Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1900. "NO GOING BACK!"

Cabled just recently that " Dr. Leyda states the initial conditions of peace include the cession of territory and seaports." Which, of course, is very kind of Dr Leyds, but all things considered, just a little bit " too previous" on his part. Though probably Mr Herbert Gladstone and the Knvjlish peace-at-any-price party would be prepared to cede South Africa, just oa it stands, lock, stock, ; and barrell, to the Boers provided only " this cruel war" could be brought to an end. And yet the present disastrous war is the fruit or the fatal " patch it up " policy pursued by Herbert Glad stone's father, W. E. Gladstone, and his colleague?, after Majuba in 1881 We know now that the Boers hnv« been steadily preparing for the present conflict ever since the inglorious peace of twenty years ago. •• Remember," Buller is reportrd to have said to his men, on a recent memorable occasion, " there can be no going back." And that phrase, which promises to becqiuo as historic as Nelson's signal on the morning of Trafalgar, aptly expresses the course that England is bound to follow in South Africa now. Ihere can be no going back. It i 3 idle to talk of peace. If England patched up the present trouble as she did that of twenty years ago, it must be at a terrible price—the price of her honour. She must lose prestige in the eyes of the nations and sink to the level of a third rate power. No, it is a duel (o the death. There is more at stake than South Africa. The qnairel must be fought out to (he bitter end. The cable told us but the other day that the English Ministry vras threatened with loss of office, owing to the public indignation over the un preparedness of England for war, and over the want of knowledge and fore sight displayed by the Home authori ties. The public indignation is justified. Had England shewn a strong hand when the trouble first arose, and landed a sufficiently Jarge body of troops, at once to inspire respect—and instil fear —in the breast of the foe, the Boer difficulty might be vow (probably woald he) a thing of the past, thousands of lives might have been spared, and millions of money saved, The English military authorities did not take prompt and vigorous measures to quell the trouble with the Boers because thpy had no idea of their true strength, and, astounding as it may seem, believed that 20,000 British troops would bring Kruger to his knees. We see now the result of this culpable ignorance, this inexcusable lack of information and of foresight And as we have made our bed we must lie upon it " But there can be no turning back "

The Dunedin Star thinks that the suggestion made in a largely signed

address to the Duoodin BIS DAT, OJJI Patriotic Fund Com- CITO DAT. mittee to spend part

of the funds raised in remounts, or sending meo, is a good one, and asks :—" How would it do to devote a third of the money to the purpose of the Third Contingent, a third to remounts, and a third to the possible future necessities and responsi bilities of the New Zealand troops 1 The motives actuating the Committee in making the change could be ful'y explained in a oomraunieation to the Lord Mayor of London. At the same time an effort might be made to raise the Fund to at least £15.000. We make the suggestion with diffidence, recognising that the change involved is of a very complete character ; but we repeat that super6cial consistency must give place to the ultimate interests of the patriotic cause." For the opinion seems to be pretty general that while we are waiting to collect enough money for remounts and men valuable time and great opportunities are slipping away.

Local and General.

%* On the first page bo-day will be found Commercial,

Trotting at Auction—At Temuka on Tuasday (sale day) Mr James Guild was in strumental in getting 122 signatures to the petition againßb trotting at auctions.

Bkitannia.—As a number of those who were present at the Patriotic Concert are anxious to know the name of the lady who represented "Britannia," we may state that the character was portrayed by Mrs R. M. Cuthbertson.

A Rapid Diminution. —The Wairarapa Star says Auckland's water supply is dimini shing at the rate of 200,000 gallons per day. This is a fairly good leakage and surely needs looking into.

Aocidjsnt-—Mr Win. Biker met with a nasty accident at the brewery a few days ago. While deecendings some steps his foot slip; c*, md his leg went between two of the rung?, which broke the bone in three places, He ia now, however, progressing favorably

Threshing Facilities.—Messrs Wooding Bros., of Woodbury, W Greig, of Gleniti, and Messrs Preddy Bros., of Temuka, have each imported one of Clayton and Shuttle worth's latest improved machines for the coming season,

A Destructive Pess.—Brown-grey cater pillars are Baid to be doing great damage to some of the crops in the Geraldiae district. They are not attacking; wheat, but; show a strong preference for barley and young grass. The sparrows do not touch them, but the starlings are doing their best) to eradicate the pest.

