Mail Notices.

Mails eioße tor the following places »■ under, subject to %he neoesEftry alterationa % -

SATURDAY, JULY 28

Fop Northern Ports, and Westporfc, and West Coast, per Rotomahana, at 6 30 P m FRIDAY, AUGUST 3 For Northern Ports, Weatporc, Samoa, Hawaii, Phtlipplnea, also United States, Canada, etc., United Kingdom, and Continent of Europe, via San Fran elaoo, per Takapuna, as follows :~For money orders at 2 30 p.m.} registered letters, at 5 p.m ; hooks and newspapers, at 6.30 p.m.; ordinary letters 6.30 p.m.; late fee letters, mall van, express train. Due London Sept sth. W, H. Reiner, Postmaster.

THE ASHBURTON TRAIN SERVICES

Trains leave Aahbarton daily for— OHRISTOHUROH—at 720 a.m., 11 a.m., 3.15 p.m., 7 spm. {expre«») TIMARU—at 10 55 a.m., 350 p.m. DUNEDIN—at 12 54 p.m. (expreeß) SPRINGBURN—at 4.25 pm. Trains arrive daily ab Asbburton from— OaKISTOHUROH-ab 10.45 a.m., 12.47 p.m. (express), 8 p.m. OHMARU—at 10.35 a.m., 255 p.m. DUNEDIN—at 6.57 p.m. (express) | SPRINGBURN-at 9 45 a.m.

EPHEMERIS.

Phases of Moon fox July.

BUN

SECOND EDITION Commercial.

THE MEAT MARKET.

Napier, July 26—Messrs Nelson received the following cable from the C.C. and D Company to-day :—'* Frozen Moat Market —To-day's quotations: Bosb Canterbury, 4-i ; Dunedin, Southland, not quoted; Napier, North Island, 3|d. Lamb, firßt quality, 4£d ; eeoond, fl|d

ASHBURTON MARKETS.

Messrs Friediander Bros, Ltd, report upon the live stock market for the week ending July 26. The us al weekly sale waa held at the Ashburton yatda on Tuesday last, the attendance of farmers and others being only moderate. The entry, which was chirfly comprised of breeding ewes and fat sheep, the demand for ewes being good, showing .-n increase on former pricas. Tho tot*! entry for the day was: 1338 sheep, 14 oaUle, and 40 piga, out of which our entry consisted of 881 sheep and 10 pifi». The following are the sale* :—lO fat lambs 12* 4d, 4 cross-bred wethers Us 6d,53 fab merino wethers 13s 3d, I3Boroes-brod wethers 14a lOd, 100 half-bred ewes in lamb 16s, 251 cross bred wethers 13s 103, 180 merino ewes in lamb ISs 7d,120 crossbred 2-tooth wethers 11s, 25 cross-bred wethers 10a lOd. Pigs—lo porkers 24< 6d

At the Methven yards on Thuradry last there was about 1400 sheep yarded, and chiefly comprised of freezing and forward wether?, tho demand not bsiog quite bo good as at previous sales, There was also a large entty of pigs, but they were hard to quit. Our entry was made up of 846 sheep, 1 oattle, and 40 pigs. The following are the sales:—2o cross-bred wethers J2s 3d, 210 Qross-bred ewes in lamb 13s 9d, 74 fat wethers 15s 6d, 177 half-bred wethers Jss lOd, 180 f»t wethers 15s 9d. Cattle—-1 store heifer £2 7a fid. Pigs—6 store piga 6s 6d, 4 stors pigs 5j 3d, ? store pigs 3a 6d. We also sold at the Methven yards, on acoounfe of a client, a Contractor's Plant, which was disposed of ab full market prices. Horses sold at £38 10 *, £43, £34, £35, £30, £12, £25 ; foal £16 10s.

ASHBURTON GRAIN MARKET.

The Ashbnrton Agency of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association of Canter bury, Ltd, quote as follows on July 27, 1900:— Wheat- Prime milling Pearl ... 2s 3d „ „ Tuscan.- 2s 3d to 2a 4d „  Hunter's 2s 2d Oats—Duna „ la 5i to Is 6d Danish la 5d to Is 6 i Canadians la 7d to Is 81 Sparrowbills Is 6d to Is 7d Barley—Malting, prime 2a Inferior Is 6d Peas—Partridge, 2s 3d Chaff—Good oatsheaf 47s 6d to 50s Grass Seed—Old pasture, 2a to 2s 3d New „ Is 6d to la 9d The above are prices current paid to farmers on trucks aft Ashburton.

WOOL.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company London, reports as follows under date June 12 ;■—" Reports from Brad ford continue to be of a most discouraging character, more particularly as regards merino and fine crossbred wool, in which little or nothing is doing. Quotations for 60's top are quite nominal in the absence of inquiry, but for 'super' 23d is the top price, estimable, and a decline from even this low figure is regarded in some quarters as not improbable. Bo muoh combing machinery has not been running short time for many years past; spinners, though nob generally holding large Btooks, owing to the reluctance of manufacturers to make forward contracts, bny only from hand to mouth. The position of low quality crossbred is somewhat more hopeful, bub with the value of 36' a top at 9d there is not much room for profitable busi ness. The weak tone of the market for 'he raw material was emphasised at the sheep skin auotions he'd yesterday, when, as com pared with the preceding fates held on the 26th April, values for merino and fioe cross bred marked a decline of |d to |1 per lb, and ooarae crossbred about id per lb,"

For some years the farmers in the Dori* district hava talked much of obtaining the use of a really first class draught etallion, and at last it has been decided to hold a meeting at the Road Board Office, Bakaia, on next sale day to consider trie matter. If the fartnars prove to be at all unanimous there is no reason to doubt hut that they will have the choke of really Sac stock. An Advertisement in our columns convenes the meeting, and a good muster is expected,

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, JULY 28, 1900. WAR AND THE PRESS.

