Mail Notices.

Mails cloae for the following places as under, subject to the necessary alterations: — TUESDAY, JULY 24 For Northern Ports, and Weatpori, and West Coast, per Botomahana, at 6 30 p ra FRIDAY, JULY 27. For Northern Portß and Westporfc, Austra lian Colonies (via Wellington), South Africa, Ceylon, India, Chioa, etc , also Uni'ed Kingdom and Continent of Europe, specially addressed " via Suez," per Mokoia, at 10.30 a.m. Due Bydney Augnsb 2nd, London September 11. For Australian Colonies (via iJIuS), per express, to connect with Westra!ia, at 12 30 p.m. W. H. Kbnnge, Postmaster.

THE ASHBURTON TRAIN SERVICES

Trains leave Ashburton daily for— CHRISTOHURGH—at 720 a.m., 11 a.m., 3.15 p.m., 7,5 p m. (express) TIMARU~at 10 55 a.m., 3 50 p.m. DUNEDIN—at 12.54 p.m. (express) SPRINGBURN-at 4.25 p m. Trains arrive daily at Ashburton from— CHKISTOHUROH—at 10.45 ».m., 1247 p.m. (express), 8 p.m. TIMARU-at 10.35 a.m., 2 55 p.m. DUNEDIN—at 6.57 p.m. (express) SPRINGBURN-at 9.45 a.m,

EPHEMERIS.

Phases of Moon fox July.

SUN.

SECOND EDITION Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, JULY 23, 1900. THE DISTRESS IN INDIA.

Thb present distress in India is un doubtedly chiefly due to an inadequate supply of rain. The total failure of a monsoon, combined with a small aver age rainfall is sufficient to cause a drought for one season, but when there is a succession of the drought for three or even two seasons the result is famine ami starvation. The famine of 1876

distressed. They enjoyed good harvests i in 1898, and some of the districts which suffered most severely in 1896 97 are not so badly off this year." It appeats to us that on the principle that prevention is better than cure, some thing more must be done than the distribution of charitable aid when the i enemy is upon them. One method] would appear to be artificial 4rri»ation of the areas liable to suffer; and the other would be to promote whole s*le emigration of the inhabitants to more favoured regions. History records more than one instance of countries having been abandoned by their inhabitants, owing to the effect upon their productiveness caused by gradual climatic changes. As to the irrigation question, we believe that has been engaging the attention of the Indian authorities for so no a time pasf, and possibly the results may become noticeable in the future. With regard to emigration, the great difficulty in the way of that is the ultra-conser vatism of the Indian character as well as their ignorance. If it were not for this we might entertain strong hopes that the problem how to permanently relieve Hindustan from ita famine curse, might speedily be solved. Great Britain has in Australia-—and will pre sently have in Africa—vast areas of territory, where suitable colonies of Asiatics could be established. And although it would take a long time to relieve India of some millions of her surplus population, the ultimate effect could not fail to be beneficial to the millions of poor people who look to her for help and protection.

1873 was the most severe that ha been experienced in India for a century, i,,•' i „•„ m.«,-« :„ i otk rpk and this began m Mysore in 1875. The southwest monsoon failed to bring it usual rainfall in the summer of 1876, and the north east monsoon proved deficie-t la ttemlh-wtan. province* On that occasion the Government of India spent over £9,000,000 in reliev- ing the distress, and millions of people loft their livea ia .pita of the relic afforded. Ihe present famine is expected to, at least, equal the great famine we have been referring to, aod.lre.dy nearly £10.000,000 h.v, been spent in relief of the sufferers, while employment involving the j special expenditure Ot quite an equal sum is being provided by the govern- ment. The quest ion naturally presents itself whether this widespread disaster it,. ii .t -i- ij •* j. and death could not be mitigated if not prevented. Although droughts of almost equal severity have been experienced in Australia the results , r , , , , .. have not been nearly so calamitous as those in India, chiefly because the inhabitants of the former country are more intelligent, prosperous, and pro- r, ' r . i . ... r , gressive and better able to tide over the time of difficulty. Nevertheless it does seem to be a reflection upon modern civilisation that these terrible famines ,  Tj , , i should occur. It might be supposed, that, taught by the lessons of the past, jt would be possible for the Indian authorities to take some effective steps .  . , .. .£ to at least lessen the pressure upon the districts that are usually affected. At present the famine seems to come upon the country like a pestilence marching ... ' , \ j , , . 8 on with resistless tread, and leaving death and disease in its track. The Under Secretary of State for India, writing to the Agent-General for New tj i a -it. t i  . . Zealand with reference to the contn- bution from this colony, says ;—" One notable feature of the present famine igthfttGuzerat,Katbiawar,andßaroda • i cc l j ni. are very aenously affected. 1 hese are the richest and most fertile tracts of Western India, and it is said that these regions have not suffered seriously from famine for about » century. The « . it, . ... t ■ Central Provinces, which were famine atricksn in 1597, are again severely

Local and General.

%* Interesting reading matter will be found on the first and fourth pages of this issue.

