EPHEMERIS

Phases of Mood for December

BUN.

THE ASHBURTON TRAIN SERVICES

Trains leave Asbburton daily for— OHRIBTOHUROH—ab 7.20 am, 11 am

3.15 p m, 7 5 p m (express) TIMARU—at 10.55 am, 3.50 pm DUNEDIN—at 1264 pm (express) SPRINGBURN-at 4.25 p m

Trains arrive daily at Ashburtoa from— OHKISTOHUROH—ab 10.45 am, 12.48

p m (express), 8 pm TIMARU—at 10.35 am,255 pm DUNEDIN—at 6.57 p m (express) SPRINGBURN-at 9.45 a m>

Mail Notices.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 3

For Northern Porto and Westport, per Tarawera, at 6 30 pm TUBBDAY, DECEMBER 4

For Samoa, Hawaii, Phillipiueu, Japan, alto United States, Canada, United King dom and Continent of Europe, via San Fran, ciicn, (due London Jan 4), also South America, Teneriffe, and United Kingdom (per Paparoa), specially addressed currespon' dance only, per Rotomahana, at 630 pm; Money Orders, 2pm ; registered articles, at 6p m.

SECOND EDITION Commercial.

HAVELOOK STREET MART.

There «r»s a moderate attendance of buyers at Mr Henry StepHenson's sale on Saturday. The yardipg of pigs sold somewhat cheaper than at previous sties. Suckers brought 6i, weaners 7a ; 7« 53, Bs, 9), to lOi; stores made from 11s 6d to 13a 6tl. There was a small yarding of cow*, only one being sold, bringing £5 15*. Fowls were selling well from 2s, Si 6', to 3a lOd. Ducks brought 4s Id.

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, DECEMBER 3. 1900 SEDITION IN CAPE COLONY

Tt will be seen on reference to our cable columns that Lord Kitchener is now io command in South Africa. As this is officially notified, it follows that from this time forth the conqueror cf tag Soudan will b« responsible for the operations of the British army in that part of the world. He has got his work cat oat ; there is no doabt about that, bat if his past career goes for anything, we may rest assured that be will not permit any false notions of sentiment, or any fears as to what the Continental nations may say, ♦« inter fere with what he thinks «,iuu.d be done to carry oat his daty to the Empire. In short he will stand no nonsense; and there is some consola tion in knowing this, in view of the bare-faced manner in which the Boers hare hitherto worked upon the clem ency and magnanimity of their generous foe. The whole country, from Lyden ! berg to the southern border of the Orange Colony, is fall of treacherous vagabonds, who openly trade on the fact that the British military authori ties treat them as honorable opponents, in accordance with the rules of civilised warfare, When we come to think of the large and ever-increasing number of our brare fellow-countrymen who have been done to death by black treachery, by constant abase of the recognised laws of war by men sworn to neutrality, after having been cap tured in actual fight, we cannot wonder that the loyalists in South Africa have raised an exceeding hitter cry against gentle treatment being accorded to their treacherous and barbarous foes. We cannot be surprised at their fre quent complaints of the extraordinary and unprecedented leniency shown to the Boers captured with arms in their hands, and the inexplicable toleration shown towards the sedition-mongers and pro-Boers actually living under the protection of the British flag. When the conduct of men like Shriener, Saner & Company —men who have put up a record of traitorous deeds that would have brought them to the block even in England, a century ago—is utterly ignored, and practically encouraged, since it is winked at, it is no marvel that the loyalists are greatly dissatis fied. We observe that there is to be a great conference of Africander traitors and pro-Boers, at Worcester, a town in the south of Capo Colony, in the course of a few days. Now, what other nation on the face of this planet, excepting tha British, would have per ' mitted such a gathering to take place und^r similar circumstances ? It is a distinct menace to the peace of the Bar rounding country, a fact which is acknowledged by the Authorities in strongly increasing the garrison of the place, And—unless the suggestion given below i« to be acted upon—it almost amounts to a confession of weakness. We think that the majority of the people aider British rale, will never again view with equanimity tbt spectacle of Britons standing meekly by, while the Dutch meet to discuss an Africander Africa, and make laws to that end. The only plausible and

attractive reason (hat we can lee to, justify the British authorities in per mitting this gathering of traitor* at Worcester, would be exhibited by the Government waiting till the rebel chief* are all assembled, and then cap ture the whole lot of them. Should that be done, we are inclined to think that the action would meet with ap proval—not to say acclamation—from one end of the Empire to the other. It seems to us that it would have an immense effect in bringing the present war to a close, and surely almost any strong measure would be justified to secure so desirable an end.

Local and General.

To Opb Headers—lnteresting reading matter will be found on our first and fourth pagea Jf OMOB.—We learn that Constable G* H. Fry, of Chriitohuroh, has been transferred to Ashhurton, Constable Drummond, filling the vaoancy in the cathedral city. The transfers date from to-day.

T» •Wmathbr.—Yesterday the weather was vary unseasonable, being ahowery and cold la the morning. In the afternoon a shower of hail fell, and a thunderatorm continued for some time.

Bailwat Changes —Mr James Aitken.who has been olerk at thin station for some time, has been promoted to Wanganui, Mod leaves for his new appointment on Wednesday. Mr Tapper, from Addington, takes his place here.