While war in a general way must ever be regarded as a great calamity to the nation* involved in it, there are certain classes of people, even in the belligerent States who are largely bene fitted by its operations. Such are producers and manufacturers and con tractors in the various branches of supply—food, clothing, anus etc. The shipping trade also receives a smart impetus, as war rates are nearly always charged, with little war rwks in the majority of modern wars. Prices go up too in the coal and iron trades, aud, generally, the profits of manufacturers and the wages of workmen are more or leas increased during the war, between civilised nations in this sge of the world. Of course serious loss and disaster must necessarily fall upon those countries which are unhappily the actual seat of war, and the low of life, and the national expenditure ia often deplorable. But as we have said, some wars prove veritable gold minus to some sections of humanity. There is, however, one class in the community which, taken as a whole, invariably suffers financially whenever an important war is going on, and that is the .press. There are few newspaper proprietors even in New Zealand which have not been put to considerable extra expense since the beginning of the Boer war, and the Chinese rebellion, by the largely in creased cable news they publish for the information of their readers. But the special expenditure of the great •'dailiea" in the capitals of Europe and America on war news alone is sometimes absolutely startling. And this outlay is not made as a speculation ■ in the expectation of getting a material or financial return, but simply to maintain their standing, and to keep I abreast of their contemporaries. There is a popular delusion that because the public are feverishly anxi us in war time to get their newspapers, the proprietors must, like other people whose commodities are in demand, be coining money. Never was a greater mistake made. Wo have before us an article on this subject written by the manager of a leading London daily paper, shortly after the Boer war began, from which we quote the fol lowing :—" Tarn confident that if such a thing were possible as a permanent war in which we were engaged, such as this one, and assuming, of course, that the newspapers felt it to be necessary to report it as they are doing—l am confident that not more than two of these papers at most could withstand the strain, unless, of course, they were prepared for party reasons to run at a permanent loss. If such a state of things came about, we should either have to report our wars in the way cur fathers did—very briefly indeed— or else the list of daily newspapers would have to be considerably abbreviated." The writer goes on to say that the ex pense to which his paper was put through the'iransvaal War, was from £700 to £1000 a week. Continuing ha said, " Every daily paper in London lost money over the Spanish American War, and some lost very heavily. So did the New York paper?. One or two of the latter which have profit revenues of from £80,000 to £150,009 a year were, I know, sinking money while that war was on at the rate of at least £125;000 a yerr ! Proprietors of London newspapers will b« heartily glad when the war is over." If any thing further be needed to show how war affects big newspapers, it is sup plied by the fact that some months ago, one of the war correspondents in South Africa, sent to bis paper mes sage after message on a certain subject, each costing from £20 to £30, every one of which was thrown into the waste paper basket, as soon as it came to hand. Yet another illustration may be mentioned. One paper paid £325 for a single cable message, about the battle of Elandslaagte! Enough has been said to show that so far as the newspapers having to pay for their cable news are concerned, a time of war is a time of great anxiety. No one inside of a newspaper office derives any satisfaction from a war, for while the proprietors, as we have shows, are put to a lot of extra expense, the staff gene rrlly has extra woric, and every member from the editor down to the office boy, long for the end of it all- While we are on this subject we may draw attention to the manner in which Mr Seddon proposes to sacri fice the public interest and convenience to his animosity towards the press of thia colony as a whole, by interfering with the Press Association's copyright. Most of our readers are aware that at considerable cost and labour the associated newspapers of New Zealand have combined with those of Austra lasia to build up a complete and admirable system of collecting and distributing news from all parts of the world. In all the colonies they have been granted concessions, in some more than in others, but in New Zealand the only concession is that the news they collect with so much trouble and expense, shall be protected for eighteen hours after publication by an associated newspaper. That is to say, no paper unconnected with the Press Association may print the cables received by the associated press on the day of receipt. This is surely a very trifling concession, but it is not special to the Press Asso ciation, since any single newspaper or combination of newspapers obtaining cable news of its own receives the like protection. No journals outside of the United Press Association of New Zealand arc willing to incur the cost of cables of their own, so they are clamouring to be allowed to use those other people* have paid for. And Mr Seddon—who has no sympathy with a free and outspoken press—has promised to assist them in getting' news for nothing. Neither the Press Asso ciation nor the paper* connected With it will suffer, should fche Pre mier carry out his threat, But the public will, since the news from outside New Zealand will doubtless be considerably curtailed. Will the people of Few Zealand tolerate such an interference with their present facilities, with regard to obtaining news from the war centres and elsewhere? We think not.

Local and General.

* # * luleresi/ing reading matter will be found on the firat and fourth pages of this issur.

Ecclesiastic — Bishop Julius was a passenger for the south by express to-dr»y.

Indian Famine Fond— Mr Kerriman de pivres to acknowledge the receipt of £2 7», being proceeds of the Lowcliffr! bachelors' ball.

Weather Forecast—The following ia Captain tedwards forecast:—Moderuto to strong westerly winds ; glass rise, weather 0 Ider.