The Premier a Vocalist—At the ban quet to the Hon. Mr Ward at Invercargill on January 30, one item on the programme was a eong by tbe Hon. Mr Seddon, " Hard times come again do more." In rising the Premier was vociferously cheered. Before commencing to sing he said a song was generally introduced into proceedings of the kind to give a speaker an opportunity of co' lecting his thoughts, ia bis §&ac t however he had to collect his thoughts while fee pang his Bong»—(Laughter.) The soag was heartily applauded, and an enthusiastic de> mand was m%de for an encore, to which the Premier aopuiesced, and sang a now song en titled " Our native volunteers."

l'AL£ TALjf.—Bays the Clutha Leader :— Mr W. 8. Pillana told a rather good story at the gathering at Stirling the other even ing. Coming out from Home, oop of the passengers was indulging in some tall talk ia 1 regard to the American battleships. Dis easing the probabilities ia the event of a war between Groat Britain and America, he bad no difficulty it? asserting that America would have an easy victory i# a naval kittle. "In faoti," he said, "I would aoi b,a a bit surprised to see the American cruisers towing three or four British ironclads into New York harbor.' So far the Yankee had beon doing most of the talking, bat a modesl looking Englishman, sitting some distance dowa the fcab'e, fairly smothered him. '' If they did, it wou^tl bake a much smarter man than Columbus to discover America the next j morning," b* wig,

Sudden Death—John Ha'ley, of Halle y and BwiDg, timber merchant's Wellington, died Buridenly (his morning.—Pious Associa tion telegram.

Unclaimed Letters—Letters from pkcet beyoud the colony addressed as under were received at the Anhburton Poet Office during iho month of November, 1899, and are still uncluinvd : Char. Aunett, John Hyland, •nd J. Mulvey.

KILLKD AT iCPION KOP—A Wellington Pro's ;:.e«i si>g!? ititoima ua tint th» lion Hill- Titvor, ae-istant Private Sec etary to the Governor, ha-? received a cable from the War * ffic;, stating th*t his younger htother was killed iv the fight at Spion E >p.

A Lively Time —We hear that Mr Gratta:i Giay, of the Hansatd staff, ia likely to have a iive'y tima of ie by und by, when he will be brought to book for certain articles he has contributed to the American press critic'Eing the policy of the New Zealand Government.

i Old Men's Home—With reference to our [ report of a oate heard on Thursday at the S.M, Court, it may be as well to explain that inmates who receive old age pensions are not necessarily compelled to leave ihe JJome, providing they hand over their pen sion certificates to the treasurer. On the other hand, the Board passed a resolution g'.rn^ time ago to the effect, " that no old »ge i pensioners ba admitted into any of the I Board's institution!."

Arson Case-—A charge of arson preferred against Sa>uh Jessie Buck, is being investi gated in the Wellington Magistrate's Court. The premises which had been occupied by :ceused wore destroyed by fire on December 21. The Crown allege th»t Mrs Buck had been unsuccessful in a sale of furnitnre, and wt.B in monetary difficulties, also that a prior attempt had been made to fire the building. The cane will occupy all day,— Press Association telegram.

The Patriotic Sports—We have been showu a number of views—fifteen in all —of the incidents of the Patriotic Sports gather ing by Messrs Halma and Co., which are extremely interesting, apart from their value as records, while, oca showing Mr McLachian addressing the crowd, is an admirabie picture. We understand that Merrs Halrna and Co. hay« undertaken to give twenty fine per cent of any money received from ithe sa'e of these pictures to the Patriotic Fund, and as they are priced at the low figure of two shillings each, Messrs Halma and Co. may reasonably expect to sell a good many picture*.

THE PATRIOTIC CONCERT.