Wbathkr Forecast—Captain Edwins forecast for to-day is :—North to Wesb and South West gale. Glass fall; indications of rain.

Killed in Battle.—We learn that Mr T A Gates has juit received a letter from his brother in South Africa stating that) his nephew, Sergeant W Loyd Gates, had been killed during the relief of Mafeking. He was in the Rhode»i*n corps Thk Fabmer's Coopkbativk Association —A notification appear* in our advertising columns, that the dividend and bonus for the past year will be payable on 20th July, at the Ashburton Office, West Street), Sshbubtoit Goons—The tit. Janet Nicoll arrived at Timaru on Saturday morning, with a cargo of merchandise. Ths following are Ashburton consignees :—J T Coooh, E Pigott,Carson &Son, Nioho 1 Bros., Fletcher Bros., Fleming Bros , Shearman Bros., vV H Collins, J Baker. The s.s. Pukaki landed a cargo of sugar at Timaru on Saturday. Correction —In our reporb of the lecture by the Rev. R A Woodthrope* on the " Rise and progress of the British Empire," in Sat urday's issue, there was a curious printei'a error s the word "tall " taking the plaoe of " progress 'in the introduction. The error is is so cbvious, however, that nobody wonld be misled by it, especially in view of the fact that the Reverend lecturer ia a pro ounced optimist in all things national, and not a pessimist. Heavy Seas at 1 imaru—lb is reported that tha heavy sea on Thursday caused con siderable damage on farms abutting on the ooanh between Washdjke and Opihi. So much surf ran over the crest of the beach i hat large areas o? grass land and sown crops were flooded, and as the water can only escape slowly, some of the grain Will be ruined. Ono cf the oldest settlers in the district states that he never saw the sea water reach so far inland before. The Cape Nomh Rush —San Francisco news states that tha a.s Zealandia (which is well known in Auckland as an ex-mail liner) recently left 'Frisco with gold diggers for Cape Nome, This, tha largest) steamer thus far sent to Nome, carried the largest cumber of people that yet has gone at one time. There were 750 passengers and a crew of 120 aboard, 870 souls in all. Many women were aboard, most of them going without male protection to setk their for* tunes in the greatest mining camp of the times.

The Obmazok—Mr F Cookeon, who left for South Africa by the Ormazou, as one of the grooms in charge of tho remounts, writ ingbo his parents in Ashburton, from Albany, states that the Ormszon had a very rough pa'sage across. Only one horse from the division in which he was employed had been lost. One of the vets, who shipped for the voyage, intended leaving at Albany, and his departure was apparently appreciated. Mr Cookacn concluded hia letter by stating that he had been a regular attendant ad the mess-room, and eejiyed his meals.

Gold in AsHBDKTON—Tha Otago Daily Times of Saturday sajs:—A well-authenti cated report comes from Ashburton to the effect that when a pair of ducks were killed this week at the vicarage, three grains of gold were found in their gizzards. A quantity of shingle had been carted from the river-bed to the yard, and the gold is sup posed to have come from the shingle. The fctory ia by no means an improbable one, as ipoes of gold can be found in the Ashburton river-bed from the mouth right away up the gorge bo its source.

d Oddmllowskip—The usual meeting of *h9 L l oyßl NiiP P c!dSt, of p *Bt « wands, was held ia the Oddfellows oham b„ 0B FtWay , veniDg> Brow SoftJ> Pfe|U s <|jnt, in $h« chair. After the tontine huiineii had been Sraaaacted, a school was formed, Jh° Secretary «Bro A P*ter«m P G) con *«£*£%S%X O.t.'PGW greß . The President then took charge of the school, and gave valuable instructions in the purple degree. The Secretary informed the f J-JJ tT^SSfftS S^XtES the Decenary arrangements were made for receiving the candidate, aad conferring the degree. Questions for the good of the order the way peculiar to Fast Grands, The PoDLTBY SHOvy _ The , ate PoHlbrF Show ha« established a record for Ashbur ton; the entries were larger than,those for aDy former Bhow ; the buildings were far *ad »^y most commodious the Society nas Y6® been able to set for the purpose : the lighting was admirable;- the locality in the busiest street in Ashb'urton was all in ! favour of success ; and lastly, the financial reaul*B hay» h been bo. fcter th9n oa»aJ «O™M occasion. Ib may be mentioned here that Bpacia i credlt thould bo given co Mr p a i mer( who judged the pigaona, canaries, pets, and fowls for export, for the manner in which aI! W *?"'* T,° *f epted> ?•• to,°» estabhaned a record, for there was absolutely no diM( . nb from hlg decision?, Ib may be added that we omitted to mention a very ni°e exhibit from flighbank (Mr W Davis) "^JfVJtlkfi™ ?> ndofcto oookerel entered for exhibition only, g T Johns'Ambulanoh Classes-The first lecture of the St John's Ambulance Classes waß Biven by Dr Bolger this afternoon, J"«y 21. There were thirty members p«- Bent. This first lecture the Dr. informed those present; was nob perhaps tha most interes lag of the course, nevertheless it wai very attentively listened to with great in taresfc }* the J.adP"- A Committee meeting was afterwards held, to arrange various matters in connection with the classes. Ib was resolved thab the Hon. Beoretary shttll be in attendance at the class room, Wakanui Road Board Office on Thursday evening, July 26, from itoßp m, to receive the namei of ladle, and gentlemen wishing fco join evening cltsses, and also for the mem bers to arrange what evening would bo the "«»t suitable, B wa« announced that the examination* to oe held at the close of the , eotureßf waß Bofc oompu i aor y f ftp d thab fch6 the fee for the Utah course of lectures is ss. The action of the Secretary in various de? ta.iJj? c e o e arriod outl ' WM fcPP roved to *o Com mimf c" ..  v  „ , m „ The rehableFamily Remedy Woods Grea Pe ppe rm i n t Cure for Cough. m l Oolds « ii 6d and 2a Od