The Waimate Fire.—With regard to the insurance on the Waimate fire, the Oamaru Mail learos tha-b tho building, which ia owned by Major Htoward, is insured for £200 in the Pfcwnix office.

Imported Dbbr—By the s.a. Mokoia, from Melbourne, on Tuesday, there arrived at Invercatgil), in good health and oondition, three young deer—a stag and two hinds —for the Southland Acclimatisation Society. They aro only about nine months eld.

Personal —A good deal of illneis ap pears to prevail in the Ashburton district an present, and amongst the number Mr David Wilson, one of the earliest! settlers is in valided, and has been confined to the house for some week*. We are pleased to learn

that he ia now improving. Tarahaki Better Ex»ORT-~It) is esti mated by Mr Connetfc, chairman of the Taranaki Freezing Work* Company, that something like 200,000 boxes of butter will be shipped from the Taranaki district next season. Two years ago the quantity ex ported was 80,000. Ho»«b Breeding.—The ieooad article on horse breeding will be fonad in another onlum. The writer in this article deals with two types of draught horses—-Clydesdales and the Suffolk Punch. In view of the impetus «iven to horse breeding by the demand for military purposes that has arisen these articles should be both useful and Interesting.

AoOidint.—A man named Fred KUings* worth, working on the Hakatere Estate, broke his leg by slipping on the ice last evening about -10 o'clock, and was brought down to the Ashburton Hospital by Messrs J Harris and Argyie, reaching Ashburton

between three and four this morning. Methven Yard's Company. Limite*. —The adjourned annual shareholder's meet ing was held on the 19th inst. There w»a only a small attendance. The Balance sheet w*b read and adopted. The oash balance after providing for a dividend of 5 per oent. on the capital was £15 16* 6d. Fourteen sales were held duriug the twelve months,

Rt which 42,111 cheep, 85 rams, 96 oattle, 35 horses, and 30 pigs were offered, as against 53185 sheep, 228 cattle, 66 horses, and 95 pigs at fifteen sales the proceeding year. Messrs Batty and Hibhs were unani mously re-eleoled directors.

Farewell Social.—A social was held in the Lowoliffa School on Wednesday evening, July 18, with the object of saying farewell to Mr John Brown, who has been the teacher in charge of the school for the past three years. The friends at Cotfitream and Low eliffe presented Mr Brown with a handsome marble clock, which was but a small token of the esteem with whioh he (Mr Brown) was held by the people of the districts. Among other presents whioh were made, was a silver sovereign case from the pupils of tho Rohool, which showed that Mr Brown had won their respect, also as he had secured their cheerful oo«operation»

Property Sales— Mr T Bullock held a property sale this morning in the Arcade before a fair attendance. Sales were effected of lot 3, containing i acre on Alford Forest Road, at £9, and lot 25, fronting Winters Road, £ acre at £16; twelve months ago £ acre sections of land adjoining the block on Alford Forest Road waa sold at £5 and £5 10-, and tho price obtained by Mr Bullock to-day, Bhows a substantial increase in values of Ashburton property. The block of 90 aorea afeTinwald, on account Mr T Hickman, wia pissed at auctiou, the highest bid being £12 10d per acre. Mrs Tweed's town pro* perty f Jn Burnett Street, was started at £1000 and further bids reached £1200, at which figure the place was withdrawn. Primitive Methodist—The special Evan gelistic meetings, which have been held in the Primitive Methodist Church for the last three weeks have .been a pronounced sue* cess. .Night aftir night hrgt crowds h^ve met to hear and see wtiat blessed things art going on. So far between twenty and thirty have professed conversion, bub many more have a religious awakening, and possibly will head the voice of God calling them to a nobler and diviner life. These eager gatherings show, that after all men are nob wholly alienated from God, and that there' is still, as there always has been a heartfelt desire in men to know their Creator.

Bachelors' Ball—The most) important assembly of the season was thn ball given by the Ashburton County bachelors which had been looked forward Co with more than ordinary interest, and took place laet evening ab the Oddfellows' Hall. The building was decorated under the supervision of Mrs AHngfcbn, in a most artistic manner with evergreens, flags, and other ornamentations, the front of the stage being quite a work of art ia its way. The stage itself was fitted up as a drawing room, giving the whole floor space of the hail for dancing. At the out side of the halt a temporary corridor was fitted up tastefully as an entrance hall to the supper marquee^ , The latter Was. erected at the back of the hall, and the supper tables were brilliantly decorated by Mesdames Crisp, Hugo and Rudolph Friedlander, John Orr, Alfred Harrison and Tabateau, The dancing floor afforded proof that an extra amount of labor had been given by the bachelor committee towards rendering it in every way satisfactory. The visitors in cluded guesta from Dunedin, Chrietchurch and elsewhere, and the ball may certainly be described as one of—if not the most success ful ever held in Aehburfeon. The music was satisfactorily supplied by Fox's Band from Ohriatchurch. The committee of manage ment comprised Messrs M Friedlander, J M Dawson, A E Hart, B Fooks, W Koeus, with their energetics secretary, Mr L J Hobbs. It is estimated there were over 200 present. •• Ourselves as Others See Us."—Ou friends are generally too polite to tell us our faults; bub they seldom fail to observe the fit and style of our clothes. Young men who want to make good impressions, mutt bear ia mind that "appearance goes a long way." An ill-fitting suit is uncomfortable, and an "eye-sore "to your friends. Don't riak it E If you are a stranger here, the first well dressed citizen you meet will gladly direct you to( * The Leading Tailors where you will always find a large assortment of ' Up to date" suitings to seieot from, and where you can always depend on getting satisfaction. The large and still increasing business done by Messrs Craighkad and Berkyman speaks volumes. This firm has just imported probably the finest atook of new seasons tailoring goods ever shown in Ashburton, including a beautiful range the new rain proof Beavers and MeltcTjg for Covert coats and Chesterfield overcoats, both fashionable and durable.