A Runaway.—Another runaway ooourred this morning. A horse in a brake ran away from near the railway station at about seven o'clock, and mad* the pace pretty hob np East street, carrying away two lamp posts in the journey. It was brought to a stand* still just over the Bslt.

I Education in <thi Back Countbt—ln a Court case at Motueka, the principal witness was a girl nineteen yean of age, who laid she could neither read nor write, and when asked to name the months of the year l' consecutively she could not do so.

Accident—A young man named Henry Sutherland, while working with a hair teasar, gou his hand caught in the steel spikes, with the result that a portion of the baok. of tht hand was torn away. He immediately went to the doctor and had it Been to and is progressing as well as can be expected.

A Realistic and Awful Piotubi.— One of the most startling and realistic pictures of the horrors of war will be found in another column. It la an extract from an article by Mr A. G. Hales, the celebrated war correspondent! whoje fame the oppor tunity Riven by the Boer War has firmly established.

Second Rath at Amy R ate—The Rev H<trold E Eneor, of Phillipstown, writing to a Obristohureh contemporary, under the head* ing of" A Filthy Habit, " concludes as fol lows : -• Would it not be well for our City Council to try the effort of neatly printed notices placed in conspicuous positions/ Gentlemen who expeotorate on the footpaths must not expect to rate as gentlemen.'

ASHBTTBTON CARFBKTERS AND JoiNlßg' Association.—A well attended and repre sentative meeting of the Achburton Car penters and Joiners' Union was held in tha Templar Hall on Saturday at 8 p.m. A good deal of business was transacted, and accounts were passed for payment. The receipts for the evening were large, members paying up promptly. Damages by Bosh Fires—ld December of last year Gipps^and was devastated by bush fires, some 15,000 acres being affected. Forty four grazers, farmers, selectors, and others, whose properties were injured, blame a railway ganger for the fire«, alleging that he allowed a c burning off' fire to get beyond control. They now claim damages from the Railway department in sums ranging from £12 to £3845, and aggregating £14,000

Shepp Worrying Extraordinary — A contributor to"the Haweta Star hears that a pony at Ofaiieho has recently developed sheep worrying propensities, and last week succeeded in killing half a dczin lambs before its destrnctivenesa w»s discovered. It runs after a lamb, catches it in Us teeth, and drops it »g*in, repeating the operation nctil the lamb la dead. That pony has been removed to a fresh field.

Cbicket —At Willowby on Saturday the High tiohool played the local Club and defeated them by S wickets. The pitch wa* rather bumpy for eithnr high eooring bt good bowling averages. Frieby and Haym»n for Willowby and Re veil and Baxter for the school were most successful with the ball. Revell with 18 not out was the only player who reached doable figures. Meatrs Watson and Tennant umpire 1 during the game at the close of which tha visitors were entertained at afternoon tea, where lbs Misses Harding, Watson and Lill presided

A Bio Ekl—As on Several evenings lately a commotion has been noticed amongst the swans and cygnets feeding near the Here ford Street Bridge, Christohuroh (cays the Press), and as several cygnets have disappeared, ft oonstable was stationed to watch tha rive ron Saturday morning. He saw a large eel swimming about amongst the weeds. Obtaining a spear, he succeeded in landing the fish, which was a little over four feet in length and weighed twenty-one pounds. The body and tail were very thick, and the head resembled that of a small bulldog. TChen canght, it disgorged a fresh water crayfish six inches.in length, No doubt the disappearance of the cygnets can be attributed to this monater,~Zy/fc/frtt Times

Cut This Oot—The measures of length used in the Bible with th«ir equivalents In our modern use, are as follows :—The great cubit was 21 888 laches, or 1.824 feet, and the less cubit 18in ; a span (the longer) £ a cubit, or 10.944 in, or .912 of a foot; a spat* (the lets) one third of a cubit, or 7 296 in, or .608 of a font; a hand's breadth, 1.6 of a cubit, or 3.684«n, or .304 of a foot; a finger's breadth, 1.24 of a cubit, or .912 of an inch, or ;Q76 of a foot ; a fathom, 4 cubits, or 7 296 ft; Ezesfiel's reed, 6 cubits, or 10.944 fact ; the mile, 4,000 cubits, or 7.294 ft ; the stadium, 1.10 of their mile, or 400 cubits, or 729.6 f t; the parasang, 3 of their milee, or 12,000 cubits, or four English miles and 680 ft ; a day's j mraey was 33 164 mileit, some say 24 miles ; a Sabbath Day's journey, 3,600 ft, or, as some authorities contended, 3,648 ft.

Mgdkbn Expletives—A writer in the Scotsman says;—l remember fehe driver of my oonvevanoe from Akaroa to Little River, in New Zsaland, was a ' stickit minister,' from one of the southern counties of Scotland; And I am lorry to Bay that when the wheels of the conveyance got' stickit' on a hillside, the once upon a time scholar of the Edin burgh Divinity Hail used language proving that, if he had forgotten his Greek, he had acquired a wonderful acquaintance with modern expletives. Another gentleman X met was a Scottish graduate of Cambridge, who, having purchased a < farm,' was workr ing like a slave to find it under a labyrinth of scrub and tenacious fern. He seemed to have wholly lost remembrance of all the refined expressions in the English language whenever he spoke of hisl&ni proprietorship, Looking at It, I excused him,

SPORTING

TAKAPUNA J C SPRING MEETING

SECOND DAY

United Preia Association—by Electric Telegraph Takapcna BAOEOOtrasK, Dec 1

Spring Handicap—Bt Peter 1, Hatting* 2, Cuirasette 3. Dividends -£6 2s and £6 12s

