■ &c Patterns of our LOVELY NEW WINTER DRESS MATERIALS, and our NEW SEASON'S SUITINGS, TROUSERINGS, T>VERCOAT INGS, &c. (together with full directions for self-measurement), Post-Fkjsb . oh application to GHRi&TGHURGH, GUNS. GUNS. GUNS. CartuJges O«"tiMges! Cartridge.-. Shot, C a p_B_ W ads. BEFORE Buyfne any of the above Sporting Requisites call on " THK PEOPLE'S IRONMONGER," who has a splendid selection of Huns, etc, by ali the best known makers. Prices, TOOLSI TOOLS! TOOLS! eTHAT IIMSNBY SAVED 18 MONEY EARNED & BUY FROM Gn/rnnnTATC \ the people's practical iron- MJKUUI JN O, / MONGER, Burnett Street. " Agent for Cleveland and Imperial Hover Bicycles, New Zealand • ■OLQTHINC FACTORY, _ ■ V £5 r - <j WHY get wet when Sis will buy rf) . * .B P* WATERPROOF GOAT? t"1 g - & We »re ihowing » large Btook of Ooata, L , rH J J all oar own mftka and guaranteed thoroaghly f mT m% W H m j. Waterproof. H P B « » Jj We a!io have the latest chape Doable *~ ~^ —. ft 00 r&' Blasted Chesterfield Waterproofs, and if W' _, there in nothing to »uit you we will take ~^ H gjs jr your order and make you one. MH O A &* 150 Patterns to Choose From j H J - fes W Tweed Overcoats and Capes » * P-j from 19s 6d. >H Q 8 *| WILL KRKP YOU WARM & DRY. | .' . *J PH . Ooverb Coats in Fawn and Black. Good "1 O « q^ P—l value. Now is the time for warm|Uader- frmm^ § M^ clothing. J^ & K% . S»e Our Stock. Th» Larsest in Town W W H ■ J^J BIBBED L.W. PANT 6 from 2S 114 y-J C-j j r^ Notwitbttanding the advance in Wools >^ gj W« are selling at the same prices as last T-jf\ "S UJ Season havieg bought before the rise; § W^ _ CLI ®O M OLOTHING FAOTOBY. 55 F. H. BEOKINQSALB, Maaftger ' - ___ - ______j______---- . ■ ———i . . MISS BESSIE SIMMONDS. MBS JOHNSTON T\/IUSIO Seller and Teacher of the Violl-, LVL Music*! iMtruments of every deaorip* bioo VIOLINS a SPECIALITY. Mui.o TEACHER of the Pianoforte and and Songß by Jevery mat!. Firrt-clasa Qaad rilleßand. Blirne tt Street, h-m-mg. h veiMk streefc 485 Qppomte Pablißhing Company A Cinnamon Care, Wahoo, Koolibah of ,- —r r~, 4: Benjamin Gum go 2 ASHBUBTON OHiiARMAN QROS. have Urge efcook "* o , J(in "B " * D Loasby's Wahoo, Benpaiia Gum, I WMUU WJ> Koolibah, and (Sinaaaloo Gate, |