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Uiiiied Press Association —By Electric

Telegraph Wellington, July 27 The Council mot at 230 p.m. It was re olved that the report of the Public Petitions Committee upon the peti tion of Frederick Piatb Blackmore, formerly of the 49th Regiment, be agreed to. A similar motioo was ooma to in regard to the Committee's reporb upon the petition of ] Richard Badoliff^, tailor, on behalf of the ] relatives, of the late Sergeant Daaiiove, of the Colonial forces. The Hob W O Walker, speaking to both motions, said Government as a matter of policy could not re-open old soldier* claim?. The motion to go into Cornmitteo on the Worker* Compensation for Accidents Bill was carried after debate, and progress was immediately reported. The Westporb Harbor Board Loan Bill was passed through Committee without amendments, read a third time and passed. The Education Board's Election Bill was considered in Committee. No amendment* were made, but the clause dealing with the appointment of scrutineers was postponed, The Couuoil rose at 4.10 p.ms

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, July 27 The Home mti at 2.30 Leave of absence wii granted to Mr Fraser (Napior) for one week.

QUESTIONS Answering questions, Ministers said: The question of grants for enter volunteer encampment* would be abolished, and in lien they would make provision for ail volunteers to e,o iuto o»mp for at least 14 days. It was thought the proposal would be advisable if cerpa of all arms oould be g«b together for training,—Mr Seddon said he did not approve of changing the present names of placet and disbriots for Maori designations, believing (he old names most appropriate.— As the matter of the management of the Sfcoke Private Industrial School was now being enquired into by a Commission, Ministers did not wish to make a..; com tnents on that subjaot at present.—The Government has legislation in hand in the direction of suppressing illicit) tote betting and walking totes.—lt was the intention of the Government to acquire more land in South Canterbury for settlement purposes.— That until a Bid was passed which was in preparation the instructions issued not to grant occupation leases within the Midland Railway Company's laud reservation would [ not be withdrawn.—That the Government ' considered it against the interests of depositors in the post ofice that adult depositors should be allowed to withdraw their money by means of cheque*.—ln answer to Captain Russell, the Premier said that arrangements had been made with the Hon W F Reeves satisfactory to himself and to the Government for his re - appointment as Agent-General for a definite time.—That he (Mr Seddon) had no in tention of going Home to cccupy that posi tion under any Government, believing that he would be of greater service to the Colony if he remained here.—-That Govarnment did not approve, except in special oases, oi asking the Imperial authorities for permis sion for members of the New Zealand Contingents who joined the Imperial Army after serving in South Africa to wear a New Zealand medal.—That Government did not at present intend to bring in legislation dealing with old soldiers still unsatisfied.— That the question of introducing penny postage in the colony was one of finance, and that as soon as the finances permit the system will be adopted.—That 50 rounds of blank ammunition were supplied to the volunteers, and that if more were required an additional 25 rounds wou'd be furnished, which should prove sufficient,—That the field batteries to be obtained in pursuance of the defence policy would be of a type ihat would be an improvement upon that recently imported.—That concessions in railway fares granted to children attending State and private schools had been in force lines 1886, —That to give Mount Cook as a site for a University College would mean a grant of

£100,000, and Government was nob pre pared to recommend this, and other suitable eitea had been off a red and refuted.

Captain Russull moved the adjournment of the House, complaining of the dictatorial attitude of the Premier in answering hit question as to the reappointment of the Agent General and other matters. The House adjourned at 5 30. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The adjourned debate was continued on the report of the Committee on the Imprison tnent for Debt Limitation Bill. The Premier intimated he would agree to accept the amendment that the provisions of the Bill be not retrospective, so aa not to apply to past debts. The Bill was re committed and a new clause was proposed by MrO'Meara, that the Bill shall not apply to debts contracted previous to the passing of the Act. A long discussion ensued, Messrs Willis, Houston, Qt W Russell and MoGuire strongly opposing the Bill, Eventually the Bill was read a third time by 36 to 19 and passed. On the motion that the Public Oontraots Bill be read a third time,the House divided. Ayes, 41 to 12. Mr Ward read a telegram from the Dis trict Traffic Manager at ChrUtchuroh, oon tradioting a statement that the delay had been caused in unloading a ooal [steamer at Lyktdton for want of trucks, and an objeo tion raised to allow overtime to be worked by the men. The Native |Interpreters' Classification, Lunatics Act Amendment Bills were read a third time and passed. NOXIOUS WEEDS BILL

The House went into committee on the Noxious Weeds Bill.

Clause 5 was amended so as to extend the third schedule by including therein other plants than those mentioned on the recom mendation of the Joint) Agricultural Com mittee.

The proposal fco add a new olauie, making bha occupier responsible for keeping the road abutting on his property clear of weeds to the centre thereof, was oarried.

The Bill was reported with amendments The Houm rose at 1.40 a.m.

Football.

M«bsm D WiUon and H lawcett of the Pirates Football Club, proceeded north by the express last evening to join the South Canterbury team, which is to play Elles mere County to-day.

A.M.P. Society.

United Press Association—By Electric

Telegraph-—Copyright.