Sioond Hack Handicap—Yolee 1, The Master 2, Progree 3, Dividends—£3 3s and £3 6s

Sxoond Pont Handicap-Mamoa 1, First Whisper 2, Lena 8. Dividends—£3 5s and £6 12a

Cautlry Handicap—Winsome 1, Taka puna 2, Cuirasette 3. Dividends—£3 10s and £3 5a

S*ifcPiiKOHASl~-GannoDg*te 1, Straybird 2, Tarrijran 3 Dividends—£6 5s and £7 4a. WILTIR—St Ursula 1, Regalia 2, Admiral Hawke 3. Dividends—£2 10s and £2 16s

D J. C. SPRING MEETING

SECOND DAY

United Preu Association—By Electsio Telegraph Dunrdin, Deo 1

Et Andbbw'b Handicap—Jupiter 1, Dan dti 2, Brlsa 3. Won by three lengthi. Divldend~£4 8i

Sviphenson Mbmorial Stakes—Battler 1, Komuri 2. The only starters. Won by three quarter* of % length* Dividend—£3 J2i

Second Hack Handicap—Gladys II I, Mo&ca 1, S»l y 3. Won by two lengths. Dividend—£ll 2a

Gband 8f and Handicap—Aberorombie 1, Vanilla 2, Hermoaa 3. Won by two lengths. Dividend—£4 8s

Juyenilk Handicap — Canteen 1, Lady Bibbie 2. The only starters. Dividend— £1 4i

Farewell Handicap—Edelweiss I,Casa bianoa 2, The Orphan 3. Won by six lengths. Dividend-£S

VOLUNTEERS

(THE OHVRCH PARADE

A church parade of the local battalion of Volunteers and Mounted Riflei was held yesterday, the occasion of the parade being to attend Sfc Stephen's Churoh, where the dedication of the memorial tablet, erected to the memory of <iha late Corporal R. A. B Upton, of the Rough Riders, was to take place. The battalion, under Captain W E Do'man, assembled at the Post Ofice corner at ten o'clock, and were under the follow ing officers :—Rifles, 45, Acting-Captain T Hayes and Lieutenant A Clarke ; Guards—Captain W Sparrow, 42, and Lieutenant Shearman; Mounted Rifles- Captain GAM Buckley, 62, Lieutenant A A looks, Sergeant Major Gibson and Quarter Master R Riokman. Lieutenant A Clarke acted as Adjutant of the battalion* Trooperi Edward Willis and Clark, of the Rough Riders, were also in attendance to pay resptot to the memory of their late comrade. Headed by the Ashburton Brass Band, who mustered in good numbers, the p%rade moved off at 10.45 via East and Moore Street! for the Church. The volunteers were met at the church door by the choir, who preoeded them into the bul'ding singing the pre cessional hymn (A and M No 225). The memorial servioe was conducted by the vioar, the Rev R A Woodthorpe. The musical portion consisted of Psalms xc. and cxxx, Hymn, A and M 537, and after the vioar had dedicated the memorial tablet, a dedication ode, arranged specially by Mr Llewellyn Owen, * Home to the God of our Fathers, Home to the laud of the blest, King of the Heav'a's mighty armies, grant him eternal rest,' wax played by Mr Owen on the organ, on which the fine passages nf the music were brought out with great feeling and «klll- Hymns A and M 289 and 437 were sung, and after the benediction the Musical Union Orchestra, led by Mr MoOlurg played the Dead March the congregation all standing. Mr Horace Gates was choir master, and Mrs ClarMge presided at the organ being assisted by Mr L Owen on the second instrument. The vicar took for his text the words inscribed upon the . memorial tablet •Watch ye, stand fast in the faith ; quit you like men, be strong* (1 Cor. xvi 130 Want of space does not permit us to refer as we should like to Mr Woodthnrpe's eloquent and impressive address, but it is universally admitted to have been ia every way worthy of the occa sion and of the vicar's reputation as a pulpit speaker. It is almost needless to say that a very warm tribute was paid to the character of the young soldier, who had laid down his life in the service of the Empire ; but we may say that Mr Woodthorpe attribute the superior morale of the British soldier of to-day, to the tone prevailing in the army in the past, to tho influence of Lord Roberts. The congregation present at the service was large, many being unable to enter the Church

"Why Smith Left Home"

The theatre>going portion of the Ashbur* ton community are certainly indebted to Mr Charles Arnold for the production on the local stage of several first class plays. Recollection! of 'The Private Beoretary,' and 'Charley's Aunt,' with which Mr Arnold's name was associated, had scarcely faded from our memory when Charles serenely bobs up with ' What Happened to Jones,' and * Why Smith Left Home.' The lasb namud was staged by the company on Saturday evening, and although scarcely equal to ' Jones," was ludicrously funny. A succession of domestio troubles occur in the home of John Smith, who had but reoently joined the bsnedfots, and was awaiting with feverish anxiety the time when the visits of hit wife's many relatives would oease,in order to facilitate his departure on his honeymoon toun In addition to the afore-named troubles his wife's aunt becomes somewhat abusive, and threatens to teach his wife how to rule her husband, and bring him Into thorough subjection. The domestics join in the series of annoyances, and Lavinia Daly, the household cook, made matters merry by endeavouring, and successfully at that, to enforce the laws of tho Cook's and Housemaids' Union, The scenes which fol '»wed were brimful of merriment, although at times embarrassing to Mr and Mrs Smith. Mr Wiiloughby, as John Smith, very skil fully portrayed the large duty devolving upon him ', while Mrs Agues Knight's acting of the part allotted as Mrs Smith, was an admirable exposition of a difficult character. Mr Ohaa Arnold, as Count yon Guggenholn, who got hopelessly mixed in his overtures of love- to an elderJy lady, when he imagined he was wooing a young and beautiful girl, and who turned out subsequently to be Mrs Smith, was very successful. The minor parts were placed in a very satisfactory manner- We trust the Ashburbon pubiio will have many opportunities of renewing their acquaintance with Mr Charles Arnold.