In yesterday's issue we gave a report of His Worship the Mayor's speeoh at the opening of the concert, ab the conclusion of which His Worship was heartily applauded. The programme was then prooeeded with, but we mußb not forgeb to mention that the overture, •' Dorothy," by the Ashburton Musical Union, under the baton of Mr Horace Gates, preceded the speech, and was capitally rendered. Mr Wiiliam Brooking opened the vocal portion with his favourite '" British Lion," and it was at once observed that any item of & patriotic nature would be re-icmanded, and he was accorded an encore. '• Take This Message to my Mother," by Mrs Dee, was a sweet, pathetic air, and it is a compliment to the fair singer that the immense audience, of a kind usually im patient of high class music, gave it very hearty recognition. Professor Chamberlain's talking dolls were new to an Ashburton audience—in more than one respect—and caused merriment for both juveniles and their elders, and we hope to see them and the Professor in their respective capacities again. Mr McCiurg'a '• Jessie's Dream," (a reminiscence of the relief of Lucknow) as a violin solo, was a musical gem which the audience required repeating. Mr Kersal touched the right choid with " England Wi I See It Through," a tenor *GBg, of colonial composition, (Mr B. Fullei's, if we mistake not), and it was a pleasing it an and received a very hearty encore. Miaa Kathleen Orr'a rendition of •* Sons of New Britannia," was very piquant, and her vocalisation excellent. She was de serving of the encore demanded. Mr Garner supplied the comic element in •• Waiting For Him," but his voice was hardly powerful enough for so large an audience, and one thing essential in comic songs is distinct euunciatlon. The first portion of the programme concluded with the patriotic song, "The Absent-minded Beggar," (music by Mr Danges), sung fly Mr Sonwiriz, with an orchestra! accompaniment, and the audience p 'id their compliments to Mr S-jhwarta, by literally covering th* stage with coins, among which was the yellow glint of gold. Mr Schwartz wan vociferously applauded, and the composer was called but did not appear. The eeoond part of the pro gramme opened with the selection, "Sol diers of the Queen," by the Musical Uoioc Orchestra. The arrargemenfc of tha selec tion by Mr Gates was evidently well studied, and the even balancing of the parts achieved. Mrs H. Steel's item " Sing Sweet Bird," was rendered with the perfec ts on and sweetness, usually noticeable in her vocal efforts, and was much appreciated by the music-loviDg parties of the audience. Professor Knobticlder's Panorama, and his description of the views on the Hudson river, ware intensely fuuny. Mr Marsden's euphonium solo, was followed by a new and very appropriate song, " Sons of the South crn Cross," by Mrs Denshire, and this lady's fine voice has apparently losb none of its sweetness or power, and ebe certainly was heard to advantage, her reward being a vociferous encore. The words were written by Mr F Stopford, of Orari Gorge, and the muiio was composed by Mrs Charles Harper, both of whom are to be congratulated upon their success, Eight of Mr N. Fitz gerald's pupils, were then introduced by their teacher, and to music supplied by Master Cullen, of Eiffel tor, a very little fellow, danced two Irish dances, and the various movements by the young ladies and gentlemen, composing the set, were much admired, Mrs P Davaae supplied , them with patriotic badges as already de scribed in these columns; The effacb of . Messrs Wright and Flower* banjo duet, was marred by the noise at the back parb of the hall, but was nevertheless et joyable. The local volunteers then gave a camp scene with very good effect, the scene depicting a com pany enjoying themselves after an apparent day's manceuvree, and during the progress, Gapbain Dolman, Sergeant Schwartz, and Private Anderson, and an absent-minded tourist, who had accidently misraken the camp for one of harvesb time, enlivened the proceedings with song?. The evening's en joymeuto was brought to a close by the grand tableaux, " Rule Britannia," very well staged, the representation of Britannia being a really good one. Few men would mind being ruled by a Britannia so expuisite. The limelight was also a material advantage to the representation. The thanks of the com mittee are due to Mr H. A. Gates for sup plying the necessary music, and those of the public to the Committee for so excellent a programme.

THE LATEST.

Home and Foreign.

United Press Association —By Eleobrio Telegraph—Copyright

(Received Wakapuaka Feb, 3, 9.25 a.m, This Office 10 a.m).

Persia and Russia.

St. Petersburg, February 2 The bauds of Persia are tied for 75 yeaFa, Tfajs nejy loan secures the pro longation of the Russian concession granting the exclusive right to con stiuct railways in Persia.