Transvaal War.

Engagement at Rietvlei

New Zcalanders Outflanked

Cap!me of Sixteen

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

London, July 21

Lord Methuen occupied Heckpoort unopposed. General Hamilton and Major - General Mahon's forces are marching north of the Delagoa railway.

General Hunter is reconnoitring between Bethlehem and Fickaburg. Fifteen burghers at Zeerust have been banished to Oeylon, and their property confiscated, for a^ain taking up arms after surrendering. One burgher, for firing at a wounded officer, was sentenced to two years' imprison ment in Oeylon. General Fole-Oarew fought a stiff action at Rietvlei. The Boers used Oreusot guns and pompoms. They outflanked a party of New Zealanders on the right, capturing Sergeant Mac Donald, Corporals Richardson and Davit, Privates Alderson, Cone, Cross, Lloyd, Hughes, Kenningfon, McLel land, MacOullock, Mackenzie.JPeterson, R A Smith, Whitson, and Wright. Oapbtown, July 21

At the opening of the Oape Parlia ment Sir A Milner said be anticipated the early close of the war. Sir J Gordon Sprigs has a majority of six in the Souse.

THE NEW ZEALAND CONTINGEN TS.

CASUALTIES AT REIIVLEI.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Wellington, July 21 The Premser has received a oable message from Sir Alfred Milner, High Commissioner, reporting the following casualties among the mounted infantry at Keitvlei, on July 16th : —Severely wounded, Lieutenant John Find lay (I'emuka); missing, Captain L Bourn, Timaru (Third Contingent)! Lieutenant) J Cameron, Wanganui (Second Contingent), Sergeant A McDonald, Hasting?, Corporal T 6 A Richardson, Hawke'a Bay, Corporal L M Davis, Hawke's Bay, Privates A Cone, Raugior*, C E Cross, Fairlie, R Lloyd, Hawera, J C Hughes, Napier, J Kennington, Marlborough, R McCullock, Waipawa, W McLennan, Ruanui, Wanganni district, A Peterson, Napier, R D Smith, Waimate, H T Whitson, Hawke's Bay, J Wright, Wan ganui, J T Anderson, and F E Mackenzie. The J O Hughes, who was reported missing after tha engagement at Reitvlti, must not be confounded with Lieutenant John S Hughes of the First Contingent. The similarity of initials and fact that both men hail from Napier led to a mistaken impression here that it was Lieutenant Hughes who was missing. James C Hughes, the missing mao, was a trooper in the Third Contingent. The Premier has also received informa tion that 160 of our men have been taken iuto the South Afrioan police service, and 100 men who went to Beira under Captain- Major have passed into the regulars.

Correspondence.

(We do not bold ourselves responsible for opinions expressed by our correspondents

NOXIOUS WEEDS.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sib,—la the Hit of noxious weeds enu merated by Mr Lead ley in his interesting and practical remarks on the Noxious Weeda Bill shortly to be introduced by the Government, is included coarse ragwort or giant groundsel. This weed haß recently become a serious nuisance in certain bush districts in Southland and Tatan&ki. Last year I procured some seed from Southland with a view to testing its growth in the drier climate of Canterbury. Although the large laciniated, fleshy leaves shrivelled somewhat in the nor'west wind, the plants grow vigorously notwithstanding they were planted in poor soil. There are two varie ties of tho plant one with lemon, the other with orange coloured flowers. The plants grew eighteen inches high, the flowers being the siza of a half crown, and very handsome* Up to the present time I have not) met with these plants in a wild state in the Ashburton County.--I am Ac,

W.W.S.

A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.

A FAMILY ATTACKED BY BLACKS.