(Received w&kapuaka July 27, 10 p.m

This Offioe 11 45 p.m

Stbnbt, July 27 The A.M.Ft ballot for an adjournment to October 10, was 13526 and against 119,047. IV c meeting will becantinuudthisafUrnoon.

Stdnet, July 27

At a meeting of the A.M.P. policy holders, SO voted against the proposal to extend the business outside Australia and 30 for it. A ballot wu demanded, and it will be taken next week. Mr Abbot, the chairman, said there were an overwhelming number of proxies in favour of the proposal, bat the directors have agreed not to take a confirmation vote until the ballot papers are sent out, obtaining a clear •' yes " or " no " vote.

Interprovincial.

United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph Wbllinhtoh, July 27 The Premier has received the following cablegram from the Agent-Qeneral to-day: — The Timfs, in a leader, remark! with reference to your Imperial defance scheme ai follows; "It (hows how the minds of Englishmen in one of the numb prosperous, mesb democratic, and most loyal of our colonies art moving, they being in the tame direction m the minds of Euglishmta ad borne,"

A meeting of the Typographical Union has beau oonveued, at which a resolution will be proposed to cancel t he registration, under th' Conciliation and Arbitration Act. It is understood this is tha outcome of thus nif satiafactiotj of tho men at the award of the Arbitration Coarb in the linotype dispute.

Auckland, July 27

The New Z aland Accident Insurance Company nas deoUmi an iuterim dividend of five per cent for the half year ended June 30 h.

Another raid has been made on To Kuitt and O-'^rchan* residents kuapeoted of s!y grog sailing. Severa! half cistes »nd natives are interea ed in fhn charges.

The engine of th» Roborua train went) off the lin« whilst taking the points at Hunfely, and was delayed som • lime. Cbkistchorch, July 27

Lienrenant Colonel Gordon expects two thousand volunteers to take part in th« Jubilee celebrations in Chris?church at the end of the year. Of the«e, one thouaaud will be mounted men, aud an endeavour will be made to obtain free railway eonyen&noa for the men and horses.

The Plague.

UalUd Press Association—By EUcfcrio

Teltgraph—Copyright

Reomed Wakapnaka July 27, 950 am

This Offioe 1016 » m

Bbisbank, July 27 The plague pitisnb Baokland, it dead.

THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

United Press Association—By Bitotrio Telegraph—Copyright Received Wakapaaka, July 27, 10 25 p m Ihil oftoe 11 40 p m Hongkong, July 27 Gaselees' Indian division has arrived at Wei-hai wni. Li Hong Chang has rescinded his order that fifty thousand Black Flag) should march on Pekin. A majority of the Admirals gave the Russians control of tho Taka-Pekin railway, though it is mortgaged to Great Britain. Admirals Seymour and Kemp dissented. Before the fall of Tientsin the rebels killed all the Chinese in the employ of Europeans.

Hokgkokg, July 27

Li Hung Ohang assured the Consuls that the Government had sufficient control of the troops and Boxers to ensure a safe conduct of the Ministers to Tientsin if hostilities were §u« peoded. He asierted that Sir Robert Hart was alive, and that the fate of the other Europeans at Fekin *a> unim portant. It is reported at Tokio that the Japanese at Shan-hai kwan havegaiaed a great victory.

Admiral Seymour has Bent two battleships, and two cruisers to Shang* hai, despite the Viceroy's declaration that the presence of warships at Shanghai would provoka disturbance. „ Sydney, July 27 The crew of the German warship Connoran, recently arrived at Sydnny, previous to being paid-off volunteered for service in China, The captain cabled to the Emperor of Germany asking for permission.

The Government have commissioned Captain Hixon to raiaa a contingent for Ohina It is understood it will consist of 900 naval men and fifty to seventy five third Contingent,

Transvaal W ar.

United Pr«u Association—By Kleobrlo Telegraph—Copyright

A StuWwra Fight

Received Wakapuaka, July 27, 10.25 p.m Thii Office 11.40 p.m. London, July 27 Major-General Hunter attacked a strongly entrenched position in the hills sonth of Bethlehem, at Retief's Nek. It was especially stubbornly defended. The Black "Watch bit 50, including Major E. M. Willshire, mortally wounded. The Boers attempted to cut General Boiler's communication with Natal. After three day a' skirmishing, General Hildyard drove the Boers northwards with considerable loss.

Sydney, July 27 Colonel Airay has cabled that the Australian Baihmen foaght for several hoars against great* odds, %nd that Major-General Baden Powell was well pleased. Mrlbournb, July 27 The officer commanding the Buih men cabled that they were nnder fire for six hours at RnstenWurg. Serjeants Pruden and Goodman, and Troopers Walford and Olive were killed, and McGltive and McCarthy drngerously woaaded. Lokdon, July 27 Sir Frederick Carrington had a sharp engagement on Sunday on Seloua River. Three hundred Few South Wateg Bushmen, assisted by a Bhodesian force, attacked a large body of Boers at Seloni River. After severe fighting they dispersed the enemy, with heavy loss. Three colonials were killed, and nineteen wounded, Generals French and Hutton out flanked the Boers six miles south of Balmoral, compelling them to retreat. Lord Roberts hag arrived at Bal moral. Lord L*nsdowne (Minister of War) assured Lord Carrington that the colonials would receive the war medal granted to the regulars and a fair proportion of the honour and the rewards.