Australian

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

(Received Wakapuaka Feb. 3, 535 a.m, Thii Office 10-32 &;mY Cape Cable Scheme. Brisbane, February 3 l>oy§rnment has taken a firm stand against the Gape gable scheme, and will take every means to faasre in'rejec ted, because it imperils the Pacific cable. The labour party, at a meeting, resolved to support the Government's option,

SUPPOSED BATHING FATALITY

Wellington, February 2

Tt> is feared thab a yout>g man, William R»ttray, aged 22, whose parents reside at Lawrence, Otago, was drowned while bathing ia Oriental Bay this morning. He was seen txt enter the water and later his clothes and his bicycle wero found on the boach. There was no sign of the body. It is thought ha rriust have been seized with orsmp or attacked by a shark. Rattray wn.s employed in the Scottish Metropolitan Life Assurance Company's < ffi ;e.

ROAD BOARD.

Upper As&imxton.

The ordinary meeting of the Upper Aeh burton Road Board was held iv the Board's Office, West Street, on Monday last. Pie sent—Messrs C J Harpsr (ahairman), B Campbell, M Stitt, S Tucker, and GAM Buckley. An apoloey was received for the absence of Mr I Sargent.

CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence was re ceived : —

From Mr 0 W Purnell, informing the Board thab the proprietors of the Winch moie esbsUe had tx°cuted a transfer of the five acres of R.B. 29002 which were some time since exchaugod for reserve 1944. From the receiver of land revenue, inform ing the Board he had paid to its credit at the Union Bank of Australia, the sum of £37 12s 6d on accounb of thirds acorued foe the quarter ending October 28, 1899. i From Mr D Thomas, forwarding valuation of the portion of road closed between R.S. 6428. 24660, 25901.

From Messrs C F and B E Todhunter, asking the Board to grant a refund of the rates which had been charged on the higher valuation, the valuation having been re duced. It was resolved that Messrs Tod hunler be granted a refund of the excess rate for 189M900.

From the Commissioner of Taxes, abating he bad sent on to the Treasury a voucher fur payment! of £31 oe, being balauca ot subsidy due for the year 1898-99. From the Paymaster General, informing the Board thai the sum of £31 ss, had been remitted to the credit of the Boards account at the Union Bank of Australia.

From the County Council's ranger, draw ing the attention of the Board to a water race ford near Messrs Capons property re quiring shingling. The clerk stated the work had bees attended to.

From Mr A Roberts, hon. secretary of the Borough and County Patriotic Fund, asking the Board's patronage on Thursday, February 1, to the demonstration in the domain, and the concert in the evening. The clerk was instructed to acknowledge the letter and reply that the Board has pleasure in giving it* patronage,

From Mr E Herring, informing the Board that) he had counted and paid for 1000 small birds eggs, and requesting to know if he had the Board's authority to collect and par for eggs found in this di trict* The clerk was instructed to reply, thanking Mr Herring for counting the eggs and the Board will be glad to accept his offer to take eggs and give the necessary authority.

TENDERS Tenders for cutting grass for seed or hay on the roads in this Board's district* The Chairman stated only two tenders had been received, and that of Mr George Elliott of £4 for the Swamp Road from Maronan crossing to Hinds railway station accepted.

The tender of Mr J H Cirlton was accepted for the shingling of the 220 chains more or less of McCactn'a road, ten yards of shingle bo the chain.

For the formation of the 120 chains of McCarm's road no tender for this work was accepted, and it was decided to hold the matter over for the present and call for fresh tenders later od.

KOLL ALTERATIONS

The clerk was instructed to submit the following to the supervising valuer for alteration subject to all races being paid to date:—From William Stokes to Mrs Emma Lena Stokes, lot 21, parb R S 8767; X MtCallum to James Clarke, lots J4 and 15, part R S 8767; Hugo FrierHaoder to W H Rule, lots 5, 6, 7, part R S 10091; Hugo Frieilander bo Charles Remmingtoa, lots 15, 16, 17, 18, parb R54905; F de G Maleb to Leoourd de C Malet, Clearwell Estate; Mtate af Mrs S Churoh to George Church, lots 89, 90, patb R S 7862 ; J Blacklcr to O J Styche, lot 3, parb R S 10091; J Harris to O J Styche, lots 13, 15, part R S 10091 and 608574 ; H H Sharplin to A Bringan, lots 1, 3, 19,21, part X S 8767; G Willers to Graham Roberts, lot 180, part R 8 6084. The clerk was instructed to make the alterations as authorised by the Valuer General on October 30 and December 11, 1899, and January 8, 1900.