United Press Association—By Eleetrio Telegraph—Copyright)

Sydney, July 21

A, terrible tragedy occurred near Gilgandia. The police report that two aboriginals, Jemmy and Joe Governor, attacked the family of a selector named Mawbey, killing a son Perceval, a daughter Hilda, and a boarder, Miss Kerz, a school teacher, dangerously wounding Mrs Mawbey, a daughter Grace, and a niece, Elsie Oiark. Other reports state that four abori* gines employed by Maw bay committed fhe murders. They ascertained thab he was sleeping from home, and that only the women and children were together. They attacked the unfoetunate people after they had gone to bed, and as they rose and attempted to escape, the murderers battered in their heads and horribly mutilated them with toma* hawks, One little boy escaped by creeping under a bed. There is small hope of the wounded recovering, their injuries being so terrible. Strong forces of mounted police and settlers are pursuing the murderers. Stdnet, July 22

Grace Mawbey is dead, There are faint hopes that the mother and Miss Olarke will recover. One of the Mawbey boys who escaped states that he and bis two brothers were sleeping in a room adjoining the house when the blacks knocked at the door. Percy, aged fifteen, opened the door, and was at once knocked down and killed. He heard tha other blacks outside say ' Sail into them; kill all.' A second boy escaped, getting under a bed, and a third managed to get out, and ran for his father, Mawbey found the body of Miss Kerz lying in her nightdress some distance from the house, and Hilda's body a few yards away in a creek. He discovered both front and back doors smashed in. Mawbey rushed round to the blacks' camp and found that all had cleared out j

All the women were sleeping in one room, Hilda Mawbey and Miss Kerz managed to get onfr, but were pursued and cat down with tomahawks.

Various reasons are given for the tragedy, Oue is that Maw bey owed a little aioney for work, another that Miss Mawbey tried to get Jimmy Governor's wife, a white woman, to leave hire. This woman was arrested while making crosa country. She told the police that only Jimmy and Joe Governor w«re eqgaged in the tragedy. When they came back Jimmy said they had killed all the Maw beys, and told' his wife to clear out or ho would kill her, Jot Porter, a black, and a hoj

belonging to the gang were arrested in the bush. They stated that they bad nothing to do with the murders.

The murderers were seen and fired on today Ihey left a tomahawk and provisions, which on the previous diy they had obtained from a settler They are mailing towards rough country at the he-d of the Goulbourn river They are known to have a rifle with them

Horse Breeding in New Zealand

[Contributed.]

Ac the subjec' of horse breeding is claim ing the attention oi breeders, Agricultural societies, and als > the Government at the present lima, it would not be out of place to publish a few ideas gathered after an ex perience of % quarter of a century among gtu I stock in this solony. la doing so I do cot claim to be an infal ible authority, but do cluim to be in a rosiion to give an impartial and intelligent opinion. For years pnot it has ' e«n patent that the subject would be brought home to us sooner or later, as our stock has been deteriorating consider ably both in qmiity and numbers. The unuensl demand put upon our resources laely ia furnishing horses fit for the British army proved conclusively that we had only a small percenbnge that could fulfil all the requirements of the military standard. The majority of those offered were condemned through unsoundness. The shipments which bye left these shores for Africa may safely be n d to represent the pick of the count!y,und presumably will never return. They might also be taid to be the soundest horses that we had, so that it is obvio s we have a shortage of sound mares now in the colony to brid from. Various causes can be as-igued for the deterioration of our j equine sock. ohfef among them being the ignorarca displayed by owners of mares in mating them, and the fact that breeding has ! not been carried on of late years to the same extent as formerly. Owing to the low prices ruling for horse flesh, owners have been' careless about breeding, and we have allowed suitable round mares to run dry. The introduction of the bioyefe and other modern and up-to-date meao» of locomotion, railways, seam and electric trams, and traction engines caused a great f*ll In the amount of breeding done, and the principles under which the remainder were done were such that it could nob be remunerative, I propose to deal with each class of horses,and show the reason of the deteriaration and where an improvement can be made advan tageously to all concerned I intend there fora to deal under different headings with each type of horse, and poinb out how an improved stamp could be produced suitable to the wants of this country

The present seems a moat opportune time for discussing the subject, seeing that it is being taken np by those interested in a practical manner. At the Conference of Agricultural Societies in Wellington lately, tha question obtained prominence, but nothing definite wbb done, with the excep tion of recommending the Government to seed exparts round when requested, to examine stallions as to soundness, and issue a cerb iicate to that effect, The report of bhe discussion at that Conference in regard to horse-breeding shows that one very important class of horses whs entirely over looked, one which I contend reqaires the most attention. The agitation in favour of a better stamp of lighb horse is in my opinion more applicable to draught horses, for late yean we oould not cope with the demand locally, and in consequence high prices have been ruling, whereas we have been able to export to Africa light horses to the extent I believe of about 2000. If the colony were called upon to supply the same number of draught Block it would be impos sible to do so. I purpose to trace the history of the draught horse in New Zealand, from what it was twenty years ago, and let the facts speak for themselves as to whether the stock has improved or degenerated.