KRUGERS'S TOUR A FAILURE

United Prew Association—By Bleotrio Telegraph—Copyright)

Paris, Nov 30

Ex President Kroger is impatient, and is trying to rush the Powers into supporting his appeal for arbitration.

With this object an ective inter change of telegrams is taking place between Paris, Berlin, and Livadia, where the Ozar is at present staying.

The Senate hai adopted a rote of sympathy with Kroger. The non-committal attitude of both of the French Chambers hai dispelled Kruger's laid hope. He has counter masded the arrangements for hit journey to Berlin, and it is believed that he is abandoning his visit in the face of the authorative warnings that arbitration overtures will not be entertained,

Pabis, December 2

Kroger, on starting for Cologne, redeived an ovation at Paris and all country stations.

The crowd at Liege shouted " Down with Chamberlain !" Kroner's com panions immediately drew the curtains o the carriage. Kroger advanced and waved his hand.

The crowd, reinforced by students, repeated the cries before the British Consul's residence, and threw stones until the police induced the Consul to withdraw from the balcony.

Night on the Battlefield.

A VISIT TO THE DEAD.

STORIES BY THE CAMP FIRE.

[By A. G. Hams]

The fighting had ceasf d juet before eun down, and oar troops had pushed on and occupied the kopjes that the enemy had stubbornly defended all day. In the rocks men dressed ia old tweed suits lay still, with rifiea lying beside them, firmer-looking folk for the most part, with nothing of a aoldier about them exoepting the rifle and bandolier. For the most part they lay in easy, repose ful positions, behind little rocky ridges, their dies resting easily in their hands, more like men taking a oalm nap after the heat and fatigue of a day's fierce isjbting than like men who had received marching orders from the IMb and greatest) of generals, whose name is " Death,'' Others were doubled np in gruesomely grotetqne positions, their rifle* clubbed In the a'rong dirty brown hands. Death had not come easily or swiftly to them. No bullet winging its unmarked way through the translucent air had sung them to sleep. No epUntered shell had riven body And ■oul asunder with the swift, awful anguish of a moment. The dilated eyeballs, with pupils widely distended, the nostrils savagely expanded, the bearded lips drawn baok wolflike from the yellow fangs-all epoke the bayonet thrust, for these were they who refused b* fly when hope was gone, bub stubbornly held out to cover their comrades' retreat, brave men for whom death bad no terrors, no matter in what guise it came. Up the slops of the kopje and on the veldt in the coarse, white winter'! grass other figures were lying death-still and silent. They were Britain s sons who had met their fate at the taking of those hills. How still they lay, and yet how bard if seemed to ua who lived and looked, to believe that they would never rise again when the bugle rang out reveille. Here one had stumbled toward, his rile in hit left hand, his helmet pushed a little back upon his head as if bo shield his neck from the rays of the sun. His forehead rested upon the muscles of his right forearm. Surely he had grown weary by the way, and only slept from from very weariness. Bat when we turned him face upwards to the sinking sun we saw a mark, blue-black, and ringed with red an inch above the eyebrow —a tiny mark, such as a childish knuckle makes in boyish fight. So we knew the sleep the soldier slept was the slumber of the everlasting, the rest eternal. Another knelt beside an ant-heap. His rifl* lay beside him. One hand was stretched palm downwards on the ant pile, the other rested placidly upon his bent knee, his head dropped slightly forward, and on big face there was no look of pain—only a puzz'ed, startled look as if the rigid features asked in wondering, silent eloquence, " Can this be death V We laid him gently down and Bet his stiffened limbs out peacefully, folding the hands in mute appeal across the lifeless breast. Shot through the heart, he had not felt the blow that passed him with one swift stride across the border which divides the sunshine from the shadow.*

A little farther on another Jay, hit helmet tossed aside in the grim anguish which the spirit knows, when the strong soldier, riven in a vital part, prepares to meat his God. To him the messenger had come hot foot from hell, winged with, all the cruet terrors of brutal bloody war. There was no mercy tn the message, The gaping wound, the riven flesh, the mangled bone, all spoke the passage of the foeman's shell, And all around the blood-stained veldt, the grass torn up by knees and toes hard pressed into the soil, the mouth half full of earth and weedß, the great knotted hands that in the last wild fight for life had clutched at mother earth, all had one tale to tell. If they who speak for war and vote for cainage with un thinking haste had : . seen him die, per* chance, their sleep would not be quite so sweet in years to come. The awful grin upon the deadm&n's face, the savage fixity of the death dulled eye, the teeth hard get in earth and blood, the curling beard clotted with blood md foam, and that awful wound which took in breast bones and nil the nether apace down to the belt, made such a picture as I hops will haunt the Bleeping homes of those who made this war through ail the years they live, uotil they cry to rooks and hills to f -11 upon them to hide them from the horrors of the night. We gathered up the wounded, and the dead were laid to sleep, planting each man just where we found him j and then we crowded round our camps to listen to the moaning of the wayward wind droning its monotone over the resting plaoo of friend and foe.