WORKS It was decided ta do the following work i —Shingle portion of the Alford Forest Road to Woollen Factory, shingle portion of Laghmor Road, shingle portion of V&letta Road. Bridge on Black's Road to be re paired. NOTICE OF MOTION Notice of motion was givea for next meet ing—"That the Ashburton Borough Council be notified that ib is the intention of this Board to Cancel all previous arrangements relating to the permission given to bring water along Winter's Road and Alford Forest Road, ab its noxb meeting to be held on February 26. ACCOUNTS Accounts amounting to £77 8s lid, wera past for payment and the Board adjourned.

WOMEN AND MARRIAGE.

Unhealthy Women Should Not Marry.

Men Should Be Very Careful in

Their Choice,

It is nob always the prettitsb women that are the most popular with the sterner teg, Fou will often find that odd of the plainest girls, if she be good-natured, light-hearted, and witty, will be the most soughb after by the men. When ib cornea to marriage, a careful man takes pains that the woman of his choice is healthy and robust; he con siders it a duty he owes to himself and to posterity, that his companion in life should be as nearly perfect, from a physical stand* point, as possible. Many a man's life has been ruined by marriage with a frail and delicate woman. Ib is these sort of matches that find marriage a failure. Not that the woman is so much to blame, as in many oases she does nob know of a remedy for her ills. A woman who ia run down, ner r vous, or irritable, is nob a helpmeet to a man in any way, If she suffers ia thli way, sooner or later she will be taken with faint ing-speUa, dizziness, and backaches, aooom punied by a heavy, crowded feeling in the abdomen. There is do need to suffer with any of these ailments when Bilo Beans are close at hand. They act gently, (as all medicine for women should}, and are, there fore, to be recommended. Bile Baaus pot) the liver in a perfect condition and prevent the duebs connecting the various digestive organs from becoming stopped up. In this way they prevent biliousness. When a cure, however, is required, they cause the liver to secrete increased quantities of this fluid, and I thus flash the whole digestive system, and carry off all waste matter from the system, clearing off at the same time all surplus bile. Once triei (they are only 13^ per box) they will be found beneficial, and their use con tinued until the system will be boned up, the appetite returned, the circulation improved, and general health restored. A healthy woman is always Interesting, she is happy, and her spirits <*re contagioup. Good health and good nature are inseparable ; secure the first by using Bile Beans for Biliousness and the latter will take care of itself.

CRICKET.

United Press Association—By JEleobrlo Telegraph—Copyright i Sydney, February 2 The Australian eleven, in tHeir first innings, made 237—Worrai 8, Hill 7, Trumper 41, Darling 4, Gregory Q, trumble 5 ; Noble 94, Iredale 38, Layer 26, Kelly not out 7, Jones 0, extras 8. The Rest of Australia have lost t^o wicketi for 59— Jarvis 4, McKenaie9 } Graham not oat J9, Stucky not out 25.

THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

The Conduct of The War.

Mr Wyodhain's Defence.

Uniled Preae Association—By Rlectrio Telegraph—Copyright London, February 2 ( Mr Wyndham, Urder-^Secretary for War, in the Houkb of Oocomonp, staled that by the middle of February there would b« 180,600 troops in South Africa, including 7073 Canadians and Australians and 26,000 Natal and Cipa men. The total of the mounted troops would be 37,800, and th«re would be 452 guns, 110 being heavy and the rtat field guns. The Boers had 60,000 men and 110 guns prior to the ultimatum. General Butter had expressed himself satisfied with the proportion of cavalry arranged for, but in order to gratify the splendid patriotism of the coloni s, Britain would give the colonial troops an im mediate place at the front. The colonial Governments had been invited to send manageable units of 125 men. The Govfernment'a desire was to meet th« wishes of the colonies, whose legis lators had accepted the military disap p iotments in a way that others nearer home might have imitated. He ad mitted that the oaapa at the disposal of the Generals did not include the terri tory between Ladysmith and the Tugela, but he promised early military reports. Sir Edward Grey denied that the assistance of the Opposition would ceaae with the expulsion of the in vaders from British territory. The debate would have collapsed only that the whips had arranged a division fer Tuesday,

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Paris, February 1 M. Waldeck Rousseau, the French Premier, has reprimanded the Arch bishop ot Paris and suspended the sti pends of three bishops who were con cerned in printing newspapers com meriting on the Assumptionist trial.

lOND©sr, February 2 Alfred Drurj, the prominent English sculptor, has been elected an Associate of the Boyal Academy.