A common error prevails among people unacquainted with the different typas of draughts. Generally, it is supposed that the true type of a draught horse is the Glydes^&ie, this showing their ignorauce of a subject on which some of them try to ba the guides of public opinion, and a great deal of the preieuo unsatisfactory state of horse breeding in this eolcnj can be at tributed to this source, Criticism on the merits or otherwise of stud stock should be given guardedly >inle»s the critic is capable of bringing knowledga and impartiality to his aid Otherwise those who do not pro fess to be judges m*y be led astray. My objsub in writing these notes is aimply to show in a non-professional but practical manner where the fault lies in the present system of horse breeding. Different causes bare been assigned by different) writers as to the present unsatisfactory condition of this most important indue* try Generally the sire is blamed, and other causes are suggested ; but they nearly all appear to me to be wide of the mark. Those acquainted with the history of the draught horse in this colony will agree with me when I pay that we owe the suaoeas of our first efforts in producing the stamp we did to Tasmania and Victoria, Tasmania particularly, for providing ua with a grand stamp of mares and stallions. Th« enterprise of our pioneers in importing from Scotland tome of the best strains ob tainable proved conolutively that with knowledge and patience wa could produce a type of draught horse which oould nob be excelled in any part of the world. When one recalls some of the early sires we pos sessed a d look at sires of the present day, ib is seen that wa have s»dly degenerated. I need only to recall to mind some of those sires of the earlier days and those who study the breeding of this class will agree that it would not have been possible to have selected better, to lay the foundation of a good stamp of draughts. Such were the Prino* of Wales, Prince Charlie, Emperor, Champion, Sir Colin, Young Hero, Van quisher and Lord Salisbury and others. No doubt, had the fame men by whose efforts , the colony became poseeaeed of such valuable j ' sires continued to carry on bhe good work j begun by them, we would not now be looking for means to improve this breed. We had a stamp of Clydesdale then which any country might justly be proud of. We had a olass ' of tneu who would spend their last shilling in obtaining a good horse, and breeders vied with each other in trying to produce a better animal. Those were the times when 100 ; guineas were looked upon as a very low j price for it draught horse. We had the men ; and we had the money. The Agricultural Societies encouraged them by giving good prize money and oupi. Competition was keen, and if a man was beaten by his neighbour this year he tried the next; to reverse the defeat. We had a olass of good sound horses then. But upon the introduc tion of crossbred horses of what may be termed the Shire strain, all this was altered and we began to produce another stamp, the first of which obtained much favour, but each succeeding generation degenerated more and more owing to the constant in breeding, so that we have now only a very inferior stamp of draught horse. Still a few believers in Clydesdales have coDMßtently tried to maintain their standard with the material at hand, against the popular fancy of the crossbred, whose ideal of a draught horse was the quantity of coarse hair and bone it oould produce. In maintenance of my contention that a mistake was made in crossing the Clydesdale as far as our own requirements were concerned, I will, with your permission, in a future issue describe the chief points of a Clydesdale and of the horse thab has succeeded it.

CRICKET.

United Press Association^By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

London, July 20 A cricket match at Lord's the Gentle mon versus the Players, wag drawn. In the first innings the Gentlemen scored 297 rnns and in the second 339 ; the Player* in the first innings scored 129, and in the second eight wickets fell for §02. R B Foster, for the Gentlemen, scored 102 not out and 136 in the first and second innings respectively.

Uneq ailed and Invincible, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure for Oougha and Colds, li 6d and 2a 6d

THE CRISIS IN CHINA.

Chinese Governor Esports Minis-

ters Safe

Delayed Message from Amerioan

Minister

The Invasion of Siberia.

China Seeks an Ally.

United Preen Association—By Eleetrio Telegraph—Copyright Washington, July 21

Mr J. Fowler, American Vice- Oonsul at Che-ioo, cables that the Governor of Shantung telegraphed to him late yesterday that he had just received definite information that all the Ministere were weU. The authori ties at Pekin were devising measure! for the rescue and protection of the Ambassadors.

The Chinese Minister at Washington on the 11th despatched a cipher message from Colonel Hay to Mr Congers, American Minister at Pekio. The reply, undated, containing fifty words in American cipher, w»« to the effect that they were in the British Legation under shot and shell, and quick relief alone would prevent & massacre. The Washington authori ties consider the message genuine. Mr Fowler reports that on question ing the Governor oi Shantung with reference to the rumors of the massacre of Europeans, the Governor replied that his messenger left Pekin on the lltb, when the rebels bad invaded the Eastern Oity, intending to kill the foreigners' It is believed that this message was sent prior to thai from Mr Fowler previously referred to. London, July 21 There is a consensus of opinion hero that Mr Conger's message was written before the massacre, and was purpose}? delayed. There is nothing to connect it with Colonel Hay's message. * | Paris, July 21

M. Pichon, the French Minister at Pekin, writing under date Jane 12ib, stated that obscure and terrible things were in progress behind the curtain. Some awful act of ferocity wag in pre paration. The Chinese Minister in Paris presented to M Deleaese the Emperor's appeal, dated the 19th, asking France to mediate, but no mention was made of the fate of the foreigners. M Delcasse replied that an answer would be given to the appeal through tbe French Legation at Pekin if he were assured that M Pichon were safe.