Bull Charges a Balloon.

Amstebdam Got 19

The other morning, ju»t before dawn, a balloon descended in a meadow near Val burg. It contained two aeronauts—Messrs Blanohet and Begnault—-who had ascended from the Paris Exhibition

A bull saw the balloon alight, went to inspect it, found it a suspicious object, and charged it full tilt. Ths aeronauts escaped with their lives, but the balloon was torn to tatters by the animal's horns

School For Heroes

HOW TWOSOIiDIERS WON THE VICTORIA CKOSS

Two More V Oi'a were gazetted reoently as having been awarded respectively to Sergeant H Eogleheart, 10th Hussars, and Corporal F Kirby. Royal Engineers. At dawn od Marofa 13 the party that had des* troyod tha railway north Bloemfontein had to charge through a Boer piquet and get over four deep epruits, in order to make their way baok through the Boer lines. At the fourth Sapper Webb's horee failed to get up the bank, la face of a very heavy rifle and shell fire, Sergeant Engleheart returned to his assis tance, and, retiring slowly, to oover Webb's retreat, was able to get him safely baok to the party. Shortly before this, Sergeant Engleheart had shown great gallantry in dashing into the first spruit, which oould only be reached in single file, and wu eti'.l full of Boera hesitating whether to fly or fire. Had they been given time to rally they mast have destroyed the small party of Bri tish, as they outnumbered them by four to one. A party sent to try to out the Delagoa Bay Railway were retiring, hotly pressed by very superior numbers, on June 2, when a man, whose horse had been shoe, was seen running after his comrades.

He was a long way behind the rest of his troop, and was under a brisk fire. Corporal JLlrby turned and rode back to the man's assistance*

Although by the time he reached him they were under a heavy fire at close range, Kirby managed to get the demounted man up behind him and to take him clear out of danger. _^

CYCLING

A GREAT RACE,

The Prix dv Cemmissariab Generale de I'Exposition was decided at Paris on Septem* ber 11. The following were the prizes:— First £100, second £60, third £40, fourth £24, fifth £16. Starters: Lioton, Walters, and Chase (England), Huret, Taylor, Bor, Bouhours, Digeon,- Leonard, Lesna, and Andreses (France), Bovy (Belgium), Bobl (Germany), and Ryser (Switzerland). Much interest was centred in Walters and Huret, as the race was considered as a sort of trial spin for the long distance cracks competing in the 24 hoar 80l dOr race, which was to commence on the following Saturday evening. At '6 45 pm, the lot were started, Taylor being the first away behind the petrols quad, he leading by 50yds at the end of the second lap, Bouhonrs being we!) in front of tha others. Linton, Chase, and Bor were without pacers at the start, and had to ride severs' laps unpaced. At the fourth round Taylor commenced to lap several of the competitors, Bor and Linton beingjthe first to Buccumb, and the former shortly afterwards retired, Walters running into second position* Bouhours toon de prived him of this, and at 10 kilos ran into firs*-, plaoe. Chase met with more bad luck with his pacing machine, %nd Huret was tapped at the 13th kilometre. Bonhour» then experienced troub'e with his pace, and Walters led at 20 kilometres. He was, however, soon repassed by Taylor, who in 'urn met with pacing mishaps, lost hit lead, and was lapped by Walters and Bouhours. Chase and Linton, unlrcky with their pace, retired* Walters led at 30 kilometres, Bouhours at 40 kilometres, the hour positions bring: Bouhours first, with 35 miles 1,484 yds; Walters second, two laps behind; Rohl third, 50yd« behind ; Walters, Ryser, Leonard, Baylor, Huret, Leana, etc, following in this order. Just after 60 kilometres Walters touched his paoers' back wheel and fell heavily, but remounted directly. He pulled himself together, losing a good bit of ground. At 80 kilometres, with Bouhours leading, Taylor ran into third plaoe. Records commenced to fall after 100 kilo metres had bean pasted, when »n aooident might have occurred, through someone crossing the track, had it not been for the clever steering of some of the paoers. The result was th«t Robl't tandem was put out of action, he having to retire when moving well The positions at two hours were Bouhours first, with 68 miles 1,970 yds Wai' tens three lapß behind, Taylor fourth, then following Ryser, Lesna, Hurefc, etc. Raoing than oommenoed in earnest, Taylor improving bis pace and catching Walters, while Boir hours seemed to be going off a bit. but he led up to the 13 h kilome're, then Taylor and i Walters had a rare set to, but eventually the former got the trst of it, and went after Bou* hours, passed him, and took the lead at 140 kilometres. Walters then piled on the paoe and also got; past Bouhours, but could not make any impression on T ylor. his fall hay. ing apparently taken a lot out of him. The final olanifioation for the 100 miles was :—

h, m. «. 1. Taylor (world's record) .. 2 57 53 4 5 2. Wnlfcera ... .« .. 258 54 3. Bouhours .. .3 136 4. Lesna ... 3 12 15 ,5. Hurst ... \ .3 14 38 In the intercolonial cycling races at the '■ Paris Exhibition on September 13 the English visitors had their opportunity in the last raot. The distanoa was 100 kilometres. There were eleven s'arters. The pace was hot sll through. Chase endangered his j viotory by a spill near ihe finish, bnt quietly gob up again, and won by fire lengths. Re aulfc: Chase 1, Bouhoura 2, Taylor (France) 3, Rohl 4<

THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

United Press Association—By Electric (Telegraph—Copyright

Hong Kokg, Nov 30

The Yangtze viceroys have refused to stop the provisions for the Im perial Court at Siu-gan fa. St Petersburg, Nov 30

A Rnsßian Imperial statement is published to the effect that Japan originated tbe weakening of tbe Powers' ultimatum to China, she having a closer knowledge of what was obtain able in tbe way of concessions.