The owner of the Gulf of Anoud has been awarded £5000 for rescuing the steamer Darius, which broke her shaft off Sumatra while on a voyage from Melbourne to Ceylon. Judgement has been reserved in the appeal case Ooates v. the Queen,

All references to Australian Federa tion were cheered In the House of Com mons.

CORRESPONDENCE

(We do not hold ouraeives responsible for opinions expressed by our correspondents)

A SUGGESTION.

TO THK EDITOR,

!?IR,—I understand that the Afehburton and Hampatead School Committees propose to arrange for a school excursion on Feb ' ruary 16. It is usual on these occasions for the promoters to charge a small Bum in addition to the railway charge to defray preliminary expenses, cost cf providing tea, etc., and uautlly after meeting all charges, there ia % substantial surplus. I would suggest; that on this ocomon, the aforesaid Committee» hand over any surplus to the patriotic fund, or to the Ashburton fund for adding to the third contingent. 1 may add that these tickets are nob purchased by the children attending the Ashburton schools alone, but by school children and their friends throughout the county • and that on previous occasions in common with other teachers, I have spent some time in selling ticket?.-—I am, etc , Countut Teach SB.

LARGE FOREIGN ORDERS FOR WELSH COAL.

Famine Prices Anticipated.

An Embargo on the Contracts Urged.

United Press Association —By^Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.

(Received Wakapuaka Feb 2, 10,40 p.m, This Office 11,29 p.m) London, February 2 Owing to foreign powers contracting largely for Welsh steam coal, the Times expects famine prices will prevail till the middle of March. The newspaper urges the placing of an embargo upon such contracts.

THE LONDON "TIMES" ENTER PRISE.

HOME LIBSARIES FOB NEW ZEALANDEES.

Ie would be difficult to overestimate the value of the service the London limes it doing in the interests of general education in New Zealand, by placing within reach of eren the humbler homes, that greatest of all reference libraries, the Encyclopaedia Britannica. One of the lending educators of our times has skid:— *• In this age of specialists, when each separate branch of human knowledge is traced to the farthest limits that a lifetime of study and investi gation pan penetrate, true education has corns to mean, nob the storing of one's mind with facts and thepries, but rather the trtining of one's mind to a proper use of the 11 tools" of information, The truly edu cated man is therefore one who knows where to find the answer to erery question that may arise in hir daily reading, or in the pursuit of his own business or profession." If true education consist! '* not in the storing of one's mind with facts and theories, bat rather in the training of one's mind to the proper use of the •♦ tools" of informa tion," then every home which boasts the possession of the Encyclopaedia Mritannica becomes a University, for this international standard library of reference ia in very truth the epitome of all human knowledge. When the London Times offers to place this library in any home on rhe preliminary pay ment af a single guinea, it is putting within the reach of all the best products of the best minds of our age.

COMMERCIAL.

The Ashburton Agency of the New Zealand Partners' Co-operative Association of Canter* bury, Ltd, quote as follows on February 2,1900:—

Wheat-

Prime milling Pearl .« 2<2d nominally   Tuscan.„ 2s 3d '  „ „ Hunter's U lid to 2s „ Oats—Duns ... Is 8d to is 9d Danish ... ls.9d Canadians ... Is )0d to Is lid Sparrowbills Is 9d to Is lOd barley—Malting, prime, 2s 3d Inferior ' ' 2a Chaff—Good oatshe&f tHa 6i to 4Qa Graßß Seed—Old pasture, Is 9d to 2s New „ Is 3d to Is 6d The above are prices current p»id to farmers on trucks at Ash burton.

SPORTING.

CANTERBURY JOCKKV CLUU.

United Press Aoaociation—By Rtaotric

Telegraph,

OnEiSTOHPRctf, Ftbraary 2 The following aooeptancHS have been re ceived :—

Midsummer Handicap, of 500 roys; ]J miis—Malalua 8-13, Jupittr 8-9, Djin I).in 8-8, .Str*thrsa;rc 8 J, Pun.ia* 7 13, Ilubu 7-8, Sknbelcff 7-6, Hark 7-2, Ben Farley 7-1, Cameo 7-0, Derringshofc C-7.