TO THOSE WHO ABE Sot !i heir Own Landlords. WHY Pay Rent when for a cash deposit you may become yonr own Landlord, and th v the weekly Rental yon are at present paying would leave something every week to go towards reducing the purchase money. As an example—A house for which a tenant p?.ya 7-) per week could in all probability oe purchased for £160. Thin, by keeping tie weekly rental paid for 14 yeais, would leave the properly fully paid for ; while if a tenant rem ins in the satno house for the same time without acquiring the fie - hold, and continues to pay the 7a per week rental, at the end of that time he will not own one foot of the timber or which the house is built. The following are a few of the Proper ties I have on »>y books for sale :— A comfortable Dwelling, situate in Burnett Street, the property of Mr John Newman, together with £ acre of land, planted with fruit treea. This property adjoins Dr. Hunter's residence, and as Mr Newman has recently purchased a larger house, thife is for immediate sale. F. FERRIMAN. A well built house of 7 rooms, situate in Peter btreec, together with | acre of 'and. There is also a detached wash-house (with copper and tank), woiksbep, and bathroom, * F; FERRIMAN. j SMITH'S ROAP, HGIHERB?. A house of 5 rooms, together wi'h 5 acres of hnd. This ia an opportunity seldom offered to those working at the Freezing Worka Giving ihe- workman ihe privilege of keeping a horse. F. FERRIMAN. A house of 6 rooms with ecuikry, § acre of land, eiluaed on the Wakanui Road, within eat>y distance of the centre of the town. F. FERRIMAJN Half acre of Land on the Beach Road, upon which is erected a comfortable house of 5 rooms and scullery. The land ia well stacked with fruit trees. F. FERB JMAN. ; Four Acres of laud atTinwald, situate, »n Carter's Terrace, upon which ia erected * Dwelling House of 9 rooms, detached washbfcuse, dairy, etc Also convenient -.tabling, consisting of 4 loose bcxee, trap house, and chaff-house. F. FERRIMAN. A capital. Building difce, situate on the North West Town Belt, containing one acre, beirg Lot 71. F. fERRIMAN A Farm of 320 Acres, situate within easy distance of the Fret zing Works. The property is wrII fenced and watered, and is foi immediate sale. F. FISR&IMAN. CAPITAL BUILDHG SITES IN AITKES & GRitY bTHEfcTS. I have for Sale a block of 5 Town Sections, admirably adapted for building purposes. - T 0 T~E T SEAFIELD ROAD. A VERY Convenient Accommodation Paddock, containing seven acres, laid down in grass. F. FHWRIMAN. TO LET. A COTTAGE of 4 Rooms and Scullery, together with one acre oil '*u(* at AUenLon. Apply F. FKIIIIIMAN. DATES, LOMYMD CO. EOR Gas Lamps, 15s Each- Shipment of Bells and Carbide Just to Hand. OATEB, LOWRY AND CO-, Burnett Street. APPLES, PEARS, BANANAS, ORANGES, LEMONS, WALNUTS, PUMPKINS?, ONIONS, POTATOES, OHIOKFEBD, Etc. \IT7 E have made arrangements with growers for Regular Supplies of all descriptions of Frait and Produce right through the Winter Months, and can now supply in any quantity at Lowest Market Prices. NICOLL BROS. Grain & Produce Merchants. THE RAPID LIGHTNING GLOSS THE ONLY RELIABLE FHIBT POLISH IN THE WORLD. 1%/TRS MILLKR, of Dunedin, tho Pro feaeional Laundress, says :—lb is the best I have ever used. It makes Shirt Ironing pleasure. ,Wiae Mothers and Sisters try ib ani save your atrengtl, temper, and patience. Once tried, always used ' Sold in tins at SHEARMAN BROS 1 & JOHN ORR & CO. SJJ6 FOR SALE, On Account and by order of the Mortgagee p? X ACRES 1 Rood 22 Perches, fronting 0 U the sea-beach near Kyle, with a small building thereon, being R.S. 27962. Exceptionally easy terms of payment can be arranged. Full particular* farnfshed on application T, BULLOCK Agent The reliable Family Remedy Woods' Great Peppermint Cure for Coughs and Colds— l»6d and 2s 64



The Jubilations,—At a well-attended meeting of the Drapers and Clothiers of Ash burton, held last evening, it was unani mously decided to take a prominent part in the celebrations to be held on tha taking, by the British, of Pretoria, or proclamation of peace whichever event takes place first. After considerable discussion, ib was resolved bo form a procession consisting of the princi pals and all employees of tho several firms, with banners, tbe procession to be headed with an elaborate tableau* The idea was taken up with great enthusiasm, everyone present expressing their determination to do I their utmost to make the aff*ir a success. A small committee was formed to arrange details. Smokp New Yenug



Unequalled and lavinoible, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure for Coughs And Golds, Is 6d *nd 2e 6d



Wade's Worm Figs, the wonderful Worm Worrier*, never fail for Adults or children



Smoke New Yeans