Hobart, July 27

One of the returned troopers, inter viewed at Hobart, said he had no desire to stop in Soath Africa, which was a very barren place, one often going for 100 mile* without getting eveu a bit of firewood. Bnterie fever was a dreaded complaint, and it was common to see between thirty and forty poor fellows carried out for burial, The majority were glad to be Retting home again Tbere were 53 men from New South Wales, 81 from Victoria, 4 from South Australia, 8 from Tasmania, and 13 from New Zealand. The latter left here by the Kara mea for New Zealand last night, and should arrive in Wel lington about Monday. Their names are Sergeants Orbell and Findlay, Corporal Overton, Lance - Corporal Strange, Troopers Paraons (sen. and jan,), A N«wdick, H Hurford, Hillia, Davis, Wilßon, Jackioo, and Meredith, i

The Premier and the Press Association.

The following comments upon Mr Feddon'a statement that he intends to remote the c >pyrighl from tha Press APtooiation cables is from an editorial in the Onris'icburoh

Press:—

As to the Pren.ier'd threat that ha will t;-ko away the copyright, iv cable messages by this Fr8?8 Association, it oniy ahows to what lengths he is prepared to go to revenge hintaeif tor independent criiioism of hia Ministerial actions, and to stifle, if possible, such criticism in fature. It is the case of the Chambers of Commerce Bill repeated, oniy in a worse form. What Mr htoddoa propose* to do is to give uuaoupuloua newspapers, which do nob pay for cable messages, liberty to steal the me?Biges of (hose who do pay some thousands of pounds a year in order to get an efficient service of cable news for the information of their readers. The Electric Linei Act of 1884 provides that when any person— not merely membe s of the Praia Association, as Mr Seddon weuld have us believe—when "any person" publishes "in any newspaper or other printed paper published in New Zealand" a °»Me message which ha. has 11 lawfully received," no other person shall* without his permission, be allowed to copy that telegram and publish it within eighteen hoars after it Grab appeared. Surely this ii a most reasonable law. If a man bays a hundred pounds worth of sheep or be* or ■oap, the law will proteot those goods for him, without any limit as to time. In no circumstances can anyone steal the sheep or tea or soap without being liable for the coruequeneaa. If a newspaper proprietor ■penda a hundred pounds on a oable message it> is protected for eighteen hours only. After that time anyone may steal it, even under the present Uw. Mr Seddon thinks thab newspaper proprietors—e*ipysiaHy the proprietor* of Opposition paperi— d» not deserve even this slight amount of protec tion from the law, He accordingly wants the copyright provision repealed, so thab anybody can steal a cable message directly it is printed, or even before that if the thief can get a copy of it. How ibe Premier intends to defend this proposal from a moral point of view we do nob know ; nor in what way the encouragement of piracy or theft of any kind can possibly benefit the public • The inevitable effeob of the repeal of the Copyrighb Bill would be to largely restric b the service of Baropson news published in tha New Zealand journals. It stands to rtacon that the newspapers which endeavour to conduct their business on honest lines 9ou\4 «oi) afford to spend so much money on cable messages, if these could be stolen, nob only with impunity, but, under the favour ing smile of the Premier's appro ?al, by unscrupulous rivals who find is easier to steal than to pay. We warn tha public that* if the newspapor copyright is taken away, the papers will not be able to give them nearly so full a service of war telegrams and European news as fckev provide at present. But there is a much more important point than this which they ought to consider. We warn them that with the rapid advance of autocracy and despotism in this colony, tht "Watchdog of the Press" is almost the only safeguard left for the protection .of the public, Mr Seddon is making the most desperate efforts to stifle every vestige of independent criticism of his actions. Art the people realiy prepared to accept) him as our absolute dictator, unrestrained by any checks at all "■ "

Sporting.

CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLBJBS GRAND NATIONAL MEETING

The following acceptances have been re ceived for the

N Z. Grand National Steeplechase, of 650 sot«. Three miles and a half—Plain Bill 128, Black Duet 116, Blackberry 11 4, Roller 113, Morag 112, Kauri Gum 10 9, Kanaka 107, Dr Bill 106, The Guard 106, Dundee 105, Kaimate 10 4, Gillie 10, The Friar 9 12, Tataramoa, Btraybird 9 8, Tally ho, Aprecnete, Jack, Kowhai $7, N.Z Gkand National Hurdle Handicap, of 500 soya. About two miles—Chevalier {!abo Cavalier) 12 8, Record Reiga 125, Plain Bill 18 0, Ilex 118, Roller 112, Marina 1013, Dundee 10 12, Torpina 1011, Haoriri JOS, Light 10 5, Kaimate 10 3, Coeardo Lion 10, Dr Bill 9 10, Paria and Haloion 9 0.

Winter Cup Handicap, of 300 eova. One mile-—Record Reign 12 9, Sir Lancelot) 11 9, CrHsoe 118, Conqueror 112, Raamah&Dga 10 11. Bash Hose 109, Nihilist 10 8, First Blood 105, Ideal 105, Strathnairn 104, Sundial 100, Lasting 10 0, Haku 913, Female Franchise 9 12, The Spinner, Bristol and Cameo 9 10, Pbryne 98, Susannah 97, The Miner, Spider, Lapidary and Proposal 90.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association —By Elestrio Telegraph—Copyright United Press Association—By Electric

Telegraph—Copyright London, July 27 The House of Commons by 112 votes to 65, rejected a proposal for a large grant in aid of the ludian Famine Relief, Mr Balfour and Sir M Hicks' Beach declaring that the Indian offi" oials regarded it as unnecessary.