ADTUMJf MEETING The following nomtuatioua have been received :— Great Easter Handicap, cf 500 cots; seven furlo.gs—Mountebauk, Cherryotone, Si Ouida, Jupiter, Mauser, Borras, Oati : |t, Tortulla, Advance, Gieuogie, R;>lic, Daunt, Jabber, Tire, BU-zer, Ihe Spinner, 8t Deals, Bazannah, Falmen, Brisa, P*la<iio, Sant Iliario, tfkobeli ff, Strathßairo, Rochester, DerriDgsbob, Malatua, Peerage, Ban Farley, Rougemont, Dundas, Bsrz^in, Hermota, Autaia, Oingo, Conwa, Lady Medallist

Urkat Avsxmn Handicap, of 500 bo*§ 5 1£ mile -Jupiter, Boreas, Tortulla, Advance* C>meo, Relic, Daunfc, Temoraire, Tire, Dim Djia, FnlmeD, Haria, Huku, Skohaloff. Bant Ibrio. Strathnaira, Derringshob, Bea Farley, Malatua, Peerage, Stquin, DwadM, Benzoin, Autaia, Oingo

TRANSVAAL WAR.

The Spionkop Engagement.

A Message from Kimkerley

A New Zealander Seriously 111

""United Preu Association—By Eliotria Telegraph—Copyright London, Feb. 2 Two hundred and fifteen British are missing from Spionkop, chiefly belcng ing to the Lancashiree Fusiliers, The report as to General Butter's speech on Monday has been confirmed. The Mayor of Kimberley has sent a heliograph message that the citizens will endure any privations in defence of their honour.

Mr Bennett-Burleigh states that the Boers were in the act of abandoning Spionkop when the British retirement inductd them to return. General Buller had detached a fores to create a diversion next day, before hearing of the abandonment.

The Lord Mayor's War Fund hat reached £661,300.

Cafktoww, February 2 The Cape police captured a thousand head of cattle belonging to the rebels in the Dordrecht district.

Trooper J. Hurford, of the New Zealand Contingent, is seriously ill from heart disease.

Brisbane, February 2 The Government has decided to send 290 buihmen and a party of arabulanc« bearers,

10,000 Trained European Troops and 300 Officers Assisting the Boers.

Baden-Powell Harrassing the Enemy.

Received Wakapuaka Feb 2, 10 40 p.m. This Office 11.29 p.mj London, February 2 An Hanovian Colonel on Marcuili stnl declares that ten thousand trained European soldiers with three hundred officers are assisting the Boers. Colonel Baden.Powell, under date January 17, reports that the garrison forced the Boers to remove several big gun a to inactive positions. Volunteer officers are profoundly disgusted with the war office for putting obstacles in the way of the employment of volunteers at the front, and for the refusal to allow additional recruiting of Home regiments.

Cecil Rhodes' Secretary Captured.

Mere Bom Dodges.

Received Wakapuaka Feb. 3, 9,25 a.m. This Office 10 a.m

Capetown, Feb. 2 Jourdaio, private secretary to Mr Cecil Rhodei, has been captured, carry ing verbal messages. Lord Roberts ia actively organising the forces. Addressing the London volunteers he laid he hoped his arrival would coincide with a turn in the tide. At a meeting of the Capetown branch of the Afrikander Bind Hofmeyer, who presided, condemned the action of Britain towards the Oape in ignoring the Oape Ministry's advice in compelling farmers to wear badges, (Received Wakapuaka Fab: 3, 9.25 a.m This Office 10 a. m,) London, Feb 2 The limes correspondent at Sterka strom states that the Boers are dis tributing pamphlets in the Basuto language, inciting the natives to rise and promising them the restoration of their territory.

A Question of Precedence.

Day of Intercession.

Received Wakapnaka Feb. 1, 9 4i a.m Thia Office 10.33 a.m. Sydnk?, Feb 8 Letters received from the Lancari show that some friction exists orer combining the Australian troop under fload, the Tictorian. Tke Nev Sonib Welshmen allege that the New Soqth. I Wales oflicerg are relegated to junior 1 positions, owing to the officers of the southern colonies having appointments dated before them. February 11 has been set apart as a day of intercessiou and prayer for the succeas of the British arms.