Book Notes.

„„. ."" . , L , , ... , M. Zola intend! to stadj ■lum life in fcr*I gfo7tifVt *" We ID Kdmbcrgh °Bir Henry Craik, K.C:B., has complete.? his "History of Scotland since the '45,"» nd it will be published by Meesers B'ackn'ood daring the autumn. The work will be Id two volumes. "KDgland a Hundred Years Ago," or "The Dawn of the Nineteenth Century," a Social Sketch of the Timea,by George Aehton, will shortly be re toned in popular form by Mr Unwin, with 114 illustrations, drawn by the aathor from contemporary plates. Mr John Morley's biographical study of Oliver Cromwell has been published by Mesurs Mactnillan. Primarily a biog raphy, the book is incidentally a h'atory of CromweU'e time. Justice is done to the character and actions of Cromwell, which are token not as explaining their age, but as explained by it. , Thfl M,S. of the "Slavery of oar Times," the inquiry into the results of modern indnstrialtam on which Count Tolstoi h«s been engaged for some months, has reached England. It will he translated by Mr Aylmer Maude, and published at one shilling by the Free Age Press, simultan eously with their new threepcfv editions of Tolstoi's story of the early Ch.^tmas.

Book puffery has now been reduced to a fine art In Garmany. A firm of publish ers, says the "Chronicle," wanted to make a certain novel go, so they advertised that a certain nobleman had been so smitten with the charms of the heroine that once having loved her he could love no other. He was, the advertisement said, now in search of the counterpart of the heroine, with a view to matrimony. The book sold like hot cakes.

Mr Ohoate, the American Ambassador, recently had an amusing experience In a London bookshop, where he wenh to buy a copy of Dante's •Hell.' The clerk departed to feeek the book, bat soon retain ed to remark— 1'! am very sorry, bat I haven't gob 'Fell' by Mr Dante. We've got 'Twenty Years In Sooth Africa,' by Oecfl Rhodes, if that will do.» "And feeling," concludes Mr Choate, "that that was practically the same thing, I took the book. 1'

Messrs Hotchimon & Co. have in the press and «ill publish immediately "The Bight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain: The Man and the Statesman." by N. Murrell Marris. The book which has been in preparation for some considerable time, will give a full and intimate account of Mr Chamberlain's career, and will include a condensed hiatoiy of much of the political life of the country during the last 30 years. Mr Chamberlain has lately given a special sitting for the portrait which is to appear in the volume, and also his permission to photograph Highbury and the many interesting mementoes it cod tains.

A Charge of Theft Disproved

United Prsai Association—By EUctrie Telegraph IDunidin, Daosmber l At the Supreme Court to>day, George Knight Noble aud Henrietta noble, bit wife, were charged with «tetling a costume length of blue lerge. Both of the aootued had been In the employ of Adolpha Lorie, at cutter and ooatume maker respectively* When their house wm searched, a skirt nearly completed wm frond, and it wm claimed that the material wat from a pieoa ftf serge in Lorie'i. After evidence had been heard, including that of Noble, who said he had bought the urge from J. B. Tickle and 00, Sydney, a verdict waa retimed of " Not guilty," and that there wae not » •tain on the character! of Noble and his wife.

Australia.

United P«m Association-By Kleobrio Telegraph—Copyright Mimqubjm, November 29 T*>e »>»if year\y report of the Moont Lyell ' Company was lidoptea. The Chairman Etftfed th»t the financial reßU lt 9 hud been lobs stttiefactory owing  .  , - , £ . .*" tc the low grade ore treated. It l* in tended to donsiderably increase the purchase of ore outside the mines. It waß » nn oanced that the company had , , v . T  . v * purchased the King Lyell mine. Thursday Island, Dec 2 Three cases of plague bare been die covered aboard the Government tag Cormorant, which arrived from England.

The Beer Poisoning Epidemic.

THE OAUSE TRACED.

U1 Asomtion By Electric Telegraph—Cop igbb London, Dec 8.

There have been 1000 beer-poisoning oatet. There were 200 fresh ones yesterday. The area affected extended to Leeds, Huddert* field, and Darlaston. The cause hat been traced to the faotytmt a Liverpool firm was using brewing tugw and bad sulphuric acid.

Gardening for the Month.

DECEMBER.