M Loubet telegraphed to M Pichon: -—" Mediation depends upon the certainty of the Ambassadors being protected, the removal of Tuan from power, the cessation of hostilities, and the repression of the Boxers. Otherwise military action will continue.' He adds that Ohina must fetch & reply to this message to the Legation. The object of M. Loubet's messages is to prevent Ohina pretending that France alona has normal relations with the Tsung Li Yaraen.

Hokg Kong, July 22

The Governor of Shantung denies ever announcing the Pekin massacre. He fixes the date of Mr Conger's reply to Colonel Hay's message as tbe 18th. An Imperial decree, dated the 18th, which was transmitted to Europe and America through Li, President of the Imperial Council, says:— "For the past month, excepting Baron yon Ketteler, murdered by the rebels, whom we ordered to be sought out and punished, all the foreign Ministers have been, protected by the Imperial Court, and are safe. Li Hung Chang is proceed ing north to suppress the rebellion." Washington, July 21

The Chinese Ambassador; here declares that the decree adds :■—" The insurgents are fighting each other." Colonel Hay transmitted his latest despatches to the Ambassadors abroad, instructing them to urge the Powers to cooperate for the immediate relief of the foreigners in Pekin.

Mr Long cabled to Admiral Remy the purport of Mr Conger's message, adding instructions that he should urge by every means possible, Mr Conger's relief.

July 22 Admiral Kemy cablti th»t the allies will advance on Pekin on August 15 Hon* Kong, Joly 20 There is intense indignation here in connection with honour shown to Li Hung Chang, who, while in receipt of telegrams from the Empress, refused to allow the embassies to communicate with their Governments al the ti»e, Li Hung Chang has added §000 men to the Bogue forts at Canton,

July 22 Li Hying Chang has arrived a| Shanghai. He states that his appoine mentia signed by the Emperor and Empress. The Emperor of China on July 3rd wrote to the Mikado of Japan urging Japan .to make common cause with Ohina against Europe. The Mikado replied urging the rescue of the foreign Ministers and the suppression of the disorders.

Japan is embarking another division and a large siege train for Ohina. Eighty two Belgian missionaries are reported as missing.

London, July 20 Advices from Vienna state that Russia has requested the Sultan of Turkey as the Caliph of the Mahom medans, to tranquilise tbe Chinese Mahommedans.

The memorial service in St Paul's for the victims of the massacre has been postponed.

Liv Tun Vi, Viceroy of Kiang-su, Kiangsi and Nyaa Whei, whose capi tal is Nankin, according to a Shanghai correspondent, forbids the strengthen ing of the Woosang forts, The cor respondent adds that in Nankin thft Viceroy's authority is disregarded aj an insufficient guarantee of the maintf-. nance of order north of the 7ang-ta^«- Jkiang.

The Shanghai correspondent of the Times hints that Li Ha ng Chang ii likely to h* detained as a hostage till the situation is m»de clear

Li Hung protested his inability to forward a message to Marquis Baggi, the Italian Minister at Pekin

His appointment is interpreted by *"he Chinese at Shanghai to lneatt that the Dowager Eaaprus reftliiea tfat

T E^;A?HBUETOK 00ABDlA% f MONDA^JULTi^ 2^1900



First qnarfcer Fall muon Last quarter New moon

5 11 13 0 19 5 27 1

44 am 52 am 1 pm 13 am



Date I'uly 23 » 24 .. 25 „ 26 „ £7

Kl'fiH 7 25 7 24 7 23 7 22 7 21

4 49 4 50 4 51 4 52 4 53



BEBGFIt'B BHEEP-MAEiC ING COMPOSITION. IN THRES COLORS-BLACK, BED. BLUE, finest and most economical Sheep X Branding Oil in'he market Read the opinions <i leading Sheep Farmers in Otago: TTE INTRKD UfING IT AGAIN 1 *'rtm S.Z. AgriculturalOo, Waimea, House, Qore, May 22, 1897 Dear Sirs,— We have f.jund Bergers Marking Oil fo be a good and durable sheep biandins miteii'il and intend using It again, as betr*g cheaper thantheprepara- Jsn formerly used fur the purpose.— P J Patebson, Stat. Mgr. UNDOUSTBOtY HIRE ECONOMICAL THAN Olt AND lAMPBEiACK from J M McKen»i», Bu^hy Park Estate, Palmeraton. May 19,1897 Dear Siis.—l hay» great pleasure in Btaticg that Bbbner's Sheep Branding Compound that I received from you has given me every satisfaction, and iv undoubted "y more economical than eil and lampblack. I SUKE A POINT OF BECOMMBVDISG IT From Kabert Logan, Maritang*, Hyde,J M»ylO, 1897 Dear Sire,—l have used Berger's Branding Oil for some years, and have . ound It so satisfac ory that I raaka a point of recommending it. The liquid in the drums is of the same c insistency right irom top to bottom, and requires no stirring.