A Cable from the Agent-General

Wellington, February 2 The Agen'-General informs the Govern ment that the English Press Association es timates the amount of th« detailed British total loss at 9600. There it nothing new in the war operations. ' ' WItLfNGTON, Feb. 3 The Agent-General cables ;—" Add to the estimated loss mentioned in my telegram of yesterday 260, chiefly prisoners of war. flflr Wyndham, Under Secretary for War, state* that the British troops in South Africa will number 180,000 by the end of this month; Kimberley was pronounced safe now, and Mafeking w«s pronounced safe on January 2Q..1 •.-.-. .. 7 f

The Third Contingent

Auckland, February 2 The Rough, Rider Voiuutwi iri to "go,

THE AflflßUliTON GOABDIAN : SATURN V, FEBRUARY 3,1900



Rudge-Whitworth" Cycle Depot, Bu.ru ett street. HAVING been appointed SOLE AGENT for Ashbnrton District for BRITAIN'S BFST BICYOLF, TUB RUD&E-WHITWORTH, Pereon.s in want of a FinST-CT'ASB UP-TO-DATE Machine cannot do batter than bay one. These Bicycles hold the position in England of being ercond to cone, and in Mow Zealand the same proud position is given them by all who have tried them. S)he numerous riders of this Machine include B- Reynolds, C <ampion of New Zealand ; •nd W. Tiernby, New Zsaland's Unpaoed King. I have also the Agency of that HIGH GRAD3 AMEKIC&N WHEEL, THE TRIBUNE- This is the Machine on which Murphy, the New York Cyclist, accomplished his Marvellous Ride of One Mile in 57f seos.



&ul Kinds of Machines Repaired. BICYCLES ON HIRE. STOCK OF ACCESSORIES. B. B. Johnston^ BURNETT STREET, Nesft Orange Ball. __M 73 WEEK. OP&OUL Lines^ Prints at 3Jd per yard* Special Lines Prints at 4|d per yard. Special Lines Prints and Zyphers at 6-Jd per yard. Special line Dress Material, nEual price Is yd ; 5s lid Dress Length. Big Line Sample Corsets, prices from 4s lid to iOs 6d, to clear at 2s 1: d per pair. And m»ny other tempting Lines in all departments.



1173



ASHBDETON ' DRAPERY COMPANY. iNew~Zealafld CLOTHIHG^FAOTORY Stocktaking deductions. Tren.endous Bargains. HARD and Soft Feltß 7s 6d, 10 6d, re duocd to Is and 13 61. Straw bat*, Is 9d, 2* 3i, all reduced to Ik A few odd lines in Shirts reduced to 2s 6d Boye' Tweed Cape, reduced to 3d Boys' Paper Collars Id per b->x Men's Ties, 1b 9d, 2s 6d, reduced to 6d and Ist Men's Sac Suite, Good Lines, 233 6d Boys' Sac Suits, 25s 6d, reduced bo 19s Boys' Washing Suits, 43 6J, 3a 6d, reduced to 29 QX Boys' Alpaca Coats, 7a 6d, 9a 6d, reduced to 3s 6d and 4a 6d Men'a Tweed Trousers, 63,7 a 6d, 9a 6d, etc., BOOTS! BOOTS BOOTS Canvas Tannin Shoes, 5s 6d, reduced to ** Women's and Children's Boots and Shoeß reduced about half. We must clear out these odd lines to make room for New Good, etc. CALL f-'AJEtI/fT AND •3JEJX FIJR»'JI CHOICE CLOTHING FaCTOBY. F. H. BEOKIJSGSALK, Manager. J. WILSON, SIQN-WKHBB.



LARGE STOCK- Of Wall papbrh, WINDOW GL4SS, MIXED PAINTS, FIOTITRBJMOULDINGS, ARTIST'S MATERIAL, &o. BUPNETT STREET, oppoeitaJMAit Office Telephone"6s dIjITnTsS CHANGL I BEG to notify to the numerous Cui tomara of W. H. Dabdis, and the Public generally, that having purchased the business known as the " Ashbucton Aerated W&ttr and Cordial Manufactory," I take rouesaion on and after February 1, and by diligent attention to business and the superiority of Cordials and Waters I take fcha opportunity of soliciting a fair share of JOBS rapport ft»d patronage* ALF. BRAY, CAMERON STREET. I 236,



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Smoke New Venm,