Colonel Morland's West African Frontier Force surprised and captured at the point of the bayonet the town of Xokofu, destroying a large Aehantee j camp, capturing much war material. He burned the town. , s Mblbourne, July 27 The Age says New Zealand's recent development of military enthusiasm is another evidence of the tendency to exaggeration, and is an extreme which is not likely to be approved by New Zealand in her cooler movements, nor be imitated by the Common wealth.

The Murders by Blacks.

BLOOQHOUNDB IN PURSUIT.

United Press Association—By Electiic (Telegraph—Copyright Sydney, July 27 Two bloodhounds have been sent to track the blacks.

Their victims were chiefly former employers, or persons against whom they had a grudge, . ..

Fresh tracks of the murderers u*ve been picked up. A strong party is in hot pursuit.

DON'S) Nature may cure your NEGLECT cough without aid, but you

COUGHS, can't afford to chance ir«

A cough thatl is left to cure itself is slowly overcome at btafc, and there is apt to be some weakness left to make the next) cough come easier.

We have two really good remedies for coughs and colds.

BENJAMIN GUM

is specially suitable for recent chills, Ifc is pleasant to take, cares very quickly, pre vents icflamatory symptoms and allays annoying tickling and hacking coughs.

TOWNEND'S CINNAMON CURE ia specially suitable for chronic coughs, though it will break up a rccmb attack as quickly as any other medicine made—Cinna mon has been proved iv Pasteues Institute to possess great destructive power over all bacilli, whilst being perfectly harmless to human beings. Wa have received some littering letters ad to its efficacy ia con sumption, bronchitis, asfchma, dysentry and ia typhoid fever,

Benjamin Gum Is 6d and 2i 6d. Oinn»2 mon (Jura 2s 6d. Obtainable everywhere; sole proprietors »nd manufacturers—Loasby's Wahoo M.P.G. Coy, Ltd, Dunedin.

TtiE ASHBUBTOIS 6IOAKDIAU ; SATUKDAt, JULY 28, 191)0



'irst quarter 'all muon iast quarter Jew moon

5 U 13 0 19 5 27 1

44] ai 52 ai 1 pi 13 ai



Date July 28 „ 29 „ 30 „• 31 August; 1 " I

Ri«es 7 20 719 718 7 17 7 16 7 15 7 14

Sets 4 54 4 55 4 56 4 57 4 53 4 59 5 I



IN FULL SWING. (q\ STOCKTAKING SALE AT " THE CORNER." (COMMBNOING- OUK LAST 14 DAIS.) ANOTBEB BATCH OF REAL JOB LINES. (Must be Sold) 6 Only Men's Tweed Qyerooats, 7a 6d, worth 21s 7 » i*!y Assorted Men's Tweed Bae Coats, 9i to 12a, worth 2» 3 Only Trousers and Vests, 12s 6d» worth 22s 6d 6 Cardigan Jackets 4» 9d, were 8a 6d „..,,, . A 13 Assorted Boy's Tweed Kniektr Buiti, 6s Ud *.ad7s6d, (rau«l 1m MM to b» valued, worth 12s) Large Turkey Handkerchiefs, 3 for le Silk Striped Mufflers It 6d, «»n»l!y 2* 6d S Pairs Woann'i Laoe K>d Boots, usually 12s 6d, aow 6s lid 16 Down Derby Scarfs, 4 for ft li (worth treble the money) 16 Ooly Men's Flannel Unders 2s lid, usually 3s lid (» real bargain) 48 P*ir» Women's Leather Slippers 3s 3d (Bewn), worft 4s 9d, (best Tftlttt IB Athburton without doubt) 125 Pairs Ladies' Kid Fur Topped Gloves, 2s lid, (during tab «B»y) 2$ Pairs Men's Lamb Wool Pants, 4s 6d (worth 6s fed) 300 Boy's Tweed Caps, 6 for Is (look at these) 46 Hearth Bngi 6i 6d, worth 9* 6d (hard to be equalled) v 1 only large Kidder Carpet Squares, 29a 6d (worth 48t 6i) 40 Dozen White Turkey Towels, 6d, 9d, Is 60 Dozen Brown Turkey Towels, 6d, 9d, Is 250 Yards Bordered A proa Cloths, s^d, worth 91 10 P*irs Fay Blouse FUnnellettes, 5-Ji, 4id, 6d A large lot of Fbin Co Jots at Sale value 22 Dark Tapestry Q silts, 5s 6d 75 White Blankets, 3a 9d eaoh 80 Grey Blankets, 5i 3d each 1050 Yards Cretonnes (alt designs) 4£d, s£d t 6jd 49 P*irs Lace Curtains 3s 3d, worth 5a 6d 35 Holland Aprons, Is, le b\, Is 9d 16 Child's Tunics, 3s lid, worth 6s 6d Special Seductions during the last 2 Weeks on the Balance of our Ladies' Trimmed Hats, Ladies' C»pes, and Ladies' Jackets. 14 Children* Mackintoshes, 3s 6i to 6s lid, aiast be cleared 187§ Yards Wide Fancy Ribbons, for neok wear, 4d, 4Jd, 5£ !, 6i ; worth up to 3a per yard 115 Y*rds Fiy Dress Tweeds, 7^4 } were Is 3d 66 Yards Silk Striped Crepon Is 6d a yard (was 2% lid) L*dies' Belts 3d. si, 9d (worth treb c) 60 P*irs Corßets, assorted from U lid to 4s 6d, all odd iz« aud makes— origisaUy 2s 9d to 9s 6d 12 Pieces Colored Velreteen Is ss*, all shades 2 Pieces only Black Velveteen, 11§~? 37 Yards Evening Tinsel Dre^e Souff Is 3d (was 2s 3d) Perambulator Quits, new and worth inspecting. Cot Quilts, new and worth Inspecting. Full size Bedstead Quilts new and worth inspecting. SPEND YOUE CASH_AT THIS SALE NORTHCOTE W& HEFFORD "THE OOSNEa." mKmmMXm.w^'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmKmmmmmmmmmimmmammmmb fNEW ZEALAND CLOTHINO_FACTORY. Boy's Tweed Sailor Soits from 5* Boy's Serge Sailor Suits from 7s 6d Boy's Tweed Melville Suits from 9a Boy's Tweed Norfolk Suits from 12a Bey'« Sac Knicker Suits from 18s fed Bey's Covert Coate from 14b 6d Boy's Tweed Overcoats from 6a 6d Boy's Reefer Jackets from 6s 6(3 Boy's Football Jer?eya from 3a 3d Boy's Caps 6d each Boy's Sailor Tann Is bach FOX GOOD VALUE, GOOD WEAR, LOW PRICE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. W BTBANGB] Bow Paktnbm asd [T, COVEBDALE * Propbibtobb.