Kitchen Garden

Keep the hoe going regularly and in every place, particularly after heavy raini, and when the ground it sufficiently dry; tbit, while it adds to the purifying of the toil, &lao enriches it and invigorates the crops, at the same time giving no quarter to insect! or their broods. In showery weather sprinkle a little salt over the asparagus beda. Celery will claim a considerable amount of attention thit month. Continue to pick out plants as recommended in former months, and have prepared, if not already, done, trenches for the reception of the main crop. In large establishment*, and when celery it in demand, it is always desirable to have one or more trenches six feet wide } Plant across in lines twelve or fifteen {nonet apart. This plan, however, it not bo prefer* able, unless to economise space j two rowa in a trench, with a foot between the plantt, are easier managed, and produces the bett celery; the reason it obvious,—the plants have more root room, and are easier earthed up, Th« practice of divesting the young plants of their leaves it very objeotionable. Lift the plantt with a ball of earth, and select the plants at near a size at BOStible. This plant is fond of moisture, and abonld be frequently watered with liquid manure. Thin out crops that ore crowded. Sow endive, cress, mastard, lettuce, and radiah. Thin oat onions, taking oare always to gather thote for present use whioh have the least bulbs ; hoe deeply between the rows, and harvest the ripe bulbs of the autumn town crop. As soon as the gooseberries are ready for tarts stop using the rhubarb, M the longer it is gathered now, the weaker it will be next year. Make another sowing of turnips towards the end of the month. CuOUMBBB AND MELON FbAMF* Attend to the instructions of last month; apply a little liquid minure to the roott occasionally ; give tolerably free ventilation during the day and also during close, warm nights. GRBIN HOUSE The treatment) recommended latt month, will, in most cases, be applicable in this, Tha busineis of potting must be proceeded with according to the growth of the plaata. Many of what are termed hard wooded plants seldom require more than an annual shift to larger sized pots, but this should b« done just before they begin growing. Bal sams and other tender annualt should new be placed near the glata. Heaths will require close attentson ; do not allow them to droop for want of water. . . : Flowbb Gardxh ahd Shbtjbbibt Water at the roots, and in the evening syringe over the foliage of all late planted _ trees and shrubs, particularly evergreens. Primroses and other spring flowering plant* should now be taken up and planted in torn* reserve. corner, so at to make room foe planting out autumn flowering annualt, rath - as balsams, French and African marigolds, s &o. Finish planting dahlias, and water well in dry weather. ■

Obohabd amd Fruit Gabdin

All superfluous wood in currant! msV gooseberries thould he removed to at to admit the light and air for the flavouring of the fruit and ripening of the wood. In gathering gooseberries for tarfct, avoid the common practice of clearing the basnet; it it much better to thin the fruit, or divert them only of half their load. Late *traw berries shonld be watered, but withheld M far at possible moisture from those that art ripening. _

Britain And The Netherlands

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright London, November 30 Great Britain is not renewing the prohibition of the export of arms from the Straits Settlement to the Dutch East Indies, in connection with the Acheen war in North Sumatra, This is regarded is a warning to the Netherlands Government of the dangers of pro-Boerism. Acbeen is a kingdom, once powerful, in the north of the Dutch possessions of Sumatra.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Elect* lo Telegraph—Copyright)

RITUALISTIC MATTERS, London, November 30

The Bishop of London has vetoed the proposed prosecutions of three of the most extreme Ritualistic clergymen in London by the Evangelical Parky, because the prosecutor is unconnected with the parishes concerned.

AWFUL CATASTROPHE.

Ban Francisco, Not 30,

The epectators at a football match here fell through tbe roof of a glass works into boiling vats and on to the furnaces. Eleven persons were killed and 40 badly barbed.

ABORIGINES IN AUSTRALIA.

The secretary of tbe Aborigines Pro tection Society in London has written

to Mr Chamberlain, urging the necessity of better protection for the aborigines in Australia,

f| ASHbORTOIS aOAROlA?? : MONDAY, DEC&MBEK 8, 1909



'all moon Ait quarter Jew moon 'irat quarter

6 14 22 29

10 8 pm 10 12 am 11 31 • m 1 18 pm



Date tooember i* •i i» •i i>

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ri«ei 4 17 4 17 4 17 4 16 4 16 4 16

Set) 7 21 7 22 7 23 7 24 7 25 7 26



THIS SPACE RESERVED jr>PN T. COOCH, Sannderb' Buildings, 12 11 THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY MEtf'S Silk Striped Tennis Shirts from 3a 6d Men's White Canvas Tennis Shirta 4.9 6d Men's Fanoy Tennis Shirts, splendid variety Men's Straw Hats from 3s Boys' New Straw Hats from Is Men's Frame Hats in New Shades 4a to 12s 6d The Largest Stock in ABhburton. CYCLING SWEATERS in Fawn and White, from 6i Men'a and Youths' Cricketing Trousers, all the Latest Novelties, AT THE N.Z, CLOTHING FACTORY- F. H. BECKINGSALE, Manager. ZEALANDIA CYCLES. BUILT with Narrow Tread and Overhanging Sprocket, Patent Head Tabe, Batted Tubing Throughout. Genuine English Danlop Tyres, and Guaranteed for 12 Months. Easy Payments Arranged for. BURNETT STREET, Largest Cycle Manufacturers in the Colony EAST STREET gANTA CLAUS AND FATHER CHKISTMAS ABE COMING ABAXN. ~ H. M. JONES. NOW Opening np a large, varied and well-selected Stock of Goods snltabla for Christmas and New Year Gifts. Imported direct from Eglleh and Oontine nrai Honses ex Paparoa, Deiphic, Zeslandia an Tokamarn. BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS. Excellent variety Prize and Reward Books from Oassela, Warne & Son, Bhckle & Son, Ward, Lock & Co, and other Publishers. Schools supplied equal to Christ* church. STATIONERY STATIONERY Latest style in Box^d Stationery, Cammerclal, Plain and Fancy Papers and Envelopes, Account Books, Albams. Writing Desks and Cases, Workboxes, Photo Frames, Inkstands, Purses, Pocket-books, Cabinets, Shell, Plush and Leather Goods, Fancy filass and China Ware, Elecfcro-piatei Goods. TOYS TOYS TOYS TOYS foLLS UOLLfTDOLLS DOLLS A gieat variety in tha above line, all sorts, elites and prices. FANCY GOODS FANOY GOODS CRICKETING, CRCQUET, AND LAWN TENNIS MATERIALS. PIANOS AJS D_ORGANS. H. M. JO NE S . WILLIAM PATCHING, EAST & SUBNET! STREETS, ABHBURTQN, SADDLEK & HARNESS MAKER. Ti/T V O-DTJPETEiST STAFF now includes FIRST CLASS COLLAR AND SADDLE MAKERS. Fit and Workmanship Guaranteed. Repairs Executed Promptly and at Moderate Rates