GKXY TO £E t«ED TO BB AFPKEOIATED om James Taylor, Wairana, Clinton 15,1897 ear Sirs,— I used Bkbgbb's Branding black and red, last seasm on my Hock, ami I am perfectly satisfied with the results. To sheep farmeis the preparation invariable, baing always ready and toighly economical. I r. has only to be used to be appreciated. OIVBN BVEBY SATISFACTION FOB SKViSKAL YEARS From Mr J,>hn KHiofcr, GM brook Station, M»d3!eirarch. May 18, 1897 My Dear Sirs, — In reply to your inquiry regarding Bbeoba"s Sheep Marking Oora pound. We have used this Compound on all our fl ckß for several yeara ard it has given every satisfaction. 1b is o even quality and is ready for use. I find it lasts well, being quite legible on ftsl woollad skins It is much more eoonomi cal than brand made with the old materials (lampbHcir and oil), as owing to its even quality, there is no waste. Always ready for use Guaranteed not to injure ihn wo!. Will wash off on tcourlrig withoub leaving a stain. Sold by F. FEEUIMA.N, Aehburton, N.Z. F. FERRIMAN.



FOB SALE, In Peter Su-Ret, A COMFORTABLE HOME, consisting JuL <*f.7 rooms, with bath and abundant supp'y of water, detached washbotne, J acre of good land, planted with fruit trees, within three minutes' walk of the railway station. The greater portion of She purchase mom y can remain on mortgage. F. FEKRIMAN. Estate Agenfc, Athburlon. 5 Town Sections, a capital site for r-niHing, within 4 minutes' walk of Post Office. F FBRMMAN. , __ FOR B.\LF. HOUSE of 8 rooms £ acre of land Price £150, £30 deposit. F, FERRIMAN, ' fuITSALK, Alford Forrs-. Road. HOUSK of 6 room* and ~i\ acres of land, af'j ins Mr G.:orge Hosken's properly ; easy terms. F. FBBRTMAM^ ~FOR"SALW AT ALLKNfON, AFirat class Block of Land, containing h\ acre*, we^l watered, long frontage on a goi>d ro*d. The greater porblon of the parcbase can remain at 5 per cent. Ad»p*cd for subdivision. Anyone with a Hule capital, and half an eye fco th© tutore, will inspect and aecure fcbis block* F. FBRPfMAN.



1 " FOR BALH\ A Font Booroei Houbs and £ acre of land in the suburbs. Price £lbO. F. FERRIMAN ' FOKITaLE, Burnett Street, Adjoining Dr Hunter's Evidence, OVKR| acre land, with House of 7 R*oiDß, easy terms f. ferriman -1 for sale, tancred streut, The Residential Street of the Town, A Comfortable Dwelling of 8 rooms; the section is well fenced, and of good quality. F, FRRKIMAN. folTsTm, OAKTJtws terrace. 3£ Acres of L*nd, with good Bamlly Residence of 10 r om% stable, trap house, etc ; the grounds are well laid out To anyone desirpua of either retiring from farming or of living near the town for the purpose of educating their children, this property affords an oppor* tnnlty Beldom met with. F FERRIMAN, ' FOX 8 ALE, £%f\ Acres of Land, willi new house of 9 J!S3 rooms, stable, and every modorn convenience, f. ferriman. ""- "farsFfor sale. ' Q/f Acres', within 2 miles of Aehburton. O4: This should prove a sound invest* assnt for capital. Price, £1174. Th'S property will lot en a long lease to & good tenant. F. FERRTMAN.



FOR BALB, A Good Sheep Faim' of 650 Aorea. A Good Sheep Farm of 300 Acres, A Good Siieep Farm o? 320 Acres, F. FERRIMAN. i Aceeafc Tinwald, near the ra'conage. F. FERBIMAN. "~ FAIRTON. A Small Paddock, well fenced. Price £30. F. FBRRIMAN. WANTED— Buyers to see our value in Dress Goods. Wo have a well selected stock, bought by our London Agent for cash in the beat markets and we confi dently invite inspection and comparison. Firet-cIMB Dress-making on the Premises. —Mitchell & Tornbb KW.MsnVsaitsleft-, 25s (worth 355); also 30a (worth 42s 6;1). The last lot nf Tweed Tronaera at 4s <worth 6i lid) and 6b (worth B-i 93). 48 white shirts, all sizes, g» 6d.—Nobthcote & Hbffobd. ANTED" KNOWN—Removal' of the old established firm of Mitchell & Turner, from old premises in Tancred Street $0 New Shop in Burnett Street Smoke New Venus



CYCLES RE-PLATED AND RE-ENAMELLED la all Colours, including the LATEST KSAKI, with Silver and Gold Decorations, i From 20s. DATES, im AND CO. ZEALANDIA CYCLE WORKS, Burnett Street ROCK Salt 5s 6d per owt. or £4 10a per ton; fine Salt 5a per owt; Course Salt 4« 91 per owt; at Fletcher Bkos. Ca3h Supply Stores. Smoke New Venus. j