THOUSANDS Will be Interested to Know that Our Monster Stock-taking Sale IS z=N O W ON= AT CHBIBTCHUBCH. A T M* GREAT SaLE i» i. our Carton, ermj je»t to SAOBWIOE Hie ENTIRE BALANCE OF OUK WINTER STOCKS In order to effect as complete a clearance as possible, we shall make SWEEPING REDUCTIONS la FFERT DEPARTMENT. Even plain Household Goods, such aa Calicos and Cottons ■nenlly (made and unmade) will be reduced; aleo the price of Suite »ad Single Garment!, loth to ordir and ready-made. Furniture, BtddiDg, and everything we mak« and sell. GOODS OF FASHION, (The same remark applies to « GOODS OF FASHION," such as oar Enuhite London tad Parisian MODEL MILLINERY, our Stylish Winter Dresses and l>ress Goods for Evenii t> Wear, and our lovely Winter Jackets, Mantles, Capes and Macintoshes, all of which Must be Bold for what they will Bring, air wa never carry over such goods fro a icaion to season* Ouite peasibly you may exolaim, on reading the above, «OH ( I AML SO 8ORBY!" But I liwwfa* »way from Christohuroh I can'b gel[there to attend the S»le.» That doesn't matter in the least, since you can do as HUNDREDS already do, SHOP WITH XJS BY POBT If you can't shop with us in person 1 GET A CATALOGUE. H.""J got your Catalogue read it carefully through (you will find it really interesting), WE WILL DO THE REST By return Train, Poat or Couch, as the case may be, your Parcel shall be forwarded— and we will take as much care to please you as though you walked up to on» of our eonoferi and made your purchase personally. If we are Sold Out of mm precise line you want ws will send tbe Nearest Thing to ib, and if you are noo s&fciefied then, we will return you your money 1 DON'T MISS THE CHANCE IMs Sale presents to you to sc euro BXTWAORDINABY BAMGAINS. THE SALE WILL SOON BE OVBB, A8 IT POSITIVELY ENDS ON August 31, 1900 STRANGE~&~COMPANY, OHKIbTOHUHOH-



©BURGH BERYSCEB. ' QT. « T BPBB N S 0 H UR 0 H IkJ^ Ashburbon. SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY (July 29) 8 30 am: Holy Communion 11 sin; M-tins and Sermon 2 30 p ra : Children* Service 4pm: Holy Baptiem i 630p m : !■ vening Prayer and Sermon The Offertoiieß throughout the day will be given to the Ohuah Mueion Fund of the diocese. R. A. WOODTHORPE, M.A. I Vioar



ABHBURTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. n IHB Servicei in the above Church, and L at Wakanui, on SUNDAY, July 29, 1900, will be conducted by Rkv J* Mackib, of St Andruw*. .



A social in aid of the Awaroa School fuode will b« b»ld on August 17fchi



An entertainment will be given on Wednesday, August 1, in the Templar Hall in connection with tho 1.0.G.T* When doctors disagree, saya the adage, who shall decide ? It is difficult) very often, even without the difference of opinion among the faculty, to decide as to the merits of the various medicinal preparations which are upon tho marker. A safe general rule ia to believe thhb a preparation which professes to cure everything will cure nothing. Having thus weeded out nine tenths of the claimants, it is comparatively easy to find reliable evi dence of personal use concerning the re mainder. Mr E G Lane, of Oamaru, is In the fortunate position nob only of having no medical difference regarding the value of his Greasoted Emulsion, but also in having' | direct professional approval of ib. He has in his possession a letter written by a mamber of the faculty stating that he treated ; a case of consumption with Lane's Creasoted ' Emulsion, »nd was glad to aay that after a course of treatment the patient had improved greatly. The sputum has diminished, the! cough was less, the night sweating had almost stopped, and the weight; of the patient bad increased seven or eight pounds, Uneq ailed and Invincible, Woods' Great Peppermint Oare for Coughs and Golds, Is 6d and 2s 6d



The reiiahJoFamjly 'Remedy Woods'Qrsa Peppermint Cure for Coughs and Golds- Is 6d and "?a 6d Smoke New Venus