TO LET. Zetland Lodge Stables, situated at oorner of Baoeoourie and Belt Bonds, Allenton, together with comfortable Cottage of five tnomi Apply to **v* ' T boILOCK, Agent



TO LET, Dwelling of 6 raottit, also stable, together with 2 aorei of land fronting Oharlei Street Allentoo, and near the Woollen Factory Apply to X BULLOCK. Agfeoti.



OATS. WANTED —OATS for prompt delivery. 11133 FRIEDLANDER BROS, lm. ASHBURTON OFFICE "LYTTELTON TIMES" " CANTERBURY TIMES ' "ST4R" "SPORTSMAN ' WHERE Advertisements and Subscrip tion* will be received, and files oan be inspected. E. NORDON. Managing Agent for South Canterbury, BURNRTT BTREET, (Bntranoe to Thomas' New Auction Mart) 11 10



There are still tome great bargains obtain able at the Dresden Piano Go's saleroom in Mr Henry Stephenton's premises, Havelock Street. There are pianos ranging in prioe from 17 guineas up tff.CO guines, and organs from 11 guineas upwards. The attention of the public ia drawn to this, as the remainder of the stock must be sold, and prices and terms are far more favourable than on an} previous occasion—no reasonable offer being refused. Inspection and enquiries are in vited. Every instrument carries tbe Com pany's full written guarantee, and no better chance of obtaining as instrument has ever been offered to tbe public of Ashburton.— Advt. 12 5 uhhkoibsabt i.osb 07 xiiib Mr ff 8 Whedoa, Caahls of the First Nafciocal Balk of Wlnteifiat, lowa, la a reoent letter gives some experience with a I carpenter in his employ, that will be of value to other meohanics. Hs says{ ' I had a carpenter working for me who was obliged to stop work for several days on aooount of being troubled with diarrho*. I mentioned to him that I had been similarly troubled, and that Chamber lain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy had oured me He bought a bottle of It from the druggist here, and Informed me that one dose cured him, fend he is again at bis work.' For sale by Aihbnrton Drag Company ,



Mr F. Olark, tobacconist, has on sale the Lyttelton Times, Canterbury Times, and Sportsman



Mr J. Wilson, houae decorator, has been fortunate in securing the agenoy for Ash burton and district of the now famous " Hall's Sanitary Washable Distemper " or Water Paint, at used for renovating all the prinoipal hospitals, betels, etc, throughout Great Britain and the oolonies. Before renovating the Ghristchnroh Hospital some time ago, a competition was held to deoide upon what kind of distemper er paint would be used for cleansing and deooratlog the buildings. After exhaustive tests and trials " Hall's Water Faint" was considered by far the best, and has been used in tbe institntion ever since. It is very suitable for applying to walls and ceilings of kitobens, whether wood or plaster. It has an advantage over oil paint, inasmuch as insects cannot live near it. It is very easy of application—by simply adding hot or oold water, it is ready for immediate use, and in three weeks' time is washable. Mr Wilson has a shlpmsst fait te haad.~(Aiv^ XI .



A GOOD COPGH MEDICINE 16 apeaks well for Chamberlain's Cough Remedy when druggiita use it in their own families in preferenoe to any other. ' I have gold Chamberlain 1* Cough Remedy for the paßt five yeara with ootnplebe eatlafaotion to myaelf and cuatomera,' taya Druggist J Qoldimlth, Tan Etten, NY, 'I have alwaye uaed it in my own family both for ordinary coughs and colda and for the cough following la grippe, and find it very effioaoiou*,' For sale by Athburton Drag Company NOTICE.— The rapid Shirt Gloss is so easily used that a obild can gloss collars and shirts, and Rive them the appear anceof new—John Obb & Co and Shbaeman Bios ' : ■ !" " '



▲ BPRAINID AKKLK QUtCCLT OWMD *At one time I suffered from a severe sprain of the Ankle,' says George B Gary, " editor of the Guide, Washington, va. 'After using several well recommended medioiatii \ without H«r>cc»B,l tried Chamberleih'a Pain Balm, ftnd am pleased to say that relief came as aooo as I began iti we, and a complete are speedily followed.' Sold byAshbuton c Drug Cf »p«r