GEEAT WINTER SALE (For 31 Days) COMMENCING FRIDAY MORNING. JULY Bth GREAT REDUCTIONS I* GENERAL & FANCY Da APERY, CLOTHING, & B X)TS. fplendid Opportunity for Cash Purchasers ROSLTN Blankets from 16s 9d English Bbnketa 8s 64 to 12s 9d Men's Saddlo Tweed Trooaers, Colonial, 10s 6d to 12<6d Men's Ail Wool K*iapoi Trousers 5a 6tl, 6s 9d, and 7s 6d Men a Waterproof Coats, sewn Beams, greatly reduced Ladies' Jackets, O»pes, and Mantles half price 60 Maids' Macintoshes at 4s 6d"j Ladteti' 7s 6J Black Cashmeres from Is 6d per yard Grand Stock of Ladies' Corsets much under usual price tiskvy and Black Serges, all wool, much reduced Every Article in Stock largely Discounted TAILORING DEPARTMENT.—Raving secured 1 the services of ft first-class cutter, Suits now made from £8 3s, perfect fit, DRESSMAKING,—This Department is giving every satisfaction; fife and style, at moderate prtaes. ANDREW 0 RR.



"THE INQIE-NETJK with routh o'bannocks and bairna." —Lean Rami&y: ADD TO THIS TO PERFECT YOUR COMFORT, A PLENTIFUL SUPPLY OF HONDAI-LANKA OEYLON PACKED T*A. Just as it comes from the Ceylon Factory Pure as the Lily, Fragrant as the Eose, Genuine as the Thistle. 1900 WINTER 1900 A SEASONABLE HINT TO THE PUBLIC. TRY MITCHELL AND TOBNER for BLANKETS, TRY MITCHELL AND TURNER for best value in FLANNELETTS TRY MITCHELL AND TURNER for LADIES' JACKETS, each one a Novelty TRY MITCHELL AND TURNER for all kinds and sizes of knitted UNDERWEAR TRY MITCHELL AND TURNER for DRESS GOODS and DRESS MAKING TRY MITCHELL AND TURNER for MEN S and BOY'S CLOTH ING of every description. GEAND NEW PREMISES



IN BURNETT STREET, tNEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. Boy's Tweed Sailor Suits from 5« Boy's Serge Sailor Suits from 7s 6d Boy'a Tweed Melville Suits from 9a Boy's Tweed Norfolk Suits from 12a B©y'a Sac Knicker Suira from 18a fed Bey's Covert Coars from 14s 6d Boy's Tweed Overcoats from 6s 6d Bay's Reefer Jackets from 6s 6d Boy's Football Jerseys ivcm 3s 3d Boy's Caps 6d each Boy'a Sailor Tama Is each FOR GOOD VALUE, GOOD WEAR, LOW PRICE GO XO THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY. Cartridges (>itri<iges! Cartridges. Shot. C a^PJj^ Wads, BEFORE Buying any of the above Sporting Requisites call on "THE PEOPLE'S IRONMONGER," who has a splendid selection of Guns s etc., by all the best known makers. TO Builders' and bhoae aboub to build I have in Sbook a Choice Assortment o! Tile >nd other Register Grates, Ranges, Mantelpieces, and all builders Ironmongery afc : jLoweat Price*, TOOLS' TOOLS! TOOLS! I have an immense Stock of Carpenters and Mechanics' Tools, all of the very best makes, and warranted, at prices which are now recognised as 6he Standard Bedrock hardware Prices in the Athburton County. -.«„., *f-REMEMBER THAT MONEY SAVED IS MONEY EARNED & BUY FKOM GTljrT7*T\T\T"\TC< \ THE PEOPLE'S PRACTICAL IRON • M.liiJL/1/IIN O* / MONGER, Burnett Street. Agent for Cleveland and Imperial Hover Bicycles.



LAKGE IMPUTATION | OF | WALL PAPJffiBS. i I HAVE; just received (ex s.s. Paparoa) a Shipment of the NSWKBT IN PAPER HANGING, to which I invite inspection. These papers arc exceedingly rich in design and colouring. People desiroas of decorating their rooms Inter od, may ohose their Hangings from the prutont full Stock, and I will lay them aside until required. J. WILSON, HOUSE DECORATOR, BURNETT STREET. Artirts' Mtttrtel Depot. j



A Silenced Sough I »I* *i* 4" 4» 1 MANY COUGH REMEDIES RELIEVE THE SYMPTOMS AND NOT THE DISEASE. They contain Opium or other Narcotics that drug the Cough into silence—but that is not Curing. The right way to cure a Cough is to cure it to stay cured. The right ■ remedy must go to ¥ A \1 ¥"* 9C? *^c rea* source °* I Anr N trouble and KM£\l\*<4 <J remove it. CREASOTED • EMULSION. of Cod Liver Oil is such a Eemedy. It stimulates the secretions, soothes and heals the irri tated surfaces, cures the Cough, and imparts health to the whole body. It is an Absolute Cure for Consumption All Chemists sell LANE'S CREASOTED EMULSION. . . PRICE 2s. . . OSBORN COOMBE, PIANO TUNER & EXPERT (Late of London),



TS NOW in Ashburtoa for business. ORDERS may be left with MR LLEWELLYN OWEN at his Musio Studio, Aroade Chambers. Ashburton. or at Commercial Hotel.